Ranking the SEC, from Bama to Vandy (and Georgia No. 4)
Mark Richt is confident Georgia can rebound from a tough summer and going 4-4 in the SEC.
Twelve head coaches stood at the podium during last week’s SEC media days. Shockingly, not one declared, “Thank goodness for Tums because this season could be an unmitigated disaster.”
There’s nothing like the optimism of July, when nobody has lost a game yet. So how do things really stand in the SEC? Here’s a loose guide. I’ve ranked the 12 schools by a combination of perceived current strength and the program’s direction. Feel free to debate.
Looking Down On The Villagers
♦ 1. ALABAMA: It was funny when Nick Saban lost to Louisiana-Monroe in 2007. There haven’t many opportunities to laugh since. Alabama is 16-0 in the SEC’s regular season in the last two seasons (it only lost to Florida in the 2008 conference title game). The Tide is coming off a BCS title and could repeat. Direction firmly established.
Nick Saban and Urban Meyer have established the SEC's pecking order
♦ 2. FLORIDA: The Gators are 26-2 with a BCS title in the last two seasons. To recruit, they open the front door. The only questions center on the health of their head coach (Urban Meyer) and the success of Tim Tebow’s replacement (John Brantley). But the program is too strong and too deep to expect a significant descent any time soon.
♦
A Step Below
♦ 3. LSU: Almost placed the Tigers fourth but they did win the BCS title only three years ago. The question is: How much of Les Miles’ early success was residual from the Saban era? His SEC records in his first three seasons: 7-1, 6-2, 6-2. In the last two (with most of Saban’s players gone): 3-5, 5-3. Miles is catching as much heat as Mark Richt. This year’s rebuilding effort includes replacing seven defensive starters. LSU fans want to see progress.
♦ 4. GEORGIA: Richt went 4-4 in the SEC in two of the last four years, not catastrophic. But the last four BCS champions came from the SEC. That changes the grading scale. The 2008 Bulldogs underachieved. The 2009 team was bad enough that Richt finally felt compelled to dump three assistants, including defensive coordinator Willie Martinez. This year’s team should fare well, partly because of an easier schedule. But there are questions at quarterback (freshman) and on defense (new scheme). Richt needs to firmly establish direction.
Usually Good For An Upset
Steve Spurrier hasn't cracked the elite at South Carolina like he did when he was at Florida.
♦ 5. SOUTH CAROLINA: Steve Spurrier made his mark on offense. His South Carolina teams have been strong on defense. Even he mused that for the first time in his career, he received a salary bonus for his team’s graduation rate, not a bowl game. South Carolina is a stable and competitive program with a great fan base. But Spurrier can’t recruit talented skill position players to Columbia. It wouldn’t be a shock if he retires after this season.
♦ 6. ARKANSAS: Every season there’s one team that’s overrated by media and fans. This year it’s Arkansas. The Razorbacks have a very good quarterback in Ryan Mallett. But what about the rest of the team? And the coach? Bobby Petrino was a success in Conference USA and the Big East. Big wow. He’s 5-11 in the SEC and, it should be noted, Arkansas wasn’t exactly a train wreck when he took over (Houston Nutt went 11-5 in conference in his last two seasons).
♦ 7. MISSISSIPPI: Almost put Ole Miss ahead of Arkansas. Nutt inherited a team that had four straight losing seasons and is 18-6 in two years. He has done better with Ed Orgeron’s players than Ed Orgeron did. But the Rebels have lost eight starters on offense.
♦ 8. AUBURN: The Tigers were a punch line when they hired Gene Chizik to replace Tommy Tuberville. But just because Auburn didn’t fold up last season (8-5, 3-5), let’s not assume greatness just yet. The Tigers went 2-5 after a 5-0 start before beating Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. This year’s quarterback, Cam Newton, has talent but also some baggage: He started at Florida but was suspended after being arrested and charged with stealing another student’s laptop. Bottom line: It’s too early to judge Chizik.
