Auburn Tigers Voted Up a Spot in Coaches' Poll, Press Votes Them Down One

Before Auburn took the field to play Clemson, the team ranked 16th in the AP Poll and 15th in the USA Today Coaches' Poll.

Let me ask you, the reader: Who knows more about football, the coaches or the press? If you say the coaches, I totally agree.

The newest polls are out, but ironically Auburn moved up one spot in the USA Today Coaches' Poll and down one spot in the AP Poll. Why? It's all in the way the two groups view the game.

The coaches around the country know how difficult it is to win a college football game against a good opponent. They know that although Auburn struggled early and looked very sloppy, they also came back with a resolve to win. In the end, win is what they did, and the coaches respect that. Coaches know ugly wins look real pretty at the end of the year.

It looks as if the coaches around the country know that Auburn has a pretty good football team, a team that needs improvement, but a pretty good team nonetheless.

On the other hand, the media seems to vote according to their emotional feeling at the time about a game. Auburn won the game. They beat a very good ACC team. Does the media not remember what Clemson did last year in Dabo Swinney's first year? Let me remind many of you out there that Clemson beat some excellent football teams last year and came a hair away from winning the ACC title!

Auburn is not getting the proper respect from the media it deserves, and I think I know why. I believe the media does not have a lot of faith in Auburn and expects them to lose soon and drop out of the top 25. That may very well happen, but it has not so far. Give the Auburn Tigers the respect they deserve.

The AP Poll ranks South Carolina at No. 12, four spots ahead of Auburn. The USA Today Coaches' Poll ranks South Carolina behind Auburn at No. 15. Which is most accurate? That is a debate that will not be won or resolved before the two teams meet on Saturday.

When the clock strikes midnight on Saturday and the game between Auburn and South Carolina has been over for a few hours, we'll certainly know which team will be ranked higher come this time next week.

Gamecock fans, along with many of the AP voters, believe that South Carolina will walk away as the higher-ranked team. Many college coaches, as well the Auburn family, choose to believe that Auburn has the better team and that they will be victorious.

If Auburn can shut down the run and make Stephen Garcia throw the ball, the Tigers will have a much better shot at controlling the game. If they can't stop the run, it may be a long night for Auburn fans, players, and coaches.

The fact that the South Carolina receivers are all taller than Auburn's defensive backs does not worry me. That has been the case a few times already. Our secondary will be ready. Our linebackers will be ready. Who knows? Perhaps Auburn can crack the top 10 with a victory.

No matter who wins and loses or who winds up with the higher rank next week, the game will be a very intriguing matchup.