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Well, there you have it. I'm a Mississppi State fan. However, I will try to take my maroon glasses off, and start a preseason look at each SEC team. So, today I'm going to start with how I think the East will play out.
1. Georgia
2. South Carolina
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbuilt
Look for the winner of the East to have at the least two loses. It may have three because the West will be strong again this year. Now why Georgia? I think a big win against Boise st boost the East Dawgs to upset South Carolina in Athens. They may or may not loose the the Cocktail party, but the loser of the UGA - USC game has never went on to win the East.
Well, there you have it. I'm a Mississppi State fan. However, I will try to take my maroon glasses off, and start a preseason look at each SEC team. So, today I'm going to start with how I think the East will play out.
1. Georgia
2. South Carolina
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbuilt
Look for the winner of the East to have at the least two loses. It may have three because the West will be strong again this year. Now why Georgia? I think a big win against Boise st boost the East Dawgs to upset South Carolina in Athens. They may or may not loose the the Cocktail party, but the loser of the UGA - USC game has never went on to win the East.
It’s that time of the year everyone is looking at recruiting. I’m not one of those guys that are going to get all fired up about it. However, I do like to see if the players choose system, Coach, School, or past team mates. What really drove the player to make this chose? It seems that in the recent years with the internet covering it 24/7, there is a big push to sign a “dream team” or “1 signing class”. However, you can take the star system and throw it in the dirt. The system rates recruits from: no stars to the best five stars. Just who gets what rating though? The best I can tell it rates the recruits and gives them stars by the number of offers a player has and who is offering him.
Example: I’ve got nine offers to play OL but only one Division I school. I will be a two or three star player. If I have great size, strength or speed then three stars if I’m average then two. Now let’s say I’ve got the same nine offers and several are Division I schools then I’m going to be a three star and with size, strength or speed maybe a four. Now I’ve got nine offers and they are all Division I, I’m going to get that four star tag, and throw in some skill and maybe enough interviews I can get that fifth star. Now that I’ve got that rating it’s time for me to see who else is as good as I am. I want to go play with great teammates so who else has four stars. Now I can “tweet” or “facebook” or “text” and get to know some of these other players and see where they are going and why.
Now a senior, having to choose what school to attend I’ve not only got Coaches, family, and friends recruiting me. I’ve got these other four star guys that I’ve summer camped with wanting me to go play where they are. Now in school, I’ve star hyped expectations to meet. Not just from myself but from a fan base. One only has to look at one Division I school to see that the stars don’t align often. Sure you have one or two five stars play right away and one or two dominate. Do a quick check and see how many two and three stars play in the NFL. The bottom line is one has to trust the Coaches to recruit the players that will best suit his team. If he has no stars but has the tools to be a college player in a system then trust these high paid Coaches to make those choices. Somebody let me know how many stars Jerry Rice had, how about Patrick Willis three time all-pro. Let’s just say, the Coaches don’t put any stock in the stars.
As I drove to work this morning, I listen to Matt Wayett’s radio show. He does a good job of keeping it interesting. One of this morning’s guests was Ole Miss’ new offensive coordinator, David Lee. He really didn’t let too much out of the bag as to what Ole Miss’ offense will look like, but he did say what their QB would. He made it clear the Ole Miss’ next QB will have to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. That he will be responsible for the protections and making sure everyone is on the right page. Here I’m listening and thanking isn’t that what a QB does anyway. I guess things have changed a lot since my playing days. It does seem the new standard to hurry to the line then look to the sidelines and make the adjustments the coach’s call. I really don’t like this method, yet it worked just fine for Auburn. In fact, Mississippi State does it and it worked really well for them this year. Is the QB capable of making the adjustments, or are the adjustments and offenses too complicated to learn all the reads in a week with classes.
A QB at the NFL level has all day and night if he so chooses to study defenses. At the College level one has classes and limited time they can be coached. So, even if he does study film, is he able to grow with no coach to groom him in film study. Coach Lee made another statement about there being the NFL and the Collegiate levels and somewhere in between there is the SEC. I would agree with that statement, the defenses in the SEC compare more closely to the NFL than most Colleges. I think that’s why we have seen such an increase in the coach calling the adjustments form the sidelines. Cam Newton had an awesome year in 2010. This guy came to Auburn and went through one spring and one fall camp. Then came out and beat everybody. He only made the adjustments his Coaches called and when the call was still bad he used his legs to make something happen. I don’t begin to know just how complicated a Division I offense is, but letting the Coaches make the reads and having the QB make the call. Sure seems to work if you want to win national championships. Florida won two and now Auburn has one with this type system.
