SEC Preview, Part 8: Can ‘Talladega Matt’ lead UGA to promised land?

UGA

Overview: Since the hiring of Mark Richt, UGA has been at the top of the eastern division. The secret to Richt's success has been a winning offense capable of getting the job done. Plus, a very good defense and solid recruiting have placed Georgia in the league of elite teams in the SEC. In fact, according to rivals.com, over the past three years UGA has an average national ranking of seven in recruiting. There is no doubt this team is loaded with talent.

Offense: For the most part, UGA must replace the entire offensive line. Despite great recruiting classes, the Dawgs are very thin along the line. As a result, they will rely on true freshman and junior college transfers to get the job done. It may take a few weeks to get things together, but eventually this should be a solid group of guys. However, an injury or two could seriously cripple any hopes of a good season.

QB Matthew Stafford is back for his second season in the SEC. He struggled last season after being thrown into the fire. This year Stafford must prove he is not just a paper blue chip player. He must go out and perform week in and week out in the best conference in college football. Stafford has the talent, but he still must find his game.

While he will be more experienced, he will have to deal with a new offensive line as they go through growing pains. He will not have the luxury of the experienced veteran line to protect him from opposing defenses that he had a year ago. To make matters worse, the offensive line coach left for UAB, so not only will the team be replacing the entire offensive line, but also will have to replace one of the top offensive line coaches in the country which will be no small feat.

To add to the transitions taking place on offense, Mark Richt has decided to hand over the reigns of offensive coordinator to Mike Bobo. While Bobo did handle play calling duties in a few games last year, he is an unproven play caller going into the season. It is always unsettling to have a new coordinator, but even worse to have one that has never called plays at any level other than high school. In the end, Bobo must replace one of the top offensive coordinators (Richt) in the SEC which will be no small task. My worst fears were confirmed when the AJC ran a story titled "Even Richt unsure about Bobo's offense."

Defense: The defense has been the strength of the team the past few years. However, this season the Dawgs will have to basically replace the entire defense. There is a ton of talent, but they will be tested early against OK State and USC. The defense should come together and again be one of the better units in the SEC. If not, defensive coordinator Willie may be looking for a new job come the end of the year.

Lamar’s Keys to a championship:
(1) Does this team have a solid defense? YES. While we really don’t know for sure, by the time UGA gets in the thick of the schedule they will be just as good as anyone on the defensive side of the ball

(2) Can this team run the ball? SPLIT DECISION. Running the ball will be the key to beating South Carolina which would put them in the SEC east race. However, with so many questions on offense, this remains a question mark.

(3) Does this team have a prove QB? NO. While Stafford has a huge upside he has not proven that he can play QB week in and week out in the SEC.

Conclusion: Despite severe losses on both side of the ball and some coaching changes on offense, the Dawgs should again be near the top of the east. With the amount of talent on this team they are capable of winning the division and the league any season. This is a testament to the job Mark Richt has done for the program. However, I do not believe UGA will make it to Atlanta this year because of the turmoil the offense is bound to face. The defense will be good, but with the coaching changes, an unproven offensive line, and an unproven QB this will not be the year of the Dawg. On the other hand, if the offense comes together early against South Carolina and Alabama, UGA fans can go ahead and start looking for SEC championship tickets and RV Parking spaces at the Georgia Dome.

Lamar’s Pick: UGA will finish 9-3 with a 5-3 mark in the SEC. They will finish third in the SEC East. Wins will come against Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vandy, and Kentucky. UGA will be see losses against USC, FL, and AU.

UGA is my early pick to win the SEC in 2008.

SEC Preview, Part 7: The Gators will be disappointing

UF

Overview: After slipping into the national championship game last season, the Gators will take a step back in 2007. A team that was able to squeak out enough victories to get the job done last year must replace the entire defense and break in a new QB.

Florida certainly has the talent to make it back to the Atlanta. According to rivals.com, their last three recruiting classes average ranking is six.

Offense: This will be the real strength of this team. However, I will be curious to see how Tebow does as starter who must throw more than one pass a game.

