Week 9 Review

Auburn 33 Ole Miss 20
THE GOOD
Wow, that was unexpected. While all the focus was on the quarterback and the defensive coaching everyone kind of forgot about our lines. I think we all assumed they were not capable of a good game especially against a team like Ole Miss who was supposed to at least have a very good defensive line. They certainly proved that not to be true. The Auburn offensive and defensive lines absolutely dominated Ole Miss. Well the offensive line did it till the end of the third quarter however that was enough. Ole Miss routinely sent five to seven players after Todd in the first half and the Auburn offensive line absolutely stonewalled them. This enabled even Chris Todd to complete some long awaited DOWN FIELD passes. This in-turn opened up the running game and the short passing game. It is amazing how that works.

I know a couple of those times we max-protected with the extra players but the bulk of the blocking still falls on the offensive line. I still think the offensive line did a decent job against LSU but as documented Chris Todd needs extra time to make decisions and wind up for any deep passes. Yesterday the offensive line gave him the time he needed and the wide receivers especially Terrell Zachary also helped out and again this all opened up the running game. Ben Tate took it from there putting up another 144 yards and surpassed 1000 yards on the season. I believe this is the first time we have had an 1000 yard rusher since Kenny Irons did it in 2005 (the last time we had a down field passing game).

I think no matter what happens Tate is our offensive MVP for the season and I am extremely happy for him. He has been the one constant on offense over the last four years. He has toiled and struggled and run hard week in and week out with defenses completely stacked against him and no great offensive lines. Along with our QB play falling off it was no surprise that our running game fell off after Marcus McNeil, one of the best ever on the plains, left after the 2005 season. Tate kept running hard through good times and bad and even though he had to always split time till this season. This year they were finally smart enough to make him the horse and he has delivered.

It was all good yesterday too as our defensive line and especially Antonio Coleman came out of NOWHERE and absolutely mauled Ole Miss. Now it wasn't for the whole game or perfect but like the offense it was good enough. I was yelling at them (to put it mildly) early on that first drive when Ole Miss was opening up lines you could drive a truck through. They also gave up the long run to McCluster (right after a kickoff return for a TD) but other than that it was all Auburn. Coleman absolutely abused the Ole Miss left tackle and it is no coincidence that this is all occurring as Antoine Carter is getting healthy and taking some of the attention away from Coleman. This forced quarterback Jevan Snead to make one bad throw after another and have one of his worst days as a college QB.

THE BAD
This would be the Ole Miss game plan and prep. Ah how nice it felt to finally do to Houston Nutt what he has done to Auburn so many times. How many times have we been the big favorite against his team only to be absolutely dominated in the trenches??? This time he was the big favorite and it was Auburn dominating in the trenches on the way to a convincing win. I hope you enjoyed that trip home to Oxford Houston.

THE UGLY
This would be the Zac Etheridge injury. Once I saw the replay I was seriously worried about him. That would be why you don't lead with your helmet into a pile. Etheridge did right into Antonio Coleman and it looked ugly. I was really starting to worry when Etheridge was not initially giving the "thumbs up" signal on his way out. He finally did and I think everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It definitely puts things into perspective when you see the guy prostrate on the field with both medical crews surrounding him and his teammates kneeling in prayer beside them. I sure hope Etheridge will make a full recovery and I also hope that Chizik will give the Auburn family real information on this injury. This case is not about being in control and not giving out information.

Elsewhere around the SEC...
The Gators returned to form this week mauling Georgia and showing a spark on offense while continuing to make big plays on defense. The countdown marches on toward the clash of the titans in Atlanta between Bama and Florida. Bama rested up for LSU and LSU crushed Tulane 42-0. Tennessee continued to show their resilience as they won big against South Carolina after a tough loss to Bama last week. They did the same thing against Georgia after losing a tough one to Auburn. When you also see Miss St go on the road and get a big win against Kentucky you have to give some accolades to all of the SEC's new coaches. Chizik, Kiffin and Mullen all seem to have their teams still believing and still fighting hard.