I knew, knew, knew that I'd end up screaming myself hoarse and feeling like the polar ice caps would melt and California break off into the sea if Auburn lost. I always do.
But it still surprised me how badly I ended up wanting that game last night. For Cox, for all the seniors, for our conference (no way I wanted Auburn to be the school to sully the SEC's spotless record), for the fans in attendance, for the right to twirl the burnt orange and navy blue scarf I got for Christmas over my head like a lunatic at the New Year's party I attended. Dammit, I wanted it.
And they delivered: Cox, Burns, Sims, Groves and Thompson, Dunn, everyone. Everyone of course also including the Tiger coaching staff. No, I did not agree with the decision to dismiss Borges. But there was never much of a question that he utterly botched the opportunity to incorporate Burns into the offense this season, and you saw why last night. 426 yards, 401 of them in regulation, more than Auburn gained against any opponent with a pulse this season by a country mile and every last one of them (save Cox's microcosmic sneak of guts in overtime) gained with an offense installed over nine practices. Nine practices. As starts go, calling this one "bright" doesn't exactly do it justice. "Blinding," maybe.
Actually, make that "blinding," definitely. There's going to be no end to the optimism amongst Auburn fans this off-season after that performance (again), to the point that expectations might be a little inflated (again). So be it. I don't think anyone at Auburn isn't ready to pay that price in exchange for the thrill of seeing Burns jaunt into the end zone to win that game, in exchange for an offensive future that suddenly--in the space of no more than those final two quarters and OT--that looks like a strength and a threat rather than an elaborate support staff for the D and special teams.
For all that, yes, I wanted that win. And Auburn got it for me, for all of us. Happy New Year, everyone. War Eagle.
5 comments:
Someone please start the 2008 season NOW!
If you really want you Tony Franklin fix, play Troy as your team in Playstation -- it rocks.
Last night Brandon sets his personal best for completions at 25, while splitting time with Kodi. That rocks.
And for Kodi to be cool as can be after the game, he is an Auburn man already.
I'm hoping Auburn ends up in the top 15, maybe even 13th, after the bowls.
Peace Eagle
Gutsy. Just plain gutsy performace by the entire team. It wasn't polished, wasn't dominating, and filled with mental errors, but I can't remember a more thrilling game/season than this bunch of players just provided.
Clemson was the top scoring team in the ACC with the toughest defense in that conference. We put more yards on them than any other team this season, nearly 100 yards more than their average defensive performance. All due to a new coordinator and some hardnosed play by the team.
War Damn Eagle, boys. You make me proud to be a fan.
What a fun game that was. What a wild ride it was in 2007 and to end it like this, with so much optimism and hope for the future..War Eagle!
SCTiger
MAN-----YOU TALK ABOUT PLAY CALLING. THE BEST I HAVE SEEN IN YEARS WAS BRANDON RUNNING THE Q.B. DRAW ON 3RD AND 7. I IMAGINE ALL THE A.U. FANS WERE MORE SURPRISED (IF POSSIBLE) THAN THE CLEMSON DEFENSE. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING A.P.I AND A.U. FOOTBALL SINCE 1946 AND HAVE NEVER ANTICIPATED THE START OF THE SEASON AS MUCH AS I LOOK FORWARD TO 2008.
SPREAD EAGLE!!!!
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