AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > October > 17
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Auburn can win at LSU
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just one man’s opinion:
1. Auburn has a real shot at LSU: After two tough, physical games that went four quarters (and beyond), LSU has to be a drained football team. LSU still might be the best team in the country but now they’ve got to get back up to play a team in Auburn which has won eight straight SEC road games. I don’t care how talented a team is, it’s hard to get up to play three weeks in a row.
2. Kudos should go to Kentucky: Not for beating LSU last Saturday, even though that was a great win for the school. The UK administration deserves praise because it hung tough and stuck with coach Rich Brooks when the whole world (including me) thought he was gone after his third straight losing season in 2005. Brooks had been a good football coach a long time before he got to Kentucky in 2003. He knows what he is doing. Now Kentucky is reaping the benefits. It’s hard to be patient in college athletics but every now and then it pays off.
3. It’s sad to watch Miami and Florida State in decline: Over the last 20 years I’ve been lucky enough to see all but a handful of Miami-Florida State games. For sheer intensity, there was nothing like it. For so long, the level of play was the best that college football had to offer. On Saturday, for the first time since 1977, neither team is ranked. It’s just sad.
4. Clemson had better watch out: Who is Central Michigan, you ask? The Chippewas are the defending Mid-America champs and have the best quarterback in the league in Dan LeFevour (1,749 yards, 15 TD). Clemson has a much better team but the Tigers had better not take these guys lightly.
5. Every game for Alabama will be a struggle: Other than the opener with Western Carolina (52-6) every game for Alabama has been a struggle. Every game Alabama has left on its schedule, with the possible exception of Louisiana-Monroe (1-5) on Nov. 17, is going to be a struggle. That is this team’s identity. The good news for Alabama fans is that the Tide will win more struggles than it loses
