Auburn AD Jacobs Officially Refutes Selena Roberts And ESPN

((HT: Auburn Athletics))

First, to recap...
Here's what everyone is talking about...

Here's the link to the Selena Roberts story on her new site that stirred up trouble...

Roberts discussed it with Tim Brando during the week of the national title game in Atlanta...
((HT: CBS Sports))


And the hurriedly-assembled Shaun Assael story from the four-letter...
((HT: ESPN))


Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs, himself under fire for running the successful athletics program into the ground on the field, came out swinging Monday morning with the release of the University's own investigation into the above firestorm brought on by Auburn alumna Roberts...

The school's conclusions...

No academic fraud on Michael Dyer's behalf:

The article alleges improper grade changes took place to make nine student-athletes eligible for the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. That is false. In fact, six players were academically ineligible for the BCS National Championship game, and none of them made the trip to Arizona with the team.

The article also states that former football student-athlete Michael Dyer was academically ineligible prior to the BCS National Championship game. That is also false. Mr. Dyer was never in danger of academic ineligibility. In fact, he passed 15 hours during the fall of 2010 (nine more than required by the NCAA) and had a 2.8 GPA at the end of the fall semester. Mr. Dyer actually passed a combined 24 hours in the summer and fall semesters.

Mike McNeil's grades were adjusted according to university policy and not by an alleged academic counselor that acted on behalf of the university:

The article also implies that an academic counselor who works with the athletic department kept Mike McNeil eligible by changing his grade in a course from an F to a C. The article fails to point out that the professor changed Mr. McNeil's grade after documented reasons were provided, including excused absences from classes for medical reasons. The independent review by Auburn University Internal Auditing showed that all institutional policies regarding grade changes for excused absences were followed.

Shenanigans around McNeil, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Will Muschamp...??? The university investigation gave this:

It is also worth noting that while Mr. McNeil also alleges that former Auburn assistant coach Will Muschamp paid him during the 2007 season, Coach Muschamp immediately and publicly denied the allegations, as was widely reported throughout the media.

The article also claims that Mr. McNeil recalls receiving $500 cash to entertain a former prospect, Dre Kirkpatrick, while Mr. Kirkpatrick was on an official visit to Auburn. Mr. Kirkpatrick never took an official visit to Auburn. Mr. Kirkpatrick has since publicly stated that no one at Auburn gave him money or spent money on him during unofficial visits to our campus.

Jacobs also defended former head coach Gene Chizik and Darvin Adams released a statement through Chizik's attorney denying his effort to be paid to "stay" in school for his senior season... which seems somewhat counter-productive to anyone who thinks they have a chance at a pro career... if you want to go and people tell you that there's a chance you'll get drafted...

You'll go...

The Athletics Department even goes on to a point-by-point discussion of the allegations involving contact between the McNeil family and the school by divulging phone records, drug testing time frames, and McNeil's desire to transfer to another school.

Now, if Jacobs had shown this kind of nerve earlier in his career, he may not be on the hot seat that he's on now...

Carousel Begins: Auburn Fires Chizik

To the surprise of no one, one day after an embarrasing 49-0 to Alabama in the Iron Bowl, Auburn University has parted ways with coach Gene Chizik.

We might add, the move comes just under two years since Chizik won a national championship coaching the Tigers.

The Tigers were 3-9 in 2012, losing all 8 of their SEC games.

The school released a statement from AD Jay Jacobs saying that he "Recommended Coach Chizik not be retained as head coach" and that Auburn's school president agreed.

You can read that statement RIGHT HERE

The tricky part starts with how Chizik gets paid off. According to the now appearing to be stupid contract extension given to Chizik after winning the title, the school owes him somewhere in the neighborhood of $7.5 to $10 million.

However.

With reports of an NCAA Investigation over recruiting violations swirling around Chizik's staff and the school, Auburn may have a way out. A clause in his contract says they don't owe him anything if the school gets in trouble.

We suspect a replacement to be named before the end of the year...but we could be wrong.

Iron Bowl: Chizik Addresses Job Future (Or Not)

((HT: al.com/Goldberg))

Or, to be more accurate, tried to deflect questions about his job future since he said the post-game press conference was "not about him."

This display below shows either hubris, ignorance, or a combination of both...
Mix in a profound lack of eye contact and you've got a coach who is either putting up a good front or has a real idea that he thinks his job is safe...

