re: Florida @ Auburn Week 3 will be one of the better early season "Temperature Check" games

I think it will be a low scoring game, both could win.

20-16ish

I vaguely remember that. We beat Florida, yall lost to FSU. Both games were in Florida. I stand corrected.

Low scoring game for both teams but Brown led a game winning drive in the swamp last year. He's actually a decent QB and Golesh brought a lot of his USF players with him so there's continuity. Offensively, I think they'll tire out our defense in the 4th with their run game.

Defensively, Xavier Atkins is a concern and could be the difference when it comes to how much Baugh has an effect on the game. I think until proven otherwise, teams will load the box and play bump and run until Philo proves he can throw the deep ball with accuracy if given the time to throw with our unproven O-line.

Good test for our team tho. We'll see if Philo is the guy or we start looking at Jones a couple weeks after. Defensively, our pass rush will be ready along with our linebackers and will keep us in the game for as long as they can hold off Auburn's no huddle offense. But interior defensive line and secondary will be exposed.

Auburn 21 - Florida 17

I think DJ Durkin will find a way to disguise coverage and make them exotic for Philo. He hasn't seen that kind of defense. He can quickly adapt to a zone defense and make Philo sit in the pocket and rush 4 drop 7. When you have an inexperienced QB, you throw it all on the kid to prove it.

I don't think we'll get a friendly whistle at Jordan Hare. I remember 2011 and Muschamp was about to pop on that fair catch interference no call. It's a night game and it's going to be very hostile and loud.

Lol does any team get one? Pretty sure the refs want to be alive the next day. Auburn fans will hunt them down.

I mean Dave Aranda is still a great defensive mind and Lagway I thought was poorly coached and ruined by Napier. I think he bounces back and flashes his potential like he did for us in 2024. Spavital has a QB friendly offense. They won't ask him to do much but I think the kid has elite arm talent as long as he has time to throw and the playcalling is creative to get guys open in space. I hate the Lagway narrative that he sucks. There's more to it if you understand football. But a lot of ppl are stupid and just say things to look cool.

Anyways, it's the game of the week for week 1. Should be a fun one to watch. I have Baylor winning by a field goal. Clemson vs LSU is trash. Gameday is going for the Kiffin drama.

Who cares what Sumrall did in the G5? Let's not make the same mistakes like we did with Napier and start liking this guy for no reason. He needs to prove it in the P4 and it's the most difficult conference and it's his first time in the P4. Atleast Golesh called plays in the SEC with Tenn. I think Golesh has the upper hand and he has DJ Durkin to back him up. Thank god for Buster Faulkner and Brad White to help with the transition.

Well if you make the SEC happy by allowing it to be at a neutral site which means they make double the money, they'll do you a favor on the schedule. I think Auburn shows up at Georgia undefeated so maybe gameday shows up for it? But they're not winning the Iron Bowl lol

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A loss here putting either team at potentially 6 wins on the year might make it hard to build momentum, both with recruits and keeping boosters lubed up to contribute money.

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This way of thinking has to end for both schools. At the end of the day, all recruits care about is making money and going to the league. Whichever school pays more, they sign there. They don't care about momentum. That's more of a head coach trying to keep his job. Boosters need to realize that if you want to win a lot, you gotta pay up and contribute a lot more than you have traditionally. The Mickey D paperbags loaded with cash ain't enough. It's year 1 for both schools so 6-6 is a possibility due to roster deficiencies and scheme issues. Year 2 is when you make the jump or start calling for the coach's head.

Anything short of 7-5 is clearly a bad season with the players we have on this roster. As far as players with how they kind of have a market for stuff now except the crazy QB deals and a few others the school and coach does come into play some with money being similar. We have NIL I think just outside the top 10 nationally but I doubt we match TX, LSU, A&M, Bama or Georgia on that most years but it's high enough to compete for a championship with a good coach.

I mean 7-5 with the bowl game to make it 8 would be a successful season for Sumrall and the boosters should open up their checkbooks because Year 2 is the push for the CFP with a weaker SEC except for Bama and Tenn for now.

The roster is weak on QB and OL so it doesn't matter how strong we are on RB, WR, pass rush, LB. Can't play the short game and quick throws and just settle for field goals and hope your defense doesn't get tired in the 4th. Can't repeat the insanity again lol.

We are still short on NIL in my opinion. Guys like Josh Hoover, Sam Leavitt, and Darian Mensah who is Sumrall's guy btw did not consider us at all. Until we don't get a stud at QB, there's a limitation on this football team.