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It Starts with the Running Game
By Steve Riser
Guest Columnist

I can hardly wait. 48 days and counting until the Auburn Tigers square off against the USC Trojans in Jordan Hare.

I havent been this excited about Auburn football since 1995 when Auburn had come off the '93 and '94 seasons sporting a 20-1-1 mark.

By now most of you football junkies have read Lindy's, Sporting News, Athlon, as well as many of the other preseason college football magazines and the consensus is that the outlook on the plains appears exceedingly bright. Just about every magazine has Auburn in the top 10 and the Sporting News even has hailed the Tigers the number one team in the land.

After reading every college football preview I find myself wanting a little more. So for the next seven weeks I plan to offer a little more insight into of each of the seven major positions starting with running back.

Without further ado, here goes

Running Backs
When Carnell Williams went down with a broken leg against Florida in the Swamp last year the Auburn faithful lost heart as seemingly, Auburn's only offensive threat had fallen.

To the utter delight of the collective Auburn family, Ronnie Brown filled in and looked like a running back in near mid-season form, not one who had been on the sideline all year. Brown went on to rush for 163 yards and two touchdowns and if not for a botched Duval extra point the Tigers would have hailed victorious.

Brown finished the year with over 1,000 yards rushing, starting only five games.

Fast forward to the end of the season and now the injury bug has bitten Brown after a close loss to Georgia. Meet Auburns third-string back, Tre Smith, a true freshman from Venice, Fla., who rushed for a 125 yards and helped secure a victory in the Iron Bowl.

The point is clear. The Tigers have at least three capable tailbacks who would start on just about any team in the country.

The clichés have run rampant in every preseason publication and article concerning the Tigers' backfield. Yes, the Auburn backfield is loaded, and yes, the cupboard is full.

With the addition of juco phenom Brandon Jacobs, Auburn undoubtedly possesses the deepest backfield in the country and possibly the most talented.

And with the departure of Bob Petrino to Louisville, it will be up to Hugh Nall, Auburns new offensive coordinator, to synchronize the playing time of Auburns four horsemen to keep all parties content. If Nall can pull this off look for the Tigers to exceed their 2,000 yard production of last year.

Bad news: Last year Tommy Tuberville appeared to rely a little too heavily on Carnell to shoulder the offensive load (e.g., 40 carries in an overtime win against Syracuse) which made him susceptible to injury.

Good News: After witnessing Ronnie Brown and Tre Smiths sensational performances due to Carnells absence Tommy has come to the realization that he does not have to rely upon just one back when he has an abundant supply from which to choose. Look for the Tigers to go early and often to each of their pantheon of tailbacks with Carnell again carrying the brunt of the load.

When teams are worn down in second half, expect a combination of play action by Jason Campbell and bringing Ronnie Brown to finish off already tired opponents. If Tuberville can execute this game plan, the Tigers offense could be potent.

Auburns Anchors

For the Auburn ground assault to live up to its billing this year and quarterback Jason Campbell to match his full potential through the air, it will take a solid performance from an offensive line which is considered to be one top squads in the SEC.

I love sports commercials! Do you remember the commercial a few years back that had Miami quarterback Dan Marino giving his offensive lineman each a pair of Isotoner gloves for Christmas?

The punch line of the commercial was Marino saying to his massive blockers, "Take care of the hands that take care of you."

Several pairs of hands on Auburn's offensive line will have to take care of business for the Tigers to realize preseason expectations.

Gone from Auburns 2002 offensive line is center Ben Nowland. Nowland, a three year starter who went undrafted in last Aprils NFL draft, signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers.

He will be sorely missed, but with Danny Lindsey waiting in the wings Auburn will not miss a beat. Linsdey, a 6-2, 303 junior started several games last year when Nowland went out with a broken foot.

Returning for his senior campaign at left tackle is 6-6, 312 senior Mark Pera. Simply put Pera is solid. With this size he'll have no trouble obliterating any defensive line that may stand in his way. He will have the unenviable yet vital task of guarding quarterback Jason Campbells blind side.

I don't think I have to remind the Auburn faithful that the Tigers are severely lacking a back up signal caller with any game playing experience. If the Tigers have their aspirations set on Atlanta this makes Peras role absolutely huge.

At left guard Auburn returns two year starter and senior Monreko Crittenden. At 6-5, 345 he is one mammoth, yet nimble guard. Ask Crittenden. In high school he returned a kick 89 yards for a touchdown. He records it as his most memorable football experience.

Sophomore Troy Reddick will be anchoring the right guard position. Reddick 6-5, 305 started in 3 games as freshmen and saw significant playing time in several other key games. It's rare that a freshman gets much playing time and Reddick will only get better with more reps. The celebrity that Reddick would most like to meet is Serena Williams. Troy, Serenas a busy woman, but if you have a stellar year I'll see what I can do.

I always believe in saving the best for last and Auburns right tackle has NFL scouts drooling. Marcus McNeil 6-9, 329, selected to the All-SEC freshman team in 2002, is a monster. At six feet and nine inches tall McNeil towers above opposing lineman and has the potential to be the best tackle at Auburn since Willie Anderson.

Marcus McNeil reminds me of Orlando Pace, the bookend tackle for the St. Louis Rams. It's no wonder that McNeil reports that he patterns his game after this NFL superstar. Unless anyone knows of a tackle who is 6-10 McNeil is the tallest tackle Division I college football.

Players who could contribute: At 6-5, 305, coaches say that other than McNeil, Taylor Bourgeois is probably the second best NFL prospect on Auburn's offensive line who possesses tremendous athletic ability. He is only a sophomore and will solidify the Tiger's line for years to come. Another player who could contribute is reserve Jonathan Palmer 6-5, 293 who can play either guard or tackle and was selected the most improved offensive lineman coming out of spring practice.

The 2003 Auburn Tiger offensive line unit possesses a solid combination of experience and young talent. If they can stay healthy this group has the potential to be one of the best collection of linemen in the SEC and possibly one of the best in the country.

This holiday season could be "Sugar Sweet" and if all the pieces fall into place the Auburn offensive line may find their stockings very full come Christmas.

Steve Riser is a guest columnist for Access Auburn.

Pass or FailThat is the Question
By Steve Riser
Guest Columnist

In 2002, with Auburns abundance of talent in the backfield, Tiger fans almost forgot that Auburn even had a passing game.

In fact can anyone remember the last Auburn wide receiver to have a 1000 yard season? The answer: Ronney Daniels in 1999.

As a freshman wideout Daniels took the SEC by storm. Who can forget the Georgia game in Athens that year? Auburn came into Athens that year having dropped five out of their previous six games and had just won a homecoming squeaker against visiting UCF. Auburn was the clear underdog. It didn't matter.

Daniels scorched the Dawgs' for 249 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers led 31-0 at halftime and never looked back. Seeing Georgia fans boo their team as they entered the locker room was truly a glorious sight to behold.

Sorry to disappoint you, but dont expect this kind of offensive production out of our receivers. Hugh Nall will go early and often to his running backs.

This doesn't mean that Auburn is without some very capable wide receivers. Gone from last year's squad is Marcel Willis who led Auburn with 417 yards receiving. However, Auburn returns most of its wide receiving corps intact. This could be the Tigers' most talented collection of wide receivers in several years.

Returning from last season is a pair of sensational sophomores who will start at both wide receiver positions. Devin Aromashodu and Ben Obamanu will form what I believe is one of the most underrated wide receiving group in the SEC.

If you have problems pronouncing their names then just call them Devin and Ben. On the other hand you may want to learn how to pronounce their names. They will be household monikers on the Plains by the end of this season.

Aromashodu put up solid numbers as a freshman racking up 304 yards receiving on only 18 catches. Averaging almost 17 yards per catch last year, Aromashodu is Auburns big play receiver.

He runs like a gazelle and at 6-2 he has an uncanny ability to use his body to shield smaller defensive backs and create separation.

He plays much taller than his listed height and if a ball is hanging in the air, it's his. With his long stride he reminds one a little bit of ex-Auburn wide receiver Willie Gosha.

Obamanu weighed in with a fine freshman campaign playing in all 13 games and scoring 3 touchdowns. Obamanu has great hands and will snag any ball thrown in his vicinity.

His favorite NFL player is Terrell Owens, but don't expect Ben to pull out a "Sharpie" when he reaches the end zone. Ben scored 30 career touchdowns in high school.

When Auburn runs a three wide receiver set expect senior Jerris McIntyre to lineup as the third wideout. McIntyre, a three year letterman brings a wealth of experience and good pedigree. McIntyre's father, Secedrick, was a running back at Auburn in the mid 70's. He finished his career as Auburn's leading all-time career rusher and remains in the top ten.

Players who will compete for playing time: Expect converted quarterback Courtney Taylor who redshirted in 2002 to compete for playing time in 2003. The buzz on the plains is that this guy is a STUD. Taylor dazzled coaches during spring practices.

True Freshman Bruce Edwards from Columbus Mississippi is a burner who could also see his number called this year.

With Auburns superior running game, expect most teams at some point in the game to place eight men in the box and force Auburn to beat them through the air.

Look for Jason Campbell to utilize play action, rollout passes, and the deep ball to keep opposing defenses honest. If he is successful Auburns offense has the potential to be not only good, but spectacular.

A balanced offensive arsenal will strike fear in the heart of any opposing defensive coordinator.

Auburn fans, this is the year where visiting teams will dread playing in Jordan-Hare.

Defense is the Name of the Game

By Steve Riser
Guest Columnist

Only 26 days until the USC Trojans invade Jordan Hare Stadium to take on the much hyped Auburn Tigers. One of the reasons Auburn is receiving so much of their hype is because of their solid defense.

This could be Auburn's best defense since the 1997 Auburn Tigers which boasted the likes of Takeo Spikes, Jimmy Brumbaugh, Quinton Reese, Leonardo Carson, and Charles Dorsey.

Auburn's defense finished with a bang in 2002. Larry Johnson entered the Capital One Bowl as the top running back in the country. He looked to make minced meat of the Tigers defense. Auburn had other plans holding Johnson to 80 yards on 13 carries and dominating the line of scrimmage.

If Auburn is to live up to its preseason billing, much will be expected from a defensive line that returns four starters.

Returning at left defensive end is junior Jay Ratliff who is locked in a battle with Bret Eddins for the starting nod. Ratliff is the more athletic of the two, but Eddins is provides solid run support and quietly had a solid year in 2002. Both will see significant playing time this year

Returning at noseguard for his senior year is Demarco McNeil. The highly regarded lineman from Pritchard Alabama is listed at 6-2 300 and he is a beast. This is a make or break year for McNeil who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career.

When McNeil is healthy he is a force in the middle and can flat-out level opposing ball carriers who dare to enter his lair. When I saw McNeil play my freshman year, he brought to me visions of Tampa Bay pro bowler Warren Sapp. If he stays healthy look for this super senior to have a breakout year.

Expect sophomores Wayne Dickens and T.J. Jackson to be solid contributors as well. I was impressed with Jackson's freshman campaign and he moves very well for a 300-pound noseguard.

Starting alongside McNeil at defensive tackle is Spencer Johnson. At 6-3 289, Johnson takes up an enormous amount of space and is Auburn's most accomplished run stopper. Johnson has also battled injuries. When healthy, he is the heart of Auburn's defense and is as solid as any tackle in the conference.

Senior Dexter Murphy who played in all 13 games last year will back up Johnson and will log significant playing time in 2003.

Starting at the other defensive end is Reggie Torbor who hails from Baton Rouge, La. Torbor, a four year starter, finished with 3-1/2 sacks in 2002. Torbor is a tremendous speed rusher and did an incredible job of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks last year coming off the corner. He also led Auburn with 12 quarterback hurries and has improved every year to become a permanent fixture at the right end position.

Auburn continues to bring in junior college lineman to add depth. Look for Junior college transfer Doug Lagenfield to be an impact player at defensive end. He totaled 16-1/2 sacks as a junior college All-America in 2002

Tony McClain, another junior college transfer, will also contribute immediately and will have 3 years of eligibility remaining.

In the 2003 recruiting class Auburn helped themselves by signing eight defensive linemen. This lineman class was highlighted by Quentin Groves and Stanley McClover. The addition of the highly touted lineman McClover keeps the Dillard pipeline open. This recruiting class will solidify Auburn's defensive line for years to come.

Expect teams to become quickly frustrated when they are unable to run against Auburn's iron curtain and go to air, especially in the second half. When this happens the defensive line's ability to get to the quarterback and will be crucial. It may be the difference between winning and losing. Remember offense puts people in the seats but defense wins championships.

Auburn's Dynamic Duo

By Steve Riser
Guest Columnist

January 14, 2003, might just possibly be the most important day for this year's Auburn Tiger football team.

In case you've forgotten what happened that day, allow me refresh your memory. That was the day when juniors Dontarrious Thomas and Karlos Dansby decided to return to the Plains for their senior campaigns.

When I heard this news, I breathed a sigh of relief along with the rest of the Auburn faithful. It also brought a smile to my face as I knew this would be the year we would be able to make our national championship run. With the return of this dynamic duo, it's no wonder Dansby refers to himself and Thomas as Batman and Robin.

Clearly Auburn's linebackers comprise the heart and soul of the Auburn defense. Other than running back, this is definitely Auburn's most talented position. Graduated and gone from 2002 is Mark Brown. He will be missed.

Lemarcus Rowell was recently suspended and may never wear orange and blue again. Last July Rowell was charged with driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and carrying a pistol without a permit. Although the door is cracked for Rowell's return, the sophomore will attend junior college this year.

Rowell arrived on the plains as the most highly touted linebacking prospect since Takeo Spikes. With sophomore Travis Williams winning the nod at strong side linebacker with a solid showing at spring practice, Rowell's contributions will not be missed as much. Williams who weighed in with a solid freshman campaign plays much bigger than his listed playing weight of 209 pounds.

Backing up Travis Williams will be junior Mayo Sowell. Sowell provides depth to a very talented linebacking corp.

Starting at middle linebacker is Dontarrious Thomas. Thomas was hampered by injuries a year ago, but looks to bounce back and have an All-SEC type year. He has that kind of ability. Thomas is extrememly athletic and multidimensional as a football player. He played quarterback, receiver, linebacker, and defensive back in high school.

Starting at weakside linebacker will be Karlos Dansby. At 6-5 235 pounds Dansby is the most athletic player on the Auburn's defense. Dansby finished his junior campaign with 14 tackles for losses to go along with four sacks and three interceptions. Dansby will undoubtedly hear his name called in the first round of the NFL draft in April of 2004.

Dansby possesses a rare combination of quickness, speed and agility. He is an instinctive defender who has a knack for always being around the ball. Dansby has long arms and covers as much ground as any linebacker in the country. Dansby is like a falcon who quietly stalks his prey before swooping down and devouring opposing quaterbacks and ball carriers.

Several examples of Dansby's athletic feats come to mind but one in particular stands out. In the 2001 Peach Bowl against North Carolina he caught a pass while in the air and falling out of bounds. Dansby had the presence of mind to flip it in bounds to another defender who pulled in the football for an interception. This play baffled officials who had to confer with one another before finally deciding to award Auburn possession.

Junior Derrick Graves 6-1 206 had an outstanding spring and will likely see back up duty on the outside. Sophomore Kevis Burnham was a partial qualifier last season but should available for duty in 2003. Burnham was ranked among the top linebackers in the Southeast out of high school.

Last year Arkansas racked up 426 yards on the Tiger defense as Auburn suffered its worst loss of the year by the score of 38-17. Fred Talley totaled (or tallied) 245 yards on 21 carriers and made Auburn's defense look like swiss cheese. Don't worry Auburn fans he's graduated. With a solid defensive line and linebacking corps intact expect Auburn's run defense to be stingy this year.

With Auburn's dynamic duo patrolling the heart of Auburn's defense it appears to be in good hands. Opposing teams will feel the force of Auburn's very own superheroes.

Auburn's Question Mark
By Steve Riser
Guest Columnist

Auburn's secondary better be geared up and ready because USC is bringing its West coast version of the "fun and gun" into Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The Tigers' secondary will be tested early and often by a USC receiving corps which returns two of its top receivers from a year ago.

Mike Williams and Keary Colbert were 1,000 yard receivers in 2002. Williams is clearly the better of the two and is arguably one of the best receivers in college football. If Auburn is to win, their secondary will have to come up big.

Gone from Auburn's secondary a year ago is safety Travaris Robinson who was picked up as a free agent by the Atlanta Falcons. Also departing was cornerback/return man Roderick Hood and cornerback Horace Willis.

If there is any glaring weakness on Auburn's defensive unit it has to be their secondary. The only two locks for Auburn's secondary appear to be juniors Carlos Rogers and Junior Rosegreen.

The Tigers' secondary is conducting its own version of musical chairs, moving Junior Rosegreen from strong safety to cornerback. I believe Rosegreen is Auburn's best all around player in the secondary. Hopefully this move to corner will only be temporary. Moving back to strong safety would allow Rosegreen to play closer to the line of scrimmage where he is most comfortable.

Starting at the left cornerback position is junior Carlos Rogers. He started all 13 games at left corner last year and finished with four interceptions. At 6-1 Rogers has the ability to cover bigger and taller receivers. This size will come in handy early in the year. In Auburn's opener Rogers will likely be matched up with USC's star wideout Mike Williams who is listed at 6-5.

Backing up Rosegreen and Rogers at cornerback will be junior Lamel Ages and redshirt freshman Montae Pitts. Pitts is a speed merchant who clocked a blistering 4.22 in the 40 yard dash.

At free safety, look for Donnay Young to get the nod. Young played in all 13 games last year and brings real game experience to the free safety position.

Look for senior Roshard Gilyard to be the starter at strong safety until Rosegreen returns back to his original position. Who can forget Gilyard's bone crushing hit against Wyoming in 2000.

If you've forgotten permit me to refresh your memory. A Wyoming wide receiver was trying to pull in a pass from his quarterback. Coming full speed Gilyard stuck his helmet under the Wyoming player's chin knocking his helmet off of him and dislodging the ball. It was a sportscenter highlight and one Gilyard will never forget.

Gilyard remembers it as his most memorable football moment. Gilyard was an All-SEC selection as a freshman in 2000 but has since been a disappointment and unable to crack the starting lineup.

Most teams that come into Jordan-Hare will realize soon enough that running the ball will be next to impossible. Teams will then go to the air looking to exploit Auburn's secondary. For Auburn to have a successful season Auburn's ends will have to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks forcing them into making bad decisions.

If this happens and Auburn can keep from giving up the big play look for Auburn's secondary to have a solid year. One thing is for sure. With Auburn facing daunting foe USC the first game of the year, the Tigers will know real soon if they are contenders or just another "paper tiger".

Five Questions for Auburn in 2003
With Auburn's opening game less than a week away, the Tigers are chomping at the bit. The big question on the Plains right now is, "Will Auburn live up to its pre-season hype?"

Here are five questions that must be answered if Auburn is to fulfill its national championship aspirations:

  1. Will Jason Campbell flourish into the quarterback that we have always thought he could be?

    Last year Jason Campbell finished the season strong finishing 5-1 in Auburn's last six games. Campbell will not be asked to win games with his arm. He will be asked not to lose them. Legendary basketball Bob Knight sums up Campbell's role as Auburn's signal caller. He says, "Winning is not making great plays but eliminating mistakes." Campbell will have to keep mistakes to a minimum for Auburn to have a championship year.

    Prediction: At some point in the year Campbell will have to use his arm to win a game.

  2. Will Auburn's patched up secondary give up the big play or will it hold?

    Auburn's secondary has been the primary area of concern on an otherwise solid defense. The corners are solid with Junior Rosegreen and Carlos Rogers. Last Monday coaches announced that two redshirt freshman Karibi Dede and Will Herring were locked up in a battle for the free safety job. Dede has the edge and should start. With a solid front seven it will only be a matter of time before the secondary is tested.

  3. Will Auburn win big games on the road?

    With brutal road games against LSU, Arkansas, and Georgia, Auburn will have to come into enemy territory and set the tempo early. To win all three of these games Auburn will likely need a break or two and some Tuberville trickery. Tommy Tuberville, aka the "river boat gambler", is not afraid to take chances. For Tuberville risk is not a four letter word.

  4. Will Auburn be able to avoid the injury bug?

    Although Auburn is deep at most positions such as running back and defensive line, it is a little thin in the secondary and on the offensive line. Last year key players such as Dontarrious Thomas and DeMarco McNeil suffered through nagging injuries. They were never at 100 percent. For Auburn to handle the rigors of an SEC schedule, it will have to stay relatively healthy.

  5. Will Auburn's special teams perform consistently?

    In 2001 Damon Duval won three games with his leg. In 2002 he missed a field goal in the closing minutes against Florida that would have sealed the Gators fate. With Duval graduating Auburn lost both its place kicker and punter.

    The place kicking job is Sophomore Phillip Yost's to lose. However, don't be surprised if true freshman John Vaughn comes in and steals the job. Michael Gibson is set to handle punting duties, but is being pushed by true freshman Cody Bliss. Remember special teams performance can make or break a game.

For the Tigers it's put up or shut up. The cupboard is full. The guns are loaded and this is Auburn's best shot at a national championship since 1995. With national title hopes on the minds of all the Auburn faithful only time will provide answers to these crucial questions.

My guess is that this will be a pretty defensive football game. In a close defensive battle Auburn hangs on to beat the Trojans 17-14. Are you ready for some football? I sure am.

Fall in Auburn

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Bookmark ACCESS AUBURN to keep up with what's happening on the plains.

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What can we do this weekend? Check ACCESS AUBURN.

WRECK TECH!
The renewal of the Auburn-Georgia Tech series in football means the rebirth of one of Auburn's oldest traditions. We found a good vantage point as the Wreck Tech Pajama Parade approached Toomer's Corner . . .

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Parkway, Bike Path Threatened by Development

Nearly 200 acres of pasture and woodland along Shell Toomer Parkway and bike path may be opened to commercial development if developers resubmit a controversial rezoning proposal to the Auburn Planning Commission.

At the December 11 Planning Commission meeting, developers abruptly withdrew a request to rezone 187.3 acres adjoining Auburn's Curtis and Charlotte Ward Bicycle Path and Shell Toomer Parkway for commercial development.

The proposition would have zoned the land CDD (Comprehensive Development District) and allowed a wide variety of commercial development to build along the the bicycle path.

The Pace family land extends nearly one mile along Shell Toomer Parkway from South College Street. The parkway is a mile-and-a-half long, 100-yard wide scenic entrance to Chewacla State Park.

Near the midpoint of the parkway is an ancient creek that runs through a small canyon that drops more than 50 feet from surrounding terrain, and empties into a wetland teeming with life. A footbridge along the bike path crosses the wetland and provides an upclose view of the abundant plant and wildlife.

Although no indication was given as to the developers' next moves, they are expected to submit a revised request at a future date.

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Happy Holidays

The staff and management of Access Auburn wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Be careful as you travel and celebrate the holidays.

It's GREAT to be an AUBURN TIGER!

We welcome your input to help us continue to improve Access Auburn.

Vandy Off To a Fast Start
With the Southeastern Conference schedule starting this week, one team has been a big surprise. Vanderbilt has a perfect record at 11-0 and is currently ranked number 20 in the AP poll.

While many predicted Auburn to build upon last years Sweet 16 performance, Vanderbilt's early success may help them start conference play with the momentum that they hope will lead them into the big dance come this March. The Commodore's fast start has raised some eyebrows after they finished 11-18 (3-13 in SEC) last year. With quality wins over Michigan and Indiana in Nashville, their first road test came at TCU on Saturday. The Commodore left little doubt, hammering TCU, 95-60. Auburn (9-2) opens its 2004 SEC campaign when the Tigers face Vanderbilt in Nashville Wednesday night. Vanderbilt has been especially tough to beat at Memorial Gym. Playing only two road games in the young season, Auburn has a win over Grambling in Huntsville and a disappointing loss to UNLV. Tiger point guard Lewis Monroe's ankle is still not 100% and Auburn would prefer to open their conference schedule anywhere other than Nashville. Known by such names as Heartbreak Hotel and Hoops House of Horrors, Memorial Gym has typically been just that for Auburn. The Commodores hold 29-13 series advantage in games played there. Auburn has not won in Memorial Gym since an 86-80 win on February 16, 2000. Playing in front of a capacity crowd of 14,168, Auburn will have the task of stopping Vanderbilt's Matt Freije, who leads the team in scoring with 19 points per game. Auburn's forward Marco Killingsworth, who is averaging 14 points per game, hopes to have help from Brandon Robinson and Kyle Davis in containing Freije. Jefferson-Pilot will televise the game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7p.m. CST.

They're Staying

Carnell 'Cadillac' Williams, Ronnie Brown and Carlos Rogers announced Wednesday evening that they would return for their senior season with the Auburn Tigers.

Brown took the stage first, quietly made his announcement and answered reporters' questions. Rogers then followed while Williams waited.

"It's been a long process, but I have decided come back for my senior season," Carnell Williams made the final statement to make it unanimous.

Rogers, a speed corner back, had let it be known that he would not be making himself available for the NFL draft. Brown and Williams keep their decisions secret until the announcement.
The Tigers open the 2004 season on September 4, against Louisiana Monroe.

Country Superstar to Play Auburn Bar
These days, Kenny Chesney is more accustomed to sold out arenas than smoky college-town roadhouses, but the hottest name in country music will soon be performing for a small Auburn audience according to a published report.

CMT (Country Music Television) is reporting on the network web site that laid-back country crooner Kenny Chesney will stage a mini-tour of college bars in the Southeast prior to kicking off an extended arena tour beginning March 17 in Houston, Tex. In addition to Auburn, the college tour is expected to have stops in Tuscaloosa, Athens, Gainesville and Oxford.
The War Eagle Supper Club January calendar lists on January 29 a "Surprise National Act" and further qualifies with, "You Won't Believe This ONE!". A spokesman for Chesney's booking agent, Dale Morris and Associates in Nashville, after consulting with Chesney's manager, reported that she could neither confirm nor deny that Chesney would be appearing at the Supper Club that night.
Hip soul rocker Uncle Kracker, according to the CMT web site, will be appearing with Chesney at some shows. Uncle Kracker's crossover duet with Dobie Gray on Gray's 1973 hit, "Drift Away" sits atop Billboard's Adult Comtemporary chart.
Chesney's "There Goes My Life" is number one on Billboard's Hot Country chart. He was the top country concert draw in 2003 and third overall trailing only Bruce Springsteen and the Dave Matthews Band, selling nearly one million concert tickets. His new album, "When the Sun Goes Down," is expected in stores February 3.

WALKER QUITS
Enbattled Auburn University President William Walker has resigned effective immediately. A statement from the Dr. Walker to university employees was released shortly before 5:00 p.m. Friday.

The full text of the statement:
It has been my pleasure to serve this great institution for the past 16
years as dean, provost and president. I wanted to let you know that as
of 5 o'clock this afternoon, I am announcing my resignation as
President. I have informed Earlon McWhorter, president pro tem of the
board of trustees, of my intentions. As the University moves into this
period of transition, I would like to call on all members of the Auburn
family to pull together and begin a healing process. The days ahead for
Auburn University are bright, and I wish you all luck in the future.
Walker and the other participants in the "Jetgate" scandal have been receiving increasing pressure to step down.

A Band-Aid...
Auburn is on SACS probation for micro-management by the Board of Trustees. Walker's dalliance was only a distraction. Until the governance issues are addressed, the President can only be a figurehead.

Good management would suggest that the board would now quickly and publicly consult key alumni, faculty and administrators to develop a consensus candidate for the Interim President. One may ask, "What's the big deal? It's only an interim." History has shown that interim presidents frequently serve two years or more, and often have the "interim" removed by the Board without the benefit of a public search.
Apparently though, the board will quickly anoint one of their own, Auburn trustee Dr. Ed Richardson, former Auburn City School Superintendent, and current state Superintendent for K-12. Dr. Richardson is something of a curious choice. While he was not without detractors in the Auburn City Schools, his record was outstanding as Auburn schools achieved national recognition under his leadership. Richardson's record has been less spectacular at the state level, enduring admittedly bleak budgets.
What makes Dr. Richardson such a curious choice is that virtually all of his nearly 40 years of experience have been in K-12 administration. His only experience in higher education came as a student and during a brief stint in teaching at the college level. This is somewhat like waking up to find that the Board has hired Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino as Auburn's football coach. Richardson has been a harsh critic of "waste" in higher education and has lobbied for K-12 to receive a larger portion of the Special Education Trust Fund revenues. If he is a man of principle, will Richardson maintain that position to the detriment of Auburn? Or, will he now see the light and show it was always just about the money?
Don Large is an honorable and competent administrator who walks the walk rather than talking the talking when it comes to the Auburn Creed. He is certainly capable of steering the ship a few weeks while carefully Auburn selects a leader to bring the University back from disgrace and dishonor in the coming months.
What's the big rush? Could it be that by acting now with four unfilled vacancies, Auburn's Board of Trustees can still be controlled for this very important decision by a minority, just as SACS has charged?

Conspiracy Theory?

Our good friend Fred wrote after yesterday's column taking us to task for criticizing the haste with which Auburn's Presidency is being filled for the interim.

Fred wrote:

Why would anyone with the IQ of a white legged hen turn the board's exercise of their recent responsibility to provide an interim president into a conspiracy to promulgate the control of Auburn by a few trustees? Beside that being a ridiculous reach, it restates the theme of suspicion and distrust at a time when coming together to make Auburn stronger is the families main objective.

My wife says that it's not a conspiracy theory if the conspiracy is a proven fact.

It's an admitted fact there are conspirators on Auburn's Board of Trustees. Walker did not fly solo into that good night last November. And, he did not fly on a university plane.

As for the "conspiracy" currently afoot, I only know what I read in the paper...

It has been widely reported that AU Trustee Dr. Ed Richardson has been selected as Auburn's Interim President. He has reportedly informed each of the members of the Alabama Board of Education of his planned resignation to accept the Auburn job.

There has been no public meeting of the Auburn Board of Trustees--as is required by law when Board decisions are made. One can only conclude that the Board has made this decision by private ex parte communications.

This is not the Board's job.

The Board of Trustees is a deliberative body that should make informed decisions based upon the input of their appointed administrators and representing their constituencies. They are not a Justice League of America squad that leaps into action the moment there is a crisis, with one of their own (the smart one) leaping into the breach to pick up the mantle of their fallen tragic hero, Walker. This is what SACS meant by micro-management.

Later Fred wrote:

Asking faculty members and alumni to participate in a consensus search for a full time president is a patently ridiculous. In all my years, I was never asked to name my next boss.
...and...
When considering the selection of a new president for AU, please consider management 101, where it is first taught that one doesn't let the inmates (faculty) of the asylum name the superintendent (president).

While it may be apt at times to compare Auburn to a looney bin, Auburn is neither an insane asylum, a commercial enterprise, nor a military organization; Auburn is a research university and a damn fine research university. Businesses fail, armies fall to defeat, but universities are perpetuities. The life expectancy of a university is statistically much greater than that of any corporation or military empire.

Part of the reason why the university is second only to the church in longevity is that the inmates do indeed run this asylum. Except these inmates are the best and brightest: inventors and poets, teachers and coaches, student and grads, all brought together to make excellence. Universities live long and prosper because of their odd form of governance, where most decisions of this type are made by committee and by consensus of the governed. It may seem strange, but history shows that it works. Universities are productive and efficient in educating students and generating innovation.

If you are worried about the SACS problems hurting recruiting, you should be. But don't just worry about what the big kid from Dalton thinks, be concerned about what the astrophysicist from Georgia Tech, or the biomedical engineer from Palo Alto thinks. The greatness of Auburn comes not only from the athletes who wear the orange and blue for four short years. It comes from the long line of students of years gone by and those of years yet to come. It comes from the dedicated faculty imparting knowledge in the classroom, making exciting discoveries in the laboratory, improving crops in the field, helping businesses be more productive, and making the world a better place to live.

There is a cancer on the University. Shutting out the messenger will not make the news any better.

There are legally binding rules that set standards for how a university is to be run. Auburn has been accused of not complying with those rules. Auburn has a date next autumn to show a SACS committee that it has moved into compliance with the law of the land. Auburn will have to answer later for the actions taken today.

Related Link:
A Band-Aid...

Richardson New AU Chief
Ed Richardson was unanimously approved as interim president of Auburn University on Tuesday at a specially called meeting of the AU Board of Trustees.

Richardson, state school superintendent, succeeds William F.
Walker, who resigned as AU president on Friday.

Richardson, who abstained from the vote on his appointment, indicated he would resign as state superintendent of education at the state Board of Education's Thursday meeting and would assume his duties at Auburn on Monday

From Auburn University news bureau

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Super Gambling
Picked the Super Bowl winner yet? As the game nears, millions of Americans are choosing, and betting on, their favorite to take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy this year.

Super Sunday is a time of hype and high earnings, more money is wagered on the Super Bowl than on any other sporting event. With nearly 140 million viewers in the United States, and advertisers paying as much as $2.3 million for a 30-second spot, the Super Bowl is likely to be the most-watched television program in 2004. It will also be a busy day for gamblers.

"Super Bowl Sunday to the compulsive gambler is like New Year's Eve to the alcoholic," says gambling counselor Arnie Wexler. "There are 5 million compulsive gamblers and (another) 15 million at risk in the U.S. Forty-eight percent of them bet on sports."

Gamblers will risk an estimated $20 billion on the game pitting the Carolina Panthers against the New England Patriots; that's more than McDonald's earns in a year at its restaurants.

"The Super Bowl is sometimes as much a blessing as it is a curse for compulsive gamblers, because there is no other sporting event in this nation which seems to cause people to finally call us for help," said Ed Looney, current executive director of the council, which runs the nation's busiest help hot line, at 1-800-GAMBLER.

The sports gambling industry pulls in about $200 billion a year, most of it through illegal bets, experts believe. Some U.S. lawmakers contend that online gambling has links to organized crime and lets youngsters bet with their parents' credit cards. Congress is turning to credit card and electronic payment firms. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit the use of electronic payments for online gambling.

Lottery Hot Topic Again

After being rejected by voters five years ago, lottery proposals may come up again in the Alabama Legislature when it resumes next month. Alabama's neighboring states all have some form of legalized gambling.

Georgia and Florida have lotteries, and Mississippi has casinos. Tennessee began selling lottery tickets a week ago and the Tennessee Lottery reported that nine of the top 10 sales outlets for lottery tickets were either on the Alabama line or a short drive north of it. It was estimated that more than $41 million in lottery tickets were sold throughout Tennessee during the lottery's first week of operation.

Many supporters of a lottery see the money that went to Tennessee could go towards education and balancing the General Fund budget. State Senator Lowell Barron is one of those who support a lottery. He thinks that voters are in a wickedly anti-tax mood, and a lottery seems a pretty simple way to generate money because we are more willing to hand over our hard-earned money if there is a chance, however remote, to get rich beyond our wildest dreams.

A recent SurveyUSA poll of 500 adults conducted by telephone, found that the majority are in favor of a lottery. 71% said they would support a state lottery, while 23% would oppose it. 66% say they would be more likely to support a state lottery if they knew all the money raised would be spent only on education.

Governor Bob Riley and other opponents say a lottery simply will not generate enough revenue to solve Alabama's funding problems. And if Alabama adopted a lottery, it almost certainly would see the same spending pattern that other states have seen -- a year or two of high revenues while it is new and interesting, and then flat revenues or even declines when it becomes old hat.

But as public policy, a lottery has several down sides. There is the problem of addiction, and there is also the regressivity of a lottery -- the fact that it extracts money largely from those least able to pay it. In other words, it is a tax on the poor. It also has been described as a tax on the mathematically illiterate who don't understand the huge odds of ever winning.

Alabama faces a $300 million General Fund shortfall as lawmakers prepare to return to regular session February 3.

February Brings McCain and Mahal to Auburn
South Carolina native Edwin McCain and legendary bluesman Taj Mahal will make stops on their current tours at The War Eagle Supper Club in Auburn. Mahal will appear February 5th followed by McCain on February 10th.

Mahal's three decade recording career has produced works of humor, passion, pathos, and surprise. His recent albums, Hanapepe Dream (Taj Mahal & the Hula Blues) (2003) and Martin Scorcese Presents Taj Majal (2003), contain some of the many high points of his career. Hanapepe Dream (Taj Mahal & the Hula Blues) has an All-Acoustic String Band Sound and features Taj's signature Slack-Key Blend of the Blues and Pacific-Caribbean-Island music.

McCain's debut album came in 1995 with Honor Among Thieves. Two years later came the breakthrough album Misguided Roses, featuring the Top 10 smash "I'll Be." In 1999, the Messenger was released. The Top 40 hit "I Could Not Ask for More," which was also featured in the film "Message in a Bottle," drove Messenger to Gold Certification.

The fifth album, The Austin Sessions (2003), McCain is joined by his longtime band mates Larry Chaney (guitar) and Craig Shields (saxophone), presents a selection of new compositions, a few old favorites, and some choice covers in an acoustic format that lets the material speak for itself.

Tickets for both shows are now on sale at The Supper Club, Snapper O'Malleys, The Guitar Shop and UnWired.

Auburn Time Travel Agency
Sports fans who are feeling a little nostalgic for their favorite moment in AU sports can spend time observing AU Athletics in a unique way. The Lovelace Museum offers fans an opportunity to witness the history of every varsity sport played at AU.

The Lovelace Museum opened in 1996 and has 80,000 visitors every year. Upon entering the museum, you are greeted with the sights and sounds of Auburn Athletics from 1892 to the present. You then follow the path through the Historical Time Line of Auburn's athletic and university history.

Visitors can experience great Auburn traditions as they join in the celebration at Toomer's Corner and get a taste of what Auburn football players see, hear and feel as they go through Tiger Walk.

On the tour visitors enter Jordan-Hare Stadium and get a view of a typical game day in Auburn, from tailgating, to the action on the field and the excitement of the radio call, "Touchdown Auburn!"

They become interactive by leaving a message for future visitors on the "What Auburn Means To Me" video display.

In the Sports Lockers visitors see and hear the history of each intercollegiate sport ever played at Auburn.

Touch screens on the "What Made Them Great" computer display let Auburn fans view favorite athlete's historical record at Auburn.

Upon completing the visit, fans can have their pictures made with a life size figure of Tommy Tuberville.

The museum, named after Johnathan Bell Lovelace, symbolizes the Auburn spirit, and is dedicated to honor Auburn's athletic past, define its present, and inspire future generations. Lovelace used his education, lessons he learned from athletics, and the principles from the Auburn Creed, to become one of the most successful graduates of Auburn.

The Lovelace Museum is located inside the Auburn Athletic Complex. The museum's hours are Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm and Saturday 9 am-4 pm. Contributions are welcomed and admission is free.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Lovelace Museum

Valentine's Day Means Money

February 14th will provide a boost to the local economy as more than half of American consumers (59.8 percent) will celebrate Valentine's Day. Restaurants and florists around Auburn will be busy as people spend money on those they care about.

Many restaurants around town have been booked with reservations for weeks. A survery found that taking a loved one out to dinner is the big favorite for this Valentine's Day, with more than one in four (27 percent) respondents putting it at the top of their plans. Last year, by contrast, less than 17 percent of those surveyed were heading to the restaurants.

Flowers are high on the list of this year's Valentine's presents, although roses no longer dominate the plans of floral romantics. Fifteen percent of respondents expect to send their loved ones roses this year, but 22 percent will give other blooms instead (up from 13 percent last year).

It's estimated that the average consumer will spend $99.24 on Valentine's Day, up from $80.44 last year. In all, Valentine's Day spending is expected to reach $12.79 billion this year. Much of that money comes from greeting cards, as Valentine's Day is the second most-popular card-sending holiday, according to the Greeting Card Association.

The top five gifts men tend to give are jewelry, flowers, candy/chocolate, dinner and a trip/vacation -- a direct correlation to what women desire. Women on the other hand, seem to think that men want jewelry, candy, dinner, trip/vacation or clothes, which is far off from the men's actual desire of time together or a card/note.

Athletic Facility Projects Underway
A new Student-Athlete Development Center highlights current athletic department construction projects. With nine projects underway, it's one of the most active phases of construction in the history of the athletic program.

The Student-Athlete Development Center will be housed in two floors on top of the Tatum Strength and Conditioning Center. The 32,434 square foot facility will include administrative offices, counselor offices, a 50-seat multifunction classroom, a 50-seat tiered classroom, an academic excellence recognition area, 40 four-person study rooms, four eight-person study rooms, a 25-station computer laboratory, a study lounge and a library resources lounge. The project started on December 1, 2003, with completion slated by August 1, 2004.

Jordan-Hare Stadium will undergo expansion and renovation in two separate phases. During phase 1A, expansion to the East side of the stadium on the North and South ends will add three new suites on the third and fourth levels for a total of 12 new suites. Expansion of the club level and renovation of the existing suites and the addition of an elevator on the East side will also be completed in phase 1A.

During phase 1B, the main concourse will be completely renovated which will include new restrooms and concession areas. New flooring, gating and lighting will be installed, and signs will be upgraded to reflect the deep heritage of Auburn Football.

The Auburn track and field teams will have a new home on a site behind the Soccer Complex. Grading for the facility is currently underway and plans call for a new track with jumping and throwing areas, grandstand seating, a meet control booth, field lighting and storage areas.

Several projects that have been recently completed include the 13,274 square foot Strength and Rehabilitation Center at Plainsman Park, which houses a weight room on the first floor and a rehabilitation and research center on the second floor. A complete new field with subsurface drainage and irrigation systems at Hitchcock Field was completed last September.

Projects that are currently in the planning stages include a golf teaching facility, an outdoor pool, a swim team room and a tennis complex which will include four covered indoor tennis courts and new varsity tennis courts and stadium.

Miracle On Ice
Over twenty years ago a group of kids revived America's spirits during a time of uncertainty. The recent release of Miracle gives viewers an opportunity to witness the story that gave America hope as Olympic gold was won despite overwhelming odds.

The film opens with newsreel footage from the late 1970s that provides a necessary historical backdrop. People younger than 30 have little familiarity with the America of that era. Miracle captures a time and place where differences could be settled by games and a cold war could be put on ice. In 1980, the United States Ice Hockey team's coach, Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell, took a squad of college kids up against the legendary juggernaut from the Soviet Union at the Olympic Games.

The Olympic gold victory provided the single greatest sports moment of the 20th century, as voted by Sports Illustrated. This moment provided a distraction from world events. Americans were still stinging over Watergate, the economy was headed south, gas prices were outrageous and gas lines even more so, and of course there were American hostages in Iran. America needed something to celebrate and the Team USA's victory over the Soviets gave them just that.

The Team USA's victory remains a pivotal moment in the country's cultural history, one of those moments where every sports fan remembers where he or she was when it occurred.

It's All Inside
Join the grand opening celebration for the new JCPenney store on Wednesday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at Colonial University Village in Auburn. The new store will offer shoppers a fun and convenient way to experience great brands and value prices.

Throughout grand opening week, customers can register for great prizes, including a new home theater package, a 32-inch plasma TV and a desktop PC. In addition, four lucky shoppers will win $500 gift cards to be used toward any JCPenney purchase. Other activities include product demonstrations and special discounts for the entire family.

The JCPenney store will cover 57,000 square feet, and is designed for shopping convenience with wider aisles, and improved lighting. Better graphics will make it easy for customers to locate major brands like Worthington, Crazy Horse, Nike, Stafford, Arizona Jean Co., KitchenAid, and more.

The store's layout will focus attention on JCPenney's offerings in key areas such as jeans, shoes, bedding and bath accessories, children's apparel, women's and men's sportswear. Reflecting the company's "It's All Inside" message, the store's full service salon offers professional hair styling services, private rooms for waxing and pedicures, manicures, and salon-quality products. In addition, customers can place orders or pick up catalog and Internet purchases at the store's catalog desk.

JCPenney has been part of the Auburn/Opelika community since 1966. The company contributes about 70 jobs to the local economy.

Support Auburn Athletics
Tigers Unlimited helps provide Auburn University student-athletes with a competitive advantage through annual scholarship support and private support for capital projects, endowments and investment opportunities to the Ahletics Department.

The Athletics Department can no longer rely on season ticket and television revenue to supplement each of its 20 sports. Major gift contributions from members of the Auburn Family have helped to provide funding for projects such as: Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park, The Athletic Museum and Hall of Honor, the new Jordan-Hare Stadium Dressing Room Complex, The Indoor Practice Facility, The Athletic Complex, The Women's Athletic Complex, The Endowment By Position Program, and many academic support programs.

The endowment program represents a long term resource which can offset the financial strains of escalating scholarship costs, rising operational expenses, and the need for facility enhancements. There is no better way to have your name, or that of a loved one, permanently associated with Auburn University Athletics. Endowments share a common goal, ensuring the future of excellence in athletics at Auburn University for generations to come.

Endowed gifts are held in perpetuity. The Auburn University Foundation invests your initial gift, which must be a minimum of $25,000 given over a maximum five year period, and Auburn Athletics spends only a portion of the annual investment return. The remaining investment return is added back to the principle as protection against inflation. A Tigers Unlimited member who makes an endowment gift can be proud that his or her gift will grow and continue to provide support far into the future.

All major gift donors receive on campus recognition, a tax deduction, potential improvement in season ticket priority seating, and are included in the Tigers Unlimited All-American Society.

Important dates to remember: December 8 - March 1: Tigers Unlimited football ticket priority contributions are accepted. April: Season ticket order forms are mailed to Tigers Unlimited donors from the AU ticket office. May 1: Deadline for submitting ticket order blanks to the AU ticket office. After May 1, unclaimed seats will be reassigned and made available to new TUF members and Auburn alumni and friends.

Wal-Mart Monopoly?

In 2002, Wal-Mart did $245 billion in revenues, much of that came from the sale of groceries, making it the nation's largest grocer. This control over the grocery business has devastating effects on local supermarkets and the local economy.

The Wal-Mart supercenter, the principal vehicle of the company's expansion, is a nonunion dagger aimed at the heart of the traditional American supermarket, nearly 13,000 of which have closed since 1992. This year alone, Wal-Mart hopes to open as many as 335 new stores in the U.S.: 55 discount stores, 210 supercenters, 45 Sam's Clubs, and 25 Neighborhood markets. Retail Forward predicts that for every new supercenter that Wal-Mart opens, two supermarkets will close, or 2,000 in all.

As the number of supermarkets shrinks, more shoppers will have to travel farther from home and will find their buying increasingly restricted to merchandise that Wal-Mart chooses to sell, a growing percentage of which may be the retailer's private-label goods, which now account for nearly 20% of sales. Meanwhile, the failure of hundreds of stores will cost their owners dearly and put thousands out of work, only some of whom will find jobs at Wal-Mart, most likely at lower pay.

On average, Wal-Mart sales clerks pulled in $8.23 an hour, or $13,861 a year, in 2001, according to documents filed in a lawsuit pending against the company. At the time, the federal poverty line for a family of three was $14,630.

The lower pay has caused a revolt of sorts in the form of nearly 40 lawsuits charging the company with forcing employees to work overtime without pay and a sex-discrimination case that could rank as the largest civil rights class action ever. On Sept. 24, 2003, a federal judge in California began considering a plaintiff's petition to include all women who have worked at Wal-Mart since late 1998, 1.6 million in all, in a suit alleging that Wal-Mart systematically denies women equal pay and opportunities for promotion.

Critics also argue that Wal-Mart's intensifying global pursuit of low-cost goods is partly to blame for the accelerating loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs to China and other low-wage nations. It's no wonder that economists refer to a broad "Wal-Mart effect" that has suppressed inflation and rippled productivity gains through the economy year after year.

Growth will only add to the power that the Wal-Mart giant now holds. There might come a time, though, when Wal-Mart's size poses as much of a threat to the company itself as it does to outsiders.

Indecent Proposal
Congress is considering a law that will increase the maximum fine for indecency to $275,000 from $27,500, a move that the Federal Communications Commission endorsed even before singer Janet Jackson's performance during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Clear Channel, which owns 1,200 stations, has come under fire for its own charges of indecency. Facing a proposed $755,000 fine from the FCC, Clear Channel decided to cleanup the airwaves on some of its Florida stations.

The cleanup initiative was announced two days after it fired Bubba the Love Sponge, morning talk show host for WXTB-FM 97.9 in Tampa, when the company was heavily fined by the FCC over alleged violations of indecency rules. Bubba attracted high ratings to "98 Rock" and his program was heard over other Clear Channel stations in Florida.

The San Antonio, Texas-based broadcaster said the initiative is intended to make sure material aired by its radio stations conforms to the standards and sensibilities of the communities they serve. Clear Channel has instituted a zero tolerance policy for indecent content. Disc jockeys will be taken off the air immediately for alleged indecent material. The policy will include companywide training, possible fines against DJs, and automatic suspensions for anyone accused by the FCC of violating indecency rules on the air, company officials said.

Howard Stern's show was suspended by Clear Channel on six stations indefinitely for breaking the new rules of indecency. Even with Clear Channel pulling the plug on the show, Stern can be heard on 35 other stations.

Clear Channel said Stern won't be allowed back on the air until it feels assured the show will conform to broadcast standards.

Test Overload?
The No Child Left Behind Act requires states to administer tests so that it can compare school performance and compare itself to other states. Most Alabamians favor cutting the number of standardized tests that Alabama public school students take.

In a recent survey of 403 adults conducted in February, 51 percent said students take too many tests. 82 percent of those polled said students should continue to have to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam before they receive diplomas. To graduate, high school students must pass all five portions of the graduation exam: math, language, reading, science and social studies.

Students can take six to eight standardized tests yearly. Joining the lineup this year is the new Alabama Reading and Math Test, which will be given to third-, fifth- and seventh-graders.

Depending on their grade level, elementary and middle school students must take some or all of the following tests: Stanford Achievement Test, Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) test.

Over half of the respondents in the poll said extensive testing is necessary to hold teachers and schools accountable for the quality of education they provide.

When asked if the number of tests should be reduced to save money, 65 percent said the number should be reduced, while 73 percent said they believe the state spends too little on K-12 education.

World Famous Globetrotters Visit AUM, Columbus
The world famous Harlem Globetrotter's 2004 tour will stop at the Columbus Civic Center March 10th at 7:00 PM and at the PE Complex at Auburn University Montgomery March 14th at 3:00 PM.

Having their own style of basketball with half court shots, dribbling displays, tricks with fans and impromptu dance routines, the Harlem Globetrotters will entertain people of all ages with their signature comedy routines in Columbus and Montgomery.

After World War II, the Globetrotters became real "globetrotters," traveling the world and entertaining thousands. They have even performed for popes, presidents, kings and queens. With players such as Geese Ausbie, Goose Tatum, 1998 Hall of Famer Marques Haynes, Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon, the Globetrotters quickly became ambassadors of bringing their showmanship to millions. The team has played over 20,000 games in more than 100 countries around the world.

The Globetrotters have become the world's most popular sports organization and basketballs winningest team, having performed for more than 120 million people. For over seven decades, the Harlem Globetrotters have used their unique brand of basketball and Ambassadorial good work to aid in breaking down barriers to bring people closer together while popularizing sport as entertainment and ushering in a style that today has become the standard that in the early days, was uniquely African-American.

In addition to giving fans a chance to see some exciting and unusual basketball, the Globetrotters also gave African Americans an opportunity to play in the National Basketball Association. The original Globetrotters were once the only option for African Americans to play. In 1950, Globetrotter Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton became the first to appear in the NBA.

In 1993, Mannie Jackson, a former player, became the first African-American to own a major sports team when he purchased the Harlem Globetrotters. His goal was to make the Harlem Globetrotters the first choice for family entertainment. One of the ways to accomplish this was to put people everywhere in touch with the rich history of this great American institution. Recently, this became most evident with the 77th season theme of Reclaiming the gameold school fun with new flavor. The theme alluded to returning to the Globetrotters roots as a competitive take on all challengers barnstorming team, while reclaiming the recognized leadership as role models and ambassadors of goodwill.

Since Mannie Jackson bought the Harlem Globetrotters he has turned a near bankrupt organization into the most admired and one of the most publicized teams in the world while increasing revenue four-fold and rebuilding the fan base to record levels.

Tickets for both events are available at ticketmaster.com.

What Comes After Television?
If you watch TV, you've gotta have one!
If you do not watch television, you simply must have one.
I've had one for years and am totally hooked.

The DVR or Digital Video Recorder has been around for nearly six years since the ReplayTV debuted in 1998. If you have never heard of it, you are not alone. Less than 2% of Americans have one of these boxes atop their TV set today, and the majority of those bear rival's TiVo brand.

Inventor Anthony Wood missed the Christmas season in 1998 and was unable to deliver enough units in 1999 to prevent the late-arriving TiVo from gaining market traction.

Wood eventually cashed out and the new owners added a feature that allowed viewers to watch network television without the commercials. The broadcasters literally sued them out of business.

Denon bought the rights and, although they dropped the controversial commercial skip feature, they have beefed up the home networking capabilities, added high-definition (HD) features and dropped the price to a remarkable $149! The required program service is $12.95 per month or $299 one-time.

But what is a ReplayTV? I call it the "magic box." It's a very smart VCR that does not eat tapes and changes the way we watch TV.

If the network moves your favorite show to Friday night, it will find it.

If that cult classic that you want to see comes on in the middle of the night, it will catch it.

If sports is your bag, be prepared to be blown away by your own instant replay, pause, and slo-mo for every game you watch live.

When the phone rings, pause live TV.

It works by connecting via the internet to download program schedules, editors' choices and categories. It matches that up with your "channels" that you have created to select shows to record.

Trust me, it's so easy to use and so addictive, that the ReplayTV folks offer a full 30-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied for any reason.

Check out the closeouts! They still have some of the old models with the commercial skip feature available.

Order now to receive FREE SHIPPING and ReplayTV will contribute a portion of the sales price to Access Auburn.

Gas Prices Soar
Alabama motorists paid record prices at the pump this week for a gallon of gasoline and can expect even higher prices as the vacation season arrives. According to AAA, prices rose to a record statewide average of $1.631 for a gallon of unleaded.

The previous record, $1.629, was set March 18, 2003. AAA bases its average on a statewide survey of self-serve stations.

Among Alabama's biggest cities, the price was up to $1.66 in Huntsville. In the Birmingham area, it was $1.64 -- three cents below the city's record last Labor Day. Mobile's average price of $1.63 was equal to the city's previous high set March 20, 2003.

One Alabama House member hopes his idea will lower the price a bit. Speaker Pro Tem Demetrious Newton wants to repeal a 20-year-old state law, which requires stations to sell gasoline for no lower than dealer's cost.

Petroleum marketers and convenience store owners oppose Newton's idea. They say the current law protects owners from smaller stations as they compete with large retailers such as Wal-Mart. The Opelika-Auburn Wal-Mart SuperCenter sells gasoline, and tends to have some of the lowest prices in those cities.

The price of gas in Alabama tends to average 5 to 10 cents below the national price, said Greg Womble, a spokesman for AAA of Alabama. Womble said the statewide average price surpassed the previous high of $1.62, established May 18, 2003, but was still the 10th lowest in the nation this week.

Tight global supplies of crude oil is one of the reasons for the price increase, Industry officials said. The national average of $1.73 per gallon on Tuesday was a penny below the previous all-time high, established August 25, 2003.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Tuesday predicted that prices will rise by a least another 10 cents this spring, then decline a little in the summer driving months.

Bike Bash Encourages Bicycling in Auburn
The 5th Annual Bike Bash will take place on Saturday, March 20 from 9-11 a.m. Bike Bash is sponsored by the city of Auburn Bicycle Committee, The Bike Shop and Kinnucans. Participants of all ages are invited to come along for the ride.

Festivities will begin at the Auburn Junior High School on Samford Avenue promptly at 9 a.m. Depending on age, choose between three routes with distances ranging from 3 - 17 miles. A 3-mile route is intended for the younger and inexperienced riders. The other two routes are 10 miles and 17 miles for the more experienced riders. Maps of all three routes will be distributed before the ride. All routes are developed so participants can modify the routes for a more challenging ride.

The theme of this years Bike Bash will encourage bicycling in the Auburn community and will have a variety of activities for the entire family. Activities will include bicycle safety tips, informational sessions and demonstrations, health benefit tips, a delicious breakfast before and/or after the ride, and dancing to live musical entertainment performed by KOOSTICO. Door prizes will also be given away to Bike Bash participants after the race.

Registration forms are currently available online at www.auburnalabama.org/cycle. The registration fee for children 12 years and younger is $7.50. The registration fee for children (13 years and older) and adults is $10. The family registration fee is only $20. Registration forms can also be picked up at Dean Road Recreation Center. Participants who register early will receive an official Bike Bash 2004 t-shirt.

For additional information about the 5th Annual Bike Bash, please call Auburn Parks & Recreation at 887-4930.

Alabamians Against Gay Marriage

Nearly 80 percent of respondents to last week's Mobile Register-University of South Alabama survey said they disapprove or strongly disapprove of allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.

More than half of the 424 poll respondents opposed allowing gays and lesbians to enter into civil unions, which are not marriages but provide many of the same legal and financial rights as married couples. The poll has a 5-percentage-point margin of error.

Forty-seven percent of poll respondents thought that sexual relations between two people of the same sex should be against the law. Forty percent said that such relations should not be illegal.

Two poll questions touched upon the issue of states' rights when it comes to same-sex marriage. While a plurality preferred that the decision be up to states, 65 percent favored a federal constitutional amendment to stop state or local governments from allowing same-sex marriages. Twenty-seven percent said they would oppose such a measure.

Last week, Alabama Governor Bob Riley pressed state lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as being between a man and a woman and to outlaw same-sex marriages. Riley said he wants voters to be able to decide the amendment in a Nov. 2 referendum that would coincide with the presidential election.

Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a civil rights and advocacy organization, called the Alabama poll results "out of sync" with national surveys and polls in other states. Elsewhere, Foreman said, poll respondents have fallen into three groups: one-third strongly opposing gay marriages, one-third strongly favoring them and one-third in the middle.

John Giles, president of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, said that polls have shown Alabama voters to be among the most conservative in the nation on economic, moral and social issues.

Revolution Has Begun
A racecar-type helmet called the "Revolution" has recently been introduced to NFL teams as an alternative to the current helmet. The new model will offer the first significant structural changes in an NFL player's headgear in nearly 25 years.

The new model, manufactured by athletic apparel company Riddell, was developed based on recent findings in head trauma research funded by the NFL. The scientists have theorized that shots to the side of the head have more significance in causing concussions and head trauma than shots taken on the top.

"According to the scientists' research funded by the NFL, the current helmets underprotected the side of the head," said Jets team doctor Elliott Pellman, who heads up the NFL's committee on head trauma. "The standard drop tests really didn't do any tests to the side of the head, so the (current) helmets were never really protected there. Riddell went to the scientists who did this research and integrated it into their own findings."

According to those who have seen the new head protection, it's a slightly more futuristic version of the current model with some similarities to a racing helmet; it looks like something that could be described as Rollerball meets the NFL. While it's not a complete change from the current model, there are noticeable differences in size, areas of protection and a slightly more streamlined look.

The major difference is the side, which drops down closer to the chin to provide better protection to the side of the head and the jaw. In addition, the holes on the top are shaped like tear drops and appear to add to the aerodynamic look, and the back protrudes to offer better padding. The helmet looks bigger than the current model but might not be any heavier.

"This helmet also gives you better peripheral vision," Upshaw said. "Plus, it has an added piece to provide better protection for your jaw. They added more padding that can inflate to adjust better to your face. The current model has a piece that snaps in there, but it doesn't come in too many sizes. I think it's a little lighter than the old model. They can probably make it lighter, too, by changing the facemask."

Head trauma became a larger issue when the careers of quarterbacks Steve Young and Troy Aikman were cut short because of multiple concussions. At the time, the NFLPA was at odds with the league over the availability of the results of their studies. But both sides appear to be on the same page with the new look.

Auburn Under Wildfire Alert
Alabama Forestry Commission officials placed Lee County and 54 other counties on alert because March has been unusually dry. March is typically an above average month for rainfall, but several counties are 2 to 3 inches below normal precipitation.

The fire alert, which restricts outdoor burning, is being enforced because 1,164 fires have burned 17,609 acres statewide this month and that number is more than the previous five months combined. More than 50 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Those numbers have state officials taking extra caution to avoid a catastrophe.

Although fires have been spotted all over Alabama, the most extreme blazes have affected the southwestern and northeastern corners of the state, said commission spokeswoman Coleen VanSant, who has tracked Alabama fires for 18 years.

The two leading causes of the fires in Alabama are arson and debris burning. The lack of rain combined with high winds and low humidity has increased the risk of spreading fires. The Forestry Commission says it will not issue any burn permits to residents or allow any private burning.

The Forestry Commission has set up a hotline for people to report arsonists. Information leading to an arrest and conviction is eligible for a $5,000 reward. The number is (800) 222-2927.

Alabama's License Plate Delayed
Governor Riley signed a proclamation that will push back the issuance of new car and truck tags from 2007 to 2009 that will save the state of Alabama from spending $5.9 million. The new tags would have been ready to issue on January 1, 2007.

The "Stars Fell on Alabama" license plate which was issued on January 1, 2002 was meant to be a traditional five-year tag. Riley's spokesman, John Matson, said those license plates would last for another two years because they were made well and wouldn't rust.

Riley's administration is making every effort to eliminate unnecessary spending. The delay will push costs back to a time when the governor hopes the state's financial picture will be brighter. This year's state General Fund budget will cut most agencies 17 percent from the year before, and Riley is proposing additional 7 percent cuts for next year.

Motorists will continue to buy annual stickers to put on their tags between 2007 and 2009.

The two-year delay applies to standard license plates, tags for trucks under 12,000 pounds, tags for utility and travel trailers, and tags for motor homes under 12,000 pounds, and distinctive license plates.

The proclamation does not apply to tags for governments, public utilities, volunteer fire departments, National Guard, Purple Heart, prisoner of war, Medal of Honor, standard motorcycles, ambulances, commercial buses, taxies, rental trailers, apportioned vehicles, and motor homes exceeding 12,000 pounds.

B-I-N-G-O Spells Money for Education
The Bingo for Books legislation now requires approval in the House. If it passes, the legislation would allow voters to decide whether to legalize high-stakes video and live bingo at Alabama's four dog tracks and to tax the games to buy textbooks.

The legislation won Senate approval last week and could be considered by a House committee when legislators return from their spring break next week. Those on both sides of the issue have predicted a close vote in the House, which has not wrestled over a high-profile gambling bill since the current legislative roster assumed office following the 2002 elections.

Before the legislation can be implemented, it must be approved by the full House and voted on by Alabamians in a statewide referendum. Each county or municipality -- Mobile County among them -- now home to a dog track would also have to approve the amendment for it to go into effect in that location.

The Senate bill, which would generate an estimated $50 million to $70 million annually from taxes on electronic bingo at the state's four dog tracks, originated in the Legislature's upper chamber.

Governor Riley has no veto power over a proposed constitutional amendment, but he has promised to fight any expansion of gambling in Alabama. Other opponents have argued that the proposal is not primarily a tax bill. Rather, it is a regulatory bill that would change the existing gambling law, and the side effect of which would be to produce revenue.

Selling Alcohol An Option for 10 Cities
Allowing alcohol sales on Sunday in 10 of Alabama's mid-sized cities is being supported by two legislators as an option to help with their economies and tourism.

"We are missing a lot of conventions and a lot of dollars," said state Sen. Charles Steele, D-Tuscaloosa, who is sponsoring the bill in the Senate.

Tuscaloosa officials have failed in the past to get bills approved that would allow Sunday sales in the college town.

State Rep. Bryant Melton Jr., D-Tuscaloosa, the other co-sponsor of the bill in the House, said it was primarily an economic development issue. Melton said some colleagues he's talked with are concerned the bill would let city councils OK Sunday liquor sales without a referendum. He said he expects an amendment to allow the change to occur only by a vote of the people.

If the bill passes, it would allow governing bodies in 10 mid-sized cities to regulate, by ordinance or by referendum, the hours on Sundays when alcoholic beverages can be sold at retail or on-premise locations. If the bill becomes law, a city council could vote to add Sunday sales or call for a referendum on the issue.

The bill could face opposition from legislators including Senator Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals. He opposes the bill because he doesn't agree with Sunday sales. But he said he might go along if it allowed for sales only inside hotels or at conventions, and if it includes provisions that would allow the other smaller cities in the Shoals the same opportunity.

"I'm certainly not going to go along with Sunday sales as far as package stores or outside carryouts," Denton said. "I just feel like we ought to respect the Lord's day and at least not sell it for off-premise consumption."

Tourism officials in a couple of the cities that fall under the proposed Sunday sales bill, say if it becomes law it would be an important step for their cities.

"If we are going to attract conventions, I think we would have to have Sunday liquor sales," said Peggy Atkins, executive director of the Gadsden-Etowah County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Camp ASCCA Feels Effects of Cuts
Funding cuts have hit one camp in Alabama especially hard. Despite the cuts, Camp ASCCA will try and continue to help children with special needs do things they wouldn't normally be able to enjoy.

The state of Alabama has cut funding for the camp from last year's budget of $480,000, to $291,000 for the 2003-2004 year. The camp has already had to cut staff. Easter Seals is uncertain what the 2004-2005 year will bring but they say if there's any further reduction, services will start to suffer.

Camp ASCCA is the world's largest year-round, barrier-free camp for people with disabilities. The camp is on 230 acres with 1.5 miles of Lake Martin shoreline and has centrally heated and air conditioned buildings that accommodate up to 284 people. Program areas include the demonstration farm, adventure area, nature trail, ballfield, horseback riding ring and trails, rifle range, developed lakefront, modern filtered swimming pool, all-weather pavilion, and a wildlife farm.

With more than 10,000 people attending Camp ASCCA last year, the cost is about $600 a week for each camper. To better serve the many children and adults with disabilities who visit every year, the camp has a list of items that need to be donated. They are also asking for companies, groups or individuals to help with the cost. The camp's Endowment Fund provides camperships to campers who may not be able to afford all or some of the cost to attend camp.

If you would like to make a donation to Camp ASCCA, you can contact them by calling 1-256-825-9226.

Enhanced Cell Phones
A new FCC regulation will make it mandatory for all new cell phones to have the capability to locate you. Technology will make it possible to pinpoint where someone is by using a tiny chip in your cell phone.

As part of the Enhanced 911 initiative, your cell phone will be able to do what your home phone does, call 911 and your location pops up.

The new technology will help cut costs at many emergency centers nationwide by giving emergency dispatchers a better idea of knowing if 911 calls from cell phone users are real emergencies or accidental. Emergency dispatchers will now know exactly where a cell phone user's location is and it will help them better determine whether to make a contact, or send out a resource, which costs taxpayers millions.

Many cell phones will dial 911 if the owner pushes and holds down a number, usually nine. The phone's user can set off the speed-dial function sometimes just by leaning up against the phone. A national survey of 6,100 emergency call centers found between one-third and one-half of all wireless 911 calls were made by accident.

In January of last year, most cell phone manufacturers stopped producing phones with the hot button feature, which many users programmed for 911. However, some 40 million of those phones with the speed dial feature are still being used.

The Global Positioning System chip will be on most new phones, with the technology in full swing by this time next year.

Auburn's Second Annual Earth Week

The City of Auburn celebrates Earth Week during the week of April 12 through April 17. This year's theme is, "Peace, Love and Green, Keep Auburn Clean." The week long event has a variety of interactive activities for the whole family to enjoy.

The week's activities will kickoff on April 14 with an Earth Week puppet show theme which will be held at the Auburn Public Library. And, throughout the month of April, storytelling sessions will continue at the library.

Second graders from Auburn City schools will hold Earth Week demonstrations and display art projects at Kiesel Park on April 15 and April 16. On the night of April 15, everyone is invited to pack a picnic dinner and enjoy a free musical performance by Muse. The performance will begin at 5:30 and will conclude at 8.

Earth Week festivities will end on April 17 when local boy scout troops participate in the creek clean up activity. Also on April 17, the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day event encourages Auburn residents to bring hazardous products from their house and dispose of them in a safe way. The rain or shine event takes place at Environmental Services from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information about the City of Auburns Earth Week, call Auburn Parks & Recreation at (334) 887-4930.

Pollen Is In The Air
Pollen Season is in full force and usually lasts until early October for people living in the Southeast. Pollen makes the body release histamines, chemicals that cause the linings of the nose, sinuses, eyelids and eyes to inflame.

Since the Southeast has been windy with very little rainfall, many areas are seeing very high pollen counts. The pretty flowering trees aren't causing the problem, it's the plain ones, the oaks, the pine trees, and the maples. Many people who suffer from allergies start having problems in late March when tree pollen is first produced. Grass pollen appears in late April and lasts until mid-June, ragweed pollen comes along from August to early October, and high humidity creates mold problems from mid-Summer to Fall.

The problem particles cause about 50 million Americans to suffer from allergies. While there is no cure for allergies, people who have mild symptoms are usually helped by oral antihistamines, available both over-the-counter or by prescription. Claritin is the only non-sedating antihistamine that is available over-the-counter. The competing drugs, Allegra and Zyrtec, still require prescriptions.

More severe symptoms of allergies are linked to causing those who suffer from asthma to have an increase in attacks. Asthma patient's airways are supersensitive, drastically narrowing in response to minor irritants that wouldn't affect normal lungs. Indoor allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites or cockroach debris, put these people at risk year-round. But outdoor-allergy season brings an increase in asthma attacks.

People with allergic asthma are tested to learn just which allergens trigger their airway attacks so they can avoid them, or try allergy shots to reduce their sensitivity. The antihistamines that clear allergy-driven stuffy noses won't help asthma.

Xoliar is a new option available for the estimated half a million people with severe allergic asthma not controlled by today's medicines. It can cut asthma attacks by about a third by blocking the inflammation chain reaction.

Xoliar is expensive, ranging between $5,000 and $10,000 a year. However, specialists say insurance companies are covering it without complaint for those who qualify, partly because of evidence that Xolair reduces hospitalizations and cuts patients' use of other medicines. It requires shots administered in a doctor's office every two to four weeks. So far it's just for those older than age 12, although a study aiming to enroll 6 to 11 year olds around the country has begun.

While it's not a cure, Xolair provides the first opportunity to block the root cause of a breathing attack, instead of battling inflammation far downstream.

Opelika Celebrates 150 Years As a City
The year 2004 marks the City of Opelika's Sesquicentennial anniversary and on April 17 the city presents, "Celebrating Opelika's Past" Heritage Festival. The festival takes place 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in downtown Opelika on South Railroad Avenue.

The Norfolk Southern Exhibit Car will be on display at The Depot, located at the West end of South Railroad Avenue and will be open to the public free of charge from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Since 1971, the Exhibit Car has been viewed by an estimated 1.5 million people in more than 350 cities. The rolling museum features interactive displays depicting the history and modern operation of the Norfolk Southern transportation system.

A locomotive simulator lets you be the engineer. The simulator allows you to sit in the engineer's seat inside a mock-up of a Norfolk Southern locomotive and operate throttle, brake and horn. Computer animation simulates successful delivery of a customer's freight, with an important safety message built in.

Another display depicts a train-dispatching center, the nerve center of the railroad. It shows how Norfolk Southern keeps track of nearly 2,000 trains each day. Together with presentations about corporate history and service, plus three interactive Web stations, the Exhibit Car portrays Norfolk Southern as a modern, safe and customer-focused transportation network.

Other exhibits featured at the festival will include Railroad, Church and Choirs, African American, and Textile. The celebration will also have an Arts Festival, Antique Cars, Carriage Rides, and a Farmer's Market.

Finance Columnist to Speak at Auburn
A spokesperson to all generations on how to handle their money and one of the nation's leading experts on personal finance, Jane Bryant Quinn will speak at the Women's Philanthropy Board Spring Symposium at Auburn University on April 21.

The second annual event at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center will begin at 9 a.m., and end at 2 p.m. In addition to Quinn, several other speakers will also provide expert advice on topics related to women's leadership.

As a distinguished columnist, Quinn writes regularly for Newsweek and Good Housekeeping on issues affecting personal finance. She recently ended a 27-year run of providing insights on personal finance issues in a column for The New York Daily News that was syndicated to over 250 newspapers.

Quinn has written several books including, Jane Bryant Quinn's Money Book, which was a bestseller and also a Book of the Month Club Selection. Another recent book, A Hole in the Market, tracks the effect that Generation X has on the economy.

As a television personality, Quinn's business news reports were first seen on the CBS Morning News and then on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. She also appears as a guest on Nightline, Good Morning America, and many other TV programs.

Quicken Financial Planner is a top-selling software program that Quinn appears on and helped develop. The program is a personal guide to saving and investing for college and retirement.

She received a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College where she graduated magna cum laude. She serves on the Deans Council of the Harvard School of Public Health and the Board of Advisors for The Jerome Levy Economics Institute of Bard College.

Married to lawyer David Quinn, Jane is the mother of two children and has three stepchildren.

Join the Old 280 Boogie Celebration
Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 24 as Waverly celebrates the 4th annual Old 280 Boogie from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bring your friends, family, chairs, coolers and blankets to enjoy this free community sponsored event.

The free music and art festival has something for the entire family. Downtown will be blocked off to allow everyone to safely enjoy fine music, art, an antique car show, horseshoes, mule buggy rides, volleyball and plenty of good country cooking.

Emcee for the day will be Wildman Steve. This year will feature more music than in previous years. Performances will be held on the lawn next to High Corner Co-Op and they begin on the hour, every hour, starting at 11 a.m. Scheduled performers include: The Brantly's, Adam Hood, Mace Glasscock, Saugahatchee String Band, Pine Hill Aints, Plantation Heirs, Peter Spivak & Friends, Mark & Les Lyden, and Mr. Resistor.

Delicious food from Oskar's Cafe and the Oak Bowery Fire Department will be served under the big awning of the old Peyton Place Restaurant building right in the heart of uptown Waverly. If it rains, the awning will also serve as the rain venue.

Waverly is approximately 14 miles from Auburn/Opelika. Take Highway 280 West towards Birmingham/Dadeville, turn Right at the Waverly Business District sign. If you are traveling from the Birmingham/Dadeville area, take Highway 280 East towards Auburn/Opelika, turn left at the Waverly Business District sign.

For More Information call Scott Peek (334) 826-6423 or Demarious Jackson (334) 821-7182.

Celebrate Art and Entertainment at CityFest
Auburn CityFest 2004 will be held on Saturday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kiesel Park in Auburn. Hosted by Auburn Parks and Recreation, this free festival is a celebration of arts and entertainment in the Auburn community.

There will be many interactive activities for kids to enjoy. The Children's Imagination Station will have more than 10 inflatables, including the gigantic 5 story high Titanic Slide. It will also have the Gamma Phi Beta Carnival, the StoryMaker, the ArtFest, Auburn Public Library Tents and the Auburn University inflatables.

Kids will want to take a stroll around Kiesel Park with Smokey the Bear, some of the Cartoon Network character's, and Auburn University's famous mascot, Aubie. The character's will be glad to pose for exciting and memorable pictures. Other children's activities in the park include Karate demonstrations, a Children's Arts Exhibition, the Raptor Center Shows, the City of Auburn Smoke House and a dunking booth.

Various Auburn University Sports Teams will make appearances for everyone to meet and greet them and even get their autographs. Below is the schedule of when and what teams will make an appearance during Auburn CityFest.

The Auburn University Women's Golf Team: 10 a.m. The Auburn University Women's Tennis Team: 10:30 a.m. The Auburn University Swim & Dive Team: 11 a.m. The Auburn University Women's Volleyball Team: 11:30 a.m. The Auburn University Football Team: Noon The Auburn University Football Team: 12:30 p.m. The Auburn University Men's Golf Team: 1:30 p.m. The Auburn University Cheerleaders: TBA

Vendors from all over the United States will share their hobbies and crafts in the Artist Marketplace, and in the Arts & Crafts Vendor Showcase. Artwork on display will include everything from handmade birdhouses, jewelry, furniture, lamps and unique paintings.

CityFest 2004 will feature food and beverages to satisfy any appetite. Food vendors will be located directly adjacent to the WTVM Channel 9 Entertainment Pavilion.

At the Entertainment Pavilion, performances will be featured throughout the day and will begin at 9:00 a.m. with Highway 280 Bluegrass. Other performances include The Kazoobie Kazoo Show with Rick Hubbard, The Alabama Blues Brothers Tribute Show, Trotline, The Auburn Unicycle Club and The CaterPillars of the Community.

Volunteers are needed for a few hours or for the entire day, and are needed between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Volunteers will receive an official Auburn CityFest 2004 volunteer shirt.

To volunteer or for additional information about Auburn CityFest 2004, call Auburn Parks & Recreation at 887-4930, or visit their website at www.auburnalabama.org/cityfest.

Almost 80 and Still Going Strong
Blues legend B.B. King has rescheduled double cataract surgery from June to October in order to fulfill his many tour commitments. King is in the midst of a U.S. tour that will next take him to Columbus, GA on Sunday, April 25.

The cataract surgery was scheduled for the same time that King performs his annual concert in his hometown of Indianola, MS on June, 11. The homecoming concert in Indianola has been described by King, as "the highlight of my year." King performs each year, free of charge, as a way to give back to Indianola and the Mississippi Delta. Proceeds from the concert go to Indianola's Parks and Recreation Department. He'll also be able to make a June 6 appearance at Eric Clapton's all-star Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas.

The Indianola and Dallas shows will be followed by another European tour. Finally, he'll be able to undergo the cataract surgery upon the completion of his annual North American B.B. King Blues Festival tour, which is due to kick off at the end of July, according to his management.

As King approaches his 80th birthday in 2005, he continues to maintain a rigorous performance and travel schedule. The winner of 13 Grammy awards, King is being honored with a world-class museum, which will be housed in a renovated cotton gin where King worked as a teenager in Indianola. The museum campus also will contain new buildings for artifacts from King's career, interactive exhibits and arts and music education programs.

No Talking During Class
State Rep. Oliver Robinson wants to change a law that bans Alabama students from having electronic communication devices at school. The new law would allow students to have cell phones but requires permission from a school official to use them.

The proposed amendment was sparked by an April 1 search of students at Ramsay Alternative High School by Birmingham City Schools employees. System officials confiscated 223 cellular phones.

The search angered several Ramsay parents who questioned the purpose for it. School system officials said they were adhering to the 1989 law.

The 1989 law prohibits students from carrying an electronic communication device in school except for health or extraordinary reasons. The law was designed primarily to ban pagers, which then were seen as a tool for dealing drugs at school.

Robinson and the parents stressed how they did not want the cell phones or other electronic devices to be disruptive at school. But, parents also say cell phones are needed to call home, to arrange rides, to tell parents the night's itinerary, and to call work.

Students find other people's phone calls grating and don't want to hear them ringing during class. Students suggest to avoid problems they should be required to switch the ringers to vibrate mode, as well as keep phones out of sight and out of use during class time.

Pedestrian Campus Plan Increases Student's Safety
As part of a pedestrian campus plan adopted by the university in 2001, Thach Avenue will permanently close through the center of campus this Summer. The plan was approved by the Board of Trustees for $6.6 million and will be completed in five years.

The plan is part of an effort to increase students safety as they walk between buildings to class. It will also re-establish a collegiate atmosphere within the core of campus and add beauty with more lawn areas.

Thach will be closed from the West side of Ross Square at Foy Student Union to the West side of Haley Center at Duncan Drive. The area between those points will be converted into a landscaped, pedestrian plaza on which motorized vehicles will be banned.

In the future, Duncan Drive on the North End will be permanently closed as the university begins preparation of the new Transportation Technology Center. The first step in that project began with the demolition of Noble Hall at the Duncan Drive-Magnolia Avenue intersection.

Roosevelt Drive, which is currently closed for construction of the new Science Center, will reopen as a pedestrian corridor in 2005. Also in 2005, Samford Avenue will be closed to most vehicles from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on class days. Booths will be placed on Samford and other streets entering the core of campus to divert traffic to perimeter streets during daytime class hours. Samford will be open for through traffic at other times, but raised crosswalks will force vehicles to proceed slowly.

The pedestrian campus plan is tied closely to ongoing expansion of parking areas on the perimeter of campus and it will also encourage students to ride Tiger Transit buses. At its March 19 meeting, the Board of Trustees agreed to extend the contract with Groome Transportation from seven to 10 years through Summer 2010. This will enable the transit company to recoup the cost of adding new buses to its campus routes.

Pedestrian Campus Plan Increases Safety
As part of a pedestrian campus plan adopted by the university in 2001, Thach Avenue will permanently close through the center of campus this Summer. The plan was approved by the Board of Trustees for $6.6 million and will be completed in five years.

The plan is part of an effort to increase safety for students as they walk between buildings to class. It will also re-establish a collegiate atmosphere within the core of campus and add beauty with more lawn areas.

Thach will be closed from the West side of Ross Square at Foy Student Union to the West side of Haley Center at Duncan Drive. The area between those points will be converted into a landscaped, pedestrian plaza on which motorized vehicles will be banned.

In the future, Duncan Drive on the North End will be permanently closed as the university begins preparation of the new Transportation Technology Center. The first step in that project began with the demolition of Noble Hall at the Duncan Drive-Magnolia Avenue intersection.

Roosevelt Drive, which is currently closed for construction of the new Science Center, will reopen as a pedestrian corridor in 2005. Also in 2005, Samford Avenue will be closed to most vehicles from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on class days. Booths will be placed on Samford and other streets entering the core of campus to divert traffic to perimeter streets during daytime class hours. Samford will be open for through traffic at other times, but raised crosswalks will force vehicles to proceed slowly.

The pedestrian campus plan is tied closely to ongoing expansion of parking areas on the perimeter of campus and it will also encourage students to ride Tiger Transit buses. At its March 19 meeting, the Board of Trustees agreed to extend the contract with Groome Transportation from seven to 10 years through Summer 2010. This will enable the transit company to recoup the cost of adding new buses to its campus routes.

May Sweeps In
For many television viewers, May means a whole month of exciting moments before the summer reruns begin. The major networks pull out all of the best programming during May sweeps as they try to win the ratings war.

The month long special ratings period which features sitcoms, specials, movies and miniseries, is designed to set advertising rates in more than 200 cities. This year it coincides with the end of a TV season notable for the reign of "reality" shows and a lack of breakout hits among scripted comedies and dramas.

The most memorable moments of May will come from the more traditional realm of prime time. Some are calling it the beginning of the end of the sitcom era as NBC brings down the curtain on two of its signature sitcoms in hour long send-offs for "Friends" on May 6 and "Frasier" a week later.

More farewells include an appearance by Dylan McDermott, dropped after last season in cost-cutting at "The Practice," returns for the final two episodes of the ABC drama Sunday and May 16. CBS hasn't confirmed that "Everybody Loves Raymond" will be back next season. The May 24 episode could be the end.

Reality will steal some of the limelight in the weeks ahead with the crowning of America's newest instant pop star on Fox's "American Idol." Other reality season finales will feature CBS' "Survivor: All-Stars," which concludes May 9 with a two-hour episode. Then the players reunite in Madison Square Garden. ABC's "The Bachelor" on May 19 reveals quarterback Jesse Palmer's selection of his romantic favorite. On the May 26 show, he appears publicly with her for the first time.

Sweeps will feature several shows for those looking for a little nostalgia. CBS reunites Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore and Rose Marie for "The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited." Carl Reiner wrote the May 11 special, which is part new episode, part retrospective. Carol Burnett replays clips from her beloved variety series in "Let's Bump Up the Lights." The CBS special, on May 12, will feature Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence and Lyle Waggoner. CBS pays tribute to Don Hewitt, creator of 60 Minutes, with a May 18 retrospective.

CBS will recycle the 1976 miniseries of "Helter Skelter," which detailed the investigation and trial of mass murderer Charles Manson. A new, three-hour movie, set for May 16, focuses on Manson and his sway over followers. ABC shares its long-promised version of "A Wrinkle in Time," based on Madeleine L'Engle's book, on May 10. The three-hour film features Gregory Smith of "Everwood."

The networks will present just two miniseries this month. NBC's "10.5" imagines disaster for the West Coast. Seismic expert Kim Delaney contends with catastrophe on May 2 and May 3. CBS' "Reversible Errors" brings a Scott Turow thriller to life May 23 and 25. William H. Macy and Tom Selleck star.

Specials during May include the "Daytime Emmy Awards" airing on NBC on May 21, while Lionel Richie and Cedric the Entertainer host "Motown 45," a two-hour special May 17 on ABC.

Ending out the month will be a few Cliffhangers and turning points. Danny (Josh Duhamel) is called to military service in the May 17 season finale of NBC's Las Vegas. CBS suggests that Jack Malone (Anthony LaPaglia) might move from New York to Chicago in the May 20 "Without a Trace." Fox's "24" wraps up its latest daylong thriller May 25.

Cosby Brings Comedy To Columbus
Bill Cosby, one of the most popular television stars in America, brings his comedy routine that deals in universal truths about real life to the RiverCenter in Columbus, GA. Cosby will perform two shows on May, 8 at 5 p.m. and at 8 p.m.

Cosby decided to give up a possible career in professional football so he could make people laugh. His first stage appearance, for $5 a night, was at a night spot called "The Underground" in a small room named "The Cellar." It didn't have a stage, so Cosby did his act on a table with a chair propped on it. He not only had to climb over the bar to get to the "stage," but he couldn't stand up because of his height. This is how he became a "sit-down" comedian.

The 66-year-old comedian/actor is famous for starring in "I-Spy," "The Cosby Show," and Jell-O commercials. His "I Spy" role as co-star broke the racial barrier of television. Before the series ended, he had won three Emmy Awards. It was a historic moment in casting when a black man was placed along side a white man as his equal, and it created international interest in the show and in Bill Cosby.

"The Cosby Show" which aired on NBC from 1984 to 1992, was credited by many for single-handedly resurrecting the sitcom genre. Cosby's return to television after eight years was promoted by what he perceived as a lack of relevance and an abundance of superficiality in TV comedy programming. Week after week of #1 ratings and the almost unanimous critical acclaim only confirms that others agreed with him.

In the publishing world, Bill Cosby has shattered records with each of his books. "Fatherhood," became the fastest-selling hardcover book of all time. It remained for over half of its fifty-four weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List as #1. It has sold 2.6 million hardcover copies and 1.5 million paperbacks. "Time Flies" had the largest single first printing in publishing history, 1.75 million copies. Like its predecessor, it too remained at the top of the New York Times list. "Childhood" deals with the predicaments of growing up and coming of age, combining stories of his legendary childhood with comic insights about children of today.

In 1999 he developed the animated television show, Little Bill, which airs on Nickelodeon. In 2001, Little Bill received an Image Award and was nominated for a daytime Emmy. Recently, Cosby and screenwriter Charles Kipp finished the script for a feature-length version of the cartoon "Fat Albert." The film will be released on Christmas Day this year in theatres.

Cosby still loves to perform in front of an audience. About his performances Cosby says, "I feel that in-person contact with people is the most important thing in comedy. While I'm up on stage, I can actually put myself into the audience and adjust my pace and timing to them. I can get into their heads through their ears and through their eyes. Only through this total communication can I really achieve what I'm trying to do."

Medicare Scams
Some Medicare beneficiaries across the country have reported cases of unsolicited calls as well as in-person solicitations from individuals or companies posing as Medicare officials attempting to gain personal information with the intent to scam.

In the May 2004 issue of Consumer Reports, an article describes how phony Medicare drug cards are already showing up even before a new government program gets under way.

With the high cost of medicine, the new program is supposed to help cut prescription costs for seniors and people with disabilities who have no other drug coverage. Beginning in June, they'll be able to choose from a number of discount drug cards approved by Medicare.

In the article, Consumer Reports' Mandy Walker explains that there have been reports across the country of people going either door-to-door or calling on the phone selling 'Medicare-approved' discount drug cards. She also adds, "They're all scams. In fact, it's illegal to sell any Medicare product over the phone or door-to-door."

"With the Medicare card programs, you pay an annual fee of up to $30 and you may get discounts on certain prescriptions of 10 to 25 percent," Walker said. "Low-income families will get a more generous benefit."

Consumers will have to choose from an array of cards offered by different companies. That won't be easy. And Consumer Reports says the Medicare drug program has other drawbacks.

Not all drugs are covered by each card. Prices for drugs will vary depending on which card you choose. And prices can change weekly without advance warning. "It's going to be pretty complicated to figure out which card program is best for youif any," Walker said. "You may find you'll do better with a discount drug card you already own."

You may want to call your state Attorney General's office or local Medicare office to find out about any phony Medicare card scams reported in your state.

The City of Auburn Receives Bicycle Award
Auburn was honored last week for significant improvement in providing safe accommodations and facilities for bicyclists. Auburn is the only city in the state to receive a Bicycle-Friendly Community award.

May is National Bike Month and the League of American Bicyclists honored Auburn for regularly maintaining its bicycle facilities, such as its arterial bike lanes, to ensure they are usable by local cyclists, and for placing bike racks on its buses. It also considers several other factors before giving the Bicycle-Friendly Community award. Those include: the physical environment for bicycling, education programs to promote a "share the road" ethic among bicyclists and drivers, promotional initiatives to persuade people to ride or ride more often, enforcement of traffic laws for both motorists and bicyclists, and evaluation techniques to improve conditions in the future.

Auburn also teaches bike safety education in its five elementary schools. Fourth graders go through the school systems bicycle safety program, which recently acquired a bicycle trailer to transport and store bikes that are provided for students. The Auburn Bicycle Committee sponsors an annual Bike to School competition. The homeroom class with the greatest number of children riding to school is rewarded with a pizza party.

The committee also sponsors Bike Bash, which brings together cyclists of all ages and skill levels for a leisurely ride highlighting Auburns newest bicycle facilities. This year, the committee will offer the League of American Bicyclists Road I Course, have a trail clean-up day, and release the first edition of the Auburn Bicycle Tours Guide. The guide contains maps and descriptions of recommended bicycling routes throughout the city.

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation. The League represents the interests of America's 50 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org and www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org.

"The Passion" Tops List for Illegal Sharing
"The Passion of the Christ" broke the record for the most pirated movie on Internet file-sharing networks in April, according to a piracy tracking firm. High-speed broadband is making it easier for consumers to obtain illegal copies of movies.

The California-based online piracy tracking firm BayTSP reports that 36,693 copies of "The Passion" were being shared on Internet file-sharing networks such as Kazaa and eDonkey. BayTSP, which counts some of the largest movie studios and music labels as its clients, deploys scouring technologies known as "spiders" to search the Internet looking for copyrighted copies of music and films on file-sharing services.

A variety of new file-sharing technologies such as BitTorrent are emerging regularly, and older ones like IRC make it difficult to shut down illegal file-sharing. A few weeks ago, law enforcement agencies in 11 countries announced an operation called Fastlink, aimed at shutting down the activities of almost 100 people suspected of helping to operate illegal file-sharing on the Internet. The groups targeted as part of Fastlink are alleged to have used IRC to have committed their crimes.

Hollywood officials are desperate to minimize the effects of file-sharing on their lucrative DVD business and avoid the same piracy problems that have sunk recorded music sales over the past four years. The news of "The Passion" being widely pirated comes at a time when the movie is getting ready to be released to DVD and VHS in a few months. Officials think that sales will still go well despite the illegal sharing.

DVD and VHS versions of "The Passion," which has grossed more than $375 million at the U.S. box office to date, will go on sale August 31 in America.

BayTSP said there were an average of 2.9 million daily Kazaa users and 2.2 million daily eDonkey users in April, revealing Internet movie piracy has held steady since the start of the year.

Alabamians Favor President Bush
A survey conducted by the Mobile Register found that about half of those surveyed said they would choose President Bush over Democrat John Kerry if the election were held today. Bush topped Kerry by 22 percentage points in a head-to-head matchup.

The survey was published Sunday and found that 29 percent believe the nation is headed in the right direction, while 61 percent say the nation is on the wrong track. The poll has a 5 percentage point margin of error.

On the issues, about half of those surveyed ranked the economy and health care as No. 1 priorities, ahead of Iraq and terrorism, chosen by about 37 percent. Only about 2 percent chose the environment.

In Sunday's poll, Bush's favorability rating, combining those whose opinion of the president is "very favorable" or "favorable," was 57 percent. That's identical to Kerry's negative rating, which combines those who view the Massachusetts senator in an "unfavorable" or "very unfavorable" light. Kerry's favorability rating came in at 39 percent. The president had a 49 percent negative rating.

Alabama Republican Party Chairman Marty Connors said he wasn't surprised at the poll results and predicted an easy repeat win for Bush in Alabama on Nov. 2. Alabama has not opted for a Democratic presidential nominee since Jimmy Carter's election in 1976. Bush defeated then-Vice President Al Gore by 15 points in Alabama four years ago.

Auburn Engineering Shares $12 Million Grant
Auburn University will share a $12 million grant from Vodafone-U.S. Foundation with three other institutions. The grant is part of an effort to advance education in wireless engineering technology.

The grant will enhance the pool of highly qualified students in the university's internationally acclaimed wireless engineering program. It will also support curriculum and research development in wireless engineering and funds for interscholastic seminars, webcasts and symposiums. The other universities selected by the foundation were the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

"The competition for this award was very tough," says AU engineering Dean Larry Benefield. "It included 14 of the nation's top 25 engineering schools. To be one of the three programs selected is testament to the strength of our wireless efforts."

"It is a unique scholarship program that we've developed," says June Sugiyama, Vodafone-U.S. Foundation director. "It not only helps students and universities but it also represents an important opportunity for us to enhance the advancement of wireless technology."

After an extensive study of the top U.S. engineering schools, the foundation's selection of the three universities was based on:
* Strong undergraduate and degree programs in wireless engineering;
* Outstanding research facilities;
* Capability to develop advanced wireless engineering labs;
* Motivation to collaborate with other participating universities;
* Ability to leverage foundation's program with additional funds.

Auburn's College of Engineering became the first in the nation to offer a bachelor's degree in wireless engineering when it started enrolling students in the program in the Fall of 2002.

Recording Industry Cracks Down on Music Sharing
The RIAA continues to crack down on Internet users who illegally share music. On Monday, the industry sued 493 more people, raising the number to nearly 3,000 people who have been sued nationwide.

As in previous cases, the recording industry filed its latest complaints against "John Doe" defendants, identifying them only by their numeric Internet protocol addresses. It said lawyers will work through the courts to request subpoenas against commercial Internet providers to learn the defendants' names.

The Recording Industry Association of America, the trade group for the largest record labels, said all 493 defendants were subscribers with commercial Internet accounts from companies in Alabama, Georgia, and 15 other states. It also said none of the lawsuits filed Monday targeted Internet users at colleges or universities.

None of the cases have gone to trial, and 486 people so far have agreed to pay financial penalties of about $3,000 as settlements.

Despite the lawsuits, there are still a large number of people using peer-to-peer networks to copy and exchange music, movies and other files directly from each others' hard drives.

"Our continuing objective is to send a message of deterrence, protect the rights of property owners, and foster an environment where the legitimate marketplace, both on-line and at retail, can flourish," RIAA President Cary Sherman said in a statement.

Largely thanks to the RIAA's relentless legal crusade against online music piracy, CD sales in the United States have begun to pick up after a three year slide, while legal music sales are becoming more and more popular.

Apple Computer Inc. said last month it sold 70 million songs through its iTunes service in its first year.

Cityfest Kicks Off Summer in Montgomery

Montgomery's Jubilee Cityfest takes place every year over Memorial Day Weekend. The three day event has become a popular tourism attraction as it features entertainment, cultural events, sporting events, and educational children's activities.

Cityfest hours are Friday, 6:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m., Saturday, 1:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m., and Sunday, 1:00 p.m.-9:45 p.m. Daily admission is $22, and a weekend pass is $32. The weekend pass lets you enjoy performances by Cameo, Train, Al Green, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Keith Urban, Hootie & The Blowfish, Plus One, and Montgomery Gentry.

On Saturday, May 29, The Jubilee CityFest Run will celebrate its 26th year. The Cityfest Run starts in historic downtown Montgomery and takes runners in front of the State Capitol down Dexter Avenue to the finish line at the foot of Court Square Fountain Park. As in previous years, CityFest will again host a kids only (ages 6 and younger) Fun Run on Dexter Avenue. All finishers of the short race will receive an award.

Other activities during Cityfest include, a fireworks spectacular that will light up the sky over downtown with a kaleidoscope of color on Friday at approximately 9:20 p.m. Each night, six lucky winners will have the privilege to watch entertainers in the best seats in front of the Miller Lite/Alltel stage. FunFest will feature interactive amusement activities for children and adults that include Rock Walls, a Power Jump, Jurassic Adventure Land and AquaMania! Festival Hours.

Each year, Jubilee Cityfest continues to have an economic impact on Montgomery and the surrounding area. It has donated $50,000 to Montgomery public schools for a reading initiative and $40,000 for riverfront development. CityFest also allots weekend passes for non-profit organizations, public and private schools and service organizations to use for fund raising. In addition, the festival has donated to the United Way, Family Sunshine Center, Brantwood Childrens Home and McInnis School.

For a complete list of activities that will take place during Cityfest, visit their website, www.jubileecityfest.org.

Europe 2004 Tour

Ok, gang: In case you didn't know I was gone, I'm back and now it's time to start paying for the trip. Along with a dozen or so of our closest friends, her highness, my wife and I toured Southern Europe for the past two weeks.

Now to make the trip a tax-deductible business expense, I must detail my experience journalistically, including every trinket and meals--especially the trinkets and meals.

But we begin with a photo essay of the pictures from the trip. For now, the photos are in the order in which they were taken. I have identified the city when we changed location, plus a few other comments thrown in. I will try to add more later--before the memory is completely gone. I have not identified any of our fellow travelers in respect of their privacy, but many will doubtless recognize some the Auburnites who made the trip with us.

Special thanks goes to Art who organized the trip and Leigh at Travel Travel who helped us with our personal arrangements and itinerary. She really knows her stuff!

Photos

Facility Brings Jobs to Auburn

More jobs are coming to Auburn with the recent opening of a new facility by Weidmann Plastics Technology North America, Inc. Weidmann plans to hire about 30 individuals with a capital investment of $10 million.

The company hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday at it's new facility. Located at the Auburn Technology Park South, the 45,000 square feet facility will supply Mercedes Benz in Vance, Alabama, along with other automotive manufacturers.

"This new manufacturing facility will be Weidmann Plastics first foray into North America and is the result of nearly a year of development work and cooperation between Weidmann Plastics, the City of Auburn, the Alabama Development Office, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, and the Alabama Power Company," Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. said. "We have worked closely with the principals of this company and found Weidmann to be an excellent fit with our existing industries and community, and we are excited that Weidmann Plastics selected Auburn for its new facility."

Weidmann Plastics Technology is a subsidiary of the WICOR Group, a global supplier of high voltage power insulation materials and plastics assemblies. With some 30 manufacturing locations and just over 3,900 employees worldwide, the WICOR Group had 2003 CY sales of 426.5 million Swiss francs ($317 million U.S. dollars). In the U.S., the WICOR Group currently employs 650 people, and as the market leader for high voltage power insulation, had 2003 CY sales of approximately $80 million U.S. dollars.

Weidmann is always looking for strong personalities to work actively with the company in an entrepreneurial spirit to shape our common future. The company offers a wide range of challenging and exciting opportunities. Individuals are encouraged to submit an application for current or future job openings. The Auburn plant is located at 204 Enterprise Drive, next to the Donaldson Company. Contact them by phone at 826-4004.

Highway Fatalities In Alabama Increase
During 2003, the number of deaths on Alabama's highways was below the national average for the nation's highways. From 2002 to 2003, the number of deaths dropped 4 percent, but as of May 31, 2004, highway deaths are up 30 percent over last year.

The total number of highway deaths so far this year is 327, up from 251 during the same period in 2003. The significant increase has painted a "bleak picture," said Maj. Patrick Manning, head of the Highway Patrol Division of the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

The number of highway crashes is also up 3 percent this year, Manning said. He added that his division is trying to step up highway patrols with more speeding traps to "make it look like we have more troopers than we do."

Many of those patrols are manned by troopers on their days off, and they are paid by federal grants or by the Alabama Department of Transportation. Manning also added that military deployments and low recruitment rates have forced his troopers to scale back on preventive patrols in recent months. Some 30 of his 320 highway patrol employees are on active duty.

Since Alabama's highway patrol is understaffed, state troopers are looking at new patrolling methods to cut down on the increased number of deaths. They are using a data analysis program that shows troopers wreck trends and areas where speeding occurs. The program helps them know where to focus their patrols.

Manning hopes a new bill passes so the Department of Public Safety can hire more troopers and raise their pay. The bill would generate more than $13.5 million annually for public safety and would help pay state troopers with a more competitive salary that would reduce costly turnover. Alabama's starting pay for state troopers of $26,410 is the second lowest in the 11 Southeastern states, beating only South Carolina at $24,586. Alabama's pay is also lower than several police departments, especially those in the Birmingham area, causing some troopers to leave for city jobs.

Opelika Recognized for Economic Development
Site Selection magazine, a trade publication covering corporate real estate management and economic development, named The City of Opelika's Economic Development Department one of the top 10 economic development groups in North America.

Several projects during 2003 helped Opelika to be chosen by the magazine for its efforts to attract businesses. German automotive supplier Benteler Automotive ($20 million, 150 jobs) and Korean automotive supplier Mando America ($30 million, 150 jobs) began operation. Both are situated in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park, where acres of available industrial land await the next batch of projects.

Outside the park, Illinois-based call center firm Afni added 150 employees in its expansion, bringing the payroll to 650. Couch Ready Mix USA also began construction of their ready mix concrete facility, bringing an additional investment of $2 million and 15 new jobs. The year was also a banner year for the retail sector, with construction activities commencing for Tiger Town, among others.

2004 also promises great things for Opelika. Among the new tools at the city's disposal are a new Web site, an expanded medical center and a new family/ mentoring program, which is aimed at assisting newcomers from overseas in acclimating to the area.

Each year, Site Selection recognizes the 10 non-statewide economic development agencies that excelled in their efforts to attract business expansion activity relative to other groups across the country. The 2003 Top Groups designation is based on four objective categories: new jobs, new jobs per 10,000 residents, new investment amount and new investment amount per 10,000 residents. Top Groups were ranked according to their scoring in these categories, then evaluated according to more subjective criteria, including innovate programs, leadership and customer service.

Moderate Alcohol Consumption Is Healthy
The U.S. government suggests that moderate drinking is linked to heart healthy benefits and will include the finding in a new set of dietary guidelines that will be issued in 2005.

The government defines moderate drinking as, no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks for men. This amount of alcohol appears to help with the protection against condiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, with both beer and wine having the same benefit.

National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Branch Chief for Strategic Planning Lorraine Gunzerath says the recommendation is in no way an endorsement that people in general should start drinking.

"People tend to think of the guidelines as recommended levels of intake," she says. "What we are saying is that this is moderate alcohol use that we are defining. It should not be construed as healthy or required alcohol use. So, if one is not a drinker, we are not saying that you have to start."

It is still unclear whether someone who begins drinking at an early age derives the same health benefits as an individual who starts in their 40s. People aged 40 or more, who are already under some threat from heart disease, seem to benefit the most, whereas younger drinkers may gain very little.

The government report also notes that the data showed a drink per day increases a woman's risk of breast cancer by 10 percent. But Dr. Gunzerath says people with that, and other ailments, should not be discouraged from having a daily drink.

"If you are a moderate drinker, as we define it with the one to two per day, when you have developed health problems, you do not have to give that up. Chances are it is not going to make much difference in you risk profile one way or the other," she says.

Dr. Gunzerath noted that one surprise was uncovered in the finding: moderate alcohol consumption may actually benefit people with adult onset diabetes. The report showed that alcohol appears to improve the absorption of insulin, a hormone the body uses to metabolize food. Insulin metabolism is defective in diabetics.

Teen Smoking Declines

Cigarette smoking among high school students has dropped to 22 percent, the lowest rate since officials started keeping track in 1991. The CDC hopes the decline continues and the percentage will go down to 16 by 2010.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of public and private high school students in grades nine through 12. All participants completed anonymous, self-administered questionnaires about cigarette use. Students were classified as current smokers if they had lit up in the preceding 30 days.

The low rates also represent the first time in more than 20 years that smoking among America's youth has dipped below the rate of smoking in adults, according to data compiled by the CDC.

They study also found that fewer students are trying cigarettes. A little more than 58 percent of students in 2003 said they had tried smoking, down from more than 70 percent in 1999.

Higher prices for cigarettes and a wave of youth-oriented anti-tobacco programs in schools and the media were cited by health officials as the main factors behind the sharp decreases in smoking among high school students.

The CDC suggests the following should be done so the recent trend continues: decrease depictions of smoking in entertainment media, discouraging family and friends from giving cigarettes to high school students, promoting smoke-free homes, instituting school-based anti-smoking programs in combination with community efforts, and reduce the number of parents who smoke.

About half a million Americans die each year from smoking-related lung cancer, heart disease and other illnesses, making smoking the No. 1 preventable U.S. cause of death.

New Facility Opens in Auburn Technology Park North

After announcing plans to build a new facility in April, CV Holdings, LLC, officially opened for business on June 17. The 70,000 square foot facility is located in the Auburn Technology Park North and will eventually employ 300 people.

CV Holdings will produce special medical and consumer plastic products for companies such as Platex, Johnson & Johnson and M&M Mars. The company currently has more than 250 United States and foreign patents on its technologies. Among those products are containers that have the ability to absorb moisture and absorb and emit gases.

The company, which has operations in New York, Pennsylvania, California and France, is expected to have an initial capital investment of $24 million including equipment. An additional $25 million investment is anticipated in the next few years.

In addition, the facility will initially employ 150 people, and the total will be 300 within two to three years. The jobs will pay between $11 and $12 on average and between $12 and $16 for skilled workers.

The local workforce, along with Auburn University's advanced technological staff and the relationship with city officials, are the main reasons for CV Holdings' decision to locate in Auburn.

CV Holdings is one of several companies that has located in Auburn in the past year. Stahlschmidt & Maiworm, Auburn Technologies and Electric Fuel are among those industries that have produced hundreds of jobs.

Auburn Mayor Bill Ham Jr. said these industries offer more opportunities and keep people from seeking employment elsewhere.

"There are so many people that come through, not only in our school system locally, but others that go to Auburn University and get degrees in engineering and other areas," Ham said. "Twenty years ago, we had very few, if any, jobs to make them want to stay here. Companies like this give people capabilities to stay in their home town and have excellent job opportunities."

Cicadas Were All Hype
This spring, the Brood X cicadas were expected to return with a vengeance and there were widespread media reports that this could be the worst year ever for the noisy insect. With all of the hype, the cicadas failed to put on a show.

Designated as Brood X, or Brood Ten, this periodical insect should have emerged from subterranean dens in early May, about the time the soil temperature (four inches deep) reached 67 degrees F. Many states like Ohio were expecting one and half million cicadas per acre.

Many experts believe there could have been any number of different reasons that the bugs didn't emerge this year, from the soil not reaching the right temperature, to drought conditions in recent years. Development might have also been a factor, with more trees where female cicadas lay their eggs being cut down.

Infestations should have been particularly widespread throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana, as well as parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and northern Georgia.

Male cicadas are known for their distinctive mating call, and with populations numbering in the hundreds of thousands per acre, Dr. Frank Hale, an entomologist with the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service, had claimed that the noise would be hard to escape. But, it looks like many areas will have to wait a few more years to hear the cicadas sing.

The 17-year cicadas, or Brood XIV, should hit areas in 2008, and that batch tends to make more predictable appearances. But for those who can't wait that long, there are always the old annual cicadas that emerge in early summer.

Bill Would Allow Companies to Sue Copying Programs
U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, (R-Utah), along with other senators, has introduced a bill that would let artists and entertainment companies sue creators of products, like Kazaa and Morpheus and other copying programs, that encourage copyright violations.

Hatch, along with Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), are co-sponsors of the ?Inducing Infringement of Copyrights Act of 2004,? which would allow companies to be held liable if they ?intentionally induce? copyright infringement.

"This carefully drafted, bipartisan bill would respond to this erroneous decision by confirming that existing law should allow artists to bring civil actions against parties who intend to induce others to infringe copyrights," said Hatch in a statement.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) welcomes the legislation, while P2P United, a group which represents peer-to-peer services including Morpheus and eDonkey, blasted the bill as ?ill-defined, ill-devised, and the product of an unbelievably flawed legislative process.? P2P United adds that the bill could stifle the development of future technologies that could be used for copyright infringement but have substantial legitimate uses.

Currently, civil penalties for copyright infringement can be up to $30,000 per act of infringement, or up to $150,000 per act of willful infringement. Total damages are determined at trial.

"Public Knowledge is concerned that the bill is overbroad, because it regards almost any action that leads to infringement to be a potential offense even if the person who engages in the act never intended to cause infringement," says Gigi B. Sohn, president of Public Knowledge, an advocacy group focused on copyright law.

The Senate has only 35 working days before the fall elections, so the chances of the bill passing this session are slim.

Two More Corporations Locate in Auburn

Pyongsan America, Inc., and SCA, Inc., both announced plans to be the newest corporate residents in Auburn. The two announcements come at a time when the City of Auburn has been successful in attracting many new corporations during the past year.

Pyongsans 25,000 square foot facility is being built along side with SCA's new plant in the Auburn Technology Park North. Pyongsan's initial capital investment will be $3 million and the company will create approximately 35 new jobs for Auburn. The company will expand the facility with an additional investment of $3 million and create 65 additional jobs over the next four to six years. The new Pyongsan facility is scheduled to be completed in mid-September 2004 and begin full production in January 2005.

Pyongsan will manufacture liquid and suction hose Pipe Assembly and Discharge Hose Pipe Assembly to Alabama Halla Climate Systems Corp., which is a Tier-1 supplier to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC in Montgomery, and other companies in the auto industry.

"We were extremely impressed with the advanced infrastructure in the Industrial Parks in Auburn and the enthusiastic and systematic economic development approach by City officials," Chairman of the Pyongsan Group, Bang Soo Lee said. "The well-trained labor pool was another important factor for our company as well as the proven successes of other international companies located in Auburn." Lee added, "We firmly believe that Pyongsan and Auburn will grow to be mutually beneficial partners for a very long time to come."

SCA, Inc. will supply plastic components to Alabama Halla Climate Systems Corp., which is a Tier-1 supplier to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC in Montgomery, and other companies in the auto industry.

SCA will have an initial capital investment of $4.26 million and the creation/retention of approximately 40 jobs. The company anticipates an additional investment of $3.5 million and the creation of 40 additional jobs over the next four to six years. The 45,000 square foot facility will have a trial production period upon the completion of its facility, scheduled for September 2004, and full production is expected to begin in January 2005.

"We are proud to be a part of this great city of Auburn," SCAs Chairman and CEO, Woo Jong Koh said. "We will do our best to become one of your model corporate citizens. SCAs parent companies are known for their quality products and advanced technology. We are confident that our Auburn plant will be an exemplary operation in terms of quality, cost, timing, and advanced technology and one of Auburns success stories, as we have been in China and Thailand," Koh said. Koh added, "The local officials have been exceptionally helpful and patient as we worked through the corporate decision-making process, and we look forward to working together to further our common goals of a prosperous Auburn."

Vacuum Has New Features and Improvements
With the success of the original Roomba vacuum cleaners, iRobot hopes the new Roomba will be as popular as the original. iRobot recently announced that the new vacuum will include several new features, causing it to work more efficiently.

The new Roomba Discovery will be available in the fall and will feature longer battery life, overall improved performance and an ability to detect dirt. The Burlington, Mass-based company says the new vacuum will make cleaning easier.

The biggest change to the new Roomba will include a charging station that all models use to find on their own when they are low on power. The charger emits two beams that help the Roomba find it, then the beams guide it into the charger base. Once it's fully charged, Roomba can rest there until you are ready to use it again, or, if it's in the middle of vacuuming a space, continue on until the job is complete.

Also new is the Active Dirt Response System. A new sonar system listens for dirt particles hitting the vacuum and then focuses the vacuum on that spot, a blue light then goes on to alert the user that Roomba's in this mode. While the vacuum still can't "seek out" dirt, it will detect dirt when it rolls over it and then spend extra time cleaning it up.

Roomba will still use its own patented algorithms to decide when the area is fully vacuumed, but company officials say these algorithms have been improved as well. One problem with the original Roomba was how easily it could get caught or stuck on something. Now it can tell more quickly when its wheels are moving, but the unit is not.

Another criticism of the original Roomba was that the dirt catcher was too small. The new models increase the capacity of the receptacle and filter and the vacuum's suction power. Even the path the dirt takes has changed. On previous models, the dirt went through the propeller system. Now it bypasses it. This should, iRobot officials explained, help the Roomba last longer than earlier models. The robot also has new wheels, brushes, and treads, designed to help it do a better job on high-pile carpet.

While robotics has not lived up to the promise of the last two decades, the market has begun to develop, thanks to improved technology and a change of thinking on how and where robots will be most useful.

Most companies now are no longer trying to develop humanoid companions. Instead, they are developing mobile units that can go into dangerous areas, such as sewer pipes or nuclear power plants. Other mobile units are being developed to perform repetitive, often menial tasks.

iRobot, which spun out of MIT, develops robots for both types of applications. The company has created a number of reconnaissance robots for the military, including the PackBot, a robotic minesweeper being used in Afghanistan.

The first model of the Roomba, which carries a price tag of $199, has sold more than 500,000 units, according to iRobot.

While all Roombas originally sold for $199.99, the high-end model, the Discover, will now sell for $249 and include two virtual walls (placed across openings you do not want Roomba to cross), an updated remote control, the charging station, and a wall-hanging unit. The entry-level $149 Roomba Red will include the dirt-detection system and just one virtual wall. It will also have fewer cleaning options.

Buy the new Roomba from Amazon
 

Corporation Expands in Opelika
Governor Bob Riley and Opelika Mayor Barbara Patton recently announced an expansion to the Mando America Corporation's facility in Opelika. Mando also announced the relocation of the company's corporate headquarters from Detroit to Opelika.

Mando's facility in Opelika is their only North American manufacturing operation and is located in Northeast Opelika Industrial Park. Construction of the 150,000 square foot facility began in the summer of 2003 and was completed a year later. The company's expansion will add an additional 175,000 square foot of space and is scheduled for completion by spring of 2005. The expansion will represent an additional investment of $35 million and will create 170 additional new jobs. Mando's total investment in Opelika will increase to $65 million and the total number of employees increases to 320 associates when fully operational.

Along with the new expansion, Mando decided to relocate the corporate headquarters to Opelika. Mando America Corporation President, Mr. Gi-On Jeon moved his offices to the Opelika facility to oversee North American operations. Mando will continue to operate Sales & Marketing and R&D functions from the Detroit area.

"We appreciate the great assistance that the City of Opelika and her citizens have given us thus far," said Mando America President Gi-On Jeon. "We hope our growth and success will continue to contribute to Opelika and Alabama's prosperity."

Mando's facility in Opelika will produce brake corner modules, suspension modules and steering systems to support its customer base located throughout the United States. This also includes Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama, located in Hope Hull. The facility in Opelika will start-producing products for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama in February 2005, as well as other customers in North America.

Offense Looks For Improvement Under Borges
September 4 is just around the corner. For football fans, that date has been marked on their calendars since last year's Music City Bowl. The win against Wisconsin gave fans something to look forward to after Auburn's disappointing 8-5 season.

One bright spot during the Music City Bowl was quarterback Jason Campbell. Campbell, a 6-5, 228 pound Senior, was named MVP for his performance during the game that included the winning drive during the 4th quarter. Against Alabama, he had a career-high 270 yards on 18-of-27 passes, that also included a 64-yard touchdown pass. Campbell seemed poised to be the leader that all of the coaches knew he had the potential to be. The Wisconsin game was further proof that Campbell is ready to be in control of an offense that has all of the ingredients to be a dominant factor during the 2004 season.

Campbell will need to remain healthy throughout the upcoming season. The Tigers are thin at the quarterback position after backup Josh Sullivan decided to put away the pads and play baseball full time. Brandon Cox moved up to second string after Kelcy Luke decided to transfer to Alabama A&M University.

Cox, a 6-2, 192 pound Freshman, has only partcipated in bowl practice and spring practice after joining the team last December. This lack of experience at the backup position will be a concern once S.E.C. play begins. A strong, healthy quarterback will be a big key and if Campbell were to get hurt after facing hard hitting defenses in league play week after week, Cox will have to be ready to step in and lead the team. Hopefully, Cox will get much needed playing time during easy wins over Louisiana-Monroe on September 4, and The Citadel, September 25.

After Auburn experienced a dismal year on offense, Tommy Tuberville was forced to look for a replacement for Hugh Nall and hire a new offensive coordinator. Al Borges was named the new coordinator in February of this year. Borges, who became the third coordinator in three years, will be looked upon to revive an offense that was ranked near the bottom in nearly every category in the S.E.C.

At Indiana, Oregon and UCLA, Borges' offense had a reputation for setting records for passing yards and points per game. Borges' main task will involve teaching Campbell and the backup quarterbacks his new system.

Borges' reputation for explosive offenses will bring smiles to the young talented core of Auburn receivers. These receivers will be looking forward to racking up big yards and touchdown catches from Campbell's strong throwing arm.

Junior's Devin Aromashodu and Anthony Mix will be Campbell's main targets. Both receivers have good size and have seen playing time during big games. That experience and a good spring, helped them to be named starters for the upcoming season.

Backups Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, and Silas Daniels will have important roles if one of the starters goes down due to injury.

Obomanu will forever be remembered for the up and down game he had against Ole Miss last year. He was Campbell's main target during a drive against the Rebels that helped the Tigers be in position to win the game. Inside the 5 yard line, Campbell saw a wide open Obomanu and threw him a perfect pass, only to see him drop what would have been the winning touchdown catch.

Taylor was awarded for his improvement during spring practice when he was named the Most Improved Offensive Skill Player by the coaching staff. Daniels, finished third on the team with 23 catches for 284 yards while playing in all 13 games.

Campbell and the receivers will be ready to prove themselves as two-a-days start in a few weeks, and this should make the 2004 season an exciting one for the Tigers. For the fans, it should erase the nightmares they experienced last year as they watched an offense that failed to score a touchdown during the first two games. Look for the offense to open up and put more points on the scoreboard starting September 4 at Jordan-Hare.

Phil Marion

Running Game Will Be Strong and Less Predictable

Last year, the phrase "Let's go crazy" became popular among Auburn players and fans. After the first play from scrimmage against Alabama, everyone in Jordan-Hare went crazy after an amazing run by one of Auburn's best running backs in school history.

The 80-yard touchdown run by Carnell Williams helped jump start an offense that struggled the week before against Georgia. Williams, who only had five carries in the past two Iron Bowl games because of injuries, finished with 204 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers beat Alabama 28-23.
Carnell Williams
Williams rushed for 1,307 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

Throughout his career at Auburn, Williams has been known for his ability to keep his feet moving and gain extra yards even when several defenders seem to have him under control. This toughness has enabled Williams to rush for 2,666 yards, which ranks sixth all-time, and third all-time with 33 rushing touchdowns. As his senior year approaches, his weight has gone up from 197 pounds last season, to 212 pounds. Those extra pounds will make it even harder for defenders to bring him down.

In January, a sigh of relief was heard among the Auburn faithful as Williams, and two other seniors decided to stay on the plains and skip the NFL draft. If Williams remains healthy, he could be a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. He has already been named to several preseason honors including First-Team All-American by Lindy's College Football, Playboy All-American, and a Doak Walker Award candidate.

He was recently named as the only unanimous first-team selection on offense among Southeastern Conference coaches in the inaugural SEC Coaches' Pre-Season All-SEC Team. At the end of the season, look for Williams to add to his career rushing yards and bring home many awards.

Ronnie Brown also decided not to leave for the NFL so he could complete his final season at Auburn. Brown, who has gained 13 pounds since his junior weight of 220 pounds, will primarily be used in the upback position. New offensive coordinator Al Borges favors an offset formation, which will feature frequent motion by the upback. This constant motion by the upback will give Auburn another option at the wide receiver position. Borges has commented that Brown has the best hands on the team, making him a big target and dangerous receiver coming out of the backfield.

Borges thinks the new offset formation will make the offense less predictable. Borges also plans to put Brown in the tailback position for approximately one of every three series. When Brown moves into that slot, Borges said a fullback will rotate into Brown's upback slot to concentrate on blocking.

Jake Slaughter, a 6-2 237 pound junior, is Auburn's only true fullback. When Brown is inserted into the tailback position, he will be placed into the upback slot to do most of the blocking. During 2003, Slaughter saw playing time in all 13 games. If Auburn's running attack is successful, much of that success will be given to Slaughter for his blocking and his ability to open up big holes in the opponent's defense.

Backup running backs Tre Smith and Carl Stewart will play a lot of different positions in the offense. Both could see playing time as fullbacks. Smith earned the Eddie Welch Attitude and Effort Award from the coaching staff after spring drills. He rushed for 99 yards on 12 carries in the A-Day game. Smith will mainly be used as a punt returner and was named to the preseason second team All-SEC selection at punt returner by Athlon Sports.

The duo of Williams and Brown will feature the best Auburn backfield since the days of Bo Jackson and Lionel James. Both backs are unselfish, team players, who work towards making each other better. They both returned for their senior year so they could help the other seniors go out as winners and improve on what was a disappointing 2003 season. Look for the combination of Williams and Brown to be the best running back duo in the nation.

Phil Marion

Offense Looks For Improvement Under Borges

Food Guide Pyramid Is Confusing

Since first being published in 1992, most Americans are familiar with the federal Food Guide Pyramid, but a lot of them are confused on how to use it. The pyramid may be replaced as officials develop new guidelines on healthy eating.

The Department of Agriculture announced plans to revisit the Food Guide Pyramid, an icon that was developed to help Americans use dietary guidelines to eat healthy.

Introduced 12 years ago, after almost $1 million was spent debating the shape of what was supposed to be the government's primary nutrition education device, the pyramid has not accomplished its goal, the department acknowledges.

Too many people are confused by the recommendations and can't figure out how to implement them. The proof, Agriculture Department officials say, is that two out of three Americans are overweight.

The increasing number of overweight Americans indicates that whatever the department has done in the past has not been successful. "We've got to reverse some trends," said Eric Hentges, executive director of the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion at the Agriculture Department. "We've got to connect with individuals. We've got to be able to communicate the major message of what's appropriate for you."

The agency says that 80 percent of Americans recognize the pyramid, which shows fats, oils and sweets at its point, widening to grains and cereals at the base. But, research indicates that few know what to do with the pyramid's information about appropriate serving sizes and numbers of servings.

Typical of the pyramid's shortcomings is that some people thought the graphic's recommendation of 6 to 11 daily servings from the grains group, such as bread, meant they could have anywhere from six to 11 servings. But, one serving is a slice of bread.

Only after the eater checks the pyramid's supplemental literature does it become clear that six servings are sufficient for people who don't burn a lot of calories. Eleven servings are for those with high metabolisms.

The updated Food Guide Pyramid also must reflect dietary guidelines based on the latest science, which are being updated by an advisory committee organized by the Health and Human Services Department. The new graphic and the final guidelines are being prepared for the secretaries of agriculture and HHS. The new graphic and guidelines are scheduled to be published in early 2005.

Offensive Line Looks For Respect
The offensive line often gets overlooked when the offense has success, but is harshly criticized when it has trouble putting points on the scoreboard. The 2004 Auburn offensive line hopes to quietly make a difference over last year's performance.

Hugh Nall
Hugh Nall

During 2003, the offensive line was given credit when Carnell Williams gained over 1,300 yards. They were also the main group that took the blame and heard negative comments from fans when Jason Campbell and the offense had trouble scoring. Campbell had problems completing passes because he was hurried by opposing defenses and was sacked many times during crucial drives. While the offense did show improvement against Alabama and Wisconsin, changes had to be made and Hugh Nall was moved back to offensive line coach.

With a talented group returning for the Tigers, and with the new season not far away, Nall will look for several players to be leaders and for the hard work during two-a-days to pay off so the offensive line will earn respect.

During the hot days of practice in August, the center position will be a battle between Jeremy Ingle and Steven Ross. During spring practice, Ingle had a slight edge over Ross, but Ross saw much improvement during the last week of spring. Ingle, a 6-2 275 pound senior from Montgomery, saw playing time during five games at center. Ross played both tight end and tackle during 2003 and played in all 13 games. He was part of the offensive line that was named the Coaches? Offensive Players of the Week for their performance against Mississippi State.

At left tackle, Marcus McNeill will start. At 6-9 and 340 pounds, McNeill will be intimidating for defenses on the other side of the ball, and should open up many holes for Auburn's talented running backs. He has been named a preseason second-team All-SEC selection by Athlon Sports. Since having back problems last fall, he has lost weight and should be more agile. King Dunlap will be the backup left tackle.

Left guard starter Ben Grubbs was named the most improved offensive lineman since being moved from tight end. He still has a lot to learn, but because of his athletic ability, he is seen as a tough, hard-nosed run blocker. Jonathan Palmer is the second-string left guard but will see playing time during certain downs and formations.

Danny Lindsey was moved from center to guard prior to spring drills. The Douglas, GA senior will start at right guard. In 2003, Lindsey helped open up holes for Williams to rush for 150 or more yards in three consecutive games. He was also presented with the Pat Dye Leadership Award by the coaching staff. Backup right guard Jarrod Britt missed the last two weeks of spring practice because of an injury. In 2003, he saw playing time in seven games including two SEC victories over Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.

Troy Reddick has started 16 games during his career at Auburn. Before spring drills, he was moved from guard to right tackle. Slated as the starter at right tackle after spring practice, Reddick has been named to the preseason first-team All-SEC selection by The Birmingham News. Rich Trucks is the second-string right tackle.
Cooper Wallace
Cooper Wallace

The tight ends also have the responsibility of blocking and protecting the quarterback, as well as being big targets on the receiving end. Auburn has a lot of depth and experience at the tight end position. Cooper Wallace, a 6-4, 253 pound junior, has been named to the preseason first-team All-SEC by Athlon Sports and second-team All-Conference by The Birmingham News. In 2003, Wallace started in 12 of 13 games, and had a career-high five catches for 60 yards against Georgia. He will start at tight end because of his size and experience.

Another talented tight end is sophomore Cole Bennett. He saw playing time in 11 games last year and saw much improvement during spring drills. New to the tight end position is Kyle Derozan after being moved from defensive end during the spring.

The Tiger's offensive line of 2004 will be young but with a lot of depth. This depth will provide good competition during two-a-days and allow the coaches to have plenty of options at each position. Leon Hart was a highly recruited offensive lineman from South Carolina. He picked Auburn over Ohio State and could see playing time if he is in good shape and learns the offense. Greg Smith, William Sullivan, and Antwoin Daniels are also newcomers that will be looked upon to learn the offense and develop as players for the future.

Phil Marion

Running Game Will Be Strong and Less Predictable

Offense Looks For Improvement Under Borges

Nashville Star Makes Stop In Columbus

The winner of Nashville Star has been touring the country this summer and his next performance is at the Columbus Civic Center on August 5. Brad Cotter quickly became a household name after winning the nine week competition.

Cotter, 33, who grew up in Auburn, has been touring and recording since the age of 11. Between the ages of 11 and 17, he recorded five gospel albums, two of which were recorded on major labels. He moved to Nashville in 1993 to pursue a recording career. While in Nashville, he made a living as a freelance demo singer and songwriter, writing songs for Warner/Chappell and EMI Music. He was turned down by every label in Nashville at least four times. But, after winning the reality show in May, he signed a recording contract with Epic Records.

His debut CD "Patient Man" was released on July 6. It sold 37,000 copies during its first week and the first single "I Meant To," which debuted at number 41, was the highest charting first single by a new artist in the modern era of country music. The story behind the song, "I walked into Rick Giles' office (late as usual), to write. The first words out of my mouth were 'I meant to call you and tell you I'd be late, but as you know, I don't carry a cell phone and I forgot before I left my house. Hell, I meant to do a lot of things.'"

Over the years, Brad learned to play piano, guitar, drums, and bass. His biggest musical influences include Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Percy Sledge, Eric Clapton, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard.

The Nashville Star Tour features the three runner-ups, George Canyon, Matt Landahl and Lance Miller, along with the Nashville Star house band as opening acts. Tickets are available at the Civic Center box office or Ticketmaster for $16 and $20.

Young Defensive Line Wants To Make An Impression
Recruiting in college football is an important part of having a successful program. After Auburn lost five of the front seven on defense, the new recruits of defensive linemen come to campus eager to impress the coaches during practice in August.

Defensive Coordinator Gene Chizik saw an Auburn defense that had a number five national ranking in total defense, seventh in rushing defense and ninth in scoring defense in 2003. Much of the success was attributed to five seniors, DeMarco McNeil, Spencer Johnson, Reggie Torbor, Dontarrious Thomas, and Karlos Dansby. While those five graduated or moved on to the NFL, Chiznik will look to the new recruits and the returning players from last year to help fill the void left by a memorable senior class.
Bret Eddins
Bret Eddins was named the team?s Most Improved Defensive Lineman by the coaching staff after spring drills.

Defensive end for the Tigers will provide the most depth and experience of the front four. Bret Eddins and Doug Langenfeld are both seniors and saw playing time during most games last year. Eddins started nine games and played in all thirteen and finished the season with 20 tackles, six of those tackles were for loss and had 3.5 sacks. He registered a career-high five tackles with two tackles for a loss, half a sack and a broken up pass against Alabama. He was named the team?s Most Improved Defensive Lineman by the coaching staff after spring drills.

Lagenfeld will probably be the backup to Eddins because he missed spring practice with an injury. Stanley McClover and Marquies Gunn are both sophomores with excellent speed and good athletic ability, but will need to learn to play the run and go full speed on every down. McClover was named the Defensive MVP of A-Day after registering five tackles and a sack during the game.

Junior Tommy Jackson will start at noseguard. During 2003, he played in 12 games and totaled 29 tackles. Jackson played an important role during the Music City Bowl when he recovered a fumble which led to Auburn's final touchdown against Wisconsin.

Even though Jackson has been named the starter, Josh Thompson may start depending on who practices best from week to week. Thompson was redshirted last year and his experience in game situations is lacking. He did see much improvement during spring practice and was named the Most Improved Defensive Lineman by the coaching staff after spring drills.
Jay Ratliff
Jay Ratliff will start at defensive tackle.

Prior to spring practice, Jay Ratliff was moved from defensive end to defensive tackle. Ratliff has good speed and this will enable him to be a good pass rusher inside. Wayne Dickens, the second-string defensive tackle, played in all 13 games last year.

In order for the Tigers' defense to continue to be ranked high, Auburn must be able to play a lot of different players. Defensive tackle Pat Sims is part of the recent recruiting class that will be looking for playing time. Sims, a 6-4, 288 pound defensive lineman out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, was a Class 5A Florida All-State selection his senior year when he recorded 75 tackles, 22 of which were for a loss. If Sims can learn a new defense, he'll give a boost to an already young line that lost three starters off of the Southeastern Conference's third best defense last year.

Other members of the most recent recruiting class will be given a look by Chizik and Tommy Tuberville to see who can help out right away. Most of the young recruits have already been on campus all summer taking classes and participating in voluntary workouts. Those workouts have given them an opportunity to ease into the big transition between high school and college athletics.

With two-a-days beginning this week, the newcomers who are able to learn quickly and stay mentally tough will have the best chance of seeing playing time. They came to Auburn to compete and be team players to help the defense be as successful as they were a year ago.

Phil Marion

Offensive Line Looks For Respect

Running Game Will Be Strong and Less Predictable

Offense Looks For Improvement Under Borges

Security Officials Say Olympic Games Will Be Safe

As the Olympic games begin, Greece will be the safest place on Earth after a record amount of money has been spent to ensure that athletes and visitors will be safe throughout the two week event.

To keep everyone safe, money spent on security is more than four times what was spent for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City and six times what was spent for the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. Security, construction delays and other unexpected expenditures, has led to a cost overrun of some $1.7 billion, pushing Olympic-related expenses to at least $7.2 billion, according to recent estimates from government officials.

The main security apparatus is a $312 million command-and-control center built by a U.S. consortium that collects a constant stream of video, audio and other data beamed from around Greece, including eavesdropped telephone calls and conversations on street corners. Construction of the system was plagued by delays, however, and became functional only weeks ago.

The Olympic security operations are geared toward preventing a large-scale terrorist attack intended to produce mass casualties, such as threats from a hijacked airliner, chemical weapons or hostage-seeking gunmen, according to Greek and Western officials.

Counter-terrorism officials from Greece and elsewhere in Europe said there have been no signs or specific intelligence indicating that such attacks are being planned. More likely, they said, was the chance that the Olympics would be targeted by one of Greece's many small anarchist or radical political organizations that regularly ignite pipe bombs and other small explosives in Athens.

At least 100 FBI and State Department security personnel will assist the Greek government in safeguarding the U.S. team, which is made up of more than 500 athletes. Greek and U.S. forces will accompany U.S. athletes and those from other nations on the buses that shuttle them to events. Though the vast majority of U.S. athletes are expected to stay inside the heavily guarded Olympic Village, those that don't will be protected by security details.

To further ensure the safety of the U.S. Olympians, the U.S. Olympic Committee has provided them with emergency masks, urged them to travel in groups when they go about the city and encouraged them to show restraint when wearing red, white and blue or Team USA gear outside of the venues or Olympic Village.

Linebackers Ready To Continue Tradition
At the linebacker position under coach Joe Whitt, Auburn has seen many young men turn into outstanding players. The 2004 version of linebackers could once again have that tradition continue.

Whitt's resume includes being a part of Auburn's four SEC titles and appearances in eight bowl games during the 1980s. He has coached numerous players that were All-SEC and All-America selections, and twenty players have gone on to play in the NFL. Probably the best linebacker duo in Auburn's history was that of Karlos Dansby and Dontarrious Thomas, who both were second round selections in the 2004 NFL draft. Both players left a lasting impression on the young linebackers who practiced beside them.
Travis Williams
Travis Williams had 67 tackles in 2003. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

As Auburn's only returning starter at linebacker, junior Travis Williams hopes to continue the rich tradition of talented linebackers and pass on his experience and knowledge to his teammates that he learned from Dansby and Thomas. He's been moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker to take Thomas' spot. In 2003, he finished with 67 tackles, behind only Dansby's 84 and Thomas' 75. His best game last year came against Ole Miss when he led the team with a career-high 12 tackles, including one for a loss.

It will be Williams' job to be the main guy and leader of a core of linebackers that showed improvement during spring practice. Travis has the ability to play all three linebacker positions, and this will give the younger players a chance to play and get experience at the middle linebacker position.

Sophomore Kevin Sears and junior Antarrious Williams entered preseason practices number one on the depth chart at the other linebacker positions. During their playing days at Auburn, they have 14 and 59 career tackles between them. Sears impressed the coaches during spring and was named the Most Improved Linebacker. The highlight during 2003 for Antarrious Williams was in the Tennessee game when he forced a fumble that was recovered by Auburn, which led to a touchdown.

With Auburn playing six linebackers during the game, Mayo Sowell, Derrick Graves, and Karibi Dede will all see plenty of playing time at each linebacker position. Sowell, the senior from Birmingham, saw action in 11 games in 2003 and had 14 tackles. Graves played in all 13 games and had 23 tackles. Dede will probably be the role player during nickle and dime packages because of his experience playing at defensive back. He has impressed the coaches with his sense of urgency and aggressiveness.
Joe Whitt
Joe Whitt

Octavius Balkcom, a 6-4, 228 pound incoming freshman, understands the legacy and standards left by the linebackers who have played before him. He's eager to learn and contribute immediately, while carrying on the tradition left by Thomas and Dansby. Balkcom will look to bring his winning ways from high school to the Plains as he led Early County to a 12-1 record during his senior year in 2003.

Coach Whitt and Travis Williams will be responsible for getting the young group of linebackers ready for the upcoming season and showing them what it takes to be successful in the SEC. Williams started in 12 games last year and this will give him the confidence to provide leadership and on-field direction to his teammates to have them ready to play. The 2004 group of Auburn linebackers have the ability to play an important role in stopping the opponent's running game and keep the defense atop of the SEC.

Phil Marion

Young Defensive Line Wants To Make An Impression

Offensive Line Looks For Respect

Running Game Will Be Strong and Less Predictable

Offense Looks For Improvement Under Borges

Bedbugs Bite Again

While they were thought to be a thing of the past, bedbugs are quietly emerging once again from cracks and crevices at night to bite people while they sleep.

As late as the 1950s, bedbugs were a considerable problem. With the development of DDT and other pesticides, bedbugs became almost nonexistent in Britain, the U.S., and many other developed countries. With the increases in world travel, many experts think they are being brought over from people who visit other countries that have bedbug problems. The pests can be carried back home with them in their luggage and on clothing.

Another possible factor in the spread of bedbugs is the increased resistance to certain insecticides, and the introduction of new pest-control methods that leave them unharmed.

In the U.S., the parasites are now widespread along both the East and West Coasts and everywhere in between. "There was a 300 percent increase in bedbug reports between 2000 and 2001," said Randall Armstrong, an agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service. "Bedbug complaints increased another 70 percent the next year and another 70 percent from 2002 to 2003."

Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to locate. They hide in mattresses and furniture, under floorboards, and even inside electrical equipment, emerging to feed only when it's dark. Adults can survive up to a year without blood, allowing infestations to persist through periods when properties are vacant.

They bite the host most commonly around the waist while in bed, sleeping. However, bites may occur on exposed skin such as arms and legs.

If you think that you may have bedbugs in your home, you should start treatment by spraying or dusting the mattress and box spring. It may be necessary to cut open the net enclosure on the bottom of the box spring in order to properly inspect and treat this area. Most attention should be given to the edges under piping or seams or under mattress tufts or buttons. You must separate the mattress and box spring and treat areas in between as necessary.

Bed linens should be laundered in hot water as well as draperies hanging near the bed. Those items should be put through a dryer as well to help insure removal of insects or their eggs. Laundered items should be keep out of the bedbug infested area and/or sealed in securely tied heavy plastic bags.

A residual insecticide should be applied to bed frames and connecting points, floor and wall moldings as well as any other objects or hollows that offer "shelter" for bedbugs. Treat night tables and dressers by removing the drawers, the objects in the drawers and then spray in the corners of the drawers both inside and then on the bottom corners of each drawer. Also check behind any objects hanging on the wall such as behind picture frames or clocks.

If there is a wooden floor and there are gaps between the boards, be sure to treat there as well. When treating, try to think three dimensionally, looking up and down and observing the treatment area from the floor and from above, looking down.

Although these treatments should be effective, it may take some time for them to work. You may need to sleep in another area for several days and perhaps as long as one to two weeks. Unfortunately, the only way to know if the problem has been resolved is to try sleeping in the treated area once again.

El Nino Might Return
Residents of North America might experience a warmer and wetter winter this year as a result of another El Nino, U.S. government weather experts are predicting.

"Current observations ... indicate an enhanced likelihood of weak El Nino conditions from this fall through at least early 2005," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its monthly drought outlook report. "Although a weak El Nino is likely this fall and winter, impacts should be minor going into late autumn," it said.

If an El Nino does develop and persists through the end of the year, NOAA said it may ease drought in the U.S. Southwest. "There should be a slight increase in the chances for above-normal precipitation and increased streamflows over the Southwest this winter and early spring," the agency said.

El Nino, Spanish for "boy child," is a disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific that has important consequences for weather around the globe, usually bringing to the west coast of North America higher than normal winter temperatures and rainfall. The abnormal warming of water in the Pacific Ocean happens every four to five years, and can last up to 18 months.

The last one, from May 2002 through March 2003, caused record rains in Europe and Australia's worst drought in a century. In the United States, it aggravated drought in the Plains states and heavy storms occurred in the south and east.

NOAA said on August 6 that sea surface temperatures had risen sharply in the central Pacific, possibly signaling the start of the anomaly first noticed by Latin American anchovy fishermen in the 19th century and named in honor of the Christ child as it tends to take place around the Christmas season.

Severe El Ninos, which happened in 1997 and 1998, caused extreme drought in Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia, while spawning rampant flooding in Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia. It killed hundreds of people and caused billions of dollars in damage.

Offseason Work Has Secondary Ready To Start Season
Last year, Auburn had a weakness in the secondary because of inexperience and lack of depth. This year, the coaches expect big things from a more mature and experienced group who are ready to play like veterans when the season starts on September 4.

While Auburn only had 11 interceptions last year, that number should go up this year as certain players concentrate on one position instead of playing several. Junior Rosegreen started six games at corner because the secondary needed help there. He was then moved to strong safety where he started seven games. Gene Chizik will start Rosegreen at strong safety this year and believes he will have a better year just playing at strong safety.
Junior Rosegreen
Junior Rosegreen (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

Rosegreen was busy in the weight room during the offseason and was one of the leaders in the voluntary summer workouts. He has played in 38 games for the Tigers, including 27 as a starter. He has been named a second team all conference selection by voters at the 2004 SEC Media Days and preseason second-team All-SEC by the Birmingham News.

Donnay Young is behind Rosegreen at strong safety. Young played in all 13 games and started in two last season, while registering 23 tackles. The fifth-year senior should be a quality reserve at both free safety and strong safety.

Coming off a solid spring, Will Herring will be the starter at free safety again this year. Herring, a redshirt sophomore, has added eight pounds during offseason work in the weight room and will be a big defender at 6-3, 220 pounds. Chizik was pleased with Herring's performance during spring when he was more physical as the secondary worked on becoming better tacklers. Herring should have a strong season and will look to improve on his three interceptions and 48 tackles from last year.

Kevin Hobbs is the second-string free safety after being moved from cornerback during spring drills. In the spring, Chizik experimented with several position changes and was happy with the progress Hobbs made at free safety. But, with the season-ending knee injury to cornerback David Irons, Hobbs could see playing time at that position where he finished the 2003 season with three interceptions and 31 tackles. Against Louisiana-Monroe, one of those interceptions was returned 20 yards for a touchdown, which was Auburn?s only defensive score of the season.
Carlos Rogers
Carlos Rogers

Carlos Rogers should be one of the top cornerbacks in the country after he decided not to enter the NFL draft and return for his senior year. Rogers has been named a first-team preseason All-SEC selection by the Birmingham News and preseason second-team All-SEC selection by Athlon Sports.

The 6-1, 200 pound senior, started 12 games in 2003 despite having to play with pain because of a broken thumb. He finished with 29 tackles and led the team with nine deflected passes. His best performance came against Tennessee when he made a diving interception on the Vol?s last drive to help Auburn preserve a win, while having four tackles and two broken up passes in the game.

During 2004, Rogers will rely on his size and speed to shut down the SEC teams that have good passing games. He gained experience and confidence during the Music City Bowl when he was able to contain Wisconsin's Lee Evans, who was one of the top receivers in the country last year. He has told Chizik that he wants the responsibility of locking down one side of the field, and by doing that, he believes it will allow his teammates the freedom to pressure the quarterback. The secondary plans to use this aggressive scheme to try and neutralize the inexperience of Auburn's front seven.

The other starter at cornerback, Montavis Pitts, promises to be improved over last year after having a good spring. His athletic ability and speed will give Auburn the option of playing more man coverage than they did last year.

With the injury to Irons, and Courtney Denson transferring, the Tigers will look to the returning players and incoming freshmen to help fill the void. Eric Brock, the 6-1, 203 pound redshirt freshman, is listed as a free safety but could help out at the cornerback position.

Redshirt freshman Zach Gilbert has raised some eyebrows during preseason practice. Gilbert is a competitor who loves to play and has earned confidence from his teammates. His aggressive play will give him a chance to see playing time.

Other incoming players who have a chance to fill in the gaps at the cornerback position are Tony Bell, Steve Gandy, and Tristan Davis. All three should help give Auburn's defensive backs more depth.

Head coach Tommy Tuberville expects to see much improvement with tackling and a higher number of interceptions. With theses improvements, he is counting on the secondary to be one of the most solid parts of the 2004 Tigers.

Phil Marion

Linebackers Ready To Continue Tradition

Young Defensive Line Wants To Make An Impression

Offensive Line Looks For Respect

Running Game Will Be Strong and Less Predictable

Offense Looks For Improvement Under Borges

Guidelines For Gamedays Ensure Safety

With the new football season starting next week, new guidelines have been put in place along with parking suggestions to ensure visitors to campus have a safe and enjoyable experience.

When traveling to and from campus, visitors should plan to park in the area from which they arrive in order to ease congestion. If you arrive from Montgomery via Exit 42 (Wire Rd.), park in the southwest part of campus. If you arrive from north I-85, look for parking on the north or east side of campus. Visitors coming to campus from Montgomery on I-85 should avoid Exit 51 because of construction.

The shuttle service is free of charge and runs 4 hours before kickoff, intermittently during the game and two hours after the game. To ride the shuttle, fans should park in the grass lots on the corner of Lem Morrison Drive and Donahue Drive or on Samford Avenue in the Facilities Division parking lot. You can also catch a shuttle from Colonial University Village shopping mall and K-Mart. Both are located on the corner of East University Drive and Opelika Road in Auburn. In Opelika, the shuttle will run from the new Tigertown shopping mall off I-85 at Exit 58.

Tailgating is a favorite thing for fans to do before and after the game. Tailgaters and RVs are allowed to arrive on campus no earlier than 4 p.m. on Friday. If you plan to bring a RV before 4 p.m. on Friday, you can park in the large grass parking areas located at the corner of Donahue Drive and Lem Morrison Drive. RVs must leave campus by 4 p.m. on Sunday.

No-RV zones have been established to create additional areas for tailgating and parking in the core part of campus. Signs will direct RVs, travel-trailers and campers to specially designated areas for parking.

The city of Auburn passed an ordinance that allows police to issue tickets that carry a daily fine of up to $500 for RVs that are parked illegally in areas marked with a No-RVs sign.

Walking to and from the game has been made safer with vehicles not being permitted on the Haley Concourse and are also not permitted on sidewalks on the east side of Mell Street between Roosevelt Drive and Samford Avenue.

If you plan on using a grill while you are tailgating, be sure not to use it within 50 feet of campus buildings or in other designated no-grill areas. Before leaving them unattended, extinguish charcoal fires with water.

Certain areas on campus have been designated for tailgating/picnicing only and vehicles are prohibited. The university wants to preserve areas of campus and protect the buildings and grounds. The areas include: Graves Amphitheatre; Cary Hall; in front of the Nichols ROTC Center and Wallace Center lawn; the corner of Thach Avenue and Mell Street; the corner of Mell Street and Roosevelt Drive; the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Donahue Drive; and the lawn area between Sewell Hall and Plainsman Park.

Construction projects on campus and in the city of Auburn may cause congestion problems in certain areas during gamedays. In order to make your trip to the Plains enjoyable, stay up to date with the latest traffic and parking information by visiting the Gameday 2004 website frequently.

Special Teams Play Important Role
Pressure felt to hit the winning field goal or to punt the ball deep inside your opponent's 20 yard line comes with special teams play. How well your special team players handle that pressure can often determine the outcome of a game.

Punters and kickers often do their job unnoticed. When they perform well, they rarely hear praises. If their performance suffers, the criticism can never end. The pressure that kickers and punters endure in a game must be handled well to be successful, otherwise, they will lose their job.

While experienced kickers and punters feel pressure to perform during game situations, that pressure can be enormous for a freshman who is named the starting kicker in the middle of the season. John Vaughn was put in that situation after Philip Yost struggled early in 2003.
John Vaughn
John Vaughn (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

Vaughn had an outstanding four years at Brentwood Academy where he only missed five field goals. Coming into his freshman year at Auburn, kicking in front of thousands of people made Vaughn realize how important the kicking game is on the college level. He soon learned that the transition between college and high school was more of a challenge than he expected. After missing three field goals from inside 39 yards in 2003, he had to focus during the offseason on his mistakes and take what he experienced as a freshman to improve his kicking game for his sophomore year.

During the summer, Vaughn kicked about 40 field goals every day to get his leg stronger so he could be at the top of his game for the start of the season in September. The extra offseason work has paid off and he has been more consistent during preseason practice. He has made 13 consecutive kicks dating back to the August 14 scrimmage, including his first four kicks from 24, 31, 37 and 44 yards in the scrimmage.

While Yost was known for kicking 50 and 60 yard field goals in high school, he has struggled at times while trying to make short kicks of 30 yards or less during his career at Auburn. Although he tied a school record when he hit a 57-yard field goal against Western Kentucky, he was mainly used for kickoffs during the last half of the season.

Yost has struggled during preseason practices and both scrimmages. He will again be used for kickoffs in 2004 because head coach Tommy Tuberville knows how important the kicking game is and hopes Yost's leg can remain strong throughout the year so he can consistently get kickoffs in the endzone.

As a true freshman last year, Kody Bliss was a big surprise to the coaches and fans when he had a better than average year handling punts. He finished the season with 2,748 yards on 64 punts for a 42.9 average. More importantly, he was able to have 21 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. As the season progressed, Bliss' punting improved with every game and played an important role in the victory over Wisconsin when he had five punts that averaged 45.2 yards.

As he begins his sophomore year, he understands the importance of field position as it gives the defense a chance to stop the opponent deep inside their territory and helps the offense get the ball back with good field position. Bliss will try and improve on his performance from last year as he helps the team control the field position game.
Tre Smith
Tre Smith (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

Junior Tre Smith will be Auburn's top punt returner again in 2004 and has been named to the preseason second-team All-SEC selection at punt returner by Athlon Sports. In 2003, Smith returned 36 punts for 327 yards and eight kickoffs for 138 yards. He had a career-long punt return of 37 yards, and gained 62 yards on six returns against Mississippi State.

Special teams coach Eddie Gran knows experience is important when it comes to executing on punt returns and kickoff returns. He will depend on players from last year to help the team get momentum and score points off of special teams play. Tailback Carnell Williams and wideout Devin Aromashodu will handle the kickoff duties, with cornerback Carlos Rogers and true freshman tailbacks Jerald Watson and Brad Lester in reserve.

Phil Marion

Offseason Work Has Secondary Ready To Start Season

Linebackers Ready To Continue Tradition

Young Defensive Line Wants To Make An Impression

Offensive Line Looks For Respect

Running Game Will Be Strong and Less Predictable

Offense Looks For Improvement Under Borges

Parking Fees And Fines Increase On Campus

Increases in parking permits and fines greeted students and employees when they returned to campus for fall semester. Revenues from the increases will fund most university operations, including maintenance of campus streets and parking areas.

Faculty and staff with "A" zone parking permits will pay $60, up from $30 last year. "B" zone permits increased from $20 to $30.

Students will see their parking fees increase to $30 from $15. Motorcycle permit fees will increase to $9 from $3, but bicycle permits will remain unchanged at $2. Implemented for the first time in 2003-04, visitor parking fees will remain $5 per day, and will continue to be available at the Dawson Building. Options costing from $25 to $100 per semester are also available.

The new parking fees are still a bargain when compared to other peer institutions. For non-reserved spaces at the University of Alabama, faculty and staff pay $60, $90 at the University of Mississippi to a minimum of $120 at the University of Georgia and $198 at the University of Florida.

Christine Curtis, who was responsible for coordinating the traffic and parking study that led to the changes, believes that this is the first general increase in parking fees in more than 20 years. It has been so long that I could not find anyone who could recall exactly when the last increase did occur, said Curtis, who has been a faculty member since 1976.

To deter violators, parking fines will also increase. The parking fines will have very little effect on faculty and staff because virtually everyone abides by the rules, Curtis said. The first parking ticket will cost $10 instead of $4. The second ticket will be $20 instead of $8, the third will increase from $16 to $40, and subsequent violations will be $50 each instead of $25.

Also, changes to parking zones were made to reduce an imbalance in parking availability for many faculty and staff. There are now 3.5 A permits for each A parking space, the highest ratio of any group on campus. The ratio will drop to 2.3 with the added spaces.

To maintain availability of B spaces for staff at the present level, graduate students who were previously eligible for B zone parking permits will be moved to the C zone category with undergraduates.

The ratio of student permits to spaces will increase from 2.7 to 3.0, but Curtis said the ratio is consistent with that of other campuses she checked. Areas affected involve the Lowder Building parking lot, the bottom level of the library parking deck, a small part of Haley B lot, the parking lot between Harbert Center and Ross Hall and the eastern two-thirds of the lot in front of Comer Hall.

The B spaces lost at the Lowder Building will be moved across Donahue Drive to a section of Max Morris parking area. The total number of student parking spaces will remain unchanged at 5,583.

An Alternative To Lasik Surgery
A permanent, implantable contact lens that can dramatically improve vision in patients with severe nearsightedness is expected to receive FDA approval by the end of 2004.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just released an update on its long-term clinical trial of implantable collamer lenses, which are used for moderate to high myopia (nearsightedness). People with myopia have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects.

The lens, which is inserted through a tiny incision and placed in front of the eye's natural lens, has already been shown to be safe and effective. Researchers are tracking how well the results hold up over time.

STAAR Surgical, the maker of one of the implantable collamer lenses under consideration, three-year study found that nearly 60 percent of the 294 subjects had 20/20 or better vision, and 95 percent achieved 20/40 or better. Nearly 97% of the patients said they would have the surgery again, and fewer than 1 percent said they weren't happy with the results.

The surgery takes about eight minutes and is performed using only anesthetic eye drops. The patient can see clearly immediately following the surgery.

The lens is designed to remain in the eye permanently, but if a patients vision changes, the lens can either be removed and changed, or the patient can get regular corrective glasses, contact lenses or LASIK surgery.

The technique is a breakthrough because it's the first time that people with severe myopia have a choice other than thick glasses or contact lenses. LASIK, which has become increasingly popular in the past decade, doesn't work for severely nearsighted patients.

The procedure is expected to cost twice as much as LASIK surgery, which runs about $1,000 per eye.

Predictions For Week 2 SEC Matchups

Auburn travels to Starkville to face Mississippi State in the SEC opener for both teams. The team that can stop the opponent's running game should come out with a win.

Auburn at Mississippi State

Mississippi State head coach Sylvester Croom knows what his defense must do to have a chance against Auburn, stop Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. Fresh off of their 28-7 win against Tulane, the Bulldogs didn't have much time to celebrate as their attention quickly turned to the Tigers. Auburn leads the series in games played in Starkville, 8-4-1. Auburn has also won seven of the last eleven meetings, and the last three contests.

Coach Tuberville and the Tigers expect the game to be a much tougher challenge than it has been the last two years. Coach Croom has his players excited and ready to play. The Bulldogs are young and also have a decent running game that features Jerious Norwood, who was named the SEC's offensive player of the week after rushing for 112 yards.

With both defenses prepared to stop the run, the passing game may be a deciding factor. Auburn has the advantage with senior quarterback Jason Campbell and a group of experienced receivers. The game should be close during the first half, but Auburn will pull away in the second half and win 30-14.

Ole Miss at Alabama

Ole Miss travels to Tuscaloosa for the SEC opener against the Crimson Tide. The Rebels are 0-1 after a losing to Memphis 20-13. Memphis controlled the game throughout and ruined the first career start for Micheal Spurlock, who is replacing Eli Manning at quarterback. Spurlock, the junior quarterback, was 11-of-31 passing for 182 yards.

Alabama cruised to an easy win over Utah State 48-17. Brodie Croyle, who underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in December, completed 16 of 22 attempts for 205 yards with no interceptions.

Last year, Ole Miss defeated Alabama 42-28 behind the arm of Eli Manning. Without Manning, the Rebels will have a tough time throwing on an experienced Alabama secondary. Alabama has the advantage of being at home having won six straight in Tuscaloosa. Look for Mike Shula to start 2-0 in his second year as head coach as the Tide handle Ole Miss 24-10.

Georgia at South Carolina

Georgia plans on winning the SEC Eastern Division title again this year and the first step in reaching that goal will be a visit to Columbia to face the Gamecocks. South Carolina had the typical easy win over Vanderbilt last week and the Bulldogs showed Georgia Southern which team is best in the state by beating them 48-28.

In last year's contest, Georgia forced three Carolina turnovers and shutout the Gamecocks for the first three quarters en route to a 31-7 win in Athens. Bulldog quarterback David Greene threw for 208 yards and 2 TDs, both to wide receiver Reggie Brown, who had seven grabs for 104 yards.

Greene and the Bulldog defense will again be too much for Carolina as Georgia wins 37-10.

Texas at Arkansas

Arkansas shocked Texas in Austin last year when they won 38-28. Texas will seek revenge after watching the Razorback players celebrate on their field as they waved their state flag in the end zone and dug up pieces of the turf. The loss ruined Texas' hopes of a national title.

The Texas vs. Arkansas series dates back to 1894. They played every year for 60 years in the SWC and Texas holds a 54-21 lead in the series. Arkansas has won the last three meetings.

Both teams scored over 60 points last week in their season openers. Texas players expect a hostile reception and intimidating atmosphere in Razorback stadium. The Longhorn players will be ready to play and will win a close game 23-17.

Eastern Michigan at Florida

Florida had to wait a week to play their opener because of Hurricane Frances. Eastern Michigan comes into the game at 1-0 after beating Buffalo 37-34.

The Gators might be looking forward to next week's big game against Tennessee and could be rusty during the first quarter. Eastern Michigan will still be excited about their win against Buffalo. After quarterback Chris Leak and the Florida offense get going, this game will be a blowout. Gators win big 51-17.

Arkansas State at LSU

LSU escaped a scare last week at home against Oregon State. The Beavers were in control until LSU finally woke up in the 4th quarter and eventually won 22-21 in overtime.

Arkansas State visits Baton Rouge where they have been outscored 112-20 in the previous two meetings. LSU won't be sluggish in this game as they continue to put points on the scoreboard against Arkansas State and win with ease 55-13.

A Look Back At The SEC Games

Both Auburn and Alabama had impressive wins in their SEC openers. Auburn faces LSU at home this week, and Florida plays in Knoxville against Tennessee in the other important SEC matchup.

Auburn at Mississippi State

Auburn's running back duo of Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown both rushed for over 100 yards as the Tigers never trailed in their 43-14 win over Mississippi State.

Jason Campbell threw three touchdown passes and completed 8-of-17 passes for 139 yards. Anthony Mix had two touchdown catches and finished with 76 yards.

The Tigers' defense was able to shut out the Bulldogs until late in the fourth quarter when the second-string players gave up two touchdowns in the final few minutes. Auburn's attention now turns to LSU as they come to Jordan-Hare stadium for a SEC West showdown. Auburn will look to revenge an embarrassing lost of 31-7 to LSU last year.

The game will be nationally televised by CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT. Mississippi State will try to bounce back with a win as Maine comes to Starkville for the 6 p.m. CT kickoff.

Ole Miss at Alabama

Alabama improved to 2-0 as quarterback Brodie Croyle completed 14-of-22 pass attempts for 169 yards, and running back Ray Hudson accounted for 116 yards and a score on 14 carries in the 28-7 victory over Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa.

The Rebels scored their only touchdown of the game on an Eric Rice six-yard reception from Ethan Flatt early in the fourth quarter to avoid being shut out. Alabama, which controlled the ball for more than 37 minutes of the contest, outgained the Rebels 390-192 in total offense.

Jefferson Pilot Sports game of the week features Vanderbilt at Ole Miss and Alabama continues to play at home for the third week in a row when Western Carolina travels to Tuscaloosa for the 6 p.m. CT game.

Georgia at South Carolina

After South Carolina controlled the first half against Georgia, David Greene had two second-half touchdown passes and Paul Oliver's interception late in the fourth quarter gave Georgia another impressive road win over the Gamecocks 20-16.

With 6:21 left in the fourth, a fumble by the Bulldogs gave South Carolina the ball at the Georgia 16-yard line, but the Gamecocks failed to convert on a 4th-and-1 play and turned the ball over on downs.

Greene finished 19-of-38 passing for 213 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.

On Saturday, Marshall travels to Athens for the 1 p.m. ET meeting against Georgia, while South Carolina plays at home against South Florida at 7 p.m. ET.

Texas at Arkansas

Texas was able to forget last year's tough lost at home to Arkansas and win a close game 22-20 at Razorback Stadium. Texas' Cedric Benson rushed for 183 yards and scored two touchdowns, and quarterback Vince Young connected on 11-of-22 passes for 151 yards and two scores.

In the fourth quarter, Arkansas got within two points after Marcus Harrison hit a 35-yard field goal to make the score 22-20. The Razorbacks had some chances to take the lead but Texas caused a fumble with less than three minutes left on the Texas 13-yard line. In the final minute, Arkansas failed to get into field goal range and Razorbacks quarterback Matt Jones was picked off trying to throw a touchdown on the final play of the game.

Arkansas will face Louisiana-Monroe at home on Saturday with the kickoff at 6 p.m. CT.

Eastern Michigan at Florida

Florida finally got to play their first game as the Gators dominated Eastern Michigan 49-10 at The Swamp. Florida quarterback Chris Leak had a good outing throwing for 244 yards and three touchdowns.

Florida was able to break the game wide open when they dominated the third quarter with three more touchdowns. Leak threw touchdown passes of seven yards to Dallas Baker and four yards to Billy Latsko, then added a 39-yard throw to set up Skyler Thornton's one-yard TD run to make it 49-10 in the final minute of the quarter.

Eastern Michigan failed to get a first down in the second half until just over 12 minutes remained in the fourth quarter and the farthest penetration for the Eagles in the second half was the Florida 43.

The Gators were able to concentrate on the Eagles and not look ahead to their big game in Knoxville to face Tennessee. The game will be televised by CBS at 8 p.m. ET.

Arkansas State at LSU

No. 6 LSU continued to rack up points against Arkansas St. with a 53-3 win in Baton Rouge. The Tigers scored on six of their first seven drives in the first half. LSU starting quarterback Marcus Randall finished 5-of-7 passing for 59 yards before backup quarterback JaMarcus Russell came in and completed 7-of-11 passes for 151 yards.

Predictions For September 18 SEC Games

Last week's predictions were perfect with a 6-0 mark. This week's important SEC games feature LSU at Auburn, and Florida travels to Tennessee. Both games should be close and come down to the wire.

LSU at Auburn, CBS Sports, 2:30 p.m. CT

LSU opens conference play on the road when they travel to Auburn for a 2:30 p.m. contest that will be televised to a national audience by CBS. Both teams know how important a win would be for them to have a chance to win the SEC Western Division title.

In six of the last seven games, the winner of the Auburn-LSU series has scored at least 31 points. Last year, LSU won 31-7 in Baton Rouge. While Auburn is already 1-0 in the league after a convincing win over Mississippi State, this will be LSU's conference opener and their first road game of 2004.

The Tigers of LSU will face a hostile crowd of 87,451 in Jordan-Hare stadium and head coach Nick Saban knows his team has to get off to a fast start to silence the Auburn fans. So far, LSU's defense is only allowing 69 yards rushing per game. After Saturday's game, that average will go up after Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown show the national television audience just how good they are. Auburn will be looking for redemption after last year's game and will be ready for the challenge.

After a long week of trying to stay focused on the game instead of what Hurricane Ivan will do, both teams should have their game plans ready by Saturday's kickoff. Auburn should be able to win since they are playing at home and since they have two future NFL running backs on their team. Auburn wins a close one 23-19.

Florida at Tennessee, CBS Sports, 8 p.m. ET

The SEC East showdown will have Florida facing Tennessee. Tennessee has the highest winning percentage in the SEC during the last 10 seasons, with a 92-22 (.807) mark. The winner of the Florida-Tennessee game has played in the SEC Championship Game eight times. Five of the last eight meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less.

Florida quarterback Chris Leak had a great year as a true freshman last season. He led the Gators to a 6-3 mark, the highest winning percentage of any freshman quarterback in the nation in 2003. Completed 190 of 320 passes for 2,435 yards with 16 TDs and 11 INTs. He was also named 2003 SEC Freshman of the Year.

The Gators have the edge at the quarterback position. Florida will shock the Volunteers with a 24-21 win.

Western Carolina at Alabama, 6 p.m. CT

Alabama is 2-0 and 1-0 in the SEC after beating Ole Miss last week 28-7. The Crimson Tide will look to improve to 3-0 when they face Western Carolina this Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

Western Carolina's first year quarterback Bennett Swygert is a transfer from South Carolina. Swygert does have some experience playing in the SEC as a redshirt freshman for USC in 2003. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 160 yards with 2 TDs and an INT. The Catamounts are 2-0 this year after beating West Virginia State 77-7, and Nichols State 28-7.

Alabama has had the luxury of playing at home for the third straight week. The other two home games were easy wins and this one will be the same as the Crimson Tide win 49-10.

Marshall at Georgia 1 p.m. ET

Marshall is 0-2 after two tough losses to Troy and Ohio State by 3 points or less. Marshall will look for a win as they try to avoid having their first losing season in 20 years when they face a strong Georgia team in Athens. The Thundering Herd's last losing season was a 4-7 mark in 1983.

Georgia has won 11 straight non-conference games, dating back to the 2002 season opener. The Bulldogs look to remain undefeated on the year as they try to achieve their goal to win the national championship. Coach Mark Richt knows Marshall should be an easy win and doesn't want his team to look ahead to the October 2 game against LSU. Georgia will take care of business and win 42-14.

Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT

Arkansas will be able to forget about the tough loss against Texas as they face a much easier opponent this week when Louisiana-Monroe comes to Razorback Stadium. Arkansas in a blowout 41-7.

Maine at Mississippi State, 6 p.m. CT

Mississippi State plays their third home game in a row as they welcome the Division I-AA Maine Black Bears to Starkville. Maine is 1-1 on the young season. The Bulldogs are 1-1 after losing to Auburn last weekend. Coach Croom wasn't pleased with the effort his players showed against Auburn. With all of the excitement that surrounded Croom's first SEC game last week, his players will be focused and ready for Maine. The trip to Starkville will be Maine's first-ever game against an SEC opponent and they will go back home with a loss of 34-10.

South Florida at South Carolina, 7 p.m. ET

South Florida travels to Williams-Brice Stadium to face the 1-1 Gamecocks. South Carolina lost a heartbreaker to Georgia last weekend 20-16. South Florida is 1-0 after beating Tennessee Tech 21-7.

After a disappointing season last year, coach Lou Holtz brought in five new coaches for his coaching staff. The new coaches will have to get the team ready to play after they had the Georgia game won. The Gamecocks should be able to take what they accomplished against Georgia and have a positive week of practice. They'll be ready to bounce back and win 34-13.

Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, JP Sports, 11:30 a.m. CT

Vanderbilt had a week off after suffering a loss to South Carolina. Commodore fans were hoping their team would be better this year as 21 of 22 starters are back from last year's squad. After losing big to the Gamecocks, it may be hard to tell if those returning starters will help make Vandy contenders this year.

Vandy may be visiting Oxford during the wrong weekend since Ole Miss will be hungry for a win after losing to Memphis and Alabama. The Rebels can't afford to start 0-3 and have that third lost be to Vandy. Head coach David Cutcliffe will do anything he can to prepare his Ole Miss team to win. Playing at home will give them the advantage as they are 20-3 in games played in Oxford. They will win another one in Oxford 26-15.

Indiana at Kentucky, 7 p.m. ET

Indiana travels to Lexington to face the 0-1 Kentucky Wildcats. Indiana comes in 2-0 after beating Central Michigan at home and winning on the road at Oregon. In his 3rd season at Indiana, Gerry DiNardo has an experienced quarterback and running back playing well for him. Kentucky had a decent team last year behind the arm of Jared Lorenzen. Lorenzen has moved on leaving the Wildcats to search for a replacement. Coach DiNardo and his Hoosiers are on a nice winning streak and that streak will continue with a 33-18 win over Kentucky.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Four
Auburn defeated The Citadel 33-3 and Alabama lost at Arkansas 27-10. Auburn will face Tennessee this Saturday in the SEC game of the week. Other important conference games include Arkansas at Florida and South Carolina at Alabama.

The Citadel at Auburn

Jason Campbell and the Tigers improved to 4-0 after a 33-3 rout of The Citadel at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday afternoon. Campbell had another solid performance completing 11-of-14 passes and a touchdown run. The Tigers finished with 234 rushing yards and outgained The Citadel 593-169.

Will Herring got things going for Auburn when he intercepted a pass on the first play from scrimmage. But, Carnell Williams gave it right back to the Bulldogs when he fumbled after his fourth carry of the game.

After a Citadel punt, Campbell led the offense on a 14-play touchdown drive. Carl Stewart's one-yard touchdown run gave Auburn the lead 7-0.

After The Citadel gave up a safety to make the score 9-0, Williams fumbled for a second time inside the Bulldog's 10-yard line, but then scored on a one-yard run and Campbell added a one-yard touchdown run later in the second as Auburn had a 23-0 edge heading into halftime.

In the third, John Vaughn hit a 33-yard field goal, and later in the fourth, Brandon Cox threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jamoga Ramsey for Auburn's final points.

Alabama at Arkansas

Alabama fell to 3-1 on their first road trip of the season when they were defeated 27-10 by Arkansas. Matt Jones completed 7-of-12 passes and a touchdown as Arkansas improved to 3-1.

Arkansas scored first when Jones scored on a six-yard touchdown run with 10:13 in the first quarter. Alabama's Ray Hudson then scored on a 63-yard touchdown run and Brian Bostic split the uprights on a 37-yard field goal to give Alabama a 10-7 edge with 2:01 left in the first half.

The Razorbacks went into halftime with a 14-10 lead after Jones threw an 18-yard scoring pass to Peyton Hillis.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Razorbacks scored 13-unanswered points in the fourth. Hillis scored on a seven-yard run, which was followed by a failed extra-point attempt, and De'Arrius Howard found the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run to give Arkansas a 27-10 advantage with 1:12 left to play in the game.

Kentucky at Florida

Chris Leak completed 25-of-43 passes with three interceptions and a touchdown as Florida won their 18th straight over Kentucky 20-3. The Wildcats haven't beaten Florida since 1986 and last won in Gainesville in 1979.

The Gators outgained Kentucky 523-207 but struggled to put the game away until late in the fourth. A 43-yard punt return by Vernell Brown put the Gators at the Kentucky 34 and Leak threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Ciatrick Fason to put the game away with just over four minutes remaining.

Mississippi State at LSU

Mississippi State was held scoreless for the first time this season when LSU cruised to a 51-0 win at home.

LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell completed 9-of-12 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for 26 yards. LSU has won five straight and 12 of the last 13 against the Bulldogs, including a 41-6 victory over Mississippi State last season in Starkville.

The Bulldogs, 1-3, never got its offense going and finished with 130 total yards. The Tigers took control early and led 34-0 at halftime.

Russell's eight-yard touchdown run less than five minutes into the third quarter put LSU up 41-0. Xavier Carter's 67-yard TD pass from Matt Flynn and Jackson's 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter completed the scoring.

Troy at South Carolina

South Carolina's defense continues to play well as they held Troy to just 207 total yards during Saturday's 17-7 victory at Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Gamecocks 3-1, were led by quarterback Syvelle Newton who finished the game 10-of-14 for 98 yards. Midway through the first quarter, South Carolina scored first on a Cory Boyd three-yard touchdown run. Troy answered on a touchdown run by DeWhitt Betterson.

The Gamecocks then went up 10-7 on Josh Brown's 40-yard field goal. South Carolina extended its lead to 17-7 with a Newton six-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. The Gamecocks' defense then held Troy scoreless the rest of the way for the 10-point victory.

Louisiana Tech at Tennessee

Tennessee woke up after Louisiana Tech took an early 14-7 and won big 42-17 at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee was led by Cedric Houston, who rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns, and Erik Ainge, who completed 10-of-15 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns for the 3-0 Volunteers.

After Louisiana Tech led 14-7 with 32 seconds left in the first, the Volunteers scored 28 straight to build a 21-point lead. Louisiana Tech's Danny Horwedel hit a 30-yard field goal to make the score 35-17. Tennessee quarterback Brent Schaeffer then threw a 24-yard TD pass to Robert Meachem to put Tennessee up 42-17 with 1:41 left in the third. Schaeffer, who started the game for the Vols, was replaced by Ainge after going 0-for-3 on his first three passing attempts along with a sack.

The Bulldogs 2-2, were outgained 347-66 rushing yards, and 595-350 in net total yards.

Ole Miss at Wyoming

Ole Miss continues to struggle as the Wyoming Cowboys handed them their third loss of the season 37-32.

Wyoming was up 20-15 at halftime and then scored 10-straight points in the third. Josh Barge returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown and Deric Yaussi booted a 33- yard field goal to put Wyoming up 30-15 midway through the third quarter. Ole Miss then answered when Mike Espy had a 15-yard touchdown run and Jonathan Nichols kicked a 43- yard field goal to cut the Cowboys lead to 30-25 with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Barge then scored his second touchdown of the game for the Cowboys when he caught a 69-yard touchdown pass from Bouknight to extend the Wyoming lead to 37-25 with 5:20 left to play.

Brandon Jacobs scored for the Rebels on a one-yard run to cut the Cowboys lead to 37-32 with 1:38 on the clock, but Wyoming ran out the clock for the five-point victory.

Vanderbilt at Navy

Vanderbilt lost a tough road game in Annapolis and gave up two turnovers to remain winless on the season.

Navy finally pulled away with 12:27 left in the fourth after quarterback Aaron Polanco ran 22 yards for a touchdown which put Navy up 29-19. Vanderbilt then answered with a touchdown to cut the lead to three but with only 2:30 left in the game. The Midshipmen then ran out the clock after recovering an on-side kick attempt by the Commodores and won 29-26.

Navy improved to 4-0 while gaining 366 total yards, compared to 329 yards for Vandy.

Predictions For September 25 SEC Games
Last week's predictions were 6-3 and the overall record is 12-3. This week, Auburn entertains The Citadel and Alabama travels to Arkansas in the SEC game of the week.

The Citadel at Auburn, 1:30 p.m. CT

The Tigers welcome I-AA The Citadel to Auburn for a game that will see Auburn play a lot of second-string players. The Tigers travel to Knoxville on October 2 and they want everyone healthy for that big game.

Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown should put up big numbers as The Citadel won't have a chance to stop them. The game will be over at halftime and Auburn will begin to look ahead to the Volunteers. The Tigers will be 4-0 after the 45-10 win.

Alabama at Arkansas, CBS Sports 2:30 p.m. CT

This matchup is the best one on the SEC schedule this week. A road game at Arkansas will be Alabama's first test of the year after having three straight home games. With Brodie Croyle being lost for the year, the Tide's offense may have a hard time being confident enough to win on the road.

The game will be Arkansas' SEC opener and they will need to win so they will have the momentum going into their other SEC games. This game should be as exciting as last year's game in Tuscaloosa when Arkansas won 34-31. Matt Jones had a big game in that meeting and will look to beat Alabama two years in a row.

The quarterback situation could be the deciding factor in this year's contest. Backup Alabama quarterback Marc Guillon will have a tough time filling in for Croyle and playing on the road in Razorback Stadium. Arkansas senior quarterback Matt Jones can make big plays and can be the difference in close games. Give the edge to Jones and Arkansas at home as they win an exciting one 27-23.

Kentucky at Florida, ESPN2 6:00 p.m. ET

In the past two years, the Wildcats have played Florida very close. Florida won by a field goal in 2003 and a touchdown in 2002. The Gators should be able to forget their tough lost against Tennessee last week and Ron Zook will have his team ready to play.

Kentucky is 1-1 after playing extremely well against Indiana last week as they put 51 points on the scoreboard. Kentucky's quarterback Shane Boyd had a career day and the offense finished with 560 yards. Kentucky will face a disgruntled Florida defense that will keep the Wildcats from scoring many points. The Gators start slow but by the fourth quarter, the game will be over as they win 40-17.

Mississippi State at LSU, Jefferson-Pilot Sports, 11:30 a.m. CT

Mississippi State is probably having trouble getting excited about playing at LSU this week after suffering an embarrassing lost to I-AA Maine at home last week.

Sylvester Croom will have a hard time getting his team motivated to play in front of a hostile crowd in Baton Rouge. His only hope is LSU will still be down after losing a close game at Auburn and they will come out flat.

LSU will look to rebound against the Bulldogs and take out their frustrations against them. The Tigers will be ready to play and win convincingly 45-10.

Troy at South Carolina 7 p.m. ET

After big wins against Marshall and Missouri, Troy looked bad last week as they lost to New Mexico State 22-18. The Trojans have a decent defense and in the first two games, have recorded 10 quarterback sacks. Their defense, along with a strong running game, should help them to have a better game this week in Columbia.

South Carolina should be 3-0 this year but they let Georgia come from behind and beat them at home. Last week, the Gamecocks pounded South Florida 34-3. Troy knows they will have trouble scoring against South Carolina's defense. The Gamecocks only gave up six points to Vanderbilt and 20 to Georgia.

Look for South Carolina's defense to continue to be dominating and not allow Troy to score many points as they win 27-13.

Louisiana Tech at Tennessee 7 p.m. ET

Tennessee may be guilty of daydreaming about their big game against Auburn on October 2. The Vols realize a win against the Tigers will put them in the drivers seat to go to the SEC championship game in December. But, Coach Fulmer will have them ready this week as Louisiana Tech comes to town.

Tennessee will be too big and powerful for Tech's small defense. The Bulldogs lost to Miami last week 48-0. This week, Louisiana Tech will see another blowout loss as Tennessee has two young talented quarterbacks and a decent defense. The Vols won't shut them out, but will win big 52-6.

Ole Miss at Wyoming 1 p.m. MT

Ole Miss travels to Laramie to face the Cowboys of Wyoming. Wyoming is 1-1 after beating Appalachian State 53-7, and loosing big at Texas A&M 31-0. Wyoming had last weekend off, and this could give them fresh legs when they hit the field.

The Rebels had a tough time getting their first win of the season against Vanderbilt last Saturday. It took a field goal in overtime to win 26-23. David Cutcliffe has finally found a quarterback in Ethan Flat. The Ole Miss defense has struggled so far this year and has given up 20 points to Memphis and 28 to Alabama.

Wyoming will look to take advantage of the mediocre Ole Miss defense and put points on the board. The final score may be high as both offenses have success. Ole Miss will come out with a win 34-29.

Vanderbilt at Navy 12:30 p.m. CT

Vanderbilt had the game won at Ole Miss last Saturday. It would have been a big road win and it would have ended their 12th consecutive road loss dating back to the 2001 season. Instead, the Commodores are 0-2 and now face an improved Navy team in Annapolis.

Navy is 3-0 this year after beating Duke 27-12, Northeastern 28-24, and Tulsa 29-0. Navy's quarterback Aaron Polanco has 300 yards on the ground this season, and fullback Kyle Eckel has more than 250. That is bad news for a Vandy defense that is allowing 450 yards on the ground in its first two ball games. The Commodores won't be able to stop the run and the Midshipmen will be too much for them to handle. Navy wins 38-14.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Five
Auburn defeated The Citadel 33-3 and Alabama lost at Arkansas 27-10. Auburn will face Tennessee this Saturday in the SEC game of the week. Other important conference games include Arkansas at Florida and South Carolina at Alabama.

The Citadel at Auburn

Jason Campbell and the Tigers improved to 4-0 after a 33-3 rout of The Citadel at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday afternoon. Campbell had another solid performance completing 11-of-14 passes and a touchdown run. The Tigers finished with 234 rushing yards and outgained The Citadel 593-169.

Will Herring got things going for Auburn when he intercepted a pass on the first play from scrimmage. But, Carnell Williams gave it right back to the Bulldogs when he fumbled after his fourth carry of the game.

After Auburn forced The Citadel to punt, Campbell led the offense on a 14-play touchdown drive. Carl Stewart's one-yard touchdown run gave Auburn the lead 7-0.

The Citadel then gave up a safety to make the score 9-0. Williams fumbled for a second time inside the Bulldog's 10-yard line, but then scored on a one-yard run and Campbell added a one-yard touchdown run later in the second as Auburn had a 23-0 edge heading into halftime.

In the third, John Vaughn hit a 33-yard field goal, and later in the fourth, Brandon Cox threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jamoga Ramsey for Auburn's final points.

Alabama at Arkansas

Alabama fell to 3-1 on their first road trip of the season when they were defeated 27-10 by Arkansas. Matt Jones completed 7-of-12 passes and a touchdown as Arkansas improved to 3-1.

Arkansas scored first when Jones scored on a six-yard touchdown run with 10:13 in the first quarter. Alabama's Ray Hudson then scored on a 63-yard touchdown run and Brian Bostic split the uprights on a 37-yard field goal to give Alabama a 10-7 edge with 2:01 left in the first half.

The Razorbacks went into halftime with a 14-10 lead after Jones threw an 18-yard scoring pass to Peyton Hillis.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Razorbacks scored 13-unanswered points in the fourth. Hillis scored on a seven-yard run, which was followed by a failed extra-point attempt, and De'Arrius Howard found the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run to give Arkansas a 27-10 advantage with 1:12 left to play in the game.

Kentucky at Florida

Chris Leak completed 25-of-43 passes with three interceptions and a touchdown as Florida won their 18th straight over Kentucky 20-3. The Wildcats haven't beaten Florida since 1986 and last won in Gainesville in 1979.

The Gators outgained Kentucky 523-207 but struggled to put the game away until late in the fourth. A 43-yard punt return by Vernell Brown put the Gators at the Kentucky 34 and Leak threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Ciatrick Fason to put the game away with just over four minutes remaining.

Mississippi State at LSU

Mississippi State was held scoreless for the first time this season when LSU cruised to a 51-0 win at home.

LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell completed 9-of-12 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for 26 yards. LSU has won five straight and 12 of the last 13 against the Bulldogs, including a 41-6 victory over Mississippi State last season in Starkville.

The Bulldogs, 1-3, never got its offense going and finished with 130 total yards. The Tigers took control early and led 34-0 at halftime.

Russell's eight-yard touchdown run less than five minutes into the third quarter put LSU up 41-0. Xavier Carter's 67-yard TD pass from Matt Flynn and Jackson's 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter completed the scoring.

Troy at South Carolina

South Carolina's defense continues to play well as they held Troy to just 207 total yards during Saturday's 17-7 victory at Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Gamecocks 3-1, were led by quarterback Syvelle Newton who finished the game 10-of-14 for 98 yards. Midway through the first quarter, South Carolina scored first on a Cory Boyd three-yard touchdown run. Troy answered on a touchdown run by DeWhitt Betterson.

The Gamecocks then went up 10-7 on Josh Brown's 40-yard field goal. South Carolina extended its lead to 17-7 with a Newton six-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. The Gamecocks' defense then held Troy scoreless the rest of the way for the 10-point victory.

Louisiana Tech at Tennessee

Tennessee woke up after Louisiana Tech took an early 14-7 and won big 42-17 at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee was led by Cedric Houston, who rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns, and Erik Ainge, who completed 10-of-15 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns for the 3-0 Volunteers.

After Louisiana Tech led 14-7 with 32 seconds left in the first, the Volunteers scored 28 straight to build a 21-point lead. Louisiana Tech's Danny Horwedel hit a 30-yard field goal to make the score 35-17. Tennessee quarterback Brent Schaeffer then threw a 24-yard TD pass to Robert Meachem to put Tennessee up 42-17 with 1:41 left in the third. Schaeffer, who started the game for the Vols, was replaced by Ainge after going 0-for-3 on his first three passing attempts along with a sack.

The Bulldogs 2-2, were outgained 347-66 rushing yards, and 595-350 in net total yards.

Ole Miss at Wyoming

Ole Miss continues to struggle as the Wyoming Cowboys handed them their third loss of the season 37-32.

Wyoming was up 20-15 at halftime and then scored 10-straight points in the third. Josh Barge returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown and Deric Yaussi booted a 33- yard field goal to put Wyoming up 30-15 midway through the third quarter. Ole Miss then answered when Mike Espy had a 15-yard touchdown run and Jonathan Nichols kicked a 43- yard field goal to cut the Cowboys lead to 30-25 with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter.

Barge then scored his second touchdown of the game for the Cowboys when he caught a 69-yard touchdown pass from Bouknight to extend the Wyoming lead to 37-25 with 5:20 left to play.

Brandon Jacobs scored for the Rebels on a one-yard run to cut the Cowboys lead to 37-32 with 1:38 on the clock, but Wyoming ran out the clock for the five-point victory.

Vanderbilt at Navy

Vanderbilt lost a tough road game in Annapolis and gave up two turnovers to remain winless on the season.

Navy finally pulled away with 12:27 left in the fourth after quarterback Aaron Polanco ran 22 yards for a touchdown which put Navy up 29-19. Vanderbilt then answered with a touchdown to cut the lead to three but with only 2:30 left in the game. The Midshipmen then ran out the clock after recovering an on-side kick attempt by the Commodores and won 29-26.

Navy improved to 4-0 while gaining 366 total yards, compared to 329 yards for Vandy.

Predictions For October 2 SEC Games
Last week's predictions were 7-1 and overall 19-4. Two big games on the schedule this week include Auburn at Tennessee, and LSU plays at Georgia. The winners of both games should have the best chance of reaching the SEC championship game in Atlanta.

Auburn at Tennessee, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

Auburn will try and win in Knoxville for the first time since 1983. The Tigers will face a balanced Tennessee offense that has two talented quarterbacks. Auburn's defense will be up for the challenge as they only allow 246 yards per game this year. The Volunteers will have to find a way to gain yards on Auburn's stingy defense, as well as stop Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown.

Tennessee wants to get even after last year's 28-21 loss at Jordan-Hare. The Volunteers can't afford to gain only four rushing yards like last year if they want to win. Running back Cedric Houston averages 8.5 yards per carry. Tommy Tuberville will count on his young defense to handle the crowd noise and hold the Volunteer's running game under 200 yards to have a chance.

The game will feature two teams who need to win to keep their chances alive to reach the SEC championship game in December. Auburn's Jason Campbell and Tennessee's Erik Ainge will have to be successful throwing the ball if their team fails to gain yards on the ground. The team who can stop the run and be successful passing should come out with a win. Tennessee wins at home 21-17.

LSU at Georgia, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports

Georgia will try and become 4-0 as they face LSU at home. LSU is 3-1 after taking care of Mississippi State last week 51-0. The Tigers know that scoring points this week won't be easy. The Bulldogs will be out for revenge after losing two in a row to LSU.

Georgia's offense has struggled at times this year but the Bulldogs continue to find ways to win. David Greene is ranked 8th among SEC quarterbacks but his receivers have been unpredictable. Their defense has been able to keep them in games when the offense has been sluggish in the first half. Georgia must be able to score in the first half if they want to win this battle.

LSU will look to snap Georgia's 16 consecutive win streak at Sanford Stadium on Saturday. JaMarcus Russell will be the key if LSU can get a road win in Athens. The game will be low scoring but the Bulldogs have the advantage at home. Georgia stays undefeated with a 16-10 win.

South Carolina at Alabama, 5 p.m. CT, ESPN2

Marc Guillon, who made his first start last week against Arkansas, only completed 6-of-18 attempts for 57 yards. If Alabama wants to be eligible for a bowl game at the end of the year, Guillon must have better numbers this week versus a strong South Carolina defense.

If Alabama has trouble with their passing game, the Gamecocks should come out as winners as they hold the Crimson Tide's running game in check. South Carolina has the ability to have success with passing the ball and that could mean trouble for Alabama. The Gamecocks will win, 21-13.

Arkansas at Florida, 12 p.m. ET, CBS Sports

Arkansas is coming off of a big win against Alabama last week. The Razorbacks are 3-1, with the only loss to Texas. When they visit Florida on Saturday, it will be their first road trip of the season.

Florida hopes that running back Ciatrick Fason will continue where he left off last week. He had a big day against Kentucky with 210 rushing yards. Arkansas has struggled with the run this season allowing 165 yards per game.

The Razorbacks are young and it will be interesting to see how they handle the crowd at The Swamp. With an experienced quarterback leading their offense, Matt Jones and Arkansas should keep the game close. Florida will be too tough at home and will win 27-20.

Arkansas State at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT

Ole Miss is coming off a disappointing loss at Wyoming 37-32. If the Rebels were to be upset by Arkansas State, David Cutcliffe's job would seriously be in jeopardy. The game could be close as Arkansas State has been able to move the football so far this season.

Quarterback Ethan Flatt continued to struggle last week after having four interceptions and a fumble. Despite Flatt's struggles, the Rebels had 567 yards of offense against Wyoming. The Rebels will have their hands full against Arkansas State's quarterback Nick Noce who passed for over 400 yards against Memphis two weeks ago.

Ole Miss will win one at home and avoid an embarrassing loss. The score should be high but the Rebels should pull away at the end and post a 40-28 victory.

Ohio University at Kentucky, 7 p.m. ET

Kentucky will be at home this week against Ohio University. Kentucky was able to put points on the scoreboard against Indiana, scoring 51 just two weeks ago. But last week, the Wildcat offense struggled against Florida when they were held to only three points and a little over 200 yards of total offense.

The Ohio Bobcats have lost to Pittsburgh 24-3, and 40-20 to Miami-Ohio. This week, Ohio senior quarterback Ryan Hawk will try and continue the success he had in last week's win over Buffalo 34-0. Kentucky's secondary has struggled in recent years and Hawk will have the opportunity to have a big day passing. This game will light up the scoreboard but Kentucky will come out on top, 45-33.

Mississippi State at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m CT

Two teams that are desperate for a win will meet in Nashville on Saturday. Mississippi State and Vanderbilt have combined for only four conference wins the past three years. One of these teams will finally have another win in conference play.

The Bulldogs have a decent running game with Jerious Norwood averaging 4.4 yards per carry. That average comes against Auburn and LSU, two of the top defenses in the conference. That average should go up when he faces a Vandy defense that gives up 210 rushing yards per game.

The Commodores have shown some improvement this year when they lost in overtime to Ole Miss and lost a close one to Navy. If Vandy continues to keep games close, they should be able to get lucky and win one. The Commodores should win this one but only by a field goal, 28-25.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Six

Auburn dominated Tennessee in Knoxville 34-10 to remain undefeated. Jason Campbell was the leader on offense and Junior Rosegreen had a record four interceptions. The Tigers are at home against Louisiana Tech at 2:30 p.m. CT on October 9.

Auburn at Tennessee

Auburn had a 31-3 lead at halftime and the Tiger's defense was impressive as they handed Tennessee their first loss of the season 34-10. Jason Campbell threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers forced a three-and-out on the first series of the game, and then drove down the field as Ronie Brown ran over Tennessee's Jason Allen, knocking the safety's helmet off on the way to a 9-yard touchdown run.

After the Vols responded with a field goal, the Tigers moved the ball down field again but failed to score when Brown fumbled at the 5 and Tennessee recovered at the 1. Tennessee's quarterback Erik Ainge lost the ball on a sneak and Auburn recovered. Campbell then found Ben Obomanu on a 5-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers up 14-3.

Carnell Williams then ran for a 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter and most of the 107,828 fans in Neyland Stadium were stunned when that touchdown gave Auburn a 24-3 lead.

After Auburn's Travis Williams picked off Ainge's tipped pass at the Tigers 32 with 2:05 left in the half, Campbell went deep on the next play, hitting Brown for 38 yards. Moments later, Campbell threw a bullet to Courtney Taylor slanting over the middle and the receiver broke free for a 31-yard touchdown play and Auburn took a 28-point lead into halftime.

Williams and Brown each ran for a touchdown, and Junior Rosegreen had four interceptions to set a record for Auburn and tied the SEC mark.

Auburn improves to 5-0, and 3-0 in the SEC as they face Louisiana Tech at home on October 9. The Vols will travel to Athens to face Georgia.

South Carolina at Alabama

Alabama's only points came early in the second quarter when Brian Bostick hit a 29-yard field goal as South Carolina won 20-3 in Tuscaloosa. Both teams struggled offensively in the game, as South Carolina produced just 245 total yards, and Alabama managed only 209 yards.

Syvelle Newton rushed for 51 yards and two scores on 12 carries, and Demetri Summers paced the Gamecocks' ground attack with 73 rushing yards on 19 attempts.

Ray Hudson led the Tide with 76 rushing yards on 15 carries. Marc Guillon and Spen Pennington both struggled in the loss, as they combined for just 68 passing yards and four interceptions on 9-of-23 tosses.

LSU at Georgia

Georgia won their 17th straight home game and moved to 2-0 in the SEC with their 45-16 blowout win over LSU. David Greene threw a school-record five touchdown passes, while Reggie Brown and Fred Gibson each caught a pair of TD passes for the Bulldogs.

Georgia's defense recovered three fumbles and sacked the two LSU quarterbacks five times. The Bulldogs outgained the Tigers, 430-314, in total yards.

Georgia led 10-0 after the first quarter on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Greene to Brown midway through the period and Andy Bailey's 32-yard field goal with 1:30 left in the frame.

The Bulldogs then led 17-0 after Greene hit Gibson with a two-yard scoring strike with a little more than three minutes into the second quarter.

After a 24-10 lead at halftime, Georgia reclaimed the momentum in the second half and never looked back. Greene capped a five-play, 71-yard drive by throwing a 24-yard pass to Gibson that made the score 31-10 with 5:12 left in the third quarter.

Greene then threw his record-breaking fifth touchdown pass of the day to Sean Bailey, to make it 38-10 with 1:59 remaining in the third. Georgia then went up 45-10 on Thomas Brown's one-yard TD run with 6:36 left in the fourth.

Randall's two-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Carter with 1:51 left to play ended the scoring and a tough day for the defending national champions.

Arkansas at Florida

Chris Leak had a career day as 16th-ranked Florida beat Arkansas 45-30 at The Swamp. Leak finished with 23-of-38 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns.

Florida had a comfortable 38-7 lead in the third when Arkansas mounted a comeback. The Razorbacks scored on an 80-yard drive to cut the Florida lead to 38-14. After Florida went three-and-out, Jones ran 25 yards for a touchdown and followed it with a two-point conversion pass to pull Arkansas within 38-22 with 11:16 to play in the game.

The Razorback defense stopped the Gators again on three-and-out and Matt Jones then directed a six-play, 58-yard touchdown drive to bring Arkansas within eight. Arkansas' defense again forced Florida to punt without picking up a first down, but Florida's Channing Crowder intercepted a Jones pass.

Crowder's interception set up the Florida offense at the Arkansas 26, and Leak sealed the game when he tossed a two-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Baker with 1:46 left in the fourth.

Arkansas State at Ole Miss

Ole Miss avoided an embarrassing loss to Arkansas St. when they won at home 28-21. The Indian's quarterback Nick Noce passed for one touchdown and finished 17-of-39 for 230 yards and one interception.

Arkansas State led 14-13 at halftime and Ole Miss scored the only points in the third when Ethan Flatt found Lorenzo Townsend for a nine-yard touchdown pass to put the Rebels up 20-14. They increased their lead to 28-14 after a three-yard touchdown run by Brandon Jacobs and the two-point conversion was successful.

Noce's only passing score of the game, a 59-yard effort to Jerome Stegall, left Ole Miss up 28-21. The Indians had a chance to win with under a minute to play, but they failed to get a first down after four straight pass attempts.

Ohio at Kentucky

The Ohio Bobcats traveled to Lexington and beat Kentucky 28-16. Ohio was led by quarterback Ryan Hawk as he completed 7-of-15 pass attempts and a touchdown pass. The Bobcats are 3-2 and the loss puts Kentucky at 1-3 on the season.

With the score tied at seven to start the second quarter, Hawk gave the Bobcats the lead when he connected with Scott Mayle for a 44-yard touchdown pass. Taylor Begley nailed a 29-yard field goal for the Wildcats to cut the score to 14-10 at halftime.

The fourth quarter saw Ohio score twice after backup quarterback Austin Everson found Mayle for an 89-yard touchdown pass and a 12-yard touchdown run by Kalvin McRae gave the Bobcats a 28-10 lead. Kentucky's Lonnell Dewalt then caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Woodson late in the fourth quarter, but it was too late for Kentucky as the clock ran out.

Mississippi State at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's 31-13 victory over Mississippi State was their first against an SEC West opponent since a 37-34 overtime victory over Ole Miss during the 1999 season. Quarterback Jay Cutler led the Commodores with 91 yards on 10-of-17 passes, and also ran 49 yards on 10 attempts.

Vandy scored 21 straight points in the second quarter to take control of the game. Cutler started the scoring in the second with a 26-yard touchdown run and it was then followed by a Steven Bright one-yard touchdown run. Cutler then threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Erik Davis, giving the Commodores a 24-7 halftime lead.

Vanderbilt improved to 1-3 on the season, while the Bulldogs lost their fourth straight.

Predictions For October 9 SEC Games

Last week's predictions were 5-2 and the overall record for the season is 24-6. Auburn hosts La Tech for Homecoming at 2:30 p.m. CT. Tennessee will be at Georgia and LSU travels to Florida in the other important SEC matchup.

Louisiana Tech at Auburn, 2:30 p.m. CT, Pay-Per-View

Talented Louisiana Tech running back Ryan Moats will be hoping for a big game when he visits Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday. Moats is starting to be recognized as a real contender for the Heisman Trophy. He is averaging 6.8 yards per carry after playing against Miami and Tennessee. Moats will be the best running back to visit the Plains in quite awhile. Auburn's defense will be ready as they haven't allowed a rushing touchdown this season.

The Bulldogs are 3-2 on the season and will try to spoil Auburn's Homecoming for the first time since Mississippi State won 24-17 in 1991. Louisiana Tech has the talent to keep the game close until the third quarter. In the fourth, Auburn's offensive line will wear down Tech's defense and the best backfield in the country will finish the game strong. The Tigers won't be caught looking ahead to their game against Arkansas next week, as they improve to 6-0 after the 40-14 victory.

Tennessee at Georgia, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports

Tennessee's quarterbacks were taken to school by the Auburn defense during the 34-10 blowout last week. As they get ready to travel to Athens this week, the Bulldog defense will look to teach them a few lessons also. Georgia has only allowed 19 points in their last 10 quarters of football. Mark Richt is 3-0 against the Vols, and if David Greene has another big day, the Vols may be looking at another blowout loss.

Coach Fulmer must have his team forget about the Auburn game if they want a chance to win. If they fail to do so, it could be a long afternoon for the Vols. Georgia seems to be hitting on all cylinders on both offense and defense. As the season goes on, look for them to get better. Richt will have his team ready to play and they will win 27-10.

LSU at Florida, 7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN

Florida was the only team last year to beat LSU. The early October victory was in Baton Rouge and the Gators were ten point underdogs. LSU will be underdogs when they travel to The Swamp on Saturday. They are already 0-2 away from home this season. If Chris Leak has another career day for Florida, it will be impossible for LSU to have a chance to win the SEC West with three conference losses.

LSU head coach Nick Saban knows The Swamp is a tough place to win, especially after the way his team lost to Georgia. Florida needs to win to keep their chances alive to win the SEC East. The Gators will win a close one 34-30 and then will begin to look forward to their big game against Georgia on October 30.

Alabama at Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

Alabama started the season 3-0 after beating cupcake opponents like Western Carolina at home. The Crimson Tide faithful thought their team might be on its way to a good year. But, after Brodie Croyle went down with a season-ending injury, the Tide has lost back-to-back games to Arkansas and South Carolina. Alabama could see a repeat of last year when they lost five of their last six games. A win over Kentucky could get them back on track as they face the meat of their schedule in October and November.

Kentucky lost to Ohio 28-16 last week. Quarterback Shane Boyd must have a better game this week if they want to have a chance to win. They also have to stop giving up turnovers and find a way to force some against Alabama. Alabama leads 12-2 in games played in Lexington, and they will win again in Lexington 21-16.

Ole Miss at South Carolina, 1 p.m. ET

Lou Holtz has his Gamecocks playing really well right now. His defense has been tough this season, holding their opponents to seven points or less in four of their five games. A good defense will help your team win many games in the SEC and it showed in last week's game against Alabama. The Gamecocks forced four interceptions in their 20-3 win against the Crimson Tide. If their defense continues to play well, the Gamecocks should go to a decent bowl game.

Ole Miss is struggling to be consistent on offense so far this season. They had to come from behind to beat 1-4 Arkansas State last week. The only team they might get another win against is Mississippi State. South Carolina will hold the Rebels to less than seven points as they win an easy one at home 27-6.

UAB at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

Since beginning Division I-A football in 1996, UAB has come a long way. While they have to compete with Auburn and Alabama for the spotlight in the state of Alabama, the Blazers have done a good job of recruiting decent position players. They are 3-1 on the season after having back-to-back conference wins against Memphis and Cincinnati. UAB's only lost came to Florida State on September 18. When they travel to Starkville, star running back Dan Burks should have a big game against a weak Bulldog defense.

Sylvester Croom is having a tough year as first year coach for the Bulldogs. He should forget about this year and begin focusing on the future. Better days are ahead for Croom and his team. After a few years of recruiting, he'll have more success. On Saturday, the Bulldogs will lose again and UAB will improve to 4-1 after a 31-10 win.

Rutgers at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. CT

Vanderbilt finally won their first game of the season last week against Mississippi State. The Vandy offense was able to gain 257 yards on the ground and they seem to be improving as the season progresses. Rutgers could be without their star running back Brian Leonard when they visit Nashville. If Leonard is out, it could be a long day for the Scarlet Knights. They will rely on quarterback Ryan Hart to have a big game against a weak Vandy secondary. If the Commodore offensive line can get healthy, they should have another decent game on the ground. Vandy should win their second game in a row and the final score will be close at 33-28.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Seven
Auburn improves to 6-0 and moves up to No. 4 in the AP poll after a convincing 52-7 win against La Tech. Tennessee and LSU got huge road wins on Saturday. Arkansas will travel to Auburn October 16 to try and upset the undefeated Tigers.

Louisiana Tech at Auburn

Ronnie Brown had a big game for the Tigers, rushing for 109 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries as Auburn handled Louisiana Tech 52-7. The Tigers improved to 6-0 and will face a tough Arkansas team on the Plains Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT.

The Tigers scored early and often and took a 24-0 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, Jason Campbell hit Ben Obomanu for an eight-yard touchdown pass to give the Tigers a 31-0 lead. The 11-play, 96-yard drive was aided by a 43-yard run by Brown into the red zone. Campbell finished the game with 13-of-18 passes for 201 yards and two scores for Auburn.

The Bulldogs finally scored with 6:48 left in the third when Matt Kubik hit Johnathan Holland for a 78-yard touchdown pass.

Auburn ended the third with two long scores of their own to take a 45-7 lead into the final quarter. Campbell connected with Silas Daniels for an 87-yard touchdown pass and then Obomanu hauled in a 38-yard score from Brandon Cox.

The win gives Auburn an eight game winning streak and they are off to a 6-0 start since 1997. The Tigers posted 472 yards of total net offense, while holding Tech to just 222 yards.

Alabama at Kentucky

Alabama snapped a two-game losing streak with a 45-17 win over Kentucky. Alabama improves to 4-2 on the season, while Kentucky falls to 1-4.

Ray Hudson ran for 99 yards and a touchdown, but left the game with a possible season ending knee injury. Backup Alabama quarterback Spencer Pennington completed 7-of-11 attempts for 83 yards. Alabama was able to rack up 387 yards of total offense, while the Wildcats had only 177 yards.

Alabama got off to a fast start when they scored 14 straight points. Kentucky's quarterback Shane Boyd then ran for a one yard touchdown to make the score 14-7 with just over two minutes left in the first half. Brian Bostick then put the Crimson Tide up by 10 with his 36-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining in the second.

In the third, Kentucky cut the lead to 17-14 after Boyd found Jeremiah Drobney for a 38-yard touchdown pass. Alabama then took control on the game and scored 14 points in the third, and 14 more in the fourth.

Tennessee at Georgia

Georgia tried to rally late in the fourth but Tennessee held on to give the Bulldogs their first loss of the season, 19-14. Tennessee's freshman quarterback Erik Ainge threw two touchdown passes and finished 12-for-21 for 150 yards.

The Bulldogs had a chance to win after they drove down to the 19-yard line with one second left as receiver Fred Gibson got out of bounds just in time after a 21-yard reception. David Greene then floated one up toward the end zone, but it was knocked down along with the Bulldogs' hopes of remaining in the national championship picture.

The Tennessee defense frustrated Georgia quarterback David Greene with constant pressure. Greene was sacked five times, going 15-of-34 for 163 yards as the Bulldogs 4-1, saw their 17-game home win streak come to an end.

LSU at Florida

Florida failed to score in the second half and Marcus Randall hit Joseph Addaias for a 10-yard touchdown pass with just 27 seconds remaining to give LSU a 24-21 victory on the road. Randall came off the bench and completed 18-of-27 passes for 198 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for the 4-2 Tigers.

The Tigers, who trailed the entire game until the final score, were behind 21-17 when they started the game-winning drive at the 50-yard line with just 2:06 remaining. The six-play drive got off to a quick start when Addaias ran through the right side of the line for 16 yards down to the Florida 34. Five plays later, on 3rd-and-5, Randall found Addaias for the 10-yard score in the end zone.

LSU out gained Florida in total net offense, 464-236. The Tigers also picked up 29 first downs, compared to just 14 collected by the Gators

Ole Miss at South Carolina

Ole Miss got a big win on the road against the Gamecocks when Bill Flowers scored on a 29-yard touchdown pass with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter. The 31-28 win gives the Rebels a 3-3 record on the season, and the Gamecocks are 4-2.

The Rebels led 14-0 after the first quarter. The Gamecocks scored early in the second when Andy Boyd caught a 17-yard touchdown pass over the middle to make the score 14-7. Ole Miss then scored on a 13 play, 76-yard drive to again put them up by 14. The Gamecocks then had an impressive drive of 11 plays, 80-yards that led to a 38-yard touchdown run by Syvelle Newton to bring the score to 21-14 at the half.

South Carolina tied the game at 21 midway through the third when Troy Williamson grabbed a 33-yard touchdown catch on fourth-and-10. Jonathan Nichols' 25-yard field goal with five seconds left in the third put the Rebels back up 24-21 at the end of the quarter.

A 17-yard touchdown run by Demetris Summers 2:32 into the fourth quarter put the Gamecocks ahead 28-24 before Ole Miss was able to come from behind to win.

The Gamecocks' defense, first in the SEC in rushing defense and third against the pass, gave up 319 yards in the first half. South Carolina came in allowing 256 yards a game.

UAB at Mississippi State

The Bulldogs continue to struggle under first year head coach Sylvester Croom as UAB won in Starkville 27-13. It was the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

Mississippi State took an early 3-0 lead after Keith Andrews hit a long 48-yard field goal. The Blazers then scored 49 seconds later on a 52-yard touchdown pass from Darrell Hackney to Corey White. UAB increased its lead when Nick Hayes hit a 29-yard field goal to put them up 10-3. The Bulldogs scored a touchdown which tied the game at 10 to end the first half.

After halftime, the Blazers went up 17-10 with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Hackney to White. Mississippi State cut the lead to 17-13 with a 42-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, but UAB put the game out of reach with 10 unanswered points.

The Bulldogs, 1-5, out gained UAB in total yards, 324-314.

Rutgers at Vanderbilt

Rutgers' quarterback Ryan Hart completed 31-of-40 pass attempts for 344 yards and two scores, and helped his team come-from-behind and win 37-34 against Vanderbilt. The win gives Rutgers a 3-2 record and the loss puts the Commodores at 1-4.

Vandy went up 10-0 early when Patrick Johnson nailed a 33-yard field goal, and that was followed by a 29-yard interception that was returned for a touchdown by Dominique Morris. The Scarlet Knights finally got on the scoreboard after a 35-yard field goal by Jeremy Ito.

The Commodores went into halftime with a comfortable 20-3 lead after a nine-yard run by Jeff Jennings midway through the second quarter and a 44-yard field goal by Johnson.

In the third, Vandy went up 27-3 when Jay Cutler found Erik Davis for a 27-yard touchdown pass. Brian Leonard then had two rushing touchdowns to cut the lead to 27-16 midway through the third. After a two-yard touchdown run by Cutler that put Vanderbilt up 34-16 late in the third quarter, Rutgers dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points for the comeback victory.

Predictions For October 16 SEC Games
Predictions for last week were 3-4, with the overall record at 27-10. Arkansas visits Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. CT and CBS will carry the game. In other games, Southern Miss faces Alabama, and Tennessee plays at Ole Miss.

Arkansas at Auburn, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

If Auburn can win this week, they should be 9-0 when they face Georgia on November 13. Arkansas is 3-2 after losing close games to Texas and Florida. The Razorbacks have a history of not being able to stop the run. Last year, Carnell Williams ran for 150 yards and was the difference in the 10-3 win in Fayetteville. This year, Arkansas has allowed 145, 274, and 295 yards on the ground against Florida, Alabama and Texas respectively. Auburn's talented running backs could once again be the difference in another close game between the Tigers and Razorbacks.

Stopping Matt Jones will be Auburn's top priority during the game. If they can force Jones to throw the ball early and often, Arkansas could be in for a long day. If hurried, Jones is likely to throw interceptions and turnovers will hurt Arkansas' chances because Auburn's defense has 11 interceptions this season, which is tied for second nationally behind Kansas' 12 interceptions.

Arkansas will try and be the first team to have a rushing touchdown against Auburn this season. Arkansas must put points on the scoreboard against a stingy Tiger defense. That will be a tough task as Auburn is fourth nationally in scoring defense, holding opponents to 7.2 points per game.

In games played in Auburn, the Tigers have a 3-1-1 advantage. The West Coast offense will be too much for Arkansas, as Auburn improves to 7-0 after a 34-14 victory.

Southern Miss at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, Pay-Per-View

No. 24 Southern Miss travels to Tuscaloosa to play an unpredictable 4-2 Alabama. The Golden Eagles are 4-0 after beating Nebraska, Tulane, South Florida and Houston. While starting quarterback Dustin Almond is questionable because of a hamstring injury he suffered against Houston last week, Southern Miss should be able to keep the game close because of their defense.

Although Alabama won with ease against Kentucky last week, Southern Miss has always been a strong opponent. The Golden Eagles have a talented group of linebackers that could force Alabama to depend on their passing game to win. With Ray Hudson possibly out because of a knee injury, Spencer Pennington will need to be solid and not have any interceptions. The Crimson Tide hold a 15-1-1 advantage in games played in Tuscaloosa, but this year Southern Miss will win 21-17 and remain undefeated.

Vanderbilt at Georgia, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

Last year, Georgia had trouble with Vanderbilt until they finally put the game away in the fourth quarter. Vandy led at halftime 2-0, before Georgia scored 27 second-half points in the 27-8 win. The Vandy defense held Georgia to just 64 yards in the first half. This year could be the same after Georgia struggled on offense last week. Coach Mark Richt hopes his team can bounce back and cut down on penalties after being flagged 12 times for 82 yards against Tennessee.

After a disappointing loss to the Vols, Georgia will welcome the Commodores to Athens. In 29 games played in Athens, Georgia has won 24. Vandy played well last week in the first half against Rutgers, and then blew a 27-3 second half lead, when they were outscored 21-0 in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs will regroup this week during practice and have a better game on offense for homecoming in Athens. Georgia pulls away in the second half for a comfortable 43-16 win.

Tennessee at Ole Miss, 8:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2

If Tennessee wants a possible rematch against Auburn in the Georgia Dome, they must take care of business in Oxford. The Vols took care of Georgia last week when their defense made Georgia's David Greene have one of his worse performances of his career. If they play that well for the rest of the season, the Vols will be hard to beat and their defense should take care of Ole Miss' weak passing game.

Ole Miss won last week by playing three quarterbacks. The Vols will be ready to defend against the three-quarterback rotation and their offense will take the field with Erik Ainge under center. After Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs run through big holes in the Ole Miss defense, Ainge will be able to find open receivers and have a good game against a weak Ole Miss secondary. The Vols improve to 5-1 in the SEC with a 30-14 win.

South Carolina at Kentucky, 7:00 p.m. ET

South Carolina surprised everyone last week when they were upset by Ole Miss. The Gamecock defense has been solid all year, but gave up 319 yards in the first half against the Rebels. They usually only give up 256 yards per game. When they travel to Lexington, they will face a Kentucky team that just looked bad against Alabama. The Wildcats gave up over 300 yards on the ground in the 45-17 loss.

If the 4-2 Gamecocks lose to Kentucky, Lou Holtz will have trouble getting his team ready to play the remaining four games on their schedule. History is on their side as South Carolina has won the last four meetings and in games played in Lexington, Carolina leads 5-3. Seven of the 12 meetings since 1992 have been decided by a touchdown-or-less, and this year will be the same. Carolina will still be sluggish after last week but will win a close game, 34-28.

Middle Tennessee State at Florida, 12:00 p.m. ET

This non-conference game was originally scheduled for September 4, but it was postponed due to Hurricane Frances. Middle Tennessee is probably wishing the game had already been played, especially since Florida lost a close one to LSU last week. The Gators will be looking forward to taking their frustrations out on someone, and this game will give them that opportunity.

Chris Leak had a bad game last week against the Tigers, completing just 15-of-33 passes for 142 yards. Leak will bounce back this week because talented quarterbacks usually learn from their mistakes and this game will give him that chance. Middle Tennessee's pass defense gives up about 300 yards per game. This will be the second meeting between these two schools. Back in 2000, Florida won 55-0. Look for a similar score this year against a 2-5 Middle Tennessee team. The Gators in a blowout, 49-7.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Eight
Auburn had an impressive 38-20 win over Arkansas. The Tigers move up to No. 3 in the AP poll and will face Kentucky on Saturday in Jordan-Hare. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. CT and the game will not be televised.

Arkansas at Auburn

Jason Campbell had a career day as he completed 17-of-19 passes for a career-high 297 yards and three touchdowns during Auburn's 38-20 victory over Arkansas. Auburn improves to 7-0 on the season and will face Kentucky at home for a 1:30 p.m. CT kickoff.

Auburn took a commanding 30-0 lead after scoring on each of their first five possessions. Campbell got things going when he found a wide-open Devin Aromashodu on a flea-flicker for a 67-yard touchdown. After a John Vaughn 27-yard field goal put the Tigers up 10-0, Auburn extended its lead to 17-0 when Campbell delivered a 30-yard touchdown pass to Courtney Taylor at the 3:31 mark of the first quarter. The score capped a seven-play, 90-yard drive in which Campbell completed 4-of-5 passes for 68 yards.

The Razorbacks finally got on the board with a nine-play, 80-yard drive late in the first half. Matt Jones found Chris Baker over the middle for a 19-yard touchdown pass which made the score 30-7 at halftime.

After the half, Arkansas scored on a long 61-yard pass when Jones found Steven Harris down the right sideline on the first series of the third quarter. Campbell then put Auburn up 38-14 when he hit Ben Obumano for a 19-yard touchdown pass with 3:09 left in the third quarter. Obumano then hauled in the conversion attempt for a 38-14 lead.

The Tigers finished with 522 yards of total offense and Ronnie Brown was the leading rusher with 101 yards and a touchdown.

Southern Miss at Alabama

Southern Miss suffered their first loss of the season when Alabama won 27-3 at home. The Crimson Tide, 5-2, have won the last four meetings against the Golden Eagles.

Alabama started things off when Brian Bostick hit a 45-yard field goal and Tim Castille found the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown run to put them up 10-0 with 3:13 remaining in the first quarter. Southern Miss answered with Luke Johnson's 37-yard field goal at the 13:41 mark of the second quarter. Bostick added another field goal that gave Alabama a 13-3 lead at halftime.

Spencer Pennington got the scoring going in the second half with his 11-yard touchdown pass to Ken Darby at the 14:55 mark of the fourth quarter to put Alabama up 20-3. The score ended a 10-play drive that covered 86 yards in 5:51. Darby completed the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run with less than six minutes remaining in the game.

Alabama faces Tennessee in Knoxville this week for the much anticipated rivalry game.

Vanderbilt at Georgia

Georgia took care of Vanderbilt in Athens with a 33-3 homecoming victory. The win is Georgia's tenth in a row against the Commodores.

David Greene finished with 191 yards on 14-of-21 pass attempts and two touchdowns. Jay Cutler was 12-of-22 for 133 yards for Vanderbilt, which has dropped two straight and 16 in a row on the road.

Georgia jumped out to a 14-0 lead after Thomas Brown ran 12 yards for the first score and Greene ran two yards for the next. The Bulldogs then went up 16-0 after they tackled running back Jeff Jennings in the end zone to record a safety in the second quarter. Patrick Johnson hit a 42-yard field goal to make the score 16-3 at the half.

Greene continued where he left off in the first half when he found Leonard Pope for a 22-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up 23-3. He followed that with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Brown for a 27-point advantage with under six minutes left in the third quarter. Georgia added a fourth-quarter field goal to complete the scoring.

Tennessee at Ole Miss

Erik Ainge completed 14-of-30 pass attempts for 232 yards and found Bret Smith for a 30-yard touchdown pass that helped Tennessee come from behind to win 21-17 at Ole Miss.

The Vols got off to a fast start in the first quarter when they went up 14-0. The opening drive went for 78 yards and Jabari Davis' scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Ethan Flatt was intercepted by Brandon Johnson on Ole Miss' first drive of the game, and Tennessee turned it into seven more points when Gerald Riggs capped a 55-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown run.

Mississippi then cut the lead to 14-7 with 5:02 remaining in the second quarter when Brandon Jacobs scored on a one-yard touchdown run. After halftime, Ole Miss pulled within 14-10 when Jonathan Nichols kicked a 42-yard field goal with 5:02 remaining in the third quarter.

The Vols trailed 17-14 after Ainge threw an interception that was returned 34 yards for a touchdown by Bryan Brown with 11:01 remaining in the game. But Ainge bounced back nicely on the ensuing possession, hooking up with a diving Smith for a 30-yard touchdown and Tennessee held on to improve to 5-1, and 3-1 in the SEC.

South Carolina at Kentucky

South Carolina scored with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth when Troy Williamson caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Mike Rathe. With the 12-7 victory over Kentucky, the Gamecocks improve to 5-2, while the Wildcats fall to 1-5 on the season.

Both teams failed to score in the first quarter, then in the second, South Carolina's Josh Brown connected on a 43-yard field goal to give the Gamecocks a 3-0 lead. Brown added three more points when he hit a 20-yard field goal with 6:32 left until halftime. South Carolina's stingy defense held Kentucky scoreless in the first half and took a 6-0 lead into halftime.

Kentucky finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth when Alexis Bwenge scored from two yards out to put the Wildcats up 7-6. Although the Gamecocks failed on a two-point conversion attempt following the late touchdown reception by Williamson, South Carolina held on for the five-point five victory.

Middle Tennessee State at Florida

Florida recovered after a disappointing loss to LSU last week with an easy 52-16 win over Middle Tennessee State. Chris Leak completed 17-of-22 attempts for 316 yards and three touchdowns and DeShawn Wynn added three rushing scores as Florida rolled at The Swamp.

The Gators scored first on a 37-yard field goal which capped an 11-play, 55- yard drive just 3:24 into the game for the early 3-0 lead. The Blue Raiders hit a 39-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3 with 7:47 left in the first.

Florida then scored 21 unanswered to extend their lead to 24-3. Leak got things started by firing a four-yard touchdown strike to Small with 2:46 remaining in the first quarter.

On Middle Tennessee State's following possession, quarterback Clint Marks was picked off by Demetrice Webb deep inside Blue Raiders' territory. Three plays later, Wynn's five-yard touchdown run gave the Gators a 17-3 lead late in the first.

The Gators then held the Blue Raiders to a three-and-out to start the second. Leak then found a wide open Caldwell for a long 62-yard touchdown pass and the lead swelled to 24-3 with 13:53 left in the second. Middle Tennessee State fought back thanks to a 37-yard touchdown pass with 8:53 to go in the second quarter to make the score 24-10. Florida scored again and Middle Tennessee's kicker hit a 41-yard field goal as time expired in the second to make it 31-13 at halftime.

Early in the third, Leak found Jackson for a 33-yard scoring strike to put the Gators up 38-13 with 12:52 remaining in the third. The Blue Raiders then added a 27-yard field goal with 7:23 left in the third, but Fason's 20-yard touchdown run moments later pushed the Gators lead to 45-16. Late in the third, Wynn added a nine-yard touchdown, his third of the day, for the final score.

Predictions For October 23 SEC Games
Predictions for last week were 5-1, and the overall record is 32-11. This week, Auburn entertains Kentucky at Jordan-Hare. Tennessee hosts Alabama, and Georgia plays at Arkansas in the big games this week in conference play.

Kentucky at Auburn, 1:30 p.m. CT, No Television

These two teams have not met since 1995 and Auburn has won 13 straight in the series. When Kentucky comes to Jordan-Hare, they will face a team that is probably playing better than any other team in the country. In the first half, the Tigers have outscored their opponents 149-19. Auburn has beaten all but one of its first seven opponents by double digits, with the lone exception coming in a dramatic 10-9 victory over defending BCS champion LSU in September.

If Auburn continues to play this well, they should have the opportunity to play in the BCS championship game. Kentucky is a team that doesn't have a chance of spoiling a perfect season for the Tigers.

If Auburn plays well in the first half, Jason Campbell and the other starters will make room for the backups. Tommy Tuberville has never faced Kentucky as a head coach and Rich Brooks has never coached against Auburn as a head coach. In games played in Auburn, Kentucky has never scored more than 18 points. That trend will continue as Auburn's defense has too much talent and experience. Tuberville will get his first win against the Wildcats and the Tigers will begin to look forward to their trip to Oxford next week. The Tigers improve to 8-0 with an easy 45-10 win.

Alabama at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

Alabama will face a Tennessee team that has bounced back nicely after losing at home against Auburn. The Vols have back-to-back road wins over Georgia and Ole Miss. Alabama comes to Knoxville after winning two in a row over Kentucky and Southern Miss. In each of the last three seasons, the road team has won this game, including a wild 5143 five overtime victory for Tennessee last year. The Crimson Tide will have problems winning this year because of their quarterback situation. Even with a good running game, Alabama and other SEC teams have trouble winning without a passing attack.

The Vols do have a good passing game along with running back Cedric Houston. Freshman Erik Ainge has grown up and seems to be improving each week. The balanced offensive attack from the Vols will test an Alabama defense that held Southern Miss to just three points. This is a big game for both teams. For Tennessee, a win would keep them in the hunt for the SEC Eastern Division title. For Alabama, a win would make them eligible for their first bowl trip since 2001.

Alabama leads the series with Tennessee 43-36-7, and is 20-18-1 in Knoxville. The Vols are 9-2 against the Tide under Fulmer. Fulmer knows how to motivate his team to play hard against Alabama. The Vols learned from the mistakes they made against Auburn and will be ready to stop Ken Darby. Vols pull away in the fourth quarter and win 27-14.

Troy at LSU, 8 p.m. CT

When Troy travels to Baton Rouge, it will be the largest crowd to ever see them play. How well they handle the crowd noise could determine if the Trojans are able to keep this game close until halftime.

If Troy's defense plays well, they should keep the game close. They only allowed a total of 46 points against Missouri, South Carolina and Marshall, winning two of those games outright. Their offense hasn't played well and quarterback Aaron Leak has completed just 47 percent of his passes and has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. The only positive for Troy's offense is their running game. They average 4.5 yards per rush while allowing only 3.3.

LSU is rested and ready after a bye week. The key for LSU will be the play of quarterback Marcus Randall. Randall came off the bench and threw two touchdown passes, including a 10-yard pass to running back Joseph Addai with 27 seconds to play to lead LSU to victory over Florida, regaining his starting job in the process.

LSU has too much talent, size, and speed for Troy. The Tigers will improve to 5-2 after a 34-10 win Saturday night.

Georgia at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2

Arkansas will get another chance to beat a top-10 opponent when Georgia comes to Fayetteville. The Razorbacks loss a close one to Texas and were blown out by Florida and Auburn. Matt Jones hurt his groin on the first play of the game against Auburn. Jones is questionable for this week's game but should be healthy enough to play.

Georgia has the tough task of playing its next four games on the road. The Bulldogs are facing an Arkansas team that needs a win. The Razorbacks are 3-3 and another loss could put them in danger of missing out on going to a bowl game. They must be able to stop Danny Ware and Thomas Brown. Last week, they became the first pair of Bulldog runners to go over 100 yards in the same game since Garrison Hearst and Mack Strong in 1992.

If Georgia continues to rack up the penalties, this game could end up being close. The Razorbacks have lost three straight against the Bulldogs, including a 30-3 loss in the 2002 SEC Championship game. Make it four straight as Jones plays hurt and Georgia's David Greene continues to play well on the road. Georgia in a close one, 31-27.

Florida at Mississippi State, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

Mississippi State is 1-5, and is coming off a bye week while Florida pounded Middle Tennessee State 52-16 last week. The Gators can't afford to look ahead to their big game against Georgia next week. They need to win this one to keep their chances alive to win the SEC East. Florida won 52-0 last year in Gainesville. If they come to play, the game could see a similar score this year.

The Bulldogs have been hurt by turnovers and they are struggling to establish a decent running attack. Florida's Chris Leak and tailback Ciatrick Fason should have big games against a depleted Bulldog defense. MSU is giving up close to 32 points per game against Division I-A opponents. Florida leads the series 31-17-2. Win number 32 comes after a 45-17 victory in Starkville.

Eastern Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 1 p.m. CT

Vanderbilt will look for an easy win over 3-3 Eastern Kentucky. Vandy is 1-5 on the season but continues to play hard when they could easily pack up and go home. The Commodores simply don't have the talent to compete with the other teams in the conference, but against Division I-AA opponents, they expect to win. Over the past decade, the Commodores are 6-0 against Division I-AA teams.

Although Eastern Kentucky's 17 NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances is the most of any other school, their defense will be challenged to stop Commodore running back Norval McKenzie and quarterback Jay Cutler. Earlier this season, EKU allowed Jacksonville State to gain 277 rushing yards. Vandy will take advantage of EKU's weak defense and win at home 31-14.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Nine
Auburn remained undefeated with a 42-10 victory over Kentucky. LSU held on to beat Troy 24-20 and Tennessee took control of the SEC East with a 17-14 win over Alabama.

Kentucky at Auburn

Carnell Williams had two touchdowns on 17 carries and he helped lead No. 3 ranked Auburn to an easy 42-10 victory over 1-6 Kentucky. Williams finished with 149 yards and Auburn improved to 8-0 and 4-0 in the SEC.

After the Tigers forced Kentucky to punt on their first possession, Williams scored on a one-yard touchdown run that capped a seven-play, 30-yard drive. Williams put Auburn up 14-0 after he found the end zone on a 9-yard run. Quentin Groves then sacked Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson which forced a fumble that led to a 12-yard scoring run by Ronnie Brown with 4:31 to go in the first quarter. Brown finished with 53 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Auburn went into halftime with a comfortable 21-7 lead. Taylor Begley's 35-yard field goal less than two minutes into the third quarter pulled the Wildcats within 21-10. The Tigers then took over and opened a 28-10 advantage on a 17-yard touchdown run by Brown with 9:34 to go in the third. Campbell's seven-yard pass to Courtney Taylor on fourth down preceded the score and extended the nine-play, 80-yard drive.

Carl Stewart added a one-yard touchdown run with 2:46 remaining in the third to put Auburn ahead 35-10. Kevis Burnam's sack, fumble recovery and 15-yard touchdown run with 5:01 to go in the fourth capped the scoring for Auburn.

Auburn can win the SEC Western Division title with a victory at Ole Miss October 30. The game can be seen on ESPN, with the kickoff at 6:45 p.m. CT. Kentucky will travel to Mississippi State on Saturday.

Alabama at Tennessee

Tennessee defensive end Corey Campbell came up with a big interception during an Alabama drive late in the game and the Vols held on to win 17-14. Tennessee is 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC. Alabama falls to 5-3, and 2-3 in conference play.

The Vols jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the second play of the game when Parys Haralson picked up a Spencer Pennington fumble and ran 18 yards for a touchdown. Alabama's defense set up a score later in the first when linebacker DeMeco Ryans intercepted Erik Ainge at the Tennessee 44. That led to Tim Castille's two- yard touchdown run and a tie game with 5:55 remaining in the first quarter.

The Crimson Tide went ahead 10-7 on Brian Bostick's 34-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Tennessee went up 14-10 after Derrick Tinsley's 45-yard punt return set up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Ainge to Jayson Swain. The Vols went into halftime with a 17-10 lead after James Wilhoit hit a 40-yard field goal.

Alabama pulled within 17-13 in the fourth quarter on Bostick's 47-yard field goal, but failed to score late in the game.

Tennessee will face South Carolina this week, while Alabama has the week off.

Troy at LSU

LSU had four turnovers, including three interceptions by Marcus Randall, and that led to 17 points for Troy as they barely lost in Baton Rouge 24-20. LSU out gained the Trojans by a 386-150 margin in net yards and owned a decisive 22-9 advantage in first downs.

Troy took a 20-17 lead on Greg Whibbs' 24-yard field goal with 3:59 to play before Randall led the Tigers down the field in just four plays. Skyler Green's 37-yard kick return set the Tigers up near midfield and Randall connected with Dwayne Bowe on a 13-yard pass into Trojan territory. Randall then ran for eight yards down to the Troy 29, and then found a wide-open David Jones down the right sideline to put the Tigers ahead 24-20.

The Trojans had one last chance to pull off the upset, but failed to move the ball against LSU's defense. Quarterback D.T. McDowell was called for a 15-yard intentional grounding penalty and was shaken up after being brought down by Kyle Williams. After Aaron Leak came in for McDowell, he ran for 11 yards on the following play, but then misfired on two straight throws to turn the ball over on downs.

LSU hosts Vanderbilt and Troy welcomes Idaho to campus on Saturday.

Georgia at Arkansas

Georgia made it four in a row over Arkansas after a tough 20-14 win Saturday night. David Greene had a great performance going 22-of-29 for 382 yards and two touchdown passes on the night. Georgia improves to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC. The Razorbacks fall to 3-4 and 1-3 in the conference.

Arkansas scored first when Matt Jones hit Marcus Monk on a 17-yard touchdown pass. Georgia then cut the lead 7-3 after Andy Bailey nailed a 31-yard field goal. The Bulldogs then went up 10-7 as Greene connected with Fred Gibson on a five-yard touchdown strike.

After the Arkansas offense failed to get a drive going, the Razorbacks' defense found the end zone. Arkansas' Jeb Huckeba sacked Greene at the Georgia 19-yard line and forced a fumble, which Marcus Harrison recovered and scampered 19 yards for a touchdown with a minute and a half left in the first half. That gave Arkansas a 14-10 lead at halftime.

Georgia scored first in the second half after Odell Thurman forced a fumble by Arkansas running back DeCo Birmingham, and Georgia's Derrick White recovered it. White returned it seven yards to the Razorbacks' 34 yard line. Five plays later, Greene found Leonard Pope in the end zone to put Georgia ahead 17-14.

David Pollack then sacked Jones deep in Arkansas territory, forcing a fumble on the play. Pollack recovered the fumble at the Arkansas eight-yard line. The Bulldogs failed to find the end zone and Bailey put them ahead 20-14 on his 24-yard field goal.

Georgia travels to Jacksonville for their matchup against Florida, and Arkansas has the week off.

Florida at Mississippi State

Sylvester Croom got his first big win as the head coach of Mississippi State when Jerious Norwood scored with just 32 seconds remaining in the fourth to give the Bulldogs a 38-31 over Florida. Croom also got his first SEC victory as Mississippi State improves to 1-3 in the SEC and 2-5 overall.

Mississippi State led 17-14 at the half and Florida then tied the game on their first drive of the third quarter when Matt Leach kicked a career high-tying 50-yard field goal. Mississippi State moved back in front 24-17 courtesy of Lowe's 73-yard punt return with 9:07 left in the third quarter.

Florida then tied the game on the next possession thanks to an amazing 55-yard touchdown run by Ciatrick Fason. The Bulldogs then took a 31-24 lead after a 17-play, 80-yard drive that ended on a one-yard scoring run by Norwood. Florida answered with a long drive of 73 yards that tied the game with 5:05 remaining in the fourth.

The Bulldogs then drove to the Florida 36-yard line and faced a 4th-and-3. However, Conner's pass was incomplete and the Gators took over. Two plays after that, Leak was intercepted by Jeramie Johnson at the Mississippi State 44-yard line, setting up Norwood's game-winning touchdown run five plays later.

Norwood finished with 174 yards on 29 carries and had two touchdowns. Florida quarterback Chris Leak completed 20-of-35 passes for 260 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also contributed a one-yard touchdown run.

Florida is 4-3 overall, and 2-3 in the conference. They will face Georgia October 30 in Jacksonville and Mississippi State will host Kentucky.

Eastern Kentucky at Vanderbilt

Eastern Kentucky moved the ball inside the Vanderbilt 40 yard line six times but had just one touchdown as they lost to the Commodores 19-7 in Nashville. The Colonels out gained Vandy 460 yards to 366 yards in the losing effort. Eastern Kentucky falls to 3-4 on the season and Vandy improves to 2-5.

Commodore quarterback Jay Cutler finished with 15-of-21 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. Cutler helped Vandy take an early 6-0 lead after he found Brandon Smith on a 4-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

The Colonels only score of the game was a 45-yard touchdown catch and run by C.J. Hudson. Josh Greco hit Hudson on a screen pass, and the senior broke a tackle and sprinted down the right sideline for the score, EKU led 7-6.

Cutler then ran 55 yards for a touchdown with 10:44 remaining in the first half to give the Commodores the 13-7 lead. Cutler faked an option pitch to the right and sprinted through the Eastern Kentucky secondary for the longest touchdown of the season for the Commodores.

A pair of field goals in the third quarter gave Vandy a 19-7 lead and they held on for the non-conference victory. The Commodores travel to LSU and EKU will face Murray State on October 30.

Predictions For October 30 SEC Games
Last Week predictions were 5-1, and 37-12 overall. Auburn travels to Ole Miss as they try to clinch the Western Division title with a win. Georgia tries to defeat Florida for the first time in six years, and Tennessee travels to South Carolina.

Auburn at Ole Miss, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

Ole Miss had last week off to get healthy and rested to face Auburn. The Rebels are 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the conference. A win over the Tigers would keep them in the hunt for the Western Division title. It would also be their second win in a row in the series. The only quality win this year was a 31-28 victory at South Carolina. If the Rebels could upset No. 3 Auburn at home Saturday, it would be one of the biggest wins in school history. But, as long as the Tigers continue to outscore opponents 170-29 in the first half and continue to play well on defense, Auburn should head into their off week still undefeated at 9-0.

Jason Campbell should have a big game against an Ole Miss secondary that has trouble covering man-to-man without help from the safety. That will mean trouble for the Rebels against a quarterback who has a rating above 180, while completing over 67 percent of his passes with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 13-to-2. The only thing that could slow the Tigers down is if the defense fails to prepare for the possibility of seeing the Rebels play three quarterbacks during the game. They saw a similar game plan from Tennessee earlier in the season with two quarterbacks and handled it very well.

Auburn will be able to rest up next week as they get ready for Georgia on November 13. They won't be caught looking ahead to that big game and will take care of Ole Miss. Tuberville will improve to 4-2 against his former team and the Tigers will clinch the Western Division title with a 37-16 win.

Florida at Georgia, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports

Georgia needs to win to keep pace with Tennessee who also has a 4-1 record in the SEC East. That may be difficult to do against a team that has won six in a row and 13 of the last 14 in the world's largest outdoor cocktail party. Florida could win again this year after being embarrassed by Mississippi State and after head coach Ron Zook was fired on Monday. It has been reported that the players are very upset that Zook got the axe and it could give them that spark they need in a close game.

Georgia holds a 38-32-1 advantage in games played in Jacksonville. Bulldog quarterback David Greene has a 38-9 record as a starter but has never won against the Gators. Greene has started every one of those 38 victories. He needs one more win to tie another former SEC star, Tennessee's Peyton Manning, for the most wins by a Division I-A starting quarterback. If he plays as well as he did last week against Arkansas, when he completed 22-of-29 attempts for 382 yards, he should pick up win number 39.

The Georgia offense will try to keep things rolling against a Florida defense that yielded season highs last week in points, rushing yards (251), yards per rush (5.3), yards per play (5.8) and rushing touchdowns (three). Expect Florida's players to play with a lot of emotion to get a victory for Zook. Their defense will have trouble stopping Georgia in this close game. The Bulldogs snap the six game winning streak by the Gators and win 31-28.

Tennessee at South Carolina, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

Tennessee's offense has struggled during the last few games, but the defense has picked up the slack. The Volunteers hope for a strong performance on both sides of the ball as they visit division rival South Carolina on Saturday. Lou Holtz's Gamecocks have had an extra week to prepare for this important matchup. The Gamecocks can improve to 6-2 and 4-2 in the SEC with a win. Carolina's defense should keep the Vols running game in check and force them to rely on quarterback Erik Ainge.

The Gamecock quarterbacks will need to find the SECs leading receiver, Troy Williamson, who is averaging 25 yards per catch this season. With Williamson involved, that should open things up for tailback Demetrius Summers and the Gamecocks rushing game.

The game should be low scoring and the field position game should play an important part. Tennessee can control the field position game with senior punter Dustin Colquitt. He has won games for the Vols before and could be the deciding factor on Saturday. The Vols win a close one 20-16.

Vanderbilt at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

LSU struggled last week against Troy. The defending national champions had to come from behind to win 24-20. The Tigers already have two losses and will look to finish out the season strong. If they continue to give up turnovers, the four remaining games on their schedule could be interesting. Three straight home games should give them the advantage. Vanderbilt is the first opponent to visit Baton Rouge. In games played there in the series, LSU leads 9-2-1.

The Commodores won 19-7 last week against I-AA Eastern Kentucky. Their defense gave up 460 yards in the game. LSU will need to stop Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler and the option. The Tigers will look to have more success on the ground than they had against Troy. The Trojans held them to just 57 yards rushing, the lowest total of the year. The Commodores are confident they can put forth a similar effort. If LSU can gain more than 57 yards rushing and cut down on turnovers, they should win pretty easily. The Tigers win by three touchdowns, 35-14.

Kentucky at Mississippi State, 1 p.m. CT

Kentucky is the only team in the league without a conference win. Mississippi State finally got a conference win when they upset Florida last week. The Bulldogs won 38-31 after being 24-point underdogs. The Bulldogs are still riding high from the victory and should be ready to claim another conference win against the Wildcats.

Kentucky is 1-6 on the season and it is unlikely they will win another game. They have been hit with injuries to quarterback Shane Boyd and running back Tony Dixon. Boyd is out with a shoulder injury and Dixon is out indefinitely due to an ankle injury. Those injuries are devastating for a team that already lacks depth and talent.

These two teams have played every year since 1990. Kentucky has won the last two contests. In games played in Starkville, the Bulldogs lead 8-4. Mississippi State will use the momentum from last week's game to win for the second week in a row. Jerious Norwood will have another big game on Saturday. Bulldogs win 34-13.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week 10
Auburn locked up a trip to the conference championship game on December 4 after a big 35-14 win over Ole Miss. Georgia and Tennessee both won to remain tied at 5-1 in the SEC Eastern Division.

Auburn at Ole Miss

Auburn struggled on the road but still won 35-14 over Ole Miss. The Tigers are 9-0 on the season and 6-0 in the SEC. The win earned them a spot in the conference championship game with their 11th straight victory. Jason Campbell was 11-of-22 passing for 234 yards and a score, and Carnell Williams rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries while also catching two passes for 70 yards in the win. He also racked up 72 yards on six punt returns.

The Tigers came out sluggish during the first half and failed to score twice deep in Ole Miss territory. After getting the ball down to the Ole Miss 20-yard line, Campbell fumbled on the next play and the Rebels' McKinley Boykin recovered. Later in the first, the Tigers drove down to the Ole Miss one-yard line. Campbell tried to hit Anthony Mix on fourth-and-goal but the pass was caught just out of bounds.

Auburn finally scored after an eight-play, 99-yard drive on their final possession of the first half to go up 7-0 at halftime.

The Tigers woke up in the second half and started playing like the No. 3 ranked team in the country as they marched 76 yards in four plays to go up 14-0. Campbell found Williams on a 57-yard pass play down to the two-yard line of Ole Miss. Brown followed that with a two-yard touchdown run just 1:58 into the second half.

The Rebels made it 14-7 when Ethan Flatt converted on third-and-15 from his own 36 by hitting Bill Flowers on a 64-yard touchdown pass. Auburn's Will Herring then intercepted a pass by Flatt on the Rebels 44. Four plays after the interception, Campbell found Courtny Taylor on a nine-yard touchdown pass that put the Tigers up 21-7 late in the third quarter.

Ole Miss pulled to within 21-14 when Flatt threw a 25-yard scoring strike to Taye Biddle six seconds into the fourth quarter.

Auburn put the game away with two more touchdowns in the final 12 1/2 minutes. A one-yard touchdown run by Campbell gave the Tigers a 28-14 lead with 12:29 to play, capping a three-play drive that was set up by Williams' 38-yard punt return to the Ole Miss 25. Three plays after the Rebels' Travis Johnson intercepted a Campbell pass in the end zone, Flatt fumbled after he was sacked and Auburn's Karibi Dede recovered at the Ole Miss 39. Five plays later, Williams capped the scoring with a 29-yard touchdown run that made it 35-14 late in the fourth.

Both Auburn and Ole Miss are off this week. Auburn will face Georgia at home on November 13.

Florida at Georgia

Georgia beat Florida for the first time since 1997 when David Greene threw three touchdown passes, including a pair to Leonard Pope, as the Bulldogs won 31-24 in Jacksonville. Greene completed 15-of-23 passes for 255 yards to go along with his three scoring tosses. His first-ever win over Florida was his 39th career victory, tying the NCAA record held by Peyton Manning

The Bulldogs led 24-7 midway through the third before Florida quarterback Chris Leak connected with Andre Caldwell on a 57-yard touchdown pass that made the score 24-14 with 4:29 left in the quarter.

Georgia's offense failed to move the ball on its next two possessions and the Gators pulled to within 24-21 when Leak threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Billy Latsko. The eight-play, 70-yard drive was highlighted by a 38-yard run by Ciatrick Fason.

The Bulldogs then converted on third down when Green found Fred Gibson on a 15-yard touchdown pass that gave them a 31-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Gators answered with a 12-play, 45-yard drive that ended with Matt Leach kicking a career-best, 52-yard field goal that made it a 31-24 game with 3:28 remaining. The Bulldogs recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock for the victory.

Next up for Georgia is a trip to Lexington to battle Kentucky. Florida will travel to Vanderbilt.

Tennessee at South Carolina

Tennessee had a big win at South Carolina to keep them on track to win the SEC East and reach the championship game in Atlanta for a rematch against Auburn. The game was close during the first half, but the Vols scored 21 straight points in the third quarter to pull away and win 43-29. Cedric Houston had 190 yards rushing and a touchdown for the 7-1 Vols. Dondrial Pinkins completed 30-of-42 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns for the 5-3 Gamecocks.

After South Carolina took an early 8-0 lead in the second quarter, the Vols tied the game late in the second when Erik Ainge found David Holbert for a 21-yard touchdown pass and backup quarterback Brent Schaeffer found the end zone for the two- point conversion.

Tennessee then scored 21 straight after the half to take a 29-8 lead. The Gamecocks pulled within 36-22 but the Vols put the game away on a Bret Smith 54-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Tennessee faces Notre Dame November 6, and South Carolina hosts Arkansas.

Vanderbilt at LSU

LSU took care of Vanderbilt in Baton Rouge Saturday night 24-7. The Tigers gained 273 rushing yards and improved to 3-2 in the SEC and 6-2 overall. The loss puts the Commodores at 1-4 in the SEC and 2-6 overall.

The game was close at halftime as LSU led 10-7. On their first drive in the third quarter, LSU went 81 yards on six plays to go up 17-7. The Tigers then held the Commodores to a punt on their next possession and Skylar Green returned the kick 65 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers the 17-point victory.

LSU has a bye week and Vanderbilt will meet Florida in Gainesville.

Kentucky at Mississippi State

Mississippi State won for the second week in a row and improved to 3-5 overall, and 2-3 in the SEC after a 22-7 victory over Kentucky. Jerious Norwood had 165 yards on 24 carries, but quarterback Omar Conner struggled with 79 yards and two interceptions.

The Bulldogs did all of the scoring in the first half when Quiton Culberson returned an interception 35-yards for a touchdown and late in the second, Keith Andrews booted a 33- yard field goal to give the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead at the half.

Following a scoreless third quarter, Andrews was good again from 32-yards out to put Mississippi State up 13-0 early in the fourth. Kentucky cut the Bulldog lead to 13-7 after Shane Boyd found the end zone on a six-yard run.

The Bulldogs then sacked Boyd in the end zone for a safety and 11 seconds later, Fred Reid ran 32-yards for a touchdown to seal the win for Mississippi State.

Kentucky travels to Georgia and Mississippi State takes on Alabama November 6.

Predictions For November 6 SEC Games
Alabama welcomes Mississippi State to Tuscaloosa, while Arkansas travels to South Carolina in a must win game for both teams. Auburn has the weekend off. Last week's predictions were 5-0, with the overall record at 42-12.

Mississippi State at Alabama, 5:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2

The main focus this week in Tuscaloosa will be the return of Sylvester Croom and Mississippi State's two-game win streak. But, it should be about if the Bulldogs can run the ball against an Alabama defense that only allows 115 yards per game. The Bulldogs have two running backs who have the potential to test the Crimson Tide defense. Last week against Kentucky, Fred Reid gained 109 yards and Jerious Norwood racked up 165 yards for his third straight 100-yard rushing performance. Kentucky's defense doesn't come close to Alabama's. If both Reid and Norwood have similar numbers against the Tide, the Bulldogs will have an excellent chance of winning.

Alabama should be well rested after having last week off. This game will come down to which team is able to run the ball. The advantage goes to Alabama's running game and the fact that they lead the series in games played in Tuscaloosa 37-8-1. The Crimson Tide win that all important sixth game to make them bowl eligible with a 20-10 victory.

Georgia at Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

Georgia needs a win at Kentucky to stay in the hunt for the SEC Eastern Division title. If the Bulldogs are tied with Tennessee after the regular season is over, the Vols will go to Atlanta because they won at Georgia a few weeks ago. The Bulldogs should win at Kentucky before having to face third-ranked Auburn next week.

The Bulldogs have won seven straight against the Wildcats, including the last three at Commonwealth Stadium, and lead the series 45-10-2. Georgia has won the last two matchups by a combined 82-34 score.

Kentucky is 1-7 this year and who knows how they beat Indiana in early September. It would take a miracle for the Wildcats to win their second game of the season against Georgia. Miracles do happen, but not against David Greene and his outstanding performances on the road throughout his career. Greene will play well on the road again this week as the Bulldogs win 40-17.

Arkansas at South Carolina, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

Arkansas has won five of the last six meetings with the Gamecocks, including 28-6 last year. South Carolina needs one more win to go to a bowl game. They need to get things done at home before finishing the season on the road against Florida and Clemson. Arkansas usually plays well on the road during the month of November, winning five of their last seven November road games.

Houston Nutt has had an extra week to get his Razorbacks ready to play. Quarterback Matt Jones is still not 100 percent after suffering a hamstring injury against Auburn. But, even when he's not 100 percent, he's still hard to slow down as was the case a few weeks ago during the Georgia game.

South Carolina has played well all season on defense and that effort has helped them win five games. The defense will play well this week and help them win an important sixth game. Gamecocks win at home 23-17.

Notre Dame at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports

Tennessee is looking forward to being off next week, but first they play Notre Dame at home. The Volunteers, 7-1, have played seven consecutive games without a bye week and are dealing with a number of injuries. Players who are injured include offensive line starters Cody Douglass and Michael Munoz, and backup quarterback Brent Schaeffer is out with a broken collarbone.

After its off week, Tennessee finishes its season against Vanderbilt and Kentucky, who have a combined 1-9 conference record. Wins in those games would give the Vols a place in the SEC title game and a rematch with Auburn.

Notre Dame is 5-3 on the season and needs to win only one of its three remaining games to become bowl eligible. The Fighting Irish has struggled on offense this year and quarterback Brady Quinn has completed only 54 percent of his passes, while throwing nearly as many interceptions as touchdown passes. The Vols' defense should be able to stop a Notre Dame rushing attack that only averages 3.1 yards per carry.

Tennessee will get a win over the Fighting Irish, then have a much needed bye week. Notre Dame will keep the game interesting until the Vols pull away 31-14.

Florida at Vanderbilt, 1 p.m. CT

Both of these teams are looking for wins and Florida is desperate for one. The Gators are unpredictable on defense and will face a Commodore quarterback who will be healthy after suffering a neck injury against LSU last week. Florida has little to play for and will have to play a perfect game in order to beat Vanderbilt.

The last time Ron Zooks Gators came to Nashville, they won by only four points as three touchdown favorites. Jay Cutler will lead the Commodore offense to a rare SEC victory. Vanderbilt wins a close one, 24-21.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week 11
Alabama took care of Mississippi State at home, while Georgia crushed Kentucky 62-17. The Bulldogs bring talented quarterback David Greene to Jordan-Hare Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. CT meeting with third-ranked Auburn. The game can be seen on CBS.

Mississippi State at Alabama

Ken Darby had a career night against Mississippi State, and Alabama improved to 6-3 overall, and 3-3 in the SEC after the 30-14 victory. Darby ran for 200 yards on 36 carries and a touchdown. Quarterback Spencer Pennington completed 9-of-15 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions for the Crimson Tide.

The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard first after Jerious Norwood broke away for a 50-yard touchdown run with just two minutes into the game that gave them an early 7-0 lead. Norwood finished the game with 96 yards and a touchdown.

Alabama then scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter. After Brian Bostick hit a 24-yard field goal, Tyrone Prothro reached the end zone on a 21-yard run and Darby scored on a 14-yard scamper. The Tide took a 17-7 lead into halftime.

The Bulldogs cut their deficit to 17-14 on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Omarr Conner to Tee Milons. The only other points of the third quarter came on a 34-yard field goal by Bostick that put the Tide up 20-14.

Alabama's defense dominated the fourth quarter, and the offense added 10 insurance points. After a 47-yard field goal by Bostick, Pennington capped the scoring with a four-yard touchdown pass to Le'Ron McClain.

Mississippi State has a bye week, while Alabama hits the road and travels to Baton Rouge to face LSU November 13.

Georgia at Kentucky

Georgia improved to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the SEC after an easy 62-17 victory over Kentucky. Georgia's 62 points against Kentucky were the most for the Bulldogs ever against Kentucky and the most they had scored since a 70-6 thrashing of Northeast Louisiana in 1994. It was the first time Georgia reached 62 points in a conference game since a 62-35 triumph over Vanderbilt in 1984.

David Greene set the record for most wins in Division I-A history with his 40th victory to surpass the mark of 39 by Peyton Manning of Tennessee. Greene completed 14-of-19 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown. He also set an SEC record for consecutive passes without an interception at 206, breaking the old mark of 200 set previously by Stewart Patridge of Ole Miss in 1997.

Georgia had a balanced attack and finished with 589 total yards, rushing for 245 and passing for 344.

The Bulldogs may be without running back Danny Ware for Saturday's game against Auburn. He left the Kentucky game in the first half after suffering a sprained knee and ankle. He is listed as day-to-day.

Arkansas at South Carolina

South Carolina came from behind on Syvelle Newton's game-winning touchdown pass to become bowl eligible after the 35-32 victory over Arkansas. Newton completed 11-of-16 passes for 98 yards and rushed 12 times for 49 yards as the Gamecocks improve to 6-3, and 4-3 in the SEC.

The Razorbacks scored first when Vickiel Vaughn returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter. Later in the first, the Gamecocks tied it at seven on a two-yard touchdown run from Dondrial Pinkins.

Quarterback Matt Jones gave Arkansas a 14-7 lead after his seven-yard touchdown run with 3:16 remaining in the first quarter. South Carolina responded with a three-yard touchdown run from Daccus Turman to tie the game 14-14 early in the second quarter. Chris Balseiro gave the Razorbacks a 17-14 edge late in the first half when he was good on a 32-yard field goal attempt.

The third quarter belonged to South Carolina as it racked up 14 straight points. Ko Simpson ran a fumble recovery back 57 yards for a touchdown and Newton ran five yards for a touchdown to give the Gamecocks a 28-17 advantage with 5:50 left in the third.

Arkansas came back with 15 consecutive points to open the scoring in the fourth quarter. Jones threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Monk and the Razorbacks completed a two-point conversion pass. De'Arrius Howard then found the end zone on a seven-yard run to put Arkansas ahead, 32-28, with 3:24 left in the second half.

Newton threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Troy Williamson with just 1:09 left to play in the game to give South Carolina a 35-32 lead and the victory.

Next up for Arkansas is a visit from Ole Miss and South Carolina plays at Florida November 13.

Notre Dame at Tennessee

Notre Dame improved to 7-7 against ranked teams under head coach Tyrone Willingham after beating ninth-ranked Tennessee 17-13 at Neyland Stadium. The win gives the Irish a chance to play in a bowl game with a 6-3 record. The Vols, 7-2, were led by Cedric Houston's 143 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.

Rick Clausen came in as quarterback for the Vols in the second half after starter Erik Ainge suffered a separated right shoulder at the end of the first half. Mike Goolsby intercepted Clausen in the third quarter and ran it back 26 yards for a touchdown. That gave the Irish a 14-10 lead.

Two drives later, Clausen was able to recover from the costly interception as he led the Vols into Notre Dame territory and James Wilhoit hit a 33-yard field goal to bring the score to 14-13.

In the fourth quarter, the Irish managed to extend the lead to 17-13 on a D.J. Fitzpatrick 39-yard field goal. The Notre Dame defense held Tennessee from scoring to give them the important road victory.

Tennessee has a bye week before facing Vanderbilt in Nashville November 20.

Florida at Vanderbilt

Florida had a big day from running back Ciatrick Fason and quarterback Chris Leak in the 34-17 victory over Vanderbilt. Fason had 170 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Leak finished the game with 22-of-29 passes for 307 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Gators are 5-4 overall, and 3-4 in the conference. The Commodores fall to 2-7 on the season, and 1-7 in conference play.

Vanderbilt took an early 10-0 lead after a Patrick Johnson 33-yard field goal and Moses Osemwegie recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown with 5:10 left in the first quarter. Florida answered with a four-yard touchdown run from Fason to cut Vanderbilt's lead to 10-7 with just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The Commodores responded midway through the second quarter when Norval McKenzie found the end zone on a 19-yard touchdown run to push the Vanderbilt advantage to 17-7. Leak cut the Gators' deficit to 17-14 on a two-yard touchdown run with just 10 seconds remaining until halftime.

Florida took control in the second half when they scored 20 unanswered points. Leak threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Tate Casey and Matt Leach kicked a 48-yard field goal to give the Gators a 24-17 lead with 2:59 left in the third quarter. Leak then connected with Dallas Baker on a 35-yard touchdown toss midway through the fourth, followed by a 47-yard field goal from Leach to cap the scoring 34-17 with 2:29 remaining.

Florida will face South Carolina in Gainesville, and Vanderbilt travels to Kentucky November 13.

Predictions For November 13 SEC Games
Electricity is in the air as Georgia comes to the Plains to try and hand No. 3 Auburn their first loss of the season. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by CBS. Last week's predictions were 3-2, with the overall record at 45-14.

Georgia at Auburn, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

Auburn will look to beat Georgia for the first time since winning in Athens in 2001. The Bulldogs won 24-21 on a touchdown late in the fourth quarter in 2002, and last year Georgia dominated 26-7 at home. Both teams will play each other as top 10 opponents for the first time since 1983.

These two teams have very similar quarterbacks and running backs. Georgia quarterback David Greene plays very well on the road and usually avoids throwing interceptions. He has thrown an SEC-record 206 consecutive passes without an interception, and has only one this season compared to 16 TDs.

Jason Campbell has been outstanding ever since last year's Music City Bowl when he was named MVP. This season, he's the nation's third-rated passer, completing nearly 66 percent of his passes for 1,724 yards with 14 TDs and three interceptions. Campbell should have the advantage playing at home and will be determined to win his last game as a senior at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Running back Danny Ware may not play Saturday because of a sprained knee and ankle. Freshman Thomas Brown has been named the starter and has played well as a backup.

Auburn's Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown have been healthy throughout the season and continue to help lead a potent offense. The duo have combined for 1,551 yards with 16 touchdowns. Brown has been a reliable receiver out of the backfield and Williams continues to make defenses dread playing against him. The Tigers have more experienced running backs and this could be a deciding factor in a close game.

The Tigers' defense has played as well as any defense in the country this year. Auburn's defense is ranked second nationally in sacks with 34 and points allowed at 9.7 per game. They will need to pressure Greene and make him throw interceptions to have a chance to remain undefeated.

Auburn holds a 51-48-8 lead going into the 108th game of the series. Home field advantage hasn't been a factor with the Bulldogs having a 12-8-2 edge in games played at Auburn. The Tigers have an even better 17-9 mark in games played on Georgia's home field.

A victory Saturday would improve Auburn's chances of moving up to No. 2 in the polls and it would give the Bulldogs a rare loss. Georgia has the SEC's best record since 2000 at 48-13, a 78.7 winning percentage. The Tigers hold off a late Georgia rally to win 24-20.

Alabama at LSU, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

Alabama hopes to continue to dominate games played in Baton Rouge with another win. Alabama leads in games played there 23-6-2. The 2000 LSU win was the first by the Tigers against Alabama in Tiger Stadium since 1969. This SEC battle will feature two of the top four defenses in the nation. LSU was off last week and the Crimson Tide had a convincing win over Mississippi State.

During the off week, LSU had to figure out how to stop Ken Darby. The Tiger's offense must also figure out a way to score points since they have only scored 24 points or less in six of their eight games this season. Scoring points will be difficult to do against an Alabama defense that is playing well and a defense that hasnt allowed 200 passing yards in any game since their opening day victory over Utah State.

Alabama has had success by overpowering opponents with their rushing attack, a defense that plays well in the second half and on special teams with Tyrone Prothro giving them great field position with his kick and punt returns.

Since the visiting team has won six of the last eight meetings, Alabama should win another one in Baton Rouge 27-17.

South Carolina at Florida, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Florida will face South Carolina for Homecoming on campus. The Gators are 57-20-1 in Homecoming games. These two teams have met every year since 1992, when South Carolina joined the SEC and in games played in Gainesville, the Gators lead, 9-0. The Gamecocks had an exciting win over Arkansas last week and the win made South Carolina bowl eligible for the first time since 2001.

Florida won at Vanderbilt 34-17 last week but turned the ball over four times in the first half. They hurt themselves repeatedly with 12 penalties for 108 yards, even erasing a touchdown with a personal foul. Only against the Commodores can a team make those mistakes and still come out with a win.

Against South Carolina, the Gators will look to give Ron Zook a win in his home finale. Florida has won its last three home games against the Gamecocks by 19, 20 and 21 points. Gators win, but only by two touchdowns, 35-21.

Ole Miss at Arkansas, 11:30 p.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

Arkansas usually plays well at home and in games played in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks have won six out of seven against Ole Miss. The Rebels are coming off a bye week and Arkansas lost a close one last week against South Carolina.

Ole Miss should have trouble stopping Matt Jones. The senior quarterback is Arkansas' leading rusher. Jones will look to put last year's bad performance against the Rebels behind him. Jones was 12-for-29 for 140 yards with an interception in the 19-7 loss. Last year's game was a defensive battle with neither team gaining more than 300 total yards, Arkansas had 237 yards while Ole Miss amassed 275 yards.

The Rebel's defense is not the same unit that kept Jones from beating them last year. They have struggled to defend the run all season. They allowed 100 yards to Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown and Gerald Riggs in their last two games.

Arkansas must win this game to avoid having a disappointing season. The Razorbacks need to win their remaining three games just to become bowl eligible. Ole Miss falls on the road, 33-20.

Vanderbilt at Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. ET

This season, these two teams are a combined 111 in conference play and 315 overall. This series has probably been the most competitive series in the SEC, even though the outcome has never been important. Vanderbilt leads the series 37-35-4 and 31 of the 76 games in the series have been decided by seven-points-or-less.

Kentucky is reeling after losing at home 62-17 against Georgia. Against Florida last week, the Commodores were on the verge of winning until starting quarterback Jay Cutler left the game with an injury. Vanderbilt has been able to run the ball all season and against the Gators, they picked up 270 rushing yards.

Since the Wildcats have trouble stopping the run, Vanderbilt should hand Kentucky another loss. The last six meetings have been high scoring affairs with the average score being, Kentucky 34.7, Vanderbilt 22.8. The Commodores win another high scoring contest, 35-27.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week 12
Auburn dominated Georgia 24-6 to improve to 10-0 overall and 7-0 in the SEC. The Tigers end the regular season against Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Kickoff from Bryant-Denny Stadium is 2:30 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by CBS.

Georgia at Auburn

Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown combined for 260 total yards and each scored a touchdown for the second-ranked Tigers in the 24-6 victory over Georgia. Williams also threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Anthony Mix. Jason Campbell was 18-of-22 passing for 189 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Ronnie Brown, who finished with seven catches for 88 yards and 51 yards on 12 carries.

On the opening drive of the game, Georgia looked like it would give the Tigers a competitive game when they marched down to the Auburn 19-yard line. Auburn then forced the Bulldogs' Andy Bailey to try a 36-yard field goal. The attempt wasn't even close after the high snap from center.

Auburn then put together an impressive 80-yard drive and took a 7-0 lead on Jason Campbell's option toss to Williams.Williams ran the ball six times for 33 yards during the drive.

Georgia had an opportunity to score after David Pollack blocked a punt by Kody Bliss and the Bulldogs had the ball inside Auburn's 30. A personal foul call at the end of the play moved Georgia back to the Tigers' 41 to start the drive. David Greene then threw a 14-yard pass to Reggie Brown for a first down to move them down to the 27. Two plays later, Greene threw a pass intended for Brown in the end zone that was intercepted by Auburn's Carlos Rogers.

Off the turnover, Auburn drove 80 yards on nine plays and Williams put Auburn ahead 14-0 after his 29-yard touchdown pass to Mix with 5:11 left in the half. John Vaughn's 32-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter gave the Tigers a 17-0 lead at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, Georgia's Gordon Ely-Kelso got off a 52-yard punt and Williams returned it 40 yards to the Bulldogs' 31. Five plays later, Campbell threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Brown to make it 24-0 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

Georgia's only touchdown came with just 2:13 remaining in the fourth when Greene led his team on a nine-play, 60-yard drive that finished with a six-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Pope on 4th-and-5. The two-point conversion pass fell incomplete and Auburn ran out the clock.

Auburn will take its 12-game winning streak up to Tuscaloosa on Saturday to face arch-rival Alabama. A win would keep the Tigers in the hunt for the national championship. A win by the Crimson Tide would have their fans bragging for many years.

Alabama at LSU

LSU held Alabama scoreless in the second half and won 26-10 for a rare victory over the Crimson Tide in Tiger Stadium. Alabama was led by Kenneth Darby who rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries. Darby became the 11th player in school history to reach 1,000 yards on the ground in a single season.

After Alabama recovered a fumble that set them up on the LSU 12-yard line, quarterback Spencer Pennington was picked off in the end zone three plays later by Corey Webster. Webster returned it 44 yards and Alabama never recovered.

LSU failed to take advantage of the interception, and the Tigers pinned Alabama at its own two on a 40-yard punt by Chris Jackson. After an 11-yard run by Darby gave the Tide some breathing room, Pennington was sacked by Marcus Spears and the ball came loose. Cameron Vaughn picked it up and had an easy eight-yard run to the end zone to give the Tigers their first lead at 13-10.

The Tigers added to their lead after Joseph Addai caught a short pass in the flat before shaking a defender and headed down the left sideline for his 35-yard touchdown score. He scored again five minutes later on a 47-yard scamper that gave the Tigers a 26-10 advantage. The extra point was missed by Ryan Gaudet.

Alabama will play Auburn in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, and LSU hosts Ole Miss.

South Carolina at Florida

Chris Leak threw a career-high six touchdowns and Florida won 48-14 over South Carolina. Leak finished the night 18-of-31 for 319 yards as the Gators won their 16th consecutive homecoming game, beat the Gamecocks for the 14th straight time and became bowl eligible for the 14th year in row.

The Gamecocks scored the only points of the first quarter as Gonzie Gray found the end zone on a 13-yard run to put the visitors up by a score of 7-0.

Florida then tallied 48 unanswered points to take complete control, beginning with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Leak to Tate Casey. Minutes later in the second, Leak found Ciatrick Fason on a five-yard scoring strike. With 27 seconds to play in the half it, Leak found Casey for a four-yard touchdown pass to give the Gators a 21-7 lead at the break.

After halftime, Leak hit Chad Jackson with a 56-yard touchdown pass and then kicker Matt Leach converted a 40-yard field goal to push the lead to 31-7.

Leach opened the fourth with a 34-yard field goal, with Leak then capping the night with a 61-yard touchdown connection to Andre Caldwell and a 39-yard effort to Dallas Baker to make the score 48-7.

Florida will meet tenth-ranked Florida State in Tallahassee and South Carolina plays at Clemson Saturday.

Ole Miss at Arkansas

Matt Jones helped his team stay in the hunt for a bowl game after leading Arkansas to a 35-3 win over Ole Miss. Jones rushed for 126 yards on just five carries, and completed 11- of-16 passes for 108 yards. The Razorbacks racked up 452 total yards of offense, and 22 first downs.

Arkansas opened the first half with a 28-unanswered points after Peyton Hillis scored on a one-yard run and Decori Birmingham rumbled 11 yards for a touchdown to end the first quarter.

Jones then put his team up 21-0 on a long run of 72 yards that came on the first play of the second quarter. From his own 28, Jones faked a pitch on an option, split two defenders as he turned upfield and outraced everyone down the right sideline for the score. He then dunked the ball over the goal post, drawing a celebration penalty.

Just minutes later, Jones threw a two-yard touchdown toss to Jared Hicks, giving Arkansas a 28-0 advantage.

Ole Miss finally got on the scoreboard and cut the Razorbacks lead to 28-3 when Jonathan Nichols split the uprights on a 33-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half.

Hicks registered the only points of the second half when he caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Jones midway through the third quarter.

Next for Arkansas is a trip to Mississippi State Saturday and Ole Miss is at LSU.

Vanderbilt at Kentucky

Kentucky snapped a seven-game losing streak and won a game in conference play after beating Vanderbilt 14-13 at home. The Wildcats finally played a game without committing a turnover. Kentucky and Vanderbilt have identical records at 2-8 overall, and 1-6 in the conference.

Vanderbilt led 7-0 at halftime after a seven-play, 71-yard touchdown drive on which Jeff Jennings scored on a 1-yard run early in the second quarter.

After halftime, Chris Young caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jay Cutler, but the extra- point attempt was missed and the Commodores had a 13-0 advantage early the third quarter.

Kentucky came alive in the fourth quarter as they scored two unanswered touchdowns. Glen Holt, Jr. caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Boyd early in the quarter, and the two combined again on a 25-yard scoring pass with just 1:39 left to give Kentucky the 14-13 victory.

The Wildcats have a bye week before playing at Tennessee November 27. Vanderbilt will play the Vols Saturday in Nashville.

Predictions For November 20 SEC Games
Auburn battles arch rival Alabama in a game that features two of the SEC's top defensive and rushing teams. Florida plays at FSU, and South Carolina travels to Clemson in other rivalry action. Last week predictions were 3-2, and overall 48-16.

Auburn at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

In the 69th edition of the Iron Bowl, the game will feature two of the SEC's top defensive and rushing teams. Alabama leads the conference in total defense by allowing just 229.7 yards per game. Auburn is allowing 9.3 points per game, lowest in the nation, and has surrendered only 12 touchdowns all season.

Alabama averages 215 rushing yards per game and Auburn 201.4, but the running games could struggle against such strong defenses. Auburn surrenders just 100 yards per game on the ground and has only yielded one rushing touchdown.

The quarterbacks could be the difference if either team has trouble running the ball. The Tigers have the advantage with the SEC's leader in passing efficiency in Jason Campbell. Campbell has thrown 15 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. Alabama's Spencer Pennington is banged up after suffering a shoulder and rib injury in last week's 26-10 loss to LSU.

Since Brodie Croyle got hurt, the Tide has been unable to throw the football. In their last seven games they have completed just 63 passes for 696 yards, with ten interceptions and just three touchdown passes. Against South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU, Alabama was outscored 6326 while averaging just 208 yards per game on offense.

Auburn has now outscored their opposition 194-26 in the first half and only one team has scored more than 14 points against this defense. In the series, the team leading at halftime has won 73.5 percent of the time.

This year's game marks the 13th time one of the teams enters the Iron Bowl undefeated, not counting 1971, when both were. The unbeaten team has gone 10-2, with Auburn posting a 2-1 mark when it faces Alabama with a perfect record. And, in this rivalry over the past twenty years, the better team has won 18 of the 20 meetings.

The Tigers are clearly the better team and should improve to 5-0 in games played in Tuscaloosa. If Auburn gets off to a fast start in the first half, it will be a long afternoon for the Crimson Tide. Auburn wins 31-10.

Florida at Florida State, 7:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

Florida State needs to win Saturday against state-rival Florida to earn an automatic berth in a Bowl Championship Series game. Bobby Bowden's offense has struggled throughout the season, only averaging 26 points and 366 yards per game. Against North Carolina State last Thursday, the Seminoles finished with just 121 total yards, their lowest output in Bowden's 29 seasons as coach. The lack of offensive production can be blamed on their two inconsistent quarterbacks, Wyatt Sexton and Chris Rix.

Sexton replaced Rix at quarterback in September and went 4-1. But Bowden went back to Rix for the November 6 matchup with Duke after Sexton struggled early in the Seminoles' 20-17 loss at Maryland on October 30. Sexton took over for an ineffective Rix in the second half and threw for 220 yards in the Seminoles' 29-7 win over the Blue Devils.

Florida isn't as good defensively as North Carolina State, but the Gators will likely put some points on the board. Sexton will start and will need to help his team get into the end zone on multiple occasions.

