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Comment -
Fremeau gives Georgia and Florida a 7 percent chance of winning the SEC championship. He gives South Carolina a 10 percent chance. Alabama, of whom you’ve heard, is assigned a 62 percent chance. LSU, which lost nearly everybody except Zach Mettenberger, is picked second in the West, ahead of Texas A&M, which returns the Heisman holder.Comment -
Arkansas quarterback transfers......
In a bit of a surprise move, quarterback Brandon Mitchell has decided to transfer. After failing to beat out Brandon Allen for the Razorbacks starting job this spring, there was talk about Mitchell moving to another position. Mitchell, a senior, is on pace to graduate this summer and therefore could transfer and play for another school without having to sit out a year. Losing the second team quarterback means the Razorbacks will need to keep Allen healthy this fall.
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Arkansas...run...run...run
With the arrival of Bret Bielema, the days of throwing the ball all over the field is a thing of the past. When Bret Bielema came in as the new head coach, he made no promises except one: to run the ball, run the ball and run it some more. In one 100-play spring scrimmage, starting quarterback Brandon Allen threw all of 12 passes. Yep, the free wheeling days of Bobby Patrino are over in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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2012 Against The Spread Summary.....
Team................Total ATS........Fav-ATS..........Dog-ATS.........Over/Under
Ole Miss...............10-3...............5-1.................5-2................6-6
Vanderbilt..............9-4................6-2................3-2................6-6
S. Carolina.............6-4................6-4.................2-1...............8-4
Texas A&M.............8-5................7-4.................1-1...............4-7
Georgia.................8-6.................6-5................2-1................7-6
Florida...................7-6................3-6.................4-0...............5-7
Alabama................7-7................7-7.................0-0................8-5
Miss State..............6-7................6-3.................0-4...............5-7
Missouri.................5-6................2-2.................3-4...............5-6
LSU.......................5-8................4-8.................1-0...............5-7
Auburn...................4-8................2-2.................2-6...............5-6
Tennessee..............4-8................2-5.................2-3...............9-2
Arkansas................3-8................1-4.................2-4................7-4
Kentucky................3-9................2-1.................1-8................5-6
*Ole Miss and Vandy were strong money makers last year.
*Not much expected of Auburn...could be good dollar bet each game.
*Manziel and company were expected to score a lot of points last year (o/u).
*I'm thinking Arkansas will be a good under play this season.
*Alabama will be favored big again in most games this year.Comment -
Kentucky RB to Transfer........
Wildcat running back Justin Taylor has been granted his release by new coach Mark Stoops and is planning to transfer to another school. Rumors suggest the redshirt freshman may land in South Carolina. You might remember Taylor orginally committed to Alabama in February 2012. He then injured his knee playing high school basketball in the winter/fall of 2011. Alabama ask him to greyshirt but he declined and signed with Kentucky instead. Interestingly, he is the first player to ask for his release since Stoops took over in Lexington. Usually, a new coach comes in, a few older players go out. As of today, Taylor is the only player going out.
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College Football Hall of Fame.....
Congrats to good guy and former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel for being selected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Wuerffle won the Heisman Trophy in 1996, when he led the Gators to the national championship, throwing for 3,625 yards and 39 touchdowns in coach Steve Spurrier's Fun-n-Gun offense. Wuerffel finished his college career as one of the most prolific passers in major college football history with 10,875 yards and 114 touchdown passes. Great college quarterback and great human being. Well deserved honor!
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Say what......
"It ain't what you don't know that gets you in trouble, it's what you know for sure that just ain't so." - Mark Twain
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2013 Division Odds (The Greek)
WEST
Alabama -200
LSU +300
Texas A&M +350
Ole Miss +1000
Miss State +1500
Arkansas +1500
Auburn +1800
EAST
Georgia +150
S. Carolina +150
Florida +300
Missouri +800
Tennessee +1000
Vanderbilt +1200
Kentucky +1500Comment -
I would think that Tennessee and Kentucky will have lines slanted against them pretty solidly this year, but I don't think the market bias will be warranted. Two excellent new head coaches coming into the programs should at the very least provide better competition. Kentucky will likely look a lot more confident on the field as they're making progress in their rebuilding process. Tennessee still has the best OL in the SEC and I'm waiting to see if freshman Joshua Dobbs can steal the starting QB spot, which could make the Vols very interesting. Either way, both should present early line value.