There were too many elements in Chizik's answers that deserved actual laughter and should have followed up his answers with the following response: "Really...??? Really...???"

But, hey, the HQ decided to let the presser go for what it was...

A fine coda to describe how a program hired the wrong coach and needs to do a systematic purge in their athletics offices or risk becoming more irrelevant than they already became in only an all-too-fast two year period...

What say you...???

Reports: It's now worse; Auburn Under Investigation by NCAA

((ht: yahoosports.com))

Really, what would a college football season be without someone investigating poor ol Auburn.

A report published today by Yahoo Sports says the NCAA is looking into some potentially serious recruiting violations by Assistant Coach Trooper Taylor and chief recruiter Curtis Luper.

It appears both were pulled off the recruiting trail in late October.

You can read the Excellent Dan Wetzel story from Yahoo RIGHT HERE

The report does not detail WHAT the two are accused of doing and neither the school nor the NCAA would provide any details.

Potentially, this would be the capper to what can only be called a disastrous season for the Tigers. They head into Saturday's Iron Bowl against Alabama with a 3-8 record, with 2 of those wins coming over 1-AA teams.

It also reinforces what is generally believed to be true about head coach Gene Chizik and his staff: They are done after Saturday's game.

**Note**--Per War Eagle Extra--Chizik could have his contract suspended if there is an NCAA Investigation.That contract pays him $7.5 to $10 million if he is fired.

Auburn has a lot of work ahead. Finding a coach will prove to be a tough challenge to a program that isn't what it was even 2-seasons ago. Adding a possibility of probation to the premise of having to essentially start over from scratch isn't good. Finding the "Big Name" coach the alumni who think think they are a bigger program than they are, that could potentially be worse.

**Another Note**-- Trooper and Luper (which sounds like one of those 1980's cop shows) have been seen keeping a keen eye on Reuben Foster over at Auburn High on Friday nights, though... making sure he doesn't leave town for another school...

Sounds like "recruiting" to us...

AND...

Phillip Marshall over at Auburn Undercover got The Chiz to almost-comment on the alleged investigation:

"I'm not going to comment on any speculation out there. We will talk about the Iron Bowl and Alabama. It's not a distraction to me. We haven't thought one second about it. We are down the line on the Iron Bowl."

On report that players and at least one coach have been interviewed by NCAA investigators:

"I'm not going to comment on any speculation about any of that. I have one goal in mind, and that is the Iron Bowl."
((HT:al.com))

Your Dead Man Walking Update: Auburn Continues Downward Spiral...

((HT: al.com))

First and foremost, let's look at Auburn OC's Scot Loeffler's press conference from the end of Auburn's loss to Georgia- where he says, pretty much, the same things he's said all season long...

Which has been a long season all along...
So, let's take stock in the situation... The idea that the President of Auburn University, Jay Gogue, decided to float the name of the OC who had a failed try in Nebraska before he ended up letting Teddy Bridgewater run his own show- to success at Louisville this season... If that is the number one candidate in President Gogue's mind... Gogue won't be around much longer, either... Let's take stock in alternatives as to what went down... and what is going down... Was it because Michael Dyer was given a different set of rules and then let go...??? Was it because the school and its coaching staff handled the deaths of three of their own so poorly that it split the team from the coaching staff that, probably, alienated one from the other...??? Was it because members of the university staff- coaching and otherwise- put too much weight and faith in religious content and influence when kids today (while interested to a degree) don't want to be pounded around the ears by it all the time...??? Was it because DC Brian van Gorder actually said, in a moment of honesty after the game what he said below...??? ((HT: al.com))
Was it because Willy Martinez is now the new DB coach when the entire college football landscape knows his history...???

Was it because head coach Gene Chizik is now poking his nose into Loeffler's offense when his history is defensive...???

And now Chizik "has a plan" for next season...??? He waited until Game 10 to start his freshman quarterback when he admitted that, after the Arkansas game, Jonathan Wallace was part of the plan after all...

Was it because an external security force was hired to keep an eye on folks for enforcing curfew...???

Was it because of a lack of accountability that was evident as far back as the winter and spring workouts IMMEDIATELY AFTER WINNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP that was clear to NFL Network analyst Heath Evans when he worked out on campus in and around the team...???

