So what is really going on with Auburn?

Let's see.....you've had the 4 players who robbed a trailer, a tragic shooting that happened at a pool party, giving up 500+ yards to Clemson, and then nearly 400 to Mississippi State. It's been a rough offseason for Auburn and it seems to trickle a little bit into the regular season. Probably not what you like to see or hear if you yell "War Eagle" in a gleeful tone.

As I've kind of taken a break and sat on the sidelines watching reports about off-the-field shenanigans, it seems the bug of scandal maybe trying to bite Auburn again.

Why does this keep coming up? We all remember the firestorm in regards to the Cam Newton case back in 2010. The sad part is, some have not been able to let it go. Face it, every school from Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Ohio St, Penn State, etc,  have been accused of cheating or some off the field antics and have been caught on some occassions.

As I've read into this Trovon Robinson story, from the text, it looks like it's a matter being investigated by the NCAA and seemed to be resolved by Auburn and the Memphis City School system.

I hear there is suppose to be a story that is coming out tomorrow that could shake the Auburn trees (okay bad phrase). I've reached out to some contacts in Auburn to see if I can find a trail. Will let you know if I get anywhere.

Today at Gene Chizik's press conference he stayed mum when asked about the NCAA's inquiry in Memphis in regards to Trovon Robinson. Usually it's clockwork that he would stay mum on questions like that and keep the focus on the upcoming game against a team that just beat Arkansas on their home turf.

That's understandable.

What troubles me is that Chizik is not the only one who is keeping tight lipped. Reading Kyle Veazey from the Memphis Commercial appeal. He indicates he has tried to reach out to Auburn on the inquiry and has had no response:

It was a question avoided. Here's another: Since Friday, The Commercial Appeal has been asking Auburn if it has received notice from the NCAA of an inquiry into its football program. Given the amount of NCAA activity that we've outlined in our pages over the past month, the question makes sense. All Auburn spokesman Kirk Sampson will say is this:
"We are are not going to discuss what the NCAA may or may not be doing in Memphis or elsewhere."
"Which, of course, does not answer the specific question -- whether Auburn has or has not received notice. I've continued to ask the question, either by email or phone message, to the compliance director, the athletic director, the university attorney, the university spokesman, the school president and two members of the board of trustees. No response, save for the university spokesman referring me to athletics. It's up to the schools themselves to acknowledge whether they've received such notices from the NCAA, a spokesperson for that organization confirmed to me Monday"

That usually raises a red flag, doesn't it? I could be, along with others, chasing another rabbit into an empty hole. You might be saying, "Well Jason, why are you wasting your time with this again?"

Good question. Now we get to the point of this post.

We've seen it with the recent yammering of Ralph Cindrich in regards to "Having something on Nick Saban" and saw how Alabama fans just basically fed the troll. Don't get me wrong. It was very entertaining.

But why was it entertaining? Because you can say just about anything and you can get a swarm of fans embarassing themselves in their raging idiocy. And I've seen it with many fan bases. The stories are going to come out, and people are going to make their accusations. It's going to happen whether you like it or not.

Now back to Auburn. The Never To Yield Foundation likes to take credit for outting Scott Moore and scorning Danny Sheridan for their recent stunts in the world of sports radio.

However, this has to be said and it's brutal honesty. There's a difference between assisting with the positive perception of an institution and a blantant terrorizing and going out for people's jobs. With this post, I could probably be in the gunsights of these fools because I'm not ALL IN with their message. However, I look at this from a lens that isn't crimson, white, orange, or navy. Do I think that Cam Newton was 100% innocent in regards to his case? No, I don't. Do I think that Auburn runs a program that would make God and Tim Tebow himself blush? No, I don't and that's the same for many institutions. However, if you can't prove it, don't try to. If you can prove it, bring it.

The moral of this story is......stop embarassing yourself. Never To Yield might need to yield before they start acting like a Democratic Economic terrorist group. I put them on the same level as Harvey Updyke. I dare you to dispute me. Until, let everything play out and go from there.

The OTM Crystal Ball for Week 2

Okay, I did say at one time that spreads are only good on toast and bagels. Well, I've decided to turn a new leaf and give a crack at it once again. I've never been good against the spread for as long as I've followed sports. However, most of what I've suspected so far this college football season has been correct. So I'll try and push my luck.

