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Auburn treads a precarious path
Published Tuesday, January 6, 2009
When Auburn fans finally catch their breath from the days of uproarious laughter about rival Alabama’s embarrassing, 31-17 loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl, they will soon realize their own program sits squarely in the middle of an important crossroads.
Everyone knows about the exit of Tommy Tuberville after a 10-year tenure and the entrance of Gene Chizik, but Auburn’s situation is much more complex than breaking in a new coach.
From the 2000 season until this past season, the majority of Tuberville’s tenure, Auburn was one of only three SEC West teams to represent the division in the conference championship game. LSU and Arkansas were the others, though the West was determined by the winner of the Auburn-LSU game in all but two years.
Then, a number of unexpected factors combined to shake up the division hierarchy: Houston Nutt and Arkansas parted ways, Nutt signed on at Ole Miss and led the Rebels to nine wins (including victories over Auburn and LSU), LSU went 3-5 in conference games, Auburn lost seven games and its coach, and Alabama ascended to the top of the division with a perfect regular season.
Now that the dust has settled, we can reassess what the 2008 season will mean for the future. Neither Alabama nor LSU are going anywhere anytime soon. The Crimson Tide is following up last year’s consensus No. 1 recruiting class with at least a top-5 effort this year, and LSU has been doing that sort of thing for years now (if you’re curious, Rivals.com ranks LSU’s class No. 1 nationally and Alabama’s class No. 4 so far).
The Tigers appear to have found an answer at quarterback with youngster Jordan Jefferson, who was Offensive Most Outstanding Player in a 38-3 bowl win over Georgia Tech. The Crimson Tide next year will depend on a defense that was one of the nation’s best this season (other than the Utah game), will lose only two contributors and will feature two preseason All-Americans in defensive tackle Terrance Cody and linebacker Rolando McClain. Most will have these teams picked at the top of the West next year.
So, what about Auburn? To work its way back to the top of the division, Auburn must first go through Ole Miss and Arkansas, no easy task because both Nutt and Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino have a one-year head start on Chizik’s efforts on the Plains.
So, in the next couple months, every assistant Chizik hires and every recruit he convinces to stick by his commitment to Auburn will have a very real effect on whether the Tigers can claw their way back up the conference ladder or if they will slip into the cellar.
There’s nothing funny about that—even if you’re having a hard time wiping the Sugar Bowl-induced smile off your face.
– Stephen Dawkins is the sports editor for The Clanton Advertiser. His column appears each Sunday and each Wednesday.
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Comments
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on January 6, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You take the game to seriously, Mr. Dawkins. The "story" heading, and first & last sentence was almost cynical ... WAR EAGLE!
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, that wasn't a very nice article about Auburn. But, that's ok. Auburn fans are like the Energizer bunny. They take the flack and keep coming back.
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So remind me again Mr. Dawkins, where was Alabama predicted to finish in the SEC West in 2008? If this year taught you anything it should have been that preseason predictions are a waste of time and print. Despite a spectacular regular season record Alabama managed to defeat only two decent teams this season, Ole Miss and Georgia. Not only that, but they struggled in a number of games where, were they the dominant team they were made out to be, they should have using their third string by half time (Tulane, LSU, Kentucky...). I'm not necessarily bashing Alabama but if the Sugar Bowl proved anything it proved that Alabama needs more depth in not only their offensive line but their receiver core and at quarterback. They also need to beef up their secondary and find some speed if they ever hope to have a chance of thwarting the spread offenses that are so popular these days. The bottom line, from all indications, this season was a fluke, a combination of a down year in the SEC and a lot of luck when it counted. This is not to say Alabama isn't on it's way back or better off, just that they're not there yet.
As for Auburn, of course they have to rebuild! What were you expecting, 14-0 next year? In the context of all the proven coaching talent available this season I thought the hiring of Chizik was a dumb move instigated by busybodies Bobby Lowder and Pat Dye. On the other hand, his assistant coach picks are promising and seem, at least at this point, intended to do what Tommy Tuberville promised to do last year - install the spread (or some version of it) and beef up offensive recruiting. Next year Auburn should struggle most of the season, no surprises there. But since Chizik seems to have the blessing of Auburn's real power brokers he should get to keep his job if Auburn doesn't get ten wins in 2009.
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good post REK, I think you nailed it. Depth was Alabama's biggest problem this year, and will probably be a problem next year.
I watched the Sugar Bowl game again last night on the DVR and our guys looked as though they really didn't want to be there. It was pitiful.
My wife says, "I wonder if they all spent the night over at Jimmy Johns house before the game?" I almost fell out of my chair laughing...
Anyway, Have a great day guys!
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
REK, go to "Letters To The Editor" and read Mr. Headley's comment. I believe that is why Mr. Dawkins wrote this article about Auburn.
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just read it. I think for Auburn fans the loss in the Iron Bowl was expected and inevitable - the fitting end to a disaster of a season, easily forgotten. For Alabama fans, even after the loss to Florida, the Sugar Bowl had to be excruciating. Watching a team that appeared to have all the earmarks of a national champion a month ago implode in what should have been a gimme game must sting. I'm a fan of the sport, a fan of both teams, the SEC above all else and it pained me to watch.
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"No Alabama fan worth a salt truly thought we were title-worthy material."
Seriously? I don't think I encountered a single Alabama fan that DIDN'T think they were on their way to Miami after the Iron Bowl. Heck, I almost believed it myself.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"No Alabama fan worth a salt truly thought we were title-worthy material."
Musta been just you and yourself then, cause I saw what REK saw, Beavis.
Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Careful Vampire, He's trying to get us booted because we have different opinions. Looks like kw has made the list as well.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on January 6, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, Karen. I think kw needs to be banned so you don't have to read his comments. Vampire and bama are real nasty, too. It's really disgusting.
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