Was it because there is, apparently, a caste system of playing athletes who had stronger Fellowship of Christian Athletes ties than those who did not- even if the non-FCA athletes were more talented...???

The HQ asks...

Is that enough for you...???

Let us know...

And this university is going to have to make a kill-shot to figure out who their new head coach is going to be. But the larger issue will be... will the school pull the trigger after December 1 to trim the buyout max at $7.5-million...???

And if that's the case, then the school can't wait much later than that to get someone on the ground so the recruits allegedly in place for National Signing Day in February won't leave en masse...

And the new guy will either have to be economically feasible and a "hot coordinator" or a mid-major conference coach who is hot now as well (Dykes, Hudspeth, and Berry for a few...)

Good luck figuring this one out, y'all...

Chizik hires security for curfew while Gogue preps to fire him

((oanow.com))

Maybe it's true that when your house of cards begins to crumble, it comes down hard.

That is the only explanation of a report Monday night that surfaced out of Auburn. It appears that "Coach Under Fire" Gene Chizik has hired a "Private Security" firm to make sure his team sticks to curfew.

When asked he apparently said "We always do what is in the best interest of our team". And hey, maybe it is. But it sure sounds borderline paranoid. Oh, he would explain how it's being paid for either.

Read the oanow.com story RIGHT HERE

We'll also chime in here and say there is some buzz on the Interwebs that Auburn president Jay Gogue is beginning the process to look for a new coach. Nothing is concrete and attributable, but several respected reporting outlets are mentioning it on Twitter.

We believe that Chizik, right or wrong, is a goner after the season. But Gogue can't do anything until after Dec. 1st, lest he be on the hook for an extra $2.5 million.

So he won't.

But as we all know, the carousel runs very fast and if you don't start looking at it early, you may miss out on your target. That target may or may not be the man mentioned earlier today; Bobby Petrino, something we believe to be true, though disputed by Brother Jon who is better connected.

The Auburn job is a good one, but it also speaks to just how screwed up the priority system in college sports is, Chizik won a national title only two years ago and got a huge contract extension. Chizik's increasing sense of paranoia isn't helping things, it seems to be rubbing off on the team. But it also speaks to how desperate schools, particularly in the SEC are, that Auburn is willing to eat the money they are currently paying the guy.

Here's a bit of "Paranoia--self destroyer!"

How Fired Is Gene Chizik Now...??? 63 Points Worth Of Fired...

((HT: al.com/McAllister))

The HQ would say "pretty fired," but under the auspice of it not happening until December 1st when the buyout drops $2.5-million to $7.5-million from the astronomically, ungodly number $10-million.

Unless, of course, Charles Barkley has some poker money laying around to cut the check RAHT NAH!

The level of #Chizitude has reached 11 on the Plains...
Why 11...???


Let's see what the Auburn Tigers did this week against Texas A&M (or, more accurately didn't do against the Aggies)in losing 63-21...

A&M scored on their first 6 possessions, had four scores before Auburn had a "first down," rolled up the most yards against any Auburn team ever (671), was only five points shy of giving the Tigers their worst beating ever (68 by Georgia Tech in 1917), and gave them their worst home beating ever (previous margin 42 points).

And Chizik is not worried about his job security...

The reason he's not worried...???
Probably, because there is no job security at present...

Wonder who starts against New Mexico State next weekend...???

Auburn Prez sends message to students about Football

Well, we guess we know what sport is king at Auburn.

Not that it surprises anyone. But it appears that school president Jay Gogue is already apologizing for the Tigers incredibly poor performance in 2012.

Gogue sent a letter, through the schools communications department to "The Auburn family, about Auburn Football".

It encourages students and the community to come out and cheer the team at practice. (Interesting since most SEC teams close practice--to everyone)

He goes on to say that "In the past few weeks, many of you have contacted me, and I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to share your thoughts about the football program. I know your concerns are sincere and heartfelt (he's getting nasty letters), and I share many of them. As we do every year, the football program will be evaluated in an objective, thorough and professional process. (Gene Chizik will be gone after the season)

Read the entire letter RIGHT HERE

By the way, the Tigers are 1-6 right now with realistically 2 possibly winnable games left on the schedule.

