I will try to post a few blogs on here at once today. I don't really have time for this, but have been behind on my blogs. First, I will recap the Iron Bowl of 2007.
It was rather boring in a lot of ways. No really great play. No incredible kick or TD run to win the game for either side. No great upset. No great comeback. It was rather boring.
But even yet, the game is still the Iron Bowl, and perhaps as time goes on, the game will stick out more. A few plays will stick out. All the hard-hitting will stick out. We will have to see. I think the game was really a battle between mediocre teams, but I do think that each team played hard for what it was worth. In the end, AU won the game 17-10, bringing home their sixth straight Iron Bowl win.
However three games into the season, many people thought that AU would not win. AU was 1-2. UAT was 3-0. But I still gave AU a chance. My Dad (see blog links) actually predicted AU to win when AU was 1-2 and UAT was 3-0 (You can find this on his blog at this point in the season). I never actually predicted AU until the end, but I did give them a chance. UAT was 3-0 but had not proven too much to me. AU looked like that had potential, and were just not quite clicking. In the end, AU finished not a great team, but did go 7-2 since the 1-2 start. This included games against UF, LSU, and UGA all on the road - a pretty tough route.
AU looked mediocre going into the UAT game due to their disgusting loss to UGA. But UGA is also, and was then, one of the hottest teams in college football. UAT looked bad after losses to MSU and LOUSIANA MONROE, but had also shown that they can play some ball in games such as UT, and even though they lost, LSU. UAT played a hard game against AU, but you could just tell that AU pretty much was not going to lose the game. UAT got their only touchdown on a drive that had a couple of contraversial calls (pass interference, and TD on fourth down). In the first half UAT got the breaks off of contraversial calls. In the second half, AU gave UAT a cheap 15 yards on a ruffing the kicker. But the UAT came up real big for AU by ruffing the quarterback Brandon Cox (BTW, Cox may can throw interceptions, but he gets an Emmy for falling on that play!). AU made the plays when they needed to. They had a long punt return. Jeraud Powers made a great interception when it appeared UAT would score and take the lead going into half time. AU went for it on fourth down at the end, and won, putting the game away. Simply put, AU was the better teams, made better plays, and may have wanted it just a big more than UAT.
This game may have been boring. But we will remember the Jeraud Powers interception, stipping the ball away from great Tide receiver D.J. Hall. He wanted it more than Hall did. We may remember the security dog bitting Jeraud Powers late in the game. We may remember AU going for it on fourth and one - converting and putting the game away. My prediction was close (AU 24 UAT 14). It was a typical AU win over UAT. AU held the lead most of the game, UAT comes back in the end, kicks an onsides kick that AU recovers and runs out the clock. AU won the last six. UAT scored last in five of the last six. UAT kicked an onside kick in four out of the last six. AU won by eight points or less four out of the last six, and the other two were only by ten points. A typical AU win over UAT. AU played better. AU won. That simple.
War Eagle!
What do you think?
November 29, 2007
Ryan Hampton
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
War Eagle!!
Just to give you a quick War Eagle on here! It should be a great game, and we do not really know what will happen. (After all, that's why they play, right?!) But I'm picking AU over UAT, 24-14. Should be a good game!
The difference in the Iron Bowl and the other games is this: With a loss to any other team, you can find redemption the next week. Against your arch-rival in the Iron Bowl, you have to wait until the next year.
War Eagle!!
Ryan
The difference in the Iron Bowl and the other games is this: With a loss to any other team, you can find redemption the next week. Against your arch-rival in the Iron Bowl, you have to wait until the next year.
War Eagle!!
Ryan
Friday, September 14, 2007
Despite Loss, Auburn Fans Shouldn't Worry
Last Saturday Auburn was upset by South Florida in overtime by a score of 26-23. Since then, radio talk shows, television, and other forms of communication that carry sports news, have been talking about how poor Auburn seems to be this year. Whether they blame it on the coaching staff, the offensive line, or the former Hewitt Trussville Husky, Brandon Cox, they are constantly criticizing Auburn at some level. Alabama rejoice that now, not only is Alabama supposedly "back," but Auburn is too- to a mediocre level as "that other school in Alabama." Tiger fans are worried themselves that this could be true.
