There will be an SEC team in BCS championship
It looked like it was going to be an uneventful weekend. Then the games started. No. 4 Iowa lost. No. 8 Oregon lost. No. 9 LSU lost but moved up to No. 8. Georgia Tech won in overtime and jumped from No. 10 to No. 7. No. 5 Cincinnati almost lost (47-45 to UConn). Ditto for No. 6 Boise State, that beat Derek Dooley’s Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 45-35.
So what did we learn?
1. There will be an SEC team in the BCS championship game. Before the weekend there was a possibility that if No. 4 Iowa finished 12-0, it could jump a one-loss SEC champion and get into the BCS title game. But with Iowa’s 17-10 loss to Northwestern, that question is now moot. With Alabama rallying to beat LSU on Saturday, I don’t think we’re stepping out on a limb to say that both Florida and Alabama will get to Atlanta undefeated. Now some will argue that if either No. 4 TCU (9-0) or No. 5 Cincinnati (9-0), who have tough games remaining, finish 12-0 they should go ahead of a 12-1 Florida or Alabama. I’m not buying it. But hey, I could be wrong. If you think I’m wrong, tell me why.
2. Paul Johnson is a ball coach. Here is what I mean by that. When Johnson got the job at Georgia Tech I received phone calls from all over the country from media asking me if he could win in the ACC with an option offense. I told several of them to forget what offense Johnson was running. He was a “ball coach.” He knew how to win. What more proof do you need than Saturday’s win over Wake Forest? At least 90 percent of coaches would have kicked a field goal and sent the game into its second overtime. You’re at home. You’re moving the ball. That’s what it says to do in the coaching manual. But Johnson looked at his options with a fourth and less than one near the Wake Forest five-yard line. Of all the options he had, his offense was the best. Josh Nesbitt gets the first down and then on the next play Nesbitt gets the win. People had better stop looking at this guy as a “system” coach. He’s a damn good coach, period.
3. The SEC can’t get a break on officiating. The SEC has had to suspend officials, sign off on the suspension of players, and fine coaches because of calls (some of them bad) made on the field. After Florida’s suspension of Brandon Spikes and the SEC’s fining Florida’s coach (Urban Meyer) $30,000 last week, you would have thought that the SEC was due for a break from officiating controversy. Wrong. Trailing 24-15 with a little less than six minutes to play, LSU’s Patrick Peterson had apparently intercepted a pass from Alabama Greg McElroy near the LSU 32-yard line. The ruling on the field was an incomplete pass but television replays, just like the play, were very close. The replay official in the booth did not overturn the call. You must assume that there was simply not enough conclusive evidence to overturn the call on the field. But given what has happened this season, it was inevitable that the conspiracy theorists would once again emerge. Hey, it was a close call. It could have gone either way. Based on what I saw I leaned toward calling it an interception. I’ll bet there are a lot of people in the SEC office who are looking forward to basketball season.
4. Tennessee is getting better. You may not like Lane Kiffin’s methods, but you have to be impressed with the results. Since a 26-22 loss to Auburn on Oct. 3, Tennessee has played better each week. The Vols destroyed Georgia (45-19), outplayed Alabama in the second half before losing 12-10 in Tuscaloosa, took advantage of turnovers to beat South Carolina (31-13), and then built a 49-7 lead over Memphis on the way to winning 56-28. I am also convinced that aliens have invaded Jonathan Crompton’s body. When he left Saturday’s game, Crompton had thrown for a career-high 331 yards and five touchdowns. In his last four games Crompton has completed 74 of 114 passes (64.9 percent) for 1,048 yards, 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
5. South Carolina is not. It is shaping up to be another difficult finish for Steve Spurrier. The Gamecocks appeared to be heading in the right direction when they played Alabama tough in Tuscaloosa before losing 20-6. South Carolina has lost three of its last four games including back-to-back beatings by Tennessee (31-13) and Arkansas (33-16). With No. 1 Florida coming to Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday and a finale against surging Clemson on Nov. 28, the Gamecocks (6-4) are looking at the very real possibility of finishing 6-6. “We’re just not real good right now,” Spurrier told The State newspaper of Columbia. “Coaches are coaching their butts off. We’re just not getting results right now.” Depth has always been a problem at South Carolina and the Gamecocks were without four injured starters on defense against Arkansas. But Gamecock fans are getting frustrated because they see other teams in the league getting better this time of year and their team is not. It will be interesting to see what Spurrier does if he finishes 6-6. He likes his recruiting going into this February. Will that be enough to keep the Head Ball Coach in Columbia?
