SEC FOOTBALL INSIGHT(ER)

Gators, Again; Does Another Title Await In '09?

2009-01-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

Closing thoughts on another awesome SEC season that ended Thursday night on the highest of notes for the nation's best league, year in and year out:

--Yeah, it was ragged at times. Crept along because of the overly deliberative officiating crew. Lacking the anticipated offensive fireworks. But for football fanatics, it was a thing of beauty, prettied up by the defenses dealing admirably with Oklahoma's no-huddle and Florida's semi-spread. Urban Meyer may be the Gators boss man, but defensive coordinator Charlie Strong was the sideline star.

--Florida's wins over Oklahoma and Alabama were eerily similar: dead-even games for three quarters, then Gators dominate the fourth. It speaks to their will to win, and their coaching.

--Tim Tebow for MVP? Come on, give it to somebody on the Florida defense, which was superb. Me, I'd find a lineman, seeing as how the Gators' front often crushed the mighty Sooners line.

--Maybe the voters were swayed by Fox announcer Thom Brennaman, a solid play-caller except when he was campaigning for Tebow for sainthood. A little too much, Thom.

--Sam Bradford's rare misjudgment at the end of the first half may have cost the Okies the game. With 10 seconds left, he passed to a receiver shy of the goal line. The ball was picked by Florida. Had it been caught by the red shirts, the clock may have expired. Bradford knows better to throw it in the end zone or the seats, giving him (or his kicker) another snap.

--Percy Harvin can flat freakin' fly -- and is tough, to boot. What a threat.

--Only three seniors started for the Gators, meaning they'll be ranked No. 1 next preseason if the other 19 return. That won't happen, given all the NFL prospects in their junior class, but Florida could withstand the loss of a few and still open 2009 in the same spot where they finished '08. The biggest if is Tebow, still with a year of eligibility. Of course, to listen to Brennaman, he might just forego football and pledge to a life of missionary work.

Selah.

Sooners Than Later, Gator: Liking Florida Less And Less

2009-01-07T20:24:00.000-08:00

Florida still looks like a winner to me in the BCS Championship showdown. Maybe it's the absurdly long building between the SEC/Big 12 title games 33 days ago, but I am wavering slightly in my belief that this game belongs lock, stock and barrel to the Gators.

Doesn't Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen working after-hours as the new head coach at Mississippi State affect game preparation?

Can Florida, even with a month of practice, adequately prepare for the Sooners' phenomenal no-huddle offense?

Isn't Oklahoma's defense, which allowed 25 percent of its touchdowns in mop-up time, better than the numbers show?

Didn't the pass-happy offense carve out the most mind-boggling statistic of this era: 11 sacks allowed all season?

For all of Tim Tebow's achievements, isn't Sam Bradford the quarterback you'd choose to win one big game?

I see that the point spread has crept up to four and beyond. I'm headed in the other direction. Put a BB-gun to my head, and I'll pick Florida. But I no longer will be surprised if the Okies are doing the celebratory hokey-pokey.

You?

More Coaching Craziness

2008-12-14T15:50:00.000-08:00

Let's put it in perspective at Auburn. The school selected a coach (Gene Chizik of Iowa State) with a career record of 5-19. He replaces Tommy Tuberville -- 85-40 with the Tigers, including a perfect season just four years ago -- who (a.) was fired (2.) was forced out, or (3.) resigned.

Chizik, a former Auburn coordinator, may be qualified, but this has to be a tough sell, especially to the Tuberville supporters, some of whom organized a march directed at the school president.

What do you think of the hire?

Tuberville owes it to the Auburn family to clarify the circumstances under which he departed. The university maintains he quit. He has stayed silent on the matter. Time to open up, Tub.

Which of the three possibilities listed above do you buy regarding Tuberville?

A rare moment of sanity regarding SEC coaches touched Tennessee when the school decided not to pay Phil Fulmer a salary as an assistant to the president. The earnings would have been pocket change to Fulmer, who will receive a $6 million buyout. Better late than never, somebody noted that the appearance of further fattening Phil's bank account looked awful.

Do you agree with the decision?

He will now serve voluntary duty.

Plenty Of Gator Goings-On

2008-12-10T18:27:00.001-08:00

Sounds as if Mississippi State got their man. New coach Dan Mullen is young (36), energetic and an eight-year protege of Urban Meyer. Florida's offense, under coordinator Mullen, is the nation's best outside the Big 12.

Good for Mullen, maybe bad for the Gators. While no decision has been made on whether he will work the BCS Championship game, most assistants hired elsewhere as head coaches bow out before a bowl. If he stays, you have to wonder how focused Mullen will be.

Should Mullen leave now or stay through the bowl?

You also have to wonder if Tim Tebow is tight with Mullen, whose departure could prompt the quarterback to turn pro before his senior year.

Tebow can weigh his decision on flights to and from New York this weekend. He is one of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy, the others being Colt McKoy and Sam Bradford.

Surprised that Graham Harrell did not get an invite? The short list indicates that Tebow placed in the top three, ahead of Harrell, who was considered the favorite at one point in the season.

OK, with the number of candidates whittled down, who gets your vote?

'Tis The Season For Coaching Craziness

2008-12-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

It's the time of year when most SEC news is generated by the old guys wearing headphones on the sidelines.

--Auburn's insistence that its head coach resigned -- and was not fired -- was denied by Tuberville. Not Tommy, but Olive -- his mother.

She claims to have it on good authority that her son was forced out. Tommy has not commented, a wise move given his intent to continue working for the university. Still, somebody needs to clear this up.

Which account do you believe?

This just in: Georgia assistant Rodney Garner interviewed Monday for the Auburn gig.

--It's par for the course that colleges will try to cherry-pick the coaching staff of a BCS finalist, which is happening at Florida. Mississippi State has shown interest in offensive coordinator Dan Mullen. Another Dan, assistant head coach McCarney, was linked to New Mexico, but it filled the position Monday with someone else.

Shouldn't defensive coordinator Charlie Strong be generating interest? Not only does he have an impressive resume, but colleges inspired to do the right thing would get bonus points by hiring Strong and reversing the decline in black head coaches, now at three nationwide.

Is Strong ready to serve as head coach?

--Two former Gators coaches kept Florida from a No. 1 ranking in the USA Today coaches poll. Steve Spurrier and Ron Zook listed UF second behind Oklahoma. Had either reversed his vote, the Gators would have wound up on top.

Spurrier's affection for Florida is well-established. Should he have helped out the ol' alma mater?

--Phil Fulmer will answer the next two months to Tennessee's university president as a special assistant. His salary: $12,500 per month, plus benefits.

His duties will include assisting the college planning for $48 million in budget cuts. Fulmer may be the right guy, but is anybody cringing at a guy getting paid $6 million not to coach by the school's athletics department advising them on saving money?

Anyone bothered by this?

Oddsmakers Go With The Gators

2008-12-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

Early betting lines have posted Florida as a three-point favorite over Oklahoma in the BCS Championship game. No surprise there, given how the Big 12 has a reputation as an offense-only league. With the game in Miami, the Gators get a slight home-field edge.

Alabama is a whopping 10 1/2-point pick over Utah in the Sugar Bowl. How the gambling tables have turned. The Crimson Tide was undefeated entering the SEC title bout and was a 9 1/2-point underdog to Florida. Now they're a heavy fave over the unbeaten Utes.

As I write this on Sunday night, point spreads have been established only for the BCS bowls.

Be Careful What You Wish For? Nah

2008-12-07T19:15:00.000-08:00

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, in what amounts to trash talk for this model of modesty, said some weeks ago that he would relish the opportunity to attack a Big 12 defense, where basketball-type scores became common this season.

Wish granted. The Gators draw Oklahoma for the BCS marbles. Who knows? Maybe the super-charged offenses will produce a defensive-minded NBA game count.

The Sooners have eclipsed 60 points in five straight games. Not to be outdone, Florida has averaged 49 points over the last nine games in the nation's best defensive league, by far.

Thank goodness we have more than a month to decompress from the compelling game at the Georgia Dome. Sure, the other one-loss defeats can gripe, but this match-up would be the people's choice.

Florida wound up No. 2 in the BCS ratings, No. 1 in the Associated Press. Oklahoma was the opposite. So both coaches can use the lack-of-respect angle to pump up their teams.

We'll analyze this later -- after our decompression is done.

No. 1 vs. No. 2, Part II: Title Game Featuring Top Heisman Candidates?

2008-12-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

Tim Tebow did nothing to hurt his Heisman Trophy redux chances at the Georgia Dome. Without Percy Harvin, he shouldered a larger burden than normal and generated 31 points for Florida against a mighty defense. He completed three third-down passes for touchdowns and scored the other himself.

I suspect he moved up in the Heisman race . . . to No. 2. I think it still goes to Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, who completed a masterful season himself with a 61-point avalanche against Missouri, all with a broken non-throwing hand that was operated on Sunday.

Which one would get your vote? Or do you like Graham Harrell or Colt McKoy?

Too bad the ballots are due before the BCS championship. Otherwise, the Heisman could be settled on the field, head-to-head, same as the national team title.

Still, Tebow vs. Bradford provides a juicy angle to the game that is chock-ful of them.

Should bowl games be played before Heisman votes are due?

Ten Observations From The Georgia Dome

2008-12-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

1. Did you anticipate a blowout after the first possession by each team? Three-and-out for Alabama, an eye-blink touchdown drive by Florida.

2. What was more unlikely than a long, two-play scoring march by plodding Alabama?

3. What on earth was the Bama special teams coach thinking on the fake field goal without its real kicker on the field?

4. Was there ever a more crucial bonehead play than Javier Arenas catching the kickoff and stepping out at the four-yard line, which allowed the Gators to break a tie before halftime?

5. Why did Urban Meyer go to the locker room with three timeouts in his pocket? Couldn't the quick-strike Gators have gotten into field-goal range?

6. How many shifts of momentum did you count? At least six, right?

7. Did those who gamble on Alabama (plus 10 points) kiss Meyer on the TV screen when his sideline infraction could have turned the last Gator touchdown drive into a field goal, which would have put Florida up by seven instead of 11?

8. Can you now appreciate the value of Percy Harvin to Florida -- by his absence, seeing as how the Gators offense got little out of their running backs?

9. Are Florida's reliable receivers the most underappreciated part of the team?

10. Did you notice how the scouting report on John Parker Wilson proved true: Put him in passing situations and he cannot beat you.

And this bonus observation:

10. Didn't this game achieve the impossible by nearly living up to its billing?

Nuttin' But Net: Houston Scores At Ole Miss

2008-12-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

One year after getting chased away from Arkansas, Houston Nutt has already earned a contract extension at Ole Miss. His 8-4 rookie season with the Rebels persuaded the school to lock him up through 2012, the maximum allowed by state law.

The SEC is an unusual conference in that coaches routinely go from one school to another, sometimes with stops in between. So when jobs open up, rumors swirl about who in the family is getting hired. With Auburn, several SEC coaches have been mentioned, Nutt included. (Also, Bobby Petrino and Steve Spurrier, both unlikely transfers.)

Mike Leach appears to be staying at Texas Tech, so the Tigers' wish list is being whittled by outside forces.

Who do you think gets the Auburn gig?

Of course, Tommy Tuberville is being linked to Mississippi State. Whoever winds up there will bring new coordinators, with both of the Bulldogs' headed for Clemson.

Should Missy State look at Tuberville? If not, who?

And Your SEC Champion Is . . .

2008-12-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

I've seen Florida's offense treat defenses like they were paper mache. I've seen the college quarterback of the decade in blue and orange. I've seen a bright -- and, just as important, flexible -- shape and mold an offense to match his players' abilities.

I cannot pick against the Gators and Urban Meyer. They have more weapons than Alabama. And Crimson Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson, who is effective when defenses are stacked against the run, will face pressure like he's never seen.

Now, for the point spread, which has climbed a half-point back to 10: I've seen too many spectacular teams expected to run roughshod over unflashy foes get dragged into a scrum. Romps happen to squads without stellar athletes and play-makers. Bama has both.

Yard-eaters Percy Harvin and Chris Rainey probably will play for Florida, but injuries will keep them from reaching high gear. Tim Tebow's Heisman Trophy sequel has equaled the original, though not without their help.

Admittedly, I've witnessed many games that have turned from anticipated classics into actual duds. In this, the most titillating SEC Championship ever and a virtual national title semifinal game to boot, I see the Crimson Tide keeping it close but not lighting a cigar.

Gators 24, Tide 17.

Am I close to your prediction?

