Indecision or Brilliance?

The only true uncertainty with the Auburn University depth chart is at the quarterback position.  Kiehl Frazier and Clint Moseley have been battling it out for the starting spot since the end of last season.  Both have been showing a lot of improvement since they played last.  Both are qualified to be the starting QB, but in the words of the Highlander, “There can be only one!”  Let’s take a look at the two….

Clint Moseley:  Clint was in a backup role last season to Barrett Trotter so he didn’t get a tremendous amount of playing time.  When he did play though, he really looked lost against some of the defenses that were thrown at him.  If you look at his stats from last season, you might say he didn’t do a bad job.  Completing 66 of 108 passes for a QB rating of 133.1.  His problem last season was he didn’t take control on the field.  He got confused with the defenses and couldn’t see where the blitzes were coming from.  With 17 sacks last season, he was sacked on almost 15 percent of his drop backs.  That’s a lot folks.  Recognizing the defensive scheme and knowing what to audible to comes with experience.  If he can get healthy and be involved in more practices, he can gain that experience and become a good starting QB choice.  He had some moments last season that leads me to believe that he has what it takes.  The question is does Auburn have enough time before game one against Clemson?

Kiehl Frazier:  Last season, Frazier was primarily used in the wildcat.  When you saw Frazier come in at QB, every defense in America knew he was going to run.  With that said he still was able to gain 327 yards on 76 attempts.  He averaged 4.3 yards per carry.  With the defense knowing you are running at them, that’s pretty darn good.  The kid has mobility, vision and speed to be a good runner, but can he throw?  With only 12 pass attempts last season we don’t have anything to go by statistically.  He didn’t look comfortable at all in the pocket.  He was a true freshman and it showed.  As stated with Moseley, this comes with experience.  A dual threat QB in the NCAA is a good base ingredient for a National Championship, as we have seen time and time again, but they have to be able to throw the ball accurately, and be able to stand the pressure in the pocket.  With a QB like Frazier, when he feels pressure, every bone and instinct in his body tells him to RUN!  He has to learn to stay in the pocket and check down his receivers.

With all that being said, folks are saying Auburn is in trouble because they haven’t named a starter yet.  This brings me to my opening title.  Indecision or Brilliance?

Coach Chizik knows who is going to be the starting QB for the Clemson game on September 1^st, but why disclose that now?  Right now, Clemson’s Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables doesn’t know to prepare for a pocket passer or a dual threat QB.  He’ll have to prepare for both.  You don’t always show your cards before the hand is over!

One Chance at First Impressions

In college football, the regular season schedule means a whole lot more than in the NFL. You can lose the first three games of the season in the NFL and STILL make the playoffs and perhaps win the Superbowl. Not in the NCAA. Every year there are a few teams that start their season with a “Must-Win.” Here, I will list the top five games to start the season that have the biggest impact on the winning, or losing team.

Number five. South Carolina at Vanderbilt, Thursday Aug. 30th.

With Marcus Lattimore coming back healthy and Connor Shaw at the helm, this team is coming into 2012 with a vision of a ring on their fingers that say more than “2nd Place!” Last season they only had losses to Auburn and Arkansas, and let’s face it, they should have won against Auburn if it wasn’t for Stephen Garcia having an epic meltdown and giving away the game. South Carolina has a very promising season ahead of them. Their first hurdle will be Vanderbilt. James Franklin has done a tremendous amount for the commodores. He has brought discipline and hope to a team that is known for floundering when it comes to football. They may be the smartest team on the field, but they have to really bring it against South Carolina. I’m not saying that Vanderbilt will (or could) win against South Carolina this season, but they are looking to make a statement this year and this is the game they need to do it.

My prediction: South Carolina 33 Vanderbilt 27

Number Four. Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech, Monday Sept. 3rd.

The winner of this game will face either Clemson or Florida State in the ACC championship game. Mark my words. This game will be the determining factor on who will win the ACC Coastal division. With that being said, it will be Virginia Tech that takes the win here. Logan Thomas last year, led the Hokies to an 11-3 season. He threw for 3013 yards and had 59.8 completion percentage. Their only regular season loss was to Clemson. Then again, lost to Clemson in the ACC Championship game. Virginia Tech will return in full force this season looking to claim what they thought should have been theirs last season, the ACC Championship.

My prediction: Virginia Tech 17 Georgia Tech 9

Number three. North Carolina State at Tennessee, Friday Aug. 31st.