Defense: While they will be talented, the defense must replace several key players. The defense is what made Florida such a dangerous team last season which is exactly why they will struggle this season.

Lamar’s key to a championship:

1. Does this team have a solid defense? SPLIT DECISION. It is too early to tell if this team will have a solid defense. With the loss of so many players it will be difficult. It will be even more difficult if they have to spend a lot of time on the field when the offense struggles or when they score quickly.

2. Can this team run the ball? YES. They have a very good offensive line and should be able to run the ball much more effectively than they did a year ago.

3. Does this team have a proven QB? NO. While Tebow may have all the talent in the world, he has not proven he can be an every down QB.

Conclusion: The lack of experience on defense will be enough to drop FL from the top of the SEC East down toward the bottom. They will lose the games they were able to pull out of a hat a year ago.

Lamar’s Pick: FL will have an overall record of 8-4 with a 4-4 record in the SEC. They will finish fourth in the SEC East. They will defeat Ole Miss, Kentucky, UGA, and Vandy. They will lose to Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, and South Carolina.

Photo: from flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceelicious/

Edit: SEC Tailgate Preseason Top 5

SEC Tailgate Preseason Top 5:

1. USC(3) 3,400
2. LSU(1) 3,400
3. Texas 1,800
3. West Virginia 1,800
5. Wisconsin 600

SEC Tailgate Poll Details

Other Polls:

AP Top 5:
1. USC (62) 0-0 1,622
2. LSU (2) 0-0 1,511
3. West Virginia (1) 0-0 1,396
4. Texas 0-0 1,375
5. Michigan 0-0 1,371

USA Today Top 5
1. USC (45) 0-0 1,481
2. LSU (4) 0-0 1,372
3. Florida (9) 0-0 1,278
4. Texas 0-0 1,231
5. Michigan (2) 0-0 1,218

Another Edit: Arrest Update

From Al.com:
"Auburn senior offensive tackle King Dunlap was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant Monday. An Auburn court clerk said the warrant was issued Aug. 22 after Dunlap neglected to pay a speeding ticket."

From CNNSI:
"Arkansas defensive end Marcus Harrison is suspended indefinitely after being arrested late Friday night on a felony drug charge and several misdemeanors."

From CNNSI:
"An LSU football player was arrested Thursday, accused of trying to break into a condo near campus following an argument with the person who lives there, police said."

From ESPN:
"South Carolina safety Emmanuel Cook was arrested on a gun charge and suspended from the university on Friday, making him ineligible to play for the Gamecocks. "

Current Count:

1. FL/UGA: 5 arrests
3. Alabama: 4 arrests
4. LSU: 1 arrest
4. South Carolina: 1 arrest
4. Arkansas: 1 arrest

Exclusive: Ernest Faulkner Previews SEC West

SEC Overview

By Ernest Faulkner

In an effort to combat sports media lunacy, here is a brief overview of how I think the SEC will finish prior to the championship game and why.

1. LSU 10-2 (7-1 SEC)
The Tigers bring new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton after predecessor Jimbo Fisher guided LSU to a national title, two SEC titles and three Sugar Bowls. Early season stumbles in the new system may cause problems for the Bayou Bengals, especially with the emotionally opener against Virginia Tech. However, LSU has enough talent with quarterback Matt Flynn, wide receiver Early Doucet, defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey among others so that even a crazed, delusional ape could guide this group to a title. Thankfully, the Tigers already have one on the sidelines in a fitted cap and New Kids on the Block headset.

2. Auburn 10-2 (6-2 SEC)
This team will be picked low again because it replaces an offensive line that was among one of the worst in the SEC last season. Mark my words, this will be one of the best teams in the conference and will even challenge for the title. Brandon Cox must stay healthy though because there is no depth at quarterback, a problem evidenced in the Georgia game last season. Fresh talent in the backfield and receiver group will surprise many pundits, but road games at LSU, Florida, Arkansas and Georgia will provide the ultimate gauntlet. It is tough to believe the Tigers can go through that stretch undefeated.

