First look at predictions for 2003
by Van Plexico

One concern: Auburn has a ten-week stretch to end the season with zero weeks off. I suppose this is the consequence of the new 12-game schedules. 


SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Just as was the case last year, this game will match two teams still getting a feel for their players and the best way to use them. I expect a number of mistakes by both teams-- particularly by the USC offense and by the AU secondary, which was somewhat victimized by Carson Palmer last year. Auburn has more key pieces coming back, though-- plus home field advantage and the revenge motive. A rough and tough battle should go AU's way-- barely. And, when we score our first TD, over 80,000 will be shouting in unison at the heavens, "TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!"
Auburn 23 USC 20

at Georgia Tech
Tech's program is, bizarrely, in an utter shambles at the moment. Only a couple of years removed from George O'Leary's departure, Tech has transformed itself from "team to be feared and respected" to "go ahead and chalk this one up." Big Tech supporter Beau Bach of 790 the Zone today declared "They'll be lucky to win three games this year." Two years ago, this game scared me to death, even at the "neutral" Dome. Now, even played at Grant Field, I'm feeling confident.
Auburn 31 Tech 16

at Vanderbilt
Inexplicably, while routinely getting blown out by Auburn in Jordan-Hare, Vandy always, always plays Auburn down to the wire in Nashville-- despite half the stadium's crowd being clad in orange and blue. The last two visits, in 1993 and 2001, came down to fourth quarter defensive stands by Auburn. I'd like to think this one will finally be different...
Auburn 24 Vandy 14

WESTERN KENTUCKY
Don't laugh-- they were (I believe) national champions of 1-AA last year. And everyone remembers how we struggled against our last foes to carry that distinction (App State in '99). Times are different, though, and the results should be a bit different this time, too; but I think the Hilltoppers will give a respectable showing. For a while, anyway.
Auburn 41 W Ky 20

TENNESSEE
A war! Auburn hasn't beaten the Vols in Jordan-Hare since the days of Tracy Rocker-- 1988. The Vols should be at least somewhat improved from last year's subpar effort, caused in part by a rash of injuries. But this time, for a change, it will be the Tigers who bring a batallion of running backs to the battle, and that should make the difference (along with home field advantage and a solid defensive effort).
Auburn 23 Tenn 17

at Arkansas
The Hogs have had Auburn bound up in a mystical voodoo curse for a while now. The Tigers have to go into Arkansas's home lair, but at least (thank goodness for small favors) they don't have to travel to Little Rock, where Houston Nutt is undefeated. Even so, this should be a rough affair and should go down to the last second. Coach Tuberville has yet to lead Auburn to a win at Arkansas, and both losses there have been blowouts. Time to change that. AU desperately needs a win here, because the Hogs once again enjoy the easiest conference schedule in the West-- they do not face Tennessee or Georgia. Just as was the case last year, they don't play the two toughest teams in the East, but Auburn does. Have I said lately how annoying I find Arkansas's schedule?
Auburn 27 Arkansas 23

MISSISSIPPI STATE
After four straight wins by the Bulldogs, the pendulum has swung back the Tigers' way in this series of late. State has problems, and this one's in Jordan-Hare. It won't be a cakewalk but the Tigers will take care of business en route to a 7-0 record.
Auburn 31 MSU 13

at Louisiana State
Traveling to LSU is not a good way to go about preserving an undefeated season. Auburn handled the Bayou Bengals handily last year, but a lot of things bounced AU's way early on in that game to set up the big win. This will be an extremely close, very violent contest. You have to think Auburn will have a letdown somewhere along the line-- but you also have to hope this isn't it, because LSU (along with Arkansas and their annual weak schedule) represents the biggest challenger to AU's claim on the SEC West title. Should be a slugfest, and it'll probably come down to the play of Mauck at QB and how good the LSU starting RB is.
Auburn 17 LSU 16

LOUISIANA-MONROE
This serves as the only "off week" of the last ten weeks of the season-- I'm not apologizing for it. As I submitted to the AU Bookstore for a button slogan years ago against this bunch of Indians: "Cancel the Reservation." (Okay, that I should apologize for...)
Auburn 45 L-M 13