Although there is a lot of improvement Auburn can and should make, and although they are not what they were in 2004 or 2005, there is not too much reason to really worry if you’re an Auburn fan. Only time will tell for sure what will happen, but if the past of Tommy Tubberville is any indication, the Tigers should still have at least a decent team. Auburn started off 0-2 in 2003, going on to finish the year 8-5 (including those loses), and undefeated the next year. Auburn lost their home opener in 2005 to Georgia Tech, but went on to have the best SEC record in the SEC, at 7-1, and defeated SEC champions Georgia and arch-rival Alabama. In 2006, Auburn fought and clawed their way to win eleven games. Along the way, they played close to mediocre teams such as South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Alabama, and got whipped at home by Arkansas and Georgia. Still, this was the same Tiger team who defeated LSU, Nebraska, and as the only team to do so, national champions Florida.
So what should that tell us? It should tell us that Auburn lost some key points on their team, and have not found out exactly how to fill in those gaps yet. However, it usually starts coming at about this time of year that they do. All they need is to find themselves, and this Auburn team could be a dangerous team in the SEC and in the nation.
And perhaps the Mississippi St. game could not come at a better time. This is a game that is more than just a scrimmage, unlike Western Carolina or Ball St., but is a game that they should win. If they do win, they get confidence, get back to a plus .500 record, and start off well in the SEC. But perhaps beyond all of that, if this game is not a nail-biter, they have a game in which they can find themselves- especially on offense.
So far, the offense has clicked, but to the exception of one quarter, it has not clicked on all cylinders all at the same time. In the second quarter of the South Florida game, to the exception of a Brandon Cox interception, the offense looked like the offense of 2004. They could run and pass efficiently. All they need now is consistency.
Auburn has an offensive line that will only get better. Auburn has two good running backs that will only get better. Mario Fannin shows problems with hanging onto the football, and Ben Tate shows signs of over running his blockers. They are both young running backs, and will only get better. Auburn has one of the best tight-end cores in the conference, and possibly the nation. Auburn does have talented wide receivers, they just show signs of mental mistakes that come at the beginning of the year. Auburn’s biggest concern on offense is their quarterback. But this is the same quarterback who started off 20-5 as a starter. With the defense and special teams behind him, and an offense that will only get better, there is not reason why he can not lead Auburn to another seven or eight wins anyway, and to yet another bowl game, and possibly a sixth straight victory over arch-rival Alabama.
If Auburn loses this Saturday to Mississippi St., then there is reason to worry. But as of now, I don’t think that there is too much reason to. Auburn has too much talent behind them to have a season with any less than eight wins- even with a tough schedule. Besides, they were only predicted to win eight or nine games anyway. For a fairly young team such as Auburn, losing to decent teams such as South Florida should be accepted perhaps even expected. Because of Auburn’s talent the past three years, though, it wasn’t.
But whatever the outcome of this season is, and the games Saturday are, may I leave you with a big War Eagle! Even if Auburn loses, no one can take away that Auburn spirit.
What do you think?
Pray for our Troops.
God Bless America
September 14, 2007
Ryan Hampton
Although there is a lot of improvement Auburn can and should make, and although they are not what they were in 2004 or 2005, there is not too much reason to really worry if you’re an Auburn fan. Only time will tell for sure what will happen, but if the past of Tommy Tubberville is any indication, the Tigers should still have at least a decent team. Auburn started off 0-2 in 2003, going on to finish the year 8-5 (including those loses), and undefeated the next year. Auburn lost their home opener in 2005 to Georgia Tech, but went on to have the best SEC record in the SEC, at 7-1, and defeated SEC champions Georgia and arch-rival Alabama. In 2006, Auburn fought and clawed their way to win eleven games. Along the way, they played close to mediocre teams such as South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Alabama, and got whipped at home by Arkansas and Georgia. Still, this was the same Tiger team who defeated LSU, Nebraska, and as the only team to do so, national champions Florida.
So what should that tell us? It should tell us that Auburn lost some key points on their team, and have not found out exactly how to fill in those gaps yet. However, it usually starts coming at about this time of year that they do. All they need is to find themselves, and this Auburn team could be a dangerous team in the SEC and in the nation.
And perhaps the Mississippi St. game could not come at a better time. This is a game that is more than just a scrimmage, unlike Western Carolina or Ball St., but is a game that they should win. If they do win, they get confidence, get back to a plus .500 record, and start off well in the SEC. But perhaps beyond all of that, if this game is not a nail-biter, they have a game in which they can find themselves- especially on offense.
So far, the offense has clicked, but to the exception of one quarter, it has not clicked on all cylinders all at the same time. In the second quarter of the South Florida game, to the exception of a Brandon Cox interception, the offense looked like the offense of 2004. They could run and pass efficiently. All they need now is consistency.
