No Show

It was supposed to showcase Knowshon Moreno. Or, showcase a defense that has all the tools to stop him. It was supposed to be two former teammates and current close friends matching wits against each other. It was supposed to be the all-black “blackout” vs. the team that hasn’t lost in white since 2003. It was supposed to be.

What happened was a No-Show. Auburn’s secondary was a no-show. Auburn’s interior linebackers were a no-show. Auburn’s vertical passing game was a no-show. Auburn’s ability to get a wide receiver to break open down the field was a no-show. And Auburn’s creativity was a no-show. And that team that had lost by less than one score against EVERY team it has lost to? No-Show.

What I saw on Saturday night looked a whole lot more like the team I saw that played Mississippi State and South Florida, than the team I saw play Florida. Where was that team? A no-show.

And as for Moreno? Well, Brandon Cox was certainly no Dan Morino. On several occasions he should have either run with the ball, or thrown the ball out of bounds. Instead, he took sacks, heaved prayer balls, and threw interception after interception. Nice way to start the game (remember Mississippi State??)

Auburn has some real problems it must address. It cannot win with an offense that continues to struggle the way this one did. In six SEC games this season, Auburn has scored two or fewer touchdowns. Vanderbilt is the sole exception. And though I am as big a fan as any of you reading this, that statistic, my friend, makes Auburn a tier two team in this league. It won’t cut it. And it won’t win.

Tommy Tuberville said after the game that Auburn "got a real good whipping."
You think??

Rebounding from this No-Show Debacle that I witnessed in Athens, Georgia on November 10, 2007 will be very, very difficult. Alabama will be madder than....well, you know madder than what.... at giving one away to Mississippi State. They will look at the film of the Auburn-Georgia game and see a team that is very beatable. And as for Auburn…..I’m afraid they may still be wondering what in the world just happened....or looking for the bus that was supposed to arrive in Athens in time for yesterday’s game….but was a No-Show.

War Eagle,

WJLaneSr