1.  Gene Chizik says that any new developments in the lawsuit against running back Eric Smith will be dealt with “the right way.”

2.  Smith is being sued by someone he allegedly assaulted in August.  The lawsuit suggests two other unnamed Tigers were involved in the crime.

3.  Linebacker Eltoro Freeman has missed two straight days of practice.

4.  In basketball news, Auburn struggles when Tay Waller doesn’t play… and he might not play tonight against Central Florida.

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1.  During their bye week, Auburn’s coaches are working on the team’s undisciplined mistakes.

2.  Penalties have become a big pain for the Tigers as the season has worn on.

3.  Auburn’s defense has given up more points than any previous Tiger team.

4.  Folks are still talking about the fact Gene Chizik was going to go for two if Auburn had scored late at Georgia… rather than kicking the extra point and playing for overtime.

5.  In case you’re wondering, Chizik’s favorite Iron Bowl was his first.

6.  In basketball news, juco transfer Kenny Gabriel will be out “for a while” after undergoing hernia surgery yesterday.

7.  Jeff Lebo has inked six players during the early signing period and the class is drawing national praise.

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* The open date has come at good time for Auburn after four straight months of football.

* Health question… “Our coaches aren’t allowed to get sick during the season,” Chizik joked.  “Typically over the years you don’t see a lot of coaches getting sick during the season.”

* Chizik says he’ll explain to his freshmen the importance of the Iron Bowl and “the privilege” of it.  “It carries some weight” when it comes to recruiting as well, but Chizik doesn’t feel that winning or losing the game guarantees getting or losing a prospect.

* The pageantry and heat of the Iron Bowl rivalry makes next week a bigger recruiting weekend than others throughout the season.

* Most of the coaches are having a pretty easy day today.  Not a lot of questions.

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1.  Some possible bad news for Auburn this morning… a lawsuit filed against running back Eric Smith alleges that two other Auburn football players were also involved in an August incident that left an AU student bloodied and unconscious.

2.  Smith and the two teammates are supposedly part of a group called “The Swag Crew,” which acts — according to some — as a gang.  (We’ll have more on this one later in the day.)

3.  Gene Chizik is having to defend defensive coordinator Ted Roof… despite the fact that he’s coaching with one hand behind his back due to depth and injuries.  Good Lord.

4.  This writer believes Chizik’s first season at Auburn mirrors Nick Saban’s first season at Alabama.

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1.  Demond Washington has become a starting safety, a starting punt returner and Auburn’s most danger kick returner all in the past month.

2.  As we noted in the Alabama headlines as well… Paul Finebaum of The Mobile Press-Register doesn’t believe Auburn stands a chance against Alabama in two weeks.

3.  In basketball news, the Tigers fell to 1-1 with a 73-62 loss at Missouri State last night.

4.  Jeff Lebo correctly pointed out after the game that “eight assists and 25 turnovers will get you beat.”  Now that’s some bad offense.

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1.  Auburn’s thin linebacking corps came back to haunt them at Georgia on Saturday.

2.  After 11 weeks of football, the Tigers finally get an open date to help heal up before the Iron Bowl.

3.  There’s no word on whether or not linebacker Eltoro Freeman — who suffered a concussion against Georgia — will play against Bama.

4.  Penalties were a big problem for AU on Saturday.

5.  The Tigers will look to fix those mistakes before playing Alabama.

6.  According to this notes column, Gene Chizik was impressed by a gutsy effort from injured tailback Onterio McCalebb.

7.  In basketball news, Jeff Lebo is expecting a loud crowd when his Tigers travel to Missouri State tonight.  (Why is Auburn playing AT Missouri State?)

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ATHENS, Ga. — The drama was delayed by timeouts, penalties and even a heart-stopping injury that stopped play for nearly 15 minutes as the game hung in the…
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1.  Bowl hopes are riding on tomorrow’s Auburn-Georgia game.

2.  Receiver DeAngelo Benton is feeling pretty good after a breakout game against Furman last weekend.

3.  Utility back Eric Smith “knows how to beat a defense.”

4.  Auburn’s goal on defense: slow AJ Green.

5.  They might need to worry a little about Waushaun Ealey, too.

6.  This writer believes Gus Malzahn and Trooper Taylor should steer clear of Memphis.  (Agreed… see my Charlie Strong post from earlier today.)

7.  In basketball news, Jeff Lebo’s team could get a tough test from Niagara in the Tigers’ opener tonight.

8.  This year’s squad is younger, taller and deeper than last season’s Tigers.

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1.  Anthony Gulley helped the Tigers on Saturday by playing three positions in one game.

2.  Onterio McCalebb might be healthy enough to play against Georgia on Saturday.

3.  Auburn’s players aren’t happy about their last two losses to the Bulldogs.

4.  If the Tigers can knock off Georgia this weekend they could be walking in high cotton.  Get it?

5.  Receivers coach Trooper Taylor wants to be a head coach, but he says he’s focused on the Tigers’ season, not job openings.

