Monday, September 2, 2013

Week 1: SEC Rewind

Well the first week of SEC Football is in the books. What do we know about the conference? What are some of my observations? Here we go!

Georgia is overrated. Yes, I said it and not because they were beaten by an ACC team in Clemson. Although, that would be enough justification in itself don't you think? They were very porous in defending the run and their own run offense moved liked irrigation pond water. Mark Richt has officially squatted himself right back on the old "Peach State" hot seat (although South Carolina actually produces more peaches than Georgia so in reality SC is the Peach State...oh, never mind.) You know what I mean. Richt was out coached by Clemson's Defensive Coordinator Brett Venables and Offensive Coordinator Chad Morris. I can't rightly give any credit to Dabo Swinney because I still haven't figured out exactly what he is coaching, can you? Let's just say the Dawgs are in trouble heading into the Border Clash with Carolina.

Ole Miss survived vs.Vandy. I still don't know if they are improved from last year? Personally I think they are a few years off and then I still don't think they can finish any better then fourth in the SEC West. Vandy's Coach Franklin is the Flavor Flav of the SEC, a premier hype man. However, that may not be enough for Vanderbilt this year.

Tennessee! Yes, your better than Vandy and Kentucky. Unfortunately, that's it. Butch Jones has his work cut out for him. Note to Butch: Your not going to get any better playing Austin Peay. Watch out for Bobby Petrino and Western Kentucky next week. Hey, on the bright side you do have two sure wins. With Phil Fulmer 9-10 win seasons were the norm. How do you like your new norm?

LSU was impressive against TCU. Zach Mettenberger looks like he's finally comfortable in Elmer Fudd's, I mean Les Miles offense. Have to admit I meant to watch more of this game but was transfixed on the Georgia game up in the Cow Pasture.

Arkansas. I can't really make a valid evaluation of Bret Bielema's team after their performance against a depleted UL Lafayette team. Looks like you will have three more scrimmages vs. Samford, Southern Miss and Rutgers next and you still probably won't know too much about yourselves prior to your 9/28 tilt with Texas A&M. By the way, that's not a good game in which to find out about yourself in. Just sayin'.

Missouri. What can I say, you disappoint me. We all had you pegged to make the leap to respectability ahead of Texas A&M. Seems Coach Gary Pinkel can't get with the program. While Kevin Sumlin is winning the recruiting battle with Texas seems Pinkel is not quite sure were to recruit from. Bottom line is if you can't start getting recruits from the South to the other Columbia Mizzou is in trouble. Murray State is not exactly a game with which to impress said recruits. On the brite side, you won the game. With Toledo, Indiana and Arkansas State upcoming your another team we will know nothing about heading into SEC play.

Kentucky, really? How can I put it? Hmmm...you stink! I know, I know Coach Stoops is bringing the program back. Yeah, Justin Timberlake is bringing sexy back also! Western Kentucky? You've got to be kidding me. Somewhere Joker Phillips is laughing his ass off. Win a game and I'll comment on your state of affairs. Until that time, be gone with you! You are testing my patience.

Texas A&M. A signature 2nd half (pun intended of course.) Johnny Football was counting his money and giving Coach Sumlin the Gas-Face! Although young Joekel played half-decent in the first half let's hope for your sake Johnny Loudmouth doesn't go down this season. That 1st half was a little sluggish without Manziel at the helm.The ESPN analyst's have challenged Johnny to a handicap cage match. Lou "Superfly" Holtz and Scott "Mankind" May want to give the Heisman winner a beat down he will remember. There is no "I" in team Johnny. Seems there's one in ManzIel though?

Florida. I don't know what to think of you quite yet. QB1 Driskell did his job against an outmatched Toledo team. Defense looked good but not great. I really hate these cupcake games. Should get a good test this coming Saturday vs. Miami.

Auburn. Your back! Not really but it's a start. You didn't look half-bad against Washington State. Which on the flip side means you didn't look half good either. Gus Malzahn is doing a yeoman's job getting the War Eagle engine back on the tracks. Nick Marshall looked like a QB making his first start. I do see an upside in the young man. Looks like Gus is going to try and keep this Tiger offense on the ground this year. Might not be a bad ideal at all if he can keep the chains moving. You might actually be 3-0 going into the LSU game. Hey, it's a start.

Al-a-bam-a (in my Keith Jackson voice,) Whooa Nelly. Do I see some chinks in the armor? Big plays were the name of the game vs.Virginia Tech. Still haven't determined whether VT defense was that good or if the Tide is still working on that O-Line. May have been a combination of both. Nick Saban has a work in progress going on with that front four. I didn't see the gaping holes of yesteryear appearing with quite the same frequency. T.J. Yelden had to actually work for quite a bit of his yards Saturday. However, Saban's D was still able to bring that trademark pressure. Logan Thomas was either running or throwing all day like a Hokie with his head cut off. Next up for the Tide is Johnny Football and Texas A&M. I like the Tide's chances in that one.

South Carolina. The real CAROLINA had no problem with the Tarheels. It was hotter than a billy goat's ass in a pepper patch on Thursday evening in Columbia, SC. Jadeveon Clowney took more abuse from the ESPN announcer's for being "gassed" then he did from anyone on the Heels O-Line. As we expected the Carolina D-Line did not disappoint. They limited a high powered Heel offense to 10 points, 7 of which came as a gift compliments of an erroneous personal foul call.  Connor Shaw looked like a seasoned veteran and backup Dylan Thompson threw a TD on his only attempt of the game. I would say that the Cocks QB situation is well in hand.. I really like the running back combo of Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds. The change of pace is going to be a thorn in opponents sides all year. The receiver's stepped up in the absence of a healthy Bruce Ellington. I like what I'm seeing from the young receiving corps. You know how you don't want to get Bruce Banner angry. Well the analyst's have gotten Jadeveon Clowney angry. Georgia, your not going to like him when he's angry! See you next week folks.