Vicky Graff Photo
How can you not love Charles Barkley? He’s so candid and outspoken and this week he provided a little bulletin board material for Kentucky when it plays at Auburn — Barkley’s alma mater where he was a basketball standout — Saturday to open the season.
He was on ESPN’s Monday Night Megacast with former Tennessee/NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, Kirk Herbstreit and Rece Davis when he was asked about the season-opening game.
“We’re going to kill Kentucky. I’m worried about Georgia the next week. Come on, man. This is not basketball. We’re not going to worry about Kentucky in football. Stop it, Herbie,” Barkley said.
NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT KENTUCKY IN FOOTBALL.
I am going to be on a radio show in Huntsville, Ala., this afternoon with Brett Beaird and Harold Bugg to talk SEC football. They’ve told me there is a lot of concern from Auburn folks about this game — and there should be.
But Barkley isn’t worried. When Manning told him he was providing bulletin board material for Stoops, he just laughed.
“OK, I hope Stoops is watching this interview, getting the troops fired up for this game,” Manning said.
Barkley didn’t back down and even took a shot at Manning’s Vols.
“We’ve got our hands full with Nick Saban and Kirby Smart,” Barkley said.
Maybe Barkley isn’t worried about UK but Auburn coach Gus Malzahn certainly seems concerned.
They’re a veteran team, especially up front. The veteran teams have an advantage. You look at them, they’re very impressive. You can tell they’re well-coached. As our guys already watching film can tell, they’re a very good team,” Malzahn said.
“When you look at them offensively, last year they were one of the best rushing teams in all of college football. To be able to do that in this league says a lot. They have four returning starters up front that I think are very talented. It’s really a strength of their team.
“Defensively, I’m very impressed. They’ve got most of their guys back on defense. They’re very well coached. They know their answers. They know their assignments. They’re impressive to watch on film. Overall, what coach Stoops has done with that program and the consistency he’s had and the games he’s won says a lot.”