Florida leads the all-time series 27-19-2, but Florida State has been dominant at home of late, going 7-0-1 at Doak Campbell Stadium since 1986. The home team should win this contest, but only by a field goal, 27-24.

Arkansas at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

Arkansas has gone to a bowl game in each of Houston Nutt's first six years as head coach and he has never had a losing season. That streak could come to an end if the Razorbacks fail to win on the road at Mississippi State and at home against LSU November 26.

The Bulldogs have had a week to prepare for LSU and all three of their wins in 2004 have come in Starkville, two against SEC opponents. A third SEC win would match their total from the final three years of the Jackie Sherrill era combined. A win against Arkansas would send a message to the SEC that Syvester Croom will have his team ready to compete after a few years of recruiting.

The Razorbacks haven't won a road game all year. State's defense may have trouble stopping Matt Jones. Jones is playing well and is poised to give his team its first road win. Arkansas in a close game, 24-21.

South Carolina at Clemson, 12 p.m. ET, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

With rumors going around that Lou Holtz may retire and Steve Spurrier at the top of the list to take his place, it may be hard for Holtz to keep the attention of his players on playing at Clemson. But, with any rivalry game, players on both teams are always ready to do battle. This is the 102nd meeting between these two teams and Clemson holds a 61-36-4 lead. The Tigers are 5-5, while South Carolina has already qualified to go bowling at 6-4.

The Tigers have had an up and down season. They were losers of four in a row and then won four in a row before an unexpected 16-13 loss to Duke last week. They will need a win just to be eligible for a trip to a bowl game.

Last year, Clemson destroyed South Carolina 63-17 in a game Holtz called the most embarrassing moment in his football career. The Gamecocks will depend on wide receiver Troy Williamson to help them avenge last year's loss. Williamson has made 40 grabs for 809 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

The Gamecocks should win this one and Williamson should be the difference in the 28-17 victory.

Ole Miss at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

The Tigers are No. 4 in the nation in total defense and will look to hand Ole Miss another blowout loss. The Rebels were dismal last week against Arkansas in a game that was over before halftime. Like other teams in the conference, Ole Miss has quarterback problems and at times throughout the season, has played three quarterbacks during a game. This week, the Rebels should use only one quarterback if they want a shot at winning in Baton Rouge.

LSU has won four straight since losing to Georgia 45-16 on October 2. That loss put them out of another run at a national title, but the Tigers could finish with a 9-2 record and that would give them a chance to go to a nice bowl game. The last two games in the series have been decided by a total of four points as LSU won 14-13 in 2002 and 17-14 last year.

LSU holds a 51-37-4 advantage in the series, but the Rebels have won three of the last four at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers will reverse that trend when Ole Miss has trouble moving the ball against a tough defense. LSU wins 28-10.

Tennessee at Vanderbilt, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

Tennessee can wrap up a trip to the SEC Championship game with a win over Vanderbilt. The Vols have won the last 21 meetings in the series dating back to 1983 and in games played in Nashville, Tennessee leads, 32-17-4.

Vanderbilt is coming off a 14-13 loss to Kentucky last week. Tennessee is coming off a bye week after some players were injured during the loss to Notre Dame. Three starters on the offensive line have missed playing time in recent games, but the bye week should have given them time to heal. The quarterback situation is up in the air as it appears that both Brent Schaeffer and Erik Ainge are out for the remainder of the season. Rick Clausen will likely start with C.J. Leak as the backup.

The Commodores' quarterback has also missed time with an injury in two of the last three games. Jay Cutler has a banged up shoulder and has been less mobile than he was during the first half of the season. The depth Vanderbilt has is lacking and it has shown during the second half in recent games. In their last five games against Division I-A competition, Vanderbilt has failed to score a single point in the fourth quarter, getting outscored 620. They also have the second weakest run stopping unit in the conference ahead of only Kentucky. Running backs Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs should have big games.

Over the last three years, Tennessee has beaten Vanderbilt 380, 240 and 480. This year should be a little closer because of Tennessee's quarterback situation. Vols win 30-10.

Ian Young: Auburn's Key Ingredient
With only one player over 6-6, Auburn's success in this season's campaign will largely depend on the Tigers' ability to be successful from behind the arc. Head coach Jeff Lebo will look to senior Ian Young to be a leader and Auburn's main scorer.

If this team is to be successful it will have to be reminiscent of former Kentucky coach Rick Pitino's Bambinos. The Bambinos were undersized, but were able to beat teams with quickness and their ability to hit three pointers.

No other player for the Auburn Tigers will be counted on more heavily than Ian Young. Young, a 6-3 combo guard who hails from Orlando, Florida, is the leading returning scorer from last year's team that finished with a 14-14 record.

How Ian Young came to Auburn is a story that should inspire us all. I interviewed Steve Kohn, Young's high school coach at Lake Howell High School in Orlando.

Kohn described Young's long journey to the Plains. Due to academic ineligibility, Young didn't play organized varsity basketball until his senior year of high school. "Ian Young only played the final 20 games of his senior year," said Kohn.

Entering his senior year in high school, Young knew that if he did not bring up his grades, his dream of playing basketball in college may never be realized. At the end of his junior year and heading into his senior year, Young applied himself and made 5 A's and one B to bring him up to par academically.

After achieving eligibility, Young did not disappoint, averaging 25 points a game his senior year.

Coach Kohn commented on what type of player Young was in high school. "Coming into his senior year, Young was a street player that needed to learn how to play team basketball." Coach Kohn also commented that Young had too much confidence in his own ability, but that throughout his senior year he learned to trust people and developed into much more of a team player.

When asked what type of person Ian Young is, coach Kohn described him as respectful and as a hard of a worker as you will find.

Young was so committed to making it at the collegiate level that he would wake up at 5 a.m. everyday his senior year and run steps at one of the local high schools. Coach Kohn also commented that Ian had a "tremendous faith in God."

Young gained enough attention his senior year of high school to receive a scholarship to Sante Fe Community College in Florida. Young broke his foot that year and had to sit out the 2000-2001 basketball season.

He then transferred to Des Moines Area Community College in Des Moines, Iowa where he played under head coach Orv Salmon.

Young made the most of this opportunity averaging 13 points a game his freshman year. Following up a solid freshman season at Des Moines, Young averaged 21 points a game his sophomore year and was named to the all conference team. He also garnered second team junior college all American honors.

Young had several colleges jockeying for his services after his sophomore year of junior college but he decided on Auburn.

Last year, Young averaged 10 points a game while playing in all 28 games for the 2003-2004 Auburn Tigers. Young had a career high 28 points against Alabama including 6-of-12 from three point range. Young caught fire toward the end of the season averaging almost 15 points a game in his last seven games.

When asked what NBA player Young reminds him of, coach Kohn described him as "a poor man's Joe Dumars who has a deadly pull up jump shot."

Young is already off to a hot start this season. Young poured in 28 points and 10 assists in the preseason game against Lee University November 12, leading the Tigers to a 98-78 victory. He also had 28 points in Auburn's 80-78 victory over Temple Friday night.

Young will be a key ingredient if Lebo's Bambinos are to have a successful season.

Steve Riser

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week 13

Auburn ended the regular season undefeated after beating Alabama 21-13. The Tigers will play Tennessee in Atlanta for the SEC Championship December 4. Florida ended the Zook era with a win over FSU, and LSU beat Ole Miss in Baton Rouge.

Auburn at Alabama

Auburn struggled during the first half but came alive early in the third quarter to beat Alabama 21-13. The win is the Tigers' 13th straight and they finish the regular season 11-0!

The Tigers' defense kept them in the game during the first half after they held the Crimson Tide to just two field goals when they could have easily scored two touchdowns.

Auburn tried to get on the scoreboard before halftime but failed after they marched 79 yards only to watch John Vaughn's 21-yard field goal bounce off the left upright and back into the end zone as time expired.

Jason Campbell was the difference in the second half. He completed 8-of-9 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the third quarter, after passing for just 61 yards and an interception in the first half. Campbell hit Devin Aromashodu for a 51-yard pass down the left sideline and Carnell Williams bounced outside for a 5-yard touchdown to end a six-play, 80-yard drive. The touchdown run by Williams put Auburn ahead 7-6.

Campbell found Courtney Taylor for a 32-yard touchdown pass on third-and-17 on Auburn's next series to make it 14-6. The defense held Alabama to two three-and-out possessions with a holding penalty on the punt giving the Tide a first down.

Auburn then put the game out of reach with another score early in the fourth quarter. Brown's one-yard touchdown run made it 21-6 with 11:31 remaining in the game.

Alabama then drove 84 yards on 11 plays in the final minutes, scoring on Spencer Pennington's 18-yard pass to D.J. Hall with 1:26 left. Taylor recovered the onside kick for the Tigers, who ran out the clock and beat Alabama for the third straight year.

Auburn returns to practice Friday to begin preparations for their game against Tennessee in the SEC Championship game. The Tigers won in Knoxville 34-10 October 2.

Florida at Florida State

Florida won for the first time since 1986 in Tallahassee and upset No. 10 Florida State 20-13. The Gators ended any legitimate chance the Seminoles had of earning a third straight Bowl Championship Series berth. Florida State still could finish tied for the Atlantic Coast Conference title but would likely lose all tiebreaker scenarios because of their BCS ranking, which is expected to drop Monday.

After struggling with quarterback Wyatt Sexton in the first half, Chris Rix came off the bench and found Chauncey Stovall in the end zone for a touchdown with 8:30 to play in the fourth to cut Florida's lead to 13-10.

The Gators responded again to keep their distance. After FSU failed to pick up a loose ball as it went out of bounds, Fason scored from eight yards away to make it 20-10 with five minutes to play. The junior tailback rushed for 48 yards in all on the series.

Xavier Beitia drilled a 52-yard field goal on the Seminoles' next possession to narrow the gap to 20-13 with 3:48 remaining.

Zook gambled on 4th-and-1 early in the series, but the move paid off as Chris Leak converted a quarterback sneak for a first down at their own 25.

The Gators were then able to take the clock down to just over a minute before giving the ball up at Florida State's 45. Three straight completions by Rix got the ball down to the Florida 18. Forced into a 4th-and-10, Rix was pressured and threw off balance over the middle and was picked off by Jarvis Herring to end the game.

Florida improves to 7-4 on the season while FSU falls to 8-3.

Arkansas at Mississippi State

Arkansas beat Mississippi State for the sixth straight time after quarterback Matt Jones passed for 215 yards. The 24-21 victory helped the Razorbacks remain in the hunt for one of the league's eight bowl spots with a 5-5 record.

Mississippi State drew first blood, as it scored 14-straight points in the first quarter. Jerious Norwood rushed four yards for a touchdown and Omarr Conner threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Tee Milons to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead with 5:14 left in the opening quarter.

The Razorbacks closed the first half with 17-unanswered points. Chris Balseiro kicked a 42-yard field goal, De'Arrius Howard scored from two yards out and Jones scored on a one-yard run to give Arkansas a 17-14 advantage at halftime.

Pierre Brown pushed the Razorbacks' lead to 24-14 when he returned a blocked field goal attempt 76 yards for a touchdown with 4:25 left in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs kept things close when Conner threw a two-yard scoring pass to Eric Butler to cut the Arkansas' lead to 24-21 with 10:44 remaining in the game. The Razorback defense stepped up the rest of the way and held on for the three-point victory.

Arkansas plays at home against LSU November 26, and Mississippi State plays archrival Ole Miss November 27.

South Carolina at Clemson

Clemson's Reggie Merriweather rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries as he led the Tigers to a 29-7 victory over South Carolina. Clemson improves to 6-5 and becomes bowl eligible.

The Tigers went up 14-0 in the first quarter after Merriweather found the end zone on a three-yard touchdown run and he then scored again from seven-yards out. The Gamecocks quickly responded when Cory Boyd caught a 54-yard touchdown toss from Syvelle Newton which cut the Tigers' advantage to 14-7 midway through the second quarter.

The second half was dominated by Clemson as the team racked up 15-unanswered points. Merriweather scored on a 12-yard carry, Jad Dean kicked a 21-yard field goal, a 24-yard field goal and a 20-yard field goal, which gave the Tigers a 29-7 edge with 9:16 left to play in the game.

The Tigers had 313 total yards of offense in the game, while holding the Gamecocks to 197 yards.

Lou Holtz has decided to retire and Steve Spurrier will take his place. Holtz is eighth all-time in NCAA history with 249 career wins, but guided the Gamecocks to a record of just 33-35 during his tenure.

Ole Miss at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

LSU racked up 441 yards rushing with the help of Alley Broussard's school-record 250 yards as LSU came from behind to beat Ole Miss 27-24. Broussard broke the previous mark of 246 yards that Kevin Faulk set against Houston September 7, 1996.

The Tigers opened the game with an eight-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a Broussard 1-yard touchdown run. The Rebels then cut LSU's lead to 7-3 on a 49-yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols. Broussard ran for his second touchdown as time ran out in the first quarter, and LSU was up 14-3.

Nichols' opened the second quarter with a 27-yard field goal to close the gap to 14-6. Robert Lane's 4-yard touchdown run with 3:03 left in the first half pulled the Rebels to within one at 14-13.

Chris Jackson then hit a 51-yard field goal to put LSU up by four. Ole Miss kept pace with Nichols' 22-yarder that pulled the Rebels within 17-16 at halftime.

Ole Miss took its first lead of the game when Trumaine McBride intercepted Russell early in the third quarter and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown. The Rebels' 2-point conversion was good and Ole Miss led 24-17. Jackson then connected on a 42-yard kick to pull LSU to 24-20 at the end of the third quarter.

With LSU trailing 24-20 in the fourth quarter, the Tigers drove 61 yards, with Broussard rushing for 27, Addai adding 19 and a pass interference call netting 15 more. Broussard gave LSU the lead with a 7-yard run with 10:51 left in the game.

LSU has won five straight overall and 10 in a row in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers finished perfect at home for the first time since 1972.

The Tigers face Arkansas November 26, and Ole Miss hosts Mississippi State for the Egg Bowl.

Tennessee at Vanderbilt

Tennessee clinched the SEC Eastern Division title with their 38-33 win over Vanderbilt. Quarterback Rick Clausen completed 19-of-30 passes for 189 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the victory.

The Volunteers never trailed after taking an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The touchdown came after Vanderbilt fumbled inside its on 20-yard line and two plays later, Cedric Houston ran up the middle for the six-yard score. Tennessee extended their lead to 14-0 after a nine-play, 58-yard drive that ended with Houston's 11-yard touchdown run.

The Commodores reached the scoreboard with 2:13 left in the first on an 11- yard touchdown catch by Marlon White down the left side. Vanderbilt missed the extra point and trailed 14-6 heading into the second quarter.

On their first drive of the second, the Volunteers extended their lead to 21-6 after a five-yard touchdown run up the middle by Houston. On the 87-yard drive, Tony Brown converted a third down with a 20-yard reception into Vandy territory.

On Vanderbilt's next possession, Cutler fumbled again to set up another Tennessee score. Clausen connected with Jayson Swain for a 20-yard touchdown pass, and the Vols led 28-6.

The Commodores ended the first half with two touchdowns to cut the deficit to 28-20 at halftime. Smith hauled in an 80-yard score and Jeff Jennings ran in from three yards away.

In the third, the Vols scored the only points on James Wilhoit's 34-yard field goal and Swain caught a five-yard touchdown pass to put them up 38-20.

Vanderbilt accounted for all 13 points in the fourth. Jennings completed an 11- play, 71-yard drive with a nine-yard run. But the two-point conversion failed and the Commodores trailed 38-26. Then with 4:30 to play, Dustin Denning caught a three-yard score from Cutler to trim the deficit to 38-33.

Tennessee was forced to punt and Vanderbilt got the ball back at its own 20 with 2:16 left with a chance to win it. On the first play of the drive, Cutler was hit as he threw the ball and was intercepted by Roshaun Fellows to end the game.

The Vols face Auburn in the Georgia Dome for the SEC Championship December 4.

Predictions For November 27 SEC Games
Arkansas needs a win over LSU to become bowl eligible on Friday. On Saturday, Georgia entertains rival Georgia Tech, while Ole Miss and Mississippi State battle in the Egg Bowl. Overall predictions are 52-18, and last week was 4-2.

LSU at Arkansas, Friday, November 26, 1:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

Arkansas is 5-5, and with a win Friday, would have a chance at a school-record seventh straight bowl game. The Razorbacks are a perfect 170 playing in Little Rock under head coach Houston Nutt. In games played in Little Rock, LSU has lost three in a row with the last Tiger victory coming in 1996.

Last week, Arkansas won a close game over Mississippi State. In the 24-21 victory, Keith Andrews blocked the Bulldogs potential game-tying field goal in the third quarter, and Pierre Brown returned it 76 yards for the touchdown.

Senior quarterback Matt Jones has improved every week and is the SECs leading rusher at quarterback. This will be his last home game wearing an Arkansas uniform and he will be ready to lead his team to a victory over 8-2 LSU.

LSU had a big performance from Alley Broussard last week against Ole Miss when he set a school record with 250 rushing yards along with three touchdowns. The quarterback situation for the Tigers is still a problem as both JaMarcus Russell and Bryan Randall continue to struggle.

This game will come down to which team is able to stop the run. Jones will have his typical day running the ball, and Broussard should get decent yards against an Arkansas defense that has trouble stopping the run. The difference will be Jones and his ability to complete important passes. Arkansas wins this high scoring affair, 34-28.

Georgia Tech at Georgia, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports

Georgia will look to bounce back from a 24-6 loss to Auburn two weeks ago. They should be able to against a Georgia Tech team that is still stinging from their lost to Virginia last week. Tech is 6-4 on the season and needs a win over the Bulldogs to improve their bowl position. A win won't be easy against No. 8 Georgia in Athens. The Bulldogs have won three in a row in the series and Tech hasn't come within two touchdowns, losing 3117, 517 and 3417.

Part of the problem for Tech has been the inconsistent play of quarterback Reggie Ball. In the Yellow Jackets four losses, Ball has thrown 10 interceptions with only two touchdown passes. Last year, against the Bulldogs, Ball completed only eight passes for 80 yards. He will face one of the toughest defenses in the nation this week and he will need to find a way to complete more passes and avoid the turnovers.

Georgia is clearly the better team, with a defense that has held their opponents under 20 points in seven of their last nine games, and an offense that has gained over 500 yards three times in their last five games. Ball will be pressured constantly by Pollack and that means plenty of interceptions for Georgia's defensive backs. Georgia wins big again, 38-14.

Kentucky at Tennessee, 12:30 p.m. ET, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

These two teams meet for the 100th time and Tennessee has won the last 19 meetings, dating back to 1985. With a win over Kentucky, the Vols would improve to 5-0 against SEC Eastern division opponents this season. In games played in Knoxville, Tennessee leads, 35-10-6 and the Vols have scored more than 50 points in five of the last eight games against the Wildcats.

In the last two meetings, Kentucky was held to a combined total of seven points, and they havent scored more than 17 points in nine of their 10 games this season. The Wildcats rank 114th out of 117 Division I-A teams in total offense and also enter the game without an offensive coordinator after Monday's resignation of offensive coordinator Ron Hudson.

Fulmer's team may get caught looking ahead to their rematch against Auburn in the SEC Championship game December 4. After the Vols barely beat Vanderbilt 38-33 last week, Fulmer was already talking about Auburn in his post game news conference. The Tigers won the regular season battle 34-10.

Look for Tennessee to go through the motions and try to keep everyone healthy for Auburn. Rick Clausen will start at quarterback against Kentucky, and will more than likely start against Auburn. The Vols make it 20 in a row after a 31-13 victory.

Mississippi State at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT, No TV

Long-time intrastate and SEC rivals will square off this weekend in Oxford as the Ole Miss Rebels play host to Mississippi State for the 101st meeting of the "Battle for the Golden Egg." For the first time since 1997, the game will not be played on Thanksgiving. Both teams are 3-7 and Ole Miss will try for its third straight win in the series, which would be the first time a team has won three straight in the series since the Rebels did it in 1988-90. David Cutcliffe is 3-2 against the Bulldogs while Sylvester Croom is meeting Ole Miss for the first time as a head coach.

The Rebels have had a disappointing season after a 10-3 record last year. They had to rebuild a defense that returned just four starters and find a replacement for quarterback Eli Manning. Coach David Cutcliffes quarterback situation remains unsettled with three different players getting a shot and three different players failing to excel.

Mississippi State has shown promise with first year head coach Sylvester Croom. Croom got a huge win over Florida and his team has played well down the stretch with quarterback Omarr Connor. The Bulldogs also have a solid backfield with running backs Jerious Norwood and Fred Reid. Along with Conner, the trio has rushed for more the 1,600 yards.

The Bulldogs have the better defense of the two teams, and with an average offense, they should snap the Rebels' winning streak. Mississippi State wins the Egg Bowl 27-20.

A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week 14
Georgia held off Georgia Tech to win 19-13, and Tennessee scored two touchdowns in the fourth to beat Kentucky 37-31. This week, Tennessee and Auburn meet in Atlanta to decide the SEC champion. Kickoff is 5 p.m. CT and CBS will televise the game.

LSU at Arkansas

LSU beat Arkansas 43-14 to finish the season 9-2 after winning their last six games. The Tigers will now look forward to a likely New Year's Day bowl game.

The Tigers took a 7-0 lead as Marcus Randall hit Joseph Addai for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 7:38 left in the first quarter. On the seven-play, 66-yard drive, Randall was 3-of-3 for 58 yards.

The Razorbacks quickly tied the game as Peyton Hillis hauled in a seven-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Matt Jones. The two-play drive was aided by a 47-yard kick return by DeCori Birmingham and a 42-yard run by Hillis.

LSU went up 10-7 late in the first quarter when Chris Jackson hit a 46-yard field goal. Following the field goal, Arkansas was unsuccessful on a fake punt try deep in its own territory and LSU needed only one play to capitalize. Randall hit Addai down the left sideline for a 29-yard score to increase the lead to 17-7 with 13:23 remaining in the first half.

The Razorbacks were then forced to punt on their next series, but LSU returner Chevis Jackson fumbled the punt and Arkansas fell on the loose ball. Two plays later, Jones found Steven Harris in the back of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 17-14 with 10:09 left in the second period.

Chris Jackson's 53-yard kick with 7:58 left in the second quarter widened the margin to six and the Tigers added to their lead just before halftime. Randall's one-yard touchdown run capped an 11-play drive that put the Tigers up 27-14 at halftime.

LaRon Landry intercepted Jones on the first series of the third quarter and LSU took advantage of the turnover. Randall scored from seven yards out to put LSU up 34-14 with 9:48 left in the the third.

Jackson added a 27-yard field goal in the fourth and Shyrone Carey found the end zone from nine yards out late in the game to cap the scoring. The extra point on the late touchdown missed.

Georgia Tech at Georgia

Georgia held off a second half rally from Georgia Tech to win 19-13. Quarterback David Greene was replaced by D.J. Shockley late in the first quarter after he injured his left thumb after being knocked to the ground. Greene would return with 7:11 left in the game to lead his team to an important field goal which gave the Bulldogs a six-point edge with less than three minutes remaining.

The Bulldogs scored on their opening drive to go up 7-0. On 3rd-and-15 from the Georgia Tech 28-yard line, Greene found a wide open Fred Gibson down the left sideline for an easy touchdown with less than six minutes gone in the first quarter.

Shockley entered the game on Georgia's third series and set up another score by finding Leonard Pope for 35 yards to the Georgia Tech 24. The big play led to a 36-yard field goal by Andy Bailey and the Bulldogs led 10-0.

On Georgia's next possession, Reggie Brown caught Shockley's fade pass from three yards out and Bailey missed the point-after attempt. The Bulldogs led 16-0 at halftime.

After halftime, Tech scored 13 unanswered points in the third quarter to get back into the contest. Rotating Ball and Damarius Bilbo at quarterback on each possession, the Yellow Jackets cut the lead to 16-13 on P.J. Daniels' 1-yard touchdown run and a pair of field goals by Travis Bell.

Midway through the fourth, Greene went back into the game to try and get things going for the sluggish Bulldog offense. The senior quarterback completed an eight-yard pass to Reggie Brown on the first play of the series and Thomas Brown's pair of strong runs put Georgia into Tech territory. Greene later delivered a 12-yard throw, again to Brown, on 3rd-and-9 from the Yellow Jackets 39 before the drive stalled.

True freshman Brandon Coutu ended the drive with a 44-yard field goal, the first of his career, to extend Georgia's lead to six points with 2:16 to play.

Georgia Tech gave the Georgia fans a scare when they almost scored on their final possession. Ball teamed up with Thomas for a 37-yard pass to the Bulldogs' 21. Ball was sacked on second down and was forced to spike the ball on third down with the clock winding down. On fourth down, Ball was pressured by David Pollack and threw out of bounds as Georgia took over with 28 seconds left.

Georgia improves to 9-2 and is expected to play in either the Cotton or Outback Bowl on New Year's Day, while 6-5 Georgia Tech may get into the Champs Sports Bowl even with the loss.

Kentucky at Tennessee

Tennessee had to rally with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to avoid losing to 2-9 Kentucky. The Vols won 37-31 on a Gerald Riggs 12-yard touchdown run with just 38 seconds left in the game.

Kentucky led 24-22 at halftime and Tennessee took the opening drive of the second half down to the Wildcats' one-yard line before being stopped on third down. Head coach Phillip Fulmer decided to kick a field goal instead of going for a touchdown. The field goal attempt was blocked and Kentucky took over at their 20-yard line.

The Wildcats then drove 80-yards in 13 plays and scored on quarterback Shane Boyd's one-yard sneak to go up 31-22 late in the third.

Tennessee had a chance to put points on the scoreboard early in the fourth, but the Vols elected to go for it on 4th-and-3 from the Kentucky eight-yard line and Clausen's pass to C.J. Fayton ended up short of the first-down marker.

The Vols then forced Kentucky to a quick punt and immediately drove down the field. The three-play, 65-yard drive was capped by Tony Brown's 12-yard touchdown reception and it cut Kentucky's lead to 31-29 with 9:39 left in the game.

After a series of punts, Tennessee got the ball back with 3:31 left in the fourth. At its own 40-yard line, the Vols moved the ball inside the 50 after Clausen found Riggs on a 15-yard pass. Three plays later, Clausen hit Fayton for seven yards to move the ball to the Kentucky 34 to keep the drive alive.

Tennessee was in field-goal range, but with Kentucky's Lonnell Dewalt having blocked an extra-point kick and a field goal earlier in the game, Tennessee passed up a chance to let the kicker try to win it.

From the 12-yard line, the Vols went up 37-31 when Riggs ran up the middle on third down for the touchdown, and Cedric Houston added another run for the 2-point conversion.

Tennessee will try and avenge a 34-10 loss to Auburn when they meet the Tigers in the SEC Championship game Saturday in Atlanta.

Mississippi State at Ole Miss

Ole Miss was led by backup quarterback Robert Lane in the 20-3 win over Mississippi State. Lane completed 10-of-17 passes for 108 yards with two interceptions. He also led the Rebels' ground attack with 97 yards on 16 carries.

The Rebels entered the game with one of the worst defenses in the league, but Ole Miss forced three turnovers, held Mississippi State to 88 total yards through three quarters and shut down running back Jerious Norwood. Norwood ran for just 24 yards, nearly 79 below his average.

Ole Miss scored 10 straight points after Lane found Lawrence Lilly on a four-yard touchdown pass and Jonathan Nichols nailed a 39-yard field goal.

Mississippi State's only points came on Keith Andrews' 23-yard field goal. It was set up by a 46-yard run by Fred Reid, who led the Bulldogs with 50 yards rushing.

In the fourth quarter, the Rebels scored 10 unanswered points when Lane ran two yards for a touchdown and Nichols kicked a 22-yard field goal to give Ole Miss a 20-3 lead with 11 minutes left to play.

Ole Miss had 421 yards of total offense in its final game of the year, while the Bulldogs closed out their season with its 17th-straight SEC road loss.

Prediction For Saturday's SEC Championship Game
Third-ranked Auburn will battle No. 15 Tennessee for the SEC title. Kickoff from Atlanta is set for 5 p.m. CT and CBS will televise the game. Last week's predictions were 2-2, and overall the record is 54-20.

Auburn (11-0) vs. Tennessee (9-2), 5 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

As Auburn prepares to face Tennessee for the second time this season, most experts say it's difficult to beat a team twice in one year. It has been done several times in the SEC when teams square off for the second time in the Championship Game.

Last year, LSU barely beat Georgia at home, then dominated the Bulldogs 34-13 in the Georgia Dome. In 1999, everyone thought Alabama would have trouble beating Florida again in Atlanta, but the Crimson Tide won easily 34-7. Auburn faces a difficult challenge of staying focused on the game and not the BCS mess. If they fail to do so, then it will be difficult to beat the Vols again.

There is no doubt Tennessee will be ready to play after an embarrassing 34-10 loss to Auburn at home October 2. The Vols have suffered some injuries since October. Senior left tackle Michael Munoz has been ruled out to play Saturday, quarterback Erik Ainge is injured and Brent Schaeffer may play if he gets clearance from doctors.

That leaves junior Rick Clausen as the starter against one of the best defenses in the nation. Clausen has played well since coming off the bench, completing 61.8 percent of his passes for 658 yards with four scores and five picks. Most of those numbers are against Vanderbilt and Kentucky, the two worst teams in the league. During the Kentucky game, Clausen threw two interceptions. It will be interesting to see how well he performs against a defense that has picked off a solid total of 14 balls to go along with 35 sacks and had five interceptions during the regular season game in Knoxville.

Tennessee tailback Cedric Houston has been consistent all year while rushing for 906 yards and six touchdowns. A big game from Houston may be the key in Saturday's game, but he will have to do it against a stingy Auburn defense that only gives up 9.6 ppg and 267 ypg. The Tigers also only allow 95.5 rushing ypg on an average of 2.9 ypc, and perhaps most impressive of all, teams have scored only one rushing touchdown against them in 44 quarters of action. Auburn's defense has no noticeable weakness and should have another strong performance since everyone has remained healthy with the exception of starting linebacker Antarrious Williams, who has a dislocated bone in his wrist.

Auburn's offense has been outstanding all season and quarterback Jason Campbell has been the leader. Campbell has completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 2,137 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Tigers average 33 points behind running backs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. Williams has posted team-highs of 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Brown has gained 795 yards with eight scores.

The Vols' defense has been solid against the run all year, as opponents are gaining just 118 ypg on 3.4 ypc. Through 11 games, the Vols are allowing 22.7 ppg and 341.5 total ypg to its opponents. Although opposing quarterbacks have tossed 15 touchdowns against the defense, the Vols have picked off 14 balls. Tennessee has registered 31 sacks to go along with 21 takeaways. Parys Haralson leads the way with seven sacks, and Jason Allen is tops with 112 total tackles.

Campbell's ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage and stay poised under pressure may once again be the deciding factor. When Auburn had trouble running against Alabama two weeks ago, Campbell was able to find open receivers and helped get a sluggish offense moving. This will be a big concern for a Tennessee defense which ranks last in the SEC with 223.5 passing yards allowed per game.

Tennessee will be ready to ruin Auburn's chances to play for the national title. The Vols had it done to them three years ago in Atlanta. Tennessee was ranked second and poised to play Miami for the national title in the Rose Bowl following the 2001 season after upsetting Florida in their final game of the regular season. But Tennessee was stunned 31-20 by LSU in the SEC title game, giving the Tigers the league's automatic berth to a BCS bowl game.

The Vols are a 13 point underdog. Head coach Phillip Fulmer has been able to get his team ready to play in recent years as the underdog. Tennessee has been an underdog twice this season, at Georgia and at South Carolina. They won both of those games. The Vols were an underdog last year to Florida, Georgia and Miami. They won two of those three.

Auburn, like Tennessee, usually plays well as underdogs. Even though the Tigers are huge favorites, they should play as if they were the underdog and forget about what happened on October 2. Beating the Vols twice in the same season wouldn't be that unusual, but it would help Auburn's chances of making it to the Orange Bowl. The Tigers beat Tennessee again and improve to 12-0 after a 27-14 victory in Atlanta.

A Look Back At The SEC Championship

Auburn earned a trip to the Sugar Bowl with a 38-28 victory over Tennessee Saturday night. The Tigers are SEC champions for the first time since 1989. Jason Campbell was named MVP for throwing a career-high 374 yards and three touchdowns.

The Tigers dominated the first half as they outgained the Volunteers 303-39 and had a 17-2 advantage in first downs. Auburn quickly went up 14-0 after scoring on their first two possessions. Campbell found Courtney Taylor for a 56-yard pass down to the Tennessee 30 on the game's first play from scrimmage, then later hooked up with Cooper Wallace for 21 yards to give Auburn a first-and-goal on the three.

On the next play, Williams fumbled on his way to a touchdown, but luckily for Auburn, Cole Bennett fell on the loose ball to put his team up 7-0 just 1:36 after the opening kickoff, the earliest first score in SEC Championship history.

Campbell was almost perfect on Auburn's next series, completing 5-of-6 for 43 yards. The Tigers went 66-yards on nine-plays and Williams found the end zone on a five-yard run.

Tennessee took advantage of a high snap to Auburn's punter Kody Bliss. Bliss was unable to catch the snap from center as it went over his head and he fell on it at the 14-yard line. Four plays later, Cedric Houston found the end zone from two yards out to cut Auburn's lead to 14-7.

The Tigers stayed poised after the turnover on special teams and put together another long drive that resulted in a touchdown. The drive was all Campbell as he rushed for 38 yards and connected on two passes to Taylor to give his team a 21-7 lead with 9:15 remaining in the half.

Auburn failed to put more points on the scoreboard just before halftime. After running 16 plays and holding the ball over six minutes, Campbell was picked off by Corey Campbell in the end zone with seven seconds to go. The interception came after Obumanu hauled in an 18-yard pass to the Tennessee 11 on 4th-and-6.

The Volunteers made the game interesting in the third quarter when they took advantage of another Auburn turnover. Campbell fumbled on the second play of the second half and Tennessee's Turk McBride recovered on the Auburn 19. That led to a 17-yard touchdown catch by Robert Meachem and brought the Vols to within seven.

Tennessee tied it 3 1/2 minutes later when Auburn gave Gerald Riggs a big hole to run through and he sprinted 80 yards to make it a 21-21 game. The run was the second-longest in SEC Championship history.

Auburn struck back quickly when Campbell put the Tigers up 28-21 after he found Devin Aromashudu for a 53-yard touchdown pass with 3:45 remaining in the third.

The Tigers got the ball back after a short punt by Tennessee's Dustin Colquitt on the ensuing drive and the Tigers went up by 10 after an 11-play, 39 yard drive that ended with John Vaughn's 22-yard field goal. Ronnie Brown ran five times for 23 yards as Auburn began to run time off the clock.

On the Volunteers next possession, Riggs ran for 54 yards to the Auburn 26 to start the drive. A 16-yard pass from Rick Clausen to Tony Brown put the ball on the nine, and Riggs found the end zone as Tennessee got to within 31-28 with just over 10 minutes left.

The Tigers took a comfortable 10 point lead on their next turn on offense, as Campbell delivered a 43-yard touchdown to Obumano with 6:56 to play and Auburn held on for a 38-28 victory.

Auburn is now 1-2 in visits to the SEC title game. Campbell became Auburn's career leader in quarterback victories with his 30th win as a starter, surpassing Stan White. Auburn is 30-0 under head coach Tommy Tuberville when scoring at least 30 points. The Tigers reach 12 wins for the first-time ever. Auburn went 11-0 in 1993 but was ineligible for the SEC title.

SACS Ends Auburn Probation

After being placed on probation last year, Auburn University was released from academic probation by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on Tuesday.

Auburn was placed on probation by SACS in December 2003 after two reports from an independent attorney found evidence of governance problems and micromanagement by trustees.

The earlier report from the special SACS committee had expressed continued concern about the relationship between board members Bobby Lowder and Jack Miller, a Mobile attorney whose law firm has done more than $2.6 million in legal work for Colonial Bank, where Lowder is chief executive officer.

Interim president Ed Richardson's top priority after being hired last January was to help the university get off probation. Richardson and Governor Bob Riley spent Friday afternoon in Atlanta meeting with officials to try and convince them that the school has made enough management improvements to get off probation.

SACS could have extended probation until December 2005 or revoked Auburn's accreditation. If Auburn had lost its accreditation, the school wouldn't have been able to get federal funds and students' degrees might not be accepted elsewhere.

After announcing the decision, SACS Executive Director Jim Rogers said the agency will still monitor the university and Auburn will be required to submit two reports to SACS in September of 2005, one on financial ties between trustees and the other on the trustees' evaluation of Richardson's job as interim president.

Celebrate Auburn's SEC Championship
The Auburn Tigers finished the season 12-0 and 9-0 in the Southeastern Conference. The City of Auburn and Auburn University want everyone to come out to Toomer's Corner to celebrate the Tigers' perfect 2004 season.

Auburn started the season ranked #17 in the AP poll and ended at #3 after going undefeated for the first time since 1993. The Tigers won 12 games, the most in school history. Auburn finished 9-0 in one of the toughest conferences in the nation. The Tigers won the SEC title for the first time since 1989. They won the title four other times during the 1957, 1983, 1987, and 1988 seasons.

Auburn became the sixth team in SEC history to have a 12-0 season. The other teams include: 1979 Alabama, 1980 Georgia, 1992 Alabama, 1995 Florida, 1998 Tennessee. All of the previously mentioned teams won national titles with the exception of the 1995 Florida team, which lost in the Fiesta Bowl. The Tigers are the fourth team to go undefeated in SEC play and win the SEC Championship Game.

Fans are encouraged to come out to Toomer's Corner Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. CT to take part in the special celebration for an undefeated season and SEC championship. Tommy Tuberville, the football team, the Auburn band, the cheerleaders, the Tiger Paws and Aubie will all make appearances.

The celebration will include comments from Tuberville, President Ed Richardson, and Auburn Mayor Bill Ham. The event will conclude with a traditional rolling of Toomer's Corner. Fans are encouraged to bring their own toilet tissue supply.

The rolling of Toomer's Corner takes place at the center of town, where the Auburn University campus meets the City of Auburn. It is believed the tradition began in the early 1960s. For several years, rollings occurred only after an away-game victory, but in the 1990s many home-game victories also ended with hundreds of fans rolling Toomer's and celebrating the big victory. Celebrations can go on for hours and can leave the heart of town looking like a typical snow covered day in Michigan.

Christmas Keeps Shipping Companies Busy
The U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service and other private pack-and-ship companies and stores are ready for the onslaught of Christmas customers.

On December 13, The U.S. Postal Service had one of its busiest days of the year, as the annual holiday mailing rush was in full effect. The Postal Service expects to handle about 20 billion pieces of mail nationwide between Thanksgiving and Christmas, with the number of letters and cards that are postmarked rising 50 percent during that period. The week before Christmas sees the number of letters and cards sent tripled, compared with a normal day.

UPS anticipates delivering 340 million packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The company hires 70,000 extra people during that time, including seasonal and part-time employees. On an average day, UPS customers generate 9.1 million online tracking requests, which means they are using the Internet to track where their packages are going.

Online shopping contributes to the shipping volume. UPS said it serves all of the nation's top-10 online shopping sites, although it would not disclose specifics.

December 21 will be the busiest day of the year for UPS. They expect that 20 million packages will be shipped that day, that's 230 packages per second. On the average day, they usually deliver 13.6 million packages and documents.

The Postal Service offers a few other options for those who need to ship a package. One option is the Automated Postal Center, a machine in the post office lobby that's available 24 hours a day. At the Automated Postal Center, people can weigh their parcels and buy their postage without having to wait at a mail counter. The centers accept debit-card and credit-card payments, but not cash. The Postal Service introduced the service about seven months ago.

The USPS also offers online mailing for customers with Internet access. Under the service, called "Click N' Ship," customers can make arrangements for the Postal Service to pick up their mail at their home or office the next day for shipping. The Postal Service started the program about two years ago, but it has really become popular this year.

Sugar Bowl Proves Style Points Matter
I wanted to give my Auburn Tigers a shout out for their hard fought victory Monday night in the Sugar Bowl. Never has a team gone 13-0 especially in the SEC and not won the national championship.

However, after watching the game last night I couldn't help but be dismayed at Auburn's decision to sit on the lead in the fourth quarter knowing full well that they needed HUGE style points to even have a chance at sharing in the national championship. After hearing Tommy Tuberville's comments Monday night I realized why. When asked why he went conservative in the fourth quarter Tuberville basically said that he wanted to win the game.

This brings up the larger point here that Tuberville was playing to win the game and go 13-0 instead of playing for the national championship. All year Auburn's offensive success has been predicated upon its ability to keep defenses off balance with it's run/pass combination.

Case in point. Up 24-3 on the road against Tennessee this season with about a minute left in the half Auburn's offensive coordinator could have run out the clock but instead he went for the jugular as Jason Campbell fired a touchdown strike to Courtney Taylor ripping the Vols heart out of their proverbial chest and taking away their will to win.

Auburn failed to exercise that killer instinct late in the game Monday night that had exemplified this team all season. If they had done so Auburn would have likely taken a least a share of the national championship.

Unfortunately, with the BCS the rules are the rules and the system is the system and until it changes you have to play within the system. Monday night dictated that Auburn needed to win and win decisively. Auburn's fourth quarter penchant for going conservative could have cost them a split of the national championship.

However with all that said I want to say that this Auburn team sums up everything that is right about college football. Star tailbacks Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams along with Jim Thorpe award winner Carlos Rogers had every chance to go out last year into the draft, but instead decided to stick around for a title run. All three not only completed an undefeated season but increased their NFL stock and likely will be first round draft picks.

And as for Jason Campbell. He went from being the most maligned quarterback in Auburn history to likely one of the greatest in Auburn history leading the Tigers to an unblemished season. Thanks for persevering Jason under immense criticism and coming into your own this year. Savor the sugar sweet victory because you deserve it.

Until the BCS system is remedied with at least a plus one game, we will likely see situations like Auburn's in which teams run the table and don't even get a shot at playing for the title. If Auburn has to be the sacrificial lamb for the system to be changed then so be it. The 2004 Auburn Tigers will always be National Champs in my book.

Steve Riser

Championship Celebration

The 13-0 Auburn Tigers will be honored during the "Parade of Champions" which will take place January 15 at 2 p.m. CT at the south end of Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The parade will include comments from head coach Tommy Tuberville and will conclude with a championship rolling of Toomer's Corner.

The route of the parade will proceed north on Donahue Drive and then continue east on West Magnolia concluding in front of Anders Bookstore. The team will then participate in a "Tiger Walk" to Toomer's Corner for a celebration ceremony.

Fans should line the parade route and then follow the parade to Toomer's Corner for the ceremony. Fans should also bring their own tissue for rolling of Toomer's Corner.

Members of the 13-0 Southeastern Conference championship team will participate in the parade. The Tigers finished No. 2 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN polls. Several seniors won awards for their performance during the season and Tuberville won the AP national coach of the year.

The 2004 team will go down in history as the first Auburn Football team to win 13 games in a single season. Auburn was 11-0 in 1993 but was ineligible for postseason play due to probation. Auburn's 10-0 1957 team won the national championship under head coach Shug Jordan.

Tourism's 2005 Campaign Kicks Off
The Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel 2005 Year of Alabama Food campaign is designed to convince travelers to visit the state, sample its fine restaurants, participate in food festivals and celebrate the rich culinary flavor of Alabama.

Alabama Governor Bob Riley has proclaimed 2005 The Year of Alabama Food. The statewide tourism promotion will reach consumers in Alabama and surrounding states through a variety of different tactics.

Television will play a part in making the public aware of the new campaign. A new commercial featuring five different Alabama restaurants informs travelers about the variety of foods that are available in the state. It will be broadcast on more than 90 television stations in the U.S., primarily in the Southeast. More than $1 million in paid media plus free advertising on Raycom TV stations will support the campaign.

Alabama Public Television, in cooperation with the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel, will air a five-part series highlighting Alabama food products. "Seasoned to Taste: Alabama Food Festivals" highlights more than 10 types of produce from sweet potatoes in North Alabama to tomatoes in South Alabama.

A new Year of Alabama Food Web site has been launched at http://www.800alabama.com featuring recipes, a list of food festivals, restaurants and profiles of Alabama Tourism's top culinary ambassadors.

The Official State Dish Competition will provide an opportunity for chefs in the state to create "The Official State Dish." The call for recipes from professional chefs in Alabama will go out soon, and the deadline for receiving those recipes is in March. Regional competitions will be held in May in Huntsville, Birmingham, Auburn and Fairhope. The finals take place in Birmingham on July 16, 2005, during the first Alabama Food Festival at Pepper Place.

More than 75 food festivals will take place during The Year of Alabama Food where locals and visitors can experience great food, shop for local produce and take home Alabama recipes.

The Birmingham News has produced a 128-page book in conjunction with Alabama Tourism to support The Year of Alabama Food. It's called Alabama Classics: Unique Foods, Chefs & Recipes of Alabama. Several chapters highlight the state's home-grown brands such as Alaga Syrup, Golden Flake Potato Chips, Buffalo Rock soft drinks, Dale's Sauce, Big Bob Gibson's Barbecue Sauce among others. Copies will be distributed to food editors with major newspapers in the South.

A brochure titled "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die" lists 100 memorable dishes in Alabama from the baked grits at Highland's Bar & Grill in Birmingham to the Crawfish pie at Ca-John's Faunsdale Bar & Grill in Faunsdale, Alabama.

Other tactics include the 2005 Alabama Vacation Guide, which contains four pages explaining the state's special relationship with food from barbecue and strawberries, to shrimp and tomatoes. Posters will also be displayed in Alabama's 30 welcome centers and rest areas throughout the year heralding The Year of Alabama Food.

The Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel hopes the new campaign will attract more visitors to the state than last year. According to the Center for Business and Economic Development at Auburn University in Montgomery, more than 18.9 million people visited the state during 2003 and spent more than $6.7 billion.

Pigskin Fan Poll Names Auburn National Champs
The inaugural Pigskin Fan Poll named Auburn as its first National Championship winner. The poll was created on the belief that if votes determine participants in a championship, fans should have a voice in that system.

Pigskin Fan Poll used an e-mail verification registration system that eliminates all multiple votes from the same e-mail address. The system guarantees one vote per verified registered e-mail address.

Visitors to PigskinFanPoll.com were allowed to register and then vote to rank the Top 10 BCS teams. The final national championship vote was opened at midnight, January 4 and closed at midnight on January 8, 2005.

The final fan poll results: Auburn (.9444), USC (.8622), Utah (.7356), Oklahoma (.5556), Texas (.5222), Louisville (.4689), Georgia (.4556), Virginia Tech (.4133), California (.2844), and Boise State (.2578).

The poll used promotion through ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, CollegeSports.com, and national sports call-in shows to give fans all across the country the chance to pick a national champion. Votes from over 30 states in the U.S. were received.

A trophy was presented to the 13-0 Auburn Tigers and head coach Tommy Tuberville at the Parade of Champions celebration on Saturday, January 15. 12,000 fans gathered in downtown Auburn to roll Toomer's Corner and celebrate Auburn's undefeated season.

Pictures from the celebration courtesy of Floyd Vest.

Seat Belt Use Is Up Among Alabamians
There is good news on the use of seat belts by Alabama citizens. According to a survey by state health officials, the use of seat belts in Alabama was at a record high in 2004. Seat belt use climbed from 77 percent in 2003 to 80 percent in 2004.

State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williams said of the survey results: "We are excited about the unprecedented seat belt usage rate. Many partners have worked together to improve passenger safety in the state, and will continue to do so in the future."

Williamson gave credit for the seat belt increase to Alabama's "Click It or Ticket" campaign. The campaign prevented an estimated 20 fatalities, according to the Department of Public Safety.

The following is a list of some seat belt statistics and other information from the Alabama Department of Public Health:

Every hour someone dies in the United States because they weren't wearing a seat belt.

The fatality rate for people wearing seat belts in crashes is 1 in 732. The fatality rate for unrestrained individuals is 1 in 40.

Eighty percent of all vehicle crashes occur at speeds of less than 40 mph.

Half of all traffic fatalities occur at speeds of less than 40 mph.

Three out of four auto-related deaths occur within 25 miles of home.

At 30 mph, the impact of a crash has the same force as a fall from a three-story building.

A common cause of death and injury to children is being crushed by unbelted adults.

People ejected from cars are more likely to be killed than occupants restrained in their seats.

Hospital costs for unbelted crash victims average two-and -one-half to five times higher than costs for belt wearers.

Unbelted crash victims have higher insurance claims, raising insurance premiums for everyone.

Much of the cost that results from motor vehicle crashes is paid for with public funds. Increased belt use would save taxpayers billions of dollars every year.

Tiger Inducted Into Alabama Animal Hall of Fame

Auburn's famous mascot Tiger, along with two other animals, will be inducted into the Alabama Animal Hall of Fame in Huntsville on Saturday, January 29.

Tiger, the 26-year-old eagle that has represented Auburn since 1986, was rescued by the Fish and Wildlife Service in the mid-1980s from an illegal breeding operation in Missouri. Tiger was then briefly placed in a rehabilitation facility in Kentucky before being transferred to Auburn.

The university officially named the golden eagle War Eagle VI, and in 2000, Tiger began flights inside Jordan-Hare Stadium before each home game. In 2002, she flew during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

At Auburn, Tiger helps promote wildlife conservation as a part of the educational efforts of the College of Veterinary Medicine's Southeastern Raptor Center. She is housed by permission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Tiger and the two other animals, Jack Tipp, a dog that saved his owner's life, and the deceased Miss Baker, the first monkey sent into space in 1959, will be inducted during a black-tie ceremony at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

The ceremony, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will benefit the Alabama Veterinary Medical Foundation, part of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which sponsors the hall of fame.

Tickets to the induction dinner are $100 a person and can be obtained by contacting the AVMA at 334-395-0086.

Play Ball!

The calendar says February, but at Plainsman Park, it's time for baseball. New head coach Tom Slater and his baseball Tigers open the 2005 season at home this weekend against Hofstra.

Slater was named head coach on June 29, 2004 after serving as an assistant at Florida last season. The Gators made their first-ever Super Regional appearance while posting a 43-22 record. At age 36, Slater becomes the youngest head coach in the Southeastern Conference.

As an assistant coach at Auburn from 1995-2000, the Tigers' record of 265-111 was the most successful period in Auburn baseball. The Tigers played in five NCAA Regionals and one College World Series in 1997.

Slater left Auburn after the 2000 season to become head coach at VMI. During his three years at VMI, he turned around one of the worst Division I programs by directing the Keydets to a school-record 25 wins in 2003 and a school-record 16 conference victories in the same season.

The Tigers hope to improve on the 32-24 record from last season and a 12-18 mark in the SEC. Auburn failed to make the Southeastern Conference Tournament and a NCAA Regional for the first time since 1996. The key to a successful season in 2005 will depend on veteran pitcher Arnold Hughley.

Hughley was 6-4 last year and had the only complete game of the season, a 7-1 victory over Alabama April 17. Hughley will be the leader of a young staff until Chris Dennis, the other veteran pitcher, returns from an arm injury he suffered during the fall.

Josh Sullivan and Mike Felix will have to step up and pitch well if the Tigers want to lower the team's ERA from last season. Auburn finished 2004 with a team ERA of 4.81 and 5.76 in the SEC.

The middle relievers will be young but should be able to keep opponent's offenses in check for the closers to finish the game. True freshman Cliff Mullins will be the leader and will receive help from Ted Bryant and Arizona State transfer Josh Blake.

Auburn's closers will consist of junior Michael Nix and senior John Madden. Both pitchers have worked hard during the fall and are ready to play important roles on the pitching staff.

Auburn has a favorable schedule this year with 21 of its first 25 games at home including 15 straight home games from February 15-March 6. The Tigers do have tough road games at LSU, Georgia Tech, and a trip to Tallahassee next weekend to face Florida State.

In season openers since 1949, Auburn is 41-15 and have won 10 of the last 11 season openers dating back to 1994. The Tigers face Hofstra for only the second time this weekend and lead the all-time series 3-0 after sweeping the Pride last year in Plainsman Park.

The first pitch Friday afternoon is at 4 p.m. CT. Arnold Hughley starts for the Tigers while Charlie Frago starts for Hofstra. Saturday's game begins at 4 p.m. CT and Sunday the first pitch will be thrown at noon CT. Weather for this weekend's action will be mostly sunny with highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s.

Majority Of Alabamians Against Same-Sex Marriage
A survey done by a polling service at Auburn University found that the majority of Alabamians strongly support a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The issue is being discussed in the current session of the Alabama Legislature.

In the survey, 54 percent said they strongly supported a constitutional amendment, 4 percent mildly supported it, 11 percent were indifferent, 5 percent mildly opposed it, and 23 percent strongly opposed it. The poll has a margin of error plus or minus four percentage points.

Conducted by Auburn's Center for Governmental Services, the survey interviewed 624 randomly selected Alabama residents by telephone. The residents were 19 and older, and the interviews took place from January 24 through February 3.

Support to ban same-sex marriages has increased since a similar poll was conducted in July 2004. In July, 48 percent strongly supported an amendment while 28 percent strongly opposed one.

Both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate want to make the ban on gay marriage a top priority. In the Legislature, the issue is when to present it to Alabama voters for approval, not whether to pass the constitutional amendment.

Democrats have problems with putting the issue on the general election ballot in November 2006 because they think it might cause conservative voters to show up and vote when they might not have voted otherwise, and they would likely vote for Republican candidates.

Republicans think if the issue is placed on the primary election in June 2006, the very conservative voters might skew the primary results more conservative than they would normally be.

New Options For Alabama Taxpayers
Tax season is here and W-2s, 1099s, and other financial statements were distributed to taxpayers in late January. The Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR) offers the following information for taxpayers as they prepare their 2004 Alabama returns.

During tax season last year, more than 750,000 Alabamians took advantage of Alabamas e-file options, comprising over 42 percent of the 1.7 million tax returns filed.

This year, the ADOR thinks the number of e-file users will increase because it provides faster refunds, more accurate returns, easy and convenient payment options, and confirmation that the state return was accepted in a safe, secure electronic filing environment.

The ADOR has improved its 2004 Alabama Form 40 for paper filers choosing fill-in returns. The 2004 Form 40 fill-in form has been enhanced to perform calculations and contains reference links to the Form 4952A; Schedule A, B and CR; Schedule D and E; and Schedule OC.

Taxpayers who use ADORs new fill-in form should have a full version of Adobe Acrobat Version 4.0 or higher so they can save an electronic copy of their completed Alabama return. Taxpayers using Acrobat Reader should print a copy for their records.

For several years, direct deposit for Alabama tax refunds has been offered to Alabama e-filers. Last year, 253,490 Alabama taxpayers opted to have their state income tax refunds direct-deposited into their checking accounts.

This year, the ADOR expanded its direct deposit offer to include certain paper filers. Paper filers who use software tax preparation programs utilizing 2-D Bar Code technology can now choose direct deposit and have their refunds deposited into their bank accounts.

Taxpayers who meet certain eligibility requirements may be able to e-file their state returns for free at the same time they e-file their federal returns.

For more information concerning eligibility requirements and a listing of online service providers offering free federal e-file, visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov or ADORs PC Online Filing at http://www.ador.state.al.us/incometax/PC_ONLINE.htm.

Blame Dropped Calls On Jammers
Many cell phone users may not know why they often experience dropped calls. A small device called a cell phone jammer that broadcasts a signal on the same frequencies as cell phones could be the reason.

Cell phone jammers range in price from $250 to $2,000. They can be bought over the internet and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from portable handhelds that look like cell phones to larger, fixed models as big as suitcases.

Cell phones operate by sending signals along a range of the electromagnetic spectrum reserved for their use. In the United States that part typically is measured as either 800 or 1,900 megahertz. The jammers interfere with any cell phone trying to transmit in that range, and it causes the phone's screen to simply indicate that no signal is available. This leaves most people thinking that they are in a dead spot and they don't know that their phone has been jammed.

In the United States, actively jamming a cell phone signal is illegal. If you're caught, you could be fined up to $11,000 and up to a year in jail. But getting caught is highly unlikely. The FCC has never charged anyone with this crime, even though the American market is one of the most important when it comes to selling cell phone jamming equipment.

According to the FCC, cell phone jammers should remain illegal. The agency argues that since commercial enterprises have purchased the rights to the spectrum, jamming their signals is a kind of property theft.

Jammers were first developed to help government security forces avert eavesdropping and thwart phone-triggered bombings. But by the late 1990s they were being sold to the public.

Those who buy the jammers include restaurants, schools (including some universities, which have installed the technology to stop students from using their phones during lectures), and personal users.

Alabama's Graduation Rate Ranks Low
The state of Alabama received some bad news from a new study about the graduation rate for its public high schools. While the national graduation rate has remained steady, Alabama's rate has declined substantially from 1991 to 2002.

The study done by the Manhattan Institute, ranks Alabama 47th among states in graduation rates for the class of 2002, the latest year the study was conducted. Alabama's graduation rate decreased from 69 percent in 1991 to 58 percent in 2002.

Alabama ranked ahead of only South Carolina, which had the lowest rate in the nation. New Jersey had the highest graduation rate at 89 percent, followed by Iowa, Wisconsin and North Dakota who each graduated 85 percent of students in 2002.

Alabama State Department of Education officials suggest that two factors might have contributed to the decrease in graduation rates. Officials say the requirements to graduate are much higher than they were in 1991 and the poverty rate has increased over the last 10 years.

The study did bring good news for Alabama. There was a wide disparity between white and black student graduation rates, but the gap narrowed in Alabama. Nationwide in the class of 2002, 78 percent of white students graduated from high school, and 56 percent of black students graduated. In Alabama, the high school graduation rate for whites was 62 percent, for blacks 51 percent.

Alabama also did well compared to the national average for preparing high school graduates for college. 32 percent of 2002 Alabama graduates were prepared to attend a four-year college, while the national average was 34 percent.

The study defines students ready for college as those who left school with a regular diploma and other qualifications necessary to apply to a minimally selective four-year college.

Cameras Catch Motorists Running Red Lights

Motorists who run red lights in Alabama could be fined thanks to cameras catching them in the act if lawmakers pass bills created by state Senator Phil Poole, D-Moundville, and state Representative David Grimes, R-Montgomery.

Nationwide, more than 900 people die and nearly 200,000 suffer injuries each year in crashes involving drivers who run red lights. About half the deaths are pedestrians or people in vehicles hit by offending drivers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington Va., data from jurisdictions that have cameras at intersections show accidents are reduced significantly.

A camera is usually connected to a traffic signal and to sensors buried in pavement at a stop line. The camera takes a picture of the license plate and the traffic signal if a vehicle crosses a sensor faster than a pre-set speed after the signal turns red.

A police officer then reviews the images and the city mails the images and a ticket for as much as $250 to the owner of the vehicle photographed running the red light.

If someone fails to pay a fine, it wouldn't result in jail time. Red-light violations that are caught on camera won't count as points toward a driver license suspension or be used by any insurance company to determine premiums. But, vehicle owners with an unpaid ticket won't be able to renew a vehicle tag or driver license.

If the bills pass, cities would choose if they want to install cameras at intersections that are known to have problems with red-light violations. If cities do install cameras, it would have to post signs warning of automated cameras and hold a public awareness campaign for at least 30 days before they start mailing tickets.

Grimes' bill faces review by the Public Safety Committee of the House of Representatives, which meets March 9. Poole's bill passed a Senate review a few weeks ago on a 5-3 vote. He will modify it and then ask the full Senate to debate it.

Life Expectancy Continues to Rise

Americans are living longer according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The average life expectancy has reached a record high of 77.6 years, while women's life expectancy is 80.1 years.

The report from NCHS, called "Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2003" shows life expectancy in 2003 is up slightly from 77.3 years in 2002. The report is based on data from 93 percent of state death records for 2003.

Also in the report, the gap between male and female life expectancy closed from 5.4 years in 2002 to 5.3 years in 2003, continuing a narrowing trend since the gap peaked in 1979 at 7.8 years.

The average life expectancy of white women has exceeded 80 years since 1998, but 2003 marked the first year the average life span of U.S. women of all races topped 80 years. For whites in general, life expectancy in 2003 was 78 years; for blacks, it was less than 73 years. Black men continued to have the shortest life expectancy, less than 70 years in 2003.

The NCHS attributes the rise in life expectancy to a decrease in deaths due to major causes like heart disease, whose death rate is down 3.6 percent, and cancer, whose death rate is down by 2.2 percent. The two diseases together are responsible for half of all deaths in the U.S.

Other death causes that have posted a decline in mortality rate are heart stroke, which is down by 4.6 percent, suicide, down by 3.7 percent, pneumonia and flu, down by 3.1 percent, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, down by 2.1 percent, and accidents and unintentional injuries, down by 2.2 percent.

However, the death rate from Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. rose nearly 6 percent from 2002 to 2003. Mortality due to kidney disease, hypertension, and Parkinson’s disease also increased in 2003.

Laws Help Lower Teen Auto Deaths

Alabama, along with 46 other states, enacted graduated licensing laws between 1993 and 2003 that allow fewer 16-year-olds to drive. After the laws were passed, auto deaths involving 16-year-old drivers fell 26 percent.

Although the rules vary by state, graduated licensing programs extend the learner's period, the time that teenagers must drive with an adult in the car. Further, they limit driving under conditions linked to crashes.

Motorists are at the greatest risk during their first year of driving - with speeding, driving at night and multiple passengers contributing to crashes, according to research cited by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Among 16-year-olds who have full driving privileges, the rate of fatal crashes hasn't fallen, and it remains higher than that of any age group. Research shows the difference between the two groups points to the effect of the new laws, which keep most 16-year-olds from receiving unrestricted licenses and which are intended to curb risky practices.

Highway safety advocates want states to raise the minimum driving age to at least 17 for teenagers who are at the greatest risk during their first year of driving. Sixteen-year-olds are four times more likely than adult drivers to become involved in a crash and three times as likely to die in one, national statistics show.

Opponents say raising the minimum driving age would be almost impossible from a practical standpoint. Many responsible teen drivers need that privilege to hold jobs and take on family duties.

Safety officials believe more can be done to reduce crashes involving teen drivers. They suggest cracking down on teen seat-belt and speeding violators, better training for young drivers, and closing the loopholes in the graduated license laws.

Don't Expect Gas Prices To Lower Anytime Soon
Gasoline prices are expected to rise another 25 cents per gallon by the end of March and remain well above $2 a gallon through the summer driving season.

Across Alabama, prices have been steadily rising since they bottomed out at the start of the year when they averaged around a $1.78.

The rise in gasoline prices are credited to the normal spring seasonal increase and a shortage because of a cold winter in the northeast that caused producers to turn out more fuel oil for home heating and less gasoline.

Crude oil is another reason for the steady increases. Crude oil, which makes up about half the cost of a gallon of gasoline, could surpass $60 a barrel in the coming weeks and stay high for some time because of growing global demand and the limited ability of producers to easily expand production.

Many gas stations across the state of Alabama have seen prices go up almost a full penny since last week according to a survey done by Triple-A. Regular unleaded averaged a $1.85; midgrade fuels costs an average of nearly $1.98; and premium has a median price of $2.03 per gallon. The auto club said diesel averages $2.07 across the state.

Triple A's survey of a few of the state's metro areas showed Birmingham had the cheapest average at a $1.83. Mobile and Huntsville prices were a little higher, averaging a $1.86.

Booster Seat Law Would Be Toughest In The Country

State Sen. Quinton Ross is sponsoring legislation that would require children to ride in booster seats until they weigh 80 pounds or turn 12 years old. If it passes, it would give Alabama one of the toughest child booster seat laws in the country.

Ross became interested in car safety legislation like the booster seat bill after a traffic accident in Mobile in 2003 claimed the life of his 2-year-old niece, Kaytlen Nicole Tousiant.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children stay in booster seats until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall, which usually occurs between ages 8 and 12. Booster seat advocates wanted to use height as the standard, but legislators suggested a simpler standard, like age 12. Age 12 is when the average child reaches 80 pounds.

The current law in Alabama requires children to be in a safety seat until age 3. Those ages 4 and 5 must be restrained, but an adult seat belt is allowed under the law.

The adult seat belt creates safety problems because the lap belts often cross children's abdomens rather than their hips, and the shoulder belts cross their necks or faces rather than their chests. With the belts in the improper position, children are more likely to suffer spinal injuries in a collision. The booster seat fixes the problem by lifting a child so an adult seat belt fits properly.

Rep. Mac Gipson, R-Prattville, is sponsoring a bill like Ross' in the House. Gipson's bill has been approved by the House Public Safety Committee, and Ross' bill has been passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The legislation by Ross and Gipson provides that:

Child safety seats would have to be used in the rear-facing position until a child was 1 year old and weighed 20 pounds, safety seats would be used in the forward position until the child was at least 5 years old and 40 pounds, booster seats would be used until the child is 80 pounds or 12 years old.

If the legislation passes, it would raise the fine for not using a proper seat from $10 to $25. It would also assess points against a driver's record, much like a speeding ticket.

PG and PG-13 Gross More Than R-Rated Films
For the first time in 20 years, PG-rated films brought in more money than R-rated ones in 2004 as crowds went to the theater to watch family titles instead of racy stories or shoot-'em up action flicks.

PG titles grossed $2.3 billion domestically, compared to $2.1 billion for R-rated films, according to figures released last week by the National Association of Theatre Owners. PG-13 movies did the most business with $4.4 billion.

Five of 2004's top-10 moneymakers were rated PG, which means they were open to all audiences, among them "Shrek 2," "The Incredibles" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Out of the top 25, only four carried R ratings, which prohibit those younger than 17 from attending unless accompanied by an adult.

According to the theater owners group and the Motion Picture Association of America, domestic revenue at movie houses rose slightly to $9.5 billion, even though the actual number of tickets sold dropped 2.4 percent to 1.54 billion. The rise in domestic revenue is the result of the average cost of a movie ticket up 3 percent to $6.21.

Despite the drop in ticket sales, it was the third straight year that revenues came in above $9 billion. More people have gone to theaters during that stretch than in any three-year period since the late 1950s, when television began eroding movie audiences.

A fourth straight year of revenues above $9 billion could be in jeopardy due to the increase in movie piracy and because of the time it takes for movies to be released to DVD after it debuts in the theater happens within only a few months.

Illegal copies of major films, often shot by camcorders off movie screens, can turn up for download on the internet the same weekend the movies open. Pirated DVDs usually show up just days later.

Theater owners are worried that the shrinking gap between theatrical debuts and home video release of movies could potentially cost them money if moviegoers figure it is not worth going to the theater when the DVD release is just around the corner. The release of movies after they debut at the theater to DVD now averages just four months and 16 days.

If these two issues continue to exist, the Motion Picture Association of America thinks it will hurt the motion picture industry much like the illegal downloading of music off the internet has hurt the recording industry.

Alabamians Favor Having A Black Governor
According to a survey done earlier this year, the majority of Alabama voters like the idea of having a black governor. The survey was conducted in January and February by the Alabama Education Association's Capital Survey Research Center.

Out of 879 registered voters who were interviewed for the survey, 74 percent felt very positive or somewhat positive about having a black governor. Slightly more than 7 percent said they felt somewhat or very negative.

The degree of enthusiasm for the idea of a black governor, measured by very positive and somewhat positive responses, varied among white and black voters in the survey.

Nearly 50 percent of the black voters and 29 percent of the white voters were very positive. 81 percent of the black voters and 73 percent of the white voters felt somewhat positive.

Among those who are Republicans, 23 percent were very positive on the idea of a black governor, and 49 percent said they were somewhat positive. More than 50 percent of Democrats were very positive, while 31 percent said they were somewhat that way.

The survey is favorable for Leeds, Ala. native and former Auburn basketball player Charles Barkley. Barkley, 43, plans on running for governor of Alabama some day. Barkley currently lives in Scottsdale, Ariz. and before running for governor, he would have to establish residency in the state for seven years.

Barkley has promised his teenage daughter, who's a sophomore in high school, he won't move until she graduates. 2014 would be the earliest he could run.

In his new book, "Who's Afraid of a Large Black Man?," Barkley interviews 13 influential Americans - from Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to Tiger Woods and George Lopez - who speak about race and racism, a topic the interviewer deems "the greatest cancer of my lifetime."

The book also explains how Barkley was unaware of all the things that happened in Alabama when he was a little kid, like the civil rights movement and the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham.

He also wrote the book to remind people how far the country has come in race relations and hopes kids will read it so they will know about the events that happened in the past.

Men's Tennis Hosts Alabama Saturday
The 31st-ranked Auburn men’s tennis team ends the regular season against arch-rival Alabama Saturday at 5 p.m. CT at the Luther Young Tennis Complex.

The Tigers were on the road last weekend versus LSU and Arkansas and came away with a split. Without starters Tom George and Robbert Lathouwers, the Tigers suffered a disappointing 6-1 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge on Friday. Auburn head coach Eric Shore hopes his Tigers will get another shot at LSU at the SEC tournament next week.

On Sunday, Auburn faced an Arkansas team that is usually very tough to beat at home. Starters George and Lathouwers were back in action but they had limited roles as the Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 4-3.

After winning the doubles point, Auburn lost the next 3 singles off the court to go down 3-1 with the last 3 matches remaining in the third set.

Nick Lane won 6-2 in the 3rd to close the match to 3-2 and Alex Schweizer tied it up at 3 all with a hard fought 6-4 win in the 3rd. Brett Hunter then had the chance to clinch the win and he did just that after winning 6-4 in the 3rd.

Saturday's final match of the regular season is Senior Day and Auburn’s only senior Gabor Zoltan Pelva, will be recognized after the doubles competition. Pelva, who was the 2004 NCAA Semi-Finalist, is one of the greatest players in the history of Auburn men's tennis.

The match is also an All-Auburn, All-Orange event and the first 100 fans will receive free men’s tennis t-shirts and key chains. Free pizza is also available while it lasts.

Campaign Set To Help Americans Learn Anthem
The poem that Francis Scott Key jotted down as he saw an American flag still flying after a British bombardment at Baltimore's Fort McHenry in 1814 is still powerful and inspiring. But, most Americans don't know the words.

The National Anthem Project has started a multi-year effort to teach or re-teach U.S. adults and children "The Star-Spangled Banner." The national education campaign is being led by the National Association for Music Education with first lady Laura Bush serving as honorary chairwoman.

The campaign was initiated following a Harris Poll that showed nearly two-thirds of Americans don't know the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" and many are unaware of the historical events that inspired the penning of the song.

The National Association for Music Education will also use the campaign to underscore the importance of school music programs, since that is where most Americans learn the national anthem and other patriotic songs.

The campaign will include education initiatives in U.S. schools, special performances and alliances with professional sporting events, and an extensive marketing tour stopping in cities nationwide. It will culminate with a celebration and a massive singing of the anthem in the summer of 2007.

Blues Legend Performs In Columbus April 29
B.B. King still performs about 200 shows every year despite turning 80 soon and battling diabetes since 1990. King and his famous guitar Lucille will make a stop Friday at the Civic Center. The show begins at 8 p.m. ET and tickets are $30 to $40.

For 60 years, King has traveled across America to tell millions of listeners about the pleasure and pain that is the essence of the blues. He will be recognized for all of those years of singing the blues with a monument that will be built in the tiny Delta town of Twist, Ark. The Arkansas Legislature recently approved a $5,000 expenditure to build the monument so everyone will know the story of the legendary bluesman.

The monument will likely include the story of how King started calling his guitars Lucille after a fire broke out while he was playing at a club in Twist. Two men started fighting over a woman and knocked over a makeshift heater. The entire club caught on fire and everyone, including King, went running for the door.

Once outside, King realized he left his $30 guitar behind and rushed back inside the burning building to retrieve it, narrowly escaping death. The next morning he learned that the woman that the two men were fighting over was a waitress named Lucille. King then decided to give the name to his guitar as a reminder to never do something so stupid again.

In March, King's new CD, "B.B. King: The Ultimate Collection," was released and contains 21 legendary hits and signature songs between 1951 and 2000, all on a single CD.

The 13-time Grammy award winner began a project in March that will be a series of duets with other musicians that include Elton John, Sting, U2 and Van Morrison. The album will be released later this year on the Universal Music label.

In June, groundbreaking for the $10 million B.B. King Museum will take place in Indianola, Miss., near his hometown of Itta Bene. The museum will be housed in a renovated cotton gin where King worked as a teenager.

Celebrate Art and Entertainment at CityFest
Auburn CityFest 2005 will be held on Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kiesel Park. Hosted by Auburn Parks and Recreation, this rain or shine free outdoor festival is a celebration of arts and entertainment in the Auburn community.

CityFest will have plenty of food choices for the entire family. Local and regional food vendors will be in the Eats and Treats Alley and they will feature southern festival foods including funnel cakes, ice cream, kettle korn, roasted and boiled peanuts, corn dogs, shish-ke-bobs, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, homemade cider, nachos and cheese, and homemade lemonade.

Kids of all ages will stay busy with all of the activities that will take place throughout the day. The Children’s Imagination Station, located in one of Kiesel Park’s largest fields, will feature a Giant Inflatable Slide, Bungee Run, Golf Simulator, an Obstacle Course, Balloon Typhoon, Caterpillar Maze, baseball game, football game, Aubie, Smokey the Bear, and much more.

Sports fans will want to catch one of Auburn University's sports teams that will be on hand to meet and greet festival-goers. The Sports Team Tent will be located in front of the Nunn Winston House across from the Non Profit Vendor Showcase. Make sure to bring a camera to get your picture taken with your favorite athlete.

Members from the following teams will be at the tent signing autographs and answering your questions.

9:30 a.m: Men’s Golf
10:00 a.m.: Men’s Basketball
10:30 a.m.: Women’s Golf
11:00 a.m.: Women’s Tennis
11:30 a.m.: Volleyball
Noon: Football
1:00 p.m. : Swimming & Diving
1:30 p.m.: Women’s Basketball
TBA: Cheerleaders

For dog lovers, the 3rd Annual Mutt Strut will kick off CityFest Saturday morning. Mutt Strut is a 5K run/1 mile Fun Walk, with all proceeds benefiting the animals of the Lee County Humane Society. People are not required to have a dog to participate, but if you do bring your dog, they must wear a valid rabies vaccination tag or you will need to provide a rabies vaccination certificate.

The registration fee for Mutt Strut is $15, if received by April 29, and $17 the day of the race. Race day registration will be from 6:30 - 7:45 a.m. with the 5K (3.1 mile) run beginning at 8:00 a.m. and the 1 mile fun walk beginning at 8:30 a.m. For additional information, contact the Lee County Humane Society at 821-3222, or visit their website at www.spayyourpet.org.

Visitors traveling to CityFest from Interstate 85 should take Exit 51 and turn north onto College Street (Hwy 29) and drive 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Shug Jordan Parkway and drive 1 mile. Turn left onto Wire Road/Lee County 137 and drive 3 miles. Turn right onto Chadwick Lane and drive 1.1 miles. Turn left into Kiesel Park and look for Green and Pink vendor parking lots.

Those coming from 280 East, turn Right onto Hwy 147 and drive 2.8 miles . Turn right onto Shug Jordan Parkway and drive 2.5 miles. Turn right onto ramp that will take you to Hwy 14. Turn right onto Hwy 14 and drive 2 miles. Turn left onto Lee County 51 (Chadwick Lane). Drive 1 mile and Kiesel Park will be on your right. Look for Green and Pink vendor parking.

Hawaii 2005

Spanning the globe, this time we bring you photos of Hawaii. We start on the Island of Oahu, the most populous and home to the capitol, Honolulu. We wind up on the big island, Hawaii, site of the active Kilauea volcano.

We hope you enjoy the flora and fauna, and all the sites of our 50th state.

Hawaii in Pictures

May Means Sweeps

For many television viewers, May means a whole month of exciting moments before the summer reruns begin. The major networks pull out all of the best programming during May sweeps as they try to win the ratings war.

The month long special ratings period which features sitcoms, specials, movies and miniseries, is designed to set advertising rates in more than 200 cities. May 25, the final night of the 2004-2005 TV season, could go down in history.

Three powerhouse attractions, the crowning of the fourth "American Idol," the double-length season finale of serial hit "Lost" and the torn-from-the-headlines TV movie "Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution," will collide in what might be the most contentious weeknight ever.

Here are a few highlights from the big four networks as they end the TV season with a bang. All times are Eastern.

ABC

Monday, May 16: On The Bachelor finale, Charlie O'Connell makes his choice for a mate by handing out the final rose.

Friday, May 20: ABC goes down the yellow brick road for an all-new puppet version of the children's classic called The Muppets' Wizard of Oz which airs at 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 22: The season finale of Desperate Housewives at 9 p.m. will be filled with suprises and a few romances will be rekindled.

Wednesday, May 25: If you choose not to watch the winner announced on American Idol, you can catch the finales of Lost at 8 p.m. and Alias at 10 p.m.

CBS

Sunday, May 8: A two-part miniseries about Elvis begins at 9 p.m. and concludes May 11. A documentary special will also air May 13, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 15: At 8 p.m., the final Survivor is named during a two-hour special, followed by a one-hour reunion.

Monday, May 16: The series finale of Everybody Loves Raymond airs at 9 p.m.

Thursday, May 19: The season finale of CSI begins at 9 p.m. and is directed by Quentin Tarantino.

NBC

Thursday, May 5: Noah Wyle begins his final three-episode run on ER starting at 10 p.m.

Friday, May 6: At 9 p.m., Third Watch ends its run as gang members attack the precinct house. Former regulars Michael Beach, Eddie Cibrian and Kim Raver make special appearances.

Monday, May 16: Hercules airs at 8 p.m. featuring Paul Telfer as the legendary strongman.

Thursday, May 19: Donald Trump names the new Apprentice at 9 p.m.

FOX

Wednesday, May 18: Eric(Topher Grace) makes his final "regular" appearance on the season finale of That '70s Show at 8 p.m. Eric is moving to Africa for a teaching gig in order to make money for college.

Monday, May 23: In the two-hour finale of 24 which airs at 8 p.m., Jack has lost the president, but still has two hours left to save the rest of us from a nuclear attack.

Tuesday, May 24 and Wednesday May 25: American Idol takes center stage and announces who America voted for in the fourth season of the very popular talent contest.

Card and Flowers Are Popular For Mother's Day

On the second Sunday in May, we give gifts for the special person in our lives on Mother's Day. Cards, flowers and jewelry are typically given as gifts and this year, many consumers will spend more on them than last year.

This year, consumers plan to spend an average of $98.64 on Mother's Day, up slightly from $97.37 last year. More than half of consumers plan to purchase a Mother's Day card and a third of shoppers plan to buy flowers.

Hallmark reports Mother's Day is the third largest card-sending holiday in the United States and predicts that industry wide, Americans will send more than 150 million Mother's Day cards this year. It's estimated 50 percent of U.S. households give Mother's Day greeting cards, the highest participation rate of all seasons.

Florists will be busy as Mother's Day accounts for one-fifth of all holiday sales of flowers. Mother's Day ranks second only to Christmas in the purchase of flowers, according to the Society of American Florists. Of flowers purchased, it's estimated that 45 percent will be cut flowers and 32 percent will be outdoor bedding and gardening plants.

Consumers who purchase jewelry for mom will be the biggest spenders. The average consumer buying jewelry will spend $62.40. Those who buy clothing plan to spend $31.89 on that purchase and those who take mom out to eat plan to spend about $40.

Other popular items include gift certificates for movies, meals, books or record stores. But, many mothers may want a gift that can't be bought. They want a day of relaxation and a day off from the usual cooking and cleaning. Offer to do yard work, help around the house or make a home cooked meal. She will appreciate this more and it will save you from trying to find that perfect gift.

Free Concerts All Summer in Opelika

The City of Opelika will host a variety of musical entertainment throughout the summer as Opelika Parks and Recreation Department presents free concerts for the public. Bring the whole family for a relaxing evening on the bank of Rocky Brook Creek.

The free outdoor concerts are held each Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. and take place at Municipal Park. The 15-week concert series will feature music everyone can enjoy including Gospel, Jazz, R & B, Oldies, Country, Big Band Swing, Folk, and Community Bands/

The Summer Swing series kicked off May 10 and will conclude August 9. The remaining schedule is as follows:

  • May 17 - OHS Jazz Ensemble
  • May 24 - Kidd Blue
  • May 31 - Southeast Alabama Community Band
  • June 7 - The Apostles
  • June 14 - Route 66
  • June 21 - Bill J. Brooks-Elvis Lives Concert
  • June 28 - Auburn Knights Orchestra
  • July 5 - Pro Star Country Band
  • July 12 - Auburn University Summer Concert Band
  • July 19 - Muse
  • July 26 - Dave Potts Band w/ Justin Rosolino
  • August 2 - Fred Jones w/Shotgun & the Gentrys
  • August 9 - Back to School Bash
  • The Opelika Band Boosters will offer hamburgers, hot dogs and grilled chicken sandwiches for a nominal fee from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. First American Bank of Opelika will have free lemonade during the concerts. The famous vintage train, the Rocky Brook Rocket, will bring smiles to children as it gives complimentary rides before each concert.

    For more information call the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department at 334-705-5560 or e-mail bkent@ci.opelika.al.us.

    Amber Alerts Now Sent To Cell Phones

    With more than 60 percent of Americans owning wireless devices, Amber Alerts can now be sent to cell phones. This initiative will significantly increase the reach of the Amber Alert program.

    The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has partnered with nine national cell phone companies. Cingular, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Nextel are among the largest to announce their participation.

    Customers who sign up can get Amber Alert "text" messages on their cell phones free of charge. The program is available to 182 million wireless customers around the country.

    Cell phone users who participate in the program can designate up to five zip codes and would receive alerts if a child is reported missing in any of them. Subscribers would also be notified of alerts issued for their state or metropolitan area.

    Subscribers with phones capable of receiving text messages can register at www.wirelessamberalerts.org or through participating carriers' Web sites. A typical message would include details about the missing child and contact information for reporting a sighting.

    The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says more than 200 children have been successfully found as a direct result of the Amber Alerts. The alerts are named for Amber Hagerman, a Texas girl who was kidnapped and murdered in the late 1990s.

    New Look, More Secure Drivers License

    In the Winter of 2005, Alabama began issuing newly designed driver licenses and identification cards. The new license has several features that will make duplication difficult and vertical ID's will be issued to minors.

    Alabama Department of Public Safety used technology to make these the most secure cards Alabama has ever issued. The technology used includes a 2-D bar code, magnetic stripe, digitized portrait image, signature and various other security features.

    New machines will be used to produce both digital pictures and signatures that will be stored in a permanent database for easy retrieval in order to verify identification. The digital system will produce portrait-type pictures and photos according to age groups.

    To stop those who are under 21 and under 18 from using fake ID's, the back of the license will have a 2-D bar code and magnetic stripe that contains demographic data from the front of the card.

    The “Under 18/21” driver licenses and identification cards are now issued in a new vertical format that is immediately recognizable. Under 18/21 cards display the words “UNDER 18 UNTIL” and/or “UNDER 21 UNTIL” followed by the date the cardholder will turn 18 or 21 in bold red text. This text is positioned vertically next to the portrait.

    Alabama’s new card design also includes the state capital and state seal. The state seal will fluoresce a full color image when enhanced with an ultraviolet light source.

    The license also has a laminate feature on the front and back that increases the card's durability, security and tamper resistance. On the front, there is an "optically variable" image of the state outlined with "Alabama" text that changes color as one tilts the license for viewing.

    Cityfest Kicks Off Summer in Montgomery

    Montgomery's Jubilee Cityfest takes place every year over the Memorial Day Weekend. The three day event is a popular tourism attraction that features entertainment, cultural events, sporting events, and educational children's activities.

    Cityfest hours are Friday, May 27, 6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Saturday, May 28, 1:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m., and Sunday, May 29, 1:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Daily admission is $25, and a weekend pass is $35. The weekend pass lets you enjoy performances by Lonestar, Boyz II Men, The Black Crowes, Steven Curtis Chapman, Phil Vassar, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Reo Speedwagon, Leann Rimes, Diamond Rio, The Wallflowers, Kool & The Gang and much more.

    Kidsfest is another part of Cityfest that has a playground where parents and children can play together. The new location for Kidsfest this year is on the lawn of the Lurleen Wallace State Building. Hours for Kidsfest are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

    Events during Kidsfest include the Food World Arts and Crafts Playhouse, Club Karaoke by Fontaine Entertainment lets you showcase your vocal talents and sing in front of a live audience, KidsFest Imagination Contest will showcase all of the imaginative flags created by 5th and 6th grade students from the area schools. Contest award ceremony scheduled for Sunday, May 29, 3 p.m. on the Colonial Bank/VictoryLand/Cingular Wireless stage. Also enjoy walkabouts and inflatables like the bungee run, obstacle courses, giant slides and moonwalks.

    Each year, Jubilee Cityfest continues to have an economic impact on Montgomery and the surrounding area. It has donated $50,000 to Montgomery public schools for a reading initiative and $40,000 for riverfront development. CityFest also allots weekend passes for non-profit organizations, public and private schools and service organizations to use for fund raising. In addition, the festival has donated to the United Way, Family Sunshine Center, Brantwood Childrens Home and McInnis School.

    For a complete list of activities that will take place during Cityfest, visit their website, www.jubileecityfest.com.

    Deaths Are Up On Alabama's Highways

    According to preliminary reports from the Department of Public Safety, the number of deaths on Alabama highways are up 15 percent from 2003 to 2004. Public Safety officials blame the increase in highway deaths on the lack of state troopers.

    In 2003, there were 1,007 highway deaths, and preliminary reports for 2004 indicate there were 1,155 fatalities on Alabama highways. Most highway deaths last year did not occur on interstates. 31 percent occurred on county roads, 22 percent on state highways, 22 percent on U.S. highways and 12 percent on interstates. The remaining victims were killed on bicycles or all-terrain vehicles.

    About half of fatal crashes in 2004 were caused by speed, driving under the influence or a combination of the two, according to state troopers. Out of 1,155 fatalities, 255 were DUI-related and 362 were speed-related. State troopers also report that each year the number of speed-related deaths continues to increase while the number of alcohol-related deaths holds steady.

    Five of the seven counties in the Hoover-Birmingham Metropolitan Statistical Area posted increases in the number of road deaths from 2003 to 2004. Jefferson went from 84 fatals to 99, up 18 percent; Chilton from 13 to 16, up 23 percent; St. Clair from 18 to 23, up 28 percent; Shelby from 25 to 30, up 20 percent; and Walker from 23 to 31, up 35 percent.

    The 1,155 fatalities include a 27 percent increase in the number of pedestrian deaths, from 64 in 2003 to 81 in 2004; a 44 percent increase in motorcyclist deaths, from 52 to 75; and a 133 percent increase in those killed on ATVs, from 6 to 14.

    DPS officials blame part of the increase in highway deaths on the lack of enforcement. In 1981, a DPS study found that Alabama needed 800 to 1,000 troopers to patrol its highways. 25 years later, only 320 troopers patrol the highways.

    Earlier this month, DPS officials lobbied the Legislature unsuccessfully for funds to hire 100 troopers. Gov. Bob Riley has proposed hiring 100 state troopers next year and 100 more in 2007. Lawmakers have not funded his proposal.

    Exotic Plants Invade Alabama

    Exotic invasive plants such as kudzu have become a big problem even though a lot of money is spent each year to control and eradicate them. State and federal agencies have decided to take action before the plants take over vast areas of the state.

    Kudzu, easily the most recognizable as it weaves through trees, is only part of the problem. The Alabama Invasive Plant Council recently released its "10 Worst Invasive Weeds" list and is in the process of developing a database to record the location and extent of invasive plants statewide. They will also use the database to list the treatments being used to control the plants.

    On the list are kudzu, cogongrass, tropical soda apple, the tallow tree, Chinese privet, Japanese climbing fern, invasive roses, hydrilla, eurasion water milfoil and alligator weed.

    "Many of the invasive plants came from Asia and were introduced as ornamental plantings, for erosion control or as livestock food plants," said wildlife biologist Thagard R. Colvin of the state Conservation Department in Andalusia. He said a major problem with these plants is that they have no natural predators in America, therefore, they can out-compete and replace native plants.

    Ron Newsome, assistant maintenance engineer for roads at the Alabama Department of Transportation, said the agency spends about $2 million a year for all types of weed control, not just invasive species. He said he recommends use of herbicide because "it's cheaper than mowing."

    Alabama Power Co. spends about $50 million a year maintaining and clearing around transmission and distribution lines, including tree trimming. About $3.5 million to $4 million a year is spent to battle plants of all kinds with herbicides.

    The council hopes to promote management strategies rather than total eradication of the plants. Auburn University weed scientist Dr. David H. Teem, who serves on the council, cautioned that herbicides aren't always the best solution. He suggests using tillage because it works better by turning a weed-infested field into crops.

    Early detection of invasive plants is important, and the council is forming a "rapid response network" in the eradication effort before the silent invaders become too costly to control.

    Free Music Festival This Weekend At Lake Martin

    The 15th Annual Alex City Jazz Festival is a free two-day event that begins Friday night in Alex City and ends Saturday night at the Lake Martin Amphitheater. Bring your family and friends out for Lake Martin's biggest musical event of the year.

    The Alex City Jazz Masters Big Band starts the festival off Friday night at 6 p.m. at the Tallapoosa Street Park in Alex City. Organized in March of 2003 by James Thompson and Rush Gavin, the seventeen piece group is staffed with professional musicians living on or around Lake Martin. The Jazz Masters band plays a wide range of music from the roaring 20’s through the “Big Band Era” of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, to broadway hits of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.

    After the Jazz Masters band finishes up at 7 p.m., 12-year-old Amanda Shaw takes the stage at 7:30 with her violin and her band, The Cute Guys. Amanda began playing the violin when she was four years old after seeing a symphony broadcast on television. Her parents bought her a small violin that was just her size and classical violin lessons soon began. At seven, she was the youngest person ever to play with the Baton Rouge Symphony as a soloist.

    Amanda’s wide appeal crosses many lines of age, ethnicity and social standing. She recently performed with Ellis Marsalis, Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. and Doug Kershaw at the ceremony to release the Louisiana State Quarter and she teamed up with Cyndi Lauper to open for Cher at the New Orleans stop of the VH1 Divas/Cher Farewell Tour. Then a few weeks later, she opened for Charlie Daniels at Zephyr Field.

    After Amanda dazzles the crowd with her performance, Grammy Award winner Delbert McClinton brings the first night of the festival to a close when he hits the stage at 9 p.m. McClinton has been making music for more than four decades and has hits like "Giving It Up For Your Love" and "Sandy Beaches." He won a Grammy with Bonnie Raitt for their "Good Man/Good Woman" duet, and over the years has enjoyed covers of his songs by Emmylou Harris, The Blues Brothers, Vince Gill, Wynonna, Lee Roy Parnell, Martina McBride, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

    Saturday night at the Lake Martin Amphitheater, the Jazz Festival continues when Randall Bramblett performs at 6 p.m. Bramblett has toured and/or recorded with Greg Allman, Widespread Panic, Steve Winwood, Traffic, Robbie Robertson, Grateful Dead and many more.

    The blues-based rock 'n' roll band Tishamingo begins their set at 7:30 p.m. Long-time friends originally from Tallahassee, Fla. got the name Tishamingo from the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” With a mix of rock, blues, and the soul music of the late ‘60s and ‘70s, Tishamingo has a sound that is pleasing to all ages.

    The Derek Trucks Band promises to end the Jazz Festival on a high note when they perform at 9 p.m. The DTB has been around for 10 years and blends jazz, rock, blues, Latin, Eastern Indian, and other world music into the sound that now defines the DTB.

    Directions to Tallapoosa Street Park in Alexander City -

    From Atlanta take I-85 South to Opelika - Take Opelika exit Hwy 280 W to Alexander City. In Alexander City take Hwy 63 N to downtown Alexander City.

    From Birmingham take I-459 to Hwy 280 - Hwy 280 E to Alexander City. In Alexander City take Hwy 22 N to downtown Alexander City.

    From Montgomery take Hwy 231 N to Hwy 14 E - Hwy 14 E to Hwy 63 N - Hwy 63 N to downtown Alexander City.

    Directions to Lake Martin (Russell Lands) Amphitheater -

    From Atlanta take I-85 South to Opelika - Take Opelika exit Hwy 280 W. Travel Hwy 280 W to Alexander City to Hwy 63 S. Travel Hwy 63 S (approximately 20 miles) to Lake Martin (Russell Lands) Amphitheater.

    From Birmingham take Hwy 280 E to Alexander City, AL to Hwy 63 S . Travel Hwy 63 S (approximately 20 miles) to Lake Martin (Russell Lands) Amphitheater.

    From Montgomery take Hwy 231 N to Hwy 9 N - Hwy 9 N to Hwy 280. Hwy 280 E to Hwy 63 S. Travel Hwy 63 S (approximately 20 miles) to Lake Martin (Russell Lands) Amphitheater.

    For complete details about this weekend's Jazz Festival, please visit www.alexcityjazzfest.com.

    Bill Would Raise License Fees for More Troopers

    A new bill would enable the Department of Public Safety to hire more troopers and raise their pay. Alabama's governors and legislators have talked about the need to hire more troopers, but persistent budget problems have made changes difficult.

    The Alabama State Troopers Association is the driving force behind the legislation that would increase fees for drivers by raising the cost of a regular driver's license from $23 to $28, raising the price on each type of commercial driver's license by $5, and also increase the cost for getting a driver's record from the state Department of Public Safety from $5.75 to $10.

    Also built into the legislation is a requirement to raise the pay of all arresting officers at the state Department of Public Safety by 4 percent a year for three consecutive years. That would include not only the troopers that patrol Alabama's highways, but also the investigators and other law enforcement officers in the department.

    The bill would generate more than $13.5 million annually for public safety and would help pay state troopers with a more competitive salary that would reduce costly turnover. Alabama's starting pay for state troopers of $26,410 is the second lowest in the 11 Southeastern states, beating only South Carolina at $24,586. Arkansas leads the region at $34,405. Alabama's pay is also lower than several police departments, especially those in the Birmingham area, and some troopers are leaving for city jobs.

    Department records show Alabama has 13 percent fewer state troopers on the highways now than in 1968. But the number of vehicles registered in Alabama is 251 percent greater than it was in 1968 and the number of licensed drivers is 93 percent larger. As the number of troopers has declined, their duties have grown, including new responsibilities for homeland security.

    The association's three-bill package is working its way through state Senate committees, but insurance companies and the governor have raised objections to some portions.

    Some insurance companies are objecting to part of the legislative package because they would pay much of the $8.3 million annually that the driver's record bill is expected to generate.

    Governor Bob Riley says he's against any broad based tax that affects everybody. He also thinks the association's plan will only pay for salary increases. Riley also notes that the state needs 600 troopers on the road, not the current 370.

    The governor has a plan of his own. He wants to take $40-million from the Department of Transportation and give it to the Department of Public Safety to be used for increases in troopers on the highways and their salaries.

    Majority Of Alabamians Satisfied With Health Care

    In a state where health care has historically been a problem, most Alabamians are happy with their current health care coverage. A recent poll found that the majority of Alabamians rank their health care coverage as good or excellent.

    In the Ask Alabama poll, 85 percent of those surveyed said they had health insurance coverage. That parallels a 2003 federal survey that found 86 percent of Alabamians had health insurance coverage. Of those, 68 percent had coverage through private plans, with the remainder through Medicaid, Medicare or the military.

    Even though the poll found that most people are happy with their health care coverage, 48 percent report they have had significant problems with their health care providers in the last year. 32 percent said difficulty paying medical fees is their biggest concern. Other problems noted were loss of coverage or inability to obtain coverage because of medical history.

    The survey also found that satisfaction with medical care was lower in rural areas than in major cities. And for those in rural areas, seeing a doctor can be a time-consuming trip. Of those responding, 13 percent said they had to drive 25 miles or more to see their family doctor.

    While almost half of those surveyed report they worry about cost and have had problems with health care providers, 65 percent still believe the quality of health care in their own community is excellent or good and more than 80 percent feel they have adequate access to medical services.

    The Ask Alabama poll, conducted by the Center for Governmental Services at Auburn University, had a sample size of 603 citizens 19 or older, and an estimated margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

    Most Americans Would Rather Watch Movies At Home

    Watching movies at the theater is becoming less popular as many Americans prefer the low cost and convenience of staying home to watch them. Three-fourths of Americans say they would rather watch a movie at home, an AP-AOL poll found.

    This is bad news for Hollywood as it continues to struggle to attract people to the theater. Hollywood is having the longest box-office slump in 20 years. So far, 2005 is shaping up to be the worst year for movie attendance in nearly a decade.

    Through the first week in June, Hollywood's domestic revenues totaled $3.85 billion, down 6.4 percent from 2004. Factoring in higher ticket prices, the number of people who have gone to theaters is down 9 percent, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. If that pace continues through year's end, admissions for 2005 would total 1.345 billion, the lowest since 1996.

    Some experts think the slump in ticket sales are temporary and are due to average movies. They believe the box office will rebound when better films arrive. But even the blockbuster debut of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" last month couldn't stop the slide.

    Others see the slump as a sign that theaters are losing ground to home-entertainment options like DVDs, which are often available just months after films debut in theaters.

    The poll found that home-entertainment options may be complementing rather than competing with those who go to the theater. Those who watch DVDs, watch pay-per-view movies on cable, download movies from the Internet and play computer games actually go to movies in theaters more than people at the same income levels who don't use those technologies.

    Forty-seven percent believe movies are getting worse, while a third said they are getting better. The most popular types of movies are comedies, followed by dramas and action-adventure movies.

    Airships Could Help Fight The War On Terror

    In the future, the sky above the earth might be filled with floating orbs protecting people below from the enemy. This concept might resemble a sci-fi movie, but the development of unmanned spherical airships is becoming a reality.

    Spherical airships could be used to protect areas from terrorists and missile attacks, watch weather developments and perhaps even provide wireless telephone service to developing nations.

    G. Guy Thomas, a science and technology adviser for the U.S. Coast Guard, predicts the lighter-than-air craft could carry equipment that would allow homeland security officials to detect approaching ships 500 to 1,000 miles from the coast. John Robinson, managing editor of the Washington-based Defense Daily, thinks airships could provide additional intelligence for troops in Iraq who are being attacked almost daily by roadside bombs.

    Interest in airships has grown in recent years. Their advocates argue they are cheaper than satellites, which costs the government about $150 million. And unlike satellites, airships could return to earth for equipment upgrades.

    Techsphere is one of the companies that will develop the airships and they will use a design perfected over the past 21 years by airship developer Hokan Colting of Canada, who set a world airship altitude record of 21,000 feet last year in a 62-foot version. His design is maneuvered by propellers mounted around the sides.

    Georgia Institute of Technology researchers will develop a propulsion system, possibly using solar panels and fuel cells, to power the propellers during missions of a year or more at 65,000 feet. Other research is being done to help the airships survive the stratosphere's extreme temperatures and intense solar radiation.

    Airships date back to 1783, when a French chemist flew the first manned hydrogen-filled balloon over Paris. Lockheed Martin began building helium-filled blimps for the Navy in 1928. The Germans offered trans-Atlantic flights on its luxurious hydrogen-filled Zeppelins until 35 people died in 1937 as the majestic Hindenburg erupted in flames while docking at Lakehurst, N.J.

    Amber Alert System Has Flaws

    The Amber Alert system have been active across the U.S. for over a year after Congress expanded the program. Many think the program doesn't work as well as it could, while others think kidnapped children are better off with the system.

    After being mandated across the country, some states are still trying to implement the procedures necessary in bringing the alerts to the public. Hampered by outdated Emergency Broadcast guidelines and bad policy, the system needs fine-tuning to be more effective.

    Some problems arise because each state has different rules about case specifics that qualify for Amber Alerts. Also, police and families sometimes face layers of bureaucracy before local Amber Alert officials will agree to issue statewide alerts. In addition, states must negotiate the broadcasting of alerts across state lines.

    "You've got something that kind of works sometimes, but it's inhibited by bad policy, by inadequate funding and by an inability to create a uniform system," said Mark Klaas, who became an advocate for missing children when his 12-year-old daughter Polly was kidnapped from her home in 1993 and killed.

    Requiring a state to get permission from other states for cross-border Amber Alerts can cause delays, says Klaas. He cited a Georgia kidnapping that he said required 30 hours for permission to be granted for alerts to be broadcast in neighboring Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

    Those who support the system say the recovery of at least 134 children since 1999 has been linked to the Amber Alert's system of notifying the public of child kidnappings using television, radio and Internet broadcasts, as well as flashing highway signs.

    When an Amber Alert is sounded, case details are flashed to media outlets describing the missing child and the suspected kidnappers. Highway traffic advisory signs are activated, and a special telephone number is distributed for people to call if they see the child or have any information.

    Under the program, named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was abducted in Texas and killed in 1996, police also get immediate faxes, telephone text messages and e-mails describing the child and possible kidnappers.

    Some parents question the time it takes to issue alerts, and local police are frustrated at having to fill out paperwork, attend classes, and also having to convince state officials that alerts should be issued.

    The only way the government could require states to relay Amber Alerts nationwide immediately would be to federalize the program. Deborah Daniels, the assistant U.S. attorney general who coordinates state Amber Alert programs for the Justice Department, said that would be a mistake. The program works best when local authorities can weed out false or inaccurate reports, she said. Otherwise, the alerts could become as common as the shrieking car alarms many people ignore.

    Auburn University Will Be Closed Monday

    Auburn University will close Monday, July 11, in anticipation of high winds, heavy rains and potential tornadoes associated with Hurricane Dennis. AU officials expect the University to reopen on Tuesday, July 12.

    New Quarterback, Same Receivers Lead Tigers in '05

    How does a team try and top a perfect 13-0 season? And how does it replace a quarterback who was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year? By giving a quarterback who has very little experience his first career start under center and hoping for the best.

    After Auburn wrapped up an undefeated season by beating Virginia Tech 16-13 in the Sugar Bowl January 3, Tiger fans began to wonder how Auburn would replace the outstanding senior year Jason Campbell had in 2004. Campbell finished the season with 2,700 yards and 20 touchdowns. Those numbers impressed many NFL teams, especially the Washington Redskins, who drafted Campbell in the first round of the NFL draft back in April.

    At the beginning of spring practice in March, Tuberville made it clear that Auburn had a quarterback controversy. After the A-day game on March 19, Brandon Cox emerged as the leader and put an end to the controversy after being named Most Valuable Player on offense for completing 12-of-13 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
    Brandon Cox
    All eyes will be on Cox when he gets his first career start against Georgia Tech in a nationally televised game by ESPN. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The 6-2 redshirt sophomore from Trussville has wanted to be the starting quarterback since his arrival on the Plains. After being redshirted his freshman year for medical reasons and now that Campbell has moved on, Cox's goal will likely be reached when Auburn opens the season at home against Georgia Tech September 3.

    Luckily for Auburn, Cox had some experience during seven games last season, although most of the action was against teams like The Citadel and Louisiana-Monroe and when the Tigers were in complete control of the game. His best performance was during Auburn's 33-3 victory against The Citadel when he completed 11-of-17 passes for 165 yards and threw a touchdown.

    Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Al Borges has a history of helping average quarterbacks mature and become outstanding players. Borges did it last year with Campbell and with Cade McKnown at UCLA, who was an All-American, a Heisman Trophy finalist and a first round selection in the NFL draft.

    With patience from the coaching staff and from the fans, Cox has the potential to be the leader Auburn is looking for at the quarterback position. Tuberville has commented on how Cox has a good arm and is a lot more mobile than he was at this time last year. He also said that Cox can get out of the pocket where he is able to do some things, which is more than he thought Cox would be able to do before spring drills.

    Redshirt freshmen Blake Field and Calvin Booker are listed on the depth chart as the co-number two quarterbacks. The depth chart will remain that way until the two freshmen compete in several scrimmages in August. After the scrimmages, the coaching staff will make a decision on who will be the backup to Cox. Borges has said that both quarterbacks showed improvement in the spring, but says each player needs to spend time in the offseason studying the offense and also spend time throwing the football to Auburn's talented wide receivers.
    Courtney Taylor
    Taylor looks to have another big season for the Tigers in 2005. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The wide receivers for 2005 are probably one of the best group of receivers in the nation. Receivers coach Greg Knox has four of his top wideouts returning from last season, including junior Courtney Taylor. Taylor led the team last year with 43 catches for 737 yards and was named the Most Improved Offensive Skill Player by the coaching staff after spring drills.

    Senior Devin Aromashodu is listed as the starter at split end, ahead of senior Ben Obomanu. Senior Anthony Mix is the starter at slot receiver, ahead of junior Lee Guess.

    When two-a-days start in August, the experienced group of receivers will need to help Auburn's young quarterback get ready for the grueling 11-game season when each team will try and halt the Tigers' 15-game winning streak. If Cox continues to improve during two-a-days, Auburn should be 5-0 after playing the first five games at home and well on the way to winning at least eight games in 2005.

    Phil Marion

    Running Game Will Be Solid And Competitive

    With two of the best running backs in school history headed to the NFL, the competition among Auburn's young tailbacks and which one gets the most carries this season should be interesting to watch when two-a-days begin in a few weeks on the Plains.

    Running backs coach Eddie Gran probably wishes he had either Ronnie Brown or Carnell Williams back for another season, but knows all good things must come to an end. The Tigers will definitely miss Brown and Williams, but the future looks bright for Auburn to have a solid rushing game in 2005.

    While the backfield won't see the familiar numbers 23 and 24, head coach Tommy Tuberville plans to stay with the same two tailback system that saw great success last season. Auburn will name a starter at tailback, but the two tailback system will feature four running backs that will all see playing time during each game.

    The two backs who see the most action during the game will depend on who performs the best and impresses the coaches during summer two-a-days. Those practices and scrimmages in August will provide some good competition, which means each player will work that much harder to improve his chances of getting the most carries on Saturday's.
    Tre Smith
    Tre Smith is back after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Juniors Tre Smith and Kenny Irons have the most experience of Auburn's four tailbacks. Smith is healthy again after missing 10 games last season with a shoulder injury. He will likely be listed as the number one tailback and will probably see action as punt returner along with Devin Aromashodu.

    Despite being recruited by Auburn during his senior year at Dacula High School, Irons decided not to come here because of the depth the Tigers had at the running back position. He made the decision to play at South Carolina where he thought he would get more playing time. In 2002, Irons appeared in nine games for USC and ran for 201 yards on 47 attempts. But in 2003, his playing time was limited and he decided to transfer to Auburn. After sitting out last season, Irons is bigger and stronger after working out during the offseason and he is ready to make a big contribution to Auburn's running game.

    Sophomore Carl Stewart and redshirt freshman Brad Lester are behind Smith and Irons on the depth chart. Stewart saw action in all 13 games last season and was third on the team with 184 yards on 39 carries. His best performance was against The Citadel when he rushed for 91 yards and recorded his first career touchdown. Stewart has also bulked up during offseason workouts and should see more carries during the upcoming season.
    Brad Lester
    Redshirt freshman Brad Lester is ready to compete for playing time. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Lester is the youngest of the four running backs but is capable of putting up big numbers when he has his hands on the ball. In high school at Parkview, Lester racked up 3,720 yards and 42 touchdowns during his junior year. His senior year numbers were just as impressive when he rushed for 2,090 yards and 27 touchdowns. He's healthy heading into two-a-days after pulling a hamstring a few weeks before spring practice started which kept him from participating in spring drills.

    Senior fullback Jake Slaughter played an important role in the Tigers' undefeated season last year and will be used primarily as a blocker again this season. While Ronnie Brown came out of the backfield as a receiver last season, Slaughter could be used in that same role now that Brown is gone. He was an effective receiver in high school and hopes to get a chance to show that part of his game during his last season on the Plains.

    Phil Marion

    New Quarterback, Same Receivers Lead Tigers in '05

    Offensive Line & TE Play Big Role In AU's Success

    The offensive line and tight ends will play a key role in helping Auburn's young quarterback and running backs keep the momentum going that was established last season when the offense put a lot of points on the scoreboard and racked up many yards.

    When the Tigers open the 2005 season at home September 3 against Georgia Tech, the offense will look to have the same success from last season when the offense scored early and often, which all but secured a victory for Auburn by halftime. Much of that success was credited to the offensive line and tight ends which protected the quarterback and opened up huge holes for the running game. With the return of three starters from last year's offensive line, along with an experienced senior at tight end, the Tigers want to get off to a good start against the Yellow Jackets to help set the tone for the rest of the season.

    With the loss of senior center Jeremy Ingle and right guard Danny Lindsey, offensive line coach Hugh Nall wants the returning starters to set the tempo and provide leadership to the other offensive linemen. One starter from last year who is very capable of taking over the leadership role from Ingle and Lindsey is senior left tackle Marcus McNeill.
    Marcus McNeill
    Marcus McNeill will anchor a talented offensive line. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    McNeill (6-9, 337), decided to come back for his senior year instead of entering the NFL Draft. Nall is excited about McNeill's decision to return and looks forward to the senior having another outstanding season which should see him bring home many awards. He has been named to the 2005 Outland Trophy Watch List and is also a preseason First-Team All-American by The Sporting News, Lindy's, Athlon Sports and the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook.

    Sophomore King Dunlap will be McNeill's backup. Dunlap (6-8, 292), played in 13 games last year primarily on special teams but also saw action at left tackle including 33 plays against The Citadel.

    Junior Ben Grubbs is another returning starter from last season. Grubbs (6-3, 302), started all 13 games last season at left guard and should be much improved after another summer learning how to play on the line after being moved from tight end last year during two-a-days. Junior Jonathan Palmer should see some playing time as a backup to Grubbs or at another position on the line.

    The starter at center is a little uncertain when practice begins this week. With Ingle graduating, there will be three players trying to win his job. Coming out of spring drills, walk-on sophomore Joe Cope was ahead of the other two but that could change quickly after they all participate in scrimmages this month.

    Cope will see competition from fellow sophomore Leon Hart who has been working at center since bowl practices last December. Nall thinks Hart has the potential to be as good as he's coached in whatever position he ends up playing. Behind Hart is senior Steven Ross who played in nine games last season before suffering a knee injury in November.

    Another position on the line left without a starter from last season is right guard. Tim Duckworth will likely be the starter after being moved from nose guard last summer. The extra work during the winter and spring drills should help him develop as a better player on the line and help him with the blocking assignments.

    The Tigers lost talented redshirt sophomore Jarrod Britt at right guard, who retired from football after being advised by doctors to let a chronic shoulder injury fully heal. Redshirt freshman Antwoin Daniels will probably be moved to be a backup to Duckworth so Auburn can be two-deep at right guard.

    Troy Reddick is another familiar starter on the line from last season. Reddick was moved from guard to tackle prior to spring drills. The 6-5, 335-pound senior will start at right tackle and is a preseason first-team All-SEC selection by the Birmingham News. Right tackle is another position where Daniels or Hart will see playing time so the Tigers will have depth during the long season.
    Cooper Wallace
    Wallace wants to have a productive year in his last season in an Auburn Uniform. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    With All-SEC candidate Cooper Wallace leading the way, tight end will be a very deep and strong position for the upcoming season. Wallace, a 6-4, 265-pound senior, has 43 catches for 634 yards and three touchdowns during his career. Tight ends coach Steve Ensminger will let Cooper be like a coach and teach the younger tight ends how to be better players since he showed leadership ability during winter workouts. Ensminger also likes Wallace’s hands and his ability to run deep routes. For the senior who has 26 career starts, the main emphasis when two-a-days start will be fine-tuning his game.

    Junior Cole Bennett is the backup to Wallace again this year. Ensminger hopes Bennett can keep his weight up so he can be a more effective blocker. Charles Mullen, Danny Perry and Rick Pollard are all listed as tight ends but could see playing time at other positions.

    Ensminger and Wallace will have plenty of coaching to do when three highly regarded signees start preseason practice this week. Andrew McCain, Gabe McKenzie and Tommy Trott will need to be ready when the season starts as offensive coordinator Al Borges wants to make the tight end position a bigger part of the game plan each week. The offense will likely see sets with two tight ends as well as three tight ends on the field at the same time. Last year, a tight end lined up at fullback on occasion and that could happen again this year.

    Phil Marion

    Running Game Will Be Solid And Competitive

    New Quarterback, Same Receivers Lead Tigers in '05

    Speedy Defensive Ends Lead A Talented Line

    With two-a-days starting this week, many Auburn fans wonder if the defense will be good in 2005. A new coordinator takes over a unit with plenty of speed and talent, but many preseason magazines pick the Tigers to finish second in the SEC West.

    As the old saying goes, defense wins championships. The 2004 Auburn defense was as dominating as any defense in the country and that helped the Tigers finish the season undefeated and also win a sixth Southeastern Conference title. In 11 of Auburn's 13 games, the defense kept the opponent's offense from scoring on its opening drive. The defense gave up a national-best 11.3 points per game and only gave up four rushing touchdowns all season.

    New defensive coordinator David Gibbs knows it will be difficult to achieve the same kind of success the defense had last season, but he's confident that the defensive line will be good and challenge LSU for the SEC Western Division title despite losing starters Brett Eddins, Jay Ratliff, and Doug Langenfeld from last year’s top-notch line.

    Seniors Tommy Jackson and Wayne Dickens return as starters along with a group of young linemen who Gibbs wants to see play aggressive, and attack the line of scrimmage which will force opposing offenses to make mistakes. Gibbs will use the same defensive philosophy from last year that was built on speed and quickness, along with running a four-man front.
    Tommy Jackson
    Tommy Jackson will provide senior leadership for the defense. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Jackson, a former Opelika star who was first-team all-SEC in 2004, has been named to the 2005 Outland Trophy Watch List. The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation's best interior offensive or defensive lineman. The starter at nose guard was also named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, which is given annually to the nation's outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.

    In 2004, Jackson recorded 51 tackles, including seven for loss, while starting in all of Auburn's 13 victories. He also registered at least two tackles in every game last season.

    Defensive line coach Don Dunn wants the Tigers to have plenty of depth at each position on the line so he can substitute often and keep players fresh during the grind of the long season. Sophomore Josh Thompson is the backup to Jackson but is one of the players Dunn will use at several other positions to give Auburn that much needed depth. Dunn was pleased with Thompson's progress during spring drills and says he could earn some starts at nose guard this season. Thompson saw playing time in all 13 games last year and recorded 23 tackles.

    Thompson could also challenge Dickens for the starting job at defensive tackle. Dickens is the starter going into two-a-days but hasn’t started a game since the 2002 season. The other backups at tackle are extremely unproven. Neil Brown, and redshirt freshmen Pat Sims combined for nine tackles in nine games last season. Redshirt freshman Tyronne Green will be working with the offense instead of the defensive line because head coach Tommy Tuberville thinks offense will be a good fit for Green and with the Tigers losing two reserve offensive linemen more depth is needed on offense.
    Stanley McClover
    McClover expects to record many sacks in 2005. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The defensive ends for the Tigers should make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Sophomores Stanley McClover and Quentin Groves are exceptionally fast and Tuberville expects the duo to emerge as one of the best pass rushing tandems in the country. Last season, the two ends combined for 15 sacks despite only starting two games. Those 15 sacks led the team and was in the top five in the SEC statistics. Both have improved their game against the run during the offseason through hard work on the field and in the weight room.

    Tuberville plans to move McClover and Groves to tackle for third-down rush and blitz packages. This will give some of the backups an opportunity to be a part of the playing rotation at defensive end when Auburn lines up in those formations. Juniors Marquies Gunn and Christopher Browder will likely be used the most in third-down rush and blitz packages. Both saw plenty of action at defensive end last season and with the help of the other defensive linemen, the Tigers should contend for another SEC championship.

    Phil Marion

    Offensive Line & TE Play Big Role In AU's Success

    Running Game Will Be Solid And Competitive

    New Quarterback, Same Receivers Lead Tigers in '05

    Linebackers Healthy And Ready To Defend SEC Title

    Before the 2004 season began, there were doubts about how AU's linebackers would perform because of their size and lack of experience. The group played well despite the doubts and the starters from last year are back to defend their SEC title in '05.

    For many football fans, the time between the end of spring drills and the beginning of the season in September can drag on for what seems like an eternity. While fans anxiously await that first game to kickoff, the linebackers used the summer months to improve their game and were busy in the weight room trying to add on a few extra pounds. Those extra pounds will make them more intimidating to opposing offenses and greatly improve their chances of making extra tackles

    The talented group of linebackers also spent the summer getting to know new defensive coordinator David Gibbs. Gibbs was hired a few weeks before spring practice began and the players are just now getting accustomed to Gibbs' style and what he expects from them during games on Saturdays.

    One player who benefited the most from summer workouts and getting to know Gibbs was senior weak-side linebacker Antarrious Williams. Williams injured his wrist last fall during the Georgia game. The injury forced him to miss Auburn's final three games and he also missed spring drills. His wrist is close to 100 percent and he's excited to be healthy for the season opener September 3 against Georgia Tech.

    Williams put in many hours in the training room during the offseason and has bulked up to 213 pounds. The extra weight hasn't slowed him down any as he is still Auburn's fastest linebacker and he has also developed a reputation for sharp tackling instincts. Williams should see his numbers improve over last season when he was seventh on the team with 44 tackles and 35 of those went as solo stops.

    Behind Williams on the depth chart is redshirt freshman Merrill Johnson. Williams thinks Johnson is a player everyone should keep an eye on because he has improved by leaps and bounds during the offseason. Johnson has been taking lessons from Williams on how to play the position of weak-side linebacker.
    Travis Williams
    Travis Williams has impressed the coaches during preseason practice. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Senior Travis Williams, no relation to Antarrious, returns as the starter at middle linebacker. During his junior year, Williams played with a chip on his shoulder after everyone questioned if he was big enough to get the job done in the conference. He was determined to prove everyone wrong and he did by earning All-SEC honors after leading Auburn with 80 tackles, and 58 of those were solo stops.

    Williams suffered an ankle injury in Auburn's first major scrimmage of spring practice. While he let his ankle fully heal, Williams took on the duty as coach and along with linebackers coach Joe Whitt, helped his fellow linebackers improve their game.

    Kevis Burnam and Chris Evans are the backups at middle linebacker. Both have more size than Williams, but they lack experience. Burnam filled in for Williams in spring practice and the only action he saw last season was in the fourth quarter against The Citadel and Louisiana-Monroe when the game was over.
    Kevin Sears
    Kevin Sears is the biggest of Auburn's starting linebackers at 247 pounds. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Junior Kevin Sears returns as the starter at strong-side linebacker. Sears quietly gets the job done while both Travis and Antarrious get the most attention. He's happy to be overlooked because it gives him an advantage when he's not expected to be a factor on the field.

    Sears was also injured during the spring and backup Karibi Dede will probably see a lot of playing time during the upcoming season after being much improved in spring drills. Dede is a versatile player who can play at any linebacker position.

    An incoming freshman who head coach Tommy Tuberville expects to see playing time in 2005 is Tray Blackmon. Blackmon, Georgia’s Class AAA Player of the Year, was heavily recruited by Georgia but decided to come play on the Plains after seeing Auburn's other undersized linebackers have great success last year. He's been on campus since graduating from LaGrange High School in May and is eager to make an impact during fall practice.

    With all the returning starters healthy, this year's group of linebackers for the Tigers are expected to be the best group of linebackers in the SEC. While Auburn isn't picked to repeat as conference champions, the Tigers will take one game at a time and will likely surprise the experts by having another strong season.

    Phil Marion

    Speedy Defensive Ends Lead A Talented Line

    Offensive Line & TE Play Big Role In AU's Success

    Running Game Will Be Solid And Competitive

    New Quarterback, Same Receivers Lead Tigers in '05

    Secondary Ready To Play More Aggressive

    Even though AU lost the top defensive back in the country and the defensive coordinator from last year, the players are excited about Chizik's replacement because he brings experience from both the professional and collegiate ranks to the defense.

    David Gibbs, who spent the last four years as a secondary coach with the NFL’s Denver Broncos and previously served as defensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota from 1997-2000, was named defensive coordinator February 2. Gibbs will also handle the coaching duties at secondary.

    Head coach Tommy Tuberville hired Gibbs because last year's secondary had some trouble in man-to-man coverage. Gibbs' job is to correct that problem and his experience in the NFL will be a plus when Auburn is put to the test when teams try to go over the top because of the quickness and strength of the interior defense.

    Junior Rosegreen and the 2004 Jim Thorpe Award winner Carlos Rogers are gone from last year's secondary. Two starters from last year's squad, free safety Will Herring and cornerback Montavis Pitts are back to give the Tigers much needed experience in the secondary after Rosegreen and Rogers have moved on to the NFL.
    Will Herring
    Herring takes instruction from new defensive coordinator David Gibbs during fall practice. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Herring will be the leader in the secondary after starting all 13 games last season. He finished second on the team with 61 tackles despite being criticized for sloppy play and missed tackles. He hopes to continue to make strides this season and improve his consistency, particularly tackling.

    Behind Herring at free safety is sophomore Tony Bell. Bell played a big role on special teams last year but the coaching staff is high on his ability to play in the secondary after he gains experience from seeing playing time.

    Pitts saw a lot of action last season when Auburn's opponents threw the ball to his side of the field instead of going up against the All-American Rogers. He finished the season with 46 tackles, including 41 solo. The junior from Loachapoka spent the summer working on improving his technique in press coverage, and he also watched film to learn from the mistakes he made last year.

    Lorenzo Ferguson, Anthony Campbell and Zach Gilbert are backups to Pitts and really impressed the coaching staff in the spring by being competitive which will likely earn them some playing time. Pitts has also watched his backups improve and even though they are inexperienced, he thinks they'll perform well when they see action during games.

    David Irons is the other starter at cornerback. The senior is back after missing last season with a knee injury. Irons will be pressured by Kevin Hobbs and Patrick Lee for playing time. Hobbs started one game last year while Lee saw action in 12 games in a backup role.
    Eric Brock
    Eric Brock is a new starter in the secondary in 2005. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Sophomore Eric Brock is penciled in as the starter at strong safety after being named the Most Improved Defensive Back after spring drills. Tuberville likes the progress he's seen from Brock during fall practice and says he has matured physically and mentally, and is really understanding how to play defense.

    Redshirt freshman Steve Gandy is Brock's backup at strong safety. Gandy loves the aggressive 4-3 system that Gibbs uses because it gives the defensive backs a chance to attack the quarterback in blitz situations. It also gives him and his fellow backs a chance to show off their speed and talent.

    Since his arrival on the Plains in February, Gibbs has made a big impression with his position players and they are excited to play for him because he's a players' coach. While Auburn may lack experience at some positions in the secondary, Gibbs' aggressive style should help the Tigers be prepared for aerial assaults from talented teams in the conference.

    Phil Marion

    New Quarterback, Same Receivers Lead Tigers in '05

    Running Game Will Be Solid And Competitive

    Offensive Line & TE Play Big Role In AU's Success

    Speedy Defensive Ends Lead A Talented Line

    Linebackers Healthy And Ready To Defend SEC Title

    Special Teams Will Be Strong Again

    Auburn's special teams last year was consistent and that helped the Tigers win more games than any other team in school history. Both the place kicker and punter return for their junior years and the kicking game promises to be strong in 2005.

    When the Auburn University ticket office announced in June that season tickets for the 2005 season were sold out, the majority of ticket buyers are probably more interested in watching how the offense performs and how the defense will keep opponents from scoring. Many fans don't think about special teams and if a bad punt could be the difference in the outcome of a game.

    For the coaching staff and the players who play on special teams, a lot of hard work takes place during the off season and preseason practice to make sure Auburn's special teams make plays necessary for the Tigers to come out with a victory.
    John Vaughn
    Vaughn concentrates before attempting a field goal. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    John Vaughn probably didn't get enough credit for Auburn's 16-13 victory over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl. Without some crucial field goals when the offense struggled to reach the end zone in the first half, the Tigers' undefeated season probably wouldn't have become a reality. Vaughn was solid all season making 12-of-15 field goal attempts and he connected on a 29-yard field goal and kicked the extra-point that was the difference in a 10-9 win over LSU in September.

    Vaughn continues to improve as he enters his junior year. He was named the A-Day Special Teams MVP after connecting on three field goals, including two from 46 yards. He's also been named to the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Award, which is named for NFL Hall of Fame kicker Lou Groza and is given annually to the top collegiate place-kicker in the country. Vaughn is kicking well in preseason practices and will be counted on to make important field goals when the offense struggles to put points on the scoreboard.
    Kody Bliss
    Bliss practices punts during preseason practice. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Kody Bliss is Auburn's steady punter again in 2005. Bliss was used sparingly last season because the offense kept drives going by coming through on third down. Bliss did his job when called upon and averaged 42.3 yards on 47 punts and helped the Tigers hold Ole Miss to -7 return yards on punts. More importantly, he was able to have 17 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. As the season progressed, Bliss' punting improved with every game and it played an important role in the victory over Virginia Tech when his punts averaged 43 yards.

    As he begins his junior year, he understands the importance of field position as it gives the defense a chance to stop the opponent deep inside their territory and helps the offense get the ball back with good field position. Bliss will try and improve on his performance from last year as he helps the team control the field position game.

    Junior Tre Smith will be Auburn's punt returner in 2005. Smith missed 10 games last season because of a shoulder injury.

    Special teams coach Eddie Gran knows experience is important when it comes to executing on punt returns and kickoff returns. He will depend on players from last year to help the team get momentum and score points off of special teams play. Devin Aromashodu and Anthony Mix are back to handle the kickoff duties. Aromashodu had three kickoff returns that averaged 28.3 yards last season and returned a kickoff 48 yards, which was a career-long against Tennessee.

    Phil Marion

    New Quarterback, Same Receivers Lead Tigers in '05

    Running Game Will Be Solid And Competitive

    Offensive Line & TE Play Big Role In AU's Success

    Speedy Defensive Ends Lead A Talented Line

    Linebackers Healthy And Ready To Defend SEC Title

    Secondary Ready To Play More Aggressive

    Predictions For Week 1 SEC Games

    This week, Auburn and Georgia Tech play at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday night at 7:45 p.m. CT. Georgia and Boise St. meet for the first time in Athens, while Middle Tennessee State tries to upset Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

    Georgia Tech at Auburn, September 3, 7:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn will try and extend a 15-game winning streak against Georgia Tech on national television. Tech was 7-5 last season while the Tigers were a perfect 13-0. The sting left by the Yellow Jackets in 2003 after they won 17-3 in Atlanta is still felt by the Auburn coaches and players who experienced the embarrassing loss. The Tigers will be looking for revenge and are determined not to have the same thing happen in 2005.

    Auburn will turn to sophomore quarterback Brandon Cox, a talented group of receivers, and running backs Tre Smith and Kenny Irons to continue the success the offense had last season when the Tigers were able to put up a lot of points on the scoreboard. Al Borges is back in his second season as offensive coordinator and he will have the offense ready to play against an unknown Tech defense. The offensive line for Auburn is solid and should give Cox plenty of time to make things happen when he needs to complete passes.

    Tech has talented running back P.J. Daniels and receiver Calvin Johnson, but quarterback Reggie Ball is known for being inconsistent. Ball can make things happen but will have to do it against a strong Auburn defense. David Gibbs takes over as defensive coordinator and he will count on his talented linebackers to stop Ball and Tech's rushing attack.

    The excitement of playing against Tech, along with a packed house at home, gives Auburn the advantage Saturday night. The Tigers start the season off with a 24-10 victory.

    UCF at South Carolina, September 1, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Steve Spurrier returns to the sidelines as head coach at South Carolina in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Good news for Spurrier in his first game in Columbia, the Gamecocks are 72-35-4 in opening day games and have won the last seven when opening the season at home. They have scored 33 points in each of the two previous meetings with the Golden Knights. USC returns 10 starters from last season's 6-5 squad.

    UCF also has a new coach looking to get off to a good start. George O'Leary takes over a team that went 0-11 last season. O'Leary's first game as UCF's head coach will be spoiled by USC's redshirt sophomore quarterback Blake Mitchell and Spurrier's typical explosive offense. The Gamecocks win easy, 38-13.

    Vanderbilt at Wake Forrest, September 1, 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    The 2005 season for Vanderbilt should see a team improve from a 2-9 record last season and be more competitive. The Commodores return 43 lettermen including 13 starters. Vanderbilt linebacker Moses Osemwegie has been named to the preseason watch list for the prestigious Rotary Lombardi Award. For the second consecutive season, senior Jay Cutler has been named to the preseason watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award. Last season, Cutler became just the third Commodore quarterback in 50 years to complete 60 percent of his attempts.

    Vanderbilt has won three straight versus the Demon Deacons. Wake had a losing 4-7 record last season and will be looking for a big win at home. The Demon Deacons will start the season 0-1 as Cutler picks up where he left off at the end of the season last year. Cutler steadily improved in each game and he will have another outstanding season. Commodores win on the road 35-14.

    Middle Tennessee State at Alabama, September 3, 6 p.m. CT

    Alabama head coach Mike Shula needs to start the season with a win to avoid being on the hot seat after just the first game of the young season. MTSU returns 18 starters from its 2004 squad that went 5-6. The Blue Raiders should give the Tide a tough game but with running backs Kenneth Darby and Tim Castille healthy for Alabama, the Tide's rushing game will be too strong in the 4th quarter and will be the difference. Alabama pulls out a close one in the 4th and wins by 10, 31-21.

    Boise St. at Georgia, September 3, 4:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    This marks the first time that Georgia and Boise State have ever met on the football field. Boise State returns 17 starters and is coming off the best season in school history, which included 11 wins, the WAC Championship and a final top 15 ranking in both national polls. The Broncos have gone 12-­1, 13-­1 and 11-­1 over the last three seasons. Quarterback Jared Zabransky returns along with eight starters back on both sides of the ball from a team that was seconds away from an undefeated season, losing 44­-40 to Louisville in a thrilling Liberty Bowl.

    Georgia lost quarterback David Greene, wide receivers Fred Gibson and Reggie Brown, along with defenders David Pollack, Odell Thurman and Thomas Davis to the NFL. The Bulldogs still have plenty of talent to have another successful season. Georgia is 84-24-3 (.770) in opening day games and have won eight straight season openers by a combined score of 317-97. Boise State will upset the Bulldogs and put an end to the eight straight wins in season openers for Georgia. Both teams will put plenty of points on the scoreboard but the Broncos will win by 5, 35-30.

    North Texas at LSU, Postponed

    LSU's football game versus North Texas, originally scheduled for Saturday night, will be rescheduled due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina.

    UAB at Tennessee, September 3, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Tennessee is expected to win the SEC East and play LSU in the SEC Championship game. UAB will be a good test for the Vols and if Tennessee has a good showing against the Blazers, the Vols could meet everyone's expectations and have a strong season. Tennessee and UAB have met only once, with Tennessee winning 37-13 at homecoming during the Vols' 1998 National Championship season.

    The Blazers were 7-5 last season and have improved each year under head coach Watson Brown. UAB has posted two wins against two SEC opponents during the last five years, winning at Mississippi State in 2004 and at LSU in 2000. Despite the off-the-field problems for Phillip Fulmer's team during the offseason, the Vols will be ready to play and will come away with a win in front of the home crowd in Knoxville. UAB keeps things close in the first half before the Vols take over in the second half and win 38-17.

    Wyoming at Florida, September 3, 5 p.m. CT

    Florida is another team that has a new coach. Urban Meyer takes over a team that finished 7-5 last season. Wyoming also finished 7-5. While 7-5 might be a successful season for the Cowboys, 7-5 was a major disappointment for Gator fans. Meyer brings a new look, a new attitude and a new offensive system to Gainesville and Florida should be much improved. Chris Leak returns at quarterback for the Gators and he should excel under Meyer's guidance. Leak and the Gators give Meyer his first win as head coach at Florida after an easy 42-13 win Saturday.

    Missouri State at Arkansas, September 3, 6 p.m. CT

    Formally known as Southwest Missouri State, the 6-5 team from last season will be playing its first football game under the new name Missouri State. Houston Nutt will see a new quarterback under center this season as Matt Jones departed for the NFL. Sophomore quarterback Robert Johnson will lead a young but talented offense that will feature freshmen running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring, who guided NC State to the top-ranked defense in the nation last year, has leading tackler strong-safety Vickiel Vaughn returning on defense. The Razorbacks should win seven games in 2005 and that starts with a 42-14 win over Missouri State.

    Murray State at Mississippi State, September 3, 6 p.m. CT

    Sylvester Croom begins his second season in Starkville as the head coach and should get the 2005 season off to a good start against I-AA Murray State. A victory over Murray State would give the Bulldogs back-to-back season-opening victories for the first time since the 2000-2001 seasons.

    The Bulldogs had seven players selected to the Preseason All-SEC team as voted by the league's coaches. Running back Jerious Norwood returns to lead the offense. Last year, Norwood gained 1,050 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Quarterback Omarr Conner is back and hopes to improve on the 1,224 yards and six touchdowns he threw last season. The offensive line should be better and expect the defense to help the Bulldogs improve on the 3-8 season from last year. State wins at home 34-7.

    Louisville at Kentucky, September 4, 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Louisville went 11-1 last season and Kentucky is coming off of probation that ended last season. The Wildcats lost two starting linebackers in the spring and tackle Ricky Abren is likely out because of a dislocated wrist. The running back situation is a concern and the offensive line is a work in progress. With all of the injuries and questions about who will play, it will be hard for Kentucky to compete with Louisville.

    The Cardinals are loaded on offense and will be led by tailback Michael Bush. The offensive line averages 314 pounds and features four returning starters. The defense's front seven is also strong. Louisville will win big with all of the talent on offense. The Cardinals score early and often on the way to a 56-14 victory.

    Ole Miss at Memphis, September 5, 3:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Ole Miss will try and stop back-to-back losses to Memphis when they meet Monday. The Rebels should be solid on defense, especially in the front seven, but the offense is a big question mark. They lost leading rusher Vashon Pearson to academics and none of the three quarterbacks contending for the starting job played consistently as Ole Miss went 4­-7 last year.

    Running back DeAngelo Williams leads a Memphis offense that doesn't have a quarterback on the roster who has thrown a pass in college. On defense, the Tigers return a solid linebacking corps. Without an experienced quarterback, Memphis will have trouble winning the first game of the year against the Rebels. New Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron gets a big win on the road. The Rebels win by 10, 24-14.

    A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week One

    Georgia Tech put an end to Auburn's 15-game winning streak, Georgia won big over Boise St. in Athens and Alabama defeated Middle Tennessee St. 26-7 in Tuscaloosa.

    Georgia Tech at Auburn

    Auburn struggled in the first quarter and trailed 10-0 after Tech reached the end zone on the opening drive of the game, completing a seven-play, 65-yard drive on Reggie Ball's 35-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson. Then with 5:29 remaining in the first, Travis Bell was good from 32-yards out to complete the first quarter scoring.

    The Tigers' offense finally got things going in the first minute of the second quarter when Brandon Cox found Devin Aromashodu for a 37-yard touchdown pass to cut the score to 10-7. Tech then marched 77-yards on 12-plays and P.J. Daniels scored from 2-yards out to put his team up 17-7 with 1:48 left in the first half. Auburn quickly answered and cut the lead to 17-14 when Cox connected with Ben Obomanu on a 15-yard touchdown pass.

    Auburn's offense struggled in the second half and Cox threw four interceptions as the Tigers failed to put any points on the scoreboard. Tech extended its lead to 23-14 after Bell added two more field goals in the fourth quarter.

    In his first start as quarterback for Auburn, Cox threw for 342 yards on 22-of-44 attempts and threw two touchdowns. Obomanu caught six passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.

    The Tigers return to action against Mississippi State at home this week while Georgia Tech plays North Carolina at home.

    Boise St. at Georgia

    In a game that many thought would be close ended up being an easy win for 13th ranked Georgia. Boise St. couldn't recover after turning the ball over six times and lost 48-13 in Athens.

    Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley threw for 289 yards and had six total touchdowns in his first start and receiver Martrez Milner caught three passes for 111 yards. Boise St. quarterback Jared Zabransky had a miserable performance and finished with 8-for-17 passing for 70 yards and four interceptions.

    The Bulldogs take on South Carolina at home this week while Boise St. plays at Oregon St.

    Middle Tennessee State at Alabama

    Alabama had a solid game against Middle Tennessee in the season opener for both schools Saturday night. Brodie Croyle was 16-of-24 for 210 yards in the Tide's 26-7 victory.

    Tim Castille rushed for two touchdowns for Alabama but only finished with just seven yards as the Tide gained 133 yards on 37 rushing attempts as a team. Alabama's defense held the Blue Raiders to just nine first downs and 157 yards of total offense on the night.

    The Tide welcomes Southern Mississippi to Tuscaloosa this week, and the Blue Raiders play North Texas.

    UCF at South Carolina

    South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier improved to 15-1 in season-opening games in his 16 seasons as a head coach as the Gamecocks took care of Central Florida 24-15 Thursday night. USC quarterback Blake Mitchell threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns.

    The Gamecocks scored 14-straight points in the first quarter before UCF cut the lead to 14-3 after a 22-yard field goal from Matt Prater. USC answered with a 22-yard field goal by Josh Brown to make it 17-3 at the half.

    UCF kept things close in the second half before the game ended on an intentional safety by the Gamecocks with under a minute remaining. USC finished with 362 total yards in the contest, while UCF managed 341 yards of offense.

    The Gamecocks play at Georgia Saturday and UCF plays at South Florida.

    UAB at Tennessee

    UAB played well on the road and came close to tying the game late in the fourth quarter before third-ranked Tennessee ran the clock out and won 17-10 in Knoxville. The Vols' Gerald Riggs, Jr. ran for 110 yards and Rick Clausen threw for 217 yards and a touchdown.

    With 7:50 left in the fourth, the Blazers got to within seven after an 86-yard touchdown drive that was led by quarterback Darrell Hackney. Hackney completed 7-of-8 passes for 78 yards on the drive, capping it with a 27-yard catch and run to Reggie Lindsay. After Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge threw an interception, UAB had great field position on the Vols' 45-yard line. After moving the ball down to the 12, UAB failed to score on fourth down and Tennessee then ran out the clock.

    The Vols travel to Florida Saturday while UAB plays at Troy.

    Wyoming at Florida

    The Urban Meyer era at Florida got off to a good start with a 32-14 victory over Wyoming. Florida quarterback Chris Leak completed 26-of-34 passes for 320 yards and threw three touchdowns in the win.

    This week, Florida is at home against Louisiana Tech and Wyoming is also at home against Louisiana-Monroe.

    Missouri State at Arkansas

    Arkansas opened the season with a 49-17 victory over Missouri State Saturday night. Peyton Hillis ran for 135 yards and three touchdowns, and the Razorbacks rushed for 483 yards, their most since running for 501 against Air Force in 1975.

    Arkansas led 28-3 at halftime, but Division I-AA Missouri State made it 28-17 on an 86-yard touchdown run by P.J. Ikner in the third quarter. The Razorbacks put the game away in the fourth and now look forward to their game against Vanderbilt in Fayetteville Saturday.

    Murray State at Mississippi State

    The Bulldogs had an easy 38-6 victory against Murray State. Mississippi State quarterback Omarr Conner was 17-of-24 passing for 233 yards and threw a career-high four touchdown passes. Jerious Norwood rushed for 123 yards on 16 carries for the Bulldogs, and Mississippi State outgained the Racers 482-229 in total yards.

    Mississippi State plays at Auburn this weekend as both teams open SEC play.

    Vanderbilt at Wake Forest

    Vandy came from behind late in the fourth quarter to win on the road 24-20. Quarterback Jay Cutler completed 25-of-36 pass attempts and threw for 276 yards and a touchdown in the victory.

    Jeff Jennings scored late in the fourth on a five-yard run to secure the road win for the Commodores. Vanderbilt finished with 146 rushing yards while Wake Forest racked up 274 yards.

    The Deamon Deacons play at Nebraska and Vanderbilt travels to Arkansas this weekend.

    Louisville at Kentucky

    12th-ranked Louisville played well in the first half before only kicking a field goal in the entire second half. The Cardinals led 28-7 at halftime and held off a second half surge by Kentucky to win 31-24 Sunday afternoon.

    The Wildcats almost tied the game midway in the fourth, but Louisville came up with a huge stop. Andre Woodson, Kentucky's quarterback, had a chance to score from seven-yards out, but Louisville's Brandon Johnson stopped Woodson just before the goal line and stripped the ball loose before falling on it. The Cardinals were then able to control the clock by gaining some first downs.

    Michael Bush ran for 128 yards for Louisville and Andre Woodson threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns for Kentucky. The Cardinals face Oregon State September 17 at home and the Wildcats play Idaho State this weekend.

    Predictions For Week Two SEC Games

    The first week of predictions were 9-2. This week's games, Auburn opens up SEC play at home against Miss. St., Georgia and South Carolina square off in Athens, and Southern Miss travels to Alabama.

    Mississippi State at Auburn, 11:30 a.m CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Mississippi State won its opener against I-AA Murray State 38-6 and now has a tough task of visiting Jordan-Hare Stadium after Auburn's disappointing loss to Georgia Tech. The Tigers have spent this week watching film to try and figure out how to correct the mistakes that were made against the Yellow Jackets. Auburn needs to see improvement from quarterback Brandon Cox and the running game. If they want to get off to a good start in conference play, they will also need to put more than 14 points on the scoreboard.

    The Bulldogs are expected to be more competitive this year and have a decent quarterback in Omarr Conner and Jerious Norwood is a tailback who is capable of rushing for big yards. While Auburn failed to stop Reggie Ball and P.J. Daniels last week, Conner and Norwood will provide similar problems for the Tigers' defense this week. Head coach Sylvester Croom is in his second season and is still building his program. Luckily for Croom, Conner and Norwood are good enough to help the Bulldogs improve on a 3-8 record from last season.

    Auburn leads the series 54-22-2 and also leads in games played on the Plains, 24-5. The meeting in Starkville last year resulted in a 43-14 victory for the Tigers but the game Saturday should be much closer. While many Tiger fans fear Auburn will have trouble putting the stinging loss to Tech behind them, Auburn should rebound and open conference play with a victory. The Tigers have won 12 straight SEC openers dating back to 1993 and that streak continues with a 24-17 victory over Mississippi State.

    Southern Miss at Alabama, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Southern Miss wasn't able to play last week because of Hurricane Katrina. Head coach Jeff Bower should have his team ready to play against Alabama despite the distractions from Katrina. Bower has led the Eagles to 11 straight winning seasons, including a 7-5 finish a year ago. Southern Miss returns plenty of talent from last year's team but the Eagles haven't had much luck against the Tide in recent years. Alabama has won the last four meetings, including a 27-3 triumph a year ago. The Tide also holds a 33-6-2 lead in the series.

    While Alabama won easily last week against Middle Tennessee St., the offense struggled at times but still produced three touchdowns behind 345 total yards. The Tide's defense played well against the Blue Raiders and held them to just two first downs and 22 total yards in the second half. Alabama's defense is expected to play well all season and they should have another solid performance against Southern Miss this week. Alabama improves to 2-0 after a 21-10 victory.

    South Carolina at Georgia, 4:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Both teams won last week and will be looking to start conference play with a win. Georgia has won three straight in the series and is 24-6 against the Gamecocks in Athens including 19-5 in Sanford Stadium.

    Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley was impressive last week when he set a school record by accounting for six touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing). He was 16-for-24 for 289 yards and a team-high 85 yards rushing in just three quarters. USC's defense struggled some last week against Central Florida and they will have their hands full trying to slow down Shockley.

    While Steve Spurrier is back on the sidelines, he simply doesn't have the talent to beat the Bulldogs. Even though recent games in this series have been close, Shockley is very confident after his performance last week and he will have another solid game against the Gamecocks. Georgia makes it four straight against USC after a 38-17 victory.

    LSU at Arizona State, 7:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    The game was moved to Tempe due to Hurricane Katrina. LSU had to postpone their season-opener against North Texas last week. The game Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between LSU and Arizona State. Arizona State opened the season with a 63-16 victory over Temple. Running back Keegan Herring carried the ball 12 times for 134 yards and 1 touchdown in his Sun Devil debut to become the first true freshman to rush for over 100 yards since Mike Williams during the 2000 season.

    New LSU head coach Les Miles makes his debut on the road in a tough environment. If this game was being played in Baton Rouge, the Tigers would have the advantage. But with a new system and all of the distractions from last week, it will be hard for LSU to win on the road. The Sun Devils should win the low-scoring contest, 17-14.

    Louisiana Tech at Florida, 5 p.m. CT

    Florida gave Urban Meyer his first win as head coach with a 32-14 victory against Wyoming last Saturday. Meyer, who won multiple National Coach of the Year honors in 2003 and 2004 after posting a 22-2 record at Utah, brings a 17-game winning streak into the matchup against Louisiana Tech. The streak is the second-longest for any active head coach in the country behind Southern Cal's Pete Carroll (23).

    Quarterback Chris Leak played well last week completing 26-of-34 passes for 320 yards. The defense for the Gators also looked impressive against the Cowboys and should improve each week once they get comfortable under Meyer's system.

    The game against Florida will be the first of the year for the Bulldogs, who are coming off a 6-6 record in the 2004 season. The Louisiana Tech offensive unit lost six starters from a year ago, and there is not a proven leader at quarterback. The defense returns only four starters from a year ago. Florida will have complete control by halftime and will begin to look ahead to their matchup against Tennessee September 17. In the end, the Gators win 51-13.

    Vanderbilt at Arkansas 6 p.m. CT

    Vanderbilt is 1-0 for the first time in eight years after beating Wake Forest 24-20 last Thursday. Prior to the Wake Forest game, the last season opener won by the Commodores was a 29-12 victory against North Texas in 1997. Vanderbilt has a chance to have a decent team this year but they'll have a tough road game at Arkansas.

    The Razorbacks rushed for 483 yards last week against Southwest Missouri State. Peyton Hillis rushed for 135 yards and three touchdowns, while freshman Felix Jones ran for 137 yards. While Arkansas' running game looks to be strong, the quarterback situation is a big question. The defense has a chance to be good as eight starters return, but it is the same defense that ranked 76th in total defense in 2004 and 50th in scoring defense.

    This game should be close and the running game for the Razorbacks will be the difference. Arkansas wins 21-17.

    Idaho State at Kentucky, 5 p.m. CT

    This is the first-ever meeting between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Idaho State Bengals. Kentucky is 0-1 after a tough 31-24 loss to No. 12 Louisville last Sunday. The Wildcats rallied from a 21-point halftime deficit and held the Cardinals to just three points in the second half. Kentucky was led by wide receiver Keenan Burton who caught four passes for a career-high 98 yards and tailback Rafael Little, who rushed for a personal-best 71 yards. Quarterback Andre' Woodson completed 17-of-27 passes for 278 yards with two touchdowns.

    Idaho State is 1-0 after a 38-13 win over Southern Utah. The Bengals are I-AA and even though they are playing Kentucky, I-AA teams usually mean easy victories for SEC teams. Kentucky should keep the momentum going they achieved in the second half against Louisville and win easily over Idaho State. Wildcats in a laugher, 44-7.

    A Look Back At SEC Games From Week Two

    Both Auburn and Georgia opened SEC play with victories at home. Auburn defeated Mississippi State 28-0 and Georgia won 17-15 over South Carolina. Alabama defeated Southern Miss 31-20 in Tuscaloosa.

    Mississippi State at Auburn

    The Tigers bounced back from their season-opening loss to Georgia Tech last weekend to defeat Mississippi State 28-0 Saturday. Auburn's defense sacked Omarr Conner seven times for a loss of 35 yards and also recorded an interception. The stingy defense also held running back Jerious Norwood to just 39 yards on 10 carries.

    Brandon Cox threw two touchdown passes in the first half and finished the afternoon with 12-of-18 completions for 202 yards. Cox found tight end Cole Bennett in the first stanza for a 33-yard touchdown strike that gave the Tigers an early 7-0 lead. Then in the second quarter, Cox hit Devin Aromashodu for a 5-yard touchdown pass that put Auburn up 14-0 at halftime.

    Will Herring's fumble recovery on a misplayed punt turned into seven more points for the Tigers. Brad Lester scored from six-yards out to put his team up 28-0 in the fourth.

    The shutout for the Tigers was their first in league play since beating Alabama 9-0 in 2000. Mississippi State has now lost 16 consecutive games against SEC West opponents.

    Southern Miss at Alabama

    Alabama defeated Southern Miss 30-21 in non-conference action Saturday night in Tuscaloosa. Brodie Croyle completed 21-of-37 pass attempts and threw a pair of touchdowns in the win.

    The Tide's defense held the Golden Eagles' offense to just 199 yards of total offense. With a 21-17 lead at the half, Southern Miss failed to score in the second half. Alabama's Tim Castille scored twice from two-yards out in the second half to help the Tide defeat the Eagles. Alabama's offense racked up 470 total yards and the Tide is now 2-0.

    Alabama opens conference play on the road this week at South Carolina.

    South Carolina at Georgia

    Georgia held off South Carolina in the fourth quarter to win 17-15 in Athens. D.J. Shockley completed just 8-of-17 passes for 112 yard and threw two interceptions for the Bulldogs.

    Steve Spurrier is 11-2 all-time versus Georgia, with his only other defeat coming in 1997 when he coached at Florida. The Gamecocks fall to 1-1 on the season, while the Bulldogs improve to 2-0.

    Georgia led 17-9 with 11:24 remaining in the fourth. South Carolina's Blake Mitchell got his team within two after his four-yard touchdown pass to Sydney Rice with 6:52 left to play. Mitchell then failed to find Rice in the end zone for the two-point conversion attempt. Georgia ran out most of the remaining time and then sealed the victory with a sack of Mitchell, forcing a 4th-and-19 on the South Carolina 13. The Gamecocks failed to get the ensuing first down in the final minute.

    LSU at Arizona State

    LSU opened their season with a 35-31 victory at Arizona State. JaMarcus Russell threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet on fourth down with 1:13 left to play that gave the Tigers the come from behind victory. Russell finished 16-of-29 for 232 yards and capped a wild fourth quarter with the game-winning score.

    Sam Keller had a huge performance in the loss for the Sun Devils. Keller threw for a career-high 461 yards along with four touchdowns, including a pair of scoring strikes that twice put Arizona State ahead in a final 15 minutes which featured 42 total points and five lead changes.

    LSU is off this week and will host Tennessee September 24. The Sun Devils play Northwestern at home Saturday.

    Vanderbilt at Arkansas

    Vanderbilt opened SEC play with an exciting 28-24 come from behind victory over Arkansas in Fayetteville. Commodores' quarterback Jay Cutler found Marlon White from six yards out with 26 seconds left in the fourth for the winning touchdown. Culter completed 23-of-45 pass attempts for 278 yards and Vanderbilt is 2-0 on the young season.

    The contest was tied 10-10 at the half and the Commodores took a 13-10 lead early in the third when Bryant Hahnfeldt hit a 28-yard field goal. Arkansas answered quickly and scored a pair of touchdowns to take a 24-13 lead heading into the fourth. In the fourth, the Commodores pulled within three points thanks to a Cutler 20-yard touchdown pass and two-point conversion toss to White, who would be heard from again in the game's final minute.

    Vanderbilt has an excellent chance to become 3-0 when they host Ole Miss this week, while Arkansas travels to No. 1 ranked Southern Cal.

    Louisiana Tech at Florida

    Florida dominated La Tech at home Saturday and improved to 2-0 after the 41-3 victory. Chris Leak completed 13-of-23 passes for 219 yards for the Gators and also passed for two touchdowns. DeShawn Wynn added 101 rushing yards and three total touchdowns for Florida.

    Florida Head coach Urban Meyer has won 18 straight games as a head coach and will look to extend that streak when his team opens conference play at home against 6th-ranked Tennessee. The Vols were off this week after beating UAB 17-10 September 3.

    Idaho State at Kentucky

    Kentucky bounced back from a disappointing 31-24 loss to Louisville on September 3 to defeat I-AA Idaho State 41-29 Saturday night in Lexington. The Wildcats' Rafael Little rushed for a career-high 104 yards and returned a fourth-quarter kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.

    The Bengals actually led 29-28 with 5:06 left in the fourth before Little put Kentucky up for good with the 99-yard kickoff return. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown by Kentucky since November 2002, and the fourth-longest return in school history.

    The Wildcats hit the road this week for a non-conference game at Indiana.

    Predictions For Week Three SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, and overall they are 14-4. This week, Auburn and Georgia play non-conference games at home. In conference action, Alabama and South Carolina battle in Columbia, and Tennessee plays in The Swamp against Florida.

    Ball State at Auburn, 1:30 p.m CT, Pay-Per-View

    Auburn's only meeting with Ball State was back in 2001 and the Tigers won 30-0. The Cardinals face an Auburn team that's 1-1 on the season, while Ball State is 0-2 after losing to Iowa 56-0 and Bowling Green 40-31. This season, the Cardinals will have played Iowa, Auburn, and Boston College. Last Year, they also played Boston College, Purdue and Missouri.

    The Tigers are still searching for a running game. Overall, Auburn's running backs have gained 151 yards in two games. Tre Smith may miss Saturday's game after injuring his knee in the first half against Mississippi State. This week's game, and the game against Western Kentucky next week should give Auburn's running backs a chance to gain experience before the Tigers face tough SEC opponents in October and November.

    Ball State will be without seven players when they visit the Plains because of NCAA violations that found athletes obtained textbooks not required for their own courses. Look for Auburn's defense to play well again this week and the Cardinals will fail to put any points on the scoreboard. The Tigers win 41-0.

    Alabama at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    South Carolina enters the game with Alabama very confident after a strong performance in Athens last weekend. The Gamecocks came up short in the 17-15 loss but had a chance to upset the Bulldogs. Alabama owns a 9-3 lead in the all-time series with South Carolina.

    USC needs to be successful both in the air and on the ground. Quarterback Blake Mitchell has been solid so far, but the Gamecocks' rushing game has been weak. In the victory over Central Florida, USC netted 43 yards on 23 attempts, and in the loss to Georgia, the Gamecocks managed only 32 rushing yards on 28 carries. USC head coach Steve Spurrier wants to run the ball against a Tide defense that's excellent in stopping the run. Mitchell will have to be on top of his game if the Gamecocks want to win.

    Alabama's rushing attack hasn't been all that impressive either. Quarterback Brodie Croyle is healthy and will be the key for the Tide in Saturday's game. Since the Gamecocks held D.J. Shockley to 8-of-17 passing with a pair of interceptions in last week's loss, they'll look to have the same performance this week and stop Croyle from putting up big numbers. While USC came up short last week, they should bounce back and win at home, 21-17.

    Tennessee at Florida, 7 p.m. CT, CBS

    In last year's meeting in Knoxville, the Vols kicked a field goal late in the fourth quarter to win 30-28. Under first year head coach Urban Meyer the Gators are 2-0, and the Vols are 1-0 after a 17-10 victory over UAB September 3.

    Tennessee is ranked fifth and this matches the third-highest ranked Volunteer squad the Gators have ever faced as UT was No. 4 in 1997 and 2002. Four of the last seven games in the series have been decided by three points or less. The Gators are12-6 when Florida and Tennessee are both ranked.

    Since the game in being played in The Swamp, Florida has the edge. The Gators by 10, 27-17.

    Louisiana-Monroe at Georgia, 12:00 p.m. CT

    Seventh-ranked Georgia takes on UL-Monroe in Athens. The Indians are 0-2 after losing to Wyoming and I-AA Northwestern State. The Bulldogs have been impressive so far this season, especially on defense. Georgia is 2-0 after big wins at home against Boise State and South Carolina. This weekend's game is the last of three straight home games to open the season for Georgia, and the squad has the tough task of playing its next three contests, all against SEC teams, on the road.

    This contest will give head coach Mark Richt the opportunity to play a lot of young players while resting his starters so they'll be fresh for the next three games that are on the road. Expect the second and third string players to be on the field for Georgia before halftime. The Bulldogs can begin to look forward to the big matchup at Tennessee October 8. Georgia by 40, 47-7.

    Arkansas at Southern California, 9:15 p.m. CT, FSN

    Southern Cal is favored to win by 31 points and they could easily surpass that number. Arkansas is still trying to recover from the 28-24 loss to Vanderbilt at home last week. The Trojans are trying to win their third national championship in a row. They have also won a school-record 21 in a row at The Coliseum in Los Angeles. The only good news for the Razorbacks, they currently lead the nation in rushing offense. There's always bad news though when you play USC. The Trojans led the country last season in rushing defense.

    USC dominates every team they play, and Saturday's game will have the same results. The Trojans win big, 51-10.

    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    News coming out of Nashville over the summer had Vanderbilt being a much improved team in 2005, and so far the predictions were correct. With the road win at Arkansas last week, the Commodores matched their total for wins for the entire season last year.

    After two victories on the road, Vanderbilt finally has a chance to play in front of the home crowd in Nashville this week. In the series with Ole Miss, the Commodores hold a 24-20-2 lead in games played in Nashville, although the Rebels have won the last five meetings at Vanderbilt Stadium.

    The Rebels are 1-0 after winning 10-6 at Memphis September 5. They are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2002. Ole Miss leads the series 45-32-2 and have won 11 of the last 12 meetings since 1992. Vanderbilt's last win in the series was a 37-34 overtime victory in Oxford back in 1999. The Commodores will stay hot and improve to 3-0 after a 21-15 victory.

    Mississippi State at Tulane, 7 p.m. CT

    Tulane's season gets underway after almost being cancelled because of the damage left by Katrina. The Green Wave will use Louisiana Tech's facilities for the remainder of the year. Last year, Tulane finished 5-6 but should be able to improve on that mark with the return of several key players on each side of the ball. In the meeting last year with the Bulldogs, MSU won 28-7. With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 28-25-2 all-time against the Green Wave.

    MSU is 1-1 after winning at home against Murray State in the season opener and then were blanked by Auburn 28-0 last weekend. Omarr Conner and Jerious Norwood failed to do much against the stingy Auburn defense. Tulane will be ready to play on Saturday after a long wait to start its season. MSU is still trying to figure out what went wrong against Auburn. The Green Wave start their season with a win, 24-14.

    Kentucky at Indiana, 5:45 p.m. CT, ESPN Classic

    Kentucky has won three straight in the series, including a 51-32 victory last season in Lexington. The overall series is deadlocked at 17-17-1. Indiana holds a 9-3-1 lead in games played in Bloomington. With a win Saturday, the Hoosiers would be 3-0 for the first time since 1994. The Wildcats are 1-1 after losing to Louisville and beating Idaho State 41-29 last Saturday.

    If Kentucky plays like they did in the second half against Louisville, they could hand Indiana its first loss of the season. Even though the Wildcats have won three straight in the series, the Hoosiers will end that streak with a close 28-24 victory.

    A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Three

    Auburn and Georgia won easily at home in non-conference action. Florida won an important SEC game at home against Tennessee, and Alabama won on the road at South Carolina.

    Ball State at Auburn

    In non-conference action at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Tigers crushed Ball State 63-3. Kenny Irons led Auburn with 147 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns.

    In the contest, the Tigers rushed for 390 yards, had five tailbacks score and reached the end zone on every possession against the Cardinals. Brandon Cox was solid passing for 171 yards on 16-of-19 attempts and a score.

    Ball State avoided the shutout with a 33-yard field goal by Brian Jackson at the 9:06 mark of the third quarter, but even that was answered on the ensuing kickoff with a 93-yard return for a touchdown by Brad Lester.

    Auburn plays at home again this week when they face I-AA Western Kentucky for homecoming. Kickoff Saturday is at 1:30 p.m. CT.

    Alabama at South Carolina

    South Carolina's offense struggled at home in the 37-14 loss to Alabama. The Gamecocks gained just 71 yards on 19 rushing plays, and converted only 4-of-12 third-down attempts.

    After USC tied the game 7-7 in the first quarter, the Tide scored 30 unanswered points, beginning with a 46-yard scoring strike from Brodie Croyle to Keith Brown with 3:06 to play in the first. Croyle finished the contest 12-of-21 for 115 yards.

    With just under six minutes remaining in the game, the Gamecocks finally scored again when Blake Mitchell found Sidney Rice for a six-yard touchdown pass, resulting in a 23-point victory for Alabama.

    Alabama plays Arkansas at home Saturday while USC hosts Troy.

    Tennessee at Florida

    Florida head coach Urban Meyer ran his overall winning streak to 19 straight games after the 16-7 victory over Tennessee. Meyer has the second longest active winning streak in the country behind only Southern California's Pete Carroll.

    Tied 7-7 at halftime, three field goals in the second half by Chris Hetland helped the Gators knock off the Vols in The Swamp. Hetland was good from 38-yards and 35-yards in the third quarter, then added a short 20-yard kick in the fourth that gave Florida a two-score lead.

    Tennessee tries to bounce back from the loss on the road at LSU this week and the Gators play at Kentucky.

    Louisiana-Monroe at Georgia

    Georgia defeated UL-Monroe 44-7 in Athens Saturday. D.J. Shockley completed 13-of-20 passes for 246 yards with a touchdown, while also rushing for 44 yards and a score on just three attempts.

    UL-Monroe got as close as 10 points early in the third after a two-yard touchdown run by quarterback Steven Jyles. Georgia answered quickly and extended its lead 20-7 on a 40-yard field goal by Brandon Coutu, then went up 27-7 on Kregg Lumpkin's 18-yard touchdown run.

    Charles Johnson added a defensive touchdown late in the third, recovering a fumble in the end zone. Coutu then nailed a 58-yard field goal to make the score 37-7 with 5:27 left to play. The final touchdown in the game for the Bulldogs came on Tyson Browning's 16-yard run after a UL-Monroe turnover.

    Arkansas at Southern California

    Matt Leinart ended the night with 18-of-24 completions for 381 yards and four touchdowns as No. 1 Southern California won easily 70-17 over Arkansas. Leinart has now thrown 78 touchdown passes in his career, surpassing John Elway (77) for second place in Pac-10 history. Reggie Bush contributed 195 total yards, including 125 on the ground, to go along with two scores for the two-time defending national champion Trojans, who extended the country's longest winning streak to 24 games.

    USC scored a touchdown on 10 of its 13 possessions and amassed 736 net yards, compared to just 326 by the Razorbacks.

    Arkansas plays a tough road game against Alabama this week, while the Trojans play at Oregon.

    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

    Vanderbilt is 3-0 after beating Ole Miss 31-23. Commodore running back Jeff Jennings rushed for 103 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 314 yards on 24-of-41 completions.

    Jennings' final rushing touchdown came from one yard out with just 1:26 remaining to give Vanderbilt an eight-point lead. With their final chance, the Rebels lost quarterback Michael Spurlock to injury near midfield. Backup Robert Lane drove Ole Miss down to the Vanderbilt 16-yard line, but fumbled on third-and-five and the Commodores' Moses Osemwegie recovered with one second left to secure the win.

    Vanderbilt, who had lost 11 of their last 12 meetings with the Rebels coming into the contest, outgained Ole Miss 523-400 on the day. The Rebels host Wyoming this week and the Commodores play Richmond at home.

    Mississippi State at Tulane

    In Shreveport, Tulane lost its first game of the season 21-14 to MSU. Bulldog running back Jerious Norwood rushed for 99 yards on 21 carries, and quarterback Omarr Conner threw for 108 yards on 13-of-26 attempts.

    After a scoreless first half, MSU scored early in the third when Norwood pulled in a three-yard touchdown pass from Conner, then added to its lead midway through the quarter behind an Eric Butler 18-yard touchdown reception from Conner. Tulane finally scored when Damarcus Davis caught an11-yard touchdown pass from Lester Ricard. Then early in the fourth, the Green Wave made it 14-14 when Jovon Jackson ran for an 18-yard touchdown.

    The Bulldogs put the game away when Norwood scored from 17-yards out and then the defense kept Tulane from scoring for the remainder of the contest. Neither team had much success moving the ball, as Tulane finished with just 293 total yards and MSU had only 225 yards.

    MSU returns to conference action this week when they host seventh-ranked Georgia. Tulane plays at SMU.

    Kentucky at Indiana

    In non-conference action, Indiana improved to 3-0 after a 38-14 victory over Kentucky. Blake Powers completed 17-of-22 passes for 135 yards and four touchdowns for the Hoosiers and Chris Taylor finished with 176 yards on 17 attempts.

    Indiana led 17-0 at the half and the Wildcats finally got on the board early in the third quarter when Rafael Little scored from 13-yards out. The Hoosiers extended their lead back to 17 points following a nine-yard pass from Powers to Brandon Walker-Roby just over a minute later, then Powers found James Hardy for a four-yard touchdown pass at the 1:26 mark in the third quarter.

    Kentucky cut Indiana's lead to 31-14 when Andre' Woodson threw a 79-yard touchdown to Scott Mitchell. The fourth quarter opened with a one-yard touchdown run by Yamar Washington, giving Indiana the 24-point victory.

    Kentucky meets Florida at home this week and the Hoosiers play at Wisconsin.

    Predictions For Week Four SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 6-2, and overall they are 20-6. The top game in the conference this week features Tennessee at LSU. In other games, Auburn plays Western Kentucky, Georgia plays at Mississippi St., and Alabama is home against Arkansas.

    Western Kentucky at Auburn, 1:30 p.m CT

    Auburn meets the top-ranked team in I-AA this week for homecoming on the Plains. The Tigers have played Western Kentucky just once previously, earning a 48-3 home victory on Sept. 27, 2003. Among Division I-AA teams, Western Kentucky is ranked fourth in the nation in both rushing offense (322.0) and rushing defense (31.0) and is sixth in total offense (502.0). Senior Lerron Moore is ranked second in Division I-AA averaging 150 yards rushing per game.

    Auburn's defense only allowed 198 yards against Ball State last week and has given up just three points to their two most recent opponents. Quarterback Brandon Cox completed 84 percent of his passes on 16-of-19 against the Cardinals. Five different running backs scored seven touchdowns. Kenny Irons and Brad Lester combined to rush for 238 yards on only 19 carries.

    This week's game against Western Kentucky should be more competitive than the 63-3 victory over Ball State last week. Auburn will once again have the opportunity to play a lot of young players and also rest some of the starters before getting back into conference action Oct. 1. The Tigers win their final non-conference game of the regular-season 45-9.

    Arkansas at Alabama, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Alabama displayed a strong performance against South Carolina last week. Arkansas was embarrassed at Southern Cal. It seems these two teams are headed in the opposite direction. The Crimson Tide are 3-0 and Mike Shula is off the hot seat for now. Meanwhile, Arkansas is 1-2 and Houston Nutt is in danger of losing his job. Nutt could probably save his job with a big win in Tuscaloosa, but that isn't likely.

    Junior running back Kenneth Darby was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 145 yards and one touchdown against the Gamecocks. Quarterback Brodie Croyle seems to have found his game and the offensive line for the Crimson Tide has played well despite being young.

    Alabama's defense is probably one of the best in the nation. They have held all three of their opponents to under 250 yards of total offense. The Tide should keep a sluggish Razorback offense under 250 yards this week. Also expect Alabama to score early and often. Arkansas loses big for the second straight week, 42-13.

    Georgia at Mississippi State, 8 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    The battle of the Bulldogs takes place in Starkville. This is the first time they have played since 1997. Georgia leads the all-time series 14-5, including 3-1 in Starkville. UGA is 3-0 on the young season and the defense has been solid so far. In the three victories, the unit has only allowed 35 points while forcing 12 turnovers. On offense, D.J. Shockley averages 7.7 yards per carry while also throwing the ball effectively.

    Mississippi State had a pretty big win on the road against Tulane last week, but the return to conference play against Georgia means they'll face a much better defense. Look for UGA to contain MSU quarterback Omarr Conner and running back Jerious Norwood much like Auburn did a few weeks ago. Georgia by 25, 35-10.

    Tennessee at LSU, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    LSU had last week off while Tennessee lost 16-7 at Florida. In the loss to the Gators, the Vols' offense was anemic. No receiver had even 30 yards receiving, and running back Gerald Riggs rushed for only 86 yards. Tennessee also botched four separate special teams plays — a fumbled punt return, a poorly executed fake punt, a shanked punt and a blocked field goal attempt — which was the difference between winning and losing to the Gators.

    The Tigers will be ready play for their home opener. LSU is 1-0 after a 35-31 victory at Arizona State. The defense gave up 461 passing yards against the Sun Devils and that would be a concern if they were playing a team with a strong passing game. The quarterback rotation of Erik Ainge and Rick Clausen for the Vols hasn't produced much offense. In two games this season, Tennessee has scored 24 total points.

    In four of the last six meetings in this series, both teams have scored at least 20 points. In this year's meeting, only one team will score more than 20 points and that team will be LSU. The Tigers improve to 2-0 after the 24-14 victory.

    Florida at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Florida is 3-0 under new head coach Urban Meyer. The Gators have won 18 straight against Kentucky. Florida's 18-game win streak against the Wildcats is the fifth longest current streak on the NCAA major division I most consecutive wins over a major opponent in an uninterrupted series list. The Wildcats' last win over the Gators was a 10-3 decision in Lexington in 1986.

    The Gators may get caught looking ahead to next week's game at Alabama. That shouldn't happen as Meyer will have his team ready to play in Lexington. Florida makes it 19 straight against Kentucky after the 40-10 victory.

    Troy at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT, Pay-Per-View

    The game Saturday will be the second meeting between these two schools. In the 17-7 victory last year for USC, the Gamecocks' defense limited the Trojans to just nine first downs and 207 total yards. Both teams suffered disappointing losses last week. Against Alabama, USC was held to under 300 yards of total offense and they haven't scored more than 24 points in any game this season.

    The Trojans have struggled in the running game on both sides of the ball. Troy's opponents have rushed for 538 yards in three games, an average of 179.3 yards per contest, while the Trojans have gained just 155 yards rushing, an average of 51.7 yards per game.

    Troy's defense is down from where it was last year and this should give USC a chance to get things going on offense. The Gamecocks finally put a lot of points on the scoreboard in the 30-7 victory.

    Wyoming at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. CT

    After losing 37-32 in the first-ever meeting with Wyoming last year in Laramie, Ole Miss never really recovered. The Rebels have a new head coach this year and will be looking for some revenge at home against the Cowboys. They will also look to bounce back from last week's loss to Vanderbilt.

    Wyoming is 2-1 on the season after losing 32-14 at Florida to start the season, then they beat UL-Monroe at home and won at home against Air Force. In last year's meeting with Ole Miss, the Rebels outgained Wyoming, but had some costly turnovers in the second half. This year's contest should be close again with the Rebels coming out on top, 27-23.

    Richmond at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT

    Vanderbilt is 3-0 to start a season for the first time since it produced a 4-0 record to start the 1984 campaign, and is 2-0 in the SEC for the first time since 1956. In non-conference action this week, the Commodores meet 1-2 Richmond. The Spiders loss to UMass and Lafayette to start the season before winning at Maine 26-21 last week.

    Commodore quarterback Jay Cutler needs 17 yards to pass Greg Zolman's mark of 7,696 all-purpose yards for the school record. Vanderbilt may have a letdown this week after the big win over Ole Miss last week. With the next four games at home, the Commodores could possibly be 7-0. They'll definitely be 4-0 after the 38-12 victory over Richmond.

    A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Four

    Auburn took care of Western Kentucky at home. Both Alabama and Florida won to remain undefeated and will meet October 1 in Tuscaloosa. Vanderbilt is off to a great start and is the surprise team in the conference with a 4-0 record.

    Western Kentucky at Auburn

    In his first career start, Blake Field led Auburn to a 37-14 victory over top-ranked I-AA Western Kentucky. Field completed 13-of-20 passes for 200 yards and threw three touchdowns in the contest after Brandon Cox got sick with a stomach virus and was unable to play. Cox will return as the starting quarterback when the Tigers host South Carolina Saturday night at 6 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on ESPN2.

    Auburn led 24-0 at halftime and held the Hilltoppers to just 98 yards total offense in the first half. For the second week in a row, Kenny Irons rushed for over 100 yards. Irons rushed 18 times for 111 yards and scored a touchdown. The Tigers finished with 209 total yards on the ground.

    Western Kentucky scored two fourth quarter touchdowns against the second-string Auburn defense. Quarterback Justin Haddix rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown and completed 11-of-21 passes for 176 yards for the Hilltoppers. He was intercepted twice.

    Arkansas at Alabama

    Alabama scored late in the fourth to put the game out of reach and improved to 4-0. Quarterback Brodie Croyle found D.J. Hall all alone in the endzone with 2:22 left to give the Crimson Tide the 24-13 conference victory. Croyle finished with 173 yards on 13-of-27 attempts and two touchdown passes.

    Both offenses struggled in the first half and Alabama took a 7-3 lead into halftime. The Tide opened the third quarter with a 36-yard field goal by Jamie Christensen to go up 10-3. The score remained 10-3 until early in the fourth when Tim Castille scored from one-yard out with 14:53 left in the contest.

    Arkansas fought back to cut Alabama's lead to 17-10 on just two plays that covered 82 yards. The Razorbacks then blocked a punt and Chris Balseiro cut it to 17-13 with his 27-yard field goal with 9:53 remaining. Alabama's Juwan Simpson then intercepted a Robert Johnson pass that set up the final touchdown pass by Croyle.

    The Crimson Tide play fifth-ranked Florida at home this week and the Razorbacks have the weekend off.

    Florida at Kentucky

    Chris Leak had a huge day to lead Florida to a 49-29 victory over Kentucky in Lexington. Leak went 25-of-32 for 319 yards with four touchdowns on the afternoon and the Gators now look forward to the showdown with undefeated Alabama Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The game will be nationally televised by CBS with a kickoff time set for 2:30 p.m. CT.

    With the victory Saturday, Florida has won 19 in a row over Kentucky and the Gators lead the all-time series 39-17.

    Wyoming at Ole Miss

    In Oxford, Wyoming defeated Ole Miss 24-14 in non-conference action. The Cowboys' Corey Bramlet completed 17-of-33 attempts for 220 yards and threw two touchdowns. Wyoming improves to 3-1 on the season, while the Rebels fall to 1-2.

    Mico McSwain gave Ole Miss an early 7-0 lead on a 60-yard touchdown run. Wyoming then scored 24 unanswered points, beginning with a five-yard touchdown run by Wynel Seldon with 4:35 to play in the second. Jovon Bouknight, who finished with four catches for 60 yards, reeled in a 29-yard scoring strike from Bramlet, but a missed PAT left the Cowboys with a 13-7 advantage at halftime.

    In the third, kicker Deric Yaussi's 53-yard field goal pushed the Wyoming advantage to 16-7. With six seconds to play in the quarter Bramlet hit Wade Betschart with a four-yard touchdown pass and then found Jason Wallace for the two-point conversion to go up 24-7.

    Ole Miss backup quarterback Michael Spurlock, who completed 5-of-14 passes for 83 yards, found Mike Espy on a 41-yard TD connection at the 1:33 mark in the fourth to cut the margin to 10 points.

    The Rebels play at Tennessee October 1 and Wyoming hosts UNLV.

    Richmond at Vanderbilt

    Vanderbilt is 4-0 for the first time since 1984 after an easy 37-13 victory over I-AA Richmond. Quarterback Jay Cutler completed 28-of-40 for 263 yards and three touchdowns. Cutler set the school's total yardage record with 6,769 and also broke the touchdown record with 44.

    The Commodores are just two wins away from becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 1982. They host Middle Tennessee State in non-conference action this week.

    Troy at South Carolina

    South Carolina finally put a lot of points on the scoreboard against Troy and won at home 45-20. Gamecock quarterback Blake Mitchell completed 11-of-14 pass attempts for 177 yards and two touchdowns during the contest. Mitchell left with an apparent leg injury, but x-rays did not show any broken bones.

    The highlight for the Trojans came on Leodis McKelvin's 100-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. Troy is 1-3 on the season, USC is now 2-2.

    The Gamecocks return to conference action this week at Auburn and Troy plays at North Texas.

    Georgia at Mississippi State

    No. 7 Georgia defeated Mississippi State 23-10 in Starkville. D.J. Shockley threw for two touchdowns and Danny Ware and Leonard Pope both had touchdown catches for the Bulldogs. Shockley ended the night 21-of-36 for 312 yards as Georgia improved to 4-0 overall, 2-0 in the conference.

    MSU took an early 3-0 after Keith Andrews hit a 34-yard field goal. Then on its ensuing possession, Georgia took a 7-3 lead after Shockley hit Ware on a 28-yard touchdown pass. Georgia went up 14-3 late in the second after Leonard Pope caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Shockley.

    Georgia scored on its first two possessions in the second half after kicker Brandon Coutu connected on kicks of 28 and 23-yards to extend Georgia's lead. Coutu also kicked another 23-yarder in the fourth quarter to put Georgia up 23-3. MSU scored in the fourth when Omarr Conner found Eric Butler four-yards out, but Georgia's defense held MSU from scoring late in the fourth to seal the victory.

    Georgia has the weekend off before playing at Tennessee October 8. MSU hosts LSU this week.

    Predictions For Week Five SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 6-2, and overall they are 26-8. The big matchup this week features Florida at Alabama. Both teams are 4-0 and nationally ranked. Auburn returns to conference action at home this week against South Carolina.

    South Carolina at Auburn, 6:00 p.m CT, ESPN2

    Brandon Cox will be back under center this week after being out with a stomach virus last week when Western Kentucky visited Jordan-Hare. Backup Blake Field did a nice job in his first-career start against the Hilltoppers. After two straight games against non-conference opponents, Auburn's next seven are against SEC opponents, beginning with South Carolina at home this week.

    The Gamecocks are fresh off a 45-20 victory against Troy last week. Quarterback Blake Mitchell suffered a leg injury and is doubtful to play against the Tigers. That gives Steve Spurrier no choice but to start backup Antonio Heffner in an hostile environment on the road. The Auburn defense should create a lot of turnovers as Heffner is likely to make some crucial mistakes. The USC running game has been weak this season with Mike Davis gaining just 138 total yards in four games.

    The Tigers' offense has been solid since the sub-par performance against Georgia Tech. Running back Kenny Irons will look to have a big game against his former team as he tries to rush for over 100 yards in the third straight game. The injury situation looks good for Auburn and the starters are well rested after not playing much against Ball State and Western Kentucky. The stingy defense is only allowing 10 points per contest and it should hold the Gamecocks at or below 10. Auburn wins easily 34-10.

    Florida at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    This should be a defensive battle as both teams have excellent defenses. Florida ranks fifth in overall defense and Alabama comes in ranked seventh. Both teams running games haven't been too impressive. The Gators average only 3.64 yards per attempt, and the Tide doesn't fair much better.

    Both teams enter the game undefeated for the second time in the series and both are ranked for the 10th time in the series and the eighth time in the last nine meetings. The Crimson Tide holds a 19-12 edge, however, Florida has won seven of the last 10 meetings. Florida quarterback Chris Leak and Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle will have to play well and the quarterback that doesn't make any mistakes should help his team win. Since Alabama hasn't really played a solid opponent this year, the edge goes to Florida to win this contest on the road. The Gators by 7, 21-14.

    LSU at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    LSU looked like two different teams in the overtime loss at home to Tennessee. The Tigers dominated the first half, then fell flat in the second. It'll be interesting to see if they bounce back after the tough defeat while also having a short week to prepare for Mississippi State.

    The Bulldogs are 2-2 on the season and are 0-2 in conference play after losing to Auburn September 10 and Georgia last week. Mississippi State is still a few years away from being competitive in the conference, but have enough talent on this year's squad to possibly pull off an upset.

    MSU has not won a game against a divisional opponent since the final league game of the 2001 season, a streak that has reached a school-record 16 games. That streak should continue this week against LSU. The Tigers take out their frustrations against the Bulldogs and win 28-13.

    Ole Miss at Tennessee, 11:30 p.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Tennessee also has a short week to prepare for Ole Miss after Monday's game. The short week will be more pleasant for the Vols since they came from behind to win on the road. Tennessee holds a 42-18-1 advantage in the series and has won 11 straight in the series since a 41-17 win in 1984 and 13 of the last 14 dating back to 1981.

    After suffering a disappointing defeat at Vanderbilt two weeks ago, the Rebels were outplayed by Wyoming last week. The 24–14 home loss was only the third home loss in 26 games at Oxford against non-conference opposition. The quarterback situation for Ole Miss is really in bad shape. Robert Lane and starter Michael Spurlock have both been ineffective. Without a solid quarterback, the Rebels will have trouble winning many games.

    The Vols may have trouble staying focused against a struggling Ole Miss team. That isn't likely to happen as they carry the momentum that was established in the second half against LSU over to this game. Tennessee wins at home, 27-9.

    Middle Tennessee State at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT

    Vandy quarterback Jay Cutler continues to play well and that has helped the Commodores start 4-0 for the first time since 1984. Last week against Richmond, Cutler completed 70 percent of his passes on 28-of-40 for 262 yards.

    This week, Middle Tennessee hopes to knock off Vandy and spoil their perfect season. The Blue Raiders had the week off to prepare for this game. To have a chance they’ll need to improve on the offensive side of the ball. MTSU is 0–3 and have failed to score more than seven points in each of their three losses.

    The Commodores' offense and defense is too solid to let the Blue Raiders pull off the upset in Nashville. Vandy improves to 5-0 for the first time since 1937 after the 28-14 victory.

    A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Five

    Auburn defeated South Carolina 48-7, Alabama looked impressive at home against Florida, and Vanderbilt was upset by Middle Tennessee State in Nashville.

    South Carolina at Auburn

    The Tigers improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the SEC after an impressive 48-7 victory over the Gamecocks. Auburn's defense held South Carolina to two first downs and 78 yards of total offense in the first half. It was the fourth game in a row that Auburn held its opponent scoreless in the first half.

    With the loss, Steve Spurrier has now lost three straight Southeastern Conference games for the first time in his career. The Gamecocks fall to 2-3 overall and will face Kentucky at home this week.

    Auburn has a much needed weekend off this week before going on the road October 15 at Arkansas and at LSU, October 22.

    Florida at Alabama

    Alabama dominated Florida and improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1996. The 31-3 victory helped the Tide move up to No. 7 in the latest AP poll, its highest ranking since being third in the September 3, 2000 poll.

    Brodie Croyle completed 14-of-17 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Tyrone Prothro was on the receiving end for most of those yards and caught both touchdowns. Things ended on a sour note for Prothro in the fourth quarter when he broke his leg in two places, which likely ended his season.

    It was the Gators' worst defeat since losing 36-7 to LSU in 2002 and ended head coach Urban Meyer's personal 20-game winning streak at Utah and Florida. The Gators will look to bounce back against Mississippi State this week, while Alabama has the weekend off.

    LSU at Mississippi State

    LSU bounced back from a disappointing loss to Tennessee to defeat the Bulldogs 37-7. Mississippi State has now lost 17 straight against SEC Western Division opponents. LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell completed 20-of-23 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns.

    The last win for Mississippi State over an SEC West team was a 36-28 victory over Ole Miss in 2001. Omarr Conner was 9-of-22 for 141 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Bulldogs, who have dropped six straight and 13 of their last 14 meetings with LSU.

    This week, LSU is at Vanderbilt and Mississippi State travels to Florida.

    Middle Tennessee at Vanderbilt

    Vanderbilt came up short with no time left in regulation and lost 17-15 in non-conference action to MTSU. The 36-yard field goal attempt by Bryant Hahnfeldt was blocked and the Commodores' perfect season was spoiled by the 1-3 Blue Raiders.

    The Commodores scored the only points of the first quarter on a 42-yard field goal by Hahnfeldt. MTSU would answer with back-to-back rushing touchdowns, a three-yard run by Clint Marks and an eight-yard run by Eugene Gross late in the second quarter.

    Down 14-3, Hanfeldt was good from 20-yards out to make the score 14-6 at the half. Vanderbilt then got to within five in the third on another field goal by Hahnfeldt, this time from 42-yards out. Quarterback Jay Cutler then found Erik Davis on a 16-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth, but a failed two-point conversion left the Commodores leading only 15-14. The Blue Raiders then regained the lead with less than seven minutes left in regulation, as Colby Smith connected on a 29-yard kick.

    With the loss, Vanderbilt falls to 4-1 and takes on LSU at home this week.

    Ole Miss at Tennessee

    Tennessee handled Ole Miss at Neyland Stadium and improves to 3-1 overall, 2-1 SEC. In the 27-10 victory, Gerald Riggs Jr. ran for 125 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Rick Clausen completed 18 of his 35 attempts for 206 yards. The Volunteers have won the last 12 meetings with the Rebels.

    Tennessee hosts Georgia this week in an important game that could decide the SEC East. Ole Miss plays the Citadel in non-conference action.

    Predictions For Week Six SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 3-2, overall they are 29-10. The big game in the SEC this week features UGA at Tennessee. UGA is 4-0, UT is 3-1 and both teams are ranked in the top ten. Auburn is off this week and returns to action Oct. 15 at Arkansas.

    Georgia at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m CT, CBS

    Last year, Georgia's 17-game winning streak at Sanford Stadium was snapped by the Vols in a 19–14 loss that kept them out of a third consecutive SEC Championship Game. That marked Phil Fulmer’s only win in the last five years against Mark Richt.

    Bulldog quarterback D.J. Shockley and Tennessee quarterback Rick Clausen did not start in last year's contest. Shockley has started in each of Georgia's four games and has performed well. Clausen shared the starting job with Erik Ainge early in the season, but his impressive performance in the Vols' comeback victory at LSU earned him the start last week at home against Ole Miss. Clausen will start again this week which should give the Vols' offense balance and confidence.

    Georgia has the advantage after having a bye week to prepare for the Vols, and Richt has been very strong with extra time to prepare, both during the regular season and in bowl games. Hopefully during the off week, the Bulldogs worked on the running game because so far this season it hasn't been too impressive. Georgia has had only three rushing touchdowns from their backs in their first four games. The running game will be put to the test when they face one of the fastest and toughest defenses in the conference. Tennessee's defense has held opponents to 2.2 yards per carry and 6.3 yards per pass attempt

    Tennessee running back Gerald Riggs, Jr. could be the difference in Saturday's game. If Georgia's defense can keep Riggs from having a big day, the Bulldogs will win on the road. Georgia will keep Riggs under 100 yards rushing and win, 17-14.

    Mississippi State at Florida, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Florida was humiliated last week at Alabama. Luckily for the Gators, this week's opponent for homecoming is Mississippi State. Florida has won 16 straight homecoming contests, marking the longest homecoming winning streak in school history.

    The Gators lead the all-time series with MSU 31-18-2. Last year, the Bulldogs won 38-31 and Florida head coach Ron Zook likely lost his job because of the embarrassing loss in Starkville. While new head coach Urban Meyer failed to get his team ready to play at Alabama last week, Meyer will have the Gators ready to improve on the things that went wrong against the Tide.

    Quarterback Chris Leak should have no trouble racking up a lot of passing yards against one the conference’s weakest pass defending teams. Plus, Florida has yet to find a decent rushing game. The Bulldogs have not defeated the Gators in Gainesville since 1965 and Florida will keep that streak alive after winning 41-16.

    LSU at Vanderbilt, 6:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Vanderbilt had an excellent chance to start the season 5-0 but fell flat against Middle Tennessee last week. With seconds remaining in the fourth and down by three, the field goal attempt was blocked and the Commodores lost 17-15 to the Blue Raiders. Vanderbilt's season isn't ruined but it doesn't get any easier with a visit from LSU this week.

    The Tigers are ranked No. 11 and Vanderbilt will be looking for its first victory over a ranked opponent in more than a decade. The Commodores' last victory over a team ranked as high as No. 11 was a 24-10 triumph over Florida on October 12, 1974. Vanderbilt, currently tied for the SEC Eastern Division lead, is also looking to go 3-0 in SEC play for the first time since 1950.

    While Vanderbilt's season isn't ruined after the loss to Middle Tennessee, LSU's season could be if they stumble in Nashville. That shouldn't happen as the Tigers have more talent and speed than Vanderbilt. LSU may get caught looking ahead to Florida next week, but that won't happen until after the victory over the Commodores. The Tigers win a close one, 24-21.

    Kentucky at South Carolina, 12:00 p.m. CT

    Against Auburn last week, Steve Spurrier looked confused and his team was manhandled by the Tigers. This week, the Gamecocks return home to face Kentucky and Spurrier will look to avoid losing four straight Southeastern Conference games. Against Kentucky, Spurrier owns a perfect 12-0 record.

    Rich Brooks' Kentucky team is once again trying to avoid finishing last in the SEC East. The Wildcats' offense features talented quarterback Andre’ Woodson and running back Rafael Little. That won't be enough talent to pull off the upset in Columbia. Spurrier improves to 13-0 against Kentucky after the 24-14 victory.

    The Citadel at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT

    Saturday's game will be the first ever meeting between these two teams. In homecoming games, the Rebels are 62-13-2 all-time and are riding an eight-game win streak on homecoming. Ole Miss is off to a 1-3 start for the second straight year. The last 1-3 start prior to 2004 was in 1988.

    The Citadel should mean another victory for Ole Miss on homecoming. It won't be easy though. The Citadel trailed just 13–10 at the half against Florida State earlier this year. The Seminoles eventually won easily against the Bulldogs with seven second half touchdowns. The game will be close but the Rebels finally pull away late in the fourth quarter and win 28-20.

    UL-Monroe at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT

    Arkansas returns to action this week after having a much needed bye. UL-Monroe started the year 0-3, but have won two straight, both Sun Belt conference wins. The Razorbacks need a win to help them gain confidence before they face Auburn October 15.

    This week against the Indians, Arkansas' offense will rely on running the ball. The Razorbacks have four different backs that have carried at least 30 times with at least 240 rushing yards apiece. UL-Monroe is a familiar foe to SEC teams as they have faced eight SEC teams over the past four seasons. In those eight meetings, Charlie Weatherbie’s squad is 0–8 and none of the margins of defeat have been less than 28 points, including a 44–7 whipping at Georgia just three weeks ago.

    A loss to UL-Monroe would definitely mean Houston Nutt would be fired at the end of the season, if not before. Nutt will avoid an embarrassing loss but the margin of victory won't be as much as many people predict. Arkansas by 18, 38-20.

    A Look Back At The SEC Games From Week Six

    Georgia remains undefeated after a big win against Tennessee on the road in Knoxville. Both Auburn and Alabama enjoyed the weekend off. The Tigers play at Arkansas Saturday, and the Tide faces Ole Miss in Oxford.

    Georgia at Tennessee

    Fifth-ranked Georgia won an important SEC game on the road in Knoxville. The 27-14 victory over Tennessee gives the Bulldogs a 3-0 conference record and control in the SEC East division. Georgia has a favorable schedule to win the division. The Bulldogs' most difficult remaining league games are against Florida later this month and at home against Auburn in November.

    The Vols, down 13-0, finally got on the scoreboard in the third when Jonathan Wade picked off Bulldog quarterback D.J. Shockley and returned it to the Georgia one yard line. Tennessee quarterback Rick Clausen then scored on a quarterback sneak. The Bulldogs went up 20-7 with 8:50 left in the fourth when Thomas Flowers returned a punt 54 yards for a touchdown. Thomas Brown, who finished with 94 yards on 20 carries, scored from 17-yards out to put Georgia up by 20 and secured the Bulldogs' first-ever three-game winning streak in Knoxville.

    Georgia plays at Vanderbilt next week, while the Vols return to action on October 22 against Alabama.

    Mississippi State at Florida

    It was homecoming in Gainesville and Florida took care of Mississippi State 35-9. The Gators improve to 5-1 overall, 3-1 in the SEC. The Bulldogs, who lost starting quarterback Omarr Conner in the first half when he suffered a bruised sternum, fall to 2-4 overall and 0-4 in the conference.

    Florida quarterback Chris Leak completed 18-of-33 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown, but was also picked off twice. Leak, who suffered an injury to his shoulder in the loss to Alabama last week, re-injured his shoulder late in the first quarter and sat out one series.

    The Gators' defense and special teams helped them improve to 5-1 for the first time since 2001. The defense finished with six sacks, three turnovers and two safeties. Special teams downed four punts inside the 15-yard line, recovered a muffed punt to set up a score and blocked one for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

    Mississippi State will be off this weekend and will return to action October 22 at home against Houston. Florida travels to Baton Rouge to face LSU Saturday.

    LSU at Vanderbilt

    LSU defeated Vanderbilt 34-6 in conference action. The Commodores fall to 4-2 overall, 2-1 in the conference. The Tigers are now 3-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

    To open the game, LSU went 80-yards on six-plays to take a 7-0 lead. JaMarcus Russell went 3-for-4 on the series, including a 30-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Bowe. On their next possession, the Tigers pinned Vanderbilt on its own three-yard line with a 36-yard punt from Chris Jackson and Chase Pittman sacked quarterback Jay Cutler in the end zone two plays later to make it 9-0.

    The Commodores' Andrew Pace forced a fumble late in the first quarter and Vanderbilt recovered it on the LSU one-yard line, but had to settle for a 36-yard field goal by Bryant Hahnfeldt after being denied the end zone three straight times. Vanderbilt added another field goal early in the third quarter after recovering another Russell fumble.

    The Tigers extended their lead to 12-6 on a 36-yard field goal from Chris Jackson, which was set up by a Chevis Jackson interception. LSU scored 22 points in the fourth to put the game out of reach for Vanderbilt.

    LSU returns home to play Florida Saturday, and Vanderbilt hosts Georgia.

    Kentucky at South Carolina

    South Carolina bounced back from the thumping Auburn gave them last week to defeat Kentucky 44-16. Blake Mitchell returned from a leg injury and completed 23-of-34 passes for 277 yards and threw two touchdowns. Steve Spurrier recorded his first conference win as coach of the Gamecocks.

    Kentucky's Rafael Little racked up 120 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries and Arliss Beach rushed for 73 yards and a score on 11 carries. Quarterback Andre' Woodson struggled and finished with just 90 yards on 11-of-17 attempts with one interception.

    South Carolina takes this week off before they face Vanderbilt in Columbia October 22. Kentucky also has the week off and will travel to Ole Miss October 22.

    The Citadel at Ole Miss

    Ole Miss defeated I-AA The Citadel 27-7 in Oxford. The Rebels only led 10-7 early in the third quarter before scoring the final 17 points against the Bulldogs. For the second time this season, The Citadel was competitive for a half against a I-A team. The Bulldogs trailed Florida State 13-10 at halftime of an eventual 62-10 loss.

    Playing with a broken middle finger on his non-throwing hand, quarterback Micheal Spurlock helped Ole Miss put the Bulldogs away when he directed three straight scoring drives in the second half. He ran 1 yard for a touchdown and threw a 4-yard scoring pass to Mike Espy before Robert Bass kicked a 23-yard field goal to complete the scoring.

    The Rebels take on No. 7 Alabama at home this week.

    UL-Monroe at Arkansas

    In non-conference play, Arkansas defeated UL-Monroe 44-15. Razorback quarterback Robert Johnson completed 12-of-17 passes for 119 yards and one touchdown. Running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones both broke the century mark on the ground.

    UL-Monroe quarterback Steven Jyles completed only 11-of-25 pass attempts for 97 yards. Backup quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster was able to rush for 96 yards and one score on 13 carries.

    Arkansas led 28-3 at the half and dominated the third quarter with 21 straight points. In the final seconds of the fourth quarter, Lancaster scored on a four-yard run for the Indians, but it was too late as they lost by a 29-point margin.

    The Razorbacks return to conference action this week when they host Auburn.

    Predictions For Week Seven SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 6-0, overall they are 35-10. This week, Auburn and Alabama hit the road in conference action. The Tigers play Arkansas, the Tide plays Ole Miss. Georgia plays at Vanderbilt, and Florida plays at LSU.

    Auburn at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT, No Television

    The Tigers hit the road for the first time in 2005 when they travel to Fayetteville. Auburn leads the all-time series 8-5-1, but Arkansas has won four of the last six contests. The winning team has scored 21 or more points in every game of the series except 2003, and the team leading at halftime in nine of the last 10 meetings has won the game.

    Except for giving up 24 points in the opener against Georgia Tech, Auburn's defense has been solid. The Tigers have allowed just 9.5 points per game. The defense will be put to the test when it faces an Arkansas team that ranks third in the nation in rushing, averaging 286.4 yards per game. If the Tigers have success at slowing down the Razorback running game, they can also handle quarterback Robert Johnson and the passing attack, which ranks 113th in passing with 128.2 yards per contest.

    On offense, Auburn has found a nice combination for its running game in Brad Lester and Kenny Irons. Lester will start this week, but Irons will see a lot of carries come his way. Quarterback Brandon Cox has settled down and hasn't thrown an interception since starting the season with four against the Yellow Jackets.

    Hopefully the bye last weekend didn't interrupt Auburn's rhythm and timing that it established in the four straight games it has won since the loss to Tech. The Tigers will need to be sharp and play mistake free football as they start the toughest part of their schedule. A victory on the road this weekend would give the Tigers the confidence they need when they travel to LSU next week.

    The defense will handle Arkansas' running game and will also create some turnovers which will lead to points for the Tiger offense. Auburn by 24, 38-14.

    Alabama at Ole Miss, 11:00 a.m. CT, CBS

    Ole Miss is trying to avoid its first 0-3 SEC start since 1984, and with a very confident team like Alabama up next, starting 0-4 in the conference is very likely. Without a leader at quarterback and a weak running game, this contest could get ugly for the Rebels.

    The Crimson Tide's defense is one of the strongest in the nation and their offense has put up big numbers so far this season. Alabama averages 29.6 points per game and 402.4 yards of total offense. Quarterback Brodie Croyle has completed 76-of-126 passes for 1112 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Kenneth Darby leads the SEC in rushing with 513 yards on 92 carries, averaging 102.6 yards per game and 5.6 per attempt.

    After a bye week, Alabama should be well rested and ready to take care of Ole Miss before they take on Tennessee next week. The Tide by 27, 34-7.

    Georgia at Vanderbilt, 6:15 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Georgia owns a 46-17-2 edge in the series including 20-11-2 in Nashville, and they have won 10 straight. The Bulldogs are coming off a huge win at Tennessee last week. The Commodores started the season 4-0 but has dropped the last two against Middle Tennessee and LSU. A victory over Georgia would give Vanderbilt its fifth overall win, the most since the 1996 squad finished 5-6. It would also be the earliest date a Vanderbilt squad reached five wins in team history.

    In the victory at Tennessee, the Bulldogs' defense held the Vols without an offensive touchdown until the game’s final play. Georgia probably has the best defense in the conference and if they continue to play well for the rest of the season, they'll represent the Eastern division in the SEC championship game.

    Vanderbilt usually keeps things close with the Bulldogs until Georgia wears them down with talent and size advantage in the fourth quarter. Last week against LSU, Vandy kept the game close until LSU scored 22 unanswered points in the final stanza. Expect the same this week as Georgia pulls away in the second half to win 34-16.

    Florida at LSU, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Florida has been extremely successful against LSU in Baton Rouge, winning three straight, and they have won 14 of the last 17 in the series. Both teams haven't really had an impressive win over a talented team this season. In Florida's only big test a few weeks ago, they were blown out by Alabama. LSU was able to win at Arizona State early in September, and that was mostly by luck when they won late in the fourth quarter.

    Both teams don't have much of a pass defense. Florida quarterback Chris Leak and LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell could have career-high numbers in a high scoring contest. The Tigers will finally defeat the Gators in Tiger Stadium. LSU by 7, 38-31.

    A Look Back At SEC Games From Week Seven

    Auburn had an impressive second half to defeat Arkansas in Fayetteville. Alabama won 13-10 against Ole Miss with a last second field goal. Georgia remains undefeated after a win against Vandy, and LSU beat Florida.

    Auburn at Arkansas

    After a shaky first half, Auburn used halftime to make adjustments to its gameplan and scored 28 points in the second half to win on the road against Arkansas 34-17. With the victory, the Tigers have won three straight in the series and own a 9-5-1 all-time edge over the Razorbacks.

    Kenny Irons, who was forced to step up and carry the load at running back after starter Brad Lester left the game with an injury, racked up a career-high 182 yards on 33 carries. Quarterback Brandon Cox played better in the second half when he threw three touchdowns. Cox finished the night with 203 yards and two interceptions on 17-of-26 attempts. The Tigers have won five consecutive games since losing to Georgia Tech in the season-opener.

    Trailing 10-6 at the half, Auburn started the second half on fire. The Tigers marched 73 yards in seven plays on their opening possession, which ended when Cox hit Devin Aromashadu for a 17-yard touchdown pass with just under three minutes elapsed in the quarter.

    Later in the third, Auburn went 85-yards on 14-plays to extend its lead to 20-10. Cox completed three consecutive passes on the series, including a five-yard touchdown pass to Tre Smith. The defense created a turnover that led to points for the Tigers when Karibi Dede intercepted a Robert Johnson pass at the Arkansas 24. Cox then found tight end Cooper Wallace nine-yards out for a touchdown that put Auburn up 27-10 early in the fourth quarter.

    Arkansas then came alive and put together an 80-yard drive that resulted in a Darren McFadden 17-yard touchdown run to make the score 27-17. Auburn put the game away on Smith's seven-yard touchdown run with 3:37 left in the contest.

    Auburn's schedule doesn't get any easier this week as they travel to Baton Rouge to face No. 7 LSU. The game will be televised by either ESPN or ESPN2 at 6:45 p.m. CT. Arkansas will also be on the road against No. 4 Georgia.

    Alabama at Ole Miss

    Alabama struggled on the road in Oxford but escaped with a 13-10 victory. Jamie Christensen kicked the winning field goal from 31-yards out as time expired. The Tide is 6-0 for the first time since 1996. Alabama opened the 1996 season 7-0 under Gene Stallings.

    With the game tied at 10 and the Crimson Tide driving into Ole Miss territory late in the fourth, Matt Miller caught a seven-yard pass on third down to keep the chains moving. A few plays later on 3rd-and-1, Croyle ran for two yards and Kenneth Darby followed with a 16-yard burst to set up the game-winning field goal by Christensen.

    Alabama returns home this week when they host Tennessee. Ole Miss tries to bounce back from the disappointing loss when they host Kentucky.

    Florida at LSU

    Florida continued to struggle on offense and lost again on the road 21-17 against LSU. The Tigers improve to 4-1, 3-1 in the league, and the Gators fall to 5-2, and 3-2 in the league.

    Trailing 17-14 in the fourth, LSU drove 75-yards on 12-plays to take the lead for good. Joseph Addai scored from three-yards out and finished the day with a career-high 152 yards.

    Florida enjoys a bye this week before facing Georgia in Jacksonville October 29.

    Georgia at Vanderbilt

    Georgia improved to 6-0 overall, 4-0 in the SEC after a solid 34-17 victory over Vanderbilt in Nashville. D.J. Shockley finished with 298 yards on 15-of-30 attempts and threw three touchdowns as the Bulldogs remain atop the SEC's Eastern Division standings.

    Quarterback Jay Cutler went 15-of-28 for 174 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Commodores, who have dropped three in a row after winning their first four games of the season.

    Georgia led 17-7 at the half and went up 24-7 on their first possession of the second half when Shockley hit Mohamed Massaquoi with a six-yard touchdown pass. Vanderbilt cut the deficit to 24-14 when Cutler hit Marlon White with a 14-yard touchdown pass on its ensuing possession.

    Later in the third, both teams had to settle for field goals as Georgia held on to a 27-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs scored the only points in the final quarter when Shockley threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Bryan McClendon.

    Georgia should improve to 7-0 this week when they host Arkansas. Vanderbilt travels to South Carolina.

    Predictions For Week Eight SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 4-0, overall they are 39-10. This week, AU plays at No. 7 LSU on ESPN at 6:45 p.m. CT. Bama plays rival Tenn. at home. Other games have Arkansas at UGA, Kentucky at Ole Miss, Vandy at South Carolina, and Houston at MSU.

    Auburn at LSU, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn plays on the road for the second straight week. Playing in Baton Rouge is one of the toughest places to play for a visiting team, especially at night. Auburn's last victory in Baton Rouge was a 41-7 blowout in 1999. Since then, the home team has won the last five meetings and LSU owns an 11-5-1 advantage against Auburn in games played in Tiger Stadium. A victory in Tiger Stadium would give Auburn a big advantage in the SEC West with arch-rival Alabama visiting Jordan-Hare Stadium next month.

    LSU barely beat Florida last week. Against the Gators, LSU committed five turnovers and 11 penalties while allowing five quarterback sacks. Les Miles' team averages more than 10 penalties per game. Hopefully this week against Auburn, turnovers and penalties will hurt LSU, which will give Auburn a chance to win in hostile Tiger Stadium.

    If Auburn keeps the contest close going into the fourth quarter, they have a shot of pulling off the mild upset of the No.7 ranked team. Expect the same from LSU, a lot of penalties and some turnovers. Auburn wins coming from behind in the fourth 21-14.

    Tennessee at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Tennessee would love to hand Alabama its first loss of the season. Head coach Phillip Fulmer is 10-2 against the Tide and the Vols have won nine of the last 10 meetings. Fulmer's team has been unpredictable this season after being picked to win the SEC Eastern division in the preseason.

    The Vols had last weekend off and maybe with the extra time they figured out a way to be more consistent on offense. If they have success on offense, their defense could keep Alabama's offense in check much like Ole Miss did last week.

    The Tide's defense has played well all season and should be able to slow down quarterback Rick Clausen and running back Gerald Riggs, Jr. Riggs hasn't had much success behind Tennessee's offensive line. He has only one rush of more than 20 yards all season, and averages only 4.2 yards per carry. That effort won't cut it in the conference, especially against Alabama's stingy defense.

    The contest Saturday should be exciting to watch given the history between these two teams and as Alabama tries to remain undefeated. Both defenses should play well which will result in a low scoring contest. The Tide will find a way to win again this week. Alabama by four, 17-13.

    Arkansas at Georgia, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Georgia has won four straight over Arkansas. The Bulldogs will be tested this week against a pair of talented freshman in Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. The Razorbacks lead the SEC and rank sixth nationally by averaging 263.3 yards a game. Georgia's defense ranks second in the SEC and eighth nationally by allowing just 91.2 rushing yards a game.

    The Bulldogs will probably concentrate on stopping the run, which will force Arkansas to try and move the ball through the air. Georgia knows they must win games against teams like Arkansas to remain on track to play in the SEC Championship game. The Bulldogs win big, 41-14.

    Vanderbilt at South Carolina, 12 p.m. CT

    Vanderbilt opened the season 4-0, but has since loss its last three contests. South Carolina has been inconsistent under new head coach Steve Spurrier. Both teams need a victory in this game to keep their chances of becoming bowl eligible alive. The Gamecocks are 3-3, and still have to play at Tennessee and Arkansas, with home games versus Florida and Clemson. The Commodores are 4-3 with a game at home against Kentucky, and on the road at Florida and Tennessee.

    South Carolina should be better prepared and rested for the contest after having last weekend off. Vanderbilt is probably a bit beat up after losing to a bigger and more talented Georgia team. While Spurrier doesn't have the talent to compete with the top teams in the conference yet, the Gamecocks should be able to handle Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks win a close game, 24-20.

    Kentucky at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT

    Ole Miss tries to bounce back from the heartbreaking loss to Alabama last week. Against the Wildcats, the Rebels enjoy a 6-2 advantage in games played in Oxford and have won three straight in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Both teams will be looking for their first SEC victory of the year.

    Ed Orgeron's team seems to be improving on the defensive side of the ball. Last week against the Tide, they were able to hold a potent offensive unit to just 13 points. They should hold Kentucky to 13 points or less in this week's meeting in Oxford.

    On offense, Ole Miss has found a quarterback in Michael Spurlock. Spurlock has thrown for more than 200 yards in each of the last three weeks, and should have another solid performance against one of the conference's weakest defenses. The Rebels by 15, 28-13.

    Houston at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Houston is MSU's opponent for homecoming in Starkville. The Cougars and Bulldogs meet for the 14th time, with Houston leading 7-6 in the series. MSU has nine wins in the last 11 homecoming games, but the two losses have come in the last four years.

    Sylvester Croom's team had a bye last weekend and Houston lost to Memphis. The Cougars' defense allows 171 yards rushing per contest and face a talented running back this week in Jerious Norwood. Norwood should be able to have a decent game against a weak Houston defense.

    With Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ole Miss on their remaining schedule, the Bulldogs have a chance of winning more games than they did last season. That will help Croom recruit more talent, which will make MSU competitive in a few years. The Bulldogs win, 24-14.

    A Look Back At SEC Games From Week Eight

    Auburn lost 20-17 in overtime on the road at LSU. Alabama defeated Tennessee 6-3 in Tuscaloosa and Georgia barely beat Arkansas 23-20 after losing starting quarterback D.J. Shockley.

    Auburn at LSU

    Auburn lost an exciting overtime game to LSU Saturday night in Baton Rouge. The 20-17 loss is Auburn's second in its last 22 games. Kenny Irons had a career-high 218 rushing yards and a score on 27 carries while Brandon Cox finished just 16-of-40 for 221 yards with a touchdown.

    LSU scored first when Skyler Green returned a punt 66-yards with 5:20 left in the first quarter. Auburn answered when John Vaughn hit a 26-yard field goal with 12:46 left in the second period. Vaughn was only 1-for-6 on field goal attempts.

    After halftime, Auburn took a 10-7 lead when Irons broke loose for a 74-yard touchdown run with 7:48 left in the third period. LSU answered quickly when it marched 80 yards in seven plays before JaMarcus Russell capped the series with an 18-yard scoring toss to Dwayne Bowe, making it 14-10 with 4:35 left in the third.

    Trailing 14-10 late in the game, Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville decided to go for it on 4th-and-goal from the five-yard line. Cox hit Anthony Mix in the back of the end zone to give Auburn a 17-14 lead with 4:52 remaining in the fourth.

    On LSU's ensuing series, the Tigers drove into Auburn territory, but Russell's third-down pass attempt was incomplete and Chris Jackson's season-high 44-yard kick with 1:40 left in regulation tied the game at 17-17.

    Auburn took over and quickly proceeded downfield. Irons' 18-yard run brought the Tigers to LSU's 37 with 26 seconds left and after a short pass, Auburn spiked the ball with six seconds remaining. Vaughn's 49-yard attempt sailed well left and the game headed into overtime.

    Auburn won the toss in overtime and elected to go on defense. On 3rd-and-long, LSU was poised to score a touchdown but Early Doucet dropped a pass in the end zone. Jackson then nailed a 30-yard field goal to make it 20-17. Auburn failed to make a first down and Vaughn's 39-yard kick hit the left upright.

    The Tigers return to action Saturday when they take on Ole Miss at 11:30 a.m. CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Jefferson-Pilot Sports will televise the game. LSU hosts North Texas.

    Tennessee at Alabama

    Jamie Christensen's 34-yard field goal with 13 seconds left helped fifth-ranked Alabama defeat Tennessee 6-3 in Tuscaloosa. For the second straight week, Christensen connected on a game-winning field goal for the Tide. Last Saturday, he booted a 31-yard field goal as time expired in a 13-10 win over Ole Miss.

    With the game tied at 3-3 in the fourth quarter, Tennessee was about to score a touchdown when fullback Corey Anderson fumbled after he was hit by Roman Harper. The ball went through the end zone for a touchback with 5:08 remaining.

    After taking over at its own 20, Alabama put together a 10-play, 63-yard game-winning drive. The drive was highlighted by Brodie Croyle's 43-yard pass to DJ Hall on third down, placing Alabama at the Tennessee 35. Kenneth Darby's 11-yard run to the Tennessee 14 set up Christensen's winning kick.

    Alabama plays Utah State this week, while Tennessee plays at home against South Carolina.

    Arkansas at Georgia

    Despite losing quarterback D.J. Shockley for most of the game, Georgia held on to beat Arkansas 23-20. With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 7-0, 5-0 in the conference while the Razorbacks fall to 2-5, 0-4 in the conference.

    Before leaving the game due to an injury to his left knee, Shockley completed 6-of-10 passes for 74 yards and a 10-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown pass to Bryan McClendon gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead at the 10:43 mark of the first quarter. Georgia then went up 14-0 when Brannan Southerland reached the end zone from one yard out with 7:03 left in the second quarter.

    Darren McFadden's 70-yard touchdown run put the Razorbacks on the scoreboard late in the second quarter. The Bulldogs answered when Brandon Coutu's 32-yard field goal gave them a 17-7 lead at halftime.

    Early in the third, Chris Balseiro pulled Arkansas within 17-10 on a 33-yard field goal, but Coutu gave Georgia a 20-10 lead less than three minutes later with a 48-yarder. Arkansas had to rely on Balseiro again and he delivered a 35-yarder early in the fourth quarter to make it a 20-13 contest.

    After Michael Grant's interception, the Razorbacks had a chance to get to within four but Balseiro missed wide left on a 45-yard field goal attempt at the 12:22 mark in the fourth.

    After Georgia's offense stalled, Arkansas gave the ball right back to the Bulldogs when Peyton Hillis fumbled a punt. Mike Gilliam recovered for Georgia and Coutu kicked a 27-yard field goal to put his team up 23-13 with 7:41 to go. McFadden's one-yard touchdown run got Arkansas to within three but the Bulldog defense stopped them from scoring again.

    Georgia plays Florida this week in the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" in Jacksonville, Florida. Arkansas hosts South Carolina November 5.

    Vanderbilt at South Carolina

    South Carolina defeated Vanderbilt 35-28 in Columbia. Sidney Rice had a big day for the Gamecoocks, catching eight passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns.

    The Gamecocks scored first when Rice pulled in a 16-yard touchdown pass from Blake Mitchell with just over two minutes remaining in the opening period. A 13-yard interception return by Vanderbilt's Cheron Thompson early in the second quarter tied the game at 7-7. The contest remained 7-7 as time expired in the first half.

    Vanderbilt took its first lead of the game behind a Cassen Garrison two-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. The Gamecocks answered midway through the frame with a Carson Askins 11-yard touchdown pass from Newton. South Carolina regained the lead just before the end of the third quarter behind a Rice 34-yard touchdown pass from Newton.

    The Gamecocks went up 28-14 early in the fourth quarter when Newton scored from 10-yards out. Vanderbilt quickly answered when Earl Bennett caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Jay Cutler. Down 28-21, Vanderbilt tied the game at 28-28 on Cassen Garrison's six-yard touchdown run with under four minutes to play.

    South Carolina put the game away when Rice pulled down a game-winning three-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell with just under two minutes left.

    Vanderbilt plays at Florida November 5, while the Gamecocks play at Tennessee Saturday.

    Kentucky at Ole Miss

    Ole Miss got its first victory in the conference by beating Kentucky 13-7. Quarterback Michael Spurlock threw for 198 yards and a touchdown for the Rebels.

    The Rebels got on the scoreboard first late in the second stanza when Mike Espy caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Spurlock. Matt Hinkle then hit a 45-yard field goal with five seconds left in the half to give Ole Miss a 10-0 lead at the half.

    After a scoreless third quarter, Hinkle hit a 18-yard field goal at the 5:04 mark of the fourth quarter to increase the Ole Miss advantage to 13-0. Kentucky avoided the shutout with its lone score of the game, a four-yard touchdown run by Arliss Beach with 2:36 remaining.

    Ole Miss travels to Auburn this week and Kentucky plays Mississippi State at home.

    Houston at Mississippi State

    Houston defeated Mississippi State 28-16 in Starkville. Despite the loss, Jerious Norwood had a record setting day for the Bulldogs. Norwood rushed for 257 yards, breaking the school record of 237 yards set by James Johnson back in 1998 against Alabama.

    Mississippi State took a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter on Keith Andrews' 35-yard field goal. Andrews was good again from 44-yards out to put the Bulldogs up 6-0 early in the second quarter.

    With just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half, Houston took a 7-6 lead on a three-yard touchdown run by Jackie Battle. MSU regained the lead less than two minutes later when Norwood scampered into the end zone on a 66-yard run.

    Late in the second quarter, Vincent Marshall returned a punt 56-yards to give the Cougars a slim 14-13 lead at halftime.

    Houston then went up 21-13 early in the third quarter when Kevin Kolb hit Kendal Briles on an 11-yard scoring strike. With Andrews on the sideline because of an injured leg, Adam Carlson split the uprights on a 20-yard field goal, cutting Houston's lead to 21-16 late in the third. A two-yard touchdown run by Battle late in the final frame pushed the Cougars' lead to 28-16.

    Houston plays at Central Florida November 5. Mississippi State hits the road to play Kentucky this week.

    Predictions For Week Nine SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, overall they are 43-12. This week, Auburn returns home to face Ole Miss at 11:30 a.m. CT. Georgia plays Florida in Jacksonville with a new quarterback under center. Alabama plays Utah State for homecoming.

    Ole Miss at Auburn, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Auburn was on a roll since falling to Georgia Tech in the season-opener. The Tigers were poised to defend their SEC title if they could defeat LSU in Baton Rouge. The 20-17 overtime loss was a blow to Auburn, but anything can happen down the stretch in conference play. If Auburn can somehow win its remaining four games and if LSU loses another game in the conference, the Tigers will be back in Atlanta to try and win another conference championship.

    Auburn faces an Ole Miss team that is much improved since the beginning of the season, especially on defense. The Rebels enter the contest ranked sixth in scoring defense, fourth in pass defense and eighth in rushing defense in the conference. Two weeks ago against Alabama, they held the Tide to just 13 points and almost pulled off a big upset.

    The challenge this week for the Rebels will be slowing down Kenny Irons and Brandon Cox. Irons rushed for a career-high 218 last week against LSU. Cox has continued to improve each week, but his receivers dropped several passes that should have been caught last week. Against the Rebels, the receiving corps must be more consistent and the kicking game has to improve. During practice this week, the coaches will make sure those two problems will be corrected.

    Eight of the last 12 games in the Auburn/Ole Miss series have been decided by 10 points or less. The meeting Saturday will be decided by more than 10 points. Auburn by 20, 34-14.

    Utah State at Alabama, 2 p.m. CT

    Alabama's offense has struggled since losing Tyrone Prothro a few weeks ago. Since Prothro broke his leg, the offense has only scored one touchdown. Luckily for the Crimson Tide, their defense has been very stingy by not allowing many points during Prothro's absence. Utah State should be a perfect game for Alabama's offense to make improvements before huge games against LSU and Auburn in November.

    The Tide's defense will continue to play well against Utah State when they hold the Aggies to a single touchdown. Mike Shula and his team improves to 8-0 on the season after a 38-7 victory.

    Florida vs. Georgia, 2:30 p.m. CT, Jacksonville, FL, CBS

    With the SEC East title on the line, Georgia will be without starting quarterback D. J. Shockley. Backup Joe Tereshinski, who was being used primarily on special teams, will make his first career start. He was 5-of-9 for 91 yards with an interception against Arkansas.

    A few of the Bulldogs' players on the defensive side also suffered injuries against Arkansas. Rover C.J. Byrd, defensive tackle Dale Dixson, rover Tra Battle, nose tackle Ray Gant, and linebacker Brandon Miller won't be 100 percent for the Gators.

    Florida quarterback Chris Leak will be playing with a sore shoulder and his receivers are banged up. Florida could turn its season around by beating fourth-ranked Georgia. While Georgia will be limited by injuries on defense, they still have enough talent to handle the Gators. The Bulldogs win the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party'' by 10, 24-14.

    South Carolina at Tennessee, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    The Gamecocks are trying to become bowl eligible under new head coach Steve Spurrier. South Carolina is 4-3 and still has to play at Tennessee, at Arkansas, Florida and Clemson. To gain bowl eligibility the Gamecocks will have to beat two of these four squads.

    Philip Fulmer's Tennessee squad is just trying to salvage a disappointing season. With last week's loss to rival Alabama and a meeting at Notre Dame November 5, the 2005 season for the Vols could be a total disaster.

    South Carolina's offense seems to have found the answer in quarterback Blake Mitchell. Mitchell has completed better than 65 percent of his passes with an 11-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But, Spurrier's team suffered a huge loss when wide receiver/tailback Syvelle Newton went down with a season-ending torn ACL in last week's victory over Vanderbilt.

    While the Gamecock offense has improved since the beginning of the season, Tennessee's has been moving in the other direction. Without running back Gerald Riggs, Jr. for the rest of the season, it looks like the defense will have to create turnovers and keep opponents off the scoreboard. That should be hard to do against South Carolina this week. The Vols are down and face South Carolina at the wrong time. The Gamecocks win in Knoxville, 14-10.

    Mississippi State at Kentucky, 6 p.m. CT

    With talented running back Jerious Norwood, Mississippi State should have a better record than 2-5. Norwood was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Week for gaining a school-record 257 yards in last week's loss to Houston. The offensive line seems to be getting the job done, but starting quarterback Omarr Conner is still struggling under center. Without a solid quarterback, it's tough to win many games in the SEC.

    With a trip to Kentucky, Norwood has a chance to have another big game. Mississippi State should also win on the road against a conference opponent for the first time since a 35-17 victory on November 4, 2000 in Lexington. The Bulldogs win 21-13.

    North Texas at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

    After playing Florida and Auburn over the past two weeks, LSU gets a much needed break when they get a visit from Sun Belt Conference member North Texas. The Tigers are 28-0 all-time against current members of the Sun Belt. Two of those victories have come against North Texas, 49-7 in 1995 and 52-0 in 1999. This contest was originally scheduled for September 3, but Katrina forced the game to be moved.

    LSU head coach Les Miles will have the opportunity to give his starters time to rest and get healthy against North Texas and next week's opponent Appalachian State before playing Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Mean Green is 2-4 on the season and has been outscored 178-60. Against non-conference opposition, the numbers are even worse, as North Texas has been beaten by the likes of Tulsa, Kansas State and Louisiana Tech, 148-23.

    Against North Texas, expect the Tigers to work on their offense as they try to figure out why it has been sluggish at times this season. LSU runs over the Mean Green, 48-7.

    A Look Back At SEC Games From Week Nine

    Auburn defeated Ole Miss 27-3 on the Plains to improve to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the conference. Georgia fell to Florida in Jacksonville, South Carolina upset Tennessee, and Alabama won its homecoming game against Utah State.

    Ole Miss at Auburn

    Auburn defeated Ole Miss 27-3 Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers are 6-2 overall, and 4-1 in conference play. The Rebels fall to 3-5 overall, and 1-4 in the conference under new head coach Ed Orgeron.

    Kenny Irons had another big afternoon for the Tigers. Irons rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. Quarterback Brandon Cox was solid against a tough Ole Miss defense. Cox finished the contest with 205 yards on 17-of-27 pass attempts and a touchdown.

    Auburn scored first with 13:07 left in the second on a trick play. Wide receiver Courtney Taylor faked an end-around and threw a 28-yard touchdown to a wide open Devin Aromashodu. Ole Miss then cut the Tigers' lead to 7-3 on Matt Hinkle's 43-yard field goal with 8:41 left in the first half.

    Right before halftime, John Vaughn was successful on two field goal tries that helped him get his confidence back after missing 5-of-6 in last Saturday's loss to LSU. With 2:37 left in the half, Vaughn was good from 35-yards out. Then, following Steve Gandy's interception at the Ole Miss 23-yard line, Vaughn connected on a 39-yard field goal that put Auburn up 13-3 at halftime.

    The Tigers went up 20-3 with 6:46 left in the third when Cox found Ben Obomanu in the back of the end zone for a one-yard score on 4th-and-goal. The drive began at Ole Miss' 42 after a fumble, and was highlighted by 28 rushing yards from Irons and 17 yards passing by Cox. Auburn capped the scoring late in the fourth quarter when Irons scored on a four-yard run.

    The Tigers hit the road this week when they travel to Lexington to face Kentucky. The Wildcats defeated Mississippi State 13-7 Saturday to improve to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the SEC. Ole Miss plays Arkansas at home November 12.

    Utah State at Alabama

    Alabama won easily in a non-conference game against Utah State 35-3. Brodie Croyle threw for 279 yards on 22-of-31 attempts and threw three touchdowns. Running back Kenneth Darby ran for 147 yards and a score. The Crimson Tide take their perfect 8-0 record on the road to Mississippi State this week.

    Croyle's favorite target on the afternoon was D.J. Hall, who caught 11 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. The Crimson Tide racked up 493 total yards.

    Alabama dominated the opening 30 minutes by outgaining Utah State 289-98 and holding the Aggies to just three first downs. The Tide led 21-0 at halftime and extended their lead to 28-3 in the final minute of the third quarter. Head coach Mike Shula rested most of his starters during the final quarter.

    Florida vs Georgia

    Florida handed Georgia its first loss of season down in Jacksonville. The 14-10 win helped the Gators to remain in contention to win the SEC East title. The Bulldogs were playing without starting quarterback D.J. Shockley. His replacement, Joe Tereshinski, was just 8-of-21 for 100 yards through the air, but did catch a touchdown pass from running back Thomas Brown and also rushed for 37 yards.

    Florida scored on its first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead. On their first possession, the Gators put together a 13-play, 80-yard drive that consumed six minutes of the play clock.Quarterback Chris Leak scored from three-yards out. Leak completed 15-of-20 pass attempts for 108 yards on the day.

    Florida then forced a Bulldog punt, which Vernell Brown returned 29 yards to the Georgia 41. Four plays later, Leak found Tate Casey in the back of the end zone for a one-yard touchdown completion with 6:09 remaining in the first quarter.

    Georgia finally got on the scoreboard after Brandon Coutu's 31-yard field goal early in the second quarter and the score remained 14-3 at halftime.

    The Bulldogs scored the only touchdown in the second half on a trick play by Brown to Tereshinski. Facing a 2nd-and-7 on the Gators' nine yard-line, Tereshinski pitched left to Brown before sprinting out to the right and stumbling to the ground. The quarterback regained his footing and leapt over a defender to haul in Brown's underthrown pass, then stretched the ball over the goal line.

    The Bulldogs have the week off before playing at home against Auburn November 12. Florida hosts Vanderbilt at home this week.

    South Carolina at Tennessee

    South Carolina won for the first time in Knoxville Saturday night. The 16-15 upset victory also ended a 12-game losing streak to the Volunteers. The Gamecocks' Sydney Rice continues to play well, catching eight passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the contest.

    South Carolina has won three straight games overall and travel to Arkansas Saturday. Tennessee has lost three straight and play at Notre Dame Saturday.

    The Gamecocks scored first when Jonathan Joseph picked off a Rick Clausen pass early in the first quarter. Rice's 10th touchdown catch of the season made it 7-0 with eight minutes left in the first. Tennessee then tied the game with a 12-play, 72-yard drive culminated by Arian Foster's one-yard touchdown run with 2:43 remaining in the first quarter. Foster finished the day with 148 yards and a score on 25 carries.

    James Wilhoit gave Tennessee a 10-7 lead after connecting on a 38-yard field goal. Minutes later, Vols defensive end Jason Hall sacked South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell in the end zone for a safety and a 12-7 advantage with 6:08 remaining before halftime. That score stood at the break.

    In the second half, Mitchell helped the Gamecocks take a 13-12 lead after a 12-play drive that covered 80 yards resulted in a five-yard touchdown pass to Rice in traffic with 11:33 remaining in the fourth. Mitchell's two-point conversion pass fell incomplete. The quarterback was 6-of-7 for 75 yards on the drive.

    Wilhoit then put Tennessee back in front 15-13 on a 43-yard field goal with less than eight minutes remaining in the game. South Carolina went ahead for good when Josh Brown's 49-yard field goal was good with 2:45 left in the contest.

    North Texas at LSU

    LSU defeated North Texas 56-3 in non-conference action. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell went 17-of-21 for 244 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers. LSU has won five straight after losing to Tennessee 30-27 in overtime on September 26th.

    After leading 28-3 at halftime, the Tigers scored a touchdown late in the third to go up 35-3. LSU then scored 21 fourth-quarter points to blow the game wide open.

    The Tigers play another non-conference game at home this week against Appalachian State. LSU then travels to Tuscaloosa to play fourth-ranked Alabama November 12 in an important SEC West matchup.

    Mississippi State at Kentucky

    During the 13-7 loss to Kentucky, Jerious Norwood became Mississippi State's all-time leading rusher with 2,888 yards during his career. Norwood finished the contest with 121 yards on 20 carries.

    Kentucky went up 3-0 on Taylor Begley's 35-yard field goal in the first quarter. The Wildcats extended their lead to 10-0 at halftime when Rafael Little scored from eight-yards out. Little rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown.

    Kentucky went up 13-0 after the break on Begley's 33-yard field goal. Mississippi State finally scored on Brandon Thornton's 19-yard run late in the third.

    The Bulldogs host Alabama this week, while Kentucky plays Auburn.

    Predictions For Week Ten SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, overall they are 47-14. This week, Auburn plays at Kentucky, Alabama takes its perfect record on the road to Mississippi State, and Tennessee meets Notre Dame in South Bend.

    Auburn at Kentucky, noon CT, No Television

    Auburn travels to Kentucky this week before playing two of the toughest games on its schedule. Georgia and arch-rival Alabama lie ahead for the Tigers with the SEC Western Division title on the line. It would be easy for Auburn to not take the Wildcats too seriously, but Tommy Tuberville's team knows it must win out to have a chance to head back to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game.

    The Tigers' offense has been sluggish at times over the past two weeks. Instead of punching the ball into the end zone, they've had to settle for field goals, which haven't been a sure thing. Every team experiences letdowns on offense during the season. Let's hope Auburn can get things going against Kentucky which will carry over to its final two contests.

    On the defensive side, the Tigers have gotten better each week. Last week against Ole Miss, Auburn held Ed Orgeron's team to just 209 total yards. The defense has now held half of their opponents for the season to a touchdown or less. No opponent has gained more than 350 yards against them.

    Ketucky's running back Rafael Little leads the SEC and ranks 12th nationally in all-purpose yardage with 158.6 yards per game. Little is the only offensive threat for the Wildcats. When Auburn's defense shuts him down, Kentucky will have to rely on quarterback Andre' Woodson. Woodson is a decent quarterback but the Tigers' secondary has shown they can handle opponent's passing attacks.

    Hopefully Auburn will put the game away early so they can rest the starters in second half. The Tigers need to be healthy heading into "Amen Corner", and a trip to Lexington should help heal the nagging injuries. The Tigers' first visit to Lexington since 1995 will be a productive one. Auburn wins, 38-10.

    Alabama at Mississippi State, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

    Alabama will also try not to look ahead to games against LSU and Auburn. While the Tide is undefeated and ranked in the top five this season, they have dominated Mississippi State in recent years when they have struggled under head coach Mike Shula. Alabama has won 30-14, 38-0, 28-14 during the past three seasons, and this year's contest should see the Tide win big again.

    Mississippi State dropped to 0-5 in SEC play, and 2-6 overall, with its loss at Kentucky this past Saturday. The Bulldogs have not beaten an SEC West opponent since defeating Ole Miss 36-28 to conclude the 2001 conference season. That streak will continue this week against a talented Alabama team. The Tide wins in Starkville, 35-7.

    Tennessee at Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m. CT, NBC Sports

    Things couldn't be any worse for Phil Fulmer's team. After losing to South Carolina for the first time in Knoxville Saturday, Randy Sanders resigned as offensive coordinator effective at the end of the season. The only positive thing for Tennessee is its defense. This week against Notre Dame, the Vols' defense will have to play over their head to have a shot of pulling off the upset.

    While Tennessee has had a very disappointing season, Notre Dame's 5-2 record under new head coach Charlie Weis is a surprise. The Fighting Irish have been so impressed with Weis that they recently signed him to a 10-year contract worth $3-4 million dollars a year. Weis has his team poised to appear in a New Year's day bowl game and a victory over the Vols will help the Irish achieve that feat.

    Tennessee faces its fifth top-10 opponent of the season Saturday when it takes on No. 8 Notre Dame. The Vols are 1-3 vs. top-10 opposition thus far in 2005. After Saturday's contest, they will be 1-4 vs. top-10 opponents. The Irish win by 14, 24-10.

    Vanderbilt at Florida, 6:15 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    These two teams are headed in the opposite direction. Vanderbilt has lost four in a row while Florida is back in contention to win the SEC East after a big win over Georgia last week.

    One thing the Commodores and Gators have in common is the play of their quarterbacks. Jay Cutler continues to set records under center for Vanderbilt and Chris Leak is improving each week under new Florida coach Urban Meyer. One difference though, Leak has more talent to work with and has played well against Vanderbilt the last two years. Leak is 37-of-54 for 486 yards and three touchdowns in his two starts against the Commodores. His 10.59 yard per pass last season in Nashville were a career high against an SEC opponent.

    Look for Leak to have another big game against Vanderbilt and the Gator defense will continue to be stingy. Florida runs over the Commodores, 34-9.

    South Carolina at Arkansas, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    The Razorbacks will try and snap a two-game losing streak when they face South Carolina for homecoming. The 16-15 victory at Tennessee last week helped give the Gamecocks their first three-game winning streak in the conference since Sept. 28-Oct. 12, 2002. Arkansas leads the all-time series, 8-5, including a 5-1 advantage when the teams have met on the Razorbacks' home field.

    Arkansas should give South Carolina problems with its rushing attack. Darren McFadden and Felix Jones have been outstanding despite being freshmen. As the Gamecocks showed last week against the Vols, they have trouble stopping the run. Arkansas should record its first victory in the conference after an 18-14 win.

    Appalachian State at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

    Appalachian State will be heavy underdogs when they face LSU at Tiger Stadium. Last week, the Tigers racked up 383 passing yards and 183 rushing yards in their 56-3 blowout of North Texas.

    This week's game could be another blowout if LSU can stay focused on the Mountaineers before they travel to face No. 4 Alabama next week. Even though Appalachian State is an I-AA team, they rank at the top of the Southern Conference with a 6-2 overall mark. The Mountaineers will be a little more competitive than North Texas. LSU gives up two touchdowns but still wins big, 41-14.

    A Look Back At SEC Games From Week Ten

    Auburn defeated Kentucky 49-27 to improve to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference. Alabama won on the road at Mississippi State, Vanderbilt took Florida to double overtime and Tennessee lost at Notre Dame.

    Auburn at Kentucky

    Auburn defeated Kentucky 49-27 at Commonwealth Stadium. Kenny Irons and Tristan Davis had big performances on the ground for the Tigers. Irons had 103 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns while Davis had 162 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown.

    The Tigers have now won 15 of their last 16 SEC games, which includes the 2004 SEC Championship. Auburn's only loss came on October 22 against LSU. The Tigers have won 20 straight games when scoring at least 20 points, including a 7-0 mark this year.

    Auburn takes on Georgia this week in Athens. The Bulldogs had last weekend off to rest up for the battle between the hedges Saturday night. Kickoff is at 6:45 p.m. CT and ESPN will broadcast the game.

    Alabama at Mississippi State

    Alabama had to rely on its defense to stay unbeaten on the road at Mississippi State. The Tide won 17-0 despite committing three turnovers on offense, but the defense held the Bulldogs to just 103 total yards and forced four turnovers.

    After only having a 3-0 lead at halftime, Alabama scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter without the offense taking the field. Special teams made the first big play on the second half kickoff, as Jimmy Johns forced a fumble by Derek Pegues and Matt Miller scooped up the fumble and raced 15 yards into the end zone. Rudy Griffin then picked off a pass by Michael Henig and returned the interception 17 yards for the score.

    This week, Alabama plays LSU at home, and Mississippi State is off.

    Tennessee at Notre Dame

    Notre Dame won 41-21 over Tennessee Saturday afternoon in South Bend. Brady Quinn threw for 295 yards on 20-of-33 passing with three touchdowns in the Irish victory.

    With the game tied at 21 late in the third, Notre Dame scored the contest's final 20 points, all in the fourth quarter, to seal the win.

    The Fighting Irish have won four of their last five games, while the Volunteers lost their fourth straight for the first time since 1988, which is also the last time they failed to go to a bowl game. Tennessee must win its last three against Memphis, Vanderbilt and Kentucky to become bowl eligible.

    Vanderbilt at Florida

    Florida blew a 14-point lead in the final 2 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter but still beat Vanderbilt 49-42 in double overtime.

    Gator quarterback Chris Leak found Jemalle Cornelius in the back of the end zone in the second overtime for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Reggie Lewis then intercepted a Jay Cutler pass on the next play to seal the win for 13th-ranked Florida at The Swamp.

    Leak threw three touchdowns and completed 32-of-41 attempts for 257 yards. Cutler completed 28-of-42 passes for 361 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.

    Florida travels to South Carolina this week while Vanderbilt hosts Kentucky.

    South Carolina at Arkansas

    South Carolina won again on the road for the second straight week when they beat Arkansas 14-10 at Razorback Stadium. Blake Mitchell led the Gamecocks with 142 yards on 12-of-25 attempts and two touchdown passes. The Razorbacks moved to 0-5 in conference play for the first time since joining the SEC in 1992.

    Darren McFadden had another impressive performance for Arkansas. McFadden racked up 187 yards on 32 carries on the afternoon.

    South Carolina went up 7-0 midway through the first quarter on a seven-yard pass from Mitchell to Sidney Rice. The Razorbacks responded with two unanswered scores in the second quarter to carry a 10-7 edge into halftime. Peyton Hillis caught a four-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Casey Dick, followed by a 19-yard field goal by Chris Balseiro with just three seconds left in the frame.

    The Gamecocks took the lead for good on the final play of the third quarter when Kenny McKinley hauled in a 42-yard scoring strike from Mitchell for the 14-10 lead.

    Arkansas plays at Ole Miss this week and South Carolina hosts Florida.

    Appalachian State at LSU

    In non-conference action, LSU defeated I-AA Appalachian State 24-0. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell completed 16-of-22 attempts for 208 yards and threw two touchdowns. The Tigers travel to Tuscaloosa this week to play fourth-ranked Alabama. The contest kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT and can be seen on CBS Sports.

    LSU took a 7-0 lead on its first possession of the game after Russell found Dwayne Bowe nine-yards out to cap a nine-play, 72-yard drive. Bowe had five catches for 76 yards on the night.

    The Tigers put together another long drive early in the second period that resulted in a one-yard touchdown run by Justin Vincent. Vincent carried the ball six times for 57 yards during the eight-play, 80-yard drive.

    LSU scored again early in the fourth quarter when Russell connected with Keith Zinger on a nine-yard strike in the end zone to push the Tigers' lead to 21-0. Chris Jackson's 34-yard field goal extended LSU's lead to 24-0 with 7:01 left in the fourth.

    Predictions For Week 11 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 52-15. This week, Auburn plays at Georgia on ESPN at 6:45 p.m. CT. LSU tries to knock off Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and Steve Spurrier's South Carolina team hosts Florida.

    Auburn at Georgia, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn and Georgia renew the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry when the two teams meet Saturday in Athens. This will be the 109th meeting between the two teams, with Auburn holding a 52-48-8 edge in the series. It will also be the fifth time in the last six years that both teams will be nationally ranked entering the game.

    Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley will be starting again after being out for the Florida game. Auburn's secondary has improved each week but they will have their hands full trying to stop Shockley. The senior quarterback has averaged 9.4 yards every time he’s thrown the football, with a 12-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Hopefully he'll be rusty after not playing for three weeks which will cause him to make mistakes.

    Auburn has the advantage over Georgia in the running game. Kenny Irons, Tristan Davis and Tre Smith combined for 364 yards rushing and five touchdowns in last week's 49-27 victory over Kentucky. The Tigers expect Brad Lester to return for the showdown in Athens. With four running backs ready to go, Auburn could rack up big yards again this week.

    The Tigers' defense will be focused on stopping Shockley from making a big play that Georgia head coach Mark Richt may have to run the ball more than he planned on. This will be bad news as the Bulldogs' rushing attack has been weak this season and Auburn is more than capable of stopping the run.

    Auburn has fared well in games played in Athens. The Tigers own a 17-9 record and they have won nine of their last 11 games at Sanford Stadium. In 2003 between the hedges, the Tigers were dominated 26-7. The players and coaches on the Auburn sideline for that game will feel much better about this year's results. The Tigers by seven, 21-14.

    LSU at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

    LSU must win at Alabama to keep its chances alive to reach the SEC Championship game. The Tigers are 6-9 all-time in Tuscaloosa, however, LSU has won two straight and three of the last four on the road against the Tide.

    Defense wins championships and Alabama's may help them win the national championship for the first time since 1992 if they make it to the Rose Bowl. There has been a lot of talk about how it would be bad for college football if the Tide doesn't get a chance to play for the championship like Auburn wasn't able to do last season. While Alabama may go undefeated in 2005, they lack one thing Auburn had last season, an offense.

    Since the 31-3 victory over Florida, Alabama has relied on its field goal kicker and defense to win close games against Ole Miss, Tennessee and Mississippi State. While they scored 35 points against Utah State two weeks ago, they'll face much tougher defenses against LSU and Auburn.

    Against LSU, the Tide must find a way to score or their perfect season will come to an end. The Tigers' defense can keep Alabama in check but it will be interesting to see how their offense does against one of the top defenses in the country. LSU forces a few turnovers and that will be the difference in this low scoring game. The Tigers win 14-10.

    Florida at South Carolina, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Florida has been an unpredictable team this season. The Gators have solid victories over Tennessee and Georgia, but were totally embarrassed by Alabama. Their offense hasn't consistently put a lot of points on the scoreboard each week and probably won't have much success on the road at South Carolina.

    The Gamecock defense has helped Steve Spurrier's team go from 2-3 to 6-3 after Auburn blew them out 48-7 October 1. While South Carolina has won four straight over conference teams that all have losing records, Spurrier is happy to get the wins and to be going to a bowl game. A victory over 7-2 Florida would give Spurrier a signature win in his first year in Columbia and it would help with his recruiting efforts.

    The big challenge for the Gamecocks will be stopping Florida quarterback Chris Leak from having a big game. Leak is capable of putting up big numbers but he'll have to do it against a defense that has held three of their last five opponents under 100 yards passing. South Carolina wins a close one, 21-18.

    Memphis at Tennessee, 1 p.m. CT

    Tennessee is down but not out of possibly going to a bowl game. At 3-5, the Vols must win this week's game versus Memphis and then the next two against Vanderbilt and at Kentucky. Three wins to finish the season isn't impossible with a defense that has been solid all year, but Tennessee's offense must play better for Philip Fulmer's team to go bowling.

    This week against Memphis, the Vols' defense should handle a Memphis squad that relies solely on its running game after two quarterbacks got hurt earlier in the season. The Tigers had to convert wide receiver Maurice Avery to quarterback and he hasn't been too productive under center. Avery has completed just 34 passes in eight games as starter. Tennessee has been able to stop the run all year, holding seven of its first eight foes under 100 yards on the ground.

    If the Vols have success on offense, they should snap their four game losing streak. The offense finally shows up and Tennessee wins comfortably, 24-7.

    Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 1 p.m. CT

    Vanderbilt surprised everyone last week by taking Florida to double overtime at The Swamp. Even though the Gators won, the Commodores showed effort despite losing four straight before the game in Gainesville. Senior quarterback Jay Cutler continues to shine each week under center and should have another outstanding performance in his final game at Vanderbilt Stadium.

    Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks will return next season after many thought this would be his final season. The Wildcats are 2-6 and haven't played well on the road. In road games at Indiana, South Carolina and Mississippi, they lost by more than 19 points per game and the defense has allowed 44 or more points three times in the last five games.

    Vanderbilt will finally win after losing five straight. The Commodores by 21, 35-14.

    Arkansas at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT

    Arkansas is looking for its first conference victory of the season when it plays at Ole Miss. Houston Nutt's team won't be going to a bowl game this year but they can spoil LSU's season by keeping them out of the SEC Championship game when they play the Tigers later this month. Don't look for the Razorbacks to be too excited to play the Rebels this week. They'll save their best effort for LSU.

    Ole Miss has played well on defense while struggling on offense. On defense, the Rebels are giving up less than 18 points per game and they have improved against the pass this season. On offense, they are still searching for a quarterback and have been held to just 26 points in their last three games.

    Expect a low scoring game while Ole Miss holds Darren McFadden under 100-yards rushing. The Rebels by three, 13-10.

    A Look Back At SEC Games From Week 11

    Auburn defeated Georgia 31-30 in an exciting game in Athens. Auburn has won 10 out of the last 12 games played in Sanford Stadium. LSU handed Alabama its first loss of the season, and Steve Spurrier defeated his former team 30-22.

    Auburn at Georgia

    In one of the best games in the Deep South's longest rivalry, Auburn won 31-30 over No. 9 Georgia. The Tigers now hold an 18-9 lead in games played in Athens. Kenny Irons ran 37 times for 179 yards and two scores for the Tigers. Irons has seven 100-yard rushing games over the last eight contests, including five straight.

    Quarterback Brandon Cox and field goal kicker John Vaughn were the heroes for Auburn Saturday night. Cox helped set up Vaughn's winning field goal when he completed an important pass on 4th-and-10 to Devin Aromashodu late in the game. Aromashodu raced down the right sideline before the ball was knocked away by Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver. The ball rolled into the end zone, where it was recovered by Courtney Taylor.

    Since the ball was fumbled forward on fourth down, it had to be placed at the three-yard line. The Tigers then ran the ball on three consecutive plays before putting the entire game on Vaughn's kick from 20-yards out. Vaughn's field goal was perfect and Auburn headed back home with a 31-30 thrilling victory.

    The Tigers end the regular-season at home this week against arch-rival Alabama. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. CT and the game can be seen on CBS.

    If Auburn defeats the Tide and LSU loses one of its final two games, Auburn will represent the Western Division in the SEC title game December 3 in Atlanta.

    LSU at Alabama

    Alabama had its perfect season ruined Saturday afternoon by LSU. The 16-13 overtime victory puts the Tigers in the driver's seat to win the SEC West. If they win their final two games over Ole Miss and Arkansas, they'll play in the championship game in Atlanta December 3.

    After both teams struggled on offense for most of the game, a 10-10 tie forced the contest into overtime. The Tide got the ball first to start overtime. They failed to make a first down and called on Jamie Christensen to make a 34-yard field goal that gave them a 13-10 lead.

    LSU needed a touchdown to pull off the upset. After a quick first down, the Tigers were stopped on their next two plays. Then on 3rd-and-6, Russell avoided pressure in the pocket and fired a strike in the end zone where Dwayne Bowe hauled in an 11-yard reception for the game-winning touchdown.

    Alabama plays arch-rival Auburn this week, while LSU travels to Ole Miss.

    Florida at South Carolina

    South Carolina remained in the hunt to win the SEC East by beating Florida 30-22. If Kentucky upsets Georgia this week, the Gamecocks would win the East due to a tie-breaker.

    The Gamecocks have won five straight while the Gators had their two-game win streak halted.

    South Carolina's defensive lineman Chris Tucker picked off a Chris Leak pass at the 46-yard line and returned it 49 yards to the Florida five. Two plays later, Mike Davis scored on a five-yard touchdown run to give the Gamecocks an early 7-0 lead.

    The Gators responded on their next possession when Chris Hetland hit a 30-yard field goal, but South Carolina answered with a pair of touchdowns. Early in the second quarter, Turman's one-yard touchdown run gave the Gamecocks a 14-3 lead. The touchdown by Turman ended a nine-play 87-yard drive.

    Then, after holding the Gators to a three-and-out, Turman again ran in on a 4th-and-1 from the Gators' three-yard line. Florida blocked the PAT kick and Dee Webb returned it for two points for the Gators, to make the score 20-5.

    Florida then took its ensuing possession 91 yards on just nine plays to score its first touchdown of the game. Leak hit Chad Jackson with a 31-yard scoring pass, which cut South Carolina's lead to 20-12 at the half.

    The Gators scored first in the second half on a 12-play, 80-yard drive that took seven minutes off the clock and was capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass from Leak to Billy Latsko. It didn't take long for the Gamecocks to answer on an 88-yard touchdown drive to go up 27-19. The big play of the drive was a 64-yard pass play from Blake Mitchell to Sidney Rice that brought the ball down to the one-yard line. Rice finished with a career-high 112 yards receiving for South Carolina.

    In the fourth quarter, Josh Brown kicked an important 37-yard field goal with just over nine minutes remaining to make it a two possession game, 30-19. Florida had to settle for a 43-yard field goal by Hetland on its next possession. The drive took over six minutes off the clock and the Gators failed to recover the onsides kick.

    South Carolina ends its regular-season when they host Clemson this week. Florida is off before they play Florida State at home November 26.

    Memphis at Tennessee

    Tennessee barely beat Memphis 20-16 in non-conference action. Rick Clausen completed 14-of-24 attempts for 209 yards and two touchdowns for the Vols.

    Trailing 13-0 early in the second quarter, Tennessee scored two consecutive touchdowns to take a 14-13 lead at halftime. Clausen found Josh Briscoe on a 39-yard scoring strike, then connected with C.J. Fayton on a 15-yard touchdown pass with just four seconds left in the half.

    In the third, Stephen Gostkowski gave Memphis a 16-14 lead on a 35-yard field goal. James Wilhoit then gave the Vols the lead for good when he nailed a 28-yard field goal with just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Wilhoit then added another field goal from 34-yards out with 34 seconds on the clock to give his team the 20-16 victory.

    Tennessee returns to conference action when they host Vanderbilt this week.

    Arkansas at Ole Miss

    Arkansas recorded its first conference victory by defeating Ole Miss 28-17 in Oxford. Quarterback Casey Dick completed 17-of-24 pass attempts for 175 yards and threw three touchdowns.

    The Rebels scored first when Ethan Flatt threw an eight-yard scoring pass to Larry Kendrick to cap a 10-play, 71-yard drive to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. The Razorbacks tied it when Randy Kelly ran back an interception 42 yards at the end of the first quarter.

    Kendrick put Ole Miss up 14-7 at halftime after his one-yard touchdown run. The Rebels extended their lead to 17-7 midway through the third quarter when Matt Hinkle nailed a 28-yard field goal.

    Arkansas then scored 21-unanswered points to secure the victory. The Razorbacks will try for two in a row in the conference when they host Mississippi State this week. Ole Miss plays at home against LSU.

    Kentucky at Vanderbilt

    Running back Rafael Little rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns in Kentucky's 48-43 victory over Vanderbilt in Nashville. The Wildcats held on to win on the road after having a 41-10 lead early in the third period.

    The Commodores have lost six in a row after winning their first four games. Senior quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 395 yards on 39-of-66 attempts and five touchdowns in his last game at Vanderbilt Stadium.

    Kentucky plays at Georgia this week while Vanderbilt's at Tennessee.

    Predictions For Week 12 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, overall they are 56-17. The big game in the conference this week has Alabama visiting Jordan-Hare Stadium to battle arch-rival Auburn. The game will be nationally televised by CBS starting at 2:30 p.m. CT.

    Alabama at Auburn, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    The contest between these two arch-rivals features the top offense and top defense in the conference. Auburn leads the conference in scoring and Alabama has been really stingy on defense. This will be the first meeting in which both teams have been ranked since 1995. The Tigers have won three straight in the series and lead 5-2 in games played at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Auburn has the edge in the running game. Kenny Irons has been a workhorse for the Tigers and has rushed over a 1,000 yards this season. Brad Lester and Tre Smith are behind Irons. If needed, they can have decent games with a talented offensive line leading the way.

    The quarterbacks for Auburn and Alabama are both about equal, with each having different strengths. Brodie Croyle is probably a better passer but Brandon Cox looks more comfortable in the pocket. Croyle seems scared and confused when his receivers are well covered.

    The Crimson Tide's defense has played great all season, but Auburn's has been steady while making big plays that have helped the Tigers win eight games. Auburn should handle Croyle and running back Kenneth Darby, which should give the Tigers an excellent chance to win.

    Fourteen of the last 17 meetings between Auburn and Alabama have been decided by 10 points or less and this year's meeting should be close again with the Tigers winning 17-13.

    Kentucky at Georgia, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Georgia needs a win to secure a trip to Atlanta for the SEC championship game. The Bulldogs have beaten Kentucky in Athens 13 straight times and should make it 14 straight even after their emotional loss to Auburn last week.

    The Wildcats surprised everyone last week by beating Vanderbilt on the road. The 48-43 victory should have given Kentucky confidence, but don't expect them to do well in Athens.

    Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley looked healthy again last week against the Tigers. He was almost too much for Auburn to handle and will definitely be hard for Kentucky to defend. Shockley is a dangerous runner and has improved as a passer. The Bulldogs should win pretty easily this week although it won't be as bad as the 62-17 romp in Lexington last year. Georgia wins the SEC East title after the 42-16 victory.

    LSU at Ole Miss, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    This should be a tough test for LSU after the emotional win at Alabama last week. The Tigers face a pretty decent Ole Miss defense on the road. The Rebels haven't given up many rushing yards and in their three victories this season, they only allowed seven points or less each time.

    Ole Miss' defense faces a LSU team that has gotten better each week behind talented quarterback JaMarcus Russell. It'll be interesting to see how the Rebels handle a squad with this much speed and a team poised to win the SEC Western Division title.

    While the Tigers are the better team, if they don't come out ready to play, Ole Miss could pull off the upset. That isn't likely to happen. LSU handles Ole Miss 24-13.

    Vanderbilt at Tennessee, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Tennessee has to beat Vanderbilt and Kentucky next week to land a spot in a bowl game. The Vols own a 67-26-5 record all-time against the Commodores and have won 28-of-29 meetings since 1976 by an average margin of 21 points per contest. They have shut out the Commodores three of the last four times that they have met, winning 38-0 in 2001, 24-0 in 2002 and 48-0 in 2003.

    This year's meeting could be another shut out after Vanderbilt lost to Kentucky at home last week. Look for Tennessee's offense to put a lot of points on the scoreboard against one of the weakest defenses in conference. The Vols by 21, 35-14.

    Clemson at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT

    Steve Spurrier is on his way to becoming the SEC Coach of the Year. South Carolina has won five in a row and a victory over arch-rival Clemson would give the Gamecocks an 8-3 record. But, with Clemson's confidence high after a big win over Florida State last week, South Carolina may not get that eighth win.

    Clemson has dominated the Gamecocks in recent years. The Tigers have won seven of the last eight meetings and own a 62-36-4 lead in the series. This game should be one of the best games to be played this weekend. Too bad it can only be seen on pay-per-view in certain areas. Since South Carolina is on a roll and the contest will be played in Columbia, the Gamecocks should win this close contest. South Carolina by five, 31-27.

    Mississippi State at Arkansas, 1 p.m. CT

    Arkansas earned its first SEC victory of the season when it defeated Ole Miss 28-17 last week. Freshman quarterback Casey Dick helped the Razorbacks rally from a 17-7 deficit at halftime. Arkansas seems to have found a leader at quarterback which they didn't have for most of the season. Having a decent quarterback under center along with two great freshmen running backs, the Razorbacks should win easily over Mississippi State this week and it will also give them a chance to knock off LSU next week.

    The Bulldogs have dropped their last six meetings with Arkansas, dating back to the 1998 football season. They also haven’t won an SEC road game since beating Kentucky in 2000. With talented Jerious Norwood in the backfield, MSU should be able to compete but the talent isn't there yet. A setback in Little Rock would hand Mississippi State its seventh-straight loss during the 2005 season, a streak that would tie for the fifth longest in school history.

    Arkansas should be able to use this game as a tune-up for next week's showdown with LSU. A victory over the Bulldogs and Tigers would help take some pressure off of Houston Nutt for his team's disappointing season in 2005. A victory this week is a sure thing. Arkansas 21, Mississippi State 7.

    A Look Back At SEC Games From Week 12

    Auburn won the Iron Bowl 28-18 Saturday afternoon. Georgia won the East by defeating Kentucky. LSU moved one step closer to winning the West by defeating Ole Miss 40-7.

    Alabama at Auburn

    Auburn's offense got the best of Alabama's defense by scoring 28 points in the first half and it was all the points the Tigers needed to win the 70th edition of the Iron Bowl. The 28-18 victory gives Auburn four in a row against arch-rival Alabama.

    Auburn's defense dominated all afternoon by constantly pressuring Tide quarterback Brodie Croyle. The constant pressure resulted in 11 sacks for the Tigers' defense and Croyle completed just 13-of-25 passes for 107 yards. The stifling Auburn defense also held running back Kenneth Darby to just 89 yards rushing.

    On offense for the Tigers, Kenny Irons rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Cox threw for 118 yards on 14-of-21 attempts and two touchdowns in the victory.

    After Auburn held Alabama to three-and-out on its first possession, the Tigers got the ball with great field position at the Tide 40-yard line. Cox led the Tigers to a score when he found Ben Obomanu in the end zone from seven-yards out.

    Another Crimson Tide three-and-out gave Auburn great field position again. On 2nd-and-8, Cox connected with Courtney Taylor on a crossing pattern for 21 yards. Irons then found the end zone from eight-yards out and the Tigers led 14-0.

    For the third time in a row, Alabama went three-and-out and Auburn got the ball back on their own 45-yard line. Cox hit Obomanu for a six-yard slant on third-and-five, then the wideout took an end-around on the next play and sprinted 45 yards for a touchdown.

    Alabama was finally able to get on the scoreboard after its defense forced a turnover. Darby gained 42-yards on the drive which was capped by Tim Castille's one-yard touchdown plunge and Auburn led 21-7 early in the second.

    Auburn then went on a long drive late in the second quarter to take a 28-7 lead into halftime. The 61-yard drive concluded when Cox found tight end Cole Bennett on a bootleg to the left for a five-yard touchdown pass.

    After a scoreless third period, Alabama cut Auburn's lead to 28-10 after a Jason Christensen 43-yard field goal. After the Crimson Tide got the ball back and put together a decent drive, the Tigers' defense stepped up and stopped the Tide on fourth down deep in Auburn territory.

    Kentucky at Georgia

    Georgia clinched the SEC East title by beating Kentucky 45-13 in Athens. The Bulldogs will likely face LSU in the conference title game December 3 in Atlanta.

    D.J. Shockley threw four touchdowns in just three quarters under center for Georgia. Shockley finished the afternoon with 159 yards on 17-of-31 attempts. The Bulldogs end their regular-season Saturday at Georgia Tech.

    Kentucky has now lost nine straight against Georgia. The Wildcats close out their season Saturday against Tennessee.

    LSU at Ole Miss

    LSU defeated Ole Miss 40-7 in Oxford Saturday night. The Tigers have won eight straight and can capture the SEC West Division with a home victory over Arkansas on Friday.

    JaMarcus Russell completed 13-of-22 attempts for 142 yards and threw two touchdown passes for LSU. Joseph Addai rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown and Justin Vincent also ran for a score for the Tigers.

    The Rebels fell behind early in the contest and never recovered. LSU outgained Ole Miss 380-175, including 177-7 on the ground.

    Vanderbilt at Tennessee

    Vanderbilt snapped a 22-game losing streak against Tennessee by defeating the Vols 28-24 at Neyland Stadium. The loss keeps Tennessee from becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 1988.

    Vanderbilt led 21-14 at the half and following a scoreless third quarter, Tennessee's Arian Foster tied the contest from one-yard out. Foster rushed 40 times for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

    The Vols then took a 24-21 lead with 8:21 to play on James Wilhoit's 29-yard field goal. Vanderbilt had one last chance on offense with 1:40 remaining. It took the Commodores all of three plays and 29 seconds to go 63 yards as Earl Bennett caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Jay Cutler.

    The Vols drove inside Vanderbilt's 20-yard line on their final possession, but the game ended on Jared Fagan's interception with no time left.

    Clemson at South Carolina

    Clemson defeated 19th-ranked South Carolina 13-9 at Williams-Brice Stadium. James Davis had a big day for the Tigers rushing 145 yards on 27 carries and also scored the game winning touchdown.

    Trailing 9-6, Clemson was finally able to put a touchdown on the board late in the fourth quarter. Charlie Whitehurst engineered an eight-play, 80-yard drive and Davis finished off the series with his scoring run to make it 13-9 with 5:58 remaining.

    South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell was intercepted on the Gamecocks' ensuing series but C.J. Gaddis fumbled the ball as he began to run. South Carolina recovered and quickly moved inside midfield, where it faced 4th-and-6. Mitchell's pass was deflected and Charles Bennett picked it off for the Tigers, who then ran out the final 2:26.

    Mississippi State at Arkansas

    Arkansas scored 41 points in the first half and routed Mississippi State 44-10. The Bulldogs have lost seven straight games. The Razorbacks' defense held Mississippi State to just 183 yards of total offense and allowed them to convert only 1-of-13 on third down.

    Arkansas will try to keep LSU from winning the West title when the two teams play in Baton Rouge Friday at 1:30 p.m. CT on CBS.

    Predictions For Week 13 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, overall they are 60-19. The regular season ends this weekend when LSU tries to win the SEC Western Division title against Arkansas. GA Tech meets Georgia and FSU plays at Florida in the other important games.

    Arkansas at LSU, Friday, November 25, 1:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    A victory over Arkansas will send LSU to Atlanta to play Georgia in the Championship Game December 3. A loss to the Razorbacks would give Auburn a shot at beating Georgia twice in the same season. There's no doubt which team Auburn fans will be pulling for.

    LSU is probably the hottest team in the country right now. The Tigers have won eight straight and have only allowed a total of 70 points in those eight victories. LSU racked up 40 points last week against Ole Miss in Oxford.

    Arkansas is playing much better at the end of the season and a victory over third-ranked LSU would make up for a bad year. The Tigers are extremely hard to beat in Baton Rouge. Arkansas will try to snap a five-game losing streak at Tiger Stadium. It won't happen this year as LSU wins 28-14.

    Georgia at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m. CT, ABC

    Georgia will try to win five straight over Georgia Tech Saturday night before they play in the SEC Championship Game. Tech pulled off a big upset at Miami last week. A victory over the Bulldogs would land the Yellow Jackets in a good bowl game.

    Both squads have talented quarterbacks who are dangerous when they decide to run. Georgia Tech's Reggie Ball scored the winning touchdown from 16-yards out in the 14-10 victory over Miami.

    Georgia's D.J. Shockley has been solid all season while helping the Bulldogs capture the SEC Eastern Division title. Shockley will have to be ready when Tech blitzes on every play like they did against Miami.

    Georgia has won four straight and leads the all-time series 56-36-5. Tech is playing well to close out the regular season and should give the Bulldogs all they can handle. Mark Richt's team should make it five straight but it won't be easy. Georgia in a close contest, 21-18.

    Florida State at Florida, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Both schools enter this year's contest with a 7-3 overall record and both went 5-3 in their respective conferences. Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles started 5-0 but haven't played well since. Florida head coach Urban Meyer looks to become the only first-year head coach in the history of the program to defeat Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State in his first full season with the Gators.

    Florida State and Florida enter this game with highly-ranked defenses. The Gators are No. 9 in the nation while the Seminoles are No. 11. Look for a defensive battle in The Swamp with Florida coming out on top because of quarterback Chris Leak. Leak can make things happen when the game is on the line. Gators win 16-7.

    Tennessee at Kentucky, 11:30 a.m. CT, Jefferson-Pilot Sports

    Tennessee hit rock bottom last week when Vanderbilt came from behind to win 28-24 in Knoxville. The loss dropped the Vols to 4-6 and eliminated them from bowl eligibility for the first time since 1988. This week against Kentucky, Tennessee will try and get out of Lexington as fast as they can without suffering any major injuries so they can begin to forget about the disastrous 2005 season.

    The Wildcats could end their season by beating SEC Eastern Division rival Tennessee. The Vols lead the all-time series with the Wildcats 68-23-9, and they lead 32-13-3 in games played in Lexington. Kentucky should get a rare victory against Tennessee behind running back Rafael Little. Little leads the nation in all purpose yards, averaging 194 yards per game. The Wildcats win by three, 17-14.

    Ole Miss at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    The Egg Bowl has Ole Miss and Mississippi State facing each other in Starkville. The Rebels hold a 58-37-6 advantage in the series and they hold a 20-9-3 advantage in games played in Starkville. Ole Miss is looking to become the first team to win four straight Egg Bowls since the Rebels won four consecutive from 1983-1986.

    Both teams have had lousy seasons and are looking to end the year on a high note. Mississippi State's two wins this year came against I-AA Murray State and 2-8 Tulane. The only bright spot for the Bulldogs in 2005 was the play of running back Jerious Norwood. Norwood became the all-time leading rusher in MSU history a few weeks ago.

    The Bulldogs face an Ole Miss defense that has played well at times this year. The Rebels' offense has sputtered in recent games after showing signs of improvement in the middle of the season.

    The winner of this year's contest will be the team who wants it more and who wants to build for the future. Ole Miss should defeat the Bulldogs for the fourth straight year. Rebels by a touchdown, 24-17.

    A Look Back At SEC Games From Week 13

    LSU won the Western Division title by beating Arkansas 19-17. Georgia defeated in-state rival Georgia Tech 14-7, and Florida routed Florida State 34-7 at The Swamp.

    Arkansas at LSU

    LSU won the Western Division title by beating Arkansas 19-17 at Tiger Stadium. The victory sends the Tigers to the Georgia Dome to play Georgia Saturday at 5 p.m. CT on CBS.

    After being down 19-3, the Razorbacks scored a pair of second-half touchdowns and had a chance to take the lead in the final minute.

    In the third quarter, Arkansas drove 68 yards in seven plays for a touchdown, as Casey Dick found Cedric Washington on a 29-yard scoring pass. The two-point conversion run by Darren McFadden pulled the Razorbacks within 19-11 with 4:16 to play in the third quarter.

    LSU then drove into Arkansas territory, but Justin Vincent fumbled and Keith Jackson recovered for the Razorbacks. McFadden then scored on a one-yard run, but Dick's two-point conversion pass was intercepted and the Razorbacks were down by two with 10:34 remaining in the contest.

    Vickiel Vaughn then picked off his second pass of the game to give Arkansas the ball near midfield, but the LSU defense forced a loss of 13 yards on the next three plays and the Razorbacks had to punt. Arkansas' next possession also ended in a punt before its final series.

    Georgia at Georgia Tech

    In a defensive battle, Georgia defeated Georgia Tech 14-7 in Atlanta. D.J. Shockley completed 15-of-34 passes for 198 yards and threw the game winning touchdown to Bryan McClendon late in the fourth quarter.

    The Yellow Jackets scored on the game's opening drive, which ended on Reggie Ball's two-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson. The 10-play drive took 4:44 and went 78-yards.

    The Bulldogs answered when Brannan Southerland scored from one-yard out with 5:16 left in the opening quarter to knot the contest at 7-7.

    The game remained tied at 7-7 until Georgia got good field position late in the fourth quarter when Thomas Flowers returned a Yellow Jacket punt 33 yards to the Tech 39. It took the Bulldogs just five plays to go ahead, as Shockley found McClendon in the left corner of the end zone.

    Georgia faces LSU in the SEC Championship Game Saturday in Atlanta.

    Florida State at Florida

    Florida won easily 34-7 over Florida State at The Swamp. The Seminoles have lost three straight while the Gators finished the regular season with three wins in their last four games.

    After a scoreless first quarter, Florida took a 7-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter when Chris Leak found Chad Jackson in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown strike. The score capped off a nine-play, 71-yard drive.

    The Gators scored another touchdown when Marcus Thomas blocked a 46-yard field goal attempt, and Reggie Lewis scooped up the loose ball and ran it in for the 52-yard score with 9:52 to go in the second quarter.

    In the third quarter, Chris Hetland nailed a 44-yard field goal, giving Florida a 17-0 lead with 7:27 remaining. The Gators then took advantage of a Florida State turnover when Hetland hit a 34-yarder early in the fourth quarter.

    On their next drive, the Seminoles' Leon Washington fumbled deep in his own territory and the Gators recovered on the 15-yard line. Leak then found Dallas Baker for a 15-yard score that put the Gators up 27-0 with 14:22 remaining in the game. Markus Manson then gave the Gators a 34-0 advantage when he scored from one-yard out.

    Florida State finally got on the board after Drew Weatherford found De'Cody Fagg in the middle of the end zone for a five-yard touchdown strike with 6:35 remaining.

    Tennessee at Kentucky

    Tennessee dominated Kentucky 27-8 at Commonwealth Stadium. Erik Ainge completed 17-of-25 passes for 221 yards and threw two touchdowns. The victory gives the Volunteers their 21st-straight decision over the Wildcats.

    Ainge got Tennessee on the board first when he threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Robert Meachem. Kentucky responded with a 31-yard field goal by Taylor Begley to cut the Volunteers' lead to 7-3.

    Tennessee then went up 14-3 when Ainge connected with Chris Hannon on a 32-yard scoring pass with 11:31 left in the second quarter. Kentucky added another field goal from Begley, this time from 25-yards out. The Volunteers extended their lead to 17-6 just before halftime when James Wilhoit hit a 31-yard field goal.

    Tennessee opened the second half by scoring 10-straight points. Justin Harrell returned an interception seven yards for a touchdown and Wilhoit booted a 40-yard field goal to give the Volunteers a 27-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.

    Kentucky registered a safety with 6:53 left in the contest to score its only points in the second half and bring the score to its final of 27-8.

    Ole Miss at Mississippi State

    Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss 35-14 behind Jerious Norwood's four touchdowns. Norwood finished the afternoon with 204 yards on 34 carries.

    The Rebels took an early 7-0 on their first possession when quarterback Ethan Flatt found Taye Biddle on a 41-yard touchdown pass. Norwood then put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard with his 33-yard touchdown run. With the game tied at seven, Norwood put Mississippi State up 14-7 after his two-yard touchdown run.

    Ole Miss quickly answered as Michael Spurlock found fellow quarterback Robert Lane on a seven-yard touchdown pass to knot the score at 14-14. Norwood gave the Bulldogs a 21-14 lead at halftime when he scored his third touchdown of the quarter with 46 seconds to play in the half on a one-yard run

    Mississippi State shut Ole Miss down on offense in the second half, and added two fourth-quarter scores. Michael Henig hit Bryson Davis with a one-yard touchdown toss, then Norwood got his final touchdown of the day on a five-yard pass from Henig.

    The Bulldogs racked 409 total yards in the victory, while the Rebels managed just 189 yards.

    Prediction For Saturday's SEC Championship Game

    LSU and Georgia play in the SEC Championship Game Saturday. On the line is a BCS berth to the Sugar Bowl. The Tigers are trying to win the conference title for the second time since 2003. Last week's predictions were 3-2, overall they are 63-21.

