SEC West: Will Ole Miss challenge Bama, LSU?
ALABAMA
Last season: 12-2; lost to Florida 31-21 in SEC championship game; lost to Utah 31-17 in Sugar Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 4, defense 9, kicker 2.
Coach: Nick Saban, 110-50-1 overall, 19-8 in two seasons at Alabama.
What we still don’t know: Can the defense carry this team until the offense grows up? Three very good starters (including Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith) are gone on the offensive line. The Tide will have a new quarterback in Greg McElroy, who takes over for John Parker Wilson. Alabama still needs a big-time receiver on other side from superstar Julio Jones. There are just a lot of questions on the offensive side of the ball. Alabama will not be able to dominate teams running the ball as it did a year ago. The good thing is that the defense, which was third nationally (263.5 ypg) last season, returns nine starters. LB Rolando McClain becomes the de facto leader with the departure of FS Rashad Johnson. NT Terrence Cody has now had a year’s worth of conditioning. It will show come the fall. Can the Crimson Tide repeat as SEC West champs? They certainly have the schedule to do it. Georgia goes off the schedule and South Carolina comes on. The toughest road game will be at Ole Miss on Oct. 10. LSU comes to Tuscaloosa on Nov. 7. Alabama will find out early if it has the right stuff as the Crimson Tide plays Virginia Tech, who will be in everybody’s Top 10, at the Georgia Dome in the Chick-fil-A Classic.
First game: Sept. 5 vs. Virginia Tech (Georgia Dome).
ARKANSAS
Last season: 5-7, 2-6 SEC.
Starters returning: Offense 8, defense 9, kicker 1.
Coach: Bobby Petrino, 46-16 overall, 5-7 in one season at Arkansas.
What we still don’t know: Arkansas had the worst defense in the SEC last season. Does it have a chance to get better? Nine starters return from a unit that gave up 375.2 yards per game and gave up way too many big plays in the passing game. Petrino and his staff went out and signed a bunch of defensive backs, some of whom will compete for playing time in the fall. Transfer Rudell Crimm was an honorable mention JUCO All-America last season. Will Ryan Mallett be able to shake off the rust? Mallett started three games for Michigan in 2007. After sitting out the 2008 season he appears to be starting quarterback for Petrino. “Ryan does a great job of understanding what we want to do,” Petrino said. “As long as he gets his footwork right and sets up right he can be an accurate passer.” Can Arkansas find some help for RB Michael Smith? Smith rushed for 1,072 yards last season but at 5-7, 173 pounds he is simply not big enough to handle that kind of pounding (207 carries) again. Some big backs have arrived to help. Knile Davis (6-1, 209) graduated from high school early. Broderick Green (6-1, 242) is transfer from Southern Cal who must get a waiver to play this fall. His status won’t be resolved until this summer. De’Anthony Curtis (5-9, 211) had 103 yards in the spring game.
First game: Sept. 5 vs. Missouri State (Little Rock).
AUBURN
Last season: 5-7, 2-6 SEC.
Starters returning: Offense 7, defense 7, kicker 2.
Coach: Gene Chizik, 5-19 overall, first season at Auburn.
What we still don’t know: Does Auburn have a quarterback who can run Gus Malzahn’s offense? Malzahn ran up big numbers at Tulsa but nobody was overly impressed this spring with Kodi Burns and Neil Caudle. Malzahn said he wants to name a starter early in August if possible because he wants that guy to get the majority of the snaps. But Chizik has said that true freshmen Tryik Rollison and Clint Moseley will be a strong look when they arrive in August. Does Auburn have enough offensive linemen? Three of five starters return but overall the position looks a little thin. “We need more depth there,” Malzahn said. Is the defense going to play with more of an attitude under Ted Roof? Roof, the former defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech and head coach at Duke, spent the entire spring looking for the best 11 football players he could put on that side of the ball. He found a diamond in JUCO transfer Eltoro Freeman, who has apparently earned a starting spot at weak side linebacker. “We are looking for a certain speed, a certain tempo and a certain attitude on defense,” Roof said. “The guys who can do that are the guys who are going to play.”
First game: Sept. 5 vs. Louisiana Tech.
LSU
Last season: 8-5, 3-5 SEC; beat Georgia Tech 38-3 in Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 7, defense 6, kicker 0.
Coach: Les Miles, 70-32 overall, 42-11 in four seasons at LSU.
What we still don’t know: How much better will the defense be under John Chavis? Despite a defense that included DE Tyson Jackson, the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft, DE Kirsten Pittman and LB Darry Beckwith, the LSU defense wasn’t very good last season, finishing ninth in the league (325.5 ypg). That will change this season under Chavis, who was Tennessee’s defensive coordinator for 14 seasons. When Chavis has good athletes, and LSU still has a lot of good athletes, his defenses have usually been near the top of the SEC. Is LSU going to keep Russell Shepard exclusively at quarterback? Shepard, a true freshman from Houston, was considered by many to be the nation’s top high school quarterback in 2008. He was used exclusively at that position in the spring game and could see some action in the shotgun formation this fall. But he will probably also be used at wide receiver because he is such a great athlete. How good is sophomore CB Patrick Peterson? Safety Chad Jones, who also plays for the LSU baseball team, is the best athlete in the secondary. But Peterson is the school’s next great defensive back. He started his last four games as a true freshman and ended the spring game with a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown. This guy is big time.
First game: Sept. 5 at Washington.
OLE MISS
Last season: 9-4, 5-3 SEC; beat Texas Tech 47-34 in Cotton Bowl.
Starters returning: Offense 6, defense 8, kicker 1.
Coach: Houston Nutt, 120-74 overall, 9-4 in his second season at Ole Miss.
What we still don’t know: What about the left side of the offensive line? LT Michael Oher, a first-round draft choice, is gone as is left guard Darryl Harris. Coming out spring ball the LT position belongs to sophomore Bradley Sowell (6-7, 310). But the Ole Miss coaches are awaiting the arrival of highly-recruited freshman Bobbie Massie (6-7, 345) from Lynchburg, Va. Reid Neely (6-6, 310), a three-year letterman, looks like he’ll win the left guard spot. This is important because the Rebels have the league’s second best quarterback in Jevan Snead. They want to keep him healthy. Ole Miss also wants to be able to run the ball and if the line comes through the Rebels will be very good at running the ball. Brandon Bolden was the team’s third-leading rusher last season but he shot to the top of the depth chart in the spring. With Bolden (542 yards), Dexter McCluster (655), Codera Eason (647), and Enrique Davis (244) the Rebels are very deep at running back. Will Ole Miss be able to handle the hype? The Rebels were the only team to beat national champion Florida in 2008. They capped off a 9-4 season by beating favored Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. Now Ole Miss is a sexy pick for the Top 10. It’s a totally different mindset. Ole Miss has a manageable schedule with Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and LSU at home.