I don't know if South Carolina deserves to be on par with Georgia in the division odds... I like Georgia a lot this year. Murray has another year under his belt, the OL has improved and added a lot of depth, and they're returning an outstanding set of tailbacks. They recruited well in the defensive backfield as well.Comment -
Gator Coaches get Raises.....
Florida announced recently that the contracts of four coaches on the offensive side of the ball have been extended and that three of those assistants have also been given raises.
Brent Pease, offensive coordinator, $100,000 raise, 1 year extention (to $590,000 per year)
Tim Davis, offensive line, $25,000 raise, (to $300,000 per year)
Derek Lewis, Tightends, $24,000 raise, 1 year extention, (to $215,000 per year)
Brian White, Running backs, no raise, 1 year extention.
Guess I'm asking why the raise and extensions on the offensive side of the ball and not the defensive side? The Gators finished 10th in the SEC in scoring offense, 14th (last) in passing offense. Since Florida was carried by their defense last year, one would think some of the coaches on that side of the ball would have earned the raises and extentions.
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Kentucky Athletic Director against......
Wildcat's athletic director doesn't think going to a nine game conference schedule is a good idea for the welfare of his school. "Nine games is not something we favor. I do not think a nine game SEC schedule would serve Kentucky well...History says it's very difficult for us to have the level of depth, the second, third, fourth lines of players, that some of the other schools in our league have just as a means of their in-state recruiting situations. When we have to play a long line of league games, it's a grind, our team can get beaten up physically. It's better for us, our players, when the schedule allows us to have so-called breathers, so our kids can sort of restore themselves physically in-season."
In other words. "We're weak. We know we're weak. We don't foresee a day when we'll be strong. So we need cupcakes on our schedule." With that whining attitude...maybe Kentucky should consider leaving the SEC and joining the Sun Belt Conference.
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School Enrollments..........
Texas A&M = 50,230
Florida = 49,589
Georgia = 34,816
Missouri = 33,732
Alabama = 31,647
S. Carolina = 30,721
Tennessee = 30,194
LSU = 29,718
Kentucky = 27,226
Auburn = 25,469
Arkansas = 23,199
Miss State = 20,424
Ole Miss = 18,224
Vanderbilt = 12,836
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Auburn Tigers.........
Auburn spent the spring getting reaquainted with new coach Gus Malzahn's spread offense and getting up to speed on the 4-2-5 defensive set introduced by new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. Finding a quarterback best suited to run Malzahn's offense is a top priority. Whoever wins the job won't be helped by the fact Auburn needs to find some receivers. The top three from 2012 are gone, leaving Quan Bray (14 catches) and Trovon Reed (9 catches) trying to fill the gaps. Tre Mason rushed for 1,002 yards last year, but is being pushed hard by JUCO Cameron Artis-Payne.
Malzahn's return along with 17 returning starters has re-energized the Tiger faithful and the schedule starts with three home games before a season defining stretch against LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. If Auburn is to have any bowl hopes, it's likely to have to somehow get to six wins before finishing with Georgia and Alabama. No one is giving the Tigers much hope for the coming season. I for one think they will surprise the nay-sayers.
2013 Schedule
Washington St., Arkansas St., Mississippi St., @ LSU, Ole Miss, Western Carolina, @ Texas A&M, Florida International, @ Arkansas, @ Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama.Comment -
SEC Commitment Update..........
Hey folks, we're just 39 weeks from signing day. Below you will find an undated overview of how the league's football programs are doing on the recruiting trail this summer.
SCHOOL.............COMMITS........5-STAR......4-STAR.....3-STAR.....OTHER
Tennessee..............12............... ..0...............5.............5....... .....2
Texas A&M..............10.................0... ............6.............4............0
Florida....................9............ ......0...............6..............3.. .........0
LSU........................9............ ......0...............6..............3.. ..........0
Ole Miss..................9................. .0...............4..............3....... ....2
Alabama..................6.............. ....0...............4............. 2...........0
Georgia...................5............. .....1...............3..............1... ........0
Vanderbilt................8............. .....0...............2..............3... ........3
Kentucky.................5.............. .....0..............2..............3.... ........0
Auburn....................5............. .....0...............1..............4... .........0
Missouri..................7............. ......0...............0.............3... .........4
Arkansas.................4.............. .....0...............2.............2.... ........0
S. Carolina..............3................. ..0...............2..............1...... ......0
Miss State...............2................... 0...............1..............1........ ...0Comment -
I lost a friend today...one of the most honest sporting men I have ever known in my lifetime. Great oldtime athlete who became the best sourse of SEC information my gang has ever known or received over the years.
