The season is closing in on a landmark photo finish. Despite all the talk, LSU and Oklahoma State are out in front and in the driver seat. Everyone seems to be playing out doomsday what-if scenarios, but with a couple weeks to play and the Thanksgiving weekend just around the corner, it looks like we’re coming down the stretch in style.
#1 LSU has to get past Ole Miss in The Magnolia Bowl. Fans and alums in Oxford are ready to rid themselves of the grease fire in Oxford. Houston Nutt’s squad has gone nowhere fast this year, and Nutt will not be back. While Ole Miss opponents want him stay, it’s the right move. It is astounding just how much money Houston has accumulated with people paying him to leave. Next Friday the much anticipated SEC West Showdown between Arkansas and LSU, and this game looms big for LSU. With their eye on the prize, LSU will try to stay focused and handle the task at hand. This week’s game should a good primer game, where the backups will see some good playing time.
#2 Oklahoma State has jumped out to the best record in school history. At 10-0, many are clamoring for Brandon Weeden for the Heisman and for good reasons. He’s thrown for over 3600 yards, with a 73.1% completion ratio, 31 TDs and just 9 picks. Justin Blackmon has been sensational. He’s currently #6 in the country in receiving yards (1142) and tied for 1st in receiving touchdowns (14). I have him going #2 in the upcoming NFL draft. They travel to Ames, Iowa for a Saturday night matchup against Iowa State. And don’t forget about Randle. At RB he’s currently #3 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (21). To say Oklahoma State is all revved up and hitting on all cylinders, would be the understatement of the year.
#3 Alabama hosts Georgia Southern this weekend. Holding teams to very few points and yards is the name of the Crimson Tide’s game this year. Bama has been holding opponents to just over 7 points per game and just over 181 yards per game. Georgia Southern is currently 9-1, but Saturday should be a bad day at the office for them as Alabama is hoping to win this one and have a couple chips fall their way in the coming days at the top of the BCS rankings discussion.
#4 Oregon is coming off a big-time win last weekend against Stanford. The defense was primed and ready for then-Heisman-frontrunner, Andrew Luck. Getting 2 interceptions on Luck helped keep the Cardinals at bay and secure the big conference win. As for this weekend, Southern Cal is coming to town, and despite the spread this game is shaping up to be one of the best of the weekend. The Matt Barkley to Robert Woods show will be interesting to watch against an Oregon D that Nick Aliotti has pointed in the right direction.
#5 Oklahoma has never lost to Baylor (#22) in the series history. The Sooners have won all 20 previous matchups against The Bears. Recently losing OU All-American receiver, Ryan Broyles, was a huge loss for the Sooners. Oklahoma has plenty of players, but being stopped just yards short of the Oklahoma all-time record books in reception yards is a tough pill to swallow. With that being said Robert Griffin III has never looked better. To get an idea about just how good Robert Griffin III is…74.2 completion percentage, 3093 pass yards, 29 TDs, and just 5 interceptions. Oklahoma is in the same boat as Alabama down, they have to have something happen at the top go their way.
#6 Arkansas aside from a loss to Alabama has been quietly whipping up on people this year. At 9-1 many know The Razorbacks can play with anyone. Just ask Tyler Wilson. He’s leading the SEC in passing yards (2850). He’s second in the SEC in touchdowns (18) behind Aaron Murray (27). They have a team playing sound defense and a Bobby Petrino style offense that many in the league know that is hard to stop, with very few teams out there qualified to stop them. Bama was up to the task, but many are wondering if LSU is up to it. LSU has yet to see a passing game as dynamic as the Razorbacks. Miss State has struggled this year and at .500 (for the moment), all eyes are on next week’s Arkansas-LSU annual regular season finale in The Battle for the Golden Boot. Through the years this has been one of the most interesting endings to the regular season in all the country and this year looks no different.
