Open Mic response La Tech/Auburn breakdown with pick

WHO: AUBURN vs. LA TECH
WHEN: 9/05/09
WHERE: JORDAN-HARE STADIUM
CAPACITY: 88,000
"Talent" LEVEL: Solid 8
ALL TIME SERIES RECORD: 10-0-1
LAST MEETING: 52-7 Auburn in 2004
STREAKS: Auburn has won last 7 in a row
LINE OPEN: Auburn -13.5
LINE MOVEMENT: NONE
GOAT'S LEAN: Auburn-13.5

Auburn

This is the year that Gene Chizik is either a God or a "Wether". I have to admit that Chezik is taking a program that is a mess going just 5-7 last year, and looking to follow in Tuberville's footsteps. He was courted by Auburn after putting up mid boggling numbers at Iowa St. 5-19 @ Iowa St......... wait a minute?!?! Holy LaGarrett Blount Chuck Norris! This guy is garbage! That explains why Auburn is in the crapper. With this guy leading the charge, a season that can only be described as an "Oil Rig" fire is inevitable for the Tigers.....and it may start against LA TECH!

Chezik is known for being a defensive genius and his inherited defense held opponents to 18 points a game last year, good for 14th in the country. They did get SPANKED by BAMA last year(this has absolutely nothing to do with this game, just wanted to drop it in here!) 36-0. Auburn is return 7 starters on defense, with Zac Etheridge and Mike McNeil leading the way combining for 140 total tackles last year. The D-Line will have to plug some holes as they lost a tackle and nose guard to the NFL. Antonio Coleman will have to step up and led the way for the D-Line to have success this year. Craig Stevens and Josh Bynes lead a good group of linebackers that will be called upon a lot to help out against the run this year. The secondary is anchors by Walter McFadden, and they will need to create turnovers to keep Auburn in ballgames, especially deep into the SEC schedule. Stopping LA TECH'S offense may pose a good challenge to start the year.

Kodi Burns is back under the helm for Auburn this year, and I don't know if that's a blessing or a curse. Burns went 94-179 for 1050 and 2 TD's against 7 INTS. He also was second on the team in rushing with 98 attempts for 411 and another 5 scores. For this offense to be successful against LA TECH, Burn's will need to do just enough not to lose the game for Auburn, and with the departure of Rodger Smith, that may be a tall order. All eyes at Jordan-Hare will be on Ben Tate, the senior phenom who is on the Maxwell Award watch list this year. Tate, who did not have impressive numbers last year, will be asked to lead this team this year. He rushed for 664 yards on 159 carries and had 3 TD's. This offense will have to be able to get out of there own way to be successful, but with a good O-line and solid D, they should improve this year, maybe INSPITE of Gene Chezik.

LA TECH

Giant Killer LA TECH is not gonna go quietly in this game. Lead by 3rd year coach Derek Dooley, son of legend Vince Dooley, has taken this team in the right direction after taking over. He has improved every year, and even had the Bulldogs in a bowl game last year.

The stingy Bulldog defense ranked 13th in the country last year against the run, giving up just under 104 yards a game last year. "BOO" Smith, a 300 pound animal D-tackle anchors the run stopping defense. They will need to do great against the run, because they are horrible at stopping the past ranking next to dead last in the country last year. Not to make things any better is the secondary is still very young and has not matured like Dooley has hoped. The Bulldogs will also be looking for a return for a TD on special teams as they ranked #1 in the country at "BEAMER" ball last year.

Senior running back Daniel Porter who is on the Doak Walker Award watch list after rushing for 1,164 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, will have the to be a leader on this offense for them to have any success especially against Auburn, as they will cut him NO slack. Ross Jenkins is under center again this year after doing just enough to rely on his defense to bail him out last year. He was a solemn 92 of 174 for 1155 yards and 7 TD'S against 3 INT'S. His favorite target Marko Mitchell is gone, so Chris Wellington will have to step up and help Ross out of jams, because he is sure to fine some against that Auburn Defense.

Quick Notes: If Auburn can find some offense and get to 30 pts. they are 118-2. If they can get to 20, they are still a strong 114-15 All time.

Auburn is 52-15 All time against NON-Conference opponents.

Auburn is 82-25 in regular season openers.

Auburn is 5-0 SU against LA Tech in there last 5 home games against LA Tech.



I think that Auburn better be careful in this game as LA TECH does have a chance to cover this ball game, but with so many questions on bth sides of the ball and a very hostile crowd that awaits at Jordan-Hare Stadium, I like the Tigers to cover this game.

Prediction:

28-10 Tigers


*Wager at your own risk*(This is not a game on the GOAT'S plays this week)

Enjoy,
Da GOAT


*It's not about my grammer or spelling, it's about my final results* LOL...