Tennessee has been a very disappointing team the last few seasons. Usually the Tennessee faithful would look at this game as a win and move their focus to the next game. Not anymore. The way the Volunteers have been struggling, this game could easily be a loss to start the season. But, I think Dooley has circled the wagons a bit and with fear of losing his job may bring back a little of that tenacity the “Big Orange” are used to seeing. Though they still finish with a mediocre 6-6 record, they find a way to win the first one and beat North Carolina State.

My Prediction Tennessee 13 North Carolina State 10

Number two. Clemson vs. Auburn, Saturday Sept.1st.

This game doesn’t have any implications for a conference championship or National Championship, but this game sets the tone for an entire season for either school. Emotions will be so high for this game the winner will be able to carry it over for a win against an opponent they weren’t supposed to win. For example, if Clemson beats Auburn, they can cruise past Ball St. and Furman with a 3-0 record headed into Sept. 22nd to play Florida St. That’s the kind of momentum they need against a very strong Florida St. team. As for Auburn, they need this win before they head to Miss. St the following weekend. After last year’s goal line stand as time expires, Miss St. is looking for some revenge against the Tigers and will definitely bring it. Auburn is going to need that extra momentum that a win against Clemson would give them
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My prediction: Auburn 27 Clemson 23

Number one. Michigan vs. Alabama, Saturday Sept. 1st

The biggest opener this year by far. Many folks are going into this game thinking that Alabama will “roll” all over Michigan. I think they are in for a BIG surprise. Denard Robinson is known for his quick scrambling and not so much his arm, but he has been working on his footwork and his accuracy this offseason. We all know he cannot beat that Bama defense with his legs. Their Defense is just too quick, but if you combine that with an accurate arm and a team willing to stand up as one and take down an SEC powerhouse……there will be fireworks. I’ve many say that Michigan will give ‘em hell for two quarters, then fall to the wayside. With the added depth on both sides of the ball I think Michigan hands a HUGE upset to the Crimson Tide to start the 2012 season.
My prediction: Michigan 24 Alabama 23.

Can the "Barn" set fire to the "Farm?"

Once again the Auburn Tigers come into another season of College Football with the proverbial “deck” stacked against them.  In 13 seasons the Tigers have had only one season with fewer than 7 wins, but ESPN predicts they go 6-6 this year.

The Tigers are coming off of an 8-5 season with, shall we say, a very charitable defense.  Ted Roof is gone, and now comes the days of Brian VanGorder as the Defensive Coordinator.  VanGorder is a much needed, very good addition to the team.  His resume speaks for itself as to what he can bring to the table.  His tenure at the University of Georgia brought a defense that was fourth nationally in 2002, third in 2003, and eighth in 2004.  This is a man that knows how to make a defense stingy, and his defenses also puts points on the board!

Auburns defensive line could quite possibly be one of the most talented in the country.  You have Juniors Kenneth Carter and Jeffrey Whitaker starting at Defensive tackles, and Juniors Corey Lemonier and Nosa Eguae at Defensive ends.  Under Roof, the defensive ends were set up to specialize against the run OR the pass, and would shift to the strong or weak side, accordingly.  With VanGorder, the defensive ends will not be shifting and moving.  They will have to learn to defend against both.  With Roof’s style it was hit or miss and caused a lot of holes in the defensive line at the wrong times.  Behind all that ugliness is one of, if not THE, most underrated linebacker in college football…..Daren Bates.  Even though he’s small at 5’11 and 220 lbs, this man is a ferocious beast.  What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in heart and instinct.

With that being said about the defense, the offense only gets better with everyone that is returning and the addition of Illinois Fullback transfer Jay Prosch.  It will be a new look with a fullback in there, but he is a brick wall on wheels to lead Ontario McCalebb.

6-6 season they say?

SEC Coaches in the "Hot Seat!"

This season will be a very interesting year in College Football!  There were alot of shaking and mixing going on.  But, as always, there are a few coaches that will be put in a “Do or Die” scenario.  Here I will count down the top three SEC coaches that are in the proverbial “Hot Seat!”

Let’s start with number three…..

Number Three…

Joker Phillips at University of Kentucky.

In 2010 Joker and the Wildcats finished the season at 6-7, 2-6 in the SEC to finish 5th in the SEC East.

In 2011 Joker and the Wildcats finished the season at 5-7, 2-6 in the SEC to finish 5th in the SEC East.

Joker has really done alot for the Wildcats.  He has put them in a position to win some really high profile games.  Hell, they almost beat Auburn in Auburn’s 2010 National Championship sesaon.  He has definitely brought unity and stability to a scattered and unstable UK team.  But, I’m not his boss, and stability and unity is not what the University wants…..they want WINS!!!!  Not almost wins, not “if only” wins, real publishable WINS!  Let’s face it folks, Does it really matter who they bring in there?  It’s still Kentucky.  Kentucky will always be the SEC’s “blue headed step-child!”