First game: Sept. 6 at Memphis.
MISS. STATE
Last season: 4-8, 2-6 SEC.
Starters returning: Offense 8, defense 5, kicker 0.
Coach: Dan Mullen, first season at Miss. State
What we still don’t know: Will freshman Tyler Russell challenge Tyson Lee for the starting quarterback job? Mississippi State spent the spring installing the new offense of Mullen, the former offensive coordinator at Florida. But it is possible that Mullen’s starting quarterback is not on campus yet. Lee, a rising senior, completed 59 percent of his passes last season for 1,519 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. But he is expected to get a challenge for his job from Russell, a 6-4 incoming freshman. Russell was Mr. Football in the state of Mississippi last season. He threw for 3,284 yards with 40 touchdowns and only five interceptions in leading Meridan (Miss.) High School to a state championship. Who’s going to play wide receiver? Regardless of the quarterback, the Bulldogs appear thin when it comes to guys who can catch it. Only two receivers in spring camp, Brandon McRae (51 catches) and Delmon Robinson (12 catches) have had any significant playing time. O’Neal Wilder, a track star, caught four passes for 122 yards in the spring game. Leon Berry, one of five JUCO transfers to earn starting jobs this spring, caught 14 passes for 200 yards in three full-speed scrimmages. Will the special teams improve? They have to because the head coach is in charge of them. Mississippi State was near the bottom of the league in every major special teams category last season. Placekicker Sean Brauchlea and punter Heath Hutchins are JUCO transfers who won their respective jobs in the spring.
First game: Sept. 5 vs. Jackson State.
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121 comments Add your comment
Dink
May 14th, 2009
8:27 am
Not sure about Mississippi, do they have the talent & depth at every position to win the West? I see them losing one or two games they’re supposed to win.
Look out for Arkansas, someting about that 2nd year (Richt, Saban, etc.) and Petrino is good.
Should come down to Alabama & LSU. Tide’s stop ‘em boys could be scary good and LSU’s offense will be greatly improved.
BhamWreck
May 14th, 2009
8:31 am
If Nick Saban screws up and loses some games he shouldn’t then look for things to get ugly in T-town. He has been antagonizing the fans a little bit which is fine if you win but might get nasty if he doesn’t.
Alphare
May 14th, 2009
8:32 am
Is it possible that BAMA, LSU and Ole Miss have a 3-way tie?
Atlanta Gator
May 14th, 2009
8:53 am
It is far harder to predict the SEC West Division’s 2009 pecking order than the East’s. No West Division team is destined to dominate; at least three teams (Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss) have a shot at the division title, and another two will be competitive spoilers (Arkansas, Auburn), and it is unlikely that and West team will finish undefeated. Here’s my shot in the dark at predicting the final 2009 division standings—-
(1) LSU (6-2)
(2) Ole Miss (6-2)
(3) Alabama (5-3)
(4) Arkansas (3-5)
(5) Auburn (3-5)
(6) Mississippi State (1-7)
LSU could be the imperfect division winner, or they could suffer a third loss and slip back into the pack. Ole Miss could emerge as the cream of the division, but more likely will suffer at least one unexpected loss. Alabama will contend, but, with all of the young replacement talent, is a year away from making a run at another SEC or MNC title. Petrino’s Arkansas offense will show flashes of his past team’s greatness this season, but inconsistency will dog the Razorbacks. Auburn is a huge question mark; the Tigers have talent, but can the program regroup and form a coherent offensive squad? Mississippi State’s big question: can Mullen’s retooled program win more than 2 SEC games?
Got 12?
May 14th, 2009
8:56 am
BAMA will lose one or two conference games but will still win the West. Our pass rush will be improved leading to defensive scores to aid the offense which will initially struggle due to the new line.
LSU is probably the best team in the West but there schedule is brutal. They get Florida at home but BAMA, UGA, and Ole Miss on the road.
Ole Miss will not be quite as good as expected. Houston Nutt does a great job as an underdog, but he’s not a very good front runner.
Barnhart Tackles The SEC West | MrSEC.com
May 14th, 2009
9:03 am
[...] East yesterday. Today, he takes a swing at the SEC West.Team-by-team, Mr. Barnhart runs through the questions still facing each squad as we head toward the fall.As always, an interesting [...]
JB
May 14th, 2009
9:04 am
It’ll be LSU in the Dome vs. Gators……….
stoopid
May 14th, 2009
9:09 am
I think Ole Miss could suprise some folks this year. Everyone has pretty much already given the west championship to LSU or BAMA. I think Ole Miss will lose some games theyre supposed to win but i aslo think they could keep things shaken up in the west. Alotta people underestimated them last year and Ole Miss shocked’em! As for Arkansas, i cant wait to scream boo that Petrino a$shole!
Over/Under: the # of Techies that end up coming on the SEC West blog to talk crap bout the DAWGS…. im goin with 5…
Colonel Reb
May 14th, 2009
9:11 am
If the left side of the O-line comes together and we stay relatively injury free (especially Jevan) we will be able to beat anyone on the schedule. Having not been in this situation in 40 years, I understand other team’s fans (mainly the Bammer Bob’s and Bayou Barry’s of the world) thinking there is no way Ole Miss can do it. But we get you in Oxford this year. For Ole Miss fans, it seems that the stars are finally lining up in our favor. It is going to be an awesome year to be in the Grove regardless! No fan base deserves to get to Atlanta more, and it will be one hell of a party when it finally happens!! HOTTY TODDY!!!
UT96
May 14th, 2009
9:22 am
Colonel Reb, I’m looking forward to our game in Oxford. Ole Miss is my favorite place to go and it’s a shame we no longer play every year.
