Official SEC Football 2009

[symple19]

War Damn Eagle!!!! 40-31 WVU would've won if they hadn't turned it over. Good team

[symple19]

AUBURN -- Gene Chizik was awash in numbers Sunday.


Some of them were good. The Auburn coach watched his team earn a 41-30 win against West Virginia on Saturday night. Quarterback Chris Todd threw four touchdown passes. Defenders intercepted five passes and recovered a fumble. The Tigers outscored the visitors 31-9 during the final three quarters.
Still, another number caused Chizik plenty of concern.
Yards allowed: 509.
"We've got a lot of work to do on defense. A lot of the yardage (Saturday) was just simply missed tackles," Chizik said. "We're still having a bit of a problems right now getting off the field on third down. We've got to revisit a lot of that -- and go back and look at some of that."
Third down wasn't a problem during the Tigers' first two games of the season. Both Louisiana Tech and Mississippi State converted 38 percent of their third-down conversions, which Chizik considered an acceptable number.
West Virginia converted 10-of-15 on Saturday.
Quarterback Jarrett Brown was a primary reason for that success. The senior escaped pressure with ease, rarely losing his cool even as large defenders approached.
Brown converted five of those third-down situations by scrambling away from failing pass plays. The Tigers frequently moved to within tackling distance of the 245-pound quarterback.
He didn't drop easily.
Tailback Noel Devine exhibited similar behavior. The diminutive junior gained 128 yards on 15 carries, often breaking away from the first tackler early in the game.
"Our kids didn't let that get to them," defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. "After what had happened, I think our kids showed a lot of heart and belief and we're going to build on that and we're going to go back to work and get the mistakes corrected. We've got to accomplish our goals."
The offense felt a sense of accomplishment Sunday.
West Virginia wasn't shy about dispatching eight defenders near the line of scrimmage Saturday. Auburn, through two games, was the nation's No. 2 rushing offense and the Mountaineers were determined to avoid becoming another statistic.
That goal was accomplished. Auburn rushed for only 100 yards.
That wasn't enough to slow the Tigers' advances. Todd and Adams collaborated for three touchdowns. Junior Mario Fannin took a simple third-quarter screen pass and took it 82 yards for a score.
Auburn's passing game yielded 300 yards.
Todd said the experience provided valuable insight. If opponents continue their anti-run ways, the Tigers now feel confident their air attack can thrive on its own.
"With them bringing those guys, it allowed us to free up some receivers. It kinda balances itself out," Todd said. "Whatever way we're successful, whatever way we get into the end zone, I'm happy. I think the entire team is."

[symple19]

SEC POWER RANKINGS

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/i...wer-rankings-3

for some reason I uldn't get the article to post...

1.FLA
2.Bama
3.Ole Miss
4.LSU
5.UGA
6.Auburn
7.Tenn
8.South Car
9.Arkansas
10.UK
11.Miss St
12.Vandy

[mookie2001]

LSU is going to ruin 2 of 3 teams ahead of thems seasons

[symple19]

LSU is going to ruin 2 of 3 teams ahead of thems seasons

Perhaps. Many in the SEC are saying they're overrated. I don't think so. I picked them to win the west. If they can get their offense going they could be scary

[symple19]

Where is everybody?? Brutalis! Pick your head up brah! Where you Dawgs fans at?? I'm tired of talking to myself!

[symple19]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/12237102

Includes Dodd's Power Poll and a nice piece on Southern-Cal

he's got AU #18 and UGA #19...Thoughts?

[Texas Chili Dog]

Where is everybody?? Brutalis! Pick your head up brah! Where you Dawgs fans at?? I'm tired of talking to myself!

I'm here. It's just that UGA doesn't have a SEC game this week. So it's kinda boring from our front (at least to me).

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/12237102

Includes Dodd's Power Poll and a nice piece on Southern-Cal

he's got AU #18 and UGA #19...Thoughts?

Washington at #22, hmm? While it figured that they would move up after beating USC, I don't think they are going anywhere. USC seems to lose to a sub par team every year. I honestly think this will be UW's only week being ranked.

