Game on Saturday?

I realize I'm a little late in posting this. I went 3-3 last week, and am now 69-25. I won't go game-by-game this week.

So yeah, I picked Bama to beat Auburn. I just had a bad feeling last week. It wasn't a lack of faith, or a reverse-mojo ploy for good luck...just a bad feeling. I'm certainly glad I was wrong! I hope to have a dedicated post about the game later on this week.

So what's with the talk radio this week? No one wants to talk about the game. No one really wants to talk about bowl bids either. It's all about where Tuberville, Muschamp, Borgess, hell, everyone down to Auburn's waterboy will end up.

Sheldon Haygood's talk more about Tuberville leaving the other night than the actual game. His laughable prediction was LSU. I guess he had to come up with something after TAMU was out of the picture.

On my drive home yesterday, Finebaum was interviewing someone and all they talked about was about Auburn coaches leaving. I changed stations and Dunaway and Brown were talking about the same thing. I went to the show with Stabler thinking that they would surely be talking about the game. Nope, Auburn's coaching situation.

Every Monday this year, people have talked about the previous Saturday's games, particularly the Bama games. After all, Birmingham is still a Bama town, though not by as much as it used to be. But yesterday? Nada. No strategy talk, bowl projection talk, or "what if" talk. No throwing SJPW under the bus, or talks of, "if Saban had his own players." It was all talk of Auburn's coaching staff.

This morning, what were they talking about on the Opening Drive? Possible positions that could be filled by Auburn's current coaching staff.

Honestly, this game seems to have disappeared like a fart in the wind. And why? Because the Bama nation wants Coach Tuberville out of town. They aren't used to losing six in a row, so they're panicking like never before.

I will give credit to the many wonderful Bama blogs (check my links) out there that actually have talked about the game. Sure, many have also talked about the coaching situation. After all, it's big news (though, no news). But they haven't completely ignored the fact that there was a game played on Saturday. Why not the "legitimate" media?

Well, shit sells these days. And by shit, I mean a) tabloid "news", and b) stuff that panders to the target audience. That's exactly what the local sports media is doing now.

We all know the ringleader. He's been extremely successful pedaling the tabloid junk. The rest of the local sports media are just following suit. Either that, or they're just drooling Bama fanboys (see Melick/Gattis). I don't know if I should, but I'm giving most of them the benefit of the doubt.

Who Owns the Refs? - Revisited

It's Iron Bowl week, so I decided to do another comparison of penalties called in Auburn's and Alabama's games. In doing so, I also compared their opponents' penalties against Auburn and Alabama to what they averaged against other opponents.

When I compiled my first "Who Owns the Refs?" entry, Auburn and Alabama had only played four games. They both have now played eleven games, so we should be able to get a better idea of who really owns the refs in this state.

Here are comparisons of penalties per game and penalty yards per game for Alabama, Auburn, and the SEC average.

Hmmm, interesting. While opponents were penalized more times for more yards against both teams, Alabama certainly takes the cake.

Auburn is on par with the SEC average in penalties per game and penalty yards per game. Alabama is penalized less for far less yards than the SEC average. They're number one in both categories in the SEC. When it comes to penalty yards and opponent penalty yards, Alabama is number four and number three in the nation.

Of course, there is no distinction between offensive and defensive penalties here. I'm definitely not going to sift through a bunch of play-by-plays to get the information either! However, we can see which offense is getting more of a boost from penalties by comparing first downs gained by penalties.

I included the total chart because it paints a better picture of what's going on. Auburn has gotten more first downs from penalties than the SEC average, but so has their opponents. The gap between first downs awarded to Alabama compared to their opponents is amazing. They've received more first downs from penalties than any other team in the nation. There are only four teams in the nation whose opponents have received less first downs from penalties than Alabama. Could this be because of Bama's schedule?

Auburn and Alabama have had six common opponents this year. Are their non-common opponents skewing their numbers? After all, USF and KSU are two of the top penalized teams in the country. Let's see how Alabama's and Auburn's opponents averaged against other teams.

