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Auburn Preview: Hogs Go ‘All In’

October 10, 2007 by Walking on Sunshine 

Is it just me…or does anyone else like watching poker on TV?  From ESPN’s World Series of Poker to Poker Superstars and the World Poker Tour, you can watch it all day if you want.  For the Razorbacks, the game with the Auburn Tigers on Saturday is essentially an ‘all in‘ bet: a chance to double up…or go broke.

Brandon Cox / Ernest Mitchell (AP Photo/Todd J. Van Emst)Saying the Hogs are catching the Tigers at a bad time is an understatement.  After dropping back-to-back games to South Florida and Mississippi State, Auburn has righted the ship by winning 20-17 at Florida and then punishing Vanderbilt 35-7 last Saturday.

Winning at Florida has given Auburn a tremendous amount of confidence.  Sort of like last year when DMac and the Razorbacks rolled into the Plains and thumped the Tigers 27-10.  As the Hogs found out, a wave like that can last for a while.

So how are the Tigers doing it?  Simple…by winning the line of scrimmage on almost every play.  Head Coach Tommy Tubberville challenged his veterans on the offensive line by inserting some young, hungry players into the mix a few weeks ago.  Led by true freshman tackle and Rogers native Lee Ziemba, the change has helped the Tigers improve their running game and taken pressure off quarterback Brandon Cox.

Brandon Cox / Jamaal Anderson / Ernest Mitchell (AP Photo/Todd J. Van Emst)Cox is 23-7 as a starter, and is getting spot help from Kodi Burns, the true freshman from Ft. Smith.  Running back Brad Lester came back last week after sitting out the first five games with academic problems.  Lester, along with sophomore Ben Tate and freshman Mario Fannin, gives Auburn three solid backs who can run tough with breakaway speed.

On defense, despite a foot injury to senior All-American defensive end Quentin Groves (2 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 18 QB hurries), the Tigers have been salty.  (Groves missed the Vanderbilt game and may not be available again this week.)  In three SEC games, Auburn has given up an average of 14.3 points per game.

On special teams, kicker Wes Byrum has been ‘Pontiac Game Changing Performance’ clutch, beating Florida with a last second field goal.  And that was after Urban Meyer called a timeout to negate Byrum’s first shot at the game-winner.

The visitor has won four of the last five in this series.  And amazingly, the Tigers are 12-1 in their last 13 SEC road games since 2004.  That’s an incredible mark and, in this league, it speaks volumes about their preparation, execution and leadership.

For the Hogs to have a chance in this game, they’ll have to match up against Auburn and stop the run first.  On offense, the play-action passing game needs to be effective and turnovers need to be limited — two things that didn’t happen last week against UT-Chattanooga.

Will the late start and ESPN atmosphere be enough to help the home team?  Hold on to those score predictions…we’ll make them with you on Thursday.

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Comments

9 Responses to “Auburn Preview: Hogs Go ‘All In’”

  1. darrell(Hog in LA) on October 10th, 2007 12:57 pm

    Ah yes I like the fact two our native sons are leading the ressurgence at Auburn. At what poing are they going to try someone new at quarterback? Auburn probably knows which way the DMAC and Jones are going to run before they get the ball. Hopeful I will turn on TV and we will resemble a different team. GO HOGSGO!

  2. Bluffhawg on October 10th, 2007 3:47 pm

    Who’ll stop the run??? That’ll be the difference.

  3. Carrmaduke on October 10th, 2007 3:59 pm

    Will the Hogs “Flop the Nutts?”

  4. BlindHog on October 10th, 2007 8:03 pm

    Good analysis Sunshine. None of that bodes well for the Hogs. Is there anything else to be said? Will there be on Sunday?

  5. Walking on Sunshine on October 10th, 2007 9:06 pm

    Carrmaduke…very nice. I almost went with “Houston Nutt has more lives than Norman Chad has wives!” But I figured that might be a pretty obscure reference for most folks to get!!!

  6. Guinness Snout on October 11th, 2007 8:09 am

    Question related to flopping Nutts: Should HDN flip the Dicks?

