Croom's Thoughts on Auburn

A few takes from Croom's Press Conference on Tuesday, courtesy of DawgsBite:

on Auburn's Receivers: "Everybody is going to big, tall receivers, guys with tight end type bodies, and the two Auburn has are very good players. We don’t have many people to simulate those guys on the scout team, if we did they’d be playing! They’re going to have to imagine going up against tree-like individuals."

on MSU's Receivers: "...all our receivers have got to get a lot better this week because I’m sure they’ll have their corners sitting in their face, trying to hold them up. We’ve got those smurf-guys out there so I’m sure Auburn will try to manhandle them a little."

on Auburn's Defense: "This is one of the top defenses in the country. They have excellent athletes, and an excellent scheme in place. So we are going to have to earn everything we get, there are not going to be any cheapies."

on State's Offensive Strategy: "We’re just going to try to run to the football, get our guys in the right gaps, keep our pad-level a little low. I told our linemen if they stand up they’ll be on roller skates. We don’t do a lot of changing, our schemes are in place."

on the difference between last year's AU team: "The biggest difference from last year is just not having those two running backs, they were special. The running back they have now is very good but those two last year were in a class by themselves."

on talent comparison: "We’re not as talented as Auburn is. So what? We’re going to line up and play, we’ve got a plan to give us a chance to win. We do have a chance to win, we’re going down there with the intention of winning the football game. If we win it we still don’t have as much talent as they do."

on Jordan Hare: "I’ve never been in that stadium. At Alabama we always played in Birmingham. In fact I don’t think I’ve been to Auburn but once or twice, but not in the stadium."

on hatred of Auburn: "It’s different. But it’s still there! I have a great deal of respect for their program…but it’s still there."