Some observations from yesterday's games

First of all, did you note the stadiums at both AU-Arky and LSU-ATM? I don't think Arky ever got more than half full, and LSU emptied Tiger stadium like someone pulled the drain plug after halftime. By the 4th quarter, ATM people outnumbered LSU, and by end of game, I bet there weren't 2k LSU people left. Yeah, ATM blew them out late, but this was a big game that could easily have turned in the 2nd half, and for Arky, who has lost several close ones just like we have, this was a HC try-out. I have seen AU people no-show and go home early, but never in those numbers. Next time someone tries to tell you "Auburn people are no different than anyone else", think about those empty stadiums.

There is persistent discussion that LSU is headed toward moving on from Brian Kelly. That was as gold-plated a hire as DeBoer or any other hire in recent memory since Saban. There are no sure things in coaching searches. Which is different than saying we categorically shouldn't start one. Jury's still out IMO.

Kiffen called a game against OU not at all dissimilar from what CHF called on O. The difference is that I can count on one hand the number of times Kiffen's QB waited past a "Two Mississippi" count to make a decision to run or throw. That, and no drops from the OM WR's. And OM didn't miss any FG's.

Texas went to Starkvegas and very nearly got their arse's beat. The problem was exactly what AU faces - Arch Manning holding onto the ball too long. Late in the game, Manning finally started rolling out of pressure and throwing on the run, or just tucking and running himself. That, along with a miracle 79 yd PR for a TD, was what got them past MSU. And a call or two from the refs. The calls in this game were not as egregious as those against AU were in the OU and UGA games, more along the lines of the "bammer benefit of the doubt always goes their way" calls of the Saban era. Texas has spent a lot more than we have on NIL and their coaching staff, and now rumor is that Sark may leave for the NFL.

Mizzou gave us the blueprint for shutting down Pavia, and we have more talent on D. Vandy looks very winnable to me. Had Mizzou's QB not gone down with an injury, I think they win that game.

ATM is the best team in the league. Reed, like OM's Trinidad, makes decisions RIGHT NOW once he has the ball. He has Concepcion, the best WR in the league, to throw to. That guy runs after the catch better than anyone. And their D is nasty. We did well to stay close with them at Kyle.