Could this be Phil Fulmer's last visit to Auburn?
You can probably tell from the stories run on Track'em Tigers that I'm not a person that puts a whole lot of stock in recruiting rankings. Count me among those who don't believe you can compare a tight-end in Georgia with another one in Oregon and then rank one ahead of the other.
Sure you can evaluate talent and acknowledge that a kid has the skills to make it. But when looking at elite athletes can you really tell the difference between two talented kids who play in different states at different high school classifications?
For some of you, those comments are akin to being slapped across the face. Many of you live and die by where Scout and Rivals ranks Auburn each year. That's cool. The chase is always fun, whether it be a woman or a five-star recruit.
Why am I saying all of this? Scout.com revealed this week its top 25 football team recruiting rankings. Who says USC is number one? In this poll, Ohio State holds the top spot in the early recruiting wars.
Where does Auburn rank? They come in at number four nationally. That's quite an improvement over a year ago. The top five looks like this...
- Ohio State
- USC
- Texas
- Auburn
- LSU
The SEC places seven schools in the top 25, with Auburn leading the way. Alabama comes in at number 12. If Tommy Tuberville can get all these guys committed to sign on the dotted line in February, it could be one of the best classes ever... if you believe in these kinds of things.
Click here for complete rankings
Call me strange, but I've always been fascinated by webcams. Now before you start calling me a pervert, let me say that I'm referring to the clean ones - those put in public places to view mountain scenes or beaches. It's cool to be able to watch what's happening in other parts of the country. Jackson Hole, Wyoming is my favorite place on earth behind Jordan-Hare Stadium. I regularly check the place out on various webcams. It's just plain cool.
Now the University and the city of Auburn have gotten into the act in a big way. Recently, they installed 16 cameras around the University to allow alumni and fans to peak into the community and see what's happening on any given day. There's also a camera placed on Toomer's Corner that's run by another group. Be sure to click on the links below and check them out.
Auburn University and City of Auburn Webcams - Click here
Toomer's Corner Webcam - Click here
We haven't forgotten about this weekend's contest with Tennessee. Here's your Friday Primer to get you ready...
Auburn and Tennessee have not met since the Tigers earned a 38-28 victory in the 2004 SEC Championship game in Atlanta...
Eight of the last 11 games in the series have been decided by 10 points or less...
Auburn and Tennessee routinely played on the last Saturday of September from 1956-91, but this will be the first September meeting since 1991...
Auburn is seeking its first four-game winning streak against Tennessee since 1961-64...
Auburn leads the nation in opponents' third-down conversion percentage, surrendering just seven first downs in 60 attempts (11.7 percent)...
Auburn ranks 10th nationally in scoring defense (10.3), 19th in rushing defense (84.3) and 20th in total defense (259.8)...
Auburn is one of just five teams - and two teams that have played four games - that has not allowed a rushing touchdown all season...
Auburn has allowed just three points in the first half this season...
Sen'Derrick Marks leads the SEC and ranks tied for 11th nationally with seven tackles for losses...
Robert Dunn ranks eighth nationally in punt returns (21.4), and his 193 punt return yards
are tied for sixth most in the nation...
Rodgeriqus Smith needs three receptions to become the seventh player in Auburn history
with 100 career receptions...
Fourteen different players have caught passes for Auburn this season, including 11 in the
Sept. 6 game against Southern Miss, which was the most in a game by Auburn since 2005...
Auburn has played 12 true freshmen this season...
Saturday's game will mark the 14th straight meeting between Auburn and Tennessee that football fans will be able to watch on television.