Alphare
May 14th, 2009
9:32 am
Dawggie fans, can Georgia even keep the East interesting? I mean giving FL a little scare. I don’t think TN even have a remote chance. Well, my bet is the ole ball coach of USC will ruin the hype of his alma mater this year. Let’s just see.
SimpleDawg
May 14th, 2009
9:38 am
There may be a 3-way tie for the West Division….Ole Miss, Bama, and LSU. Bama’s defense must carry the team because their offense will be as weak, or as strong as their OL. LSU needs to find some go-to receivers for their talented QB’s to throw to. Ole Miss seems to be the team with the least holes to fill.
SEC fan
May 14th, 2009
9:39 am
Tony,
Can a coach legitimately run off 11 scholarship players that he feels he doesn’t want on his team? UT has run off 11 kids in the few months the new coach has been on board. A few players leaving because of a new coach or new system is not uncommon. Does the NCAA ever question the kids who leave as to why they left? Doesn’t seem right that they commit to a school and a new coach can come in and run them off at his whim. Gutless coaches could do that all the time whenever a player didn’t measure up to the coaches expectations. I am not talking about discipline cases, just good kids that the coach needs their scholarships for more recruits. Again, I know it happens in a few cases but 11 seems out of hand. They didn’t want to play for our school simply is a BS reason. Someone needs to ask the kids the reason they gave up their dreams and scholarships.
the real Old Gold
May 14th, 2009
9:40 am
I say Bama and Ole Miss will battle it out for the top spot. LSU will be better, but I think those two teams are already better than the Tigers.
(side notes predictions) Auburn and Tennessee fans finally realize it’s time to make camp on the bottom as their new coaches embarrass two equally obnoxious and delusional fan bases.
Otto
May 14th, 2009
9:46 am
Malzahn ran up big numbers at Tulsa but nobody was overly impressed this spring with Kodi Burns and Neil Caudle:
The replies to blogs over on AL.com really liked Caudle. It is time for Kodi to find another spot other than QB.
RAMBLE ON!!!
May 14th, 2009
9:52 am
Ole Missy plays the Gators in the Georgia Dome
stoopid
May 14th, 2009
9:57 am
Did Ramble just make it through a whole comment w/o dawg bashin? could you be maturing??
Reebok
May 14th, 2009
9:59 am
‘Bama won’t be as good as they were last year. Ole Miss won’t sneak up on anybody like they did last season. LSU vs the Gators in the SEC Championship. IMHO, of course and as always.
Huh?
May 14th, 2009
10:06 am
1. Alabama – Won’t be as good as last year but good enough to repeat as West champion. The offense will be adequate. The defense will rival Florida’s as the SEC’s best.
2. LSU – Horribly overrated (once again). The defense will improve. How could it not? The offense will be crap.
3. Ole Miss – A little bit of a media darling and probably doesn’t have the horses to back it up. I’m just not buying it yet.
4. Auburn – Will probably give the above three teams some scares, but will be mostly crap.
5. Arkansas – Offense good. Defense an embarrassment to the sport.
6. Miss. St. – Why the hell did Dan Mullen take this job? Kind of a bonehead move if you ask me. I think he could have done better.
Gatorzone
May 14th, 2009
10:10 am
Huh?, good assertion. I do think Arkansas will be better than Auburn, and could outdo Ole Miss since everyone will be expecting Ole Miss this year.
Bamafan
May 14th, 2009
10:26 am
If LSU can get the defense to improve than they can win the west. Bama just has 2 many questions
about the offense line and other wide receivers. Bama is loaded at runningback and the defense should be great this year. Folks whoever wins the west will still get beat by the gators in the SEC championship game. ROLL TIDE!!
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 14th, 2009
10:33 am
HUH? calling a team overrated and you are a Dawg fan. Pot meet kettle. 7-5 is all you can say againt TECH? See you in “THE GETTO”; as you like to call The Flats, in Nov.
Gen Neyland
May 14th, 2009
10:35 am
Back to the SEC West, Bo Pelini put together some fine defensive units during his time in the bayou. Chavis has a bar to reach at LSU and knowing Chavis’ expectations, his goal is to better the work of Pelini and make LSU into one of the best defensive units in the country. Chavis seems to play a bend but don’t break type of defensive scheme and his defense will be well conditioned. Pelini ran a dominate, dominate and dominate scheme. That being said, the 2007 SECCG and NC was won by the play of LSU’s defense. Two more notes- 1) To see Chavis and Pelini square off in the GA Dome in the 2007 SECCG was a terrific experience. 2) UT and LSU play again in 2010. Many of Chavis’ players/recruits at UT will still be in Orange and White. Should be a fun reunion…
stoopid
May 14th, 2009
10:35 am
theres 1.
Three way, and not the good kind
May 14th, 2009
10:38 am
Alabama loses at Ole Miss, beats LSU (7-1); Ole Miss beats Alabama, loses at LSU (7-1); LSU loses to Alabama, beats Ole Miss, but also has a loss to Florida (6-2). Tide wins the West by virtue of a favorable schedule
DawginLex
May 14th, 2009
10:45 am
LSU will not win the west. If they beat florida at home(which they won’t), they will lose in Athens. Bama will beat LSU at home and eliminate LSU. Ole Miss will lose at LSU but will beat Bama and win the west.
Fla/UGA will play to represent the east. Florida should be favored. I believe UGA will actually show up for the game.
Ole Miss/Fla or UGA in the Dome.
Zombie Erk Russell
May 14th, 2009
10:48 am
I’m slowly walking to Starkville. Just so you know.
Gen Neyland
May 14th, 2009
10:53 am
SEC fan : Allow me to answer for TB if I may. Yes to your question. Although the 11 departures are not the whole story, that is the story many will want to believe, case closed. I’ve mentioned here before, team meeting #1 with CLK, he told the guys some will leave on their own, some will be asked to leave. Creer and Coleman are but two that seemingly chose to leave on their own but are probably two of the more noteable to wander away from Atop Rocky. Usually, I get my Tennessee updates from a local family in my town that has a kid on scholarship at Tennessee. He was brought in under Fulmer but like the front-line guys to date, will not leave UT and are excited and reinvigorated by the coaching changes. As in life in and away from college, change happens. Make a choice to stay or go or it may be made for you…
Miles
May 14th, 2009
10:56 am
Ole Miss or LSU will win the SEC West. Alabama will not be there. The winner of the SEC West will lose to the Gators in the SEC Championship.