I'm sorry it's been a while since I last posted. Been busy and then the Holidays. Hope you had a chance to take in the great SEC football last week. I myself got to enjoy my first Egg Bowl, and what a great one it was. I have waited my whole life to see MSU football move in the direction it apears to be moving. The Iron Bowl was one for the books. I told my sons don't go play it's a lot of football to play. Auburn has proved they can score and they were going to before its over. My nine watching the post game heard them say who could have seen this coming. He turn to me and said Daddy you saw it coming. I told Mr. Bama at work that they would lose at least three games this year, and like my son said I saw this coming for a long time. Anyway, I like Auburn this year because of one player, and you know who he is. That's right Newton is the difference maker. Now when he come out in the daft next year looks like it could be a long year for war eagle. This years motto has got to be: Find a good horse and ride it. There is no secrect to Auburn. Cam Newton is Auburn and his play makes everyone around him better. This weeks picks is simple Auburn 31 SC 21. I do think South Carolina will make it a game in the end Auburn wins. Lattermore is truely a marvel. Few true freshman change a game like he does. He is good and is only going to get better. He is fun to watch, has strength, and his speed is deceptive.
Well all my picks went south this week. The only ones I got right were the easy ones. That’s why they play the games. I’ve never been too good at picking them tend to go with the underdogs too much. Well, see what you think about this week’s picks.
Georgia State@ Alabama, Bama 52 GS 3.
Appalachian State@ Florida, Fa 35 AS 10
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With a season that was going according to life long dreams. I see a game that can either propel you forward or take you backwards. This game at Alabama is a big game for a program that is starting to find its identity. MSU needs this win. Not only for this team, but for there fans. When you beat a Florida on the road everyone now believes you can beat anybody. So, now the pressure is on you to go out and take a win away for a proud Alabama program. You can bet to win at Alabama, MSU will need some takeaways. I look forward to seeing what Coach Diaz will bring this week just for the Bama offense. LSU proved you can get to their QB. We need too, at the very least, make him move on every pass play. I also see this game as a FUNdamentals game. It will be FUN for the players, its like football in the back yard when you know who we are throwing to and who is going to run. You just have to stop us if you can. Both teams will run, run ,and run then throw. The team that hits a few big plays in the passing game most likely wins. Winning at Alabama is a big deal for any program, but a program that has had few wins to even talk about in a decade needs this one to cement the fact it's moving forward. I've been a State fan all my life. Beating Alabama only takes second place to beating Ole Miss. It is a rare thing. To be the type program, I dream of, we have to be able to do more than play the keep it close games. We need to go in and win bottom line. Anything less than victory is just a loss. I'm proud of the way this team has played in every game this year. I was a little disappointed with the Auburn loss because we had plenty of opportunity to win that game. The LSU game showed me a defense that was going to keep you in most any game. Holding LSU to five field goals when their average starting field position was their own 45. That's not to shabby especially when you realize they were long field goals his longest was 51 yards. Without all the turnovers that game may have looked very different. It's the only game Relf has come out without having the lead. He took a helmet-to-helmet hit that really rattled him. The Coaching staff went the rest of the way with Red shirt-Freshman Tyler Russell who threw interception after interception. I'm still a Russell fan his upside is great and he has learned a lot this year. I think this game is Relf's to win. He is going to have a chance to hit some plays in the passing game, because Alabama is going to load everything they got against the run. Then again just like the Florida game we proved that we will run it over and over. The mark of a good running team is they run it even when the other team knows they are going to run it. This game will be one of the hardest hitting games of the year so if you are a college football fan you want to be sure to check this game out. It seems like either turnovers or special teams usually win this type of game.
