Friday Afternoon Open Thread

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 3:11 PM EST in Football

As you know, there's a solid slate of Saturday games scheduled, including the Iron Bowl. Chat here if interested.

Tweet Comment 38 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I hope Auburn's defense plays like this next week.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 3:18 PM EST reply actions

Seriously.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Nov 26, 2025 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

Auburn seems excessively commited to running with Newton today.

I wonder if it’s ‘cause of the game plan, or if Alabama’s secondary is just playing very well.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 3:27 PM EST reply actions

It seems to me like they're passing more than usual.

And their biggest problem on offense is that they can’t protect Newton.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

That was a fumble for the ages.

Maybe future blooper reel stuff.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 3:32 PM EST reply actions

Auburn cannot do a THING today.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Nov 26, 2025 3:42 PM EST reply actions

They're going to come at us with blood in their eyes if they lose this thing.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

Yes.

Maybe EJ will commit to the spy, though, and it won’t be so ugly.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Nov 26, 2025 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Auburn finally threw down field.

That might open stuff up if they keep a balance.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 3:50 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, that was key. They keep trying to run Newton and / or throw short, which is Saban planned for.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

Saban really drew up a good gameplan in this one. They're rushing the passer well...

keeping tabs on Newton, etc.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 3:50 PM EST reply actions

Alabama seems to be containing Newton with their defensive line, for the most part.

One linebacker may come in and clean things up from time to time, but their line is doing an incredible job of breaking off their blocks, and containing him on both sides. If you can contain the best player on their team with just the line, this game is over.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, you're right.

They’re really largely doing it without blitzes, although they’ve run a few good ones.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

They haven't had more than six people in the box this entire drive.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

Prediction: Auburn scores again before the half...

and the second half is much closer.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 3:57 PM EST reply actions

That sounds probable.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe I was wrong. Auburn's defense can't stop 'Bama.

Hard to see them catching up if that’s going to be the case all afternoon.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

Well, if Alabama isn't going to take advantage of their numbers in the secondary, it might not be over after all.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 3:57 PM EST reply actions

Alabama is running the WR screen to perfection.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 4:03 PM EST reply actions

Great block on that play.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

It seems like every defender forgets how to get past a cut block when they're in games.

I know they practice this stuff during the week. Everyone knows you’re supposed to back step it, but when they’re in games they just want to get to the ball carrier as quickly as possible, step right into the block, and get taken to the ground.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

Huge mistake by the officials not reviewing that 3rd down catch.

That could’ve gotten Auburn back in the game.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 4:14 PM EST reply actions

Or, whatever down it was.

Not 3rd down.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. Also a horrible call by the officials.

There were officials in position to make the right call.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

I still think Auburn has a decent chance in this game. They'll get the suspended players back, and that might help on defense.

And Auburn’s offense will start clicking at some point. The key is whether or not the defense can slow Alabama down. ’Bama scored 24 and could have scored 35. McElroy looks like a Heisman contender.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 4:20 PM EST reply actions

auburn is trying

to make this a game in the 2nd half

USC Gamecocks Sports Analysis and Insight
www.leftoverhotdog.com

by Flounder on Nov 26, 2025 4:48 PM EST reply actions

Prediction: Auburn will win this game.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Your roots are showing. :-)

Seriously, though, I picked Auburn to win this game in our pick’em, so I guess I’m rooting for them too. And I’d also like them to come into the SECCG thinking it is merely a formality to go through before they claim their SEC title. The less they respect us and feed on their own hype, the better.

That said, I would love for someone to wipe that $*%#-eating grin off of Cam Newton’s face. There is something about Auburn’s team that I can’t stand this year. Maybe it’s their continual assertion God has played a part in their march to the national title. Maybe it’s Nick Fairley’s dirty play. I dunno. I can’t stand them, though.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Nov 26, 2025 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

And I should probably add that, historically, I've liked Auburn.

I had a good experience there when I visited a few years ago.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Nov 26, 2025 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

This year's Auburn team is less likeable than in years past...

Auburn has always been a physical team that some have thought is a little dirty, but this year’s team has more of that in it than others.

As far as Newton goes, I don’t have anything against the guy. He’s a great player and seems to have fun out there. I’m going to wait until all the facts get out about his infractions case before I make any judgments there.

By the way, that was a beautiful drive. Great calls by Malzahn.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

Alabama blew it on that last drive.

Three of the four passes were just flat dropped. The other was a bad throw that was almost picked. It seemed like the whole offense just gave up ‘cause McElroy wasn’t on the field. One of the linemen just completely whiffed on his block during one of those plays, and almost got the backup quarterback killed. Auburn just wanted it more in the second half.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 6:11 PM EST reply actions

I think Jones intentionally didn't catch the first one because he wouldn't have gotten out of bounds and didn't want the clock to run.

The others they just whiffed on.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

Jones was playing hurt, too.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

I think this was the best scenario for Carolina.

Auburn is going into the game with us riding high on confidence. They’re probably very confident in their ability to come back from a deficit in the second half, which may cause them to come out slow to start. Maybe they’ll slack off some, and Carolina can take advantage of it.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Nov 26, 2025 6:13 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, agreed.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 6:22 PM EST up reply actions

No one will pick us to beat AU

whether we win, lose or draw against Clemson.

AU now think that they’ve now transcended to a completely different level from USC. They will be looking ahead to the NC game. Frankly, it’s the best possible scenario for us going into Atlanta.

They wore garnet helmets.

by tryptic67 on Nov 26, 2025 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

That game was a classic.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Nov 26, 2025 6:23 PM EST reply actions

Definitely

it’s kind of fun seeing the Nickinator laid a little low. The more I think about it, the more I like it. The way the national media has been carrying on the past three years, you’d think there were only 2 “top” coaches in the SEC … Meyer and Saban … followed by everyone else.

But now the shine’s off of both of ‘em. Saban’s not invincible. And Meyer is pretty pedestrian without Tewbow or Coach Mullen. Both of them have fallen back to earth … which means recruiting is going to be wide open again …. now its a top 7 of Spurrier, Chizik, Petrino, Miles (yes - dont laugh), Meyer, Saban and Richt, with guys like Nutt, Phillips, Mullen and Dooley ready to spoil and supplant if anyone falters for a moment.

They wore garnet helmets.

by tryptic67 on Nov 26, 2025 8:14 PM EST up reply actions