From the Other Sideline – Alabama (Extra Edition)

Ken Rogers is the Alabama beat writer for the Dothan Eagle. He also does analysis for BamaChannel.com. That's all I know.

1. What is the first thing that pops into the heads of Alabama fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

God, is Verne Lundquist doing the game? And no, he's not this week.

2. Are you an Alabama fan, and if so, why?

Nope, but if I was I wouldn't admit it. I didn't go to school there. I didn't go to Auburn. Now, being selfish, I know my newspaper sells more papers on Sundays after both teams win than after they lose.

3. What are Alabama fans' expectations for the Iron Bowl?

I don't want to speak for them, but I would think they expect to win the game.

From the Other Sideline – Alabama

Travis Reier (Twitter) writes for BamaOnline.com. When asked if he would answer some questions for the 'Blogle, he agreed. I sent him the list of questions you see below, and he told me that he would be happy to answer questions about the game "that are of substance", but wasn't "interested in getting into the fans vs. fans stuff." I told him that was fine, and asked if he would just answer the "questions of substance." He responded with answers to all of my original questions in complete Bammer-tastic fashion.

I was very shocked that such an objective writer with high literary morals would do this considering that he has posted tweets such as "It's Oh-bun week. Short week means AU gets extra day prep for Liberty Bowl." If you're gonna be homer, just do it man. Just do it. Do you see objective written anywhere on these blog walls?

1. What is the first thing that pops into the heads of Alabama fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

Napoleon syndrome.

2. Are you an Alabama fan, and if so, why?

Well, duh, I live in the state of Alabama. Why would I pull for an out-of-state school?

3. What are Alabama fans' expectations for the Iron Bowl?

Iron Bowls were played in Birmingham. As for the Alabama-Auburn game, I think UA fans expect a toilet paper-free walk back to their cars Saturday evening.

From the Other Sideline – Georgia

David Hale (Twitter) is the Georgia beat writer for the Macon Telegraph and Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. He has covered UGA for the past five seasons, was unaware that 95% of Georgia fans are bald with goatees, and keeps the UGA fans happy with his prediction of the game. Too bad none of them read this blog. 

1. What is the first thing that pops into the heads of Georgia fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

Right now? Probably "Fire Willie Martinez" but that's only because that's the prevailing thought all the time now. But if there is one indelible image of this rivalry, it's clearly Uga going after Robert Baker. I think that's probably what most football fans around the country -- even those who don't know much about the rivalry -- think of first.

2. Georgia has seemed to be on a slow decline in the last few years, why do you think that is?

I'm just speculating here, but I think the biggest issue has been a lack of change. The coaching staff has remained nearly the same for the past few years (and really, since Mark Richt arrived) and the personality among the staff is pretty much all the same. There's no real voice of dissent, and I think that can lead to complacency. I'm not saying firing coaches is a quick and easy way to turn things around, but I think a hard look at the status quo is definitely in order.

From the Other Sideline – Furman

Owen Mercer is a Furman University sophomore from Memphis, TN majoring in Political Science. He has covered football, men's golf, men's and women's cross-country, and men's tennis for The Paladin, the Furman student newspaper. Mercer aspires to become a professional sportswriter after graduation. His aspirations are sure to come to fruition now that he can add WarBlogle.com to his resumé.

1. What is the first thing that pops into the heads of Furman fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

Tradition, albeit a lesser one over the last couple of years; Powerhouse; Giant; Powerful; etc.

2. Furman has been pretty successful in recent years in the 1-AA ranks, why do you think that is?

Well if you look at the last 8 years, we have been very successful. We went to the I-AA Championship game in 2001, have made the playoffs 4 times after that, and have only finished outside of the top 3 in the Southern Conference once. That is the last 8 years. But if you look at the last three seasons, we have fallen. We haven't made the playoffs since 2006 (we won't this year). We have become third fiddle (behind Appalachian State and Elon) in a conference we used to dominate and our win totals have decreased. So we actually haven't been as successful as you might think. But, even still, we do play at a high level when it comes to I-AA. Why? Same as big schools in I-A, we recruit well. We also develop our talent very well. We usually have a fairly strong defense and we have traditionally been a well-quarterbacked team (Ingle Martin).

From the Other Sideline – Ole Miss

David Brandt (Twitter) is in his third season covering Ole Miss for The Clarion-Ledger. Before that, he bounced around from Missouri to Tennessee to Mississippi. Brandt graduated from Truman State (Mo.) University. In this week's interview, David talks about Tommy Tuberville, the Jevan Snead letdown, and Houston Nutt's sideline antics.

1.What is the first thing that pops into the heads of Ole Miss fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

I think in more recent terms, they think of Tommy Tuberville and everything surrounding that story. Obviously, he was well-liked when he was at Ole Miss back in the 90s. When he left for Auburn, many were upset, but they sure had a hard time beating him.

2. Ole Miss has had a tough time living up to preseason expectations. How do you think this has affected the team and coaches?

I think there's no doubt that a few weeks ago the Rebels were pretty down. This was supposed to be a year they could go to Atlanta and now that's all but gone. That being said, I think two straight wins has helped the team's ego. There's still some disappointment, but I think most of it has been channeled toward finishing the season well.

From the Other Sideline – LSU

Randy Rosetta (Twitter) is a veteran sportswriter who is in his sixth season covering the LSU football program for The Advocate. A University of Kansas graduate, Rosetta made has career stops in Kansas City, Kan., Farmington, N.M., Las Cruces, N.M., Lubbock, Texas, Midland, Texas and Auburn, Ala.

