SEC Talk

Georgia had a bit of a down year last year, by their standards, and they begin this season in hopes of proving that they once again belong among the elite in the SEC. They begin, however, with a trap game. Oklahoma State has been down over the last few years but they possess a high-powered offense hat could potentially spell trouble for the Dawgs. Since Georgia is playing in Athens, expect this game to either be a complete blowout or an unexpected OSU victory. Georgia MUST prove that they have one of the strongest defenses in all of the country by shutting down the Cowboys, and by doing that Matthew Stafford and the UGA offense should have their way. I expect a UGA victory rather easily, but it’s as close as we’ll come to an upset this week.

Speaking of not close, MSU was handled easily last night as expected. Though the first half score didn’t indicate it, the Bulldogs were embarassed on their home-field, 45-0. They only managed ten rushing yards. They have a strange ability to keep scores close in games in which they don’t have any chance at all.

Croom will be gone after this season.

Although it isn’t easy for anyone, one has to commend Phil Fulmer and the Vols for going out of conference and across the country to test themselves right off the bat. The last three UT/Cal games have been played in Knoxville, and now that the Bears have a very solid team, they thought it was high-time to bring it out to Berkeley. UT is solid on offense and defense, but DeSean Jackson will play an extremely pivotal role returning kicks and catching passes. The loss of Marshawn Lynch may cost the Bears, especially if their running game doesn’t produce. However, if Nate Longshore can limit his mistakes and get Jackson touches, it may be all she wrote for the Vols. Contrarily, if UT is able to shut Jackson down, Cal doesn’t have a chance.

On offense, UT may be in more trouble than expected. Erik Ainge has a broken finger; although he says he will play, it remains to be seen how effective he will be. LeMarcus Coker, cleared from his suspension by Fulmer will need a big game to supplement Ainge and the questionable passing attack of the Vols. Ainge has gotten a lot of publicity this offseason; now he needs to produce.

In the end, UT wins this game. They have experience and a solid defense and I see Jackson getting shut down and Longshore throwing at least two interceptions. If this happens, it will be a relatively easy win for the Vols. However, if Longshore is effective and Jackson is able to get the ball, look for Cal to win going away. It could almost go either way, I just see the former as being more likely to occur.

As for the LSU/MSU game I see a bloodbath. As I said yesterday, over at halftime.

Upset pick tomorrow…

Alabama nose guard Brian Motley broke his left ankle and will be out 6-8 weeks. Also, Arkansas WR marcus Monk may be out longer than expected, maybe through the Alabama game on 9/15.

The week we’ve all been waiting for; let’s hope it doesn’t suck…

Thursday: LSU at Mississippi State, 8PM ESPN
There is very little chance that this will be a game at halftime. The only hope the Bulldogs have is if they can use the crowd to their advantage and hope to shell-shock the Tigers early and allow it to carry-over. If MSU can stay in it, they’ll have a chance. I realized how ridiculous that was as I was writing it, LSU 45-10.

Saturday’s games:

Western Kentucky at Florida, 12:30PM Lincoln Financial
Every year the National Champion needs to slaughter an opponent to start the following season to show that they ’still got it.’ This year’s sacrificial lamb is WKU. Sorry ‘Toppers, Florida 55-7.

Ole Miss at Memphis, 3:30PM CSS
You have to commend the Rebs for playing a good out-of-conference team on the road to open the season. Unfortunately, that probably doesn’t translate to a victory, Memphis 24-13.

Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky, 6PM
Not the in-state rivalry that usually opens the season in the bluegrass, but the bluenecks are just as excited. Big game from Woodson to back up the hype (for now), Kentucky 41-14.

Oklahoma State at Georgia, 6:45 ESPN2
On paper, it looks like a tough early season matchup for the Bulldogs at home. In reality, it may turn out as a potentially crushing to game to the Cowboys who have high-hopes for the season, Georgia 28-10.

Western Carolina at Alabama, 7PM
Nick saban’s return to the SEC begins with a ‘gimme’ at home. He will give Tide fans a lot to cheer about, Alabama 45-0.

Troy at Arkansas 7PM
Darren McFadden goes nuts and Troy goes home soundly defeated. Look for the quarterback play for the Hogs–it will be key this season. Doesn’t matter in this game, too much McFadden and Felix Jones takes a kick back, 49-3.

Richmond at Vanderbilt, 7PM
High-hopes run rampant in Nashville, as the Commodores show promise of having a strong team this year. They’ll run away with this one easily, Vanderbilt 35-10.

