18. Rudi Johnson carries half of Wyoming down the field (2000, 18 years old)
This run could easily go down as the best run in Auburn history if only it hadn't come against Wyoming and in a situation where it was actually needed to put the game away late in the 4th quarter. This was my first game as a student at Auburn and the beginning of my current 12-year streak of home games. Obviously, I witnessed this play in the Auburn student section.

17. Chris Porter's putback dunk against LSU (1999, 16 years old)
The only video I can find of this dunk does not do it justice at all. I remember watching this game on TV and saying "OHHHHHH!!!!!!" for a good 10 minutes after Porter came flying out of nowhere. It was definitely the dunk of the season and probably still one of the best putback dunks of all time. Dude was awesome. Stay off the weed, kids. I watched this play from my parents' couch.

16. Bret Eddins loosens Marcus Randall's wisdom teeth (2004, 22 years old)
This play may not be near the top of the list, but it is definitely one of my favorites of all time. There is nothing better to me than an opposing quarterback getting blindsided, and in this case he was blindsided from the front. What makes it even better was how Bret got up and ran straight to the bench like he was just doing his job. I asked him about that once.

I witnessed this play from the Auburn student section during my senior year. Yes, I went for 4.5 years, but I had to get in one more football season... and it was a pretty good one to stay around for.

15. Cam's Hail Mary to Darvin in the SEC Champ. Game (2010, 28 years old)
I think this is the only successful Hail Mary that Auburn has completed in my lifetime. South Carolina had just scored before the half and had worked their way back into the game. I was preparing for an excruciating halftime as I had to worry about about what would happen in the 2nd half.

Then, for some reason, South Carolina squibbed their kickoff, giving Auburn a short field. Two plays later, Cam to Darvin happened in it's best form ever. I went nuts. From that point forward, South Carolina had no chance. I witnessed this play from the club level in the Georgia Dome.

14. Nix floats one to Sanders against Alabama (1993, 11 years old)
You know the story. Stan White went down with an injury and in came Patrick Nix on 4th-and-15. Nix then threw one up for Frank Sanders who caught at the 2-yard line and dove into the end zone. Even my 11-year-old self was surprised that Nix was able to come in and win the game. This also happens to be one of Jim Fyffe's greatest calls. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I witnessed this game from the orange seats, while eating free popcorn, Golden Flake potato chips, and Coca-Cola Classic.

13. Lawyer Tillman's reverse to beat Alabama (1986, 4 years old)
Ok, this one is sorta breaking the rules. One stipulation I had on the plays in this list was that I had to have seen them live in person or on TV. Well, I was at this game. It was my first Iron Bowl. However, I was 4 years old, and as the story goes, I was asleep in my dad's lap when Lawyer Tillman mistakenly took a reverse around left end and into the end zone.

So I'm just going to base this one off how I think I would have acted had I actually seen it. It's one of the most famous plays in Auburn history, and I was there, so it has a place in the count down. Dang, I love Pat Dye.

Check back tomorrow for numbers 7-12, and throughout the rest of the week for the remainder of the countdown. Oh, and you know, if you wanted to send me a birthday present, you could donate to the 'Blogle, or email me and I'll give you an address of where you can not send a bomb.

24. Ben Leard to Ronney Daniels at Georgia (1999, 17 years old)
Ben Leard is/was a Georgia boy, but he hates/hated Georgia. He took that out on the Dawgs on that November night in 1999. This play has always stuck with me because I loved how Ronney Daniels was basically just slapping the guy as he ran down the field. It summed up the rest of the 38-21 blowout perfectly. I watched this play from my couch in the home of my parents.

23. Nick Fairley's sack and fumble recovery in the Iron Bowl (2010, 28 years old)
I always felt like this play didn't get enough praise. Fairley dominated offensive lines and quarterbacks all year, but this play showed his athleticism as well. The ball hung around on the ground for what seemed like a minute before he got off the pile of destruction (that he made himself) and covered up the ball. I feel like this play, as much as Antoine Carter's punch/strip to cause Mark Ingram's fumble, helped turn the 2010 Iron Bowl around in Auburn's favor. I watched this play in my grandparents' garage in a pseudo-tailgate setup.

22. Doc Robinson's half-court alley-oop to Bryant Smith (1999, 16 years old)
There hasn't been a more dominant year of Auburn basketball than the 1998-1999 season. Every time I hear someone say that Auburn will never be good at basketball, I point back to that year. It has happened and can happen again.

I remember this play because at the time I thought a 20-4 lead in basketball was the biggest lead ever. I was 17, get off me. I've seen plenty of those leads in the opposite direction now to know that they aren't that farfetched. I love this play because an alley-oop is just like saying "now I'm just messing with you," and one from half-court is the ultimate version of that. I watched this game from the couch after I was turned away from the Coliseum due to the game being a sellout.

