Alright football fans, let's jump right into it. With what some would call a "rough season" for Chizik and company, I would like to highlight the ups and downs of AUBURN's 2011 season in order to move on to 2012.
First off, as I've said many times, I would like to point out that we lost most of our 2010 championship team due to them being seniors or declaring for draft a year early. This left us with 26 freshmen, mostly coming from 2 years of top ten recruiting classes. So while many will consider a 8-5 record with a slaughtering bowl win against Virginia a tough season, I couldn't be happier. Be reminded that those five losses came to top 15 teams, 3 (should have been 4) of them landing in BCS games. Not bad for a group of rookies.
With the suspension and what is likely a transfer of Michael Dyer and a possible early departure of Onterio McCalebb to the NFL, it seems our offense will be more questionable than ever. Barrett Trotter stated his case to regain the starting position at QB during the Chik-Fil-A Bowl after a very shaky run that took place with the injury of Emory Blake. With the return of Blake, Trotter found his mojo again and is my top man for QB. Clint Moseley will return and he isn't much to write home about. The man takes more sacks than he completes passes and that just won't do. Kiehl Frazier also returns as a sophomore. Frazier has Cam Newton ability written all over him, but with our offensive coordinator position still empty, who knows what his future may be? We are still deep at back with the return of Tre Mason and Quan Bray. We also have transfers coming from Florida and Alabama as well as what should be another top 10 recruiting class. Our O-line has a year of experience against the nation's elite under it's belt, so expect to see maturity there.
With one of the worst defenses in the country, expect to see a huge difference here. Chizik is a defensive guru and that was shown full force in the bowl game. That coordinator spot is also still vacant so expect a hire that will fit Chizik's style and maybe bring back the infamous Tampa 2 that he's so fond of. Also, with mostly freshmen on the D, there is a year of growth and experience behind them to look forward to.
So with position changes, coaching changes, players moving on, and what would seem to be turbulence on the plains, comes maturity, contending ability, and in my opinion, an optimistic future. The pieces are coming together to become what Auburn football was based on for years. No trickery, no smoke and mirrors, just a defense that can't be moved and will swallow you whole. A running game that is unstoppable and a warrior's mentality that is unmatchable.
With this said, here's to a great 2011 season, with congratulations to Gus Malzahn and Ted Roof, and the hopes of superlative hires to replace them. Bring on 2012!
War Damn Eagle!!
Scott
Wow!! I had no idea how hard it would be to come to this blog and see a big, honking Auburn post, but there it is... I am pretty sure that I just threw up in my mouth a little! With that being said, I have to commend you on your ability to be 'realistic' about your team for this year as well as in the coming ones. There are a couple of things that stand out for me, first off, Michael Dyer is without question, a great player and in any other year, he would most likely have been a huge impact player for the Tigers. However, I feel he was simply overshadowed by the extraordinary amounts of talent that ran throughout the SEC this year. I must confess to having said, more than once, that he 'mentally screwed' himself and ultimately his team as well. The biggest thing that stands out in your post is the reference to your 'defensive minded' coach... sigh! I have heard this all year from AU fans, but the proof is in the pudding. When all is said & done and all the assistant coaches are snuggled into their new jobs, will Auburn really be in a better place because they have Chizik? When he arrived at AU, he brought with him a sad win/loss record, and the 2011 defense was pretty poor, my question for you is, what will Chizik have next year that was not already at his fingertips this season?? Of course, as a Bama fan, I always want to see what is happening at that 'other' school so I will watching to see where Auburn's 'defensive minded' coach takes them in 2012.
ReplyDeleteTo answer that question.. What will Chizik have at his fingertips?
ReplyDeleteBrian VanGorder.
-Scott