Burns injured

By Joe McAdory

Don’t know specifics right now, but Auburn quarterback/receiver/whatever Kodi Burns is reportedly out for the rest of the game with an injured quadriceps. What does this mean? The Wildcat formation will have to be spearheaded by someone else. Any candidates? My guess is Mario Fannin. The dude played quarterback in high school.

Through a quarter, underdog Ball State is hanging with the Tigers. It’s 7-7.

Another Top 10

By Joe McAdory

Keeping with the David Letterman theme ... here are my Top 10 reasons for Auburn’s first-quarter lethargy tonight.

10. It’s raining.

9. Opponent is Ball State.

8. Coming off of big win over West Virginia.

7. Next week’s opponent is Tennessee.

6. It’s still raining.

5. Fans are dead. No electricity in this stadium tonight. Used it up last week?

4. Would like a Saturday off. Burned out?

3. Ball State’s better than advertised. Scratch that, Ball State lost to North Texas.

2. Tiger Walk was soggy.

1. Even Nova, the golden eagle, flew circled the field for only, like, five seconds in the pregame ritual. She wasn’t pumped either.

Soaking it up

By Joe McAdory

It’s raining here again at Jordan-Hare. Doesn’t look like a sellout crowd by any means, so only about 80,000 will get wet. Those watching the game from home, or say ... a wings-oriented sports bar, will stay dry.

The Tigers just ran out of the locker room and on to the field. See ... my crappy cell phone camera picture above proves it. Now they’re wet. Everybody’s wet. Except me. A 40-yard-line seat in the David Housel press box for, like, the 2,000th time. Not bad. I would like a recliner, please. And can someone get me a refill on my sweet tea?

Thanks.

Freshman Sullen to start at right guard

By Joe McAdory

True freshman right guard John Sullen will make his first-career start tonight against Ball State. Sullen, who prepped locally at Auburn High, replaces Byron Isom, who is out with an undisclosed injury.

Looks like my sidebar from tonight’s game has already been decided. It’s on Sullen, the local kid. Sounds like an easy assignment. Sullen’s good in my PS2 game, if that counts for anything.

Top 10 reasons Ball State brought few fans

By Joe McAdory

Ball State’s most famous alumnus is TV personality David Letterman. You know, the dude with that giant gap between his teeth. I think Wes Byrum could drill a field goal through that gap. Anyway, the Cardinals didn’t exactly sell its allotment of tickets for the game. Still, I’ve got to tip my hat to the Ball State fans at Jordan-Hare. Both of you.

In Letterman style, here are the Top 10 reasons only a few BSU fans made the trip:

10. Muncie, Ind., is simply too far.

9. Indiana was playing at Michigan Saturday afternoon. Fans in Muncie were really more interested in that.

8. Ball State is 0-3. Auburn is 3-0. Do the math.

7. The last time Ball State visited (2005), it left Jordan-Hare with a 66-3 defeat. Painful.

6. The last time before that (2001), Ball State lost here 30-0. That’s 120 minutes of football and no touchdowns in Greater Lee County, AL.

5. A weather guru in Indiana knew it would rain here. Well ... duh.

4. Others made the trip, but bought a keg of lemonade from Toomers and tailgated beneath the oaks and pines.

3. Our BBQ is too spicy for their yankee taste buds.

2. The economy. Now, that makes sense.

1. Because Playboy model Jami Ferrell, a Muncie native, wasn’t making the trip either. Miss Ferrell is a very nice lady