    Alabama game analysis:
    Alabama gets pocket aces (0-21)
    Arkansas turns their terrible hand into two pairs with the turn (38-31)
    Alabama gets their third ace on the river (38-41)

    UT Chat game:
    Hogs win with Queen high

  7. londonhogfan on October 11th, 2007 8:44 am

    I added your blog to cfblinks.com | College Football Links.

  8. J-Dub on October 12th, 2007 3:12 pm

    I’m not much on poker but here is what I think Arkansas needs to do.

    Arkansas needs to play sound football, no stupid personal foul penalties, no pass interference, and no big plays over 30 yards by Auburn’s offense, also, DMac and company - No FUMBLES.

    I am not minimizing the fact that DMac has sore ribs, but he needs to play smarter and protection himself from getting hit head-on. And DMac needs to take that step out of bounds instead of trying to punish the tackler. I am aware that it is hard to protect your ribs if you are running up the middle, but that is where the coaches come in, run Hillis off tackle or up the middle and let DMac and Jones spread the defense by running them on the outside or run a trap with DMac when the defense is least expecting it.

    Also, if you are going to run the Wildhog, Do Not run it with Casey Dick as a wide-out because that is one less person that DMac can throw it to (put in a real receiver – that might be difficult due to the recent injuries and inconsistent play by the receivers, but at least they practice making catches – put your best offensive players on the field and call plays to exploit the week spots in the defense – every player on offense counts, you do not need to use someone as a placeholder or decoy).

    The team that plays with intensity with the fewest mistakes will win a tough, tight game.

    If Arkansas can stay out of long 3rd down situations and complete a pass when Auburn is expecting a run, the Hogs should be in this game. But if Auburn is up by 14 points in the 4th quarter and Arkansas has to pass to get quick points, then Arkansas will be hard pressed to be competitive in this game.

    I just hope that by halftime; Arkansas is not making wholesales changes trying to find a way to attack Auburn. They need to be going into halftime thinking, “OK let’s tighten up a few areas and go out and play a complete 2nd half and win this game”.

    I my opinion, (Arkansas was trying not to lose against Alabama, and once Arkansas got a lead over Kentucky – Arkansas spent too much energy to get the lead that they ran out of gas and could not stop Kentucky’s passing and running game – Arkansas was out coached).

    Houston Nutt needs to have a winner’s attitude and not a loser’s mentality. Bottom line - play smash mouth football and have your opponent trying to think of ways to slow your team down.

    Maybe David Lee should call the plays while watching the game on TV; I think that the announcers have a better feel for how Arkansas can attack the defense that some of their play calling. I know this sounds like a typical armchair quarterback, but ask your self this question while watching the game, “why did Arkansas run such and such play, even I know that plays was coming and I bet Auburn did too”. Come Sunday morning, as you are relating on a Arkansas win or worst case Arkansas lose, see if you can find the one or two plays that you questioned why Arkansas ran.

    Go Hogs!

  9. GonzoHog on October 13th, 2007 8:30 am

    I’ve listened to some of the things Nutt had to say about practice this week, and the 1 thing I understood about it (as far as a game plan was concerned) was that he believes we need to hold on to the football. Quote: “Let’s make this a; this is our football night”. Huh? OK, whatever. Don’t be suprised if this was THE topic of the week in practice. Why? Because running is what we do. None of our recievers have stepped up to the plate this year,(too many dropped balls) and there are way too many times they get overthrown by Casey when they are open. A couple of those would have been for easy TDs. This game won’t be any different than what we’ve seen so far. The game plan will be the same. Get the ball to D-Mac as many times as possible. He’s already banged up a little more than he should be, but it’s probably the other players fault that this has happened, according to Nutt and Lee. My hope for this ball game, is that the crowd is a factor, and our D-line comes ready to play. Turnovers are important, there’s no denying that, so let’s hold on to it, and take a couple of thier’s away. This team need’s a good shot of early confidence. If we don’t get that, it’ll probably go down hill fast! GO HOGS GO!!!!! BEAT AUBURN!!!!!