Disrespect These Tigers At Your Own Risk

Auburn’s 56-3 win over Arkansas once again reminded the sporting world what a Gus Malzahn offense is suppose to look like. After a disappointing 2015 season, many seemed to have forgotten.  

In speaking to the media after the game, Malzahn said, “You guys have watched us before — when we get tempo going, especially being able to tempo and downhill run, we’re at our best.”

The lesson learned in 2013 was that it’s tough for defenses to hang with the Tigers when Auburn gets its hurry up rhythm going. Remember when Missouri coach Gary Pinkel famously said he didn’t have an answer for it in the 2013 SEC Championship game?

Well after last season’s struggles, it’s obvious the Auburn offense has regained its identity to go along with what may be their best defense in a decade.

A lot has been written over the last couple of days about the Tigers setting an SEC record for most points scored against a ranked conference opponent and a Tiger defense that mauled the Arkansas offense.

It was evident from the start, this team was on a mission. A mission to prove to their naysayer’s they are better than many had given them credit for. And a mission to make up for a crushing over time loss last year in Fayetteville that saw Sean White sustain a nagging injury, affecting his play the rest of the season.

As if that wasn’t enough motivation, some of the Razorbacks gave the Auburn players extra incentive to protect “this house” when they walked on the AU logo at midfield before the game. The visitors didn’t want to give way to allowing Auburn players to hold their traditional pregame prayer circle at the logo. Gus Malzahn said afterwards he had never seen anything like the shenanigans in his entire career.

However, we shouldn’t be surprised, as my grandfather used to say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.  Their actions sit squarely on Coach Bret Bielema. While I don’t believe Bielema told his players to pull the stunt, their actions are reflective of the brash talking bravado that has characterized the Hogs’ skipper for most of his career.

The Razorback taunting backfired into a nightmare for the entire Arkansas team. Several Tigers said the dispute made them even more determined. Quarterback Sean White summed up his teammates feelings. “We just felt disrespected.” He said.  It made us, “Want to come out and beat them.”

And beat them they did, handing the Razorbacks what may have been their worst loss ever and providing yet another lesson for opponents: Disrespect these Tigers at your own risk.

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