Head Ball Coach can make history against Bama
Five things to look for this weekend in college football:
1. The Head Ball Coach has another chance to make history: Steve Spurrier hasn’t been able to recapture the success he had at Florida (six SEC championships) since coming to South Carolina in 2005. But the HBC has a chance to make some history on Saturday if the Gamecocks can upset No. 1 Alabama. First of all, South Carolina has never beaten the No. 1 team in the nation. They beat No. 4 Ole Miss early last season. But a win over Alabama would give Steve Spurrier his 107th SEC win in 18 years as a head coach in the league. That would move him into second place behind Bear Bryant (159) and ahead of John Vaught (106) and Vince Dooley (105).
2. Mike Pouncey will remain at center for Gators. Deal with it: Brady Ackerman, my broadcast partner on CSS, made this point and it’s a good one. Last season Florida fans became experts on concussions when Tim Tebow got his bell rung. When center Mike Pouncey had some issues with the shotgun snap in the first game with Miami (Ohio), everyone became an expert on the center-quarterback exchange. Pouncey had some snaps that were off target in last Saturday night’s game with Alabama. Now segments of the fan base want to move Pouncey back to guard. First of all, Brady points out, Pouncey is your only offensive captain. You don’t move him without sending a bad message to the rest of your offense. Secondly, Pouncey is your best player at the position and is going to be a first-round draft choice. Last time I checked, Pouncey didn’t have anything to do with the four turnovers Florida had against Alabama.
3. LSU’s quarterbacks vs. the Gators: LSU coach Les Miles announced this week that Jordan Jefferson will start against Florida on Saturday. Okay. Maybe Miles needs to do that to keep Jefferson’s head in the game. Maybe if you bench Jefferson you lose him for the rest of the season. I don’t think so. I met the kid. He’s pretty sharp. But the fact remains that he has gone four straight games with less than 100 yards passing. Jarrett Lee completed 16 of 23 passes for 185 yards. He was far from perfect but when you have the SEC’s leading rusher in Steven Ridley (111.4 yards per game) and the SEC’s No. 1 defense (246.6 ypg) you need someone to manage the game and protect the ball. Jefferson completed only three of 10 passes and had two interceptions last week. For the fourth straight game he has thrown under 100 yards. LSU has games remaining with No. 12 Florida, No. 13 Arkansas, No. 1 Alabama, and No. 8 Auburn. LSU will not beat any of those teams if the Tigers don’t get more efficient play at quarterback.
4. Cameron Newton’s carries against Kentucky: Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton entered last week’s game with Louisiana-Monroe as the leading rusher in the SEC. Newton had been carrying the rushing load out of necessity because the Tigers had very difficult games with Clemson and South Carolina. So last week against ULM the Auburn coaches did not call a single running play for Newton. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns. He lost 11 yards on a sack so now he’s the No. 4 rusher in the SEC at 94.8 yards per game. So I wonder how many times Newton will run the ball on Saturday at Kentucky against a defense that is 11th in the SEC in stopping the run (166.2)? Newton certainly moves the chains but Auburn also knows it has a tough stretch of games coming up with Arkansas and LSU at home in the next two weeks.
5. Florida State vs. Miami: Which quarterback stays vertical? This is certainly not the Florida State-Miami game of the 1980s and 90s. But we’re in the sixth week of the season and we have two ranked ACC teams (Miami No. 14, Florida State No. 24) playing a very important game. Given the poor start of that conference this is a pretty big game for the ACC. While everybody likes to talk about offense, the fact is that these two teams are among the best in the country at rushing the quarterback. Florida State leads the nation with 25 quarterback sacks in five games. Miami is second with 17 sacks in four games. Which of the two quarterbacks will feel the most pressure? Miami’s Jacory Harris tends to throw the ball into tight places when he is under duress. He has eight interceptions in 119 passing attempts. Florida State’s Christian Ponder has only three interceptions in in 129 passing attempts. How about this: If Miami’s Harris has two interceptions or less, the ‘Canes win the game. Three or more? Then the game goes to Florida State.
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“Barnhart and Durham” for Thursday: This morning we welcome South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, former Georgia coach Vince Dooley, and Virginia head coach Mike London to the show. The fun begins at 10 a.m. at www.790thezone.com.
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174 comments Add your comment
Peter
October 7th, 2010
8:12 am
First?!?!?!
Serenity in the Swamp
October 7th, 2010
8:13 am
I don’t think anyting is going to stop the tide. But it would be nice. Go Gators
Peter
October 7th, 2010
8:15 am
OK, not that’s out of the way:
1) Bama rolls over roosters
2) Lucky Les’ luck runs out against UF
3) Tigers pounce the Wildcats
4) Canes’ over Noles’ due to either wide right or wide left.
