Track Em Tigers

Who is Ken Rice?

2010-03-17T06:00:30Z

Ken Rice on the set of the Ed Sullivan Show. He's on the front row, second from right.

When it was announced last week that former Auburn lineman Ken Rice had been placed on the ballot for this year's College Football Hall of Fame, many Tiger fans were undoubtedly left scratching their heads, wondering, ‘Who is this guy?' How quickly time moves on.

For older generations of Auburn fans, Rice is no stranger at all. He anchored one of the best offensive lines in America back in the late 1950's. A two time consensus All-American, Rice was voted the top offensive lineman in the SEC in both his junior and senior seasons. But he didn't stop there. He was also named the top defensive lineman in the conference during his senior season of 1960. Undoubtedly, he has to be one of the few, if not the only player in SEC history to receive both honors in the same year.

Rice was named to the SEC's All-Sophomore team as a tackle in 1958 despite playing behind All-SEC selection Cleve Webster. He went on to be a first round draft pick by both the AFL and NFL and was named All-Pro as a rookie with the Buffalo Bills.

While playing for Shug Jordan, Rice helped lead Auburn to a 24-5-1 record. Unfortunately, he never tasted the fruits of his labor. "Auburn was on probation when I joined the team but was due to come off," he recounted recently to Big Canoe News.com. "However, due to an additional violation, the team was on probation for a total of five years, including my entire time at Auburn."

The Bainbridge, Georgia native was elected to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He was named to Auburn's All-Century Team in 1992. To today's fans, Rice is perhaps best known as the name on the award given each year to the outstanding Auburn offensive lineman.

With all the sports news online today, it's easy to gloss over a story such as Rice's. It's important that Auburn fans never forget those who laid the foundation for what the program is today. Simply put, Rice was one bad dude - and I mean that in the best of terms.

Sure all of his pictures from his playing days are in black and white, but even by today's standards, his accomplishments on the field take a back seat to no one. Let's all say a prayer and keep our fingers crossed that Rice becomes the 13^th Auburn player to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Leaked: USC Ready to Get Hammered With Probation. Then What?

2010-03-16T04:00:03Z

From the RUMOR mill (because no major sources other than blogs are claiming this) the NCAA has completed three days of interviews, including two focused solely on the football team--a virtually unprecedented duration--and word is leaking out that USC will soon be hit with major probation penalties in two sports. The only thing seemingly left in doubt is the severity of the sanctions. A two year TV ban, loss of scholarships and bowl eligibility and vacation of games possibly loom over the Trojans. And that's just the football team.

With the departure of Pete Carroll the likely bellweather for the fortune of the gridiron side, one can't help but think how the game itself will be affected should the NCAA deliver severe penalties to a major program like USC. Although everyone knew this was coming, the realization that the hammer is getting ready to drop has many perplexed about how the CFB landscape might change. Will it be for the better or for the worse, or will we just muck it up as usual? If improper benefits, the crux of both the football and basketball investigations, are found to be of the more flagrant variety, might the NCAA finally have a conversation about paying these players some money to alleviate the sting of being young, broke and impressionable? Or would that just lead to an onslaught of cash being diverted underground to augment the aforementioned stipends?

The prime argument against paying players has always been about the sanctity of their amateur status, but what does that really mean? It's not like they'll forfeit some opportunity to play in the Olympics or bar entrance into the NFL--there is no Olympic football and NBA players already under-achieve in the summer games. Hell, make them file a tax return like everyone else. There's little doubt that the players are employees, especially considering how much revenue they produce for their employers, but that's about it. The universities are the brand. Just because you work for Apple doesn't mean you get a share of the merchandising royalties for every iPod sold, but you should get something--like a paycheck. That's my capitalistic two cents. But since we're talking about amateur status and compensation, let's let the lawyers weigh in:

Flying under the sports radar is a class-action lawsuit from former collegiate basketball players who are suing the NCAA for compensation for using their likeness in video games. The implications of this suit are enormous. While the NCAA, a non-for-profit organization, has been fighting tooth and nail, it must now open it's books to the plaintiff's side, and once opened, this genie may never go back in the bottle. Recently, a 2009 court decision allowed retired NFL players royalties on the use of their images in video games, so the outlook for the NCAA might not be so rosy. The amateur status of athletes--maybe ALL or just those in SOME sports--might be turned on it's ear. Even if the NCAA is able to uphold the chastity of amateur status, that might not bar 'retired' athletes, i.e. those who have exhausted their eligibility, from one day collecting royalties.

Although I think it's still way too early to speculate specifics, I think we might see the NCAA look to throw a bone to the athletes sometime in the near future as a way to not only hold off potential future suits like the one above, but to perhaps mitigate the flood of improper benefits being directed at athletes at many schools. How would you handle it?

NCAA Brackets Anyone?

2010-03-15T12:41:46Z

More photos » Mark Humphrey - AP

6 days ago: An Auburn cheerleader performs in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Auburn and Florida on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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There is a ESPN Tourney Challenge group for us if you care to play. It is totally free, just sign up. There is no illegal betting or anything, it is not a pool, it is just for braggin' rights. Hope to see you all in.

Group name is: TrackemTigers

Password is: trackemtigers

Who's On Deck?

2010-03-15T06:00:23Z

More photos » Sue Ogrocki - AP

UTEP coach Tony Barbee is expected to be a prime target of Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs.

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Friday's firing of Auburn basketball coach Jeff Lebo barely made headlines across the world of college basketball. And that perhaps sums up best while it was inevitable that Auburn was going to make a change. Kudos to athletic director Jay Jacobs for not making Lebo sweat out the weekend and listen to rampant speculation about his future. He's one of the finest individuals to ever represent Auburn and Jacobs treated him that way.

Now the attention turns to the coaching search. This is unquestionably the most important non-football hire in the history of the Auburn Athletic Department. There are 92 million reasons why Jacobs must get this one right. He threaded the needle with Gene Chizik and will need to be just as adept this time around. Basketball success at Auburn has been about as elusive as bingo night at Victoryland.

So who tops the list? Listen to fans and it's simple: Write a fat check today and hire Missouri's Mike Anderson. If it were only that easy. Many Auburn fans still view Anderson as the one who got away back in 2004.

The former UAB coach was a fan favorite for the job six years ago before crossing wires with Auburn's former president and athletic department officials. Depending on who you talk with, the chances of Anderson listening to University officials again range from slim to none. You'll remember he spurned a lucrative offer from Georgia last year, instead signing a seven-year contract extension at Missouri. Even with those odds, look for Jacobs to take one more swing at the Birmingham native.

Here are some other names being prominently thrown around in Auburn circles...

Chuck Person - The former Auburn legend and current Los Angeles Lakers assistant is a popular choice among former players. His lack of head coaching experience and no college degree may be too much to overcome.

Sam Mitchell - The 2007 NBA Coach of the Year for the Toronto Raptors and Columbus, Georgia native knows the area well and is said to be interested in the job. He spent 11 seasons playing in the NBA and at one point was traded from the Timberwolves to the Pacers for Chuck Person. Small world.

Tony Barbee - The UTEP head coach is getting a lot of ink in recent days in connection with the Auburn job. His Miners lost to Houston in the Conference USA Championship Game Saturday, but is still heading to the Big Dance with a 25-6 regular season record. A John Calipari disciple, Barbee has no ties to the Deep South and that could be a liability. However, he's credited with being one of the nation's top recruiters.

Chris Mooney - Something of a long shot, the Richmond Spider head coach led his team to a 26-8 regular season record and lost to Temple in the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship game yesterday. A Princeton graduate, Mooney is viewed as one of the top young coaches in America. However, his lack of ties to the South may be a knockout.

Chris Collins - The son of NBA coach Doug Collins, the younger Collins serves as Mike Krzyzewski's top assistant at Duke. A four year player at Duke, Collins was team captain his senior year and was named second team All-ACC. Prior to returning to Durham in 2000, he served three years as an assistant at Seton Hall. Lack of head coaching experience could again be a factor.

Travis Ford - The former Kentucky star and current Oklahoma State head coach is widely regarded as one of the top young coaches in America. After turning around the UMass program in 2007, Ford left for Stillwater, where he's won more than 20 games in each of his first two seasons.

Jacobs has set no timetable for when a replacement will be hired. Obviously, if he's going to interview candidates who are in the NCAA Tournament, it could be late March or early April before someone's in place. The list is sure to grow bigger in the coming days. We'll keep you updated.

Poll

Who's your choice for Auburn's next head basketball coach?

Jacobs Explains Decision To Terminate Lebo

2010-03-13T01:45:33Z

More photos » Dave Martin - AP

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Below is a copy of an email sent out this evening by Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs concerning today's termination of men's basketball coach Jeff Lebo...

Dear Auburn Family,

As most of you know by now, Coach Jeff Lebo will not return as head basketball coach at Auburn University.

I met with Coach Lebo earlier today and informed him that the time had come to move Auburn's basketball program in a new direction. As I shared with Coach Lebo, we deeply appreciate all that he and his staff have done for Auburn, and we wish each of them and their families nothing but the best. Coach Lebo has shown the utmost character, integrity and professionalism throughout his tenure at Auburn. He is and always will be a member of the Auburn Family.

While this was a difficult decision, our goals have not been met. Our basketball program has not made the progress we had all hoped it would make. Auburn ranks 11th out of 12 teams in both total wins and conference wins in the Southeastern Conference over the past six years. We have failed to reach the NCAA tournament each of the past six years, and we have reached the NIT only once. We know that Auburn can compete at a higher level in basketball, because we have done so in the past.

Our top goals as a department are winning and graduating our student-athletes. My responsibility is doing what is necessary to give our student-athletes the best chance to compete at the highest level. That is why a change was made.

While we always will remember and appreciate what Coach Lebo has done for Auburn, we must now turn our attention to the future of Auburn basketball. We will immediately begin the search for a new head coach to lead our program.

We will conduct a deliberate and thorough search driven by what is best for our student-athletes and our basketball program. Rumor and speculation will be rampant in the coming days. As in past searches, much if not most of what you may read or hear will be wrong. We will not refute rumors or comment on who will or won't be considered or who has or hasn't been interviewed. Our sole goal is to find the right man for Auburn.

Judging by recent searches at other schools, this process is more likely to take weeks than days. Rest assured that we are committed to finding a head coach who is the best fit for our team, this department, the Auburn Family and the community. We will find a coach with character and integrity who will always represent Auburn with class and who will energize our basketball program.

The new Auburn Arena demonstrates our commitment to basketball and our belief that we can compete for SEC championships and be a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament. The arena will help us in recruiting, it will give our new coach and our team a better home-court advantage and it will vastly improve the game-day experience for the Auburn Family.