[symple19]

I agree on Washington. Actually watched some of the game they played against LSU, and although much improved, definitely not top 25 material.

As for Dodd having Auburn ahead of UGA I actually disagree with that. Georgia has played a MUCH more difficult schedule thus far, and won 2 tough games against conference foes. I would switch the two around. I still need to see more from AU against SEC foes. Got UT in 2 saturdays and I can't wait for that one.

We'll find out a lot more about Ole Piss this weekend against USC. I'm looking forward to that one as well as the Bama/Ark game. Should be another good weekend.

[mookie2001]

its already wednesday and brutalis hasnt scored the contest and put up week four

i give an original poster the permission to do it for this week, make it so.

[symple19]

A few SEC surprises, yea and nay
September 23, 2009 11:01 AM

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

I routinely get asked what’s surprised me or who’s surprised me. Well, a quarter of the way through the SEC season, here goes:

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy: I knew he was smart and knew he had all the intangibles. I didn’t know he would throw the football this confidently and this well after not playing any meaningful snaps his first three seasons on campus.

South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia: The Head Ball Coach wasn’t heaping praise on Garcia back in August, so I was unsure. Looks like to me, though, that he’s growing up and becoming the quarterback South Carolina fans hoped he would be.

Auburn quarterback Chris Todd: In keeping with the quarterback theme, Todd looks like a different player now that his shoulder is healthy. He has six touchdown passes and one interception through his first three games.

Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty: He’s never been able to stay healthy throughout his career, but I’m not sure I’ve seen anybody in the league run harder or with more purpose than Hardesty through these first three weeks.

Alabama receiver Julio Jones: He’s been slowed by a bruised kneecap, but there’s no way I expected Jones to have just five catches for 55 yards and no touchdowns through three games. Something tells me he’s ready to break out.

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn: Did anybody see the Tigers being this effective this early with the new offense? I’d say it’s about time that Malzahn got his due as one of the best offensive minds in college football.

Georgia’s defense: The Bulldogs’ best defensive performance came in their only loss, the 24-10 setback to Oklahoma State to open the season. In their last two games, they’ve given up 78 points and 912 yards of total offense. It’s hard to call that improved.

Florida’s receivers: There’s still time, but that group as a whole has looked pretty pedestrian without Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy. The Gators need Deonte Thompson to come on and be more of a consistent threat.

LSU’s running game: No way did I expect the Tigers to be 10th in the league in rushing offense at this point. They just haven’t gotten it going on the ground like we’re accustomed to under Les Miles and haven’t been a lot better in the passing game. I’m sure the two go together.

Kentucky receiver Randall Cobb: I know what kind of athlete the guy is, so I shouldn’t be surprised by anything he does. But the former quarterback looks like he’s been playing receiver his entire life and saved the Wildcats in their 31-27 win over Louisville last week.

[symple19]

its already wednesday and brutalis hasnt scored the contest and put up week four

i give an original poster the permission to do it for this week, make it so.

I'm on it

[Brutalis]

I'm here and fine! Just really busy this week. I'll add my thoughts soon.

[symple19]

Joke I happened across. Not bad.



HOW MANY SEC STUDENTS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?

At VANDERBILT: It takes two, one to change the bulb and one more to explain how they did it every bit as good as the bulbs changed at Harvard.

At GEORGIA : It takes two, one to change the bulb and one to phone an engineer at Georgia Tech for instructions.

At FLORIDA : It takes four, one to screw in the bulb and three to figure out how to get stoned off the old one.

At ALABAMA : It takes five, one to change it, three to reminisce about how 'The Bear' would have done it, and one to throw the old bulb at an NCAA investigator.

At OLE MISS: It takes six, one to change it, two to mix the drinks and three to find the perfect J. Crew outfit to wear for the occasion.

At LSU: It takes seven, and each one gets credit for five Semester hours.

At KENTUCKY: It takes eight, one to screw it in and seven to discuss how much brighter it seems to shine during basketball season.