21. Walter McFadden 102-yard interception return - (2010, 27 years old)
I know that a win over Northwestern really isn't anything to get too pumped about, but the longest interception return in Auburn history has to make the list. At the time, it looked like Auburn was going to run away with the game, but as you remember (and saw in yesterday's post) this play ended up being pretty important.

By the way, the flag for excessive celebration was ridiculous. What else are you supposed to do when you run 100 yards without anyone in sight? I'm surprised Walt didn't stop for a water break around the 50-yard line. I watched this play from my recliner, again, with Baby Blogle in my lap.

20. James Bostic's 70-yard TD run against Alabama (1993, 11 years old)
This play is a little bit foggy in my head, given that I was 11 years old, but I do remember it happening. This was the first Iron Bowl that I attended where I knew what was going on, and I got to sit in the orange (scholarship) seats with a friend whose dad is the team dentist. So while the play was awesome, I was probably more worried about the free popcorn at the time.

However, I really do remember going ape when Bostic busted up the middle to put the game away in the 4th quarter. As you know, the Tigers won the game 22-14 and ended the season 11-0. As I mentioned, I witnessed this play in the lap of luxury.

19. Ryan Smith's tackle at the goal line against Mississippi St. (2011, 29 years old)
I know by the end of the 2011 season, everyone had pretty much forgotten about this play. At the time, this play (and win) looked like it could have been a big deal, but as Mississippi State did their normal stroll down 6-win Lane, and as Auburn struggled throughout the rest of the year, this stop was forgotten.

But in terms of this countdown, this play definitely deserves to be in it. The way I acted after it happened probably embarrassed a few people around me, even ones that didn't know me. If you remember, this win kept Auburn's 17-game win streak alive when the entire world was dying for the "you don't have Cam Newton anymore" Tigers to lose. So when Ryan Smith made that tackle, I let the world have it. Of course they couldn't hear me because Jordan-Hare Stadium was deafening, but I tried my best. I witnessed this play 50-or-so rows above the end zone where it took place.

Check back tomorrow for numbers 13-18, and throughout the rest of the week for the remainder of the countdown. Oh, and you know, if you wanted to send me a birthday present, you could donate to the 'Blogle, or email me and I'll give you an address of where you can not send a bomb.

As you may or may not know, I love a countdown. Actually, I loathe others' countdowns because they are usually very wrong, but I love doing countdowns (proof). So for the next five days, I am going to count down through my top thirty Auburn moments of my thirty years (that's six a day for you liberal arts majors).

These moments may have come during a loss, and they may have ended up being insignificant in the long run, but at the time they made me lose my gourd. If they made me convulse in pleasure, dance like no one was watching, cause week-long hoarseness, or for whatever reason just stick out in my mind as a memory from childhood, they were up for this countdown. I also had to have seen them live in person or on TV, so that will nix some of the ones from my earlier years, which means there are no Bo moments. Side note: his first year at Auburn was my year of birth. Coincidence?

There were certain games that had many great moments, like the LSU interception game or the "Sack Brodie" game, but I'm keeping this countdown for singular plays that linger on in my now thirty-year-old brain. Oh, and they won't all be football moments, but obviously most will.  Let's get to it...

30. Ronnie Brown runs over Jason Allen (2004, 22 years old)
There were many awesome moments from the 34-10 win over #10 Tennessee in 2004, but this one definitely stuck out above the rest. Auburn was going into their first tough road game of the season and dominated the Vols from start to finish. This play pretty much summed up the entire game, and the entire 2004 season. I witnessed this play in person in my only trip to Knoxville so far.

29. Tim Carter's 100-yard kickoff return against LSU (2000, 18 years old)
It was my freshman year at Auburn, and LSU had just scored to pull within three in the 3rd quarter of a back-and-forth game. Then, the only person who could probably outrun Onterrio McCalebb, Mr. Tim Carter, kicked LSU in the teeth and told them to stay down. It seems like most of the longest and most historic runs in Auburn history came against LSU, as you will see more of in this countdown. I witnessed this play from the student section in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

28. Neiko Thorpe stops Northwestern's fake FG attempt (2010, 27 years old)
In terms of the way I acted when this happened, it could probably be up in the top five. Rarely have I screamed in tongues like I did when this terrible game was finally over. As you'll remember, Auburn beat Northwestern 65 times in this game, and once the referees had run out of reasons to keep the game going, Northwestern tried and failed at a fake FG in overtime. I watched this play from my recliner with six-month-old Baby Blogle in my lap.