Miles
May 14th, 2009
10:58 am
Kiffin is a knuckelhead!
Miles
May 14th, 2009
11:06 am
General Neyland, like Lane Kiffin and Mike Hamilton, is a knucklehead.
Will
May 14th, 2009
11:24 am
Is Arkansas really starting the season against Missouri State??? C’Mon MAN!!!!!
Will
May 14th, 2009
11:28 am
Is Miss State really starting the season with Jackson State???C’Mon MAN!!!!!!!!
murfdawg
May 14th, 2009
11:29 am
Bama will probably back into the seccg. LSU has a much tougher schedule and Ole Miss is probably not strong enough ,yet. I hope Arky will not be the surprise team this year(especially the third week). The LSU-UGA game will be big for both sides of the conference. But that is the way we like southern football.
SEC fan
May 14th, 2009
11:34 am
Yup General, and there are WMDs in Iraq. You just go on believing whatever you get fed. The point you missed is that you don’t just ask scholarship players to leave because you feel you can recruit better and you need the scholarships. ‘Our school changed the view of you and we are pulling your scholly so we can do better’. Or, prior coaches liked you but I don’t so bye. 11 kids bailing is a lot and telling them they would be asked to leave cause that is what Kiffy wants is BS. They committed to UT but obviously UT didn’t commit back. Did anyone at UT tell these kids that if there was a coaching change, some of them would have the scholarships pulled if they weren’t starters? Many of these kids come from nothing so it is easy to run over them and pull their schollys if your a big bad Kiffin. All I am saying is that UT broke some commitments and nobody seems to care. I have friends in Knoxville also who are burned up with this situation.
Tide rising
May 14th, 2009
11:36 am
I can’t understand why anyone on here would pick LSU. They could be a better team than Ole Miss or Bama and will still end up 2nd or 3rd based solely on scheduling. LSU goes on the road to play both Ole Miss and Bama so they are at a disadvantage right there.
They play Florida which both Bama and Ole Miss avoid. And then they travel to Athens to play a Georgia team that has dominated them 3 in a year. Bama and Ole Miss also avoid Georgia. Big advantage for those 2. They lost 2 great O-lineman and 3 great D-lineman. Their new qb had a great peach bowl game but that’s just one game that he had a month to prepare for. He will still largely be a 1st year starter this year. People are reading way too much into 1 game (Chick Fil A).
And people are picking this team that only won 3 conference games last year to suddenly rise up with all these tough road games and win the west?
It will be a toss up between Ole Miss and Bama. Ole Miss is going to be that good again. Look at the way they finished last year. They weren’t just beating people their last several games. They were destroying people. This is the only team that beat Florida. They did it in the swamp and it was no fluke. Has anyone ever seen superman Tebow stuffed the way Ole Miss did on that 4th down play? Ole Miss may return the best D-line in the country with Jerrell Powe, Greg Hardy, etc. Nutt is a great Offensive line coach and his physical run oriented teams at Arky always gave Bama and LSU trouble. This is gonna be a really good team and a dark horse national title team. They already remind me of Bob Stoops 2nd OU team that went from 7-5 to a national title in 2000 at 12-0.
Bama will be fine. The sole question mark is an O-line that will have 3 new starters. The experience is not there but the talent absolutely is. Juco All America James Carpenter dominated and has already locked down Andre Smith’s Left Tackle position with an impressive spring. He will have to fight off the next Andre Smith when all universe OT DJ Fluker 6″7 350 reports in August. Nice problem to have. We are set at center A senior who was a year long starter under Shula will be 3rd string. That tells you something about the depth that’s been built. The lone guard spot will be fought over by several former 4 and 5 star recruits.
One thing people don’t realize about the O-line is that this unit was able to move the ball against the Bama D during the spring. And as Tony pointed out this is a D that returns 9 starters, 13 of top 15 tacklers, and most of the 2 deep on D. And yet this new O-line was able to have some success moving the ball?
Arky will be a darkhorse that will pull some upsets. The defense can only get better and Mallett and the offense will be able to move the ball. Expect 6 or 7 wins and a minor ball for the hogs.
Auburn could surprise if they could just find a qb. Kodi Burns is not the answer. Neither is Caudle.Expect them to be not as bad as last year but also to not be very good due to the qb position and the fact that a transition year is always difficult. 6-7 wins if they are lucky with a minor bowl game.
Miss. State. Same qb problem that Auburn has. Its a transition year and they will struggle mightily.
murfdawg
May 14th, 2009
11:36 am
Gen Neyland,
One thing you forgot to mention, all the scholarships are for ONE year and have to be renewed. The sooner Kiffen gets his players in the program, the sooner he will be held accountable. This is business, not personal. Good luck to UT and I hope it doesn’t take you 9 years like it took Bama to get back into the fight.
Huh?
May 14th, 2009
11:38 am
“HUH? calling a team overrated and you are a Dawg fan. Pot meet kettle.”
My team didn’t go 3-5 in conference play and finish 8-5 on the season. I know they made Tech look like a total pee wee team in the Chicken Bowl but hardly anyone considers that a significant accomplishment.
Huh?
May 14th, 2009
11:44 am
“See you in “THE GETTO”; as you like to call The Flats, in Nov.”
I like to call it Sanford Stadium East. You need to watch who you’re talking to. We UGA fans keep that pile of crap in business. You should be thanking us. And don’t even try to sneak down from the nosebleeds and take my seat Techie. I will have paid top dollar for that ticket and I don’t want any Techies within 50 flippin yards of me. Thanks.
Opiner
May 14th, 2009
11:48 am
SEC fan,
Don’t want to get into politics but you lose all credibility when you mockingly ask General Neyland if he also believes there were WMDs in Iraq. Perhaps you missed the fact that we found a couple hundred pounds of yellowcake uranium used for weaponization in Bush’s last few months in office. Or perhaps all those videos showing the Kurds being gassed to death throughout the 1990s with mustard, sarin, and other gasses were all just lying. They must have staged the deaths of those 20,000 people in that one Kurdish town that got gassed also. No WMDs there though. It was all just make believe and Bush lies. Except of course to all the Kurds who were dying.