As for Tebow's Heisman chances, I think he can overcome Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, but it will take some heroics or huge numbers. I don't envision the latter, but a game-winning drive capped by him bulling across the end zone would send a second trophy back to Gainesville.

How do you evaluate Tebow and the Heisman?

Wearing Out Your Welcome: Another Veteran Coach Is Out

2008-12-03T17:16:00.000-08:00

Tommy Tuberville, ousted at Auburn, is the latest SEC coach victimized by the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately? trend.

A year ago, the Tigers went 9-4, nothing to be ashamed of in this league. Tennessee won the East and played in the championship game.

Both coaches are gone, the two most tenured in the SEC. Tuberville logged 10 seasons, seven fewer than the Volunteers' Philip Fulmer.

Sylvester Croom of Mississippi State, with the sixth most seasons (five), also resigned with considerable coaxing. That's a 25 percent turnover before the season is even over.

Is any other coach in trouble?

Tuberville was doomed by his worthwhile attempt to keep up with the football Joneses and adopt the spread offense. He misjudged having the talent onboard to make the conversion, at least to the degree that deposed offensive coordinator Tony Franklin desired. Tuberville's forcing Franklin to walk the plank at midseason paid no immediate dividends.

Should Tuberville have been granted another year to fix his mess?

Are SEC schools too hasty in demanding resignations?

Will the 'Dog Have Its Day?

2008-12-03T07:22:00.000-08:00

As Percy Harvin's chances of playing Saturday rise and fall daily like the Dow Jones average, here is more on the eye-opening 10-point favoritism bestowed by oddsmakers on Florida against Alabama.

There is recent precedent for a No. 1 team to enter a game as a double-digit underdog. In the 2001 Orange Bowl, top-ranked Oklahoma was a 10-point 'dog to No. 2 Florida State. In a good omen for Bama, the Sooners triumphed 13-2.

A story in the Palm Beach Post quoted one oddsmaker as saying he and four colleagues agreed Sunday that the Gators deserved the status of 10-point faves. This doesn't mean they believe Florida is superior by that amount, only that equal amounts of money will be wagered at that number on each team.

If you were a betting man, who would you side with?

As far Harvin, I wouldn't put it past Urban Meyer to be playing games with the media on his condition. Any crafty coach would do the same.

Harvin, indeed, is the X factor -- with the game itself and for those who bet on it.

Do you believe Harvin will play? And, if so, be effective?

Gators Favored By 10? Here Is Why

2008-12-01T19:13:00.000-08:00

The nation's No. 1 team is a 10-point underdog to the No. 4 team. Huh?

Yes, those who invest on the outcomes of college football and side with Florida in the SEC championship game are counting on a Gators' win by at least 11 points.

And those who support Alabama with their hard-earned bucks can collect if the Tide loses by up to nine points.

What do you think about the betting line?

At first blush, it's hard to believe, especially with Florida's Percy Harvin ailing.

But, all season long, oddsmakers have gradually elevated the spread on Gator games to head-scratching level -- and Florida keeps covering. UF went 9-2 against the line, a shocking record given how most teams hover around .500 in this category.

Another factor is that coach Urban Meyer never calls off the dogs when victory is sealed. He plays to the final horn, so the Gators often score garbage points against a deflated or second-string defense.

So, if Florida leads by a touchdown late in Saturday's game, Meyer will keep trying to make it two TDs.

It's an approach beloved by Florida betting backers.

If you were wagering, which team would you favor?

Anybody think Bama will win straight up?

Don't Look Over Your Shoulder, SEC

2008-11-30T19:07:00.000-08:00

A CNN/SI writer makes the case that the lesser of the southern leagues, the ACC, is making strides on the SEC.

Though he acknowledges the yawning gap between the top tier teams in the league title games, the Saturday scores say that Georgia Tech schooled Georgia and Clemson did the same to South Carolina.

The ACC did land a potential 10 teams in bowl games, compared to a maximum of eight for the SEC. But that's because a bunch of ACC teams finished 8-4 and 7-5. If you have a 12-0 (Alabama) and an 11-1 (Florida), you're naturally going to have more teams with losing records.

Are you worried, SEC devotees, that the ACC is catching up?

Heisman? No, But Tebow Belongs In The Picture

2008-11-30T11:21:00.000-08:00

Tim Tebow was pissed when some Florida State fans celebrated an injury to teammate Percy Harvin. He asked Florida coach Urban Meyer to call his number on the next few running plays. Meyer obliged, and an angry Tebow bulled across the goal line.

That's what a Heisman Trophy winner is made of.

Yet, a few hours later, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, with a much slighter build than Tebow, scrambled toward the end zone and went airborne, putting his body at great risk. Bradford was nearly knocked into the first row, but he dusted himself off and led the Sooners over Oklahoma State.

Bradford gets my vote. With two other blanks on the ballot, I'm unsure among Tebow, Texas' Colt McKoy and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell. I'm sleeping on it.

Does Tebow belong in the top three? If so, where?

You Couldn't Draw This Up Any Better

2008-11-30T07:16:00.000-08:00

Ultimately, it doesn't matter if Florida is ranked only fourth in the BCS while getting No. 2 recognition by the Associated Press poll.

The winner of the SEC title face-off Saturday is surely headed to the national championship game.

It's essentially a BCS semifinal at the Georgia Dome, with the winner playing Oklahoma, Texas or Southern Cal for all the marbles. Alabama is in with a win, of course, and Florida's computer ranking jumps up with a victory over No. 1.

Now that the BCS ratings have settled that much, we're left to wonder on the point spread for Saturday (Gators by a touchdown over Bama?) and the status of Percy Harvin (will an ankle injury sideline the scary receiver/running back?).

And ask ourselves: Is this the most anticipated league title showdown ever? (It is to me.)

One loss between them, Florida against Ole Miss. Two sky-high rankings. Two brilliant coaches, Nick Saban and Urban Meyer. A delicious contrast in styles, Bama's traditional offense and the Gators' spread.

Both did their part with wins by 30 points or more Saturday. Alabama flat-out crushed Auburn 36-0. Florida overcame adverse weather conditions and a hatin' crowd by smacking Florida State 45-15.

Six days to kickoff. Counting down the seconds already.

What's your key to the outcome?

Would Harvin's absence make a big difference?

How much would you pay for a seat in the Georgia Dome?

Will Iron Deficiency End Tuberville's Reign?

2008-11-30T07:06:00.000-08:00

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville did not hear the good ol' vote of confidence from Tigers brass after the 36-0 drubbing from Alabama in the Iron Bowl. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it leaves his fate murky.

Tuberville made no bones Saturday about his desire to remain on the Plains. The season was a disaster and, given that he was nearly run off a few years ago, it's clear the Auburn administration is not wedded to him.

But, unlike at Tennessee and Mississippi State, which ran off Phil Fulmer and Sylvester Croom, Auburn has not been in a steady decline. This season was an aberration, so the guess here is that Tommy will be back in the same saddle.

Do you think Tuberville will return?

Does he deserve to?

Woe is Georgia, South Carolina

2008-11-30T06:45:00.000-08:00

Florida was the sole league winner in the three SEC vs. ACC instate rivalry games.

Georgia, ranked No. 1 nationally to start the season, did not even wind up No. 1 in its state. Georgia Tech beat the Dawgs 45-42 on Saturday with only one complete pass.

Its option offense befuddled the Bulldogs, who had two weeks to prepare but looked as if they'd spent two minutes learning the intricacies. Because Georgia's defense seemed helpless during all three losses this season, coach Mark Richt must think long and hard about replacing defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.

Should Martinez be fired?

How would you sum up Georgia's 9-3 season?

South Carolina, with Hall of Fame coach Steve Spurrier, couldn't outfox Clemson interim Dabo Swinney, whose chances of full-time status was uncertain . . . until the Tigers' 31-14 trouncing Saturday.

The Gamecocks' offensive master went through 12 games, five of them setbacks, without developing a quarterback. The loss in the finale gives Clemson a leg up on statewide recruiting battles.

Has Spurrier lost his touch?

Bottom of the Bowl(s) for Kentucky, Vandy

2008-11-30T05:52:00.000-08:00

With four out of 12 losing-record teams ineligible for bowls, the SEC falls short of filling its nine guaranteed post-season slots. So, Kentucky and Vanderbilt will go bowling -- with less momentum than a bowling ball rolling uphill.

Kentucky, humiliated Saturday by Tennessee, wasted a 4-0 start to finish 6-6, last in the East. The Wildcats' lone win in their last five games was by one point at home against West cellar-dweller Mississippi State.

Vandy, drubbed by Wake Forest, opened 5-0 amid speculation that Bobby Johnson was the leading candidate for coach of the year. Oops. The Commodores also limped home 6-6, their only victory in that span against . . . Kentucky.

Neither deserves much more than the Independence (Shreveport) or Papa Johns (Birmingham). But Kentucky could rise into the Music City (Nashville), which would be unlikely to select the local team.

Would you Kentucky and Vandy fans prefer to pull the plug on the season and move on to basketball?

If not, what would be the attainable bowl of your choice?

Black Head Coaches: And Then There Were Three

2008-11-29T13:55:00.000-08:00

When Sylvester Croom was passed over for Kid Shula at Alabama in 2003, it seemed clear that the Crimson Tide was not ready for an African-American head coach.

It now seems Croom was not ready to run an SEC football program.

He resigned, under some pressure, Saturday at Misssissippi State, which has far fewer resources than Bama. Still, any coach in this league that is 17 games under .500 after five seasons is not long for the job.

Do you think Crooms deserved another season or two?

Who should be his replacement?

On a grander scale, Croom's departure means that half of the six black head coaches on college's top level are moving out. Ty Willingham is toast at Washington, Ron Prince at Kansas State. That leaves Turner Gill at Buffalo, Randy Shannon at Miami and Kevin Sumlin at Houston.

Do you consider this a problem for college football?

If so, what should be done to increase diversity?

Rain May Make Saturday Predictions All Wet

2008-11-28T17:46:00.000-08:00

Predicted rain across the Southeast on the final Saturday of the regular season could impact games to different degrees.

--For No. 1, Alabama, its power running game should not be thrown off against Auburn. The Tigers' only winning scenario is a 17-14 type of game, but they would have trouble hitting that total under sunny skies. Weather edge to Alabama.

Worried, Crimson Tide fans?

--For Tennessee, showers could put a damper on Philip Fulmer Appreciation Day and help Kentucky, which can get off the bowl fence with a victory.

Now, for the three intrastate rival games:

--Georgia Tech, which hardly ever passes, could benefit the most. The Yellow Jackets, who employ a post-modern wishbone offense, would welcome a slippery field against Georgia, which throws the 'skin extremely well.

--Multi-faceted Florida is unlikely to be affected by any inclement weather, short of a blizzard. That won't happen in Tallahassee against Florida State.

--With South Carolina, who knows? Steve Spurrier will X-and-O to the death to beat Clemson, but the Tigers have greater incentive assuming they want to remove the interim tag from coach Dabo Swinney.

Which of the three SEC teams is most likely to stumble against their stately neighbors?

Then there is the SEC-ACC brain bowl, Vanderbilt vs. Wake Forest. These are smart people, right? So they'll figure out how to cope with rainy conditions.

One more thing: Can Florida climb higher than No. 2 with a butt-whipping of the Seminoles?

Rebels Are The Right Team For Cotton Bowl

2008-11-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

Even though Ole Miss roughed up LSU a week ago, you had to wonder if the SEC was sending its most qualified available team to the Cotton Bowl. Even in decline, the Tigers seemed more Dallas-ready than the Rebels.

Never mind. With Ole Miss mauling Mississippi State on Friday, followed by the Tigers' collapse at Arkansas, it's clear that the Rebels are headed to the proper post-season destination. And LSU should be headed to a bottom-feeder bowl.

LSU lost its last four league games. The only wins during that stretch were against Tulane and Troy, the latter a comeback from a 31-3 deficit.

Quarterback problems haunted LSU all season, but this one falls on the defense. The Razorbacks' QB brotherhood of Nathan and Casey Dick rang up 31 points on the Tigers' defense.

Anybody for Houston Nutt as coach of the year?

What does that make Les Miles -- bust of the year?

Ex-Raider To The Lost Ark

2008-11-28T17:21:00.000-08:00

Tennessee athletics director Mike Hamilton is digging furiously to get out of a hole of his own creation. Meaning, the hole may be getting deeper.

Hamilton infamously extended Philip Fulmer's contract last season, only to fire him this season -- to the awful tune of a $6 million buyout.