27. Karlos Dansby's interception/lateral against North Carolina (2001, 19 years old)
I'll be honest, this would be much higher on the list if Auburn had won this game because it's one of the most athletic plays you'll ever see. I'm still not sure why Dansby wasn't called for a forward lateral (the flag was waved off). Maybe it's because he never had possession of the ball. I still can't believe we lost to North Carolina... in football. I witnessed this play in person at the Georgia Dome.

26. Junior Rosegreen's hit on Reggie Brown (2004, 22 years old)
Yes, Reggie Brown was technically defenseless, and yes, he did get hurt during the play (he was fine just after), but this completely legal hit will always be up there with one of my favorites. Like Ronnie's run over Jason Allen, this hit summed up the domination of Georgia in 2004 as well. I witnessed this play from the Auburn student section.

25. Kenny Irons's 74-yard touchdown run at LSU (2005, 23 years old)
Before the game, Irons jumped in front of an ESPN camera and stated that he would go for 200 yards that night. Well he did, plus a few more. This run was a good chunk of those, and for the time hushed the LSU crowd.

I remember almost falling down many rows of bleachers because of how retarded (I'm sorry, that's the only word that can be used) I acted during and after this run. I also remember a drunk frat guy accidentally shaking and spilling his water bottle all over some snotty old lady. I promptly reminded her that it was just water and that we had just scored a touchdown... in a nice way. Obviously, I witnessed this play from the Auburn section of Death Valley.

Check back tomorrow for numbers 19-24, and throughout the rest of the week for the remainder of the countdown. Oh, and you know, if you wanted to send me a birthday present, you could donate to the 'Blogle, or email me and I'll give you an address of where you can not send a bomb.

Close personal friend of the Blogles, @ImALegendKiller, writes in to tell us of a dream he had. It involved a certain Auburn football player. This is common and completely accepted among all male Auburn fans. There is no need to be ashamed...

Last night while sleeping, I saw Kiehl Frazier lead us to a season opening victory, supported of course, by an aggressive D. O-Mac even took a kickoff to the house to give us the lead back for good. So, was this all a dream or is it a vision of things to come?

Well, obviously it was a dream. I mean, you were sleeping. But don't let you think that it has to stop there. It could have been a vision from the great Auburn fan in the sky.

As I've blogled about a few times, prior to the 2010 season, while daydreaming of... well, that's not important, before we had ever seen Cam Newton in an Auburn uniform, I had this quick vision of him running through and around multiple defenders. I then got this feeling that reminded me of the feelings I had in 2004. It was like I was given a shot of invincibility. I just felt like we were going to dominate.

And before you blow it off and call me crazy, I'm not kidding. This is real. A few coworkers can vouch for me. I was given a vision and it became real. So yes, while you were dreaming, you could have really been given a look into next season. Tell me what happens next.

Will S. wants to take this back down to serious land with a real football question...

Where do you see the team going with recruiting players for the new defensive scheme and how will the current players take to the new pro-style offense and will Frazier be able to shine in it?

I think the days of Mr. Tiny Linebacker are gone. They will not work with the aggressive, and NFL-style defense of the one they call BVG. They had their day in Auburn lore, and for the most part they played quite well, but I believe we'll begin to see more of a Takeo-sized guy over someone who can easily drop back and play safety if need be.

From all reports, it sounds like the current offensive players have taken to the "new" offense pretty well. Admittedly, it is not 100% pro-style yet  by any means, and does still include a few Malzahn-isms, but it sounds like the transition has been as smooth as expected.

Frazier should and probably will be the starter based on how he was played in the A-Day game. Moseley, had a hurt shoulder, and is supposedly going to be given a full shot in the fall, but it may be too late. Frazier is obviously the future at QB for now, and he seems poised and ready to step in and take over.

Dan B. wants to get all nostalgic with a tough question that I may be able to answer...

1. Did Bo ever wear a number other than #34 at Auburn (namely #41)? I have the pre-Championship edition of the AU Football Vault, and while looking through it the other day, I came across a huge picture of Bo wearing a #41 Jersey. I've Googled this and not come up with anything, and I'm fairly sure I'm not crazy, so I was wondering if The Great Blogleini could shed some light on this. Was this a practice jersey, and if so why would they publish it? Or am I indeed crazy/seeing things.

First off, I have no idea if you're crazy. Do you think you're crazy? They say if you think you're sane, then you're probably really crazy. It's only if you can say that you're not crazy that you are probably not crazy. Anyway...

I too have that same book and I too saw that picture of Bo wearing #41. I too was very puzzled, but then I realized that it was probably just the first jersey given to him during his freshman practices. I know he never wore it in a game, so it has to have been an early practice jersey.