RIP "Billy Bad" best friend of the SEC and always with honor. You will be missed my friend.
The Contender..Jack Doyle...Christy Moore...18/21...YouTube
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LSU Tigers..........
LSU has probably had about as much upheaval as a program can have that has won 34 games the past three years with a record eleven players declaring early for the NFL draft and four offensive coordinators since 2010. Now it's up to Les Miles, defensive coordinator John Chavis and new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to pick up the pieces and mold them into another contender. Cameron had the Tigers sprinting through spring drills with an eye to producing an offense that will blend vertical passing, power running and no-huddle facets around senior quarterback Zack Mettenberger.
With twelve starters returning (8 off, 4 def), the biggest question now is whether Jeremy Hill will play after the running back was suspended following his arrest for an April 27 bar fight that may prove to violate his 2012 probation in a sexual assault case. If he can't play or is suspended, expect Alfred Blue to fill in after missing most of last season with a knee injury.
It would probably be unfair to expect miracles, or a repeat of runs to the BCS championship game as in 2003, 2007 and 2011. The schedule is tough starting with the Cowboy Classic against TCU and continuing with road games at Georgia, Ole Miss and Alabama. Home games with Florida and Texas A&M will also tell whether the Tigers can again contend in the super tough SEC West. At this point, the call is for an 8-4 or 9-3 record and the Cotton Bowl.Comment -
Georgia Running Backs............
Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall were the best two running backs in the state of North Carolina when they both signed at Georgia in 2012. Marshall, from Raleigh, enrolled early and went through spring practice. Gurley, from Tarboro, arrived last summer. Because Marshall went through spring drills, the Georgia coaches knew what they had in Marshall. On the first day Gurley showed up in pads, any concerns Mark Richt had about the running game were put to rest. He was running over or bouncing off would be tacklers like a seasoned veteran.
Gurley's 1,385 yards in 2012 was second only to Dawg legend Herschal Walker's 1,616 in 1980 for rushing yards as a true freshman. Marshall added 759 yards. They combined for 2,144 yards on 339 carries (6.3) and 25 touchdowns. Now the two sophomores will run behind a veteran offensive line with a quarterback (Aaron Murray) who could become the SEC's all-time leading passer.
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Auburn's Gus Malzahn.........
"The Southeast Conference from top to bottom has the best defensive lineman in the nation. It's not just the first-team front four but a lot of times with the top teams in the league their second group has NFL players in their second group. The SEC is a great defensive league."
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Florida's Loucheiz Purifoy.....
Loucheiz Purifoy, a junior from Pensacolo, is Florida's best cover corner. But Purifoy spent the first seven practices in the spring at wide receiver. Gator coaches wanted to put some pressure on the receiving corps hoping some of the receivers would step up their game. Florida signed five wide receivers last February and the hope is that one or two of them will give the team a big-play component that has been lacking at the position. Demarcus Robinson enrolled early and took part in spring practice and was very impressive at times. But if freshmen don't come through this season then Muschamp may lean on Purifoy to go both ways. The Gators have gone three straight seasons without a 50-catch receiver.
Purifoy will work the first 14 practices at cornerback in August. Then a decision will be made on how much to use him at wide receiver. Purifoy has a unique skill set being an outstanding cover guy and also a good receiver who knows what to do with the ball in his hands. Interesting situation to keep an eye on down in Gainesville.
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Ole Miss............
Historically, Mississippi produces as many D-1 prospects per capita as any state in the nation. A good coach should be able to keep the Rebels stocked with solid talent. Support for the football program is also at an all-time high, the Rebs averaged over 55,000 fans last year. Ole Miss' facilities have improved greatly in the past five years and new coach Huge Freeze has given the Rebel faithful hope.
