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[su_spacer size=”40″] Andy Burcham is one of the voices of the Auburn Tigers and a tremendous announcer. He is a longtime friend who calls Auburn Women’s Basketball, Baseball and is a member of the Football crew. He always lends great perspective on the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.
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How surprised are you with both Auburn’s and Georgia’s struggles this season?
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I’m very surprised for both teams this season. There was a question about Auburn’s defense this season, even with Will Muschamp moving back to take over that side of the ball. However, very few if they are honest, thought Jeremy Johnson would struggle at quarterback. In the games he started the first two seasons, all indications were that he would flourish when he took over as the starter.

[su_spacer size=”40″] The fact that Auburn cashed in with a national title and another BCS Championship Game, how much does that help with frustrations of the Auburn fans?
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That success has raised the bar regarding the expectations of the fans. Gus Malzahn has been part of both the National Championship and the Runner Up. Even with the struggles down the stretch last season, most Auburn fans bought into the hype of this season coming into this season.

[su_spacer size=”40″] What is your take on Georgia?
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By the time Georgia rolls into Jordan-Hare Stadium, it will be a desperate team. The same can be said for the other sideline as well.

[su_spacer size=”40″] What does Auburn need to do to win?
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Get off to a good start is one big key. That didn’t happen at Arkansas and Auburn never had the lead until overtime. In the losses to Mississippi State and Ole Miss, Auburn couldn’t covert in the Red Zone … 0 touchdowns in those games. That will be another key.

[su_spacer size=”40″] How important is the Georgia game this season for Auburn?
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I don’t ever see the Auburn-Georgia game as not being important. There will be years, like this one, where a trip to SEC Championship game won’t come into play, but this will always be important to both programs.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Are there any major or minor changes you would like to see with the SEC in terms of football or the league overall?
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Besides better pay for its Women’s Basketball Play by Play announcers? Not really.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Jeff Dantzler — Amen to that!
[su_spacer size=”40″] Of Auburn’s three truly great teams of the 21st century, which was the best?
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I really think the 2004 team was the best overall team … offense, defense and special teams. 2010 produced a National Championship, but it was dominated by its offense. 2013 also revolved around its offense. I truly believe that the Playoff system we see now, in part, is a result of that Auburn 2004 team, which went undefeated and won an SEC Championship, not getting shot to play for a national title.

[su_spacer size=”40″] Do the Auburn people, for the most part, still have full confidence in Gus Malzahn?
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I think we live in a different age. There are some that want every coach fired by halftime of nearly every game. I think, for the most part, Auburn fans have confidence in Coach Malzahn. Recruiting continues to be a strong aspect of this staff.

[su_spacer size=”40″] If you could make one major change in college football, what would it be?
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I don’t have an answer to the situation, but coming up with a better way to compare records between conferences and independents. You know the Big 12 is trying to figure this out. It had two teams that were undefeated and did not have one among the top four in the first BCS Playoff rankings. Baylor was left out of the picture last year. Why did it take 11 years for the rest of the country to figure this out? This thinking would have benefitted that 2004 Auburn team wouldn’t it?

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