Well, I should have stuck to my guns in the LSU game. Been telling a co-worker all year Bama would lose three or more this year. Who knew, LSU would finally find some offense. I had the other games pretty well pegged. The west is strong, but I expected more from South Carolina. The East has come down to Florida and South Carolina in the Swamp. Auburn has the upper hand in the West, but it’s not quit a given. Bottom line beat Georgia and they win the West. This week’s games are much harder to pick. Teams look pretty even this week on paper. That usually means whoever wins the turn-over battle wins the game. My first pick comes from my heart, MSU beats Bama. That’s right State will beat Bama, which could lose its last three SEC games this season. I know Tide nation is all upset. Their ultimate goal for this season, ended Saturday when LSU found their offense. They know that the BCS Championship Game is out of reach now, and they have to find a new goal for their season. MSU is playing for all the right reasons. State is having its best season in a decade, and the emotions of losing a team mate will be the driving force this Saturday. I expect to see State play with relentless effort this week. The players will have a will to win this game like no other game they have ever played. To go win, on the rode in the home state of your fallen teammate, would be a tremendous farewell to Nick Bell. It won’t be easy; Bama has a lot of pride and will expect to win. I see it going down to the wire. MSU will have to get some turn-overs. Both teams play to their strengths; it should be a great SEC West game. Looking at what might be the biggest two games. The winners get a trip to Atlanta to face each other. Auburn takes care of Georgia with relative ease. Auburn’s Cam Newton is the best player in college football and he takes this game over from the start. The South Carolina@ Florida game is one that could go either way. As bad as I want to pick South Carolina, I’m not sure they can stop Reed. Reed played QB the second half against Vandy. He maybe their best kept secret, and makes you wonder what took so long to go to him. I know what you’re thinking it was Vandy. With them switching three QBs in and out you never know what’s coming at you. Unlike Burton, Reed showed a very strong arm with enough accuracy to get it to their play makers. Steve Spurrier needs to watch the MSU game and run, run, run, and run. A low scoring game will favor South Carolina more by simply keeping their defense off the field. Their secondary is still not sure they can cover anyone. I would love to see South Carolina win, but I’m going with Florida. We all know South Carolina can’t stop Newton. So, let’s see if Florida who let Newton get away, can find away to stop him in the Championship Game. Arkansas and LSU have what should be easy games this week with UTEP and Louisiana-Monroe. The other teams playing this week are literally playing for any sort of bowl out there. Kentucky gets Vandy and Ole Miss travels to Tennessee. I’m going to take Kentucky and Ole Miss. Ole Miss doesn’t having much hope of making a bowl game, if they don’t win this one. Which is very thing, Tennessee will play their last three games for. Win and they will be bowl eligible. It’s all come down to these last few games and Kentucky looks to lock in its bowl eligibility this week against Vandy. I cannot believe the season has gone by so fast. Here we are with only three weeks remaining for most teams. Like always November football is what you remember. Finish strong and it boost your spring and summer workouts even if you don’t go bowling. Everybody is looking forward to those rivalry games.
I have said this before, time-and-time again. I'm glad Newton went to Auburn. I feel in the long run MSU's program would benefit more by not having a do it all player. Now, that John Bond's story has come out I'm even more sure of my opinion. It has been rumored around MSU, since it happened. Seems to be at least true in that MSU did report this to the SEC when it happened. Way to go State! That's first class in my book. They also said they would recruit Newton just like they do any other player and no other way. It doesn't matter if Newton did it or not. It reallly looks bad. He has made statements that he really wanted to go to MSU. Yet, at the last moment he went to AU. What a difference a day makes. Can you imagine how nervous anyone that has even thought about giving Auburn players money must feel right now. I'm still not sure if the NCAA is investigating Newton or not. I read an article at AL.com that said no one at Auburn had received any letters from the NCAA. Yet, several articles claimed that Cecil Newton had made his finances known to the NCAA. If there was no letter sent to Auburn maybe it was sent to the Newton's. Regardless, if Newton is involved with this or it's just a rouge Agent it will tarnish Newton's playing days. He may go down as the best college player ever, but he will always have people say he was on the take. Some are saying they would never voted for him for the Heisman because of the whole integrity issue anyway. The old lap-top thing at Florida. Seems Heisman voters are checking players criminal records before voting as well. Auburn and the Newton's better hope they have dotted their I's and crossed their T's cause everyone in the world is looking now. You can bet if the NCAA finds wrong doing they are going to hammer all those involved. Newton is still at Auburn and he is currently playing. This thing will most likely be unresolved by the end of season. An the fact that his eligibility will be in question Newton will opt for the NFL daft this year. I have often said, if Auburn won it all he would come out in the daft. I think no matter what happens he comes out now that this story has broke. The bottom line is Bush is still making plenty money down in New Orleans. Cam Newton good, bad, or guilty will get his chance at the NFL.
Ok week 10 is here and it seems the season just started. Man how fast the weeks go bye when there is football to watch. There are just a few games that really look good on paper this week. Alabama@ LSU and Arkansas@ South Carolina look to be good games. The only other conference game is Florida@ Vandy. Here are my picks for week 10.
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