AR Review

**Sorry for the delay - it has been a crazy 2 weeks!

 

The Auburn Basketball, I mean football team won again Saturday in a shootout that will live in SEC history. I know Arkansas doesn’t have a great defense but for Auburn to put up 65 on a SEC team is just crazy.

Let me get it out of the way and say that Auburn was lucky and that Auburn got some breaks with some very close calls. Yes, Mario’s fumble on the goal line was probably a fumble. However, there were plenty of bad calls to go around and both teams were on the bad end of some really crazy calls.


Auburn was also lucky enough to play against the backup quarterback for 2 and ½ quarters. However the freshman backup ended up playing better than the starting, Heisman frontrunner quarterback. I can’t believe we have to play against this guy for the next 3 years.


Overall this was a gutsy performance by an Auburn team that just won’t quit. It is amazing how they can come back in the 4th quarter. Even though it was not a great defensive performance, the defense really stepped up and forced 3 key turnovers late in the game. It seems that this team really seems to get better when the pressure is on.


Is this a championship team? I still don’t believe they will go undefeated but with each passing week I see a little more hope. Sometimes championship teams have luck and find a way to win. That definitely describes this team. Championship teams stick together when the going gets tough and I admire the way this team has stuck together. Finally, championship teams have a leader or leaders that they can look to when they are down. These leaders step up and make a difference in the outcome of the game. This leads me to my 5 observations:


1. Cam Newton, make your reservations for New York in December. I know I am somewhat biased but seriously is there a better player in all of college football? He is about to start breaking records, even those of Heisman-winning quarterback Tim Tebow.


2. Yes I brought out the Tebow comparison and I think it is valid. Cam is on pace to have more rushing yards than Tebow and is compiling a win-loss record to go along with the stats. Tebow had more passing yards, could this be the week of the pass for Cam?


3. Josh Bynes is another great leader on this team. I am convinced that without him this defense would be completely lost. He leads the defense on the field and on the sidelines. His enthusiasm and desire are contagious and he knows when to really step up. His 2 interceptions late in the 4th quarter sealed the win and gave the whole defense some confidence. Great leaders step up when needed.


4. What a difference a year can make when it comes to special teams. Blocked punt, 99 yd kickoff return, field goals and over 300 overall yards.


5. Coming back in the 4th quarter is really beginning to be what this team is known for. As long as they win though I don’t care if it is in the first or fourth quarters.