Bleacher Report - Articles by Will Harkins

Could Auburn Beat The Experts?

Will Harkins — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:44:18 -0400

I've said it once, but I feel it needs to be said again. Auburn is so far under the radar most people don't realise that they're in the top 10.

Yes I know they're predicted to win the SEC West, but everyone believes they will lose to Florida in the SEC championship. So lets play a lil hypothetical situation:

Lets say Auburn plays through the season and wins the games they're supposed to win, and then lose to UGA and UF like they're "supposed" to. Well then Auburn will play in a New Year's day bowl game, right? However, when does college football ever do what the experts say it will.

Okay now, same situation but lets throw in a couple of upsets over UGA and UF... now where does Auburn sit? They sit at seasons end, 13-0 and SEC champs and possibly sitting in the driver seat for a National Title! If your new to SEC football coach Tommy Tuberville loves to be the party crasher. #1 UF in 2001, #3 LSU in 2004 and 2006(not as much of an upset), and #2 UF in 2006(the only team to beat the national champs), and #4 UF 2007.

To me it looks like UF should be worried about Auburn.

History says it could happen, but is the timing right for Auburn? Yes it is. With Tony Flanklin as the new OC, and Paul Rhodes as the new DC, no one knows what Auburn's going to bring to their games. Plus all of the big games(Tennessee, UGA, LSU) are all at home. Besides Auburn has (under Tommy Tuberville) had a phenomanal road record, and record agains top 10 opponents, so even without the home games Auburn is still in good shape.

Well Auburn has a new QB, won't that hurt them? True, Auburn is starting a new QB but QB's with experience.

JuCo transfer Chris Todd has proven himself in Junior College, has worked with Tony Franklin long before Auburn, and went to JuCo after being at Texas Tech(you know that school that loves the spread). Then there is Kodi Burns who got some playing time in the new system during the chik-fil-la bowl at the end of last season, and proved himself then.

Are they new? Yes. Are they as inexperienced as people think? No way.

If they made it as far as 13-0 and in the NC game, could the QB's cope with such a big game? Well this one is funny to me. If a freshmen quarterback were to spend a year in the SEC, by the end of the season that QB has played in more big games than most Sr quarterbacks around the country...so yes i think they could handle a "big game."

If Auburn did make it that far they would have played UGA, UF(possibly), UT, Alabama, and West Virginia which translates a lot of "big game" experience for one season if you ask me.

Other than a new OC and DC, what does Auburn have on there side?

Well they got a defense that is consistantly ranked in the top 10. Two great running backs in Ben Tate and Brad Lester, both of which are versitile, and Mario Fanin who was moved from RB to WR. They also have Tristin Davis who(if he stays healthy) would add some nasty speed to Auburn's new spread attack.

The board is set, the pieces are in place, and the dream is alive, the only question remaining...Will Auburn crash the BCS Title game?

How the Big Games in College Football Will Go Down

Will Harkins — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:58:18 -0400

We've all read the articles—USC vs. Ohio State, Georgia vs. Arizona State...big game, big game, big game. However, the real question is, how do you think it's going to go down?

Will App St turn the football world upside down for the second year in a row with a "W" in Death Valley? Can the Buckeyes redeem themselves after two shameful bowl showings?

USC/Ohio State: I think USC will beat Ohio State. Pete Carroll is a big time, big game coach, and let's face it—OSU has choked against big time teams. Plus they're playing at USC, and the Trojans have one of the best home field records in the Pac-10.

USC, 24-14

LSU/App St.: I'm torn between my love for SEC football and my wish to see App St. do it again. However, I think App St. will leave Death Valley with a better understanding why it's called "Death Valley."

LSU, 34-3

Auburn/West Virginia: These teams are a lot alike. Over the past few years both teams have hovered around the top of the rankings, only to come up short year after year. WV is a seasoned spread team, while Auburn is brand new to the spread. AU does have to travel to WV, but the Tigers have had a top 10 defense year after year.

AU, 31-28

UGA/Arizona State: Georgia is easily one of the toughest teams in the country. Their dominant D and speedy offense have made them quite formidable. However, UGA has shown that they begin the season very slowly over the past few seasons. Georgia needs to be on upset alert.

Missouri/Illinois: Missouri proved in their bowl game that they are legit, shutting down Heisman runner-up Darren McFadden and pounding Arkansas something awful. At the same time, Illinois proved they were overrated with an embarrassing showing in the Rose Bowl. I believe Missouri starts off with a bang.

Missouri, 24-0

Well, those are the ones I've been thinking about. Tell me what you're looking forward to and how you think it'll go down.

Auburn is Flying under the Radar

Will Harkins — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:49:10 -0400

As Auburn approaches the 2008 season, they're flying a little bit under the radar, but Tommy Tuberville wouldn't have it any other way. If there's one thing Tommy T. has taught us over the years, it is that he is most dangerous when he's, "flying low."

Two new coordinators, two new QB's, however, Auburn should be feared this year. Everyone speaks of Georgia, Florida, and LSU. However, Auburn is 6-2 against UF over the last eight meetings, LSU and UGA have to play Auburn in Auburn's backyard, and in the case of AU/LSU the home team has won the last several meetings.

The sports world sees that Auburn has to play #2 UGA and #6 LSU (according to Pro Football Weekly's College football Preview) and assumes that they will lose, but I see an Auburn that has won 50 games in five years, 9-3 against top 10, and 6-1 against top five opponents.

Last time they flew under the radar, the 2004 season, they went 13-0 SEC champs and should have been national champs (in my opinion).

Why do I think Auburn could surprise the nation? Though we have a new QB, Chris Todd has been involved with the spread offense for his entire college career, and with Tony Franklin's spread too. In the only game Auburn used Franklin's spread, they hit a season high in first downs, and yards. That was with only a few weeks of practice and a QB that's not great at passing.

Imagine a whole spring to learn it.

Plus, Kodi Burns is still in the running for the starting spot, after showing improvements in the spring. Paul Rhodes also worked a wondrous defense at Pitt, now he's at a big name school, in a big name conference and you better believe he'll have one of the best defenses in the nation.