A few notes from the blackout

I haven’t seen a replay of yesterday’s game yet, so I’m just going on personal observations from the 35 yard line here:

• I’m trying to remember the last time I was at a game where the momentum changes were so stark and clear cut. The middle stretch of the game, where Auburn clawed back from 14 down to take a 20-17 lead, was fueled by what I thought was the best defense I’ve seen any opponent play against Georgia this year. Antonio Coleman, in particular, was dominating any and every offensive lineman he went up against. Then Stafford hit Bailey on that 2nd and thirteen, 45 yard pass and it was all over.
• Speaking of Stafford, I think the AJ-C’s Mark Bradley is on to something when he writes that “… Stafford still isn’t an every-down quarterback. He doesn’t lead the SEC in passing efficiency or yards per game, and he’d completed only 56.1 percent of his passes before Saturday. (Auburn’s Brandon Cox had completed 60.9 percent.) What Stafford is, however, is a big-down quarterback. When it gets late and gets tight, he throws the ball as well as a ball can be thrown….” I don’t know if the system makes the man, or if the man makes the system, but it sure seems like Mike Bobo has turned the clock back to pre-Bill Walsh NFL style offensive football – run the ball to move the chains, hope to connect on a half-dozen or so big plays and don’t consider pass completion percentage as a measure of success.
• How did Florida only score 17 points on the Auburn secondary?
• Martinez’ vaunted second half adjustments on defense took a little time to show up, but they did make it. Auburn’s last five drives consisted of: -3 yards, interception; -4 yards, punt; 0 yards, interception; 36 yards, downs; 0 yards, interception.
• I’d sure like to know if the assignment of Penn Wagers’ crew to this game by the SEC was random or deliberate.
• Brannen Southerland threw some hellacious blocks.