Number two…

Dan Mullen at Mississippi State.

Think about it folks.  he only has one “good” season with the bulldogs, 2010.  That was only from them beating up an already shotty SEC East. Wins over Florida and Georgia who had a winning percentage of .538!  Miss. St is only 3-12 in the SEC West, and those three coming from Ole Miss.  That’s not improvement!  They have struggled a lot in the past few years, and if you look at their schedule for 2012, a 4-8 season is not as far fetched as it seems.  If that be the case, They will be finding someone else to lead the “cowbells” on the field.

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And last but not least, the Number one coach in the Hot seat this season is…….

surprise, surprise…Derek Dooley at University of Tennessee!

He’s been there for two seasons, and has absolutely SUCKED, both years.  He lucked out in 2010 with a 6-7 record and was able to play in the Music City Bowl, and lost to North Carolina 30-27.  I will tell you, that was a crappy game by UT.  They were dominated much more than the score let’s on.

In the 2011 season, they went 5-7 overall, and a shitty 1-7 in the SEC.  I mean come on, this is UT, not Vandy!  They finished LAST in the East, and if it weren’t for Ole Miss blanking, they would have been last in the SEC period.  I don’t remember UT ever being that bad.  UT hired Dooley based on his father’s reputation, thinking they were getting his father’s skill set….They were definitely WRONG!!  I think the Athletic Department has finally seen the error in their ways, and if Dooley doesn’t have a stellar, and I mean STELLAR season, he is gone, gone, gone!!!   He needs to contend for the conference championship to keep his job, and let’s face it….They won’t!  After this coming season, Dooley will be a distant memory for UT fans!!!

Until next time…..

A Day Which will Live in "Scrutiny?"

June 26th, 2012……mark this day as a day that changed college football.  The NCAA Presidential Oversight Committee has voted to start using the newly proposed four team playoff format, starting in the 2014 football season.  What exactly does this mean for the NCAA?  Well, I personally think it will change things, but maybe not for the better.  This doesn’t necessarily solves any of the issues we have been having, just gives us a new batch of issues.

This is what they say the new format will consist of:

The four semi-finalists will be selected by a committee of “more than 10 individuals.”  They say it will be a lot like the NCAA basketball selection committee but more than the ten folks that make up the basketball committee.

The two semi-finals will be rotated between 4 existing bowl games. (it has been said that it will be the Fiesta, Rose, Orange, and Sugar bowls, but that has not been set in stone.  The games will be played on New year’s eve or New year’s day.

The Championship game will be hosted on a neutral site of the highest bidder.

A few things will come into play when selecting these four teams.  Ofcourse, even though they deny it, a conference champion will be a plus. (Sorry, Notre Dame)  The strength of schedule will be more important now than ever.

I stated eariler that this will just give us a new set of problems to deal with, let’s start with an example….

Say you have Georgia at the number one spot, undefeated.  You have USC at number two, undefeated.  we have LSU that WAS number two, that has now moved to number three after losing to Georgia in the SEC Championship game.  Now at the four spot you have an undefeated Boise St. team.  Here’s where it gets interesting, at number five you have a one loss Michigan team that lossed to USC in overtime.  At the six spot you have Ohio St. with their only loss to Michigan.  With a committee having to choose the top four teams, how are you going to put Boise St. as the fourth team?  If you go by strength of schedule, you’ll have to put Michigan as the fourth team.  Then the Boise tears will start to fall and they will be screaming they got screwed. But wait!!!!  Michigan has already lost to USC once, are you really going to want to see them play again in a playoff?  Oh, plus we have LSU still in third, and they have already lost to Georgia once!  Can we just toss them to the side?  No, we can’t!  Not if they ARE the third best team in the country.  Do you see where I am going with this?  There will always be folks with their feelings hurt, screaming that they got screwed.

I am all for having a playoff system, I just don’t think this is the right way.  We have to have a playoff system that will NOT take away from the regular season.  Therefore, we cannot have an eight team playoff or more.  I, for one, don’t have the answer, I just don’t think this is either!  I hope I am proven wrong.  I am glad to see college football going to a playoff format, so I am rooting for this to work.  Time will tell, folks!

Best of the SEC

Now is the time that I will give everyone a taste of the best positional players in the SEC. I will give the top 5 of each position! Y’all may not agree, that’s fine. I really don’t care…I am the blogger here! I’m just kiddin’ folks, don’t leave just yet! I want y’all to read, and then comment whether you agree or not!

Here we go……

Let’s start with the offense.