Charlie Bama
October 7th, 2010
8:16 am
Spurrier has already made history, as a Heisman winner and coaching the Nat Champ Gators. More history ahead this Saturday? Don’t bet on it Tony.
Joel
October 7th, 2010
8:18 am
ACC is 1-9 against non conference BCS opponents? Immediately I can think of 3 wins. UNC beat Rutgers, NC State beat Cincinnati, and Miami beat Pitt.
Serenity in the Swamp
October 7th, 2010
8:18 am
Tony, You can add a NC to those SEC championships.
Dawg_Mike
October 7th, 2010
8:19 am
Hey Tony,
Re; #5- it’s vertical, not verticle.
Daniel Monaghan
October 7th, 2010
8:22 am
verticle?
GeezusDawg
October 7th, 2010
8:23 am
Hey Brando, if you’re reading this, go back on Finebaum … it’s hilarious hearing you squirm.
Blah Blah Blah
October 7th, 2010
8:26 am
1. Sure… And I have a chance to make history when I buy this lottery ticket.
2. Pouncy isn’t the guy who replaced Tebow. Florida should instead evaluate the guy who did.
3. LSU has no quarterback.
4. When you have only one offensive weapon, do you risk wasting it on the lowly Cats?
5. Your first sentence says it all. This game mattered 20 or 30 years ago.
Ray Goff
October 7th, 2010
8:26 am
UGA runs this state!
Kitster
October 7th, 2010
8:26 am
Overtaking Vought and Dooley would be nice, but the big picture here, Tony – is that if South Carolina can somehow win this game (as improbable as it sounds), they would firmly be in the driver seat of the SEC East.
82Dawg
October 7th, 2010
8:32 am
@Kitster No way that will happen
Blah Blah Blah
October 7th, 2010
8:34 am
South Carolina impressed me with their win over Georgia, but that was before I realized just how many wheels had fallen off of the Dawg’s football program. I’ve grown weary of hearing that “this is Spurrier’s year” at SC. Spurrier hasn’t had a good year since he left Gainesville. The Chickens have the best possible scenario to upset Bama next Saturday. They get a physically worn down, emotionally exhausted Tide team in their home coop after a bye week. It’s put up or shut up time for the OBC.
AUM
October 7th, 2010
8:34 am
I’ve had a “feeling” that SC might upset UAT. It’s just a feeling, nothing solid or even rational. But who knows. All football fans are experts, except me of course. Mister Leslie at LSWHAT is a jerk and a moron. He deserves to lose to FL, Auburn, Ark. and even UAT, as well as everyone else on the schedule. Looking for a big show from Auburn at KY this weekend. It’s revenge! For Auburn’s sake, I guess I have to pull for Miami. War Eagle to all you Auburn Tigers!
Purple Drank
October 7th, 2010
8:35 am
Harris is TERRIBLE! It’s infinitely amusing to see CANES FAN revere this skinny duck throwing chump. Got kicked off of Twitter…booohoooo.. Cried about some idiots racist comments??? You are the face of a rebuilding D-1 and you’re crying publicly about some idiots mindless tweet?? Who’s the bigger idiot?…booohooo. Above all, Harris’ arm strength is a cruel joke. He has good timing but can’t throw hard past 30 yards to save his life. Nothing but moonballs to compensate for ZERO strength. UM is going nowhere with this guy. Maybe an ACC CG appearance but nothing more.
The Most Interesting Man Alive
October 7th, 2010
8:37 am
Kitster you are not correct. No matter what SC or UF do this weekend, the SEC East race will still be decided in Gainesville when the two meet in November, unless of course UGA upsets the Gators in Jax.
npgator
October 7th, 2010
8:40 am
18th?
TommyJack
October 7th, 2010
8:40 am
I would pull for the University of Somolia over the ol’ ball coach.
George P Burdell
October 7th, 2010
8:41 am
Mr. Barnhart, just a thought:
Perhaps y’all should rename “Barnhart and Durham” as “Burnham”.
Just has a ring to it…
Gen Neyland
October 7th, 2010
8:43 am
Pouuncy’s problems could be solved if the Gators would employ the services of a Sports Psychologist (ask Smoltz). Hey, just a suggestion…QB delimmas at LSU seem to be a part of CLM’s DNA. Not unusual…This IS Coach Steve’s opportunity to show us what his team can do. Too bad it’ll have to be attempted against Alabama…GBO
Go Dogs
October 7th, 2010
8:50 am
http://www.thegeorgiasportsreport.com
SEC Fact Finder(the real one)
October 7th, 2010
8:54 am
Tony,
Nice article, Spurrier did the SEC a favor years ago at Florida, he raised the bar for the coaches in the conference. He made everyone work harder, upgrade facilities and spend the money to make the money for their schools. I am not a UF guy, but every school in the conference owes Spurrier a very large THANK YOU for making the conference better.