As to why they would have published it, I would say that your original question is the reason. It's something cool and nostalgic, and something that most people didn't know about. Not even THE GREAT BLOGLEINI (which I shall be called henceforth) knew about it, so it's definitely something vault-worthy.

C.A.M. (no, not that one) is, I think, giving me a compliment(?). You be the judge...

Do Auburn fans/bloggers/beat writers have the best sense of humor in the SEC? I don't follow other school's fans/bloggers/beat writers so I have no point of reference, but I'm wondering if UGA fans made t-shirts with VanGorder's mustache or if UF photoshopped Muschamp in a tacky sweater holding his cat in a Christmas card. Don't misunderstand. I get a huge kick out of self-deprecating humor. I just wonder if Auburn leads the pack in this department.

Why thank you. I try very hard to be very entertaining. My mom always told me I was funny. But seriously...

I do think Auburn fans are the best at making fun of themselves while making fun of other schools because we've had plenty of opportunities over the last few years. With every hilarious accusation and allegation since 2010, we can now just sit back and laugh at how stupid all of it was. Think about the time and energy spent by millions of people to convince themselves and the rest of the world that Auburn was such a dirty, rotten place, only to be proven wrong in almost every way. We Auburn fans and bloggers got so used to it, that it got much easier to come up with a sarcastic or snide remark at the bombshell of the day.

Other schools do have some pretty funny blogs, but like in most things, they don't really live up to Auburn's. We are a unique, "us against the world" bunch, and I've always felt that if you make the joke before they can, they have nothing to say. Auburn fans for the most part do that, which ends up just making everybody else look stupid.

Thanks to everybody who sent in questions. That was fun. We really shouldn't wait that long to do it again.

While Jacobs was discussing his night, they switched to some highlights while he talked in the background. After a few seconds, it sounded like he got attacked, but shortly after I realized what had happened. When the announcers started laughing, I was assured. He got pied.

Auburn should be good to go regarding getting in the SEC Tournament with at least one more win in their next four games, but last night was a huge start. As it stands now, Auburn is only one game behind Arkansas, and with a few more wins, could move up two or three spots in the division, given they own the tiebreaker with EVERY OTHER TEAM ABOVE THEM BESIDES THE LAST PLACE TEAM. Oh well, here's to more shaving cream pies in the future.

At first, I think of Gus Malzahn and his return to Jordan-Hare. I have no problems with it - it scares me - but I will have no bad feelings towards him. It's sort of like the Samford game last year. I love Pat Sullivan and wanted his team to be competitive, but not actually win the game. They ended up being a little too competitive for my liking, but it was still good to see one of our guys still out there coaching and doing his thing.

Malzahn will be in his second year, and will have another year's worth of athletes that didn't want to go to Arkansas, or at least wouldn't have gone to Arkansas State unless Gus wasn't there. Of course, by then Arkansas will have their real choice as a head coach, and will get anybody they want from the state. We have no idea how good his team will be, but we know what he's capable of. At least we have three year's worth of practices and games and playbooks to study.

It's a little bit different of a situation for me when it comes to Michael Dyer. The next great running back in Auburn history, who will be have to sit out 2012 per transfer rules,  has quickly turned into someone I'd love to forget. I know most of you wish him well, and I by no means wish him harm, but I'm not going to wish him well... as a collegiate football player. He is now an opponent. He is now someone who could have been an Auburn legend.

He had the chance to admit his mistakes, take his lumps, and get back in the good graces of the coaching staff. Instead, he left. He didn't want to do what Chizik laid out for him to do to get back on the team. What that plan was we'll never know, but I'm sure it involved running, more running, and any variance of a curfew and GPA minimum.

Bottom line: he quit on Auburn. He left. He could have gone down as one of the greats. Bo held his hand high, kissed his forehead, and Dyer threw that away. How can you wish that well?

In terms of his life, I hope he turns it around. I hope he becomes the guy he looked like he was going to be prior to 2011. But I do not hope that he comes into Jordan-Hare and gains more than one yard. I would hope that Auburn fans will be better than to boo him as he comes on the field, but I would also hope that no one cheers him either. As I said, he is now an opponent.

Now after saying all of that, it's possible that one or even both won't be making the trip.

Gus Malzahn is an Arkansas native, and I'm sure his dream job wasn't Arkansas State. I've never asked him this, but I know that his college dream job is Arkansas. I'm positive. That being said, unless John L. Smith takes Arkansas to the SEC Championship Game next year, the Razorbacks will be looking for a more permanent solution. Gus Malzahn could be that solution. If he shows that he can run a team, and not just an offense, Arkansas could very well give Mr. Malzahn his dream job following next season.

