The top-ranked Auburn Tigers practiced for two hours Thursday afternoon in shoulder pads and shorts at Scottsdale Community College in preparation for Monday night's BCS National Championship game against the second-ranked Oregon Ducks.
Coach Gene Chizik said the Tigers' third practice in Arizona was productive and that he is proud of the way the team has kept its focus.
"Obviously, they're getting anxious and want to get to the game," Chizik said, "but again, we've got to be patient and got to know that on Jan. 10 is the time that we've got to be ready to play. They understand that, and I think they've handled that well."
Chizik said Oregon's up-tempo offense hasn't changed the way the Tigers prepare for a game because Auburn's offense also runs at a fast pace.
"We've been picking up the pace since day one," Chizik said. "When we practice, we have our times when it's very fast-paced and the tempo is very high, if that's what we need to get out of that for the moment. And then there's other times when it's not so tempo--it's more technique and things of that nature."
Chizik said games like the championship game come down to blocking, tackling and making sure players are aligned properly.
"It's going to be a game of execution," Chizik said, "but obviously, we know that the pace is going to be important."
The ability of Auburn's offense to control the clock by staying on the field will also be important, according to senior wide receiver Kodi Burns.
"A lot of times, these ball games come down to time of possession," Burns said, "and we've got two high-powered offenses, as well as two really good defenses, so we really want to try and possess the ball and score as many points as we can."
Senior linebacker Craig Stevens said Auburn's defense has to make a big stop for the offense to do what it does.
"I think both defenses will have a chip on their shoulder," Stevens said, "just knowing that everyone is saying it's going to be so high scoring."
The Tigers have two full practices Friday and Saturday before a final walk-through on Sunday.
The BCS National Championship Game is scheduled to start Monday at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN and ESPNHD.
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