Auburn (+3) @ Mississippi St (-3)
A three point difference in this game. The Tigers travel to Starkville where they've had trouble in years past (even with Cam Newton) putting the ball in the end zone. Some believe this is the Bulldogs year to overtake the Tigers. Let's not get too hasty. Kihel Frazier showed some promise last week against Clemson, a few critical errors were what cost them. The defense is much improved despite getting shredded by Andre Ellington. I'm not sold on Tyler Russell at QB for Missis St, and that's the position that's been haunting them for years. Auburn had a disappointment last year against Utah State the week before State came to town, they came out victorious to many's surprise. I think Auburn will come away with this battle. Take Auburn +3

Purdue (+14) @ Notre Dame (-14)
It seemed everyone is salivating over Notre Dame's blowout of Navy in Dublin. It doesn't necessarily mean Notre Dame is back. Navy is not as good as they have been in the past. Despite Purdue's struggles in recent seasons, this team is full of veterans. An O-Line of JRs and SRs as well as QB, and an experienced defense. Plus, Notre Dame is still having QB issues. Notre Dame may win this game, but Purdue is going to give them fits. Take Purdue +14

Florida (+1) @ Texas A&M (-1)
Did I not say that Florida's defense was going to be awful this year? You're welcome. Now they travel to College Station where Texas A&M has had another week to prepare for the Gators. It will be interesting to see Texas A&M's offense looks against an SEC defense. The Aggies believe they benefit from the offensive style of play being less of an air attack in the SEC compared to the Big XII. Jeff Driskel has been named the starting QB for Florida, but that should give no Gator fan any confidence after last week. I like Texas A&M, with the energy of their historical SEC game, to turn the Gators into a suitcase. Take Texas A&M -1

USC (-26) @ Syracuse (+26)
Given that Syracuse gave up 40 points to a Big Ten medium in Northwestern, USC might be playing the 2nd string before halftime. USC may not drop 100, but they're going to clear this one easy, even if it's on the road. Take USC -26

Western Kentucky (+38) @ Alabama (-38)
Here's a math problem. What do you get when you add a pissed off Nick Saban and Western Kentucky players talking smack about hitting Alabama in the mouth? Probably a bloodbath of epic proportions. This isn't the same Western Kentucky of 5 years ago, but this isn't the same Alabama team of 5 years ago. Nick Saban wants to make a statement. Take Bama -38

Savannah State (+69) @ Florida St (-69)
Okay, getting 84 dropped on you by anybody is pretty embarassing. However, Florida State isn't going to do that, or at least on purpose. This will be another tune up game for the Seminoles just like Murray State. Take Murray State +69

Washington (+24) @ LSU (-24)
Watching Utah/Utah St and last week's win by Nevada over Cal, it's safe to say the Pac-12 is Oregon, USC, and those other guys. Washington is running into a buzzsaw, at night, in Baton Rouge. Despite Zach Mettenberger getting knocked around a little North Texas, Washington will have nothing to protect their QB or counter both sides of the ball. Take LSU -24

UTEP (+8.5) @ Ole Miss (-8.5)
After last week against Central Arkansas, Ole Miss save themselves from embarassment in the 2nd half. Here's the problem. They're taking on a team that held Oklahoma to 17 points. Yeah, I know it was a home game for UTEP, but Ole Miss is not Oklahoma and they've lost embarassing games at home before. If Ole Miss pulls off a win, it won't be by 9 points. Take UTEP +8.5

Georgia (-2) @ Mizzou (+2)
Georgia looked less than impressive against Buffalo and they're still without 4 defensive starters due to suspension. Missouri has the home field and an offense that could exploit Georgia's vulnerable secondary. Georgia has been notorious for starting slow the last few years. Missouri has alot of experience back on defense. I'm joining the trend of picking Mizzou as my upset of the week. Take Mizzou -2

Line provided by Team Rankings

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Nick Saban has mastered the game of chess

(courtesy, Don Kausler al.com)

Watching Nick Saban is like watching Michaelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel of college football. Some say that he is too hard on the media and then some say he has the media in his back pocket. Before you start saying I'm another son of Saban, just hear me out.

Nick Saban is only playing a game of chess with his players and he's using the press as his pawn. Some say he is not confident his team should be a national championship team. I disagree with that. He's only using the media to send a message to his players. Don't get complacent. Everyone is propping you up to the clouds, he's only knocking them back down to earth. Remember in 2009 when Alabama, coming off a national championship, was picked by most to win it again? What happened? They finished 9-3 in the regular season. With Western Kentucky coming up, he's only trying to keep his players hungry, and it's a brilliant chess play.

Before you start knocking Saban for blasting the media, he's only using them in the game of college football chess that he is mastered so well. You may like it or hate it, but you can't deny it.