3. Alabama 8-4 (5-3 SEC)
Few coaches have brought as much hype to a program as Nick Saban has to Alabama. The Tide will experience success soon, but make no mistake, this isn’t LSU. With an offense that is talented, Alabama must go from bland to spread under new offensive coordinator Major Applewhite and there will be some bumps in the road. The lack of an experienced defense will also cause some worry this season. For every big win and conference upset, there may lurk a UAB-type defeat like The Nick had before going to the Peach Bowl with the Tigers in 2000. Back-to-back home games with Tennessee and LSU, plus road games with an improving Vanderbilt, Auburn and a neutral game with Florida State and former Saban assistant Jimbo Fisher will provide plenty of challenges.

4. Arkansas 7-5 (3-5 SEC)
Turmoil can wreck a football team, whether it is a Terrell Owens-type player or off-season drama. After 2007, consider the Razorbacks derailed. With the Springdale Debacle, the departure of Frank Broyles and the cyberstalking of head coach Houston Nutt by a tech-savvy fan, there will be too much distraction for Arkansas to make a strong charge back to Atlanta. Darren McFadden will continue to amass yards on the ground and may win the Heisman, but the SEC will be back on to Nutt’s offensive philosophy of RUN and defenses will act accordingly.

5. Ole Miss 4-7 (2-6 SEC)
Coach O. can recruit them, but the question is can he win with them. Supposed QB savior Brent Schaeffer will now catch passes instead of throwing them and the only offensive bright spot is running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The mighty linebackers of last season, headed by Patrick Willis, are gone and expect the defense to give up yardage like a mortgage company dumping employees this fall.

6. Miss. State 2-10 (0-8 SEC)
Sylvester Croom is no slouch as a coach, but I don’t think God, Goldie Hawn, Burt Reynolds or Rick Moranis could lead this team to the promise land in the SEC’s 75th season. Michael Henig will have to stay healthy in the Bulldogs have a shot and anything, but expect them to be coach shopping come December.

Ernest Faulkner is a professional writer who is known as being the first sports writer to be an "auteur." Mr. Faulkner operates in secrecy among the shadows of the journalism business hoping to avoid their lunacy. During his time in "the biz" he has worked for some of the top publications in the world. You can contact him at ernest@sectailgate.org.

SEC Preview, Part 6: Can the 4 million dollar man take Alabama to Atlanta in '07?

Overview: The hiring of Nick Saban has been the talk of the college football world. If Alabama were given a win for each hour of media coverage they have gotten over the past few months, they could be crowned national champs without ever having to play a game. Fortunately for the rest of the SEC, the Tide actually must win their way to Atlanta.

The last three recruiting classes were ranked 10, 11, and 18 for an average ranking of 13. If this were an ACC team they would probably be in the championship game every other season. However, in a deep conference such as the SEC, Alabama has struggled mightily the past two seasons.

Offense: The offense will be the strength of this football team. The Tide returns an experienced QB in Sarah Jessica Parker Wilson and a talent crop of receivers who can run after the catch. Alabama should not have a problem replacing Darby at running back after he struggled through his senior season. The offensive line should have no problem giving Sarah Jessica Park Wilson time to throw the ball.

Defense: This is a huge question mark going into the season. Alabama fans have to feel uneasy as their defense has always been their trademark. New defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has switched the defensive over to a 3-4 look in the hope of getting more pressure on opposing QBs. The secondary will be the best unit on the defensive side of the ball and must be able to play man coverage if the Tide expects to have an improved pass rush.

In case you are wondering, “Money” is back for his senior season at kicker, but he may have a tough time holding off Mr. Tiffin for the starting job.

Conclusion: All of the hype and off season talk of a division championship will quickly turn to “they should be better next season” and “this is a rebuilding year.” Nick Saban is a good football coach but he just can’t be expected to turn the program around in just a few months.

Lamar’s Pick: Alabama will finish 7-5 overall and 4-4 in the SEC putting them at third place in the SEC West. SEC wins will come at the expensive of Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Ole miss, and Mississippi State. They will lose to Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn. They will also lose an out of conference match up against FSU.

You may also find it interesting that Katrina Aid is going toward football condos in T-Town.

Eastern Motors Training Camp Day 1

7 days until LSU beats Miss. State.