You will have to go back to the early 1960's to find a time in which Ole Miss was a major player in the SEC. The Rebels haven't won a league title since 1963, and they are the only team in the SEC West that has not played in an SEC Championship Game.
Ole Miss has made the commitment to its football program, but it takes more than a commitment to beat out Alabama and LSU in the West. The Rebels had arguably their most talented recruiting class ever during February and needs to continue the same process over the next few years. Maybe one day Freeze will have the chance to get the Rebs in the SEC title game.
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Auburn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense.....
At first glance, the five quarterbacks competing for Auburn's starting job seem to have similar skill sets. Kiehl Frazier, Jonathan Wallace, Nick Marshall, Jeremy Johnson and Jason Smith are all dual threats, at least in their own way. But, Gus Malzahn and staff have been clear that they've already identified the differences in their prospective passers.
Frazier: Has struggled with accuracy and pocket presence. Not an instinctive runner.
Wallace: Throws with accuracy and can improvise on the fly.
Marshall: JUCO transfer freakish athlete who throws the ball well and has strong arm.
Johnson: Probably the best pure passer of the group.
Smith: Needs to work on passing game but offers a lot of versatility.
Unlike some offenses, the hurry-up, no-huddle rarely requires a starting quarterback to be named early to be successful. Malzahn has had seven different starting quarterbacks in seven years at the college level. When the base plays and base goals remain the same, adjusting the offense to fit the quarterback doesn't take much time. The offense flexibility allows Malzahn to adjust on the fly...and he has proven he can do just that. "From year to year, you've got to change," Malzahn said, "and really, week to week, you've got to put new wrinkles in." All of those wrinkles will be designed to fit Auburn's quarterbacks, no matter who wins the job.
Beware of the Tigers..............Comment -
Strong SEC Pass Defense equals wins..............
When talking about Southeastern Conference football, defense is usually the first topic of coaches, fans and pundits. Here's a look at interleague SEC pass defense showing conference opponents yards-per-pass-attempt.
School......................Opp.Yds/Att..............SEC Record
Florida...........................5.3... .....................7-1
Vanderbilt......................6.0..... ...................5-3
Alabama........................6.1...... ..................7-1
LSU...............................6.2... .....................6-2
S. Carolina.....................6.5........ ................6-2
Georgia.........................7.4..... ...................7-1
Texas A&M.....................7-4........................6-2
Missouri.........................7.4.... ....................2-6
Ole Miss........................7.9......... ...............3-5
Miss State......................8.2.......... ..............4-4
Auburn..........................8.4..... ....................0-8
Tennessee.....................8.9....... ..................1-7
Arkansas.......................9.0...... ...................2-6
Some observations:
*When it comes to predicting success in the SEC, this statistic is much more helpful than its offensive counterpart. Being able to throw the ball is important, but not as important as being able to prevent your opponent from successfully throwing the football.
*With the exception of 2-6 Missouri, every other team in the SEC that held its opponent to 7.4 yards-per-pass-attempt or less won five or more league games.
*The bottom six schools in this particular pass defense measure were a combined 10-38 in conference play. Of those six schools, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Miss State, Auburn, Tennessee and Arkansas...only Mississippi State managed to finish at .500.
*The quick takeaway: If you want to win an SEC football game, passing the ball isn't as important as stopping the other team from passing the ball.Comment -
Two veteran senior quarterbacks............
Aaron Murray, Georgia
2010: 209/342....61.1%....3,049 yds....24 tds...8 ints
2011: 238/403....59.1%....3,149 yds....35 tds...12 ints
2012: 249/387....64.3%....3,895 yds....36 tds...10 ints
Total: 696/1132..61.5%...10,093 yds....95 tds...30 ints
AJ McCarron, Alabama
2010: 30/48........62.5%.....389 yds....3 tds.....0 ints
2011: 219/328.....64.3%....2634 yds...16 tds...5 ints
2012: 226/342.....66.1%....3110 yds...30 tds...3 ints
Total: 475/718.....64.3%....6133 yds...49 tds...8 ints
Look for both quarterbacks to have a huge year during 2013. Murray has a chance to break almost all SEC passing records as well as school records. McCarron can rewrite the Alabama record book for passing stats.Comment -
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame....
