Five burning questions about the SEC East
Yesterday we looked at the SEC West and identified five burning questions that need to be answered heading into the start of practice this week. Today let’s look at the SEC East.
1. Is Georgia REALLY going to get after it in the preseason? Here is what I mean by that. A year ago when the injuries started piling up the Georgia coaches had to back off contact work in practice. They really had no choice. But the downside to that is that players lose their edge, particularly the when it comes to tackling on defense. Coach Mark Richt has stated on more than one occasion that he won’t make that mistake again. Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez is candid that his group must practice at a high level, and that means hitting, in order to play like an SEC defense. But what happens if Georgia suffers a couple of significant injuries early like it did with DT Jeff Owens and LT Trinton Sturdivant? Will Georgia be able to stick to its guns and keep getting after it in practice?
2. Is Florida REALLY serious about this I-formation thing? Urban Meyer tweaked his offense in the spring to add some I-formation. He did it for several reasons: He wants to put Tim Tebow under center to prove to the NFL boys that the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner can do it. He wants a power running game for goal line and short yardage where somebody other than No. 15 carries the ball. And he wants to get backup quarterback John Brantley ready to take over in 2010. With Brantley’s arm, which is big-time, the play-action passing game out of the I-formation will be a difficult change of pace for Florida’s opponents. But that was in the spring. Now it’s time to get ready to play the games. This spring I sat in the office of new OC Steve Addazio and he was adamant: This was not an experiment. This would become part of the offense. Meyer told me the same. We’ll see.
3. Is Tennessee REALLY going to throw these rookie running backs into the fire right away? This much we know about Tennessee’s first team under Lane Kiffin: All season it is going to be a struggle between getting the team ready to play the next game and preparing for the long haul. That will again be the case when Kiffin and OC Jim Chaney decide how to use the highly-recruited running backs, Bryce Brown and David Oku. How much these guys actually get on the field, I believe, is up to the offensive line. If Tennessee had to play tomorrow, instead of Sept. 5 against Western Kentucky, it’s a pretty good bet the Vols would have five seniors starting up front. This is significant. If this group really jells, then Kiffin and Chaney can be a little bolder. If not, you stick with the proven players in Montario Hardesty and Tauren Poole and you spot play the freshmen. The toughest things for young running backs to learn are how to block (because the game is much faster) and picking up pass protection schemes. You wonder how much a highly-recruited kid like Brown was asked to block in high school.
4. Is Stephen Garcia FINALLY ready to become the leader at South Carolina? Steve Spurrier has been giving Garcia his props for behaving himself and getting through a spring and a summer without incident. Now it’s show time and the Gamecocks have a pretty tough opening opponent in N.C. State (in Raleigh on Sept. 3). Garcia is going to have to overcome some things. South Carolina looks to be pretty average at wide receiver. The offensive line, which has been a weak point since Spurrier got to Columbia, is still underwhelming. If there is no running game then there is no play-action passing game and Garcia is going to spend a lot of time just running around for his life. I would like to see some of their early scrimmages, especially with Eric Norwood applying pressure from the other side. And how does Garcia react if things don’t go well?
5. Vanderbilt is going to use a no huddle. Seriously? The Commodores, who went 7-6 and won their first bowl game since 1955 last season, must do something about their offense, which was last in the SEC and 117th (out of 119) nationally last season with only 256.23 yards per game. Vanderbilt has two proven quarterbacks (Mackenzi Adams and Larry Smith) and a veteran offensive line. So coach Bobby Johnson wants to shake things up. They played with the idea of a no-huddle offense in the spring. Do they continue to use it this summer and into the season? Smith, the MVP of Music City Bowl, is perfect for that kind of offense. And if the Commodores use it in the opening game against Western Carolina, will it still be in place when they go to LSU on Sept. 12?
Bonus question:
Does Kentucky freshman Morgan Newton insert himself into the quarterback competition early? Since their record-breaking offense of 2007, Kentucky fans have waited for the second coming of quarterback Andre Woodson. It looks like he has arrived in the person of Morgan Newton (6-4, 217) of Carmel, Ind. As a senior Newton threw for 1,938 yards and ran for 1,664 more. He scored 48 touchdowns. He led his high school team to three straight state championship games and was 38-7 as a starting quarterback. Mike Hartline is the starting quarterback at Kentucky and Randall Cobb, a full-time wide receiver, will get some snaps out of the Wildcat formation. How quickly can Newton pick up the offense of Joker Phillips and will he be a factor early in this season?
Coming Wednesday: Five burning questions about the ACC Atlantic.
