SEC/Alabama Football

[Deleted]

Anyone around here a REAL SEC/Alabama football guru? I'm a huge college f'ball fan and consider myself pretty knowledgeable, but I don't have an insiders view of the SEC and what secondary rivalries might exist (outside of the obvious ones).

I've got an opportunity to go see a 'Bama game this season with seats like 20 rows up at mid-field, but I am not sure which game to pick... can anyone out there help?

[Bahstin]

I would go with Arkansas I think. But I have no more knowledge of the SEC than the next guy.

[Boz]

I don't know what the best rivalry would be, since Auburn's not an option, but I'm not sure if I could pass up the LSU game. That one could be to determine who goes to the SEC championship.

Tennessee's also being picked by many to win the other division this year, so if I'm choosing the best game to go to, I might go with one of those two. (Of course, Alabama could easily lose one or both of those, so then you might find your upstate New York self in a stadium full of angry, drunk Southerners).

Am I dreaming here? First a hockey thread. Now a football thread. What's next? An Ashley Judd or Jennifer Connelly thread?

[Deleted]

See, based on the dates I was thinking either Florida or Tennessee. I've heard both picked to win the SEC, esp. with Coach U taking over at UF.

Jennifer Connelly is gorgeous and the future Mrs. BuffaloHoya, whether she knows it or not.

[Deleted]

That and if I remember correctly Tenn. is going to have some major QB issues this year.

[hoyarooter]

buffalohoya said:

Jennifer Connelly is gorgeous and the future Mrs. BuffaloHoya, whether she knows it or not.

Hopefully you can cure her of her anorexia. That would be a gift to the world.

[DuddingtonHoya]

Ah, SEC football, how I miss you. If Auburn isn't available, LSU has to be a great choice even without their coach. Not sure what's on Arkansas' plate this season, but they're never far out of SEC West contention either. Florida is Florida and Tennessee is Tennessee. SEC is extremely up in the air this year with all the high-profile coaching changes. I'm a huge UGA fan, but I fear this may be an off year unless senior QB Shockley suddenly turns into the Michael Vick-protege he was expected to be out of high school.

On Bama's schedule even Southern Miss will be a good game. Really the only home game snoozer is Utah State.

[RDF]

I'll throw my hat into this as my passion for CFB is only surpassed by CBB and the Hoyas.

1. Tennessee's QB situation is geat--Erik Ainge was injured towards the end of last season and before then he was progressing wonderfully and is a candidate for All Conference QB. Nephew of Danny Ainge started as a FR after clearly earning the job over fellow Fr Brent Schaeffer--cousin of former Iowa QB Brad Banks. Schaeffer had some off the field issues and has transferred. Vols signed a very talented QB last year from NC and still have Rick Claussen who played very well in Bowl Game but is more of a backup--also the brother of Casey and more importantly for TN, the younger Claussen---Jimmy who's already being touted as top recruit in country in '07 at QB.

2. Florida won't be successful until Chris Leak is gone. Urban Meyer's offense is predicated on a tough QB and Leak is not that. He's also a bad runner and Meyer's best fit on the roster is Josh Portis a Frosh from California he'd recruited to Utah and then followed him to Florida and enrolled for Spring Ball. Portis clearly was better QB in their Spring Game for the offense. Leak looks good statistically but is a major league wimp when he's pressure. He often throws backing up or flinching away from rush to avoid getting hit. He's not very athletic either--poor runner so in Meyer's offense where he likes some option included, you can just play the tailback and force Leak to run--he'll slide. Florida is loaded with some young talent thanks to Zook but they are always a poorly conditioned team and to Meyer's credit he's trying to change that. Defensively watch out for a kid named Brandon Siler this year--he's a tremendous LB prospect who played as a true FR last year.

3. LSU is loaded and Jamarcus Russell showed signs of really taking his game to next level but never quite put it together. He had a great bowl game in last year's best New Year's Day game---versus Iowa in last play loss. He should take next step with a loaded Receiving corps. Dwayne Bowe is the guy to watch here with always talented Skyler Green, Early Doucet, Craig Davis, and friends. Defense will be young in Secondary but very talented.