We, along with many others find it a bit humorous Gogue feels the need to address this in a public manner. But we are also quite sure, considering the incredible inferiority complex most Auburn fans seem to have, that many have been SCREAMING as loud as they can to Mr. President that it's time to make a change.

Because of the money involved in parting ways with coach Gene Chizik, he'll last the season. Though,  when Carousel begins in December, Chizik may not be the 1st name on the firing list, but he'll be pretty high up on the list.

Auburn's "Friends and Family" won't put up with anything less.

Here's how Alabama's 13 looked at the story...
((HT: WVTM-TV Birmingham))

Vandy beats Auburn: Chizik may not make season end

((ht:al.com))

It's official. Auburn football is now a country music song. The fans look like they've lost their wife, their dog died and all there money is gone.

Actually the last one may be true.

Anyway, Vanderbilt did what was necessary today in Nashville, beating a sad Auburn team 17-13. The win makes Vandy 3-4 overall, 2-3 in the SEC.

But the story is kind of Auburn which has been in polite terms...Freefall. The Tigers are now 1-6 overall and 0-5 in the SEC West.

And the countdown to the end for Auburn coach Gene Chizik, if it hadn't already started, is moving full-speed ahead.

Vandy tried their best to hand over the game, fumbling with 2:24 left on the Auburn 32. But much like the rest of the season, Auburn did nothing with it.

Your highlights from the SEC Digital Network:



The Chizik tries in vain to explain the loss.

Thanks WIAT-TV:



The only question left for Auburn: Who's next?

Unemployment Watch Begins On The Plains After Ole Miss Loss

((HT: al.com))

In talking with TBH and her group that went to The Grove, they are under the impression that Auburn Offensive Coordinator Scot Loeffler should walk back to campus from Oxford, clean out his office, and make sure that he doesn't return.

Heading back to Temple to coach wouldn't be a bad idea, either...

Ole Miss snapped a 16-game Ess-E-Cee losing streak and beat the Tigers 41-20 continuing the impending thoughts on campus that current head coach Gene Chizik and his staff are not going to make it out of the season alive as a lot.

And there are even rumblings among the faithful that Athletic Director Jay Jacobs needs to be short for the world at his current employ as well.

Center Tunde Fariyike showed early nervousness in his second start at center- a bad snap led to the Rebels second score and the game was actually close in the fourth quarter at 24-20, but the home team answered with 17 of their own.

Clint Moseley started at quarterback and the discussions will continue as to whether it will be him of Kiehl Frazier next week. Frazier, allegedly, was held out of the lineup because of an injury that hindered his ability to throw.

Most Auburn fans, hearing that, thought that the injury was between Frazier's ears...

Here's Loeffler discussing his early optimism...
Coach Chizik is concerned about his team's psyche right now and the second-thoughts going on in their brain... "It's hard for them not to. Bottom line, we've got to do our best job as coaches to keep this team unified, to keep this working."
Jerry Palm, optimistically, has the 1-5 Tigers playing Arkansas State in the bowl game in Birmingham... the HQ isn't that optimistic and thinks that bowl committee should look elsewhere post haste...

And any ideas on a Chizik buyout can look a little ominous at $7-million, but that number is continually pro-rated and, if Chizik gets another job, what's left in the kitty stays on the table.

The Dirty Dozen and Bottom of the Barrel: Oops

You know, sometimes it's good to be humbled, to be reminded that you aren't nearly as smart as you think you are.

And last weeks column and predictions reminded me of just that.



Just when we think that teams have moved forward and will no longer choke when put under pressure, we're proven wrong.

But that's part of the game kids.

In this clip, we find out what happens when a TV Network decides a sequel would be cool. Even if it was 20-years after the original. And the same actors look a LOT older.



So....last weeks tally: 9-6 (Worst WEEK EVER) Overall: 56-13, still pretty good.