♦ 9. TENNESSEE: Derek Dooley inherited a mess, on and off the field. Dooley has all the makings to be a great head coach but he might be overmatched at this point of his career. The Volunteers are short on talent and too much of Dooley’s time right now is being occupied by just giving the team structure and discipline.
♦ 10. MISSISSIPPI STATE: Dan Mullen, a former Florida and Utah assistant, still needs to separate himself from Urban Meyer’s shadow. But he did a solid job in year one and made a terrific hire in defensive coordinator Manny Diaz (Middle Tennessee State). These Dogs may be moving up.
No Place To Go But Up
♦ 11. KENTUCKY: Joker Phillips usually had great offenses as an assistant, but this is a program that went 16-39 in the SEC under Rich Brooks. Three months to basketball practice.
♦ 12. VANDERBILT: New coach Robbie Caldwell has a lot of one-liners. He’ll need them.
♦
A look back at SEC media days
♦ Dooley calmly moving from one fire to next at Tennessee
♦ SEC media days: Tennessee and Dooley take center stage
♦ Spurrier’s lament: Team is better academically than on field
♦ Richt’s words, actions haven’t changed ugliness at Georgia
♦ SEC media days: Waiting on Richt as NCAA hovers at Georgia
♦ NCAA inquiry is the last thing Georgia and Mark Richt need
♦ It’s no coincidence Saban suddenly is concerned about agents
♦ SEC media days: Hey, who let the BCS in here?
♦ We’re LIVE at SEC media days (with no shortage of storylines)
♦ NCAA reportedly investigating Florida (but temper excitement)
♦ Can Dogs end Alabama-Florida monopoly in SEC title game?
♦
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358 comments Add your comment
heeldawg
July 26th, 2010
5:01 am
Can’t argue too much with these, especially the top two. I’d put Georgia at third because Les Miles is an idiot who will cost the Tigers a game or two each season (the Ole Miss clock management debacle last season is a prime example), and I think that Auburn will have a better season than South Carolina because the Plainsmen play to win ball games while the Gamecock mentality, even with Spurrier, has always been to play not to lose. It’s a subtle difference, but it leads to mental mistakes–and those can cost a team in close contests. The two teams are closely matched talent-wise–USC has a better defense and Auburn has a better offense. And Mississippi State may well be better than UT this season; you’re right, Dooley inherited a mess. I’d be surprised if they had a winning record this year in Knoxville (and if they do, DD should be SEC Coach of the Year).
Georgia’s season hinges on how well the defense adapts to the 3-4, a reversal of the mental mistakes trend of the past few years, correction of the turnover problem and QB play. I suspect that the defense will adapt quite nicely (talent has never been an issue; scheme and fundamentals have), that the new coaches will infuse the D with a discipline they have not had the last few years (correcting a lot of problem #2), that the random turnover margin will at bare minimum correct to the mean (improving #3) and that QB play will at least be a slight upgrade over last season, with Murray’s raw talent trumping the experience of the less-talented Joe Cox as the season progresses. (addressing #4). Granted, everyone’s unbeaten in the preseason, but I think the Dawgs have the kind of schedule that will allow them a decent run this year. Just a (biased) hunch.
Jen
July 26th, 2010
5:04 am
Rivals has their yearly top 120 teams(FBS)
They are on 26- Utah
but…………………………..
39. Auburn
Gene Chizik had a successful first season as coach at Auburn, winning eight games, including a New Year’s Day bowl. Now he looks to lead the Tigers to an SEC West title.
31. South Carolina
It’s been a long wait for Steve Spurrier and South Carolina, but this could be the season the Gamecocks break through and win the SEC East. Or it could be just another disappoinment.
for shiggles…..27. Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets may have won the ACC title last season, but coach Paul Johnson brought in Al Groh as defensive coordinator to try and improve on that side of the ball.
UGA is projected around 20th…. Arky close………we’ll have to wait n see.
