Tuesday Columns Round-Up

Hopefully, Time Warner has its act together and I can get through this post without them dropping the ball. Tuesday morning sports radio and all the college football buzz appears to be on the Michigan-Ohio State game and it's still 18 days away. The game has huge implications but with all the build-up it is receiving and will continue to receive (and rightfully so), I am predicting a lopsided affair (but no prediction on the winner!). Well, I thought I had learned my lesson 8 years ago about gaming on Monday Night Football, but apparently I had a brain lapse, so I am a bit lighter today. Anyhow, on to some interesting reads for all my loyal readers.

First off, I might have found the first columnist in the country who actually supports or makes a case for Shrek (Ed Orgeron). In Sunday's Memphis Commercial Appeal, Geoff Calkins writes Coach O might get last laugh. In my opinion, I just don't think Coach O is head coaching material. I think Calkins has some valid points with Mike Shula and to a lesser extent with Les Miles. Shula had a big year last year, but his record is still awful against Bama's big three rivals. It's hard to knock Les - he only has 4 losses over his 2-year tenure and the 3 of the 4 losses were to Top 10 teams.

Paul Finebaum in today's Mobile Register writes that the changing of the guard is complete. Paul is dead on with his piece about Auburn becoming the "new Alabama" in the state of Alabama. Auburn fans today complain about 6 point wins on the road in the SEC while Alabama fans hold their breath in games against Duke and FIU. Auburn is clearly the dominant program in the state and will still be so regardless of the outcome of this year's Iron Bowl.

Kevin Scarbinsky in Monday's Birmingham News wrote a great piece comparing the 2004 Auburn Tigers to the 2006 Auburn Tigers. He is right on in that both teams are very special in their own way. As is the case with college football and players coming and going, teams usually take on different identities.

Pat Forde with ESPN.com writes a great piece on Sylvester Croom and the Mississippi State football program. While I think Sylvester is a great man and is running a well-disciplined and tight ship at State, I have my doubts that he can win as a head coach. The talent-level at State just has not improved over his tenure and he seems so loyal that he is too stubborn to make any changes to his coaching staff. Although State and Croom want to look beyond the race card, things will be might interesting in Starkville if and when Croom is fired.

You have to love it when a coach gets a great hit on a player. Perhaps the biggest hit in the UT-UGA game from a few weeks back belonged to UT's associate strength and conditioning coach, Roderick Moore. John Adams with the Knoxville News Sentinel writes about the hit in Sunday's paper plus the video of the hit is included.

Pat Dooley in Monday's Gainesville Sun writes about Florida's offensive woes. It appears that both Florida and Auburn are experiencing the same situation - fans aren't happy although both teams are in the hunt not only for the SEC title, but also the BCS title because neither team is winning with enough "style points." (and yes, I hate the term "style points")

Terry Wood with the Northwest Arkansas Times writes in today's edition about the big opportunities awaiting the Razorbacks. These next two weeks are huge for the Razorbacks and if they can win both games, they are all but a lock for the SEC Championship Game. Auburn fans will be watching the Arkansas - Carolina game more closely than Auburn's game with Arkansas State this weekend.

Until next time, don't refer to anything as "gay."