Louisiana-Lafayette at South Carolina, 8PM
USC will take it to the Rajun-Cajuns early, but look for ULL RB Tyrell Fenroy, perhaps a star in the making. Gamecocks too strong though, South Carolina 38-17.

Kansas State at Auburn, 7:45PM ESPN
The Tigers will have to bring their best game aginst a fairly strong Big-12 opponent; they won’t and they go down, Kansas State 21-20.

Tennessee at California 8PM ABC
The best game of the weekend in all of the NCAA, UT travels west to face Nate Longshore and a very strong Cal team. They will pull through behind their defense and some early scores, 27-17.

Look for the upset special and game of the week in the coming days…

Ole Miss defensive tackle Jerrell Powe has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA. Powe, highly recruited a few years ago, has learning disabilities and has yet to play a down for the Rebels. He is allowed to stay in school by way of athletic funding, but will be unable to play until further ruling. Sounds like a pretty sad story.

The SEC West this year is seemingly a foregone conclusion. It is going to take a major effort from a very good team to knock LSU off this year. Arkansas and Alabama have a chance, but look for them to fall somewhere behing the Tigers, as they run away with the West and the overall crown. There is an outside chance that they can run the table this year, as well. Order of finish:

1) LSU
2) Arkansas
3) Alabama
4) Auburn
5) Mississippi State
6) Mississippi

The East is a different animal altogether. Any team from the East could come away with the division (though nearly impossible for Kentucky and Vandy). The winner of the East could have two losses in their division. In the end, the surprise will come when South Carloina knocks off Florida and Tennessee, and finishes the season with only a couple of losses. Between UT, Florida, and Georgia they just beat up on each other; and Vandy and UK find a way to steal some from the big boys. Tim Tebow will not be able to carry the gators anywhere near the championship again; and UGA and UT have improved. In the end, the order will be different from the norm.

1) South Carolina
2) Tennessee
3) Georgia
4) Florida
5) Kentucky
6) Vanderbilt

Game capsules and predictions for week one tomorrow…

Emmanuel Moody, USC’s second leading rusher from a year ago, has “followed his heart” to Florida. That’s just what the Gators need; more athletes.

Alabama’s Simeon Castille has pleaded not guilty to charges of challenging a passeneger of a car to a fight. Castille said he was “joking.”

Unfortunately for Alabama, two other players weren’t so lucky and they will be suspended for the opener vs, Western Carolina. WR Keith Brown and LB Prince Hall were both said to be practicing as backups.

This site is more about keeping up with suspensions than anything else.

Predictions tomorrow…

Kentucky DL Myron Pryor will be suspended for the team’s opener vs. Eastern Kentucky.

For years, the Vanderbilt Commodores have been the laughing stock of the SEC in both basketball and football. However, the program has experienced a resurgence recently and the look to improve on a solid football season in 2006.

Gone: They literally have lost no one. A few starters, but they have everybody who is anybody on this team back.

Back: Chris Nickson (QB, also led team in rushing), Earl Bennett (WR)

Early and Important: If they can beat Alabama at home in week two, they will probably be 4-0 heading into the Auburn game. That will put them in prime position to be a bowl team for the first time in a long time.

Confidence: “Our confidence is pretty high right now, but we also have to look at our schedule every once in a while and be realistic. You know, we played eight teams that were in a Bowl last year. So high hopes, but we got a tough job ahead of us. We’re looking forward to getting it started.” As you can see, they expect to be not only competetive but successful. It is possible for the ‘Dores to win seven or eight this year.

Unheard of in Nashville: Could you imagine if Vandy made it to a bowl on the heels of being a Sweet 16 (should’ve been Elite Eight) basketball season? Times have certainly changed quickly.

Still the SEC: Even with their vast improvement, Vandy still looks as if they will finish sixth in the East. However, they can still conceivably sneak into a bowl with six wins if they beat all their nonconference opponents, which will be difficult since they close with Orange Bowl runner-up Wake Forest.

This has to be the year for Erik Ainge. He has been overrated for too long. Maybe he will finally pull it together and be kinda OK. Because he is not good and never will be.

Gone: Robert Meachem (11 TD’s), Marvin Mitchell (LB, leading tackler)

Back: Lots of starters, Jered Mayo (LB)

Oh Steve…: Fulmer really needs to beat Spurrier this year in Knoxville. It looks more and more like he never will. And he won’t this year.