OLE MISS
The Rebels will probably have the offense clicking to the best of its ability by this point in the season (why did we switch them from our first SEC game to one of our last?). Could be a high-scoring affair, and I'm glad it's at home. I want to say this one won't be a nail-biter, but somehow I just feel like it will be really close. A dangerous game.
Auburn 27 Ole Miss 23

at Georgia
Auburn should pay Clarke County taxes for all the real estate we own in Athens. I would be more nervous if 1) the game were to be played in Auburn, or 2) we had won last year. But the players surely will be thinking about the outcome on the Plains last year, and Georgia, despite probably regaining its numerous ring-sellers by this point, will not have quite enough horses to hang on. 
Auburn 24 UGA 22

ALABAMA
As incomprehensible as it seems, Auburn has not defeated bama in Jordan-Hare since 1997. This is simply an intolerable situation that cannot be allowed to continue a moment further. What is needed here is not simply a win, not just a good-old house cleaning, but an outright exorcism! Auburn clinched at least a share of the SEC West with wins over bama in 1997, 2000, and 2002. This year won't be any different. I only hope it's the beginning of a nice long streak of wins over them. But I'll happily settle for just this one-- for now. It will be as rough as ever, but the Tigers, playing for an undefeated regular season, will get it done.
Auburn 20 bama 16

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Poor Lou Holtz. If he had his team from a couple of years ago, I honestly think they would have a real shot this year. But they, like all the others on that side (except possibly Kentucky), will be reduced from former levels of power and glory in 2003. Georgia will be loaded, but they lost a lot, and may yet lose more (ring ring). Florida is an enigma-- they came so close to making it to the Dome last year, but Rex is gone, and no one knows how they will fare without him. Tennessee can only be better than last year, but just how much better? Do they have the running game to execute Phil Fulmer's strategies? Any one of these three could be in the Dome come December. I'd almost prefer it be Florida, since we otherwise won't play them this year. But my gut tells me UGA will be back. We'll see. AU defeats whichever one shows up.
If it works out this way, I'll stand in the Georgia Dome and repeat Jim Fyffe's immortal call, "Ladies and gentlemen, hail to the champions of the Southeastern Conference! The Auburn Tigers!"
Auburn 23 Georgia 17


Okay, here we stand at 13-0. 

No, I don't really, truly believe it. Something, somewhere, will go wrong. It's almost inevitable. Somewhere, we'll find our Florida as UGA did last year-- if not more than one. Maybe it'll come in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Maybe it'll come in Baton Rouge, or even (against all reason and laws of nature) in Athens. But somewhere, it will surely happen.

BUT WHAT IF IT DOESN'T? 

CONSIDER, FOR ONE MOMENT.... WHAT IF IT DOESN'T??

What if some of that mystical 1992 bama/ 1996 Florida/ 1998 Tennessee hoodoo rubs off on us?
Aren't we worthy? Haven't we suffered long enough? Are we asking so much, for our first legitimate shot at the national championship (yes, I remember the 1983 and 1988 and 1993 situations) since 1957???

WHAT IF, FOR ONCE IN OUR ORANGE AND BLUE-BLEEDING LIVES, THINGS ACTUALLY GO OUR WAY FROM START TO FINISH? IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK?

My slogan for the entire 2003 season: IF NOT NOW, WHEN? 

IF NOT THIS TEAM, WHICH ONE?

LET'S NOT BE AFRAID TO SAY THE WORDS:

SUGAR BOWL for the BCS mythical National Championship and the Sears Trophy:

I don't know who we'd play. I don't know why we'd be destined to lose it. But we would. We would find a way to blow it. We would end up once again taking our lumps and dragging home, chanting "It's great to be an Auburn Tiger," and wishing deep inside that for once we'd made it across the finish line ahead of every other single team in the country. But it just seems inevitable that we won't. 

The fates conspire in such things. Look at FSU. How long were they world-beaters before they even got their first, very controversial title? How long did Tom Osborne at Nebraska have to wait? How many bizarre teams can pop up from one year to the next, having that one good year, and steal away your shot? Tech in 1990... BYU in 1984... All the times Oklahoma blew it in the '80s, other than '85-- and that was a fluke, because they played Miami *early* that year and *still* lost to them! West Virginia stealing our spot against Notre Dame in 1988... Colorado winning the MNC in 1990 despite what technically was at least two losses and a tie! (Remember fifth down?)

The fates have a way of acting very strangely in such matters. 

BUT WHAT IF THEY DON'T??? LET'S SAY IT!!!!!!!!

AUBURN 16 Oklahoma 13

"Fourteen and oh! Fourteen and ooohh!! FOURTEEN AND OOOOOHHHH!!!!"

...

...I can dream, can't I?

--Van