AU Alum here... strengths and weaknesses

[alphatiger1]

On of your KSU guys invited us over from our board so here I am. 

This has already probably been done, but real action is months away, so what the heck.

What's your top two area's of concern and top two area's of strength of your team.

For Auburn
Concerns, I'll say the OLine, especially early games since they are a new unit, and 2. Kicking game, basically starting over from what used to be a huge strength. 

 Strengths..1. QB, not that he is great, just that he is a senior and for the first couple of games anyway, should be healthy.  When healthy he is better than decent.  2.  Probably the front 7 on D, some new starters but should be a strength given the talent level.   Overall, AU has lots of question marks.   Wish we were starting with somebody else that was a sure win.  In any case, the KSU fans that make it will have a great time.  Auburn is a fantastic game day experience, couple that with KSU and ESPN to kick things off, it will be rockin Sat Night.

Ok your turn.

WDE

[catzacker]

Strengths:
 - Both RB's (Patton and Johnson) are very good (although see o-line under weaknesses)
 - Special teams return game was good last year, should continue especially with the kick off being moved back
 - DE's are pretty good, although that was in the 4-3 last year, this year we've switched to a 3-4.
 - secondary should be decent

Weaknesses:
 - O-line has been fairly terrible for the last 3 years
 - Receivers will be generally inexpereinced, although probably talented
 - QB was young last year (true freshman) and turned it over
 

...if I was Auburn, I would run right at us the entire game, because we havent' stopped the run since about 2003.  On defense, I would put as much pressure on Freeman up the middle as possible to force turnovers; if your defense can't stop our run game, I feel sorry for you in SEC play. 

[Poopley]

Glaring weaknesses: Left Tackle, Left Guard, Right Tackle, Right Guard, One Wide Receiver spot

Weaknesses: nose tackle, DE not named Jackson, one inside LB, one outside LB

Probable weaknesses: strong safety, place kicker

Some of these could change, depending on injury and how well a couple of new jc transfers make the transition. It will be tough, though, because this is the first game.

Zacker covered the strengths pretty well.

[asava]

Thanks for comin over...

IMO 2 weaknesses: 1. O-Line. This has been a big concern for us these last couple of years, we have added some new players and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. 2. Defensive line. Since switching to the 3-4 it will be interesting to see if we have the nose needed to draw the attention we want. We have some amazing players up there with plenty of experience, but it will be interesting to see how it all pans out. This is about as big of a conern as our kicking game, since we lost Snodgrass last year.

2 strengths: 1. Running game. We have two pretty high level backs that both have showed they have what it takes. Leon Patton averaged 6 yards per carry as a frosh, and Johnson has been getting a lot more time and showing he deserves it. 2. Maturity. We have a few people in a few positions that gives us a lot of maturity... Freeman, Jackson, Campbell, Watts, Cline, Patton, Johnson, and our whole O-Line has gotten older. This isn't so much of a strength as it is better than it was last year. I wanted to do one offensive strength and one defensive strength, but as far as complete units go on defense i don't know because of our switch. I just know we have some strong players on that end of the field. Then again, i have been out of the country for quite a while and all the info I get is from online, so none of it is first hand knowledge, except what I saw last season.

i'll give you one of these though...
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar eagle.

[Iceberg]

Weakness- The O-line is inconsistent, however I think will be improved over last year. Addition of Alsena is great, but I'm betting they don't play as a unit from the get go. Everyone points fingers at them (and they deserve it) and we have weeded out a few that shouldn't be there last year. Hopefully the ones that remain will step up and do what is asked of them.

We were also strong in special teams last year. Returning the kick and punt, we will be fine in. But the kicking game, we will have to see.


In the middle- Josh Freeman. Hopefully won't have a sophomore slump this year. I am hoping that the ku and Rutgers game cleaned his clock a little bit to show him what he needs to work on. He is still young after playing last year as a true freshman. If he does well against Auburn, we will have an amazing season. If I was Auburn, I would watch the ku tape and do everything you could to rattle his confidence.

