I'm baaaack. Sorry for the momentary lapse in the diaries. I just didn't have the mental fortitude to write anything after losing such a close friend whom I considered more like family. In addition, I have started back teaching as an adjunct again so that keeps me really busy too. For those of you that pray, please pray for me to finally attain a full time job somewhere at a junior college in Alabama. I'm over half way done with my fourth year as an adjunct at Southern Union State Community College and the bills are mounting up with no ability to pay them from the minute amount of money an adjunct receives. I desperately want to become a full time teacher. My evaluations from my faculty are all top notch, and my student evaluations are always very high too. For Southern Union, my history classes have 40 people in each one. I know with the massive classes at Auburn this sounds like nothing, but believe me, 40 students at a community college in one class is a lot if it's not a science class.

Anyway....Let's look at the OC issues at hand with Auburn after the Jump!

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What went wrong in 2011?

There were many things that happened with the Auburn football team in 2011. I know that everybody has their take on what happened. I too would like to add what I really think happened to this season.

How do several of us feel this was an unsuccessful season when we predicted the exact record Auburn had? I, for one, picked Auburn to go 7-5 this year. Yet, how do I feel so disappointed when apparently I knew exactly what to expect?

I’m going to say exactly what you expect. Gene Chizik and Ted Roof are to blame for everything! They were terrible! Gus Malzahn fell in line and he was just as awful! This is a terrible coaching staff! Everybody should be fired and nothing but dark days await us that cheer for Auburn University’s football team. I cry every day now that Keith Marshall is going to Georgia and DGB is headed to Arkansas I’m ready to just end it all!

So, you’re getting a good picture of where I’m going this right? Obviously, I’m about to blame the coaches, and especially Gene Chizik for everything. It’s his fault he just got lucky with Cam I tell you! He caught lightning in a bottle with Newton and Fairley but now Auburn is doomed under Gene Chizik!

Believe this or not, I don’t believe it’s like that for one second. I’m not even going to slam Ted Roof and Gus Malzahn. To me, it’s been done enough already and it’s been dissected until there’s nothing left but a Cadaver reject tossed out from Transylvania’s school of medicine and fine arts.

I will take an attempt to review the season from the angle of the head coach. Now, “there is no question” that Gene does care deeply for Auburn, its fans and alumni, and his players.

I may be giving him too much credit but I think he’s a hell of a coach. At least, I certainly hope is a great coach. Anyway, I think that everybody he went ahead and played were kids he felt would become stronger for it. The people he redshirted he thought needed the time to mature a year.

I am not saying that Gene meant to just throw this season away; he is too much of a competitor to do that. But, he knew he was not going to be as successful as he could have been by not playing all of the incoming freshmen he had. I don’t think it’s a matter of seniority with him.

I do know that Gene goes directly to his kids when they’re hurt. Damn, we’ve all seen enough of our boys go down to some gut wrenching injuries to know he’s right there at their side immediately. It doesn’t matter if it’s a starter or somebody that barely ever plays, he seems to teleport right at their side and you can see the genuine concern for the kid.

He refers to them by their first name. He checks up on them even after they’ve got a season ending injury. He visits with them outside of football. He makes sure that the players also have visits with the assistants so that they grow as a team and moreover as a family.

It’s not a business to him. He’s raising boys to become grown men and he loves these kids. But, he won’t tolerate crap either. You need look no further than one All American Mike Dyer.

I’m not going to let Gene off the hook completely. It is still puzzling to me, though, that Auburn showed no improvement this season. I said a while back that I think this Auburn team really did forget how to lose. They didn’t remember how to pick yourself back up once you wound up on the wrong end of the scoreboard.

Once they lost that first game against Clemson, reality set in that 2010 was over. They didn’t know how to play without the aura of invincibility. As the season went on, they fell apart from that incredible confidence and we really saw a team against Alabama and Georgia that was defeated before it stepped on the field. The loss to LSU also opened up the flood gates of self pity and adversity that these kids had never faced before this season.

When they fell apart mentally, so did their technique. It was that old adage that Chizik had lost his team. I do think that much really did happen. He didn’t lose their love for him as a coach. I am saying he lost his team’s confidence that they could beat the really good teams.

