TAMPA, Fla. -- The comment did not draw much attention, but earlier this month Auburn running back Ben Tate -- he of the "I'm the best back in the state" fame (a state that includes Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram) -- took a little shot at the Northwestern defense.
"It's good to be out there playing those Big Ten guys," he told reporters. "They're not as fast as the guys we're used to seeing. They're a four-down team -- a 4-3 typical team -- just a typical Big (Ten) team on defense. They're not too fast but they've got a pretty solid defense."
Asked Tuesday about NU's defense, Tate showed more respect: "They're very sound, very disciplined, they don't make too many mistakes and they never have penalties."
So maybe Tate saw something on film that impressed him. Or maybe he simply wised up and was cognizant of his audience -- a reporter from Chicago.
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I can't wait for Northwestern to spank these guys. Go Cats! Bring home the bowl victory.