I took the average from the opponent teams, excluding Alabama for their comparison and Auburn for theirs. Western Carolina and Tennessee Tech were excluded from this average.

Teams averaged less penalties for less yards when playing other opponents than when playing Alabama and Auburn. There is clearly a larger gap for Bama's opponents. The teams they've played have averaged less penalties for less yards per game than Auburn's opponents, yet they averaged more penalties for more yards when playing Bama.

What about their opponents' penalties?

Auburn's opponents benefited from the same number of penalties per game against other teams than they did against Auburn. The yardage is about the same as well.

Again, there is a clear difference between the number of penalties called when teams have played Alabama. Those teams benefited from more penalties for more yards per game against other opponents than the teams Auburn played. Head to head, Bama's opponents didn't get nearly as many calls or as many yards as Auburn's opponents did.

What about first downs?

Opponents got more first downs from penalties against Auburn than against other teams. Likewise, Auburn received more first downs from penalties than the other teams they played. That pretty much balances out.

Bama's comparison speaks for itself.

Basically, teams have been penalized more, for more yards, and given up more first downs from penalties when they played Bama than when they played other teams. It's not even close. And it's because of this we can conclude that Bama fans have no business complaining about calls.

I'm not sure if Bama owns the refs. Every team in the SEC has gotten their share of BS calls this year. But this screen cap taken from the Bama/Ole Miss game is mighty suspicious.

Tuberville demonstrates the proper response to a BS call.

Well, what can I say? I'm not too bummed about this loss because I think Auburn played very well. It would have been nice to have a "w", but sometimes it's not in the cards. Like Will Collier, you won't hear me claiming any sort of "moral victory." A loss is a loss.

There is a lot of talk about Tuberville's decision to squib kick late in the fourth quarter. Both coaches made questionable calls in this game. Miles's decision to throw the ball worked. Tuberville's decision to squib kick did not. That doesn't make Tuberville any less of a coach.

What's up with SEC refs this year? They are absolutely horrible. Are they making up their own rules? In the Florida/LSU game, they called back a kick return from a replay that was definitely disputable. In the Florida/Auburn game, they called a penalty that was eliminated in 2003. Who can forget the replay call in the Ole Miss/Bama game (aside from Bama fans)? In the LSU/Auburn game, they nullified a penalty from a replay, and gave LSU a first down with a horrible spot.

Bad calls or not, LSU won the game by pulling it together in the second half. I will not take anything away from their play. They truly deserved the win.

Vols Fan 3 - Bama Game Thoughts

Saban denotes Bama's win streak against UT. Says
one fan, "It's only classless when Tuberville does it."

Let's see how my Pregame Questions were answered in this one.

1. Can Tennessee's defense stop...anything? Apparently not. SJPW looks great when he isn't pressured, and has all the time in the world to make a decision.
   
2. Will Ainge be able to complete a long pass without it being called back because of a bogus call? Yes, but Bama did manage to get two bogus calls. The first one should have been an interception. In fact, the flag was thrown after the ball fell into UT's hands. The next play, Keith Brown pushes off a DB (no call) to catch a touchdown pass. The second one should have resulted in a fourth down. No, they called defensive holding on UT, and Bama got the first down. This resulted in a 20 yard field goal attempt instead of a 40 yard attempt.
   
3. Will Tennessee allow Javier Arenas to have big returns? Javier Arenas returned a kickoff for 62 yards. So no.

Bottom line, Bama tore UT a new one. However, Sylvester Croom is definitely on to something. Officials can definitely give a team unfair advantages. But Bryant Denny Restaurant gives a new meaning to "home field advantage." Whether it's turning sprinklers on to stop their opponent's drive, or making the play clock nonfunctional during their opponent's drive, they're going to have a home field advantage like no other.