At TENNESSEE: It takes ten, two to figure out how to screw it in, two to buy an orange lampshade, and six to phone a radio call-in show and talk about how much they hate Alabama.

At MISSISSIPPI STATE : It takes fifteen, one to screw in the bulb, two to buy the Skoal, and twelve to yell, "GO TO , OLE MISS".

At AUBURN: It takes one hundred, one to change it, forty-nine to talk about how they did it better than at Bama, and fifty to get drunk and roll Toomer's Corner when finished.

At SOUTH CAROLINA : It takes 80,000, one to screw it in and 79,999 to discuss how this finally will be the year that they have a decent football team.

At ARKANSAS : None. There is no electricity in Arkansas .

[Texas Chili Dog]

[romad_20]

LOL, so true on all of those.

Well, as far as the Georgia game goes, this is a must win. I don't feel like they'll have too much trouble with the Sun devils. If they do, they're in for a super long year. I was pretty close on that Ark-UGA score due to our "outstanding" defense. The big talk this week is about Richt saying the defense and penalties just aren't cutting it. Ya' think???

Ark-Bama and tonight's game are the only two worth talking about. I curious to see Arkansas's offense vs Bama's D. That should give give me a good idea about the Dawgs potential this year. I'm actually pulling for SC tonight. I don't really think Ole Miss is going to be in the top 15 at the end of the year and tonight's their first test.

[symple19]

LOL, so true on all of those.

Well, as far as the Georgia game goes, this is a must win. I don't feel like they'll have too much trouble with the Sun devils. If they do, they're in for a super long year. I was pretty close on that Ark-UGA score due to our "outstanding" defense. The big talk this week is about Richt saying the defense and penalties just aren't cutting it. Ya' think???

Ark-Bama and tonight's game are the only two worth talking about. I curious to see Arkansas's offense vs Bama's D. That should give give me a good idea about the Dawgs potential this year. I'm actually pulling for SC tonight. I don't really think Ole Miss is going to be in the top 15 at the end of the year and tonight's their first test.

you sir, are spot on concerning Ole Piss. They just got exposed. Snead is overrated. So much for the Heisman.

I think Arkansas scores 20 or so on Bama, but their defense won't be able to stop the run. Bama will chew clock to win that one....Unfortunately. I am going to be a HUGE Razorback fan on Saturday. Woo Pig Sooie!

[symple19]

Found this and thought it was funny.

[symple19]

Alabama looks dominant on defense. I don't think Arkansas has a chance in this one. Hope I'm wrong

[Texas Chili Dog]

Well I'm glad UGA won, but man...they keep making close games out of what should be a good size win. Also, AJ Green is a man beast and got screwed out of a TD late. He got a foot in.

[Brutalis]

Arkansas' defense is bull and brings down the whole team. It starts and ends with the defense and it doesn't matter how good that offense is when your d looks like the cabbage patch kids.

Willy Robinson needs to find a new job and Petrino needs to seriously understand all the talent he has brought in means when your DC cannot motivate kids to do anything right.

[symple19]

Giving up 30 points to Ball State?? The Auburn defense must improve.
Chris Todd is trying to make a believer out of me. He threw off his front foot for a change and didn't have as many 'happy feet' episodes as he usually does, albeit against a crappy secondary.

AUBURN, Ala. -- Chris Todd passed for 287 yards and tied a school record with five touchdown passes to lead Auburn to a 54-30 victory over winless Ball State on Saturday night another rain-delayed game for the Tigers.

Auburn (4-0) trailed 7-0 early, but rallied with an impressive offensive showing, gaining 487 yards.

Todd's aerial show included touchdowns of 46 yards and 65 yards to Terrell Zachery in the second quarter. Zachery had five catches for 122 yards.

Onterio McCalebb rushed eight times for 86 yards for Auburn.

Kelly Page passed for 101 yards and one touchdown and ran for another to lead the Cardinals (0-4).

Auburn continued its impressive early season offensive showing. The Tigers have scored 181 points so far this season, the most ever for Auburn in its first four games.