Even after12 games, the guys looked like they regressed in their technique and skill level. I doubt many here can truly say they saw big strides of improvement. Mentally, the kids looked as though they thought their efforts were pointless.

The mental psyche of a young team ultimately does fall into the responsibility of the head coach. It is his job to make those kids believe in themselves and get every ounce of effort they can offer. It is my belief that many of those kids simply gave up.

Did they completely stop giving effort? No they didn’t. They kept pushing as long as they were not down by double digits. Yet, when they played the really good teams they expected to lose. When a good team would execute a big play you could see our boys thinking, “Here we go again.”

I personally believe they were defeated on that field the same way Trotter was defeated after Clemson. It’s amazing to me how different the entire team became once Trotter threw that interception in the fourth quarter against Dabbo’s Dummies.

From there, the team went on a steady spiral downward. I do think Trotter was a leader of this team-probably its main leader. He may have been the ONLY team leader. It was then up to Chizik to pick the team up.

To me, Chizik’s greatest strength is his true love for all things Auburn. Following that, he’s a great motivator when his team has confidence and his team has leaders on the field. He is great at generating enthusiasm during practice and the off season and he has a stern mentality that doesn’t break easily. In addition, I’d say that his pregame and halftime speeches are some of the best I’ve ever seen honestly.

2011 was a season where we witnessed more of Chizik’s weaknesses than we ever had in 2009 and 2010. He was never able to right the ship once the he hit that first Clemson rock. He could not get his players to believe in themselves. Bottom line, he didn’t think they would win and we and the players could see it.

If a head coach doesn’t believe he’s going to win, why would his players? That didn’t mean he cared any less or tried any less, but he just couldn’t get them to be confident. He couldn’t give them something he didn’t have either.

It is my contention that his biggest weakness is his inability to get his team to believe after they’ve been beaten down. He just couldn’t get his boys to believe in themselves or have fun. He wasn’t having fun either. If you run a program with love and on the idea of having fun, you will not be successful overall once you stop having fun.

His mentality is not broken easily, but he never seemed comfortable this year. That mentality stuck with him all season and was not broken easily either. He was happy in 2009 and 2010. What we saw of Gene Chizik in 2011 was not a happy man. He never seemed relaxed and he never acted as if he was simply just having fun.

I’m not sure that the difference between 2010 and 2011 bothered anybody more than it did Gene Chizik. If a team imitates their coach, Auburn seemed to certainly resemble Gene Chizik. They wouldn’t give up and they gave it their all, but they never once thought they would win against the good teams after Clemson.

By the final parts of the Iron Bowl, you had to endure our team acting just like their coach. Chizik wanted this season to be over and so did the players. 2012 will be much better, I have no doubt. But, I think 2011 showed some of the reasons why Chizik was not successful at Iowa State. It makes more sense now.

        So forgive me as I take a walk on the wild optimistic side and I take the time to put down what it will take for Auburn to beat the number one team in the country. You may already know my prediction for this game, but if you don’t, you won’t know what it is from this write-up on what the Good Tigers need to do to win this ball game.

        First of all, I have to mention the most cliché point I know. It irks me to say it, but nonetheless it’s true. Auburn must minimize its mistakes. They can’t have any turnovers or costly penalties in crucial situations. So far, Auburn has had a major mistake in every game it has played. They must cease such critical mistakes if they want to win this game. The biggest piece to the puzzle must include Auburn not giving the ball away. In addition, the defense of LSU is too good for Auburn to face in poor field position as well. The special teams unit must continue to keep winning the battle of field position. Therefore, the first and foremost part of the upset must be from not screwing up against a great team and the most radical crowd they’ve faced all year. If they’re going to pull this upset off, they’re going to need to play damn near flawless football.

        Next, Auburn cannot start Trotter. I know that seems harsh and possibly uncalled for, but it’s the truth and the truth hurts. Trotter is finished this season. I do not know when or how it happened, but ever since the Clemson game he simply has not been the same. He looks like a man defeated on the field. You think I’m pessimistic? That guy has loss written all over him. Hell, he doesn’t even act all that excited when he throws a touchdown pass. It honestly looks like it’s a chore for him to go out there and play. Moseley or Frazier may not be great, but they have hope. If Auburn starts Trotter, he’ll personally slay whatever hope Auburn has of beating LSU.