Just six years into his tenure with the University of Alabama, Nick Saban has been inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Saban joins legendary Tide coach Bear Bryant in a Hall of Fame that also features baseball greats like Hank Aaron and Willie Mays, Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens and heavy weight boxing great Joe Lewis.
The rest of this year's class includes football official Ronnie Baynes, Jacksonville State and NFL player Eric Davis, Alabama and Auburn defensive coordinator Bill Oliver, Auburn basketball star and 1992 Olympian Vickie Orr and Alabama A&M track star and Olympic gold medalist Dannette Young Stone.
Saban has now won three national championships at Alabama to go along with one national title at LSU. No other FBS coach has captured a national title at two different schools.Comment -
Best Player in the SEC.....
Many think South Carolina junior defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is the best player in the Southeastern Conference. When Clowney arrived in Columbia two years ago as the nation's No. 1 recruit, he was a chiseled 6-foot-6, 235 pounder with explosiveness that had recruiting coaches raving. Since then, Clowney has blossomed into a 276 pound guy who has many seeing him as the first pick in next year's NFL Draft and a viable Heisman Trophy candidate. He is faster now at 276 than when he intered South Carolina at 235. Before spring practice, Clowney was tested by Gamecock coaches. He had a vertical jump of 38 inches and clocked a 4.54 40 yard dash. Many running backs in the conference don't run a 4.54 forty.
If Clowney is not the best player in the SEC...I'd like to know who's better.Comment -
Tide's Moore named top athletic director....
Former Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore was named College Athletic Director of the year Award on Wednesday night at the 2013 Sports Business Awards banquet. The Sports Business Awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the business os sports for the period from January 1, 2012, through February 28, 2013. Moore, who died March 30, was the school's athletics director form 1999 until shortly before his death. New AD Bill Battle said the award was appropriate for the job Moore did particularly in leading our teams to unprecedented success during 2012.
Moore's contributions to Alabama as a former football player, football coach and athletic director will always be remembered and appreciated by the Bama faithful. Good man, good player, good coach and good administrator.Comment -
2013 SEC Bowl Tie-Ins.....
Compass Bowl
Birmingham, Al
SEC vs AAC (formally Big East)
Music City Bowl
Nashville, Tn
SEC vs ACC
Independence Bowl
Shreveport, La
SEC vs ACC
Liberty Bowl
Memphis, Tn
SEC vs Conf-USA or AAC
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Atlanta, Ga
SEC vs ACC
Gator Bowl
Jacksonville, Fl
SEC vs Big Ten
Capital One Bowl
Orlando, Fl
SEC vs Big Ten
Outback Bowl
Tampa, Fl
SEC vs Big Ten
Cotton Bowl
Dallas, Tx
SEC vs Big 12
Sugar Bowl
New Orleans, La
SEC vs BCS qualifierComment -
2012 SEC Bowl Results......
BCS Championship: Alabama 42, Notre Dame 14
Sugar Bowl: Louisville 33, Florida 23
Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M 41, Oklahoma 13
Outback Bowl: South Carolina 33, Michigan 20
Gator Bowl: Northwestern 34, Mississippi St. 20
Capital One: Georgia 45, Nebraska 31
Chick-fil-A: Clemson 25, LSU 24
Compass Bowl: Ole Miss 38, Pittsburgh 17
Music City Bowl: Vanderbilt 38, North Carolina St. 24Comment -
Blast From the Past - Tennessee 1998
A year after Peyton Manning's college career ended, Tennessee was not considered a serious national title contender. But when quarterback Tee Martin and the Vols knocked off Florida in overtime 20-17, the frenzy at Neyland Stadium was just the start of something big. The Vols got a gift of a victory at Arkansas with a late Razorback fumble and they used a fourth quarter rally to get past Mississippi State in the SEC title game...and finally outlasted Florida State 23-16 in the Fiesta Bowl to win the national championship and finish with a 13-0 record.Comment -
SEC Expansion.........
The league is set for the time being with Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt in the East, and Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSu, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Texas A&M from the West.
