Interesting Tidbits on Football, Basketball, Christmas, and AI
We have some new tidbits this week as we look toward the Holiday season and the last stretch of Auburn football’s schedule as well as the official start of basketball season.
🏈 ANOTHER UGLY FINISH
Auburn faithful suffered another frustrating loss Saturday to #12 Ole Miss 45-15 after trailing just 17-15 midway through the third quarter. Ole Miss scored 28 unanswered points as Auburn once again struggled to put together a complete game. Three weeks removed from shocking #1 Georgia in Athens, Auburn is back to the team they’ve been all season. Offensive inconsistency and defensive woes.
🏈 MUST WIN TERRITORY
Auburn returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday to face Arkansas at 11:45 CT, needing two wins in its final four games to reach bowl eligibility. After facing four consecutive ranked opponents, Auburn finally gets an opportunity against an unranked SEC opponent. With Mississippi State, Samford and Alabama still on the schedule, this feels like a game Alex Golesh must have. Check out Warblogle’s “From the Other Sideline”.
🏀 68 AND COUNTING
Auburn basketball opened its regular season Wednesday in a 92-59 win against Southeastern Louisiana, carrying the nation’s longest active home nonconference winning streak at 68 games. The Tigers have also sold out 86 consecutive regular season games at Neville Arena, which has become one of college basketball’s toughest places to play. Some were worried that without Mantas Rubstavicius Auburn might not look dominant. Everything we saw against SELA looked dominant and much improved from last season. Auburn takes on App State Monday November 9 seeking to add another to the non con streak.
🏀 NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford was named to the Naismith College Player of the Year preseason watch list Monday adding to his growing collection of national recognitions. Pettiford will be counted on to lead a new look Auburn roster alongside Kevin Overton. There’s plenty of uncertainty surrounding this team, especially with the news of Mantas’ ineligibility but the backcourt certainly gives Auburn fans something to be excited about.
🏀 WHAT A START
Auburn women’s basketball opened its season Monday with an 84-35 demolition of Alabama State at Neville Arena. The Tigers had a 24-0 second quarter run to blow the game open and give Larry Vickers an impressive start to his second season. AU WBB returns Thursday against Southern Miss, looking to carry that momentum.
🎄 HOLIDAYS ARE COMING
Auburn’s University Program Council has announced its annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony for November 29 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The event will feature musical performances, crafts, desserts and holiday festivities as the campus prepares for Christmas. There’s something special about seeing Samford Hall and the Plains dressed up for the holidays.
🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE PLAINS
Auburn University recently received state research funding to advance artificial intelligence applications for identifying PTSD for first responders and veterans, and develop more affordable fish feed for Alabama farmers. The funding comes through Alabama’s Research Development Enhancement Fund and supports projects with potential benefits for technology and agriculture.