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278 comments Add your comment
Colin
November 9th, 2009
8:18 am
What happened to my tigers? What a weekend.
Ed
November 9th, 2009
8:22 am
Not to start with the calling out of Tony, but at the time of the big controversial play, the score was 21-15.
m
November 9th, 2009
8:22 am
Tony,
Why do all the ACC team’s uniforms look like high school uniforms? Maryland’s look like a baboon’s butt.
Thank God and Greyhound we don’t play William & Mary. Those Colonial Conference teams keep kicking our arse. St. Simons, please call me. I didn’t mean what I said and never meant to hurt you.
SEC Commissioner Slive
November 9th, 2009
8:27 am
Attention SEC officials:
You all have done your jobs wonderfully. You obeyed and have kept Florida and Alabama undefeated as ordered. Now just a couple of more games to go. Make sure you flag the hell out of their opponents because we must make sure that Florida and Alabama go into the SEC Championship game in Atlanta both undefeated.
SEC Commissioner Slive
David
November 9th, 2009
8:27 am
Shoot, I’d take a 12-1 Georgia Tech over 12-0 Cincy or 12-0 TCU.
m
November 9th, 2009
8:29 am
The BSbcs needs to be eliminated. It is the worst, and most idiotic system ever invented. The sec is no more deserving of a team in the championship than any of the other undefeated teams. It is just all this idiotic sec hype.
The sec is the weakest I have ever seen it in my lifetime and if there was a true 16 team playoff, the sec would be very unlikely to get a team to the finals.
Don’t forget that there are THREE undefeated teams against sec competition. floriduh, alabammer, and Georgia TECH. But going undefeated in this year’s weak sec is nothing to brag about.
The ACC is 2-2 with the sec so far, with likely wins coming ujp of Tech over ugag, and Clemson over the SC chickens…and maybe even FSU over floriduh. So, as predicted, the ACC will own the sec once again,,,just like last year.
Morning News And Views | MrSEC.com
November 9th, 2009
8:29 am
[...] showed Patrick Peterson got two feet in bounds.)10. And Tony Barnhart of The AJC examines the following four observations from this past weekend:* The SEC will have a team in the BCS title game* The SEC can’t get a [...]
JB
November 9th, 2009
8:32 am
Spurrier and Richt are OLD news in the SEC…..Those programs are in the same boat…..I put my Dawgs in their because this is year two of THIS type of play, with no end in site. Meyer will be tested NEXT year without Tebow, and Saban has the Tide going and Tenn and Auburn look to be improving.
Even with Willie gone, Next year will also be tough for the Dawgs. But, on the up side, several things next year could make a big difference. Murray is a gamer and AJ back and this line in reborn in the off season, with a older, bigger ,faster ealey, we could be a lot better on offense. A new DC puts some LIFE in the D. GATA…….
m
November 9th, 2009
8:32 am
It is a shame that crybaby m-posters like the one above at 8:22 can’t use their own handles.
By the way, Thanks to God and Greyhound that chan gomer gailey is gone forever. Any Tech fans that ever supported or defended gomer in any way should be ashamed of themselves.
#2 BAMA FAN
November 9th, 2009
8:33 am
If McElroy had been on target on his throws saturday, Bama would have won by 3 touchdowns!! RTR
Gator Growl
November 9th, 2009
8:34 am
Has one of uga’s “Fashion Merchandising” majors taken over uniform duty for the dawgs, or has Grambling’s Assistant Athletics Director tranfered to GA??
Next time, just wear a dress, dawgs.
USCe
November 9th, 2009
8:34 am
UGA will be 5-7 this year. LOL
Fleischman in Chi Town's bed
November 9th, 2009
8:35 am
Mark Ingram should win the Heisman!
GIT R DONE
Tim Tebow
November 9th, 2009
8:39 am
I hope you all bow down and worship me in the Georgia Dome when we gators arrive to beat “Bama. I will be accompanied by my coach Urban Meyer (he is the one with all the tissues and will be whining on the sideline) and our fans will be the guys in the daisy duke shorts and wife beater shirts falling all over themselves drunk and puking!!!! Our women look and dress the same but have more tattoos and bigger beer bellies! There will be partying in trailer parks all over the great state of Florida after we win!