    Georgia vs. LSU, 5:00 p.m. CT, CBS

    Georgia and LSU met twice in 2003, once in the regular season and the other in the title game. The Tigers won both meetings on their way to winning the national championship. LSU would be in the hunt for the national championship again this year, but they let Tennessee come back and beat them in Tiger Stadium. Georgia was expected to finish behind Tennessee and Florida in the East, but the Bulldogs had another solid season under Mark Richt.

    Les Miles has guided LSU to a 10-1 record in his first season as head coach. Miles took over a program that is loaded with talent, especially on defense. After giving up a lot of points to Arizona State and Tennessee to start the year, LSU has given up a total of 87 points over their last nine games (all wins) and have held five opponents to seven points or less. The defense is just as stingy when opponents try to run. In last week's 19-17 victory over the SEC's No. 1 rushing team, LSU held Arkansas' top three runners to a total of 61 yards on 27 carries.

    Richt's team finished their regular season last week by beating Georgia Tech 14-7. Georgia's defense played a big role in the victory over the Yellow Jackets and also helped the Bulldogs have a 9-2 season.

    Georgia held six teams to 14 points or less, and only gave up more than 20 points once this season, which came in the 31-30 loss to Auburn. The defense ranks near the top of the national standings in many categories, giving up 14.6 ppg and 303.9 total ypg. The unit has done a good job against the run, as opponents are only gaining 3.7 ypc. Against the pass, the Bulldogs have registered 14 interceptions and surrendered only six touchdowns.

    Offensively, both teams have put up similar numbers in total yards and on the scoreboard in 2005. LSU is averaging 29.9 ppg and 378.6 total ypg this season, while Georgia is averaging 28.6 ppg and 394.0 total ypg.

    LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell has completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 2,323 yards while throwing 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has thrown at least one scoring pass in nine straight games, the longest streak by an LSU quarterback since Herb Tyler's 11-game run in 1997-98.

    Joseph Addai and Justin Vincent are the leaders for the Tigers on the ground. Addai set career-highs in rushing (796 yards) and touchdowns (8) while Vincent added 494 yards and five scores.

    Georgia is led by quarterback D.J. Shockley. Shockley has completed 55.5 percent of his passes for 2,199 yards with 19 touchdowns and only five interceptions, and he has run for three additional scores. Shockley is more mobile than Russell and he gives the Bulldogs a decent threat on the ground.

    Georgia probably has a better field goal kicker behind Brandon Coutu's consistent leg. The sophomore has converted 21-of-26 kicks, including 7-of-8 from 40-to-49 and 2-of-4 from 50-plus. LSU’s Chris Jackson has hit just 7-of-15 and just 4-of-10 from beyond 40 yards. Both teams are among the best in the nation in net punting, both teams excel returning punts and both teams struggle returning kickoffs.

    In previous trips to Atlanta to play in the conference title game, LSU is 2-0 while Georgia is 1-2. LSU owns a 14-10 edge in the all-time series with Georgia, including a 34-13 romp over the Bulldogs in the 2003 SEC Championship Game. Since both teams are pretty evenly matched, expect this year's SEC Championship Game to be a low-scoring defensive battle. Georgia hands LSU its first loss in the title game after a 16-13 victory.

    A Look Back At The SEC Championship Game

    Georgia's 34-14 victory over LSU in the SEC Championship Game earns them a trip to the Sugar Bowl to play West Virginia January 2. LSU plays Miami in the Peach Bowl December 30.

    Georgia vs LSU

    Georgia won easily in Saturday's SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The 34-14 victory sends the Bulldogs to the Sugar Bowl where they will play West Virginia January 2.

    Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley threw two touchdowns and ran for another score. He finished the contest with 112 yards on 6-of-12 completions.

    LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell left the game in the third quarter after he separated his shoulder. Russell completed 11-of-19 passes for 120 yards and was intercepted once and sacked three times. Matt Flynn replaced Russell and completed 3-of-11 passes for 36 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

    The Tigers won the toss and opted to receive the ball first. After they were unable to put together a drive, they were forced to punt to Georgia. The Bulldogs scored on their first play after the punt when Shockley found Sean Bailey on a 45-yard touchdown strike. Later in the first quarter, Shockley found Bailey again, this time from 29-yards out to give Georgia a 14-0 lead. The score came after DeMario Minter intercepted Russell to set up Georgia at its own 49.

    LSU then got on the scoreboard on its ensuing possession after they drove 80 yards as Russell ran in from the one-yard line.

    The Bulldogs got the ball at the LSU 15 after Bryan McClendon blocked a Chad Jackson punt. Shockley scored from seven-yards out on 3rd-and-2 with 8:32 remaining in the half to put his team up 21-7.

    After halftime, Georgia extended its lead to 27-7 when Brandon Coutu nailed a 22-yard field goal early in the third quarter and he was good again from 51 yards out 20 seconds into the fourth.

    The Bulldogs' Tim Jennings stepped in front of LSU's Dwayne Bowe for an interception and raced 15 yards to the end zone, 22 seconds after Coutu's second field goal. The score gave Georgia a comfortable 34-7 lead in the fourth.

    Flynn then found Bowe on a 19-yard touchdown pass with 5:38 remaining, and LSU got the ball back after a successful onside kick. However, Flynn was sacked on a fourth down play to end the contest.

    Gift Ideas For Christmas

    With Christmas only a few weeks away, you may be having trouble finding that perfect gift for your family and friends. Here are a few ideas to help you choose which gift to add to your shopping list.

    If you can find one, the Xbox 360 will make any teenager or avid gamer very happy when they unwrap it. The Xbox 360 is expensive but worth the price because the gaming console is head-and-shoulders above everything that came before it. The basic console is $299, and $399 for the console that has more features.

    You may have better luck finding a PlayStation PSP and a Nintendo DS system. The PSP costs around $207 and the Nintendo DS system is about $129.

    Desktop and notebook computers are also popular items people have on their wish lists. A decent desktop can be purchased for around $1,000 and notebooks usually cost about $500 more. One top-selling notebook is the Sony Intel Pentium M 100 GB with DVD+/-R/RW that costs $1,499.99.

    DVDs are great gifts for those who enjoy watching their favorite television show or movie over and over. The first season of "Desperate Housewives" for $49.99 and the complete six-season collection of "Sex and the City" for $199.95 are sure to keep die-hard fans entertained all year.

    Digital cameras are a great way to capture those special memories and the cost varies depending on what features you want. The Nikon Coolpix 4800 at $179 and Fujifilm FinePix F450 at $224 are among the best sellers. The Canon PowerShot S2IS for $449.99 has all of the top features.

    iPod's are still at the top of the most wanted items for Christmas even though they have been around for a few years. New models include the Nano 2 GB MP3 player for $194 and one that offers video technology and 30 GB of storage for $299.99.

    For drivers who get lost or having trouble following directions, the pricey TomTom GO 300 portable vehicle navigation GPS receiver for $699.99 will get them there without the help of MapQuest. Other gift ideas for the car include satellite radio. SIRIUS offers the Audiovox receiver and car kit package for $149, and XM offers the Delphi Roady XT receiver for $79.99.

    Lastly, gift cards are perfect for those who are unsure what to buy their friends or family members but know where they shop. Gift cards can be bought for just about any amount and never expire.

    Cardboard Cutouts Replace Volunteers

    Many people may have noticed that something is missing from the entrance to the store where they shop for Christmas presents this year. The familiar sounds of bells ringing and the sight of red-kettles are slowly becoming a thing of the past.

    From Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, the Salvation Army begins its fund-raising campaign to raise money to make the holidays a little brighter for those who are less fortunate. With more than 20,000 kettles positioned across the country, the Salvation Army depends on thousands of volunteers to stand outside stores in the cold next to kettles to entice shoppers to make donations.

    Faced with a shortage of volunteers and problems finding people to do a seasonal job that in some areas pays as little as $6 an hour, the charity has decided to try mechanized cardboard cutouts instead of real people.

    In 14 states, from Texas to Virginia, mechanical bell ringers called "standees" are being used at more than 100 Books-A-Million and Hibbett Sporting Goods stores. If the experiment is successful, the Salvation Army will consider expanding it nationwide next year, officials said.

    The automated color cutouts of an Atlanta couple, Captains Bobby and Ann Westmoreland, dressed in their officer uniforms are equipped with a motion sensor that causes the greeters to raise an arm and ring a cardboard bell when someone walks by. A recorded voice says: "Merry Christmas. God bless you."

    To guard against theft, the "standees" are attached by chain to a large tripod. The kettle, also attached with a chain, has a slot on top large enough to accept coins and bills.

    The kettle program, which began in 1891, is expected to generate at least $90 million this year, 87 percent of which will go to service programs. The Salvation Army will use the money donated to aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless. Donations provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need.

    Bad Year At Box Office

    Even though "King Kong" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" are likely to lure many movie-goers to the theater this month, it won't be enough to offset the biggest decline in movie attendance in 20 years.

    Before Thanksgiving, attendance had been running 8 percent behind last year's numbers. Huge crowds for "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" helped cut the deficit down to 7.3 percent by early December, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

    Even with the help of "King Kong" and "The Chronicles of Narnia," movie attendance will likely be down 6 percent or more for the year. That marks the largest drop since admissions fell 12 percent in 1985.

    Some studio executives and Hollywood analysts say 2005 just brought a generally weaker lineup of films. Others insist movie-goers prefer home theaters with big screens and booming sound, where they can watch films on DVD only a few months after their theatrical release.

    Driving to a multiplex, finding a parking spot, fighting for a seat and putting up with high concessions prices and other cinema hassles makes the comfort of home sound even more appealing. In an Associated Press-AOL News poll last summer, 73 percent of adults said they preferred watching movies at home on DVD, videotape or pay-per-view than going to theaters.

    While studio executives say it's premature to predict audiences will keep dwindling, 2005 marks the third-straight year attendance has fallen and the fifth year out of the last seven that theater crowds have shrunk.

    Next year should see attendance improve with a stronger lineup of movies in May to kick off summer. Early summer 2006 starts with Tom Cruise's "Mission: Impossible III," "Poseidon," a remake of the disaster flick "The Poseidon Adventure," Tom Hanks' "The Da Vinci Code," the superhero sequel "X-Men 3" and the animated tales "Cars" and "Over the Hedge" quickly following.

    Alabama Ranks Low In Healthiest States Report

    According to a new report by the non-profit United Health Foundation, Alabama dropped to 45th on a list released last week ranking the healthiest American states. Last year Alabama was ranked 43rd overall.

    The foundation attributed Alabama's lower ranking to its high rates of smoking, obesity, low high school graduation rates and the high rate of poverty.

    The study did find that Alabama does do well in providing pregnant women access to prenatal care, spending money on public health, immunizing children and reducing the number of uninsured people.

    The healthiest state in the nation is Minnesota, which has been at the top in 10 of the past 16 years. Close behind are Vermont, New Hampshire, Utah, Hawaii and North Dakota. Mississippi ranked the least healthy state, followed by Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina and Arkansas.

    Overall, the health of Americans has improved 18.4 percent since 1990, but the rate of improvement is now slowing considerably. During the 1990s, Americans' health improved at an annual rate of 1.5 percent. But since 2000, that rate has slowed to 0.3 percent annually.

    The report assesses the nation as a whole as well as each state, using 18 measures of health. The measures include smoking, infant mortality rates, per capita public health spending and immunization rates.

    The United States lags behind many other nations in a variety of indicators, and ranks 28th in healthy life expectancy. In Japan, which has the highest healthy life expectancy, a newborn can expect to live five additional healthy years compared to a child born in the United States.

    On a positive note, the report found that there has been a 30 percent overall decline in the prevalence of smoking since 1990, with most of that drop occurring in the early 1990s. From 1993 to 2003, there were few measurable improvements made. Today, tobacco remains the No. 1 preventable cause of death and disease in the United States and almost 21 percent of Americans still smoke.

    The nation has also experienced a 40 percent decrease in the rate of motor vehicle deaths and in the incidence of infectious disease, a 24 percent decline in violent crime, and an 18 percent decline in the rate of deaths from cardiovascular disease since 1990.

    New Year's Eve Will Be A Second Longer

    This New Year's Eve will have a minute with 61 seconds. Scientists are delaying the start of 2006 by the first "leap second" in seven years, a timing tweak meant to make up for changes in the Earth's rotation.

    The adjustment will be carried out by adding an extra second to atomic clocks worldwide at the stroke of midnight Coordinated Universal Time, the widely adopted international standard, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology said this week.

    Coordinated Universal Time coincides with winter time in London. On the U.S. East Coast, the extra second occurs just before 7 p.m. on New Year‘s Eve. Atomic clocks at that moment will read 23:59:60 before rolling over to all zeros.

    The length of Earth's day is increasing by about two milliseconds per century because of tidal breaking, whereas today's atomic clocks, unaffected by cosmic events, tick away with an accuracy within one second for every 20 million years.

    To fix the problem, a leap second is added to keep uniform timekeeping within 0.9 second of the Earth's rotational time. The first leap second was added on June 30, 1972, with the last one added in 1998.

    Although it is possible to have a negative leap second, a second deducted from Coordinated Universal Time, so far there have been 21 add-ons, reflecting the Earth‘s general slowing trend due to the tides and other factors.

    Deciding when to introduce a leap second is the responsibility of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service, a standards-setting body. Under an international pact, adding leap seconds can only be done on December 31 or June 30.

    Most scientists think that adding leap seconds will likely become a twice-a-year experience in about a century as the Earth keeps slowing and the unvarying atomic clocks keep ticking away.

    Happy New Year

    Access Auburn wishes the best to you and yours in 2006. Watch us grow in 2006. We have big plans for 2006. Check back often for the latest in Auburn News, Sports and Weather.

    2006 Year of Outdoor Alabama

    Bob Riley has declared 2006 The Year of Outdoor Alabama. The campaign is designed to encourage travelers to visit the state's beautiful outdoor destinations, experience outdoor adventures in Alabama and participate in outdoor expos throughout 2006.

    To help attract more people to Alabama, the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel has created several guides and brochures to encourage travelers to experience the state's outdoor destinations. The bureau will also spend more than $1 million in advertising to support the campaign.

    A new web site was launched on January 5, 2006 that features descriptions and locations of outdoor activities available in Alabama, a list of the "100 Alabama Adventures" and profiles of Alabama's outdoor ambassadors. The Year of Outdoor Alabama site can be found at www.yearofoutdooralabama.com.

    The 2006 Alabama Vacation Guide has been expanded to highlight the state's outdoor adventures. The glossy, 160-page magazine-style book, is filled with information about statewide accommodations and attractions. The guide spotlights bird watching, hiking, canoeing, camping and a variety of other outdoor activities. A section on outfitters provides phone numbers, Web sites and services to find information on a specific adventure.

    The brochure titled "100 Alabama Adventures" lists more than 100 outdoor adventures in Alabama, from hiking into the Walls of Jericho in north Alabama to skimming over water on an airboat tour of America's second largest delta, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, in south Alabama. The brochure will be available in Alabama's welcome centers as well as on the Web site at www.yearofoutdooralabama.com.

    The Outdoor Alabama Expo at Oak Mountain State Park in Birmingham will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2006. The free Expo will allow participants to learn about recreation and conservation through a variety of how-to sessions on outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, hiking and birding. The Expo will have activities for children including learn-to fish and hunt programs. Experts will be available to assist with activities, and all equipment will be provided.

    Two mini-expos will be held in Huntsville at Madison County Public Lake on March 25, 2006, and in Mobile at the Historic Blakeley Park and Gatra Wehle Nature Center on April 22, 2006. Visitors at the expos can learn about recreation and conservation through a variety of outdoor activities.

    The bureau has created a new TV commercial that features shots of friends and families enjoying some of Alabama's nearly 2 million acres of public lands and waters while promoting Alabama as a place to escape the stresses of everyday life. The commercial will be shown primarily in the Southeast on more than 30 Raycom TV stations.

    A photography exhibit will travel across the state and will be designed to showcase the landscapes of Alabama. Pictures from selected Alabama photographers will be on display at locations near Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile. The exhibit will allow people to see and enjoy the beauty of nature in Alabama. Visit www.yearofoutdooralabama.com for specific locations and dates.

    Tourism in Alabama is a $7 billion industry that continues to grow each year. According to the Center for Business and Economic Development at Auburn University in Montgomery, more than 20.6 million people visited the state in 2004. For more information about The Year of Outdoor Alabama campaign, visit www.800alabama.com or call 1-800-ALABAMA.

    Bill Would Ban Cell Phone Use For Drivers Under 18

    Rep. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, plans to introduce a bill in the Legislature's regular session that would ban drivers under 18 from talking on a cell phone while driving a vehicle in Alabama.

    If the bill passes, it would be a traffic violation and apply to cell or wireless communications equipment, including hand-held and hands-free devices.

    McClendon said he became aware of the connection between automobile accidents and teen drivers using cell phones as a member of the Emergency Response to the Health Care Crisis in Alabama Commission. The panel was established by the Legislature in 2004 to study ways to reduce health costs among Alabamians.

    Similar bills have been introduced by McClendon and Rep. Jack Page, D-Gadsden, but they both died in the House Judiciary Committee. In 2004, Page sponsored a bill that would have banned use of hand-held cell phones by all drivers. That measure was strongly opposed by the cell phone industry.

    Many drivers who are aware of the potential for distraction with hand-held phones switched to hands-free devices because they believe they are safer. Statistics show using hands-free devices makes no difference, particularly among teens.

    A report by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety finds that all drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a crash with injuries when they are using a cell phone. And the risk of crashes are greater whether the cell phone is hand-held or hands-free.

    A recent study by Ford Motor Co. indicates that teen drivers are more likely to be distracted than adult drivers by cell phone use.

    Using a simulator, Ford found that without distractions both teens and adults missed potentially dangerous driving situations about 3 percent of the time. But when cell phone use was added to the tests, adults failed to recognize dangerous driving situations 13 percent of the time while teenagers failed to spot the dangerous situations more than 50 percent of the time.

    Are We Alone?

    Astronomers have discovered an Earth-like planet, which has a mass about five times that of Earth, orbiting a small star near the center of the galaxy in the constellation Sagittarius.

    The planet, which has been given the name OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb, is located about three times as far away from its star as the distance from Earth to the sun. With a surface temperature of -220C (-364F), the planet is probably too cold to support life. But its discovery is an important breakthrough in the search for extra-terrestrial life because it suggests that small, rocky planets like the Earth are relatively common around other stars. That makes it likely that at least some are located in the so-called habitable zone, the region around stars where temperatures are moderate enough for liquid water to appear on their surfaces.

    Astronomers discovered the new, small planet by using a new technique called galactic microlensing. Most easily observed with small, older stars known as M dwarfs, microlensing occurs when light from a distant star encounters the gravitational field of a closer star as the closer star passes in front or just to the side it. The gravitational field literally bends and magnifies the light. Planets can then be detected as they blot out some of the light from a star as they orbit in front of it, causing a blip effect that astronomers can see.

    The planet lies close to the center of the Milky Way, between 20,000 and 25,000 light years from Earth. Its parent star is of a type known as a red dwarf, which is about five times less massive than the Sun.

    2005 Record Year For Warmth

    NASA's new study suggests 2005 was the warmest year in at least a century, surpassing the previous warmest year in 1998. Over the past 30 years, Earth has warmed a bit more than 1 degree, making it about the warmest it's been in 10,000 years.

    In order to figure out whether the Earth is cooling or warming, the scientists use temperature data from weather stations on land, satellite measurements of sea surface temperature since 1982, and data from ships for earlier years. According to their data, the five warmest years over the last century have occurred since 1997: 2005, then 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    The NASA study follows two studies from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released last year that suggested 1998 was the warmest year. According to the NASA researchers, the primary difference among the conclusions is the inclusion of data from the Arctic in the NASA analysis.

    Previously, the warmest year of the century was 1998, when a strong El Niño, a warm water event in the eastern Pacific Ocean, added warmth to global temperatures. However, regardless of whether 2005 is first or second warmest, global warmth has returned to about the level of 1998 without the help of an El Niño.

    Current warmth seems to be occurring nearly everywhere at the same time and is largest at high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Over the last 50 years, the largest annual and seasonal warmings have occurred in Alaska, Siberia and the Antarctic Peninsula. Because these areas are remote and far away from major cities, it is clear to climatologists that the warming is not due to the influence of pollution from urban areas.

    Auburn University Celebrates Sesquicentennial

    Auburn University turns 150 on February 1. The university has several events planned to honor Auburn's sesquicentennial birthday starting with a Founders Day ceremony and ending with a City Block Party.

    Auburn University was chartered in 1856 and officially opened on October 1, 1859 with the name East Alabama Male College until 1872. It went through two other name changes, Agricultural and Mechanical College (1872-1889) and Alabama Polytechnic Institute (1889-1960), before being named Auburn University in 1960.

    Accounts since the 19th century show that, regardless of the official name, the state's land-grant university has always been know as "Auburn," a name taken by the Lee County community from the Oliver Goldsmith poem, "The Deserted Village." The poem includes the line, "Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain."

    East Alabama Male College had a faculty of six, a college enrollment of 80 and a preparatory enrollment of 100. Today, Auburn University has an enrollment of 23,333 and offers degrees in 13 schools and colleges at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. In U.S. News & World Report’s issue of America’s best Colleges 2006, Auburn is ranked 38th among the top 50 public national universities and the highest in Alabama.

    The birthday ceremony on February 1 begins at 11:15 a.m. with the Posting of the Colors by the Auburn University Reserve Officer Training Corp. At 11:20 a.m., Interim President Ed Richardson reads his Welcome speech followed by proclamations by Gov. Bob Riley and Auburn Mayor Bill Ham. To mark the occasion, Riley will proclaim February 1 as Auburn University Day.

    The ceremony ends with the ringing of the bells at the top of Samford Hall, followed by the AU Concert Choir's performance of America the Beautiful and the alma mater.

    On February 4, the birthday celebration continues with activities scheduled throughout the day. At 10 a.m., a walking tour that starts on Samford Lawn and goes throughout central campus will take visitors through the history of the university. The tour will leave every 10 minutes and take approximately one hour. The Tiger Transit will shuttle those participating in the walking tour from the C-Zone parking lot on the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Donahue Drive. The Library parking deck and Comer Hall parking lot will be closed.

    On the tour, actors will portray famous figures in Auburn's history, such as George Petrie, Cliff Hare and Ralph Brown Draughon. James Foy, the 89-year-old former dean of students, will be portraying himself.

    The festivities continue at 2 p.m. with a block party on Samford Lawn. Interim President Ed Richardson gives a welcoming speech, followed by eight Auburn students who will recite the Auburn Creed. The students were selected from a field of nominees.

    Free birthday cake will then be available and a concert featuring The Eric Rhodes Band and The Alabama Blues Brothers will last until 5:30 p.m. Then, a fireworks display from the library parking deck will wrap up the event.

    Most Alabamians Believe Wire Tapping Is Ok

    In a recent Mobile Register-University of South Alabama poll, most Alabamians believe that some civil liberties are worth sacrificing to protect the nation against terrorism.

    Two-thirds of those responding to the poll agreed that American citizens should be willing to give up "some of their personal rights and freedoms" to safeguard the country against terrorists. When the specific question of whether the government should be able to monitor e-mail and phone traffic without a warrant, only about half approved.

    Those who responded to the poll think President Bush should be given a free hand in pursuing terrorism. About 30 percent said they thought the administration has violated citizens' rights; almost 60 percent said they believe it should put investigating terrorist threats ahead of protecting people's rights if the two come into conflict.

    Party differences did come into play on almost every poll question. More than four out of five Republicans said they thought Americans should be willing to give up some rights and freedoms to protect the country against terrorism; only about half of self-identified Democrats said they felt the same way.

    Of the poll respondents who labeled themselves as "other" or "independent" generally fell somewhere in the middle. About 54 percent gave the president good or excellent marks in confronting terrorism. Almost 70 percent thought that anti-terrorism efforts should take precedence over preserving civil liberties.

    President Bush has taken a lot of heat for purposely bypassing a special secret court to intercept communications between people inside the United States and others living abroad whom the government suspects of terrorist ties. Many critics are asking why the president made the decision to go around the special court when it has rejected only a handful of government wiretap requests since its creation in the late 1970s.

    Inexpensive Valentine's Day Ideas

    If you still haven't made plans for Valentine's Day or if you are on a tight budget, here are a few things you can do to make February 14 memorable for you and your partner without spending a lot of money.

    Couples usually spend a few hours on Valentine's day at a restaurant that only offers a few choices on the menu and charges more money than almost any other day of the year. Instead of spending money on a fancy meal that usually isn't that great, you could make your valentine a nice meal at home. If you need ideas on what to make, try Allrecipes.com, Epicurious, and Recipe Source.

    If the sky is clear and if it isn't too cold, plan a night of stargazing. You can stay in your car or take chairs and sit outside. Take hot chocolate and stay warm if you plan on staying for a while.

    Get dressed up and go see a play. Plays can be found in every city on just about every night throughout the year. A few hours spent laughing during a play can help get your mind off of stressful things that might have happened during the day.

    Put on your dancing shoes and go dancing. This is a good way to get some exercise and spend time with your partner. Many clubs don't start charging cover until later at night.

    Impress your partner by making them a gift or by writing a handwritten love letter in a card you made. Handwritten love letters are a lost art in this era of e-mail and cell phones, and taking the time to write one guarantees that it won't be thrown out along with the dozen roses that have withered.

    Create some CDs of your partner's favorite songs with the CD burner you got for Christmas. You can download each song for as little as 79 cents at Buy.com.

    Pamper your partner on Valentine's Day by promising to do household chores for them like cleaning and the laundry. This will give them a chance to take a break from the daily routine so they can relax and do something they enjoy.

    Weight-Loss Pill Could Be Sold Over-The-Counter

    A weight-loss pill, which is now sold only by prescription, could be sold over-the-counter if the Food and Drug Administration approves the sale of the pill made by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.

    An FDA advisory committee has voted 11-3 to recommend approval, but a final decision could take months. If the FDA approves the sale of orlistat, it would be the first weight-loss drug sanctioned for over-the-counter sales.

    The proposed over-the-counter orlistat pill, called Alli (pronounced "ally"), would contain half the dose of the prescription capsule. When taken with meals, orlistat blocks the absorption of about one-quarter of any fat consumed. Alli could cost consumers $12 to $25 a week.

    In six-month clinical trials, those who took orlistat lost on average 5.3 pounds to 6.2 pounds more than did those who were given a placebo. Glaxo wants people to use it for only six months at a time, but as an over-the-counter item, its use would not be policed.

    The pill's effect ends once its use is stopped, said Dr. Julie Golden, a medical officer in the FDA's division of metabolism and endocrinology products. A previous study showed a progressive weight gain in patients after they discontinued use of orlistat, she said.

    The FDA advisory committee requested that the company conduct follow-up studies if the drug reaches the market, as well as rework the pill's label to ensure proper use, said Dr. Alastair Wood, the panel's chairman.

    Glaxo said the drug helps overweight people slim down only when combined with a diet and exercise regimen. The drug's actual effect on weight loss is "gradual and modest," said Steve Burton, Glaxo's vice president of weight control.

    Alabama Back In Spotlight For Jury Verdicts

    Alabama is back in the national legal spotlight according to a new report from the American Tort Reform Association because the state had the largest jury verdicts in the country for two consecutive years.

    The association puts eastern Alabama on its list of areas to watch. That's the lowest of the three categories in the business group's annual ranking of "Judicial Hellholes." Neither the whole state nor any part of the state has made the association's list since 2002, when the state was in the association's middle category called "dishonorable mention."

    The association's new report said, "Alabama has the distinction of hosting the nation's highest verdicts in both 2003 and 2004." It categorized both of the verdicts as being in eastern Alabama.

    In 2003, a Montgomery County jury returned an $11.9 billion verdict in the state government's lawsuit accusing Exxon Mobil of deliberately underpaying royalties to the state for natural gas wells drilled in state-owned waters along the Alabama coast. That case is on appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.

    In 2004, a jury in Macon County awarded $1.6 billion in punitive damages and $20 million in compensatory damages to a woman who paid $50 per month for a nonexistent life insurance policy for nearly five years.

    Alabama also had the nation's No. 2 jury verdict in 2004, according to VerdictSearch, a group that tracks big jury awards. A federal court jury in Montgomery returned a $1.3 billion verdict for cattle producers who accused Tyson Fresh Meats of illegally manipulating cattle prices. A judge threw out the verdict.

    The American Tort Reform Association is a business group founded by the American Medical Association and the American Consulting Engineers Counsel in 1986. Its members now include a wide variety of businesses, including Anheuser Busch, Johnson & Johnson, New York Life Insurance and Pfizer. Like Alabama Voters Against Lawsuit Abuse, it seeks to restrict big jury verdicts.

    Alabama became the target of such groups in the 1980s and '90s because of several headline-grabbing verdicts. Alabama soon got labeled "tort hell" by groups seeking to put limits on the punitive damages that juries could award, and Alabama voters saw political ads loaded with phrases like "tort reform" and "lawsuit abuse."

    The Alabama Legislature reacted with several new laws, including one in 1999 to limit punitive damages to three times the compensatory damages in most cases. When those laws went into action, Alabama's reputation began to change.

    Alabama Voters Want English Only On License Exam

    A new poll found that seven out of 10 Alabama voters disagree with a Montgomery County judge's decision that state officials can continue to conduct driver's license exams in foreign languages.

    Poll results show that 95 percent of Alabama voters agreed that English should be the official language on driver's license exams, higher than the 89 percent who voted for a constitutional amendment to make English the state's official language in a 1990 voter referendum.

    The poll found that 84 percent of voters agreed that allowing immigrants to take driver's license exams in their native language was a threat to public safety. Results also show that 93 percent think that requiring immigrants to take exams in English would encourage them to learn English.

    Taken during the week of Feb. 9 through the 14, the poll used 800 registered voters. It was conducted by Tel Opinion Research Inc., a Lance Tarrance public opinion research firm, and commissioned by ProEnglish, a Virginia-based group that supports English as an official language.

    Seven years after state officials stopped giving driver's license exams in other languages as a result of the 1990 vote to make English the state's official language, that policy was challenged and overturned in federal court.

    The state appealed the ruling, and in 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Alabama could require that exams be taken in English. Despite this, state officials decided to continue to allow driver's license applicants to take exams in one of 13 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Farsi.

    ProEnglish is appealing a Feb. 2 adverse ruling by Circuit Judge William A. Shashy on a lawsuit by five of its Alabama members who sought to reinstate the English-only rule on conducting driver's license exams.

    The plaintiffs, who were represented by the Southeastern Legal Foundation, argued that the change is required to comply with the state constitution.

    Life Expectancy Rises

    In a recent government report, U.S. life expectancy has hit another all-time high of 77.6 years. The report is a collection of data from the National Center for Health Statistics and dozens of other health agencies and organizations.

    The data from the report shows that life expectancy in the U.S. increased again in 2003, up from 77.3 the year before. By comparison, it was 75.4 in 1990. The report also noted that deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke, the nation's three leading killers, all dropped in 2003. They were down between 2 percent and 5 percent.

    Life expectancy has been rising almost without interruption since 1900, thanks to several factors, including extraordinary advances in medicine and sanitation, and declines in some types of unhealthy behavior, such as smoking.

    Even though health officials are happy about the rise in life expectancy and the decline in deaths from heart disease and cancer, they are concerned with recent trends in high blood pressure and obesity in the 55-to-64 age group. Half of Americans in that age group have high blood pressure, and two in five are obese.

    The 55-to-64 age group is expected to rise from 29 million Americans in 2004 to 40 million in 2014. The health of this large group of the near-elderly is of major concern to American taxpayers, because they are now becoming eligible for Medicare and Social Security.

    The report looked back at data on people who were in the 55-to-64 bracket around the early 1990s, which basically means people born in the 1930s. Researchers compared them to people in that age range today, which essentially is people born in the 1940s. They found that rates of hypertension and obesity were higher for the current group of 55-to-64-year-olds.

    When the 1930s group was tested around 1990, 42 percent had high blood pressure. That compares with 50 percent for the 1940s group. The older group's rate of obesity was 31 percent back then, compared with 39 percent for the 1940s babies now. Because of the advent of cholesterol-lowering drugs, the prevalence of high cholesterol actually went down, from 35 percent for the 1930s group to 23 percent among the 1940s babies.

    Also noted in the report:

    Infant mortality in 2003 dropped slightly to 6.9 deaths per 1,000 live births. Infant mortality has been on a general decline since 1958.

    Spending on health care rose 7.7 percent in 2003, to $1.7 trillion. Health expenditures as a percentage of gross domestic product rose to 15.3 percent in 2003, up from 14.9 percent in 2002.

    Prescription drugs were the fastest-growing expenditure. Spending on prescriptions rose 11 percent in 2003.

    Twenty-eight percent of all adults reported recent low back pain.

    New Bill Promotes Net Neutrality

    A new bill in the Senate seeks to prohibit network operators from charging content providers extra for faster delivery of their content to consumers over the Internet, or in favor of certain content.

    Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Internet Nondiscrimination Act of 2006 to Congress last week in support of "net neutrality" or non-discriminatory access and service for consumer and business interests in promotion of a continued free and open Internet.

    Wyden said in a statement that allowing cable and telephone companies to create a two-tiered system for distributing content over their networks would "have a chilling effect on small mom and pop businesses that can't afford the priority lane, leaving these smaller businesses no hope of competing against the Wal-Marts of the world."

    The current debate has arisen after the Regional Bell Operating Companies, which include the big three -- AT&T, BellSouth and Verizon -- called for a multi-tiered system where content providers could pay for priority use of faster service in downloading content such as movies.

    But the debate has spilled over into a national debate over regulation, revenue-sharing agreements and open access to the Internet, with already a coalition of content providers and consumer advocacy groups rallying for Net neutrality as part of telecommunications legislation in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Specifically, the Wyden bill would ensure the network operators treat Internet content equally by:

    not interfering with, blocking, degrading, altering, modifying or changing traffic on the Internet;

    not being allowed to create a priority lane where content providers can buy quicker access to customers, while those who do not pay the fee are left in the slow lane;

    allowing consumers to choose which devices they use to connect to the Internet while they are on the Net;

    ensuring that consumers have nondiscriminatory access and service; and

    having a transparent system in which consumers, Internet content and applications companies have access to the rates, terms and conditions for Internet service.

    The Wyden legislation also ensures that network operators can continue to protect subscribers against unwanted spam, spyware, viruses, pornography and other programs. It also ensures that network operators can respond to emergencies and court-ordered law enforcement needs.

    The legislation additionally provides for a complaint-filing process before the Federal Communications Commission, in which an aggrieved party can file a written complaint. If the FCC accepts the complaint, the burden of proof is on the network operator to show it did not violate the law. The FCC must reach a decision in 90 days. The penalties are the same as those in the Communications Act, and the potential fines are stiff enough to encourage compliance.

    Aging Brain May Be Reason Older Adults Can't Focus

    Canadian researchers may have found the answer to why most middle-aged people have trouble concentrating on simple tasks and why they often lose focus in busy environments.

    A new report by Dr. Cheryl Grady, a senior scientist at the Rotman Research Institute in Toronto, found that gradual brain changes beginning in middle age cause older adults to be more easily distracted by irrelevant information. The report found a mechanism in the brain may be the reason why middle-aged adults are more easily distracted. Grady said the results are likely to generate new insight into when in the life span these brain changes begin to occur.

    Grady and her colleagues used functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) to study brain function in healthy middle-aged adults. They then compared them to younger and older adults. The study volunteers were assigned a series of memory tasks while their brain function was recorded.

    In younger adults, activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (associated with tasks that require concentration) increases when they're doing memory tasks. At the same time, there's decreased activity in the medial frontal and parietal regions (associated with non-task related activity in a resting state -- such as thinking about yourself or monitoring your surroundings).

    As reported in the February issue of the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, this pattern begins to break down in people aged 40 to 60. When middle-aged people do memory tasks, activity in the "daydreaming" medial frontal and parietal regions stays turned on, while activity in the concentration-linked dorsolateral prefrontal cortex declines.

    This imbalance in brain activity is even more pronounced in people aged 65 and older, the report found, which may explain why older adults are less able to tune out irrelevant or distracting information.

    Sports Drinks Eat Away At Tooth Enamel

    It has always been known that Coke and other soft drinks are hard on teeth, but new research suggests that sports drinks like Gatorade may do more damage to the hard enamel surface of your teeth.

    In its study, the University of Iowa researchers tested the acid erosion potential of five popular drinks -- apple juice, Coke, Diet Coke, Gatorade and Red Bull. They covered extracted teeth with nail polish and left bare two patches on each tooth, one on the enamel and one on the root. Then, they dunked the teeth in test tubes filled with regular Coke, Diet Coke, Gatorade, Red Bull, or 100 percent apple juice.

    Every five hours, the researchers refreshed the beverages. After 25 hours, they examined the teeth with a microscope. All of the beverages eroded the bare spots on the teeth. But different beverages had significantly different effects.

    On the enamel, Gatorade was significantly more corrosive than Red Bull and Coke. Red Bull and Coke, in turn, were significantly more corrosive than Diet Coke and apple juice.

    On the roots of the teeth, Gatorade was more corrosive than Red Bull. Coke, apple juice, and Diet Coke followed in that order.

    Dr. Paul Casamassimo, a professor and chairman of the department of pediatric dentistry at Ohio State University, said the study's design was "too simplistic" and not reflective of daily exposure to liquids by teeth. He also said that "when most drinks -- sports drinks, orange juice, carbonated beverages -- are used the way they are supposed to be, it's not a problem."

    The dental news came on the heels of a new report from Beverage Digest that showed sales of Pepsi, Coke and other brands of "pop" are slipping for the first time in 20 years.

    However, the data also showed consumers are abandoning the fizzy drinks for bottled water, sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade, and energy drinks like Red Bull and Full Throttle.

    Whirlpool Baths Can Harbor Nasty Bacteria

    Better think twice before jumping into a whirlpool bathtub to soothe those aching muscles. A new study shows they can be breeding grounds for a host of disease-causing bacteria.

    Dr. Rita B. Moyes a microbiologist at Texas A & M University tested 43 water samples from both private and hotel whirlpool bathtubs -- the type that are "filled and drained after each use, as distinguished from recreational spas and hot tubs." In 95 percent of the tubs, bacteria derived from feces were present, while 81 percent had fungi and 34 percent contained potentially deadly staphylococcus bacteria.

    Moyes explained that a teaspoon of normal tap water contains about 138 bacteria and many samples are bacteria-free. A teaspoon of whirlpool tub water, on average contains more than 2 million bacteria.

    The main reason whirlpool baths are a prime area for potentially harmful microbes is due to the lining of the pipes. They are full of inaccessible air, and water in these pipes tends to get trapped, often for long periods of time.

    When the jets are switched on, the bacteria-packed water gets blown into the tub. "Due to the movement of the water, an aerosol is created that carries these organisms down into your lungs or other orifices -- something that doesn't happen in a regular tub," Moyes explained.

    Moyes suggests that the pipes in a whirlpool bathtub need to be scraped and cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria.

    The bacteria found in whirlpool baths can lead to a number of diseases, including urinary tract infections, skin infections, and pneumonia.

    Eat More Chocolate

    Eating your favorite chocolate treat may help lower your blood pressure and reduce the risk of cancer. Chocolate makers have started using more dark chocolate in their products because it contains more antioxidants than regular chocolate.

    Mars Inc., maker of Milky Way, Snickers and M&M's candies, has recently introduced a new line of products made with a dark chocolate called CocoaVia. CocoaVia will be high in flavanols, an antioxidant found in cocoa beans that is thought to have a blood-thinning effect similar to aspirin and may even lower blood pressure. The snacks, which will cost a bit more than regular chocolate, are also enriched with vitamins and injected with cholesterol-lowering plant sterols from soy.

    Mars has created a new division, Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being, to distribute CocoaVia. The company has sold the CocoaVia products online for a couple years. They are already available at retail stores in 34 states, selling for nearly $1 a bar.

    Other major chocolate companies have also started promoting the flavanol content of their dark chocolates, such as Hershey's Extra Dark, introduced last fall with highlights on its label touting its 60 percent cocoa content and high level of flavanol.

    Dark chocolate is the fastest growing segment of the $10 billion-a-year chocolate market. Hershey reports that its dark-chocolate sales have grown 11.2 percent over the past four years.

    Last year, Hershey acquired San Francisco-based Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker Inc., known for its dark chocolate with high cocoa content and baking products, and plans to add new dark-chocolate products.

    While dark chocolate contains more antioxidants than regular chocolate, health experts warn that it's no substitute for a healthy diet. Rachael Brandeis, a national spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association in Atlanta, said dark chocolate is a good source of flavanols, but so are fruits and vegetables which also contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and plant chemicals not found in chocolate.

    Daylight Savings Time Returns

    Most people have no idea why daylight savings time becomes effective at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April. Moving clocks ahead one hour was first done during World War I and World War II, then returned for good when it became law in 1966.

    Ben Franklin was probably the first person to think of daylight savings time when he was in Paris in 1784. He noticed that the citizens of Paris slept while the sun was up during summer mornings, then complained about the cost of candles used at night.

    When he return to the U.S., Franklin suggested church bells be rung at sunrise, and if that didn't wake people up, a cannon would then be fired. Franklin's idea never caught on.

    DST was first done in America when the U.S. got involved in WWI. The Standard Time Act was signed into law in March of 1918 and established seven months of daylight saving from April through October.

    The same bill called for making the railroads' time zones official. Two a.m., which Americans still use as the hour to shift clocks, was selected because that is when the fewest number of trains were running.

    The first DST period began Sunday, March 31, 1918, with a large outdoor celebration in New York's Madison Square. After WWI ended, most people thought DST should end, while others liked the system.

    After much controversy, DST was repealed in 1919 but returned in 1942 to help the country through World War II. It was now called War Time and was terminated in 1945.

    As the country enjoyed postwar peace, proponents of DST wanted it back mainly for the safety of schoolchildren waiting for morning buses on dark, busy roads. In 1966, DST returned for good when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act into law.

    Standard time resumes at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October.

    Parents Use Cell Phones To Locate Their Children

    Sprint Nextel Corp., the third largest mobile service provider in the United States, recently introduced a wireless service to help parents locate their children. Sprint hopes the new service will expand its presence in the family market.

    The service, which will cost $9.99 a month, lets parents look at maps on their cell phones or computers to locate their children who also carry mobile phones. Parents can also program the service to automatically send them text messages at specific times each day to confirm that their children have arrived at home or in school. It also notifies children via text message that their parents have checked up on their location.

    Sprint's service shows data such as street addresses to which a child is close and the estimated accuracy of the reading, which could range from a radius of 2 yards around the child to a radius of hundreds of yards.

    The Family Locator service aims to bring in revenue from a location technology Sprint and its rivals are required by law to put into cell phones so that safety workers can pinpoint the location of 911 emergency service callers.

    Mobile packages designed for families have become key to growth for wireless cell phone companies, which currently sign up as many as 60 percent of their new subscribers via family discount plans, according to technology research firm, Yankee Group.

    Sprint has trailed its bigger rivals in this respect, said Yankee analyst Marina Amoroso, who estimates that it has a roughly 12 percent share of the family plan market, or less than half that of Cingular Wireless and Verizon Wireless.

    Sprint said its location service, which is the first of its kind in the United States, would work on 17 of its phones and these phones could be used to locate children using as many as 30 phone models.

    Walt Disney Co. has plans to offer a location service that is similar to Sprint's service. The Disney service, which launches in June, will also allow parents to control when and how long their children can use their cell phones.

    Get Back To Work

    The average worker wastes more than two hours a day according to a Web survey by America Online and Salary.com. That means companies spend about $759 billion on salaries annually for which they receive no apparent benefit, the research found.

    Workers say they spend those two hours surfing the Web, socializing with co-workers and simply "spacing out" among the top time-wasting activities. Most employers expect that workers will waste some time on the job, about an hour per day in addition to the lunch hour.

    According to the survey, 44 percent of workers used the time for personal Internet use, such as emails, message boards and chat rooms. About 23 percent said they wasted time socializing with co-workers.

    The other top time-wasting activities are: conducting personal business, spacing out, running errands off-premises, making personal phone calls, applying for other jobs, planning personal events, and arriving late/leaving early.

    The survey found that men and women waste about the same amount of time per day at work, despite the fact that most HR managers surveyed suspected that women waste more time than men. The survey also found that older workers tend to waste less time at work than younger workers. Workers over 55 years old wasted an average of just 30 minutes a day, according to the survey.

    America Online and Salary.com interviewed 10,044 workers in the online survey.

    Montgomery's Cityfest Kicks Off Summer

    Montgomery's Jubilee Cityfest takes place every year over the Memorial Day Weekend. The three day event is a popular tourism attraction that features entertainment, cultural events, sporting events, and educational children's activities.

    Cityfest hours are Friday, May 26, 6:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 4:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 28, 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Daily admission is $25, and a weekend pass is $35. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. The weekend pass lets you enjoy performances by Sara Evans, The Neville Brothers, LIVE, Ciara, Bo Bice, Dwight Yoakam, Caedmon's Call, Billy Currington, Keith Anderson and much more.

    Kidsfest is another part of Cityfest that has a playground where parents and children can play together. This year, the new location for Kidsfest will be at Riverwalk Stadium on Saturday and the FunFest area on Sunday. Hours are 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

    Events during Kidsfest include Club Karaoke by Fontaine Entertainment, which lets you showcase your vocal talents and sing in front of a live audience, the KidsFest "I Can Change the World" Contest will showcase all of the imaginative entries created by 5th and 6th grade students from the area schools. Contest award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 28, at 4:15 p.m. on the Miller Lite/Alltel stage. On the Montgomery Advertiser stage, enjoy fun and interactive games with Nickelodeon's Nick Live! and watch great performances by Magician Gary LedBetter, child music group-Whitewater and Rod Bourke Puppets.

    Each year, Jubilee Cityfest continues to have an economic impact on Montgomery and the surrounding area. It has donated $50,000 to Montgomery public schools for a reading initiative and $40,000 for riverfront development. CityFest also allots weekend passes for non-profit organizations, public and private schools and service organizations to use for fund raising. In addition, the festival has donated to the United Way, Family Sunshine Center, Brantwood Childrens Home and McInnis School.

    For a complete list of activities that will take place during Cityfest, visit their website, www.jubileecityfest.com.

    Software Piracy Costs Billions

    Software piracy continues to be a problem worldwide according to a study commissioned by the Business Software Alliance. Software piracy resulted in a loss of $34 billion globally in 2005, a $1.6 billion increase over 2004.

    The study, conducted by information-technology research firm IDC, also found that roughly one out of every three copies of personal computing software installed in 2005 was pirated.

    While the rate of piracy has fluctuated from country to country, globally it has remained steady since 2004. "The piracy is the same rate, but overall more software and PCs were actually shipped in 2005," said John Gantz, chief research officer for IDC.

    The four countries with the biggest percentage declines in piracy were China, where 86 percent of all software sold is pirated, down 4 percentage points from the 90 percent of 2004; Russia, down 4 percentage points to a piracy rate of 83 percent; Ukraine, down 6 percentage points to a piracy rate of 85 percent, and Morocco, down 4 percentage points to a piracy rate of 68 percent.

    The United States had the lowest piracy rate in the world last year at 21 percent. However, that amounted to $6.9 billion in losses to software manufacturers, the highest of any country because the U.S. market for computer software is so large. It was followed by New Zealand, with 23 percent, and Austria and Finland, both with 26 percent piracy rates.

    Topping the list of countries with high software piracy rates are Vietnam and Zimbabwe, each with 90 percent; Indonesia with 87 percent; and China and Pakistan with 86 percent.

    The Business Software Alliance defines pirated software three ways: as a purchased, legal copy that is installed on more computers than the copy is licensed for; as software that is illegally sold or distributed; and as software that is downloaded from the Internet but never paid for.

    Gantz said IDC keeps a daily watch on the PC market, collecting surveys and inventory data. Piracy percentages and figures are calculated from the amount of PC units shipped, the amount of software packages deployed and paid for, and from deductions for variables like open-source software options. The remainder is considered pirated software.

    FDA Approves Smoking-Cessation Drug

    A new drug to help smokers kick the nasty habit was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The drug Chantix, which was developed by Pfizer, works by targeting nicotine receptors in the brain.

    Chantix effectively occupies nicotine receptors in the brain and produces effects similar to nicotine, while blocking nicotine itself from the receptors. This one-two approach is designed to prevent withdrawal symptoms while blocking the nicotine high from cigarettes for smokers who relapse.

    The drug received a "priority review" by the FDA, meaning it was approved within six months rather than in the usual 10-month review period, because of its demonstrated effectiveness in clinical trials.

    Unlike Zyban, which is an antidepressant, Chantix may also ease withdrawal symptoms and block the effects of nicotine if people resume smoking. In 12-week clinical trials, 44 percent of patients taking Chantix had quit smoking after four weeks, compared with 30 percent taking Zyban and 17 percent taking a placebo.

    Some side effects of taking Chantix include:

    Nausea

    Headache

    Vomiting

    Flatulence

    Insomnia

    Abnormal dreams

    and Dysgeusia

    An estimated 44.5 million adults in the United States smoke cigarettes and more than 8.6 million of them have at least one serious illness caused by smoking, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Vote For Your Favorite Mascot

    The Mascot Hall of Fame needs your support and participation. Each year, mascots from both professional and collegiate teams will be inducted into the hall of fame after all of the votes are counted.

    Last year was the inaugural induction ceremony for the Mascot Hall of Fame. A huge gathering of 50 mascots were there to celebrate the inaugural event. The 50 mascots marked one of the largest gatherings of character performers ever recorded. The induction ceremony for 2006 is scheduled for August 15th in Philadelphia.

    The Mascot Hall of Fame was created to honor great mascot performers, performance, and programs that have inspired tradition and positively affected their communities.

    Six mascots from the professional level and six mascots from the collegiate level are on this year's ballot. The professional mascots include: Mariner Moose from the Seattle Mariners, Clutch the Bear from the Houston Rockets, Slider from the Cleveland Indians, KC Wolf from the Kansas City Chiefs, Jazz Bear from the Utah Jazz, and Wool E. Bull from the Durham Bulls.

    The collegiate level mascots include: Aubie from Auburn University, Sparty from Michigan State, YoUDee from the University of Delaware, Monty from the University of Montana, Bucky from the University of Wisconsin, and Big Red from University of Western Kentucky.

    Current vote totals for the professional mascots has Slider in the lead with 10,563 votes, followed by Clutch the Bear with 10,073 votes, and Mariner Moose in third with 8,926 votes.

    On the collegiate level, Big Red is in the lead with 11,287 votes, followed by YoUdee with 9,623 votes, and Bucky in third with 8,959 votes. Auburn University's mascot Aubie is lagging behind in fourth place with 8,261 votes.

    To learn more about the Mascot Hall of Fame, how to vote, and how to support the hall of fame, visit www.mascothalloffame.com.

    Hyundai Offers Free Tours

    On October 17, 2005 the Hyundai factory in Montgomery began offering tours to the public. The response to the free tour has been so overwhelming that tours for large groups are booked through August 2006.

    So far, the tour has attracted over 12,000 visitors. At the beginning of the hour and a half tour, visitors watch an eight minute video that explains the process of making each vehicle. Then, a ride on a tram through the different parts of the plant takes up the rest of the time on the tour. The most popular part during the tram ride is a view of the welding area, which shows dozens of robots doing their job on the assembly line.

    Although tours are booked for large groups through August, there are some seats available for singles or two-person groups. Tours are limited to third grade and above for school groups, and there must be one adult for every 15 children. Children first grade and up can attend with a parent or guardian.

    Tours are available at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A new tour at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday has just been added. Reservations for the tour are encouraged and can be made by visiting tour.hmmausa.com or by calling the Visitor Center at 334-387-8019, Monday-Friday between 9-4 (CST).

    On April 2, 2002, Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), Korea's largest automotive manufacturer, announced it would construct a $1 billion automotive assembly and manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Ala. On April 12, 2002, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC (HMMA) was incorporated.

    The $1.1 billion plant is the company's first U.S. manufacturing facility. The plant employs more than 2,700 team members with high-paying jobs and full benefits. Additionally, more than 72 suppliers have located businesses throughout North America to support Hyundai’s new plant. Altogether, these suppliers are expected to create 5,500 additional jobs with a combined capital investment of $500 million.

    Fireworks Should Be Used With Caution

    The 4th of July brings an increase number of visitors to emergency rooms when people fail to use common sense when using fireworks. Many eye trauma surgeons dread the holiday because people often suffer severe eye damage that could have been avoided.

    Dr. C. Douglas Witherspoon, an eye trauma surgeon with Retina Specialists of Alabama, spends much of his time around the 4th of July in emergency rooms treating young people who have been blinded by fireworks. He sees another half dozen who have suffered permanent damage to their vision. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that fireworks send about 10,000 Americans to emergency rooms every year.

    Fireworks season began in Alabama a few weeks ago when the state's largest fireworks retailer, Crazy Bill's Fireworks, opened its 100 stores. As the season begins, eye trauma surgeons want people to consider safety.

    The United States Eye Injury Registry, located in Birmingham, reports that 5 percent of serious eye injuries are caused by fireworks. The organization has targeted bottle rockets as a major source of the problem.

    Bottle rockets caused 70% of all ocular fireworks injuries in 2000, with half resulting in blindness. In a seven-year analysis by the Registry, bottle rockets accounted for 100% of fireworks injuries requiring surgical removal of an eye. The average age of the victims: thirteen.

    Invented by the Chinese in the 13th century, bottle rockets were used as a weapon of war, not for entertainment. A small Class C bottle rocket can take off at 75 miles per hour with an explosive payload. Yet over 20 states still allow the sale of bottle rockets, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

    The American Academy of Ophthalmology advocates legislation banning the sale, resale, use, and possession of bottle rockets, except by trained professionals. A wide range of organizations support this ban, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Helen Keller International, the National Fire Protection Council, and the National Safety Council.

    While Americans do not want to see an end to fireworks, most would support a specific bottle rocket ban; half of the states have already adopted such legislation. A uniform ban in every state would be much more effective, preventing individuals from purchasing bottle rockets in neighboring states.

    Pam Cairns Palmer, president of Fireworks of Alabama and vice president of Crazy Bill's Fireworks, said bottle rockets have been made safer in recent years. They were produced with flimsy pieces of wood. But that problem has been corrected, and the new rockets can be aimed more accurately, she said.

    The registry recommends that people go to public displays of fireworks instead of putting on their own display. And if people insist on using fireworks themselves, they should avoid bottle rockets. The registry also recommends wearing safety goggles.

    People also underestimate the hazard of sparklers and often give them to young children, who burn themselves. Sparklers cause far more injuries, nearly a fourth of all injuries from fireworks, Palmer noted. Just lighting sparklers is dangerous because they have a tendency to ignite too quickly with a flash that can burn a user.

    Palmer warned people not to experiment with fireworks, and if they buy sparklers, get the ones made with wood or bamboo, not metal wire. Wooden sparklers are easier to light and they don't have a wire that stays hot and sharp.

    Here are some safety tips from FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration if fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own:

  • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.
  • Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
  • Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never shoot a firework at or near another person.
  • Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
  • Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.
  • Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
  • Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
  • Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
  • Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
  • Observe local laws.
  • Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
  • Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.
  • State Parkway Threatened by Auburn Development

    An Auburn developer is proposing that pasture land and lakeside property along Chewacla State Park's Shell Toomer Parkway be turned into a housing development.

    In preliminary drawings submitted to the Auburn planning office, the Cleveland Brothers real estate development firm proposed building nearly 100 new houses and "zero lot-line" connected single-family dwellings in the pasture land just across the fence from the state parkway.

    An agreement with the city of Auburn calls for the developer to build an entrance to the subdivision with left and right turn lanes on the parkway, entering through the current wildflower area. This entrance would require approval from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

    The mile and a half long scenic drive is open to the public off South College Street and sports a popular bicycle path/walking trail. The pathway dips along a bridge over the wetlands a short distance from the Clevelands' park-front property which is part of a larger development to be called The Summit, that proposes to build more than 200 units on the entire property.

    In 2003, a proposal to build a shopping center on the land across from the Cleveland Brothers' property was withdrawn in face of strong opposition and threatened lawsuits by groups opposed to degrading the parkway.

    The Cleveland Brothers are seeking a rezoning of the property from its current rural status to Limited Development District (LDD) a classification that would leave the city legally powerless to stop the developers from building more than twice the proposed number of units, and open the door for such uses as a "neighborhood shopping center" (strip-mall) or a gas station.

    The City Council is expected to address the rezoning request at the September 5, 7:30 p.m. meeting. The meeting is open to the public and a hearing will be held to solicit citizen input prior to any action.

    Related Links

    Email Auburn City Council your opinion
    Email Gov. Bob Riley your opinion
    Email Sen. Ted Little your opinion
    Email Rep. Mike Hubbard your opinion
    Email Dept. of Conservation your opinion

    U.S. Population Will Hit 300 Million This Fall

    The United States population is on target to hit 300 million this fall, probably in October. The milestone baby, or immigrant, will likely be Hispanic.

    Hispanics, immigrants and those born in this country, are driving the population growth. They accounted for almost half the increase last year, more than any other ethnic or racial group. White non-Hispanics, who make up about two-thirds of the population, accounted for less than one-fifth of the increase.

    When the population reached 200 million in 1967, there was no accurate tally of U.S. Hispanics. The first effort to count Hispanics came in the 1970 census, and the results were misleading. The Census Bureau counted about 9.6 million Latinos, a little less than 5 percent of the population. The bureau acknowledged that the figure was inflated in the Midwest and South because some people who checked the box saying they were "Central or South American" thought that designation meant they were from the central or southern United States.

    In 1967, there were fewer than 10 million people in the U.S. who were born in other countries. White non-Hispanics made up about 83 percent of the population. Today, there are 36 million immigrants, about one in eight.

    By the time the U.S. population hits 400 million, sometime in the 2040s, white non-Hispanics will be but a bare majority. Hispanics are projected to make up close to one-quarter of the population, and blacks more than 14 percent. Asians will increase their share of the population to more than 7 percent.

    As of a few weeks ago, there were 299,061,199 people in the United States, according to the Census Bureau's population clock. The estimate is based on annual numbers for births, deaths and immigration, averaged throughout the year.

    The U.S. adds a person every 11 seconds, according to the clock. A baby is born every eight seconds, someone dies every 13 seconds, and someone migrates to the U.S. every 30 seconds.

    Here's a look at how the population has changed since it officially reached 200 million on Nov. 20, 1967:

    1967

    Population (millions): 200

    Pct. White non-Hispanics: 83

    Pct. Hispanics: 4.7

    Pct. Blacks: 11.1

    Immigrants (millions): 9.7

    Median age (years): 28

    People per square mile: 57

    Most popular girl name: Lisa

    Most popular boy name: Michael

    Now

    Population (millions): 300

    Pct. White non-Hispanics: 67

    Pct. Hispanics: 14.4

    Pct. Blacks: 13.4

    Immigrants (millions): 36

    Median age (years): 36

    People per square mile: 85

    Most popular girl name: Emily

    Most popular boy name: Jacob

    Cox, Receivers Ready For 2006 Season To Kickoff

    The start of a new season brings excitement for fans who have waited since January for the first game to kickoff Sept. 2. The quarterback and receivers are also eager for the season to begin so they can improve on their performances from a year ago.

    While the 2005 season began and ended with disappointing losses for Auburn, quarterback Brandon Cox steadily improved each week in his first year as the starter under center. Cox passed for 2,324 yards, with 15 touchdowns, and threw only eight interceptions. Four of the interceptions came in his first career-start against Georgia Tech. He also led an offense that was number one in scoring and was the top-rated offense in the SEC. Heading into his junior year, Cox knows he will have to make improvements in a few areas of his game for the Tigers to make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game in December.
    Brandon Cox
    Brandon Cox is looking forward to leading the Tigers in '06. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    During the off-season, Cox has been working almost non-stop on being a more accurate passer against teams with winning records. Last season, Cox had a quarterback rating of 162.1 against opponents with losing records and a rating of 115.8 against opponents with a winning record. He's also been in the weight room getting his throwing arm stronger so he can be more successful at throwing the long ball. Cox also struggled some during third down passing situations. Offensive coordinator Al Borges has promised to work with his starting quarterback during preseason practice to help him complete more passes on third down.

    Blake Field will be the backup to Cox since Calvin Booker left the team in search of more playing time at Georgia Tech. Booker would have given Field some competition for the backup spot but would have probably been third string.

    Field's primary role will be to relieve Cox when Auburn plays cupcake opponents like Buffalo, Tulane and Arkansas State. He will also have to be ready to step in and play in case Cox is injured during the long 12-game season.

    Field showed poise last season against Western Kentucky when Cox was sidelined with a stomach virus just minutes before kickoff. Field passed for 200 yards and threw three touchdowns in the 37-14 victory. Although the playing time came against Western Kentucky, Field played well against one of the top defenses in division I-AA.

    The future looks bright at the quarterback position for the Tigers. Incoming freshmen Neil Caudle and Steven Ensminger, son of tight end's coach Steve Ensminger, were highly recruited during their senior year of high school. Both bring size and talent to the program and will be fun to watch when they battle for the starting job in a few years.

    The group of wide receivers for Auburn in 2006 won't be very experienced after losing Ben Obomanu, Devin Aromashodu and Anthony Mix to graduation. All three finished their careers on the Plains with over 1,000-yards and have moved onto the NFL.
    Courtney Taylor
    Taylor hopes to have plenty of catches this fall. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Senior Courtney Taylor returns as the only wideout to have experience as a starter. He is looking forward to racking up big numbers this fall after having a sub par season last year. Taylor suffered an ankle sprain in the first game against Georgia Tech and it nagged him for the rest of the season. The injury limited him to only 22 catches for 278 yards and one touchdown. Now healthy, Taylor will be Cox's favorite target and is expected to put up numbers similar to those during his sophomore year when he had 43 catches for 737 yards and six touchdowns.

    Sophomore Robert Dunn should be the number one starter at the other wide receiver spot but he will see competition from Rodgeriqus Smith and Anthony Campbell during preseason practice in August. Junior Prechae Rodriquez is atop the depth chart at the other receiver spot ahead of senior Lee Guess, sophomore James Swinton and redshirt freshman Ulysses Alexander.

    Like the quarterbacks who were signed in February, the incoming freshmen receivers have promising futures on the Plains. Tim Hawthorne, Terrell Zachery, Alex Rose and Chris Slaughter are all over six foot, have excellent athletic ability and have a chance to see some playing time in the fall.

    Auburn's season begins at home against Washington State on September 2. With a favorable schedule that includes eight home games, the Tigers should finish the season with at least nine wins. If Cox and his receivers play up to their potential and the team gets by LSU, Florida, and Georgia at home, Auburn could have another undefeated season.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: A look at Auburn's strong running game and who will replace Jake Slaughter at fullback.

    Tailbacks Are Strong, Fullbacks Lack Experience

    When Auburn takes the field for its season-opener against Washington State Sept. 2, it will be loaded at tailback. The fullback spot will be a work in progress with a few tailbacks filling in at the position depleted by graduation and injuries.

    In 2006, the Tigers will have the best talent in college football at the tailback spot. Four players return from last season, along with a true freshman, who could have the opportunity to showcase his talents right away.

    A year ago, Kenny Irons was just trying to move up the depth chart as the grind of two-a-days were about to begin. During those long, hot practices in August, Irons struggled to learn the offense and failed to impress the coaches as the season-opener quickly approached. At the end of preseason practice, he was Auburn's fourth-string tailback. With patience and progress during fall practices, Irons got a chance to play and never looked back.
    Kenny Irons
    Kenny Irons will be strong again in 2006. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The big break for Irons came in the third game against Ball State. Against the Cardinals, he racked up 147 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. Irons soon became a workhorse in the backfield averaging 139.1 yards per contest and 28.9 carries per game in Auburn’s last seven games.

    Irons finished with 1,293 rushing yards, which is the sixth highest single-season total in school history. Against teams ranked in the Top 10 in rushing defense, he rushed for a whopping 218 yards against LSU and 103 against Alabama.

    Last year, Irons often became fatigued as the game moved into the fourth quarter because of the massive amount of carries he saw in the first half. During seven of the nine complete games Irons played last year, his average per carry was higher in the first half than the second half. Sophomore Brad Lester is expected to get about 10 to 15 carries per game so Irons can be fresh when the game enters the final quarter.

    Lester can be an important part of the offense if he stays healthy. He missed all or parts of at least six games last season because of a hamstring and groin injury. Despite the injuries, he gained 339 yards and had five touchdowns on just 52 carries.
    Tre Smith
    Tre Smith will be a versatile player lining-up at tailback, fullback, and slot receiver. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Senior Tre Smith had a solid spring and could line-up at tailback, fullback or as a slot receiver. Junior Carl Stewart also had a solid spring, but his role in the offense could be limited due to the depth at running back.

    Newcomer Ben Tate graduated high school a semester early so he could participate in spring drills. As a senior, Tate became the leading rusher in Maryland high school history with 5,920 yards and helped his team reach the state championship game.

    While Auburn has plenty of depth at tailback, the fullback position is thin after Jake Slaughter graduated and is now trying for a spot on the Kansas City Chiefs' roster. Sophomore Mike McLaughlin was expected to replace Slaughter but a knee injury in spring practice slowed him down and his health is questionable when the season begins in September.

    Walk-ons Andrew Turman, Danny Perry, and Stephen Gowland will compete for the starting job if McLaughlin isn't healthy enough to play. Lester and Stewart could also see playing time at fullback in certain situations.

    Running backs coach Eddie Gran is excited for the season to begin because he knows the running game will be solid this year after some uncertainty heading into preseason practice a year ago. Gran expects the Tigers to put up big rushing numbers in 2006, which will give them a chance to compete for another SEC title.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: A look at how the offensive line will be experienced and steady without Marcus McNeill and Troy Reddick. Also, the tight end position will have a new starter with the departure of Cooper Wallace.

    Cox, Receivers Ready For 2006 Season To Kickoff

    Veterans, New Starters Anchor Offensive Line

    With the return of a few veterans and some new starters ready to fill some big shoes at both tackle positions, Auburn's offensive line will be a solid group with many predicting them to be one of the best units in the SEC.

    For the offense to be successful during the upcoming season, the offensive line must be able to hold their own when they go up against the top defenses in the conference. Offensive line coach Hugh Nall is confident that his group of young men can get the job done even without All-American left tackle Marcus McNeill and right tackle Troy Reddick. Both were fixtures on the line during one of the most successful periods in Auburn's history.
    King Dunlap
    King Dunlap(middle) replaces Marcus McNeill at left tackle. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The replacement for McNeill at left tackle will be King Dunlap, and Leon Hart will step in at right tackle for Reddick. Both tackles are juniors that have excellent size and athletic ability needed to protect the quarterback in pass rush situations and to pull on certain running plays. Dunlap will be close to 320 when the season starts and Hart weighs in just over 300 pounds.

    Dunlap and Hart gained valuable experience last year as backups which should help them be fairly comfortable when they take the field as full-time starters. Dunlap played in 11 games last season, with one start against Western Kentucky. Hart played in all 12, and got his first career-start against Kentucky at right guard. He was named the SEC Lineman of the Week for his performance against the Wildcats.

    At center, seniors Joe Cope and Jonathan Palmer will battle for the job during preseason practice and both will probably see playing time at the position throughout the season. Last year, Cope was solid in the first 10 games as the starter before suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter against Georgia. With Cope out, Palmer started and played well against Alabama.
    Tim Duckworth
    Tim Duckworth starts at right guard again this season for the Tigers. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Both starters at guard last season are back to round out the talented line for Auburn. Seniors Ben Grubbs and Tim Duckworth have been very solid during their careers on the Plains and that has them projected as NFL prospects after the 2006 season. Grubbs has played in 37 games, while starting 25. Duckworth was named the Most Improved Offensive Lineman by the coaching staff after spring drills, and has also been named to the 2006 Outland Trophy Watch List.

    The tight end position gives the offense another big body on the line to help execute running plays and also another player to line-up as a receiver. Senior Cole Bennett replaces three-year starter Cooper Wallace. Bennett saw some playing time last season, catching nine passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. His huge 6-4, 261 pound frame is perfect for handling opposing defenses on running plays and it gives the Tigers a big target down field as a receiver.

    Tight ends coach Steve Ensminger liked what he saw from redshirt freshmen Tommy Trott and Gabe McKenzie during spring practice. Ensminger thinks they will have a chance to play this fall because of the talent and speed they bring to the position. Their size will also be a plus when they need to block during Auburn's rushing attempts.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp replaces David Gibbs, and the defensive line will see a lot of competition with T.J. Jackson and Wayne Dickens both graduating. Marquis Gunn takes over as the leader at defensive end after Stanley McClover left the team for the NFL Draft.

    Tailbacks Are Strong, Fullbacks Lack Experience

    Cox, Receivers Ready For 2006 Season To Kickoff

    Start Of School Is Expensive For Parents

    Kids around the country are probably wondering where the summer went as they head back to the classroom. Sending them back to school can be expensive for parents who might be on tight budgets.

    Back-to-school sales have started and parents must find ways to afford those supplies their kids need for the new school year.

    Forty years ago, school lists were short: Pencils, pens, notebooks, scissors and glue were all kids needed in preparation for learning. Now, back-to-school essentials run 20 to 30 items, and as school budgets get squeezed, so do the parent's wallets.

    Seventy-nine percent of parents said they are being asked to buy items that school budgets used to cover, including cleaning supplies and copy paper, according to a recent National PTA survey.

    "It used to be you needed to buy notebooks and pens and pencils for your kids," said Linda Hodge, president of the National PTA. "Now [schools] are asking for paper towels, Kleenex, copy paper, materials for art class, materials for gym class," she said. "Parents are being asked to provide more and more things that used to be provided in school budgets."

    The back-to-school season is the second most important for the retail industry, next to the holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation.

    "One of the major links to the holiday and back-to-school seasons comes with the apparel category," said Scott Krugman, spokesman for the federation. "Sales show whether or not retail got the fashions right."

    Shopping for essential school supplies alone will generate sales of $2.24 billion, with parents doling out $73 for supplies on average, about the same as the $74 each family spent last year, according to the National Retail Federation's annual survey of 8,450 parents, conducted by BIGresearch.

    Parents plan to spend an average of $483 on all back-to-school purchases this year, including clothing and electronics, up 7.2 percent from about $451 last year, the survey found.

    New Coordinator Has Defense Ready To Battle

    A new defensive coordinator that promises to bring a physical and mental toughness to the defense has Auburn fans excited about seeing the Tigers return to playing great defense that they were accustomed to in the past.

    When David Gibbs took over as defensive coordinator last season after Gene Chizik left for the same job at Texas, there was a lot of pressure on the defense to have the same success they had in 2004 when they helped the Tigers to a 13-0 record and the team was ranked in the top 5 in all of the major polls at the end of the year.

    Gibbs never seemed to fit in on the Plains and the defense struggled at times, especially at the end of the season. In three of the last four games, the defense allowed 440 or more yards of total offense, including 548 yards in the 24-10 loss to Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl. Unhappy with his coaching performance, and probably with some pressure to leave, Gibbs returned to the NFL as defensive backs coach with the Kansas City Chiefs.
    Will Muschamp
    Muschamp is Auburn's third defensive coordinator in three years. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    With the start of spring practice just a few weeks away, head coach Tommy Tuberville had to hurry and find a replacement for Gibbs so the new coordinator would have time to implement his system and get to know his players. Tuberville was looking for someone who had coordinator experience at both the pro level and in the SEC. Tuberville hired Will Muschamp because he had experience in both those areas as Assistant Head Coach of Defense last season with the Miami Dolphins and as the defensive coordinator at LSU during its national championship season in 2003.

    Along with his coaching experience in the conference, Muschamp had experience as a player at Georgia from 1991-94 where he played safety and was a part of two bowl teams. At 35, and with the experience he had as a player, Muschamp is a coach that the players can relate to and he has already made a positive impression on the players in the short time that he has been at Auburn.
    Josh Thompson
    Thompson is healthy for the season-opener against Washington State Sept. 2. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Muschamp and defensive line coach Don Dunn will use preseason practice to find replacements for last year's starters Tommy Jackson at noseguard and tackle Wayne Dickens. Redshirt junior Josh Thompson is the likely candidate to replace Jackson at noseguard. Last season, Thompson struggled with an ankle injury but still saw action in 10 games. With his ankle completely healed, he participated in spring practice and was named the Most Improved Defensive Lineman by the coaching staff.

    Tez Doolittle and Pat Sims will be the backups at noseguard but they could also see playing time at tackle. Doolittle, a junior from Opelika, had seven tackles, including four solo tackles in eight games last year. Sims, a top recruit in 2003, quit midway through the 2005 season but is back on the team and will have to prove to the coaches that he is serious about being on the team before he sees much playing time.

    Christopher Browder replaces Dickens at the tackle position. Browder was moved from end to tackle in the spring and is expected to be the leader in the middle of the line since he's a senior. Redshirt freshman Sen'Derrick Marks should be Browder's backup but will see plenty of competition from newcomers Mike Blanc, Bart Eddins, Byron Isom, and Jermarcus Ricks.
    Marquis Gunn
    Gunn should record plenty of sacks this year for Auburn. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Despite losing talented defensive end Stanley McClover to the NFL Draft, Auburn is in good shape at the position with the return of Marquis Gunn on the strong side and with Quentin Groves starting in place of McClover on the weak side. Gunn has 61 tackles and eight sacks in 13 starts. Groves, who is a better pass rusher than Gunn, has 13 1/2 sacks and 47 tackles so far in his career.

    Defensive ends coach Terry Price is comfortable with Gunn and Groves as starters but wants to find at least five guys who can be backups at the position. Price thinks sophomore Octavious Balkcom will likely backup Groves and Antonio Coleman is the top candidate to backup Gunn. Price plans to give walk-on Brandon Haley, and incoming freshmen Zach Clayton, Bryant Miller and Darrell Roseman plenty of action during two-a-days so he can find out if any of them have what it takes to possibly play on Saturdays this fall.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: James Willis takes over as linebackers coach and he will have the tough task of finding players to fill in for Kevin Sears and Tray Blackmon, who will be suspended for at least three games.

    Veterans, New Starters Anchor Offensive Line

    Tailbacks Are Strong, Fullbacks Lack Experience

    Cox, Receivers Ready For 2006 Season To Kickoff

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    New linebackers coach James Willis knew it would be hard to replace a veteran coach, but he also comes into a situation of replacing two starters from last year's team and dealing with the suspension of two players who'll miss several games.

    Former Auburn standout James Willis has been named to the Auburn football staff as linebackers coach, head coach Tommy Tuberville announced Monday. A three-year starter at linebacker for the Tigers from 1990-92, Willis comes to Auburn from Temple, where he served as linebackers coach since December 2005.
    Willis was a linebackers coach at the University of Rhode Island from 2003-05 before taking a similar position at Temple last December. The Huntsville, Ala., native began his coaching career in 2001 at Auburn as a student assistant before serving as a defensive graduate assistant in 2003 under Tuberville. As a graduate assistant in 2003, Willis worked primarily with linebackers.
    A native of Huntsville, Ala., Willis was a three-year starter (1990-92) at Auburn under legendary coach Pat Dye. He earned SEC Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 1990 after posting a team-best 123 tackles. Willis led the Tigers in tackles again as a junior in 1992 with 126 en route to earning All-SEC first team honors. Voted to Auburn's All-Decade team for the 1990s, Willis had a career-high 21 tackles against Alabama in 1990. Willis finished his three-year career at Auburn with 344 tackles.
    Willis entered the coaching ranks after playing professionally for eight seasons. Selected in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by Green Bay, he played in 25 games in two seasons with the Packers before signing with Philadelphia in 1995. Willis was a three-year starter (1996-98) for the Eagles, who made playoff appearances during his first two seasons. He was second on the team in tackles in 1996 (77) and was tied for the team lead in tackles in 1997 (82). The middle linebacker registered 105 stops in 1998, second-most on the team.
    Willis played one season for the Seattle Seahawks in 1999 before concluding his professional career with the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL. He was named the team's defensive MVP after making a club-best 70 tackles in 2001.
    Willis, 33, completed his bachelor's degree in adult education at Auburn in 2003. He and his wife, Shalane, have two children, daughter, Jade (11) and son, Jalen (5).

    Meteor Shower Lights Up August Sky

    The Perseid meteor shower happens every year in mid-August and forecasters say this year could be unusually good. By August 12th when the shower peaks, sky watchers can expect to see dozens, possibly even hundreds of meteors per hour.

    The Perseid meteors are an annual show, starting in late July when the Earth enters a cloud of debris from the tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle. This year the Earth will also cross the path of a new strand of debris that separated from the comet in 1862. Because this strand of debris is still so young, the dust particles are still relatively concentrated. This means that when we pass through it, it will cause a more brilliant display than usual.

    Meteors are caused by the vaporization of small bits of rock, the majority the size of grains of sand, slashing through the upper atmosphere at tremendous speeds. Some are random bits of space dust, but most are chunks of material thrown off by passing comets. A meteor shower happens when the Earth passes through that orbital ring of debris.

    Saturday, when the Perseids peak, will be the best viewing opportunity, said Steve Kates, a science journalist known as Dr. Sky. As the Earth travels through the thickest part of the ring, there should be ribbons of larger material, about the size of olive pits, which look like fireballs from 100 miles up in the atmosphere, Kates said.

    For the best seat in the house, astronomers recommend going to the darkest place possible, away from the city lights. They also recommend seeking higher ground to get away from the haze. Go out about 9 p.m., before the moon rises, and scan the skies to the east and north, then look overhead after 9.

    No telescope is needed; the meteors are traveling too fast, about 25 miles per second, to capture them in the eyepiece anyway. Clear skies and a blanket or lawn chair will do.

    The Perseid shower lasts for two weeks with good viewing from August 10th-15th. It should reach a peak late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, August 12th-13th. The rate of activity should be especially intense after midnight until the first light of dawn.

    All's blog that ends blog

    Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid or their country. When in the course of human events. We hold these truths to be self-evident. Telephunkin.

    Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid or their country. When in the course of human events. We hold these truths to be self-evident.
    Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid or their country. When in the course of human events. We hold these truths to be self-evident.

    Another blog, another day...

    This little blogger went to market & this little blogger stayed home. This little blogger had roast beef and this little blogger had none. And this little blogger went wee-wee all the way home.

    Linebackers Begin Season With Little Depth

    Auburn's new linebackers coach not only has to take over for Joe Whitt, but he also comes into a situation where he must replace two starters from last year and also deal with the suspension of two position players who'll miss several games.

    When Whitt decided to hang up his whistle in February to take on a new role with Tigers Unlimited, Auburn's fundraising arm of the athletics department, head coach Tommy Tuberville knew it wouldn't be easy to find someone who could fill the shoes of the longtime Auburn assistant.

    Whitt, who came to Auburn in 1981 as an assistant under Pat Dye, coached outside linebackers from 1981-98, then became the full-time linebackers coach in 1999. He was also the Tigers' assistant head coach in 1998.

    During his 25 years at Auburn, Whitt helped the Tigers win five Southeastern Conference titles and make 18 bowl appearances. The Mobile, Ala., native has had 20 former players go on to play in the NFL.
    James Willis
    James Willis replaces Joe Whitt as linebackers coach. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    James Willis was hired by Tuberville three days after Whitt decided to step down. Willis was a three-year starter at linebacker under Whitt from 1990-92 and was voted to Auburn's All-Decade team for the 1990s after finishing his career with 344 tackles.

    After his playing days ended at Auburn in 1992, Willis played in the NFL for six seasons with stops at Green Bay, Philadelphia, and Seattle. He then had the opportunity to play in the XFL for the Birmingham Thuderbolts for two seasons before putting the pads away for good to become a coach at the collegiate level.

    Willis, 33, began his coaching career in 2001 at Auburn as a student assistant before serving as a defensive graduate assistant in 2003 under Tuberville, where he worked primarily with linebackers. He then left the Plains to take a job at the University of Rhode Island as linebackers coach from 2003-05 before taking a similar position at Temple last December.

    As he enters his first year as linebackers coach, Willis will have to find the right mix of players to step in and play for departing seniors Travis Williams and Antarrious Williams. One bright spot for Willis is the return of one starter from last year's linebacker corps. Senior Karibi Dede replaces Travis Williams at middle linebacker. Dede started eight games last year on the strong side, but also started one in the middle and three on the weakside.

    As the starter at middle linebacker, Dede is responsible for every other defender on the field. Willis will count on Dede to make sure everyone is lined up in the right spot and to get the correct calls in for the defense to be able to stop opposing offenses.

    Behind Dede will be sophomores Chris Evans and Courtney Harden. Evans played in nine games as a true freshman last season, recording 13 tackles, including a season-high four against South Carolina. Harden played in eight games in 2005, earning six tackles and recovered a fumble against Mississippi State.
    Will Herring
    Will Herring moves to linebacker after three seasons at free safety. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Will Herring, a three-year starter at free safety, was moved to strongside linebacker prior to spring drills. Moving Herring to linebacker has turned out to be a smart decision by the coaching staff since fellow linebackers Kevin Sears and Tray Blackmon will likely miss the first three games of the season for their involvement in separate alcohol-related incidents in the off-season that led to their arrests and punishment from Tuberville.

    Herring, a preseason consensus first-team All-SEC pick, played well at his new position in the spring and that has Willis excited to see how the senior performs once the season begins Sept. 2 against Washington State.

    Heading into preseason practice, redshirt freshmen Patrick Trahan and Alonzo Horton are behind Herring at strongside linebacker. Willis is pleased with the work they've done this summer in the weight room and he thinks they'll be excellent players once they get some experience on the playing field.
    Merrill Johnson
    Merrill Johnson will be the starter on the weakside. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Sophomore Merrill Johnson is penciled in to start at the weakside linebacker position. Johnson had to sit out most of spring drills with an injury but is now healthy and has a chance to secure the starting job with the absence of Blackmon.

    Steve Gandy was also moved in the spring from his strong safety spot to help with the depth problems on the weakside. Gandy may be out indefinitely after being operated on for a deep thigh bruise that he sustained during a recent preseason practice.

    Willis is eager to see how newcomers Craig Stevens and Hendrick Leverette perform during preseason practice since the Tigers are thin at the position. If Willis likes what he sees once the preseason wraps up, they could both see playing time at any linebacker spot while Sears and Blackmon serve their suspensions.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Will Muschamp is the new position coach for the secondary. David Irons is back along with a talented group who saw plenty of action last season.

    New Coordinator Has Defense Ready To Battle

    Veterans, New Starters Anchor Offensive Line

    Tailbacks Are Strong, Fullbacks Lack Experience

    Cox, Receivers Ready For 2006 Season To Kickoff

    New and Improved

    We hope you will like the expanded Access Auburn. We appreciate the feedback and your comments. We hope you will like the enlarged format and new features we have added.

    The Calm Before the Storm

    Not the best week to start blogging in Auburn. It's pretty quiet, but all h*ll is about to break loose in the loveliest village. Make sure you have food, water and batteries!

    The students are back! Classes start Wednesday. Stay away from Wal-Mart for the next week.

    City Elections are August 22. There are several races that are shaping up as tight ones. Phil will take a look at the election later this week.

    The 2006 Auburn Marathon kicks-off Sept 2. This one runs not 26 miles, but 12 weeks. Football in Auburn is not for the faint of heart.

    Season Openers

    I was surprised to read a few weeks ago that Auburn has lost three out of the last four season-openers. Yes, it's sad but true. Tuberville's Tigers lost to Southern Cal in '02 and '03, while losing to Georgia Tech last year.

    The only victory came against the mighty Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks in '04.

    Auburn fans can look at the disappointing record in recent season-openers in two ways. One, even though we lost twice to USC, at least we played the top team in the country. We gave the Trojans a competitive game out in California in '02.

    The second way to look at the team's poor performance in season-openers is, if Auburn wants to be considered as one of the top teams in the country, not only do we have to play caliber teams but we also have to be able to win against them every once in awhile.

    Let's hope on Sept. 2 we don't slip up and lose to Washington State and our record in season-openers falls to 4 out of 5.

    Stupid Blog Tricks

    I am a liberal Democrat; I am a Christian conservative. I voted for Bob Riley as Governor; I voted against George Bush for President. Unfortunately, too often labels in politics are used as a way to avoid considering ideas.

    Having studied the matter, blogs frequently seem to contain links to clever web pages and other amusing time-wasters.

    This 5-minute test asks your opinion on 30 statements and pigeonholes your politics. I always thought of myself as a middle-of-the-road independent, but somewhere along the way the road curved. This test seems to think I am a Democrat, sitting like a pimple on H.R.Clinton's forehead.

    You are a

    Social Liberal
    (70% permissive)

    and an...

    Economic Liberal
    (31% permissive)

    You are best described as a:

    Democrat




    Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid Free Online Dating
    Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

    Barnhart's BBQ of Auburn

    Lately my concerned friends have been asking in those hushed tones reserved for a funeral home, "How are you doin'?" and "Are you OK?". We had all seen the signs and knew the end was near, but the realization hit hard when I heard last week.

    Chuck's Barbecue in Auburn closed for the last time on Friday. Sure, there is still the original in Opelika--but that's Opelika, not Auburn.

    Today, on Shug Jordan Parkway near Wire Road, the Barnhart's Barbecue era began in Auburn. With an unabashedly Auburn decor, a fresh coat of paint and a serious burnt orange "racing stripe" around the dining room, this IS Auburn barbecue.

    Veteran pit boss Mitch knows his barbecue and had the butts perfect on Wednesday. He learned his trade working at Chuck's. His family has bought the business and will continue the same famous sauce.

    Barbecue sauce is a religious topic, but Barnhart's will continue the vinegary "orange" sauce that is not quite red and not quite yellow and descends from the "Smokey Pig" family of sauces that includes locally Chuck's of Opelika and Price's Barbecue House in Auburn. The color hardly shows at all when dripped on an orange shirt and contrasts nicely with navy blue.

    The menu has changed little, but includes new homemade desserts, three new salad items, and new selection of fresh cooked veggies. The 99-cent chipped sandwich and $4 lunch special will be hits for as long as they can afford to offer them at that price.

    Barhart's remains the best place to go in Auburn for barbecue and sweet tea. Other places have good barbecue and other places have good sweet tea, but only Barnhart's combines great Auburn-style barbecue, perfect sweet tea, and the "special" ice that makes the tea so good.

    Alabama Could Have A Statewide Ban On Smoking Soon

    After Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed a ban on smoking in most public buildings statewide recently, anti-tobacco supporters in Alabama are hopeful that the state will soon follow with a similar law.

    While Alabama hasn't joined 13 other states that have passed statewide indoor smoking laws, 11 cities across the state have banned smoking indoors, according to Tobacco Free Alabama, an Andalusia-based nonprofit organization. Some bans are more restrictive than others. Birmingham's excludes smoking in all restaurants and allows it only in free-standing bars.

    This is good news for groups like the American Cancer Society who believe that if enough small municipalities and a few large cities pass their own smoking laws, then state lawmakers will take up the issue and hopefully pass a statewide law. With more city bans likely in the coming weeks and months, a statewide ban is not a matter of if, but when.

    The American Cancer Society and other groups are trying to reduce the rates of lung cancer, coronary heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome, asthma and bronchitis - all proven to be caused by second-hand smoke.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the World Health Organization and other public health organizations say their research and data-gathering on second-hand smoke exposure has improved. For example, scientists have proven that the body metabolizes many of the components within cigarette smoke, and that's where the damage likely begins.

    Nicotine for example - a non-cancerous but highly addictive substance - reaches the brain within 10 seconds, the CDC says. Other carcinogens in smoke are what attack lung, heart or other kinds of cells, causing mutated DNA and inflammation and promoting arteriosclerosis, doctors say.

    The American Heart Association reports that second-hand smoke causes 38,000 U.S. deaths among those who have never smoked and leads to more than 700,000 medical visits each year for Americans under age 18.

    Does Anyone Really Care?

    I was channel surfing the other night and I came across something that caught my attention on ESPN's Sportscenter. They were talking about some of the big games that'll be played on Sept. 16.

    One of the games they were discussing was the LSU-Auburn match up. They already predicted who'll win. I guess they ran out of things to say about Terrell Owens that night.

    I don't know about you, but I won't be betting my house on this game just yet. It seems ridiculous to be talking about a game that'll happen a month from now. A lot of things can affect the outcome of a game between now and then like injuries, suspensions, and good old mother nature.

    I would be excited about their prediction if the game was this Saturday. I guess things like this don't excite me too much that far in advance.

    By the way, they are confident that Auburn will win. I guess we'll see.

    The Lovliest Village?

    When I arrived on The Plain in 1994 as an eager college freshman, I remember driving past the picturesque rural landscape, consisting of farmhouses and fields that sprawled alongside College Street to the south side of campus.

    About the only sign of collegiate life you could see along the way was the "world-famous" Supper Club, and the newly constructed College Park Apartments.

    Ten years later, that stretch of road is reminiscent of Birmingham's Highway 280, packed with bumper-to-bumper traffic and dotted with quaint and charming landmarks such as Krystal, Wal Mart, and Taco Bell. Yes, the town of Auburn has seen tremendous growth, not only in the past ten years, but according to my father who attended school here in the 1960s, it’s experienced a sea change.

    Now, I’m not a die-hard Auburn purist like many Auburn residents and alumni, but I am beginning to wonder if the city’s initiatives for “controlled growth” are unfolding as we all would hope. In the downtown area, with each week it seems that another building is being leveled to make room for condominiums. Elsewhere, strip malls and restaurants are popping up like weeds. Area realtors and developers are salivating. Rumors have been circulating about other potentially drastic changes to the downtown area as well.

    That being said, I think growth is good for our community, and we could certainly use some of the comforts and outlets for recreation that come with it. But, I do certainly hope that we can balance these things with the uniqueness that makes Auburn, what we like to call, the Loveliest Village.

    Dave Olney

    Next Friday, I hope to do something that I have never done before. Those who know me would assume that I was an initiate. Most of my friends have had the experience.

    One of the advantages of working at a web business is that we get to help out our friends from time to time. We give free hosting and discounted web services to a number of select charitable organizations as diverse as The Boys of Baseball National Travel Team and the Alabama Art Education Association.

    We received a note from one of our favorites, our friends over at the Sundilla Concert Series that next Friday at 7:30, Dave Olney would take the stage at the Unitarian Fellowship hall on East Thach--atop what oldtimers in the area once called Baptist Hill.

    Dave will be playing unplugged, but in the late 70's and early 80's Dave Olney and the X-Rays were practically the house band at the Casino (now the entrance to College Park).

    Fans from 25 years still speak reverently of the musical virtuousity of Olney, but I have never seen him play. I plan to be there next Friday. Everyone has to have a first time.

    Auburn City Elections

    The City of Auburn will go to the polls on Tuesday to elect a Mayor and City Council. For the first time, Auburnites will elect eight council members in single-member wards. The plan does not work and should be scrapped.

    The problem with single-member wards is that it cheats Auburn out of the opportunity to elect the best candidates because they may be neighbors. Meanwhile, on the other side of town, a less qualified candidate gets a free pass because the would-be opposition living two blocks away is in another ward.

    It just doesn't work. Like the BCS.

    But what if we picked our city council like we picked our college football champions?

    It's time for the 2006 accessauburn.com City Council rankings. We've ranked all 16 candidates based upon totally subjective criteria. We included the mayoral candidates, who under Auburn's Council-Manager form of government, are really running for member at large status. The mayor's official role is largely ceremonial. We'll make number one the mayor and fill out the Council with the top nine.

    I admit to favoring incumbents, choosing the devils I know, as do most of the electorate. Unopposed incumbents probably are ranked even higher, because they haven't had to face as much heat and scrutiny.

    2006 accessauburn.com City Council Rankings

    1. Gene Dulaney
    2. Sheila Eckman
    3. Terry Rodriguez
    4. Bill Ham
    5. Verlinda White
    6. Tracie West
    7. Dick Phelan
    8. Robin Kelly
    9. Brent Beard
    10. Tom Worden
    11. Christine Berry-Bradshaw
    12. John Braswell
    13. Jay Conner, Jr.
    14. Arthur Dowdell
    15. Bob Norman
    16. William McLaurine
    Gene Dulaney and Sheila Eckman are on opposite sides of most issues, but each brings an honest, dedicated, professional approach to government. The affable Dulaney is a vice-president for development at the bank; Eckman never saw a development she liked, but they both sweat blood for Auburn and bring vision to the council table.

    Newcomer Terry Rodriguez wowed the crowd down at the League of Women Voters. It would be good to have a "people's representative" on the council and Rodriguez could fill the bill.

    Incumbent Mayor Bill Ham has been a fixture on the Auburn Council for 20 years of unprecedented growth that has seen the population double, economic figures lead the state, and schools ranked high nationally. Also during his watch we have seen South College turn into unending string of strip malls, fast food joints and car lots. The land use plan and the village concept has not been implemented. The termination of the former city manager was bungled and carried the whiff of back-room politics.

    Verlinda White has had the toughest job in Auburn--representing Ward 1. Ward 1 has more problems than the rest of the city combined. It has the most families living below the poverty line; it has the fewest choices for shopping and dining; it has been frequently been last to have access to amenities that most of us take for granted--curbs, sidewalks, storm sewers and even paved streets.

    White has done an admirable job. The sooner Auburn realizes that the problems of Ward 1 are not just problems for that one area, but problems for the whole city, the better.

    Tracie West lost four years ago by the slimmest of margins. This time, she has some big money backing, but it may not be enough. West might consider house-hunting in another ward.

    Unopposed incumbent Dick Phelan, Planning Commissioner Robin Kelley and unopposed incumbent Brent Beard will fill the top nine in our Council rankings.

    Beard was a no-show at League's hootenanny. Here's guy that has never been elected (he was appointed to fill an unexpired term), but cannot schedule this one opportunity to meet his constituents. Sure, he is running unopposed, but both other elected unopposed candidates appeared to articulate their message and make themselves available for questions.

    William McLaurine has some good ideas (and some not so good) which Auburn would be wise to consider, but the messenger is not ready to be mayor.

    Secondary Plans To Create More Turnovers

    Will Muschamp, Auburn's new defensive coordinator and secondary coach, will use the talent and depth in this year's secondary to play a more aggressive and attacking style that lacked in last year's defensive backfield.

    Even though Will Herring and Steve Gandy were moved from the secondary to linebacker in the spring, Muschamp is confident that the group Auburn has in this year's secondary will be able to handle the intensity and style of play he will bring to the playing field. Muschamp plans to use more man coverage, which will hopefully create more turnovers and interceptions for the defense. As a unit, the defense totaled only eight interceptions last season. Muschamp would love to see that number improve and he will count on cornerback David Irons to lead the way.
    David Irons
    David Irons flirted with entering the NFL draft but decided to return to the Plains. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Surprisingly, Irons played the entire 2005 season without a single interception. While he wasn't lucky enough to record any interceptions, he came close many times by leading the team and ranking third in the SEC with 11 pass deflections. Irons was an Associated Press All-SEC second-team selection in 2005 for having a solid season that saw him finish with 48 tackles, which was third on the team.

    Irons, a 6-1, 188 pound senior, won an appeal and was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA in January because he missed two seasons with an injury to the same knee. Head coach Tommy Tuberville looks forward to having Irons back for another year because he brings senior leadership to a somewhat young unit. Tuberville thinks Irons may be the quickest corner he has ever coached and if he continues to improve, there's a chance he could be picked in the first-round of next year's NFL draft.

    Patrick Lee is behind Irons at the left cornerback spot. Lee started the first five games in 2005 and saw action in six more. The 6-0, 203 pound junior could also see playing time at safety since Tony Bell left the team.

    Talented 5-11, 182 pound junior Jonathan Wilhite saw much improvement during the season last year, which earned him the starting job at the right cornerback position in the last six games. With Wilhite starting on the right and Irons on the left, Auburn looks to have two of the best cornerbacks in the SEC.

    Montae Pitts was the backup to Wilhite but he decided to transferred to Jacksonville State after having alcohol-related problems earlier in the summer. With Pitts gone, redshirt freshmen Walter McFadden and Jerraud Powers will backup Wilhite.

    Eric Brock gives Auburn another experienced player in the defensive backfield. In 2005, Brock played in all 12 games while starting seven. The 6-1, 213 pound junior will start at strong safety after having a solid spring when he was named the Most Improved Defensive Back. Lorenzo Ferguson and Brant Haynie will backup Brock but could see playing time at free safety.
    Tristan Davis
    Tristan Davis moves back to free safety after a few games at tailback in 2005. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The speedy Tristan Davis played a few times at running back last year when the Tigers were short at the position because of a few injuries. While Davis was impressive at tailback against Kentucky and Ball State, he has been moved back to free safety, which is his natural position, full-time. The 5-10, 204 pound sophomore promises to be even better on defense once he gets a few starts under his belt.

    Davis will see a lot of competition from redshirt freshman Aairon Savage after he was moved from cornerback to free safety in the spring. Savage's excellent athletic ability will give him the opportunity to play at any position in the defensive backfield.

    Muschamp plans to rotate players frequently at each position in the secondary based on their abilities and when the defense needs to be more aggressive on third down coverage plays to stop opposing offenses. Muschamp thinks Auburn has plenty of talent in the defensive backfield to match up against the competition in the conference. The talent, along with plenty of depth, should help the Tigers' secondary survive the long haul of the 12-consecutive game schedule.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Special teams will be strong with the starting punter, field goal kicker and kickoff specialist all returning.

    Linebackers Begin Season With Little Depth

    New Coordinator Has Defense Ready To Battle

    Veterans, New Starters Anchor Offensive Line

    Tailbacks Are Strong, Fullbacks Lack Experience

    Cox, Receivers Ready For 2006 Season To Kickoff

    Auburn Election Results

    The people have spoken and there will be at least three new faces on the Auburn City Council for the next four years. Ward 1 incumbent Verlinda White still must face a run-off.

    In the Auburn Municipal Election held Tuesday, Bill Ham was re-elected mayor with 77% of the vote. Ward 2 incumbent Sheila Eckman had little trouble with well-heeled challenger Tracie West.

    Incumbents Brent Beard, Dick Phelan and Gene Dulaney all were re-elected without opposition.

    A razor-thin margin of only 20 votes separated the three Ward 1 candidates, White and Arthur Dowdell, who will meet in the run-off, and third-place finisher Christine Berry-Bradshaw.

    In Ward 3, former council member Tom Worden handily defeated John Braswell, and Bob Norman easily defeated developer Jay Conner, Jr. in Ward 8.

    In the evening's other close race, Planning Commissioner Robin Kelley knocked off newcomer Terry Rodriguez by only 14 votes. (The city's unofficial tally has it by 24--Hopefully the same people who added the totals didn't count the votes!)

    Smith Replaces Carl Stephens As New PA Announcer

    After 30 years as the PA announcer at Auburn football games, Carl Stephens decided to retire prior to this year's A-Day game. Auburn's new PA announcer is excited about the opportunity and promises to carry on the tradition left by Stephens.

    Ric Smith grew up an Auburn fan in the small town of Fairfax, AL. He would often make the short trip down I-85 to Auburn to watch the Tigers play on Saturdays. He attended Valley High School, but moved to Sumter, SC his junior year. After graduating from Sumter High School, he attended the University of South Carolina where he graduated in 1982. Smith then decided to return home to go to grad school at Auburn.

    While in grad school, Smith got involved in radio at WEGL, the campus radio station. Since then, he has done on-air radio work for ABC Radio, ESPN Radio, WFAN, WSB and others. Other jobs in radio include working as the Auburn baseball play-by-play announcer for two years and calling some high school football games.

    Smith, an Auburn University professor, is the Director of Experiential Learning for the Auburn Department of Communication and Journalism. In addition to teaching classes, he coordinates media and public relations practicum experiences and supervises undergraduate internships. He is also the faculty advisor for WEGL radio and Eagle Eye television.

    Smith is familiar with the duties of a public address announcer, having served as the stadium announcer for Auburn baseball for five years and also for Opelika High School.

    During the A-Day game in March, Smith officially took over for Stephens as the new voice of Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn fans may notice a different voice when football season begins Sept. 2, but the delivery and message will be the same.

    Smith's responsibilities include making a number of announcements and introductions prior to the game. During the game, he helps fans stay updated on what is happening on the field and also announces scores from other games that are going on around the country. Smith thinks the game is not about the stadium announcer, it's about the players on the field and the fans in the stands. He believes it's his job to provide announcements that make fans aware of what they need to know and to help them understand what is taking place on the field.

    While he is honored to follow in the footsteps of Stephens, Smith feels he isn't replacing the longtime Auburn icon, he's stepping in for him. He also feels that Stephens is the best public address announcer and his goal is to continue the high standard that Stephens established.

    Special Teams Will Give Auburn Advantage

    With the starting punter, field goal kicker and kickoff specialist all returning, Auburn should have the advantage if they need a big play from special teams when the game is on the line.

    The play of special teams can often change the outcome of a game. A missed field goal, a bad punt, and a fumble on a punt return can all be devastating to a team that has played well enough to win but sees a victory slip away because of a crucial mistake. Special teams coach Eddie Gran thinks the Tigers have all of the ingredients to have a successful year on special teams which should help them avoid game changing mistakes.
    Kody Bliss
    Kody Bliss looks to be the top punter in the SEC in 2006. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Auburn's punter has a chance to be an All-American in 2006 if he performs like he did last season and during the spring. Kody Bliss was named the A-Day Special Teams MVP after averaging 46.8 yards on six punts. During his career on the Plains, Bliss is third in Auburn history with a 43.3 yard per punt average, sixth with 6,712 total punt yards and ninth with 155 punts.

    Bliss was outstanding last season when he led the SEC in punting with a 44.9-yard per kick average and averaged a conference-leading 45.8 yards per punt in SEC play. The senior punter also did his job of making sure opposing offenses started inside their 20 when it was important for Auburn to control the field position part of the game.

    John Vaughn is back as the Tigers' field goal kicker. The three-year starter struggled at times in 2005 but should have his confidence back after having a strong spring.

    Even though he struggled last season, Vaughn still made 12-of-20 field goals and all 50 extra points attempted. Against Georgia, he nailed a 20-yard field goal with six seconds left to give Auburn the 31-30 victory.

    Walk-on Matt Clark will handle the kickoffs along with Zac Kutch. In 2005, Clark kicked off 49 times, averaging 62.5 yards per kickoff and finished with 26 touchbacks. Kutch appeared in five games, made 14 kickoffs, with two going for touchbacks and averaged 61.9 yards per kickoff.
    Brad Lester
    Brad Lester will give Auburn a threat to go the distance on kickoff returns. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Brad Lester will be one of the kickoff return specialists for the Tigers. Lester averaged 49 yards per return on four attempts last season. Speedy Tristan Davis will join Lester as the other kickoff return man. Davis handled the position well is the spring and Gran thinks his speed could be a factor when Auburn needs a good return late in the game.

    Aairon Savage and Patrick Lee could also have a chance to return some kickoffs. Both have excellent speed but lack experience at the position.

    On punt returns, Robert Dunn took over for Tre Smith late in the season last year after Smith had some fumble problems. Dunn will probably get the most opportunities on punt returns but Smith along with Courtney Taylor will also have plenty of chances to make things happen.

    Enjoy the season!

    Phil Marion

    Secondary Plans To Create More Turnovers

    Linebackers Begin Season With Little Depth

    New Coordinator Has Defense Ready To Battle

    Veterans, New Starters Anchor Offensive Line

    Tailbacks Are Strong, Fullbacks Lack Experience

    Cox, Receivers Ready For 2006 Season To Kickoff

    Katrina Anniversary Coverage

    I knew a few weeks ago that the news media would go nuts during the anniversary week of Katrina. I told myself then that I would definitely avoid anything having to do with it.

    So far, I haven't really watched much television this week. But, it's only Tuesday. I just know if I turn it to a certain channel they'll be looking back at the horrible event. I can imagine Shepard Smith from Fox News Channel is down there right now broadcasting live telling everyone how bad it was a year ago.

    You may think the non-stop coverage is important so we can remember what happened. I was glued to my television for about four days straight last year watching the coverage. I finally had to turn it off because it was really depressing. If I watch it all over again, it might be just as depressing. I'll pass.

    That's the great thing about television. You can simply turn it off whenever you want or change the channel.

    I'm scared to even watch the Food Network. I saw a promo last week where they were doing some show about Katrina this week. I'll just avoid the Food Network for awhile until I know that 30 Minute Meals and Emmeril Live will be on.

    Predictions For Week 1 SEC Games

    This week, Auburn is at home against Washington State at 6:45 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Hawaii travels to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama, and Georgia opens the season at home against Western Kentucky.

    South Carolina at Mississippi State, Thursday, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Fans in Columbia are excited about their Gamecocks after Steve Spurrier was successful in his first year as head coach. Mississippi State is still trying to recover from the mess that Jackie Sherrill left. South Carolina has won the last three meetings and should find a way to win this one. Prediction: South Carolina 24-MSU 16.

    Washington State at Auburn, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    This is the first-ever meeting between Washington State and Auburn. The Cougars will face an Auburn team that is 4-3 versus Pac-10 members. After finishing 4-7 last season, Washington State could be a dangerous team. The Tigers have lost three of the last four season openers. Look for Auburn to start the season off with a victory. Prediction: Auburn 28-WSU 13.

    Vanderbilt at Michigan, 11 a.m. CT, ESPN

    I like to see teams from the SEC play quality opponents, especially in the first game of the season. Vanderbilt will miss quarterback Jay Cutler, who is now getting paid to play in the NFL. Michigan had a disappointing 7-5 season last year. The fans in "The Big House" expect a better record in 2006. You won't see an upset in this game. Prediction: Michigan-28-Vanderbilt 10.

    Western Kentucky at Georgia, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    This is the first meeting between these two squads. Georgia owns a 13-game home non-conference winning streak since 2000. The Bulldogs are really tough to beat in between the hedges and they will handle the Hilltoppers. Prediction: UGA 37-WKU 17.

    California at Tennessee, 4:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Philip Fulmer needs a big win against a quality opponent like Cal to help with his job security after his Vols went 5-6 last season. Both teams are ranked so it should be an entertaining contest. I think Fulmer will have his team ready to play. Prediction: Tennessee 31-Cal 24.

    Southern Miss at Florida, 5 p.m. CT

    Florida looks to be pretty tough this year after going 9-3 a year ago. Head coach Urban Meyer has his system in place and his players are more comfortable with it after a year under their belts. The Gators are 34-15-3 all-time against Conference USA teams and this week they'll earn another victory against the C-USA foe Southern Miss. Prediction: Florida 38-Southern Miss 14.

    Hawaii at Alabama, 6 p.m. CT, Pay-Per-View

    Alabama shouldn't have one of the top defenses in the country this year after losing several starters from last year's unit. It's hard to know how well the inexperienced quarterback for the Tide will play. Since this game will be played at Bryant-Denny and Auburn isn't the opponent, Alabama should win. Prediction: The Tide 23-Hawaii 14.

    Louisiana-Lafayette at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

    There isn't much to say about this cupcake matchup for LSU. The Tigers from Baton Rouge have won all 20 meetings against ULL, including 48-0 in 2002. Look for a similar score on Saturday. Prediction: LSU 45-ULL 6.

    Southern Cal at Arkansas, 7:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Southern Cal destroyed the Razorbacks 70-17 out in California last year. The Trojans are still very talented even without Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. Arkansas' coach Houston Nutt is on the hot seat. The result of the season-opener won't help his job situation. Prediction: Southern Cal 42-Arkansas 17.

    Memphis at Ole Miss, Sunday, 3:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Ole Miss should be much improved in Ed Orgeron's second season as head coach. The Rebels are 16-2 in games played in Oxford against Memphis. This meeting will be close. Prediction: Ole Miss 17-Memphis 14.

    Kentucky at Louisville, Sunday, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Head coach Bobby Petrino has Louisville on the right track. The Cardinals better beat Kentucky after Petrino got a big contract extension. This game shouldn't be much of a contest. Prediction: Louisville 42-Kentucky 18.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week One

    Auburn defeated Washington St. 40-14 Saturday night. The Tigers play at Mississippi St. this week with the kickoff set for 11:30 a.m. CT. Alabama survived a scare from Hawaii late in the fourth to win 25-17.

    South Carolina at Mississippi State

    South Carolina handled Mississippi State 15-0 in Starkville on Thursday. Steve Spurrier is now 16-1 all-time in season openers as a head coach. Mississippi State's starting quarterback suffered a broken collarbone and will be out indefinitely. Ryan Succop had three field goals for the Gamecocks. The other score for South Carolina happened in the fourth quarter when Syvelle Newton threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Cory Boyd on a trick play.

    This week: South Carolina hosts Georgia and Mississippi State meets Auburn in Starkville.

    Washington State at Auburn

    Auburn had little trouble defeating visiting Washington State Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Although the Tigers struggled some on offense in the first half, John Vaughn helped his team out by connecting on four field goals in the half, including a career-long 52-yarder. Auburn got a strong performance from Kenny Irons in the 40-14 victory. Irons finished the game with 183 rushing yards and a touchdown.

    Quarterback Brandon Cox completed 11-of-18 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown. The offense totaled 463 yards, while the defense allowed just 232 yards of total offense to the Cougars.

    This week: Auburn plays at Mississippi State at 11:30 a.m. CT, and Washington State hosts Idaho.

    Vanderbilt at Michigan

    Michigan opened the season with a 27-7 victory over Vanderbilt. The Wolverines racked up 246 yards on the ground and 381 total yards while holding the Commodores to 42 yards net rushing and 171 total yards.

    The game was close at halftime as Michigan held a 13-7 lead. But, two touchdowns in the second half, and a stingy defense by the Wolverines, gave the home team a fairly comfortable victory.

    This week: Vanderbilt plays at Alabama and Michigan hosts Central Michigan.

    Western Kentucky at Georgia

    Georgia improved to 62-15-1 all-time in home openers by defeating Western Kentucky 48-12. Danny Ware rushed for 67 yards on six carries and scored a touchdown, while Joe Tereshinski completed 7-of-17 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown for the Bulldogs. The defending SEC champions dominated the game, as the offense outgained the Hilltoppers in total yards, 295 to 193 and the defense held them to just 67 rushing yards.

    This week: Georgia travels to Columbia to play South Carolina, Western Kentucky plays at Eastern Kentucky.

    California at Tennessee

    In front of a huge crowd of 106,009 at Neyland Stadium, Tennessee easily defeated California 35-18. Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge completed 11-of-17 passes and threw for career-highs of 291 yards and four touchdowns. The Vols' head coach Phillip Fulmer is now 14-1 all-time in season openers.

    This week: Tennessee hosts Air Force and California hosts Minnesota.

    Southern Miss at Florida

    Florida quarterback Chris Leak threw 248 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-30 attempts in the 34-7 victory over Southern Miss. Leak got off to a shaky start by throwing an interception early in the first quarter that led to a touchdown by the Golden Eagles. The early 7-0 lead by Southern Miss quickly disappeared as the Gators finally woke up and took control of the game in the second half.

    This week: Southern Miss hosts Southeast Louisiana and Florida welcomes Central Florida to The Swamp.

    Hawaii at Alabama

    Alabama held on to beat Hawaii 25-17 in Tuscaloosa. Sophomore quarterback John Parker Wilson had a solid game by throwing 253 yards on 16-of-29 attempts and a touchdown. The Tide's Leigh Tiffin had three field goals in the victory, including a 31-yarder in the middle of the first quarter.

    Hawaii was down by eight in the final seconds of the game, but with one second left Colt Brennan was intercepted at the goal line.

    This week: Alabama welcomes Vanderbilt, Hawaii hosts UNLV.

    Louisiana-Lafayette at LSU

    LSU easily defeated ULL 45-3 in Baton Rouge. LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell completed 13-of-17 passes for 253 yards and threw for three touchdowns. The Bengal Tigers are looking forward to the big conference matchup with Auburn in two weeks. Before that, they will try and beat Arizona for the second year in a row when the two teams meet this week in Baton Rouge.

    Southern Cal at Arkansas

    Southern Cal took care of Arkansas 50-14 in Fayetteville. Trojan quarterback John David Booty threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns as Southern Cal looked good without Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.

    This week: USC hosts Nebraska in two weeks, and Arkansas plays at home against Utah State.

    Memphis at Ole Miss

    Running back B.J. Green-Ellis helped Ole Miss beat Memphis 28-25. Green rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener in Oxford. Brent Schaeffer, the Tennessee transfer, was the starter at quarterback for the Rebels. Schaeffer threw for 97 yards and rushed for 48 yards and a score.

    With Ole Miss up 28-17 in the fourth, Memphis got to within a field goal after scoring a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. Green-Ellis and the Rebels' offense ran out the clock to seal the victory.

    This week: Ole Miss travels to Missouri, Memphis hosts Chattanooga.

    Kentucky at Louisville

    Running back Michael Bush was having an outstanding night for Louisville before suffering a broken leg in the third quarter that will sideline him for the rest of the season. Bush had three touchdowns and finished with 17 carries for 128 yards in the 59-28 victory over Kentucky. The Cardinals controlled the game from the start and led 31-14 at halftime.

    This week: Kentucky plays Texas State at home and Louisville plays at Temple.

    Shell Toomer Parkway... Again

    The latest attempt to "pave paradise and put up a parking lot" will unfold in the Auburn City Council meeting at the municipal complex on Ross Street Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m.

    The "tree-hugging" Davids will face off with the "Evil Developer" Goliaths in a life or death struggle for Auburn's playground.

    Stereotypes and hyperbole aside, here's the scoop:

    The Cleveland Brothers--one of Auburn's most prolific real estate development outfits--have bought a big chunk of land next to Shell Toomer Parkway and want to build houses there--lots of houses.

    As currently zoned, they could only build 90-100 houses on the land. They want the property rezoned to an LDD zone, a zone that allows hundreds of houses, condos and "zero lot-line" row-houses as well as single-family dwellings.

    Plans submitted to the planning commission as part of a development agreement, a contract with the city that insures that the the necessary infrastructure (roads, water, fire protection, etc.) is in available, showed just over 200 lots.

    In a citizens' meeting a few weeks ago, the developer Billy Cleveland told a group that included Auburn City Council member Gene Dulaney, "We never planned to put more than 200-300" units on the property.

    But, in an August 22 email obtained by Access Auburn to then city council candidate Terry Rodriguez, Cleveland stated, "We hope to be able to have between 400 and 500 units."

    The requested LDD rezoning would permit nearly 600 units on the 289 acre plot without further council permission.

    The opposition is well organized and is urging all concerned Auburn residents to turn out for the Council meeting on Tuesday night. They are also urging everyone to email the city council to ask the rezoning be rejected.

    Predictions For Week 2 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 11-0. This week, Auburn plays at Mississippi St. at 11:30 a.m. CT. Other games have Vanderbilt playing at Alabama, and Georgia travels to South Carolina in what should be the best game to watch in conference play.

    Auburn at Mississippi State, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Last week against Washington State, Auburn looked impressive and will once again be the team everyone in the conference tries to beat. I just don't see the Tigers losing unless they suffer some major injuries. The rushing attack has to be the strongest in the country. Just let Kenny Irons run all over opposing defenses until he gets tired, then insert Brad Lester back there with his speed to do more damage. Then, there's always Carl Stewart, Tre Smith, and Ben Tate that could come in when Irons and Lester both need a rest.

    The passing game looked pretty solid. The young wide receivers were a little rusty but they looked pretty quick and the offensive line gave Brandon Cox time to throw to them.

    As head coach Tommy Tuberville said when he was interviewed at the half, the defense over ran on some plays but that can be corrected. Will Herring played well at his new position at linebacker and the defensive backs did a nice job of stopping Washington State's passing attack.

    This week against Mississippi State, the defense will have a chance to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard like they did last year and like South Carolina did last Thursday. Auburn leads the all-time series with Mississippi State, 55-22-2 and the Tigers have won five straight in the series and 18 of the last 24. Auburn has won its last two trips to Starkville by nearly identical scores, 43-14 in 2002, and 42-14 in 2004. Look for another thumping by Auburn in Starkville.

    Prediction: Auburn 38-MSU 6.

    Ole Miss at Missouri, 11:30 a.m. CT, Fox Sports Nets

    Both teams won their opening games last week. Ole Miss seems to be better than they were last year when they finished 3-8. The Rebels defeated Memphis 28-25 at home while Missouri took care of Murray St. 47-7.

    Running back B.J. Green-Ellis was solid in last week's game and he should give Ole Miss the advantage on the road against the Tigers.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-Missouri 16.

    Vanderbilt at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, Fox Sports Net

    Alabama leads the series with Vanderbilt 56-19-4. The Commodores are pretty weak again this year after showing signs of improvement last season with quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler has since moved on to the NFL.

    The Crimson Tide failed to do much damage on the ground last week against Hawaii. Against Vanderbilt, don't be surprised if Ken Darby and Tim Castille rack up many yards. The last victory by the Commodores in this series happened way back in 1984. No upset in Tuscaloosa on Saturday.

    Prediction: Alabama 28-Vanderbilt 13.

    Arizona at LSU, 5:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Like Auburn, LSU is loaded with talent. Les Miles' team will play in Auburn next week but before that, they will welcome Arizona to Baton Rouge. Tiger Stadium is loud and is one of the toughest places to play in the country. The Wildcats barely beat BYU last week, while LSU easily defeated Louisiana-Lafayette. LSU will have this one wrapped up by halftime, then they'll look forward to their trip to Auburn.

    Prediction: LSU 40-Arizona 15.

    Central Florida at Florida, 5:00 p.m. CT

    Florida cruised by Southern Miss last week in Gainesville despite a sluggish first half. Central Florida got by Villanova. The Gators are 115-53-5 all-time against teams from the state of Florida. In The Swamp, Florida is almost unbeatable. The Gators will have this one won by halftime and then they'll look forward to their meeting with Tennessee next week.

    Prediction: Florida 34-Central Florida 7

    Texas State at Kentucky, 5:00 p.m. CT

    I-AA Texas State visits Kentucky.

    Prediction: Kentucky 35-Texas State 10.

    Utah State at Arkansas, 6:00 p.m. CT

    Arkansas has named freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain as the starter this week after he came in late and performed well last week against Southern Cal. It was a little too late though as the Trojans won 50-14. The Razorbacks have some talent but can't seem to gel. This week, they'll get their act together against visiting Utah State.

    Prediction: Arkansas 36-Utah State 14.

    Air Force at Tennessee, 7:00 p.m. CT

    Tennessee looked like a totally different team than when they finished 5-6 a year ago. The running game was solid and the arm of Erik Ainge was strong in last week's victory against then ranked No. 9 California. Air Force didn't play last week and they will have the tough task of opening the season in front of a big crowd at Neyland Stadium. Phil Fulmer has his team focused and ready to have a much better season in '06.

    Prediction: Tennessee 42-Air Force 9.

    Georgia at South Carolina, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    The 59th meeting between Georgia and South Carolina will be a good one. Steve Spurrier's teams always play well against Georgia. While at Florida, Spurrier was 11-1 and he lost to the Bulldogs 17-15 last season in Athens.

    Georgia has too much talent to lose to the Gamecocks. While Spurrier will have his team ready to play, the Bulldogs should win by at least a touchdown.

    Prediction: Georgia 24-South Carolina 14.

    O-A News Placed on Notice

    O-A News, you're on notice! You sent a reporter to the Auburn City Council meeting and she came back with this story.

    The only problems is, that she could have filed that story without attending the meeting at all.

    Sure the smoking ban passed. That was a foregone conclusion. It passed in five minutes, without discussion.

    Most of the remainder of the three hour meeting was spent in some heated debate on the future of Shell Toomer Parkway. On one side of the issue sat interim City Manager Charles Duggan, Planning Director Forrest Cotten and the developers, Jimmy and Billy Cleveland. On the other side was most of the assembled citizenry.

    The reporter writes of the "nearly 30" from "nearby" south-side neighborhoods, but fails to mention the man from West Auburn who rose to speak of how developers had made similar promises, but fouled a creek near his home... or the man from the north side of town who had fished Lake Auburn for many years and is concerned about downstream runoff of lawn fertilizer, auto chemicals and pesticides that 400-500 houses and condos will bring to the area.

    She didn't mention the carloads of college students, perhaps only attending for class credit, who quickly took sides in the debate. Maybe the reporter is not familiar with Auburn and was unaware that many of those who spoke were from other more distant neighborhoods.

    But even all that was predictable, as was the 6-2 vote to approve the rezoning. Developers lose in the Auburn City Council about as often as the Harlem Globetrotters lose home games.

    The most surprising item on the Council's agenda, though, that sharply divided both the audience and the Council, was the proposal to turn the Mitchell mansion on Mill Creek Road into a Bed & Breakfast Inn. While seemingly innocuous on the agenda, several members of the council were concerned about a brochure circulating around town. Access Auburn acquired a copy of that brochure (1.7MB pdf) to see what all the fuss was about. Apparently this "Bed and Breakfast" was planning to have 200-300 parking spaces!

    After much debate the Council split, four-four (the Mayor recused himself because of his business interests with the Cleveland's company). The B&B was voted down because it failed to obtain a majority vote...a small fact that the O-A News forgot to mention.

    So O-A News, with apologies to Steven Colbert, you are on notice.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Two

    Auburn took care of Mississippi State 34-0. The Tigers welcome LSU to Auburn Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on CBS Sports. The winner usually winds up in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

    Auburn at Mississippi State

    Auburn won its conference opener by beating Mississippi State 34-0 in Starkville. The Tigers, who won their sixth straight in the series, earned a shutout in Starkville for the first time since a 6-0 triumph in 1978.

    Brad Lester ran for two touchdowns, and Brandon Cox threw two touchdowns, while completing 18-of-27 passes for 249 yards. The Bulldogs were outgained 388-161 and were shut out by Auburn for the second straight year.

    This week: LSU battles Auburn at Jordan-Hare, and Mississippi State hosts Tulane.

    Vanderbilt at Alabama

    Down 10-3 at halftime, Alabama scored 10-unanswered points in the second half to beat Vanderbilt 13-10. One score came when John Parker Wilson threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to DJ hall, then Leigh Tiffin nailed a 47-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.

    Wilson completed 18-of-29 passes for 207 yards and threw an interception. Alabama has now beaten Vanderbilt 18 straight times.

    This week: UL-Monroe at Alabama, Vanderbilt hosts Arkansas.

    Georgia at South Carolina

    Georgia took care of South Carolina 18-0 in Columbia. Georgia's starting quarterback Joe Tereshinski left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Matthew Stafford replaced Tereshinski and completed 8-of-17 passes for 171 yards and threw three interceptions.

    This week: UAB at Georgia, Wofford at South Carolina.

    Air Force at Tennessee

    Air Force surprised everyone by giving Tennessee a tough game that came down to a failed two-point conversion that would have put them up 32-31 with 1:35 left in the game. The Vols survived the scare to win 31-30 and improve to 2-0 on the season.

    Tennessee allowed the Falcons to recover an onsides kick with 2:36 remaining. Air Force quickly moved down to the one-yard line and then Ryan Williams punched it in for the touchdown to make it 31-30.

    This week: Tennessee welcomes Florida to Neyland Stadium.

    Central Florida at Florida

    Florida defeated Central Florida 42-0 at The Swamp. Chris Leak threw four touchdown passes and finished 19-of-29 for a career-best 352 yards for the Gators.

    Florida outgained UCF 637-153 and are now 116-53-5 all-time against opponents from the state of Florida.

    This week: Florida plays at Tennessee.

    Arizona at LSU

    LSU looked really impressive in the 45-3 rout over Arizona. JaMarcus Russell threw two touchdowns, an interception, and completed 13-of-20 passes for 196 yards. The Wildcats broke the shutout on Nick Folk's 23-yard field goal with a little over one minute left in the game.

    This week: LSU travels to Auburn.

    Utah State at Arkansas

    Arkansas recovered from last week's loss to Southern Cal to beat Utah State 20-0. The Razorbacks were led by Darren McFadden's two rushing touchdowns and a game-high 184 yards rushing on 20 carries.

    In his first collegiate start at quarterback, Mitch Mustain completed 9-of-17 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown for the Razorbacks.

    This week: Arkansas plays at Vanderbilt.

    Ole Miss at Missouri

    Missouri easily defeated Ole Miss at home 34-7. The Tigers were led by quarterback Chase Daniel who completed 24-of-40 passes for 243 yards, and also rushed for 89 yards on 13 carries.

    This week: Ole Miss at Kentucky, Missouri at New Mexico.

    Texas State at Kentucky

    Kentucky beat I-AA Texas State 41-7.

    This week: Kentucky plays Ole Miss at home.

    We're Finally On Myspace

    For those who may not know, myspace is the thing to do on the internet these days. The website has been around since early 2004 and the last time I heard, it had over 87 million users.

    People mostly use it as a way to keep in touch with friends and family. Just about every band has a page that their fans can visit to listen to some of their songs. Many companies and businesses can be found on there also.

    I recently made a page for tigerland and accessauburn. Both are a work in progress, especially accessauburn's page.

    So if you're one of the millions who have joined myspace, look us up, add us as a "friend" and let us know how we can make our page on myspace look better.

    tigerland's myspace page

    accessauburn's myspace page

    Predictions For Week 3 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 8-1, overall they are 19-1. This week, the big battle between Auburn and LSU promises to live up to the hype. Catch the game on CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT. The other important game has Florida playing at Tennessee.

    LSU at Auburn, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

    This game has all of the ingredients to be a classic. The winner has gone on to capture the SEC Western Division title in four of the last five years. Both teams come into the contest 2-0 on the young season. Auburn defeated Washington State and Mississippi State by a combined score of 74-14 while LSU outscored Louisiana-Lafayette and Arizona 90-6.

    LSU's defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in three games dating back to last season's 40-3 rout of Miami in the Peach Bowl, the first time the Tigers have done so since 1962, when they did it four games in a row. Auburn's defense has played well under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Under his new system, the Tigers already have two interceptions after recording just eight in 2005.

    Last year in Baton Rouge, Kenny Irons had a career-high 218 rushing yards in the 20-17 overtime loss. If LSU can hold Irons to under 100 yards rushing they might record a victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time since 1998 when they won 31-19. The game could come down to how well quarterback Brandon Cox and his young receivers perform. Courtney Taylor should be Cox's favorite target and rack up many yards.

    Most expect this game to be a defensive battle and a low-scoring affair. That could be the case but you never know what to expect when these two teams meet. The last two games in the series have been decided by a total of four points. This year, the contest will be decided by a touchdown.

    Prediction: LSU 24-Auburn 17.

    Louisiana-Monroe at Alabama, 6:00 p.m. CT, Pay-Per-View

    ULM and Alabama will be meeting for the first time when they put on the pads and go at it Saturday in Tuscaloosa. ULM came up short at Kansas last week. In the 21-19 loss, ULM quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster had a career-high 377 yards passing. Lancaster's 407 yards of total offense against Kansas was the second-highest output in Division I play this season.

    Alabama has struggled on offense so far this season. If the Crimson Tide's offense was clicking, this game would probably be over by halftime. But, ULM could give Alabama's defense problems, especially with Lancaster's ability to find open receivers. Like always, the Crimson Tide will probably be lucky enough to pull out a win.

    Prediction: Alabama 24-Louisiana-Monroe 20.

    UAB at Georgia, 12:00 p.m. CT

    UAB played well at Oklahoma in the first game of the season. Despite losing 24-17, the Blazers gave the Sooners a scare and a very competitive game. Look for UAB to give Georgia a tough game in Athens. In their last and only meeting, UAB battled Georgia but came up short 16-13 in 2003. In that game, the Bulldogs trailed 13-10 in the third quarter and it was 13-all at the start of the fourth quarter. Billy Bennett made a 31-yard field goal with 12:57 remaining to put Georgia in front for good.

    Prediction: Georgia 28-UAB 13.

    Florida at Tennessee, 7:00 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

    This is the second big SEC matchup on Saturday. Both teams are ranked and undefeated. Tennessee leads the all-time series 19-16, but the two SEC East teams have split the last eight meetings, with the Gators taking last year's contest 16-7 in Gainesville.

    Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer is 5-9 against the Gators all-time, and 3-4 against Florida in Knoxville. In recent games, the team with the most rushing yardage has won 14 of the last 16 meetings. Over the last five games in this series in Knoxville, the Vols have averaged 130.6 rushing yards per game while Florida has averaged 80.8.

    Prediction: Florida 27-Tennessee 20.

    Arkansas at Vanderbilt, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Surprisingly, Arkansas and Vanderbilt have only met six times on the gridiron. In the last meeting in 2005, the Commodores won 28-24. Both teams are young with inexperienced quarterbacks. Vanderbilt played well last week at Alabama and that should carry over in the meeting with the Razorbacks.

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 24-Arkansas 15.

    Ole Miss at Kentucky, 5:00 p.m. CT

    You never know what kind of game you'll get when these two teams meet. Everyone thought Ed Orgeron's Rebels would be better this season but they were embarrassed last week at Missouri. Kentucky is 1-1 on the season after losing to Louisville in week one and beating Texas State last week in Lexington. The Wildcats will be looking for their first win in the series since the 1993 season. Kentucky may just end that drought.

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-Ole Miss 17.

    Wofford at South Carolina, 6:00 p.m. CT

    South Carolina will probably get their offense going this week against Wofford. They only put up 15 points on the scoreboard against Mississippi State on Sept. 2, and didn't put up any in last week's loss to Georgia. Not scoring many points is very unusual for a Steve Spurrier offense. The Gamecocks have won the last 13 meetings and hold a 16-4 all-time advantage in the series. Wofford has ran the ball well in its first two games of the season, rushing 105 times for 568 yards. We'll see how well they do on the ground against South Carolina.

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-Wofford 10.

    Tulane at Mississippi State, 6:00 p.m. CT

    Tulane is 0-1 on the season after losing to Houston 45-7 last week. Mississippi State is 0-2 after tough losses at home against South Carolina and Auburn. The Bulldogs' defense played pretty well in both losses, but the offense hasn't scored any points this season. Mississippi State leads the all-time series against Tulane 29-25-2, including a 21-14 victory in 2005.

    You have to wonder if they'll be much offense in this game. The edge probably goes to the Bulldogs since they are playing on their home turf and their defense seems to be pretty decent.

    Prediction: Mississippi State 21-Tulane 10.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Three

    Auburn won the battle against LSU at Jordan-Hare Stadium to stay undefeated. Auburn is now ranked No. 2 in the new AP poll. The Tigers play Buffalo Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT.

    LSU at Auburn

    Auburn got by LSU 7-3 in a game that was ruled by defense. The only touchdown came when Brandon Cox sneaked in from the 1-yard line in the third quarter. Auburn's defense held a potent LSU offense from scoring in the fourth quarter to improve to 3-0 overall, and 2-0 in the conference.

    LSU had two chances to take the lead late in the fourth. With just seven minutes left, LSU put together a drive that started at its own 19 and went to the Auburn 31. A 37-yard pass from JaMarcus Russell to Early Doucet keyed the series, but LSU faced 4th-and-8 and Russell threw toward the goal line for Doucet. The pass was tipped away by Eric Brock as a flag for pass interference against Zach Gilbert flew. Gilbert appeared to have his hand on Doucet before the ball was tipped, but the flag was picked up because of the deflection.

    Auburn got the ball back but the drive stalled with 1:18 left to play. After an Auburn punt, LSU regained possession at its own 20 and passes of 20 and 21 yards to Craig Davis pushed the ball to the Auburn 39. On 3rd-and-11, Russell found Dwayne Bowe for 21 yards to keep the drive alive.

    A false start penalty pushed LSU back to the 24. With the clock running, Russell had to spike the ball to give his team one more shot at the end zone. Russell found Davis at the five-yard line but Brock was there to tackle him as time expired.

    This week: Buffalo plays at Auburn, and LSU hosts Tulane.

    UL-Monroe at Alabama

    After leading 17-7 at the half, Alabama scored 24 points in the second half for a solid 41-7 victory over UL-Monroe. John Parker Wilson went 13-of-21 for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Kenneth Darby finished with 79 rushing yards on 14 carries for Alabama, and Keith Brown posted five catches for 82 yards.

    The Crimson Tide defense held UL-Monroe to under 200 yards of total offense and only 10 first downs for the game.

    This week: Alabama plays at Arkansas.

    UAB at Georgia

    Georgia destroyed UAB 34-0 in Athens. The Bulldogs, coming off an 18-0 victory over South Carolina last week, last notched consecutive shutouts in their national championship season of 1980. Georgia held UAB to just 174 total yards Saturday.

    This week: Georgia plays Colorado at home, while UAB plays Mississippi State in Birmingham.

    Florida at Tennessee

    Florida took care of Tennessee 21-20 up in Knoxville. Chris Leak threw three touchdown passes for the Gators, including the game-winner to Dallas Baker with 6:30 left in the fourth quarter.

    This week: Florida plays Kentucky at home, and Tennessee plays Marshall in Knoxville.

    Wofford at South Carolina

    South Carolina barely got by I-AA Wofford 27-20 Saturday night in Columbia. The Gamecocks held a 24-10 lead at the half but only got a field goal in the third quarter and allowed Wofford to score 10 points in the fourth.

    This week: South Carolina plays Florida Atlantic at home.

    Arkansas at Vanderbilt

    Arkansas recorded a big victory on the road by beating Vanderbilt 21-19. The Commodores had a chance to upset the Razorbacks for a second straight year by scoring during the final minute. But Bryant Hahnfeldt's 48-yard field-goal attempt with 55 seconds left fell a few yards short.

    This week: Arkansas hosts Alabama and Vanderbilt plays Tennessee State at home.

    Ole Miss at Kentucky

    Ole Miss gained 395 yards of total offense against Kentucky but still lost 31-14. Andre Woodson threw three touchdowns for the Wildcats and he completed 21-of-34 for 390 yards.

    This week: Kentucky plays at Florida, and Ole Miss plays at home against Wake Forest.

    Tulane at Mississippi State

    Tulane defeated Mississippi State 32-29 in Starkville Saturday night. The Bulldogs are 0-3 on the season and will play a tough game on the road this week in Birmingham against UAB.

    The Big 80s

    Oversized sunglasses, pastel colored crew-neck shirts with the collar turned up, leg warmers, feathered hair. I've seen the younger generation sporting these retro-tinged fashions around town, and I just want to let them know...

    The 80s were not that cool then, and they definitely aren't cool now.

    Most of us who had to suffer through that decade which was filled with awkward fashion and really bad music, would rather not be reminded of it. Sure, there were some great times back in the 80s, there are definitely things worth remembering and preserving. But, tight-rolled jeans and Haircut 100 are not in this category. So, please, take my word for it before you pop that collar up on your pink Polo shirt and ride through town with Love Plus One blaring out the window. It's not cool. At all.

    Predictions For Week 4 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 5-3, overall they are 24-4. This week, Buffalo plays at Auburn. The game starts at 1:30 p.m. CT and it won't be televised. Other games in the conference include Bama at Arkansas, and Kentucky plays Florida at The Swamp.

    Buffalo at Auburn, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Auburn is still on cloud nine after its big win over SEC West rival LSU. This week, the Tigers can rest the starters and get everyone healthy after the very physical battle against LSU. Several players are banged up, including Brandon Cox. Look for back up quarterback Blake Field to get a lot of snaps under center against the Bulls.

    The latest spread has Auburn favored by 43 points. The Tigers should come close to covering.

    Prediction: Auburn 45-Buffalo 3.

    Alabama at Arkansas, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

    These two teams have only met 16 times with Alabama winning last year 24-13. This will be the Crimson Tide's first road game in 2006. Arkansas won at Vanderbilt last week, while Alabama's offense finally woke up and scored 41 against UL-Monroe.

    The Razorbacks are 2-1 against Alabama since Mike Shula took over the Crimson Tide program prior to the 2003 season. Arkansas should give the Tide's defense problems with its strong running game, mixed with a solid passing attack. Arkansas' defense isn't too shabby either.

    Prediction: Arkansas 21-Alabama 15.

    Colorado at Georgia, 11:30 p.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Georgia's meeting with Colorado will be the first between the two teams although the Bulldogs have met several opponents from the Big XII in their history. The Bulldogs have played great defense so far this season. They are ranked first in the SEC and second nationally in scoring defense (4.0) after posting back-to-back shutouts over South Carolina and UAB. Colorado is 0-3 and shouldn't have much luck scoring in Athens.

    Prediction: Georgia 40-Colorado 6.

    Marshall at Tennessee, 3:00 p.m. CT

    Tennessee suffered a one-point loss to Florida last week at home. This week, the Vols play Conference USA member Marshall for the second time ever. In the first meeting in 2003, Tennessee won 34-24. The Vols should bounce back this week against the Thundering Herd.

    Prediction: Tennessee 37-Marshall 17.

    Wake Forest at Ole Miss, 5:00 a.m. CT

    Ole Miss and Wake Forest have never played before. The Demon Deacons are 3-0 after beating Syracuse, Duke, and UCONN. The Rebels are 1-2 after beating Memphis and losing to Missouri and Kentucky. Ole Miss is 3-5 at home under head coach Ed Orgeron. Wake Forest could give Orgeron another defeat at home.

    Prediction: Wake Forest 21-Ole Miss 20.

    Mississippi State at UAB, 6:00 p.m. CT

    Mississippi State is 0-3 this season and a trip to Birmingham won't see them get a victory. The Bulldogs have lost 15 straight on the road dating back to the 2002 season. UAB looked as though they would have a decent season until they were embarrassed last week 34-0 at Georgia. The Blazers should get back on track this week against the Bulldogs.

    Prediction: UAB 28-MSU 10.

    I-AA Tennessee State at Vanderbilt, 6:00 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 34-Tennessee State 7.

    Florida Atlantic at South Carolina, 6:00 p.m. CT

    This is the second week in a row that Steve Spurrier will be facing a team that he's never coached against. The matchup between Florida Atlantic and South Carolina features a pair of coaches who have won national championships. Spurrier led the 1996 Florida Gators to the national championship with a 52-20 win over Florida State in the Sugar Bowl. Howard Schnellenberger led the 1983 Miami Hurricanes to the school's first title, defeating Nebraska, 31- 30 in the Orange Bowl.

    Spurrier's team should come out on top against the Owls before they face Auburn at home next Thursday.

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-Florida Atlantic 13.

    Tulane at LSU, 7:00 p.m. CT

    LSU will look to bounce back after its disappointing loss to Auburn. Tulane is the perfect opponent for the Tigers to take out their frustrations on. LSU leads the series 65-22-7 and this will be the first meeting since 2001. LSU is 35-10-1 all-time against Tulane in Baton Rouge. The Tigers get another easy victory at home.

    Prediction: LSU 45-Tulane 3.

    Kentucky at Florida, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Florida has won 19 consecutive meetings over Kentucky. The Gators could have a letdown after their big victory at Tennessee last week. Florida has dominated the series in recent years after Kentucky dominated in the early years. The Wildcats won 12 of the first 16 games played between the two schools, but the Gators have won 25 of the last 26 meetings and 35 of the last 40 games. Kentucky has not won at Florida Field since 1979, a streak of 13 straight Florida wins. The streak continues this week.

    Prediction: Florida 38-Kentucky 14.

    I Believe in Aubie and Love Him

    I don't believe in George Bush.

    I believe in Santa Claus. I've sat in his lap and pulled his beard. I believe in Santa Claus and love him.

    I believe in Aubie. I've shook his hand and pulled his tail. I believe in Aubie and love him.

    I've never done any of these things with George Bush, therefore I choose not to believe in George Bush. It's a fairly simple syllogism.

    I don't believe in George Bush.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Four

    Auburn beat Buffalo 38-7 to improve to 4-0 on the season. Auburn plays at South Carolina Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ESPN. In other games, Arkansas beat Alabama in double overtime, and Georgia barely got by Colorado.

    Buffalo at Auburn

    Auburn defeated Buffalo 38-7 Saturday afternoon at Jordan-Hare. Freshman running back Ben Tate scored two touchdowns and rushed for 114 yards on seven carries.

    With Kenny Irons out, Brad Lester started and scored twice while rushing for 83 yards on 18 carries. Brandon Cox completed only 6-of-10 passes for 134 yards. He also threw an interception.

    This week: Auburn plays at South Carolina on Thursday.

    Alabama at Arkansas

    Alabama's Leigh Tiffin missed three field goals and an extra point in the second overtime as Arkansas won 24-23 in Fayetteville. Behind 23-17 in the second overtime, Arkansas' quarterback Mitch Mustain found Ben Cleveland from 10-yards out to tie the game. Jeremy Davis then nailed the extra point for the win.

    This week: Alabama plays at Florida. Arkansas is off.

    Colorado at Georgia

    Georgia survived a scare from Colorado to win 14-13 late in the fourth quarter. Down 13-7 with 46 seconds left, Martrez Milner caught a touchdown pass from Joe Cox to tie the contest. Brandon Coutu then drilled the important extra point to give the Bulldogs the one-point victory.

    This week: Georgia plays at Ole Miss.

    Kentucky at Florida

    Florida played better in the second half after playing sluggish in the first half to put away Kentucky 26-7 at The Swamp. The victory gives the Gators 20 in a row against the Wildcats. Florida is 4-0 overall, 2-0 in the conference. Kentucky falls to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

    This week: Florida plays Alabama at The Swamp and Central Michigan plays at Kentucky.

    Florida Atlantic at South Carolina

    In South Carolina's 45-6 victory over Florida Atlantic, Sidney Rice set a school record with five touchdown receptions, and finished with nine catches for 161 yards. Quarterback Syvelle Newton threw all five touchdown passes to Rice, and finished with 216 yards on 13-of-20 attempts for the Gamecocks

    This week: South Carolina hosts Auburn.

    Tulane at LSU

    LSU rebounded from last week's loss to Auburn to defeat Tulane 49-7 at Tiger Stadium. Early Doucet had two touchdowns receiving and one rushing, while JaMarcus Russell completed 17-of-23 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

    This week: LSU plays at home against Mississippi State.

    Marshall at Tennessee

    LaMarcus Coker had a big day on the ground in Tennessee's 33-7 victory over Marshall. Coker finished the afternoon with 146 yards on eight carries. The Vols improve to 3-1 on the season, while Marshall falls to 1-3.

    This week: Tennessee plays at Memphis.

    Wake Forest at Ole Miss

    Wake Forest easily defeated Ole Miss 27-3 in Oxford. The only points for the Rebels came late in the first half when Joshua Shene hit a 26-yard field goal.

    This week: Ole Miss hosts Georgia.

    Mississippi State at UAB

    Mississippi State finally won a game on the road by beating UAB 16-10 in overtime. Quarterback Omarr Conner scored the winning touchdown for the Bulldogs in overtime on a 21-yard run.

    This week: Mississippi State plays at LSU.

    Tennessee State at Vanderbilt

    Vanderbilt 38-9.

    This week: Vanderbilt plays at home against Kent State.

    $185 Million!!!???

    That's the amount that was spent to renovate the Superdome. It doesn't take a genius to know that $185 million could have been spent on more important things in New Orleans.

    That money could have rebuilt every house in the Ninth ward. I guess a dome that sits empty after eight football games, maybe a couple of playoff games and the Sugar Bowl is more important.

    That amount could have put a dent in rebuilding the levee system around New Orleans. I guess football is more important.

    It really is sad that sports are more important than helping those that lost everything because of a natural disaster.

    The owner of the Atlanta Falcons wants to build a new dome in Atlanta because he thinks the Georgia Dome is showing its age. How could something only about 14 years old be showing its age? There's no telling how much a new dome will cost. You can bet a new one will be built.

    The New York Yankees are building a new ball park that will cost $1 billion dollars. That sure could feed a lot of homeless people in NYC.

    The more I think about all of this money being spent on sports venues, the more I dislike sports. When it comes down to it, a shiny new baseball stadium or dome isn't that important. Helping people get their lives back together is.

    Predictions For Week Five SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 9-1, overall they are 33-5. Auburn and South Carolina square off in Columbia Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. CT. It will be televised by ESPN. In other games, Alabama plays Florida at The Swamp, and Georgia pays at Ole Miss.

    Auburn at South Carolina, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn travels to South Carolina for a nationally televised game on ESPN Thursday night. Auburn is 5-1 all-time in games played on Thursday night, including a 3-0 record against SEC opponents. The Tigers are ranked No. 2 in the AP poll and have a record of 4-0 overall, and 2-0 in the conference. The Gamecocks are 3-1 overall, and 1-1 in conference play. This will be just the eighth meeting between South Carolina and Auburn and the second since the 1997 season. The Tigers lead the all-time series, 5-1-1.

    Auburn had a chance to rest most of its starters in last week's non-conference tilt against Buffalo. Kenny Irons should be 100 percent and ready to play against his former team. All eyes will be on Irons to see how well he performs in Columbia where it is known he wasn't very happy. Irons should get plenty of carries and rack up many yards as he shows the Gamecocks what they missed out on.

    Steve Spurrier's offense finally put a lot of points on the scoreboard last week against Florida Atlantic. In the 45-6 victory, Sidney Rice set a school record with five touchdown receptions. It will be interesting to watch Auburn's David Irons go up against Rice. The Tigers should put two defensive backs on Rice so he won't be a factor.

    Auburn has won 18 of its last 19 SEC regular-season games, and 19 of its last 20 games against SEC opponents counting the 2004 SEC Championship game. Since the start of the 2000 season, Auburn has the best record among all SEC teams in regular-season league games with a mark of 38-12. Look for another conference victory in Columbia Thursday night.

    Prediction: Auburn 28-South Carolina 10.

    Alabama at Florida, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

    The storyline of this game will be how Florida plans to avenge last year's 31-3 thumping by the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. The Alabama faithful can't be too excited about their chances of beating No. 5 Florida at The Swamp. The Crimson Tide's defense isn't as strong as it was a year ago and the offense has sputtered so far this season. They also need to find a reliable field goal kicker.

    The Gators look to open the season 5-0 for the first time since 2001 and the 12th time in school history. The crowd will be pumped and so will the players. This one will probably be close for awhile but Florida has too much speed and talent for Alabama to handle.

    Prediction: Florida 28-Alabama 13.

    Georgia at Ole Miss, 8:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Ole Miss is just plain bad. They were embarrassed last week at home against Wake Forest. The Rebels didn't even show up in the 27-3 loss to the Demon Deacons. Georgia will probably play sluggish this week against Ole Miss before waking up in the second half for a solid victory. The Bulldogs are 8-5 all-time in Oxford and hold a 28-12-1 lead in the series.

    Prediction: Georgia 28-Ole Miss 10.

    Mississippi State at LSU, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    LSU and Mississippi State meet for the 100 time on Saturday in Tiger Stadium, with the Tigers leading 63-33-3. LSU has won six straight and 13 of the last 14 against Mississippi State, including last year's 37-7 win in Starkville. The Tigers have also won seven straight over the Bulldogs in Tiger Stadium, which includes a 51-0 victory in 2004.

    The Bulldogs will try to put an end to a 21-game SEC road losing streak, dating back to a win over Kentucky during the 2000 season. The road losing streak continues.

    Prediction: LSU 38-Mississippi State 7.

    Tennessee at Memphis, 11:00 a.m. CT, ESPN

    Tennessee faces its final non-conference opponent in 2006 on Saturday against Memphis. The Vols will be on the road for the first time this season after opening with four games in Knoxville. Tennessee leads the all-time series 19-1, with the lone loss coming in Memphis in 1996 by a score of 21-17. The Vols have won the last four contests with the Tigers, including a 20-16 win last year at Neyland Stadium.

    Memphis head coach Tommy West fired defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn on Monday. Dunn had been defensive coordinator since spring 2003, but the Tigers are 1-2 and blew a 13-point lead in a 35-20 loss at East Carolina on Saturday. West will be the coordinator for the rest of the season. With the firing of Dunn, Memphis' defense could rally around its new coordinator or the unit could be in disarray. We'll find out how they perform on Saturday.

    Prediction: Tennessee 26-Memphis 13.

    Temple at Vanderbilt, 6:00 p.m. CT

    Temple is 0-4 on the season while Vanderbilt is 1-3. The Commodores enter the Temple game off a 38-9 victory over I-AA Tennessee State and stand 1-1 in non-SEC play this season. In the opener, Vanderbilt lost at Michigan 27-7. In the last decade, Vanderbilt is 20-14 in non-conference play.

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 20-Temple 7.

    Central Michigan at Kentucky, 5:00 p.m. CT

    Kentucky plays Central Michigan for the fifth time, and the Wildcats have won all four previous meetings. Kentucky and Central Michigan are meeting for the first time since the 1992 campaign, which resulted in a 21-14 Kentucky win at Commonwealth Stadium. Neither team has posted a shutout in the history of the series, but Kentucky is 2-0 in games decided by two points or less against the Chippewas.

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-Central Michigan 14.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Five

    Auburn had a tough game in Columbia Thursday night. The Tigers survived a late fourth quarter rally by the Gamecocks to win 24-17. In other games, Alabama lost on the road at Florida, and Georgia barely won at Ole Miss.

    Auburn at South Carolina

    Auburn improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference after a 24-17 victory on the road against South Carolina. Kenny Irons rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers. Brandon Cox had a good night under center by completing 13-of-19 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown.

    Down 24-10 in the fourth, South Carolina cut Auburn's lead to seven on Syvelle Newton's 25-yard touchdown pass to Jared Cook with 8:25 left. The Gamecocks then stopped Irons on a 3rd-and-2 play from the Auburn 31 to get the ball back on their own 20 following a punt. They converted a pair of fourth downs, but on 4th-and-1 at the Auburn five, Newton's lob pass to Sidney Rice in the back left corner of the end zone fell incomplete into double coverage with 19 seconds left.

    This week: Auburn returns home to play Arkansas and South Carolina plays at Kentucky.

    Alabama at Florida

    Florida's defense didn't allow Alabama an offensive touchdown in Saturday's 28-13 victory at The Swamp. Alabama's defense scored a touchdown when Prince Hall scooped up a Chris Leak fumble and rumbled 50 yards for the score.

    The Gators trailed 10-7 at the half but scored with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter to take a 14-10 lead. Alabama's only points in the second half came on a 26-yard field goal by Jamie Christensen in the fourth quarter.

    This week: Alabama plays Duke at home. Florida plays LSU in Gainesville.

    Georgia at Ole Miss

    For the second straight week, Georgia trailed at halftime before taking over in the second half to pull out the victory. Down 3-0 to Ole Miss, the Bulldogs scored with 10:58 left in the third when Brannan Southerland found the endzone from 1-yard out. Then, Georgia went up 14-3 early in the fourth on Southerland's second one-yard touchdown run.

    With 6:17 left in the fourth, the Rebels pulled within five when Brent Schaeffer threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Dexter McCluster. Ole Miss' two-point conversion failed. Georgia's defense held the Rebels from scoring late in the fourth to escape with a 14-9 victory.

    This week: Georgia plays at home against Tennessee and Ole Miss hosts Vanderbilt

    Mississippi State at LSU

    Quarterback JaMarcus Russell had a big day for LSU by completing 18-of-20 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns in the 48-17 rout of Mississippi State at Tiger Stadium. LSU quickly led 35-0 and never looked back. The Tigers improve to 4-1 overall, and 1-1 in conference play. The Bulldogs fall to 1-4 overall, and 0-3 in the conference.

    This week: LSU plays at Florida and Mississippi State plays at home against West Virginia.

    Tennessee at Memphis

    Tennessee took care of Memphis 41-7 at the Liberty Bowl. Erik Ainge threw for 324 yards and four touchdowns for the Vols. Tennessee racked up 205 yards on the ground and 566 total yards to just 121 total for Memphis

    This week: Tennessee plays at Georgia.

    Central Michigan at Kentucky

    Andre' Woodson threw for 266 yards and four touchdowns to lead Kentucky to a 45-36 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas at Commonwealth Stadium. Woodson, who threw only six touchdowns as Kentucky's starter last year, now has 14 this season. Florida's Chris Leak had two scoring passes against Alabama, giving him 14 to tie Woodson for the conference lead.

    This week: Kentucky plays at home against South Carolina.

    Temple at Vanderbilt

    Vanderbilt beat Temple 43-14 in non-conference action at Vanderbilt Stadium. Cassen Jackson-Garrison rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns for the Commodores. Vanderbilt is 2-3 on the season while Temple is 0-5.

    This week: Vanderbilt plays at Ole Miss.

    Predictions For Week Six SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 7-0, overall they are 40-5. This week, Auburn is back home to face Arkansas. The game begins at 11:00 a.m. CT and can be seen on CBS. Two other big games this week include Tennessee at Georgia and LSU plays at Florida.

    Arkansas at Auburn, 11:00 a.m. CT, CBS

    Arkansas has been off since beating Alabama on September 23. Auburn enjoyed a few days off after a tough game at South Carolina last Thursday.

    Arkansas should be rested after the bye week, while Auburn has a few players that are banged up. Starting center Joe Cope is out 4-6 weeks after suffering a sprained knee against the Gamecocks. Tailback Kenny Irons is still nursing a sore left ankle. Quarterback Brandon Cox is close to being 100 percent after suffering a leg bruise.

    Good news on defense, cornerback Jonathan Wilhite will play this week after sitting out against South Carolina. Wilhite's return should help the Tigers' defensive backfield. The unit gave up some big plays in Columbia last week.

    Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp plans to put his corners in specific matchups to try and solve what happened last week when the Gamecocks gained a lot of yards through the air. Auburn will also have to stop running back Darren McFadden.

    The Tigers should be excited to be back at home and hopefully the defense can keep Arkansas from scoring an offensive touchdown like they did against Mississippi State and LSU.

    Prediction: Auburn 31-Arkansas 9.

    Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, 1:00 p.m. CT

    This game will be the 81st meeting between Ole Miss and Vanderbilt dating back to 1894. Ole Miss leads the series 45-33-2 and have won 11 of the last 13 meetings since 1992. The Rebels hold a 21-3 advantage in games played in Oxford, including three-straight. The Commodores last win in Oxford came in 1999 when they won 37-34 in overtime.

    Ole Miss surprised everyone last week by playing Georgia tough at home. Georgia escaped with a 14-9 victory. The Rebels are expected to win this contest against Vanderbilt. If they lose, head coach Ed Orgeron will be on the hot seat.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-Vanderbilt 17.

    West Virginia at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Saturday's game will be the first meeting between Mississippi State and West Virginia. Mississippi State plays the third national top-10 opponent this season. The Bulldogs have lost seven straight times to teams ranked nationally, dating back to the middle of the 2004 season. Mississippi State's last win over a ranked team was a 38-31 victory over Florida in Sylvester Croom's first season as head coach.

    West Virginia is ranked fourth and has recorded victories over Marshall 42-10, Eastern Washington 52-3, Maryland 45-24, and, East Carolina 27-10. The Mountaineers will be without wide receiver Jeremy Bruce. Bruce has been suspended indefinitely after a drunken driving arrest. The sophomore will not travel with the team for Saturday's game.

    Prediction: West Virginia 38-Mississippi State 7.

    LSU at Florida, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    This matchup features two top 10 teams. Florida got all it could handle against Alabama last week. LSU has been cruising since losing to Auburn September 16. Many think LSU is the best team in the conference. If they can win at The Swamp, they have a pretty favorable schedule except for a trip to Tennessee in November. The Tigers have won two straight and three of the last four in the series against the Gators.

    Florida is very tough to beat at home. The Gators' offense is pretty solid with Chris Leak at quarterback. Leak will have to play almost perfect for Florida to win. This one is too close to call. LSU may have the advantage.

    Prediction: LSU 21-Florida 17.

    Duke at Alabama, 6:00 p.m. CT

    Duke travels to Tuscaloosa to face an Alabama team that has lost two straight. The Blue Devils are 0-4 on the season, while the Crimson Tide is 3-2. Duke has really struggled on offense this season having scored only 13 points. Alabama has also had problems putting points on the scoreboard. This week, the Crimson Tide will find the endzone early and often against the Blue Devils. This one could be very lopsided.

    Prediction: Alabama 45-Duke 7.

    South Carolina at Kentucky, 6:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Kentucky and South Carolina meet for the 18th time in school history. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 10-6-1 and own a six-game winning streak in the series. Both teams seem to be improving each week after getting off to slow starts. Syvelle Newton and Sydney Rice are a potent combo for the Gamecocks. Quarterback Andre Woodson for the Wildcats isn't too shabby either. Both teams could put up a lot of points on the scoreboard in this contest.

    Prediction: South Carolina 34-Kentucky 28.

    Tennessee at Georgia, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    When these two teams meet, the game seems to always go down to the wire. Tennessee leads the all-time series with the Bulldogs 18-15-2 in a rivalry in which home field hasn't meant much lately. Georgia won the last meeting between the SEC East rivals 27-14 in Knoxville last year, but the Vols knocked off the Bulldogs the last time the teams faced off in Athens, 19-14.

    Tennessee is a much improved team than they were a year ago. Under new offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, the offense is scoring a lot of points and quarterback Erik Ainge looks like a totally different player.

    Georgia got off to a good start but lately its offense is struggling to score. The unit scored just 14 points in both games against two very bad teams, Colorado and Ole Miss in the last two weeks. The Bulldogs were lucky to win both but only 14 points against quality SEC opponents like Tennessee won't be enough. Unless Georgia figures out how to get the ball in the endzone, it could be a very long night against the Vols.

    Prediction: Tennessee 26-Georgia 14.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Six

    Auburn suffered its first loss of the season to Arkansas 27-10. The Tigers are now ranked No. 11 in the new AP poll. Other games saw Florida beating LSU in Gainesville and Tennessee scored a whopping 51 points in its victory at Georgia.

    Arkansas at Auburn

    The Auburn defense allowed both Darren McFadden and Felix Jones to gain over 100 yards on the ground in the 27-10 loss to Arkansas. McFadden finished the afternoon with 145 yards on 28 carries and Jones had 104 yards on 13 attempts. The Razorbacks improve to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the SEC. Auburn falls to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC.

    Arkansas took the lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Jeremy Davis nailed a 34-yard field goal, then quarterback Mitch Mustain found Marcus Monk for a 50-yard touchdown. Mustain completed 7-of-10 passes for 87 yards.

    For Auburn, quarterback Brandon Cox had 153 yards passing on 17-of-29 completions, and running back Kenny Irons had only 75 yards on 15 carries.

    This week: Auburn plays No. 2 Florida at home and Arkansas is at home against Southeast Missouri State.

    Vanderbilt at Ole Miss

    BenJarvus Green-Ellis helped Ole Miss defeat Vanderbilt 17-10 in Oxford. Green-Ellis finished with 101 rushing yards and scored both of his touchdowns in the first quarter. Vanderbilt coughed up the ball four times which was a major reason why they suffered the loss. The Commodores finished with 400 total yards while limiting the Rebels to 179 yards.

    This week: Ole Miss is on the road at Alabama and Vanderbilt plays at Georgia.

    West Virginia at Mississippi State

    West Virginia dominated on the ground in the 42-14 thumping of Mississippi State. The Mountaineers were led by Steve Slaton, who rushed for 185 yards and a touchdown. West Virginia held a 323-54 edge in rushing yardage. Quarterback Pat White added a pair of rushing touchdowns while gaining 76 yards and throwing for 92 yards on 6-of-9 attempts.

    This week: Mississippi State hosts Jacksonville State.

    LSU at Florida

    Florida had no problem beating LSU at The Swamp. The 23-10 victory moves the Gators to 6-0 overall, and 4-0 in the SEC. LSU is now 4-2 overall, and 1-2 in the SEC.

    Freshman quarterback Tim Tebow had three touchdowns for Florida. Two of the touchdowns were through the air and one was on the ground. Senior quarterback Chris Leak completed 17-of-26 passes for 155 yards with an interception while Dallas Baker made four catches for 46 yards as Florida won its eighth straight game overall.

    This week: Florida travels to Auburn, while LSU takes on Kentucky at home.

    Duke at Alabama

    Duke held a 14-10 lead at the half before losing at Alabama 30-14. The Crimson Tide scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to improve to 4-2 overall. D.J. Hall had a big day for Alabama, finishing with seven catches for 124 yards and one touchdown. Kenneth Darby led the ground attack with 115 yards on 18 carries.

    This week: Alabama welcomes Ole Miss to Tuscaloosa.

    South Carolina at Kentucky

    South Carolina defeated Kentucky 24-17. Cory Boyd had a big day on the ground for the Gamecocks, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Syvelle Newton completed 14-of-22 passes for 171 yards for South Carolina, and also finished with a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.

    This week: South Carolina is off and Kentucky plays at LSU.

    Georgia at Tennessee

    Tennessee took care of Georgia in Athens 51-33. The Vols have now won three straight after losing to Florida in September. Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score. Arian Foster ran 15 times for 63 yards and three touchdowns for the Volunteers. Georgia falls to 5-1 overall, and 2-1 in conference play. Tennessee improves to 5-1 overall, and 1-1 in the SEC.

    This week: Tennessee is off and Georgia hosts Vanderbilt.

    The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

    If you've never heard of YouTube, you're missing out. I'm addicted to it and love doing searches to find out what surprises I might find. If you don't know what YouTube is, let me explain.

    Anyone can sign up for free. Then, you upload videos to the site for others to watch. The videos can be from television shows, to music videos(remember those?), to sports clips, to anything in between.

    I love watching old clips of Auburn football games and the Nike commercials that featured Bo Jackson. Those were the best commercials.

    I also enjoy watching music videos from different artists who once were seen on MTV. I miss the days when MTV was actually cool and played music videos.

    Google just bought the site for $1.65 billion. Let's hope they don't ruin a good thing by charging people a fee to upload their videos or by putting advertisements all over the site.

    Check out youtube.com in your spare time. Here's a documentary on Bo Jackson that I doubt you have ever seen and video from an Auburn football practice. Hint: Hit pause to let the entire video load to avoid having it stop and start while it loads.

    Bo Knows Bo

    Auburn football practice

    Predictions For Week Seven SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, and overall they are 45-7. This week, No. 2 Florida visits the Plains. The game will be televised by ESPN at 6:45 p.m. CT. Other games include Vanderbilt at Georgia, Kentucky at LSU, and Ole Miss at Alabama.

    Florida at Auburn, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn swapped places with Florida as the second-ranked team in the country after the embarrassing loss to Arkansas. The Gators looked impressive in their win over LSU.

    On defense, the Tigers have had problems stopping opposing offenses in the last few weeks. First was the mobile quarterback Syvelle Newton. Then came the running back duo of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

    This week, it'll be hard to slow down quarterbacks Chris Leak and Tim Tebow of Florida. Leak has an incredible arm and Tebow is a solid rusher. Auburn must find a way to stop them. If LSU had problems stopping both Leak and Tebow, the Tigers probably won't have much luck either.

    The Tigers are in danger of losing two games in a row at Jordan-Hare Stadium. I bet that hasn't happened too many times in the history of the program. Auburn is 24-8-1 against Florida in games played in Auburn. Even though the Gators haven't faired well in games played in Auburn, this year may see Florida pick up a rare victory.

    Prediction: Florida 21-Auburn 13.

    Ole Miss at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Both Alabama and Ole Miss haven't played that well all season. The Rebels won at home last week thanks to Vanderbilt's four fumbles. They gained just 179 yards on offense against the Commodores. They will have to do much better to have a chance to win in Tuscaloosa.

    The Crimson Tide's offense has been sketchy in the first half of the season. If it wasn't for a decent defense, Alabama would have probably lost a few more games. This game certainly shouldn't be on national television. ESPN had first pick of which game they wanted so CBS settled for this one. The Tide will win this one easily.

    Prediction: Alabama 35-Ole Miss 7.

    Vanderbilt at Georgia, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Vanderbilt seems to always give Georgia problems every time they play. This year could see another close game since the Bulldogs aren't playing up to expectations. Georgia gave up a whopping 51 points to Tennessee at home last week. Vanderbilt isn't capable of scoring that many points but it may be playing Georgia at the right time.

    Even though the Bulldogs have won the last 11 meetings over Vanderbilt, they must regroup and get ready to play the second half of the season. They have to see much improvement with games at Florida, at Auburn and Georgia Tech left on their schedule. Maybe they'll solve a few of their problems against the Commodores. Recent history suggests they should take care of business this week. In the last 25 games played between the schools, the Commodores are 2-22-1.

    Prediction: Georgia 34-Vanderbilt 13.

    Kentucky at LSU, 7:00 p.m. CT

    LSU is clearly the better team but may still be down from the defeat to Florida. The Tigers must win each of the remaining conference games left on their schedule to have a chance of reaching the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. They will need help from teams who play Arkansas before they do in November.

    The last two meetings between LSU and Kentucky have been decided by a total of seven points and have come down to the closing seconds. The last victory for the Wildcats at Tiger Stadium came in 1998 by a 39-36 count. Kentucky shouldn't pull off an upset this year.

    Prediction: LSU 37-Kentucky 10.

    I-AA SE Missouri State at Arkansas, 1:00 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Arkansas 33-SE Missouri State 6.

    I-AA Jacksoville State at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Mississippi State 28-Jacksonville State 7.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Seven

    Auburn defeated Florida 27-17. The Tigers move up to No. 8 in the new AP poll and No. 4 in the BCS. In other games, Georgia was upset by Vanderbilt in Athens and Alabama got by Ole Miss in overtime.

    Florida at Auburn

    Auburn's defense held Florida scoreless in the second half which helped the Tigers knock off the second-ranked Gators 27-17. The Tigers' offense failed to score a touchdown in the contest. John Vaughn's four field goals, a safety, and a blocked punt that was returned nine yards for a touchdown by Tre Smith helped Auburn come out on top Saturday night.

    Brandon Cox had 182 yards through the air on 18-of-27 attempts and Brad Lester ran for 94 yards. Auburn improves to 6-1 overall, 4-1 in the conference.

    After a pep talk at halftime by head coach Tommy Tuberville, the defense responded by forcing two turnovers that turned out to be the difference in the contest. The first turnover came when Quentin Groves hurried Florida quarterback Chris Leak and Tray Blackmon knocked the ball out of his hand and recovered the fumble. The fumble was controversial because Leak claimed that he was trying to throw a pass. After a review, the call on the field stood.

    The second turnover came late in the fourth quarter when Leak was intercepted by Eric Brock at the Tigers 46-yard line and return it all the way back to the Gators 28.

    This week: Auburn plays Tulane for homecoming and Florida is off.

    Ole Miss at Alabama

    It took overtime for Alabama to beat Ole Miss 26-23. In the overtime, the Rebels took a 23-20 lead with a Joshua Shene 37-yard field goal on its possession. Alabama then won the game on its possession with a Le'Ron McLain two-yard touchdown pass from John Parker Wilson.

    This week: Alabama plays at Tennessee and Ole Miss travels to Fayetteville to face Arkansas.

    Vanderbilt at Georgia

    Vanderbilt upset Georgia in Athens 24-22. Bryant Hahnfeldt's 33-yard field goal with two seconds remaining gave the Commodores their first victory over the Bulldogs since a 43-30 triumph at Athens in 1994. With two losses in the conference, Georgia's chances of making it the the SEC Championship Game are slim.

    This week: Mississippi State plays at Georgia and Vanderbilt hosts South Carolina.

    Kentucky at LSU

    LSU took care of Kentucky 49-0 in Baton Rouge. Dwayne Bowe had a big day for LSU. Bowe caught six passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns.

    LSU had 552 yards of total offense, compared to just 245 by Kentucky, which had only 61 rushing yards.

    Kentucky moved the ball into LSU territory twice in the third quarter, but turned the ball over both times. Andre Woodson had a pass picked off by Tyson Jackson at the LSU two-yard line with just over five minutes left in the quarter. The Wildcats then turned the ball over on downs from the LSU seven on their ensuing possession.

    This week: LSU hosts Fresno State in non-conference action and Kentucky is off.

    I-AA Jacksonville State at Mississippi State

    Mississippi State 35-3.

    This week: Mississippi State travels to Athens to face Georgia.

    I-AA SE Missouri at Arkansas

    Arkansas 63-7.

    This week: Arkansas hosts Ole Miss.

    Predictions For Week Eight SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, overall they are 49-9. This week, Auburn welcomes Tulane for its 80th homecoming game on the Plains. Other games in the conference include Alabama at Tennessee, Mississippi State at Georgia, and Ole Miss at Arkansas.

    Tulane at Auburn, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Tulane comes to Jordan-Hare for homecoming this week. Compared to last week's hoopla for the Florida game, this match up doesn't bring about much excitement. Auburn will probably play flat and who could blame them after the big victory over the No. 2 team in the country. Hopefully a scolding at halftime by Tommy Tuberville won't be necessary for the Tigers to play better in the second half against the Green Wave.

    Auburn should have this one wrapped up before the homecoming queen is crowned. If that is the case, the Tigers could give their starters a much needed break for the entire second half. That was the plan against Buffalo a few weeks ago. But, things didn't exactly go as planned against the Bulls.

    Auburn's all-time record in homecoming games is 66-8-5 and the Tigers have won their last 14 homecoming contests. Auburn shouldn't have any trouble with the Green Wave in this year's homecoming game.

    Prediction: Auburn 31-Tulane 6.

    Alabama at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Tennessee is clearly the better team in this battle between rivals. Despite losing 6-3 in Tuscaloosa last year, Phillip Fulmer owns a 10-3 record against the Crimson Tide since taking over for the Vols in 1993. The Vols should have won last year even though Alabama was the better team. This year, Tennessee is ranked in the top 10 and is much improved than the dismal 5-6 season they had in 2005. David Cutcliffe has brought life back to quarterback Erik Ainge and an offense that struggled last year. The Vols' defense broke down in the second half and let Florida comeback for the victory. Other than that blemish, they have played solid.

    Alabama's running game seems to be the only thing that has improved since the beginning of the season. The passing game hasn't faired well against decent teams. Against Tennessee, Alabama's offense must perform well to have a shot at pulling off the upset. If not, it could be a long night in Knoxville. This contest will be closer than many people think.

    Prediction: Tennessee 28-Alabama 18.

    Mississippi State at Georgia, 12:00 p.m. CT

    Georgia is still in shock after being upset at home against Vanderbilt last week. A visit from Mississippi State should give the Bulldogs a chance to recover and regroup before they hit the road for three straight weeks with games against Florida, Kentucky, and Auburn.

    History suggests Georgia will handle Mississippi State since they own a 15-5 edge over the Bulldogs from Starkville, including 8-2 in Athens. Plus, Mississippi State has dropped 22 straight SEC road games, dating to a 35-17 win over Eastern Division opponent Kentucky in Lexington on Nov. 4, 2000

    Prediction: Georgia 28-MSU 6.

    South Carolina at Vanderbilt, 2:00 p.m. CT

    It looks like Vanderbilt has started playing well at the right time during the season. In their victory over No. 16 Georgia Saturday in Athens, the Commodores pulled off a feat no other Vanderbilt squad has managed in seven decades - beating an opponent ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 on its own home turf. Now the Commodores believe they can beat any team in the conference.

    With a rested South Carolina team coming to town, Vanderbilt could pull off another upset. But, like all games in the SEC, you never know which team will win. The Gamecocks will probably bring Vanderbilt back down to reality. South Carolina wins a close one.

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-Vanderbilt 20.

    Ole Miss at Arkansas, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    This weekend's Arkansas and Ole Miss match up will be the 53rd meeting between the two teams. The Razorbacks lead the all-time series 28-23-1. Arkansas has won four of the last five meetings between the teams including a 28-17 win in Oxford last season.

    Arkansas pounded I-AA opponent SE Missouri State 63-7 last week. The Razorbacks will be ready to return to conference action this week against an Ole Miss team that almost beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa last week. The Rebels couldn't stop the Crimson Tide in overtime. Although the Rebels will give the Razorbacks a more competitive game than SE Missouri State did, Arkansas will record another victory. Ole Miss will have problems stopping Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

    Prediction: Arkansas 28-Ole Miss 10.

    Fresno State at LSU, 8:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    This will be the first meeting between Fresno State and LSU. A night game in Baton Rouge usually means trouble for the visiting team. Fresno State has lost five straight since opening the year with a 28-19 win over Nevada. LSU is 5-2 overall after taking care of Kentucky 49-0 last week.

    Fresno State will be LSU's last regular season non-conference opponent before the Tigers are off next week then end the season with a tough SEC schedule. Name the score in this lopsided victory for LSU.

    Prediction: LSU 45-Fresno State 6.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Eight

    Auburn beat Tulane 38-13 on homecoming. The Tigers move up to No. 7 in the new AP poll. Auburn returns to conference action this week with a trip to Ole Miss. Tennessee scored late in the fourth to record a 16-13 victory over rival Alabama.

    Tulane at Auburn

    Auburn took care of Tulane 38-13 at Jordan-Hare Stadium on homecoming day. Auburn's all-time record in homecoming games is 67-8-5. They have won their last 15 homecoming contests.

    Quarterback Brandon Cox completed 16-of-19 attempts for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Cox has thrown 101 consecutive passes without an interception and has been picked off only twice this year.

    Running back Ben Tate rushed for 156 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries to lead Auburn's rushing attack. Tate got most of the carries with starter Kenny Irons out with a sore ankle and backup Brad Lester nursing a sore groin.

    Auburn's offense gained 432 total yards of offense, the most since its season opener against Washington State. The defense allowed Tulane to gain a surprisingly 389 yards on offense. Lester Ricard threw for 283 yards and completed 20 of his 39 passes for the Green Wave. Ricard also threw an interception.

    This week: Auburn plays Ole Miss in Oxford.

    Alabama at Tennessee

    Tennessee won the battle between rival Alabama 16-13. Quarterback Erik Ainge struggled for the Vols by throwing three interceptions in the contest. Ainge completed 28-of-46 attempts for 302 yards.

    Arian Foster scored the game-winning touchdown for Tennessee late in the fourth. The Volunteers started with the ball on their own 30. After a first down because of an Alabama penalty, Ainge found Robert Meachem at the right sideline for 27 yards. On 3rd-and-1, Ainge found Foster over the middle for 15 yards to get the ball to the seven-yard line. Three plays later, Foster scored from a yard out for a 16-13 lead with 3:28 to play.

    Tennessee's defense then held Alabama to a three-and-out on its next possession and, after Tennessee had to punt the ball with 1:29 to play, kept Alabama from getting into scoring position by sacking Wilson to end the game.

    This week: Alabama plays at home against Florida International and Tennessee plays at South Carolina.

    Mississippi State at Georgia

    Georgia barely held on to beat Mississippi State 27-24 in Athens. Matt Stafford threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-32 pass attempts for Georgia. Michael Henig led the way for Mississippi State, completing 14-of-31 passes for 234 yards with two interceptions.

    In the fourth quarter, Mississippi State's Anthony Dixon found the end zone on a three-yard carry that capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive. The touchdown cut Georgia's lead to 27-24 but Georgia held on for the 27-24 victory.

    Georgia racked up 370 yards of total offense while Mississippi State had 298 total yards. On third down, Mississippi State converted on just 2-of-13 attempts.

    This week: Georgia plays Florida in Jacksonville and Mississippi State hosts Kentucky.

    South Carolina at Vanderbilt

    South Carolina defeated Vanderbilt 31-13 in Nashville. With the victory, the Gamecocks improve to 5-2 overall, and 3-2 in the conference. The Commodores fall to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the SEC.

    Ryan Succop's 55-yard field goal at the 14:54 mark of the second quarter for South Carolina is the second-longest in school history behind a 58-yard effort in 1982.

    This week: Vanderbilt plays at Duke and South Carolina hosts Tennessee.

    Ole Miss at Arkansas

    Arkansas won easily 38-3 over Ole Miss in Fayetteville. Arkansas is the only team in the SEC that hasn't loss in conference play. Overall, the Razorbacks are 6-1, and 4-0 in the SEC. Ole Miss falls to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the SEC.

    On the opening kickoff, Arkansas' Felix Jones ran it back 100 yards up the left sideline to give his team a quick 7-0 lead. Then, Darren McFadden scored from four yards out with 9:43 remaining in the first quarter to make it 14-0 in favor of Arkansas.

    Ole Miss' only points came with 2:34 left in the second quarter when Joshua Shene booted a 27-yard field goal to make it 21-3.

    This week: Arkansas plays Louisiana-Monroe in Little Rock and Ole Miss hosts Auburn.

    Fresno State at LSU

    LSU beat Fresno State 38-6 in non-conference action. JaMarcus Russell threw for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 15-of-19 passes. Dwayne Bowe hauled in four receptions and a touchdown for 106 yards.

    This week: LSU is off.

    New Arena

    When the talk of building a new arena came up last spring, I was confident the university would be in favor of replacing aging Beard-Eaves. Last Friday, the plan to build a new arena moved one step closer to becoming a reality.

    Several top officials with the university said they supported spending around $95 million to build a new arena. The other alternative was to renovate Beard-Eaves for about $85 million. I think the decision to build the new arena was a good choice.

    I don't think $1 billion would be enough to fix up the almost 40 year old coliseum that's an eyesore. Hopefully when they tear it down the first thing to go will be those ugly brown seats.

    A new arena will be a good thing for the men's and women's basketball programs. It will help with recruiting and show the SEC and Auburn fans we are serious about basketball.

    It will be interesting to see what the new arena will be called. It would be a good idea to take suggestions from the public on what they think the new name should be. Then put the best ideas online and let everyone vote on the name.

    The new arena is a step in the right direction for Auburn basketball. Now if we could only find a better coach for the men's program.

    Predictions For Week Nine SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 6-0, overall they are 55-9. Auburn plays at Ole Miss this week on Lincoln Financial Sports at 11:30 a.m. CT. In other games, Georgia and Florida go at it in Jacksonville, and Tennessee plays South Carolina in Columbia.

    Auburn at Ole Miss, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Auburn has not lost at Ole Miss since 1992, having won in each of its last six trips to Oxford. This year, the Tigers face an Ole Miss team that was blown out by Arkansas 38-3 last week. Auburn won its homecoming game over Tulane 38-13.

    The Tigers have suffered several key injuries during the long stretch of not having a bye week. Head coach Tommy Tuberville knew the 12-consecutive game schedule would be tough on his players. Luckily for Tuberville, the schedule has been favorable for him to give most of his starters a rest during a few non-conference games so they could get healthy. Last week against Tulane, tailback Kenny Irons did not play and Brad Lester played sparingly. Freshman Ben Tate got most of the carries and racked up 156 yards.

    Tuberville expects Irons, Lester, guard Tim Duckworth and fullback Carl Stewart to play against the Rebels. The center position has been a problem for just about the entire season. After starter Joe Cope went down with an injury early in the season, Jason Bosley stepped in for him. Bosley suffered a knee injury against Tulane, but should start Saturday. If he has to sit out, right tackle Jonathan Palmer will move to center and Leon Hart will play at Palmer's spot.

    On the defensive side, free safety Aairon Savage and linebackers Tray Blackmon and Kevin Sears are banged up. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp thinks all three will play Saturday.

    Ole Miss will be without several key players when they take the field Saturday. Starting linebacker Garry Pack has been dismissed and four other players are suspended indefinitely because of a violation of undisclosed team rules. The four players are defensive end LaMark Armour, defensive lineman Hayward Howard, linebacker LeRon King and linebacker Robert Russell. The Rebels will also be without fullback Quentin Taylor who has quit the team.

    With the offense finally having a solid performance last week, hopefully that will carry over to this week's game and then to the big games against Georgia and Alabama. The offense should be able to rack up a lot of yards and put points on the scoreboard with a depleted Ole Miss defense.

    Prediction: Auburn 31-Ole Miss 10.

    Florida vs. Georgia, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    After having last week off, Florida should be rested and ready to play. Urban Meyer is 19-2 when coming off a bye week in his head coaching career. Georgia isn't playing well and its defense is giving up a lot of points. After losing to Vanderbilt two weeks ago, the Bulldogs escaped with a 27-24 victory over Mississippi State last week. Georgia will have the tough task of trying to contain Florida quarterback Chris Leak. The Gators could win this one easily but the last four meetings have been decided by seven points or less, marking the first time that has happened since 1972-75. Expect another close contest this year.

    Prediction: Florida 17-Georgia 10.

    Tennessee at South Carolina, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Tennessee fans are happy again after beating rival Alabama last week. Phillip Fulmer has turned things around after the disappointing 5-6 season a year ago. Erik Ainge is probably the top quarterback in the SEC. Even though he threw three interceptions in the win against Alabama, he still held it together to have a solid second half. With only one loss in the conference that came against Florida, the Vols could make it to Atlanta if Florida slips up and gets beat. But first they must face a tough South Carolina team on the road this week.

    After the Gamecocks play the Vols this week, Arkansas comes to town. It may be hard for South Carolina to with both but they could pull off the upset against the Razorbacks. Tennessee could play poorly after its emotional win last week. The Vols have too much confidence and talent to let that happen.

    Prediction: Tennessee 20-South Carolina 14.

    Kentucky at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Both teams are desperate for a victory. Mississippi State is 2-6 overall and 0-4 in the conference while Kentucky is 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the conference. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 19-14. The Bulldogs suffered a tough loss at Georgia last week. Maybe Sylvester Croom's team will be able to take the good things that happened in Athens and build on them during the rest of the season. Scoring 24 points against Georgia was a small victory for Croom's Bulldogs. Since this one will be played in Starkville, the home team should win.

    Prediction: MSU 20-Kentucky 17.

    LA-Monroe at Arkansas, 6:00 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Arkansas and ULM will meet for the seventh time in school history this weekend. Arkansas has won the six previous meetings including last season's 44-15 win at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Look for a similar score in this year's contest.

    Prediction: Arkansas 40-ULM 10.

    Florida International at Alabama, 2:00 p.m. CT

    Alabama gets a break this week by playing the 0-7 Florida International squad. Mike Shula is on the hot seat for losing to rival Tennessee and for his questionable play calling throughout the season. If the Crimson Tide doesn't dominate FIU, the cries from Alabama fans to let Shula go will increase. FIU will be without 18 players who were either suspended or dismissed for their roles in the Oct. 14 fight with Miami. Alabama will roll.

    Prediction: Alabama 44-FIU 6.

    Vanderbilt at Duke, 12:00 p.m. CT

    Vanderbilt hits the road to face Duke in non-conference action. The Commodores are seeking their fourth victory of the season. The last time Vanderbilt posted consecutive seasons of at least four wins came in 1993 (5-6) and 1994 (5-6). Duke is winless at 0-7. They will remain winless after Saturday's contest.

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 26-Duke 14.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Nine

    Auburn survived a tough game on the road to defeat Ole Miss 23-17. The Tigers move up to No. 6 in the new AP poll. In the big game in Jacksonville, Florida held off Georgia to win 21-14 and in Columbia, Tennessee won 31-24 over South Carolina.

    Auburn at Ole Miss

    Auburn won a close contest on the road at Ole Miss 23-17. Brandon Cox threw for 253 yards on 21-of-34 attempts and a touchdown, while Kenny Irons rushed for 106 yards on 23 carries. The Tigers improve to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the SEC.

    Ole Miss scored first to take an early 7-0 lead with 12:17 left in the first quarter. Auburn answered with a 15-play, 70-yard drive that ended when Cox found Rod Smith in the end zone on a 13-yard touchdown pass. The Rebels then went up 10-7 in the second quarter on a 29-yard field goal by Joshua Shene. The Tigers took the lead on Brad Lester's 5-yard touchdown run and added three more points just before halftime on John Vaughn's 31-yard field goal to go up 17-10.

    The contest remained 17-10 until Ole Miss quarterback Brent Shaeffer led the offense on a 60-yard drive that ended when Shaeffer found Lawrence Lilly in the back of the end zone early in the fourth to tie the score at 17-17. Auburn then relied on a pair of John Vaughn field goals to get out of Oxford with the victory. Vaughn nailed a 20-yard kick and a 29-yarder with 35 seconds remaining.

    This week: Auburn plays Arkansas State at home and Ole Miss plays Northwestern State.

    Florida vs Georgia

    Florida won the annual battle with Georgia 21-14. With a comfortable 21-0 lead at the half, the Gators held on to improve to 7-1 overall, and 5-1 in the conference. The Bulldogs, 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the conference, have lost three out of their last four after opening the season with five straight wins.

    Georgia rallied in the fourth with a pair of touchdowns to make it a seven-point game with just over eight minutes to play. The Bulldogs got the ball back with 4:53 left and went three and out. Florida benefited from an incidental facemask penalty that gave them a first down when a third-down run came up short. After picking up another first down, Florida ran out the clock to seal the victory.

    This week: Florida plays at Vanderbilt and Georgia plays at Kentucky.

    Tennessee at South Carolina

    Tennessee got by South Carolina 31-24 in Columbia. The Vols were led by quarterback Erik Ainge, who threw for 254 yards on 21-of-29 attempts and two touchdowns. The victory gives Tennessee five straight and an overall record of 7-1, and 3-1 in the SEC. The Gamecocks fall to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in conference play.

    Up 31-17 late in the fourth, the Vols let South Carolina back in the contest when Syvelle Newton scored from 1-yard out with 2:24 remaining. The Gamecocks then got the ball back with just under a minute left but Newton's desperation pass on fourth down was intercepted as the Volunteers hung on for the victory.

    This week: South Carolina hosts Arkansas and Tennessee plays LSU in Knoxville.

    Kentucky at Mississippi State

    Quarterback Andre' Woodson led Kentucky to a 34-31 victory over Mississippi State in Starkville. Woodson threw for 284 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-28 pass attempts. Alfonso Smith gained 92 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown for the Wildcats.

    Down 34-24 late in the final stanza, Mississippi State got to within a field goal on Anthony Dixon's one-yard touchdown run but failed to get any closer in the 34-31 loss.

    This week: Mississippi State plays at Alabama and Kentucky hosts Georgia.

    UL-Monroe at Arkansas

    Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt earned his 100th coaching victory in Saturday's 44-10 victory over UL-Monroe. Felix Jones ran for 141 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries and Darren McFaddon added 129 yards and a touchdown for the Razorbacks. Arkansas scored 44 straight points after falling behind by seven points.

    This week: Arkansas plays at South Carolina.

    Vanderbilt at Duke

    Duke has the nation's longest losing streak at 16 games after being defeated 45-28 by Vanderbilt. Chris Nickson had three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores for the Commodores. Nickson finished the afternoon with 400 yards of total offense.

    This week: Vanderbilt plays at home against Florida.

    Florida International at Alabama

    Alabama held FIU to just 175 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers in the 38-3 rout in Tuscaloosa. Javier Arenas returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown, and Ramzee Robinson ran an interception back 34 yards for a touchdown in the victory for the Crimson Tide.

    This week: Alabama hosts Mississippi State.

    Restaurant Review: Christopher

    Wow!

    This is the kind of dining experience you expect when going to the "celebrity chef" restaurants of Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago, L.A. or New York.

    I must admit I was impressed when executive chef Christopher Paulk came to our table to describe the off-menu creations for this meal. Teresa went immediately for the nameless conglomeration that featured mahi-mahi fish, topped with corned beef hash, a poached egg and Hollandaise sauce. No thank you for me.

    I guess I am more of a meat-and-potatoes guy. I went for the rack of lamb, mashed potatoes and asparagus.

    We decided to split ($2 fee) an appetizer and went for the lobster cakes ($16) that a friend had recommended. Since it was a celebration, we decided try the 2003 Bogle Petite Syrah that had recently arrived and was not on the ample wine list.

    Ordering out of the way, and enjoying the tasty and ebullient Syrah with a savory herb-roasted dinner bread and butter, we had a chance to look over the remodelling. Christopher is located in the old Provino's spot on Pepperell Parkway near the Auburn-Opelika city limits, across from the Kangaroo gas station--not the most picturesque setting, but inside is completely different. The interior has been tastefully trimmed in a 30's bistro post-modern look. The lighting was very effective and was dimmed after we had finished ordering.

    The lobster cake was outstanding. We each had an ample serving presented in a flavorful, lemony sauce. The sauce was so good, that had I been at home, I would have licked the plate. It was that good.

    When the entrees arrived, I had to wait a few minutes before digging in, to admire the presentation. Impeccably plated, the dish was, in itself, a work of art.

    My lamb was everything I expected and more. Cooked perfectly, the lamb riblets rested on a mound of mash potatoes and were topped by the asparagus and garnish.

    The big surprise was just how good the Mahi-Mahi Eggs Benedict dish was. It was a wonderful mix of flavors and textures that somehow combined perfectly.

    The servings, if anything, were too generous, so much so that we passed on the rather disappointing dessert offerings.

    Our check came to around $75 for the food. Add to that the wine and an above average tip for flawless service, and you are not talking a cheap night out, but Christopher is highly recommended for special occasions, holiday gatherings, and those nights when you want to treat yourself to an exceptional dining experience.

    Christopher
    3903 Pepperell Parkway
    Opelika, Alabama
    334-705-6622

    Reservation are advisable. Most men wore sports coats, a few wore ties; women dressed like they were "going out to eat someplace nice." Menu entrees were priced from $19-29.

    Predictions For Week 10 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, overall they are 61-10. This week, Auburn plays Arkansas State at home in non-conference action. SEC games include LSU at Tennessee, Mississippi State at Alabama, and Arkansas at South Carolina.

    Arkansas State at Auburn, 1:30 p.m. CT, pay-per-view

    Auburn plays Arkansas State in its final non-conference game of the season. The Indians are 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. Arkansas State played in the New Orleans Bowl last season, which was their first bowl game since becoming a Division I-A school in 1992. The Indians lead the Sun Belt in total defense (280.3) and ranks second in total offense (309.5). Arkansas State's 13 interceptions this season is tied for seventh most in the nation.

    The Tigers return home after last week's tough victory at Ole Miss. Last week and throughout the season, Auburn has struggled to score touchdowns while in the red-zone. Out of 34-red-zone possessions, the Tigers have only scored 18 touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Al Borges hopes practice this week and the game against Arkansas State will solve the red-zone problem before facing Georgia and Alabama. Borges was pleased with how the offense performed against the Rebels but knows it must do better against Georgia and Alabama to have a chance to win.

    Auburn's defense has struggled at times during the season, especially in the first half. Adjustments at halftime has helped the unit keep opposing offenses in check in the second half but defensive coordinator Will Muschamp would like his defense to come out and play the same way during all four quarters. This week against Arkansas State, Auburn's defense will have to stop freshmen running backs Reggie Arnold and Cedric Wilkerson. Arnold ranks fourth in the nation in rushing among freshmen, averaging 84.8 yards per game.

    As a team, Auburn is healthy and Joe Cope is set to return as the starter at center. Cope went down with a knee injury early in the season and has worked hard to return so he could finish out his senior season. Cope and his teammates will try and extend Auburn's winning streak to three games and help the Tigers improve to 4-0 in non-conference games this year. Arkansas State hopes to bounce back from a 29-0 loss to Florida Atlantic that snapped a four-game winning streak. The Indians need one more win to match last season's win total with six victories, which would also equal the most wins in school history as a I-A program. They will have to wait another week to get their sixth victory.

    Prediction: Auburn 34-ASU 13.

    LSU at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    LSU enjoyed a week off last week while Tennessee recorded a victory at South Carolina. Tennessee leads the all-time series against LSU 20-5-3, and the Vols have lost just once in Knoxville in 13 games against the Bayou Bengals. Two of the last four games between the teams have gone to overtime, including last year's Tenessee win in Baton Rouge by a 30-27 margin.

    The Vols are on a roll after losing to Florida in September. LSU has lost twice this season at Auburn and at Florida. Saturday, Tennessee should take care of business at home. No overtime this year but it may go down to the wire.

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-LSU 21.

    Arkansas at South Carolina, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn needs Arkansas to lose twice for a chance at the SEC West title. South Carolina usually plays well at home and against Arkansas. The Gamecocks hold a 4-3 advantage in games played in Columbia. The true test for the Gamecocks will be if they can stop running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. The only team that had success stopping the duo was Southern Cal in the 50-14 victory to start the year. If somehow South Carolina can hold both McFadden and Jones to under 100 yards rushing, they have an excellent chance of pulling off the upset. Auburn will be South Carolina's biggest fan Saturday night.

    Prediction: South Carolina 26-Arkansas 24.

    Mississippi State at Alabama, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Mississippi State and Alabama battle for the 91st time this weekend, the 59th-consecutive meeting between the two schools, which are the closest in proximity in the SEC. Mississippi State has dropped 23 straight SEC road games, dating to a 35-17 win over Eastern Division opponent Kentucky in Lexington on Nov. 4, 2000.

    Sylvester Croom returns to Alabama where he played center and helped the Crimson Tide win three straight SEC titles and a national championship. He then served as a defensive assistant when Alabama won back-to-back national titles in 1978-79.

    Mississippi State will be without starting quarterback Omarr Conner and two of its top three tailbacks and its starting fullback who are lost for the remainder of the season with knee injuries. This will make it tough for the Bulldogs to have a chance. Alabama should win this one without much trouble if the offense can find the end zone.

    Prediction: Alabama 24-MSU 7.

    Florida at Vanderbilt, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Against Vanderbilt, Florida has won the last 16 meetings. The Gators can wrap up the SEC East title with a victory this week and at home next week against South Carolina. Vanderbilt could become bowl eligible if it wins two of its remaining three games. The Gators have too much talent and speed to let the Commodores pull off the upset. Florida should win this one easily but you never know about road games in the SEC. This contest may be close until the fourth quarter.

    Prediction: Florida 27-Vanderbilt 14.

    Georgia at Kentucky, 12:00 p.m. CT

    Kentucky needs two more victories to become bowl eligible. Six victories for the Wildcats would be a successful season for Rich Brooks' team. Georgia has already lost three games with remaining games against Auburn and Georgia Tech after its trip to Lexington.

    The Bulldogs lead the all-time series with Kentucky 47-10-2 and has won each of the last nine meetings, including a 45-13 win over the Wildcats last season in Athens. Georgia leads the series in games played in Lexington 22-6-0 and Kentucky's last win over the Bulldogs was in Lexington, a 24-17 win in 1996. Even though the Bulldogs are struggling since winning their first five games, a loss at Kentucky would be embarrassing. Georgia should find a way to win.

    Prediction: Georgia 26-Kentucky 17.

    I-AA Northwestern State at Ole Miss, 1:00 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Ole Miss 28-NW State 10.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week 10

    Auburn improved to 9-1 by defeating Arkansas State 27-0. The Tigers play Georgia at home this week. In other games, Alabama was dominated by Miss. State in the 24-16 loss, Arkansas defeated South Carolina, and LSU beat Tennessee 28-24 in Knoxville.

    Arkansas State at Auburn

    Auburn took care of Arkansas State 27-0 at home Saturday. The Tigers are now 9-1 overall and move up to No. 5 in the new AP poll. Auburn wraps up its season with games against rivals Georgia and Alabama. The Georgia game starts at 11:30 a.m. CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It will be televised by Lincoln Financial Sports.

    Quarterback Brandon Cox had a good performance despite throwing two interceptions. Cox finished the afternoon by completing 12-of-21 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Cox's favorite target was Courtney Taylor who had four catches for a career-high 116 yards and a touchdown. Fullback Carl Stewart also scored on a 19-yard pass from Cox and ran one in from a yard out.

    Auburn took its opening possession 57 yards for a touchdown. Cox capped the drive by hitting Taylor with a 13-yard strike for the 7-0 lead. John Vaughn then put the Tigers up 13-0 at halftime by connecting on field goals of 21-yards and 22-yards.

    In the second half, Stewart did all of the scoring for Auburn and the defense kept Arkansas State off the scoreboard to record the shutout.

    This week: Auburn plays rival Georgia at home.

    LSU at Tennessee

    LSU scored late in the fourth to upset Tennessee 28-24 in Knoxville. Down 24-21, the Tigers kept their hopes of pulling off the upset when JaMarcus Russell converted a huge 4th-and-8 play by throwing a strike to Early Doucet for eight yards down to the Volunteers 34. Six plays later, Russell then threw a bullet to Doucet in the end zone to give LSU its biggest win of the season.

    With the loss, Tennessee falls to 7-2 overall, and 3-2 in the conference. LSU is also 7-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

    This week: LSU plays Alabama at home and Tennessee plays at Arkansas.

    Arkansas at South Carolina

    Arkansas held off a late rally by South Carolina to win in Columbia 26-20. Down 26-6 with just under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Gamecocks scored when quarterback Blake Mitchell connected with Kenny McKinley on a 13-yard touchdown pass that brought the score to 26-13. Then Mitchell found Sydney Rice 10 yards out to get to within six points with 13:50 left in the game.

    After a missed field goal by Arkansas, South Carolina got the ball back but Mitchell threw an interception to Darius Vinnett at the Razorback 27 yard line. Arkansas' offense then got a couple of first downs to run out the clock.

    This week: Arkansas plays Tennessee at home and South Carolina plays Florida at The Swamp.

    Mississippi State at Alabama

    Alabama lost at home 24-16 to Mississippi State. Anthony Dixon is the first tailback to rush for over 100 yards all season against the Crimson Tide defense. Dixon finished the contest with 121 yards on 25 carries. Michael Henig threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 9-of-23 passing for Mississippi State as the Bulldogs recorded its first conference victory.

    Jamie Christensen kicked three field goals and D. J. Hall collected 10 passes for 125 yards in the loss for Alabama.

    This week: Mississippi State is off and Alabama plays at LSU.

    Florida at Vanderbilt

    Florida won 25-19 at Vanderbilt. With the victory, the Gators win the SEC East title and will play in the championship game in Atlanta.

    The Gators led 15-6 at the half and scored first in the second half to go up 22-6. Chris Hetland then put Florida up 25-6 on a 29-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Vanderbilt scored when Chris Nickson hit George Smith for a 10-yard touchdown, but the two-point conversion failed and the Commodores trailed by 13 points.

    Vanderbilt intercepted Leak on the ensuing possession and drove the ball down to the Florida 11 before turning it over on downs with six minutes to play. The Commodores added another touchdown with just over two minutes to play as Nickson found Earl Bennett on a 31-yard touchdown to make the score 25-19. The onsides kick attempt by Vanderbilt was recovered by Florida and the Gators ran out the clock for the victory.

    This week: Florida plays South Carolina at home while Vanderbilt plays at Kentucky.

    Georgia at Kentucky

    Georgia lost on the road 24-20 to Kentucky. Andre' Woodson threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats. With the victory, Kentucky improves to 5-4 overall, and 3-3 in the SEC. The Bulldogs fall to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the SEC.

    Down 20-17 with less than two minutes remaining in the contest, Tony Dixon found the end zone on a three-yard run to give the Wildcats the 24-20 victory.

    This week: Georgia plays at Auburn and Kentucky plays Vanderbilt at home.

    I-AA Northwestern State at Ole Miss

    Ole Miss 27-NW State 7.

    This week: Ole Miss is off.

    Election Notes

    In case you haven't heard there is an election coming up and I think I have decided who will get my votes Tuesday. I suspect the governor's race will be a landslide. And why not?

    This is a trick question. Look at this video and tell me if there was another national disaster, which of these four men you would like to be in charge?

    Bob Riley has not only been a competent leader in crisis, he has proven himself a progressive centrist, not the rhetoric-spouting ideologues that his party seems to attract. Lucy Baxley would probably be a good governor, but could not find traction with any issue. Bob Riley will get my vote.

    Speaking of rhetoric-spouting ideologues, Mike Rogers is running for re-election against a virtual unknown, Greg Pierce, who is flying an under the radar. He is a veteran who is campaigning on Iraq, healthcare and veterans' issues. I would vote for Pierce even if this were not my only chance to make a national statement this election. Mike Rogers' voting record is abysmal. I want a congressman who is more concerned with cleaning up the mess in Iraq, than criminalizing flag burning and stifling stem cell research.

    Locally, Carolyn Ellis will get an enthusiastic vote on Tuesday. I admit I was predisposed to anyone running against Mike Hubbard. He has been a very effective politician for advancing his party and self-aggrandizement, but has not done enough for Lee County, Auburn, and Auburn University.

    In some other statewide races, I'll pick former Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. over lobbyist Luther Strange, Mobile District Attorney John Tyson, Jr. over appointed incumbent Troy King. His AU Trustee opinion was shaky law at best, and money politics at worst.

    I'll vote to keep Secretary of State Nancy Worley and Ag Commissioner Ron Sparks. Kay Ivey should hit the pavement so we can give Steve Segrest a chance to see if he can do a better job managing Alabama's prepaid tuition money. I've picked Montgomery Republican Sam Shaw over Democrat Janie Baker Clarke because of her accounting background.

    I'll vote NO, YES and NO on the three amendments. (Call me a "flip-flopper".) I routinely vote against local amendments to protest our much amended 105-year old constitution--that axes 1 & 3. Setting a minimum millage for statewide school support is a good start for build better public schools in Alabama; I'll vote yes on #2.

    Predictions For Week 11 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 3-4, overall they are 64-14. This week, Georgia visits Auburn for the big rivalry game that begins at 11:30 a.m. CT. LSU entertains Alabama in Baton Rouge, Tennessee plays at Arkansas and South Carolina plays at Florida.

    Georgia at Auburn, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Auburn and Georgia are set to play for the 110th time in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry. The Bulldogs are having a surprisingly down year at 6-4 but records don't mean much in this rivalry, especially for the road team. In games played in Auburn, Georgia leads 12-9-2. Overall, the Tigers lead 53-48-8, and in the 109 meetings, Auburn has outscored Georgia by just two points (1,650-1,648). The game usually comes down to the wire like last year's contest when Auburn won in Athens 31-30 on John Vaughn's 20-yard field goal with 6 seconds left. Hopefully the game this year will be as entertaining even though it looks like Auburn should win pretty easily.

    Georgia could salvage its season by beating the fifth-ranked team in the country after losing to both Vanderbilt and Kentucky. The Bulldogs have played well on the road with a record of 21-3 since 2001, including a 7-2 mark against ranked opponents. In the SEC, Georgia ranks fifth and 16th nationally in total defense (280.9), and is 10th in the conference and 85th nationally in total offense (315.2). The Bulldog's wide receivers are playing hurt and their dangerous punt returner Mikey Henderson is also not 100 percent.

    Auburn may be without safety Eric Brock after he suffered an ankle sprain against Arkansas State. The rest of the defense is healthy and the Tigers have enough players with experience that can play safety if Brock isn't able to go. The entire unit has performed better in recent weeks after struggling some in the first half of the season. The unit ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 11.5 points per game.

    On offense, Auburn seems to be clicking at the right time even though the coaching staff would like to see more points on the scoreboard. The offensive line has not allowed a sack in the last 14 quarters. At the beginning of the season, the line surrendered 24 sacks in the first 26 quarters. With protection, quarterback Brandon Cox has been able to find open receivers. Cox is averaging 238.7 yards passing per game over the last three games with six touchdown passes. With the return of Joe Cope at center last week, the line is healthy and playing about as well as it has all season.

    The early start time could be a problem for Auburn. Two weeks ago at Ole Miss with an 11:30 kickoff, the Tigers struggled in the 23-17 victory. Auburn didn't show up at all for the early game against Arkansas on Oct. 7. Give the team a lot of coffee before the meeting with the Bulldogs. This game is too important for the Tigers not to come out ready to play.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-Georgia 10.

    Alabama at LSU, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Before last week, this matchup would have been more appealing. With Alabama losing at home to Mississippi State and LSU pulling off the upset at Tennessee, it shouldn't be much of a contest. The Tigers are tough to beat at home, especially at night.

    LSU has plenty of talent to score touchdowns when its in the red zone. The Crimson Tide has to settle for field goals when in the red zone. Alabama seems to get motivated to play on the road against ranked opponents. It will be interesting to see how they react after the embarrassing loss to Mississippi State last week. LSU is 6-24-2 all-time against Alabama in Baton Rouge. The Tigers should be successful this year in Baton Rouge against a struggling Alabama squad.

    Prediction: LSU 21-Alabama 9.

    Tennessee at Arkansas, 6:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Arkansas is the only team in the SEC that hasn't suffered a loss in conference play. That's impressive after road games at Auburn and South Carolina. The schedule doesn't get any easier though with remaining home games against Tennessee and LSU, and on the road at Mississippi State.

    The Vols come to town after a disappointing loss at home to LSU last week. Tennessee is another team that seems to play better on the road than at home. With ESPN on campus for College Gameday, the Arkansas fans and players will be excited. The Razorbacks remain unbeaten in conference play after a tough battle Saturday night.

    Prediction: Arkansas 17-Tennessee 14.

    South Carolina at Florida, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Steve Spurrier returns to Florida where he won the national championship in 1996. Florida would be in the hunt for a national title if it didn't lose at Auburn a few weeks ago. Despite the loss, the Gators will be playing in the SEC Championship Game and possibly a BCS game in January.

    Florida leads the series 19-4-3 and has claimed 13 of the last 14 meetings with both schools members of the SEC. Florida is 10-0 all-time when these two teams meet in Gainesville. Spurrier will have his Gamecocks ready to play after losing a close game to Arkansas last week in Columbia. South Carolina will keep the contest close before Florida eventually pulls away.

    Prediction: Florida 28-South Carolina 14.

    Vanderbilt at Kentucky, 12:00 p.m. CT

    Vanderbilt and Kentucky meet for the 79th time in school history. The all-time series is tied 37-37-4. The series has had a number of close games, with 32 of the 78 games (41.0 percent) being decided by seven points or less. With a victory, Kentucky would become bowl eligible. The Wildcats win this week and next week against LA-Monroe. Seven wins is very decent for a Kentucky team.

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-Vanderbilt 14.

    Who's Who in Auburn

    Who are the people in Auburn, that when they talk, people listen? Here's our alphbetical list of the movers and shakers in the Loveliest Village. I'm sure we missed someone. Let us know your nominations.

    Conner Bailey - Past Chair of University Senate. This left-leaning professor of Rural Sociology (not that Sociology Department--this one is in Agriculture) has been a clear and effective voice for the AU Faculty for many years.

    Rod Bramblett - The voice of Auburn athletics. They say you can't follow a legend, but since taking over after the tragic death of Jim Fyffe, Bramblett has received high approval ratings from Auburn fans.

    Lisa Brouillette - Newspaper columnist and civic activist. This self-appointed ombudsman is a fixture at almost every public meeting, asking questions that make public officials squirm.

    Steve Bronson - Who? Try "Wildman Steve." After exiting the retail music at just the right time, Bronson took his direct knowledge Auburn's musical tastes and built an award-winning radio format that broke many of the "rules" of radio narrow-casting with music that appeals to a very diverse audience.

    Bill Cameron - Sports talk radio host. For the last 20 years, the places on the dial have changed, the partners have changed, but the one constant has been Bill Cameron, Auburn's "Sports Authority."

    Lee Cannon - Auburn's version of Perle Mesta. For many years, Lee wrote a gossip column in the O-A News. She is the Grand Dame of Auburn society.

    Sheila Eckman - City Council member. Often the lone voice of dissent, Eckman has weathered formidable opposition to remain the conscience of the Auburn council.

    Jim Evans - Pastor of the Auburn First Baptist Church and syndicated newspaper columnist. Evans column, buried in the Religion section of Saturday's paper, addresses controversial issues with a strong Christian voice.

    Wayne Flynt - History professor. Flynt is the most quoted Auburn figure nationally. He has been an outspoken critic of Alabama's 105 year old constitution.

    James E. Foy - Retired Dean of Students. This spry nonagenarian, who is perhaps Auburn's most beloved public figure for several generations of Auburn students, graduated from the university in Tuscaloosa.

    Johnny Green - Current Dean of Student, Pastor of White Street Baptist Church, former Planning Commission chairman. This multi-talented Auburn administrator once performed a wedding on the Today Show on NBC.

    Bill Ham - Mayor and former City Council member. Auburn's Mayor's has been fixture in city government since he was still wet behind the years. During his administration, Ham has dramatically expanded the role of Mayor.

    Tom Hayley - Real estate developer and entrepreneur. Strip mall king Hayley has built an empire of strip malls, duplexes, fast food joints, and radio stations. Starting, literally, with little more than a lawn mower, Haley co-founded Hayley-Redd Development Company in 1988.

    David Housel - Renaissance man. Auburn's Athletics Director Emeritus, Housel has an eclectic knowledge of music and literature. He recently collaborated with Phil Neel on his new Aubie book.

    Mike Hubbard - State Representative and broadcasting executive. This conservative legislator is Governor Riley's legislative liaison. Hubbard runs the Auburn Network for ISP Communications, to whom he sold out a few years back. Famed for directing Herschel Walker's and Bo Jackson's Heisman campaign, Hubbard's voice is familiar to Auburn fans in numerous highlight videos.

    Bobby Lowder - OK, so he doesn't live in Auburn (he does maintain a residence on Pinedale), he is still the 800-lb. gorilla of Auburn University.

    Ed Richardson - AU President and former Interim President. Richardson stepped into an impossible situation and righted the ship with swift dismissals and several reorganizations. A search is underway for his successor.

    Bob Sanders - Radio personality and newspaper columnist. Sanders, THE Voice of Auburn, has been a fixture on Auburn radio for more than 50 years. His newspaper column, Esoterica for Everyone, has run nearly as long.

    E. L. Spencer, Jr. - Businessman. Once called the "richest man in Auburn" (and he may still be as long as Bobby is out of town), at 73, Spencer is Chairman of Auburn Bank, owns Spencer Lumber, Spencer Heating and Cooling, and recently stepped down as Chairman of the East Alabama Medical Center.

    Tommy Tuberville - Football coach. Arguably the most popular man in town (until his next loss). Watch out, Mayor Ham. If Tuberville decided to run for mayor, he may be the only person in town who could beat you.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week 11

    Auburn was upset by Georgia at home. The Tigers fall to No. 15 in the new AP poll. Auburn plays arch-rival Alabama on CBS this week at 2:30 p.m. CT. Auburn is 9-2 overall, and 5-2 in conference play. Alabama is 6-5 overall and 2-5 in the SEC.

    Georgia at Auburn

    Georgia ended Auburn's four-game win-streak by beating them 37-15 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Turnovers hurt the Tigers and so did Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford completed 14-of-20 passes without an interception for 219 yards and a touchdown. He also ran 83 yards on seven carries. Auburn's quarterback Brandon Cox had a poor performance on the afternoon by throwing four interceptions and completing just 4-of-12 passes for 35 yards.

    The Bulldogs took control of the game from the start by marching 65 yards on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead. The drive was highlighted by a Stafford 53-yard completion to A.J. Bryant down the left sideline that took the ball to the Auburn eight-yard-line. A 34-yard field goal from Gordon Ely-Kelso with 12:07 left in the second quarter extended the Georgia lead to 10-0 then the Bulldogs added a touchdown when Stafford hooked up with Kenneth Harris on a 40-yard completion to take the ball to the Tiger's one-yard-line. Brannan Southerland then punched it in to give the Bulldogs a 17- point lead.

    Cox then threw an interception to Tra Battle that was returned 30-yards for a touchdown that put Georgia up 24-0. Auburn finally got on the scoreboard when Brad Lester found the end zone on a 21-yard run. The Bulldogs forced another turnover when Battle intercepted Cox again and ran it back to the Auburn 39. Georgia scored right before halftime when Kregg Lumpkin took a screen pass 14-yards for a touchdown to put his team up 30-7.

    Auburn cut Georgia's lead in half when Cox connected with Rod Smith for a 34-yard touchdown with 4:27 to play in the third. The two-point conversion was good to make it 30-15. The Bulldogs quickly answered when Stafford sprinted up the middle on a quarterback draw and into the end zone from nine-yards out with 12:28 to go to cap the scoring.

    This week: Auburn plays arch-rival Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Georgia is off.

    Alabama at LSU

    LSU handled Alabama 28-14 in Baton Rouge. JaMarcus Russell threw three touchdowns and completed 18-of-21 passes for 207 yards without an interception. The Tigers also rushed for 211 yards, led by 79 from Keiland Williams and 64 from Jacob Hester. Russell added 36 yards on the ground, including one huge third-down scramble.

    LSU has won four straight to keep its slim SEC West title hopes alive. The Tigers trail Arkansas by two games in the standings and need a win next week against Ole Miss, coupled with an Arkansas loss against Mississippi State to make their trip to Fayetteville an important meeting.

    This week: LSU hosts Ole Miss.

    South Carolina at Florida

    Florida survived a tough game against South Carolina to win 17-16 at The Swamp. Down 17-16 late in the fourth, the Gamecocks had a chance to pull off the upset with eight seconds remaining. Ryan Succop attempted a 48-yard field goal but it was blocked by Jarvis Moss as time ran out.

    This week: South Carolina hosts Middle Tennessee and Florida plays Western Carolina at The Swamp.

    Tennessee at Arkansas

    Arkansas destroyed Tennessee 31-14 in Fayetteville. Darren McFadden had a huge game for the Razorbacks. McFadden rushed for 181 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns and threw for another score. Arkansas has two games remaining and only needs one victory to clinch a spot in the SEC title game.

    This week: Tennessee plays at Vanderbilt and Arkansas plays Mississippi State in Starkville.

    Vanderbilt at Kentucky

    Andre' Woodson threw for 450 yards and four touchdowns on 29-of-42 passing to lead Kentucky to a 38-26 victory over Vanderbilt in Lexington. The Wildcats had 597 yards of total offense while the Commodores totalled 621 yards. Vanderbilt turned the ball over on two interceptions and two fumbles.

    Chris Nickson threw for 446 yards and one touchdown on 23-of-37 passing and rushed for 70 yards and two scores on 16 carries to lead the Commodores.

    Kentucky is now bowl eligible with an overall record of 6-4. The Wildcats play Louisiana-Monroe at home this week. Vanderbilt hosts Tennessee.

    Predictions For Week 12 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 4-1, overall they are 68-15. This week, Auburn and Alabama square off in Tuscaloosa at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Other games include Arkansas at Mississippi State and Ole Miss at LSU.

    Auburn at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Iron Bowl week would usually be an exciting time for football fans in the state of Alabama. But, with both teams struggling and with the Michigan-Ohio State battle going on at the same time, the Iron Bowl isn't producing much hype. The only thing worth watching in this game will be to see if Tommy Tuberville can beat Alabama for the fifth straight time. If Tuberville can pull it off, he would tie Shug Jordan for the longest Iron Bowl winning streak by an Auburn coach. Neither team has won as many as five in a row since the Crimson Tide won nine straight from 1973-81.

    Before the massive beating by Georgia last week, many thought Auburn could take care of the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. The Tigers are struggling on offense and defense. It seems Brandon Cox is hurt and the coaches don't have enough confidence to play backup Blake Field. The Auburn secondary hasn't played well all season and may be without safety Eric Brock again this week. Brock was out last week and Georgia's quarterback Matthew Stafford was 14-of-20 for 219 yards. John Parker Wilson will probably pick the Auburn secondary apart unless he is hurried and sacked. If Alabama isn't able to get things done through the air, its running game is weak and won't be much of a threat.

    Hopefully this year's Iron Bowl will end up being a classic instead of a snoozer like many predict. If it is a classic, will anyone see it except for those in Bryant-Denny Stadium? Set up two televisions so you can watch Michigan-Ohio State and the Iron Bowl as Auburn barely gets by arch-rival Alabama.

    Prediction: Auburn 14-Alabama 13.

    Arkansas at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    A trip to Starkville could be bad news for Arkansas. Mississippi State seems to be improving each week. A big win against Alabama two weeks ago gave the Bulldogs a much needed confidence boost. Arkansas is a much better team than Alabama and Mississippi State will have to play a perfect game to have a chance to win.

    The Razorbacks clinched a share of their fifth SEC West crown with the 31-14 win over Tennessee last week. Arkansas will clinch their first outright SEC West title since 1995 with a victory against the Bulldogs. The Razorbacks may get caught looking ahead to their matchup with LSU next week but don't count on it. Running back Darren McFadden is too big and too strong for the Bulldogs to stop. Arkansas will remain the only team in the conference without a loss after its trip to Starkville.

    Prediction: Arkansas 35-Mississippi State 13.

    Ole Miss at LSU, 7:00 p.m. CT

    These two teams have met every year since 1945 with LSU holding a 53-37-4 advantage in the all-time series. Surprisingly, the Tigers only lead 35-22-1 in games played in Baton Rouge. LSU has won four straight and five of the last six against the Rebels. The Tigers are playing about as well as any team in the country right now while Ole Miss is probably the worst team in the conference. This shouldn't be much of a game.

    Prediction: LSU 38-Ole Miss 7.

    Tennessee at Vanderbilt, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Tennessee is reeling after back-to-back losses to LSU and Arkansas. A trip to Vanderbilt this week should get the Volunteers back on track. A year ago, the Commodores shocked Tennessee in Knoxville 28-24. Despite having an injured quarterback, Tennessee is a better team than they were a year ago when they finished 5-6. A record of 9-3 this year is quite possible as they host Kentucky after the meeting with Vanderbilt.

    Vanderbilt is capable of racking up a lot of yards on offense and playing the top teams in the conference tough. A few weeks ago at home against Florida, the Gators barely got out of town with a 25-19 victory. The Vols will be ready to snap their two-game losing streak against Vanderbilt but it may not be easy. Tennessee will wear them down in the second half to record a victory.

    Prediction: Tennessee 28-Vanderbilt 14.

    Middle Tennessee State at South Carolina, 11:30 a.m. CT

    The first meeting between South Carolina and Middle Tennessee State should be interesting. MTSU is 7-3 overall, 6-0 in the Sun Belt Conference. They have won four straight after losing a nationally-televised game to Louisville on Oct. 6. All three of their losses have been to teams currently ranked among the nation's top 25, including setbacks to Oklahoma and Maryland. They are averaging 25.5 points per game (50th in the country) while allowing 19.8 points per game (42nd in the nation).

    The Gamecocks are a perfect 6-0 when facing teams out of the Sun Belt Conference, including a 45-6 win over Florida Atlantic earlier this season. Steve Spurrier owns a 1-0 record against MTSU. He led the eighth-ranked Florida Gators to a 55-0 win over the Blue Raiders on Sept. 9, 2000. Spurrier almost pulled off a big upset at Florida last week. He always has his team ready to play for big games and will have to once again in two weeks at Clemson. A win this week and next week would put the Gamecocks at 7-5. Look for a close victory this week by Spurrier's team.

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-MTSU 20.

    LA-Monroe at Kentucky, 12:00 p.m. CT

    Kentucky became bowl eligible last week with a victory over Vanderbilt. The Wildcats will be looking to win their seventh game for the first time since the 2002 season when they square off with LA-Monroe in Lexington. The all-time series with the Warhawks is tied 1-1. Kentucky is 5-1 all-time vs. members in the current alignment of the Sun Belt Conference. The Wildcats should get their seventh win of the season before travelling to play Tennessee next week.

    Prediction: Kentucky 35-LA-Monroe 10.

    I-AA Western Carolina at Florida, 11:00 a.m. CT

    Prediction: Florida 48-Western Carolina 7.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week 12

    Auburn beat Alabama 22-15 for its fifth straight victory over the Crimson Tide. The Tigers finish the regular season 10-2 and look forward to a bowl game. Auburn will likely go to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas or to the Outback Bowl in Tampa.

    Auburn at Alabama

    In the 71st Iron Bowl, Auburn beat arch-rival Alabama 22-15 in Tuscaloosa. Trailing 15-14 late in the third quarter, quarterback Brandon Cox hit Prechae Rodriguez with a 22- yard touchdown pass for the go-ahead score.

    The Tide outgained Auburn 364-261, but also had three fumbles and John Parker Wilson threw an interception in another close loss to a ranked team.

    Late in the fourth quarter, Alabama had a chance to possibly tie the game. Alabama had the ball at its 41 with 1:50 to play and no timeouts. Wilson completed a short pass across the middle to Nikita Stover but David Irons picked off his next attempt downfield with 1:17 left.

    Arkansas at Mississippi State

    Arkansas clinched the Western Division title by defeating Mississippi State 28-14 in Starkville. With the game tied at 14-14 late in the second quarter, the Razorbacks went ahead for good when Casey Dick hit Damian Williams with a 29-yard touchdown pass with 41 seconds to go until halftime.

    This week: Arkansas plays LSU in Little Rock on Friday and Mississippi State plays at Ole Miss.

    Ole Miss at LSU

    Ole Miss took LSU to overtime before losing 23-20 on a 26-yard field goal by Colt David. Trailing 20-14 late in the fourth, LSU tied the contest when quarterback JaMarcus Russell found Dwayne Bowe in the end zone for the game-tying score. Ole Miss then blocked Colt's extra point attempt to force overtime. In overtime, the Rebels fumbled and that led to the winning field goal by Colt.

    This week: LSU plays Arkansas in Little Rock on Friday and Ole Miss plays Mississippi State at home.

    Tennessee at Vanderbilt

    Tennessee beat Vanderbilt 39-10 to improve to 8-3 overall and 4-3 in the SEC. Erik Ainge started at quarterback for the Vols after missing last week with an ankle injury. Ainge finished the contest with 266 yards on 21-of-26 attempts and two touchdowns. LaMarcus Coker ran for 126 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns for Tennessee.

    This week: Tennessee hosts Kentucky.

    Middle Tennessee at South Carolina

    South Carolina took care of Middle Tennessee 52-7 in Columbia in non-conference action. Blake Mitchell completed 21-of-28 passes for 388 yards and threw four touchdowns for the Gamecocks. With the win, South Carolina is now bowl eligible at 6-5.

    This week: South Carolina plays at Clemson.

    LA-Monroe at Kentucky

    Kentucky improved to 7-4 overall with a 42-40 victory over LA-Monroe in Lexington. Andre' Woodson threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns for the Wildcats. LA-Monroe had 501 total yards in the contest, while Kentucky had 457 yards.

    This week: Kentucky plays at Tennessee.

    I-AA Western Carolina at Florida

    Florida 62-Western Carolina 0.

    This week: Florida plays at Florida State.

    Predictions For Week 13 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 5-0, overall they are 73-15. This week, LSU and Arkansas play Friday in Little Rock. In non-conference action, Florida takes on struggling Florida State in Tallahassee and South Carolina and Clemson battle in Clemson.

    LSU at Arkansas, Friday 1:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    With a victory Friday, Arkansas would be the only team in the SEC with an undefeated record in conference play. After a loss to Southern Cal in their season-opener, the Razorbacks have won 10 straight. They already have a date with Florida in the SEC Championship game but a win this week and against the Gators could possibly set them up to play for the national championship. Houston Nutt has turned things around in a big way after being on the hot seat for a poor season last year.

    Until opposing defenses find a way to stop Darren McFadden, Arkansas will keep winning. LSU also has a potent offense with quarterback JaMarcus Russell under center. These two teams could wind up scoring a lot of points with the Razorbacks coming out on top.

    Prediction: Arkansas 31-LSU 28.

    Florida at Florida State, 11:00 a.m. CT, ABC

    Florida State will be looking for a new offensive coordinator when the season ends after Jeff Bowden resigned a few weeks ago. The offense has struggled all season and probably won't have much luck against Florida. The Gators don't have much trouble scoring behind quarterbacks Chris Leak and Tim Tebow.

    Florida shouldn't get caught looking ahead to next week's game against Arkansas since the Seminoles are big rivals. Florida State will probably be fired up and ready to play. A 7-5 record would be much better than 6-6 and it would guarantee them a bowl trip. Florida should win this one but it won't be easy.

    Prediction: Florida 21-Florida State 17.

    South Carolina at Clemson, 11:00 a.m. CT, ESPN

    Clemson and South Carolina meet for the 104th time. The Tigers have won the last four contests and eight of the last nine meetings, including a 13-9 win in Columbia last season. Steve Spurrier has done well with the talent he has this year. Tommy Bowden has his Clemson team at 8-3 overall.

    When the game is played in Clemson, the Tigers hold a 15-7-1 record over the Gamecocks. With the home crowd, Clemson should knock off South Carolina, but it wouldn't be that shocking if Spurrier's team pulled off the upset.

    Prediction: Clemson 21-South Carolina 17.

    Kentucky at Tennessee, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Kentucky will be looking to snap a 21-game losing streak to Tennessee. The Wildcats have not beaten Tennessee since a 17-12 win in 1984. The Vols have dominated in games played in Knoxville by holding a record of 36-10-6.

    Under Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee averages nearly 44 points per game while holding the Wildcats to fewer than 17 points on average. The 2006 contest should be close with Tennessee keeping the streak alive.

    Prediction: Tennessee 28-Kentucky 20.

    Georgia Tech at Georgia, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Georgia Tech and Georgia meet Saturday for the 99th time since 1893 with the Bulldogs leading the series 57-36-5. The winner of the game receives the Governor's Cup trophy. Georgia has won all five games during the Mark Richt era. Prior to his arrival, the Yellow Jackets had a three-game winning streak. The Bulldogs need to win to improve their chances of going to a good bowl game. With a win, Georgia Tech would finish its season at 10-2.

    With most rivalries, the games end up being hard fought battles. The Yellow Jackets are clearly the better team but Georgia will be up for the challenge. Tech lost last year 14-7 in Atlanta and should take care of the Bulldogs in Athens on Saturday.

    Prediction: Georgia Tech 24-Georgia 17.

    Mississippi State at Ole Miss, 1:00 p.m. CT

    The annual Egg Bowl takes place this year in Oxford. Ole Miss leads the all-time series against Mississippi State 58-38-6. Mississippi State has not beaten Ole Miss in Oxford since 1998. Since then, the Bulldogs have dropped three straight games against Ole Miss in Oxford by a combined 44 points. After being televised at least regionally for eight-straight years (1996-2003), the season-ending Mississippi State-Ole Miss game will not be telecast in 2006 for the third straight season.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-MSU 20.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week 13

    Arkansas lost for the first time in conference play to LSU 31-26. Arkansas and Florida play in Atlanta Saturday for the SEC Championship. The game can be see on CBS beginning at 5 p.m. CT.

    LSU at Arkansas

    LSU took care of Arkansas 31-26 in Little Rock on Friday. JaMarcus Russell completed 14-of-22 passes for 210 yards with two touchdown passes for the Tigers. LSU's defense had not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season, but two Razorbacks eclipsed the mark. Darren McFadden, who set the single season rushing record for Arkansas with 1,485 yards, rushed 21 times for 182 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Felix Jones gained 137 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown for Arkansas.

    LSU's Trindon Holliday put his team up 31-19 when he returned a kickoff 92 yards with 10:14 left to play. Jones then ran back the ensuing kickoff 62 yards to the Tigers 37. Arkansas went on a nine-play drive, eating up just over five minutes off the clock, which ended on a five-yard touchdown run by Jones with 4:53 left. The Razorbacks got the ball back with a little more than two minutes to play, but quarterback Casey Dick threw four incomplete passes.

    This week: Arkansas plays Florida for the SEC Championship.

    Florida at Florida State

    Florida defeated intrastate rival Florida State 21-14 on Dallas Baker's 25-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. With the game tied at 14-14, Baker went over the top of a smaller defender to haul in the scoring pass from Chris Leak with 10:22 remaining in the game.

    The Seminoles looked like they would tie the game on the ensuing kickoff. Michael Ray Garvin thought he returned the kickoff for a touchdown but he stepped out of bounds at the Florida State 48-yard line. The Seminoles then turned the ball over on downs at the Gators 25-yard line and never came close to scoring again as Florida hung on to beat its in-state rival for the third straight time.

    Georgia Tech at Georgia

    Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford found Mohamed Massaquoi in the back of the end zone with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs upset 16th-ranked Georgia Tech 15-12 in Athens. Stafford completed 16-of-29 passes for 171 yards. Georgia has won the last six meetings over the Yellow Jackets. Massaquoi finished with six catches for 46 yards, while Kregg Lumpkin carried the ball 18 times for 51 yards.

    Despite the loss, Georgia Tech has already clinched the ACC Coastal Division title and will play Wake Forest in the conference championship game Saturday.

    Kentucky at Tennessee

    Tennessee beat Kentucky 17-12 behind running back LaMarcus Coker and quarterback Erik Ainge. Coker rushed for 90 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown while Ainge completed 19-of-33 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown.

    With Kentucky leading 12-10 after three quarters, the Vols took the lead early in the fourth when Coker found the end zone from one-yard out. The 15-play, 80-yard drive chewed up 7:24 off the clock and Tennessee held on for the victory.

    South Carolina at Clemson

    South Carolina upset Clemson 31-28 in their annual rivalry game. With the victory, the Gamecocks improved their chances of going to a better bowl game.

    With the game tied at 28 after three quarters, the Gamecocks took the lead on a 35-yard Ryan Succop field goal to cap a 10-play, 52-yard drive with 7:51 left. The Tigers had a chances to take the lead or send the game into overtime with a field goal. On 3rd-and-9 from the South Carolina 12, Will Proctor got sacked by Syvelle Newton and Jasper Brinkley for a 10-yard loss, forcing Clemson to attempt a 39-yard field goal with 13 seconds left. Jad Dean's kick missed wide left, and South Carolina held on for the victory.

    Mississippi State at Ole Miss

    Ole Miss beat Mississippi State 20-17 in Oxford. The Rebels gained just 200 yards of total offense in the game, while the Bulldogs totalled 314 yards.

    Digital Cable

    I finally gave in and got digital cable last week. I didn't think I would watch it that much since I'm not a big tv watcher. But, so far I really like the extra channels.

    Although my service is out right now and I can't watch anything even if I wanted to, the extra video channels like MTV Hits and VH1 Classic are a few of my favorites. MTV Hits plays non-stop videos and VH1 Classic shows videos that I grew up on.

    I added the sports tier at an extra cost so I could get CSTV and several of the regional Fox College Sports stations. CSTV has had a few of the Auburn basketball games on. I just wish ESPNU would be added since they carry a lot of football and basketball games.

    Avoid getting the movie tier with about eight Showtime channels and about six of the Encore channels. I had that for a week and the movies that were shown and the actors and actresses that were in them I have never heard of.

    The HBO/Cinemax package that I added today for $13 more seems to be worth the price. In all, you get about 14 movie channels with this package.

    A feature that I love is the channel guide that tells you what's on and what comes on next with detailed info about the movie or program. Some televisions already have this feature but mine didn't.

    The only problem I have with cable is I never watch half the channels like Cartoon Network, Hallmark Channel, Speed Channel, Golf Channel, etc. They should let you pick the ones you want and pay like $1 each for them. I guess that would be too complicated for cable companies to do.

    Prediction For The SEC Championship Game

    Last week's predictions were 3-3, overall they are 76-18. This week, Arkansas and Florida meet in Atlanta for the SEC title. The winner gets an automatic bid to a BCS Bowl game.

    Arkansas vs. Florida, 5:00 p.m. CT, CBS

    The SEC Championship Game features eighth-ranked Arkansas and fourth-ranked Florida. Both teams suffered only one loss in conference play during the season. Florida's loss came early in the season to Auburn, while Arkansas fell to LSU last week.

    After a big loss to Southern Cal in their season opener, the Razorbacks bounced back and reeled off 10 straight victories thanks to a strong running game behind Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. McFadden has racked up 1,485 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He has also scored as a receiver and a kick returner. Jones filled in nicely when McFadden needed a break by rushing for 961 yards and four touchdowns while averaging a staggering 7.6 ypc. At quarterback, Casey Dick and Mitch Mustain saw plenty of playing time while being inconsistent. In the loss to LSU, Dick completed only 3-of-17 passes for 29 yards. Wide receiver Marcus Monk has been the other bright spot for Arkansas on offense. The giant receiver hauled in 10 touchdowns and 880 receiving yards during the season.

    On defense, the Razorbacks have been stingy by only allowing 16.8 ppg and 299.8 total ypg this season. The unit has been solid when opponents try to run by limiting them to just 117.2 ypg on 3.5 ypc. Of the 24 touchdowns that the defense has surrendered, only eight have come on the ground. The star of the unit is linebacker Sam Olajubutu, who recorded 101 total tackles, including 10 TFLs.

    Arkansas' defense will look to stop a Florida offense that scores 28.1 ppg while gaining just under 400 total yards per game. The Gators have scored 44 offensive touchdowns, 25 of which have been passing scores. Chris Leak threw 21 of the 25 passing scores and completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 2,540 yards. His favorite receiver, Dallas Baker, has scored nine times while averaging 16.1 yards per catch. On the ground, Florida is led by DeShawn Wynn and backup quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow was primarily used for short yardage situations and when the game was wrapped up.

    On defense, the Gators are statistically better than Arkansas. Florida only allows 12.2 ppg and 265.2 total ypg to rank fourth nationally in scoring defense and 10th in total defense. Against the run, opponents are rushing for just 69.7 ypg and 2.7 ypc.

    Overall, it looks like Florida has the advantage with two solid quarterbacks and a solid defense. If they had more of a threat at tailback, they would be a complete football team. If the Gators can slow down McFadden, they should come out on top. This year's championship game could wind up being one of the better games on Saturday.

    Prediction: Florida 24-Arkansas 20.

    A Look Back At The SEC Championship Game

    Florida won the SEC title by beating Arkansas 38-28. The Gators have played in eight SEC title games, winning six of them. Florida will play Ohio State in the national title game January 8, 2007.

    Florida scored 38 points against a stingy Arkansas defense to win the SEC Championship Game for the sixth time in school history. Freshman Percy Harvin had 167 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns for the Gators. Harvin rushed for 105 yards and caught five passes for 62 yards. At quarterback for Florida, Chris Leak completed 16-of-30 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions.

    Casey Dick had another poor performance under center for Arkansas. Dick completed just 10-of-22 passes for 148 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Florida's defense kept star running back Darren McFadden in check by holding him to just 73 rushing yards.

    The Gators took an early 3-0 lead when Chris Hetland connected on a 33-yard field goal with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter. Arkansas tried to tie the game as time expired in the first quarter but Jeremy Davis missed wide right from 40-yards out.

    Thanks to special teams, Florida got the ball deep in Arkansas territory when Jarred Fayson broke through the line and blocked Jacob Skinner's punt attempt. Tremaine McCollum recovered the ball at the Arkansas nine-yard line. Leak then ran it in on the next play to put his team up 10-0 with 8:54 remaining before the half. The Gators got the ball back and quickly scored when Leak connected with Harvin on a 37-yard touchdown pass that gave Florida a commanding 17-0 lead with just over four minutes before intermission.

    Just before halftime, Arkansas finally got on the scoreboard when talented wide receiver Marcus Monk hauled in a 48-yard touchdown pass from Dick with 1:55 left to make it a 17-7 contest.

    After halftime, the Razorbacks' defense stiffened up to help Arkansas take its first lead. Leak was picked off by Weston Dacus at the Florida 32. McFadden then took an end around 15 yards down to the Gators four. Two plays later, the ball was directly snapped to McFadden, who then threw to an open Felix Jones in the end zone for the score to make it 17-14 with 12:06 left in the third. Florida was on the move when defensive end Antwain Robinson intercepted a Leak shovel pass and scampered 40 yards for a touchdown to give Arkansas a 21-17 lead.

    The Gators regained their composure and made things happen with a play on special teams. Arkansas' Reggie Fish tried to field a punt at his own five-yard line but the ball ended up in the end zone where Wondy Pierre-Louis fell on it for a Florida touchdown with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter.

    Harvin gave the Gators some breathing room when he took a misdirection handoff from the shotgun 67 yards for a touchdown that put Florida up 31-21 with 14:22 left in the game. Arkansas then quickly answered on a trick play. Dick took the snap and threw a pass to receiver Cedric Washington behind the line of scrimmage. Washington then found Felix Jones down the right sideline for a 29-yard touchdown to make it a field goal game, 31-28.

    Florida then put the game out of reach on an eight-play, 80-yard drive. Andre Caldwell capped the drive when he found Tate Casey on a reverse option for a five-yard score.

    Gift Ideas For Christmas

    With Christmas only a few weeks away, you may be having trouble finding that perfect gift for your family and friends. Here are a few ideas to help you choose which gift to add to your shopping list.

    Blackberries, MP3 players and video game consoles are still hot sellers, but this year also brings robotic mops, a device for serious TV addicts and gadgets that tell you where you are in the world.

    Microsoft's MP3 player The Zune retails for about $250 and holds 30 gigabytes worth of music and videos. It has a larger screen than the iPod, a wireless song-sharing feature and an FM radio. Its also rated as being just about as intuitive to use as the iPod. But the Zune online store doesnt have nearly the number of songs available as iTunes does for iPod.

    Apple has introduced its newest additions to the iPod line, including a thinner iPod Nano, starting at $149, and a new $79 Shuffle that holds up to 240 songs in a package the size of a matchbook.

    Cingulars BlackJack, T-Mobiles Dash and the Blackberry Pearl are among the hottest phones on the market right now. These are the handhelds that serve as digital organizers, play music and videos, allow Web surfing and e-mail checking.

    The BlackJack, made by Samsung, is available for about $200 with a two-year agreement with Cingular. Its thin and does a lot, though the buttons are tiny. The Dash, which has a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera, stylish looks and a QWERTY-style keyboard, along with Wi-Fi capabilities, goes for $200 with a T-Mobile contract. For Blackberry addicts, theres the Pearl, which is available from T-Mobile and soon from Cingular. Its the first Blackberry to include a built-in camera and a music and media player in addition to having more businesslike functions.

    PlayStation 3, the newest edition of Sonys PlayStation may be virtually impossible to find before Christmas, which has only added to its reputation as the must-have for serious video game players. The $600 version can play high-definition DVDs and has a 60-gigabyte hard drive and built-in wireless capabilities. The $500 version has a 20-gig hard drive and a few less features. Right now, the list of games designed for the PlayStation 3 isnt long, but that will change.

    By comparison, Nintendos latest console, the Wii, costs $250 and should be available at many stores. It doesnt deliver the same high-definition graphics as the PlayStation 3 or Microsofts Xbox 360, but its wireless, motion-sensing controller is fun, and its the only console that will play the newest Legend of Zelda title.

    After creating a hit with the Roomba, which vacuums by itself, iRobot this year introduced Scooba, which mops floors. The Scooba maps out its route and scurries around, spraying a mixture of water and cleaning fluid and then sucks it up. Unlike with a mop and bucket, dirty water is not recycled back onto the floor. Users have to manually empty the dirty cleaning solution tank when the robots done, and it doesnt always get the floor totally dry afterward, but most users seem, on the whole, to like it. The two versions of the Scooba retail for $300 and $400. The basic Roomba sells for about $150.

    The Slingbox Pro is a device that digitizes TV shows coming into your home, streams them onto your computer and allows you to watch the video content on a computer or cell phone elsewhere in your house or halfway around the world. The Pro allows users to remotely watch just about anything connected to their home TVs for $250. More basic Slingbox models are available for less than $200.

    The brand-new Magellan CrossoverGPS, priced about $550, is designed to be used both in the car and on the hiking trail. Next year, a traffic service that can help steer drivers around traffic jams will be available for the device. The TomTom GO, which costs about $900, is designed just for use in the car, but it gets high marks for its three-dimensional map display, ease of use and even the friendly voice it uses to speak the directions.

    If youre looking for high-tech gadgets for less than $50, there are plenty out there, such as cushy headphones for MP3 players and an endless array of iPod accessories.

    The Energizer Energi to Go can quickly charge a cell phone when an electrical outlets not handy. Priced between $15 and $20 at most places, the Energi to Go takes lithium or alkaline batteries, and Energizer makes adapters so the gadget can be used with 80 percent of the cell phones out there.

    Gift cards are perfect for those who are unsure what to buy their friends or family members but know where they shop. Gift cards can be bought for just about any amount and never expire.

    Chicken May Contain Harmful Bacteria

    Eighty-three percent of chicken sold in U.S. grocery stores may contain bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses, 34 percentage points higher than the rate it found three years ago.

    The investigation done by Consumer Reports tested 525 chickens that were purchased from supermarkets, bulk retailers, gourmet shops and natural food stores in 23 states. The chickens tested were infected with either campylobacter or salmonella bacteria or both. Both bacteria can cause diarrhea, cramping, fever, nausea and vomiting, and life-threatening infections in the elderly, babies and people with impaired immune systems.

    No major U.S. chicken brand fared better in the study than the others, but Tyson had the lowest salmonella level and the highest rate of campylobacter. Similarly, Perdue had the fewest samples with campylobacter, but the most cases of salmonella.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires chicken producers to test for salmonella, but not campylobacter. The agency will begin collecting data on campylobacter soon, but it is not clear if it will set federal limits or require routine testing.

    Many experts agree that proper handling and cooking can greatly reduce and even eliminate the risk of illness from chickens harboring salmonella or campylobacter bacteria. That means always cooking chicken thoroughly, to the point where there are no red juice.

    Other suggestions for reducing risk include:

    Chicken should be cooked to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

    At the grocery store, make chicken one of the last things you pick up before heading to the check-out line.

    Store and thaw chicken in the refrigerator, making sure its juices are contained and cannot contaminate other foods. Placing it on a plate, in a bowl, or inside a plastic bag is a good way to do this.

    When preparing chicken, wash your hands with soap and water after contact, and immediately clean cutting boards, knives, and anything else the chicken touches in hot, soapy water.

    Never return cooked meat to the plate that held it raw without washing the plate first.

    DCNR Commissioner Sells Out Parkway

    Developers apparently passed one hurdle to build a high density development along Shell Toomer Parkway in South Auburn. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources sold the right to enter the development from the Parkway.

    DCNR Commissioner Barnett Lawley on December 5 sold Parkway access to the multi-million dollar Summit development, despite the availability of frontage on another road, for $10,478.50 according to documents obtained by Access Auburn. The contract grants two "driveway easements" on Shell Toomer Parkway for the 637 unit development.

    The action may not be legal in the absence of specific rules for performing such actions. State law requires procedures to be documented and followed for such action and apparently none exist for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to grant the access. The law also requires the Commissioner to act in the best interest of the Parkway. In the past no access has been granted where alternate access was available.

    In December, the Auburn Planning Commission approved rezoning of the land to a Planned Development District (PDD) that would allow the higher density development--up to five units per acre along Shell Toomer Parkway--and permit building 140 condos on the property. The matter will go to the full council for final approval in January.

    Parkway Screensaver

    It's funny how it seems that the developers get real busy during the holidays when they think no one is looking. It easy to bulldoze houses and trees, and ramrod through rezoning issues in December when folks are out of town or busy shopping.

    Shell Toomer Parkway zoning amendments sailed through the Planning process to give the developers an early Christmas present.

    Teresa went out a few days ago to get some photos of the Parkway before the bulldozer crank up. They turned out so nice that we built a Shell Toomer Parkway screensaver. To install, download the file, right-click and select "Install."

    BCS National Championship

    It's safe to say, Florida just dominated Ohio State and definitely deserved to be playing for the national championship. I wanted the Gators to win and knew they probably would even though not many people gave them much of a chance.

    You may not agree, but I think the SEC is the best conference in the country. I doubt any team in the country could beat Florida or even LSU. I actually thought LSU might be the best team in the country after what they did to Notre Dame but after I just watched what the Gator defense did to the Ohio State offense, I'm convinced Florida is the best.

    The SEC also has the best head coaches in the country. There's Urban Meyer, Mark Richt, Steve Spurrier and Philip Fulmer in the east division. In the west you have Tommy Tuberville, Houston Nutt, Les Myles and the new coach at Alabama, Nick Saban.

    It will be interesting to see when those coaches go head to head against each other, which one can out smart the other. And the battle for recruits until signing day will be just as intense.

    The SEC is the best and will continue to be the best for years to come.

    2006 Record Year For Warmth

    Last year was the warmest on record for the United States. Seven months ended up being much warmer than average, with readings pushed over higher than normal by the unusually warm weather during the last half of December.

    Based on preliminary data by the NOAA National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C., the average temperature for the 48 contiguous states in 2006 was 55 degrees Fahrenheit, 2.2 degrees F above the 20th Century mean and 0.07 degrees F warmer than 1998, the previous warmest year on record.

    The data was collected from a network of more than 1,200 U.S. Historical Climatology Network stations. It was adjusted to remove artificial effects resulting from factors such as urbanization and station and instrument changes, which occurred during the period of record.

    After a cold snap at the beginning of December, unusually warm temperatures in the eastern two-thirds of the country during the last half of the month made it the fourth warmest December on record in the U.S. since records began in 1895. Minnesota, New York, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire had their warmest December on record and no state was colder than average in December.

    It is unclear how much of the recent warmth was due to greenhouse-gas-induced warming and how much was due to the El Nino-related circulation pattern. It is known that El Nino is playing a major role in this winter's short-term warm period.

    El Nino occurs every few years in the Pacific and can affect climate around the world, including producing warmer conditions in the United States.

    Digital Downloads Jump As Album Sales Fall

    According to music tracker Nielsen SoundScan, total U.S. album sales fell 4.9 percent in 2006, down nearly five percent from 2005. SoundScan counts CDs, cassettes, vinyl records and digital releases as "albums."

    Nielsen Soundscan said overall music sales, which includes albums, singles, music videos and digital tracks, jumped 19.4 percent to just over 1.19 billion units last year. The rise was fueled by a 65 percent increase in digital track sales over the previous year, with 582 million tracks sold and digital album sales more than doubled, with nearly 33 million sold last year.

    In the final reporting week of 2006, from December 25-31, digital track sales hit a new record of 30.1 million units, versus a previous record of 19.9 million in the year-ago period. Digital album sales for that period totaled more than 1.2 million units.

    The top-selling album of the year was the soundtrack to the Walt Disney Co. TV movie, "High School Musical," with sales exceeding 3.7 million units. Albums by Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Nickelback and Justin Timberlake rounded out the top five.

    Nielsen SoundScan also noted that for the first time, a digital song "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter broke the 2 million sales market in a year thanks to the play it got as the send-off song on "American Idol." It said 22 digital songs exceeded 1 million sales for the year, compared with only two digital songs in 2005.

    Check Fireplace For Safety

    If you have a fireplace, there's a good chance you haven't used it much since temperatures so far this winter have been above normal. Before you light up those logs on a cold evening, you should check your fireplace for safety.

    An annual inspection by a reputable chimney sweep is recommended to avoid possible chimney fires. A roaring fire can ignite tar and creosote that have built up in the chimney. Some insurance companies will provide homeowners a financial incentive to get an inspection.

    To inspect it yourself, take the cap off the top of the chimney and either shine a flashlight down the chimney or drop a light bulb on the end of an electric cord down the chimney to inspect the tile for cracks and for tar and creosote buildup. If there is a pipe from a fireplace insert in the chimney, check it for rust and creosote buildup.

    If there is a problem with buildup, clean the tile or pipe with a brush designed for that purpose, then reinspect to make sure you didnt cause additional damage.

    It's also a good idea to make sure smoke detectors are in working order and that flammable objects are moved at least three feet from a fireplace.

    Other tips for fireplace safety:

    • If your fireplace is not equipped with a gas starter, use kindling wood. Newspaper shouldnt be used because the flaming paper can rise and ignite a chimney if it has creosote buildup.
    • Make sure you start the fire and finish the fire with hot, dry wood to help eliminate residue buildup in the chimney.
    • Burn only seasoned firewood. The wood should be cut and stacked for use the following year. It will burn hotter and cause less residue buildup in your chimney.
    • Keep the top of chimneys clear of tree limbs or debris.
    • Install a chimney cap to keep debris and animals out of the chimney.
    • Always open the damper before lighting the fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. This will avert the build-up of poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide.
    • Do not overload the fireplace. Large fires can lead to overheating of wall or roof materials, particularly if the fireplace is constructed of metal.
    • Always use a screen around the fireplace to keep sparks from flying out and to protect children and adults from accidental clothing ignition.

    FDA Approves 1st Drug For Obese Dogs

    The Food and Drug Administration announced this month the approval of a prescription drug that helps dogs lose weight by reducing their appetite and limiting fat absorption.

    The new drug, Slentrol, curbs the animals appetite by blocking the assembly and release of lipoproteins into the bloodstream, apparently leading to reduced fat absorption and inducing the feeling of a full stomach.

    Pfizer, which won approval for Slentrol on January 5, says it will be available by prescription this spring. Slentrol can be fed directly into the dogs mouth or mixed with some food. An initial dose is given for the first 14 days, according to the FDA. After the initial period, the veterinarian will adjust the dosage and duration of treatment depending on the amount of weight loss needed.

    Veterinarians say the drug, which is expected to cost $1 to $2 a day, most likely will be used along with diet and exercise to help boost weight loss.

    Research suggests that if people were to take Slentrol, it could cause vomiting, diarrhea and changes in liver enzymes. These side effects also can occur temporarily in dogs.

    Nearly 20 percent to 30 percent of the almost 62 million dogs in the United States are overweight, according to the FDA, while about 5 percent are obese dogs defined as weighing 20 percent more than is ideal.

    As in humans, canine obesity is linked to a number of diseases including heart problems, diabetes and arthritis. Typically, the owners of an overweight dog can expect their animal to die two years earlier than one of normal weight.

    Stomach Flu Particularly Severe This Winter

    Norovirus strikes every year, but the illness sometimes known as "winter vomiting disease" is severe this year. The virus, best known as the cause of cruise ship outbreaks, is easy to catch, hard to wipe out and seems to be everywhere at once.

    First identified in 1972 but only routinely tested for in the past decade, norovirus is perfectly suited for causing dramatic outbreaks in crowded settings, including cruise ships, hospitals, nursing homes and hotels.

    Last week, the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport hotel had to be closed for several days so workers from a professional cleaning company could scrub and sanitize every surface after about 120 employees and guests were sickened by the virus. The crew will also clean carpets and drapes and mist each room with a disinfectant.

    Marc-Alain Widdowson, a medical epidemiologist at the the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that "this winter season seems to be worse than previous winter seasons."

    The last time it was notably severe was the winter of 2002-03, when there were several outbreaks on cruise ships, mainly caused by a new strain known as the Farmington Hills strain. There are 30 to 40 major strains; new variations are often responsible for spikes in the number of cases.

    Perhaps as few as 10 virions -- individual virus particles -- are enough to cause infection. The incubation period is usually a day or more. Three-quarters of people report vomiting and diarrhea, although only one-third have fever, and symptoms usually last about five days.

    This winter it is spreading mainly from person to person through communities, and experts believe the majority of cases are unreported.

    Once it's in the house, experts say, it's tough to wipe out. It can linger for days on surfaces such as children's toys, keyboards, telephones and door handles. Some common disinfectants -- such as alcohol-based waterless hand scrubs -- won't kill it.

    Norovirus is almost always passed through vomitus or feces and can be present in the stool up to three weeks after the patient recovers, so health officials stress the importance of hand-washing, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food.

    Current estimates are that at least half of the more than 75 million annual cases of food-borne illness in the United States are caused by norovirus. About 20 percent of people who go to a doctor because of acute diarrhea are infected with it. The virus is believed to cause 10 times as many cases of diarrhea-and-vomiting illness as the next-most commonly implicated microbe.

    Study Finds Cigarettes Have More Nicotine

    Harvard University researchers concluded in a new report that in recent years tobacco companies deliberately used tobacco richer in nicotine and also made design changes to give smokers more puffs per cigarette to more effectively hook smokers.

    An analysis of major-brand cigarettes sold in Massachusetts discovered that manufacturers increased the level of nicotine by about 11% between 1997 and 2005. Massachusetts is one of three states that require cigarette makers to submit information annually about nicotine testing and the only state with data going back to 1997.

    Levels for Marlboro, Newport, and Camel, the three most popular brands among young smokers, were particularly high, the state noted. But cigarette makers complained that nicotine levels, which are hard to control, vary widely from year to year and show no clear overall trend. The companies also maintained that if the state had included data from 1997 and 2005 the increase would not have been so large.

    The researchers did include the years from 1997 to 2005. They added up not only the machine-based measures used by the state but also metrics of cigarette design related to nicotine delivery, such as ventilation, nicotine content in the tobacco, and number of puffs. The results: The average rate of increase was 1.1% per year from 1997 to 2005, and 1.6% per year from 1998 to 2004, the years cited by the state.

    Philip Morris, the biggest U.S. tobacco maker, said nicotine levels of its top-selling Marlboro cigarettes had fluctuated but that the rates in 1997 and 2006 were identical.

    The researchers, as well as anti-smoking forces, said the study offers compelling evidence that the federal government should regulate tobacco much the way pharmaceuticals are controlled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Another One Bites The Dust

    All of the good restaurants around Auburn that I enjoy going to don't stick around for very long. I've been eating lunch at Auburn City Limits for about four years. Recently, they have decided to stop serving lunch.

    City Limits will still be open for dinner but I did enjoy the meal at lunch about once or twice a week. I guess business had gotten so slow that it wasn't worth opening up for lunch anymore.

    When I find a good place to go for lunch something always messes it up. First there was the buffet at the conference center at the Auburn University hotel. The buffet was served in the lounge for something like $4.75 including drink! That was the best deal ever. You got a choice of a meat and three vegetables along with rolls and salad.

    A new company bought the hotel and decided to stop serving the buffet in the lounge but the main restaurant still had the buffet along with deserts and more choices. That was still a great deal for around $8 which included your drink.

    Well, the new company decided to remodel the restaurant and lounge which took about a year to complete. I then started going to The Grille a few times a week. We all know what happened to that famous and popular restaurant. I think the all-you-could-eat spaghetti was delicious and probably the best thing on the menu.

    About the time The Grille closed the restaurant at the hotel opened back up as an italian place. It just wasn't the same. Prices for lunch are ridiculous and I didn't care for what was on the buffet. I love italian but what they have is too filling. Plus, prices for lunch should be no more than $8.

    Next, J. Williams served a buffet for lunch that I enjoyed for about a year until the owner sold the property for condos to be built on like every other place in Auburn.

    Hopefully I'll find another place to go to for lunch. Don't people in this town get tired of eating pizza and chicken fingers? That's all there seems to be. I need a good hearty meal for lunch instead of the grease.

    Shell Toomer Development Expands Again

    Take a drive on Shell Toomer Parkway and enjoy the view-- while you can. If an Auburn real estate development outfit has its way, the view will be changing dramatically in the near future.

    Developers Jimmy and Billy Cleveland filed papers with the City of Auburn's planning department to rezone the Summit development on the south side of the Parkway property for the second time this year at the December 14 Planning Commission meeting.

    Last September, the property was rezoned from Rural (R) zone to Limited Development District (LDD). At the time, the Cleveland Brothers provided preliminary the planning department plans for a 219-home development in support of a development agreement. Development agreements between the city and developers are negotiated to ensure that the city will have enough resources-- water, sewer, roads, public safety and schools-- in place to support the planned development.

    By the time the rezoning measure reached the City Council September 5, the Cleveland Brothers admitted they were planning 400-500 units. In the latest petition, they are requesting that the property be rezoned to Planned Development District (PDD) and have submitted a master plan calling for 637 units, including 180 condos.

    The plans call for a "boulevard" and another street to provide primary entrances on Shell Toomer Parkway.

    At the same September meeting, the City Council rejected plans for turning the Mitchell mansion on the property into a eight-bed bed and breakfast inn. In this proposal, the property becomes a 60-bed "lodge."

    The City Council is scheduled to meet to consider the rezoning measure in the council chambers at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6.

    Related Links

    Email the Planning Commission your opinion
    Email Auburn City Council your opinion
    Email Gov. Bob Riley your opinion
    Email Sen. Ted Little your opinion
    Email Rep. Mike Hubbard your opinion
    Email Dept. of Conservation your opinion

    AU-Ole Miss Game on TV

    The Auburn Athletic Department announced Sunday that the AU men's basketball game at Ole Miss this Saturday will be at 1 pm Central in Oxford, Miss., and will be televised by Lincoln Financial Sports.

    Tom Hammond and Larry Conley will be the announcers while Roger Roebuck produces and Dave Burchett directs the telecast.

    The Tigers play their regular season home finale Wednesday at 7 pm Central vs. LSU.

    Celebrate Art And Entertainment At Auburn CityFest

    Auburn CityFest 2007 will be held on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kiesel Park. Hosted by Auburn Parks and Recreation, this rain or shine free outdoor festival is a celebration of arts and entertainment in the Auburn community.

    Silver Wings, the official Fort Benning, Georgia, Command Exhibition Parachute Demonstration Team, will once again make an appearance at this years CityFest. The Silver Wings are comprised of soldiers from throughout the Fort Benning airborne community.

    The Silver Wings normally exit the aircraft from an altitude of 12,500 feet and free fall for about two miles at approximately 120 miles per hour. While in free fall, they use their hands, arms, legs and shoulders as flight controls. The parachutes used by the Silver Wings are considered flexible wing gliders, designed for maneuverability and precision. Watch them land at 10:30 a.m. on the green parking lot at Kiesel Park. Patrons are encouraged to enter through the Childrens Imagination Station.

    Kids of all ages will be entertained by the different activities that will take place throughout the day. The Childrens Imagination Station, located in one of Kiesel Parks largest fields, will feature 10 inflatables for kids to play on. Other activities include carnival games in the Gamma Phi Beta carnival, players from Auburn University sports teams signing autographs and taking pictures with patrons, and Auburn University's Raptor Center showing off their amazing birds.

    Two hot air balloons will be on display for all ages to enjoy. Early in the morning, the pilots will display their equipment and explain how the hot air balloons work. As the day progresses, the hot air balloons will be inflated and tethered for viewing.

    This year's festival will feature a wide variety of musical entertainment in the entertainment pavilion. Martha's Trouble starts things off at 9 a.m. The Village Squares square dancing club will perform from 12:30-1 p.m. Headlining this years CityFest will be Distant Cousins Bluegrass Band from Anniston. They will be performing from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. Local Pianist Tim Tyler will wrap things up with a performance from 3-5 p.m.

    For dog lovers, the 5th annual Mutt Strut will kick off CityFest Saturday morning. Mutt Strut is a 5K run on the beautiful trails through Kiesel Park, with all proceeds benefiting the animals of the Lee County Humane Society. Please make sure your dog is on a leash and has current rabies vaccinations.

    The registration fee for Mutt Strut is $20 the day of the race. Race day registration will be from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. with the 5K (3.1 mile) run beginning at 8:00 a.m. For additional information, contact the Lee County Humane Society at 821-3222.

    Visitors traveling to CityFest from Interstate 85 should take Exit 51 and turn north onto College Street (Hwy 29) and drive 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Shug Jordan Parkway and drive 1 mile. Turn left onto Wire Road/Lee County 137 and drive 3 miles. Turn right onto Chadwick Lane and drive 1.1 miles. Turn left into Kiesel Park and look for Green and Pink vendor parking lots.

    Those coming from 280 East, turn Right onto Hwy 147 and drive 2.8 miles . Turn right onto Shug Jordan Parkway and drive 2.5 miles. Turn right onto ramp that will take you to Hwy 14. Turn right onto Hwy 14 and drive 2 miles. Turn left onto Lee County 51 (Chadwick Lane). Drive 1 mile and Kiesel Park will be on your right. Look for Green and Pink vendor parking.

    Tom Slater

    I was glad to read that Auburn's baseball coach isn't in jeopardy of losing his job. Even though Slater's team got off to a great start and then fell apart in the middle of the season, he shouldn't lose his job.

    I know baseball is a pretty minor sport compared to football in Auburn, but it still doesn't mean we shouldn't be competitive on the baseball diamond. The Tigers have a tradition of winning over the years including making it to the College World Series in the late 90s.

    I'm more interested in Major League Baseball than college, but from what I've read in the three years that Slater has been here, he has done a good job of recruiting decent players. With his job secure and with Plainsman Park being one of the best stadiums in the country, he should continue to recruit well.

    I don't agree with firing coaches after they have only been here three years. They need at least five years to bring in there own players and to get everyone accustomed to their system.

    Let's hope next year Slater's team can get off to a good start which continues when they start conference play. If not, the team might be left out of the SEC Tournament for the fifth straight year. That definitely wouldn't be a good thing after all the success the teams had in the 80s and 90s.

    A Generation Lost in Space

    It's unfair to write off hundreds of Lee County heroes without at least bothering to check your facts. By now, the O-A news has likely heard from several of the hundreds of World War II veterans alive and well in Lee County.

    In a front-page story on Sunday, the paper reported the death of the last World War II veteran in Lee County.

    While our hearts reach out to the family and friends of the late gentleman, it would seem the reports of the demise of the Greatest Generation are greatly exaggerated.

    But really--this one does not even pass the sniff test. Do the arithmetic, newsboys. WWII ended in 1945. At that time, the draft age was 17. This means the majority of living males over the age of 79--and many women--are World War II era vets. The department of Veterans Affairs expects the number of veterans 85 years and older to swell over the next decade.

    O-A News, you owe an apology to an entire generation.

    And while you are at it you may want to drop a note to the oldest living World War I era veteran in the state--Floyd "Skipper" Matthews enlisted days before the Armistice was signed and went on to drive submarines during WWII.

    Matthews, who played an important part in the development of the aqualung and the diving bell, turned 104 on February 3. Send your note to:

    Lt. Commander Floyd "Skipper" Matthews, USN (Ret.)
    Regency Villa, Apt. 4
    102 Ana Circle
    Florence, Al 35630

    Cars And Trucks Are Lasting Longer

    A recent report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that cars, vans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks are racking up more miles than ever.

    Thirty years ago, 100,000 miles was considered the benchmark of a car's longevity. With today's vehicles equipped with more advanced engines, improved spark plugs, higher-performance synthetic oils and better exhaust systems, crossing the 100,000-mark on the odometer is pretty common.

    The report, compiled by R.L. Polk & Co., an automotive data firm, found that most passenger cars are now surpassing 150,000 miles, while most pickups, sport utility vehicles and vans are crossing the 180,000-mile barrier. A similar report in 1995 found that most passenger cars broke 125,000 miles and light trucks typically reached the 150,000-mile mark.

    In terms of years, the report found that passenger cars are lasting longer, while SUVs, vans and other light trucks are not lasting as long as they were in 1995. Transportation officials said the survival rate for light trucks may have dropped because the vehicles are used more for day-to-day transportation needs than hauling cargo.

    For passenger cars, the report said nearly 79 percent of 10-year-old vehicles are still on the road, up 7 percentage points for comparable vehicles in the 1995 data.

    Among SUVs, pickups and vans, it found that 69 percent of all 10-year-old light trucks are still being driven, down from 81 percent for the same type of vehicles in the 1995 study.

    Auto industry officials say cars and trucks are made today with a focus on long term durability. Three decades ago, the steel used in the body and frame had little protection, but now external parts have corrosion-resistant, electrogalvanized steel.

    Auto experts say that maintenance is very important for a vehicle's longevity. Motorists should change the oil according to the owner's manual. Experts also say motorists should check the levels of the coolant system monthly and have the condition of the coolant reviewed twice a year.

    Slow Days of Summer

    The days of no news about Auburn sports are upon us. The time between Memorial Day and the start of the college football season is very slow for us at Tigerland. The only thing people around here are talking about is the drought.

    I'm sure not many people know that the golf team is playing for the national championship and nine athletes from the track and field team qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Those two stories aren't even mentioned in the local paper and won't be unless the golf team brings home the championship.

    Things will be slow until the first of August when SEC Media Days start and when the media picks who they think will win the east and west in SEC football, which they rarely get right.

    Speaking of predictions, I doubt Auburn will win the west after seeing the brutal road schedule they have this year. With trips to Florida, LSU, Arkansas, and Georgia, the Tigers will be lucky to win half of those.

    Don't forget about us this summer while you're busy watering your lawn or while you're on vacation. I'm sure they'll be some interesting articles posted on Tigerland for you to check out. Starting July 16, our first of seven articles on the upcoming Auburn football season will be posted. Mark your calendars!

    Ozone Hole May Take Longer To Recover

    Based on a combination of new ozone measurements and computer models, scientists think the Antarctic ozone hole might take until 2065 to recover due to the world's persisting emissions of ozone-destroying chemicals.

    After it was discovered that chlorofluorocarbons destroy the protective sheath of ozone 20 miles above Earth, they were banned in 1996 as specified by the Montreal protocol. After the ban of CFCs, Scientists estimated the Antarctic ozone hole would recover by 2040 or 2050.

    Despite the ban, ozone-depleting chemicals still exist in sources such as fire extinguishers, automobile air conditioners, and refrigerators particularly in developing countries that don't yet have CFC alternatives. These stores will continue to be emitted until they are exhausted.

    The remnants of CFCs produced in the past are still causing damage to the ozone. Paul Newman from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center offers an explanation, CFCs have extremely long lifetimes in the atmosphere. CFC-11 has a lifetime of 11 years and CFC-12 has a lifetime of 100 years.

    NOAA scientist John Austin, who made one of the computer models, thinks that the Antarctic ozone hole is likely to take longer than 2065 to recover. Currently measuring 9.4 million square miles, the near North America size hole is short of being the largest ever recorded which was 10.1 million square miles in 1998.

    Broadband Gets Juiced

    50 million homes in the U.S. connect to the internet through broadband, typically cable or DSL. A new service could change the economics of broadband internet and transform what is largely a duopoly between cable and DSL into a competitive market.

    The new service connects to the internet through electrical sockets. The home user plugs a specialized modem into the wall socket and is immediately brought online at speeds up to 3 megabits per second, as fast as any broadband service on the market today. Known as "broadband over power lines," or BPL, the service is currently available to 16,000 homes in Cincinnati.

    Two major obstacles make transmitting internet signals through power lines difficult. The first is that power lines are designed not to interfere with other electromagnetic signals, such as radio and television. Metal wires made of aluminum and copper are also natural antennas. So, utility companies, in order to comply with FCC regulations over what gets broadcast where and how, learned to shield their systems from producing interference with these other licensed signals. A properly built electrical grid transmits electricity at a frequency of 60 hertz. In principle, those same wires could carry another signal, using a different frequency. The problem is that could jam up things like TV and radio transmissions.

    The other major technical challenge for BPL systems is that utilities "step down" electrical power from 10,000 volts to 120 volts before electricity enters the home. This is done through a transformer. Current Communications, the Cincinnati based company, figured out a way for internet signals to bypass the transformer by bringing BPL into the home without the risk of bringing along deadly 10,000-volt electricity with it.

    Current Communications and Cinergy, the Cincinnati utility that's providing the electrical grid for the service, tested the system for a year in 100 of the city's households. In addition to the 16,000 homes currently eligible for the service, they plan to offer it to 55,000 homes by the end of the year.

    BPL delivers a "symmetrical" service, where your upload speed is as fast as your download speed. Cable and DSL are "asynchronous." Your download speed may be fast, but your upload speed is only a fraction of that, typically 80 percent or 90 percent slower. The ability to deliver synchronous speeds is unique to BPL, and more and more internet users require a fast upload speed to get the most out of the internet. File-sharers upload files all the time, but there are other examples. Internet telephony requires some amount of uploading anytime you're on the phone, and video instant-messenger applications upload data, too.

    Understandably, utilities will be closely watching the way Cinergy works with Current Communications. If BPL is a hit with Cincinnati consumers, and it causes no problems when it comes to maintenance of the electrical grid, then it's hard to imagine why any utility would refuse to offer a similar service.

    BPL may even provide utilities with a benefit beyond additional revenue: The same system that transmits internet data can be used to remotely monitor household electricity usage, obviating the need to send a technician out to inspect the household meter. The system can also provide detailed feedback on electricity usage in real time, which could potentially detect brownouts before they escalate into blackouts.

    Current Communications intends to mimic what it has done with Cinergy throughout the rest of the country, partner with utilities to bring BPL to as many American homes as possible. It won't be the only one trying. A company called Amperion has rolled out a BPL service in Ontario and is in trials with EarthLink and Progress Energy to test a similar system in North Carolina. Last October, the city of Manassas, Va., signed an agreement with Powerline Communications to offer every household BPL access by the end of this year. Another entrant into this field is Ambient, which is undergoing field trials in Alabama in conjunction with a subsidiary of the utility Southern Co.

    If BPL takes off, cable and DSL will face even more pressure to lower prices while simultaneously increasing speed. That's the dynamic that made much of the rest of our technological world, from DVD players to personal computers, as cheap and ubiquitous as electricity.

    Alex City Jazz Fest

    One of the South's best kept secrets will occur this weekend in Alex City, Alabama. The 17th annual Alex City Jazz Fest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 8 & 9.

    The headliners, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen and Edwin McCain may not be very familiar, but those in the know will tell you that these are heavyweight musical acts.

    Kelly Hunt is making a return trip to the festival and was outstanding a few years back. The Robin Hill Band is local and should rock. The other two acts are new to me, but the promoters of this event continue to amaze me with the talent they discover for this event.

    Friday - June 8
    Tallapoosa Street Park - Alexander City, AL
    6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Robin Hill Band
    7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Kelley Hunt
    9:30 pm - 11:00 pm Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen
    Saturday - June 9
    Lake Martin Amphitheater
    6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wes Jeans
    7:30 pm - 9:00 pm The Lee Boys
    9:30 pm - 11:00 pm Edwin McCain
    The Alex City Jazz Fest is free to the public. There is a parking fee for Saturday night at the lake of $10 per car.

    The Sopranos

    I know the series finale has been written and talked about to death since it aired last week, but I finally caught the last few minutes a few days ago and wanted to throw in my two cents about the ending.

    I was channel surfing the other night and saw that it had just started. I don't think I ever watched a full episode during the nine years it was on. I've had HBO off and on during that time but don't ever really remember watching it. I'm sure I've seen bits and pieces over the years, but the show doesn't appeal to me for some reason.

    After flipping channels for about 45 minutes, I went back to HBO to catch the last five minutes. I kind of knew what was about to happen after hearing about it the whole week before. I can see why everyone that was watching freaked out when the screen went black before the credits ran. It was black for a good 10 seconds which made millions of people scramble for their remotes thinking their cable box stopped working. I read somewhere that estimated millions called their cable company to find out what just happened. HBO's website got so many hits that it crashed.

    I guess when you watch a show like that for nine years you get attached to it. Some people actually think Tony Soprano is real. I just don't get the popularity of it but it was a big hit for HBO.

    The ending was kind of lame. I've heard people say they wanted closure but didn't get it. And, most were upset that Tony didn't get "whacked." The Journey song that he selected on the jukebox was a nice touch. Will there be a movie? Probably so. Will I watch it? No way.

    Auburn Creates Jobs, Money For State

    Auburn University continues to generate billions of dollars for the economy of Alabama and that impact can be felt throughout the state. The university's research and outreach programs have created hundreds of jobs statewide.