Now he appears poised to hand the orange reins to the unproven 33-year-old Lane Kiffin. The guy has the most misleading NFL reference imaginable on his resume -- head coach of the Raiders, which doesn't count, given Oakland's sorry state. He had a short stint as offensive coordinator at Southern Cal -- not too shabby, until you notice he shared play-calling duties with another aide.

Because of the Fulmer buyout, Hamilton may have restricted himself in the coaching search with a maximum $2 million-a-year salary package. Sad to say, that's relatively cheap for an SEC power, and it probably eliminated potential suitors.

On the bright side, Kiffin has the reputation as an effective recruiter, which fills a need at talent-depleted Tennessee. Still, wouldn't you think the Vols could have tapped a more season successor to Fulmer?

Who should they have hired?

We pick on Hamilton a lot, so let's applaud him for green-lighting "Philip Fulmer Appreciation Day" at Saturday's game against Kentucky. It's not too often a fired coach gets to exit to such recognition.

Of course, if Kentucky ends a quarter-century losing skein to the Vols, the longest existing streak in the nation, the party will be spoiled. Still, nice move, Mike.

Do you think Fulmer deserves his day?

A Lawrence Welk Championship: A-One and A-Two?

2008-11-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

Thank you for trying, Associated Press voters. You elevated Florida to No. 2 behind top-ranked Alabama in your latest poll, potentially setting up the most scrumptious SEC championship game in league annals.

Pending the outcome of this week's games -- the Crimson Tide versus Auburn, the Gators against Florida State -- the ballots move the SEC closer to locking up a BCS championship game berth. If the Atlanta-bound pair avoid upsets on Saturday, your favorite league will be represented in the BCS title game.

What are the chances of Bama and Florida stumbling Saturday?

The Harris (coaches') poll did not agree with AP, situating Florida third behind Texas. And the computer-heavy BCS placed the Gators fourth behind the Longhorns and Oklahoma. Their opponent last Saturday, The Citadel, did them no strength-of-scheduling favors.

In the long run, it won't matter where the Gators are today. Win, and they're in the Big One.

Despite the Gators' recent pillaging and plundering, they may be the more vulnerable SEC finalist this week. Their starting defensive tackles may sit out with injuries, and FSU just hammered Maryland. Auburn can salvage something out of a joyless season by beating the Tide, but its offense is unlikely to bruise Bama's formidable defense.

Who do you think the SEC champion would play in The Big One?

Rebel Swell: Ole Miss Cottons To Big Bowl

2008-11-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

The Cotton Bowl is no longer a top-tier postseason game. Still, Ole Miss could not have aspired higher at the dawn of the season.
Now, having stomped on a fallen-and-can't-get-up LSU on Saturday, the Rebels likely will be pickin' Cotton if they handle Mississippi State. Their resume is enhanced by the upset over Florida.
Could you have imagined Ole Miss excelling so quickly under first-year coach Houston Nutt?
Missy State's win over Arkansas reduces the SEC's bowl contenders to nine. Auburn gets the axe if it bows to Alabama.
The Kentucky-Vanderbilt loser will dip to 6-6 but, with bowl berths as plentiful as BCS bashers, probably will squeeze in before the door closes. The Commodores, who took two steps back in a beatdown from Tennessee, would be less than appealing because they would have gone 2-6 after a 4-0 start.
Where do you see your favorite team headed for the holidays?

Percy-vering: Florida's Harvins Muddling Heisman Race?

2008-11-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

Florida's offensive numbers with Tim Tebow at the helm have been so mind-boggling that 512 yards -- in the first half -- Saturday barely turned heads. Of course, the fall guy was The Citadel. The Gators' 70 points moved the needle hardly at all for Tebow in the Heisman Trophy chase.
The Texas Tech-Oklahoma game was widely viewed as a winner-take-all Heisman duel between Graham Harrell and Sam Bradford. If so, give the hardware to the Sooners' Bradford.
That's a short-sighted way to evaluate a season-long process. Here's hoping voters factor in other elements.
Does one of the Big 12 boys deserve the trophy?
Also wondering, with so much made of Midwesters splitting their votes among the Big 12 quarterbacks (also Colt McCoy of Texas), would southeast ballots have enough Percy Harvins on them to cut into Tebow's chances? After all, Harvin is the nation's premier multi-purpose player, leading a team in line for a national title shot in rushing AND receiving.
Which of the two Gators would get your vote?

This Scenario Sucks: One SEC Team In BCS?

2008-11-21T06:22:00.000-08:00

You wouldn't be a college football fan if you are not losing sleep these days about your team or league getting screwed by the whack-job BCS system. A CBS Sportsline columnist has come up with a plausible chain of events that could leave Florida out of the big picture.

Frankly, any two-loss team should not have any complaints. On the other hand, should the Gators win out in the regular season and lose on a buzzer-beating field goal to Alabama, they would no doubt be considered among the nation's elite eight.

Would that be unfair to the Gators?

Another less than farfetched outcome is one-loss Southern Cal getting left out in the cold. That's a problem to be discussed on a Pac-10 blog but is included here to point out that the system does not pretend to be fair.

It does strive to assure a legitimate title game, and here's hoping one emerges.

Should the NCAA and ESPN have waited until a discussion driven by the president-elect played out before signing a deal through 2014 that effectively shuts out a playoff?

Hide Your Eyes, Unless You're A Gator?

2008-11-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

With some trepidation, I looked at The Citadel's scores for this season, fearing evidence of a tissue defense that might allow Florida to slap a hundred on it. Urban Meyer's twisted concept of playing a game full-out, regardless of the score, is well-documented.

Well, The Citadel has been roughed up thrice, allowing 44, 45 and 47. Once was to Clemson, the other two to reputable smaller colleges Appalachian State and Georgia Southern.

So, any carnage Saturday at The Swamp could be bearable to neutral obversers. Unless . .

Of specific interest (to me, anyway) is how long Tim Tebow plays now that he's back in the Heisman Trophy chatter. With Tebow looking every bit as good as last year, when he won the thing, and the other top candidates likely to split votes in the Midwest, their stomping grounds, Tebow could get a bookend trophy.

How many points will Florida ring up?

Should/Will Meyer keep him in the game late?

Where is Tebow on your Heisman ballot?

Take A Breath, SEC Fans -- But Not A Deep One

2008-11-21T05:54:00.000-08:00

It's SEC lite this weekend, with only four games, none of any magnitude. But the three conference matchups carry fetching subplots and all, if the betting public knows its stuff, are anticipated to be close.

--Vanderbilt, which has beaten Tennessee once in the last quarter-century, ranks as a three-point favorite. In between game-planning, Phil Fulmer has placed calls to colleagues for advice on his next coaching move. Here's some advice: Beat the Commodores and salvage a speck of football dignity from the season.

Is this Vandy's year to start balancing out this one-sided rivalry?

--LSU, not long ago in the national title discussion, is a mere three-point fave at home against resurgent Ole Miss. The Tigers' resurrection from near-death against Troy was impressive but it verified that LSU, with spotty QB play and an inconsistent defense, is second tier this year.

Inconceivable at the start of the season, can the Rebels give LSU a run for the money?

--Arkansas picked itself up after a dreadful start and is somehow a road favorite in the SEC, if only against Mississippi State (and by one point). Bobby Petrino has steered this young team into position for to contend next year in the SEC West. Well, for third place, maybe.

Who wins this one?

And the Vols' Next Coach Is . . . ?

2008-11-19T16:59:00.000-08:00

If Brian Kelly of Cincinnati is Tennessee's choice to succeed Phil Fulmer, as reported by local media, that's not exactly the blockbuster announcement predicted by, ahem, "sources" to the cbssportsline.com college crew.

But it wouldn't be a bad selection.

Tennessee's name is well-established in football circles, so the school doesn't necessarily need to hire Mike Leach or Tommy Tuberville to lure recruits. All that should matter is the right coaching fit.

Kelly would do well to defeat Pitt on Saturday, with the Big East title on the line, to enhance his candidacy.

Jim Leavitt's hat also is squarely in the ring. The South Florida coach is among the most fiery in the land, and his teams overachieved until taking a step back this season.

Is Kelly a good match for the Vols? How about Leavitt?

If not them, then who?

Oh, Meyer: Gators Playing Like a No. 1

2008-11-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

Let's be honest. If you were a college football pollster ranking teams based on how good they are now, is there any doubt?

Florida, baby.

The Gators are destroying teams, most recently South Carolina in Steve Spurrier's worst defeat ever. Urban Meyer says this team is superior to '06, which happened to win a national title.

How do you compare the two?

The numbers defy belief. My favorite: In the first quarters of the past six games: Florida 101, Foes 0.

The Gators whipped the Gamecocks and their No. 1 defense (in the SEC) by a half-hundred.

Two AP ballots set aside the fact that Alabama and Texas Tech are unbeaten and had the Gators on top.

Tough to argue with them. Right?

He's No Saint Nick

2008-11-16T18:49:00.000-08:00

Alabama coach Nick Saban supposedly uttered a four-letter word that rhymes with spit and snit last week at fans' suggestion that the Crimson Tide might be looking past Mississippi State to the Auburn and Florida games.

The $4 million man apologized, to a degree, but got his point across. The Tide pounded Mississippi State to maintain their No. 1 rating.

Does Bama deserve it?

Saban's lads can pour more sodium in Auburn's wounds by officially denying the Tigers a bowl bid in what could be their seventh loss. Not that Tommy Tuberville would wish to extend this dreadful season.

Can Auburn gather the troops to ruin Alabama's season and salvage something for itself?

Oh-ver-ate-ed? So Says EWriter About SEC

2008-11-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

A cnnsi.com scribe presents the case that, when you get past the elite pair, the SEC is overrated. He cites disappointing teams in the league's midsection.

I see his point, but because league games are the most low-scoring of any conference, the numbers don't jump off the page as they do in, say, the Big 12.

So, while I may have dropped my esteem for the league a tad, I'd still put it up against anybody, top to bottom.

Have you reduced your appreciation for the league? Or is it still the same kick-ass conference in college football?

Comeback of the Millenium

2008-11-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

How'd they do it? In arrears by 28 points with 16 1/2 minutes left, only to win by . . . nine?

In a make-up game postponed for two months by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav, LSU had lost its focus at the tail end of the SEC season. Was this the Alabama school Troy, or the men of Troy -- as in Southern Cal?

Of course, the Tigers had to rev up their offense to amass so many points as QB Jarrett Lee overcame his astonishing seventh pick-six of the year.

But it was LSU's defense that should take the biggest bow. Troy averaged 1.5 yards on its last 30 snaps. The Tigers withstood 72 passes by the visitors.

Where does this game rank among LSU's many achievements?

Bu the way, much of Tiger Stadium was empty during the comeback. The LSU following has a rep for being faithful, but it is no more devoted than other crowds.

Who do you consider the most loyal SEC fans?

Vandy Is (Finally) Dandy

2008-11-16T18:25:00.000-08:00

Two-and-a-half cheers for Vanderbilt, which took five games for its sixth win. No big deal to most SEC schools, but a W over Kentucky makes the Commodores (6-4) eligible for its first bowl in 26 seasons.

Now, 6-6 isn't a sure thing for bowling, but it's probable. Besides, the 'Dores have two shots at a seventh victory, against Tennessee and Wake Forest.

Does anyone share the feel-goodness ofVandy?

The Wildcats (6-5) also can pick on Tennessee for No. 7, which means the Volunteers could be stepping-stones for two historically SEC lightweights to extend their seasons.

Can the Vols rise up and damper things for two of its rivals?

The Greater Gators

2008-11-14T06:54:00.000-08:00

You read it here first. Well, maybe not first, but pretty damn early: Florida over Alabama in the Georgia Dome.

The soon-to-be betting public apparently agrees. ESPN checked with oddsmakers, who say the Crimson Tide would be at least a touchdown underdog to other BCS championship game contenders.

As for Florida, it would be favored against everybody but the one most likely to be left out in the cold: Southern Cal. USC would be punished by its weak Pac-10 schedule, over which it has no control.

Do you think Florida or Alabama would get lanced by the Trojans?

It can be cruel, this BCS system. (Am I right, people?) Speaking of which . . .

A Playoff System? Fahgeddaboutit

2008-11-14T06:43:00.000-08:00

The pending deal between ESPN and the BCS to carry the big bowl games through 2014 forestalls a college playoff deep into the next decade. Here is why that's slightly bad news for the SEC:

A plus-one system, favored by league commissioner Mike Slive, or a straight four-team mini-tournament almost surely would include an SEC member. The conference is too strong to be excluded from a final four, which means it would have a shot at the title each year.

The current system, confined to a one-off championship game, is dicier for the league. Its own title game can just as easily eliminate a BCS contender as affirm one.

