Auburn v. early morning kickoffs
Auburn officials must have been disappointed when they found out that Saturday's game against Ole Miss was scheduled for an 11:20 a.m. kickoff.
For one, the school's Halloween-themed promotion -- "Navy Nightmare" -- doesn't seem so spooky when fans are still drowsy and yawning. More importantly, Auburn has been haunted by pre-noon kickoffs for reasons that no one seems able to explain.
Even new coach Gene Chizik couldn't escape the curse. The Tigers broke a five-game winning streak when they were shellacked by Arkansas 44-23 on Oct. 10 in their first morning game of the year.
Juniors and seniors on Auburn's squad are 4-6 in the early games, but 26-10 in all other games.
Last year, Auburn lost morning kickoffs to Ole Miss and Georgia, while defeating Southern Mississippi.
In 2007, the Tigers split their 11:30 a.m. start times -- beating Vanderbilt, but losing to Mississippi State.
In 2006, Auburn beat Mississippi State, lost to Arkansas and Georgia, then capped the year by beating Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl.
For one, the school's Halloween-themed promotion -- "Navy Nightmare" -- doesn't seem so spooky when fans are still drowsy and yawning. More importantly, Auburn has been haunted by pre-noon kickoffs for reasons that no one seems able to explain.
Even new coach Gene Chizik couldn't escape the curse. The Tigers broke a five-game winning streak when they were shellacked by Arkansas 44-23 on Oct. 10 in their first morning game of the year.
Juniors and seniors on Auburn's squad are 4-6 in the early games, but 26-10 in all other games.
Last year, Auburn lost morning kickoffs to Ole Miss and Georgia, while defeating Southern Mississippi.
In 2007, the Tigers split their 11:30 a.m. start times -- beating Vanderbilt, but losing to Mississippi State.
In 2006, Auburn beat Mississippi State, lost to Arkansas and Georgia, then capped the year by beating Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl.
--Mark Inabinett