4. Georgia is loaded with talent but have "Booby Bowden-Part II" at helm. Richt is doing what he did at FSU as OC/QB Coach and that's not developing QB's. His QB's have talent but never improve from their FR season--David Greene's best years were RS FR and Soph seasons and he got worse as career went on. They have athletes but Richt is showing a bad habit for recruiting similar "characters" to what FSU has---a bunch of kids getting in trouble with law and 6 of his 19 recruits last year didn't qualify for school.

5. At Bama, the big question is can Brodie Croyle stay healthy?? He's a talented kid but just been brittle. I think Coach Shula has done a good job considering the limitations he's been dealt and they had a great defense to watch last year--but not enough offense or players to sustain it--due to Probation.

6. Auburn's going to be a team who can sneak up on people--and how many times can an undefeated team say that the following year? They lost so many big name guys most don't talk about them winning SEC this year but they'll have talent and since hiring Al Borges as Offensive Cooridanator they have improved their offensive arsenal to add to what is always a respectable defense.

7. You've got Spurrier taking over at South Carolina and he spent most of his Spring weeding out the goons that Lou Holtz brought in-10-12 kids kicked off that team already. They're under probation with Holtz taking another team down, but Spurrier will make things interesting that's for certain.

8. Ed Orgeron will fit in SEC very well--he is a good coach who left USC and just in time as he's known for being one of the DIRTIEST Coaches in CFB. He was at Miami under Dennis Erickson's drunken regime and was such a scumbag he's not allowed to return to their campus. He's known for partying with players and doing whatever it takes to get them--so expect Ole Miss' recruiting to improve greatly and wins to come but probation to follow shortly after.

9. Miss State, Kentucky, and Vandy are afterthoughts although I'm pulling for Sly Croom to do well at Mississippi State after Jackie Sherrill did his usual slimy job.

10. Wildcard team to watch in my opinion is Arkansas. They can upset some people and finally are rid of Matt Jones at QB--that guy was a flake. Great athlete but a flake. They are fun to watch because you are guaranteed a 5+ Overtime game every year with them involved. Great athletes and very pedestrian/poor offensive attack. They've lacked a passer at QB for years, so should be interesting to see if they can find one this year--had a young team last year and defensively they'll be very fast and athletic and should be improved.

I'd say the SEC will come down to Tennessee and LSU this year, but as we know there is always one team who improves faster than expected and it could be Auburn, Bama, or UGA as Shockley's a talented kid who showed great promise as a FR, but I fear he's been "Richt-ed".

[the_way]

All I've got to say is: Steve Spurrier. College Football, let alone the SEC is not the same without him. Its going to take him a while to turn things around at South Carolina. At least 2-3 years to get the type of recruits he wants for his style of play and with better character. I just wish South Carolina would play Florida St. I loved Spurrier and Bowden verbal duals. Particularly during the 1996-1997 season

A Few Examples:


Bowden: If I wasn't a Christian man, I'd tell my players to go over there kick Steve Spurrier's azz.

Steve Spurrier's take on cheap shots of Florida St. players on the very religous, God-fearing Danny Weurffel.

Spurrier: Danny is a New Testament type guy, turn the other cheek. I'm an Old Testament type guy, eye for an eye.

Well, at least Spurrier has a chance to beat up on Bowden's son Tommy in the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry game.


I"m not sold on Meyer and Florida just yet. The talent is there to win a National title right now. If Ralph Friedegen had that Florida team right now, they would win the National title. I'm just not sure about Meyer's coaching and if he is a fit with Florida. He is not in Utah anymore. Its the SEC.

[hoyarooter]

A little bit off point here, but RDF, did you really think that the LSU-Iowa game was better than Texas-Michigan? I enjoyed LSU-Iowa (although I admit I was channel hopping) and contemplated even skipping the Rose Bowl, since I was Editeded that Cal got screwed, but tuned in since I really had nothing else to do at the time. I'm glad I did, as I thought that was one of the best Rose Bowls I have seen, and I've been watching them for about 45 years.

[Deleted]

The discussion is moot, fellas. I'll be attending the 'Bama-Tenn game. I went onto a 'Bama football board and they all assured me campus would be more rockin' for UcheaT as they call it than it would be for Florida.