#7 Clemson hits to road with a game in Raleigh against NC State. Sammy Watkins is still questionable, but Clemson has its eyes on the ACC Championship game. NC State is very similar to Miss State currently at 5-5, but they are in serious jeopardy of falling below the .500 mark. Coach Swinney has this Clemson heading the right direction and all signs point to a rematch between VA Tech and Clemson. Tajh Boyd is leading the ACC in passing yards (3017) and passing touchdowns (27). Ellington and Watkins have been wonderful in moving the ball, racking up the yards and balancing the attack.
#8 VA Tech took care of business Thursday night by beating up North Carolina in a close one. UNC pulled within 3, but could not convert the onside kick. Frank Beamer holds on for his 250th win, with his 6th win in a row. David Wilson is leading the ACC in rushing yards (1442), and with this kind of production the Hokies might give Clemson a run for their money in the rematch in Charlotte.
#9 Stanford hosts Cal in “The Big Game”. I was in doubt of this Stanford team minus Coach Harbaugh for the 2011 season, and last week proved to be the tipping point. Look for Stanford at home to bounce back. Cal’s defense is…just not that good. The problem with this Stanford team is the receiving crew is…just not that good.
#10 Boise State has to be reeling from another installment of their own version of the twilight zone. With another field goal kick missed, so go their hopes at a national championship. The kick again proves costly because they will get knocked down to a less than stellar bowl game (and expect a much less glitzy bowl payout – we are talking millions of dollars difference). They should bounce back against San Diego State and dismantle the outmatched opponent.
Other notables:
#11 Houston has been scorching opponents all year and they look to set more records this weekend as they host SMU. If you like points tune into this one. The total in this one is 75.5 and look for this one to hit. Houston can drop 50 in half easy, and Houston is currently “making their case”. Case Keenum is has been blistering defenses all year. He’s currently the national leader in passing yards (3951) and passing touchdowns (37).
#14 Georgia is playing some of the best ball this squad has seen in years. The offensive and defensive lines have really come into their own, and the defense in its 2nd year in Coach Grantham’s 3-4 is getting downright stingy. Jarvis Jones is leading the SEC in sacks (10), and Bacarri Rambo is leading the SEC in interceptions (7). Highly touted freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell is the front runner for SEC Freshman of the year, and he’s had a very positive impact on the offensive balancing act. One of the greatest surprises to come out of Athens is the post-AJ Green wide receiving corps that has stepped up in a big way. They have to beat Kentucky to secure a return visit to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. The last time they were in ATL under the bright SEC lights was back in 2005, so this one has been a long time coming for Coach Mark Richt.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
WEEK 10: 4th & 1
Word from Nashville is Jonathan Krause (#17) of Vanderbilt is in OK condition. He took one of the cheapest shots of the year from Marquel Wade (#1) of Arkansas. Krause is a sophomore from Snellville, Georgia, that attended South Gwinnett High School.
Hopefully, the offensive hit from Wade is something he can learn from. Hopefully, he'll learn that if repeated, he he can expect to be banned from more games. Thank goodness for strength and conditioning Coach Jason Veltkamp for getting Wade out of there. He was about to go ballistic, claiming the player had the ball. Regardless...Krause did not have the ball, and I’m pretty sure from the numerous viewings and angles, that Wade knew it too.
I'm happy to report that I am in Arkansas this weekend. Look for an epic battle. A game with implications, that I see going to The Razorbacks tonight. I can't wait to see what this banged up Carolina team has in the tank. A highly documented team that comes in tonight without (QB) Garcia, star (RB) Marcus Lattimore, their center, They are also battling some key neck injuries at safety. They have seen good performances from Shaw and Wild. One thing is for sure, (All-American) Melvin Ingram will have a ball of a game tonight. NFL scouts will in attendance just to watch him and Jadaveon.
I like Petrino in this one, as the wheel's come off The Gamecocks season.
Arkansas 35 - USC 24.
..And Now for Tuscaloosa
Between these two coaches they have an amazing 100-28 combined record.
Miles has been in Baton Rouge for 7 years and Saban has been in Tuscaloosa for 5. The two programs have hovered near the top of the pack for years. Both with recent titles. Both with top of the pack recruiting, coaching, facilities.