    A recent study determined Auburn had a $4 billion economic impact on the state of Alabama, including a $1.5 million fiscal impact on the economy and a $2.4 billion impact in human capital.

    Auburn continues to provide the principal academic support for agricultural, construction and manufacturing industries that employ many of Alabamas citizens. It also supports these industries with research, which results in critical analysis, new-product development and other types of innovation. Auburn is also the leader of instruction and research for Alabamas emerging aerospace, automotive, microelectronics and wireless technology industries.

    The university has a partnership with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, which has faculty and staff throughout the state, plus regional, urban and 4-H centers. ACES supports thousands of acres of land for agricultural research through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.

    The Economic Development Institute at Auburn provides strategic planning for economic and community development through the Alabama Communities of Excellence program and partners with ACES in training public officials statewide in economic development. The Technical Assistance Center, a collaborative outreach effort of its Colleges of Business and Engineering, performs hundreds of projects annually for state industry. Auburn experts review operations and make suggestions that have generated millions of dollars in increased efficiencies and created hundreds of jobs statewide.

    In 2002-03, the reviews resulted in more than $8 million in increased sales, more than $9 million in retained sales and approximately $2.5 million in savings. The reviews also saved 156 jobs and created 30 new ones.

    These are just a few ways that Auburn University has an effect on the economy of Alabama. As part of its land-grant mission, the university continues to look for new and innovative ways to positively impact the lives of the citizens of Alabama.

    Fireworks Should Be Used With Caution

    With much of Alabama still under severe to extreme drought conditions, those who plan on using fireworks during the 4th of July are urged to use caution to avoid starting fires.

    State forestry authorities haven't outlawed the use of bottle rockets and other flying fireworks, but wisely urge caution and have placed restrictions on their use. In the 33 counties that are under a drought emergency, aerial fireworks may only be shot over water. Linda Casey of the Alabama Forestry Commission said that ground fireworks -- including firecrackers, sparklers and poppers -- can be used throughout the state.

    State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk recommended those who plan to make fireworks a part of the holiday celebration to keep a water hose or fire extinguisher close in the event of an emergency.

    Sparks from ground fireworks can ignite dry grass. A ground firework caused a field fire Friday in Toney, according to the Madison County Volunteer Firefighters Association.

    Here are more safety tips from FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration if fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own:

  • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.
  • Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
  • Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never shoot a firework at or near another person.
  • Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
  • Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.
  • Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
  • Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
  • Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
  • Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
  • Observe local laws.
  • Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
  • Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.
  • Neo-Traditionalism?

    At a recent Auburn Planning Commission meeting, the Cleveland Brothers introduced the Summit development, off Shell Toomer Parkway, as a "neo-traditional" development and asked the city to grant a number of zoning concessions.

    The Clevelands contend that Auburn's zoning ordinance does not support this planning model. This planning model is not new and is very similar to Auburn's own village concept. If needed, the zoning ordinance should be updated to accommodate our own village concept and many of the neo-traditional planning features it embodies.

    It is important that as we embrace the reasons why developers like building neo-traditional neighborhoods (higher densities, narrower roadways, and reduced parking requirements), we must require the developers to include the embedded shops, schools and public buildings that allow residents to perform many routine errands without using collector roads. Without these features, these subdivisions simply become more high density suburban sprawl.

    There is a very good article on neo-traditional neighborhood design on the Federal Highway Administration web site. This should be considered required reading for the Auburn City Council and the Planning Commission.

    The Summit is being developed under a performance zoning standard. Among other requirements, the zoning ordinance requires that a portion of the land be developed as green space. In a development this size, if there is not a piece of land big enough and flat enough to accommodate a pick-up softball game, then the developers are only paying lip-service to green space requirements by setting aside slivers of land (and water) that are not suited for development.

    The Cleveland Brothers have put forth some good ideas in their performance master plan for this new neighborhood. It is important that the Clevelands, Auburn's City Manager, planning staff, City Council and the Auburn Planning Commission all follow-through on intent of these planning concepts that will be implemented in Auburn for the first time in the coming years.

    There is only one chance to get it right the first time.

    Cox Is Healthy, Ready To Lead Offense In 2007

    Barring an injury during practice in August, there won't be a quarterback controversy in 2007 for AU. The Tigers will rely on a fifth-year senior to stay healthy and lead an offense that includes a group of talented receivers for the upcoming season.

    For the third straight year, Auburn will have the same familiar face start under center. Experience at the quarterback position for any team is a dream come true, especially in a conference like the Southeastern Conference. While experience is important, a quarterback who stays healthy during the grueling 12-game schedule will have a better shot of helping his team have a successful season.

    Even though the Tigers went 11-2 in 2006, including a 17-14 Cotton Bowl win over Nebraska, Brandon Cox wasn't 100 percent during most of the season after suffering an injury to his leg in the third game against LSU. The pain wasn't severe enough to sideline the 23-year-old, but with his leg wrapped in a heavy bandage, his movement was restricted and the passes that were thrown, weren't as crisp. Cox and others thought the two embarrassing losses at home to Arkansas and Georgia could have been different with a completely healthy quarterback.
    Brandon Cox
    Brandon Cox looks to stay healthy throughout the upcoming season. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The two blowout losses, including his dismal performance in the Georgia game where he only completed 4-of-12 passes for 35 yards and threw four interceptions, were still fresh on Cox's mind when spring practice began back in February. Cox had an outstanding spring and an even better A-Day game where he threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns while leading the Blue team to a 27-7 victory over the White team.

    Cox is determined to stay healthy for the entire 2007 season and looks forward to the season opener against Kansas State so he can improve on his numbers from a year ago that saw him throw nine interceptions and average just 169 yards per game, the seventh-best total among SEC starters. As a two-year starter, he has led Auburn to a 19-5 record. If he avoids the injury bug and has a big year, his record as a starter will be among the best in Auburn's history at the quarterback position.

    The real battle during spring drills was for the backup spot at quarterback. With no real clear winner, a backup will be named when preseason practice ends in late August. But, don't count on the name penciled in at the No. 2 spot to be the same throughout the season.

    Junior Blake Field has been the backup to Cox for the past two seasons. With heavy competition from redshirt freshmen Neil Caudle and Steven Ensminger, Field will have to stay consistent and improve on the mental aspect of his game to stay behind Cox on the depth chart.

    Caudle has a slight edge over Ensminger since he stayed healthy during the fall last year. True freshman Kodi Burns was highly recruited out of Arkansas and may surprise everyone by earning playing time once he learns the offensive system in preseason practice.

    In the fall, Auburn will have one of the deepest receiving corps in the SEC. Junior flanker Rod Smith is the leader of the group and will also be the go-to guy after last year's star Courtney Taylor was drafted by the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.
    Rod Smith
    Rod Smith should rack up big numbers as Auburn's top receiver. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Smith was named the most improved player by the coaching staff after leading all other receivers in the scrimmages with 14 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns in spring practice. Smith started all 13 games last year and caught 26 passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns.

    Behind Smith is redshirt freshman Tim Hawthorne. Hawthorne missed much of spring drills after being in a one-car accident that took the life of a close friend. He'll have a lot of work to do in August to make up for the time that he missed during spring drills to have a chance of seeing playing time once the season starts.

    Senior Prechae Rodriguez will start at split end, Taylor's old position. Rodriguez hasn't lived up to his potential since coming to Auburn from junior college in 2005. If Rodriguez fails to improve on his numbers from a year ago, he could lose his starting job at split end to sophomore Montez Billings. Billings had a solid spring which he hopes will earn him playing time in the fall.

    Junior Robert Dunn will be the starter at the slot position. Dunn will have to hold off stiff competition from redshirt freshman Terrell Zachery if he wants to remain the starter.

    With a healthy quarterback and plenty of talented receivers for him to get the ball to, Auburn should see an improvement in its offensive numbers from last season. With games at Florida, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia, the Tigers will have to play at the very top of their game just to be lucky enough to win one of the four away games. The remaining schedule has eight home games including the season-opener Sept. 1 against Kansas State. When all is said and done, look for Auburn to finish the regular season with nine wins.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: A look at Auburn's loaded backfield which includes Carl Stewart as the starter at fullback.

    Auburn's Backfield Has Wealth Of Talent

    As Auburn begins preseason practice in a few weeks, one word comes to mind when you glance at the tailback depth chart: loaded. With so much talent in the backfield every year, it isn't surprising that Auburn is often referred to as "Running Back U."

    The rich tradition of running backs at Auburn probably began in the late 70s with William Andrews, Joe Cribbs and James Brooks. As the Pat Dye era began, along came Lionel James and a guy named Bo. The Tigers continued to produce talent at the running back position for the rest of the 80s and during most of the 90s.

    When current head coach Tommy Tuberville took over the program in 1999, the Tigers were experiencing an unusual lack of talent in the backfield. Tuberville soon realized in order for him to be successful at Auburn, he would have to find running backs who could get the job done against tough defenses in the Southeastern Conference. Tuberville found an unknown tailback in junior college named Rudi Johnson. Johnson spent only one year on the Plains after he decided to skip his senior year to enter the NFL Draft. Tuberville's recruitment of Carnell Williams along with Ronnie Brown helped put Auburn back on the map as the nation's top running back school.
    Brad Lester
    Brad Lester takes over for Kenny Irons as Auburn's top tailback. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Kenny Irons continued the rich tradition of talented running backs on the Plains when he transferred from South Carolina in 2005. After two seasons as the starter at tailback for the Tigers, Irons will play alongside Johnson after being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in April. Taking over for Irons is the speedy junior Brad Lester. When healthy, Lester has all of the tools to be an every-down back, but he's been plagued by injuries since he's been at Auburn and that will cause some to question whether or not he can handle the pounding he'll get as a starter. Even Irons had trouble staying healthy during his senior season last year.

    The good news is, Lester remained relatively healthy during the entire season in 2006 and has gained some weight during the offseason. With 104 carries for 510 yards and nine touchdowns last year, he should be confident enough to be Auburn's every-down back. If Lester can't stay healthy during the long stretch of 12-games, there is plenty of young talent waiting in line to take his place.

    Sophomore Ben Tate is currently behind Lester on the depth chart at tailback. Don't be surprised to see him lined up at the fullback position to show off his blocking skills and his ability to move out of the backfield to become an extra threat as a receiver. Last year as a freshman, Tate gained 392 yards on 54 carries and scored three touchdowns as the No. 3 tailback.

    The No. 3 spot will probably belong to both Mario Fannin and Tristan Davis. Davis is returning to his natural position after helping out in the secondary last year. Fannin spent last season on the scout team as a redshirt freshman where he made great strides after being a stellar quarterback in high school. The experience he gained on the scout team and his performance during spring drills will likely earn Fannin some playing time during the upcoming season.
    Carl Stewart
    Carl Stewart returns as the starter at fullback. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Newcomer Enrique Davis adds even more depth to an already saturated backfield. Davis just graduated high school so he'll have to get accustomed to the speed of the college game in practice before he gets a chance to play.

    At fullback, or the "F-back" position, Carl Stewart is the starter again this year. Even though the fullback isn't typically a big part of the gameplan, Stewart made some important blocks for the tailbacks and was a factor as a receiver out of the backfield for the Tigers in 2006. Look for Stewart to continue to be an important part of the offense during his senior season.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Offensive line coach Hugh Nall will have to replace four of last years starters on the offensive line. Also, Cole Bennett returns at tight end after missing most of last season with a broken ankle.

    Cox Is Healthy, Ready To Lead Offense In 2007

    Cleveland Trip

    Recently I went to Cleveland for about a week. I've been there several times since I'm lucky to have family that lives in the area. As usual, it was very enjoyable and nice to get out of the south during the heat of July.

    The weather up there spoils you by making you think that fall is coming soon. While I was there, temperatures were in the 50s at night and 70s during the day. It felt like October. Once you return home, you soon realize you won't feel temperatures like that again for another three long months. Our summer months are like their winter months, they seem to last forever.

    As a big baseball fan, I was excited about going to Jacobs Field to watch the Indians play the Chicago White Sox. When the trip was being planned months ago, the White Sox were expected to be one of the top teams in the American League. As it turns out, they are one of the worst. I figured the Indians would probably cruise to an easy victory the night I went.

    The game was a wild one. Chicago jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the top of the 6th. So much for an easy Cleveland victory, right? The Indians didn't win but came very close. They managed to score eight runs before losing 11-10.

    As much as I love baseball, the game wasn't the highlight of my trip. One night there was an art exhibit in the park down the street from where my aunt and uncle live. We all decided to go since it was such a nice night and it was walking distance from their house. I never dreamed I would get to meet a famous person in the little town of Bay Village that night.

    Patricia Heaton from "Everybody Loves Raymond" was there and I was lucky enough to talk to her for a few minutes. She actually grew up in Bay Village and owns a house there. She was very down-to-earth and couldn't have been nicer. My aunt and uncle knew her since my cousin helped produce a play she was in recently in NYC.

    Mrs. Heaton mentioned something about having to go back to Los Angeles soon to begin taping her new sitcom called "Back To You" with co-star Kelsey Grammer. I commented back by saying that I have never been to L.A. before. She invited us to come out there and attend a taping of the show. So it looks like I'll probably be going out to L.A. sometime in the future. That's very exciting!

    I've seen promos for "Back To You" which will air on Fox beginning Sept. 19. From what I've seen, it'll be a big hit. She said she expected it to run for at least seven years. That's impressive for any show. Most shows are lucky if they last a year or two.

    I know I'll be watching.

    Offensive Line Is Work In Progress

    The offensive line will be the most watched group when preseason practice starts this week. With four of last year's starters having to be replaced, it'll be important for the young men on the line to quickly mature before the season-opener Sept. 1.

    Replacing four of five starters on the offensive line should be an easy task for a veteran line coach like Hugh Nall. Nall doesn't look at it that way though after losing Ben Grubbs to the first-round of the NFL Draft, as well as veterans Tim Duckworth, Joe Cope and Jonathan Palmer during the offseason.. That group of linemen played well together through communication and chemistry which helped paved the way for Auburn to have an 11-2 record.

    In the short time that the four new linemen and the only returning starter practiced together in the spring, Nall said the group lacked chemistry and has a long way to go before they are ready to line-up against Kansas State in the season-opener. Nall hopes to have the depth chart in order once preseason practice wraps up in late August but cautions that it may have some changes once the season progresses.
    King Dunlap
    King Dunlap (77) is the only returning starter on this year's offensive line. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The only position that is locked down is at left tackle where King Dunlap will once again be the starter. The 6-foot-8, 320-pound senior was the youngster on last year's veteran line. Despite starting all 13 games at left tackle last year, Dunlap felt his performance was inconsistent at times. He plans to be more aggressive on every down in 2007 which he believes will greatly improve his game.

    Sophomore Oscar Gonzalez is currently the backup to Dunlap but could play any position on the line, especially at right tackle. There, he will be competing with Andrew McCain and Antwoin Daniels for the starting job. The 6-foot-6 McCain beat out Daniels for the starting right tackle slot after spring drills, but he won't have any room for error with Daniels close behind.

    At left guard, junior Tyronne Green gets the nod after being a backup for Grubbs for the past two seasons. The 6-foot-2, 308-pound former defensive lineman made great strides in the spring which earned praise from Nall.

    Starting at right guard will be Leon Hart. Hart has finally found a home at right guard after playing numerous positions on the line since coming to Auburn in 2004. The 6-foot-4, 302-pound senior was a four-star Rivals recruit coming out of Spring Valley High School in Columbia, S.C. Hart's career at Auburn has been somewhat of a disappointment since many thought he would earn a starting job before his senior season.

    Junior Jason Bosley has plenty of experience as a starter at the important center position. Bosley filled in nicely in four games last year when Cope was injured. Backup redshirt freshman Mike Berry could push for playing time at center but Bosley seems to be the solid choice. Berry will probably be tested out at guard or at right tackle.

    The tight ends will be more involved in the offensive schemes that offensive coordinator Al Borges plans to use. The two-tight end package was put in place in the spring and some three-tight end packages will be worked on in preseason practice. Those new packages were added because Auburn is lucky to have plenty of talent and experience at tight end.
    Gabe McKenzie
    Gabe McKenzie performed well last season when starter Cole Bennett went down with an injury. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Cole Bennett thought his career at Auburn was over when he suffered a broken ankle in last year's 7-3 victory over LSU. Bennett changed his mind about coming back to the Plains and took a medical redshirt so he could return for his senior season. His decision to return was great news for the coaching staff since he's an outstanding blocker and also because he provides needed leadership for the younger position players.

    The Tigers were surprised at how well youngsters Gabe McKenzie and Tommy Trott performed when Bennett was lost for the season. McKenzie was an excellent blocker and a valuable receiver in 2006 when he caught 12 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. Trott's best game came in Auburn's 24-17 victory over South Carolina when he caught three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: The defensive line will be solid again with Quentin Groves back for his senior season after deciding not to enter the NFL Draft.

    Cox Is Healthy, Ready To Lead Offense In 2007

    Auburn's Backfield Has Wealth Of Talent

    D-Line More Experienced In Muschamp's Second Year

    With a new defensive coordinator, last year's defensive line performed well under the pressure of learning a new system. This year's line returns three starters, including a defensive end that needs four sacks to become Auburn's all-time sack leader.

    In his first year as defensive coordinator, Will Muschamp was pleased with how his defensive unit responded to the tough transition of learning new schemes and new terminology. At times though, the defense played inconsistent and gave up some big plays, especially in the lopsided losses to Arkansas and Georgia. On a positive note, the defense was able to create turnovers in the opponent's plus zone which were converted into points by the offense. Muschamp believes the depth and experience on this year's line will help the unit be more consistent throughout the entire season.
    Quentin Groves
    Quentin Groves looks to become Auburn's all-time sack leader in 2007. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The line got a big boost in the offseason when defensive end Quentin Groves decided to forgo the NFL Draft and return for his senior year. He was projected as a mid-round pick - between the third and fifth rounds of the seven-round draft. By staying, Groves can work on getting better at stopping the run which he believes will improve his status in next year's draft.

    Last season, Groves had 37 tackles, a career-high 9 sacks and a team-leading 12 tackles for a loss. With 23 sacks in his career, he needs just four more to move into first place on Auburn's career sacks list.

    As a versatile player, Groves will see playing time at linebacker when Auburn uses a 3-4 defense in blitzing situations. The defense will be centered around the talented senior and the coaches expect him to be one of the dominating players in college football this year.

    Sophomore Sen'Derrick Marks will be lined up at the other defensive end spot but he'll play more as a defensive tackle, especially in pass-rush situations. Marks played in all 13 games last year as an effective pass rusher in the 4-3 defensive scheme. He had 38 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for a loss.

    Antonio Coleman and Michael Goggans are the backups at defensive end. Coleman had 18 tackles and six quarterback hurries in a backup role last season while Goggans is moving back to his natural position after trying out tight end in 2006.
    Josh Thompson
    Josh Thompson starts again at tackle for the Tigers. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The two tackle positions belong to senior Josh Thompson and junior Pat Sims. Thompson started all 13 games at tackle last year and led Auburn linemen in tackles with 43. Sims started out slow as a backup last year but saw improvement as the season progressed. His best game came in Auburn's 17-14 Cotton Bowl victory over Nebraska when he posted three tackles and a sack.

    Reserve tackles Tez Doolittle, Mike Blanc, Jermarcus Ricks, and Zach Clayton will all have a chance to play when Muschamp employs the 3-4 defensive scheme against teams that like to run and in 4-3 packages against West Coast offenses.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: With Will Herring and Karibe Dede gone, Tray Blackmon and Merrill Johnson will be the leaders for Auburn's linebackers.

    Cox Is Healthy, Ready To Lead Offense In 2007

    Auburn's Backfield Has Wealth Of Talent

    Offensive Line Is Work In Progress

    Former AU President Walker Dies

    Former Auburn University President William F. Walker passed away Tuesday due to complications from cancer. Walker became Auburn's interim President February 12, 2001 and had the interim title removed by the AU Board of Trustees June 3, 2002.

    Just 45 days after flying to Louisville to meet with then Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino in a controversial incident that was dubbed "Jetgate," Walker resigned Auburn's presidency effective January 16, 2004.
    Born Dec. 1, 1937, in Sherman, Texas, Walker earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He later got his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University.
    He was on the faculty at Rice University when he was recruited to Auburn as dean of the College of Engineering in 1988.
    Walker served as Auburn's Provost prior to becoming President.

    Linebackers Lack Depth, Experience

    With two starters gone from last year's unit, Auburn will have to rely on a talented but inexperienced group of linebackers to help the defense clog up the middle in James Willis' second year as linebackers coach.

    The linebacker corps played a big role in Auburn's success on defense in 2006. As a whole, the defense gave up 124.2 yards per game on the ground and 168.2 through the air. The stingy unit allowed just 13.9 points per game which turned out to be huge when the Tigers' offense struggled at times to score points.

    With Will Herring, Karibe Dede and Kevin Sears lost to graduation, coach Willis is faced with finding the best players to start at each linebacker position for Auburn to once again have another solid group.

    The depth at linebacker got a little thinner when it was announced in May that Patrick Trahan is ineligible because of grades and recently when Steve Gandy suffered another concussion during a fall practice session. Trahan moved his way into the starting spot on the strong side after spring drills. Gandy's career is over after he's sustained four concussion in less than a year. He was set to see plenty of playing time in a backup role on the weak side.

    In Trahan's place, redshirt freshman Craig Stevens will start on the strong side. As a true freshman last season, Stevens played in three games before suffering a sprained ankle and getting a medical redshirt. In the spring, he showed a lot of progress and added some weight which should help him keep the starting job.

    Junior Courtney Harden is currently listed behind Stevens but could see playing time at middle linebacker which is where he has spent most of his Auburn career. Harden was impressive last fall when he played in all 13 games and finished with five tackles.
    Tray Blackmon
    Tray Blackman returns for his sophomore season after being suspended for much of 2006. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Tray Blackmon, nicknamed "Little Ball of Hate" by his teammates, almost saw his career on the Plains end after playing in just six games as a redshirt freshman last season. Blackmon was suspended for the first six games after being arrested for underage drinking in the offseason. Then, he was suspended again for the Cotton Bowl for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

    The talented sophomore is back in good standing with the coaching staff after taking spring semester off to deal with personal issues. Blackmon has bulked up to 220 pounds and is eager to pick back up where he left off last season when he had 18 tackles and three fumble recoveries.

    In his first game as a starter, Blackmon helped Auburn knock off eventual national champion Florida 27-17. In the victory, Blackmon recovered a fumble when the Gators were on the verge of scoring at the Auburn 16-yard line and returned it 22 yards to the Auburn 38.
    Merrill Johnson
    Merrill Johnson will be a strong presence on the weak side. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Junior Merrill Johnson will be counted on to be more athletic this year when the linebackers are put into situations that call for them to be in stunts and blitzes. As the starter on the weak side, he also adds much needed experience since he played in all 13 games last season while starting six. As a sophomore, he totaled 35 tackles mostly at middle linebacker.

    With Gandy's career over, newcomers Josh Bynes and Bo Harris have the best shot of making an immediate impact when Auburn opens the season Sept. 1 against Kansas State. Their size and speed gives them an advantage over the other newcomers at seeing playing time, especially on the strong side. Bynes is a 6-foot-2, 212-pounder who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. Harris is listed at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds with excellent speed that he used to be a solid running back and defensive end in high school.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: A look at how Auburn's secondary could be the strength of the defense.

    Cox Is Healthy, Ready To Lead Offense In 2007

    Auburn's Backfield Has Wealth Of Talent

    Offensive Line Is Work In Progress

    D-Line More Experienced In Muschamp's Second Year

    Secondary Could Be Highlight Of Auburn's Defense

    With three seniors starting in Auburn's secondary, the unit could possibly be the strength of this year's defense. With the experience in the secondary, the coaches hope it will result in more consistency in 2007.

    Last year's secondary didn't get enough credit for the plays they made with David Irons stealing much of the spotlight. With Irons gone to the NFL to play for the Atlanta Falcons, the unit will get the attention they deserve when they create turnovers and make big plays that lead to Auburn victories.
    Eric Brock
    Eric Brock should have a solid senior season as the starter at strong safety. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    One defensive back that was overlooked last year was strong safety Eric Brock. As a junior, Brock started 11 games and finished fourth on the team with 50 tackles.

    In two key SEC games last year, Brock played an important role. In the 7-3 victory over LSU, he deflected a pass at the goal line on fourth down, then tackled LSU's receiver on the final play of the game at Auburn's 4-yard line to seal the win.

    The other game was the Tiger's 27-17 victory over Florida when he led the team with five tackles, all solo, and intercepted the Gators at Auburn's 46-yard line on Florida's second-to-last possession of the game. The interception set up an Auburn field goal.

    Brock will have to fight off competition from redshirt freshman Zac Etheridge to keep his starting job at strong safety. Etheridge had a good spring which saw him listed in front of Brock for a few days on the depth chart. Depending on how things go in fall practice, he could regain the top spot but he'll likely remain the backup with the possibility at seeing playing time at free safety or cornerback.

    Sophomore Aairon Savage returns as the starter at free safety. Last year as a redshirt freshman, Savage steadily improved throughout the season and ended up with 48 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, two sacks and three tackles for lost yardage. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance at Ole Miss when he had a team leading six tackles and one interception.

    Patrick Lee is another defensive back that was often overlooked last season. In the battle with South Carolina that went down to the last play, Lee knocked the ball away from South Carolina's best receiver to preserve the 24-17 Auburn victory.
    Jerraud Powers
    Jerraud Powers could push his way into the starting lineup at cornerback. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Lee will start at right cornerback while fellow senior Jonathan Wilhite gets the nod on the left. Wilhite started in 10 games last season but gave up some big plays which will hopefully be corrected in preseason practice. Sophomore Jerraud Powers will see plenty of playing time at both cornerback positions and when the defense uses the nickel and dime package.

    Senior Zach Gilbert and sophomore Walter McFadden will be backups at left cornerback and will also play the nickel and dime positions. Incoming freshman Michael McNeil adds depth to the secondary and could have an opportunity to make a contribution to the team very early in his career.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Special teams will be a work in progress with the loss of Kody Bliss and John Vaughn.

    Cox Is Healthy, Ready To Lead Offense In 2007

    Auburn's Backfield Has Wealth Of Talent

    Offensive Line Is Work In Progress

    D-Line More Experienced In Muschamp's Second Year

    Linebackers Lack Depth, Experience

    Freshmen Will Handle Special Team Duties

    Special teams played an important role in Auburn's eleven wins last season. With the kickoff specialist, punter and field goal kicker all lost to graduation, two freshmen will be counted on to replace the successful trio from last year.

    Without seniors Kody Bliss, John Vaughn and Matt Clark, Auburn wouldn't have celebrated several SEC victories in 2006. In the 7-3 victory over LSU, Bliss averaged 48.2 yards per punt which helped Auburn control the field position game. LSUs average starting field position in its last seven possessions was its own 18-yard line. He also averaged 57 yards per punt in Auburn's hard fought victory over South Carolina and his 50.2 yards per punt kept Alabama's average starting field position at its own 25-yard line.

    Against Florida, Vaughn was successful on four of five field goals and the Tigers blocked a Gator punt resulting in a Tre Smith touchdown. Special teams put 19 points up on the scoreboard when Auburn's offense failed to score a touchdown.

    Clark's strong kicking leg kept opponents from having a chance of starting off with good field position. Fifty-one of his 66 kickoffs were downed for touchbacks, giving Auburn the lowest percentage of returned kickoffs in the country.
    Ryan Shoemaker
    Ryan Shoemaker was named Auburn's punter after having a solid preseason camp. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The job for Bliss' replacement came down to redshirt freshman Ryan Shoemaker and true freshman Patrick Tatum. Shoemaker went into preseason camp as the starting punter but a groin injury caused him to be sidelined for a week. Tatum performed well during Shoemaker's absence, but special teams coordinator Eddie Gran recently announced that Shoemaker will be the punter when Auburn takes the field against Kansas State Sept. 1.

    Handling kickoffs, field goals and extra points will be true freshman Wes Byrum. Byrum beat out walk-on Graham Sutter, Zach Kutch and Ross Gornall. In fall practice, Byrum has made an impressive 86 percent of his field goal attempts. On kickoffs from the 30-yard line, he usually gets the ball to the goal line or one-yard deep with a hang-time of around 4.1 seconds.
    Tristan Davis
    Tristan Davis will miss the first few games of the season because of a broken toe. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The Tigers were set to have Tristan Davis return kickoffs again this year, but the speedy junior is out for a month with a broken toe. Davis was outstanding last year when he set the Auburn single-season record with 756 kickoff return yards, and was fourth in Auburn's single-season history with a 27.0-yard average.

    While Davis is sidelined, running backs Mario Fannin, Ben Tate and Brad Lester, along with defensive backs Patrick Lee and Walter McFadden will all have a shot at returning kickoffs. Right now, it looks like Lee and Fannin are the leaders but that could change as the season goes along.

    One area of concern for Gran is the inconsistency on punt returns so far in preseason camp. Robert Dunn was penciled in as the main punt returner again this season but he dropped two punts in a recent scrimmage which may cause him to lose his job to Fannin or Chris Slaughter.

    Enjoy the season!

    Phil Marion

    Cox Is Healthy, Ready To Lead Offense In 2007

    Auburn's Backfield Has Wealth Of Talent

    Offensive Line Is Work In Progress

    D-Line More Experienced In Muschamp's Second Year

    Linebackers Lack Depth, Experience

    Secondary Could Be Highlight Of Auburn's Defense

    August 28 School Tax Vote

    This Tuesday, August 28, we will have the opportunity to vote on a school tax in Auburn. I have never voted against a school tax. Education is a worthwhile public investment that pays tremendous dividends for years to follow.

    But some times you have to vote against your best interest to send a message to the powers that be.

    I am a voter.

    I does not mean that I am over 18 and registered; I am a Voter with a capital "V."

    If the polls are open and my name is on the list, I'll be there. If it's a bond issue affecting only our neighbors in Chambers County or a runoff for Constable, you can check off my name.

    A recently approved housing development in Auburn covering hundreds of acres, if incorporated, would become one of the 200 largest cities and towns in Alabama. Yet, it has no schools, no parks, no public facilities of any sort, no police cars, no fire station and access to no roads that meet the city standards to be collector roads. The developers will of course depend upon us, the good citizens of Auburn to provide these services. The result is school children in trailers, teachers without internet in the classroom, substandard fire ratings, sickly creeks and streams, and overworked city employees. These high density developments contribute little to the community but demand a great deal.

    Of course, the argument is that the tax revenue from all this explosive new development will fill the coffers to pay the bills. But the dollars will begin to arrive long after the developers have pocketed their millions and moved on to the next great thing, and long after the facilities must be in place to accommodate the new neighbors and their children. As long as new growth is required to pay for today's needs the City of Auburn will remain behind the curve.

    While being one of the fastest growing cities in America is touted as an accomplishment, high growth rates are unsustainable and can create cash-flow problems and strain city services. Moderate planned growth rates can generate the revenue to provide services without tax rate increases to provide needed facilities.

    The other argument that even harder to deny is that it is "for the children." But even with children, we have to teach them the meaning of "no."

    But maybe there is a way out. Let's institute a point system for developers. You develop 50 properties and you buy the city a police cruiser; for your 100 milestone you get to build and "donate" a new city park; the 200th ought to be worth a fire truck, the 300th a public pool, and for special occasions like the 500th you get to build a new school for the city.

    This crazy Jimmy Stewart scheme might just work. Even Mr. Potter could help make Bedford Falls a nicer place to live.

    The powers that be should listen to me because I am a voter.

    School Tax Defeated

    A measure to increase property taxes to benefit schools failed Tuesday in Auburn. 4,372 voters turned out in the single issue election to raise the school tax by 7 mils.

    Unofficial Results
    City of Auburn Special Municipal School Tax Election
    August 28, 2007

    Ward For School Tax Against School Tax
    Ward 1 47 73
    Ward 2 346 416
    Wards 3 & 4 331 394
    Wards 5 & 6 713 655
    Wards 7 & 8 604 760
    Absentee Box 13 20
    Total 2054 2318

    Predictions For Week One SEC Games

    Last year's predictions were 77-18 overall. The predictions for the 2007 season begin with a Thursday night SEC battle between LSU and Mississippi State. Auburn hosts Kansas State Saturday night at 6:45 p.m. CT on ESPN.

    LSU at Mississippi State, Thursday, 7 p.m CT, ESPN

    LSU and Mississippi State get the conference schedule going a few days before the rest of the league on national television. The Tigers could possibly play for the national championship in Les Miles' third year as head coach. LSU was ranked No. 2 by the Associated Press in the writers' preseason poll, its highest AP preseason ranking since 1959.

    Sylvester Croom begins his fourth season as head coach for the Bulldogs. His team is expected to finish last in the SEC West. Mississippi State won just three games for the third straight season in 2006, but four of their losses were by three points each. They will be led by senior WR Tony Burks, who caught 35 passes for 850 yards, a 24.3-yard per catch average, and five TDs in his first season in Starkville.

    The Tigers have won seven straight over the Bulldogs by a 295-81 margin, including two shutouts. The last Mississippi State victory over LSU was 17-16 in 1999 in Starkville. Matt Flynn makes his first-regular season start at quarterback for LSU. He takes over for JaMarcus Russell, who was selected first overall in the NFL draft. Flynn's favorite target will likely be senior WR Early Doucet after the departure of Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis. Last season, Doucet had 59 catches for 772 yards and eight TDs.

    Prediction: LSU 45-13.

    Kansas State at Auburn, 6:45 CT, ESPN

    Tommy Tuberville begins his ninth season on the Plains against Big 12 opponent Kansas State. Auburn has won 16 of its last 21 season openers, including a 5-3 mark under Tuberville. In the last three seasons, Tuberville has directed the Tigers to 33 wins and an .868 winning percentage (33-5) which is tied for third best in the country in both categories.

    On offense for Auburn, quarterback Brandon Cox is finally healthy after playing hurt for much of last season. The offensive line is talented but not very experienced, as are the wide receivers. TB Brad Lester was expected to be the starter but that may not be the case. Lester may not play at all. If he doesn't play, Ben Tate will start, while Mario Fannin and Carl Stewart will get plenty of carries.

    The strength for the Tigers in 2007 will be the defense. The unit has had another year to grasp Will Muschamp's schemes and terminology. Senior DE Quentin Groves will be the leader while a talented secondary looks to create more turnovers. LB Tray Blackmon is back with the team after a suspension-filled season a year ago.

    Special teams will have a new look with Ryan Shoemaker handling punts, and Wes Byrum handling kickoffs, field goals, and extra points. Tristan Davis will miss about a month after breaking a toe during preseason practice. Handling kickoffs in his place will be Mario Fannin and Patrick Lee. Robert Dunn will be Auburn's main punt returner.

    When Kansas State has the ball, sophomore QB Josh Freeman will start under center. He'll have talented WR Jordy Nelson as his main threat to go deep. Nelson has hauled in 84 receptions for 1,216 yards and nine TDs during his career as a Wildcat.

    A total of 15 players who started at least one game on defense last season return, including six who were in Kansas State's lineup for seven or more contests. Junior Ian Campbell tied the school record for sacks last season with 11.5 and led the Big 12 in tackles for losses with 17.5. He'll play both defensive end and outside linebacker in 2007.

    Three-year starter Tim Reyer returns as the punter. The Wildcats are solid in the kickoff return game with three of the nation's best in Leon Patton, Justin McKinney and James Johnson all back for another season. All three returned kicks for TDs last season as the Wildcats led the nation in kickoff-return average and set a new school record for kickoffs returns for TDs in a season with three.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-13.

    Western Kentucky at Florida, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    This is the first ever meeting between WKU and Florida. The Hilltoppers are in their first year of Division I-A football.

    Florida begins the 2007 season as defending national champions. Tim Tebow takes over at quarterback after Chris Leak was lost to graduation. Last season, Tebow completed 22-of-33 passes with five TDs and just one interception, while he rushed 89 times for 469 yards (5.3 avg.) and eight TDs. Even though the Gators lost their top receiver, Andre Caldwell, Percy Harvin and Cornelius Ingram all return. Combined, the three receivers hauled in 121 catches for 1,384 yards and nine TDs in 2006.

    Prediction: Florida 50-14.

    Ole Miss at Memphis, 2:30 p.m. CT, CSS

    Ole Miss has won the last two over Memphis after the Tigers won in both 2003 and 2004. The strength of Ed Orgeron's Rebels will be the return of a 1,000-yard rusher in senior RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis and the offensive line that features four returning starters. Senior QB Sam Adams takes over for last year's starter Brent Schaeffer. Schaeffer was prone to throwing interceptions so Adams will have a shot of leading the offense.

    The Rebels' defensive line will be decent with the return of sophomore ends Greg Hardy and Marcus Tillman. The linebacking corps will have new starters after losing Patrick Willis and Rory Johnson to the NFL. Also, new starters at CB may cause problems when covering pass-happy offenses.

    The offense for Memphis will be solid with senior QB Martin Hankins and WR Duke Calhoun, who hauled in 42 passes for a team-high 681 yards. In the backfield, senior RB Joe Doss returns after having a 900-yard rushing season last year.

    On defense, the Tigers are switching back to the 4-3 scheme after struggling with the 3-4 last season. The defensive line is deep and talented which will help the unit be more successful in 4-3 schemes.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-21.

    I-AA Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky, 5 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Kentucky 30-12.

    Oklahoma State at Georgia, 5:45 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Georgia's QB Matthew Stafford should be better prepared to lead the Bulldog offense as a sophomore. Although he played well at times as a freshman last year, he did show signs of being young and inexperienced while throwing 13 INTs and only seven passing TDs. He'll have help from WR Mohamed Massaquoi who had 30 catches for 366 yards and two touchdowns. In the backfield, senior RBs Kregg Lumpkin and Thomas Brown return along with FB Brennan Southerland.

    The defense is questionable for Mark Richt's 2007 Bulldogs. Only three starters return, with two of those in the defensive backfield. DE Marcus Howard will be a pass rush specialist, while Brandon Miller will be expected to stop the run from his middle LB position.

    Prediction: Georgia 25-18.

    I-AA Western Carolina at Alabama, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Alabama 41-10.

    Troy at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT

    Everyone knows that Arkansas' offense will revolve around junior RB Darren McFadden, who was the runner-up in the Heisman voting a year ago. His 1,647 yards and 14 TDs on 284 carries were a big reason why the Razorbacks had a successfull campaign in 2006. McFadden along with Felix Jones and FB Peyton Hillis make up the most explosive backfield in all of college football. WR Marcus Monk is sidelined with a knee injury so QB Casey Dick will have to find other receivers to take Monk's place if Arkansas wants to have a decent passing game.

    Arkansas returns six starters on defense including DE Antwain Robinson who had 8.5 sacks last season. The Razorbacks will be without DE Marcus Harrison, who was suspended indefinitely this past week because of an arrest on felony drug charges and several misdemeanors.

    Prediction: Arkansas 41-14.

    I-AA Richmond at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 28-17.

    Louisiana-Lafayette at South Carolina, 7 p.m. CT

    South Carolina will look to improve on its 8-5 season in 2006. The Gamecocks were one of only 15 Division I teams to finish the 2006 season with three consecutive wins. It was the first time Carolina has finished the season with three straight wins since the 1973 season.

    The only meeting between Louisiana-Lafayette and South Carolina took place in 2003 in Columbia. The Gamecocks barely avoided an upset by winning 14-7. South Carolina has several players suspended for this game due to off field issues, but that shouldn't matter since Steve Spurrier's team has more depth and talent to come away with a victory.

    Prediction: South Carolina 38-10.

    Tennessee at California, 7 p.m. CT, ABC

    Tennessee and California meet for the second straight year. The Vols pulled off the 35-18 upset in Knoxville. Last season, the Golden Bears earned a share of the Pac-10 Conference championship for the first time since 1975.

    Erik Ainge starts again at quarterback for Tennessee. Ainge is the most accurate passer in Tennessee history, with his 67-percent completion mark edging out such notables as Peyton Manning and Daryl Dickey.

    On defense, the Vols are led by senior DB Jonathan Hefney and junior LB Jerod Mayo. Hefney has 226 career tackles, nine interceptions and 16 pass deflections while Mayo had 96 tackles last season with five interceptions.

    When Cal is on offense, Nate Longshore will be the signal-caller. Last season, Longshore threw 24 TDs while helping lead the offense to a Pac-10 best 32.8 points per game.

    Prediction: Cal 28-24.

    ESPN

    I've about decided that I don't like watching football games on ESPN. I'm sure after what they did last night during the Auburn-Kansas State game, they received a lot of emails and phone calls from angry football fans.

    The baseball interruption isn't the reason why I don't like watching football games on ESPN. I'll get to why I don't later.

    If you were watching the game, you know what happened. I think it was in the middle of the third quarter when the geniuses at ESPN decided to go live to Fenway Park to show some rookie pitcher complete a no-hitter. If this was the playoffs or something, I could see them breaking away to show it live but it was kind of ridiculous to me. We missed a good two minutes of action from Jordan-Hare to watch some pitcher you'll never hear from again do it against the sorry Baltimore Orioles.

    This is why I have decided I can't deal with games on ESPN. There's too much going on! First, they have scores scrolling at the bottom of the screen. Then when a team scores they have "Priority Score Alert" flashing in bold. That's very distracting to me.

    ESPN loves to show you what football games are currently airing on ABC and ESPN2. I don't need to know what other games are on. There's a good chance I'm enjoying the game I'm watching.

    My last problem with the Worldwide Leader in Sports, they send it to the studio too often for highlights of other games. We don't need to see every touchdown that Southern Cal scores on Idaho.

    By the way, someone needs to tell Ron Franklin that Auburn is not "The Prettiest Little Village on the Plains," or whatever he says. Franklin has called a lot of Auburn games over the past 20 years for ESPN. He should know what to say by now. I heard him say it that way last year and the year before.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week One

    Every SEC team that was in action won except for Tennessee, who lost at California. Auburn found a way to defeat Kansas State when its offense struggled to move the ball until late in the fourth quarter.

    Kansas State at Auburn

    After trailing for much of the night, Auburn got help from its defense to beat Kansas State 23-13. QB Brandon Cox completed 17-of-30 passes for 229 yards with a touchdown and was picked off twice. WR Prechae Rodriguez hauled in six catches for 73 yards while TE Gabe McKenzie caught four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. TB Ben Tate, who started in place of Brad Lester, finished with 82 yards on 23 carries.

    Auburn's offense finally put points on the scoreboard late in the fourth when Cox found McKenzie in the back of the end zone. The touchdown put the Tigers up 16-13 with 2:01 left in the game. On Kansas State's next drive, Quentin Groves caused a fumble when he sacked Wildcat QB Josh Freeman. Antonio Coleman picked up the fumble and ran 34 yards for a touchdown to make it 23-13.

    Auburn plays South Florida at home this week. The contest can be seen on ESPN2 starting at 8 p.m. CT.

    LSU at Mississippi State

    LSU cruised to an easy 45-0 victory over Mississippi State Thursday night in Starkville. Matt Flynn completed 12-of-19 passes for 128 yards and threw a pair of touchdowns in his first regular season start for LSU.

    This week: Virginia Tech at LSU, Mississippi State at Tulane.

    Western Kentucky at Florida

    Florida opened the season with a 49-3 victory over Western Kentucky Saturday at the Swamp. QB Tim Tebow had a solid day when he threw for 300 yards with three touchdowns and also ran for a score. The Gators outgained the Hilltoppers 510-204. The contest was called with just under 8 1/2 minutes in the fourth quarter because of severe weather.

    This week: Troy at Florida.

    Ole Miss at Memphis

    Memphis failed to make a game-tying two-point conversion attempt in the closing seconds and lost to Ole Miss 23-21. The Tigers gained 467 yards of total offense while committing five turnovers. The Rebels gained just 275 yards, but only turned the ball over three times.

    This week: Missouri at Ole Miss.

    Oklahoma State at Georgia

    Georgia opened its 2007 season with a 35-14 victory at home against Oklahoma State. Sophomore QB Matthew Stafford completed 18-of-24 passes for 234 yards with two touchdowns.

    The Bulldogs' defense sacked QB Bobby Reid six times and kept the Cowboys off the scoreboard in the second half.

    This week: South Carolina at Georgia.

    Troy at Arkansas

    Arkansas rolled to a 46-26 victory over Troy. Heisman runner-up Darren McFadden racked up 151 rushing yards and a touchdown in the victory. Felix Jones also had a big game for the Razorbacks, rushing for 129 yards and a score on 12 carries. Felix also had 144 yards on kickoff returns.

    This week: Arkansas is off.

    Louisiana-Lafayette at South Carolina

    South Carolina racked up 433 total yards in its 28-14 over UL-Lafayette Saturday night in Columbia. QB Chris Smelley completed 10-of-14 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in place of suspended starter Blake Mitchell.

    This week: South Carolina at Georgia.

    Tennessee at California

    California defeated Tennessee 45-31 Saturday night in Berkeley, CA. QB Nate Longshore threw a pair of touchdowns and completed 19-of-28 passes for 241 yards for the Golden Bears.

    Tennessee QB Erik Ainge had a big game despite the loss. Ainge threw for 271 yards on 32-of-47 attempts and three touchdowns.

    This week: Southern Miss at Tennessee.

    I-AA Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky

    Kentucky 50-10.

    This week: Kent State at Kentucky.

    I-AA Richmond at Vanderbilt

    Vanderbilt 41-17.

    This week: Alabama at Vanderbilt.

    I-AA Western Carolina at Alabama

    Alabama 52-6.

    Predictions For Week Two SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were a perfect 11-0. This week's SEC schedule has nine games including Auburn at home against South Florida at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Alabama travels to Nashville to play Vandy, and South Carolina plays at Georgia

    South Florida at Auburn, 8 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Saturday night's game against South Florida and Auburn will mark the first meeting between the two schools. Both teams won their season openers last Saturday. South Florida won 28-13 over I-AA Elon and Auburn defeated Kansas State 23-13.

    Auburn's offense was sluggish against K-State and it didn't really put together a drive until late in the fourth quarter. Brandon Cox was hammered all night by the Wildcat defense which caused the senior quarterback to throw two INTs. The Tigers had to abandon the running game in the second half and depend on Cox and his receivers to get the job done. The coaches have said that RB Mario Fannin should see action against the Bulls this week. They want to slowly work him into the playing rotation and they have said he's still learning how to block in passing situations. Despite problems with the running game, RB Ben Tate still had a decent performance with 82 rushing yards.

    Surprisingly, the offensive line graded well even though it looked like they got beat on every down by K-State. The only lineman who didn't grade well was senior King Dunlap. Dunlap has said that his head wasn't in the game and that was the reason for the low grade. Even though the unit struggled, they should improve as the season progresses.

    Just like last season, it seems defense and special teams will have to pick up the slack when the offense fails to score. The defense was confused during the first half but really clamped down and played like everyone thought they would play in the second half. Wes Byrum kicked three field goals while Ryan Shoemaker averaged 42.7 yards on six punts against K-State.

    When South Florida was added to Auburn's schedule, many people thought the Bulls could have a shot at pulling off the upset. Their win over I-AA Elon doesn't tell us much. Sophomore QB Matt Grothe was Big East Freshman of the Year last year for completing 202-of-317 passes for 2,576 yards and 15 TDs. Auburn's defense may have problems with Grothe for awhile, but they will eventually figure out how to stop him.

    Prediction: Auburn 20-10.

    Alabama at Vanderbilt, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    The Bama nation was all excited about beating up on I-AA Western Carolina last week. This week they face a much tougher opponent in Vanderbilt. Commodore WR Earl Bennett earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his 223 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He also added 62 yards in punt returns against Richmond.

    In recent history, Alabama has owned Vanderbilt having won the last 19 meetings between the schools since 1984. The Tide also holds a 58-19-4 all-time record against the Commodores. The two teams met last season in Tuscaloosa when Alabama came away with a 13-10 victory.

    Prediction: Alabama 21-19.

    South Carolina at Georgia, 4:45 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    South Carolina and Georgia open conference play against each other in Athens. South Carolina has been Georgia's first conference opponent of the season since the Gamecocks joined the SEC in 1992. In six years as Georgia's head coach, Mark Richt has won five straight over South Carolina since losing his first meeting against the Gamecocks in 2001.

    The Bulldogs got a solid performance from sophomore QB Matthew Stafford in their 35-14 victory over Oklahoma State last Saturday. Stafford completed 18-of-24 passes for 234 yards and two TDs.

    In South Carolina's 28-14 victory over UL-Lafayette, QB Blake Mitchell did not play after being suspended for missing summer school classes. Mitchell is expected to start this week.

    Prediction: Georgia 27-13.

    Missouri at Ole Miss, 5 p.m. CT

    Ole Miss looked good in its season opener against Memphis until they let the Tigers storm back in the fourth quarter and almost tie the game. The Rebels held on to win 23-21 after Memphis failed to make the two-point conversion.

    Last week, Missouri won 40-34 at Illinois. QB Chase Daniel had a huge game in the victory. Daniel completed 37-of-54 passes for a career-high 359 yards, while throwing 3 TDs and no interceptions.

    For Ole Miss at QB, Seth Adams was also solid in his first career start. Adams finished the contest with 201 yards on 19-of-30 pass attempts and one TD.

    Missouri claimed a 34-7 victory last year at home. On the road this year, the Tigers should win again but the score will be closer.

    Prediction: Missouri 24-21.

    Troy at Florida, 5 p.m. CT

    Troy has the tough task of playing Florida at the Swamp. The Trojans are facing a ranked opponent for a second consecutive week for the first time in school history. They lost last week 46-26 at No. 21 Arkansas. Florida took care of Western Kentucky 49-3 last Saturday.

    Simply put, Florida has too much talent to slip up and lose to Troy. Plus, they are playing at home where the have won 16 straight. It won't be as easy as Western Kentucky, but the Gators will improve to 2-0 on the season.

    Prediction: Florida 38-12.

    Kent State at Kentucky, 5 p.m. CT

    Kentucky and Kent State meet for the sixth time in school history. The Wildcats lead the all-time series between the two schools 5-0. The Wildcats have posted two shutouts in the history of the series and have won the five meetings by an average of 28.8 points.

    Prediction: Kentucky 31-7.

    Mississippi State at Tulane, 6 p.m. CT, CSS

    Mississippi State was embarrassed last week at home against LSU. The Tigers won 45-0 despite not playing their best game. On offense, the Bulldogs picked up just nine first downs and 10 total rushing yards. QB Michael Henig threw six INTs in the contest. Head coach Sylvester Croom might think about letting backup Wesley Carroll play some against the Green Wave.

    Tulane went 4-8 last season. The Green Wave should improve on that record with new head coach Bob Toledo. Mississippi State owns a narrow 29-26-2 edge in the all-time series with Tulane, and the Green Wave won last season's meeting by a 32-29 final.

    A victory on the road would be considered huge for Croom's Bulldogs. If they play like they did last week, it won't happen.

    Prediction: Tulane 18-10.

    Southern Miss at Tennessee, 6 p.m. CT

    Tennessee looks to bounce back from a tough loss at California and try to win their 13th straight home opener as they host Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles are 0-4 all-time against the Vols. All four meetings took place in Knoxville, and two of the four wins were shutouts. Tennessee went 5-2 at Neyland Stadium last season, and has won its last 12 home openers since a 31-0 loss to No. 1 Florida on Sept. 17, 1994.

    LaMarcus Coker returns at TB for the Vols after serving a team suspension. The sophomore led the Vols with 696 rushing yards his freshman year despite being sidelined for two games with a knee injury.

    Prediction: Tennessee 34-13.

    Virginia Tech at LSU, 8:15 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Virginia Tech and LSU played only once back in 2002 in Blacksburg. The Hokies won that meeting 26-8. When they travel to Baton Rouge, they will be trying to win their road opener for the 15th straight season.

    Both teams enter the contest at 1-0. LSU defeated Mississippi State 45-0 while Virginia Tech won at home 17-7 over East Carolina. Matt Flynn, who made his first regular season start for LSU, completed 12-of-19 passes for 128 yards and two TDs. He also added 11 carries for 42 yards.

    LSU is awfully tough to beat at home, especially in night games. Many people thought the Tigers didn't look like the second-ranked team last week. But, when you play bad teams you tend to look bad also. LSU should look much better this week against a quality opponent.

    Prediction: LSU 28-14.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Two

    Auburn's record is 1-1 after falling to South Florida 26-23 in overtime. The Tigers open conference play this week at home against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs defeated Tulane 38-17 in New Orleans.

    South Florida at Auburn

    South Florida upset Auburn 26-23 in overtime at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Bulls have a victory over a ranked team in each of the last three seasons. South Florida pulled off the upset despite four missed field goals by Delbert Alvarado in the second half.

    Auburn committed five turnovers, but South Florida failed to turn any of them into points. QB Brandon Cox finished the contest with 165 yards and a TD on 16-of-35 passes. Freshman TB Mario Fannin had 14 carries for 62 yards and 1 TD.

    In overtime, the Tigers went on offense first. Auburn gained only 2 yards on its overtime possession. Wes Byrum came in and kicked a 39-yard field goal to put the Tigers up 23-20. On South Florida's overtime possession, QB Matt Grothe kept the driving going on a QB sneak for a yard on fourth down. Two plays later, Grothe found Jessie Hester Jr. on 14-yard TD pass for the victory.

    Grothe finished the contest 18-of-27 passing for 184 yards and also ran for a score. Mike Ford had a touchdown and ran for 74 yards for the Bulls.

    Auburn looks to bounce back Saturday and open SEC play with a victory when Mississippi State comes to Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game starts at 11:30 a.m. CT on Lincoln Financial Sports.

    Alabama at Vanderbilt

    Alabama defeated Vanderbilt 24-10 in Nashville. Terry Grant had 173 yards on 27 carries and two TDs for the Crimson Tide. John Parker Wilson completed 14-of-28 pass attempts for 150 yards and an interception.

    Alabama won its SEC-opener for the 16th straight time. Alabama has not lost to Vanderbilt since dropping a 30-21 decision on September 29, 1984 in Tuscaloosa.

    This week: Arkansas at Alabama, Ole Miss at Vanderbilt.

    South Carolina at Georgia

    South Carolina upset Georgia 16-12 in Athens. The Bulldogs didn't score a TD for the first time since losing to the Gamecocks 14-9 in 2001.

    Cory Boyd scored the only TD of the game in the first quarter from nine yards out. Ryan Succop converted three field goals for South Carolina.

    This week: Georgia hosts Western Carolina, South Carolina St. at South Carolina.

    Virginia Tech at LSU

    LSU hammered Virginia Tech 48-7 at Tiger Stadium. It was the greatest margin of defeat for Virginia Tech since 1982. LSU racked up 598 total yards on offense. Keiland Williams scored a pair of TDs for the Tigers and finished with 126 yards on just seven carries. Jacob Hester added 81 yards and a TD on 12 carries for 2-0 LSU.

    This week: Middle Tennessee plays at LSU.

    Troy at Florida

    Florida moves to 2-0 on the season after beating Troy 59-31. Tim Tebow had a big day for the Gators throwing three TDs on 18-of-25 passing for 236 yards. He also rushed 17 times for 93 yards and scored twice on the ground.

    This week: Florida hosts Tennessee.

    Mississippi State at Tulane

    Mississippi State improved to 1-1 on the season with a 38-17 victory at Tulane. Anthony Dixon rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns for the Bulldogs. QB Mike Henig also had a solid game for Mississippi State as he completed 20-of-31 passes for 223 yards and a TD. The Bulldogs had an impressive 489 total yards, including 266 yards on the ground.

    This week: Mississippi State plays at Auburn.

    Southern Miss at Tennessee

    Tennessee bounced back from its loss to California last week to beat Southern Miss 39-19 in Knoxville. Tennessee finished with 469 yards of total offense while Southern Miss had 354.

    The Vols led by just one point at halftime before holding the Golden Eagles to just a field goal in the second half.

    This week: Tennessee plays at Florida.

    Kent State at Kentucky

    Kentucky pounded Kent State 56-20 Saturday in Lexington. Andre' Woodson passed for 218 yards and threw two TDs, while Rafael Little had 102 yards on 13 carries for the Wildcats.

    This week: Kentucky hosts Louisville.

    Missouri at Ole Miss

    Missouri handed Ole Miss its first loss of the season after 38-25 victory in Oxford. RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a career-high 226 yards on the ground, while QB Seth Adams went 23-of-41 for 305 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for the Rebels.

    This week: Ole Miss plays at Vanderbilt.

    Predictions For Week Three SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 6-3, overall they are 17-3. This week, Auburn plays Mississippi St. at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be on Lincoln Financial Sports at 11:30 a.m. CT. Other games include Tennessee at Florida and Arkansas at Alabama.

    Mississippi State at Auburn, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Auburn tries to bounce back from a difficult overtime loss to South Florida last weekend. Against Tulane last Saturday, Mississippi State racked up 27 first downs and 489 total yards en route to a 38-17 victory.

    On offense, the Tigers showed signs of improvement last week but still struggled to score points. Five turnovers were a big part of the problem and you can bet that has been addressed during practice this week. Offensive coordinator Al Borges has said he will mix things up a bit against Mississippi State, but don't expect too many changes. The Tigers will need to save some plays and surprises for upcoming road games against Florida, Arkansas and LSU.

    Just like in week one, Auburn's defense and special teams were solid despite the loss. Because of the defense, the Bulls couldn't turn any of the five turnovers into points. Wes Byrum nailed all three field goal attempts, including one for a season-long 49-yards.

    In the series with the Bulldogs, Auburn has won six straight and 19 of the last 25. Mississippi State has been held to 18 or fewer points in each of the last eight games and averaged 90.0 rushing yards.

    Brandon Cox and the offense are due for a big game. In three previous appearances against Mississippi State, Cox is 35-of-50 (70 percent) for 494 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.

    Prediction: Auburn 34-9.

    I-AA Western Carolina at Georgia, 12 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Georgia 41-7.

    Tennessee at Florida, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Tennessee leads the all-time series with the Gators 19-17 and owns a 5-8 record in Gainesville. Recently, the team with the most rushing yardage has won 15 of the last 17 meetings. Florida is trying for its 10th straight victory, which would be its longest winning streak since 1996, and has won 17 in a row at home. Urban Meyer is 6-0 in conference openers and has never lost a game at The Swamp.

    So far this season, the Gators have totaled 108 points and 1,010 yards of offense in home wins over Western Kentucky and Troy. In 14 trips inside the red zone, Florida has scored on all, and 13 were TDs. The Gators will be without WR Andre Caldwell, who sprained his MCL last week against Troy. Caldwell was the team's second-leading receiver last season. He was averaging 27.8 yards per catch this year before the injury.

    Florida's QB Tim Tebow has completed 73.8 percent of his passes for 536 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. He's also run for 131 yards and three scores while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Tennessee's QB Erik Ainge has been solid so far this season, completing 55 of 83 passes for 547 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.

    On defense, Tennessee will be without CB Antonio Gaines, who tore his ACL last Saturday and is out for the season. Jarod Parish will start in his place while freshman Eric Berry moves to safety.

    Florida is the defending national champion and they just don't seem to lose at home.

    Prediction: Florida 35-21.

    Arkansas at Alabama, 5:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Arkansas had last weekend off while Alabama opened conference play with a 24-10 victory over Vanderbilt. Both teams have solid running games but the Razorbacks have the advantage with Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. McFadden's quest for the Heisman got off to a good start in week 1 against Troy. The junior rushed for 151 yards on 24 carries, had two receptions for 30 yards, a kickoff return for 19 yards and a 42-yard touchdown pass to Crosby Tuck. He accounted for 193 yards of total offense and 200 all-purpose yards.

    For Alabama, redshirt freshman Terry Grant leads the league in rushing. Grant has 42 carries for 307 yards (7.2 average) and five touchdowns in two games against Western Carolina and Vanderbilt.

    Since WR Marcus Monk is out with an injury, expect McFadden to get plenty of receptions coming out of the backfield. If Alabama can stop him, they'll have a chance to win.

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-10.

    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT

    Both teams enter the contest 1-1. It will be the 82nd meeting between Ole Miss and Vanderbilt dating back to 1894. The Rebels lead the series 46-33-2 and have won 12 of the last 14 meetings since 1992, including last year's 17-10 victory in Oxford.

    Ole Miss is looking to snap a streak of three straight losses in SEC openers. You never know what to expect from these two teams, especially so early in the season. The Rebels have BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the backfield. The senior TB had a career-high 226 yards on 33 carries last week against Missouri. Last week the Commodores had problems stopping the run against Alabama. The Rebels will give Vanderbilt the same problem this week with Green-Ellis.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 21-17.

    I-AA South Carolina St. at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-7.

    Louisville at Kentucky, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN Classic

    Louisville and Kentucky play in Lexington for the Governor's Cup trophy. The Cardinals won last year's Governor's Cup 59-28, their fourth consecutive victory against the Wildcats. Louisville is currently ranked No. 9 after victories over Murray State and Middle Tennessee State. Kentucky's last win over a top-ten team was in 1977, a 24-20 victory over No. 4 Penn State.

    This contest could be a high-scoring affair since both teams have good QBs. Louisville's Brian Brohm threw for a career-high 401 yards last week against MTSU. Kentucky's Andre' Woodson has led his team to a 2-0 season so far. In those two games, Woodson has completed 68.6 percent of his passes (35- of-51). He extended his school-record streak of consecutive passes without an interception to 213.

    Prediction: Louisville 45-40.

    Middle Tennessee St. at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

    MTSU has played both of its previous games on the road at Florida Atlantic and Louisville. The Blue Raiders actually gave Louisville a fight last week before eventually losing 58-42. This week, they play another opponent on the road in front of a hostile crowd in Tiger Stadium.

    LSU is 30-0 all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference. MTSU is 3-25 against the SEC with all three of its wins coming against Vanderbilt. Don't expect the Blue Raiders to score as many points on the Tigers like they did last week against Louisville. LSU's defense has only allowed seven points so far this season.

    Prediction: LSU 51-10.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Three

    Auburn lost its conference-opener 19-14 to Mississippi State. The Tigers play at home this week against New Mexico State at 6 p.m. CT. In other games, Florida beat Tennessee, and Alabama toppled Arkansas.

    Mississippi State at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 34-9.

    Outcome: Auburn falls to 1-2 overall after losing 19-14 at home to MSU. With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to 2-1 and snapped a six-game losing streak to Auburn.

    The game got off to a rough start for the Tigers when MSU put together a drive of 58 yards on 12 plays on its first possession of the contest that ended with a 32-yard field goal by Adam Carlson. The Bulldogs then intercepted Brandon Cox's first pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.

    After Cox threw a second interception, true freshman Kodi Burns took over at QB for Auburn. After an unsuccessful drive with Burns leading the way, MSU added a 30-yard field goal by Carlson early in the second quarter to go up 13-0.

    Late in the second half, the Auburn offense put together a drive that resulted in a touchdown. With Burns leading the way, the 5-play, 54-yard drive ended with a 28-yard touchdown run by Ben Tate at the 4:18 mark in the second quarter.

    Down 13-7, Zac Etheridge recovered a fumble by the Bulldogs on the following kickoff. Auburn took advantage of the turnover when Burns scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak which put the Tigers up 14-13 at halftime.

    In the second half, MSU went up 19-14 on Christian Ducre's touchdown run with 5:15 left in the fourth. With Cox back under center, Auburn drove 67 yards to the MSU 9, but failed to convert on fourth down with 53 seconds to play.

    This week: Auburn plays New Mexico State at home at 6 p.m. CT. MSU hosts Gardner-Webb.

    Tennessee at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 35-21.

    Outcome: Florida extended its winning streak to 10 games by beating Tennessee 59-20 at The Swamp. In his first Southeastern Conference start, Tim Tebow threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 61 yards and two scores.

    This week: Florida plays at Ole Miss, Tennessee hosts Arkansas State.

    Arkansas at Alabama

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-10.

    Outcome: Alabama had to come-from-behind to beat Arkansas 41-38. The Crimson Tide enjoyed a 21-point lead late in the third quarter before the Razorbacks stormed back to lead 38-31. After a 42-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin, Alabama's defense forced Arkansas to punt which set up the winning drive when John Parker Wilson found Matt Caddelll in the back of the end zone with 8 seconds left for the game-winning touchdown.

    This week: Arkansas plays at home against Kentucky. Alabama hosts Georgia.

    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Ole Miss 21-17.

    Outcome: Vanderbilt defeated Ole Miss 31-17 in Nashville. The Commodores improve to 2-1 overall, and 1-1 in the SEC. The Rebels fall to 1-2 overall, and dropped their league opener for the fourth consecutive year.

    Chris Nickson threw for 200 yards and ran for 78 more and a touchdown for Vanderbilt, while Cassen Jackson-Garrison had 127 yards and three TDs on the ground. Two-time All-SEC receiver Earl Bennett caught 11 passes for 100 yards, his ninth career game with at least 100 yards receiving at Vanderbilt.

    This week: Vanderbilt is off and Ole Miss hosts Florida.

    Louisville at Kentucky

    Prediction: Louisville 45-40.

    Outcome: Kentucky upset No. 9 Louisville 40-34 when Andre' Woodson threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Steve Johnson with 28 seconds left in the game. It was the Wildcats' first victory over a top-10 team in three decades. Woodson completed 30-of-44 passes for 275 yards and threw four TDs. Louisville QB Brian Brohm completed 28-for-43 passes for 366 yards and threw three TDs.

    This week: Kentucky plays at Arkansas.

    Middle Tennessee St. at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 51-10.

    Outcome: LSU cruised to its second shutout of the season with a 44-0 victory over Middle Tennessee State. The Blue Raiders, which put up 42 points last week against Louisville, had just nine first downs and 166 total yards against the Tigers.

    Backup QB Ryan Perrilloux threw for 298 yards and three TDs for LSU. Regular starter Matt Flynn was sidelined with a sprained right ankle.

    This week: LSU hosts South Carolina.

    I-AA Western Carolina at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 41-7.

    Outcome: Georgia 45-16.

    This week: Georgia plays Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

    I-AA South Carolina State at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-7.

    Outcome: South Carolina 38-3.

    This week: South Carolina plays at LSU.

    The Boos

    The so-called Auburn "fans" who booed Brandon Cox Saturday need to keep their sorry butts at home. You booed Tuberville the week before which was bad enough, but now the whole team is talking about what happened during the loss to Mississippi State.

    Cox was booed after he threw his second interception in Saturday's game. The players obviously heard it and are very upset about it. If you don't think it won't stay with them and hurt their confidence, you're wrong. They will remember how it felt forever. I'm glad they are speaking out about how disappointed they are after what happened to their senior quarterback.

    I'm sure these same "fans" loved Cox after he helped Auburn beat Alabama the past two seasons. Now after a shaky start, the boos ring out. I don't think these "fans" were out there on the practice field in the 100 degree heat in August like Cox and his teammates were.

    Why buy a ticket and go to a game when there's a possibility that Auburn may not win? Why sit in the stands for three and a half hours, then boo when every play doesn't go exactly as planned? Oh, I forgot, you're a true Auburn fan. You bleed orange and blue. Please.

    Is this Auburn or Tuscaloosa? You can count on boos up in Tuscaloosa but we should not hear them here. I guess we've gotten spoiled and expect an undefeated season every year.

    Like Cox said, he doesn't care for the fans who boo. True Auburn fans will support him and the team no matter what.

    If you can't go to games without booing, stay home!

    Council Considers Retail Development on Parkway

    The Auburn City Council tonight will consider a "Memorandum of Understanding" with developer Tom Hayley's West Pace LLC company to build a 200+ acre tract of strip malls, motels and car lots along Shell Toomer Parkway in South Auburn.

    The mile-and-a-half long state parkway connects South College to the body of Chewacla State Park. Wetlands and the Charlotte and Curtis Ward Bike Trail lay along the narrow parkway.


    West Pace District (dotted line) with slightly more than
    200 acres on Shell Toomer State Parkway

    The measure would authorize the creation of a Captial Improvement Development District that would have broad sweeping powers and would eliminate all property taxes on the 200-acre tract. Under the provisions of the resolution, Hayley would be allowed to charge an extra half-cent sales tax in the district, above and beyond the city tax rate and split the proceeds with the city. The tax could be imposed at any time without a vote of Auburn citizens or the then sitting City Council.

    While some tax abatement programs specify a limited number of years, this agree has no such limitations and will exempt the shopping center from property taxes and licence fees forever.

    A resolution approving the memo will be considered by the Auburn City Council at the September 18 meeting in the council chambers on Ross Street.

    Related:
    Memo of Understanding Text
    Email Auburn City Council
    Summit Development
    2003 Development Protest

    The Boos Part Two

    Here are some responses to the blog I wrote about the booing during the Mississippi State game. We appreciate your responses and your support! Below is the original blog, followed by the responses.

    The so-called Auburn "fans" who booed Brandon Cox Saturday need to keep their sorry butts at home. You booed Tuberville the week before which was bad enough, but now the whole team is talking about what happened during the loss to Mississippi State.

    Cox was booed after he threw his second interception in Saturday's game. The players obviously heard it and are very upset about it. If you don't think it won't stay with them and hurt their confidence, you're wrong. They will remember how it felt forever. I'm glad they are speaking out about how disappointed they are after what happened to their senior quarterback.

    I'm sure these same "fans" loved Cox after he helped Auburn beat Alabama the past two seasons. Now after a shaky start, the boos ring out. I don't think these "fans" were out there on the practice field in the 100 degree heat in August like Cox and his teammates were.

    Why buy a ticket and go to a game when there's a possibility that Auburn may not win? Why sit in the stands for three and a half hours, then boo when every play doesn't go exactly as planned? Oh, I forgot, you're a true Auburn fan. You bleed orange and blue. Please.

    Is this Auburn or Tuscaloosa? You can count on boos up in Tuscaloosa but we should not hear them here. I guess we've gotten spoiled and expect an undefeated season every year.

    Like Cox said, he doesn't care for the fans who boo. True Auburn fans will support him and the team no matter what.

    If you can't go to games without booing, stay home!

    -----------------

    Yes, I am a true Auburn fan, I have been fuming about the boos ever since it happened. I certainly want to win but I know each player and coach does also. I was so sad to hear Auburn fans act in such a manner, I thought we had more class than that.

    Pat Reed - Trussville, AL

    Well said! I looked up Brandon's mother after what happened and apologized for all the idiots in the crowd. I could not have been more embarassed. Brandon deserves so much better. As Auburn fans we should be above that kind of behavior.

    Barbara Thacker - Bessemer, AL

    AMEN to that. That is something that should never happen at Auburn. I never thought I would see the day.

    Mary W

    Amen, I was embarassed when it happened and every day since.

    Clinton Allison - Niceville, Florida

    It makes me feel ashamed to be an Auburn Grad. The only time I ever >booed was when the referes made what I thought was a bad call. Let Brandon and the team know I am behind them 100% class of '55.

    Charles Flynn - Midland, N.C.

    Pleeeeease! Brandon Cox deserves every boo he got. A true Auburn fan will not want to sit and watch a 5th year senior play as poorly as Brandon Cox has played over the last several games and actually be happy about it, knowing we have more capable players sitting on the bench. The entire team is suffering...and for what? So we can make sure we don't damage anyone's self-esteem. What a joke. This is football. I'm sure Brandon didn't mind being cheered when he was actually perfoming. So, why have a problem with boos when he doesn't. Auburn fans and alumni alike pay way too much money to Auburn University to sit and watch those types of performances. Are we then supposed to sit there and just accept it, knowing it could and should be better? Absolutley not! I care about Auburn University, period. Not Brandon Cox, not Tommy Tuberville, but Auburn University as a whole. Whatever is best for Auburn University is what I, and all true Auburn fans are for. And right now, Brandon Cox isn't best for Auburn University. Therefore, changes need to be made. And for you fans that don't won't to hear boos...stay at home. Paying folks have every right to boo and will continue to do so until we feel like Auburn's best interests are being considered. I guess we should just bring back Terry Bowden and make sure we treat him fair too. Give me a break. It's obvious how many fans have never played the game of football. It is a very vicious sport and doesn't have any room for the faint of heart. War Eagle!!

    Reggie Nix - Columbus, GA

    I would add that the "Crimson Nation" is currently taking on additional fan support at this time. Those who felt compelled to boo ANY of our players should apply in T-Town. The bus is leaving soon, so feel to get on it. I continue to be amazed by number of Division I football coaches we have in the stands at Jordan-Hare. To render criticism of the coaching staff is expected (because you bought the ticket to do so), but your "coaching expertise" remains to be seen by me. However, to berate and boo our players is beyond classless. Please refer to Dr Petrie's Auburn Creed if you need guidance in how to conduct yourself as an Auburn Man / Woman. Brandon (and all of the Tigers), I sincerely apologize for the despicable behavior exhibited by a minority of those in the stadium. God Bless You All and WAR EAGLE!

    Dave Hauer - Hoover, AL

    As an Auburn grad, I am glad that you wrote this article. How do recruits on the sideline respond to booing from the home team? Does this help Auburn...NO. It makes us look classless and hurts the team. If someone next to you boos AU you should tell him to sit down and shut up or go to Bama.

    Kent Osborn

    MMMMMMMMM Booing is bad i'll agrea. But i understand. A QB that is >in like his 5th of 6th season on the plains should not be throwing into triple coverage. It was said that some of the poor play last year was because of injury's well he's healthy and he's play has gotten worse. He should Know the offense, when the ball is snapped it's like he's a scared little kid back there. Sure he's gotten hit but if your going to be a big time player you've got to get over that. And the saying about people talking weren't there during two a day's in 100 degree heat there right. I was in Iraq in 130 degree weather getting shot at(USMC) think i can voice my opionion. And ya I watched Auburn get beat by Ga Tech From Iraq.

    Neal Howell - Cartersville

    Better yet quit being a Auburn fan. I'm sure the school across the state would take you in. I was on my way to the game for my son and daughters first game and told them no matter what do not boo either team. They asked why and I told them it about class and as Auburn fans we don't boo. The first thing my kids heard was booing. It made me sick. If you want kids to play with heart you cheer louder when they are down, not boo.

    The real class at the game was the Miss St. fans and Band. I sat 3ft from band and all game talked with them. Never one bad comment the whole game also very nice to me and the kids after. They showed real class. This team does not need boos they need cheers.

    Jeff Hager - Saraland

    Those guys are on a free ride and our coach makes millions and its just a game. They play like scubs and should be booed when we pay big money to see all-americans get whipped.

    Seth Dillon - Trussville, AL

    Right on! For the most part these are kids, even if Cox is 24! It would be interesting to see what would happen if the boo birds expected to be "squashed" by a 300 lb lineman! Would you stand and take it or perhaps get rid of the ball as quickly as possible????

    Alvin Tate - Gainesville, FL

    I agree whole-heartedly. Booing college kids is a low-class and immature thing to do. The players are STUDENT-athletes ( i.e. - many of them are barely out of high school ) ... they are not professionals.

    Ideally, most of us Auburn fans like to think of ourselves as having more class and sophistication than our hillbilly brethren on the other side of the state, but it surely didn't show on saturday.

    If Auburn is truly a family, then we should offer our undying support for our team, and leave the booing to the more dysfunctional Jerry Springer candidates in Tuscaloosa.

    The players deserve an apology ... especially Brandon Cox. Maybe some of you who had a bumpkin lapse of character can redeem yourselves by showering the team with nothing but cheers this coming Saturday ... no matter what happens. Maybe they'll forgive you ... not that you deserve it.

    Macon P - Marietta, GA

    Booing may not be the classiest thing to do but how else are we the fans suppose to voice our disappointment in a player and/or coach. BC is not a kid. He is a 24 year-old man who chose to play football at a high profile university where it's fans pay big money each and every year to see their team win. I've heard the line that he isn't getting paid to play football. Bull, he is getting a free education, room, and board. It's called a scholarship. Cox's statement that a true Auburn fan will support him and the team no matter what is correct. It's not that those poeple are not supporting the team they are just dissapointed with the play of a 5th year senior and three year starter at the most important position on the field. He is suppose to be the leader of the team and the teams success hinges on that leadership.

    We expect the best and when the best is not given we are entitled to be a little disgruntled. If there is another way for 80k+ fans to express their disapproval during a game then by all means please share. Are we to cheer, clap, or sit quietly? If the coaches and players do not like being booed then I suggest they (A) get their act together and start playing like they are capable of or (B) quit and go to a school where mediocrity is acceptable. How would they feel if the fans got up after the 2nd interception and left. Is that what they want. If the fans that booed, decided to stay home for the remainder of the year, then Tuberville as well as the entire coaching staff and probably the AD would all be fired and rightly so. This is not the answer. People boo because there isn't another realistic option for expressing disappointment during a game. For those that don't like it, too bad get over it.

    AU FAN

    I agree 100% !!! Auburn Football players bleed and sweat for their team. If these idiot so called fans cannot support the Tigers in bad times as well as good - they are not needed - go be a Bama fan. I know this is a team of true integrity and character and just one guy I would like to single out is Brandon Cox. Brandon is a warrior in the true sense of the word. Look what he has done in the past for Auburn. I know brighter days are ahead for this team and some games will be won and unfortunately some games will be lost. As long as this team plays with the vigor, integrity, and grit that it has played with so far - I can be proud to say - It's GREAT TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER!

    Chris Fleming - Huntsville, AL

    Give me a break, PLEASE! It's almost time to wear paper bags on our heads. The: I'm OK you're OK thing as well as everybody's a "Winner" is fine for T-ball but this is college football. The players are on scholarship, practice two-a-days in the summer and can't even do the most elemental things like block and tackle. That's pathetic! Who are we Notre Dame??? I hope when the players are at practice and "ass"ing around that those boo's ring in their ears. Maybe then they will take the pride in their job that those who played before them have taken. When they don't we'll be there to remind them. Heck, I may even bring a megaphone!

    Bob Walker - Williston, FL

    Hilarious write up!! Fans can cheer when they want, and they can BOOOO when they want. They buy the tickets, so therefore they can cheer when they want and BOOOOO when they want.

    It is not going away so get over it. Until Tubby realizes that his staff is inept, he better buy some ear muffs.

    John Smith - Birmingham, AL

    I agree totally! Auburn fan's have way more class than that!

    Chris Deason - Smyrna, GA

    Players are never booed, the coaches may be booed for playing a player over another. That's the price we collectively pay when we pay coaches, that have no Auburn roots, $2-$4M a year!

    Mel Hall - Atlanta, GA

    Amen. Thanks for a very good, and unfortunately necessary post. If you love Auburn, you'll love the school and players through thick and thin. Nothing constructive comes from booing your team. The players know when they're not performing well, and booing isn't going to make them try harder or give them confidence to overcome a bad play. It's an unnecessary distraction that has an adverse effect on everyone. And it sends a horrible message to our current players, coaching staff and visiting recruits. It's an embarrassment and we should be better than that. Stay quiet when things don't go our way and cheer like crazy when the offense comes back on the field to let the players know we're behind them. Win or lose, War Eagle!

    Don Andrews - Birmingham, AL

    Amen. We should not boo our team. We can boo the coach when he fails to make good decisions, does not prepare our team properly, does not recruit well, does not discipline the coaches who continually fail to get receivers up to par to catch passes, train a running back to hold onto the ball, and does not let the coordinators do their thing which is what they are getting paid to do - so maybe he needs to look at letting Borges do his thing. That is when we boo the coaches, not players. Wait till you go to a game in Atlanta and boo the Falcons if they continue to mess up :)

    Mickey Jett - Camp Adder Iraq

    I was at the game and I was not one that booed. I think the boos were out of frustration not for that one play or Brandon Cox but for the ineffectivness since the season started. The Auburn faitful were hoping for and improvment. Two offensive plays by Auburn and we are down 10-0 to Miss.State. I agree booing will not help. I spoke to a few that did boo and both said they wish they had not. I truly think it was a inpluse by most fans.

    Michael Buckingham - LaGrange, GA

    I am getting sick and tired of these comments by the media over the booing at Saturday's game. I was at the game. The game where once again a poorly prepared team by Tommy Tuberville took the field and for the third straight game came out not to lose instead of to win. Cox has made crucial mistakes the entire year. Auburn fans are paying for his scholarship. Millions of dollars are being spent for a half-hearted effort from these guys. I personally did not boo but was in favor of Cox being pulled from the game. He needed a wake up call and Tommy was not going to do anything until that chorus came out from the stands.

    Michael Whisenant - Fayetteville, TN

    I concur....The fair weather fans are not wanted nor are they needed. Please, I implore you, STAY AT HOME!!!

    WAR EAGLE FOREVER

    John Wilson - Woodstock, GA

    I'm a true Auburn fan and alum. Yes, I'm disappointed and upset about how Auburn has played up to this point. It's not about winning and losing but how you play the game. We have not played >onsistent and turnovers have killed us. I love Cox but there is nothing wrong with change. He does not deserve the boos but he realize if he does not play up to par, he has to watch from the sidelines. It's not just about being spoiled over the year, but Auburn wants to establish themselves as one of the elites, well you have to perform. I'm Auburn for life, War Eagle!

    Keithner Tucker - McDonough, GA

    AMEN- My son was with me at the M.S. game and he was booing as loud as anybody. I told him it's not right to boo your own players.

    John Watkins - Troy, AL

    THANK YOU!!! I wanted Burns to get a shot but to boo our team. NO WAY. They deserve better. Like true Auburn class, when Kodi scored the TD, Brandon was happy for the team and for Kodi. Did Brandon mope, sulk, and feel wronged? On the contrary he gave Kodi tips. That is what we should expect from our players, do what is best for the team. How many teams have we heard about that have NOT done that (Arkansas last year). Likewise, our responsibility as fans is to support our team and keep our disagreements civil and within the family. I wish I could e-mail CTT but I cannot find his address is not longer on the website. Probably because of mindless e-mails by the same lunkheads that were booing. If you can please get word to him that MOST of the fans are as upset about the teams showing as the coashes and the team are but that they are OUR TEAM and OUR COACHES and we know they will figure it out.

    Dennis Boyd - Charleston, SC

    Amen! You could not have said it better. Maybe these idiots will stay home from now on. I support our team and coaches with all my heart. WAR EAGLE

    Evans Dorsey - Orlando, FL

    How can you use one mouth to boo and cheer for the same team. I have been an AU man since 1987 and I have never once booed my team. Even when Terry Bowden decided he no longer wanted to run the football, I never booed him. I don't boo Auburn. It would be like booing myself.

    Jason Crawford - Atlanta, GA

    Who ever said we were booing cox? Tuberville is the one getting booed. We make excuses year after year on why we are not sucessfull. Last year Cox was hurt this year we are young. Well South florida is young Miss State is young. We got some great kids to come to AU last year and they should be able to step in and play. I hear how complicated the offense is. Do you see anything complicated about what we are doing? What I see is Cox starring at his rec until he throws it no check off what so ever. He is a good quarterback and has not forgotten how to play he needs to check off more. When Mario runs the ball no linemen need to pull he is to fast and beats them to the hole. When he is in we need straight up blocking. And for Borgess I feel the only thing he has done was figure out how to get 24 and 23 in the game at the same time.

    David Whaley - LaGrange, GA

    I didn't go to the game but heard the boos on T.V. and was very disappointed. It's okay to be frustrated but never boo your team. This team needs encouragement in order to move forward and get better. The boos did even more damage to a fragile situation. I agree booing fans should stay home!!! War Eagle.

    Brad Anderson - Alexander City, AL

    "DITTO"! We live in Grenada, West Indies, and listened to the booing on the Auburn Network. It was very sad to hear!

    War Eagle, anyhow from true Auburn fans!

    Margaret Jay Humburg - Grenada, West Indies

    A booing home crowd puts the "12th man" on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage. It is a violation of the Auburn Spirit to boo your own team.

    Dick Evans

    Predictions For Week Four SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 4-4, overall they are 21-7. This week, Auburn plays New Mexico St. on PPV at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 6 p.m. CT. Other games include South Carolina at LSU and Georgia at Alabama.

    New Mexico State at Auburn, 6 p.m. CT, Pay-per-view

    Auburn probably expected to be 3-0 to start the season but things don't always work out that way when you play decent opponents. Instead, the Tigers enter the matchup with New Mexico State at 1-2, while the visiting team is 2-1 under head coach Hal Mumme. Auburn needs to beat the Aggies to gain some confidence before heading to Gainesville next week.

    New Mexico State's offense will test Auburn's secondary. The Aggies come into the game ranked fifth in the nation in passing offense (398.7) and 11th in the country in total offense (523.3). Junior quarterback Chase Holbrook ranks fourth in the NCAA in total offense (390.0). Holbrook has 12 career 300-plus passing games and ranks second in the Aggie record books with 45 touchdown passes.

    Junior wideout Chris Williams has also been impressive so far this season for the Aggies. Last Saturday against UTEP, Williams had 221 receiving yards and has scored seven touchdowns in the first three games. Williams is tied for fifth in the nation in scoring and is sixth in receiving yards per game (129.3).

    Auburn is still trying to recover from the 19-14 loss to Mississippi State last Saturday. True freshman quarterback Kodi Burns provided a spark when he replaced senior Brandon Cox, but the offense came up short on fourth down at the end. The Tigers will probably use the two quarterback system for the rest of the season.

    For Auburn to win, the secondary must create turnovers and stop the New Mexico State pass-happy offense. The coaches have to figure out how to use two quarterbacks the same way they did when Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams were both used in the backfield in 2004.

    Don't expect the same lopsided outcome for the Tigers when they beat the Aggies 55-14 back in 1993 in the only previous meeting between the two schools. This one will be much closer.

    Prediction: Auburn 23-17.

    Florida at Ole Miss, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Florida just keeps on rolling after winning the national championship last season. So far in 2007, the Gators have gained at least 500 yards in each game and average 55.7 points per game. On offense, they are led by sophomores Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin and Brandon James. The defense, which has nine new starters, has allowed just 138 rushing yards on 79 carries. Last week against Tennessee, the defense gave up just 13 points, 37 yards rushing on 21 attempts, forced three turnovers and scored a touchdown.

    While Florida is on a roll, Ole Miss is still struggling in Ed Orgeron's third season. In their conference opener last week against Vanderbilt, the Rebels managed just 262 yards of offense and their quarterbacks were sacked six times in the 31-17 loss.

    The Gators come to Oxford having won 10 in a row. That streak will continue.

    Prediction: Florida 41-10.

    South Carolina at LSU, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    LSU has been impressive in its three games this season. The Tigers have the top-ranked scoring defense in the nation, allowing 2.3 points per game. LSU has allowed just one touchdown in 2007, a 1-yard scoring run by Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor in the third quarter of a 48-7 win on Sept. 8.

    South Carolina has also been stingy on defense. The Gamecocks are allowing just 9.7 points per game and are sixth in the country in pass defense, giving up 114.7 yards. Unfortunately, South Carolina will be without defensive lineman Nathan Pepper, who needs season-ending surgery on his left knee. Defensive back Brandon Isaac is doubtful with a shoulder injury.

    LSU owns a 14-2-1 edge in the series. The Tigers haven't lost to South Carolina since falling 18-17 at home in 1994. Don't expect them to lose this week.

    Prediction: LSU 31-10.

    Kentucky at Arkansas, 5 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Kentucky is ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in more than two decades after beating then-No. 9 Louisville 40-34 last week. Andre' Woodson threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Steve Johnson with 28 seconds remaining to seal the victory. After such an emotional win, the Wildcats must regroup and get ready for their trip to Fayetteville.

    Arkansas lost a close game to Alabama in Tuscaloosa last week. Darren McFadden was brilliant once again despite the loss. He will challenge a Kentucky defense that has struggled to stop the run. The Wildcats rank last in the SEC with 184.6 rushing yards allowed per game since the beginning of last season.

    The Razorbacks will be without defensive tackle Ernest Mitchell Saturday. Mitchell has been suspended by head coach Houston Nutt for grabbing the helmet from one of Alabama's players and hitting him with it.

    Kentucky will rely on Woodson's arm to improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2002. Woodson has thrown for at least 200 yards in each of his last nine games, averaging 291.2 yards in that stretch. He has nine touchdown passes without an interception this year, and his streak of 257 consecutive passes without an interception is an SEC record. He's 14 shy of Trent Dilfer's NCAA mark.

    This contest could be a high-scoring affair. McFadden and Felix Jones will be too much for Kentucky to handle.

    Prediction: Arkansas 45-31.

    I-AA Gardner-Webb at Mississippi State, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: MSU 36-10.

    Georgia at Alabama, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Alabama returned to the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2005 after its comeback victory last week over Arkansas. Georgia comes in ranked No. 22 after knocking off Western Carolina 45-16 last week. The Crimson Tide handed the Catamounts a 52-6 loss in week one.

    Momentum and confidence are on Alabama's side for the 64th meeting with the Bulldogs. The Crimson Tide holds a 34-23-4 lead in the series that dates back to 1895. Georgia won the last two meetings in 2002 (27-25) and 2003 (37-23), but hasn't won three straight over Alabama since a series-best five-game winning streak from 1910-16. The 27-25 win in 2002 marked their first-ever win over the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa in eight tries. The score might be as close this year but with the home team coming out on top.

    Prediction: Alabama 24-20.

    Arkansas State at Tennessee, 6 p.m. CT, Pay-per-view

    Tennessee is coming off a 59-20 loss to Florida. Arkansas State would be the perfect game for the Vols to get back on track but the Indians gave Texas all it could handle in week one. The Longhorns escaped with a close 21-13 victory in Austin. An upset Saturday wouldn't be that surprising but the Tennessee faithful wouldn't go for it. Like Texas, Tennessee will find a way to win.

    Prediction: Tennessee 31-14

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Four

    Auburn defeated New Mexico State 55-20 in non-conference action to improve to 2-2 on the season. The Tigers travel to Gainesville to face Florida this week at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.

    New Mexico State at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 23-17.

    Outcome: Auburn came out in the second half and put 34 points on the scoreboard to cruise to an easy 55-20 victory over New Mexico State. The running game for the Tigers finally produced after struggling in the first three games of the season. Ben Tate had 21 carries for 112 yards and a TD, while Mario Fannin rushed for 103 yards on 15 carries for 103 yards and three TDs, including a 67-yarder in the fourth quarter.

    Senior QB Brandon Cox saw action in much of the contest despite not being the starter. Cox took over for starter Kodi Burns in the second quarter and completed 13-of-19 passes with 135 yards and a TD.

    This week: Auburn plays Florida at The Swamp.

    Georgia at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 24-20.

    Outcome: Georgia took care of Alabama 26-23 in overtime. After the Crimson Tide took the lead on Leigh Tiffin's 42-yard field goal in overtime, the Bulldogs struck quickly when Mikey Henderson caught a 25-yard TD pass from Matthew Stafford. It was Henderson's first career TD catch, and it kept Georgia from starting 0-2 in the SEC for the first time since 1993.

    This week: Alabama plays Florida State in Jacksonville. Georgia hosts Ole Miss.

    Florida at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Florida 41-10.

    Outcome: Florida was too much in the end for Ole Miss. The Gators survived a close game but left Oxford with a 30-24 victory. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Gators in the state of Mississippi.

    Florida QB Tim Tebow threw two TDs, ran for two more and set a school record for quarterbacks with 166 yards rushing. The sophomore, who was the nation's No. 2 passer coming into the game, finished with 261 yards passing as he led the defending national champions to their 11th straight win and 19th in their last 20.

    This week: Florida hosts Auburn. Ole Miss plays at Georgia.

    South Carolina at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 31-10.

    Outcome: LSU remains undefeated after a 28-16 victory over South Carolina. The Tiger's defense held Cory Boyd and Mike Davis to just 27 rushing yards and one TD by Davis. It was only the second score LSU had given up this season. Because of sacks, South Carolina's net rushing total was only 6 yards.

    The highlight of the game came on a field goal attempt by LSU from 32-yards out. The holder, QB Matt Flynn, flipped the ball over his shoulder to kicker Colt David, who ran it in for a touchdown which gave the Tigers a 21-7 halftime lead.

    This week: LSU plays at Tulane and South Carolina hosts Mississippi State.

    Kentucky at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 45-31.

    Outcome: Kentucky won a wild one in Fayetteville. The Wildcats came-from-behind in the fourth quarter to win 42-29. Heisman candidate Andre' Woodson threw for 265 yards and two TDs for Kentucky.

    Arkansas led 29-21 early in the fourth after Felix Jones returned a free kick 82 yards for a touchdown. Kentucky quickly answered with Derrick Locke's 2-yard TD run to make it 29-27. The Wildcats failed to make the 2-point conversion.

    On their next possession, the Razorbacks couldn't do anything on offense and had to punt. Kentucky then drove 68 yards in 1:33 to take the lead for good when Keenan Burton caught a 32-yard TD pass from Woodson.

    This week: Arkansas plays North Texas at home. Kentucky also plays at home against Florida Atlantic.

    Arkansas State at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 31-14.

    Outcome: Tennessee handed the Indians of Arkansas State a 48-27 loss in Knoxville Saturday night. The Vols got a big performance from QB Erik Ainge. Ainge threw four TDs and a career-high 334 yards to help Tennessee improve to 2-2 on the season.

    This week: Tennessee is off.

    I-AA Gardner-Webb at Mississippi State

    Prediction: Mississippi State 36-10.

    Outcome: Mississippi State 31-15.

    This week: The Bulldogs play at South Carolina.

    Predictions For Week Five SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 26-9. This week, Auburn plays at the Swamp against No. 4 Florida at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN. Other games feature Ole Miss at Georgia and Alabama against FSU in Jacksonville.

    Auburn at Florida, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Brandon Cox is back as the starter at QB after having a solid game last week against New Mexico State. Against the Aggies, Cox completed 13-of-19 passes with 135 yards and a TD. Cox will be facing a young Florida secondary which is 10th in the SEC in pass defense, allowing 252.5 yards per game.

    Auburn's running game was also solid against the Aggies when both Ben Tate (111 yards) and Mario Fannin (103 yards) went over the century mark. It marked the first time since 2005 at Kentucky that Auburn had two 100-yard rushers in the same game.

    The Tigers handed Florida its only loss of the season last year. Since then, the Gators have reeled off an 11-game win streak. In the 27-17 loss at Auburn on Oct. 4, the Tigers limited the Gators to 279 total yards and forced three turnovers.

    For Auburn to win, the defense must create turnovers and find a way to limit the Gator's potent offense. Florida's offense, which is led by QB Tim Tebow, ranks sixth nationally with a 49.3 scoring average and has had at least 500 total yards of offense in every game. Florida has scored on 24 of its 26 possessions inside the red zone, including 21 touchdowns.

    The Tigers seem to play better when they are underdogs, especially against the Gators. The Tigers have won four of the last five games when Florida is ranked in the top four of the Associated Press poll. Don't expect another upset for Auburn.

    Prediction: Florida 34-17.

    LSU at Tulane, 11 a.m. CT, ESPN2

    LSU has looked like one of the top teams in the country so far this season, especially on defense. The unit ranks first nationally in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense, and is fifth in sacks and seventh in pass defense. Throw in an offense that has many weapons, and the Tigers are a complete team.

    Tulane won't cause many problems for LSU and this game should be over by halftime. The Tiger can then look forward to their matchup with Florida next week.

    Prediction: LSU 50-10.

    Mississippi State at South Carolina, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    South Carolina will have a new starter at QB Saturday when they face the Bulldogs. Freshman Chris Smelley replaces Blake Mitchell under center after Mitchell struggled in the 28-16 loss to No. 2 LSU last Saturday. The Gamecocks will be without LB Jasper Brinkley for the rest of the year after he sprained his right knee in the opening quarter against the Tigers. Junior Marvin Sapp, who was second on the team with 51 tackles last year, will take Brinkley's spot.

    MSU comes into the contest having won two straight. It will be a real challenge for Sylvester Croom's team to win this one on the road after they have struggled to win SEC road games during his tenure. The Bulldogs showed they can win on the road at Auburn a few weeks ago but the Gamecocks seem to be playing better on offense than Auburn was when MSU pulled off the upset. Expect a close game with the home team recording the victory.

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-17.

    Ole Miss at Georgia, 12 p.m. CT

    Georgia leads the all-time series with Ole Miss 29-12-1. The Bulldogs have taken seven straight in the series and three straight in Athens, where the Bulldogs enjoy a 16-4-1 edge.

    The Rebels put up a fight at home last week against Florida before eventually losing 30-24. The Gators probably started thinking about this week's game against Auburn at halftime, which caused them to play sloppy in the second half. Ole Miss always seems to give Georgia a tough contest, but probably can't upset the Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium.

    Georgia got an emotional overtime victory at Alabama last week. If they can put that game behind them, they will take care of the Rebels.

    Prediction: Georgia 31-14.

    Florida Atlantic at Kentucky, 12 p.m. CT

    Kentucky looks to improve to 5-0 on the season when it hosts Florida Atlantic this week. The Owls are 3-1 with impressive wins over Middle Tennessee and Minnesota. Their only loss was 42-6 to Oklahoma State.

    The Wildcats took care of Arkansas 42-29 in Fayetteville last week. QB Andre Woodson broke the NCAA record for consecutive passes without an interception against the Razorbacks. Woodson has an active streak of 296 consecutive passes without a pick, surpassing the previous mark of 271 by Trent Dilfer of Fresno State.

    On defense, LB Wesley Woodyard leads the SEC in tackles with 50 and is only one of five players in the nation to record 50 or more tackles so far this year. He has recorded double-figure tackles in 14 career games, including three consecutive contests.

    Prediction: Kentucky 40-18.

    Alabama vs. Florida State in Jacksonville, 4 p.m. CT, CBS

    Alabama and FSU meet for the fourth time overall and for the first time since 1974. FSU is coming off a bye week while Alabama suffered its first loss of the season to Georgia in overtime. The loss probably brought the Crimson Tide back down to reality. It'll be interesting to see how the team performs in front of mostly FSU fans.

    The Seminoles haven't done that much on offense so far this season. New offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher was brought in to fix an offense that struggled to score last season. Maybe this week against the Crimson Tide, FSU will score just enough to win.

    Prediction: FSU 17-14.

    North Texas at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT

    Arkansas has won all eight previous meetings with North Texas and has outscored the Mean Green 300-104. Surprisingly, the Razorbacks have lost two straight after losing four games overall in 2006. North Texas comes into the contest at 0-3. Arkansas should get back on the winning side this week in a big way.

    Prediction: Arkansas 50-10.

    Eastern Michigan at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT

    Vanderbilt and Eastern Michigan will play for the first time when the teams meet Saturday night in Nashville. The Eagles are 2-2 on the season while the Commodores are 2-1.

    Vanderbilt had last weekend off to rest up and get healthy for this week's game and next week's trip to Auburn. On offense, the Commodores are led by QB Chris Nickson and TE Earl Bennett. On Sept. 15, Vanderbilt's defense limited Ole Miss to 262 total yards in the 31-17 victory. The game also saw the Commodores record seven sacks.

    Vanderbilt is 8-3 all-time versus members of the Mid-American Conference. With a victory over Eastern Michigan, that record will improve.

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 28-17.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Five

    Auburn won 20-17 at Florida to improve to 3-2 overall, and 1-1 in SEC play. The Tigers play Vanderbilt this week at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 11:30 a.m. CT. Catch the game on Lincoln Financial Sports.

    Auburn at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 34-17.

    Outcome: Auburn did it again. Just when you think the Tigers have zero chance of pulling off a victory, they surprise you every time. As a big underdog playing at The Swamp, Auburn did everything right to defeat then-No. 4 Florida 20-17. The loss drops the Gators to No. 9 in the polls as they get ready to face No. 1 LSU this week in Baton Rouge. By winning, Auburn avoided an 0-2 start in the SEC for the first time since 1980.

    Auburn shocked the Gator fans by jumping out to a 14-0 lead at halftime. The Tigers' first score came on a 14-play, 86-yard drive that spanned just over 7 1/2 minutes. QB Kodi Burns finished the drive by scoring from 6-yards out. Auburn then blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt by Joey Ijjas with just under 10 minutes to play in the second quarter. After the blocked field goal, Auburn drove 80 yards to go up 14-0 after Ben Tate scored from three yards out with 6:21 to play in the first half.

    Auburn's defense kept Florida off the scoreboard in the first half, but Florida was able to make adjustments at halftime to gain momentum in the second half to eventually tie the contest. Florida got on the board with 11:58 to play in the third after Ijjas split the uprights with a 24-yard field goal. Patrick Lee then intercepted Tim Tebow to set up a 30-yard field goal by Wes Byrum to extend Auburn's lead to 17-3 with 6:39 to play in the third quarter.

    After Florida recovered a Tate fumble inside Auburn territory, the Gators pulled within a touchdown when Tebow threw a five-yard TD to Cornelius Ingram early in the fourth quarter. Later in the fourth, Tebow's two-yard TD run tied the game at 17-17. Byrum then nailed a 43-yard field as time expired to give Auburn the upset victory.

    This week: Auburn returns home to face Vanderbilt at 11:30 a.m. CT. The game can be seen on Lincoln Financial Sports.

    LSU at Tulane

    Prediction: LSU 50-10.

    Outcome: LSU scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to defeat Tulane 34-9. The Tigers, who were favored by almost six touchdowns, played sluggish in the first half and only led 10-9 at the half.

    This week: LSU moves to 5-0 on the season and will play Florida in Baton Rouge.

    Mississippi State at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-17.

    Outcome: Freshman QB Chris Smelley, who replaced fifth-year senior Blake Mitchell, led South Carolina to a 38-21 victory over Mississippi State in SEC action. Smelley threw for a career-high 279 yards and two TDs. The victory gives the Gamecocks a 4-1 overall record and 2-1 in the conference. The Bulldogs fall to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the SEC.

    This week: MSU hosts UAB and South Carolina plays at home against Kentucky on Thursday.

    Ole Miss at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 31-14.

    Outcome: Georgia got off to a slow start before blowing out Ole Miss 45-17. RB Thomas Brown rushed for 180 yards and scored three TDs. Brown's rushing total was the most for Georgia since 2001. He matched his career high with the three TD runs.

    This week: Georgia plays at Tennessee while Ole Miss hosts Louisiana Tech.

    Florida Atlantic at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 40-18.

    Outcome: Andre Woodson continues to have an outstanding year and may be on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. Woodson threw for a career-high five TDs in Kentucky's 45-17 victory over Florida Atlantic. Woodson threw an INT which snapped his NCAA-record streak of consecutive passes without an interception at 325.

    This Week: The Wildcats will have a short week to prepare for their Thursday night game at South Carolina.

    Alabama vs. Florida State in Jacksonville

    Prediction: FSU 17-14.

    Outcome: Florida State handed Alabama its second straight loss 21-14 in Jacksonville. After a scoreless first half by both teams, the Seminoles scored the game's first TD on their opening drive in the second half. QB Xavier Lee came off the bench and hit De'Cody Fagg with a 7-yard pass. FSU then took a 14-0 lead on Antone Smith's 5-yard run.

    Alabama finally got on the board with 5:04 left in the game when QB John Parker Wilson found DJ Hall in the back of the end zone. Lee then connected with Fagg on a 70-yard TD pass with 4:46 left in the contest to give the Seminoles a 21-7 lead. Wilson added a 17-yard scoring pass to Keith Brown with 1:06 left.

    This week: Alabama plays Houston at home.

    North Texas at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 50-10.

    Outcome: Arkansas trashed North Texas 66-7 to improve to 2-2 on the season. The Mean Green remains winless at 0-4. The Razorbacks gained 507 yards in the first half against a North Texas team that has allowed 220 points in four games.

    This week: Arkansas hosts Chattanooga.

    Eastern Michigan at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 28-17.

    Outcome: Vanderbilt improved to 3-1 on the season with a 30-7 victory over Eastern Michigan in Nashville. The Commodores forced a season-high five turnovers and held the Eagles to just 173 total offensive yards. Vanderbilt committed five turnovers as well when QB Chris Nickson threw five INTs.

    One of the best TE in the country, Vanderbilt's Earl Bennett caught nine passes for 93 yards and a TD. The two-time All-SEC receiver and the Commodores play at Auburn this week.

    Baseball Playoffs

    Well, my favorite time of the year is finally here. You may be surprised that my favorite sport isn't football since I grew up watching SEC football. But, I actually love baseball and get excited when October arrives. The playoffs are here!

    I'll be glued to my television for the next few weeks as the teams that made it battle each other to get to the World Series.

    As I write this, we still don't know what team in the National League will be the wildcard team. That will be decided later tonight between the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies in a one-game playoff. The Rockies have a good chance of winning since they finished the season on fire to force the one-game playoff. They won 13 out of their last 14 to play tonight. It also helped that the Padres lost down the stretch. But, they have to face Jake Peavy, who is a top candidate to win the Cy Young.

    The biggest collapse came in the NL East when the New York Mets choked away a seven game lead with 17 games to play which allowed the Philadelphia Phillies to take the division. I can't imagine what talk radio was like in the NYC area this morning. I know it was brutal! There's talk of firing Willie Randolph after he let his team blow the NL East after they led the entire season.

    The Arizona Diamondbacks surprised everyone by winning the NL West after losing several pitchers, including Randy Johnson to injuries for the season. Brandon Webb was the ace of the staff and he'll start against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday night. The Cubs were also a team that started out slow then finished strong to win the NL Central. They spent tons of money in the offseason to improve that team. The fans of course will be disappointed if they don't make the World Series.

    In the American League, the New York Yankees had a dismal April and May before going about 40 games above .500 from May 30 until the end of the season. They couldn't quite catch Boston who got off to a fast start and barely hung on to win the division. As the wildcard team, the Yankees play the AL Central winner Cleveland Indians. The only way the Yankees will go deep into the playoffs is if they outscore their opponents. Their middle relievers aren't very good and tend to blow leads.

    The Los Angeles Angels won the AL West with ease. They are a team with lots of speed and good pitching. Sports Illustrated actually picked them to play the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series back in March. The Dodgers didn't make the playoffs so that prediction won't happen. I still think the Angels could make it if they can get by the Red Sox in the first round.

    I think an American League team will win the World Series. In my opinion, the four teams in the playoffs for the American League are far superior than those in the National League. But, I could be wrong. We'll just have to see what happens over the next four weeks.

    Predictions For Week Six SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 7-1, overall they are 33-10. This week, Auburn plays at home against Vanderbilt at 11:30 a.m. CT on Lincoln Financial Sports. Other games have Georgia at Tennessee and Florida at LSU.

    Vanderbilt at Auburn, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Auburn returns home this week to face SEC foe Vanderbilt. Normally, you wouldn't expect the Commodores to be much of a challenge. But, Vanderbilt is a much improved squad and the Tigers are still excited about their big win at Florida last weekend. Auburn must focus on the Commodores to avoid an upset.

    On defense, Vanderbilt is only allowing 16.2 ppg. Meanwhile, on offense, they average 28.0 ppg and 350.5 total ypg. TE Earl Bennett is a big part of the team's success on offense. Through four games, Bennett has made 37 catches for 468 yards and four touchdowns.

    Auburn's offense welcomes back TB Brad Lester after he missed the first five games because of academic problems. Lester won't start but will see plenty of playing time. He adds more depth to a depleted backfield that will once again be without Tristan Davis for awhile.

    Senior QB Brandon Cox was outstanding last week against Florida. After a bumpy start in the first four games, Cox looks like he's ready to be the leader everyone thought he would be before the season started.

    DE Quentin Groves is out with three dislocated toes. He hasn't practiced this week and he's doubtful for Saturday.

    The early start time should be a concern for Auburn fans. Last season, the two losses for Auburn came when the game started before noon. In the 19-14 loss to Mississippi State this year, the 11:30 start time seemed to doom the Tigers as they played sloppy on offense. Hopefully this week they will be ready to play despite the early kickoff.

    Prediction: Auburn 27-13.

    Kentucky at South Carolina, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Kentucky and South Carolina play on Thursday night in a game nationally televised by ESPN. The Wildcats are a perfect 5-0 while Steve Spurriers' Gamecocks are 4-1. South Carolina hasn't lost to Kentucky since 1999, winning the past seven games. Spurrier hasn't lost to the Wildcats period, a perfect 14-0 in his career at Florida and South Carolina.

    Andre Woodson, the top QB in the SEC, will be tested by the Gamecock secondary which is ranked No. 1 in the country in pass defense. Woodson had his NCAA record streak of 325 attempts without an interception stopped against Florida Atlantic last week. Despite the INT, he threw a career-best five TD passes in Kentucky's 45-17 victory.

    Freshman QB Chris Smelley will start again for South Carolina after his impressive performance last week against Mississippi State when he had 279 yards and threw two TD passes.

    Until Kentucky loses, you can't help but pick them.

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-19.

    Louisiana Tech at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT

    Homecoming in Oxford this week has the 1-4 Ole Miss Rebels facing 1-3 Louisiana Tech. Both teams are desperate for a victory. The Rebels are 64-13-2 (.823 winning pct.) all-time in homecoming games and are riding a 10-game win streak on Homecoming. That streak should continue.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 18-17.

    UAB at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    MSU also has homecoming this week against UAB. The Bulldogs beat the Blazers last year in Birmingham 16-10 in overtime. MSU is 4-3 vs. C-USA under head football coach Sylvester Croom. That record should improve to 5-3 after the take care of UAB.

    Prediction: MSU 27-13.

    Houston at Alabama, 2 p.m. CT, PPV

    Houston has an overall record of 2-2 while Alabama is 3-2 after losing two straight. The Cougars WR Donnie Avery had a huge game against East Carolina last week. Avery hauled in nine catches for 189 yards and two TDs. He also set a C-USA record with 350 total yards.

    The Crimson Tide are led by Wallace Gilberry on defense. In five games this season, Gilberry has 26 tackles, 4.5 tackles for for loss, one forced fumble and one PBU. Alabama also has an outstanding WR in DJ Hall. In five games this season, Hall has 23 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns.

    Alabama should bounce back and avoid dropping its third straight game, but it may not be as easy as most Tide fans would expect.

    Prediction: Alabama 25-17.

    Georgia at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Georgia visits Neyland Stadium for a conference battle against Tennessee. Under Mark Richt, the Bulldogs are 23-3 on the road against SEC teams, including 9-2 against ranked teams. Georgia has won three straight at Neyland Stadium.

    Tennessee had last weekend off to try and fix the problems they are having on defense. Two weeks ago, the Vols gave up 377 yards to Arkansas State and are ranked 111th overall in scoring defense (37.5 points a contest).

    The Bulldogs have already proven they can win on the road this year after beating Alabama in overtime in Tuscaloosa. Look for another victory by Georgia on the road.

    Prediction: Georgia 27-21.

    I-AA Chattanooga at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Arkansas 57-13.

    Florida at LSU, 7 p.m. CT, CBS

    LSU moved atop the rankings by just two points over Southern California after its lackluster 34-9 victory over Tulane. The Tigers defend their No. 1 ranking against Florida in Baton Rouge.

    This year, LSU has outscored opponents 199-32 and leads the nation in rushing defense (39.0 yards per game) and total defense (174.6). The Tigers are also second in scoring defense, allowing 6.4 points a contest.

    LSU's stingy defense is anchored by perhaps the best defensive player in the nation in Glenn Dorsey. The senior tackle has 25 tackles and three sacks through the first five games. On offense, WR Early Doucet is expected to play this week against the Gators after missing the last three games with an undisclosed injury. Doucet had 15 receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the first two games.

    LSU has a 12-game overall winning streak and have won 16 straight at home. Those winning streaks are similar to Florida's before Auburn put an abrupt end to them. The Gators won't be able to pull off the huge upset on the road like Auburn did last week at The Swamp.

    Prediction: LSU 28-10.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Six

    Auburn took care of Vanderbilt 35-7. This week, the Tigers hit the road to face SEC foe Arkansas. In other games, LSU defeated Florida 28-24 and Tennessee won easily over Georgia 35-14.

    Vanderbilt at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 27-13.

    Outcome: Tommy Tuberville recorded his 100th career win in 12 years as a head coach when Auburn defeated Vanderbilt 35-7 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Brad Lester rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns in his season debut after sitting out the first five games because of an academic suspension. The Tigers outgained the Commodores 324-66 in the first half.

    Brandon Cox was solid again this week by completing 14-of-17 passes for 165 yards with a touchdown and an interception in three quarters. Cox helped Auburn score touchdowns on four of its first five possessions.

    The Tigers are now 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference.

    This week: Auburn plays Arkansas in Fayetteville. The game starts at 6:45 p.m. CT and can be seen on ESPN.

    Kentucky at South Carolina

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-19.

    Outcome: South Carolina 38-23.

    This week: Kentucky hosts LSU and South Carolina plays at North Carolina.

    Louisiana Tech at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 18-17.

    Outcome: Ole Miss snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Louisiana Tech 24-0 in Oxford. It was the Rebels' first shutout since 2003.

    This week: Ole Miss hosts Alabama.

    UAB at Mississippi State

    Prediction: MSU 27-13.

    Outcome: MSU defeated UAB 30-16 on RB Anthony Dixon's 152 rushing yards and three second-half touchdowns. The win gives the Bulldogs four victories in a season for the first time since 2000.

    This week: Mississippi State hosts Tennessee.

    Houston at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 25-17.

    Outcome: Alabama almost let Houston ruin Homecoming in Tuscaloosa by letting the Cougars threaten to score late in the fourth quarter which would have given them the victory. Instead, the Crimson Tide got a big INT by Simeon Castille on fourth down to escape with a 30-24 victory.

    This week: Alabama plays at Ole Miss.

    Georgia at Tennessee

    Prediction: Georgia 27-21.

    Outcome: This game was over after the first half as Tennessee jumped out to a 28-0 lead on their way to beating Georgia 35-14. It was Georgia's worst loss since losing 34-13 to LSU in the 2003 Southeastern Conference championship game. With the victory, Tennessee improves to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference. The Bulldogs drop to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play.

    This week: Georgia plays at Vanderbilt and Tennessee plays at Mississippi State.

    I-AA Chattanooga at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 57-13.

    Outcome: Arkansas 34-15.

    This week: Arkansas hosts Auburn.

    Florida at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 28-10.

    Outcome: LSU rallied late in the fourth quarter to beat Florida 28-24. The Tigers had to convert a pair of fourth-down runs to complete their comeback. Facing fourth-and-1 at the Florida 6, LSU head coach Les Miles decided to go for it and not kick a field goal which would have tied the contest.

    This week: Florida is off while LSU plays at Kentucky.

    Predictions For Week Seven SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 6-2, overall they are 39-12. This week, Auburn plays on the road at Arkansas at 6:45 p.m. CT on ESPN. Other games include Alabama at Ole Miss and Georgia at Vanderbilt.

    Auburn at Arkansas, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn seems to be on the right track after starting the season 1-2. Turnovers and offensive problems were probably the main reasons the Tigers lost back-to-back games to South Florida and Mississippi State. Since then, Auburn has won three straight thanks to improved play by senior QB Brandon Cox and a stingy defense. The Tigers are ranked No. 22 as they get ready for a road trip to Arkansas.

    Arkansas came to Jordan-Hare Stadium a year ago and shocked a then-ranked No. 2 Auburn team 27-10. The Tigers definitely want to go to Fayetteville and give the Razorbacks some payback for last year's embarrassing loss.

    Auburn will have to play with the same intensity and determination they had on the road at Florida if they want to beat Arkansas. Cox will have to be sharp and rely on his running backs to get things going on offense. Of course, on defense, Auburn must stop the duo of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

    This contest may come down to special teams play with the Tigers having the edge. Auburn redshirt freshman Ryan Shoemaker leads the SEC in punting, averaging 45.1 yards per punt. True freshman Wes Byrum has made eight field goals in 10 attempts, including the game winner from 43 yards on the final play at No. 4 Florida Sept. 29, and a season-long 49-yard field goal against South Florida. He also resumed the kickoff duties Sept. 22 against New Mexico State and has had seven touchbacks in the last three games.

    Prediction: Auburn 23-18.

    Alabama at Ole Miss, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Alabama heads to Ole Miss as a team that is trying to regroup after almost blowing a lead to Houston last week. If it wasn't for a big play on defense in the final seconds of the game, the Cougars probably would have won. Ole Miss surprisingly beat Louisiana Tech 24-0 last week to improve its record to 2-4.

    The Crimson Tide holds a 43-9-2 advantage in the series. Alabama has escaped each of the last two meetings by three points including last year's 26-23 overtime game in Tuscaloosa. This year's contest could prove to be another close one.

    Prediction: Alabama 17-14.

    Tennessee at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Tennessee is back in the Top 25 after beating Georgia 35-14 a week ago. MSU defeated UAB 30-13 in Starkville. Tennessee leads the all-time series with Mississippi State 26-15-1. The Vols own a 4-4 record in Starkville, and UT head coach Phillip Fulmer boasts a 4-1 career mark against the Bulldogs. MSU is 3-13 in their last 16 games against the SEC East. That record shouldn't improve after Saturday.

    Prediction: Tennessee 27-17.

    LSU at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    LSU will try and shut down Andre Woodson and Kentucky's high-powered offense when the two teams meet in Lexington. The Wildcats have the highest-scoring offense in the SEC at 42.7 points per game. Woodson leads the conference with 1,536 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes. Meanwhile, LSU's defense is the top defense in the nation.

    The Tigers improved to 6-0 overall after taking care of Tim Tebow and Florida last week at home. Kentucky took its undefeated team to Columbia last Thursday and lost 38-23 to South Carolina. Turnovers and special teams played a big role in the win for the Gamecocks.

    LSU has won four in a row over Kentucky since a 31-5 loss in Lexington in 1999. The Wildcats lost 49-0 in Baton Rouge last season. Expect Kentucky to at least score some points this year, but it won't be enough.

    Prediction: LSU 31-21.

    South Carolina at North Carolina, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC

    South Carolina takes its 5-1 record on the road to face North Carolina. The Tar Heels are 2-4 on the season and are coming off a 33-27 win over Miami. Three of their four losses to East Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech have come by seven points or fewer.

    The Gamecocks' only loss of the season was at LSU 28-16 on Sept. 22. Since then, victories over Mississippi State and Kentucky helped them earn their first top-10 ranking since 2001.

    The Tar Heels own a 34-16-4 advantage in the all-time series between the teams, which haven't met since 1991. Steve Spurrier is 3-0 against North Carolina, with all three victories coming while he was at Duke from 1987-89.

    Prediction: South Carolina 21-17.

    Georgia at Vanderbilt, 5 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Last week, both teams suffered losses on the road. Georgia fell to Tennessee 35-14 and Vanderbilt lost to Auburn 35-7. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 47-18-2. Vanderbilt snapped a 12-game losing skid to Georgia by winning 24-22 last year in Athens. The Commodores are winless in the last seven games against Georgia in Vanderbilt Stadium.

    The Bulldogs will be without TB Thomas Brown for four to six weeks after he broke his collarbone in the first half against Tennessee. Vanderbilt may have a new starter at QB after Chris Nickson struggled against Auburn. Nickson has started 17 straight but sophomore Mackenzie Adams may get the nod.

    The Bulldogs need a win against Vanderbilt to gain some momentum heading into the second half of the season. Their schedule gets tougher as three of their final five regular-season games will be against ranked teams. Georgia should bounce back from last week's devastating loss.

    Prediction: Georgia 27-13.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Seven

    Auburn came from behind late in the fourth quarter to defeat Arkansas 9-7 in Fayetteville. This week, the Tigers have another tough game on the road when they play LSU at 8 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on ESPN.

    Auburn at Arkansas

    Prediction: Auburn 23-18.

    Outcome: In a defensive battle, Auburn came out on top 9-7 on Wes Byrum's 20-yard game-winning field goal with 21 seconds remaining. The Tigers are now 5-2 and have won four straight since losing to South Florida and Mississippi State last month.

    Auburn's defensive held Heisman candidate Darren McFadden to just 43 rushing yards, the first time all season he's been under 100. Overall, Arkansas' rushing attack gained only 67 yards on the night after averaging 338 yards per game.

    Despite kicking the game-winning field goal, Byrum missed two field goals, including a 46-yarder with 4:19 left to play. Arkansas took advantage of the missed field goal by putting together a 71-yard touchdown drive to take its only lead at 7-6.

    Trailing for the first time all night, Auburn got good field position on Brad Lester's 22-yard kick return to the Auburn 47. Later in the drive, Brandon Cox found an open Robert Dunn for a long gain which put the Tigers into field goal range for Byrum. Cox finished the contest 13-of-23 for 101 yards.

    This week: Auburn plays LSU in Baton Rouge and Arkansas plays at Ole Miss.

    Alabama at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Alabama 17-14.

    Outcome: Alabama defeated Ole Miss 27-24 in Oxford. The Rebels have lost three straight to Alabama, each by three points.

    Down 27-24 late in the game, Ole Miss QB Seth Adams completed a 41-yard pass to Shay Hodge to give the Rebels possession at the Alabama 4 with 7 seconds left. The play was reviewed and was ruled illegal after it showed that Hodge stepped out of bounds and returned to the field to make the catch.

    The Southeastern Conference released a postgame statement saying, "In the judgment of the replay official, Doyle Jackson, the receiver stepped out of bounds on his own. Also the replay official ruled the receiver touched the ball first, thereby making it an illegal touch. The result of the play is that the ball goes back to the original line of scrimmage with a loss of down. Rules do not allow for a receiver to come back in bounds if he was forced out.''

    This week: Alabama returns home to face Tennessee.

    Tennessee at Mississippi State

    Prediction: Tennessee 27-17.

    Outcome: Eric Ainge helped Tennessee defeat MSU 33-21 on the road in Starkville. Ainge completed 22-of-36 attempts for 259 yards and two TD passes. The win puts Tennessee back in the SEC's Eastern Division race after starting the season 1-2. The Bulldogs are now 4-3 overall and 1-3 in the conference.

    This week: MSU plays at West Virginia.

    LSU at Kentucky

    Prediction: LSU 31-21.

    Outcome: Kentucky handed LSU its first loss of the season and knocked the Tigers out of the No. 1 spot after a 43-37 triple overtime victory. It was the first time in nearly four years the No. 1 team was beaten during the regular season.

    This week: Kentucky hosts Florida.

    South Carolina at North Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 21-17.

    Outcome: South Carolina led 21-3 through three quarters and withstood a late rally by North Carolina to win 21-15 in Chapel Hill. The Gamecocks are now 6-1 on the season thanks to QB Chris Smelley's career-high three touchdown passes in the first half. The redshirt freshman is 4-0 as a starter.

    This week: South Carolina plays Vanderbilt in Columbia.

    Georgia at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Georgia 27-13.

    Outcome: Georgia avoided losing to Vanderbilt for the second straight season when Brandon Coutu kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired to help the Bulldogs beat the Commodores 20-17. Knowshon Moreno, who started at TB for the injured Thomas Brown, rushed for a career-high 157 yards. Georgia improves to 5-2 overall, and 3-2 in the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt falls to 3-3, and 1-3 in the conference.

    This week: Georgia is off.

    Predictions For Week Eight SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 44-13. This week, Auburn plays at LSU at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN. Other games include Tennessee at Alabama and Florida at Kentucky.

    Auburn at LSU, 8 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn tries to win on the road for the third time this season when the Tigers visit LSU. Auburn's victory at Arkansas last weekend and LSU's loss at Kentucky puts both teams in a tie atop the SEC West with Alabama. LSU has won 17 consecutive games at home. In the series, the home team has won each of the last seven matchups, and the winner in five of those games has gone on to play in the SEC title game.

    Auburn has won four straight behind the play of senior QB Brandon Cox. After a rough start, Cox has completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 628 yards with two TDs and one interception. Over the past two weeks, Auburn has totaled 428 rushing yards, including 187 by Ben Tate.

    LSU QB Matt Flynn has been struggling some in the last two games. Flynn has completed just 31-of-62 passes for 274 yards with two TDs and two INTs.

    LSU is No. 2 in the nation in total defense, allowing 223.1 yards per game, while Auburn is ninth at 279.0. This weekend, Auburn hopes LSU's defense will continue to give up big yardage like it has in recent games. Against Kentucky, LSU gave up a season-worst 375 yards and the 27 points allowed in regulation was its most in 21 games since the 2005 loss to Georgia.

    Auburn continues to play well on defense despite injuries to S Aairon Savage, DE Quentin Groves, and LB Merrill Johnson. Groves and Johnson will likely play this week while Savage will probably be sidelined.

    For Auburn to have a chance in hostile Tiger Stadium, its offense must score more than nine points. Even if the offense scores more than nine, it still may not be enough.

    Prediction: LSU 17-13.

    Tennessee at Alabama, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Tennessee travels to Alabama looking for its fourth straight victory since losing at Florida 59-20 on Sept. 15. Even though the Vols trail 44-38-7 in the series, they have won eight of their last 10 games against the Crimson Tide.

    QB Erik Ainge is 2-1 in his career against Alabama, but he's thrown six INTs against the Crimson Tide including three in the Volunteers' 16-13 win last season. WR Lucas Taylor looks to be a big factor this weekend in Tuscaloosa. Lucas set career highs with 11 receptions and 186 yards and a touchdown last weekend against Mississippi State. RB Arian Foster has been a big part of Tennessee's success during its three-game winning streak. Last week, Foster rushed for a season-high 139 yards and a TD on 21 carries.

    On defense, Tennessee is allowing just 20.7 points per game in their last three contests after giving up 41.0 through their first three. The defense may be the key if the Vols want to avoid a second consecutive road loss to Alabama.

    The Crimson Tide is also on a winning streak since losing to Florida State 21-14 on Sept. 29. Alabama has won two straight thanks to the improved play of QB John Parker Wilson. WR D.J. Hall has been a favorite target for Wilson. Hall caught 11 passes for 140 yards last weekend to give him 37 receptions for 579 yards on the season.

    Like the past two contests, the game this year could be another close one. Tennessee is playing better as a team right now and should come away with the victory.

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-17.

    Vanderbilt at South Carolina, 11:30 a.m. CT, PPV

    Vanderbilt is looking to snap a seven-game losing streak to South Carolina. The Gamecocks are on a roll after losing to LSU in Sept. True freshman QB Chris Smelley is 4-0 as a starter and threw three touchdown passes at North Carolina a week ago. Smelley's favorite target is junior WR Kenny McKinley. McKinley has 37 catches for 446 yards with six of the team's 13 touchdown receptions.

    Steve Spurrier has never lost to Vanderbilt. Unless something crazy happens Saturday, he'll improve his mark to 15-0 over the Commodores.

    Prediction: South Carolina 36-17.

    Arkansas at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT

    Arkansas and Ole Miss are winless in conference play. The Razorbacks have had a disappointing season after winning the SEC Western Division a year ago. The Rebels lost a controversial game to Alabama last week. If Arkansas fails to beat Ole Miss, Houston Nutt's job will definitely be in jeopardy. Expect the Razorbacks to give the Rebels a heavy dose of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-10.

    Mississippi State at West Virginia, 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN Regional

    MSU steps out of the conference to play No. 9 West Virginia in Morgantown. WVU's only loss of the season was 21-13 at South Florida. The Bulldogs and the Mountaineers played last season in Starkville with WVU winning easily 42-14. Look for another easy victory for WVU this year.

    Prediction: WVU 35-13.

    Florida at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Two of the top quarterbacks in the SEC meet in Lexington when Florida takes on surprising Kentucky. The Wildcats are having a great season and last week's victory over then-No. 1 LSU made it even better. If they can get past the Gators this week, they'll have a real shot at winning the SEC Eastern Division.

    Florida had last week off to try and recover from two-straight losses to Auburn and LSU. The Gators were hoping to repeat as national champions but that dream is over with the two losses. They can only play for the SEC Eastern Division and even that won't be easy with remaining games versus Georgia, Vanderbilt, and at South Carolina.

    A victory over Kentucky would definitely give them a better chance at a trip to Atlanta. History is on Florida's side as it leads the all-time series 40-17. The Gators have won 20-straight over Kentucky. That streak may come to an end this week.

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-24.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Eight

    Auburn lost a heartbreaker to LSU Saturday night in Baton Rouge. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Auburn. Auburn is now 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the SEC. Auburn plays Ole Miss this week at 5 p.m. CT on PPV.

    Auburn at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 17-13.

    Outcome: Auburn lost 30-24 to LSU when Matt Flynn threw a 22-yard TD pass to Demetrius Byrd with a second left in the contest. Flynn finished the night with 319 yards passing and three TDs. LSU extended its winning streak in Death Valley to 18 games.

    Auburn went ahead 24-23 late in the fourth when QB Brandon Cox led his team on an 83-yard drive which ended on Cox's 3-yard TD pass to Rod Smith. Cox completed 18-of-28 passes for 199 yards and threw two TDs.

    As it had done all night on kickoffs to keep the ball away from LSU returner Trindon Holliday, Auburn squibbed the kickoff, giving LSU the ball on its 42. Flynn ran for 19 yards during the final drive before throwing a perfect pass in the end zone to Byrd for the game-winning TD.

    This week: Auburn plays Ole Miss at home while LSU is off.

    Tennessee at Alabama

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-17.

    Outcome: Alabama crushed Tennessee 41-17 in Tuscaloosa. QB John Parker Wilson threw for a career-high 363 yards and three TDs. DJ Hall had a school-record 13 catches for 185 yards. Alabama got its biggest win in the series since a 56-28 victory in 1986 after losing 10 of the last 12 meetings.

    This week: Alabama is off.

    Vanderbilt at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 36-17.

    Outcome: Steve Spurrier finally lost to Vanderbilt as a head coach when the Commodores upset the Gamecocks 17-6 in Columbia. Spurrier was 14-0 all-time against Vanderbilt as head coach at Duke, Florida and South Carolina. The Commodores took a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and held on thanks to two key INTs by D.J. Moore.

    This week: South Carolina plays at Tennessee and Vanderbilt returns home to play Miami (Ohio).

    Arkansas at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-10.

    Outcome: Arkansas finally won a game in conference play after beating Ole Miss 44-8 in Oxford. The Rebels are the only team in the SEC without a conference victory and are 0-5 in the league for the first time since 1984.

    Arkansas RBs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones both had over 100 yards rushing on the day. McFadden finished with 110 while Jones had 101 and two TDs.

    This week: Arkansas hosts Florida International and Ole Miss plays at Auburn.

    Mississippi State at West Virginia

    Prediction: West Virginia 35-13.

    Outcome: WVU scored on its first five possessions to easily defeat MSU 38-13. The Mountaineers limited the Bulldogs to just 12 first downs and 214 yards of offense. WVU QB Pat White threw two TD passes and ran for another score while RB Steve Slaton rushed for 127 yards and a TD.

    This week: MSU plays at Kentucky.

    Florida at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-24.

    Outcome: Florida rebounded from back-to-back losses to defeat Kentucky 45-37. The Gators have now won 21 straight over the Wildcats.

    Both QBs from Florida and Kentucky had huge games. Tim Tebow completed 18-of-26 passes for 256 yards and threw for a career-high four TDs. Andre Woodson threw for 415 yards and five TDs.

    This week: Florida plays Georgia and Kentucky hosts Mississippi State.

    Predictions For Week Nine SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 3-3, overall they are 47-16. This week, Auburn plays at home against Ole Miss at 5 p.m. CT on PPV. Other games include Florida at Georgia and South Carolina at Tennessee.

    Mississippi at Auburn, 5 p.m. CT, PPV

    Auburn returns home after two straight road games to face lowly Ole Miss. The Rebels are 0-5 in the conference and their defense allows 436.6 yards per game. Their six defeats have come by an average of nearly 17 points.

    It looks like Seth Adams will start at QB this week over Brent Schaeffer. Both QBs have struggled all season, especially Adams in the last three games after playing well at the beginning of the season. In the first five games, Adams completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,198 yards, eight TDs and four INTs. Since then, he has thrown 10 INTs.

    Auburn tries to bounce back after a crushing loss at LSU last weekend. The Tigers get a break this week and next week against Tennessee Tech before the real season begins with rivals Georgia and Alabama. The Tigers should take care of Ole Miss as they keep their SEC West title hopes alive.

    Prediction: Auburn 38-10.

    Mississippi State at Kentucky, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Kentucky and Mississippi State meet for the 35th time in school history with the Wildcats leading the all-time series 20-14. In games played in Lexington, Kentucky is 13-4 including 7-3 in Commonwealth Stadium. Last year's meeting was a battle down to the wire with the Wildcats winning 34-31 in Starkville.

    The Bulldogs lost last weekend 38-13 at West Virginia while Kentucky couldn't stop Tim Tebow and Florida. Expect Kentucky to bounce back this week with a solid victory over MSU.

    Prediction: Kentucky 31-10.

    Florida International at Arkansas, 1 p.m. CT

    Florida International visits Arkansas with a record of 0-7. This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Arkansas celebrates homecoming in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks are 49-32-4 in homecoming games and 6-3 in homecoming games under Houston Nutt. This one will be over by halftime.

    Prediction: Arkansas 57-13.

    Miami (Ohio) at Vanderbilt, 1 p.m. CT

    Vanderbilt is coming off a big win over South Carolina last weekend. The Commodores forced key turnovers and kept the Gamecock offense in check all afternoon.

    Vanderbilt could have a letdown this week against Miami (Ohio) after its emotional win over South Carolina. The Redhawks shouldn't be a pushover with a record of 4-4. The Commodores will win this one but it may be a nail biter.

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 26-21.

    Florida at Georgia, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Both teams had last weekend off to regroup and recover from the first-half of the season. Florida's QB Tim Tebow will be playing in his hometown of Jacksonville for the first time since high school. Tebow is a little banged up from a shoulder injury but says it shouldn't slow him down any.

    Georgia is dealing with injuries of its own at the TB position. Knowshon Moreno will make his second straight start because of injuries to Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin. Moreno rushed for a career-high 157 yards against Vanderbilt.

    The Bulldogs have lost 15 of the last 17 meetings with the Gators, and both since Urban Meyer took over as Florida's head coach. Florida and Georgia are both tied with South Carolina for the top spot in the East, while and Tennessee are one-half game behind. The winner Saturday will have a good chance at winning the SEC East. Give Florida the advantage to leave Jacksonville with the victory.

    Prediction: Florida 24-20.

    South Carolina at Tennessee, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Both teams are coming off of embarrassing losses last weekend. South Carolina had big problems on offense a week ago against Vanderbilt. Head coach Steve Spurrier has said all year that his offense was a work in progress and it showed against the Commodores. The Gamecocks scored just six points and managed only 195 yards. Spurrier hasn't decided who will be his starting QB against the Volunteers. Chris Smelley, Blake Mitchell, and Tommy Beecher will all compete for the job.

    Tennessee head coach Philip Fulmer held a rare Sunday practice after losing to Alabama 41-17. The practice was held so his team could forget about Alabama and start focusing on South Carolina.

    The Volunteers lead the all-time series with South Carolina 20-3-2. Fulmer has a 13-1 career mark against South Carolina, including a 5-1 record in Knoxville. Tennessee wins this week but not by much.

    Prediction: Tennessee 21-19.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Nine

    Auburn defeated Ole Miss 17-3 Saturday evening at Jordan-Hare Stadium. This week, the Tigers play I-AA Tennessee Tech for homecoming. The game will kickoff at 1:30 p.m. CT.

    Mississippi at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 38-10.

    Outcome: Auburn put together a lackluster performance to beat Ole Miss 17-3. The Tigers improve to 6-3 overall, and 4-2 in SEC play.

    RB Brad Lester rushed for a career-high 96 yards and WR Rod Smith had a career-high 111 yards on eight catches and a TD.

    This week: Ole Miss plays Northwestern State.

    Mississippi State at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 31-10.

    Outcome: Mississippi State forced a season-high six turnovers in its 31-14 victory over Kentucky. QB Wesley Carroll threw two TDs and threw for 152 yards. RB Christian Ducre rushed for a career-high 119 yards.

    The Bulldogs won for the third time on the road this season. They hadn't won three road games since their Independence Bowl season of 2000, the last time they appeared in postseason play.

    This week: Both MSU and Kentucky are off.

    Florida International at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 57-13.

    Outcome: Arkansas forced seven turnovers to easily defeat Florida International 58-10. The Golden Panthers have lost 20 straight games.

    This week: Arkansas plays at home against South Carolina.

    Miami (Ohio) at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 26-21.

    Outcome: Vanderbilt moved one step closer to becoming bowl eligible by beating Miami of Ohio 24-13. The Commodores have not played in the postseason since 1982.

    Vanderbilt's defense clamped down in the second half by allowing just three points and 86 total yards. The RedHawks led 13-10 midway through the third quarter, but the Commodore defense, which is ranked No. 19 nationally, recorded five sacks. Vanderbilt went ahead for good at 17-13 late in the third when reserve QB Chris Nickson capped a 70-yard drive with a two-yard TD run.

    This week: Vanderbilt plays at Florida.

    Florida at Georgia

    Prediction: Florida 24-20.

    Outcome: Georgia sacked Florida QB Tim Tebow six times in its 42-30 victory over the Gators. Florida had dominated the series known as the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party since 1990, winning 15 of the last 17 meetings and eight of nine.

    RB Knowshon ran for a career-high 188 yards and three TDs for Georgia. QB Matthew Stafford completed 11-of-18 passes for 217 yards with an interception.

    This week: Georgia plays Troy in Athens.

    South Carolina at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 21-19.

    Outcome: Tennessee took care of South Carolina 27-24 in overtime. The Vols are now tied with Georgia for first place in the SEC East but hold the head-to-head tiebreaker after beating the Bulldogs earlier this month.

    Daniel Lincoln kicked a game-tying 48-yard field goal with 5 second left for Tennessee to force overtime. In overtime, Lincoln won it on a 27-yarder to put the Vols in a position to play for the conference title.

    This week: Tennessee hosts Louisiana-Lafayette.

    Tuberville Rumor

    I guess the rumor that Tuberville will leave Auburn for Texas A&M isn't going away anytime soon. It seems like as the season winds down, the rumor intensifies and people are certain it'll be a done deal.

    I guess the rumor began around the time when Auburn lost two straight games back in September. For some reason, Texas A&M isn't happy with current head coach Dennis Franchione even though the Aggies are 6-3 so far this year. Just looking at their remaining schedule, it gets really tough with games at Oklahoma and Missouri, before finishing up with Texas at home. They'll be lucky to win any of those, so the fans will really want Franchione gone.

    I think another reason Franchione's job is in jeopardy is because of the booster newsletter thing. From what I understand, the newsletter gave boosters inside information about recruits and about the football program in general. That didn't please the average fan too much.

    So if Tuberville does leave, I personally won't hate him for leaving. I'll be happy for him and I'll hope he's successful. I just hope Auburn fans don't hate him for leaving like the Ole Miss fans did when he left Oxford to come here. Or like how the folks up in Tuscaloosa hate Franchione with a passion for leaving to go to Texas A&M. Bama fans hate Franchione more than they do Tuberville.

    I really don't think Tuberville will ever leave Auburn. He can retire here if he wants to. He runs a clean program and is one of the top recruiters in the country. He also has a $6 million buyout in his contract. That's a lot of money but it probably won't stop Texas A&M from getting what they want.

    Tuberville addressed the rumor Sunday by basically saying he isn't leaving. Most often than not, when a coach says they aren't leaving, it really means they are. He did say he thought he would discuss his contract status with athletic director Jay Jacobs over the next few weeks. Until then, the rumor won't die and we won't know if Tuberville will leave.

    Predictions For Week Ten SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, overall they are 51-18. This week, Auburn plays Tennessee Tech for homecoming. The big conference games have LSU playing at Alabama and Vanderbilt visiting Florida.

    Vanderbilt at Florida, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Florida started the season 4-0 but has dropped three of its past four games. This week, the Gators host a Vanderbilt team that is one win away from becoming bowl eligible. The Commodores haven't been to a bowl game since 1982.

    Vanderbilt's defense, which is ranked 14th nationally, will have to stop Florida's offense led by QB Tim Tebow. The Gators average 39 points per game. At home, they have averaged 46 points in four games at the Swamp.

    Florida has captured the last 16 games played between the schools, dating back to a 24-9 Vanderbilt victory in 1988. The Commodores are 1-17-1 all-time at Florida. The Gators should start the month of November off with a victory.

    Prediction: Florida 31-23.

    Troy at Georgia, 12 p.m. CT

    Georgia returns home after a brutal schedule of road games for the entire month of October. The Bulldogs play Troy for the first time for homecoming. The Trojans are 6-2 overall having won six straight after starting the season with losses at Arkansas and Florida.

    Georgia got the best of Florida last weekend in Jacksonville. The 42-30 victory put the Bulldogs on top of the SEC East with remaining conference games at home against Auburn and Kentucky.

    Since 1922, Georgia is 66-17-2 in homecoming matchups. The Bulldogs fell to Vanderbilt 24-22 last year that ended an 11-year winning streak in homecoming games. A new streak will start with a victory over Troy.

    Prediction: Georgia 28-17.

    Louisiana-Lafayette at Tennessee, 3 p.m. CT

    Tennessee welcomes LA-Lafayette for homecoming. The Ragin' Cajuns are 1-7 on the season. They played Tennessee only once back in 1992 when they were known as Southwestern Louisiana. Tennessee coach Philip Fulmer is 4-0 against current members of the Sun Belt Conference, including a 48-27 win over Arkansas State earlier this season. In the 14 homecoming games that Fulmer has coached, the Vols are 13-1 with an average margin of victory of 24.2 points. This year won't be any different.

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-7.

    LSU at Alabama, 4 p.m. CT, CBS

    After both teams were off last week, Alabama and LSU battle each in Tuscaloosa in a game that could determine the winner in the SEC West. The Crimson Tide could also put an end to LSU's title hopes with a victory. That won't be easy against a talented team like LSU and recent history is on the side of the Tigers. LSU has one four straight and six of the last seven against Alabama. LSU's head coach Les Miles is 2-0 vs. Alabama.

    In recent weeks, LSU has found a way to win when trailing late in the fourth quarter. Something tells me this contest will go down to the wire. Then again, it could be a blowout since the game is receiving so much hype. The team that can handle the pressure will end up winning. LSU can probably handle the pressure since it has been able to win games in dramatic fashion. Go with the Tigers from Baton Rouge.

    Prediction: LSU 28-14.

    South Carolina at Arkansas, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    South Carolina has lost two straight as they get ready for a trip to Arkansas. The Gamecocks have had trouble stopping the run all season and will have the tough task of trying to slow down Darren McFadden. South Carolina is 10th in the conference in rushing defense, allowing 169.2 yards per game, and have given up an average of 201.0 in their three losses.

    The QB situation for both teams is still questionable. After Chris Smelley struggled against Tennessee in the first half last week, Steve Spurrier replaced him with Blake Mitchell who almost led South Carolina to a victory. Arkansas QB Casey Dick is still banged up after he suffered a slight concussion and sore ribs from a hit in the backfield in the first half against Florida International. Dick should start despite being sore.

    Both teams are great at running the ball. The edge goes to McFadden and Felix Jones over South Carolina's Corey Boyd. The duo of McFadden and Jones should help Arkansas win.

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-20.

    I-AA Tennessee Tech at Auburn, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Auburn 49-6.

    I-AA Northwestern State at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-10.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week Ten

    Saturday in Auburn, the Tigers defeated Tennessee Tech 35-3 for homecoming. This week, Auburn travels to Athens to play No. 10 Georgia. The game can be seen nationally on CBS starting at 2:30 p.m. CT.

    Vanderbilt at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 31-23.

    Outcome: Florida had an easy contest against Vanderbilt for homecoming. The Gators killed the Commodores 44-22 behind Tim Tebow's five TDs. Percy Harvin became the first player in school history with 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game. Vanderbilt's defense entered the game ranked third in the conference and 14th in the country.

    Florida has beaten the Commodores 17 straight times and remains in the hunt for the SEC East title. The Gators must beat South Carolina and have Tennessee and Georgia lose another league game to return to Atlanta for the second straight year.

    This week: Florida plays at South Carolina while Vanderbilt hosts Kentucky.

    Troy at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 28-17.

    Outcome: Georgia won 44-34 over Troy in non-conference action. The Bulldogs got a strong performance from Knowshon Moreno who ran for 196 yards and three TDs. Troy QB Omar Haugabook completed 29-of-45 passes for 310 yards and two TDs. He also threw two crucial INTs and lost a fumble. The Trojans fell to 0-3 against the SEC this season despite scoring a combined total of 81 points in the losses to Arkansas, Florida and Georgia.

    This week: Georgia plays Auburn in Athens.

    Louisiana-Lafayette at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-7.

    Outcome: Tennessee crushed Louisiana-Lafayette 59-7 in Knoxville. RB Arian Foster rushed for 100 yards on 20 carries for the Vols. He also had a TD along with Lennon Creer. Creer finished with 109 yards on seven carries, and Montario Hardesty added 45 yards on nine carries. p>This week: Tennessee hosts Arkansas.

    LSU at Alabama

    Prediction: LSU 28-14.

    Outcome: LSU still has a shot at the national championship after its thrilling 41-34 victory over Alabama. The Tigers scored two TDs in the final three minutes to rally over the Crimson Tide. On fourth down late in the contest, QB Matt Flynn found Early Doucet over the middle in coverage. Doucet faked out a few of Alabama's defenders to get into the end zone for the tying score with 2:49 remaining.

    The Crimson Tide coughed the ball up on their next possession when John Parker Wilson was sacked by Chad Jones. The ball was knocked away and was recovered by Curtis Taylor at the Alabama 4. Two plays later, Jacob Hester dove over from the 1 with 1:26 left.

    This week: Alabama plays at Mississippi State and LSU hosts Louisiana Tech.

    South Carolina at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-20.

    Outcome: Darren McFadden ran for an SEC-record 323 yards as Arkansas defeated South Carolina 48-36. The Razorbacks rushed for a whopping 541 yards on the night. McFadden broke the Southeastern Conference record of 321 yards set by Vanderbilt's Frank Mordica in 1978. His previous career high of 219 yards came against South Carolina last year.

    I-AA Tennessee Tech at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 49-6.

    Outcome: Auburn 35-3

    This week: Auburn plays Georgia in Athens.

    I-AA Northwestern State at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-10.

    Outcome: Ole Miss 38-31.

    This week: Ole Miss is off.

    Predictions For Week 11 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 7-0, overall they are 58-18. This week, Auburn plays rival Georgia in Athens at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Other conference games include Alabama at Mississippi State and Florida at South Carolina.

    Auburn at Georgia, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Auburn still remembers the embarrassing 37-15 loss to Georgia last year at home. QB Brandon Cox had his worst game as a starter while Georgia QB Matthew Stafford was impressive in his first big game as a freshman under center. Cox was hobbled by injuries which probably caused him to throw 4 INTs. This year, Cox and Stafford are healthy which should provide both teams with solid passing games.

    In the backfield, Georgia's Knowshon Moreno has played well since starter Thomas Brown has been out with a collarbone injury. Last week against Troy, Moreno rushed for a career-high 196 yards and had three touchdown runs for a second straight week to lead the Bulldogs to their fourth consecutive home win. Brown has been practicing this week and should return to action against Auburn.

    For the Tigers, Brad Lester didn't play last week against Tennessee Tech because of a sore hamstring. He should start and be close to 100 percent Saturday. Auburn also has Ben Tate and Mario Fannin, who has become a threat as a receiver out of the backfield.

    Auburn's defense ranks 24th in the nation against the run, allowing opponents to gain 114.0 yards per contest. The Tigers rank 10th in pass defense, holding opponents to 179.8 yards per game. For Georgia, its defense allows 340.9 total yards per game and opponents are posting 22.4 points per game.

    The Tigers hold an 18-9 advantage in Athens and have won 10 of their last 12 games at Sanford Stadium. Through 110 meetings, Georgia has outscored Auburn by just 20 points (1,685-1,665)

    Throw statistics and home-field advantage out the window when these two rivals meet. Auburn should get a victory in Athens on Saturday.

    Prediction: Auburn 17-14.

    Alabama at Mississippi State, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Alabama looks to give Mississippi State some payback for last year's 24-16 loss in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide had won the previous five meetings with Mississippi State by a combined 137-45 margin, and had not lost at home to the Bulldogs since 1997.

    Mississippi State should be rested after its bye last weekend. The Bulldogs are 5-4 on the season after going to Lexington and beating Kentucky 31-14 two weeks ago. Mississippi State relied on RB Anthony Dixon to carry the load against the Wildcats and the Crimson Tide should expect him to get plenty of carries Saturday.

    Alabama lost to LSU 41-34 in a game that was full of hype. This week, they should be able to relax and take care of business.

    Prediction: Alabama 27-17.

    Arkansas at Tennessee, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Tennessee is just three wins away from playing in the SEC championship game. The Vols are a half-game back of SEC East-leading Georgia, but they beat the 10th-ranked Bulldogs 35-14 on Oct. 6. Up first is Arkansas, a team that has won a season-high three games by an average of 32 points thanks to RB Darren McFadden. McFadden had his best game last week against South Carolina when he rushed for a whopping 323 yards. He joined Georgia's Herschel Walker as the only SEC players to run for 1,000 yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

    The Vols are coming off a 59-7 non-conference victory over Louisiana-Lafayette. They allowed the Ragin' Cajuns to rush for 234 yards on 48 attempts. On average, Tennessee allows 167.7 yards on the ground, fourth-worst in the SEC.

    Arkansas defeated the Vols 31-14 last season in Fayetteville, with McFadden rushing for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns. McFadden was unstoppable last week and could have another big day in Knoxville. If he does, the Razorbacks will win.

    Prediction: Arkansas 21-17.

    Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 1 p.m. CT

    Kentucky currently owns a three-game winning streak over Vanderbilt. A fourth straight victory over Vanderbilt would give Kentucky seven wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1976-77. Overall, the Wildcats lead the all-time series 38-37-4 after winning last year's contest 38-26 in Lexington. Kentucky had last weekend off to prepare for its 80th meeting with Vanderbilt.

    The Wildcats are on a two-game losing streak having lost to Florida and Mississippi State. QB Andre Woodson has probably dropped out of the Heisman Trophy race after going 24-for-42 for 230 yards with two TDs and three INTs against the Bulldogs.

    Vanderbilt is still reeling from a 49-22 loss at Florida last Saturday. The Commodores had three turnovers and gave up 498 total yards, their most since allowing 597 versus Kentucky last season.

    Kentucky should bounce back this week and beat Vanderbilt. It could be close since the series has had a number of close games, as 32 of the 79 games (41.0 percent) have been decided by seven points or less, with the series tied at 14-14-4 in those games.

    Prediction: Kentucky 31-24.

    Florida at South Carolina, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    After starting the season on fire, South Carolina has really cooled off by losing three straight. The Gamecocks looked like they were ready to win the SEC East but have been knocked out of the title race with losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Against the Razorbacks, the Gamecocks gave up a school-record 541 yards on the ground.

    Florida, meanwhile, is in the thick of the SEC East race after a convincing victory over Vanderbilt last Saturday. The Gators lead the series 20-4-3 and has claimed 14 of the last 15 meetings when both schools were members of the SEC.

    Prediction: Florida 27-21.

    Louisiana Tech at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

    LSU takes on Louisiana Tech in non-conference action. The Tigers moved up to No. 2 in the BCS standings after their dramatic victory over Alabama. Louisiana Tech is trying to win its third straight after scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns to rally for a 28-16 victory at Idaho last Saturday.

    LSU is 16-1 all-time against Louisiana Tech, including a 49-10 victory on Nov. 1, 2003 in the last meeting, which was the first between the teams since 1941. The Tigers will beat the Bulldogs before finishing up their schedule at Ole Miss and at home against Arkansas.

    Prediction: LSU 45-10.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week 11

    Auburn lost 45-20 to Georgia. Thankfully the Tigers have this week off. In other action, Mississippi State downed Alabama 17-12, Tennessee crushed Arkansas, and Florida handled South Carolina 51-31.

    Auburn at Georgia

    Prediction: Auburn 17-14.

    Outcome: Georgia whipped Auburn for the second straight year. The Tigers came back from a 17-10 deficit at halftime to take a 20-17 lead in the third quarter before things got ugly. The Bulldogs scored the final 28 points against an Auburn defense that was leading the SEC and ranked fifth nationally in points allowed, just 14.5 per game.

    This week: Auburn is off. Georgia hosts Kentucky.

    Alabama at Mississippi State

    Prediction: Alabama 27-17.

    Outcome: Down 9-3 just before halftime, Mississippi State's Anthony Johnson returned an INT 100 yards for a TD and the Bulldogs never looked back as they beat Alabama 17-12 in Starkville. MSU became bowl eligible for the first time since 2000 with the victory. Sylvester Croom has now beaten his alma mater two years in a row. It also was the second straight win over a ranked opponent for Mississippi State, which beat then-No. 14 Kentucky two weeks ago

    This week: Alabama hosts Louisiana-Monroe. Mississippi State travels to Fayetteville to face Arkansas.

    Arkansas at Tennessee

    Prediction: Arkansas 21-17.

    Outcome: Tennessee took it to Arkansas 34-13 Saturday afternoon in Knoxville. The Volunteer defense held RB Darren McFadden to 117 yards on 22 carries. Last week against South Carolina, McFadden rushed for an SEC record 321 yards.

    This week: Tennessee hosts Vanderbilt

    Kentucky at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Kentucky 31-24.

    Outcome: Kentucky struggled some but still managed to beat Vanderbilt 27-20 to keep its slim hopes of a berth in the Southeastern Conference title game alive. The Wildcats could make it to the title game in Atlanta by defeating both Georgia and Tennessee.

    Kentucky improves to 7-3 overall and clinched consecutive seven-win seasons for the first time since 1976-77. Vanderbilt falls to 5-5 and hopes to become bowl eligible by beating Tennessee this week or Wake Forest in two weeks. Vanderbilt hasn't been to a bowl since the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl.

    Florida at South Carolina

    Prediction: Florida 27-21.

    Outcome: Florida beat South Carolina 51-31 in Columbia on Tim Tebow's school record seven TDs, five rushing and two passing. Tebow threw a career-best 304 yards on 22-of 32 attempts and ran for 120 yards on 26 carries. The Gamecocks allowed 233 yards rushing and 537 yards total a week after giving up 651 yards, 542 of them on the ground, in a loss to Arkansas.

    This week: Florida hosts Florida Atlantic, South Carolina is off.

    Louisiana Tech at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 45-10.

    Outcome: LSU thumped Louisiana Tech 58-10 to move back to the top of the national rankings. QB Matt Flynn passed for 237 yards and three TDs but also threw two INTs in the first half, the first setting up Zac Champion's 37-yard TD pass to Brian Jackson, which briefly pulled Tech as close as 10-7 early in the second quarter.

    This week: LSU plays at Ole Miss.

    Predictions For Week 12 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 3-3, overall they are 61-21. This week, the SEC Eastern Division title is still up for grabs as both Georgia and Tennessee are in action. The Volunteers need to win their remaining two games to make it to Atlanta.

    Florida Atlantic at Florida, 11 a.m. CT

    Florida Atlantic travels to the Swamp to face Florida in non-conference action. The Owls are 5-4 on the season and this will be their first-ever meeting with the Gators.

    Florida Atlantic head coach Howard Schnellenberger was 3-2 against Florida as Miami's head coach. Schnellenberger won't get a victory this week as Tim Tebow and the Gators will be too much to handle.

    Prediction: Florida 47-10.

    Kentucky at Georgia, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Georgia hammered Auburn last week to keep its SEC East title hopes alive. The Bulldogs need Tennessee to lose one of its two remaining league games to advance to the SEC Championship Game.

    Georgia has won four straight and hopes to continue the streak when Kentucky comes to town. The Wildcats have stumbled in recent weeks after getting off to a 5-0 start. Georgia looks to avenge last year's 24-20 loss to Kentucky in Lexington. It was the first win over Georgia since 1996. Georgia leads the series 47-11-2 including a 24-3-2 edge in Athens.

    Prediction: Georgia 31-17.

    Mississippi State at Arkansas, 1 p.m. CT

    It looks like Sylvester Croom has turned things around in Starkville. To beat both Auburn and Alabama in the same year is quite impressive. His team doesn't look that big and fast compared to other teams in the conference but they play hard which seems to help them win. The Bulldogs usually just run the ball down opponent's throats with leading rusher Anthony Dixon and backup Christian Ducre. Dixon has now rushed 404 times in his career for 1,582 yards and 22 touchdowns.

    Arkansas has the same kind of attack with Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. When McFadden gets going, he can be unstoppable. He ranks fourth nationally in rushing with 143.1 yards per game. That mark also leads the conference. He is averaging 175.5 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks 13th nationally and tops in the SEC.

    The team that can stop the run should win this contest. Too bad it won't be televised. It may be one of the more entertaining games on the SEC schedule this weekend.

    Prediction: Arkansas 28-24.

    LA-Monroe at Alabama, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Alabama entertains LA-Monroe in Tuscaloosa Saturday. You never know what to expect from the Crimson Tide this year. They dominated Tennessee a few weeks ago but have lost two straight. Over the past few seasons, Alabama hasn't played well against teams they should easily beat. This week could see the Crimson Tide play just well enough to win. Next week against Auburn, they'll have to turn it up a notch to beat the Tigers who'll be rested after having this weekend off. LA-Monroe will probably put up a fight but don't look for an upset.

    Prediction: Alabama 35-14.

    Vanderbilt at Tennessee, 1 p.m. CT

    There's a lot at stake when Vanderbilt and Tennessee meet Saturday in Knoxville. The Volunteers will play in the SEC title game if they beat the Commodores and Kentucky next week. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, likely needs to win its final two games to make it to a bowl game since there are already 10 SEC schools who are bowl eligible. The Commodores last appeared in a bowl game in 1982.

    Tennessee holds a decisive edge in the series 68-27-5, and a 34-10-1 edge in games played in Knoxville. Two years ago, Vanderbilt snapped a streak of 22 straight Vol victories in the series. Tennessee avenged that loss last year in Nashville, using 429 yards of total offense and a two-touchdown performance by quarterback Erik Ainge to post a 39-10 win.

    The Volunteers have won three straight since being embarrassed at Alabama last month. That probably served as a wake up call because they are playing their best football of the season. Tennessee rolls over Vanderbilt.

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-14.

    LSU at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    LSU is back at No. 1 after a big win over Louisiana Tech. It also helped that Ohio State lost to Illinois. This week's game against Ole Miss could be a little tricky since the Rebels have played somewhat better at home than on the road this year. It also may wind up being close since four of the last five games in the series have been decided by three points or less, including the Tigers' 23-20 overtime win a year ago. Ole Miss will probably hang around until halftime but after that, LSU simply has too much talent and is the better team.

    Prediction: LSU 37-17.

    A Brief Look At The SEC Games From Week 12

    Alabama was shocked at home by LA-Monroe. This Saturday, the Crimson Tide play at arch-rival Auburn at 7 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN.

    Florida Atlantic at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 47-10.

    Outcome: Florida dominated FAU 59-20. QB Tim Tebow threw for a career-high 338 yards on 25-of-34 passes. On the season, Tebow has 20 rushing TDs and 26 TD passes. The Gators were officially eliminated from winning the SEC East title after Georgia defeated Kentucky.

    This week: Florida hosts Florida State.

    Kentucky at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 31-17.

    Outcome: Georgia needs Tennessee to lose to Kentucky next Saturday to make it to Atlanta for the Southeastern Conference championship game. The Bulldogs beat Kentucky 24-13 to clinch a share of the Eastern Division title.

    Georgia's defense held Kentucky to its lowest output of the season, despite spotting the Wildcats a 10-lead. Kentucky was averaging more than 37 points a game.

    This week: Georgia plays rival Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Kentucky hosts Tennessee.

    Mississippi State at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 28-24.

    Outcome: Arkansas helped its chances of going to a bowl game by beating MSU 45-31. The Razorbacks are 7-4 on the season and will likely be picked to go bowling over a few other SEC teams that have just six wins.

    Things will probably be different in Fayetteville next year as Houston Nutt's job status is up in the air. Also, there's a good chance that RB Darren McFadden will turn pro after this season.

    This week:

    LA-Monroe at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 35-14.

    Outcome: Alabama lost to LA-Monroe 21-14 in Tuscaloosa. The Warhawks, 24 1/2-point underdogs, forced four turnovers and blocked a field goal for their first win over a Southeastern Conference team since 1994 and third in 33 tries.

    Late in the fourth, Alabama faced third-and-2 at the LA-Monroe 18-yard line. The Warhawk defense stopped Terry Grant for no gain on back-to-back runs.

    This week: Alabama plays at Auburn.

    Vanderbilt at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-14.

    Outcome: Tennessee moved closer to wrapping up the SEC East title by beating Vanderbilt 25-24. The Volunteers had to overcome a 16-point fourth quarter deficit. Tennessee was down 24-9 after Vanderbilt's Mackenzi Adams threw a 2-yard TD pass to George Smith with 9:00 left in the third quarter.

    This week: Vanderbilt hosts Wake Forest.

    LSU at Ole Miss

    Prediction: LSU 37-17.

    Outcome: LSU beat Ole Miss 41-24 in Oxford. Trindon Holliday returned a kickoff 98 yards for a TD, and LSU's defense forced two turnovers during goal-line stands.

    Ole Miss has lost six straight to LSU and is in danger of a winless conference season for the first time since 1982. The Rebels are now 0-6 against top-ranked teams.

    On Friday, Ole Miss plays at Mississippi State and LSU hosts Arkansas.

    Predictions For Week 13 SEC Games

    Last week's predictions were 5-1. For the season, 66-22. Some of the final games on the SEC schedule include Alabama at Auburn, Arkansas at LSU and Tennessee at Kentucky.

    Friday, Ole Miss at Mississippi State, 11:30 a.m. CT, Lincoln Financial Sports

    Ole Miss tries to avoid going winless in conference play while MSU needs to win to have a better chance of getting invited to a bowl game. Ten SEC teams have the six wins necessary to earn a bid, but the league doesn't have enough bowl ties to accommodate all of them. The Bulldogs haven't been to a bowl game since 2000.

    MSU has steadily improved since Sylvester Croom took over the program four years ago. During Ed Orgeron's tenure at Ole Miss, the Rebels haven't improved any. If they lose Friday, they'll be winless in the SEC for the first time since 1982. The Bulldogs will use their ground game to wear down Ole Miss. MSU can also be dangerous through the air which they proved last week against Arkansas.

    Prediction: MSU 28-10.

    Friday, Arkansas at LSU, 1:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    LSU tries to keep its national title hopes alive when they battle Arkansas. The Razorbacks' last win over a No. 1 team was a 42-11 triumph over Texas in 1981.

    Arkansas is a dangerous team with TBs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. The Tiger defense gave up a lot of yards last week against Ole Miss when they allowed 466 total yards. LSU still ranks second in the nation with 257.6 yards allowed per game.

    LSU has won 10 of 15 meetings since the Razorbacks entered the SEC in 1992. Chalk up another win for the Tigers.

    Prediction: LSU 34-17.

    Alabama at Auburn, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN

    The Iron Bowl will be played on Thanksgiving weekend for the first time since 1992. Both Auburn and Alabama are coming off embarrassing losses. Two weeks ago against Georgia, the Tigers allowed 45 points, the most since Tommy Tuberville took over the program. Last week against LA-Monroe, the Crimson Tide lost 21-14 even though the Warhawks were 24 1/2-point underdogs.

    Auburn and Alabama are bitter rivals. The Crimson Tide is 6-5 overall while Auburn is 7-4. The Tigers have won five straight games in the series, matching their best winning streak since 1954-58. Since 1980, with the exception of 1982, 1998, and 2003, at least one of the two teams has been ranked in the AP poll for every game. The team leading at halftime has won 73.2 percent of the time (52-of-71). In 16 of the last 19 meetings, the games have been decided by 10 points or less.

    Alabama will be getting starting offensive linemen Antoine Caldwell and Marlon Davis and No. 2 rusher Glen Coffee, along with reserve defensive backs Chris Rogers and Marquis Johnson back Saturday. The players had been suspended four games each for improper receipt of textbooks.

    Senior DE Quentin Groves needs one more sack to become the all-time sack leader in Auburn's history. Groves and 16 other seniors will play at Jordan-Hare Stadium for the final time. The group needs one more victory to tie last year's senior class for the most wins in a four-year period by Auburn with 41. The seniors will help the Tigers get another victory over the Crimson Tide.

    Prediction: Auburn 17-14.

    Tennessee at Kentucky, 1:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Tennessee has to beat Kentucky to make it to Atlanta next week. If not, Georgia will represent the SEC East. The Volunteers have won 22 straight over the Wildcats. Kentucky's last win over Tennessee in Lexington was a 21-10 decision back in 1981. The streak ends as the Wildcats knock the Volunteers out of the SEC Championship Game.

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-24.

    Wake Forest at Vanderbilt, 1 p.m. CT

    Wake Forest travels to Nashville to play Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 7-3 all-time against the Demon Deacons, the defending champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

    Vanderbilt needed to beat Tennessee last week to become bowl eligible but its defense let the Volunteers come back and win in the fourth quarter. This game will be about pride and closing the season out with a victory.

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 21-17.

    Georgia at Georgia Tech, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC

    Georgia and Georgia Tech will meet for the 100th time since 1883 with the Bulldogs leading the series 58-36-5. They Bulldogs have won the past six meetings by an average of 15 points. Prior to Georgia's six-game win streak, Georgia Tech won three in a row, but the Bulldogs ran off seven straight before that.

    Last season, the Bulldogs rallied for a 15-12 victory after trailing 3-0 at the half. Georgia became the first unranked Bulldog squad to defeat a ranked Georgia Tech squad in the series history. The winner of the game receives the Governor's Cup Trophy. Georgia takes it home again.

    Prediction: Georgia 27-20.

    Florida State at Florida, 4 p.m. CT, CBS

    Florida tries to win four-straight over FSU for the first time since 1983-86. With a victory, the Gators would be 9-3 on the season. Florida hasn't won nine-or-more games in three-straight years since 1999-2001. Since 1990, the team that has rushed for more yardage holds a 16-2-1 record.

    Prediction: Florida 33-17.

    Clemson at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    This will be the 105th meeting between the two in-state rivals in a series that dates back to 1896. Clemson holds the all-time lead in the series, 63-37, while four games have ended in a tie. Clemson has won four of the last five contests and eight of the last 10 meetings, but the Gamecocks posted a 31-28 win in Clemson last season.

    Prediction: Clemson 30-26.

    Prediction For The SEC Championship Game

    Last week's predictions were 5-3. For the season, they were 71-25. After a long season, LSU and Tennessee survived to make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. Catch the action on CBS starting at 3 p.m. CT.

    Tennessee vs. LSU, 3 p.m. CT CBS

    A berth in the Sugar Bowl is on the line when Tennessee and LSU meet in the SEC Championship Game. The Vols lead 20-6-3 all-time over LSU, but the Tigers have won two of the last three meetings. In last year's meeting, LSU beat Tennessee 28-24 in Knoxville.

    The Vols secured the Eastern Division title with a 52-50 victory over Kentucky last weekend in four overtimes. Tennessee is 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the conference. The Vols were tied with Georgia at the top of the standings but a 35-14 victory over the Bulldogs on October 6 earned them the trip to Atlanta.

    Tennessee has won five straight games and returns to the SEC Championship Game for the first time since 2004. The Vols are 2-2 in previous visits to Atlanta.

    LSU finished the season 10-2 overall, and 6-2 in conference play to win the SEC Western Division outright for the first time in program history. The Tigers have now won at least 10 games in three straight seasons and their only two losses this season came in triple overtime.

    LSU was poised to make a run at a national title, but last weekend's 50-48 triple overtime loss to Arkansas ruined its chances. The Tigers have appeared in the SEC Championship Game three times while capturing the title twice. One of those titles came in 2001 when they beat Tennessee 31-20.

    This season, Tennessee averaged 35.0 ppg while gaining 403.9 total ypg. RB Arian Foster has 208 carries for 1,107 yards and 12 TDs. QB Erik Ainge completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,908 yards and 27 TDs against only eight INTs. WR Lucas Taylor has 71 catches for 975 yards and five TDs.

    On defense, the Vols allowed 28.7 ppg and 402.9 total ypg. LB Jerod Mayo leads the Vols with 112 total tackles, and CB Eric Berry has recorded four INTs.

    LSU averaged 40.2 ppg and 446.8 total ypg this season. QB Matt Flynn completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 2,233 yards and 17 TDs against 10 INTs. RB Jacob Hester rushed for 897 yards and scored 11 TDs. At WR, Keiland Williams tallied 424 yards and six TDs, while Brandon LaFell had 45 catches for 576 yards and three TDs.

    On defense, the Tigers surrendered 20.1 ppg and 278.9 total ypg. S Craig Steltz leads the team with 89 total tackles, and six INTs along with three forced fumbles. DT Glenn Dorsey made 61 tackles, and posted 11.5 TFLs, including six sacks.

    LSU started the season on fire but had some close games as the season progressed. As a team, they are better than Tennessee but the Vols finished the season with five straight victories. As was the case all season, games in the SEC were very unpredictable. This game shouldn't be any different but LSU should come out on top.

    Prediction: LSU 28-24.

    Christmas Music Can Be Heard Around The Clock

    More and more radio stations are playing Christmas classics around the clock according to Inside Radio. The number of stations playing Christmas songs this year is already higher than the record of 386 in 2003.

    More than 400 stations from Maine to Hawaii are playing non-stop Christmas tunes to bring in listeners and advertising dollars. Research shows that the optimum starting time is somewhere between the first of November and Thanksgiving but many stations began the programming the day after Thanksgiving.

    The continuous Christmas music usually doubles radio station's listenership numbers. In Milwaukee, WMYX-FM saw a jump of nearly 50 percent last year despite holiday competition from three other radio stations, said Brian Kelly, operations manager. The year before that, listenership grew nearly 100 percent in December.

    The most popular Christmas songs on radio station's playlist include classics like Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," Nat "King" Cole's "The Christmas Song," Burl Ives' "A Holly Jolly Christmas," Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock" and Brenda Lee's "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree."

    Occasionally, newer artists break into the rotation. A couple of recent examples are Josh Groban's "Believe" from the movie The Polar Express and Faith Hill's "Where Are You Christmas?" from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

    Its hard to say when the trend began, but radio consultant Don Vallie traces it to the 1980s, when he began recommending that radio stations play holiday music on the day after Thanksgiving, a time when Americans flock to malls to begin their Christmas shopping.

    Join Us On Myspace

    While things are slow during the holidays, add us as a friend on Myspace. Both Tigerland and AccessAuburn have pages and would love to add you as a friend, so send us a request.

    Tigerland's page is: Tigerland

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    Happy Holidays and we'll see you in 2008!

    Access Auburn's Top 10 Stories of 2007

    It's that time of the year when we assess the events of 2007 and look forward to 2008.

    Access Auburn posted more than 2,000 stories in 2007. We've reviewed our archives, and selected the top ten stories impacting Auburn in 2007.

    Top Ten Stories for 2007
     1. Jay Gouge
     2. Auburn Football
     3. I-85 corridor
     4. Drought
     5. Developers
     6. Basketball Arena
     7. AU Prosperity
     8. David Marsh
     9. Lawsuit City
    10. William Walker
    1. Jay Gogue becomes Auburn University's 18th president on July 16, 2007, succeeding Ed Richardson. Gouge, an Auburn alumnus, has impressed campus factions and is enjoying an extended honeymoon.

    2. Auburn football is always a top story in Auburn. This year had its share of excitement with a February signing class that contributed much more quickly than anyone expected, to a record sixth consecutive win over the Tide. The big news revolved around the "will he stay or will he go?" dance of the media around Tommy Tuberville (he stayed) and the arrival of Tony Franklin as offensive coordinator replacing Al Borges.

    3. Many stories in 2007 reported of the economic engine the I-85 corridor has become, but too many others told of serious accidents causing deaths and multi-hour backup and traffic jams. The political fat cats should employ their considerable influence to widen the 15-odd-mile stretch through the Auburn-Opelika area to accommodate increased local traffic as well as the considerable new traffic generated by the I-85 economy.

    4. Mother Nature was not nice in 2007, as a prolonged drought gripped most of the southeast. The city of Auburn instituted voluntary water rationing and Auburn's backup water supply from the Chattahoochee is threatened by upstream Atlanta's long-term water problems.

    5. Big-money developers are transforming Auburn from a quiet college town to a booming economic center, upgrading quaint cottages and scenic parkways into six-story condo towers and "life style centers." Is this a problem? Your answer defines you.

    6. A story that will have much more impact down the road, but is important in 2008 and beyond, was the approval to build a new basketball arena on the AU campus. This $100 million dollar project will be a showcase. Here's hoping there is something to show.

    7. With a successful half-billion dollar plus capital fund raising campaign just wrapping up, record enrollment, a new popular presidents and sterling finances, Auburn University is prospering. The basketball arena is not the only dirt that is being moved on the Auburn campus. Drive through campus--no wait, you can't do that any more. Walk through the campus. There is seemingly construction every where. There's a humongous technology center, new dorms, a research park, and a new student center to name only a few of the many projects underway on the AU campus.

    8. There are few dynasties in college sports these days because the NCAA has restricted scholarships in all sports to improve competition. Over time we may come to appreciate what a special thing David Marsh has done with the AU swimming and diving program, but for now, Dave Marsh's departure, on the heels of still more championships, is the end of a dynasty.

    9. Who's suing who? You need a scorecard to keep up with who's getting dragged into court to uphold the rule of law these days. Mayor Ham's been sued a couple of times; the city took Tom Hayley to court for flaunting city rules at the same time they were making a deal to put him in charge of collecting and divvying up the city sales tax. A group of citizens is suing the state to stop them from turning Shell Toomer Parkway over to the developers, et al, etcetera, ad nauseum.

    10. William Walker topped a list of notable Auburnites who passed on in 2007. The former AU president, who led the University through some turbulent times will be remembered for being caught in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong man.

    Tips For Successful Resolutions

    People make New Year's Resolutions every year but fail to keep them. By the middle of January, resolutions have fallen for approximately 85% of the population. There are some things you can do to make sure yours become reality.

    Follow these top ten tips for successful resolutions and they will help you create goals throughout 2008 that will lead to your best year yet.

    1. Don't make New Year's Resolutions. Sounds ironic, but resolutions are the worst place to start on the path to success. Make goals instead, and make them every month. Goals set throughout the year are far more meaningful and likely to succeed than those set for the sake of a ritual once a year. Avoid making January 1 the start date of any goal plan.

    2. Take negative words out of your goals. Focusing on what you want using positive words, instead of what you don't want using negative words. You'll be focusing your time and energy towards something that is compelling and motivating.

    3. Don't repeat the same goals you've made before. If you made the same goal before and it didn't pan out, it probably won't now. Either get rid of it completely or redefine it to be more attractive.

    4. Get rid of something you currently have. To make space for something new, you need to get rid of something else that no longer holds any importance for you or is getting in your way. It could be self-sabotaging behavior, a limiting belief, time-wasters or negative people.

    5. Know what you are good at. Reflect on all your accomplishments and successes. For each decade of your life, write down everything you achieved in both your personal and professional life. Pointing to past successes can motivate you to meet your new goals.

    6. Let go of unfulfilled past goals. You may have set goals before and they've not worked out. Learn from those experiences, and let them go. Focus on achieving your new goals.

    7. Really create a vision of what life will be like once this goal is achieved. For example, if you are looking for a new job or career, imagine how you will spend your day at your new position. What do you do during working hours? What sort of people are you in contact with? Do you work outside or inside? Do you have many colleagues or just a few, or maybe you work on your own? As your vision becomes clearer, it gets closer to reality.

    8. Be prepared to do what it takes. It's one thing to say that you want something to be different, it's another to actually make it so. All goals require action to be achieved, otherwise they remain dreams and wishes.

    9. What's already working well? Create a Gratitude Journal and write down at least 5 things every day that you are truly grateful for. You will be amazed at what you will discover.

    10. Get support. By letting your friends, family or trusted colleagues know what your goals are, you are instantly creating a network that will challenge and support you to be and do your best.

    Sam's Club

    It looks like Sam's is finally ready to open here in Auburn next week. I'm not really all that familiar with Sam's but I'll take advantage of the free membership I received and check it out.

    I guess there's a need for a Sam's in the area. We already have two Super Wal-Marts and a Target, which would seem to be enough for Auburn and Opelika. The only advantage I see that Sam's has over the other two is its own gas station. You can also buy food in bulk which you really can't do anywhere else. That's about the only reason I'll go to Sam's.

    I prefer Target anyway. I really, really dislike Wal-Mart. I haven't been in one in over a year. Target is much cleaner and the prices are about the same as Wal-Mart.

    While I'm on the subject of food, I wish Publix would come to town. As the area grows, they probably will. More restaurants will hopefully open up soon. You can never have too many choices on where to eat.

    Slogan Slowly Disappearing From License Plates

    The state slogan "Heart of Dixie" is disappearing from more and more Alabama license plates every year. One-third of the groups that promote distinctive and collegiate license plates now choose to leave the slogan off their tags.

    The standard state license plate still has "Heart of Dixie," but it's reduced to letters one-sixteenth of an inch high and it's placed in the bottom corner of the tag where it's barely visible to passing motorists. In its place, the song title "Stars Fell on Alabama" is splashed across the top and bottom of the tags.

    Former Governor Don Siegelman, who approved that tag design, said he heard the song played at the Paris Air Show in 1999 and realized it would be an internationally recognized symbol for Alabama. He wanted it to foster positive images at a time when Alabama was trying to recruit several international corporations.

    State law requires the standard state license plate to carry the slogan "Heart of Dixie," but it doesn't specify the size. In 1997, the Legislature changed the law to make "Heart of Dixie" optional for distinctive and collegiate license plates. Currently, 17 of Alabama's 51 specialized license plates leave off the slogan. Those 17 tags promote everything from Alabama farms and forests, to adoption and the University of Alabama.

    The University of Alabama originally had "Heart of Dixie" on its tag, but redesigned the tag and removed the slogan after the law changed. University spokeswoman Janet Griffith said it was simply a matter of space. The university's symbol, an elephant, takes up a large portion of the current tag.

    "Heart of Dixie" was first used by the Alabama Chamber of Commerce in the 1940s. According to the state Department of Archives and History, the chamber sought to put Alabama at the economic center of the South by proclaiming: "Alabama is geographically the Heart of Dixie, Alabama is industrially the Heart of Dixie, Alabama is, in fact, the Heart of Dixie."

    In 1951, the chamber got the Legislature to vote to put the slogan on license plates, and it made its first appearance in 1955. For years, the slogan appeared across the top of the tag in large type. The current version is the smallest type ever used for the slogan.

    Large Asteroid Flies By Earth Tuesday Night

    An asteroid that was discovered by NASA's Catalina Sky Survey on Oct. 11, 2007 will make a rare close pass by Earth late Tuesday night, but scientists say there is no possibility of an impact with our planet.

    Asteroid 2007 TU24 is estimated to be somewhere between 500 feet to 2,000 feet in diameter. The asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth, 334,000 miles, at 3:33 a.m. ET. For comparison, the moon is an average of 239,228 miles away.

    Like other asteroids, this one orbits the sun. Most do so in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The next time an asteroid this size will fly this close to Earth will be in 2027.

    If an asteroid of this size were to hit Earth, the results could be regionally devastating. The impact itself would release about 1,500 megatons of energy, creating a crater about three miles (nearly five kilometers) wide and kicking up loads of debris.

    NASA detects and tracks asteroids and comets passing close to Earth. The Near Earth Object Observation Program, commonly called "Spaceguard," discovers, characterizes and computes trajectories for these objects to determine if any could be potentially hazardous to our planet.

    For those with modest-sized telescopes, the asteroid will reach an approximate apparent magnitude 10.3 on Jan. 29-30 before quickly becoming fainter as it moves farther from Earth. On that night, the asteroid will be observable in dark and clear skies through amateur telescopes with apertures of at least 7.6 centimeters (3 inches). An object with a magnitude of 10.3 is about 50 times fainter than an object just visible to the naked eye in a clear, dark sky.

    Super Bowl

    I guess I should be excited about the big game but I'm not. The Super Bowl usually ends up being a big disappointment and I think this year's game will be no exception.

    Even though I've heard a lot of people say they think the Giants will pull off the upset, I don't think they will. I could be wrong but I don't think they have a chance. I know they gave the Patriots a good game back in December during the regular season, but the Patriots probably weren't even playing at a high level then.

    I'll probably watch just to see the Patriots go 19-0. That's pretty exciting and impressive right there. Even if they do lose, a record of 18-1 during the regular season and playoffs will never be matched.

    I'm kind of pulling for the Patriots since former Auburn fullback Heath Evans plays for them. I've always heard great things about him and he deserves a Super Bowl ring. His role on the team isn't that big. Besides playing at fullback, you'll see him on special teams and occasionally he'll catch a few passes out of the backfield.

    Commercials during the Super Bowl are reported to cost a staggering $3 million. It seems like that number goes up every year. You'll probably see a few that are unique and funny but most will be forgotten.

    Tom Petty will be the entertainment at halftime. It seems like they are running out of performers who appeal to a wide audience. People probably don't watch the halftime show anyway. That's a good time for a bathroom break and to stuff their faces.

    Enjoy the big game if you watch. I'll probably tune-in from time to time. Maybe we'll be surprised with a great game.

    Writers' Strike Over

    The strike officially ended Tuesday when Hollywood writers voted to lift their unions strike order and return to work. Most of the popular shows will probably be able to produce a handful of new episodes that will air in the spring.

    The agreement also means that the Academy Awards will air on Feb. 24 without the threat of pickets or a boycott by actors.

    Residuals for TV shows and movies distributed online was the biggest issue involving the 12,000-member union and the worlds largest media companies and other producers.

    Under a tentative contract approved Sunday by the unions board of directors, writers would get a maximum flat fee of about $1,200 for streamed programs in the deals first two years and then get 2 percent of a distributors gross in year three a key union demand.

    The strike stopped work on dozens of TV shows, disrupted movie production and turned the usually star-studded Golden Globes show into a news conference.

    The strike took a $3.2 billion toll in direct and indirect costs on the economy of Los Angeles County, the home of most of the nations TV and film production, according to Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.

    The last writers strike, a 153-day walkout in 1988, caused an estimated $500 million in lost wages.

    2008 Year of Alabama Sports

    Governor Bob Riley recently announced that 2008 is the Year of Alabama Sports. During the year, tourism officials will be promoting Alabama's sporting events in an effort to lure tourists to the state.

    Birmingham ad agency Luckie and Company will produce commercials highlighting the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, sports museums and Alabama Speedweek in Talladega that will air in about 60 television markets during the Southeastern Conference Basketball Tournament in Atlanta.

    The $2 million campaign will also utilize magazine ads, posters, and public relations to feature native sports legends like Jesse Owens, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Joe Louis and Carl Lewis.

    The state hopes the campaign will boost attendance at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, the Paul Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame at the Talladega Superspeedway. Lesser-known destinations such as Birmingham's Rickwood Field, the Jesse Owens Museum and Park in Lawrence County and the U.S. Sports Academy in Daphne will also be promoted.

    The promotion should increase play along the state's famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and attendance at the post-season Senior Bowl and GMAC bowl games in Mobile and the Papa John's game in Birmingham

    Travel has become a nearly $10 billion industry in Alabama thanks to award-winning campaigns designed to lure tourists to various destinations.

    Previous campaigns have won awards from state and national tourism organizations. The National Council of State Tourism Directors selected Alabama's food campaign in 2006 as the top promotion in the country. The Southeast Tourism Society cited the themed promotions for selecting Alabama as the top state tourism department in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

    The Nell Fortner Show

    I really enjoy listening to her show on Monday nights. Fortner hasn't received enough credit for the job she's done since she's been here. In fact, the women's basketball team should get more coverage in the media than they do.

    It really is a shame the media doesn't write more stories about how well this team is playing in major newspapers around the state. The OA News and the Huntsville Times are about the only two papers you can find anything on Fortner's team.

    Since signing day came and went on Feb. 6, there hasn't been anything going on around here. Baseball hasn't started yet, and the men's basketball team lost five straight before winning at Ole Miss on Saturday. You would think writers would need something to actually write about.

    They should spread the news that the women's team is on the verge of making it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. The team is 18-7 overall, and 6-4 in the SEC. With four games left in the regular season, Auburn will hopefully win two of those which will probably put them into the NCAA Tourney. A few wins in the SEC Tourney would certainly help its chances.

    Two back-to-back road games starting Thursday at Ole Miss, then Sunday at Georgia will be televised by Fox Sports Net and CSS. The game in Oxford should find Auburn on the winning side, but the game in Athens will be tough since the Tigers beat the Bulldogs earlier in the season. Teams usually have a hard time beating the same team twice in the same season, especially a quality team like Georgia.

    The regular season ends with home games against Vandy and Arkansas. Vandy will be tough since they are ranked. That game will also be televised by Fox Sports Net. At least the Tigers are getting exposure on television.

    Fortner got a verbal commitment by a heavily recruited junior out of Montgomery today. Fortner continues to recruit well which should help Auburn reach the NCAA Tourney for years to come.

    Back to her radio show...it airs every Monday night at 6 p.m. CT on Mix 96.7 in the Auburn area. You can also listen in at auburntigers.com.

    Invisibility Possible In Near Future

    Scientists have discovered new materials that can change the way light and other forms of radiation bend around an object which may enable them to make objects invisible in the near future.

    Physicists J.B. Pendry of Imperial College London and David Smith and David Schurig of Duke University described a way to make high-tech "metamaterials" that can funnel light around an object and make it invisible. Metamaterials would cloak an object and hide it from visible light, infra-red light, microwaves and perhaps even sonar probes.

    Metamaterials are composite structures that deliberately resemble nothing found in nature. They are engineered to have unusual properties, such as the ability to bend light in unique ways.

    To make an object invisible, the object would be encased in a shell of metamaterials. The cloak would divert the light around an object so that it does not reflect off the object but continues along its way. The scientists say that even when directly looking at an object inside the cloak, the viewer would only see what was behind it.

    Schurig said that "probably this year" scientists will produce a metamaterial that can shield equipment from microwave radiation. However, protecting objects from visible light by using an invisibility cloak would probably take about 10 years to do.

    Smith's research has received funding from the U.S. military. The U.S. military is interested in this type of technology which could be used to protect equipment or someday even people.

    Flu Vaccine Blamed For Widespread Flu Activity

    Widespread flu activity has been reported in virtually every state because some strains are not covered by this year's influenza vaccine. The flu shot will fend off only about 40 percent of this year's flu viruses.

    After low levels of influenza activity in the early part of the season, reported cases of the flu have picked up since January. The increased activity is caused by the fact that this year's flu vaccine isn't a match for some of the strains currently circulating in the United States.

    The virus strain most common in the United States right now is the influenza A H3N2 strain, and it's one strain not included in this year's vaccine. Also, this year's vaccine is not well matched against influenza type B.

    Complicating matters, some of this year's influenza type A virus is showing resistance to the antiviral drug Tamiflu. Overall, 8.1 percent of the influenza type A viruses tested by the are resistant to Tamiflu. In past years, less than 1 percent of the viruses have been resistant to the drug.

    As of Feb. 9, 10 children have died from influenza this year. The children ranged in age from 4 months to 14 years. Those numbers aren't considered alarming. The 10 pediatric deaths are about the same number as was reported at this time in the last two flu seasons.

    An estimated 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population suffers from the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from the disease. Some people, such as older individuals, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease), are at high risk for serious flu complications, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Daylight Saving Time Returns Sunday

    Yes, you read that correctly. DST starts this Sunday instead of the first Sunday in April because of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. We can all thank Benjamin Franklin for making us lose an hour of sleep one night out of the year.

    I don't know anyone who actually gets excited about the time change. Many argue it should be left alone and I have to agree. The only thing I like about DST is the extra hour of sunlight. During the dead of winter around here, it gets dark around 4:15. That just doesn't seem right. It would be nice if the U.S. Department of Transportation would just leave it alone once we move ahead on Sunday.

    Ben Franklin was the first person to think of DST when he was in Paris in 1784. He noticed that the citizens of Paris slept while the sun was up during summer mornings, then complained about the cost of candles used at night. When he return to the U.S., Franklin suggested church bells be rung at sunrise, and if that didn't wake people up, a cannon would then be fired. Franklin's idea never caught on.

    While looking up info on DST, I read that it actually uses more energy, not less. Two University of California, Santa Barbara researchers used data from 15 counties in Indiana that had practiced DST before 2006.

    They found that energy was saved in the early spring, but it was offset by much greater use of energy in late summer and fall $8.6 million more, in fact.

    Air conditioning made a big difference. As children get home from school and those who work return home in the late afternoon, they crank up the A.C. when temperatures are usually at their highest.

    More research should be done to find out if DST really does save energy. If the research shows similar results to what was found in Indiana, then DST should never be used again.

    American Idol

    The top 12 hit the stage tonight. The show gets really interesting once the top 12 are announced. You get to know them a lot better and you see who really has a chance to win when it ends in late May. I have an idea which two will be in the finale.

    I haven't been watching from the beginning. I tried watching the year Fantasia won but I couldn't get into why everyone loved her so much and I lost interest. I really got into it the next year when Carrie Underwood won. I actually thought she would win when she auditioned for the first time. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who knew she would win.

    Like every season, the girls seem to be better than the guys. I haven't figured out the reason for that yet. And every year, a few make it into the top 12 that shouldn't be. Amanda Overmyer definitely shouldn't be in the top 12. She isn't all that bad but she'll never make it past the next few weeks.

    The two that I think will make it to the finale are Carly Smithson and David Archuleta. Carly actually made it to Hollywood last year I think but got cut soon after. Who wins between those two is up in the air. Carly may have the edge since she's older. Both are very talented and should have successful careers even if they don't win.

    Where's My Luggage?

    Most people consider flying a luxury because they usually get to their destination in just a few hours. While you land safely at the airport, your luggage and other bags may not have made the trip.

    In 2007, an estimated 30 million bags were temporarily lost by airlines and 200,000 of those bags were never reunited with their owners. Last year, the mishandled luggage cost world airlines $2.5 billion, compared with $1.6 billion in 2006.

    SITA Inc., a company that provides technology solutions for the air transport industry, says the growing number of passengers, tight connection times, increased transfers among airlines and stricter security are all contributing to more late or missing bags.

    Mishandling during baggage transfer was the largest single cause last year of a bag failing to arrive with its owner at the intended destination. Other bags were temporarily lost because of airport personnel failing to properly load baggage, ticketing errors, problems with loading or unloading, and weight or size restrictions. Only 3 percent of all misdirection of baggage occurred due to tagging errors.

    The 30 million misdirected bags comprised only 1 percent of the 3 billion bags processed last year by airports, up from 0.7 percent in 2006. On average, bags are returned to their owners a little over 31 hours, or 1.3 days after they are reported missing, SITA said.

    SITA is promoting the use of a tiny computer-style chip on luggage tags that it says will reduce the number of misdirected bags. The luggage labels, known as RFID for radio frequency identification tags, allow for tracking of luggage at all times over wireless networks.

    The RFID chips also allow for quick removal of baggage from airplanes when the passenger who checked them fails to show up for the flight. So far, the chips are used at only a limited number of airports.

    March Madness

    The month of March is probably my favorite month of the year. Nice weather arrives in March and stays that way for a few months before the dreaded heat of summer. March also brings the start of baseball spring training and the NCAA Tournament.

    The next three weeks are a really exciting time in the world of college basketball. Nothing else compares to watching 64 teams battle it out for a chance to win the national championship.

    The selection committee did a nice job with the seeding this year. Sure there are teams that got left out that probably should be in but that happens every year. Except for the first round games for the No. 1 seeds, the other games in the first round look to be very competitive.

    The experts say a No. 16 seed will eventually beat a No. 1 seed. It won't happen this year. Memphis, Kansas, UCLA and North Carolina are all just too athletic for the No. 16 seeds.

    The regular season in baseball starts next week with Boston and Oakland playing two games in Japan. Most of the other teams start their regular season March 31.

    Congratulations to Nell Fortner and the women's team for making the NCAA Tourney. They'll play George Washington in the first round out in California. They played the Colonials back in January in Auburn but lost 68-66 on a last second game-winning three-pointer. Let's hope they put together some wins to go deep into the tournament.

    Hybrid Vehicles Grow In Popularity

    U.S. sales of hybrid and diesel vehicles will likely more than double in the next seven years. Sales of hybrid vehicles have grown rapidly over the past few years as high gas prices have cast a spotlight on fuel saving technology.

    Gas-electric hybrid vehicles, which accounted for 0.5 percent of the U.S. market in 2004, are expected to increase to 3.5 percent market share by 2012, while diesels are expected to grow from 3 percent market share in 2004 to 7.5 percent. Hybrid and diesel vehicles will account for 4.8 percent of the total U.S. market this year.

    Hybrid vehicles twin a regular gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery in which the act of braking captures lost energy, enabling vehicles to save fuel and emit fewer pollutants. The number of hybrid vehicle models on the market is expected to increase from 10 in 2006 to 44 by 2012, while the number of diesel models is expected to grow from 14 to 26.

    Japan's Toyota Motor Corp., which sells the popular Prius hybrid car, is a world leader in the technology along with Honda Motor Co., which sells the Insight and hybrid versions of its Civic and Accord cars.

    Detroit's Ford Motor Co. last year became the first automaker to sell a hybrid version of a sport utility vehicle, while General Motors Corp. is also aiming to introduce the technology on its bigger vehicles.

    Turn Down The Volume

    With the popularity of MP3 players and iPods, hearing loss among teenagers and adults is on the rise. Surprisingly, teenagers are more concerned about damaging their hearing than adults, but most say they won't turn down the volume.

    A poll conducted by Zogby for The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) found that 53 percent of high school students said they were concerned about hearing loss, compared with about a third of adults.

    More than half of high school students (51 percent) said they had experienced at least one of the symptoms of hearing loss, compared with 37 percent of adults. Those symptoms of hearing loss include: turning up the volume on their television or radio, saying "what" or "huh" during normal conversations, and having tinnitus, a ringing in the ears.

    The poll also found that more than half of adults reported using their MP3 players for between one and four hours, or even longer, at a time. Most students said they listened for less than an hour at a time. Fifty-nine percent of students said they played music at a high volume on their MP3 players, compared with 34 percent of adults.

    ASHA recommends listening to music at lower volumes and for shorter amounts of time. The group also recommends that users replace the popular earbud-style earphones that are sold with many MP3 players. It says noise-canceling headphones or more traditional headphones that cover the ear block more background noise, allowing users to play their music more softly.

    The National Institutes of Health estimates that 22 million American adults ages 20 to 69 have suffered hearing damage from loud noise.

    Bike Bash Encourages Bicycling in Auburn

    The 9th Annual Bike Bash will take place on Saturday, April 12 from 7-11 a.m. Bike Bash is sponsored by the city of Auburn and the Auburn Bicycle Committee. Participants of all ages are invited to come along for the ride.

    Bike Bash is an annual community event designed to inform citizens about bicycle safety and promote biking as a fun and healthy leisure activity. In addition, Bike Bash serves to emphasize local bike-friendly facilities in and around Auburn.

    Festivities will begin at the Auburn Soccer Complex on Wire Road at 7 a.m. for registration. Depending on age, choose between four routes with distances ranging from 3 - 33 miles.

    The long route (33.4 miles) for experienced riders begins at 7:45 a.m. The medium route (17.4 miles) begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the short route (7.6 miles) which begins at 9:00 a.m. The 3.2-mile novice/youth route begins at 9:45 a.m. and is intended for younger and inexperienced riders.

    Maps of all four routes will be distributed before the ride. All routes are developed so participants can modify the routes for a more challenging ride.

    Registration forms are currently available online at www.auburnalabama.org/cycle. The pre-registration fee for children 12 years and younger is $8, or $10 day of event. The pre-registration fee for children (13 years and older) and adults is $10, or $12 day of event. The family pre-registration fee is only $25, or $30 day of event. Registration forms can also be picked up at Dean Road Recreation Center.

    For additional information about the 9th Annual Bike Bash, please contact Alison Hall at 501-2940 or Dee Watson at 501-2962.

    The West Nile Season Is Upon Us

    The West Nile Virus season is already upon us. The first cases were reported on March 19. The early start is due to the warm weather overall in 2008, with mosquitoes increasing in numbers rapidly.

    West Nile is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

    Only about two persons out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

    The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include:

    • Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. Use prevention methods whenever mosquitoes are present.
    • When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
    • Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.
    • Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including water in bird baths, ponds, flowerpots, wading pools, old tires and any other receptacles. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.

    Vitamin D May Prevent Many Types Of Cancer

    It has been known for years that getting too much sun can cause skin cancer, but recently scientists have discovered that vitamin D, which is made in the skin from ultraviolet rays, may help prevent and even treat many types of cancer.

    Scientists now believe that when people coat themselves with sunscreen whenever they are in the sun may actually contribute to far more cancer deaths than it prevents. Recent studies found Vitamin D helped protect against lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and, ironically, the skin. The strongest evidence is for colon cancer.

    Most people don't get enough vitamin D. The vitamin occurs naturally in salmon, tuna and other oily fish, and is routinely added to milk. However, diet accounts for very little of the vitamin D circulating in blood.

    Supplements contain the nutrient, but most use an old form - D-2 - that is far less potent than the more desirable D-3. Multivitamins typically contain only small amounts of D-2 and include vitamin A, which offsets many of D's benefits.

    Several findings suggest vitamin D may prevent cancer. Here are a few of those findings:

  • Several studies observing large groups of people found that those with higher vitamin D levels also had lower rates of cancer. For some of these studies, doctors had blood samples to measure vitamin D, making the findings particularly strong.
  • Lab and animal studies show that vitamin D stifles abnormal cell growth, helps cells die when they are supposed to, and curbs formation of blood vessels that feed tumors.
  • Cancer is more common in the elderly, and the skin makes less vitamin D as people age.
  • Blacks have higher rates of cancer than whites and more pigment in their skin, which prevents them from making much vitamin D.
  • Vitamin D gets trapped in fat, so obese people have lower blood levels of D. They also have higher rates of cancer.
  • Diabetics are prone to cancer, and their damaged kidneys have trouble converting vitamin D into a form the body can use.
  • People in the northeastern United States and northerly regions of the globe like Scandinavia have higher cancer rates than those who get more sunshine year-round. During short winter days, the sun's rays come in at too oblique an angle to spur the skin to make vitamin D.
  • About a dozen major studies are under way to test vitamin D's ability to ward off cancer, said Dr. Peter Greenwald, chief of cancer prevention for the National Cancer Institute. Several others are testing its potential to treat the disease. Two recent studies reported encouraging signs in prostate and lung cancer.

    Researchers now think that even if too much sun leads to skin cancer, which is rarely deadly, too little sun may be worse. 15 minutes of sun a few times a week without sunscreen is not only possible but helpful to health.

    Restaurant Review: Jimmy's

    Jimmy's in Opelika turned into Italian trattoria last Monday night at 6:30 p.m. When our friends invited us to Jimmy's in Opelika for a "wine tasting" dinner, I thought, "Oh no, here we go again."

    Most wine tasting events are boring mixtures of cheese, crackers, banquet food and sweet white wines that leave an aftertaste and a dull headache. Although the company would be entertaining, I was prepared to be bored by evening's fare. When handed a Five Oaks Chardonnay as we entered, I was unimpressed.

    It would be the last time I was unimpressed that evening. The experience was transformative.

    The theme for the evening was the wines of Italy and the food would be Italian as well. The impeccable and well paced service began with the first Italian wine for the evening, 2006 Zenato Lugana. Jimmy's owner, Jim Sikes, restaurateur/journalist, explained that we might expect a fruity flavor, but to my untrained palate the dry white wine tasted woody, almost smokey, and was very good accompaniment to antipasto course consisting of small tastes of prosciutto ham, salami, mortadello (it resembles bologna, but was made beef, pork, wine and spice--very good), three excellent italian cheeses, olives, a slice of tart mineola orange and a strawberry. This was complimented by the Ciabatta bread and the obligatory olive oil for dipping. This was a meal in itself, but left you wanting much more.

    The primo piatto (first plate, or pasta course) was tagliatelle noodles topped with a Bolonese sauce--the Italian version of barbecue--a flavorful mixture of shredded beef and pork, infused with light, mildly acidic tomato sauce--Italian barbecue sauce. It was delicious. This was served with a 2004 Produttori Barbaresco, a red wine from the Piemonte region in the northwest of Italy. This is the same region that produces the Barolo wines that have been called for centuries the "King of Wines." The secret is the Nebbiolo grape that they share. So, if any of your yankee cousins ask you what wine goes with barbecue, suggest a Barolo or a Barbaresco.

    Our secondo piatto (second plate, or meat course) was Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass and roasted veggies. Some opted for chicken and missed a treat. The fish was cooked to perfection and this smokey meat tasted like a fine steak. A 2003 Castell del Terriccio Tassinaia, a hearty red wine was the perfect mate for the grilled fish.

    We finished our meal with the dolce (dessert) course, in this case, a fantastic lemon tart topped with papaya syrup, raspberry syrup and white chocolate syrup in a design of the Italian flag to finish the salute to Italian wines. The meal was informal, simple and authentic. The check for the evening was a prix fixe rate of $65 per person--much cheaper than a trip to Italy.

    The rest of the time Jimmy's is a New Orleans-style cafe with family friendly prices for po-boy's, small plates (appetizers), soups, salads and "family favorites," and an intriguing menu of entrees and specialty dishes as well as a more than ample wine list for celebratory occasions. Lunch is served Monday-Friday. Dinner is served Wednesday-Saturday and reservations are recommended. We looking forward to a return visit.

    Restaurant Review: Jimmy's

    Jimmy's restaurant in Opelika was transformed into an Italian trattoria last Monday night at precisely 6:30 p.m. The magic was accomplished through a delicious combination of food and wine.

    When our friends invited us to Jimmy's in Opelika for a "wine tasting" dinner, I thought, "Oh no, here we go again."

    Most wine tasting events are boring mixtures of cheese, crackers, banquet food and sweet white wines that leave an aftertaste and a dull headache. Although the company would be entertaining, I was prepared to be bored by evening's fare. When handed a Five Oaks Chardonnay as we entered, I was unimpressed.

    It would be the last time I was unimpressed that evening. The experience was transformative.

    The theme for the evening was the wines of Italy and the food would be Italian as well. The impeccable and well paced service began with the first Italian wine for the evening, 2006 Zenato Lugana. Jimmy's owner, Jim Sikes, restaurateur/journalist, explained that we might expect a fruity flavor, but to my untrained palate the dry white wine tasted woody, almost smokey, and was very good accompaniment to antipasto course consisting of small tastes of prosciutto ham, salami, mortadello (it resembles bologna, but was made beef, pork, wine and spice--very good), three excellent italian cheeses, olives, a slice of tart mineola orange and a strawberry. This was complimented by the Ciabatta bread and the obligatory olive oil for dipping. This was a meal in itself, but left you wanting much more.

    The primo piatto (first plate, or pasta course) was tagliatelle noodles topped with a Bolonese sauce--the Italian version of barbecue--a flavorful mixture of shredded beef and pork, infused with light, mildly acidic tomato sauce--Italian barbecue sauce. It was delicious. This was served with a 2004 Produttori Barbaresco, a red wine from the Piemonte region in the northwest of Italy. This is the same region that produces the Barolo wines that have been called for centuries the "King of Wines." The secret is the Nebbiolo grape that they share. So, if any of your yankee cousins ask you what wine goes with barbecue, suggest a Barolo or a Barbaresco.

    Our secondo piatto (second plate, or meat course) was Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass and roasted veggies. Some opted for chicken and missed a treat. The fish was cooked to perfection and this smokey meat tasted like a fine steak. A 2003 Castell del Terriccio Tassinaia, a hearty red wine was the perfect mate for the grilled fish.

    We finished our meal with the dolce (dessert) course, in this case, a fantastic lemon tart topped with papaya syrup, raspberry syrup and white chocolate syrup in a design of the Italian flag to finish the salute to Italian wines. This was joined by a creamy Bellenda Col di Luna Rose di Valmonte sparkling wine that played off the tartness of the lemon.

    The meal was informal, simple and authentic. The check for the evening was a prix fixe rate of $65 per person--much cheaper than a trip to Italy.

    The rest of the time Jimmy's is a New Orleans-style cafe with family friendly prices for po-boy's, small plates (appetizers), soups, salads and "family favorites," and an intriguing menu of entrees and specialty dishes as well as a more than ample wine list for celebratory occasions. Lunch is served Monday-Friday. Dinner is served Wednesday-Saturday and reservations are recommended. We are looking forward to a return visit.

    Restaurant Review: Jimmy's

    Jimmy's restaurant in Opelika was transformed into an Italian trattoria last Monday night at precisely 6:30 p.m. The magic was accomplished through a delicious combination of food and wine.

    When our friends invited us to Jimmy's in Opelika for a "wine tasting" dinner, I thought, "Oh no, here we go again."

    Most wine tasting events are boring mixtures of cheese, crackers, banquet food and sweet white wines that leave an aftertaste and a dull headache. Although the company would be entertaining, I was prepared to be bored by evening's fare. When handed a Five Oaks Chardonnay as we entered, I was unimpressed.

    It would be the last time I was unimpressed that evening. The experience was transformative.

    The theme for the evening was the wines of Italy and the food would be Italian as well. The impeccable and well paced service began with the first Italian wine for the evening, 2006 Zenato Lugana. Jimmy's owner, Jim Sikes, restaurateur/journalist, explained that we might expect a fruity flavor, but to my untrained palate the dry white wine tasted woody, almost smokey, and was very good accompaniment to antipasto course consisting of small tastes of prosciutto ham, salami, mortadello (it resembles bologna, but was made beef, pork, wine and spice--very good), three excellent italian cheeses, olives, a slice of tart mineola orange and a strawberry. This was complimented by the Ciabatta bread and the obligatory olive oil for dipping. This was a meal in itself, but left you wanting much more.

    The primo piatto (first plate, or pasta course)
    was tagliatelle noodles topped with a Bolonese sauce--the Italian version of barbecue--a flavorful mixture of shredded beef and pork, infused with light, mildly acidic tomato sauce--Italian barbecue sauce. It was delicious. This was served with a 2004 Produttori Barbaresco, a red wine from the Piemonte region in the northwest of Italy. This is the same region that produces the Barolo wines that have been called for centuries the "King of Wines." The secret is the Nebbiolo grape that they share. So, if any of your yankee cousins ask you what wine goes with barbecue, suggest a Barolo or a Barbaresco.

    Our secondo piatto (second plate, or meat course) was Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass and roasted veggies. Some opted for chicken and missed a treat. The fish was cooked to perfection and this smokey meat tasted like a fine steak. A 2003 Castell del Terriccio Tassinaia, a hearty red wine was the perfect mate for the grilled fish.

    We finished our meal with the dolce (dessert) course, in this case, a fantastic lemon tart topped with kiwi syrup, raspberry syrup and white chocolate syrup in a design of the Italian flag to finish the salute to Italian wines. This was joined by a creamy Bellenda Col di Luna Rose di Valmonte sparkling wine that played off the tartness of the lemon.

    The meal was informal, simple and authentic. The check for the evening was a prix fixe rate of $65 per person--much cheaper than a trip to Italy.

    The rest of the time Jimmy's is a New Orleans-style cafe with family friendly prices for po-boy's, small plates (appetizers), soups, salads and "family favorites," and an intriguing menu of entrees and specialty dishes as well as a more than ample wine list for celebratory occasions. Lunch is served Monday-Friday. Dinner is served Wednesday-Saturday and reservations are recommended. We are looking forward to a return visit.

    Jimmy's
    104 South 8th Street
    Opelika, Ala.
    (334)745-2155

    Sleep Deprived Medical Residents Often Make Errors

    A Harvard Medical School study suggests that sleep-deprived medical interns working long shifts have an increased risk of making harmful or deadly medical mistakes.

    Charles Czeisler, a sleep researcher at the Harvard Medical School, and his colleagues had 2,737 first-year medical residents complete a monthly survey that asked detailed questions about their work schedule, sleep and days off. During the year-long study, the residents were also asked to report any medical errors they had made while on duty.

    The report found that when residents reported working five marathon shifts in a single month, their risk of making a fatigue-related mistake that harmed a patient increased by 700 percent. And the risk of making an error that resulted in a patient's death shot up by 300 percent.

    The residents in this study reported making 156 fatigue-related errors that injured a patient and 31 mistakes that led to a death, Czeisler says. If these findings are applied to all 100,000 young doctors working such schedules at U.S. hospitals, he said, that means there are nearly 100,000 significant medical mistakes, tens of thousands of preventable injuries to patients and thousands of preventable deaths that are fatigue-related every year.

    The study cast a new spotlight on a practice dating back to the 1890s in U.S. hospitals of compelling young doctors-in-training to work extremely long shifts. Supporters of the practice say it is vital for a new doctor to follow individual patients for the entire course of a hospital stay, in part to learn about the courses of various illnesses.

    The Service Employees International Union, the largest union for medical interns and residents at U.S. hospitals, said the findings are even more frightening because hospitals are permitted to schedule interns to work a shift lasting 24-30 hours as frequently as two to three times per week.

    The union repeated its call for legislation from the U.S. Congress to impose limits on resident work hours.

    Cell Phones Don't Attract Lightning

    Despite a study by doctors in the U.K. that says using cell phones during thunderstorms could be fatal, lightning experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA) say that lightning is not attracted to people using cell phones.

    The study, which was published in the British Medical Journal, has caused a lot of misconceptions about the use of cell phones during stormy weather. Dr. Swinda Esprit of Northwick Park Hospital in Middlesex, U.K. and colleagues describe the case of a 15-year-old girl who was struck by lightning last year while using her cell phone in a London park. The girl suffered an asystolic cardiac arrest but was resuscitated. One year later, she remains in a wheelchair and also has a permanently perforated eardrum and hearing loss on the side where she was holding the cell phone.

    The researchers found three more cases reported in newspapers in China, Korea and Malaysia since 1999 that resulted in death after the people were struck by lightning while using their cell phones outdoors during storms.

    NOAA states that cell phones, small metal items, jewelry, etc., do not attract lightning. People are struck because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The wrong place is anywhere outside and the wrong time is anytime a thunderstorm is nearby.

    Last year in the United States, lightning was reported to have killed at least 43 people. On average, lightning is responsible for 66 fatalities annually. Additionally, hundreds of people are injured by lightning. People struck by lightning suffer from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms, including memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, depression, and an inability to sit for long.

    NOAA offers these tips for anyone outdoors when a thunderstorm is nearby:

    If the sky looks threatening or you hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck and should get inside a sturdy and enclosed building or hard-topped metal vehicle immediately. Remember, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors."

    Use the 30-30 rule where visibility is good and there is nothing obstructing your view of the thunderstorm. When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is within 6 miles of you and is dangerous. Seek shelter immediately.

    The threat of lightning continues for much longer period than most people realize. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before leaving shelter. Don't be fooled by sunshine or a blue sky.

    If it is cloudy or objects are obscuring your vision, get inside immediately. It is always safer to take precautions than to wait.

    If a person is struck by lightning, medical care may be needed immediately to save the person's life. Cardiac arrest and irregularities, burns, and nerve damage are common in cases where people are struck by lightning. However, with proper treatment, including CPR if necessary, most victims survive a lightning strike, although the long-term effects on their lives and the lives of family members can be devastating.

    Some facts about lightning:

    The annual odds of being struck by lightning are about 576,000 to 1. The annual odds of being killed are about 2.32 million to one.

    Florida is the most dangerous state for lightning; Alaska and Hawaii are the least dangerous, with zero reported lightning deaths.

    The most dangerous month for lightning is July, and 3 p.m. is the most dangerous time of day.

    Men, incidentally, account for 84 percent of lightning deaths.

    The Song Remains the Same

    Wildman Steve is all about the music, and now you can get your music fix on your computer at home or work. Wildman Steve Radio is on the air--make that "on the Internet."

    Since the very beginning it has always been about the music, but the medium has changed several times and Steve always seems to know where the music business is going next and makes the transition seamlessly as the industry evolves at breakneck speed. Steve started out as a musician, but settled with his family in Auburn and opened a music store. Of course, vinyl records gave way to CD's and Steve made the change so smoothly that hardly anyone noticed the growing shelves of CD's that replaced vinyl.

    Before most people had heard of the Internet, Steve reduced his CD inventory (he still has more than you and all your friends put together), transitioned from CD to broadcast and turned up one morning on the radio with a show that was a unique blend of oldies, new stuff and unadulterated Wildman.

    Fade to 2008 and the internet and downloads are seemingly everywhere, and where do we find Steve? After a short absence from the airwaves, Wildman Steve is back. And, no surprise, the medium has changed and this time it's the Internet. Wildman Steve will now reach out to a global market with Wildman Steve Radio.

    It's hard to describe Steve's music. He has described it as "roots music," but a better description is pure music. Although there is a healthy mix of timeless oldies on the station, most of the music he plays is new music, today's music--freshly minted. Indie recording artists love him because he plays their new stuff. And yet, the music appeals not only to the college crowd, but the 50-something audience. This is not radio for women 18-35, or or some other narrow demographic found today on corporate broadcast radio, this music is for a wide audience of music-lovers. You can split the music into familiar and unfamiliar, but "old" and "new" are not really good labels for this music. The blend of mixed genres focuses on rhythm and melody. You can tap your toe and you can hum along. That's pure music.

    Steve isn't worrying too much about the cost of gasoline. The internet radio station originates from his state-of-art digital home studio. The actual broadcast is through a national distributor, but it's all about the music here in Auburn.

    This is a family business. The internet radio station is operated by Steve and his wife, Laura. They broadcast live eight hours a day. Steve takes the morning shift from and Laura goes on air as "Lola Palooza" each the afternoon. The rest of the time they play an eclectic mix of shows from their very interesting friends, and playlists that feature the music played on their shows and much more. Steve's web site describes his business model as listener-supported radio and donations are solicited, but it's not begging, there are some good freebie rewards for donations. Any donation will get you download privileges--real bargain as Steve's online library grows--and the top level (over $150) gets you a specially selected CD from Steve's vast collection every month for a year! That's a great gift idea, too.

    If you love good music, you need to check out Wildman Steve Radio.

    And, of course, for the more diverse tastes, Radio Eclectic Esoterica has put the music online for more than a decade.

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    After Auburn's sixth consecutive victory over arch-rival Alabama last November, head coach Tommy Tuberville knew he had to make a change on offense. That change was just down the road in Troy.

    On December 11, 2007, Al Borges resigned after four seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Although the Tigers were 41-9 during Borges' tenure, the numbers put up by the offense continued to decline each season after the incredible 13-0 finish in 2004.

    A day later, Tony Franklin was hired as Borges' replacement. As the offensive coordinator at Troy, Franklin helped the Trojans to back-to-back eight-win seasons, consecutive Sunbelt Conference Co-Championships and a New Orleans Bowl victory in 2006. Troy's offense, which was last in the conference in total offense prior to his arrival, was second in the Sun Belt in 2006 and was first in the league in total offense (452.8 ypg) and scoring offense (34.0 ppg) in 2007. Nationally last season, his offense was 17th in total offense and 25th in scoring offense.
    Tony Franklin
    Tony Franklin
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Known for being a master at running the spread attack, Franklin was brought in by Tuberville to give Auburn's offense a much needed boost. The spread is a different kind of beast than the West Coast offense the Tigers were accustomed to running under Borges. It takes a smart, athletic quarterback along with speedy receivers to be successful. Auburn seems to have the tools at both positions to give opposing defensive coordinators plenty of headaches and hopefully win enough conference games to end up in Atlanta for the SEC title game.

    After Franklin's hire was official, Chris Todd decided to transfer to Auburn instead of Troy so he could still be coached by Franklin. Todd threw for more than 10,000 yards in Franklins system at Elizabethtown (Ky.) High School and also ran the same system during his short stint at Texas Tech before transferring to Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College.
    Chris Todd
    Chris Todd
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Todd would probably be the starting quarterback when Auburn opens the season Aug. 30 against Louisiana-Monroe if he hadn't suffered a shoulder injury at the end of last season. The injury plagued him during spring practice which caused a tight race between him and sophomore Kodi Burns.

    Burns saw playing time in a few games last season and was the hero in Auburn's bowl victory over Clemson when he ran for the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Burns has great speed but seems to lack a strong and accurate throwing arm, which could keep him in the No. 2 spot if Todd's shoulder continues to get back to 100 percent. Look for Franklin to use a two-quarterback system similar to the one that was used with Brandon Cox and Burns in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

    Sophomore Neil Caudle and true freshman DeRon Furr will have to watch from the sidelines for a few years before they see any significant playing time. But, getting familiar with Franklin's system and working with the scout team will prepare them to be starters in the near future.

    Senior Rod Smith looks to be the No. 1 target at wide receiver again this season after leading the team last year with 52 catches for 705 yards and five touchdowns. Despite getting off to a slow start in the spring, he finished strong with eight receptions for 146 yards in Auburns final two spring scrimmages.

    Montez Billings will backup Smith but could see plenty of playing time when the offense needs a deep threat. After being injured at the start of the 2007 season, Billings finished with good numbers and played a major role in the victory against Florida. For the year he caught 28 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown.
    James Swinton
    James Swinton
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    James Swinton wasn't used very much in his first three seasons, but after a very productive spring he has the potential to be a star in Franklin's offense. The senior will have the opportunity to show off his speed and is expected to be a bigger part of things in 2008.

    Sophomore Tim Hawthorne suffered a broken arm early in the spring which sidelined him for the rest of drills. His size and body gives him an advantage on the inside. He caught four passes for 47 yards last season and will be a key player in the four wide receiver package.

    Primarily used as a slot guy in his first three years, senior Robert Dunn will get more looks on the outside this year. He was moved to the outside for the bowl game against Clemson and played well. Dunn missed a lot of the practices in the spring because of class conflicts. When he did get to practice, he was impressive. Since he missed a lot of spring drills, he will need to learn more about the new offense and improve on his consistency during preseason practice if he wants to have a solid senior year.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Running Backs

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    A strong running game has always been a part of Auburn football. When Tony Franklin was hired as the new offensive coordinator, many wonder if the running game will still be a big part of the offensive gameplan

    A strong running game has always been a part of Auburn football. When Tony Franklin was hired as the new offensive coordinator, many wonder if the running game will still be a big part of the offensive gameplanA strong running game has always been a part of Auburn football. When Tony Franklin was hired as the new offensive coordinator, many wonder if the running game will still be a big part of the offensive gameplanA strong running game has always been a part of Auburn football. When Tony Franklin was hired as the new offensive coordinator, many wonder if the running game will still be a big part of the offensive gameplanA strong running game has always been a part of Auburn football. When Tony Franklin was hired as the new offensive coordinator, many wonder if the running game will still be a big part of the offensive gameplanA strong running game has always been a part of Auburn football. When Tony Franklin was hired as the new offensive coordinator, many wonder if the running game will still be a big part of the offensive gameplanA strong running game has always been a part of Auburn football. When Tony Franklin was hired as the new offensive coordinator, many wonder if the running game will still be a big part of the offensive gameplanA strong running game has always been a part of Auburn football. When Tony Franklin was hired as the new offensive coordinator, many wonder if the running game will still be a big part of the offensive gameplan

    Football Preview: Running Backs

    A strong running game has always been a part of the success of Auburn football. When Tony Franklin was hired as the new offensive coordinator, it left many wondering if the running backs would still be a big part of the offensive gameplan.

    Before Franklin was hired last December, most Auburn fans didn't know much about him and weren't very familiar with his spread attack. With only nine practices to implement the new scheme before the bowl game against Clemson, fans got a small taste of what the offense will look like before it gets fully installed during fall camp.

    The Auburn faithful had to be pleased with what they saw, especially since the Tigers recorded a victory. Out of 90 plays that were ran, a little more than half were rushing attempts. That seems like a balanced attack, but it might not always be that way.

    Some games this season may see the Tigers pass-happy while others may see the offense run it down defense's throats. It will all depend on what the offense needs to do to win that particular game. The ability to do both will make Auburn a better team.

    Those who have grown up watching the Tigers have success behind a strong running game, don't fret. Franklin believes in order to win championships, you have to be able to run the football. That's good news for Auburn's current running backs and future recruits.
    Ben Tate
    Ben Tate
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Brad Lester and Ben Tate will be co-starters at tailback in the new offensive scheme. Last year when Lester missed the first six games due to academic problems, Tate took advantage by racking up a team leading 903 yards and eight touchdowns. Lester put up decent numbers when he added 530 yards and three scores in the last seven contests.

    Tristan Davis is back in the mix after missing the entire 2007 season with toe and foot injuries. Davis missed a few weeks in the spring when someone stepped on his toe again. After finishing spring drills on a positive note, he is back at full-speed and ready to make a push for playing time.

    Even though Franklin's philosophy is running the football, Tate, Lester and Davis will often be used as receivers out of the backfield. All three have proven that they have good hands and can make defenders miss when they get open.

    Former tailback Mario Fannin has been moved to wide receiver. The move was made to take advantage of Fannin's speed and great hands. He still may lineup in the backfield but won't see any carries.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Football Preview: Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    With five starters returning from the 2007 season, the offensive line is ready to play a major role in the new spread attack offense brought in by Tony Franklin.

    After learning a completely new offense in just nine practices, Auburn's offensive line surprised everyone with their impressive outing in the Chic-fil-A Bowl. Most fans were expecting a lot of penalties and mistakes against a speedy and talented Clemson defense. Instead, the line committed just a few false start penalties and protected the quarterback by allowing only one sack in a game that went into overtime.

    The line was also calm and confident when the new offense looked like total chaos during the game. While at the line of scrimmage in the no-huddle attack, they were constantly standing and facing the sideline to see what play was being called. Not once did they lose focus or look flustered when the game was on the line.

    The outstanding performance in the bowl game can be credited to line coach Hugh Nall and a group of linemen that made major strides during the 2007 season. With plenty of experience and depth returning in 2008, the offensive line has the potential to be one of the best in Auburn's history.
    Jason Bosley
    Jason Bosley
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Nall is looking forward to having senior Jason Bosley start at center for the second consecutive season. Bosley isn't the line's most talented player, he's the steady leader of a relatively young group. He has taken on additional duties required of a center in the spread offense and will be asked to be a mentor to his backups Ryan Pugh and Mike Berry.

    While Pugh waits his turn to start at center once Bosley graduates, he's expected to start at right tackle this year after sharing duties at left tackle last year with King Dunlap. Don't be surprised if Berry starts instead of Pugh since he has more size.

    The starter at right guard is yet to be decided after Chaz Ramsey missed most of spring with a back injury that required surgery. As a true freshman last season, Ramsey was named the starter in the fourth game and kept the job for the rest of the season.

    If Ramsey is still hampered by his back, look for Byron Isom to get the nod. Last season, Isom didn't see much playing time as a redshirt freshman, but he showed much improvement in the spring.
    Lee Ziemba
    Lee Ziemba
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Lee Ziemba started every game last year at right tackle as a true freshman. After being highly recruited as a senior in high school, he lived up to the hype as an impressive pass blocker who got better each week. This year, he'll move over to left tackle to protect the quarterback's blind side.

    Senior Tyronne Green is the starter at left guard again after a solid 2007 season. Green is a physical blocker who has the chance to be all-SEC. When the offense needs to grind out tough yards, he'll be the one leading the way.

    Auburn's tight ends were mainly used as blockers in the old West Coast offense last season. In the new spread attack, they will still be counted on to block, but will get more opportunities to be big targets for the quarterbacks.
    Tommy Trott
    Tommy Trott
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Junior Tommy Trott looked good in the spring after dropping back down to a smaller weight. Last year, Trott caught only four passes and was used mostly as a blocker. He was one of the stars in the spring and should be a bigger part of the offense after getting in better shape.

    Behind Trott is junior Gabe McKenzie, who struggled with the new offense in the spring. McKenzie is a great blocker and a great athlete who can be a weapon if he improves on his consistency during preseason practice.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Defensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    Paul Rhoads, who served as defensive coordinator for the past eight seasons at Pittsburgh, is Auburn's new defensive coordinator and secondary coach after Will Muschamp departed for Texas.

    Rhoads, 41, was highly regarded as one of the best defensive coordinators in the country while at Pitt. He was named the Big East's best defensive coordinator in 2006 by The Sporting News.
    Paul Rhoads
    Paul Rhoads
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Last season, Rhoads' defense finished fifth nationally in total defense after allowing just 297.7 yards per game and were third nationally in pass defense allowing just 167.3 yards per game.

    In order to win championships, Rhoads believes Auburn's defense must do a better job at stopping the run. Last season, the Tigers ranked 29th nationally in rushing defense and allowed 124.7 yards per game on the ground.

    To improve on those numbers, the defense will be committed to stopping the run and it starts up front on the line.

    With Pat Sims leaving early for the NFL Draft and Josh Thompson graduating, senior Sen'Derrick Marks will be counted on to fill the void at defensive tackle. Marks returns to his natural position at tackle after being moved to end last season where he had 43 tackles and recorded two sacks in 13 starts.
    Sen'Derrick Marks
    Sen'Derrick Marks
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Look for Marks to have a breakout season. At 6-1 and 288 pounds, he will use his athleticism to be one of the top interior pass rushers. He will also be counted on by Rhoads to be a leader to the inexperienced younger players on the line.

    One of the younger players who will look to Marks for guidance is 6-4, 289-pound junior Jake Ricks. Ricks will start at the other tackle position next to Marks after having a productive spring. He saw limited playing time last season as a backup but could emerge as one of the stars on the line.

    Junior defensive end Antonio Coleman surprised everyone last season when he filled in nicely for the injured Quentin Groves. Groves, who now plays in the NFL, never really got his old job back when he recovered from the injury. Last season, the 6-2, 250-pound Coleman was in on 38 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.
    Antonio Coleman
    Antonio Coleman
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Coleman had a freak accident during one of the scrimmages in the spring when he suffered a cervical sprain and was carted off the field. He missed the rest of spring, but says he's back to 100 percent and ready to be the team's best pass rusher for the second year in a row.

    At the the other end spot, sophomore Michael Goggans starts after limited playing time last season. At 6-3 and 254 pounds, the former tight end has the potential to become another great pass rusher for Auburn.

    The Tigers have plenty of depth on the line and Rhoads plans to use fall camp as a time to figure out which backup can step in when the starters need a break. At one of the end positions, sophomore Antoine Carter should get plenty of playing time after making 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four tackles for loss as a true freshman last season.

    Zach Clayton, A.J. Greene and Mike Blanc all had productive springs but will need to see a lot of improvement in preseason practice if they want to see action in games that aren't lopsided.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Linebackers

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    Auburn is a little thin at linebacker, but with Paul Rhoads as the new defensive coordinator, the group is expected to once again be solid and physical in 2008.

    Although the Tigers seemed to be set depth wise when spring practice wrapped up, the recent announcement that Bo Harris is off the team because of grades leaves the Tigers a little slimmer in an area where depth is always a plus.

    The departure of Harris isn't a major blow since he finished spring third on the depth chart and was only going to be used in a limited role. It does mean that Rhoads and position coach James Willis will be praying that everyone stays healthy throughout the upcoming season.

    Injuries plagued the group last year, so finding the right mix of starters and backups is nothing new for Willis. Last season, Willis called on Chris Evans to step in when weak-side starter Merrill Johnson went down with a shoulder injury. Evans performed well while Johnson was out, making 65 tackles and an interception.

    Johnson shared starting duties with Evans when he returned from the injury late in the season. Once the season gets started Aug. 30., Johnson and Evans will split time as co-starters unless one distances himself from the other during fall camp. If both seniors stay healthy, it will give the Tigers a big lift on the weak-side.
    Tray Blackmon
    Tray Blackmon
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    In the middle, Tray Blackmon could be the star of the group if he stays healthy and out of trouble for the entire season in 2008. Since coming to Auburn two years ago, injuries and personal problems have kept him from being the big impact player everyone thought he would be coming out of high school.

    In nine games last season, Blackmon totalled 45 tackles, with his best game coming against Arkansas. After a productive and injury-free spring, the junior is looking forward to playing the entire season and finally being that dominating force inside.

    Sophomore Josh Bynes is behind Blackmon on the depth chart but could play when Blackmon moves to the outside during certain situations.

    On the strong-side, sophomore Craig Stevens will start after making 35 tackles as a redshirt freshman last season. He excelled against the run in the Arkansas game and was named defensive player of the week.

    Closely behind Stevens is senior Courtney Harden. Harden has been a very valuable reserve during his career on the Plains and will be counted on to play an important role in Auburn's defensive scheme.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Secondary

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Defensive Line

    Football Preview: Secondary

    New secondary coach Paul Rhoads already had the tough task of replacing three starters from 2007, but now he'll be challenged to find a replacement for a projected starter, who is out for the season.

    Entering preseason camp, Rhoads knew depth and experience was a concern for Auburn's secondary. The Tigers graduated three starters, Pat Lee, Jonathan Wilhite and Eric Brock from last year's secondary.

    Rhoads felt fairly comfortable that the incoming freshmen and returning players from last season could come together to form a quality group. But now that right cornerback Aairon Savage is out for the season with a knee injury and DeRon Furr has left the team, it will be crucial for the incoming freshmen to mature quickly to provide depth in the thin secondary.

    Newcomers Neiko Thorpe, DAntoine Hood, Harry Adams and Drew Cole will battle each other to see who gets immediate playing time as a backup at the cornerback positions.

    Junior Walter McFadden, who would have shared starting duties at right cornerback with Savage, will now be the full-time starter. McFadden has excellent speed and size but lacks experience as a starter. He appeared in every game last season, recording ten tackles and had an interception against Tennessee Tech that was returned 93 yards for a touchdown.
    Jerraud Powers
    Jerraud Powers
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Returning as the starter at left cornerback, junior Jerraud Powers had a fantastic 2007 season by finishing fourth on the team with 63 tackles to go along with a team-leading four interceptions and four tackles for loss. He will need to have another strong season in 2008 now that the secondary will be without Savage.

    Sophomore Ryan Williams, who had four tackles in limited action last season, will serve as Powers' backup. Williams has good size and plenty of talent but needs more playing time.

    At free safety, sophomore Mike McNeil starts after playing mostly on special teams last season. McNeil's big size and physical play should help him grow into an All-SEC star as he becomes a fixture in the secondary.

    Sophomore Zac Etheridge is back to anchor the strong safety spot after starting 12 of 13 games at strong safety last season. Etheridge was expected to be a reserve at free safety last year but quickly got the chance to play and finished second on the team with 65 tackles along with five broken up passes.

    The top reserves at safety are redshirt freshman Mike Slade and walk-on senior Jonathan Vickers. Both could provide much needed relief in the thin secondary. Slade could see instant playing time with his size and skills, and after showing much improvement in the offseason.

    Phil Marion

    Coming next week: Special Teams

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    Sometimes overlooked, special teams are an important part of any team's success. In 2008, Auburn's special teams will play a big role during the grueling 12-game season.

    Since coming to Auburn, head coach Tommy Tuberville has emphasized that the play of special teams is very important to the program's success. Tuberville's Tigers have been very consistent in that phase of the game thanks to special teams coordinator Eddie Gran.

    Gran had mixed feelings last season about how the kicking game would fair with true freshmen handling the punting and kicking duties. Overall, Gran was pleased with how the two handled the pressures of kicking in the SEC. With the experience they gained last year, Gran is optimistic that kicker Wes Byrum and punter Ryan Shoemaker will be even better in 2008.
    Wes Byrum
    Wes Byrum
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    As a true freshman last season, Byrum's Auburn career got off to a bang at The Swamp against Florida. The Gators were unbeaten, ranked No. 4 nationally and had won 18 consecutive games at home. Byrum nailed the game-winning 43-yard field goal to beat the defending national champion.

    Now a sophomore, Byrum hopes he'll get more chances to come through when the game is on the line. He also hopes he can stay healthy for the entire season after suffering an injury in last year's opener against Kansas State. The injury plagued him throughout the rest of the season and caused him to lack booming kickoffs.

    Morgan Hull will get a chance to win the starting kickoff job during fall camp and is also the number two field goal kicker. Hull was the backup kickoff man to Byrum last season as a true freshman walk-on.

    Shoemaker was solid last season averaging 42.4 yards per kick while placing 16 inside the 20 and forcing 13 fair catches. He'll have stiff competition from Clinton Durst and Patrick Tatum. Durst is a walk-on who was named MVP for special teams in the spring game. Tatum also had a good spring but still lags behind Shoemaker and Durst.

    Punt returns will mostly be handled by senior Robert Dunn. Dunn has been Auburn's full-time punt returner for the past two seasons. He averaged 9.4 yards on 32 returns last season, which was up from 5.5 yards per return the previous season.

    Sophomore Chris Slaughter and speedy freshman Phillip Pierre-Louis could also be called on to return punts. Last year, Slaughter returned two punts for a total of nine yards.
    Tristan Davis
    Tristan Davis
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    For kickoff returns, seniors Tristan Davis and Brad Lester are expected to be the main guys with James Swinton, Ben Tate and Walter McFadden as additional options.

    Davis is back full strength after missing the entire 2007 season with foot injuries. Davis can be a potent kick returner, as he showed in 2006 when he averaged 27.0 yards, which is the fourth best for a single-season in Auburn history.

    Enjoy the season!

    Phil Marion

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Week One SEC Predictions

    The 2008 football season begins with 12 games on the SEC schedule. Auburn hosts Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT. Clemson and Alabama battle in Atlanta on ABC at 7 p.m. CT.

    Aug. 30 Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn, 6 p.m. CT, PPV

    The Tigers hope to avoid getting off to a slow start like they did last season when they were 1-2 after the first three games. The disappointing start and below average season had head coach Tommy Tuberville searching for answers. The Tigers' offense ranked 107th nationally in passing and 101st in total yards last season. Tuberville decided the offense needed a new direction so Al Borges stepped down and a few days later Tony Franklin was hired as new offensive coordinator.

    Franklin was able to install his spread attack in time for the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the offense responded by confusing the Clemson defense with the no-huddle attack. Auburn ran 90 plays and gained a season-high 423 yards in a 23-20 overtime win. With more time to learn Franklin's system in the spring and during fall camp, the offense should be ready to put up big numbers against Louisiana-Monroe.

    We all know by now that Auburn will use a two-quarterback system with Kodi Burns and Chris Todd. Franklin has been saying this since the spring but the media just can't stop asking who will be named the starter and who will get the most playing time. One will be named starter on Saturday, then both will play depending on how the game unfolds. This should be the case throughout the season.

    On defense, Auburn hired Paul Rhoads from Pittsburgh as the defensive coordinator after Will Muschamp left for Texas. The defense should be pretty solid and use the same schemes that were used last season. The only questions will be in the secondary after Aairon Savage was lost for the season with a knee injury. Freshmen Neiko Thorpe, DAntoine Hood and Harry Adams will be forced to grow up fast as they get thrown into the mix for playing time.

    Sophomore Wes Byrum will handle kickoffs and field goals again in 2008. The job for the No. 1 punter is still up for grabs with last year's starter Ryan Shoemaker in jeopardy of losing the job to walk-on Clinton Durst. It looks like Durst may have had a better fall camp and could handle most of the punts.

    Louisiana-Monroe finished 6-6 overall and 4-3 in the Sun Belt Conference in 2007. The Warhawks have a combined 15 starters back on offense and defense from last year's team. One of those returning starters is quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster, who threw for 1,866 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 398 yards and a touchdown.

    Auburn is 6-0 all-time against Louisiana-Monroe, including a 31-0 home victory in the last matchup Sept. 4, 2004. After Saturday night, the Tigers will be 7-0 all-time against the Warhawks.

    Prediction: Auburn 40-13.

    Aug. 28 N.C. State at South Carolina 7 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: South Carolina 21-20.

    Aug. 28 Vanderbilt at Miami (Ohio) 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Miami (Ohio) 23-17.

    Aug. 30 Alabama vs. Clemson (at Atlanta) 7 p.m. CT, ABC

    Prediction: Clemson 28-17.

    Aug. 30 Western Illinois at Arkansas 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Arkansas 38-14.

    Aug. 30 Hawaii at Florida 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Prediction: Florida 35-20.

    Aug. 30 Georgia Southern at Georgia 11:30 a.m. CT PPV

    Prediction: Georgia 34-13.

    Aug. 30 Appalachian State at LSU 4 p.m. CT ESPN

    Prediction: LSU 27-20.

    Aug. 30 Memphis at Ole Miss 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Memphis 14-12.

    Aug. 30 Mississippi State at La. Tech 5:45 p.m. CT ESPN2

    Prediction: MSU 20-14.

    Aug. 31 Kentucky at Louisville 2:30 p.m. CT ESPN

    Prediction: Louisville 31-17.

    Sept. 1 Tennessee at UCLA 7 p.m. CT ESPN

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-21.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-6. This week, Auburn hosts Southern Mississippi 11:30 a.m. CT on Raycom Sports. In SEC action, South Carolina plays at Vandy.

    Southern Mississippi at Auburn, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Auburn can expect Southern Mississippi to be a much tougher opponent than LA-Monroe was last weekend. The Golden Eagles always play well against SEC teams and this week shouldn't be any different. USM features first-year head coach Larry Fedora. Fedora's debut was pretty impressive against Louisiana-Lafayette.

    The Golden Eagles won easily 51-21 while racking up 633 total yards and 427 yards on the ground. Junior tailback Damion Fletcher rushed for a career-high 222 yards and two touchdowns.

    USM quarterback Austin Davis had a complete game by rushing for 63 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. He also completed 14-of-21 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. DeAndre Brown caught four passes for 92 yards and a score to lead the receivers.

    On defense, the Golden Eagles did allow UL-Lafayette to gain 394 total yards but the secondary recorded two interceptions and only allowed 11-of-24 throws to be completed. The run defense allowed 263 yards and an average of 6.1 yards per attempt.

    Everyone expected Auburn's offense to come out and score 100 points against LA-Monroe last week. The offense is still learning the new no-huddle attack implemented by Tony Franklin and it might take awhile for it to really get going. Plus, the Tigers are a bit thin at wide receiver with Philip Pierre-Louis out for the season and both James Swinton and Montez Billings hobbled by injuries.

    The running game was a surprise in the opener as Ben Tate rushed for 115 yards on 13 carries. As a whole, the offense gained 406 net yards and 300 rushing yards.

    At quarterback, Kodi Burns was the starter last week with Chris Todd taking most of the snaps in the second half when Burns had to leave the game in the third quarter after suffering a deep cut on his leg. Head coach Tommy Tuberville has said that Todd will start this week against USM because Burns is still not 100 percent.

    The defense and special teams were also bright spots in the opener. UL-Monroe finished with only 220 yards and 12 first downs. New defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads was happy with the effort against the Warhawks but knows the defense will be tested this week and when the Tigers face SEC opponents.

    On special teams, Robert Dunn returned a punt for a touchdown and the unit forced a turnover on defense, leading to two touchdowns.

    Auburn leads the all-time series with Southern Miss 16-5, with the last meeting in 1993. This year's meeting should be a battle as Auburn tries to work out the kinks in the new offense. If the defense plays above average again, the Tigers should come out on top.

    Prediction: Auburn 27-13.

    Sept. 4 South Carolina at Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-20.



    La.-Monroe at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Arkansas 26-21.



    Miami, Fla. at Florida, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Florida 38-20.



    Central Michigan at Georgia, 2:30 p.m. CT, FSNS

    Prediction: Georgia 45-10.



    Norfolk State at Kentucky, 5 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Kentucky 35-12.



    Troy at LSU, 7 p.m. CT, POSTPONED



    Ole Miss at Wake Forest, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC

    Prediction: Ole Miss 30-21.



    Southeastern Louisiana at Mississippi State, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: MSU 35-13.

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-2, overall they are 13-8. This week, Auburn hits the road to play Mississippi St. at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Georgia plays at South Carolina while Alabama hosts Western Kentucky.

    Auburn at Mississippi State, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Auburn opens SEC play on the road at Mississippi State. The Tigers are 2-0 so far on the young season after victories at home against LA-Monroe and Southern Miss. The Bulldogs are 1-1 after a disappointing loss in the season opener to LA Tech and then rebounding for a victory over Southeastern Louisiana, a Football Championship Subdivision team.

    Mississippi State's 34-10 victory over Southeastern Louisiana gave Sylvester Croom's team a much needed boost heading into SEC play. The Bulldogs racked up 401 total yards while holding their opponent to just 148 yards. Quarterback Wesley Carroll completed 15-of-23 passes for 158 yards and two scores. Anthony Dixon was solid on the ground with two touchdowns and 80 yards on 18 carries.

    Auburn's defense has been stingy so far this season. The Tigers allowed Southern Miss. to gain just 37 rushing yards in the 27-13 victory last Saturday. Jerraud Powers led the way with eight tackles and an interception. The Tigers have five takeaways through eight quarters of football.

    On offense, the new spread offense looked better compared to week one. Chris Todd got the start at quarterback and completed 21 of 31 passes for 248 yards against the Golden Eagles. Last week, Brad Lester, Ben Tate and Eric Smith all coughed up the ball when Auburn was poised to score. This must be corrected against tougher opponents in the SEC.

    It'll be interesting to see how Auburn performs on the road for the first time. Luckily for the Tigers, the SEC opener is in Starkville and not somewhere like Baton Rouge. The crowd could still be a factor, but Auburn should be able to handle it.

    Last year's shocking 19-14 loss at home to the Bulldogs snapped a six-game Auburn winning streak in the series. Mississippi State is looking to beat Auburn at home for the first time since a 17-10 victory in 2000. The Tigers won 34-0 on Sept. 9, 2006, the last meeting in Starkville and should take care of business on the road in this contest.

    Prediction: Auburn 30-10.

    Western Kentucky at Alabama, 6 p.m. CT, PPV

    Prediction: Alabama 27.24.



    Arkansas at Texas, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC

    Prediction: Texas 40-17.



    Georgia at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Georgia 31-14.



    Middle Tennessee at Kentucky, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-13.



    North Texas at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

    Prediction: LSU 50-14.



    Samford at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Ole Miss 30-7.



    UAB at Tennessee, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Prediction: Tennessee 38-15.



    Rice at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 24-20.

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-0, overall they are 21-8. This week, Auburn hosts LSU, Alabama travels to Fayetteville to face Arkansas, and Florida visits Tennessee.

    LSU at Auburn, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    This year's battle between the Tigers takes place at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The home team has won each of the last eight matchups. LSU's last victory in Auburn came Sept. 19, 1998, by a 31-19 score. LSU holds a 22-19-1 lead in all-time series.

    The Auburn faithful are ready to hit the panic button after the offense has failed to deliver so far this season. They should blame penalties and turnovers for the inconsistent play. Last week against Mississippi State when the offense was finally getting into a rhythm, a penalty or a fumble would set them back. Hopefully those mistakes can be corrected before Saturday's game.

    Minus the fumbles by the tailbacks, the ground game has been the only highlight of the offense, averaging 204.7 ypg. Ben Tate is averaging nearly six yards per carry while gaining 278 yards and one TD in the first three outings.

    Brad Lester is still questionable to see action against LSU. He's been limited to contact in practice after suffering a sprained neck last Saturday.

    The defense is a big reason why Auburn is 3-0 on the season. Auburn has held its three opponents to 53.0 rushing yards per game and given up 15 total points. After the offense turned the ball over three times last Saturday, the defense tighten up and kept Mississippi State from scoring. The unit limited the Bulldogs to just 116 total yards of offense and six first downs.

    Junior cornerback Jerraud Powers leads the team with 18 tackles and also has one interception. Junior linebacker Tray Blackmon finally showed why he can be a terror in the middle when he recorded 11 tackles, two for-a-loss, and one sack against the Bulldogs.

    On offense for LSU, quarterback Andrew Hatch has started both games, but Jarrett Lee has played when the game was out of reach for the opposing team.The two have combined for just over 400 yards passing and three touchdowns.

    On the ground, Charles Scott has racked up 262 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 11.4 yards per carry. If Auburn can limit Scott they'll have a chance to win.

    LSU's defense is only allowing 8.0 points, 48.0 rushing yards and 219.0 total yards per game. Starting linebacker Darry Beckwith won't play this week after suffering an apparent knee injury in last week's game.

    The meeting every year between these two teams has turn into a nice rivalry. The team that comes out on top usually wins the Western Division and heads to Atlanta for the championship game. In recent years, the contest has gone down to the wire with eleven of the last 18 games decided by seven points or less. Expect another hard fought defensive battle on Saturday.

    Prediction: LSU 10-6.

    Alabama at Arkansas, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Prediction: Alabama 17-14.

    Florida at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 27-21.

    Georgia at Arizona State, 7:13 p.m. CT, ABC

    Prediction: Georgia 31-16.

    Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Vandy 23-13.

    Wofford at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-10.

    Mississippi State at Georgia Tech, 11 a.m. CT

    Prediction: Tech 20-14.

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were a perfect 7-0. Overall, they are 28-8. On the SEC schedule this week, Auburn hosts Tennessee while Alabama plays a big game at Georgia.

    Tennessee at Auburn, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Saturday's contest between Tennessee and Auburn has become very important for both squads as they try to rebound after tough losses last weekend. The Vols need a victory to avoid their worst start in 14 years, while a victory for the Tigers would keep their chances alive to capture the SEC West title.

    Tennessee was in the exact same position this time last year. Phillip Fulmer's team stood at 1-2 after a blowout loss to the Gators, but won eight of its next nine to reach the SEC title game. Fulmer will have to get his team to make that kind of run again if he wants to keep his job. It'll be tough to do against Auburn this week and with a visit to Georgia Oct. 11.

    Auburn failed to shut the door last week when they had LSU down 14-3 at halftime. LSU came out on fire in the second half and eventually won 26-21. It was a tough loss for Auburn to swallow. A strong showing against the Vols would help give Auburn confidence as they look ahead to a tough matchup with Vanderbilt on the road next week.

    Auburn's offense seemed to move the ball better last weekend. Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin was up in the booth for the first time and said that helped him make better play-calling decisions. The Tigers saw quarterback Chris Todd throw some nice completions but the running game failed to deliver. With only 70 yards rushing against LSU, Todd was probably depended on too much. Hopefully this week the offense will be more balanced which will take the pressure off the quarterback.

    Last week, Auburn's defense allowed 26 points which surprised everyone. LSU's offense had a lot of speed which was too much for them to handle, especially in the second half. Tennessee won't be as much of a challenge with quarterback Jonathan Crompton leading the way. Crompton has four interceptions through three games this season. Tailback Arian Foster struggled last week against the Gators, gaining only 37 yards on 14 carries.

    Despite the disappointment of last week, the Tigers are still one of the top defenses in the country, giving up just 10.2 ppg and 259.8 total ypg. The unit has 10 sacks to go along with seven takeaways. Perhaps the most impressive stat of all is that opposing teams have converted only 7-of-60 third-down attempts.

    You could say this is a must-win for both teams. Tennessee is a little more desperate though. Falling to 1-3 overall would be devastating. Auburn, meanwhile, hasn't lost many back-to-back home games in its history and it shouldn't lose this week.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-10.



    Ole Miss at Florida, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom Sports

    Prediction: Florida 40-7.



    Arkansas at Texas, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC

    Prediction: Texas 35-13.



    Western Kentucky at Kentucky, 6 p.m. CT, PPV - Big Blue Sports Network

    Prediction: Kentucky 26-13.



    UAB at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT, PPV - Gamecock Sports Network

    Prediction: South Carolina 17-14.



    Mississippi State at LSU, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: LSU 45-7.



    Alabama at Georgia, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Georgia 24-21.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 33-10. This week, Auburn hits the road to face No. 19 Vanderbilt on ESPN. Alabama tries to stay perfect at home against Kentucky.

    Auburn at Vanderbilt, 5 p.m. CT, ESPN

    The No. 13 Auburn Tigers travel to Nashville to face No. 19 Vanderbilt. Auburn hasn't made a trip to Nashville since the 2003 season. Saturday's game will mark the first time the Tigers have ever faced a nationally-ranked Vanderbilt squad. The Commodores are nationally ranked for the first time since 1984. Auburn will be playing its fourth straight nationally-televised game.

    Vanderbilt is off to a surprising 4-0 start overall and 2-0 mark in the SEC. The Commodores had the luxury of being off last Saturday while Auburn survived to win the battle with Tennessee. The 14-12 victory over the Vols helped the Tigers bounce back from a disappointing loss to LSU the week before.

    Once again, Auburn's defense stepped up when the game was on the line last Saturday. Jake Ricks recovered a fumble in the end zone which turned out to be the difference in the game. Josh Bynes, who made his first career start at linebacker, had a career-high 11 tackles. He is the first Auburn player this season to have double-digit tackles in a single game.

    The stingy defense is led by Sen'Derrick Marks, who leads the SEC and ranks tied for 15th nationally with eight tackles for loss, including two sacks. Antonio Coleman already has four sacks in the first five games to lead the SEC, and his seven tackles for loss ranks second behind Marks.

    Auburn's offense showed signs of life in the first half by scoring a touchdown, but that quickly changed in the second half when Tennessee's punter pinned the sluggish offense inside the 5 three times. Quarterback Kodi Burns finally saw some action after not taking any snaps in the past two games. Much to the disappointment of the Auburn faithful, Tommy Tuberville has said that Chris Todd is still the starter but Burns will probably be used against Vanderbilt.

    At the time, Vanderbilt's victory over Ole Miss on Sept. 20 wasn't such a big deal. Since the Rebels went down to The Swamp and knocked off Florida last Saturday, it may be a sign that Vanderbilt's 4-0 record isn't a fluke. Jared Hawkins leads the Commodores with 314 rushing yards. He is second on the team to quarterback Chris Nickson with three rushing touchdowns. Nickson averages 151 yards of total offense, and has rushed for a team-high five TDs while passing for three more. Nickson also ranks among the SEC Top 10 with a 67.5-yard rush average.

    On defense for the Commodores, Patrick Benoist is averaging 9.3 tackles per game, which is No. 2 in the SEC. Ryan Hamilton's three interceptions lead the SEC. He was named national defensive player of the week for his performance against Ole Miss. Reshard Langford has two interceptions this season, and 10 for his career. Chris Marve contributed a team-high 11 total tackles, including seven solo stops against Ole Miss. Marve is tied for third on the team with 26 total tackles.

    It will be interesting to see how Vanderbilt handles the early season success. With the national ranking and the crew from ESPN's College GameDay on campus, it may be hard for them to stay focused. They should be up for the challenge with an Auburn team that hasn't made much noise on offense all season. Even though the Tigers have a stout defense, sooner or later they will fold when the game is on the line. That may happen on Saturday.

    Prediction: Vandy 17-14.

    Kentucky at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 30-10.



    Florida at Arkansas, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Prediction: Florida 27-6.



    South Carolina at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT

    Prediction: South Carolina 20-17.



    Northern Illinois at Tennessee, 6 p.m. CT, PPV

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-9.

    Auburnite Up for Gospel Music Award

    Auburn's Radette "EDDRA" Crook, better known as "DJ MADAME-Boo" has been nominated for a Alabama Gospel Hip Hop Award. Voting ends Wednesday, October 8.

    Eddra Crook work in Graduate Outreach Program on the Auburn campus, but has another live in the music business.

    She was nominated for the Supporting cast award of the Alabama Gospel Hip Hop Awards.

    Vote here.

    Auburnite Up for Gospel Music Award

    Auburn's Radette "EDDRA" Crook, better known as "DJ MADAME-Boo" has been nominated for a Alabama Gospel Hip Hop Award. Voting ends Wednesday, October 8.

    Eddra Crook works in Graduate Outreach Program on the Auburn campus, but has another live in the gospel music business.

    She was nominated for the Supporting cast award of the Alabama Gospel Hip Hop Awards to be awarded Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center located in Birmingham.

    Vote here.

    Auburnite Up for Music Award

    Auburn's Radette "EDDRA" Crook, better known as "DJ MADAME-Boo" has been nominated for a Alabama Gospel Hip Hop Award. Voting ends Wednesday, October 8.

    Eddra Crook works in Graduate Outreach Program on the Auburn campus, but has another life in the gospel music business.

    She was nominated for the Supporting Cast Award of the Alabama Gospel Hip Hop Awards to be presented Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center.

    Vote here.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-0, overall they are 38-10. SEC action this week has Arkansas visiting Auburn, Tennessee at Georgia, and LSU at Florida.

    Arkansas at Auburn, 4 p.m. CT, PPV

    Two teams that are really struggling square off at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday. Arkansas and Auburn expected better seasons than what has unfolded so far in 2008. The Razorbacks are in the middle of a three-game losing streak, while Auburn's offense was pathetic in the loss to Vanderbilt last weekend.

    Arkansas hired Bobby Petrino to help the Razorbacks compete again in the SEC West. Auburn hired Tony Franklin to give a boost to an offense that ranked near the bottom of every category last season.

    Things haven't gone as planned for either team. In fact, both offenses are worse than they were a year ago. Arkansas is only averaging 10.3 points during its three-game losing streak. Auburn produced 82 total yards and six first downs over the final three quarters of their first loss to Vanderbilt since 1955. The Tigers are ranked 104th nationally in total offense.

    The only positive thing going for Auburn is its defense, which is allowing just 11.1 points a contest. But, as we saw against Vandy, the defense can't possibly hang in there for all four quarters without breaking down. The defense also suffered some key injuries with defensive tackle SenDerrick Marks (ankle) and cornerback Jerraud Powers (hamstring) both listed as day-to-day.

    While writing this, Franklin was dismissed as offensive coordinator. The news is somewhat surprising since it came in the middle of the week and in the middle of the season but Tommy Tuberville probably felt it was urgent. The Auburn faithful will certainly be happy with Tuberville's decision. It hasn't been announced yet who will be in charge of calling the plays this week.

    It will be interesting to see how the players react to Franklin's firing. Hopefully they will understand that a change had to be made to get back to the way Auburn football is supposed to be played. Expect the Tigers to come out with more enthusiasm and put some points on the scoreboard.

    Prediction: Auburn 28-10.

    LSU at Florida, 7 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 24-21.



    Tennessee at Georgia, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Georgia 28-13.



    South Carolina at Kentucky, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Prediction: Kentucky 27-23.



    Vanderbilt at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Vandy 16-13.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-2, overall they are 41-12. Auburn has a much needed weekend off. Ole Miss tries to give Alabama its first loss of the season when the two teams meet in Tuscaloosa.

    Ole Miss at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Both teams had last weekend off to get healthy and prepare for this matchup. Alabama is rolling at 6-0 and Ole Miss pulled off the big upset a few weeks ago at Florida. Don't expect the Rebels to leave Tuscaloosa with a major upset.

    Prediction: Alabama 28-10.



    Arkansas at Kentucky, 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Arkansas snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Auburn last weekend. The Razorbacks got off to a fast start against the Tigers and never looked back. Kentucky has played well this season but slipped up and lost at home to South Carolina last weekend. The Wildcats should play well enough to beat Arkansas.

    Prediction: Kentucky 21-20.



    Vanderbilt at Georgia, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Vandy was the talk of college football after starting the season 5-0. A loss to Mississippi State last weekend brought the Commodores back down to earth. The other Bulldogs will hand Vandy its second-consecutive loss.

    Prediction: Georgia 28-13.



    LSU at South Carolina, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN

    After being embarrassed at Florida last weekend, LSU tries to bounce back on the road at South Carolina. It'll be tough for the Tigers to rebound in Columbia. Steve Spurrier seems to have his Gamecocks playing well but LSU will do just enough to win.

    Prediction: LSU 24-20.



    Mississippi State at Tennessee, 6 p.m. CT, PPV

    Prediction: Tennessee 20-10.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-0, overall they are 46-12. Auburn hits the road to face West Virginia Thursday night on ESPN. In SEC action, Alabama plays Tennessee in Knoxville and Georgia is at LSU.

    Auburn at West Virginia, Thursday 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn and West Virginia meet for the first time ever Thursday night. When this game was added to the ESPN schedule in the offseason, both teams had high hopes heading into the 2008 season and were expected to be in the top 25 when the game was played. As we all know, things don't always go as planned when young men play the game of college football. Injuries and new additions to the coaching staff on both sides have led to disappointing seasons.

    When Rich Rodriguez left for Michigan Bill Stewart became head coach after leading the Mountaineers to a bowl victory. Auburn hired Tony Franklin as offensive coordinator a few weeks before its bowl game with Clemson. After lots of talk in the offseason that the Tigers would have a high-powered offense using the spread attack, the offense was anything but high-powered. Franklin was let go in the middle of the season and Steve Ensminger was named interim offensive coordinator.

    Both teams had last weekend off to get healthy and work on their struggling offenses. West Virginia is averaging 22.2 points a game this year after averaging about 40 points last year. One-time Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Pat White will return to the starting lineup after missing a game with a head injury suffered against Rutgers. One of the most dynamic players in the game the last three years, White has lacked the explosiveness in the new offensive set that Stewart brought to the offense.

    The Mountaineers spent the bye week working on using the I formation more in running situations because running back Noel Devine is more comfortable running out of it. Also, look for White to use his speed to run the option out of the spread.

    On offense for Auburn, former starting quarterback Chris Todd won't play Thursday because of a bad shoulder. The starting quarterback is Kodi Burns and he can keep the job as long as he performs up to the task. Freshman quarterback Barrett Trotter is willing to give up his redshirt for playing time if Burns struggles. Neil Caudle is also being looked at as a possible backup to Burns.

    Like Auburn, West Virginia's defense has kept them in games while the offense struggled. The 4-2 Mountaineers lead the Big East in scoring defense and rank 14th in the nation in scoring defense at 14.67 points a game. Quinton Andrews is second on the team in tackles with 45. He is averaging 7.5 tackles per game, which ranks him fifth in the Big East.

    Auburn's defense is led by Sen'Derrick Marks, who is tied for the SEC lead and ranks tied for 26th nationally with nine tackles for loss, including two sacks. Marks, who has started all 33 games since the start of the 2006 season, now has 29 tackles for loss during his career.

    To be successful against West Virginia, the Tigers must stop the always dangerous White. White has rushed for 428 yards this year, 6.1 a carry, and two touchdowns while completing 72.8 percent of his passes for 590 yards and nine touchdowns.

    Auburn will be playing its first non-conference road game since 2003 at Georgia Tech. In Thursday night games, the Tigers have an all-time record of 6-1, including a 3-0 mark under Tuberville. Auburn has the nation's third-best record in games away from home (road or neutral) since 2004 with an 18-5 (.783) mark. Look for the Tigers to record another victory on the road.

    Prediction: Auburn 17-14.



    Alabama at Tennessee, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Alabama 24-13.



    Ole Miss at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT, PPV

    Prediction: Arkansas 20-17.



    Kentucky at Florida, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Prediction: Florida 35-13.



    Georgia at LSU, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 19-14.



    Middle Tennessee at Mississippi State, 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 24-16.



    Duke at Vanderbilt, 2 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Vandy 28-24.

    Obama

    The plutocrats have systematically looted the treasury and gutted the constitution; they have ruled with greed, arrogance and incompetence. But that's not why I am supporting Obama.

    I am patriotic. I am a REAL American. I live in Ala-friggin-bama. I believe in the American dream. I believe that America is still a country where a son of an immigrant, a half-white, half-black kid, raised by a single mom and a grandmother can become President.

    I am a conservative who believes that conserving our precious natural resources is better than drill, baby, drill.

    I believe that "intellectual," and "elite" are not bad words. (Look them up.) We need the best and the brightest to run our country, not Joe the plumber's great-uncle.

    We need leaders who believe in the value of education and have demonstrated it through their accomplishments in the classroom.

    We need a President who will put need over greed.

    We need change.

    We need Obama.

    Obama '08

    The plutocrats have systematically looted the treasury and gutted the constitution; they have ruled with greed, arrogance and incompetence. But that's not why I am supporting Obama.

    I am patriotic. I am a REAL American. I live in Ala-friggin-bama. I believe in the American dream. I believe that America is still a country where even a son of an immigrant, a half-white, half-black kid, raised by a single mom and a grandmother can become President.

    I am a conservative who believes that conserving our precious natural resources is better than drill, baby, drill.

    I believe that "intellectual," and "elite" are not bad words. (Look them up.) We need the best and the brightest to run our country, not Joe the plumber's great-uncle.

    We need leaders who believe in the value of education and have demonstrated it through their accomplishments in the classroom.

    We need a President who will put need over greed.
    We need change.
    We need Obama.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-4, overall they are 49-16. Auburn plays at Ole Miss on Raycom Sports at 11:30 a.m. CT. Georgia and Florida play in Jacksonville.

    Auburn at Ole Miss, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Auburn travels to Oxford to play an Ole Miss team with a surprising 4-4 record. The Rebels have played well on the road but are 2-2 at home and have yet to beat a visiting SEC opponent. With Auburn coming to town, Ole Miss will look to improve on its record at home.

    The Tigers are also 4-4 but have lost three straight. With an offense that scores just 18.9 points per game, Auburn has had to rely on its defense to keep the opposing team from scoring. But, key players have gone down with injuries and this has caused the once stingy defense to have problems, especially in the second half. Last Thursday, the defense gave up 31 unanswered points in the second half of a 34-17 loss at West Virginia. Much of the blame was on poor tackling and work on improving that has been a major focus in practice this week.

    Auburn's offense seems to push opposing defenses around in the first half, but once defenses make adjustments at halftime, Auburn's offense struggles to move the ball and it loses confidence. To help solve the problems in the second half, changes on the offensive line have been made again with senior Jason Bosley moving back to center, sophomore Ryan Pugh to tackle and sophomore Mike Berry at one of the guard spots.

    Interim offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger has trimmed down the playbook for quarterback Kodi Burns and the offense. Against Ole Miss, the offense will rely on senior running back Brad Lester and will use Mario Fannin as a receiver out of the backfield.

    The Rebels are scoring 27.2 points per game, and quarterback Jevan Snead is tied for the SEC lead with 12 touchdown passes. Snead also leads the conference with 11 interceptions. Ole Miss has gotten more physical in the running game with Cordera Eason named the starter at tailback against Auburn after his performance against Arkansas last week.

    On defense, Ole Miss ranks 10th in the SEC scoring defense (24.1 points per game) and 11th in total defense (345.1). Led by tackle Peria Jerry, the Rebels held Arkansas to 104 net rushing yards, with 38 yards lost on tackles behind the line.

    Auburn holds a 24-8 advantage in the series. The Tigers have not lost in Oxford since 1992 and own a 8-1 advantage over the Rebels in games played there, including a 23-17 victory two years ago.

    Auburn will win if a few key players get healthy on defense and if the offense can score some points in the second half. If not, the Tigers will have to win two of their last three games just to become bowl eligible. The trip to Oxford will be a happy one for Auburn.

    Prediction: Auburn 21-14.



    Arkansas State at Alabama, 2 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Alabama 38-13.



    Tulsa at Arkansas, 1 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Tulsa 33-20.



    Florida vs. Georgia (Jacksonville, Fla.), 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Georgia 27-21.



    Kentucky at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Kentucky 20-10.



    Tulane at LSU, 7 p.m. CT)

    Prediction: LSU 35-16.



    Tennessee at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-13.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-3, overall they are 53-19. Auburn hosts UT-Martin for Homecoming at 1:30 p.m. CT. The big game on the SEC schedule has Alabama facing LSU in Baton Rouge.

    Tennessee-Martin at Auburn, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Auburn celebrates its 82nd Homecoming on Saturday against I-AA UT-Martin. The Skyhawks are 7-2 overall while Auburn limps into the game at 4-5. Many of the defensive starters for the Tigers won't see action on Saturday. They are all banged up and hopefully the day off will get them healthy for Amen Corner.

    This is the final regular season non-conference game of the year for Auburn. Saturday's game will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Auburn has won 16 straight Homecoming contests. That streak comes to an end against UT-Martin.

    Prediction: UT-Martin 20-13.



    Alabama at LSU, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 27-14.



    Arkansas at South Carolina, noon CT

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-13.



    Florida at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Florida 31-10.



    Georgia at Kentucky, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Prediction: Georgia 24-21.



    Wyoming at Tennessee, 1 p.m. CT, PPV

    Prediction: Tennessee 28-16.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, overall they are 57-21. Georgia plays at Auburn on Raycom Sports at 11:30 a.m. CT. Alabama tries to stay perfect when it hosts Miss. State.

    Georgia at Auburn, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom Sports

    Two teams that have had disappointing seasons meet Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn and Georgia had high expectations heading into the 2008 season. Both were in the preseason top 10 rankings with hopes of playing for the national title. The Bulldogs are trying to win their next two games to stay in the hunt for a BCS bowl berth while the Tigers are scratching to win one more game just to become bowl eligible.

    Georgia's defense has been prone to giving up a lot of points this season. The two losses to Alabama and Florida were blowouts. Recently, the Bulldogs have given up 125 points in the past three games. Opponents are scoring 24.9 ppg against Georgia and through 10 games, the Bulldogs have surrendered 33 touchdowns, including 17 scores on the ground.

    Auburn's defense has played decent through 10 games, but injuries are starting to take their toll as the season winds down. Last week against UT-Martin, defensive linemen Antonio Coleman, SenDerrick Marks and Tez Doolittle did not play so they could get healthy for the final two regular season games. They are all in better shape for this week's game.

    The Tigers are allowing just 16.3 ppg, while yielding 19 touchdowns, including just four on the ground. On third down, Auburn is limiting opponents to 28 percent success on their conversion attempts. Zac Etheridge leads the squad with a team-high 55 tackles, with Mike McNeil close behind with 54.

    Georgia's offense will be a challenge for Auburn to defend. With quarterback Matthew Stafford having plenty of talented receivers to throw to, and with tailback Knowshon Moreno, the Bulldogs are capable of racking up a lot of yards and points. Last week against Kentucky, Georgia gained 520 yards in the 42-38 victory.

    Stafford already has 2,587 passing yards this season - 54 more than last years total. The junior needs four more touchdown passes to match last seasons 19. Moreno ranks 16th nationally with 111.3 rushing yards per game.

    Even though the Tigers gained 460 yards of total offense last week against UT-Martin, Auburn still ranks 100th nationally in total offense and 102nd in scoring. The Tigers are averaging just 19.5 ppg and 315.4 total ypg.

    Georgia will probably stack the line to stop quarterback Kodi Burns from being a threat on the ground. Burns has been decent as a passer, completing 54.8 percent of his passes for 758 yards with only one touchdown and seven interceptions.

    Through 111 meetings, Georgia has outscored Auburn by just 45 points (1,730-1,685). In the last 12 meetings between the two schools, the lower ranked or unranked team has won seven times. The Bulldogs are 13-9-2 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, winning their last visit 37-15 on Nov. 11, 2006. Georgia has too much talent and depth not to win this year.

    Prediction: Georgia 27-21.



    Mississippi State at Alabama, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Alabama 31-7.



    South Carolina at Florida, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 24-17.



    Vanderbilt at Kentucky, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Kentucky 26-14.



    Louisiana-Monroe at Ole Miss, 1 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Ole Miss 17-13.



    Troy at LSU, 7 p.m. CT

    Prediction: LSU 31-21.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 62-22. This week's SEC schedule has only four games with the big game in Baton Rouge as Ole Miss takes on LSU.

    Arkansas at Mississippi State, 1:30 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-10.



    The Citadel at Florida, 12:30 p.m. CT

    Prediction: Florida 50-10.



    Ole Miss at LSU, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 24-21.



    Tennessee at Vanderbilt, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 17-10.

    Week 14 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 1-3, overall they are 63-25. This week, Auburn travels to Tuscaloosa to face No. 1 Alabama at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Other rivalry games include Florida at FSU and Georgia Tech at Georgia.

    Auburn at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Auburn tries to ruin Alabama's national title hopes when the two teams meet in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide must beat the Tigers and Florida next week in Atlanta to play in the BCS title game Jan. 8 in Miami. Even though Auburn is 5-6 on the season, Alabama can expect the Tigers to be ready to play as they try to win for the seventh consecutive time over the Tide.

    Both teams had last weekend off. Auburn probably needed the time off more than Alabama to get healthy. The defensive line for the Tigers has been banged up since mid-season. Against Georgia two weeks ago, the defense was in better shape and kept Auburn in the game. Despite losing 17-13, the Tigers had some chances late in the fourth quarter to upset the Bulldogs.

    Expect the Auburn defense to once again keep the game close for the offense to have a chance to win. That will all start by slowing down an Alabama offense that averages 31.7 ppg and by limiting freshman receiver Julio Jones. Jerraud Powers is talented enough to handle Jones but the Tigers will have to put two or three defenders on the playmaker.

    Auburn will also have to force Alabama into third-down situations to have a chance. All season the Tigers have been outstanding by allowing just 27.6 percent in third-down conversion attempts.

    On offense, Auburn finally moved Mario Fannin back to tailback two weeks ago after trying him out at wide receiver. Fannin delivered by scoring both touchdowns and he should get the majority of the carries against Alabama. Brad Lester has been looking better in practice this week and is expected to get some touches.

    Opponents are scoring only 12.5 ppg against the Tide, and just 255.6 total ypg. Rolando McClain leads the team with 77 total tackles, 10 of which have resulted in lost yardage. Rashad Johnson is second in tackles and leads the team with five interceptions.

    Alabama leads the all-time series 38-33-1. The team leading at halftime has won 73.6 percent of the time (53-of-72). Alabama has never beaten Auburn in Tuscaloosa. The Tigers are 6-0 all-time in games played on the campus of Alabama, a record that covers three centuries. The Tide will finally win in Tuscaloosa.

    Prediction: Alabama 17-13.



    Nov. 28 LSU at Arkansas (at Little Rock), 1:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 21-20.



    Nov. 28 Mississippi State at Ole Miss, 11:30 a.m. CT, Raycom

    Prediction: Ole Miss 30-14.



    Florida at Florida State, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC/ESPN2

    Prediction: Florida 30-17.



    Georgia Tech at Georgia, 11 a.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Georgia 28-24.



    Kentucky at Tennessee, 5:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-17.



    South Carolina at Clemson, 11 a.m. CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: South Carolina 20-14.



    Vanderbilt at Wake Forest, 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Wake 23-16.

    Christmas Blugrass Concert

    Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika will present a community -wide Christmas Concert by bluegrass/gospel recording artists The Circuit Riders. Donations will be accepted at the free concert which kicks off Friday, December 19, at 7 p. m.