The stars aligned for the SEC this year in that, barring a late-season collapse by Alabama and Florida, whoever wins in Atlanta is BCS-bound. Not so in other seasons.

Your thoughts on an expanded playoff as it relates to the SEC?

And why wait for SEC title talk? Who do you like in the Georgia Dome?

Take a (Short) Breath This Weekend

2008-11-14T06:17:00.000-08:00

The SEC schedule is absent a blockbuster, can't-miss (unless you have a hot date) game. But one is alluring and three others significant.

--South Carolina's Steve Spurrier returns to the Swamp with a decent bunch whose sole loss in the last six games was to LSU. He will combat Florida's raucous crowds by alternating quarterbacks, allowing the ol' ball coach to convey the play on the sidelines.

Some staggering statistics speak to Florida's dominance in its past five outings. Here's one you may not have heard: In the first quarters, it's the Gators 80, opponents zero.

On the subject of stats, the Gamecocks boast the league's primo defense. For Florida, that will be a red cape being waved in front of a bull.

Do the 'Cocks have a chance?

--Surprise: Alabama has been whupped two straight by Miss'ippi State. In their past three encounters, the Crimson Tide is without an offensive touchdown. Bama has locked up the SEC West title, but a defeat would shatter its national title aspirations.

Is there any way Bama can lose?

--Georgia can push Auburn to the brink of getting shut out from the bowls. The Tigers would dip to 5-6, with Bama left on the schedule. Now that Phil Fulmer is toast Tommy Tuberville is the only SEC coach whose job hands in jeopardy.

Should Tuberville be replaced if the Tigers go 5-7, or even 6-6?

--The prize to the Kentucky-Vanderbilt winner is bowl eligibility, though the loser will get another chance. Each plays Tennessee later.

Meantime, the Volunteers are idle -- officially. It only seems that they have been the past several weeks.

Excited about a no-loss Saturday, Vol fans?

Alabama-Florida: Start The Drumroll

2008-11-09T17:14:00.001-08:00

Let me be the first (or maybe the second or third) to say Florida will flummox Alabama in the SEC title game at the Georgia Dome.

A standing O to the Crimson Tide for an amazing win at LSU under immense pressure. (Didn't Nick Saban have more state troopers protecting him from the LSU loonies than the quarterbacks had linemen surrounding them?) Credit to the stout Tide defense and to resourceful quarterback John Parker Wilson.

Still, Bama won in large part because of an LSU hole at quarterback. Freshman Jared Lee ain't ready for SEC prime time, yet the Tide still had to go into OT for the win.

In Nashville, Florida led Vandy 35-0 after 18 minutes. The Gators have beaten their last four SEC foes by 30-points-plus each. Tim Tebow is playing like the Heisman Trophy winner he was last season.

Nick Saban has a young squad that has exceeded expectations by a country mile. Urban Meyer has a championship-ready team that is ripping through the SEC like a tornado.

Go (to the national title game), Gators.

Who's your pick?

Rank Observations: Difference of Opinion

2008-11-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

Musings about the latest ratings, out Sunday:

--The humans think more of Alabama than the computers. The Tide is rated first before flesh-and-blood voters, second in computer rankings behind Texas Tech.

Agree with mankind or machine?

--Florida is third, one spot above Texas, in the Associated Press, while in reverse order in the BCS poll. No matter who's ahead now, we could do a lot worse than see them 1-2, either way, after the season. What a scrumptious title game that would be. (But after my eyeballs popped out at the sight of Texas Tech's offense Saturday night, give me the Red Raiders in the BCS showdown.)

Who would you put third?

--Georgia remains much higher in the BCS (10th) than AP (13th) because computers factor in strength of schedule more than humans.

Which is on the money with Georgia?

--LSU remains in the top 20 in both despite three losses, which speaks to the SEC's strength.

Dawgs-Cats: A Tasty Appetizer

2008-11-09T16:22:00.000-08:00

Rarely has SEC fandom soaked in two thrillas like Saturday's. The prelude to Alabama-LSU almost upstaged the main event, Georgia outgasping Kentucky 42-38. Some subplots:

--Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia's superb receiver, might have needed to be called off a ledge after two fumbles in the fourth quarter. But Matthew Stafford went right back at him for a 78-yarder that turned momentum the Dawgs' way. Nice to see Massaquoi redeem himself and Stafford to keep the faith.

--Randall Cobb came to Kentucky with the promise that he'd compete for a quarterback role, a vow he could not extract from other schools. Primarily a receiver, he drew his second start behind center and played brilliantly until his last play . . .

--Defensive end DeMarcus Dobbs seemed to drop from the sky to intercept Cobb's screen pass and end the drama. Here's the amazing part: Dobbs was wearing casts on both arms.

Six lead changes. A fourth-and-two incompletion by Cobb near the end that was negated by a Georgia face-mask penalty, just before the Dobbs' pick. Stafford throwing the game-winner to a receiver, A.J. Green, who was surrounded by four defenders.

A classic, surely not forgotten even after Bama-LSU.

Did you watch the fantastic finish, or switch over the the Tide-Tigers game?

2008-11-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

Regarding the competition for the biggest bust this season, the leader in the schlub-house is . . . . Tennessee. In fact, this bust now rivals Pamela Anderson's.

Phil Fulmer and staff evidently checked out Monday when the coach's forced resignation was announced. The Vols were favored over Wyoming by nearly four touchdowns; in a normal year, it would have been 40-plus. But all of the players who hailed Fulmer last week did nothing but validate the decision made by UT brass.

The silver lining: Relatively few Orange backers saw it. The building was two-thirds full -- for homecoming.

Auburn gave Tennessee a run for the biggest-bust money at its own homecoming. The Tigers found themselves in a third-quarter tie before drawing away. The grumbling faithful reminded themselves that, hey, their team had not won since September.

Tommy Tuberville, nearly sacked by the school a few years back, has to wonder if he will be joining Fulmer in the unemployment line.

Which team gets your Biggest Bust award (presented by Pamela Sue)?

This news flash, courtesy of the Knoxville Sun: Butch Davis of North Carolina is No. 1 on the Vols' wish list.

Alabama-LSU: Tighter Than A . . .

2008-11-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

I want to pick LSU over Alabama. I really do. Sometimes, you can just smell an upset coming. Let's see if my nostrils are deceiving me.
1. Tigers fans, notoriously intimidating under normal circumstances, will unleash flat-out hatred for Bama coach Nick Saban. )Which I don't get. The guy delivered a national title to Bayou country.) The Crimson Tide are unbeaten on the road. (Not to mention at home.)
2. LSU has the No. 1 rusher in the SEC, based on yards per carry: Charles Scott (6.7). The Crimson Tide has the next best: Glen Coffee (6.6).
3. LSU ranks third in the SEC in rushing defense. Bama's offensive line averages 308 pounds per man and creates holes that an elephant could burst through.
4. LSU has allowed 50 points in two of its games. No. 1-ranked teams are 2-2 the past four weeks.
5. Tigers premier linebacker Darry Beckwith is back from injury. The Tide's ferocious nose tackle, Terrance Cody, is expected back from injury.
For each point, there is a counter-point. I think the difference will be (a.) Bama's cool quarterback, John Parker Wilson, and LSU redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee, who has thrown five picks returned for touchdowns, and (b.) Nick Saban somehow outfoxing the estimable Les Miles with a team relying on only nine scholarship seniors.
Bama by a touchdown.

Hold Your Fire: Coaching Moves Too Early?

2008-11-06T06:31:00.000-08:00

Tennessee is among four major colleges that have declared their intentions to replace the head football coach after the season. Athletics directors, under pressure from alumni, should ask themselves if it's better to resit and wait until the uniforms are stored for the winter before announcing the dismissals.

Here's an example why:

Among Georgia high school players who have committed to the Vols, one (Antonio Foster of Valdosta) has switched to Georgia Tech and two others (Toney Williams of Milton and Nigel Mitchell-Thornton of Stephenson) are wavering. This, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since Phil Fulmer learned his fate, effective after the season, Williams already has heard from four SEC teams, plus two from the ACC.

Is this a fair and legitimate tactic by those schools?

Had the Vols waited another five weeks, prospects would more likely be locked in, with fewer options. These midseason sacking announcements hurt recruiting, to be sure.

Should Tennessee have held off until the season was done?

Having Their Fill Of Phil

2008-11-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

Let's feel a little sorry for Phil Fulmer. He was loyal to his school. By all accounts, he played by the rules. He was a hard-working, though not innovative, coach.

But let's not feel a lot sorry for him. He lasted nearly 17 season at Tennessee, longer than anyone not named Paterno or Bowden can expect nowadays. He basked in glory, won championships and got to coach Peyton Manning. And he walks away with a staggering $6 million.

For that, Volunteer fans should be outraged that athletics director Mike Hamilton awarded Fulmer a long-term extension after last season when he knew the Big Orange Man was falling out of favor. Were I a booster, I would tell Hamilton to figure out how to pay off this bonanza without raising ticket prices the next several seasons. The deal was a terrible decision by the A.D., whose primary decisions involve the employment status of the head football coach.

Farewell, Phil. You'll be missed.

High(est) Tide: Bama Rules

2008-11-02T17:28:00.000-08:00

The team that SEC media predicted would finish third in the SEC West? Today, it lords over America as the top-rated team in the BCS.

Alabama has all but assured itself a gig in the national championship game if it can win out. The two other noted unbeatens, No. 2 Texas Tech and No. 3 Penn State, are unlikely to nose out the Tide if all three attain regular season perfection.

In a year of dazzling offenses, concentrated in the Big 12, Bama is not wowing anyone. But its defense is lights-out and should only be tested twice more, Saturday at LSU and in the SEC title game, likely against Florida.

The Gators' spanking of Georgia lifted them to No. 5, behind Texas, in the BCS. (The AP poll reverses that order.) Both teams are solidly in the BCS picture, especially with the Red Raiders' next three foes only slightly less scary than the Longhorns team they beat Saturday.

Do you have any beef with the rankings?

No. 14 Georgia and No. 15 LSU are hanging on by a fingernail for a BCS bowl appearance. The Tigers have the better chance because a win over Bama would hoist them in the poll.

The guess here is that even a No. 1-rated Alabama would be an underdog against the Gators in Atlanta.

What's your take on that potentially juicy matchup?

An Oscar For Meyer

2008-11-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

Minutes after Florida dressed down Georgia 49-10, Gators coach Urban Meyer was asked to address throwing passes late in the game and calling two timeouts in the last minute to score a needless touchdown.

Straight-faced, Meyer said he wanted to get a few extra carries for a reserve running back.

As a character in the film "Night Shift" said of the Flinstones' Barney Rubble, "What an actor."

This was partly how "we'll handle it," Meyer said in a book about the Gators' payback for an end zone celebration in last year's Georgia win.

What do you think of Meyer's late-game approach?

And, whether or not Meyer had anything to do with it, the Gator defense hit Matthew Stafford hard and, on a couple of occasions, after the whistle -- drawing penalties. The obvious goal was to get extra-physical with the quarterback. It worked as Stafford, the better pro prospect of the two QBs, played hurt in the second half.

Did the Gators go overboard in hitting Stafford?

As for the better college QB, Tim Tebow did a one-man celebration, skipping down the sideline during the timeouts to rev up a Florida crowd that hardly needed any more incentive.

While Meyer's tactics Saturday are not easy to interpret, seeing as how he's done some of this before, this is unmistakable: Florida is the superior team with a shot at the national title -- again.

How do you see the Gators' chances?

"So we'll handle it. And it's going to be a big deal."

Take Me Out To The Brawl-Game?

2008-10-31T09:38:00.001-07:00

So the schools in the Athens (Ga.) area shut down Friday in deference to the Georgia-Florida game.

The next day.

In another state.

This is big, and we're not just talking school administrators' overreaction to a few absentees. Can you remember the last time an SEC game not involving an unbeaten team has generated such a build-up?

Both have potent offenses, with the league's premier quarterbacks -- Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford -- at the helm. (Which one would you prefer on your team?)

Florida's defense is rated tops in the SEC despite starting no seniors, Georgia's not far behind.

If that's not enough, there's the carryover from last year's controversial end zone dance by the Bulldogs after a touchdown. (Coach Mark Richt says he green-lighted it, but only for the 11 players on the field, not the entire roster.) Florida has not forgotten.

By the way, these are the heaviest penalized teams in the league. Given the emotions, expect flags to fly about all day in Jacksonville.

Do you anticipate "extracurricular activity," as the announcers say?