They both share excellence in preparation and execution.
Friends, we are about to witness two of the greatest coaches of the day square off. We are about to see one of the SEC's best regular season games in its entire history.
We have already hit Week 10, and the long awaited game between LSU and Alabama is finally here. If you're like me, then this was the game you were thinking about way back February - just after the signing day buzz wore off.
CBS pulled rank and moved the game from 3:30 to primetime. I can’t blame them and the game of the century (version 2) will deliver under the lights. I actually think it might be the behind-the-scenes call of the year.
LSU is talented. No doubt. Same for Bama. Both ground games will get tested, hit, hit some more and banged up. Which one is the toughest?
Signs point to Bama, and I call it a draw (slight edge to Bama). Reason being I don't think we've seen the best game from Spencer Ware yet. I know he has many, many more amazing game in store for his career. In my opinion the same can be said for Trent. Richardson has a reputation for stepping up BIG. He's my Heisman front-runner. Which one shines the brightest tonight?
Receivers are a tougher consideration. I give a slight edge to LSU. Between the two, I feel like LSU is better playing from behind team. If LSU needed to score quick, I think LSU's receivers would step Reuben Randel is a Top 3 Receiver in the country. I can't say the same for Maiz, but I could easily reconsider.
Special teams will see a least one, if not two big special teams plays.
Saban has been working on getting to this stage for years, relentlessly, and if you don't appreciate all the hard word that has gone into this game: long hours, blood, sweat and long nights, then, my friend, something is not right.
Hopefully, the offensive hit from Wade is something he can learn from. Hopefully, he'll learn that if repeated, he he can expect to be banned from more games. Thank goodness for strength and conditioning Coach Jason Veltkamp for getting Wade out of there. He was about to go ballistic, claiming the player had the ball. Regardless...Krause did not have the ball, and I’m pretty sure from the numerous viewings and angles, that Wade knew it too.
I'm happy to report that I am in Arkansas this weekend. Look for an epic battle. A game with implications, that I see going to The Razorbacks tonight. I can't wait to see what this banged up Carolina team has in the tank. A highly documented team that comes in tonight without (QB) Garcia, star (RB) Marcus Lattimore, their center, They are also battling some key neck injuries at safety. They have seen good performances from Shaw and Wild. One thing is for sure, (All-American) Melvin Ingram will have a ball of a game tonight. NFL scouts will in attendance just to watch him and Jadaveon.
I like Petrino in this one, as the wheel's come off The Gamecocks season.
Arkansas 35 - USC 24.
..And Now for Tuscaloosa
Between these two coaches they have an amazing 100-28 combined record.
Miles has been in Baton Rouge for 7 years and Saban has been in Tuscaloosa for 5. The two programs have hovered near the top of the pack for years. Both with recent titles. Both with top of the pack recruiting, coaching, facilities.
They both share excellence in preparation and execution.
Friends, we are about to witness two of the greatest coaches of the day square off. We are about to see one of the SEC's best regular season games in its entire history.
We have already hit Week 10, and the long awaited game between LSU and Alabama is finally here. If you're like me, then this was the game you were thinking about way back February - just after the signing day buzz wore off.
CBS pulled rank and moved the game from 3:30 to primetime. I can’t blame them and the game of the century (version 2) will deliver under the lights. I actually think it might be the behind-the-scenes call of the year.
LSU is talented. No doubt. Same for Bama. Both ground games will get tested, hit, hit some more and banged up. Which one is the toughest?
Signs point to Bama, and I call it a draw (slight edge to Bama). Reason being I don't think we've seen the best game from Spencer Ware yet. I know he has many, many more amazing game in store for his career. In my opinion the same can be said for Trent. Richardson has a reputation for stepping up BIG. He's my Heisman front-runner. Which one shines the brightest tonight?