QB’s

5.   Tyler Russell -Miss St.

Now that Relf is gone, Russell can step up into the starting role.  With the confidence of being the starter, that’ll give him a much needed boost in ability.  Anyone that has played the wonderful sport of football knows, when you become the starter your desire to succeed goes way up from being 2nd string.  Les Koenning, the Offensive Coordinator and QB coach with Miss St. can focus more time and energy on Russell now.  Miss St. has never had a QB throw 2,500 yards in a season!  The closest they have came was in 1978 with Dave Marler who threw for 2,422 yards.  With Russell being a prototypical pocket passer and his big arm, look for him to be pretty damn close!

4.  AJ McCarron -Alabama

Now most of you will probably disagree with me on this one and think AJ should be higher.  With Alabama losing Trent Richardson for the running game, there will be a much heavier focus on the vertical game.  They still have Eddie Lacy, but let’s face it, He is not Richardson.  There will be a lot of pressure on AJ this season, and he will be forced to rely on his abilities a lot more.  Richardson ran for 21 TD’s last year and AJ threw for only 16.  Do the math!

3. Connor Shaw -South Carolina

After Garcia was rightfully stripped of the starting honors, Shaw went 7-1 for the Gamecocks.  The kid can play.  He shows poise in the pocket, and he is not afraid to roll out and wait for a WR to get open.  His biggest hurdle last season was losing Marcus Lattimore to a torn knee ligament.  This year Lattimore is back and healthy.  With a solid running game and Ace Sanders and Justice Cunningham, look for Shaw to throw atleast 2,500 yards this year.  Alshon Jeffrey will be a faded memory this year!

2. Tyler Wilson -Arkansas

I believe strongly, that Wilson is the #1 QB this year. BUT, with everything that happened with Bobby Petrino and having an interim Head Coach this year in John Smith, he will not be as focused as he needs to be.  he has no stability in his coaching staff this year.  Jarius Wright, Greg Childs, AND Joe Adams are gone!  How can you expect an unstable offense lose their top 3 WR’s, but still come in and blow the top off?  You can’t!  PERIOD!  He will struggle this year, but he will still play well!

And finally number 1.  Aaron Murray -Georgia

Murray threw for 3,149 yards and 35 touchdowns last season.  My “Campus Legend” on NCAA 12 doesn’t play that well!  Georgia started off last season 0-2 with losses to Boise St. and South Carolina.  The team started off very slow.  As you watched the bulldogs play last season, you can see the team gel, and gel very well!  They lose his favorite target in Orson Charles, the beast of a TE, but……That’s it.  Everyone else will be back.  With Murray and the Bulldogs playing well like they did the latter part of last season, look for them to be in the SEC Championship game, and maybe even the BCS title game!  Murray will have another 3,000 yard season, and most likely a rematch of last years SEC game.  Only this time, a different outcome.  My prediction is Georgia beats LSU in the SEC game, and goes to the BCS.  And we all know, when an SEC team goes to the BCS game…..Well, history speaks for itself….:)

Next time folks, I’ll be sharing the top 5 RB’s in the SEC!  See who they are later this week!

That is all!

Uptight about Updyke!

Okay folks, here it is…..

Why in the HELL are Alabama fans complaining that Updyke will not be getting a “fair Trial?”  What is a fair trial to them?  The only way the Bama nation would be content with the trial, is if he goes free!  The man has admitted SEVERAL freaking times that he did it.  Are they afraid that the Lee county folks that make up the jury, won’t be able to be unbiased?  If Updyke had a twin brother, that was just like him, HE would even convict him!  I mean come on folks!  I was listening to the “Paul Finebaum” show today, don’t ask me why, because I really couldn’t tell you.  So many callers were calling in and complaining about this.  One man even called in to say, “Why is the national media making all the bama fans out to be idiots?”  Honestly, It isn’t the “National Media!”  You folks are doing that all on your own!   Now, don’t get me wrong on all of this.  I’m not an Auburn fan, I am a Football fan.  He said that not all of the Alabama fans are like Updyke, or the one that placed his “nuggets” on an LSU fans’ forehead!  Then why are soo many fans flaunting what Updyke did to Toomer’s Oaks?  I can’t count how many pictures of dead tree’s in the desert with the caption “Toomer’s Oaks that I have seen on facebook!  Making fun of it or flaunting it, is just as bad folks!  How would y’all feel if someone cut the head off of Bear Bryant’s statue?  Y’all would be pissed, and would want justice, and would be just as pissed at someone that flaunted and made fun of it!  I am anxious to see Mr. Updyke do some time to pay for what he did, just as much as if it were any other fan with any other school.