On the beat

By: Mike Szvetitz | Opelika Auburn News
Published: December 15, 2007

That's right, I'm on the Auburn beat this week.
My esteemed colleague Collin Mickle is taking a much-needed vacation. He deserves it.

So, I'm holding it down in "The Bunker" for the next few days, handling all the AU football news.
For the most part, I thought this week was going to be slow and just the normal "we're preparing for Clemson" bowl practice stuff. But, then things got crazy.

As you know, Al Borges is no longer the offensive coordinator, and Tommy Tuberville hired spread guru Tony Franklin just two days before practice began for the Chick-fil-A Bowl, which is Dec. 31 in Atlanta.
And with the hiring and a brand new offense, comes questions and news. And questions. Did I mention questions?

A lot of questions about the spread and why Tuberville decided to go to it and what not.
Here's my thinking: For bowl game, Auburn's going to run a lot of the stuff you saw them run this year. And why not? Brandon Cox can pretty much call the offense by himself and the players are already used to it.
I see Franklin installing some things that will be able to be run out of the Tigers' "normal" formations, but nothing too crazy. You'll probably see a no-huddle or two, but it will be the same formations you've seen all year.

But in the spring and next fall? Watch out. This won't be your father's Auburn offense. It can't be. Sure, Tuberville loves to run the football. And Franklin has shown there is room for a running game in his offense. But you're going to see a lot more down-the-field passing. And a lot more attempts. A lot more.

And why not? Why bring a guy in who slings it all over the place and has made a pretty good living and reputation by it, and make him convert to the running game? Why?
Tuberville said he expects to "mix" the two philosophies. And, at first, you'll see that. But once Franklin gets comfortable with his players, I think you're going to see a lot more wide-openness (if that's a word).

Anyway, that's just what I think. But what do I know? This isn't my beat. So, for all of you holding your breathe until Collin gets back ... he'll be back for bowl practice on Dec. 26.