The Blueprint: How Auburn Can Beat Alabama

Our buddy Jerry over at War Blog Eagle has posted a pretty in depth look on exactly what needs to happen tomorrow in order for the Tigers to pull out the upset. He sums it up as "Auburn plays really well and gets the breaks and Alabama plays really bad and doesn’t." Even if you think none of this matters in terms of the outcome of the Iron Bowl, this is still worth taking a look at because you can be confident this is precisely the gameplan we'll be facing next week and in our bowl game.

about 2 years ago kleph 15 comments 0 recs |

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Make no mistake

Those scenarios are all plausible. 116th in kickoff coverage. I hate that.

You can't win. You can't break even. You can't get out of the game.

by StablerRaider on Nov 26, 2009 10:23 AM CST reply actions

Hogwash...

We’ve given up 10 TD’s all year. If the Barn gets two they’ll be lucky. I’ll call it 37-16, Barn moving it between the 20’s but crapping out in the RZ.

by J Tadpole on Nov 26, 2009 10:44 AM CST via mobile reply actions

He makes some good points

but he’s a little off when talking about what Utah and Florida did last year. Utah abandoned the run. Auburn’s best weapon is the run, so that can’t happen. Malzahn is going to need to use formations, quick counts, and misdirection to catch defenders out of position and make big plays with the run. If we can cover their receivers and TE man to man, we’ll be okay in one respect, but it’s risking a lot against the no-huddle because we’ll have some blown assignments after adjusting to their formations. I am curious to see what Saban and Smart will do for the no-huddle.

Remember something, when Florida, Utah, and Tennessee ran no-huddle, we weren’t expecting it. With Auburn, we are expecting it. That makes a big difference. Huge difference.

Regardless of what they do, we better be ready to play.

MATRIX: Bennett, I thought you were--

BENNETT: Dead? You thought wrong. Ever since you had me thrown out of the unit, I've been waiting to pay you back. Do you know what today is, Matrix? Payday.

by Bamagrad on Nov 26, 2009 11:30 AM CST reply actions

Blueprint for Auburn win:

1. Alabama doesn’t make the trip there.

2. Chop-block every single player.

Otherwise, not happening.

by clockster on Nov 26, 2009 12:48 PM CST reply actions

and hope the meteor hits the team bus.

"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch

by Stuck in the Plains on Nov 26, 2009 12:50 PM CST up reply actions

another way auburn would be able to win

is if coach saban took a similar blase approach to this contest. i assure you, he didn’t.

Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.

by kleph on Nov 26, 2009 12:59 PM CST up reply actions

I respect that it’s a rivalry game, and I respect the Barn’s ability at home (see e.g., WVU/Ole Miss), but I don’t think for one second that we are going to turn the ball over 6 times in the rain, or not feed our best player. These players and coaches take every game seriously, and it shows as we’ve have really only had two hangover moments (1st Q against FIU and 1st 8 mins against MSU). This is a very different team, with a very different mindset from older versions. They expect to win, because they prepare/practice/play to win.

It’s a refreshing change from the previous decade.

"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch

by Stuck in the Plains on Nov 26, 2009 1:12 PM CST up reply actions

I guess the 4th Q mindfart against UK could count, as well.

"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch

by Stuck in the Plains on Nov 26, 2009 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

Good read, but he makes a few errors/omissions

1. Road thing…we were trailing going into the 4th Q against Va. Tech (call it road, or neutral, it’s certainly not BDS). Yes, the Barn is a loud place to play, but ambience can’t make up for talent.
2. Ole Miss wasn’t “struggling” when we played them. They lost an ugly hard-hitting road game to So. Car., then got annihilated by us.
3. Tempo, Tempo, Tempo. That’s well and good, but even if they have up-tempo quick-hitting drives, that won’t exactly keep the D on the field. All that chinese fire drill gimmicky shit is a double edged sword for a defense that is, on the best of days, dreadful.

This team is hitting its peak defensively, Mac may have broken out of his slump (and is undefeated at every level), and we have the best player in america and — most importantly — the will to just kick the ever-living hell out of them. They are an obstacle, an annoyance, and a bunch of nattering friggin’ pricks. let’s do this

"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch

by Stuck in the Plains on Nov 26, 2009 12:59 PM CST reply actions

You're right...

We do have the best player in the country. He’s named Rolando McClain. Just think, Ingram could win the Heisman without clearly being the best player on the team; McClain. Arenas, and Julio (though he’s underperformed) could make a case for that honor as well.

by J Tadpole on Nov 26, 2009 1:15 PM CST via mobile reply actions

and he's not even nominated for the damned Bednarik award...

what are they thinking?

"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch

by Stuck in the Plains on Nov 26, 2009 1:23 PM CST up reply actions