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Urban Meyer
July 26th, 2010
5:26 am
Jeff, suprised you rated Auburn that low. Cam Newton at 6:6 and a gun for an arm has much more upside than a 5:11 Aaron Murray. Auburn will be the darkhorse in the west.
Dawg Daily 26July: Leather Helmet Blog
July 26th, 2010
5:38 am
[...] Jeff Schultz ranks the SEC: 4. GEORGIA: Richt went 4-4 in the SEC in two of the last four years, not catastrophic. But the last four BCS champions came from the SEC. That changes the grading scale. The 2008 Bulldogs underachieved. The 2009 team was bad enough that Richt finally felt compelled to dump three assistants, including defensive coordinator Willie Martinez. This year's team should fare well, partly because of an easier schedule. But there are questions at quarterback (freshman) and on defense (new scheme). Richt needs to firmly establish direction. [...]
12-2
July 26th, 2010
6:18 am
Cameron Newton at 6 feet 5 and a half inches, is 6 inches taller than little Aaron Murray, and at 245 lbs. to little Aaron Murray at 198 lbs dripping wet, is a much bigger Quarterback more able to take hits too at 50 lbs more weight. Still, Cameron Newton is FASTER than little Aaron Murray.
But, Cameron Newton was Arrested for Felony Burglary Lap Top Computers.
After Police visited him when he instantly logged on to the Internet with it, he then threw the Lap Top valued at $1700 into the dumpster directly under his dorm window.
He had altered the serial number 1 letter from a 2 to a Q.
Cameron Newton ADMITTED
Confessed
THUG.
He entered a 1st time offender program and the charges were dropped, but he readily admits to all that he in fact is Guilty.
I would not put that at a better upside. He will end up in prison.
Arkie
July 26th, 2010
7:09 am
John, I agree with you – the Razorbacks will be tough – barring injuries, with better “D” and kicking. We will have a Good (or better) offense, Defense is ?.. Go Hogs.
HOUNDDOG
July 26th, 2010
7:14 am
SCHULTZ,
YOU ARE A REDNECK AND DON’T KNOW SH-T! YOU WILL SEE WHAT DERECK DOOLEY CAN DO WHEN HE COMES TO ATHENS!
Ghost of Ronald Reagan
July 26th, 2010
7:39 am
Well…..there you go again Schultz. Once again the “homer” in you bleeds through. No way in heck that UGA should be ranked 4th in your little opinion poll. The LameCocks and Vowels will both beat the stew out of the Pups this year. Why don’t you do another ranking right after the game at Sanford & Son stadium on Oct. 9th?
Why Do I Bother
July 26th, 2010
7:44 am
Anything Jeff S. write is bound to spin UGA as negetively as possible. Somebody there must have dissed him at some point because he sure goes out of his way to point out the faults.
Tech fans love to pretend to be Bama or Florida fans. Its the only thing that gives them any self esteem
The dumest blogger in Atlanta by far is PI$$….He is a redneck neo-nazi with an obsession with UGA who has lttle to do but sit on sports blogs all weekend.
Pre-season projections mean nothing. It will be a good season with a lot more parity. LSU is over rated and Les Miles is going down after this season. The DAWGS will be better and they will beat the insects from the joke by coke.
Chris
July 26th, 2010
7:55 am
I understand why you ranked the Gamecocks where you did (1 position too low IMHO), but don’t make some ignorant comment about not being able to recruit skill positions. In the past 2 years the Gamecocks have brought in a top 5 national WR (Alshon Jeffrey) and the #1 national RB (Marcus Lattimore). Why don’t you spare yourself the embarrassment and say “I put the Gamecocks at 5 because I don’t want to anger too may readers and the rest of the teams below them really suck”. I hear you on the radio at 790, and I try to convince myself you know what you’re talking about. Unfortunately, you continue to show what a hack you truly are.
Shug
July 26th, 2010
8:06 am
“Derek Dooley has all the makings to be a great head coach.”
