fiver

Headed to the smokies game in about an hour.

I have the company suite just to the first base side of home plate for the smokies-baybears game Thursday night...excited to see Russell and Almora. Anyone know who should be pitching?

Starting LG Alex Kozan is out for the year with a back injury. He was freshmen all-American first team last year and preseason all-SEC this year...one of the 5 most talented players on Auburn's team. Starting WDE Carl Lawson is likely out for the year, also one of AU's top 5 talented players. Auburn was probably due a bad break or two after the good fortune last season. Also, qb Nick Marshall will not start the opener against Arkansas after receiving a citation for marijuana possession this summer. I doubt he sits out more than the first quarter, half at most, and shouldn't affect the 20+ point spread by much...

Man, it's been great following the minor league teams this year. The rebuild had me really down on the organization the past few years, so it's energizing to see so many potential impact players, and gives me the urge to post something outside the college football, basketball, and beer threads for the first time in a while. I've even caught myself watching a few Major League games this season.

Love their LBs. Maybe the best trio in the nation. Their back 4 should be better with experience and fresh blood. Offense should be scary if Marshall improved at all. AU's linebacker play was weak in 2012 and for much of 2013, but Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy started to mature towards the end of last year. Frost is a future 1st round pick and McKinzy will play in the league as well.

I'm excited. Auburn should be strong again, but there are a few concerns. The running game could be best in the SEC again this year with Nick Marshall running the zone read. However, Tre was more of an all purpose back last year, and Cory Grant has world class speed but not the same ability to break tackles. Cameron Artis-Payne is a bruiser but he doesn't have the same agility/speed. I'm interested to see how RS FR Peyton Barber and 5 star true FR Roc Thomas contribute. Greg Robinson was a beast at LT. Shon Coleman was a 5 star recruit delayed by a battle with cancer and now is coming into his own. He's expected to start at LT. How big of a drop off will we see? Everyone else returns on the OL. FB Jay Prosch did an incredible job blocking last year. There is no FB/H Back with the same skill set this year so that position will be used differently. Will nick Marshall improve his completion%? 5 star top juco recruit Duke Williams and Sammie Coates make a formidable duo at WR. Losing Dee Ford at WDE is big. He was extremely explosive and regularly hurried the qb. Carl Lawson was going to fill that role this year but was injured in the spring and not sure if/when he will return this fall. AU has arguably the toughest schedule in the nation this year, so they likely will lose at least a couple. They should be a fun team to watch again this year though

I've never been a fan of Jay Jacobs but following the Malzahn hire with Bruce Pearl is pretty strong. It's been a long time since I've been excited about Auburn basketball.

Crean didn't manage the game too well either. Ferrell is the only threat to consistently make an outside shot, and teams are able to scheme accordingly. Blackmon should help as a perimeter shooter next year. Jaquan Lyle would help, but it appears Kansas is trending there? If Vonleh were to somehow stay, I could see this team being pretty good, but if he leaves, there isn't much talent in the post behind him. Masquara-Perea hasn't really developed and Hollowell has disappointed this year. Crean is a decent recruiter, but he isn't a strategist or game manager. He had all of the pieces of the puzzle last year.

All of the Alabama fans I know despise Kiffin and the silver spoon sticking out of his butthole. They either have to acknowledge that he isn't entirely riding his pop's coattails or that Nick Saban has made a huge mistake. I see the former happening in the short term and hopefully the latter happening by the middle of next season.

Tre Mason just declared. Poop.

Finally made it home and started watching a recording of the national championship. I decided to turn it off at halftime. I'll have to YouTube mason's fourth quarter run, so I can see that without watching the entire second half. It sucks being in the game, having everything going your way and then having your heart and lungs ripped from your chest. It felt a little bit like 2003.

Greg Robinson just formally announced he's entering the draft.

The last minute loss was heartbreaking, but I'm proud of this Auburn team. My wife and I witnessed an incredible game last night, and the atmosphere was electric. The secondary has been the Achilles heel all season, and we are losing three starting dbs to graduation. I do think we have some younger guys that may be able to step up and defend the pass at the same level. Greg Robinson will enter the draft early, and I'm sure trey mason will also as he's probably a 3rd rounder and can't do much if anything to improve his stock. Auburn had the biggest turnaround in cfb history. Great season .

No excuses from me. Clemson and Duke showed they were both solid teams in their bowls. FSU obliterated both and should be the favorite in this game. Hoping AU can run the ball, pressure Winston and make it interesting.

It's game day! Headed to Pasadena in a few hours.

I think Robinson will actually get drafted higher than late first given his athleticism and measuables. I like Kony Ealy a lot too. Think he could be a first rounder, he's definitely a better NFL prospect than Michael Sam. Yeah I like Robinson more than Kouandijo and Lewan. My #2 OT if he comes out. Top 15 maybe. Ealy and Gaines (CB) are potential sleeper 1st rounders. This was wishful thinking on my behalf. It's looking more likely that he is a top 15 pick this year and will probably announce Monday night.

Flew into John Wayne yesterday and pumped for the game. AU's dline will have to put pressure on Winston and force some field goals to stay in this one.

The debate really shouldn't be about whether fsu will stop Auburn's read option. They won't. I have little doubt both teams will have over 400 yards of offense. Who commits turnovers? Who has to settle for the most field goals? I see both teams scoring 30+ points.

I was able to procure face value tickets and have multiple family members offering a free place to stay within an hour of the Rose Bowl, so this was an easy decision. We are flying out to watch the national championship game (and to spend a little time with family).

wow....

Missouri has a very good team, and I was pulling my hair out until well into the 4th quarter of this one. Let's go Spartans!

It should probably just make you think less of gene chizik if that is possible.

Interested to see if Auburn's rs sophomore LT Greg Robison opts to be drafted late first, early second or to come back next year and potentially be a top 10 pick.

Bama has a better team than Auburn...no dispute from me. The same can't be said for the Georgia team Auburn played. You mention games against LSU, Mississippi State, and Wazzou, but you neglect a change in scheme that occurred after those games. Auburn didn't start running the read option until the Texas A&M game, and the mastery of this has become their bread and butter. Many people pick a two point favorite to lose when they are the home team. Why would a two point dog at a game being played at a neutral site be given a slight edge?

Vegas has odds of winning the national championship as follows right now: FSU 1/3 Auburn 7/2 OSU 4/1 Missouri 8/1 OSU has the clearer path to the championship game, and Auburn would be favored if they were playing the buckeyes.