There is no doubt in my mind that the future of Auburn basketball is bright. The Auburn Spirit is as strong as I have ever seen it, and the Auburn Family is as united as it has ever been. Let's continue to pull in the same direction. While we are certain to have our own opinions about how to achieve it, I am confident that we all share the same goal-to make Auburn the best that it can be.

I want to thank all of you for your support of Auburn University and Auburn Athletics. We ask for your patience as we move ahead in the coming days and weeks.

God Bless and War Eagle!

Jay Jacobs
Director of Athletics

Dress Mexico in Auburn

2010-03-13T00:58:58Z

Most of you can probably tell from my nickname here that I am a minister. I'm actually a youth minister in Oxford Alabama. Every year I take between 3 and 5 mission trips into Mexico. Something struck me last time I was there. There was a three year old boy wearing an Alabama sweat shirt. With the mission groups being affiliated with people in the state of Alabama there is going to be Alabama shirts donated. Don't get me wrong, they aren't fans, I've only seen one Bama shirt there, and their football is round and can't be touched by hands except the goalie. But I jokingly told the kid that he was wearing the wrong shirt as us Auburn and Alabama fans do. The missionary with me said, "we give them what people give and that fits them."

So I thought to myself....we need to get Auburn represented in Mexico. So I'm asking anyone who might have some old Auburn clothes or hats (yes baseball caps are a big need in Mexico) to send them to me. I'd be very happy to accept them and I give you my word that all clothes given (except stinky wraggy clothing) will reach Mexico. It doesn't matter the sizes, but children sizes are probably the biggest need. I'll take shirts, sweat shirts (yes it does get cold in Mexico), caps, polos, sunglasses, jerseys, underarmour. I just ask that there are no clothes with cuss words or tanktops. Anything that one might be replacing, had their children grown out of, or that you want to purchase from your neighborhood thrift store. It doesn't matter if it's new or old, just wearable.

It's not a big deal. Just something fun to do and to surprise all the Bama fans and Texas and LSU fans that go on mission trips down there. If you would like to help and mail me the shirts, e-mail me at my username here (it's also at the bottom of this post) @yahoo.com and I can give you my church's address (I'd rather not give my actual address) and I'll get them where they're needed. There might not be one response to this, or there might be an overwhelming response. Either way I know I tried. Just something fun to do and to help out the less fortunate in Mexico.

I can't give anything in return for your participating in my small little "project." But that's not what it's about. It's about helping those in need who can't afford clothing....and while we're helping them out, we might as well make it AUBURN haha.

P.S. For any Bama lurkers or any other school affiliations, if you want to donate your teams colors I'd be more than happy. This serves a greater purpose than bragging rights. Just let me know :)

Thanks alot! Dios te bendiga! (God bless you!)
revwhitten

Ken Rice Former AU All American - Placed on College Football Hall Of Fame Ballot For 2010 ... ...

2010-03-12T21:51:30Z

Ken Rice Former AU All American - Placed on College Football Hall Of Fame Ballot For 2010 ...

Auburn's Ken Rice, a two-time First Team All-America (1959-60) defensive lineman, is one of 77 players and seven coaches who comprise the 2010 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today.

Rice, who garnered consensus All-America honors in 1960, was a two-time First Team All-Southeastern Conference selection as well as being named the SEC's best defensive lineman the same year. He helped lead Auburn to a 24-5-1 record during his career.

Lebo Fired

2010-03-12T19:47:28Z

Lebo Fired

Thanks for everything, coach, and best of luck going forward.

Good Money Says The BCS Is Here To Stay

2010-03-12T07:00:21Z

More photos » Mark Humphrey - AP

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For all the talk about the college bowl system being outdated and unfair, fans still flock to their television sets each winter for the games. Looking at last season's attendance and television ratings, it's easy to understand why college presidents are reluctant to mess with a good thing - at least from their standpoint. Never mind that the system accomplishes nothing, it's a huge success both in the stands and on television.

The simple truth is, when it comes to dollars and cents, the college bowl system is one of the great cash cows in America. Would a playoff be bigger? You'd have to guess so. But looking at this past season's television numbers, you realize the bowls are in a strong bargaining position.

This year's BCS Championship game between Alabama and Texas drew a Nielson television rating of 17.2. By contrast, last year's Game Six World Series where the Yankees claimed the crown, drew a 7.4 rating. Last year's NBA Championship Series between the Lakers and the Magic pulled an 8.4 average rating. Even with the biggest market in America playing for a championship, college football trounced MLB.

In addition to the BCS Championship, there were three other bowls - the Rose (13.2), Fiesta (8.2) and Sugar (8.5) who all drew bigger numbers than the deciding game of the World Series. And those weren't the only ones who drew large numbers. The Orange (6.8), Alamo (5.6), Capital One (6.8) and Chick-fil-A (5.0) all drew television ratings comparable to the championship series in Major League Baseball and the NBA.

For the record, Auburn's Outback Bowl matchup with Northwestern drew a very respectable 4.1 Nielsen rating and surprisingly had more viewer's than Bobby Bowden's swansong in the Gator Bowl (4.0) which was on the air at the same time on network television.

Of course, nothing will ever top the NFL. By comparison, the 2010 Super Bowl drew a record 106 million viewers. The 2010 BCS Championship, even with its big numbers, drew only 29 million television watchers. I've always wondered why the BCS hasn't made the championship game a more marquee event. How big would it be to stage a Super Bowl Saturday type event, where the game is on the weekend and it takes on a feel similar to the Super Bowl? It would be huge.

Looking at these numbers, the cold hard reality is that fans are likely stuck with the BCS for years to come. It will be hard to bring change when everyone is getting absurdly rich. The best any of us can hope for is perhaps a national championship play-in game that follows a week after the BCS games.

At this point, I'll take it.

Auburn vs. the SEC, Part IV

2010-03-11T07:02:39Z

The Iron Bowl!

War Eagle, everybody! Today we conclude our review of the past decade of Auburn football. The subject will be the Iron Bowl. To say that the 'Aughts have been good for Auburn is a gross understatement. Never before in Iron Bowl history has Auburn beaten Alabama seven times in a decade! Only in the 1890s did Auburn have a better winning percentage against the Tide.

Auburn record vs. Alabama by decade

1890s	3-1
1900s	4-3-1
1940s	1-1
1950s	5-5
1960s	2-8
1970s	2-8
1980s	6-4
1990s	3-7
2000s	7-3

The situation entering the most recent decade did not favor Auburn. The Tide was coming off an SEC Championship season, and were picked again at the top of the league for the 2000 season. The Sporting News even picked the Tide as their top team in the nation. Auburn had gone 3-13 in the SEC the two years preceding 2000, and there was little reason to think that Auburn would fare much better in 2000.

Year by year recaps, after the jump!

2000 (In Tuscaloosa) The Iron Bowl series returned to T-Town for the first time in a hundred years, where Alabama had never won over Auburn, nor scored a single point against the Tigers. It was a cold, raw day, with freezing rain falling. Bama started first, and a big 30-yard screen from Andrew Zow to Jason McAddley set the Tide up at the Tiger 28. It was not to be, though, as Zow was picked off in the end zone by linebacker Rob Pate. Auburn was unable to move past midfield, and Damon Duval punted it dead at the Tide 8 yard line. Bama ran 3 plays for no yards, and Lane Bearden punted up to the Tide 48. Heath Evans broke a draw play for 34 yards down to the Tide 9, but Auburn could not get in. On the last play of the 1^st quarter, Damon Duval kicked it through and gave Auburn a 3-0 lead. The teams traded punts in the second quarter, then Bama drove to the Auburn 45 on a forward fumble. On 4^th and 1, Bama took a delay of game penalty trying to decide what to do. Auburn declined, and Tide coach Mike Dubose elected to punt. The kick didn't go far, and was downed at the Auburn 20. More punt trading ensued. With 3:49 left in the half, Auburn began a 9-play drive from the Tiger 42. Damon Duval came in, and hit a 42-yarder in the icy rain to give Auburn a 6-0 lead at the half. Auburn opened the second half with a 41 yard kick return by Rod Hood, and drove the ball down inside the Tide 4 yard line. On second and goal from the two, Auburn got fancy and tried a bootleg pass to double-covered Ronny Daniels, who was limping noticeably. The pass was intercepted by Milo Lewis for a touch back. Alabama punted it back, then Ben Leard Leard's next pass was picked off at the Auburn 39. Again Bama could not capitalize, as a sack by Demarco McNeil and Javor Mills took the Tide out of field goal range. The 3^rd quarter ended with two more traded punts. Auburn began a 10 play drive early in the 4^th quarter. The two big plays were a 26 yard toss over the middle to Lorenzo Diamond, then a sideline toss from Leard to Deandre Green down to the Tide 5. A bootleg fumble backed Auburn up, and Damon Duval bailed the Tigers out with his third field goal of the day, a 27-yarder. Auburn led 9-0. Alabama had two more possessions to try to score, but could only manage a punt and a missed 48-yard field goal attempt. Auburn prevailed, 9-0, and won the SEC Western Division title on the day.

2001 (In Auburn) I think few will argue that Tommy Tuberville's honeymoon at Auburn ended on this day. Auburn won the toss, and took the ball. The Tigers had ball-controlled Georgia to death the week before, and looked to continue that against the Tide. Carnell Williams broke loose for 25 yards on the first play from scrimmage, then quickly had 9 more yards. Carnell was able to take Auburn to the Tide 38, but a jolting hit from Cornelius Wortham and Jarrett Johnson broke Carnell's collarbone, and knocked him out of the game. After that, the Tiger offense bogged down. Damon Duval honked the 42-yard field goal wide right. The Tide came out moving the ball on the ground. Ahmaad Galloway galloped for 33 yards into Tiger territory, but the drive disintegrated under penalties. Dontarious Thomas blocked the Tide field goal attempt. Auburn punted, Bama punted, then Auburn punted again. Then the Tide took it 88 yards for the TD, an 8 yard run around the left end by Santonio Beard. Auburn answered with a big 43-yard Tim Carter kick return, then completions for first downs from Daniel Cobb to Robert Johnson and Ronnie Brown. Ronnie Brown cracked the final 5 yards over the right side for the Auburn TD, and the game was tied at 7-all with 2:56 left in the half. Auburn could not hold from that point. Bama went 80 yards in 8 plays, scoring on a 45- yard bomb from Andrew Zow to Jason McAddley. Bama led 14-7 at the half, and had a big advantage in yards and time of possession. It took Bama just 2 plays in the second half to add to the lead, as Santonio Beard ran over the Auburn D for a 47-yard TD. The teams traded punts for the rest of the quarter, then Bama drove again, going 13 plays for 92 yards. After an anemic Auburn effort, the Tide added a field goal drive for an insurmountable 31-7 lead. Auburn inserted Jason Campbell at quarterback to try and generate some offense. Campbell got the Tigers moving, but fumbled it away at the Tide 10. Bama pretty much ate the rest of the clock, en route to chewing up 549 yards of offense on the proud Tiger D. Auburn fell, 31-7.