C tha 1
November 9th, 2009
8:40 am
I gotta agree with you about Paul Johnson. GT’s win Saturday night boiled down to precise decision making, and a major set of cajones by an experienced head coach.
merculf
November 9th, 2009
8:45 am
The deep South’s oldest rivalry is on this week! AUBURN vs UGA! Auburn is going to enjoy the road team advantage! War Damn Eagle!
Billy Ray Valentine
November 9th, 2009
8:46 am
So Tony,
As of right now, what are your predictions for the BCS bowls?
National Championship?
Orange?
Sugar?
Fiesta?
Rose?
Who’s getting their chance to showcase against a big time opponent on a national stage, and who’s getting left out?
GatorG
November 9th, 2009
8:46 am
What, Tony – only one mention of Spikes in today’s blog?!
Steve Spurrier will retire after this season. You heard it here first.
JB
November 9th, 2009
8:47 am
Tech will get to play ANOTHER real team in a major bowl this year……Win that and I’m a believer……..Not Tested yet. Yes, they have a good team. Thank God and Greyhound Chan recruited Nesbitt and Dwyer.
PaulC
November 9th, 2009
8:48 am
What!! You mean Kiffin isn’t just some idiot who spouts off at the mouth and can’t coach a lick???!! But, but, but….that’s been the narrative! You can’t change the NARRATIVE, Tony. It’ll make all the other SEC fans uncomfortable to know that they were dead, frickin wrong from DAY 1! Tony, call that alien in Jonathan Crompton what it is, good coaching. JC is only a few touchdown passes behind the Houston qb, and he’s done it against better competition. It’s laughable that so many journalists, bloggers, and fans were so wrong about Lane Kiffin. Things are only going to get better at UT.
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
8:49 am
SEC teams love cupcake teams, look at their schedules.
JB
November 9th, 2009
8:49 am
Spurrier retires, Charlie Strong will be new Head Coach At Carolina. You heard it here fifteenth.
Florida ties to recruiting will be the main reason. Load’em up in Columbia.
SEC Compliance Office
November 9th, 2009
8:50 am
Mr. Barnhart,
This notice is to inform you that you are being a assessed a fine of $50,000 for publicly questioning an SEC official. Please remit your payment immediately.
Thank you.
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
8:50 am
But ACC teams don’t love Colonial Conference teams.
Steve
November 9th, 2009
8:52 am
Well bama still plays at auburn. If they were to lose and then knock out fla, in the sec champ game, i wouldn’t say they would definitely get a team in the bcs nat champ game. Cincy or tcu would jump them if they were undefeated.
Trade School Junkie
November 9th, 2009
8:52 am
The “Mr. College Football” is an obvious misnomer.
Folks, the BCS is simply a Cartel. Thats all. And the simple fact that Tony Bias ADAMANTLY endorses a system that is COMPLETELY bogus and corrupt tells you ALL you need to know about Barnhart’s lack of professional or journalistic integrity. BCS = (B)owl (C)artel (S)ystem.
1. Anyone here suprised that SEC Super-homer Barnhart started this post with the SEC & the BCS?
2. Barnhart said: “When Johnson got the job at Georgia Tech I received phone calls from all over the country from media asking me if he could win in the ACC with an option offense.”
WTHF???? Seriously.
What media idiot would call SEC Super-Homer Barnhart for an informed on opinion on Paul Johnson or the ACC? Probably A BOLD-FACED LIE.
greg
November 9th, 2009
8:52 am
South Carolina..6 and 6…just like they always are. They will never be a winner…only very, very average…no matter who their coach is. It’s amazing 75,000 people come out to watch them at home year after year.
im4bama
November 9th, 2009
8:53 am
I’ll give the interception to LSU by a toe. It was real close, so could have went either way. There is no conspiracy. Bama was clearly the better team. Did you see how many times LSU players were laying on the field? I was there, and if McElroy had hit the guys that were open we would have atleast 2-3 more TD’s. We were 3rd and goal and steamrolling, when we got a penalty and had to kick a FG late and he should have never held the ball so long to give them a safety. Seriosly, shouldn’t have been close at all. If McElroy can step up and play like a Champion like Ingram, then Bama wins 13th National Championship.
Gators, your going down this time. It’s Bama’s turn for the title.
AlbertCamus
November 9th, 2009
8:53 am
All Tech needs is for aTm to beat the Horns and the Jackets could be in the mix for Pasadena. All things being equal GT ought to be rated 4th or at worst 5th right now.