Kickoff was delayed for 30 minutes because of heavy rain and lightning. It was the second week in a row that storms had delayed the start of an Auburn game. Last week's game against West Virginia was delayed for more than an hour by rain and lightning.

Todd's five touchdown passes tied the Auburn record set by Daniel Cobb in an overtime game against Louisiana Tech in 2001.

In addition to the two long scoring passes to Zachery, Todd had scoring passes of 26 yards to Darvin Adams, 36 yards to Mario Fannin and 6 yards to Tommy Trott.

Ball State refused to give up, scoring 20 points in the second half, mostly against Auburn subs utes.

Auburn backup quarterback Neil Caudle got into the game in the second half and scored on 52-yard run up the middle.

Ball State put an early scare into the heavily favored Tigers, jumping out to a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. The score came after Auburn's Anthony Gulley fumbled a Ball State punt and Kyle Hoke recovered at the Auburn 18. The Cardinals scored four plays later on a 2-yard run by Miquale Lewis.

Auburn got its offense going late in the first quarter after Josh Bynes recovered a fumble by Cardinals quarterback Kelly Page. The Tigers then drove 29 yards in five plays, scoring on a 6-yard pass over the middle from Todd to Tommy Trott. It was Trott's third career touchdown catch and first since 2006.

Auburn quickly turned the game into a blowout after that, scoring 23 points in the first 7 minutes of the second quarter. The offensive burst included the two touchdown bombs to Zachery and an impressive 65-yard run by McCalebb to the Auburn one-yard-line. McCalebb scored on a 1-yard run a play later.

Ball State's only other score in the first half came on Ian McGarvey's 33-yard field goal.

Auburn's Wes Byrum kicked a 33-yard field goal at the end of the first half. It was his sixth field goal in six attempts this season. The six consecutive field goals is a career best for Byrum.

[symple19]

SEC power rankings: Week 5
September 28, 2009 9:05 AM

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

There's been a shakeup at the top this week in the SEC power rankings.

Alabama and Florida have swapped positions. The Gators really didn't do a lot to lose the No. 1 spot. It was more the Crimson Tide doing enough to earn the No. 1 spot.

Nick Saban's club has been the most consistent, the most physical and the most impressive team in the league through the first month of the season and also has a win over a top-10 team on a neutral field to its credit.

Until further notice, Alabama sits atop the SEC throne:

1. Alabama: The Crimson Tide (4-0, 1-0) didn't have any problem in their SEC opener, a 35-7 spanking of Arkansas that could have been worse had Saban not stepped off the gas in the fourth quarter. Even without sop re linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who will undergo surgery to repair ligament damage in his knee, this is still one of the nastiest defenses in the country.

2. Florida: We'll have to wait and see what Tim Tebow's status is and how long it takes before he's cleared again for contact. Concussions are all different. The good news for the Gators (4-0, 2-0) is that they're off this weekend and don't play again until they travel to LSU on Oct. 10. Other than the brutal hit on Tebow, they had little trouble with Kentucky in a 41-7 blowout on the road.

3. LSU: This is where it gets tough. We could have some serious debate about who's the third best team in the SEC at this point. The Tigers (4-0, 1-0) get the nod based on process of elimination. They really haven't played all that great and have done just enough to get by most of the time. But there's no debating their talent or some of the plays they've made. See Chad Jones' punt return last Saturday.

4. Georgia: The Bulldogs (3-1, 2-0) have sure made things interesting. They escaped this past weekend against Arizona State thanks to a Blair Walsh 37-yard field goal as time expired. The best thing the Bulldogs have going for them is their resolve. They could easily be 1-3 right now, but they've overcome their own mistakes to remain unbeaten in the league heading into Saturday's home showdown with LSU.

5. Auburn: The concern with the Tigers (4-0, 1-0) has been their defense. They've been super explosive on offense, but are 10th in the league in scoring defense and total defense. In each of their last three games, they've given up at least 24 points. The equalizer has been their ability to force turnovers. They lead the league with 10 turnovers gained in the first four games. They hit the road for the first time this Saturday against Tennessee.