5IML
October 7th, 2010
8:59 am
Carolina will be beaten to sleep on Saturday. Most of the nation will change the channel before halftime.
Next week, Ole Miss has a much better chance of pulling the upset against BAMA:
1. It will be homecoming at the Capstone (i.e. distractions)
2. Everyone will be overlooking Ole Miss
3. BAMA will be coming off three straight games against ranked opponents (#10, #7, #19) and may be physically worn down
Paul in RDU
October 7th, 2010
9:01 am
Miami-FSU should be an interesting game. The U has a better D but Harris has looked very erratic against good opponents – he made some really dumb throws against Clemson. I have to agree with Tony that if Harris plays smart Miami will win.
Monkey says:
October 7th, 2010
9:02 am
Blah Blah Blah….Did you ever consider that South Carolina, the Ole Ball Coach had a little something to do with “the wheels falling off at UGA” ?
dean
October 7th, 2010
9:04 am
Anyone have the over/under on Spurrier visor-slams?
RxDawg
October 7th, 2010
9:07 am
1. Very impressive. The thing I like the most about the old ball coach is his disregard for cliche coach speak. He truly speaks his mind and his press interviews are great to watch. Who doesn’t remember Free Shoes University? Who else in college football would have the pair to say something along those lines about a rival now? Richt is one of the worst at this, not that it’s necessarily a bad thing mind you because it doesn’t give away anything your program is doing and it doesn’t feed the other guys any locker room material. But still….sometimes I wish Richt would come out and say “dag gummit… we got our arse kicked!”.
2. Eh… Gator fans.
3. What!? You have got to be kidding me…. Miles must be trying to get fired. Every football fan in the nation can see Jefferson should not be starting/playing whatever. Heck, his own fans booed him when he came out on the field at the end of the UT game. Some guys have it, this one doesn’t. You play the guy that is making plays for you. You don’t reward failure, something our society seems to be forgeting.
4. This one is easy. If Auburn falls behind, Newton runs.
5. “Harris has eight interceptions in 119 passing attempts. Florida State’s Christian Ponder has only three interceptions in in 129 passing attempts.” There’s your stat right there. At first glance I’d call Miami winning this one, but you’ve convinced me Free Shoes takes it home.
Dostoyevskiy
October 7th, 2010
9:12 am
I can’t help but reflect on SCAR and Clemson, particularly Clemson, losing at Auburn by the slimmest of margins. That said, how can Clemson help but not win convincingly at UNC, a team which will be without 2-3 preseason All-Americans on defense, and its best playmaker, Little, on offense. If UNC wins this game, I can only conclude that, either Clemson, SCar and Auburn are at best mediocre, or that UNC has some deep talent on its team, and with all its players, would be a major power. What think you?
Dork
October 7th, 2010
9:26 am
30th!
matanzas gator
October 7th, 2010
9:28 am
If Pouncey is a first round draft pick, then why doesn’t Meyer and Addazio have the “trust” in him to sneak it behind him on 3rd and goal from the 1 foot line? Instead, he snaps it wide and misses his block. He has done this multiple times on short yardage situations this year. The Gators can run the table on their remaining schedule playing the same football as they have played all year. The defense has been as good as the ‘06 defense and is better than the ‘08 defense. The offense has been much more productive than last year’s offense and the ‘06 offense. However, small changes need to be made, such as your center getting the ball to the QB in clutch situations and not forcing a drop-back passer into becoming JC Watts.
sunny purdue
October 7th, 2010
9:29 am
Um, I think Spurrier is already ahead of Prince Dooley.
T3
October 7th, 2010
9:33 am
Christian Ponder > Jacory Harris
Noles will win.
Tide4u2c
October 7th, 2010
9:35 am
Alabama has a very focused team and they will not be satisfied until they win the NC.This Alabama team is not going to overlook any team.So all of you hoping or wishing somebody will upset Alabama can just keep hoping because it ain’t gonna happen.You are going to have to earn a win and it won’t be easy.
Another Steve
October 7th, 2010
9:38 am
Good Morning Tony. On yesterday’s radio show, Derrick Dooley stated his players are still learning and struggling with their positions and therefore unable to provide leadership at this time. Both Pouncey and Brantley are struggling at this time and may be Captains, but in name only. As far as your assessment concerning first round draft choices, please save it for the end of the season or after the combine. Its not possible for you to know. Leave the crystal ball to the seers.
University of Georgia Fan
October 7th, 2010
9:39 am
Tony… Thought Bobby Bowden was great on sportsnite, need to get him on full time. Liked what he said about Sinkwich.