2002 (In Tuscaloosa) Few gave the Tigers any chance in this one. The Tide was rolling over folks,and the Auburn backfield was down to freshmen Cooper Wallace and Tre Smith. Auburn went after the Tide early, with a 3^rd and 1 "hide the ball" bomb from Jason Campbell to Anthony Mix. The Tide bowed up, and sacked Jason Campbell to knock Auburn out of field goal range. Bama rolled to the Auburn 37, and went for it on 4^th and 10. A screen from Tyler Watts to Shaud Williams was forced out 5 yards short, by Junior Rosegreen. For the Tigers, Tre Smith bolted 51 yards on the first play, then Campbell found tight end Robert Johnson on a crossing pattern. The 275-pound Johnson juked two Bama defenders off their feet, and scored for Auburn. The Tigers forced a punt, and Roderick Hood dodged for a 36-yard return up to midfield. Auburn mixed it up to the Tide 11, then went with an empty backfield. Bama blitzed, and Campbell got the pass to a wide-open Robert Johnson in the end zone! Auburn had a SHOCKING 14-0 lead over the favored Tide! After another failed Bama drive and punt, Auburn moved it again. A 19 yard Jason Campbell scramble set up Damon Duval for a 40-yard field goal midway through the 2^nd quarter. Bama took the two-minute-drill drive into Auburn territory, but a 4^th down pass to Shaud Williams was forced out short. Auburn led, 17-0 at the half. Auburn stoned Bama again in the 3^rd quarter, but Jason Campbell gave it right back on an interception. Auburn was treated to a heavy dose of Tyler Watts and Santonio Beard running the option. Beart crashed in from a yard out, and Bama had cut the Auburn lead to 17-7. Auburn answered with 10-play drive, but Damon Duval missed a long 47-yard field goal. Bama drove it into Auburn territory again, and again failed on a 4^th down screen pass. The Auburn defense held again and again, in the 4^th quarter. Bama's deepest threat was picked off by Carlos Rogers. Auburn held on, for a 17-7 win over the Tide.

2003 (In Auburn) Auburn opened this game with a bang, as Carnell Williams took the opening handoff on a draw, and sped 80 yards untouched for the score! After a 57-yard punt by the Tide's Bo Freeland, Auburn was pinned at the one. Auburn handed off deep to Carnell Williams, and didn't block Tide nose tackle Anthony Bryant. It was a Tide safety. Alabama could do nothing with the free kick, and this time Freeland shanked a punt for only 17 yards. Auburn was quickly facing 3^rd and 6, and dialed up the slant from Jason Campbell to Ben Obomanu. Obomanu broke out of a tackle, and rambled 67 yards down the sideline for the TD! Jason Campbell ran in the two-point conversion out of the shotgun. Auburn led 15-2 in the first quarter. Another Tide punt ensued, then Jason Campbell went up top for a 39-yard strike to Courtney Taylor. Auburn stalled inside the Tide 10, and settled for a John Vaughn field goal, and an 18-2 lead. After a couple of traded punts, Auburn was driving again. Jason Campbell launched a perfect strike down the middle to a wide open Cooper Wallace. Wallace caught it, took aim at lone Tide defender Roman Harper, and then Wallace lost the handle on the ball. The Tide recovered. Auburn got it back quickly, as Reggie Torbor forced a fumble on a Bama screen. Auburn again had a chance to extend the lead, but a corner route pass bounced off the foot of Courtney Taylor (who'd jumped when he didn't have to!) and deflected into the arms of Roman Harper. Junior Rosegreen picked off a Bama Hail Mary, and Auburn led 18-2 at the half. It should have been a lot worse! Alabama served notice early in the 3^rd quarter that this would not be a blow-out. Brandon Brooks took the second half kickoff the distance for a Tide TD. Auburn went 3 and out, and the Tide took it 82 yards in 8 plays. Shaud Williams dragged most of the Auburn defense the final 6 yards. Bama had cut the Auburn lead to 18-16. Auburn answered with a 10-play, 54 yard drive. John Vaughn hit a 32-yard field goal, to extend the Auburn lead to 5.Both teams had problems moving the ballfrom that point, and had fumbles and interceptions. Auburn finally managed to hold on long enough for a Carnell Williams TD plunge with 7:27 left. Auburn led 28-16. Bama managed a late score on a tipped ball, and Auburn won by the final margin of 28-23.

2004 (In Tuscaloosa) This time, undefeated Auburn was heavily favored, and Alabama was down to third team QB Spencer Pennington, and 3^rd team running back Kenneth Darby, who was suffering with a badly bruised leg. Bama didn't play like an underdog, though. A 40-yard strike from Pennington to Keith Brown set the Tide up, and Brian Bostick nailed a 42-yard field goal to put the Tide up 3-0. The teams traded several punts, then Tyrone Prothro returned an Auburn punt 40 yards down to the 15. The Tide was held back, though, as Kevin Sears intercepted the 4^th down pass short of the end zone. Auburn needed to scratch out some field position, but instead a Campbell pass deflected off the hands of Cooper Wallace, and was intercepted by the Tide's Anthony Madison, who took it to the Tiger 6. 3 Kenneth Darby runs could not gain a yard, and Bostick hit another field goal for the Tide. Auburn knocked out one first down on the next drive, but a fumble by Cooper Wallace ended that possession. Bama was forced to punt, and Auburn took the ball 78 yards in 12 plays, only to see a 21 yard John Vaughn field goal attempt clang off the left upright. Alabama led at the half, 6-0. Auburn took the opening second half possession, and was authoritative. A 51-yard strike from Campbell to Devin Aromashodu got it close, then Carnell Williams turned the corner on the short side for the 5 yard TD just over the pylon. Auburn led, 7-6. Bama was forced to punt, and Auburn took the next one to paydirt as well. Campbell hit Courtney Taylor on a 32-yard deep ball, taking advantage of a blown coverage. Auburn led, 14-6. Bama answered with a drive past midfield, but couldn't get a first down on successive short yardage runs. Auburn pounded it down the field again, and early in the 4^th quarter Ronnie Brown scored from a yard away, to give Auburn a 21-6 lead. Bama had two big drives after that, but could not catch up. The first drive ended on downs at the Auburn 17, and the second resulted in an 18-yard TD pass from Pennington to D. J. Hall. Courtney Taylor recovered the onside kick, and Auburn ran the clock out on a 21-13 win. Auburn was 11-0, and SEC Western Division champion.

2005 (In Auburn) Alabama came into this game ranked higher (8^th) than Auburn (11^th), but this day got ugly for the Tide quickly. Bama QB Brodie Croyle was sacked twice on the first series, and a short punt gave Auburn the ball at the Tide 40. 6 plays later Brandon Cox found Ben Obomanu for a 7 yard TD, and Auburn led 7-0. Bama went 3 and out again, and the Tide's Jeremy Schatz shanked the punt out of bounds at the Tide 31. Auburn scored in 3 plays, with Kenny Irons taking it right up the gut for the TD. Bama's next possession resulted in two more sacks, and another punt. This time, Auburn went 55 yards in 4 plays, with Ben Obomanu scoring on a 45-yard end around. With 4:01 still left in the first quarter, Auburn led 21-0! It was the high point for Auburn football in the decade! Alabama's next possession resulted in two more sacks, and another punt back to Auburn. Looking to add to the lead, Auburn threw on first down to Prechae Rodriguez on a quick-hitter, but Rodriguez was stood up, and stripped of the ball. Bama's Charlie Peprah recovered. Having given up 5 sacks already in the first quarter, Bama went to the ground game. Kenneth Darby delivered for the Tide, bolting 14 yards into Tiger territory, then breaking tackles for 19 more. Tim Castille got the TD for Bama on a 1-yard plunge. 4 punts followed, as the defenses dug in. Auburn then took the ball on a 61 yard march. Auburn got the TD from the three tight end set, as Brandon Cox found Cole Bennett on a 6 yard pass. Auburn led Bama 28-7 at the half! Auburn went three and out to start the second half, and Bama's Brandon Brooks got loose for a 33 yard punt return to set the Tide up on the Auburn side. A sack of Brodie Croyle ended the threat, and Jamie Christianson came on and nailed a 43-yard field goal. Auburn's lead was trimmed to 28-10. Defense dominated for both teams from that point. Auburn managed one drive that resulted in a miss from 46 yards on a field goal attempt. Bama drove it as far as the Auburn 8 yard line, before the 11^th sack of Brodie Croyle ended the drive on 4^th down with 3:31 left. Auburn ran it up the middle 3 times, using up Bama's timeouts. Bama brought in backup quarterback John Parker Wilson, who connected with D. J. Hall on a late Hail Mary. Wilson took a quick snap and plunged in for the 2-point conversion. That made the final margin Auburn 28, Alabama 18.

2006 (In Tuscaloosa) Both teams came into this game limping. Alabama had lost a number of close games, and Auburn was fresh off an absolutely horrible performance at home against Georgia. For Auburn, both starting running backs were nicked up, AND top wide receiver Courtney Taylor was out with an injury. Auburn could do little with the opening kickoff, and punted to Bama. John Parker Wilson took the Tide on an 11 play march, but the Tide stalled inside the 5. 3 straight runs by Kenneth Darby and Tim Castille were turned back,and Bama settled for the 24-yard Jamie Christianson field goal. The teams traded a couple of punts each, then on 3^rd and 6 from the Tide 35, John Parker Wilson dropped to throw. Around the corner came Auburn end Quentin Groves, and Wilson lost the ball. Auburn recovered at the Tide 27. Four Brad Lester runs later, Auburn was in the end zone for a 7-3 lead. On Bama's next possession, again it was Groves around the end, and Wilson was stripped again. Auburn recovered at the 8. It was one play and in on the give to Kenny Irons, and Auburn led 14-3. Bama punted, then Auburn mounted their first drive of the ball game, highlighted by a big 31-yard toss from Brandon Cox to Rod Smith. A false start by Tommy Trott killed the drive, and John Vaughn missed a long 53-yard field goal attempt. Auburn quickly forced Alabama to a 3^rd and 10 with the first half clock under 2 minutes. Inexplicably, Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp called a double safety blitz! Wilson let the ball go on the slant, and Auburn's David Irons dove for it. Irons didn't get it. Bama's Nikita Stover did, and with no safeties back, Stover was gone for the 58-yard TD. A roughing the passer penalty gave Bama the ball at the one for the 2-point try, but Will Herring picked off the pass in the end zone. Auburn led 14-9 at the half. Alabama marched 80 yards in 11 plays to start the second half, mixing the run and the pass well. Wilson hit tight end Travis McCall on a crossing route, and McCall scored somehow after stepping out of bounds, then sticking the ball across the goal line. (SEC refs) Alabama went for two again, but Wilson was pressured, and threw it away. Bama led, 15-14, and Auburn looked to be in a whole lot of trouble. Two more punts were traded, then Auburn opened with the wheel route to fullback Carl Stewart, and it worked for 37 yards to the Bama 17! On 3^rd and 15 from the Bama 22, the blitz came. Brandon Cox laid the ball up for the left corner of the end zone, and Prechae Rodriguez came down with it for the Auburn TD! Auburn went with the bunch set on the 2 point try, and tossed it back to fullback Carl Stewart. Stewart squeezed a line drive PASS to receiver Lee Guess, and the conversion was good! Auburn led, 22-15. The teams traded punts and turnovers, and Bama mounted another threat late. Alabama made it as far as the Auburn 13, but a 4^th down pass to Matt Caddell missed. A David Irons interception on the next Bama possession ended all Tide hope. Auburn held on, 22-15.

