http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/09/14/seriously-auburn-3-2/
On Saturday, the “offensively-challenged” Auburn Tigers won by a single point over the nearly-but-not-quite-as-offensively-challenged Mississippi State Bulldogs.
(Never before has a single point seemed like such a large margin.)
A win is a win is a win, they say.
This game? This win? This one challenges that notion. There was a victor, but a national television audience was left listless and reeling in throes of boredom. And of course, two young punters were given the grueling task of launching nearly two dozen combined punts downfield. Surely it’s dangerous in some way to kick that many balls that far in such a short time. (If not dangerous, it’s unnatural, anyway.)
To be fair, Auburn’s new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin has his hands full trying to transform Auburn from their ground ‘n pound, run-heavy offense into a modern-day spread. Much like trying to mold an option-oriented team into a West Coast offense, it simply takes time to make it happen. (Then again, Franklin had Auburn looking pretty good against Clemson in their last game of 2007.)
But still… 3 points? Against Mississippi State? Sly Croom’s team doesn’t usually strike fear into the hearts of SEC opponents, but their defense is generally decent, or even “pretty good” by conference standards.
Auburn managed 315 yards, but that number is more than slightly deceptive. The Tigers managed to convert only 3-16 on 3rd down and turned the ball over three times. Even so, Mississippi State’s only points came from a safety… two points gifted to the Bulldogs thanks to a holding penalty called on an Auburn lineman in the Tigers’ end zone.
FanHouse
9/14/08
Magnolia Tribune