Bold and daring playbook. Ask Nebraska when we went for a fake punt when backed up to our own endzone and the Texas. Our scheme can be a little unconventional and can burn you. But we could also burn ourselves at the same point if not executed well. Our playbook will be more diverse than last year, and if everything goes right, Auburn could be our playground.


Strength- Our RB will be be able to run on you all game. They are good players and the committee assignment will allow them to stay fresh late in the game.

Our defense will be good this year. It will be interesting to see how we do in the 3-4 set. May be a little bit of confusion in the first game.

[ECN]

you know...he's not going to be back to read all this crap..right?

[icatmember]

Weaknesses: Everyones refusal to participate in the "We Are K-State" cheer. Seriously People.

[SUPERKSUFAN]

Weaknesses: Everyones refusal to participate in the "We Are K-State" cheer. Seriously People.

during BB - failure in the "bring on the cats" cheer

[Iceberg]

Weaknesses: Everyones refusal to participate in the "We Are K-State" cheer. Seriously People.

Its gay.... Just screaming the whole time like we're on defense and its fourth and goal sounds a lot better.

[alphatiger1]

Hey, come on... I'm back and absorbing all the "stuff".

Sounds like a potentially low scoring game.   The Auburn game plan will be to run, run, run and throw short passes and throw it deep two to three times a game.   Basically the same plan we've had for the past several years.  Borges likes to mix up the formations, sometimes throwing in a lot of shifts, lots of misdirection.  Look for Cox to fake pitch to his left, then roll right at least twice in each game.   Tubberville usually throws in at least one creative/trick play for big games, but in the end it will be won or lost in the trenches (ok no surprise).   Auburn has a lot of question marks, maybe more than normal with a newer bunch of running backs, receivers and LBs.   This one will be a fun one to watch in person or on the tube.

Wish you guys luck the rest of the way.

[plaincat killed himself]

Weaknesses: Offense

Strengths: Basketball

[WildCatzPhreak]

Weaknesses: Offense

Strengths: Basketball

i lol'd.

...what kind of TE would beasley make?

[JTKSU]

Weaknesses: Offense

Strengths: Basketball

i lol'd.

...what kind of TE would beasley make?

Hell with Beas at TE, I'm thinking Hoskins.

[asava]

question... is clemente forced to sit out on just basketball or all ncaa sports? if he is fast maybe a punt returner....

[doom]

Strengths:
 - Both RB's (Patton and Johnson) are very good (although see o-line under weaknesses)
 - Special teams return game was good last year, should continue especially with the kick off being moved back
 - DE's are pretty good, although that was in the 4-3 last year, this year we've switched to a 3-4.
 - secondary should be decent

Weaknesses:
 - O-line has been fairly terrible for the last 3 years
 - Receivers will be generally inexpereinced, although probably talented
 - QB was young last year (true freshman) and turned it over

...if I was Auburn, I would run right at us the entire game, because we havent' stopped the run since about 2003.  On defense, I would put as much pressure on Freeman up the middle as possible to force turnovers; if your defense can't stop our run game, I feel sorry for you in SEC play. 

I think Freeman is a strength and a weakness on any given Saturday.  If he's feeling it you can't do much against him, especially if our o line plays worth anything.  I also think We'll try a downfield throw first, but then run it most of the afternoon till the third quarter, so Freeman doesn't get all worked up with TO's.  If he plays like he did during Texas, you're screwed.  If he plays like he did during Kansas, you can rush the field at halftime.

[jaloma58]

Our defense will be good this year. It will be interesting to see how we do in the 4-3 set. May be a little bit of confusion in the first game.

we are running a 3-4 this year...

[Iceberg]

Our defense will be good this year. It will be interesting to see how we do in the 4-3 set. May be a little bit of confusion in the first game.

we are running a 3-4 this year...

Ya, I knew that. Good catch on the typo.

[Iceberg]

Alphatiger1-

Are Auburn fans as excited for this game as K-Staters are?

[alphatiger1]

Alphatiger1-
Are Auburn fans as excited for this game as K-Staters are?

