Already????

Well...It looks like the NCAA Coaching silly season is already underway. Reports on ESPN say that Syracuse is ready to can current head coach Greg Robinson. And frankly, I can see why. But, this early in the season? That's quite a way to motive your team and staff there, Mr. AD. Especially since he is your hire. Guess that means I have to go ahead and get that possible list of new hire canidates ready.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3604094

I'm back...and just time for week 5.

Week 4 observations

Well, it’s been four weeks the SEC season got underway. Everyone now has at least one conference game under their belts. So now it’s time to look at where we stand.

SEC East

Georgia: So far, the Bulldogs have done everything that I predicted they would, albeit in a less than stellar performance. Struggles against South Carolina and huge wins against weak non-conference (or in some cases, non-D-1A teams) haven’t impressed the voters. If the Bullies still want to play for a BCS National Championship, they must continue to win. And in a few of those cases, they may need to win big.
Key Game(s) remaining: Tennessee, Florida

Florida: The Gators are looking like title contenders once again. And they are doing so with less than stellar performances out of their Superman backfield (under the alias of Tim Tebow). But a 30-6 over a less than qualified Tennessee isn’t a great win over Georgia. And the Gators still have that one on the schedule.
Key Game(s) remaining: Georgia

South Carolina: In case you haven’t figured out, I’m writing this with the teams in the order in which I had them to start the season. That said, I think my faith in the Ole Ball Coach may have been a little too much. A decision in the summer not to go with Chris Smelley or Stephen Garcia hasn’t exactly worked out, and now it looks like the Gamecocks may just be playing for a winning season, rather than an Eastern Division title.
Key Game(s) remaining: the rest of the season

Tennessee: The Phillip Fulmer Years: Life without David Cutcliffe, Vol. 2 looks more and more like the actual last chapter of the ole Phil’s tenure in the Volunteer state. Yes, he won a national title in 1998…but this is 2008…and a “What have you done for me lately conference. And from the looks of it, he ain’t gonna do too much unless they drastically improve on offense.
Key Game(s) remaining: the rest of the season (if they want to go to the postseason)

Kentucky: The Wildcats don’t have the magic QB this season as compared to last year. But with their defense playing the way they are, they don’t really need it.
Key Game(s) remaining: Florida, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt: The Commodores are 4-0 for the second time in four years, but only for the third time in over 20 years. Could this be the year that Bobby Johnson and the Dores finally advance to the postseason? History says no (but my heart/guilty desires say yes…just so I can go and say I went to a bowl game with Vanderbilt in it.)
Key Game(s) remaining: the rest of the season (sound familiar?)


SEC West

Auburn: The offense continues to struggle adjusting to the new spread. But that was to be expected with personal designed more for a pro-style playbook. The Tigers must now take a wait and see approach with the West after a heart-breaking loss to LSU. The defense has played to championship-level status, and if one slipup allows Tommy’s Tigers back into the hunt, watch out.
Key Game(s) remaining: Alabama

LSU: I may have been wrong about the “Mad Hatter.” The Bayou Bengals are playing on a National Championship level. If they continue this trend, watch out. And they had better continue this trend, because something tells me the Tigers of Auburn are pissed and ready to pounce at a moments notice.
Key Game(s) remaining: Alabama (against the former LSU rent-a-coach)

Alabama: The good news for Alabama fans: The Crimson Tide is back. The bad news: they haven’t played anybody yet. And trust me, a win over that Arkansas team isn’t that impressive and not enough to hang a season of victory over. (unless you’re Arkansas State, maybe).
Key Game(s) remaining: LSU, Auburn

Ole Miss: Well, the good news is that the Rebels are showing marked improvement under new head coach Houston Nutt. The bad news is that the season is far from over….with a lot of good teams remaining. Can the Rebels rebound after a tough loss against Vanderbilt? Only time will tell.
Key Game(s) remaining: the rest of the season

Mississippi State: “Snap back to reality. Oh, there goes gravity.” Enimem. So much for that Western Division title. It’s back to reality for the Bulldogs.
Key Game(s) remaining: Alabama, LSU

Arkansas: The Hogs are living up to my expectations. Have fun in Fayetteville, Bobby. Looks like Christmas vacation is coming a bit earlier this year for ya.
Key Game(s) remaining: Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss

Bout damn time....