Some think that Malzahn would be too honorable to leave Arkansas State after one year, but honor has nothing to do with it. He saw how his head coaching job possibilities went from Vanderbilt and Maryland to Arkansas State in one year, so he's going to be quick to jump on a job in the SEC. You don't hold off on a dream job just to be nice. I'm sorry. Malzahn wouldn't be honorable to himself or his family to turn down Arkansas to stay at a Sun Belt school.

If this does happen, then we'll see Malzahn every year when Auburn takes on the Razorbacks, so I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm scared of him at Arkansas State because we know what he can do and if, heaven forbid, Auburn lost, it would be terrible on multiple levels. Think about it. It's not just a loss to Arkansas State. It's fuel to the "Malzahn is the reason Auburn was so good, and Chizik sucks" fire.

But if Malzahn is at Arkansas, a loss to him then would be more respectable, given the talent he'd be coaching, However, then the Chizik/Malzahn debate would just go on forever. It doesn't matter, but it would.

As far as Dyer is concerned, as I mentioned earlier, he will have to sit out the 2012 season. NFL rules state that a player must be three years removed from high school to enter the draft. Even though Dyer will only have two years worth of playing time in college, he would be eligible to go to the NFL because next year would be his junior year of college. Most, and I am one of them, think that he'll sit out this year, workout, continue to practice with the team, and then enter the draft. It would not surprise me at all.

It's going to be strange to see either or both on the other sideline. Malzahn and Dyer are forever etched in Auburn history because of the National Championship and to see them somewhere else so quickly (maybe) is just going to be weird. I can't think of a coach and a superstar moving to the same team and then playing their old team ever. It's probably happened, but not that I'm aware of. Anyway, what are your thoughts?

For whatever reason, I was not invited, but today a few pictures have been tweeted my way by a few of the lucky ones that got to attend the event.

First, we have the groom's cake (via @jjustjoshin), which includes Aubie riding a golf cart on Auburn's football field on top of a plateau that's creating some pretty tough golf shots.Next, anybody who was invited (did I mention that I wasn't?) was given a golf ball printed with the bride and groom's names, as well as a coozie with the same (via @DanielMcFadden). I'll give anybody who got these at least a dollar or two for either of these. Get at me.
Update: Jason's wedding photographer just sent me the first official wedding photo of the newlywed couple. Seriously, Duf is the most chill bro you will ever see. And apparently winning a PGA Tour event elicits the same level of happiness as getting married since his face and smile are the exact same while experiencing both.

Photo via thestudiobphotography.com.

You bet there was. Gene Chizik and his (recycled) Saturday Night Fever shirt were in attendance and the obvious reason for the Braves monumental comebacks.The Twitter world was all ablaze last night after @ajcbraves tweeted the picture above prior to last night's game. It went national. People were all over Gene's shirt. I was not. Why? Because I'm a loyal reader of the 'Blogle and remembered that this was not the first, nor the second time that Gene Chizik has worn this beautiful monstrosity.

Last May, I posted a picture of Gene wearing this shirt as he signed National Championship footballs. In an update to that post, I was told that Gene was even wearing it that day in the drive-thru of Hibachi Express in Auburn. It's obvious Gene loves this shirt, and anything that gets near it becomes great, if only for a few moments.

Once the game began, the Fox Sports South broadcast named Chizik the "Fan of the Game." Here's video thanks to loyal friend of the 'Blogle, @radiofreeblake:

Immediately after this aired, Twitter went ablaze again with claims that Chizik was picking his nose. Come on. Who picks their nose without moving their finger at all? What kind of digging technique is that? And his finger wasn't even in his nose. It was on the end. I've seen him do this many times. And now I'm defending a guy accused of picking his nose...

Anyway, they always say you can take the boy out of Florida, but you can't take the Florida out of the boy, so I accept this shirt as a sign of Gene's culture and heritage. But I might have to draw the line at jean shorts.

Pic via NecoleBitchie.com.

1. How did you spend your time during the Draft?

I actually watched the first two days of the Draft because it was exciting to see some of the guys I met at the Senior Bowl and Combine get drafted. My roommate from the combine, Peter Konz, was actually Atlanta's first pick so it's pretty cool that I'll end up playing with him. The third day of the draft, which held rounds 4-7, was the day I knew I would find out where I was going. Whether it was getting drafted in the later rounds or signing a free agent deal, I was just excited to find out where I would end up.

I started the day off by playing a round of golf and got back just as the 5th round was starting. I didn't want to sit around and watch it all day waiting on a call, so I found things to keep me busy throughout the day. I didn't sit down and watch until my agent called me to tell me the Falcons might draft me with the 249th pick. I was getting calls from Denver, Baltimore and Cincinnati, but knew that I would have the best chance of making the roster by signing with the Falcons.

