Please Hurry September 1st

Know your Foe: Kansas State

Every Auburn fan should be an informed Auburn fan. That's why All Auburn, All the Time brings you "Know Your Foe" a breakdown of Auburn 2007 scheduled opponenents. Every Tuesday we'll bring you a all the good talking points so you can impress your friends and the beautiful babies at the tailgate. It's all the information you need to know before those crisp Autumn saturdays.

Team: Kansas State

Location: Manhattan, Kansas

Colors: Royal Purple, Silver

Founded: 1863

Full School Name: Kansas State University

Conference: Big XII (North)

Past Championships: Big 8 (1934); Big XII (2003); Big XII North (1998, 2000, 2003)

Famous Alums: Darren Sproles (Football; Chargers), Gary Spani (NFL Hall of Famer), Erin Brockovich (honestly), Earl Woods (Tiger’s Daddy), Kirstie Alley (Fat Actress)

Head Coach: Ron Prince

Game Breakers: WR Jordy Nelson, KR Justin McKinley

Key Matchups: It’s all going to come down the passing game. On both sides of the ball. Jordy Nelson will try to challenge a young and fairly inexperienced Auburn secondary. On the plus side, K-State is switching to a 3-4 from a 4-3. This allows Auburn to run the ball a little easier (LBs will have the duty of covering RBs mostly) and let’s swing passes and draws lead to big plays. The 3-4 also lets Auburn’s line pick up blitzes better. Wildcats QB Josh Freeman is overrated and is what I like to call a (Reggie)Baller. He’s good for some big games and big plays but can also completely lose a game for you.

On a side note: Reggie Ball. Most Georgia Tech fans agree that had he not been so successful against Auburn (twice) he would have easily been benched and GT might have had a better year.

For Auburn, their main concern is the K-State secondary. It’s experienced, tough, and will challenge Auburn to throw the ball. If Auburn can get into a good rhythm early then it will be a good day. However, if we can’t throw and it puts pressure on us the run the ball early it could be a long night.

Record against Auburn: 0-2 (’78 and ’79)

Why you can love them: K-State were the lovable losers of college football. They were consistently the worse football team in America and were the first team to amass 500 losses. Now they are a consistently good college football team. Going to Bowls in 11 out of the last 13 seasons. Plus they’re main color is purple. Snaps all around.

Why you should hate them: K-State fans are cocky. They’re brash. Success hasn’t made them humble and most don’t act like they’ve been there before. They’ve been known for cheap hits and some dirty play at times. Plus you should hate all Big XII teams and the undeserved respect the get.

Odd Auburn Connections: Both schools are land grant schools in college towns. That’s really about it.

AttitUde

The 2006 Auburn football season was one that many universities would have killed for. 11-2 record, beating our rival for the 5th straight time, being the lone team to be the National Champs, and beating a legitimate Big 12 opponent in the Cotton Bowl. But for some reason, it still was a season that most would agree should be put behind us. Why is this? Injuries? Part of the problem, but that isn't it. Lack of playmakers? Also part of the problem, but that's still not it. Attitude? I would say this encompasses our problem.

During this same season, the Ole Ball Coach, his future wife, and myself were able to take it easy for an hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in James Brown's organic gardening class. In this class, there were several athletes - one in particular who stood out though. Of course, at 6-2, 310 lbs, it's hard NOT to stand out. Throughout the semester we carried on a conversation here and there about the games throughout the season; but he saw minimal playing time as he backed up one of the toughest O-lineman to enter the NFL draft this year - Ben Grubbs. Now, as we begin talking about the 2007 season, it is his chance to shine.

I recently messaged Tyronne Green on the infamous Facebook, after I had read an excerpt from one of Tommy Tuberville's speeches. In his speech, he had described Tyronne as being someone who was inevitably going to "make a big name for himself." It was no surprise to Tyronne when I told him of the comments, as he let me know that they are expecting a lot of him this season. I digress. The reason I say all of this is to reveal why Tyronne Green stood out, and why he is going to be a force in Auburn football for the next few years. That reason? His will to win and an attitude that carries a love for football, and a love for AUBURN football. A person's will to win far outweighs his skill or lack thereof, and I believe that was something that may have been missing from last year's team - Excitement, fun, and a love for the game. These components make up exactly what successful teams have in their psyche. That is why I am confident that the man who is leading our offensive charge this season is a man that loves Auburn football, loves the game, and is excited about winning and succeeding. Guys like this can single-handedly make a unit strong, where once it was weak. We hope that this attitude of leadership - vocally, spiritually, and physically - will be contagious, spreading to every member of the Auburn family this season. If it spreads, watch out. It could be a special one.

War Eagle