Auburn has an offensive line that will only get better. Auburn has two good running backs that will only get better. Mario Fannin shows problems with hanging onto the football, and Ben Tate shows signs of over running his blockers. They are both young running backs, and will only get better. Auburn has one of the best tight-end cores in the conference, and possibly the nation. Auburn does have talented wide receivers, they just show signs of mental mistakes that come at the beginning of the year. Auburn’s biggest concern on offense is their quarterback. But this is the same quarterback who started off 20-5 as a starter. With the defense and special teams behind him, and an offense that will only get better, there is not reason why he can not lead Auburn to another seven or eight wins anyway, and to yet another bowl game, and possibly a sixth straight victory over arch-rival Alabama.
If Auburn loses this Saturday to Mississippi St., then there is reason to worry. But as of now, I don’t think that there is too much reason to. Auburn has too much talent behind them to have a season with any less than eight wins- even with a tough schedule. Besides, they were only predicted to win eight or nine games anyway. For a fairly young team such as Auburn, losing to decent teams such as South Florida should be accepted perhaps even expected. Because of Auburn’s talent the past three years, though, it wasn’t.
But whatever the outcome of this season is, and the games Saturday are, may I leave you with a big War Eagle! Even if Auburn loses, no one can take away that Auburn spirit.
What do you think?
Pray for our Troops.
God Bless America
September 14, 2007
Ryan Hampton
Friday, August 31, 2007
War Eagle!!
With college football just now beginning, I think I would like to give a big WAR EAGLE!!! to all those reading! I think Auburn should be fairly decent this year. Who knows, maybe this can be a championship year! All my waiting for Auburn to kick off is now coming down to just tommorow. Anyway, this is short, but I thought I'd give a big War Eagle to all those out there. Hey Bama, fear the other thumb!! Let's get six straight! War Eagle!
Ryan
Ryan
Friday, June 22, 2007
I Miss Football
Well it's June now, and I am already wanting football to come- especially good ole college football. In fact, I've actually been watching old Auburn games just to help ease my desire to watch football. I really miss the 2004 13-0 season for Auburn, and it's got me hoping that maybe this year they can go 14-0. Maybe that is really unlikely but I would sure love it!
Yup, Auburn has many great games of the past- classics, that will always be remembered. This year is sure to have some of those as well. For the time being, being that football is still a little ways away, I can just watch these old classics, which is what I have been doing.
Some classics that stand out for me would be the 1997 Auburn vs. LSU game, in which Auburn won in death valley 31-28; the 1997 Auburn vs. Alabama game, in which Auburn won with a late field goal to win 18-17; the 2000 Auburn vs. Georgia game, in which Auburn won in a see-saw battle in overtime; the 2001 Auburn vs. Florida game, in which Auburn beat top-ranked Florida with a late field goal 23-20; the 2001 Auburn vs. Georgia game, in which Auburn won by holding Georgia at the goal line at the very end; the 2002 Auburn vs. Alabama game, in which Auburn beat heavily favored and highly ranked Alabama 17-7, relying on fourth string tail back Tre Smith; 2003 bowl game against Penn St. (2002 season), in which Ronnie Brown scored late in the fourth quarter to give Auburn a lead, and eventually the 13-9 win (that would be Jim Fyffe's last time to yell "Touchdown Auburn!!!"); the 2004 Auburn vs. LSU game in which Auburn won with a late touchdown, and the extra point after the original miss called back for a penalty, winning 10-9; 2005 Auburn against Georgia, in which Auburn won 31-30 after making a fourth down conversion in a classic see-saw game; 2006 against LSU, in which Auburn won at the end, by some saying Auburn was lucky because of a bad call (but it probably was the right call), winning in a defensive classic 7-3; 2006 Auburn against Florida, in which Auburn beat the number two team, who would eventually win the national championship 27-17, in a game where Auburn shut Florida out in the second half; 2006 against Alabama, in a see-saw game in which Auburn pulled it out by a Cox to Rodreguiz touchdown play, winning 23-15. Man, all the memories, just that I remember, and I may have left out some! There were the few close games Auburn lost (96 vs. UGA, 96 vs, UA, 97 vs. Tenn., 2002 vs. UGA, 2003 vs. Ole Miss, 2005 vs. LSU). There were all those before I really kept up, but that I am familiar with, (93 vs. Alabama, 94 vs. LSU, 94 vs. Fl., 95 vs. Alabama). Man, great memories being an Auburn fan!