        Gus must use his running backs wisely. Dyer cannot take another 41 carry beating like he did against South Carolina. He’s got to use Tre Mason and Onterio McCaleb more if his backs are going to withstand the beating that LSU puts on running backs. In addition, each back has their own style and they make it quite difficult to really get a rhythm going on defending three different tailbacks. Another thing, Gus can’t run the ball every time after the quick lineup on first down. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like every time Auburn goes into hurry-up mode, they run it up the middle with Mike Dyer. You simply can’t be that predictable against a defense like that of LSU. You must do some things that surprise them or they’ll key in and stop the all too predictable ball movement. Gus must also take chances with deep bombs down field. I realize Auburn must minimize its mistakes, but it must also take chances. If it never goes downfield, the Auburn offense will have a long night. The deep threat forces LSU to play honestly and not put 8-9 guys in the box. Benton must come through on Saturday. He must catch the deep balls thrown to him. If Auburn is going to shock the world and stun LSU, Benton must catch every good pass thrown his way. The Good Tigers cannot afford any drops from him. He simply needs to play the best game of his life. In third and short situations, Auburn must not keep going for short screens. AU has become all too predictable when that happens. The Good Tigers must have a variety of offensive plays to keep that LSU defense on its toes. They cannot become predictable and allow LSU the chance to stack up the numbers each time Auburn attempts a play.

        Now, it’s time for the defense. Let me surprise you guys by leading off with the fact that LSU has not faced a defense as good as Auburn’s yet. This Auburn defense is bigger and faster than anybody that the LSU offense has seen. They have not faced a defensive line this quick and strong. AU must win this battle in the trenches. Blackson must be a rock that stuffs the middle and the ends need to give the quarterback hell every time he thinks about stepping up to center. I am afraid to mention this unit honestly, but the linebackers have to play the game of their lives. They must be as effective as they’ve been all season. This is Auburn’s biggest weakness. LSU will work to exploit Auburn’s weak play at linebacker. If the linebackers for AU are playing their assignments right and swarming to the ball properly, you will witness LSU not having much success moving the ball against Auburn. The secondary of Auburn is probably the most underrated in the country. They do not receive much credit, but since Auburn has become more aggressive those guys have gone from barely serviceable to solid cover guys. I fully expect Auburn to grab 1-2 interceptions from Lee on Saturday. I do think Auburn will get some pressure on Lee and that he’ll make some bad throws allowing Auburn’s secondary some great opportunities to force some turnovers. If they do get such an opportunity, Auburn must cash in these turnovers. They cannot settle for field-goals they must have touchdowns. The mentality of this team will be shown when the decision to go for it on fourth and close or kick the field-goal comes to Chizik. If he kicks the field-goal Auburn will be playing not to lose. If he chooses to go for it, Auburn is letting it all fly and mistakes be damned. I think the cut loose attitude is necessary for Auburn to win in Baton Rouge. They must play with the mindset that they can win not the mentality to make it close.

Special teams need not make a spectacular effort. In fact, they only need to do what they’ve been doing so far all season. If they maintain their stellar play, that is sufficient for Auburn’s chances of winning this game where they are such a low-underdog. If you see special teams making key mistakes, Auburn’s going to be in for a long day. They must keep their heads on straight and not lose focus. The crowd will be screaming the entire time. They must not let the stadium intimidate them. If they do, they’ve lost before the scoreboard says nothing but zero time left. To be on the good end of the scoreboard, Auburn needs to have strong punt returns as well. This is the one special teams’ area where Auburn must improve if they need improvement on any. I think the kickoff returns will handle themselves. I’m hoping Tre Mason can play this game. If not, that’s a key element for Auburn’s success at an upset gone.