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231 comments Add your comment
jumbeauxtiger
August 4th, 2009
6:54 pm
Tide Rising, no flame intended but did you hear that Jordan Jefferson has been named to the O’Brien Watch List? One of 33 QBs nationally and one of 4 from the SEC(Tebow, Snead and Mallett). I can not dispute that he is unproven and has passed for under 50%. Indeed I have my fingers crossed with him for this season but obviously someone thinks highly of him. We’ll see as that’s why they play ‘em.
Now your comment regarding that Bama will return LSU to 2nd tier status is really surprising coming from someone who usually is rational. Sure Saban turned us around and as I have said on here before I like Nick. But if you look at what LSU was paying head coaches before Nick arrived it was paltry. LSU paid Saban over 3 times what they were paying DiNardo and in his last season it was over 4 times. We had no choice as too many seats were empty in the 90s LSU’s Athletic Department is self supporting and thus all programs but basketball depend on football to carry the load. The old adage you get what you pay for surely was true for us during the lean years. However LSU is in a very fertile recruiting area and arguably has had just as strong of classes as Bama has had the last 3 years. LSU’s facilities are among the top in the nation. The new Student-Athlete Academic Center, which Nick wanted, is a a very strong selling point. The football operations center, which I have personally been through, is another plus. And finally football at night in Death Valley is a very unique tradition. I just don’t see LSU becoming 2nd tier in the near future. Sure we may have a down year, all programs eventually do, but we will bounce back like the top programs do.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Atlanta Gator
August 4th, 2009
7:01 pm
Otto & Tide Rising—-I was already working on your complaint when you posted. See, I’m here to please . . .
Years when Alabama got jobbed? Well, there are only four years when Alabama finished 2nd or 3rd in the AP Poll: 1945 (2nd), 1966 (3rd), 1975 (3rd) and 1977 (2nd).
In 1945, Army was the consensus national poll champion. The Cadets beat Michigan 28-7 and Notre Dame 48-0. Why? Every other college in America, other than the service academies which had manpower priority for training future officers, was short on healthy, able-bodied males. Most college age men were in the Army, Navy or Marines. Alabama doesn’t have much of any argument here.
In 1966, 9-0-1 Notre Dame shared the MNC with 9-0-1 Michigan State. They had tied in the final game of the regular season. Notre Dame beat USC 51-0 to end their season. Alabama finished 11-0, beating Nebraska 34-7 in the Sugar Bowl. Did the Tide get jobbed? Maybe, but the Irish and the Spartans both won their final games.
In 1975, 11-1 Oklahoma won the MNC, beating 8-2-2 Michigan in the Orange Bowl. Alabama finished 3rd in the AP, but had lost its season opener to 6-5 Missouri in Tuscaloosa. Ouch. Did Alabama get jobbed? No, probably not.
In 1977, 11-1 Notre Dame, led by Joe Montana, won the MNC by beating Texas 38-10 in a Cotton Bowl snow storm (I remember watching this afternoon game on CBS). Amazing game. Alabama finished 11-1 and 2nd in the AP Poll after beating Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. Did Alabama get jobbed? Maybe, maybe not. But Notre Dame had whole lot going for it, including a future college and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback.
So, guys, in answer to your earlier question, there was never a year when Alabama was ranked 2nd or 3rd and the number one team lost its bowl. You can argue about the number one team’s ranking, but none of the number one teams lost like Bama did in 1964 and 1973.
Best I can tell, the Tide has not been gypped of a title or two in that regard.
Atlanta Gator
August 4th, 2009
7:12 pm
Small caveat: my post above reads incorrectly. It should say “but the Irish and Spartans did not lose their final games.” It was the final game of the season for Michigan State, the next to last game for Notre Dame.
Brad
August 4th, 2009
7:50 pm
Tony – while the no-huddle might be fit for a QB like Larry Smith, it should be noted that your comment that he was MVP of the Music City Bowl is inaccurate. As a Vanderbilt fan, it is a little embarrassing that the MVP was actually our punter, Brett Upson (and our kicking game as a whole is what won that game with Bryant Hahnfeldt’s 3 FG’s as well), but I think it should also be noted that Brett Upson was probably the most dynamic player at his position last year, at least in all of the SEC. If my memory is correct, he was snubbed for All-SEC because he may have not had the longest average of all SEC punters, but there is no question he was the most dynamic punter in the SEC. He consistently made up for the lack of an offense by pinning opponents deep and giving the defense an opportunity to succeed… the only reason I post as much information about Upson as I do is because I don’t think he receives the credit he should and that is reflected in the fact that he was overlooked in your comment noting Larry Smith as the MVP of the Music City Bowl.
