Kentucky Comes Calling On Auburn Can The Tigers Answer?

There are truths in every season and for every team. One of the truths for the 2009 Auburn Tigers was a severe lack of leadership for the defense. Peer pressure is what pushes young players to improve their performances. Leadership by action is the rule of the day in these circumstances. No coach can replace the leadership of ones peers. It is a trait of every great team and one that is cultivated by every great coach.

This week on the plains there were rumors of senior players stepping into leadership rolls. There was talk of demanding more of themselves and their teammates. Only time will tell, this is a positive trend in any team though. 

The 2009 Auburn team learned a life lesson last Saturday much like a child that touches a hot surface for the first time. It is a lesson that must be learned by doing in some cases and that seemed to be the case with this Auburn team.

Kentucky comes in having been hammered by Florida and Alabama and then playing South Carolina to a standstill before losing out. This is a tough Kentucky team that is solid on offense and defense. Last weeks game between Kentucky and South Carolina was as even as a game can get in every respect. The Kentucky defense proved a little more vulnerable to the pass in this game.

Auburn will need to open up the run with the pass again this week. Auburn's offensive line will have to stop a good Kentucky pass rush that has put pressure on the quarterback every week. Auburn running backs will have to pick up overload blitz schemes much like Arkansas used so effectively last week. 

Kentucky has as balanced an offensive attack as there is in the conference. Auburn's defense will be challenged at every position. Kentucky has no overwhelming super star like talent on offense. They are a competent offense that can and does use a wide variety of weapons that are all effective. They just scored 26 points and put up 360 yards of offense on a very good South Carolina defense.

This game is at home for Auburn and the effort should be there after a humiliating performance last week. If Auburn plays well this game will be another win making the 2009 Tigers bowl eligible this year!