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JUSTIN GRAVES: Looks like Tide, Tigers swapped identities before season started
By Justin GravesLooks like Nick Saban finally helped Alabama find that identity it was searching for last fall.
Where did the Crimson Tide coach find it? In the loveliest village — better known as Auburn.
When Saban was hired at the Capstone, the only thing he was expected to steal from Auburn was a few recruits — and maybe a few Iron Bowl victories.
Tommy Tuberville saw the writing on the wall. The Auburn coach could see what was on the horizon, and it wasn’t good for his program.
Having a recruiter like Saban in the state was going to affect Auburn. There was no way around it, and Tuberville knew it.
National signing day was an eye-opening experience for Tuberville. Somehow, some way, his biggest rival inked every major recruit in Alabama.
How could Auburn survive with Saban recruiting like that? It takes great players to win big, and Alabama stole every single one of them from the Tigers’ primary recruiting base.
Apparently that’s not the only thing Saban stole from Auburn. He also took the Tigers’ identity.
Seeing what was on the horizon, Tuberville tried to be proactive — hiring Tony Franklin and changing to the spread offense.
The Auburn teams of old were built around the run. Strong rushing attacks is how Tuberville beat Alabama six times in a row.
Auburn has great backs on its team this year, but Tuberville wants to run a pass-oriented offense without the luxury of a proven quarterback?
It’s a recipe for destruction, especially since Saban is winning — and winning big — by doing what Auburn has done so well in recent years.
Alabama has a physical offensive line to go along with three very good running backs. The Crimson Tide may not have the most consistent quarterback in the Southeastern Conference, but it’s not like John Parker Wilson is being asked to carry the team on his shoulders.
Neither was Brandon Cox.
Jason Campbell didn’t have to, either.
Auburn simply rode its running backs to 10-win seasons and a BCS bowl appearance.
But Auburn isn’t doing that this year. That honor goes to Alabama.
Alabama has one of the SEC’s top running games. The Crimson Tide’s defense isn’t too shabby, either.
Running the football down the throats of its opponents, Alabama is winning game after game by establishing itself as the most physical team on the field.
Playing that type of football, Alabama has jumped from a middle-of-the-pack SEC West team to the second-ranked national media darling in just a matter of weeks.
On the other hand, Auburn looks a lot like Alabama did a year ago. And when everything is said and done, the final record may be similar, too.
Auburn has struggled to find its identity this season, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better anytime soon.
This was a team that was the preseason favorite to win the SEC West. Now, it looks like Saturday’s game with Arkansas will decide fourth place.
Tuberville has been around long enough to know that seven-win seasons don’t keep coaches employed in the SEC. It’s all about what you’ve done lately in this conference.
Six straight wins over Alabama doesn’t sound that significant when your team can’t even beat Vanderbilt.
Auburn had an identity once. This program wasn’t nicknamed Tailback U for nothing.
Breaking the mold, finding a new niche, may have been fun for a while. But now it’s starting to get serious down on the Plains.
The experiment has been conducted, and the spread failed — miserably.
Now it’s time for Tuberville to go back to what Auburn has always done best: Run the football and win with defense.
If Tuberville doesn’t make the call, Auburn’s higher-ups are going to. And if it plays out that way, odds of the “Riverboat Gambler” being there to see it are slim to none.
What have you done for me lately? Going backwards in the win column usually isn’t the best answer for that question in the SEC.
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Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. -
Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. -
PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Eagles hold on, defeat Holly Pond in nailbiter
Late in the fourth quarter Friday night, just before a couple of big free throws, Cold Springs High girls basketball coach Tammy West pulled aside Georgia Myrex for a quick pep talk.
Except for one thing: When West placed both hands on top of her star player’s head, it looked a little more like some kind of crunch-time benediction.
Or something like that. - PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Holly Pond stays unbeaten, sets up showdown with defending champs
- Wallace pitcher Holley signs letter of intent with UAB
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CULLMAN FOOTBALL: Top-ranked Bearcats return to Russellville looking for revenge — one year later
Behold the power of three.
Heading into its Class 5A quarterfinal tonight at Russellville, Cullman High’s football team has already avenged two of its three losses from the 2008 season.
In week six, the Bearcats beat Erwin 42-16 to avenge a 25-20 loss from last season. And in week eight, Cullman downed Mountain Brook 28-13 to get revenge for last year’s 49-34 defeat.
Guess who the third target is. -
TALKIN' PREPS: Looks like more basketball parity this season
No juggernauts. No clear-cut favorites. Just a bunch of basketball teams that could beat every other team in the area.
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AUBURN FOOTBALL: Washington may be playing himself into job as kick returner
The road to success has been long for Demond Washington.
Just about as long as his big return last weekend against Georgia.
With his Auburn Tigers trailing 24-17 in the fourth quarter this past Saturday, Washington took a Bulldogs kickoff at his own 1-yard line, weaved in and out of traffic and sped all the way to the end zone for a 99-yard touchdown. -
CULLMAN FOOTBALL: Versatile Adams fills multiple roles in Cats’ offense
Connor Adams has worn several labels over the past 15 months.
Starting running back, injured reserve, H-back, Wildcat quarterback, fill-in running back — those all fit the bill.
But here’s another one Adams can claim, and it’s something a little different:
Blessed. -
PREP BASKETBALL: Raiders give Hulsey family bragging rights
Tristan Hulsey didn’t hear a congratulatory yell from his father when he made a layup to give West Point High a one-point advantage heading into halftime.
His dad had a look of disgust on his face, instead. -
PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Aggies hold on, defeat Douglas
airview High’s basketball team stayed unbeaten with a nailbiting win Tuesday night, beating Douglas 52-20.
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