Dean
May 14th, 2009
11:49 am
I’d like to see Ole Miss get to the championship game. I beleive they are the only Western team to not make it thus far. It’s not too often we get Rebel fans on this site so if there are any out there I would like to ask. Why has Ole Miss been mired in mediocrity or less for so long? I’ve always heard about the great teams in the 60’s and the passion of the fans and talent in Mississippi. How has the state’s flagship university struggled for so long?
WTF???
May 14th, 2009
11:50 am
Florida chokes this year, Dawgs & Bammer in the Dome. F#ck a Gator.
Bobbyb5157
May 14th, 2009
11:51 am
Tide rising , Coudn’t have said it any better
Frozen_Gator
May 14th, 2009
11:51 am
Bama has to replace 7 starters on offense……hmmmmmm..We will certainly find out about all those hot-shot recruiting classes. I believe that they will be fine, their QB isn’t great but probably solid and not stupid. LSU second because of numbers of talented players but schedule is too tough. Ole doesn’t have yhe depth.
Opiner
May 14th, 2009
11:53 am
Murfdawg,
Nice little dig there towards the Tide. However, it didn’t take us 9 years to have some success. We won 10 games in 2002 and won the division but didn’t go bowling or to the seccg due to probation. We also won 10 games in 2005 and spent most of the season ranked 3rd in the country before finally losing in OT in the 10th game of the season. So while we had several average and mediocre seasons in the early to mid 2000s due to the devastating probation we also had some successful seasons also.
Dean
May 14th, 2009
11:53 am
C’mon people! It’s enough that we usually can’t talk football because there is so much smack-talk going around. Don’t turn this into a political discussion. I watch sports to take a brief moment away from all the problems in the world. Keep it at football in this place. Go to the front page articles to talk about world and more important events.
Rebel Rouser
May 14th, 2009
12:05 pm
Zombie Erk, if you’re looking for brains to eat in Starkvegas, you’re going to go hungry. But good luck to you. You were a great coach and I’m sure a fine zombie.
macrotech
May 14th, 2009
12:17 pm
Huh?, you REALLY need a hug!
Tide4u2c
May 14th, 2009
12:54 pm
LSU is going to have to prove themselves before I buy into the hype I mean sure they have the talent to be the best but for some reason just can’t do it, the coaching does not seem to know how to best use that talent.Meanwhile Bama has the coaching but has lacked the talent and depth that a team like LSU,Florida,etc has but that should be improved finally starting this season it just seems to me if Bama can play that well without the talent and depth that other teams have imagine when they do and Saban&co are building a powerhouse of a team. I expect Ole Miss to be a threat to any team that plays them but I doubt they win the west.The others in the west are just hoping to get better.
Gatorzone
May 14th, 2009
12:57 pm
Opiner,
“Perhaps you missed the fact that we found a couple hundred pounds of yellowcake uranium used for weaponization in Bush’s last few months in office. Or perhaps all those videos showing the Kurds being gassed to death throughout the 1990s with mustard, sarin, and other gasses were all just lying.”
Yes, I think the whole world missed the Yellowcake discovery you mentioned. Funny how Bush did not come out and say that vindicated his assertion. As far as the Kurds go, that happenend in the 1980’s, when Reagan was Pres. so that does not justify such a far reaching reason for putting our troops in harms way. Especially since it pulled power that could have been used in Afghanastan. Keep drinking the Koolaid, though.
kylebuff
May 14th, 2009
1:07 pm
Man, I’m ready for some college football, ya’ll are going to have to quit writing these articles so I can get some work done. Go Rebs!!2010 National Champs!!
Gatorzone
May 14th, 2009
1:08 pm
opiner, you might want to check your facts:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/yellowcake.asp
Got 12?
May 14th, 2009
1:30 pm
Ole Miss will have the same problems BAMA had last year–lack of talent at a couple of positions and lack of depth at every position.
Due to excellent coaching, we were able to mask our deficiencies until the postseason. I don’t think Nutt and company will be able to accomplish the same feat.
Tidefan2
May 14th, 2009
1:33 pm
1. Alabama – Will start a little slow but get better every game.
2. Ole Miss – Not quite there but will challenge.
3. LSU – Schedule too tough.
4. Auburn – Will struggle at QB.
5. Arkansas – No defense.
6. Miss. St. – What can I say?
The top 3 will be very good but the bottom 3 will struggle mightily.
KD
May 14th, 2009
1:39 pm
Totally agree with Got 12 and huh. No matter how Ole Miss is hyped, they can’t ever pull it together all the way. When it comes down to it, Houston is really a “nut.” LSU has another nut at captain. If McElroy can hold it together, and Trent Richardson is all he’s cracked up to be, it’s Bama and Florida again.
Colonel Reb
May 14th, 2009
1:50 pm
Got 12? You don’t!! That is unless you’re a subscriber of the Tuscaloosa News. Where Ole Miss is different from Bama, is that we will have the best QB in every game we play as long as he is healthy. That is also something Nutt never had at Arkansas. He did what he did at Arkansas without ever having a QB this good. We aren’t as deep as LSU, Florida, or Georgia, but we never will be. If Ole Miss is going to make it to Atlanta, this may be our best shot. I can’t wait until Bammer comes to Oxford. We are due to beat that team, and every Bama fan knows it. See you in October pal! HOTTY TODDY!!
Gator Growl
May 14th, 2009
2:03 pm
Could it possibly more exciting and competitive than the SEC West this season?! You got three teams who could be in the SECCG! I think LSU will edge out Bama (or Ole Miss) to be the Best of the West. They found themselves a QB and they will be very solid on D. Bama, it’s hard to bet against Saban, but I think they have lost a little too much on offense. But that defense will once again be stout! Ole Miss…it will be interesting now that they can’t sneek up on anyone, everybody knows they’re good now. I’ll tell you, that Houston Nutt is a hell of a coach! He came into Gainesville and beat my Gators fair and square so they got my respect! Arky could also be improved but when you got LSU, Bama and Ole Miss to contend with, wow. And you got Miles, Saban and Nutt…Shamwow! Will be fun to watch…
Dann
May 14th, 2009
2:04 pm
1) LSU – by default. Tough schedule but the other teams make too many mistakes. Jefferson develops into a legitimate run-pass threat by year’s end.