Receivers are a tougher consideration. I give a slight edge to LSU. Between the two, I feel like LSU is better playing from behind team. If LSU needed to score quick, I think LSU's receivers would step Reuben Randel is a Top 3 Receiver in the country. I can't say the same for Maiz, but I could easily reconsider.
Special teams will see a least one, if not two big special teams plays.
Both have incredible staffs. Question: How will first year Offensive Coordinator, Greg Studrawa, respond in a game of this caliber? A challenge like this will test you. Good thing he’s backed by one of the sharpest eyes in the business (Steve Kragthorpe).
Saban has been working on getting to this stage for years, relentlessly, and if you don't appreciate all the hard word that has gone into this game: long hours, blood, sweat and long nights, then, my friend, something is not right.
This is the kind of weekend, where you find out what you're made of, and I really see Bama Nation bringing a level of intensity and fan participation that will make your head spin.
Can Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide get any better? The answer is, Yes. Will this team answer the call at home to supplant LSU? Yes.
Miles has a current edge in the series, but I think Coach Saban turns it around tonight.
Bama. At home. 8 PM.
Alabama 21 - LSU 17
Can Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide get any better? The answer is, Yes. Will this team answer the call at home to supplant LSU? Yes.
Miles has a current edge in the series, but I think Coach Saban turns it around tonight.
Bama. At home. 8 PM.
Alabama 21 - LSU 17
Thursday, October 20, 2011
WEEK 8: 1st & Ten
1. LSU - Looks like the Tigers will be minus a few players with Auburn coming to town Saturday afternoon (3:30 CBS). Tyrann Mathieu (CB), Tharold Simon (D-back) and Spencer Ware (RB) will be sitting this one out. Don't sleep on Chizik. Will Michael Dyer (RB) and Emory Blake (WR) be enought against a stout LSU defense? Crazy enough, this could be a good thing for LSU. I see them getting in some good reps for the backups building better depth, who could very easily be starting elsewhere.
2. Alabama - Bama hosts TN Saturday night. Without Tyler Bray the Volunteers are looking very thin at QB. Look for Sims to be dismantled, and somebody better warm up the 3rd string QB. Could be a really, really long night for Dooley and company. Saban is 16-1 since October '07.
3. Oklahoma - Nation's longest home winning streak plays center stage Saturday night in Norman (39 straight home W's for Oklahoma). OU is tuning up for next week's matchup against a Kansas State team which is in the midst of a revival.
4. Oklahoma State - Noon kick in Columbia as talk of the SEC swirls. This one is on upset alert. Missouri is banged up, and Gundy has Oklahoma State out to a 6-0 start. Can they stay focused? The tigers in loosing efforts gave Oklahoma and K-State a run for their money. Weeden + All-American Blackmon = Dangerzone. Weeden is completing almost 73% of his passes with 16 TDs.
Blackmon has caught 7 of those.
5. Boise State - At home, heavy favorites. Last time Boise lost a home conference game was 1998 - that's 46 straight conference home game wins.
6. Wisconsin - 8:00 PM in East Lansing will be a sight to see. Two heavyweights in the B1G square off, and these 2 could be squaring off again for the B1G Championship Game at the end of the season. The Spartans are coming off an emotional thrashing of in-state rival, Michigan, and Coach Dantonio will have them on point for a home game against The Badgers - just without #2, William Gholston. He's the 2nd leading tackler on the team - a difference maker. I'm just not sure how long Michigan State's defense can hold up with bone crushing style Wisconsin has been flexing all year.
7. Clemson - Clemson is some of the hottest action in the country right now. They have reeled off 7 straight wins and are enjoying being the BCS limelight. Boyd, Sammie Watkins and Ellington have absolutely been sensational. Between the 3 they have racked up 2012 passing yards & 19 TDs (Boyd), 740 rushing yards (Ellington) and 728 receiving yards & 8 TDs (Sammie Watkins).