2007 (In Auburn) This was another tough game for both teams. Bama had lost to Louisiana Monroe on homecoming, and Auburn had been destroyed in the 2^nd half against Georgia. Bama went 3 and out on the opening possession, then Auburn took it on a 12-play, 65 yard march. Short passing by Brandon Cox and hard running by Brad Lester and Ben Tate moved the chains. Tate capped it on a 3 yard dive, and Auburn led 7-0. Bama was forced to punt again, then a Cox to Rod Smith slant pass connected for 31 yards, and set up a Wes Byrum 37 yard field goal that gave Auburn a 10-0 lead in the first quarter! Bama survived a false-start penalty, getting new life on a questionable interference flag on Jonathan Wilhite. Glen Coffee powered Bama into the second quarter, and John Parker Wilson scored on a QB sneak. Bama had cut the Auburn lead to 10-7. Auburn drove into field goal range, but back-to-back sacks of Brandon Cox forced a short punt by Ryan Shoemaker. Bama put together a good drive, but a sack by Pat Sims killed the drive. Leigh Tiffin missed a 44-yard attempt. Auburn quickly gave it back on a Cox interception. Alabama couldn't capitalize, though. On a fade pattern, Jerraud Powers took it off the fingertips of Bama's D. J. Hall. The interception was a touch back, and Auburn was able to run the clock out on the half. Tigers led 10-7 at the break. Auburn took a short kickoff into Bama territory and down to the Tide 26 before two dropped balls doomed the drive. Wes Byrum missed on a 43-yard attempt. Seven punts followed, as both teams were playing tenacious defense. Auburn took over with 8:48 left in the ball game, and marched it on the tiring Tide. Cox snuck it in on 3^rd and goal, and Auburn took a 17-7 lead with 3:58 left. Wilson led Bama down the field, but the drive stalled, and Leigh Tiffin connected on a 49-yard field goal with 2:11 left. Auburn's lead was 17-10. Bama's onside kick didn't go 10 yards, and Auburn had it. Brad Lester dragged Bama defenders 12 yards on 4^th and 1, and Auburn ran the clock out on a 17-10 win. The victory was Auburn sixth in a row over the Tide!

2008 (In Tuscaloosa) There's not much to say about this game except that it featured two teams going in opposite directions. Auburn was falling apart, and Alabama was at the peak of their season. With a lame duck offense and a head coach whose future was in question, Auburn put up a pretty good fight for a half. Turnovers fed a total collapse in the second half, as Auburn was buried 36-0 in T Town. For those who care to relive the debacle, you can click over to the open thread, and the postmortem for that game. I'm not suffering through it again!

2009 (In Auburn) Much like 2008, no one gave the Tigers much chance. Auburn kicked off to Bama, held Heisman-trophy winner Mark Ingram to 5 yards on two carries, and forced a punt. Auburn went 80 yards in 4 plays, with Terrell Zachary getting the score on a 67 yard end around. Auburn caught Bama napping on the kickoff, as the team formed a turtle-shell around kicker Wes Byrum. Byrum kicked a perfect dribbler that traveled the requisite ten yards. Even if Bama had been ready, they'd have had to fight through blockers to get to the ball. It worked perfectly, and Auburn had it on the 42 yard line. Auburn marched 58 yards in 12 plays, and a 1 yard 3^rd down pass from Chris Todd to Eric Smith gave Auburn a shocking 14-0 first quarter lead! The two teams traded punts, then Bama started a ten-play drive that ended early in the second quarter. Trent Richardson went up the gut for two yards and a TD, and Bama had cut the lead to 14-7. The teams traded several more punts, and Auburn survived a Demond Washington fumbled punt at the Auburn 11 yard line. Bama started a drive with 7:49 left in the half, and ended up third and nine at the Auburn 33. Auburn went with a rare blitz, and Bama's Greg McElroy exploited it with a 33 yard scoring strike to tight end Colin Peek. Both teams managed late drives. Bama's ended on a 42-yard miss by Leigh Tiffin on a field goal attempt. Auburn punted from the Bama 39 with less than a minute left. The half ended tied at 14. Both teams went three and out to start the 3^rd quarter, then Auburn faced a 2^nd and 6. Alabama had turned up the blitzing heat since Auburn's 1^st quarter success, and here came star blitzing corner Javier Arenas creeping towards the line. Auburn went with a hitch and go, and Bama bit on it. Chris Todd hit Darvin Adams in stride downfield for a 72-yard touchdown pass! Auburn was back in the lead! A 46-yard Arenas kick return gave Bama field position, but they went 4 and out. Freshman linebacker Jonathan Evans stoned Ingram for no gain on 4^th and 1! Auburn could do nothing with the ball, and punted it back to Javier Arenas, who pulled off a 56-yard return. The Auburn defense held at the 10, and Leigh Tiffin booted the field goal. Auburn's lead was cut to 21-17. Alabama caught another break quickly, as Chris Todd threw high over the middle, and Mark Barron picked it off. Alabama again couldn't find the end zone. Leigh Tiffin hit from 31, and Auburn clung to a narrow 21-20 lead. A 16-yard Chris Todd scramble netted one first down, but the Tigers bogged down again and had to punt. This one was downed at the Bama 3. The teams traded punts again, and Bama took over with 8:27 left in the game. Auburn could not quite get Bama stopped on a 15-play, 80 yard drive. With 1:24 left, McElroy hit Roy Upchurch out of the backfield for the Tide TD. The two point try was tipped up and intercepted by Jake Ricks. Bama led 26-21. Passes to Ben Tate and Darvin Adams got Auburn to the Bama 37 yard line in the waning seconds, and a Hail Mary was knocked down by Justin Woodall to end it. Tide won, 26-21.

A Rememberance of Things Past and Lost

2010-03-09T05:43:50Z

I read today that Notre Dame has just inked a deal to play Maryland at FedEX Field for the 2011 season, a neutral site game that will give the Irish four seasons in a row with such a game. They've also got Arizona State scheduled in Cowboys Stadium in Texas for 2013. Last year they played Washington State in San Antonio, a matchup that had to be created purely for the accumulation of frequent flyer miles, and they play Army this coming season at Yankee Stadium. Even an ardent Notre Dame detractor such as myself has to admit that the matchup and venue combination is pretty cool. The only bad thing about it is that it's scheduled for late November, the game before the Irish's season-ending rivalry match with USC. It might draw way more attention if they played it earlier in the season, like a kickoff game, but I forgot that they schedule other activities in Yankee Stadium around that time.

I applaud the Irish for doing more touring than Jimmy Buffet. It keeps their name out there, and gives their still enormous fan base a snowball's chance of seeing them somewhere outside South Bend, which is pretty handy since they don't always accept bowl invitations. Keeping relevant is important for a team that who although has it's own individual television contract, has played Georgia Tech almost as many times (34) as neighbor Michigan (37). Yet with new coach Brian Kelly barely settling into South Bend, the temptation to cut some slack on his upcoming schedule might be too great. Why risk going on the road when you could have a gut game at home and help your new coach build confidence, especially the week before your biggest game of the season? Does that rationale sound familiar?

It should. If you haven't completely blocked it out like most traumatic events that occur in life, you should be reminded of that major fumble that Auburn committed almost a year ago--Jay Jacobs turning down the Atlanta Sports Council's invitation to play UCLA in the Chick Fil-A Kickoff Game for the start of the 2010 season. The prime excuse that no one mentions was to take it easy on the new coach. I hate to bring it all up again, but everytime another team gets the spotlight in one of these neutral site games, I'm reminded of this EPIC FAIL of our program.

Know this: These one-shot games are the way of the future. They allow easier scheduling logistics than a home and home, and generous payouts help ease the financial sting of the subtraction of a home game from the slate. And the venue and/or timing of the game give unparalled exposure. Last season's Kickoff Game gave ABC huge numbers, with football-starved fans eager for any pigskin action. It's like a bowl game to kick off the season, but even better than one because all of CFB is focused on you. The game isn't diluted with a bunch of other meaningless games like the bowl season is.

Instead, we're resigned to a LSU-North Carolina matchup that probably won't be close. The Purple Tigers rarely lose in Atlanta, as they probably have a thing for domed stadiums. The Tar Heels have shown some resurgence under Butch Davis, but have waned at the end of the past two seasons. But the larger point is this: the ASC probably wanted to branch out and invite some other teams that aren't from the southeast and provide a more national feel. Auburn, who has the reputation for travelling well, was probably invited for a number of reasons, one maybe being that we don't have a state name in the name of our school, possibly lending credence to perhaps a perceived neutrality (work with me here, I know it's a stretch). UCLA, who had recently played a home and home with Tennessee, was eager to travel again under new coach Rick Nueheisel and show that that USC wasn't the only school in Los Angeles willing to hit the road to the east coast. But Auburn threw a monkey wrench into those big plans.

Unbelievable. Who turns down a game like that? Without rehashing all the excuses, (if you want some good ones, read this from the SB Bruin blog from last season, which I found while researching this topic) the bottom line is this: When will they ever invite us back after defiance and ingratitude of this caliber? Hell, the Chicken Bowl may not even take us for another decade. Alabama goes for two years in a row and we pass on being the next team alphabetically? (Shhh! Alabama fans think you spell it Aurkansas)

Think about this: After an exciting up and down season last year topped by a thrilling bowl win and the best recruiting class we've ever seen, who among you wouldn't want that shot against UCLA now to possibly catapult us into some national momentum come September? Think that Jacobs would want to take it easy on his new coach again? I hate working the Alabama angle, but Saban didn't blink coming off a 7-6 season in 2007 to come in and destroy Clemson and get sling-shotted into an undefeated regular season in 2008. It's something to think about.

Who's coming to the spring game?

Lebo Death Watch Begins... Now!

2010-03-08T07:00:20Z

More photos » Dave Martin - AP

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What is it with Jeff Lebo and Auburn fans? By every measurable category, he's been a complete disaster as head basketball coach. From the moment he walked in the door and most of his new players walked out the other, Lebo has slowly been dying on the vine. Yet, despite going 35-60 in SEC play over six seasons, fans are perplexed over what athletic director Jay Jacobs should do with Lebo come next Monday.