2. When/where did you hear from the Falcons? Who did you talk to?

I actually never heard from the Falcons during the draft. I spoke with their special teams coach and assistant coach during my private workout with them the week before but never during the draft. I finally heard from them after my agent called me to tell me we had reached a free agent deal with them. I knew I was going there around half way through the 7th round, but had to wait to see if one of the other teams decided to draft me.

I got a call from their director of player personnel to congratulate me on becoming a Falcon and then he emailed me my contract and I faxed it back to them that night. That's when it hit me that I had actually signed with my hometown team!

3. What was the conversation like?

The conversation was pretty short but very exciting. Since my agent was the one who called to tell me about signing with them, to hear from the Falcons was incredible. Honestly, it still hasn't sunk in yet. I'm just excited to get up to Flowery Branch next week and start competing for a job.

4. What's the next step? When do you report?

I have to report to Rookie Mini Camp next Thursday in Flowery Branch. That camp goes until Sunday and then the off-season conditioning program starts on Monday and goes until the end of June. After that I'll have about a month off until training camp starts on July 25.

5. Level with us. If things go well, you make the team, you play every game, how much money will you have this time next year?

If everything goes as planned then I will end up making more than I would have ever expected coming right out of college. I'm not getting caught up in the money aspect of the game. I'm focused on making the roster and continuing to play the game that I have loved since I was a little kid.

That's just turrible.

- Since taking the first three SEC series of the season (two of which were to teams that are currently ranked in the top-15), the Auburn baseball team won one game in the next three series. They were swept by last place Alabama, only took one from next-to-last place Vanderbilt, and were swept (somewhat understandably) by #4 South Carolina. So yeah, things looked pretty bad.

Then, this past weekend, Tennessee came to town sporting the exact same record as Auburn, and looking to move the Tigers down the ladder in the SEC standings (there wasn't much further down to go). Instead, Auburn pushed Tennessee to the bottom of the standings, and probably to the bottom of a bottle of some good Tennessee whiskey, by beating the Vols by a combined 35-12. The Tigers scored double digits in every game, including 10 unanswered runs yesterday in the finale. Here are the highlights of the 12-4 win.

Game 1 Highlights | Game 2 Highlights

Auburn now goes on the road for the next two series (Georgia, Arkansas) before ending the season with #1 Florida in Auburn. Both Georgia and Arkansas are beatable, especially if Auburn plays like they did this weekend, and the Florida series, well, let's just hope our SEC Tournament chances don't come down to having to win those last three games. Either way, Auburn went from near the bottom of the SEC Standings, to tied for 6th, owning the tie breaker over all of the other teams with the same record (Ole Miss, Mississippi State). Nothing is certain, though, and the Tigers have three really tough series coming up, but things got a little better this weekend especially after looking out of it the last three weeks.

- Speaking of SEC Tournaments, after a disappointing SEC season compared to an awesome 21-4 non-conference run, the softball team clinched a spot in the tournament for the fifth straight season by sweeping South Carolina. The tournament runs from May 10-12 in Tuscaloosa. There's two things they can do: lose early to get out of that wretched town as quickly possible and go home to prepare for the NCAA tournament, or win the whole thing. I think I'll take the latter.

- After leading what seems like every PGA tournament for the last two months, the Auburn boy, Jason Dufner finally got his first Tour win yesterday by defeating the South African Ernie Els in the 2nd hole of a playoff. The win came just six days before he is set to marry an Alabama graduate in Auburn. I guess that's the best you can do, given the circumstances. I have not been invited. If you are, can I be your date?

Here are the highlights of his win from ESPN:

Here's the post-win press conference (transcript) where he gets asked lots about the wedding:

He really is a chill bro. War Duf Eagle (don't steal that, t-shirts in the works).

- Rounding out the weekend of AU-some, a few Auburn football players will continue, or at least have a good chance to continue, to play football. Sure, there weren't 57 players taken in the 1st round like other schools, and the numbers weren't as good as past years, but really, from what we saw last year, it's good to see anybody taken. I don't mean that as a knock to any of them, but did you think there was much straight up NFL talent in the senior class last year?

• Brandon Moseley, a tight end turned offensive lineman in his time at Auburn, is heading to the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. He was taken in the 4th round and 132nd overall.
• Our boy Josh Harris told me last week that he has always wanted to play for the Atlanta Falcons. Well now he is, as he signed a free agent deal with the Dirty Birds.
• Neiko Thorpe, who honestly could have an NFL career with a little help from NFL coaching, was picked up as a free agent by the S-E-Chiefs.
• Finally, my favorite player from the 2011 Tigers, Eltoro Freeman, Charlie's Brother, the Bull, has been invited to tryout with the Green Bay Packers. If they don't sign him, they're idiots. Nobody plays harder.
• UPDATE: A.J. Greene, who turned down an invitation to the NFL Combine, and had decided to focus on a musical career, has signed a free agent deal with the Chicago Bears.