Tide Rising
August 4th, 2009
7:51 pm
Jumbeauxtiger,
I actually don’t really believe LSU will go into 2nd tier status. Just exchanging flames with Matt and 1 or 2 other crazies. Normally I am much more rational and I really don’t have a problem with LSU, just with people like Matt and buckblue that continously take swipes at Bama from out of nowhere.That’s all.
bigsam
August 4th, 2009
8:07 pm
everybody out there underestimating richts DAWGS are in for a big surprise. Ga will be a lot better on defense than anyone thinks and bobo will turn the offense into a ball-control team with big play potential.. It wont come easy but nothing inthe SEC ever does…ga will finish 10-2..they will upset fla. but lose to south carolina and auburn… georgia goes to atlanta against alabama…close game with georgia winning by 2….oops alarm clock just went off…a guy can dream……. IN REALITY I THINK GA GOES 9-3 OR POSSIBLY10-2 allthose underrated bulldog teams of the past?? from underdawgs to wonderdawgs//////////………GO DAWGS……… POST SCRIPT.. if florida goes to the I formation and abandons the spread… they will be sorry.. Tebow is amazing athlete but not your proto-typical NFL type qb…. HES AN OVERSIZED UNDER SPEED MIKE VICK……..TENN WILL BE LUCKY TO GO 6-6…. Vandy and KENTUCKY will be vandy and kentucky.. but be wary of south carolina..if they have decent QB performance they will be a threat..SEC RULES!!!!!!
gt76
August 4th, 2009
9:14 pm
If endowment dollars can buy a coach, then urban meyer is moving to Harvard and their $40 Billion or Texas with their $38 billion. This arguement is for village idiots. Your village is missing you and Hillary.
Jack Schitt
August 4th, 2009
9:30 pm
Hey Miles….who gave you that sissy name? Kinda sounds like “Niles”…..you know the fudge-packer on the TV show Frazier? Anyway, don’t look for Lane and Monty to be leaving town, except to head to Atlanta for the SEC Championship with the Vols. Why don’t you get back to watching the Food Channel and you won’ t look like such a dumbazz. So was it your mommy who named you Miles? Bet you hate her for that……man I would. Now you can say you truly know Jack Schitt. Goooooooooo Vols!!!!!
In the Know
August 4th, 2009
9:45 pm
Hey Tide Rising, I really don’t care what you think. Your posts on these blogs are always so self serving towards Bama. Lets face it you could give a crap about any other team in the SEC other than Bama. You need to stop your pompous attitude and admit it….Bama is far from being back…one good season doesn’t mean anything.Come talk to me at the end of the season…until then neither your opinion or mine means anything to anyone except ourselves.
Jim morrison
August 4th, 2009
10:28 pm
Tideman, you sir are a moron!
Gators will rule the SEC again this year with another NC!
Enough Said!
Tide Rising
August 4th, 2009
10:35 pm
In the know,
“Lets face it you could give a crap about any other team in the SEC other than Bama.”
What are you? A mind reader? Didn’t know you could magically read my mind and what I think about every SEC team. I guess we’ll let the season play out. Good luck to you and whoever your team is since your handle doesn’t suggest one. BTW, I doubt the regular dog, gator, and vol posters on here would say I have a negative attitude toward their teams. I’m usually very respectful towards those teams and even to Auburn fans. Let’s just let it play out. 30 days or so.
Yabba Dabba Dabo.
August 4th, 2009
11:27 pm
The Acc will take everyone by surprise this year so Mark It Down.! C.J. Spiller will win the Heisman Mark It Down too. Its gonna be a Pawsitive experience!
tennessee tom
August 5th, 2009
5:27 am
you can not go to he nfl.until ur 3 yrs removed from hs,remember maurice claret
Nachos
August 5th, 2009
7:19 am
Is Georgia REALLY overrated this year? YES
Will Florida REALLY destroy the mutts this year? YES
Will Georgia be playing in the Music City Bowl this year? YES
Bill
August 5th, 2009
7:50 am
Why does everyone think Spurrier will leave when he’s about to sign his third top 10 class and repeatedly has stated he wants to coach until he’s 70? Wishful thinking by the Dawgs because he has players now and may heap a little more misery on them. Maybe even this year.