[RDF]

hoyarooter said:

A little bit off point here, but RDF, did you really think that the LSU-Iowa game was better than Texas-Michigan? I enjoyed LSU-Iowa (although I admit I was channel hopping) and contemplated even skipping the Rose Bowl, since I was Editeded that Cal got screwed, but tuned in since I really had nothing else to do at the time. I'm glad I did, as I thought that was one of the best Rose Bowls I have seen, and I've been watching them for about 45 years.

I think LSU/Iowa was better because DEFENSE was actually played. I think Texas is the most overrated team in CFB and will be again this year. Michigan always is overhyped and they lack the speed on defense and their defense for Vince Young was pathetic. He's a kid who literally hits more worms on the ground then WR's downfield and they'd run with his WR's as if he was going to pass which just allowed him to prance all over them. There was a big difference between teams 1-3 last year and everyone else---make that 4 as Utah was damn good too. Cal was caught getting too cute against Texas Tech and should've pounded JJ Arrington instead of having the overrated Aaron Rodgers throw so much against Tech--which isn't able to take the pounding of a physical OL/running game.

Texas has gotten more hype from that damn Rose Bowl then any team I've ever seen. I see them losing to Ohio State early, OU again, and possibly 1/2 other games before the Bowl season. I just don't believe in Mack Brown/Greg Davis and while I like their new DC, it's going to be interesting going on their 3rd DC in 3 years to see how quickly they respond. I'll start believing in them when they prove it on the field and Vince Young can complete a pass outside of TE dump passes or scramble hook ups with receivers. Throw a pass on time to an open WR by making a good read and I'll believe.

I think Vince Young is the best WR playing CFB right now--problem is he's playing QB at UT.

Chad Henne was impressive and is going to be a great one but Michigan had more turtles on defense then Maryland. UGH!!!!

Those sleeping on Iowa, watch out for them this year. They won 10 football games last year with 5 of their top 6 RB's out injured and a first year starter at QB. Ferentz' leadership and OL coaching and Norm Parker's defense make them very tough--Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge are great LB's and they've got experience back everywhere--biggest sleeper WR in country is Clinton Solomon for Iowa too--that kid can play. If they upset Ohio State on September 24th, I see them with a serious shot at running the table and making it to Pasadena.

[AustinHoya03]

Just a reminder:

October 13, 2004: Texas 51 - TTU 21 (Lubbock, Texas)
December 30, 2004: TTU 45 - Cal 31 (San Diego, CA)

Also, check your memory: Arrington carried the ball 25 times (over his average for the season) for 176 yards in the Holiday Bowl. I'd chalk the win up to Mike Leach's unappreciated genius more than Cal mistakes.

As for Texas being overrated, let's go to the record and check the 'Horns record over the past four seasons:
2001: 11-2 overall, 7-1 Big 12
2002: 11-2 overall, 6-2 Big 12
2003: 10-3 overall, 7-1 Big 12
2004: 11-1 overall, 7-1 Big 12

I don't like Greg Davis' system either, and I don't think Mack is the brightest bulb in the box, but let me ask you this: Who's your team and what have they done the past four seasons? Unless your team is Oklahoma or USC, it don't get much better than that.

[RDF]

austinhoya03 said:

Just a reminder:

October 13, 2004: Texas 51 - TTU 21 (Lubbock, Texas)
December 30, 2004: TTU 45 - Cal 31 (San Diego, CA)

Also, check your memory: Arrington carried the ball 25 times (over his average for the season) for 176 yards in the Holiday Bowl. I'd chalk the win up to Mike Leach's unappreciated genius more than Cal mistakes.

As for Texas being overrated, let's go to the record and check the 'Horns record over the past four seasons:
2001: 11-2 overall, 7-1 Big 12
2002: 11-2 overall, 6-2 Big 12
2003: 10-3 overall, 7-1 Big 12
2004: 11-1 overall, 7-1 Big 12

I don't like Greg Davis' system either, and I don't think Mack is the brightest bulb in the box, but let me ask you this: Who's your team and what have they done the past four seasons? Unless your team is Oklahoma or USC, it don't get much better than that.