6.  Gene Chizik said he’s willing to help Taylor and Gus Malzahn land head coaching jobs.

7.  Kicker Wes Bynum is the star of Auburn’s special teams units.

8.  Auburn players are crediting for Chizik for changing the team’s mindset.

9.  Here’s a preview of Saturday’s game between AU and UGA.

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Notes from Gene Chizik’s teleconference:

* The Georgia game “is a huge, huge game for us.” 

* If Auburn’s offense is clicking and if it’s getting first downs, it can wear a defense down.  “When it is operating on all cylinders you do have a chance to wear defenses down.”

* Onterio McCalebb is still dealing with a nagging ankle injury.  “We have to play that by ear.”

* Please, please stop with the two-sport athlete questions.  Argh.  Chizik said he doesn’t have a problem with two-sport athletes, but they have to do all of their football duties first.

* And now a question about players who get their degrees before they finish playing…  Chizik said almost every scholarship senior has graduated already.

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1.  Mario Fannin’s versatility is paying off.

2.  It should be no surprise — since I predicted it last month — that Gus Malzahn is being mentioned for every open head coaching job in the country.

3.  Malzahn says he’s “got big goals, big dreams” on The Plains.

4.  The Auburn defense is trying to prepare for Georgia’s AJ Green.  Good luck.

5.  AU has four starters who come from the state of Georgia.

6.  Here’s an inside-the-numbers look at Auburn’s receiving corps.

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1.  According to this notes column, tailback Ben Tate is hoping for something better than the Chick-fil-A Bowl.  “We can get to Atlanta any time.  It’s only an hour away.”

2.  Mario Fannin is being used all over the place by Gus Malzahn…

3.  And Fannin has no problem with that.

4.  Receivers Darvin Adams and DeAngelo Benton have formed a brotherly bond.

5.  Could Gus Malzahn or Trooper Taylor be on Memphis’ wish list for a new head coach? 

Note to Malzahn and Taylor: Never go some place where you can’t win.  You’ll never get a second shot, guys.

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1.  At 7-3, if Auburn can find a way to win their last two games, this can be a very, very special season.

Auburn is back to 10th in the nation in rushing heading into their game with Georgia.

AU has 20 Peach State natives on its roster.

Defensive coordinator Ted Roof says Georgia-Auburn is “a fun game.”

The Tigers are still searching for answers on their punt return team.

Anthony Gulley expects to be a receiver, not a cornerback, next spring.

According to this notes column, receiver Travante Stallworth — who had been playing more recently — injured his knee and could be lost for a while.

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Tigers improve to 7-3
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AUBURN — When Auburn snapped its three-game losing streak a week ago against Ole Miss, it transformed today’s homecoming game from a gloomy interruption in a sinking season to an important day of preparation. The Tigers (6-3) would love…
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1.  The lack of depth at Auburn this year will lead to very few redshirts being handed out.

2.  Auburn’s defensive ends are getting healthier, which might help them become even more aggressive.

3.  Terrell Zachary is turning into big play receiver.

4.  Suddenly, freshman Darren Bates is the Tigers’ most experienced safety.

5.  Gus Malzahn breaks down the Tigers’ backup quarterbacks in this notes column.

6.  In basketball news, there will be a lot of new faces on the floor when Auburn takes on Miles College in their exhibition opener tonight.

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1.  Receivers coach Trooper Taylor was the man behind Auburn’s “Shhhh” wrist bands last week.

2.  Freshman receiver Travante Stallworth looks like he’s heading toward a bigger role in the Auburn offense.

3.  Stallworth has made the most of his limited opportunities so far.

4.  Ben Tate is on pace to rush for 1,422 yards which would be the third-best season in Auburn history.

5.  Tate believes a freshman could step in and next year and put up his type of numbers in Gus Malzahn’s offense.

6.  Here’s a quick preview of Auburn’s matchup with Furman.

7.  The Paladins will take their beating from Auburn and receive about $375,000 in the process.

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Notes from Gene Chizik’s teleconference:

* Auburn is working to get better in a lot of areas, “particularly our special teams.”

* Chris Todd “has played a lot of good football this year.”  “He’s been productive for us, but like the rest of our football team, there are areas that he can improve on.”

* Todd’s “decision-making gets better every week.”  He’s done a great job of protecting the football.  “I just think he’s been really smart with his choices.”

* Darvin Adams has “done a nice job of improving his game.”  He’s studied film and worked hard at practice.  “I think he’s developed.  I think he’s still finding new things out about the game every week.”  Adams has done a good job of perimeter blocking and going up and catching jump balls.

* “I’m really proud of Ben” Tate.  Tate is already over the 1,000 mark for the season.  “There’s nothing that we’ve asked him to do that he hasn’t done.”