    The Circuit Riders perform locally in Mobile and numerous churches through their music ministry. They have toured in Russia and Australia. All proceeds from sales of the group's three CD's support missions.

    Trinity United Methodist Church is located at 800 2nd Avenue in Opelika and welcomes everyone to attend this special Christmas event. For more information, call the church office at 745-2632.

    Christmas Blugrass Concert

    Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika will present a community-wide Christmas Concert by bluegrass/gospel recording artists The Circuit Riders. Donations will be accepted at the free concert which kicks off Friday, December 19, at 7 p. m.

    The Circuit Riders perform locally in Mobile and numerous churches through their music ministry. They have toured in Russia and Australia. All proceeds from sales of the group's three CD's support missions.

    Trinity United Methodist Church is located at 800 2nd Avenue in Opelika and welcomes everyone to attend this special Christmas event. For more information, call the church office at 745-2632.

    Coaching Changes

    I have seen five coaching changes at Auburn. Tommy Tuberville's departure, the sixth transition, will play out over the next 14 months through signing day 2010.

    When Doug Barfield replaced Shug after 25 years in 1976, it went badly. The transition was botched and the experiment ended in a dismal failure. Barfield's loyalty to his friend and defensive coordinator, Bear Underwood proved his eventual undoing.

    When Pat Dye arrived on campus from Wyoming in January of 1981, the wild west came to Auburn. Pat Dye was a hard working, hard partying disciple of Bear Bryant. Mark Green once described Dye as the "High Plains Drifter," come to paint the town red. He won 99 football games in 12 seasons with the Tigers. When the Dye luster began to tarnish in 1992, Terry Bowden moved down from Birmingham and proceeded to win his first 20 games. But with time, the run ended badly and Terry was gone in the night in the middle of a woeful 3-8 season.
    Brother Oliver came in as a mid-season winner against Louisiana Tech in 1998 as but managed to defeat only homecoming foe Central Florida the rest of the way and finished his Auburn coaching career at 2-3.
    Tommy Tuberville was named with a mandate to run a clean program and beat Alabama. He was 7-3 against the Tide, giving Auburn fans two hands to count on, and virtually eliminated NCAA violations, player arrests and the University being embarrassed by the actions of players and coaches. When someone did break the rules, the punishment was swift and severe--stars received no favorable treatment.
    My sixth transition will occur the season. Here's wishing a long and happy tenure to Auburn next football coach, no matter whom he (...or she?) may be.

    Were You Googlized?

    I was Googlized on South Gay Street. I saw it happen. Google has added street-view images to Google Maps for Auburn. Did they get a good photo of your house, your car, or even you?

    Let us know if you can find yourself. My house was obscured by trees.

    I found my wife (or at least her car) at work

    View Larger Map

    I was on South Gay near Holy Trinity Episcopal Church when I spotted the GoogleMobile and it spotted me too.
    View Larger Map

    Where were you?

    Popular Gifts For Christmas 2008

    With Christmas only a week away, you may be having trouble finding that perfect gift for your family and friends. Here are a few ideas to help you choose which gift to add to your shopping list.

    Gift lists for children and adults are being inflated by the ever-growing presence of technology, the entertainment world, electronics and flashy gadgets.

    The new iPod Touch is one of the most popular gifts of 2008. Video-game consoles, video games, DVDs and digital music players are also hot items this holiday season.

    For adults, portable DVD players and GPS units are very popular.

    A portable DVD player is a DVD player with an attached screen for easy viewing. The portable DVD players were created so owners could watch DVDs away from home.

    The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Hancock, Wall-E and Tropic Thunder are DVDs that are expected to sell well this holiday season.

    GPS units are automotive navigation systems that use global-positioning-system technology. The Tom Tom, Magellan and Garmin GPS units are the most common brand names for the navigation systems.

    The Wii from Nintendo is still a popular item even though it came out a few years ago. The Wii Fit is a new game for the console consisting of exercise activities for both children and adults alike.

    Video games such as Gears of War 2, Call of Duty -- World at War, Guitar Hero World Tour, and Rock Band 2 will be big sellers.

    The new Elmo Live from Fisher Price is huge this year for young children. Elmo Live tells jokes and stories in addition to singing and dancing.

    Bakugan Battle Brawlers, a strategic game named after a television series, is also popular among children. It was developed by Sega Toys and Spin Master, and uses entertaining metal cards and magnetic spring-loaded miniature figures.

    The Nerf Vulcan Fully Automatic Toy Dart Gun, VTech V. Motion and Barbie iDesign will also be popular items for children this Christmas.

    Access Auburn's Top 10 Stories of 2008

    While 2008 will unlikely be remembered as the brightest in Auburn history, there were some moments of interest. Here are our top ten Auburn stories for the year...

    Top Ten Stories for 2008
     1. Lauren Burke
     2. Budget Woes
     3. Auburn Sports
     4. Trustees Antics
     5. AU Alert
     6. Election '08
     7. Foy Student Center
     8. West Pace
     9. Rainy Days
    10. Momma G's
    1. National attention came to Auburn in the form of tragedy and terror in March when Auburn freshman Lauren Burke was kidnapped and murdered. A suspect, Courtney Lockhart, was arrested and is awaiting trial.

    2. The tumbling economy hit Auburn University in the pocketbook as state budget woes slashed appropriations to higher education. Insult was added to injury in December when Gov. Bob Riley announced additional cuts totaling a $67 million shortfall for the University.

    3. Sports in Auburn is always a big story and 2008 was no exception as AU said goodbye to baseball and football coaches, and welcomed John Pawlowski and Gene Chizik to the Plains. Auburn Swimming and Diving swept the SEC Championships but for the first time in seven years failed bring home an NCAA Championship. Ground was broken for a new basketball arena, and former and current AU students were awarded 19 medal at the Beijing Olympics. Perhaps the most surprising sports story in Auburn in 2008 was the improbable run of the Auburn High School football team to an undefeated regular season.

    4. The Auburn Board of Trustees made negative news again in 2008 as Earlon McWhorter was awarded an additional year on the Board when the confirmation of a new trustee was blocked in the state senate. McWhorter's tenure is most remembered as being one of those trustees on Bobby Lowder's jet to Louisville in 2003 to romance Bobby Petrino.

    5. Recorded phone calls, text messages and emails seemed to greet every thunderstorm but not real emergencies as AU Alert, the emergency communications system implemented in response to the Virginia Tech shooting, was rolled out. After a little fine tuning of procedures, the system has proven an effective tool in getting out vital information to the Auburn campus.

    6. The 2008 Presidential Election was big news everywhere, but became even bigger news in Auburn when Auburn High graduate Robert Gibbs was named Presidential Press Secretary.

    7. The long awaited Student Center debuted at AU to rave reviews, but the praise was dimmed when it was reported that the new building would not carry the name of Dean James E. Foy.

    8. The collision between the Shell Toomer State Parkway and encroaching development continued unabated and the Parkway took the worse of it. Tom Hayley's West Pace "Lifestyle Center" and "Auto Mall" settled a lawsuit to gain multiple accesses on the Parkway and has bulldozed the bike path.

    9. Rainy days made the news as Amendment One passed to setup a "Rainy Day Fund." Rain came quickly when Governor Riley a month later tapped the fund to lessen the effect of proration. Meanwhile, several rainy days combined to bring an end to a multi-year drought that had plagued the Southeast.

    10. An Auburn institution hit the road as Momma Goldberg's Deli opened a second store in Auburn, a store in Homewood near Birmingham, in Tuscaloosa, and one in LaGrange, Georgia. The venerable Auburn eating establishment began franchising the restaurant in 2008 and plans further expansion in 2009.

    Super Bowl Party Tips

    Super Bowl XLIII is expected to draw a U.S. viewing audience of over 90 million. If you're planning on having a party, keep it simple and remember everyone attending may not be all that interested in the big game.

    According to Hallmark Cards, Inc., Super Bowl parties are one of the top at-home party events of the year. They have become much more than a gathering of football lovers. Many people attending these parties don't love football as much as they love the excuse to get together with friends to enjoy good food and good conversation.

    Whether you're planning a Super Bowl party out of love for the game or just the desire to host a fun, relaxing party, here are tips for making this party fun for everyone:

    • Plan simple, portable foods. A buffet is your only option. Nobody wants to be sitting down at a table to eat when they'd rather be screaming at a television set or two.
    • Set up as many televisions as you have available around the party area. Don't prepare recipes that will keep you locked in the kitchen all night. You should enjoy the party too.
    • Invest in a few foam "bad-call bricks" to throw at the TV so your guests can express their feelings about the refs without doing damage to your house.
    • Buy several six-packs of beer. Keep the beer in a cooler close by so you don't have to run to the fridge when it's third and inches. Restock the cooler at halftime.
    • Have one room set aside without a television for partygoers who aren't interested in the game and would like a quieter place to talk.
    • Likewise, set up one room with a television for serious football fans who don't want to be distracted by idle chatter.
    • Have lots of paper towels, napkins and rug cleaner handy for messes created during exciting plays.
    • Keep a little spare change and small bills handy for any betting pools that just might pop up over the course of the evening.

    Popular Dietary Supplements May Not Ease Arthritis

    The popular dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin, taken by millions of people with aching knees, don't do much to help those with arthritis according to a study by a group of researchers.

    A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found the supplements overall did little to ease osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

    The study enrolled 1,583 people, averaging 59 years of age, with knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear condition that often occurs in older people. Participants were divided into five groups: one group received 1,500 milligrams daily of glucosamine; another got 1,200 milligrams of chondroitin; a third group got both glucosamine and chondroitin; a fourth group received 200 milligrams of the prescription painkiller Celebrex; and the last group got a placebo.

    The goal was to reduce knee pain by at least 20 percent. Overall, the two supplements were not significantly better than placebo in reaching that 20 percent goal. But the researchers added there were indications some people with more severe pain might have benefited from the supplements.

    Based on the findings, people with severe arthritis should talk to their doctors about trying the supplements short-term to see if they work, said rheumatologist Dr. Daniel Clegg of the University of Utah, who led the study.

    Worldwide sales of glucosamine and chondroitin topped $1.7 billion last year, according to the Nutrition Business Journal, which tracks supplements. Government figures show at least 5 million Americans use the two supplements either alone or together.

    Osteoarthritis afflicts more than 20 million Americans and that number is expected to double in the next two decades as baby boomers age. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects the knees, hips, back and the small joints in the fingers.

    Don't Take The Bait With This Kind of Phishing

    Phishing isn't something that happens when the weather warms up. It occurs when scammers send you an email that directs you to a Web site where you are asked to enter personal information.

    The email looks like it came from your bank or sites like Ebay, warning you about identity theft and asking you to log in and verify your account information. The message says that if you don't take action immediately, your account will be terminated.

    Even though the email looks legit, complete with authentic logos and working Web links, it isn't. The Web site where you're told to enter your account information is also fake. In some instances, really smart phishers direct you to the genuine Web site, then pop up a window over the site that asks for your personal information.

    If you fall for it, your account information will be sold to criminals, who'll use it to ruin your credit and drain your account. In 2007, phishing scammers took consumers (and their banks, who had to cover the charges) for $1.2 billion.

    The number of new phishing messages climbed by an average of 38 percent a month during the last six months of 2007, according to the Anti-Phishing Working Group. The number of phishing e-mails grew by 42 percent, and the number of unique phishing Web sites grew by 47 percent in January, according to the group.

    If you are unsure of the source of the email, you should not click on hyperlinks within emails that appear to be from a legitimate company. Instead, directly type in the URL in the Internet browser address bar, or call the company on a contact number previously verified or known to be genuine.

    Coffee Helps With Short-Term Memory

    Scientists at the Innsbruck Medical University recently discovered that 100 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of two cups of coffee, increased activity in the part of the brain that is responsible for short-term memory.

    The study also found that caffeine improved performance on a test that measures memory function. These functions include being able to prioritize information to manage tasks efficiently, as well as plan new tasks and deal with stored information. An example would be the process of looking up a number in a telephone book, and remembering it so you could dial the number.

    Dr. Florian Koppelstatter and his colleagues used 15 males between the ages of 26 and 47 for the study. Over a two-day period that included fasting and no exposure to caffeine or nicotine, each male was given, on alternate days, 100 milligrams of caffeine dissolved in water and then just water. Twenty minutes after taking their drinks, they underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and then were tested to assess their working memory skills.

    The fMRI showed that caffeine increased activity in a brain region in the front lobe, where a part of the working memory network is located, and in the anterior cingulate cortex, the part of the brain that controls attention.

    In an accompanying test, the men were presented with a randomized sequence of capital letters, and they had to decide whether the current letter was the same as or different from the letter presented two letters before. They were asked to respond as quickly as possible by tapping response pads with their fingers.

    After consuming caffeine, all the men showed a tendency toward improved reaction times on the test, compared to when they had no caffeine. Koppelstatter said the mechanism by which the caffeine acts on the brain is largely unknown, but is related to the way the substance reacts on the small blood vessels of the brain and on the nerve cells in the brain.

    While two cups of coffee might improve your memory, don't think that drinking more will turn you into an intellectual, Koppelstatter noted. The positive effects of caffeine don't increase in a linear way, and too much caffeine can make you more anxious, counteracting the positive effects the substance can provide.

    Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, is the most widely used stimulant in the world, with a global, per-person average of 76 milligrams a day. Americans consume an average of 238 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is the equivalent of four-and-a-half cups of coffee. Scandinavians have the highest daily caffeine intake -- 400 milligrams daily.

    Most People Aren't Getting Enough Sleep

    If you have trouble getting a good night's sleep, you are in the majority according to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation. Lack of sleep can lead to poorer health, lower productivity on the job, and car accidents caused by drowsy drivers.

    About 75 percent of those who were interviewed in the survey report symptoms of sleep problems. A few of the symptoms reported were difficulty falling asleep, waking up a lot during the night, waking up too early and not being able to get back to sleep, waking up feeling unrefreshed, snoring, unpleasant feelings in the legs, or pauses in breathing.

    Six in 10 adult motorists say they have driven while drowsy in the past year, and 4 percent say they have had an accident or near-accident because they were too tired or actually fell asleep while driving.

    The poll, conducted by WB&A Market Research, found that the respondents get about 6.9 hours of sleep per night. Experts suggest adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night.

    The foundation and sleep experts both agree that alcohol and caffeine should be avoided close to bedtime. The group also recommends that adults pay attention to how much sleep they get and the quality of that sleep, and seek help if needed.

    The National Sleep Foundation is a nonprofit organization that lobbies Congress and state governments on public health and safety issues surrounding sleep disorders and deprivation, including drowsy driving and school start times. It receives its funding from the sleep products industry, pharmaceutical companies, other corporate sponsors, physicians, clinics and sleep centers.

    Auburn Observes Red Cross Month

    Across the country the Red Cross is reminding communities that March is Red Cross Month, a time to commemorate Red Cross involvement. Nationwide events are scheduled to encourage donations, disaster assistance, and volunteer services.

    The month-long commemoration was created in the 1940s when the Red Cross started a Roll Call drive to increase public support during wartime. After discussions with President Franklin Roosevelt, the honorary chairman of the Red Cross, an official call for support was issued, and he declared the whole month of March Red Cross Month.

    As a result, March has become a time for the Red Cross to commemorate its past accomplishments and to look forward to future goals.

    Currently, the cost to provide Lee County with the necessary resources to prepare, prevent and respond to emergencies is approximately $1,200 a day.

    Locally, the 2009 Heroes for Red Cross campaign is designed to raise money for local community programs such as health and safety education, disaster relief and education, and armed forces emergency services.

    Community members commit to act as "Heroes for the Red Cross". A Hero pledges to raise a minimum of $1,000 for local Red Cross programs in our community. "Super Heroes" pledge to raise a minimum of $5,000.

    Events scheduled this weekend to raise money for the 2009 Heroes For Red Cross campaign include:

    Friday, March 13

    Dinner and Auction at the Auburn Hotel and Conference Center. Keynote speaker is Dr. James Hansen, author of First Man, a biography on Neil Armstrong. Cocktails and Silent Auction opens at 6:00 pm and the Dinner and Live Auction starts a 7:00 pm.

    Saturday, March 14

    The 6th Annual Heroes Take Flight Fly-in at the Auburn-Opelika Airport from 10:00 am-5 pm. Tickets are just $5 in advance for adults and $8 at the gate. Children 10 and younger are just $2.

    You can order tickets online or you can stop by one of these ticket locations: Auburn-Opelika Airport, Auburn/Opelika Bancorp South Branches, Flip Flop Foto, Auburn & Opelika Kroger, Lee County Red Cross, The Opelika-Auburn News, Village Mall, Winn Dixie - South College St., Auburn.

    For more information contact the Lee County Red Cross at 749-9981 or by email: bwitten@leeredcross.org.

    Melting Ice Sheet May Be Caused By Global Warming

    New evidence suggests that the Antarctic ice sheet is losing as much as 36 cubic miles of ice a year in a trend that scientists think may be caused by global warming.

    The findings, which were published in the journal Science, suggest that global sea level could rise substantially over the next several centuries.

    The report is just one of many new scientific papers published in recent months that have sought to gauge the impact of climate change on the world's oceans and lakes. Recently, two researchers reported that Greenland's glaciers are melting into the sea twice as fast as previously believed, and a separate paper predicts that by the end of this century lakes and streams on one-fourth of the African continent could dry up because of higher temperatures.

    The new Antarctic measurements, using data from two NASA satellites called the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), found that the amount of water pouring annually from the ice sheet into the ocean -- equivalent to the amount of water the United States uses in three months -- is causing global sea level to rise by 0.4 millimeters a year. The continent holds 90 percent of the world's ice, and the disappearance of even its smaller West Antarctic ice sheet could raise worldwide sea levels by an estimated 20 feet.

    Richard Alley, a Pennsylvania State University glaciologist who has studied the Antarctic ice sheet but was not involved in the new research, said more research is needed to determine if the shrinkage is a long-term trend, because the new report is based on just three years of data.

    Alley called the study significant and "a bit surprising" because a major international scientific panel predicted five years ago that the Antarctic ice sheet would gain mass this century as higher temperatures led to increased snowfall.

    Scientists have been debating whether the Antarctic ice sheet is expanding or shrinking overall, because the center of the sheet tends to gain mass through snowfall whereas the coastal regions are more vulnerable to melting.

    Other scientists remain unconvinced that the ice sheet is melting rapidly. Oregon state climatologist George Taylor noted that sea ice in some areas of Antarctica is expanding and part of the region is getting colder, despite computer models that would predict otherwise.

    "The Antarctic is really a puzzle," said Taylor, who writes for the Web site TSCDaily, which is partly financed by fossil fuel companies that oppose curbs on greenhouse gases linked to climate change. "A lot more research is needed to understand the degree of climate and ice trends in and around the Antarctic."

    Heavy Snoring Can Cause Health Problems

    Snoring causes problems for most people whether they snore themselves, or have a family member who does. Heavy snorers often experience health problems and should seek the advice of an otolaryngologist to determine what treatment should be done.

    Forty-five percent of normal adults snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Problem snoring is more frequent in males and overweight persons, and it usually gets worse with age.

    Snoring becomes serious when it disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives the snorer of appropriate rest. When snoring is severe, it can cause serious, long-term health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea.

    When loud snoring is interrupted by frequent episodes of totally obstructed breathing, it is known as obstructive sleep apnea. Serious episodes last more than ten seconds each and occur more than seven times per hour. Apnea patients may experience 30 to 300 such events per night. These episodes can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder.

    The immediate effect of sleep apnea is that the snorer must sleep lightly and keep his muscles tense in order to keep airflow to the lungs. Because the snorer does not get enough rest, he may be sleepy during the day, which impairs job performance. After many years with this disorder, elevated blood pressure and heart enlargement may occur.

    Heavy snorers should seek medical advice to ensure that sleep apnea is not a problem. An otolaryngologist will provide a thorough examination of the nose, mouth, throat, palate, and neck. A sleep study in a laboratory environment may be necessary to determine how serious the snoring is and what effects it has on the snorer's health.

    Treatment often depends on the diagnosis and those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea may respond to a new procedure that appears to be safe and effective.

    The new procedure, done by inserting small synthetic rods in the back of the mouth, works by stiffening the soft palate and prevents it from vibrating excessively as air passes through the throat during sleep.

    Researchers from the University of Hong Kong say they tested the implants in 12 patients with severe snoring problems over a 3-month period and no side effects or complications were found.

    Implant placement was associated with a dramatic drop in snoring loudness as assessed by bed partners. This coincided with a marked reduction in daytime sleepiness in the snorers.

    The procedure was well tolerated and no bleeding or infectious complications occurred. Moreover, oral feeding was started immediately and all patients were sent home on the day of surgery.

    Dude, Where's My Stimulus?

    Everything we hear from the folks over at the University calls for doom followed by periods of gloom. The budget situation is dire. Dr. Gogue told the trustees all about the carnage ahead.

    There will be cuts in all areas. Student? Tuition will have to skyrocket just for Auburn to keep the doors open. Work at AU? No raises for you--for a long, long time. There will be blood.

    But will there? Does there have to be? Wasn't there something about a stimulus bill last month? Didn't the President say something about education being a priority?

    Is there anything in the stimulus stocking for Auburn? Quite a bit as it turns out. You can start out your list with about $100 million in cash. Add to that new buildings, new programs, research grants galore for faculty, more money for Pell Grants, and extended Hope Scholarship tax credits for college Juniors and Seniors.

    We can have this money start flowing into our sweaty palms in just 90 days.

    So why all the gloom? Where is all this money? That may be the problem.

    The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 makes all these juicy treats available only if the Governor requests the funds in a timely fashion and clearly explains how they will be used. Some of the funding is "Use it or lose it."

    There needs to be a serious public discussion in the next 90 days about how these funds will be used.

    The first benefit Auburn could see is the infusion of more that $40 million in cash in time for the fourth of July picnic. The act provides for funding public colleges and universities at 2008 levels. The money is virtually unrestricted and could be used for:

    • Scholarships
    • Library books
    • Travel
    • One-time faculty/staff pay distributions
    • Tuition refunds to in-state students
    • New labs and equipment
    There is about another $60 million in unrestricted allocations that could come Auburn's way over next two years...if the Governor requests it.

    Here are just a few of the other ways Auburn University could be benefit from the 407-page act of Congress:

    • A new Information Technology Building
    • Grants, grants, grants!
    • Funding to create a plan for a green campus
    • At least half the colleges could see additional funding for adding an interdisciplinary Health Information Systems option to their existing programs, using existing courses and faculty.
    • Increases in Pell Grants
    But none of this will take place unless the Governor acts and acts soon. Write Dr. Gogue and suggest some items for that shopping list. Write Gov. Riley and tell him that Auburn needs him to act now.

    Pollen Is In The Air

    Pollen Season is in full force and usually lasts until early October for people living in the Southeast. Pollen makes the body release histamines, chemicals that cause the linings of the nose, sinuses, eyelids and eyes to inflame.

    The problem particles cause about 50 million Americans to suffer from allergies. While there is no cure for allergies, people who have mild symptoms are usually helped by oral antihistamines, available both over-the-counter or by prescription. Claritin is the only non-sedating antihistamine that is available over-the-counter. The competing drugs, Allegra and Zyrtec, still require prescriptions.

    More severe symptoms of allergies are linked to causing those who suffer from asthma to have an increase in attacks. Asthma patient's airways are supersensitive, drastically narrowing in response to minor irritants that wouldn't affect normal lungs. Indoor allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites or cockroach debris, put these people at risk year-round. But outdoor-allergy season brings an increase in asthma attacks.

    People with allergic asthma are tested to learn just which allergens trigger their airway attacks so they can avoid them, or try allergy shots to reduce their sensitivity. The antihistamines that clear allergy-driven stuffy noses won't help asthma.

    Xoliar is an option available for the estimated half a million people with severe allergic asthma not controlled by today's medicines. It can cut asthma attacks by about a third by blocking the inflammation chain reaction.

    Xoliar is expensive, ranging between $5,000 and $10,000 a year. However, specialists say insurance companies are covering it without complaint for those who qualify, partly because of evidence that Xolair reduces hospitalizations and cuts patients' use of other medicines.

    While it's not a cure, Xolair provides the first opportunity to block the root cause of a breathing attack, instead of battling inflammation far downstream.

    Viruses May Cause Obesity

    A study by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that the human adenovirus Ad-37 causes obesity in chickens. Adenoviruses are a frequent cause of colds, and a number of other types of illnesses.

    According to Leah D. Whigham, the lead researcher in the study, there is mounting evidence that certain viruses may cause obesity, in essence making obesity contagious, but the viruses that cause human obesity need to be identified before a screening test and vaccine can be developed. The idea that viruses can cause obesity is contentious says Whigham despite evidence that factors other than poor diet or lack of exercise may be at work in the obesity epidemic.

    The finding is not entirely new: earlier evidence suggests that two other adenoviruses, Ad-36 and Ad-5, also cause obesity in animals. In addition, Ad-36 has been associated with human obesity.

    In Whigham's study, the researchers wanted to find out which adenoviruses (in addition to Ad-36 and Ad-5) might be associated with obesity in chickens.

    The chickens were separated into four groups and exposed to either Ad-2, Ad-31, or Ad-37. There was also a control group that was not exposed to any of the viruses.

    The researchers measured food intake and tracked weight over three weeks before ending the experiment and measuring the chickens' visceral fat, total body fat, serum lipids, and viral antibodies.

    Chickens inoculated with Ad-37 had much more visceral fat and body fat compared with the chickens infected with Ad-2, Ad-31 or the control group, even though they didn't eat any more. The Ad-37 group was also generally heavier compared to the other three groups, but the difference wasn't great enough to be significant by scientific standards.

    Whigham says there is still a lot to learn about how these viruses work, as there are people and animals that get infected and don't get fat and as yet it is not known why. She suggests it is possible the virus has not been in the body long enough to produce the additional fat, or else the virus creates a tendency to obesity that must be triggered by overeating.

    The study notes that obesity has doubled in adults and has tripled in children in the United States in the last 30 years, and except for infectious diseases, no other chronic disease in history has spread so rapidly.

    Caffeine Blocks Adenosine To Keep You Awake

    Scientist Robert Greene recently discovered how caffeine keeps you awake. Greene found that caffeine blocks a brain chemical called adenosine, which prompts feelings of drowsiness.

    Normally, brain cells release adenosine when they're overworked. Brain cells stay busy throughout the day. They have to run the body, process information, and communicate with other brain cells constantly. Sooner or later, they need a break. That's when the brain starts pumping out more adenosine.

    When caffeine in consumed, it prevents adenosine from being released, and the go-to-sleep signals get derailed until caffeine's effects wear off.

    People may not realize how much caffeine they're getting. 87% of adults and 76% of children consume some caffeine on a daily basis.

    Those numbers appeared in The Journal of the American Dietetic Association, which named coffee as America's No. 1 caffeine source. Caffeine is also found in tea, some soft drinks, and (to a lesser degree) chocolate. Herbal supplements, medications, energy drinks, and caffeinated water are other sources.

    Many people have trouble falling or staying asleep, and caffeine isn't the only culprit. All the major psychiatric disorders -- including depression, schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder -- have sleep disruption as a prominent symptom.

    If you have trouble sleeping, you may want to talk to your doctor about it. You could be referred to a sleep clinic for diagnosis. You might also consider whether stress, illness, or medications are factors.

    If medical problems aren't causing you to lose sleep, these tips might help:

  • Stick to a regular bedtime schedule. Get out of bed at the same time each morning (even on weekends and holidays).
  • Avoid napping during the day.
  • Avoid stressful activities and vigorous exercise for two hours before going to bed.
  • Before going to bed, try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
  • Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. Use earplugs or eye shades if needed.
  • Leave the bedroom if you can't sleep. Go into another room and read or do something relaxing and quiet.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Avoid substances that contain caffeine.
  • Avoid alcohol and nicotine before bed.
  • Tan In A Bottle

    Spray tanning, an alternative to spending hours laying out under the sun or in tanning beds to get that perfect tan, is becoming popular among teenagers and those who are aware that exposure to UV Rays increases the risk of skin cancer.

    Bronze skin draws attention, accentuates clothes and both sexes say it makes them feel more attractive. Teenagers, along with those who have trouble tanning because of their light skin, have discovered the quick and safest tan is in a bottle.

    Getting a tan from a bottle no longer means that your skin has to look fake or rusty. The spray has a green base so it doesn't create that brassy, Sunkist-orange glow of some self-tanning lotions.

    Spray tans are applied by a person with an airbrush or in a walk-in machine. One session takes about 15 minutes for the technician to apply and the solution dries almost instantly and develops over a period of 6-8 hours.

    DHA is a colorless three-carbon sugar, and when sprayed or wiped onto skin, it interacts with amino acids in the dead, outermost skin cells. That chemical interaction creates a brown color that resembles a tan. The onset of color is not instantaneous, so salons often add a bronzer to the solution. The bronzer produces a glow right away but is washed off the next day to reveal the brown color created by DHA.

    The biggest drawback of spray tanning is that it doesn't last. As skin cells flake off, so will the color. The DHA tans usually last from five to 10 days, depending on skin type and how often someone sweats, showers and uses hot tubs or saunas.

    Newspaper Circulation Falls

    New data from Nielsen/NetRatings found that daily circulation for U.S. newspapers fell 2.5 percent in a six-month period ending in March. The data reflects the industry's ongoing struggle to compete with the Internet and other media outlets.

    The Newspaper Association of America also reported that Sunday circulation fell 3.1 percent at the 610 newspapers reporting those figures. The 2.5 percent decline in average paid weekday circulation was based on data from 770 newspapers reporting to the NAA.

    The overall decline in both weekday and Sunday circulation were approximately the same as those given in the previous six-month reporting cycle for the period ending last September.

    Newspaper circulation has been in general decline for years as many people, particularly young adults, turn to other media outlets including cable TV and the Internet for news and information. Also, tougher rules on telemarketing have forced newspapers to find other ways to attract new readers.

    Despite the decline in paid copies, newspapers are seeing a greater number of visitors to their Web sites. Visitors to newspaper Web sites rose 8 percent to 56 million readers in the first quarter from a year ago.

    Revenue from online advertising is growing quickly -- about 25 percent to 30 percent a year -- but still makes up a relatively small portion of newspapers' overall advertising revenue at about 5 percent, according to John Kimball, the chief marketing officer of the NAA.

    The largest newspapers held up relatively well, with Gannett Co.'s USA Today notching a 0.09 percent gain to 2,272,815 copies, remaining the top-selling newspaper in the country. The Wall Street Journal, published by Dow Jones & Co., was second with 2,049,786, down 1 percent, and The New York Times was third, with an increase of 0.5 percent to 1,142,464 copies.

    Use Caution When Caring For Your Lawn

    When warm weather arrives, many people want their yard to look as good and well kept as possible. To control pesky weeds, lawn care products are often used which may contain chemicals that could affect the health of your pets and your family.

    Many of the chemicals commonly used on lawns across the country can be toxic. Here are just a few examples how they affect your pets, humans, and the environment:

    A study at Purdue University found that homeowners who use weed and feed type lawn chemicals increased their dog's risk of developing bladder cancer.

    The U.S. Geological Survey regularly finds every type of chemical, particularly weed killers, in streams and rivers around neighborhoods. Weed killers contain the chemical 2,4-D, which is found in herbicides and is responsible for many forms of cancers and neurological and immune deficiencies.

    A study conducted by PETA found that golf course superintendents who often apply pesticides and herbicides have a higher risk of developing brain cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

    Of the 36 pesticides most commonly used by homeowners, 14 are carcinogens, 15 are linked to birth defects, 21 are linked to reproductive defects, 24 are linked with neurotoxicity and 22 are linked with liver and kidney damage.

    There are plenty of natural alternatives that can be used to keep your yard looking great without the dangerous chemicals. Look for lawn care products that are natural and non-toxic, like the line of lawn and garden products from St. Gabriel Laboratories.

    This line of non-toxic alternatives to lawn chemicals includes products for weed and grass control, insect and animal control and fertilizers. The products are approved as safe for pets and wild animals by the Pro Pet Alliance of Veterinarians.

    In addition to using non-toxic products, you can have a healthy, beautiful lawn by using these natural gardening techniques.

    Sow grass in the fall, when the weather is cooler and there is less competition from weeds.

    Grow a mixture of grasses that do well in your area. Zoysia, a spreading perennial grass grows thick, choking out weeds and the grass maintains its lushness with little watering.

    Set your lawnmower higher and leave the clippings to promote a lush, strong lawn.

    Practice deep watering techniques to cut down on the amount of water needed to maintain your lawn.

    Unmanned Planes Will Study Hurricanes

    When hurricane season heats up, U.S. researchers will use unmanned, remote-controlled airplanes to penetrate the heart of Atlantic hurricanes to help them predict the intensity of the storms and improve forecasting.

    Until now, scientists relied solely on hurricane hunters that typically fly at 10,000 feet, though sometimes as low as 5,000 feet, and drop measuring instruments to the ocean. The instruments transmit somewhat random data from points on their way from the plane to the sea, but are unable to provide consistent readings from points close to the water's surface.

    The drones can fly into the eye of a storm at just 300 feet above sea level. The probes on board are not as high-frequency as those on manned flights. Because of their consistent readings from a low altitude, they will be able to beam back to the National Hurricane Center measures of pressure, temperature, winds and humidity to help meteorologists better determine a storm's strength.

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently using Australian-made Aerosonde Mark 3 planes weighing about 28 pounds and with a 9-foot wingspan. The remote controlled planes can fly at about 70mph and cover 2,000 miles on a single U.S. gallon of fuel.

    The aerosonde are catapulted into flight or launched from a moving vehicle, and are initially flown using a joystick before control is transferred to a laptop and then to satellite.

    Researchers have used drones before, starting with Tropical Storm Ophelia in 2005. An unmanned aircraft spent 17.5 hours aloft in a flight into Hurricane Noel last year. This year they are hoping for two to five flights.

    As well as predicting the intensity of hurricanes, researchers will also use the planes to track how fast Arctic summer ice will melt and whether Pacific storms will flood the west coast of America.

    Cell Phone Users Cause Traffic Jams

    A study by the University of Utah found that cell phone usage on highways causes traffic jams. According to the study, motorists talking on the phone drive about two miles per hour more slowly than people who arent on the phone.

    While a few miles per hour may not sound like much, as many as one in 10 drivers on the road is talking on the phone. Slower cell phone drivers may be increasing overall commuting times by 5 percent to 10 percent, and talking on the phone may increase each daily commuters travel time by 20 hours a year

    David Strayer, a psychology professor at the University of Utah, said the new research not only showed that the cars of drivers talking on cell phones tended to move slower, but also that the conversational activity tends to cause traffic to show down.

    The researchers tested three dozen students in simulators. The participants drove six 9.2-mile stretches with low, medium and high amounts of traffic. They were only instructed to obey the speed limit and to signal when changing lanes; they were also allowed to talk on a hands-free cell phone.

    When the subjects were talking on phones, they made fewer lane changes, traveled at lower speeds and drove 2 percent to 3 percent more slowly in medium and highly congested traffic. Cell phone drivers were also more likely to trail slow-moving vehicles than drivers not on the phone.

    The study adds to previous research conducted by Strayer's team, which demonstrated that the reaction of young adults talking on cell phones is as slow as the reaction times of senior citizens. The Utah research group also established that conversation -- and not the use of hands-free phone devices -- is the main distraction while driving and talking on cell phones.

    McClary 2009 Distinguished Alum

    The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine has named three of its graduates as 2009 Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni in honor of their contributions to animal welfare, the profession, and their communities.

    David McClary, D.V.M., of Auburn is named as a recipient along with Jenks S. Britt, D.V.M., of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and R. Michael Thomas, D.V.M., of Indianapolis, Indiana.

    A 1974 graduate of Auburn's College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. David McClary returned to Auburn and completed a residency in theriogenology, receiving a Master of Science in large animal surgery and medicine in 1982. Board certified by the American College of Theriogenology, he served as an assistant professor at Auburn's College of Veterinary Medicine before accepting the position of research veterinarian with Elanco Animal Health in 1987. Since that time, Dr. McClary has had a stellar career in pharmaceutical technical services, said Timothy R. Boosinger, dean of the college.

    Dr. McClary is a member and past president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). At the 2008 AABP Convention, Dr. McClary received a distinguished service award. He helped create the AABP student membership program and organize other student recruitment activities.

    Dr. McClary currently serves as a cattle technical consultant for the Midwest district for Elanco Animal Health

    As chair of the Alumni Advisory Council for the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. McClary is an active supporter of the college and Auburn University, said Dean Boosinger. He served as college chair for the It Begins at Auburn" fundraising campaign that created over $33.5 million in funds for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

    In recognition of his many contributions to Auburn University and his generous support of the college, a veterinary teaching barn is named in Dr. McClary's honor.

    The distinguished alumni award is named in tribute of Dr. Wilford S. Bailey, a veterinary parasitologist, who held a 50-year continuous faculty appointment at Auburn University after receiving his veterinary degree in 1942, serving in positions from instructor to university president.

    "Syl" Remembered

    Sylvester "Syl" Robinson was an employee of Saugahatchee Country Club, almost since the Club was first established (and at its former location...where Indian Pines now resides). Syl worked 49 years for Saugahatchee and worked until his passing.

    Many prominent men and women in the community have known and appreciated the high level of service and commitment provided to them by Syl - who would be willing to share their experiences over the years, if requested.

    His son, Steve Robinson, came to work with his father when he was just a child, has been a paid employee with Saugahatchee for over 25 years, and continues in his father's footsteps by overseeing the day-to-day operations within the golf cart barn.

    We hope you will be able to join us for this brief dedication Friday, May 29, at 5:00 p.m.

    Kimberly Lewis
    Membership Marketing Director
    Saugahatchee Country Club
    3800 Bent Creek Road
    Opelika, Alabama 36804
    334-749-3441

    No Television for Preschoolers

    The more television that preschoolers watch, the greater the chance they have of developing attention deficit problems later in life, suggests a study by U.S. researchers.

    The study, published in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, adds inattention to the list of harmful effects of television viewing that also includes obesity and violent behavior.

    The American study also warns that the more television a child watches between the ages of one and three, the risk is higher of developing attention problems at age seven. The study found that each hour of television that preschoolers watched each day increased the risk of attention problems such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, by almost 10 percent later on.

    The authors admitted there were some limitations to the study. For one, data on television viewing habits came from the parents, and may not be completely accurate. The study also did not look at the type of programs the children watched, or the environment that the youngsters were living in, such as whether the parents were neglectful and whether that was why they were watching television.

    The study did not focus on program content, but researchers note that many programs geared towards children have those fast-paced images designed to keep a child's attention and may end up shortening their attention span as they get older.

    The findings support recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which advised in 1999 that children under the age of two not watch television, citing concerns about effects on early brain growth.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV for children younger than 2 and no more than two hours of high-quality programming for older kids.

    Lee County Commissioner Attends Training Programs

    Lee County Commissioner Gary Long travelled to Montgomery last week to participate in two, two-day classes as part of the Association of County Commissions of Alabamas on-going education and training programs for newly elected county commissioners.

    The first class on Wednesday and Thursday Financial Administration provided an understanding of the revenue sources and expenditure obligations affecting county government in Alabama. Additionally, it gave an overview of the budgetary process, discussed the maintenance of budgetary expenditures, and explained the role of the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts in ensuring a sound financial system in the county.

    The second class on Thursday and Friday Roads and Bridges focused on the issue of public works, such as roads and bridges, and examined current policies, practices, and ideas relevant to public works. This course highlighted the role of the commissioner in assuring a safe and effective bridge system and road network in the county.

    Continuing education for our county employees has been and will remain one of the Associations priorities for our membership, said ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield. Just like private industry, it is important for county commissioners to share new ideas and information so that the county can grow and prosper. The involvement of county officials in these training programs enhances our efforts to improve county government and the services provided at the local level.

    The Associations education and training programs for county commissioners are held in partnership with the Alabama Local Government Training Institute in accordance with the Code of Alabama 1975. This program, sponsored by ACCA and the Center for Governmental Services at Auburn University, enables commissioners to complete 50 course hours, as mandated by law, within two years of election. The commissioners may choose to further their education by attending the graduate-level courses, which is an additional 70 course hours once their initial 50 hours is complete.

    The ALGTI courses help to develop and maintain high standards of public service among county commissioners; increase knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of county commissioners; provide an information base for more informed policymaking; and improve the overall administration and delivery of county services.

    The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is a statewide organization representing county government in Alabama. The organization promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice and represents the interest of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies. The activities of the Association are governed by a Board of Directors composed of three officers, past presidents and representatives elected from 12 Alabama districts.

    For more information contact Lori Quiller, director of public relations, at (334) 263-7594 or lquiller@acca-online.org.

    More Cell Phone Etiquette Needed

    A survey by Sprint found that most Americans are uncomfortable when hearing a private cell phone conversation. The survey also found most people believe they are courteous while on their cell phone, but think others fail to return the favor.

    The survey found that 62 percent have felt uncomfortable overhearing someone discuss a private or personal issue on their cell phone while in public. Public bathrooms are popular for conversations, with 77 percent of participants responding that they have overheard phone conversations in a public restroom.

    Of the 723 participants in Sprint's online etiquette survey, 80 percent said they believe cell phone users are less courteous than they were five years ago. However, when they looked inward, 97 percent of respondents said they were either "very courteous" or "somewhat courteous" in their wireless phone use.

    Most Americans turn off their cell phones in public places of a professional, educational or cultural nature. 2 percent said they keep their ringers on in a place of worship, according to the survey, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

    While dining out, 34 percent place their phone on vibrate, 18 percent turn it off, 11 percent lower the ring volume and 9 percent place the phone on silent, but 28 percent make no changes, the survey said. And almost everyone (93 percent) agreed it is rude to take or make a call during a meeting.

    The survey also found that co-workers and friends reacted negatively when a face-to-face conversation is put on hold to take a wireless call. Fifty-four percent of those surveyed said they feel "impatient" or "unimportant" when a friend takes a wireless call during a conversation, while 53 percent were annoyed when a co-worker does the same thing.

    AU Students To Perform At Historic Carnegie Hall

    Choruses from across the U.S. will gather at historic Carnegie Hall on Sunday, June 14, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., to perform a wide-ranging concert of choral music.

    The program gets underway with a prelude concert, featuring the Texas Boys Choir (Fort Worth, TX) under the baton of S. Bryan Priddy, performing works by Smith (Star Spangled Banner), Weelkes (When David Heard), Work (Grandfathers Clock), von Herbeck (Pueri, Concinite), and an arrangement by Hayes (Old West Medley). The accompanist is Aimee Hurst Bozarth and the soprano soloist is Nicolas Gutierrez.

    Opening the program at 2:00 p.m. will be Greg Zielke conducting the New England Symphonic Ensemble in Haydns Te Deum in C major, H. XXIIIc:2. A second Haydn work, Mass in B-flat major, Hob.XXII:7 (Kleine Orgelmesse), with soloists Lianne Coble and Ashraf Sewailam, will be led by William C. Powell. Choruses performing the two works are: Auburn University Choirs, AL; Savannah State University Concert Choir, GA; Omaha Christian Academy Ensemble, NE; The Omaha Symphonic Chorus, NE; Grace University Chorale, Omaha, NE; Grace University Masterworks Chorus, Omaha, NE; Marist College Choir, Poughkeepsie, NY; and Emmaus High School Chorale, PA.

    Next on the program will be a performance of John Rutters Mass of the Children conducted by MidAmericas Principal Associate Conductor David Thye. Choruses joining the New England Symphonic Ensemble and soloists Lianne Coble and Ashraf Sewailam are Westview High School Vocal Ensemble, Avondale, AZ; Valley Chorale, Gilbert, AZ; West Valley Childrens Choir, Litchfield, AZ; Tucson Girls Chorus, AZ; Vista de la Montaa UMC, Tucson, AZ; Peachtree Presbyterian Chancel Choir, Atlanta, GA; Central Maryland Chorale, Laurel, MD; McNair Academic High School Choir, Jersey City, NJ; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Master Chorale, Fort Worth, TX; and Texas Boys Choir, Fort Worth, TX.

    The program will conclude with conductor Almeda Berkey leading Jackson Berkeys Thoughts and Remembrances, which includes Isaiah 44:3, In Memoriam: Kassarjian, View Me, Lord, A Work of Thine, Balm in Gilead, 6Pence, and Peace, Evermore! Participating choruses are Nicholls State University Concert Choir, Thibodaux, LA; Marquette Choral Society, MI; Omaha Cantata Choir, NE; Newton High School Madrigals, NJ; Upper Columbia Academy Choraliers, Spangle, WA; and Winnebago Lutheran Academy Traveling Choir, Fond du Lac, WI

    Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, MidAmerica Productions was founded by Peter Tiboris in 1984. As an independent producer of classical concerts, MidAmerica presents soloists and choral and instrumental ensembles from around the world in New Yorks Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, and Lincoln Centers Avery Fisher Hall. MidAmerica also presents concerts in Eastern Europe and, since 2000, in Syros, Greece, as the Festival of the Aegean. To date, MidAmerica Productions has presented nearly 1000 concerts, including more than 460 on the main stage of Carnegie Hall.

    Tickets, at $94, 57, and 35, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, logging on to www.carnegiehall.org, or visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in New York City. For more information on this concert and other concerts presented by MidAmerica Productions, call 212-239-4699 or visit www.midamerica-music.com.

    Jazz Fest Time Again

    The 19th annual edition of the Alex City Jazz Fest starts Friday, June 12 in downtown Alexander City. The two-day event again brings top notch talent to this free festival.

    Headliners the funky Radiators on Friday and blues singer Susan Tedeschi on Saturday continue the festival's tradition of focusing more on talent than fame.

    Both nights feature strong lineups with hot rocking' acts to get the nights started.

    Friday - June 12
    Strand Park (Tallapoosa Street) - Alexander City, AL
    6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Kent Duchaine
    7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Sunpie Barnes
    9:00 pm - 10:30 pm The Radiators
    Saturday - June 13
    Lake Martin Amphitheater
    6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Robin Hill Band
    8:00 pm - 9:00 pm The Gourds
    9:30 pm - 11:00 pm Susan Tedeschi
    The Alex City Jazz Fest is free to the public. There is a parking fee for Saturday night at the lake of $10 per car.

    Heavy Coffee Drinking Won't Increase Heart Disease

    If you love drinking coffee but worry about it increasing your chances of developing heart disease, a recent study suggests you can drink as much as you want. This is good news since coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.

    The study, which followed 128,000 men and women for as long as 20 years, found no link between heart disease and a daily intake of six or more cups of coffee. In fact, the risk was the same for people who had less than one cup of coffee or tea a month.

    The findings don't apply to heavy consumption of unfiltered coffee, such as espresso or French-style brews. Unfiltered coffee, along with adding cream, whole milk and sugar to regular coffee, can increase the chance of having high cholesterol and other health problems.

    The researchers behind the study had to adjust their risk estimates for other habits that often go along with coffee consumption. For example, heavy coffee drinkers were more likely to drink alcohol and use aspirin, and less likely to exercise and use vitamin supplements. And there was a strong association between coffee consumption and smoking; more than half the women and 30 percent of the men drinking six or more cups a day also smoked cigarettes.

    Here are some other findings in the study:

    There was no difference in heart risk between women who frequently drank decaffeinated coffee and those who did not.

    There was no significant difference in blood levels of total cholesterol, HDL ("good") cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol in coffee drinkers, whether they favored caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.

    Type 2 diabetes, the kind that generally develops later in life, had no effect on heart-disease risk -- or the lack of risk -- associated with drinking coffee.

    Spam Continues Despite Law

    Since the CAN-SPAM Act took effect in 2004, the amount of unwanted e-mail has increased. Congress will look to make changes to the act so the volume of unsolicited commercial e-mail will no longer be sent in such large amounts.

    Spam is increasing at staggering rates. In 2001, spam accounted for 8 percent of all e-mail. Today, industry experts say it accounts for anywhere from 64 percent to 83 percent of all e-mail over the Internet.

    "The volume of spam received by American consumers has risen unabatedly," says Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.

    Some people like spam, and don't think all of it is bad. Last year the Direct Marketing Association reported $7.1 billion in annual sales from commercial e-mail, which supporters say is protected by the First Amendment.

    Whether people respond to the e-mails or just delete them, it can be costly. Spam opens households to the threat of computer viruses and worms, pornography, and credit-card or identity theft. It has been estimated to cost U.S. businesses over $10 billion a year.

    The issue is whether Congress should ban unwanted commercial e-mail altogether, or stiffen penalties for abusers. GOP lawmakers say they are not ready to rewrite the law, but will track whether enforcement is effective.

    Consumer groups want Congress to also provide a blanket "no spam" opt out, similar to the National Do Not Call List for telemarketing, which was one of the most popular FTC moves ever. The CAN-SPAM Act allows but does not mandate such a list.

    Industry advocates say such a move will not deter abusive spammers, who aren't respecting opt-out now.

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    A new era begins in the fall as Gene Chizik and his staff are set to guide the football program. Deciding on a starting quarterback will be top priority before the season begins Sept. 5 against LA Tech.

    It's deja vu time for the quarterback position at Auburn. This time last year as preseason practice quickly approached, no starting quarterback had been named. Once the season began, the constant unknown of who would start each week was one of the main reasons the offense sputtered.

    Now, after a very competitive spring which gave new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Gus Malzahn a good look at the options available, he's still not close to naming a starter and probably won't until days before the season opener. Malzahn has said he doesn't favor using a two-quarterback system that failed last season under the previous regime.

    Malzahn will look for a quarterback who is capable of running his up-tempo offense smoothly with precise timing and one who can throw deep passes, along with typical swing passes and screens.
    Kodi Burns
    Kodi Burns
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Kodi Burns looked to be the right guy to run Malzahn's offense after having some success running a similar offense for the Tigers last season. Playing in 10 games in 2008 while starting seven, Burns completed 94-179 passes (52.5 percent) for two touchdowns and seven interceptions as a sophomore.

    Burns did show improvement when he was penciled in as the starter in the final six games of the season after Chris Todd was sidelined with a shoulder injury but still only won one of the six.

    Todd is still questionable to make a push for the starting job after undergoing shoulder surgery in December. The surgery kept him from participating in spring drills but the senior says he'll be ready to open fall camp and compete for the job after learning the new offense in team meetings and while watching film.

    Neil Caudle has finally been noticed after being overlooked during his first few years on the Plains. Caudle is an athletic quarterback who showed off a strong arm during A-Day. The junior will share the majority of reps in August with Burns.

    Barrett Trotter was in the mix for the starting job before he tore his ACL in a non-contact drill late in the spring. It's doubtful he'll be ready in time for fall camp.

    Another area of concern for Chizik and his staff is at wide receiver. The Tigers lack leadership and experience at the position with Rod Smith graduating and Chris Slaughter leaving the program. An academic problem kept senior Montez Billings out of spring drills and it's still not clear if he will be on the practice field in August.
    Tim Hawthorne
    Tim Hawthorne
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The situation at wide receiver took a hit recently when junior Tim Hawthorne broke a bone in his right foot during summer workouts. Hawthorne was expected to be the main target but the injury may keep him sidelined anywhere from four to eight weeks. Hawthorne played in all 12 games in the 2008 season, catching eight passes for 203 yards.

    That leaves sophomore Darvin Adams and junior Terrell Zachery as the only receivers with playing time experience. Both showed promise in the spring but need to have more consistency. They have five career catches between them.

    Redshirt freshman Philip Pierre-Louis, who injured his right knee on the first play of last season, didn't have much contact in spring drills since he was still hampered by the injury. Pierre-Louis will need to play catch up in preseason practice if he plans on seeing any playing time during the season.

    Quindarius Carr recorded six catches last season and may be forced to play a bigger role with all of the injuries and inexperienced receivers.

    Help is on the way when newcomers DeAngelo Benton and Emory Blake arrive on campus in August. Both should be able to make an immediate impact in Auburn's thin receiving corps.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Running Backs

    Football Preview: Running Backs

    With a new head coach and offensive coordinator taking the reigns, Auburn fans hope this season sees a return to the traditional power running game that has been absent in recent years.

    When the spread offense was introduced on the Plains last season, many experts predicted Auburn's ground game wouldn't be very productive. Once the staple of the program, the running game wasn't up to par and only managed to gain 1,650 yards. That was the lowest season total since 1999, when the team ran for 748 yards. From 2000-07, Auburn averaged 2,183 rushing yards per season.

    Both head coach Gene Chizik and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn promise to take Auburn back to its glory days of smashmouth football. They know the naysayers, especially those who support that team in Tuscaloosa, will once again predict a weak rushing attack. They will say Malzahn's offense will focus on passing instead of running the ball.

    Malzahn brings the same offense to Auburn that he had success with while coordinator at Arkansas during the 2006 season with the duo of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the backfield.

    He continued to have the same success at Tulsa when his offense rushed for 2,421 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2007 and 3,752 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2008. Auburn probably doesn't have the talent to rack up that kind of yardage, but it shows Malzahn is committed to running the football.
    Ben Tate
    Ben Tate
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    One tailback who could give the Tigers a spark in the backfield and who is poised to have a huge season is senior Ben Tate. Malzahn and running backs coach Curtis Luper think Tate could finish the season with over 1,000 yards. That feat hasn't been accomplished since tailback Kenny Irons ran for 1,293 yards in 2005. Tate came up just short of reaching the 1,000-yard mark with 903 yards in 2007.

    Tate was the top rusher on the team last season with just 664 rushing yards, the lowest output from the team's leading rusher since 2001. After a productive spring which received praise from Luper, Tate will be the primary ball carrier with true freshman Onterrio McCalebb and sophomore Eric Smith providing plenty of talent to move the chains when Tate needs a breather.

    McCalebb was the nation's No. 1 running back recruit after a stellar senior year in high school which saw him rush for 1,995 yards and 27 touchdowns. McCalebb showed off his blazing speed during the A-Day game with a 70-yard touchdown run. He'll primarily be used as a backup but will also get plenty of chances to get into open space as a receiver.

    Most of Smith's carries will come during short-yardage situations. His 5-10, 234-pound frame is perfect for picking up one or two yards when the offense needs a first down.
    Mario Fannin
    Mario Fannin
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Junior Mario Fannin will be used all over the field in Malzahn's offense. He'll start out as an H-Back, which is the spread offense's version of a tight end. Last season, Fannin was third on the team in receiving with 20 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

    The versatile back will also see action at tailback and he'll be asked to do some blocking, too. In 2008, he finished fourth on the team in rushing with 238 yards and a touchdown.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Football Preview: Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Thin is definitely not in for Auburn's offensive line in 2009. The group was asked to bulk up in the offseason to hold their own against the massive defensive lines in the SEC.

    Last season, the offensive linemen were required to slim down to adapt to Tony Franklin's fast-paced, pass-oriented offense. Many of them were simply too small to handle the job of blocking strong linemen on opposing defenses. As a result, Auburn's offense struggled to put points on the scoreboard and Franklin was fired midway through the season.

    Now, new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and position coach Jeff Grimes want each lineman to be big, around the 310-pound range, and also in shape when the offense could run as many as 80 plays during a game.

    Just about all of Auburn's starting front five have added about 30 pounds to get to Malzahn's preferred weight, including left tackle Lee Ziemba. Ziemba has added about 28 pounds to last year's weight of 280.
    Lee Ziemba
    Lee Ziemba
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Ziemba, who has made 25 straight starts for the Tigers, hopes his junior year is better than the frustrating year he had as a sophomore. A knee injury in early August never fully healed and affected his play throughout the season. He played through the pain and elected to wait until after the season to have surgery.

    The Arkansas native is now healthy after surgery in December and is ready to have a season like the one he had two years ago when he was part of the freshman All-SEC team. He believes the new offensive scheme brought in by Malzahn and the added weight to his fellow linemen will make them a much improved unit.

    Junior Mike Berry will likely be the starter at left guard but can also play at center if needed. Berry replaces last year's starter Tyronne Green, who is getting ready for his rookie season in the NFL.

    Berry is better suited for the new offense since he's more of a power run blocker than a spread guard. He'll have to be more consistent when he needs to block during passing situations.
    Ryan Pugh
    Ryan Pugh
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Back at his natural position at center is junior Ryan Pugh. Last year, Pugh made six starts at center before moving over to right tackle. He's more comfortable at center where he can use his athleticism and experience to shine as a run blocker.

    Byron Isom provides extra experience on the line after starting the first seven games at right guard last year. Isom has added about 30 pounds during the offseason but still has plenty of athleticism and toughness to hold his own on the right side.

    Senior Andrew McCain has finally found a home at right tackle. McCain came to Auburn as a highly regarded tight end recruit but was moved to defensive tackle for a short time before moving again to offensive line. He saw action at tackle and guard in all 12 games last season.

    Hopefully the starting front five can stay healthy throughout the season but the physical demands of 12 games often results in nicks and bruises. Ready to provide relief if one of the starters goes down are Bart Eddins, A.J. Greene, and Jared Cooper. Eddins can either play guard or center, Greene will backup Ziemba at left tackle, and Cooper will play behind Berry at guard.
    Tommy Trott
    Tommy Trott
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    When the offense needs a tight end and an extra blocker, Tommy Trott will be the guy. Bouncing back from a knee injury suffered in the Georgia game, Trott hopes Malzahn's offense will allow him to be on the field to make catches. If not, the senior will be counted on to create space for tailbacks.

    It's still unclear if senior Gabe McKenzie will return to the team after dealing with an undisclosed medical issue. If he does return, Mckenzie will have to fight for playing time since the tight end position will be rarely used.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Defensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    With two key members gone from last year's defensive line, the unit still looks to be strong with Ted Roof taking over as defensive coordinator and an Auburn legend coaching the line.

    Auburn's defense was solid for most of 2008 before running out of gas in November. The unit allowed just 318 yards and 18 points per game. With Sen'Derrick Marks leaving for the NFL and Tez Doolittle graduating, the Tigers return several starters to a defensive line that could be the strength of the team.

    Back on the Plains to coach the line is Tracy Rocker. Rocker played for the Tigers in the late 80s and became the first SEC player ever to win both the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Trophy in the same season. Rocker has previous coaching experience in the SEC at Arkansas for five seasons and last year at Ole Miss.
    Antonio Coleman
    Antonio Coleman
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Under Roof and Rocker, the defensive line is expected to be more aggressive by showing both three and four-man fronts. This will allow starting defensive end Antonio Coleman plenty of chances to cause havoc in opposing offense's backfields and to add to his sacks total.

    Coleman flirted with leaving for the NFL after a productive junior year that saw him make first-team All-SEC with 46 tackles and six sacks. In three seasons, Coleman has 102 career tackles, 30 tackles for losses, and 14.5 sacks. He is one sack shy of 10th place on the schools all-time list.

    Junior Michael Goggans will hold down the other end position. Goggans played in all 12 games last season, but managed just 27 tackles and no sacks. He finished off a fantastic spring by being named the defensive Most Valuable Player during the A-Day game after registering a sack and two tackles for a loss. Goggans should continue to improve during fall camp and looks to emerge as a steady pass rusher on the other side of Coleman.

    Jake Ricks was used sparingly last season as a backup, but still recorded seven tackles and came up big by recovering a fumble in the end zone against Tennessee. The senior will take over for Marks at one tackle spot.
    Mike Blanc
    Mike Blanc
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    At the other tackle spot, junior Mike Blanc brings experience to the inside after starting six games last year. He finished the season with 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss. At 6-4 and 288 pounds, he uses his size to handle the run and he's also quick enough to pressure quarterbacks.

    The top reserves for the defensive line include junior Zach Clayton, junior Antoine Carter, and redshirt freshman Cameron Henderson. Clayton is one of the reserves that's expected to play both inside and out. He recorded 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season playing all four spots on the defensive line.

    Carter will play behind Goggans after making 16 tackles with 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss last year. Expect Carter to be used often since he gives Auburn another excellent pass rusher.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Linebackers

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    Depth is a major concern for the 2009 Auburn linebacker corps. If the returning players can stay healthy, the unit will be an asset to the Tigers' defense.

    For the last few seasons, depth has been a problem at the linebacker position for Auburn. In 2009, depth will be an issue again with Chris Evans and Merrill Johnson graduating. Also gone is Tray Blackmon, who is now playing for the CFL after a disappointing career on the Plains which was plagued by injuries and suspensions.
    Josh Bynes
    Josh Bynes
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    Defensive coordinator Ted Roof will also handle the coaching duties at linebacker. A former All-ACC linebacker at Georgia Tech, Roof has had great success with getting the linebackers to overachieve at his previous coaching stops. Roof will have a nice group of linebackers to work with this year at Auburn, but if one of the starters goes down with an injury, it could mean plenty of sleepless nights for the first-year coach.

    Auburn returns just three players with some playing time experience, junior Josh Bynes, junior Craig Stevens, and sophomore Spencer Pybus. Bynes made 53 tackles and intercepted three passes last year after taking over for an injured Blackmon. Bynes will mostly anchor the middle but will be asked to play on the outside some. Now a full-time starter, Bynes will be counted on to run and lead the defense.

    Stevens is back as the starter on the strong side. He finished fourth on the team with 54 tackles as a sophomore. Once the season gets started, Stevens is expected to force turnovers and come up big when the game is on the line.
    Eltoro Freeman
    Eltoro Freeman
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    The starter on the weak side will be a battle between Pybus and junior college transfer Eltoro Freeman. Freeman participated in spring practice and was impressive. Although he has average size, his speed and toughness gives him an advantage over Pybus.

    If Pybus doesn't win the job on the weak side, he'll still see plenty of playing time at either outside spot. Last year as a true freshman, he made 14 tackles with a tackle for loss on the strong side.

    The top reserve is sophomore Adam Herring. Herring was mostly used on special teams last year but with depth a major problem, he will have to be ready if one of the starters goes down.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Defensive Backs

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Defensive Line

    Football Preview: Defensive Backs

    Injuries plagued last year's group of defensive backs. With all of the injuries, the reserves saw significant playing time which should give them an advantage once the season starts.

    Injuries cause a lot of nightmares for coaches during the season. Auburn's coaching staff probably experienced more than they cared for when dealing with all of the injuries in the defensive backfield last season. The defensive backs were expected to be one of the strengths of the team but when injuries started piling up as the season progressed, the group suffered against potent offenses in the SEC.

    With Jerraud Powers leaving early for the NFL, and with senior cornerback Aairon Savage suffering a possible season-ending injury to his Achilles over the summer, you would think the new coaching staff is in panic mode. But, that's not the case with plenty of depth and experience returning to this year's defensive backfield.

    With Savage likely out, Demond Washington, D'Antoine Hood, and T'Sharvan Bell are vying to fill his spot. Washington played both defensive back and running back for the last two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast College, but with the injury to Savage, he was quickly moved to cornerback full-time. Hood has experience after playing in all 12 games while starting one. Bell had a strong spring after being redshirted in 2008.
    Walt McFadden
    Walt McFadden
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    At the other two cornerback spots, senior Walt McFadden and sophomore Nieko Thorpe are back after productive seasons last year. McFadden was tied for second on the team with two interceptions and led the team with eight pass breakups. One of the team's fastest corners, McFadden started every game and recorded 29 tackles.

    Playing in a backup role, Thorpe made 29 tackles and hauled in two interceptions. Thorpe also brings experience and size to the defensive backfield. He had a solid spring which should carry over into the season.

    Both starting safeties from last season, Zac Etheridge and Mike McNeil, missed time in the spring because of injuries. Etheridge was still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and McNeil broke his leg early in spring ball.

    Despite playing hurt last season, Etheridge led the team with 75 tackles. His only interception came against Southern Miss and he had just three pass breakups. If he stays healthy, those numbers should go up.

    McNeil may miss the first few games of the season. As a sophomore, McNeil was the team's second-leading tackler with 65 and led the way with 42 solo stops.

    The reserves at safety are sophomores Mike Slade and Drew Cole. Slade made only eight tackles last year as a freshman but has great size and speed to play where needed. Cole got much needed reps at safety during spring drills when Etheridge and McNeil were out. As a true freshman in 2008, Cole played almost exclusively on special teams.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Special Teams

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    After a somewhat disappointing season on special teams last year, Auburn's new coaching staff will look to make improvements in all areas, especially with the place-kicker's consistency.

    Place-kicker Wes Byrum was outstanding during his freshman year in 2007, making 17-of-23 field goal attempts, and missing only one from inside 40 yards. Byrum's confidence was high entering last season, but things began to quickly unravel when he started missing field goals that he normally nailed in practice and as a freshman.
    Wes Byrum
    Wes Byrum
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    During his subpar sophomore season, Byrum went 11-for-19 and missed more than half of his kicks from 30 yards or deeper. Many of the missed field goals came when Auburn's offense was struggling to score. If Byrum would have made a few more field goals, it might have been the difference in several games.

    With the help of new special teams coach Jay Boulware, Byrum seems to be back on track after Boulware suggested he watch video of his kicks from last season. The field goal attempts were often limited in distance because Byrum was bent over during the follow-through. Although the problem was corrected during summer workouts, Byrum still needs to prove he can be consistent when the season starts. If not, walk-ons Morgan Hull and Chandler Brooks will be tested.

    Hull was mostly used on kickoffs last season, with an average of 62.6 yards on 22 kickoffs. He did attempt one field goal against Alabama, but it was blocked. Brooks emerged as the No.1 place-kicker during spring, but that was short-lived after suffering an injury.
    Clinton Durst
    Clinton Durst
    (Photo courtesy of autigers.com)

    At punter, walk-on Clinton Durst looks to be the leader with Ryan Shoemaker close behind. In 2008, Durst finished the season 26th nationally after averaging 42.1 yards per kick. He also forced 22 fair catches and put 18 kicks inside the 20. Shoemaker earned All-SEC honors two years ago averaging 42.4 yards per kick.

    Boulware plans to make some changes when the Tigers lineup in punt coverage. Instead of the typical nine-man front, Auburn will use a seven-man front that will put more speedsters on the field. Boulware will use the more traditional approach when it comes to kickoffs.

    With Robert Dunn and Tristan Davis lost to graduation, it will be tough to find replacements to match the success they had last season. Dunn averaged 16.0 yards per punt return and ran one back for a touchdown. Davis returned two kickoffs for scores and averaged 27.4 yards per return.

    The versatile Mario Fannin will probably be the main kick and punt returner with Jerraud Powers skipping his senior year for the NFL and with Chris Slaughter leaving the team before spring practice. Last season, Fannin averaged 22.5 yards per kickoff return and finished with 248 kickoff return yards.

    Other options to return punts and kickoffs include the speedy Onterio McCalebb, Ben Tate, Quindarius Carr, Terrell Zachery, and Philip Pierre-Louis if he returns from a knee injury suffered last season.

    Phil Marion

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line and Tight Ends

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Defensive Backs

    Week One SEC Predictions

    The 2009 season for SEC schools begins tonight at 6 pm CT when South Carolina takes on N.C. State on ESPN. Saturday, Auburn plays LA Tech at 6 pm CT on ESPNU. Alabama opens its season against VA Tech at 7 pm CT on ABC.

    LA Tech at Auburn, 6 pm CT, ESPNU

    The Gene Chizik Era officially begins Saturday evening when the Tigers battle a tough opponent in Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs are coming off a successful season at 8-5 including an Independence Bowl victory over Northern Illinois. Derek Dooley is in his third season at Tech with an overall record of 13-12. Auburn leads the series 10-0-1 with the last meeting in 2004 at Auburn with the Tigers cruising to a 52-7 victory.

    For the second consecutive season, the Bulldogs will open the season against an SEC school. They hosted and defeated Mississippi State last year. Under Dooley, the Bulldogs haven't had any success on the road against big-time opponents. In Dooley's first year at Tech in 2007, the Bulldogs lost road games at Cal, Ole Miss, and LSU by a combined 124-22 score. Last year Tech took a trip to Kansas and lost 29-0. Despite the bad luck on the road, many feel Tech is primed for a big victory over the favored Tigers.

    The biggest question mark for Dooley's offense will be the play of the quarterback and the passing attack. Junior Ross Jenkins will start under center and hopes to improve on the disappointing performance in the passing game in 2008. Tech was the Western Athletic Conferences worst passing team averaging just 156 yards in the air per game. Jenkins played in 11 games last year, completing 53 percent of his attempts with seven TDs and three INTs. He averaged just 105 ypg through the air. Tech's top receiver is expected to be Phillip Livas. Livas ranked first in the conference and 18th nationally in all-purpose yards per game (155.0) last year.

    If the Bulldogs are successful running the football, they will have a chance to upset Auburn. Tech was 27th nationally running the ball with an average of 187.1 ypg last season. Daniel Porter rushed for 1,164 yards on 222 carries in 2008 with a team-best nine TDs on the ground. If Porter has the same output in 2009 as last year, he will go down in Tech history as the all-time leading rusher.

    On defense, the Bulldogs have nine starters returning with D'Anthony Smith leading the way. Smith led the team with five sacks and is on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award, the Outland Trophy and the Rotary Lombardi Award. The only question mark for Tech's defense is defending against big plays. Last season, the Bulldogs gave up 272.7 ypg, second-most in the WAC and 113th in the nation. Defensive backs Antonio Baker and Deon Young will be responsible for stopping big plays.

    For Auburn, Gus Malzahn's offensive scheme is expected to produce better results than what the Tigers saw the past two seasons. Auburn finished 97th in the nation in total offense in 2007 and 104th in 2008. Auburn scored just seven TDs in eight SEC games last season. With those dismal numbers, anything will be a big improvement in Malzahn's first year as coordinator.

    Chris Todd won the quarterback job in fall camp after having shoulder surgery in the offseason which kept him out of spring drills. Todd's arm is back to full-strength and he hopes to return to the form that made him one of the most highly recruited quarterback prospects in the nation when he signed with Texas Tech four years ago.

    With senior Montez Billings out for the first four games because of academic reasons, Auburn will be young and inexperienced at wide receiver. Kodi Burns was moved to receiver to help with depth and will also be used in the wildcat formation. Terrell Zachary and Darvin Adams will be counted on to make big plays at the receiver position.

    Senior Ben Tate is back at tailback with speedster Onterio McCalebb backing him up. Tate has led the team in rushing in each of the past two years.

    Auburn's defense carried the team for most of the season last year. Ted Roof takes over as the defensive coordinator. Defensive end Antoine Carter is not expected to play Saturday which means Michael Goggans and Antonio Coleman will need to step up their game with Carter out.

    The Tigers are a bit thin at linebacker but still have a solid corps with Craig Stevens, Josh Bynes and junior college transfer Eltoro Freeman. With Mike McNeil out, freshman Daren Bates will start at safety. Auburn is solid at the other safety spot with Zac Etheridge returning and at cornerback with senior Walt McFadden.

    All eyes will be on Auburn as Chizik is forced to play 10 to 12 true freshmen Saturday because of depth issues. With all of the freshman playing, expect Auburn to make plenty of mistakes. How well they play will determine if the Tigers come out on top. Also, expect Auburn's offense to fair better than it did last season.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-14.



    South Carolina vs. N.C. State, Sept, 3, 6 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: N.C. State 24-17.



    Kentucky vs. Miami (Ohio), 11 am CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Kentucky 26-17.



    Western Kentucky at Tennessee, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Tennessee 23-6.



    Jackson State at Miss. State, 2:30 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 27-14.



    Georgia at Oklahoma State, 2:30 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: Oklahoma State 17-14.



    Missouri State at Arkansas, 6 pm CT

    Prediction: Arkansas 48-7.



    Charleston Southern at Florida, 6 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Florida 55-13.



    Western Carolina at Vanderbilt, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Vandy 20-13.



    Alabama vs. Virginia Tech, 7 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: Tech 28-24.



    LSU at Washington, 9:30 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: LSU 35-10.



    Ole Miss vs. Memphis, Sept. 6, 2:30 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Ole Miss 30-10.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    The first week's predictions were 10-2. The SEC schedule for Sept. 12 includes MSU at Auburn on FSN at 6 pm CT, also South Carolina at Georgia, and Troy at Florida.

    Mississippi State at Auburn, 6 pm CT, FSN

    Mississippi State meets Auburn in the SEC opener for both schools. Auburn is 42-28-5 in SEC openers, and is 15-1 in its last 16 league openers. The Tigers had their 14-game winning streak in SEC openers snapped in 2007 by Mississippi State.

    Auburn has never lost in games played on Sept. 12. In three games played on Sept. 12, the Tigers have never surrendered a point on that date. The Tigers beat Kansas in 1987 (49-0), Samford in 1992 (55-0) and Ole Miss in 1998 (17-0).

    Saturday's contest features two first-year coaches fresh off of victories in week one with Dan Mullen guiding the Bulldogs to a 45-7 romp over Jackson State and Gene Chizik leading Auburn 37-13 over Louisiana Tech.

    Mullen was hired at MSU without any previous head coach experience. Mullen spent the past four season as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Florida where he was a part of two BCS National Championships in 2007 and 2009. Mullen became the fourth consecutive MSU coach to win in his debut, joining Rockey Felker, Jackie Sherrill and Sylvester Croom.

    Last weekend against Jackson State, Mullen used a two-quarterback system with Tyson Lee and Chris Relf. Lee was forced to sit in the second half with muscle spasms. Relf may have pushed ahead of Lee for the starting job after completing 7-of-10 passes, including one for a TD. He also led the Bulldogs on the ground with 82 rushing yards on 12 carries.

    If Relf is the starter, how well he plays on the road against tough SEC competition will go a long way. He will also be playing close to where he grew up in Montgomery. Maybe the return of tailback Anthony Dixon will take some pressure off of Relf and the rushing attack. Dixon was suspended for the opener because of his July arrest and subsequent guilty plea for driving under the influence of alcohol.

    MSU's defense forced five turnovers, including three fumble recoveries in the season opener. They allowed just 62 rushing yards on 34 attempts and eight of the 20 passes that they faced were completed. Defensive coordinator Carl Torbush shuffled a lot of different bodies in and out to get a better idea about the depth the Bulldogs have on defense. Expect the same this week as Torbush tries to keep the unit fresh against the fast-paced Auburn offense.

    Auburn's victory over LA Tech was very impressive considering the pathetic offense that was on the field last season. The offense racked up 556 yards of offense, which is the most in a game by the Tigers since the 2005 season.

    Last weekend, Auburn had two running backs gain over 100 yards in the same game for the first time since 2007. As offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn promised when he was hired, the Tigers will run first, pass second. With Ben Tate and Onterio McCalebb in the backfield, you probably won't have to wait very long to see that kind of performance again. With Mario Fannin used at several positions, Auburn will surely keep opposing defenses guessing.

    Quarterback Chris Todd was steady with 255 yards through the air, which was a career high. His 93-yard scoring pass to Terrell Zachary is the longest play from scrimmage in school history. Zachery looks to be the main target at receiver until Montez Billings returns in a few weeks after being out for academic reasons.

    The offensive line was able to pretty much push the LA Tech defensive line around, especially in the second half. The added weight is definitely a plus and should help them hold their own against the MSU defense. Malzahn's plan is to run at least 80 plays which will eventually cause the Bulldogs to run out of gas.

    There were some penalties and turnovers in the opener for Auburn which can be a cause for concern. Luckily they didn't factor into the outcome Saturday night. Head coach Gene Chizik wants those mistakes corrected before they become bad habits.

    The Tigers gave up just 96 yards rushing and 149 passing last weekend. After LA Tech drove 72 yards on eight plays which ended in a TD and put them up 7-3 in the first quarter, Auburn's defense settled in and didn't allow another TD in the contest. LA Tech was just 5-of-14 on third down conversion attempts, and the Tigers registered four sacks. Antonio Coleman had seven tackles, including one sack, one quarterback hurry, and 2.5 tackles for loss on Saturday.

    Auburn holds a 57-23-2 series lead MSU. The 3-2 Auburn victory last season was too ugly to watch and hopefully the players who took part in that debacle have forgotten it. This is a new season with new coaching staffs on both sides. The performance last week by Auburn provides plenty of optimism for Tiger fans. Hopefully the team can improve each week including this week which should result in an Auburn victory.

    Prediction: Auburn 27-10.



    Troy at Florida, 11:00 am CT, ERT/SEC Network

    Prediction: Florida 50-10.



    UCLA at Tennessee, 3:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Tennessee 17-14.



    South Carolina at Georgia, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Georgia 21-14.



    Vanderbilt at LSU, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: LSU 30-14.



    Florida International at Alabama, 6:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Alabama 38-6.



    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 15-3. This week, Auburn plays West Virginia at home on ESPN2 at 6:45 pm CT. Tennessee and Florida clash down in Gainesville on CBS at 2:30 pm CT.

    West Virginia at Auburn, 6:45 pm CT, ESPN2

    Auburn hosts West Virginia Saturday night on ESPN2. Last year's meeting in Morgantown was the first ever between the two schools with the Mountaineers winning 34-17. Both teams are undefeated so far with Auburn taking care of LA Tech (37-13) and Mississippi State(49-24), while WVU handled Liberty (33-20) and East Carolina (35-20).

    Despite losing talented quarterback Pat White to the NFL, WVU's offense hasn't missed a beat with Jarrett Brown taking over for White. Brown was named Big East Offensive Player of the Week for his performance last weekend against East Carolina. Brown completed 24-of-31 passes for 334 yards and four TDs. Brown also ran the ball 10 times for 73 yards. Brown's 407 yards of total offense make him just the fourth Mountaineer to amass 400 yards in one game.

    Brown hooked up with wide receiver Alric Arnett for two deep TD catches and also connected with Bradley Starks and freshman back Tavon Austin for TD passes.

    Noel Devine leads the team with nearly 100 yards per game and over five yards per rush. He moved into 13th place on the WVU all-time rushing list after gaining 80 yards against ECU, passing Adrian Murrell and Rasheed Marshall. In his career, Devine has racked up 2,108 yards. Last year against Auburn, Devine ran for a career-high 207 yards.

    Penalties have been a problem so far for WVU with 11 for 104 yards last weekend, giving the team 18 in two games. The offensive line was penalized six times and there were two chop block penalties, which made three in two games against the Mountaineers.

    WVU's defense allowed East Carolina to gain just 62 yards on the ground and kept quarterback Patrick Pinkney in check by allowing him to complete 16-of-40 passes for 175 yards. Najee Goode played the entire second half last week with starting linebacker Reed Williams out with a sprained foot. Goode had a pair of tackles and a pass breakup. Ovid Goulbourne recorded five tackles, two sacks and a pair of tackles for losses. Goulbourne was personally responsible for 28 of East Carolinas 56 yards in negative yardage plays. Brandon Hogan added a team-high 11 tackles and two pass breakups.

    Auburn's offense seems to be clicking so far. Saturday, Auburn scored six offensive TDs. By comparison, the Tigers scored only seven TDs in eight SEC games a year ago. The Tigers set a school record for total offense in an SEC opener with 589 yards against Mississippi State. The back-to-back 500-yard games marks the first time Auburn has accomplished that since 1970.

    The success of the running game has many saying that Running Back U. has returned to the Plains after being absent for the past few seasons. Auburn is the only team in the nation to have two backs averaging at least 100 yards rushing per game, and the two backs rank 1-2 in the SEC and are both ranked in the top 10 in the nation. Ben Tate leads the SEC and ranks seventh nationally, averaging 137.0 yards per game, while Onterio McCalebb is second in the league and ninth in the country, averaging 131.0 yards per game.

    When Auburn is forced to throw, quarterback Chris Todd has been solid so far in 2009. Todd has completed 27 of his 49 pass attempts for 441 yards, averaging 16.3 yards per completion. The offensive line has given Todd the time he's needed while in the pocket. Auburn is one of just seven teams in the nation that has played two games that has not yet allowed a quarterback sack. Last year, the Tigers surrendered just 20 sacks in 12 games, but never managed to put together back-to-back games without giving up at least one sack.

    On defense, the Tigers rank 19th nationally in pass defense (139.5), 26th in pass efficiency defense (98.21) and 39th in total defense (271.0), holding each of their first two opponents under 300 yards of total offense. Antonio Coleman recorded his first career interception last Saturday, returning it 20 yards for his second career defensive touchdown.

    Special teams continue to be a weak area for both Auburn and WVU. The Mountaineers rank No. 106 in punt coverage, No. 88 in kickoff returns, No. 77 in kickoff coverage, No. 70 in net punting and No. 35 in punt returns. The Tigers rank No. 78 in kickoff returns, No. 88 in kickoff coverage, No. 111 in punt coverage, No. 114 in punt returns and No. 117 in net punting.

    Auburn is 17-3 in home night games since the 2000 season, including victories over four nationally-ranked teams. If the Tigers can find a way to stop Devine and limit the dangerous Brown, they'll come out on top.

    Prediction: Auburn 34-21.



    Louisville at Kentucky, 11 am CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-23.



    North Texas at Alabama, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Alabama 45-17.



    Tennessee at Florida, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 50-10.



    La. Lafayette at LSU, 6 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: LSU 33-7.



    Mississippi State at Vanderbilt, 6 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Vandy 17-10.



    Florida Atlantic at South Carolina, 6 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-10.



    Southeastern Louisiana at Ole Miss, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Ole Miss 44-14.



    Georgia at Arkansas, 6:45 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Georgia 21-17.



    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-1, overall they are 23-4. This week, Auburn looks to improve to 4-0 as they host 0-3 Ball State. Alabama hosts Arkansas, while Ole Miss plays South Carolina Thursday.

    Ball State at Auburn, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Auburn welcomes Ball State to Jordan-Hare Stadium this weekend. The Cardinals are looking for their first win on the season while the Tigers are a surprisingly 3-0 after an exciting victory over West Virginia last weekend. This will be the third meeting between BSU and Auburn with the Tigers winning both at home convincingly, 30-0 in 2001 and 63-3 in 2005.

    The Cardinals had a very successful season a year ago posting a 12-2 record and a trip to the GMAC Bowl. This year's team is missing several key players from last year including record-setting quarterback Nate Davis, who left early for the NFL. Also gone is head coach Brady Hoke, who left for the same position at San Diego State.

    The quarterback situation for BSU has probably hurt the Cardinals the most in 2009. Kelly Page started the season as the main guy but struggled in the first two games. New head coach Stan Parrish decided to try both Page and Tanner Justice out last weekend against Army. The experiment failed as the two QBs combined for four INTs that led to 17 points for Army in the 24-17 loss.

    Parrish will probably use both QBs again this week against Auburn. He'll probably witness the same poor performance as the two go up against a stout Tiger defense. BSU also lost four starters on the offensive line from its 2008 team which could mean plenty of sacks for Auburn's Antonio Coleman and Antoine Carter. Carter could see action for the first time this season after injuring his knee during the spring.

    So far this season, Coleman has 16 tackles including four tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception which he returned for a TD against Mississippi State and a fumble recovery.

    Auburn has had to come from behind in each of its three victories. The Tigers trailed Louisiana Tech, 7-3, late in the first quarter before pulling away for a 37-13 victory. Auburn fell behind Mississippi State, 17-14, late in the second quarter before storming back for a 49-24 victory. Against the Mountaineers, Auburn trailed 14-0 less than five minutes in. West Virginia still led 30-27 entering the fourth quarter before Auburn ended the game on a 14-0 run.

    The Tigers won't have to worry about falling behind to BSU this week with senior quarterback Chris Todd leading the way. Todd threw a career-high 284 yards and a career-best four TDs against West Virginia. Wide receiver Darvin Adams leads the team in catches (15), receiving yards (261) and touchdown receptions (four).

    On the ground, Auburn has two of the nation's top 32 rushers, including one who leads the SEC and ranks ninth nationally. Senior Ben Tate, who ranks ninth in Auburn history with 2,308 career rushing yards, averages 116.3 yards rushing per game. Freshman Onterio McCalebb is fourth in the SEC and 32nd nationally, averaging 94.0 yards rushing per game.

    Junior Wes Byrum has bounced back from a somewhat disappointing season a year ago. In 2009, Byrum has connected on all five of his field goal attempts and 16-of-16 extra points. Byrum, who ranks third in the SEC in scoring (10.3) and tied for 15th in the nation in field goals made (1.67), now ranks seventh in school history with 33 career made field goals.

    The Cardinals have gone 49 straight games without being shutout, which is the third longest stretch in Ball State history. That streak could come to an end this week if the Tigers can wait until after the contest to start thinking about the big game at Tennessee next week. That might be hard to do though since the contest against BSU should be over at the half.

    Prediction: Auburn 50-6.



    Ole Miss at South Carolina, Thursday 6:30 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Ole Miss 17-14.



    LSU at Mississippi State, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: LSU 21-7.



    Arkansas at Alabama, 2:30 pm CT, CBS Sports

    Prediction: Alabama 27-17.



    Florida at Kentucky, 5 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Florida 34-10.



    Arizona State at Georgia, 6 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Georgia 35-14.



    Ohio at Tennessee, 6 pm CT, Vol Network

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-7.



    Vanderbilt at Rice, 7 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Vandy 24-13.



    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-1 with an overall record of 30-5. This week, Auburn hits the road for the first time to face Tennessee at 6:45 pm CT on ESPN. Alabama plays at Kentucky and Georgia hosts LSU.

    Auburn at Tennessee, 6:45 pm CT, ESPN

    For the first time this season, Auburn takes its act on the road. It'll be a big test for the Tigers as they try and stay perfect in front of a hostile crowd at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee improved to 2-2 overall with a 34-23 win over Ohio last Saturday. The Vols are 0-1 in the SEC after losing to Florida two weeks ago. In games played in Knoxville, UT leads 14-8-1. This will be the first meeting since 1982 in which neither team is ranked, and prior to last year, the previous 13 meetings all included at least one top-10 team.

    Two weeks ago against Florida, UT held the Gator offense to just 23 points when many thought Florida could probably score as much as they wanted. Thanks to the very talented Eric Berry and the Vol defense, the contest ended up being pretty close. Berry recorded his 13th career interception against Florida, making him the active career leader in the FBS. Berry has been among UT's top three tacklers in three of four games and posted double-digit tackle efforts vs. UCLA and Florida. He currently ranks ninth in the SEC in tackles and first on the team with 31.

    Janzen Jackson has also been an important part of the UT defense with three starts at free safety. He has registered 12 tackles, a pass break-up and a fumble recovery while quickly earning a reputation as a fearless and bruising tackler.

    The UT defense will have to play almost perfect Saturday night against a very potent Auburn offense. The Tigers are tied for third nationally in total offense, averaging 526.3 yards per game. The Tigers started the season with back-to-back games of more than 500 yards, totaling 556 yards in the season opener against Louisiana Tech and 589 yards in the SEC opener against Mississippi State. It marked the first time Auburn had back-to-back games with at least 500 yards of offense since 1970, when the Tigers had 566 yards against Florida and 664 against Mississippi State.

    Auburn senior quarterback Chris Todd ranks second in the nation in yards per completion (16.32) and sixth nationally in passing efficiency (171.05). His 11 touchdown passes are tied for third most in the NCAA. Darvin Adams is Auburn's top receiver, leading the team in catches (20), receiving yards (334) and touchdown receptions (five).

    On the ground, Auburn has two of the nation's top 31 rushers, including two of the top four in the SEC. Senior tailback Ben Tate is averaging 103.0 yards rushing per game, which is third in the league and 17th nationally. He needs just 441 more yards rushing to crack Auburn's all-time top five.

    Freshman Onterio McCalebb is fourth in the SEC and 31st nationally, averaging 91.3 yards rushing per game. McCalebb also ranks third in the SEC in all-purpose yards, averaging 131.0.

    For UT's offense, senior tailback Montario Hardesty is averaging 121.3 yards per game and 5.8 yards per carry. He currently ranks eighth in the nation and atop the SEC in rushing yards per game. Thanks to Hardesty, the Vols average 197 yards per game on the ground through four contests and have scored seven rushing touchdowns.

    Through the air, UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton has struggled this season but did have a decent performance last Saturday against Ohio when he completed 17-of-34 passes for 222 yards and two scores. He tossed just one interception, which was the first time he hadnt thrown multiple picks in a game this year.

    The Vols are still looking for a receiver to emerge as a main target. Junior wideout Gerald Jones, UT's top receiver in 2008, returned to the regular rotation against Florida and has caught just three passes in two games. Junior Denarius Moore hauled in four passes for 47 yards against Ohio after catching only one pass in the first three games. In the same game, the Vols started true freshmen Marsalis Teague and Nu'Keese Richardson, and the two combined for only two receptions and 19 yards.

    Auburn's defense ranks tied for fourth in the nation with eight interceptions, and tied for fifth with 12 total turnovers forced. Last year, the Tigers had just 11 interceptions and forced 18 turnovers in 12 games.

    Senior Antonio Coleman has been the rock on a defense that has struggled at keeping opponents off the scoreboard. He has 19 tackles including 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception which he returned for a touchdown against Mississippi State and a fumble recovery. Coleman ranks tied for sixth in school history with 17.0 career sacks, and this season, he is tied for eighth in the league in tackles for loss and and tied for 10th with 2.5 sacks.

    After a somewhat disappointing season a year ago, junior placekicker Wes Byrum has been perfect so far during the 2009 season, connecting on all six of his field goal attempts and 23-of-23 extra points. Byrum, who ranks second in the SEC in scoring (10.3) and tied for 21st in the nation with six field goals made, now is tied for sixth in school history with 34 career made field goals.

    For UT, placekicker Daniel Lincoln has hit eight of his last 10 attempts dating back to the 2008 Vanderbilt game. He converted on a career-long field 49-yard field goal to seal UT's win over Ohio and is six-of-seven on the season.

    With a victory Saturday night, Auburn would improve to 5-0. It would mark Auburn's third 5-0 start in the last six seasons (2006, 2004), and the seventh in the last 17 seasons. In the previous 18-year period from 1975-92, the Tigers only started 5-0 one time (1986). The Tigers have a four-game winning streak against UT. Make that five straight after Saturday night.

    Prediction: Auburn 30-21.



    Alabama at Kentucky, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Alabama 28-10.



    LSU at Georgia, 2:30 pm CT, CBS Sports

    Prediction: Georgia 21-16.



    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt, 6 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Ole Miss 30-10.



    South Carolina State at South Carolina, 6 pm CT, ESPN Classic

    Prediction: South Carolina 50-7.



    Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (Arlington, Texas), 6:30 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Arkansas 28-21.



    Georgia Tech at Mississippi State, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Georgia Tech 17-14.



    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, overall they are 36-6. Auburn tries to stay perfect on the season with a trip to Arkansas. Alabama plays at Ole Miss, while the big game takes place Saturday night with Florida at LSU.

    Auburn at Arkansas, 11 a.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn plays an important SEC contest on the road for the second straight week. Last week in Knoxville, the Tigers held on to beat Tennessee 26-22. Auburn improved to 5-0 and is now ranked No. 17. The game this week in Fayetteville will be a challenge for Gene Chizik's team as kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT. Recently, the Tigers haven't played well in games that begin before noon. Hopefully Chizik will have his team ready for the early start against a dangerous Arkansas team.

    The Razorbacks enter the contest with a lot of confidence after beating Texas A&M 47-19 last Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. The vicory snapped back-to-back losses to Georgia and Alabama. Quarterback Ryan Mallett had a big game against the Aggies throwing four touchdowns and 17-of-27 completions for 271 yards. This season, the sophomore has thrown for 1,148 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mallett and the Razorbacks need a victory over Auburn to avoid losing their first three SEC games since 2007.

    Mallett has solid receivers in Joe Adams and Greg Childs. Last week, Adams finished with three catches for 110 yards, marking the first 100-yard receiving game of his career. Childs leads the team with three touchdown receptions this season.

    Freshman tailback Ronnie Wingo Jr. showed his explosive running ability with a team-high 86 yards against Texas A&M on just four carries. Wingos 62-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter ended any doubts about whether Arkansas was going to win the game.

    On the defensive side, the Razorbacks are last in passing defense (283.5), total defense (404.5) and scoring defense (29.0) in the SEC. Wendel Davis had a team-high 11 tackles against Texas A&M and leads the squad with 30 on the season. Davis has led the team in tackles in three of four games this season.

    Defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard leads the team with 5.5 tackles for loss this season. His career total (31.5) ranks 12th in school history. Sheppard has led the Razorbacks in tackles for loss each of the last two seasons.

    On special teams, placekicker Alex Tejada is 6-of-6 on field goals and 17-of-18 on extra points. Arkansas is sixth nationally in kickoff returns (29.3), thanks largely to Dennis Johnson. Last weekend, Johnson returned three kickoffs for 69 yards to bring his career total to 1,233 yards, which moved him into third all-time in school history. Adams also had two kickoff returns against the Aggies for 41 yards.

    Auburn's offense has been explosive under offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. The Tigers are fifth in the nation in scoring offense (41.4), total offense (512.8 yards per game) and rushing offense (253.8). Auburn has already scored 207 points this season, which is just one fewer than Auburn scored all of last year.

    Against a Tennessee defense that came into last weekend ranked eighth in the Football Subdivision in yards allowed with 233.0, the Tigers gained 459 yards. Auburn also had the ball for almost 10 minutes longer than Tennessee.

    Quarterback Chris Todd continues to be a big reason why the Tigers have been so successful on offense in 2009. The senior was 19-of-32 for 218 yards and one score against Tennessee, giving him 12 touchdowns and only one interception this year.

    Todd ranks seventh in the nation in yards per completion (15.19), tied for seventh in touchdown passes (12) and eighth nationally in passing efficiency (160.81). His 1,230 passing yards lead the SEC.

    Tailback Ben Tate has had a strong senior season averaging 108.0 yards per game. His 128 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown last Saturday was impressive against a Tennessee defense that's been stingy all season.

    It's easy to overlook the job Auburn's defense has done because of the offensive output, but the unit has excelled despite a rash of injuries. The Tigers are tied for fourth in the nation in turnover margin (+1.6) and tied for seventh in interceptions (eight) and turnovers forced (13). Auburn ranks 24th in pass efficiency defense (103.47) and tied for 38th in pass defense (190.8).

    The Tigers have managed despite missing projected starters or second-stringers S Mike McNeil, CB Aairon Savage, LB Spencer Pybus and DE Nosa Egaue for all five games, DE Antonio Carter and DB D'Antoine Hood for three games each, DL Zach Clayton for two games and LB Eltoro Freeman for one game.

    Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens share the team lead with 43 tackles each, ranking tied for sixth in the SEC. Both players have also recorded interceptions, while Stevens leads the team with 5.0 tackles for loss and Bynes recorded a safety against Ball State.

    DE Antonio Coleman has 19 tackles including 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception which he returned for a touchdown against Mississippi State and a fumble recovery. Coleman ranks tied for sixth in school history with 17.0 career sacks, and this season, he is tied for eighth in the league in tackles for loss and tied for 10th with 2.5 sacks.

    Placekicker Wes Byrum was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after his career-high four field goals against Tennessee. Byrum's 22-yard field goal with 39 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Tigers, giving them a 26-16 lead before Tennessee scored as time expired for the final 26-22 margin.

    In the series, Auburn has won on its last three trips to Razorback Stadium, and is 5-3 all-time in Fayetteville. The victory on the road up in Knoxville last weekend gave the Tigers exactly what they needed for the tough stretch in October. The confidence should carry over into Saturday. A 6-0 start seemed impossible before preseason practice started in August. But, the way the Tigers have played so far in 2009, another victory on the road this weekend seems likely.

    Prediction: Auburn 31-14.



    Vanderbilt at Army, 11 a.m. CT, CBS College Sports

    Prediction: Army 17-10.



    Georgia at Tennessee, 11:21 a.m. CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-21.



    Houston at Mississippi State, 11:30 a.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 30-7.



    Kentucky at South Carolina, 11:30 a.m. CT, FS South

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-20.



    Alabama at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 30-17.



    Florida at LSU, 7 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 31-17.



    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 41-8. This week, Auburn faces Kentucky at home at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU. Also, South Carolina plays at Alabama and Arkansas takes on Florida.

    Kentucky at Auburn, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    After two straight road contests, Auburn returns home to face Kentucky. The Tigers lost last weekend to Arkansas while the Wildcats fell to South Carolina. Kentucky has yet to win a conference game this season.

    In the 28-26 loss at South Carolina, Kentucky's starting quarterback Mike Hartline was sidelined in the third quarter after suffering a knee injury. An MRI exam revealed that the junior has a completely torn medial collateral ligament, a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament and some cartilage damage and will be out at least 3-4 weeks.

    Junior Will Fidler is the likely candidate to start at quarterback while Hartline is out. Another option would be true freshman Morgan Newton, but that's doubtful since Newton has yet to play in a collegiate game.

    Head coach Rich Brooks has ruled out moving wide receiver Randall Cobb back to full-time quarterback for the Auburn game. Cobb lines up at quarterback in Kentucky's wildcat formation and also started four games at quarterback last season.

    On defense, the Wildcats will be without All-Southeastern Conference cornerback Trevard Lindley, and another starting cornerback, Paul Warford, is unlikely to play.

    Injuries on the defensive side for Auburn are starting to pile up as the schedule moves into the second-half of the season. Senior DE Antonio Coleman has been hampered by a right wrist injury that has required him to wear a protective cast. Even with the injury, Coleman has 19 tackles including 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception which he returned for a touchdown against Mississippi State and a fumble recovery this season.

    Senior CB Walt McFadden missed the second half of Saturdays game with an apparent knee injury. McFadden appeared to injure himself while hauling in an interception late in the second quarter. McFaddens status is still uncertain for Saturday.

    Depth on defense is also becoming an issue for the Tigers. The defense seems to play pretty well in the first half, but after halftime, the unit seems to run out of gas. Auburn gave up 495 yards in the 44-23 loss at Arkansas last weekend. The Tigers rank ninth in the SEC in pass and total defense and 10th in scoring and rushing defense.

    Linebacker Eltoro Freeman has been sidelined for what has been called personal reasons. That leaves Auburn with just Josh Bynes, Craig Stevens and Adam Herring at the linebacker position. Stevens leads the team and ranks third in the SEC with 55 tackles, while Bynes is fifth with 51.

    Auburn's high-octane offense sputtered in the first half against Arkansas. The Tigers mustered just three points and 108 yards, which ended with the Razorbacks leading 27-3. In the second half, the offense finally got things going, scoring 20 unanswered points while riding a previously unused ground game to close within 11 points. But, the Tigers couldn't get any closer as the Razorbacks held on to win by 21.

    Senior tailback Ben Tate racked up 136 yards and two touchdowns in the third quarter on his way to a season-best 184 rushing yards. Onterio McCalebb should be ready to play Saturday after re-injuring his ankle last weekend.

    In the series with Kentucky, Auburn leads 24-5-1 and has won 15 consecutive games. The Tigers' last loss to the Wildcats was a 17-7 decision in 1966 in Lexington. Auburn has scored at least 41 points in each of the last four meetings, and has scored more than 30 points in 10 of the last 15 games.

    Expect Auburn to bounce back from the disappointing loss to Arkansas and cruise to an easy victory over Kentucky. With all of the injuries to the Wildcat defense, the Tigers will score early and often.

    Prediction: Auburn 45-17.



    Georgia at Vanderbilt, 11:21 a.m. CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Georgia 21-10.



    Mississippi State at Middle TN State, 11:30 a.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 28-7.



    Arkansas at Florida, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 30-7.



    UAB at Ole Miss, 6:30 p.m. CT, FS South

    Prediction: Ole Miss 33-12.



    South Carolina at Alabama, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Alabama 31-17.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 46-9. This week, Auburn tries to win on the road in Baton Rouge. The contest is on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. CT. Alabama faces Tennessee at home, and Florida plays at Miss. State.

    Auburn at LSU, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Auburn takes its two-game losing streak on the road to a tough environment Saturday night in Baton Rouge. LSU had won 32 straight home Saturday night games prior to the 13-3 loss to Florida two weeks ago.

    Last weekend, LSU was off while Auburn is searching for answers after losing 21-14 at home to Kentucky. The offense scored only one touchdown and quarterback Chris Todd had his worst performance of the season, passing for just 80 yards. The only positive for the offense was tailback Ben Tate's 132 rushing yards.

    Tate ranks second in the SEC and seventh nationally averaging 122.3 yards per game. Tate has five 100-yard rushing games this season, which is the most by an Auburn player since Kenny Irons had eight in 2005. Tate ranks fifth in Auburn history with 2,815 career rushing yards. He needs 553 more to catch Joe Cribbs for fourth.

    Tate's success can be attributed to Auburn's offensive linemen. Tackles Andrew McCain and Lee Ziemba, guards Mike Berry and Byron Isom and center Ryan Pugh have a combined 92 starts under their belt. They have not only helped Auburn rank among the national leaders in scoring offense, total offense and rushing, but have allowed just five quarterback sacks this season, which leads the SEC and is tied for seventh nationally. The same unit last year surrendered 21 sacks.

    Despite the loss, Auburns secondary limited Kentucky to 75 yards passing in its best pass-defense effort of the season. Walt McFadden played well even though he was still bothered by an injured knee, while Neiko Thorpe made a number of big plays, including returning a blocked field goal 69 yards for a touchdown. Freshman Daren Bates continues to improve every game, and Zac Etheridge is one of the more reliable players on the Tigers defense.

    LSU's offense struggled in the loss to Florida and its running game hasn't packed a punch so far in 2009. Charles Scott's numbers are way down from last year's 1,174 rushing yards. Scott has just 327 rushing yards and has yet to run for 100 yards in a game this season. LSU is averaging only 123.8 yards a game rushing, 43 under last seasons average.

    Quarterback Jordan Jefferson is fifth in the SEC in pass efficiency, having completed 91-of-145 passes for 1,016 yards, seven touchdowns and only three interceptions. Brandon LaFell and Terrance Toliver form the SEC's top receiving tandem as the duo has combined for 52 receptions for 686 yards and seven touchdowns.

    Defensively, LSU's trio of linebackers, Kelvin Sheppard, Perry Riley and Harry Coleman are 1-2-3 in tackles with 44, 42, and 38, respectively, to lead a unit that is holding opponents to under 130 yards a game rushing.

    Patrick Peterson is one of the top cover corners in the country. He has only one interception but is credited with breaking up six other passes. Also in the defensive secondary are Chad Jones and Brandon Taylor, who have two interceptions each.

    LSU leads the series 23-19-1, including 13-5-1 in games played in Baton Rouge. LSU's 26-21 victory in Auburn last year snapped an eight-game winning streak by the home team in the series. Recently, the games have been close with eight of the last 14 decided by a touchdown or less, including the last five in a row. Expect another close contest with the home team coming out on top.

    Prediction: LSU 23-18.



    Arkansas at Ole Miss, 11:21 a.m. CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Ole Miss 28-24.



    Tennessee at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Sports

    Prediction: Alabama 24-13.



    Vanderbilt at South Carolina, 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: South Carolina 23-13.



    Louisiana Monroe at Kentucky, 6 p.m. CT, FSN

    Prediction: Kentucky 30-10.



    Florida at Miss. State, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Florida 33-10.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-0, overall they are 52-9. This week, Auburn hosts Ole Miss at 11:21 a.m. CT on the SEC Network. Georgia plays Florida in Jacksonville, and South Carolina plays at Tennessee.

    Ole Miss at Auburn, 11:21 a.m. CT, SEC Network

    Auburn plays on Halloween for the first time since 1998 when the Tigers host Ole Miss in an SEC West showdown. Auburn leads the series 24-9, and holds an 11-2 edge in games played at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Ole Miss is currently ranked No. 24 and is off to its best start since 2003 with a 5-2 record. The Rebels have won two straight since losing to Alabama Oct. 10.

    Ole Miss has found answers on offense since the dismal performance against Alabama that saw only three points go up on the scoreboard. The Rebel offense has reached 500 yards of total offense three times this season, including the last two games with 501 vs. UAB and 553 vs. Arkansas. The 553 yards against Arkansas marked the most by a Rebel offense since posting 567 against Wyoming in 2004.

    A big reason for the surge on offense can be credited to quarterback Jevan Snead and running back Dexter McCluster. In last weekend's 30-17 victory over Arkansas, McCluster rushed for a career-high 123 yards on 22 carries and hauled in seven passes for a career-best 137 yards, becoming the first Rebel in the modern era to have 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game.

    Snead also came up big against the Razorbacks, passing for a career-high 332 yards and two touchdowns. Snead did throw two interceptions, bringing his season total to 11 in 194 attempts.

    The Ole Miss defense ranks third in the SEC and ninth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 13.6 points per game this year. The Rebels also rank fifth in the SEC and 14th in the nation in pass defense, allowing only 166.9 yards per game. The Rebel defense has surrendered just three passing TDs, while recording six interceptions.

    While the Ole Miss offense is clicking, Auburn's offensive production has declined since getting off to such a fast start. The Tigers were 5-0 and ranked eighth nationally in total offense, averaging 464.9 yards. Since then, Auburn has dropped three straight and was held to a season-low 193 yards in last Saturdays 31-10 loss at No. 9 LSU.

    With a struggling offense, fingers are starting to point to quarterback Chris Todd as the reason. Todd's numbers are down in recent weeks including completing just eight passes for 47 yards with an interception and a fumble at LSU.

    When the passing game suffers, it often results in problems for the ground game, which was the case last weekend for Auburn. Ben Tate was held to just 67 yards, 55 yards below his average coming in. Onterio McCalebb had only 3 yards on three carries.

    Penalties have also been a major problem recently for the Tigers. In the fourth quarter two weeks ago against Kentucky, penalties hurt Auburn's chances of putting together a drive when the Wildcats led 21-14 in the final stanza.

    Penalties were also an issue in the first quarter against LSU. The Tigers committed six penalties for 59 yards, which helped the Bengal Tigers take a 14-0 lead into the second quarter.

    On defense, the Tigers have yielded 26.9 points per game to rank 10th in the SEC and an average of 368.6 yards to rank 11th. Junior linebackers Craig Stevens and Josh Bynes are the teams top tacklers with 69 and 67, respectively.

    Auburn's offensive woes continue on Saturday as the losing streak reaches four. Even though Gene Chizik has said that he'll stick with Todd at quarterback, he may be forced to give Neil Caudle a try.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-10.



    Georgia vs. Florida (in Jacksonville), 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 35-17.



    Mississippi State at Kentucky, 6 p.m. CT, FSN

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-21.



    Eastern Michigan at Arkansas, 6 p.m. CT ESPNU

    Prediction: Arkansas 45-10.



    Georgia Tech at Vanderbilt, 6:30 p.m. CT, CSS

    Prediction: Georgia Tech 31-13.



    South Carolina at Tennessee, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-21.



    Tulane at LSU, 7 p.m. CT, PPV

    Prediction: LSU 40-7.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 57-11. The SEC schedule this week is mostly full of cupcake contests with the exception of LSU taking on Alabama in Tuscaloosa on CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT.

    Furman at Auburn, 12:30 p.m. CT, PPV

    Auburn will have no problem beating Football Championship Subdivision(Div. II-A) opponent Furman on Homecoming. Hopefully the starters will get some much needed rest in the second half so they will be fresh for Amen Corner.

    Prediction: Auburn 45-6.

    South Carolina at Arkansas, 11:21 a.m. CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Arkansas 27-21.

    Tennessee Tech at Georgia, 12 p.m. CT, PPV

    Prediction: Georgia 34-7.

    Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky, 12 p.m. CT, PPV

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-13.

    LSU at Alabama, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 21-14.

    Memphis at Tennessee, 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Tennessee 38-17.

    Vanderbilt at Florida, 6:15 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Florida 41-14.

    Northern Arizona at Ole Miss, 6:30 p.m. CT, CSS

    Prediction: Ole Miss 35-10.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-0, overall they are 65-11. This week, Auburn travels to Athens to face Georgia. The game will be televised by ESPN2 at 6 p.m. CT. Other action has Alabama at MSU, and Florida at South Carolina.

    Auburn at Georgia, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    The long, grueling regular season is quickly coming to an end. Those who love college football are probably sad that there are only two games left for the Auburn Tigers. But for me, I always look forward to the last two on the schedule because it means the biggest and the best games are finally here. That's right, it's Amen Corner time. Georgia is up first followed by the best rivalry in all of college football, Alabama on Nov. 27.

    The Auburn-Georgia series is a special rivalry. Not only is it the Deep South's oldest rivalry, with Saturday's contest being the 113th meeting, the road team usually has the advantage, winning nine of the last 14 games in the series. The Tigers have won 10 of their last 13 games at Sanford Stadium, while Georgia has won on five of its last seven trips to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Georgia has outscored Auburn by just 49 points (1,747-1,698). Last year on the Plains, the outcome was close like always, with Georgia winning 17-13.

    Although Georgia's season hasn't gone as planned, the Bulldogs still have a chance to be invited to a decent bowl game with victories over its final three opponents. Georgia enters the contest at 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the conference.

    The 38-0 homecoming victory over Tennessee Tech came at a perfect time and probably helped Georgia gain confidence heading into its meeting with Auburn. The Bulldogs racked up 469 yards on offense, including 304 yards rushing. On defense, Georgia posted its first shutout since a 34-0 victory over UAB in 2006 and its first homecoming shutout since a 21-0 victory over Kentucky. The Bulldogs allowed Tennessee Tech just 55 yards of offense, which is second-best in school history

    Sophomore wide receiver A.J. Green is expected to play Saturday night after being sidelined last week with a bruised lung. Green currently leads the SEC in receiving yards per game (91.5) and rec. per game (5.5). His 732 yards ranks second in the league. He will certainly be a handful for Auburn's young defensive backfield.

    Senior quarterback Joe Cox has been up-and-down all season but had one of his best games last weekend. Cox connected on his first 10 passes against Tennessee Tech and finished with 140 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

    On the ground, it looks like freshman Washaun Ealey is ready to be Georgia's consistent threat at tailback after solid performances in the last few games. Last weekend he ran seven times for 89 yards and scored two touchdowns.

    Georgia is fourth in the SEC in rushing defense (120.9) but 11th in passing defense (211.1). Junior WLB Rennie Curran is second in the SEC with 9.1 tackles per game (82 tackles this year) and has led the Bulldogs in eight of nine games after playing sparingly against Tennessee Tech.

    The defensive line features three seniors as Jeff Owens is back from a 2008 injury to rejoin Geno Atkins and Kade Weston. Atkins was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after he equaled his career high with eight tackles after coming off the bench against Vanderbilt.

    On special teams, Drew Butler leads the nation in punting at 49.2 yards per kick, and the Bulldogs are tops in the nation in net punting at 44.0. Kicker Blair Walsh is 13-of-14 on field goals this year and has made all 77 of his career PATs.

    Auburn's 63-31 homecoming victory over Furman gave head coach Gene Chizik a chance to rest the starters in the second half. It also gave the Tigers a chance to work on different offensive and defensive problems that have happened throughout the season.

    Senior quarterback Chris Todd was outstanding against Furman. Todd completed his first 14 passes on his way to finishing 17-of-18 for 256 yards and four touchdowns. His 94.4 completion percentage broke an Auburn record previously held by Jason Campbell. Todd had a quarterback rating of 287.2 for the day.

    Auburn will be without wide receiver Travante Stallworth. Stallworth suffered an ankle/foot injury during kickoff coverage in the second quarter last Saturday. The Tigers may also be without tailback Onterio McCalebb, who is still dealing with a nagging ankle injury.

    On defense, DE Antonio Coleman leads the SEC with 12.5 tackles for loss and is tied for second with 6.5 sacks. Coleman also has 37 total tackles, an interception which he returned for a touchdown against Mississippi State, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He ranks tied for third in Auburn history with 21.0 career sacks.

    Craig Stevens leads the team and ranks seventh in the SEC with 79 tackles, while Josh Bynes is eighth with 77. Walt McFadden leads the team with four interceptions which is tied for the most in the SEC, as are his 11 passes defended (four interceptions, seven pass break-ups).

    Wes Byrum has connected on 13-of-14 field goals and all 43 extra point attempts. Among kickers who have attempted at least 10 field goals, Byrum's percentage of .929 ranks tied for fifth nationally. Byrum, who ranks fifth in school history with 41 career made field goals, is second in the SEC in scoring with 82 points and fourth with 13 field goals.

    Like Georgia, Auburn needs a victory to earn a bid to a better bowl. Eight wins for the Tigers would probably mean a trip to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta.

    Auburn leads the all-time series with Georgia, 53-51-8, and has an 18-10 edge in games played in Athens. Even though this will be the first time since 1991 the teams have met with neither ranked in The Associated Press poll, you can expect another close, hard-fought game.

    Prediction: Auburn 27-24.

    Tennessee at Ole Miss, 11 a.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-21.

    Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 11:21 a.m. CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Vandy 21-18.

    Florida at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m.CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 28-14.

    Louisiana Tech at LSU, 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: LSU 31-10.

    Alabama at Mississippi State, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Alabama 24-10.

    Troy at Arkansas, 6:30 p.m. CT, CSS

    Prediction: Arkansas 34-28.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 70-13. This week on the SEC schedule, LSU plays at Ole Miss on CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT and Kentucky plays at Georgia on ESPN2 at 6:45 p.m. CT.

    Mississippi State at Arkansas (Little Rock), 11:21 a.m. CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Arkansas 38-14.

    Chattanooga at Alabama, 11:21 a.m. CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Alabama 49-6.

    Florida International at Florida, 11:30 a.m. CT, Institutional PPV

    Prediction: Florida 54-3.

    LSU at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 17-13.

    Vanderbilt at Tennessee, 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Tennessee 31-9.

    Kentucky at Georgia, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Georgia 28-13.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, with an overall 74-15 record on the season. Rivals Alabama and Auburn play on Friday at 1:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Florida tries to stay perfect by beating Florida State at home on Saturday.

    Alabama at Auburn(Friday), 1:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Auburn has the tough task of trying to beat a perfect 11-0 Alabama team Friday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in the 74th edition of the Iron Bowl. The Tigers had a much needed weekend off after playing eleven-straight weekends. Last Saturday, the Tide took care of Chattanooga 45-0 to remain undefeated.

    Alabama has reached the 11-0 mark with the help of running back Mark Ingram. Ingram has rushed for 1,399 yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 games this season for 127.18 yards per game average to rank fifth nationally and first in the SEC in rushing. Ingram has also added 25 receptions for 225 yards and three scores. Ingram is a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, which would be a first in the school's history.

    Defense has also been a big reason for the Tide's perfect season. Alabama's defense ranks No. 1 in the country in total defense (225.2) and pass efficiency defense (82.52) and is No. 2 in scoring defense (9.9).

    On special teams, Javier Arenas leads the conference and is sixth nationally in punt returns (15.4) and has seven career punt returns for scores, which is one shy of the NCAA record. He is the NCAA active leader in career punt returns, yards, touchdowns, returns per game and yards per game. Leigh Tiffin is second nationally in field goals per game at 2.27. He has connected on 25-of-28 field goals this season (89.3 percent).

    Auburn's Ben Tate has had a solid senior season at tailback. Tate ranks third in the SEC and 19th nationally averaging 109.9 yards per game. With 1,209 yards rushing, Tate has posted the 18th 1,000-yard rushing season in Auburn history, and ranks ninth on the school's single-season rushing list. He also has six 100-yard rushing games this season.

    Senior quarterback Chris Todd has thrown 19 touchdown passes, which is just one shy of the school single-season record shared by Jason Campbell (2004) and Pat Sullivan (1971). Auburn's top receivers are Darvin Adams, who leads the team in catches (44), receiving yards (717) and touchdown receptions (nine), and Terrell Zachery, who has 23 catches for 468 yards (20.3 ypc) and five touchdowns.

    On defense, senior DE Antonio Coleman leads the SEC with 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He ranks third in Auburn history with 22.0 career sacks, which is one ahead of his defensive line coach, Tracy Rocker.

    Senior defensive back Walter McFadden leads the team with four interceptions which is tied for fourth most in the SEC, and his 11 passes defended (four interceptions, seven pass break-ups) is tied for sixth best.

    Linebacker Josh Bynes leads the team and is tied for seventh in the SEC with 84 tackles, while Craig Stevens is 11th with 83.

    Auburn's defense allows 169 yards rushing per game, which ranks 88 out of 104 nationally. The Tigers fair much better on pass defense by allowing just 111 yards per game passing, which ranks 26 out of 104 nationally.

    Junior Wes Byrum has connected on 14-of-15 field goals and all 46 extra point attempts. Byrum has scored 88 points this season, which is seventh best in school history and just 14 shy of the school single-season record, and just six points shy of the most points ever scored by an Auburn kicker in a single season.

    Alabama leads the all-time series 39-33-1. The team leading at halftime has won 74.0 percent of the time (54-of-73). There have been 23 shutouts in the rivalry, with the Tigers winning eight. Seventeen of the last 21 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less. The visiting team has won five of the last 10 games after the home team had won the previous seven.

    Prediction: Alabama 34-17.

    Clemson at South Carolina, 11 a.m CT ESPN

    Prediction: Clemson 24-16.

    Ole Miss at Mississippi State, 11:21 a.m. CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-17.

    Florida State at Florida, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 47-20.

    Tennessee at Kentucky, 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Kentucky 21-17.

    Arkansas at LSU, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Prediction: LSU 26-21.

    Georgia at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m. CT, ABC

    Prediction: Tech 34-20.

    Aging Process Improves Ability To See Big Picture

    New research shows that the aging process actually improves certain abilities. Elderly people appear to be better and faster at grasping the big picture than people in their early twenties.

    Patrick J. Bennett, a psychology researcher at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, used eight younger volunteers (averaging 23 years old) and eight elderly people (averaging 68 years old) in the study. In a series of computer-generated images, the appearance of a set of bars changed while volunteers watched. The bars first appeared small, then larger, low-contrast (light gray vs. dark gray), and high-contrast (black vs. white).

    Each volunteer was asked to determine the direction in which the bars moved. Researchers monitored the time it took for them to decide.

    Younger volunteers took less time when the bars were small, or when the bars were low in contrast (light gray vs. dark gray). Elderly volunteers did better when the bars were large, and high in contrast (black vs. white).

    "The results are exciting not only because they show an odd case in which older people have better vision than younger people, but also because it may tell us something about how aging affects the way signals are processed in the brain," says Bennett.

    The study indicates that, as we age, the ability of one brain cell to inhibit another is reduced. That sort of inhibition helps young people find an object hidden among clutter. But, it can also make it hard to tune into the clutter itself.

    When the young brain sees big, high-contrast objects (the bars), it effectively tunes out the rest of the picture. It does so through nerve pathways that help inhibit other signals. But older brains do not inhibit information in the same way. Therefore, the older brain requires less time to discriminate motion patterns and actually performs the task better.

    "As we get older, it becomes harder to concentrate on one thing and ignore everything else," says Bennett. "It takes more effort to tune out distractions. We've seen it in [brain function] and speech studies, and now we see it in vision."

    Although it's not clear if those factors are all linked, performance changes in elderly people may be due to brain cells' ability to affect other brain cells. Some brain cells enhance brain signals while others inhibit them.

    Alabama Ranks High for Unhealthy Habits

    According to a recent report, many Alabamians tend to be obese, have high blood pressure, smoke, and are diabetics. If this trend continues, it will put a strain on the health care system and cause prices for health care to skyrocket.

    The state ranks above the national average in percentages of people who smoke, are obese, have high blood pressure, have coronary heart disease and have diabetes. Lee County tops the list for having the highest percentage of adult smokers in the state.

    The state Department of Public Health projects that, unless trends change by 2020, Alabama will have:
    113,902 more adult smokers.
    172,113 more obese adults.
    327,236 more adults with high blood pressure.
    107,987 more adult diabetics.

    Those numbers are alarming and State Health Officer Don Williamson called on Alabama residents to make lifestyle changes for the sake of their own health. Even small ones can help, he said.

    "Our mission is not to get everybody running marathons. Our mission is to get everybody doing something. By adopting healthier lifestyles and managing existing conditions better, it is possible to improve the overall health of Alabama's citizens," Williamson said.

    According to 2001 and 2002 surveys of health habits and risk factors among Alabama adults: 62.7 percent were overweight or obese, 78.9 percent did not eat the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables to minimize cancer risk; 24.4 percent smoked; 27.3 percent were inactive; and 32.9 percent had high cholesterol.

    Alabama's poverty-stricken Black Belt counties largely occupied the top spots because minority populations are at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

    Jefferson County tied for seventh on the list. Williamson said that was likely because of racial disparities and because the availability of health care meant cancers and other diseases were more likely to be detected.

    Access Auburn's Top 10 Stories of 2009

    Looking back on 2009, it was difficult selecting the top stories of the year. There was a lot going on in the Loveliest Village this year. We picked our top ten. Did we miss any?

    Top Ten Stories for 2009
     1. Progress
     2. The Economy
     3. Top Town
     4. Chizik Era
     5. AHS Sports
     6. Trustee Tumble
     7. Sticks
     8. Bo Knows
     9. Passings
    10. The Wettest Day
    1. The signs of progress were evident all over Auburn as the new Village dorms opened to the west of the AU campus and car dealerships abandoned South College Street locations for the (formerly) greener pastures of the West Pace Auto Mall off Shell Toomer Parkway. Progress was not without some detractors as Auburn University began to sell tailgate spots for the first time on the beautifully landscaped green area adjacent to the new student center.

    2. Again, the national economy had local impact as several area auto dealerships evaporated, banks changed hands overnight, the troubled PACT prepaid tuition program ran aground, and AU's funding shortfall led to fee hikes and belt tightening.

    3. The city of Auburn continued to receive accolades from major publications. Auburn was named one of the "Top 10 Places to Live" by U. S. News World Report and a top town to start a new business by Business Week

    4. The Gene Chizik era began in 2008 with his hiring, but its biggest impact was felt in 2009 with the assemblage of a first-class staff, the recruiting limos, the Big Cat Weekend, and a record-setting Gus Malzahn offense.

    5. Auburn High School Athletics, or the "House That Chuck Built" lost veteran Athletics Director Chuck Furlow to retirement, but didn't miss a beat as the the baseball team brought home a state championship and the football Tigers posted back-to-back perfect regular season marks.

    6. The AU Trustees made news as Earlon McWhorter retired and was replaced by Raymond J. Harbert. The biggest story involving an AU trustee was the fall of controversial trustee and now former banker Bobby Lowder, who watched from the sidelines as the Colonial empire he had built fell to rubble.

    7. We had our doubts, but the country music Sticks festival turned out to be a real hoot! Here's hoping this becomes an Auburn tradition.

    8. Bo knows the value of a college education and he shared his knowledge with graduating students and their families as Auburn Heisman Trophy winner turned business executive, Bo Jackson returned to the Plains to make a commencement address.

    9. The Auburn Family was saddened by a number of passings, notably, former baseball coach Paul Nix, swim coach Richard Quick, and local radio personality and sports columnist John Thrower.

    10. And the rains came. 2009 may go down in the record book as one of the wettest in Auburn history, but the wettest day of the year may have been September 19 when the Auburn-West Virginia kickoff was delayed by torrential rain and thunderstorms.

    Outback Bowl 2010

    We ushered in 2010 on the fifth floor of a parking deck overlooking Tampa Bay with a cheap bottle of champagne, five plastic cups, a toast to good friends, and big smiles. And the smiles are even bigger today on the Plains.

    Tampa's 15-minute fireworks extravaganza paled in comparison to the midday fireworks at Raymond James Stadium on New Year's Day where Auburn mounted an overtime goal line stand to outlast Northwestern, 38-35.

    Before the game, as we pulled into the stadium parking lot behind the team buses, we could see and hear the huge Auburn crowd at Tiger Walk for the 2010 Outback Bowl. We put on what rain gear we had as a light mist was starting to fall as we prepared to enter the stadium, still nearly two hours until kick-off. When it began to rain more steadily we jumped back into the vehicle to stay dry. We were foolish when we were young.

    Staying dry would not happen this sixth rainy day game of the season for the Tigers. War Duck! Line after line of gusty squalls passed through most of the morning until early in the third quarter when the rain ended, the sun briefly put in an appearance, the temperature dropped, and the wind began to blow the flags out stiffly above and beyond the pirate ship in the end zone at the home of the Tampa Bucs. (I managed to stay relatively dry until shortly before half time when a brief torrent sent a flood of cold rain down my neck.)

    The pace of the game was relentless. Both teams raced to the line of scrimmage, running play after play in the four-hour marathon/sprint. Auburn never trailed, but Northwestern never quit.

    The numbers are astounding: Over 200 snaps, more than 100 passes, more than 1,000 yards of offense, 78 points, 15 penalties, 10 turnovers, and eight times the referee announced, "The previous play is under review..." Returning to Auburn shortly before 11 p.m., I could not keep from watching the recording of the game I had just attended, staying up until 4 a.m. watching the craziest #$%&@ game I had ever seen. (After further review, the referees did not do an especially bad job. They missed a few crucial calls, but generally kept up with the pace of the game, and had the right call most of the time.)

    If Gene Chizik's career at Auburn turns out to be successful, the seniors who played their last game in an Auburn uniform on Friday can feel like they gave the effort to build a foundation of something special. Ben Tate wrote his name amongst Auburn's greatest running backs, Chris Todd was our choice for Auburn comeback player of the decade, and Walter McFadden and Antonio Coleman turned in big plays all day to slow down the Wildcat aerial attack. All have set Auburn records.

    But it was the underclassmen that were the backbone of this team this day--Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens playing a combined 230 snaps at linebacker; the junior laden offensive line that finally played an entire game without a false start; big play freshmen Daren Bates, T'Sharvan Bell and Onterio MacCalebb; and in the end, sophomore Neiko Thorpe, who stood between the goal line and Northwestern's Zeke Markshausen.

    The Auburn Family is all smiles today with the New Year's eve news that super prospect Cam Newton will start classes at Auburn January 11 and the overtime win in Tampa.

    It's great to be an Auburn Tiger.

    Happy New Year, Auburn Family.

    Second-Hand Smoke May Cause Diabetes

    People who are exposed to second-hand smoke may be at risk for developing diabetes according to a study by researchers from Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Alabama.

    The long-term study of 4,572 American men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 found their incidence of glucose intolerance a precursor to diabetes in which the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar was directly related to exposure to tobacco smoke.

    After 15 years of follow-up, the researchers found smokers had the highest risk of glucose intolerance, with 22 percent of them developing the condition. But, 17 percent of those who never smoked were exposed to second-hand smoke developed the condition, a rate higher than the 14 percent found in smokers who gave up the habit. Only 12 percent of people who never smoked developed glucose intolerance.

    Thomas Houston, the lead author of the study said exposure to second-hand smoke was measured in two ways. One was self-reports of being around second-hand smoke. The second was measurements of blood levels of cotinine, a breakdown product of nicotine.

    Earlier studies have shown a link between passive smoking with breathing problems and lung cancer. The researchers also note that those who are exposed to second-hand smoke are exposed to many toxins, as second-hand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancers.

    Many experts say the research presents yet another reason for banning smoking in public places, and the risk of blindness, heart disease and amputation that can be caused by Type 2 diabetes should be enough to dissuade people from smoking.

    In the United States, 20.8 million people suffer from diabetes. Worldwide, about 171 million have the condition. Those numbers are expected to rise in the future due to obesity and inactive lifestyle.

    Hundreds of Channels and Nothing To Watch

    Cable TV subscribers are tired of having to pay for channels that they never watch. Subscribers want to be able to order channels individually, but cable operators say that would raise consumer prices.

    Today's programming tiers force subscribers to pay for channels they rarely watch and have helped drive up cable prices 56 percent since 1996, or three times the inflation rate, Consumers Union says. The top 10 cable networks account for 50 percent of viewing and the top 20 for 75 percent, according to Nielsen ratings.

    And since viewers in the typical household just watch 17 channels, "Consumers are forced to buy a lot of channels they don't watch in order to get the ones they do want," the group says. "Consumers who want choice and value are stuck."

    Cable firms said that a mandate that subscribers be able to order channels individually, instead of in the bundles that operators offer now, would doom many networks and raise prices.

    The National Cable & Telecommunications Association made some of the most dire predictions, citing a study it commissioned from Booz Allen Hamilton. The report says that operators would have to spend up to $34 billion for additional digital set-top boxes to enable a la carte pricing, which would raise consumer prices by about $12 a month. Operators also would have to pay more to install and maintain the extra gear even as they make less on local ad sales.

    Cable operators and programmers add that "a la carte" would sharply cut the audience for many networks.

    Viacom, citing a report from Economists Inc., says the average monthly price a channel would have to charge cable operators could grow to $3.39 per subscriber from 38 cents. The result, it says, is that consumers could end up paying the same $40 per month they now pay for dozens of channels to get just five expanded basic channels along with basic service.

    But Consumers Union says programmers are exaggerating the effects of "a la carte," especially since expanded-basic packages would still be offered, too.

    Lawmakers are considering proposals to expand consumer choice in cable TV, such as "a la carte" channel choices or smaller groupings of channels with similar programming, known as "themed tiers."

    Health Care Reform

    I have watched with fascination as Health Care Reform dies not from one swift blow but by the wounds of a hundred pricks. It never was about health care, but more about health insurance.

    Last summer, I buried a friend. Life was not always kind to John. Along the way he made some bad decisions and had some bad luck and lost his marriage, his home, his job, and his health insurance. Multiple serious medical problems over the past few years doubtless had put him deep in debt and he wasn't able to keep up payments on the house he had inherited from his mother and where he lived and where he died too soon.

    I have wondered if he spent his final hours trying to decide if he should return once again to the emergency room and more medical bills, or if he hoped that it would all go away.

    Some say our medical system is not broken, but it is a fact that too many people die too soon everyday because they don't have health insurance. And almost a million working families who have insurance go bankrupt every year because of medical bills that exceed policy limits. 47 million Americans go to bed every night with no insurance. Doctors fear their patients and their lawyers as malpractice suits drive liability insurance costs higher and higher.

    Too much attention has been paid to health insurance reform and not enough to truly reforming health care. To reform health care we must reduce the cost of delivering medical services to patients, save lives with timely and cost-effective treatment, and make sure that everyone has access to needed medical care at an affordable cost.

    The main problem with expanding care to all is that it cannot be done. Not the way we do medicine today. It cannot be done. There are simply not enough primary care providers to see 47 million new patients. It would take an army of doctors, nurses and technicians to treat all the new patients.

    To address this problem, we must fundamentally restructure our medical delivery systems.

    We can do this by creating an United States Medical Service Corps reporting to the Surgeon General to recruit and train the hundreds of thousands of young and old American men and women to become an army of medical paraprofessionals, supervised by doctors and ready to respond to health emergencies and disasters, provide logistics and support to state and local agencies; and operate neighborhood clinics, health fairs, and offer free and low cost screenings and vaccinations at shopping malls, ball parks and other public locations.

    We can do this if medical schools will give admissions preference to students who enlist for 24 months service in the U.S. Medical Service Corps between high school and medical school.

    We can do this if we pay off medical school loans for new doctors who volunteer for two years active duty or eight years as a reserve officer in the U.S. Medical Service Corps.

    We can do this by providing block grants to state and local government to expand the hiring and training of more paramedics to become first line responders to a variety of minor ailments and illnesses, and make house calls when you are sick, and take the hospital to the home in distinctive, energy-efficient vehicles that will provide jobs to American auto workers and the thousands of others in supporting industries, and remove the U.S. Government from the automobile manufacturing business for good.

    We can do this by providing contracts and grants to build our nation's telemedicine infrastructure so that paramedics in the field can have access to available doctors and specialists in diagnostic centers and teaching hospitals thousands of miles away.

    We can do this by requiring computer manufacturers to sell as standard equipment with each new home computer, an inexpensive medical sensor pack to provide vital health information over the internet to allow paramedics to remotely monitor ailing patients and to provide U.S. citizens free online checkups.

    We can do this by eliminating medical bankruptcies on day one by refinancing all medical debt at a guaranteed 6% interest rate and deferring payments without penalty when you don't make enough to meet the full minimum payment.

    We can do this by guaranteeing credit for medical treatment to all based on medical necessity, not on ability to repay right away. Doctors and hospitals get their money and patients get treatment with payment schedules adjusted for their ability to repay.

    We can do this by chartering a United States Medical Trust to finance America's medical debt through the sale of $100 denominated 5% tax free bonds to federal credit unions. Account holders on special lifetime medical bond accounts are guaranteed credit at participating doctors and hospitals for expenses and co-pays not covered by insurance for medically necessary procedures. Up to 15% of income may be deposited tax-free in medical bond accounts.

    We can do this if all employers providing insurance will offer employees choice in the purchase of health insurance. Interstate sales would be permitted but must meet tough standards federal standards on coverage; prohibiting rate discrimination, discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, or policy rescissions. States cannot regulate interstate sales but can require employers to offer coverage from instate service providers.

    We can do this by changing the reimbursement structure to pay doctors and hospitals for patients treated and the level of care required, not the tests and procedures performed and the equipment used.

    We can do this by providing tax credits for hospitals to purchase medical testing equipment based on need, and not based on return on investment.

    We can do this by simply changing medical malpractice law to allow plaintiffs to sue only for economic damages and "pain and suffering." Juries could still award punitive damages, but monetary penalties would be paid into the U.S. Medical Trust, removing all incentives for profiteering law suits but protecting the rights of victims of dereliction and negligence.

    We can do this by creating a United States Medical Foundation to fund research into improving the delivery of medical services to patients, improve medical outcomes and expand the medical outreach to ensure that every American has access to the health care system.

    We can do this to save lives.

    We can do this.

    Layman Group Open House

    Come have some fun with us! We've got a beautiful new home, a wonderful team, and a smorgasbord of creative ideas we want to share with you! There will be food, drinks, wonderful music, and a few artistic surprises!

    Doc sent us this invitation to share with our readers:

    EVENT NAME:
    Layman Group Open House

    EVENT DATE:
    Friday, Jan 29th

    EVENT TIME:
    7PM-9PM

    EVENT VENUE:
    The Layman Group Main Space
    168 E Magnolia Ave (Downtown Auburn)
    Auburn, Alabama

    Cybercrimes Soar In 2008

    Internet-based crime increased by 33 percent in 2008, making it the biggest year ever for reported cybercrime incidents, according to an Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) annual report.

    The IC3 is a partnership between the FBI and the nonprofit National White Collar Crime Center. The organization collects and analyzes data about computer crime and then refers complaints to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The IC3's annual reports are a snapshot of the most common Internet crimes, where they occur, and who is victimized in these schemes.

    Of the 275,284 complaints received by the IC3 in 2008, approximately 73,000 were referred to U.S. law enforcement agencies for prosecution. The most common complaint of 2008 was non-delivery of promised merchandise, followed by online auction fraud, credit card fraud and investment scams.

    Specifically, cyberfraud that used auction sites such as eBay and other sites such as craigslist.com to scam users contributed to a 32 percent rise in non-delivery of promised merchandise from the previous year.

    Other types of fraud included online investment scams similar to the $65 billion Ponzi scheme committed by New York financier Bernard Madoff, which exploited new investors to fund existing investment endeavors.

    The report indicated that cybercriminals were increasingly relying on social networking sites as an attack vector to deliver spam and malicious information-stealing code.

    The report also highlighted a development in identity-theft schemes, in which cybercriminals sent e-mail messages that impersonated official FBI sites used to glean credit card numbers and bank information submitted by unsuspecting victims. The e-mail messages enticed users by maintaining federal officials needed bank account information to help with investigations of money that was illegally transferred to Nigeria, while promising they would receive a financial reward for participating.

    The report included a breakdown by percentages of the Internet scams that received the most complaints, and the average dollar loss per complaint:

    • Non-delivery of merchandise/payment: $800 (32.9%);

    • Auction fraud: $610 (25.5%);

    • Credit/debit card fraud: $223 (9%);

    • Confidence fraud: $2,000 (7.9%)

    • Computer fraud: $1,000 (6.2%)

    • Check fraud: $3,000 (5.4%)

    • Nigerian letter fraud: $1,650 (2.8%)

    Other highlights of the IC3's 2008 report reveal:

    • 77.4 percent of the perpetrators identified in the IC3's complaints were male. Half of those perpetrators lived in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and the District of Columbia. The report, however, also cited a case involving a Virginia woman, Rachel Trent, who duped many consumers on the eBay auction site. According to authorities, Trent advertised rare baseball and football cards on eBay. Once a consumer paid her for the cards, she sent them a worthless card or nothing at all. The Cyber Task Force arrested Trent, who is now serving four years in prison;

    • Worldwide, the perpetrators identified in the IC3's complaints lived in the U.S. (66.1%), the United Kingdom (10.5%), Nigeria (7.5%), and Canada (3.1%);

    • 55.4 percent of the consumers who filed complaints with the IC3 were men. Nearly half of them were 30-50 years old. One-third of those complainants lived in California, Florida, Texas, and New York.

    • 92.4 percent of the IC3's complaints came from the United States. The organization also received complaints from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and France;

    • Men lost more money in Internet crimes than women. The ratio is $1.69 lost per male to every $1.00 lost per female;

    • 74 percent of the fraudulent Internet contact came by e-mail; 28.9 percent came from Web sites.

    Study Finds Eating Breakfast Is Important

    Skipping breakfast has become common for adults in recent years. A study has found that those who do skip breakfast may experience weight gain and heart disease later in life.

    In a published report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examined 10 healthy women over the course of two weeks and found that those who didn't eat breakfast developed higher levels of the bad LDL cholesterol and were less sensitive to insulin than those women who ate breakfast.

    The women in the study ate a breakfast consisting of a bowl of Bran Flakes with 2% milk and a late morning Kit Kat bar snack for two weeks. Once that period was over, the cereal was then eaten at lunch time for another two weeks as the women skipped eating in the morning completely.

    The study found that when the women ate breakfast, they consumed roughly 100 fewer calories per day and had a better insulin response to eating, which suggested that their risk of diabetes was lower.

    Researchers also found that total and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the women who ate breakfast. Total cholesterol was 121 mg/dL in the breakfast group compared with 133 in the other group. LDL was 60 in the breakfast group and 70 in the nonbreakfast group.

    The women's body weight didn't change significantly between the two groups during these two-week periods, but researchers say the results offer a potential mechanism by which skipping breakfast could lead to weight gain in the longer term.

    In addition, the results show that the negative effects of skipping breakfast on cholesterol and insulin levels may also increase the women's risk of heart disease over time.

    Smoking Is Up Among Young Adults

    College is a time for having fun and being social. While students are out on the town, many pick up the nasty habit of smoking. The smoking rate among young adults is increasing by alarming numbers.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, adults ages 18-24 have the highest smoking rates and the largest increases in smoking rates of any other age group. As for the state of Alabama, the rate of smoking in adults 18-34, the closest comparable demographic recorded by the state health department, is 29 percent.

    Health officials report that cigarette smoking is by far the most important risk factor in the development of lung cancer as well as the single most preventable cause of death. Cigarette smoking alone causes about 30 percent of cancer deaths and 440,000 premature deaths each year. Smoking also contributes to heart disease, stroke and other chronic obstructive lung diseases.

    Alabama is one of 46 states that receives annual payments from the top five tobacco companies as a result of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, which was reached when states were trying to recover tobacco-related health care costs.

    After the Master Settlement Agreement ended the tobacco industry's ability to market directly to youth 17 and younger, tobacco companies started to target the legal age of young adults. The Federal Trade Commission reports that tobacco companies increased spending on marketing by more than 20 percent in the year after the Master Settlement Agreement. That included $335.7 million on promotional items such as T-shirts, sunglasses and caps and another $33.7 million on free cigarette samples.

    Also under the Master Settlement Agreement, manufacturers are restricted to conducting marketing events in adults-only facilities. And while bars ensure that environment, they also are a prime location to capitalize on the connection between tobacco and alcohol.

    Duke University researchers found that when a smoker drinks even a tiny amount of alcohol, the pleasure of cigarettes is amplified. Alcohol may prime the brain to be more receptive to the effects of nicotine. They also found that the stimulants in nicotine may offset some of the sedative effects of alcohol.

    While drinking is a popular excuse given by young adults for smoking, they also mention stress, peer pressure and think they can quit before it affects their health in the future. They rarely blame their smoking habits on marketing by tobacco companies. Many young adults who participated in the survey were under the impression that it's illegal to advertise tobacco at all.

    Lawn Mowers Cause Thousands Of Injuries Each Year

    A study in the online edition of the Annals of Emergency Medicine found that almost 80,000 Americans require hospital treatment for injuries caused by power lawn mowers each year.

    Lead study author Dr. David Bishai, an associate professor of population and family health sciences at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, collected data on lawn mower injuries from the National Hospital Discharge Survey from 1996 to 2003 and the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 1996 to 2004.

    Bishai found that more than 663,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for lawn mower injuries between 1996 and 2004. In 2004, more than 80,000 people were hospitalized for lawn mower injuries. The annual rate of lawn mower injuries is about half that of firearms, the researchers reported.

    The most common cause of injury was eye damage caused by rocks and branches thrown by a mower's blades. Of injuries that were so serious they needed hospitalization, the most common problem was fractures and lacerations of the foot or toes.

    The study also found that injuries from lawn mowers are increasing, with most occurring to children under 19 and adults over 60. It's not known precisely why these two groups were most at risk, but Bishai said older adults are more prone to backache type injuries and young teens may be too inexperienced to handle a mower safely.

    Here are some safety tips to prevent injuries to yourself and others while using a lawn mower:

    Before operating equipment, familiarize yourself with it and make sure it is in good working order.

    Heed the manufacturer's precautions.

    Use lawn mowers with guards and a cutoff switch. Never disconnect the cutoff switch.

    Exert extreme caution on slopes and never mow when the ground is damp.

    Do not allow other people, and particularly children, in the area when operating a lawn mower.

    Never allow children to ride on mowers.

    Never go barefoot while mowing.

    Wear protective eyewear (goggles), hand gear (gloves) and footwear (heavy rubber-soled boots; hiking shoes with double-wall leather and cleats are good; golf shoes are even better).

    Remove potential projectiles from the lawn.

    Fill the gas tank while the engine is off.

    When a lawn mower cuts off, be extra careful in removing any objects from the blade.

    Funeral for a Friend

    I went to a wake last night-- A fond farewell to an old friend. Like many of these events it got a little raucous as evening dribbled into night. Family shared stories; there was more laughter than tears.

    I had to blink fast a few times and cope with a basketball-sized lump in my throat at others when I realized that after all these years this would be the last time I would see her like this.

    The Grande Dame has been more stately than beautiful in her final days, but in her time was quite a player. In the 60's, she did "it" twice in one night with Mick Jagger. Five years later it was Elvis Presley-- The King-- that she had a "date" with.

    Of course, that was no lady. That was Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.

    And, oh, by the way, there was a basketball game. Auburn beat division-leading Mississippi State, 89-80. On Senior Night Auburn's four senior scorers combined for 73 points.

    Throw in a nicely put together video highlight reel and men who will always hear the echoes of the Beard-Eaves for the last time cutting down the nets, and you have a fine send off.

    This isn't the end for Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum, though. The building can expect an extended life as educational funding woes will likely prevent Auburn University from demolishing the structure to build something else for several years. In the meantime, Beard-Eaves will continue to host functions such as this spring's Will Graham ministries, commencement exercises, and dozens of offices and classrooms.

    But the glory days have passed-- the big concerts, championships, celebrations and, yes, a few tears-- and last night was a fitting final hurrah for the grand lady and her family.

    Auburn Baseball Looking Up

    The Tigers and Coach John Pawlowski, who have struggled in recent years, are rolling in 2010. Heading into this week's games, Auburn is 9-2 and appear to have a no quitting attitude.

    Auburn has six starters back on the field from 2009. Coming off a season in which Auburn hit a school-record 102 homeruns, theyre looking to continue hitting well in 2010. Brian Fletcher and Trent Mummey, who are entering their third season as starters, are especially looking for big offensive numbers, since they were two of the teams leaders in hitting last year. However, Mummey suffered a severe sprain of his right ankle two weeks before the season and has not returned. Hopes are that Mummey returns by SEC play, which starts on March 19.

    With Mummey missing action, the Tigers have been hitting well for average. Seven of the eight Tigers, who have played in all eight games, are hitting at least .300. The long ball has definitely been missed though. Auburn only has five homeruns on the year, Fletcher hitting four of those. Another three year starter, Hunter Morris, was named a preseason First Team All-American by Baseball America. Although Morris is hitting .350, he has yet to hit a homerun, something hes been known to do often.

    Pitching was Auburns true weakness last year. Entering 2010, two of Auburns weekend pitchers, Jon Luke Jacobs and Grant Dayton, are returning starters. However, so far this year junior college transfer Cole Nelson has been the star. Nelson is 2-0 with a .073 ERA in 12.1 innings, striking out 15. The bullpen has returning players such as closer Austin Hubbard and relievers Sean Ray, Michael Hurst, Bradley Hendrix, and Cory Luckie, who missed 2009 with an injury.

    Auburn has several familiar faces on the team to the local crowd. Pitcher Zach Blatt graduated from Opelika High School and is entering his second season for Auburn. Replacing Mummey in centerfield is Auburn High School alum Creede Simpson, who transferred home after one season at Northwest Florida State College. The two high school rivals both play regularly as teammates.

    Auburn began the year on the wrong foot as five errors were committed on Opening Day, resulting in an Auburn loss. Since then, the Tigers have been on the ball. After winning the final two games of the opening series against Southeast Missouri State, Auburn held the first Auburn Baseball Tournament, hosting Boston College, Missouri, and Florida Atlantic. Brian Fletcher played an incredible tournament and after the five games (also two vs. Davidson) that week hit for .636 average, 3 homers, and a 1.545 slugging percentage. This performance earned him NCBWA National Hitter of the Week and CollegeBaseballInsider.com Southeast Region Hitter of the Week.

    The Saturday game against Missouri was the highlight of the weekend. The Tigers didnt prevail, but the loss was overshadowed by a memory-filled day for Auburn baseball. Auburn created the Wall of Fame on Plainsman Parks newly padded wall. Former coach Hal Baird introduced Gregg Olsen, Frank Thomas, Tim Hudson, and Bo Jackson as the four former Tigers that now forever have their legacy on the wall.

    Tim Hudson, a member of the Atlanta Braves, played as a pitcher and outfielder for Auburn in 1996-1997. Baird referred to the Phenix City native as one of the greatest two position athletes hes ever seen. Hudson was named the Rotary Smith Award winner in 1997, making him the player of the year. He was a sixth round pick to Oakland in 1997.

    Gregg Olsen was a Tiger from 1986-1988. Olsen is the only Tiger to ever be named an All-American twice. He had an outstanding 1987 season, going 11-1 with 10 saves and a nation leading 1.26 ERA. The seasons performance got Olsen an invitation to play for the USA National Team later that year. Olsen was drafted fourth in the 1989 draft and later won the 1989 American League Rookie of the Year as a pitcher for the Orioles.

    Frank Thomas, also commonly known as The Big Hurt, was a part of Auburns baseball team 1987-1989. Thomas recently retired after 19 years in Major League Baseball. As a Tiger, Thomas wrote his name all over the record books. He finished his career with a .382 batting average (second all-time), a .722 slugging percentage (a school record), and 49 homeruns (third in school history).

    Bo Jackson is undoubtedly the most famous Auburn athlete of all-time. Jackson won the 1985 Heisman Trophy and stunned people with his football abilities. He also played baseball in 1983, 1985, and 1986. In 1985, Jackson hit .401, 17 homeruns, and 43 RBIs, earning him a selection on the ABCA All-South Region Team. Jackson went on to be a fourth round pick to the Royals, and in 1989 was selected as an All-Star and ended up being the MVP of the game.

    Although Auburn has had outstanding players in the past, we must all come back to reality. Auburn has not had much success recently. The Tigers have struggled since Hal Baird retired in 2000. Auburn has had three coaches in the last decade, Steve Renfroe, Tom Slater and John Pawlowski. Auburn hasnt made the SEC Tournament, which the top eight SEC teams make each May, since 2003. However, on the bright side, the Tigers have made the NCAA Tournament once since 03. Auburn has been picked to finish fifth in the SEC West in all three major publications in 2010. If that prediction comes true, Auburn wont make the tournament again. Although Mummey is still on crutches, the Tigers have been offensively productive, and with only a little time before SEC play starts, Pawlowski probably feels optimistic about his teams chance of getting back to Hoover.

    Tigers Fall Short in SEC Home Opening Series

    A week after Auburn swept Georgia to open SEC play, the Tigers welcomed No. 14 South Carolina to Plainsman Park. USC entered the series 17-4 (3-0) on an 11-game winning streak, AU was 16-5 (3-0) riding a seven-game winning streak.

    Last Monday, Hunter Morris was named the SEC Player of the Week, only to be named the NCBWA National Hitter of the Week the next day. Morris hit .625, with a double, four homeruns, and 14 RBIs against Georgia.

    After the trip to Athens, Auburn beat Samford at Regions Park last Tuesday and No. 16 Alabama in the Capitol City Classic last Wednesday before the series with South Carolina.

    The Gamecocks opened the series Friday night with hot bats. Twelve hits, along with the Tigers three errors, allowed South Carolina to breeze to an 11-5 win. Cory Luckie started for Auburn and got into trouble early. After two hits to start the game, clean-up hitter Parker Bangs took Luckie deep over the left field wall. Auburn answered in the bottom of the first with a perfect bunt by leadoff hitter Justin Fradejas. Center fielder Creede Simpson followed up Fradejas bunt with his second homerun on the year.

    Scott Wingo extended South Carolinas 3-2 lead with a leadoff homerun in the top of the second. Things only got worse for Luckie from there. After several more hits for the Gamecocks, leftfielder Adam Matthews hit a three run homerun, making the score 8-2. Dan Gamache and Wes Gilmer led off the bottom of the second with walks for the Tigers. Ryan Jenkins scored Gamache and Simpson scored Gilmer.

    Luckie was taken out after 1 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits, eight earned runs, two walks, and striking out two. South Carolina added a run in the sixth, seventh, and eighth, with two unearned.

    Jon Luke Jacobs took over for the Tigers and pitched well. He threw 5 1/3, allowing five hits, three runs, only one earned, three walks, and two strikeouts. Stephen Kohlscheen threw the eighth and ninth for Auburn, and didn't allow any hits, runs, or walks, while striking out one Gamecock. Simpson had a remarkable night at the plate for the Tigers, going 2 for 5 with three RBIs and a homerun.

    South Carolinas starting pitcher, Blake Cooper, had a strong outing that was overshadowed by strong hitting. Cooper threw seven innings, allowing eight hits, four earned runs, four walks, and striking out five. Jay Brown and Ethan Carter completed the last two innings for the Gamecocks, giving up two hits, one earned run, one walk, and four strikeouts.

    Saturday, however, was a different game. The wind that was blowing out Friday turned the opposite direction which resulted in a pitching duel. Cole Nelson got the start for Auburn and threw a gem. He was perfect through three innings before giving up his first hit in the top of the fourth. Although Nelson pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, one earned run and striking out a batter, the Tigers' offense couldnt capitalize when needed, as South Carolina won the game 2-0.

    The hitting action was limited until the top of the eighth inning. South Carolina's Adam Matthews squared around to bunt and while attempting the bunt, was hit by the pitch. The umpire gave Matthews first base and the crowd erupted with signs of disapproval. After Coach Pawlowski argued the call, the game continued. Two batters later, Bobby Haney singled down the left field line putting runners on first and second. The next batter, Wingo, hit a laser to center field that Simpson misjudged. Simpson, along with a strong throw home by shortstop Casey McElroy, was able to get Haney out at the plate.

    In the top of the ninth, Bradley, Jr. led off the inning with a walk against Austin Hubbard. After a fielders choice, Brady Thomas was on first. Thomas attempted to steal second and ended up at third, after Jenkins throw sailed into center. Kyle Enders then hit a soft bloop to right field, causing Thomas to score the unearned run.

    Auburn struggled in every stage of the game except for pitching. The Tigers had 11 hits and 0 runs, which is unbelievable. Auburn left 12 runners stranded, which is the difference between a win and a loss. Justin Hargett had a big day at the plate, going 3-4, as did Morris, going 3-5. Sam Dyson got the win for South Carolina, pitching seven innings, allowing 10 hits and striking out nine.

    Sunday, the Tigers took control early and led all nine innings, avoiding the sweep with a 10-6 win. Auburns offense got going early as the Tigers scored three in the first. Fradejas led off the inning with a bunt single. After Caldwells sacrifice bunt and Morris getting hit by a pitch, Fletcher, Simpson, and Justin all singled.

    In the bottom of the second, Jenkins leadoff walk caused South Carolinas starter Tyler Webb to be pulled from the game. After a passed ball and two ground outs in the infield, Jenkins scored, making it Auburn 4, South Carolina 0.

    In the top of the third, South Carolinas bats came to life. With one out, Wingo hit an infield single, then Merrifield singled to left. Bradley, Jr. came up to the plate with two outs and singled to center, scoring Wingo. Bangs followed with a double off the left field wall, scoring Merrifield and Bradley.

    In the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers began to pull away. Hargett led off the inning with a single. Following a Fradejas walk, Caldwell reached on a fielding error. Morris strikeout gave the Tigers two outs in the inning. Fletcher was the next batter. Fletcher struck out twice with the bases loaded Saturday. Fletcher worked into a full count before walking, scoring Hargett. Simpson followed up by singling to left, scoring Fradejas and Caldwell.

    As the bottom of the sixth concluded, the Tigers extended the lead once again. Caldwell led off the inning with a double. After Morris and Fletcher struck out, Simpson walked and McElroy was hit by a pitch. Justin Bryant stepped into the batters box with the bases loaded and two outs. He was walked on five pitches, causing another Auburn run and another pitching change for the Gamecocks. After the change, Hargett singled to left, scoring two more runs.

    South Carolina scored three runs late, but couldnt take the game away from the Tigers. Grant Dayton threw 7 1/3 allowing nine hits and five earned runs, while having two strikeouts. On the weekend, Dayton was the only Auburn pitcher to earn a win, improving to 3-1. Nelson and Luckie are no longer perfect, as Nelson fell to 4-1 and Luckie to 1-1.

    This weekend, the Tigers head to Tuscaloosa to play arch-rival No. 16 Alabama, who was swept by No. 15 Arkansas.

    LSU Pitcher Looks to Repeat Against Auburn in 2010

    Defending College World Series Champion LSU visits Plainsman Park this weekend with its star pitcher Anthony Ranaudo back on the mound Friday night.

    Ranaudo, a junior from Jackson, New Jersey, is one of the best pitchers in the country. In 2009, Ranuado finished the year with a 3.04 ERA in 19 games, earning a 12-3 record. He pitched 124 1/3 innings allowing 93 hits, 42 earned runs, 50 walks, while sitting down 159 batters.

    After his outstanding year in 2009, Ranaudo was named a NCBWA Third-Team All-American, Second-Team All-SEC, a member of the 2009 College World Series All-Tournament Team, 2009 NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player, a member of the 2009 NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team, Collegiate Baseball National Pitcher of the Week (April 27, 2009), a member of the ABCA All-South Region First Team, and a member of the 2009 First-Team All-Louisiana.

    He was drafted in the 11th round by the Texas Rangers in 2007 out of high school, but opted to play collegiate baseball instead. However, this year Ranaudo has suffered from a stress reaction in his throwing elbow, causing him to miss four straight starts.

    This past Friday, he returned to the mound against Georgia. He earned a no decision, throwing three innings, striking out four, and allowing a run. He threw 55 total pitches.

    Last year against Auburn, Ranaudo had a career-high 15 strikeouts. Will Auburn be able to take advantage of Ranaudo when he's coming off of an injury?

    LSU is 25-4 (7-2 SEC) and ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation. Auburn is 20-10 (5-4 SEC).

    Friday's game is set for 7 pm and can be seen on CSS. Cory Luckie gets the start for Auburn.

    Help Auburn Student Raise Money For Cancer

    An Auburn student who is deployed on a peace keeping mission with his reserve unit to Kosovo is asking for your support as he makes a 25 km road march in honor of football signee Shon Coleman and others who suffer from Leukemia.

    During the march, the student will fly the Auburn flag and will also be wearing a patch with a design pictured on the website below for Coleman and others who suffer from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. You can make a donation for each kilometer in the road march.

    Please visit St. Jude website for more information about the march and to view the patch that will be worn.

    Also, Tigers X has made a T-shirt with the patch on it that can purchased for $10. All proceeds will go to the St. Jude Tribute. Visit Tigers X to purchase the shirt.

    Auburn Takes Series Over LSU

    Auburn hosted the defending national champion LSU Tigers this past weekend. LSU came to the Plains with a seven SEC series streak on the line, with AU being the last time to beat them, back in 2007. AU had not beaten LSU in a home series since 1998.

    LSU decided to get the fireworks started earlier than the Plainsman Park crew planned Friday night, as they went onto a 14-10 victory. LSU wasted little time getting to Auburn starter Cole Nelson. Nelson gave up seven hits, six earned runs, and walked one before Coach Pawlowski pulled him from the game. The junior did not record an out. Slade Smith relieved Nelson for seven strong innings allowing six hits, four earned runs, and striking out three.

    Anthony Ranaudo, LSUs starter, had another limited start. He threw five innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs, and sent three batters walking back to the bench.

    Auburn responded to LSUs six run first inning with three hits and two runs of their own. As the Auburn bats cooled off, scoring one run over the next six innings, LSU tagged Smith with five, making the score 11-3 entering the eighth. In the eighth, LSU greeted new pitcher Stephen Kohlscheen with four hits, which resulted in three runs.

    Now down by eleven runs, Auburns hopes were looking dim. However, in the bottom of the eighth Auburn rallied with five runs that were highlighted with a grand slam hit by Trent Mummey, who had hit two homeruns in his first three games back from injury. Down 14-9 in the ninth, Auburn gave one last effort, scoring one run, before LSU put the game in the books.

    Saturday, Auburn continued hitting the same way as it did late Friday night, cruising to an 11-7 win. Auburn got on the board early, scoring four runs in the first. Jon Luke Jacobs got the start for Auburn but did not return to the mound in the second. Instead, lefty Sean Ray took the hill. Pawlowski later said he planned to thrown Jacobs only during the first inning. Ray threw 4 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs, while striking out two. As Ray limited the Bayou Bengals offense, the Auburn Tigers bats stayed hot.

    In the bottom of the fourth inning, Wes Gilmer led off the inning with a walk. Two batters later, Trent Mummey blasted a ball over the fence, making the score 6-1. Auburn scored three more in the bottom of the sixth inning, extending the lead to 9-2. However, things got messy in the field in the later innings. LSU scored two in the top of the eighth, only for the Tigers to score two of their own in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a Hunter Morris triple. In the top half of the ninth, Auburn struggled to make easy plays, committing three errors, but was able to close the game with a win, after allowing three runs.

    Sunday, Auburn played several different roles, but headed to the locker room with a 6-5 win. Grant Dayton got the start on the mound for Auburn, but the win was earned by Austin Hubbard, who threw the final four innings, allowing only one hit and earned run.

    LSU got an early start, scoring three runs in the first. Auburn countered in the bottom of the second; scoring a run, off of two hits and a walk. Auburn scored three runs the next two innings, thanks to homeruns by Morris and Tony Caldwell. LSU scored one in the fifth, which is what pulled Dayton from the game. Bradley Hendrix got the call and got the third out before anymore runs scored. In the bottom of the sixth, Kevin Patterson hit a solo homerun, giving Auburn the lead 5-4.

    It became a pitchers duel leading up to the ninth. Hubbard was pitching perfect entering his fourth inning. Johnny Dishon led off for LSU and hit a shot over the left field wall, tying the score at five. Hubbard retired the next three batters, as Auburn looked to hit a game winner in the bottom half of the inning. Casey McElroy led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Patterson, then, singled up the middle, moving McElroy to third. LSU pulled their pitcher and put in Matty Ott to try to stop the walk-off.

    The next batter, quick Justin Fradejas, caused an interesting defensive scheme. LSU moved all of their infielders onto the grass and put Leon Landry, the centerfielder, on the grass in front of second base. Fradejas did exactly what LSU was hoping for, laying down a bunt. The bunt went to the first baseman quickly, as McElroy broke home full speed. The first baseman, Blake Dean, fired home a little high as McElroy slid under the tag head first, giving the Tigers the walk-off and series win.

    Auburn Squeezes Past Kentucky

    This past weekend, Auburn welcomed the Kentucky Wildcats to Plainsman Park. UK entered the series with a 22-15 (5-10) record, while AU was 25-13 (8-7).

    Friday night, Auburn ended a streak of losing four straight Friday games. Auburn pounded the Wildcat pitchers for 12 hits, giving the Tigers a 13-6 win. Auburn lefty Cory Luckie got the call for the start and had a decent outing. He threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs while striking out five, receiving the win. However, the highlight of the night was the Tigers hitting. Auburn scored in every inning except for the fifth and eighth.

    Auburn started early scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Kentucky DH Braden Kapteyn hit a two-run homerun in the second inning cutting the lead to one. However, Auburn scored four more runs before Kentucky got back on the board, which occurred in the top of the fifth.

    In the bottom of the eighth, with the score Auburn 9 Kentucky 5, the Tigers cushioned the lead for Austin Hubbard. Hunter Morris led off the inning with a pop out, which was followed by a Wildcat pitching change. The first pitch thrown to Tony Caldwell from the new pitcher went flying over the left field monster. Kevin Patterson then pinch-hit for Creede Simpson. He followed suit with Caldwell and went deep to center field. The next batter, Casey McElroy, attempted to hit a deep ball as well but ended up hitting a double off the right field wall. The Tigers managed to score four in the inning.

    Hubbard got the save throwing the last 3 1/3 innings, striking out three, while allowing three hits and surrendering two earned runs. Every Tiger got a hit Friday night, but Trent Mummey stole the show. Mummey went 3 for 5 with two RBIs, two runs, and a homerun.

    Saturdays game was postponed in the top of the first and was continued Sunday at 10:30. Cole Nelson struggled, leaving the bases loaded with only one out when the game was called due to severe weather conditions. Slade Smith finished out the first in replace of Nelson once the game resumed. Smith went on to pitch four innings, allowing three runs on seven hits as the Wildcats were too much late in the game for Auburn, winning 8-7.

    Smith threw just two pitches to get out of the base loaded first inning. However, the Wildcats left the bases loaded three more innings and left 19 runners stranded throughout the game. Kentucky struck first in the top of the second with a run. Auburn DH Kevin Patterson took it upon himself to tie up the score with a solo homerun. In the bottom of the second, Casey McElroy hit an RBI single giving Auburn the lead. Kentucky added on two runs in the top of the fourth only for Auburn to tie it up in the bottom half of the inning, 3-3, by a bases loaded walk to Justin Fradejas. The Tigers were unable to capitalize on the situation after a pitching change by Kentucky.

    Auburn appeared to be in control after two runs were added in the seventh inning making the score 7-5. Creede Simpson reached first on an error. Justin Hargett hit a ground rule double to right center, scoring Simpson. Then, Trent Mummey doubled, scoring Hargett. But in the top of the eighth, Kentucky's Gunner Glad led off with a homerun, cutting the lead down to one run. After an error at first and a few hits later, Kentucky had an 8-7 lead over the Tigers. In the bottom of the ninth, Auburn tried to come back but were unable to score, leaving runners on first and third. Austin Hubbard allowed one unearned run in 2/3 of an inning and received the loss.

    Thirty minutes after Auburn dropped game two, they began the seven inning rubber match with Kentucky. As in game two, Kentucky made several late attempts to win the game, but this time Auburn prevailed, winning 6-5. Grant Dayton took the hill for Auburn and threw 6 1/3 innings, striking out six, walking one, allowing five earned runs, and giving up five hits.

    Auburn took a commanding 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Hunter Morris led off the inning with a triple. Two hits and four batters later, Ryan Jenkins blasted a three-run homerun over the flags in left-center field. In the sixth inning, down by one, Kentucky scored three runs to tie the game at four. Chad Wright led off the inning with a single. Next, Gunner Glad was hit with a pitch. Lance Ray followed up with a three-run homerun of his own.

    With one out in the top of the seventh, Chris Bisson doubled down the line, pulling Dayton from the game. Sean Ray only faced Wright, who he hit, putting runners on first and second. Austin Hubbard, who received the win, entered the game for the next batter, Glad. Bisson and Wright successfully pulled off a double steal, putting runners on first and third. Glad then easily hit a sacrifice fly ball to score Bisson, giving Kentucky a 5-4 lead.

    In the bottom of the seventh, Jenkins led off with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Simpson. Hargett dropped a successful sacrifice bunt which was able to move Simpson to second. Fradejas then singled to right-center tying the game as Simpson crossed the plate. Using heads-up base running, Fradejas advanced to second during the throw home.

    After Trent Mummey popped out to third base and Kentucky changed pitchers, Brian Fletcher stepped into the box. He hit a slow dribbler to the shortstop and beat it out at first as Fradejas ended up at third. Hunter Morris down in the count 0-2 singled to right field causing Fradejas to score and Auburn to win in walk-off fashion.

    After winning the series, Auburn's record is 27-14 overall, and 10-8 in SEC play. Auburn has back-to-back home SEC series wins for the first time since the 2008 season.

    Amount Spent On Mom Tops Last Year

    Mother's Day is this Sunday. Even though the economy is still sputtering, it won't deter people from going out to pick up that perfect gift for mom. This year, the amount spent on gifts for mom will be slightly higher than last year.

    The National Retail Federation's 2010 Mothers Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, found the average person will spend $126.90 on Mothers Day gifts, compared to $123.89 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $14.6 billion.

    Nearly two-thirds (65.2%) will buy flowers, totaling $1.9 billion. An additional 51.8 percent will take mom to a brunch or dinner, spending $2.9 billion on moms favorite food. Jewelers will also see business this year with 26.2 percent planning on buying a special bracelet or earring set, totaling $2.5 billion. Others will buy clothing or clothing accessories ($1.3 billion), gift certificates ($1.5 billion), personal service such as a day at the spa ($933 million), consumer electronics ($906 million) and greeting cards ($671 million).

    Hallmark reports Mother's Day is the third largest card-sending holiday in the United States and predicts that industry wide, Americans will send more than 150 million Mother's Day cards this year. It's estimated 50 percent of U.S. households give Mother's Day greeting cards, the highest participation rate of all seasons.

    Of the 83.3 percent of Americans celebrating the holiday this year, most will focus on buying a gift for their mom or stepmom (62.6%) or wife (20.6%). Others will treat their daughter (9.4%), grandmother (7.9%), sister (7.6%), friend (6.8%) or godmother (1.7%) to something nice.

    Men will spend much more than women on Mothers Day, spending an average of $154.74, compared to women who will spend an average of $100.46. Adults 25-34 years old will spend the most with the average person expected to spend $156.84; young adults will spend only slightly less at $155.52 average per person.

    If you're having trouble figuring out a fresh, innovative gift idea perfect for your mom, consider a free online personal shopper. Smartmoney.com put several sites to the test and its favorites were Gifts.com and Yahoo Shopping. Both allow you to search based on your mom's personality and interests and by how much you want to spend.

    Auburn Sweeps Mississippi State

    The Auburn baseball team entered the weekend series against Mississippi State looking for its first SEC Tournament berth since 2003. Auburn welcomed the 20-25 (5-16) Bulldogs after upsetting No. 7 Arkansas on the road a week earlier.

    Auburn started scoring runs early Friday scoring six in the first, causing late rallies by MSU to come up short. Auburn won the game 9-6, winning just for the third time on Friday in SEC play. Cory Luckie received the win, throwing 5 1/3 innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, two walks and striking out four. Tyler Whitney got the loss and threw all eight innings for MSU, allowing 15 hits, nine earned runs, and striking out four.

    Auburns first eight batters of the game reached base. Justin Fradejas singled, extending his hitting streak to 27 games before Trent Mummeys bunt got Fradejas out at second. After Brian Fletcher singled, Hunter Morris was hit by a pitch, and Tony Caldwell singled, Casey McElroy hit a bomb that hit the scoreboard. Following a Ryan Jenkins double and Wes Gilmer single, with two outs, Fradejas delivered a single to left field, making the score 6-0.

    In the top of the sixth, the Bulldogs attempted to make a comeback down by seven. With the bases loaded and one out, Russ Snead singled to left, scoring one run. Sean Ray came in to relieve Luckie, but struggled against Jaron Sheppard. Sheppard doubled off the right field wall scoring two more runs before Bradley Hendrix came in and got the final two outs of the inning. Auburn responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth, with a single by Fradejas singled and a Fletcher double.

    MSU also tried to rally in the eighth, scoring three more runs, making the score 8-6. In the bottom half of the inning Fletcher led off with a hard hit ball to the wall in right center field. Fletcher tried to extend the hit to a triple but was called out on a very close play. Two pitches later, Morris sent a ball traveling out the visitors bullpen in right center. McElroy had an amazing game for the Tigers, going 3-for-4 with one run, three RBI, and his fourth homerun of the season.

    Saturday was a record setting game for Auburn. The Tigers hit a school record seven homeruns and came back from an early nine run deficit to win 16-14. Bradley Hendrix got the win, only pitching 1 1/3 innings, giving up one hit and one earned run. Austin Hubbard picked up his sixth save of the year throwing a perfect ninth inning.

    Slade Smith struggled to start the game for the Tigers. He was pulled in the second inning with no outs after allowing seven runs, six earned. After Zach Blatt gave up a two-run homer, Auburn entered the bottom of the second trailing 9-0. In the bottom of the second Ryan Jenkins helped Auburn inch closer by hitting a three-run homerun over the left field wall.

    However, MSU hit a solo homerun in the top of the fourth, which the Tigers made up for in the bottom half of the inning with three singles, scoring a run. In the fifth inning, Auburn made it a ballgame. With Trent Mummey on first, Brian Fletcher hit an unbelievably high ball that caught the wind and landed over the green monster in left. The next two batters, Hunter Morris and Kevin Patterson, followed suit, also hitting homeruns. After a fielding error allowed Casey McElroy to reach first, Dan Gamache hit a bomb over the centerfield wall. After five innings the score was 11-10 Miss State.

    Entering the bottom of the seventh, Auburn was down 13-10 and running out of time for a comeback. Patterson walked to lead off, which was followed by a homerun by McElroy. Gamache, the next hitter, tied the game with one swing of the bat, which was his second homerun of the game. Jenkins then singled. Justin Hargett ripped a doubled, moving Jenkins to third. However, Justin Fradejas, the next batter, hit a line drive straight to the short stop, who then stepped on second, getting the double play. After Mummy was hit by a pitch, Fletcher roped a double to left, scoring Jenkins and Mummey. Then Morris doubled, which scored Fletcher.

    Entering the top of the ninth inning Auburn had a 16-13 lead. With Hendrix still on the mound, the Bulldogs led off the inning with a single, with a wild pitch advancing the runner to second. Austin Hubbard entered the game after the wild pitch and got the first out of the inning, a fly out, which allowed the runner to tag to third. After a hit batsman and a groundout, which scored the runner on third, Hubbard struckout the next batter for the third out of the ninth, giving Auburn the 16-14 win.

    Saturdays game had several story worthy stars. Dan Gamache hit a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI, not to mention two homers. Ryan Jenkins, Brian Fletcher, Hunter Morris, and Kevin Patterson hit homeruns as well. Auburn and MSU hit a combined eleven homeruns, which is a new SEC record. Although Auburn had 17 hits as a team, Justin Fradejas went 0-for-6, snapping his hitting streak.

    The Tigers completed the sweep Sunday with an 11-8 win. Grant Dayton, Auburns starting pitcher, got the win, throwing 5 1/3 innings, giving up eight hits, five runs, four earned, two walks, and struck out two. It was Auburns first sweep over the Bulldogs since 1987.

    After MSU jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first, Auburn responded in the bottom of the second. Hunter Morris led off the inning with a single and was moved to third after Kevin Patterson hit a single. A wild pitch scored Morris and moved Patterson to second. After Casey McElroy walked, Dan Gamache laid down a less than perfect bunt, which allowed MSU to throw out Patterson at third. Ryan Jenkins hit a double off the wall, scoring McElroy. After Justin Hargett was hit by a pitch, loading the bases, Justin Fradejas hit a sacrifice fly, which scored Gamache.

    In the third, MSU hit a two-run homerun that tied the game at three. However, in the bottom half of the inning, Auburn took advantage of the Bulldogs starter. Brian Fletcher led off the inning with a homerun over the right center field wall. Morris followed up with a single. After McElroy was walked again, Jenkins hit a single up the middle, scoring Morris.

    After MSU scored a run in the top of the fourth, Fletcher was back at the plate looking to extend the lead. He hit a monster shot that went over the scoreboard. Patterson led off the fifth with a bomb of his own. It was estimated his homer over the right field wall went over 500 feet.

    After a pitching change and two outs, Jenkins doubled again. Hargett tripled off the right field wall, scoring Jenkins. After Fradejas was walked, he was caught in a run-down while attempting to steal second. He ran back and forth to allow Hargett enough time to score before he was tagged out. The run counted, giving Auburn the 9-4 lead.

    In the top of the sixth, MSU closed in on the Tigers' lead. After hitting a solo homerun, which pulled Dayton from the game, MSU hit another two-run homerun, making the score 9-6. In the top of the seventh the Tigers avoided disaster but couldnt get out of the inning without giving up any runs. The Bulldogs had the bases loaded with one out when they hit a single up the middle that scored a run. Auburn made the final two outs of the inning before anyone else could score.

    In the bottom of the eighth the Tigers added some insurance runs heading to the final inning. Fradejas walked and stole second with one out before Mummey popped out. With two outs, Fletcher was hit by a pitch. Morris singled up the middle, which scored Fradejas. Patterson was walked to load the bases. McElroy was also walked, which scored a run.

    In the ninth, Austin Hubbard came in and recorded the save after the bases were loaded with no outs. Fletcher had quite a game at the plate, going 2- for-4 with three runs, two RBIs, and two homeruns. Ryan Jenkins also had a big day, going 3-for-4 with a run and two RBIs. Casey McElroy had an interesting day at the plate. He reached base safely five times. However, he hit 0-for-0, because he was walked four times and hit once. It was Auburns first home SEC sweep since 2002.

    Play Coming to Auburn Area Community Theater

    The Auburn Area Community Theater formed in 2003 and has become a staple in Auburn since then. They have performed plays such as Blithe Spirit, Messiah on the Frigidaire, The Miracle Worker, and Steel Magnolias.

    This year Belinda Clay will bring you a comedy about love, marriage, sisterhood, and gospel music with Dearly Beloved.

    Dearly Beloved is a play about a lavish Texas wedding that turns into a family feud. The problems start when the nuptial dinner is replaced with a pig-roast and a talent show starts just to distract the guests from the fact that the bride is missing.

    Show times include May 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd at 7:30 pm and May 16th and 23rd at 2:00 pm.

    For more information about the play and the organization go to http://www.auburnact.org/index.php

    Auburn Headed to Hoover

    This past weekend, Auburn hosted Tennessee (27-21, 11-13 SEC). Tennessee was considered to be the hottest team in the SEC, winning six straight games. Auburn, who had won five straight, was looking to clinch a spot in the SEC Tournament.

    Friday night, Tennessees hot streak continued. The Vols won their seventh straight game, defeating Auburn 9-3. Cory Luckie got the loss for Auburn, throwing 3 2/3 innings, allowing five hits, five runs, four earned, two walks, and striking out three.

    Tennessee got out to an early start scoring three runs in the first. The lead-off hitter reached base on an error and advanced to second after a walk. After a homerun by Cody Hawn the Vols had the lead. Auburn got a run back in the bottom of the third. Trent Mummey led off with a double, which with an error placed the center fielder on third. Brian Fletcher followed up with a single, which scored Mummey. However, the Tigers were unable to score again, leaving runners on second and third.

    In the top of the fourth Tennessee responded with two runs of their own. After a lead-off homerun, the Vols stacked together three hits to score another run. After scoring one run in the fifth, Tennessee had a 6-1 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Auburn played a little small ball. Justin Fradejas led off the inning with a single, advancing to second on a wild pitch. Mummey and Fletcher flew out causing Fradejas to score.

    In the top of the sixth, Tennessee put the game away. The Vols scored two more runs extending the lead to 8-2. Tennessee starter Stephen McCray threw a gem. He pitched 7 1/3 innings, giving up nine hits, three earned runs, three walks, and had five strikeouts. Auburns only response to Tennessees assault was a solo homerun by Hunter Morris in the bottom of the eighth. Morris went 2-for-4 with a run and RBI along with a homerun.

    Saturday, Auburn ended Tennessees hot streak with an incredible 18-0 win. With the win, Auburn clinched their first trip to the SEC Tournament since 2003. All nine starters for Auburn had at least two hits in front of a crowd that include Tony Barbee and Gene Chizik.

    Auburn wasted no time, scoring five runs in the bottom of the opening inning. All nine hitters got a plate appearance with Fradejas leading it off with a double. Mummey followed with a blast into the K Korner. Fletcher hit a double and Casey McElroy was walked. Catcher Ryan Jenkins hit a single to left field scoring Fletcher. Dan Gamache then hit a double, scoring both McElroy and Jenkins.

    After a scoreless second inning, Auburn continued hitting in the third. After already scoring two runs, Mummey hit his second ball into the K Korner on the day. This homerun, however, was a grand slam. Fletcher followed suit with a homerun of his own over the Green Monster in left field. Auburn had a 12-0 lead after three innings.

    The very next inning, Auburn was back to scoring runs. Jenkins led off the inning with a double. Justin Hargett scored Jenkins with a double. Mummey scored Hargett with a double. Just as fans expect Fletcher to hit a double, he hit his second homerun of the day.

    In the bottom of the fifth, Auburn added two more runs. DH Tony Caldwell got things started with a double. He scored when McElroy singled up the middle. After Gamache hit a single, Fradejas hit a double, scoring McElroy.

    Believe it or not, there was no scoring the last four innings of the game. Auburn recorded 22 hits on the day, along with 18 runs. Four of the hits were homeruns, while nine of them were doubles. However, Auburns pitching was the highlight of the game. Cole Nelson threw a three hit complete game. He only allowed six runners to reach base, two were walks and one reached on an error. It was his fifth win on the year.

    Mummey and Fletcher had big days at the plate. Mummey went 3-for-6 with three runs, seven RBIs, and two homers. Fletcher went 3-for-5 with three runs and RBI, along with two homeruns.

    Sunday, Mummey continued hitting hot to help Auburn win the rubber game against the Vols 9-2. Grant Dayton received the win, throwing 6 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits, two earned runs, and struck out three.

    Auburn wasted no time in game three either, scoring two runs in the first. Fradejas led off the inning with a single. Mummey followed with a homerun, which was his third homerun in the K Korner in two games. In the second, McElroy led off with a walk and was moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Jenkins. Gamache and Hargett also both walked, loading the bases. Fradejas hit a sac fly, scoring McElroy. Mummey followed up with a big two out single, scoring Gamache.

    Tennessee scored a run in the top of the fourth, cutting Auburns lead to three. Auburn responded in the bottom half with three runs. Jenkins led off with a single. Gamache laid down a sac bunt but reached first on a throwing error. Hargett singled to center, loading the bases for Fradejas again. Fradejas hit another sac fly, scoring Jenkins. However, Gamache tried to tag to third after the catch and was thrown out. Mummey didnt seem phased. He stepped into the batters box and hit his second homerun on the day.

    The Vols got a run back in the top of the fifth, but in the bottom half of the inning, Auburn was back to their old ways. The Tigers sealed the game with two more runs. Hunter Morris got things started with a lead off solo homerun. Caldwell, who was next, was hit by a pitch. The catcher turned on his jets when McElroy doubled down the line, scoring Auburns ninth run of the game.

    There werent any runs scored the last four innings of the game, giving Auburn the 9-2 win. With the series win, Auburn moved into first place in the SEC West and will be playing in Hoover in two weeks. Trent Mummey played well enough to be a serious candidate for SEC Player of the Week. Mummey went 7-for-14 with six runs, twelve RBIs, and four homeruns.

    Auburn is back in action Tuesday at home against Jacksonville State. The Tigers then travel to Oxford Thursday for a huge series with Ole Miss to decide the winner of the West.

    Auburn Hosts NCAA Regional

    The Auburn baseball team found out Sunday its hard work in 2010 has been rewarded with hosting a regional in the NCAA Tournament. Auburn finished the year 40-19 (20-10 SEC) and is currently ranked 13th in the country.

    Monday, Clemson, Jacksonville State, and Southern Mississippi were announced as the other three teams in Auburns region.

    Auburn, the number one seed, returns to Plainsman Park against fourth seed Jacksonville State, the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament winner, Friday at 6 pm. Second seed Clemson, an at-large bid out of the ACC, and third seed Southern Miss, a Conference USA automatic qualifier, kick-off the action at 2 pm Friday.

    The regional continues Saturday starting at 2 pm, with the two losers of Friday playing. The loser of that game will be eliminated. The winners of Fridays games will play at 6 pm. Sunday the loser of the winners bracket plays the winner of the losers bracket at 1 pm. At 5 pm, the winner of the 1 pm game plays the undefeated team. If the undefeated loses, the two teams play again Monday at 6 pm for a spot in a super regional.

    If Auburn advances out of the regional there is a chance the Tigers could host a super regional. If Georgia Tech does not advance out of the Atlanta region, Auburn will host.

    The Tigers are very excited about playing in front of their home crowd again. Coach Pawlowski urges fans to come to games and buy tickets early.

    Dog Days of Summer

    Once again, we are about to enter a period where things will be really slow on the Plains as far as news about sports is concerned. But, before you know it, August will be here and things will crank up again.

    It was good to see the baseball team do so well after a five-year drought from the NCAA regionals. Too bad the team couldn't handle Clemson so they could have faced arch-rival Alabama in the Super regional at Plainsman Park. The crowds and the excitement for that would have given people a lot to talk about for a long time. But, the enthusiasm for Auburn baseball is finally back. Let's just hope the team can ride the momentum into next season.

    I guess football practice starts early August. There's a lot to look forward to as Gene Chizik enters his second season as head coach and new quarterback Cam Newton will start under center.

    Before then, things will probably be slow here at Access Auburn and Tigerland. But, be sure to check back often, you never know what kind of news might break. Also, in mid-July, our weekly previews of each position on the football team will begin. We'll start by taking a look at the quarterbacks, then wrap it up in late-August with special teams. Stay tuned for that!

    Enjoy the summer!

    Merchants Hope Father's Day Will Boost Sales

    Father's Day is this Sunday. Typically, Father's Day lags behind Mother's Day in sales. This year, many major retailers are advertising more and expanding shopping hours as they try to boost sales prior to the summer lull.

    Stores like J.C. Penney and Sears hope Father's Day generates big sales before the back-to-school season kicks off in August. J.C. Penney is hoping to bring customers in with an increased assortment of gifts beyond ties and shirts to include iPod accessories and handheld games.

    Other stores like Home Depot expanded its Father's Day advertising beyond circular ads this year, launching a TV and on-line advertising campaign. It's also pushing a wider array of gifts beyond the tool kit to include grills and pressure washers.

    Consumers will spend $9.8 billion on dad this year, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. The average shopper will spend about $94.32 on their father, up from $90.89.

    People spent $14.6 billion on flowers, candy and jewelry from mom, according to the retail trade group. That was about $126.90 per mom, up from $123.89 a year ago.

    The idea of Father's Day was conceived by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash., while she listened to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm. A day in June was chosen for the first Father's Day celebration, June 19, 1910, proclaimed by Spokane's mayor because it was the month of William Smart's birth.

    The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Father's Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.

    Public Pools Could Harbor Disease-Causing Germs

    Before taking a dive into a public swimming pool this summer, think twice because the pool water may contain dangerous levels of bacteria that make them unsafe to swim in.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 8 public swimming pools contain enough microorganisms to be of real concern to the public.

    The report analyzed data from more than 121,000 routine pool inspections in 13 states in 2008. More than 12 percent of the inspections found serious violations that caused the pools to close immediately.

    The researchers examined data from inspections of pools in child care facilities, residential complexes, hotels and motels, kiddie/wading pools and interactive fountains.

    Violations included an inadequate level of chlorine in the pool and an improper pH level of the water, both of which can lead to transmitting disease-causing germs.

    While chlorine kills most bacteria in the pool area, if the public pool in your area is over chlorinated, eye irritation and rashes may result, especially in indoor pools. Children who have asthma may find the condition aggravated in such a setting. The CDC suggests not swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool every single day.

    Tips for Safe Swimming

    Ask the pool supervisor how the pool is sanitized;

    Confer with your pediatrician on the risks of chlorine to your child;

    Avoid swimming in a public pool that is cloudy; this may indicate that the area is poorly ventilated;

    Encourage your children and guests to take a shower before jumping into the pool;

    Teach your children to avoid swallowing pool water.

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Second-year head coach Gene Chizik and his staff look to build on a 2009 season that saw the Tigers win eight games. With a new quarterback under center and a solid group of receivers, Auburn should match or exceed eight wins in 2010.

    After a long offseason, preseason practice starts a few weeks from now on the practice fields behind the Athletic Complex. Players will compete under the hot summer sun for a chance to start when the season begins Sept. 4 against Arkansas State.

    For the past couple of years, it has been the norm for the No. 1 spot at quarterback to be up for grabs well into preseason practice and even later than that two years ago when the coaching staff decided on the starter on a weekly basis for the first half of the season. The constant questions by the media and fans about who would start was a distraction for the offense.

    Thanks to newcomer Cameron Newton, there won't be a big debate about who will start at quarterback since Newton was named Auburn's post-spring No. 1 quarterback in late-April.

    After playing behind Tim Tebow at Florida in 2007 and 2008, Newton transferred to Blinn College in Texas where he helped the Buccaneers capture the 2009 NJCAA National Championship after an 11-1 record.
    Cameron Newton
    Cameron Newton
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    At Blinn, the 6-6, 245-pound Newton completed 204-of-336 pass attempts for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 655 yards and 16 scores.

    Even though Newton gained some experience against SEC defenders playing behind Tebow, it will be interesting to see how he holds up during the grueling 12-game season. Performing at a high level against small defenders in junior college is one thing, but having to face bigger and faster SEC defenders for eight games will test the talented junior.

    Fans didn't get a chance to see much of Newton during the A-Day game because he played sparingly which resulted in just 3-of-8 completions for 80 yards. All of the action was divided up among backups Neil Caudle, Barrett Trotter, and Clint Moseley.

    Caudle is the only senior and most experienced of the backups after studying and practicing the fast-paced offensive scheme Auburn has used since 2008. Caudle had the best A-Day of the three, completing 17-of-21 passes for 199 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown pass.

    Trotter is just a sophomore who suffered a knee injury last season which kept him sidelined for the year. Redshirt freshman Moseley will have to wait a few years to have a shot at seeing any significant playing time.

    Darvin Adams wasn't even on anyone's radar before the 2009 season began but quickly became the No. 1 target at wide receiver after catching just three passes in 2008.
    Darvin Adams
    Darvin Adams
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Last year, Adams hauled in 60 catches, which set an Auburn single-season record for receptions and his 997 receiving yards were third-most in an Auburn single-season.

    Adams is back for his junior year and promises to be Newton's main target followed by senior Terrell Zachery. In 2009, Zachery played in all 13 games while starting seven. He caught 26 passes for 477 yards and five touchdowns. Zachery's 93-yard touchdown catch against LA Tech set an Auburn record for longest offensive play in school history.

    There are several reserves behind Adams and Zachery that Newton can connect with. Sophomore Emory Blake came on strong in the second half of the season last year and ended up with nine catches for 66 yards. DeAngelo Benton returns after a solid freshman year that saw him finish with six catches for 88 yards. He'll battle Blake and junior Quindarius Carr for playing time in the fall. Carr was named the Offensive MVP in the A-Day game after catching four passes for 152 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown reception.

    Senior Kodi Burns continues to adjust to his new role at wide receiver after coming to Auburn as a quarterback. He'll continue to be used as a running threat in the Wildcat formation but can make catches as he showed last year with five for 46 yards and a touchdown.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Running Backs

    Football Preview: Running Backs

    After Gus Malzahn was named offensive coordinator, many wondered if the running game would still be a part of the offense. Not only was it a part of the offense, but the Tigers put up big numbers on the ground in 2009.

    If you are familiar with Auburn football, then you know all about the rich tradition of talented running backs who have worn an Auburn uniform. Running the football down opponent's throats has played an important role in the Tigers' success over the years.

    When the spread offense was installed back in 2008, it was feared that the running game would all but disappear from Auburn's offensive attack. It didn't completely disappear, it just seemed that way when the running game wasn't a factor throughout the season.

    Naturally when Malzahn was brought on board by Gene Chizik to run the offense, fans thought for sure that Malzahn's offense would be the same pass-oriented offense that sputtered in 2008. Malzahn quickly assured the fans that his offense would be run first, pass second.

    The majority of fans probably didn't believe Malzahn until they saw the stats from the first game against LA Tech. Ben Tate ran 20 times for 117 yards, while Onterio McCalebb had 22 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown. Tate wrapped up his senior year by rushing for 1,362 yards, which is the fourth-best single-season total in school history.

    As the season progressed, the offense continued to rack up yards on the ground and Auburn finished the season averaging 212 rushing yards a game, the 12th best mark in the country.
    Mario Fannin
    Mario Fannin
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    With Tate selected in the NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, senior Mario Fannin will take on the role of top running back. Fannin returns to his natural position at tailback after stints at receiver, kick-off returner, and H-back.

    Fannin's career on the Plains has been somewhat disappointing with fumble problems in 2007, followed by a shoulder injury during his sophomore year in 2008.

    Last year, Malzahn thought it would be best to use Fannin primarily at the H-back position, a hybrid of a fullback and a tight end, so he could give the Tigers another option at receiver. He was second on the team with 42 catches for 413 yards and three touchdowns.

    While Fannin carried the ball just 34 times in 2009, position coach Curtis Luper expects the senior to have a breakout year after going through spring practice without any fumbles or suffering any injuries. If Fannin stays healthy as Auburn's every-down back and comes close to matching Tate's numbers from last season, the Tigers will be one of the top rushing teams in the nation in 2010.
    Onterio McCalebb
    Onterio McCalebb
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    There are several reserves behind Fannin to keep the ground game rolling with sophomore McCalebb adding some weight in the offseason in hopes of staying injury-free in 2010. He's up to 175 pounds, with 185 his goal when the season starts. Last year, McCalebb gained 252 yards in the first two games, but was then slowed by an ankle injury which saw him gain just 313 more in the final 11 games.

    Adding 10 more pounds before the start of the season will give McCalebb more durability and allow him to have more success against big defenders in the SEC. Plus, with newcomer Michael Dyer arriving in August, McCalebb will have to fight to remain the primary backup.

    Dyer played at Little Rock (Ark.) Christian Academy where he set the state record with 8,097 rushing yards and 84 touchdowns. As a senior, he ran for 2,502 yards and 31 touchdowns. At 5-8 and 201 pounds, Dyer is a physical runner who can provide relief when Fannin and McCalebb need a break late in the game.

    Taking over for Fannin at the H-back position will be Eric Smith. Smith is a versatile player that can carry the ball, block, pass protect, and run receiving routes from multiple sets. Last year Smith rushed for 99 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. He also added 18 catches for 226 yards and another touchdown.

    Incoming freshman Ladarious Phillips is another option at H-back. At 6-0 and around 285 pounds, Phillips could be used in short-yardage situations and also block for tailbacks and protect the quarterback.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Offensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Tigers Playing Well During Summer

    Although the 2010 baseball season ended a few months ago, the Tigers are still in action this summer. Players that were drafted are playing in the minor leagues, while the players returning are enjoying the New England weather in the Cape Cod League.

    Hunter Morris, who was taken in the fourth round, made a trip straight to Single A. Morris is having an impressive start to his professional career with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Morris is hitting .248 through his first 28 games with 10 doubles, a triple, two homeruns, 16 RBI, and a .730 on-base percentage.

    Auburns first player taken, Trent Mummey, is spending his summer in Aberdeen, Maryland, playing for Cal Ripken Jr.s short season Single A team, the Ironbirds. Mummey has shined at the plate. He is hitting .317 with 14 RBI, 11 doubles, three homeruns, and an astounding .922 on-base percentage.

    Austin Hubbard is lights out on the mound for the short season Single A Hudson Valley Renegades. Through ten games, Hubbard has not allowed a run. He has three wins and three saves. Hubbard has thrown 9 2/3 innings allowing just four hits and striking out 12 batters. Opponents are hitting a measly .124 against the former Tiger closer.

    In the Cape Cod League, Tony Caldwell and Casey McElroy have both been named to the All-Star game. Caldwell, who will be a senior at Auburn, is hitting .284 with two doubles and one home run. McElroy, who will be a junior next year, is hitting with a .283 batting average and is tied for the league lead with 19 RBI.

    For fans looking forward to the 2011 season, Justin Fradejas, Kevin Patterson, and Bradley Hendrix have all announced they will return back to the Plains for their senior year. Brian Fletcher has not made an announcement yet on whether or not he will sign with the Kansas City Royals or return to wear the orange and blue.

    Football Preview: Offensive Line

    Last year's offensive line played a key role in Auburn's success on offense. With four starters returning, the experience and talent on the line will once again pave the way for the Tigers' high-powered offense.

    Heading into the season-opener in 2009, the offensive line wasn't expected to be a strength of Auburn's team. The year before, the unit struggled to adapt to the new spread attack which resulted in dismal numbers through the air and on the ground.

    Things changed when new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn introduced his version of the spread. The unit was required to bulk up so they could better protect the quarterback and also help the offense return to its roots of giving opposing defenses a heavy dose of the ground game.

    With the weight added in the offseason, there were doubts that the offensive line could gel and stay healthy for the entire season. Cuts and bruises are typical for any offensive line during a season, but an injury that causes significant loss of playing time to any of the starting five could disrupt the rhythm of the entire offense.

    Luckily for Malzahn and position coach Jeff Grimes, the unit stayed healthy and was able to gel which resulted in the offense averaging 33.3 points per game, compared to just 17.3 per game during the 2008 season.

    Last year, the surprise play of the line helped Auburn produce one of its best offensive seasons in school history. For the year, the offense set team single-season records for points (433), total offense (5,613 yards), total plays (914) and passing touchdowns (25). It also had 266 first downs (#2 in school history), 2,756 rushing yards (#7 in school history), and 2,857 passing yards (#5 in school history).

    That type of production could be difficult to match in 2010, but with four returning starters, and a year in Malzahns system, the unit is predicted to be the best offensive line in the SEC.
    Lee Ziemba
    Lee Ziemba
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    A staple on the line since arriving on campus in 2007, senior Lee Ziemba has started 38 consecutive games. He was a Second Team All-SEC selection by the league's coaches in 2009, and an honorable mention pick by the Associated Press.

    At 6-8 and 319 pounds, Ziemba is perfect for the left tackle position since he's the team's best pass blocker. He was a big reason why the line allowed just 21 sacks in 364 pass attempts last season. Even though his main job is protecting the quarterback, he's agile enough to open up holes for the ground game.

    The only spot on the line that doesn't have a definite starter is right tackle. With Andrew McCain graduated, two junior college transfers will battle for the job. Brandon Mosley seems to have a slight edge over Roszell Gayden after Gayden was limited in the spring with a hand injury. Whoever wins the starting job is more than capable of being a force on the right side.
    Mike Berry
    Mike Berry
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    The two guard spots will be handled by seniors Byron Isom and Mike Berry. Isom has experience with 18 starts and enough athleticism to hold his own against defenders. Berry should be ready to go after missing spring because of surgery in the offseason.

    At 6-3, 316 pounds, Berry has great size with plenty of potential to be the best blocker on the line. He also carries a lot of experience with 23 starts.

    Senior Ryan Pugh has been a fixture on the line with 31 starts under his belt. He spent time at right tackle before moving over to his natural position at center last year.

    Even though Pugh has played through injuries during his career, his backups lack playing time experience if he happens to go down with a major injury. Senior Bart Eddins is Pugh's primary backup, with walk-on Blake Burgess and incoming freshman Tunde Fariyike next in line.

    While four of the starting five have 109 starts among them, the remaining reserves have seen very little playing time. Jared Cooper, John Sullen, A.J. Greene and Andre Harris may get to play late in games when Auburn is in complete control. The real test comes next year when they compete to replace four of the starting seniors on this year's line.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Defensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    While Auburn's offense is expected to light up the scoreboard during the upcoming season, the defense remains questionable after a rough start in Ted Roof's first year as defensive coordinator.

    Last year as the offense flourished and set several school records, the Tigers struggled on the defensive side of the ball. There was plenty of blame to go around with the defensive line taking some of it for not being able to stop the run, especially in a conference like the SEC where teams thrive by running the football.

    During a crucial three-game stretch midway through the season, the Tigers allowed 221 rushing yards to Arkansas, 282 to Kentucky, and 122 to LSU. Auburn came out on the short end in all three contests. Allowing SEC opponents to rack up that kind of yardage on the ground spells disaster, and also kills your chances of having a shot at winning an SEC title.

    Stopping the run will be key for the Tigers if they want to improve on their 3-5 conference mark from a year ago. It all starts up front with a defensive line that should be better in 2010.

    Even though the defensive line will have to replace two starters from last year, position coach Tracy Rocker feels he has a nice mix of size, athleticism, and experience to make up for the loss of Antonio Coleman and Jake Ricks. Coleman's replacement will have big shoes to fill after he led the SEC with 10 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss in 2009.
    Antoine Carter
    Antoine Carter
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Senior Antoine Carter will start in Coleman's spot at defensive end. Last year, Carter showed signs that he's ready to be the star of the defensive line. Despite playing hurt, Carter had 30 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss in 10 games.

    Carter's solid spring is further proof that he should be a dominant player on the field for Auburn in the fall. He was named Defensive MVP at A-Day after recording five tackles, including a team-best 2.5 quarterback sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.

    The other end spot will be handled by either senior Michael Goggans or redshirt freshman Nosa Eguae. Goggans made six starts last season but nagging injuries caused his production to drop off and he lost the starting job to Carter.

    In fall camp last year, Eguae was making a push for playing time but doctors discovered a stress fracture in his foot a few days before the first game and he was forced to be redshirted. Eguae feels he's ready to make an impact this season after having the year off to learn the defense.

    Senior Mike Blanc and junior Nick Fairley will man the two defensive tackle spots. Blanc started 11 games last year and registered 44 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.

    Fairley was a nice surprise last year as a key back up and spot starter. The former junior college transfer appeared in 13 games with two starts. He ended the year with 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.

    Senior Zach Clayton and sophomore Dee Ford will be in the two-deep rotation as the top reserves on the defensive line. Although Clayton missed seven games due to an ankle injury, he did see playing time in six games, making seven tackles and a tackle for loss. Ford saw playing time in every game as a true freshman, making 12 tackles, a sack and an interception.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Linebackers

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Fan Day Set for Sunday

    This Sunday, August 15, Auburn is hosting Fan Day in the new Auburn Arena. It is only the second time the Arena has been open to the public and the first time since it has been completed.

    The football team, mens basketball team, womens basketball team, womens soccer team, womens volleyball team, cheerleaders, and Aubie will be on hand signing autographs.

    Gene Chiziks second year team will be on the main concourse signing autographs. However, the main gym floor and upper concourse is closed. The mens and womens basketball team will be in the practice gym signing autographs.

    Fans should enter the south entrance of the Arena, by Beard-Eaves. However, fans seeking Gene Chiziks autograph need to enter the scholarship entrance. Admission is free. Gates open at 1:45, with the event starting at 2 p.m. and concluding at 4 p.m. Concession stands will be open and selling tickets for 2010. This is the first year Fan Day has not been at Beard-Eaves.

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    Despite major depth problems for last year's linebacking corps, somehow the starters stayed healthy and put together a very productive year. With experience returning and the arrival of several newcomers, the rotation should be two-deep in 2010.

    Looking back at the linebacking unit from a year ago, it's amazing that two of the starters were able to avoid the injury bug given the amount of time they spent on the field. No backups meant no rest for Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens. The duo played all 115 snaps in the Outback Bowl against Northwestern.

    Throughout the season, Bynes and Stevens were a constant force in the middle of Ted Roof's defense. The two combined for 199 tackles, more than 21 percent of all the tackles made by Auburn in 2009.
    Josh Bynes
    Josh Bynes
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Back as the starter in the middle for his senior year, Bynes is the most skilled and pivotal player of the three starting linebackers. He receives defensive play calls from the sideline and relays them to the rest of the defense. He also sets the alignment and calls out audibles when he sees a different look from opposing offenses.

    The middle linebacker is usually around the ball on every defensive play and leads the team in tackles, which was the case for Bynes with 104 stops. He also had a sack, an interception, six tackles for loss and seven broken up passes.

    Also a senior, Stevens will start at the weak-side spot in 2010 after playing on the strong-side last year. In 2009, he was second on the team with 95 tackles, while adding 2.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. Against West Virginia, he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for totaling 11 tackles and returning an interception for a touchdown that put the game away for Auburn.

    At weak-side, Stevens will be counted on to use his athleticism to drop back into pass coverage while using his speed to chase down plays from the backside.

    Eltoro Freeman and Daren Bates will probably share time at the strong-side spot. Freeman will have to be more consistent if he wants to lock down a starting role during the upcoming season. Last year while playing in ten games, the junior played well at times but an ankle injury and a concussion hampered his performance in the second half of the season.
    Daren Bates
    Daren Bates
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Bates was moved over to linebacker to help out with depth after starting all 13 games at free safety as a true freshman last season. Although he missed spring drills because of offseason shoulder surgery, he'll be ready to play a significant role as a linebacker/safety, where he sets up in the box, but also drops back into coverage to defend pass plays.

    Sophomore Jonathan Evans was a key reserve last season and even got to start against Northwestern. While seeing action in all 13 games, Evans totaled 28 tackles with 21 solo, and had at least one tackle in 11 of the 13 games.

    Auburn finally has help at a position that's been quite thin for the past few seasons thanks to recruiting players who can come in and see playing time right away. True freshman Jessel Curry arrived in January and participated in spring drills, which gives him an advantage over incoming freshmen LaDarius Owens,, Jawara White, and Jake Holland.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Secondary

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Football Preview: Secondary

    Due to major injuries, last year's secondary fell short of expectations. Barring any significant injuries in 2010, the secondary could be one of the strengths of Auburn's defense.

    Entering his first spring drills as head coach in 2009, Gene Chizik was excited about the potential of the secondary. He knew the level of talent and depth at the position could help the Tigers keep pass-happy offenses in check. The unit went through much of spring drills without any injuries until Mike McNeil suffered a broken fibula as spring practice was winding down. The injury kept him sidelined for the entire season.

    If McNeil's injury wasn't a big enough blow, Aairon Savage was lost for the season after suffering an Achilles injury during summer workouts. Savage received good news in early 2010 when he was granted an extra year of eligibility. He will compete with McNeil to start as one of Auburn's safeties when the season opens Sept. 4 against Arkansas State.
    Zac Etheridge
    Zac Etheridge
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    The Tigers received more good news a few days before fall camp started when Zac Etheridge was cleared by doctors to play in 2010. Etheridge was told his football career was probably over after suffering a severe neck injury in last year's contest against Ole Miss.

    After wearing a neck brace for several months and then going through extensive rehab, Etheridge made a remarkable recovery and should start at the other safety spot.

    Before the injury, Etheridge was having an outstanding junior season. In nine games he had 52 tackles with three and a half tackles for losses.

    Junior cornerback Neiko Thorpe is ready to continue where he left off last season. Thorpe finished the 2009 season with a bang by making the game-winning tackle in Auburn's overtime victory over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl.
    Neiko Thorpe
    Neiko Thorpe
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Thorpe started every game last year and finished third on the team in tackles with 84. He was solid against the run but struggled some defending on pass plays with just two interceptions and nine broken up passes. With D'Antoine Hood transferring to Alabama State, Thorpe will have to stay healthy at a somewhat thin cornerback position.

    With Walt McFadden now playing in the NFL, senior Demond Washington will likely start at the other cornerback spot this season. Last year, Washington played in all 13 games with one start at corner before starting in Etheridge's place at safety in the final three games. For the year, he made 36 tackles with four broken up passes.

    Backup redshirt sophomore TSharvan Bell played in all 13 games last season finishing with nine tackles. His best performance was in the bowl game when he hauled in two interceptions.

    The other top reserves include juniors Mike Slade and Drew Cole. Both have seen limited playing time because of injury issues. Slade appeared in 12 games last year with 13 tackles while Cole had just three tackles in four games.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Special Teams

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    While Auburn's place-kicker and punter did their jobs without getting much recognition, the kickoff coverage and punt return units garnered much of the spotlight for their poor play.

    Even though place-kicker Wes Byrum probably had the best season of any kicker in the SEC, all of the attention went to Auburn's efficient offense. The few times the offense failed to score in the red zone, Byrum did his part by making field goals which helped keep the momentum on Auburn's side.
    Wes Byrum
    Wes Byrum
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    For the year, he was 15-of-16 on field-goal attempts. Add a perfect 54-for-54 mark on extra points, which is a school record for a single-season, and it shows just how valuable Byrum is to the team.

    For his efforts last year, Byrum was named Special Teams MVP. In April, he was named the A-Day Special Teams MVP after hitting a 50-yard field goal and connecting on all three PATs.

    While Byrum is poised to have another solid season in his final year on the Plains, his backups will see plenty of reps each day at practice. Junior Chandler Brooks will have a shot at being the No. 1 place-kicker next year along with newcomer Cody Parkey, who was one of the highest rated high-school kickers in the country.

    Senior Ryan Shoemaker will probably handle the punting duties now that last year's starter Clinton Durst has graduated. With newcomer Steven Clark finally on campus for fall camp, special teams coordinator Jay Boulware has seen an improvement in Shoemaker's punting. With the new competition, Shoemaker knows the job won't be handed to him.

    Boulware knows Byrum and Shoemaker will do their jobs, but the kickoff coverage and punt return defense remain questionable.

    Last year's kickoff coverage was poor with plenty of missed tackles and long returns that resulted in good field position for opposing teams. Auburn ranked 97th nationally in kick return defense and 106th in punt return defense last year.

    The kickoff problems were mainly because of walk-ons and their lack of experience. More scholarship players will be on the field which means the unit should see an improvement.

    Auburn must find a reliable punt returner in 2010 after trying out several players at the position last year. All of them had trouble fielding punts, and the Tigers finished 113th out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in punt returns.

    Boulware had the punt returners do plenty of drills in the spring where they caught the ball with one hand and also let the punts hit their facemasks to try and eliminate muffs and fumbles. Quindarius Carr and Darvin Adams will be first in line at returning punts with Demond Washington close behind.

    Washington excelled at kickoff returns last year. He returned a kickoff 99-yards for a touchdown and averaged 31.1 yards per return. He'll be in the mix again this year along with Mario Fannin, Onterio McCalebb, and Terrell Zachery. Last year Fannin averaged 21.2 ypr, and McCalebb averaged 24.7 ypr.

    Phil Marion

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Week One SEC Predictions

    Southern Miss meets South Carolina in Columbia Thursday night as the 2010 football season kicks-off. Auburn plays Arkansas St. at 6 pm CT on Fox Sports Net, while Alabama hosts cupcake opponent San Jose St.

    Arkansas State at Auburn, 6 pm CT, FSN

    After a very long and hot summer, football season is finally here. Auburn opens the season against Arkansas St. at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 6 pm CT.

    Gene Chizik enters his second year as head coach after guiding the Tigers to an 8-5 mark in 2009. Chizik hopes the game against the Red Wolves will be over by halftime so he can rest the starters in the second half to have them fresh for next Thursday's SEC opener at Mississippi St.

    Cam Newton gets the start under center for the Tigers. Newton will have plenty of chances to show off his strong arm with the protection of a very experienced offensive line. The line has four starters returning along with A.J. Greene, who was named the starter at right tackle this week.

    Darvin Adams was a big surprise at wide receiver last year, catching 60 passes for 997 yards. Adams looks to be Newton's favorite target this year and could once again set a few Auburn records. Terrell Zachery, Trovon Reed, Emory Blake, and DeAngelo Benton are all dependable receivers.

    In the backfield, Auburn has a wealth of talent with senior Mario Fannin finally getting the chance to start at tailback after playing at different positions throughout his career on the Plains. Throw in the speedy Onterio McCalebb and newcomer Michael Dyer, and the Tigers should have an excellent ground attack.

    Last year's defense struggled at times, especially against the run. With more bodies and more time in Ted Roof's system, the unit is expected to be better. Along the line, Antoine Carter is poised to record many sacks, while Zach Clayton, Nick Fairley, and Michael Goggans are ready to help the Tigers do a better job at keeping opposing offenses in check and off the scoreboard. Auburn was ranked 68th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in yards allowed per game (374.1) and 79th in scoring defense (27.5 per contest).

    The linebacking corps will again be anchored by Craig Stevens and Josh Bynes, along with former safety Daren Bates. The secondary is back on solid ground after seeing significant injuries at the position a year ago. Zac Etheridge is fully healed after a serious neck injury late in the season, and Aairon Savage returns after missing the entire season with an Achilles tendon tear.

    On special teams, the always reliable Wes Byrum will handle field goals and extra points. Ryan Shoemaker regains his job at punter after fighting off newcomer Steven Clark during fall camp.

    A sore spot for the Tigers last season was returning punts. Finding someone who can consistently field punts was top priority during preseason practice. It looks like Quindarius Carr will be the main punt returner along with Adams and Reed. Demond Washington, Fannin, McCalebb, and Neiko Thorpe will handle kickoffs.

    Arkansas St. looks to improve on a 4-8 season a year ago under first-year offensive coordinator Hugh Freeze. The Red Wolves will have the tough task of winning at Auburn as 31-point underdogs. The Tigers won the only meeting between Arkansas St. 27-0 in 2006.

    Prediction: Auburn 38-7.



    Southern Miss at South Carolina, Thursday Sept. 2, 6:30 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-13.



    Miami (Ohio) at Florida, 11 am CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Florida 40-6.



    Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Georgia 33-13.



    Kentucky at Louisville, 2:30 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: Louisville 21-14.



    Jacksonville State at Ole Miss, 2:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Ole Miss 45-9.



    Tennessee-Martin at Tennessee, 5 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-7.



    San Jose State at Alabama, 6 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Alabama 41-14.



    Tennessee Tech at Arkansas, 6 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Arkansas 50-17.



    Memphis at Mississippi State, 6 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Mississippi State 26-23.



    Northwestern at Vanderbilt, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Northwestern 17-14.



    LSU vs. North Carolina (Atlanta, GA Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game), 7 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: LSU 28-16.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 10-2. This week, Auburn opens SEC play Thursday night on the road against Mississippi St. Other big games include Georgia at South Carolina and Alabama plays Penn St. in Tuscaloosa.

    Auburn at Mississippi State, Thursday 6:30 pm CT, ESPN

    The Tigers travel to Starkville to face Mississippi State in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Both teams are coming off of wins in the opening weekend of the season. The Bulldogs rolled over Memphis 49-7, while Auburn defeated Arkansas State 52-26.

    In the victory over Memphis, MSU passed for 372 yards and finished with 569 total yards, just 27 shy of the school record. Backup quarterback Tyler Russell tied a school record with four touchdown passes in his debut. He finished the night by completing 13-of-16 passes for 256 yards.

    Head coach Dan Mullen plans to play both Russell and starter Chris Relf against Auburn. Relf completed 7-of-9 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown, and was intercepted once.

    Wide receiver Brandon Heavens was the main target with five receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Chad Bumphis also had a big night by hauling in four catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Heavens and Bumphis became the first State receiving duo to each have 100 or more yards since Justin Jenkins and McKinley Scott in a 2003 game at Houston.

    On defense, the Bulldogs were led by safety Charles Mitchell, who had nine tackles, eight of which came in the first half. Memphis managed just 237 yards on the night with 196 yards passing and only 41 on the ground.

    Junior quarterback Cameron Newton lived up to the hype by having a big night in his debut under center for Auburn. Newton set a new school record for rushing yardage by a quarterback, collecting 171 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, including a 71-yard scamper that was Auburns longest rush since 2005.

    Newton threw the ball effectively by completing 9-of-14 passes for 186 yards (20.6 yards per completion) and three touchdowns. He earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts and leads the SEC in both rushing and total offense (357.0 ypg).

    On the ground, starting tailback Mario Fannin had only three carries while backups Onterio McCalebb and Michael Dyer ran the ball well for the Tigers. McCalebb had nine carries for 76 yards while Dyer ran 14 times for 95 yards and one touchdown. The Tiger racked up 367 rushing yards against Arkansas State, which is the fifth-best mark in the nation.

    Auburn's defense was a bit shaky at times Saturday night against Arkansas State. The Tigers allowed quarterback Ryan Aplin to complete 28-of-42 passes for 278 yards and one score. Dwayne Frampton caught eight passes for 74 yards and one touchdown. For the game, the defense gave up 323 passing yards but faired better against the run, holding the Red Wolves to just 43 yards on 35 carries.

    Auburn played without linebacker Craig Stevens, the second-leading tackler for the Tigers last season. Stevens was suspended for the game for disciplinary reasons, and it's not known when he will be allowed to play.

    In SEC openers, Auburn is 43-28-5, including a 16-1 mark in its last 17 league openers. The Tigers are 6-2 all-time in Thursday night games, including a 4-0 record in SEC games. Auburns last Thursday night SEC game was a 42-14 victory at Mississippi State in 2002.

    In the series with MSU, Auburn leads 58-23-2 and has won 21 of the last 28 in the series. Expect a hard-fought SEC battle that could go down to the wire. Auburn's defense will have to do a much better job against an offense that has more talent than Arkansas St. The Tigers get out of Starkville with a victory.

    Prediction: Auburn 31-24.



    Georgia at South Carolina 11:00 am CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-23.



    USF at Florida, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Florida 31-17.



    LSU at Vanderbilt, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: LSU 26-13.



    Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Arkansas 41-14.



    Oregon at Tennessee, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Tennessee 17-14.



    Penn St at Alabama, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Alabama 28-17.



    Western Kentucky at Kentucky, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Kentucky 30-20.



    Ole Miss at Tulane, 8:00 pm CT ESPN2

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-13.

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-1, and overall they are 18-3. This week, Clemson plays at Auburn in non-conference action. In SEC play, Florida visits Tennessee and Arkansas plays at Georgia.

    Clemson at Auburn, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    This will be the first regular-season meeting between Clemson and Auburn since 1971. The two teams did meet in the 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl which Auburn won 23-20 in overtime. Overall, Auburn leads the series 33-11-2, and has won 13 consecutive games.

    Clemson comes to the Plains with a record of 2-0 after beating North Texas and Presbyterian. Due to the two easy victories, no one really knows what kind of team Clemson has. The contest Saturday night will be a big test in front of a huge crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Against Presbyterian, most of the starters were on the sideline after the first quarter and should be fresh for Saturday's game. Quarterback Kyle Parker did start the second half but was quickly pulled for good after throwing three interceptions and taking a hard hit.

    Like Auburn, Clemson doesn't take much time scoring. They've had nine touchdown drives of less than two minutes this season. They average 418 yards of total offense and tailback Andre Ellington leads the team with 133 rushing yards.

    On defense, Clemson ranks fifth nationally with eight quarterback sacks this season, led by three from Andre Branch. Dawson Zimmerman leads the nation in punting average at 49.8 yards per kick.

    Auburn is also 2-0 after victories over Arkansas State and Mississippi State. When the offense sputtered on the road last week against the Bulldogs, the defense allowed just 73 yards on the games final five drives. The unit forced three consecutive three-and-outs and looked like a different defense than the one that surrendered 323 passing yards and 26 points to Arkansas State in the season opener.

    Junior defensive tackle Nick Fairley was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week for recording five tackles, including 2.5 for losses and 1.5 quarterback sacks, intercepting a pass, recovering a fumble and three quarterback hurries. He also helped the Tigers hold Mississippi State to just 246 yards of total offense.

    Left tackle Lee Ziemba, who hurt his right knee in last Thursday's win over Mississippi State, is expected to play against Clemson. Tailback Mario Fannin, who hurt his shoulder in the fourth quarter, should also be ready to go Saturday.

    Fannin's role will probably be limited anyway after a slow start as the No. 1 tailback. So far this season, the senior has just eight carries for 20 yards. His lack of production on the young season has opened the door for Onterio McCalebb and freshman Michael Dyer.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-20.



    Arkansas at Georgia, 11:00 am CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-13.



    Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-9.



    Alabama at Duke, 2:30 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: 40-7.



    Florida at Tennessee, 2:30 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: Florida 21-17.



    Furman at South Carolina, 6:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: South Carolina 37-6.



    Mississippi St at LSU, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: LSU 20-14.



    Akron at Kentucky, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Kentucky 39-14.

    New Airport Terminal Open House

    Friday, September 24, 2010, the Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport is unveiling its newest renovation. The 41 year old airport is opening a new terminal and there is an Open House to celebrate the event Friday.

    Auburn University, who owns and maintains the airport, provides a robust flight education program, which has approximately 200 student pilots enrolled. The airport also holds intercollegiate flying meets for Auburn.

    Aviation activities that take place on a regular basis at the airport include recreational flying and corporate travel. The airport plays a significant role in attracting people to the area for conferences, college visits, and NCAA sporting events.

    The Open House is held Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the new terminal. It is open to the public. The entrance is at the intersection by Sams Club next to I-85.

    Gallery of the Terminal

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-1, and overall they are 25-4. This week, South Carolina battles Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Alabama finally plays a decent opponent as they travel to Fayetteville to face Arkansas.

    South Carolina at Auburn, 6:45 pm CT, ESPN

    This should be a real test for Auburn since South Carolina has played well so far this season. USC is 3-0 after home victories over Southern Miss, Georgia, and Furman last week. The Tigers are also 3-0 after victories over Arkansas State, Mississippi State, and Clemson last weekend.

    In the series, the two teams have played just eight times, including only four meetings since South Carolina joined the SEC prior to the 1992 season. Auburn leads the series 6-1-1. This will be the first meeting ever between the two schools when both teams were nationally ranked.

    On defense, USC limits opponents to 2.2 yards per carry. That could mean trouble for Auburn as the Tigers try to get things going on the ground. After having great success running the football in 2009, Auburn has yet to find a tailback who is ready to carry the load.

    Mario Fannin was injured against Mississippi State and didn't play against Clemson. Fannin says his injured shoulder feels better and he'll play this week.

    Michael Dyer looks to be the every-down guy for the Tigers. Last week, Dyer had just 13 yards in the first half, but picked up the pace in the second half. He finished with 16 carries for 69 yards, including a 23-yard run in the third quarter, which set up Auburns game-tying touchdown.

    USC also has a talented freshman tailback in Marcus Lattimore. Both Dyer and Lattimore were heavily recruited by Auburn, with Dyer choosing Gene Chizik's Tigers and Lattimore eventually deciding to play for the Gamecocks. So far on the young season, Lattimore has rushed for 333 yards while Dyer has 212.

    USC quarterback Steven Garcia is averaging 190 yards of total offense per game. Alshon Jeffery is the Gamecocks' leading receiver averaging 102 receiving yards per game.

    Auburn's game with Clemson was very physical with several players going down with injuries. A big loss was at right tackle. A.J. Greene will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a broken left ankle in the fourth quarter. Also hurt was tailback Onterio McCalebb, who took a big hit in the fourth quarter. McCalebb is fine and has practiced this week.

    John Sullen took over for Greene for the rest of the game and did a nice job. The starter at right tackle against the Gamecocks will either be Sullen or Brandon Mosley.

    Against Clemson, Auburn's offense managed just 8 yards in the first quarter and didnt pick up a first down until their fourth offensive series. The offense finally woke up after halftime with quarterback Cam Newton finding his favorite target Darvin Adams often. Adams finished the night with five catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Four of Adams five catches came on third downs and set up first downs.

    Wes Byrums two field goals Saturday moved him into sole possession of second place on Auburns all-time list for career field goals made. Byrum needs three field goals for the Auburn record, which is held by John Vaughn.

    Auburn's defense allows 21.3 ppg with middle linebacker Josh Bynes leading the team with 23 tackles. Defensive tackle Nick Fairley continues to be a force in the middle with 16 tackles and four sacks.

    A lot of focus will be on the two young tailbacks Dyer and Lattimore, but how well Newton and Garcia play may mean the difference in the game. If Newton can start the game strong, it will definitely help his confidence. Like a typical battle in the SEC, the outcome may come down to a field goal.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-21.



    UAB at Tennessee, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Tennessee 28-10.



    Alabama at Arkansas, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 17-14.



    Kentucky at Florida, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Florida 30-14.



    Georgia at Mississippi St, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: MSU 17-10.



    Fresno St at Ole Miss, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Fresno St 24-17.



    West Virginia at LSU, 8:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: LSU 23-16.

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, and overall they are 31-5. Auburn plays at home against non-conference opponent Louisiana-Monroe. The big game will be up in Tuscaloosa when Florida plays Alabama.

    Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn, 11:00 am CT, ESPNU

    After a tough stretch against Mississippi State, Clemson, and South Carolina, Auburn gets a bit of a break against Louisiana-Monroe this week. Auburn is 15-0 against Sun Belt Conference opponents, while the Warhawks are 0-18 against ranked opponents.

    The Warhawks come to the Plains 1-2 after beating Southeastern Louisiana 21-20 in their home opener last Saturday. The Tigers lead the series 7-0 against ULM including a 34-0 victory when the two teams met Aug. 30, 2008. Auburn has won the seven previous games by an average score of 43-10.

    Last week against Southeastern Louisiana, quarterback Kolton Browning led the Warhawks in rushing for the second straight game with 75 yards. Browning is third in the Sun Belt in total offense, averaging 257.7 yards per game.

    On defense, ULM leads the Sun Belt in rushing defense, allowing 129.0 yards per game. The stingy defense has held eight of their last 14 opponents under 100 yards rushing and 11 of their last 14 opponents under their season average. Jason Edwards is tied for the Sun Belt lead in tackles, averaging 9.7 per game.

    Auburn's defense has played well when the game is on the line. After giving up some points in the first half, Ted Roof's group has shined in the second half, allowing just 10 points in the fourth quarter and overtime this season while shutting out both of their SEC opponents. Auburn has held opponents to 1-of-12 on third down conversion attempts in the fourth quarter and overtime and forced turnovers on all four of South Carolinas fourth-quarter possessions last Saturday.

    Mike Blanc was named SEC defensive lineman of the week after recording a season-high seven tackles against South Carolina. Blanc and his defensive teammates limited South Carolinas Marcus Lattimore to just 33 yards on 14 carries. Lattimore entered the game ranked second in the SEC averaging 111.0 yards rushing per game.

    Nick Fairley and Antoine Carter continue to wreak havoc in the opposition's backfield, helping the Tigers lead the SEC and rank ninth nationally in tackles for loss, averaging 8.25 per game. Fairley leads the league and is tied for seventh in the nation with 8.5 tackles for loss including four sacks, Carter is next with 5.0 tackles for loss.

    Junior quarterback Cam Newton was named the SEC's offensive player of the week after his performance against South Carolina. Newton rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns, and completed 16-of-21 passes for 158 yards and two more scores.

    Newton leads the SEC and ranks 11th nationally in rushing, averaging 121.3 yards per game. He also leads the SEC in passing efficiency and ranks fourth in the country with a rating of 182.46, thanks largely to his nation-best 13.24 touchdown percentage, and his average of 10.04 yards per pass attempt, which is No. 5 in the country.

    Under Gus Malzahn, the Tigers rank seventh nationally in rushing offense (278.0) and tied for 17th in total offense (468.0). In 17 games under Malzahn, Auburn has totaled at least 500 yards of offense five times.

    Auburn usually doesn't play well when games start before noon. The Tigers really need to score early and often against ULM. Hopefully the offense lights up the scoreboard so the starters on offense and defense can rest in the fourth quarter. They need to be fresh for a tough road trip to Lexington to face Kentucky next week.

    Prediction: Auburn 45-10.



    Alcorn at Mississippi State, 11:00 am CT, FSN

    Prediction: MSU 45-6.



    Vanderbilt at Connecticut, 11:00 am CT

    Prediction: Vandy 21-13.



    Kentucky at Ole Miss, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Ole Miss 17-14.



    Tennessee at LSU, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 28-20.



    Georgia at Colorado, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Colorado 20-17.



    Florida at Alabama, 7:00 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 23-17.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, overall they're 37-6. This week, Auburn hits the road to face Kentucky. Other games include Georgia hosting Tennessee, and Alabama at South Carolina.

    Auburn at Kentucky, 6:30 pm CT, ESPN2

    After an easy 52-3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe, the Tigers jump back into conference play with a tough night contest against Kentucky. Last weekend, the Wildcats fell behind early against Ole Miss before coming on strong in the fourth quarter to make a game of it. Ole Miss eventually won 42-35, which dropped UK to 0-2 in SEC play and 3-2 overall.

    Through five games, UK's quarterback Mike Hartline has 1,222 passing yards and eight touchdowns, while tailback Derrick Locke has 543 rushing yards. Against the Rebels, Locke had just 68 yards, which was the first time all season he failed to reach the 100 yard mark. Locke made up for his disappointing performance on the ground by catching eight passes for 108 yards.

    The star of UK's offense is receiver Randall Cobb. Last weekend, Cobb had a career-best 267 all-purpose yards that included a career-high 108 receiving yards. Cobb had 85 punt return yards and 64 kickoff yards. His previous best effort was 237 all-purpose yards against Mississippi State in 2009.

    Defensively, UK leads the SEC in pass defense (141.8) but is 11th in rushing defense (166.2). Linebacker Danny Trevathan had a career-best 15 tackles against Ole Miss and leads the team in tackles (42) and tackles for loss (8.0).

    Last weekend, Auburn got off to a fast start against ULM and was able to rest most of its starters, especially on defense. Eleven players saw action on the defensive line against the Warhawks which should mean the unit will be fresh as they try and stop a very good UK offense.

    The group ranks second in the SEC and 12th in the nation in rush defense, allowing just 92.8 yards per game. They've held six of its last nine opponents under 100 yards rushing. The Tigers are averaging 2.8 sacks per game with defensive tackle Nick Fairley leading the way. Fairley leads the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss.

    On offense, quarterback Cam Newton had just one carry against ULM after running the ball 75 times in the first four games on his way to the SEC lead in rushing yards per game. Newton showed off his arm by finishing with 245 yards and three touchdowns in a little more than two quarters of work. With the three touchdowns, Newton became the first quarterback in Auburn history to throw at least two touchdown passes in each of the first five games of a season.

    On the ground, after a disappointing start to the season, tailback Mario Fannin saw a lot of action against ULM and finished with 10 rushes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Hopefully Fannin can stay healthy and hold on to the football which will give the Tigers another weapon at tailback along with Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb.

    Auburn leads the series 24-6-1. The Tigers have scored more than 30 points in 10 of the last 16 meetings against the Wildcats. In the last eight meetings, Auburn has totaled 28 rushing touchdowns and just six passing touchdowns.

    Like last year, Auburn is off to a 5-0 start. The Tigers then lost three straight including a shocking 21-14 loss to UK at home. Things are different this year as Auburn seems to be playing better on defense and of course Newton is a handful for any opposing defense. Another loss to UK could possibly see the Tigers lose three straight again with upcoming games against Arkansas and LSU. Auburn may lose a game or two this season, but a loss this weekend in Lexington won't happen.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-20.



    Tennessee at Georgia, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Georgia 17-14.



    Alabama at South Carolina, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 31-13.



    Arkansas at Texas A&M, 2:30 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: Arkansas 30-28.



    E Michigan at Vanderbilt, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Vandy 24-14.



    LSU at Florida, 6:30 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Florida 20-13.



    Mississippi St at Houston, 7:00 pm CT, CBS College Sports

    Prediction: MSU 28-24.

    New Arena Set to Open

    Friday, October 15, 2010, is the day Auburn Tiger basketball fans have been eager to arrive. The $86 million Auburn Arena will open its doors for the first time to a sellout crowd.

    Festivities will be at 5 p.m. on the northern side of the Arena (by the Village) outside front doors on the grass. There will be face painting, inflatable games and live music. The mens and womens basketball team will join fans at 5:30 p.m. and sign autographs.

    Arena doors open at 6:15 p.m. Seating is general admission, meaning first-come, first- serve. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. The mens and womens basketball team will then return as the cheerleaders, Tiger Paws, pep band and Aubie also join them on the court. Shortly after, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters will perform.

    Concessions stands will be open. Parking is also first-come, first-serve for the event as well. However, the parking lot between Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum and Plainsman Park will be unavailable for parking because of the game Saturday. All other lots will be open. Shuttles will be picking fans up by the old credit union (on Magnolia) and the parking deck next to Plainsman Park.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, while overall they're 42-8. This week, Arkansas travels to Auburn for a big SEC West battle. Other SEC games have Vandy at Georgia and Ole Miss at Alabama.

    Arkansas at Auburn, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Arkansas and Auburn tangle Saturday afternoon at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Both teams are very much in the hunt for the SEC West title with Alabama falling to South Carolina last weekend. The Razorbacks need a victory since they already have a loss in the conference play. Auburn enters the contest with a 6-0 record for the first time since the 2004 season after a last-second 37-34 win at Kentucky. Arkansas comes in at 4-1 after beating Texas A&M 24-17 last Saturday.

    You can probably expect a high scoring contest since both teams feature very potent offenses. Arkansas has scored on its opening drive in each of its past three games, while averaging 30.0 points per game.

    The Razorbacks are led by quarterback Ryan Mallett. The junior has thrown for 300 or more yards in each game this season and in 10 games in his career.

    Last Saturday, Mallett completed 27-of-38 passes for 310 yards and threw three touchdowns. Mallett is second in the nation in passing yards per game (349.6), third in total offense (344.8) and seventh in passing efficiency (170.30).

    The Razorbacks are third in the nation in passing offense (354.0) which could result in a long afternoon for an Auburn secondary that has had trouble defending the pass this season. The Tigers are allowing 239.2 passing yards per game.

    Arkansas hasn't had much success running the football so far in 2010. Overall, they are 96th in the nation in rushing offense (108.8). Even though they gained 132 yards on the ground last Saturday, they are still one of the SECs worst rushing offenses.

    A weak ground game could mean trouble for Arkansas as it faces an Auburn defense that ranks second in the SEC and 14th nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 95.7 yards per game. In three games against SEC teams this season, the Tigers have not allowed any individual runner to gain more than 47 yards rushing.

    Nick Fairley leads the league and is tied for fifth in the nation averaging 2.1 tackles for loss including five sacks. Auburn's defense has been stingy in the fourth quarter, allowing just 13 points in the fourth quarter and overtime this season while limiting their three SEC opponents to just three fourth-quarter points. Auburn has held opponents to 4-of-19 on third-down conversion attempts in the fourth quarter and overtime.

    On defense, Arkansas has held three of its five opponents to fewer than 20 points. The Razorbacks are second in the SEC and 13th nationally in scoring defense (15.0), and third in the league and 19th nationally in total defense (302.4). The Razorbacks average 3.4 sacks per game, which ranks fourth in the country.

    Auburn's offense will be a big challenge for Arkansas as the Tigers rank eighth nationally in rushing offense (276.0), 10th in total offense (483.0) and 18th in scoring offense (36.7).

    Even though Arkansas seems to have improved on defense, it hasn't faced a beast like Cam Newton. Against Kentucky, Newton ran for four first-half touchdowns and finished with 408 yards of offense (198 rushing, 210 passing). He executed a brillant final drive that chewed up the final 7:22 off the clock as the Tigers went 86 yards in 19 plays. The 19 plays made it the second longest drive in Auburn history. The drive ended with Wes Byrum's 24-yard game-winning field goal with no time remaining. It was the fifth game-winner of his career.

    Thanks to an experienced offensive line, Auburn leads the SEC and ranks eighth nationally averaging 276.0 yards per game on the ground. Auburn has three of the top 12 rushers in the SEC, led by Newton, who averages a league-best 112.0 yards per game on the ground.

    In the series, Auburn leads 10-8-1, with the Razorbacks winning the last two. This will be the first time in the Auburn-Arkansas series that both teams are nationally ranked entering the contest. The winning team has scored 21 or more points in every game of the series except 2003 and 2007. Nine of the 19 games between the two schools have been decided by seven points or less.

    While Auburn is 6-0, the Tigers have yet to put together a complete game. You could say the lopsided victory against Louisiana-Monroe was a complete game, but the Warhawks weren't much of an opponent.

    On offense, the Tigers need to step on the gas and not let up until the end of the game. It seems like the offense is content with going to the locker room at halftime with the lead, then gets away from the gameplan in the second half which isn't good because you never know how the defense will perform. Hopefully Mallett won't be on his game Saturday afternoon with the secondary so unpredictable. With Newton playing like he's already wrapped up the Heisman Trophy, you have to go with the Tigers.

    Prediction: Auburn 40-30.



    Vanderbilt at Georgia, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Georgia 40-13.



    South Carolina at Kentucky, 5:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-20.



    McNeese at LSU. 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: LSU 45-13.



    Mississippi St at Florida, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Florida 21-17.



    Ole Miss at Alabama, 8:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Alabama 27-23.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, overall they are 46-10. This week, LSU looks to knockoff Auburn in a nationally televised game on CBS. Alabama plays at Tennessee while Georgia plays Kentucky in Lexington.

    LSU at Auburn, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    LSU visits the Plains to battle Auburn in a contest that features the only two unbeaten teams in the SEC. The winner Saturday will be in the driver's seat to make the trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.

    Both teams enter the game 7-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play. LSU is ranked sixth while Auburn is ranked fifth. The Tigers have won nine of their last 16 games against teams ranked in the top 10 of the AP poll, and 15 wins over top-10 teams since 2001.

    Last weekend, LSU defeated McNeese State 32-10. The game saw LSU use a two-quarterback system with Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee for the third straight game. In those three games, Lee has completed 34-of-48 attempts for 384 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Jefferson has completed 15-of-30 attempts for 158 yards with three interceptions.

    LSU head coach Les Miles plans to play both quarterbacks against Auburn. Miles wants the offense to be more aggressive Saturday by throwing the football. LSU ranks last in the SEC in passing offense (140.3) and 10th in both total offense (328.6) and scoring offense (26.7).

    Tailback Stevan Ridley ranks second in the SEC in rushing, with 686 yards and six touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Michael Ford is another option in the backfield for LSU. Against McNeese State, he rushed for 88 yards on 10 carries and scored two touchdowns.

    After giving up 436 total yards to North Carolina in the season-opener, LSU has held its last six opponents to an average of 209.8 total yards per game.

    LSU ranks first in the SEC in total defense (242.1 ypg), rushing defense (83.6 ypg) and pass defense (158.6 ypg). Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard leads the team with 66 tackles, while defensive tackle Drake Nevis has 38 tackles, 11.5 TFL, and 5.0 sacks.

    Last Saturday, Auburn survived a wild contest by beating Arkansas 65-43. It marked the most points Auburn has scored in an SEC game since 1970, when the Tigers scored 63 against Florida.

    Linebacker Josh Bynes came up big by picking off two passes on back-to-back Arkansas drives in the fourth quarter. Bynes leads the team in tackles with 42, including 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and four quarterback hurries.

    Auburn's defense ranks third in the SEC and 15th nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 101.7 yards per game. Auburn has held six of its last 11 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing dating back to the end of the 2009 season. The Tigers have not allowed a single running play of more than 26 yards this season.

    What was thought to be a strength of the defense before the season started, the secondary continues to struggle each week, including last week when Arkansas had over 400 passing yards. The unit took a hit when cornerback TSharvan Bell went down with a leg injury in the first half and also when safety Aairon Savage left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury that required surgery. Savage may be able to return for the Alabama game.

    You could say special teams played a major role in the victory over Arkansas. The Tigers' kickoff coverage didn't allow any big plays while the punt coverage saw Antonio Goodwin block a punt late in the first half.

    Onterio McCalebb almost ran a kickoff back for a touchdown while the always reliable Wes Byrum nailed all three field goal attempts and eight extra point attempts.

    Quarterback Cam Newton continues to play like the best player in all of college football. Against Arkansas, Newton had 25 carries for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Through the air, he completed 10-of-14 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown.

    Newton leads the SEC and ranks 11th nationally (third among quarterbacks) in rushing, averaging 122.9 yards per game. His numbers are even better in SEC games, as he averages 158.0 yards per game and has 10 rushing touchdowns - both league bests. He's on pace to finish the regular season with 1,474 yards rushing. The SEC record for yards rushing by a quarterback in a single season is 1,006 by Auburns Jimmy Sidle in 1963.

    LSU leads the series 24-19-1. Last year in Baton Rouge, LSU won 31-10. The winner of the LSU-Auburn game has gone on to win the SEC Western Division in six of the last 10 years. LSU is 6-9 all-time in games played at Auburn. Miles is 4-1 vs. Auburn, which includes a 1-1 mark at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Prediction: Auburn 28-23.



    Ole Miss at Arkansas, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Arkansas 30-20.



    UAB at Mississippi St., 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 24-13.



    Alabama at Tennessee, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Alabama 34-14.



    South Carolina at Vanderbilt, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: South Carolina 31-10.



    Georgia at Kentucky, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Georgia 17-14.

    Letter to the Editor

    One of the most important offices on the Nov. 2 ballot is Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries. It is also one of the lesser known positions which means it generates little attention from the media and gets little notice from the average voter.

    Why is this agency so important? Because it is the primary consumer protection agency in the state. Every time you buy gas for your car, buy food at the grocery store, have your home inspected for termites or put some catfish in the frying pan, you are being protected by inspectors and regulatory personnel from the Department of Agriculture & Industries.

    While this agency is very involved in working with farmers and agribusinesses, it is also the first line of defense for every homemaker wanting to make sure her family is eating safe and wholesome food. And though many city voters may tend to skip this race, trust me, if you enjoy three meals a day you have a vested interested in who holds this important position.

    Voters will decide between Republican John McMillan and Democrat Glen Zorn. McMillan served in the Legislature and in the cabinet of Governor Fob James. Zorn was mayor of Florala and has been Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries since 2003.

    I have known both men for many years and think highly of each. However, since I can only vote for one, he will be Glen Zorn.

    The difference being that because of his understanding of what this important agency does, Glen Zorn will not need any on-the-job training. He is an able administrator, a fiscal conservative and proven public servant.

    Larry Lee
    Montgomery

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-0, with an overall mark of 52-10. This week, Auburn goes to Oxford to face an unranked Ole Miss team. Other games have Georgia and Florida playing down in Jacksonville, and Kentucky at Mississippi St.

    Auburn at Ole Miss, 5:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Auburn takes its No. 1 BCS ranking on the road to face Ole Miss. Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt is 5-9 all-time against top-five teams, including a 50-48 triple OT victory at No. 1 LSU in 2007. In all five wins, Nutts team entered the game unranked, and four of the wins came on the road.

    Last weekend, Ole Miss lost 38-24 to Arkansas in a game that was delayed twice by severe weather. Senior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli rushed for 98 yards and threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns in the losing effort. Masoli is one of only four quarterbacks in the nation to average at least 50 rushing yards (57.1) and 180 passing yards (180.0) per game.

    The Rebels rank third in the SEC in rushing offense (211.1), fifth in total offense (410.3) and sixth in scoring offense (31.4). UM has allowed the fewest sacks in the league, giving up just seven all season.

    On defense, Ole Miss gives up a Southeastern Conference-worst 32 points per game. The Rebels are 10th in total defense (370.6), but sixth in rushing defense (125.0).

    Auburn improved to 8-0 by beating LSU 24-17 last weekend. Against the best defense in the SEC, quarterback Cam Newton rushed for a career-high 217 yards and two touchdowns.

    Newton has rushed for at least 176 yards in each of the past four games - including three against SEC competition. Newton is also only the second player in school history to rush for 170 or more yards five times in a single season, joining Bo Jackson who accomplished the feat in 1985.

    The Tigers are ranked fourth nationally in rushing offense (303.3), 10th in total offense (486.8) and 11th in scoring offense (38.6). Auburn is averaging 321.0 yards rushing against SEC opponents and has rushed for at least 300 yards against four straight SEC teams.

    Auburn's defense started slow but has seen improvement over the last few weeks. The unit has been stingy late in games, allowing just 28 points in the fourth quarter and overtime this season, including just 18 points against its four SEC opponents. The Tigers have held opponents to 5-of-25 (.200) on third-down conversion attempts in the fourth quarter and overtime this season.

    The unit ranks 16th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 103.4 yards per game, and has not allowed a rush of more than 26 yards this season. In pass defense, Auburn is 101st nationally allowing 248.9 yards per game

    Defensive tackle Nick Fairley continues to give opposing offenses all they can handle. Fairley leads the SEC in tackles for loss with 17.0, which is second most in the nation, and ranks second in the league in sacks with 7.5, which is tied for 10th most. He has at least one tackle for loss in every game this season, including four games with at least 2.5 tackles for loss.

    The defense has been busy creating turnovers which is a big reason why the Tigers are undefeated. Auburn has forced 13 turnovers in the last five games, and eight of the 13 turnovers came in the fourth quarter, resulting in 42 Auburn fourth-quarter points.

    The meeting Saturday will mark the 35th meeting all time between Ole Miss and Auburn dating back to 1928. Auburn leads the all-time series 25-9. In games played in Oxford, the Tigers hold an 8-2 edge. Nutt is a combined 6-6 in his career against Auburn in his stops at Arkansas and Ole Miss.

    Auburn is 13-0 against Ole Miss when the Tigers are nationally ranked. The largest margin of victory in the series is 41 points when the Tigers defeated the Rebels, 41-0, in 1985.

    The talk last week was all about how Auburn's explosive offense would fair against LSU's top-rated defense. This week, you have an offense that seems to get better each week up against a defense that allows over 30 points per game. On paper, Auburn shouldn't lose this game but Nutt has a history of getting his team ready to play against highly-ranked opponents. The Rebels won't pull off the upset this weekend.

    Prediction: Auburn 41-17.



    Tennessee at South Carolina, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: South Carolina 34-20.



    Florida at Georgia, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Georgia 28-24.



    Kentucky at Mississippi St., 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 21-17.



    Vanderbilt at Arkansas, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: 38-13.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-1, with an overall mark of 56-11. This week, a few SEC teams play FCS opponents, including Auburn against Chattanooga for homecoming. The biggest game in the conference is Alabama at LSU.

    Chattanooga at Auburn, 12:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Auburn 53-13.



    Florida at Vanderbilt, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Florida 24-20.



    Idaho State at Georgia, 11:30 am CT, PPV

    Prediction: Georgia 48-7.



    Charleston Southern at Kentucky, 11:30 am CT, PPV

    Prediction: Kentucky 40-6.



    Alabama at LSU, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 24-14.



    Louisiana-Lafayette at Ole Miss, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Ole Miss 45-17.



    Arkansas at South Carolina, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-26.



    Tennessee at Memphis, 7:00 pm CT, CBS College Sports

    Prediction: Tennessee 27-17.

    Travelers Brings Golf Challenge to Jordan-Hare

    Fans have chances to win an iPod and other prizes from Travelers by hitting a hole-in-one prior to the Georgia game as part of the 2010 Tailgate Tour.

    WHO:
    Travelers is pleased to host fans who want to win a prize by taking a shot at a hole-in-one.

    WHAT:
    Travelers is giving fans a chance to win an iPod Shuffle by hitting a hole-in-one prior to the Auburn-Georgia game. As part of the family-friendly 2010 Tailgate Tour, fans can take part in an interactive experience that includes taking a golf chip shot at a floating golf green shaped like the Travelers iconic red umbrella.

    This is a replica of what takes place at the Travelers Championship, a PGA TOUR event where golf professionals like Justin Rose, Bubba Watson, Corey Pavin, Stewart Cink and others take aim at a hole-in-one or being closest to the pin on a larger floating umbrella on a pond at TPC River Highlands.


    WHEN:
    Saturday, November 13 - gates open at 10 AM ET 2:30 PM CT

    WHERE:
    The 2010 Tailgate Tour area at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, FL

    (The Travelers Golf Challenge will be setup at the Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum plaza on Heisman Drive)

    Basketball Season Tips-off Friday

    Its been busy in Auburn over the past week with numerous allegations against star quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Cameron Newton being released by the day.

    The Deep Souths Oldest Rivalry Saturday has partially been overshadowed, and a historic event has seemed to get no attention.

    Friday, Nov. 12, will be the night of the first official games at Auburn Arena. For lucky fans that have tickets, they will be treated to a rare double-header. The womens team begins at 5 p.m. against Mercer. The men follow against North Carolina-Asheville, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. The arena will be cleared in between games. Gates are expected to re-open at 7:30 p.m.

    The parking lot next to the arena is reserved for Scholarship Donors and premium seat holders. Fans are encouraged to park in the Campus Parking Deck, College of Business parking lot and C - Zone lot (old Credit Union lot - corner of Donahue and Magnolia).

    There are a limited number of tickets still available for the mens game. Standing room only tickets are $10 while premium mid-court seats are $100 each. Premium mid-court seats include a complimentary food buffet and non-alcoholic beverages. Students need only an Ignited Card to enter. Seating is first come, first serve.

    All fans in attendance will receive a souvenir game ticket, compliments of ADPH Get 10 and the world famous Zooperstars will perform at halftime.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-2, overall they are 62-13. This week, Auburn can win the SEC West with a victory over Georgia. Also, Florida hosts South Carolina, and Alabama plays Miss. St.

    Georgia at Auburn, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Georgia and Auburn will be meeting for the 114th time in the Deep South's oldest rivalry that began in 1892. It is the seventh most played series in the country, tying with Oregon-Oregon State.

    Auburn leads the series 53-52-8. In the series, the visiting team has had more success with the Tigers having a record of 18-11 in Athens, while the Bulldogs are 14-9-2 on the Plains. Auburn has won 10 of its last 14 games at Sanford Stadium and Georgia has won on five of its last seven trips to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    In 113 meetings, Georgia has outscored Auburn by just 56 points, 1,778 to 1,722. Georgia has won four straight in the series for the first time since a stretch from 1944 to '48 where the Bulldogs claimed five in a row.

    Both teams are coming into Saturday's meeting fresh off of easy victories over FCS opponents. Auburn defeated Chattanooga 62-24, while Georgia trounced Idaho State 55-7.

    Against Idaho State, the Bulldogs started off slow but then scored 35-points in the second quarter. Quarterback Aaron Murray threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter, including two to junior receiver A.J. Green. Safety Bacarri Rambo also returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown. Most of the starters were pulled after halftime as Georgia began looking ahead to the game against rival Auburn.

    The Bulldogs started the season 1-4, but since then Mark Richt's team is 4-1 while averaging 42.8 points per game in those five games. Georgia is 25th nationally in scoring offense (33.8) but 54th in total offense (394.6). In six games played, Green is averaging 5.3 catches and 85.0 yards per game receiving with seven touchdown grabs.

    On Defense, Georgia is 13th nationally in rushing defense (106.4) and 15th in total defense (305.5). Justin Houston leads the SEC with 9.0 sacks. Brandon Boykin is the SEC leader in kickoff returns, averaging 28.6 yards. The Bulldogs feature two outstanding kickers, with Drew Butler second in the league in punting (45.2) and Blair Walsh has made 17-of-20 field goals (.850).

    Last weekend against the Mocs, Auburn scored 48 points and racked up 484 yards in the first half. The Tigers 48 first-half points were one shy of the school record set 15 years ago in a 76-10 win over Chattanooga. Quarterback Cam Newton threw for a career-high 317 yards and four touchdowns and ran for a fifth, all in the first half

    Newton leads the SEC in rushing (114.6 yards a game), rushing touchdowns (15) and passing efficiency (182.8) with 19 touchdown passes and five interceptions.

    Auburn's offense is the top scoring offense in the SEC, averaging 42.2 points a game. Auburn has scored 50 points or more in five games.

    Freshman tailback Michael Dyer has 799 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Onterio McCalebb is averaging 9.27 yards per carry, which is best in the nation among rushers ranked in the top 100 in the country.

    On defense, the Tigers are No. 52 nationally in total defense (356 yards a game) and No. 55 in scoring defense (24 points). They also give up 241 yards passing a game, which is 11th in the SEC. Defensive tackle Nick Fairley is second in the SEC in sacks (7 1/2) and first in tackles for loss (18).

    Wes Byrum leads SEC kickers in scoring with 96 points, missing one PAT and four field goal attempts this year. Demond Washington is third in the SEC in kick returns, averaging 26.9 yards, including a 95-yard return for a score.

    Under Richt, the Bulldogs are 4-2 versus top-10 opponents. Also, in the Georgia-Auburn series, the lower-ranked or unranked team has won seven of the past 13 meetings that either or both teams entered ranked. Auburn enters Saturdays game ranked No. 2 in the nation and Georgia unranked. In the last meeting of a ranked Auburn vs. an unranked Georgia, the Bulldogs upset the No. 5 Tigers 37-15 in 2006 at Auburn.

    Georgia may be the hottest team in the SEC right now besides Auburn. If not for an overtime loss to Florida a few weeks ago, the Bulldogs would be riding a five-game winning streak. The return of Green probably gave Georgia that extra spark it needed on offense. Although Auburn's secondary played pretty well against Arkansas and LSU, they will really have to play well against Green. Stopping him will be key. If they do, the Tigers will be rewarded with a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-24.



    Ole Miss at Tennessee, 11:00 am CT, CBS

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-17.



    Vanderbilt at Kentucky, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Kentucky 30-14.



    Texas at El Paso at Arkansas, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Arkansas 48-10.



    Louisiana-Monroe at LSU, 6:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: LSU 33-14.



    South Carolina at Florida, 6:15 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Florida 27-18.



    Mississippi St at Alabama, 6:15 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Alabama 26-20.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, overall they are 68-14. This week, Auburn has a much needed weekend off. In conference games, Ole Miss is at LSU, and Arkansas plays at Mississippi St.

    Georgia St. at Alabama, Thursday, 6:30 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Alabama 50-7.



    Troy at South Carolina, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-10..



    Appalachian St. at Florida, 11:30 am CT, PPV

    Prediction: Florida 48-6.



    Ole Miss at LSU, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 24-13.



    Arkansas at Mississippi St., 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Arkansas 26-20.



    Tennessee at Vanderbilt, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Tennessee 30-14.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-0, overall they are 74-14. This week, Auburn travels to Tuscaloosa for the 75th Iron Bowl on Friday. LSU plays at Arkansas and Georgia Tech is at Georgia.

    Auburn at Alabama, Friday, 1:30 pm CT, CBS

    Auburn faces arch-rival Alabama in the 75th Iron Bowl Friday in Tuscaloosa. UA holds a 40-33-1 lead in the series. The Tigers own a 6-1 edge in the series in Tuscaloosa and a 4-1 record at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Last year, UA won 26-21 in Auburn. The Crimson Tide has reeled off 20-straight victories at Bryant-Denny since suffering a 21-14 loss to LA-Monroe November 17, 2007.

    In the Auburn-Alabama series, the team leading at halftime has won 74.0 percent of the time (54-of-73). Eighteen of the last 22 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less. The visiting team has won six of the last 11 games after the home team had won the previous seven.

    The Crimson Tide comes into Friday's meeting with an overall record of 9-2 and 5-2 in the SEC. UA hammered Georgia State 63-7 last Thursday. It was the most points for the Crimson Tide since a 66-3 win over Vanderbilt in 1979.

    UA is averaging 434.6 yards of total offense per game to rank 26th nationally and fourth in the SEC. The rushing offense is ranked 31st at 184.9 yards per game (fourth in the SEC) while the passing offense is 37th at 249.7 yards per game (third in the SEC). The Crimson Tide is scoring 35.3 points per game to rank third in the conference and 20th nationally.

    On the defensive side, UA is ranked third nationally in scoring defense (12.8) and seventh in total defense (293.5). The Crimson Tide has allowed just 39 points in six games at Bryant-Denny. The unit has hauled in 21 interceptions this season, which leads the nation. Sophomore safety Robert Lester's seven interceptions leads the SEC and is second nationally.

    Auburn comes into Friday's contest fresh off a bye-week after playing 11-straight games. The Tigers are 11-0 overall and 7-0 in conference play. Auburn has trailed in seven of its 11 victories, and has rallied from a double-digit deficit in three of the wins.

    Auburn's offense ranks third nationally in rushing offense (307.9), fifth in scoring offense (42.8) and sixth in total offense (505.2). Auburn is on pace to break the school single-season records for scoring per game (38.5 - 1995) and total offense per game (485.0 - 1970) and currently has the second-best rushing yards per game average in school history (312.5 - 1985). The Tigers have scored at least 50 points in five different games this season, which is the most in one season in school history.

    Quarterback Cam Newton leads the SEC and ranks ninth nationally (second among quarterbacks) in rushing (117.9). He is the first player in SEC history and one of nine different FBS players ever to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. Newton ranks second in the nation with 39 touchdowns scored or passed for, which is more touchdowns than 62 of the other 119 FBS schools have scored as a team this season.

    Thanks to Newton and tailbacks Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb, the Tigers lead the SEC with their average of 307.9 yards per game - 87.4 yards per game more than second-place Ole Miss. Dyer is ninth in the SEC averaging 78.1 yards per game, while McCalebb is 12th in the SEC averaging 62.1 yards per game.

    On defense, Auburn ranks second in the SEC and 11th nationally this season, allowing just 111.6 yards rushing per game this year. The Tigers have held opponents to 17-of-64 (.266) on third-down conversion attempts in the second half and overtime this season. Auburn has surrendered just 111 points in the second half and overtime this year (10.1 ppg), including just 45 in the fourth quarter and overtime. Per game, Auburn allows 24.9 points.

    The defense is tied for 25th nationally in tackles for loss, averaging 6.7 per game. Nick Fairley leads the SEC and is tied for eighth nationally in tackles for loss with 18.0, which is tied for fourth most in a season in school history.

    The Tigers will be without Mike Blanc and Michael Goggans for the first half of Friday's game. Both were ejected late in the fourth quarter two weeks ago against Georgia.

    Auburn hasn't been able to stop the pass all season. The pass defense ranks 100th in the nation, allowing 244.1 yards per game, and 74th in pass efficiency defense.

    The play of special teams has been a bright spot for Auburn in 2010, with Demond Washington averaging 25.5 yards per kickoff return. Washington has set an Auburn single-season record for kickoff return yardage with 918, including a 95-yard touchdown at Ole Miss. He had 176 kickoff return yards at Ole Miss, which is third most in a game in school history and most in the SEC this season. McCalebb returned a kickoff 99 yards against Arkansas, and freshman Demetruce McNeal has a team-high 13 tackles on special teams.

    Prediction: Auburn 31-26.



    Kentucky at Tennessee, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-20.



    LSU at Arkansas, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Arkansas 28-20.



    Florida at Florida St., 2:30 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: FSU 21-16.



    South Carolina at Clemson, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: South Carolina 23-13.



    Mississippi St at Ole Miss, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 35-17.



    Wake Forest at Vanderbilt, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Vandy 17-14.



    Georgia Tech at Georgia, 6:45 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Georgia 28-17.

    Hey Bama! We are happier than you, too!

    Football isn't the only thing that Auburn beat Alabama in this week. It would seem that the Auburn Tigers are happier than their cross-state rivals too.

    According to rankings released by CareerBliss.com Auburn University faculty and staff are among the happiest university employees in the nation based on eight job satisfaction measurements. Auburn was ranked second in the top ten list behind the Wichita State University. The only other SEC school in the top ten was Florida at number seven.

    Auburn had its highest score and largest differential from the listed industry averages in the category of "Career Advancement." The university's was very highly rated for "Recommend to Others" and "Senior Management" but also received above average scores for "Job Security," "Growth Opportunity" and "Work-Life Balance."

    Chances are the Tigers will remain happier than the Tide for the next 360 or so days anyway.

    SEC Championship Game Prediction

    Last week's predictions were 7-1, with an overall record of 81-15 for the season. South Carolina and Auburn meet in the Georgia Dome for the SEC title. The contest can be seen nationally on CBS at 3:00 pm CT.

    Auburn vs. South Carolina, 3:00 pm CT, CBS

    After a long, grueling season in conference play, Auburn and South Carolina earned a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. The Gamecocks are making their first trip while the Tigers are returning for the first time since 2004. Auburn won back in 2004 when it defeated Tennessee 38-28. In their other two appearances, the Tigers lost to Tennessee 30-29 in 1997, and 28-6 to Florida in 2000.

    This is the 10th all-time meeting between Auburn and South Carolina, with the Tigers holding a 7-1-1 edge, including a 2-1-1 mark in games played at neutral sites. The two teams met already this season, with Auburn claiming a 35-27 victory on Sept. 25 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. This will be the second meeting between the Gamecocks and Tigers when both teams have been ranked in the national polls; the other came in the earlier meeting this season.

    In the Sept. 25 meeting, Auburn quickly fell behind 20-7 before scoring a touchdown late in the second quarter to cut South Carolina's lead to 20-14. The third quarter saw the Tigers take a brief 21-20 lead before the Gamecocks went back on top 27-21 only a few minutes later.

    In the fourth, Auburn took the lead for good when quarterback Cam Newton connected with tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen on a seven-yard pass, then Newton and receiver Emory Blake hooked-up for a 12-yard touchdown pass that capped a nine-play, 53-yard drive.

    Also in the fourth, Auburn's defense came up big when linebacker Josh Bynes forced one fumble and had a key interception of backup South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw. The defense also forced South Carolina starting quarterback Stephen Garcia into a pair of costly fumbles.

    The Gamecocks have won three straight games to finish the regular season 9-3, including last weekend's 29-7 victory over Clemson. Tailback Marcus Lattimore ranks second nationally among freshmen in rushing, averaging 101.3 yards per game. Lattimore has scored 19 touchdowns, which is tied with Newton for the most in the SEC and just one behind the national leaders. Alshon Jeffrey is one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, and ranks fifth nationally averaging 112.6 yards receiving per game.

    Garcia has completed 189-of-287 passes (65.9%) for 2,646 yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games. He has a chance to have the top single-season completion percentage in South Carolina history, topping Steve Taneyhills 67.1% in 1995.

    Through 12 games, the Gamecock defense has allowed 242 points (20.2 avg.). They rank third in the SEC and 25th in the nation in scoring defense. They also lead the SEC in rushing defense (93.2) but rank 10th in passing defense (245.5).

    The Gamecocks rank third nationally, averaging 3.25 sacks per game. Defensive end Melvin Ingram leads the way with 8.0 sacks on the season, ranking him third in the SEC.

    Last Friday, Auburn improved to 12-0 and remains in the hunt to play for the national title after an amazing comeback over arch-rival Alabama. The Tigers were down 24-0 in the second quarter before storming back to win 28-27. It marked the largest deficit overcome in a victory in school history.

    Auburn is ranked sixth nationally in rushing offense (291.3), seventh in scoring offense (41.6) and eighth in total offense (490.1). Auburn is ranked second in the nation in average yards per pass attempt (10.28) and third nationally in average yards per rush attempt (6.24). The Tigers have set school single-season records for points (499) and total offense (5,881) and is on pace to set school single-season records for per-game averages in both categories.

    Against SEC opponents, Auburn is averaging 296.4 yards rushing and has rushed for at least 300 yards against six straight SEC teams for the first time in school history.

    Newton leads the SEC and ranks 11th nationally (second among quarterbacks) in rushing (111.3). He is the only player in the country with five 170-yard rushing games this season. Newton is the first player in SEC history and one of nine different FBS players ever to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.

    Tailback Michael Dyer has rushed for 886 yards, which is sixth most nationally among freshmen, and Onterio McCalebb is averaging 8.52 yards per carry, which is second in the nation among rushers ranked in the top 100 in the country and on pace to set a new Auburn record.

    Defensively, Auburn is ranked 10th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 108.0 yards per game, and has allowed only one rush of more than 30 yards this season. The Tigers have held nine of their 11 opponents to 117 or fewer yards rushing, including five under 100.

    Auburns defense has held opponents to 17-of-72 (.236) on third-down conversion attempts in the second half and overtime this season.

    Nick Fairley leads the SEC and is tied for fifth nationally in tackles for loss with 20.0, which is tied for most in a season in school history (since 1981). He has 9.5 sacks, while Antoine Carter has 10.0 tackles for loss and Zach Clayton has 7.0. Twenty different players have recorded tackles for losses this season for Auburn, including 13 players with at least two.

    While most people think it's hard to beat a team twice in the same season, Auburn is on a mission to make it to Glendale for a shot at the national title. South Carolina seems to be playing better since the two teams met in September, but Auburn has been outstanding on offense with a few bumps in the road on defense. Sure the Tigers rank 58th nationally in total defense and 106th against the pass, but they have stepped up all year when they needed to make big plays. Auburn should come out strong which will result in a pretty easy victory on Saturday.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-24.

    An ill-considered plan, or let my people bowl

    Auburn University officials announced Tuesday that classes will start as scheduled. In email blasts, faculty, staff and students were told that the first day of classes would commence January 10--the same day as the BCS Championship game.

    How many students will be focused and ready to learn on the day of the game, not to mention the morning after?
    Faculty were given the option of rescheduling or adjusting the syllabus to otherwise make up the days, but students who are lucky enough to get tickets and go to the game, will fall behind the rest of the class. Most support staff and administrative/professional personnel will not have the option as the the first day of Spring Semester is one of the busiest days of the year.
    Ironically, the limited ticket availability means only key administrators and employees with years of experience are eligible to purchase ticket. These people are needed in Auburn for the first day of class. Will Dr. Gogue stay in Auburn to lead the University or enjoy a luxury box in Glendale? I think we all know the answer to that one. Ironically, Auburn's president is scheduled to return to the class room this semester in a lecture series scheduled for Monday's from 6-9 p.m. Think the prez will meet his class--those that show up--on the first day of class?
    Seriously, Dr. Gogue, please reconsider and examine the precedence for what has been done in the past when January bowl games conflicted with the start of class. Use your "Snow Plan" for what you would do if a snowstorm hit Auburn on the evening of January 10, because that's what it's gonna look like outside your office window the next morning as you look toward Toomer's Corner.

    Good Times on the Plains

    A year after Tiger fans watched arch-rival Alabama win the national championship; Auburn faithful are living the dream. There are no accusations that can doubt Auburn of deserving a trip to Glendale, AZ.

    Recently, the cheer Its Great to be an Auburn Tiger, has been nothing more than an understatement. But fans need to remember Auburn success didnt start in September. In June, the baseball team hosted an NCAA Regional after winning the SEC West. A few weeks ago the volleyball team made a trip to Nebraska after making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. Does equestrian and swimming and diving even need to be address?

    Toomers Corner has been covered with such amounts of toilet paper the past few weeks its amazing the trees are still standing. Every Saturday night, often into Sunday morning, thousands of Tiger fans flee to the famous intersection to celebrate the latest win. However, this year, Toomers has been more crowded than most have ever seen. In fact, it gets so crowded, fans are lucky to even make it to the trees.

    As the football team and fans both prepare for a trip to the desert, its crucial to keep this feeling in mind. Two years ago Auburn went 5-7. Fans remember. It can happen again. The current state is a complete 180 degree turnaround. The actual feeling is ineffable. The waiting game for Jan. 10 has begun. Tiger fans need to seize this moment.

    Bowl Game Pick'em Contest

    College football fans are excited about this year's selection of bowl games that start Dec. 18 with the New Mexico Bowl and end with the biggest one of all on Jan. 10 with the BCS National Championship Game.

    Not only can you sit back and watch every bowl game, but you can also join in on the fun by playing the College Football Bowl Game Pick'Em contest which will add to the excitement as you watch. The Pick'em game is free to play and you could win $1,000!

    After you fill-out the registration form, begin by selecting a winner for each bowl game and assigning Confidence Factors to them. For each correct pick, you will receive the number of the confidence factor you assigned to that game. Your total score will be the sum of the confidence factors of the games you correctly selected the winner of. If your pick was incorrect, you do not receive or lose points.

    If you think you've got what it takes, sign-up and play! The fantasy team with the best record across all sites will win a $1,000 GRAND PRIZE! Each site winner will win 2011 subscriptions to TheHuddle.com and BaseballHQ.com.

    To see the official rules and to sign-up, visit College Football Bowl Game Pick'Em contest

    BCS National Title Prediction

    Now that the meaningless bowl games are over, the one that Auburn fans have been looking forward to is just a few days away. Auburn and Oregon play for the BCS National Title Monday on ESPN.

    Auburn vs. Oregon, Jan. 10, 7:30 pm CT, ESPN

    After a long five weeks since the matchup was announced, Auburn and Oregon are ready to battle for the national championship in Glendale. The Tigers won their only national title way back in 1957, while the Ducks are trying to win their first. Oregon, 12-0, is playing in its second straight BCS Bowl under head coach Chip Kelly. Auburn, 13-0, is led by second-year head coach Gene Chizik.

    If the Tigers win, they would be the fifth straight SEC team to win the national championship. Meanwhile, the Ducks look to become the first Pac-10 team other than USC to finish No. 1 in the polls.

    Both teams took similar paths to get to Glendale with high-power offenses and average defenses. In 2010, Auburn averaged 42.7 ppg while Oregon led the nation by scoring 49.3 ppg. The Tigers gave up 24.5 ppg, and the Ducks allowed 18.4 ppg.

    While Oregon's only close game was a 15-13 win at California, Auburn's season saw a lot of nail-biters, with eight come-from-behind wins - four by double digits. Both teams last played on Dec. 4, with the Ducks defeating Oregon St. 37-20 and the Tigers 56-17 victory over South Carolina.

    Starting under center for Oregon is sophomore Darron Thomas. Thomas completed 60.7 percent of his throws for 2,518 yards and 28 touchdowns with seven interceptions for a 151.1 rating. He also rushed for 492 yards and five touchdowns.

    Heisman Trophy finalist LaMichael James leads the nation in rushing with 1,682 yards, while averaging 152.9 yards per game and has a nation-best 21 rushing touchdowns. In two years at Oregon, James has rushed for 3,228 yards and 35 touchdowns.

    Creating big holes for James was an offensive line that helped the Ducks rank fourth in the nation in rushing offense (303.8 yards per game). They were also a big reason why Oregon was one of four teams in the nation to average more than six yards per carry (6.11).

    Jeff Maehl is having one of the best years of any receiver in Oregon history. Maehl has already set a new school single-season record with 12 receiving touchdowns and he set the longest touchdown streak by an Oregon receiver with a scoring grab in nine straight games.

    On defense, Oregon is seventh nationally in turnover margin at +13, and has intercepted 20 passes. The Ducks allow 331.6 ypg, 117.6 rushing ypg, and 214.0 passing ypg. Oregon ranked 15th in the nation in rushing defense (117.6 yards per game) while allowing 3.33 yards per carry.

    On the line, Brandon Bair ranked tied for 21st in the nation with 15 tackles for loss and was named second-team all-Pac-10. Kenny Rowe had 12 tackles for loss and a team-high six sacks.

    At linebacker, Casey Matthews led the team with 73 tackles and Spencer Paysinger was second on the team with 68 tackles.

    Oregon's solid secondary is led by sophomore Cliff Harris, who was named second-team All-America after recording five interceptions. Harris' 15 passes defended leads the nation.

    Harris also stars on special teams. His 19.5 yards per punt return ranks second in the nation and his four touchdown returns lead the nation.

    Punter Jackson Rice averaged 43.1 yards per punt, 31st in the nation. His longest this season is 56. Rice placed 17 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

    Auburn's offense revolves around Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. Newton leads the nation in pass efficiency rating (188.16) and is one of only nine players to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000. He threw for 2,589 yards while rushing for 1,409. His 49 touchdowns (28 by air, 20 on the ground and one receiving) makes him just one of three Bowl Subdivision players in history to pull off the 20-20 feat.

    Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb lead the Tigers' rushing attack. Dyer is ninth in the SEC in rushing and ranked sixth nationally among freshman. McCalebb averages 8.57 yards per carry and had at least one rushing touchdown in five straight games prior to the Alabama game, including three straight games in which he had a touchdown run of at least 49 yards.

    The best offensive line in the SEC and in the country includes four senior starters and one junior starter. Senior All-American Lee Ziemba has started all 51 games at tackle since arriving as a true freshman, while All-SEC center Ryan Pugh has made 45 starts since his true freshman season. Guards Mike Berry (34 starts) and Byron Isom (31 starts) round out the experienced group.

    Darvin Adams continues to be Auburn's top receiver. He's quickly approaching 2,000 career receiving yards and he broke an SEC title game record with 217 yards, all in the first half.

    Terrell Zachery also had a strong season with touchdown catches that went for 80 and 93 yards. Emory Blake and Kodi Burns are very capable receivers along with Philip Lutzenkirchen, who has five touchdown catches for the year.

    Auburn's defensive success starts up front with the line and Lombardi Award winner Nick Fairley. Fairley leads the SEC in tackles for loss with 21.0, which is tied for fourth most in the nation, and ranks second in the SEC in sacks with 10.5. He has had at least four games with at least 2.5 tackles for loss this season.

    Senior linebacker Josh Bynes has 231 career tackles, including 10 in the Iron Bowl victory over Alabama. Bynes and the defense have surrendered just 117 points in the second half and overtime this year (9.0 ppg), including just 48 in the fourth quarter and overtime, after giving up 201 in the first half. Auburn opponents have converted on 48.9 percent (44-of-90) of third down plays in the first half, but just 24.4 percent (19-of-78) after intermission.

    Auburn's secondary has been questionable all season, but like the rest of the defense, plays better in the second half. The Tigers have only 10 interceptions, with just half by defensive backs. Zac Etheridge is the only senior of the group, along with juniors Neiko Thorpe and Mike McNeil, and sophomore T'Sharvan Bell.

    Senior Wes Byrum has hit 30-of-36 field goals during the last two years and is 70-of-71 on extra points this season. Auburn gives up about 19 yards per return, with Byrum consistently placing kicks inside the 5 or 10.

    The Tigers average 25 yards per return thanks to Demond Washington. Washington has more than 1,000 return yards this season, while returning one 95 yards for a touchdown this year and a 99-yarder last year.

    A chance to win the national championship doesn't come very often for both Auburn and Oregon. How well they handle the big stage in Glendale might be a factor in the outcome. Both teams should be ready to play and ready to deal with the pressure after overcoming the odds just to make it to the title game. If Auburn's defense plays all four quarters like they are capable of, the Tigers have a great shot. Newton and the offense should be able to score enough points if the defense does its job.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-31.