After this loss, I think Fulmer's "hot terlet" just got a little hotter. I hate it for the guy because he's done so much for UT. Aside from five years spent at Wichita State and one year at Vandy, Fulmer has been involved with the UT football program since 1969. Results are everything, though. I'm sure he will be allowed to resign sooner than later.

This concludes my week as a Vols fan.

Vols Fan 2 - Bama Pregame

It's almost noon and I haven't started watching the game yet. I'll start it after I post this. As a Vol fan this week, I'm going to ask some pregame questions for their game.

1. Can Tennessee's defense stop...anything?
   
2. Will Ainge be able to complete a long pass without it being called back because of a bogus call?
   
3. Will Tennessee allow Javier Arenas to have big returns?

I think those are fair questions. Number two is definitely a legitimate question. Bama's opponents have had long passes called back in at least half of their games. Last week's just took the cake.

Vols Fan - One Week Only

"I'll get you my fatty. . .and your little hound too!"

I have an unspoken pact with one of my best friends where I become a Tennessee fan one week out of the year, possibly two. I'm talking about the third week in October and if the Vols and Tide win their division, the SEC Championship game. Of course, this doesn't involve me being "just happy" if Bama loses. I have to become an actual Tennessee fan. With that, my attitude has to change for the worse. I have to trash talk and all of that fun stuff. So yeah, go Vols!!!

Everyone knows that the Philsbury Doughboy owns the crapstain. After all, he's amassed an 11-3* record against the turd. He also went 2-1 against the Buhr while playing offensive guard for the Vols. However, he's only 1-2 against the Wicked Witch of the SEC West.

A bammer would say that Fulmer's losing record to the Wicked Witch gives them an advantage, but to the trained eye of a Tennessee fan, they're nothing but a redneck idiot. That lying SOB has never played the Southern Sumo under these conditions.

Saban at Bama is no match for Fulmer.

That's right. Fulmer will extend his total domination over the turd Saturday morning, and the cups will come flying to the field at Bryant Denny Restaurant.

*Was 10-3-1, but the crimson cheat forfeited 1993 giving UT the win.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words - Part 2

Remember when FSU coaches hid their signal caller from the Bama sideline? Aside from a few bloggers, not that many people talked about it. At the time, I found this very odd because it was one of the most bazaar things I'd ever seen at any level of football. I never even heard Finebaum mention it, which is surprising considering Gary Danielson's comment.

It turns out that not that many people saw this part of the game. Perhaps fans changed the channel after the first half snooze-fest. Or perhaps people just didn't care about it. Whatever the case may be, here's the video.

Is that Verne Lundquist, or Ed McMahon doing the play-by-play? "Yes!"

* Update — According to scalpem.com, using a towel/blanket is now a part of FSU's signaling. Thank you NoleCC for the update!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

First, there was Stoops alluding to the notion that Saban had people spying on OU's practices before the Sugar Bowl. Then there was that pesky "bought audio tapes" situation at Miami before upsetting highly favored New England 21-0. Next, Bill Belichick, who helped groom Saban, was busted videotaping opponents' sidelines in order to learn their signals. After that, Mark Richt, who has one former Saban staffer underneath him, closed UGA practices for the first time in seven years the week they were to play Bama. Finally, FSU, who has two former Saban staffers employed, used a wall of players and a blanket held by freshman Jacob Stanley to hide their signal caller from the Bama coaches.

I wonder how the conversation between Coach Bowden and Stanley went...

Bowden: Simmons, git over here!

Stanley: Yes, sir. But it’s Stanley.

Bowden: Okay, Simmons. That sombitch Curry stole my job at Bama, now he’s stealin’ my signals!

Stanley: Uhhh, Coach. It’s Sab-

Bowden: Look, Simmons. You’re from Jacksonville, right?

Stanley: Yes, sir. But my name is Stan-

Bowden: I want to use you in front of your home crowd, Simmons.

Stanley: That’s great, Coach! You won’t regret it. But my name is Stanley.

Bowden: I don’t want that sombitch Curry seeing our play callin’ signals, so your gonna hold this blanket up so he can’t. Understand, Simmons?.