Sean
October 7th, 2010
9:41 am
Instead of showing FSU/Miami, ABC should show FSU/Miami from 1991. This year’s version…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
http://thebubblescreen.blogspot.com
David
October 7th, 2010
9:50 am
Tony, not a Gator guy, but Pouncey was a part of those turnovers. He can’t center the ball back to the QB. Florida’s problem is they think Tim Tebow is still there. They use plays only Tebow could perform.
That stuff doesn’t work anymore.
RTR
#1 BAMA FAN
October 7th, 2010
9:51 am
The fightin banty roosters will be fired up and BAMA will have to withstand the first 10 minutes. After that most of the USC faithful will be able to get an early jump on the crowd and head to the fair.RTR
gdawginkalamazoo
October 7th, 2010
9:52 am
I cannot believe that UF hasn’t signed a five star center in all those #1 recruiting classes. Or is there such a thing as a five star center? That’s my question. Also had Pouncey played center before in HS?
OBC will be throwing visors this weekend. Garcia won’t get it done against Bama D. And Smart will show UGA how the 3-4 is used to shut down a power RB.
LSU squeaks by UF on defense alone. Brantley just hasn’t progressed enough yet to handle what Chavis will throw at him. Demps is fast but Peterson is a step too quick for him to break it outside.
If Newton doesn’t take a break when he can he will be hurting during the tough stretch coming up. You just can’t take the pounding week in and week out that he will have coming up.
That said, Go Dawgs!
Monkey says:
October 7th, 2010
9:53 am
APB for TAMPA GATOR….He has been AWOL since the smack talk last week……after posting daily the greatness of the Florida Gator…
Pulpwood Smith
October 7th, 2010
10:01 am
Hey Ray !!
UGA does not run this state. The rest of the SEC does.
our Dawgs suck and so do you.
Dontavius Supremo
October 7th, 2010
10:04 am
Unfoirtunately, very few (even the colleges) take ACC football seriously. It is a basketball conference, top to bottom. Not sure just why Miami and FSU signed up. Would make more sense for them (and Ga. Tech) to play in the SEC. Instant rivalries all over the South, especially in FLA itself..
DP
October 7th, 2010
10:04 am
Leaving Pouncey at center is idiotic, a prime example of Urban Meyer’s major flaw, being stubborn in the face of something that obviously isn’t working. Five games into the season and every snap from center, the most basic thing in football, is an adventure. You can’t compete at the highest level with 5 or 6 exchanges a game that are either completely botched or bad enough to throw off the timing of a play. Other than the Kentucky game, Florida has not been able to sustain drives all year because they have too many negative yardage plays, and many are a result of a snap that is completely blown or bad enough to throw off the timing of a play.
There would have been many more blown plays Saturday night had Brantley and Burton not done a great job of snagging snaps that were high and to their left. Had Pouncey made a good snap to Burton on 1st and goal on Florida’s first possession, Burton might have scored and changed the complexion of the game.
And then there’s the fact that Pouncey was regularly getting whipped at the point of attack. It’s understandable when he’s worried about making a good snap and making the blocking calls. I don’t know how he could still be rated as a first round pick in the NFL draft unless it’s as a guard. I saw a headline on one of the pay subscription sites at ESPN that said Pouncey’s NFL stock was dropping. How could it not be? He’s stinking up the joint. Ask Jevan Snead how far your NFL draft status can drop when you don’t perform. He went from projected first round to undrafted in a season.
But Tony has a buddy who says Pouncey should stay at center so that settles it. The Florida fans who hold their breath on every snap are overreacting.
DP
October 7th, 2010
10:07 am
By the way, when Tony says a Division I football program should hire a 60 year old egomaniac overpaid CEO (Joe Moglia) who was a position coach in the Ivy League 25 years ago as head football coach he’s officially lost any credibility he ever had, if he ever had any.
ga gator
October 7th, 2010
10:09 am
Totally out coached against Bama. Better team and coaching staff won. If UF would have scored the two times inside of the 5 yard line instead of turning it over, it would have been respectable, But until Urban “King of Stubburn” finally admits that Tebow is no longer on the field, we could lose 2 more this year.
Elmo
October 7th, 2010
10:10 am
I suspect that Bama will still be no good undefeated .
WAR DAMN EAGLE!
October 7th, 2010
10:11 am
“Auburn also knows it has a tough stretch of games coming up with Arkansas and LSU at home in the next two weeks.”
Well gee, thanks for that incite, Mr. College Football. We at Auburn had no idea………
(SARCASM)
WAR DAMN EAGLE!
October 7th, 2010
10:12 am
Dawg_Mike
I’ve noticed that almost all the AJC writing staff has issues with grammar.
shankit
October 7th, 2010
10:13 am
Bama fans better hope Tressel never leaves the
Buckeyes, cause Saban is in waiting for this job.
That’s where he got his break under the “coach”
Denny Fryzell, and like Kiffin, when your love
comes calling, you go leaving.