The idea that his future at Auburn is salvageable has to be mind-boggling to the casual observer. Lebo is like the son that pulls a mid-term F up to a C+ at report card time. You don't know whether to say great job or take his car away from him. This season has been no different.

Failing to feast on the weakest of weak non-conference schedules, Auburn's loss to Alabama Saturday gives Lebo his fourth losing regular season in six tries. Despite winning three of its final five conference games, his squad heads to the SEC Tournament this week sitting at 15-16 overall, 6-10 in the SEC.

By comparison, the man he replaced, Cliff Ellis, won the regular season Big South Conference Championship at Coastal Carolina this year, going 28-6. He lost to Winthrop in the conference tournament Saturday and is headed to the NIT. Cliff's disappointed with the destination. Auburn would be handing out contract extensions and printing up t-shirts for a second consecutive birth in the Big Apple Tournament.

A Lebo encore in 2011 will likely look similar to the previous six. With the loss of five seniors, Auburn will say goodbye next season to 73 percent of its scoring and 59 percent of its rebounding. Can there really be any rational argument for keeping Lebo another year?

It goes without saying that an Auburn football coach would never be given this much rope. A better question is whether even the girls soccer coach would be given this much time to succeed?

When Ellis was relieved of his duties in 2004, after going 14-14 overall and 5-11 in conference play, he carried a record of 119-70 overall and 47-49 in the SEC over the previous six seasons, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2003.

Granted, NCAA probation played a huge role in his dismissal. Still, it makes you wonder why Auburn officials have waited so long to make a coaching move. Why have they dropped their standards when it comes to basketball, especially with the Auburn Arena opening in a matter of months?

Conventional wisdom says that barring an appearance in the tournament championship game Sunday, Lebo's time on the Plains is coming to a close. He'll be remembered as a coach that got the very most out of his limited talent on the floor. His teams never quit. That endeared him to Auburn fans. Unfortunately, on more nights than not, he showed up to a gun fight with a knife.

You just can't do that and survive in the SEC.

She Is Once, Twice, Three Times A Lady

2010-03-06T02:48:14Z

Beautiful Beard Eaves Memorial Coliseum on a starlit night.

Over the last few years, a lot of people have bemoaned what has been referred to as the decrepit and old condition of Beard Eaves Coliseum. Some have even referred to her as the "Old Gray Lady". I don't see her as old or gray. As the Commodores who once graced her stage sang..."She's once, twice, three times a Lady". You see I thought I had met the 'right one' and then.....I met her.

The former Miss Right was the old Auburn Sports Arena known by many affectionately as "The Barn". Most today remember the Barn as the building that burned down during the 1996 Auburn - LSU football game. The old Sports Arena looked like a barn because she was converted from an airplane hanger. She could host 2,000 spectators (2500 if the fire marshal wasn't looking). Games played in the Barn were exciting to fans and intimidating to opponents. Kentucky Coach Adolph Rupp was reported to absolutely despise bringing his team to that environment.

For me, I thought I would never love another, and then....on January 11th, 1969 Auburn moved into Memorial Coliseum. As exciting as the old Sports Arena was, my heart was smitten with this new, beautiful, and imposing lady. From the outside she looked like a Greek Temple and on the inside her 12,500 seat sanctuary was awe inspiring.

I was at her last game Wednesday night March 3rd and the Tigers sent her out as a winner. It was a bitter sweet night for those of us who loved her. The Tigers won defeating Mississippi State 89-80. Former players and coaches were honored followed by a video montage of great moments played out on the scoreboard. Coach Jeff Lebo said "In 41 years there have been so many memories in this place." Lebo said the pressure to win the last game was so great he felt sick to his stomach. "I'm so excited for my seniors. I wanted to win this one so bad for them and to send this arena out the right way". Senior Tay Waller said "We wanted to win bad and we didn't want to send the fans home sad". Well Tay my wife and I thank you. We will always remember that night and your part in it. But it was still sad to hear the PA announcer say the words, "Good night. The Coliseum is now closed."

Today she stands only as a tribute to past glories. Like so many of us in our twilight years, all she has left is her memories. To mention just a few: Both men's and women's SEC Basketball Championships, NCAA Wrestling Tournament, NIT games, Mengelt, Barkley, and Person, the King, the Boss, the Temps, the Commodores, and of course the most college wins (29) for a single season in the state of Alabama. She has been placed on life support and it is only a matter of time before they pull the plug and put her down for good... just like was done to the Braves' Fulton County Stadium.

No, to me she is NOT an Old Gray Lady, for in my mind's eye she is still young, beautiful and exciting. I understand the reasons given for leaving her, yet I can't help but feel sad for her. She has given her best years and is now cast aside for a younger, slimmer, and more attractive suitor.

The winningest Basketball coach in Auburn history, Joe Ciampi, said "This place is special. With all the memories in there, I haven't even been able to the new arena, and I don't know when I'll walk into it". Well coach, I know what you mean. I only wish I had spent more time with her myself. To paraphrase Lionel Richie "She's once, twice, three times a Lady and I love her. Thanks for all the times you've given me. The memories are all in my mind, and now that we've come to the end of our rainbow......There's something I must say out loud.....If I had to live my life over again.....I'd spend more time with you."

TET members: My favorite memory with her was the 1999 SEC Championship. I would like to hear yours.

Auburn vs. the SEC, Part III

2010-03-04T07:36:49Z

Auburn battles the elite teams!

War Eagle, everybody! today, we'll continue our look back at what the Auburn Tiger football team accomplished in the past decade. In the past two weeks, we've looked at Auburn's performance against the rank and file of the SEC. Against those teams, Auburn put together 39 wins and only 17 losses, winning nearly 70 percent of the time. Today, it's time to look at how Auburn did against the big boys.

Three teams from the SEC have won BCS national titles in the past ten years. LSU did twice, winning the 2003 season and 2007 season titles. Florida did it in 2006 and 2008. Alabama took the 2009 crown. As the decade ended, these were the elite teams in the league. Despite a decade of turmoil in the Auburn program (2001 meltdown, 2003 Jetgate, revolving coordinators, Tuberville's departure...) Auburn managed to compile a winning record against these teams, going 14-12.

Series Recaps, after the jump!

Louisiana State (4-6)

LSU and Georgia are the only SEC teams to post a winning record against Auburn in the 2000s. LSU entered the decade after one of their worst records in history, but many folks still felt that LSU was the most talented team in the Western Division. It didn't take long for the Tigers to start winning again, and winning big.

2000 (In Auburn) This battle of the unbeatens didn't start well for Auburn. After a few traded punts, LSU went deep on 2^nd and 1, and Josh Booty connected with Josh Reed for a 75-yard score. For Auburn, a Ben Leard sack-fumble gave LSU the ball again quickly at the Auburn 22-yard line. The defense held, and LSU kicked a FG to take a 10-0 lead. Both teams managed field goal drives in the 2^nd quarter, but LSU's John Corbello missed his 51-yard attempt. Auburn struck with a 20 yard TD pass from Ben Leard to tight end Robert Johnson, sandwiched between two Damon Duval field goals. Auburn led 13-10 at the half. After a shanked LSU punt early in the 2^nd half, it was Leard to Clifton Robinson for the score, and Auburn had a ten point lead. Auburn senior corner Larry Casher was knocked out of the game with a concussion, and LSU went right to work. Replacement corner Tavarious Robinson was immediately attacked, and the result was another TD bomb from Booty to Reed. LSU's joy was short-lived, however. Auburn's Tim Carter took the kickoff at the goal line, and went the distance for the TD. The 4^th quarter featured a lot of pounding Rudi Johnson runs, and LSU incomplete pass attempts. Late in the game Johnson finally found the end zone, and Auburn won it 34-17.

2001 (In Baton Rouge) In a rare Auburn – LSU game in December, the two Tigers battled in a duel for the Western Division title. The game had been postponed after the tragedy of 9-11, and the winner of this Dec 1 match would go to the SEC title game. After Auburn was penalized 15 yards for not leaving pre-game warmups in a timely manner, LSU went for the throat. An onside kick from the 50 was successful, and LSU's Lebrandon Toefield bashed through, over and around the Auburn defense for the score. Auburn answered when Jason Campbell went deep, and found Tim Carter behind the LSU secondary for a 72-yard TD. Incredibly, Auburn never went back to that play. Auburn attempted their own onside kick after that, and it failed. The Auburn offense could managed little for the rest of the game. LSU's Toefield, Dominic Davis, receiver Josh Reed and quarterback Rohan Davey moved methodically down the field. Auburn trailed 21-7 at the half, and lost 27-14 in a game that was not as close as the score indicated.

2002 (In Auburn) LSU was the defending SEC champ, and ranked 10^th in the nation for this game. Auburn was 4-3 on the season, and reeling after an overtime loss to the Gators the week before. There was a catch, though. LSU was bringing sophomore quarterback Marcus Randle for his first SEC road start. Auburn limited LSU backs Joseph Addai and Dominic Davis pretty well, but Randle's scrambling was a problem. Fortunately the young QB heaved up a number of balls for grabs, and Auburn picked off 4 of them. Auburn kept the ball on the ground, as quarterback Jason Campbell attempted only 11 passes. Ronnie Brown rushed for 95 yards, and Tre Smith had 80, as the Auburn Tigers built a shocking 31-0 lead. LSU scored late, but the final was Auburn 31, LSU 7.

2003 (In Baton Rouge) A lightning storm delayed this game, and lightning struck Auburn when the game commenced. Matt Mauck lit up the Auburn secondary with a 64-yard TD pass to Devery Henderson to open the scoring. Auburn drove to the LSU 41, but Carnell Williams was blown up for a big loss on 4^th and 1. Mauck was still hot, and the LSU drive ended with another TD pass, this one to Michael Clayton. Auburn went three and out, and Skylar Green lit up the Auburn punt coverage with a 44 yard punt return. With a short field, LSU was in the end zone again in the 1^st quarter, and the rout was on. The rest of the game was a comedy of Auburn errors. A missed chip shot field goal by Phillip Yost. Two fumbled punts by Tre Smith. 3^rd down pass routes run repeatedly short of the stake. Auburn managed a late Campbell to Mix touchdown to make the final LSU 31, Auburn 7.