Typical Horn fan, here's some math for you pal

OU-12 UT-ZIP

USC-55 OU-19

OU-65 UT-13

LSU-21 OU-14

When the Big XII steps up against the elite CONSISTENTLY, I'll believe. Hell Arkansas should've beaten UT last year and Kansas almost did. The Big XII is OVERRATED and part of the reason OU and Texas have such gaudy records is the lack of quality teams in the league. When Texas and Oklahoma start beating the Ohio State's, Miami's, USC's I'll believe, until then I don't and sorry but beating an average Michigan team who was DESTROYED by Ohio State last year prior to Rose Bowl "back in" with Iowa beating Wisconsin, I'm not impressed.

[AustinHoya03]

I put some simple numbers out there, and you come back with "well X beat Y who beat Z in 2003 and Z almost lost to J and J's conference is overrated and J lost to Y in 2001 and Y has a quarterback whose mechanics my favorite analyst doesn't like so therefore Y is overrated." Please. If you can't acknowledge that four consecutive 10+ win seasons is a pretty good achievement for any program, I don't want to hear your other circuitous arguments.

It is interesting that for each significant Big XII win, you have an excuse. Cal should've run Arrington more. Michigan didn't play defense. Texas "almost lost" to Arkansas. (They didn't -- does it matter that your oh so vaunted Ohio State team that beat that "average" Michigan team almost lost to Marshall at the beginning of last season?) Yet when the Big XII loses, like in the close game between OU and LSU in 2003, it's a sure sign the Big XII is overrated.

Sure, OU didn't win the national championship the last two seasons, but before each game they were the pick of a lot of flavor of the week armchair quarterbacks like you ("Oh Iowa is just going to be faaabulous this season because I heard Kirk Herbstreit drool over them on ESPN. Never mind that I never played high school football and have no real knowledge of the game."). At least I have enough of a sack to pick a team instead of telling someone else how terrible his team is.

So maybe I'm a "typical Horn fan." I guess that means I would typically beat your pontificating ass if you were doing your NCAA hyperanalysis next to me in the stands at Royal-Memorial Stadium.

[RDF]

People from Texas always think they invented the game. Your a typical loudmouth clown who has no clue and before you go off at the mouth and make a bigger ass of yourself, where did you play football? What is your credentials? Did you ever think that maybe someone knows something and all I did was play to your rules of "math". I'm NOT a Ohio State fan nor am I an Iowa fan--I'm a CFB fan and to me Iowa's program with Kirk Ferentz has been building into a top 5 program for sometime and their schedule isn't that difficult if they get by Ohio State on the 24th of September.

I'm actually a Miami Hurricane fan who is fortunate enough to know many of the Iowa Lineage of coaches including Bob Stoops at OU, Bill Snyder at KSU, etc.... because I am related to the Football Secretary at Iowa. Hayden Fry, Barry Alvarez, Kirk Ferentz, etc..... and I'd say they know quite a bit more about football then you or I and believe me my opinion isn't alone on what I had to say--if you choose to ask me further questions and want to know, feel free to send a private message.

All I stated was factual info--Ohio State killed Michigan and it was a down year in Columbus. Texas fans act like that damn Rose Bowl was the greatest game of all time. It was a solid game but sorry if I'm not sold. YOU chose to do this "Texas beat Texas Tech by this margin, so......" and I just threw it back at you. All I can say is that we'll see how things shake out and if I'm wrong, no problem on my end, but I have a feeling some of the Texas followers are putting way too much stock into one damn game against a marginal Michigan team. They were solid offensively and average on defense. Vince Young is a great talent, but he has yet to prove he can execute a passing attack and to beat elite teams and win the games UT always loses, he'll need to do so.

What about Texas did I say that was wrong? Are they not on their 3rd DC in 3 years? is Greg Davis not one of the shakiest OC's among the top programs? Mack Brown has won exactly how many Conference Championships??

So I say I see Texas possibly losing 3 games prior to the Bowl Game and you get ticked off and go off on this equation that means nothing??

I am of the belief that Iowa's program is among top 5 in country right now due to superior coaching and now they are adding great athletes to the program. Their schedule is set up for a run to Pasadena if they can win that OSU game--take a look at it, it's not that inconceivable. Ferentz is 10 times the coach Mack Brown is and if you don't believe that talk to some NFL people who try to pry him away from Iowa City every year. It's not a "trendy" pick to give credit to a guy who's rebuilt a program out of middle of the road talent and maximized his roster--now he's getting players and they can compete with anyone.

