Let’s Get To The Root Of It All In Week Seven
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Quick question before we jump right into this week’s action: Auburn fan, would you trade FSU Head Coach Mike Norvell right now for Head Coach Hugh Freeze? Be honest, be sincere, be genuine, and think very hard about that? So far, this 2023 season Florida State has been one of the darlings of the college football world. They opened the season with a massive win in Orlando over highly ranked LSU to the tune of 45-24. Three weeks later they defeated nemesis Clemson on the road in overtime 31-24. Outside of a massive collapse, The Noles should head into the ACC Conference Championship game in early December undefeated and looking to join in the BCS College Playoff with a legitimate chance at their first National Championship since 2013. Yes, that one still hurts. But before answering that question, let me give you some quick facts on this scenario Radio Free Auburn was asked about over the bye week.
Before coming to FSU in 2020, Norvell coached at Memphis and in four seasons between 2016 and 2019, amassed a career record there of 38-15. The 2019 season was very special with The Tigers going 12-1 in the regular season, losing The Cotton Bowl to Penn State, and subsequently Norvell using that solid season to vault over to Florida State and replace woeful Willie Taggart as Chief of The Seminole Tribe. Since then, Norvell’s record has started off poor but gotten better each year.
2020 3-6, Rivals Recruiting Class #27
2021 5-7, Rivals Recruiting Class #20
2022 10-3, Rivals Recruiting Class #26
2023 5-0, Rivals Recruiting Class #7
As you can see, the first few years of Norvell at FSU were rocky, to say the least. In year #2, Florida State lost embarrassingly to Jacksonville State. Also, in 2022 FSU had 28 players transfer out of the program and 2023 they had 22 players leave for other schools. So, with recruiting classes outside of the Top 20 nationally during his first three seasons, how did Norvell turn it around now? With a proven record at Memphis, Norvell proved he could coach at a high level. So coaching ability should not be a question. With a ton of attrition in the roster from the previous staff (sound familiar, AU fans?), the staff at FSU hit the transfer portal hard to stabilize their roster. In 2022 FSU brought in 14 players from the portal ranking their portal class #10 in the nation per On3 and in 2023 they brought in 12 new players ranking their class #6 in the nation per 24/7 Sports. The key to both of those transfer portal classes was WR Johnny Wilson in 2022 and WR Keon Coleman in 2023. Both were deadly against LSU in the season opener and Coleman has been All-American worthy all year.
In his first season as Head Coach at Auburn, Hugh Freeze has not lost to anyone, yet he should not have but not beaten anyone yet that he was not favored against. Like Norvell, Freeze hit the transfer portal very hard after losing several players from the previous staff’s roster. Unlike Norvell, Hugh Freeze has Auburn knocking on the door recruiting-wise with a Top 10 class his first full cycle here as coach. In a short amount of time here in 2022, Freeze and staff managed to cobble together a #15 national ranking in recruiting according to Rivals. In Norvell’s first two years FSU was 8-13. Freeze should be ahead of those numbers easily. Freeze also will not lose to the likes of Jacksonville State barring catastrophe. He will have already out recruited Norvell comparatively in their first two seasons. Freeze has hit the transfer portal harder than FSU to stabilize his roster early and has easily proven his coaching ability with success at both Ole Miss and Liberty before coming to Auburn. The only two things Freeze is really missing right now at being more successful are a WR Johnny Wilson and a WR Keon Coleman. So, would I take Mike Norvell right now over Hugh Freeze? No way, Jose! IN HUGH WE TRUST! Give him time like FSU did Mike Norvell and I bet in 4 years you will be thanking Radio Free Auburn for telling you so! (Just like I am sure all FSU fans are claiming they were behind Norvell the entire time! Right?) If not, we will be having this same conversation in 2027 we have been having from the bottom of the conference arguing who the next buyout coach will be.
Around the SEC
11:00 AM on CBS. Georgia –31.5 at Vanderbilt. The last time UGA lost to Vandy was in Kirby Smart’s first year as head coach in 2016. Did UGA fans question Kirby Smart’s abilities then? These two teams have played every season since 1968. What a nice advantage for Georgia during that cycle. The Bulldogs lost to The Commodores 6 times in that stretch and tied once in 1985. UGA leads the all-time series 60-20-2. UGA 52, Vandy 9.