Finally, whoever quarterbacks Auburn cannot have any costly turnovers. Yes, they need to play loose and with the attitude to win or go home. That said, the quarterbacks cannot throw many interceptions. LSU capitalizes on their opponents mistakes. Auburn must avoid those mistakes if they want to win this one. Corey Lemonier and Nosa Egue must keep getting pressure on the quarterback. The gimmicky misdirection plays will not work on this LSU defense either. I know that people think misdirection uses somebody’s speed against them, but if the defense stays at home they actually only help the fast defenses more. No, you need to overpower them to tire them out and slow them down. The finesse game will not work against the LSU defense. I realize how big they are, but reverses and the like will only lead to major losses of yards. Auburn must play as physical as they’ve played all year. The penalties have to go. If they keep that up, the game will be over long before the fourth quarter. LSU will get some big plays, but Auburn needs to make sure they feel every big gainer they get. This will be the most effective defense against LSU. If you hit them hard enough, they don’t move with quite the same quickness as they did in the beginning of the game. Something that has gone under the radar with Auburn: The refs need to call the holding that constantly goes on AU’s defensive ends. I cannot say how many times I’ve watch the DE’s get mauled on their way to the quarterback only to watch a ref lose his ability to throw a flag. Those need to be called for Auburn to have a chance Saturday. Auburn is consistently held all game long. If the refs would start calling it right, that would give the Good Tigers a much better situation to properly defend third and long. Well that about sums it up so there you have my take on how Auburn could upset LSU.

Please keep Southern Union State Community College in your thoughts and prayers. Apparently, somebody came in shooting and one person was killed with two others injured. I don't know any of the details for sure, though. But it's certainly a serious situation. This really hits home for because I'm a Southern Union employee. I don't work at the Opelika campus this semester but I know many out there and I hope they're all okay. I hope the reported fatality is a false report. I have to say, I didn't see this happening to SU. I mean, it's such a small school I know many people out there and many former students of mine are out there as well. I'm nervous as hell right now. Thanks everyone and God bless you all.

Watch Here

You know, I shouldn't expect anything less from ESPN. I really, really shouldn't. I didn't think they were above much, and now I am sure they are not above much. Our helmet gets tossed really? Our Helmet?

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So, with all of the talk about Curtis Luper and Trooper Taylor along with the gang being led by Coach Gene Chizik, I wanted to bring up another coach that has kind of been neglected in my view. First of all, I'm not taking anything away from the other coaches and I also must mention Coach Thigpen as one of the touted recruiters. However, there is one guy that I think has done a tremendous job who seems to be going unnoticed. Then again, with his job it is normal for people to overlook your performance if things are going great. In actuality, it's only when things go really wrong that people pay close attention to this part of the game.

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I went to sleep with Auburn on my mind last night. I woke up with a weird and quite possibly crazy revelation. I think a lot of you are worried about our fan base splitting causing recruits to run off to other schools. First of all, I seriously doubt recruits are taking a look at Trackemtigers.com very often. I don't really think much of what we say on here is an issue.

Anyhow, I digress from the point of this post's subject. Whatever fans say or scream, it really doesn't matter as far Bobby Lowder is concerned. We can scream for Auburn to hire someone else all day long but that's not going to change anything. One thing Lowder has proven, he doesn't care what anybody else thinks. Therefore, Chizik and crew are not going anywhere this year. I think Chizik won't tank this season because he's too competitive. He cannot stand the thought of just getting out there to lose in order for next year to be better. I like that. Regardless, Chizik and crew will be there and it won't matter what the fans or media outlets say.

The stability that a program needs to get back into the thick of things and start competing at a high level is offered right now by the imperial Bobby Lowder and his puppet Jay Jacobs. We all witnessed the carousel that was UA head coaches. Despite whether or not many people wanted Chizik, Lowder got him. Chizik is a Lowder hire for the most part I'd say. Don't get me wrong, I think Gene has us headed in the right direction. But, all of the speculation and fans screaming won't matter a bit with the former Colonial Bank powerhouse owner.

Recruits need not worry about Chizik and his staff's future. You really think that Lowder will let Auburn send his guy packing? Right now, if Chizik does great, Lowder's ego explodes to an all time high and he gets to claim he knew better than any of the numerous pundits and experts. There is no reason for anyone to think ole Bobby is going to start listening to anyone else at this point. I do not recall many Auburn people calling for Tubberville's head, but Lowder has more power than we wish. In the end, he got what he wanted. Furthermore, Chizik is the hire he wanted.

One of the things that really set Alabama back was the constant coaching going and coming. You saw those guys going through coach after coach with no stability in site in a stark contrast with Tubberville's ten year tenure. Chizik, doesn't have to worry about being let go this year or next year moreover. Lowder is willing to give the man time to fix things and get Auburn back on the right track. Furthermore, Bobby gets to complain that the program was left in this mess by Tubberville. Chizik will be here to stay for at least more than one year. With the direction Chizik has Auburn going, that's a good thing.