THE DIRTY DOZEN:

1) Alabama 5-0. No debate here. Even if Nick Saban doesn't agree, everyone else does. So that's all that matters. They are coming off a bye week, but play Mizzou without James Franklin. They won't break a sweat. (This Week: at Missouri. Our Pick: Alabama 41, Mizzou 10)

2) Oregon 6-0. Guess we don't have much of an argument for keeping them out of this slot any more. ---sigh--. We still think they are the best of the West Coast. Which doesn't win you a title. (This Week: BYE)

3) South Carolina 6-0. Can't really debate this either. They just ran over Georgia last week. Coach Thin Skin put his wrinkly neck out last week and it paid off. All the attention was off his team. And that was quite honestly, a genius move. (This Week: at LSU. Our Pick: S.Carolina 17, LSU 13)

4) West Virginia 5-0. The Pinball Wizard tour continues. They play little defense in Morgantown, but when you score 50-plus a game, you don't have to. Geno Smith wasn't spectacular vs. Texas, but he didn't have to be. (This Week: at Texas Tech. Our Pick: WVA 43, Texas Tech 31)

5) Florida 5-0. Boom! Betcha didn't see this coming Florida fans. Okay. Honestly, nobody really saw this coming. But yet here they are. They've done just enough to win. And really that's all that matters. While beating LSU was great, the next 3 weeks will define their season. (This Week: at Vanderbilt. Our Pick: Florida 24, Vandy 21)

6) Notre Dame 5-0. Really didn't see this coming. And we're starting to worry our Notre Dame friends are going to starting saying how great they are again too. It looks like even though Brian Kelly is a bit of a douche, he's got another good team. (This Week: vs. Stanford. Our Pick: Notre Dame 27, Stanford 21)

7) Kansas St. 5-0. They just keep winning. And may be the best of the Big 12/10. The test comes in about 10 days. But right now, they are cruising. Colin Klein keeps producing and the defense is stout. At least on a Big 12/10 level. (This Week: at Iowa St. Our Pick: Kansas St. 34, Iowa St. 31)

8) Oregon St. 4-0. Because they are still undefeated they get this. However...they lose Sean Mannion and that may be there death knell. But we'll give them credit right now and if they don't stay here, we can live with that. (This Week: at BYU. Our Pick: BYU 31, Oregon St. 13--UPSET)

9) Florida State 5-1. We knew it would happen. We didn't know when, but we knew it. At some point, they were going to choke and lose a game they shouldn't. There's no excuse as to what happened vs. NC State. None. (This Week: vs. Boston College. Our Pick: FSU 44, BC 10)

10) LSU 5-1. Really? 6 Points vs. Florida. And then you make excuses about conditioning? Come on Les, your team is better than that. Right? You know you're making me look bad, I really thought you guys could win it all. Now we don't think you'll win the SEC. (This Week: See #3)

11) Ohio St. 6-0. Alright. Maybe coaching does count for something. Yes, they aren't eligible for a bowl game. But it doesn't matter. They are winning. And for the most part convincingly. And won't be pushed the rest of this season. (This Week: at Indiana. Our Pick: Ohio St. 41, Indiana 23)

12) Georgia 5-1. OK. Don't make me regret this Bulldogs. As much as we respect and love Mark Richt, we are starting to wonder about his teams balls. Yes, their cojones. They seem to fold at every big challenge. Maybe it's true, you have to be a dick to win. (This Week: BYE)

THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL:

We can't believe we are reporting this, but both Memphis...and Idaho won this past week. Memphis was #1 and Idaho #3 in our poll. Go figure.

5) Auburn 1-4. Welcome home Gene Chizik. You are proving out to be exactly what we thought you were. There was a reason Iowa St fired you. But that doesn't excuse Jay Jacobs or pretty much anyone at Auburn for (a) Hiring you...and (b) Giving you a bizarre and idiotic contract extension after Cam Newton won you a title. ---sigh--- (This Week: at Ole Miss. Our Pick: Ole Miss 27, Auburn 16)

4) Kansas 1-4. Speaking of bizarre coaching hires.....Yes Charlie Weis, it's all the student newspaper's fault. That is why K-State annihilated you. It has nothing to do with how bad your team is or you are as a coach. And yes, your team has been here before too. (This Week: vs. Oklahoma State. Our Pick: Okie St. 40 man points, Kansas 17 Charlie Weis belt loops)

3) Southern Miss. 0-5. Still happy about having your own team Ellis Johnson? You sure? We said it last week and will say it again. Brett Favre for coach in 2013. You heard it here first. (This Week: at UCF. Our Pick: UCF 37, S.Miss 20)

2) Tulane 0-5. According to ESPN, they rank 109th or worse in at least 4 major categories. Out of 129 or so teams. That alone will put you here. You can't win being outscored on average 42-9. Plain and simple. (This Week: vs. SMU. Our Pick: SMU 42, Tulane 9)

1) UMass 0-6. Looks like the Minutemen and Green Wave will battle it out all year for the "Worst of the Worst". They just can't buy a win. Or any luck. Their only show will be vs. Akron next month. (This Week: BYE)

So enjoy another week and know that we're nearly half way home. Things will continue to shake out, but unless Alabama mails one in, it may already be over. 