11:00 AM on ESPN. Arkansas +19.5 at Alabama. This is a story of two teams going in completely opposite directions. Bama has won 3 straight games since being whipped by Texas at home while Arky is on a four game and soon to be five game losing streak. After this week, The Hogs will have played the Top 4 teams in the SEC West in succession. That is a brutal draw but what is more brutal is that Alabama has won 16 straight games in this series. The last time Arkansas beat Alabama in football was in 2006 during Mike Shula’s infamous last season as head coach in Tuscaloosa. Houston Nutt, yes that Houston Nutt, was coaching Arkansas and Gus Malzhan, yes that Gus Malzahn, was their offensive coordinator. For reference, the first iPhone edition was released in June of 2007. The last time Arkansas beat Bama in football predates the Apple iPhone. WOW. Bama 45, Arkansas 21.
2:30 PM on CBS. Texas A&M +3.5 at Tennessee. Chalk this one up as “The Welcome Back Kotter Bowl” with two teams that rarely play one another and know very little about one another. These two first got together in 1957 and did not play again until 2004. The overall series is tied at 2-2 with Texas A&M winning the last two matchups with both games being in conference play. It is hard to believe that The Aggies will not be a little sluggish after a physical game against Alabama last week. Tennessee sat at home resting on a Bye Week and watched them lose to Bama 26-20. Surprisingly, UT is second in the SEC in rushing while Texas A&M has one of the best rush stopping defenses in the league. UT 36, Texas A&M 30.
2:30 PM on SEC Network. Florida +3 at South Carolina. The “Steve Spurrier Bowl” kicks off with both teams coming off a bye. South Carolina stayed home and rested while Florida beat Vanderbilt 38-14. The Gators lead the all-time series 30-10-3 and dominated The Cocks last year at home 38-6. Florida’s last win in Columbia, SC was 2019 with a score of 38-27. Other than the WR for Florida, is there any reason to watch this game unless you are a fan of either team? South Carolina 29, Florida 27.
7:30 PM on SEC Network Missouri +3 at Kentucky. Capping off the night in SEC play is the “What could have been bowl” between previously unbeaten Missouri versus previously unbeaten Kentucky. The Tigers lost at home to LSU in a wild shootout while Kentucky was unceremoniously dismantled on the road by #1 Georgia. After a great start to the season, do either of these teams now have anything left in the gas tank to move forward? Following the loss to UGA, it sounds like UK Head Coach Mark Stoops thinks The Cats do not.
That is some poor looking body language in that video Mr. Stoops! From what has transpired this season so far, Missouri has the better-looking offense, defense, special teams, played the tougher schedule and has a coach not slouched over in an interview like a disgruntled Bitterman. Missouri 31, Kentucky 30.
AUBURN +11.5 at LSU
Old SEC Western Division rivals get together one last time in Baton Rouge, LA at 6:00 PM Saturday Night on ESPN. The division rivals have played every year since 1992 and boy what a series this has been to remember. Below is just one example of the craziness these two have conceived in 30 years of division play.
The Interception Game - Auburn vs. LSU 1994
There have been earthquakes, interceptions, magic being back, barns burning, cigars smoked, streaks made and broken, fake field goals and so much more. The likes of Saban, Dye, Miles, Tuberville and others have participated in the bizarre and true physicality of the play in this underrated rivalry. Too bad SEC Expansion will make a victim of this yearly brouhaha beginning next year.
LSU leads this series all-time 29-24-1 with The Bayou Bengals winning last year in a dramatic comeback at Auburn 21-17. The last time Auburn won on the road in this game was 2021 in Bryan Harsin’s first year as Head Coach 24-19. Before that, Auburn had not won in Tiger Stadium since Tommy Tuberville’s first year as Head Coach in 1999. One of those tenures worked out well for Auburn after those games and we will let you decide which one it was. Despite recent victory in Baton Rouge, a few questions below need to be addressed before Auburn’s trip to Louisiana this Saturday.
Can AU run the ball consistently Saturday against LSU?
Speaking of running, will the real Jarquez Hunter please stand up?
Will a playmaker finally step up at WR for Auburn?
Is Auburn man enough to win back-to-back in Baton Rouge since 1997/1999?
How healthy and fresh will Auburn be coming off the Bye Week?
Can Auburn sustain drives playing keep away from LSU?
Can Auburn score TDs in the Red Zone as opposed to Field Goals?
Will Auburn be able to throw the ball for more than 100 yards in this game?
Can Auburn’s defense hold up four quarters against a potent LSU offense?
Can Auburn contain LSU QB Jayden Daniels?