Oh, and I almost forgot. Bo Jackson completed his 300-mile bike ride yesterday in Tuscaloosa, where he helped raise over $400,000 for Alabama tornado relief. What else can you say about the world's great athlete?

Oh, and Tim Hudson returned from an injury yesterday and got the Braves a win to take the series from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Geez, what didn't we do yesterday?

Alright, so that's it. Like I said, this was an awesome weekend for Auburn and a few Auburn alums. Hopefully it continues so I won't have to sulk through the summer waiting on football. Well, that will probably happen anyway.

Talk about an awesome job. Hundreds of thousands of dollars to be an unheralded, but integral part of a game winning kick? Oh, and he's been a part of a few of those. National Championship anyone?

Josh was nice enough to answer a few questions for us (and wow, did he deliver) as he prepares for a pretty pivotal weekend in his football career. He talks about his past, Auburn, and his future.

1. Everybody knows you as one piece of the game-winning kick in the NCG, but tell us a brief history of Josh Harris, the football player. How did you become a long snapper?

I've been playing football since I was 6 years old and it has always been my favorite sport. 7th grade was when we started kicking field goals/extra points and also punting. During the first practice that year my coach told me I was going to be the snapper. I had never heard of the position, let alone ever tried throwing a ball between my legs while upside down.

The first couple of days were pretty shaky, but it seemed that with every practice I was getting better at it. I never had a coach to really tell me how to do it or anything so I taught myself. When I got to high school, I still thought I was going to be a running back, but quickly realized defense was going to be a better fit me. I played linebacker up until my senior year when I then switched to defensive end to finish up my high school career.

As a sophomore I started at long snapper (but just for punts). It was the only job I had at the time and I did a good job at it. My junior year I started at linebacker while also holding the snapping duties for both punts and field goals. And as a senior I moved to defensive end while also retaining the snapping duties.

To be honest I didn't really take snapping as serious as I did playing defense. I just saw it as rest time being lost during games and certainly had no idea that I would take it as far as I have. The final play of my high school career came with me snapping a field goal that we missed to be eliminated from the playoffs and from there I thought my football days were over. That was until one of our quarterback coaches (who was a walk-on quarterback at Georgia) started telling me to think about walking on as a snapper in college.

I was getting some looks for my defensive play from some smaller schools such as Furman and Samford but as a kid I always knew I was going to Auburn. Auburn was the option as far as schools were concerned for me, and ultimately was the only school I even applied to. I ended up attending the walk-on try out on the morning classes started my freshman year (2007).

About half way through that season I got a call from the coaching staff that they wanted to bring me out. So I got a little bit of a reprieve from my pledgeship duties as a pledge for the Sigma Nu fraternity, because from then on out I was officially a "student-athlete." I red-shirted that year and then was the backup in 2008 under Robert Shiver and then took over after he graduated in 2009 and was the snapper for all punts/FG from 2009-2011.

2. Is it true you were a bouncer prior to walking on at Auburn? if so, did the practice of busting skulls outside a bar help you in football? Ever snapped a guy's head through your legs to another bouncer?

It is true that I was a bouncer during my time at Auburn. I worked as a bouncer at Quixotes downtown for the summer before the 2009 season. I had a blast doing it! My mom hated it! I got to meet a lot of awesome people that I still hang out with to this day.

Fortunately there weren't many big issues during my time there, but that's not to say I didn't have to break up a few scuffles in my day.

3. So what have you heard from scouts/teams? Are you expecting to be drafted or waiting on a free agent deal?

I have heard from 10-15 teams since the combine back in February. They all have had great things to say. I had a private workout with the Falcons last week in my hometown of Carrolton, GA, but snappers rarely get drafted so I'm not holding out to hear my name called in the later rounds. If it happens then great, but more than likely I'll sign a FA deal with a team shortly after the draft ends on Saturday.

The thing with specialists in the NFL is there aren't any back-ups. You're either the starter or you're sitting at home. So I'm just hoping to get a chance to get invited to a camp and compete for a job. Much like a walk-on try out, just with a little more riding on the outcome.

4. Who is the top team you would like to pay for due to selfish fanhood? Who is the top team you'd like to play for reasons that are beneficial to your career?