6. South Carolina: What was a successful month of September for South Carolina (3-1, 1-1) could have been a perfect month had the Game s made one more play against Georgia. They're that close to being unbeaten despite playing a tough schedule. The win over Ole Miss last Thursday puts them in great shape to be 5-1 heading to Alabama on Oct. 17. Any South Carolina fan would have taken that back in August.

7. Ole Miss: The Rebels (2-1, 0-1) take the biggest tumble after checking in at No. 3 in the SEC power rankings last week. They still have the talent to contend in the West and played well on defense in the 16-10 loss to South Carolina. But they look disjointed on offense right now, and Jevan Snead isn't playing like a franchise quarterback. He just doesn't look to be in sync, and his struggles have worn off on the rest of the offense. The Rebels are capable of catching fire. They better hurry, though. Alabama comes to town in two weeks.

8. Tennessee: The most impressive thing the Vols (2-2, 0-1) have done to this point is play Florida close at the Swamp. It continues to be a struggle for senior quarterback Jonathan Crompton, and the Vols are starting to see the injuries pile up across the board. They lost middle linebacker Nick Reveiz for the season in last Saturday's 34-23 victory over Ohio. If they can stay away from any more injuries, the defense is good enough to carry this team. What kind of season the Vols have hinges on these next two home games against Auburn and Georgia.

9. Arkansas: The Hogs (1-2, 0-2) have been the most disappointing team in the league through the first month of the season. They're plenty explosive on offense, and Ryan Mallett will pile up the passing yards against a lot of teams. But coach Bobby Petrino provided the greatest indictment against his team when he said afterward that the Hogs didn't believe they could win. That's not a good omen for a team that has given up 87 points in two SEC games.

10. Kentucky: A lot of teams are going to look bad against Florida this season, but it only gets more daunting for the Wildcats (2-1, 0-1) with Alabama rolling into the Bluegrass this week. Kentucky looked awful on offense to open the game against Florida and was down 31-0 at the end of the first quarter. If the Wildcats continue to make those kinds of mistakes and look that sloppy on offense, they can forget about making it to a bowl game for the third straight season. The silver lining is that they played respectably following that nightmarish first quarter.

11. Mississippi State: What a tough loss to swallow for the Bulldogs, who needed a foot at home to knock off LSU and couldn't get the ball into the end zone. Mississippi State (2-2, 1-2) showed a lot of heart in its 30-26 loss to the nationally ranked Tigers, and defensive coordinator Carl Torbush has that defense playing a lot better after the Auburn debacle the second week of the season. It doesn't get any easier for the Bulldogs these next two weeks with nationally ranked nonconference games against Georgia Tech and Houston.

12. Vanderbilt: It remains to be seen if the Commodores (2-2, 0-2) are truly the worst team in the league. They bounced back from their home loss to Mississippi State with a much-needed 36-17 win over Rice that included several big plays on offense that the Commodores had been lacking. Vanderbilt has the defense to get back to a bowl game, but there's still a long way to go on offense.

[symple19]

Okay people. Huge weekend in the SEC.

Alabama/Kentucky - Could be a trap game for Bama.

Auburn/Tennessee - Is Auburn for real? First road game for AU will be a huge test

Georgia/LSU - UGA is the most tested team in the nation. LSU still looks a bit overrated to me.

Ole Miss/Vandy - How will Ole Miss play after getting smacked by the Game s? Is Vandy really improved?

Georgia Tech/Miss St - Measuring stick game for State. Would be a huge OOC win for the SEC

Arkansas/Texas A&M - Arkansas has had a rough few weeks. A&M might be just what the doctor ordered.


You guys have any thoughts on these games? SEC can improve it's OOC record. Also will find out whether the East or West division is stronger. I can't freakin' wait!!!!!

[Texas Chili Dog]

I am nervous about the LSU-UGA game, obviously. I don't even know what to expect there.