Tuesday Conversation with Taylor Zarzour

Below is a conversation I had with Taylor Zarzour via email regarding the absence of Auburn, Tennessee and West Virginia from his AP Top 25 poll...

Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 10:12 AM

To: taylor@curtismedia.com

Subject: AP Top 25

So what you're saying is that Auburn is not one of the Top 25 teams in the country? Or are you just a Bammer? It's people like you that make the way college football decides a national championship worthless.

On Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 7:41 AM

Taylor Zarzour <tzarzour@curtismedia.com> wrote:

I will certainly vote for Auburn if they deserve it during the season. I voted for them over Oklahoma in 2004. If they get to 5-0 I will gladly write every person that has sent me an email stating how far off I was, and you will see them ranked among my top 5 to 7 teams. It's simply a pre-season pick. They changed both coordinators, have a new system, haven't recruited players for that kind of system yet, have an inexperienced QB, play in the hardest conference on earth, and play WVU out of conference. So I am picking them to go 8-4. I certainly could be wrong. If so, I will put Auburn where they deserve.

Enjoy the season,
Taylor Zarzour
Sports DirectorCurtis Media Group

Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 9:21 AM

To: Taylor Zarzour

Subject: Re: AP Top 25

I understand your right to vote any way that you please. What bothers me is the part on your station's website bio stating, and I am paraphrasing here, that you enjoy nothing better than Tennessee and Auburn losing and those two are not in your top 25. This is no way to determine a national champion.

If WVU is so tough out of conference, why are the Mountaineers not in your top 25? Auburn has played in the "hardest conference on earth" for 75+ years and that hasn't stopped them from having a strong team and finishing highly in the polls. That is a weak argument.

Auburn has the players for this system right now. Plus the fact that in 9 practices they defeated a Clemson team that had a top 10 defense last year. Now they have gone through a spring and a fall getting ready for this season. This is not an offense that takes a long time to install and they will be ready. Last year's offense was like watching someone get their pulled, it is not a stretch to say that the offense will be more consistent and put up more points.

The defense will not miss a beat as it is the same system, Tuberville's system, and Tubs has been trying to hire Paul Rhoads since before he hired Gene Chizik. I appreciate you writing me and I am not angry or trying to get you upset.

Thanks for writing and I look forward to your email in late September.

On Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 9:26 AM

Taylor Zarzour <tzarzour@curtismedia.com> wrote:

This will be impossible to believe but those things in the bio were put up there by one of our interns a few days ago. Given my family's background (several people have gone to Alabama) he thought it would be funny to put some stuff up there about Tennessee and Auburn. I did not approve it and it was not a good idea (given that I try as hard as I can to be an objective voter). Now, my bio looks exactly like the one that has always appeared on wptf.com and egolf.com. I assure you that I will send that email if you're right.

Take care,
TZ

Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 9:30 AM

To: Taylor Zarzour

Subject: Re: AP Top 25

Taylor-
So was it an intern or "the stuff on the website was doctored by someone overnight"? The latter is an explanation you gave to a friend of mine who wrote you as well.

Here is the email he sent to a friend of WRAS...

I have no agenda against Auburn. I have family members that went to school there. The stuff on the website was doctored by someone overnight. I will certainly vote for Auburn if they deserve it during the season. I voted for them over Oklahoma in 2004. It's simply a pre-season pick. I certainly could be wrong. Attached is what last season looked like.
Thanks,
Taylor Zarzour
Sports Director
Curtis Media Group

On Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 9:30 AM

Taylor Zarzour <tzarzour@curtismedia.com> wrote:

That is what we suspected until we spoke to the intern yesterday.

Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:14 AM

To: Taylor Zarzour

Subject: Re: AP Top 25

Taylor-
Just so we're on the same page, you are not an "avid Alabama fan" and your "greatest moment as a sports fan" is not Alabama's 34-13 win over Miami in the Sugar Bowl to win the 1992 national championship? And "any time Auburn and Tennessee lose" is not among your favorite things in sports?

Taylor Zarzour to me 10:42 AM

This will be my last response. You are correct. Those comments were not accurate.
TZ