What exactly are those makings?
» SEC: Alabama looks back at brief Bill Curry Era John Clay’s Sidelines
July 26th, 2010
8:13 am
[...] Jeff Schultz of the AJC ranks the SEC football programs 1-12. [...]
TommyJack
July 26th, 2010
8:22 am
Hounddog 7:14: Schultz a redneck? I don’t see that. And BTW, find the caps lock key.
South Carolina Dawg
July 26th, 2010
8:25 am
Having LSU at 3 is absolutely ridiculous. If you have a QB like Jordan Jefferson and an idiot Coach like Les Miles, you may luck up and finish 4th in the west behind Arkansas and Auburn.
P City
July 26th, 2010
8:53 am
Should journalists put a disclaimer when ranking their cross-state rival?
I wonder how Ga Tech will be ranked?
How many top 10 finishes has Ga Tech had over the last 10 years–how does it compare to Georgia?
ugaclassof2004
July 26th, 2010
9:08 am
I have been kind of bored with the SEC lately. It looks like it has gone back to the 90’s where Bama and Florida dominated and the conference was top heavy. I think Florida and Bama will have a couple of losses this season but will still meet in the SEC title game because the rest of the league is down.
In the East: Tennessee is in total rebuild mode. South Carolina is and always has been a soft football team. Vandy and Kentucky will be non-factors. And UGA is stuck in neutral, and until I see marked improvement from the defense, 8-4 or 9-3 is where they will land. So Florida will win the East easily.
The West is a little more interesting. Auburn and Arkansas have the offenses to knock Bama off but their defenses are terrible. Ole Miss will be down and MSU will be better but still a non factor. If anyone can knock off Bama its LSU because they have the horses to match up with the Tide. But the Tigers have really underachieved the last few seasons and like UGA have struggled at the QB position. I have a hard time seeing Bama get through this season undefeated when 5 teams have a bye week before them. But I think they have the talent, coaching, and depth to still win the West and probably the SEC. They’re the champs until someone beats them.
Stinger
July 26th, 2010
9:10 am
The Bulldawgs will be last in the East. Vandy is fired up now that they have a new coach and the rest of the teams are simply better than UGA. Let’s face it, UGA is a bottom feeder.How can UGA beat anyone when they are all out drinking on Friday night?
GT BABY
July 26th, 2010
9:17 am
Jeff-
Turd Ferguson
July 26th, 2010
9:20 am
How has Garcia underachieved? Because he didn’t start a a true freshman? Geez, get over yourself. Garcia threw for over 2800 yards with 17 TD’s and 10 int’s as a redshirt sophomore. He enters his junior year with more yards total offense than any other player in the SEC, more than Ryan Mallet.
You media boys just listen to Spurrier’s sound bites. Truth is, SOS likes Garcia, but he does need to improve in getting the ball out quicker to cut down on the number of sacks. SOS’s media comments were there to motivate Garcia and keep expectations down.
Guess it worked. Now, like a couple of other guys have said, if you want to point to offensive failure, it was Spurrier’s decision to keep the owrst offensive line coach in SEC history around for four years. The guy could not recruit, could not evaluate players, nor coach them. His name is John Hunt. He is the reason Spurrier’s offenses have struggled mightily at South Carolina.
As for skill players- Sidney Rice, All- pro- developed under Spurrier, Jared Cook- NFL, Kenny McKinley- all-time leading receiver, breaking Sterling Sharpe’s records, despite playing with Rice for 2 years. Weslye Saunders- projected first rounder. Alshon Jeffery- All-SEC, Tori Gurley, Marcus Lattimore- The No. 1 RB nationally according to Rivals and The Sporting News.
Also, LSU 4th? Are you serious? The Hat may be out of there after this season if they don’t win 9 or more games. I don’t know if they will 8. LSU has serious problems offensively, and will not be as good on defense. Auburn should have been considered higher than BOTH Georgia and South Carolina. Georgia has a new defensive staff, they don’t really have the personnel to run a 3-4, and they have a freshman QB.