 To the recruits out there, you really should greatly consider AU. When you become part of Auburn you're part of the family, not just a football player. From every student to every person involved with Auburn, there is a family atmosphere at Auburn. It's a beautiful place and you get great fans that fill up Jordan Hare Stadium. If you're a big time receiver recruit, I cannot see how you couldn't want to go to Auburn. Trooper Taylor is there and his record speaks for itself. Plus, Auburn will put a new Wide Receiver to work right away. You would get plenty of playing time and being in the SEC you would face defenses that would help you prepare for the next level.

Running Backs, this is Running Back University. We're going to run the football a lot, and it doesn't matter what kind of offense we run. You'll get playing time and you'll get the lime light very soon being a good running back at a school that is known for not just good but great running backs.

If you are looking at the offensive line, well Coach Grimes is a great Offensive Line Coach. Plus, with Malzhan coming out to the Plains you will get prepared yet again for the next level. You might sense a theme here. Auburn gets its guys ready for the NFL. In addition, going against SEC defensive linemen will make an OL guy as ready for the NFL as ever.

The defense is a great reason to come out as well. Auburn will have you playing right off and with a defensive mind like Chizik you'll be ready for the NFL in no time. Plus, and this goes for anybody, the facilities are top notch. You won't be lacking on anything in that area and your condition will be as good as anyone in the country. The Defensive Line guys may have the best gem of them all with Tracey Rocker. There will be attention and spotlight with the defensive line with him coaching there giving you a chance to shine incredibly bright.

I cannot see how you wouldn't want to come out to a beautiful place, a family atmosphere and a great set of facilities. Do not forget, there is also a new set of great position coaches that will have you ready for the next level and will help you learn important life lessons. Come out guys and see for yourselves. You won't regret coming out here.

  First of all, is anybody curious about what role that searching firm plays in the hiring of Auburn atheletic positions? Now, I realize there's lots of protocol and all of that sort of thing that goes on with hiring a coach. In the case of Chizik, he's our coach and I'm behind him. With that said, who is actually looking for the new coaching staff right now? Is it Chizik, Jacobs or that searching firm we have? I know that I've mentioned this firm before and I guess it seems pointless to mention them this time but I really want to know how that company works.  How much are they paid? I do think it should be the right of every Auburn Alumni to know how much we're paying a search firm to find coaches for us. Well, I guess that's the Alumni who care about the atheletic department.

  Moving on, that leads our thoughts to none other than Coach Gene Chizik. Unfortunately, Chizik hasn't gotten the luxury of the "Honeymoon" period as the head coach of Auburn. I mean, other coaches usually have some time before the people that support the school start second guessing the hiring. With the circumstances that have been mentioned too much with myself included in that category, you really cannot blame the Auburn faithful for already being critical of who is here now. I do feel bad that Coach Chizik has not received a great deal of support from because of such a terrible situation. Most of the support he does have comes from people who choose to get behind him because he is the headcoach at Auburn. They are not unanimous by any stretch of the immagination in their agreement with the hiring of Coach Chizik. I guess that means he'll have to work that much harder to gain that trust and support.

Chizik doesn't have time to rest. He has to keep working as much as he can to start building this team together. Furthermore, he cannot talk about how much he is working; he just has to do it. The people won't support him with anything less but a top-notch effort. I've seen the reports with him working his tail off on the recruiting trail. Good, I don't expect anything less. We hired him because he is supposed to be the best man for the job. Since that is what we believe, he will be held to an incredibly high standard in my view.

I think the approach that most AU fans and family should take with Coach Chizik is not next year's wins and losses. I don't think we should worry too much about the stat sheets either. For me, I want to see the program headed in the right direction. I want to see a coach behave himself with the highest of standards. I want to learn that he truly cares more about the kids than just what they offer on the field. From what I'm hearing, that seems to be the case. I'm not going to send praise at that yet. That's his job, he's doing what he's supposed to do. What I will do though, is defend him from now on until the season starts and we can truly see what sort of effect he's having at AU. There is a load of talent right now at Auburn. We didn't go 5-7 because we weren't good enough.  Rahter, we had a loosing record like that because weren't a team. If he makes this a team again, even if we only win three games next year, I think he deserves at least one more year.