The SEC isn't too excited about expanding again after bringing in Texas A&M and Missouri last year. The best league in the country doesn't need to get any nastier but the dollar signs are going to be too great to not consider getting even bigger by adding two more teams, for a total of 16 (with two divisions of eight). Interest in obvious geographic and rival fits Clemson, Florida State and Georgia Tech isn't there because the league already has those TV markets. Virginia Tech, to go along with ever present rumors of North Carolina and Miami are on the radar.Comment -
2013 Alabama Football Schedule
Date..........Opponent................Si te...................Series Record.......Last Meeting
Aug 31.......Virginia Tech............Atlanta................. 11-1............2009 - UA 34, VT 24
Sep 07.......Open Date
Sep 14.......Texas A&M...............College Station.......3-2.............2012 - A&M 29, UA 24
Sep 21.......Colorado State..........Tuscaloosa............Fir st game
Sep 28.......Ole Miss...................Tuscaloosa....... .....50-8-2.........2012 - UA 33, OM 14
Oct 05.......Georgia State............Tuscaloosa............. 1-0.............2010 - UA 63, GS 7
Oct 12.......Kentucky...................Lexi ngton..............35-2-1.........2009 - UA 38, KY 20
Oct 19.......Arkansas...................Tusc aloosa............13-8............2012 - UA 52, AR 0
Oct 26.......Tennessee.................Tusca loosa............48-38-7.......2012 - UA 44, TN 13
Nov 02.......Open Date
Nov 09.......LSU..........................Tu scaloosa.............27-25-5.......2012 - UA 21, LSU 17
Nov 16.......Miss State.................Starkville........ .......75-18-3.......2012 - UA 38, MS 7
Nov 23.......Chattanooga..............Tuscal oosa.............11-0...........2009 - UA 45, UTC 0
Nov 30.......Auburn......................Aub urn...................42-34-1.......2012- UA 49, AU 0
Dec 07.......SEC Championship......Atlanta............... .....4-4............2012 - UA 32, GA 28
Jan 06.......BCS Title Game...........Pasadena................. 3-0...........2012 - UA 42, ND 14
Schedule sets up for another SEC and BCS title run. No Georgia, Florida or South Carolina to deal with during the regular season.Comment -
Correction: Alabama leads LSU 47-25-5 in their series.
Sidenote: Suicidekings has posted week one lines in the "three early beauties" thread.
Sidenote: Former Arkansas quarterback Brandon Mitchell is transferring to North Carolina State.
Sidenote: Former Alabama WR Danny Woodson is transferring to South Alabama.Comment -
Alabama opener......
Alabama will begin the 2013 season in Atlanta with a matchup against Virginia Tech in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff and again in 2014 against West Virginia. ESPN has announced that this year's game against Virginia Tech will begin at 5:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, August 31, from the Georgia Dome.
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Alabama to face Wisconsin 2015 opener.........
The Crimson Tide's football team will face Wisconsin to open the 2015 season at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The "Cowboys Stadium Classic" is scheduled for September 5, 2015, with television network coverage and kickoff time to be determined at a later date.
Under Nick Saban, Bama has played in four previous neutral site regular season games and has two more on the schedule over the next two years. Alabama played Florida State in Jacksonville in 2007 as well as Clemson (2008) and Virginia Tech (2009) in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff in Atlanta. Bama opened the 2012 season with a 42-14 win over Michigan in Arlington, Texas.Comment -
Alabama coaching staff set............
Alabama coach Nick Saban had three on-the-field positions to fill after last year's national championship season. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland went to the Philadelphia Eagles and was replaced on the Tide staff by Mario Cristobal from Miami. Jeremy Pruitt departed as secondary coach for the position of defensive coordinator at Florida State and was replaced at Bama by Greg Brown, a veteran of both the NFL and college football. Wide receivers coach Mike Groh left the Bama staff for the Chicago Bears and his place on the Alabama staff has been filled by Billy Napier, a former Tide graduate assistant who returned after working for a year as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach at Colorado State.Comment -
They Said It.....
Jeff Stoutland
former Alabama offensive line coach on Nick Saban. "I improved as a coach in my two years at Alabama because of him and his knowledge of football and his willingness to share that with me."
Ray Tanner
South Carolina athletic director on why people in Columbia love Steve Spurrier. "He didn't have to come here, and his intentions are to remain here."
Rhett Lashlee
Auburn offensive coordinator on his wide receviers corps. "The best guys are going to play, period...I don't care if you are a freshman or a senior."