Stanley: That’s…yes, sir. I’m Stan-

Bowden: Good. We’re gonna show that Curry what for.

Stanley: Yes, sir. But it’s Saban…not Cur-

Bowden: Your name’s Saban? Hell, son. Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been callin’ you Simmons this whole time!


Not to have someone outdo him in accusations that Bama cheats, Fulmer is already busy having a blanket constructed to hide him when UT plays the Tide.


No need to worry, Tide fans. Saban is always one step ahead. He has constructed a bulletproof plan to infiltrate enemy lines undercover.

*The links in this entry have been corrected.

It's Like Clockwork

Paul Finebaum is about as predictable as Al Borges's play calling this year. When Auburn does poorly, their trusties are looking to give Tuberville the boot. When Auburn is doing well, Tuberville is looking to take another coaching job.

After losing to USF and MSU, Finebaum repeatedly called Tuberville a bad coach. He constantly talked about the droves of Auburn fans that wanted him fired, though I never heard any of these fans. After the MSU loss, Finebaum wrote this in his column:

Tuberville has the security of a $6 million price tag on his head. However, if things don't change quickly, will it be enough to keep him in the good graces of the Auburn family?

That week, he told the guys on the Opening Drive that he didn't think Tuberville was going anywhere. The question was asked whether or not Finebaum thought Tuberville might leave on his own. His answer was no, because Tuberville and his family are happy in Auburn and he just had a large house built down there.

Let's fast forward two weeks. Auburn just upset the number three team in the nation. Finebaum has now changed his tune. Tuberville, the horrible coach that he is, is now on everyone's wish list. Finebaum blabs,

Tuberville would emerge at or near the top of anyone's list of top contenders for the job. He might also be hotly pursed by Arkansas after the expected removal of Houston Nutt.

Not bad for a horrible coach that none of the Auburn fans or trustees want, right?

Finebaum adds,

Tubs knows the terrain in Aggieland, having spent a brief period of time out there as R.C. Slocum's defensive coordinator.

I guess coaching at a school for one year means he's going to take the job and run. I probably shouldn't mention that Tuberville didn't even consider leaving Auburn for Miami like Finebaum was trying to push last year. I shouldn't mention that Tuberville coached there for eight years either.

And what about the fact that Tuberville and his family are happy in Auburn, and just moved into a 9,000-square foot house? Well, Paul's changed his opinion on that as well.

So, would Tuberville take the money and run? Are you kidding me? Tuberville may have stopped the hemorrhaging with the Florida upset but he's not stupid.

No, he's not stupid. But Finebaum's predictable routine is.

Interesting...

During my usual game day morning browsing, I found something rather interesting on FSU's official athletic site. This bit of knowledge is part of the Alabama Football Trivia that was compiled by Alabama Sports Information:

2. Prior to today's game in Jacksonville, when was the last time Alabama played a regular-season neutral site game?

A: Alabama defeated Ohio State 16-10 on Aug. 27, 1986 at the Kickoff Classic at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

That's right, Legion Field was not a neutral site.

Who Owns the Refs?

Bama fans like to claim that they own the SEC, but what about the refs? No way! They never get the calls. In fact the refs are always out to get the mighty Tide. So what's the truth? I had the time, so I looked up the penalty numbers for Auburn and Alabama in their first four games. I then went a step further and looked up each of their opponents' penalty numbers as well.

Here is a basic comparison of the penalties called in Alabama's and Auburn's games this year:

	Pen.	Yards	Pen./G	Yards/G	1st dns	1st dns/G
Bama	22	184	5.5	46	10	2.5
Opponents	27	267	6.8	66.8	3	0.8
Auburn	24	208	6	52	9	2.3
Opponents	34	265	8.5	66.3	7	1.8

In a direct comparison between the two, Auburn is averaging 0.5 more penalties and 6 more penalty yards a game than Alabama. Auburn opponents are averaging 1.7 more penalties and .5 less penalty yards a game than Alabama's opponents.