2) Alabama – O Line lost too much and struggled against Tulane without Andre Smith in the game. JPW is gone and this QB won’t play error-free football. Defense keeps the games close.
3) Ole Miss – Summer distractions under a “player’s coach” wastes precious time needed for leaders to emerge. Nutt typically averages a few arrests each summer and already has a D-Lineman making news by claiming he can’t read a citation.
4) Arkansas – Will upset one of the top 3 in the league, but won’t be enough to move into the top half of the division. Defense improves as they spend less time on the field with Mallet at the helm, unless Casey Dick can still throw interceptions after graduating last year.
5) Auburn – Guz Malzahn pulls out all the stops against Nutt and keeps it close. He would like nothing more than to shove it in the face of his old boss. Needs another year to get their players in the system. Defense remains solid.
6) Miss. St. – Moves in the right direction but needs one more year. Players start to really buy into the system by mid-year.
Got 12?
May 14th, 2009
2:04 pm
Colonel Reb,
Having the best quarterback only matters if you can protect that quarterback, and that quarterback has receivers who can get open.
Let’s review shall we: The entire leftside of Ole Miss’ 2008 offensive line is gone, and your receivers are mediocre at best.
Razorbacker
May 14th, 2009
2:20 pm
The hogs defense was unspeakably bad last year, if that doesn’t improve, we won’t finish above .500..Petrino’s offense should be rolling this year and so should Gus’s down at Auburn
Gen Neyland
May 14th, 2009
2:21 pm
SEC fan : The point you miss is that all 11 were not asked to leave. Why do you skim over that and persist that they were all forced out..? Those leaving willingly saw play time dwindling. A strong batch of recruits at the RB spot put Creer in motion. A new OL blocking scheme may not have been readily adaptable to the OLmen that split. Shootfire, if CLK asked them all to leave he was probably doing them a favor by letting them go and find a place where they could play…We’ll do WMD’s tomorrow…
Gatorzone
May 14th, 2009
2:28 pm
Nutt, you gotta sign better humans than this trash:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3964979
Gator Growl
May 14th, 2009
2:34 pm
Please let’s just stop talking about that idiot Kiffin just for one Blog or article. We ALL know he’s an idiot, We ALL know he’s a liar, We ALL know he sux…We ALL know he’s gonna get his azz handed to him this season and beyond…So what else needs to be said???…All discussions about Layla, however, will be welcomed along with any unpublished pictures!!! LOL
Columbus Rebel
May 14th, 2009
2:47 pm
Got 12? Are you kidding. You need to get your facts straight. The left side of the O line is not gone. Neely is a veteran and while Oher is gone, we have 6-7 315 left tackle that saw action as a blocking tight end last year. Also, 6-8-340 Bobby Massie comes in later this spring. Our center is a veteran as well. Our recievers are not good? Shay Hodge and Mike Wallace were the most underrated tandem last year. While Wallace leaves Hodge, Lionel Breaux, Markeith Summers, who bothed played considerably last year move to take his spot. Also 5 star, 6-3, 210 Pat Patterson will play as a freshman. Another Julio Jones, yes, could be. Oh year, our TE can catch and block as well. He caught two TD against Texas Tech. Don’t let your hatred of the rebels cloud the truth. Hotty Toddy.
Gen Neyland
May 14th, 2009
2:48 pm
Gator Growl : Never heard a gator growl, but I hear they sure know how to ’snort’…
G8R GRAD
May 14th, 2009
2:49 pm
1. Alabama;
2. LSU;
3. Ole Miss;
4. Arkansas;
5. Auburn; and
6. Miss. St.
LSU’s schedule is just too tough, hence, it’s the Tide by default.
Ole Miss is SEC West’s David, capable and hungry.
Gatorzone
May 14th, 2009
2:50 pm
I know all of you want to know this:
http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=15950
Objective commentator
May 14th, 2009
2:54 pm
Opiner:
Not to burst your bubble, but the joke inside the Beltway was, “Of couse we know he has weapons of mass destruction – we still have the receipts!”
Georgia Gator
May 14th, 2009
2:56 pm
Gen Neyland:
They do, in fact, growl.
It sounds sorta like the biggest bullfrog you ever heard.
You need to get off Ol’ Rocky Top more often!
MakersMarkRebel
May 14th, 2009
2:59 pm
Dean, I’ll give it a shot.
Ole Miss has been mired in mediocrity or worse for the last 40 years for a host of reasons.
1. A-holes in the AD office: First and foremost, there was no commitment from the administration for our athletics programs at all from the early 70’s through the mid 90’s. No vision. No ambition. They allowed us to fall behind the rest of the conference in facilities. The wrong people were running the AD’s office. And, the suits in the Lyceum were not holding the AD accountable.
2. Old South: Take that lack of commitment and place it in the context of the old South culture, confederate flag and general perception of the town and university in the wake of the Merideth riots of ‘62 and it becomes almost impossible to recruit black football players.
3. “The curse”: Many Rebel fans have long believed our beloved university has been under a curse. We’ve had horrible, horrible luck – from Archie breaking his arm against Houston his senior year of 1970 to hiring a hot, up and coming coach (Steve Sloan) who had an all-star staff of assistants at Texas Tech only for his short career in Oxford to be a total bust.
4. Lack of Resources: Ole Miss has an enrollment of only 16,000, is in a state with a population of around 3 million and we have to compete against two other DI schools with one of those being in conference. We have to compete with them for fans, money, recruits, everything. All you have to do is look at LSU to see the advantages of not dividing resources in a state.
Consider the combination of those four factors and you get your answer.
The good news is that under the leadership of Chancellor Robert Khayat (who is retiring next month), our athletic programs have decided to join the rest of the conference in the 21st Century. We may not have a 90,000 seat stadium. But, our football facilities, overall, are as good as anyone’s. We’ve hired a real head coach, paid him well and are paying his assistants well. The capacity of the stadium has gone from 40,000 to a little more than 60k in the last decade with another expansion on the horizon.
We’ve abandoned the confederate flag. And, while we do still maintain some traditions such as “Dixie”, the culture has completely changed.
The curse was broken day before we beat the Gators last fall when we hosted the soon-to-be first black POTUS for the first debate.
We’ll always be at a disadvantage with resources. All we can do to compete for money, fans and recruits is to WIN.