2004 (In Auburn) There was talk of delaying this game after Hurricane Ivan had hit the state just days before, but it went on as scheduled at Jordan Hare. Defending national champ LSU took the opening kickoff, and marched 80 yards in 14 plays for the TD. A missed extra point by Ryan Gaudet would prove costly later. Auburn answered with their own 14 play drive, and got a John Vaughn field goal out of it. LSU was on the move again, with a 43-yard strike from Jemarcus Russell to Craig Davis and a facemask penalty on Junior Rosegreen gave LSU a first down at the Auburn 24. Auburn held, and LSU kicked the field goal to lead 9-3 early in the 2^nd quarter. Much of the rest of the game was a punting duel. Auburn recovered a Marcus Randle fumble at the LSU 42, but could do nothing with it. From the LSU 5, the Bengal Tigers marched with pounding runs by Justin Vincent and Alley Broussard to the Auburn 32. A delay of game, a personal foul, and a sack by Bret Eddins ended that threat. Eddins' big hit knocked Marcus Randle out of the game. Auburn drove to the LSU 3, and turned it over on incomplete passes. Carnell Williams fumbled a punt back to LSU, but LSU could do nothing with it. Finally, with about six minutes left, Auburn had one more chance. A long drive came down to a 4^th and 12 at the LSU 28. Under serious pressure, Jason Campbell found Courtney Taylor on the out for 14 and a key first down. Then on 3^rd and 12, it was Cambell to Taylor in the back of the end zone for the tying score! Auburn's John Vaughn missed the PAT, but LSU was flagged for a personal foul. The second attempt went through, and Auburn had the lead! Jemarcus Russell led LSU to the Auburn 44 in the waning seconds, and fired on the slant to Dwayne Bowe. The ball tipped up off of Bowe's hands, and Junior Rosegreen snagged the tipped ball to seal the deal for Auburn. Auburn won one for the ages, 10-9.

2005 (In Baton Rouge) Auburn drove the ball deep into LSU territory on the opening drive, only to suffer a 41-yard missed field goal by John Vaughn. The teams then traded punts, and LSU's Skylar Green took an Auburn punt 66 yards to the house for a 7-0 LSU lead. Early in the 2^nd quarter, Auburn managed a second drive behind a big throw from Brandon Cox to Devin Aromashodu, and hard running from Kenny Irons. John Vaughn nailed a 26-yard field goal, and Auburn trailed 7-3. LSU answered, and this time it was Chris Jackson's turn to miss from 38 yards out. Neither team could mount a threat from there, and the half ended at 7-3. Auburn's opening drive of the 3^rd quarter was again into LSU territory, but ended with another John Vaughn miss, this time from 54. LSU stalled on their first two drives, and then Kenny Irons broke through the LSU line, and went the distance for a 74-yard TD run! Auburn had the lead, but it was short-lived. LSU drove 80 yards in 7 plays, and retook the lead on a strike from Russell to Dwayne Bowe. LSU's next drive appeared headed for paydirt, but ended when Colt David missed a field goal attempt from 28 yards. Kickers struggled all night, in this one. Auburn got it going again, driving into LSU territory. Kenny Irons was running wild, and then Auburn went away from him for 3 plays. John Vaughn missed a 37-yarder. Auburn got another chance with 9:27 left in the 4^th quarter. It came down to 4^th and 5 at the LSU 5, with under 5 minutes to play. Cox lofted one to Anthony Mix in the back of the end zone for the score, and a 17-14 lead! LSU answered quickly. After Dwayne Bowe dropped a potential winning TD in the end zone, Chris Jackson connected on a 44 yard field goal to tie it. 1:40 remained in regulation. Auburn drove 49 yards to set John Vaughn up in the waning seconds. Vaughn missed from 49 yards out. The game went to overtime. After Early Doucet dropped another LSU TD pass in the end zone, Chris Jackson kicked LSU ahead 20-17. Auburn went 3 and out, and in came Vaughn to keep Auburn in the game. The 39 yard attempt hit the upright, no good. Vaughn had missed 5 of 6 field goals on the day, and Auburn fell 20-17 in overtime.

2006 (In Auburn) This one was another early season battle of unbeatens. Both teams were determined to stop the run, and both squads were fearful of passing downfield. LSU managed the first threat of the game, driving to the Auburn 32. An apparent 4^th down conversion catch by Jacob Hester was overturned by replay, and Auburn held. A Craig Steltz interception gave LSU the ball at the Auburn 29, but again the visitors from Louisiana were turned back. Auburn's Kody Bliss turned in a 62-yard punt to get Auburn back in good field position. With 12 minutes left in the half, Auburn engineered a 16-play drive that ended when John Vaughn clanged a short field goal attempt off the left upright, no good. LSU answered with a 13-play drive. On the last play of the first half, Colt David was true for LSU from 42 yards. LSU led 3-0. Auburn forced an LSU punt early in the 3^rd, and went on another march, powered by the hard-running Kenny Irons. Auburn survived an apparent Brandon Cox knee injury, and Cox hit Carl Stewart on a wheel route down to the LSU 2 yard line. Cox scored on a sneak on 3^rd down, and Auburn led 7-3. Somehow, with almost no offense, Auburn kept hanging on. LSU had three real chances at the end. First, an apparent LSU interception by Jessie Daniels was wiped out on an interference call. On LSU's next possession, Early Doucet was mugged early by Auburn's Zach Gilbert, and the flag was waved off. It would have given LSU a first down in the red zone. LSU had one last chance, at the Auburn 24. Russell threw underneath to Craig Davis, who was butted down at the 4 yard line by Eric Brock. The game was over, and Auburn had survived, 7-3!

2007 (In Baton Rouge) Auburn took the opening kickoff and drove for a score, with Brandon Cox hitting Montez Billings on a diving grab in the end zone from 17 yards out. Midway through the first, LSU answered with a 46-yard connection from Matt Flynn to Keiland Williams. LSU brought in backup QB Ryan Perrilloux to try and spark the offense. A predictable quarterback draw followed, and Auburn's Zach Etheridge knocked the ball away. Jerraud Powers recovered, and Auburn was marching in LSU territory. Fullback Carl Stewart scored on the belly-play, and Auburn led 14-7. Auburn stopped LSU at midfield, and ate the rest of the first half clock on a 12-play drive. Wes Byrum hit a chip shot field goal to give Auburn a 17-7 lead at the half! The celebration would be short lived. LSU chewed, stomped, slashed and gunned their way though the Auburn defense at will in the second half. LSU mistakes held them down for a while, including interceptions, bushels of penalties and dropped balls, but the dam broke in the 4^th quarter. With 8:23 left, a Colt David field goal gave LSU a 23-17 lead, and Auburn was very lucky that it wasn't a lot more. Auburn senior Brandon Cox led the Tigers on a march from there. With 3:21 left in the game, Cox hit Rod Smith on a short TD pass, and Byrum's PAT put Auburn ahead, 24-23. After an ill-advised squibb kick, Auburn played deep zone on defense, and LSU kept running the ball. Flynn scrambled for 10, then 7. Then Murphy twice, then Hester for another set of downs. Auburn choked up, and went to man to man. LSU quickly faced a 3^rd and 7 at the Auburn 22, and the clock ran. And ran. Finally, it was inside 10 seconds, and the LSU offense was still on the field. LSU finally snapped it, and went with the go route to Demetrius Byrd. Auburn defender Jerraud Powers had his back to the ball, and it was an LSU touchdown. LSU won, 30-24.

2008 (In Auburn) Everyone remembers the 2008 Auburn season as an absolute disaster, but the fact was that this game was a battle of division-leading front-runners. Both teams were undefeated. Both teams struggled to move the ball early. Young quarterbacks Chris Todd and Andrew Hatch both struggled. Late in the first quarter, a Hatch scramble set up Colt David for a 46 yard field goal attempt, and it was good. LSU led 3-0 at the end of one. Early in the second quarter, Todd connected with Tim Hawthorne for 29 yards, then was the beneficiary of an interference flag on LSU. Ben Tate capped the drive for Auburn on a one yard plunge. LSU turned Charles Scott loose for several first downs, but the drive bogged down and came up empty on a 50-yard miss by Colt David. Chris Todd would throw it right back to LSU on an interception, but again LSU got nothing. Desperate to generate some offense, LSU made a change and inserted Jarrett Lee at quarterback. Lee's first attempt was a screen, and Auburn end Gabe McKenzie batted the ball up, intercepted it, and ran it in for the Auburn TD! Auburn led, 14-3 at the half. Auburn took the second half kick, and drove to the LSU 19, before 3 straight bad plays ended the scoring threat. LSU came out firing. Jarrett Lee torched the Auburn D for a 39-yard strike to Chris Mitchell, and the game was back on. Auburn survived a successful LSU onside kick without giving up any points, and again drove into LSU territory. Another Todd interception killed the drive. Jarrett Lee continued his red-hot ways, burning Auburn with two long completions. Then it was Keiland Williams on the halfback pass for the score to Demetrius Byrd. Auburn could do little on offense, and LSU was back to work again. Auburn finally held at the Auburn 15 yard line, and Colt David hit the short FG to put LSU ahead 20-14 with 8:27 left in the game. Chris Todd got it done for Auburn in the clutch, but it happened too quickly. A 58-pass and run to Tim Hawthorne had Auburn knocking on the door quickly. Todd hit Robert Dunn for the score with over 6 minutes left in the game. Auburn led 21-20, but could they stop LSU? Answer: yes! LSU went 3 and out, but Auburn failed to run hardly ANY clock. There was an incomplete pass, and a run out of bounds. On the next LSU possession, Jarrett Lee was unstoppable. He hit pass after pass, and hit the game-winner to Brandon LaFell with a minute left. LSU held on to win, 26-21.

2009 (In Baton Rouge) There was little drama coming into this game. LSU was ranked 4^th in the nation, and Auburn was reeling after losses to Arkansas and Kentucky. Chris Todd's arm looked shot, and he managed only 47 passing yards in the game. LSU cruised to a 17-0 halftime lead, and held a commanding 31-3 margin at the end of the third. Auburn's reserves scored late, to make the final 31-10, LSU.

Florida (3-3)

The Gators came into the decade as one of the league's strongest teams, and left it that way. In the middle, the Gators suffered a swoon that resulted in the firing of Ron Zook. The Gators have been Auburn's nemesis over the past quarter century, beating the Tigers 13 of 21 times. Auburn lost seven straight to Florida from 1995 through 2000.

2000 (In Gainesville) Both teams came into this game having suffered troubling losses to Mississippi State. Florida's had come two weeks prior, when the Bullies ran all over the Gators. Auburn had been shut down in Starkville a week later. Auburn managed only one scoring drive in this game, a 13 yard fade from Ben Leard to Deandre Green early in the 2^nd quarter. Florida scored touchdowns on its first five possessions of the game, all Rex Grossman completions. Auburn trailed 35-7 at half, and lost 38-7.