1. What is the first thing that pops into the heads of LSU fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

Trying to think like an LSU fan, I would think the Cigar game and the Earthquake game are the first two thoughts, although the late pass to Demetrius Byrd ought to be up there too. Without that win LSU doesn't get the chance to play for the national championship in 2007.

2. LSU has experienced struggles on the offensive side of the ball most of the season. Why do you think that is?

The offensive line hasn't played a complete, consistent game yet and that's had a ripple effect on the running game (no 100-yard days for Charles Scott) and young quarterback Jordan Jefferson (has been sacked an SEC-worst 18 times). Unless and until the o-line gets into a groove the offense is going to be sporadic.

3. I've heard that some LSU fans are asking for Jordan Jefferson to be benched in favor of playing Jarrett Lee. Do you agree and why?

I don't agree with benching Jefferson, but I don't think it would be a bad idea to let Lee and freshman Russell Shepard have a series each -- especially in the first half -- to see if they can do anything different. But, going back to the offensive line, unless there's better blocking it doesn't matter who the QB is. They all look the same running for their lives or getting buried by an unstopped pass rush.

From the Other Sideline – Kentucky

Matt Jones (Twitter) of Kentucky Sports Radio was kind enough to answer a few questions for this week's 'From the Other Sideline'. Matt is a Gemini, loves Toaster Strudel, and talks trash about Auburn basketball. His outlook on Kentucky football isn't that bright, but that's to be expected right?

1. What is the first thing that pops into the heads of Kentucky fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

In recent years we haven't played Auburn very often...only two times in the last 14 years. So our notion of Auburn isnt much different than the national perception. I think of Bo Jackson, Pat Dye, Terry Bowden and the fact that lots of people from Kentucky go to Auburn for veterinarian school. I also like Auburn Elvis...he seems like a good guy.

2. How do you think the loss of Mike Hartline will affect Kentucky's game plan until his return. How do you think that plan looks against Auburn?

Well its devastating. I firmly believe that Kentucky beats South Carolina last week if he doesnt get hurt. Now you have a choice between a career backup QB (Will Fidler) and a true Freshman (Morgan Newton). Bottom line, if Kentucky is in the game, they run the Wildcat with Randall Cobb and hope.

3. What are Kentucky fans' expectations for the rest of this season?

The schedule kills UK this year. Their winnable games against teams that are better but you can knock off if you play them at home (South Carolina, Auburn, Georgia) are all on the road. And the teams they cant beat no matter what (Florida, Alabama) were at home. Cat fans want to go 6-6 and make a bowl...that is still possible.

From the Other Sideline – Arkansas (Extra Edition)

Bob Holt lives in Fayetteville and covers University of Arkansas sports for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He has worked at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (which was the Arkansas Democrat when he started) since the summer of 1981 after graduating from the University of Missouri (ouch). Holt has covered the Razorbacks most of his time with the paper.

1. What is the first thing that pops into the heads of Arkansas fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

Probably that Gus Malzahn is now at Auburn and doing well.

2. What do most Arkansas fans think of Bobby Petrino, and what are their expectations for Arkansas football under his tutelage? Are they afraid he will leave at the drop of a hat?

I think Arkansas fans feel they have a big-time coach who can take them to the top of the SEC. There may be some who fear he won’t stay here long, but if he leaves, it likely means he’s won big at Arkansas. The fans should like that.

3. What are most Arkansas fans' expectations for this game?

I would assume the fans are optimistic, but concerned about Auburn and the fact the Razorbacks haven’t played particularly well in Fayetteville, really going back several years. They’ve lost their last four SEC games in Fayetteville.

From the Other Sideline – Arkansas

Wally Hall has been the sports editor columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the only statewide newspaper, for 30 years. He always enjoys his visits to Auburn, but next year's visit for football won't happen; that's the day his daughter chose to get married. He'll miss his first Hog football game since the 1988 Olympics. I, for one, would call in for updates...of the wedding.

1. What is the first thing that pops into the heads of Arkansas fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

That it's the school with the lousy basketball facility. Just kidding, probably first that Auburn was the school that tried to hire Bobby Petrino (Arkansas' coach) when it still had a coach. A close second would be Bo Jackson.

2. What do most Arkansas fans think of Bobby Petrino, and what are their expectations for Arkansas football under his tutelage? Are they afraid he will leave at the drop of a hat?

So far the fans really like Bobby Petrino and understand he took over a team almost void of talent, and that if he does leave it would mean he had put the Hogs back in the top 25 so he would be leaving the program in better shape than he found it.

3. What are most Arkansas fans' expectations for this game?

They expect a high scoring affair and that it could come down to who has the ball last. They also expect a great offense because of Gus Malzahn and that the Hogs have to be ready for his balanced attack.

From The Other Sideline – Tennessee (Extra Edition)

It turns out that one of the writers that I chided yesterday for not getting back with me actually came through and was able to answer a few questions. Mike Strange (Twitter) is a sports writer for The News Sentinal and GoVolsXtra.com. He is a native of Kentucky, but has been covering the Vols for 25 years. Here's a good article he wrote about Malzahn. Lucky you, an extra dose from the other (Tennessee) sideline this week. You're welcome.

1. What is the first thing that pops into the heads of Tennesse fans when Auburn football is mentioned?

Must-Win Game.

2. What do most Tennessee fans think of Lane Kiffin, and what are their expectations for Tennessee football under his tutelage?

The vast majority think he's a good hire, due to his excellent choices for a staff, early recruiting surprises and NFL background and mindset. They also like his swagger that put Tennessee back on the map in the offseason.

3. What are most Tennesee fans' expectations for this game?

They hope the Vols can overcome their limitations at quarterback and somehow manage to score enough points to keep pace with Auburn.