Georgia Gator
May 14th, 2009
2:59 pm
And, yes, I got the drug reference.
Decided to take the high road (no pun intended) instead.
TampaDave
May 14th, 2009
3:10 pm
Thanks Gatorzone…great link…Urban does it again!
rebeldawg
May 14th, 2009
3:21 pm
Well Dean, the last great team we had in the 60’s was overlooked by many media outlets due to another significant historical event that occured on our campus that very year. James Meridith ring a bell? After that, it was pretty hard to get great recruits to come to Ole Miss. Only recently have we been able to recruit the kind of talent required to compete in this league thanks in large part to Ed Orgeron’s skills as well as having one of the finest indoor practice facilities in the land completed in the fall of 2004. Now that we are getting national exposure again, I think recruits this time around will see that Ole Miss IS a place to make a name for yourself. So much positive light has been shed on the school these past few years (ie the presidential debate), I believe people will not focus on the schools past and see Ole Miss for what it is today.
High on the Hogs
May 14th, 2009
3:24 pm
here’s my take on the West:
1. Ole Miss – OM has a very good team this yr. and the schedule is on their side.
2. Bama – 2 many losses on the offense.
3. LSU – tough schedule and no QB —yet. If Shepard takes over 3 games into the season, then lsu could move up…he is on heck of a player.
4. Hogs – Offense looks sooo much better. Finally got a QB. Hasn’t played in the sec yet though. time will tell. Defense is a big question. very young in the secondary.
5. Auburn – Still need a QB and a yr under Gus’s offense. Defense will hold its own i think, but will wear down mid season.
Miss ST – well, it looks back for the dawgs.
High on the Hogs
May 14th, 2009
3:25 pm
i mean bad for the dawgs
Got 12?
May 14th, 2009
3:37 pm
Col. Reb,
Just as I said in the previous post, the left side of your offensive line is gone, and your receivers are mediocre. If backups and incoming freshman can replace All-Americans and proven starters that easy, BAMA will win the NC this year. Snead is the best passing quarterback in the league. With that said, noone outside of Oxford knows who his receivers are. That means they’re mediocre.
“…hatred of the Rebs…” Are you serious? I hate the Vols. I hate Auburn. I harbor absolutely no feelings of ill will toward Ole Miss, Miss St, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and S. Carolina because you guys have historically been irrelevant. As a matter of fact, I can’t believe I’m engaging in this discussion with you.
BAMA STAN
May 14th, 2009
3:48 pm
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Guys – got to give my respect to LSU – I think their defense is going to be lights out.
Bama defenses will also be lights out.
I think LSU is in position to be a very good team – but I look at each others SEC EAST schedule to determine the differnce:
BAMA has:
At Kentucky
So. Carolina (home)
Tennessee (home)
LSU:
Vandy (home)
at UGA
Florida (home)
LSU has the tougher shedule and has to play at T-Town!
As for Ole Miss – will be a dangerous team – but I think that Ole Miss will be about as good as they are going to be. similar to Jim Donnan teams at UGA. He pulled them up – and UGA was dangerous – but did not get to the Elite level.
Look for Bama to win the SEC WEST!!!!
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
murfdawg
May 14th, 2009
4:03 pm
Opiner,
Sorry to ruffle your feathers. My comment was directed more toward Bama Stan and Got 12.Personally, I have always had a lot of respect for Bama, especially in the 60s and 70s. Your nuveau fans and our nuveau fans really like to beat their chest when they win a game, and bash everyone else when they lose. I guess it is part of the internet generation. I’ll try to be more careful with my comments in the future.
tiger mania
May 14th, 2009
4:06 pm
are yall all crazy? do you think it is imposible to go on the road and beat a rebuilding bama scuad. ole miss will be better than bama but they still need some help. LSU is finally coming together after a disappointing season last year that really didn’t have a leading qb. this year the qb has more experience and don’t worry about receivers. they will be ready. florida probably the toughest game but will be played at death valey and everyone knows that’s a tough place to play. they are not unstoppable. lsu 1, ole miss 2, arkansas 3, bama 4
Otto
May 14th, 2009
4:27 pm
Arkansas 3? They’ll be fighting for 5th with Miss St. As for LSU yes they had a better QB late last season but he is still not as good as the previous QB at LSU. Chavis has not been very impressive as of the past few years at UT. Auburn may challenge LSU for 3rd.
SEC fan
May 14th, 2009
4:30 pm
Murfdawg, athletic scholarships given to incoming Freshmen are for 4 years (with redshirting, can be more than 4). The deal is stay out of trouble, don’t break team rules, and be satisfactory academically. You are way off thinking they are for only 1 year. Even if a player gets hurt and can play no more, decent Universities honor the deal. With 11 players being told to quit, UT didn’t honor their part of the deal. Remember, the reasons given by Kiffy were that they didn’t want to play for UT (not acedemic or discipline issues). UT is a good school, so why would 11 kids who signed up to come to UT want to quit what they have loved doing for years? I submit that all of them didn’t want to quit. Kiffy did what he said he would do, he told some to leave and thus broke the UT promise. Coaches and Universities with class just don’t do that or at least not 11 times in 6 months..
Bayou Bengal
May 14th, 2009
4:38 pm
LSU wins the West, Loses one game (Florida at Home), Goes to Atlanta & beats Florida for the SEC Title…credit goes to Chavis for figuring out a scheme to take out Tebow…LSU Tigers 13-1
Got 12?
May 14th, 2009
4:41 pm
Murfdawg,
Please review my previous posts. I offered my opinion on the upcoming season just as the article urged us to. Col. Reb attacked me for some reason. I responded in kind to Col. Reb.
BTW, I’m not a nouveau Bama fan. I am a Bama grad, supporter of the university, and fan of it’s sports teams.
jumbotiger
May 14th, 2009
4:58 pm
LSU 6-2
Bama 6-2
Ole Miss 5-3
Ark 3-5
Aub 2-6
State 1-7
LSU beats Bama. Tide is a year away from beign dominant. Ole Miss loses to LSU, Bama and Ark. FL wins SECCG.
Geaux Tigers!
Go SEC
Otto
May 14th, 2009
5:05 pm
Chavis stops Tebow? He has done such a great job the past 2 years.
