Lol. If this is representative Auburn's attitude as a team as well, I really like our chances. They seem a bit delusional here, and basing things off the past. How do we go 8-4 yet lose to them? Lol. Just shows they think the pac is garbage because it has been in the past. Feeling even better about this game now.
Cal Football
From the Other Sideline – Auburn
Earlier this week, we did a little Q&A for the boys at warblogle.com and today, they returned the favor, answering their questions in reverse.
Here’s the Auburn take for your reading pleasure.
What’s the first thing an Auburn fan thinks of when Cal football comes to mind?
I think of Marshawn Lynch, Aaron Rodgers, and the yellow and blue color scheme. I picture a smaller Rose Bowl that's probably not full, but a pretty campus. I think of okay football.
What’s the vibe like in Auburn after the lopsided win over UMass?
Fans are happy but cautious. They know what Auburn beat, but we also didn't really know what to expect in Game 1, but everything was pretty much as positive as it could be.
Name two Auburn Tigers that Cal fans should look out for and why?
Eugene Asante is a junior LB that transferred from UNC this past season. He wasn't a name you heard a lot in Fall camp, but had tons of tackles and a really smart block on a punt return against UMass. Is he a gamechanger? Maybe, but he's definitely not a name many people were looking at.
This is obvious, but he's new so it still counts. Payton Thorne wasn't asked to do a ton last week, but he obviously has the arm talent and was able to scramble out of trouble the few times he got in it.
Which two Cal Bears worry you the most?
The running back that ran his mouth is the only player I know.
Where does Cal have an advantage in this game?
Home field advantage. The very late start time. The travel Auburn is doing right now. That's it.
Where will Auburn excel most against the Cal?
Size and speed. Pretty much the most important parts of the game.
Who are your two favorite Cal Bears of all time and why?
The only two names I know: Marshawn Lynch and Aaron Rodgers. Oh, and the guy who hit the trombone player because that's just funny.
What is your score prediction/analysis for this game?
The Cal fans will be excited for the first quarter and it will be close, but eventually the difference in talent will show up. Auburn wins 34-14.
Where will Auburn and Cal end up this year?
Auburn will be in the Capital One Bowl at minimum, with at least 9 wins. Cal will go 8-4 and play in the Sun Bowl.
What do you think about Hugh Freeze?
He has brought excitement to the football program quickly. He is basically doing what Bruce Pearl has done. He knows he's gotten a 2nd chance at a big school and he won't take it for granted. People are rallying around him and believe in his coaching and recruiting ability.
Earlier in the week, we answered their questions for us. Here was our response:
What’s the first thing a Cal fan thinks of when Auburn football comes to mind?
SEC football with a pretty strong winning tradition. Cal fans have been looking forward to this home and home series for years and will travel well to Auburn.
What’s the vibe like in Berkeley after the monumental win over North Texas?
Many Cal people like myself saw the ingredients for a pretty solid football team this season, particularly with all the key portal additions, but spring ball and fall camp can only tell you so much. Sometimes you just need to see the team play against someone else instead of your own team to know what you’ve got. The big win was a relief. Cal often plays down to their underdog opponents in recent years so to win by 37 made a lot of people breathe a sigh of relief.
Name two Golden Bears that Auburn fans should look out for and why?
I’ll go with one on O and one on D. On offense, Jeremiah Hunter is a future NFL receiver. Smooth, great hands, consistent and tough to cover. On D, many would go with 1st team all-Pac 12 MLB Jackson Sirmon but in this case, I’ll go with CB Nohl Williams. He’s another future NFL guy who’s tough to beat in coverage and brings some swag to the field as well.
Which two Auburn Tigers worry you the most?
I’ll go with Hunter on offense if he plays. I think he may have the most upside of the Tiger backs. And on defense, I’ll go with Keionte Scott. Cal really liked him coming out of JC and he’s a versatile weapon at CB or nickel and on returns.
Where does Cal have an advantage in this game?
I’ll go with Cal’s run game against the front 6. They didn’t play the run very well against an inferior UMass team and Cal has a lot of weapons in the backfield, particularly RB Jaydn Ott, another future NFL guy.
Where will Auburn excel most against the Cal?
To me, it’s a tossup between Auburn’s rushing game against Cal’s front 7 or Auburn’s backfield against Cal’s passing game. Auburn may well come out on top in one or both of those categories.
Who are your two favorite Auburn Tigers of all time and why?
Gotta go with Kevin Greene to start. He was an animal. And of course, Bo Jackson for both football and baseball. One of the best pure athletes of all time.
What is your score prediction/analysis for this game?
After getting a better look at both teams last weekend and due to the late night game at home for Cal, I’ll go with Cal 31 Auburn 27. If you asked me last week, I’d have probably reversed the score.
Where will Auburn and Cal end up this year?
I’ll go with 7-5 regular season for both with both in middling bowl games.
What do you think about Hugh Freeze?
Great coach with a questionable past he’ll have to shake off by running a clean ship for at least a few years IMO and a great staff. Very strong recruiter, too, particularly in the portal this year. Probably didn’t make the best decision in referring to Cal’s defense as essentially basic, where Auburn knows what they’ll be seeing.
As a bonus, earlier this week, we did a podcast with Auburn’s Up Tempo Live Podcast. Our segment starts at the 4 minute mark:
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