2000 (In Atlanta, SEC Championship Game) Auburn held together better in the second matchup, but it was still much of the same story. Florida refused to let Rudi Johnson run the ball, and Auburn was slow to turn to the pass. Meanwhile, it was Grossman to Reche Caldwell twice in the first quarter for scores. With Florida leading 21-0 close to halftime, UF coach Steve Spurrier still had 'em gunning. Grossman was picked off by Rodney Crayton of the Tigers, and the Tigers went on the move. Heath Evans barreled for 24 on a draw, setting up Damon Duval for a 44 yard field goal. Florida led 21-3 at the half. Auburn appeared to want to make a game of it on the first drive of the second half. Demarco McNeil stripped Rex Grossman of the ball and fell on it at the Florida 24 yard line. Auburn couldn't punch it in, though, and had to settle for another Duval field goal. Grossman took the Gators 80 yards in 11 plays, and that was the ball game after the TD pass. Ben Leard left the game with an injury, and Auburn had no chance on offense after that. Florida won 28-6.

2001 (In Auburn) The weather was the story in this one, as were Auburn injuries. A front was blowing through, with howling winds and driving rains. Auburn was very banged up in the front seven, and at times were playing three freshman linebackers. It was quite comical seeing freshmen Karlos Dansby, Derrick Graves, Mayo Sowell and Phillip Pate arguing about where they should line up! Florida could not take advantage. Auburn had it first, and went 3 and out. Damon Duval's punt was held up by the wind, and UF started on the Auburn side of the field. Somehow, the Tiger D held the Gators out, and Florida settled for a field goal. Auburn's Tim Carter took the kickoff, broke tackles, and turned the corner for 68 yards. Another 3 and out brought in Damon Duval, and he tied the game at 3-all. A Roderick Hood interception staved off one Gator TD, then Auburn yanked freshman quarterback Jason Campbell in favor of Daniel Cobb. Cobb opened with a 31 yard wheel route pass to Cassinius Moore. Moore kept pounding on the ground, and Daniel Cobb finished the drive on a sneak. Auburn led 10-3. Near the half, Florida generated a 13-play drive that culminated in a 32-yard Jeff Chandler field goal. At the half, Auburn led 10-6. In the 2^nd half, Florida's first drive was derailed by a Phillip Pate interception, but the Tigers could not capitalize. Then Florida drove it, with Rex Grossman hitting Reche Caldwell for the score. The wind whirled up again, and it was raining sideways. Steve Spurrier decided that the Gators would punt on 3^rd down, but they fumbled the snap. On 4^th down, they did get it away. Neither team could do much on offense during the deluge. On the Gators' next possession, the punt snap was again fumbled. This time, Auburn recovered on the Gator 2 yard line. On 3^rd and goal, Chris Butler powered it in off the right side for the Auburn score! Auburn led, 17-13. Grossman was wild again on the next UF possess. Mayo Sowell picked off the errant pass, and Auburn had it in Gatorland again. The Florida defense held, and Damon Duval hooked in the field goal from 32 yards. Auburn now led 20-13. The Gators tied it quickly. Grossman hit Jabar Gaffney behind the Auburn secondary, and Gaffney was off for 80 yards, taunting Auburn's Rod Hood the last 15 yards. Hood slammed Gaffney down 8 yards deep in the end zone right in front of an official, and there was no call. (Do you think the new taunting rules will be enforced fairly? I don't!) The Gators tied it, 20-all. Auburn fumbled it away twice in the 4^th quarter, but Florida could not take advantage. Karlos Dansby picked off a fluttering Grossman air ball at the Tiger 6 yard line, and Auburn had one last chance. Daniel Cobb moved the Tigers down field, and with ten seconds left, Damon Duval came on. From 44 yards out, the kick headed for the sideline, then hooked back through the uprights! Auburn had done it! The Tigers beat the #1 ranked Gators, 23-20!

2002 (In Gainesville) Both teams entered this game struggling. Auburn had just been blasted for over 400 rushing yards in an ugly loss to Arkansas at home. Early in the matchup in the Swamp, the SEC's leading rusher Carnell Williams broke his leg and was lost for the season. The Gators were already up 14-0, and the cause looked hopeless. Sophomore Ronnie Brown replaced Williams, and promptly barreled up the gut for a 26-yard touchdown. Auburn had pulled within 14-7 midway through the 2^nd quarter, but the Gators kept the ball the most of the rest of the half with the short passing game. A crazy decision to run a fake punt from the Auburn 8 yard line (with less than 2 minutes left in the half!) backfired, but the Auburn defense bailed 'em out, holding Florida to a field goal. The Gators led 17-7 at the half. Auburn had some success moving the ball in the 3^rd quarter, but managed to derail drives with fumbles and errant passes. Florida had success too, and knocked in two more field goals, leading 23-7 at the end of 3. Auburn brought in Jason Campbell at QB, and fed the Gators a heavy dose of Ronnie Brown. 5 plays later, Brown punched it in from the one. Campbell took the shotgun quarterback draw in for two points, and the Gator lead was cut to 23-16. The teams traded punts, then Auburn got it back with 5:20 left in the game. This time, Jason Campbell fired a dart downfield to Ronnie Brown, who galloped through defenders for a 54-yard touchdown. Campbell again scrambled for two, and the game was tied at 23-all! The Auburn defense held after trading penalties with the Gators, and Auburn had it with 3:13 left. The ball was at the Gator 42, after a failed 4^th down for the Gators. Jason Campbell led 'em down the field. There was a clutch pass to Robert Johnson on 3^rd down. Auburn chewed the ball down to the Gator 6 yard line, and forced a timeout with 30 seconds left. In came Damon Duval for the winner. The kick was low, nearly hitting a lineman in the back. The Gators easily blocked it, and the game went to overtime. The Gators went on offense first. On 3^rd and 10, Rex Grossman made a desperation heave to the back of the end zone, between two Auburn defenders. It was caught by Taylor Jacobs for the TD. On Auburn's possession Jason Campbell took off on 3^rd and 5, and fumbled the ball away. Florida won, 30-23 in overtime.

2006 (In Auburn) The #2-ranked Gators came in heavily favored, after an Auburn melt-down at home against the Arkansas Razorbacks a week before. No one gave the Tigers much chance in this one, and oddsmakers had Florida as a 21-point favorite. Luckily, Brandon Cox and the Tigers weren't listening to the doomsayers. Cox led the Auburn offense after the opening kickoff on a 13-play drive that ended in a John Vaughn field goal. The Gators ran over the Tiger defense to the 2 yard line, but tackle Pat Sims nailed DeShaun Wynn for a loss, and the Gators had to settle for the tying field goal. Auburn ate some more clock, then punted it back. The Gators moved easily down the field again, and early in the 2^nd quarter Chris Leak hit Dallas Baker for the score. Auburn moved it down the field, but Tommy Trott fumbled the ball away at the 3 yard line, and Auburn still trailed 10-3. On the very next play, Florida was called for holding in the end zone, giving Auburn a safety. Behind 10-5, Auburn took the free kick and went on another march. After 11 plays, John Vaughn was good from 31 yards, and Auburn had cut the Gator lead to 10-8. Florida went 80 yard in 3 plays, with Tim Tebow gashing off the right side for a 16 yard TD. Auburn put together a 9 play drive, and John Vaughn hit the field goal with 30 seconds left in the half. Florida led 17-11. Florida had pretty much run at will in the first half, but the second half was a different story. A Quentin Groves sack ended the Gators' first possession, then Tristan Davis blocked the punt, and Tre Smith scooped and scored, somersaulting into the end zone! Auburn led, 18-17. A punt trading contest followed. The Gators mounted an early 4^th quarter drive, but a Chris Leak fumble (or poorly called incompletion, depending upon whom you ask...) ended it. Auburn put together a drive after that, but John Vaughn missed from 45 yards. Chris Leak's next pass was picked off by Eric Brock, and returned to the Gator 28. Auburn ran the 4^th quarter clock down to 32 seconds, and John Vaughn was true on the field goal. Auburn led, 21-17. Florida's last gasp ended on a hook and lateral play when Chris Leak lost the handle on a lateral, Auburn's Patrick Lee scooped up the loose ball, and ran it in for a touchdown. Auburn won a shocker over the eventual national champions, 27-17.

2007 (In Gainesville) Before this game started, I suspect I was not alone in hoping that Auburn would at least keep the game close, and not get blown out. With home losses to South Florida and Mississippi State already, few thought the Tigers had any chance against the defending national champion, 4^th ranked Florida Gators. A false start doomed Florida's first drive, and Brandon Cox and Co. went to work. 14 plays later, Kodi Burns had galloped up the middle on the quarterback draw for the opening score. Again, the Gators killed their drive with a false start. Then, it was Auburn's turn to false start and end a drive. Florida put together a long drive starting at the beginning of the second quarter that covered 66 yards in 11 plays, but stalled at the Tiger 17. The field goal was blocked by SenDerrick Marks, and the Gators came up empty. Auburn got it rolling again, driving 80 yards in 10 plays. Ben Tate capped the drive up the gut for 3 yards, and Auburn led the heavily favored Gators 14-0! Tim Tebow took Florida on another drive, but with the clock winding down, Auburn's Eric Brock took the ball away from Louis Murphy, and Auburn ran the clock out on the half. Florida stoned Auburn on the first possession of the second half, then Tim Tebow hit the bomb to Percy Harvin. Patrick Lee saved the TD, then the Auburn defense denied Tebow three times inside the 10. Joey Ijjas settled for the short field goal. Auburn couldn't move on the next series, but Tim Tebow heaved one up for grabs that Pat Lee came down with for the Tigers. A ten play Tiger drive off the interception resulted in a 30 yard Wes Byrum field goal, and Auburn led 17-3. Auburn forced another Gator punt, but then Ben Tate fumbled it back to Florida on the first play, at the Auburn 38. It took 9 plays, but Florida got it into the end zone early in the 4^th quarter. The Tiger D was starting to look tired. Auburn punted it back after 8 plays, and the Florida offense started picking up steam. 9 plays and 89 yards later, Tim Tebow was in the end zone, and Joey Ijjas kicked the tying extra point with 7:36 left in the game. Auburn could manage only 5 plays before punting it back. Florida opened the drive with a screen to Harvin, who inexplicably danced backwards before being put down by SenDerrick Marks for a 6 yard loss. On 4^th and long, the Gators played it safe and punted away. The kick was shanked badly out of bounds, and Auburn took over on their own 39 with 3:38 left in the game. Auburn ground out 10 plays for 35 yards, and set freshman kicker Wes Byrum up for a 43 yard attempt. Byrum's kick shaved just inside the upright, but Florida Corch Urban Meyer had called timeout before the snap. Byrum's second kick was like a heat-seeking missile right down the middle! Time expired, and Auburn had won it, 20-17!

The Alabama series recap was supposed to follow here, but I'm afraid I'm out of time this week! My apologies! We'll save the relishing of a decade featuring seven wins over the Tide till next week! War Eagle, and have a great weekend!