It's tough to confidently pick a winner. (The gamblers are clear, supporting Florida as a 6 1/2-point favorite, which seems a bit high.)

From our perspective, too close to call. Who's your winner?

Rating Non-League Schedules: And The Toughest Goes To ...

2008-10-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

With blather about BCS rankings soon to reach a crescendo, much of the debate deals with teams' schedules outside of their league. The degree of difficulty can be a make-or-break for school vying for big bowls.

Though the season is far from over, many SEC schools have concluded their non-league agenda. So, let's rate each member's outside-the-family games, from easiest to hardest.

12.) Kentucky: Louisville (good), Middle Tennessee (OK), Western Kentucky (just out of Division 1, formerly known as 1-AA), AA), Norfolk State (Division I). Too many creampuffs.

11.) LSU: Troy (decent), Tulane (not), North Texas (maybe the weakest on the top level), Appalachian State (Div. 1, but a good one). Not a single stiff test in the bunch.

10.) Alabama: Clemson (overrated at start of season), Tulane and Western Kentucky (see above), Arkansas State (weak). Sure miss the Bama-Southern Cal classics.

9.) Ole Miss: Wake Forest (underachiever), Memphis (OK), Louisiana-Monroe (weak), Samford (Div. 1). The Deacons turned out not to be Demons.

8.) Mississippi State: Georgia Tech (very good), Middle Tennessee (see above), Lousiana Tech (weak), Southeast Louisiana (Div. 1). Big drop-off after the Yellow Jackets.

7.) Tennessee: UCLA (relative softie in BCS), Northern Illinois (OK), UAB and Wyoming (both pushovers). If not for these, Phil Fulmer might be gone already.

6.) South Carolina: Clemson (disappointing), North Carolina State (ACC punching bag), UAB (weak), Wofford (Div. 1). Credit to Gamecocks for its par of ACC foes.

5.) Auburn: West Virginia (very good), Southern Miss (weak), Louisiana-Monroe (weak), Tennessee-Martin (Div. 1). Big drop-off after the Mountaineers.

4.) Georgia: Georgia Tech (very good), Arizona State (disappointing), Central Michigan (decent), Georgia Southern (Div. 1). When season kicked off, Bulldogs might have been No. 1.

3.) Vanderbilt: Duke (ascending), Wake Forest (see above), Miami Ohio (weak), Rice (weaker). Credit to Commodores for two ACC schools, though one (Duke) unexpectedly tough.

2.) Florida: Florida State and Miami (getting better), Hawaii (rebuilding), The Citadel (Div. 1). Two in-state rivalries always puts the Gators near the front.

1.) Arkansas : Texas (doesn't get harder than this), unbeaten Tulsa (surprise!), Louisiana-Monroe (see above), Western Illinois (Div. 1). Splitting your non-league games is not good.

Thoughts on the list? Have we overrated anyone? Underrated?

Overall, it seems as if the SEC has gone soft. Hard to blame schools, given that the league schedule is such a gauntlet. Still, challenging non-conference matchups are few and far between.

Agree? Or should SEC teams go the easy route?

And Then There Were Three (We Think)

2008-10-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

What do Alabama and Obama have in common, besides their similarity in name?

Both are close enough to the prize to taste it.

The Crimson Tide can clinch the West with a victory in its next league game. Won't be easy -- at LSU Nov. 8 -- but the Tigers are struggling ay quarterback and have allowed a 50-spot to Florida and Georgia.

Is it in the bag for Bama?

Even with a loss to LSU, the Tide should walk over Mississippi State and slap around fading Auburn, which would put them in the league championship game against . . .

Florida? Georgia? We should find out Saturday in a monster match-up between the league's most explosive offenses and inventive coaches.

Urban Meyer placed a gag order Sunday on the Gators, which speaks loud and clear on the importance he places on the game. Don't expect Mark Richt to follow suit -- he doesn't want to be seen as an imitator -- but he surely will warn the Dawgs to watch their words.

The main pollsters and the BCS people differ on the worth of the teams. AP (writers) and USA Tuday (coaches) view the Gators better -- by three slots, in AP's case. The BCS prefers Georgia, in front of Florida by two spots.

Who do you like?

Those anticipating the SEC championship can start gearing up for the winner versus Nick Saban's crew. Maybe President Obama will toss the coin.

A Nutt Job At Ole Miss

2008-10-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

The media build-up to the Ole Miss-Arkansas game was supposed to make us feel sorry for Houston Nutt, who was chased out of Arkansas last season and replaced by the scurrilous Bobby Petrino.

Not that any neutral fan should pull for Petrino, seeing as how his handling of the midseason abandonment of the Atlanta Falcons is an unforgivable sin.

But let's not pity Nutt, who signed on Ole Miss' dotted line about the same day he received a hefty buyout from the Razorbacks. Nutt hit the lottery, and he did leave the Razorbacks' cupboard all but bare.

Who among all you non-Rebels and non-Razorbacks hoped would win this game?

Having said that, Nutt has made Ole Miss competitive this season -- and likely headed for a bowl.

Still, nearly all head coaches wear out their welcome. No need to pity them when they get paid a princely sum to move on.

By the way, any Petrino defenders out there?

Wil-BRRR: Danger Wearing Striped Shirt

2008-10-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

In his day, Kentucky linebacker Wilbur Hackett was a ferocious tackler. Hackett garnered such respect from his coaches and teammates that he was named captain, the first black player so honored in the SEC.

Twenty-eight years after his last college game, Hackett showed he can still level a quarterback. He was officiating the South Carolina-LSU game Saturday when the Gamecocks' Stephen Garcia began scrambling toward the goal line. Hackett, the umpire moved into Garcia's path and drove his right shoulder and forearm into the unsuspecting quarterback. An LSU player easily finished off the tackle.

The SEC office judged that Hackett merely was protecting himself. Maybe so, but as one of the million-plus viewers of the 12-second clip on YouTube, I would swear this was no accident.

I'm sure Hackett panicked momentarily and let instincts take over. No striped shirt in his right mind would interfere with the play.

But you couldn't tell from the video, which makes Hackett appear as the aggressor.

The Wildcats could sure his him Saturday against Florida.

Take a look. What do you think?

It's A Locke: Kentucky's Done

2008-10-21T03:45:00.000-07:00

While Alabama nation is beside itself over the knee injury to SUV-sized nose guard Terrence "Mount" Cody, he is projected to miss only two games. (The first is against Tennessee, which deserves a break.)

The real painful SEC down-and-outer is Kentucky tailback Derrick Locke, gone for the season with a knee injury. One week after the Wildcats bade a teary goodbye to top receiver Dicky Lyons Jr., they must replace their foremost ball-carrier. Kentucky has no shot at Florida on Saturday.

Will the Wildcats win another game?

BCS Buzz: No Love for Florida, LSU?

2008-10-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

Jumping off the page with the first BCS rankings released Sunday is Florida, fifth in the new Associated Press poll, at No. 10. LSU also was treated less kindly by the BCS (13th) than by AP (11th).

Outraged, Gators and Tigers fans?

Strength of schedule partly explains it. A panel of college football watchers with CBS Sportsline regards Florida's schedule as the nation's 39th toughest and LSU's the 75th most difficult. Georgia, which is higher in the BCS (seventh) than AP (ninth), has the fifth most challenging schedule, in Sportsline's eyes.

Also, the Bulldogs can claim six wins, one more than the Gators and Tigers. (All have one loss.)

So, how does that explain Alabama at No. 2 with the 53rd-ranked schedule by Sportsline?

Well, the Crimson Tide have won seven games without fail. And they get credit for a neutral-field victory over then-No. 9 Clemson, severely overrated in retrospect.

And, let's face it, the Alabama name carries cachet with old-timey pollsters.

Of the Tide's remaining schedule, only LSU looks scary. So, as shaky as Bama has been lately (see next item), its No. 2 BCS recognition is understandable.

One thing is clear: Nobody but Texas belongs at No. 1.

Agreed?

Survive and Advance: What It's All About

2008-10-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

With the Florida Gators sunning themselves all weekend, the league's other three title aspirants won. Two of the trio staged muted celebrations, having cast doubts as to whether they have gotten off-track entering the season's second half.

Nick Saban, a natural worry wart, is justifiably concerned that Alabama cannot finish off opponents on life support. Ole Miss, down 24-3, was a long completion from beating the Crimson Tide.

Should Alabama be smiling coming out of this game?

Georgia hits the road for a month with little momentum from a 10-point win over Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs have come a long way -- in the wrong direction -- from their preseason No. 1 ranking.

Is too much expected of Georgia because of its lofty rating before the first kickoff?

LSU will take a win at South Carolina any way it can. Steve Spurrier, who exhibits signs of Tourette's Syndrome when asked anything about his quarterbacks, says he may have placed too much responsibility on first-time starter Stephen Garcia. If so, the Tigers thank him for that.

Georgia vs. LSU on Saturday could, but not necessarily would, reduce the championship contenders to three. So, last weekend's hopefuls are happy for the W, no matter how it came about.

Who do you like in this possible elimination game?

Bobby P-Nutt Angle Enlivens Ole Miss vs. Arkansas

2008-10-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

Though both lost Saturday, Bobby Petrino at Arkansas and Houston Nutt of Ole Miss have their squads on the upswing. The Razorbacks led Kentucky until collapsing at the end, one week following its upset of Auburn. The Rebels scared the beejesus out of Alabama, two weeks after dunking Florida.

Until then, the game's only theme was Nutt returning to Arkansas, where he fled after last season. At stake now for the winner is the designation of "SEC Team Not To Be Taken Lightly."

How will the Arkansas contingent welcome home Nutt? Did he depart on good or bad terms?

An Upset Special (Maybe)

2008-10-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

I don't look for an upsetting Saturday in the SEC. But no weekend ever fully plays to form, so let's look for a potential you-gotta-be-kidding-me outcome.

In four of the five games, the home team is favored by at least a touchdown.

Ole Miss over Alabama (favored by 12)? Nah. The Crimson Tide healed from a bye week, and the Rebels won't catch anyone by surprise again after ambushing Florida.

Vanderbilt over Georgia (favored by 10 1/2)? The Commodores might feel insulted at being Georgia's homecoming foe for the 21st time, but that alone won't wake up a dormant offense.

Mississippi State over Tennessee (favored by 7 1/2)? Could be. But I sense the Volunteers rallying 'round the round-ish Philip Fulmer and winning one that they should.

Arkansas over Kentucky (favored by 12 1/2)? Now we're talking. The young Razorbacks grew up at Auburn, and you know how kids can be affected by growth spurts. The Wildcats often fade this time of year when injuries compromise their depth, and they've suffered some biggies of late.

Which game do you feel an upset coming?

As for LSU-South Carolina, the visiting Tigers are 2 1/2-point favorites. I see them rebounding from the shameful game at Florida. The Gamecocks, who have won four straight but not in wow fashion.

How do you call this one?

Coaching Carousel Swinging By Nashville?

2008-10-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

Bobby Johnson has a substantial head start as SEC Coach of the Year. He is a South Carolina native and a Clemson alum who once coached there. It's only natural that his name would bubble up in speculation about the Tigers replacing Tommy Bowden.

Vanderbilt is the po' boy of big-time southern football, with resources limited by the Ivy League-ish school and the nature of eclectic Nashville. Johnson might be the sort of coach who welcomes the low-pressure atmosphere, where a bid to any bowl is cause for celebration.

Still, if Clemson knocks, wouldn't he have to open the door for a listen?

At Auburn, Tommy Tuberville is battening down the hatches to keep incoming recruits from backing out. If possible, he should name an offensive coordinator (beyond an interim tag) to signal the high schoolers on whether he intends to stick with the spread offense. Words to that effect don't mean much; only action will.

Should Auburn be concerned about holding onto its recruiting class?

And aren't you looking forward to the next gathering of the Bowden boys? Former Auburn coach Terry wrote that brother Tommy deserved to be fired at Clemson. Hey, Bobby, you better sit them at the opposite ends of the table.

Kwazy Kwarterbacks Situation

2008-10-17T06:06:00.000-07:00

When Vanderbilt sends out MacKenzi Adams against Georgia, half of the SEC teams will have changed quarterbacks already this season by coach's decision. Chris Nickson is ailing, but this switch was driven more by performance.

At South Carolina, Stephen Garcia is Steve Spurrier's QB for a day -- two weeks after the demoted Chris Smelley was named league Offensive Player of the Week.

At Auburn, not only did Kodi Burns bump aside Chris Todd on the first unit, but the redshirt has been removed from true freshman Barrett Trotter, who was projected to sit until next season.

