Friday, September 09, 2005
AU Preview: Mississippi State
The unranked Auburn Tigers host the unranked Mississippi State Bulldogs this Saturday at 11:30. That's right, it's another fun JP Sports game. Since Auburn is unranked, I no longer have handy ESPN.com previews to pull info from, so I'm stuck with what secsports.com has to offer. Basically all they have is 4 players who are expected to be "key" in the upcoming game. Here's what they show for Mississippi State's players, with the completely irrelevant stats (in my opinion) cut out.
HB Jerious Norwood (6-0, 202, Sr., Brandon, Miss.)
Named second-team All-SEC by the league's coaches in 2004...Second in the SEC in rushing average in 2004 with 95.5 yards per game...Opened 2005 with 123 yards on 16 carries versus Murray State.
DE Willie Evans (6-2, 267, Sr., Waynesboro, Miss.)
Second on squad and led all SEC defensive linemen in total tackles last season with 67 (47 solos)
C Chris McNeil (6-32, 301, Sr., Petal, Miss.)
Has played in 27 games during Bulldog career, drawing 16 starts, at center...Started all 11 games of 2004 season
LB Quinton Culberson (6-0, 216, Jr., Jackson, Miss.)
Has played in 20 games for the Bulldogs, earning starts at both outside linebacker and in the secondary during his career
Jason's Analysis
Having an experienced center is a key for the running game that Auburn currently lacks. If MSU is allowed to keep the game close, Auburn's fast, but undersized defensive front could be overwhelmed. Auburn's offensive line must open up enough holes in the running game and protect Cox from pressure for a strong enough showing to win. Given Mississippi State's relative standing in the SEC West in recent years, a loss at home to them would basically signal a completely lost season in terms of SEC Title and BCS bowl hopes. As of right now, Auburn has a clean slate to work with in SEC play in spite of a weak opening showing against Georgia Tech.
Conclusion
If Cox can get enough protection and avoid forced passes enough to prevent another INT-fest, Auburn should win this game handily. Mississippi State is not known for their passing game, so Auburn should be able to play with safety help against the run early on. The offense must take advantage of early defensive stops to prevent wearing down of the defensive front over the course of the game.
Auburn 24, Mississippi State 13
HB Jerious Norwood (6-0, 202, Sr., Brandon, Miss.)
Named second-team All-SEC by the league's coaches in 2004...Second in the SEC in rushing average in 2004 with 95.5 yards per game...Opened 2005 with 123 yards on 16 carries versus Murray State.
DE Willie Evans (6-2, 267, Sr., Waynesboro, Miss.)
Second on squad and led all SEC defensive linemen in total tackles last season with 67 (47 solos)
C Chris McNeil (6-32, 301, Sr., Petal, Miss.)
Has played in 27 games during Bulldog career, drawing 16 starts, at center...Started all 11 games of 2004 season
LB Quinton Culberson (6-0, 216, Jr., Jackson, Miss.)
Has played in 20 games for the Bulldogs, earning starts at both outside linebacker and in the secondary during his career
Jason's Analysis
Having an experienced center is a key for the running game that Auburn currently lacks. If MSU is allowed to keep the game close, Auburn's fast, but undersized defensive front could be overwhelmed. Auburn's offensive line must open up enough holes in the running game and protect Cox from pressure for a strong enough showing to win. Given Mississippi State's relative standing in the SEC West in recent years, a loss at home to them would basically signal a completely lost season in terms of SEC Title and BCS bowl hopes. As of right now, Auburn has a clean slate to work with in SEC play in spite of a weak opening showing against Georgia Tech.
Conclusion
If Cox can get enough protection and avoid forced passes enough to prevent another INT-fest, Auburn should win this game handily. Mississippi State is not known for their passing game, so Auburn should be able to play with safety help against the run early on. The offense must take advantage of early defensive stops to prevent wearing down of the defensive front over the course of the game.
Auburn 24, Mississippi State 13
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Greetings from Huntsvegas!
Hey guys,
I know it's been a little bit since Frye invited me to be an author here, but hey, I'm posting something now :)
As all of you know, I am The Almighty Hoser, or Jason to those closest to me or that haven't heard my nickname yet. I've been working in Huntsville since I graduated in May '03, and I was a Huntsville resident prior to that. I'm working for a little company called Signature Research Associates, which is essentially comprised of folks that I used to work with at SY Technology (now L-3/SYColeman). I guess you could say that I'm adventuresome, unless it comes to where I live and find employment.
As Missy said earlier, I'm working on getting her to have a long, hard-to-spell, and barely pronouncable German last name. Yeah that's right, we're engaged! We also spend lots of time playing World of Warcraft. I sure am glad that I got her hooked on the game too, or else I don't think that we would get along as well as we do right now.
I think that's really about it for right now. I'm posting so that Frye can add me to the list of authors. Oh! Remember that I didn't actually rent a room in Broun Hall '99-'00, I just... well... lived there. My bed and computer just happened to be in Harper ;-) See y'all around!
- Hoser
I know it's been a little bit since Frye invited me to be an author here, but hey, I'm posting something now :)
As all of you know, I am The Almighty Hoser, or Jason to those closest to me or that haven't heard my nickname yet. I've been working in Huntsville since I graduated in May '03, and I was a Huntsville resident prior to that. I'm working for a little company called Signature Research Associates, which is essentially comprised of folks that I used to work with at SY Technology (now L-3/SYColeman). I guess you could say that I'm adventuresome, unless it comes to where I live and find employment.
As Missy said earlier, I'm working on getting her to have a long, hard-to-spell, and barely pronouncable German last name. Yeah that's right, we're engaged! We also spend lots of time playing World of Warcraft. I sure am glad that I got her hooked on the game too, or else I don't think that we would get along as well as we do right now.
I think that's really about it for right now. I'm posting so that Frye can add me to the list of authors. Oh! Remember that I didn't actually rent a room in Broun Hall '99-'00, I just... well... lived there. My bed and computer just happened to be in Harper ;-) See y'all around!
- Hoser