Georgia plays at South Carolina- Advantage Gamecocks. Not a good formula for Murray, going on the road, and facing one of the premiere defenses in the SEC. Carolina 27- UGA 17.
GT BABY
July 26th, 2010
9:25 am
Jeff- Thank you for proving my point that the SEC is top heavy. It goes Ala. then Fla. and then a big hmmmmm after that. Even though I still think the SEC is better than the ACC, the ACC has some really good talent this year. The ACC has 5 or 6 top 25 teams this year. Not to mention the QB’s: Nesbitt (GT), TY (VT) Harris (MIA), Ponder (FLA ST), Parker (CLEM), and the UNC defense (BEST D IN THE NATION). The difference in the two conferences is the ACC doesn’t have a dominate team like the SEC does.
Hairy Dawg
July 26th, 2010
9:25 am
Techmites has been second in state and Athlons rank there coaching low. Now Techmites second in ATL and third in state behind GA State. Pestky bugs might even be behinds high schools with the gimickey offense. North Aves Nerds stink and would be behind pointy heads Vandys in mens league of mouth smashing with SEC speed and talents.
PMC
July 26th, 2010
9:26 am
Really LSU? So you’re clearly basing this on pure raw talent and not who is on the sideline eh?
LSU should be awesome, unfortunately for them LESS Miles is thier coach.
St Pete Pete
July 26th, 2010
9:28 am
Have fun with that redshirt fresh qb. I am sure he will just do great against sec defenses! Uga will just dominate everyone and Murray will not throw a single int!
Clueless people who don’t look at the obvious. Uga will be the 6th or 7th best team in the sec. 4-4 or 5-3 record in conf.
PMC
July 26th, 2010
9:29 am
I know they looked sporadic in the bowl game but they played really well against Alabama.
I think you are underrating Auburn by quite a bit even if they still lack depth.
Ray Zarback
July 26th, 2010
9:34 am
Wow, homer much? UGA fourth? And still the vitriole about Petrino. Get over it, dude.
Van
July 26th, 2010
9:39 am
Basically equal. I think it’s crazy though since tech has nesbitt a senior. QB experience matters.
Gt will finish 10-2 reg season
Uga 8-4.
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1094845
Smits
July 26th, 2010
9:49 am
Using the thinking of attributing Les Miles’ success to another coach:
-Ga Tech’s year for the last 2 years, and the next 2 years are still off of someone else’s recruits, we won’t know what kind of coach PJ is until 2012
-Saban & Meyer arn’t good, they both won with someone else’s recruits
RedPantieDawg
July 26th, 2010
9:51 am
Is Jeff Shultz the reporter who, on his return plane trip from New Orleans after the Jan, 1981 UGA national championship whuppin’ of NailedByUGA Dame, compained about the excessive celebration of the UGA fans? Shultz is a closet yankee who would really like to see all the SEC lose…
James
July 26th, 2010
9:54 am
Kosar & Holliway already proved you can win a National Championship as a freshman QB. Somebody don’t know much about their football history.
Let's Talk Officiating
July 26th, 2010
9:56 am
2007-UF had the whole game to retaliate and couldn’t do squat !
2. 2008-UGA had the overall #1 draft pick(Bad Coaching) Joe Haden interfered with AJ and nothing was called. Louis Murphy blatantly interfered with Asher Allen and nothing was called.
Murphy sucks and won’t make 3rd string in the Pro’s(Overrated Completely).
3.2009-Stats were pretty close except for (interceptions & PENALTY’S)
UGA had two drives stalled by Bullsh!t penalty’s (Spikes Helmet Knocked Off is just one example). Chris Rainey was knocked out of the game (PUSS!E)
4.Arkansas was so cheated ! Two of the worst called penalty’s in the history of college football.