I would say so... playing a big game right off the bat, on ESPN at night, against a quality opponent from a different conference that you know little about.  Very similar to last year in many ways for us.. played Wast St., a team that has had some very good seasons, coupled with some mediocre ones... not knowing if they were going to up or down, enough talent to beat us.  AU should be favored with the home field and all, but each season really stands by itself, so you just never know. 

The crowd will be pumped to the max... if your going, be sure to get to the stadium, seated at least 20 min B4 kickoff to see the Eagle fly (named Tiger, just to add some confusion for visitors)  One of the those color and pageantry of college football deals you should experience like dotting the i at OSU, the players running down the hill touching the rock at Clemson, etc. etc.

[ChicoRodriguez]

we're Kansas &@#%ing State!  We invented tradition!

[JTKSU]

Alphatiger1-
Are Auburn fans as excited for this game as K-Staters are?

I would say so... playing a big game right off the bat, on ESPN at night, against a quality opponent from a different conference that you know little about.  Very similar to last year in many ways for us.. played Wast St., a team that has had some very good seasons, coupled with some mediocre ones... not knowing if they were going to up or down, enough talent to beat us.  AU should be favored with the home field and all, but each season really stands by itself, so you just never know. 

The crowd will be pumped to the max... if your going, be sure to get to the stadium, seated at least 20 min B4 kickoff to see the Eagle fly (named Tiger, just to add some confusion for visitors)  One of the those color and pageantry of college football deals you should experience like dotting the i at OSU, the players running down the hill touching the rock at Clemson, etc. etc.

Just a heads up for you- there is a quote button at the top right of every post.  Makes things easier for you.  Looking forward to a good game; I'll try my best to at least head down for the game, with or without a ticket.  I have had the opportunity to see many different college venues, and Auburn has always been on my short list of game day festivities I would like to see one day.  It will be interesting to see how it compares to Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas AM, Nebraska, or Penn State.

[alphatiger1]

A bunch of Frat brothers loaded up a van and headed to Nebraska around 1980, last time Auburn played at Nebraska.  Very different feel than an SEC game.  Major downside - the women just didn't compare.  Upside, they were good fans, treated the AU fans very well.   Auburn fans will have the welcome mat out for you.. only time it's not is for our biggest SEC rivalry games (i.e. Bama, LSU, GA).

[plaincat killed himself]

The crowd will be pumped to the max... if your going, be sure to get to the stadium, seated at least 20 min B4 kickoff to see the Eagle fly (named Tiger, just to add some confusion for visitors)  One of the those color and pageantry of college football deals you should experience like dotting the i at OSU, the players running down the hill touching the rock at Clemson, etc. etc.

Does the bird ever travel?  I remember somebody bringing their bird to a game in Manhattan back in the late 70's.  It was either Auburn or Air Force.  Anybody remember that?

[Trog]

The Air Force falcon has been in Manhattan.  Don't know about any eagles though.

[alphatiger1]

The Eagle doesn't really travel... the one exception was our Golden Eagle was in the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City, he flew around the stadium, very similar to what happens at Jordan Hare in Auburn.   He has gotten old and basically is retired now.   There is another eagle now, a Bald Eagle and maybe one more that does most of the heavy lifting for the pre game flights.   The sub group of the Auburn vet school basically finds or gets injured eagles sent to them and brings them back to health, teaches them the pregame flight ritual.

The Atlanta Falcons have a Falcon that flys around a little before the games, but they are really a little bird... almost get's lost against the crowd....  The Eagle is just a majestic bird and is pretty cool to watch.

[The Manhatter]

Weaknesses: Offense

Strengths: Basketball

[cas]

These guys are feeding you crap. We have no weaknesses. And we have a scary smart and bold and daring coach/staff.

[alphatiger1]

I was actually talking about our fans perception of weaknesses.  The fans real weakness is bourbon and coke!! 

 

[mjrod]

I was actually talking about our fans perception of weaknesses.  The fans real weakness is bourbon and coke!! 

 

What board are you coming from?

[LimestoneOutcropping]

Major downside - the women just didn't compare. 

That's just Nebraska for ya.