Well, since the season is only a few days away, I figured I might as well go on and get the picks for the SEC in. I know I have been slacking off, but everyone who knows me knows that a: I try to do a little research before posting, and b: I'm lazy as hell when it comes to blogging. But I digest, that is for another blog. So, without further ado, as the Joker from the Dark Knight put it: "And here...we...go."

SEC East
1. Georgia
2. Florida
2. South Carolina
2. Tennessee
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt

1. Georgia. They are the sexy pick, hands down. And I'm sure that everybody that reads this will say I'm just jumping on the bandwagon. But let's look at the guys in the red hats and silver britches for a minute. They return a talented core of guys on the offensive side of the ball and a bruising style of defense. With a veteran QB and a Heisman Trophy candidate at RB, the Bulldogs have more than enough firepower to tame anybody and everybody they face. The one question mark comes in the form of their season. Under Mark Richt, Georgia has traditionally been strong, but they have never been able to put together a complete season. If they can put together a complete season, look for the Bulldogs to play for the SEC's 5th BCS title in January. Key Game(s): the entire season.

2. Florida. Now, I have never been one to use movie lines in a post/story/release, etc. I save those for personal conversation and texts. But, in this case, I may make an exception. So here goes, "I'll admit your quarterback is the greatest quarterback in the nation if you will admit your defense is atrious." Yes, the Gators do have the superman QB in Tim Tebow, and he has plenty of weapons around him (read: Percy Harvey) on the offensive side of the ball. But, they also have a defense that is young and inexperienced, something that doesn't broad well in this conference. Key Game(s): Tennessee, Georgia.

2. South Carolina. Yes, that's right. I have a three-way tie for second place. The Gamecocks return several key players on both sides of the ball. The question marks come in the form of the coaching and depth. Steve Spurrier is finding it harder than ever to recruit the type of players he needs for his system to Columbia, South Carolina. Without the depth he would like the team to have, USC may be closer to the SEC title game than ever before, but I just don't think they are quite there yet. Maybe next year. Key Game(s): Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Clemson.

2. Tennessee. Like sands through an hour glass, these are the days of our court appearances. In all seriousness, round 2 of the Phillip Fulmer Years, Life without David Cutcliffe is underway. And with a new QB and totally new system, good ole' Phil may find it harder than ever to return to National Title Contender status. Key Game(s): UCLA, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn.

5. Kentucky. It was a good run, Rich. But Andre has moved on. Key Game(s): the whole season.

6. Vanderbilt. It breaks my heart to put them here, but every year, I make them higher, and they just disappoint. They have the talent. They have the skill. They have the staff. They just don't have the depth. Hopefully, they will prove me wrong. But they haven't yet. Key Game(s): the entire season.

SEC West:
1. Auburn
2. LSU
3. Alabama
3. Ole Miss
5. Mississippi State
6. Arkansas

1. Auburn. The Tigers have the most talent they have had in years. And they are bringing in a new style of offense and a new defensive coordinator to match. The one question mark is how well will all the new faces on offense gel in the spread. They have the depth and talent, but this is totally different from anything they have ever run under Tommy Tuberville. But, for right now, I'm buying into this radical new change. And, from what I have heard, so is everyone else on the Plains. Key Game(s): Alabama (Got 6).

2. LSU. "It's sooo hardddd...to say goodbyeeee...to yesterday." Boys to Men. Nick's boys are gone. Now, we get to see if Miles is the real deal. My gut says no. Key Game(s): Auburn.

3. Alabama. They get this spot strictly by default. The alphabet does start with the letter A. No defense and more prison uniforms than jersey's issued means a long year for the 4 million-dollar man. Key Game(s): LSU, Auburn, Clemson.

3. Ole Miss. New coach, new staff, new players. Hopefully, they can do better than Captain Caveman and his bunch of wild boys. Houston Nutt is a proven head coach. But can he return Ole Miss to the days of 7-5 with this bunch? That remains to be seen. He has done wonders with Arkansas. But We are....Ole Miss. Key Game(s): Auburn, Arkansas, at Alabama.

5. Mississippi State. Question marks aplenty on the offense. With only a good running game on offense, and the reason they where so successful last season is now in South Carolina. Key Game(s): The first four.

6. Arkansas. New coach Bobby Petrino has his work cut out for him. No proven running game and no QB to his liking means for a long season in Fayetteville. Key Game(s): The entire season.


OVERALL SEC CHAMPION: GEORGIA