    Streaming of BCS National Championship Events

    For all of you Ducks and Tigers fans that cant come to Arizona for the events, FOXSportsArizona.com will be providing features and live streaming throughout the week leading up to the BCS National Championship Game.

    FOXSportsArizona.com will be streaming live the BCS Media Day (Friday: Auburn at 8:30 a.m. MST / Oregon at 10 a.m. MST), as well as both Pep Rallies (Sunday: Auburn at 2 p.m. MST / Oregon at 5 p.m. MST) here. In addition, coverage from the Bud Light Fiesta BCS Party will be added to the site throughout the week.

    Celebration Day

    On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, an estimated crowd of over 70,000 Tiger faithful filed into Jordan-Hare Stadium to celebrate Auburns national championship season.

    Lines were formed outside the stadium hours before gates opened at 11 a.m. Students gained field access. The designated area for students became full quickly, and late arrivals flocked the outskirts of the field. The lower deck was full before 12:30 p.m., which opened up the upper decks.

    Festivities began slowly but surely. Guest speakers included Auburn president, Dr. Jay Gogue, athletic director, Jay Jacobs, Auburn mayor, Bill Hamm, Alabama governor, Dr. Robert Bentley, and 1957 Auburn starting quarterback, Lloyd Nix.

    Trophies were presented once the speeches ended. Nick Fairley was presented the Lombardi Trophy by former winner and Auburn coach Tracy Rocker. Cam Newton received the Heisman Trophy. Gus Malzahn was presented the Broyles Award. There were several other trophies introduced to the crowd before the granddaddy of them all was shown.

    The bottom half of the Coaches Trophy had been on the stage since the crowd was let into the stadium. After the other trophies were on the table for display, the crystal ball was given to head coach Gene Chizik.

    As Chizik lifted it into the air, years of waiting turned into a joyous moment. Even a week and a half after winning the national championship, it felt as if it was a new feeling.

    The Auburn family has waited 53 years for a year like 2010. The celebration was the closing chapter of the season. Although its over, the memories will live forever.

    Sweet Victory

    Yesterday's 79-64 victory over South Carolina in Columbia was the first win in conference play for Auburn in men's basketball. I was beginning to wonder if Tony Barbee's group would finish 0-16 in SEC play.

    I haven't really watched many of the games this year but the ones I have seen, Auburn looks great on defense while struggling on offense. If the team could be more consistent on offense and score like they did yesterday and earlier in the season against Florida State, they could certainly win more SEC games.

    Several injuries to key players like Frankie Sullivan have definitely set the team back. And with two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior in the starting line-up, Barbee's team has a lot of maturing to do. But, victories like yesterday won't be a rare thing.

    So far, Barbee has done an outstanding job of recruiting and promoting basketball to the Auburn fans. Once Barbee has a few years to recruit, I expect his teams will win many more SEC contests.

    The victory yesterday on the road was huge. As the Tigers head into the second-half of conference play, let's hope they can build on the positive things from yesterday. I have a feeling when the season ends in March, this team will be much improved than the one that started the season way back in November.

    Product Review: Apple iPad

    I finally gave in and purchased an Apple iPad a few weeks ago. So far, the roughly 8x10-inch touch-screen tablet computer has definitely lived up to the hype.

    The iPad has three models that connect to the Internet strictly over Wi-Fi (16GB for $499, 32GB for $599, 64GB for $699) and three that use a combination of Wi-Fi and AT&T's 3G wireless (16GB for $629, 32GB for $729, and 64GB for $829). I bought one with 3G so I could use it anywhere with AT&T 3G wireless coverage to connect to the Internet or check e-mail if I'm ever out of town and don't have access to a Wi-Fi network.

    There are two data plans available from AT&T and you can sign up straight from your iPad. One plan is $14.99 a month for 250MB of data, or $25 a month for 2GB. There's no long-term contract for either plan, and you can cancel anytime.

    I've tried the 250MB plan and noticed that 3G is quite a bit slower than my home Wi-Fi network. Back when Auburn was playing for the national title I was prepared to be without power for a few days because of an ice storm. My plan was to watch the game on the iPad using 3G. After trying different apps and finding out that games on ESPN3.com aren't available on the iPad because iPad doesn't support Flash, I thought I might have to depend on my battery-powered radio to listen to the game. Luckily, I never lost power.

    If you aren't familiar with Flash, it's a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. ESPN3 and other websites use Flash to show live games and events.

    The iPad screen is made of the same oleophobic-coated glass as the iPhone, making it relatively easy to wipe away fingerprints that will eventually show up. Behind the glass is an LED-backlit, 9.7-inch capacitive touch screen that uses IPS (in-plane switching) technology for different viewing angles.

    The iPad measures 7.47 inches wide by 9.56 inches tall by 0.5 inch thick, and weighs 1.5 pounds (or 1.6 pounds for the 3G model). It features a finger-friendly OS with an onscreen QWERTY keyboard, and an accelerometer that can detect whether the device is in portrait or landscape mode. A 30-pin dock connector used to connect the iPad to a computer sits on the bottom, along with a small integrated speaker. On the right edge you have volume control and a switch that works to mute any annoying alert sounds. There's also a headphone jack for earbuds and a built-in microphone.

    The iPad runs the same software found on Apple's popular iPhone and iPod Touch. Unlike conventional computer OS software, designed around the mouse and the keyboard, the iPhone OS responds only to touch input and is generally capable of running only one application at a time.

    The iPad features Bluetooth, can be used to listen to music, rent movies, play games, read books, has 10 hours of battery life and tons of applications. The iPad comes with many apps already installed for Web browsing, e-mail, maps, photos, music, video, YouTube, and more.

    Other apps can be installed using the built-in App Store software or by connecting the iPad to iTunes via your computer using the included connector cable. If you already own apps purchased for an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can transfer these apps to the iPad, as well.

    I haven't really downloaded many apps except for a few free ones. There are hundreds of free apps and probably thousands more you can purchase for $.99 and up.

    The video app that's already installed is a neat feature. I received some movies on Blu-ray for Christmas that came with digital copies, too. I'm able to transfer the digital copies from my computer to the iPad for viewing on trips.

    Many accessories can be purchased to complement the device. The iPad Keyboard Dock combines a dock with a full-size keyboard. You can import photos from a digital camera or SD card with the iPad Camera Connection Kit. The iPad Case not only protects your iPad, it lets you use it in various positions. And different adapters let you connect iPad to TVs, projectors, and displays.

    If you plan on using a lot of apps or adding hours of videos, you're probably better off getting the 32GB or 64GB model. I've read where the second generation version will be available soon which will probably have a camera and other add-ons so you might want to wait and buy one of those. When iPad 2 is released, the price for the original iPad will likely drop which means it might be more affordable to those on a budget.

    Overall, I'm happy with all of the features, and I'm really impressed with the battery life. I know I've used it for more than 10 hours without having to charge it. The screen produces brilliant colors whether you're watching a YouTube video or movie. It's lightweight and easy to carry around. I'd rate it 4.5 out of five stars.

    Play Ball

    A year after winning the SEC West title, Auburn is looking for another successful baseball season in 2011. The Tigers, ranked No. 23, begin the 2011 season at home against Arkansas State Feb. 18.

    John Pawlowski enters his third season as Tigers head coach with a 74-46 record. During his second year, Pawlowski led Auburn to its first trip to the SEC Tournament in seven years. The Tigers also hosted a NCAA Regional.

    The 2010 team set a record for most team homeruns in Auburn history. Unfortunately, that record is not going to be threatened this year.

    Auburn lost power hitters Trent Mummey, Hunter Morris and Brian Fletcher to the draft. The Tigers still have several returning starters.

    The infield will be similar to last year with second baseman Justin Hargett, shortstop Casey McElroy and third baseman Dan Gamache all returning. Justin Bryant has fully recovered from his injury from last year. Designated hitter, Kevin Patterson, has been speculated to play first base. Tony Caldwell, who played well while Ryan Jenkins was hurt, will be back this year behind the plate.

    The outfield only has one returning starter, Justin Fradejas. Auburn High alumni Creede Simpson will most likely fill one of the available starting spots. Simpson was a clutch fill-in player last season. He hit the game-winning homerun against Clemson in the top of the ninth to keep Auburns season alive in a must-win game during the Regional.

    Pawlowski said the team is going to play more fundamental baseball, due to the lack of power. Knowing Auburn will play small ball has a lot of fans excited.

    Pitching is going to be the factor that decides the season. Auburns lone returning regular starter is Cory Luckie. Jon Luke Jacobs, Sean Ray, Bradley Hendrix and Zach Blatt are returners from the bullpen.

    Although there are several spots to fill, Auburn is expected to have a terrific season. Games throughout the season will appear on television and there are numerous promotions for everyone.

    Catch the Tigers this weekend as they open the season at Plainsman Park. Auburn faces Arkansas State at 6 pm CT Friday, Virginia at 1 pm CT Saturday, and UAB at 3 pm CT Sunday.

    Pets Can Make You Sick

    According to researchers in California, documented cases show that sleeping with, kissing and being licked by your beloved pet can possibly make you sick.

    The report, published in the February issue of the public health journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, found that seemingly healthy pets can carry parasites, bacteria or viruses that cause mild to life-threatening illness in people.

    In one case a 69-year-old man, whose dog slept under the covers with him and licked his hip replacement wound, came down with meningitis. Another incident involved a 9-year-old boy who got plague, a potentially deadly bacterial infection, from sleeping with his flea-infested cat.

    Other infections transmitted to people after sleeping with their cat or dog, kissing them or being licked by the pet include: hookworm, ringworm, roundworm, cat-scratch disease and drug-resistant staph infections, the report said.

    The authors cite surveys conducted in the U.S., the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands, where between 14 and 45 percent of dogs sleep on or in an owners' bed, while 45 to 62 percent of cats sleep on or in the bed. According to a 2005 study by the American Kennel Club, women were more likely than men to report sleeping regularly with their dogs.

    Owners can stay healthy by practicing good hygiene habits, which include washing hands with soap and hot water after handling pets. Also, immediately wash any area licked by a pet.

    To prevent and catch illnesses early, keep animals free of fleas and ticks, routinely dewormed, and have them examined by a veterinarian regularly. The authors also discourage owners from kissing their cats or dogs and sharing a bed with them.

    While people need to be aware that it's possible to get sick from a pet, the health benefits of ownership far outweigh the risks. Research has shown that besides offering psychological support and friendship, pets help to lower blood pressure, increase physical activity, reduce stress and lift owners' spirits, among other things.

    March is National Nutrition Month

    Every year since 1980, March is known as National Nutrition Month. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

    This year's theme, "Eat Right with Color," provides an easy way to focus on improving eating habits by adding fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy into your meals every day.

    National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) to promote nutrition awareness and education. It originated in 1973 as "National Nutrition Week" and expanded to the month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. The theme changes each year, but it always focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

    Here's what adding a little color to your plate can do for you:

    Yellow/Orange: Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, mango, corn, and cantaloupe all contain a variety of carotenoids, an antioxidant that reduces your risk of developing cancer. Also high in vitamin A, orange and yellow foods make great post-workout snacks since cartenoids help repair micro tears in well worked muscles.

    Green: Vegetables such as kale, spinach, and broccoli are high in lutein, which keeps your vision sharp and clear.

    Blue/Purple: Blueberries and blackberries are chock full of anthocyanins, which along with creating the dark hues of these berries also helps maintain flexible bloods vessels and may suppress tumor growth. Go even darker and try some black rice, which is loaded with the antioxidant.

    Red: Tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit are loaded with lycopene, shown to possibly protect against cancer and heart disease. The lycopene in tomatoes can improve the skin's ability to protect itself against damaging UV rays.

    White: Don't discount the absence of color to mean foods like cauliflower have nothing to offer nutritionally. Like its cruciferous cousin broccoli, cauliflower has cancer-fighting properties. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C and potassium just make sure to eat the brown skin for its fiber content. There's also some evidence that the sulfur compounds in garlic and onions may ward off stomach and colon cancers. Other white foods, like poached chicken, seafood, reduced-fat cheeses, eggs, and tofu, provide all-important protein.

    What is St. Patrick's Day?

    Originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday as people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green, and drinking beer.

    In Ireland, St. Patricks Day is both a holy day and a national holiday. St. Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

    According to legend, St. Patrick used a shamrock to explain about God. The shamrock, which looks like clover, has three leaves on each stem. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

    St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in countries around the world on March 17 because many people believe that St. Patrick died on March 17, 460 A.D.

    Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious celebrating begins.

    The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland but in the United States when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.

    Over the next 35 years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called "Irish Aid" societies like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes and drums.

    In 1848, several New York Irish Aid societies decided to unite their parades to form one New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. Today, that parade is the world 's oldest civilian parade and the largest in the United States, with over 150,000 participants.

    Each year, nearly three million people gather along the 1.5-mile parade route to watch the procession, which can last for more than five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Savannah also celebrate the day with parades involving between 10,000 and 20,000 participants.

    Why Does March Make Everyone Mad?

    Every year as March approaches madness spreads across the country. Whether your favorite team is a future number one seed, a bubble team, or doesn't have a chance to make the dance, the NCAA basketball tournament has everyone's attention annually.

    But where did the term that has become common originate?

    Believe it or not, the term did not begin with collegiate basketball. March Madness was first used in 1908 describing an Illinois state tournament. In 1939, Henry V. Porter, an official with the Illinois High School Association, wrote an article for an in-house magazine with the term in it. Three years later he wrote a poem called, "Basketball Ides of March." In the poem he wrote, "A little March madness may complement and contribute to sanity and help keep society on an even keel."

    Illinois held on to March Madness until 1982 until CBS's Brent Musburger, who was a former Chicago Daily News writer, used it while broadcasting a game. Following Musburger's use of the phrase, the IHSA applied to trademark March Madness in 1989. The NCAA and IHSA clashed in 1996, when the IHSA sued to stop GTE, an NCAA corporate partner, from distributing a video game bearing the March Madness title. The NCAA contended that it had a common-law trademark on the phrase and was allowed to license it at will.

    The 7th Circuit Court sided with the NCAA, but its ruling was simple enough to open the door for future cases. Rather than possibly face numerous more court appearances, the two sides agreed to form the March Madness Athletic Association, a joint holding company. The IHSA controls the name on the high-school level, while the NCAA has a perpetual license to use the phrase for the tournament we all know.

    Henry Porter came before the time of filling out brackets, but he couldn't have nicknamed the month of March, or the tournament, more correctly. So, as you watch the games this year quiz your friends on March Madness and where the commonly used synonym came from.

    Tigers Win Series Against Arkansas

    Auburn opened up SEC play this past weekend hosting ninth-ranked Arkansas. The Tigers won the series by winning Saturday and Sunday, closing the weekend with a 14-6 (2-1) record.

    An extra inning game started the weekend off with excitement. Arkansas won 6-5 in a battle that went 11 innings. Ethan Wallen (0-2) took the loss for Auburn, throwing 4 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and one earned run.

    Auburn took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. However, the Razorbacks appeared to pull away scoring four runs over the next three innings.

    Kevin Patterson put the Tigers back in the game with a bases clearing three-run double in the bottom of the fourth. Casey McElroys fifth-inning solo homerun regained the lead for Auburn, which held until Arkansas tied the game in the seventh.

    Auburn missed chances to win the game in the bottom of the seventh and 10th inning. In the seventh, the bases were left loaded. In the 10th, runners were left on second and third.

    Wallen began the top of the 11th inning by hitting Jarrod McKinney. After McKinney stole second, Caleb Kuhn got a hit, giving Arkansas the lead. Auburn was unable to reach base safely in the bottom half, giving Arkansas the game one win.

    Saturday was a completely different ballgame. Arkansas couldnt hang onto an early lead as Auburn won 9-5.

    Will Irvin received the win for the Tigers, throwing six innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs, while striking out five.

    Auburn was down 2-0 before having a huge six-run fourth inning. The inning was highlighted by a grand slam by Patterson.

    In the sixth, Auburn added two more runs, both scored with two outs. The following inning, the Tigers added on another run from two sacrifices making the score 9-2.

    Arkansas attempted to make the game interesting in the ninth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Matt Reynolds singled, scoring two. After Matt Vinsons single loaded the bases again, Kyle Robinson was walked, before Zach Blatt closed the game, 9-5.

    Sunday was the conclusion promised by exciting games one and two. Auburn scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to beat Arkansas 8-7.

    Ethan Wallen earned the win for the Tigers, throwing 1 2/3 innings, allowing three hits, two runs, one earned, and striking out two.

    Auburn scored one run in the first four innings, highlighted by a solo homerun by Casey McElroy, to take an early 4-1 lead.

    Arkansas started hitting starter Derek Varnadore in the seventh, drilling the junior with three runs, causing a pitching change.

    Zach Blatt didnt have much more success as he allowed two more runs in the eight inning, which gave Arkansas the 5-4 lead.

    In the bottom of the eighth, a hit batsman and two walks loaded the bases with one out. McElroy singled to score the tying and go-ahead run. Dan Gamache and Tony Caldwell also singled to score a run each.

    For the second straight day, the ninth inning was anything but easy for Auburn. With one out and the bases loaded, Kyle Robinson singled to make it a one-run game. Dominic Ficociello followed by also singling to right. One run scored with ease, but Justin Fradejas made a perfect throw home to stop the game from being tied. Wallen got the next batter to ground out to end the game.

    Auburns Casey McElroy and Wes Gilmer extended their hitting streaks this weekend. McElroy has now hit safely in 15-straight games and Gilmer has in 14-straight games.

    The Tigers play at Jacksonville State Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and return to action at Plainsman Park on March 29 against Troy at 6 p.m.

    Auburn Swept By Vandy

    A week after being swept by Mississippi State, the Auburn baseball team (15-13, 2-7 SEC) matched up against the No. 1 team in the country, Vanderbilt. The Tigers' luck was no better, as the Commodores handed Auburn its second consecutive SEC sweep.

    Vanderbilt showed the Auburn crowd why its top-ranked in game one. The Commodores put together 20 hits to win the opener 11-6.

    Andrew Morris received the loss for the Tigers, throwing 3 innings, allowing nine hits, three earned runs and two walks, while striking out two.

    Each of the four Tiger pitchers gave up at least two runs, as Vanderbilt got started early on its offensive attack.

    Vandy had a 3-0 lead before Auburn got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Cullen Wacker walked with one out, which Creede Simpson followed with a single. A wild pitch advanced runners to second and third. A ground out followed by a Justin Fradejas single put Auburn back in the game, down 3-2.

    The Commodores responded by scoring seven runs over the next two innings. Auburn scored two in the eighth and ninth, but the deficit was too large to overcome.

    Auburn committed two errors in the game. Eighteen of Vanderbilts 20 hits were singles with three players having four hits. Auburns nine hits came from nine different players in the 11-6 loss.

    Saturday wasnt much easier for the Tigers. Auburn kept the game close until Vanderbilt broke the game open in the eighth to win 11-2.

    Jon Luke Jacobs took the loss for Auburn in his SEC starting pitcher debut. The junior threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits and struck out four.

    Zach Alvord tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the third, blasting a shot off the scoreboard in left-center field. The next inning, Alvord scored Simpson on a bunt single.

    The game remained 3-2 in Vandys favor until the top of the eighth. With two outs, Zach Blatt and Slade Smith allowed eight Commodore runs to score.

    Auburn was unable to get any sort of comeback together and lost game two, and the series, 11-2.

    Auburn had a chance to salvage a win on what has been named Championship Sunday. Vanderbilt scored late to complete the sweep, 6-2.

    Ethan Wallen took the loss for Auburn, throwing one inning, allowing three hits and four earned runs.

    Down 2-0 in the fourth, Auburn tied the game up from a two-RBI single by Wes Gilmer.

    In the sixth, Auburn put together three hits to load the bases with one out. The Tigers were unable to take the lead as Brooks Beisner struck out and Simpson flew out.

    In the seventh, Vanderbilt scored four runs to put Auburn away. Wallen allowed five singles, four scoring off of Cory Luckie.

    Auburn returns to action Tuesday at Troy. The game will air on CSS at 6 p.m. The Tigers return home on April 19 to face South Alabama at 6 p.m.

    Cancer Rates Continue to Fall

    New cancer cases and the cancer death rate continue to fall in the U.S., driven largely by declines in lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers in men and breast and colorectal cancers in women.

    New diagnoses for all types of cancer combined in the U.S. fell on average almost 1% per year from 1999 to 2006. Cancer deaths decreased 1.6% a year from 2001 to 2006. Overall cancer rates continue to be higher for men than for women, but men experienced the greatest declines in new cases and deaths.

    The annual report examining cancer incidence and cancer death trends in the U.S. is a joint effort by the CDC, the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

    Among the major findings:

    - The overall cancer incidence continues to be higher for men than for women, but men experienced the greatest declines in new cases and deaths.

    - New cases declined for the three leading cancers in men -- prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer -- as well as for brain cancer, stomach cancer, and cancer of the oral cavity. No change was seen in the rate of pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and increases were reported for cancers of the brain, esophagus, kidney, and liver and for melanoma and myeloma.

    - Among women, declines were reported for two of the three most widely diagnosed cancers: breast and colorectal. New cases of lung cancer rose slightly.

    - For men and women, death rates declined for colorectal, stomach, kidney, and brain cancers, as well as for leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and myeloma. Lung cancer death rates dropped by 2% annually among men and remained unchanged for women.

    - Deaths from prostate cancer fell by about 4% annually between 2001 and 2006 and deaths from breast cancer fell by almost 2% a year during the same period.

    The researchers also touted progress against colorectal cancer. In the last quarter of the 20th century, colorectal cancer incidence fell 22%, due equally to wider screening and risk reductions such as improved diets. The groups said accelerated efforts could reduce mortality by another half from 2000 to 2020.

    While the death rate from cancer continues to fall, the actual number of Americans who die from the disease is projected to rise in coming years as the population increases and baby boomers reach the high-risk age for cancer.

    Blue Helmet Mystery

    Auburn fans were fooled early in the 2010 season when the possibility of blue helmets was presented when a photo of a blue helmet became the talk around the Plains.

    As everyone knows, the Tigers wore the traditional home uniforms and beat Clemson in the seasons True Blue game in an overtime thriller.

    Recently, popular Auburn blog site, WarBlogle.com, has released information on Twitter and his site on the misconception. The WarBlogler claims that the photo was taken the week of the game, but created prior to that.

    Auburn obtained a blue helmet and a curious equipment manager put the Auburn stickers on it to see what it would look like, according to the blog. It was never planned to be worn.

    In fact, the Blogler says that his sources have confirmed that the helmet isnt even Under Armour. Its Riddell.

    The helmet was stashed away until a baseball manager snuck into the equipment room to see what all the talk was about. Thats when the picture was taken.

    The infamous blue helmet was de-striped and eventually destroyed.

    Although the helmet questions have gone to rest, there is rumor that Auburn will sport War Eagle on its pants in 2011, which has slowly started a new conversation.

    Auburn Baseball Looks To Finish Strong

    With four weeks remaining until the Southeastern Conference Tournament, the Auburn Tigers are making a push to become back-to-back SEC West champions.

    The Tigers started the SEC on a high note taking two of three from No. 9 Arkansas before getting swept two weeks straight by Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, dropping Auburn to a 2-7 record.

    Auburn fought back hard over the next three weeks, winning all three series to get back to .500 with a 9-9 record. Thats where the season is currently.

    Four series remain. South Carolina and Tennessee are on the road, and Alabama and Georgia are at home. If Auburn can win all four series, the chance of repeating as SEC West champions looks promising.

    At 9-9, Auburn is at the top of the standings. Arkansas, Ole Miss and Alabama all have similar records. The likelihood of Auburn making the SEC Tournament for a second straight year is high.

    For Auburn to continue its winning ways a few things needs to happen.

    Obviously, the Tigers have to be able to hit. The new bat rules have hurt Auburn throughout the season, but the Tigers have found ways to win games.

    Casey McElroy has been an offensive presence all year. Hes hitting .352 this year with six homeruns and 40 RBI. Kevin Patterson recently has come into his own in the batters box. Patterson has a team-leading seven homeruns, including a game winner against Ole Miss to give Auburn the series.

    Pitching has been where the Tigers have struggled all year. Auburn has had a revolving door approach to starters this season. Derek Varnadore is the only pitcher that starts on a regular basis. The bullpen has also been inconsistent, which only further complicates the problem.

    Varnadore is making his name known on the Plains. The junior transfer has a 3.67 ERA on the year with a team-leading 55 strike outs in nine starts. He also has a 4-1 record with his lone loss coming to No. 1 Vanderbilt.

    Ethan Wallen has been the most consistent pitcher out of Auburns bullpen this year. He has a team-best 3.51 ERA in 18 appearances. Slade Smith threw seven innings out of the bullpen in Auburns last game against Ole Miss to pick up his first win since Opening Day. He may re-enter the starting rotation.

    If Auburn is going to continue to win games these five players will especially need to play well. Auburn has a history of playing well in crunch time. Last year, Auburn made a run from mid-April until the SEC Tournament winning its final five series clinching the SEC West championship along the way.

    The Tigers return to action Tuesday against Samford, followed by Texas Southern Wednesday. Both games start at 6 p.m. CT at Plainsman Park.

    May Means Sweeps

    For many television viewers, May means a whole month of exciting moments before the summer reruns begin. The major networks pull out all of the best programming during May sweeps as they try to win the ratings war.

    The month long special ratings period which features sitcoms, specials, movies and miniseries, is designed to set advertising rates in more than 200 cities. May 25 is the final night of May sweeps.

    Here are a few highlights from the big four networks as they end the TV season with a bang.

    ABC

    Brothers & Sisters May 8: Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) and Luc (Gilles Marini) get hitched on what could be the series finale.

    Desperate Housewives May 15: Someone will end up dead during the two-hour finale.

    Castle May 15: Kate gets closer to figuring out who murdered her mother on the season finale.

    Grey's Anatomy May 19: Owen (Kevin McKidd) picks the next chief resident on the season finale.

    2011 Billboard Music Awards May 22: The ceremony will feature performances by Jennifer Lopez, Black Eyed Peas, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum and Rihanna.

    The Middle May 25: Doris Roberts dons the role of Mrs. Rinsky.

    Cougar Town May 25: Sam Lloyd played the beleaguered lawyer Ted Buckland on Scrubs and reprises that character on the season finale.

    CBS

    The Amazing Race May 8: The final three teams race to Miami in the season finale.

    The Good Wife May 10: Alicia (Julianna Margulies) confronts Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) about her one-night stand with Peter (Chris Noth).

    CSI: Crime Scene Investigation May 12: Langston (Laurence Fishburne) finally comes face-to-face with serial killer Nate Haskell (Bill Irwin).

    Blue Bloods May 13: Frank (Tom Selleck) tries to expose the secret group the Blue Templars on the season finale.

    How I Met Your Mother May 16: Ted (Josh Radnor) is the best man on the season finale and meets his future wife at the ceremony.

    NCIS May 17: The identity of the port-to-port killer is revealed on the season finale.

    The Mentalist May 19: The mole is revealed in the two-hour season finale.

    Survivor: Redemption Island May 15: Find out if Boston Rob is victorious on the two-hour season finale.

    NBC

    Community May 5: Shirley finally goes into labor, leaving the other characters scrambling to give her a hand.

    Chuck May 9: Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) walk down the aisle.

    The Office May 19: Jim Carrey, Ricky Gervais, Will Arnett and Ray Romano stop by the season finale.

    Saturday Night Live May 21: Justin Timberlake hosts the season finale.

    FOX

    House May 2: Candice Bergen returns as Cuddy's mom.

    Glee May 3: Kristen Chenoweth will reprise her role as April Rhodes.

    Bones May 12: Arnold Vosloo returns as sniper Jacob Broadsky.

    Glee May 24: New Directions heads to the national competition.

    American Idol May 25: The 10th Idol is named.

    Auburn Still In Hunt For SEC West Title

    The past two weeks have produced ups and downs for Auburn baseball. The team, 25-22 (11-13 SEC), is currently in a must-win situation that wasnt even at this level when the Tigers were 2-7 to start SEC play.

    Auburn was swept in Columbia by South Carolina, 37-10 (18-6 SEC) two weeks ago. The Tigers played at a competitive level against the No. 2 team in the country and could have pulled out a Friday win thanks to Jon Luke Jacobs pitching gem.

    Fans realistically only expected one win in Columbia, if even that. Speculation was the sweep wouldnt set Auburn back too much as long as the team won the three final series of the year.

    Georgia, 25-23 (14-10 SEC), came to the Plains last weekend in a crucial series for both teams. Auburn took the first two games in the series, which was huge.

    Auburn won an 11-inning thriller Friday. Georgia hit a solo homerun in the top of the 11th to take the lead before Auburn put together three singles and a walk to win 4-3 in walk-off fashion.

    Derek Varnadore was the highlight of Saturdays game, throwing a five-hit complete game. It was his second complete-game shutout of the season.

    If you havent heard yet, Sunday was tragic. Auburn took an 8-0 lead in the first inning. Everyone expected the team to cruise the next eight innings to a sweep.

    Georgia scored slowly, but entering the last inning, trailed 11-5. This is where everything fell apart.

    Auburn choked to an unimaginable level to lose the series finale 14-11.

    Dillion Ortman got the first out of the inning for Auburn, but allowed two walks and a three-run homerun. Ethan Wallen walked and hit a batter, gave up a single and walked in a run. Sean Ray walked in a run of his own and struck a batter out. With two outs in the inning, Kyle Farmer hit a grand slam off of Ray.

    The line for the inning: nine runs, three hits, 0 errors, 0 left on base.

    So, where does Auburn stand now?

    Auburn literally went from tied for first to tied for seventh in the SEC West because of one inning. With that said, Auburn is still one game back.

    Alabama and Arkansas hold a tie for first place. Auburn has the tie-breaker over the Razorbacks and faces its in-state rival at home this weekend. The Tigers, Ole Miss and Mississippi State are tied for third. Auburn holds the tie-breaker over Ole Miss, but not Mississippi State.

    With that said, John Pawlowskis team isnt necessarily in a bad position. Winning the series against Alabama is a must. The Tigers travel to Knoxville for the final SEC series next week to face a Tennessee team that is 5-19 in conference play.

    Looking into the near future, Auburn plays Samford in Birmingham on Tuesday and hosts Alabama State Wednesday at 6 p.m. ASU is a make-up game for a rainout earlier this year. Admission is free.

    Former Auburn Golfer To Help With Tornado Damage

    Starting this week at the PLAYERS Championship, and through the TOUR Championship, Jason Dufner is going to donate $100 per birdie, and $500 for every eagle, to help Alabama recover from tornado damage.

    The fundraising program he created called "Birdies for Bama," will help raise money to assist with the rebuilding efforts in tornado-ravaged Alabama.

    While Dufner understands the importance of immediate relief-and plans to assist in his week's off, the road to recovery and rebuilding effort will be extensive and difficult. As all Tiger athletes do, Jason is going "All In" with his efforts.

    Dufner has lived in Auburn, Ala., since he began attending Auburn University; in addition his girlfriend, Amanda Boyd, grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and attended the University of Alabama.

    "For the past 16 years, I've been proud to call Alabama home, and it was heartbreaking to see the damage and hardship for so many people there with the recent tornadoes," said Dufner. "I wanted to do something to show the people there that I'm thinking of them, but also to help the communities rebuild and put this disaster behind them. I know that no one person can do this on their own, so I'm hoping that others will join in and show all of Alabama how many people care."

    Funds will be directed for "Birdies for Bama" to Jason's new foundation, the Jason Dufner Charitable Foundation. Additional details on how to contribute or pledge with Jason will soon follow on his website, http://www.jasondufnercf.com. Jason will post updates on both his Twitter account, @JasonDufner, and through his Facebook group page, Jason Dufner.

    Auburn Takes Two of Three Over Alabama

    For the second straight week, Auburn fans left Plainsman Park with frowns on their faces after the Tigers came close to winning the finale of a crucial SEC series.

    Auburn (28-24, 13-14 SEC) won the series, which was a must. However, the Tigers came up short on Championship Sunday.

    The loss, along with other games around the SEC, creates a four-way tie for first place in the SEC West. Arkansas, Mississippi State and Alabama are the other three teams.

    With Auburn facing Tennessee, who is in last place in the SEC, the Tigers have a great opportunity at taking the title for the second year in a row.

    This past weekend showed a few of Auburns weaknesses.

    Sunday starter Slade Smith pitched 8 2/3 innings before being pulled. Maybe it was part of head coach John Pawlowskis plan, but it appeared that Pawlowski didnt want to go to the bullpen.

    The result was three runs in the top of the ninth that gave Alabama the win.

    Another clear problem was Auburns hitting during the middle innings of the game. During the second game Saturday and Sundays game, Auburn would go innings without a hit after scoring runs in the first inning.

    Auburn was clutch in the late innings of all three games against Alabama. The Crimson Tide took the lead in every game during the middle innings. During the first two games, Auburn roared back to take the lead, and eventually, the game. Sunday, Casey McElroy almost hit a game-tying homerun and ended up being stranded on second when the game concluded.

    All Auburn has to do to make the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament is handle business in Knoxville the way its expected to. Auburn has won the last two series and had a chance to sweep. If Auburn can win two against Tennessee, the team should make both tournaments.

    Europe Trip Part One

    This summer I have decided to go on the greatest adventure of my life. I'm spending half of my summer traveling with Auburn's study abroad throughout Europe. And, I will be coming home with 9 credit hours of core curriculum. So let our journey begin!

    Our first stop is Rome. After a nine hour flight we were all just happy to be on land again. When we got out of the plane we were literally walking around on the tarmac. I have a theory with traveling: pack for the worst, hope for the best. None of our luggage was lost, thank goodness. After we did all of this we took the train to Termini Station. That is the main train station which is about two blocks from our hotel. Our neighborhood is interesting, it looks a lot like China Town in New York. As I said, plan for the worst.

    Our wi-fi didn't work for two days and I'm one of the lucky people who actually got it to work now. Our air conditioner does not really work. Our view is of air conditioners and an alley. My friend is allergic to the detergent and has a rash from our sheets. And to top it all off, my computer can't charge because it doesn't fit into any of my adapters, so I am working off my iPad.

    While it has been in the upper 70's, it has still been very hot and many of us (including myself) have had to miss days due to dehydration and being overheated. But, despite all this I'm having a great time. Things have to go wrong on trips, otherwise you're not doing anything.

    We've seen all the major things by now. We've been to the coliseum, the Spanish steps, and the Vatican. We've even experienced the erratic driving of the cab drivers over here. I personally believe there are no road laws. Just last night we went and got Chinese food (which was actually really good), went to the pantheon, and ate gelato at the Trevi fountain.

    We sometimes walk for nine hours and don't end up eating lunch until three. Today we knew we walked four miles. That's the big thing I notice that is different in Europe, you walk everywhere. And where you can't walk you take the metro. Another strange thing is that you take trains everywhere. Like tomorrow, we are taking a train to the beach. I can't wait to update you on our first out of Rome trip. Till then, ciao!

    Europe Trip Part Two

    Rome really is a wonderful place, but it is nice to get out for a day. We went to Sperlonga beach for the day. It was a little further than others but it was much quieter. It was really nice to spend a day relaxing and avoiding the ice-cold water.

    The next day we spent the whole day catching up on work by sketching. That involved a lot of walking, metro stops, and eventually fleeing back to the hotel to escape the rain and finishing there.

    Rome was nice and all but, it just didn't seem to be the right place for me. The next day we left bright and early for Florence. When we get there we check in, grab some food, and start heading out to sketch. It's an understatement to say I was tired. It ended up that me and three of my friends passed out in my rooms two twin beds.

    The next day we hit it full force with walking, looking at churches, and sketching as we go. Except there is something different this time around. This time we have a cold jumping from person to person. Right now I have it, and my roommate has just started to sneeze. And nothing is worst than being sick in as foreign country and knowing you have a long day of walking ahead. Some people have pulled sick days but I'm avoiding it right now. We'll see how long that lasts.

    While we were walking in Florence we ran into a fashion designer who told us where the Jersey Shore cast was working and he called them "tacky". One of my friends went there after dinner and met a few of them after signing pages after pages of waver forms. We found out from some guys the club that they go to and at the moment we're planning to go on Wednesday.

    Until my next update, I'm just going to rest up and prepare for another long day of walking.

    Gene Chizik's Book Signing Schedule Released

    Auburn University head football coach Gene Chizik will be signing his new book, All In: What It Takes to Be the Best (Tyndale House Publishers), at nine locations in four different states in early July.

    The book, which is scheduled to release July 5, 2011, chronicles the remarkable journey of Gene Chizik, who in two short years went from the maligned 519 coach of the Iowa State Cyclones to the undefeated, AP SEC Coach of the Year of the 2010 National Champions Auburn Tigers. David Thomas, author of Remember Why You Play and senior writer and sports columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, is collaborating on the book. University of Texas head football coach Mack Brown will write the foreword.

    All In: What It Takes to Be the Best is filled with never-before-told stories from Chiziks coaching careerfrom his highly contentious departure from Iowa State and his heavily criticized appointment at Auburn, to his historic 2010 championship run, and all of the extraordinary twists and turns along the way. Coach Chizik opens up about the pivotal role his faith has played in his life and career and shares his time-tested secrets to success, both on and off the field.

    The book signing locations are listed below:

    July 5, Tues.
    Ridgewood, NJ
    6-8 p.m.
    Book Ends
    211 E. Ridgewood Ave.
    (201) 445-0726

    July 7, Thur.
    Kennesaw, GA
    12-2 p.m.
    Lifeway Christian
    667 Earnest W. Barrett Pkway
    (770) 426-4299

    July 7, Thur.
    Peachtree City, GA
    5:30-7:30 p.m.
    Books-A-Million
    258 City Circle
    (770) 632-1296

    July 8, Fri.
    Birmingham, AL
    12-2 p.m.
    Books-A-Million
    757 Brookwood Village
    (205) 870-0213

    July 8, Fri.
    Birmingham, AL
    3-5 p.m.
    Lifeway Christian - The Avenue Peachtree City
    1713 Montgomery Highway S
    (205) 403-0459

    July 8, Fri.
    Montgomery, AL
    7:30-9:00 p.m.
    Books-A-Million
    The Shops at East Chase
    7074 East Chase Pkway
    (334) 273-4679

    July 9, Sat.
    Pensacola, FL
    10 a.m.-12 p.m.
    Barnes and Noble
    1200 Airport Blvd.
    (850) 969-9554

    July 9, Sat.
    Opelika, AL
    2:30-4:30 p.m.
    Books-A-Million
    2243 Tigertown Parkway
    (334) 741-8554

    July 9, Sat.
    Auburn, AL
    6:30-8:30 p.m.
    Lighthouse/Parable
    1725 Opelika Rd.
    (334) 821-7779

    Summer Sounds

    We admit that it's still technically Spring, but school's out and sun 'n' sand beckon. If you are not as ready as we are for a trip to the beach, we have some sounds to get you in the mood.

    It's time to kick off your shoes and get some sand between your toes! We have put together a collection of fun summer music for your vacation or stay-cation.

    Check out our newest radio station just in time for the summer.

    Listen to Beachin' One on Radio Eclectic Esoterica.

    Auburn Baseball Season Ends

    Its official. After the ups and downs of Auburns 2011 baseball season, the season is over after the Tigers went two and out in Hoover at the SEC Tournament.

    Auburn lost in the first round to No. 1 South Carolina, 7-3. The next day, the Tigers faced the Bulldogs of Georgia in an elimination game. Auburn had to win to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

    Derek Varnadore was cruising along before a couple of hits and an error gave Georgia the lead late in the game. Auburns offense struggled after the early innings, the same way it hit against South Carolina, and fell 3-2.

    NCAA rules say a team has to finish above .500 overall to make the tournament. Auburn finished at 29-29.

    It would be interesting to see how the Tigers would have fared if they didnt make the SEC Tournament. For example, LSU finished 13-17 in the SEC, which put it in last place in the West and not making it to Hoover. However, the Bayou Bengals are 36-20 overall. Theyre going to the NCAA Tournament.

    To call the 2011 season a disappointment is not tough at all, especially if its compared to 2010. Although, the two teams almost cant even be compared. For example, Auburn hit an NCAA-leading 131 homeruns in 2010. This past season only 38 balls managed to leave the yard.

    Plus, Auburn did make the SEC Tournament. Thats definitely an accomplishment, especially after starting SEC play 2-7.

    Auburn wont make the NCAA Tournament because of midweek losses. The Tigers fell to Bethune-Cookman, Troy, South Alabama, Jacksonville State and Samford, to name a few.

    Looking toward 2012, the team may have a completely new look. As far as position players go, Tony Caldwell, Kevin Patterson, Justin Hargett, Wes Gilmer and Justin Fradejas are all gone.

    Several juniors, including Varnadore, Dan Gamache and Casey McElroy, will make a huge impact if they return. Varnadore was quoted after the Georgia game as saying he will be returning next year.

    If you cant wait until February 2012 for more Auburn baseball, keep up with the Major League Baseball Draft, which is June 6-8.

    In My Own Words: Gene Chizik

    In My Own Words: Gene Chizik Journey to a Championship is a 30-minute special in which Auburn head football coach Gene Chizik sat down with FOX Sports South producer Ray Goodrich to talk about the 2010 BCS National Championship season.

    In the program, Chizik offers up never-before-heard stories and anecdotes from last year's season.

    In this clip the head coach goes back to October 23, when his Tigers took on the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium, pitting the best defense in the SEC against the Auburns number one offense.

    Chizik breaks down how everything fell together for his team, with Auburns offense rushing for 440 yards - the most an LSU defense has ever allowed. He also takes a look at Cam Newtons impressive touchdown run that put an exclamation point on his Heisman candidacy.

    Then Chizik examines the last two games of the season against Georgia and Alabama, which he describes as two of the most physically daunting tasks that we at Auburn have to tackle every year.

    In My Own Words: Gene Chizik Journey to a Championship debuts Tuesday, June 14 on SportSouth at 10:30 p.m. ET and re-airs on the following dates:
    6/17 @ 5:30pm ET
    6/17 @ 11:30pm ET
    6/18 @ 2:30pm ET
    6/18 @ 9:30pm ET
    6/26 @ 8:00pm ET
    6/30 @ 9:30pm ET

    Alex City Jazz Fest is Rockin'

    Alex City Jazz Fest is lot more than just jazz. The 21-year old music festival, which seems to get better and better, is the home to an eclectic selection of music every year.

    Friday night opened with Coming Attraction who lit the place up, followed by Deep Fried Five, a funky Nashville band that defies labels, and wrapped up by Southern rockers Wet Willie. Wet Willie and lead singer Jimmy Hall did what they have been doing for more than 40 years--getting the crowd on its feet and rocking the house.

    Jazz Fest 2011 wraps up tonight at Lake Martin Amphitheater. Yonrico Scott Band, Randall Bramblett & Geoff Achison Band, and JJ Grey & Mofro are scheduled to appear. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free.

    If you haven't heard of all of these performers don't feel alone. Alex City Jazz Fest seem every year to find little known acts that are outstanding.

    Cam Newton Featured in July's GQ

    The NFLs #1 overall pick and fastest rising star, Cam Newton, is featured in the July issue of GQ magazine. Newton shows off his stripes for his GQ photoshoot in the issue.

    Hes the most controversial rookie in years, the most freakishly talented new quarterback in the league, and a guy like yourself who looks good in one of our favorite fall trendsthe bold striped sweater. Cam also talks about dealing with the stratospheric expectations that come with being the number-one pick: It all comes down to whether a person wins or loses. I dont bring race into the game, cause then youre talking about excuses. I. Hate. Excuses. Excuses are a disease.

    Click here for the full article and slideshow

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Entering his third season as head coach at Auburn, Gene Chizik has the tough task of following an unbelievable 2010 season that saw the Tigers produce Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and their first national title since 1957.

    The 2010 season was very special for Auburn. Faithful Tiger fans who stuck with the team through many years of ups and downs finally experienced a national championship after a long 53-year drought. Too bad those die-hard fans can't go back in time and relive last season all over again. It was definitely a fun ride. But now, the start of the 2011 season is just a few short weeks away and the team that takes the field for the season-opener against Utah State on Sept. 3 will be totally different.

    Even though Auburn signed a recruiting class that was rated as high as No. 2 nationally in February, it may not help fill the void left by the 32 players from last years national championship team who either graduated, entered the NFL Draft, or were dismissed from the team because of off-the-field problems.

    The biggest void to fill is at quarterback after Newton announced three days after the BCS title game that he was leaving for the NFL.

    Arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of college football, Newton won numerous awards and set all kinds of records during his junior year on the Plains. He led an Auburn offense that averaged 42.7 points per game and 497.7 total yards of offense per game. He accounted for 37 percent of the teams rushing yards, 95 percent of its passing yards and played a part in 66 percent of the teams touchdowns.

    While Newton was named the starter at quarterback a few weeks after spring practice ended a year ago, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has yet to decide on who will lead the offense in 2011. The decision on Newton's successor probably won't be made until well into August.
    Barrett Trotter
    Barrett Trotter
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    The job at quarterback is up for grabs between redshirt junior Barrett Trotter and redshirt sophomore Clint Moseley. Trotter was Newtons backup last year which meant he saw very limited playing time. He did complete 6-of-9 passes for 64 yards and ran for 68 more yards and a touchdown.

    Both Trotter and Moseley possess strong throwing arms but Trotter has more on-field experience and seems to have a better knowledge of running Malzahn's complicated spread offense.

    Incoming freshman Kiehl Frazier arrived on campus in late-May and has been participating in informal summer workouts with his teammates.

    Frazier, who was the USA Today National Offensive Player of the Year, threw for 2,975 yards, ran for 1,164 yards, while accounting for 64 touchdowns during his senior season at Shiloh Christian High.

    Frazier may not be ready to start under center, but look for Malzahn to find a way to utilize his talents right away, possibly as quarterback in the Wildcat formation.

    Wide receiver Darvin Adams, a huge piece of Auburn's success on offense last year, also bolted for the NFL after a very successful junior campaign. Adams led all receivers with 963 yards on 52 catches.

    Adams' departure would have been a big enough blow to the receiving corps but the Tigers will also be without Antonio Goodwin and Shaun Kitchens, who were immediately kicked off the team after being arrested for robbery in the offseason. Both would have given the Tigers more bodies at an already thin position with the loss of Terrell Zachery and Kodi Burns to graduation.
    Emory Blake
    Emory Blake
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Auburn will have to rely on junior Emory Blake to step up and be the leader of an inexperienced group of receivers. Blake had a solid season last year when he hauled in 33 passes for 554 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns, including one in the BCS title game.

    The speedy Quindarius Carr was poised to have a breakout season as a junior in 2010, but ended up having a sub-par year. Carr only caught three passes, but two of the receptions were for touchdowns. Carr, along with junior DeAngelo Benton, will be counted on to pick up the slack left by Adams and Zachery.

    If redshirt freshman Trovon Reed stays healthy, the multi-talented wide receiver could provide a much needed spark for Auburns offense. A knee injury early in the 2010 season kept him sidelined for the rest of the year. The playmaker will lineup at slot receiver and at quarterback in the Wildcat formation.

    Newcomer Sammie Coates could be thrown into the mix right away, especially when the Tigers lineup in 5-receiver sets. Last season as a senior at Leroy High School, Coates caught 57 passes for 1,170 yards and 14 touchdowns.

    One area where the Tigers aren't lacking experience is at tight end. Junior Philip Lutzenkirchen is back after a surprisingly solid 2010 campaign. Lutzenkirchen caught 15 passes for 185 yards and five scores, including the game-winning touchdown against arch-rival Alabama in the 2010 Iron Bowl.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Running Backs

    Football Preview: Running Backs

    With most of the players gone from last year's national championship team that had a hand in the offensive production, the running game should be Auburn's strong suit in 2011.

    In 2010, the Tigers had a tremendous season on offense, setting numerous school records en route to an undefeated 14-0 season and a BCS Title. Many of the important pieces that made it possible for Auburn to win its second title in school history either left early for the NFL or saw their eligibility expire.

    With all of the departures, the Tigers may not see the same kind of numbers they racked up on the ground a season ago against stingy defenses of the SEC.

    Auburn averaged a whopping 296.4 rushing yards per game in eight SEC games, which led the league by 111.2 yards per game over runner-up Mississippi State (185.2). Auburn rushed for 440 yards against an LSU defense that ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense (83.6), marking the most yards rushing by Auburn against an SEC opponent in school history.

    The Tigers also rushed for more than 300 yards against six straight SEC opponents. Auburn had never before rushed for at least 300 yards in even three straight SEC games.

    Luckily for offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and position coach Curtis Luper, Auburn has plenty of experience returning from last year's backfield. The unit may be a little thin depth-wise since key backup Mario Fannin graduated, but the top two tailbacks from last season, Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb, are back and poised to pick up where they left off in 2010.
    Michael Dyer
    Michael Dyer
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Early on in his freshman season, Dyer's performance on the field was often overlooked due to the fact that Auburn had other offensive weapons garnering all of the attention. As the season progressed, Dyer began to turn heads as his game got stronger. His average increased from 5.3 yards per rush in the first half of the season to 6.6 yards in the second half.

    Dyer ended up having a memorable season. He finished with 1,093 yards on 182 carries, which broke Bo Jackson's freshman rushing record.

    Dyer was outstanding in the BCS National Championship Game, rushing for 143 yards on 22 carries and was named the Offensive Player of the Game. His 37-yard run late in the 4th quarter that set up the game-winning field goal will always be remembered by Auburn fans.

    Expect Dyer to carry the load running inside with McCalebb showcasing his speed again on sweeps. In 2010, McCalebb finished with 810 yards on only 95 carries and scored nine touchdowns. He also set a single-season Auburn record of 8.5 yards per carry.

    Redshirt freshman Ladarious Phillips takes over for Eric Smith at H-back after Smith was dismissed from the team in February for a violation of an unspecified team rule.

    Phillips was set to be a part of the H-back rotation last year but a season-ending foot injury forced him to be redshirted. Now that his foot is almost fully healed, he'll be counted on to protect the quarterback and create holes for the tailbacks.

    After a short stint in the secondary last season, Anthony Morgan is back at his natural position at tailback to provide some relief at a somewhat thin position.

    Incoming freshmen Tre Mason and Quan Bray arrive on campus in August and could contribute immediately.

    Mason rushed for 4,648 yards and 68 touchdowns in his career at Park Vista High in Lake Worth, Fla.

    Bray signed with Auburn as a wide receiver but he's a versatile athlete who could see playing time at tailback. He's no stranger to the position having rushed for 1,300 yards as a senior at Troup High in LaGrange, Ga.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Offensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Football Preview: Offensive Line

    A very experienced and talented offensive line paved the way for Auburn's national championship run last season. With four starters gone because of graduation, the 2011 unit will likely go through some growing pains early in the season.

    Last year, Auburn's offense was a well-oiled machine thanks to seniors Lee Ziemba, Ryan Pugh, Mike Berry and Byron Isom. The line helped the offense light up the scoreboard with 577 total points, smashing the old school single-season record of 433 points set in 2009. The Tigers scored at least 50 points in six different games last season, which is the most in one season in school history.

    It isn't likely that Auburn will come anywhere near the same offensive output during the upcoming season, but the Tigers are in pretty decent shape with two players returning who have experience as starters, several key reserves, and newcomers who are ready to make a push for playing time.

    In the offseason, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes flirted with leaving for the same position at Texas but decided he's very happy with how things are going on the Plains.

    Grimes' decision to stay is a huge plus given his track record as offensive line coach at other schools and in two seasons at Auburn. He has a knack for getting his players to perform up to their potential, including current linemen A.J. Greene and Brandon Mosley.
    A.J. Greene
    A.J. Greene
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Greene's time at Auburn has been rocky. He arrived on campus in 2007 as a defensive lineman. After being redshirted and moved to the offensive line by the previous coaching staff, Greene struggled to learn his new position which kept him from seeing playing time.

    It all started to come together for Greene when Grimes was hired to coach the line in 2009. Even though he still only saw playing time in two games that season, Greene finally felt he was ready to compete for a starting job because of what he learned from Grimes.

    After a lot of hard work in the offseason and stiff competition in preseason practice last August, Greene won the job at right tackle. He suffered a setback in game three vs. Clemson when a leg injury kept him sidelined for the rest of the season.

    Despite not quite being 100 percent, Greene is projected to start in Ziemba's old spot at left tackle.
    Brandon Mosley
    Brandon Mosley
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Mosley was thrown into the fire when Greene went down for the season. Mosley surprisingly held his own considering the junior college transfer had never played a snap as an offensive lineman before coming to Auburn.

    Mosley settled in nicely as Greene's replacement for the remaining 11 games. He was reliable and durable when Auburn didn't really have any other options.

    Now a senior, Mosley is set to start at right tackle. He'll provide the line with leadership since he has more starts under his belt than any of the other linemen.

    While both tackle spots look promising for the Tigers, who will start at the two guard positions and at center is dicey. Senior Jared Cooper and junior John Sullen are projected to be the two starting guards while center is down to sophomore Blake Burgess and true freshman Reese Dismukes.

    Cooper has practiced at guard throughout his career at Auburn but has never been a starter. The only action he's seen on the field has been on special teams. Sullen earned one start in 2009 and saw limited action as a reserve last year.

    Burgess played in every game in 2010, primarily on special teams. He'll see competition from Dismukes, who enrolled at Auburn in January and participated in spring drills.

    Redshirt freshmen Ed Christian, Eric Mack, Chad Slade and Tunde Fariyike, along with true freshmen Thomas OReilly, Christian Westerman and Greg Robinson will get opportunities.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Defensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    Even though Auburn's defensive line will basically have a whole new look thanks to the NFL Draft and graduation, there are several players returning from last year's group that could make the position a strong point of the defense.

    All across the board, every position for the Tigers took a hit in the offseason. The defensive line is one of those areas that was hit especially hard. Lombardi Award winner Nick Fairley left for the NFL, while Antoine Carter, Zach Clayton, Mike Blanc, and Michael Goggins all graduated. They combined for 169 tackles, 52.5 tackles for a loss, 20.5 sacks and 57 quarterback hurries.

    The line took another hit in February when position coach Tracy Rocker left for the same position with the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Rocker came to Auburn when Gene Chizik was hired in 2009.

    Chizik hired former Auburn standout Mike Pelton as Rocker's replacement. Pelton coached the defensive line at Vanderbilt the last two seasons, and held the same position on Chizik's staff at Iowa State from 2007-08.

    Before his time at Iowa State, Pelton spent six years on the staff at Troy. While at Troy, Pelton mentored defensive linemen Demarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora. A six-year veteran, Ware is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro linebacker with Dallas. Umenyiora is a two-time Pro Bowl defensive end for the New York Giants.

    Last year, Auburn's success on defense started up front with the defensive line. Although several freshmen saw playing time as backups, Pelton has to prepare them to be starters and also get them mentally ready for the tough grind against SEC competition so they can set the tone for the rest of the defense.

    Despite bringing a proven track record to the Plains, Pelton probably faces the biggest challenge of his coaching career as he tries to rebuild Auburn's young, unproven defensive line. This includes both tackle positions where Auburn has two rising sophomores ready to step into starting roles.
    Jeffrey Whitaker
    Jeffrey Whitaker
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Jeffrey Whitaker and Ken Carter are talented but still raw when it comes to actual game-time experience. Both gained much needed confidence last season but it's still too soon to tell how they will perform during pressure situations. They combined for 13 tackles and a sack in very limited action as backups to Fairley and Clayton.

    While Whitaker and Carter are projected to start at both tackle positions, highly recruited defensive tackle Gabe Wright could bump one of them out as a starter. Wright didn't arrive on campus until August so he'll have to adapt quickly to the college game. Last season, Wright had 41 tackles, including two for a loss, as a senior in high school.

    The two end spots fair much better for the Tigers as Corey Lemonier is set to start on the weakside after an outstanding freshman campaign that saw him excel as a pass rush specialist on third down. He earned Freshman All-SEC honors after making 17 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks.

    Junior Dee Ford could make a push for playing time as a backup to Lemonier. Ford had a very productive spring which translated into earning defensive MVP honors after the A-Day game.
    Nosa Eguae
    Nosa Eguae
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Craig Sanders was a standout on special teams last year but is expected to provide depth at end along with junior college transfer Joel Bonomolo and redshirt freshman Justin Delaine.

    The starter on the strongside and leader of the line is sophomore Nosa Eguae. Eguae is the most experienced player on the line with 11 starts for the Tigers last season. That's 10 more starts than the rest of Auburns projected starting linemen combined.

    Last year as a redshirt freshman, Eguae started the fourth game of the season and held the job the rest of the way. He finished the year with 22.5 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Linebackers

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    With multi-year starters Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens seniors last year, a group of experienced and inexperienced linebackers will compete to earn playing time in the middle of Auburn's defense.

    It will be strange not seeing Bynes and Stevens on the field for the Tigers in 2011. Both were staples in the middle of the defense for three years, often playing every snap out of necessity. Over their careers, they started 80 combined games. Last season, the duo combined for 135 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 interceptions and 11 quarterback hurries.

    While that kind of experience and production will be hard to replace, position coach Ted Roof will fill their spots with returning players from last year and newcomers that arrived on campus for fall camp. Starters at all three linebacker spots will be named but Roof could substitute often to find the best combination depending on Auburn's opponent each week.
    Daren Bates
    Daren Bates
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Junior Daren Bates is the projected starter at strongside linebacker. After starting every game at safety as a freshman, Bates moved to linebacker last season where he started nine games and totaled 48 tackles. A shoulder injury limited his production in the second half of the season. In limited action, he made just eight tackles in Auburns final six games.

    Bates' physical play has often resulted in a lot of miss tackles instead of wrapping up the ball carrier. If he can improve his tackling technique while staying physical, and add more weight without losing any quickness, he should remain a starter.

    Sophomore Harris Gaston and redshirt freshman Jawara White will compete for playing time as Bates' backup. They will also get a chance to see playing time as backups to starting middle linebacker Jake Holland.
    Jake Holland
    Jake Holland
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Holland gained valuable experience behind Bynes last season, totaling 12 tackles and a sack in nine games. Like Bynes, Holland is smart and is more than capable of being the leader of the linebacking corps.

    As the starter in the middle, he'll receive defensive play calls from the sideline and relay them to the rest of the defense. The middle linebacker is usually around the ball on every defensive play which gives Holland an excellent shot at leading the team in tackles.

    Senior Eltoro Freeman has shown signs of greatness but lacks the mental toughness to hold down a starting job. Last year, he appeared in 12 games while making five starts and finished with 37 tackles and a sack.

    If Freeman learns how to play every down at a high level, he could earn some starts in the middle or at one of the outside spots.

    The starter at the weakside spot could be a revolving door each week. While junior Jonathan Evans is penciled in as the starter heading into the season opener, Freeman could show the coaches in fall camp that he's ready to share time as a starter with Evans. Last year, Evans appeared in 13 games with one start and totaled 27 tackles.

    Incoming freshmen Justin Garrett and Chris Landrum have a chance at seeing playing time but will have to learn the defense quickly since they just arrived on campus.

    Kris Frost, another incoming freshman, was expected to push for playing time but ended up being redshirted after having surgery on his shoulder. He suffered the injury during a workout over the summer.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Secondary

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Book By Former Auburn Punter Released In September

    The Unlikeliest Auburn Tiger, an autobiography by former Auburn University All-American punter Lewis Colbert, will be published and released in late September by The Donnell Group.

    Colberts story is about overcoming the adversities of a difficult upbringing, which included being born with a severely misshapen club foot, which required numerous surgeries and constant metal bracing. Its the same foot Colbert would use as Auburns starting punter from 1982-1985, during which he set Auburn career punting records that still stand today for most punts and most punting yards. Colbert was a first- team All-American in 1985, his fourth season as head coach Pat Dyes starting punter. Dye wrote the foreword to the book.

    Raised in Phenix City, Ala., Colberts upbringing challenged him emotionally as well as physically, and Colbert in his book reflects on how he overcame the hardships to not only become a great walk-on punter and captain of Auburns football team, but a strong individual, family man and successful businessman. Colbert also punted two seasons in the NFL. Auburn fans named Colbert to Auburns team of the century.

    George Littleton served as the ghostwriter of the book. Littleton was the publisher of Shug, the biography of former Auburn head football coach Ralph Shug Jordan, and of In The Arena, the Pat Dye autobiography.

    The Donnell Group, Montgomery, Ala., has published several Auburn books, including Gods Receiver: The Terry Beasley Story; Memories and Calls from the Announcers Booth with Jim Fyffe; and Auburn Man: The Life and Times of George Petrie. Principal Rich Donnell also authored the Beasley and Fyffe books, as well as Shug.

    Readers can pre-order the 200 page hardback book, autographed by Colbert, at www.theunlikeliesttigerbook.com

    Football Preview: Secondary

    In 2010, Auburn's defense was outstanding against the run but often struggled defending the pass. The pass defense must improve in 2011 if the Tigers want to win enough games to become bowl eligible.

    Last year, with the offense averaging 41.2 points per game, the defense didn't have to play lights out during the entire game for Auburn to leave the field with a victory. The defense surrendered a lot of points in the first half before clamping down in the second half. The unit gave up just 117 points in the second half and overtime, including just 48 in the fourth quarter and overtime, after allowing 201 in the first half.

    Most of the points that the defense allowed in the first half was a result of the secondary playing too soft against the pass. In 14 games, the secondary allowed 18 passing touchdowns in the first half compared to just seven in the entire second half. The 18 passing touchdowns in the first half often put the Tigers in a hole early.

    The Tigers trailed in over half of their 14 victories and overcame double-digit deficits to beat Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia and arch-rival Alabama. Against the Tide, the Tigers rallied from a 24-0 second quarter deficit to win 28-27. It marked the largest deficit overcome in a victory in school history.

    With a new quarterback under center, a rebuilt offensive line, and an inexperienced group of wide receivers, Auburn's offense may struggle to put points on the scoreboard. If the offense does lag behind in production, the same stingy pass defense that was on the field in the second half last year and for the entire contest against Oregon in the BCS Championship Game needs to show up for all four quarters throughout the upcoming season.

    With the departure of seniors Zac Etheridge, Aairon Savage, and Demond Washington, Auburn will have to rely on returning players T'Sharvan Bell and Neiko Thorpe, and a group of inexperienced players to man its defensive backfield.

    Bell is expected to start at one of the cornerback spots. Last year as a sophomore, Bell started the season slow but became the teams most reliable cover guy at the end of the year. He saw action in 11 games with three starts and totaled 38 tackles and one interception.
    Neiko Thorpe
    Neiko Thorpe
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Thorpe will start at free safety in 2011 after starting 27 games at corner during his career at Auburn. As a junior last year, Thorpe started 13 games at corner and was third on the team with 64 tackles.

    The coaches decided the move to safety will enable Thorpe to cover more ground using his speed. He fills the spot left vacated by Mike McNeil, who was dismissed from the team after being arrested for armed robbery.

    Sophomore Chris Davis will battle Jonathon Mincy for a chance to start at the other cornerback spot. Davis appeared in 14 games, with 19 total tackles and three passes defended. Mincy was set to see playing time in 2010 as a freshman but wound up in the coach's doghouse and was redshirted.

    Demetruce McNeal is expected to start at strong safety. McNeal lacks experience after playing mostly on special teams last year. He finished with 24 tackles and broke up one pass in 13 games as a true freshman.

    Newcomers Erique Florence and Robenson Therezie will challenge McNeal for the starting job in fall camp. Florence has good size for a safety but will have to learn the position after playing quarterback during his senior season of high school. Therezie enrolled in the second semester of summer school and was able to participate in summer workouts.

    Senior Drew Cole and junior Ikeem Means will provide more depth for the Tigers at safety. Cole has been plagued by injuries throughout his career while Means has seen most of his playing time on special teams.

    Newcomer Jonathan Rose enrolled at Auburn in January and participated in spring drills. Rose, one of the top players in Alabama high school football last season, has enough talent to make an immediate impact at either safety or corner.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Special Teams

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    SEC Greatest Games Weekend

    FOX Sports South begins its biggest season of college football ever with the SEC Greatest Games Weekend, a three-day marathon featuring some of the most exciting football games in SEC history.

    The SEC Greatest Games Weekend on FOX Sports South begins on Saturday, August 27 at 5 p.m. ET with the 1992 SEC Championship between Florida and Alabama. Please see below for a complete schedule.

    Saturday, August 27

    1992 SEC Championship Florida vs. Alabama 5 p.m. ET

    1997 SEC Championship Tennessee vs. Auburn 7:30 p.m. ET

    2008 SEC Championship Florida vs. Alabama 10 p.m. ET

    Sunday, August 28

    2001 Georgia @ Tennessee 5 p.m. ET

    2007 Florida @ LSU 7:30 p.m. ET

    2010 Auburn @ Alabama 10 p.m. ET

    Monday, August 29

    1996 Georgia @ Auburn 7 p.m. ET

    1982 Auburn @ Alabama 9:30 p.m. ET

    FOX Sports South college football on-air personalities Randy Cross, Tim Couch, Kevin Carter and Kristina Akra from SEC Gridiron LIVE and Tommy Bowden, James Bates and Sammy Linebaugh from The New College Football Show will appear throughout the SEC Greatest Games Weekend. Also making appearances will be play-by-play announcers Bob Rathbun and Rich Waltz, analyst Keith Jones and sideline reporter Jenn Hildreth.

    Fans are encouraged to follow FOX Sports South on Twitter @FOXSportsSouth and utilize the hashtag #secweekend to participate in the social media conversation throughout the SEC Greatest Games Weekend.

    The 2011 college football season is the biggest in FOX Sports South and SportSouth history. The networks will televise more than 70 live games featuring teams from the SEC, ACC, C-USA, Big 12 and Pac-12, as well as the Southern Heritage Classic. The package of live college football games will be accompanied by a weekly lineup of college football shows including SEC Gridiron LIVE, The New College Football Show, The Coors Light College Football Saturday Preview and The Coors Light College Football Saturday Review.

    The FOX Sports regional networks serving the Southeast FOX Sports South, FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports Tennessee and SportSouth collectively reach more than 12.9 million cable and satellite households in seven states across the Southeast. They are the television home of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Carolina Hurricanes, Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies and Nashville Predators, as well as the Atlantic Coast Conference, Conference USA, Southeastern Conference, Big 12 Conference and Pac-12 Conference, and offer expanded coverage of the University of Kentucky, University of South Carolina and University of Tennessee. Combined, the four networks produce more than 800 live local events each year.

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    Despite seeing an improvement last year on special teams, the unit may need to be even better in 2011 when Auburn needs special teams to make some game-changing plays.

    After a pretty dismal year of special teams play in 2009, head coach Gene Chizik made it known that improvements needed to be made all across the board. Many of the problems on special teams resulted from the unit being made up of mostly walk-ons who lacked experience.

    Following the 2009 season, the coaches went out and recruited players with talent and speed who could come in and contribute immediately. Auburn's 2010 signing class paid off by adding more scholarship players who saw immediate action last season.

    The recruiting class helped the Tigers see a big improvement on punt return coverage when the unit went from No. 106 in 2009 to No. 9 nationally in 2010. Another improvement came on kick return coverage, improving from No. 97 in 2009 to No. 16 in 2010.

    Auburns kickoff and punt coverage units were led by true freshmen Demetruce McNeal and Craig Sanders. McNeal led the team with 15 special team tackles while Sanders had seven special team tackles.

    Even though the Tigers saw a dramatic improvement on both the kick and punt return defense, special teams coach Jay Boulware wasn't as pleased with the performance of last year's kick and punt return offense. Auburn went from No. 27 nationally in 2009 to No. 25 in 2010 in kick return offense, and No. 113 in punt return offense in 2009 to No. 90 in 2010.

    Boulware wants the kick and punt return offenses to be more productive in the upcoming season so they can provide a spark if Auburn's young offense goes into a slump. The kick return offense is in good shape despite losing last year's leading kickoff returner Demond Washington. As a senior, Washington had an impressive 1,117 kickoff-return yards.
    Onterio McCalebb
    Onterio McCalebb
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Speedster Onterio McCalebb will be Washington's primary replacement after sharing duties back there last season. McCalebb has averaged 26.2 yards on 19 career returns. He's more than capable of going the distance anytime he gets his hands on the ball, proving that last year with a 99-yard kickoff return against Arkansas.

    Senior Neiko Thorpe is projected to share time with McCalebb on kickoff returns, with McNeal and Jonathan Rose also in the mix. Rose was a standout returner at Leeds High School.

    The options at punt returner are plentiful, Boulware just needs to find a playmaker who'll be consistent each week. Quindarius Carr held the job for most of 2010 before dropping a punt at a crucial point in the game against arch-rival Alabama. Carr had 108 yards on 19 returns last year. He's the leading candidate to handle punts again this year, but will see competition from several players including McNeal, Trovon Reed, Jonathon Mincy and newcomer Quan Bray.

    Wes Byrum was very reliable during his four-year career at Auburn. He made six game-winning field goals, including two big ones last year against Kentucky and in the BCS title game against Oregon.

    The Tigers will miss Byrum's consistency but sophomore Cody Parkey is ready to be his replacement. Parkey gained experience in 2010 by handling some kickoffs and extra points when the Tigers had a few contests wrapped up. Parkey had a solid spring kicking field goals but senior Chandler Brooks could handle kickoffs.

    Another area that needs to see improvement is punts. Last year, Auburn averaged 37.9 yards per punt, which was worst in the SEC. Steven Clark is set to handle punting duties after sharing the job last season with senior Ryan Shoemaker. He could be challenged by Brooks after averaging under 40 yards per punt in the spring scrimmages. He needs to be more consistent on the distance of his punts if he wants to keep the job.

    Phil Marion


    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Week One SEC Predictions

    Football season is finally here. A few SEC teams start the season Thursday night while the rest of the league starts on Saturday. Auburn opens the season at home Saturday against Utah State. The action begins at 11:00 am CT on ESPN2.

    Utah State at Auburn, Saturday 11:00 am CT, ESPN2

    Auburn puts its 15-game winning streak on the line in the season opener against Utah State. The Tigers have won five straight season openers with an overall record of 91-25-2 record in season-opening games. Auburns 91 season-opening victories is just one win behind Alabama for the most among the 12 SEC schools.

    This will be the first-ever meeting between the Tigers and the Aggies. While Auburn was a perfect 14-0 last season, Utah State is coming off its 13th straight losing campaign with a 4-8 record, including two losses to ranked teams. They are 1-54 all-time versus opponents in the AP or BCS poll.

    Head coach Gary Andersen is entering his third year at Utah State with an overall record of 8-16. Anderson has yet to name a starter at quarterback for Saturday's contest and won't decide until game day. The starter under center will either be junior college transfer Adam Kennedy or freshman Chuckie Keeton.

    Running back Robert Turbin returns after missing all of last season with a knee injury. With 1,798 career rushing yards, the junior running back needs just 22 to move into the top 10 all-time in school history.

    The Aggies have plenty of experience at wide receiver with team-leader Dontel Watkins returning after hauling in 42 catches for 492 yards last year. Stanley Morrison is also back after missing the 2010 season with an injury. Matt Austin, who missed the 2009 season with an injury and played in one game in 2010 before suffering a season-ending injury, his healthy and ready to be another option down the field.

    On the offensive line, Utah State is led by Philip Gapelu with 28 career starts. Funaki Asisi has 18 career starts, while Robert Hill has 16 and Tyler Larsen has 12.

    Andersen will also be the defensive coordinator after being disappointed with the team's defensive performance last season. The Aggies are changing from a 4-3 alignment to a 3-4 alignment to try and improve on the unit's dismal effort in 2010.

    Up front on the line, Utah State will have four new starters after last year's starters graduated. Evan Huahulu will anchor the line along with Al Lapuaho and Havea Lasike. Others who have a chance to see action are Bojay Filimoeatu, Kevin Whimpey, B.J. Larsen and Tevita Vaifoou.

    The Aggies will also be looking for replacements in their defensive backfield, as starters Curtis Marsh, Chris Randle, Rajric Coleman graduated. Alfred Bowden, Walter McClenton, McKade Brady, Quinton Byrd, Nevin Lawson and Cameron Sanders are in the mix to replace them.

    After having plenty of senior leadership last season, the Tigers have just 11 seniors with playing experience on the 2011 roster, tying for the third smallest senior class in the modern era. The 2001 Tigers also featured 11 seniors, while the 1978 team had just nine seniors.

    The team that takes the field Saturday will feature a lot of youth at every position with many of the players earning starts for the first time in their college careers. This includes the quarterback spot where redshirt junior Barrett Trotter battled Clint Mosley all spring and fall camp to earn his first-career start. As a backup last year, Trotter completed 6-of-9 passes for 64 yards and ran for 68 more yards and a touchdown.

    Auburn is one of two teams in the FBS to return a pair of running backs who eclipsed 800 yards last season. Michael Dyer set an Auburn freshman record by rushing for 1,093 yards, while Onterio McCalebb rushed for 810 yards. This is the first time that the Tigers have had a pair of returning running backs who each rushed for 800 yards or more the previous season.

    Four starters from last years offensive line graduated, leaving right tackle Brandon Mosley as the lone returning starter. Mosley gained valuable experience when he was forced to step in for the injured A.J. Greene. Chad Slade will start at the other tackle spot. Jared Cooper and John Sullen will anchor the two guard spots while Reese Dismukes starts at center.

    Junior Emory Blake will be Auburns primary receiver after having a solid season last year when he hauled in 33 passes for 554 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns, including one in the BCS title game.

    Quindarius Carr and Travante Stallworth will start at the other receiver spots with DeAngelo Benton and Trovon Reed set to see playing time in five-receiver formations.

    Mike Pelton takes over as Auburn's defensive line coach with returning starter Nosa Eguae at one of the end spots and Corey Lemonier starting on the other end. The two tackle spots will be anchored by sophomores Jeffrey Whitaker and Ken Carter.

    At linebacker, the Tigers will see a couple of new faces at the position after Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens were lost to graduation. Daren Bates returns at one of the outside spots after making nine starts at linebacker last season while recording 48 tackles. In the middle, Jake Holland starts in Bynes' old spot with Jonathan Evans starting on the weakside.

    In the defensive backfield, senior Neiko Thorpe and junior TSharvan Bell are the only returning starters from last years unit. Thorpe made 13 starts at cornerback but will start at free safety after being moved there in the spring. Bell will start at one of the cornerback spots after coming on strong late in the season last year.

    Sophomore Demetruce McNeal will start at strong safety, while Chris Davis gets the nod at the other cornerback spot.

    Auburn will definitely miss Wes Byrum and his clutch field goals when the game was on the line. Byrum had an outstanding four-year career at Auburn, making six game-winning field goals, including two last year against Kentucky and in the BCS title game against Oregon.

    Sophomore Cody Parkey will be Byrums replacement. He gained experience in 2010 by handling kickoffs and on a few extra points when the Tigers had a few contests wrapped up.

    Steven Clark will handle punting duties after sharing the job last season. Clark will try and improve on last years average of 37.9 yards per punt, which was worst in the SEC.

    McCalebb will get the chance to showcase his speed as the Tigers primary kickoff returner. McCalebb has a total of 19 career returns, averaging 26.2 yards per return.

    The job at punt returner may be a revolving door between Reed and Quan Bray. Reed has the talent and elusiveness to get the extra yards needed to help Auburn improve on last seasons 6.18 yards per punt average, which ranked 90th nationally.

    Prediction: Auburn



    Mississippi St. at Memphis, September 1, 7:00 pm CT, SportSouth

    Prediction: Mississippi St.



    Kentucky at Western Kentucky, September 1, 8:15 pm CT ESPNU

    Prediction: Kentucky



    Kent St. at Alabama, Saturday 11:15 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Alabama



    BYU at Ole Miss, Saturday 3:45 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: BYU



    Montana at Tennessee, Saturday 5:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Tennessee



    East Carolina at South Carolina, Saturday 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: South Carolina



    Missouri St. at Arkansas, Saturday 6:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Arkansas



    Florida Atlantic at Florida, Saturday 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Florida



    Elon at Vanderbilt, Saturday 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Vandy



    Boise State at Georgia, Saturday 7:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Georgia



    Oregon at LSU, Saturday 7:00 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: Oregon

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 11-1. Games this week include Alabama at Penn State and South Carolina at Georgia. Auburn hosts SEC West opponent Mississippi State at 11:21 am CT. The game will be televised by the SEC Network.

    Mississippi State at Auburn, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Auburn starts SEC play this week by welcoming Mississippi State to the Plains. The Tigers are 44-28-5 in SEC openers, and 17-1 in their last 18 league openers, winning three straight. In SEC openers played in Auburn, the Tigers are 13-2 since 1980.

    Auburn is 59-23-2 all-time against MSU, winning the last three. While last year's contest in Starkville was low-scoring with the Tigers winning 17-14, the game on Saturday could feature a lot of offense with the Bulldogs coming off a record-setting performance in their season opener.

    Against Memphis last Thursday, MSU racked up a school-record 645 yards in a 59-14 rout. The 45-point margin of victory was the fifth highest ever recorded by a MSU team on the road.

    Even though the record-setting offensive output came against Memphis, MSU head coach Dan Mullen has his team ready to compete in the SEC West in only his third season. The Bulldogs are poised to keep their offensive production going this week against Auburn with Chris Relf under center. Relf completed 13 of 21 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the opener and also rushed for 51 yards. Jameon Lewis was Relf's favorite target last week catching four passes for 113 yards and a touchdown.

    Running back Vick Ballard rushed for a career-high 166 yards and three scores on just 10 carries. For his efforts, Ballard was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

    Auburn fans hit the panic button many times on Saturday, especially when the Tigers trailed 38-28 to Utah State late in the fourth quarter. With 3:38 left in the contest, Auburn scored quickly to cut Utah State's lead to 38-35 with 2:07 left. A perfectly executed onside kick gave the Tigers a chance to extend their 15-game winning streak. Led by quarterback Barrett Trotter, the Tiger shocked Utah State by scoring again to win 42-38.

    In his debut under center, Trotter was outstanding and poised when the game seemed out of reach for the Tigers. Trotter became the fifth consecutive Auburn quarterback to win his starting debut and the sixth Tigers quarterback to throw three touchdowns or more in his debut. The junior completed 17 of 23 attempts for 261 yards and three touchdowns.

    Travante Stallworth caught four passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown catch in the third quarter was the first touchdown reception of his career.

    Auburn's running game wasn't a factor with the Tigers gaining just 78 yards on the ground. The 78 yards ended a string of 27 consecutive games with 100 yards or more.

    If not for special teams play including the onside kick, Auburn probably wouldn't have escaped with a victory. Freshman Tre Mason earned SEC co-Freshman of the Week honors in his debut at kick returner. Mason had 176 kickoff return yards, 97 of which came on one return that went for a touchdown in the second quarter. The 176 kickoff return yards is tied for third-most in a game in school history.

    Kicker Cody Parkey didn't give Utah State a chance to return any kicks as four of his six kickoffs went for touchbacks. Parkey also hit all six PAT attempts. Punter Steven Clark had a solid outing averaging 43.5 ypp with his longest a 48-yarder.

    The team's struggles, especially on the defensive side of the ball, could be blamed on the number of young players that saw action or either started for the first time at Jordan-Hare. The Tigers put 13 freshmen and eight redshirt freshmen on the field, while 11 players made their first career start in an Auburn uniform.

    The number of youngsters that took the field shouldn't be a surprise. The coaching staff made it known in spring practice and throughout fall camp that they planned on playing a lot of freshmen and sophomores this year. Like we saw Saturday, they will play well at times while making plenty of mistakes.

    The defense may be young, but its performance against Utah State wasn't that much worse than last year's effort in the season opener versus Arkansas State. Against the Red Wolves, the unit allowed 43 rushing yards, 323 passing yards and 26 points. Last Saturday, the defense gave up 227 rushing yards, 221 passing yards and 38 points.

    When you compare both openers, there's a big difference in rushing yards allowed which tells you the Tigers really miss Nick Fairley, Antoine Carter, Zach Clayton, Mike Blanc, and Michael Goggins up front.

    Following the Arkansas State game, there were a lot of negative comments about how the defense played as a unit. But, the defense made some significant improvements throughout the year and was much better at the end of the season. The same doom and gloom comments were also heard after the Utah State game. Hopefully this year's unit can also make strides and improve each game. If it doesn't, it may be a long season.

    Despite the defensive struggles, there were a few bright spots for the Tigers with linebackers Jonathan Evans and Jake Holland having career games. Evans recorded 14 tackles, a career-high, while Holland had a career-high 11 tackles after having just 12 during the entire 2010 season.

    Prediction: Mississippi State 30-21



    Central Michigan at Kentucky, 11:00 am CT

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-17



    Cincinnati at Tennessee, 2:30 PM CT

    Prediction: Cincinnati 24-21



    Alabama at Penn State, 2:30 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: Alabama 20-17



    South Carolina at Georgia, 3:30 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: South Carolina 31-16



    S. Illinois at Ole Miss, 5:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Ole Miss 20-10



    New Mexico at Arkansas, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Arkansas 40-9



    UAB at Florida, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Florida 34-13



    Connecticut at Vanderbilt, 6:30 pm CT

    Prediction: Vandy 23-13



    Northwestern State at LSU, 7:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: LSU 50-6

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-2, overall they are 19-3. This week, Auburn plays at Clemson in non-conference action on ABC at 11:00 am CT. Other games include LSU at Mississippi State and Tennessee at Florida.

    Auburn at Clemson, 11:00 am CT, ABC

    When Auburn and Clemson meet, the contest usually ends up being a hard-fought battle. This year's meeting promises to be another close contest that could go down to the wire like the last two meetings. In the 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl AU won in overtime 23-20. Last year at Jordan-Hare, AU won again in overtime 27-24. Overall in the series with CU, AU leads 34-11-2, winning the last 14.

    After a rocky start to the season, AU saw significant improvements on both sides of the ball, especially on offense. In the season opener. AU's running game was non-existent with just 78 yards on 30 attempts against Utah State. Last week with A.J. Greene getting the start at left tackle, the offensive line helped AU gain 231 rushing yards on 36 attempts. Michael Dyer had a big day with 150 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. Speedster Onterio McCalebb added 68 yards.

    In the 41-34 victory over Mississippi State, quarterback Barrett Trotter completed 16 of 23 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. In two games, Trotter is 33-46-1, a 71.7 percent rating, with 407 total yards and five touchdowns.

    While AU's offense made strides last week against MSU, the defense continues to have problems, especially on third-down. The Bulldogs were 11 of 20 on third-down conversions which kept many of their drives going when AU's defense needed a rest. Auburn currently ranks 115th in the nation in third-down defense, 118th in rush defense and 111th in total defense.

    Overall, AU allows 489.6 yards per game in total offense and 29 first downs. MSU gained 333 yards on the ground, the first time AU allowed an opponent to rush for 300 yards since 2002.

    Both AU and CU feature teams with plenty of youngsters on the field. In the first week of the season, the two teams combined to play 25 true freshmen and 47 total freshmen including redshirts. Freshmen have scored five of CU's 10 touchdowns, while 166 of the 412 rushing yards and 240 of the 532 receiving yards have been accumulated by freshmen.

    CU runs a fast-paced, no-huddle offense similar to AU after head coach Dabo Swinney hired Chad Morris to run his offense. Morris is in his first year as offensive coordinator at CU after producing one of the best offenses in the nation last year at Tulsa. In two games, CU is averaging 472 total yards on offense and 39 points per game.

    Quarterback Tajh Boyd is off to a solid start in his first year as the starter under center. In two games, Boyd has completed 38 of 59 attempts for 525 yards, with six touchdowns and one interception. His efficiency rating is 169.3, second best in the ACC among quarterbacks with at least 15 attempts per game.

    Andre Ellington is back at tailback for CU after gaining 140 yards on 22 carries against AU last year. In last Saturday's 35-27 victory over Wofford, Ellington rushed for 165 yards on 22 attempts.

    The trip to Clemson will be an early test for AU's young players. It will be interesting to see how they perform in front of a hostile crowd and if they can stay poised if AU falls behind early. While both teams run very similar offenses, the edge goes to Gus Malzahn because he has shown he can go in at halftime and make important adjustments when AU's offense struggles in the first half. The contest may come down to a game-changing play on special teams or a turnover late in the fourth quarter. Both defenses better be prepared to defend the high-octane offenses that CU and AU run. The defense that makes a stand when the game is on the line may decide the contest.

    Prediction: Auburn 30-24



    LSU at Mississippi State, Thursday 7:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: LSU 34-24



    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Vandy 17-14



    Coastal Carolina at Georgia, 12:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Georgia 38-14



    Tennessee at Florida, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 27-24



    Navy at South Carolina, 5:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-13



    Louisville at Kentucky, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-20



    North Texas at Alabama, 6:30 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Alabama 50-6



    Troy at Arkansas, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Arkansas 38-10

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-2, overall they are 26-5. This week, Auburn plays Florida Atlantic at home at 6 pm CT on Fox Sports South. In SEC action, Alabama hosts Arkansas and Georgia travels to Oxford to face Ole Miss.

    Florida Atlantic at Auburn, 6:00 pm CT, Fox Sports South

    In non-conference action, Auburn hosts Florida Atlantic Saturday evening at Jordan-Hare Stadium. This will be the first meeting between the Tigers and the Owls with AU 16-0 all-time versus teams from the Sun Belt Conference. The Tigers are 2-1 while the Owls are 0-2.

    In its first two contests, FAU lost 41-3 to Florida and 44-0 to Michigan State. The Owls are last among FBS teams in scoring, averaging 1.5 points per game. FAU has mustered only 185 total yards while ranking last in the country in rushing with 26.0 yards per game, last in passing with 66.5, and last in total offense with 92.5. On third downs, the Owls have converted only 2-of-23.

    On defense, Marcus Bartels leads FAU in tackles with 19 stops. Linebacker David Hinds is next with 17 tackles, two of them for losses. Punter Mickey Groody is averaging 41.6 yards per attempt on 15 punts this season.

    The Tigers lost last weekend to Clemson 38-24, their first loss since the 2009 Iron Bowl. In the loss, running back Michael Dyer rushed for 151 yards on only 16 carries. He added two touchdowns on the afternoon. In three games, Dyer has 358 yards on 48 carries, which ranks 13th nationally with 119.3 yards per game.

    Dyer's 52-yard touchdown run on Saturday set a career-best. His previous career-best was 38 yards in 2010 against Arkansas. Dyer has 11 rushing touchdowns as a Tiger.

    Wide receiver Emory Blake continues to shine having scored a touchdown in six straight games dating back to 2010. That streak is tied for the second-longest in AU history. The school record is eight straight games by Terry Beasley in 1971.

    On defense, the Tigers rank 117th in the nation in total defense while allowing 36.7 points per game, and 534.3 yards per game. AU ranks last in the SEC in rushing, passing and total defense.

    One positive in Saturday's loss to Clemson was the performance of defensive back Neiko Thorpe. The senior had 16 tackles, which was a career-best. Thorpe became the first AU player since 2001 to record more than 15 tackles in a game.

    Special teams play continues to be outstanding for the Tigers as the unit ranks in the top three in the SEC in punting (2nd), kickoff return average (2nd) and kickoff coverage (2nd). AU averages 41.4 yards per punt (16th NCAA), 27.7 yards per kickoff return (15th NCAA) and are averaging 50.2 yards per kickoff.

    Cody Parkey is 3-for-3 on field-goal attempts and is second in the FBS with 12 touchbacks. Freshman Tre Mason averages 29.4 yards per kickoff return, which leads the SEC.

    The Tigers have won 10 consecutive games at Jordan-Hare Stadium. AU should extend the streak against FAU. This is a perfect opportunity for the Tigers to fix some things on defense before a tough stretch of back-to-back road games against South Carolina and Arkansas. If AU doesn't win over FAU with ease, something is definitely wrong.

    Prediction: Auburn 45-10



    Georgia at Ole Miss, 11:30 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Georgia 30-20



    Arkansas at Alabama, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 24-14



    Florida at Kentucky, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Florida 30-17



    Vanderbilt at South Carolina, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: South Carolina 34-21



    Louisiana Tech at Mississippi St., 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 27-10



    LSU at West Virginia, 7:00 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: LSU 26-13

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-0, overall they are 33-5. This week, Auburn hits the road to face South Carolina at 2:30 pm CT on CBS. The primetime game on CBS at 7 pm CT will be the one to watch as Alabama plays Florida in Gainesville.

    Auburn at South Carolina, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Auburn travels to Columbia to face an undefeated South Carolina team. The Gamecocks are ranked No. 10 with an overall record of 4-0 and 2-0 in the SEC. The Tigers are unranked with an overall record of 3-1 and 1-0 in conference play.

    Saturday's contest will be the 11th meeting between the two schools with AU leading 8-1-1 and having won the last six meetings. The Tigers won both meetings last season, 35-27 in Auburn, and a 56-17 rout in the SEC Championship Game.

    In both meetings last season, AU kept talented Marcus Lattimore in-check by holding the tailback to an average of 58.5 yards per contest and 3.9 yards per carry. Of course the Tigers were massive up front and were the best in the SEC at stopping the run.

    In four games this season, Lattimore is averaging 152.8 rushing yards per game with eight touchdowns. The Tigers will probably have trouble stopping Lattimore with a defense that ranks last in the league, surrendering 226.5 yards per game. The sophomore looks to have a big game as he continues to be mentioned as a front-runner for the Heisman.

    Stephen Garcia is expected to start under center Saturday for the Gamecocks. The fifth-year senior is 0-2 in two starts against AU. Garcia leads an USC offense that averages 36.5 points per game and 392.8 yards per game. On the season, Garcia has thrown for 684 yards and three touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions.

    Garcia should connect with junior Alshon Jeffrey often Saturday afternoon. The tall receiver has 14 catches for 246 yards and one touchdown for the season.

    USC is led by senior Antonio Allen on defense with Devin Taylorand Melvin Ingram also playing a huge role in making the Gamecock defense one of the stingiest in the nation by allowing just 298.2 yards per contest.

    Ingram was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance last weekend in USC's 21-3 victory over Vandy. Ingram recovered a fumble in the end zone and had four tackles, including three tackles for loss that accounted for 24 yards, and a pair of sacks.

    Last week, AU beat Florida Atlantic 30-14. Quarterback Barrett Trotter had 178 yards on 16-of-28 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception. The Tigers are averaging 373.8 yards of offense per game.

    Wide receiver Emory Blake has caught a touchdown in seven straight games dating back to 2010. If he catches a touchdown against USC, Blake will tie record-holder Terry Beasley, who had a touchdown reception in eight straight games in 1971. For the season, Blake has 16 catches for 317 yards and four touchdowns.

    AU had three interceptions against FAU, with Jake Holland and Jermaine Whitehead recording their first career pick, while Neiko Thorpe hauled in his fifth career interception. The three interceptions were the most in a game by AU since picking off five passes against Northwestern in the 2010 Outback Bowl.

    On special teams, the Tigers average 40.2 yards net punting, 26.4 yards per kickoff return and are averaging 49.7 net yards per kickoff. Kicker Cody Parkey has 15 touchbacks, with Tre Mason second in the SEC averaging 29.4 yards per kickoff return.

    The month of October will be brutal for the Tigers, with back-to-back road games against South Carolina and Arkansas. AU then comes home to play the much improved Florida Gators before hitting the road again to face LSU. You could say this weekend's game could make or break AU's season. A loss to the Gamecocks could see the Tiger's season spiral out of control.

    Prediction: USC 31-24



    Mississippi St. at Georgia, 11:00 am CT, FSN

    Prediction: UGA 27-17



    Kentucky at LSU 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: LSU 40-17.



    Texas A&M at Arkansas, 11:00 am CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Arkansas 28-23



    Buffalo at Tennessee, 11:30 am CT, CSS

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-13



    Alabama at Florida, 7:00 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 24-21



    Ole Miss at Fresno St., 8:15 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Fresno St. 34-14

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 38-7. This week, Auburn hits the road again with a trip to Arkansas. The contest can be seen on ESPN starting at 6 pm CT. The other big game in conference play has Florida at LSU.

    Auburn at Arkansas, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Auburn has another tough road test this weekend in Fayetteville against a very talented Arkansas team. The Tigers are 11-8-1 all-time versus the Razorbacks. In games played in Fayetteville, AU has a 5-3 edge. The teams have split the last 10 meetings with UA winning three of the last four.

    The Tigers weren't expected to leave Columbia with a victory but Gene Chizik's squad pulled off the huge upset against South Carolina. AU's defense and special teams played a big role in the 16-13 win. USC running back Marcus Lattimore was held to 66 yards on 17 carries. Ted Roof's defense kept USC's offense in-check by allowing just 13 first downs and 289 total yards. Demetruce McNeal had five solo tackles and three assists and also intercepted a pass against the Gamecocks.

    Punter Steven Clark kept the field position game on AU's side all afternoon by landing five punts inside the 20-yard line with zero touchbacks. Clark was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 37.9 net yards a punt and for placing five of seven punts inside the 12-yard line.

    The Tigers turned to Michael Dyer to carry the load when the passing game wasn't a factor. On Saturday, Dyer had 41 rushing attempts, which tied a school record. Carnell Williams also had 41 rushing attempts back in 2001 against Georgia. Dyer finished the contest with 141 yards.

    With AU's leading receiver Emory Blake hobbled by an injury, quarterback Barrett Trotter completed just 12 of 23 attempts for 112 yards, and also threw two interceptions. One of the completions turned out to be the game winner when Trotter connected with Philip Lutzenkirchen for a touchdown late in the final stanza. The touchdown reception gives Lutzenkirchen 10 career touchdown catches, which ties him with Robert Johnson for most touchdown catches by an AU tight end.

    The win Saturday gave AU a much needed shot of confidence, especially on the defensive side. The secondary will have to turn it up a notch when they face the extremely dangerous Razorback passing game. While USC's main threat is running the ball, UA depends on the strong and accurate arm of Tyler Wilson. Last year when UA's starting quaterback Ryan Mallett went down with an injury, Wilson completed 25 of 34 attempts for 332 yards and four touchdowns in the second half.

    In Saturday's 42-38 victory over Texas A&M, Wilson torched the Aggies by passing for a school record 510 yards, the fifth-highest single-game total in SEC history.

    On the season, Wilson has completed 117 of 172 passes for 1,517 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions for the SECs top-ranked offense. The Razorbacks average 39.4 points per game and 351.8 yards through the air while the Tigers surrender 27.4 points per game and 232.8 passing yards per game.

    Wilson's favorite target Jarius Wright set a school receiving record with 281 yards last weekend. On the ground, the Razorbacks are led by Ronnie Wingo, who averages 56.8 yards per game on 4.7 yards per carry.

    The UA defense allowed a whopping 628 yards to the Aggies, with 381 yards coming on the ground. While AU is thin at receiver with Blake day-to-day and Trovon Reed out indefinitely, Dyer should expect another heavy load and to rack up many yards with a UA defense that has struggled against the run. Throw in the speedy Onterio McCalebb, the Tigers will look to do most of their damage on the ground.

    A win Saturday wouldn't be a huge shock given AU's track record under Chizik. On paper, Wilson should be able to throw all night against AU's secondary. If somehow the Tigers can find a way to contain him, then they could pull off the upset. But, that isn't likely.

    Prediction: Arkansas 31-20



    Mississippi St. at UAB, 11:00 am CT, SportSouth

    Prediction: MSU 17-10



    Kentucky at South Carolina, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: South Carolina 31-13



    Florida at LSU, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 24-13



    Georgia at Tennessee, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Tennessee 23-17



    Vanderbilt at Alabama, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Alabama 40-13

    Minor League Baseball in Auburn?

    Last summer, and probably the summer before that too, I was preaching that Auburn needed a minor league baseball team. I haven't considered the idea since classes started back.

    I think it's because I've been busy, but I'm not sure the true meaning behind it.

    Back to the question though. Should Auburn have a team? I've always thought yes. I still think the answer could be yes. However, I've found flaws to the argument.

    First, the reasons why we could use a team here.

    This past baseball season showed me that people in Auburn enjoy baseball. Maybe it was because of the success of the Tigers in 2010, but either way, fans came to Plainsman Park.

    Some of you may be thinking that won't be the case with the students being out of town for the summer. You're wrong. Do you think 1,000 students went to a baseball game last year? No. Maybe 750 tops. The capacity is just over 4,000, and it was sold out close to 10 times. People come to games.

    I don't have many other reasons, but the real thought behind wanting a team here is I love minor league baseball. The majors are cool and all, but it doesn't compare to the fun time someone will have at a farm system game.

    The promotions are top notch and fan interaction is at a level that isn't topped by anything else. However, there are problems that I've discovered with Auburn having a team.

    Where would the team play? Obviously, there's Plainsman Park, but is it right for a minor league team? It doesn't have suites, and honestly, doesn't compete with other SEC parks anymore. Not to mention, the baseball team hosts camps (Editor's Sidenote: I wrote an article for The Auburn Plainsman about the camps) and travel teams also play games during the summer here.

    Then, there's the big reason. Why would a minor league team move to Auburn? In the end, that's why we'll never get a team. Don't get me wrong here, I love Auburn. To doubt that is to doubt gravity is real. But, if you look at the cities teams called home in Alabama (Montgomery, Huntsville, Mobile and Birmingham), Auburn doesn't fit in.

    Those are all Double A teams though. I'll take rookie ball. I don't really care. I just miss baseball. It is the best sport in the world. I know I'm not the only one with that logic. Robyn feels the same way. She told me today. If only the Astros were better, right? Welcome to rebuilding. Yeah, she won't like that comment.

    Anyway, I'm randomly talking about this because State College does have a minor league team. For those of you with a low IQ or that don't read often enough, I'm going to Pennsylvania tomorrow. Don't you love how I put you guys down? So, my grandparents live in State College. It's in the middle of the state, and it's home to Penn State. They also have a short-season Single A baseball team that's affliated with the Pirates.

    I have to tell you, I love going to State College Spikes games. Everything I said earlier applies. The real reason I love it though is because I don't actually follow the team well enough to care if they win or lose. So, I get to sit back and enjoy nine innings of stress-free baseball. It's Heaven.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 43-8. This week, Florida plays at Auburn 6 pm CT on ESPN. Other SEC games include Georgia at Vandy and Alabama plays Ole Miss in Oxford.

    Florida at Auburn, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Florida and Auburn meet for the first time since 2007 when the two teams play Saturday evening at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers have an 42-38-2 edge in the series and are 25-8-1 at home including winning the last two in 2001 and 2006. The last four meetings have gone down to the wire with AU winning three of the four.

    First-year head coach Will Muschamp saw his Gators get off to a fast 4-0 start before getting hammered 38-10 by Alabama and 41-11 against LSU last weekend.

    Starting quarterback John Brantley missed the LSU contest with a severe ankle injury and won't be available on Saturday. True freshman Jacoby Brissett got the start in Baton Rouge but completed just 8 of 14 passes for 94 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. Jeff Driskel, Brantley's backup, also missed the LSU game but may be available against AU.

    The Gators average 30.3 points per game and 194 rushing yards per game with Chris Rainey averaging 77.8 yards per contest while Jeff Demps has 324 rushing yards on the season.

    Rainey is also a threat at receiver, leading UF with 16 catches for 245 yards and two touchdowns. The Gators rank third in the SEC and 23rd nationally averaging 13.47 yards per catch. Deonte Thompson has 9 catches for 136 yards, followed by Andre Dubose with eight catches for 219 yards and two scores.

    UF's offensive line has allowed just six sacks through six games. They rank second in the SEC and are tied for 24th in the nation allowing 1.0 sack per game.

    Defensively, the Gators rank fifth in the SEC and 11th in the nation in total defense allowing 291.0 yards per game and tied for third in the SEC and tied for 20th in the nation in scoring defense allowing 19.2 ppg. UF gives up just 115.0 rushing yards per game and 176 passing yards per contest.

    Up front on the line, Jaye Howard and Omar Hunter have combined for 35 starts, with Sharrif Floyd and Ronald Powell anchoring the end positions. Floyd had a career-high 11 tackles last weekend at LSU and Powell is second on the team with two sacks this season.

    David Lerner handles the punting duties for the Gators, averaging 38.3 yards per punt. In his 24 punts this season, Lerner has placed seven inside of the 20 and five have been fair caught.

    For the season, Caleb Sturgis is 13-for-14 (.929) on field-goal attempts and 19-for-19 on extra points. He is tied for the national lead in field goals made and is tied for fourth in kicking points.

    AU comes into the meeting with UF having suffered its second loss of the season. In the 38-14 defeat to Arkansas, AU's passing attack lacked punch without leading receiver Emory Blake and backup Trovon Reed. The Tigers had just 104 passing yards on 9 of 25 attempts and three interceptions. Travante Stallworth led all receivers with one catch for 44 yards while DeAngelo Benton, Quan Bray and Quindarius Carr combined for only 21 yards.

    While Barrett Trotter started at quarterback, Gus Malzahn gave freshman Kiehl Frazier plenty of chances to grow and get accustomed to action against a tough SEC defense. Frazier was 2 of 4 with 18 yards but had two crucial interceptions. He did most of his damage at Wildcat with 13 rushes for 54 yards and a score.

    With a struggling passing game, including many dropped passes that were catchable, AU's coaches looked at other options at the quarterback position before deciding that Trotter will remain the starter. Hopefully his receivers will step up and do a better job against UF.

    The total effort by the team was a mess with plenty of penalties and an overall lack of concentration. AU had 11 penalties for 105 yards against the Razorbacks.

    AU's only success last Saturday came on the ground when it gained 251 yards on 52 carries. Michael Dyer had a career-long 55-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. For the season, Dyer has eight touchdowns and four 100-yard rushing games.

    On defense, the Tigers allow 29.2 ppg, and 439.5 total yards per game, including 201.8 rushing yards per contest and 237.7 passing yards per game.

    While the defense was pretty dismal on third down conversions early on in the season, it has seen improvement, especially in the last three games. During that stretch, opposing offenses have converted just 33 percent of third down conversions (13-of-40), including just 27 percent in the last two SEC games.

    A few weeks ago, many thought UF would come to Jordan-Hare and steal a win on the road. Since Brantley will be sidelined again this week, the Gators may be looking at a loss for the third straight game. If AU can get its act together throwing the football, it should record a victory. The home-field and atmosphere Saturday evening should give the Tigers another edge.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-20



    South Carolina at Mississippi St., 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-17



    LSU at Tennessee 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 30-13



    Alabama at Ole Miss, 5:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Alabama 38-10



    Georgia at Vanderbilt, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Georgia 24-14

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-0, overall they are 48-8. This week, Auburn plays at No. 1 LSU at 2:30 pm CT on CBS. Other games include Tennessee at Alabama and Arkansas at Ole Miss.

    Auburn at LSU, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Auburn travels to Baton Rouge to face No. 1 LSU. LSU has a 23-20-1 edge in the series. When visiting Tiger Stadium, AU is 5-14-1 and has lost five straight. The home team has won 10 of the last 11 in the series. Six of the last seven games, and 13 of the last 21 in the series have been decided by seven points or less. The winner of the AU-LSU game has won the SEC West in five of the last eight seasons and seven of the past 11.

    The meeting Saturday will be the 11th time AU has played a team ranked No. 1 in the AP poll. Overall, AU is 5-9 against No. 1 teams with the last victory over a No.1 team back in 2001 when it beat Florida 23-20 in Auburn.

    AU took care of Florida last weekend 17-6 to improve to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Against the Gators, Barrett Trotter started under center before stepping aside in the second half to his backup Clint Moseley. Moseley completed 4 of 7 passes for 90 yards, while Trotter was only 2 of 8 for 33 yards.

    Even though many thought the change at quarterback was needed, it doesn't solve the problems with the offense, especially the passing game. With leading receiver Emory Blake not able to play at the last minute, AU still hasn't found a reliable receiver to take his place. Until Blake returns, it doesn't really matter who takes the snaps. For some reason, with Blake out on the field, the offense seems to run more efficiently.

    Without Blake in the lineup, the offense had 278 total yards, which was a season low. AU also had season lows for first downs with 13 and pass completions with seven.

    AU's running game was pretty effective against the Gators with Michael Dyer leading the way with 23 carries for 73 yards. Dyer's 73 yards snapped a streak of three consecutive 100-yard rushing games against SEC opponents.

    While AU's offense seems to have lost its punch in the last few games, LSU's defense is one of the stingiest in the country allowing 11.7 points per game. AU's main threat on offense is running the ball but it looks like rushing yards will be at a premium Saturday afternoon as LSU allows just 75 rushing yards a game.

    AU will have to try and let Dyer do most of the damage inside while mixing it up with Onterio McCalebb coming out of the backfield as a receiver. McCalebb had so much success last year on speed sweeps and for some reason Gus Malzahn has erased that play from the playbook.

    Defensively, AU probably played its best game of the season by shutting down UF's offense Saturday night. The six points allowed was the fewest against an SEC opponent since AU's 3-2 victory at Mississippi State in 2008. The defense allowed just 66 rushing yards and 194 total yards of offense.

    Corey Lemonier was named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his team-high six tackles and two sacks against the Gators. In the last four games, Lemonier has 18 tackles, 5.0 sacks and one forced fumble.

    Many teams have tried to use a two-quarterback system without much luck but LSU has found success using both Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson on the field this season. Lee took most of the snaps last Saturday in the 38-7 victory over Tennessee, finishing 10 of 14 for 115 yards. Jefferson rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

    On the season, Lee has completed 81 of 132 attempts for 1,062 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception. Rueben Randle leads all LSU receivers with 28 catches for 532 yards and five touchdowns.

    In seven games, LSU has outscored its opponents by an average of 38.5-11.7. LSU averages 194.4 per game on the ground at 4.5 yards per carry. Spencer Ware has 512 yards on 128 carries and six touchdowns.

    Prediction: LSU 34-13



    Jacksonville St. at Kentucky, 11:00 am CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-10



    Arkansas at Ole Miss, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Arkansas 30-14



    Army at Vanderbilt, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Vandy 24-17



    Tennessee at Alabama, 6:15 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Alabama 38-7

    Baton Rouge

    It wasnt my first trip to Baton Rouge, but I can promise you it will be my last. Last weekend I realized there are certain circumstances Im not willing to put myself in for the Auburn Tigers. Visiting LSU is one of them.

    The state of Louisiana isnt overall bad. Friday, my two friends and I decided to experience New Orleans. I dont have any complaints except I spent too much money. They truly know how to raise prices for tourism.

    I dont have many positive things to say about Saturday. The game itself isnt even a variable into my experience.

    LSUs campus is old school. The trees are clearly centuries old. The buildings were mostly Spanish influence. It wasnt my favorite style, but thats irrelevant.

    We found ourselves meeting up with friends at an LSU fraternity tailgate. Thats asking for trouble, I know.

    However, I can honestly say it was nice. Everyone, including the brothers, were nice. At that point, I thought it may be a great day. Needless to say, I could not have been more wrong.

    After several hours of enjoying free beer and gumbo, we started walking to Death Valley. It was like walking through the shadow of death.

    We were ridiculed the entire way. It didnt matter the age of Bayou Bengal fans, they were sure to let us know we were tiger bait.

    I found myself shocked while being yelled at by two pre-teens.

    During the game, there was minimum trash talk because I was in an Auburn section.

    After the game, well after we left mid-third quarter, LSU fans have had a lot to say.

    While LSUs fan literally scared me for my life, I was unimpressed by their cheers. They continued to call us tiger bait.

    Either way, it definitely made an impact. I will not go back or hesitate to tell people how bad my weekend was.

    LSU may take pride in their hostile city, but, for me, Ive never been more proud to be an Auburn student and have such a nice fan base.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-0, overall they are 53-8. This week, Auburn welcomes Ole Miss to Jordan-Hare Stadium. The action can be seen on ESPNU at 6 pm CT. Other SEC games include Arkansas at Vandy and Georgia battles Florida in Jacksonville.

    Ole Miss at Auburn, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    After getting hammered by LSU last weekend, Auburn returns home to face SEC West foe Ole Miss. The Tigers own a 26-9 record against the Rebels and have won eight of the last 10. In games played in Auburn, AU holds a 12-2 advantage, including the last three.

    UM is 2-5 overall and 0-4 in conference play. The Rebels have lost 10 consecutive SEC games, the longest streak in school history. In last weekend's contest against Arkansas, UM had a chance to end the streak when it jumped out to a 17-0 lead before heading into halftime leading 17-7. The Razorbacks made some important adjustments in the locker room and came out in the second half on fire scoring 22 straight points to win 29-24.

    Against the Razorbacks, UM quarterback Randall Mackey threw for 219 yards on 18-of-30 passing and two touchdowns. Mackey also rushed for 30 yards and a touchdown. The Rebels' offense had 24 first downs and 219 passing yards, both season-highs

    As a unit, UM averages 20.6 points per game, 269.6 total yards per game, 108.9 yards per game on the ground and 160.7 yards through the air per game. Running back Jeff Scott leads the team with 394 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

    Defensively, the Rebels allow 29.1 points per game and 442.1 total yards per game. Against SEC opponents this year, UM allows 478 yards per game. Mike Marry leads the team with 60 tackles. On the line, Wayne Dorsey has three sacks and five tackles for a loss. In the defensive backfield, Charles Sawyer has 39 tackles and four interceptions.

    No doubt the Tigers are happy to see the month of October come to an end. A brutal schedule including road games at South Carolina, Arkansas, and LSU, has AU looking forward to this weekend's home contest against Ole Miss and a bye week next weekend. The Tigers did leave Columbia with a victory, but the contests at Arkansas and in Baton Rouge showed just how young the Tigers are.

    The 45-10 rout at LSU provided no answers for AU on offense. The answer isn't at quarterback where Clint Moseley got his first career start for the Tigers. The offense didn't put together any productive drives until late in the fourth quarter. Moseley did complete 12-20 passes for 145 yards but was sacked six times. The offensive line couldn't handle the pressure from the speedy and athletic LSU defensive line.

    Wide receiver Trovon Reed did return to action Saturday after missing several games with a shoulder injury. He made two catches for 26 yards. Emory Blake was out on the field during warm-ups but didn't play. Reed's return is a big plus and hopefully Blake will see action this weekend. If not, he should be ready for the Georgia game in two weeks.

    AU's pass defense against LSU was dismal as it allowed two long touchdown catches by Rueben Randle in the second quarter that looked like the same identical play but were thrown by two different quarterbacks. The unit allowed 219 passing yards and 174 rushing yards in Baton Rouge. Safety Neiko Thorpe's two tackles and 12 assists led the team.

    Steven Clark continues to shine as AU's punter. He leads the SEC and is second in the FBS with 25 punts inside the 20-yard line this season. Against LSU, three of his seven punts were inside the 20-yard line.

    Prediction: Auburn 21-10



    Arkansas at Vanderbilt, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Arkansas 31-20



    Florida at Georgia, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Georgia 26-14



    Mississippi St. at Kentucky, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Kentucky 23-17



    South Carolina at Tennessee, 6:15 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Tennessee 17-14

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-2, overall they are 56-10. This week, Auburn is off and will return to action next weekend at Georgia. Big conference games include South Carolina at Arkansas and LSU at Alabama.

    Vanderbilt at Florida, 11:15 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Florida 23-18



    New Mexico State at Georgia, 11:30 am CT, CSS

    Prediction: Georgia 37-14



    Ole Miss at Kentucky, 2:30 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-16



    Middle Tennessee at Tennessee, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Tennessee 35-7



    South Carolina at Arkansas, 6:15 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-20



    UT Martin at Mississippi St., 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: MSU 30-10



    LSU at Alabama, 7:00 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 21-13

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, overall they are 62-11. This week, Auburn heads to Georgia for a 2:30 pm CT game on CBS. Other SEC games include Tennessee at Arkansas and Alabama at Mississippi St.

    Auburn at Georgia, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry continues this weekend when Auburn goes to Athens to battle Georgia. The Tigers enjoyed a much needed break last weekend while the Bulldogs hammered New Mexico State 63-16.

    In the series with UGA, AU leads 54-52-8 and has an 18-11 edge in games played in Athens. UGA has won six of the last 10. Through 114 meetings, UGA has outscored AU by just 38 points (1,809-1,771).

    The Bulldogs started the season 0-2 after losing to Boise State and South Carolina. After the poor start, UGA has reeled off seven straight and could return to the SEC Championship Game for the first time since 2005 if they handle Auburn and Kentucky at home.

    UGA has won seven straight thanks to a stingy defense that has allowed just 99 points during the streak. In the past 28 quarters, UGAs defense has allowed just eight touchdowns.

    Overall, the Bulldogs allow 19.9 ppg, 282 total yards per game, and in SEC games, UGA ranks fourth in the league in scoring defense at 21.3 points a game. The Bulldogs are also second in rushing defense at 83.7 yards a game against SEC opponents.

    Along the defensive front, John Jenkins, Kwame Geathers, Abryn Jones and DeAngelo Tyson have allowed opponents a combined 440 yards rushing (63.9) during the seven-game winning streak.

    Linebacker Mike Gilliard leads the Bulldogs with 54 tackles while fellow linebacker Jarvis Jones is second on the team with 46.

    In the secondary, UGA has 12 interceptions in 2011 with nine coming against SEC opponents. Bacarri Rambo is second in the nation with six. Brandon Boykin has 37 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions this year.

    The play of quarterback Aaron Murray has also played a huge role in UGA's winning streak. The sophomore had five touchdown passes last weekend against New Mexico State to give him 23 on the year. He has thrown for 2,060 yards on 153 of 255 attempts and eight interceptions. He also leads the SEC in passing efficiency with a rating of 151.3

    Tight end Orson Charles has been Murray's favorite target with 31 catches for 390 yards and five touchdowns. Malcolm Mitchell has 25 receptions for 438 yards and three touchdowns. Mitchell has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. Tavarres King is second on the team with 29 receptions for 320 yards and is tied for the team lead with five touchdowns.

    The Bulldogs average 175.6 rushing yards per game behind Isaiah Crowell, junior Richard Samuel IV and junior Carlton Thomas. Crowell has 689 rushing yards this season and is third in the league averaging 90.5 yards/game.

    AU is 4-2 in conference play and 6-3 overall. The Tigers' three losses this season have come against teams currently ranked in the top 11 of the BCS standings. The Tigers hope to finish the season on a high note against UGA and against Samford and Alabama at home.

    Clint Moseley will make his third start under center for AU in front of a hostile crowd in Athens. For the year, Moseley has completed 30 of 44 attempts for 425 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception.

    Two weeks ago against Ole Miss, Moseley threw four touchdown passes as AU's offense got a much needed boost with the return of Emory Blake and the outstanding play of tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen.

    Blake had five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown while Lutzenkirchen hauled in three catches for 27 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers are 11-1 when Blake has a touchdown catch and 8-1 when Lutzenkirchen has a touchdown catch. AU is 6-0 when both players have a touchdown reception in the same game.

    Defensively against SEC teams, the Tigers rank 11th in scoring defense (27.7 points per game allowed), 11th in total defense (400.7 yards per game), 11th in passing defense (215 yards per game) and 10th in rushing defense (185.7 yards per game).

    Linebacker Eltoro Freeman had 19 tackles in AU's last two games giving him a total of 37 tackles for the season. Freeman had eight tackles against LSU and a season-high 11 tackles against Ole Miss.

    Prediction: Georgia 27-14



    Florida at South Carolina, 11:00 am, CT, CBS

    Prediction: South Carolina 20-17



    Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Kentucky 27-23



    Tennessee at Arkansas, 5:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Arkansas 31-17



    Western Kentucky at LSU, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: LSU 38-10



    Louisiana Tech at Ole Miss, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: LA Tech 24-20



    Alabama at Mississippi St., 6:45 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Alabama 28-7

    Stadium Journey Magazine

    Be sure and check out the debut issue of Stadium Journey Magazine. In the November issue, the magazine reviews and ranks every football stadium of the Southeastern Conference.

    SEC fans love to travel to watch their favorite team throughout the college football season. Stadium Journey Magazine takes an in-depth look at everything from food and beverage, the atmosphere, the fans and all of the extras you'll find on your next visit to Sanford Stadium or Bryant-Denny Stadium.

    For more information, visit Stadium Journey Magazine

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, overall they are 68-12. This week, Auburn hosts Samford for Homecoming at noon on PPV. SEC games include Mississippi St. at Arkansas and LSU at Ole Miss.

    Samford at Auburn, 12:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Auburn 40-13



    Citadel at South Carolina, 11:00 am CT, PPV

    Prediction: South Carolina 40-6



    Kentucky at Georgia, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Georgia 34-7



    Furman at Florida, 12:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Florida 24-13



    Georgia Southern at Alabama, 12:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Alabama 28-10



    Mississippi St. at Arkansas, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Arkansas 31-20



    LSU at Ole Miss, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: LSU 35-10



    Vanderbilt at Tennessee, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-20

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-0, overall they are 76-12. This week, Auburn hosts arch-rival Alabama at 2:30 pm CT on CBS. Other games include Arkansas at LSU on Friday, Georgia at Georgia Tech and Clemson plays at South Carolina.

    Alabama at Auburn, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    The 76th Iron Bowl will be nationally televised by CBS starting at 2:30 pm CT. Alabama holds a 40-34-1 lead in the series, while Auburn holds a 7-3 lead in games played at Jordan-Hare Stadium. In the last 10 meetings, the Tigers have gone 7-3 against UA and 11-9 in the last 20 meetings.

    UA head coach Nick Saban is 4-5 all-time against AU, including a 2-3 record versus the Tigers when he was head coach at LSU from 2000-04.

    The Tide enters Saturday's contest ranked No. 2 in the BCS with an overall record of 10-1. Much of UA's success in 2011 has been about the play of its defense. The Tide allows just 8.4 points per game. Against SEC opponents, UA gives up 74.6 yards per game and 121.3 yards through the air per game. Through 11 games, the Tide has held opponents to an average of 195.91 total yards of offense, which is first in the nation in total defense.

    On offense, UA averages 35.5 points a game thanks to a strong rushing attack that averages 220.5 rushing yards per game. Tailback Trent Richardson has 1,380 yards on the season while Eddie Lacy is second with 625 yards.

    Quarterback A.J. McCarron has completed 178 of 271 passes for 2,216 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. McCarron's favorite target is Marquis Maze, who has 52 catches for 609 yards and one touchdown.

    AU is 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the SEC. The four losses have all been on the road against teams currently ranked in the top 15 of the BCS standings.

    The Tigers defeated Samford 35-16 last Saturday in a sloppy game that saw AU commit four turnovers and allowed Samford running back Jeremiaha Gates to gain 119 yards. It was the first time a Samford tailback reached the 100-yard mark this season.

    Defensively, AU allows 28.2 ppg while giving up 406.5 ypg. The Tigers allow 193.1 rushing ypg, which ranks 98th in the nation in rushing defense.

    Linebacker Daren Bates has led the team in tackles in the last two games with 24. Fellow linebacker Eltoro Freeman has 32 tackles in the last four contests, which surpasses his career total of 31 tackles through the 2009 and 2010 seasons, a span of 22 games.

    Against Samford, running back Michael Dyer's 157 rushing yards moved him into 10th place on AU's career rushing list. Dyer has 10 career 100-yard rushing games including five games with 150+ yards.

    Also against Samford, senior Brandon Mosley left the contest in the second quarter with a bruised knee. He's listed as day-to-day and will be replaced by Chad Slade if he's unable to play Saturday.

    Prediction: Alabama 38-10



    Arkansas at LSU, Friday 1:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 34-24



    Georgia at Georgia Tech, 11:00 am CT, ABC

    Prediction: Georgia 30-20



    Tennessee at Kentucky, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Kentucky 20-14



    Vanderbilt at Wake Forest, 2:30 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Wake Forest 23-17



    Florida St. at Florida, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: FSU 26-17



    Ole Miss at Mississippi St., 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 27-13



    Clemson at South Carolina, 6:45 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Clemson 24-20

    Men's Basketball Heads To Hawaii

    Despite entering the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic with the best start since 2003-04, at 7-1, coach Tony Barbee has continued to show displeasure with the way Auburns mens basketball team has played.

    While the Tigers have had no trouble scoring, topping 70 points in five games, Barbee has been preaching to his team to play better defensively.

    All except for one of Auburns opponents have scored at least 50 points this season, with Seton Hall, the lone loss on the record, topping the list with 81 points.

    However, new Tigers starters have included guards Chris Denson and Varez Ward who add a great scoring threat, but are not top-notch defensive players.

    Rebounding has been another problem for the team. Starting center Rob Chubb only averages 5.5 rebounds a game, which is a category led by forward Kenny Gabriel, who averages 8.8.

    Gabriel has been an all-around contributor, though. The senior also leads the team in steals (12) and blocked shots (24). Not to mention, he is also known for his high-flying dunks.

    Although some fans are happy with the teams winning ways, those that watch more closely can see the problems that are ahead for Auburn once conference play starts.

    Not only has Auburn played to the level of their competition in almost every game, the team has also struggled inside on a regular basis, with the epitome coming against Seton Halls Herb Pope.

    It would be easy to place blame on Chubb, who is an undersized average center at best. However, the bottom line remains Auburn does not have anyone better to take charge inside.

    Adrian Forbes has proven he is a better defensive player than Chubb, but does not have superiority on the offensive end. Also, Barbee has said he likes the aggressive play of freshman Willy Kouassi, but he is still adapting into the position. Barbee called him a blank canvas earlier in the season.

    Not only has Auburns play and record improved so far this year, but the fan support has as well. The student section experienced sellouts in the first three games. And, in good nature, the Tigers have won all seven home games this year.

    However, with the lone away game being a 22-point loss against Seton Hall, it makes Auburns chances in Hawaii against good teams more of a question.

    Auburn will play three games in the Classic, starting Thursday at midnight with Hawaii, which will be aired on ESPNU. The following two opponents will be decided from the results of the first and second games.

    2012 Auburn Schedule Complete

    With the announcement today of the revised SEC schedule due to the addition of Texas A&M and Missouri to the conference, we can now put together a tentative complete schedule for the Auburn Tigers in 2012.


    Tentative 2012 Auburn Football Schedule
    Sep 1Clemson (Georgia Dome)
    Sep 8Mississippi State (Starkville)
    Sep 15Louisiana-Monroe
    Sep 22LSU
    Oct 6Arkansas
    Oct 13Mississippi (Oxford)
    Oct 20Vanderbilt (Nashville)
    Oct 27Texas A&M
    Nov 3New Mexico State
    Nov 10Georgia
    Nov 17Alabama A&M
    Nov 24Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
    Dec 1SEC Championship

    UPDATE: The final schedule has New Mexico State instead of McNeese State on November 3. This change will prevent Auburn from playing two FCS games in 2012.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2011

    2011 had its share of big news around and about Auburn. We have compiled Access Auburn's list of the top 10 news stories of local interest in 2011.

    Top Ten Stories for 2011
      1. Tornadoes X 2
      2. BCS Style
      3. Cam-tastic
      4. Toomer's Oaks
      5. The University
      6. Out like a Lamb
      7. GE Brings Good Things
      8. Obits
      9. Local Talent
    10. End of the World

    1. Although the statewide tornado outbreak April 27 that took 243 lives spared Auburn directly, the city responded with Toomers for Tuscaloosa relief efforts and AU student-athletes and coaches participated in the clean-up. On November 16 a tornado did hit Auburn causing massive damage but no loss of human life along a line from the AU Vet School to South College to Auburn High School and on to I-85.

    2. The biggest football story in 2011 and the past half-century was Auburn's 14-0 season capped by a 22-19 victory over Oregon in the BCS Championship game January 10 in Glendale, Arizona.

    3. The Legend of 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton was cemented with the championship, and continued to grow as the 2011 number draft choice rewrote the NFL record book his first season.

    4. The news broke in January that "Al from Dadeville" did with malice aforethought commit herbicide in the first degree in that he poisoned the venerated oaks at Toomer's Corner, allegedly.

    5. As the top employer and the center of the community, Auburn University is frequently the top news story. From budget shortfalls and proration to vacancies on the Board of Trustees and at the Provost position to weddings in Samford Park, AU dominated the local news.

    6. 2011 came in like a lion in when a January winter storm postponed the first two days of classes at Auburn. The year is ending with extreme drought conditions and near 70-degree temperatures going into the new year.

    7. Good news on the employment front when General Electric Aviation broke ground in October for a plant that will create "300 to 400" jobs when it reaches full production.

    8. We said goodbye to a number of friends this year. Among 2011 deaths of local interest were Auburn administrator and wife of AU football coach Shug Jordan, Evelyn Jordan, Auburn All-America back Ed Dyas, and former Small Animal Clinic head Charles Knecht.

    9. Talent with local connections were active on the nation stage. In politics, Auburn High alum Robert Gibbs stepped down from the White House podium, but returned to see the Auburn team honored as National Champions. AU grad Octavia Spencer appeared as "Minny" in the hit movie "The Help" and Tiger alum Tim Cook took the helm at Apple.

    10. When Auburn eagle mascot Spirit crashed into the luxury booth window in Jordan-Hare Stadium it may have been a portent of foreboding doom. Auburn Football ends the year short two coordinators and a top recruit.

    If 2012 is the end of the world, this column will be discontinued.

    Men's Basketball Continues To Struggle

    Despite Auburns 10-5 record, Tiger fans have been reminded in the last two games how far the basketball program still has to go after showing signs of improved play to start the season.

    After falling to Florida State in Tallahassee 85-56, Auburn followed up with a 65-35 loss to Vanderbilt on the road in its SEC Opener.

    Despite Auburn experiencing every loss this season not in Auburn Arena, four on the road and one in a neutral site, the high hopes of the season has recently shrunk.

    While head coach Tony Barbee continues to emphasize a lack of defense, which is certainly true, a big problem has also been offensive inconsistencies.

    The average amount of points a game Auburn scores is 66.2. The Tigers have scored above 70 points this year in seven of their 15 games. At the same time, Auburn has scored under 60 points four times this year.

    Throughout the season Barbee has also complained about his team being soft. If that wasnt bad enough, after the Vanderbilt game, he said last years team, which finished the year 11-20, did a better job of playing above its actual talent level than this years team has done.

    The SEC-opening loss was not only ugly, it was the fewest points Auburn has scored in a game since Jan.5, 1951, when the Tigers fell to No. 3 Kentucky.

    Considering the lack of defense, rebounding and an inconsistent offense, to name a few things, fan must be wondering if the Auburn basketball program will ever improve.

    However, the same question was being asked this time last year.

    Things wont get easier for Barbees club as No. 2 Kentucky comes to town on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and can be viewed on the SEC Network.

    Former Tigers Shine at Humana Challenge

    Two former Auburn golfers, Gary Christian and Jason Dufner, shined at the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation at the PGA West in La Quinta, California.

    Dufner finished T12th after finishing the tournament 18-under, while Christian (-17) finished T14th after a stellar fourth round.

    After shooting a 1-over 73 in the third round, Christian fired an 8-under 64 in the fourth round that included nine birdies. Christian, a 1995 graduate of Mass Communications, carded a 5-under 31 on the back nine after birdying the last four holes. Christians success on the front nine continued as he four more birdies, but bogeyed on No. 4.

    After finishing the first round of the tournament 1-under, Dufner turned up the heat in the second round, shooting a 9-under 63 and jumped 73 spots on the leaderboard. Continuing off his success, Dufner carded a 4-under 68 in the third round. Today, Dufner started the fourth round with back-to-back birdies, but double bogeyed on the par-3 No. 5. On the back nine, Dufner caught fire after carding five birdies to finish the round 4-under.

    Sullivan Provides Spark for Men's Basketball

    Tony Barbee has complained about several things this season, one of them being Auburn didnt have a catalyst. Barbee also mentioned certain players werent playing to the level they should be competing at without mentioning names.

    Most fans knew the few players Barbee was referring to, one of them being junior guard Frankie Sullivan. And since those remarks a couple of weeks ago, Sullivan has, once again, shown he is the Tigers go-to man on offense.

    After only scoring two points in Auburns SEC opener against Vanderbilt and five against Kentucky, Sullivan has put on a scoring clinic.

    Despite not scoring in the first half of the Ole Miss game, Sullivan scored 19 points in what was Auburns first SEC win.

    He followed up that performance by dropping 19 against LSU in the Tigers next game. While Auburn lost in overtime, Sullivan made five of the teams six three pointers and ultimately kept Auburn in the game.

    Sullivans dominance doesnt stop there.

    He followed the LSU loss with a 22-point performance against South Carolina last Saturday. He made four of Auburns seven threes and went 6-6 at the foul line.

    Since Sullivan returned last year from his knee injury, before re-injurying it after six games, Auburn has gone 10-2 when he has scored in double digits. Auburn is 5-7 when he has not.

    If Sullivan continues to be successful the likelihood of Auburn competing is much higher.

    Auburns next home game isnt until Feb. 1, as the Tigers host Georgia at 7 p.m.

    AuburnArt Holds You Had Me At War Eagle" Contest

    To celebrate Valentines Day this year, AuburnArt is collecting entries from members of the Auburn Family to find the best You Had Me At War Eagle stories.

    Were doing a follow-up on our Legends, Traditions, Memories contest we had this past fall, said Cliff Hare, owner of AuburnArt. We got a lot of great submissions in that contest, so we thought wed try it again for Valentines Day and get some more stories about Auburn and members of the Auburn Family.

    In the Legends, Traditions, Memories contest, Auburn students, alumni and fans submitted stories about their favorite Auburn legend, tradition or memory. AuburnArt created a video in which well-known members of the family told their own favorite stories. This video, which can be accessed at www.youtube.com/AuburnArt1, will also be featured throughout the You Had Me At War Eagle contest.

    Submissions received in the Legends, Traditions, Memories contest served as inspiration to hold a new contest around Valentines Day. One favorite story was submitted by Bob Crutcher, a 1954 Auburn graduate who proposed to his wife Harter at the lathe by Samford Hall. His future wife, who did not expect a large engagement ring, thought the proposal was a joke and knocked the ring out of his hand. After Harter was convinced the ring did not actually come from a crackerjack box and that the proposal was real, the couple finally found the ring and went off to celebrate their engagement at the old War Eagle Theater.

    Members of the Auburn Family can once again submit their favorite Auburn memories, this time telling about experiences they have shared with their significant other or even stories about their parents or grandparents. Stories submitted can describe how a couple met or got engaged at Auburn or just how they shared a special Auburn memory together.

    Submit your story by Feb. 12 by logging onto www.facebook.com/AuburnArt and then clicking on the You Had Me At War Eagle tab, said Hare. We will post our favorite entries on Monday, Feb. 13. Individuals whose stories are selected can encourage their family and friends to vote for them by liking AuburnArts Facebook page and then the post with their story. One grand prize winner and three runners-up will be chosen on Feb. 15 based on votes received and will receive prize packs from AuburnArt.

    For more information on the You Had Me At War Eagle contest, you may contact AuburnArt by visiting www.auburnart.com, visiting their downtown location next to Toomers Drugs or calling (334) 887-7788.

    Recruiting Madness

    When I first started working for Tigerland almost 10 years ago, I don't remember recruiting being such a circus like it is today. It was news back then and big news when Auburn landed a top recruit, but now I find the whole process a bit too much.

    I never thought much about National Signing Day, I just knew the day was in early February and things would be busy a few weeks up until that day for Tigerland. Recently, the recruiting process has become a year-round thing and many of the highly-recruited players use the process to grab and hold the spotlight until they get around to making a decision. That decision could be made months before NSD or weeks after. Even if they do make a decision, they could switch between another school weeks before NSD like Ricardo Lewis did, switching back and forth between Auburn and Florida State before he eventually signed with the Tigers.

    Players like Cyrus Kouandjio seem to get off on being in control when they hold news conferences to announce their big decision. Appearing on national television and announcing where they plan to play for the next four years doesn't mean they will stick to it. Kouandjio did that last year on NSD on ESPNU when he announced that he was signing with Auburn but never sent in his national letter of intent. Kouandjio's delay sent football fans in the state of Alabama into a frenzy until he finally signed with Alabama a few days later.

    This year, Stefon Diggs, a five-star wide receiver, waited 10 days after NSD as he kept those that follow recruiting guessing when he sent a tweet that said: "Contrary to what you hear I have not made a decision" and his announcement would "Shock the world!" His shocking pick was aired on television when he chose Maryland over Auburn, Ohio State, and Florida.

    Lewis, Kouandjio and Diggs are just a few examples that I'm familiar with since my job is to keep up with Auburn recruiting. I'm sure there are countless other examples where the same drama surrounding a recruit happens at every school.

    I know the NCAA has many rules and restrictions over recruiting but it really needs to put an end to what has become a mess. Maybe the NCAA could limit when a recruit can announce his choice, like no announcements before November or December. This could help players take more time to make sure they are firm on their decision instead of maybe feeling pressured to go ahead and announce before they even begin their senior year of high school.

    Make NSD the only day a player can send in his national letter of intent. This would stop players like Diggs from dragging out his decision days after NSD just so they can have their 15 minutes of fame.

    I never understood all of the hype about recruiting and NSD, and I still don't. It's really never-ending and something I despise more and more every year.

    Stadium Journey Reviews Auburn Arena

    The website, Stadium Journey, has reviewed more than 760 pro and college sports stadiums across the country, including a recent review of the Auburn Arena, which opened in 2010.

    Read the review here to find out how Nathan Deal ranks everything from food and beverage, the fans, to all of the extras you'll experience while attending a game at the 9121-seat multi-purpose arena.

    Also, Joshua Guiher attended the 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl between Auburn and Virginia. The review takes an in-depth look at the Chick-fil-A bowl and why it was by far his favorite bowl game he's attended. Fans can also give their insight if they attended the December 31st bowl game.

    For more information about Joshua's review, go here.

    March is National Nutrition Month

    Every year since 1980, March is known as National Nutrition Month. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

    National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) to promote nutrition awareness and education. It originated in 1973 as "National Nutrition Week" and expanded to the month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. The theme changes each year, but it always focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

    The theme for 2012, "Get Your Plate in Shape, encourages families to monitor the contents and portion sizes of each meal in accordance with the MyPlate guidelines. Launched in June 2011, USDA's MyPlate replaced MyPyramid as the government's primary food group symbol as an easy-to-understand visual cue to help consumers adopt healthy eating habits consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines.

    Those familiar with MyPlate will recognize most of the recommendations to get your plate in shape:

      Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

    • Eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green, red and orange varieties, as well as beans and peas.
    • When buying canned vegetables, choose "reduced sodium" or "no salt added" whenever possible. Rinsing whole varieties like beans, corn and peas can also reduce sodium levels.
    • Dried and frozen fruits and those canned in water or their own juice are good options when fresh varieties are not available.
    • Make sure every meal and snack has at least one fruit or vegetable or both.
    • Make at least half your grains whole.

    • Choose brown rice, barley and oats and other whole grains for your sides and ingredients.
    • Switch to 100-percent whole-grain breads, cereals and crackers.
    • Check the ingredients list on food packages to find foods that are made with whole grains.
    • Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.

    • Fat-free and low-fat milk have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but less fat and fewer calories.
    • If you are lactose intolerant, try lactose-free milk or a calcium-fortified soy beverage.
    • Vary your protein choices.

    • Eat a variety of foods each week from the protein food group like seafood, nuts and beans, as well as lean meat, poultry and eggs.
    • Eat more plant-based proteins such as nuts, beans, whole grains and whole soy foods like tofu and edamame.
    • At least twice a week, make fish and seafood the protein on your plate.
    • Keep meat and poultry portions lean and limit to three ounces per meal.
    • Cut back on sodium and empty calories from solid fats and added sugars.

    • Drink water instead of sugary drinks like regular sodas, fruit-flavored drinks and sweetened teas and coffees. Choose 100-percent fruit juice.
    • Compare sodium in foods and choose those with the least amount listed on the Nutrition Facts Panel.
    • Season foods with spices or herbs instead of salt.
    • Select lean cuts of meat or poultry and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
    • Use heart-healthy oils like olive, canola and sunflower oil in place of butter or shortening when cooking.

    Women's Leadership Institute Hosting Event

    The Women's Leadership Institute in the College of Liberal Arts is proud to host a keynote event in our 2012 Residential Intensive Training Program that is open to the public.

    Lilly Ledbetter, Fair Pay activist will speak at the luncheon and then hold a book signing afterwards. Individual seats may be purchased for $50.00 or tables for 10 may be purchased for $500. Please contact Tracy Snoddy at 844-2491 or snoddts@auburn.edu for more information.

    Enterprise Road Trip to the Final Four"

    To reach the millions of NCAA basketball fans and Enterprise Rent-A-Car customers who share a passion for basketball and the NCAA Tournament but cant be at the games in person, today Enterprise is launching the Road Trip to the Final Four.

    Kicking off in Louisville, Ky., the tour will be stopping at regional tournament sites and college campuses across the U.S. on its way to the Final Four in New Orleans.

    The Enterprise Road Trip to the Final Four brings fans all the excitement of March Madness through the Twitter handle @EnterpriseWay and the Enterprise Facebook page. Fans are encouraged to follow along and join the conversation by providing recommendations to the Road Trip team on the best places to stop and visit along the way. Throughout the trip, the team will be sharing entertaining videos and stories from the road and bringing the road trip experience to life via its social media channels. They will also be giving away prizes, including tickets to NCAA Tournament games.

    As a proud corporate partner of the NCAA for the past seven years, were excited to bring our partnership to life for our customers and basketball fans everywhere, said Rob Kessler, director of corporate communications at Enterprise. We have a talented and hilarious crew of die-hard basketball fans that will be sharing impromptu stories while looking for help from fans as they make their way to New Orleans. This road trip will be an exciting and engaging way for basketball enthusiasts to stay connected to everything thats happening in and around the tournament games.

    The full list of dates and Road Trip to the Final Four locations include:

    Thursday, March 15: Louisville, Ky.

    Friday, March 16: Columbus, Ohio

    Saturday, March 17: Columbus, Ohio

    Sunday, March 18: Greensboro, N.C.

    Monday, March 19: Greensboro, N.C.

    Tuesday, March 20: Greensboro, N.C.

    Wednesday, March 21: Lexington, Ky.

    Wednesday, March 21: Bloomington, Ind.

    Friday, March 23: St. Louis, Mo.

    Saturday, March 24: St. Louis, Mo.

    Sunday, March 25: Atlanta, Ga.

    Monday, March 26: Atlanta, Ga.

    Tuesday, March 27: Atlanta, Ga.

    Tuesday, March 27: Auburn, Ala.

    Thursday, March 29: New Orleans, La.

    Friday, March 30: New Orleans, La.

    Saturday, March 31: New Orleans, La.

    Sunday, April 1: New Orleans, La.

    Monday, April 2: New Orleans, La.

    In addition to the Road Trip, Enterprise is highlighting its NCAA partnership with a new TV spot showcasing Enterprise employees who are former college athletes in a variety of sports, from swimming to football to soccer. The new commercial -- part of The Enterprise Way advertising campaign focuses on the importance of the brands customer service, culture and heritage. The 30-second spots will be prominently featured during coverage of the NCAA Tournament.

    Vote for Fellow Auburn Fan Mandi

    Vote for Auburn fan Mandi Whittaker in Northwestern Mutuals NCAA Lifelong Fan Photo Contest. Mandi is in the Final Four as part of the contest honoring NCAA fans that never waver.

    If Mandi comes out on top, she'll receive a $500 debit card. Voting ends Friday, March 30 at 4:30 pm CT. You can vote for Mandi at Northwestern Mutuals voting page

    Kim Phuc Phan Thi To Speak April 12

    Auburn University will host Kim Phuc Phan Thi, an advocate for children affected by war throughout the world and subject of a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph during the Vietnam War.

    A reception for Phuc will begin at 6 p.m. in the Langdon Hall courtyard followed by a lecture by her at 7 p.m. in Langdon Hall Thursday, April 12. For more information contact Jennifer Mason at 334-844-5027 or jlm0061@auburn.edu.

    Auburn Baseball Playing Above Expectations In SEC

    When No. 23 Auburn (17-11) started the baseball season, head coach John Pawlowski quickly showed fans the team would use small ball as a way to score runs.

    While that has held true, with the team having 59 stolen bases and 30 sacrifice bunts, Auburn has provided more excitement to fans than what was expected.

    After being picked to finish last in the SEC West by the media, Auburn has started conference play 6-3, including series wins against No. 8 LSU and No. 12 Ole Miss.

    The Tigers lack power, only hitting 12 homeruns as a team, but have outscored opponents 173-110. Offensively, Ryan Tella is leading the team, hitting just under .400. Five of the seven every-day starters are also hitting above .300.

    However, starting pitching has been the most effective aspect of this years team.

    Pawlowski, who is known as a pitching guru, has not put together a staff like this seasons since arriving at Auburn.

    Daniel Koger leads the team was 1.85 ERA. Plus, Jon Luke Jacobs and Will Kendall both sit perfect at 4-0.

    Looking past statistics, it appears Auburn has a special team this season.

    The Tigers have upset teams like LSU and Ole Miss and beaten teams it should beat, like Mississippi State. Auburn has also won a majority of its midweek games, which were the losses last year that ultimately kept it out of the NCAA Tournament.

    Despite the 2012 club not providing the fireworks the 2010 team did at the plate, Pawlowski and Co. have found a way for Auburn to win.

    Currently tied for first in the West and one game back from first in the SEC, things are looking up for the Tigers.

    Although the SEC will not welcome Missouri and Texas A&M until August, the SEC Tournament has already expanded to 10 teams, as opposed to the traditional eight that make it.

    If the season continues the way its gone thus far, Auburn will make its third trip to Hoover in as many years after a seven year drought.

    The Tigers will not play an SEC opponent at home until April 20, when it hosts No. 10 South Carolina, who has won the national championship the past two years.

    Auburn travels to Tuscaloosa this weekend to face arch-rival Alabama. Friday's game will air on Fox Sports Net at 7 p.m. CT, while Saturday's game starts at 3 p.m. CT on CSS.

    Bo Bikes Bama April 24-28

    Auburn legend and two-sport star Bo Jackson will ride his bike approximately 300 miles over five days to raise money for the communities in Alabama that were impacted by deadly tornadoes on April 27, 2011.

    Jackson will be joined by 25-100 people, inluding celebrities as they ride about 50 miles each day along the path of destruction beginning Tuesday, April 24 on the Alabama state line in Henegar. On the five-day journey, the cyclists will make stops in Lake Guntersville State Park, Cullman, Jasper, Bessemer, and in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, April 28.

    Those that wish to join Jackson on the historic ride across the state can make a $200 tax deductible donation. A limited number of spots are available to ride with Jackson each day along the route. Click here to register.

    Jackson's goal is to raise $1 million, which will go to the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund. The fund was established to provide assistance to individuals and organizations with recovery costs that are a direct result of a disaster or emergency. A staggering $1.2 billion is still needed for the long-term recovery effort due to the deadly tornado outbreak across the state in April 2011.

    To donate click here. And for all of the details about Bo Bikes Bama, visit bobikesbama.com.

    Auburn Plays Florida Tuesday In Hoover

    Through all the ups and downs the Auburn baseball team has experienced this season, head coach John Pawlowskis team will be headed to Hoover for the SEC Tournament for the third consecutive year.

    Auburn (30-26, 13-17 SEC) finished in 10th place in the SEC after being picked to finish last in the West before the season.

    The Tigers' tough task last year involved winning a game in Hoover to have a winning record and become eligible for the NCAA Tournament, which they faltered to do. This year, however, despite having a winning record, it appears Auburn will need at least two wins to have an RPI high enough to reach the national tournament.

    Prior to this season, only the top eight teams made the SEC Tournament, and typically all eight were a shoe-in for the NCAA Tournament, with last year obviously being an exception. Fairly uncommonly, the ninth place team has also made the NCAA Tournament, such as Auburn did in 2005.

    Auburn may have a difficult time winning its first round game, which is set for 4:30 Tuesday afternoon, against Florida (40-16, 18-12 SEC), considering the Gators took two of three from the Tigers this past weekend at Plainsman Park.

    The Tigers were held to five hits combined Friday and Saturday, losing 6-0 and 10-1, before making an offensive charge to win the series finale 5-4.

    Neither starting pitchers Jon Luke Jacobs nor Daniel Koger made it through the second inning as Floridas superior offense dominated the first two games.

    Winning may be even harder for the Tigers after right fielder Jay Gonzalez left Saturdays game with an injury to his non-throwing hand. Shortstop Dan Glevenyak did not play in Saturdays game because of a nagging back injury. Auburn is also still without left fielder Cullen Wacker, who it does not appear will return, and first baseman Garrett Cooper.

    While Pawlowskis teams have made the SEC Tournament the past two years, the teams have not won a first round game and have a 1-4 overall record.

    If Auburn beats Florida, it will play again in the Wednesday night game against LSU, which begins 30 minutes after the 4:30 game ends. If the Tigers lose, they will play in the Wednesday 4:30 game.

    Uniform Changes: A Fad or Here To Stay?

    Former AU AD David Housel once joked that anything done at AU once is a tradition. While AU has numerous traditions that have taken place for decades, the world of college football is slowly becoming more about flash and less about traditions.

    After Oregon popularized wearing different bright, flamboyant uniforms each game; the trend has appeared slowly to have caught on.

    Since then, Nike has released its Pro Combat jerseys for some teams that are sponsored by it, such as LSU, Boise State, Georgia, Michigan State, Army and Navy.

    Then, like Oregon, Maryland began wearing uniforms that looked like nothing the world of sports had ever seen. Helmets designed like a tortoise shell and with the pattern of Marylands state flag began an every-week event for the Terrapins.

    It was also recently reported Maryland is considering changing the color of its field, which is getting synthetic glass before the 2012 season.

    As more teams continue to make the move to flashier uniforms as what is being seen as a recruiting ploy, its easy to question if this is a fad or something that will eventually become common.

    If the flash continues, when will Auburn have to make the switch? Before last season, Under Armour made an offer to the Tigers for changing the football uniforms, as it did for Maryland.

    Fans have watched Auburn play in the home blues and road whites for decades now. They have become a tradition in their own. But, is it something that the athletic department will be able to keep, or even want to keep?

    With teams as historically traditional as Alabama and Notre Dame wearing alternative jerseys for one or two games a season over the past few seasons, it appears the change is as inevitable as a playoff.

    However, with an example such as Penn State, who still wears the same bland uniforms despite bringing Bill OBrien in from the outside, Auburn may have to change to keep consistent.

    While football head coach Gene Chizik has shown his interesting and bizarre fashion off the field, its hard to say an Auburn man will allow Auburn to change drastically. Although, only time will tell.

    BamaJam 2012

    BamaJam 2012 in Enterprise, Ala. is a 3-day/3-night music festival created to celebrate the human spirit through music. The 3-day event begins Thursday June 14 and wraps up Saturday June 16.

    Ticket prices for the 3-day festival are $159, and $189 at the gate. Those attending are urged to arrive early to get the best seats possible. Gates open at 12:00 pm each day.

    VIP Artist Area tickets are also available for $399. With a VIP Artist Area ticket, fans will be able to get up close and personal with the stars themselves while they are performing. A limited number of VIP Artist Area tickets are available.

    Thursday's lineup:

    Tim McGraw, Eric Church, Willie Nelson, Darryl Worley, Third Day, Outlaws, Herrick, Dustin Lynch, Tyler Reeve, The FARM, David Kroll, The Lost Trailers, John Nemeth, Joanna Smith, Connor Christian & Southern Gothic, Bill Gentry, Martin McDaniel, Buffalo Clover, Honey Island Swamp Band, Aerias

    Friday's lineup:

    Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson, NEEDTOBREATHE, Ronnie Milsap, Stryper, Michael Sweet, John Elefante, Casey James, Wood Brothers, Badfinger, Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan, Aaron Parker, Levi Lowrey, Dugas, Albert Castiglia, Wheeler Boys

    Saturday's lineup:

    Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Jamey Johnson, Govt Mule, Uncle Kracker, Yelawolf, Randy Montana, Breaking Laces, Drake White, Rosehill, Big Smo, Mockingbyrd, Tyler Farr, Moreland & Arbuckle, Jaida Dreyer, Bridge To Grace, Greg Bates, Downside Up

    Ticket holders will also have access to the on-site water park, par 3 golf course and ATV trails for the discounted price of $15 per person, per amenity.

    For all of the details about BamaJam 2012, visit bamajam2012.com

    Second Wind Dreams

    Dorothy Johnson, 76, a resident at Morningside Assisted Living in Auburn was treated to a surprise on Tuesday, June 19th. Mrs. Johnson has talked about her college years with Carley Bailey, an Auburn University intern at Morningside.

    The discussion began after Carley presented Mrs. Johnson with a survey for completion for a school project. But the true project was a lot bigger than Mrs. Johnson could have imagined.

    The questions were actually asked for a program called Second Wind Dreams that I am working on implementing at Morningside. I presented the residents with a survey to determine things that would make their life complete. While many residents completed the surveys, I could only start to make one dream come true at a time, said Carley.

    The Second Wind Dreams program is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting elder care communities in making dreams come true for elders living in their facilities.

    Mrs. Dorothy reminisced about her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA). In order to make this dream a reality, Carley contacted the local chapter of Auburn AKAs to ask if they would be interested in a surprise visit to Morningside. Six beautiful AKA sisters were kind enough to spend an afternoon with Mrs. Dorothy and share some of their sorority experiences at Auburn. The ladies brought scrapbooks they made so they could show Mrs. Dorothy the various things they have done as a chapter.

    You really got me. I had no idea this was going to happen, said Mrs. Dorothy. You could tell she was completely surprised and elated. One of the staff members, Rebecca Philpot, said The joy I saw in her eyes and the smile that spread across her face was contagious.

    Her reaction validated the purpose of Second Wind Dreams. Morningside hopes this is the first dream of many we can make into a reality.

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    After an 8-5 overall record and a 4-4 mark in conference play last season, Auburn heads into the 2012 season with a renewed sense of optimism after a new offensive coordinator was hired in late January.

    The Tigers experienced record-breaking numbers on offense and even a national title during Gus Malzahn's three seasons as offensive coordinator. After the 2010 season, Malzahn flirted with the idea of leaving the Plains to become a head coach but decided to wait it out for the perfect fit. Arkansas State came calling last December and Malzahn accepted the job to return to his home state as head coach.

    Malzahn's departure was probably the best thing that could have happened for Auburn. His up-tempo offense became stale and very predictable as SEC defenses clamped down and weren't fooled by the gimmicks. In the four blowout losses to Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas and LSU, the offense averaged a measly 11.3 points.

    Also contributing to the struggles on offense was the fact that Auburn basically had a whole different team from top to bottom after a third of the players from the 2010 team either graduated or left early to pursue careers in the NFL. As a unit, the offense finished the season ranked 104th in total offense and 105th in passing offense.

    Even with a very young team, the Tigers still managed an eight-win season, including defeating Virginia 43-24 in the Chick-fil-a Bowl. The valuable experience gained by the young players will go a long way when Auburn takes the field for the first time in 2012 against a very talented Clemson team Sept. 1 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.

    The season-opener will also give fans a chance to see just what the Tigers' offense will look like under new coordinator Scot Loeffler. Loeffler, 37, was hired in time to make a final push for a few high-profile recruits during the last few weeks before signing day. He also had a chance to install his new offensive scheme in spring drills but didn't offer fans much insight as Auburn ran mostly basic plays on A-Day.

    Fans were left wondering if his offense will be more like Malzahn's high-octane spread system or more of a pro-style offense. Loeffler has coached in both spread and pro-style systems, but hinted that Auburn will likely go with the pro-style with an emphasis on running the football. Whatever his style turns out to be, Loeffler brings an impressive 14 years of coaching experience to Gene Chizik's staff.

    As offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season for a 9-4 Temple team, Loeffler's offense was seventh nationally in rushing averaging 256.5 yards per game and 39th nationally in scoring (30.6 ppg). The Owls were also ranked 33rd nationally in pass efficiency.

    Prior to Temple, Loeffler was the quarterbacks coach at Florida in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, the Gators led the nation in pass efficiency (167.3) after passing for 3,305 yards and 28 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Florida also ranked second in the SEC in passing offense with an average of 236.1 yards per game in 2009.

    While players had positive reviews about Loeffler and his offensive style after spring drills ended, hopefully he can make a quick decision early in fall camp on who Auburn's starter at quarterback will be in 2012. Spring drills ended without a clear winner with junior Clint Moseley, true sophomore Kiehl Frazier, and newcomer Zeke Pike in the mix.

    Moseley started the final six games last season, and finished the year with 66-of-108 completions for 800 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He missed most of the spring with a shoulder injury which caused him to lag behind the other two potential starters.
    Kiehl Frazier
    Kiehl Frazier
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Last season, Frazier saw most of his action as the Wildcat quarterback, with 76 carries for 326 yards and three touchdowns. When he was called on to throw, he didn't look confident which resulted in poor decision making. He completed just 5-of-12 passes with two crucial interceptions against Arkansas.

    Frazier has said that he feels more confident in Loeffler's system than he did all of last year as a freshman. He was named offensive MVP for the A-Day Game, completing 7-of-9 passes for 92 yards.

    Pike enrolled early in January and participated in spring drills. As a senior last season at Dixie Heights High, he threw for 1,964 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also rushed for 730 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground.

    Pike's status with the team is uncertain after being sent back home to Kentucky for the summer following an off-the-field issue in June.
    Emory Blake
    Emory Blake
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Another reason for Auburn's offensive woes last season was the inconsistent play at wide receiver. The problems at wide receiver weren't as glaring in the first half of the season when Emory Blake was healthy and catching everything in sight.

    Blake was poised to have a huge season but suffered a high ankle sprain in the fifth game against South Carolina. The injury kept him sidelined for a few games and never fully healed until the Chick-fil-a Bowl. For the year, Blake caught 36 passes for 617 yards and five touchdowns.

    Having a major weapon like Blake go down meant the Tigers desperately needed someone to step up for the offense to continue being effective in the passing game. DeAngelo Benton had the chance to play a major role when Blake went down. But, the highly-recruited receiver from Louisiana has lacked production and been guilty of dropping catchable passes since arriving on campus. His troubles continued last year despite seeing more playing time. Benton caught just seven passes for 136 yards and one touchdown as a junior.

    Another receiver who could have been the go-to guy was Trovon Reed. Reed showed signs of taking over for Blake as Auburn's main receiver but was slowed by a shoulder injury and never returned to full-speed. For 2011, Reed had 21 catches for 164 yards.

    Quan Bray caught 17 passes for 93 yards as a freshman last year. Bray started slowly but finally got accustomed to the speed of the college game by the end of the season.

    Travante Stallworth had early success as a junior last year but became invisible after the Clemson game. In the season-opener against Utah State, Stallworth had four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, then caught five passes for 71 yards against Clemson. He then caught only three passes the rest of the season.

    Sammie Coates would have provided more depth last season but had to be redshirted due to a preseason injury. Coates is back healthy and ready to push for playing time after a productive spring.
    Philip Lutzenkirchen
    Philip Lutzenkirchen
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    While tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen has seen his share of receptions during his Auburn career, Loeffler plans to get the ball in the senior's hands even more. In Malzahn's offense, Lutzenkirchen was thought of as a blocker first, tight end second. But, Loeffler plans to use two-tight end sets which should give Lutzenkirchen more chances to haul in passes.

    Last year, Lutzenkirchen finished third on the team in receptions with 24 and receiving yards with 238. His seven touchdown catches led the team. For his career, Lutzenkirchen has 44 receptions for 489 yards and 14 touchdowns, the most receiving touchdowns ever for an Auburn tight end.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Running Backs

    Football Preview: Running Backs

    The running back position looks to be very deep when Auburn begins fall camp in a few weeks. The battle to win the most playing time will be one to watch after the Tigers' leading rusher from last season left the team.

    Michael Dyer's career at Auburn ended prematurely when off-the-field problems during the 2011 season led him to ask for a release. He eventually decided to take his talents to Arkansas State.

    Dyer's time at Auburn was short but sweet. He was only the fifth tailback in school history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. With two years of eligibility remaining, Dyer could have ended up being one of the most successful running backs in school history.

    Losing the workhorse in the backfield could be a blow to any team, especially one that rushed for 1,248 yards, with 10 touchdowns and was named to the first team All-SEC. But, the Tigers are in good shape depth-wise heading towards their Sept. 1 season opener against Clemson.

    First-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler may have trouble finding playing time for each tailback on the roster. But, having plenty of bodies is a good thing for Loeffler as he plans on having a run-oriented offense. He will substitute early and often to keep the tailbacks fresh and to make defenses guess what will happen next.
    Onterio McCalebb
    Onterio McCalebb
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Even though Auburn has plenty of depth at the tailback position, Onterio McCalebb is the only one on the roster with a significant amount of game-time experience. McCalebb returns for his senior season as the teams top returning rusher. He gained 641 yards on the ground on 112 carries and had five touchdowns in 2011. He was also the teams second-leading receiver, finishing the season with 32 receptions for 344 yards and two touchdowns.

    McCalebb has been a speedster since coming to Auburn and he'll be counted on to use his speed in Loeffler's system. He'll be used as a receiver coming out of the backfield again this season as Loeffler plans to get the tailbacks more involved in the passing game.

    Tre Mason spent last season playing behind Dyer and McCalebb, which meant he didn't get many carries. He did get extra playing time in the Chick-fil-A Bowl when Dyer had to sit out. In the bowl game, Mason had nine carries for 64 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown run.

    Now that Dyer is gone, Mason should get the bulk of the carries when Auburn pounds the ball inside. He has added some weight during the offseason which should give him extra strength without losing any of his speed.

    Mike Blakely and Corey Grant had to sit out last year as transfers. Blakely comes to Auburn after transferring from Florida, while Grant came from Alabama. Both haven't seen any action at the college level but that should change after getting plenty of reps on the scout team and in spring practice.

    Blakely was the leading rusher on A-Day, with 65 yards on five carries, including a touchdown run of 25 yards. Grant was named Auburns Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year.

    Newcomer Jovon Robinson is a physical back at 6-1, 220 pounds. Robinson rushed for 4,908 yards and 75 touchdowns in three seasons as a starter at Wooddale High in Memphis, Tenn. He won't arrive on campus until August, which will put him behind the other more experienced backs. It shouldn't take long for Robinson to see his first action with his size and speed.
    Jay Prosch
    Jay Prosch
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Auburn also welcomes fullback Jay Prosch to the Plains after he transferred from Illinois. He'll be able to play in 2012 after receiving a waiver from the NCAA in June.

    Prosch will be expected to create huge holes for the tailbacks the same way he did at Illinois. As the primary blocker, he made it possible for Illinois' tailbacks to post 1,000-yard rushing performances each of the past two seasons.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Offensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Football Preview: Offensive Line

    Auburn lost many key players up and down its roster after the 2010 season, especially along the offensive line. What once was a depleted group is now loaded deep with talent after two successful signing classes.

    Every college football team goes through rebuilding years. With players graduating and some leaving early for the NFL, some teams are hit harder than others. The Tigers were hit hard after the 2010 season when four starters on the offensive line graduated, and again last year when three more starters used up their eligibility.

    New offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler plans to use a pro-style system with an emphasis on the run. For Loeffler's system to work and if Auburn wants to retain the title of Running Back U, a solid offensive line is a must.

    Based on the last couple of signing classes of offensive linemen, and the talented running backs on the roster, the Tigers should have an effective ground attack behind a deep, but young unit.

    Auburn signed four offensive linemen on Signing Day 2011 followed by seven in February. Greg Robinson and Christian Westerman were two of the linemen signed in 2011.

    Both Robinson and Westerman were highly-recruited coming out of high school and had a chance to be in the starting lineup as true freshmen. They were redshirted last fall when position coach Jeff Grimes felt they weren't quite ready to see game-time action.

    After a year of practicing with the scout team and adjusting to the college game, Robinson worked with the first team at left tackle while Westerman shared time with the first team at left guard in the spring.

    As they continue to learn Loeffler's new offense in fall camp, expect both Robinson and Westerman to see plenty of playing time this fall, with Robinson probably starting at left tackle and Westerman sharing duties at left guard.
    Reese Dismukes
    Reese Dismukes
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Also a member of the 2011 signing class, Reese Dismukes started every game at center as a true freshman last season. He was named to the Football Writers Association of America All-Freshman team, the SEC All-Freshman team and CBS Sports Freshman All-America team.

    Dismukes is expected to anchor the offensive line at the center position for the next three years. Even though he's just a sophomore, he has all of the qualities to be the leader of Auburn's young group of linemen.

    Senior John Sullen is the only member of the group with a significant amount of playing time. He has played in 38 games with a dozen starts, including 11 last year at right guard.

    Sullen should hold down the left guard spot with Eric Mack giving him a breather late in games. Mack will also be an option at one of the tackle spots after seeing action at right tackle on the second team in the A-Day game.

    Sophomore Chad Slade is a versatile lineman who can play both guard and tackle. Last season, Slade started once at right tackle, twice at right guard and seven times at left guard. He's likely to start at right tackle in 2012 since Grimes thinks he can be more effective on the outside.

    Newcomers to keep an eye on to push for playing time include Patrick Miller and Shane Callahan. Both went through spring drills which gives them an advantage over the other linemen who won't arrive on campus until August. Miller is probably ahead of Callahan after he spent a significant amount of time in the spring working with the first team at right tackle.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Defensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    Expected to be a strength of the defense in 2011, the defensive line didn't live up to the hype after being plagued by injuries throughout the season. This year's line appears ready for improvement under a new coordinator.

    Brian VanGorder was hired Jan. 9 to fill the defensive coordinator's spot left vacant by Ted Roof. VanGorder comes to Auburn after spending the last four seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. He was also Georgia's defensive coordinator from 2001-04 and was the winner of the Frank Broyles Award that goes to college football's top assistant coach in 2003.

    Last year with the Falcons, VanGorder's defense finished the regular season second in the NFL in red zone defense, sixth in rushing defense and 12th in total defense.

    With fall camp underway, VanGorder's biggest challenge will be getting the line familiar with his defensive philosophy and also help the players regain their confidence after being manhandled by SEC offenses last season.

    In the four losses to SEC opponents, the Tigers gave up 38 points to Arkansas, 45 to LSU and Georgia, and 42 to Alabama. Overall, the inconsistent play up front led the defense to allow 28.9 points and 189.2 yards rushing per game.

    Under VanGorder, the defensive line won't be responsible for reading the offense and reacting to the play. Instead, the guys up front will be more aggressive by getting into the backfield on every play. The new attacking defense should see Auburn record plenty of sacks, something that was sorely missed last season.
    Dee Ford
    Dee Ford
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    With more freedom to attack, expect junior defensive ends Corey Lemonier and Dee Ford to be in the opponent's backfield often. Last season, Lemonier was one of the best pass-rushers in the league, with 9.5 sacks, 15 quarterback pressures and 13.5 tackles-for-loss. He also totaled 47 tackles, forced five fumbles and recovered a fumble.

    Ford is back healthy and ready to wreak havoc after missing most of last season with a herniated disc that required surgery. In three games before the injury, Ford had seven tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack.

    While Lemonier had a solid spring, it was Ford who stood out from the rest of the defensive line. In the A-Day game, Ford had four tackles and a sack against the first team offense and took home the Defensive MVP Award.

    VanGorder's aggressive style will result in more production this season for all of the front four, including junior tackle Jeffrey Whitaker. Whitaker had a somewhat disappointing season last year when he didn't record a sack and only made two tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He has dropped around 20 pounds so he can be quicker and make more plays behind the line of scrimmage.

    Kenneth Carter should start alongside Whitaker at the other tackle spot. The junior missed all of spring drills after having shoulder surgery right after the 2011 season. As a sophomore, Carter had 21 tackles. Since he was forced to sit out in the spring, he'll have a lot of work to do learning the new defense in fall camp.

    VanGorder plans to keep the defensive line fresh which means several key reserves will see playing time when the starting four need a blow. Nosa Eguae and Gabe Wright also missed the entire spring recovering from injuries. Both have experience under their belts and will provide the line with extra depth. Last year, Eguae had 38 tackles and 12 quarterback hurries while Wright finished with 12 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and a sack.

    LaDarius Owens and Craig Sanders will also provide more depth as backups. Owens injured his foot in the middle of the season. He finished with nine tackles, three tackles-for-loss and a sack.

    Sanders played at several spots on the line last season. He finished with 13 tackles, four tackles-for-loss and a sack.

    Both Owens and Sanders have excellent speed and provide another option as pass-rushers.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Linebackers

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    Heading into fall camp last year, Auburn was quite thin at linebacker. With fall camp underway, depth is still a concern but the teams leading tackler from 2011 returns along with help from a few talented freshmen.

    The linebackers not only have to learn new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder's system, but they also have to adjust to a new position coach, too.

    With the departure of Ted Roof, Tommy Thigpen will coach linebackers after spending the last three seasons working with the defensive backs.

    Thigpen is no stranger to linebacker having played the position at North Carolina where he was a three-time All-ACC selection. He later coached linebackers for the Tar Heels from 2005-2008.

    Although the Tigers are a bit thin, Thigpen was pleased with the progress the group made during the spring and thinks they can continue making strides as the season goes along.
    Daren Bates
    Daren Bates
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Daren Bates returns as a senior after starting all 13 games in 2011 when he led the team with 104 tackles. He also had 2.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, and was tied second on the team with 8.5 tackles-for-loss.

    Bates was converted to linebacker two seasons ago after spending his freshman season at safety. His play as a sophomore was inconsistent at times with poor tackling as he tried to adjust to his new position. Last year he was much improved as a tackler and became the leader of the linebacking corps.

    While Bates will likely start on the weak side, Jake Holland should start in the middle.

    As a sophomore last year, Holland started the first few contests in the middle before injuries took a toll and forced him into a backup role. He finished the season with 43 tackles, five tackles-for-loss and two interceptions.

    As middle linebacker, Holland's job will be the quarterback of the defense. He'll receive defensive play calls from the sideline and relay them to the rest of the defense. He also sets the alignment and calls out audibles when he sees a different look from opposing offenses.
    Kris Frost
    Kris Frost
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    On the strong side, redshirt freshman Kris Frost has a chance to start this fall after sitting out last season due to shoulder surgery. Frost, rated a five-star prospect coming out of high school, worked with the first-team during the spring and is still in the process of adjusting to playing in college where players are bigger, faster and stronger.

    Senior Jonathan Evans will have to fight Frost for the starting job on the strong side since he missed the entire spring with injuries. Last season, Evans played in 10 games with 40 tackles and one tackle-for-loss. Even if he doesn't win the starting job, he'll still see plenty of playing time since he can play either side at linebacker.

    Justin Garrett will also battle Frost for playing time in the fall. Garrett played in eight games last season as a true freshman. He started once against Samford and made five tackles. For the season, he had nine tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, and a quarterback hurry.

    Cassanova McKinzy should see action at middle linebacker this fall as a true freshman. A four-star recruit, McKinzy has added around 20 pounds in the offseason which will be a huge plus since VanGorder has said he wants a bigger linebacking unit to give the defense a better advantage in the middle.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Secondary

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Football Preview: Secondary

    Last year, Auburn's secondary had plenty of depth but experienced growing pains throughout the season, which resulted in giving up big plays. A veteran coach was hired in February to help eliminate the struggles the unit experienced in 2011.

    Defensively, the Tigers surrendered a lot of points last year, especially against SEC opponents. Part of the reason was lack of a pass rush and the other part was due to the secondary giving up huge passing plays. Auburn finished last in the SEC in pass defense.

    Willie Martinez was brought in to coach both the safeties and the cornerbacks for the Tigers. The move reunites him with new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. The two coached together at Central Florida, Central Michigan, and Georgia.

    Martinez, the third new Auburn assistant for 2012, spent the last two seasons at Oklahoma, where he coached the secondary. Before that, he spent nine seasons at Georgia which included stints as defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator.

    Martinez's first priority will be finding a suitable replacement for the spot left by Neiko Thorpe, who was a senior last year. Thorpe was second on the team in tackles with 102 and led the team with three interceptions.
    Erique Florence
    Erique Florence
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Erique Florence will likely take over at free safety now that Thorpe is gone. Florence played sparingly as a true freshman last year, finishing with 23 tackles, one sack, and a tackle-for-loss. The playing time that Florence did experience gives him an advantage over others on the roster to be Thorpes replacement.

    Sophomore Jermaine Whitehead saw playing time as a true freshman at cornerback last season where he made 31 tackles, broke up three passes, and returned an interception 25-yards for a touchdown in his only start against Florida Atlantic.

    Whitehead should start at strong safety after spending most of spring working with the first-team at the position. He's no stranger to playing safety since it was his primary position in high school.

    Juniors Ryan Smith and Demetruce McNeal will primarily be used as backups to Florence and Whitehead but will see the field when the defense uses certain formations. Smith made one start at free safety last year and finished the year with 23 tackles and three tackles-for-loss.

    McNeal missed crucial time in the spring with a kneecap injury, which caused him to fall on the depth chart. Last year he started all but one game at free safety and finished third on the team with 74 tackles, had two fumbles forced, and two interceptions.
    Chris Davis
    Chris Davis
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Chris Davis, the defensive MVP in Auburn's bowl victory against Virginia, returns as a junior to start at one of the cornerback spots. He finished fourth on the team last season with 60 tackles and had four pass breakups. Davis' physical nature fits right in with VanGorder's system and he could be one of the SEC's top cornerbacks in 2012.

    Sophomore Robenson Therezie should get the nod at the other cornerback spot. While fellow cornerback TSharvan Bell missed spring drills because of an injury, Therezie took advantage of the extra reps by showing the coaches he's ready to be a playmaker in the secondary.

    Bell went down with a nasty injury to his left knee, tearing the ACL, MCL and the posterior oblique ligament against Georgia. Before the injury, Bell had 45 tackles, a sack, two interceptions and a team-high seven pass breakups.

    Junior Ryan White and sophomore Jonathon Mincy provide more depth and could make spot starts depending on Auburn's opponent.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Special Teams

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    While Auburn was inconsistent at times on offense and defense, special teams had an overall solid season last year. With the punter and kicker returning, the Tigers' special teams should be one of the best in the SEC.

    As the Tigers ranked No. 104 in total offense and No. 82 in scoring offense, and No. 78 in total defense and No. 79 in scoring defense, kicker Cody Parkey and punter Steven Clark quietly put together some of the best performances in the conference in 2011.
    Cody Parkey
    Cody Parkey
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Position coach Jay Boulware wasn't quite sure what to expect last season when Parkey was set to take over the kicking duties full-time. In seven games in 2010, Parkey got some experience handling kickoffs, with 35 for an average of 63.2 yards, but he didn't get any field goal opportunities playing behind four-year starter Wes Byrum.

    With the pressure of being Auburn's No. 1 field goal kicker as a sophomore last year, Parkey exceeded all expectations by making 13-of-18 attempts, including his longest of 45 yards. He also made 41-of-42 extra points.

    Also handling kickoff duties full-time, Parkey showed off his leg strength by recording 38 touchbacks on 66 kickoffs. A new rule going into effect this season may limit the number of touchbacks he records since touchbacks will now be placed on the 25-yard line instead of the 20. With the new rule, Parkey will try and get more hang time on kickoffs so the coverage will have a better shot at pinning opponents inside the 25.

    Clark was also unproven handling punts after he appeared in only five games and averaged 34.9 yards on nine punts in 2010. He passed the test by helping Auburn rank 15th nationally in net punting last season.

    Clark was on the coaches' All-SEC first-team and a Ray Guy Award finalist for his efforts. He pinned 33 punts inside the 20, including 11 inside the 10. He averaged 40.8 yards per punt, with 13 punts of 50 yards or more with only three touchbacks.
    Tre Mason
    Tre Mason
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Also overlooked last season was the kick return game. The Tigers were involved in several close contests where special teams made a difference in the outcome. In the 42-38 victory over Utah State, Tre Mason's 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the difference. Mason also had two big returns against Mississippi State to help the Tigers escape with a 41-34 victory.

    For the season, Mason returned 24 kickoffs for 633 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore will be joined by senior Onterio McCalebb on kickoff returns. The speedy McCalebb returned 11 kickoffs for 338 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown return against Alabama in 2011. McCalebb has 837 yards on just 30 attempts during his career.

    Quan Bray and Robenson Therezie will be backups on kick returns. Last season, Bray had 10 kickoffs for 242 yards while Therezie had five for 112 yards.

    Boulware hopes his unit can improve on punt returns after averaging just 6.74 yards per punt return last season, which ranked 81st nationally. Boulware will count on Bray to be the main punt returner after taking over the job when Trovon Reed went down with an injury last year. In 2011, Bray had 13 punt returns for 96 yards, an average of 7.4. Reed had eight for 42 yards.

    Phil Marion

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Auburn set at center

    The recent news of sophomore center Reese Dismukes suspension shook the football team for the worst. That is, at least, on the field. With redshirt sophomore Tunde Fariyike the new starter, the Tigers intelligence and integrity rose.

    Coach Gene Chizik has shown within the last several months, along with the past three years, he will not let misbehavior slide. With freshman quarterback Zeke Pike being sent home and later dismissed from the team after being charged with public intoxication, the same charge Dismukes was arrested for, there wasnt much of a surprise when Chizik announced the starting center was suspended indefinitely.

    The overall reaction was different than what some teams may see. For the most part, there wasnt angry toward Chizik. Any frustration was directly toward Dismukes, and there was even some pity given to the 19 year old, who some believe has a problem with alcohol.

    However, those two reactions took a back seat to the happiness and excitement fans have felt for Fariyike to run with the first team. A biomedical science major with plans to follow in his fathers footsteps of becoming a doctor, Fariyike is not your stereotypical football player.

    The kid is smart. Oh, is he smart. When asked if he had a hard time learning the new offense, Fariyike said he didnt want to say it was easy to learn, but it certainly wasnt hard. Hes the first to say that.

    As a player who said he was most likely going to Duke before Auburn offered him late, Fariyike is a different breed of player. Hes easily the smartest player the Tigers will have on the field Saturday, and hes also playing the position senior starting guard John Sullen said the smartest player is needed at.

    Win or lose Saturday, Chizik and the coaching staff are running a clean ship. While Clemson star receiver Sammy Watkins sits at home suspended for the first two games, he was not punished until two full months after he was arrested for a marijuana possession. Not to mention, the punishment was delivered by the Board of Trustees and not the coaching staff. Theres a problem there.

    On Auburns first possession Saturday, Auburn men will take the first offensive snap of the year for the Tigers. Fariyike will hand the ball to quarterback Kiehl Frazier. Running back Onterio McCalebb will probably have his first rush attempt of his final season. Linemen Greg Robinson, Chad Slade, Avery Young and Sullen will block as receivers Emory Blake and Quan Bray do the same. Dismukes will be sitting at home right where he belongs.

    Week One SEC Predictions

    Auburn plays Clemson Saturday at 6:00 pm CT in the Georgia Dome. South Carolina and Vanderbilt start conference play Thursday night. Other games this weekend include Alabama against Michigan in Dallas and Buffalo at Georgia.

    Auburn vs. Clemson, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Auburn's 2012 season finally gets underway Saturday evening when the Tigers battle Clemson in the Georgia Dome. Both teams enter the contest with new additions to their coaching staffs and several key players sitting out due to suspensions. Auburn will have a new look on offense with Scot Loeffler ready to show off his offensive system and Brian VanGorder makes his debut as defensive coordinator. For Clemson, Brent Venables was hired to run the defense. Even with several key players out of action and the changes to the staffs, expect another entertaining contest between the two teams.

    Kiehl Frazier starts under center for Auburn after winning the job over Clint Moseley in fall camp. Frazier saw most of his action last season when Auburn lined-up in the Wildcat formation, rushing for 326 yards on 76 carries and three touchdowns. He completed just 5-of-12 in limited action as a passer.

    Frazier will have a very experienced group of receivers to choose from as Emory Blake enters his senior campaign healthy after being hobbled by an ankle injury last year. Travante Stallworth, Trovon Reed, and Quan Bray are expected to contribute in the passing attack and look to start the season strong against Clemson.

    Tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen should see more passes come his way in Loeffler's system after being more of a blocker in his previous three seasons. Last year, Lutzenkirchen had 24 catches for 238 yards and led the team with seven touchdowns.

    Taking over as primary blocker is fullback Jay Prosch. Prosch is a transfer from Illinois where he made it possible for Illinois' tailbacks to post 1,000-yard rushing performances each of the past two seasons.

    Onterio McCalebb gets the nod as Auburn's No. 1 tailback. The senior racked up 641 yards on the ground on 112 carries and had five touchdowns in 2011. Tre Mason and Mike Blakely should see touches in Saturday's contest since the running game is expected to be a big part of Loeffler's offense.

    The offensive line will be made up of veterans John Sullen and Chad Slade, with Greg Robinson, Tunde Fariyike and Avery Young earning starts for the first time in a college game.

    VanGorder's defense should be more aggressive, and that will please the fans that saw the unit struggle against several SEC opponents last season. Auburn ranked last in the SEC in pass defense, allowing 218.8 yards per game. They also were last in pass efficiency defense (137.4), and recorded just 11 interceptions. The defense allowed 28.9 points per game, which ranked 11th in the SEC.

    Starting up front with the defensive line, Corey Lemonier leads the group after having 9.5 sacks in 2011. Dee Ford gets the start at the other end position, with Jefferey Whitaker and Angelo Blackson at tackle.

    In the middle of the defense, Daren Bates is set for another big season after leading the team in tackles with 96 a year ago. Jake Holland hopes to have an injury-free year after being plagued by injuries in 2011. Holland had 43 tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore. Jonathan Evans earns a starting spot after playing in 10 games with 40 tackles last year.

    The secondary for Auburn will be made up of cornerbacks Chris Davis and Ryan White, with safeties Ryan Smith and Jermaine Whitehead. Davis is the leader of the defensive backs after finishing fourth on the team last season with 60 tackles and four pass breakups.

    Cody Parkey will handle kickoffs and field goal duties again in 2012, with Steven Clark back to boom punts and pin Auburn's opponents inside the 20.

    Clemson enters Saturday's contest with high expectations after a 10-4 2011 season. The Tigers are ranked No. 14 with an offense that's likely to light up the scoreboard all season.

    Quarterback Tajh Boyd threw for 386 yards with four touchdowns in last year's contest against Auburn. Also returning on offense is running back Andre Ellington, who rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2011. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins looks to be Boyd's main target after having 72 catches for 978 yards and five touchdowns last season.

    Defensively, Clemson is expected to see improvement under Venables after being guilty of giving up big plays a year ago. The unit has experience at linebacker and in the secondary but is young along the defensive line.

    Auburn leads the all-time series 34-12-2, and 4-2-1 at neutral sites. Two of the last three meetings between the two teams have gone to overtime, and Auburn has won both, 23-20 in the 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl and 27-24 at Auburn in 2010.

    With this being the season opener, you never know what will happen out on the field as both teams would rather start the season off with a victory. While Auburn's defense should be improved, Clemson may have too many weapons on offense.

    Prediction: Clemson 27-17.



    South Carolina at Vanderbilt, Thursday 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: South Carolina 30-12.



    Tennessee at North Carolina St., Friday 6:30 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: North Carolina St. 21-17.



    Buffalo at Georgia, 11:00 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Georgia 50-14.



    Bowling Green at Florida, 2:30 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Florida 24-16.



    North Texas at LSU, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: LSU 46-7.



    Central Arkansas at Ole Miss, 6:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Ole Miss 14-10.



    Jackson St. at Mississippi St., 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Mississippi St. 35-14.



    Jacksonville St. at Arkansas, 6:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Arkansas 38-6.



    Southeastern La. at Missouri, 6:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Missouri 41-10.



    Michigan at Alabama, 7:00 pm CT, ABC

    Prediction: Michigan 21-17.



    Kentucky at Louisville, Sunday 2:30 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Louisville 30-17.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 10-2. This week, Auburn looks to get in the win column when it battles Mississippi St. at 11:00 am CT on ESPN. Other conference action includes Florida at Texas A&M and Georgia at Missouri.

    Auburn at Mississippi St., 11:00 am CT, ESPN

    Auburn opens conference play on the road against Mississippi State. The Tigers are 18-1 in their last 19 league openers with an overall 45-28-5 record in SEC openers. In the series against MSU, Auburn holds a 60-23-2 record, including 12-4-1 in games played in Starkville. Auburn has won 10 out of the past 11 games in the series dating back to 2001, but three of the last four have been decided by a touchdown or less.

    The Bulldogs enter Saturday's contest with a record of 1-0 after defeating Jackson State 56-9. Quarterback Tyler Russell completed 15-of-23 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, Russell helped guide MSU's offense to 377 yards of total offense, with a balanced effort of 183 yards passing and 194 yards rushing.

    Wide receiver Chad Bumphis had only one catch in the opener but should get plenty of passes thrown his way against Auburn. The senior has 102 catches during his career at MSU. Receivers Arceto Clark and Jameon Lewis will need to be productive for the Bulldogs to have a solid passing attack on Saturday. Both had three catches each against Jackson State.

    Backup tailback Derrick Milton led all MSU rushers with 65 yards on eight carries and one touchdown. Starter LaDarius Perkins had just eight carries for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Perkins will definitely see more carries this week and looks to have the same kind of success that Clemson's tailbacks had against Auburn last weekend. Clemson gained a whopping 320 rushing yards.

    Defensively, the Bulldogs allowed Jackson State just 265 yards of total offense and 16 first downs. Freshmen tackles Nick James and Quay Evans were impressive in their debuts with James forcing a fumble. Cornerback Darius Slay had a blocked punt in the first half and took a 52-yard interception in for a touchdown.

    Auburn had its ups and downs in the season opener last weekend against Clemson. With quarterback Kiehl Frazier making his first start and 15 players on the roster seeing their first collegiate action, the Tigers performed well enough to keep the contest close. Even with all of the positives, Auburn still went home with a loss and is in danger of going 0-2 on the season with a very tough road game this weekend.

    Frazier admitted after the 26-19 loss to Clemson that he made some bad decisions that need to be corrected in practice this week. Head coach Gene Chizik said there isn't a quarterback controversy and Frazier is still the No. 1 quarterback.

    The sophomore finished 11-of-27 for 194 yards and a touchdown in his debut. He did struggle down the stretch, with only 2-of-8 completions in the fourth quarter. Frazier saw his offense stall in the red zone which led to Auburn relying on field goals to keep it in the game. Cody Parkey made four field goals (37-46-27-36 yards) in the game. Three of his four kicks either tied the game or gave Auburn the lead.

    The offensive line and the running game were both positives in the loss to Clemson. The line, playing with two new tackles and without its starting center, helped Tre Mason reach the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career with 106 yards on 14 carries. Onterio McCalebb also added 82 yards on the ground.

    The passing game showed signs of being effective but Chizik wants other receivers like Sammie Coates, Quan Bray and Trovon Reed to be more involved. Emory Blake had a career-high 109 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown catch while tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen had four catches for 71 yards.

    Defensively, Auburn had poor tackling and looked like it ran out of gas in the fourth quarter against Clemson. The unit allowed 528 total yards, 47 percent third-down conversions, and 28 first downs. A few bright spots were safety Jermaine Whitehead and defensive end Corey Lemonier. Whitehead had a career-high 11 tackles while Lemonier had nine tackles with two sacks.

    The unit as a whole took a lot of heat for the loss but Chizik pointed to the secondary as being the group who needs to see big improvement in practice this week. Chizik said the competition in the secondary is wide open and don't be surprised if a few new starters are back there when the Tigers take the field in Starkville.

    Despite being 0-12 against Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and Alabama in four years under Dan Mullen, MSU believes this is the year it has a chance to beat Auburn. Even though it's early in the 2012 season, both teams look pretty evenly matched. This contest could come down to the home turf and those annoying cowbells.

    Prediction: MSU 21-17.



    Georgia State at Tennessee, 3 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Tennessee 38-14.



    East Carolina at South Carolina, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-10.



    Florida at Texas A&M, 2:30 pm CT. ESPN

    Prediction: Texas A&M 30-14.



    Western Kentucky at Alabama, 2:30 pm CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Alabama 55-6.



    UTEP at Ole Miss, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Ole Miss 17-14.



    Washington at LSU, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: LSU 30-16.



    Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Arkansas 38-13.



    Kent State at Kentucky, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Kentucky 31-20.



    Georgia at Missouri, 6:45 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Georgia 24-13.



    Vanderbilt at Northwestern, 7:00 pm CT, Big Ten Network

    Prediction: Northwestern 28-17.

    Auburn Will Improve

    Times are dark for the Auburn football program right now. How dark are they? Well, the Tigers are 0-2 for the first time since 2003. With fingers pointed in just about every direction, whose fault is Auburns lack of success.

    Its hard to say where the Tigers problems begin, but it is certainly difficult to win games considering the way quarterback Kiehl Frazier has played in the first two games. The sophomore entered the season with little experienced, but simply is not getting it done. His five-turnover performance against Mississippi State has been deemed by many as the worst start by an Auburn quarterback in the history of the program.

    With Fraziers poor passing and indecisiveness in the pocket, opponents have been able to focus more on stopping the running game, which Clemson and the Bulldogs did effectively. However, with Tre Masons success in the season opener and Mike Blakely setting career highs in the SEC opener, the potential is there. The same can be said for the wide receivers.

    On the defensive side of the ball, the line could work on its pass rush, but overall is solid. The linebackers, however, could not be much worse. Despite Daren Bates leading the team in tackles and Jake Holland currently fourth, the group lacks depth and play on the field.

    The secondary is a work in progress. Demetruce McNeil showed that Saturday as he led the team in tackles after not playing a defensive snap in the season opener.

    Although, how much of the teams struggles relies on coaching? Some say enough to call for Coach Gene Chiziks job. Others are saying theyve had enough of Brian VanGorder and Scot Loeffler. Yes, after just two games.

    The Auburn football program is in dark times--the darkest its seen in nearly a decade. However, the Tigers have 10 more games this year. They may not be better, and they probably wont be, but Chizik and the team will take the field each Saturday. Experience will be gained and success will come. Its all a matter of patience.

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 9-2, overall they are 19-4. After two road games, Auburn welcomes Louisiana-Monroe to Jordan-Hare Stadium at 11:21 am CT. Other games include Alabama at Arkansas and Florida at Tennessee.

    Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Auburn finally plays a game at Jordan-Hare Stadium after opening the 2012 campaign with two road contests. The Tigers host Louisiana-Monroe for an 11:21 am CT kickoff on the SEC Network. Auburn is a perfect 8-0 against ULM with an average score of 44-9. In the last four meetings, Auburn has outscored ULM 190-10.

    The Warhawks are 1-0 after a big upset over then-No. 8 Arkansas 34-31 in overtime. The win was the first over a ranked opponent for ULM in 24 tries. Quarterback Kolton Browning accounted for 481 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, including the 16-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-one that won the game. Browning finished the contest 42-of-67 passing for 412 yards and 69 yards rushing on 16 carries.

    Sure to create problems for a shaky Auburn secondary, Browning has plenty of receivers to connect with. Brent Leonard, Tavarese Maye, JeRon Hamm, and Colby Harper combined for 32 receptions that were good for 341 yards and a touchdown in last Saturday's contest.

    Auburn continues to struggle under new offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and with new starting quarterback Kiehl Frazier. For the second week in a row, Frazier looked uncomfortable under center which led to another loss. In the 28-10 defeat to Mississippi State, Frazier and the Auburn offense was able to muster just 216 total yards. Frazier finished the contest completing 13-of-22 passes for 125 yards with three interceptions. He also fumbled twice.

    Loeffler had no plans to replace Frazier last Saturday and considers the sophomore the starter for the ULM game. Don't be surprised to see Clint Moseley strap on his helmet if Frazier continues to struggle against the Warhawks. Moseley has had a hurt shoulder but coaches say he's ready to go if needed.

    Defensively, the Tigers allowed Mississippi State to gain 388 total yards of offense. Tackling problems continued and the secondary was guilty again of giving up big passing plays. Safety Demetruce McNeal led Auburn with a career-high 18 tackles against the Bulldogs.

    Special teams continue to be solid for Auburn as Onterio McCalebb returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and Angelo Blackson blocked Devon Bells 43-yard field-goal try. Cody Parkey is a perfect 5-for-5 on field goals this season after making a 23-yard field goal in the second quarter.

    Looking at the schedule a few months ago the game with ULM was considered a sure victory with games against LSU and Arkansas up next for the Tigers. With all of the problems on offense and defense, Auburn will have to play a perfect game on Saturday if it wants to avoid starting 0-3. While ULM has improved, the victory over Arkansas was probably a fluke. We'll see if Auburn can get its act together and gel as a team this weekend before LSU and Arkansas visit the Plains.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-20.



    Presbyterian at Vanderbilt, 11:30 am CT, CSS

    Prediction: Vandy 30-10.



    Texas A&M at SMU, 2:30 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Texas A&M 27-14.



    Alabama at Arkansas, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 31-10.



    Florida at Tennessee, 5:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Florida 20-17.



    UAB at South Carolina, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: South Carolina 35-7.



    Arizona St. at Missouri, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Missouri 43-18.



    Mississippi St. at Troy, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN3

    Prediction: MSU 28-10.



    Western Kentucky at Kentucky, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Kentucky 17-13.



    Florida Atlantic at Georgia, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Georgia 40-17.



    Idaho at LSU, 7:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: LSU 31-13.



    Texas at Ole Miss, 8:15 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Texas 24-17.

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 10-2, overall they are 29-6. This week, Auburn welcomes LSU to the Plains in a 6:00 pm CT televised game by ESPN. Other SEC games include Vandy at Georgia and Kentucky at Florida.

    LSU at Auburn, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Auburn and LSU square off Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN. LSU leads the overall series 25201, with four wins in the past five meetings. Auburn leads in games played at Jordan-Hare Stadium 10-6. The home team has won 11 of the past 12 meetings.

    LSU enters the contest ranked No. 2 with an overall record of 3-0. The three victories were all played in Baton Rouge against North Texas, Washington and Idaho.

    Overall, LSU is a very balanced team with a stingy defense and a strong running game behind Kenny Hillard. Hillard has scored six touchdowns and averages 8.2 yards per carry. The sophomore has 303 yards on 37 carries.

    LSU ranks 31st nationally in offense averaging 269.3 rushing yards, 203 passing yards and an SEC-leading 48.3 points per game.

    Quarterback Zach Mettenberger has been steady under center throwing for 609 yards, four touchdowns and two picks. Against Idaho, Mettenberger completed 17-of-22 for 222 yards with two touchdown passes.

    Receiver Russell Shepard had three catches last weekend for 68 yards and rushed three times for 24 more. Receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. is a versatile player who also handles punts and kick returns. On the season, Beckham has nine catches for 143 yards, and a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown.

    Despite being without Tyrann Mathieu, LSU's defense ranks fourth nationally and leads the SEC by allowing just 205.0 yards per game. Mathieus replacement, Jalen Mills, has a pair of interceptions and Ronald Martin had two picks in last Saturday's 63-14 thrashing of Idaho.

    Auburn earned its first victory of the season, 31-28 in overtime against Louisiana-Monroe. Cody Parkey's 35-yard field goal gave Auburn a much needed win before playing LSU this weekend and Arkansas in two weeks. Parkey's game-winning field goal earned him the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. Parkey is 6-for-6 on field goals for the season.

    Against ULM, quarterback Kiehl Frazier showed more promise in his third-career start by completing 10-of-18 passes for 130 yards and a 33-yard touchdown to Sammie Coates. Frazier struggled a bit in the second half by attempting just six passes, completing one 16-yarder.

    The Tigers rank 9th in the SEC and 57th nationally with 175.3 rushing yards per game. The Tigers racked up 255 yards on the ground Saturday thanks to Onterio McCalebb and Tre Mason. McCalebb rushed for 128 yards on 11 carries and had a 27-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

    Auburn ranks 13th in the SEC and 94th nationally in total defense after allowing more than 400 yards in two of its three games.

    The Tigers allowed ULM's offense to run 89 plays and convert 9-of-21 third downs and 3-of-4 fourth downs. The defense was gassed by the fourth quarter which resulted in ULM sticking around and forcing the contest into overtime. Two huge plays that helped the Tigers escape with a victory were two blocked field goals, one by Corey Lemonier in regulation and the other when Angelo Blackson got his fingertips on a 37-yard try in overtime.

    After three games, Auburn has shown slight improvement on both offense and defense. If Frazier can continue to complete short, safe passes, he will continue to gain confidence as the season goes along. Tackling was a bit better by the defense last Saturday but the problem may resurface again this weekend against a bigger, more talented LSU team. While the series against LSU has seen some close contests in recent years, this one may be over by halftime.

    Prediction: LSU 38-6.



    Ole Miss at Tulane, 11:00 am CT, FSN

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-10.



    Kentucky at Florida, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Florida 40-13.



    Missouri at South Carolina, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: South Carolina 26-9.



    Florida Atlantic at Alabama, 3:00 pm CT, PPV

    Prediction: Alabama 55-3.



    Rutgers at Arkansas, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Arkansas 21-17.



    South Alabama at Mississippi St., 6:00 pm CT, TBD

    Prediction: MSU 34-7.



    S.C. State at Texas A&M, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Texas A&M 35-7.



    Akron at Tennessee, 6:30 pm CT, CSS

    Prediction: Tennessee 45-13.



    Vanderbilt at Georgia, 6:45 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Georgia 40-17.

    An American Mosaic

    The Auburn University Chamber Choir, Auburn University's premiere choral ensemble presents its fall concert--An American Mosaic--on Tuesday, October 2, 7:30 p.m., at Telfair Peet Theatre.

    The program features works by various American composers and arrangers such as early composer William Billings, and current composers such as James Erb, Shawn Kirchner, Andrea Ramsey, and Auburn faculty member Rosephanye Powell who is considered to be the most published African American female choral composer in the U.S.

    Tickets are $5 for students and $10 general admission, and can be purchased at the concert. For more information, call 334-844-4165 or email powelwc@auburn.edu.

    AU "Real Food" Fest

    Fundraiser for the student organization "Auburn Real Food Challenge" sponsored Community Gardens.

    Place: Auburn University Club

    Time: September 29 5pm-9pm CST

    Theme: Blue Jeans-Bluegrass-Gourmet Tailgate Foods

    Purpose: To raise awareness of the new Slow Food Auburn University Chapter by bringing together students, faculty, farmers, and community members to celebrate Alabama's rich culture and highlight the abundance of up and coming Alabama artisans.

    Description: This event is going to be an all you can eat and drink (free pour for beer and wine until 7:30; cash bar after that). There will be very high quality food from local ingredients and prepared by top qualified local head chefs representing:
    Zazu Gastropub
    Ariccia (inside the Auburn Hotel and Conference Center)
    Auburn University Club
    Maestro 2300
    Springhouse on Lake Martin
    True Midtown Kitchen/Roux
    Belle Chevre
    Venerable Sweets

    Beverages will be provided by:
    Back Forty (Gadsden)
    Good People (Birmingham)
    Straight to Ale (Huntsville)
    Railyard Brewing Co (Montgomery)
    Pinnacle Wines (Birmingham)
    International Wines (Birmingham)

    Musicians: Ben Sutton Band, Kevin Flannagan, Highway 280

    Children under 12 get in free.

    Ticket Proceeds will go toward ARFC Community Garden Needs:
    Tool Shed
    Signage
    Composting Bins
    Wheelbarrows
    Rainwater Catchment System
    Trellis
    Shovels
    Rakes
    Spades
    Irrigation Parts
    Weed Eater
    Surplus Stand
    Gazebo/Picnic Area
    Workshop and Outreach Funding
    Seed Grants for Start-up Community Gardens in underprivileged areas of Auburn/Opelika

    For more info: www.facebook.com/AURealFoodFest

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 9-1, with an overall record of 38-7. This week, Auburn has a much needed weekend off before hosting Arkansas Oct. 6. SEC contests this weekend include Tennessee at Georgia and Ole Miss at Alabama.

    Missouri at UCF, 11:00 am CT, FSN

    Prediction: UCF 24-20.



    Arkansas at Texas A&M, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Texas A&M 21-17.



    Tennessee at Georgia, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Georgia 26-14.



    South Carolina at Kentucky, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN/ESPN2

    Prediction: South Carolina 21-10.



    Towson at LSU, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: LSU 45-6.



    Ole Miss at Alabama, 8:15 pm CT, ESPN/ESPN2

    Prediction: Alabama 49-10.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 43-8. After being off last Saturday, Auburn welcomes Arkansas to Jordan-Hare Stadium on ESPN at 11:00 am CT. Other SEC games include LSU at Florida and Georgia at South Carolina.

    Arkansas at Auburn, 11:00 am CT, ESPN

    Auburn is back in action after having last weekend off. The Tigers host Arkansas for an 11:00 am CT kickoff on ESPN. Auburn leads the all-time series 11-9-1, with a 5-4-1 advantage at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The longest winning streak in the series is three by Auburn from 2003-05.

    After a grueling September that saw the Tigers lose three while winning one, the team had a break last weekend to get ready for the schedule in the month of October. Even though Auburn is off to its worst start since 1998, the upcoming games this month could be all victories for the Tigers. After Arkansas, road games at Ole Miss and Vanderbilt with Texas A&M at home round out the October schedule.

    With an Arkansas defense that has surrendered a lot of yards and points this season, Auburn has an excellent chance to improve on its offensive numbers. The Tigers rank last in the SEC and 103rd nationally in total offense (297.8) and last in the conference in passing yards at 144.8 per game. Auburn averages 17.5 points per game, which ranks 14th in the SEC and 112th nationally.

    Defensively, the Tigers allow 419 total yards per game and 208.2 rushing yards per game. Auburn's pass defense gives up 211 yards per game, which ranks sixth in the SEC. Linebacker Daren Bates leads the SEC with 47 tackles, and defensive end Corey Lemonier is second in the conference with five sacks.

    Special teams play continues to be solid thanks to Cody Parkey and Onterio McCalebb. Parkey is 7-for-7 on field goals for the season and McCalebb ranks sixth in the country in individual kickoff returns.

    While Auburn was enjoying the weekend off, the Razorbacks fell 58-10 to Texas A&M. Arkansas's defense allowed the Aggies to rack up 716 total yards. After jumping out to an early 10-7 lead in the first quarter, Texas A&M reeled off 51 unanswered points to earn its first-ever SEC victory.

    Thanks to one of the worst defenses in the country, Arkansas comes into Saturday's contest with an 1-4 overall record, and 0-2 in the SEC. The Razorbacks allow 36.2 points per game and 458.8 yards per game. Arkansas gives up 146.5 rushing yards per game and 312.2 passing yards per game.

    Offensively, Arkansas averages 310.4 passing yards per game and ranks sixth in the SEC with 417 total yards per game. Quarterback Tyler Wilson leads the SEC with 338.8 yards per game and nine touchdown passes. His favorite target, Cobi Hamilton, ranks first in the SEC with 591 receiving yards.

    The Razorbacks are last in the SEC in rushing at 106.6 yards per game with running back Knile Davis averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. Davis has fumbled three times this season.

    While Auburn quarterback Kiehl Frazier had an embarrassing performance against Mississippi State, a visit from Arkansas may be just what the doctor ordered for Frazier's confidence. Hopefully a solid day Saturday afternoon will get him on the right track and get the offense rolling for the month of October. While last year's contest wasn't close, a 38-14 blowout by Arkansas, Saturday's game favors the Tigers.

    Prediction: Auburn 27-21.



    Mississippi State at Kentucky, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Mississippi State 28-17.



    LSU at Florida, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 17-14.



    Texas A&M at Ole Miss, 6 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Texas A&M 30-17.



    Georgia at South Carolina, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-21.



    Vanderbilt at Missouri, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Missouri 21-14.

    Tiger Cubs Visiting AU Club Oct. 5

    Brunch & Photo Session - 8:30-11:30 am, reservations required. Photo Session 1-3 pm, reservations required. Photo Session, 4 - 7 pm - No registration required.

    Timeslot cards will be given out beginning at 3:45 for one minute increments. 180 timeslot cards will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis! Net proceeds benefit AL Gulf Coast Zoo.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, overall they are 47-10. This week, Auburn plays Ole Miss in Oxford at 11:21 am CT on the SEC Network. Other conference games include Alabama at Missouri and South Carolina at LSU.

    Auburn at Ole Miss, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    After a disappointing 24-7 loss to Arkansas last Saturday, Auburn travels to Oxford this weekend to face Ole Miss to try and get back in the winning column. Both teams will be seeking their first victory in conference play this season. The Rebels are 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the SEC while the Tigers are 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the SEC.

    In the series with Ole Miss, Auburn leads 27-9 and 9-2 in games played in Oxford. Auburn has won nine of the last 11 games against the Rebels including the last three.

    After showing progress against LSU two weeks ago, Auburn took a few steps back in the embarrassing loss to Arkansas. Starting quarterback Kiehl Frazier failed to lead the offense to any kind of production against the nation's 116th-rated defense and was replaced after halftime by Clint Moseley. Moseley did connect with Emory Blake for a touchdown late in the third quarter for the only positive play on the afternoon for the Tigers.

    Sacks and five turnovers were a big reason for Auburn's offensive struggles on Saturday. Frazier completed 9-of-14 passes for 118 yards and a pick while Moseley was 13-of-21 with two interceptions. Both were sacked four times apiece by a defense that had just seven sacks prior to Saturday's game.

    Overall, Auburn's offense musters just 15.9 points per game. The Tigers rank No. 115 with 302.4 total yards per game, No. 112 in passing yards with 172, and No. 93 with 130.4 rushing yards.

    Defensively, the Tigers played pretty well against a dangerous Arkansas offense. Quarterback Tyler Wilson threw for 216 yards while receiver Cobi Hamilton had five receptions for 72 yards after an impressive 465 yards in the previous two games.

    Auburn's defense allows 23.6 points per game and 409.8 total yards per game. The Tigers will be tested this weekend when they face an up-tempo Rebel offense that averages 213 rushing yards per game, 226 passing yards and 31.0 points per game.

    First-year head coach Hugh Freeze hopes to record a victory Saturday to snap Ole Miss' 16-game SEC losing streak.

    Freeze's high-octane offense is led by quarterback Bo Wallace, who has passed for 1,145 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Wallace is tied with Frazier for the SEC lead with eight interceptions each.

    Receiver Donte Moncrief has 27 catches for 453 yards and five touchdowns, and tailback Jeff Scott gets most of the carries with 425 yards and five touchdowns. The versatile Randall Mackey has 227 rushing yards, 130 receiving yards and 34 passing yards.

    Defensively, Ole Miss allows 27.7 points per game, 379.8 total yards per game, 227.2 passing yards, and 152.7 rushing yards.

    Hopefully Auburn can find some answers on offense during practice this week so they can beat a team that they have pretty much dominated over the last decade. If not, the second half of the season will be very long for Tiger fans. The Rebels will come out hungry for a win after losing a heartbreaker to Texas A&M last weekend. Expect a close contest as both teams would love to earn a victory in conference play.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 21-17.



    Alabama at Missouri, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 35-7.



    Florida at Vanderbilt, 5:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Florida 28-10.



    Kentucky at Arkansas, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Arkansas 30-14.



    South Carolina at LSU, 7:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: LSU 20-17.



    Tennessee at Mississippi St., 8:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Mississippi St. 24-16.



    Texas A&M at Louisiana Tech, 8:15 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Texas A&M 35-17.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-0, with an overall record of 54-10. This week, Auburn faces Vanderbilt in Nashville at 11:21 am CT on the SEC Network. Other games include Alabama at Tennessee and South Carolina at Florida.

    Auburn at Vandy, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Auburn plays away from home for the second consecutive weekend when it travels to Nashville to battle Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 2-4 overall, 1-3 in the SEC while Auburn is 1-5 and 0-4 in conference play.

    Saturday's game will be the 42nd meeting between the two teams with the series tied 20-20-1. Auburn has won 13 of the last 14 meetings, but in games played in Nashville, Vandy holds a 11-7 record.

    The first-half of Auburn's 2012 season hasn't been pretty. Many thought the Tigers would have enough wins to be invited to a bowl game but at 1-5, it would take a miracle to reach six wins. Sitting at 0-4 in conference play, Auburn could easily end up winless in the SEC when the long season is finally over. This weekend's game is probably the best opportunity for the Tigers to get a victory in conference play.

    Auburn enters the contest against Vandy as underdogs because of inconsistent play on offense. The Tigers average 16.2 points per game and have been outscored 62-3 in the fourth quarter this season.

    The play at the quarterback position continues to be a major problem as both Kiehl Frazier and Clint Moseley haven't found any rhythm under center. Moseley started last weekend in the 41-20 loss to Ole Miss. Moseley was 11-of-18 for 112 yards, but had just 22 passing yards in the second half.

    Defensively, Auburn allows 26.5 points per game, 191.5 rushing yards, and 225.2 passing yards with one interception and 12 sacks. After recording 16 tackles against Ole Miss, Daren Bates leads the SEC with 70 tackles and ranks sixth nationally.

    Last weekend, Vandy suffered a 31-17 loss to Florida. While Auburn is winless in conference play, the Commodores beat Missouri 19-15 earlier in the season.

    Overall, the Commodores average 20.5 points per game, 365.7 yards of total offense, 149 rushing yards and 216.7 passing yards.

    Vandy is led by quarterback Jordan Rodgers, who has completed just 55.2 percent of his passes for 1,068 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Tailback Zac Stacy has 499 rushing yards and four touchdowns so far in 2012.

    The duo of Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd combine to average 170.3 receiving yards per game. Matthews, the No. 1 receiver in the SEC in catches, ranks second in the league with a 102.8-yard receiving average. Boyd ranks No. 8 in the SEC with a 67.5-yard average.

    Defensively, Vandy allows 22.3 points per game, 203.5 rushing yards, and 148.2 passing yards with two interceptions and 10 sacks. Kenny Ladler leads the team with 42 tackles, while Chase Garnham has 38 tackles and two sacks.

    The Tigers' last trip to Nashville in 2008 resulted in a 14-13 loss. During that season, Auburn saw Kodi Burns and Chris Todd sharing time at quarterback, with Tony Franklin as the new offensive coordinator and Paul Rhoads as new defensive coordinator but managed just five wins.

    The 2012 season is very similar to that of 2008 but it's unlikely Auburn will reach five wins. The embarrassing loss to Vandy in 2008 was probably a big reason why Tommy Tuberville was fired at the end of the season. If the Tigers lose this weekend, will Gene Chizik suffer the same fate?

    Prediction: Vandy 24-17.



    LSU at Texas A&M, 11 am CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Texas A&M 17-14.



    South Carolina at Florida, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 28-23.



    Middle Tennessee at Mississippi State, 6 pm CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Mississippi State 38-10.



    Alabama at Tennessee, 6 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Alabama 35-13.



    Georgia at Kentucky, 6 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Georgia 41-20.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 59-11. Auburn plays Texas A&M this weekend on ESPNU at 6:00 pm CT. Other conference games include Florida against Georgia and Mississippi St. plays at Alabama.

    Texas A&M at Auburn, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    This week, Auburn welcomes Texas A&M to Jordan-Hare Stadium for a 6:00 pm CT kickoff televised on ESPNU. The Tigers are 1-6 overall and 0-5 in the conference while the Aggies come in ranked No. 22 with an overall 5-2 record and 2-2 in SEC play.

    In his first year as head coach, Kevin Sumlin's offense leads the SEC in total yards with 524 per game and in points with 43 per game. TAMU should break school records for total, passing and scoring offense.

    Quarterback Johnny Manziel has excelled in the Aggie high-octane offense with 1,956 passing yards and 14 touchdowns with just six interceptions. On the ground, the freshman has 703 yards and 10 touchdowns.

    Other weapons in Sumlin's offense include receivers Mike Evans and Ryan Swope and tailback Ben Malena. Evans has 42 receptions for 625 yards and two touchdowns while Swope has 30 catches for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Malena averages 6.4 yards per carry while rushing for 462 yards and four touchdowns in 2012.

    Junior defensive end Damontre Moore leads an Aggie defense that allows 22.1 points per game and 392.7 total yards per game. Moore leads the SEC with 9.5 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss. For his 10 tackle performance in last Saturday's 24-19 loss to LSU, Moore was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week.

    Auburn's troubles continued last weekend when it fell 17-13 at Vanderbilt. The Commodores outrushed Auburn 209 to 103 on Saturday. At 1-6, Auburn is off to its worst start in 60 years.

    Statistically, the Tigers are No. 97 in rushing offense, No. 113 in passing offense, No. 119 in total offense, and tied at No. 118 in scoring offense.

    Defensively, things are a bit better as Auburn ranks No. 95 in rushing defense, No. 90 in pass defense, and No. 75 in total defense. Overall, the Tigers allow 25.1 points per game.

    Texas A&M and Auburn have met only two times, with the Aggies winning both. The two meetings took place in Dallas, including the 1986 Cotton Bowl.

    Prediction: Texas A&M 34-13.



    Kentucky at Missouri, 11:00 am CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Missouri 17-14.



    Tennessee at South Carolina, 11:00 am CT, ESPN

    Prediction: South Carolina 23-16.



    Ole Miss at Arkansas, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Arkansas 27-20.



    Florida at Georgia, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Florida 30-21.



    UMass at Vanderbilt, 6:00 pm CT, FSN

    Prediction: Vandy 24-10.



    Mississippi St. at Alabama, 7:30 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Alabama 34-10.

    Men's Basketball Should See Improvement

    Theres been a buzz around the Auburn basketball program since coach Tony Barbee was hired two years ago. Despite that buzz leaving fans in disappointment, it appears the 2012-13 season may take steps in the positive direction.

    Not only did the Tigers struggle last year on the court, compiling a 15-16 record, but things got sticky off the court, as well. Varez Ward was dismissed from the team mid-season and investigated by the FBI for point-shaving along with Josh Langford and Cedric McAfee being dismissed later. Noel Johnson was suspended indefinitely at the same time as the latter dismissals.

    The Tigers loss of talent to graduation begins with forward Kenny Gabriel. Averaging 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game will be missed. He also recorded the first triple-double in Auburn history.

    However, the biggest loss on the team came with forwards, in general. Adrian Forbes graduated and Willy Kouassi transferred, leaving returning-starter Rob Chubb as the only big man whos played for the Tigers.

    However, the additions of transfers Asauhn Dixon-Tatum and Shareif Adamu will provide some help for Chubb.

    The Tigers will be a guard-heavy team this year with Frankie Sullivan having a chance to truly define his role on the team and continue the leadership role he grew into last year. The main question with the three-point shooter is can he stay healthy. It seemed last year that he wasnt at 100 percent for most of the year.

    To help along with shooting from downtown is Jordan Price, who was considered one of the best three-point shooters in the country last year of high school players.

    Speaking of talented freshmen, Shaq Johnson joins the team as one of the highest-profile dunkers coming out of high school. His highlight-tape dunks can be found all over YouTube and he has the ability to make fans forget the high flying that Gabriel used to do.

    Even with experienced players, like Josh Wallace and Chris Denson, Auburn has been unable to have a winning season since the 2008-09 season, coincidentally the season after the Tigers last losing football season. However, Barbee is now bringing his players into his program. Success is on the way for the program--or at least improvement--and Auburn fans should see some this year.

    Week 10 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 64-13. This week, New Mexico State plays Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 11:30 am CT on CSS. The big conference game this weekend has Alabama facing LSU in Baton Rouge.

    New Mexico St. at Auburn, 11:30 am CT, CSS

    Homecoming on the Plains features two teams with dismal 1-7 records. Auburn and New Mexico St. have met twice, with the Tigers winning both. Auburn's only victory this season came in overtime against LA-Monroe, while the Aggies beat Sacramento State.

    About the only excitement surrounding Saturday's contest is the fact that true freshman Jonathan Wallace was named starting quarterback on Tuesday. Wallace's action in 2012 was limited before taking over late in last weekend's embarrassing loss to Texas A&M. If Wallace can't lead the Tigers to victory Saturday, something is terribly wrong.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-14.



    Vanderbilt at Kentucky, 11 am CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Vandy 26-17.



    Texas A&M at Mississippi State, 11 am CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Texas A&M 27-20.



    Missouri at Florida, 11 am CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Florida 31-10.



    Troy at Tennessee, 11 am CT, FSN

    Prediction: Tennessee 34-7.



    Tulsa at Arkansas, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Arkansas 35-10.



    Ole Miss at Georgia, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Georgia 21-13.



    Alabama at LSU, 7 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 34-13.

    Mythic Losses and The Future Of Auburn

    "There was a worse loss than this once." I turned around and saw an old English professor of mine, now long-retired. AU grad. Former Marine. WWII Vet. Still tough as nails. He was wearing a vintage API sports jacket...

    By David Swanger

    My first mistake was trusting weather.com. Temperatures of low 70s during the day, high 60s at kickoff, high 50s by the end of the game. That's what their computers claimed anyway. I wonder if weather.com employees joke about their system being in "the cloud." But I digress. I left my jacket at home and drove from Columbus, GA to Auburn, AL for the first ever Auburn-Texas A&M game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    I drove to my secret parking place on campus only to discover a police car there, blocking my entrance. Maybe that was a sign. I parked the Volkswagen in a field near Facilities and started walking to the stadium. Maybe it was my imagination, but every 50 meters or so, the temperature seemed to drop a few degrees. Before long I was shivering in the frigid air. I passed tailgate sites with people huddled around barbecue grilles. People lit bon-fires in trash barrels, burning anything they could find. They might as well have burned their season tickets while they were at it. Dark clouds were rolling in as I entered Jordan-Hare stadium.

    I'd never bought fan clothing at a game but I fought through a frozen mob at the War Eagle clothing kiosk (or whatever the hell it's called) and bought an overpriced Auburn jersey with matching gloves. Overpriced? Supply and demand. Besides, I used a credit card so it's not like I used real money.

    Before the game, the stadium was packed and the crowd was lively. Maybe they were just moving around to keep from freezing to death. The next bad sign came with the pre-game flight of the eagle. Spirit took off from the upper deck and basically just flew away. He eventually changed his mind and flew back into the stadium, but I suspect his animal instinct knew something bad was about to go down.

    I expected a close game and if I'd been forced to bet the house, I would have picked Texas A&M to win by a touchdown or so, but I told anyone who would listen that Auburn was going to win.

    Then the game started. Auburn had a chance to stop the Aggies on their first drive but a senseless Auburn penalty kept their drive alive. Then all hell broke loose (which breaks Rule 6 of Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing but I don't care) and the Aggies destroyed Auburn 63-21 and it wasn't that close. The score could have been much worse.

    The highlights of the game for me were the skydivers and band at halftime. No, the band didn't skydive but that would have been awesome.

    By the fourth quarter, other than a happy group of Aggie fans across the field, the stands were basically empty, save for a few thousand disgruntled Tiger fans sprinkled throughout the stadium. The last time I saw a crowd leave early like that was in 1999 when Auburn crushed LSU 41-7 in Baton Rouge. I've seen bigger crowds at spring football games.

    As the fourth quarter unfolded like a scene from a sick existential comedy, I huddled in Section 3 with a few die-hard Auburn fans. Texas A&M scored at will and the ranting was epic.

    "FIRE THE COACH! FIRE THE COACHES!! FIRE THE AD!!! FIRE THE PRESIDENT!!!! FIRE THEM ALL!!!!!"

    We all agreed that this was possibly the worse loss at Jordan-Hare since the mythic 42-0 loss to Tennessee in 1980. I hear various AU fans mention this game every year. To me, it set a standard for futility that wasn't matched again until this game with Texas A&M.

    From behind I heard a gruff voice say "There was a worse loss than this once." I turned around and saw an old English professor of mine, now long-retired. AU grad. Former Marine. WWII Vet. Still tough as nails. He was wearing a vintage API sports jacket and was sipping from a bottle of Budweiser.

    "What game is that sir?"

    "Call me John"

    "Yes sir...uh, I mean John."

    "It wasn't in Auburn, but the Tigers lost to Alabama 55-0 in the late 1940s. You know what happened then?"

    "No John, what happened?"

    "The next year Auburn bounced back and beat the Tide 14-13. As for that Tennessee game in 1980, a few years later, Auburn had a one-loss team and had the best team in the country. Auburn hits bottom now and then but they've always bounced back and they always will. In a year or two they'll back."

    "But what should be done about the coaches, the administration, the..."

    John held up his left hand, took a sip of Budweiser and said "Don't worry, We're meeting with some of the board members at the University Club later tonight. We'll work something out."

    Screams from below caused me to turn my attention to the field in time to see several Auburn players carried out on stretchers. I turned back to John and said "But what about..." But John wasn't there; only an empty bottle of Budweiser remained.

    The rest of the game was a just a blur. Afterward, I stumbled to my car, thinking about John's optimism. I hoped he was right, but then he's part of the greatest generation and is used to success. Still, his words fired me up.

    I called my wife and told her I'd be a little late. Then I fired up the Volkswagen and steered toward the University Club.

    A Halloween Story

    Some say Dave made a deal down at the crossroads. Others say a witch cursed him and a fairy princess saved him. Whatever the resaon, sometimes around this time of the year, Dave has some powerful visions.

    Something told me to get in touch with Dave. It had been almost 15 years since another Halloween and the weeks that followed led up to Dave's last strange experience.

    Dave told that late Saturday night in a nearly deserted Jordan-Hare Stadium, he knew he was forced to take action.

    I'll let Dave tell you how it started...

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-0, overall they are 72-13. This week, Georgia battles Auburn at 6:00 pm CT on ESPN2. Alabama hosts Texas A&M and Mississippi State plays at LSU.

    Georgia at Auburn, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN2

    Georgia and Auburn meet for the 116th time Saturday evening at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers lead the series 54-53-8 but the Bulldogs have won five out of the last six. Georgia has scored 1,854 points while Auburn has tallied 1,778.

    The Bulldogs enter the contest 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the SEC. A victory Saturday would earn them a second straight SEC East Title. An Auburn upset would send Florida to the SEC title game. The Tigers are 2-7 overall and 0-6 in the SEC.

    Last weekend, Georgia started slow but eventually cruised to beat Ole Miss 37-10. Quarterback Aaron Murray finished the night 21-of-28, for 384 yards and four touchdowns. The junior has thrown for 2,448 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.

    Murray leads an offense that ranks third in the SEC at 36.8 points per game and 468.2 yards per game. The Bulldogs are fifth in the SEC at 189.8 rushing yards, and fourth in the league in passing.

    Georgia will be without top receivers Marlon Brown and Michael Bennett. Brown tore the ACL in his knee last Saturday and Bennett tore his ACL four weeks ago. Tavarres King and Malcolm Mitchell are more than capable of taking over the role as leaders of the receiving corps.

    Georgia's defense has been stingy all season by allowing just 20.8 points per game. Cornerback Damian Swann has been a force in the secondary. Swann has 39 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. Linebacker Jarvis Jones rules the middle of the defense with 52 tackles, including 8.5 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss, one interception, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

    Auburn finally got back on track last weekend against New Mexico State. The 42-7 victory snapped a five-game losing streak. Freshman quarterback Jonathan Wallace made his first-career start and completed 9-of-16 passes for 164 yards and a 40-yard touchdown to Trovon Reed in the fourth. Wallace will also start this weekend against the No. 5 Bulldogs.

    Auburn's rushing offense improved to average 143.4 yards per game thanks to Tre Mason and Onterio McCalebb. Mason rushed for 152 yards against the Aggies and McCalebb added 113 and two touchdowns. The Tigers eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the first time since gaining 315 against Georgia in 2010.

    Overall, the Tigers average 305.2 yards per game and 19.2 points per game.

    Defensively, Auburn surrenders 428.7 yards per game and 27.3 points per game. Top performers on the unit are Daren Bates and Demetruce McNeal. Bates ranks third in the SEC with 86 tackles while McNeal ranks fourth with 84.

    Prediction: Georgia 37-13.



    Arkansas at South Carolina, 11:00 am CT, CBS

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-10.



    Missouri at Tennessee, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Tennessee 17-14.



    ULL at Florida, 11:21 am CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Florida 30-7.



    Texas A&M at Alabama, 2:30 pm CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 35-14.



    Mississippi St. at LSU, 6:00 pm CT, ESPN

    Prediction: LSU 20-13.



    Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, 6:00 pm CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Ole Miss 14-13.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-3, overall they are 76-16. This week's SEC schedule features many cupcake opponents. The only games that may be somewhat interesting feature Arkansas at Mississippi St. and Ole Miss at LSU.

    Alabama A&M at Auburn, 2:00 PM CT, PPV

    Prediction: Auburn 30-10.



    Arkansas at Mississippi St., 11:21 AM CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: MSU 24-21.



    Western Carolina at Alabama, 11:21 AM CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Alabama 50-6.



    Jacksonville St. at Florida, 12:00 PM CT, PPV

    Prediction: Florida 30-3.



    Wofford at South Carolina, 12:00 PM CT, PPV

    Prediction: South Carola 41-7.



    Georgia Southern at Georgia, 12:30 PM CT, PPV

    Prediction: Georgia 38-13.



    Ole Miss at LSU, 2:30 PM CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 28-10.



    Sam Houston St. at Texas A&M, 2:30 PM CT, PPV

    Prediction: TAMU 45-0.



    Syracuse at Missouri, 6:00 PM CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Syracuse 28-17.



    Tennessee at Vanderbilt, 6:00 PM CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: Vandy 17-14.



    Samford at Kentucky, 6:30 PM CT, CSS

    Prediction: Kentucky 30-14.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 11-0, overall they are 87-16. This week, the Iron Bowl will be on CBS at 2:30 PM CT. Other SEC games include LSU at Arkansas on Friday and Mississippi St. at Ole Miss.

    Auburn at Alabama, 2:30 PM CT, CBS

    Prediction: Alabama 45-6.



    LSU at Arkansas, Friday 1:30 PM CT, CBS

    Prediction: LSU 24-13.



    Georgia Tech at Georgia, 11:00 AM CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Georgia 38-14.



    Kentucky at Tennessee, 11:21 AM CT, SEC Network

    Prediction: Tennessee 20-10.



    Florida at Florida St., 2:30 PM CT, ABC

    Prediction: FSU 26-20.



    Vanderbilt at Wake Forest, 2:30 PM CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: Vandy 30-17.



    Missouri at Texas A&M, 6:00 PM CT, ESPN2

    Prediction: TAMU 41-10.



    Mississippi St. at Ole Miss, 6:00 PM CT, ESPNU

    Prediction: MSU 28-21.



    South Carolina at Clemson, 6:00 PM CT, ESPN

    Prediction: Clemson 24-21.

    Bo Jackson

    I've always been impressed with the way Bo Jackson has handled himself despite being a famous athlete. While being in the spotlight in the 80s and most of the 90s, you never heard one bad thing about Bo. That's rare for an athlete these days.

    I was glad to see Bo on the search committee for Auburn's new head football coach. It seems like he's becoming more and more involved in Auburn's football program. And that's a good thing. Having Bo represent Auburn is a very positive thing right now after the dismal season the football team experienced this year. Just seeing him standing in the background last night when Gus Malzahn was introduced as Auburn's new head coach makes things seem a million times better.

    I wonder if Bo would ever consider taking on a role with the athletics department like Athletics Director. He couldn't do any worse than the current AD. But, Bo seems like the quiet type and probably wouldn't want the AD job. It would be nice though.

    The only negative thing I've ever heard about Bo and I don't really consider it a bad thing but, he didn't go to practice much while he played at Auburn. I don't know how true it is but it wouldn't surprise me. Do you blame him? He was that good.

    On the topic of Bo, he will be featured on ESPN Saturday night after the Heisman Trophy presentation at 8 p.m. CT. "You Don't Know Bo" is part of the 30 for 30 series of documentaries that air on the sports network. It will take a look at the man and the myths that captured our collective imagination. I know I'll be watching.

    NCAA Football Cover Vote Campaign

    EA SPORTS is inviting college football enthusiasts to showcase their passion in a brand new NCAA Football cover vote. Between now and December 31st, fans of all 126 FBS schools can demonstrate why their team deserves the coveted cover.

    Polls are now open on the official EA SPORTS NCAA Football Facebook page, as the field of 126 is narrowed to 32.

    Air Force Missouri Facebook Poll: Click here

    Navy Wyoming Facebook Poll: Click here

    Beyond voting on Facebook, fans can show their support by tweeting #NCAACoverVote Auburn, uploading local campus landmarks to Instagram and creating highlight videos of Aubie on YouTube! Additionally, fans can visit http://ncaafootballcovervote.newslinevine.com/Auburn.html to download Auburn assets that they can post on their social pages to show their support.

    Voting for the round of 126 schools ends on December 31, so fans should get out and rally their followings in favor of their favorite team!

    All next week EA SPORTS will be featuring specific conferences, teams, traditions and more on Facebook and Twitter in an effort to engage fans and kick-start voting.

    Perpetual Groove

    Perpetual Groove will be playing at SkyBar Cafe in Auburn on January 17. The band is scheduled to start at 9:00 p.m. with advanced tickets for $10 and $12 day of show.

    Perpetual Groove formed back in 1997 in Savannah, Georgia. Current members include Brock Butler on guitar and lead vocals, Adam Perry on bass, Matt McDonald on keyboards and Albert Suttle on drums. Perpetual Groove incorporates a blend of traditional Southern rock, funk, jazzy improvisation, indie rock and synth loops.

    The band plays covers ranging from Paul Simon to Rage Against the Machine. You'll also hear plenty of unique originals from the band's four albums Sweet Oblivious Antidote, All this Everything, LiveLoveDie and Heal.

    For more information about Perpetual Groove and their Ice Princess #9 Winter Strain 2.013 tour, visit pgroove.com.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2012

    The world did not end in 2012 and neither did the news. It was tough choosing only ten stories this year. Which stories would you have included that we didn't?

    Top Ten Stories for 2012
      1. Tragic Shooting
      2. Toomer's Trees
      3. Football Meltdown
      4. Alum Accolades
      5. Dr. Aubie
      6. You're So Right
      7. No. 7 For Aubie
      8. Hubbard-Gate?
      9. Exit 50
    10. War Damn Barbie!

    1. The tragic shooting deaths of former Auburn players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips, and Auburn resident DeMario Pitts shattered the night on June 9. Suspect Desmonte Leonard was arrested and charged with three counts of capital murder.

    2. The trees at Toomer's Corner continued to dominate the new with play-by-play coverage of the oaks' demise and plans for moving forward.

    3. No one would believe the nose dive taken by the Auburn Football program that found the year end with Gene Chizik out and Gus Malzahn in.

    4. Auburn alums dotted the headlines for honors with actress Octavia Spencer taking home an Oscar, NFL star Cam Newton the Rookie of the Year, and writer Ace Aktins honored with an Edgar nomination for best mystery novel.

    5. Auburn's Research Park gathered steam with deployment of a high-powered magnetic resonance imaging facility and the announcement of the locating of the Auburn campus of the Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in the park.

    6. Among the passings observed in 2012 were Jordan-Hare Stadium "voice" Carl Stephens and Aubie creator Phil Neel.

    7. Auburn mascot Aubie won his seventh mascot National Championship (or as "Big Al" would count it, 14).

    8. Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard fought hints of a scandal when it was revealed that 2010 GOP campaign spending was funneled to companies he controlled.

    9. The growth of the Auburn Technology Park continued with several business locations and the inauguration of Exit 50 on Interstate 85 in Auburn.

    10. Every Auburn girl's dreams were realized when Mattel released the first genuine Auburn Barbie.

    BCS National Title Prediction

    The final BCS title game will feature 12-1 Auburn against 13-0 Florida State Monday, January 6 in Pasadena. The game will be televised by ESPN starting at 7:30 p.m. CT.

    The BCS National Championship Game is finally here as No. 2 Auburn is set to battle No. 1 Florida State in Pasadena. Auburn leads the all-time series 13-4-1 with the last meeting in Auburn Oct. 20, 1990 with the Tigers winning 20-17.

    Last season, Auburn experienced its worst season in 60 years with a 3-9 mark and 0-8 record in conference play. After a coaching change that saw Gus Malzahn hired as head coach, many fans and experts expected Auburn to win seven games in 2013. But after losing to LSU in September, Malzahn's team didn't lose again and pulled off a few miracles to finish 12-1 and now will play for the BCS title. If the Tigers were to upset FSU, it would be one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history.

    Auburn's success in 2013 has revolved around its strong running game thanks to one of the nations best offensive lines. The Tigers lead the nation in rushing, averaging 335.7 yards per game. They rushed for an SEC-championship-game-record 545 yards against Missouri on Dec. 7. The line has allowed just 16 sacks after allowing a league-high 37 a year ago.

    FSU's defense allows 116.5 yards per game on the ground and has allowed just five rushing touchdowns in 13 games this season.

    Auburn's rushing attack, which is led by junior Tre Mason, will give FSU's defense its biggest challenge of the season. In 2013, Mason racked up 1,621 yards, the second-highest total in school history, and 22 touchdowns with dual-threat quarterback Nick Marshall adding 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns.

    While Marshall did most of his damage on the ground, he proved to be a reliable option behind his strong arm when needed. The junior completed 128-of-212 attempts for 1,759 yards with 12 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

    FSUs pass defense ranks first in the nation, allowing just 152 yards per game, and its secondary leads the nation with 16 interceptions.

    Telvin Smith has 75 tackles and is the leader of the Seminoles' top-ranked scoring defense that allows just 10.7 points per game. FSUs defense has forced 34 turnovers this season.

    FSU's offense is led by Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. Winston threw for 3,820 yards with 38 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. As a unit, the Seminoles average 53 points per game and 322 passing yards per game.

    Auburn's defense allows 24 points per game and 260.2 yards per game through the air. Chris Davis leads the team with 69 tackles while Robenson Therezie has a team-best four interceptions. Dee Ford leads Auburn with 12.5 tackles for a loss, including 8.5 sacks.

    FSU averages 207.4 yards per game on the ground with Devonta Freeman leading the way with 943 yards on 162 carries and 13 touchdowns. The Tigers allow 163.2 yards per game on the ground and 423.5 total yards per game.

    Prediction: FSU 38-24.

    Flu Season Could Be Long

    Since mid-December, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seen an increase of flu reports in 12 states, including Alabama. It isn't too late to get vaccinated, since it looks like we're in for a long, bad flu season.

    The flu season can peak in January, February, or even later. But since early December, flu cases have been on the rise, the earliest since the 2003-2004 flu season.

    The 2003-2004 flu season was one of the deadliest seasons in the past 35 years, with more than 48,000 deaths. The primary strain of flu back then the H3N2, an influenza A virus, is the same one seen this year.

    As of Dec. 15, 12 states, most of them in the South and Southeast, have seen higher-than-normal reports of flu-like illnesses. The 12 states are: Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Illinois and Utah.

    The CDC estimates 112 million Americans have been vaccinated for the flu so far with flu vaccinations recommended for everyone who is 6 months of age or older.

    Health experts recommend washing hands, avoid people with the flu, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and teaching children to sneeze or cough into their sleeve if they do not have a tissue as ways to prevent getting the flu.

    Here are a few myths about the flu:

    You can't get the flu or other complications from the flu shot. Flu shots only contain dead viruses, only the nasal flu mist contains an active but weakened virus. If you do get sick after a flu shot, you were probably exposed to the virus before you got the shot.

    Since it's January, it isn't too late to get vaccinated. While September is the best time to get the shot, you'll be protected if you wait until December or later.

    You should get vaccinated even if you aren't at high risk of getting the flu. However, you shouldn't get the shot if you are allergic to eggs, have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome, or have had a severe reaction to a previous flu shot. Infants under 6 months old should also not get this vaccine.

    Eating pork and pork products won't cause H1N1 (swine) flu. While the H1N1 virus did originate in pigs, the virus now moves from person to person rather than from pig to person.

    If you already had the flu this season it doesn't mean you can't get it again. Each flu season usually has two types of flu, influenza A (including H1N1) and influenza B. It is possible to be infected by both during the same season.

    New Law To Crack Down On Uninsured Motorists

    A new law in Alabama that went into effect January 1, 2013 targets drivers who don't have insurance so those that do have insurance will be protected when they are involved in an accident.

    The Alabama Mandatory Liability Insurance (MLI) Law provides that no person shall operate, register, or maintain registration of a motor vehicle designed to be used on a public road or highway unless it is covered by a liability insurance policy.

    The Insurance Research Council estimates that 22 percent of Alabama's more than 4 million private vehicles don't have insurance, which is the sixth-highest rate of any state.

    Under the old law, a motorist would buy insurance when it was time to renew their car tag and have the insurance card to show officials. Then the motorist would quit paying for the insurance after one month, but still have the insurance card to show police if stopped for speeding.

    Beginning January 1, 2013, license plate issuing officials will attempt to verify liability insurance utilizing the State of Alabama Online Insurance Verification System (OIVS), which will allow license plate issuing officials to immediately verify the insurance status of a vehicle at any point in time.

    If insurance cannot be verified through the OIVS, vehicle owners must provide evidence of insurance to the license plate issuing official. The insurance card is the most common evidence of current insurance. To be acceptable, the proof of insurance must display the current effective date, insurers NAIC number, vehicle identification number (VIN) and policy number.

    The new law also allows officers to utilize the OIVS. This will allow the officers to immediately verify the insurance status of a vehicle without the necessity of having the driver produce an insurance card.

    An owner or operator convicted of a mandatory liability insurance violation may be fined up to $500 for the first violation and up to $1,000 for the second or subsequent violation and/or a six month drivers license suspension.

    In addition to the above violation, if a vehicle is registered or operated without liability insurance, the vehicle registration will be suspended and the vehicle owner will be subject to the following:

    First violation: $200 reinstatement fee.

    Second or subsequent violations: $400 reinstatement fee and a mandatory four month registration suspension.

    Some vehicles that are exempt from the law include trailers, government-owned vehicles and vehicles covered under a commercial automobile liability insurance policy. Section 32-7A-5, Code of Alabama 1975, provides a list of other vehicles that are specifically exempt from the law.

    The Secret Garden Musical

    The Secret Garden Musical is February 4 and 5, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Adults and children are needed for the cast of the musical.

    A minimum of 4 men, 4 women, one boy and one girl will be cast. Please prepare 30 seconds of any song for your audition. These are all wonderful roles with show-stopping songs. No dancing required. No experience necessary. Come and be a part of community theatre! Volunteers for backstage work and costuming are also needed.

    Contact AuburnAreaComTheatre@gmail.com for more information.

    Meet Auburn's New Coaching Staff

    Although college football is still more than six months away, theres a buzz on the Plains following the firing of Gene Chizik and the return of Gus Malzahn, who takes over the reigns of the program.

    Malzahns story is fairly well known from when he was hired as the Tigers offensive coordinator in 2009 under Chizik. After a 15-year tenure at the high-school ranks, Malzahn was the offensive coordinator at Arkansas for a season before taking the same job at Tulsa, where his name blew up.

    The successful coaching under Todd Graham raised the assistant coachs stock and after what he accomplished at Auburn in three years earned him his first head coaching job at Arkansas State.

    Although inexperienced, Malzahns return to Auburn less than a year after leaving, came after he led the Red Wolves to a 9-3 record, winning the Sun Belt Conference.

    The new coach made a huge splash, hiring Rodney Garner away from Georgia as the associate head coach.

    Before spending 12 years in Athens, Ga., Garner was an all-SEC offensive lineman for Auburn in 1988 and coached for the Tigers from 1990-95.

    After being the assistant head coach under Mark Richt and also being the recruiting coordinator, Garner will lead recruiting at Auburn, as well.

    One of Malzahns first hires was Ellis Johnson, who is the epitome of experienced. Johnson has been in the coaching game since 1975 and has spent the last 20 years at the college ranks, splitting time between being a head coach, defensive coordinator and position coach.

    Johnsons resume highlights include being the defensive coordinator at Clemson (1995-96), Alabama (1997-2000), Mississippi State (2004-07) and assistant head coach at South Carolina (2008-11).

    Charlie Harbison was brought to the staff after spending 18 years of coaching in the SEC and ACC, adding even more experience to an already experienced staff.

    Named the co-defensive coordinator, Harbison and Johnson are familiar with each other after working together at Clemson, Alabama and Mississippi State.

    Melvin Smith was hired as the defensive backs coach after spending the previous seven years at Mississippi State, including coaching 2012 Jim Thorpe Award winner Jonathan Banks.

    Prior to coaching the Bulldogs, Smith spent time at Texas A&M and Alabama.

    On the offensive side of the ball, Malzahns right-hand man Rhett Lashlee will be making the play calls.

    Also a young gun in the game, Lashlee was not only the offensive coordinator under Malzahn at Arkansas State, but has also worked under the second-year head coach for his entire career other than his one year as OC at Samford.

    One of the more exciting hires by Malzahn came with former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig.

    Along with being named the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, Craig returns back to the Plains after spending three years at Florida State as the quarterbacks coach. He also marks the third top recruiter from his previous school to join the staff.

    J.B. Grimes will be responsible for coaching a young offensive line. Grimes held the same position last year under Malzahn at Arkansas State.

    Along with Lashlees offense averaging 481.8 yards of offensive last year, Grimes line gave up the 16th fewest sacks in the country.

    Tim Horton was originally hired to coach tight ends but will now coach the running backs. Horton comes to Auburn after spending the previous six seasons coaching running backs at Arkansas. He was also the recruiting coordinator for five of those six years.

    Horton has a 23-year career and was recognized as one of the top recruiters in the country while he was at Arkansas.

    With Rich Bisaccia leaving to coach for the Dallas Cowboys, Scott Fountain will coach tight ends and special teams. Fountain has handled the day-to-day aspects of Auburn's recruiting since 2009.

    Despite the disappointment of the 2012 season still lingering, the new staff under Malzahn has a positive buzz back in Auburn, similar to when Chizik was hired in 2009. With things looking up, it appears everyone is hopping on the Gus Bus.

    The Downfall of Men's Basketball

    The fall that the 2012-13 Auburn basketball team has seen is embarrassing. The word choice is certainly an opinion, but it is also the most important opinion when dealing with the basketball program, being that of coach Tony Barbee.

    Whether its a lack of talent, leadership or coaching, not many Tiger fans saw this collapse coming after Auburn defeated Florida State at home to begin 2013 after a close loss to Illinois on Dec. 29 in Chicago, 81-79. Following the win over the Seminoles, the Tigers also opened conference play with a 2-0 record.

    Since then, Auburn has six consecutive losses, including three by double digits, most recently a 91-77 loss at Missouri.

    Providing a simple answer for the Tigers woes is no simple task.

    One answer that could be provided, however, is the absence of Chris Denson and Jordan Price, both of whom were injured, played a large role in the losing ways. Not to mention, Auburn struggled early in the season while Denson was academically ineligible.

    Past that, since the start of the calendar year, Auburn has scored at least 65 points in six of its nine games. However, the Tigers opponents have also scored at least 65 points in six games, as well.

    Continuing statistically, its not hard to see one area where Auburn struggles. Frankie Sullivan and Rob Chubb are the only two players averaging more double-digit points in conference play, and the Tigers are averaging more than four less rebounds than its opponents.

    Barbees efforts to get to the team out of its rut have been noticeable in a negative way. A coach known for his commitment to leaving trusted players, like Josh Wallace and Chubb on the floor, Barbee has began playing new players, like Brian Greene Jr. and Jordan Granger.

    Although neither player has received substantial amounts of playing time, it is a different method of coaching than the Auburn faithful are used to.

    Considering the consistent state of the basketball program since the early 2000s, the voice of discontent fans calling for Barbees job continues to grow as Auburn records loss after loss. And with Alabama and a trip to Kentucky next on the schedule, things arent getting much easier for the Tigers.

    Getting Auburn back to its winning ways seems to be quite a challenge for Barbee and this seasons team, but Auburn has shown that it is capable of playing tough with tough competition. However, that same team has seen minutes on end with no points on the scoreboard.

    Fans never know which Auburn team will show up on any given night.

    Baseball Off To A 4-0 Start

    The Auburn baseball team opened its season with its best start since 2008 after pulling off a four-game sweep of Maine at Plainsman Park this past weekend.

    Coach John Pawlowskis club started the season off with a bang on Friday in a comeback win that featured a walk-off home run by third baseman Damek Tomscha, giving Auburn a 3-2 victory.

    The weekend for the Tigers--who were picked to finish 13th in the SEC--continued to improve after the dramatic season opener.

    Auburns offense kicked into high gear on Saturday against the Black Bears in the first game of a double header. A five-run fifth inning sparked the Tigers to a 12-3 win before things got a little more interesting later in the afternoon.

    Auburn took the lead, opening things up in the first scoring three runs by a two-RBI double by Ryan Tella and a sacrifice by Garrett Cooper, giving Auburn a two-run lead. After adding a run in the second inning, things calmed down until they got a little sticky in the top of the sixth.

    Maine used three hits and an error to score two runs, both unearned, to cut the score down to one run. However, the Black Bears were unable to tie the game despite having runners on first and third.

    Like the fifth inning on Saturday, Auburn used a big sixth inning on Sunday to complete the four-game sweep.

    Down by two, Auburn put together five hits--four consecutively--to score the six runs, taking a two-run deficit and turning it into a three-run lead. Adding an insurance run in the seventh, Auburns victory came after Maine added one more run in the ninth.

    Every win in the sweep was from behind after the 2012 team only had nine come-from-behind wins all of last season. The 4-0 start marks the 17th time the Tigers have reached such a feat since 1949.

    The Tigers return to the field on Friday, hosting the Auburn Baseball Tournament, playing Middle Tennessee State at 6 p.m. Auburn will face the College of Charleston, where Pawlowski coached prior to the Plains, on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Indiana State at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

    Auburn Baseballs Biggest Secret: The K Korner

    While the Auburn baseball program has seen four different coaches and hundreds of different players over the last 15 years, one group of fans have been watching the Tigers take the field in the exact same spot the entire time.

    Despite major changes to what is now called the K Korner, Floyd Vest and Leigh Allbrook can still remember when they used to gather behind the right field wall at Samford Stadium at Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park on scaffolding, trucks and RVs with close to 50 of their friends.

    The year was 1997.

    Auburn was led by head coach Hal Baird to the College World Series. Current Braves catcher David Ross and pitcher Tim Hudson were both Tigers. Hudson was also named the best player in the country.

    During the season, that group of baseball followers decided to do something that was rare at the time. With Hudson striking out as many opponents as he was, they wanted to represent each strikeout adequately.

    It was just something that we did, Allbrook said. We were sitting here thinking, We need some Ks. We need to count his Ks.

    And thus, the K Korner was unofficially born.

    In baseball, when keeping score, a K represents a swinging strikeout and a backwards K represents a non-swinging strikeout. The activity of putting up a K per strikeout is now a common trend at ballparks.

    Originally, the Ks were small and black on a white magnet that stuck to the inside of the outfield wall. Over the next few years, the magnets got bigger and eventually became orange and blue.

    However, after a year or so, the unofficial K Korner was faced with its first conflict.

    In 1998, Plainsman Park was being reconstructed and then-athletic director David Housel informed the group there was a water line under where they had been parking to watch games.

    He said, If we build something for you, would yall buy the tickets out here?

    And with that, Auburn built the unofficial K Korner a deck that included an upper and lower bench with a rail in front of it. It was then officially named the K Korner by the athletic department.

    It was a case of If you come, they will build it. So they built it, Vest said, adding a twist to a famous line from Field of Dreams.

    Despite not actually being inside the stadium until the 2003 renovations, the crazy stories of the K Korner began compiling.

    Prior 2003, the visitors bullpen was down the right field line, and opposing pitchers warming up were next to the K Korner. Members would harass pitchers as they warmed up and, if players were lucky, sometimes even feed them.

    What coach was it that told us his pitcher had to go to counseling? Or was that a right fielder, Allbrook asked jokingly to another member.

    However, there have been opposing players over the years that couldnt contain themselves when dealing with the K Korner. A former North Carolina pitcher was one of the examples, as he mooned the right field fans.

    We were getting on him a little bit much, and apparently he decided to drop trou and show it to us, Vest said.

    Despite the 2003 expansion moving the visitors bullpen to the other side of the K Korner where pitchers are now safe, Vest and Allbrook still have crazy stories of things that have happened since.

    Stadium officials have had to tell members numerous times to stay off the foul pole. Once, during one of the annual crawfish boils, live crawfish in coolers escaped, went under the outfield wall and onto the fields warning track.

    The (opposing) right fielder took a couple of them back to the dugout, Allbrook said.

    In 2007, a green padding was added to the metal outfield wall for the safety of players. It also created a problem for hanging magnetic Ks.

    (The Athletic Department) didnt even think about it, Allbrook said. They said they came out here one day and said, Oh, no.

    The crisis was averted with the newest addition to the K Korner: two wooden poles with a wire separating them. With this, the new, non-magnetic Ks had holes punched in each corner. With the help of clips, the Ks now hang from the wires to inform viewers how many strikeouts there are in the game.

    The K Korner currently has a capacity of 75 seats, which is consistently filled with fans no matter how ugly the weather gets. Most of them have lived in Auburn for decades, if not their entire lives, Vest and Allbrook included.

    In recent years, it has been rumored the exclusive seating may receive an expansion, after being made smaller by close to 10 seats in 2003. While the specifics arent known by members, Vest and Allbrook said they have a good idea of whats to come.

    Weve heard theyre putting a hot tub up here. And theyre putting grills up here. Theyre putting a bathroom up here, Allbrook joked.

    Vest picked up where Allbrook left off.

    Theyre going to put a top over us with air conditioning, Vest said. Were getting a couple of flat-screen TVs.

    The actual expansion ideas have varied from adding batting cages near the K Korner, possibly underneath to making the deck itself bigger, so the grills can fit. Theres also been a rumor that seats will be added above the Green Monster, the 30-foot wall in left field.

    With the K Korner gaining a personality of its own throughout the last decade to not only Auburn fans but also to opposing players, Vest and Allbrook have been along for the ride the entire time, enjoying every minute of it. Weve gotten some right fielders in trouble with their coaches because theyve talked to us too much, Allbrook said.

    The possibility of adding new faces to the K Korner is one that will give fans a new, more exciting insight to baseball that Vest and Allbrook have partaken in for years. Most coaches like stuff like (the K Korner) to be added to a baseball game because sometimes they get kind of boring, Allbrook said.

    Auburn Baseballs Biggest Secret: The K Korner

    While the Auburn baseball program has seen four different coaches and hundreds of different players over the last 15 years, one group of fans have been watching the Tigers take the field in the exact same spot the entire time.

    Despite major changes to what is now called the K Korner, Floyd Vest and Leigh Allbrook can still remember when they used to gather behind the right field wall at Samford Stadium at Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park on scaffolding, trucks and RVs with close to 50 of their friends.

    The year was 1997.

    Auburn was led by head coach Hal Baird to the College World Series. Current Braves catcher David Ross and pitcher Tim Hudson were both Tigers. Hudson was also named the best player in the country.

    During the season, that group of baseball followers decided to do something that was rare at the time. With Hudson striking out as many opponents as he was, they wanted to represent each strikeout adequately.

    It was just something that we did, Allbrook said. We were sitting here thinking, We need some Ks. We need to count his Ks.

    And thus, the K Korner was unofficially born.

    In baseball, when keeping score, a K represents a swinging strikeout and a backwards K represents a non-swinging strikeout. The activity of putting up a K per strikeout is now a common trend at ballparks.

    Originally, the Ks were small and black on a white magnet that stuck to the inside of the outfield wall. Over the next few years, the magnets got bigger and eventually became orange and blue.

    However, after a year or so, the unofficial K Korner was faced with its first conflict.

    In 1998, Plainsman Park was being reconstructed and then-athletic director David Housel informed the group there was a water line under where they had been parking to watch games.

    He said, If we build something for you, would yall buy the tickets out here?

    And with that, Auburn built the unofficial K Korner a deck that included an upper and lower bench with a rail in front of it. It was then officially named the K Korner by the athletic department.

    It was a case of If you come, they will build it. So they built it, Vest said, adding a twist to a famous line from Field of Dreams.

    Despite not actually being inside the stadium until the 2003 renovations, the crazy stories of the K Korner began compiling.

    Prior 2003, the visitors bullpen was down the right field line, and opposing pitchers warming up were next to the K Korner. Members would harass pitchers as they warmed up and, if players were lucky, sometimes even feed them.

    What coach was it that told us his pitcher had to go to counseling? Or was that a right fielder, Allbrook asked jokingly to another member.

    However, there have been opposing players over the years that couldnt contain themselves when dealing with the K Korner. A former North Carolina pitcher was one of the examples, as he mooned the right field fans.

    We were getting on him a little bit much, and apparently he decided to drop trou and show it to us, Vest said.

    Despite the 2003 expansion moving the visitors bullpen to the other side of the K Korner where pitchers are now safe, Vest and Allbrook still have crazy stories of things that have happened since.

    Stadium officials have had to tell members numerous times to stay off the foul pole. Once, during one of the annual crawfish boils, live crawfish in coolers escaped, went under the outfield wall and onto the fields warning track.

    The (opposing) right fielder took a couple of them back to the dugout, Allbrook said.

    In 2007, a green padding was added to the metal outfield wall for the safety of players. It also created a problem for hanging magnetic Ks.

    (The Athletic Department) didnt even think about it, Allbrook said. They said they came out here one day and said, Oh, no.

    The crisis was averted with the newest addition to the K Korner: two wooden poles with a wire separating them. With this, the new, non-magnetic Ks had holes punched in each corner. With the help of clips, the Ks now hang from the wires to inform viewers how many strikeouts there are in the game.

    The K Korner currently has a capacity of 75 seats, which is consistently filled with fans no matter how ugly the weather gets. Most of them have lived in Auburn for decades, if not their entire lives, Vest and Allbrook included.

    In recent years, it has been rumored the exclusive seating may receive an expansion, after being made smaller by close to 10 seats in 2003. While the specifics arent known by members, Vest and Allbrook said they have a good idea of whats to come.

    Weve heard theyre putting a hot tub up here. And theyre putting grills up here. Theyre putting a bathroom up here, Allbrook joked.

    Vest picked up where Allbrook left off.

    Theyre going to put a top over us with air conditioning, Vest said. Were getting a couple of flat-screen TVs.

    The actual expansion ideas have varied from adding batting cages near the K Korner, possibly underneath to making the deck itself bigger, so the grills can fit. Theres also been a rumor that seats will be added above the Green Monster, the 30-foot wall in left field.

    With the K Korner gaining a personality of its own throughout the last decade to not only Auburn fans but also to opposing players, Vest and Allbrook have been along for the ride the entire time, enjoying every minute of it. Weve gotten some right fielders in trouble with their coaches because theyve talked to us too much, Allbrook said.

    The possibility of adding new faces to the K Korner is one that will give fans a new, more exciting insight to baseball that Vest and Allbrook have partaken in for years. Most coaches like stuff like (the K Korner) to be added to a baseball game because sometimes they get kind of boring, Allbrook said.

    AU Gospel Choir concert, March 24, 2013

    The Auburn University Gospel Choir presents its spring concert on Sunday, March 24th at 4:00 p.m. at The City Church on 950 Shelton Mill Road in Auburn.

    The concert's primary theme will center on music from the legendary Richard Smallwood and Thomas Whitfield such as I Shall Wear a Crown, Total Praise, and Center of My Joy, as well as songs by other gospel artists.

    Admission is free, but an offering will be taken during intermission. For more information, contact William Powell at 334-844-3166 or powelwc@auburn.edu.

    Men's Basketball Looks Ahead To 2013-14 Season

    It was just another season of struggles for the Auburn basketball program. Filled with injuries, minutes without scoring, no inside presence and loss after loss after loss, to call the 2012-13 season anything short of a nightmare would be inaccurate.

    The only positive is that the year is over.

    With Auburns 72-61 defeat to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament last Wednesday, the conferences last-place finisher can finally move ahead in hopes to regain any kind of winning ways. With Josh Wallace, Frankie Sullivan, Dylan Spencer, Noel Johnson and Rob Chubb departing, the future actually looks bright for the Tigers, who have talented young players.

    Coach Tony Barbee will see the teams second highest scorer, Chris Denson, back on the court in the fall along with Jordan Price, who shot 39 percent beyond the three-point arc.

    Barbee sits at 35-59 after three years leading the Tigers, including a 12-38 mark in the SEC. But thats nothing compared to the 10-game losing streak Auburn ended the season on.

    With their last win coming against Alabama on Feb. 6, Auburn also lost six games prior to beating its arch-rival, ending a six-game losing streak after starting conference play 2-0.

    While 11 of Auburns 23 losses came by single digits, the Tigers also saw losses by as many as 31 to Florida and 33 to Ole Miss.

    The basketball program has not held true consistency with success since making recent appearances in the NIT in 1998, 2001 and 2009 and the NCAA Tournament in 1999, 2000 and 2003.

    But, again, the end of a season only means the grind into a new one begins. And although Auburn remains as sub-par as it has been since making the 2009 NIT, Barbee may have a few tricks up his sleeve with the talent he has on the court next fall.

    Athletic director Jay Jacobs issued a statement of support for Barbee last Friday, ending speculation about Barbee's job security.

    Spring Means Pollen

    Pollen Season is in full force and usually lasts until early October for people living in the Southeast. Pollen makes the body release histamines, chemicals that cause the linings of the nose, sinuses, eyelids and eyes to inflame.

    The problem particles cause about 60 million Americans to suffer from allergies. While there is no cure for allergies, people who have mild symptoms are usually helped by oral antihistamines, available both over-the-counter or by prescription. Claritin is the only non-sedating antihistamine that is available over-the-counter. The competing drugs, Allegra and Zyrtec, still require prescriptions.

    Many people confuse some of the yellow or green pine pollen that accumulates on their cars in the spring to be the cause of their problems but those pollen grains are very large and heavy and serve only as mild irritants as they are trapped in the nose. The smaller microscopic pollen grains easily get into the nasal passages and sinuses and even into our lungs to trigger asthma in allergic individuals.

    Special antibodies called IgE trigger the release of multiple inflammatory mediators including histamine, which causes the itching, sneezing, and release of fluids in the tissues that cause our eyes or nose to swell up.

    Follow these seasonal allergy tips to survive the pollen season:

    Many allergy medications work best when started before the symptoms begin.

    During peak pollen periods, stay inside if you can. Use air conditioning as a weapon it can help filter out allergy busting pollens.

    Wear oversized sunglasses to block airborne seasonal pollens and molds from entering your eyes and lids that cause uncomfortable redness, itchiness, watery eyes, and puffiness, too.

    Wear a hat. Preferably a wide-brimmed one. This will block out pollen, and for extra safety, skip the hair gel and spray. These act like a pollen magnet, especially when planning extended periods of time outdoors on high-pollen days.

    Stay clean. By showering nightly, youll rinse pollen from your hair and skin to get a good nights sleep. Also, change your clothing before entering the bedroom to reduce pollen transfer into your personal breathable space.

    Avoid going outside on windy, dry, and sunshiny days. Pollen counts are highest on days when it's dry, sunny, and blustery, and lowest during and just after a big storm. Levels are also generally higher in the morning than in the afternoon.

    Slow Start In SEC Play For Auburn Baseball

    Three weeks into SEC play things no longer look peachy for AU baseball. To fans that sit through miserable inning after inning it may not come to much surprise AU is 1-8 in the conference, but the solution may be more complicated than some think.

    The first issue that is absolutely killing Auburn--as it would any team--is errors. Every major starter except for infielder Patrick Savage has recorded at least one error on the season with Dan Glevenyak leading the way with nine and Damek Tomscha right behind him with eight.

    When the left side of the infield has a combined 17 errors pitchers are likely to get frustrated. And yet, starting pitching is not a major issue for Auburn.

    New Friday night starter Connor Kendrick has a team-best 1.80 ERA and holds a 2-1 record. He has only allowed 22 hits in 30 innings. Michael ONeal has a 2.28 ERA in seven starts and holds a 5-2 record while opponents have a .228 batting average against him.

    Past the game one and two starters, however, things do get a little iffy.

    Daniel Koger was moved to the bullpen after seeing his ERA rise to around 4.00 after starting six games. Will Kendall, fresh off of being cleared from Tommy John surgery, replaced the sophomore and most recently combined for a two-hitter against Alabama.

    But, that two-hitter also gave Kendall a loss. Auburn was shutout and fell 2-0.

    Hitting has become a nightmare for Auburn.

    Although Garrett Cooper is batting a solid .333 as Jordan Ebert sits at .312, the rest of the Tigers are scattered in the .200s and the team has struck out a combined 165 times.

    When Auburn is able to get runners on, it tends to leave them on. The Tigers have left 230 runners on base while only scoring 148 runs. In the Alabama game last Saturday, Auburn left seven on, four of which recorded hits.

    It would be unfair to mention six of the Tigers losses in conference play came against No. 2 Vanderbilt and on the road vs. No. 3 LSU.

    Nonetheless, the answer to Auburns woes is actually fairly simple. The Tigers just need to pitch, field and hit better. Until Auburn is able to do that, it may find a way to actually finish worse than its 13th-place tradition, matching the trend of football and mens basketball.

    The Tigers will try and turn things around this weekend against Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.

    Earth Day To Be Celebrated On April 22

    Earth Day has been around for more than 40 years. This year, Earth Day 2013 will be celebrated Monday, April 22 in 174 countries by over a half billion people making it the most celebrated secular holiday in the world.

    U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin wanted to bring political attention to the troubled state of our environment. In 1962, Nelson approached Attorney General Robert Kennedy with the idea to have President Kennedy give voice to the environmental issue by going on a national conservation tour.

    The idea was well received by both the Attorney General and the President. The resulting five-day, eleven-state tour in September of 1963 did not succeed in putting the issue onto the national political agenda. However, it was the birth of an idea that would become widely held and even embraced by the time of the first Earth Day Demonstration in 1970.

    At a conference in September 1969, Senator Nelson announced that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment and invited everyone to participate. The story ran from coast to coast generating an overwhelming response.

    The success of the first Earth Day can be attributed to a spectacular example of synergy generated at the grassroots level in which 20 million people were organized along with thousands of participating schools and local communities. The American people finally had a forum to express growing concerns regarding the state of the environment. The land, rivers, lakes, and air finally had an advocate and a seat in the political arena.

    Many important laws were passed by Congress in the wake of the 1970 Earth Day, including the Clean Air Act, laws to protect drinking water, wild lands and the ocean. The EPA was created within three years of the first Earth Day.

    Here are a few ways you can celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and throughout the year.

    Clean your windows and other surfaces with water and vinegar solution instead of toxic cleaning products; add your favorite essential oil for fragrance.

    Find out where you can recycle old batteries and electronic equipment such as cell phones, computer monitors, printers, etc. Firehouses, office supply stores, electronics stores, or your local recycle center will often take these items.

    Dispose of unused paint, solvents, pesticides, and other household chemicals, and tightly close the containers of products still in use.

    Replace all your incandescent light bulbs with longer-life, lower-energy-use compact fluorescent bulbs. For best results, choose lights with a color rendering index of 84 or greater and a color temperature of 3500 Kelvin or greater, and with a quick-start, electronic ballast.

    Remember to turn off lights when you're not in the room.

    Place a 2-liter plastic bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to save 2 liters of water per flush.

    Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving.

    Unplug appliances you are not using.

    May Sundown Concert Series at Town Creek Park

    Join us for one of Auburn's newest traditions - the May Concert Series at Town Creek Park. Enjoy FREE performances by your favorite local and regional musicians every Thursday in May at 6 p.m.

    The concert schedule is:
    May 2: Soulco
    May 9: Cross Roads
    May 16: Destiny Brown
    May 23: Martha's Trouble
    May 30: Dave Potts

    Red Cross Response to Boston Marathon Explosions

    Our hearts go out to everyone in Boston dealing with this tragedy, and our thoughts are with all of those injured. We understand that people around the country want to help, and we appreciate that nationwide show of support.

    Right now, the Red Cross has what it needs to support this event both financially and with an adequate local blood supply.

    In response to the marathon bombings, the Red Cross has provided about 450 additional blood products to several area hospitals to help meet the needs of those injured. At the request of Boston area authorities, the Red Cross is also providing mental health and spiritual care support to the people injured and their families. We will be working in close coordination with officials to determine how else we can best help the community and support emergency workers.

    People who may want to provide other support to the Red Cross can consider taking one of these actions:

    This tragedy shows that emergencies can happen in any community at any time. While the Red Cross has all it needs to respond to this event, we do need the publics support to respond to the nearly 70,000 other disasters we handle every year around the country and Boston. If you want to support our work responding to and preparing for future emergencies please make a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org.

    The need for blood is constant. Eligible blood and platelet donors across the country are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.

    Type O negative blood is often used during emergencies, when there is no time to determine the patients blood type. Its especially important that people with type O blood donate as frequently as they can.

    Many people in Boston yesterday jumped in to provide immediate help for the victims. Register for a Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED course at redcross.org so that you can be better prepared to help in future emergencies.

    Download the free Red Cross First Aid App which puts free and simple lifesaving information in the hands of smart phone and tablet users. The app is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

    For those in Boston or have loved ones there, knowing people are safe is the best way to bring peace of mind. It is important for people to connect with one another. People who have access to a computer should go to redcross.org/safeandwell to list themselves as safe. Those in Boston without computer access can text loved ones or call a family member and ask them to register the person on the site.

    Watching the events in Boston unfold both on television and social media can be stressful for people and bring up memories of other tragedies.

    Events like this can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety since no one knows for sure what will happen next. Its important to remember that it's okay to feel nervous. People should take care of themselves and their families, and for example, can reach out to others to offer and receive support. Parents should let children talk about their fears and then reassure them about their safety. Its also important for people not to overexpose themselves to media reports about the tragedy.

    H.T. Linke

    Chapter Communication Consultant

    Cell/Blackberry 619-208-6132

    HT.Linke@redcross.org

    A-Day 2013

    Dear Auburn Family,

    I just wanted to write and say thank you for an amazing day and thank you for the honor of being part of something far bigger than school colors, fight songs and final scores.

    It's something we all share even though most of us have trouble putting it into words, and maybe that's why it's special... it's beyond simple explanation.

    It's 83,401 fans gathering together for a game that was about far more than the game. It's an orange and blue sea of people celebrating deep into the night not what was lost, but what is shared. Its tailgates with more food than you could eat in a week, people you may not have seen since last season who pick up the conversation without missing a beat and phone calls, texts and Facebook posts from friends who can't be there but want you to know they miss you and are thinking of you.

    And it's not just one day, it's every day. It's saying "hey" to people on the concourse and "War Eagle" to people in far away places. It's welcoming visitors, holding the door far longer than anyone would ever expect, and generally treating people the way your mother taught you.

    But it's more. It's the freshman on the first day of class. It's the senior walking across the stage at commencement... the fourth generation, the third sibling, the second try, the first college graduate ever. It's the all-nighters at RBD and the Supper Club along the way. It's teaching, learning, challenging, discovering, questioning, affirming, understanding, growing, deepening, holding, valuing and returning.

    It's knowing you are part of Auburn and Auburn is part of you.

    War Eagle.

    Ric Smith

    21st Annual Fishing Rodeo

    Cast into summer with the 21st Annual Fishing Rodeo, sponsored by Auburn Parks and Recreation and Evans Realty! Join us at the best fishing spot in Auburn!

    Bring your lucky fishing pole and we will supply the bait. Over $300 worth of door prizes will be given out to lucky participants and prizes will be awarded to the Biggest Fish and Smallest Fish caught! This event is a great chance to bring kids and their parents together with America's favorite pastime...FISHING! So don't miss out on your chance to reel in the biggest catfish of the year!! $5 per child Payable to COA.

    **Please note: there is a limit of five fish per child. (Parents must stay with child) The event will be held at the AU Tech Park-South Lake from 8 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18 and is for children ages 12 and younger. For more information, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/parks

    Letter to the Editor

    With all of the large-scale tragic events in the news these days the explosions in Boston, Texas and Bangladesh; the flooding in the Midwest; mass shootings in schools and movie theaters; Superstorm Sandy

    its easy to feel insecure or even pessimistic about the world we live in.

    In addition to the accidental tragedies that wreak chaos and destruction, we have other events that are premeditated and perpetrated by fellow human beings who have lost their way due to mental illness or evil influences.

    Although the stories of these horrific events and unimaginable acts garner the most news coverage, I know that these are still anomalies the exceptions to a world full of good people. Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, wrote, When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."

    By the time the news cameras arrive, those first responders are already on the scene rendering lifesaving first aid and comfort to the victims. We know we can count on hundreds, even thousands, of responders fire fighters, EMTs, police officers, doctors, nurses, ordinary citizens with training in first aid and CPR for every single tragic event.

    Im reminded of the goodness, the selflessness of most people every day when I go to work. As the executive director for the American Red Cross of East Alabama, I witness the love and compassion of volunteers here in our community and across the nation when people face their darkest hours. Red Cross is able to carry out our mission because volunteers make up 94 percent of our work force.

    Right here in East Alabama last year, our 193 Red Cross volunteers worked 17,842 hours the equivalent of 446 40-hour work weeks. The 54 families that suffered devastating home fires in our community were as shattered as victims of Superstorm Sandy or the Boston Marathon Bombing. Our disaster teams gave these families a place to stay, clothes to wear and money for food and other basic needs. Last fall, 16 of our volunteers spent three weeks each in the Northeast helping the victims of Superstorm Sandy. We brought 93 service members from East Alabama home from all over the world to attend to family emergencies. We assisted 470 elderly and disabled clients with their utility bills in the coldest and hottest months. We taught more than 1,200 people how to save lives through our First Aid/CPR/AED courses. And we collected nearly 3,500 units of blood, which will be used to save or sustain the lives of more than 10,000 people. In short, with the help of volunteers and donors, the Red Cross is there for people in those unexpected moments of greatest need.

    Remember, when you hear about tragedies in the news, that goodness abounds and far outweighs the bad. Every day, I witness the goodness, courage and compassion in people. We are not a government-funded agency. We are regular people working together to help our neighbors when bad things happen. You can join our team of good folks by giving money, donating your blood or offering your time. Visit www.redcross.org or call us at 334.749.9981.

    Thank you,
    Mary Wood Littleton

    Beach Food - Destin Edition

    We took the Access Auburn foodie road show to Destin, Florida, this week and sampled some beach cuisine so you won't get burned on your beach trip this summer.

    The bad news is you can expect to pay a 20% to 30% premium "resort" rates at every restaurant in the area. The good news is there are many choices and with the trusty smart phone apps, we located dozens of likely candidates nearby and had great luck. We would go back to any of these:

    Tommy Bahamas Cafe • Menu

    WE HAD: World Famous Coconut Shrimp • Crab Bisque • Bungalow Salad • Macadamia Nut Encrusted Snapper • Key Lime Pie

    I have a couple of Tommy Bahamas shirts. I like them. They are comfortable. I did not know Tommy Bahamas was a restaurant, but there is was on my "smart" phone less than a mile from my current location and some unknown reviewer had given it four forks. Actually, we picked another place but a scan of the menu left us cold and we settled for the nearby Tommy B's.

    The food was outstanding, the service impeccable, the decor tasteful and relaxing, and the ambiance understated. The prices were more New York, L.A. or Vegas than Destin, but Destin is an upscale town these days. I am ambivalent about Tommy Bahamas Cafe. The food was very good, but it felt more like a carefully tested corporate formula than a chef's vision.

    Boathouse Oyster Bar • Menu

    WE HAD: Seafood Gumbo Steamed Shrimp Crab Claws Cajun Boiled Peanuts

    This place is a dive. This waterfront bar favored by locals has intimate garments draped from the rafters and some of the best seafood anywhere. We are repeat customers and will be back again. The beer is cold, the waitresses have attitudes and it gets loud and raucous as the evening progresses. There is a band some nights. This is a fun dive.

    La Famiglia Ristorante • Menu

    WE HAD: House Chianti House Salad with House Italian Dressing Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Ravioli with Arrabbiata sauce Tiramisu

    This is another place frequented by locals. La Famiglia Ristorante is Italian for "The Family Restaurant" and that is exactly what this place is. Mama was in the kitchen and daughter Mikela was our server. The family moved to northwest Florida from Rome, Italy. Needless to say, the food was authentic. It was also quite tasty. This is Italian comfort food and we could have had the house salad, the house wine and the delicious hot bread and been satisfied. The entrees were ample and flavorful. We split the dessert and it was still decadent. Anything that good has to be sinful.

    Whale's Tail • Menu

    WE HAD: Cold Beer Peel 'N Eat Shrimp Fish Tacos

    The Whale's Tail is on the beach. I mean ON the beach. Come early for dinner. Bring your beach chair. Have a cold beer or something with an umbrella. Take a stroll on the beach. After a while, grab a front-row seat upstairs on the deck to eat some good food and watch the sunset. This is the perfect place to end the day.

    Free Movies in the Park

    Grab your blanket or lawn chair and join us for FREE MOVIES IN THE PARK this summer! The Outdoor Movie Series kicks off on Friday June, 7, with The Goonies.

    The Goonies is a story about of seven young friends from a small Northwest town who find themselves on a thrilling underground adventure filled with humor and heart-pounding peril as they seek the secrets behind the treasure of the notorious pirate, One-Eyed Willie. The movie will be held at Duck Samford Park Field 1, 15 minutes after sunset or at 8:30 p.m.

    Alex City Jazz Fest 2013

    The Alex City Jazz Fest has come early this year and the line-up is outstanding. But watch out for show stealing both Friday and Saturday as the "middle" acts will knock your socks off.

    Friday, June 7, starting at 6 p.m. the music gets hot early with Davin McCoy and the Coming Attractions. High-energy zydefunk artist Chubby Carrier will be the second act Friday night and child prodigy all-grown-up Amanda Shaw will light up the lakeside following opener Ben Sutton on Saturday night.

    A strong Crescent City feel will cap both evenings The New Orleans Suspects and will headline Friday night in downtown Alex City at Strand Park and New Orleans Jazz Fest headliner Mark Broussard will close the show Saturday at the Lake Martin Amphitheater. Admission is free. Bring your chairs, blankets and coolers and let the good times roll.