5.Gaytors are the Luckiest, Most Overrated, Cheats Ever!
superDawg
July 26th, 2010
9:56 am
stinger you are the village idiot on hemphill.UGA beats your beehinds in slow motion just so you don’t miss anything.
GSU Eagle 91
July 26th, 2010
9:56 am
There is no way that UGA is the #4 program in the SEC this Fall….I don’t think they’ll win the USC or Auburn games..8-4 season!
Auburn’s schedule is very much in their favor with 7 home games. On the road they should go 2-2 so look for improvement from them.
I think John Brantley will be outstanding, and UF will reign again as they take out Bama in the ATL this December.
P City
July 26th, 2010
9:58 am
Richt’s record against Georgia Tech is 8-1.
8 wins, 1 loss.
As long as he keeps dominating Gergia Tech, dominating his biggest rival in such a marked fashion, Richt will NEVER lose his job.
It's a shame what he did to that dog.
July 26th, 2010
9:59 am
“I think John Brantley will be outstanding, and UF will reign again as they take out Bama in the ATL this December.”
LOLOLOL! Best joke of the day.
Hairy Dawg
July 26th, 2010
10:00 am
Dawgs may have inexprience at QB early in season but so do Gaytors and Dawgs got dominates offense line with Sturdivant back. Dawgs can run ball and smash mouths as Murray experence develops. Gaytors lost Teablows and Pouncey took money so Gaytors loose best runner and line to now be inexperence and no good on offense specically with Urban the arrogants having nervouses breaking down. That why Dawgs will win east from smashing mouths until Murray experence. Gaytors cant do that this year.
P City
July 26th, 2010
10:01 am
2009 Georgia-Georgia Tech game was hilarious.
Here was Georgia, in Richt’s worst season, putting up 380 yards on the gorund against PJ, beating Georgia Tech at their own game of time possession and rushing.
If PJ couldn’t beat Richt during Richt’s worst year, he won’t have any luck against him in the future.
What a beatdown that game was, loving watching Ealey & King gash that Ga Tech D, and love watching Georgia mandhandle PJ’s High School offense.
Mark
July 26th, 2010
10:02 am
Top 3 are good. UGA at 4? with new schemes to learn, and a rebuilding year on defense.Auburn is way more proven than 8. Take off the red panties Shultz. Your Boys are not THAT good yet.
UK Fan
July 26th, 2010
10:02 am
Why do sportswriters not know what a podium is? It is not the lectern that people stand behind. It is the platform they stand on. Oh, and the past tense of dive is dived. Dove is a white bird. If dove were the past tense, then “diven” (divven?) would be the perfect tense. Sportswriters are the worst.
Beast from the East
July 26th, 2010
10:06 am
Let’s Talk Officiating,
Jealous much?
Obsess much?
I think UF got a call they shouldn’t have in ‘96, as well. Did you forget that one?
Try winning more than 3 times in 20 years. It changes your whole outlook on things.
Beast from the East
July 26th, 2010
10:08 am
Hairy Dawg,
You might be a little more convincing if you could spell or make a coherent sentence. What year did you graduate from UGA?
Halberstram
July 26th, 2010
10:09 am
Sorry if already mentioned, but I have two points:
1. First, Richt and Evans were friendly but I wouldn’t call them that close. Richt was and is not a fan of all the big time out of conference games Evans has scheduled. This is typical of most coaches, they don’t like them even if they publicly say they might. Richt didn’t show up at Evans press conference after the incident. I know he already had something scheduled, but I’m sure he could have made it to the press conference if he really wanted to.
2. I would out Miss. St. above Tenn. This is more of a backing of Mullen then it is a shot at Dooley. I was very impressed by what Mullen did last year with Miss. St. I would expect things to move up as long as he is there. Dooley has inherited a big time mess in Knoxville. It should be a positive if they qualify for a bowl this year.
Let's Talk Officiating
July 26th, 2010
10:09 am
Beast from the Cheats…….At least explain the Arkansas Game? Your first response was so queer Pal.
It's a shame what he did to that dog.
