AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWill Spurrier play it close to the vest?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five burning questions as we head for Saturday.
1. Will Steve Spurrier keep it close to the vest? When he was at Florida, the Head Ball Coach could be pretty stubborn when it came scoring as many points as he could. Now that he’s at South Carolina, Spurrier has learned the virtue of defense and is willing to win 17-10 if that’s what it takes. Does he stay on the conservative side with his play calling and try to keep the game close going into the fourth quarter? Or does he go for a couple of home runs early in an effort to take the Sanford Stadium crowd out of the game?
2. Will Alabama pass the test? One of the raps of the Mike Shula regime at Alabama was that the Crimson Tide could get up for the big games with Florida and Tennessee, but would then put up a pedestrian performance and struggle against the perceived lesser teams in the conference. Nick Saban will have none of that. He is demanding that Alabama play at a certain level, regardless of the opponent. When Alabama goes to Vanderbilt on Saturday, we’ll find out if Saban has gotten his point across. Old habits are hard to break.
3. Does Clemson come out flat? Like Alabama, the book on Clemson under Tommy Bowden is that they can get up for the big game when the bright lights are on, like they were Monday night against Florida State. But then they come short for a noon game when not as many people are watching. The Tigers will certainly beat Louisiana-Monroe despite the short week. But will they look sloppy doing it? Fortunately for Clemson, the Tigers have Louisiana-Monroe this week and Furman next week before going on the road to N.C. State.
4. Will Brandon Cox stay upright? Unfortunately for Auburn, the word is out that the best way to beat the Tigers is to get really physical with the quarterback. There were times last week when Cox was woozy and that’s not good. Hugh Nall’s offensive line has three more weeks to grow up before they go to Florida on Sept. 29. Florida’s defense is young but they are fast and nasty. Let’s see how many times Cox gets hit by South Florida.
5. How would you like to be Fred Goldsmith?: He is the former head coach at Rice and Duke and the current head coach at Lenoir-Rhyne. His team, which plays in Division II, has the assignment of going to Appalachian State on Saturday. After upsetting Michigan last Saturday, Appalachian State officials are expecting over 30,000 to try and shoehorn their way into a 16,000 seat Stadium for the celebration. Lenoir-Rhyne, which can give only 36 scholarships, lost its opener to Virginia Union 28-13. Goldsmith said if his team won Saturday, it would be a “bigger upset” than Appalachian beating Michigan.
Comments
By Spike
September 6, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Tony, “pretty stubborn when it came to scoring as many points as he could”? Boy that is the underestimate of the year. He relished running up the score on everyone. Maybe the Dogs can give some of his own medicine and see how he likes it.
By Roswell Ed
September 6, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Hey guys, I just received my Sociology degree in the mail from Auburn! Only $19.95 & they included a free ginsu knife & an automatic tryout for the AU basketball team, War Eagle! The People’s Choice 2004 National Champions!
By Roswell Ed
September 6, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
However, you needed to bold more.
For the record it was Economics and Shun Kaji knives that were $1,199.95 not $19.95.
War Eagle back at ya!!
By Roswell Ed
September 6, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Will Alabama pass the test?
If the test is whether or not Alabama will overpay for a blow hard jacka$$ * then I’d say they passed with *flying colors.
Will Steve Spurrier keep it close to the vest?
If Spurrier has 3 aces then everyone at the table will know.
By Jay AU
September 6, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Ed, save your hard earned money for Athens’ Most Wanted. No UGA “student athlete” has been arrested for weeks now so they’ll be passing the hat for bail money any day. Please don’t bounce another check to the bondsman.
By Ed is a jackass
September 6, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
Roswell Ed sucks cocks in county jail on weekends. Pro Bono.
By SECisFootball
September 6, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Will Cox stay upright? Did you watch the game this past weekend? AU’s OL is AUful!!! That will only get worse as the season goes on. AU will win the game on Saturday but Cox will get hit A LOT in the effort.
By Roswell Ed
September 6, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Ed is a jackass:
That is not true.
I don’t care for UGA football players and lately that’s all thats been at the county lockup.
By aujoe
September 6, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Did Barnhart have a Freudian Slip with that statement about Cox and staying upright?
By Mr. Fearless
September 7, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
Don’t forget your dose of weekly prognostications, Leonard Loser’s style….
http://www.fearlessfootball.com
By TrueCrimson
September 9, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
Maybe Tubby needs to get Cox some Viagra!