    Renovations of Opelika Highs Football Field

    Although the renovations of Opelika Highs football field were approved back in January, theyre finally starting to take form and coach Brian Blackmon took to Twitter last week to show fans what theyll see in the fall.

    The $40 million, three-phase renovation, which is for both the football stadium and high school, has the area looking completely different than it did months ago. The main entrance to the school is gutted, and passersby can see what the trailers by the track and field have been used for.

    Then theres Blackmons baby.

    Along with nearly 1,000 seats being added to the stadium, a new synthetic turf has been installed at Bulldogs Stadium. Blackmon told the OA-News earlier in the year the turf would be installed by Shaw Sportexe, which also did Vanderbilts playing surface.

    But thats not all thats new at Opelika.

    While a new entrance way and huge video scoreboard highlight the north side of the stadium, a new indoor facility is on the opposite side of the field.

    Along with Opelikas dressing rooms being moved from the old building on the north side of the field, it will now dress in the facility. The facility also has a weight room and 40-yard practice field.

    And while numerous taxpayers throughout Opelika have grumbled over such lavish changes just for one sport at the school, renovations will also be made in the sports wing to equip the female athletes, since the males will be in the new facility.

    Blackmon also told the OA-News little league football games and other events will be held in the indoor facility.

    This is one of those things that will be used a lot for different things," Blackmon said. "And its something that I think our whole community will be proud of.

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Auburn fans are ready to put last year's dismal season in their rear-view mirror. With a familiar face returning as head coach and a whole new coaching staff, fans are excited for the 2013 season.

    The 2012 season was a disaster from the beginning, with the Tigers starting 1-2, then losing the next five. The icing on the cake was Texas A&M's trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium and the 63-21 thrashing by the Aggies. A change had to be made after Auburn's 3-9 season, the worst in 60 years.

    A long list of names surfaced as possible hires to replace Gene Chizik but Auburn knew there was only one who would re-energize the program and fan base. The one was Gus Malzahn.

    Malzahn helped turn the program around when he was hired as offensive coordinator in 2009. During his three-year tenure from 2009-11, his offenses set numerous school records and played a huge role in Auburn winning the national championship in 2010.

    Malzahn returns to the Plains after a one-year stint as head coach at Arkansas State. Malzahn's first job as a head coach was a success after the Red Wolves finished the season with a 9-3 record and a 7-1 conference mark while capturing the Sun Belt Conference title.

    Rhett Lashlee also returns to the Plains after spending the 2009 and 2010 seasons as an offensive graduate assistant. Lashlee has spent six of the last nine seasons working closely with Malzahn, including serving as Arkansas State's offensive coordinator last year. The Red Wolves' offense ranked 17th nationally in total offense (481.8 ypg), 21st in scoring offense (36.4 ppg) and rushing offense (217.4 ypg).

    Lashlee's job as Auburn's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach will be to revamp an offense that ranked 115th nationally in total offense and No. 112 in scoring a year ago.
    Jonathan Wallace
    Jonathan Wallace
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    The struggles on offense last year were a direct result of inconsistent play by the three different starters at the quarterback position. Kiehl Frazier was 1-4 as the starter and went 62-for-116 for 753 yards with two touchdowns and eight interceptions. Clint Moseley, who is no longer with the team, earned a few starts in the middle of the season before being benched in favor of freshman Jonathan Wallace. Wallace was 1-2 as the starter and went 46-for-80 for 720 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

    Frazier and Wallace battled each other all spring for the No. 1 spot but camp ended without a clear winner. Malzahn and Lashlee expect the battle to continue well into fall camp with newcomers Nick Marshall and Jeremy Johnson joining the competition.

    Marshall, a junior college transfer from Garden City (Kan.) Community College, has a good chance to start because of his athletic ability but his 20 interceptions last year may give the coaches a reason to doubt whether or not he can be successful against top-notch SEC defenses.

    Under center, Marshall led Garden City to a 7-4 record and threw for 3,142 yards with 18 touchdowns and added 1,095 yards with 19 touchdowns on the ground.

    Fresh out of high school, Johnson finished his career at Carver in Montgomery with 8,732 passing yards and 85 touchdown passes. Carver posted a 28-10 record with Johnson as the starter the last three seasons.

    Another sore spot for Auburn last year was the play at wide receiver. Since Auburn plans to take eight shots down the field per game, wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig must find a true playmaker to take the place of last year's star Emory Blake.
    Jaylon Denson
    Jaylon Denson
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    At the X receiver position, Jaylon Denson and Sammie Coates have the potential to haul in those long passes down the field. Denson caught just one pass for 12 yards last season, but emerged as a big-play threat along with Coates in the spring.

    Coates showed promise last season but was guilty of dropping way too many catchable passes. He finished with six catches for 114 yards, and two touchdowns.

    At slot receiver, Quan Bray was named the starter after spring with Corey Grant as his backup. With 31 catches for 187 yards during his career, Bray returns as the Tigers' leading receiver.

    Trovon Reed looks to be the starter at the flanker position after he caught nine passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in 2012. Ricardo Louis will serve as Reed's backup. Louis caught just three passes for 36 yards in 2012 but is capable of using his speed when the Tigers need a big play.

    At the Y position, the hybrid tight end/wide receiver spot, C.J. Uzomah will be the main guy with plenty of size to open up holes for the tailbacks as well as a dependable receiver at tight end. Uzomah had seven catches for 136 yards and a touchdown in 2012.

    Backup Brandon Fulse is the better blocker of the two with just three catches for 20 yards the past two seasons.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Running Backs

    Football Preview: Running Backs

    Gus Malzahn's fast-paced offense may be built around a multi-talented quarterback but dependable running backs that can rack up plenty of yards have been the key to his system's success.

    Auburn had some success running the football against four non-conference opponents last year with 271.8 yards per game. It fell flat against SEC opponents averaging 86.75 yards per game, which ranked 118th out of 124 FBS teams.

    With that average, it's easy to see why the Tigers went 0-8 in conference play given the recent success SEC teams have had running the football. Since 2000 when SEC teams rushed for at least 175 yards they won 85 percent of their games. They have also won 80 percent of their games when rushing for at least 150 yards.

    Malzahn and position coach Tim Horton hope to revive the running game so the Tigers can at least be competitive in the SEC again. With their history, Auburn should see its rushing numbers improve in 2013.

    In seven years as a college coach, Malzahn's rushing attack has averaged 224.4 yards per game at 5.2 yards per rush and has produced nine 1,000-yard rushers. In his four seasons in the SEC, Malzahns offense finished no lower than No. 4 in the conference in rushing yardage.

    Horton spent the previous six seasons at Arkansas where he received a lot of credit for the Razorbacks' offensive success. He coached four different 1,000-yard rushers from 2007-10 and was recognized as one of the nation's top recruiters.
    Tre Mason
    Tre Mason
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    With Onterio McCalebb gone to graduation and Mike Blakely transferring, Tre Mason returns as the only tailback with proven experience. Mason carried the load last year rushing for 1,002 yards on 171 carries with eight touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Those numbers are impressive despite carrying the ball more than 20 times in only three games.

    Mason is excited to be back in the offense where he was recruited to play and should once again get most of the carries. He's also poised to rush for 1,000 yards again in an offense that will feature the ground game 61 percent of the time.

    Cameron Artis-Payne, who ran for 2,048 yards and 25 touchdowns at Allan Hancock (Calif.) Community College last season, adds more depth to a position that desperately needs it. Rated as the top junior college running back, Artis-Payne had a solid spring and delivered during the A-Day game with 18 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown. He should get plenty of carries, especially in short-yardage situations.

    Corey Grant had just nine carries for 29 yards in 2012. His speed makes him a good candidate to fill McCalebb's role as a threat to take it the distance.

    Depth was an issue during spring practice with just three scholarship players at the position. Johnathan Ford and Peyton Barber will provide more depth once fall camp begins in August. Ford rushed for 1,669 yards on 119 carries last season at New Hope. At Milton High last season, Barber had 1,713 yards on 225 carries and 22 touchdowns.

    Jay Prosch is a perfect fit at the H-Back position, a versatile blocker in the Tigers' hurry-up, no-huddle offense. Primarily used as a lead blocker, Prosch is also a threat as a receiver. Despite just five catches last year, he could see more passes come his way in 2013.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Offensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Auburn Advances to Semifinals

    Today, EA SPORTS and ESPN announced that Auburn (15 seed) advanced to the final four by defeating University of Texas (7 seed) with 55% of the vote in the hunt for the true Ultimate Team that began with 16 of the most storied college football programs of the last 25 years.

    Auburn (15 seed) now faces Florida State (11 seed) for a place in the finals and fans will need to continue to rally behind the Tigers if they want to see them declared the winner.

    More than 240,000 votes have been cast in the first two rounds of the Ultimate Team tournament and fans will need to continue to rally behind their favorite team to help them advance to the finals.

    Fans can visit ESPN.com, ESPN Mobile, and the ESPN CFB App to Tweet their votes for their favorite two of the four remaining teams using the hashtag '#UltimateTeam'. The finalists will be announced on Tuesday, July 30.

    To stay current on game details and the latest announcements, visit the official EA SPORTS NCAA Football Facebook page and follow the EA SPORTS NCAA Football Twitter handle @EANCAAFootball. For additional assets and screenshots, please visit ncaafootball14.newslinevine.com.

    Football Preview: Offensive Line

    With four returning starters on the offensive line, the unit expects to turn things around with help from a veteran coach with a proven track record.

    After working for Gus Malzahn last season as his offensive line coach, J.B. Grimes is set to coach the same unit at Auburn. A 30-year veteran at the collegiate level, Grimes has experience coaching in the SEC with stints at Mississippi State and Arkansas. Other stops include Kansas, East Carolina, Virginia Tech and Louisiana-Monroe.

    Last season under Grimes, Arkansas State's offensive line allowed just 15 sacks and helped set a school-record with 481.8 yards of total offense per game.

    Grimes' job is to get Auburn's offensive line better prepared to face tough defenses in the SEC. The unit was the main reason why the offense averaged just 2.6 yards per carry against conference opponents. The unit also allowed 37 sacks last year, which ranked 109th in the country.

    Luckily for Grimes, Auburn's line is young but returns four starters who have a good amount of playing time experience with 70 career starts. That experience should go a long way as Malzahn has promised the Tigers will feature a power running game.

    Greg Robinson will be counted on to provide leadership when he lines up as the starter at left tackle in the fall. Robinson had his share of growing pains and lacked leadership in 11 starts last season as a redshirt freshman at the same position.

    Redshirt freshman Alex Kozan spent some time at center during the spring but Grimes moved him back to left guard where he is listed as the starter. Junior college transfer Devonte Danzey could earn a few starts at one of the guard spots.
    Reese Dismukes
    Reese Dismukes
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    With 23 career starts under his belt, Reese Dismukes is set to anchor the center position. After off-the-field issues caused him to miss last year's season opener, Dismukes plans to be a leader for a unit that has no seniors.

    Chad Slade has played every position on the offensive line other than center but seems to have settled in at right guard. He started all 12 games last season, mostly at right guard. Slade has added around 15 pounds and plans to add more muscle to be in better shape for Malzahn's up-tempo offense.

    Patrick Miller and Avery Young are expected to battle in fall camp for the starting job at right tackle. Young started the first three games of the 2012 season before suffering a season-ending left shoulder injury. Miller started the final nine games when Young went down.

    With the grind of preseason camp in August, any of the projected starters could go down with an injury. If that happens, backups Jordan Diamond, Tunde Fariyike, and Shon Coleman are capable to step in and play at any position along the line.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Defensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    What once was a proud tradition, Auburn's defense has fallen on hard times recently. Last year's squad became one of the worst in the history of the program.

    There are two things you can always count on when it comes to Auburn football, being known as Running Back U. and for having a tough, hard-nose defense. Lately, the defensive unit hasn't lived up to what fans have witness for decades, a defense that shuts down opponent's running game, creates turnovers and keeps games close to give the offense a chance to win.

    In all four years of the Gene Chizik era, the defense seemed to not care about being out on the field with poor tackling and surrendering huge chunks of yards. Last year's unit gave up a school record 420.5 yards per game.

    Against SEC opponents last year, the defense failed to show up which resulted in several blowouts. Georgia and Alabama scored a combined 87 points while Texas A&M put up 63. The 671 yards of total offense gained by the Aggies is the most ever allowed by an Auburn defense at Jordan-Hare.

    Veteran defensive coach Ellis Johnson was first to be hired by new head coach Gus Malzahn. Malzahn brought in Johnson as the defensive coordinator because he knew Johnson could rebuild Auburn's defense. He has done it before at several other SEC schools.

    Johnson, 61, was defensive coordinator at Alabama from 1997-2000, at Mississippi State from 2004-2007 and was in charge of South Carolina's defense from 2008-2011. In his final season with the Gamecocks, his defense ranked third nationally, allowing just 268 yards per game. Under Johnson, South Carolina finished in the Top 15 nationally in total defense three times.

    With the help of defensive line coach Rodney Garner, the unit has a chance to see significant improvement in 2013. Garner returns to the Plains after being the defensive line coach, assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator at Georgia the last 15 seasons. He played at Auburn from 1984-88 and was with the coaching staff from 1993-95.

    Johnson and Garner know if the Tigers want to get back to being a stingy defense, it starts up front on the line. With 18 defensive linemen on Auburn's roster for the fall, depth won't be an issue. Finding four starters and backups to keep his starting linemen fresh shouldn't be a problem for Garner, either.
    Dee Ford
    Dee Ford
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Dee Ford will hold down one of the defensive end positions after being the team leader in sacks in 2012 with 6.5. He'll be Auburn's primary pass rusher after Corey Lemonier left early for the NFL.

    Listed as Ford's backup is Craig Sanders. Sanders has been an excellent special teams player throughout his career at Auburn, and will probably see most of his playing time with that unit in the fall.

    At the other end position, Ken Carter will start after a strong spring. Appearing in all 12 games last season, Carter had 17 tackles and one tackle for a loss. He will need to become more consistent as a pass rusher since he's expected to fill the spot left by Lemonier.

    Carter could be challenged by Nosa Eguae in preseason practice since Garner said he views the pair as similar players. Eguae started only four games in 2012 after a career-best 13 starts and 38 tackles in 2011.
    Jeff Whitaker
    Jeff Whitaker
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    At one of the tackle spots, Jeff Whitaker is penciled in to start after a consistent spring. Whitaker has been a starter the past two seasons but made just 12 tackles last season.

    Known for making big plays in the backfield at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, junior college transfer Ben Bradley is behind Whitaker on the depth chart. Bradley was on campus for spring practice and should have an advantage over the other newcomers to contribute in the fall.

    After being in the playing rotation his first two seasons, Gabe Wright is listed as the No. 1 starter at the other tackle spot. Wright came on strong at the end of last season starting the last five games and ended up with 19 tackles including 4.5 for loss and one sack.

    Angelo Blackson is behind Wright on the depth chart after being limited in the spring with a shoulder injury. He started 10 games last year and had 26 tackles with seven for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles and recovered one.

    Newcomers Montravius Adams, Carl Lawson, and Elijah Daniel could all push for playing time when Auburn's season begins Aug. 31 against Washington State.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Linebackers

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    With a new defensive coordinator bringing in his 4-2-5 system, the two starters in the middle look to step up in the fall and be leaders for a group that struggled last year with injuries, major tackling issues and a lack of big plays.

    Position coach Ellis Johnson's defense uses just two linebackers instead of the most commonly used three linebacker scheme. Johnson's scheme calls for his linebackers to shed blocks at the line of scrimmage, play inside the formation, and plug gaps in the running game.

    The new scheme, introduced in the spring, placed an emphasis on correcting the tackling problems the unit experienced last season. With more time to learn the system during preseason practice, the linebackers should be more productive and better prepared to tackle opponents in the open field.
    Kris Frost
    Kris Frost
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Johnson believes putting Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy on the field together are his two best options at linebacker because they both fit the more prototypical middle linebacker body type. Frost will handle the Mike position with McKinzy at the Will position.

    At Mike, Frost is the vocal leader and quarterback of the defense and will be responsible for relaying calls from the sideline and making adjustments for the rest of the defense.

    The competition at Mike will likely heat up in camp as Jake Holland will make a push to win the starting job. Holland missed out on important spring practices because of a mandatory class. Frost's size and speed gives him the advantage but Holland has more experience with 16 career starts.

    McKinzy played in eight games last season as a true freshman and recorded 23 total tackles. He started on the road at Vanderbilt where he made 12 tackles, forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery. A physical player, McKinzy will have to eliminate mental mistakes if he wants to keep the starting job.

    McKinzy's backup, JaViere Mitchell, missed several spring practices after suffering a concussion in the first scrimmage. Mitchell did recover to finish spring and is poised to make a push for the starter's job.

    Kenny Flowers was highly productive last year at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College and should challenge for playing time in the fall. Flowers had 95 tackles and adds more depth to a position that needs it after Harris Gaston and Chris Landrum transferred to Jacksonville State.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Secondary

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    New Iron Bowl Anthem

    A non-partisan Iron Bowl anthem performed by country recording artist Walker Hayes, co-written by Hayes & fellow Mobile natives Doug Waterman & Robert Clement. Iron Bowl anthem

    Football Preview: Secondary

    Auburn's secondary has much to prove after a mediocre 2012 season. With only one starter gone, the group has a lot of experience returning with the cornerback spot being a strength of the unit.

    Like the linebackers last season, the secondary went through a lot of growing pains with injuries and tackling problems. The pass defense ranked No. 48 in the country and No. 8 in the SEC. It surrendered over 220 yards per game through the air.

    For a group that didn't make an interception in 2012, cornerbacks coach Melvin Smith has made creating more turnovers a top priority since coming to Auburn after spending the previous seven seasons at Mississippi State. This past season, Smith's defensive backs had 16 interceptions.

    With the 4-2-5 defense brought in by defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, Auburn's two cornerbacks will play mostly zone coverage and a lot of 3-deep zone coverage which should produce more interceptions in the fall.
    Chris Davis
    Chris Davis
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Led by Chris Davis and Jonathon Mincy in the spring, the cornerbacks surprised the coaches by making picks in practice every day. Both Davis and Mincy played with the first-team at cornerback throughout the spring and will start there in the fall.

    Davis has made 125 career tackles with 16 career starts. Mincy has 15 career starts and looks to continue last season's success after making 57 tackles with four passes broken up.

    Co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Charlie Harbison spent the last four years at Clemson coaching the defensive backs and also worked with Johnson at Alabama in 2000 and Mississippi State in 2007.

    Harbison and Johnson used spring practice to evaluate Auburn's returning safeties and to find the best fit for the three safeties in Johnson's base defense.
    Justin Garrett
    Justin Garrett
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    The player with the most important role in the 4-2-5 defense is the Star safety, a hybrid safety-linebacker who has the ability to handle a linebacker's responsibilities against the running game and enough speed to cover players on the outside.

    Former strong-side linebacker Justin Garrett made the move to Star at the beginning of spring and instantly became the best player on the field. With most of his playing time in 2012 coming on special teams, Garrett's impressive spring earned him the No. 1 spot at Star.

    Robenson Therezie, a former cornerback, made the move to Star and will likely stay there as Garrett's backup. Therezie is better suited at Star because of his speed and physical nature.

    The starter at boundary safety is Josh Holsey. As boundary safety, Holsey's job is to play on the short side of the field and roll down into the box at times to stack the line of scrimmage against the run.

    Despite making only six starts last season, Holsey made 30 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and broke up a team-leading six passes.

    Trent Fisher had a good spring before missing time with an ankle injury. Last season, he started two games, made 16 tackles and had the one interception for Auburn's secondary. He will serve as a backup to Holsey.

    Jermaine Whitehead, the only returning defensive player to start every game in 2012, gets the nod at field safety and will be responsible for lining up on the wide side and playing deep in the middle against the pass. Last season, he recorded 86 tackles including four for loss with one sack and five pass breakups.

    Ryan Smith will be the backup at field safety after recording 27 tackles in just four games in 2012.

    Phil Marion

    Next week: Special Teams

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    With punter Steven Clark and kicker Cody Parkey back in the fall, the biggest concern for special teams coordinator Scott Fountain is replacing last year's kick returner Onterio McCalebb and finding a reliable punt returner.

    Special teams was always a strength for Auburn under the previous coaching staff. Even last year when the offense and defense performed poorly, special teams was a bright spot. Fountain is set to handle the coaching duties even though he has no previous experience in special teams.

    Tre Mason worked on kickoff returns in the spring but he's too valuable as a running back to risk injury as a returner. Look for Ricardo Louis, Jonathan Jones, or Josh Holsey to handle kickoffs.

    Quan Bray handled most of the punt returns in 2012 with 16 returns for an average of 8.5 yards. Bray often had issues with ball security and his fumbled punt return against LSU was costly. He will be in the mix to return punts in 2013 along with Trovon Reed.
    Steven Clark
    Steven Clark
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    After an outstanding 2011 campaign when he was a Ray Guy Award finalist, Clark had a somewhat disappointing 2012 season. He led the SEC in punts with 70 which is probably why he averaged a yard less on his punts last year. His average of 39.8 yards ranked 81st in the country. But thanks to the nations second-best punt return defense, opponents attempted five returns for a total of four yards.

    Parkey didn't have too many field goal opportunities since the offense struggled last year. When given the chance, he went 11-for-14 overall with a long of 46 yards with misses on attempts of 47 yards or longer. He also had 33 touchbacks on 48 kickoffs which helped the Tigers have the third-best kick return defense in the country.

    Phil Marion

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Week One SEC Predictions

    The 2013 football season begins Thursday with South Carolina hosting North Carolina and Ole Miss at Vandy. Auburn plays non-conference opponent Washington State at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Washington State at Auburn, 6:00 p.m. CT, ESPNU

    Auburn opens its season under new head coach Gus Malzahn against Washington State Saturday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU. Both teams were 3-9 last year and expect to turn things around in 2013. This will be the second meeting between the two teams with Auburn winning the first contest 40-14 in 2006.

    Mike Leach starts his second year as head coach at WSU and should give the Tigers' defensive backs all they can handle with his hurry-up, Air Raid offense. Expect the Cougars to throw early and often after averaging just 29.1 rushing yards per game in 2012. WSU passed for over 330 yards per game last season while Auburn surrendered over 220 yards per game through the air. Sophomore Connor Halliday starts under center for WSU after sharing playing time with Jeff Tuel in 2012. Halliday threw for 1,874 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.

    Malzahn returns to the Plains after a one-year stint at Arkansas State last year. Malzahn guided the Red Wolves to a a 9-3 record and a 7-1 conference mark while capturing the Sun Belt Conference title. Rhett Lashlee served as Malzahn's offensive coordinator at ASU and will also be in charge of Auburn's run-first, hurry-up offense. Under Lashlee, the Red Wolves ranked 17th nationally in total offense (481.8 ypg), 21st in scoring offense (36.4 ppg) and rushing offense (217.4 ypg).

    After a heated battle in the spring and in fall camp, junior college transfer Nick Marshall is set to lead the Tigers' offense after beating out freshman Jeremy Johnson. Last season Marshall led Garden City to a 7-4 record and threw for 3,142 yards with 18 touchdowns and added 1,095 yards with 19 touchdowns on the ground.

    Marshall is rumored to have a strong throwing arm which should help the Tigers see improvement after having a disappointing passing game in 2012. Sammie Coates has the potential to be a big-play threat with Quan Bray and Trovon Reed ready to make an impact after a lackluster 2012 season.

    Tailback Tre Mason had a solid 2012 campaign with 1,002 rushing yards on 171 carries and eight touchdowns. Mason will share time with junior college transfer Cameron Artis-Payne, who ran for 2,048 yards and 25 touchdowns at Allan Hancock (Calif.) Community College last season. Jay Prosch returns at the H-Back position and will serve as Auburn's lead blocker.

    Defensively, the Tigers will use the 4-2-5 defense brought in by new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. Johnson expects a big improvement on defense during the upcoming season after the unit allowed a school record 420.5 yards per game last season. The defense is a bit banged up with Dee Ford out for the opener because of an injured left knee. Senior Craig Sanders will make the first start of his career Saturday evening with Ford sidelined. Justin Garrett and Chris Davis lead a secondary that recorded just one interception a year ago.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-17.



    North Carolina at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 32-13.



    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 20-17.



    Toledo at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 40-10.



    Rice at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 47-13.



    Mississippi St. at Oklahoma State

    Prediction: Oklahoma State 27-17.



    Louisiana-Lafayette at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 20-10.



    Alabama at Virginia Tech

    Prediction: Alabama 34-17.



    Austin Peay at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 34-6.



    WKU at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 38-21.



    Murray State at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 28-13.



    Georgia at Clemson

    Prediction: Georgia 24-20.



    LSU at TCU

    Prediction: LSU 24-7.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    For the second straight week, Auburn plays a non-conference opponent with Arkansas State coming to Jordan-Hare Stadium. The only conference game this week features South Carolina at Georgia.

    (Last week: 10-3)

    Arkansas State at Auburn, 6:30 p.m. CT, FSN

    The first game for Auburn under head coach Gus Malzahn was a little bumpy but the Tigers held on to beat Washington State 31-24. Thanks to a much improved defense and a reliable running game, Auburn enters the second week of the season 1-0 as it prepares for Arkansas State to visit Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on FSN. The Tigers won the previous two meetings against the Red Wolves.

    Offensively, Auburn struggled at times against WSU under new quarterback Nick Marshall. Marshall never seemed to get into a rhythm and was probably a little nervous in his first start under center in front of a huge crowd at Jordan-Hare. The junior college transfer was 10-of-19 passing for 99 yards and also ran for 27 yards. Marshall missed a few open targets but several catchable passes were also dropped by his receivers. Sammie Coates showed signs of being a big-play threat but it looks like the receivers haven't made many strides after a dismal season last year.

    Marshall should improve with more time to learn the offense. He only had preseason camp to take in Malzahn's complicated offense. Hopefully several receivers will step up this week and become go-to guys to take some pressure off of Marshall and the running game. Even though the Tigers ran the ball well against the Cougars, being one-dimensional won't cut it against stout SEC defenses.

    Corey Grant led the tailbacks with 149 yards on nine carries and also had a 75-yard touchdown run. Pretty impressive after he gained just 29 yards on seven carries last season. Tre Mason added 73 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown as Auburn's ground game racked up 297 yards on the night.

    Defensively, the Tigers looked much improved under the new 4-2-5 defensive scheme. Tackling wasn't an issue and the unit recorded three interceptions after picking off just two a year ago. They could have easily picked off a few more Saturday night, too. Even though the unit allowed 464 yards of total offense, it made plays when the game was on the line, something that was definitely missing last year.

    It looks like special teams will be solid again this year after playing a role in the victory over WSU. Mason had a 100-yard kickoff return, Cody Parkey had three field goals and five touchbacks, and the Tigers didnt have a punt return against them. If special teams continues to be solid for the rest of the season, it could help Auburn escape with more victories.

    While Auburn was in a battle with WSU, Arkansas State cruised to a 62-11 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Red Wolves should be a bigger test this week for the Tigers with a solid defensive line and an offense capable of lighting up the scoreboard. ASU had 509 rushing yards last Saturday with four tailbacks rushing for more than 100 yards.

    Auburn's secondary will be tested once again this week after allowing 344 yards through the air against the Cougars. ASU's wide receiver J.D. McKissic will be the main focus for the unit after winning the Sun Belt Conferences Freshman of the Year award last year with 103 catches for 1,022 yards and five touchdowns.

    Prediction: Arkansas State 30-27.



    Florida at Miami

    Prediction: Florida 17-13.



    Miami (Ohio) at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-10.



    WKU at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 30-17.



    Alcorn State at Mississippi St.

    Prediction: MSU 38-7.



    Toledo at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 28-14.



    South Carolina at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 24-21.



    UAB at LSU

    Prediction: 45-10.



    Sam Houston State at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 50-6.



    Samford at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 54-17.



    SE Missouri St. at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 56-7.



    Austin Peay at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 31-3.

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    This week, Auburn looks to improve to 3-0 with a victory over Mississippi State at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The contest between the Tigers and the Bulldogs kicks-off at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Alabama travels to Texas A&M with Georgia off this weekend.

    (Last week: 10-2, Overall: 20-5)

    Mississippi State at Auburn, 6:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2

    Auburn opens conference play against Mississippi State at home on ESPN2. The Tigers enter the contest with a record of 2-0 while the Bulldogs are 1-1. Auburn leads the all-time series 60-24-2. Both teams would love to open conference play with a victory but MSU has the tough task of playing on the road.

    If opening SEC play on the road wasn't a big enough challenge for the Bulldogs, head coach Dan Mullen's offense may be without starting quarterback Tyler Russell. Russell suffered a concussion in the third quarter of MSU's 21-3 loss to Oklahoma State in the season opener. He sat out of last weekend's game against Alcorn State and his replacement, Dak Prescott, led the Bulldogs to a 51-7 victory. In his first start, Prescott went 12-of-19 passing for 174 yards with three total touchdowns.

    If Russell can play this weekend he gives MSU a better shot at pulling off the upset after his performance against Auburn last year. He was 20-of-29 passing for 222 yards and three touchdowns in the 28-10 win in Starkville.

    Luckily for Auburn, its defense is playing much better so far in 2013. Even though the Tigers allowed Arkansas State 422 yards of total offense, the unit kept the Red Wolves out of the endzone in Saturday's 38-9 victory. It was the first time the Tigers held an opponent without a touchdown since the 2011 season. In two games, Ellis Johnson's defense is allowing 443 yards per game and 16.5 points per game.

    When Gus Malzahn was hired as Auburn's head coach last December, he promised the Tigers would be a run-first offense and he has kept his word. With three talented running backs Tre Mason, Corey Grant, and Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn averages 298 yards per game on the ground. Last Saturday, Artis-Payne rushed for 102 yards and Mason added 99 as the Tigers wore down ASU's defense with a relentless rushing attack.

    After a shaky start in the season-opener, quarterback Nick Marshall settled down against ASU by completing 10 of 17 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Marshall also added 53 yards on the ground. He connected with Sammie Coates on a 68-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

    Despite being more relaxed, Marshall still missed a few open targets and the offense needs to work on the passing game since the schedule will be a lot tougher with SEC games coming up. The unit averages 133 yards per game through the air. If Marshall shows more improvement this week and more receivers step up, Auburn should find a way to win and start the season 3-0.

    Prediction: Auburn 28-20.



    Louisville at Kentucky

    Prediction: Louisville 30-14.



    Southern Miss at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 20-13.



    Alabama at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Alabama 28-25.



    Tennessee at Oregon

    Prediction: Oregon 34-17.



    Vanderbilt at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 33-23.



    Kent State at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 40-17.



    Ole Miss at Texas

    Prediction: Ole Miss 17-14.

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    This week, Auburn takes its 3-0 record on the road to battle LSU at 6:45 p.m. CT on ESPN. The other conference game has Tennessee at Florida. Alabama plays non-conference opponent Colorado State.

    (Last week: 8-0, Overall: 28-5)

    Auburn at LSU, 6:45 p.m. CT, ESPN

    Auburn hits the road for the first time this season when it faces LSU in Baton Rouge in a nationally televised game on ESPN. LSU leads the overall series 26-20-1, with five wins in the past six meetings. AU is 3-0 after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Mississippi State Saturday. LSU is also 3-0 with victories over TCU, UAB, and Kent State.

    LSU seems to be on a roll on offense averaging 46 points per game. In the 45-13 victory over Kent State last weekend, Jeremy Hill ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. On the night, LSU racked up 307 yards on the ground and 571 total yards of offense.

    Through the air, Zach Mettenberger had 264 yards and three touchdowns. In three games, Mettenberger has nine touchdowns and no interceptions. With Auburn's pass defense giving up 276 yards per game, the senior quarterback could have a big night against the visiting Tigers.

    Defensively, LSU allows 19 points per game and only 267.7 yards of total offense per contest, with 110.7 on the ground and 157 through the air.

    AU's quarterback Nick Marshall has steadily improved each week and will need to stay poised Saturday night in front of a hostile crowd at Tiger Stadium. In the 24-20 victory over MSU, Marshall had a career-high 339 yards through the air and two touchdowns.

    If Marshall does struggle against LSU, AU may need to rely on its running game, which averages 238.7 yards per game. While Tre Mason, Corey Grant, and Cameron Artis-Payne were slowed down by the Bulldogs, the trio will hopefully bounce back and grind out some yards against the stingy LSU defense.

    Kicker Cody Parkey continues to be a force making all three field goals attempted against MSU. Parkey is tied for third in the country with seven made field goals and is tied for sixth in the country with 14 touchbacks. Steven Clark had two of his four punts land inside the 20-yard line and Quan Bray had three punt returns, with a long of 28.

    In last year's meeting at Jordan-Hare Stadium, AU came close to knocking off second-ranked LSU in a defensive battle that ended with the visitors winning 12-10. While last year's contest didn't produce many points, the game this weekend likely won't be a low-scoring affair.

    The play of special teams may be a factor in the outcome Saturday night much like it was in last year's close contest. Bray's muffed punt return in the third quarter led to Drew Allemans game-winning field goal.

    Prediction: LSU 30-21.



    Vanderbilt at UMass

    Prediction: Vandy 17-13.



    North Texas at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 38-12.



    Arkansas at Rutgers

    Prediction: Arkansas 21-17.



    Tennessee at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 24-13.



    SMU at Texas A&M

    Prediction: A&M 35-20.



    Colorado State at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 51-17.



    Troy at Mississippi St.

    Prediction: MSU 33-23.



    Missouri at Indiana

    Prediction: Missouri 23-20.

    Frank Sanders

    After lettering four seasons at Auburn and spending nine years in the NFL, Frank Sanders has been chosen as one of the 14 former Southeastern Conference players to be named to the 2013 SEC Football Legends Class.

    The announcement came on Sept. 19. The class will be honored at the 2013 SEC Football Weekend of Champions on Dec. 6-7 in Atlanta.

    Sanders playing days at Auburn came from 1991-94, with his senior year being nothing short of successful. He was named first-team All-America by the Associated Press after leading the SEC with 910 receiving yards and breaking Auburns single-season record with 58 receptions.

    Sanders finished his career with 121 receptions for 1,998 yards and 15 touchdowns.

    In the 1995 NFL Draft, the wideout was taken in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals, which he played for through the 2002 season. After spending the following season with the Baltimore Ravens, Sanders retired.

    Sanders had 507 receptions for 6,749 yards and 24 touchdowns during his professional career. His best season came in 1998 when he led the NFC in receptions with 89 for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns.

    Other SEC Legends:

    Marty Lyons (Alabama, 1975-78, defensive tackle)

    Wayne Martin (Arkansas, 1985-88, defensive tackle)

    Wes Chandler (Florida, 1974-77, wide receiver)

    Wilbur Hackett (Kentucky, 1968-70, linebacker)

    Kevin Faulk (LSU, 1995-98, running back/return specialist)

    Phil Bradley (Missouri, 1977-80, quarterback)

    Jeff Herrod (Ole Miss, 1984-87, linebacker)

    Glen Collins (Mississippi State, 1978-81, defensive lineman)

    Max Runager (South Carolina, 1974-78, punter)

    Inky Johnson (Tennessee, 2004-06, defensive back)

    Dat Nguyen (Texas A&M, 1995-98, linebacker)

    Jimmy Williams (Vanderbilt, 1997-2000, cornerback/running back)

    Auburn-LSU

    Auburn left Baton Rouge with a loss Saturday night, but heads were not hung low. After LSU had a three-touchdown lead shortly after the second quarter started, Auburn did something it didnt do in 2012: fought back.

    The 35-21 loss that gave Auburn its first loss this fall left Tiger fans nothing short of disappointed and angry by halftime, but Gus Malzahns squad made up for the first 30 minutes in the final half of the game.

    As the rain halted for most of the second half, Auburns game improved.

    The Tigers' defense continued to work after stopping LSU on its final four drives of the second quarter. The offense also got things going, as well.

    An interception led to a touchdown. But LSU responded. Auburns ensuing drive went for Tre Masons second score, but--again--LSU responded with a touchdown of its own.

    In the end, Auburn would score again to cut the score down to 35-21, and if the Tigers recover the onside kick--which was overturned on a replay--then Auburn would have a chance to truly make a comeback.

    At the same time, Auburn made a statement. The Tigers arent throwing in the towel this season.

    Auburn rushed and threw for more than 200 yards in each category. Mason rushed for 134 yards, Nick Marshall threw for 224 yards and Sammie Coates had 139 yards in receiving. Thats nothing short of impressive.

    But three turnovers killed the Tigers.

    At the same time, Auburn is young, not age-wise, but with experience. Watching Marshall in the first half showed the Death Valley crowd and the rain shook quarterback.

    But as the Tigers progressed against LSU on Saturday, they will progress throughout the season. After a bye week this Saturday, Ole Miss should be ready for a war.

    Under Malzahn, it appears it is truly A New Day on the Plains.

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Auburn is off this weekend but returns to action October 5 against Ole Miss at Jordan-Hare Stadium. SEC games this week include LSU at Georgia and Ole Miss at Alabama.

    (Last week: 8-1, Overall: 36-6)

    South Carolina at UCF

    Prediction: South Carolina 30-17.



    South Alabama at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-13.



    LSU at Georgia

    Prediction: LSU 30-27.



    Ole Miss at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 27-10.



    Texas A&M at Arkansas

    Prediction: Texas A&M 35-20.



    Florida at Kentucky

    Prediction: Florida 26-13.



    UAB at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 34-14.



    Arkansas State at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 21-17.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    This week, Auburn plays Ole Miss at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Other SEC games include Georgia at Tennessee and LSU at Mississippi State.

    (Last week: 7-1, Overall: 43-7)

    Ole Miss at Auburn

    After a much needed weekend off, Auburn is set to host Ole Miss at 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU. While the Tigers were resting and trying to get several players healthy, UM lost to Alabama in Tuscaloosa 25-0. Both teams enter Saturday's contest 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the SEC. AU leads the series 27-10 and has won nine of the last 12 games against the Rebels.

    UM's defense was stingy against the run in its first three games but gave up a whopping 254 yards and two touchdowns against Alabama. AU may give the Rebels a steady dose of its running game with the trio of Tre Mason, Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant. Mason ranks eighth in the SEC in rushing at 84.50 yards per game. The Tigers average 232.3 yards per game on the ground and 439.5 total yards per game.

    Like AU, the Rebels' offense features a fast-paced attack but was slowed down Saturday against the Tide. UM mustered just 46 rushing yards and Jeff Scott, who was averaging 110 yards a game, gained just 28 yards on eight attempts.

    The Rebels average 28.5 points per game while AU's defense allows 22 points per game. Several key defensive players for AU missed the contest against LSU but could return to action this weekend. Cornerback Chris Davis and defensive end Craig Sanders hopefully will be able to play against UM after being sidelined with ankle injuries.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-21.



    Arkansas at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 26-14.



    Georgia at Tennessee

    Prediction: Georgia 30-17.



    LSU at Mississippi St.

    Prediction: LSU 27-13.



    Georgia State at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 41-7.



    Missouri at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Missouri 17-14.



    Kentucky at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 35-13.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Auburn plays FCS opponent Western Carolina for homecoming at 1 p.m. CT on PPV. SEC games include Missouri at Georgia and Florida at LSU.

    (Last week: 7-0, Overall: 50-7)

    Western Carolina at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 50-10.



    Missouri at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 40-28.



    South Carolina at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 17-14.



    Florida at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 33-20.



    Alabama at Kentucky

    Prediction: Alabama 40-7.



    Bowling Green at Mississippi St.

    Prediction: MSU 31-12.



    Texas A&M at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Texas A&M 38-13.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    This week, Auburn plays at Texas A&M at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Other SEC games include Georgia at Vandy and Arkansas at Alabama.

    (Last week: 5-2, Overall: 55-9)

    Auburn at Texas A&M

    After racking up a school-record 712 total yards against Western Carolina, Auburn is set to battle Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M on the road at Kyle Field. The 62-3 win over Western Carolina moved the Tigers into the AP top 25 at No. 24 and to 5-1 overall.

    With starting quarterback Nick Marshall still hobbled by a knee injury, freshman Jeremy Johnson got the nod and completed 17 of 21 passes for 201 yards and four touchdowns. Cameron-Artis Payne gained 133 yards on seven carries, while Tre Mason ran for 100 yards on six carries. The Tigers rushed for 511 yards on 43 carries against the Football Championship Subdivision Catamounts

    Defensively, Auburn held Western Carolina to just six first downs and 173 total yards. So far in 2013, the Tigers allow 399.2 yards per game and 18.8 points per game.

    The Tigers know TAMU's offense will be a different kind of beast with Manziel under center after his stellar performance last season at Jordan-Hare Stadium in the 63-21 rout by the Aggies. Manziel led an offense that piled up 621 yards of total offense, which is the highest total by an Auburn opponent. Last year's Heisman Trophy winner completed 16 of his 23 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns with 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.

    TAMU improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play after it rallied late in the fourth quarter to beat Ole Miss 41-38 in Oxford. Down 38-31 with 6:05 remaining, Manziel led the Aggies on a 75-yard drive that ended with his 6-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 38 with 3:07 remaining. TAMU's defense then held Ole Miss which set up the Aggies' final drive that saw Josh Lambo nail the game-winning 33-yard field goal as time expired.

    For the season, Manziel has completed 73.2 percent of his passes for 1,835 yards, with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. He's also rushed for 427 yards and five touchdowns.

    On defense, the Aggies allow 32 points per game and 201.2 rushing yards per contest. After gaining 511 yards on the ground against Western Carolina, Auburn now ranks No. 1 in the SEC with 287 rushing yards per game. If Marshall is healthy, the Tigers could have some success moving the ball against a defense that has struggled against the run.

    TAMU leads the all-time series 3-0 and should be able to handle the Tigers at home. While last year's contest was over at halftime, this year could be more competitive. Auburn's defense is much better and the team has plenty of fight, even when they fall behind early. Down 21-0 at halftime at LSU, the Tigers kept fighting and did some positive things in the second half. If things get ugly quick Saturday, look for Auburn to make some plays to get back into it.

    Prediction: TAMU 30-24.



    Georgia at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Georgia 27-6.



    South Carolina at Tennessee

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-20.



    Florida at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 21-17.



    Arkansas at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 41-10.



    LSU at Ole Miss

    Prediction: LSU 30-17.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Auburn plays Florida Atlantic at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT on FSN. SEC games this week include Tennessee at Alabama and South Carolina at Missouri.

    (Last week: 2-4, Overall: 57-13)

    Florida Atlantic at Auburn

    After winning a big game on the road at Texas A&M, Auburn returns home to face non-conference opponent Florida Atlantic on FSN at 6:30 p.m. CT. The Owls were off last weekend and come into Saturday's contest with a record of 2-5. The Tigers are ranked No. 11 with a record of 6-1. Auburn leads the all-time series 1-0 after beating FAU 30-14 in 2011.

    The Owls last played Oct. 12 against Marshall and lost 24-23. Head coach Carl Pelini is in his second season with an offense that averages 210.3 passing ypg, 161.6 rushing ypg, and 22.3 ppg. FAU's defense surrenders 26 ppg.

    AU pulled off a big upset at Kyle Field after being a two-touchdown underdog entering the contest against Texas A&M. The 45-41 victory over the Aggies made the Tigers bowl eligible after a disappointing 3-9 season in 2012.

    While AU's offense averages 35.9 ppg, its defense has been the difference this season, especially in the fourth quarter. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has kept his unit fresh all season by rotating players in and out throughout the game which has been huge when the Tigers need a stop late in games. Despite allowing Johnny Manziel to throw for 454 yards and four touchdowns, the defense came up big when Dee Ford sacked Manziel twice late in the fourth to secure the win.

    AU could play sluggish for awhile Saturday against FAU after its biggest win of the season. The Tigers won't slip up and let the Owls pull off the upset as they look ahead to finishing out the season with road games at Arkansas and Tennessee, then home games against Georgia and Alabama.

    Prediction: Auburn 50-17.



    Vanderbilt at Texas A&M

    Prediction: TAMU 45-20.



    Tennessee at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 41-10.



    South Carolina at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 30-17.



    Furman at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 50-6.



    Idaho at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 40-7.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Auburn travels to Arkansas to face the Razorbacks at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Other SEC games include Florida and Georgia in Jacksonville and Tennessee at Missouri.

    (Last week: 5-1, Overall: 62-14)

    Auburn at Arkansas

    After taking care of Florida Atlantic 45-10 at home, Auburn returns to SEC action Saturday when it travels to Fayetteville to face Arkansas. The Razorbacks are 3-5 overall, 0-4 in the SEC while the Tigers are ranked No. 8 with a record of 7-1 and 3-1 in conference play. The game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium can be seen on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. CT. Auburn leads the all-time series 11-10-1.

    With starting quarterback Nick Marshall leaving Saturday's contest early in the second quarter with a shoulder injury, true freshman Jeremy Johnson stepped in and completed 10-of-16 passes for 192 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Receiver Sammie Coates hauled in both touchdowns thrown by Johnson. On the day, Coates had three receptions for 113 yards. His 25.5 yards per reception leads the nation in average yards per catch.

    Overall, the Tigers average 511 yards per game and 37 points per game. Auburn averages 195.6 passing yards per game.

    Defensively, the Tigers allow 20.5 points per game and just 140 rushing yards per game. Auburn allows 265.5 yards per game through the air and 405.5 total yards per game.

    The Razorbacks last played Oct. 19 losing at Alabama 52-0. Head coach Bret Bielema is in his first-year at Arkansas after a successful stint at Wisconson from 2006-12 where he led the Badgers to a 68-24 overall record.

    On offense, Arkansas averages just 20.4 points per game, which ranks last in the SEC. Quarterback Brandon Allen has thrown for 955 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Razorbacks average 146.6 passing yards per game, with receiver Javontee Herndon leading the way with 20 catches for 330 yards and four touchdowns followed by Hunter Henry with 17 receptions for 318 yards.

    In the backfield, Arkansas is led by true freshman Alex Collins. Collins has gained 797 yards with four touchdowns and his average of 99.6 yards per game is third-best in the SEC.

    Defensively, the Razorbacks allow 30.6 points per game, which ranks 12th in the conference in scoring defense. Arkansas surrendered 52 points and 537 total yards of offense Oct. 12 to South Carolina. A week later, Alabama scored 52 and racked up 532 total yards. The Tigers could be in for a big day rushing with Tre Mason, Corey Grant, and Cameron Artis-Payne leading a unit that averages 315.4 yards per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 43-20.



    Tennessee at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 31-24.



    Mississippi St. at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-17.



    Florida at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 17-14.



    Alabama St. at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-10.



    UTEP at Texas A&M

    Prediction: TAMU 50-17.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Auburn plays at Tennessee on ESPN at 11 a.m. CT. Other conference games on the schedule include Mississippi St. at Texas A&M and LSU at Alabama.

    (Last week: 6-0, Overall: 68-14)

    Auburn at Tennessee

    Auburn hits the road for the second straight week when it travels to Knoxville to face Tennessee. The Vols are 4-5 overall and 1-4 in the SEC after losing 31-3 to Missouri on Saturday.

    The Tigers moved up to No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 after winning 35-17 on the road at Arkansas. Overall, Auburn is 8-1 and 4-1 in conference play. In the series with UT, the Tigers lead 27-23-1.

    Butch Jones is in his first season at UT after spending three seasons at Central Michigan from 2007-09, and three seasons at Cincinnati from 2010-12.

    On the road at Missouri, the Vols started true freshman Joshua Dobbs at quarterback with Justin Worley out with a thumb injury. Dobbs threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in his first career start as UT gained 334 total yards and saw its only points come on a 51-yard field goal by Matt Palardy in the second quarter.

    As a unit, the Vols average 25.1 points per game, 177.7 passing yards per game and 181.4 rushing yards per game. Senior running back Rajion Neal averages 85.7 yards per contest, which ranks sixth in the SEC.

    Defensively, UT allows 29.4 points per game and 201.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks last in the SEC.

    In the 35-17 victory over Arkansas, the Tigers gave the Razorbacks a steady diet of tailback Tre Mason. On the afternoon, Mason rushed for 168 yards on 32 carries with four touchdowns. He leads the SEC with 14 touchdowns and is tied for fourth in the nation overall. His 921 rushing yards ranks 13th in the country and third in the SEC.

    Quarterback Nick Marshall started after missing the second half against Florida Atlantic with a shoulder injury. Marshall was 7-of-8 for 118 yards and a touchdown. He also added 59 yards on the ground.

    Sammie Coates had three catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. He continues to lead the nation in yards per catch (26.58). Coates has 24 catches for 638 yards and five touchdowns.

    As a unit, Auburn's offense averages 36.8 points per game, 306.2 rushing yards per game, 188.7 passing yards per game, and 494.9 total yards per game.

    Defensively, Auburn is led by Dee Ford, who has recorded a career-high seven sacks on the season. As a unit, the Tigers allow 20.1 points per game and 398.9 total yards per game.

    Saturday against the Razorbacks, the defense stepped up at crucial times during the contest by making two red zone stops and forcing Arkansas to settle for a field goal. On the night, the unit allowed only 346 total yards, the lowest yardage total of any SEC team against Auburn this season.

    The Tigers have proven they can win on the road with victories at Texas A&M and Arkansas. Auburn should be very confident about playing on the road in front of a huge crowd this weekend at Neyland Stadium. Expect the Tigers to run early and often with Mason seeing the bulk of carries.

    Prediction: Auburn 38-13.



    Missouri at Kentucky

    Prediction: Missouri 38-14.



    Vanderbilt at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 23-17.



    Arkansas at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 21-17.



    Appalachian State at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 38-7.



    Mississippi St. at Texas A&M

    Prediction: TAMU 40-20.



    LSU at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 35-10.

    Men's Basketball Starts Season

    Entering the 2013-14 season, the Auburn mens basketball program is still trying to find its way to get over the hump. In Tony Barbees fourth year, the coach will need new players to become faces of the program if Auburn has any chance to afloat in the SEC.

    Several off-the-court situations added insult to injury after Auburn finished last in the SEC last year with a 9-23 (3-15 SEC) record. Two prized freshmen are no longer on the team after 3-point shooter Jordan Price transferred to La Salle and Shaq Johnson was dismissed from the team.

    Auburn will have only a few familiar faces back on the court when the season begins tonight against Nicholls State, most notably seniors Allen Payne and Chris Denson.

    In Auburns 109-67 exhibition win over Victory, Denson led the team with 21 points and seven rebounds. Denson also scored 25 points in the Tigers 99-64 exhibition win over Paine College.

    Excitement surrounding Virginia transfer KT Harrell has lived up to the hype thus far. In Auburns two exhibition games, Harrell has combined for 35 points, including a team-high 25 against Paine College.

    Auburn has the opportunity to have a different feel this season and not be as guard heavy as in the past.

    Along with returner Asauhn Dixon-Tatum, the Tigers have another 7-footer in freshman Ronald Delph, 6-foot-9 freshman Matthew Atewe and returning 6-foot-8 sophomore Jordan Granger.

    Looking at the schedule, Auburns first challenge will come in early December when the Tigers face Iowa State on Dec. 2 in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge and then on Dec. 8 when Auburn plays Illinois in Phillis Arena.

    Conference play starts Jan. 9 when Auburn travels to Ole Miss, and big conference games on the road include Tennessee (Jan. 15), Mississippi State (Jan. 22), Florida (Feb. 19) and Alabama (March 1).

    Auburn will play at home against Missouri (Jan. 11), Florida (Jan. 18), Alabama (Jan. 29), Georgia (Feb. 1), Kentucky (Feb. 12), Mississippi State (Feb. 15), Vanderbilt (Feb. 22), South Carolina (Feb. 26) and Tennessee (March 5).

    Despite having seniors such as Frankie Sullivan and Rob Chubb graduating last season, Auburn still has potential to have a better season than the previous three under Barbee. While itd be a push to say Auburn has a chance to make the NCAA Tournament, the Tigers may not be the bottom-dweller of the conference anymore.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    This week, Auburn plays Georgia at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Other SEC games include Alabama at Mississippi State and Florida at South Carolina.

    (Last week: 6-1, Overall: 74-15)

    Georgia at Auburn

    The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is set for Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS as Auburn welcomes Georgia to Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers are 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the SEC after taking care of Tennessee 55-23 in Knoxville last Saturday. The Bulldogs are 6-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The series is tied 54-54-8 with Georgia winning six of the last seven. In the last two contest, the Bulldogs have outscored Auburn 83-7.

    Both teams are in the hunt for SEC division titles with Georgia needing help from Ole Miss and Texas A&M while Auburn can make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game by taking care of the Bulldogs this weekend and Alabama Nov. 30.

    After leading Appalachian St. by just 14-6 at the half, Georgia outscored the Mountaineers 31-0 in the second half to cruise to a 45-6 victory. Aaron Murray threw two touchdown passes which set the SEC career touchdown passes record. On the afternoon, Murray completed 19-of-26 passes for 281 yards and one interception. Tailback Todd Gurley had 13 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown.

    The Bulldogs average 35.6 points per game, 297.7 passing yards per game and 180.9 rushing yards per game. On the season, Murray has 2,477 yards through the air and 20 touchdowns while Gurley leads the team with 625 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

    Defensively, Georgia surrenders 28.8 points per game and ranks fourth in the SEC in rushing defense at 126 yards per game. While Auburn has thrown only 15 passes in the last two games, the Bulldogs may commit to stopping the run which may force the Tigers to open up the passing game. Quarterback Nick Marshall should be up to the task since it looks like he has fully recovered from a shoulder injury.

    Auburn also started slow Saturday and fell behind Tennessee 13-6 early in the second quarter. After Tre Mason scored to tie the contest 13-13, Chris Davis provided a spark and put Auburn ahead for good with his 85-yard punt return for a touchdown. Speedster Corey Grant returned the second-half kickoff 90 yards to give the Tigers a 41-20 lead. It was the first time in school history that Auburn returned both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game.

    The Tigers had a huge day running the ball with 444 rushing yards with Marshall rushing for 214 on just 14 carries. Marshall completed just three passes including a 25-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Uzomah in the first quarter.

    As a unit, Auburn's offense averages 38.6 points per game, 173.3 passing yards per game and 320 rushing yards per game, which ranks third in the nation. Marshall has thrown for 1,301 yards with eight touchdowns with Mason being the workhorse at tailback with 1,038 yards and 16 touchdowns.

    Defensively, Auburn allows 20.4 points per game, 155.6 rushing yards per game and 238.8 yards per game through the air. Robenson Therezie has four interceptions and Dee Ford has seven sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss.

    A few weeks ago the contest Saturday would have favored Auburn with all of the injuries that Georgia suffered earlier in the season. It seems the Bulldogs are finally getting healthy down the stretch and could pull off the upset. Plus, the road team in this series usually leaves town with a victory. Stopping Murray and Gurley will be key if the Tigers want to continue their magical season.

    Prediction: Auburn 40-28.



    Alabama at Mississippi St.

    Prediction: Alabama 45-10.



    Florida at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 30-13.



    Troy at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 28-17.



    Kentucky at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 35-14.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Auburn is off this weekend before hosting Alabama Nov. 30. The key matchup this week in SEC play has Texas A&M playing LSU in Baton Rouge.

    (Last week: 5-0, Overall: 79-15)

    Mississippi St. at Arkansas

    Prediction: MSU 30-10.



    Coastal Carolina at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 45-6.



    Chattanooga at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 50-0.



    Georgia Southern at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 17-13.



    Texas A&M at LSU

    Prediction: Texas A&M 28-20.



    Kentucky at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 38-13.



    Vanderbilt at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 30-17.



    Missouri at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Missouri 21-13.

    Week 14 SEC Predictions

    This week, Auburn hosts arch-rival Alabama at 2:30 pm CT on CBS. Other games include Arkansas at LSU on Friday, Georgia at Georgia Tech, Florida St. at Florida and Clemson plays at South Carolina.

    (Last week: 5-3, Overall: 84-18)

    Alabama at Auburn

    The 78th edition of the Iron Bowl will be nationally televised by CBS starting at 2:30 pm CT. Alabama holds a 42-34-1 lead in the series and has won four of the last five. Auburn holds a 7-4 edge in Iron Bowls played at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Nick Saban is 6-5 all-time against Auburn, 4-2 while at Alabama and 2-3 as head coach at LSU.

    Auburn enters the contest 10-1 after having last weekend off while Alabama is 11-0 after beating Chattanooga 49-0 Saturday. The winner of Saturday's Iron Bowl heads to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game Dec. 7.

    Auburn's offense averages 39 points per game while Alabama's defense allows 9.3 points per game. Tre Mason ranks 3rd in the SEC in rushing yards per game at 104.8 and the Tigers average 320.3 yards per game on the ground. In 2013, Mason has 1,153 rushing yards on 208 carries and 17 touchdowns. Opponents average only 91.3 yards per game on the ground against Alabama's stingy defense.

    Quarterback Nick Marshall leads a unit that averages 179.6 yards per game through the air while Alabama's defensive backs give up 172.6 yards per game. Marshall has 1,530 passing yards and nine touchdowns.

    As a unit, Auburn's defense allows 22.0 points per game with Alabama racking up 39.7 points per game. On the ground, the Tigers give up 152.1 rushing yards per game and 254.8 passing yards per game. Led by tailback T.J. Yeldon, Alabama gains 211.5 yards per game on the ground. On the season, Yeldon has rushed for 1,022 yards on 164 carries with 12 touchdowns. Quarterback AJ McCarron has thrown for 2,399 yards and 23 touchdowns with five interceptions. Alabama averages 233.3 passing yards per game.

    This year's Iron Bowl promises to be more competitive after the last two resulted in lopsided victories for the team from Tuscaloosa, 42-14 in 2011 and 49-0 last year. The Tigers are on a roll after losing on the road at LSU on Sept. 21. Gus Malzahn's first year as head coach on the Plains has been a huge surprise. Many predicted Auburn would probably win seven games, but at 10-1 and a chance to play for the SEC Championship, college football fans are buzzing. With the player's confidence sky high after the remarkable catch against Georgia, it seems the Tigers refuse to lose. Will Auburn find a way to beat Alabama this weekend?

    Prediction: Alabama 35-31.



    Ole Miss at Mississippi St.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-17.



    Arkansas at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 30-10.



    Florida St. at Florida

    Prediction: FSU 45-7.



    Wake Forest at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 28-17.



    Georgia Tech at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 35-24.



    Clemson at South Carolina

    Prediction: Clemson 24-20.



    Texas A&M at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 34-26.

    SEC Championship Game Prediction

    With a victory over Alabama, Auburn clinched the SEC Western division and will now face Missouri in Atlanta for the SEC title. The contest will air nationally on CBS starting at 3 p.m. CT.

    Auburn vs. Missouri

    After winning a combined two SEC games last year, Auburn and Missouri are set to meet in Atlanta for the SEC title. Missouri went 2-6 in conference play in 2012 while Auburn was 0-8. Now, both teams are 11-1 overall and 7-1 in the conference and ranked in the BCS top 5.

    Auburn has reeled off eight straight victories, including an epic 34-28 win over arch-rival Alabama. Missouri secured the SEC East title after beating Texas A&M 28-21. Auburn's only loss was at LSU Sept. 21 while Missouri lost at home in overtime to South Carolina.

    Gary Pinkel's offense is led by quarterback James Franklin. Franklin completed 18-of-28 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Aggies. On the season, Franklin has thrown for 1,952 yards and 16 touchdowns.

    Missouri's leading receiver is Dorial Green-Beckham, with 49 receptions for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns. L'Damian Washington has 44 catches for 824 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2013. On the ground, Henry Josey has 951 yards on 153 carries and 13 touchdowns.

    As a unit, Missouri's offense averages 252.6 passing yards per game, 236.9 rushing yards per game, and 38.8 points per game. Auburn's defense allows 256.7 yards per game through the air, 157.6 yards per game on the ground and 22.5 points per game.

    Gus Malzahn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense is led by junior quarterback Nick Marshall. After a slow start in the first few games of the season, Marshall has improved each week and is a big reason why Auburn is 11-1. Marshall has thrown for 1,627 yards, with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. On the ground, Marshall has gained 922 yards on 140 carries with 10 touchdowns.

    Auburn's offense averages 172.8 passing yards per game and 318.2 rushing yards per game. Junior tailback Tre Mason has rushed for 1,317 yards on 237 carries and 18 touchdowns. Sammie Coates is the leader of the receiving corps with 32 catches for 747 yards and six touchdowns.

    Pinkel's defense hasn't allowed an opponent to score 30 points this season and allows just 19.4 points per game. Auburn's offense averages 38.6 points per game.

    Auburn and Missouri have met just once, back in the 1973 Sun Bowl when Missouri won 34-17.

    Since the SEC Championship Game started in 1992, Auburn has appeared four times, winning in 2004 and 2010 while losing in 1997 and 2000. Missouri joined the SEC last year and before that, played in the Big 12 Championship Game in 2007 and 2008 losing both times to Oklahoma.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-28.

    Postseason Awards

    When a team wins the Southeastern Conference championship, its no secret postseason awards are bound to come sooner than later. A few days after Auburn defeated Missouri in the SEC Championship game, the All-SEC teams, which included several Tigers, were released.

    Running back Tre Mason shined brightest for Auburn upon the release -- similarly to how he has on the field the second half of the season -- being voted the SEC offensive player of the year. Mason has rushed for 1,621 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. Along with being a Heisman Trophy finalist, Mason was also named to USA Todays All-America second team.

    Head coach Gus Malzahn was also awarded highly, being named the coach of the year, also being named the Associated Press coach of the year, as well.

    Malzahn was well deserving of the honor after he led Auburn in his first year as coach from the outhouse to the penthouse, as the team says. The Tigers finished 0-8 in the SEC last year and went 7-1 this fall, winning the conference with last Saturdays 59-42 win over Missouri.

    Mason wasnt the only Auburn player to receive recognition. Center Reese Dismukes and defensive end Dee Ford both made the coaches All-SEC first team and defensive back Chris Davis was named to the second team. Alex Kozan made the freshman All-SEC team.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2013

    '13 was lucky for most of the Auburn community and most of the news was good for our top stories in Auburn this year.

    Top Ten Stories for 2013
      1. Team of Destiny
      2. Vanishing Auburn
      3. Read Our Lips!
      4. Police Squad
      5. Corner Bare
      6. Evans Battles
      7. Dufnering
      8. No.1 with a Bullet
      9. AHS, Baby!
    10. Cam Back Again

    1. When 80,000 showed up for the Auburn Football Spring game after a 3-9 2012 campaign, it was a hint what was to come. Through the rains of Baton Rouge to The Miracle at Jordan-Hare and Kick Six, the unlikely path of the Auburn Tigers to the top of college football is Access Auburn's top story for 2013.

    2. Now you see it, now you don't. Entire blocks of houses and established small businesses in the downtown area gave way to new construction. Auburn landmark motel the Heart of Auburn fell to make way for a drugstore, as well as blocks of South Gay, North Gay, Ross and East Glenn.

    3. When the city council asked the voters to approve a plan for a new high school linked to an increase in property taxes, the measure was soundly defeated.

    4. The Auburn Public Safety Division had to cope with allegations of ticket and arrest quotas on the heels of the loss of police chief Tommy Dawson to illness-forced retirement.

    5. The dead oak trees at Toomer's Corner fell to the chain saw as a result of the poisoning by a malicious self-professed Alabama fan, but not before tens of thousands paid their respects with one last roll of the venerable trees.

    6. Auburn Golf Coach Kim Evans' public battle with ovarian cancer provided inspiration and hope to the Auburn family.

    7. Auburn celebrated with hometown favorite Jason Dufner who won the 2013 Professional Golf Association Championship.

    8. With recognition for being being among the top cites for families and businesses, Auburn continued area improvements including increasing downtown parking by 17% and the opening of the impressive Auburn University Wellness Center on the AU campus.

    9. The Auburn High School Football Tigers made history in 2013 by advancing to the Alabama High School Championship game for the first time in school history.

    10. When Spring Semester started at Auburn University in 2013 the Twittersphere lit up because of Cam Newton sightings all over campus. The part-time student, part-time NFL quarterback attended classes at Auburn last Spring and is expecting to graduate this Spring. Those plans may be on hold as Newton has guided his Carolina Panthers to the NFC South title and a berth in the NFL Playoffs.

    BCS National Title Prediction

    The BCS title game features 12-1 Auburn against 13-0 Florida State Monday, January 6 on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. CT.

    The BCS National Championship Game is finally here as No. 2 Auburn is set to battle No. 1 Florida State in Pasadena. Auburn leads the all-time series 13-4-1 with the last meeting in Auburn Oct. 20, 1990 with the Tigers winning 20-17.

    Last season, Auburn experienced its worst season in 60 years with a 3-9 mark and 0-8 record in conference play. After a coaching change that saw Gus Malzahn hired as head coach, many fans and experts expected Auburn to win seven games in 2013. But after losing to LSU in September, Malzahn's team didn't lose again and pulled off a few miracles to finish 12-1 and now will play for the BCS title. If the Tigers were to upset FSU, it would be the biggest turnaround in college football history.

    Auburn's success in 2013 has revolved around its strong running game thanks to one of the nations best offensive lines. The Tigers lead the nation in rushing, averaging 335.7 yards per game. They rushed for an SEC-championship-game-record 545 yards against Missouri on Dec. 7. The line has allowed just 16 sacks after allowing a league-high 37 a year ago.

    FSU's defense allows 116.5 yards per game on the ground and has allowed just five rushing touchdowns in 13 games this season.

    Auburn's rushing attack, which is led by junior Tre Mason, will give FSU's defense its biggest challenge of the season. In 2013, Mason racked up 1,621 yards, the second-highest total in school history, and 22 touchdowns and dual-threat quarterback Nick Marshall added 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns.

    While Marshall did most of his damage on the ground, he proved to be a reliable option throwing the ball when needed. The junior completed 128-of-212 attempts for 1,759 yards with 12 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

    FSUs pass defense ranks first in the nation, allowing just 152 yards per game, and its secondary leads the nation with 16 interceptions.

    Telvin Smith has 75 tackles and is the leader of the Seminoles' top-ranked scoring defense that allows just 10.7 points per game. FSUs defense has forced 34 turnovers this season.

    FSU's offense is led by Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. Winston threw for 3,820 yards with 38 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. As a unit, the Seminoles average 53 points per game and 322 passing yards per game.

    Auburn's defense allows 24 points per game and 260.2 yards per game through the air. Chris Davis leads the team with 69 tackles while Robenson Therezie has a team-best four interceptions. Dee Ford leads Auburn with 12.5 tackles for a loss, including 8.5 sacks.

    FSU averages 207.4 yards per game on the ground with Devonta Freeman leading the way with 943 yards on 162 carries and 13 touchdowns. The Tigers allow 163.2 yards per game on the ground and 423.5 total yards per game.

    Prediction: FSU 38-24.

    Mason, Robinson Declare for NFL Draft

    Several days after Auburn fell in the 2014 BCS National Championship, the Tigers lost two of its best players on offense with tailback Tre Mason and left tackle Greg Robinson declaring for the NFL Draft.

    Auburn fans were just as thankful for what the junior Mason and redshirt sophomore Robinson had done for Auburn as much as the players were happy for what the coaching staff had done for them.

    Mason finished his junior year with 1,816 rushing yards, which was 40 more yards than Bo Jackson rushed for in his 1985 Heisman Trophy campaign. The total put Mason atop the single-season rushing yard total at Running Back U.

    That total included rushing for 195 yards against Florida State in the BCS National Championship Game and several other single-season recording, including most points scored (150), touchdowns (25) and rushing touchdowns (23).

    Mason finished his career with 2,979 rushing yards, which marks as the most yards of any Auburn player through his junior year, and ranks sixth on Auburns career rushing yardage chart.

    Theres no denying that a big part of Masons success came through the offensive line, which paved the way for Auburns FBS-leading 328.3 rushing yards per game.

    Robinson anchored the line and was named a third-team All-American this season. ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has Robinson as the No. 9 overall draft pick in the draft. CBS has Mason listed as the No. 2 running back and No. 49 overall prospect in the draft.

    2nd Annual Polar Plunge

    This event is being hosted in order to raise money for the Lee County Special Olympics.

    Participants will find gracious people willing to act as sponsors who will donate a minimum of $20 to LCSO in support of the person taking the plunge. There will be prizes for plungers that raise the most money.

    All participants will do at least one lap in the frigid waters of the Samford Pool, testing their mental and physical strength.

    When: Saturday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m.

    Where: Samford Pool, behind Auburn Junior High

    25th Annual Love Your Heart Run

    Join the Exceptional Outreach Organization and Auburn Parks and Recreation on Saturday, Feb. 22 for the 25th Annual Love Your Heart Run benefiting individuals with special needs and supporting our Annual Therapeutic Summer Camp, Special Olympics of Lee County, Best Buddies of Auburn University and other therapeutic programs.

    Participants may choose to run or walk either a one-mile course or the Love Your Heart 10K (6.2 mile) course.

    And back for the seventh year is the Crank Your Heart Ride, which will consist of a 3.5, 11 and 22 mile bike ride. All routes begin and end at Chewacla State Park.

    Individuals wishing to participate can register online by visiting Active.com or LoveYourHeartRun.com. Applications can also be picked up at area gyms or the Harris Center in Auburn. The early bird registration deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 12 to guarantee a t-shirt. For more information about the Run or Ride, please visit the websites mentioned, or contact Alison Hall at (334) 501-2930.

    Jeff Foxworthy and Rascal Flatts at Auburn Arena

    The Hudson Family Foundation Benefit Weekend is right around the corner and will take place Jan. 23 and 24 at Auburn Arena. A group of stars will be in attendance and performing during the bash.

    Former Auburn and current San Francisco pitcher Tim Hudson and his wife, Kim, recently announced that on Jan. 23, comedian Jeff Foxworthy will be performing and the following night country band Rascal Flatts will take the stage. Thomas Rhett and National Guard capt. Jody Fuller will also be at the event.

    Foxworthy, who is the host of Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader?, has two triple- platinum albums, authored 26 books and was the creator of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour.

    Rascal Flatts has seven double-platinum albums or higher, 20 Top 20 hits and 14 No. 1 singles.

    Tickets can be purchased through several options.

    Team of Friends, which costs $10,000, comes with eight invitations and VIP tickets. The tickets come with eight lanyards, two VIP parking passes, a commemorative guitar signed by Rascal Flatts, the option of buying more VIP tickets for both shows, eight tickets to Rascal Flatts after party and more.

    The No Hitter option, which costs $5,000, features the same amenities as Team of Friends, other than the signed guitar, except rather than eight tickets, its only four tickets.

    The Complete Game option costs $2,500 and comes with two tickets to everything No Hitter offers except more VIP tickets cannot be purchased.

    The Hudson Family Foundation was founded in 2009 and has raised more than $975,000 for children and families. It has contributed more than $200,000 in individual family grants, $142,000 in scholarships, more than $150,000 in non-profit grants and donations and much more.

    For ticket information, contact Jenny Hall at (334) 707-9007 or go to Ticketmaster.com and search Auburn Arena. For more information on the event, visit www.hudsonfamilyfoundation.org.

    2014 Auburn Football Recruiting Geography

    Auburn football signees in 2014 by home town.

    The $30 No-Brainer

    If you have a mind to...

    Test. Google Chromecast

    Golloway Era Starts Slowly

    New Auburn head baseball coach Sunny Golloway started talking about the Tigers traveling to the College World Series immediately after getting hired, but the Golloway Era hasnt started as bright as the coachs first name.

    Auburn opened the season with a strong performance at the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, winning two of three games, before things sank quickly against Alabama State the following Tuesday.

    The Tigers sit at 4-4 entering this weekends series against Presbyterian and are still trying to get things straight after finishing third in the Tiger Classic in the second weekend series.

    Following the 5-0 loss to California is Game 2 of the tournament, Golloway said there would be major changes to the lineup. Following an extra-inning loss the next day, the coach dismissed seniors outfielder Hunter Kelley and first baseman Patrick Savage and junior pitcher Chase Williamson.

    This has not been smooth, Golloway told AuburnTigers.com. Its been very, very bumpy. Its been bumpy because of the demands put on the program by me. Ill take full responsibility. Thats why weve minimized our roster and why we will continue to minimize our roster until our attitude and effort are there. If the attitude and effort arent there, you arent going to be here.

    One of the lone bright spots for Auburn this year has come from strong pitching by freshman Keegan Thompson.

    Thompson leads the team with a 0.64 ERA after two starts. Hes thrown 14 innings, allowing six hits, three runs (one earned) and struck out 14. Hes 1-0 on the year.

    Thompson has also been playing first base to keep his bat in the order, but the freshman like most of the Tigers has struggled at the plate. Thompson is hitting .148 while J.J. Shaffer and Daniel Robert are also hitting less than .200.

    Outfielders Anfernee Grier and Ryan Tella lead the team, each holding a .300 batting average. Damon Haecker and Dan Glevenyak are both hitting .269.

    It hasnt been hits that Auburn has struggled with, though, its been runs. In their four losses, the Tigers have scored three or less runs, including being shut out twice.

    Theres still plenty of time for Auburn to correct its wrong, with Southeastern Conference play not starting until Texas A&M comes to Plainsman Park on March 14. And yet, Golloway is still focused on the Tigers getting to Omaha for the College World Series.

    We are going to Omaha this year, Golloway said. There is no doubt in my mind. Its amazing how things are happening that need to happen. These things need to happen right now.

    March is National Nutrition Month

    Every year since 1980, March is known as National Nutrition Month. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

    National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) to promote nutrition awareness and education. It originated in 1973 as "National Nutrition Week" and expanded to the month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition.

    This year's theme, "Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right," reminds us that we all have different food preferences. The challenge lies in making the foods we like nutritious so that we do not think that we are depriving ourselves.

    Here are a few tips on how to eat right and enjoy it:

    Love sandwiches? Swap out white bread for whole grain to up your fiber intake. Instead of mayo, use avocado as a rich addition to your sandwich. Its more flavorful, and its also full of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, as well as other nutrients. To stay fuller longer, include fiber-rich veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers.

    Balance. While theres always room to indulge, be sure that the majority of your calories are sourced from vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, fat-free or low-fat dairy, beans, nuts and seeds. Youll be filling up on all the nutrients your body needs without all the extra calories. And dont forget to limit added sugars, salt and saturated fats.

    Dont skip dessert. Many diet fads will encourage you to skip dessert, but doing so can seem like a sacrifice, which wont make for a sustainable change. Instead, seek out treats that provide nutritional benefits. For example, mango blended with low-fat milk and a splash of pineapple juice will satisfy your sweet tooth, while giving you a dose of calcium and vitamin C.

    Spice it up. A great, low-calorie way to add flavor and nutrition to meals without the fat, sugar or salt, is by incorporating beneficial herbs and spices, such as cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon cumin, thyme, basil and oregano. Citrus juices are another great addition to recipes.

    Ask for advice Whether you need to lose weight, want to reduce your risk for disease or just want to improve your familys overall health, consider consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. Your RDN can help you plan healthy, delicious meals.

    33rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt

    Celebrate Spring at the 33rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. sponsored by Wells Fargo and Auburn Parks and Recreation, at beautiful Kiesel Park.

    This Hunt is one of the largest in Lee County, with more than 30,000 eggs hidden over a four-acre area. Four hunting grounds are available for the following age groups: 3 & under, 4-6, 7-9 & 10-12 years of age. The Easter Bunny will be available for photos after the Egg Hunt.

    Auburn Baseball Back on Track

    Auburn baseball coach Sunny Golloway hasnt mentioned the Tigers going to Omaha in a while, but maybe the coach should start bringing it up again. After Auburn got off to a rough start to the season, the Gollo-Way is looking stronger by the week.

    The Tigers enter their series with Missouri this weekend having won 12 of its last 14 games. Those two loses came on Sunday in Auburns last two Southeastern Conferences series, the Tigers having already won the series.

    Auburn has recently gotten national attention, sitting at No. 21 in the country, and why not?

    Auburn has outstanding pitching from starters senior Dillon Ortman and freshman Keegan Thompson. Ortman holds a 5-1 record and 1.96 ERA on the season, and Thompson is 5-0 with a 0.78 ERA.

    Golloway showed confidence earlier in the week that Sunday starter Michael ONeil could also start running with the big dogs soon, which would be a big boast. In the past several years, it seems like lacking a strong, consistent Sunday starter has become a club tradition.

    At the plate, Damek Tomscha is leading the way to try to get Auburn into postseason play for the first time since the Tigers hosted a regional in 2010. Tomscha has team- highs with a .378 batting average, five home runs and 19 RBIs.

    Jordan Ebert and Ryan Tella are both batting .365 and Sam Gillikin is quickly coming on the scene off an injury, hitting .429 in six games.

    Entering the Missouri series, the Tigers have won five consecutive conference series dating back to last season. Auburn sits tied for first in the SEC with a 4-2 record, joined by Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

    Flag Football Iron Bowl

    Lee County Special Olympics will host the inaugural Flag Football Iron Bowl between the Lee County Tigers and the Tuscaloosa Tide on Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m. at the Shug Jordan Fields off Shug Jordan Parkway. Admission is $5 and children 5 and under are FREE.

    All proceeds from the event support the Special Olympics athletes of Lee and Tuscaloosa counties. Tickets will be available in advance at the Harris Center, 425 Perry Street, and the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 East Glenn Avenue, and may be purchased weekdays from 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Game day ticket sales begin at 9 a.m.

    The first 100 fans through the gates Saturday morning will receive a FREE tiger tail, courtesy of the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau. Meet with the Auburn University cheerleaders before kick-off and enjoy a special visit with Aubie! Fans will also have a chance to meet Special Olympics athletes representing Lee County at the National Special Olympics Games being held in June. This summer, 20 Lee County Special Olympics (LCSO) athletes and coaches will travel to Princeton, NJ to represent the State of Alabama at the National Games. Lee Countys gold medal basketball team will compete against teams from across the US for the title. Funds raised from the inaugural Special Olympics Flag Football Iron Bowl will support athletes in their quest for the gold at National Games.

    Special Olympics flag football is a non-contact sport featuring athletes competing with unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities) on a 60-yard playing field. As in tackle football, a touchdown is worth six points and a safety is worth two points. An extra point attempt from the 5-yard line is worth one point while attempts from the 10-yard line are worth two points. The winner of this years inaugural game will receive a traveling trophy and retain bragging rights for the next year.

    For more information, visit www.auburnalabama.org/parks or follow Lee County Special Olympics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/specialolympicsalleeco.

    Bo Bikes Bama

    Its that time of the year again and Auburn great Bo Jackson is back on his bike and ready to tour Alabama. The third annual Bo Bikes Bama is fast approaching and set to begin April 19.

    Registration is available on bobikesbama.com, and participants can ride either 22 or 62 miles. The 22-mile ride is $40 for online registration and $60 on the day of the ride. The 62-mile trip is $60 online and $100 to register on the day of the event.

    You could say that Im officially in training mode Jackson said in a press release. Im eager to get on my bike in Auburn and excited to make some new friends on April 19 to raise money for a good cause.

    April 19 also marks the date for Auburns annual spring A-Day game, and Bo Bikes Bama will start on the Auburn University campus.

    For those that register, riders and supporters can also create personal teams and team fundraiser pages to college donations for the event. Some of the incentives include a meet and greet with Jackson, where participants will be able to get autographs.

    The five-day event was started on the first anniversary of the deadly storms that swept across the state April 27, 2011. All money has been raised through the Governors Emergency Relief Fund and theres been more than $700,000 raised the last two years. The money has been used to rebuilds hundreds of homes and provide community shelters in Alabama.

    The support from riders and fans has been tremendous over the past two years, Jackson said. This new fundraising tool will enable all supporters to participate in Bo Bikes Bama, whether its from the seat of their bike or their living room.

    Auburn CityFest 2014

    Auburns largest outdoor event is fast approaching. Auburn Cityfest 2014 will take place April 26 at Kiesel Park rain or shine. Things will get started at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.

    Cityfest offers food, arts and crafts and free to all, dogs included. Attendees are encouraged to brings chairs and blankets to make a pinic area on the lawn in front of the entertainment pavilion, where there will be live music.

    The music lineup this year features Dave Potts, Jive Mother Mary and The Springs.

    For the kids, there will be a Childrens Imagination Station that includes face painting, games and a clown.

    There will also be a Juried Art Show and Preview Reception that takes place on April 24. The reception is at the Nunn-Winston House on the grounds of Kiesel Park and free to the public. All of the entered art will be on display, as well as at Cityfest.

    All works will be for sale at Cityfest and up to $1,200 in awards will be given out, including two $250 special awards from the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau. All winners will be announced at the reception.

    4-Team Playoff for SEC Football?

    A while back, a Tigerland reader wrote, after the SEC had added Texas A&M but before Missouri joined the pack, how would a 13-team league schedule work?

    After some pondering and we were about to respond that we were stumped when the SEC added a 14th plate for dinner and rendered the previous question moot.

    But a 14-team league still offers numerous challenges for creating a schedule that respects SEC tradtitions, maintains four conference home games for financial stability, promotes competion and fairness, and frankly, adds to the bottom line--a necessity in today's arms race.

    The SEC needs to create a new concept in scheduling like they did with the championship game. With 14 teams it is time for a four-team championship tournament. It is easier than you think and would be a marketing bonanza for the cash-hungry conference.

    The scheduling is fairly simple and would require minimal disruptions to current practices.

    The three-week long SEC football grand finale could begin with the most exciting regular season finish in history with seven season-ending match-ups (Auburn-Alabama, Mississippi State-Ole Miss, Arkansas-LSU, Georgia-South Carolina, Florida-Tennessee, Kentucky-Vandy, and Missouri-Texas A&M) all the same day, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, add two first ever semi-final games, and end with the SEC Football Championship Finals.

    The schedule would showcase the six designated inter-divisional SEC Tradition games on different Saturdays: Alabama-Tennessee, Auburn-Georgia, LSU-Florida, Arkansas-South Carolina, Ole Miss-Vandy, Mississippi State-Kentucky, and the new SEC tradition Missouri-Texas A&M. Each team would play the remaining divisional opponents as scheduled, dropping only the rotating divisional opponent.

    The new format would begin Thanksgiving weekend with Turkey Day matchups of the number five and six finishers in the East against their respective counterparts in the West. Friday would pit three versus three and four versus four. Saturday would dawn with the ignominious 7 vs. 7 contest before the main event in the afternoon and prime-time, the first round tournament games of number one in the East versus number two in the West and vice versa. The winners of these two games would meet in the SEC Championship.

    These changes would create an exciting three-week surge of SEC interest, promote tradition, create new marketing opportunities and make the best conference stronger moving forward. What do you think?

    Editors note: This was original published May 26, 2012 but with the renewed discussion of SEC schedules it seemed appropriate.

    Radio Eclectic Esoterica

    Since 1999 Radio Eclectic Esoterica has had a loyal following of music lovers whose taste did not fit into a format box. With its bluesy- rockin'- mellow- feel-good- kick-ass- laid-back- southern- americana -alt-country format, it's not for everyone.

    But some of our friends told us there was too much this or not enough of that. We have responded with what we think you must agree is the most exciting development in our decade of internet broadcasting.

    Instead of one station, we now have a full dozen stations to suit your taste and mood. Each one has a distinct flavor personality that defies labels and cross lines at every opportunity true to the Eclectic Esoterica tradition.

    Radio Eclectic Esoterica

    Eclectic Esoterica - The original. From 1999-2016 the mix was original and authentic.

    LiveOne Stations:

    Eclectic One - An extremely eclectic mix of rock, Southern rock, alternative country, blues and funk.

    Beachin' One - Havin' a Beachin' time hangin' out and catchin' these summer fun faves. Wish you were here!

    Blues One - Blues and Blues-influenced artists make up the play list of this funky little station.

    Country One - Bluegrass, Newgrass, good grass, Alternative-Country, Country-influenced rockers, and outright Country highlight this Americana mix.

    Hardcore Country One - If this ain't country enough for you, you can kiss my a**!.

    Jammin' One - When you need a miracle and there is nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile, this eclectic collection of jammin' rockers is for you.

    Jazz Fest One - New Orleans music rocks! New Orleans rocks! A fusion of blues, jazz, dixieland, zydeco, rock-a-billy, and funk, Jazz Fest One creates a gumbo that's sure to delight. Laissez les bon temps roulez!

    One Hit Wonder One - This fun station features music from artists who caught lighting in a bottle once. Do you remember these one-hit wonders?

    Mellow One - An eclectic mix of music from laid-back artists for your mellow mood.

    Party One - Party-hardy mix with classic rock, oldies, 80's & 90's

    Rockin' One - Rock-n-Roll will never die. Fifty years of the hottest rockers highlight this kick-ass mix.

    Swingin' One - Tap your toes to the sweet swingin' sounds of the masters.

    22nd Annual Fishing Rodeo

    Cast into summer with the 22nd Annual Fishing Rodeo, sponsored by Auburn Parks and Recreation and Evans Realty! Join us at the best fishing spot in Auburn! Bring your lucky fishing pole and we will supply the bait.

    The fishing rodeo is for ages 12 and younger on May 17 from 8-11 a.m. at AU Tech Park-South Lake.

    Over $300 worth of door prizes will be given out to lucky participants and prizes will be awarded to the Biggest Fish and Smallest Fish caught! This event is a great chance to bring kids and their parents together with America's favorite pastime...FISHING! So don't miss out on your chance to reel in the biggest catfish of the year!! $5 per child Payable to COA.

    **Please note: there is a limit of five fish per child. (Parents must stay with child)

    Free Movies All Summer

    Want to enjoy a FREE movie along with your closest family and friends during a warm summer night? Then join us for FREE movies that will make you laugh, make you cry and are fun for the whole family! We will offer a wide assortment to cater to a variety of audiences from children to adults! Moviegoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic (no alcohol or glass containers) and relax with the whole family.

    The movies will begin 15 minutes after sunset or approximately 8:30 p.m. Movie titles are subject to change. The rain location for all movies will be the Dean Road Recreation Center. Please Like the City of Auburn on Facebook to stay up-to-date on weather updates and venue changes. So grab a lawn chair, pack a picnic basket, sit back and enjoy the show.

    Friday, June 6: The Goonies

    Friday, June 20: Dolphin Tale *Float-N-Movie

    Friday, July 11: Frozen Sing Along

    Friday, July 18: Happy Feet *Float-N-Movie

    Friday, August 1: The Blind Side^

    Friday, August 8: Rudy

    Friday, August 15: Surfs UP *Float-N-Movie

    ^To be held in conjunction with the Farewell Summer Block Party at Town Creek Park.

    All movies will be shown at Duck Samford Park, Field 1 unless otherwise noted. All Float-N-Movies will be shown at Samford Pool. Please note: space is limited at Samford Pool. Attendees will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis until we reach capacity. Admission to the Float-N-Movies is FREE with a 2014 Splash Pass or $2/per person.

    Newcomers Expected To Make An Impact This Fall

    The Auburn Tigers' 2014 signing class came with its own excitement, but Dhaquille Williams performance in the teams A-Day game may have taken excitement to the next level.

    Williams, a five-star JUCO transfer, caught five passes for 88 yards and a touchdown in the Blues 58-3 win over the White. The teams were broken down by first team and second.

    Offensively, Williams is a threat that quarterback Nick Marshall can only use as a gain, with the Tigers already returning receivers Sammie Coates and Quan Bray.

    Williams isnt the only signee that may make an impact in the fall, though.

    With the departure of Heisman finalist Tre Mason in the backfield, Auburns battle for running back is wide open. While a lot of fans are looking for Corey Grant and Cameron Artis-Payne to fill the roll, five-star tailback Roc Thomas may have some thinking twice.

    Thomas will come into fall camp after playing on a level of his own at Oxford High and winning Mr. Football in January. Auburn also signed three-star Kamryn Pettway from Prattville.

    At receiver, Williams appears to be a star just waiting for Auburns season opener against Arkansas on Aug. 30, but four-star Stephen Truitt and three-star Myron Burton Jr. may also see the field this fall, more than likely on special teams.

    Defensively, all eyes are on five-star linebacker Tre Williams. The Class 5A lineman of the year looks to be a player that can come in and immediately make an impact for the Tigers, which were hurting at the position last year.

    One of Auburns biggest faults last season came in the secondary, and the Tigers signed several four-star recruits to try to fix the problems.

    JUCO transfer Derrick Moncrief, Opelika star Stephen Roberts and signees from Georgia Nick Ruffin and Kalvarez Bessent will enter fall practice trying to make a push at playing time.

    Although the defensive line returns stacked, minus first-round draft pick Dee Ford, Auburn signed five four-star linemen in Feburary.

    JUCO singees DeVonte Lambert, Devaroe Lawrence and Andrew Williams join Vigors Justin Thornton and Carolltons Dontavius Russell to create quite a competition for playing time.

    One of Auburns biggest recruiting tactics has been the promise of players getting on the field in their first or second years. With another Top 10 signing class in the bag and Auburn looking to make another run at a national championship, itll be interesting to see how many newcomers play big roles this fall.

    Brandon Miller

    Coming up June 9: Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Receivers

    When Gus Malzahn was named Auburn's new head coach back in December 2012, Tiger fans were excited about the hire and knew that Malzahn could turn things around for a team that went just 3-9 earlier that season. Little did they know the exciting ride the offensive guru and the 2013 team were about to take them on that saw the Tigers come within 13 seconds of winning the national championship.

    After spring practice ended a year ago, Malzahn and his staff were pretty upbeat about the talent that they inherited from the previous staff. But with a complicated hurry-up offense, the quarterback position unsettled, and a defensive coordinator bringing in his 4-2-5 system, the coaches knew the few short weeks in fall camp still may not give them enough time to fully implement their system.

    Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee finally named a starting quarterback with just two weeks to go before the opener and the defensive depth chart was taking shape with Ellis Johnson at the helm. Now it was time to see if all of the hard work during fall camp would produce enough victories for Auburn to have a winning season.

    When Auburn jogged onto the field for the season opener against Washington State, many experts and fans expected the team to end up with maybe seven wins, but no one ever imagined the magical season that was about to unfold.

    The Tigers started 3-0 but were really about to find out what kind of team they had with a trip to LSU. After a disappointing 35-21 loss in Baton Rouge, Auburn seemed to be on a mission not to lose again.

    The squad learned from the loss at LSU and steadily improved each week. With a few miracles against their heated rivals to end the season, the Tigers reeled off eight-straight victories to earn a spot in the SEC Championship Game. Auburn defeated Missouri 59-42 to win the Southeastern Conference championship and was rewarded with a trip to Pasadena to play for the national title.

    Malzahn became just the third first-year coach to win the SEC championship, and also produced the greatest turnaround in SEC history.

    With so much success in 2013, it may be hard for Auburn to match or top the 12-2 overall record and the 7-1 mark in conference play. But with a solid recruiting class and several key players returning from last year's team, the Tigers could be in for another big year in 2014.
    Nick Marshall
    Nick Marshall
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    A very important returning player from a year ago is dual-threat quarterback Nick Marshall. It will be the first time during Malzahn's coaching career to have the same quarterback be the starter for more than one season.

    Last season, Marshall got off to a shaky start, but like the rest of the team, something seemed to click and he made great strides after the LSU game. As a junior, he rushed for 1,068 yards and 12 touchdowns and passed for 1,976 yards and 14 scores.

    Despite not going through spring drills last year and arriving on campus just in time for the start of fall camp, Marshall had an impressive season as the starter under center and is poised to have a stellar senior campaign after participating in spring drills back in March and April. He was named the offensive MVP of the A-Day game after connecting on 13-of-22 passes for 236 yards and four touchdowns.

    Marshall's backup, Jeremy Johnson, also had to learn Malzahn's offense quickly last August but proved to be a reliable quarterback when Marshall had to be sidelined because of a shoulder injury for two games. Last season as a true freshman, Johnson was 29-of-41 passing for 422 yards and six touchdowns with only two interceptions, and picked up two SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
    Sammie Coates
    Sammie Coates
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    With Auburn's offense running the ball 72 percent of the time last season, and with the team's leading rusher leaving early for the NFL, don't be surprised to see the offense become more balanced in 2014 behind Marshall's strong arm. And unlike last year, Marshall has plenty of experienced receivers to connect with.

    Last season, Sammie Coates led the team as a sophomore with 42 catches for 902 yards and seven touchdowns. Coates is excited for the upcoming season after having another year to learn Malzahn's system. Plus, he knows Marshall is capable of putting up huge numbers through the air with a talented group of receivers ready to haul in those passes, including newcomer D'haquille Williams.

    Williams, the nation's top-rated juco prospect, went through spring drills and had an impressive A-Day with five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

    At 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds, Williams will provide another deep-threat and large target in the receiving corps. At Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2012, he caught 67 passes for 1,295 yards and 17 touchdowns. Last season, an injury slowed him down but he still led the team with 51 receptions, 733 yards and nine touchdowns.

    Ricardo Louis, the hero of Auburn's miracle 43-38 victory over Georgia, returns after a solid sophomore campaign saw him record 28 receptions for 325 yards and two touchdowns.

    With Marcus Davis, Quan Bray, Melvin Ray, Tony Stevens, Jaylon Denson, and tight end C.J. Uzomah all returning after seeing valuable playing time in 2013, it's easy to understand why Lashlee believes his receivers will be a position of strength in 2014.

    Phil Marion

    Coming June 23: Running Backs

    Alex City Jazz Fest 2014

    Take a full moon, throw in Friday the 13th, and add a little New Orleans voodoo and you have a recipe for the best kept secret in Alabama--the annual Alexander City Jazz Fest this weekend.

    Friday, June 13, starting at 6 p.m. the music gets going early with Guitar Slim Barnes. High-energy zydefunk artist Sunpie Barnes & the Louisiana Sunspots will be the second act Friday night and Birmingham-based St. Paul & the Broken Bones will light up the lakeside following opener Chad Fisher on Saturday night.

    Strong headlining acts will top off both evenings. The Dirty Guv'nahs and will headline Friday night in downtown Alex City at Strand Park and Green River Ordinance will close the show Saturday at the Lake Martin Amphitheater. Admission is free. Bring your chairs, blankets and coolers and let the good times roll.

    Football Preview: Running Backs

    With Tre Mason skipping his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, and fullback Jay Prosch graduating, Auburn's running game saw a lot of competition in the spring and the battle to win the starting job will likely heat up when fall camp begins in August.

    Replacing the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and Heisman finalist will be a tough task for position coach Tim Horton. Mason's remarkable 2013 season saw him rack up a school record 1,816 yards and tie the SEC single-season record with 23 rushing touchdowns. In nine SEC games, he gashed stingy SEC defenses for 1,289 yards and 17 touchdowns.

    With head coach Gus Malzahn predicting Auburn's offense will be more balanced in 2014, coming close to the numbers Mason put up isn't likely. But with Horton's history of producing 1,000-yard rushers and the talent returning in the backfield, the Tigers' rushing attack could provide a spark if the passing game were to struggle.
    Corey Grant
    Corey Grant
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Spring practice ended without a starter being named at tailback. Seniors Corey Grant and Cameron Artis-Payne will have a chance to win the job in August, with Artis-Payne having a shot at getting the bulk of the carries in the fall. Last year, Artis-Payne had 91 carries for 610 yards and six touchdowns.

    Grant will have to prove he can handle the load as an every-down back after being known as a speedster during his time on the Plains. Grant led all rushers during A-Day with 128 yards and a touchdown.

    Last season, Grant rushed for 647 yards on 66 carries, found the endzone six times, and led the SEC in yards per carry (9.8).

    Redshirt freshman Peyton Barber is also in the mix to see playing time in the fall. After being redshirted last season, Barber is ready to prove he deserves playing time after sharing the load with Artis-Payne and Grant in the spring. He had one carry for 13 yards during A-Day because of an injury to his ankle on the play.

    Freshmen Roc Thomas and Kamryn Pettway are set to participate in fall camp in August. While Pettway is likely headed for a redshirt, Thomas has been told he will compete immediately for playing time. Last season at Oxford High, Thomas ran for 2,211 yards and 32 touchdowns.

    Finding a replacement for Prosch will also be key if the Tigers want to be successful on the ground. Prosch opened up huge holes for Mason and didn't get enough credit for the job he did at the often overlooked position of fullback.

    Senior Brandon Fulse and sophomore Ricky Parks will battle it out to replace Prosch. Fulse has played in the backfield before, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him land the starting job.

    Phil Marion

    Coming July 7: Offensive Line

    Update: Ricky Parks is no longer on the team.


    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Football Preview: Offensive Line

    After leading the nation with 328 rushing yards per game a season ago, Auburn's offense is expected to air it out more with a quarterback set to start under center for a second-straight season. With four starters returning along the offensive line, protecting the quarterback will be crucial if the Tigers want to defend their SEC title.

    When J.B. Grimes was hired to coach the offensive line after the 2012 season, he saw talent but wasn't sure what the players' mindset would be after going through a 3-9 season. He soon found out they wanted to win and were ready to buy into his system.

    The process of getting his unit ready for the 2013 season wasn't easy as the group experienced its share of growing pains. But, after a bye week in late September, the line finally gelled which helped Auburn put together an eight-game winning streak to end the regular season.

    With Greg Robinson anchoring the left tackle position, the offensive line paved the way for Auburn's record-setting performance on the ground, rushing for 4,596 yards and 48 touchdowns while finishing 12-2 overall.

    It isn't likely Auburn will come close to putting up the same kind of numbers on the ground this fall since both Robinson and tailback Tre Mason opted to leave early for the NFL. The group of tailbacks will still get plenty of carries, but if the A-Day game is a sign of what the offense will look like during the upcoming season, Nick Marshall will get the opportunity to showcase his strong throwing arm.

    With the offense promising to pass more than run, the main goal for the starters along the line will be protecting the senior quarterback. The unit allowed 18 sacks a year ago and it was a major emphasis during spring drills to keep the sack numbers low again so the offense can have success throwing the ball.
    Patrick Miller
    Patrick Miller
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Finding a suitable replacement at left tackle will be key so Marshall can have a big season through the air. Vying for the job are Shon Coleman and Patrick Miller. Both took turns at the position with the first-team offense throughout the spring, but the job is still up for grabs and likely won't be decided until well into fall camp.

    Coleman served as Robinson's backup last season and is a better run blocker, while Miller is better at protecting the quarterback and has more experience with 14 starts at right tackle the past two seasons. Miller could be the backup at both tackle spots if he doesn't win the job at left tackle.

    Alex Kozan started all 14 games at left guard last year and is set to anchor the position again in the fall. Last year, he was named by the SEC coaches to the All-Freshman team, and the Football Writers Association of America placed him on their freshman All-America team.

    Kozan's backup will either be Devonte Danzey or Jordan Diamond. Danzey appeared in three games last season and Diamond could see playing time at both guard spots after missing all of spring drills while recovering from knee surgery.

    At right tackle, Avery Young looks to be the starter with 10 starts at the position last season. Young is healthy heading into fall camp after breaking his thumb on the first play against Florida State in the national championship game.
    Reese Dismukes
    Reese Dismukes
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Chad Slade started all 14 games at right guard last year and it's a safe bet he will start there again despite being moved to left guard the last two weeks of spring. The move was made to create depth at multiple positions on the line.

    There is no doubt the leader of the offensive line is center Reese Dismukes. Dismukes has 37 starts at the position and was an All-SEC selection and Rimington Trophy finalist last year.

    He was kept out of most contact drills in the spring to reduce the chance of being injured. That meant his backup Xavier Dampeer saw extra snaps with the first-team offense. The extra snaps will prepare Dampeer to take over the center position and be game-ready if Dismukes goes down with an injury.

    Phil Marion

    Coming July 21: Defensive Line

    Update: Alex Kozan is out for the season after undergoing back surgery.

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs

    Marshall and Mincy

    If Gus Malzahns decision of replacing quarterback Nick Marshall at SEC Media Days after Marshall received a citation for marijuana last week didnt make enough of point, Malzahns words at media days did.

    Auburn opened the annual event, which is unofficially known as the opening of college football, with center Reese Dismukes, defensive lineman Gabe Wright and Marshalls replacement, tight end C.J. Uzomah, joining him at the podium in Hoover.

    Although Marshall was not at the event, there were still questions that surrounded his citation, especially after defensive back Jonathan Mincy was arrested for marijuana last month.

    At the same time, as Opelika-Auburn News sports editor Mike Szvetitz reported, Malzahn has something that some questioned that former coach Gene Chizik didnt have: full control over players.

    We have high expectations for our players, but specifically our quarterback being the face of our program, Malzahn said at SEC Media Days.

    Punishments for Marshall and Mincy have not been released, but Malzahn confirmed the situations will be handled internally.

    Despite the two seniors having off-season lacks of judgment, Alex Byington of the OA News reported that teammates have been nothing but supportive.

    We just come together. Were like a family, a bunch of brothers. Were there for one another, Dismukes said. This class, we got 20-or-so-plus guys, obviously theres a lot of leadership. Were going to handle it inside and were going to do whatever we got to do to help whoever out.

    At media days, Wright said the team had a meeting Sunday, which included Marshall and Mincy standing in front of their teammates and apologizing for their run ins with the law.

    In the team meeting I grabbed him and dapped him up, Wright said of Marshall specifically. This is something that I know him personally, I know its a bad decision and I know hes truly remorseful. I could tell by the look in his eyes and the words coming out of his mouth.

    Summer is never a good time to make headlines, but it appears Auburn should have both Marshall and Mincys situations behind them by Aug. 30, when the Tigers open the season against Arkansas. Its also encouraging to see teammates stand up for the two players that have lacked judgment during the offseason.

    Brandon Miller

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    Despite losing four seniors from last year's defensive line and a rash of injuries in the spring, the unit is expected to once again be a strength of the defense in the fall with plenty of depth and experience returning.

    Last year, position coach Rodney Garner used a heavy rotation along the front four and Auburn took advantage by winning the battle up front late in games with fresh bodies going up against tired offensive lines. The backups gained valuable game experience and Garner sees it as a huge plus compared to where the youngsters were this time a year ago.

    The same backups that saw extensive playing time are now set to step in and start with Dee Ford, Nosa Eguae, Ken Carter, and Craig Sanders all graduating.

    The biggest task for Garner is replacing Ford, who racked up 10.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss even though he never fully recovered from a knee injury suffered during a scrimmage in August.

    Carl Lawson is likely the top candidate to fill the void left by Ford after seeing significant playing time as a true freshman last year. Lawson saw action in all 14 games and finished the season with an impressive four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.

    Behind Lawson on the depth chart is fellow sophomore Elijah Daniel. Daniel recorded 2.5 sacks in spot duty and could potentially earn a few starts this fall.

    Lawson missed the spring game due to a knee injury while Daniel missed time in the spring with a groin injury but recovered to record three tackles, 2.5 for loss and one sack in the spring game. Both will be ready to go when the Tigers open the season Aug. 30 against Arkansas.

    At the other end spot, LaDarius Owens was also bit by the injury bug and missed the entire spring after breaking his foot a week before spring practice began. Last year as a junior, Owens saw action in 14 games and ended up with 30 tackles, 5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 11 quarterback hurries.
    Gabe Wright
    Gabe Wright
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    With so many injuries at defensive end in the spring, Garner was forced to move tackles Gabe Wright and Montravius Adams to the outside to provide more depth. The move was only temporary with Wright and Adams set to return to their familiar spots in preseason camp. But, don't be surprised to see Wright lined-up on the edge from time to time in the fall.

    Last season as a junior, Wright earned 11 starts while recording 31 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries, and also recovered a fumble.

    Adams had a solid year as a true freshman with 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 7 quarterback hurries in 13 games.

    Seniors Angelo Blackson and Ben Bradley played in all 14 games last year but will probably have to fight for playing time with Jeff Whitaker back after missing the entire 2013 season with a knee injury. Whitaker, who was penciled in to start at one of the tackle spots before the injury, could jump ahead of Adams on the depth chart.

    Phil Marion

    Coming August 4: Linebackers

    Update: Carl Lawson is still hampered by a knee injury and may miss the Aug. 30 season opener against Arkansas.

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Kick Six

    The Kick Six hasnt gone away since Nov. 30, and dont expect the celebration to end anytime soon.

    Whether its play-by-play of former Auburn defensive back returning Alabamas missed 57-yard field goal back 109 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the Iron Bowl, highlights that include the game-winner or reactions videos, dont expect to see a stop in the festivities.

    ESPN has also joined the fun, showing what many have deemed as the greatest finish in college football history thousands of times. The play also took home ESPYs for Play of the Year and was included in Game of the Year.

    With everything surrounding the Kick Six, theres no reason for Auburn fans to stop the celebration.

    Chris Davis return not only won the game, but it also won the SEC West for the Tigers, punched Auburns ticket to the SEC Championship game and, not to mention, knocked off the top-ranked Tide. And the Tigers did it as a 12.5-point underdog.

    It didnt take long for videos to circulate of Davis run up the left side of the field that included tip toeing the sideline around midfield. The play became the talk of the nation for some time, and it is still is one of the biggest conversations in the state.

    More than half a year has gone by since the Iron Bowl. Most people involved in the rivalry have not moved on, and most, especially Alabama fans, wont move on until there is some form of revenge.

    But, for Auburn fans, when is it time to let Nov. 30 go just enough to focus on the 2014 season?

    Aug. 30, when the Tigers open against Arkansas, would be a good time. Although Davis return will go down in history like The Cam-Back, Punt Bama Punt and Bo Over the Top, its something that should be left in the rivalry.

    After all, there is still a bitter taste from the national championship game that not even the Kick Six can cleanse.

    Brandon Miller

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson decided to make a change in the middle of Auburn's defense in the spring and that decision may be permanent when the Tigers take the field against Arkansas in the season opener.

    Auburn's top two returning linebackers will likely start at different positions in Johnson's 4-2-5 defense in 2014. After leading the team with 75 tackles in 2013 on the weakside, Cassanova McKinzy saw action in the middle and Kris Frost was featured at weakside throughout spring drills.
    Cassanova McKinzy
    Cassanova McKinzy
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Johnson, who also coaches the linebackers, planned on starting McKinzy in the middle and Frost at weakside last year but Frost ended up sharing time with senior Jake Holland in the middle.

    Johnson believes the flip at linebacker will benefit the defense with McKinzy better suited as the vocal leader and quarterback of the defense.

    With McKinzy hampered by a bruised tailbone in the spring, Kenny Flowers saw action with the first-team defense and ended spring on a high note by being named the defensive MVP on A-Day after recording nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

    Anthony Swain will serve as the backup at middle linebacker in the fall. Swain, who played a key role in the rotation in 2013, saw action in all 14 games and finished the season with 26 tackles.

    Cameron Toney, who redshirted last season as a freshman, thinks he can make some noise this fall after a solid spring filling in for the injured McKinzy.

    Newcomers Tre' Williams and Deshaun Davis could see immediate playing time as the linebacker position is a bit thin.

    Williams, a five-star prospect, is versatile with great size for a linebacker. He can be a force in the middle while also dropping back in pass coverage to help the secondary.

    Davis missed his senior year of high school after tearing his ACL prior to the season.

    Phil Marion

    Coming August 11: Secondary

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Football Preview: Secondary

    The Star, the most important position in Ellis Johnson's 4-2-5 defense, saw Robenson Therezie forced into playing the role last season when the projected starter was lost early in preseason camp with a foot injury. Without missing a beat, Therezie excelled at Star and looks to have another productive year as a senior in 2014.

    At 5-foot-9, 212 pounds, Therezie is built for the Star position, a hybrid safety-linebacker with the ability to handle a linebacker's responsibilities against the running game and the speed to cover wide receivers or tight ends on the outside. His four interceptions led the team and he also recorded 57 tackles.

    Justin Garrett had an outstanding spring a year ago and was the projected starter at Star last fall. But an ankle sprain to his left foot caused him to miss the Tigers' first two games. When he finally returned, he was moved to weakside linebacker and saw action against Mississippi State and LSU before being sidelined the rest of the year with a fractured right foot.

    If Garrett can stay healthy, Johnson may have the option of playing the two Stars together or move Therezie to safety when the defense uses the dime package.

    Auburn will certainly miss Chris Davis, who led all cornerbacks with 74 tackles and 15 pass breakups as a senior last season. Jonathon Mincy will replace Davis at boundary corner. At boundary corner, Mincy's job is to cover the opposing teams top wide receiver.

    Last season at field corner, Mincy recorded 56 tackles, had one interception and broke up 14 passes.

    Jonathan Jones was set to see significant playing time but missed the first four games last season with a broken ankle suffered when he slipped on a wet step during training camp last August. He will start opposite Mincy at field corner if he beats out former receiver Trovon Reed and Kamryn Melton in fall camp.
    Jermaine Whitehead
    Jermaine Whitehead
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    With Mincy as the leader for Auburn's group of cornerbacks, Jermaine Whitehead is the leader for the safeties.

    Whitehead, who finished fourth on the team in tackles last year with 65, has started every game for the Tigers the past two seasons. As the starter at field safety, he will be responsible for lining up on the wide side and playing deep in the middle against the pass.

    Josh Holsey started the first six games in 2013 before tearing his ACL in his left knee. The junior was held out of contact drills in the spring but is expected to be fully recovered to start at boundary safety in the fall. Holsey's job is to play on the short side of the field and roll down into the box at times to stack the line of scrimmage against the run.

    With Holsey limited in the spring, Derrick Moncrief made some noise and could definitely see playing time at multiple positions in the secondary this fall. He joined the team in January after spending two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

    Phil Marion

    Coming August 25: Special Teams

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    With four key contributors gone from last year's special teams, position coach Scott Fountain has found replacements at kicker and punter but it's still unclear who will return punts and kickoffs this fall for Auburn.

    Special teams can often determine the outcome of a close contest and is overlooked by most football fans. During Auburn's remarkable 12-2 season, special teams played a role in several games, including the 109-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown by Chris Davis in the final second against arch-rival Alabama.

    Auburn will definitely miss Steven Clark's booming punts that averaged 42.6 yards per punt with 26 landing inside the 20 and nine inside the 5. And Cody Parkey leading the nation with 69 touchbacks on kickoffs last season.

    Fountain is confident that kicker Daniel Carlson and punter Jimmy Hutchinson are ready to fill the void left by Clark and Parkey.

    The two redshirt freshmen didn't disappoint in front of 70,645 fans at A-Day. Hutchinson averaged 40.6 yards on five punts while Carlson nailed a 50-yard try and also converted on a 27-yarder.

    Several candidates are set to replace Davis as Auburn's main punt returner. Davis was third in the nation averaging 18.7 yards per punt return last season.

    Quan Bray will have the first shot to replace Davis after returning 12 for 61 yards last season. Marcus Davis, Trovon Reed and Tony Stevens will also get plenty of reps in preseason camp.

    With Tre Mason moving on to the NFL a year early, Corey Grant is one option at returning kickoffs after showing potential last year by returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown against Tennessee.

    Cameron Artis-Payne, Rudy Ford and Sammie Coates will all have the opportunity to be Auburn's primary kick returner in the fall.

    Phil Marion

    Week One SEC Predictions

    Auburn opens its 2014 campaign at home against SEC West foe Arkansas at 3 pm CT on the SEC Network. It'll be the first time in 19 years that the Tigers will face an SEC opponent in the season opener.

    Arkansas at Auburn

    Gus Malzahn enters his second year as Auburn's head coach after a very successful 2013 season that saw the Tigers finish 12-2 overall and 8-0 in the SEC. While Malzahn admits his squad probably caught a lot of teams by surprise last year, he knows they'll have a huge target on their backs during the upcoming season.

    With an outstanding ground game and a solid quarterback under center, Auburn averaged 39.5 ppg last year and looks to be explosive once again in 2014 despite losing tailback Tre Mason and offensive lineman Greg Robinson to the NFL.

    Malzahn will have his starting quarterback Nick Marshall back for the second-straight year. It will be the first time during Malzahn's coaching career to have the same quarterback be the starter for more than one season.

    As a junior, Marshall rushed for 1,068 yards and 12 touchdowns and passed for 1,976 yards and 14 scores.

    Marshall will start Saturday's contest on the bench after off-the-field issues this summer. But, backup Jeremy Johnson is ready to run the offense after a solid freshman season a year ago. Johnson saw action in two games last season and was 29-of-41 passing for 422 yards and six touchdowns with only two interceptions.

    While Auburn's offense ran the ball 72 percent of the time last season, Malzahn has promised the 2014 version of his offense will be more balanced. The quarterbacks will have plenty of targets to connect with in 2014. Sammie Coates returns after leading the team with 42 catches for 902 yards and seven touchdowns. Ricardo Louis also returns and looks to build on his 28 receptions for 325 yards and two touchdowns from a year ago.

    The nation's top-rated juco prospect, D'haquille Williams, will provide another deep-threat and large target in the receiving corps. At Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2012, he caught 67 passes for 1,295 yards and 17 touchdowns. Last season, an injury slowed him down but he still led the team with 51 receptions, 733 yards and nine touchdowns.

    Despite losing Mason, Auburn still has plenty of options at running back with Corey Grant and Cameron Artis-Payne getting the bulk of the carries. Roc Thomas and Peyton Barber should see action as freshmen with the Tigers' rushing attack solid again behind an experienced offensive line.

    Auburn's defense allowed 24.7 ppg in 2013. The unit will be without Robenson Therezie, who is facing eligibility issues. Justin Garrett will start in his place at Star.

    Arkansas looks to bounce back from a disappointing 3-9 season a year ago. The nine losses for the Hogs, six of which came against ranked teams, were the most in school history, and they failed to make a bowl game for the second straight year after qualifying for the postseason in 11 of the previous 14 seasons.

    In 2013, the Razorbacks and Tigers met in Fayetteville with the visiting team coming out on top 35-17. In conference play, Arkansas finished 0-8.

    Quarterback Brandon Allen returns after throwing for 1,552 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Arkansas' strength is its running game with both Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams back after solid 2013 seasons. Collins rushed for 1,026 yards while Williams finished with 900.

    As a unit in 2013, the defense allowed 30.8 ppg and 413 ypg. Defensive end Trey Flowers is the leader along the line after recording 13.5 TFL, 5.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. The two top tacklers return with safety Alan Turner and linebacker Braylon Mitchell. Turner had 97 tackles and two interceptions while Mitchell recorded 77 tackles.

    Prediction: Auburn 38-10.



    Texas A&M at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 31-20.



    Boise State at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 17-14.



    Temple at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 24-7.



    Tennessee-Martin at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 21-17.



    South Dakota State at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 51-6.



    West Virginia at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 38-6.



    Clemson at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 13-10.



    Idaho at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 28-7.



    Southern Miss at Mississippi State

    Prediction: MSU 23-10.



    Wisconsin at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 14-13.



    Utah State at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 27-17.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 9-2. Fresh off a big win in conference play, Auburn returns to action Saturday evening against San Jose State on ESPN2. The first-ever meeting between the Tigers and Spartans starts at 6 pm CT at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    San Jose State at Auburn

    Auburn open its 2014 season by defeating Arkansas 45-21. The Razorbacks put up a good fight in the first half but the Tigers took over after halftime when quarterback Nick Marshall finally saw the field at the start of the third quarter.

    Backup quarterback Jeremy Johnson performed well in front of a huge crowd in his first start under center with 243 passing yards and two touchdowns. On the night, Auburn's offense racked up 595 yards of total offense.

    On the ground, the Tigers look to be dangerous despite losing Tre Mason to the NFL. Cameron Artis-Payne received the bulk of the carries and said after the game he's playing with a chip on his shoulder. He rushed for a career-high 177 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Corey Grant added 87 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

    In the offseason, Auburn's coaches promised the offense would be more balanced this season and that proved to be good news for receivers D'haquile Williams and Melvin Ray. Williams hauled in nine passes for 154 yards and a touchdowns while Ray broke free for a 49-yard score in the first quarter.

    Auburn's defense knew it would be challenged by Arkansas' stout offensive line and experienced running game. The Tigers allowed the Razorbacks to gain 153 yards on the ground but settled down in the second half by keeping the visitors off the scoreboard.

    San Jose State open its season with a 42-10 victory over North Dakota. Quarterback Blake Jurich led the Spartans with three touchdowns and with 250 yards on 23-of-25 attempts.

    On the ground, the Spartans gained 150 yards with Thomas Tucker leading the way with 86 yards on 20 carries.

    Prediction: Auburn 52-14.



    Florida Atlantic at Alabama

    Prediction: 56-10.



    Missouri at Toledo

    Prediction: Missouri 30-13.



    Arkansas State at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 21-17.



    UAB at Mississippi State

    Prediction: MSU 31-14.



    Ohio at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-14.



    Eastern Michigan at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 42-17.



    Nicholls State at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 39-13.



    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Ole Miss 31-10.



    East Carolina at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-13.



    Sam Houston State at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 45-6.



    Lamar at Texas A&M

    Prediction: TAMU 56-7.

    New Orleans Suspects

    Louisiana Red Hot Records is proud to announce the release of Ouroboros, the new studio effort from the NOLA supergroup, NEW ORLEANS SUSPECTS, on October 14, 2014.

    New Orleans Suspects will perform at Bourbon Street Bar in Auburn on Thursday, September 18th. Little Raine Band is also on the bill. Showtime is 10:00 P.M. Tickets are $8.00. This is open to patrons 19 and over.

    For more information: http://aubourbonstreet.com/

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 12-0 with an overall record of 21-2. Auburn is off this weekend. The Tigers play at Kansas State September 18.

    UCF at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 41-17.



    Massachusetts at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 17-14.



    Arkansas at Texas Tech

    Prediction: Texas Tech 24-20.



    Georgia at South Carolina

    Prediction: Georgia 30-21.



    Louisiana-Lafayette at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 33-14.



    Mississippi State at South Alabama

    Prediction: Mississippi State 27-13.



    Southern Miss at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 38-13.



    Louisiana-Monroe at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 27-6.



    Kentucky at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 21-17.



    Tennessee at Oklahoma

    Prediction: Oklahoma 31-10.



    Rice at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 50-6.

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 9-2 with an overall record of 30-4. After being off last weekend, Auburn travels to Manhattan, Kansas to face Kansas State.

    Auburn at Kansas State

    Auburn hits the road for the first time this season to play Kansas State Thursday on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. CT. The Tigers lead the all-time series with the Wildcats 3-0 with the last meeting in Auburn in 2007. The home team won 23-13.

    KSU is 2-0 after beating SF Austin 55-16 and Iowa State 32-28. The Wildcats average 238.5 passing yards, 236 rushing yards and 43.5 points per game. KSU's offense is led by dual-threat senior quarterback Jake Waters. Waters and receiver Tyler Lockett have hooked up for 80 completions, 1,340 yards (16.75 yards per completion) and 11 touchdowns. Last season, the duo connected on 10 touchdowns for an average of 40 yards per score.

    Defensively, the Wildcats allow 22 points per game and Ryan Mueller is one of the leaders after recording a school-record tying 11.5 sacks in 2013. Mueller has 14.5 for his career, which are the 12th most nationally among active players.

    Auburn is also 2-0 after victories over Arkansas and San Jose State. Against the Razorbacks, the Tigers racked up 302 yards on the ground and 358 against San Jose State. Auburn has rushed for more than 300 yards in eight of its last 11 games.

    Cameron Artis-Payne leads the SEC with 289 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Corey Grant has 176 rushing yards, while quarterback Nick Marshall has 142.

    Wide receiver Sammie Coates is expected to return to action after not playing against the Spartans because of a minor knee injury. D'haquille Williams has lived up to the hype as a reliable receiver with 13 receptions.

    On defense, Auburn allows 17 points per game with Montravius Adams, Cassanova McKinzy and Jermaine Whitehead leading the way. Adams' 4.0 tackles-for-loss is tied for second in the SEC, while McKinzy's 16 tackles is tied for third in the SEC. Whitehead has two interceptions, including returning one for a touchdown.

    Prediction: Auburn 34-21.



    Troy at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 38-17.



    Texas A&M at SMU

    Prediction: Texas A&M 30-14.



    Florida at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 41-14.



    Indiana at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 50-13.



    Northern Illinois at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 48-7.



    Mississippi State at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 21-14.



    South Carolina at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-10.

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-2 and overall they are 36-6. After a tough victory on the road at Kansas State, Auburn returns home to face LA Tech at 3 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.

    LA Tech at Auburn

    Auburn leads the all-time series with LA Tech 11-0-1 with the last meeting in 2009 in Auburn. The home team won 37-13.

    LA Tech is 2-2 on the season after losing last Saturday 30-27 to Northwestern State. The other loss came on the road at Oklahoma 48-16 on Aug. 30.

    The Tigers struggled some on the road but came away with a 20-14 victory at Kansas State to improve to 3-0. While Auburn's offense looked out of sync most of the night, the defense kept KSU's offense in check by allowing just 40 rushing yards.

    After giving up a lot of yards on the ground in the first half against Arkansas, the Tigers have surrendered just 107 rushing yards in the last 10 quarters of play.

    The defense also sacked KSU's quarterback Jake Waters three times and came up with three turnovers, including one that resulted in six points.

    While Auburn's offense looked unstoppable in the first two games of the season, the unit never got into a rhythm last Thursday night, especially the running game. The offense gained 128 yards on the ground, the second-lowest output of the Malzahn era. Cameron Artis-Payne had 63 yards on 22 carries while Corey Grant added 27 yards on six carries.

    Those numbers are concerning with the grind of SEC games remaining on the schedule starting with LSU next weekend. Hopefully the ground game can correct the problems this weekend against non-conference opponent LA Tech.

    Prediction: Auburn 54-10.



    Tennessee at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 17-13.



    Vanderbilt at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-10.



    Arkansas at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 31-20.



    Missouri at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 21-17.



    Memphis at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 35-14.



    New Mexico State at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 38-6.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, overall they are 42-7. After taking care of LA Tech 45-17, Auburn hosts No. 15 LSU on Saturday. The contest can be seen on ESPN at 6 p.m. CT

    LSU at Auburn

    Last season, LSU handed Auburn its only loss in the regular season. The 35-21 defeat in Baton Rouge left Auburn down but not for long. Gus Malzahn's squad won the next eight to earn a spot in the SEC Championship Game.

    LSU leads the all-time series 27201 and has won three-straight. Auburn is 4-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play while LSU is 4-1 and 0-1 in SEC play.

    After a disappointing 34-29 loss at home to Mississippi St. on Sept. 20, LSU bounced back last weekend with an easy 63-7 victory over New Mexico St.

    On offense, LSU averages 41 points per game, 236.6 passing yards per game, and 226.2 rushing yards per game. On defense, the unit allows 13 points per game which ranks 6th nationally.

    Against LA Tech, the Tigers lost right tackle Patrick Miller and linebackers Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy to injury. With Miller out, Avery Young moved to right tackle, while Tre' Williams stepped in for Frost and Anthony Swain played in McKinzy's spot. All three injured players will be evaluated this week to see if they can go against LSU.

    Auburn's offense continues to play sluggish in the first half before turning it up after halftime. The struggles Saturday could have been the result of Miller's injury but it looks more and more like the offense really misses fullback Jay Prosch. Prosch provided huge holes last season for Auburn's tailbacks and the offense led the nation in rushing.

    So far in 2014, Auburn is averaging 260.5 rushing yards per game, which is 4th in the SEC and 18th nationally. On Saturday, Cameron Artis-Payne had 116 yards, and quarterback Nick Marshall added 105.

    The Tigers average 42.3 points per game and 219.5 yards per game through the air. Marshall had 166 yards against LA Tech and backup Jeremy Johnson added 53. D'haquille Williams is fifth in the SEC with 357 receiving yards.

    Defensively, Auburn allows 16.3 points per game, 90.8 rushing yards per game, and 222.5 yards per game through the air. The Tigers held LA Tech to 105 rushing yards, including an average of only 2.7 yards per carry in the first half.

    Auburn's defense was expected to be better in Ellis Johnson's second year as defensive coordinator and that looks to be the case. The Tigers are more aggressive up front and are forcing more turnovers which provided a spark against LA Tech. Montravius Adams' interception in the first quarter led to a 5-yard touchdown run by Artis-Payne on the next play.

    Special teams continue to play an important role with Quan Bray returning a 76-yard punt for a touchdown. Bray's 36.8 yards per return leads the nation. Marcus Davis averaged 15.5 yards on two returns last Saturday.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-13.



    Florida at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 20-14.



    Texas A&M at Mississippi State

    Prediction: Mississippi State 28-24.



    Alabama at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Alabama 31-21.



    Vanderbilt at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 50-14.



    South Carolina at Kentucky

    Prediction: South Carolina 30-13.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-3, overall they are 45-10. This week, the stage is set for a huge showdown between No. 2 Auburn and No. 3 Mississippi State. The Tigers travel to Starkville to face the Bulldogs on CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT.

    Auburn at Mississippi State

    In the series between Auburn and MSU, the Tigers lead 61-24-2 and have won 11 of the last 13 contests. Auburn won last year's close battle 24-20. Both teams are 5-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

    On offense, MSU is led by quarterback Dak Prescott. In the impressive 48-31 victory by the Bulldogs over Texas A&M, Prescott threw two touchdown passes and ran for three. On the night, the junior finished 19 for 25 for 259 yards and ran for 77 yards.

    For the season, Prescott has completed 77 of 121 attempts for 1,223 yards with 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. MSU averages 267.4 passing yards per game and 42.6 points per game.

    On the ground, the Bulldogs rank 14th in the nation with 274.4 rushing yards per game. Josh Robinson leads the team with 592 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

    Defensively, MSU ranks No. 22 in the nation by allowing just 19.2 points per game.

    Auburn used a balanced attack to rout LSU 41-7 at home. Quarterback Nick Marshall finished the contest with 207 passing yards and two touchdowns and ran for 119 and two more scores. Sammie Coates had his best game of the season with four catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.

    The Tigers racked up 566 total yards and Cameron Artis-Payne led the rushing attack with 24 carries for 126 yards.

    Auburn ranks No. 15 in the country with 268 rushing yards per game and No. 72 with 229.2 passing yards per game. The offense averages 42.0 points per game. The Tigers have scored 210 points through its first five games, the second-most in school history.

    A much improved Auburn defense has the unit allowing only 14.4 points per game. The defense also allows 100.2 rushing yards and 206.4 passing yards per game.

    Much of the hype for this game may be about the two high-scoring offenses and star quarterbacks but on the defensive side, both teams are definitely stingy. The final score may be similar to last year's low-scoring affair.

    Prediction: Auburn 21-17 .



    Georgia at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 24-20.



    Louisiana-Monroe at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 34-13.



    Chattanooga at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 45-3.



    Alabama at Arkansas

    Prediction: Alabama 30-10.



    LSU at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 17-13.



    Charleston Southern at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 30-14.



    Ole Miss at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 23-17.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-4, overall they are 49-14. Auburn is off this weekend but returns to action Oct. 25 against South Carolina at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Furman at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 38-3.



    Texas A&M at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 27-14.



    Georgia at Arkansas

    Prediction: Georgia 20-17.



    Tennessee at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 38-13.



    Missouri at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 17-14.



    Kentucky at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 21-10.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, with an overall record of 54-15. This week, Auburn returns to action after having last weekend off. The Tigers welcome South Carolina to Jordan-Hare Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff on the SEC Network.

    South Carolina at Auburn

    USC enters Saturday's contest having lost seven straight to Auburn with the Tigers leading the all-time series 9-1-1. Auburn won the last meeting in 2011 16-13 in Columbia.

    The Gamecocks are 4-3 overall and 2-3 in conference play. USC won 41-10 over FCS opponent Furman on Saturday to end a two-game losing streak. Mike Davis rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Davis went over 100 yards for the third straight game and fourth time this season. Quarterback Dylan Thompson finished the contest 14 of 22 for 262 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes.

    Overall, USC averages 265 yards through the air and 185 yards on the ground. The offense scores 35 points per game while the defense allows 31.

    USC may be without its best defensive tackle J.T. Surratt for this weekend's game. Surratt suffered a pulled hamstring against Furman. He has 14 tackles and a sack this season.

    Backup weak-side linebacker Jonathan Walton suffered a mild concussion against Furman and is doubtful for Saturday. Walton has 21 tackles and a fumble recovery this season.

    Auburn is 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play after losing 38-23 to Mississippi State Oct. 11.

    The Tigers look to improve this week before a brutal schedule takes them on road games to Ole Miss, Georgia, and Alabama to end the season. Auburn averages 262 rushing yards, 225.8 passing yards, and 38.8 points per game.

    Defensively, the Tigers allow 120.7 rushing yards per game, 213 passing yards per game, and 333.7 total yards per game. As a unit, the defense gives up 18.3 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 41-13.



    UAB at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 21-17.



    Mississippi State at Kentucky

    Prediction: Mississippi State 38-10.



    Vanderbilt at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 35-14.



    Ole Miss at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 21-17.



    Alabama at Tennessee

    Prediction: Alabama 45-13.

    Talk Back With Ben Obamanu

    Auburn fans looking to take the next step in their game-watching experience will be able to do so this week for South Carolina-Auburn on Talk Back. Former Auburn wide receiver Ben Obomanu and former South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia will take your questions, comments and smack talk live during the game at att.com/talkback.

    Here's how Talk Back works:

    Go to www.att.com/talkback during the South Carolina-Auburn game Saturday night.

    Post your questions and comments about the game or anything else.

    Watch as Obomanu and Garcia answer your questions live.

    Grab the link to the clip of your question and share with your friends.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-0, with an overall record of 60-15. This week, Auburn travels to Oxford to face Ole Miss at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.

    Auburn at Ole Miss

    Auburn leads the all-time series with Ole Miss 28-10. In last year's meeting in Auburn, the Tigers won 30-22. In twelve games played in Oxford, Auburn has won nine.

    The Rebels are 7-1 overall and 4-1 in SEC play after losing to LSU 10-7 in Death Valley Saturday. Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace was intercepted by LSU safety Ronald Martin at the one with two seconds left. It was his first interception in a Southeastern Conference game this season.

    For the season, Wallace is 151 of 242 for 2,075 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Rebels average 268.8 passing yards per game and 31.9 points per game. Laquon Treadwell leads the team with 38 receptions for 529 yards and four touchdowns.

    On the ground, Ole Miss is led by Jaylen Walton, who has 71 carries for 376 yards and four touchdowns. As a team, the Rebels rush for 149.5 yards per game.

    Ole Miss has been stingy on defense in 2014, allowing just 10.5 points per game.

    Auburn won an offensive shootout at home against South Carolina. With the 42-35 victory, the Tigers improved to 6-1 overall, and 3-1 in conference play.

    Quarterback Nick Marshall totalled four touchdowns, three on the ground and one through the air. On the night, Marshall ran for 89 yards and completed 12 of 14 passes for 139 yards.

    On the ground, Auburn racked up 395 yards with Cameron Artis-Payne leading the way with 167 yards on 25 carries. Receiver Ricardo Louis ran for 102 yards and had an impressive 75-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter.

    As a unit, Auburn's offense averages 281 rushing yards per game, 215.9 passing yards per game, and 496.9 total yards per game. The Tigers' 39.3 points per game ranks third in the conference and 15th in the nation.

    Defensively, Auburn had trouble stopping South Carolina's passing attack and allowed the Gamecocks to throw for 416 yards on the night. Jonathan Jones stepped up in the fourth quarter with two huge interceptions in the end zone, including the game-ender. Jones has five interceptions on the season, which ranks second in the SEC.

    The Tigers allow 242 yards per game through the air, 120.4 yards per game on the ground, and 20.7 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 23-20.



    Louisiana-Monroe at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 38-10.



    Florida at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 35-10.



    Kentucky at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 27-21.



    Old Dominion at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 24-13.



    Arkansas at Mississippi State

    Prediction: MSU 34-17.



    Tennessee at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-17.

    Pearl Jam

    New Auburn mens basketball coach Bruce Pearl has been able to generate excitement similar to the last several coaches, but in November the AU Family will start to find out if that excitement is justified this time around.

    The Auburn mens program has been living in darkness for some time, having not made the NCAA Tournament since 2003. But with Pearl manning the bench that may change sooner than later.

    Pearl is the second fastest coach to reach 300 career wins, needing only 382 days to do so. At Tennessee from 2006-11, Pearls teams finished atop the SEC East three times, and all six teams made the NCAA Tournament.

    Pearl is a winner, and its shown with the way recruiting has gone since he took over Auburn in the spring. Its also shown through enthusiasm on campus.

    On Oct. 30, an estimated 2,500 students were in attendance for Pearl Jam, an event set up by the coach to give students a chance to get a feel of the team. After the initial surprise of Pearl emerging from the tunnel dressed as Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn subsided, it was all basketball.

    The Tigers first scrimmage is scheduled for Nov. 7 against West Alabama. The season opener is a week later against Milwaukee.

    Auburn has a lot of familiar faces returning this season, starting with K.T. Harrell.

    The senior guard started 30 games last year and averaged 18.3 points per game, including scoring double-digits in the first 21 games of the season. Harrell finished the season sixth in scoring in the conference.

    Auburn has more guard play than just Harrell, returning sophomore Tahj Shamsid- Deen and newcomer T.J. Lang, but the Tigers have a chance to put up numbers in the paint this year, which has been an issue in the past.

    Auburn was able to land transfer Cinmeon Bowers, who was listed as the top- ranked JUCO player by 247Sports. Bowers is expected to make an immediate impact. He averaged 12.4 points per game and 8.9 rebounds per game last season for Chipola College.

    Returning at forward also includes Jordan Granger and Matthew Atewe. Neither player did much last year statistically, both coming off the bench, but this season theyre expected to play bigger roles.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 65-17. Auburn returns home Saturday to face Texas A&M at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. The Tigers are 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC with the Aggies 6-3 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

    Texas A&M at Auburn

    Saturday's game will be the fifth meeting between Auburn and TAMU, with the Aggies having a 3-1 advantage. The Tigers won last year's contest 45-41 in College Station.

    TAMU started the season 5-0 before losing three-straight. The Aggies got back in the win column last Saturday by defeating UL-Monroe 21-16. Starting quarterback Kenny Hill was suspended before the game for violating team rules and athletic department polices. Hill will also miss the trip to Auburn.

    Freshman quarterback Kyle Allen threw for 106 yards and a touchdown in his first career start. For the season, Allen has completed 36 of 66 attempts for 370 yards, with four touchdowns and three interceptions.

    On offense, TAMU scores 36.4 points per game and rushes for 150 yards per game while passing for 335.5 yards per game. Tra Carson leads the team with 326 rushing yards on 72 carries and has five touchdowns. Josh Reynolds is the leading receiver with 533 yards and eight touchdowns.

    Auburn took care of business on the road in Oxford by defeating Ole Miss 35-31. The game went down to the wire as the Rebels were poised to score late in the fourth quarter but receiver Laquon Treadwell fumbled the ball just before reaching the the goal line and Cassanova McKinzy gobbled it up in the end zone.

    The Tigers racked up 507 yards against the nation's top scoring defense. Quarterback Nick Marshall had another solid game finishing 15 of 22 for 254 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. So far in 2014, Marshall has completed 99 of 166 attempts for 1,357 yards, with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.

    Cameron Artis-Payne gained 143 yards on 27 carries and one touchdown. He leads the SEC with 974 rushing yards.

    Sammie Coates hauled in five catches for 122 yards and a score. Coates in second on the team with 18 catches for 358 yards and two touchdowns. Duke Williams leads the offense with 37 receptions for 598 yards and five touchdowns.

    Auburn averages 38.8 points per game, 220.6 yards through the air and 277.5 yards per game on the ground.

    Defensively, the Tigers allow 20 points per game, 124.25 rushing yards per game, and 254.4 yards per game through the air. As a unit, the defense surrenders 378.6 total yards per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 42-14.



    Alabama at LSU

    Prediction: Alabama 24-17.



    Georgia at Kentucky

    Prediction: Georgia 28-24.



    Presbyterian at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 45-6.



    Tennessee-Martin at Mississippi State

    Prediction: MSU 38-7.



    Florida at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Florida 17-10.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 70-18. The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is set for Saturday evening at 6:15 p.m. CT on ESPN as Auburn travels to Athens to face Georgia at Sanford Stadium.

    Auburn at Georgia

    The Tigers are 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the SEC, while the Bulldogs are 7-2 overall and 5-2 in conference play. Auburn leads the all-time series 55-54-8 after winning last year's contest 43-38 in Auburn.

    After a disappointing loss to Florida Nov. 1, Georgia bounced back with a 63-31 road victory against Kentucky on Saturday. Quarterback Hutson Mason threw four touchdown passes and running back Nick Chubb rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown.

    For the season, Mason has completed 140 of 203 attempts for 1,515 yards, with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. Chris Conley has 25 catches for 443 yards and Michael Bennett has 30 receptions for 302 yards.

    Chubb has done a nice job at tailback for the Bulldogs after Todd Gurley was suspended for four games by the NCAA for taking $3,000 for autographed memorabilia and other items over two years. Gurley's suspension is over but Georgia head coach Mark Richt has yet to announce a starter at tailback for the Auburn game.

    Georgia's offense averages 43 points per game, 256.3 rushing yards and 196.9 passing yards per game. Defensively, the Bulldogs allow 23.2 points per game.

    Auburn fumbled twice late in the fourth quarter and was upset by Texas A&M 41-38 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Despite the loss, running back Cameron Artis-Payne had a huge afternoon by rushing for a career-best 221 yards and two touchdowns. Artis-Payne leads the SEC with 1,190 yards.

    The Tigers racked up 363 yards on the ground against the Aggies and lead the SEC with 286.4 rushing yards per game.

    Quarterback Nick Marshall completed 15 of 21 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown with 67 rushing yards on 18 carries.

    Receiver Duke Williams, who suffered a sprained ligament in his right knee in the second quarter, won't play against Georgia. He could return Nov. 22 when the Tigers host Samford.

    With Marshall under center. Auburn averages 38.7 points per game and 220.4 passing yards per game. As a unit, the offense averages 506.9 yards per game.

    Auburn's defense has allowed an average of 35.5 points during its last four games. Overall, the Tigers give up 24.1 points per game and surrender 386.3 total yards per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 34-31.



    LSU at Arkansas

    Prediction: LSU 20-14.



    Mississippi State at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 27-17.



    South Carolina at Florida

    Prediction: South Carolina 26-14.



    Kentucky at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 30-13.



    Missouri at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 35-21.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-3, overall they are 73-21. After losing to Georgia in Athens, Auburn returns home to face Samford. The contest can be seen on ESPNU at 6 p.m. CT.

    Samford at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 50-7.



    Eastern Kentucky at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 30-13.



    Charleston Southern at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 51-10.



    South Alabama at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 38-13.



    Ole Miss at Arkansas

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-17.



    Western Carolina at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 45-6.



    Missouri at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 17-14.



    Vanderbilt at Mississippi State

    Prediction: Mississippi State 42-10.

    Week 14 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-2, overall they are 79-23. The 79th edition of the Iron Bowl will be nationally televised by ESPN starting at 6:45 p.m. CT.

    Auburn at Alabama

    Alabama holds a 42-35-1 lead in the series and has won four of the last six. Auburn holds a 7-2 edge in Iron Bowls played at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Nick Saban is 6-6 all-time against Auburn, 4-3 while at Alabama and 2-3 as head coach at LSU.

    Auburn won last year's contest 34-28 at Jordan-Hare Stadium when Chris Davis returned Adam Griffith's missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown.

    Alabama is 10-1 overall and 6-1 in the SEC. The Crimson Tide's only loss happened Oct. 4 to Ole Miss 23-17. Last Saturday, Alabama cruised to a 48-14 victory over Western Carolina.

    Led by quarterback Blake Sims, Alabama's offense scores 35 points per game and averages 279.9 passing yards per game. For the season, Sims has completed 187 of 301 attempts for 2,676 yards, with 20 touchdowns and four interceptions. Amari Cooper leads the team with 90 catches for 1,349 yards and 11 touchdowns.

    On the ground, the Crimson Tide averages 204.9 yards per game behind T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry. Yeldon has 151 carries for 758 yards and six touchdowns while Henry has 682 yards on 134 carries and six touchdowns.

    As a unit on the defensive side, Alabama has been stingy all year by allowing just 14.5 points per game.

    After losing two-straight, Auburn got back on track by beating Samford 31-7 Saturday. The Tigers got off to a slow start but took control as many of the starters got most of the second half off to rest up for the Iron Bowl. Several players did not see action against Samford, including Duke Williams. Williams should be ready to go against Alabama after suffering a knee injury in the loss to Texas A&M.

    Nick Marshall leads an offense that averages 35.1 points per game and 210.2 yards per game through the air. This season, Marshall is 136 of 228 passing for 1,859 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. On the ground, Marshall has 731 yards on 133 carries and 11 touchdowns.

    Williams leads the team with 38 receptions for 609 yards and five touchdowns followed by Sammie Coates with 25 catches for 511 yards and two touchdowns.

    Cameron Artis-Payne ranks 12th in the country in rushing this season with 1,405 yards on 252 carries and 11 touchdowns. Auburn averages 266.2 rushing yards per game.

    Defensively, the Tigers surrender 23.5 points per game, 142 yards per game on the ground and 232.5 yards per game through the air.

    Prediction: Alabama 30-17.



    LSU at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 17-14.



    Arkansas at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 24-20.



    Mississippi State at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Mississippi State 30-21.



    South Carolina at Clemson

    Prediction: Clemson 14-10.



    Florida at Florida State

    Prediction: Florida State 35-14.



    Kentucky at Louisville

    Prediction: Louisville 38-10.



    Georgia Tech at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 28-17.



    Tennessee at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Tennessee 27-7.

    Muschamp Returns

    A boom was heard around the state -- and much further out -- with the announcement that Will Muschamp has been hired as Auburns new defensive coordinator.

    Muschamp, who was recently fired after a dismal four-year run as Floridas head coach, had been rumored for the last two weeks as being Auburns go-to guy for the spot.

    Muschamp will replace Ellis Johnson, who served as Auburns defensive coordinator the last two seasons. Johnson was fired a day after the Tigers 55-44 loss to Alabama last month.

    The hire of Muschamp complements Auburns high-powered offense with a stingy defense, which is something Auburn didnt have in Ellis two seasons at defensive coordinator. In Malzahns 26 games as Auburns headman, the Tigers rank 20th nationally in offense averaging 495.7 yards per game. On the other side of the ball, the defense allowed at least 31 points in six of the last seven games of the 2014 season, which is the worst stretch in school history.

    Muschamps troubles at Florida, which came with a 28-21 overall record, didnt come on defense. Florida ranked no lower than ninth nationally in total defense in his four-years at the Swamp.

    But thats become routine.

    Muschamps defenses ranked in the top 10 during his combined five years as defensive coordinator at LSU and Auburn, too.

    His return to the Plains comes seven years after he left the Tigers to become the co-defensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting at Texas. Muschamp served as the defensive coordinator at Auburn in 2006-07.

    In his first season at Auburn, Muschamps defense finished seventh amongst FBS teams in scoring defense and allowed only 21 touchdowns on the season. The following year, the Tigers led the Southeastern Conference in scoring defense and finished in the top 10 nationally in total defense (6th), passing defense (6th), scoring defense (6th) and pass efficiency (7th).

    The news of Muschamps return nearly cause an earthquake via Twitter, where Auburn commitments voiced their approval on the hire.

    Madison Academy four-star athlete Kerryon Johnson tweeted simply, BOOM!!! The message spoke loud and clear.

    Tallahassee Leon (Fla.) four-star athlete DAnfernee McGriff tweeted, I ain't gone flex coach gus and coach muschamp about to be unstoppable.

    Muschamp will make $1.6 million a year, making him the most-paid assistant coach in the country.

    Auburn Basketball Earns Big Win Over Xavier

    Some are saying its showing the past is nothing more. Some are saying its a sign that the future is bright. But, the best way to describe Auburns victory over Xavier in basketball is by agreeing theres current change within the program.

    Auburns 89-88 double overtime win over the Musketeers was Xaviers third loss of the season. Its something that only Long Beach State and UTEP have done, while Southeastern Conference teams Alabama and Missouri were unable to defeat Xavier at home.

    For Auburn, it was unquestionably the biggest win of the season. Four players scored in double figures, including unlikely hero Malcolm Canada, who sank two free throws with 14 seconds left in the second overtime.

    Things that would normally work against the Tigers certainly went in Auburns favor. When big man Cinmeon Bowers fouled out in the first overtime, newcomer, 7- foot-2 center Trayvon Reed came in and held his own, despite having practiced only three times with Auburn.

    All of these things came together to give the Tigers a win against a team thats made the NCAA Tournament nine times since Auburns last appearance in 2003.

    At the same time, Auburns play this season has also been inconsistent.

    The Tigers, who sit at 5-5, opened the season with a win against Milwaukee, followed by a loss to Colorado that included four points in a 10-plus minute span. Auburn followed that performance by scoring 105 points against Louisana- Lafayette, which marked the first time the Tigers had scored 100-plus points in more than a decade.

    Since that win, Auburn has gone 3-4. But Auburn fans will soon learn how good it can be before SEC play starts with a trip to Vanderbilt on Jan. 6.

    The Tigers next game is against Texas Southern, who recently defeated Michigan State.

    It's a long season and its only Bruce Pearls first year as head coach, but its arguable that Auburn is there there.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2014

    Believe it or not, the top story for 2014 was an event that took place in 2013. You will want to see the video...again.

    Top Ten Stories for 2013
      1. Kick Six--Again
      2. Murder on the Plains
      3. Hubbardgate
      4. Wisdoms of Pearl
      5. Passages: Lee & Lutz
      6. Pasadena
      7. Bo Bikes Auburn
      8. Ebola
      9. You call this planning?
    10. Guschamp

    1. Chris Davis's 109 yard field goal in the 2013 Iron Bowl was viewed by millions again and again as it won the Espy for Play of the Year and saw unrelenting air play and viral internet status.


      This was our favorite version. The extended life of the Kick Six is Access Auburn's top story for 2014.

    2. The celebration came to an abrupt end when Auburn redshirt freshman Jakell Mitchell was gunned down at graduation party December 14, raising renewed questions about public safety and gun violence in Auburn.

    3. Accusations of politics were hurled by Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard when a Lee County grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against the Auburn legislator. Stay tuned. This could be the top story of 2015 if it goes to trial.

    4. Auburn's basketball fortunes took a rapid one-eighty when Bruce Pearl was hired to coach the Tiger team. Pearl hasn't had a losing record in 19 years of coaching. Smart money says don't bet against Pearl keeping the record intact. We have to agree. This team reminds us of the 1997 team that had to win a game in the SEC tournament to finish with winning season and a year later was a number one seed in the NCAA tournament.

    5. We bid goodbye to some Auburn friends in 2014. Three who touched many hearts were socialite Lee Cannon, former AU football star Philip Lutzenkirchen and Auburn super-fan Mr. Penny. One streak will come to an end with the passing of David Brown, a familiar face at nearly every Tiger sports event for the last thirty years. Brown had attended 386 consecutive Auburn football games without an absence. Another streak remained intact when Buddy Davidson overcame a stroke to keep alive a consecutive game streak that began in the Eisenhower administration.

    6. It seems so long ago but the year began with Auburn playing for the last BCS National Championship in Pasadena against FSU. The Tiger came within 13 seconds of victory only to see it slip away when the Tigers could not withstand the Seminole's late offensive assault. Florida State downed Auburn, 34-31, January 6 in the Rose Bowl.

    7. The celebrities and others who wanted to help turned out when Bo Jackson brought his charity fund raiser Bo Bikes Bama home to Auburn. The 2015 version is scheduled for May 2.

    8. Auburn scientists received international acclaim for work helping to find a vaccine for the deadly Ebola disease.

    9. Despite vocal opposition Auburn City Council seems poised to approve a conditional use of a property on Donahue Drive for a fast food drive-through and a gas station. Opponents of the measure fear the area turning into another South College Street corridor, Auburn's congested southern entrance anchored on one end by the Longleaf crime nexus and at the other by the West Pace "Museum of Erosion" and the derelict water park. The Council will vote January 6 at 7 p.m. and the meeting is open to the public.

    10. The hottest new power couple on the SEC is Auburn Football Coach Gus Malzahn and his newly-hired defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Muschamp was hired after Ellis Johnson's defense was scorched in the stretch run.

    Recruiting Heats Up

    Football season never stops. Even with Auburns 2014 season coming to a close in the Outback Bowl, National Signing Day is right around the corner, meaning its officially crunch time for the Tigers coaching staff getting top recruits to come to the Plains.

    Auburn currently sits with the 10th-best recruiting class nationally, according the Scout. Its also fifth best in the SEC, with Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee sitting at the top three spots.

    The Tigers have 20 commits as of early January, including five-star running back Jovon Robinson and 12 four-star prospects. Auburns commits average star ranking is 3.7, all according to Scout.

    A lot of things can change in January, however.

    The Tigers are on the radar for several big-name prospects from Florida, including five-star offensive tackle Martez Ivey of Apopka Senior High, five-star defensive end Cece Jefferson of Baker County Senior High and five-star defensive end Bryon Cowart of Armwood High.

    Its no secret Auburn has made a home in Florida, especially with former Tiger quarterback Dameyune Craig, now the wide receivers coach, having recruited in the state for Florida State. Adding in defensive line coach Rodney Garner record of recruiting and theres a good bit of optimism for Auburn.

    The Tigers also have a new defensive coordinator in Will Muschamp that spent the last four years as head coach at Florida. Despite Muschamps tenure over the Gators going less than ideal, he still has one of the best reputations as a defensive mastermind in the country.

    With Craig and Garner being former Tigers and Muschamp leading Auburns defense for two years in the 2000s, they have first-hand experience of how things are done on the Plains and what it takes to be successful.

    The Muschamp Effect has also shown it carries weight considering the jump Auburn made on Jeff Hollands list of schools.

    The Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.) outside linebacker took immediate notice to the Muschamp hire and currently has Auburn and Florida at the top of his list, according to Scout.

    If Holland is swayed to Auburn hes just one of many commits that could see immediate playing time.

    Robinson is a force thatll be added to an already-deep backfield. With Cameron Artis-Payne graduating, Robinson is arguably Auburns initial go-to tailback entering spring practice.

    The same can be said for Jason Smith, another JUCO player thats been committed to Auburn since high school. Smith will move to wide receiver, another position that has depth, but hes a player thats too talented to not have on the field.

    For incoming freshman, Hoovers Darrell Williams appears to lead the pack. After a strong Under Armour All-America performance, which included two interceptions, the outside linebacker could find his way in the rotation as quickly as next fall.

    Chandler Cox from Apopka Senior High, Fla. could also see plenty of playing time in the fall. With H-back Brandon Fulse graduating, Cox may be arriving to Auburn at the perfect time.

    The Tigers also have three four-star offensive lineman coming in. Southside-Gadsdens Tyler Carr, Mill Creek High, Ga.s Kaleb Kim and Creekside Highs Marquel Harrell all enter camp with a chance of earning playing time at positions that Auburn has shown it will play freshman.

    Support the Lee County Special Olympics

    Recruit sponsors to support you as you brave the frigid waters of Samford Pool on January 31 at 9 a.m. in support of the Lee County Special Olympics. Sponsors will donate a minimum of $20 to LCSO in support of the person taking the plunge.

    Individual and group costumes are encouraged. Register online at active.com/auburn-al/auburn-polar-plunge-2015. For more information, contact Ryan Molt at (334)501-2943 or rmolt@auburnalabama.org.

    The 26th Annual Love Your Heart Run

    The 26th Annual Love Your Heart Run and 8th Annual Crank Your Heart Ride will be held on February 14 at Chewacla State Park. This annual event benefits the Exceptional Outreach Organization, which supports children and adults with various disabilities through programs like Therapeutic Summer Day Camp, Lee County Special Olympcs, and Best Buddies of Auburn University. Pre-registration is now open.

    26th Annual Love Your Heart Run:

    1-mile and 10k distances inside Chewacla State Park

    $25 pre-registration (before Feb. 4); $30 race-day registration

    8th Annual Crank Your Heart Ride:

    3.5-mile, 11-mile and 22-mile route options

    $25 pre registration (before Feb. 4); $30 race-day registration

    For more information, please visit www.loveyourheartrun.com or contact Auburn Parks and Recreation at (334)501-2930.

    National Signing Day Recap

    National Signing Day included another strong signing class for Auburn and excitement wasnt shortcoming.

    The Tigers finished third in the country, according to Scout, just behind USC and Alabama. Auburn pulled in two 5-star recruits, a nation-leading 16 4-stars and nine 3-stars.

    Of Auburns two 5-star recruits, excitement peaked when Armstead (Fla.) Highs Byron Cowart committed to the Tigers on Wednesday. The nationally televised announcement was supposed to come just before Cowart sent his letter of intent.

    However, minutes turned to hours before Auburn finally got the form to make Cowart officially headed to the Plains.

    Cowart, a defensive end, is rated by Scout as the No. 2 player at his position in the country and top DE in the Florida and the Southeast.

    The Tigers other 5-star recruit, Jovon Robinson, was already on campus Wednesday, having enrolled for spring classes. Robinson, a running back, committed to Auburn out of high school, but attended Georgia Military for two years.

    Excitement beyond Cowarts commitment was there Wednesday. There were a number of other recruits that also committed to Auburn right before signing.

    What has become known as the Muschamp Effect -- strong recruiting by new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp -- came full circle with Auburn pulling more players from Florida.

    Four-star linebacker Jeff Holland of Trinity Christian (Fla.) made a big splash for the Tigers, as did Lakewood (Fla.) High wide receiver Ryan Davis and four-star Edward H. White (Fla.) High corner back Javaris Davis.

    In total, Auburn signed eight players from Florida, which is the same amount as from Alabama.

    Where the Tigers had an even bigger impact was Georgia, where Auburn signed 10 recruits.

    Of those 10, six are four stars, including wideout Darius Slayton, safety Montravious Atkinson and offensive guards Kaleb Kim and Marquel Harrell.

    Auburns 2015 signing class has made waves throughout college football, especially in the Southeastern Conference. The recruiting class ranks third to seventh in all national rankings, averaging sixth. According to Rivals, its also the third consecutive season Auburn has posted a top-10 recruiting class, which only Florida State and Alabama have also done.

    Baseball Is Back

    Auburn head baseball coach Sunny Golloways first year as Tiger skipper didnt exactly go as planned. After arriving on the Plains saying its time for Auburn to make it back to the College World Series, the Tigers finished the 2014 season 28-28 and didnt make the postseason or SEC Tournament.

    But Golloway and the Tigers are looking to turn things around in 2015. The season opens against Binghamton this weekend at Plainsman Park.

    Although all the Omaha references still surround the clubhouse and all things affiliated with the program, things are looking up.

    The biggest returning player for Auburn is pitcher/first basemen Keegan Thompson, who was recently announced to the Golden Spikes Award watch list.

    On the mound, Thompson led last years team with a 2.01 ERA. He went 4-3 in 14 appearances, changing roles as a starter to closer midway through the season. At the plate, Thompson hit .244 with 13 RBIs and 13 runs.

    Auburn also returns infielders Jordan Ebert and Damek Tomscha, who led the team in batting average last year.

    Ebert led the team at .353 with 72 hits and also had a team-best .984 fielding percentage. Tomscha batted .313 with team highs in home runs (five) and runs (37).

    The Tigers also lost a lot from 2014.

    Star outfielder Ryan Tella, who batted .306 and had a .980 field percentage, and catcher Blake Austin, who led the team with 11 doubles and 31 RBIs, are two of the most crucial replacements on the field.

    Golloway will likely look to UAB transfers Ben Craft or sophomore Blake Logan to replace Austin. Logan started 14 games at catcher last season, batting .256 in 42 games played. He had a perfect fielding percentage beyond the plate.

    In the outfield, Auburn has options.

    Anfernee Grier, Sam Gillikin and Jackson Burgreen all return, but theres a buzz around incoming freshman Austin Murphy.

    Murphy, out of high school, was named the No. 91 overall prospect and No. 22 outfield prospect in the county by Perfect Game.

    On the mound, the Tigers lose top pitchers Dillon Ortman and Michael ONeal.

    Along with Thompson, Auburn does have Rocky McCord, who maintained a 3.38 ERA last year, and Justin Camp, who worked a 4.01 ERA.

    Following a dismal season, hopes are high again in the Auburn clubhouse. The Tigers have a talented team, but will need to play well to make a run at Omaha, or even the SEC Tournament.

    2nd annual Fit as a Fiddle

    Join Auburns Parks and Recreation department and senior community on Saturday, March 14 for the 2nd annual Fit as a Fiddle, our 50+ lifestyle and health fair. From 9 a.m. to noon, Auburns 50+ citizens will be able to explore exciting new opportunities to live out a healthier lifestyle by visiting interactive booths around the Harris Center.

    The morning will be filled with advice from doctors, fitness experts, health food stores, senior communities and more. In addition to becoming fit as a fiddle, seniors will have the opportunity to win various door prizes. The fair is free for all 50+ seniors.

    Businesses and organizations interested in participating may download a vendor form by visiting http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/PressRelease.aspx?PRID=1338. Applications must be submitted by Friday, January 30 at 5 p.m. Spaces will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

    For more information, contact Gabby Meredith at gmeredith@auburnalabama.org or (334) 501-2930.

    Spring Practice Starts

    Auburn spring football practice opened March 10, and with all the excitement surrounding the team, the Tigers 8-5 finish last year has most looking to new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to improve a dismal defense to get Auburn back to competing for an SEC Championship.

    Muschamps start will include some new personnel on the field, especially with the loss of several starters, including star Robenson Therezie and most of a subpar secondary.

    The defense is spending the spring learning how Muschamp coaches, from different terminology to playing styles. Defensive back Jonathan Jones described Muschamp as a coach that wants your best every play and every day.

    Auburn is planning on building the defense from the ground up, but head coach Gus Malzahn has already said Josh Hosley will start at cornerback this spring and Rudy Ford has a starting spot at safety, but nothing more has been announced.

    On the defensive line, Carl Lawson made his return to the field this spring, having missed all of last season after needing surgery to repair damage to his left knee. Lawson is expected to be the difference maker for the D line, which struggled in 2014 to provide a consistent pass rush.

    Offensively, the Tigers lose quarterback Nick Marshall, running back Cameron Artis-Payne and wideout Sammie Coates. The three losses should provide somewhat of a setback, but it may not be as bad for the Tigers as some expect.

    Wideout Duke Williams decided to forego the NFL Draft to return for his senior season, which will provide new starting quarterback Jeremy Johnson will an instant go-to target. Johnson has played limitedly behind Marshall the last two seasons, but has shown his passing capabilities when hes gotten playing time.

    The backfield is deep, but there isnt much experience.

    Roc Thomas and Peyton Barber are the only two current tailbacks that had carries last year, but Kamryn Pettway is fresh off redshirting his freshman season and five-star JUCO running back Jovon Robinson has the talent to be an immediate impact.

    The guys blocking for the running backs -- the offensive line -- are set to see some changes as well, especially with the loss of multiple-year starters Chad Slade, Patrick Miller and Remington Award-winner Reese Dismukes.

    Avery Young returns as Auburn's more experienced offensive lineman, and hes been moved back to tackle. Tackle Shon Coleman and guard Alex Kozan both return after starting all of last season, but thats where the Tigers depth drops off.

    The biggest question is who will replace Dismukes, a four-year starter at center. It appears senior Xavier Dampeer and sophomore Austin Golson are in a battle for the spot, but the Auburn coaching staff have made position changes in the past to suit their needs.

    Auburn will practice five times before spring break in a week and a half. The Tigers A-Day game is scheduled for April 18.

    Bark in the Park March 28

    Calling all dog lovers! Auburn Parks and Recreation will host Bark in the Park, an event celebrating responsible dog ownership, on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Kiesel Park. This FREE community event is open to all dog owners and their favorite four-legged friends.

    Bring your friends and family, both two-legged and four-legged, and join Auburn Parks and Recreation for a morning of doggone good fun at the park! Visit a variety of educational booths, shop with local pet vendors, take advantage of low-cost rabies vaccinations, and enjoy door prizes and dog-friendly activities all morning. Looking to expand your canine family? Rescue dogs will be available for adoption as well! Mark your calendars and make plans to attend Bark in the Park on Saturday, March 28 at Kiesel Park.

    Auburn Parks and Rec is currently looking for dog-friendly vendors to participate in this years event. Booth spaces are FREE and are available on a first come, first serve basis.

    For more information, visit www.auburnalabama.org/parks or contact Gabby Meredith at (334)501-2930 or gmeredith@auburnalabama.org.

    Betting Madness

    Office pools have become popular across the country since the NCAA tournament field was announced on Sunday. They may appear harmless, but office pools are considered illegal and distract employees from doing their jobs.

    In office pools, people generally pay for a bracket sheet, and then pick the teams they expect to win, down to one team. In the end, the person who picks the most teams who get into the Final Four and picks the overall winner goes home with the pool of cash.

    While the amount of money that is payed to fill out a bracket ranges from a $1 to $10, it quickly adds up when one out of every 10 Americans fills out a bracket to win money on the tournament that wraps up April 6 in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

    Most people participate in office pools for the money or for bragging rights, but others say it makes the games more interesting. Even though most of the pools are small, attention given to the tournament over the next three weeks will cause billions in lost productivity at U.S. companies as employees watch the games rather than do their jobs.

    Nearly half of all U.S. workers have participated in an office pool at some point, according to a recent survey by Spherion Corp., a recruiting and staffing company based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The survey found that 75 percent of those who participate in office pools spend less than $20 while 8 percent said they spent $50 or more.

    Any type of sports betting is illegal and law enforcement officials acknowledge that office pools are hard to monitor and it isn't something that is given top priority. If a person is caught, which is very rare, they are usually issued a warning.

    The NCAA is strongly opposed to office pools because it gives athletes mixed messages and it has an impact on the integrity of the game. NCAA rules prohibit college athletes, coaches and administrators from participating in any kind of sports betting no matter how innocent.

    34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

    Celebrate Spring at the 34th Annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by Wells Fargo and Auburn Parks and Recreation, at beautiful Kiesel Park. This Hunt is one of the largest in Lee County, with more than 30,000 eggs hidden over a four-acre area. Four hunting grounds are available for the following age groups: 3 & under, 4-6, 7-9 & 10-12 years of age. The Easter Bunny will be available for photos after the Egg Hunt.

    Come join us for some great musical entertainment, free sodas and balloons, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny! And dont forget to purchase a hamburger or hotdog from the Kiwanis Club of Greater Auburn. All proceeds raised will be given to needy families throughout our community. Please remember to arrive early to find parking and your childs correct age group. The Hunt will START at 11 a.m. FREE to the public. Rain date is set for April 5 at 2 p.m.

    For more information, contact Alison Hall with Auburn Parks and Recreation at (334)501-2930 or ahall@auburnalabama.org.

    Harpeth Rising

    Sundilla Acoustic Concert Series presents Harpeth Rising April 10th, 2015 at 7:30pm Tickets $15/$12 advance

    Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 450 East Thach Avenue Auburn, AL 36830 sundilla@mindspring.com

    http://www.sundillamusic.com/buy-tickets/ tickets also available at Spicers Music, Mama Mochas Coffee

    Spring Means Pollen

    Pollen Season is in full force and experts suggest that even though the allergy season could be worse than previous years, the season is anticipated to be a little shorter than normal.

    Trees like the classic oak, birch and maple that are responsible for many spring allergy symptoms will pollinate later than normal this year. This late pollination will discontinue allergies by a few days or a week.

    Pollen makes the body release histamines, chemicals that cause the linings of the nose, sinuses, eyelids and eyes to inflame.

    The most common signs of seasonal allergies are stuffiness, sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes. However there are also some subtle signs such as poor quality of sleep, inability to concentrate on what you are doing, irritability and fatigue.

    The most important thing when it comes to treating allergies is to find out what exactly is the patient allergic to. There are a lot of people who do not know for sure what they are allergic to. A specific diagnostic can be obtained through a scratch test in only 20 minutes: different allergens are placed on the patients skin and this answers the question.

    Many people confuse some of the yellow or green pine pollen that accumulates on their cars in the spring to be the cause of their problems but those pollen grains are very large and heavy and serve only as mild irritants as they are trapped in the nose. The smaller microscopic pollen grains easily get into the nasal passages and sinuses and even into our lungs to trigger asthma in allergic individuals.

    The problem particles cause about 60 million Americans to suffer from allergies. While there is no cure for allergies, people who have mild symptoms are usually helped by oral antihistamines, available both over-the-counter or by prescription.

    Experts believe that employing preventive measures before the onset of spring allergies is even better than actually treating the allergies. Allergy sufferers should start taking their allergy medication a few days before the onset of the allergy season.

    Follow these seasonal allergy tips to survive the pollen season:

    During peak pollen periods, stay inside if you can. Use air conditioning as a weapon it can help filter out allergy busting pollens.

    Wear oversized sunglasses to block airborne seasonal pollens and molds from entering your eyes and lids that cause uncomfortable redness, itchiness, watery eyes, and puffiness, too.

    Wear a hat. Preferably a wide-brimmed one. This will block out pollen, and for extra safety, skip the hair gel and spray. These act like a pollen magnet, especially when planning extended periods of time outdoors on high-pollen days.

    Stay clean. By showering nightly, youll rinse pollen from your hair and skin to get a good nights sleep. Also, change your clothing before entering the bedroom to reduce pollen transfer into your personal breathable space.

    Avoid going outside on windy, dry, and sunshiny days. Pollen counts are highest on days when it's dry, sunny, and blustery, and lowest during and just after a big storm. Levels are also generally higher in the morning than in the afternoon.

    CityFest 2015

    The 15th annual Auburn CityFest is right around the corner. Auburns largest outdoor festival is April 25 at Keisel Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event, which is free, will take place rain or shine.

    CityFest is known for several things, especially its line-up of live music from local and regional acts. This years theme is Blues BBQ, and CityFests lead musical act is Alabama Blues Project.

    The band from Northport, Ala., comprised of three women, Carroline Shines, Debbie Bond, and Rachel Edwards, is sure to bring the crowd to its feet. Also performing is East Alabamas own Soul Coalition, also known as Soulco, and regular-performer Big Swamp Blues Band.

    CityFest will have a number of vendors again this year, ranging from fine art to food to arts and crafts.

    For the children, CityFest will have Children Imagination Station. Featured at CIS is the Hogway Speedway where pigs will race, along with an educational circus, pony rides, inflatables and more.

    There will also be a juried art show and preview reception taking place inside the historic Nunn-Winston House.

    For any questions, CityFest headquarters is located at 425 Perry Street in Auburn. The offices telephone number is (334) 501-2936.

    May Sweeps

    For many television viewers, May sweeps means a whole month of exciting moments before the summer reruns begin. The major networks pull out all of the best programming during May sweeps as they try to win the ratings war.

    The month long special ratings period which features sitcoms, specials, movies and miniseries, is designed to set advertising rates in more than 200 cities.

    Each year, the months of November, February, May, and July are known as the "sweeps" rating periods.

    During sweeps, Nielsen ratings determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States. Set meters and People meters are the two types of meters used in the ratings process. Set meters capture what channel is being tuned, while People Meters go a step further and gather information about who is watching in addition to the channel tuned.

    Diaries are also used to collect viewing information from sample homes in many television markets, and smaller markets are measured by paper diaries only.

    This year, the ratings period for May sweeps began April 23 and ends May 20.

    Here are a few highlights from the big four networks as they end the TV season with a bang.

    (All times are Eastern)

    CBS

    May 4

    David Letterman: A Life On Television 9:30-11:00 PM

    CBS will salute David Letterman and his legendary broadcasting career with David Letterman: A Life On Television, a 90-minute primetime special celebrating his more than three decades in television.

    May 5

    Person Of Interest 10:00-11:00 PM

    May 6

    Criminal Minds 9:00-10:00 PM

    May 7

    The Big Bang Theory 8:00-8:30 PM

    May 8

    Hawaii Five-0 9:00-10:00 PM

    Hawaii Five-0 10:00-11:00 PM - Season Finale

    May 10

    The Good Wife 9:00-10:00 PM

    May 12

    NCIS 8:00-9:00 PM

    NCIS: New Orleans 9:00-10:00 PM

    May 13

    CSI: Cyber 9:00-10:00 PM

    CSI: Cyber 10:00-11:00 PM - Season Finale

    May 14

    The Odd Couple 8:30-9:00 PM

    The Odd Couple 9:00-9:30 PM - Season Finale

    Elementary 10:00-11:00 PM

    May 15

    The Amazing Race 8:00-9:00 PM

    May 17

    I Love Lucy (2 New Colorized Episodes) 8 PM

    May 18

    2 Broke Girls 8:00-8:30 PM

    Mike & Molly 8:30-9:00 PM

    Stalker 9:00-10:00 PM

    NCIS: Los Angeles 10:00-11:00 PM

    May 20

    Survivor 8:00-10:00 PM

    May 20

    Late Show with David Letterman (Letterman's Final Episode) 11:30-12:30 PM

    FOX

    May 4

    Gotham Season Finale 8 PM

    May 5

    Weird Loners Season Finale 9PM

    New Girl Season Finale 9:30 PM

    May 12

    American Idol Season Finale Pt. 1 9 PM

    May 13

    American Idol Season Finale Pt. 2 8 PM

    May 14

    Wayward Pines Premiere 9 PM

    May 17

    The Simpsons Season Finale 8 PM

    Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season Finale 8:30 PM

    Family Guy Season Finale 9 PM

    May 18

    The Following 2-Hr Season Finale 8 PM

    May 20

    MasterChef 2-Hr Season Premiere 8 PM

    ABC

    May 5

    Forever Season Finale 10:01-11:00 PM

    May 7

    Scandal Season Finale 9:00-10:00 PM

    May 10

    Once Upon a Time Two-Hour Season Finale 8:00-10:01 PM

    Revenge Season Finale 10:01-11:00 PM

    May 11

    Castle Season Finale 10:01-11:00 PM

    May 12

    Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Two-Hour Season Finale 9:00-11:00 PM

    May 13

    The Middle Season Finale 8:00-8:30 PM

    The Goldbergs Season Finale 8:30-9:00 PM

    Nashville Season Finale 10:00-11:00 PM

    May 14

    Greys Anatomy Season Finale 9:00-10:01 PM

    American Crime Season Finale 10:01-11:00 PM

    May 15

    Shark Tank Season Finale 8:00-9:00 PM

    May 17

    Americas Funniest Home Videos 7:00-8:00 PM

    The 2015 Billboard Music Awards 8:00-11:00 PM

    May 18

    Dancing with the Stars 8:00-9:01 PM

    The Bachelorette Season Premiere 9:01-11:00 PM

    May 19

    Dancing with the Stars 9:00-11:00 PM

    May 20

    500 Questions Season Premiere 8:00-9:00 PM

    Modern Family Season Finale 9:00-9:31 PM

    black-ish Season Finale 9:31-10:00 PM

    NBC

    May 16

    Preakness Stakes 6 PM

    Bo Bikes Bama

    Its that time of year again and Auburn great Bo Jackson is back on his bike and ready to tour Alabama. The fourth annual Bo Bikes Bama is fast approaching and set to begin May 2.

    Registration is available on bobikesbama.com, and participants can ride either 20 or 63 miles. Both routes will take riders through the campus of Auburn University, while the 63-mile route will carry riders through Tuskegee and neighboring Macon County.

    The 20-mile ride is $40 for online registration and $60 on the day of the ride. The 63-mile trip is $60 online and $100 to register on the day of the event.

    The ride happens rain or shine. Participants must provide their own bicycle and all related equipment, in good working order, and helmets are required.

    You could say that Im officially in training mode Jackson said in a press release. Im eager to get on my bike in Auburn and excited to make some new friends on May 2 to raise money for a good cause.

    For those that register, riders and supporters can also create personal teams and team fundraiser pages to college donations for the event.

    On April 27, 2011, several devastating tornadoes ripped through Alabama claiming hundreds of lives and destroying countless homes. A year later, Bo embarked on a five-day journey across the state of Alabama, visiting many of the towns ravaged by the tornadoes to raise money.

    All money has been raised through the Governors Emergency Relief Fund and theres been more than $780,000 raised the last three years. The money has been used to rebuild hundreds of homes and for the construction of community storm shelters across the state.

    The support from riders and fans has been tremendous over the past three years, Jackson said. This new fundraising tool will enable all supporters to participate in Bo Bikes Bama, whether its from the seat of their bike or their living room.

    May Sweeps

    For many television viewers, May sweeps means a whole month of exciting moments before the summer reruns begin. The major networks pull out all of the best programming during May sweeps as they try to win the ratings war.

    The month long special ratings period which features sitcoms, specials, movies and miniseries, is designed to set advertising rates in more than 200 cities.

    Each year, the months of November, February, May, and July are known as the "sweeps" rating periods.

    During sweeps, Nielsen ratings determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States. Set meters and People meters are the two types of meters used in the ratings process. Set meters capture what channel is being tuned, while People Meters go a step further and gather information about who is watching in addition to the channel tuned.

    Diaries are also used to collect viewing information from sample homes in many television markets, and smaller markets are measured by paper diaries only.

    This year, the ratings period for May began April 23 and ends May 20.

    Here are a few highlights from the big four networks as they end the TV season with a bang.

    (All times are Eastern)

    CBS

    May 4

    DAVID LETTERMAN: A LIFE ON TELEVISION 9:30-11:00 PM

    CBS will salute David Letterman and his legendary broadcasting career with David Letterman: A Life On Television, a 90-minute primetime special celebrating his more than three decades in television.

    May 5

    PERSON OF INTEREST 10:00-11:00 PM

    May 6

    CRIMINAL MINDS 9:00-10:00 PM

    May 7

    THE BIG BANG THEORY 8:00-8:30 PM

    May 8

    HAWAII FIVE-0 9:00-10:00 PM

    HAWAII FIVE-0 10:00-11:00 PM - SEASON FINALE

    May 10

    THE GOOD WIFE 9:00-10:00 PM

    May 12

    NCIS 8:00-9:00 PM

    NCIS: NEW ORLEANS 9:00-10:00 PM

    May 13

    CSI: CYBER 9:00-10:00 PM

    CSI: CYBER 10:00-11:00 PM - SEASON FINALE

    May 14

    THE ODD COUPLE 8:30-9:00 PM

    THE ODD COUPLE 9:00-9:30 PM - SEASON FINALE

    ELEMENTARY 10:00-11:00 PM

    May 15

    THE AMAZING RACE 8:00-9:00 PM

    May 17

    I Love Lucy (2 New Colorized Episodes) 8 PM

    May 18

    2 BROKE GIRLS 8:00-8:30 PM

    MIKE & MOLLY 8:30-9:00 PM

    STALKER 9:00-10:00 PM

    NCIS: LOS ANGELES 10:00-11:00 PM

    May 20

    SURVIVOR 8:00-10:00 PM

    May 20

    Late Show with David Letterman (Letterman's Final Episode) 11:30-12:30 PM

    FOX

    May 4

    Gotham Season Finale 8 PM

    May 5

    Weird Loners Season Finale 9PM

    New Girl Season Finale 9:30 PM

    May 12

    American Idol Season Finale Pt. 1 9 PM

    May 13

    American Idol Season Finale Pt. 2 8 PM

    May 14

    Wayward Pines Premiere 9 PM

    May 17

    The Simpsons Season Finale 8 PM

    Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season Finale 8:30 PM

    Family Guy Season Finale 9 PM

    May 18

    The Following 2-Hr Season Finale 8 PM

    May 20

    MasterChef 2-Hr Season Premiere 8 PM

    ABC

    May 5

    Forever SEASON FINALE 10:01-11:00 PM

    May 7

    Scandal SEASON FINALE 9:00-10:00 PM

    May 10

    Once Upon a Time TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE 8:00-10:01 PM

    Revenge SEASON FINALE 10:01-11:00 PM

    May 11

    Castle SEASON FINALE 10:01-11:00 PM

    May 12

    Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE 9:00-11:00 PM

    May 13

    The Middle SEASON FINALE 8:00-8:30 PM

    The Goldbergs SEASON FINALE 8:30-9:00 PM

    Nashville SEASON FINALE 10:00-11:00 PM

    May 14

    Greys Anatomy SEASON FINALE 9:00-10:01 PM

    American Crime SEASON FINALE 10:01-11:00 PM

    May 15

    Shark Tank SEASON FINALE 8:00-9:00 PM

    May 17

    Americas Funniest Home Videos 7:00-8:00 PM

    The 2015 Billboard Music Awards 8:00-11:00 PM

    May 18

    Dancing with the Stars 8:00-9:01 PM

    The Bachelorette SEASON PREMIERE 9:01-11:00 PM

    May 19

    Dancing with the Stars 9:00-11:00 PM

    May 20

    500 Questions SEASON PREMIERE 8:00-9:00 PM

    Modern Family SEASON FINALE 9:00-9:31 PM

    black-ish SEASON FINALE 9:31-10:00 PM

    NBC

    May 16

    Preakness Stakes 6 PM

    What are important ways to stay cool?

    Theres something about the Alabama weather that each year provides up to two dozen days of spring before the summer blaze arrives quicker than anyone truly wishes.

    Saying that, any Alabamian knows June, July and August are grueling, but that there are ways to stay cool despite temperatures reaching triple digits.

    A few of the most important ways to avoid the heat is to be prepared. While everyone knows itll at least be in the mid-90s by day and mid-80s at night, its important to avoid the hottest part of the day and plan ahead if theres yard work or any activity outside.

    Its also critical to wear light, loose clothing. Heavy, tight cotton will absorb a lot of sweat and make it harder to breath, which isnt good when temperatures are as high as Alabama experiences. Footwork goes into the same category. Feet need to breath as much as any other part of the body.

    But the most important thing to remember is to stay hydrated.

    Water or any sports beverage will help not only keep the body cooler, but also avoid any chance of heat strokes or illness. Eating a light meal before going outside for an activity also keeps the body cool, as well.

    Lastly, if cooling off at a pool or waterpark, or just doing yard work in the sun, its crucial to use an adequate amount of sunscreen. Although it may not seem like the sun is doing damage, it is indeed.

    Newcomers Expected To Make An Impact This Fall

    Auburn football felt the impact of new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp before even getting within six months of the 2015 season.

    The former-turned-new Auburn defensive coordinator that was most recently Floridas head coach came through huge for the Tigers on National Signing Day, getting a handful of talented players on the line that could make an immediate impact this fall.

    Everything on the line, which struggled last fall with Carl Lawson out of the season, starts with five-star prospect Byron Cowart. Cowart, who is expected to start this fall, chose Auburn over Florida, and he is expected to make a nice second punch to Lawsons dominant play off the end.

    In the secondary, Tim Irvin and former Ohio State commit Carlton Davis is expected to compete for playing time.

    The Tigers are well off at linebacker with Kris Frost, Anthony Swain and Cassanova McKinzy all returning, but Darrell Williams and Richard McBryde have a chance to get some reps.

    Offensively, all eyes may be on JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson, a running back. Robinson was committed to the Tigers out of high school before going the junior college route. He now is on the Plains as a more-developed animal.

    Robinson joins the mix of young runners, including Roc Thomas and Peyton Barber. Shifty Kerryon Johnson also joins the group after having an overwhelming amount of success at Madison Academy. All four backs could see playing time this fall.

    One player leading the way for the tailbacks is Chandler Cox, a longtime Auburn commit that will take over at H-Back. Another bruiser expected to make blocks for Auburn this year is tight end Jalen Harris, who was a former player of Philip Lutzenkirchen at Trinity in Montgomery.

    Spots at wideout are in the air, but its no secret that Duke Williams will be a favorite target of first-year starting quarterback Jeremy Johnson. Newcomer Darius Slayton is the lone receiver that experts are expecting to possibly play a big-time role this fall.

    The Tigers had several weaknesses exposed in 2014 on their way to an 8-5 season. The hire of Muschamp and a strong defensive signing class was the first step of allowing fewer points.

    Offensively, Auburn is in need of finding another Tre Mason or Cameron Artis-Payne to be the guy in the backfield. Johnson is expected to be a stronger thrower than Nick Marshall so if receivers can get open there should be a high completion rate, but Johnsons run game lacks compared to Marshall so the tailbacks will need to pick up some slack.

    Brandon Miller

    Coming up June 22: Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Receivers

    After an improbable run in 2013 that saw Auburn win the SEC title and advance to the national championship game, expectations were high entering the 2014 season. The Tigers started 5-0 then stumbled in the second half of the season to finish 8-5 overall and 4-4 in the SEC. With the 2015 season set to kickoff Sept. 5, Auburn is looking for a fresh start with a new quarterback under center and a stud returning at the wide receiver position.

    Head coach Gus Malzahn emphasized to his players all of spring practice to get their edge back and focus on the future after a disappointing finish down the stretch last season. Auburn lost four of its five final games, including a heartbreaking 34-31 overtime loss to Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl.

    Much of spring revolved around physical practices to develop toughness and every position was open to competition as the Tigers try to regain that hard-nosed attitude that was missing in 2014. The physical practices and the chance to earn a No. 1 spot on the depth chart will continue in fall camp in August.

    One position that has been decided is at quarterback. With Nick Marshall graduating, Malzahn announced two days after the A-Day game that junior Jeremy Johnson will be Auburn's starting quarterback in the fall.
    Jeremy Johnson
    Jeremy Johnson
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    The news wasn't a big surprise since Johnson has seen action as a backup and even has a few starts under his belt.

    As a true freshman in 2013, he played in six games and started against Western Carolina when he completed 17-of-21 passes for 201 yards with four touchdowns. For the season, he completed 29-of-41 passes for 422 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

    With Marshall suspended for the first half against Arkansas last year, Johnson started and connected on 12-of-16 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

    For the 2014 season, Johnson saw action in seven games while completing 28-of-37 passes for 436 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

    An impressive performance during A-Day saw Johnson hit 14-of-22 passes for 252 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, all in the first half.

    Sean White and Tyler Queen are next in line for the Tigers at quarterback.

    White, a redshirt freshman, is a former Under Armour All-American known for being a very accurate passer. He showed off his strong arm during A-Day by connecting on 15-of-19 attempts for 109 yards.

    Queen, a true freshman, is more of a dual-threat quarterback. He rushed for 43 touchdowns and passed for 89 scores as a four-year starter in high school. As a senior, he threw for 2,342 yards.

    Two important pieces to Auburn's receiving corps last season have moved on with Sammie Coates leaving early for the NFL Draft, and Quan Bray graduating. Coates will be missed, but luckily for Johnson and the offense, Duke Williams decided to return for his senior season and will be Johnson's main target.
    Duke Williams
    Duke Williams
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    If the first half of last year's Arkansas game is a sign of things to come, SEC defenses will have their hands full trying to stop the duo this fall. Williams hauled in seven passes from Johnson for 138 yards and a touchdown.

    In 10 games last season, Williams had 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns.

    Ricardo Louis looks to fill the void left by Coates. After a very promising sophomore campaign in 2013, Louis was somewhat disappointed with his junior season in 2014. With 21 catches for 261 yards and three touchdowns a year ago, Louis hopes his last season on the Plains is more consistent and productive.

    In two seasons at Auburn, Marcus Davis has 36 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Entering his junior season, he will be counted on to replace Bray and looks to have more opportunities to make big plays after finishing last season with 13 catches for 92 yards.

    Melvin Ray, Stanton Truitt, and Tony Stevens all have proven to be reliable receivers and will probably see more action in the fall. Last season, Ray had eight catches for 182 yards and a touchdown, Truitt caught two for 13 yards, and Stevens had one reception for 13 yards.

    Junior-college transfer Jason Smith made the move from quarterback to receiver a few weeks after spring drills started. He could still see time at quarterback, when the Tigers use the Wildcat formation, but the move to receiver will give the position more depth.

    The tight end position will see a new face with both C.J. Uzomah and Brandon Fulse graduating. Redshirt freshman Chris Laye is the only scholarship tight end on the roster and is expected to be a lead blocker. Laye could be challenged by Jalen Harris when he arrives on campus in the summer.

    Phil Marion

    Coming July 6: Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Football Preview: Running Backs and Offensive Line

    With Cameron-Artis Payne, Corey Grant, and Nick Marshall set to try their luck in the NFL, Auburn must replace the 2,770 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns the trio produced last season. The nation's No. 1 junior-college transfer and two sophomores are ready to lead Auburn's rushing attack and prove they can be just as successful in 2015.

    While a depth chart wasn't released after spring practice wrapped up, Jovon Robinson is projected to be Auburn's starter at tailback, with Roc Thomas a close second.

    Robinson signed to play for the Tigers in 2012 but he was declared ineligible after a high school counselor was accused of changing one of his grades. After sitting out for a year, Robinson went to Georgia Military College and rushed for 3,198 yards and 43 touchdowns in two seasons.
    Roc Thomas
    Roc Thomas
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    As a freshman last season, Thomas had 43 carries for 214 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. With Marshall moving on and new starting quarterback Jeremy Johnson ready to showcase his strong throwing arm, expect Thomas to take on a bigger role in the fall.

    With so much talent in Auburn's backfield last season, Peyton Barber was the odd man out. The rising sophomore still managed 10 carries for 54 yards.

    Kerryon Johnson will arrive on campus this summer. The five-star recruit could make an early impact with his talent and versatility.

    Thanks to the big bodies up front along the offensive line, Auburn's running game has produced at least one 1,000-yard running back in each of the last seven seasons, an SEC record. With the talent and depth returning on the line, many expect the streak to continue in 2015.

    The Tigers must find replacements for center Reese Dismukes, right tackle Patrick Miller, and guard Chad Slade.

    Austin Golson and Xavier Dampeer are vying for the starting job at center. Golson couldn't participate last season after transferring from Ole Miss. He played at both guard and tackle during his freshman season for the Rebels and made the move to center during Auburn's practices for the Outback Bowl. Dampeer played in five games last year at center.

    Shon Coleman has the left tackle spot locked down, while Alex Kozan and Devonte Danzey will battle each other for the No. 1 spot at left guard. Kozan injured his back last June while lifting weights and the injury kept him sidelined the entire 2014 season.

    Kozan was limited in the spring which gave Danzey most of the first-team snaps at left guard. Danzey also started seven games at left guard last season.

    Braden Smith is expected to start at right guard, taking over where Slade started for the last four seasons.

    Avery Young, who will start at right tackle, is the most experienced player of the group with 25 starts.

    Phil Marion

    Coming July 20: Defensive Line

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    The 2014 season saw Auburn's defense struggle in several key categories and head coach Gus Malzahn decided a change needed to be made. Malzahn hired Will Muschamp as the new defensive coordinator to rebuild the unit from the ground up.

    Muschamp will look to revive a unit that ranked 66th in the nation in total defense (398.8 yards per game), 82nd in pass defense (239.2 yards per game), 46th in rushing defense (149.5 yards per game), and 63rd in scoring defense (26.7 points per game) a year ago.

    Muschamp is no stranger to the Auburn program. In 2006, he was in charge of Auburn's defense that ranked seventh in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 21 touchdowns. In 2007, his unit led the SEC in scoring, ranked seventh nationally in pass efficiency, sixth nationally in total defense, passing defense and scoring defense.

    Auburn lost four of five key contributors to graduation along the line and Muschamp's first task is finding their replacements.

    Defensive tackle Montravius Adams returns as the most experienced tackle after 10 starts as a sophomore last season. Adams racked up 43 tackles, eight behind the line of scrimmage, three sacks, 17 hurries, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

    With so much depth along the defensive line a year ago, Dontavius Russell ended up being redshirted even though he knew he was ready to contribute as a true freshman. Now he has a chance to make a push for playing time with all of the departures from last year's line.

    Devaroe Lawrence will provide much needed depth up front for Muschamp's defense. Lawrence saw action in four games last season with one tackle-for-loss.

    Maurice Swain arrived from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in time to participate in spring practice, and newcomer Jauntavius Johnson will arrive in time for fall camp. Both could have a chance to play early.
    Carl Lawson
    Carl Lawson
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    The new coordinator must also find an answer to improve a pass rush that recorded just 21 total sacks, with only 5.5 coming from the defensive end position in 2014.

    The sack total should improve in the fall with the return of defensive end Carl Lawson. As a freshman in 2013, Lawson had 20 tackles, including 7.5 tackles-for-loss, and was second on the team with four sacks. He tore his ACL at the end of last spring which kept him sidelined for the entire 2014 season.

    As a junior last season, DaVonte Lambert finished with 24 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, 10 hurries, and one fumble forced. Lambert missed spring drills after knee surgery late last year and is expected to be full-speed once fall camp starts in August.

    Gimel President provides another option at defensive end after seeing the field in 13 games last season. President had 30 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, one sack, and six quarterback hurries.

    Elijah Daniel is no longer on the team.

    Phil Marion

    Coming August 3: Linebackers

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp received good news when two of Auburn's top players from last year decided not to leave early for the NFL Draft. A veteran coach was also hired to coach the linebacking corps.

    New linebackers coach Lance Thompson was hired away from Alabama Jan. 14, where he coached the same unit the past three seasons. Thompson has a great reputation as a recruiter and was named Rivals.com's Recruiter of the Year in 2008.

    Thompson will handle the strong-side and outside linebackers, with Muschamp coaching the inside linebackers.
    Kris Frost
    Kris Frost
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Seniors Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost gave Auburn's defense a huge boost when they decided to return to the Plains. The hiring of Muschamp was a big factor in their decision and also the possibility of playing for a championship.

    McKinzy and Frost have plenty of experience, with a combined 71 games played and a combined 340 tackles in their careers.

    Last season, McKinzy recorded 91 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, three quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble. Frost added 87 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception, 11 quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble.

    McKinzy is the starter at Mike linebacker, with Frost working at Will. Justin Garrett is behind McKinzy on the depth chart and Tre' Williams is backing up Frost.

    Williams started against LSU last season, but missed assignments caused him to see action on special teams for the rest of the year. The former five-star recruit was bothered by a hamstring injury in the spring, but will be healthy and ready to push for playing time in the fall.

    With Derrick Moncrief transferring, JaViere Mitchell should see more playing time in the fall. Mitchell, who has seen most of his playing time on special teams, will be in the mix at strong-side along with newcomer Jeff Holland. Holland was recruited specifically for strong-side.

    The "Buck", a hybrid defensive end-linebacker, has Carl Lawson as the perfect candidate for the position with his size and speed.

    Phil Marion

    Coming August 10: Secondary


    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Football Preview: Secondary

    The lack of depth in Auburn's secondary is a major concern for new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. The depth situation should improve as a few players get healthy and with the addition of incoming freshmen set to make a push for playing time in fall camp.

    Despite being thin in the defensive backfield, the Tigers have some experience at the cornerback spot with Jonathan Jones and Joshua Holsey returning from last year's squad.
    Jonathan Jones
    Jonathan Jones
    (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

    Jones had a breakout season in 2014, with 36 tackles, six interceptions and 17 passes defended. He was limited in the spring after undergoing foot surgery in the offseason.

    Holsey has played at every position in Auburn's secondary, but he prefers corner where he'll start in the fall. The rising senior had 42 tackles and two pass breakups a year ago.

    T.J. Davis missed the last few weeks of spring drills when he tore his ACL before spring break. He showed potential in limited action last season and will hopefully be healthy for the season opener to give the Tigers much needed depth.

    Safety Tray Matthews, who sat out last year after transferring from Georgia, brings his physical play to the Plains. As a true freshman in 2013, Matthews had 36 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble.

    Matthews and Rudy Ford as a duo at safety are expected to make plenty of hard-hitting plays in the fall. Ford, who led the Tigers with 93 tackles last season, also had three interceptions and a forced fumble.

    Nick Ruffin is another option at safety, but he will be competing with Matthews and Ford for playing time. Last fall as a true freshman, Ruffin recorded nine tackles at cornerback and at the star rover spot.

    Tim Irvin enrolled early and could play either nickel or safety in Muschamp's defense. Also in the mix are incoming freshmen Carlton Davis and Jeremiah Dinson.

    Phil Marion

    Coming August 24: Special Teams


    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    In 2014, Daniel Carlson was impressive as a freshman handling all of the kicking duties for Auburn. Special teams coordinator Scott Fountain expects a few newcomers to take some of the pressure off of Carlson in the fall. With Quan Bray and Corey Grant gone, the return game will have a new look as well.

    Last season, Carlson handled field goals and nearly all kickoffs and punts when fellow freshman Jimmy Hutchinson failed to win the job as punter. Hutchinson is no longer on the team after transferring.

    A year ago, Carlson averaged 42 yards per punt and was good on 18-of-24 field goal attempts with a long of 51 yards.

    Signee Ian Shannon and walk-on Kevin Phillips are expected to handle all of the punting duties so Carlson can focus on kickoffs and field goals.

    The Tigers ranked fourth nationally in 2014 with 17.82 yards per punt return. Bray's 15 attempts averaged 18.1 yards per return, which ranked second in the country.

    Fountain will rely on Marcus Davis to return punts, with Stephen Roberts and Jason Smith also getting looks. Davis returned two punts last season for 31 yards.

    Grant was Auburn's top kickoff returner last year, averaging 22.4 yards on 18 attempts. Rudy Ford, Ricardo Louis and Roc Thomas all have a shot to take over for Grant in the fall. Louis returned eight kickoffs for an average of 21.4 yards last season while Thomas returned three for an average of 14.3 yards.

    Phil Marion

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Week One SEC Predictions

    Auburn opens its 2015 campaign in the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game in Atlanta against Louisville on CBS at 2:30 pm CT. Auburn leads the all-time series 1-0 after winning 16-3 back in 1974.

    Auburn vs. Louisville

    Bobby Petrino is in his second year as head coach at Louisville. Last year, the Cardinals went 9-4, with road wins at Notre Dame, Syracuse and Boston College. Will Gardner started seven games at quarterback last season but suffered the third knee injury of his career and had to sit out the spring.

    Louisville averaged 31.2 points per game and 394.7 yards per game of total offense a year ago.

    Petrino hasn't named a starter at quarterback for Saturday's contest. Gardner, Reggie Bonnafon, and.Kyle Bolin are all options to start under center.

    Louisville's top three receivers from last season are gone but James Quick returns after hauling in 36 catches for 566 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. Tight end Keith Towbridge is also back with experience with nine catches for 107 yards.

    In the backfield, Brandon Radcliff returns after an impressive 2014 campaign when he had 737 yards on 144 carries with 12 touchdowns. L.J. Scott is another option at tailback after getting 29 touches for 201 yards and two touchdowns last year.

    Defensively, Louisville allowed 21.8 points per game and 308.5 yards per game of total defense in 2014. The unit has to replace seven starters from a year ago but defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins is back along with linebackers James Burgess and Keith Kelsey. Transfers Josh Harvey-Clemons and Shaq Wiggins add depth and experience to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's unit.

    Gus Malzhan enters his third season as head coach at Auburn. After a disappointing 8-5 season a year ago, the Tigers are hoping 2015 produces better results.

    Malzhan's offense will be led by Jeremy Johnson, who served as the backup quarterback for the last two seasons. Last year, Johnson Johnson saw action in seven games while completing 28-of-37 passes for 436 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

    Sammie Coates and Quan Bray are gone from last year's group of receivers but Duke Williams is expected to be the leader for the unit in 2015. In 10 games last season, Williams had 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns. Ricardo Louis, Marcus Davis, Melvin Ray and Stanton Truitt all provide options for Johnson down field.

    In the backfield, Roc Thomas is expected to get the bulk of carries against Louisville. As a freshman last season, Thomas had 43 carries for 214 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.

    Jovon Robinson, Peyton Barber, and Kerryon Johnson have all had impressive fall camps and should see the field Saturday.

    Defensively, Will Muschamp takes over a unit that ranked 66th in the nation in total defense (398.8 yards per game), 82nd in pass defense (239.2 yards per game), 46th in rushing defense (149.5 yards per game), and 63rd in scoring defense (26.7 points per game) a year ago.

    Auburn lost four of five key contributors to graduation along the line but defensive tackle Montravius Adams returns as the most experienced tackle after 10 starts as a sophomore last season. Adams racked up 43 tackles, eight behind the line of scrimmage, three sacks, 17 hurries, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

    Defensive end Carl Lawson returns after sitting out the entire 2014 season while recovering from a torn ACL. As a freshman in 2013, Lawson had 20 tackles, including 7.5 tackles-for-loss, and was second on the team with four sacks.

    Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost are back at the linebacker position. The duo have played in a combined 71 games and have combined a total of 340 tackles in their careers.

    In the secondary, Auburn will get some much needed help from Georgia transfer Tray Matthews. As a true freshman in 2013 at Georgia, Matthews had 36 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble.

    At the cornerback spot, Jonathan Jones and Joshua Holsey return from last year's squad. Jones had a breakout season in 2014, with 36 tackles, six interceptions and 17 passes defended. Holsey had 42 tackles and two pass breakups.

    Prediction: Auburn 41-24.

    UNC at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-20.



    W Kentucky at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 17-10.



    UL Monroe at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 48-10.



    UT Martin at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 38-6.



    UTEP at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 27-10.



    SE Missouri St at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 40-7.



    Bowling Green at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 35-13.



    Arizona State at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 30-14.



    LA-Lafayette at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 34-13.



    McNeese State at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 36-9.



    New Mexico St at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 39-13.



    Wisconsin at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 21-17.



    Miss St at Southern Miss

    Prediction: Miss St 23-17.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 12-1. After defeating Louisville 31-24, Auburn hosts FCS opponent Jacksonville St. Saturday at 11:00 am CT. The contest can be seen on the SEC Network.

    Jacksonville St at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 50-7.



    Georgia at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Georgia 45-10.



    Fresno State at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 35-10.



    Mid Tennessee at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 56-3.



    Toledo at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 40-14.



    Oklahoma at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 20-17.



    Missouri at Arkansas State

    Prediction: Missouri 24-14.



    Ball State at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 45-10.



    ECU at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 38-13.



    Kentucky at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 30-20.



    LSU at Miss St

    Prediction: LSU 21-17.

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-3, and 20-4 overall. This week, Auburn travels to Baton Rouge to face LSU on CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT. LSU leads the all-time series 27211. Auburn's last victory in Baton Rouge was in 1999 when the Tigers won 417.

    Auburn at LSU

    LSU is 1-0 after hanging on to beat Mississippi State 21-19 in Starkville last Saturday. Running back Leonard Fournette rushed for a career-high 159 yards and scored three touchdowns in the contest. LSU quarterback Brandon Harris, in just his second career start, completed 9 of 14 passes for 71 yards.

    Auburn is 2-0 on the season after beating Louisville 31-24 on Sept. 5 and last Saturday's 27-20 overtime win against Jacksonville State. Running back Peyton Barber rushed for 125 yards in his first start. Barber's 120 rushing yards per game is tied for 25th nationally.

    Quarterback Jeremy Johnson struggled some by throwing two interceptions. For the game, Johnson completed 21 of 32 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

    So far after two games, Auburn's offense is averaging 177.5 rushing yards, 186.5 passing yards, 364 total yards and 29 points per game.

    Defensively, Auburn gave up 438 yards to JSU. After two contests, the unit is allowing 199.5 yards on the ground, 222 passing yards, 421.5 total yards and 22 points per game.

    Auburn has been banged up on the defensive side with defensive end Carl Lawson and safety Tray Matthews out for last Saturday's game. Both are expected to play against LSU. Linebacker Justin Garrett strained a quad muscle against Jacksonville State, but is also expected to be ready for the SEC opener.

    Prediction: LSU 24-20.



    Nevada at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 40-14.



    UConn at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 38-7.



    Northwestern St at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St. 50-6.



    Austin Peay at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 40-7.



    South Carolina at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 38-14.



    Texas Tech at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 30-20.



    W Carolina at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 48-13.



    Florida at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 26-23.



    Ole Miss at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 31-17.

    Periscope

    I discovered Periscope back in May 2015 and it quickly became one of my favorite apps. Periscope, a live video streaming app for iOS and Android, was purchased by Twitter for a reported $100 million in March 2015.

    The app allows users to watch others or broadcast certain things that they are doing in real-time.

    Many television stations are encouraged to use it to show what goes on behind-the-scenes or to show their newscasts. This exposure actually increases traffic to the station's website.

    Television stations WRDW in Augusta, Georgia and KGUN in Tucson, Arizona are the ones that I watch often. Viewers can ask the anchors questions and they usually answer during commercial breaks.

    I also follow the official account for Auburn's sports teams, which can be found @AuburnTigers. The morning of the Jacksonville State game, viewers were shown behind-the-scenes of War Eagle Productions. The crew runs the new massive video board from a building on campus with two rooms filled with monitors and editing equipment that shows fans inside Jordan-Hare instant replays.

    The app also has a feature that allows viewers to send "hearts" to the broadcaster by tapping on the mobile screen as a form of appreciation. Under the People tab, there will be a Most Loved List that shows the users who have received the most hearts during the real-time broadcast.

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-3, with an overall record of 27-7 . This week, Auburn hosts Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

    In the series with MSU, Auburn leads 61-25-2. Last year's meeting in Starkville saw the home team win 38-23.

    MSU enters the contest 2-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The Bulldogs defeated Southern Miss 34-16, then fell to LSU 21-19. Last weekend, MSU crushed Northwestern St. 62-13.

    On offense, the Bulldogs average 314.7 passing yards per game, 174.3 rushing yards, and average 38 points per contest.

    Quarterback Dak Prescott is the starter under center for head coach Dan Mullen. So far in 2015, Prescott has 799 passing yards with five touchdowns. Receiver De'Runnya Wilson has 11 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown, followed by Fred Ross with 15 catches for 153 yards.

    In the backfield, Ashton Shumpert leads the team with 27 carries for 123 yards with one touchdown.

    On defense after three games, MSU allows 16.7 points per game.

    Auburn is also 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the SEC. In non-conference action, the Tigers recorded victories over Louisville and Jacksonville St. but lost last weekend 45-21 on the road at LSU.

    In the loss to LSU, the defense gave up a whopping 485 total yards, including 411 rushing yards. It was the most rushing yards allowed by a Power 5 conference team this season and 10th highest in the country.

    For the season, the unit is allowing 270 rushing yards, 172.7 passing yards, and 29.7 points per game.

    Redshirt freshman Sean White will start at quarterback on Saturday. White gets the nod over Jeremy Johnson, who has thrown six interceptions in three starts this season.

    As a unit, the offense averages 171.7 rushing yards, 157.7 yards through the air, 329.3 total yards and 26.3 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 20-17.



    Southern at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 60-7.



    LSU at Syracuse

    Prediction: LSU 35-10.



    UCF at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 21-17.



    Tennessee at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 30-20.



    UL Monroe at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 55-6.



    Vanderbilt at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 47-17.



    Texas A&M at Arkansas

    Prediction: Texas A&M 24-20.



    Missouri at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 17-13.

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-1, and overall they are 35-8. This week, Auburn hosts San Jose State at 3 p.m. CT on SEC Network.

    San Jose State at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 30-14.



    South Carolina at Missouri

    Prediction: South Carolina 17-14.



    Alabama at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 24-17.



    Ole Miss at Florida

    Prediction: Ole Miss 31-10.



    E Michigan at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 40-10.



    Arkansas at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-21.



    Vanderbilt at Mid Tennessee

    Prediction: Middle Tennessee 20-14.



    Miss St at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 31-24.



    E Kentucky at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 35-13.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-5, with an overall record of 39-13. Auburn is off Saturday but will return to action Oct. 15 at Kentucky.

    LSU at South Carolina

    Prediction: LSU 30-17.



    New Mexico St at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 45-14.



    Georgia at Tennessee

    Prediction: Georgia 17-14.



    Troy at Mississippi State

    Prediction: Mississippi State 38-7.



    Arkansas at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 41-10.



    Florida at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 24-21.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, with an overall record of 43-15. Auburn returns to action Thursday night against Kentucky in Lexington. The contest will be televised by ESPN at 6 p.m. CT.

    Auburn leads the all-time series with Kentucky 25-6-1. The Tigers won the last meeting 37-34 in 2010.

    UK is 4-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play. The Wildcats' only loss was at home against Florida Sept. 19. UK averages 230.6 passing yards, 135 rushing yards and 25 points per game. Its defense allows 21.8 points per contest.

    Under center, quarterback Patrick Towles has 1,153 passing yards with eight touchdowns and six interceptions. Receiver Garrett Johnson leads the team with 19 catches for 278 yards. Stanley Williams has racked up 343 yards on the ground on 47 carries.

    Auburn is 3-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play. On defense, the Tigers allow 25.4 points per game and 202.4 yards through the air. The unit ranks last in the SEC by allowing 209.6 rushing yards per game.

    Offensively, the Tigers average 190 yards on the ground led by Peyton Barber's 558 yards on 109 carries. Barber has reached the endzone six times.

    Through the air, Auburn averages 153.8 yards per game with Ricardo Louis hauling in 19 catches for 193 yards.

    Overall, the offense averages 343.8 yards per game and 24.6 points per contest.

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-20.



    Ole Miss at Memphis

    Prediction: Ole Miss 34-7.



    LA Tech at Mississippi St.

    Prediction: Mississippi St. 40-20.



    Alabama at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 26-24.



    Vanderbilt at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 35-13.



    Florida at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 21-14.



    Missouri at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 28-10.

    Starter Under Center

    Theres nothing but potential for the Auburn football season at this point in the season. Unfortunately for Tiger fans, one of the possibilities is to complete a 2012-esque year that comes with a losing record.

    Sure, itd be an exaggeration to compare what has been a dismal season to the trainwreck that then-head coach Gene Chizik put on the field three years ago, which included losing all leadership before the season completion, but dont sugarcoat Auburns current issues.

    This falls problems start, of course, at quarterback.

    Even five games into the season, head coach Gus Malzahn has yet to name an official current starter. Everyone knows the background of Jeremy Johnson being listed as a Heisman hopeful entering the season before losing the job after throwing six interceptions through three games.

    Then in comes Sean White, who did well for his situation, yet never really got to run a wide-open playbook.

    Now with Malzahn not naming a starting quarterback before the Kentucky game, there are even more questions. Ultimately, it boils down to was Johnsons benching a message to the junior QB, has White simply lost his starting role or is the QB race really just that tight. There may be even more options.

    Either way, you have two quarterbacks that cant have much confidence considering neither are apparently good enough to be named the definitive starter.

    A lack of confidence is also apparent on the defensive front, where not even the $1.6 million salary of coordinator Will Muschamp can right the ship.

    Entering the season, it was hoped the defense would simply be better than a year ago. It can be argued that it has, despite allowing 400-plus yards in four of five games.

    One problem for the defense comes with a lack of offense. In Auburns two losses this year, LSU and Mississippi State, the offense never responded after the opponent scored. Its no secret that one unit feeds off the other.

    And these problems have led things to where they currently stand. It sums down to Auburn needs to beat Kentucky and Arkansas in back-to-back road goals to have a decent shot at making a bowl game. The Idaho game is a gimme, but defeating Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Georgia or Alabama is less than a clear win.

    These next two games is what could separate this team from 2012, at least record-wise. Three years ago, Auburn lost five games in a row before splitting its final four.

    A good place to start this week would be with deciding a starting quarterback.

    Haunted Houses

    October can be about fall arriving and leaves changing, but to many its about as many horror movies and haunted houses as possible. In Alabama, there are plenty of options for the latter.

    From local attractions to large venues in big cities, there are haunted houses throughout the state. Some are family friendly and some are serious when they tell you to not bring your kids. If its pure horror youre looking for, below is a list of five of the top haunted houses in Alabama.

    5. Maze of Terror, Titus

    The Maze of Terror is sponsored by the Titus volunteer fire department, but that doesnt mean it lacks horrors. The scare factor according to Alabama Haunted Houses is scary, and its the attraction not recommended for young children. The Maze of Terror includes 10 rooms, an old farmhouse and a trip through a forest. The attraction serves as the largest fundraiser for the Titus VFD and proceeds go toward buying and servicing equipment.

    4. Insanitarium Haunted Attraction, Pinson

    Insanitarium follows a theme from the moment scare-seekers arrive. The story surrounds Dr. Ausnemen, who has created a machine that allows guests to see places unknown and encounter creatures unfathomable. Alabama Haunted Houses lists the scare factor as scary, and only ages 12 and up are appropriate.

    3. Greenville Haunted Firehouse, Greenville

    The Greenville Haunted Firehouse was founded in 2003 by local firefighters and has grown since. The venue gives visitors three options for the attraction: The Haunt Tour, The Teaser Ball and The Flashlight Tour. The haunt tour offers the typical scare house, while the teaser ball allows workers to take the scare experience to the next level by teasing guests. The flashlight tour is designed for children 12 and under, who are allowed to bring a flashlight with them as they travel through the haunted firehouse. Alabama Haunted Houses lists the scare factor as scary and the attraction reviewed 5 of five pumpkin rating.

    2. Columbia Manor, Columbia

    The Columbia Manor is more than 150 years old and has plenty of scary stories for guests to discover. The manor was built in 1864 and has served as home to numerous families, including for the town mayor, local doctor and others. It was also used as the doctors office and was later a sanitarium. The attraction dares prospective guests to travel back in time as former residence return from the afterlife with others. The Columbia Manor received 5 of five pumpkins by Alabama Haunted Houses and is listed for a scary rating on scare factor.

    1. Sloss Fright Furnace, Birmingham

    Often considered as the top haunted attraction in Alabama, Sloss Fright Furnace isnt one to disappoint. The national landmark offers two options: The Furnace Tour and Outbreak 2. The Furnace Tour takes guests through the national landmark former furnace. Its been voted one of Americas top haunted houses. Outbreak 2 challenges guests to survive a newly expanded zombie obstacle course. Guests also have the opportunity to choose being a zombie or survivor. Alabama Haunted Houses gives Sloss Fright Furnace a very scary rating for scare factor.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-3, with an overall record of 47-18. After defeating Kentucky 30-27, Auburn plays on the road again this week against Arkansas. The contest can be seen on the SEC Network at 11 a.m. CT.

    Auburn leads the all-time series 13-10-1 and has a two-game winning streak. The Tigers won 35-17 in Fayetteville in 2013 and 45-21 last year.

    Arkansas is 2-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play. Bret Bielema is in his third season as head coach. His offense averages 23 points per game, 256 passing yards and 177.3 rushing yards per game. The Razorback defense allows 23.2 points per game.

    Under center, Brandon Allen has been solid so far in 2015 with 1,536 passing yards with ten touchdowns and four interceptions. Drew Morgan leads the team with 428 yards on 27 receptions and four touchdowns. In the backfield, Alex Collins has 125 carries for 682 yards and six touchdowns.

    Auburn improved to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play after an important victory on the road at Kentucky. Quarterback Sean White threw for 255 yards while the offense gained a season-high 407 yards.

    After six games, the Tigers average 183.7 yards on the ground, 170.7 yards through the air, 354.3 yards of total offense, and 25.5 points per game.

    Auburn's defense allowed a season-high 497 yards, which was also the most for Kentucky this season. The unit allows 197.7 rushing yards per game, 228.5 passing yards, and 426.2 total yards per game. Opponents are averaging 25.7 points per game against Auburn's defense in 2015.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-20.



    Tennessee at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 41-10.



    Missouri at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Missouri 17-14.



    Western Kentucky at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 38-6.



    Texas A&M at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-17.



    Kentucky at Mississippi State

    Prediction: Mississippi St. 30-17.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-2 and overall they are 51-20. Auburn is back in action this weekend when it welcomes Ole Miss to Jordan-Hare Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.

    Ole Miss enters the contest with an overall record of 6-2 and 3-1 in conference play after defeating Texas A&M 23-3 last Saturday. The Rebels average 41 ppg, 175 rushing yards per game and 339.8 passing yards per game. On defense, the unit is allowing 19.8 ppg.

    Quarterback Chad Kelly has thrown 2,475 yards on 180 completions with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Laquon Treadwell has 54 catches for 756 yards and five touchdowns. On the ground, Jaylen Walton has 428 yards on 80 carries and three touchdowns.

    In the all-time series with Ole Miss, Auburn leads 29-10 and has won two-straight.

    Auburn fell to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in the SEC after losing 54-46 to Arkansas in quadruple overtime. In the game, quarterback Sean White was 19-of-32 passing for 254 yards while running back Peyton Barber led the Tigers with 120 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 37 carries. So far in 2015, Barber has 770 yards on 172 carries and 12 touchdowns.

    Offensively, Auburn averages 180.6 yards per game on the ground, 182.6 passing yards, and 363.1 total yards of offense. The unit averages 28.4 points per game, which ranks 71st among FBS teams.

    On defense, the Tigers rank 100th in rushing defense, allowing 199.9 rushing yards per game, 73rd in passing, surrendering 230.7 yards, and 99th in total defense allowing 430.6 yards per game. The unit also allows 29.7 points per game.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-20.



    South Carolina at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 31-13.



    Florida vs. Georgia

    Prediction: Florida 17-14.



    UT Martin at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 40-10.



    Vanderbilt at Houston

    Prediction: Houston 24-14.



    Tennessee at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-24.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1 and overall they are 56-21. After losing 27-19 at home to Ole Miss, Auburn plays at Texas A&M Saturday night. The contest can be seen on the SEC Network starting at 6:30 p.m. CT.

    Texas A&M leads the all-time series with Auburn 4-1. The Aggies won last year 41-38 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Kevin Sumlin's team is 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play with losses against Alabama and Ole Miss. Last weekend, Texas A&M took care of South Carolina 35-28 with true freshman quarterback Kyler Murray starting under center. Murray ran for 156 yards and threw for 223 more in his debut.

    Kyle Allen started the first five contests but threw three interceptions against Alabama, and was 1-of-16 passing in the second half at Ole Miss Oct. 24.

    Offensively, the Aggies score 32 points per game, throw 262.9 yards and rush for 168.9 yards per game. Opponents score 24.6 points per game.

    The loss at home to Ole Miss drops Auburn's overall record to 4-4 and 1-4 in the SEC. The defense allowed the Rebels to rack up 558 yards, the most against Auburn since Texas A&M had 602 in 2013.

    As a unit, the defense is allowing 194.4 rushing yards, 252.1 passing yards, and 446.5 total yards per game. Opponents are averaging 29.4 points per game against the Tigers.

    Hobbled by a knee injury, quarterback Sean White was 12 of 28 for 258 yards, with an interception and threw the first touchdown pass of his career.

    With Peyton Barber banged up, junior college transfer Jovon Robinson led the way with 91 rushing yards.

    Auburn averages 173.6 yards on the ground, 197.5 yards through the air and 371.1 yards of total offense. The Tigers average 27.3 points per game.

    Prediction: Texas A&M 27-17.



    Mississippi State at Missouri

    Prediction: Mississippi State 30-14.



    Vandy at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 41-10.



    Kentucky at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 17-13.



    Arkansas at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 28-21.



    South Carolina at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 31-17.



    LSU at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 24-20.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2 and overall they are 61-23. After a big win on the road at Texas A&M, Auburn returns home to battle Georgia at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The contest can be seen on CBS starting at 11:00 a.m. CT.

    The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is tied 55558 with Georgia winning last year 34-7 in Athens.

    Georgia took care of Kentucky 27-3 last Saturday to improve to 6-3 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Kentucky managed just 180 yards of total offense while Sony Michel had 24 carries for 165 yards for the Bulldogs.

    Head coach Mark Richt is in his 15th season at Georgia with an overall record of 14251. Richt's offense averages 193.4 passing yards per game, 208.7 rushing yards and 29 points per game. Defensively, the Bulldogs allow 18.4 points per game.

    In Saturday's 26-10 victory over Texas A&M, Auburn racked up a season-high 311 yards on the ground. Jovon Robinson led the way with 159 yards on 27 carries and also had a touchdown.

    Quarterback Jeremy Johnson started instead of Sean White, who is still hobbled by a knee injury. Johnson was 13 of 17 for 132 yards and threw a touchdown.

    Auburn's defense had its best game of the season by intercepting three passes and holding Texas A&M to 303 total yards of offense, fewest against an FBS team since LSU gained 280 in 2014.

    As a unit, the offense scores 27.1 points per game, averages 190.2 yards through the air, 188.9 rushing yards and 379.1 total yards per game.

    Defensively, the Tigers allow 27.2 points per game, 191.2 rushing yards, 239.3 passing yards and 430.6 total yards per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 27-10.



    Florida at South Carolina

    Prediction: Florida 14-10.



    North Texas at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 35-7.



    Alabama at Mississippi St.

    Prediction: Alabama 28-20.



    Kentucky at Vandy

    Prediction: Vandy 10-7.



    Western Carolina at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 38-6.



    Arkansas at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 27-13.



    BYU at Missouri

    Prediction: BYU 30-13.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-3, and overall 66-26. This week, Auburn hosts Idaho at 3 p.m. CT on the SEC Network Alternate channel.

    Idaho at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 34-10.



    LSU at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 20-14.



    FAU at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 41-7.



    The Citadel at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-14.



    Charleston Southern at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 56-6.



    Mississippi St at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 27-24.



    Georgia Southern at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 28-10.



    Tennessee at Missouri

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-7.



    Texas A&M at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Texas A&M 30-14.



    Charlotte at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 34-13.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-2, and overall they are 74-28. The 2015 regular season wraps up with the Iron Bowl on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised by CBS starting at 2:30 p.m. CT.

    Alabama leads the series 43351. Last year's meeting in Tuscaloosa was won by the Tide 55-44.

    Alabama took care of Charleston Southern 56-6 last Saturday to improve to 10-1 overall. The Tide's only loss was at home to Ole Miss on Sept. 19.

    The stingy Alabama defense allows opponents to score just 14.5 points per game, which ranks third in the nation. The Tide also allows 265 total yards, 187.2 passing yards, and 77.8 rushing yards per game.

    Offensively, Alabama averages 35 points per game, 417.4 total yards, 218.5 passing yards and 198.9 rushing yards per game.

    Under center, quarterback Jake Coker has thrown for 2,106 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Running back Derrick Henry has 1,526 yards on 249 carries and 21 touchdowns.

    Auburn improved to 6-5 overall after defeating Idaho 56-34 last Saturday. The Tigers racked up 460 yards of total offense with quarterback Jeremy Johnson under center for most of the contest. For the afternoon, Johnson was 13-of-19 passing for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jovon Robinson led the way with 99 rushing yards on 15 carries.

    For the season, Auburn's offense averages 28.5 points per game, 377 total yards, 176.1 yards through the air, and 200.9 rushing yards per game.

    On defense, the Tigers allow 27.2 points per game, 417.9 total yards, 237 passing yards, and 180.9 yards on the ground per game.

    Prediction: Alabama 38-6.

    Missouri at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-7.

    Clemson at South Carolina

    Prediction: Clemson 45-10.

    Georgia at Georgia Tech

    Prediction: Georgia Tech 21-17.

    Louisville at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 26-20.

    Vanderbilt at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 31-7.

    Ole Miss at Mississippi St.

    Prediction: Mississippi State 28-17.

    Florida State at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 30-28.

    Texas A&M at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 17-13.

    Auburn's Bowl Destination

    Auburns bowl game is still in the air, but most sites projections have the Tigers landing in the same game and a majority of fans in Orange and Blue wont be thrilled about the destination.

    It can be read by numerous posters on any message board: Anywhere but Birmingham, Please, not Birmingham, I really hope we dont play in Birmingham, etc.

    Well, bad news.

    From ESPN to SB Nation to FOX Sports and so on, Auburn is projected to play in the Birmingham Bowl. In case you need a date and time, the game is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on Dec. 30 at Legion Field.

    Both ESPNs Mark Schlabach and Brett McMurphy, SB Nation, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, the Orlando Sentinal and Fansided have Auburn playing in the in-state bowl game. Most also have the Tigers playing Memphis, however Cincinnati and Temple are also listed as prospected opponents.

    Facing one of the top AAC teams could be a trap game for a declining SEC team, and the SEC has only a 3-2 record in the games 9-year history.

    Memphis sits currently at 9-3 after opening the season with a 6-0 record. Memphis snapped its three-game losing streak, with loses coming to Navy, Houston and Temple, with a 63-0 win over SMU to close out the regular season.

    Temple also appears to be a potential difficult opponent. The Owls, currently ranked No. 20, are 10-2, with its two losses coming to Notre Dame and South Florida. Temple opened the season with seven consecutive wins, including a season-opening victory against Penn State.

    However, its the Cincinnati matchup that seems the most appealing. The Bearcats are led by former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville, and its no secret that Tiger fans didnt feel as strongly about firing Tuberville after the 2008 season as the Board of Trustees did.

    Tubervilles team had an up-and-down season, finishing 7-5. The Bearcats lost to Memphis and Temple, but had wins against Miami and Tulsa.

    But dont book your hotels in Birmingham just yet. Although a large majority of projections have Auburn in Birmingham, there are other possibilities listed.

    Sports Illustrated has the Tigers landing in the Liberty Bowl, which will be played Jan. 2 in Memphis. According to its most recent projections, SI says the Tigers will face Kansas State, a matchup from the 2014 regular season.

    Campus Insiders went a completely different direction and have Auburn playing in Cam Newtons NFL stadium in Charlotte. The blog site has the Tigers paired with N.C. State in the Belk Bowl, scheduled for a mid-afternoon kickoff on Dec. 30.

    The wait and anticipation for where Auburn will land wont last much longer. Bowl games will be announced Dec. 6. Again, no matter where Auburn lands, Tiger fans should probably be happy just being in a bowl after the turn 2015 took.

    Unique Christmas Traditions

    Its the most wonderful time of the year. when no one can complain that you skipped Thanksgiving and have had a Christmas tree lit nightly in your window since late October. Get lights on your house, put plastic characters in your yard and go all out for one of Americas favorite holidays.

    Christmas comes with its share of traditions from trees to lights to a ham lunch and so on.

    However, with every commonly shared tradition comes an familys wacky, unique tradition that makes the holiday a little more special.

    But these crazy traditions dont occur just in the U.S. In fact, they are more unique outside the States.

    Top Tenz, a website dedicated to compiling lists to varied top-10 things, released the Top 10 Wacky Christmas Traditions From Around the World on Dec. 25, 2014, and the list is definitely worth revisiting.

    10. The Santa Claus Olympics (Switzerland)

    Forget one Santa Clause, lets talk about hundreds of Chris Kringle impersonators running around the small town of Samnaun, which is the converging point of Italy, Austria and Switzerland. Aspiring Santa Clauses meet here annually for a competition that includes singing, dancing, sleigh racing, snow sculpting and chimney climbing. The only requirements for competing are you have to be at least 18 years old, a kid at heart and shameless.

    9. Santa Clause on a Canoe (Hawaii)

    Of course Santa is put on a canoe in Hawaii. The Aloha State enjoys Christmas by having picnics and luaus and exercising in a range of watersports, such as surfing and swimming. Thats not the only difference Hawaiians also believe Santa delivers presents on a bright-red canoe thats pulled by dolphins.

    8. Eating Caterpillars (Africa)

    Caterpillars are seen as a delicacy in certain parts of southern African, so they are eaten on special occasions, including Christmas. The caterpillars are preserved traditionally by boiling them in salt water then dried in the sun or smoking them. The process is claimed to enhance the flavor.

    7. Visiting the Dead (Finland)

    This Finnish tradition seems a little more fitting for Halloween, but they make it work in December. Christmas in Finland is dedicated to visiting the graves of loved ones. People traditionally light candles by gravestones, which when combined for a bigger pictures creates quite an effect. Its said that the warmth of the candles creates a breath-taking scene and an atmosphere thats tranquil.

    6. Burning of Thorns (Iraq)

    It turns out they celebrate Christmas in Iraq, but thats not the strange tradition. Christian children in Iraq every Christmas Eve read the story of Jesus birthday from an Arabic Bible while parents and other family members listen and hold lit candles. After the story, one of the family members lights a pile of thorns while the others sing a hymn. If the thorns turn to ash its said all members of the family will receive blessings or good fortunes the following year.

    5. Two Santa Clauses: Pere Noel and St. Nicholas (Belgium)

    Sometimes one Santa doesnt do it. Belgium natives speak French or Waloon, which creates the need for two Santas. The French-speaking Belgians are visited by Pere Noel and his assistant Pere Fouettard. Good kids get candies and chocolates, while bad kids receive twigs or even spankings from Pere Fouettard. Those that speak Waloon are visited by St. Nicholas, who comes on Dec. 4 and 6 presents come on the second trip. Pere Noel and St. Nicholas are two different Christmas figures, and St. Nicholas was a real person.

    4. Arrival of the Three Kings (The Philippines)

    The Filipinos dont mess around when it comes to Christmas. Theyll begin celebrating as early as September and continue through January. However, in the Philippines, Santa Clause hasnt always had meaning. Instead, for hundreds of years, the Three Kings were the primary bringers of presents. Children place clean socks and polished shoes on their homes window in hopes the Three Kings deliver gifts on their way to Bethlehem. However, the practice is barely used today because of the influence of Americas cultural obsession with Santa Clause.

    3. Advent of the Masked Visitors (Latvia)

    Latvia citizens take Christmas a completely different way an Americans. For them, Christimas is a chance to drive out bad spirits. The act is down from a tradition called mumming, in which participants dress in various costumes, such as fortune tellers, wolves, cranes, goats, bears, horses, and roam from house to house. Families anticipate participants, known as mummers, and welcome them in their homes, but before entering must sing and dance. Upon entry, mummers are given food and beer.

    2. Leftovers for the Dead (Bulgaria)

    This tradition is similar to Portugals consoda, in which families set an extra place at the table on Christmas morning to pay respect to the dead. Basically, theyre inviting their dead loved ones to eat with them. In Bulgaria, however, its different in that their meal on Christmas Eve doesnt have an extra spot at the table for the dead. Instead, the table is not to be cleared after the meal so the ghosts of loved ones can feast on the leftovers.

    1. Throwing Food at the Ceiling (Slovakia and Ukraine)

    Folks in Slovakia and Ukraine have found a strange reasoning to have a food fight. Families on Christmas Eve sit down for a typical dinner except before eating the head of the table takes a small amount of Loksa and throws it at the ceiling. Its believed this predicts how big and rich their crops will be the following year. The more Loksa that sticks, the bigger and richer crops will be.

    Search For Defensive Coordinator

    The Will Muschamp Era at Auburn seemed to end as quickly as it began. Rumors that swirled for a week took a turn the weekend after Auburns regular season ended as Muschamp accepted the position of head coach at South Carolina.

    While Muschamp has enough work for the Gamecocks to keep him busy, the same could be said for the Tigers. Hiring Muschamp was seen as a homerun back in December 2014.

    However, a year later, with Muschamp departing after making $1.6 million and Auburn ranking 85th in yards allowed, Tiger fans are left with a What now? feeling.

    The answer isnt a good one, but its simple: go get a new defensive coordinator.

    Auburn has options, and athletic director Jay Jacobs ability to throw money around certainly hasnt hurt in the past until coaches later years, at least. Either way, the Tigers have their options at homerun hires or upcoming coaches.

    The Homerun hires:

    Names that pertain to this list are being thrown around in buckets, but some stick out more than others.

    Despite not being the most popular candidate, former Iowa State head coach and Auburn defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads is on the market. He didnt do well for the Cyclones, but he led Auburns defense to 27th nationally under Tommy Tuberville in 2008. Before then, Rhoads, who is currently unemployed, spent eight years with Pitt, who was ranked fifth nationally in total defense in 2007.

    Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack would be an interesting-but-big hire for the Tigers. Wommack has been a large part of the Rebels resurgence to relevancy. However, Wommacks loyalty to head coach Hugh Freeze is a concern for anyone hoping hed leave. Not to mention Ole Miss is established enough already that its playing in its second consecutive New Years Six bowl.

    But there are guys that Malzahn has a tight relationship with one being Keith Patterson. The current Arizona State defensive coordinator worked under Malzahn at Arkansas State, however stayed only six weeks before joining the staff at West Virginia. Patterson is now at Arizona State with Todd Graham. The three all coached together at Tulsa.

    Patterson runs the Sun Devils defense with Grantham, so Auburn could use the offer of Patterson owning the defense. However, Arizona States defense doesnt rank with the best, so it could be a shot in the dark.

    Pattersons connections with Malzahn are there, but not like those between Florida State defensive coordinator Charles Kelly and Auburn.

    Kelly was on this list a year ago, and nothing has changed. This fall was another great season for the second-year DC, who ranked sixth in scoring defense and 16th in total defense. He was also the special teams coordinator in 2013.

    Kellys connections are one that Auburn fans will either love or hate. He played defensive back for Pat Dye in the late 1980s. He later coached at Henderson State in Arkansas, Malzahns alma mater, in 1999.

    Upcoming coaches:

    Auburn secondary coach Travaris Robinson should lead this list of potential candidates; however, it appears his ties with Muschamp will land him in his third new home in as many years. Robinson, a well-known recruiter, is worth a push, but he seems to be on his way out, as well.

    Being Auburn, theres no question Ruffin McNeill, a Dye protg, isnt at least in the conversation. McNeill was fired unexpectedly as East Carolinas head coach following a 5-7 season his first in four years. McNeill, who played for Dye at ECU in the late 1970s, is a defensive-minded coach that before being hired by ECU helped Texas Tech play well.

    Georgia Southern defensive coordinator Jack Curtis has had his name thrown around in talks. Curtis, a Birmingham native, has his defense ranked 21th nationally. Georgia Southern also won the Sun Belt championship in its first year in the conference.

    Promoting from within is never out of the question, and if Robinson departs, Malzahn may take a look at defensive assistant Lance Thompson. Thompson has only a year under his belt at Auburn, but he joined the Tigers after several years with Nick Saban at Alabama. He was also defensive coordinator at UCF from 2004-06, where the Knights saw much more success than they are these days. Word that Thompson may follow Muschamp are there, but Malzahn could keep him with a promotional opportunity.

    Auburn currently sits in limbo. Coaches come and go, but a one-and-done coordinator is an anomaly thats never easy to handle. The departure of Muschamp, and possibly more, will be difficult on the field, where Auburn will soon have its fifth DC in six years, but itll also likely affect recruiting as well.

    Names for a potential replacement are being thrown around quicker than logic will allow from former Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt to UAB head coach Bill Clark to Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to even former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik. Malzahn said he plans to make a quick hire, but the process will go only as quickly as the process allows. Auburn would love to have a new defensive coordinator sooner than later, but timing depends on who itll be.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2015

    Our top story in 2015 made the list in 2014 and will likely be near the top again in 2016. These are Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories on 2015.

    Top Ten Stories for 2015
      1. Hubbardgate
      2. Growing Pains
      2. Toomer's Reset
      4. Cam-a-lot
      5. Tiger Giving
      6. Schmid Elementary
      7. A @#%*-ing Day
      8. Creepy Dude
      9. Food Fight
    10. Mustache Guy

    1. Oceans of motions have been filed in 2015 in the case of embattled Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, charged by a Lee County grand jury in a 2014 23-count indictment against the Auburn legislator. Stay tuned. This could be the top story of 2016 when it is scheduled to go to trial.

    2. Threatening to change Auburn's downtown skyline forever, developers proposed a half-dozen 75-foot multi-story mixed use projects in the downtown area. Opponents have countered with a temporary moratorium on high density "private dorm" development.

    3. The walls came down, the lights came on, a dedication ceremony was held, rolls of toilet paper were thrown, lemonade was consumed, one of the trees was replaced and life got back to normal on Toomer's Corner in 2015.

    4. We saw a lot of Cam Newton in 2015, from ubiquitous television commercials, to the gridiron where his 2015 Carolina Panthers enjoy the NFL's best record, to the classroom where he finished his Auburn degree. Look for a big jump in 2015's average starting salary for new Auburn graduates when the number come out.

    5. Tiger Giving was not only a successful funding drive for AU (Kick6starter?), it was a recurring theme as celebrity former Tigers Bo Jackson, Tim Hudson, Jason Dufner, Kendall Simmons, and others lent their name and their time in support of charitable causes in 2015.

    6. They went viral on YouTube, then came for the real life Auburn experience; our favorite story of 2015 was the teachers and kids of Schmid Elementary School who became part of the Auburn Family.

    7. Blue language shocked many of the orange-clad crowd when a student sponsored concert featuring hip-hop stars Ke$ha and Nelly was made part of the A-Day festivities at Toomer's corner.

    8. It was disturbing news that a creepy Auburn University lab tech was selling large quantities of a "date rape" drug. Stephen Howard pled guilty in an agreement with prosecutors to avoid up to 20 years in jail. Sentencing is scheduled for February 24.

    9. The choices for food in Auburn keep getting better all the time. Our
       

      Mustache Guy
      favorites for everyday lunches in Auburn are still Momma Goldberg's Deli on Thach and Johnny Brusco's New York Style Pizza on East University, but the award for best local dining experience in 2015 goes to a new restaurant, The Depot by the tracks on Mitcham Avenue.

    10. The erection and unveiling of Auburn's $13.9 million video board gave us a huge image of an eagle consuming a whole mouse, the "Mustache Guy" and even a marriage proposal. Some even blamed the video board for Auburn's disappointing 2015 football campaign.

    Injuries A Concern For Men's Basketball

    Another Auburn basketball season that started with such excitement has entered phases of frustration early in Southeastern Conference play. But, unlike in the past, the negativity deals with more than just on-court performance.

    Its been joked that Auburn is somehow cursed. From having players dismissed to injuries affecting key players, the Tigers have seen their share of misfortune. And it shows in previous seasons records, as Auburn is still searching for its first NCAA Tournament birth for the first time since 2003.

    The 2015-16 season started strong. The Tigers opened the season with a 6-3 record, including wins over UAB, which returned five starters from a team that made the NCAA Tournament last year, and Mercer. Auburn even picked up a win against Tennessee to open conference play.

    But, never forget theres a reason it feels like the Tigers are cursed. This years plaque is injuries.

    Auburn is hurting really in more ways than one. Despite having freshman New Williams back in the lineup, the Tigers are without starters T.J. Dunans and Tahj Shamsid-Deen. Danjel Purifoy, who is surrounded by anticipated hype, has yet to be cleared to play.

    Shamsid-Deen has been ruled out for the season. Head coach Bruce Pearl recently said it could be another month before Dunans can return.

    Pearl has developed a next man up mentality, but it goes only so far.

    When Tahj got hurt, next man up Kareem Canty. When T.J. Dunans got hurt, next man up Bryce Brown, said Pearl, reported auburntigers.com. The problem would then be whos in behind those guys? And so then as a result, we are really getting hurt off the bench not having enough contribution.

    To answer Pearls question a little more directly, theres no one behind those guys. And it shows.

    Through Auburns first four conference games, the Tigers have had no more than eight players play more than 10 minutes three of which had seven players. The lack of depth shined brightest in a 76-61 loss to Missouri when Auburns bench was outscored 40-5 (Cinmeon Bowers having those 5 points).

    The Tigers sit at 1-3 in the conference through those first four games. Despite a 6-point win over Tennessee causing a well-deserved applause from fans, a 12-point loss to South Carolina, 15-point loss to Missouri and 18-point loss to Vanderbilt has deflated sails. It doesnt help that Kentucky and a surging Alabama team are next on the scheduled followed by road trips to Florida and Ole Miss.

    It appears Auburn yet again is playing for the future. Its easy to ask when the Tigers will be at a point to be playing for a possible postseason bid in February and March, but injuries are as much part of the game as anything else.

    Maybe Auburn is somehow cursed. Theres a certain point things are too consistent to be coincidental.

    Coaching Changes

    Its been less than a month into Auburns football offseason, but the Tigers have had a number of new coaching hires, including new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.

    Announcement of Steeles hire came immediately after Auburns 31-10 victory against Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl. Since, Wesley McGriff was hired as the secondary coach, Travis Williams has been hired to coach linebackers and Herb Hand has been hired to coach the offensive line.

    Of the four hires, theres no question the most popular was of Williams. The former Auburn linebacker (2001-05) was hired Jan. 7, the same day as McGriff. During his playing days, Williams won All-SEC honors and led the team in tackles in 2004 and finished second in tackles in 2005. He won the Pat Dye Leadership Award both years.

    Williams returned to The Plains in 2009 as a graduate assistant and remained through part of the 2010 national championship season. He then rejoined the staff in 2014 as a defensive analyst.

    The hire of McGriff also sent a shock amongst Auburn fans.

    McGriff has spent the last three seasons as the New Orleans Saints secondary coach. His title with Auburn also includes co-defensive coordinator.

    Despite the tag with the Saints, McGriff has also coached at Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Baylor and Miami. He was the co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Ole Miss in 2012 and defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt in 2011.

    McGriffs hire was the first after Steele, who spent the 2015 season at LSU. His previous stops include Alabama, Tennessee, Clemson and in the NFL.

    Most recently, Steeles defense at LSU held Texas Techs wide-open offense to 19 points and 189 yards, despite the Red Raiders averaging 46.5 points and 588.1 yards per game. Steele has worked under head coaches with a plethora of success, including Nick Saban (Alabama), Les Miles (LSU), Bobby Bowden (Florida State) and Tom Osborne (Nebraska).

    The lone coaching change on the offensive side of the ball came with Hands hire, which came Jan. 11. Hand joins Auburn from Penn State.

    Hands addition to the staff rejoins him with Gus Malzahn for the first time since the two were co-offensive coordinators at Tulsa in 2007-08, when they led the nation in offense both years.

    Malzahn called plays at Tulsa and Hand coached the line.

    The four new hires come a season after Auburn struggled at times on both sides of the ball sometimes at the same time which has many fans wondering if a head coaching change is coming. Theres no confirmation Malzahns job is in any jeopardy.

    Auburns A-Day game is April 9 and the Tigers open the 2016 season against Clemson on Sept. 3.

    Softball Returns

    Its amazing what a Womens College World Series appearance, Southeastern Conference championship and 56-win season can do for expectations. And, not to put pressure on Clint Myers and the Auburn softball team, but expectations for the 2016 season are to basically repeat the 2015 season.

    USA Today/NFCA Nation Division I recently released its Top 25 poll, where it placed Auburn fourth, providing quite the nod to Myers season-year team. Defending national champion Florida, which defeated the Tigers in a 9-inning thriller in the national semifinals last year, is ranked first, with Michigan and LSU following, respectively. The same four teams finished top in the nation last year, however Auburn was third and LSU fourth.

    Times are good at Jane B. Moore Field, which received another set of bleachers during the offseason a second subtle attempt to feed fans need to see the Tigers. And for good reason.

    Auburn returns most of its stars from 2015, including Emily Carosone, who led the team in batting average, doubles, RBIs, slugging, runs and tied for most home runs, Tiffany Howard, who had the most hits on the team, Kasey Cooper, who is the first Auburn softball player to be selected to the Team USA roster and tied for most homers last year, and Haley Fagan.

    The Tigers also have all three pitchers Rachel Walters, Lexi Davis and Marcy Harper, back on the roster.

    Auburn returns nearly its entire lineup, but did lose superstar and clutch hitter Branndi Melero. Myers hopes to take advantage of several transfers and freshmen to make up for the loss.

    Carosone, an infielder, hit .438 last season with 88 runs, 18 doubles, 18 home runs and 80 RBIs. She was joined at the top of the batting average list with Howard, an outfield, who hit .415. Both players started every game, along with Fagan, Jade Rhodes, who is back at first base, and Melero.

    Walters held the lowest ERA in 2015 2.91 while recording an 18-3 record in 47 appearances. She threw eight complete games and struck out 118 batters in 149 1/3 innings. Davis had a 26-3 record with a team-high 26 starts. Her ERA was 3.91 and she struck out 90 batters over 152 1/3 innings. Harper, the third senior on AUs pitching staff, worked a 3.95 ERA and 12-5 record in 118 2/3 innings.

    The 2016 season opens Feb. 11 at home against Appalachian State. The Plainsman Invite follows Feb. 12-14, with the Tigers facing Western Kentucky, Butler, Furman and Appalachian State. Auburn hosts the Tiger Invitational in late February and Wilson/DeMarini Classic in early March.

    Conference play opens with a huge series against Florida at home the weekend of March 12. Auburn also hosts South Carolina, Georgia and Texas A&M in its 33-game home schedule.

    The Tigers face 15 teams this spring that made the 2015 NCAA Tournament, eight of which won their conference.

    SEC play will continue to be a challenge, with only three conference opponents having not made the tournament in 2015. The SEC Tournament is scheduled from May 11-14 in Starkville, Miss. NCAA Regional and Super Regional sites are to be dated, but the Tigers have a chance to host a regional again, with play dates being May 19-22. Super Regionals are from May 27-29, and the Womens College World Series is from June 2-8 in Oklahoma City.

    Baseball Looks For Success Under New Coach

    Its not often a baseball team has such an eventful offseason after making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years, yet Auburn went through it and enters the 2016 season with a new coach.

    Butch Thompson replaced Sunny Golloway, who was fired for allegedly violating NCAA rules a story preserved to be much deeper than the public knows. Because of the circumstances surrounding Golloways firing, it came at a weird time, and Thompson wasnt hired until late October.

    Despite the late introduction, including missing all of fall camp, Thompson appears to be ready for the season, which opens Feb. 19 against Sacramento State.

    Thompson has 23 years of collegiate coaching experience, including 13 years in the SEC. He spent the last seven years as Mississippi States pitching coach. Hes coached seven College World Series participants and won nine conference titles. In those seven years at MSU, Thompson was part of four NCAA regional trips, two Super Regional appearances, won the SEC and finished as the NCAA runner-up in 2013. Thompsons pitching staffs finished with an ERA never higher than 3.06. His 2013 staff was one of two to finish top 10 nationally in ERA, strikeouts per nine innings and hits allowed per nine innings.

    At Auburn, Thompson has his work cut out for him. The Tigers will be without pitchers Keegan Thompson and Kevin Davis, who will miss the entire 2016 season after they both had surgery. Also, Dalton Rentz was expected to get more starts in 2016, but he has been dismissed because of a violation of team rules.

    Cole Lipscomb is returning after an 8-2 record in 2015, striking out 91 batters in 92 2/3 innings of work.

    Justin Camp is another Auburn pitcher that played a big role last year and returns this spring. He made a team-high 28 appearances and developed into a solid closer. Camp had a 2.33 ERA and struck out 48 batters in 46 1/3 innings.

    The Tigers could be stout offensively in 2016, returning stars like Anfernee Grier, Blake Logan and Damon Haecker.

    It all starts with Grier, the leadoff hitter, who batted an astounding .323 in 2015 and added 22 stolen bases. Melvin Gray emerged as a similar-style player, batting .304 and stealing 18 bases on 21 attempts. If Grier and Gray can continue getting on base then swiping another, batters like Daniel Robert, Cody Nulph, Jordan Ebert and others can easily produce runs.

    Two darkhorse guys to watch in 2016 are Logan and Haecker.

    Haecker often finds his way on base, but its usually through walking he had 40 in 2015. Logan, on the other hand, is a power hitter, but not a homerun hitter. The catcher hit 17 doubles last year and produced 28 RBIs.

    Auburn finished the 2015 season with a 36-26 record, but went 13-17 in conference play. Expect this spring to have a similarly strong SEC field, which has produced a team in the College World Series final the past eight years.

    Auburn opens the season against Sacramento State the weekend of Feb. 19. The SEC opener, a home series against Texas A&M, is scheduled March 18-20. The Tigers also host conference opponents LSU, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi State. The SEC Tournament is scheduled to begin May 24, with the NCAA Regionals following June 3.

    The Tigers have several noteworthy non-conference games, including against Georgia Tech (March 8), Oral Roberts (March 11-13), Alabama (Capital City Classic, March 29), Troy (May 10) and UAB (May 17).

    Baseball Shows Potential

    Auburn head baseball coach Butch Thompsons first season leading the Tigers came with some early frustrations, but his team is showing improvement as Southeastern Conference play begins.

    After Auburns opening conference series with Texas A&M, the Tigers showed they fight as hard as they hit, and they pelted the nations third-ranked team with a total of 27 runs in the three-game series, which included two Auburn loses. This offensive swing followed a 14-3 blowout road win against Georgia Tech earlier in the week and a total of 26 runs scored in a series win against Oral Roberts a week prior.

    The offensive production certainly got attention, especially after Auburn (10-10, 1-2 SEC) scored a total of five runs during a five-game losing streak that was snapped in the second game against Oral Roberts.

    The offensive production runs straight through the top of the lineup with Anfernee Grier, Josh Palacios, Nico Buentello, Jordan Ebert and Cody Nulph.

    Grier, whose hitting streak dates back to last year, leads the team with a .417 average with 32 runs and 13 stolen bases. He also has five home runs. Palacios, who bats in the two-hole behind Grier, is batting .412 with seven doubles, three triples and nine stolen bases.

    Buentello has been the big bat with a team-leading 33 RBIs and six home runs to go with his .390 average. Eberts rebound season includes him hitting .367 after the A&M series and Nulph is batting .347 with 12 doubles.

    Auburn is undeniably seeing the ball better at the plate, but the Tigers opponents also seem to do the same. Thompsons opening season has drawn many red flags, but it is odd the former Mississippi State pitching coachs staff on the Plains has a team ERA of 4.31 through 20 games.

    Auburn has thrown only two shutouts this season and held opponents under five runs in 10 of its first 20 games.

    Woes begin with starters, where Cole Lipscomb and Justin Camp have two of the highest ERAs, 6.33 and 4.94, respectively, on the staff. Andrew Mitchells 3-0 record in four starts makes him the only Tiger pitcher with a winning record, and Casey Mize, who has started three games, has a team-low ERA for starters at 3.38.

    The Tigers can certainly rebound, and have at least made small strides in the right direction following late Februarys five-game losing streak, but playing in the SEC is always an uphill battle.

    Auburns next two conference series are against Arkansas and LSU, both ranked, before the Tigers face unranked Missouri and Tennessee then ranked Ole Miss.

    Auburn made the NCAA Tournament last year after a four-year stint that didnt include anything more than the SEC Tournament. The 2016 Tigers have shown the potential of making it back to the postseason, but concerns could ease in if pitching doesnt improve and Auburn is forced to win with just hitting. Either way, the season is still young, though conference play will heat up in the next few weeks.

    Success of Women's Athletics

    A hot topic surrounding Auburn athletics over the past several years has questioned athletic director Jay Jacobs abilities to lead the department. With a sluggish football team, firing of basketball and baseball coaches and several lackluster records, complaints are easy to see. But what most fans ignore is the success womens athletics are having.

    The easiest starting point is what Clint Myers has done with the softball team in just two years. In 2015, Myers bunch set multiple program records, including winning 56 games, winning an NCAA Regional, winning an NCAAA Super Regional, advancing to the Womens College World Series and winning two games at the WCWS.

    And yet, Myers was such a home run hire that hes basically continuing what he did previously at Arizona State, where he took the Sun Devils to the WCWS seven times in eight years.

    The Tigers this spring are ranked in the top 5 again and could certainly be back in Oklahoma City at years end. Auburn fans have also taken notice, and an expanded Jane B. Moore Field stays sold out and is truly one of the most difficult tickets to get in town.

    Auburn has also recently excelled in gymnastics under sixth-year coach Jeff Graba. The Tigers added the 2015-16 season to the Auburn Arena bannister by advancing to the Super Six in last years NCAA Tournament, a program first, and are currently the top seed in this years Ann Arbor regional. Auburn recently finished fourth at the SEC meet and scored a program high for that meet. And, never to be forgotten, the Tigers defeated Alabama after 117 consecutive losses.

    The Ann Arbor regional takes place April 2 and the NCAA Nationals are April 15-17.

    The womens basketball team also knows a thing or two about the NCAA Tournament again. Terri Williams-Flournoys team did just enough to solidify a spot in the Big Dance and defeated St. Joes in the first round before falling to No. 1-seed Baylor in Auburns first tournament appearance since 2008-09.

    Coach Flos run started with a bang. Her first year included 19 wins and a WNIT appearance, making her the first Auburn womens coach to make the postseason in her first year. The Tigers matched its win total and postseason appearance the following year.

    This winter, Flo and Auburn took success a step further, making the NCAA tournament run after being picked to finished 13th in the SEC.

    Myers, Graba and Williams-Flournoy mark three of the best hires by Jacobs. Soccer coach Karen Hoppa has been successful recently, but Jacobs inherited the 17-year veteran. Ralph Spry, who is entering his 17th season coaching track and field, has also won for the Tigers in his time. Rick Nolds volleyball teams have also seen improvement over his five years on the Plains.

    Auburns big three sports football, basketball, baseball reign supreme for good reason, but down years or drama in those sports doesnt mean the end of the world. It could mean less revenue or the athletic department spending more than it owes, but Auburn fans will always have at least a couple of sports to cheer on winners. Note that equestrian and swimming and diving werent even mention. Auburn has won with Jacobs, especially on the womens side. Yet, complainers will complain and supporters will support. Thatll happen regardless the athletic director.

    A-Day

    Auburns A-Day game can serve several purposes especially giving Tiger fans their fix before the long summer comes but the 2016 annual spring game didnt provide many answers to questions thatll be asked until September.

    A-Day provided a chance for head coach Gus Malzahns typical tight-lipped approach to be trumped by somebody doing something, showing something. But it just didnt happen. There were highlights, as always, but nothing over the top.

    Daniel Carlson highlighted the day, making four field goals in the Blue teams 19-10 win. His 52-yarder on the final play of the first half energized the crowd and reminded Auburn fans the kickers attempts-to-made kick percentage is a silver lining to having drives in the red zone stall.

    H-Back Chandler Cox breaking off a71-yard run in the first quarter was likely the biggest eyebrow raiser on the offensive end of the ball. The big back nearly scored but was pulled down by two defenders inside the 10.

    Jovon Robinson also had a long run, going 55 yards to inside the 10. The hefty back got up immediately and rushed the offense to the line for a quick snap a nice reminder the Tigers still do have some tempo.

    Though Robinson and Cox each had a long run, the defensive front looked better than anything fans saw in 2015. The return of Carl Lawson, who was voted the defensive MVP, gave fans a smile and also had them watering at the mouth for what the redshirt senior will do to opponents this fall.

    One play in the second quarter in particular stuck out. Lawson came around the right side nearly untouched and couldve hit quarterback Sean White harder than a train wreck (if quarterbacks werent in non-contact jerseys).

    The biggest questions fans wanted answered dealt with the quarterbacks. White, Jeremy Johnson and John Franklin III battled all spring and will continue battling for the starting spot during the summer and fall. Nothing stood out during A-Day for any of the three.

    Though the non-contact jerseys certainly hindered the zone read attack, Franklins passing issues shined as bright as the afternoon sun. However, there were some positives, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Davis. Johnson threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Roc Thomas, but he had a fumble earlier in the game. White didnt have a touchdown, but did connect with Davis for a 50-yard completion to move the offense into the red zone. However, White lost a fumble two plays later.

    Despite major questions at quarterback, Davis had a great game, catching three passes for 88 yards and a score in the first half alone. Davis has said he plans to be the top wideout this season, and he appears to be showing it.

    Even with so many questions about the offenses personnel on the board, theres a bigger topic for the Auburn coaching staff to address after the A-Day game.

    The scrimmage seemed to move slowly and get lackadaisical while the Blue and White teams managed to go 1 for 22 on third downs. Though it is only a scrimmage and the coaching staff tends to have an agenda more important than providing entertainment for fans, Auburn was running the same lackluster offense it ran in 2015.

    First down was a run up the middle; second down was a zone read to the left or right side; third down was an incomplete pass; fourth down was a punt.

    It happened over and over and over. The Blue team fortunately was able to get within field goal distance from time to time so Carlson could kick three points onto the scoreboard.

    But with eight games in one of the best conferences in college football and the season opener being against a team that finished second in the nation last year, its concerning that Auburn doesnt already appear better than 2015s 7-6 finish.

    At the same time, its April. This is a spring game, not a real game. In fact, its not even a game its a scrimmage. Auburn isnt 1-0 or 0-1. Not yet, at least. September 3 will roll around and Clemson will come to The Plains. It might be ugly, but there are still five months before anyone knows how Auburn will look. Thats a lot of time for a lot to happen. This fall might not be a great season, but no one expected 2013s championship game run either. Lets take a step back and wait to see what happens.

    CityFest

    April is set to be quite a month for Auburn. Along with spring athletics and arguably the best weather of the year, Auburn CityFest is scheduled for April 30 at Kiesel Park.

    The event coined as Auburns largest free outdoor festival is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will take place rain or shine. CityFest will continue its usual traditions this year, having numerous live music acts, an imagination station for children, an art exhibit and more.

    Music acts this year include acts similar to those attendees look forward to annually, but the event will also host a new act in the Zuzu African Acrobats.

    The six-person team originates from Mombassa, Kenya and has performed over the last decade in 25 countries, including Australia, China, Korea, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The Zuzu African Acrobats have performed in America since February 1999 and have been critically acclaimed from critics and fans alike.

    Three musical acts are also on the bill for CityFest. Opelika native Trace Pridgen, Lee Countys B.B. Palmer & Kudzu and Jive Mother Mary will perform.

    Jive Mother Mary have played hundreds of shows over the last nine years and released an EP in 2007 and LP in 2009. Theyve played shows throughout the eastern U.S. B.B. Palmer & Kudzu stay true to the country music genre and perform modern and classic songs. Pridgen has performed around the Auburn-Opelika area since 2009 and has made it as big as playing The Masquerade in Atlanta and also in Birmingham.

    Children will have a number of fun activities available at the imagination station, including a large sandbox, stilt walker and comedic juggler acts, activities presented by the Boy Scouts of America Saugahatchee District and interaction with a number of their favorite movie characters.

    All activities in the imagination station are free.

    The 12th Annual Juried Art Exhibit Preview and Reception presented by the Auburn Arts Association will be first held April 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the historic Nunn-Winston House. Art will be displayed at CityFest. Those interested in participating can sign up online or at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center on East Drake Avenue.

    For more information on Auburn CityFest, visit auburncityfest.com.

    May Sweeps

    For many television viewers, May sweeps means a whole month of exciting moments before the summer reruns begin. The major networks pull out all of the best programming during May sweeps as they try to win the ratings war.

    The month long special ratings period which features sitcoms, specials, movies and miniseries, is designed to set advertising rates in more than 200 cities.

    Each year, the months of November, February, May, and July are known as the "sweeps" rating periods.

    During sweeps, Nielsen ratings determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States. Set meters and People meters are the two types of meters used in the ratings process. Set meters capture what channel is being tuned, while People Meters go a step further and gather information about who is watching in addition to the channel tuned.

    Diaries are also used to collect viewing information from sample homes in many television markets, and smaller markets are measured by paper diaries only.

    This year, the ratings period for May begins Thursday, April 28 and ends Wednesday, May 25.

    Here are a few highlights from the big four networks as they end the TV season with a bang.

    (All times are Eastern)

    CBS

    CRIMINAL MINDS

    Wednesday, May 4 at 9 p.m.

    MADAM SECRETARY

    When to Watch: Sunday, May 8 at 8 p.m.

    THE GOOD WIFE

    Sunday, May 8 at 9 p.m.

    ELEMENTARY

    Sunday, May 8 at 10 p.m.

    THE BIG BANG THEORY

    Thursday, May 12 at 8 p.m.

    MIKE & MOLLY

    Monday, May 16 at 8 p.m.

    NCIS

    Tuesday, May 17 at 8 p.m

    FOX

    NEW GIRL

    Tuesday, May 10 at 8 p.m

    EMPIRE Wednesday, May 18 at 9 p.m.

    NBC

    CHICAGO MED

    Tuesday, May 17 at 9 p.m

    CHICAGO FIRE

    Tuesday, May 17 at 10 p.m.

    LAW & ORDER: SVU

    Wednesday, May 25 at 9 p.m.

    CHICAGO P.D.

    Wednesday, May 25 at 10 p.m.

    ABC

    ONCE UPON A TIME

    Sunday, May 15 at 7 p.m.

    QUANTICO

    Sunday, May 15 at 10 p.m

    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

    Tuesday, May 17 at 9 p.m.

    MODERN FAMILY

    Wednesday, May 18 at 9 p.m.

    BLACK-ISH

    Wednesday, May 18 at 9:30 p.m.

    FRESH OFF THE BOAT

    Tuesday, May 24 at 8 p.m

    THE REAL O'NEALS

    Tuesday, May 24 at 8:30 p.m.

    NASHVILLE

    Wednesday, May 25 at 10 p.m.

    Newcomers Expected To Make An Impact This Fall

    Some of Auburns best football players in program history have been first-year starters. More recently, Cam Newton is a great example. Traditionally, Bo Jackson is a good guy to look to.

    The Tigers finished with another top 10 recruiting class in February, and numerous first-year players this fall have a chance to see key playing time.

    Auburns biggest position signed defensive line also happens to be one of its most deep and intriguing. Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson, Antwuan Jackson and several others are expected to make a push for playing time, but with Carl Lawson, Montravius Adams, Byron Cowart and Maurice Swain, to name a few, still stalking the trenches, the newcoming Tigers will have to earn a spot just to spend time as a substitute for the big dogs.

    Davidson enters as a freshman after being one of the nations top defensive prospects. Talent aside, he has a good chance to getting a step up on his other newcomers as a January enrollee.

    Brown, who will arrive on campus this fall, was a huge get for Auburn, not only for the sake of having the 5-star recruit, but also snagging him from Georgia, where he was their No. 1 target. He was the Tigers first 5-star in the 2016 class.

    Jackson is only a 4-star recruit, but hes already at 6-foot- 3, 305 pounds coming to the Plains. Thats a great start for the interior lineman, and he isnt even on campus yet.

    Several new Tigers are being discussed at the wide receiver position, where despite losing position coach Dameyune Craig during the offseason theres still a lot of optimism for the new guys. And, unlike the defensive line, theres plenty of room for new playmakers.

    Auburn has seemed to struggle the past five or so years with only one receiver being a go-to, dependable player. Last year was no different, and Auburn enters 2016 looking for anybody to be reliable hands.

    Marcus Davis is currently big man on campus, but Nate Craig-Myers and Kyle Davis are generating a lot of excitement on the Plains.

    Craig-Myers, who committed to Auburn before decommiting then eventually signing, graduates as the No. 6 wideout nationally and No. 5 prospect out of Florida. When he committed to Auburn (the second time) on ESPNU, he said, First, my freshman year youre going to hear Im a Freshman All-American. Thats big talk coming in.

    Davis, who is an early enrollee, stands at 6-foot- 2, 208 pounds and was at one point rated as the nations top receiver. Davis had 773 receiving yards on 47 receptions as a senior at Archer High in Lawrenceville, Georgia. At Auburn, along with playing wideout, he practiced returning punts in the spring.

    Lastly, and arguably the most talked about position this offseason, is quarterback. Jeremy Johnson and Sean White return, but much of the spring centered around JUCO transfer John Franklin III.

    JF3 the nickname that has spread across every message board brings a dual-threat attack that Auburn lacked in 2015. His style compares to Nick Marshall, as does his size. However, his throwing skills seemed less than Marshalls during the Tigers A-Day game. Despite that being a concern, theres still a chance Franklin wins the QB job.

    Incoming freshman Woody Barrett has also had his name thrown in the quarterback debate. Barrett has a solid build, standing at 6-foot- 2, 225 pounds. Although theres a difference between high school and SEC play, Barrett passes the eye test on every tape online. The real questions are first how he transitions in fall camp, and second if Auburn is willing to give a true freshman a chance to lead the offense.

    The Tigers enter the 2016 with a lot of question marks the biggest being at quarterback but with another solid recruiting class in the books, Auburn could have the talent to answer most questions.

    Brandon Miller

    Coming June 27: Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Multiple storylines have come and gone for Auburn this offseason, but one has been there since Day 1 whos going to be the starting quarterback? Currently, no one knows, coaches included. Barring a significant situation, the Tigers wont have a starting quarterback named until fall camp, which is nothing new on the Plains.

    In the spring A-Day game, 2015 starters Sean White and Jeremy Johnson were joined with JUCO transfer John Franklin III taking snaps, and none of the three did enough to stand out in the battle.

    Unfortunately, for Auburn fans, the lack of separation seems too similar to last fall when Johnson was benched for White after three games then replaced White after White was injured before the two split time the last few games. It was a mess, and the only argument for either quarterback was who was not the least effective on the field.

    Statistics from last season back the direct judgment of White and Johnson.

    White completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,166 yards and one touchdown in seven games. He rushed for a net of 81 yards per game, averaging 5.1 yards per game.

    Johnson completed 60.5 percent of his passes over 12 games, throwing for 1,054 yards and 10 touchdowns. He rushed for a net of 137 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 11.4 rushing yards per game.

    Its incredible to think a team coached by Gus Malzahn could have quarterbacks with such low rushing statistics, but that also describes the 2015 season to a T. The lack of a mobile quarterback last year was one factor that created hype for Franklin and four-star signee Woody Barrett.

    Franklin has been described similar to Nick Marshall in nearly every way, including the negatives. Franklin showed his athleticism in the A-Day game, though he was in a non-contact jersey, but his throwing accuracy appeared to be more than the expected cause of concern.

    For Barrett, hes bigger than Franklin and said to have more accuracy on his pass. His biggest weakness is not joining the team until the summer, which means he has catching up to do.

    However, the biggest question surrounding Barrett isnt even about his potential, rather some are wondering if its a good idea to start a true freshman at QB in the SEC.

    Although the quarterback spot is far from decided and not a fun conservation, the wide receiving group the QB battle winner will throw to has some fans watering at the mouth.

    The Tigers have spent numerous season recently watching a to-go receiver targeted again and again without a secondary wideout ever coming into the picture. This fall, however, it appears several guys could fill the void.

    Its a good guess that Marcus Davis will be the go-to wideout this fall. Last year, he finished second on the team with 30 receptions and had 181 yards and a touchdown. He was reliable, but his receiving yards and average per catch and average per game ranked near the bottom of the group. However, in 2016 hell have more opportunities to make plays.

    Four-star signees Kyle Davis, Nate Craig-Myers and Eli Stove have created a buzz on the Plains, with fans wondering who will be the next star. Not to raise too much hype, but its possible that all three make the cut. The three new Tigers are all over 6-feet and have blazing speed. Craig-Myers and Davis both ranked in the top 10 nationally at receiver and Stove was ranked 20. Davis also enrolled in January.

    Several other returning players could step up. Jason Smith returns after recording 203 yards and two touchdowns a year ago. Tony Stevens had 177 yards and a touchdown in 2015. And some buzz is surrounding Darius Slayton, who took a redshirt last fall.

    The wideouts could be a fun group to watch this fall, but its crucial Auburn finds a quarterback that can get them the ball.

    Brandon Miller

    Coming July 11: Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Newcomers

    Football Preview: Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Gus Malzahn's offenses and Auburns traditional offense have one thing in common they like to run the ball. For the Tigers this fall, there will be new faces carrying the pigskin and some new players blocking for them.

    Jovon Robinson entered the offseason as the expected workhorse of the running backs after 2015 leading rusher Peyton Barber opted out of coming back to the Plains. Robinsons spot of go-to back became only clearer when 2015 season-opening starting tailback Roc Thomas announced his plans to transfer.

    Robinson last season started living up to the hype he had built coming into his junior year. The 5-star JUCO transfer rushing for 639 yards in eight games, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He scored three touchdowns.

    Barber got more than twice as many touches as Robinson, though he did play five more games and start for the Tigers. The reason for Robinsons lack of carries came due partly to an early- season injury, but youd have to ask Malzahn where the carries were in the second half of the year.

    With Thomas departed, sophomore Kerryon Johnson will likely have his number called often. He rushed for 208 yards last year and scored three touchdowns taking a majority of his carries from the wildcat possession. Though Johnson was not in a traditional set, his athleticism gave fans something to cheer about.

    Incoming freshman Malik Miller has the possibility to get some carries, but one direction Malzahn is expected to take is getting H-backs Chandler Cox and Kamryn Pettway more carries. Cox showed his potential during the spring A-Day game when he broke a long run down the sideline.

    For the guys up front, the Tigers are replacing tackles Shon Coleman and Avery Young and center Devonte Danzey. Itll be no easy task, but Auburn does have guards Alex Kozan and Braden Smith returning.

    At center, the Tigers are expected to look to Austin Golson. Robert Leff and Darius James are leading the way for the two tackle positions. Marquel Harrell, Mike Horton and Xavier Dampeer are expected to compete for starting jobs.

    Auburns rushing attack is vital if theres going to be any kind of success in 2016. Last years team managed to average only 196.4 yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry. Saying that, the Tigers also had two of three backs go down with injuries. If Auburn can avoid the injury bug this fall in the trenches and backfield, the Tigers could put up some touchdowns. If not, it might be a long season.

    Brandon Miller

    Coming July 25: Defensive Line

    Newcomers

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    New defensive coordinator Kevin Steele doesnt have an easy task ahead of him with Auburn, but if the Tigers' defensive line doesnt have Steele eager to get to work then nothing will.

    The defensive trench hasnt been a strength recently, but 2016 should be an exception. For starters, Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams are back for their senior seasons.

    Lawson has suffered more injuries than any college player deserves, and some expected the defensive end to cut his losses after last season and enter the NFL Draft. Lawson, on the other hand, said hes coming back and was welcomed with open arms.

    In 2015, Lawson played in only seven games but finished the season with 17 tackles, including three for a loss and a sack. Even after missing several games early in the year, Lawsons tackles for loss led the team until nearly the midway point. Its a testament to his impact, but its also a sign of the ineffectiveness of the defensive line in 2015.

    Adams led all defensive linemen last year with 44 tackles. He had three tackles for a loss and 2 sacks. The big-bodied tackle has seen playing time since he was a freshman and is expected to be a leader on and off the field this fall.

    Lawson and Adams are expected to be joined on the starting line with Byron Cowart, who had a less-than- expected freshman year in 2015, and Dontavious Russell, who had 42 tackles and 4 sacks last year.

    The starting group is solid, but in the SEC it takes a good second team to be effective. Auburn has options for subs, including seniors Devaroe Lawrence and Maurice Swain, sophomore Jeff Holland and freshman Marlon Davidson.

    Lawrence, Swain and Holland showed signs of potential in 2015, but none had breakaway performances that really stood out. Lawrence did finish the season with 31 tackles, but his 2 tackles for a loss need improvement. Hollands 13 tackles came with 2 tackles for loss and a sack, but hell need those numbers much higher this fall with more playing time.

    For Davidson, who enrolled in January, he has just as good of a shot to see the field this fall as anyone. The 4-star recruit from Montgomery stands at an impressive 6-foot- 4, 260 pounds and is known punishing the backfield during his high school days at Greenville and Carver.

    The defensive line has a chance this fall to play an even bigger role than in the past. Auburn had a good rush defense in 2015, but its inability to create a pass rush allowed the secondary to become exposed, causing teams to average 222.5 yards per game. If the Tigers can continue a solid rush defense and also create a pass defense then the 2016 defense could be fun to watch.

    Brandon Miller

    Coming August 8: Linebackers

    Newcomers

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy have held together Auburns linebacker corps the past two seasons, but with both having moved on, the Tigers will need to find a new way to keep the deep part of the front seven playing well.

    Frost and McKinzy finished second and third on the team last year with 96 and 74 tackles, respectively. The leaderboard for Auburns defense was filled with defensive backs, but linebackers Justin Garrett and Tre Williams finished in the top 10 for tackles in 2015.

    Garrett has also moved on from the Tigers, but Williams, a junior, will have the best opportunity to show that of the returning players hes more than just a highly ranked recruit thats made plays when hes seen playing time. In 2016, Williams will have a chance to be a star.

    Williams finished 2015 with 55 tackles, including four for a loss, in 12 games. He also had a fumble recovery. Williams is expected to start at Sam but may spend some time at MLB.

    Beyond Williams, Auburn is expected to have a lot of new guys on the field at linebacker.

    Deshaun Davis, T.J. Neal, Darrell Williams and Montavious Atkinson are all expected to compete for a starting role and certainly get playing time regardless.

    Neal, a graduate transfer from Illinois, did nothing less than shine in the Big 10. He started all 25 games in his last two years as an Illini player and made a total of 255 tackles in those seasons including 109 last year, 15 coming for loss.

    While Neal has plenty of experience, Davis playing time has come mostly on special teams. He played in every game in 2015 as a redshirt freshman, tallying two tackles, one being for a loss.

    Darrell Williams played in nine games last year.

    The Tigers new linebacker unit could see some growing pains, but theyll be fortunate in having a strong defensive line in front of it and a possibly solid secondary behind it. The unit can gain much needed confidence with a solid performance in the opener against the defending national runner- up.

    Brandon Miller

    Coming August 22: Defensive Backs

    Newcomers

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Football Preview: Defensive Backs

    The 2016 version of Auburn's secondary promises to have a fresh look with the addition of an established coach and plenty of experience with several key players returning from last year's group.

    Wesley McGriff was hired as secondary coach and co-defensive coordinator by head coach Gus Malzahn after Kevin Steele was brought on board to run the defense. McGriff spent the last three seasons as the secondary coach for the Saints.

    McGriff has plenty of coaching experience in the Southeastern Conference with stints at Mississippi, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. He was Ole Miss' co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach in 2012 and was a defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt in 2011.

    Despite allowing 222.5 passing yards per game in 2015, the Tigers are confident that number will improve in the fall with the return of Rudy Ford, along with cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean, and Tray Matthews.

    Ford, who led Auburn with 118 tackles last season, is expected to start at Nickel and play some deep safety when needed. Ford's backup is Tim Irvin. As a true freshman last season, Irvin made 18 tackles in 10 games.

    Last year, Davis appeared in all 13 games, making nine starts. His 56 tackles with three interceptions and eight pass breakups as a true freshman earned him SEC All-Freshman team honors.

    Dean should win the starting job across the field from Davis after transferring from Ohio State a year ago.

    Matthews, who had 46 tackles with two interceptions while starting seven games last season, is the frontrunner to start at strong safety. Matthews missed all of spring practice while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

    Mathews' backup will likely be Stephen Roberts. Roberts saw the field in Auburn's final five games and finished the season with 26 tackles and three pass breakups.

    At free safety, Nick Ruffin spent much of spring practice working with the first-team defense. He probably has a slight edge to start over Josh Holsey since Holsey is coming off a torn ACL last season.

    Phil Marion

    Coming August 29: Special Teams

    Newcomers

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    BJ Barham Performing in Waverly, AL

    Singer-songwriter BJ Barham will be performing at Standard Deluxe with Justin Osborne from SUSTO in Waverly, AL, on Friday, August 26. The American Aquarium front man is touring in support of his solo debut Rockingham, which was released on August 19.