Saint Nick
May 14th, 2009
5:20 pm
The 4 returning starters on Offense is a little deceiving. The only receiver that started every game last year was Julio. Maze, Jones, Alexander will probably be the starters(All had significant playing time last year). The o-line will be fine Carpenter and Fluker are the bookends(doesn’t matter which side they line up, you won’t get by them), one new starter at guard and center. Mike Johnson will be at left guard(Bama will run left all year AGAIN with an upgrade at RB). Ingram saw just as much time last year as Coffee, so he should be counted as a returning starter, QB is new but he has 3 yrs at Bama and will be an upgrade at QB over JPW. Bama played more freshman than anyone last year, Saban built QUALITY depth last year, so the pieces will fall right into place. By my count Bama REALLY has 7 returning on Offense not 4.ROLLS TIDES!!!!!
johnny reb
May 14th, 2009
5:51 pm
Its between AL & Ole Miss. Miles has had major trouble with Nutt. Rebs always have trouble with the Tide & Vandy. We win these two games and we are ATL bound.
BCS CHAMPS AGAIN
May 14th, 2009
5:55 pm
LSU will win the west….Russell Shepard…..(heard it here 1st).
Pay Roll Tide
May 14th, 2009
5:55 pm
LSU vs UF in the Dome
johnny reb
May 14th, 2009
5:59 pm
LSU? The Hat + inexperienced qb? No chance Corndogs.
Atlanta Gator
May 14th, 2009
6:01 pm
Gen Neyland & Georgia Gator—-If you have ever seen a 14-foot bull gator during mating season, you would know what a gator “growl” is really like! Yeah, it’s like a bullfrog’s call alright, if you can imagine a 1,200-pound bullfrog whose call literally makes the water shake.
The little gators scram, and the eligible lady gators seek out the Big Gator who can growl.
I grew up west of the Everglades, and I’ve witnessed it in person. It’s impressive.
jumbotiger
May 14th, 2009
6:09 pm
I don’t see anywhere in my predictions Otto that says LSU will beat FL during the regular season.
Tide rising
May 14th, 2009
6:35 pm
Gator fans,
I like watching this nature stuff from time to time on TV and from what I’ve seen gators hiss. It doesn’t sound anything like a growl. Atlanta gator, I’ve seen what they do in mating season where they kinda gurgle and all that but it just doesn’t sound like a growl at all. I’ve lived in Miami and been to the glades several times, alligator alley, etc. never seen one growl though so I can’t imagine what you guys are talking about.
Tide rising
May 14th, 2009
6:49 pm
Saint Nick,
You are correct. We rotated so many players on offense last year that the 4 returning starters # is really deceiving. The 2nd team fullbacks, tight ends, and receivers played just about as much as the starters so I see no dropoff. We lost Coffee as a tailback but with Ingram, Upchurch and now super recruit Trent Richardson we will upgrade there as well. qb will be fine with McElroy.
James Carpenter is settled in as the new left tackle and hopefully when the mammoth DJ Fluker comes in August. Is Carpenter a monster or what. He’s huge but looking at him you don’t see any body fat or stomach for a guy 6′5 305. I’m hoping Saban will move Carpenter to guard if Fluker comes in and is everything they say he is.
The only position on the whole team I can see being downgraded is possibly center where Vlachos takes over for all sec Antoine Caldwell. But even then Vlachos has been waiting in the wings for a couple years and is the 2nd or 3rd strongest player on the team so I feel pretty good about him also. The O-line will be dominant in the second half of the season. Its just the first half as they need more experience that I’m a little worried about. We will know right after the VA TECH game as they will present a helluva challenge coming right out of the gate.
tampatide
May 14th, 2009
7:04 pm
Arkansas has to go to Bama, Uga, Lsu, UF and Ole Miss. Plus their defense is awful. Should definitely be a better race than the east. Hopefully the Tide pulls it out
Saint Nick
May 14th, 2009
7:19 pm
Tide Rising,
Vlachos is a hold over from Shula isn’t he? I believe he had a season ending injury 2 years ago in spring and thats when Caldwell(All-American) took over and never got beat out by Vlachos. Caldwell bounced all over the line until he found a home at center. And also the tight ends with the new guy(can’t remember how to spell it) coming in and Smelley getting plaenty of field exp. last year the tigh ends will be more involved this year I believe.
Saint Nick
May 14th, 2009
7:20 pm
And also where is Tyler Love going to fit in at? Maybe right tackle?
tyler
May 14th, 2009
8:00 pm
Seroiusly, this is funny. Here’s the finish from both divisions:
SEC West
1. Bama- may lose one but that’s about it, schedule very favorable
2. LSU- Les Miles still runs the show- will always underachieve- that includes their MNC- lost to UK and ARK that year- lucked into BSC championship- NOT a good coach
3. Ole Miss- better coach than Miles but just not enough talent- next year’s a possibility.
4. Arkansas- Petrino knows what he’s doin- did beat LSU at Lsu last year (that sure how impressive that is but still sounds good)
5. Auburn- 5-19 as a head coach- may improve to 10-26 this year.
6. Miss State- wow- inherited an absolute mess- will be lucky to win 4 games this year
SEC East
1. Florida- of course
2. UGA- Richt is a great coach- they will win a couple they shouldn’t.
3. South Carolina- due for an 8 win year- gonna get one here
4. Kentucky- solid year- may get bowl eligible once again
5. Vandy- Bobby Johnson is a great coach in a bad situation- this team will win at least 2 if not 3 SEC games.
6. Tenn- Worst coach in the SEC- that’s really all that needs to be said- Vol fans- you will be lucky to win a game in the SEC- seriously. I gotcha goin 3-9. gonna be a blast to watch. Your coach is almost as annoying as your fanbase. Great hire douchebags.
3. Ole Miss
4. Ark
5. Aub
6. Miss St
m=saintsimonslover
May 14th, 2009
9:14 pm
You know, seeing Tech Nerds on here is like taking a 14 year old boy to a Strip Club-they got NO business here!! This blog is for people who are fans of REAL football!!
TampaDave
May 14th, 2009
9:14 pm
Believe me, Gators do growl. And if you ever hear it, it will make the hairs on the back of your HAIRS stand up. When you see the power and shear mass and might of a 12-15 Bull then you will understand how they have survived on this planet for millions and millions of years!