Auburn head football coach Gene Chizik, will lead his team against Oregon for the National Championship. (AP Photo)'Twas the day after Christmas, and 'twas also day 22 of this 37-day break between games for BCS championship participants Auburn and Oregon.
Auburn's No. 1-ranked Tigers and the No. 2 Ducks held several practices before breaking for Christmas and will have a few more before flying to Arizona for their Jan. 10 matchup. Auburn's first practice for the title game was Dec. 18, which was two weeks after its 56-17 dismantling of South Carolina in the SEC championship and a week after quarterback Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy.
"We looked like we hadn't practiced in two weeks," Newton said. "We know it's a process."
Auburn coach Gene Chizik admitted the first couple of bowl practices were basically to knock the rust off. Chizik said last week was more about fundamentals and that the next batch of workouts will delve more into Oregon's schemes.
So far, neither Chizik nor Oregon counterpart Chip Kelly seem bothered by taking a few days off, holding a few practices and then taking more days off.
"In a typical game week, you've got about three days of practice," Chizik said. "So you're still looking at plenty of time to get accomplished what you need to get accomplished."
Said Kelly: "They've got the same deal we've got."
Jan. 10 will mark the latest crowning ever for a college football champion, but this 37-day lull is by no means the longest. In 2006, Ohio State had 51 days off between its win over Michigan and its date with Florida in the BCS title game.
The Buckeyes hardly used their time well against the Gators, mustering 82 total yards in a 41-14 loss.
"We'll have to get after it when we get back, and I think our guys understand that," Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said. "Our goal when we come back is to be locked and loaded."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.