And I can hardly wait! And believe it or not, it's not that far away...well maybe two months, and another week or two after that, but that's not too long, right?! And it will be exiting this year, not just for Auburn, but for Alabama, to see if Nick Saban is as good as fans are wanting, and for the last-year-power-teams, such as Florida and LSU from the SEC, as well as Ohio St., USC, and Michigan. We'll have to see how it goes, but I miss football! (Ohh, and I am also looking foward to seeing how rookie NFLers do, especially those from the SEC. I'll write back sometimes with my predictions for this year! It should be great, as always!
Yup, Auburn has many great games of the past- classics, that will always be remembered. This year is sure to have some of those as well. For the time being, being that football is still a little ways away, I can just watch these old classics, which is what I have been doing.
Some classics that stand out for me would be the 1997 Auburn vs. LSU game, in which Auburn won in death valley 31-28; the 1997 Auburn vs. Alabama game, in which Auburn won with a late field goal to win 18-17; the 2000 Auburn vs. Georgia game, in which Auburn won in a see-saw battle in overtime; the 2001 Auburn vs. Florida game, in which Auburn beat top-ranked Florida with a late field goal 23-20; the 2001 Auburn vs. Georgia game, in which Auburn won by holding Georgia at the goal line at the very end; the 2002 Auburn vs. Alabama game, in which Auburn beat heavily favored and highly ranked Alabama 17-7, relying on fourth string tail back Tre Smith; 2003 bowl game against Penn St. (2002 season), in which Ronnie Brown scored late in the fourth quarter to give Auburn a lead, and eventually the 13-9 win (that would be Jim Fyffe's last time to yell "Touchdown Auburn!!!"); the 2004 Auburn vs. LSU game in which Auburn won with a late touchdown, and the extra point after the original miss called back for a penalty, winning 10-9; 2005 Auburn against Georgia, in which Auburn won 31-30 after making a fourth down conversion in a classic see-saw game; 2006 against LSU, in which Auburn won at the end, by some saying Auburn was lucky because of a bad call (but it probably was the right call), winning in a defensive classic 7-3; 2006 Auburn against Florida, in which Auburn beat the number two team, who would eventually win the national championship 27-17, in a game where Auburn shut Florida out in the second half; 2006 against Alabama, in a see-saw game in which Auburn pulled it out by a Cox to Rodreguiz touchdown play, winning 23-15. Man, all the memories, just that I remember, and I may have left out some! There were the few close games Auburn lost (96 vs. UGA, 96 vs, UA, 97 vs. Tenn., 2002 vs. UGA, 2003 vs. Ole Miss, 2005 vs. LSU). There were all those before I really kept up, but that I am familiar with, (93 vs. Alabama, 94 vs. LSU, 94 vs. Fl., 95 vs. Alabama). Man, great memories being an Auburn fan!
And I can hardly wait! And believe it or not, it's not that far away...well maybe two months, and another week or two after that, but that's not too long, right?! And it will be exiting this year, not just for Auburn, but for Alabama, to see if Nick Saban is as good as fans are wanting, and for the last-year-power-teams, such as Florida and LSU from the SEC, as well as Ohio St., USC, and Michigan. We'll have to see how it goes, but I miss football! (Ohh, and I am also looking foward to seeing how rookie NFLers do, especially those from the SEC. I'll write back sometimes with my predictions for this year! It should be great, as always!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Thoughts of the 2006-2007 College Football Year
Most people were surprised by Monday's game, but some people figured it was coming. Florida, as they saw it, was not respect eneough, and they were hungry to win. Ohio St., perhaps under-estimated Florida's speed. Ohio St. has won by more points, but they have also had a much easier scedule. Ohio St. also had about a month and a half off, while Florida had a little less than a month off. Florida was a little more in the groove of things if you will. Florida, just simply played a better, and more prepared game than Ohio St.
Notre Dame once again showed that they can sometimes get extra respect. They have had three losses, all to good teams, but they don't have many if any really big wins. When they play a real good team, it seemed as if they were not really in the game much. They lost to Michigan, USC, and LSU, all pretty big losses. At least Auburn beat the would-be number one and number three (one and two in my pole) teams at the end of the year. They, of course, did loose to a good Arkansas team and a good Georgia team at home, and barely won games such as South Carolina, Ole Miss, Nebraska, and Alabama. LSU showed to be the best two-loss team in the nation (you could make the argument for USC) going into the bowl game, better than Auburn (even though they lost to Auburn), Oklahoma, and of course as they really proved, better than Notre Dame (now with three losses). Notre Dame was projected to be in the BCS Championship game if they beat USC (which of course they did not).