* Not many questions for Chizik today.

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1.  Safety Zac Etheridge says he’s “just happy to walk again” after his neck injury on Saturday.

2.  Etheridge tore ligaments in his neck and cracked his C5 vertebrae, but he still wants to return to the football field.

3.  The injury could have been much worse.

4.  Cornerback Desmond Washington will be moved to Etheridge’s old starting strong safety spot.

5.  According to this notes column, the Tigers wrote “Shhhh” on their wrist bands last week… reminding everyone to let their play do their talking.

6.  Auburn has been a Jekyll and Hyde team this year.

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He has kept a low profile for most of the season, but former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville has now opened up on a number of topics with David Ching of The Athens Banner-Herald.

Some of the highlights:

* Tuberville has watched every Auburn game on TV or delay, but he has turned down offers to attend.  “I don’t want to be a hindrance.  A lot of people will say, ‘Come on, let’s go to a game,’ but I’m of the opinion that you just kinda stay out of the way.  These guys are in a different situation.  Let them take full control — not that I would interfere, but just being around (would) — so I just try to stay away.”

* He thought Auburn had a chance to win eight or nine games when the season started.  “… I still think they have a chance.”

* On Gene Chizik’s first season: “It’s been good.  Anytime you have a transition — you put in a new offense and defense and they got off to a great start — but every year, no matter whether you’re a new staff or an old staff, there’s a lull that your players hit for some reason in the SEC.”

* On wanting to coach again: “I’ve totally stayed out of it.  I know there are some people whose seats are getting pretty hot right now.  I’ll just let happen what happens and if it does, it does and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

* On Georgia’s season: “They haven’t made excuses.  Defensively, obviously they haven’t played very well.  But you’ve got to look back and realize that you can’t lose a running back like Knowshon Moreno and control the ball as well as you did the year before, so you put your defense out there that much more.”

* On Mark Richt’s situation: “Mark knows as well as anybody that drastic changes don’t help anything.  Players win games.  They’ve got a lot of young players on this team.  A lot of times you learn more from failure than you do from success — and a lot of the young guys that are playing now are gonna be around a couple more years. … So you’ve got to understand, when you play in this conference, every year is not gonna be perfect.  You’re gonna have years that you’ve got to start new quarterbacks and new running backs, and things aren’t going to work out well.”

* On Tennessee: “… They’re getting better.  New staff, new stuff.  They’ve been able to weather some of the storms.  They’re still not a really good team, but (the night they played Georgia) they were.  They’re gonna have their ups and downs just because it’s a new group.”

* On how UT has handled Jonathan Crompton: “In the Auburn game, they tried to drop back and throw it — and in this league, you don’t have that much time.  The defensive linemen are much better.  So they’ve started using play-action and throwing the ball to one or two receivers and he’s looked like a totally different guy.”

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1.  Antoine Carter is making a difference on Auburn’s improved defensive line.

2.  Safety Zach Etheridge was released from a Birmingham hospital on Monday. 

3.  Auburn’s medical staff is “optimistic he will make a full recovery” from a scary neck injury suffered against Ole Miss.

4.  Now the search is on for a new starting safety.

5.  Chris Todd was back on target against the Rebels.

6.  The Tiger offense was moving so fast on Saturday that it was flagged for trying to snap the ball before officials had set it for play.

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1.  Safety Zac Etheridge will miss the rest of the season with a frightening knee injury suffered on Saturday… but it looks like he’ll have a “full recovery as a person.”

2.  The loss of Etheridge will bring about still more shuffling on the Auburn defense.

3.  Asked about some questionable calls against Ole Miss, Chizik refused to comment on officiating.

4.  The Tigers got an improved push from their defensive line against the Rebels.

5.  Auburn hopes to make quick work of Furman next.

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AUBURN — Excuse the three-week interruption and welcome back the regular programming.Auburn’s three-game slump disappeared amid a withering, big-play offensive attack, a flurry of key turnovers and…
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Tigers looking to snap three-game losing streak in morning game in Jordan-Hare Stadium
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1.  Auburn players say despite their three-game losing streak, “It’s not going to be like last year.”

2.  Linebacker Eltoro Freeman gets more ink than anyone else on the Auburn campus.  Is there no one else to write about on The Plains?

3.  Trooper Taylor says freshman receiver DeAngelo Benton is learning the ropes now, but: “I promise you he will light the records books up.”

4.  Defensive end Antoine Carter is beginning to play — and talk — like his old self again. 

5.  Former Tiger Patrick Trahan is looking forward to hearing the boos when returns to AU as an Ole Miss Rebel tomorrow.

6.  Gene Chizik says “You’d be amazed how many players are out there who are beat up.  We’re not going to whine about it.”

7.  Auburn’s defense is currently giving more points than any team in Tiger history.

8.  Freshman linebacker DT Shackleford has been an inspiration for Ole Miss.

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