8. Stanford - The Cardinals (6-0) host Washington (5-1) Saturday night (8:00 ABC). The Huskies remain right on Stanford's heels. Their only loss of the season came to Nebraska, and they will have thier hands full against Andrew Luck. He has 18 TDs and just 3 interceptions. With Coach Harbaugh gone and causing a stir in the NFL, one has to wonder if anyone can derail Stanford's season.
9. Arkansas - Coming off a bye week, Arkansas (5-1) heads to Oxford to face a 2-4 Ole Miss squad that is reeling. The Razorbacks will descend upon the Grove. How Ole Miss has won an SEC game this year is beyond me. They are not very good - at all. Look for Petrino to make life miserable for Coach Houston Nutt.
10. Oregon - Oregon (5-1) heads into Boulder, CO to enjoy a nice road game at Folsom Field. Too bad for Colorado - they are a grease fire. They are 1-6 this year ,and they have yet to even sniff a PAC-12 victory. Look for the trend to continue for the Buffaloes. They will be 1-7 come Saturday evening.
2. Alabama - Bama hosts TN Saturday night. Without Tyler Bray the Volunteers are looking very thin at QB. Look for Sims to be dismantled, and somebody better warm up the 3rd string QB. Could be a really, really long night for Dooley and company. Saban is 16-1 since October '07.
3. Oklahoma - Nation's longest home winning streak plays center stage Saturday night in Norman (39 straight home W's for Oklahoma). OU is tuning up for next week's matchup against a Kansas State team which is in the midst of a revival.
4. Oklahoma State - Noon kick in Columbia as talk of the SEC swirls. This one is on upset alert. Missouri is banged up, and Gundy has Oklahoma State out to a 6-0 start. Can they stay focused? The tigers in loosing efforts gave Oklahoma and K-State a run for their money. Weeden + All-American Blackmon = Dangerzone. Weeden is completing almost 73% of his passes with 16 TDs.
Blackmon has caught 7 of those.
5. Boise State - At home, heavy favorites. Last time Boise lost a home conference game was 1998 - that's 46 straight conference home game wins.
6. Wisconsin - 8:00 PM in East Lansing will be a sight to see. Two heavyweights in the B1G square off, and these 2 could be squaring off again for the B1G Championship Game at the end of the season. The Spartans are coming off an emotional thrashing of in-state rival, Michigan, and Coach Dantonio will have them on point for a home game against The Badgers - just without #2, William Gholston. He's the 2nd leading tackler on the team - a difference maker. I'm just not sure how long Michigan State's defense can hold up with bone crushing style Wisconsin has been flexing all year.
7. Clemson - Clemson is some of the hottest action in the country right now. They have reeled off 7 straight wins and are enjoying being the BCS limelight. Boyd, Sammie Watkins and Ellington have absolutely been sensational. Between the 3 they have racked up 2012 passing yards & 19 TDs (Boyd), 740 rushing yards (Ellington) and 728 receiving yards & 8 TDs (Sammie Watkins).
8. Stanford - The Cardinals (6-0) host Washington (5-1) Saturday night (8:00 ABC). The Huskies remain right on Stanford's heels. Their only loss of the season came to Nebraska, and they will have thier hands full against Andrew Luck. He has 18 TDs and just 3 interceptions. With Coach Harbaugh gone and causing a stir in the NFL, one has to wonder if anyone can derail Stanford's season.
9. Arkansas - Coming off a bye week, Arkansas (5-1) heads to Oxford to face a 2-4 Ole Miss squad that is reeling. The Razorbacks will descend upon the Grove. How Ole Miss has won an SEC game this year is beyond me. They are not very good - at all. Look for Petrino to make life miserable for Coach Houston Nutt.
10. Oregon - Oregon (5-1) heads into Boulder, CO to enjoy a nice road game at Folsom Field. Too bad for Colorado - they are a grease fire. They are 1-6 this year ,and they have yet to even sniff a PAC-12 victory. Look for the trend to continue for the Buffaloes. They will be 1-7 come Saturday evening.