AlbertCamus
November 9th, 2009
8:55 am
TCU will go down hard to Utah next week…when that happens, and Tejas loses to aTm then the Jackets will be playing Bama for the MNC. Bank it.
GatorG
November 9th, 2009
8:55 am
I always get a kick out of fans from the great state of Georgia trying to portray Florida fans as rednecks. HELLO?!
JP owns DJ
November 9th, 2009
8:56 am
Rumors are circulating that Chi Town will be in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game.
More to come….
AlbertCamus
November 9th, 2009
8:57 am
All that needs to happen is that Cinci lose to Pitt, aTm beats Texas and utah beats TCU. It’s almost a stone cold lock.
Eric
November 9th, 2009
8:57 am
lsu loses and moves UP in the polls. Somebody is getting paid! That sucks!
Kiffinisatosser
November 9th, 2009
8:58 am
Ahem, just to be clear. Florida and Georgia fanbases are both composed predominantly of rednecks.
Gator Tom
November 9th, 2009
9:00 am
It cracks me up when bama fans say well if our qb hit this pass and that pass. That’s what your qb is. This is why you are in close games. Because he can’t make this pass and that. Quit pretending he is colt mccoy. The pass was an Int.
dawgday
November 9th, 2009
9:04 am
TCU beat UVA and Clemson from the ACC, beat BYU, and if they beat a 7-1 Utah team (that took it to Bama last year), they should go undefeated. I’d definitely take them over a 1 loss team. Cincy’s from the Big East and shouldn’t be overlooked. My dream scenario would be: Bama loses, then beats UF in the SECCC. Cincy and TCU go undefeated and play for the NC. If this happens, I guarantee that the NCAA will look into a playoff system. The networks would take a bath on the game and force the issue.
LSURules
November 9th, 2009
9:04 am
That was clearly an interception, but the bama loving refs in the SEC will not do anything to hurt bama and their ranking. Les Miles should go public with a complaint, even though it will cost him $30,000. This terrible, biased officiating in the SEC is a joke! These refs should be fired, not suspended.
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 9th, 2009
9:06 am
Trade School Junkie, you beat me to the punch.
I thought the same thing.
Tony Barnyard don’t know crap about the ACC.
Huh?!
November 9th, 2009
9:07 am
#2 BAMA FAN and im4bama — If a frog had wings…
Let’s not take away from the great game that it was.
LSURules
November 9th, 2009
9:08 am
Yes that interception cost us the game.
LSU would have won if it weren’t for that call.
Keep in mind....
November 9th, 2009
9:08 am
To all of you Techies who are coming up with scenarios where Texas and everyone else loses so you can get into the BCS Championship game:
Remember that it just took overtime for you to beat Wake Forest. Don’t count your chickens until they’ve played out the season!
Gen Neyland
November 9th, 2009
9:10 am
Rumor has it that Tennessee’s Crompton also leads the SEC with 21 TD passes…21.
Tigers
November 9th, 2009
9:11 am
LSu was robbed
U-no
November 9th, 2009
9:11 am
Tony, who do you like in the Alabama vs Florida matchup? I think Bama might take them this year. Also, you are absolutely right about Coach Paul Johnson. He is a REAL coach and knows how to get the best out of his players when it counts.
G Force
November 9th, 2009
9:11 am
Gutsy call by Paul Johnson. Not all wins are going to be pretty, but that was a well-earned “W” Jackets.
dawgday
November 9th, 2009
9:15 am
Sucks for LSU. Don’t you hate it when the refs affect the outcome of a game? We all knew that gift in Athens would come back to bite ya.
Mikey
November 9th, 2009
9:15 am
Crompton is getting better because obviously someone is coaching him up.
The same cannot be said in Athens,and I am a Dawg fan.
Mike
November 9th, 2009
9:15 am
Keep in mind…and????
Wake had 555 yards of offense against miami the week before. They had 0 turnovers. And our d only gave up 290 yards to an all acc future nfl 1-2 round draft pick qb. Every loss by wake this year except for one has been by 3 points or less. And finally, the officiating in the game was horrible. Half the calls were bs, just ask Mark Bradley who’s an unbiased reporter. If those calls and there were several, aren’t made, gt wins this by 20.
Aubie
November 9th, 2009
9:16 am
It would be sweet if Auburn beat Bama, but we all know that the SEC Commish has ordered the refs to be sure it doesn’t happen. Auburn still pulls the upset in spite of shady refs