We've recently touched on Brian VanGorder's task at Auburn, so pardon if some of this is an overdose.
But his hair is simply irresistible...
No, on a more serious note there are some interesting developments coming out of Auburn's camp as those Tigers prepare for the Sept. 1 clash in Atlanta. Definitely one of the most interesting is VanGorder's clear concern about his linebackers.
In this article, here is what VanGorder had to say about Auburn's weekend scrimmage:
He said last week that misalignments caused problems during the Tigers' first scrimmage. VanGorder didn't notice much improvement this time around.
"More problems at that position," he said. "Middle linebacker has to take on a lot in respect to communication and getting our defense lined up. More of the same problems, I would say. The overall execution, for the most part, was slightly better by the defense. Still a lot of work to do."
There are certainly aspects of this game that have to make Clemson fans nervous, most notably how their defensive line handles what could be a physical, pounding running game. And, yes, how Clemson's O-line holds up ranks up there too.
But Clemson's side has to be exceedingly optimistic about Chad Morris facing a group of linebackers and defensive backs that are still having hiccups in the transition to a defense that requires more thinking and communication.
In this video by our Rivals friends in Auburn, VanGorder seems to lament the fact that the first time he'll know the capabilities/deficiencies of this linebacker crew will be on the turf of the Georgia Dome under the lights. And when asked how much he typically rotates his linebackers during games, he says not much.
Sammy Watkins' absence hurts Clemson in a huge way, but Clemson has to like some of these matchups.
On to a few Tuesday links:
-- At ESPN.com, Gene Wojciechowski says please, please let the college football season begin.
Where's Aug. 30 when you really need it? Because after one of the most news-filled, often depressing offseasons in the history of college football, I'm ready to watch anything that doesn't involve a Freeh report, a police report or a hospital report.
South Carolina at Vandy? Never been happier to see the Head Ball Coach throw his visor.
UTSA at South Alabama? At this point I'd watch the USDA play football.
Eastern Washington at Idaho? I couldn't name you one player on either roster -- and that's OK.
What matters is that actual football is actually going to be played. And that means a welcome respite, however brief, from the mind-numbing news of the day.
-- In Atlanta, Zach Laskey has moved ahead of Charles Perkins at the No. 2 B-back position behind David Sims.
-- The Georgia Tech Rivals site explains some of Vad Lee's recent struggles.
With Days out, Vad Lee ran the second team offense and had a subpar performance according to Coach Bohannon.
"I don't think Vad had one of his better days. I think he would tell you there is room for improvement and he needs to continue to work," Bohannon said. "Usually Vad is better at throwing and making the reads on the option is still a learning process. He wasn't as efficient throwing the ball as we would like him to be which is his strong point and the thing he does better."
-- Andy Staples lists some freshmen to watch this season, and he mentions these guys from the ACC:
* CB Ronald Darby, Florida State: The Seminoles brought in a highly touted group of defensive linemen, with defensive end Mario Edwards and defensive tackle Eddie Goldman cracking the overall top 10 in the Rivals.com rankings. But Florida State is loaded along the line, so if Edwards or Goldman earns significant playing time, it means the Seminoles have suffered a rash or injuries or the freshmen are really, really good. More likely, those youngsters will play limited roles as they learn from talented veterans. That may not be the case for Darby. With last week's dismissal of Greg Reid, Florida State has an opening for a starting cornerback. While the Seminoles could shift safeties Lamarcus Joyner or Terrence Brooks to cornerback, they also could go with Darby, a Maryland native with elite speed.
* WR Stefon Diggs, Maryland: Diggs is the highest rated recruit to sign with his home-state school in years, so the expectations are huge. For the Terrapins, who are coming off a 2-10 season, Diggs may become the playmaker they lacked last season. But while the speedy Diggs may be able to jump in and make an immediate impact, he also may need time to adjust to the college game. While most of the other players listed here should have some time to learn from qualified veterans, Diggs probably won't have that luxury.
* Duke Johnson, Miami: Johnson was the pied piper in a Miami recruiting class that could have melted down after Yahoo! dropped a Nevin Shapiro-shaped bomb on the program. He helped bring in safety Deon Bush and cornerback Tracy Howard, who also may need to contribute immediately. But Johnson, from Miami Norland High, will have to do more than recruit now. He'll have to replace some of the yards gained by Lamar Miller, who rushed for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011.
-- Jimbo Fisher sees himself as a realist when it comes to confronting what he views as a marijuana epidemic.
Fisher says we all should remember how some of these players grew up before we start judging them. Many come from disadvantaged backgrounds where drug use is prevalent.
"When they step into their house, people are smoking marijuana like you do cigarettes from the time they're 3-years-old until they're 18," Fisher says. "… They do these things their whole life and then they come here and we say, 'Now you can't do them anymore.' You don't automatically [just stop doing them]."
-- And at Boston College, Chase Rettig gets more freedom under the latest in a long line of Eagles offensive coordinators.
LW
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