This is EPIC: The "Dark Chiz Rises"

((ht: bloguin.com/crystalballrun))

Oh...my....gawd!

This is either--(a) Awesome or (b) Someone with WAY too much time on their hands.

The website "Run Crystal Ball Run" has come upon one of the funniest videos we've seen in a long time. (Yes, it may be funnier than the UGA Montana video in the previous story on OSG Sports)

You can read the story by following the link RIGHT HERE

The video, a trailer for the Batman "Dark Knight Rises" movie has some seriously funny photoshopped  pictures of embattled Auburn coach Gene Chizik and shots of LSU and coach Les Miles.

The editor also did a masterful job of manipulating the sound and story to make it applicable.

Revel in it's awesomeness:

The Ess-E-Cee West: Chizik Needs To Apologize

The HQ was front and center (well, technically, not front and center, it was more like between the 30 and 40-yard line) at The Loveliest Village yesterday to see something we could only shake our head at and wonder just how far the talent has fallen on The Plains.

Do you realize that, right now, Louisiana-Monroe is only one highlight package away from being at the top of the Ess-E-Cee West Division...

Particularly, this group...
((HT: AuburnAthletics))


And, The Chiz will take the win...
((HT: goldcrim))


First, and foremost... had ULM won their second game in a row, realistically, they would be at the top of the Ess-E-Cee West. Western Kentucky, for that matter, is only a half-game back from the lead in East.

To that matter... for any member of the Auburn coaching staff to maintain that QB Kiehl Frazier is an "effective game manager" is just this side of "are you guys watching the same game we are?"

Frazier actually said in the post-game interview scrums: "I thought I took a step in the right direction. I made a lot of mistakes I need to get fixed, but I feel like I'm getting better."

Frazier started 9-for-12, but finished 1-for-6 which included poor decision-making, an overall lack of decision-making at times, holding onto the ball too long, not avoiding a sack by getting rid of the football, making ill-advised passes that were floating into coverage and could have killed a receiver, and throwing an interception right into a white jersey.

The only problem there was that Auburn was wearing their home blues...

It is evident, obvious, and any other adjective you'd like... that Frazier has not yet adapted to new-OC Scot Loeffler's power-system. Frazier is a zone-read option QB- this is clearly square-peg, round-hole stuff going on right now. Why the system wasn't created to suit Frazier's strengths is beyond me in a key year for this coaching staff...

Frazier is confused and is thinking entirely too much for his position... and when the world around you is moving faster than your brain is willing your body to function, you're in serious trouble.

Where's Clint Moseley, CJ Uzomah, or Quan Bray and the imagination that needs to go with finding the strengths of your athletes and (supposed 3, 4, and 5-star) recruits you felt worthy to be "All In?"

But Loeffler admitted: "He was able to do exactly what we wanted him to do" when the game was done.

Really...??? Okay... sure...

Thus... one play away from 0-3 and change-of-address kits for a coaching staff... which, still, may be in play at season's end...

Now, to the defense and new-DC Dave VanGorder...

Tackling and the skill that goes with it, obviously, is optional on the Plains (and a lot of other places these days, for that matter). Once again, the idea that a system wasn't created to allow for your athlete's strengths seems to be the order of the day...

One play in particular saw four down linemen line up on one side of the football before a snap- which forced the 'Stache to burn a time out to ask what in the blue hell was going on out there...???

Actually, the fans in the stands were asking the same question on both sides of the ball for the full 60 minutes- even moreso in the last 15 where the team that couldn't tackle or convert an important down-and-distance situation gave up a 2 touchdown lead and had to play a fifth period.

Coaches say the right things to make people feel better, but sometimes the Emperor needs that mirror just to prove that things aren't as they seem. Coach Chizik said the right things above, but when the team converted their first first down on a running play in overtime, all he did was have Frazier take the next set of downs to run to the middle of the field, summon Cody Parkey off the sidelines, and get out of Dodge...