    Rockingham is an intensely personal collection of small-town narratives, which reflect upon the meaning of home, and the realities of growing up in rural America.

    Rockingham was written in a matter of days, while Barham was overseas with American Aquarium, the acclaimed alt-country act he's fronted for over a decade. The band was less than two hours away from Paris when the terrorist attacks of November 13th, 2015 occurred, causing a flurry of concern from family and friends at home. Barham had an emotional response that prompted him to ponder the people and places who had impacted his life in fundamental ways and the album was born.

    Much of the material on Rockingham is based on Barham's hometown of Reidsville, NC. A once thriving community supported by tobacco production and textile mills, Reidsville like many other towns, suffered from economic depression as the companies that supported so many shut down. Songs like "American Tobacco Company" explore the struggles of blue-collar labor, as well as a regional sense of pride, while "O Lover" portrays a hard-working farmer forced to make desperate decisions to support the ones he loves. The tender "Madeline" is a letter to a fictional daughter, which passes on lessons learned through maturity, and an album highlight "The Unfortunate Kind" is a heartbreaking reflection of life's beautiful and sad twists and turns.

    Rockingham was recorded at Durham's Overdub Lane, and features American Aquarium members Ryan Johnson (guitar) and Whit Wright (pedal steel) as well North Carolina based multi-instrumentalist Phil Cook and drummer Kyle Keegan.

    Though this is a solo project for Barham, it isn't at all a departure from American Aquarium who will likely play close to 200 shows in 2016, and has plans to go into the studio this Fall.

    Rockingham represents Barham stepping confidently into the thoughts, stories and feelings of his life thus far.

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    Auburn's 2015 campaign was anything but consistent. On the offensive side, struggles at the quarterback position saw a new starter under center week to week and the defense didn't live up to the hype after high expectations. One thing that was always reliable throughout the season was special teams.

    In each of his three seasons as head coach at Auburn, Gus Malzahn's squads have been outstanding on special teams, especially the kicking game.

    Daniel Carlson returns for his junior year after a very successful 2015 season. He was one of three finalist for the Lou Groza Award, a unanimous first team All-Southeastern Conference selection and one of three kickers in FBS with four FG of 50+ yards.

    Carlson set an Auburn record by nailing 16 consecutive field goals and his four 50+ yard field goals made in a season was also a school record. Carlson was 23 for 27 on field goals and ranked fifth nationally in touchback percentage (71.01 percent) on kickoffs.

    Also back after a solid 2015 season is punter Kevin Phillips. As a junior, Phillips averaged 41 yards per punt, which ranked seventh in the SEC and 69th nationally and helped to hold opponents to just seven punt returns tied for third-fewest in the country last season.

    Auburn's return game was a work in progress a year ago as the unit failed to record a punt return or kick return for a touchdown for the first time since 2007. The Tigers averaged 27.94 yards per game on kick returns and 11.93 yards per punt return.

    With the departure of Blake Countess, Rudy Ford and Kerryon Johnson will handle the kick return duties in the fall. Last fall, Ford was second in the SEC with a 28.73 yard average on his kick returns and Johnson had 27.6 yards per return.

    Marcus Davis is set to be the main punt returner after ranking fifth in the SEC in punt returns with 11.53 yards per return last season. His season-high six returns for 88 yards helped Auburn defeat Memphis 31-10 in the Birmingham Bowl.

    Phil Marion

    Newcomers

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Defensive Backs

    Week One SEC Predictions

    Auburn begins its 2016 season by hosting second-ranked Clemson Saturday night at 8 pm at Jordan-Hare Stadium on ESPN. Auburn leads the all-time series 34-13-2. The two teams last played in 2012 with Clemson winning a close contest 26-19.

    Clemson at Auburn

    Auburn hopes to improve on its 7-6 overall record and 2-6 in conference play from a year ago.

    Head coach Gus Malzahn finally named Sean White as the starter under center on Aug. 25. As a true freshman in 2015, White completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,166 yards and one touchdown in seven games.

    White will to try to help turn an offense around that struggled during the 2015 season. Auburn averaged 27.5 ppg and 370 total ypg.

    The passing game, which averaged 173.6 ypg, will look to newcomers Kyle Davis, Nate Craig-Myers and Eli Stove, along with veterans Marcus Davis and Tony Stevens to improve on those numbers from a year ago.

    In 2015, Davis had 30 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown while Stevens had 177 yards and a touchdown.

    On the ground, Auburn averaged 196.4 ypg. The Tigers will have a new look in the backfield with both Roc Thomas and Jovon Robinson gone from the team.

    Kerryon Johnson will get the bulk of the carries after rushing for 208 yards last year with three touchdowns, mostly from the wildcat position. Joining Johnson will be H-backs Chandler Cox and Kamryn Pettway, and incoming freshman Malik Miller.

    On the offensive line, tackles Austin Golson and Robert Leff, center Xavier Dampeer, along with guards Braden Smith and Alex Kozan will play a crucial role in protecting the quarterback and hopefully open huge holes for Auburn's running backs.

    On the defensive side, new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele takes over a unit that allowed 26 ppg, 182.7 ypg on the ground, 222.5 ypg through the air and 405.2 total yards a year ago.

    Auburn is loaded with depth along the defensive line with seniors Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams leading the way. In 2015, Lawson played in only seven games but finished the season with 17 tackles, including three for a loss and a sack. Adams had 44 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks.

    Freshman Marlon Davidson and sophomore Dontavious Russell are the other starters along the line. Russell recorded 42 tackles and 4 sacks last year.

    Poised to see plenty of playing time as backups along the line are seniors Devaroe Lawrence and Maurice Swain, and sophomores Jeff Holland and Byron Cowart.

    The linebacker position will have a new look for the first time in several seasons after both Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy graduated. Tre Williams looks to be the leader of the group after a solid 2015 campaign saw him record 55 tackles, including four for a loss, in 12 games. Williams is expected to start at MLB with T.J. Neal at Strong-side and Darrell Williams at weak-side.

    In the secondary, Rudy Ford returns and will start at nickel after leading the team with 118 tackles a year ago.

    Last year as a freshman, Carlton Davis appeared in all 13 games, recorded 56 tackles and hauled in three interceptions. He will start at one of the cornerback spots along with Javaris Davis at the other.

    At strong safety, Stephen Roberts has been suspended leaving Tray Matthews to start and Nick Ruffin gets the nod at free safety.

    On special teams, Daniel Carlson handles the kicking duties with Kevin Phillips starting at punter. Marcus Davis won the job to handle punt returns with Rudy Ford and Kerryon Johnson set to return kickoffs.

    Dabo Swinney's squad comes to Jordan-Hare after finishing 2015 14-1 overall and 8-0 in the ACC. Clemson scored 38.5 ppg and averaged 514.5 yards of total offense.

    Clemson returns 12 starters from last year, including quarterback Deshaun Watson. As a sophomore, Watson was 333 of 491 passing for 4,104 yards with 35 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. On the ground, the talented quarterback had 283 carries for 1,105 yards and 12 touchdowns.

    Clemson's other offensive weapons include running back Wayne Gallman and receiver Artavis Scott. Last season, Gallman had 283 carries for 1,527 yards and 13 touchdowns. Scott had 93 receptions for 901 yards and six touchdowns. Also back is receiver Deon Cain, with 34 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns.

    On defense, Clemson gave up 21.7 ppg and allowed 313 ypg. Some of the top performers returning from last year's team include linebacker Ben Boulware with 82 tackles and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley with 48 tackles. Boulware also recorded 3.5 sacks and Tankersley hauled in five interceptions.

    Prediction: Clemson 34-10.



    Appalachian St at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 50-7.



    South Carolina at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 21-14.



    South Alabama at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 38-6.



    Missouri at West Virginia

    Prediction: West Virginia 34-17.



    LSU at Wisconsin

    Prediction: LSU 24-10.



    UCLA at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 31-20.



    LA Tech at Arkansas

    Prediction: Aransas 41-21.



    Georgia at North Carolina

    Prediction: North Carolina 24-20.



    UMass at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 45-3.



    Southern Miss at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 34-20.



    USC vs Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 27-10.



    Ole Miss at Florida State

    Prediction: Florida St 35-14.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-5. After a disappointing 19-13 loss to Clemson, Auburn hosts Arkansas State Saturday at 6:30 pm CT on the SEC Network. The Tigers are 3-0 all-time against Arkansas State.

    Arkansas St. at Auburn

    ASU, coached by Blake Anderson, won the Sun Belt Conference last season while averaging 40 ppg and 438.5 yards of total offense. The Red Wolves return six starters on offense and seven on the defensive side.

    The defense ranked No. 112 in pass defense last year (267.8 yards allowed per game), allowed 30.2 ppg and 419.2 total ypg.

    ASU played its first contest of the 2016 season at home against Toledo that resulted in a 31-10 loss. Playing at Jordan-Hare Stadium at night, chances are slim for the Red Wolves to even their record at 1-1.

    Auburn will look to get things going on the offensive side against the Red Wolves before starting SEC play against Texas A&M on Sept. 17.

    The Tigers were sluggish in the first half against Clemson but seemed to move the ball a bit better after haltime. The 262 total yards of offense was the eighth-worst offensive output of Gus Malzahn's 11-year career as a coordinator or head coach.

    Sean White started at quarterback but both Jeremy Johnson and John Franklin III saw action. White completed 10 of 21 passes for 140 yards and an interception, while Johnson was 4 of 6 for 38 yards, an interception and a fumble, and Franklin was 1 of 1 for minus-3 yards.

    On the ground, the Tigers gained just 127 yards with Kerryon Johnson finishing with 94 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown.

    On the defensive side, Auburn did pretty well at keeping Clemson's explosive offense from lighting up the scoreboard. Clemson had 399 yards of total offense and quarterback Deshaun Watson finshed the contest 19 of 34 for 248 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

    Special teams was solid as expected with kicker Daniel Carlson good on two field goal attempts, one for 53 and the other for 32. Carlson also had three of his four kickoffs go for touchbacks.

    Punter Kevin Phillips averaged 44.4 yards on five attempts, with one landing inside the 20-yard line.

    Prediction: Auburn 20-7.



    Nicholls State at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 50-6.



    PV A&M at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 70-3.



    W Kentucky at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 51-13.



    Kentucky at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 28-7.



    Wofford at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 34-7.



    Mid Tennessee at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 26-10.



    Arkansas at TCU

    Prediction: TCU 30-10.



    South Carolina at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 14-10.



    Jacksonville St at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 24-20.



    E Michigan at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 34-17.



    Virginia Tech vs Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 23-19.

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 11-1, and overall they are 19-6. This week, Auburn opens conference play by hosting Texas A&M at 6 p.m. on ESPN. The Aggies lead the all-time series 3-2, but Auburn won last year's meeting 26-10. The road team has won all four meetings in the series since Texas A&M joined the SEC.

    Texas A&M at Auburn

    After a sluggish performance in the 19-13 loss to Clemson on Sept. 3, Auburn's offense came alive to easily defeat Arkansas State 51-14 last Saturday. The Tigers gained 706 yards of total offense, which was only the second time in school history the offense reached the 700-yard mark.

    Quarterback Sean White started and directed Auburn's first eight scoring drives. For the game, White completed 17 of 23 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 60 more.

    Tony Stevens was White's favorite target with four catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Darius Slayton hauled in three catches for 55 yards.

    Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway helped Auburn gain 462 yards on the ground. Johnson finished with 124 yards and two touchdowns while Pettway led Auburn with 152.

    Auburn's defense looked sharp for the second week in a row by limiting Arkansas State to just 326 yards of total offense. The 66 yards allowed on the ground was the the defense's best rushing performance since last year's Mississippi State game.

    Kevin Steele's unit also had four sacks, which was the most since last season's opener against Louisville.

    The secondary did give up a few long pass plays, a 68-yarder and a 34-yarder that both led to the only two touchdowns of the night.

    On special teams, Daniel Carlson was good on all three field goal attempts and had all six of his kickoffs go for touchbacks.

    Texas A&M enters the contest 2-0 after beating UCLA 31-24 Sept. 3 and destroying Prairie View A&M 67-0 last Saturday.

    Against Prairie View, quarterback Trevor Knight completed 21 of 37 passes for 344 yards with three touchdowns through the air and one on the ground. Knight also rushed for a game-high 78 yards on seven carries in just over one half of play. The Aggies racked up 672 total yards of offense. Wide receiver Christian Kirk had five catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

    In the backfield, Kendall Bussey ran for 79 yards on seven carries and Keith Ford added 62 yards on eight carries and a pair of touchdowns.

    Head coach Kevin Sumlin's defense is led by pass-rusher Myles Garrett, who finished 2015 with 12.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-20.



    Ohio at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 42-6.



    Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech

    Prediction: Georgia Tech 38-14.



    Alabama at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Alabama 26-13.



    East Carolina at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 14-10.



    New Mexico St at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 35-20.



    Miss St at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 24-17.



    Georgia at Missouri

    Prediction: Georgia 17-14



    North Texas at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 50-10.



    Texas State at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 40-16.

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 9-1, and overall they are 28-7. Auburn once again plays at home when it hosts LSU at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN. In the series, LSU leads 28-21-1 and won easily in last year's meeting 45-21.

    LSU at Auburn

    Saturday, Auburn fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play after losing to Texas A&M 29-16. Auburn's passing game struggled all night with several dropped passes and starting quarterback Sean White threw for just 126 yards.

    The offensive line didn't have an answer for Texas A&M's defensive ends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall. The duo combined for two sacks, four quarterback hurries and 3.5 tackles for loss.

    Auburn did have some success on the ground with 236 yards and two touchdowns on 54 carries. Kamryn Pettway was the leader with 123 yards on 20 carries.

    After three games, Auburn is averaging 261.7 ypg on the ground, 194 ypg through the air, 455.7 yards of total offense and 26.7 points per game.

    Defensively, Auburn allowed Texas A&M to gain 478 total yards of offense and freshman Trayveon Williams finished with 127 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.

    The defense was stingy when Texas A&M got in the red zone and on third downs. On five trips in the red zone, Auburn made important stops which resulted in four Texas A&M field goals. On third downs, the Aggies were good on just 2 of 15 attempts.

    Auburn allowed a season-high 231 rushing yards to Texas A&M and for the season, opponents are averaging 149.3 rushing ypg. The passing defense is giving up 251.7 ypg, and as a unit, the defense allows 401 ypg and 20.7 ppg.

    In week one, LSU lost 16-14 to Wisconsin but bounced back a week later to defeat Jacksonville State 34-13. Last weekend in SEC play, LSU withstood a late rally by Mississippi State for a 23-20 victory. Leonard Fournette rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns despite being hobbled by a bruised left ankle.

    In his first start under center for LSU, Danny Etling completed 19 of 30 passes for 215 yards. After three games, LSU is averaging 157.7 passing ypg, 182.3 rushing ypg, and 23.7 ppg.

    Senior linebacker Kendell Beckwith and senior defensive end Lewis Neal are two players to watch Saturday night on the defensive side for LSU. Last season, Beckwith had 84 tackles while Neal had eight sacks. So far in 2016, LSU allows 16.3 ppg.

    Prediction: LSU 17-14.



    Kent State at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 50-6.



    Georgia at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-20.



    Florida at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 27-23.



    Miss St at UMass

    Prediction: Miss St. 30-7.



    Delaware State at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 45-7.



    Vanderbilt at W Kentucky

    Prediction: Western Kentucky 30-17.



    South Carolina at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 26-14.



    Arkansas vs Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 23-20.

    The Alzheimer's Association Annual Walk

    The Alzheimer's Association Annual Walk to End Alzheimer's event Sunday, October 30,2016. Registration at 1 p.m. Walk at 2:15 p.m. Campus Green by Jordan-Hare Stadium 500 Heisman Drive.

    The Alzheimer's Association Annual Walk

    The Alzheimer's Association Annual Walk to End Alzheimer's event Sunday, October 30,2016. Registration at 1 p.m. Walk at 2:15 p.m. Campus Green by Jordan-Hare Stadium 500 Heisman Drive.

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-2, and overall they are 35-9. This week, Auburn hosts Louisiana-Monroe at 2:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. The Tigers lead the all-time series with the Warhawks 9-0. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2012, with Auburn winning 31-28 in overtime.

    Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn

    UL-Monroe is 1-2 on the season, but had last weekend off. The Warhawks face an Auburn team that's 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

    Saturday, the Tigers battled LSU to the last second to win 18-13. Place-kicker Daniel Carlson made all six field goal attempts. Carlson's six field goals tied a school record set by Al Del Greco in 1982 against Kentucky and came from 51, 29, 29, 31, 37 and 29 yards.

    Carlson also had all seven kickoffs go for touchbacks. Punter Kevin Phillips only had three punts which averaged 40 yards. He placed one inside the 20-yard line.

    The Tigers are averaging 18.5 yards on kick returns so far in 2016. Against LSU, Rudy Ford had a 25-yard return and Kerryon Johnson had a 21-yard return.

    Auburn's offense had 388 total yards on the night and quarterback Sean White completed 19 of 26 passes for 234 yards.

    The Tigers got inside the red zone six times but had to settle on five field goals. As a unit, the offense averages 24.5 ppg, 234.8 rushing ypg, 204 passing ypg and 438.8 total ypg.

    Defensively, Auburn held LSU's talented running back Leonard Fournette to 101 yards on 16 carries. On the night, the Tigers limited LSU to just 338 yards of total offense and 220 yards rushing.

    After four contests, Auburn allows 167 rushing ypg, 218.3 passing ypg, 385.3 total ypg, and 18.8 ppg.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-6.



    Alcorn State at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 45-7.



    Florida at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Florida 21-10.



    Tennessee at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 24-17.



    Texas A&M at South Carolina

    Prediction: Texas A&M 31-10.



    Kentucky at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 50-7.



    Memphis at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-20.



    Missouri at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 17-14.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-1, and overall they are 42-10. After five straight home games to start the season, Auburn travels to Starkville to face Mississippi State. The contest starts at 11:00 a.m. CT and can be seen on ESPN. The Tigers lead to all-time series with the Bulldogs 61-24-2, but MSU won last year's meeting in Auburn 17-9.

    Auburn at Mississippi State

    MSU enters the game at 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The Bulldogs beat South Carolina 27-14 Sept. 10, then a week later lost 23-20 at LSU.

    The Bulldogs should be rested and pretty healthy after having last Saturday off. Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald has thrown for 603 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. Fitzgerald leads the team in rushing with 329 yards on 47 carries. Receiver Fred Ross has 25 catches for 288 yards and four touchdowns.

    So far this season, MSU's offense averages 214.3 passing ypg, 219.5 rushing ypg and 28.5 ppg. On defense, the Bulldogs allow 23.3 ppg.

    Auburn improved to 3-2 after a lopsided 58-7 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. After struggling in the red zone a week before against LSU, the Tigers scored touchdowns on four out of the five trips inside the 20, and the only trip they didn't score on came from the backups with less than a minute remaining.

    Against the Warhawks, Auburn racked up 688 yards of offense, which was the fourth-highest total in program history.

    Quarterback Sean White completed 14 of 17 passes for 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Kerryon Johnson had 146 rushing yards and Tony Stevens had 109 yards on four catches.

    After five games, the Tigers average 218.8 passing ypg, 269.8 rushing ypg, and 31.2 ppg.

    Defensively, Auburn allowed the Warhawks just 251 total yards, which was the lowest output by an Auburn opponent this season. The unit recorded two takeaways along with two sacks and seven quarterback hurries. The stingy defense gives up just 16.4 ppg.

    Prediction: Mississippi State 17-13.



    LSU at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 24-17.



    Tennessee at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 31-17.



    Vanderbilt at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 27-7.



    Alabama at Arkansas

    Prediction: Alabama 30-17.



    Georgia at South Carolina

    Prediction: Georgia 34-7.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-1, and overall they are 46-11. Auburn has a much needed weekend off. The Tigers return to action Oct. 22 at home against Arkansas. The contest can be seen on ESPN starting a 5 p.m. CT.

    Miss St at BYU

    Prediction: BYU 24-17.



    Vanderbilt at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 38-12.



    Alabama at Tennessee

    Prediction: Alabama 40-28.



    Missouri at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 21-13.



    Ole Miss at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 31-24.



    Southern Miss at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 26-10.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, and overall they are 51-12. After having last weekend off, Auburn returns to action at home against Arkansas. The game can be seen on ESPN starting at 5:00 p.m. CT.

    Arkansas at Auburn

    In the series with Arkansas, Auburn leads 13-11-1. Last year's meeting in Fayetteville went to four overtimes with the Razorbacks winning 54-46.

    After seven games, Arkansas is 5-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play. Texas A&M defeated Arkansas 45-24 Sept. 24 and Alabama won 49-30 on Oct. 8.

    Last Saturday, the Razorbacks beat Ole Miss at home 34-30. The Arkansas offense racked up 429 total yards. Quarterback Austin Allen completed 19 of 32 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Allen has an SEC-best 18 touchdown passes for the season. Running back Rawleigh Williams had a career-best 180 rushing yards on 27 carries.

    For the season, the Razorbacks average 265.9 passing yards per game, 179.7 rushing yards per game, and 34.9 points per game.

    The Arkansas defense has struggled some so far in 2016. The unit is giving up 27.9 points per game.

    Auburn enters Saturday's contest 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the SEC. After six games, the Tigers rank 28th nationally in total offense by averaging 479.2 yards per game.

    Quarterback Sean White leads an offense that's averaging 262.8 rushing yards per game, 216.3 passing yards per game and 32.3 points per game.

    So far in 2016, White has completed 92 of 132 pass attempts for 1,187 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Kerryon Johnson leads the offense in rushing with 538 yards on 105 carries with six touchdowns. Tony Stevens leads all receivers with 408 yards on 24 catches and three touchdowns.

    Defensively, the Tigers seem to be improving each week and only allow 16 points per game. The unit also allows 147.2 rushing yards per game, 199.7 passing yards per game, and 346.8 total yards per game.

    Special teams has played an important role so far this season. Daniel Carlson continues to be very reliable on kickoffs with 31 of 32 attempts going for touchbacks and has been stellar on field goal attempts making 13 of 14 attempts with a long of 53 yards. Punter Kevin Phillips averages 40.47 yards per punt.

    Auburn's return game hasn't had many opportunties in 2016. Marcus Davis has only six punt returns for an average of 7.83 yards per return. On kickoffs, Kerryon Johnson is averaging 21.75 on four attempts and Rudy Ford is averaging 16.71 yards on seven kickoff returns.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-14.



    UMass at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-6.



    Texas A&M at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 38-13.



    Mid Tennessee at Missouri

    Prediction: 41-17.



    Miss St at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-13.



    Tennessee St at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 37-10.



    Ole Miss at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 20-17.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, and overall they are 57-13. This week, Auburn travels to Oxford to battle Ole Miss at 6:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network. Auburn leads 28-11 in the series, with last year's meeting won by the Rebels 27-19.

    Auburn at Ole Miss

    Ole Miss is 3-4 overall and 1-3 in SEC play after losing to LSU 38-21 in Baton Rouge. LSU's Leonard Fournette rushed for 284 yards on 16 carries with three touchdowns. Defensively, the Rebels allow 31.4 points per game.

    The Rebels' offense is led by quarterback Chad Kelly. Kelly has completed 152 of 245 attempts for 2,058 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2016. Ole Miss averages 304.1 yards per game through the air, 150.1 rushing yards per game, and 37 points per game.

    Auburn improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play after an easy 56-3 victory over Arkansas Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    The Tigers gained a whopping 543 yards on the ground, which is an SEC record for most rushing yards in a regular-season conference game. With Kerryon Johnson sidelined, Kamryn Pettway led the way with a career-best 192 yards and two touchdowns.

    For the season, the Tigers average 302.9 yards per game on the ground, 198.1 passing yards per game, and 35.7 points per game.

    On defense, Auburn recorded four sacks, had one interception and held Arkansas to just 25 rushing yards and 215 yards of total offense.

    As a unit, the Tigers allow 129.7 rushing yards per game, 198.3 passing yards per game, 328 total yards per game, and 14.1 points per game ranks third nationally.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-10.



    Kentucky at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 21-17.



    Florida vs.Georgia

    Prediction: Florida 27-20.



    Samford at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St. 40-6.



    Tennessee at South Carolina

    Prediction: Tennessee 30-17.



    New Mexico St at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 50-10.

    Amendment One: The Free State of Auburn

    Amendment One next Tuesday is about Auburn. You may even want to call it Auburn's Declaration of Independence.

    There are 14 amendments on the ballot next week. You may ask why so many? Our founders had an extreme distrust of government, it seems. They wrote our state constitution so that most laws and the details of governance are enshrined in the constitution and must be voted on by the people to change. The folks in Montgomery can get in enough trouble by themselves, but real mischief requires the complicity of the voters. That's where the amendments come in.

    The very first amendment on the ballot is about Auburn University and reads:

    Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to establish procedures to ensure that no more than three of the members of the Auburn University Board of Trustees shall have terms that expire in the same calendar year and to add two additional at-large members to the board to enhance diversity on the board.

    As we explained, because of the constitution, the people must vote on even mundane matters like rejiggering the trustee's terms and adding two members to "enhance the diversity" of the board and ensure that too many vacancies do not occur at the same time. This seems mundane and routine, even boring, but the details are more interesting.

    You see, what you see on the ballot, that you wisely study and thoughtfully consider, is not the amendment. The ballot descriptions of amendments are written by the same people who write the amendments, and contain the information they think the voter needs to know.

    Students of history may recall that fixing the board so that the terms were staggered was one of the things that was voted on in 2001, and would be partially correct. Much of the actual work was done at that time and rather than fix the problem now, much of what this amendment does is finish the job and clean up the transitional language and no longer relevant grandfathering found in the old article. In 2001, three at-large members were added. Amendment One increases from three to five the number of trustees who may reside outside of Alabama to further separate Auburn from state politics.

    A little history lesson is in order here. Since its founding as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, Auburn has been a political football, pawn, payoff and sometimes doormat for the serving governor. Unlike Auburn's counterpart in Tuscaloosa whose board of trustees fills their own vacancies, Auburn's trustees were appointed solely by the Governor. This came to a head in the late 1990s when Auburn faced the loss of accreditation because of Board politics. AU Administration officials took that opportunity to reduce the Governor's role in board appointments.

    With this amendment all references to the Governor's appointment power is removed and the divorce is final. We recommend an enthusiastic YES on Amendment One.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, and overall they are 61-15. This week, after winning five straight, Auburn returns home to battle Vanderbilt. The contest can be seen on ESPN at 11 a.m. CT.

    Vanderbilt at Auburn

    In the series, Vanderbilt leads 21-20-1, with the Commodores winning 17-13 in 2012.

    Vanderbilt is 4-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play. The Commodores had last weekend off. Vanderbilt's only conference win came at Georgia Oct.15 when it upset the Bulldogs 17-16.

    The Commodores are averaging 20.8 points per game, 145.8 passing yards per game, and 162.9 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur has completed 106 of 200 attempts for 1,089 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Ralph Webb has 855 yards on 164 carries and six touchdowns.

    Auburn continues to improve each week after starting the season 1-2. The Tigers are now 6-2 overall and 4-1 in SEC play. After an easy 56-3 victory over Arkansas on Oct. 22, the Tigers had to battle Ole Miss on the road in a contest that wasn't decided until midway in the final stanza. An interception by Josh Holsey sealed the 40-29 victory for Auburn.

    Against the Rebels, quarterback Sean White was 15 of 22 passing for 247 yards and a touchdown. Kamryn Pettway had a career game with 236 yards and a touchdown. For the night, the Tigers had 554 total yards of offense.

    After eight contests, Auburn averages 303.4 rushing yards per game, 204.3 yards per game through the air, 507.6 total yards of offense per game, and 36.3 points per game.

    Ole Miss had success against a defense that's been stingy all season. The Rebels had 570 total yards for the night and quarterback Chad Kelly threw for a career-high 465 yards.

    Auburn's defense allows just 16 points per game. The unit allows 126.6 yards per game on the ground, 231.6 yards per game through the air, and 358.3 total yards.

    On special teams, Daniel Carlson nailed all four of his field goal attempts, including a 45-yarder and a 47-yarder. Carlson was also perfect on extra points, going 4-for-4.

    Prediction: Auburn 35-10.



    Texas A&M at Miss St

    Prediction: Texas A&M 38-7.



    Ga Southern at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 14-10.



    Florida at Arkansas

    Prediction: Florida 24-14.



    Tenn Tech at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-13.



    Missouri at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 27-7.



    Georgia at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 23-20.



    Alabama at LSU

    Prediction: Alabama 30-10.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-3, and overall they are 66-18. This week, the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry between Auburn and Georgia will be in Athens at Sanford Stadium. The contest will be televised by CBS starting at 2:30 p.m. CT.

    Auburn at Georgia

    In the series, Georgia leads 56558. The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings including last year's game in Auburn 20-13.

    Kirby Smart is in his first year as head coach at Georgia. Smart's squad is 5-4 overall and 3-4 in SEC play.

    Last Saturday, the Bulldogs survived on the road at Kentucky when Rodrigo Blankenship nailed a 25-yard field goal as time expired for a 27-24 victory over the Wildcats to end a two-game losing streak.

    Georgia has struggled with Smart at the helm as the defense is surrendering 25.9 points per game. Offensively, the Bulldogs average 204.3 passing ypg, 178.3 rushing ypg, and 23.7 ppg.

    Quarterback Jacob Eason has 1,754 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Receiver Isaiah McKenzie has 32 catches for 459 yards with six touchdowns while running back Nick Chubb has 146 touches for 691 yards with five touchdowns.

    Auburn survived a close contest at home against Vanderbilt. The Tigers were sluggish in the first half with quarterback Sean White on the bench with an undisclosed injury. But after halftime, White entered the game and the offense came alive to help the Tigers win 23-16. With the victory, Auburn improved to 7-2 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

    Running back Kamryn Pettway had 173 yards on the afternoon before leaving with a leg injury in the fourth quarter. For the season, Pettway has 1,106 yards on 173 carries and seven touchdowns.

    The Tigers average 299.8 rushing ypg, 194.3 passing ypg, and 34.8 points per game.

    For the second week in a row, Josh Holsey was at the right place at the right time to haul in an interception to seal the win for Auburn. On the season, Holsey has three interceptions.

    The defense continues to be very stingy against the run allowing Vanderbilt's Ralph Webb just 46 yards and the Commodores to gain only 120 yards on the ground for the game. So far this season, the unit allows 125.9 ypg on the ground. Kevin Steele's defense gives up 16 points per game. The unit also allows 230.4 ypg through the air, and 356.3 total ypg.

    On special teams, Daniel Carlson was good on three field goal attempts which gave him the title for Auburns all-time record holder for field goals made with 61, surpassing Wes Byrums 60 set between 2007-2010.

    Prediction: Auburn 27-14.



    Miss St at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 42-10.



    South Carolina at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 17-13.



    Kentucky at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 28-17.



    Vanderbilt at Missouri

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 23-10.



    LSU at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 23-17.



    Ole Miss at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 35-17.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-3, and overall they are 66-18. This week, the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry between Auburn and Georgia will be in Athens at Sanford Stadium. The contest will be televised by CBS starting at 2:30 p.m. CT.

    In the series, Georgia leads 56558. The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings including last year's game in Auburn 20-13.

    Kirby Smart is in his first year as head coach at Georgia. Smart's squad is 5-4 overall and 3-4 in SEC play.

    Last Saturday, the Bulldogs survived on the road at Kentucky when Rodrigo Blankenship nailed a 25-yard field goal as time expired for a 27-24 victory over the Wildcats to end a two-game losing streak.

    Georgia has struggled with Smart at the helm as the defense is surrendering 25.9 points per game. Offensively, the Bulldogs average 204.3 passing ypg, 178.3 rushing ypg, and 23.7 ppg.

    Quarterback Jacob Eason has 1,754 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Receiver Isaiah McKenzie has 32 catches for 459 yards with six touchdowns while running back Nick Chubb has 146 touches for 691 yards with five touchdowns.

    Auburn survived a close contest at home against Vanderbilt. The Tigers were sluggish in the first half with quarterback Sean White on the bench with an undisclosed injury. But after halftime, White entered the game and the offense came alive to help the Tigers win 23-16. With the victory, Auburn improved to 7-2 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

    Running back Kamryn Pettway had 173 yards on the afternoon before leaving with a leg injury in the fourth quarter. For the season, Pettway has 1,106 yards on 173 carries and seven touchdowns.

    The Tigers average 299.8 rushing ypg, 194.3 passing ypg, and 34.8 points per game.

    For the second week in a row, Josh Holsey was at the right place at the right time to haul in an interception to seal the win for Auburn. On the season, Holsey has three interceptions.

    The defense continues to be very stingy against the run allowing Vanderbilt's Ralph Webb just 46 yards and the Commodores to gain only 120 yards on the ground for the game.

    So far this season, Kevin Steele's defense gives up 16 points per game. The unit also allows 125.9 ypg on the ground, 230.4 ypg through the air, and 356.3 total ypg.

    On special teams, Daniel Carlson was good on three field goal attempts which gave him the title for Auburns all-time record holder for field goals made with 61, surpassing Wes Byrums 60 set between 2007-2010.

    Prediction: Auburn 27-14.



    Miss St at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 42-10.



    South Carolina at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 17-13.



    Kentucky at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 28-17.



    Vanderbilt at Missouri

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 23-10.



    LSU at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 23-17.



    Ole Miss at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 35-17.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-4, and overall they are 69-22. After losing to Georgia 13-7, Auburn retuns home to play Alabama A&M at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Alternate Channel.

    Alabama A&M at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 45-6.



    UTSA at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 56-7.



    LA-Lafayette at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 38-6.



    Florida at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 21-13.



    Missouri at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-14.



    W Carolina at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 30-10.



    Austin Peay at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 30-7.



    Chattanooga at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 50-3.



    Arkansas at Miss St

    Prediction: Arkansas 14-10.



    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Ole Miss 30-14.

    Week 14 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-2, and overall they are 77-24. This week, Auburn travels to Tuscaloosa to face arch-rival Alabama. The Iron Bowl will be televised by CBS starting at 2:30 pm CT.

    Auburn at Alabama

    In the series, Alabama leads 44351 and has won the last two contests. In games played in Tuscaloosa, Auburn leads 73.

    The Tigers are 8-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play.

    In Saturday's game against Alabama A&M, senior quarterback Jeremy Johnson started for the injured Sean White. Johnson finished the night 14 of 19 for 147 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for two touchdowns as Auburn routed the Bulldogs 55-0.

    If White is still sidelined with a shoulder injury, either Johnson or John Franklin III would start against Alabama. Franklin ran for 81 yards and a touchdown on four carries against Alabama A&M.

    The long grind of the season has several key players banged up but they should see playing time Saturday. Running back Kamryn Pettway, who has played a huge role in Auburn's rushing attack, should return for Saturday's game after being out of action the last couple of weeks with a left leg injury. For the season, Pettway has 1,106 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

    As a unit, Auburn averages 297.8 rushing yards per game, 175.7 passing yards per game, 473.5 total yards of offense and 34.1 points per game.

    Saturday's contest could be a defensive battle as both teams feature stingy defenses. Auburn's defense allows opponents 117.7 rushing yards per game, 216.8 passing yards per game, 334.5 total yards and 14.3 points per game. Alabama's defense allows just 11.4 points per game.

    Alabama is 11-0 overall after beating Chattanooga 31-3. The Tide has wrapped up the SEC West and will play Florida in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3.

    As a unit, Alabama's offense averages 227.8 yards per game through the air, 249.8 rushing yards per game, and 40.3 points per game.

    Jalen Hurts starts under center and has completed 182 of 281 attempts for 2,168 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Hurts has also rushed for 803 yards on 142 carries and 11 touchdowns. Damien Harris leads the team with 853 rushing yards and he's reached the endzone twice. Calvin Ridley leads the team with 57 catches for 640 yards and seven touchdowns.

    Prediction: Alabama 30-10.



    LSU at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 30-14.



    Arkansas at Missouri

    Prediction: Arkansas 38-10.



    Kentucky at Louisville

    Prediction: Louisville 50-17.



    Georgia Tech at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 21-17.



    Miss St at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 35-7.



    South Carolina at Clemson

    Prediction: Clemson 45-13.



    Tennessee at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Tennessee 27-20.



    Florida at Florida State

    Prediction: Florida State 31-17.

    Auburn Heads To New Orleans For The Sugar Bowl

    Whether youre jazzed about Auburns invite to the Sugar Bowl or believe the Tigers are less than deserving to be New Orleans bound, everyone should agree head coach Gus Malzahns team had a pretty good 2016 regular season.

    Auburn finished the regular season ranked No. 14 in the final College Football Playoff rankings with an 8-4 record, giving it the second best record in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers ranking being second highest in the SEC made it an automatic qualifier for the Sugar Bowl. Auburn will face Oklahoma, which won the Big 12 with a 10-2 record, on January 2.

    Im excited for our players, coaches and the Auburn family to experience one of the best bowl games of college football, Malzahn said in a press release. We cant wait for this opportunity and look forward to our trip to New Orleans.

    The appearance next month will be Auburns first in the Sugar Bowl since defeating Virginia Tech 16-14 in January 2005. The win capped a perfect season, however it will always be remembered as the season that could have been, with Auburn being left out of the national championship despite its perfect record. In an ironic twist, Oklahoma was one of the two teams that played for the championship for 2014 USC being the other.

    The Tigers 2015 regular season has been anything but casual.

    Auburn opened the year with two losses in its first three games before a close win against LSU gave fans a breath of fresh air and some confidence this team could be better than previously expected. Blowout wins against Mississippi State and Arkansas in two of the next three games built confidence and a win against Ole Miss to mark a fifth consecutive win gave the Tigers an appearance similar to the 2013 season.

    However, thats when things went downhill. Injuries hit Auburn hard, and a close win at home against Vanderbilt transitioned into a loss at Georgia the following week and losing at Alabama two weeks later.

    Thats where the Tigers sit currently.

    In good news, its been announced quarterback Sean White will return for the bowl game. It also appears star tailback Kam Pettway will be fully healthy for the Sooners, as well.

    If Auburn can pull out a win Jan. 2 against No. 7 Oklahoma, the 2016 season wont have a championship like 2010 or title game appearance like 2014, but it will be a special season to remember.

    Things To Do Around Town

    The Auburn-Opelika area typically slows down this time of year, mostly from losing around 25,000 student residents to Christmas break. However, the loss of Auburns younger demographic doesnt mean the cities shut down until the students return.

    Plenty of festive activities are planned for the next two weeks with Christmas and New Years quickly approaching. Below is a list of some of what the area offers.

    Dec. 15: Collinwood Luminaries

    From 5 to 9 p.m. you can follow Collinwood Street in Opelika and see more than 1,500 sacks with candles prepared by the Collinwood neighborhood residents. The popular holiday tradition is a symbol of Christmas, saying to light the path on the journey to the manger. Attendees will see shepherds, wise men and angels all following the star along the way to see the Christ Child. The Collinwood Luminaries first started in 1967.

    Dec. 15-29: Auburn Athletics

    The local sports fan can avoid an uneventful holiday season and avoid large crowds by attending any of Auburns six sporting events taking place Dec. 15 through 29. Bruce Pearls mens basketball team is in action against Coastal Carolina on the 15th, playing Mercer the 18th and opening home conference play against Georgia on the 29th. The womens basketball team will play host to Virginia Tech on the 18th and Jacksonville on the 28th.

    The diving team will provide fans a multi-day event, hosting the AU Diving Invitational from Dec. 16 through 19.

    Dec. 17: Holiday Double Feature

    The Boykin Community is opening its doors Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. to show A Charlie Brown Christmas. It will be immediately followed by the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas. For any unable to attend the early showing, there will be a second showing at 5:30 and 6:15.

    Dec. 24: Christmas Dinner At Ariccia

    Reservations to have Auburn Universitys culinary team to cook and serve you a four-course holiday meal on Christmas Eve. The meal costs $39 for adults and $19 for children and will be at Ariccia at the Hotel & Conference Center. Reservations can be made by calling (334) 844-5140.

    Dec. 30: New Years Eve Eve

    A nightlife event, downtown Auburn will shut down its streets to automobiles and allow pedestrians to roam from store to store. Join downtown merchants from 6 to 10 p.m. for New Years Eve Eve. Visit downtownauburnonline.com for more information.

    Dec. 31: Ariccias New Years Eve

    Ariccias Christmas dinner is joined by a five-course menu for New Years Eve. The $60 reservation includes a champagne toast at midnight and live jazz band. Dinner runs from 5:30 through 11 p.m. The jazz band will begin at 9. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (334) 844-5140.

    Sugar Bowl Prediction

    Auburn and Oklahoma are set to battle in the Sugar Bowl, Monday Jan. 2 at 7:30 pm CT on ESPN. The two teams have met just once, back in 1972 with Oklahoma winning 44-20 in the Sugar Bowl.

    Oklahoma finished the regular season at 10-2, with losses to Houston and Ohio State. Auburn wrapped up the regular season at 8-4 after starting 1-2.

    The Sooners struggled as a unit on defense, especially against the pass, allowing 279 yards per game, which ranked 119th in the country.

    The defense performed better against the run, allowing 160.8 yards per game. Overall, Oklahoma's defense allowed opponents to rack up 439.8 total yards per game and 29.7 points per game.

    Auburn's defense will be tested by the Sooners' explosive offense led by quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield, a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, threw for 3,669 yards with 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2016. His favorite target, Dede Westbrook hauled in 74 receptions for 1,465 yards with 16 scores. Westbrook was also one of the five finalists for the Heisman Trophy in 2016.

    On the ground, Oklahoma has solid running backs with Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine doing the most damage. Mixon led the team with 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns, while Perine added 974 yards on 179 carries with 11 touchdowns.

    As a unit, the Sooners average 237.5 rushing yards per game, 319.8 yards per game through the air, 557.3 total yards and 44.7 points per game.

    Auburn's defense saw a much improved unit in 2016 from a year ago. The Tigers allow 124.8 yards per game on the ground, 223.6 passing yards per game, 348.4 total yards and 15.6 points per game.

    On offense, the Tigers should be healthy for the Sugar Bowl after several players were banged up late in season. Quarterback Sean White is back along with running back Kam Pettway. In 2016, White threw for 1,644 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Pettway rushed for 1,123 yards and seven touchdowns.

    As a unit, Auburn's offense averages 278.5 rushing yards per game, 170.8 passing yards per game, 449.3 yards of total offense and 32.3 points per game.

    Prediction: Oklahoma 27-21.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2016

    The Neverending Story of Mike Hubbard wrote a new chapter when Hubbard was convicted of abusing his office, Access Auburn's top story of 2016.

    Top Ten Stories for 2016
      1. Hubbard Trial
      2. Toomer's Pain
      3. Gone in 2016
      4. And Still High Rise
      5. JHS Concert
      6. This Crazy Weather
      7. Aubie for King!
      8. Softball Magic
      9. Spicy Music
    10. Bikes!

    1. Despite felony convictions for influence peddling, deposed Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard has yet to spend a night in jail and may never. Hubbard will fight an appeals battle to stay out of prison in 2017.

    2. The Toomer's Corner trees were rolled in celebration of a pivotal win over LSU. All was great on the Plains, but that went up in a ball of fire as a newly venerated oak was torched in the early morning hours of September 25. A German national was arrested and awaits trial.

    3. We note the passing of several Auburn notables headed by the groundbreaking James Owens, but in many ways Auburn itself disappeared before our eyes. College Street institutions The War Eagle Supper Club and the The Barbecue House gave way to developers and barber Darsie Rogers retired after barbering generations of Auburn heads for more than half a century.

    4. Like something from an alien movie, giant cranes are appearing on the Auburn skyline as the downtown building boom continues to transform Auburn.

    5. Beer was sold, thousands danced and Cliff Hare rolled over in his grave as Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert headlined a major concert in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    6. The weather is alway news in Alabama and this year was no different as Auburn continues with drought conditions, water restrictions and record temperaturess on Christmas.

    7. It is hardly news, but super cat Aubie brought home his ninth national championship. Aubie is our hero!

    8. The hottest ticket in town is one for any time the Auburn Softball team takes the field. In 2016 the Tigers advanced to the WCWS in Oklahoma City and look to win it all in 2017.

    9. An award winning local business, Spicer Music received national attention for acting more like a community center than a retail store.

    10. Auburn's campus took off on wheels in 2016 with the addition of ubiquitous orange War Eagle Bike Share bicycles.

    Cheaper By The Dozen

    The Young Performers of Auburn Area Community Theatre present CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. Suppose youre an attractive high school girl and youre not only a member of a large and unique family but your father is, in fact, one of the great pioneers of industrial efficiency. Then suppose he decides to apply his unorthodox methods to you and to the rest of your big family. The results are terribly embarrassing, funny andit must be admitted extremely effective! Audiences of all ages will laugh and be touched by this story.

    Tickets are $10/Adults, $8 Students and Seniors, and can be purchased at www.AuburnACT.org, and facebook.com/AuburnACT. Ticket info line: 334-332-0881.

    Director: Richard Trammell (706) 590-2503 richardtrammelljr@gmail.com

    March 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday matinees March 4 and 11 at 2:00 p.m.

    Signing Day Review

    Your future Auburn Tigers made things official on National Signing Day 2017. Head coach Gus Malzahn and the coaching staff celebrated over the signing of 26 players that are either already on campus or will be arriving in future months.

    The Tigers signing class finished in the top 10 of most recruiting sites, which has become a regular occurrence under Malzahn. However, Auburn also finished behind four Southeastern Conference foes Alabama, Georgia and LSU. Auburn has several holes on each side of the ball that new signees could fill immediately.

    Offense

    Quarterback Jarrett Stidham has been a Tiger for about two months, but this presence is still creating a buzz. The JUCO transfer has an odd story, which includes not playing in junior college after transferring from Baylor, but based on his No. 1 ranking of JUCO players, the kid is a stud.

    Stidham enrolled early, so hes already had time to start learning the playbook and work with coaches. The only question mark on Stidham is if hes Auburns answer at quarterback.

    Whether its Stidham, returning starting QB Sean White or any other player taking snaps, offensive line coach Herb Hand picked up a big-time player in Calvin Ashley. The 5-star offensive tackle is listed at 6-foot- 6, 310 pounds already a man. With Robert Leff graduating, Ashley could make a move into the starting lineup for the Tigers this fall.

    Four-star prospects Austin Troxell and Nick Brahms are both slightly underrated for their talent levels. Both are coming off ACL injuries, which has caused them to fly below most radars. Fully healthy, they both have a chance at winning a spot on the line.

    Auburn signed athletes Malik Willis and JaTarvious Whitlow who could both make an impact this fall, at least on special teams. Whitlow, a Lafayette High senior, has already been announced as moving to receiver, while Willis is still listed at quarterback. Both players run the 40 around 4.6 seconds, so speed and athleticism isnt shortcoming. Expect to see both on the field this fall, the only question being where.

    This years signing class did have one novelty two tight ends. Four-star prospect Sal Cannella from JUCO comes in from Scottsdale, while 3-star John Samuel Shenker joins the team as a true freshman. The Tigers in the past havent used tight ends unless the talent level has been clear, but its possible recruiting both Cannella and Shenker will show a change of pace for the offense.

    Defense

    The strength of the defense in 2016 will also be a spot that needs replacing this fall. To re-up the line, Auburn picked up a huge add with 4-star end Markaviest Bryant. Bryant entered signing day with his future unknown to the public, and his announcement to become a Tiger sent a buzz through social media.

    The linebacker positions had three signees, but none bigger than 4-star prospect Tadarian Moultry. Moultry is ranked seventh nationally at linebacker and has a real chance to make an impact as a freshman.

    In the secondary, the Tigers will have a new coach in Greg Brown, but the talent is still coming in, even though the signing class had a few misses. Auburn welcomes in two 4-star recruits in cornerback Malcolm Askew and safety Carlito Gonzalez. With a new coach for the position its likely the four spots will be open entering spring and fall practices. Any of the four signees should have a chance to fight for a spot in the rotation.

    Auburn 2017 Signing Class

    Markaviest Best 4* DE, Crisp County (GA) High

    Tyrone Truesdell 3* DT, Laney (GA) HS

    JaTarvious Whitlow 3* ATH, Lafayette (AL) HS

    John Samuel Shenker 3* TE, Deerfield-Windsor (GA) HS

    Malik Willis 4* ATH, Roswell (GA) HS

    Alec Jackson 3* DE, Jeff Davis (AL) HS

    Sal Cannella 4* TE, Scottsdale (AZ) CC

    Traivon Leonard 3* CB, Oxbridge (FL) Academy

    Jarrett Stidham 5* QB, Baylor

    Noah Igbinoghene 4* ATH, Hewitt-Trussville (AL) HS

    K.J. Britt 3* ILB, Oxford (AL) HS

    Jordyn Peters 3* S, Muscle Shoals (AL) HS

    Devan Barrett 4* ATH, Tampa Catholic (FL) HS

    Nick Brahms 4* OG, Navarre (FL) HS

    Anders Carlson 3* K, The Classical Academy (CO)

    Austin Troxell 4* OT, Madison (AL) Academy

    Malcolm Askew 4* CB, McAdory (AL) HS

    Chandler Wooten 3* OLB, North Cobb (GA) HS

    Tadarian Moultry 4* OLB, Jackson-Olin (AL) HS

    Carlito Gonzalez 4* S, Stephenson (GA) HS

    Alaric Williams 4* RB, Southside (AL) HS

    Calvin Ashley 5* OT, St. Johns College (DC) HS

    Auburn Baseball Preview

    Head baseball coach Butch Thompsons first season on the Plains didnt go as well as hoped, but Auburn fans are surely hoping Plainsman Parks new scoreboard wont be the only thing looking good this spring.

    The newly updated scoreboard, which features a state-of- the-art high-definition video board measuring 24x62.3 feet, is aimed to increase fan experience. Itd be an easy assumption to say Thompsons second team is aimed to do the same. Also like the scoreboard, the Tigers 2017 squad will look different than last year to a good extent.

    Auburn will open the season on Feb. 17 against George Washington without a host of key players from 2016, including star outfielder Afernee Grier, starting pitcher Justin Camp and position starters Joshua Palacios, Niko Buentello, Jordan Ebert and Cody Nulph. But, depending on your outlook, fresh faces on the field may not be a bad thing after finishing with an SEC-worst 23-33 overall record last year.

    Auburn fans will see a host of familiar faces this spring, including pitchers Keegan Thompson, Casey Mize, Cole Lipscomb, Andrew Mitchell and Gabe Klobosits. Thompson is the guy all eyes will be on when the season opens, especially after missing all of 2016 following Tommy John. The RHP spent time as a starter and closer prior to Butch Thompsons arrival, but hes expected to be starting in 2017.

    Mize had a breakout season last spring, finishing the year with a team-best 3.52 ERA over 69 innings. Lipscomb, Mitchell and Klobosits both could improve their 2016 numbers, finishing with 5.10, 5.40 and 4.70 ERAs, respectively, but Thompson is a well-known pitching guru. If development for pitchers has followed the path Thompson created at Mississippi State, 2017 could be a special year for several guys toeing the rubber.

    In the field, returners are sparingly. Blake Logan is expected back behind the plate after batting .274 with 36 RBI in 2016, and Damon Haecker will be back in the infield. He batted .284 last year. Theyll each have big roles returning to a team that will be looking for leadership.

    Two other position who could have leadership roles in 2017 are Daniel Robert and JJ Shaffer. Robert returns as a regular starter, batting .245 last season. Shaffer wasnt a regular starter, batting .200 in 16 games, but will have an opportunity this season to find time in the outfield.

    Expectations for the Tigers are a tossup. Thompsons late hire prior to 2016 created a challenge before the season arrived, so its hard to not be optimistic with him having a full off-season. At the same time, SEC coaches arent expecting much from Auburn. The Tigers are picked to finished tied for last with Alabama in the West. Florida and LSU tied with six votes apiece to win the conference. Individually, Auburn also didnt get much love. With the loss of players like Grier, the Tigers didnt have a player on the first or second teams for preseason All-SEC, which was also picked by the coaches.

    Wedding Ideas: Do-It-Yourself

    True or False? To get married all you need is a license and a preacher.

    False. You need neither. Alabama is one of ten states, along with the District of Columbia that allow common law marriages.

    The laws on common law marriage vary from state to state, all generally require intent, capacity, action and disclosure. What this means is both parties must enter willingly with clear understanding, be old enough to get married, not married to someone else--common-law or otherwise, not legally insane and live the life of married folks.

    So if you want to get hitched today, go ahead and exchange your vows (do it in writing and don't forget to sign and date), move in, tell your family and friends, shout it form the rooftops, change your Facebook status to "Married" and off you go into wedded bliss.

    One warning: there is no common law divorce. You will need the real one of those from a judge if things do not work out. There is a "try it before you buy it" clause in the Alabama law. Either party can call it off in the first six months, no questions asked, it never happened. After that call your friends and throw a party because you are legally married in the eyes of the State of Alabama and in it for the long haul.

    Incidentally, common law marriages are equal opportunity in D.C. and Iowa, which also allow same-sex marriages.

    Disclaimer: No representation... What? Do I look like a lawyer?

    March is National Nutrition Month

    Every year since 1980, March is known as National Nutrition Month. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

    National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) to promote nutrition awareness and education. It originated in 1973 as "National Nutrition Week" and expanded to the month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition.

    This year's theme, Put Your Best Fork Forward, inspires us to start with small changes in our eating habits one forkful at a time.

    This serves as a reminder that each of us holds the tool to make healthier food choices. Making small changes now and over time will improve your health now and into the future. There is no time like the present to start making some healthier choices and take advantage of all the resources available to you throughout this month.

    The key messages for this years National Nutrition Month celebration:

    Create an eating style that includes a variety of your favorite, healthful foods. Start your day with a nutritious breakfast. Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Make at least half of the grains you eat whole grains.

    Practice cooking more at home and experiment with healthier ingredients.

    How much we eat is as important as what we eat. Eat and drink the right amount for you, as MyPlate encourages us to do. Nutrient-dense options- foods packed with important nutrients- are naturally lean or low in solid fats and have little or no added solid fats, sugars or sodium.

    Find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week.

    Manage your weight or lower your health risks by consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). They can provide sound, easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice to meet your lifestyle, preferences and health-related needs. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, but only a RDN has completed multiple layers of education and training.

    Auburn Basketbal Review

    Its a question that if youve heard once youve heard a million times. Would you consider the Auburn mens basketball 2016-17 season a success? The answers vary, and thatll likely continue until at least next November when a new season begins.

    Based on head coach Bruce Pearls goal of making any postseason tournament, the answer is the season was unsuccessful. And yet, the excitement that filled Auburn Arena even as late as the midway point of the conference schedule simply didnt exist for some time prior to Pearls tenure.

    Thats why its a difficult question to answer.

    The Tigers had a remarkable year in comparisons to the past, and it truly looks like the program is moving forward. Auburns 18 games won is the most its had in a season since 2008-09, which was also the last time the Tigers had a winning overall record and made a postseason tournament. Pearls team scored an average of 80.4 points this season, which ranked second in the SEC and is the most in program history since 1998-99. And, not to be forgotten, Auburn swept Alabama. Its the first time thats happened since 2008-09.

    Auburn accomplished all these things starting four freshmen. Mustapha Heron, Danjel Purifoy, Jared Harper and Austin Wiley were a sight on the court. The youngsters provided extra excitement and added optimism for the future. Heron led the team averaging 15.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He also shot 42 percent beyond the arc. Purifoy and Harper averaged 11.5 and 11.4 points per game, respectively. And Wiley, who started for the Tigers after an early enrollment in January, averaged 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as a 17-year- old.

    The Tigers did have more production than just those four, though. Senior T.J. Dunans finished his career as a huge contributor, averaging 8.2 points per game. Dunans switched in and out with Bryce Brown for the fifth starting spot. Browns hot 3-point shooting averaged to a 40 percentage for the season. Freshman Afernee McLemore was also a big contributor. The freshman forward made a team-high 68 percent field goals, averaging 5.4 points per game. He also had a team-best 37 blocked shots.

    This Auburn team was at times a lot of fun to watch. From scoring 117 points against Coastal Carolina to beating UAB and UConn in road games to at one point having a 16-8 overall record, the Tigers provided a fun winter for fans.

    However, with the highs came the lows. Though there were fun times, this Auburn team also played poorly enough at times it was hard to watch.

    Inconsistent play hindered what appeared to be a season with an NCAA invite. When Auburn got to 16-8, it lost the next three games and six of the final eight. This run included blowing numerous halftime leads, including a 20-point difference against Ole Miss on the road. Then, to make matters worse, even an NIT bid was out of the question when the Tigers lost to last-place Missouri in the first round of the SEC Tournament.

    So was the 2016-17 season a success?

    It really depends on perception. Another best since 2008-09 was the Tigers 7-11 record in conference play. At the same time, that placed Auburn 11th in the conference. The 2016-17 season provided another appropriate time to announce the team is a year away. However, the phrase has become so common it seems like Auburn has been a year away for five or so years.

    In Pearls three years, Auburn has improved from a 15-20 (4-14 SEC) in 2014-15, 11-20 (5-13) the following year and 18-14 (7-11) this year. Improvements are being made. But at what point are the improvements enough to consider the season a success? After Pearl made the NCAA Tournament, include two Sweet 16s and the Elite Eight once at Tennessee, its hard to say anything short of a postseason appearance is good enough.

    A-Day Review

    Its unanimous the hype surrounding Jarrett Stidham has peaked. The Baylor quarterback transfer has now played in front of Tiger fans and it was for only one half in a spring game but holy cow.

    Fans havent heard much about Stidham leading up to the game except that hes talented. Then everyone saw him slice and dice the Tigers second-team defense in the first half of Auburns annual A-Day game on April 8. He threw for 267 yards on 16-for- 20 passing in the first-teams 34-13 win. Stidhams performance included four competitions of 40-plus yards. He also added a rushing touchdown, which came on a fumble recovery.

    Stidhams ability to throw the deep ball accurately showed early when he hit Nate Craig-Myers on a 40-yard gain with his second pass of the afternoon. And while Stidham continued making completions in tight windows, Craig-Myers had quite an afternoon, as well.

    The sophomore wideout who has also had hype dating back to National Signing Day two years ago had a team-leading 154 receiving yards on five receptions. His 30.8 yards-per- catch average showed Craig-Myers is a serious threat downfield. But hes not the only one. Auburns depth at receiver that was hyped last year has seemed to show this spring.

    In the spring game, Darius Slayton had a 46-yard reception for the first team and second-teamer Marquis McClain and quarterback Devin Adams linked up for a 69-yard touchdown late in the game. Will Hastings had a 33-yard catch and run, and he also had a team-high seven receptions.

    There hasnt been much heard out of Auburns two running backs this spring, with Kam Pettway being injured since last year. He sat out the spring and scrimmage while recovery from an injury last season. Kerryon Johnson, who has been healthy, suffered a high ankle sprain on the second drive of the game. Fortunately, both players will have the needed time for recovery before this fall.

    Johnson, before being hurt in the spring game, recorded a team-high 47 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. The rest of the rushing yards were pretty scattered. Malik Miller, who was injured for most of last season, had a total of 42 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. C.J. Tolbert, who has had a great spring and is competing for the third-string spot, scored a touchdown and had 26 rushing yards and Kam Martin had a total of 30 yards.

    Though Stidham stole the show, he wasnt the only QB who impressed. Freshman Malik Willis, who split time between the first and second teams, dazzled in his debut. For the first team, Willis threw for 111 yards on 8-for- 12 passing, and he was 3-for- 6 for 46 yards for the second team.

    Defensively, the biggest question entering the offseason is who would replace players lost up front. One answer, in the form of Paul James III, was provided. The JUCO transfer missed most of last year with knee surgery, but hes now making an impressive push for the buck position, formerly held by Carl Lawson.

    James was named the defensive MVP, recording four tackles (3 for loss) and a sack. Statistics for the defense werent as impressive, but defensive coordinator Kevin Steele told media members after the scrimmage that hes more concerned with effort than numbers.

    The first-team defense performed well on third downs, holding the second stringers on third down 6 of 7 times in the first half, forcing 4 of 6 possessions to end in punting.

    Lastly, and not surprising, kicker Daniel Carlsons quiet offseason transitioned to his usual performance in the spring game. Kicking for both teams, Carlson was a perfect 5-for- 5 on field goals, including nailing a 55-yarder. He also punted six times, averaging 43.8 yards per punt. His longest punt was 51 yards.

    Spring games often mean only as much as you make them. They are a glorified scrimmage. But they can also answer needed question. And they surely get fans excited about what could be in the fall. Auburn had a little of all those things April 8. For how things will look against Georgia Southern on Sept. 2 is unknown, but everyone is surely already counting down the days until kickoff.

    May Sweeps

    For many television viewers, May sweeps means a whole month of exciting moments before the summer reruns begin. The major networks pull out all of the best programming during May sweeps as they try to win the ratings war.

    The month long special ratings period which features sitcoms, specials, movies and miniseries, is designed to set advertising rates in more than 200 cities.

    Each year, the months of November, February, May, and July are known as the "sweeps" rating periods.

    During sweeps, Nielsen ratings determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States. Set meters and People meters are the two types of meters used in the ratings process. Set meters capture what channel is being tuned, while People Meters go a step further and gather information about who is watching in addition to the channel tuned.

    Diaries are also used to collect viewing information from sample homes in many television markets, and smaller markets are measured by paper diaries only.

    This year, the ratings period for May begins Thursday, April 27 and ends Wednesday, May 24.

    Here are a few highlights from the big four networks as they end the TV season with a bang.

    (All times are Eastern)

    ABC

    Black-ish: Wednesday, May 10 at 9:30 p.m.

    Once Upon a Time: Sunday, May 14 at 8 p.m. (2-hour finale)

    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Tuesday, May 16 at 10 p.m.

    Scandal: Thursday, May 18 at 9 p.m.

    CBS

    Blue Bloods: Friday, May 5 at 10 p.m.

    Kevin Can Wait: Monday, May 8 at 8 p.m.

    Superior Donuts: Monday, May 8 at 9 p.m.

    Criminal Minds: Wednesday, May 10 at 9 p.m.

    The Big Bang Theory: Thursday, May 11 at 8 p.m.

    The Great Indoors: Thursday, May 11 at 8:30 p.m.

    Mom: Thursday, May 11 at 9 p.m.

    Life in Pieces: Thursday, May 11 at 9:30 p.m.

    Hawaii Five-0: Friday, May 12 at 9 p.m.

    NCIS: Los Angeles: Sunday, May 14 at 8 p.m.

    Man With a Plan: Monday, May 15 at 8:30 p.m.

    Scorpion: Monday, May 15 at 10 p.m.

    NCIS: Tuesday, May 16 at 9 p.m.

    NCIS: New Orleans: Tuesday, May 16 at 10 p.m.

    Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders: Wednesday, May 17 at 9 p.m.

    Undercover Boss: Friday, May 19 at 8 p.m.

    Training Day: Saturday, May 20 at 9 p.m.

    Madam Secretary: Sunday, May 21 at 9 p.m.

    Elementary: Sunday, May 21 at 9 p.m.

    Bull: Tuesday, May 23 at 8 p.m.

    Survivor: Wednesday, May 24 at 8 p.m.

    The CW

    Riverdale: Thursday, May 11 at 9 p.m.

    Supernatural: Thursday, May 18 at 8 p.m. (2-hour finale)

    Supergirl: Monday, May 22 at 8 p.m.

    Jane the Virgin: Monday, May 22 at 9 p.m.

    The Flash: Tuesday, May 23 at 8 p.m.

    Arrow: Wednesday, May 24 at 8 p.m.

    The 100: Wednesday, May 24 at 9 p.m.

    FOX

    The Last Man On Earth: Sunday, May 7 at 9:30 p.m.

    Brooklyn Nine-Nine: May 23 at 8 p.m.

    Shots Fired: Wednesday, May 24 at 8 p.m.

    Empire: Wednesday, May 24 at 9 p.m.

    NBC

    Taken: Monday, May 1 at 10 p.m.

    Chicago Med: Thursday, May 11 at 9 p.m.

    Chicago Justice: Sunday, May 14 at 9 p.m.

    Chicago Fire: Tuesday, May 16 at 10 p.m.

    Blindspot: Wednesday, May 17 at 8 p.m.

    Chicago P.D.: Wednesday, May 17 at 10 p.m.

    The Blacklist: Thursday, May 18 at 10 p.m.

    Shades of Blue: Sunday, May 21 at 10 p.m.

    The Voice: Tuesday, May 23 at 8 p.m.

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Ask any Auburn fan or really anyone other than Tigers coaches who the starting quarterback will be this fall and theres one definitive answer: Jarrett Stidham. Who Stidham will consistently look to for receptions is a different conversation.

    The nations 2017 No. 1 JUCO recruit arrived at Auburn with hype already forming, and after the country saw him play in the annual A-Day spring game, Stidham might as well been handed the key to the city. Since that April performance, Stidham has even been called a taller Drew Brees and been referred to as Auburns best QB since Cam Newton.

    Not bad for a guy that hasnt taken an official snap.

    Stidhams story, though growing, is one that everyone has heard. The long months of summer will have it regurgitated more and more from Stidham throwing for 1,200-plus yards and 12 touchdowns in three games as a true freshman at Baylor transitioning into the words Heisman and national championship possibly being used. Fans are excited, and they should be, but Stidhams story wont enter its next chapter until this fall.

    Auburns quarterback discussion does include more than just the rise of Stidham. Backups Woody Barrett and Tyler Queen, two underclassmen who some thought could be future starters, both transferred from Auburn this offseason, and John Franklin III moved to wide receiver. This leaves Stidham, Sean White, Malik Willis and Devin Adams as the Tigers four QBs.

    White is by far the most experienced of the group, but an injury in the Sugar Bowl left him on the sideline all spring while Stidham and Willis dazzled. While Stidham, who stands at 6-foot- 3, 214 pounds, boasts a big body and strong arm, Willis, 6-1, 201, poses more of a Nick Marshall physique. Willis even wears No. 14.

    A true freshman from Roswell, Georgia, Willis isnt getting as much talk of becoming the starter as Stidham or even White. However, his athleticism brings a spark. Hes incredibly quick and athletic, making him a threat at several positions. Though the John Franklin III experiment last season didnt produce, its possible Willis could be 2.0 of the test.

    Realistically, White is the only player who could win the quarterback battle over Stidham. His 18-game experience makes the junior experienced, and he plays with the leadership and grit thats usually wanted in a QB. In 2016 he led the SEC in completion percentage (64 percent), was fourth in passing efficiency (143.1) and played a vital role in helping Auburn reach the Sugar Bowl. The only major flaws in Whites game are lack of speed and inability to avoid injuries.

    While the QB battle will work itself out, quarterbacks are often only as successful as their receiving corps. The Tigers lost Tony Stevens and Marcus Davis after the 2016 season, but that doesnt mean Auburn will lack talent.

    Auburn has a lot of depth, though a go-to wideout isnt necessarily definitive.

    Nate Craig-Myers had a standout performance on A-Day, pulling in 154 yards on five receptions, making him an easy name to keep in mind this fall. Jason Smith has also been expected to have a good year, especially being one of the older players in a young group. John Franklin IIIs move to wide receiver from QB could provide several wrinkles into the Tigers tricky offense.

    From there, Auburn has question marks. But thats not necessarily a bad thing. Four of 2016s top receivers (Craig-Myers, Eli Stove, Kyle Davis and Ryan Davis) return this fall and all have the potential to become big-time playmakers, especially with offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey saying he wants to throw the ball more.

    The Tigers offense could be fun to watch this fall. Injuries have plagued Auburn in the past, especially at quarterback and wideout, but if health isnt a concern at those positions this fall, the Tigers could score points by the bucket.

    Brandon Miller

    Newcomers Expected To Make An Impact This Fall

    College football never ends. Even after all the equipment is logged and returned to storage, coaches are on the recruiting trail trying to bring the new superstar to campus. As the summer heats up and anticipation for the upcoming season rises, the time to test Auburns 2017 recruiting class gets closer and closer.

    Head coach Gus Malzahns 2017 signing class finished in the top 10 according to most sites. It wasnt his best signing class, but Malzahn appears to have filled some holes needed. And some of these holes are immediate, and fans should get to know these new names.

    The biggest name of all to know is one all Tiger fans already do know Jarrett Stidham. Stidham made his name at Baylor as a freshman then spent a year in junior college after transferring from Waco, Texas. The quarterback was listed as the No. 1 player in JUCO last season, despite not actually playing football.

    Theres really no need to say much about Stidham. Everyone knows what to expect from him, especially after his A-Day performance included 267 passing yards on 16 of 20 passing. Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has said he wants the Tigers to throw the ball more. Stidham will likely be the guy throwing it.

    Who will be on the receiving end of those passes includes an incredible deep receiving corps. Most names and faces are well-known, but several newcomers could work their way into the mix. JaTarvious Whitlow is one kid with the athleticism to find his way on the field somewhere. Whitlow is shifty and quick similar to former players like Onterio McCalebb or Quan Bray. Whitlow, a receiver, will likely see the field at wideout and could be a potential punt returner.

    Though Auburn hasnt thrown an incredible amount to tight ends in the past, Malzahns 2017 class included two, which could be a sign of things to come. Four-star recruit Sal Cannella joins the Tigers from junior college and 3-star John Samuel Shenker will join the team as a freshman. Auburn has used tight ends effectively when it has worked them in, which is a good sign moving forward with Cannella and Shenker.

    The Tigers offensive attack in the trenches could have at least one newcomer making an impact this fall, 5-star offensive tackle Calvin Ashley. The 6-foot- 6, 310-pound incoming freshman is more of a grown man than a newcomer. With Robert Leffs tackle spot up for grabs, Ashley could slide right in place for Auburn. Four-star recruits Nick Brahm and Austin Troxell are also players to watch.

    Defensively, Markaviest Bryant is a name that could be mentioned with Carl Lawson. The 4-star defensive end joins a team that needs some help filing holes on the line. The announcement of Bryants surprise signing on National Signing Day could be just the first time in 2017 Bryant makes Tiger fans happy.

    At linebacker, Tadarian Moultry is expected to be a big-time player, with the only question being when. The 4-star prospect is one of three linebackers Auburn signed in February, showing Malzahn and Co. are aware of the gaps needed to fill. Of the other two signees, K.J. Britt missed most of spring practice with an injury, but the early signee should see the field this fall at least on special teams.

    In the secondary, Malcolm Askew and Carlito Gonzalez are going to be two fun players to watch in the future. New position coach Greg Brown comes in with an open mind and these two are most likely to work their way into finding the field. Surely, if nothing else, theyll be on the field for special teams.

    Its difficult to know how Auburns 2017 signing class will always do. An injury or another issue could change a career, but with summer here and fall practice still a month and a half away from starting, its hard for fans to not speculate and have high hopes. Right now it appears several newcomers could have big 2017 seasons, but we wont know for sure until the season is in full swing.

    Brandon Miller

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Football Preview: Running Backs and Offensive Line

    If theres one position Auburn fans will not debate this summer, its running backs. The Tigers return two sure-fire runners in Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson, but who will be blocking for those two is a little more of a conversation.

    By a little more conversation, the key words are a little. The offensive line returns three of five positions for a group that paved the way for the Tigers to average 271.3 rushing yards per game.

    Returning starters include Darius James at left tackle, center Austin Golson and Braden Smith.

    And though thats a strong group of experience, its expected to get only stronger. Golsons move to center last year was new, and now he has a year under his belt. Smith has been discussed at right guard or tackle, making him a great utility option. And James was thrown into the fire last year and started only the last nine games. Now with that experience, he can use it moving forward.

    The question of who will start at left guard and right tackle could be interesting. For starters, there is the chance Smith moves to right guard. If not, senior Deon Mix and sophomore Prince Sammons have been discussed to fill the gap. If Smith does move back to tackle, sophomores Mike Horton and Bailey Sharp are expected to battle for the position.

    At left guard, sophomore Marquel Harrell backed up Alex Kozan in 2016. Itd be an easy assumption he would slide into the role for this year. Other options are sophomore Tyler Carr and true freshman Nick Brahms. A potential darkhorse for the job is Horton.

    While O line coach Herb Hand works on getting things aligned in the trenches, running back coach Tim Horton has a group returning that most coaches dream about.

    Pettway finished fifth in the SEC last year with 1,240 yards. They came on 209 carries and he added seven touchdowns. And though it was an impressive season, Pettways potential was higher than his number considering he missed three games because of injury.

    Injuries were an issue for Johnson, as well. He led the team with 11 touchdowns in 12 games, rushing for 919 yards on 182 carries. Johnson opened the season as the starting RB because an early-season injury proved Pettway with the carries to become a star.

    New offensive coordinator Chip Lindsay has several other running backs that should have several opportunities this fall to get some work. Kam Martin showed flashes of good runs last year, recording 320 yards on 46 carries, adding three scores. Malik Miller is another young name who should get touches this fall. He rushed for 74 yards on 16 carries in three games last year before suffering a season-ending injury.

    The Tigers have spots to fill on the line and need to avoid the injury bug in the backfield, but these groups are strong and filled with optimism heading into the fall. They should both be fun to watch.

    Brandon Miller

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Newcomers

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    Discussing linebacker positions this time last year was completely different. The Tigers were inexperienced and had holes to fill. Now, Auburn has experience and is looking more for quality depth at Mike, Will and Sam.

    At this time in 2016, most of the linebacker talk for the fall circled around Illinois graduate transfer T.J. Neal and the star he would be. As everyone now knows, thats not how things panned out. However, Tiger fans did watch Tre Williams, Deshaun Davis and Darrell Williams become household names on defense and establish themselves as Auburns starting corps.

    The 2016 season storyline about linebackers came with Tre Williams expected to have a big season, but Davis and Darrell Williams barely seeing the field at all prior. The trio entered last season with a combined 76 tackles amongst each other, 71 of which were made by Tre Williams. But thats just past now.

    Tre Williams (Will), Davis (Middle) and Darrell Williams (Sam) finished 2016 with a combined 182. Tre Williams led the charge, finishing second on the team with 67 tackles. Davis was right behind him with 63 tackles, and Darrell Williams had 52.

    These three are your guys entering fall camp. But who else will see the field?

    Thats a question linebackers coach Travis Williams will have to answer. The Tigers have talent, but its mostly unproven behind the three upperclassmen that will start.

    At Will, behind Tre Williams, junior Montravious Atkinson is expected to have plenty of time on the field. Atkinson moved from safety to linebacker before the 2016 season and recorded 30 tackles. To give an idea of how impactful he can be, during the offseason defensive coordinator Kevin Steele called Atkinson a rolling ball of butcher knives.

    Another young face that could become a star is sophomore Richard McBryde. McBryde didnt have the playing time on defense some expected as a freshman, but he did deliver pops throughout the season on special teams. McBryde is a player that could ease into replacing junior Darrell Williams one day, if all goes well. The same could be said for redshirt freshman K.J. Britt, who is expected to be second string behind Davis.

    Two other names to keep in mind are Chandler Wooten and T.D. Moultry. Wooten, a 3-star signee in Auburns 2017 class, enrolled early and reportedly did not look like a freshman during spring practice. Hes competing at Will. Moultry will wear Carl Lawsons No. 55 this fall and is expected to see the field despite being a freshman and not enrolling early. He signed as the nations third-best linebacker recruit and brings a strong pass-rush to the team.

    In previous seasons, Auburns linebacker corps has been a steel curtain thats led the way or a flaw that opposing offenses have exposed. The Tigers season seems to go with how the linebackers play. Last year, the trio of Williams, Davis and Williams helped Auburn rank seventh in the nation in total defense. That mark came with a trip to the Sugar Bowl. What will 2017 have in store?

    Brandon Miller

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Newcomers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Football Preview: Defensive Backs

    The Auburn defense will look different this year at defensive back with the departures of Rudy Ford and Josh Hosley. Both finished in the top 15 in total tackles, but that doesnt mean Auburns roster wont be able to replace their spots at corner back and Nickel.

    Auburns defensive back corps this year will likely be led by redshirt senior Tray Matthews. Matthews has made a name for himself in the last two years since transferring from Georgia. He was even one of three representatives for the Tigers at SEC Media Days this summer and is one of Malzahns most experienced players on the roster.

    Matthews doesnt have much left to prove. Hes a fireball at safety and led the team in tackles last year. This year, however, hell have a chance to work with younger players with new position coach Greg Brown and second-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.

    Brown will be working with a handful of talented defensive backs from former position coach Wesley McGriffs collection. Two names Auburn fans will remember are Stephen Roberts and Carlton Davis. Roberts returns to the other safety position after starting in 2016. Though Davis had a relatively down year in 2016, with Hosleys departure, he is now the top corner. Auburn will need him to play up to par, as opposed to being good enough.

    For the other corner spot, its projected to be between sophomores Jarvaris Davis and Jamel Dean. This battle likely raises the biggest question mark in the secondary. Dean suffered an ACL tear last year that cost him a starting spot, however Davis played well last season. The battle could continue well into fall camp.

    For all secondary players, Jeremiah Dinson has the biggest opportunity this fall. The redshirt sophomore is expected to pick up the Nickel starting spot, which he had at the end of spring. For Dinson, itd be a personal special moment after he missed all of last season following a necessary knee surgery late in 2015.

    Steeles defense this fall is expected to be even better than the one produced last season. In the secondary, the 2016 defensive backs watched passing yards allowed rise from 2015, but passing efficiency defense improved. The Tigers ranked 22 nd nationally in the latter. If Auburn is going to have a successful fall on defense, those numbers will need to continue improving, and this could be the group to make that happen.

    Brandon Miller

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Newcomers

    Running Backs and Offensive Line

    Linebackers

    Week One SEC Predictions

    Auburn is set to host Georgia Southern Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The contest will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network. This will be the second meeting between the two teams. The Tigers defeated the Eagles 32-17 on Aug. 31, 1991.

    Georgia Southern at Auburn

    After a 2016 campaign that saw Auburn finish 8-5 overall and 5-3 in the SEC, the Tigers are expected to see improvement on the offensive side of the ball with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

    Lindsey comes to Auburn from Arizona State, where he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2016. The Tigers should be more pass-oriented in 2017 under Lindsey while still being a force in the running game.

    Auburn averaged 31.2 points per game and 440.8 total yards of offense per game last season, but the passing game was inconsistent all season. Averaging just 169.5 passing yards per game, Stidham looks to be a perfect fit to help the Tigers be more of a threat through the air.

    Stidham, the nations 2017 No. 1 JUCO recruit, was named the offensive MVP after the A-Day game for completing 16-of-20 passes for 267 yards, and adding a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

    The redshirt-sophomore will have plenty of targets to choose from, but Auburn's group of receivers are young and mostly unproven. Nate Craig-Myers and Eli Stove are expected to haul in plenty of catches, while Kyle Davis, Darius Slayton and Ryan Davis look to make an impact in the fall.

    The running game averaged 271.3 yards per game last season and should put up huge numbers once again behind a deep, and talented offensive line. Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson are listed as co-starters, with Kam Martin as the No. 3 option.

    Last year, Pettway racked up 1,240 yards on 209 carries and added seven touchdowns. Despite dealing with injuries, Johnson was still able to rush for 919 yards on 182 carries with 11 touchdowns in 12 games.

    Along the offensive line, Prince Tega Wanogho Jr and Darius James start at tackle, Mike Horton and Braden Smith at guard, with Austin Golson at center.

    Defensively, Auburn saw much improvement last year under new coordinator Kevin Steele. The Tigers allowed just 17.1 points per game, 132.8 rushing yards per game, and 361.9 total yards per game.

    With Montravious Adams and Carl Lawson playing in the NFL, the Tigers have the potential to be stout on defense again in 2017 with plenty of options available to fill the void left by Adams and Lawson.

    At Buck, Jeff Holland will start, with Marlon Davidson at the other end spot. At tackle, Dontavius Russell and Deshaun Davis get the nod after having breakout seasons a year ago.

    In the middle of the defense, Darrell Williams, Deshaun Davis, and Tre' Williams are back after being very productive last season. The trio finished 2016 with a combined 182 tackles, with Tre Williams second on the team with 67 tackles.

    Strong safety Tray Matthews is the leader of Auburn's secondary. The redshirt-senior led the team with 76 stops while starting every game. Stephen Roberts starts at the other safety position with Javaris Davis and Carlton Davis at the two cornerback spots.

    Daniel Carlson returns for his senior season as the top kicker in college football. Last season, Carlson connected on 28 of 32 tries with a long of 53 yards. He could also handle punting duties if Ian Shannon struggles like he often did in 2016.

    Georgia Southern finished last season at 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Eagles ranked 29th nationally averaging 224 rushing yards per game but only scored 26.6 points per contest.

    Redshirt freshman Shai Werts will start under center for Georgia Southern with running back Wesley Fields getting most of the touches in an offense that features a triple-option attack. Fields totaled 492 yards and three touchdowns last season.

    Prediction: Auburn 38-10.

    Florida A&M at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 42-13.

    Missouri State at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 37-7.

    NC State at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 24-20.

    Michigan at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 17-14.

    Kentucky at Southern Miss

    Prediction: Kentucky 20-13.

    Charleston So at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 30-6.

    Appalachian St at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 48-17.

    South Alabama at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 17-14.

    Florida State at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 24-17.

    Vanderbilt at Mid Tennessee

    Prediction: Vandy 31-23.

    BYU at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 24-13.

    Texas A&M at UCLA

    Prediction: UCLA 27-23.

    Tennessee at Georgia Tech

    Prediction: Tennessee 33-20.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 13-1. Auburn and Clemson will take the field Saturday evening at 6 pm CT on ESPN. Auburn leads the all-time series 34-14-2. Clemson has won the last three meetings of the series and Dabo Swinney is 3-1 against Auburn. Last year's contest in Auburn was a defensive battle with Clemson coming out on top 19-13.

    Auburn at Clemson

    Auburn won its opener 41-7 over Georgia Southern at Jordan-Hare Stadium. In his debut under center, Jarrett Stidham may have been a little rusty but still had a solid performance finishing 14 for 24 for 185 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also had nine carries for 17 yards and a score.

    With Kamryn Pettway suspended for the game and Kerryon Johnson suffering a hamstring injury in the first half, Kam Martin took advantage of the playing time finishing with 136 yards on 14 carries.

    The contest against Georgia Southern was all about Auburn's defense. Facing a triple-option offense, Auburn's front seven had 12 tackles for loss with five sacks, and the defense held Georgia Southern to just 78 yards.

    It was only the seventh time Auburn held an opponent to less than 100 yards of total offense, and the first time an opponent was held under 100 yards since Ball State had 92 yards in 2001.

    This week's game at Clemson will definitely be a tougher test for Auburn against the defending College Football Playoff National Champions.

    Clemson cruised to an easy 56-3 victory over Kent State last Saturday. With quarterback Deshaun Watson now in the NFL, Kelly Bryant is the new leader for Clemson's offense. Against Kent State, Bryant passed for 236 yards and a touchdown, and added 77 yards on the ground in his first start. Clemson's offense racked up 353 rushing yards and 312 passing yards in the contest.

    Clemson gained 665 yards to 120 yards for the Golden Flashes. The 665 yards were more than they gained in any game last season.

    Swinney's team is looking to get back to the playoffs for a third straight season despite losing leading receiver Mike Williams and leading rusher Wayne Gallman to the NFL.

    Defensively, Clemson will also be without linebacker Ben Boulware and cornerback Cordrea Tankersley from last year's team. The unit averaged 3.27 sacks per game last season and Dexter Lawrence returns after recording seven sacks in 2016.

    Prediction: Clemson 20-17.

    E Kentucky at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 41-7.

    UT Martin at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 30-10.

    Fresno State at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 51-7.

    TCU at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-14.

    Indiana State at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 48-12.

    Alabama A&M at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 35-10.

    South Carolina at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 45-37.

    Nicholls at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 56-6.

    Chattanooga at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 45-3.

    Georgia at Notre Dame

    Prediction: Notre Dame 27-17.

    N Colorado at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 34-0.

    Miss St at LA Tech

    Prediction: LA Tech 26-21.

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-4, and overall they are 21-5. This week, Auburn hosts Mercer for Homecoming at 3 pm CT on SEC Network Alternate.

    Mercer at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 55-3.

    Louisiana at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 41-9.

    Tennessee at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 24-21.

    Purdue at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 40-14.

    Colorado State at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 41-7.

    LSU at Miss St

    Prediction: Mississippi State 17-14.

    Samford at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 41-0.

    Kansas State at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Kansas State 26-17.

    Kentucky at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 31-17.

    Ole Miss at Cal

    Prediction: Cal 27-20.

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-3, and overall they are 28-8. This week, Auburn hits the road to open SEC play against Missouri at 6:30 pm CT on ESPNU. The series between the two teams is tied 1-1, with the last meeting in 2013 with Auburn winning 59-42.

    Auburn at Missouri

    Auburn struggled against FCS opponent Mercer last Saturday but managed to avoid being upset to win 24-10. Auburn committed five turnovers, the most since 2012 against Arkansas.

    Quarterback Jarrett Stidham completed 32-of-37 passes for 364 yards and an interception. Kamryn Pettway rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns, which tied a career high.

    After three contests, Auburn is averaging 178.3 rushing yards per game, 209 passing yards per game, 387.3 total offense per game, and 23.7 points per game.

    Auburn's defense continues to be very stingy so far in 2017. The unit ranks in the top 15 in rushing, passing, total and scoring defense. Opponents average 88.7 rushing yards per game, 113 passing yards per game, 201.7 total yards per game, and 10.3 points per game against Kevin Steele's defense.

    Missouri is 1-2 overall after falling 35-3 at home to Purdue. Missouri managed just 203 total yards against the Boilermakers and has scored just 16 points since its 72-43 season-opening win over Missouri State.

    So far in 2017, Missouri averages 180.7 rushing yards per game, 299.7 passing yards per game, 29.3 points per game, and its defense allows 36.3 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 28-6.

    Texas A&M vs. Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-21.

    UMass at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 45-10.

    Alabama at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Alabama 31-13.

    LA Tech at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 28-13.

    Syracuse at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 30-13.

    Miss St at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 28-17.

    Florida at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 26-23.

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-2, and overall they are 34-10. This week, Auburn plays Mississippi State at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 5 pm CT on ESPN. The Tigers lead the all-time series 62-26-2. Auburn has won 12 of the last 16 meetings against the Bulldogs, including a 38-14 win in Starkville last season.

    Mississippi State at Auburn

    Saturday on the road at Missouri, the Tigers cruised to an easy 51-14 victory. It was Auburns biggest road blowout of an SEC opponent since a 55-23 win at Tennessee in 2013.

    Running back Kerryon Johnson's impressive performance saw him score a career-best five touchdowns, four of them coming in the first half. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham had a solid night, completing 13 of 17 for 218 yards and a touchdown.

    Auburn's offense averages 199.5 rushing yards per game, 211.5 passing yards per game, 411 total yards per game, and 30.5 points per game.

    Auburn's stout defense forced two early Missouri turnovers that quickly gave the visiting Tigers early momentum. Kevin Steele's unit allows opponents 97.5 rushing yards per game, 138.8 passing yards per game, 236.3 total yards per game, and 11.3 points per game.

    Mississippi State suffered a 31-3 rout on the road at Georgia Saturday. Mississippi State's offense mustered just 280 yards of offense against Georgia, while quarterback Nick Fitzgerald passed for just 83 yards and threw two interceptions. He managed to gain only 47 rushing yards on 10 carries.

    For the season, Mississippi State's offense averages 267.5 rushing yards per game, 172.3 passing yards per game, and 36.5 points per game. And on defense, the Bulldogs allow 14.8 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 30-13.

    Vanderbilt at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 28-17.

    New Mexico St at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 45-13.

    Georgia at Tennessee

    Prediction: Georgia 24-21.

    E Michigan at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 21-17.

    Troy at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 28-14.

    South Carolina at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 27-23.

    Ole Miss at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 45-10.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-1, overall they are 41-11. This week, Auburn plays Mississippi at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 11 am CT on SEC Network.

    Ole Miss at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 35-6.

    Georgia at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Georgia 37-14.

    LSU at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 24-13.

    Arkansas at South Carolina

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-17.

    Alabama at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Alabama 45-7.

    Missouri at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 36-10.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-2, and overall they are 45-13. This week. Auburn travels to Baton Rouge to face LSU at 2:30 pm CT on CBS. Auburn has not won at LSU since the 1999 Cigar Game. LSU leads the all-time series 28-22-1. In last year's meeting, Auburn came out on top in an exciting contest 18-13.

    Auburn at LSU

    Auburn is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play after beating Ole Miss 44-23 at home on Saturday. Kerryon Johnson racked up a career-high 204 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Rebels. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham had another solid performance with 235 yards and two touchdowns.

    Daniel Carlson became the SEC's career scoring leader with 413 points after nailing three field goals during the game.

    On offense, the Tigers continue to see improvement after a rough start to the season. The offensive line has been solid and the rushing attack has been tough to stop by opposing defenses. Auburn averages 228 rushing yards per game, 224.7 passing yards per game, 452.7 total yards per game, and 35.8 points per game.

    Defensively, the Tigers continue to play at a high level with Jeff Holland leading the way. As a unit, Auburn has 15 sacks, with Holland recording four.

    The Tigers allow just 111.2 rushing yards per game, 176.3 passing yards per game, 287.5 total yards per game, and 13 points per game.

    LSU is 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the SEC in Ed Orgeron's first year as head coach. LSU came away with a huge victory on the road on Saturday at Florida. LSU's 17-16 victory over the Gators was much needed after losing to Troy at home the week before. The 24-21 loss to the Trojans was the program's first at home against a non-conference opponent since 2000.

    For the season, LSU averages 196.7 rushing yards per game, 201 passing yards per game, and 25.3 points per game. On defense, LSU allows 18.8 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 24-10.

    BYU at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 28-14.

    South Carolina at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 21-20.

    Vanderbilt at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Vandy 26-17.

    Texas A&M at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 27-23.

    Arkansas at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 38-7.

    Missouri at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 45-6.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-4, and overall they are 48-17. Auburn tries to bounce back from a disappointing loss when it travels to Fayetteville to face the Arkansas Razorbacks. The contest starts at 6:30 pm CT on SEC Network.

    Auburn at Arkansas

    Auburn leads the all-time series 14-11-1 and in last year's meeting, won easily 56-3. In that contest, Kamryn Pettway rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns, with the offense finishing with 632 total yards. The Razorbacks gained just 215 yards on offense while surrendering four sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

    Over the weekend, Auburn was on its way to a victory over LSU but the home team stormed back in the second half to erase a a 20-point deficit to win 27-23. The loss drops Auburn to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

    Kerryon Johnson was the only bright spot for Auburn on offense, rushing for a career-high 31 carries for 156 yards and a touchdown.

    D.J. Chark's 75-yard punt return touchdown early in the fourth quarter gave the home team much needed momentum and was the play of the game. Chark's touchdown was the first punt return score allowed by Auburn since the Georgia game in 2015.

    Field goals of 42 and 36 yards from Conner Culp was all LSU needed to upset the visiting Tigers.

    After seven games, Auburn averages 222.4 rushing yards per game, 216.1 passing yards per game, 438.6 total yards per game, and 34 points per game.

    On defense, the Tigers allow 117.7 rushing yards per game, 180.6 passing yards per game, 298.3 total yards per game, and 15 points per game.

    Arkansas fell to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in SEC play after losing on the road 41-9 to Alabama.

    Quarterback Austin Allen can be dangerous when he has time to connect with his receivers. Last season, Allen totaled 3,430 yards and 25 touchdowns. The Razorbacks average 206 passing yards per game, 159 rushing yards per game, and 28.7 points per game.

    Defensively, Arkansas allows 33 points per game and Dre Greenlaw is the only returning starter on the Razorbacks front seven. Last season, he finished ninth on the team with 42 tackles, with 1 tackles for loss, an interception and two fumble recoveries.

    Prediction: Auburn 17-14.

    Idaho at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 24-17.

    Tennessee at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 50-6.

    Kentucky at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 31-24.

    LSU at Ole Miss

    Prediction: LSU 21-20.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-0, and overall they are 53-17. This week, Auburn and Alabama are off. Auburn returns to action November 4 at Texas A&M.

    Arkansas at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 21-17.

    Georgia vs Florida

    Prediction: Georgia 31-13.

    Vanderbilt at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 30-10.

    Missouri at UConn

    Prediction: UConn 24-21.

    Miss St at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 40-17.

    Tennessee at Kentucky

    Prediction: Tennessee 26-20.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 2-4 and overall they are 55-21. This week, after a much needed weekend off, Auburn returns to action on the road at Texas A&M. The contest can be seen at 11 am CT on ESPN.

    Auburn at Texas A&M

    Texas A&M leads the all-time series 5-2. In last year's meeting in Auburn, the Aggies won 29-16 as Auburn's offense managed just one touchdown behind Kamryn Pettway, with Daniel Carlson producing the remaining points.

    Auburn improved its overall record to 6-2 and 4-1 in conference play after taking care of Arkansas 52-20 in Fayetteville Oct. 21.

    The Tigers used the bye week to get a few players that are banged up healthy and to regroup before a tough November schedule. After traveling to College Station this weekend, the remaining games are all at home against Georgia, Louisiana-Monroe, and top-ranked Alabama.

    After eight games, Auburn averages 237.8 rushing yards per game, 224.6 passing yards per game, 462.4 total yards of offense per game, and 36.3 points per game.

    On defense, the unit allows 124.4 rushing yards per game, 178.4 passing yards per game, 302.8 total yards per game, and 15.6 points per game.

    Some areas on special teams need to show improvement with Auburn averaging just 34.82 yards per punt and the unit allows 29.88 yards per kick return.

    Texas A&M was upset at home on Saturday 35-14 against Mississippi State. Against the Bulldogs, the visitors outgained the Aggies 369-285 in total offense, including 228-96 on the ground.

    The loss drops Texas A&M's overall record to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the SEC.

    Prediction: Auburn 27-10.

    UMass at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 34-13.

    Florida at Missouri

    Prediction: Florida 24-13.

    W Kentucky at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 31-20.

    South Carolina at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 35-16.

    Ole Miss at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 20-17.

    C. Carolina at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 45-6.

    Southern Miss at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 28-21.

    LSU at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 38-10.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-2 and overall they are 62-23. This week, Auburn is back home at Jordan-Hare Stadium to face rival Georgia. The game can be seen at 2:30 pm CT on CBS.

    Georgia at Auburn

    Saturday's contest will be the 121st all-time meeting in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry. Georgia won last year's game 13-7 in Athens and has won three straight.

    Georgia improved to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in conference play after beating South Carolina 24-10. With the win, Kirby Smart's team clinched a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game. Georgia has won its first nine games for the first time since 1982.

    Against South Carolina, Jake Fromm completed 16 of 22 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, Fromm has thrown for 1,459 yards, with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.

    In the backfield, the Bulldogs are led by Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. So far this season, Chubb has rushed for 867 yards and nine touchdowns, while Michel has 710 yards and nine touchdowns.

    Offensively, Georgia averages 279.3 rushing yards per game, 166.3 passing yards per game and 36.6 points per game. On defense, the unit is giving up 11.7 points per game.

    Auburn is now 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the SEC after its 42-27 victory over Texas A&M in College Station. Nick Ruffin's blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown gave the visiting team momentum before halftime. Punter Aidan Marshall averaged 47.4 yards on five punts, including one that went 70 yards.

    Against the Aggies, quarterback Jarrett Stidham had a solid day with 268 passing yards and three touchdowns. Running back Kerryon Johnson added 145 yards rushing and a touchdown.

    So far in 2017, Stidham has thrown for 1,996 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. Ryan Davis leads the team with 461 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Johnson has 868 rushing yards on 166 carries and 15 touchdowns.

    On offense, Auburn averages 236.7 rushing yards per game, 229.4 passing yards per game, 466.1 total yards of offense per game, and 36.9 points per game.

    Defensively, the unit allows 178.4 passing yards per game, 307.2 total yards per game, and 16.9 points per game.

    Prediction: Georgia 24-20.

    Alabama at Miss St

    Prediction: Alabama 40-13.

    Arkansas at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 27-7.

    Louisiana at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 38-12.

    Florida at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 35-10.

    Kentucky at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 17-14.

    New Mexico at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 31-17.

    Tennessee at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 27-20.

    Auburn Basketball Preview

    The offseason for the Auburn mens basketball program was one to forget. Adding to the teams loss to Barry University in its first exhibition didnt help the sting. However, the Tigers will continue moving forward into head coach Bruce Pearls fifth season.

    Auburn opens the season against Norfolk State on November 10 off a 2016-17 season that included an 18-14 overall record and 7-11 mark in conference play. Auburn had success at home, including winning 10 of 15 games.

    Last years team won some big games. The Tigers defeated UConn on the road, beat Alabama twice and won at UAB. It was a scrappy team that gave Pearl enough confidence to say in March that he expected this years team to make the tournament.

    That expectation, however, likely changed in the last few months. Auburn assistant coach Chuck Person was indicted on six charges by the FBI, including corruption. With the investigation ongoing, Pearl decided to keep Auburn star players Danjel Purifoy and Austin Wiley from playing until they are completely cleared in case they were involved in the Person scandal and later ruled ineligible.

    With Purifoy and Wiley benched, Auburn is already facing a tough challenge, but the Tigers still have some talent taking the court this year.

    Things offensively will likely begin with Mustapha Heron. The guard scored a team-high 15.2 points per game last year and added 6.1 rebounds per contest. Heron who was the only Tiger to start every game, shot 42.3 percent beyond the arc and made 44.2 percent of all shots.

    Joining Heron as a sophomore is point guard Jared Harper. Harper started 30 of 32 games and averaged 24.2 minutes per contest. He averaged 11.4 points per game and had a team-high 95 assists.

    Auburn has a true shooter back in Bryce Brown. The junior made 40 percent of his 3-pointers last year and averaged 7.5 points per game mostly off the bench. Brown has been an impact for Auburn when it needs a big shot.

    T.J. Lang is another guard who will likely need to step up this season. Lang saw his playing time cut last season but still averaged 16.4 minutes per game. He averaged 4.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per contest.

    Auburns chances of being a potential post-season team likely depends on how quickly, if at all, Wiley and Purifoy return.

    Purifoy finished near the top in points (11.5) and rebounds (4.7) per game. After missing his true freshman season due to ineligibility, Purifoy last year became the player fans believed he was.

    The same could be said of Wiley, who enrolled early and played his freshman season as a 17-year-old. Wileys play continued throughout the season, as he averaged 8.8 points per game and 4.7 rebounds. Wileys ceiling continues to increase, as during the summer he was a star on the 18-under USA team.

    Auburn has the potential to be a good team, but a lot of it depends on how the scandal surrounding Person plays out. If the Tigers can return Wiley and Purifoy to the court, things begin looking much brighter in Auburn Arena.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-2 and overall they are 68-25. This week, Auburn hosts UL-Monroe at 11:00 am CT on ESPN2.

    UL-Monroe at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 55-10.

    Miss St at Arkansas

    Prediction: Mississippi State 27-13.

    Mercer at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 60-6.

    Kentucky at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 45-7.

    UAB at Florida

    Prediction: UAB 17-14.

    Wofford at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 42-13.

    LSU at Tennessee

    Prediction: LSU 24-21.

    Texas A&M at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-23.

    Missouri at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Missouri 38-17.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-2 and overall they are 75-27. This week, Alabama and Auburn meet in the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game can be seen at 2:30 pm CT on CBS.

    Alabama at Auburn

    Alabama leads the all-time series 45-35-1 and has won three straight, and seven of the last nine meetings. Auburn holds a 7-4 edge in Tuscaloosa and an 8-5 record at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The winner plays Georgia in the SEC Championship game Dec. 2.

    In last year's meeting, Alabama won 30-12 in Tuscaloosa. Auburn's offense finished the contest with a season-low 182 yards of total offense. Quarterbacks Jeremy Johnson and John Frankin III combined to complete just 6 of 17 for 119 yards. On defense, Auburn intercepted Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts twice, but allowed the Tide 501 yards of total offense.

    On Saturday, Alabama manhandled Mercer 56-0 to improve to 11-0 overall. Hurts has thrown for 1,828 yards and 14 touchdowns, with Damien Harris leading the offense with 855 rushing yards on 104 carries and 11 touchdowns. Calvin Ridley leads the receiving corps with 858 yards on 52 catches and three touchdowns.

    Offensively, Alabama averages 208.9 passing yards, 270.3 rushing yards per game and 41.4 points per game. The Tide's stingy defense leads the nation by allowing just 10.2 points per game.

    Auburn beat UL-Monroe 42-14 last Saturday to improve to 9-2 overall. Leaders on offense for the Tigers include quarterback Jarrett Stidham with 2,445 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, receiver Ryan Davis with 564 yards and five touchdowns, and running back Kerryon Johnson, who has 220 carries for 1,172 yards and 16 touchdowns.

    On the ground, Auburn's offense averages 244 yards per game, through the air, 231.9 yards per game, 475.9 total yards per game, and 37.6 points per game.

    Defensively, the Tigers allow 118.2 rushing yards per game, 184.4 passing yards per game, 302.5 total yards per game, and 16.6 points per game.

    Prediction: Alabama 27-20.

    Ole Miss at Miss St

    Prediction: Mississippi State 31-20.

    Missouri at Arkansas

    Prediction: Missouri 38-17.

    Georgia at Georgia Tech

    Prediction: Georgia 35-14.

    Clemson at South Carolina

    Prediction: Clemson 24-17.

    Texas A&M at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 17-10.

    Florida State at Florida

    Prediction: Florida State 26-13.

    Louisville at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 30-20.

    Vanderbilt at Tennessee

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 23-21.

    Georgia vs. Auburn Part 2

    Georgia and Auburn battle for the SEC title in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. The game can be seen on CBS at 3:00 pm CT.

    In the first meeting between the rivals on Nov. 11, Auburn won easily 41-17 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn's stingy defense held Georgia's rushing attack to just 46 yards, with Nick Chubb rushing 11 times for 27 yards and Sony Michel gaining only 21. Quarterback Jake Fromm was 13-of-28 passing for 184 yards and a late touchdown pass.

    A healthy Kerryon Johnson finished the contest with 167 rushing yards and also caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Jarrett Stidham. On the afternoon, Stidham was 16-of-23 passing for 214 yards with three touchdowns.

    Before the 2017 season started, the Tigers wanted to make it to Atlanta for the title game but after a disappointing loss to LSU on Oct. 14, that goal seemed out of reach. Auburn then won its next four games and a victory over Alabama would give Gus Malzahn's squad the trip to Atlanta

    Facing No. 1 Alabama at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn took care of its arch-rival 26-14. Stidham completed 21-of-28 passes for 237 yards, while adding another 51 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Johnson rushed for 104 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.

    Receiver Ryan Davis hauled in 11 catches for a career-high 139 yards. He also set the Auburn single-season record for catches with 69.

    Saturday's appearance will be Auburn's sixth trip to the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers are 3-2 overall, including a 59-42 victory over Missouri in 2013.

    Georgia will also be making its sixth appearance in the title game, with a 2-3 overall record. In 2012, the Bulldogs lost to Alabama 32-28.

    On offense, Auburn averages 237.7 rushing yards per game, 232.6 passing yards per game, 470.3 total yards of offense, and 36.7 points per game.

    Defensively, the Tigers allow 125.9 rushing yards per game, 177.3 passing yards per game, 303.3 total yards per game, and 16.4 points per game

    Prediction: Auburn 27-20.

    The Right Side of History

    The special election this Tuesday represents a turning point. Our home, Alabama, has the chance to do the right thing. We have the chance to make a stand for decency and the rule of law. We have a chance to do the right thing.

    We have a chance to elect a U.S Senator who will represent the people of Alabama in Washington with dignity and honor. Make no mistake, this is a turning point in Alabama's history and we have a chance to tell the world that Alabama rejects hatred and bigotry. We have a chance to do the right thing.

    Do the right thing. Show up and vote and be a part of it.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2017

    The inauguration of Auburn University's 19th president, Dr. Steven Leath, is Access Auburn's top story of 2017.

    Top Ten Stories for 2017
      1. President Leath
      2. Desks & Destruction
      3. Blue Wave?
      4. Athletics Awry
      5. Transit Rape
      6. Passings
      7. Gov. Tubs?
      8. 700 is Enough
      9. Iron Chef Auburn
    10. Kick A**!

    1. Dr. Steven Leath was named President of Auburn University. Dr. Leath was formerly President of Iowa State University.

    2. Entire blocks of Downtown Auburn fell to the wrecking ball as new high-density housing and entertainment transforms the downtown district. Meanwhile, new classrooms are underway on campus and the new Auburn High School opened its doors this Fall.

    3. Doug Jones rally-Access Auburn photo Hundreds of yards signs for Doug Jones provided only a hint what was to come as the underdog Democrat carried 67% of Auburn voters in the special election for the U.S. Senate.

    4. After major scandals and firings engulfed the Auburn Softball and Men's Basketball programs, and lawsuits were filed by former coaches in other sports, embattled Athletics Director Jay Jacobs announced his impending retirement.

    5. The Auburn campus was rocked by reports of a sexual assault against a young woman aboard a Tiger Transit bus. The accused assailants were Tiger Transit drivers.

    6. In 2017, Auburn gave a final salute to an American hero, Gen. Hal Moore, and lost a three-year-old princess, Sadie Andrews, in a bizarre accident. Also, closing its doors for the last time at the end of 2017, we bid adieu to the Auburn institution, Flowersmith's.

    7. This year, we watched the on again, off again (and now maybe on again) flirtation with gubernatorial politics by former Auburn football coach, Tommy Tuberville.

    8. Buddy Davidson at 700th game-Inside the Auburn Tigers photoAfter attending 700 consecutive Auburn Football games, former Auburn Sports Information Director, Buddy Davidson decided to skip the trip to Baton Rouge for Auburn's 27-23 loss to LSU.

    9. David Bancroft, uber-chef of the Auburn restaurant Acre added to his growing reputation by bring home a win on the prestigious Iron Chef Showdown on the Food Network.

    10. Auburn Football ended the conference schedule with back-to-back beatdows over SEC rivals Georgia and Alabama. Auburn outscored the then top ranked traditional opponents by a 66-31 combined score.
      Auburn beats Bama-Access Auburn photo

    Health and Fitness in Auburn

    Join us at Frank Brown Recreation Center on January 20th from 2:30-5p.m to learn more about the different health and fitness options in the Auburn area.

    Representatives from local gyms, yoga studios, fitness studios, and other local organizations will be there to tell you more about what they offer. Pop up classes will be held throughout the event and a complete schedule of these classes will be posted at auburnalabama.org/parks and in the Facebook event group. This event is FREE to the public.

    January Is National Radon Action Month

    Radon is a naturally-occurring, invisible, odorless gas that is usually harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air. However, when the gas is trapped in buildings it can be harmful to human health and has been found to cause lung cancer in humans.

    Radon is going undetected in homes across the country. It causes no immediate health symptoms, but long-term exposure can be deadly. The invisible gas is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall after smoking. It is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year.

    The danger of radon exposure in dwellings was discovered in 1984 with the case of Stanley Watras, an employee at the Limerick nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. Watras set off the radiation alarms on his way into work for two weeks straight while authorities searched for the source of the contamination. They were shocked to find that the source was astonishingly high levels of radon in his house's basement and it was not related to the nuclear plant.

    The risks associated with living in his house were estimated to be equivalent to smoking 135 packs of cigarettes every day. Following this event, which was highly publicized, national radon safety standards were set, and radon detection and ventilation became a standard homeowner concern.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that as many as one in 15 homes across the U.S. has elevated radon levels. Radon test kits are commercially available. The kit includes a collector that the user hangs in the lowest livable floor of the house for 2 to 7 days. The user then sends the collector to a laboratory for analysis.

    Indoor radon can be mitigated by sealing basement foundations, water drainage, or by sub-slab de-pressurization. In severe cases, mitigation can use air pipes and fans to exhaust sub-slab air to the outside. Indoor ventilation systems are more effective, but exterior ventilation can be cost-effective in some cases. Modern construction that conserves energy by making homes air tight exacerbates the risks of radon exposure if radon is present in the home. Older homes with more porous construction are more likely to vent radon naturally.

    Scale Back Alabama

    Weigh-in week for Scale back AL is January 22-28 with various times and locations. These locations include Dean Road Recreation center, Harris Senior Center, and Frank Brown Recreation Center-Fitness Center.

    A detailed list of times for each of these locations will be listed at https://www.auburnalabama.org/parks/ and on the Scale Back Alabama- Lee County Facebook page.

    The 6th Annual Polar Plunge

    The 6th Annual Polar Plunge will be held on January 27th. Sign up, take the plunge, and recruit sponsors to help raise money for Lee County Special Olympics. Individual and group costumes are encouraged. Brave the cold weather to come out and support Lee County Special Olympics. This event will take place at Samford Pool beginning at 9 a.m. To register, visit https://campscui.active.com/orgs/CityofAuburn?orglink=camps-registration#/selectSessions/2153103

    Sip and Paint Pottery

    Come sip and paint pottery on January 27th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Dean Road Ceramics Studio. This unique pottery painting class is open to those 21 & older. The Dean Road Ceramics Studio has everything you need to create hand-painted works of art, all with the help of skilled artisans to guide you along the way.

    No matter your skill level you are sure to have a good time with step by step instructions. Bring your family, friend, whoever and a BYOB beverage to enjoy this unique experience. This quarters Sip and Paint Pottery theme is, Beautiful Alabama. We will be painting a watercolor version of our lovely state using underglazes on a bisque mug. Space is limited to 15 participants so sign up today to reserve your spot. Participants must provide a valid ID to confirm age when the class meets. The class is $35 per participant, payable to AAB.

    Daddy-Daughter Date Nights

    Daddy-Daughter Date Nights will be hosted on February 1-3 and 9, 10. Daughters, dads, grandads, and uncles are all welcome to dance the night away, eat some yummy treats, and kill the dance competition.

    The dance will be hosted at the Clarion Inn & Suites on S. College Street. Tickets are $35 plus online fees for the first father/daughter pair, and $5 for each additional daughter brought that evening. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.auburnalabama.org/daddy-daughter-date-night/

    Softball Returns

    It was an offseason to forget for the Auburn softball team, but that doesnt mean 2018 doesnt have the potential to be a success for first-year head coach Mickey Deans team.

    After failing to reach a second consecutive appearance in the Womens College World Series, Auburn faced a scandal during the offseason that led to the retirement of head coach Clint Myers, who had turned the program from a conference bottom dweller to a national championship contender.

    However, even with Myers exit and Deans entrance, the Tigers enter the 2018 season ranked No. 13 nationally. And for good reason.

    This years team will likely continue to be led by the strong pitching of Kaylee Carlson and Makayla Martin. Carlson, who was recently named to the USA Softball Player of the Year watch list, will likely hold a majority of the responsibilities in the circle. She recorded a record of 27-5 last year with a 1.36 ERA. Martins 1.98 ERA and 20-6 record showed how reliable she can be, which will likely be pushed a little further this spring.

    Auburn faces the challenge of needing to replace stars Haley Fagan and Kasey Cooper, but it appears the Tigers will attempt this feat with a balance of all-around talent.

    Auburns infield will likely be a bit of an experiment, with young talent playing at nearly every position. The offseason included several moves, such as Kendall Veach moving to third, Justus Perry will likely start at first base despite seeing action in only 26 games last year.

    Young talent continues for Auburn in Taylon Snow, who is expected to start at shortstop as a true freshman. The Chino Hills (Calif.) High School graduate has high expectations to meet early in her career, but shes said to have the skillset to be the Tigers next star.

    With K.K. Crocker returning at second base and Alyssa Rivera as two of the only other solidified positions, Auburn has three other experienced players itll likely depend on: Victoria Draper, Courtney Shea and Veach.

    Draper returns after starting all 61 games last year in centerfield. She scored a team- high 44 runs, hit a team-best .500 with runners in scoring position and .444 with runners on base, led the team with nine stolen bases and also had 52 hits.

    Veach also started all 61 games last year, playing third base part time and first the rest of the time. She had team highs with 12 home runs and four triples.

    Shea returns after starting 56 games behind the plate or as a designated player. She had a perfect fielding percentage as a junior and batted .280 with runners in scoring position.

    Auburn has been a fun team to watch the past several years. Though winning games at high rates makes anything fun, the 2018 Tigers might still provide the fun previous teams have offered.

    Auburns No. 13 ranking shows the Tigers are still well thought of, but four SEC teams (Florida, Texas A&M, LSU and Alabama) still ranked above them. With the season opening Feb. 8 at home against Marshall, well see sooner than later how the Tigers stack up.

    Of notable home games, Auburn hosts the Tiger Invite Feb. 16-18, with Delaware, Saint Francis (PA), Maryland and Georgia State playing the Tigers. Auburn hosts the Wilson/DeMarini Classic March 2-4, with UNC-Wilmington, Western Carolina and Western Illinois coming to town.

    SEC play opens March 9, as Auburn travels to LSU. The Tigers first home conference series is against Alabama on March 16-18. Auburn will also host Kentucky (March 23- 25), Tennessee (April 6-8) and Arkansas (April 20-22).

    Baseball Starts Feb. 16

    Auburn basketball has kept Tiger fans happy throughout the winter months, but Auburn baseball is creeping up faster than you might know. After an exciting 2017 season that included an NCAA Tournament appearance, the Tigers start the 2018 season on Feb. 16 against Longwood.

    Head coach Butch Thompson returns for his third season as Auburn has realistic potential to build off a 2017 season that some consider just the beginning of a strong tenure for Thompson. Auburn compiled a 37-26 overall record last year, including going 16-14 in a strong SEC field, and making the NCAA Tournament.

    In the tournament, the Tigers had a chance to win the Tallahassee Regional, winning its first two games to advance to the championship. However, Auburn fell in back-to-back games to Florida State, ending its season and leaving fans with hopes of something bigger in 2018. The good news is 2018 could live up to high expectations.

    In the field, Auburn could return starters at every position other than catcher and an outfield spot. The infield is stacked with talent, including Luke Jarvis at second base, Josh Anthony at third and Will Holland at short stop. And while catcher is a tossup, with Mike Rojas being the only returner at the position, first base could have a host of Tigers, including Conor Davis and Dylan Ingram, but Brendan Venter is the player that might be worth watching the closest.

    Venter, a transfer from McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, batted .353 last year with team highs in home runs (15) and RBI (69). Venter is said to be the real deal, so expect Thompson to have him on the field immediately.

    The outfield is just as loaded. Jay Estes returns after leading the team with team with 19 doubles in 2017. Davis, whose .282 batting average leads all returning players, has limited experience in the outfield, but hes expected to get a look in right against Bowen McGuffin and Cade Evans as other options.

    The fun battle to watch in pre-season camp is between Judd Ward and Jeremy Johnson. Johnsons playing time increased last year, starting 12 of the 22 games in which he played, as he batted .229 with two doubles. Ward, a freshman out of Russellville (Ala.) High, batted a career .468 average and recorded 189 runs, 114 RBI, 81 stolen bases and 11 home runs in 144 high school games. He was rated the 11 th best player and fifth best outfield in Alabama.

    Designated hitter will likely include one of the above-mentioned players, but its possible its Ingram, who fielded the position frequently last year. Ingram, known for his big stick, led the team last year with eight home runs.

    Though the lineup seems like it could be strong, Thompsons expertise has always been pitching. And even with last years opening-day starter Keegan Thompson graduated, the Tigers will still have a strong starting rotation.

    Casey Mize is expected to be this years Friday night starter after making a name for himself in 2017 when Thompson missed starts due to an injury. Mize had an 8-2 record with a 2.04 ERA. He struck out 109 batters and walked only nine in 83 2/3 innings.

    The level of role Tanner Burns plays on the mound this year isnt known, but he will stick solely to pitching. The 2017 Mr. Baseball receipt out of Decatur (Ala.) High has the talent to pitch and bat, but the freshman informed Thompson the mound is where he wants to be.

    Burns joins the team Perfect Games No. 4-rated player in Alabama and No. 33 in the country. Baseball America rated him as the No. 38 prospect overall, and he was drafted out of high school in the 37th round by the New York Yankees.

    Other pitchers Auburn is expected to use in 2018 include Davis Daniel, who will likely be the Saturday starting pitcher, and bullpen options Ryan Watson, Cody Greenhill and Corey Herndon.

    Despite the Tigers strong starting performances last season, the bullpen often had difficulties closing games out. This is something to watch early in non-conference play.

    Auburn will play four non-conference weekend series and six mid-week games, including against Georgia Tech and Troy at home and against UAB at Regions Field, before opening conference play at home against Texas A&M on March 16. Home conference series this year include Missouri (March 30-April 1), Mississippi State (April 13-15), Vanderbilt (May 4-6) and LSU (May 17-19). The Capital City Classic against Alabama is scheduled for March 27. The SEC Tournament in Hoover is May 22-27, and the NCAA Regionals start June 1.

    Zumbathon

    Lets dance Auburn! Zumbathon will be held on February 24th at the Boykin Community Center gymnasium from 8-10:30 a.m. With 120 minutes of fun-filled dancing designed to get you in shape, awesome instructors, and an 80s costume theme, you will have a fun time while getting in a great workout.

    We will kick off at 8 a.m. with our Best Dressed Dancer costume contest- so make sure you are in your best 80s wear. Zumba will begin at 8:30 a.m. Come ready to dance and sweat! The 2018 Zumbathon is held in conjunction with Scale Back AL- Lee County. This event is FREE to the public and children ages 8 and older are welcome with parent participation.

    Health Fair March 3

    The Fit as a Fiddle 50+ and Special Populations Health Fair will take place on Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 9 a.m. 1 p.m. at the Dean Road Recreation Center.

    Members of the community will have an opportunity to visit with doctors, fitness experts, senior communities, therapeutic program representatives and volunteer organizations offering products and services tailor made for them. This event is FREE.

    AACT Young Performers Present Animal Fables

    AACT Young Performers Present Animal Fables By Aesop. All who are young and young at heart are invited to join us at the fair, where the players musically weave together many of Aesops enchanting fables.

    We learn the classic morals of slow and steady wins the race and practice makes perfect along with the more obscure shun the quack and fancy dress cannot change the body inside. This show will be presented in Theatre-in-the-round. There will be popcorn, balloons, and more! Prepare to be entertained and rewarded with real-life lessons in a fun and exciting setting.

    Shows are at the Jan Dempsey Art Center on 222 E Drake Street, Auburn, Alabama, March 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10 at 6:30 with Matinees on Saturday the 3rd and 10th at 2:00.

    Local students ages 5-18 were invited to write their own Aesop style fable for AACTs Animal Fables by You writing contest. On Monday, March 5th, as an additional performance for that evenings audience, all of the winning fables will be brought to life and performed by the cast.

    Tickets will be available starting January 30th for AACT members and donors, and will be available to the public on February 7th. Tickets are $10 for Adults $8 for Children, Students and Seniors. To get early access to tickets for this and other shows, join now! You may purchase tickets, become a member, or donate at auburnact.org or call 334-332-0881.

    The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

    Hear ye! Hear ye! Auburn Area Community Theatre doth announce open auditions for our spring 2018 production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged. Three adult actors are needed to portray the Bards characters from all 37 plays in 97 minutes! Expect maximum silliness, lots of wigs, ridiculous accents of course, and a cooking segment. These hypercreative actors will weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeares Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride.

    Rehearsals will be held Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, but will be adjusted to actors availability. Performances will be May 10 13, 2018. For more information, contact the director, Chris Alonzo, at Tennmartins@gmail.com. Please note: although the script traditionally calls for three male performers, casting for this production will be gender (and color) blind.

    Age(s): 18+ Day(s), Date(s), & Time for Auditions: Monday March 5th 6p.m.-8p.m. & Tuesday March 6th 6p.m.-8 p.m. Call backs: Thursday March 8th 6p.m.-9p.m. Location: Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center 222 E Drake Ave, Auburn, AL 36830

    Role-Play Strategy Games March 24

    Join us for a day of role-play strategy games (RPGs) on March 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dean Road Recreation Center. We will be playing Magic: The Gathering, Risk, Settlers of Catan, Dungeons and Dragons, and more.

    Whether you are an experienced RPGer or a newbie, this is a great opportunity to learn and have some fun. Admission is a donation of non-perishable food or canned goods for the EASE House or pet food for Lee County Humane Society.

    37th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

    The 37th Annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by Wells Fargo and Auburn Parks and Recreation will be hosted at beautiful Kiesel Park on March 31st. This is one of the biggest Easter egg hunts in the area with more than 35, 000 eggs hidden over a four-acre area.

    Four hunting grounds are available for the following age groups: 3 & under, 4-6, 7-9, & 10-12 years of age. Come join us for some great musical entertainment, free sodas and balloons, and a chance to meet and take pictures with the Easter Bunny! Please remember to arrive early to find parking and your childs correct age group. The first age group will START at 10:30 a.m. sharp! Egg Hunt start times will be staggered by age group.

    Aubie Turns 39

    Aubie just had a birthday, and even though hes getting older by the year, he never seems to age.

    The Auburn mascot turned 39 in February and theres little question which family he celebrated another year as one of the nations top mascots with. His kooky acts and heart-warming personality has made him a fan favorite at Auburn events as long as his tail isnt pulled.

    Aubie first came to life in 1979 with his first appearance being at the SEC basketball tournament in Birmingham. That day, Auburn upset Vanderbilt 59-53. Since then, seeing Aubie at Auburn events is as customary as seeing the Tigers play.

    Following the win against Vanderbilt in Aubies debut, Auburn and Georgia played a four-overtime game, which is the longest in tournament history. By the end of the Tigers trip to the BJCC Arena, Aubie played a role in helping the ninth-place Auburn team advance to the semifinals of the tournament.

    Over the years, Aubie has racked up nine national championships and was the first to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. He accomplished all of his feats without saying a word, too.

    And yet, before 1959, Aubie wasnt even an idea.

    Birmingham Post-Herald artist Phil Neel created a cartoon tiger on Oct. 3, 1959, that appeared on the Auburn vs. Hardin-Simmons football program. Aubie was featured on gameday programs for the next 18 years, but hasnt made a regular sighting since 1976.

    Aubie has been called back three times, though. He was featured for the 1987, 89 and 91 Iron Bowl games.

    Aubies suits are made by Brooks-Van Horn Costumes, which is based in New York. The company also does work for Walt Disney, as well as others. The design and production of each costume is $1,350.

    Yoga at the Boykin Community Center

    Put on your favorite neon get up and come get your glow on with 90 minutes of relaxing, stretching, and fun on April 6th from 7-9 p.m. at the Boykin Community Center.

    Yoga instructors from the Auburn/Opelika area will take turns leading participants in various styles and levels of yoga poses during this yoga marathon. This event will include segments of black light yoga and constant music to get you in the zone. Children ages 12 & older are welcome with parent participation and this event is FREE.

    An Evening with George Hardy

    On Friday April 13th Auburn Parks and Recreation and the Davis Arboretum are back again with Trolling: an Evening with George Hardy.

    Dr. George Hardy- a 1977 Auburn Graduate and native resident of Alexander City, Alabama, actor, dentist, and cast member of Troll 2- will be in attendance to talk about his experiences working on Troll 2, subsequent fame, and everything in-between. Stick around after for screenings of Troll 2 and Best Worst Movie- a documentary inspired by Troll 2. Dr. Hardy will provide a brief introduction at 6 p.m. with Best Worst Movie beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be a Q&A session following the movie from 8:15 9 p.m. and Troll 2 will begin at 9 p.m in downtown Auburn.

    19th Annual Bike Bash

    The 19th Annual Bike Bash will be held on April 21st from 8 a.m. to noon at Richland Elementary School. Bicycle rides of varying distances will be offered, along with great live music, bicycle inspections, helmet fittings, exhibits, activities for children, and a cookout. Visit www.bikebash.org for more information.

    Live Music at Town Creek Park

    Grab a lawn chair, family, and friends and go enjoy live music at Town Creek Park on May 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 31st. Town Creek Park is Auburns newest park and the perfect setting to enjoy local and regional musicians. All concerts will be from 6-7:30 p.m. and are free to the public.

    Auburn Baseball

    Auburn has had some special baseball teams in the last 20 years, but none of them have accomplished something this year's team just did.

    The 2018 Tigers aren't necessarily as good as the 1997 team that went to Omaha to play in the College World Series. This year's team will also need to see some improvements in consistency if it wants to possibly win the SEC Tournament like the 1998 team. The same goes for if the Tigers plan on winning the West like the 2010 team, though they are currently only one game out of first.

    But this Auburn team still has something those teams don't.

    This past weekend, Auburn utterly embarrassed Alabama in Tuscaloosa, sweeping the Tide by a combined score of 44-10. It marks the first time Auburn has won a series against Alabama since 2011, first time it's won a series in Tuscaloosa since 2004, first time it's swept Alabama since 2001 and first time it's swept Alabama in Tuscaloosa since 1976.

    To add more context, that 1997 Auburn team that included Golden Spikes Award winner Tim Hudson and former MLB catcher David Ross loss the home series to Alabama, which included a 22-7 defeat. The 1998 SEC Tournament champions loss the road series to Alabama. The 2010 SEC West champs also lost the series to Alabama. And, more recently, Auburn has been swept by Alabama the last two times (2015 and 2017) the two have played on the Plains.

    What's more: In Game 1 last weekend, Auburn's 19-5 win set a record for largest margin of victory in the series' 121-year history. The next day, Auburn broke that record with a 20-5 win.

    So, how did the Tigers do it? That's a great question, because no one can really figure it out.

    Auburn entered the series with the lowest batting average in the conference, then as a team batted .400 in Game 1, a realistic .264 in Game 2 then .452 in the series-closing game. In Game 3, every Tiger with an at-bat had at least one hit.

    For the season, it's Steven Williams' .331 batting average leading the team, but Will Holland batting .313 and Conor Davis hitting .308 are right up there. First-year player Edouard Julien has provided the big stick, hitting a team-high nine home runs. Brett Wright and Williams each have eight, Brendan Venter has seven and Holland has six. Julien and Williams both had the team highs with 40 RBIs. As a team, the Tigers are batting .281, which isn't bad, but does include a fairly week non-conference schedule.

    Adding a lineup that can create runs or at least has the potential with pitching that includes Casey Mize, who is expected to be a first-round MLB Draft pick, freshman starter Tanner Burns and bullpen star Calvin Coker and Auburn could continue making some noise this season.

    Unfortunately for Auburn, this is the SEC, so nothing is given. The Tigers complete conference play with a trip to Florida, facing Vanderbilt at home, playing Ole Miss in Oxford and playing host to LSU. Florida and Ole Miss are at the top of their respective divisions, while Vanderbilt is one game back in the East and LSU is currently tied with Auburn one game back in the West.

    NFL Draft

    Four Auburn players lived a dream this past weekend as their names were called during the 2018 NFL Draft. Braden Smith, Kerryon Johnson, Carlton Davis and Daniel Carlson were each selected in the seven-round draft and are headed to the NFL.

    Smith was the first Tiger to be selected, being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round. Johnson and Davis were taken later that round, with the the Detroit Lions selecting Johnson and Davis being picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carlson was drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Vikings

    Each of the four players have realistic potential to be playmakers in the NFL soon -- if not immediately. Smith joins a Colts team that allowed an NFL-high 56 sacks last year, Johnson's Lions finished last in rushing in 2017, Davis joins a Bucs secondary that finished with the worst pass defense last season and Carlson becomes a Viking, whose kicker signed this offseason missed the most extra points last year in the NFL.

    While the excitement of potential is high for Smith, Johnson, Davis and Carlson, they aren't the only former Auburn players with a chance to make it in the NFL. A host of Tigers were signed as free agents after the seven-round draft ended.

    Jeff Holland, Trey Matthews, Kamryn Pettway, Austin Golson, Darius James, Tre' Williams, Stephen Roberts and Wilson Bell have all signed with a team. Center Casey Dunn was invited to a mini-camp.

    Holland was one of the bigger surprises of not being drafted. The former Buck standout left Auburn a year early for the draft, as did running back Kamryn Pettway.

    Auburn's 2018 NFL Draft total was one less than the program record. The Tigers had eight former players signed as undrafted free agents or receive mini-camp invites following the 2017 draft. There were 12 in 2016 and 14 in 2015.

    Bark in the Park

    Auburn Parks and Recreation will host Bark in the Park on May 12th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - a FREE event dedicated to celebrating responsible dog ownership.

    Grab your four legged friend and bring them along to Kiesel Park to visit a variety of educational booths, shop with local pet vendors, and enjoy door prizes and dog friendly activities and contests all morning. Rescue dogs will also be available for adoption.

    26th Annual Fishing Rodeo

    Join us at the lake at Auburn Technology Park South on Saturday, May 19 from 7-11 a.m. for the 26th Annual Fishing Rodeo sponsored by Evans Realty. The first 150 children will receive a FREE rod and reel courtesy of Evans Realty and Auburn Parks and Recreation will supply the bait.

    There will be door prizes as well as awards for the most fish caught overall and the biggest fish caught in each age category. The cost is $5 per child and can be paid at the event in the form of cash or check. Checks can be made payable to COA. There is a limit of five fish per child and parents must stay with their child at all times.

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Heading into the 2017 season, Auburn's quarterback situation seemed to be solid with Jarrett Stidham ready to be the leader under center. Stidham was receiving a lot of hype for his strong and accurate throwing arm, and for good reason. But, the transfer from Baylor got off to a rocky start and played hurt for most of the season.

    With new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey promising to throw the ball more, Auburn fans were excited to see Stidham's arm in action. Fans saw a glimpse of what Stidham was capable of during last year's A-Day game. And with a talented group of receivers to throw to, the offense was poised to light up the scoreboard.

    Maybe it was nerves but Stidham had a disappointing performance in the second game of the season on the road at Clemson. He was sacked 11 times and the offense managed to score just six points.

    After key victories over Missouri, Mississippi State and Ole Miss to start SEC play at 3-0, the Tigers headed to Baton Rouge for an always tough contest with LSU. Auburn suffered a 27-23 loss after Stidham was sacked on fourth down with two seconds left.

    Stidham's struggles off and on throughout the season could have been because of rust for not playing at the collegiate level for a year. But, the inconsistent play was probably due to a partially torn labrum to his non-throwing left shoulder.

    The injury, which was repaired in the offseason, may have been part of the reason Stidham fumbled the ball nine times, including one fumble in each of the Tigers' final five games.

    Despite playing injured, Stidham was still able to put up pretty impressive numbers for the season, completing 246 of 370 passes for 3,158 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. He ran for 153 yards on 103 carries with four touchdowns.

    He also led Auburn to victories over its two biggest rivals, Georgia and Alabama. Both were ranked No. 1 entering the contest.

    While Stidham was limited throughout the spring, he'll be full-speed when Auburn opens preseason camp and will start under center when the Tigers open the 2018 campaign Sept. 1 against Washington.

    With Stidham limited in the spring, Malik Willis got plenty of reps with the first-team offense and finished the A-Day game 8 for 20 for 45 yards.

    As a backup last season, Willis saw action in seven games, completing 6 of 7 for 45 yards and a touchdown. He carried the ball 16 times for 221 yards and a touchdown. With Kerryon Johnson leaving early for the NFL, Willis should be the main option to handle the Wildcat formation.

    Entering spring practice, the wide receiver position was in good shape with a wealth of experience and depth returning for the 2018 season. But as spring drills went along, injuries began to pile up and Auburn might be without two of its best receivers from last year.

    Both Will Hastings and Eli Stove suffered torn anterior cruciate ligaments during spring practice and underwent surgery to repair the ACLs.

    Hastings and Stove were two of the team's top-five receivers last season. Hastings was third on the team with 26 catches for 525 yards and four touchdowns, while Stove had 29 receptions for 269 yards and added another 315 yards rushing and two scores on the ground.

    With Hastings and Stove out indefinitely, other position players will need to step up. Ryan Davis could see playing time at Stove's flanker position. Davis hauled in a record setting 84 catches last season for 814 yards and five touchdowns.

    Devan Barrett could be moved from the backfield to receiver. Incoming freshmen Matthew Hill, Anthony Schwartz, and Seth Williams might have to grow up fast if the Tigers need more bodies at receiver.

    At split end, Darius Slayton was Auburn's main deep threat last year with 29 receptions for 643 yards and five touchdowns.

    Nate Craig-Myers will look to improve in 2018 after a somewhat disappointing season a year ago. Craig-Myers finished with 16 receptions for 285 yards and three touchdowns.

    Football Preview: Running Backs

    Auburn will have a new starter in the backfield during the 2018 season. Who earns the starting role isn't set in stone, but one tailback enters fall camp as the top contender to fill the role after the SEC's leading rusher and Offensive Player of the Year from last season entered the NFL Draft.

    The Tigers will need to replace Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway after both decided to leave early for the NFL Draft. Johnson had a stellar 2017 campaign rushing for 1,391 yards while Pettway was hobbled by injuries.

    Auburn has five position players vying for the starting job. Despite not having any proven returning tailbacks, position coach Tim Horton believes the streak of at least one 1,000-yard rusher will continue. The Tigers have produced at least one 1,000-yard rusher for each of the last nine years.

    Kam Martin has a good shot at keeping the streak alive, especially since he's expected to get the bulk of the carries. Last year, Martin was the Tigers' second-leading rusher behind Johnson, finishing with 453 yards on 74 carries.

    Martin's size could be a factor if he wants to succeed as an every-down back in the SEC. At 5-foot-10 and 193 pounds he doesn't have the ideal size but he has produced when called on and provides a big-play threat out of the backfield.

    Martin will see plenty of competition from the four other scholarship tailbacks in fall camp. Malik Miller, JaTarvious Whitlow, Devan Barrett and Asa Martin should see the field either as backups or to give Martin a much needed break during the grind of a long season.

    Miller has 50 carries for 204 yards in mop-up duty during his two seasons on the Plains, while Barrett had 79 rushing yards on 14 carries as a freshman last season. Whitlow hasn't recorded a college carry after being redshirted last season due to an ankle injury.

    Newcomer Asa Martin participated in spring drills and has been compared to Johnson. The reigning Alabama Mr. Football, he rushed for 2,228 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior at Austin High.

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Football Preview: Offensive Line

    There's a lot to like about offensive starters returning this fall, but the offensive line isn't necessarily one of those areas. Auburn lost four starters from the 2017 season and could possibly see some growing pains early in 2018.

    The Tigers will be without Braden Smith, who was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft, Casey Dunn, Austin Golson and Darius James. All four brought at least experience, but Golson's versatility to play multiple positions on the line and Smith's skill level will be hard to replace.

    So, who does Auburn have in the trenches this year?

    The two guard positions will likely have Mike Horton and Marquel Harrel starting. Horton started seven games at left guard in 2017 before being injured. Harrell stepped up after Horton's injury and an injury to Dunn. He started the final seven games of the 2017 season. The only question surrounding Horton and Harrell is who plays left guard and who plays right.

    For the exterior positions, it's highly possible 2018 will be an opportunity for Prince Tega Wanogho to shine. The 6-foot-7, 307-pound redshirt junior started seven games at left tackle, where he's expected to slide back in. At right tackle, redshirt freshman Calvin Ashley is considered the favorite to become the starter. Ashley was listed second on last year's depth chart at the position despite redshirting.

    The biggest question mark on the line is who will snap the ball. Golson and Dunn solidified the position last year to the point there wasn't a backup needed. With both gone, junior Kaleb Kim has the most experience at center, including playing in seven games last year, but that doesn't make him an automatic pick. Aside from Kim, redshirt freshman Nick Brahms has received praise from position coach J.B. Grimes.

    Not to much surprise, Auburn will need to continue seeing success offensively in the trenches if it wants to live up to its 2017 SEC West championship. Also, the Tigers have produced at least one 1,000-yard rusher every year since 2009, which is also something the program prides itself on. Battles for each position will likely continue into fall camp.

    Brandon Miller

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs

    2018 East Alabama Walk to End Alzheimers

    Join us for the 2018 East Alabama Walk to End Alzheimers on October 28 at the Campus Green Space by Jordan-Hare Stadium. Registration begins at 1:00 pm followed by the Walk at 2:15 p.m. When you participate in Walk, your fundraising dollars fuel our mission, and your participation in the event helps to change the level of Alzheimers awareness in your community.

    The Alzheimers Association provides free, easy-to-use tools and staff support to help participants reach their fundraising goal. While there is no fee to register, we encourage participants to fundraise and contribute to the cause to raise awareness.

    Register online: act.alz.org/eastalabama

    Once you register, you will have access to a wide range of tools and support through your customized Participant Center. Join us and be inspired by all the footsteps that fall into place behind yours. Together, we can end Alzheimers!

    Like our Facebook page, East Alabama Walk to End Alzheimer's, to stay up to date on information concerning the Walk!

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    The defensive line was a spotlight for Auburn in 2017 - and it should be the same this fall.

    The Tigers lost some talent with Jeff Holland and others departing, but fans won't need to keep a roster nearby to know the guys playing in the trenches in 2018. As far as starters go, Auburn has well-known players back and they'll compete to see who will be the next star.

    T.D. Moultry is expected to be "the guy" when it comes to Auburn's popular buck position. Moultry played in every game last year, recording 15 tackes, including 2.5 for loss. The rising sophomore has room for improvement, but he'll have his chance this fall. Another sophomore to watch this fall at buck is Big Kat Bryant, who also played in every game last year.

    At the other end position, two-year starter Marlon Davidson returns to his position. Davidson recorded 43 tackles in 2017 after being voted second-team All-SEC preseason by the coaches.

    The tackle positions should have a couple of upperclassmen starting. Dontavius Russell has started in 37 games and returns as a fourth-year starter in 2018. He has 117 career tackles and is likely a leader on this D line. Derrick Brown is expected to be next to Russell. The rising junior was a first-year starter in 2017 and had his production rise significantly compared to his freshman year. Brown and Russell are a combination that should give opposing offensive guards a rough four quarters.

    This group has high expectations for 2018. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. said he believes Auburn's defensive line will "rival" Clemson for the best in the country. If Kiper is right, this group has a big role to play in helping Auburn defend its SEC West championship.

    Brandon Miller

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    The Auburn linebacking corps doesn't have everyone returning in 2018, but the Tigers should have a big year with the talent back on the field.

    Tre' Williams doesn't return for the Tigers, but there's plenty of experienced talent to pick up the slack and lead the group. In fact, the Tigers have a senior returning at all three positions.

    Deshaun Davis is expected to be the guy leading this corps. He returns to middle linebacker as a third-year starter. Davis has 150 career tackles and saw an increase in total tackles from his sophomore to junior years. Davis is a smart player who has high expectations. Phil Steele has the senior on the preseason fourth-team All-SEC.

    Darrell Williams returns as a third-year starter at the sam position. The senior has been a consistent threat, racking up 57 tackles as a junior and 52 as a sophomore. Williams came into his own in 2017, recording team highs in tackles in the LSU and Georgia games.

    Expected to start at the will position is Montavious Atkinson, who saw time behind Tre' Williams last fall. This fall will provide a new opportunity for Atkinson, who played 10 games as a free safety his freshman year. In 2017, as a linebacker for his second season, Atkinson looked more comfortable in the role and played in all 14 games.

    With the three seniors providing Auburn's experience and leadership, the Tigers have several others to provide back up and potential excitement looking ahead to 2019. Some of the young guys who are expected to see the field this year at linebacker are K.J. Britt, Chandler Wooten and Richard McBryde.

    Britt and McBryde each played in all 14 games in 2017. McBryde also had 12 solo tackles. Wooten, a sophomore, didn't play in every game, but he did have eight total tackles in conference games.

    The front seven for Auburn is expected to be very good in 2018, and the linebacking corps should be just as good as an incredible defensive line. The Tigers' defense kept the team in games last year when the offense sputtered. If the linebackers can help keep the other team's offense off the field successfully this year, the Tigers have a realistic shot of playing in another SEC Championship Game.

    Brandon Miller

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Football Preview: Secondary

    The group on Auburn's defense this fall with the most question marks is undoubtedly the secondary.

    The Tigers will open the season without Carlton Davis, Stephen Roberts, Tray Matthews, Jason Smith and Nick Ruffin - all guys that the Tigers have depended on for multiple years in the past. Saying that, it's not to be said Auburn is in trouble in 2018.

    The Tigers still have experienced players like Jeremiah Dinson, Jamel Dean, Javaris Davis and Daniel Thomas returning. The challenge will just be getting these guys to be leaders and then having the support behind them.

    Dean, Davis, Thomas and Dinson all are likely to be starters this fall at their respective positions.

    Davis and Dean, both juniors, return to the two cornerback positions after being in the mix for a starting spot last fall. Dean recorded 43 total tackles on the year, including five in the SEC Championship and six against UCF. Davis made 29 total tackles on the year, in a season that provided the most action for him as a Tiger.

    Due to depth in the secondary, Dinson could make the move to free safety, while Thomas seems like a strong option at strong safety. Dinson's experience is primary nickleback, where he started in 2017. He recorded 47 total tackles.

    Expected to fill in at nickleback for Dinson could be Jordyn Peters, who played behind Dinson last year. As a true freshman, Peters recorded a team-leading eight tackles against UCF. Thomas, who has been a contributor at strong safety, also has experience at nickleback. He made 35 tackles last fall and intercepted three passes.

    Auburn's defense, which is loaded with experienced talent on the front seven, could see growing pains early in the season while starters adjust to their new roles and underclassmen become contributors. Some of those underclassmen could include freshman cornerback Christian Tutt and sophomore cornerback Traivon Leonard, and freshmen safeties Quindarious Monday and Jamien Sherwood.

    Brandon Miller

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    Special teams will see a few new faces when the the Tigers battle Washington Sept. 1 in Atlanta. Field goal kicker Daniel Carlson and leading punt returner Stephen Roberts have both graduated and will need to be replaced.

    Auburn was very fortunate to have Carlson, who is arguably the best in school history and one of the best ever in the SEC to play at his position for the last four years. Carlson kept the Tigers in close contests by making clutch field goals when the offense sputtered and didn't allow many returns with his booming kickoffs.

    Carlson will definitely be missed, but his younger brother Anders Carlson is ready to take over the field goal kicking duties after being redshirted last year. The younger Carlson, who was the nation's top kicker in the 2017 class, had a solid spring and was named special teams MVP after a perfect 4 for 4 field goals on A-Day with makes from 38, 41, 45 and 53 yards.

    The punter situation is still a question that probably won't be answered until the end of fall camp. Walk-on Aidan Marshall took over the job when Ian Shannon struggled early last season. Newcomer Arryn Siposs arrives in the summer and could win the job over Marshall.

    Christian Tutt and Ryan Davis will be the lead competitors to replace Roberts at punt returns. Tutt is in the mix for the job following a solid spring while Davis has experience in the role with two returns for 42 yards last season.

    Noah Igbinoghene is back as Auburn's top option on kick returns after returning 24 kicks last season for an average of 23.79 yards per return, which ranked sixth in the SEC among return men.

    Igbinoghene helped the Tigers beat Ole Miss by returning a kickoff 70-yards to open the second half. He also had a career-long 72-yarder to start the second half against UCF in the Peach Bowl. Igbinoghene finished the bowl game with six returns for 174 yards, which set a Peach Bowl record for most kickoff return yards.

    An area that saw Auburn struggle last season was the kick and punt coverage units. They ranked 109th nationally allowing 11.43 yards per punt return and dead last allowing 27.2 yards per kick return last season. They also allowed two touchdowns, one a game-changing 75-yard punt return to DJ Chark in the fourth quarter at LSU. The other a week later when Arkansas' De'Vion Warren returned a kickoff 100-yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter.

    Quarterbacks and Receivers

    Running Backs

    Offensive Line

    Defensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Week One SEC Predictions

    No. 9 Auburn faces No. 6 Washington at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sept. 1 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC. Saturday's contest is the first-ever meeting between the Huskies and Tigers. Washington is 1-9 all-time against the SEC, last beating Florida in the 1989 Freedom Bowl.

    Auburn vs Washington

    Chris Peterson is 37-17 as Washington's coach and 129-29 overall. Last season the Huskies went 10-3 overall and 7-2 in the Pac-12. Important returning players include QB Jake Browning, RB Myles Gaskin, TE Hunter Bryant, LB Ben Burr-Kirven, CB Byron Murphy, and S Taylor Rapp.

    Browning and Gaskin are back as fourth-year starters. In 2017, Browning completed 230-of-336 attempts for 2,719 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. Gaskin had 222 carries for 1,380 yards and 21 touchdowns.

    Washington's defense shut down opponent's run game last season but its secondary is probably the strength of the unit. The Huskies allowed just five touchdown passes in Pac-12 play last season, and just 10 touchdown passes on the season, tied for second nationally.

    In 2017, Auburn finished 10-4 overall and 7-1 in the SEC. The Tigers are 1-7 all-time in season openers against ranked opponents and 0-3 in season openers when both teams are ranked. Auburn has lost 11 of its last 12 non-home games against top-20 teams.

    Quarterback Jarrett Stidham returns after a very productive season last fall for the Tigers. Stidham completed 66 percent of his passes, threw for 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns with just six interceptions.

    Wide receiver Ryan Davis will once again look to be Stidham's favorite target in 2018 after a solid season a year ago. He led the offense with 84 catches, 815 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

    After a rocky 2017 season, Auburn's offensive line will be expected to do a better job in the fall of protecting Stidham. In 2017, the Tigers surrendered 2.57 sacks per game, which ranked 101st nationally. Their 6.43 tackles for loss allowed per game also ranked 93rd. If Auburn wants to have success Saturday, the new-look offensive line can't make any mistakes against one of the best defenses in the country.

    Kam Martin will get the bulk of the carries in the backfield in 2018. A year ago, Martin had 74 carries for 453 yards with two touchdowns.

    Auburn's defense is stout once again along the line. The unit returns three of four defensive line starters from 2017 and eight players that appeared in the two-deeps last fall. That includes standouts Dontavius Russell (46 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2017), Derrick Brown (56 tackles, 9 TFL, 3.5 sacks) and Marlon Davidson (43 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks).

    The secondary has to replace Carlton Davis, Tray Matthews and Stephen Roberts from last year's unit. But the Tigers do have some experience returning in Jamel Dean, Javaris Davis, Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas. Dean recorded 43 tackles, eight pass breakups and 2.5 TFL in 2017.

    Prediction: Auburn 28-20.



    Northwestern St at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 45-7.



    C. Carolina at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 50-13.



    Ole Miss vs Texas Tech

    Prediction: Texas Tech 20-17.



    Austin Peay at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 55-6.



    Tennessee vs West Virginia

    Prediction: West Virginia 30-21.



    Cent Michigan at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 23-20.



    UT Martin at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 38-7.



    E Illinois at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 45-10.



    SF Austin at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 37-9.



    Charleston So at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 27-6.



    Mid Tennessee at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 34-23.



    Louisville vs Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 37-13.



    Miami vs LSU

    Prediction: Miami 26-20.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 12-2. This week, Auburn hosts FCS opponent Alabama State at 6:30 pm CT on SEC Network.

    Alabama State at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 48-7.



    Miss St at Kansas State

    Prediction: Miss St 24-20.



    Nevada at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 30-21.



    Arkansas State at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 50-6.



    Georgia at S Carolina

    Prediction: Georgia 27-20.



    S Illinois at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 41-13.



    ETSU at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 42-7.



    Clemson at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 17-14.



    SE Louisiana at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 54-7.



    Wyoming at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 38-10.



    Arkansas at Colorado State

    Prediction: Arkansas 31-17.



    Kentucky at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 24-13.

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 9-3, overall they are 21-5. The battle between two ranked teams will be on CBS at 2:30 pm CT. When LSU visits Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, it will be the 12th time in the last 18 meetings that the teams will meet while both are ranked. LSU leads the all-time series 29-22-1. Auburn leads 12-7 in games played on the Plains.

    LSU at Auburn

    Saturday's contest is the SEC opener for both teams. In SEC openers, Auburn is 48-31-5 all-time, including 21-4 in its last 25.

    LSU is 2-0 after a big victory over Miami in its season opener, and a win over SE Louisiana last Saturday. Led by quarterback Joe Burrow, LSU averages 145.5 passing yards per game, and 32 points per game.

    On the ground, running back Nick Brossette is the main guy and after two games, has 41 carries for 262 yards and two touchdowns.

    So far this season, LSU's defense has been stingy, allowing just 8.5 points per game. Probably the best cornerback in the country, Greedy Williams, tied for the SEC lead with six interceptions last season and could grab a few more on Saturday against a pretty young group of Auburn receivers.

    Also back on defense from a year ago is linebacker Devin White. He led LSU with 133 tackles last season, second in the SEC and most among returning players. He already has 19 tackles and a forced fumble on the young season.

    Auburn also enters Saturday's contest at 2-0 after victories over Washington and FCS opponent Alabama State. After struggling some on the ground against the Huskies, the Tigers racked up 440 rushing yards against the Hornets. Freshman JaTarvious Whitlow led all rushers with 122 yards on 8.7 yards per carry, while freshman Shaun Shivers added 117 and a touchdown on 13 carries.

    The running game looks to keep moving in the right direction against LSU. The success against Alabama State isn't really a good thing. A few young backs got some experience on the field but LSU's defense is a different beast. Running the ball against LSU will be key if Auburn wants to start SEC play at 1-0.

    Led by quarterback Jarrett Stidham, Auburn averages 205.5 passing yards per game, 493.5 yards of total offense, and 42 points per game. Receivers Will Hastings and Eli Stove saw action against Alabama State after both had ACL surgeries about six months ago. They give experience and a boost to the receiving unit.

    Auburn's defense was the talk in the offseason and so far has lived up to the hype. As a unit, the Tigers allow 74.5 rushing ypg, 227 passing ypg, 301.5 total ypg, and 12.5 ppg. The defensive front had four sacks against Alabama State and looks to add more Saturday against LSU.

    Prediction: Auburn 20-14.



    Murray State at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 30-10.



    UTEP at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 40-17.



    Vanderbilt at Notre Dame

    Prediction: Notre Dame 31-13.



    Colorado St at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 17-13.



    North Texas at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 37-9.



    Alabama at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Alabama 30-14.



    Mid Tennessee at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 45-6.



    Louisiana at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 50-6.



    Marshall at S Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 36-7.



    UL Monroe at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 27-10.



    Missouri at Purdue

    Prediction: Purdue 24-21.

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 9-2, overall they are 30-7. This week, Auburn welcomes Arkansas to Jordan-Hare Stadium. The contest can be seen on the SEC Network at 6:30 p.m. CT.

    Arkansas at Auburn

    Both teams will be trying to bounce back after being on the losing side last Saturday. Auburn lost to LSU, while Arkansas was upset by North Texas in Fayetteville.

    Auburn leads the all-time series against Arkansas, 15-11-1, including a 7-5-1 mark at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The last two meetings have been very lopsided with the Tigers winning by a combined score of 108-23.

    Former SMU coach Chad Morris is in his first season as head coach at Arkansas. The Razorbacks are 1-2 overall after an easy win over FCS opponent Eastern Illinois, then losing two straight to Colorado State and North Texas.

    Ty Storey has been named the starting quarterback for Arkansas. Devwah Whaley is the Razorbacks' lead running back, he has 205 yards so far in three games. Wide receiver La'Michael Pettway has 11 receptions for 173 yards and three touchdowns.

    Defensively, Arkansas is led by Armon Watts up front. In three games, Watts has nine tackles, with 3.5 for a loss and three sacks. He leads the SEC in sacks and is tied for 15th nationally.

    Auburn suffered a heartbreaking 22-21 loss to LSU last Saturday. In the contest, the Tigers committed nine penalties for 111 yards, including two for pass interference on LSU's game-winning drive. Auburn ranks last in the SEC and 119th nationally in penalty yards per game.

    Led by quarterback Jarrett Stidham, Auburn's offense averages 235.3 rushing yards per game, 203 passing yards per game, 438.3 total yards of offense per game. and 35 points per game.

    Kevin Steele's unit allows 90 rushing yards per game, 234.3 passing yards per game, 324.3 total yards per game, and 15.7 points per game.

    The Tigers aren't expected to be still thinking about the defeat to LSU which could cause them to overlook a much weaker opponent in Arkansas. Auburn will bounce back and cruise to an easy victory.

    Prediction: Auburn 45-7.



    Georgia at Missouri

    Prediction: Georgia 35-24.



    Kent State at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 50-7.



    Texas A&M at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 48-10.



    S Carolina at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 24-21.



    LA Tech at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 35-6.



    Miss St at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 26-23.



    Florida at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 21-20.

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-2, overall they are 36-9. This week, Auburn welcomes Southern Miss for Homecoming. The contest can be seen on SEC Network starting at 3 p.m. CT. Auburn leads the series 17-5 and has won three straight.

    Southern Miss at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 42-6.



    Tennessee at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 40-10.



    Louisiana at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 60-3.



    Arkansas vs Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 34-13.



    Tennessee St at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 33-12.



    Florida at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St. 24-14.



    S Carolina at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 17-13.



    Ole Miss at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 31-21.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 7-1, overall they are 43-10. This week, Auburn hits the road to face Mississippi State. The contest will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

    Auburn at Miss St

    Auburn leads the all-time series 63-26-2 against Mississippi State. Last year the Tigers won 49-10 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Auburn improved to 4-1 on the season after a sloppy 24-13 victory over Southern Miss. After a 2-hour, 44-minute weather delay, the Tigers managed just 96 yards on the ground and averaged 2.7 yards per carry. The 96 rushing yards marked the first time since the 2012 season that the team has been held to fewer than 100 yards rushing in back-to-back games.

    As a unit, Auburn currently ranks ninth in the SEC and 64th nationally in rushing offense at 178.6 yards per game. Led by Jarrett Stidham's 245 passing yards against Southern Miss, the Tigers average 197.6 passing yards per game. The unit ranks 95th nationally with 376.2 total yards of offense per game and 54th nationally with 32.6 points per game.

    Defensively, Kevin Steele's unit continues to play well but will be tested on the road in Starkville. Overall, the Tigers allow 92.8 rushing yards per game, 211.8 passing yards per game, 304.6 total yards per game, and 12.6 points per game.

    MSU enters the contest on a two-game losing streak against Kentucky Sept. 22 and Florida Sept. 29. The Bulldogs are 3-2 overall and 0-2 in SEC play.

    Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald has 640 passing yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Kylin Hill leads the offense with 348 rushing yards while receiver Osirus Mitchell has 12 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

    Overall, MSU's offense averages 219 rushing yards per game, 214.2 passing yards per game, and 32.6 points per game. The defense gives up 13.4 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 17-13 .



    LSU at Florida

    Prediction: LSU 24-17.



    Alabama at Arkansas

    Prediction: Alabama 40-7.



    Missouri at S Carolina

    Prediction: Missouri 26-21.



    UL Monroe at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 28-21.



    Kentucky at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 31-24.



    Vanderbilt at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 41-17.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-3, overall they are 47-13. This week, Auburn hosts Tennessee for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff and will be televised on SEC Network. Auburn leads the all-time series 28-21-3. The Tigers have won the last six meetings including 55-23 in Knoxville in 2013.

    Tennessee at Auburn

    The Vols were off last Saturday and visit Jordan-Hare Stadium on a two game losing streak. UT is 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has thrown for 801 yards with four touchdowns, running back Tim Jordan has 258 yards on 63 carries and two touchdowns while wide receiver Marquez Callaway has hauled in 16 catches for 231 yards.

    Overall, the Vols average 182.8 passing yards per game, 177.2 rushing yards per game, and 26.4 points per game. On defense, the unit allows 25.6 points per game.

    The Tigers are 4-2 overall, and 0-2 in the SEC after a 23-9 loss on the road at Mississippi State. Jarrett Stidham completed 19-of-38 passes for 214 yards, his lowest completion percentage of the season. The running game is still struggling as Auburn was held below 100 yards for the third straight game. Boobee Whitlow finished the contest with eight carries for 88 yards.

    Kevin Steele's defense allowed the Bulldogs to rush for 349 yards, the most under Steele and the most since LSU's 411 in 2015. The unit didn't have an answer for MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns.

    After six games, Auburn's offense averages 163.8 rushing yards per game, 200.3 passing yards per game, 364.2 total yards of offense, and 28.7 points per game.

    On defense, the Tigers allow 135.3 rushing yards per game, 188 passing yards per game, 323.5 total yards, and 14.3 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 30-12.



    Florida at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Florida 28-10.



    Georgia at LSU

    Prediction: Georgia 27-17.



    Texas A&M at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 17-13.



    Missouri at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 48-20.



    Ole Miss at Arkansas

    Prediction: Ole Miss 33-14.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-3, overall they are 50-16. This week, Auburn travels to Oxford to battle Ole Miss at 11 a.m. CT. The game can be seen on ESPN. Auburn leads the all-time series 31-11 against the Rebels. Last year in Auburn, the Tigers racked up 561 yards of total offense in the 44-23 win.

    Auburn at Ole Miss

    Auburn is now 4-3 overall and 1-3 in the SEC after a tough 30-24 loss at home against Tennessee. The schedule doesn't get any easier for the struggling Tigers, with Ole Miss this week, then home against Texas A&M Nov. 3, and road games against Georgia Nov. 10 and Alabama Nov. 24.

    Against the Vols, Jarrett Stidham didn't have his best performance, throwing two interceptions under pressure, and also a fumble in the third quarter. Tennessee scored 14 points off Stidham's turnovers. On the afternoon, Stidham completed 28-of-45 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns.

    A usually stout Auburn defense allowed the Vols 396 total yards but 328 yards coming through the air with Jarrett Guarantano under center. Guarantano completed 21-of-32 passes with a pair of touchdowns. He was 11-of-14 for 188 yards and a touchdown on third downs.

    Against the run, the Tigers did see some improvement, holding Tennessee to just 68 yards rushing and 1.9 yards per carry for the afternoon. Auburn recorded three sacks and four hurries.

    After seven games, Auburn's offense averages 158.4 rushing yards per game, 217.7 passing yards per game, 376.1 total yards per game, and 28 points per game.

    On defense, the Tigers allow 125.9 yards per game on the ground, 208 yards per game through the air, 333.9 total yards, and 16.6 points per game.

    Ole Miss improved to 5-2 overall and 1-2 in SEC play after a late comeback to defeat Arkansas 37-33. Quarterback Jordan Ta'amu was the difference in the contest, passing for 387 yards and adding 141 yards on the ground. Ta'amu's single-game total yardage is the second most in Ole Miss history, trailing only a 540-yard effort by Archie Manning.

    Offensively, the Rebels pass for 353.1 yards per game, 197.7 rushing yards per game, and score 41.6 points per game. On the defensive side, the unit allows 35.1 points per game.

    Prediction: Ole Miss 27-21.



    Tulsa at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 24-20.



    Alabama at Tennessee

    Prediction: Alabama 38-10.



    Memphis at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 31-23.



    Miss St at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 27-20.



    Vanderbilt at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-17.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 55-17. This week, Auburn enjoys a much needed weekend off to regroup for a tough November stretch. The Tigers return to action Nov. 3 at home against Texas A&M.

    Vanderbilt at Arkansas

    Prediction: Vandy 24-21.



    Florida vs Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 35-17.



    Kentucky at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 31-24.



    Texas A&M at Mississippi St

    Prediction: Texas A&M 27-20.



    Tennessee at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 23-16.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-2, overall they are 58-19. This week, Auburn returns to action to face Texas A&M at Jordan-Hare Stadium for an 11 am CT kickoff on ESPN. The Aggies lead the all-time series 5-3 and have won all three games played at Jordan-Hare Stadium since entering the league in 2012. Auburn won last year's meeting 42-27 in College Station.

    Texas A&M at Auburn

    Auburn got a much needed victory on the road at Ole Miss Oct. 20. The 31-16 win improved the Tigers to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in SEC play. Following a bye week under Gus Malzahn, Auburn has a perfect 7-0 record.

    After eight games, Auburn's offense averages 172.3 rushing yards per game, 217.4 passing yards per game, 389.6 total yards of offense, and 28.4 points per game.

    Quarterback Jarrett Stidham has completed 142-of-235 attempts for 1,714 yards with eight touchdowns and has thrown four interceptions. JaTarvious Whitlow leads all running backs with 626 yards on 100 carries and four touchdowns. Darius Slayton has hauled in 21 catches for 332 yards with one touchdown.

    On defense, the Tigers allow 125.5 rushing yards per game, 222.5 passing yards per game, 348 total yards and only 16.5 points per game.

    Texas A&M is 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. On Saturday at Mississippi State, the Bulldogs upset the Aggies 28-13. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak. Kellen Mond completed 23-of-46 passes for 232 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Texas A&M mustered just 61 yards rushing.

    For the season, Mond has completed 155-of-260 attempts for 2,032 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Running back Trayveon Williams leads the team with 824 yards and eight touchdowns while wide receiver Jace Sternberger has 31 catches for 509 yards and six touchdowns.

    Prediction:Auburn 24-20 .



    Georgia at Kentucky

    Prediction: Georgia 27-17.



    Missouri at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 31-23.



    S Carolina at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 24-21.



    Charlotte at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 38-10.



    LA Tech at Mississippi State

    Prediction: Mississippi State 40-17.



    Alabama at LSU

    Prediction: Alabama 28-24.

    Fire That Coach

    If a football coach had one win in 16 seasons, the fans would demand he be fired. It's time to fire Mike Rogers.

    Alabama Third District U.S. Representative Mike Rogers is being challenged by former Miss America Mallory Hagan. While many are framing this election as a referendum on the presidency of Donald Trump, we feel that it is important to make the decision based upon what is best for Alabama.

    Rogers is running for his ninth term in Congress. During his 16 years in congress he has introduced 53 bills and resolutions. While Rogers deserves credit for trying time after time, only one bill introduced by Rogers has ever become law. His one success was a technical amendment to a spending bill to allow the Department of Homeland Security to spend cash donations received.

    It is not gridlock, either. Republicans have controlled the House for six of his eight terms, yet most of the bills Rogers has proposed have never even come to a vote in the House.

    Even if Rogers had more success convincing his colleagues to support him, it would not have been much help for the people of Alabama. Most of his bills have little to do with Alabama at all.

    It has become something of a running punch-line in the Capitol, as on the first day of each new Congress Mike Rogers dutifully introduces his bill for the U.S. to quit the United Nations. This non-starter would save a fraction of a percent of our budget while potentially destabilizing U.S. foreign relations for decades.

    It is time for new blood. Is is time for a change. It is time to fire Mike Rogers and see what Mallory Hagan can do for Alabama. Vote Tuesday November 6.

    Fire That Coach

    If a football coach had one win in 16 seasons, the fans would demand he be fired. It's time to fire Mike Rogers.

    Alabama Third District U.S. Representative Mike Rogers is being challenged by former Miss America Mallory Hagan. While many are framing this election as a referendum on the presidency of Donald Trump, we feel that it is important to make the decision based upon what is best for Alabama.

    Rogers is running for his ninth term in Congress. During his 16 years in congress he has introduced 53 bills and resolutions. While Rogers deserves credit for trying time after time, only one bill introduced by Rogers has ever become law. His one success was a technical amendment to a spending bill to allow the Department of Homeland Security to spend cash donations received.

    It is not gridlock, either. Republicans have controlled the House for six of his eight terms, yet most of the bills Rogers has proposed have never even come to a vote in the House.

    Even if Rogers had more success convincing his colleagues to support him, it would not have been much help for the people of Alabama. Most of his bills have little to do with Alabama at all.

    It has become something of a running punch-line in the Capitol, as on the first day of each new Congress Mike Rogers dutifully introduces his bill for the U.S. to quit the United Nations. This non-starter would save a fraction of a percent of our budget while potentially destabilizing U.S. foreign relations for decades.

    It is time for new blood. Is is time for a change. It is time to fire Mike Rogers and see what Mallory Hagan can do for Alabama. Vote Tuesday November 6.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 60-21. This week, Auburn and Georgia continue the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry Saturday in Athens at 6 p.m. CT. The contest can be seen on ESPN. Georgia leads the all-time series 58-56-8.

    Auburn at Georgia

    The Tigers haven't won in Athens since a thrilling 31-30 victory in 2005. Last year the rivals met twice, with Auburn winning easily 40-17 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and with Georgia getting revenge in the SEC Championship game 28-7.

    The Bulldogs enter Saturday's matchup at 8-1 overall and 6-1 in conference play after defeating Kentucky 34-17 in Lexington. The victory over the Wildcats sends Georgia to the SEC Championship game Dec. 1 in Atlanta.

    Quarterback Jake Fromm has thrown for 1,762 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season. Elijah Holyfield leads the team with 674 rushing yards on 103 carries with five touchdowns, while receiver Riley Ridley has hauled in 30 catches for 411 yards and five touchdowns.

    Georgia's offense averages 38.6 points per game, 233.8 rushing yards per game, and 222.4 yards through the air. Its defense allows just 16.4 points per game.

    Auburn improved to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in SEC play with a 28-24 dramatic win over Texas A&M. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham completed 18-of-29 passes for 239 yards. Darius Slayton had eight catches for 107 yards.

    The Tigers struggled on the ground, gaining 19 yards on 21 carries. It was the fewest since gaining 18 against Mississippi State in 2000.

    For the season, Auburn is last in the SEC averaging 155.2 rushing yards per game. It's unlikely Auburn will have a 1,000-yard rusher for the 10th straight season with three games remaining.

    The passing game is a bit better, ranking No. 8 in the conference with 222 yards per game.

    After gaining 278 total yards of offense against the Aggies, Auburn's average dropped to 377.2 total yards per game.

    The Tigers still feature a stingy defense, allowing just 17.3 points per game, which ranks No. 6 in the SEC and 13th among FBS teams this season. The unit also allows 356.1 total yards per game, 222.2 passing yards per game, and 133.9 rushing yards per game.

    Prediction: Georgia 27-17.



    Miss St at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 41-7.



    LSU at Arkansas

    Prediction: LSU 30-13.



    Kentucky at Tennessee

    Prediction: Kentucky 26-14.



    South Carolina at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 17-13.



    Ole Miss at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 30-21.



    Vanderbilt at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 34-21.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-1, overall they are 66-22. This week, Auburn hosts Liberty at 3 p.m. CT on SEC Alternate Network.

    Liberty at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 45-10.



    The Citadel at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 50-0.



    Mid Tennessee at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 35-13.



    Idaho at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 31-6.



    Arkansas at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 27-14.



    Missouri at Tennessee

    Prediction: Missouri 28-17.



    UMass at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 45-6.



    UAB at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 44-13.



    Rice at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 43-7.



    Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Ole Miss 17-14.



    Chattanooga at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 31-3.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 10-1, overall they are 70-22. This week, Auburn travels to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama in the Iron Bowl at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Alabama leads the series 45361. In last year's meeting, Auburn upset No. 1 Alabama 26-14 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Auburn at Alabama

    The Tigers improved to 7-4 overall as the defense shutout Liberty 53-0 on Senior Day. Wide receiver Seth Williams hauled in five catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, while Kam Martin added 116 yards on the ground. Auburn's offense had 531 total yards of offense, its highest output against an FBS foe this year.

    Jarrett Stidham was 12-of-18 passing for 178 yards with two touchdowns, and he ran for another score. For the year, Stidham has completed 196-of-318 attempts for 2,294 yards with 12 toouchdowns and four interceptions.

    JaTarvious Whitlow leads Auburn's inconsistent rushing attack with 716 yards on 124 carries with four touchdowns. Ryan Davis leads the receiving corps with 60 catches for 508 yards.

    On offense, the Tigers average 167.2 rushing yards per game, 214.6 passing yards per game, 381.8 total yards of offense, 28.9 points per game.

    Defensively, Auburn allows 142.3 rushing yards per game, 208.4 passing yards per game, 350.6 total offense per game, and 16.6 points per game.

    No. 1 Alabama has cruised to an 11-0 overall record and 7-0 in conference play. The Tide beat FCS opponent The Citadel 50-17 on Saturday. Tua Tagovailoa completed 18-of- 22 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns. The three touchdowns gives him 31 for the year, breaking AJ McCarron's school single-season record of 30 touchdown passes.

    For the season, Tagovailoa has completed 164-of-237 passes for 2,865 yards and two interceptions.

    Damien Harris leads the team with 678 rushing yards on 108 carries with seven touchdowns. Jerry Jeudy has been outstanding in 2018 with 51 catches for 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns.

    Alabama's offense averages 48.7 points per game, 328 passing yards per game, and 213.5 rushing yards per game. On defense, the unit allows just 13.1 points per game.

    Prediction: Alabama 41-13.



    Miss St at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Miss St 24-21.



    Arkansas at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 38-7.



    Georgia Tech at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 31-17.



    Florida at Florida State

    Prediction: Florida 30-18.



    Tennessee at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 20-13.



    S Carolina at Clemson

    Prediction: Clemson 41-20.



    Kentucky at Louisville

    Prediction: Kentucky 28-6.



    LSU at Texas A&M

    Prediction: LSU 26-16.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2018

    Former Alabama Speaker of the House, Mike Hubbard was convicted of 12 felony ethics counts in 2016. He has yet to see a day in jail--our top story for 2018. Read our top ten.

    Top Ten Stories for 2018
      1. Mike Hubbard At Large
      2. Growing Concerns
      3. Sky-High Parking
      4. Hoop Dreams
      5. Aubie Turns 40
      6. Election Day
      7. Mystery Solved?
      8. Dee Ford! (No, Not Him)
      9. Top of The Class
    10. Snow Day!

    1. Convicted felon Mike Hubbard remained free on bond pending his appeal of a four-year sentence in 2016 for ethics violations.

    2. Auburn reported the second fastest population growth in the state and downtown construction continued unabated in 2018.

    3. The price of parking in downtown Auburn quadrupled as the city extended enforcement hours.

    4. Bruce Pearl's Auburn basketball exceed all expectations in 2018 with an SEC regular season crown.

    5. Aubie opening empty giftbox Auburn's favorite tiger, nine-time mascot of the year, mascot hall of famer, Aubie turned 40 in 2018.

    6. In August, Auburn held city elections and began the Mayor Ron Anders era with six first-time city council members.

    7. With an arrest made in connection with the 2006 disappearance of Lori Slesinski, we may soon learn of her fate.

    8. A "boring surveyor from Kent," Dee Ford found out what it means to be a member of the Auburn Family during a November visit to the Plains.

    9. Auburn University reached the pinnacle of educational excellence with the awarding of the prestigious Carnegie Institute designation as a top-tier research university.

    10. Auburn students enjoyed a rare snow day last January as the state experienced a major snowfall, closing schools and businesses. Snowfall in Auburn January 17, 2018

    5 quick takeaways from Auburns A-Day game

    Weve officially gotten our first look at the 2019 Auburn Tigers. Sure, it was only a scrimmage, but the annual A-Day spring game can sometimes provide answers fans are craving to know.

    With the Orange team defeating the Blue team 28-10, there were a few things that stood out. Heres a quick look at five things we noticed at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    No separation at QB

    No one expected a starting quarterback to be named after A-Day, but there wasnt even much separation between Malik Willis, Joey Gatewood, Cord Sandberg and Bo Nix. The good news, however, is that they all looked really good.

    All four quarterbacks played for both teams, with freshman Nix throwing for a game-high 155 yards on 11 of 17 passing, adding two touchdowns. Gatewood also threw two touchdowns. He had 130 yards on 8 of 11 passing.

    Willis threw for 95 yards on 9 of 10 passing and had a touchdown. Sandberg completed 8 of his 9 attempts, throwing for 54 yards.

    As expected, the battle will continue into the spring and likely into the fall, but the good news for Tiger fans is Auburn should have a ready back-up and maybe even third-string QB on roster.

    Best WR corps in the nation?

    The answer might be yes, but even if Auburns receivers arent the best in FBS, they might be close. The A-Day game was honestly a short highlight reel for sophomore Seth Williams and welcoming party for redshirt freshman Matthew Hill.

    Williams earned offensive MVP honors for his 103 receiving yards and two touchdowns on four receptions. Hill also had two touchdowns, totaling 128 yards on five receptions.

    Not to be forgotten, Eli Stove hauled in four passes for 63 yards and a score. In total, Auburns passing game totaled a combined 476 yards.

    Standby for defensive answers

    For anyone hoping for defensive answers during A-Day, those arent as easy to find. What is concrete is Derrick Brown, who was named the defensive MVP after making four tackles and two sacks. Also, Jamien Sherwood had a game-high seven tackles.

    But beyond that, there isnt much to tell. The coaching staff will continue meshing different guys in the front seven and secondary during the summer and fall and well see how the defense looks in late August.

    Who is RB2?

    Jatarvious Whitlow looked in good shape during the spring scrimmage, rushing for 44 yards on seven carries. So, with RB1 averaging 6.3 yards per carry and still looking to remain RB1, whos the next guy to get carries?

    One guy to keep an eye on is freshman D.J. Williams. Williams looked good, especially on a game-long 29-yard carry. He finished the day with 56 yards on 10 carries.

    Kam Martin rushed for 20 yards on three carries. Harold Joiner added 21 yards on six carries.

    The kicking game still has it

    It wouldnt be an Auburn football story without mentioning field goals.

    Anders Carlson attempted only one field goal, but he drilled a 46-yarder. That should make every Tiger fan happy.

    Punter Arryn Siposs got a lot of work, booming nine total punts. He averaged 46.4 yards per punt and had a long of 59 yards.

    Football Preview: Offensive Line

    Auburn's offensive line struggled at times last season, especially early on. Now with the same five starters from a year ago along the line, the unit will play an important role with a new starter at quarterback for Gus Malzahn's offense.

    With Jarrett Stidham moving on to the NFL, the Tigers will have a new signal caller in 2019.

    After a very competitive spring between four candidates, Malzahn and first-year offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham have narrowed down the quarterback job to two, newcomer Bo Nix and redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood.

    Nix and Gatewood will likely battle well into fall camp to start under center. Both lack experience but that doesn't mean the offense will be mediocre.

    Offensive line coach J.B. Grimes witnessed his group of young men go through growing pains at the start of the 2018 season. The unit continued to jell and improve as the season progressed.

    With so much experience returning and after a productive spring, the unit is expected to perform well which will help take some of the pressure off of the young starting quarterback.

    Kaleb Kim is back to anchor the center position after making eight starts in 2018. Early-season injuries caused Kim to struggle and to lose the starting job to redshirt freshman Nick Brahms after the first three games.

    Kim's return to the starting lineup in November helped Auburn's offense improve late in the season, including a dominating 63-14 victory over Purdue in the Music City Bowl in Nashville.

    The unit got a big boost in January when left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho and left guard Marquel Harrell both decided not to bolt for the NFL and return to the Plains for the 2019 season.

    Wanogho started all 13 games in 2018 and was the most consistent performer on Auburns offensive line. Wanogho finished the regular season as the 17th-highest graded offensive lineman in FBS, according to Pro Football Focus analysis.

    On the right side of the line, Mike Horton starts at guard and Jack Driscoll is back at the tackle position. Both started all 13 games in 2018.

    Football Preview: Linebackers

    The middle of Auburn's defense was anchored by senior leadership in 2018. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has to find replacements for that leadership but doesn't expect any drop off for a unit that produced 231 tackles.

    Gone are Deshaun Davis, Darrell Williams and Montavious Atkinson from last year's linebacking corps. Davis led the team in tackles with 112 and was the vocal leader of the defense. Williams was tied for second in total stops with 74 and Atkinson added 41.

    All of that production will certainly be missed, especially with Auburns returning linebackers having only 40 combined tackles.

    The Tigers will count on two-year backup K.J. Britt to replace Davis at middle linebacker. Britt might not be the same vocal leader that Davis was, but the rising junior promises to let his actions on the field lead the group.

    Britt led by example in the spring and is expected to continue to be a mentor to the other linebackers like Chandler Wooten when fall camp opens in August. Wooten spent the spring behind Britt at middle linebacker and with the first-team at strongside when the Tigers used a three-linebacker set.

    Auburn signed five-star linebacker Owen Pappoe during the early signing period, and he participated in spring drills. Steele and position coach Travis Williams were very pleased with his progress and production in the spring.

    Pappoe will battle Zakoby McClain for playing time on the weakside. As a freshman last season, McClain appeared in all 13 games, finishing with four total tackles and a pass breakup.

    Football Preview: Secondary

    Auburn's secondary steadily improved throughout the 2018 season with the help of Noah Igbinoghene, who made the move from wide receiver to cornerback prior to spring drills. With just one departure, Jamel Dean, the returning defensive backs look to build on a solid 2018 campaign.

    Dean's decision to leave early for the NFL was a bit of a surprise. The junior cornerback had nine pass breakups and was tied for the team lead with two interceptions to go along with 30 tackles, including two for a loss and a sack.

    The unit finished the season 58th in pass defense and 31st in pass efficiency defense, 30th on third-downs, 24th in interceptions (14) and tied for 28th in passes defended (68).

    Even without Dean for the 2019 season, Auburn has enough returning talent to improve on those numbers and Igbinoghene will once again play a major role in the defensive backfield.

    Igbinoghene's decision to jump from receiver to the defensive side of the ball turned out to be a smart move for the entire secondary. He led the team with 11 pass breakups to go along with an interception, a forced fumble and 50 tackles.

    At the other cornerback spot, Christian Tutt is set to start after a strong freshman season in which he saw considerable playing time in 11 of Auburns 13 games. Tutt finished with 25 tackles, one for a loss, one sack, one interception, and two hurries.

    Javaris Davis recorded 41 tackles, three for a loss, one sack, eight pass breakups, and hauled in two interceptions mainly at nickel last season. He should see most of his action again at nickel but could rotate to the outside when needed.

    At strong safety, Daniel Thomas thought about leaving early for the NFL Draft but opted to return for his senior season in 2019.

    In his first year as a full-time starter, he emerged as one of the biggest playmakers on the Tigers defense. He finished tied for second on the team with 74 tackles, two for a loss, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three hurries, while adding a pair of interceptions (including a pick-six).

    Jamien Sherwood was one of the nations top freshman safeties in 2018. He finished the season with 23 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, an interception, three pass breakups and a quarterback hurry while backing up Thomas at strong safety.

    Jeremiah Dinson also considered leaving early for the NFL but opted to return for one more season. In 2018, Dinson recorded 64 tackles, four for a loss, one sack, three pass breakups, one hurry, one forced fumble, and two interceptions.

    Dinson will be penciled in as the starter at free safety in the fall, but Smoke Monday could see plenty of playing time after gaining valuable experience as a freshman a year ago.

    Offensive Line

    Linebackers

    Football Preview: Special Teams

    The typical summertime speculation that surrounds a host of position groups never seems to include Auburns kicking game. That will continue to be the trend in 2019.

    The Tigers return kicker Anders Carlson and punter Arryn Siposs this fall.

    Carlson returns after his first season of full-time kicking duties having made 15 of 25 field goals, including making 10 of 11 attempts under 40 yards. Seven of Anders 10 missed attempts came beyond 50 yards. He also returns for kickoff duty.

    The Australian-born Siposs booted all but one of Auburns punts in 2018. In 56 punts, he averaged 44.2 yards per kick. He had 10 punts travel 50-plus yards and had 17 downed inside the 20.

    Though kickoff returns are diminishing as the game moves forward, Auburn returns Noah Igbinoghene deep. While also making a name for himself in the defensive secondary, Igbinoghene returned a team-leading 11 kicks for an average of 28.3 yards per return in 2018. His longest return was 96 yards, which was for a score.

    Lead punter returner Ryan Davis graduated following the 2018 season, so hell have big shoes to fill. One player some are looking to replace Davis is sophomore Christian Tutt. As a freshman, Tutt had five punt returns for 65 yards, which averages to 13 yards per return. His longest was 32 yards.

    Special teams has been a unit head coach Gus Malzahn has always taken pride in. With position coach Larry Porter entering his third season with the Tigers, this is a group fans should have confidence in. The unit will also be a good opportunity for younger players to make their first impacts on the field.

    Brandon Miller

    Offensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Football Preview: Running Backs

    The Auburn offense has many moving pieces, but under head coach Gus Malzahn it is pretty well known that the running back who carries the ball also carries the offense. In 2013 and 2017, we saw it with Tre Mason and Kerryon Johnson, where their play elevated the Tigers into the BCS National Championship Game and SEC Championship Game, respectively.

    Entering the 2019 season, every Auburn fan knows Boobee Whitlow is the next guy up. The Lafayette native had a huge break-out season in 2018, rushing for 787 yards and six touchdowns on 150 attempts, averaging more than 5 yards a carry. He added 173 yards and two scores on 15 receptions (11.5 yards per reception). Thats not bad for a kid who was recruited to be a wide receiver, but can Whitlow bring his game to the next level this fall?

    The only thing that slowed down Whitlow thus far has been injuries. He redshirted in 2017 while missing the entire season with an injury then battled more injuries last fall down the stretch of a brutal SEC schedule.

    Tiger fans should have confidence in Whitlow being RB1. In the 2019 A-Day game, Whitlow averaged 6.3 yards per carry, taking only seven handoffs and recording 44 yards. But considering his injury-prone history and realistic understanding that Auburn will need more than one guy carrying the ball, who else on the roster can add some good carries? There are actually several players.

    Kam Martin will have his share of carries this fall. The Baylor transfer was expected to be the starting running back in 2018 before Whitlow took center stage. Still, Martin had 458 yards and a touchdown on 103 carries. Playing limitedly in the A-Day game this spring, Martin had 20 yards on three carries. This fall, his role is going to be pivotal. Even if he continues playing behind Whitlow, Martin should receive a high number of carries and Auburn will need him to play to his potential to keep the offense moving the ball.

    It would not be a stretch to feel confident that Whitlow and Martin will be the top two premier backs for the Tigers this fall. However, there are some other players who have caught the attention of coaches and fans that could contribute.

    True freshman D.J. Williams had one of the most talked about performances in the A-Day game. The four-star recruit rushed only 10 times, racking up 57 yards, but the initial reaction to the newcomer picking up chunks of yards at a time was, Who is this guy? Now as the Tigers prepare for the start of fall practice, you have to wonder how Malzahn could work Williams into the offense.

    Auburn also has two in-state players who could be worth keeping an eye on.

    Mountain Brook native Harold Joiner played against Washington and scored a touchdown against Alabama State while redshirting in 2018, but itll be interesting to see how much action the 6-foot-4, 215-pound back sees in 2019. During A-Day, Joiner had 21 yards on six carries, which arent the most attractive numbers, but that doesnt mean the redshirt freshman cannot contribute this fall. Saying that, Malzahn and Co. might also be grooming Joiner for when hes an upperclassman.

    The last running back who has been a curious case is Malik Miller. The Madison Academy graduate shared a backfield with Johnson in high school, but the two have had different results at Auburn. Miller, a junior, suffered a season-ended injury after only three games in 2016 and has seen plenty of action the last two seasons despite the box score not necessarily showing it. In 2017, Miller had 135 yards on 34 carries in 12 games and last year he had 68 yards on 19 carries in 10 games. Where the 5-foot-11, 235-pound running back might contribute best is at the goal line, where he punched in three touchdowns last year. However, during A-Day, Miller had six carries for 13 yards.

    As the 2019 season approaches, the running back naturally has a big role in the Auburn offense. But with the Tigers having a freshman quarterback in either Joey Gatewood or Bo Nix, the running backs will need to elevate their game immediately with Oregon being Auburns season opener. The good news (maybe bad news?) for the Tigers is the concept is not new. The years that Auburns offense has been incredibly successful are also the years that the ground game has been efficient. Auburn has the tools to have a strong running game in 2019, its just a question of how its done.

    Brandon Miller

    Offensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Special Teams

    Football Preview: Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Auburn will have a new look in 2019. Not only will the Tigers sport a new quarterback, but hell also be a freshman. The only question remaining for Gus Malzahn and Co. is will it be redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood or true freshman Bo Nix.

    Malzahn held a wide-open quarterback competition in the spring with Gatewood and Nix being joined primarily by Malik Willis and Cord Sandberg following the departure of Jarrett Stidham after the 2018 season. Post-spring game, Malzahn non-characteristically announced it will be one of the two freshmen leading the offense this fall.

    So, what should Auburn fans expect from either quarterback? Excitement, for one.

    Gatewood is a big-body dual-threat player listed at 6-foot-5, 233 pounds. He received very limited playing time last year as the third-string QB, playing only in the Music City Bowl, where he rushed for 28 yards. In the A-Day game, with Gatewood sporting an orange non- contact jersey, fans didnt have a chance to see his ground game, but Gatewood did air the ball out. Playing for both the Blue and Orange teams, he threw for a combined 130 yards and two touchdowns on 8 of 12 passing.

    Nix was just as impressive in the spring game. The freshman from Pinson Valley was referred to some on Signing Day 2019 as the most highly-touted QB signee in the history of Auburn football, and he showed it in April. Nix, splitting time with both teams, threw for a combined 155 yards and two scores on 11 of 17 passing. He did have an interception. It is also worth noting Nix is the son of Auburn QB legend Patrick Nix.

    Malzahn says a starting quarterback will be named before Auburn faces Oregon in the season opener. But while the battle continues into fall practice, there are some familiar names that the starting QB will have as targets.

    Seth Williams made a splash as a true freshman in 2018, proving himself as a big-time playmaker. Williams had 524 receiving yards on 26 receptions and five touchdowns last season, averaging an astounding 20.5 yards per catch. In the spring game, he continued his successful ways, catching four passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

    Eli Stove is another guy Tiger fans will find comfort in having on the field with a new QB. He has made a name for himself as a speedy player who can pick up chunks of yards through the air and on the ground.

    Stove is returning from very limited action in 2018 following an ACL injury, but showed during the A-Day game that he is getting back to form. He caught four passes for 63 yards and a score. This is an optimistic sign after Stove rushed for more than 300 yards and had more than 200 receiving yards in 2017.

    One of the fun question marks at wideout this fall comes with Matthew Hill. The redshirt freshman became known as a playmaker during the spring game when he caught two passes for 52 yards and a touchdown for the Orange team and added three catches for 76 yards and a score for the Blue team. It wouldnt be assuming too much to expect the former 4-star recruit to contribute in the fall, but the question is how much of a star can this kid be.

    There are some guys Tiger fans didnt see in the spring that should have an impact this fall. Will Hastings returns for his senior year after spending 2018 recovering from an ACL injury. Hastings, who is listed as only 5-foot-10, 174 pounds, came onto the scene in 2017 when he had 525 receiving yards and four scores.

    Speedster Anthony Schwartz returns as a threat in the passing and rushing games. The world-class sprinter played in all 13 games last year as a true freshman and recorded 357 receiving yards and two touchdowns and 211 yards and five touchdowns on the ground last year. Schwartz is a unique threat for the Tigers that fans should expect Malzahn to continue utilizing.

    Several other passing-game threats who could have emerging seasons are wide receivers Sal Cannella and Shedrick Jackson. Freshman tight end Tyler Fromm is also a player that coaches on The Plains are excited to have. The 6-foot-5, 218-pound newcomer was an early-enrollee, so his impact could be immediate for the Tigers.

    Brandon Miller

    Offensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Special Teams

    Running Backs

    Football Preview: Defensive Line

    The Auburn defensive line could have had a completely different look in 2019. Had Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson not returned to the Plains for their senior seasons, its not worth speculating how it would have affected the Tigers but it would have. But with the two players back, Auburn now blends veteran experience with several newcomers for what should be a solid group.

    Browns impact at defensive tackle is unquestionable. He is arguably one of the best in the country and recorded 48 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, and 4.5 sacks a season ago. But what Brown also brings is a veteran presence to the position, which is important after the Tigers lost departing Dontavius Russell.

    Now with Brown back at one DT spot, it allows juniors Tyrone Truesdell and Daquan Newkirk, sophomore Coynis Miller Jr. and other underclassmen a chance to learn and grow through the veteran player. Truesdell is expected to start alongside Brown, with Miller being his reserve and Newkirk filling in for Brown.

    The Tigers are loaded at defensive end, with Davidson leading the position and Big Kat Bryant bringing upperclassman experience to his reserve role. Davidsons return after recording 46 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, last year not only adds a solid presence on the end of the line, it also provides depth. Bryant returns for his junior year after recording 18 tackles, 4 for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown in 2018.

    Some newcomers to keep an eye on are four-star recruits Charles Moore and Jaren Handy, both of whom participated in spring practice.

    With the end and tackle positions mostly loaded down with proven talent, its only fitting to have several familiar names returning for the prolific Buck position. The depth chart is expected to look the same as in 2018, with redshirt junior Nick Coe returning from a 2018 season that included 27 tackles, including 13 for loss, seven sacks and two forced fumbles. Behind Coe is T.D. Moultry, who as a sophomore had 11 tackles, 2.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks.

    The Tigers defensive line has been a staple to the defense for several years. Its been a blessing or curse depending on productivity. In 2019, the Tigers return a handful of players that contributed to a line last year that entering the season was considered one of the best in the nation. To have the experience that the line has returning, it is pivotal for the success of the defense that the big guys in the trenches play well.

    Brandon Miller

    Offensive Line

    Linebackers

    Secondary

    Special Teams

    Running Backs

    Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

    Week One SEC Predictions

    Auburn starts the 2019 season with the tough task of facing Pac-12 opponent Oregon in Arlington, TX. The contest can be seen at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

    Auburn vs Oregon

    All-time in season openers, the Tigers are 97-27-2 and 5-1 under head coach Gus Malzahn. Theyre 9-3 against current members of the Pac-12 Conference and 1-0 against Oregon.

    The Tigers look to improve on a somewhat disappointing season a year ago when Gus Malzahn's team ended up 8-5 overall and 3-5 in the SEC.

    Malzahn named Bo Nix the starting quarterback last week after a long battle with Joey Gatewood to win the job. It will be the first time in his head coaching career that Malzahn has started a freshman quarterback to open a season.

    Nix, who took home Alabama Mr. Football honors as a senior and was named the states Gatorade Player of the Year, was the most productive offensive player in Alabama history. He set state records for total offense with more than 12,000 yards and total touchdowns with 161 including 127 passing touchdowns and 34 rushing.

    Auburn returns a veteran offensive line that features five fifth-year seniors. That will be key in order to protect a young quarterback and to establish a running game against the Ducks.

    The ground game features last years top rusher, redshirt sophomore JaTarvious Whitlow, along with senior Kam Martin, junior Malik Miller, sophomore Shaun Shivers, freshman D.J. Williams and redshirt freshman Harold Joiner.

    Whitlow led the team with 787 rushing yards, 150 carries and six touchdowns last season. Martin was second with 458 rushing yards and 103 carries with one touchdown.

    Auburn returns a stout defense and arguably the best defensive line in the country anchored by Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson and Nick Coe. The line allowed just 3.7 yards per carry and the trio combined for 14 sacks alone last season.

    Oregon, led by head coach Mario Cristobal, offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo and first-year defensive coordinator Andy Avalos, went 9-4 overall and 5-4 in conference play last season.

    The Tigers face future NFL quarterback Justin Herbert, who finished last season with 3,151 yards and 29 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Herbert is projected by many as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after choosing to return to Oregon for his senior season.

    Oregon returns all five of its starters along the offensive line and running back CJ Verdell looks to have an even better sophomore season after rushing for 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman while appearing in all 13 games.

    On defense, the Ducks return nine starters from last seasons group that allowed 25.4 points per game, 144.3 rushing yards per game, 241.6 passing yards per game, and 385.9 total yards per game.

    The star on defense is senior linebacker Troy Dye. Leading Oregon in tackles each of his first three seasons, Dye has 313 career stops and has double-digit tackles in 17 games.

    Prediction: Oregon 28-24.



    Texas State at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 50-6.



    Toledo at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 30-12.



    Ole Miss at Memphis

    Prediction: Memphis 17-14.



    Miss St vs Louisiana

    Prediction: Miss St 31-7.



    Duke vs Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 56-7.



    S Carolina vs North Carolina

    Prediction: S Carolina 27-17.



    Georgia State at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 34-3.



    Portland State at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 45-10.



    Georgia at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Georgia 38-10.



    Ga Southern at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 21-12.



    Missouri at Wyoming

    Prediction: Wyoming 17-13.

    Week Two SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 9-3. After a thrilling 27-21 victory over Oregon to open the 2019 season, Auburn plays Tulane at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The contest starts at 6:30 p.m. CT and can be seen on ESPN2.

    Tulane at Auburn

    Saturday's game will be the 38th all-time meeting between the two teams and the first since 2006. Tulane leads the all-time series 17-14-6. The teams first played each other in 1902, and they met annually from 1921-1955.

    Tulane got off to a good start in its first game of the season by beating Florida International 42-14. Quarterback Justin McMillan passed for 199 yards and two touchdowns and the offense racked up 350 yards on the ground. McMillan, a graduate transfer from LSU, completed 14-of-18 passes and did not throw an interception.

    After falling behind 21-6, Auburn rallied in the second half behind quarterback Bo Nix and a defense that finally clamped down and made some big plays late in the game.

    Nix made some mistakes but got the job done when it mattered. The true freshman completed 13-of-31 passes for 177 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while adding another 42 yards on seven carries. His game-winner with 9 seconds left to Seth Williams was huge for his confidence going forward.

    A few bright spots came at receiver with the return of Eli Stove and Will Hastings. Both were at full speed after ACL surgeries last year and both had productive performances. Stove was on the receiving end of Nix's first career touchdown, and he also had a key 36-yard run on a speed sweep. Hastings had a 38-yard reception for the first completion of Nix's career.

    Auburn's running game was decent with Boobee Whitlow leading the way with 24 carries for 110 yards. It was Whitlow's fourth 100-yard game of his career.

    Defensively, the Tigers gave up some big plays in the first half but finally figure things out after halftime. Big Kat Bryant recovered a fumble when Oregon was poised to score deep in Auburn territory and the run defense held the Ducks to 13 yards on 13 attempts.

    The young linebacking corps of Zakoby McClain, K.J. Britt and Owen Pappoe all performed well against Oregon. Britt had seven tackles, including 1.5 for a loss and added a quarterback hurry. McClain had four tackles, with one for a loss and Pappoe started in his first career game and ended up with five tackles, four of which were solo stops, and a pass breakup.

    Prediction: Auburn 50-10.



    West Virginia at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 23-17.



    Charleston So at S Carolina

    Prediction: S Carolina 40-6.



    Vanderbilt at Purdue

    Prediction: Purdue 28-21.



    Texas A&M at Clemson

    Prediction: Clemson 30-14.



    Southern Miss at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 32-24.



    New Mexico St at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 63-7.



    Murray State at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 54-6.



    BYU at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 14-6.



    LSU at Texas

    Prediction: LSU 23-20.



    UT Martin at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 45-13.



    E Michigan at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 27-17.



    Arkansas at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 23-20.

    Week Three SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 12-1, overall they are 21-4. This week, Auburn hosts FCS opponent Kent State. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

    Kent State at Auburn

    Prediction: Auburn 57-10.



    Arkansas State at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 50-14.



    Kansas State at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 28-21.



    Chattanooga at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 34-13.



    Alabama at S Carolina

    Prediction: Alabama 34-13.



    SE Louisiana at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 58-3.



    Colorado State at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 21-17.



    Florida at Kentucky

    Prediction: Florida 27-13.



    Lamar at Texas A&M

    Prediction: 45-6.



    Northwestern St at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 65-3.



    SE Missouri St at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 60-10.

    Week Four SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 10-1, overall they are 31-5. This week, Auburn hits the road to face Texas A&M at Kyle Field. The contest can be seen on CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT. The Aggies lead the all-time series 5-4, but the Tigers are 3-0 in College Station since Texas A&M joined the SEC.

    Auburn at Texas A&M

    TAMU enters the contest 2-1 overall after beating Texas State, losing to Clemson, and beating Lamar last weekend. In the 62-3 victory over Lamar, Isaiah Spiller filled in nicely after starting running back Jashaun Corbin suffered a season-ending hamstring injury. Spiller finished the game with 116 yards and two touchdowns.

    Quarterback Kellen Mond was solid by throwing for 317 yards with a touchdown pass and a run in three quarters.

    Mond has been inconsistent throughout his career with the Aggies. He has thrown at least one interception in 10 of his last 13 games and has made mistakes when pressured by opposing defenses.

    TAMU's receivers are probably the best group Auburn has seen so far this season. Led by Jhamon Ausbon's 17 catches for 253 yards, the Tigers will face a deep group of passing targets.

    After three games, TAMU's offense averages 37.7 points per game, 292.7 passing yards per game and 174 rushing yards per game.

    Defensively, the Aggies are led by Buddy Johnson's 14 tackles. The group allows 11.3 points per game and defensive tackle is a position of strength.

    Auburn improved to 3-0 after handling Kent State 55-16 at home. Freshman quarterback Bo Nix was 12-of-16 for 166 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and had one rushing touchdown.

    The Tigers' rushing attack performed well against Kent State racking up 467 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Boobee Whitlow finished with 135 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

    Auburn's receivers had a solid night with Eli Stove hauling in six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. Seth Williams sat out but should see the field against TAMU.

    Overall, Auburn's offense averages 35.3 points per game, 183.3 passing yards per game, and 281.7 rushing yards per game.

    On defense, Kent State gained just 92 rushing yards on 32 attempts. The defensive line had five sacks, including 2.5 by Marlon Davidson, 1.5 by Tyrone Truesdell and 0.5 by Big Kat Bryant.

    Kevin Steele's unit allows 14.3 points per game and is led by Jeremiah Dinson's 27 tackles.

    Prediction: Texas A&M 21-17.



    Southern Miss at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 54-6.



    LSU at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: LSU 30-12.



    Tennessee at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 31-13.



    Kentucky at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss St 24-20.



    South Carolina at Missouri

    Prediction: South Carolina 26-23.



    Cal at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 17-14.



    San Jose State at Arkansas

    Prediction: Arkansas 35-17.



    Notre Dame at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 24-21.

    Week Five SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-4, overall they are 36-9. This week, Auburn returns home after an impressive victory on the road to remain undefeated. The Tigers battle Mississippi State at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.

    Mississippi State at Auburn

    Auburn leads the all-time series against Mississippi State 60-29-3. Gus Malzahn is 3-3 against the Bulldogs as head coach for the Tigers. Mississippi State won last years meeting in Starkville, 23-9, snapping a two-game winning streak in the series by Auburn.

    MSU is 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play after beating Kentucky 28-13 in Starkville. Running back Kylin Hill rushed for 120 yards and three touchdowns on the afternoon. Hill leads the SEC in rushing yards with 551.

    Quarterback Garrett Schrader started in place of injured senior Tommy Stevens. Schrader finished the contest with 180 passing yards and 125 yards on the ground in his first full game as a starter.

    MSU did allow Kentucky's offense to gain a total of 386 yards but clamped down and only let the Wildcats reach the end zone once. With a solid defense and a talented freshman quarterback, MSU could be a challenge this week for the Tigers.

    The Bulldogs average 228.3 rushing yards per game, 185.8 passing yards per game, and 32 points per game.

    On defense, MSU gives up 21.8 points per game and safety Jaquarius Landrews leads the unit with 31 tackles.

    Auburn is 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the SEC after beating Texas A&M 28-20 in front of a rowdy crowd of 101,681 in College Station. Quarterback Bo Nix was pretty poised in his first true road game as a starter. Nix was 12-of-20 for 100 yards and one touchdown.

    As a unit, the offense scores 33.5 points per game, averages 164 passing yards per game, and 259.5 rushing yards per game.

    On defense, despite allowing quarterback Kellen Mond to pass for 335 yards, the line provided plenty of pressure all afternoon by sacking Mond three times, including two by Derrick Brown.

    Brown's monster performance earned him the SEC's defensive lineman of the week. Brown finished the contest with four tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass breakups and one forced fumble.

    Auburn's stingy defense allows just 89.5 rushing yards per game, 227.3 passing yards per game, 316.8 total yards per game, and 15.8 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 31-12.



    Texas A&M at Arkansas

    Prediction: Texas A&M 21-7.



    N Illinois at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 17-14.



    Ole Miss at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 55-6.



    Towson at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 60-3.



    Kentucky at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 30-17.

    Week Six SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 6-0, overall they are 42-9. This week, Auburn hits the road to play Florida. It'll be the first trip to The Swamp for the Tigers since 2007. Auburn leads the all-time series with the Gators, 43-38-2, and has won four of the last five meetings between the former longtime rivals. Saturday's contest can be seen at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.

    Auburn at Florida

    Auburn improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the SEC after cruising to an easy 56-23 victory over Mississippi State at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers led 42-9 at halftime after scoring touchdowns on all five of its first five series, and on seven of its first eight.

    After a very disappointing 23-9 loss in Starkville last season, Auburn's offense racked up 578 total yards Saturday night. Quarterback Bo Nix had his best performance as a Tiger finishing 16-of-21 passing for 335 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 56 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

    Sophomore receiver Seth Williams was Nix's favorite target catching eight for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Boobee Whitlow added three touchdowns and 55 yards on 10 carries.

    After five games, Auburn's offense averages 251 rushing yards per game, 203.4 yards per game through the air, 454.4 total yards of offense and 38 points per games.

    On the night, Auburn's defense was solid, allowing Mississippi State 334 total yards of offense, including 118 yards on the ground. Marlon Davidson had four tackles and Derrick Brown had two and a quarterback hurry.

    As a defensive unit, the Tigers allow 95.2 rushing yards per game, 225 passing yards per game, 320.2 total yards per game, and 17.2 points per game. Defensive back Jeremiah Dinson leads the team in tackles with 34.

    Florida is also 5-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Dan Mullen's squad took care of FCS opponent Towson 38-0 at The Swamp. Kyle Trask, making his second collegiate start, completed 15 consecutive passes to open the game. Trask finished 18-of-20 passing for 188 yards, with two touchdowns and another on the ground.

    The Gators are led by running back Lamical Perine with 54 carries for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Van Jefferson leads the unit with 18 receptions for 248 yards and one touchdown.

    Florida averages 141.4 rushing yards per game, 288.2 passing yards per game, and 34 points per game.

    Defensively, the Gators are led by linebacker David Reese II with 36 tackles and the unit allows 8.8 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 26-21.



    Utah State at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 58-6.



    Troy at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 24-20.



    Georgia at Tennessee

    Prediction: Georgia 28-7.



    Vanderbilt at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 30-21.

    Week Seven SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 4-1, overall they are 46-10. This week, Auburn has a bye week before playing at Arkansas Oct. 19.

    South Carolina at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 41-10.



    Miss St at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 17-14.



    Alabama at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Alabama 45-7.



    UNLV at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vandy 26-16.



    Ole Miss at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 28-17.



    Arkansas at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 31-28.



    Florida at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 30-20.

    Week Eight SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 51-12. This week, after a bye week, Auburn returns to action when it travels to Fayetteville to battle SEC West opponent Arkansas. The contest can be seen on SEC Network starting at 11 a.m. CT.

    Auburn at Arkansas

    Auburn leads the all-time series against Arkansas, 16-11-1. Gus Malzahn is 5-1 against the Razorbacks, including last years 34-3 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    The Tigers are 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play. Malzahn's squad is trying to bounce back after losing 24-13 at Florida on Oct. 5.

    It'll be a tough second half of the season for the Tigers with this week's trip to Arkansas followed by a trip to LSU, then wrapping up the schedule in November with home games against Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama.

    After six games, Auburn's offense averages 229.8 rushing yards per game, 193.7 passing yards per game, 423.5 total yards per game and 33.8 points per game.

    Defensively, the Tigers allow 101.3 rushing yards per game, 231.8 passing yards per game, 333.2 total yards per game, and 18.3 points per game.

    Arkansas is 2-4 overall and 0-3 in conference play after losing 24-20 at Kentucky. Quarterback Nick Starkel has completed 88-of-150 attempts for 1,060 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. Running back Rakeem Boyd has 617 yards on 106 carries with five touchdowns. The Razorbacks average 148.7 rushing yards, 261.8 passing yards and 27.2 points per game.

    Defensive back Kamren Curl leads the team with 44 tackles and two interceptions. As a unit, the defense allows 27.3 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 33-10.

    Kentucky at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 50-6.



    LSU at Miss St

    Prediction: LSU 38-7.



    Florida at South Carolina

    Prediction: Florida 24-14.



    Missouri at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Missouri 37-12.



    Texas A&M at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 20-17.



    Tennessee at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 54-9.

    Week Nine SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-2, overall they are 56-14. This week, Auburn battles No. 2 LSU in Baton Rouge. The game can be seen at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. The contest Saturday will be the 54th meeting between the two teams. LSU leads the all-time series 30-22-1, and it leads 6-3 since 2010. Auburn hasn't won in Baton Rouge since 1999.

    Auburn at LSU

    LSU improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the SEC after beating Mississippi State 36-13 in Starkville. Quarterback Joe Burrow broke the school record for most touchdown passes in a season with 29. He finished the contest with 327 passing yards and four touchdowns.

    On the season, Burrow has completed 79.4 percent of his passes for 2,484 yards and has thrown only three interceptions.

    LSU's offense averages 385.7 passing yards per game, 154.1 rushing yards per game, and 50.1 points per game. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has rushed for 547 yards on 89 carries with seven touchdowns. Receiver Justin Jefferson leads the group with 759 yards and nine touchdowns.

    Defensively, LSU allows 20 points per game and is led by linebacker Jacob Phillips with 52 tackles.

    Auburn bounced back after a loss to Florida on Oct. 5 to improve to 6-1 and 3-1 in conference play by beating Arkansas 51-10 in Fayetteville. Bo Nix finished the game completing 12-of-17 passes for 176 yards, with three touchdowns through the air and added one on the ground.

    Despite being without Boobee Whitlow, Auburn's running game managed 228 rushing yards for the contest. Five different running backs had carries in the win, with Kam Martin leading the way with 84 yards on 13 carries.

    Seth Williams led the Auburn receiving corps with four catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

    As a unit, the offense averages 193.6 passing yards per game, 239.6 rushing yards per game, and 36.3 points per game.

    On defense, Auburn is led by defensive back Jeremiah Dinson's 46 tackles. The Tigers allow 17.1 points per game.

    Prediction: LSU 28-21.



    Miss St at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 31-13.



    South Carolina at Tennessee

    Prediction: South Carolina 17-14.



    Arkansas at Alabama

    Prediction: 50-6.



    Missouri at Kentucky

    Prediction: Missouri 27-21.

    Week Ten SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-2, overall they are 59-16. This week, Auburn returns home to face Ole Miss at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN. Auburn leads the all-time series 32-10. The Tigers hold the longest streak of nine straight wins, and are currently on a three-game win streak.

    Ole Miss at Auburn

    The Rebels were off on Saturday. Ole Miss is 3-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play. After the bye week, the offense averages 232.5 rushing yards per game, 201.6 passing yards per game, and 25.9 points per game.

    Quarterback Matt Corral leads the offense with 1,101 passing yards and four touchdowns. Running back Scottie Phillips has 538 yards on 124 carries and five touchdowns. Receiver Elijah Moore leads the unit with 621 yards on 49 catches with four touchdowns.

    Auburn drops to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC after losing 23-20 at No. 2 LSU. Quarterback Bo Nix finished the contest 15-for-35 for 157 yards. Running back D.J. Williams rushed for 130 yards on 13 carries with an average of 10 yards a carry.

    The Tigers average 225.9 rushing yards per game, 189 passing yards per game, 34.3 points per game.

    Prediction: Auburn 41-10.



    UTSA at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 49-6.



    Georgia vs Florida

    Prediction: Florida 23-19.



    Miss St at Arkansas

    Prediction: Miss St 17-14.



    UAB at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 24-20.



    Vandy at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 30-12.

    The Little Prince

    Auburn Area Community Theatre is bringing to life an enchanting stage adaptation of the beloved, classic novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupry, The Little Prince.

    Inspired by Saint-Exupry's own experience being stranded in the Sahara after a surviving a plane crash, this family-friendly tale for all ages tells the story of a world-weary and disenchanted Aviator. The Aviators sputtering plane strands him in the Sahara Desert when a mysterious, regal "little man" appears and asks him to draw him a sheep. The Aviator obliges and the two travel the desert together. During their time together, the Little Prince tells the Aviator about his adventures through the galaxy, how he met the Lamplighter and the Businessman and the Geographer, and about his strained relationship with a very special flower on his own tiny planet. The Little Prince also talks to everyone he meets: a garden of roses, the Snake, and a Fox. From each interaction he gains a unique insight which he shares with the Aviator: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly." Eventually both the "little man" and the Aviator must go homeeach with a new understanding of how to laugh, cry, and love. Join in on this imaginative, multi-media adventure!

    Performances will take place at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center on 222 E Drake Ave., Auburn, Alabama on November 7th - 9th, 14th, & 15th at 7:00 p.m. with matinees on November 10th and 17th at 2 p.m.

    Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Thursday November 7th is Pay What You Can- the ticket price is a donation in any amount. Call 334-246-1084 or visit www.auburnact.org for ticket purchases and more information. Email info@auburnact.org for group rate information.

    Week 11 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 64-17. This week, Auburn is off before facing Georgia Nov. 16 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Vanderbilt at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 35-13.



    W Kentucky at Arkansas

    Prediction: W Kentucky 25-17.



    LSU at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 30-21.



    New Mexico St at Ole Miss

    Prediction: Ole Miss 34-10.



    Missouri at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 31-12.



    Appalachian St at South Carolina

    Prediction: South Carolina 35-6.



    Tennessee at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 17-13.

    Week 12 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 3-4, overall they are 67-21. This week, Auburn welcomes Georgia to Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 59-56-8. Georgia has won the last two meetings. Gus Malzahn is just 2-5 against Georgia as Auburn's head coach, with both wins coming at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

    Georgia at Auburn

    While Auburn was off Saturday, Georgia handled Missouri 27-0 in Athens. The win improves the team's record to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the SEC. Kirby Smart's squad averages 232.6 passing yards per game, 215.9 rushing yards per game, and 33.7 points per game.

    Quarterback Jake Fromm has 1,858 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Running back D'Andre Swift leads the team with 921 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while receiver Lawrence Cager has 32 catches for 470 yards.

    On defense, the Bulldogs allow just 10.1 points per game and are led by linebacker Monty Rice with 56 tackles.

    Auburn enters the contest at 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the SEC. As a unit, Auburn is averaging 219.3 rushing yards per game, 205.8 passing yards per game, 425.1 total yards of offense, and 32.7 points per game.

    On defense, the unit allows 112.7 rushing yards per game, 221.4 passing yards per game, 334.1 total yards, and 17.4 points per game.

    Prediction: Georgia 24-17.



    Alabama at Miss St

    Prediction: Alabama 45-6.



    Florida at Missouri

    Prediction: Missouri 17-13.



    Kentucky at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Kentucky 27-20.



    LSU at Ole Miss

    Prediction: LSU 31-12.



    South Carolina at Texas A&M

    Prediction: Texas A&M 33-17.

    Week 13 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 5-1, overall they are 72-22. This week, Auburn hosts Samford at 11 a.m. CT.

    W Carolina at Alabama

    Prediction: Alabama 50-6.



    Samford at Auburn

    Prediction: 41-3.



    Texas A&M at Georgia

    Prediction: Georgia 30-13.



    UT Martin at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 34-20.



    ETSU at Vanderbilt

    Prediction: Vanderbilt 21-17.



    Arkansas at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 50-7.



    Abil Christian at Mississippi St

    Prediction: Mississippi State 38-9.



    Tennessee at Missouri

    Prediction: Tennessee 20-7.

    Week 14 SEC Predictions

    Last week's predictions were 8-0, overall they are 80-22. This week, the 83rd Iron Bowl is Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Alabama leads the all-time series 46-36-1. The Tide won last years game 52-21 in Tuscaloosa, while the Tigers won the last meeting in Auburn 26-14 in 2017.

    Alabama at Auburn

    Gus Malzahn is 2-4 against arch-rival Alabama, while Nick Saban is 8-4 against the Tigers since becoming the Tide's head coach in 2007.

    Alabama beat Western Carolina 66-3 to improve to 10-1 on the season. The Tide's offense averages 168.9 rushing yards per game, 344.3 passing yards per game and 48.5 points per game, while the defense gives up 16.2 points per game.

    Auburn is now 8-3 overall after beating Samford 52-0 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The offense averages 213.7 rushing yards per game, 213.5 passing yards per game, 32.7 points per game. The defense also allows 16.2 points per game.

    Prediction: Alabama 27-13.



    Ole Miss at Miss St

    Prediction: Miss State 17-14.



    Missouri at Arkansas

    Prediction: Missouri 24-21.



    Clemson at South Carolina

    Prediction: Clemson 34-17.



    Georgia at Georgia Tech

    Prediction: Georgia 28-10.



    Louisville at Kentucky

    Prediction: Kentucky 24-20.



    Vanderbilt at Tennessee

    Prediction: Tennessee 30-21.



    Texas A&M at LSU

    Prediction: LSU 34-13.



    Florida State at Florida

    Prediction: Florida 35-7.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2019

    The Auburn community continues to reel from the senseless loss of Auburn play-by-play man Rod Bramblett and his wife, Paula in a car wreck. Read our Top Ten Stories of 2019.

    Top Ten Stories for 2019
      1. Bramblett Tragedy
      2. Kidnapping and Murder
      3. Beauregard Storms
      4. Shots Fired
      5. Felon Hubbard Still Free
      6. Final Four
      7. Gogue!
      8. Private Dorms
      9. Parks and Rec
    10. K-Korner Killed

    1. Auburn was shocked when Rod and Paula Bramblett were killed in a traffic accident. The pair were fixtures on the Auburn campus where Rod broadcast Auburn sports and Paula was an IT professional.

    2. Big city crime hit Auburn when a coed was abducted from the street in downtown Auburn. The body of Aniah Blanchard was found in rural Macon County.

    3. Scores of homes were damaged or destroyed and 23 died when tornadoes devastated the Beauregard community March 3.

    4. A shootout on Wire Road left a suspect dead and a scorched, bullet-ridden apartment in February. In May, a manhunt followed the killing of Auburn police veteran, William Buechner.

    5. Almost a decade later, convicted felon Mike Hubbard remained free on bond pending his appeal of a four-year sentence for 2010 ethics violations. The GOP-controlled Alabama Supreme Court has refused to rule on the 2016 conviction allowing Hubbard to remain at-large.

    6. Bruce Pearl rocked the college basketball world by leading the unheralded Auburn Tiger to the NCAA Final Four before falling to Virginia when referees failed to call a double-dribble against the Cavaliers with seconds remaining.

    7. Auburn Trustees begged William Gogue to return as president after the University parted company with Steven Leath and $4.5 million. In August, the Gogue Performing Arts Center opened to great fanfare. It's good to be Gogue.

    8. For the second time in five years Auburn considered a moratorium on "private dorms" as the student beds exceed enrollment. Meanwhile Auburn University has moved to cap undergraduate enrollment at current levels.

    9. Recreational opportunities will improve considerably as Auburn Parks and Recreation announced the development of Dinius Park, a passive park on East Glenn, a community center at Lake Wilmore and the reopening of the Moore's Mill pocket park that was closed due the widening of the interstate bridge.

    10. For more than 20 years, Auburn baseball fans have partied and hung Ks in right field when Auburn pitchers struck our opposing batters. The K-Korner will be no more as construction of player development facilities will claim the space. Ks hanging on wire in K-Korner

    Take Access Auburn With You

    Click on the "Listen Live" link at the top of the page to listen to an eclectic mix of rock and blues from yesterday and today while you surf. Check out the playlist.

    Access Auburn is a member of the Live 365 network. The Live365 network offers thousands of internet radio stations, so there's guaranteed to be one to suit your tastes.

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    A Tale of Two Legislators

    It was the best of jobs. It was the worst of jobs.

    Auburn has two incumbent legislative representatives on the ballot tomorrow. One is a nine-term representative looking to be re-elected for a tenth. The other is completing a partial term in the U.S. Senate, filling the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became Donald Trump's first Attorney General.

    Mike Rogers has spent 18 years in Washington, most it in a time when the Republican party held a majority in the House of Representatives and most of that time, the GOP also held a majority in the Senate as well.

    So, the veteran solon with years of seniority and legislative accomplishments has gotten a lot accomplished for Alabama? You might think so, but the long-term occupant of Alabama's Third Congressional District seat has managed to file an average of only four bills a year over his 18 years, and managed to pass only one--an amendment that allow companies to write of donations of surplus products to the Department of Homeland Security.

    Surprisingly, the bulk of his legislation that he has introduced seemingly has little to do with Alabama. The most common themes in his bills are eliminating U.S. membership in the United Nations, spending more on Mexican border security and helping chiropractors.

    Doug Jones arrived in Washington after his December 2017 victory over Roy Moore. In his short time in the capital he has filed more legislation than Rogers has in 18 years.

    But wait, isn't that just pushing a liberal agenda? Hardly, a quick scan shows helping Americans become first-time homeowners, building health care equipment in America, supporting mental health research, combatting rural teacher shortages, improving hurricane evacuation routes, providing tax credits for storm shelters, and dozens more "social agenda" items.

    The one bill he has managed to get passed in the Republican-controlled Senate and signed by President Trump, preserves, organizes and discloses cold case evidence for civil rights violence.

    Doug Jones has earned your vote tomorrow. Mike Rogers has not.

    A Tale of Two Legislators

    It was the best of jobs. It was the worst of jobs.

    Mike Rogers and Doug Jones will be up for re-election tomorrow. One deserves your vote, the other does not.

    Auburn has two incumbent legislative representatives on the ballot tomorrow. One is a nine-term representative looking to be re-elected for a tenth. The other is completing a partial term in the U.S. Senate, filling the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became Donald Trump's first Attorney General.

    Mike Rogers has spent 18 years in Washington, most it in a time when the Republican party held a majority in the House of Representatives and most of that time, the GOP also held a majority in the Senate as well.

    So, the veteran solon with years of seniority and legislative accomplishments has gotten a lot accomplished for Alabama? You might think so, but the long-term occupant of Alabama's Third Congressional District seat has managed to file an average of only four bills a year over his 18 years, and managed to pass only one--an amendment that allow companies to write of donations of surplus products to the Department of Homeland Security.

    Surprisingly, the bulk of his legislation that he has introduced seemingly has little to do with Alabama. The most common themes in his bills are eliminating U.S. membership in the United Nations, spending more on Mexican border security and helping chiropractors.

    Doug Jones arrived in Washington after his December 2017 victory over Roy Moore. In his short time in the capital he has filed more legislation than Rogers has in 18 years.

    But wait, isn't that just pushing a liberal agenda? Hardly. A quick scan shows helping Americans become first-time homeowners, building health care equipment in America, supporting mental health research, combatting rural teacher shortages, improving hurricane evacuation routes, providing tax credits for storm shelters, and dozens more "social agenda" items.

    The one bill he has managed to get passed in the Republican-controlled Senate and signed by President Trump, preserves, organizes and discloses cold case evidence for civil rights violence.

    Doug Jones has earned your vote tomorrow. Mike Rogers has not.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2020

    The COVID-19 pandemic was Access Auburn's top story for 2020 but it was not the only news of the year. Check out our Top Ten Stories of 2020.

    Top Ten Stories for 2020
      1. Pandemic!
      2. AHS Heartbreak
      3. Racial Justice
      4. #LockHimUp
      5. Don't Go Harsin My Bus
      6. Senator Tubs?
      7. Bachelor Father
      8. Hell On Wheels
      9. Weather, Tropical Style
    10. The Kids Are Alright!

    1. Pat Dye The Covid-19 pandemic that slammed the world did not spare Auburn. Lee County Commissioner Johnny Lawrence and former Auburn football coach Pat Dye were among those who passed away after contracting the deadly disease.

    2. The Auburn High School Tigers' Cinderella football season ended in disappointment as the AHS squad was on the short end of one of the most improbable comebacks in the AHSAA Championship game.

    3. The shooting of George Floyd led to nationwide marches and hundreds in Auburn marching for justice. Auburn University officials named the student center in honor of Georgia Supreme Court Justice and first African-American AU SGA President Harold Melton.

    4. Four years after being convicted of multiple felony counts, disgraced former Speak of the Alabama House Mike Hubbard was sent to jail.

    5. The Gus Bus pulled out and Boise State coach Bryan Harsin was named to replace fired football coach Gus Malzahn.

    6. National politics turned local when Auburn resident and former football coach Tommy Tuberville unseated incumbent Senator Doug Jones.

    7. ABC-TV's The Bachelor made a trip to town when Madison Prewett, the daughter of Auburn director of basketball operations Chad Prewett, had a "Hometown Date" on the show.

    8. Wheel manufacturer Borbet announced the shuttering of their Auburn operation, while Wheel Pros announced that they would begin manufacturing in the Loveliest Village.

    9. Three times during the 2020 hurricane season Auburn found itself in the crosshairs of a hurricane. In each case Auburn endured a soaking while avoiding major damage.

    10. Auburn teens made headlines in a good way as Kounte Threadgill rescued his family form a burning building and Claudia Mattingly was named the first female Eagle Scout.

    A Brief History of Time, Alabama and the L&N

    Governor Kay Ivey signed an act this week that will establish year-round Daylight Saving Time, except that it won't take effect because of some Federal law that says that states cannot do that. So Governor Ivey is done; her hands are tied? Actually, no. The same law that says we cannot do it, provides instructions for doing it.

    Let's review how we reached this point. Before the advent of railroads and telegraphs, all time was local, established by the sun at high noon. When the distance that could be travelled in a day was was less than the accuracy of generally available watches, only mariners and astronomers cared that 15 degrees of East-West travel "shifted time" by an hour. This means that noon in Auburn was more than 10 minutes earlier than noon in Selma.

    The growth of rail travel made every town's local time a nightmare for timetable makers. In 1883, the railroads established a system where all stations observed the same "railroad time" with stations where the zone change from Central to Eastern zone observing Central. A similar system was establish in the West. The L&N Railroad which extended well beyond its namesakes, Louisville and Nashville to Cincinnati, Chicago, Saint Louis, Birmingham and New Orleans, adopted Central Time for its entire network.

    Railroad time was generally adopted as local time in those cities served by rail or telegraph, but outside of railroad towns, local time remained a patchwork. In the shadow of World War I mobilization, the first national time zones were established and largely followed the railroad zones. Over time, states have changed all or parts of their states from Central to Eastern to more closely align with the work day. As recently as 1941, Atlanta was in the Central Time Zone.

    Which brings us back to Governor Ivey's problem. The legal definition of what the legislature has passed for Alabama is "Coordinated Universal Time retarded by 5 hours" or GMT-5 and it turns out the while the law does not permit you to have year-round Daylight Saving Time, it does permit you NOT to have Daylight Saving Time at all and it does permit a state to move all or part of a state to another time zone. In other words, all the Governor needs to do is issue a proclamation that whereas the people of Alabama have spoken through their legislators, pending the approval of the Secretary of Transportation, Alabama will observer Coordinated Universal Time retarded by 5 hours and will not advance clocks one hour during the annual Daylight Saving Time period.

    It is not a slam dunk that the Secretary of Transportation would rubber stamp the Governor's petition to move to the Eastern Time Zone, but all or parts of states have changed time zones in the past and the facts are on Alabama's side. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a defined review process to determine whether the change would support "the convenience of commerce" and looks at such factors as radio and television markets, to what airport do airlines carry their passengers, railroads (still), and other social and economic factors.

    Geographically, Alabama is the easternmost state entirely in the Central Time Zone and well east of the westernmost point in the Eastern Time Zone. Seven counties in Alabama, with 6.5% of the state's population get their primary local television from out-of-state TV stations in the Eastern Time Zone. Only three counties with 0.8% of the state's population get out-of-state local TV from the Central Time Zone.

    Alabama is part of the 11th Federal Judicial Circuit (Alabama, Georgia and Florida), and Sixth District of the Federal Reserve Bank (Alabama, Georgia, Florida and parts of three other states) and most financial services are tied to East coast markets.

    The majority of flights leaving and arriving in Alabama connect to the Eastern Time Zone (Atlanta more than anywhere else) and as for railroads-- funny thing about that. Since we started with central railroad time, the former L&N Railroad merged with the Chesapeake & Ohio, the Baltimore & Ohio (the B&O from Monopoly) and the Seaboard Coast Line, and now most of its tracks lay in the Eastern Time Zone including its old terminus, Louisville.

    So, Governor, the legislature has acted, you signed the act for year-round Daylight Saving Time and now it is the law of the land. It is time for you to faithfully execute the law.

    Covid Cookbook - Dr. Gus's Barbecue Sauce

    I was desperate. I needed barbecue sauce and I didn't want a commercial high-fructose corn syrup blend. I wanted real hot and spicy Alabama barbecue sauce and I found it.

    During much of the last year, we spent much of our lives on total lockdown, leaving the house only for curbside pickup of groceries, doctor's appointments, etc. We did this because we had family in the household at risk and because we could. My wife is retired and I worked mostly from home anyway. Move a few meetings to Zoom, add a few long phone calls and live goes on.

    One of the biggest adjustments for me came in the kitchen. Since we first married, I have been the Chief Cook and Bottle Washer in the family. Pre-pandemic, this meant preparing three or four meals a week. We were busy and ate most lunches out of the house. Evenings were also full with sports, concerts and parties, with many dinners grabbed on the run or provided by friends. I had a half dozen or so go-to dishes that I could prepare fairly easily and reasonably well.

    I suddenly found myself faced with the prospect of preparing 14 meals a week (I am not a breakfast person) for the family. I needed to step up my game considerably. I thought I might pass on some of the new recipes I developed along with some of my old favorites that appeared frequently during the lockdown.

    Early in the lockdown we found that many of the products that we took for granted were weirdly unavailable. I am originally from Birmingham and developed a taste for Ollie's Barbecue Sauce, a condiment found on store shelves throughout Alabama. It is a thin, spicy vinegar-based barbecue sauce that for many is an acquired taste. It survived the closing of the restaurant in 2001. During the pandemic, it mysteriously disappeared from store shelves. When I could not get it, I thought I would search the interwebs to find if someone had leaked or reverse-engineered the recipe. I did not find the recipe, but I did find a recipe with an interesting story.

    Way before my time, there was a popular barbecue joint on Birmingham's Southside for several generations. Opened in 1917 by Greek immigrant Gus Constatine and closed in the 50's, Dr. Gus Barbecue Gardens was staple for doctors, students and staff at the nearby University Hospital (Now UAB Medical Center). I found a recipe for his sauce that would make about five gallons. I cut it down and found it nothing like Ollie's, easy to make and very tasty.

    As an historical footnote, both Dr. Gus and Ollie's were involved in landmark Supreme Court cases. Ollie's was on the losing side of a case to keep the restaurant segregated in wake of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Dr. Gus prevailed in a case to overturn prohibition era liquor laws.

     

    Dr. Gus's Barbecue Sauce

    6 c. Water
    3 c. Vinegar
    11 oz. Tomato juice
    12 oz. Tomato paste
    2 tbs. Butter
    1 tbs. Lemon juice
    1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
    2 tsp. Cayenne pepper
    2 tsp. Black pepper
    1 tbs. Garlic powder
    1 tbs. Dry mustard
    1 tbs. Paprika
    1 tbs. Oregano
    1 tbs. Pickling spice
    1/4 c. Sugar
    2 tbs. Salt

    Mix all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat and simmer for five and a half hours over low heat, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool. Refrigerate for storage.

    The original recipe called for tomato puree. I substituted tomato paste and a can of tomato juice. Butter was substituted for margarine in the original. I didn't have pickling spice, so I made my own mixture (dill, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, allspice, ginger).

    Yields about three pints.

    The Struggle Continues

    Every evening for the past year, rain or shine, Toomer's Corner has been the site of a peaceful demonstration to end racism. Kelli Thompson, a faculty member in Psychological Sciences, decided one day that she had had enough and took to the street to express her outrage.

    Protesters at Toomer's Corner In Auburn, June 1, 2021

    In the Spring of 2020, the entire country was gripped by protests and scenes of tear gas and clubs being used on protesters. Thompson wrote on Facebook, commemorating the anniversary, "My heart couldn't take any more pain. I had no words and no plans. I grabbed a sign I picked up in DC just a few years earlier and instinctively drove to the center of town. I took a seat, waited and observed. This was the first leap of faith on the corner. It was the birth of something I could not fully anticipate..."

    A year later, hundreds have joined her to express the common plea for an end to racism, but Thompson has been the one constant, showing up every day from 5-7 p.m. to quietly remind Auburn of an ongoing injustice.

    From Kelli Thompson's Facebook page:

    Exactly one year ago, the corner found me. Today, we will celebrate the corners first birthday!

    On June 1, 2020 military force was used on peaceful protesters in Washington DC for the sake of a presidential photo op. I could not believe what I was seeing. My heart couldnt take any more pain. I had no words and no plans. I grabbed a sign I picked up in DC just a few years earlier and instinctively drove to the center of town. I took a seat, waited and observed. This was the first leap of faith on the corner. It was the birth of something I could not fully anticipate. I doubt I could ever possibly plan something better, even if I tried. This thing just happened. I think, on some level, we recognize this was what we needed. A space like this, right in the center of town, where we can meet to practice civil discourse. It was exactly what we needed. Then, and now.

    Over the course of the next 365 days, we nurtured this space. No one sits alone in this space for too long. The corner doesnt seem to want to let that happen. So we kept showing up, kept meeting here, kept having these tough conversations with strangers, friends, and neighbors. We grew. We reflected. We danced. We created art, music, poetry, and have some incredible stories to tell along the way.

    There was that one time with the Trump rally and that time someone threw McDonalds fries at me! But then there was also that time with the hot cocoas and the lemonades and the waters and the donuts and the endless line of acts of kindness and drive-by giftings! We have expressed and listened to a full range of emotional expression, things people needed to get off their chest, right there in the center of town. At the gateway where the university meets and greets the little town it inhabits, a community of support sprang up quite naturally right around those hard, red bricks.

    It is something you have to experience for yourself to truly understand. And it is something that requires patience and persistence. But, if you've ever got the time to sit and wait, I encourage you come on down to Toomers Corner. We are there daily from 5-7 PM - rain, shine, and whatever else the corner may bring!

    Expand the SEC Championship Playoffs to Four Teams

    It looks like it may be close to a done deal that the NCAA College Football's Bowl Subdivision will expand the college football playoffs from four teams to 12. It is time to consider opening the SEC Championship to a four-team playoff.

    It is easy to see the excitement (and revenue) that can be generated by expanding the NCAA Playoffs to the proposed 12-team format. The SEC could enjoy the same boost by changing the SEC Championship to a two-week extravaganza.

    Imagine the excitement on the Saturday afternoon after Thanksgiving when the top team in the SEC East faces of against the second place finisher from the SEC West, followed by the prime time match-up of the SEC West Champ versus the Number Two from the East for a trip to the 'ship.

    You probably have a number of questions. Let's see if we can answer a few:

    Is it even possible? The primary issues are the NCAA rules and the sheer logistics of the semifinal games. If the past year has taught us nothing, teams can be quite nimble when necessary, taking on unknown opponents a location named only days in advance of the event. Electronic ticketing is here the stay. The NCAA limits only the dates of the games and the number of games. The semifinal games would replace the last game of the regular season for the participants with only 11 games scheduled prior to Thanksgiving.

    Where would the game be played? An argument can be made for neutral sites, either the same as the championship site or two separate host cities, but college football is at its best in its natural habitat. Play the games on campus.

    Who gets to be the home team? While my first thought was to have the division champs host, I prefer to alternate with the East hosting in the odd years and the West hosting on the even years. This is less disruptive and more easily planned in advance. We all know that the number two team in the West has frequently been better than the East champs. Giving a home field advantage to division champs is arbitrary. Also arbitrary, but more equitable in the long-run, and more likely to engage more host campuses, alternating home and home is predictable and not subject to the whims of unequal schedules.

    If this is the 12th game, won't that leave the teams that don't make the playoff a game short? It will, unless they play each other. With the expansion of the NCAA playoffs, this could be the make the Thanksgiving weekend the biggest weekend of the regular season. Start on Thanksgiving night with a game that only the SEC will scrupulously avoid calling the "Turkey Bowl," matching the last place team in the East with the cellar-dweller from the West. This would give the TV folks four additional matchups with playoff and bowl implications to spread over Friday and Saturday and promote the semi games while showing #3 vs. #3, #4 vs.#4, and so on. These games should alternate East and West as well. This means all teams will know in advance whether they are hosting or travelling.

    Will this mean expanding the SEC schedule to nine games? Not necessarily. Just eliminate the silly "floating" opponent who seems to change with little explanation and seeming favoritism. That would leave only the "traditional" cross-division opponent, to which I would make some minor adjustments. Auburn-Georgia and Alabama-Tennessee are part of the fabric of the Southeastern Conference. Vandy-Ole Miss, as the smallest schools, makes sense. Mississippi State and Kentucky seem a good match, but Florida and LSU have been wanting a divorce since Day One. And, if you are going to put Missouri in the East, for God's sake make their "natural rival" Arkansas. After all, they share a border. This would leave, LSU with South Carolina and Florida with Texas A&M. That works for me. Count only division games in the standings; if you want to make the interdivisional games more meaningful, use them as tie-breakers, ahead of a coin toss.

    Wrong Answer, Coach Harsin

    In his introduction to the SEC media in Birmingham on Thursday, first year Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin was asked about the COVID-19 vaccine. His response was, "I think we're in that 60% range." He continued, "This is a personal decision--it's deeply personal for a lot of people. So that's how we approach it: Here's the information, you make the decision."

    Bzzzz! That was the wrong answer.

    And before you fill my mailbox with your politics or your health concerns, this isn't about either one of those things. This is about winning football games.

    At the risk of being trite, there is no "I" in "Team" (OK, there is a "me" if you rearrange the letters). When you play football, committing a personal foul is not a "personal decision."

    The SEC has made the rule that if 85% of the team is vaccinated, you can avoid testing, masking, tracing, quarantining, and forfeiting. The last one is a biggie. This is not 2020. There will be no postponing this year. If you have an outbreak on your team, you play with what you have, or forfeit.

    You may say that the players have legitimate concerns about the supposed health risks of getting vaccinated. If they are that concerned about health risks, they probably picked the wrong sport to play.

    So, yeah, Coach, it's a personal decision like attending "voluntary" workouts are a personal decision.

    New Interstate Will Have Auburn Exit

    Auburn may soon(-ish) have a new Interstate exit 10 miles south of the current city limits.

    The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill is working its way through congress and likely will be signed into law by President Joe Biden later this week. Included in the act is funding for construction of Interstate 14, a project that will build an extension of the 25 or so existing miles of Interstate highway near Killeen, Texas. The new highway will travel West to Odessa, Texas and east to Augusta, Georgia along the current US-80 corridor which passes through southern Lee County.

    Depending on the exact route taken, somewhere around mile marker 175 there will be an exit in the Little Texas vicinity that will probably be the sole Auburn exit on I-14. Opelika may have exits where the new Interstate crosses AL-51 and AL-169, as well as the US-280 exit in Phenix City.

    Although it may be a decade or more before the route supports traffic, the addition of the New Auburn exit will likely continue the southward growth of Auburn along US-29 (South College Street).

    For Auburn motorists and shipping interests, the greatest benefit may be the stretch from Montgomery to Meridian, Mississippi, through Selma and Demopolis. Depending on the alternate routes, the new road could shave as much an hour or more from trips to Jackson, Shreveport, Dallas and all points west.

    AU Reports COVID-19 Surge

    Auburn University reported a more than 500% increase in self-reported COVID-19 cases last week. During the week of August 16-22, the first week of Fall classes, the University reported 424 positive tests among students, employees and contractors.

    This surge corresponds to a similar surge shown last year at the start of school. Auburn discontinued its sentinel testing service and discontinued the use of exposures tracking software earlier this year before the growth in Delta variant cases.

    Auburn University Medical Center performed 620 tests last week with 21.5% returned as positive, the highest number reported by the clinic during the pandemic. A number greater than 5% indicates spread of the virus in the community.

    Students tested at local testing facilities are generally reported by the health department in their home counties. These results, as well those confirmed at the university medical center are only included in AU's totals if the infected person reports the case to the University online.

    Auburn requires masks in campus buildings but does not require vaccinations for students or employees.

    Lee County Tops 50% Vaccinated

    The Alabama Department of Public Health updated their dashboard web site on Monday to show that 82,634 Lee County residents have now received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or 50.22% of the county's population. Statewide, 53% have receive a first jab.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2021

    For the second year in a row, The COVID-19 pandemic was Access Auburn's top story of the year but there was more news in 2021. Check out our Top Ten Stories of 2021.

    Top Ten Stories for 2021
      1. More COVID
      2. Buc-ee's
      3. Suni Fever
      4. AU Defense
      5. Short-term Rentals
      6. Growing Pains
      7. Corrupt Politicians
      8. State Champs!
      9. Safe on Campus?
    10. Moore Passes

    1. Despite the wide availability of a vaccine, the Covid-19 pandemic claimed 155 lives of Lee County residents, an increase of 36% over 2020. Fewer than half of county residents are fully vaccinated.

    2. Given the amount of digital ink used to publicize the event, one would think that the upcoming opening of the Buc-ee's will be one the most auspicious occasions in Auburn history. Watch this space.

    3. Auburn and the World went crazy over gymnast and Dancing With the Stars star, AU freshman and Olympic medalist, Suni Lee.

    4. Auburn is known for a strong defense. This was recognized in a different way when Auburn grad Lloyd Austin was named Secretary of Defense.

    5. The fight over game-day rentals heated up when limits were placed on overnight rentals in most residential neighborhoods, prompting one City Council member to file suit against the city.

    6. The 2020 Census revealed what most of us already knew, Auburn is growing rapidly with the population topping 75,000. The growth has heated the local economy and fueled labor shortages. EAMC opened a stand-alone ER to support the increased demand.

    7. In what has become an annual story, the deeds of corrupt politicians filled the news. Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes was sent to jail for abusing his office and disgraced legislator Mike Hubbard was revealed to be lobbying from behind bars to change the law so he could be released.

    8. 2021 Coach of the Year Matt Cimo's Auburn High School Baseball squad continued their winning ways notching another state championship.

    9. A number of sexual assaults were reported on campus in the Fall, prompting students to protest safety measures and to raise awareness of the problem.

    10. A name that is synonymous Auburn Athletics, long-time Faculty Athletics Chairman and the namesake for Auburn's softball field, Jane B. Moore passed away April 9.

    Auburn is Alabama's Fastest Growing City

    Recent population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau show that Auburn is the fastest growing city in Alabama. Estimates show that Auburn added 2,135 from 2020 to 2021, more than any other Alabama city.

    The top five are Auburn, Huntsville (+1,920), Foley (+1,462), Athens (+1,341) and Daphne (+1,054). Auburn also had the highest percentage growth (+2.8%) among cities with more than 30,000 population.

    The report also revealed that Birmingham (197,575), until recently the state's largest city, has fallen into third place behind Huntsville (216,963) and Montgomery (198,665). This includes only those living in the city limits.

    According to the release, Auburn's population stood at 78,564 in 2021.

    Prayer Ruling Anti-Christian?

    We note the Supreme Court's ruling on public prayer. The case involved a football coach who prayed aloud on the 50-yard line after each game. After his supervisors told him to take it off school property, he refused to comply and his contract was not renewed for the next year.

    The court ruled the school board was wrong in firing him for disobeying orders because what he did was an protected exercise of his First Amendment rights.

    Regardless of what one may feel about the merits of the case, we are struck that every time we read one of these public prayer cases that it usually seems to be a Christian demanding the right to public prayer. The coach won the battle, but he might ask his Sunday school teacher what Jesus taught us about praying aloud on the 50-yard line.

    "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:5-6,NIV)

    The coach may have won the fight for his rights but for Christians, he won nothing.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2022

    Chris Roberts became Auburn University's 21st President in 2022, Access Auburn's top story for the year. Check out our Top Ten Stories of 2022.

    Top Ten Stories for 2022
      1. Mr. President
      2. COVID: Year 3
      3. Case Closed
      4. Gymnasty
      5. Harsin Out, Freeze In
      6. Public Art
      7. Fine Dining
      8. Parks & Rec
      9. Your Vote Matters
    10. Go Crazy, Cadillac!

    1. Auburn trustees named Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Dean Chris Roberts to take over the helm of the institution, replacing twice President Jay Gogue.

    2. Although, in many ways, 2022 seemed liked the end of the COVID pandemic, there were more cases reported in 2022 than either of the previous two years and the virus was to blame for nearly 100 deaths in Lee County.

    3. After more than 15 years, Mark Whitaker, a special agent with the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation made an arrest and earned a murder conviction in the 2006 disappearance of Lori Slesinski.

    4. Auburn Gymnastics proved that they were more than just the Suni Lee show. Led by senior All-American Derrian Goburne, the Tigers raced to the NCAA Final Four for the first time in program history.

    5. The scary Bryan Harsin era died on Halloween with a successor named November 28. New Head Football Coach Hugh Freeze hit the ground running and turned a suspect recruiting class into a top 20 collection in a few short weeks.

    6. The City of Auburn repealed its ban on outdoor murals after a mattress dealer challenged the ordinance and won the council over.

    7. Auburn cemented its reputation as a foodie mecca with the opening of several high-end restaurants and The Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center on the Auburn campus. Watch for our review of the deluxe 1856 Restaurant as soon as the second mortgage on the house is approved.

    8. One story that has not received enough attention is the outstanding job being done by Rebecca Richardson and her staff at the Auburn Parks and Recreation department. After adding new park facilities in 2022, including the amazing all-age, all-ability inclusive playground off of Wright's Mill Road, the department announced ambitious plans for the new Lake Wilmore Community Center.

    9. A Republican Primary election for Alabama House District 27 ended when incumbent Tom Whatley conceded. The race, which was original called a one-vote win for challenger Jay Hovey, was declared a tie by the Alabama Republican Party. Hovey was elected in the general election in November.

    10. At one of the darkest moments in Auburn Football, Cadillac Williams rallied the Auburn Family, culminated by a sell-out championship-atmosphere in a win over three-win Texas A&M in Coach 'lac's Jordan-Hare debut.

    Mother's Day Is May 14

    We celebrate Mother's Day every year on the second Sunday of May. The tradition of honoring our mothers dates back to ancient Greece as early as 250 B.C., but it wasn't suggested in the United States until 1870 by Julia Ward Howe.

    Howe issued her Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870 by writing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," a call for women to join in support of disarmament. The holiday failed to catch on but Howe held organized Mother's Day meetings in Boston, Mass., every year thereafter.

    In the 1880s and 1890s there were several further attempts to establish an American Mother's Day, but these did not succeed beyond the local level.

    The holiday gained momentum in 1907 when Anna Jarvis began another crusade to implement Mother's Day. Jarvis lost her mother two years earlier and, believing that children tend to neglect their mothers until it is too late, began to campaign for a national observance of Mother's Day. She convinced her mother's church to celebrate Mother's Day on the second anniversary of her mother's death -- the second Sunday of May.

    Jarvis and her supporters began a letter-writing campaign to ministers, businessmen and politicians in their quest to establish a national Mother's Day. By 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state.

    Mother's Day became an official holiday in 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson made the announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.

    Many who supported the holiday, including Jarvis, eventually ended up opposing the holiday and considered it a "Hallmark holiday" when it became highly commercialized.

    In the United States, Mother's Day remains one of the biggest days for sales of flowers and greeting cards. According to Hallmark, a total of about 113 million greeting cards will be purchased for Mother's Day this year.

    Heartworm Prevention Keeps Dogs Healthy

    Warmer weather brings along an increased risk that dogs will be exposed to deadly heartworm diseases, which are transmitted by mosquitoes. The diseases put as many as 63 million dogs at risk who go without proper treatment.

    Studies released by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Heartworm Society (AHS), estimate tens of millions of dogs are not on a heartworm preventative, leaving them needlessly at risk to this potentially fatal disease. Canine heartworm disease is a serious and life-threatening parasitic condition in which immature heartworms migrate to the heart and lungs where they develop into adults and cause disease.

    The American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA) "Compliance in Companion Animal Practices" study revealed 66 percent of the nation's dogs were not given heartworm preventatives according to veterinary or label recommendations, despite the fact that 81 percent of all dogs reside in states where heartworm disease is prevalent.

    A recent national survey of veterinary clinics, released by the American Heartworm Society (AHS), reported nearly 250,000 positive heartworm tests, which was much higher than expected in light of advancements in prevention.

    While most veterinarians recommend year-round protection, a Gallup survey found that dogs on preventatives receive it on average fewer than six months of the year. Other industry studies have shown that as many as 80 percent of dog owners who purchase monthly heartworm preventatives do not give them on time according to label directions, which seriously compromises the dog's protection.

    With heartworm infection, dogs can suffer severe heart and pulmonary damage, dysfunction of the kidney and liver, and death. Treatment for heartworm infection is a long, risky and an expensive procedure.

    Microwaves Useful for Sterilizing Kitchen Sponges

    Scientists at the University of Florida discovered a quick and easy way to eliminate many of the bacteria, viruses, parasites and spores in the average kitchen by sterilizing household sponges in a microwave oven.

    The scientists soaked sponges and scrubbing pads in untreated wastewater containing faecal bacteria, viruses, protozoan parasites and bacterial spores including Bacillus cereus spores which are quite resistant to radiation, heat and toxic chemicals. They also used bacterial viruses as substitutes for disease-causing viruses, such as hepatitis A.

    Two minutes of microwaving on full power mode killed or inactivated more than 99 percent of all the living pathogens in the sponges and pads. The Bacillus cereus spores required four minutes for total inactivation.

    Unclean sponges may seem like a small problem, but more than 76 million people are sickened by food poisoning each year in the U.S., and approximately 5,000 of those cases are fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Many can be traced to household kitchens where unsanitary dishcloths and sponges abound. Cleaning these items in the dishwasher doesn't kill the germs they harbor.

    The sponges must be wet prior to heating them up, or the process could cause a fire or damage the ovens. Some individuals who were eager to try out the process after reading initial reports of the findings placed dry items in their microwaves with disastrous results -- including the destruction of both sponges and ovens and, in some cases, nasty odors that lingered for hours.

    Most Cereal Has Too Much Sugar

    We've all heard that eating breakfast is a great way to start your day and can reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes. But, a study by the Environmental Working Group found that many popular cereals are loaded with sugar.

    Eating a good breakfast is important for children and their school performance. Those children that do eat breakfast are probably eating cereal that has too much sugar. At least three popular childrens cereals are packed with more sugar in a one-cup serving than a Hostess Twinkie, and an additional 44 are loaded with more sugar in a cup than three Chips Ahoy cookies, according to EWG.

    Of the 84 cereals analyzed, Kelloggs Honey Smacks, Post Golden Crisp and General Mills Wheaties Fuel rank as the worst offenders based on the Twinkie measure. Other brands including Honey Nut Cheerios, Apple Jacks and Capn Crunch are among the 44 cereals that have more sugar in a cup than three Chips Ahoy cookies.

    The study also found that in nearly three-dozen brands, sugar makes up more than a third of the cereal by weight. Those include the original and marshmallow versions of Kelloggs Froot Loops, as well as the original and all berries version of Quaker Oats Capn Crunch.

    Too much sugar has been linked to obesity issues. Obesity rates have more than doubled for children ages 2 to 11 and more than tripled for teens ages 12 to 19 in the past three decades.

    Research also suggests that sugar is habit-forming and that children who eat a high-sugar breakfast have more problems at school because they are more easily frustrated and have a hard time working independently.

    There are several big-brand cereals that contain lower amounts of sugar like Kelloggs Mini-Wheats (frosted or unfrosted), General Mills original Cheerios and Kix, Post Shredded Wheat (all varieties), and Quaker Oats Cinnamon Oatmeal Squares.

    Here are a few ways to reduce your child's sugar intake:

    Read back package labels: Dont be fooled by the front of the box nutrition claims. Look at the nutrition panel on the back, and make your own decision. Grams of sugar per serving doesnt connect with most people, so translate this into teaspoons of sugar by dividing the sugar grams on the label by four. A cereal with 20 grams of sugar contains 5 teaspoons of sugar. And skip the good source of whole grains on the front; instead, look for three grams of fiber per serving, found on the back.

    Cut the sugar in half by mixing with low-sugar cereals: Many brands of cereals contain a low-sugar basic with higher-sugar product. Mix original Cheerios in equal parts with Honey-Nut Cheerios, and cut the sugar by 50 percent. This works for any high/low combination of cereals.

    Add some fresh, frozen or dried fruit to low-sugar cereals: Boost the nutrients and provide natures sweetness by adding fruit to a low-sugar cereal.

    Use the high sugar cereals as a dessert: Portion out a single serving (about 1 cup) in a small bag for your child to enjoy as a treat or dessert, instead of a cookie or other treat.

    Choose low fat or non-fat milk, or soy milk. These are calcium- and vitamin D-rich options important for kids of all ages.

    Pet Dander Found In Most Homes

    If you think your house is free of pet dander, you are probably wrong. Regardless of whether a dog or cat lives in a residence, virtually all homes in the United States contain dog and cat allergens.

    A study found that pet dander was present in almost 100 percent of the homes that were surveyed, even when dogs and cats lived in only half the homes. The finding is bad news for those who suffer from asthma since pet allergens complicate the condition.

    The researchers used data from the first National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, which had been gathered in 1998 and 1999. The surveyors collected vacuumed dust samples from the bed, bedroom floor, living room floor and living room sofa in 831 housing units containing 2,456 people in 75 locations nationwide.

    The highest concentrations of dog and cat allergen were found on couches. In homes with pets, this finding may be reflective of where pets like to lounge. It could also reflect the site most likely to come in contact with clothing worn outside the home.

    Although most U.S. households have neither a dog nor an indoor cat, the question arises: Why are these allergens found in homes without pets? A potential explanation could be that pets lived in the home previously and their allergens have persisted over time. Dog and cat allergen easily adhere to many surfaces in the home, including rugs, walls and clothing, thus making total elimination of allergen difficult.

    Another possible explanation is that dog and cat allergen are easily transported on clothing, making it detectable in locations free of dogs and cats. Pet allergens have been detected in a variety of public places such as schools, trains, buses, hospitals, shopping malls, cinemas, hotels, and even in allergists' offices. People suffering from animal allergies may find that they experience symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and watery eyes even when there is no animal around.

    Researchers consider these findings reason to call for the development of environmental interventions that take into account the community as a potential reservoir for dog and cat allergens.

    Here are a few tips for people who suffer from pet allergies:

    Wash Pets Frequently: You should wash your pets at least once a week. Studies have shown that doing so significantly reduces allergens. When cleaning your pets, consider using a special shampoo that neutralizes allergens.

    Brush Pets Outside: Frequent brushing can also reduce allergens and, if at all possible, brush outside. And make sure that the person doing the brushing doesn't suffer from allergies, because brushing releases allergens into the air.

    Keep Pets Out Of Bedrooms: People spend most of their time in the bedroom, often allowing pets to climb onto the bed. This is not a good idea because the allergens will just attach themselves to blankets.

    Change Your Pet's Diet: Talk to your vet about changing your pet's diet. Certain foods may help minimize hair loss, thereby reducing allergens.

    Use Hepa Filters: If you or someone in your family has problems with these allergens, consider buying a Hepa filtering system. Another option is to use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a Hepa filter.

    Clean Or Remove Carpeting: This can be very costly, but if you are living in a home where the previous occupants had pets and the same carpeting is on the floor, you may consider purchasing new carpeting. If that's too costly, you can always buy chemicals that will reduce the number of allergens in the carpet.

    Be Wary of Cramming

    For awhile, I've been familiar with the term phishing, which is receiving an email from someone who is pretending to be from a company asking for personal information. Recently, I learned about a new scam: cramming.

    Cramming isn't a new scam, but it's new to me. Like every month, I get an email from AT&T saying my bill is ready to be viewed and paid. In the body of the email it gives the total amount due. When I looked at the amount I owed, I noticed it was more than it usually is. After logging in to view my bill, I saw something at the bottom called Transaction Clearing -$14.95.

    I immediately started a google search to see what this thing called Transaction Clearing was about. Basically, it means I was being charged for something that I didn't sign up for. These scam companies can use your name and phone number to "charge" you a fee for long distance service, collect calls, voicemail service, web hosting, and club memberships.

    Cramming charges can be small, like $2 or $3, and easy to overlook. But even when the phony charges arent small, they may sound like fees you do owe. That makes them tough to pick out, especially if your phone bill varies month to month. These charges can appear on your cell phone bill, too.

    To catch these bogus charges, take time to read your bill each month. Make it a habit to check the charges on your bill each month for services you havent ordered or calls you havent made. If your bill goes up one month, even by just a few dollars, take a closer look.

    Also, if you pay your bill online, never set it up for AutoPay. AutoPay automatically deducts your bill payment from your checking account or your credit card each month. If you do have phony charges on your bill, it may be harder to dispute them if your bill has already been paid.

    When I contacted AT&T about the charges, I was told to call the number that was at the bottom of the bill where the charges appear. When I called the number, I was told I would receive a refund. We will see.

    While reading about cramming, I came across something called a "third-party bill block," which can be added to your phone service that will block all unauthorized non-AT&T charges. You can request bill block at no charge by calling 1.800.288.2020.

    If you think you've been a victim of cramming, you should file a complaint. Even if you get a refund, notify the FTC at ftc.gov, or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). You also can file a complaint with your state Attorney Generals office (visit naag.org or check the government section of your phone book for the number) or the state agency that regulates phone service in your state often the state public service commission or public utilities commission, which you can look up on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners website at naruc.org/commissions.cfm. Try to include the names of all the companies involved, not just your telephone company.

    Top Christmas Songs

    Now that the holiday season is in full swing, it's time to make sure your Christmas playlist is equipped with all the right songs. From timeless classics to new hits, these holiday tunes are necessary listens every year.

    White Christmas (1942)

    Bing Crosby's classic hit about a picturesque Christmas scene is one of the most popular holiday songs ever Guinness World Records even named it the best-selling single of all time.

    I'll Be Home For Christmas (1943)

    Another one by Bing Crosby, this heartfelt tune was recognized as a tribute to the soldiers fighting World War II.

    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (1944)

    Judy Garland originally recorded this soft Christmas song for the musical Meet Me in St. Louis, which is about four daughters coming of age while getting ready to move to New York.

    The Christmas Song (1946)

    Everyone knows this holiday song as the one where Nat King Cole sings, "chestnuts roasting on an open fire." It's so popular that it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974.

    Frosty the Snowman (1947)

    Gene Autry is the voice behind this holiday song that you've been listening to since you were a little kid.

    Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (1948)

    This jazzy holiday song by Frank Sinatra is about that cold winter weather we have a love-hate relationship with.

    Santa Baby (1953)

    This cheeky song by Eartha Kitt is about wanting some pretty extravagant Christmas gifts. Even though this is a holiday tune, it's one of her most well-known songs ever.

    Blue Christmas (1957)

    Elvis Presley's version of this song is the most well-known version, but rumor has it he didn't even want to record it in the first place.

    Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (1958)

    Brenda Lee was only 13 years old when she recorded this holiday favorite. She'd probably never guess that people would still be listening to it in 2018.

    Sleigh Ride (1958)

    This Johnny Mathis pop song is from his first Christmas album ever in total, he's released six throughout his career.

    Jingle Bells (1960)

    Ella Fitzgerald's jazzy rendition of this Christmas classic is a holiday staple. A harmonica version of it was actually the first song ever played in outer space.

    It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (1963)

    This holiday pop song by Andy Williams is a celebration and description of activities associated with the Christmas season, focusing primarily on get-togethers between friends and families.

    A Holly Jolly Christmas (1965)

    This holiday pop song by Burl Ives is the leading track on his Christmas album. The song was actually written by Johnny Marks, who, despite being Jewish, wrote tons of other popular Christmas songs.

    Winter Wonderland (1966)

    Dean Martin's take on this classic holiday hit is upbeat and genuinely fun to listen to

    Feliz Navidad (1970)

    Puerto Rican singer Jos Feliciano's song has easy-to-remember lyrics in both Spanish and English, making it one of the most popular Christmas songs among all types of people.

    I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (1970)

    Even though Jimmy Boyd was the original artist of this song, Jackson 5's cover is so much catchier the funky beats, amazing vocals, and the innocent conversations recorded in the background are so energetic.

    This Christmas (1971)

    You've probably heard this soul song covered by plenty of other artists, but Donny Hathaway was the first. Rolling Stone even called him one of the "most important black performers" of his time.

    Wonderful Christmastime (1980)

    Paul McCartney, the famed musician known for being part of the Beatles, sings this upbeat pop song about the good vibes on Christmas.

    Last Christmas (1984)

    Pop duo WHAM!, composed of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, might originally be from the United Kingdom, but their music is still super popular in the states.

    Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1985)

    Bruce Springsteen gives the most energetic performance of this classic holiday song out there.

    All I Want for Christmas Is You (1994)

    Mariah Carey wrote and produced the song alongside Walter Afanasieff. It's considered the best-selling modern day Christmas song.

    Joy to the World (2006)

    Aretha Franklin wows in this soulful version of the classic Christmas carol. She recorded a ton of top hits and even earned a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so her nickname as the "Queen of Soul" is well-deserved.

    Silent Night (2007)

    This classic Christmas carol has also been sung by tons of artists, from Bing Crosby to Justin Bieber, but Josh Groban's cover is a classic.

    Access Auburn's Top Ten Stories of 2023

    There were not a lot of really big Auburn stories in 2023, but there were really a lot of big Auburn stories in 2023. We've made our annual list of the top stories we followed in 2023.

    Top Ten Stories for 2023
      1. Finally, Buc-ee's Is Here
      2. The Fall of Taylor
      3. Freeze Portal
      4. Auburn Training, Sir!
      5. The Sky Bar Trials
      6. It's the Economy, Stupid!
      7. Indian Pines Crossing
      8. Rolling the Trees Again
      9. Five Diamonds
    10. Passings

    1. After all the hype, Buc-ee's opened in Auburn April 10 and if you don't go that way often, you have probably forgotten, but the gas, food and what-not merchant has become a popular stop for interstate travelers.

    2. It is sad to watch a spiral in real time, but many of the headlines in 2023 dealt with the ongoing legal issues of Johnston Taylor, the young man who was given a second chance after causing the deaths of Rod and Paula Bramlett, but has been caught with kiddie porn and faking a drug test.

    3. Hugh Freeze used the transfer portal to remake the 2023 Auburn Tigers football team and get Auburn into a bowl game.

    4. A major focus in Auburn city governance has be the construction of a Public Safety Training Facility in North Auburn.

    5. Sky Bar owner, Pat Grider was convicted of groping a woman and registered as a sex offender, but on a appeal a new trial was order and a jury found him not guilty.

    6. It's a good time to have a job or be in the job market, as the local economy roared, reaching a 2% unemployment rate, among the best in the country.

    7. The municipal golf course formerly known as Indian Pines, was reimagined, redeveloped and given a new moniker, Pines Crossing.

    8. After poison, fire and drought, the latest oak trees at Toomer's Corner were green-lighted for toilet paper-fueled victory celebrations in 2023.

    9. After opening in 2022, in 2023 the Laurel Hotel and Spa received the coveted AAA Five Diamond rating only give to the finest luxury hotels.

    10. Among the passings we noted in 2023 were singer-songwriter and former Auburn student, Jimmy Buffet; Bow and Arrow chef, Dave Roberson; and Olympian and former track star and head coach at Auburn, Harvey Glance.

    Daylight Saving Time Returns

    Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday March 10 and ends at 2 a.m. November 3.

    DST has been around since 1918. During World War I, it was used to allow for more evening light and to save fuel for the war effort. Since then, DST has been used on and off, with different start and end dates.

    Benjamin Franklin first suggested the idea in 1784. It was later revived in 1907, when William Willett proposed a similar system. The Germans were the first to officially adopt the light-extending system in 1915, followed by the British, and in 1918 the United States, when Congress passed the Standard Time Act, establishing our time zones.

    After much controversy, DST was repealed in 1919 but returned in 1942 to help the country through World War II. It was now called War Time and was terminated in 1945.

    As the country enjoyed postwar peace, proponents of DST wanted it back mainly for the safety of schoolchildren waiting for morning buses on dark, busy roads. In 1966, it returned for good when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act into law.

    During the "energy crisis" years, Congress enacted earlier starting dates for daylight saving time. In 1974, DST began on January 6 and in 1975 it began on February 23. After those two years the starting date reverted back to the last Sunday in April.

    In 1986, a law was passed that shifted the starting date of DST to the first Sunday in April, beginning in 1987. The ending date of daylight saving time was not subject to such changes, and remained the last Sunday in October.

    As an energy conservation measure, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended DST for an additional month beginning in 2007. The start of DST now occurs on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

    Here are some interesting facts about DST:

    Officially, it's "daylight saving time," not "daylight savings time." But don't feel bad if you thought there was a final "s" on "saving"; far more people Google the incorrect phrase than the correct one.

    Daylight saving time has mixed effects on people's health. Transitions into and out of DST can disturb people's sleeping patterns, for example, and make them more restless at night. Night owls tend to be more bothered by the time changes than people who like mornings.

    There's a spike in heart attacks during the first week of daylight saving time, according to another study published last year. The loss of an hour's sleep may make people more susceptible to an attack, some experts say. When daylight saving time ends in the fall, heart attacks briefly become less frequent than usual.

    People are safer drivers during daylight hours, and researchers have found that DST reduces lethal car crashes and pedestrian strikes. In fact, a study concluded that observing DST year-round would annually prevent about 195 deaths of motor vehicle occupants and about 171 pedestrian fatalities.

    Many other countries observe daylight saving time, but not all do so on the same day. That can create confusion for international travelers, business communications, and more.

    Two states, Arizona and Hawaii and three U.S. territories: American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands don't observe daylight saving time. Indiana adopted DST in 2006.

    Local time determines when DST begins, so America's eastern time zone makes the switch before the rest of the country. On March 13, cities like New York and Atlanta will be two hours ahead of the central time zone, instead of the usual one-hour difference, from 3 a.m. to 3:59 a.m. EDT. New York City will be four hours ahead of Los Angeles instead of the usual three from 3 a.m. to 5:59 a.m. EDT.

    The effect of DST on energy use has changed over time and varies from place to place. Experts even disagree on whether DST still saves the nation energy. But so many people like to "spring forward" that it might be hard for officials to end the tradition, even if they determined it's wasteful.

    Tax Scams

    If you usually wait until the last minute to file your taxes, the deadline to get them done this year is April 15. While you put off the one thing we all dread doing every year, scammers love tax season and use many different tricks to try to con you out of money.

    From phone calls to phishing emails, the scammers often target seniors, and unfortunately sometimes they take the bait. The calls claim to be from the IRS and use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the license of their victim if they dont get the money.

    Scammers often alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use the victims name, address and other personal information to make the call sound official.

    The emails are from criminals who have stolen your tax and banking information from elsewhere, then file a fraudulent tax return in your name and have the refund deposited in your account.

    Then, they contact you by email pretending to be from the IRS or a collection agency, claiming a refund was deposited erroneously in your account and order you to send it to them.

    In other email schemes, criminals may pretend to be from your bank or other legitimate institution you know to get you to give them your passwords, Social Security number and other valuable information.

    Here are five things the scammers often do but the IRS will not do. Any one of these five things is a tell-tale sign of a scam.

    The IRS will never:

    Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.

    Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.

    Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.

    Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

    Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

    If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, heres what you should do:

    If you dont owe taxes, or have no reason to think that you do:

    Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.

    Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting webpage. You can also call 800-366-4484.

    Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the FTC Complaint Assistant on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.

    Cramming

    For awhile, I've been familiar with the term phishing, which is receiving an email from someone who is pretending to be from a company asking for personal information. Recently, I learned about a new scam: cramming.

    Cramming basically means you're being charged for something that you didn't sign up for. These scam companies can use your name and phone number to "charge" you a fee for long distance service, collect calls, voicemail service, web hosting, and club memberships.

    Cramming charges can be small, like $2 or $3, and easy to overlook. But even when the phony charges arent small, they may sound like fees you do owe. That makes them tough to pick out, especially if your phone bill varies month to month. These charges can appear on your cell phone bill, too.

    To catch these bogus charges, take time to read your bill each month. Make it a habit to check the charges on your bill each month for services you havent ordered or calls you havent made. If your bill goes up one month, even by just a few dollars, take a closer look.

    Also, if you pay your bill online, never set it up for AutoPay. AutoPay automatically deducts your bill payment from your checking account or your credit card each month. If you do have phony charges on your bill, it may be harder to dispute them if your bill has already been paid.

    If you think you've been a victim of cramming, you should file a complaint. Even if you get a refund, notify the FTC at ftc.gov, or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). You also can file a complaint with your state Attorney Generals office (visit naag.org or check the government section of your phone book for the number) or the state agency that regulates phone service in your state often the state public service commission or public utilities commission, which you can look up on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners website at naruc.org/commissions.cfm. Try to include the names of all the companies involved, not just your telephone company.

    Root, Root, Root For The Home Team

    The home advantage in sports is obvious and well documented, but what gives the home team its edge?

    Sports fans for years have argued about the relative importance of the home crowd, the familiar surroundings, the lack of travel and the support of family and friends. 2020, while a disaster movie of a year, gave us an interesting social experiment that would not have been possible. What if we played the entire season with no fans? What would happen to the home field advantage?
    What we discovered was dramatic if not surprising. The home field advantage disappeared almost entirely worldwide. For the 2020 season in the NFL, the home team was 127-128-1. In English Premier League soccer, 2019 European Champions Liverpool struggled to a third place finish, as their 64-game home unbeaten streak ended with six consecutive home losses at one point, the worst home losing streak in the 129-year history of the club.
    Only in Major League Baseball did the home advantage continue uninterrupted by the absence of spectators. Over the past century, the home team in baseball has won 54% of the time. In 2020, the home team won 55.7% of games. Maybe the fans were distracting the home team.
    But, why is baseball different? The home advantage in baseball is cooked into rules. First, the home team gets to bat last. That has to account for something, however, in the limited number of neutral site baseball games played in past quarter century, the "home" team, batting last, has LOST about 55% of the games.
    The factor that may make baseball's home advantage more indelible is the rule that permits every team to design their own ballpark. In baseball, only distances between the bases and between home plate and the pitcher's rubber are defined. There are minimum distances for the placement of the outfield fence, but very few other limits. The "fence" can be a wall, covered with ivy, a "Green Monster" like in Boston and Plainsman Park, or a hillside, with rapidly rising ground. Each park can have dozens of other peculiarities that makes each unique. A few years ago, Auburn scored an inside-the-park home run with the help of a strategically placed bench in foul territory. Baseball teams are constructed with the home park in mind.
    While the Braves may win or lose just fine with or without fan support, a full house at Jordan-Hare Stadium should give the Tiger a real home field advantage this Fall.

    Programming Note

    Updates to the "People In the News" section will be unavailable through July 28 due to vacation schedules. We expect to be back online around July 29.

    Additionally, There will be no updates to Tigerland.com until the week of 7/29.

    This will not affect automated weather feeds.

    Thank you for your support.

    Dogs Can Learn Words Quickly

    It has been known for years that dogs can fetch objects and sit on command. A study suggests that they have the ability to remember words for dozens of objects, even some of them for weeks.

    The researchers found that Rico, a border collie, understands more than 200 words and can learn new ones quickly. Rico knows the names of dozens of play toys and can find the one called for by his owner. That is a vocabulary size about the same as apes, dolphins and parrots trained to understand words, the researchers say.

    The border collie, a breed known primarily for its herding ability, was able to go to the room with the toys and, seven times out of 10, bring back the one he had not seen before. Rico seemingly understood that, because he knew the names of all the other toys, the new one must be the one with the unfamiliar name.

    This kind of rapid word learning is called "fast-mapping", also used by young children to form quick and rough ideas about the meaning of a new word. When it came to matching new words to objects, Rico performed about as well as an average 3-year-old. Julia Fischer, a researcher with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig and her colleagues do not claim that dogs and toddlers have an equally rich understanding of words.

    "Apparently he was able to link the novel word to the novel item based on exclusion learning, either because he knew that the familiar items already had names or because they were not novel," the researchers said in an article in the U.S. journal Science.

    A month later, he still remembered the name of the new toy three out of six times, even without seeing it since the first test. That is a rate the scientists said was equivalent to that of a 3-year-old.

    While dogs may be smarter than many people thought, Paul Bloom of Yale University, who was not involved in the study, urged caution. "Children can understand words used in a range of contexts. Rico's understanding is manifested in his fetching behavior," Bloom wrote in a commentary, also in Science.

    Ms. Fisher says dogs' long history of domestication might have enhanced their vocabulary abilities.

    "Certainly it does help that dogs have been bred to attend to humans and that is something that has been selected for in many dogs," she adds. "But I think, nonetheless, in principle we would be able to find this in other animals as well."

    Not Enough Sleep May Equal More Colds

    A study suggests that people who sleep less than seven hours a night are three times more likely to get sick after being exposed to a cold virus than those who are more well-rested.

    Volunteers who spent less time in bed, or who spent their time in bed tossing and turning instead of sleeping, were much more likely to catch a cold when viruses were dripped into their noses. People who slept longer and more soundly resisted infection better.

    Psychology professor Sheldon Cohen and his colleagues at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh interviewed 153 healthy men and women ages 21 to 55 every day for two weeks. They asked how long they slept, how much they tossed and turned before dropping off, and whether they felt rested in the morning, in addition to other factors.

    After that, the volunteers were quarantined for six days in a hotel and given cold-virus-containing nose drops at a dose about 125 times the amount that it takes to infect cells in a laboratory.

    Researchers found that 88 percent of people became infected with the virus (as measured by cold virus in their nose or antibodies in their blood), but not all of those people actually got sick. About 43 percent of the volunteers had signs of infection plus cold symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat.

    Those who reported fewer than seven hours of sleep on average were 2.94 times more likely to develop sneezing, sore throat and other cold symptoms than those who reported getting eight or more hours of sleep each night.

    The researchers don't know why less sleep is associated with a greater susceptibility to colds. They believe that sleep deprivation or sleep disturbances may affect immune system signalling chemicals called cytokines or histamines.