If this doesn’t piss you off: “It was the first time I’ve really had any real obstacle in anything in my life,” he said. “I had little things, but that was the first really test of my manhood.”
This from Erik Ainge after he didn’t start his freshman year at a major D-1 football school. Cry me a river. I love the fact you didn’t start after getting everything handed to you your entire life. You aren’t very good and that will be exposed this year.

Nothing: There never has been anything interesting about UT football. This year is no different. There is still a Colquitt. Cool, huh.

How far they have fallen: There was a time when UT was elite–not anymore. I think they will beat Cal in game one of the season but beyond that they won’t make much noise. Another 8-4 year, probably third in the East.

There has been a lot of news out of Columbia, not all of it good. In fact, most of it is dealing with arrests and suspensions. However, coach Steve Spurrier does not seem worried as the Gamecocks prepare for what could be their best year under the Ol’ Ball Coach.

Gone-Cocks (sounds kinda funny): Syvelle Newton (WR/QB), Sidney Rice (probably best WR in the SEC last year)

Returns: Cory Boyd (RB), Blake Mitchell (QB),Jasper Brinkley (recently added to Lombardi watch list and Walter Camp Player of the Year list)

Biggun’(s): USC will go to Arkansas after playing at Tennessee and before Florida comes to Columbia. There season depends on how they will fair in these three games. It will be almost impossible to win all three, but they may need to in order to have a chance at the SEC title.

Big Talker, this Guy: “Yeah. Blake is a fifth year senior quarterback. Started two years off and on. Hopefully his experience and his mental toughness is much, much better. I think he’s ready to have a big year.” I hate to go to this, well, no I don’t. Blake Mitchell is a punk. He got suspended this year for skipping class and last year for getting in a bar fight. He’s like twenty three years old; get it together already.

This Guy Stnks: Blake Mitchell’s replacement? You guessed it, Chris Smelley.

Gamecock Gamers: As much as it may pain some people to read, this may be USC’s year. It’s going to happen sooner or later down there and this may be the best time. The Schedule will pose a problem, but UT never does and Florida will not be great. If they win the ones they are supposed to look for them in Atlanta.

Arkansas DE Marcus Harrison was arrested after a traffic stop. A felony drug charge and other misdemeanors are pending.

What is going on down south?

Like Ole Miss, MSU is another team that has been down over the last couple of years…way down. They finished last season with only three wins, but only one in-conference (Alabama). Look for the Sylvester Croom era to go down in flames following this season.

Lost Dawgs: Quentin Culberson (leading tackler)

Back: Most everyone on offense…still bad though

Intern’s mistake?: Why did they schedule a trip to Morgantown? They are going to get slaughtered by the SEC, why go out of the conference to play a top five team?

Words of Wisdom: “Preseason honors are good to look. When people turn on the television on August 30th they will notice things like that. But really, none of it matters. We have to take it one practice at a time, one game at a time and one play at a time. What really matters is what honors come in the postseason.” You’re absolutely right, Sly. I hope that getting fired to you is an honor, because it’s coming…

Luck of the Draw: First game of the College Football season: LSU-MSU on ESPN. Everyone in the country will be watching, itching for the return of football. LSU’s starter’s will be watching most of this game as well.

Say it ain’t so…: There is a distinct possible that MSU could only win one game this year…but they could surprise everyone and maybe win three.

Safety Emmanuel Cook was arrested on gun charges. It seems Spurrier is having some trouble keeping order at USC…

Also, Nick Saban did not suspend All-SEC defensive back Simeon Castille after an arrest.

What is with Mississippi football? Both teams are just bad. There are no two ways about it. I don’t really want to preview them at all, but I will. I’m just that kind of guy.

Gone: Patrick Willis (their shining star)

back: Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis (RB, 7 TD’s), Brent Schaeffer (move from QB to WR)

The Grove!: Homecoming brings in the mighty Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Hopefully everyone will be drunk enough to realize that the women’s basketball team from the early nineties isn’t coming. If you go, do me a favor and count the bow-tied frat boys–you’ll get to at least 10,000.

Name their Coach…Now!: “Mike Hicks is doing a good job and so is Mike Wallace.” Ed Orgeron is the answer, by the way and he loves 60 Minutes. He has also voiced that his goal is to go to the Sugar Bowl and win it. I can’t believe he said that in front of people.

Microcosm: Go to www.olemisssports.com and look at the countdown to kick-off–I’ll start caring when they do.

‘Just Come on Out’: I believe Ole Miss is still having open tryouts for quarterback. Maybe not. In reality, they have settled on a walk-on, Seth Adams. Godspeed, Seth. Godspeed.