Wow, what a difference a year makes. This team took two big body blows in the first 5 minutes of the game and found itself down 14 points. As an Auburn Fan, we have been trained in that scenario to pack it in, because that is usually what our team does . This version of the Tigers under Gene Chizik is a totally different team. They kept fighting and clawing and making plays when they had to and to be honest, I thought we could still win the game but I was skeptical. These Auburn team did just that and fought back to win a game that its predecessor wouldn't have.
Gene Chizik has not only hired what seems to be a great staff, well everyone except maybe our Special Teams coach at this point, but he has also brought confidence to this team. If you haven't checked out the show "Auburn Football Everyday", do yourself a favor and head to the official Auburn athletic site and watch the show because you will notice before games that Chizik goes around and talks to a bunch of players encouraging them and telling them to believe in themselves, and this is only what the show shows us. Chizik is doing a great job of getting the most out of his players right now and that is a big key to the success of this season. The team last year would have folded like a cheap deck of cards once they were down double digits, but this team just kept on playing and believing in themselves and fighting all the way to the end. There is definitely no quit in these Tigers and that is exciting to know as we head into the tougher part of the schedule.
I would also like to point out one other thing that I have been very impressed with in this early season and that is our student section. These students have been to each game early and in force. I noticed at the Mississippi State game that at 3 hours before kickoff they were lined up in droves to get into the stadium and when I arrived to my seat with about 1.5 before kickoff, most of the student section was packed. This has been the case at each game and they play a big part in our team feeding off of their energy. I credit the students for being there and I credit Chizik and the coaching staff for urging them to be there in force and to be loud. This is most impressive to the recruits that come to the game and it will pay huge dividends down the road.
We may not win 10 games this year, and realistically won't, but this team is going to play to the final whistle and they are building a a great foundation from which to build for the Gene Chizik Era. It truely is GREAT TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER!!!!
War Eagle!
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3 comments:
Well said. If "Livin' on a Prayer" is good enough for our students, it's good enough for me. ;)
The comparison with the previous staff seems silly. The previous staff had a nack for knocking off top 10 teams. This staff hasn't even played a top 25 team.
That being said, you have to like the energy of this staff and the attitude they have instilled. Yes, last year we seemed to just quit at times. It was a terribly dysfunctional team, but look at what we have now, and most of the players are from that other staff.
Look to the future. Don't bash previous staffs. Although I wasn't a Bowden fan, attitude is everything and this team has a great attitude.
More than likely we will win eight games. Anything more is gravy. This season has shown Chiz did a great job of hiring coaches. Now, we just need to get recruiting. Offensive linemen will be our issue in 2011. Let's sign some good ones.
Steve- I'm not bashing, i'm stating facts. How many times was Auburn down by double digits and come back to win????
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