Quite frankly, these will not be questions just for the LSU game, but moving forward this season for success in every game, minus Daniels, until the end of the season. It is also imperative for Auburn to start all the games the rest of the season beginning Saturday positively. Much better than what happened in California and at Texas A&M. LSU has averaged almost 45 points per game this season. In Power Five games, LSU has averaged 39 points per game with their lowest outing being against FSU to start the season with only 24 points. With an inept offense this season thus far, that 24 number really feels right now like a breaking point number for Auburn to have a chance to win any game moving forward.
With pressing issues that need to improve, the most pressing problem above will be how Auburn can somehow contain LSU’s offense and specifically QB Jayden Daniels. LSU Leads the SEC in total offense and Daniels leads the league in passing.
https://www.secsports.com/statistics/football/team/total
https://www.secsports.com/statistics/football/player/passing
Without a doubt, there have been some sleepless nights in Auburn this week for coaches trying to figure out how to gameplan against this powerful LSU offense. A few plays made here and there against UGA the week before stopping Brock Bowers may have allowed the Tigers to win the game in The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. Against LSU, a few plays made here or there against Jayden Daniels may be only enough to keep Auburn in the game Saturday night. He is that dangerous as the number one QB in the SEC and one of the tops in the nation.
Quick thoughts on how FSU shut down LSU Labor Day Weekend to start the season. Statically in 2023, Auburn's defense is just as stout as Florida State’s this year. But offensively, there is no comparison. The Noles have QB Jordan Travis who, as a Heisman Darkhorse, went 23/31 against LSU with 342 yards passing plus 4 touchdowns thrown as well. Thus far in 2023 in Power 5 games, Auburn QB Payton Thorne has thrown for 220 yards total in those 3 games. FSU has WR Johnny Wilson and playmaker Keon Coleman who has 6 touchdowns caught himself through just 5 games. Auburn has some guy named “Hollywood” who needs to start playing up to that nickname and including TEs, only has five touchdowns receiving the entire year as a team. Florida State does have a physical running game that compliments an explosive aerial attack while Auburn has the potential physical run attack but does not fully commit to it in big moments. Point being, Auburn must do a complete 180-degree roundabout offensively over the off week or it could be a very long night in Tiger Stadium.
Intangibles always seem to matter in this heated game. First, there will be a home field advantage for LSU and Saturday Nights in Tiger Stadium has been a house of horrors for many teams, especially AU. Special teams for both teams will be more than adequate in the kicking and punting game, but will Auburn muff punts like they did previously in California and in College Station? Crazy things happen to the ball in the menacing lights of Tiger Stadium at night. LSU has played a tough gauntlet to begin 2023 traveling from Missouri to Orlando, FL and in between with no break in the action and none until two weeks from now. Will LSU be a little tired and wobbly with so many games in a row? And what about QB Jayden Daniels with the reports coming out this week about fatigue and soreness circulating?
Below are just a few of the hits Jayden Daniels has taken this year. If Auburn can be physical on him like FSU was, like Ole Miss was, The Tigers can stay in this game. Moving forward for LSU, one must ask the following question: How many more hits can Daniels take like this in 2023? The kid is as tough as an old tire, but it is getting a little ridiculous.
LSU QB Jayden Daniels takes huge hit and fumbles vs Ole Miss
LSU 34, Auburn 20
Top 25 Matchups This Week
#7 Washington vs #8 Oregon
#10 USC vs #21 Notre Dame
#12 UNC vs #25 Miami
#15 Oregon State vs #18 UCLA
Uncle TBONE special game of the week – Wyoming +10 at Air Force. Wyoming had an emotional win last week at home against previously unbeaten and ranked Fresno State. The Cowboys sit at 4-1 and will travel to beautiful Colorado Springs, CO to take on undefeated Falcons from The Air Force Academy. If the Air Force handles business Saturday Night, their toughest test remaining on schedule may be hosting Army in Denver on 11/4.
Could a then undefeated service academy with the help of complete chaos begin to make a run at one of the coveted four playoff spots in the BCS Final Four? That scenario is highly unlikely this year but with a 12-team playoff looming in 2024, how incredible would that story be? You could also bet your bottom dollar that if your team made the playoffs in 2024 and their first-round game was against a service academy, you would be uncomfortable to say the least. All of America except for local communists and atheists would be pulling hard for our future soldiers in that situation.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU ALWAYS!!!
Air Force 38, Wyoming 26
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