Always a dandy.
LIST OF AFFILIATES AND LINKS
PREDICTION: So much to discuss in terms of personnel and this team need to snap out of this mini funk.
TIGER TALK next week will be on MONDAY at 6 o'clock in the evening.
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MIKE BOBO is the Tigers' offensive coordinator. And he is with us TWO-NITE.
On Bo Nix: "He broke his ankle in the third quarter ... and he played three more drive. He showed unbelievable toughness."
On Finley: "He's done a nice job of focusin' and building relationships with the guys on this team. He's played in big games in this league."
On Finley's strengths: "He's got some poise. He's got command. When he takes the field, he does a good job of leading the guys ... and taking over. He has a presence about him."
On how Anders' injury changes some strategies: "We built our game plan this week based on who we've got playing. The next man is up. You've got to trust who's in there."
On carry-over is there for Bobo from coaching at USC last year: "I know a lot of those guys. They do have a number of new guys who were transfers who (are) on the defense and playing. They've got a really, really good pass rusher whom we went against at practice everyday. You've got a knowledge of those guys. This team, I know a lot about. I think that's always an advantage when you're in a league for a long time and you've played against them and you recruited them."
On getting Finley ready: "Everyday focus. We want to go 1-0 everyday and that gives us a chance to go 1-0 on Saturday." (Bobo says Finley spends a lot of extra time talking with Bobo about the offense and strategy.) "If you wanna win on the road in this league, you've got to have good quarterback play."
On the tailbacks: "Our running game has not been as productive as we'd like. We've got to do a better job of getting them plays to get them started, get them in a rhythm. We're going to need that running game when we're starting a new quarterback on the road."
On Finley having played in the SEC before: "Experience is always valuable. It builds his confidence that he can go out there and do it."
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EKU LEOTA highlights ...
He was born in American Samoa. He moved to North Carolina in 2007.
His first college destination was Northwestern. It was cold. "My decision to go to Northwestern ... it was to get good academics and a good football scheme as well. After I ... got my degree, I wanted to look toward somewhere I can capitalize on the football. Auburn plays really good competition."
"In the Big 10, it was more run-heavy. I was more focusing on pushing my target and staying in my gap ... here it's both ... first and second down hitting my target and then third down working the pass rush."
On getting comfortable here: "The first couple games was just getting my feet wet. (Against Akron) I'd say the moment was big. I love it down here."
On taking guys under his wing as a leader due to experience. "First coming in, you have to earn it. I was really just looking at TD and Derick Hall and seeing how they ran things. Overall, we really work together. We just (lead) by example."
On playing MSU and now USC: "Mississippi State was straight spread. We knew they were going to pass the ball a lot. South Carolina, they're more of a gap scheme. We'll be ready to fill our gaps and play hard this weekend."
On seeking redemption after last week: "It was tough — especially after having a lead like that. Our leaders have emphasized ... that we have to finish strong. Do what you can. Go out and set a good foundation for the offseason, for sure."
He's pursuing a second degree in sport science at Auburn.
His career goal is ... to be around the game for a while. "Maybe coach, but there's a lot to find out."
On how he gets intense: "Just the game, the violence of the game. It brings out a different mode in me — that's where I can take it out. I've watched a lot of Haka videos, my culture. You watch the videos and you know it's time to go, time to eat."
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BRYAN HARSIN is the Tigers' head coach.
Not Andy wants to ask about the personnel changes due to injury. "It's disappointing for those guys. Both are doing well. We appreciate that. You've got to move forward — that's one of the things about football. When you come off the field, the game goes on. TJ and some of the other players have stepped up. We move forward, we learn from the last game and we move on to this one."
Andy asks if Auburn has a starting kicker. Harsin mentions both candidates, doesn't commit to a guy. "Both of those guys will be ready. they'll get their opportunities in the game. Don't be nervous when you go out there, be excited. You have a chance to go out there and play. Take advantage of it."
Not Andy notes that Finley was pretty impactful against Georgia State. Does the team feel good about him? "I know what you're asking. The backup quarterback is the most popular guy at times. Guys that are on the field, they need to do their job. The quarterback is no different. For TJ, it's no different. Go out there and do your job. The exciting part is ... there are several guys who have a chance to play a little more than they have this entire year. It's 11 men on the field who have to do their job."
Not Andy suggests that there aren't really starters. Que? "If you're playing, there's a reason you're out there. If we thought the other guy was better, we'd be playing him. When you're on the field, your mindset has to be that you're the guy who needs to be out there."
**COMMERCIAL BREAK***
On expectations for Finley: "He's prepared himself and done the work to deserve to have an opportunity to play. Be in the office. Be around. Study. Be seen. Then executing ... his assignments on the field. We all understand ... he hasn't had the same amount of live reps in game. We've got to catch up on some reps. We've got to make sure our plan fits him. What he does in practice will show up in the game."
On the USC defense: "They play hard. Their edge rusher No. 1 is very good. Their linebackers are all solid as far as where they need to go. Their safety, he's all over the field. Eighty-one tackle. He's a very productive player. There's improvement on that football team and that's what you have to prepare for."
On reviewing the LSU-USC game from last year, in which Finley started for LSU: "I know that our offensive staff has looked at that. For me, it's so different. It's such a long time ago. So much has changed for TJ. He's always very focus. He's always very determined. The most important things are that we need to have a really good day at practice today. He did that. He needs to do that for the rest of the week."
**COMMERCIAL BREAK***
On if the team is HANGRY: "Every single after the game is over, what did you learn? Every guy has to take that information, own it and move forward. Bottom line ... we have to finish. There's no back-down, there's no lay-down, slow-down. As a player, that should all be the mindset. Maximize the opportunity to go out there and play."
On USC's offense: "They're multiple. They throw it and they run it. They're going to give you a lot of different looks. There's going to be new things that we haven't seen. They're going to make some things up. You need to be prepared for a variety of different things."
On USC using different quarterbacks: "I haven't seen every single play ... they still have their scheme that they're going to use, that any quarterback can operate. There's not too much different. At the end of the day, they still have to run their offense."
On what Harsin has learned about his team on the road this season: "Every game we play in ... home or away ... there's going to be a packed out. Every game has that energy to it. (Road game) is about executing our assignments and playing good football. You've got nobody in there cheering for you. It's like a SWAT team — get in there, do your job and get out."
Harsin offers a firm "WAR EAGLE" to close this one out.
That's a wrap.
BE GOOD. BE YOU.
Let's make great decisions out there.
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