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Don’t look now, but the Auburn Tigers are having a sneaky-good season.
After starting the year 1-2, Gus Malzahn’s bunch have won five-in-a-row — including four conference victories (LSU, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Ole Miss).
This weekend, the Tigers will be facing a stingy Vanderbilt squad.
One of the major reasons for Auburn’s resurgence has been the play of running back Kamryn Pettway. Pettway leads the Tigers with 933 yards rushing. He’s also accrued seven rushing touchdowns and has rumbled for a very good 6.3 yards-per-carry average.
During Malzahn’s presser on Tuesday, he was rather effusive in his praise of the rusher:
Malzahn on Kamryn Pettway: "We got to get him some media training." Called him a "super person" https://t.co/RElxUcXnpj
— AUBlog (@AUBlog) November 1, 2016
Malzahn: Kam Pettway "is a real weapon right now." https://t.co/omQkc9SNY8
— Dana Sulonen (@DanaSulonen) November 1, 2016
With Pettway and fellow running back Kerryon Johnson carrying the rock with a lot of effectiveness, it makes Auburn very dangerous going forward.
After Vanderbilt, Auburn plays a beleaguered Georgia team in Athens, followed by a cupcake in Alabama A&M. It then will face Alabama on the road in the Iron Bowl.
Many think Auburn will run the table up to the rivalry game. There’s also a reasonable chance that game could ultimately determine the SEC West winner.
As such, Malzahn is hoping to not “look ahead” to this matchup. He echoed this on Tuesday:
Malzahn on Auburn staying focused: "If you look ahead in this league, you get burned."
— John Zenor (@jzenor) November 1, 2016
Malzahn on Vandy game: It's an early kick. We're going to have to be awake and ready to go. (Fans and sportswriters, too)
— John Zenor (@jzenor) November 1, 2016
Malzahn: Vanderbilt "Is a real defense." (not a fake one).
— Dana Sulonen (@DanaSulonen) November 1, 2016
"If you look ahead in this league. You get burned-Locked in on Vandy"- Auburn Gus Malzahn on hypothetical of AU winning out for @CFBPlayoff
— Jim Dunaway (@jimdunaway) November 1, 2016
Malzahn’s subtle and effective use of coach speak is rather funny. As many head coaching figures opt to do in regards to the media, Malzahn stated the obvious exceptionally well.