Having said that, more information on who some of our coaching staff might be will help ease the minds of people that follow Auburn football. My suggestion personally, because we didn't get a young an upcoming headcoach, we might want to look at talented new prospects in the coordinating area. I can understand that logic used when wanted a man with the experience needed(this doesn't mean I agreed with what happened). Now, we have the experienced guy. How about some new up and comers who could really make a difference with a guy leading the way with the necessary experience? Put that search firm to work. I want every name available considered by those guys. Isn't that what they're supposed to do? I don't know. I guess I just shouldn't believe people should have to work to earn their pay.  

I hear the whole he’s our coach and just deal with it thing. And, I’ve heard those who just say get behind whoever we chose. Nope, I choose to question the people above us and not get behind just anyone. I am not going to hate Chizik. But rather than just doing that, I’m going to build a list of coordinators that would make a great group under him. I am going to support this new coach regardless but I decided why not come with some people that I think make up a good list. Then, I’m going to apply for the Auburn Athletic Director Job. No, I won’t get it I am in the real world. However, I am going to do something about it, as idle and useless as it may seem. I’m not into accepting things and hoping for the best, I’m into doing the best I can with what I have.

Now, let me get started with the Offesnvie side of the ball since it seems like Chizik has the defensive side of the ball under control. If he doesn't, we're in a lot worse shape than what I thought.

1. Offensive Coordinator

A) Tuner Gill. Yes, I know he is truly head coach material but he's not a bad choice at this position. Plus, Doing well as an SEC coordinator will make him even more of a high commodity than before and he could demand lots and lots of money. I doubt this will happen but it's worth a shot to try. Plus, he'd do wonders for Kodi Burns and I have no doubt our offensive numbers would shoot through the roof.

B) Josh Heupel. If you're not sold on this guy, just look at what he did with the Tight Ends at Arizona. He helped Bradford win the Heisman Trophy and that's really high credentials in of itself. He's only the quarterback coach at Oklahoma University and a stint as an offensive coordinator at a major SEC school would only further strengthen his already good resume. Plus, he was one heck of a quarterback in his own right too.

C) Steve Greatwood. Now, I realize age may be a factor here. But, he's only 50 and the offensive line has done great out there. A really good offensive line coach would be a great help. Our guys have talent, and they would do well with such a good offensive line coach. He's not a bad choice at all I say. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, he's the Oregon Offensive Line Coach. Trust me, it's not bad. The ducks have had quite a strong offense.

D) Steve Logan. Well, I suppose this a bit of a wish list. I mean, this guy has got to be in the back of people's minds as a new head coach somewhere. Yes, he's doing well in the ACC. But, the vaunted SEC defenses are most certainly a proving ground for offensive gurus. I mean Boston College put up really solid numbers even after Mat Ryan has left. I hope our guys can think outside of the box and go after a name like this one or something. I mean, he's not a huge name but he's really good.

E)Trooper Taylor. Yes, I know it's another Big XII guy. But, this is a TN guy and he knows the south. While he might be a co-offensive coordinator at OK St., he might not turn down the idea of coming out to the SEC and having complete control at the helm. Not to mention, he'd be good for recruiting and he's a great Wide Receivers Coach. Obviously, our receivers have struggled mightily over the years. I think he might be a great fit as an offensive coordinator at Auburn University.

F)Dana Holgerson. The man has done well as a quarterback coach and as an inside receivers coach. Whatever you need him to do, this guy can do it. Houston has a prolific offense and we'd be crazy not to give this guy at least a call or two. He is young with lots of fire. It'd be worth giving this man an opportunity.

E)John Eason. I think this one would probably not happen. I mean he is an associate head coach-which, is odd when he's not even the offensive coordinator. You never know, he might take the job if we offered enough of a raise. Yet again, he could really help our receivers a lot. Like I said, I doubt it would happen, he's still a worthy name to look at for offensive coordinator. As always, our receivers could use the help.

Wish List-Bill Musgrave

Anyway, I will keep putting lists together, but these are some solid names I think that might should be looked at for the job of offensive coordinator.