Ben Tate Impressive at the Combine

2010-03-03T12:18:25Z

More photos » Darron Cummings - AP

17 days ago: Auburn's Ben Tate runs drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Browse more photos »

I was at home yesterday because workers were at the house, so I got to watch a bit of ESPN. Of course the talking heads did not talk about Ben Tate at all. But at least they had his info scrolling on the ticker. I was pretty impressed. His stats are below:

Speed 4.43 - finished 3^rd behind Spiller and Best

Broad Jump 10’4" – Tops among RBs

Vertical 40.5" – Second behind Hardesty

Bench Press 26 reps - Tops among RBs

Cones – 6.91 finished 6^th (about average and still ahead of Gerhart)

Shuttle 4.12 second among RBs behind McCluster

For some reason no one talked about him. I don’t get it. They are still calling him a late second to more than likely a third rounder. Oh well. Fight on Ben, and War Eagle

Secret Confessions

2010-03-01T08:00:27Z

I'll always be a big Tommy Tuberville supporter.

Good Monday to you. Today I'm going to do something a little different. I got this idea from a thread on another Auburn message board. Its title, Secret Confessions fits perfectly; so we'll keep it the same here. Basically, it's a chance to share things we often think, but never say in regards to Auburn and college football. I hope you'll join in. Here goes my list...

I rarely pull for other SEC schools in bowl games unless it's Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Miss State or South Carolina. I just can't see any good in pulling for a competitor.
I still really like and respect Tommy Tuberville. I hope he's a huge success at Texas Tech. I don't understand why so many Auburn fans have turned against him. You see it on message boards daily.
Pat Dye will always be my coach.
I'm really pulling for Derek Dooley at Tennessee. I know Vince Dooley will forever be associated with Georgia, but he's still an Auburn man and I wish his son the best.
I like Steve Spurrier now. I hated him during the 1990's, but there's something about him losing consistently that makes me like him more today.
I'm still nostalgic about the 1980's. In my mind, those Dye coached teams will always be the best in Auburn history. I'm convinced the 1983 team could beat the 2004 undefeated team by a touchdown. It may not be close to true, but I believe it.
I still side with David Housel over the 2003 Jetgate incident. He made the wrong decision to get on the plane, but I completely understand why he did it. I worked with him while I was a student and know his character. There's more to the story than meets the eye.
Eight seasons later, I still miss Jim Fyffe. There's not a start to the season that I don't pause to think about him.
If Auburn's not playing in a BCS bowl, my favorite destination is the Chick-fil-A bowl in Atlanta. It has everything you could want - close proximity, indoors, good opponents and plenty to do in town.
I enjoy Auburn baseball more than Tiger basketball. There's something unique and special about sitting at Plainsman Park on a spring afternoon.
I really wish they'd bring the orange facemasks back.
I don't trust SEC commissioner Mike Slive to protect Auburn's best interest.
For all my criticism of athletic director Jay Jacobs, the hiring of Gene Chizik was a masterstroke. He showed us all.
I still get chills when the Auburn band comes running out on the field for pregame festivities.
Tenda Chick is hands down the best restaurant in Auburn. Call me simple.
I miss J.F. Fingers.
I love Toomer's Drug, but I've had better lemonade. Don't shoot me.
Tiger Rags has the best prices; J&M the friendliest staff; and Anders is just not the same since the family sold the store. Big Blue has potential, but they are ridiculously expensive - even by college bookstore standards.
Paul Ellen is the best radio studio host in America.
Ralph Jordan Jr. is the finest ambassador Auburn has at its disposal. It's a mystery why they don't use him more. Talk to him for five minutes and you'll feel like you've known him a lifetime.
I worry about the trees at Toomer's Corner. I hope they are around for my great-grandchildren.
Women just look better dressed in orange and blue.
Now that I'm in my forties, the coeds look more like young girls. How depressing.
I'm excited about the new basketball arena, but I really wished they'd spent that money on Jordan-Hare Stadium. I'm just saying...
There's nothing better and more fun than a road win at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge - except of course, Bryant Denny Stadium.
I love seeing rednecks walk around in Alabama attire. It makes my day.
I love those baby blue UCLA uniforms.
I loved Herschel Walker when I was a kid.
I really like listening to Verne Lundquist during CBS college football telecasts.
ESPN's Wendi Nix is really hot in those reading glasses. Call me old.
Phillip Marshall and Mark Murphy are my two favorite Auburn writers.
I still miss The Joe Cribb's Car Wash... the blog.
I don't understand people who like Stephen A. Smith.
I hated playing games at Legion Field, but I do miss the Tide-Tiger bar on game day.
I miss the stadium announcer saying, "Here come the Tigers" over the PA as the team takes the field.
I broke into Jordan-Hare Stadium with friends the night before graduation and had a 12-pack of Milwaukee's Best on the 50-yard line. To this day, it's the best beer I've ever had in my life.

I could go on for days. It's your turn now...

Bo Jackson Talks About Induction Into Auburn's Wall of Fame

2010-02-28T13:30:36Z

Bo Jackson is inducted into Auburn baseball's Wall of Fame

The " BIG HURT " Is Back In Town

2010-02-27T20:26:50Z

It
Former Auburn All American 1st baseman and Major League great Frank Thomas returned to Auburn's Plainsman park February 27.

Nineteen ninety three was the last time that Auburn's Frank Thomas was in Auburn. Today he will be at the special ceremonies in Auburn to honor the inaugural class of Auburn Baseball's Wall Of Fame. He will be joined by three other Auburn greats : Tim Hudson, Gregg Olson, and Bo Jackson.

I was able to watch Thomas play high school ball in Columbus, Georgia. Even then you did not have to be a major league scout to recognize that he was an unusual athlete that would make a name for himself in professional sports. He excelled in basketball, baseball, and football. He was considered by many to be one of the top tight ends in the south, making All State his senior year. I was excited when Coach Pat Dye signed him to a football scholorship in 1986. However few knew at that time what a great impact player he would be ... but not in football ... in baseball.

Coach Dye said Thomas was good enough to have been a 1st Round NFL Draft Pick, but after being injured his freshman year, Dye allowed him to remain on football scholarship. He went on to play for the Tiger Baseball Team and light up the SEC scoreboards with RBI's and homeruns.

After 19 seasons in the big leagues, Thomas retired February 12th. It would take too long to list all of his major league acomplishments here for he will definetly being going into Cooperstown. However to list just a few he was a 5 time All Star, who hit for a lifetime .301 avg, an on base avg. of .419, was in the top 3 in MVP voting six times winning it twice, drove in 1704 runs, and hit 521 homeruns. Only 6 players in history hit more homeruns and have a higher career batting average . He is the only player in major league history to have 7 consecutive seasons of a .300 avg, at least 100 walks, 100 runs scored, 100 RBI's, and hit at least 20 homeruns. And he done it all without steroids.

Coach Hal Baird said " You could see how great a player he would be the first time he walked out on the field at Auburn ". Baird said " his bat speed was unbelieveable" Thomas started his Auburn career by hitting .359 with 21 homeruns his freshman year and finished his senior season by leading the SEC with a .403 batting avg, with 83 runs batted in, and was voted the SEC MVP. He was the first Auburn baseball player to win consensus All American honors. The legendary Baird said Thomas was " the greatest hitter I ever saw in college baseball , hitting for average as well as homerun hitting".

Its great to see Head Coach John Pawlowski start this new tradition of a Wall of Fame at Auburn. And its great to see him bring back ( like Chizik has done ) former Auburn greats and honor them. It is also great to have Frank " THE BIG HURT " Thomas back in town, its been too long since 1993. Welcome back Frank and Congratulations !

Head diving coach Jeff Shaffer was named SEC Male Diving Coach of the Year... ... while...

2010-02-26T16:36:30Z

Head diving coach Jeff Shaffer was named SEC Male Diving Coach of the Year...

... while three student-athletes earned SEC honors, the league office announced.

Senior Kelly Marx was named Male Diver of the Year, Thad Ellis earned Male Freshman Diver of the Year and Jordan Anderson was named Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year.

The Auburn men picked up its SEC-record 14th-straight conference title on Saturday, defeating Florida 784-765.

The honor marks the fifth time Shaffer has been named SEC Coach of the Year, having earned the award four times as the men’s coach and one as the coach of the LSU women’s team. He previously won the award in 2008 after he led Marx to a title on the one-meter springboard and Dan Mazzaferro to the win on the platform. In all, his divers at Auburn have won 14 total SEC titles and nine NCAA titles.

Rollison's Departure A Cautionary Tale

2010-02-26T08:00:30Z

"He's a great kid and very humble. Loves to win. Tremendous competitor. At the same time, it's about his teammates. He could care less about how many passes he completes as long as they're being successful. He does a great job on the field of leading his teammates with his will to win. He's not a very vocal young man but he does it by his pure will on the field."

Those were the words spoken by Tyrik Rollison's high school coach, Greg Owens, after the four-star quarterback signed with Auburn last February. Rollison was the prize recruit of Auburn coach Gene Chizik's first recruiting class. According to Rivals, he was the number-two rated high school quarterback in the country. Simply put, he was the face of Auburn's future.

What a difference a year makes.

Rollison's departure is a cautionary tale for anyone who gets caught up in the national recruiting hype. And let's face it, in this day and age who doesn't get a little overly optimistic on the first Wednesday of each February?

There has been plenty of speculation this week over why Rollison chose to chunk his career for Sam Houston State. Was it his grades? Did it have anything to do with the year-end suspension that kept him from making the trip to the Outback Bowl? Was he homesick? Was it all of the above?

We probably will never know.

His high school coach said he was a tremendous competitor. Yet many speculate that he left because he knew it wasn't in the cards this upcoming season with Cam Newton and Neil Caudle expected to be the two primary contenders at quarterback. It would have been wise for someone to point out to Rollison that Chris Todd was in the witness protection program last spring.

It's easy for Auburn fans to dismiss his departure as a minor inconvenience. However, anytime you lose your prize recruit less than a year after he arrives on campus, it's a pretty big deal. He may not have competed for the starting job this year, but where will Auburn turn two years from now? How valuable would it be to have him around as a fourth-year junior?

There has been no outward indication that Auburn coaches worked hard to keep him on campus. That may tell us everything we need to know. I've argued more than once that recruiting is far from a perfect science. Maybe what Chizik saw on film was completely different from what he witnessed on the practice field. Tommy Tuberville missed with Kodi Burns. Statistically, good coaches miss about half the time. That's why quantity is such an important measure during recruiting season.

The most outward indication of trouble for Rollison came a few weeks back when Auburn coaches made no secret of going after several high school quarterbacks who will be playing as seniors this fall. On the surface it looks like Gus Malzahn moved quickly to cut his losses.

As Malzahn enters year two on the Plains, he's yet to find the perfect quarterback for his spread offense. Most believe Newton is the real deal - a sure bet. But then again, we heard the same thing last year about the hot shot kid from Texas. Malzahn has earned the right to be given the benefit of the doubt. Rollison may have lacked the intangibles needed to play quarterback in the SEC. Let's just hope Auburn coaches find their man by late April.