Growing up in Carrollton, GA (which is only 45 min from Atlanta) I have always been a Falcons fan, so it would be really cool to get to play for them. From what I've heard they are looking for a new snapper, so the likelihood of ending up there is pretty good, but I am not limiting my choices to just them.

As far as the best career choice is concerned, I just want to go to the team that I have the best chance of making the roster. There are other teams that could be in the market for a change at the snapper position, but I won't really have a list of possibilities until the phone starts ringing Saturday afternoon.

5. Did you ever think that snapping footballs would ever lead to a possible NFL career, and when it leads to that career, can I hold a dolla'?

I never thought in a million years that I would be fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pursue an NFL career (let alone as a long snapper). Snapping was something I started doing because my coach told me to and to have come this far has been an amazing ride.  To even have the chance is a blessing in itself because every kid grows up dreaming of playing on Sundays.

If I do make it, I'll let you "hold a dolla" if you give me a shout out on Twitter so maybe I can catch up with you.

While I have you, I have to ask some quick Auburn questions...

6. Favorite game at Auburn?

That's a really tough question because I feel like I've been a part of a lot of great games. But in the end the answer is easy: 2010 at Bama and the epic comeback that's associated with it. Not only did we win, but toward the end of the game we had to punt from deep in our own territory. It doesn't get much more pressure packed than that; up by one, late in the 4th quarter of the Iron Bowl. A bad snap would have been catastrophic and would have cost us the game, but we executed flawlessly and sealed the victory. 

7. Favorite away stadium to play in?

My favorite away stadium that I played in was Bryant-Denny. Not just for the atmosphere of the Iron Bowl, but for the feeling of singing our version of "Rammer Jammer" after the game in their stadium. I actually got to play in every SEC stadium except the Swamp during my career and none of those stadiums even compare to the game day atmosphere in Auburn at Jordan-Hare.

8. Most satisfying moment of your career?

The most satisfying moment of my career at Auburn was the feeling I had after delivering a perfect snap to Neil Caudle and looking up to see Wes's kick sail through the uprights as time expired in the BCS championship game against Oregon. Nothing compares to that feeling.

As a specialist, we live for opportunities like that and to come through on college football's biggest stage is a feeling that's indescribable.

9. Worst snap you had at Auburn? Was the kick made?

The thing with bad snaps is that I consider myself a perfectionist and many snaps that everyone sees as "good" are in my book just the opposite. For example, I aim to hit the punter on his right hip every time so if the ball hits him on the left hip I'm frustrated with myself when no one else thinks twice about it.

But as far as my worst snap at Auburn, it came during the National Championship game. I had a low punt snap, but the ball was still kicked and we got down the field to pin them inside their own 20. I take pride on the fact that I was not the reason for a missed or blocked punt or kick during my time at Auburn.

10. I would imagine by spending so much time with kickers that you probably have picked up a thing or two. What's the longest field goal you've made?

Spending so much time with the kickers and punters, I have definitely improved my kicking abilities. My career long came last year before practice when I nailed a 52 yarder (non wind aided). Yes it was off the ground, but there was no rush or snap or hold and I cherish that kick to this day.

Now I know some of you out there are happy that Mr. Newton won't be doomed to have his worst season ever, or God forbid, sustain a season-ending injury, but enough with that devil worship. There is no Madden Curse. It's pure coincidence that a few guys had bad years after being on the cover. I mean, think about what you're saying. You really think a guy's picture on a video game means that the stars will align to cause him failure. Just stop.

Anyway, as I've said a thousand times now, if there was a curse, he could defeat it. What hasn't he been able to conquer so far (well, besides a fan vote against a guy who went to Georgia Tech, which is a school known for cheating in fan votes)? Keep doubting him. He loves it.

So I guess I won't be buying my first Madden game in eight years. That's fine, I have enough coasters. Dads don't get to play video games anyway. This does explain, though, why all the Bama fans were huddled up around the computers in Best Buy last night.

War Cam Eagle Anyway.

Update: Voting has been suspended indefinitely due to "integrity issues." Basically, Texas A&M, NC State, and Arkansas fans were cheating. Good for ESPN for stopping it early, unlike Capital One who didn't do a thing about it.

Update #2: The voting is back up and everything has been set back to zero "in the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship". Take that Aggies and you other cheaters. So get over there and vote. Now.

Voting begins at 11 am CT today, which as of the time of this posting, is, like, right now. So go do it. You can vote once a day until May 2nd. That's only 10 days. 10 votes. 10 tasks for you to complete to show your love for Auburn. Is that too much to ask?

Think of what this commercial will mean to Auburn, it's history, it's present, and it's future. The benefits are unending. Plus, we can see how ESPN handles the whole "Aubie can't remove his head because he's a real Tiger" thing. Vote.