July 26th, 2010
10:12 am
“Try winning more than 3 times in 20 years. ”
Urban can’t beat Auburn.
Paul From Milton
July 26th, 2010
10:12 am
Boy, big surprises and sharp insight here. Take a lot of time for this research, Jeff? Did you crack the 15 minute mark to knock this out?
george
July 26th, 2010
10:17 am
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA I hope this is a joke. Truly one of the most comical and clueless things I have ever read. I dont know what is most laughable. , Au at #8, or ole miss at # 7. Lets start with the most obvious.
OLE MISS at #7??????????? I almost threw up from laughing so hard at this. Their offense is going to be beyond a dissaster and the only team who has bigger qb concerns than the rebs is the team you somehow think is # 4. Their defense will be fairly solid but it will not matter when they can not score any points. The only thing the rebels or whatever they are called now have going for them is their schedule which is a joke as always but they do have 3 very tough road games At LSU, Bama, and Arkansas.
AUBURN AT # 8is just as big of a joke. First of all who gives a shit about Cam Newtons so called baggage. That was 3 years ago and every team in the sec has top players with so called baggage so that does not matter one bit. Auburn has one of the best o lines in the SEC returning a qb that will be perfect for malzahns offense and a good group of receivers. Even though they lost tate the running game should be solid as always. Defense will be the big question but they will have much more depth than last year and are getting back several key players that were lost to injury last year. Also, not to be overlooked Auburn has one of the most favorable schedules they have had in years. Their only road trips are to Oxford, Lexington, t town, and starkville. They should win 3 out of 4 of those. Auburn and Arkansas are a distant 3rd and 4th in the SEC to bama. Both teams should be pretty even and will have a chance to contend in the west. I give the edge to Auburn bc they play the hogs at home and have a more favorable schedule in general.
and last but not least UGA at # 4????????????- this is beyond laughable as well. Besides ole miss the dawgs have the biggest qb issues in the SEC and the defense will be a complete unknown. The dawgs do have some upsides including one of the best o lines in the SEC and of course AJ green. The running game should be pretty solid as well. But just like every year the dawgs program has had a very bad summer once again filling up jails around the state with players and administrators. The dawgs schedule is also a lot more tricky than people think. The first month will be absolutely huge. I see the dawgs losing 2 in sep prob to USC and Ark, but the trips to starkville and VERY rare trip out west to Colorado could be a lot tougher than people think as well. The dawgs will also have their annual loss to the gators and will be very lucky to get out of Auburn with a victory. The tech game should be a crapshoot. So I see the dawgs going 8-4 or 7-5 and being right in the middle of the sec 6th or 7th.
Beast from the East
July 26th, 2010
10:20 am
Let’s Talk Officiating,
What’s to explain. The guy made a judgment call (which was wrong) and it favored UF. I know you conspiracy theorists think it was all part of some grand scheme. I’ve been following UF for over almost 40 years and I’ve seen calls go both ways. It’s part of the game. Dwell on it if you choose to, but I’d suggest you move on.
With Oswalt trade looming, is it time to worry about Phillies? | Jeff Schultz
July 26th, 2010
10:22 am
[...] ♦ Ranking the SEC, from Bama to Vandy (and Georgia No. 4) [...]
Beast from the East
July 26th, 2010
10:22 am
It’s a shame (Gump),
You correct that he hasn’t fared well against Auburn. Why does that really matter? I think he’s done just fine down there in Gainesville.
Tao
July 26th, 2010
10:27 am
One thing is a given every year – UGA beats Gtu. I can set a watch to it.
Let's Talk Officiating
July 26th, 2010
10:32 am
Hey Beast…….Which penalty are you referring to? The personal foul where your stud offensive lineman got pummeled(A real beast like you I bet)? Or the Pass Interference Joke of a Call? If you’ve been following for 40 yrs. then you know just how tainted most of your success has been ! What kind of “Beast” are you anyway you Low-class S.O.B.east ?