#PMARSHONAU: Ramblin' around

Much has been made in some quarters about the significance Auburn's struggles related to head coach Gene Chizik's fourth season on the job. The truth, of course, is that every situation is different. Coaches inherit programs at different levels.

Four current SEC coaches have been in the league for longer than four years. And their fourth-season results were mixed. Here they are:

Nick Saban, Alabama: 10-3 in 2010 at Alabama, 13-1 in 2003 at LSU.

Les Miles, LSU: 8-5 in 2008.

Mark Richt, Georgia: 10-2 in 2004.

Steve Spurrier, South Carolina: 7-6 at South Carolina in 2008, 11-2 at Florida in 1993.

Some former SEC coaches:

Pat Dye, Auburn: 9-4 in 1984.

Shug Jordan, Auburn: 8-3 in 1954.

Bear Bryant, Alabama: 11-0 in 1961.

Vince Dooley, Georgia: 7-4 in 1967.

Urban Meyer, Florida: 13-1 in 2008.

What does all that mean? It means some great coaches did well in their fourth seasons and some didn't do so well. Different schools, different times, different situations. Where Chizik's fourth season stacks up with those remains to be seen. ...

Trying to interpret what coaches say and don't say, which is risky, I wouldn't be surprised to see redshirt freshman running back Mike Blakely and freshman quarterback Jonathan Wallace play increased roles against Arkansas. ...

The 1972 Amazin's will be honored before Saturday's game. Several dozen of the men helped that team go 10-1 will be in town for a reunion and to remember a season like no other. ...

Auburn has lost to Arkansas nine times since the Razorbacks joined the SEC in 1992. Only in 2008 has Auburn lost to an Arkansas team with a losing record. ...

I was surprised by Alabama coach Nick Saban's rant against no-huddle, high-tempo offenses. They are clearly within the rules of the game, and I don't see any way to legislate them out of existence. The best way to slow those offenses down is to keep the ball and get a lot of three-and-outs. Alabama does those two things better than just about anybody these days. ...

Until next time. ...