How T.J. Yeldon may have changed Gene Chizik's future

As AJ McCarron found T.J. Yeldon on a screen pass and the true freshman sprinted 28 yards to the end zone for the game winning touchdown, LSU coach Les Miles was left with a feeling of anguish.  It's a feeling Auburn coach Gene Chizik knows all too well. 

Back in December of 2011, Yeldon switched his commitment from Auburn to Alabama, just hours before the dead period when coaches are not allowed to have contact with athletes.  Yeldon went on to enroll at Alabama in January, and while his team is now running towards a national title, Auburn is 2-7 and Chizik's run on the plains may soon be over.

During Yeldon's senior season at Daphne high school Chizik could been seen on the sidelines at games watching his prized recruit.  A guy he figured would continue the tradition at Running Back U.  A few days after his decision Yeldon discussed the switch.  "Mainly because the offensive coordinator left,"  Yeldon told me during an interview.  "We had a good bond we were talking about being in the offense a lot so when he left, it like just changed my mind." 

 

Yeldon was referring to Gus Malzahn leaving for Arkansas State.  But ironically offensive coordinator Jim McElwain left  Alabama for Colorado State at the same time.  So was it Malzhan's departure or was it something else?  Yeldon has tremendous vision on the football field, after taking a closer look could he have seen what was on the horizon at Auburn? 

The Daphne graduate has had an immediate impact on the Tide.  Through seven games his numbers are better than Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson as a freshman.



FRESHMAN COMPARISON
Through seven games

			Per	Per
Year	Alabama RB	Yards	carry	Game
2008	Mark Ingram	419	5.4	59.9
2009	Trent Richardson	355	5.4	50.7
2012	T.J. Yeldon	565	6.8	80.7

Courtesy: Don Kausler/al.com

It's clear Yeldon is a difference maker and when you look at Auburn's two point loss to LSU and four point loss to Vanderbilt, a player of his caliber may have put Auburn over the top.  With a 4-5 record it might be easier to give coach Chizik a pass.  Of course, one player doesn't make or break a program, but all season Chizik has discussed Auburn's lack of momentum which is something Yeldon certainly could have brought to the table.  His explosiveness energizes a team which is something that can't be underestimated.  In the fourth quarter Auburn has been outscored 76-20 this season.  They have been lacking the big play ability that Yeldon provides.  Put him in the mix with Tre Mason and Onterio McCalebb and Auburn's running game is a lot more deadly.  All this is water under the bridge but it's a striking example of how recruiting truly is the life blood of college football.  With the Iron Bowl just a few weeks away, Chizik's employment status is on life support and the same player who could have possibly saved his job, may just be the one to pull the plug.

Lake Show is a Dud

Despite the All-Star cast the first two episodes of the Lake Show have been a dud.  The same way you can't throw five A-list actors on a cast and win an Emmy, you can't throw five All-Star athletes on a team and win a championship.  The chemistry on this team is mediocre at best.  "We've got to learn how to play together," Dwight Howard said via ESPNLA.com following Tuesday's loss.  "You've got to be good before you can be great."  Right now Los Angeles is neither.  The Lakers first two losses have come to a Dirk less Mavs squad and a Portland team that will be in the middle of the pack in the west.  To top it all off two-time MVP Steve Nash suffered a leg injury against the Blazers, it's unclear how long he will be out. 

                                                                                         (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, US Presswire )
                                           

 As the season progresses you can count on Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard to put up numbers.  But where Nash fits into the puzzle has yet to be solved.  Steve Blake is the back up point guard and let's just say that is quite a drop off.  To be truthful the Lakers second unit is quite a drop off on the whole.  Devin Ebanks, Jordan Hill, Jodi Meeks and a long in the tooth Antawn Jamison aren't exactly spark plugs off the bench.  After two games, there is no need to panic but it's going to take a masterful coaching performance from Mike Brown to get the results everyone expects.  "The morale is fine, but nobody wants to lose,"  Brown said on Tuesday. "We've just got to focus on what it will take for us to get a win. That's defense, first, and then, obviously, we've got to take care of the basketball."  Figuring out how to distribute the basketball among the stars while keeping everyone involved is also an issue.  The early reviews of this team are not great, but with all the star power it's hard not to stay glued to the screen to see how this season will unfold.