As for my team--Miami, they've been down the past two years and I have higher hopes for them this year but we'll see. I can say I'd be more than happy to see Texas in Pasadena if UM made it there but I want to see USC there and beat them to take away the titles. I personally think Canes are a year away from NC, but the talent is there--just need to see how quickly Kyle Wright develops.

Good luck to you and Horns and sorry for going off but I hate false hype and Texas is king of that--every year they are going to "beat OU" "Win it all" and why do people think this? OU is by far the best program in Big XII right now and they have come up very short on National Stage--sorry but it's true. LSU wasn't as good as USC the year they got to play them in Sugar Bowl when everyone knows it should've been LSU-USC and OU couldn't handle them.

As I said, you want to get into "who knows what" and what are your credentials, I'm more than happy to give them to you, but don't call someone out for not liking your team--or praising another program and act like only people from Texas know CFB--that's pure BS. Feel free to send me a PM and further discuss this or else just let the season unfold and see how it shakes out. I know I'll be wrong a lot, and if I am about Texas, I'll eat my crow. Doubt you will do the same but willing to give you benefit of the doubt.

[the_way]

RDF, I didn't know you were 'Canes fan. I'm a Canes fan myself. I don't know about you, but I HATED Brock Berlin for the last 2 years. He was horrible. I was definitely glad to see him go. Kyle Wright is still green. He'll need to get some experience. He was big-time high school prospect out of California. I believe he went to the same high school as Ken Dorsey. Miami is in reload mode right now. We are losing first-round draft picks right and left every year. Although our last 2 teams would have went undefeated in the Big 12. ;D Being a Canes fan one of the worse games I ever saw the Canes play was the embarrassment in the Sugar Bowl in 1992. Talk about an azz kicking. Remember when George Teauge caugh Lamar Thomas from like 30 yards away and stripped the ball away from him. I still have nightmares over that. I've never seen an azz kicking like that in my life. Well, maybe the azz kicking from Arizona a couple years later in a bowl game against the Caines was severe too.


In terms of the Big 12 being overrated and very weak, I wholeheartedly agree. Nebraska is in the pitts, and OU doesn't even play them every year. Texas is the only big game for OU all year, and also Kansas St. with its cast of criminals. I will always hate OU, and I think their last National title should have an asterisk next to it because they should have played the 'Canes that year instead of Florida St. ( who the 'Canes beat that year). The 'Canes were stacked. Bob Stoops is a media darling and they just fawn over him. I mean who do they have to fear in their conference, Missouri? Baylor? Get real! Texas is a joke and an embarrassment. Will they ever beat OU this decade? With all the talent in Texas,and you have to BEG to get in a BCS bowl. What a disgrace!? Winning 10+ games a year with superior talent in an inferior conference with no National title to show for it, is nothing for Texas to be proud of or brag about. Its a shame OU was in the place of Auburn for the National title (who went undefeated in the Best Conference in College Football). And they got their azz handed to them by USC because they played a team that had talent unlike most of the inferior teams in the Big 12. ITt a shame OU had a chance to play for a National title in the Sugar Bowl instead of USC vs. LSU. All these chances and talent at their disposal for these so-called top 5 programs like OU and Texas, and they can't get it done.

[Gold Hoya]

Buffalo, I guess this is moot now, but I went to the last LSU-'Bama game in Tuscaloosa (2003). I'm a Big 10 guy for football (grew up going to Northwestern games) but a few of us Class of 2000 Harbin 8 guys have decided we're going to see one big-time college football game per year, and that was our first stop.

Some good memories:

Pre-game, drinking at a bar a few blocks from the stadium, we're chatting with a few LSU fans. A short 'Bama fan in his mid-30s comes up to us, twang in full effect, and politely tells our new purple-shirted friends: "We'd like to welcome y'all to Tuscaloosa, I hope you have a good time here, and I'd like to thank y'all for kicking the [snot] out of Auburn."

Upon finding our seats, we discover we're about 3 rows in front of the LSU band. We further discover that the band travels with friends: www.bands.lsu.edu/golden_girls/index.php.

LSU kicked the [snot] out of Alabama that night, but we didn't mind the celebration at all.

[Boz]

Good Lord!

I like the uniforms.

Fleur de lis = "Everything you desire."

[Gold Hoya]

boz1 said:

Good Lord!

Even better in person. Trip to Baton Rouge anyone?