Does that brim confidence in your quarterback to get a touchdown when you really need it in the future...???

You tell me... LSU might have your answer next Saturday night...

The obvious answer may come at season's end when everyone is gone from the coaching offices that harnessed a lightning bolt and won a title only two years ago. But in the interim, the entire Auburn coaching staff needs to issue an apology to their fan base for the display (or lack thereof) at home, against the Sun Belt Conference-toughened Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.

(And who thought that would be a sentence that had to be written in back-to-back weeks in the Ess-E-Cee...?)

Second thing that needs to be done...???

Every starting position is now up for grabs... prove your worth, pay on Saturday...

Third thing... if I was on that coaching staff, having seen some disgusting displays of fundamentals (both physical and mental) at home...??? Take all the names off the backs of the jerseys...

Make the players earn them back...
And some may never do that...

But that goes back to the problem created Sunday through Friday, doesn't it...??? Anyone know the phone numbers to Todd Berry and Mario Cristobal around Christmas time...???

TWTW: Early Returns At UVA, Miss State

((HT: AltoonaMirror))

Corey Giger and Neil Ridel discuss the heart-breaking end (from Penn State's perspective) of the 17-16 loss to UVa in Charlottesville...

Sam Ficken missed four field goals on the day- including the possible game-winner as time expired...


No word on whether or not sharp objects were kept from Ficken as they went home to Not-So-Happy Valley...

TBH's alma had a hard time in Stark-Vegas this afternoon, losing 28-10 to Mississippi State. It's the first time in forever that the Bulldogs start their Ess-E-Cee play with a win- and a win against Auburn to boot.

Kiehl Frazier was 13-for-22 on the day, but was 3-for-10 and 2 INT's through 3 quarters... The Chiz was, to say it lightly, a bit curt in his assessments...
((HT: Al.com/Goldberg))

Auburn starting center suspended indefinitely (corrected)

((ht: oanow.com))

Boys will be boys. Or something along those lines....

Auburn football coach Gene Chizik suspended starting center Reese Dismukes Saturday afternoon on the heels of Dismukes arrest early Saturday morning for Public Intoxication.

And unfortunately Auburn fan, Dismukes is only 19.

He was slated to be the starter and rock on the Tigers offensive line as a rising sophomore. In fact, he'd made it to this years Rimington Watch List.

Read the entire story from OA.com RIGHT HERE

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Whatever will Auburn do? Opening day is now less than a week away. (The Tigers face Clemson in Atlanta this coming Saturday)

We suspect indefinitely will be at least one, maybe 2 games. But that is probably it. And knowing we have an Auburn readership, no, we aren't demeaning you for this. That's pretty much standard for incidents like this in most schools.

It's just the timing that's unfortunate for you Auburn fan...you want all your starters ready to go when the opening bell rings.

Ess-E-Cee Media Day Two: Another Five Schools Parade

((HT: WVTM-TV Birmingham))

Another five coaches decided to parade themselves in front of the more-than-1,100 media folks in suburban Birmingham...

Auburn head coach Gene Chizik was found wearing an orange-striped, pinstriped suit in front of all the lights there...

The HQ will give Chiz props for thanking everyone for doing their part on the incident in Auburn on June 9th. Here's some of his highlights...


Joker Phillips stood in front of the throng trying to make a poiont about drafting his future successes for the football team by using the obvious example- the UK basketball team...

MJ Perino has Joker's wild...
((HT: WLEX-TV Lexington))
LSU head coach Les Miles got to trot out new starting QB Zach Mettenberger- who the HQ knows all the way from his days at Oconee County High School. Miles had his pound of fun with the media, but he did not eat any grass or air clap in his suit... ((HT: WBRZ-TV Baton Rouge)) John L. Smith took the podium and wanted to reinforce his idea of taking an opportunity from Utah State to wander back and take over for Robert Petrino, Esq. He wants us all to know that he wants his players to make sure their piss is hot going into this season... ((HT: KTHV-TV/TodaysTHV.com Little Rock)) And, fifth and not necessarily last was Dan Mullen- the head coach at Mississippi State. He wants to make sure that his defense is the same- if not better and his offense behaves better than it did last year. ((HT: WJTV/Jackson, MS))

Will Kerwin Bell be the new OC at Auburn? (UPDATE: Dyer Won't Be There)

Kerwin Bell/Courtesy: JU Dolphins

Maybe.

