TerryP
Staff
With a long vacation starting today I've compiled some odds and ends looking at the game this weekend. Random thoughts on different aspects of the series, a few notes on different players, and generally things that just came to mind. It's a little long so grab a drink and sit back a bit.
Best wishes to you and yours this Thanksgiving weekend.
- We all see the term “throw out the record books” when it comes to this weekends game versus Auburn but very, very rarely has that held any water. Just under 70% of the time these two teams meet the team with the best record ends up winning.
- It’s ironic to me to consider how long it’s actually been since this meeting that both teams come in with identical conference records. While I haven’t made a point to actually look it up, I’d dare say this marks the first time in our history that we come in with the conference losses to the same two teams.
- CBS chose not to televise the game this weekend giving ESPN the opportunity to broadcast it Saturday night. The last time ESPN handled the broadcast it happened to be the first year of Mike Shula’s tenure at UA.
- It’s a 7PM CST kickoff meaning the game will be broadcast “under the lights.” Out of the past seven games played at night UA has won four of the contest. One under Bryant in ‘73, one under Stallings in ‘96, and two under DuBose in ‘98 and ‘99.
- I started wondering today when was the last time we played on Thanksgiving weekend. My first thought was the year of the dramatic 4th quarter come back in the UF vs. FSU rivalry. But, as it ends up, it was in 1992.
- A lot has been said over the last few days about Monday’s press conference where Coach Saban made the two historical references about how America overcame adversity after 9-11 and Pearl Harbor. Two things are important about these comments, one seriously overlooked. The team understood his references and how he was using the examples as comparisons. What has been grossly overlooked is following the loss to ULM this past weekend you would expect the media to be spending all of their time talking about how the team had lost. But, what you see the media focused on is Saban himself, not the team. While the loss certainly weighs heavy on the hearts and minds of our players, the distractions that could have plagued them all week are non-existent.
- Looking back over the Shula years the one game that sticks out in my mind is the 2005 game. There, we were as close to be equal as far as talent on the field of play and yet it was the most lopsided loss. The other three games seemingly came down to a key play or two.
- Looking back over Auburn’s current winning streak of five games I still get sick remembering Franchione going for it on 4th down in our own territory. It started the streak, yes. But, it’ll probably be mostly remembered as the game Fran mailed in.
- Recently, on this very forum, one of our Auburn guest made the comment he thought what had transpired this week and the last two weeks were going to have an effect on our recruiting classes and benefit Auburn. Burton Scott made the comment this week that the way we’ve played hasn’t changed his outlook at all. In fact, one recruit we’ve been heavily pursuing, Jerrell Harris, was considered a strong Auburn lean but as the weeks have gone by our chances are looking better and better.
- Reports coming from a few players have Monday as being a good day on the practice field and Tuesday as being even better.
- Today, the OL consisted of Smith, Davis, Cardwell, Johnson and Caldwell. Britt practiced, but this is the first time he’s not been working with the 1’s since his mothers accident. Today was the first day that Davis and Caldwell worked with the 1st OL group. Monday and Tuesday they had been working with the 2nd unit.
- Did you know that Alabama has had 20 different starters on offense this year?
- People have talked about the JPW to DJ Hall combination all year long but seemingly it’s been missed that we have 7 different receivers who have caught a pass for a TD this year.
- If there is one key to an Alabama win in this game and you are curious what it might be no need to look back any further than the last few years. Our QB must be protected. I suspect Auburn’s defensive coordinator, Will Muschamp, will having them coming early and coming often. This defense is every bit as good as the one we faced versus LSU, but much more disciplined.
- Along the DL Motley and Washington have been trading units. Yesterday Motley was in the role of staring nose guard, today it as Washington.
- Glen Coffee has been working with the 1’s since Monday and Lowe has been working with the scout team in Lester’s role. We will closer to full strength at the RB position than we’ve been in awhile. With Coffee’s return, Grant getting healthier as well as Upchurch we should be able to keep fresh legs in the game this weekend.
- It’s been reported that Earl Alexander has been working with the Scout team as well to simulate a running QB.
- With Javier sporting a black, no-contact jersey this week and considered doubtful for the game a lot of responsibility will fall on Lionel Mitchell in our nickel defensive packages. You should look for Auburn to attack Mitchell when they are in passing situations. His playing time over the last 7 games has diminished considering he was a former starter. If he gives up a 3rd and long play, how will he react?
- Gilberry currently leads the SEC in tackles for a loss. We’ve also seen his sack numbers on the rise as well. He’ll be a player to keep an eye out on as well with Auburn giving up on average a couple of sacks per game. This will mark his 49th game for the Tide.
- In our first five games of the season the team had a total of 4 sacks. In our last six games the defense has had 16.
- Zeke Knight had his first career start against Vanderbilt and has improved over the course of the season. Surprisingly absent is the mention of either Saunders or Greenwood this season.
Best wishes to you and yours this Thanksgiving weekend.
