We just got back from some afternoon interviews. Here's a quick update on some stuff that came out of those interview. I hope to have a video of Gene Chizik and a more extensive update a little later:

• Auburn's players had four days without practice. Naturally, they were a little rusty Sunday. "You could tell they've had four days off and the effort was good but I just think that we were a little bit sloppy, a little bit rusty," Chizik said. "We obviously need the next four days. But we'll get back to work tomorrow and we'll try to get some of these things shored up. But overall, the effort was good. But again, you can just tell that we've had some time off and we just have to get back into the rhythm of practice and the football rhythm."

• Auburn might have to use more defensive backs than normal because Northwestern throws the ball so much. This is problematic because the Tigers have so few healthy DBs. "Pace of the offense does matter, as we know. But we have to be able to take out some linebackers and put in some more speed guys, there's no question about it. And we're mixing and matching, like we've done all year."

• Chizik said Central-Phenix grad D'Antoine Hood could be a factor in the secondary. The sophomore has battled an ankle injury this year.

• It's not necessarily warm out here. Some of the players were complaining to the Florida residents on the team. "Oh yeah," said linebacker Craig Stevens, a Tallahassee native. "There are a lot of guys complaining. I'm just like we're out here by the water so the wind's going to blow all day. Especially when it's cold, that will make it 10 times worse."

• The team attended a Tampa Bay Lightning game last night, a new experience for most of the players. "It was pretty fun," Stevens said. "When they scored the little thing is so loud. That caught me off guard. It scared me the first time. After that I was used to it."

• Back with more later ...