Perhaps my favorite feature of the campground (and I hate to be this blunt) was riding the bus to/from the game. This was a pleasant surprise, limiting the walking distance for my mom. With a central pickup location at the corner of Donahue and Highway 14, I’m also pretty sure that it diminishes the possibilities for unnamed persons to get lost on campus.
I heard nary a negative comment about any of the day’s activities, and you could tell everyone was excited to get the young season off the ground. Things got started around 9 a.m. when I set up the TVs, and it was soon thereafter that Andrew and Katy Braden arrived to help get the tailgate started in earnest. While most things went in our favor, there were also a couple of first-game blunders that we will address and attempt to rectify this weekend with the Southern Miss game.
While discussing the Tailgater of the Week award with
I want to also make an honorable mention or two. First, Andy wanted to thank Josh Jackson for “not staying very long.” Also, Carl Monroe went above and beyond Sunday afternoon to help us get the camper covered in preparation for the wind and rain from Gustav that was expected (but I’m pretty certain never materialized) in the Auburn area.
Now, our attention turns to Southern Miss. Due to the lovely 11:30 a.m. kickoff, pre-game festivities will take place on campus followed by a small spread following the game. I encourage all parties to come to the camper and park to ride the University Station bus with us, which should assist in avoiding traffic to attend the tailgate following the game. Other televised games that will be shown are Florida-Miami and Wake Forest-Ole Miss (depending on what time we end up finishing the game with USM).
As far as the game is concerned, Auburn’s defense – to me – is top dog in the rugged Southeastern Conference. Tommy Tuberville said we had a lot of unseen mistakes to the naked eye, but the players made up for them with their athleticism. I had previously refused to acknowledge Neiko Thorpe’s name change (come on, how cool would it have been to have a “Lipscomb” roaming the defensive backfield?), but his hit in the fourth quarter Saturday night resonated through the remaining Jordan-Hare Stadium crowd. Yea, he’s gonna be good.
What more can anyone say about Antonio Coleman? Could you have scripted a better start for someone coming off a potentially career-ending neck injury in March? It was good to see him hit someone not wearing an AU jersey, and I’d be willing to say his forced fumble and sack was the turning point in the game…on ULM’s first play from scrimmage.
Southern Miss’ offense poses a threat due to the fact that they’re coming off a school record-setting performance last Saturday against another Sun Belt foe, Louisiana-Lafayette. They will feel as though they have the advantage with the no-huddle attack, but I assume they’ll find that our defense won’t tire nearly as easily as ULL despite the tempo the hurry-up scheme employs. This game and the one against West Virginia game will be the two that prove how effective it has been for our defense matching up with our offense on a daily basis.
We’ve been told Chris Todd will make his first start behind center for the Tigers, and it seems as though people fail to look at his final two drives directing the offense Saturday night. Yes, he had some bad decisions and looked a little rusty as far as holding onto the ball too long. Part of me wants to think that his shoulder’s durability was in the back of his mind early on, but when he got hit a couple of times and didn’t feel the familiar negative effects, he grew in confidence not only in his teammates but in himself. The Golden Eagles’ defense will not pose the threat ULM’s as they’re not as familiar with Tony Franklin’s scheme.
All that being said, Auburn will use much of the same game plan that worked against the Warhawks Saturday night with several “jumbo” formations (or at least as jumbo as you can get out of the shotgun) and lots of running plays. Ben Tate, Brad Lester and Eric Smith will be the focal points of our game plans for at least this week and next, I’m thinking. Hopefully, Mario Fannin will get a few more touches, but I don’t want to risk having him get hurt before he gets his opportunity to shine against SEC opponents. My prediction: Auburn 24, Southern Miss 13.
Back to the tailgate, making his first-ever Auburn football trip will be Robert Miller, my sister’s new interest. That being said, we’ll also witness the 2008 debut of Jeanie as well as be surrounded by the usual cast of characters (Andy, mom, dad, myself, Brad, Amber, Jared). Other known possibilities include Katy Braden and Chris Purser, he of Ole Miss fame.
Here are directions, should you need them:
From College Street, the easiest way is to turn onto Glenn and hang a right onto Donahue. Get in the left-hand turn lane ASAP and hang a left on Hwy 14/Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Stay on this for approximately 3 miles and look for the Thunder Cat gas station sign on your right. Once you pass the gas station, there will be the campground with several gravel entrances on your right. We'll be in the back corner (look for the enormous RUSHING orange flag atop the camper). Call me with any questions (334-750-1735).
As always, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again. War Eagle.
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