Of course the best game seemed to be the Oklahoma vs. Boise St. game. Boise St. proved that they were not undefeated primarily because of their "easy" scedule. However, they were even in my book with Oklahoma, which let's me think that they could be put together, Boise St., and then Oklahoma. I think voters would vote Boise St. well ahead of the now three-loss Oklahoma team. A win is a win and a loss is a loss, granted, but that was pretty much an even game between the two. It does, however, make a point for a playoff- to allow Boise St. to have a chance against Ohio St., USC, LSU, and of course Florida. So with that in mind, I will give you my rankings from one to wherever I go:
1. Florida
2. LSU
3. Ohio St.
4. USC
5. Louiville
6. Michigan
7. Wisconsin
8. Auburn
9. Boise St.
10. Oklahoma
11. Arkansas
12. Texas
13. West Va.
14. California
15. Rutgers
16. Notre Dame
17. Wake Forest
18. Bringham Young
19. Tennessee
20. Georgia
21. Nebraska
22. Virginia Teck
23. Penn St.
24. South Carolina
25. Georgia Teck
26. Boston College
27. TCU
28. Oregon St.
29. Kentucky
30. Hawaii
31. Clemson
32. Maryland
33. Texas A&M
34. South Florida
35. Houston
There you go. I actually put Notre Dame one ranking ahead of what the AP poll had, and three ahead of what the USA Today poll had, but I think that is because they put the smaller, lesser-heard-of schools ahead, such as Bringham Young, West Va., Rutgers, etc. I have nothing against these schools and want to see them do good, but looking at their scedule, it doesn't seem as if they impress me much. I also took into account margain of victory, or defeat. Even though Georgia Teck lost their last three games, they lost in close games to teams ranked ahead of them. I didn't count it as a win, but took into account who they had played, and the final scores.
Notre Dame once again showed that they can sometimes get extra respect. They have had three losses, all to good teams, but they don't have many if any really big wins. When they play a real good team, it seemed as if they were not really in the game much. They lost to Michigan, USC, and LSU, all pretty big losses. At least Auburn beat the would-be number one and number three (one and two in my pole) teams at the end of the year. They, of course, did loose to a good Arkansas team and a good Georgia team at home, and barely won games such as South Carolina, Ole Miss, Nebraska, and Alabama. LSU showed to be the best two-loss team in the nation (you could make the argument for USC) going into the bowl game, better than Auburn (even though they lost to Auburn), Oklahoma, and of course as they really proved, better than Notre Dame (now with three losses). Notre Dame was projected to be in the BCS Championship game if they beat USC (which of course they did not).
Of course the best game seemed to be the Oklahoma vs. Boise St. game. Boise St. proved that they were not undefeated primarily because of their "easy" scedule. However, they were even in my book with Oklahoma, which let's me think that they could be put together, Boise St., and then Oklahoma. I think voters would vote Boise St. well ahead of the now three-loss Oklahoma team. A win is a win and a loss is a loss, granted, but that was pretty much an even game between the two. It does, however, make a point for a playoff- to allow Boise St. to have a chance against Ohio St., USC, LSU, and of course Florida. So with that in mind, I will give you my rankings from one to wherever I go:
1. Florida
2. LSU
3. Ohio St.
4. USC
5. Louiville
6. Michigan
7. Wisconsin
8. Auburn
9. Boise St.
10. Oklahoma
11. Arkansas
12. Texas
13. West Va.
14. California
15. Rutgers
16. Notre Dame
17. Wake Forest
18. Bringham Young
19. Tennessee
20. Georgia
21. Nebraska
22. Virginia Teck
23. Penn St.
24. South Carolina
25. Georgia Teck
26. Boston College
27. TCU
28. Oregon St.
29. Kentucky
30. Hawaii
31. Clemson
32. Maryland
33. Texas A&M
34. South Florida
35. Houston
There you go. I actually put Notre Dame one ranking ahead of what the AP poll had, and three ahead of what the USA Today poll had, but I think that is because they put the smaller, lesser-heard-of schools ahead, such as Bringham Young, West Va., Rutgers, etc. I have nothing against these schools and want to see them do good, but looking at their scedule, it doesn't seem as if they impress me much. I also took into account margain of victory, or defeat. Even though Georgia Teck lost their last three games, they lost in close games to teams ranked ahead of them. I didn't count it as a win, but took into account who they had played, and the final scores.
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