Current Jacksonville University head coach and Florida Gator alum Kerwin Bell appears to be somewhat popular these days with SEC teams looking for offensive coordinators.

We reported back in December that Bell interviewed at the University of Florida for their vacant offensive coordinator position.

The Florida Times-Union says Bell won't be getting that job.

The story is RIGHT HERE

Now OSG Sources tell us that Bell had an interview earlier this week at Auburn, where they are looking to replace the departed Gus Malzahn.

Bell would be an interesting fit with Coach Gene Chizik, who took some heat with Auburn's less-than stellar 2011 season and rumors of squabbling with his coaches. Malzahn, as many of you know, left the program to take over the job at Arkansas State. Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof left after the season to take the same job with George O'Leary at UCF.

We don't believe that and think that all things considered, Auburn was better than they probably should have been.

Bell would be a good fit for the War Eagles and if he has aspirations of being a D-1 head coach, starting as an offensive coordinator at a Major SEC program such as Auburn, wouldn't be such a bad thing.

NOON UPDATE: But RB Michael Dyer won't be there as part of the offensive rotation. He was released from his scholarship by head coach Gene Chizik.

Dyer's perceived diva-ness, lack of team attitude, and possible lack of attention to his studies added up to a rather quick fall.

Talk is now that Dyer may join his former OC, Gus Malzahn, at Arkansas State...

TWTW Late Shift Part One: Alabama, VT, Sakerlina, NCState

Some highlights from the late shift...

Alabama's Trent Richardson ran for 203 yards (who knew, right?) as Alabama blew out Auburn 42-14...

That gave the fans who commuted from Tuscaloosa the chance to do this...
((HT: al.com))


Don't bet on either Gus Malzahn or Ted Roof hanging around next year...
One's a head coach and the other's looking for work. And see if Tracy Rocker will come home for a promotion...

Charlottesville fans thought, as did a lot of us, that the game with Vatech would be competitive...

Boy, were we all wrong... 38-0 VaTech...
And UVa fans were not happy about it...
((HT: Newsplex.com))


Connor Shaw had a good game for Sakerlina as they beat Clemson- whose season started well, and is circling the drain rather quickly...
((HT: WSPA-TV))


Is Randy Edsall that bad a head coach, or is Maryland that bad a football team to begin with...???

Could be some combination, but well leave the assessment to Brother Wilkie... Down 41-14 to win 56-41...

Awesome...

The Wolfpack scored 35 points in the fourth quarter as part of a rally surpassed in an ACC game only by Clemson's comeback from a 28-point deficit to beat Virginia 29-28 in 1992.

"It's the greatest thing I've ever been a part of," tight end George Bryan said.

Here's Tom O'Brien... Still Mister Excitement...
((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

Chizik Clarifies, World Continues On Normal Rotation...

((HT: ESPN/SEC))

In direct opposition to Danny Sheridan's nebulous rant and riff on the PFRN yesterday about bag men and the such, Auburn head coach Gene Chizik went on the four-letter and discussed the SanDestin incident with the NCAA and what he can't control...

Anish Shroff asks questions...

Positive Pub's Week In The SEC: Chizik And Camp Sunshine

((HT: Positivepub.com))

FOSG ((and contributor)) Gil Tyree has been a very busy boy this summer before he heads back into the high school bunker...

He and fellow FOSG Lisa Weiss have been making the rounds checking in on all that is good about the people, places, and things of today...

Thus, the name of the gig- "Positive" Pub...

His first stop was checking in with someone who would make TBH very happy...
Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik's new book is out- entitled "All In..."

Of course...
And here's where Lisa and Gil caught up with the man...

Positive Pub: Gene Chizik from CWI Viewer on Vimeo.

Item #2: The University of Georgia Bulldogs football squad went out to Camp Sunshine to hang out with kids who have a different fight on their hands- cancer. For the last three decades, Camp Sunshine has been a place where the "C" word is the last thing on family's minds and they get the opportunity to be treated like they should be 100-percent of the time...

As normal human beings...

Once again, here's Lisa and Gil...

Positive Pub: Camp Sunshine from CWI Viewer on Vimeo.