Gene Chizik and Tommy Tuberville: What Do They Have In Common?

What do Gene Chizik and Tommy Tuberville have in common?

They both coached at Auburn? True but that's not it.

They are both defensive coaches? Yeah but try again.

They both are depending on a number one JUCO player in their second season as coach.

Going into Tuberville's second year the buzz was around a talented JUCO player he had signed. Rudi Johnson, the no. one JUCO running back in the country. Rudi was going to give Auburn the immediate running attack they lacked.

And he lived up to his billing.

Rudi was one of if not the best running back in the SEC. He put Tuberville's tigers years ahead of where they would have been without him.

Now coach Chizik is doing the same thing in his second year only at quarterback.

Cameron Newton, the no. one JUCO quarterback in the nation, is Chizik's Rudi Johnson. The buzz around Newton is much greater than what was around Rudi when he arrived. The likely reason is the position, quarterback.

Newton has the fans expecting immediate wins and a possible SEC championship. 

Fair or not the season rest on his shoulders. If the receivers step up and help out, their should not be any reason why he can't excel at Auburn. Scoring points will make things much easier on a young defense as well.

Chizik is hoping the talented quarterback can put the Auburn program ahead of schedule, much like Tuberville did with his number one standout.