It would be fitting if Kentucky's Randall Cobb, who has split time between quarterback and wide receiver because of shakiness behind center with the Wildcats, could figure out how to throw a pass to himself.

What gives with SEC QBs this season?

Which do you prefer at Vandy, South Carolina, Auburn and Kentucky?

Bowden History Repeats Itself (Sort Of)

2008-10-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

Tommy Bowden's resignation-under-fire at Clemson reminded me that it was 10 years ago when brother Terry was sacked by Auburn. Bridging these events was Tommy Tuberville deflecting the heat on him by dismissing offensive coordinator Tony Franklin last week.

Tommy's situation is remindful of what may keep Phil Fulmer safe at Tennessee. Clemson will pay its Bowden $3,5 million to walk out the door, a frightening sum in a so-called amateur sport. The Vols, it has been reported, would have to cough up $6 million to ease out Fulmer.

Are you outraged by these sums?

And why don't the athletic directors catch any guff for poor decisions?

The ADs at Clemson and Tennessee extended their coach's contracts after last season. Suddenly, in Clemson's case, a guy forgot how to coach in such a short span?

An extension like this is almost an incentive for Tommy to take off. Why put up with the pressure and the criticism from fans when you can pocket a fortune and not work?

In this area, college football needs a Mr. Fix-It.

Teams Left Knee-Dy By Injuries

2008-10-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

We don't usually spend much space talking about injuries because they curse all teams, but two busted knees on Saturday could have a devastating impact.

Georgia offensive tackle Vince Vance went down on his 21st birthday (which probably spoiled his first night with a legal drink). He was the third Bulldogs left tackle to be so inflicted, and they could go against Vanderbilt with three freshman starters up front. That is no recipe for a national title push.

How do you see this affecting Georgia and the protection for Matthew Stafford?

And the heart of Kentucky, spunky wide receiver Dicky Lyons Jr., is done, probably forever. It wasn't so much that he carried the limited passing attack, but his fearlessness and spirit cannot be replaced. I see bad things for Kentucky the rest of the way.

Can Lyons be adequately replaced in the lineup and the locker room?

What We Learned, No. 1: Alabama Should Be No. 2

2008-10-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

Calm down, Crimson Tide fans. So what if the Longhorns leapfrogged Alabama onto the top rung of the AP poll?

You're still No. 2. That's where you wanna be in mid-December, when the BCS Championship contestants are determined. Hold your turf, and you're in.

Beside, a bye week rarely has worked out better. Not only did depth-challenged Alabama get a much-needed blow for its young roster, but the three teams closest to the Crimson Tide in the Top 25 tumbled.

It would be a nice story had Bama, barely mentioned in preseason title talk, would have crested at No. 1. But my vote goes to Texas, terrific in unseating Oklahoma. In a head-to-head, as it stands now, the Tide's passing offense with close-to-the-vest QB John Parker Wilson would not be potent enough to capitalize on Texas' kiddie corps secondary. The Longhorns' offense is varied enough to score even on Bama's vaunted defense.

Who would you like in this matchup? Would Alabama-Texas satisfy you as the national title game?

What We Learned, No. 2: Two Big QBs Give Teams Big Edge

2008-10-12T06:26:00.000-07:00

In a league with a dearth of quarterbacks (see No. 5), Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford stand out. Not because of their prodigious height, but their high football IQs.

Tebow, who was so geeked up before the LSU game that he seemed to need a tranquilizer, helmed a masterful team effort by Florida in a 51-21 win. The Gators doused growing skepticism about their worth with a performance that returns them to the national title discussion.

And when Percy Harvin's ankle heals, they might have to outlaw Florida's fleet receiver. Nobody will be able to cover him.

How do you rate the Gators' chances to reach the BCS Championship game?

Stafford, whose statistics rarely reflect his achievements, enjoyed his first 300-yard passing game in a worse-than-it-looks 26-14 win over Tennessee. The Bulldogs had red-zone problems' otherwise, they looked golden.

Tebow or Stafford: Who's your favorite?

Florida vs. Georgia is around the corner. Who do you like?

What We Learned, No. 3: Vandy And A Visor Are Hurting

2008-10-12T05:56:00.000-07:00

It was only a matter of time that Vanderbilt, leading the SEC East despite owning the worst combined offensive and defensive statistics in the league, would fall back to earth. Not surprising that it happened on the road, even at so-so Mississippi State.

Normalcy thus returns to the division, meaning the Florida-Georgia outcome likely will determine the champ. The Commodores are still a gaudy 5-1 but likely to sink out of the Top 25 before the season's end. Enjoy it while you can, Vandy.

Do you think the Commodores were overrated at No. 13?

South Carolina, meantime, is 5-2 but nowhere near a national ranking. Steve Spurrier beat his trademark visor mercilessly -- darn near strangling it -- while the Gamecocks committed four turnovers, missed four field goals and misfired on open passes that he and S.O.S. Jr., the offensive coordinator, called.

After the game, Spurrier Sr. named Stephen Garcia the starting quarterback next week. Hey, kid, don't buy tickets for the whole family yet. Last week, the Ol' Ball Coach elevated Garcia, then changed his mind a few days later.

Is Garcia the guy? Can he haul the Gamecocks into the Top 25?

What We Learned, No. 4: Hey, Phil, Make Room For Tommy

2008-10-12T05:46:00.000-07:00

It may be unfair to rip on Tommy Tuberville for Auburn's anemic offense (193 yards, one offensive touchdown) while playing a few days after he jettisoned coordinator Tony Franklin.

I'm going to, anyway. Why not wait, T.T., until the bye next Saturday, which would allow you more time to tweak the sorry-so-far spread? The mid-week staff switcheroo was a disruption that might have titled the scales toward Arkansas.

There isn't much room on any seat when the rotund Phil Fulmer occupies it, but he'll have to slide over so Tuberville can plop down on the coaching hot seat.

Does he deserve to be there?

As for Tennessee, the 24-12 score against Georgia hides the fact that the Volunteers were dominated. (One rushing yard? Oh, my.) As Larry Munson would say, the Bulldogs crushed them with a hobnail boot. Barring a turn-around this year, if The Big Orange Pumpkin is back next season, the only plausible explanation is his costly $6 million buyout.

Would you contribute to it, Vols fans?

What We Learned, No. 5: SEC Often Offensive With Ball

2008-10-12T05:14:00.000-07:00

Criticism from Big 12 backers that the SEC has too many popgun offenses is increasingly valid. Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Tennessee all lost primarily because of pathetic attacks. Even in victory, South Carolina's was sorry.

The quarterbacks' revolving door dilemma is evidence of offensive ineptitude. More than half of the teams have a time-share situation or cannot settle on one guy.

If you have been dazzled by Texas, Teas Tech, Oklahoma and Missouri, you can understand why the SEC's defense-trumps-all argument is shaky. Year in and year out, the jury of football gods would rule in your favor. This year? Guilty of offensive blahs.

Have you watched much Big 12? What do you think a hypothetical 12-game matchup (1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, etc.) would show?

Another Awesome Saturday In The SEC

2008-10-10T07:05:00.000-07:00

While wondering if the league's spotty quarterback play will doom its hopes of sending a rep to the BCS Championship Game, here are my thoughts on this weekend's games, listed in chronological order.
--South Carolina at Kentucky. Doubt that the Gamecocks' 31-point explosion at Ole Miss means their offensive headaches are cured. Chris Smelley remains at QB against a stout Kentucky defense that could force Steve Spurrier to go to his bullpen yet again.
--Vanderbilt at Mississippi State: Sure, the 'Dores are unbeaten, but they've built their record on a shaky foundation. They rank last offensively in the league, 10th on defense. Fortunately, they confront a team with a walk-on QB, Tyson Lee, in his second start. Look for another narrow Vandy triumph.
--Tennessee at Georgia: The buzz in Athens all week was the Bulldogs' being the nation's most penalized team. Oh, the horror! The Vols should be so lucky. Their offense is dead in the water. Two players were suspended. They are grateful to get outa town, where the natives are restless, but would prefer another destination than Athens.
--Arkansas at Auburn: An off-the-radar game has drawn the spotlight with Auburn's firing of offensive coordinaor Tony Franklin. Not to be overlooked are the Tigers forcing to employ two freshmen in the secondary. If the Razorbacks are ever gonna win, this is the time.
--LSU at Florida: It's no fun playing Florida under the lights in the Swamp. But the Tigers' formidable defense gets the nod against Urban Meyer's spread offense, which has lost the element of surprise. Florida's title hopes could go up in smoke.

Let's Be Frank(lin): Did Tuberville Fib About Tony?

2008-10-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

There are two plausible scenarios about how the firing of Tony Franklin as Auburn's offensive coordinator Tony Franklin unfolded.

(1.) Head coach Tommy Tuberville lied from Sunday till Tuesday when he lauded Franklin's work and said no staff changes were being considered.

(2.) Something happened behind the scenes the past day or two that soured their relationship, either personal or philosophical.

Here's what I think: Tuberville asked Franklin to alter his game-planning, perhaps to use less of his cherished spread offense. Or it could have been contrasting opinions on which quarterback, Chris Todd or Kodi Burns, to employ.

Tuberville is now saying that the spread ain't dead at Auburn, which stands to reason because next year's recruiting class is tailored for that offense. So, it's peculiar that he dumped one of the foremost champions of the spread, Franklin being considered as knowledgeable as anyone about it.

I can see Franklin unwilling to compromise. I can see Tuberville exercising his authority with a my-way-or-the-highway response.

Given Auburn's No. 104 offensive ranking (out of 119 teams) in Division 1, a shakeup was foreseeable. Still, canning a coordinator in midseason is highly unusual. I eagerly await Franklin's take on this because we're not likely to hear the whole story from his former boss.

Kids Say The Darndest Things

2008-10-07T11:41:00.000-07:00

Rumors floating that Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is playing hurt apparently made their way to Baton Rouge.
LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois was quoted as saying, "If we get a good shot on [Tebow], we're going to try our best to take him out of the game,. With his size and his heart, it's hard to get a clean shot. I think every lineman wants to get a good hit on a Heisman Trophy winner."
The comments surely made their way straight to the bulletin board in the Gators' locker room. Just a little extra spice for a game that hardly needs it, Florida and LSU being the past two national champs.
Usually, college players popping off have no ramification. Still, let's see if a Gator slips in a chop block Saturday on an unsuspecting Jean-Francois. Whatever happens, Ricky, c'est la vie!

Auburn players: Whassup With The Offense?

2008-10-07T04:41:00.000-07:00

The second-guessing in Auburn land of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin has extended to some of the players.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Ben Tate said after Franklin all but abandoned the tailback's effective carries early against Vanderbilt and resorted to his cherished spread offense.
"We got our confidence going and, all of a sudden, go completely away from it," center Ryan Pugh said.
There is no questioning the validity of the spread, and Franklin is a pioneer of sorts. With two league losses, Auburn could justify focusing entirely on the spread for the rest of the season in preparation for '09.
Still, the Tigers blew a chance to remain in the SEC West chase by not sticking with the standard running attack it employed to go ahead of Vandy 13-0 before falling 14-13.
If you were in Franklin's shoes, what would you do?

What We Learned, No. 1: Vandy Is A Dandy

2008-10-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

A few years back, these eyes watched in Athens as undermanned Vanderbilt ambushed Georgia with a clever game plan from coach Bobby Johnson. Dude can coach, as evidenced by the Commodores' 5-0 record and, more significantly, 3-0 standing in the SEC.

No, Vandy isn't the nation's 13th best team, as the AP poll would have you believe. The Commodores, after all, have trailed in every game.

But they deserve to be rated. Besides, who can blame the voter who bumps them up a notch or two on his ballot because they are the feel-good story of the season? This is the school that folded its athletics department into the university administration (in part so it couldn't get away with stuff, as football heavyweights are wont to do.)

Where is Vandy on your ballot?

Johnson has even figured out how to juggle two quarterbacks, Chris Nickson and Auburn-beater Mackenzi Adams.

Go ahead and ship that Coach of the Year Trophy to Nashville.

Who, at this stage of the season, can beat him out?

What We Learned, No. 2: 'Bama Needs The Bye

2008-10-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

Alabama remains No. 2 in the AP ranking, 23 slots higher than it started this season. Sorry, Crimson Tide nation, but Texas should have leapfrogged you.

The Tide looked shaky against Kentucky, unable to put away a visitor with a butter-fingered quarterback in his first road game. They stagger into an off week, a welcome respite for a young team with little depth.

I'm gonna retract a bit of my recent huzzahs for John Parker Wilson, who seemed less in control than in previous games.

Where would you rank the Tide?