Monday, October 10, 2011
SEC RACE HOTTER THAN EVER
The SEC’s divisional races are ratings gold. In the latest edition of the South’s edition of "Must See TV", the SEC West race between Alabama and LSU is barreling down the tracks to November 5th in Tuscaloosa. This game will be out of hand, and no doubt be one of the best games of the year. Both have had their downs, but South Carolina and Georgia are both improving and appear to be on the upswing.
Over in the West...
LSU has been sensational. This team is playing with so much confidence, even their punter is talking trash. Les Miles has to be one of the most entertaining coaches in the history of the game. His players love him, and it is easy to see why. Tyrann Mathieu is making a claim for the Heisman and he's a cornerback, so that gives you a good indication of the talent in Baton Rouge. The QB situation has largely been a non-issue, and LSU's ground game has been solid behind Spencer Ware and Michael Floyd. Both LSU and Bama are body slamming opponents with clinical grade nasty-jaw dropping defense. Looking ahead, LSU heads to Rocky Top, then to Auburn, then has a bye week, and then Tuscaloosa.
Bama has been trotting out, quite possibly, Nick Saban’s best defense ever. They have pitched 2 shutouts they have a legit shot a pitching a couple more. Gameballs to Hightower and the entire defensive secondary at this point. The offense is clicking behind AJ McCarron, Trent Richardson, and Marquis Maze. Trent Richardson is another Heisman hopeful. He's been having a solid year. There are still some games left to play, but The Crimson Tide have to head to Oxford, then to Rocky Top, off week, then host LSU. The Crimson Tide could have a legitimate shot at another undefeated season.
Back in the East...
With South Carolina losing to Auburn back in Week 5, the door is still cracked open for Georgia to hang around. The Gamecocks, behind Conner Shaw (for the moment), look to continue the momentum they harnessed in this past weekend’s game against one the SEC’s most futile teams, Kentucky. They have to hit the road, head over to Starkville and face a damaged Mississippi State team, then an off week, then the Gamecocks go to Rocky Top, to Arkansas, and then host Florida. This could be a rocky 34 days for Carolina fans. With the offense appearing to be on the rebound this Carolina team could be tough to stop. The defense has been stellar this year. Melvin Ingram, Jadaveon Clowney and Marcus Lattimore get the Carolina mid-season game balls.
As for Georgia, they have seen the ship righted on the defensive side of the ball. A few Dawgs get some mid-season game balls: Jarvis Jones, Brandon Boykin, Bacarri Rambo on the Defensive side and Isaiah Crowell and Malcolm Mitchell on the offensive side. Showing tremendous upside, Todd Grantham’s defense is getting that foamy-at-the-mouth look that Georgia fans have been praying for in Athens. The offense for Georgia is showing signs of running smoothly, just not for long. As Georgia came of the second half gates and put up 14 points, they quickly popped the clutch in the second half and kept Tennessee in the game. Let’s give Tennessee credit. Injured, they have one of the best passing attacks around that is on the verge of full tilt. Isaiah Crowell and the return to a legitimate running threat at Georgia, have been the other driving forces in Georgia’s leveling off of the program. Malcolm Mitchell has stepped up in the wake of AJ Green.
Georgia heads to Vandy, then have an off week (which comes in at a big time with Crowell and Mitchell both needing to heal up), then head to The Cocktail Party, host New Mexico State, host Auburn, host Kentucky, and finish the season in Atlanata against GA Tech. The regular season finale has nothing to do with the SEC race, but watching GA Tech's ground game, against Georgia's increasingly stingy defense will be a fun one indeed.
Odds are muddy on Coach Richt bringing home the "W" from Jacksonville and running the table AND The Gamecocks dropping another SEC game, maybe Arkansas on the road. Who knows?
Both SEC matchups are equally interesting to keep an eye one. One matchup, The West, is a race between 2 thoroughbreds. The Dysfunctional SEC East is going to really show us what the 2 teams trying to find their way really have in them. Who wants it?
Look for Garcia to get thrown back into the fire before this one is done and on a big stage.
This is surely going to be fun watch pan out.
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