The Goat Pen

I hate to say it, but that is game, set and match.

I can tell you don't really hate to say that...

He also hates to say no to the waitress when she asks, "Ready for dessert?"

Craig is a great recruiter - I wish we hadn't lost him.

I'm glad to have him.

But I'm even more interested in how well our coaches coach, as well as recruit. Chizik's staff recruited very well, but they couldn't coach their players at all. Tubby was just the opposite.

It is time to start thinking about Auburn's coming season.

The good news is:

1. We can't do any worse than we did last year.
2. Malzahn and Ellis can't be worse coaches than Chizik and Roof.
3. The cupboard is far from bare (except for #2 below). There is plenty of raw talent on hand that just needs to be coached, motivated and disciplined.

The bad news is:

1. All our major conference rivals - Bama, UGA, LSU, aTm - are light years ahead of the rest of the country, much less Auburn. The only teams that can beat them are each other They represent 4 guaranteed losses - probably blowouts. Again.
2. We don't have a QB. You can't win many games in the SEC without one. There are two outstanding QB's coming in, but they won't be able to save us this year.
3. Nobody doubts Malzahn's skills as an OC, but he has yet to prove that he can be an effective HC in the SEC.

Probable Wins: (3-0)
Arkansas State
Western Carolina
Florida Atlantic

Possible Wins: (2-1)
Wazzu
MSU
Ole Miss

Possible Losses: (1-1)
@ Arky
@ Tennessee

Probable Losses : (0-4)
@ LSU
@ TAMU
Georgia
Alabama

Predicted 2013 results: 6-6.

Saban at Alabama will be facing his third different AU coach this year. Team issues, NCAA issues, coaches being fired, players leaving, and a three-win season in 2012.

Saban, the same coach who wouldn't be at Alabama more than a couple of years? The one who is about to begin his 7th season?

Worth Every Cent.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

2007 - 7
2008 - 12
2009 - 14, MNC
2010 - 10
2011 - 12, MNC
2012 - 13, MNC
2013 - ?





We will. We're in lagniappe, as my Cajun brothers say.

We will Prof... thanks for the well wishes on our upcoming season.

I have no doubt you will have another outstanding season. You're at the point where an undefeated season and national championship is expected, a one loss season is acceptable only if it does not prevent a national championship, and two loss season is unthinkable.

I assume it will stay that way until Saban gets tired, which I'm not expecting anytime soon.

I think a so-so season will be 10 wins - anything less is horrible. 11 is good. Anything more than 11 is great.

Saban has been worth every cent.

The rest of us are Visigoths waiting and watching the gates of Saban's Rome.

Nice commitment from 4 star DB Nick Ruffin at Big Cat Weekend:

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index. ... _ruff.html

That puts this class at #9 nationally so far.

See ya in 4 years.

Fair point. Chizik taught us that great talent without coaching and discipline is worthless. At least Malzahn can't be any worse than the Chizaster.

He got you a (tainted) MNC. Seems like he was "worth every penny".

That was Cam and Fairley, not the coach.....

Shoulda stuck with Tubbs.

Tubbs didn't win a NC, although he was completely robbed of one.

I've got no hard feelings against either Chiz or Tubs.