Speaking of the polls, LSU's bye week cost it a spot as the Tigers dipped to No. 4. With Vandy climbing six positions, your SEC can claim five of the top 13 -- and, counting Auburn, six of the top 20.

How would you compare the SEC with the other power league, the Big 12?

What We Learned, No. 3: Auburn's Spread Mighty Thin

2008-10-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

Auburn threw a surprise at Vanderbilt, operating in a standard offense during the first quarter. The Tigers scored twice and were stopped at the goal line on their other possession.

So what does coordinator Tony Franklin do? He reverts to his beloved spread attack. Auburn fails to score the rest of the way.

Yes, surely the Commodores made adjustments. And surely Franklin figured that, with a comfy lead, he could work on the offense dear to his heart.

But the results speak loud and clear. Auburn's power running attack was groovin' early. The Tigers should have stayed with it, or at least mixed it in with the spread.

What should Auburn have done? Stick with what brung 'em a lead? Or commit to improving the spread?

What We Learned, No. 4: Something Amiss In The Swamp

2008-10-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, Florida gutted Arkansas 38-7, but the Gators figured to put the Razor-hacks away sooner than the fourth quarter after their debacle a week earlier against Ole Miss.

Tim Tebow, suffering from Heisman hangover, was so subdued late in the game that coach Urban Meyer coaxed him into a mid-air chest bump. Amazing to say that a quarterback guilty of one pick all season has declined, but it's true for Tebow.

Do you see the same thing I'm seeing with Florida?

Next up: LSU, which kicked back over the weekend and watched things unfold in its favor (a s0-so Florida, a so-so Alabama, a so-long to Auburn). I don't the Reptiles' chances against the Tigers.

What's your take on the game?

What We Learned, No. 5: QB Dilemmas Solved? Maybe

2008-10-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

Chris Smelley and and the Gamecocks lacerated Ole Miss for 405 yards and 31 points even though Rebels defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix was on South Carolina's staff last year. What should have been an inside edge became an outright clinic by USC and, perhaps finally, a halt to Steve Spurrier's season-long quarterback merry-go-round. Spurrier made the proper call in switching from Stephen Garcia to Smelley in midweek.

Are you Gamecocks all on board with Smelley?

Too early to tell at Tennessee, given that the Volunteers begged only 13 points off Northern Illinois in a narrow win. First-time starter Nick Stephens was steady in place of Jon Crompton, but he must crank it up against Georgia this week.

Do you think Stephens is the guy for the Vols?

The Bulldogs enjoyed a week off, allowing running back Knowshon Moreno and others to heal. which makes it doubly tough for Tennessee, its season teetering on the brink.

What's your take on the UT-GA tilt?

Kentucky: Wildcats or Mildcats?

2008-10-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

Kentucky opened with a win against a rebuilding rival barely an hour from campus, then whomped three easy opponents at home. Nobody, probably not even the Wildcats themselves, know how good they are.

It's discovery time Saturday in Tuscaloosa against Alabama, arguably the nation's most impressive team to date. It's the first out-of-state game for Kentucky. The first on the road for quarterback Mike Hartline. The first test for the nation's stingiest defense in points allowed.

The key for Kentucky: Be ready to play pronto. The Crimson Tide has allowed nary a first-quarter point, scoring 74.

Stop The Presses: Vandy In Mega SEC Game

2008-10-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

No, the ESPN GameDay crew did not break down in Nashville on the way to one of its usual SEC destinations. It's the site of Auburn vs. Vanderbilt, the first SEC game there between top 25 foes since 1984.

The Commodores, ranked 19th, have so impressed Tigers defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks that he said of their running backs' speed, "You don't see too many white guys like that."

Vandy has been virtually all-run, so coach Bobby Johnson must diversify against Auburn's vaunted defense. Interesting to see if the locals pack the stadium and prevent the Tigers' traveling army of fans from invading.

From The Frying Pan Into . . .

2008-10-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

Poor Arkansas. In the midst of a treacherous four-game swing, they get a Florida team coming off a home loss to Ole Miss. Coach Urban Meyer practiced the Gators late into Sunday night.

That might be sufficient preparation for the Razorbacks, outscored 101-24 in the past two weeks by Alabama and Texas. Coach Houston Nutt, who fled for Ole Miss, left Arkansas high and dry with a string of subpar recruiting classes. Bobby Petrino is making do with leftovers.

The Gators' loss deters them from looking ahead to LSU next week. So this is lousy timing for the Razorbacks, who need a break.

Make Up Your Mind, Steve

2008-10-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

Steve Spurrier is notorious for changing quarterbacks from one week to the next. Now he's gone beyond that, apparently pulling a switcheroo in mid-week.

After listing Stephen Garcia as the starter Saturday at Ole Miss, the South Carolina coach has reverted to Chris Smelley. Garcia, the people's choice, evidently did not dazzle in practices. Good thing the Gamecocks boast the nation's No. 1 defense.

Oxford figures to be rockin', what with the Rebs back home after stunning Florida. Ole Miss, a few snaps away from being 5-0 instead of 3-2, is aiming for third place in the SEC West.

Big, Bad 12: Challenge To The SEC

2008-10-01T03:50:00.000-07:00

From the Great Midwest comes the claim that its Big 12 Conference is superior to the SEC and all others.

The heartland makes a good case. It boasts four teams among the premier seven in the AP poll, including No. 1 Texas. Like the SEC, half of its dozen teams cracked the top 25. Average Big 12 ranking: ninth. Average SEC ranking: 10th.

There's no dispute the Big Ten has some bad-ass offenses. Among the nation leaders in passer ratings, its quarterbacks hold down Nos. 2 through 5. Its teams are second, third and fifth in scoring, first in rushing and top two in passing.

In the leagues' lone head-to-head meeting all regular season: Texas 52, Arkansas 10.

SEC teams are showing less offensive flash than normal, with Florida, Auburn and South Carolina stuck in second or third gear. The league's reign as defensive dominatrix continues unabated, but when the Big 12 steps to the podium and debates its worth as No. 1 in the nation, it's difficult for the SEC or anyone else to counter convincingly.

Curses On The Dawgs

2008-09-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

What could Georgia have done to tick off the football gods? Not only did the Bulldogs get humbled by Alabama, but they exited the game with injuries to at least four players, including Heisman Trophy hopefuls Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford.

A few theories:

--Beloved radio announcer Larry Munson retired last week after 43 years in the booth. It was voluntary on his part, for health reasons, but maybe some higher power was pissed at the last of the legendary SEC radio voices going silent.

--A group of Georgia alums opened burial plots for ex-Bulldogs players and coaches at a cemetery within marching-band-music distance of the football stadium. Could this be sacred ground, intended for non-jocks?

--Wearing all black, as Georgia did against Bama, is a fashion faux pas nowadays. Bright is in.

What's your theory? Can Georgia, blessed with a week off, rebound from this whipping?

Mixed Signals-Calling

2008-09-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

Coaches at Auburn and Tennessee, whose teams slopped their way to a 14-12 game Saturday that was won (or not lost) by the Tigers, have examined their queasy quarterback situations.

Tommy Tuberville has decided to stick with Chris Todd, keeping Kodi Burns in reserve. Phil Fulmer, by contrast, has put Jon Crompton on notice that he could step aside for Nick Stephens.

Why the different approaches? Easy. Auburn is 3-1, still in the SEC West hunt. Tennessee is 1-3 and on the ropes.

Also, if Stephens gets the nod, he'll break in against a soft touch, Northern Illinois. Then it's back to the SEC grind.

You make the call, Tigers and Vols fans: Todd or Burns? Crompton or Stephens?

1st Weekend Lesson: The Tide Keeps On Rising

2008-09-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

Prior to the season's first kickoff, Alabama was an afterthought in the discussion of potential SEC champions. Maybe, the thinking went, but not likely.

Before September is out, the Crimson Tide have been the most impressive SEC team, pounding Clemson by 34 points, Arkansas by 35 and Georgia in a less-closer-than-it-looks 11.

Nick Saban stunned the Dawgs by assigning underappreciated quarterback John Parker Wilson to use the pass to set up the run, a reversal of the Tide's usual approach. On the second play, Bama came out in a five-receiver set, which surely had Georgia coaches futilely scrambling through their game plan for a solution.

Georgia's multiple momentum advantages -- all-black uniforms, ESPN "GameDay" presence, chance to return to No. 1 -- collapsed in a heap early. Halftime: 31-0. You could have turned out the lights then. But with all the Dawg fans dressed in black, they could not have found their way out of the stadium.

Any explanation for what happened to UGA?

Good for AP poll voters to award Bama a No. 2 ranking, thanks to the top spot on 21 of 65 ballots. Curses to the USA Today voters who lifted the Tide only to No. 4, with a lone first-place ballot. Me, I would not hesitate placing the Tide No. 1.

Anybody wanna talk me out of it?

2nd Weekend Lesson: What Was Meyer Thinking?

2008-09-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

Here's what I saw of Urban Meyer on Florida's last possession in their 31-30 loss to Ole Miss, if the TV guys calling the game were correct on their details:

--Needing only to pick up about 20 yards for a winning field goal, he calls for home-run passes on first and second downs that fall incomplete, putting the Gators in an unenviable third-and-long;

--After a 9-yard run, with the ball placed inches from the first-down marker by the officials, Meyer appeals the spot -- which, after video review, got the ball placed back a yard;

--With a third-stringer at left guard and no running back behind him, Meyer calls the blatantly obvious play -- a Tim Tebow keeper to the right side. Because there was no disguising it, Tebow is stuffed.

And Meyer coaches the Gators out of a possible win.

Am I being unfair here? Did you agree with the play-calling?

AP poll voters demoted the Gators to No. 12, USA Today's to No. 13. Obviously, Florida is superior to teams ranked higher, but the punishment fits the crime of losing to the Rebels.

Where do you rate the Gators?

3rd Weekend Lesson: Repeat After Me . . .

2008-09-28T04:50:00.000-07:00

LSU's aspirations of repeating as BCS championships were upgraded Saturday despite a desultory 34-24 win over Mississippi State. The Tigers emerged in the latest polls at No. 3 in AP and No. 2 in USA Today's. As I indicated earlier, Alabama has a better body of work, so I would put LSU at No. 3.

What do you think: second or third for LSU?

Just as the Tigers are moving up, so is their running back, Charles Scott, in the Heisman Trophy race. Especially with the candidacies of Florida's Tim Tebow and Georgia's Knowshon Moreno set back by their team's losses, Scott supporters can point to four 100-yard-plus rushing games while anchoring an offense with an undeveloped quarterback.

How great is Scott? Where do you rank him in the Heisman hierarchy?

4th Weekend Lesson: Tigers', Vols' "O" Grade A Zero

2008-09-28T04:36:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah, the Auburn and Tennessee defenses kicked tail Saturday. But the Tigers can dismiss any SEC West title hopes if their offense doesn't perk up.

Turns out, the 3-2 win over Mississippi State was no aberration. Auburn was so helpless in moving out of the shadows of its goal line Saturday that offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who came to town on a white horse, took to calling quarterback keepers and sweeps -- stuff normally not found in the spread offense playbook.

What can Auburn do on offense, besides pray that running back Brad Lester heals?

As for the Volunteers, where have you gone, David Cutcliffe? Oh, there you are, reviving Duke as the new head coach. UT sure misses your offensive coordinating. Your replacement, Dave Clawson, has a clueless quarterback, Jon Crompton, and an uncertain strategy.

Game stat of the SEC season: All seven of the Vols' second-half possession began outside their 35-yard-line, and four of those launched in Auburn territory. One lousy score resulted.

Is it time to replace Crompton? Change the offensive approach? Beg Cutcliffe to reconsider?

5th Weekend Lesson: Mainstream Media Don't Know Diddly

2008-09-28T03:59:00.000-07:00

It never fails. Each year, a half-dozen teams open the season 3-0 or 4-0, and sports TV "experts" and sportswriters start fretting about an unbeaten getting shut out of the BCS title game. Or they start carving into stone that so-and-so will be 11-0 entering its last game, automatically assuming the games until then are stone-cold locks.

Of course, those teams (USC, Florida, Georgia) proceed to lose, week by week, and the media expresses shock at these unfathomable upsets. I prefer another description of them, borrowed from Led Zeppelin: dazed and confused. Folks, in a conference game, there ain't no gimmes anymore. In the big leagues, you cannot expect a squad to maintain a high level of excellence week after week.

The media is irresponsible to look at, say, a 4-0 team now and say, "They'll be 10-0 heading into the game against . . . " But it happens all the time, without any ifs, ands or buts.