Both Alabama and Auburn have less penalties and penalty yards than their opponents. There is a wider margin of penalties called in Auburn's games. However, there is a wider margin of penalty yardage in Bama's games.

The numbers that really stick out are the 1st downs gained from penalties. Alabama has 7 more 1st downs attributed to penalties than their opponents. Auburn only has two.

You can't find out that much looking at the first set of numbers. Kansas State, one of Auburn's opponents, is averaging 133 yards of penalties a game. On the other hand, Vanderbilt, one of Alabama's opponents, is only averaging 42.7 penalty yards a game. So I decided to look at what Alabama's and Auburn's opponents were averaging in their other games in regards to penalties.

Here is a comparison of the average penalties called in Alabama's and Auburn's opponents' other games and what was called in their games against the Tide and Tigers.

	Pen./G	Yards/G	Opp. Pen./G	Opp. Yards/G
vs. others (avg)	6	50.5	7	53.1
vs. Bama	6.8	66.8	5.5	46
vs. others (avg)	8.6	79.8	7.8	60.3
vs. Auburn	8.5	66.3	6	52

This might paint a clearer picture of what's happening. On average, teams have been penalized more and for more yards when playing Alabama than when playing other teams. This hasn't been the case for Auburn's opponents. Compared to other teams the opponents have played, Auburn and Alabama get called for less penalties, and are penalized for less yards.

So what does this information reveal? Other than the fact that I had too much time on my hands yesterday, it doesn't reveal too much. By these numbers alone, it would appear that Bama is benefiting more from the refs than Auburn is. In reality, these statistics only scratch the surface. They don't indicate the situation surrounding each penalty. Also, there is no record of "no-calls". Alabama and Auburn fans will just have to keep arguing over who owns the refs. There is one thing we can all agree on, though. If ESPN analyst, Todd Blackledge, had his druthers, Bama would have 0 penalties for 0 yards this year.

A whole lot of talk, but from where?

I listen to the Opening Drive in the mornings, and Finebaum in the afternoons. I've heard numerous Bama fans call both shows and talk about all of the "aubies" calling for Tuberville's head. I've also heard Finebaum, and Tony Kurre mention this several times. I find it strange that I haven't heard a single caller doing this. I also haven't spoken with a single Auburn fan who feels this way about Tuberville. What's the deal? Am I listening at the wrong time? Are the hosts and Bama callers full of it? Either way, I'm not hearing it!

There has also been discussion over whether or not blame should be placed on Brandon Cox for the loss against USF. My take on this? Partially.

Cox had this to say about his performance:

"It's decisions, mainly, and trying to make things happen to much," Cox said. "I've just got to take what they give me and not try to force things. If it's not there, don't try to make something happen."

As a professional armchair quarterback, I have to disagree. Cox is not trying to do too much. He is not playing to win. He is playing to not get injured. Here's why I feel this way:

1. The offensive line performed well against USF. Cox didn't have defenders in his face all night long like he did against KSU, but he sure did play like it. He was throwing the ball early off of his back foot into double and triple coverage the entire game.
2. The few times that he was pressured or actually decided to scramble down the field, he went completely limp before getting hit. I noticed this in the KSU game as well. Before he gets hit, his head and shoulders drop.

This leads me to ask if there is something going on that the public doesn't know about. How many concussions has Cox suffered from over his career? It's pretty evident that he suffered one during the KSU game. The "How many concussions are too many?" argument is a whole separate can of worms, but if Cox has had several already, I'm not sure if he should still be playing. I would rather take my chances with a backup quarterback than having someone permanently injured.

Whether the above scenario is true or not remains to be seen. Maybe Cox isn't keeping his head on straight during the week. I don't know, but the fact remains that he is not mentally there during the games. Sure, he doesn't have the supporting cast that he's had during the past two years, but some of the mistakes he's making are just too questionable for a fifth year senior with two years starting under his belt.