Joe Alleva
LSU athletic director on dumping permanent cross-division football rivals in the SEC. "I think there's a shot, but I wouldn't put very good odds on it."Comment -
Alabama - Tennessee Rivalry
Times have changed. This rivalry the third Saturday in October was once one of the best rivalries in the country. Not so much anymore. Alabama has won the last six meetings, outscoring the Vols by 31 points in each of the last three and will see Tennessee's fourth different coach since 2008 when the schools meet in 2013.
2012: Alabama (-19.5) 44-13
2011: Alabama (-29) 37-6
2010: Alabama (-17) 41-10
2009: Alabama (-14) 12-10
2008: Alabama (-5) 29-9
2007: Alabama (-1) 41-17
Pretty lopsided of late!Comment -
Update Odds to Win National Championship....
The Las Vegas Hilton (LVH Superbook) has updated their odds to win the national championship.
1. Alabama (5-2)
4. Georgia (10-1)
5. Texas A&M (12-1)
6. LSU (15-1)
6. South Carolina (15-1)
6. Florida (15-1)
Arkansas (300-1)
Tennessee (300-1)
Vanderbilt (500-1)
Missouri (500-1)
Ole Miss (500-1)
Auburn (500-1)
Miss St. (1000-1)
Kentucky was listed as a rest of field bet at 30-1.Comment -
Eight Habits of Highly Effective CFB Handicappers
It is sad that only 2% of all gamblers make money and that the other 98% lose money. I don't know if that is accurate or not...but more lose than win. Here are 8 habits that if you emply will help your bottom line.
1. Get the best possible lines. You must shop around for best lines. A half point can win you number of games.
2. Stick with straight bets. Many recreational players play a high volume of parlays. Sucker bets and require a large house edge to play.
3. Analyze your wager after the game is completed. This is important for future reference.
4. Know were the value lies. The linemakers know which side the public will lean to and they make the line accordingly.
5. Watch the line moves. If a line moves try to determine why it is moving. One thing that I like to look for is if the public is on the favorite but the line is actually decreasing.
6. Money management. This is almost as crucial as actually picking winners. Honor a sound money management approach and stick to it.
7. Bankroll. You must have a defined bankroll that is used only for gambling. Must be money above and beyond your normal living expenses.
8. Keep records of your bets. You want to be able to see whats working for you and what isn't.
Sidenote: The bookie puts out a line on almost all major college football games. You aren't forced to bet on every game!Comment -
Alabama QB Transferring
Redshirt freshman quarterback PHILLIP ELY (Tampa, FL) announced he will transfer from Alabama to Toledo. That makes Ely the fourth scholarship QB to change schools after signing with Alabama under Saban since 2007. NICK FANUZZI (Texas), who was part of Saban's first Alabama signing class, transferred to Rice, where he set school records as a multi-year starter. STAR JACKSON (Florida) who couldn't hold off AJ McCarron for the backup job late in 2009, departed for Georgia State and later left the school. PHILLIP SIMS (Virginia), who couldn't beat out McCarron in 2011 transferred to Virginia where he started four games last year. Now Ely has decided to try and play somewhere else. (I predicted in January that Ely would transfer.)
Nick Saban's one-voice philosophy for the program carries over to the quarterback position. He'll rotate running backs all day long, but under center, he wants one starter, and he wants that starter to go the distance unless a game gets out of hand.
Bama starting quarterbacks under Saban: 2007 and 2008, John Parker Wilson. 2009 and 2010, Greg McElroy. 2011 and 2012, AJ McCarron.Comment -
SEC Coaches Vote 13 to 1 .......
The raging debate about SEC football's future scheduling continued during the second day of the conference's annual Spring Meetings with the league's coaches reaching a "13-1" majority in favor of an eight-game format Wednesday, though the future of permanent cross-division opponents remains in question. Alabama's Nick Saban was the only coach who voted for a nine game conference schedule. Several coaches support an eight-game schedule with two rotating cross-division games while others prefer the current 6-1-1 model with a fixed cross-division rival. Florida coach Will Muschamp and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said they believe a nine-game schedule is inevitable with a 6-1-2 model providing fairness for playing everybody in the divisions and keeping traditional rivalry games such as Auburn-Georgia and Alabama-Tennessee.Comment
