With just a 10-game schedule, this season seems like it just started but it is also more than halfway over. Hard to believe, I know. Wasn’t it just yesterday that an overlooked Kentucky team was supposed to come into Jordan-Hare Stadium and beat Auburn?
I was back in Auburn this past weekend to see some friends, play some golf, imbibe in some drinks, eat some excellent food and just enjoy the Plains. What I’m saying is that it was just another normal trip to Auburn for me.
Since it is a bye week and therefore all of us can get our Thanksgiving plans in order or start Christmas shopping a little early or, if you are like me, catch up on the Hallmark Christmas movies that you missed while out of town, I figured it was time to give some random thoughts about Auburn and everything else going on in the world sans politics. We don’t need that.
- Much like my first half analysis this past Saturday, I’m going to start with Gary Danielson. It’s amazing that CBS doesn’t see the outrage by all SEC fans and make an executive decision to get rid of him. Saturday Down South, a site that I freelance for, just does an article each week of people complaining about Danielson and it gets major clicks. What else do we have to do to get him out of the booth?
- Auburn’s offense looked exactly what we thought it would look like to begin the season on Saturday against LSU but … okay, I have to go ahead and ask the question: will it be Ed Orgeron or Gene Chizik who goes down as the worst coach to win a title during the BCS/College Football Playoff era?
- Speaking of Chizik, that banner is nice and all but why not have the entire team picture up there instead of just the coach?
- I thought of buying my father (a Kentucky alumnus and die-hard Wildcats fan) an Auburn polo while I was on the Plains this past weekend but, despite knowing he cheers for Auburn when the Tigers aren’t playing Kentucky, didn’t know if he would wear it. I will say, with his grandsons going to Purdue and Transylvania, respectively, he is proud to show those shirts off.
- JJ Pegues is so much fun to watch because he does things that a 300-pound man shouldn’t be able to do. For him to be more involved in the offense isn’t just something that my colleague JD McCarthy wants to see but all of Auburn and college football.
- It will take me at least five games to be able to spell Babatunde Akingbola’s name without having to look first. I figured out Igbinoghene so I have faith in myself.
- Back to Orgeron: how in the world is Bo Pelini still on his staff? I know that LSU is missing some key defensive players but that side of the ball for the Bayou Bengals is a complete bust as is the Pelini hire. It amazes me on a daily basis how coaches that fail miserably still keep getting jobs.
- Malik Willis has a huge opportunity to make his name even more known this Saturday as Liberty, ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll, travels to Virginia Tech. Willis has become a stud in Hugh Freeze’s offense and the Flames might have a shot at the upset.
- We should all get on our knees and bow to the great Greg Sankey for his role in getting this season played so far almost unscathed. With all the problems that the Big Ten is having, it is Sankey’s leadership that helped pave the way for this. He’s great. Also, I’m still waiting on him to appoint me the conference ambassador to Germany or all of Europe.
- That 91-yard connection from Bo Nix to Anthony Schwartz was one of the prettiest things I have seen in some time, and I look at myself in the mirror every day! (Obviously a joke.)
- There are some weird Uber drivers in Auburn. I will leave it at that.
- I thoroughly miss the atmosphere of a game weekend in Auburn but especially for a LSU game. I’ve never had a better time with a fan base in the SEC than those that come from Baton Rouge every two years to Auburn. Shoutout to Wazzu for being the top fan base to ever visit the Plains.
- I’m not a fan of the old-school “A” hat. I apologize.
- I understand nostalgia and all but I will never get people getting angry at how far the city of Auburn has progressed and grown over the past 20 years. Do you really want it to go back to when Niffers was the best restaurant in town? I love growth. It means the university and town are doing great things.
- There are too many to thank but thanks to everyone for all the hospitality each and every time I am in Auburn. You know who you are. Also, if ever in Montgomery and need a good steak to grill, go by Pepper Tree Steak N’ Wines. You will not be disappointed.
- It’s going to be funny when Jim Nantz and the rest of the Masters crew tries to hype up the matchup between LSU and Alabama following coverage of the tournament in Augusta next Saturday. The Crimson Tide might hang 70 on Pelini’s defense.
- I’m already looking forward to watching Isaac Okoro overachieve in the NBA next year and Charles Barkley hyping him up during each Inside the NBA episode. I remain steadfast that Barkley is the greatest ambassador that Auburn could ever ask for.
- Gus Malzahn not being able to go to the Waffle House is exactly like if I were not able to go to The Hound while in Auburn. I understand his pain. And once again, I am not paid by them to mention them. I just love it that much. SALTY DOG!
- I’m not a gambling man but I would put all of the Schrute Bucks on Auburn laying a beating on Tennessee in two weeks. Malzahn has to be still angry about that embarrassing loss in 2018 — deservedly so — and, much like LSU, will keep the hammer down. Tennessee is not a good football team, everyone.
- Until I was doing research for a runback of all the media overreaction to the Cam saga in 2010, I had somehow forgotten the name Thayer Evans. I was a happier man before I remembered he existed.
- Lastly, I want to thank each and every one of you. October was our best month since we launched this site back in December and we couldn’t do it without dedicated readers like you. If I could, I would come to each of you and give you a nice pat on the back or a firm handshake. We appreciate your support! War Eagle!