SickandTired
August 5th, 2009
8:02 am
Oh Dawg fans, the arrogance of you to think that Tennessee will just be god awful terrible is whistling past the graveyard. So what the majority of you say is that all you gotta do is throw that helmet with the might G on it on the field and Tennessee will just tremble in fear is stunningly ignorant. You make fun of the coaching staff but answer this….do you really think that Bobo can outcoach Monte Kiffin? If you think that, well I’m even more perplexed by the intelligence of you sad sad people.
Anonymous
August 5th, 2009
8:57 am
bigsam,
Michael Vick is two inches shorter and 25 pounds smaller than Tim Tebow. Tebow also likes dogs, does not frequent strip clubs, is an academic honors student, and will graduate from college in four years. Tebow has never been arrested. Thought you should know.
Nachos
August 5th, 2009
9:50 am
Tennessee gonna whup “Saint” Richt and his mutts this year.
Nachos
August 5th, 2009
10:01 am
Yes the AJC banned my IP. Freaking liberal newspaper. That wont let a white man speak his mind. Guess I am a racist. Does Auburn still have a football team? helmets? jerseys?
Helluva Engineer
August 5th, 2009
10:13 am
Nachos is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All is right with the world.
Dawg Max
August 5th, 2009
11:17 am
Florida doesn’t have the RBs to run the I-formation—very simple. They have a bunch of fast, finesse type backs and Moody isn’t that good.
bg
August 5th, 2009
12:58 pm
here are my predictions for the east and why
1- florida tebow must stay healthy and defense must prove to be the best in the east
2- georgia could be as low as 4th if qb and lines fail so it would not surprise me’
3-tennessee could be as high as 2nd young talent will win games
4- kentucky will surprise a few but still can not beat georgia,tennessee or florida
5-south carolina spurriers last year it will not be pretty
6-vandy not enough talent to compete week in and week out
Nachos
August 5th, 2009
8:31 pm
Crue 2009!
Having fun in Dalton
August 10th, 2009
3:42 am
To the Gator fans,
I’m a bulldog fan, a fan of SEC football, and most important and fan of football. Now, I don’t have to like urban meyer, but I know a good coach when I see one. He may have signed a new contract to stay another 4 years or whatever it was, but that doesn’t mean it will stick. He knew what he was doing when he recruited Tim Tebow. He had a decent defense when he came in. Now this is Tebow’s last season and the last season for everybody on defense. Having that been said, do you really think he’s going to stick around for rebuilding. He may as well go to Notre Dame because it will be the same scenario. And besides, Meyer will have nothing else to prove in Florida. UF will when the SEC, if the season goes well, Tebow might when another Heisman and UF will win the NC.
I know, I know I’m a UGA fan, but I’m also a realist, So you Gator fans may laugh now, but let’s wait until the end of the season and see what he does. Urban Meyer is looking for a change and it couldn’t have come at a perfect time. He will go to Notre Dame.
Please, Florida, let Tebow be Tebow | Sports News Images and Videos
August 11th, 2009
5:10 pm
[...] right? They hired the NFL mentor to futzed with his throwing motion; they’ve been toying around with the I-formation and more "pro style" sets; now there’s speculation about a different runner from [...]
David Smith
August 13th, 2009
10:05 am
I think Tennessee finishes 2009 with an 8-4 record. I think They lose to Florida,Georgia,Alabama and Ole Miss. I think My Vols will be heading to Atlanta on January 1st for the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
David Smith
August 13th, 2009
10:26 am
I think the SEC East will pan out this way in 2009:
1)Florida
2)Georgia
3)Tennessee
4)Kentucky
5)Vanderbilt
6)South Carolina(I think this will be Spurrier’s last season at USC)
Marie
August 24th, 2009
6:59 am
Haven’t you heard? We do not even need to play the season this year. The lizards have been given everything already, on a silver platter.
Nostra-chazzo
August 24th, 2009
1:13 pm
This is more a possibility type vision. If I had to put money down, it would be on Tebow and the gators going all the way (and, man, do I hate those guys). My predictions are: Florida drops two (one being the SEC championship). A team from the west goes undefeated but gets snubbed again by the BCS, and the SEC sits out of the BCS championship much to the joy of the USC loving media. The dawgs surprise just about everyone then gets upset by a late season surging Auburn Tigers (then take things out on a pesky group of yellow jackets). If you know your history, you will know where I am coming from.
America's Best, UF
August 26th, 2009
7:12 am
dogs will be 1 & 2 after first 3 games.
America's Best, UF
August 26th, 2009
7:20 am
hey Yabba Dabba Do Do, haven’t you learned yet that ACC is an acyronym..”.America’s Cup Cakes”.