The WAR EAGLE TIMES 2009 PROGNOSTICATION

Ok, I know its a big word... but if you are a UAT fan it just means predictions. Speaking of prognostication, this will be the hardest year to pick games in recent history. Last years edition of the Auburn Tigers was predicted by most sources to win the SEC west and to battle for the conference

championship. Instead it turned out to be a lack luster team that had maybe the worst SEC offense in history. The team did sport one heck of a defense, but it withered late in the season with no offense support and mounting injuries.

The 2009 Tigers will be piloted by Gene Chizik who I predict right now, will be a huge success on the Plains. He might not have won at Iowa State, but this is Auburn and he has the desire to win, and the coaching staff to do it. He has already out recruited the Tuberville gang and dared to go after the best. Isn't that what Auburn deserves, the best? Tuberville had lost his fire and his willpower to do what it takes to be a SEC coach. Don't get me wrong, I love him as a person and for the great things he has done at Auburn, but It was time for a change. I believe that the change will prove to be good. Gene Chizik reminds me a lot of Pat Dye. A head coaches attitude will spread to a team. Gene has an attitude of hard work and winning!!!!

What are the keys to start that winning tradition in 2009? Its simple, we need luck with injuries and for the receivers to step up their play. With Franklin gone, we will see a upbeat on offense. Our biggest challenge is not QB, but receivers. Burns is talented enough to drive defenses crazy with his running. He just needs to hit a few short passes. To do that we have to have receivers that can get open and then catch the rock when its thrown to them. Honestly we have not seen that since Courtney Taylor left the loveliest village. Injuries are also key. We are very thin at linebacker, secondary, and offensive line.......... need I say more? With all that in mind, here are my 2009 predictions.

Sept. 5 – Louisiana Tech – Derek Dooley will bring his surprizingly good bulldogs to Auburn. They are so good that we almost gave Dooley the keys to our program. This will be a tough game, but the new Chiziks tigers will be to pumped to fall in this one. Auburn 31, Louisiana Tech 14

Sept. 12 – Mississippi State – Will Dan Mullin pull of a 4 to 3 win in Auburn? Probably not. A still heathy Auburn defense will win the day. But, don't expect States defense to roll over. Auburn 17, Mississippi State 10

Sept. 19 – West Virginia – Can RB Noel Devine run all over the Tigers at home. Expect the home crowd to be a difference in this one. If Auburn builds a lead this year, there will be no turning back. Auburn 24, WVA 21

Sept. 26 – Ball State (Auburn) – The Cardinals went 12-2 last year and this is another coach that wanted to come to Auburn. This is a scary game because Ball State can play and we dont wont to be 2009s version of Michigan - App State!!!! The Auburn D will respond. Auburn 31, Ball State 14

Oct. 3 – @Tennessee – Auburn faces another first year coach in Lane Kiffin. THis Game will be close and will also be the Tigers first road game. UT is not the place to play your first road game!!! Tennessee 17, Auburn 14

Oct. 10 – @Arkansas – This will be a close one. The two offenses will be on track and Auburn's defense will start to show how thin it is. This will be a pivotal game for both teams and their bowl dreams. In the end the running of Ben Tate gets it done! Auburn 28, Arkansas 21

Oct. 17 – Kentucky – This game will take place as the nation is taking notice at Auburn. The nations best team when under estimated! The Tigers will be a surprising 5-1 and looking forward to LSU!!! Auburn will have the better team, but better be ready for a cat fight. This is the must win game you can mark on your schedule. Auburn 17, Kentucky 14

Oct. 24 – @LSU – The orange and blue tigers will be very beat up by the time we roll into Baton Rouge. This Game will be a national highlight with two one loss teams fighting it out. LSU you hard to beat when your healthy and this game will be a reality check for all of us. LSU 31, Auburn 10

Oct. 31 – Ole Miss – A very strong Ole Miss Offense rolls into Jordan Hare against a now even more banged up Auburn Defense. The Tigers will play strong at home, but this is a tough Nutt to crack at this point on the schedule. Ole Miss 24, Auburn 14

Nov. 7 – Furman – Auburn finally gets to rest some players against the Paladins. This will be a very needed break for the now 6-3 Tigers. Auburn 42, Furman 14

Nov. 14 – @Georgia – After the poundings that UGA has given Auburn the last few years, the Auburn faithful will be ready for revenge. Auburn should play well in Athens against a rebuilding Bulldog squad. This will be a close one! If the Tigers are healthy it might be Tiger Time, but the chances are slim because of how thin we are at so many positions. Georgia 28, Auburn 21

Nov. 21 – Need Rest Before the Bammers come to town

Nov. 27 – Alabama – No coach in this series wins his first Iron Bowl. This game will be at home and Gene Chizk will have a chance to be immortalized forever. In an amazing Auburn atmosphere Auburn will shock the tide in a classic for the ages. Auburn 14, Alabama 10