Well, they look like butts to me when constantly proven wrong.

Can you see any team that is sure to get through the season unbeaten?

Bulldogs: Bullish Again In The Polls?

2008-09-26T05:53:00.000-07:00

Nobody benefited more from Southern Cal's earth-shattering loss Thursday than Georgia. With its brutal schedule, the Bulldogs figure to lose once. But because of its degree of difficulty, that should keep them ahead of USC in the rankings even if the Trojans win out.

A convincing victory over Alabama could vault Georgia over Oklahoma and back to No. 1, where it began the season. Not that it matters; the object is to finish in the top 2, which puts you in the BCS Championship game. But, nobody wears a giant foam hand with two fingers raised, so you know what the fans want.

Bama might need flashlights to find their way around Sanford Stadium. It'll be dark, what with the Bulldogs (and most of their fans) clad in black. Mark Richt brought the rarely used uniforms out of mothballs to enliven a game already at fever pitch.

Word of warning to Tide followers driving through Atlanta to the game: Fill up the tank before leaving. Fuel is scarce in the metro area.

LSU to Media: Keep Out!

2008-09-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

Les Miles closed LSU practices to reporters this week, surely to conceal the physical condition of concussed quarterback Andrew Hatch. Not that any subterfuge should be needed against Mississippi State, but the Tigers have juggled Hatch and Jarrett Lee at the position and they'd like to keep the Bulldogs guessing on which one.

Look for Lee, who rallied LSU over Auburn, to start, with Hatch in relief if the cobwebs have cleared.

Bayou Bengal fans: Should Miles stick with a two-QB system, or choose one for full-time duty?

Another Urban Legend Story?

2008-09-26T05:38:00.000-07:00

No hard feelings, says Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead, even though Urban Meyer allegedly lied to him during the recruiting process. Snead, who faces Florida, was quoted in a book about recruiting that Meyer told him the Gators were recruiting Tim Tebow as a linebacker, implying that he would not be competing with the future Heisman Trophy winner. Snead says he looked elsewhere after discovering the truth. Meyer denies the player's account.

Who do you believe?

Tebow's numbers this season aren't much better than a linebacker's, so I get the feeling the Gators offense is ready to detonate. Maybe this week.

Gator fans: Worried about the offense yet?

No Razor's Edge Margin Here

2008-09-26T05:21:00.000-07:00

Arkansas takes another shaky step through a frightening four-game gauntlet against No. 7 Texas. A week after their traumatic five-TD loss to then-No. 9 Alabama, the Razorbacks can expect no mercy. The two schools vie for the same high school recruits out of the Lone Star State, and Mack Brown wants to make an impression on any youngsters torn between the two.

Next up for Arkansas: No. 4 Florida. Then, No. 15 Auburn. Only after that will the Razorbacks get a non-ranked opponent: unbeaten-for-now Kentucky.

Wonder why Houston Nutt flew the coop for Ole Miss? He saw the schedule, then the "year" column on the roster.

Those 22 freshmen (including three starters) who Bobby Petrino lifted from the cradle and sent out for duty are growing up fast. Too fast.

Job Openings Galore!!!

2008-09-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

If I give you one guess which SEC coach declared every starting position on offense up for grabs, you should have the right answer pronto.

Only Steve Spurrier, who has never cracked the coaching handbook that is the Bible of most peers, would have the nads to put every starter on notice four games into the season. But these are desperate times for the punchless Gamecocks.

Spurrier watchers: Do you think he means it? Or is he just trying to rattle the cage?

Actually, two spots opened up by themselves with the suspension of a running back and a guard as punishment for missing too many classes. The way this group has been playing, I wonder if the class is Football 101.

Expensive Exit Strategy For Anti-Fulmer Camp

2008-09-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

If this is Phil Fulmer's last season at the Tennessee helm, he won't be leaving Volunteer-ily. The school would have to pony up a reported $5.5 mil to buy out the big fella.

Vol fans: Would you contribute to the cause?

With a third loss staring him in the face Saturday at Auburn, Fulmer was properly defiant this week. He and his staff "didn't all of a sudden get stupid" after reaching the SEC title game five times. "We know what we're doing."

Anyone who watched the Florida debacle would question that statement. Losing is one thing; getting a new one ripped is quite another.

What must Fulmer and the Vols accomplish this season to save his job?

Changing Light Bulbs In The SEC

2008-09-23T19:03:00.000-07:00

A Yankee pal (well, he's an Indiana Hoosier) passed this along. Now, don't take it seriously, SEC faithful. It's just for laughs.

How about some "change-a-light-bulb" jokes for other leagues?

HOW MANY SEC STUDENTS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?

At VANDERBILT: It takes two, one to change the bulb and one more to explain how they did it every bit as good as the bulbs changed at Harvard.

At GEORGIA: It takes two, one to change the bulb and one to stabilize the rolling beer cooler the bulb changer is using for a ladder.

At FLORIDA: It takes four, one to screw in the bulb and three to figure out how to get stoned off the old one.

At ALABAMA: It takes five, one to change it, three to reminisce about how The Bear would have done it, and one to throw the old bulb at an NCAA investigator.

At OLE MISS: It takes six, one to change it, two to mix the drinks and three to find the perfect J. Crew outfit to wear for the occasion.

At LSU: It takes seven, and each one gets credit for five semester hours.

At KENTUCKY : It takes eight, one to screw it in and seven to discuss how much brighter it seems to shine during basketball season.

At TENNESSEE: It takes ten, two to figure out how to screw it in, two to buy an orange lamp shade, and six to phone a radio call-in show and talk about how much they hate Alabama.

At MISSISSIPPI STATE: It takes fifteen, one to screw in the bulb, two to buy the Skoal, and twelve to yell, ''Go to hell, Ole Miss."

At AUBURN: It takes one hundred, one to change it, forty-nine to talk about how they did it better than at Bama and Georgia, and fifty to get drunk and roll Toomer's Corner when finished.

At SOUTH CAROLINA: It takes 80,000 -- one to screw it in and 79,999 to discuss how this finally will be the year that they have a decent football team.

At ARKANSAS: None. There is no electricity in Arkansas

More, more on the Big Four

2008-09-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

I am not a playoff proponent -- are you? -- but I can't blame the SEC hierarchy for endorsing an expanded postseason, such as the so-called Plus-One game that would essentially be akin to the NCAA basketball's Final Four.

The league is so strong, so deep that any team getting through unscathed is unlikely. Because poll voters are dazzled by a zero on the right side of a team's record, they are inclined to reward on their ballots the unbeaten teams, thus making it difficult for others to reach the BCS Championship Game. (Last year's appearance by two-loss LSU was an aberration.)

Thus, a Final Four format would benefit the SEC. Its champion almost certainly would qualify. At that point, it's may the best team win -- and there's a good chance that team would be carrying the SEC banner.

The football powers have turned thumbs-down to any deviation from the current bowl format. If you were the czar, would you change it?

Meanwhile, here's my ranking of the Big Four's schedule, easiest to hardest, with games remaining:

--Florida -- Ole Miss, at Arkansas, LSU, Kentucky, Georgia (Jacksonville), at Vanderbilt, South Carolina, The Citadel, at Florida State.

--LSU: Mississippi State, at Florida, at South Carolina, Georgia (Jacksonville), Tulane, Alabama, Ole Miss, at Arkansas.

--Alabama -- at Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, at Tennessee, Arkansas State, at LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn.

--Georgia -- Alabama, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, at LSU, Florida (Jacksonville), at Kentucky, at Auburn, Georgia Tech.

How do you rank 'em?

Georgia's Munson Pulls The Plug

2008-09-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

Larry Munson, the legendary radio voice of Georgia football who turned in his mic Monday because of failing health, was a wordsmith with a dramatic delivery. He was captivating, a joy to listen to . . .

If you did not mind occasionally being unaware of what was transpiring on the field.

And if you weren't offended by each week's games pitting We vs. They.

Regarding my first gripe, as compelling as Munson's descriptions were, I expect my radio guy to give me on EVERY play what player has the ball, how he got it, who tackles him and where. Like some other acclaimed voices, Munson sometimes left out at least one of those tidbits. As a result, I enjoyed him more while watching the Bulldogs on my muted TV so I could answer those questions on my own.

What's your take on a play-caller who does not always fully call the plays? Is that alright?

As to the homer aspect, I realize that Dawg fans embraced Munson because substituting the team name periodically with "We" conveyed the belief that he was on their side, suffering amid them. I understand that appeal, but believe in an appearance of objectivity. The approach also ignores the fact that fans of "They" are tuning in, too.

How do your ears feel about We vs. They? Do you prefer it?

While Munson is rightfully acclaimed among cherished radio voices, to me there is -- or never was -- a peer to the late, great Cawood Ledford of Kentucky.

Who's your all-time favorite?

Now It's A Fearsome Foursome

2008-09-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

Let's fantasize for a moment and create a four-team tournament: Georgia, Florida, LSU and Alabama. Doesn't matter who plays whom. Draw names out of a helmet, for all I care. Semifinals today, finals tomorrow. (Hey, it's a fantasy.)

The quintessential quartet was masterful on Saturday -- Georgia, Florida and 'Bama winning overwhelmingly, LSU passing a gut-check at Auburn. The SEC was rewarded Sunday when all four crowded into the AP poll's top eight.

The No. 3 Bulldogs flew nearly 2,000 miles to the desert and had Arizona State for dessert. Coack Mark Richt had the players' hotel room clocks reset to Eastern time, part of a mind game to keep them from thinking they were far from home. The heat -- 99 degrees at kickoff, 96 at game's end -- was less taxing than more humid Columbia, S.C., a week earlier. The result: 27-10.

The No. 4 Gators obliterated Tennessee 30-6 with its offense a pale comparison to previous years. Tim Tebow keeps slipping in the Heisman race, at least based on his numbers (eight completions, 26 rushing yards). Like he cares. Florida's fabulous defense and special teams are drawing the spotlight.

The No. 5 Tigers shrugged off an injury to quarterback Andrew Hatch. Thank you, backup Jarrett Lee, who tossed a game-winning TD with a minute left agin' Auburn for a 26-21 win. That's six straight wins for LSU over teams ranked in the top 10. Auburn dipped to No. 15.

And the No. 9 Crimson Tide, the party-crasher in the foursome after much more modest preseason expectations, pounded Arkansas 49-14. Imagine how 'Bama will fare if they curtail mental mistakes, which perfectionist Coach Nick Saban said reached an unpleasant peak versus the Razorbacks.

Half of our fantasy comes true next Saturday when Bama invades Georgia (7:45 p.m., ESPN). Florida and LSU have league games against the two Mississippis at home, so the ranks of the unbeatens should dwindle only by one.

OK, who do you like in our Fantasy Four? Dawgs? Gators? Bayou Bengals? Roll Tide? Let's see your bracket.

It's Not Them, It's Me

2008-09-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

Phil Fulmer and Sylvester Croom were reading from the same post-game script after their teams were taken to the woodshed Saturday. Both delivered the "blame me and not the players" post-mortem.

OK, we will, especially Fulmer, the first SEC coach on the job security hot seat after a 30-6 shellacking from Florida. The Vols' offensive is invisible. In a brutally difficult league at a school with lofty expectations, many Tennessee fans have had their fill of Phil.

What will it take for Fulmer to save his job?

At Mississippi State, where the bar is lower, Croom is in no jeopardy (yet), but his Bulldogs were pushovers in a 38-7 drilling even though Georgia Tech lost its quarterback to injury in the first series.

Croom's hiring, after he was passed over at Alabama, was widely hailed as the best thing for MSU. Can he win there consistently? Can anyone?

Not On Hot Seat, But Hot Under The Collar

2008-09-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

When accomplished college coaches Steve Spurrier and Bobby Petrino returned to the amateur ranks after bombing in the NFL, they were embraced as prodigal sons, back where they belong.

Maybe so, but the boss men at South Carolina and Arkansas belong in a decompression chamber today as their seasons got shakier on Saturday.

The Gamecocks won, but only by 23-13 over Wofford, the tiniest Division 1-A school that puts on the pads. Afterward, Spurrier pondered trying what would be his third starting quarterback, Stephen Garcia, next week. "In a rut," is how the ol' ball coach described his offense, even though it rang up 30 first downs.

What's up with the offensiveguru? Has he lost his touch?

Arkansas allowed three plays for over 60 yards apiece and threw interceptions left, center and right in the hammering by Alabama. Two narrow wins over creampuffs plus one loss to a tough-as-cheap-steak team adds up to a wretched start.

Are the football gods getting back at Petrino for skipping out on the Falcons in midseason last year?