Two-A-Days and #6 in the Nation

Well it has been a while since I posted...went on vacation. So a couple things to talk about.

The first preseason poll is out (Auburn is ranked #6), and I wont start on my rant about why a preseason poll should not exist, but as much as the fans complain about it, we also tend to enjoy the spark it gives to kick off the war of words between fans. Heck it also gives sports writers better things to talk about than a stupid sociology class. Just FYI Auburn has been cleared of any athletic wrong doing so no NCAA problems.

As an Auburn fan I cringe and rejoice at this ranking. Cringe because the last time Auburn was showered with rankings and talk of greatness we went 7-5 with a trip to the Music City Bowl. I welcome the ranking because the only way Auburn has a chance at the national title game is to have a repeat of the 2004 season and to start higher in the rankings than the 17th they started that year. Auburn has got the potential to be great and the home schedule that favored them in '04, heck we even have a harder schedule since we have added Florida, but there are a lot of question marks that were not there in '04. There are huge shoes to fill at receiver, a defensive and offensive line that is young and talented but have not played many games together, two starting linebackers on the bench for three games including the LSU game, and not to mention a defense learning a totally new scheme. I hate to be a skeptic, but I don't see us reaching that pinnacle this year, but if we start 3-0 I might start to believe.

Then there is fall practice, basically all I have read for the past two days is sloppy, so much so that the defensive line was required to run till exhaustion. I have heard bad things about the receivers, already another starting LB has gotten injured, and there has been fights between players that resulted in coach Nall threatening to throw this player off the team if it happened again. Sound like the #6 team? Well lets take a look at things, 106 degree heat index, plus pads, plus two a days, plus fatigue can equal early mental mistakes and frustration. This is also very parallel to what happened this time last spring, so I am not calling it quits just yet. It is early with little offense and defense in right now, basically they are getting the depth chart decided and working on physical football. I personally think it is healthy for the team to have adversity right now that they will be forced to deal with before the season starts.

Auburn is on the pinnacle of being a great football team, and this might be the year, but the season has not even started, not one whistle blown, so lets take it a day at a time and just be thankful that Notre Dame is not #1 :).