A bit behind but catching up

Sorry about the dearth of posts for the last day or so, I have been a bit behind, both in life and work, but I am catching up!

Today, we are going to look at some of the funnies, scariest, angry, poignant, powerful, classy, insightful or just plain pathetic posts and most quotable quotes around the SEC blogs regarding last week's football games:

• "When did it become necessary for a coach to ask fans to behave? The coarsening of society in general, fired by the excess use of alcohol around sports has created a dangerous situation throughout college football." -- Capstone Report
  
  
• "I seem to recall someone thinking my Kentucky pick was 'dumb-assed'"... -- Todd, Roll 'Bama Roll
  
  
• "Reggie Herring's press coverage scheme worked well for the Razorbacks defensive secondary last year. While not stellar, it was not as embarrassing as it is this year. Losing Chris Houston to the 1st round of the draft is tough though. The new scheme is the "watch the receiver catch the ball" scheme." -- BigFootFool, Barkley vs. Bavetta
  
  
• "Thus far the offense hasn't even been vanilla, it's more like unflavored yogurt." -- Will Collier, From The Bleachers
  
  
• "Cox is back in! Cox fumbles the snap! NMSU recovers! Hooray! Seriously, isn't it time to call in an exorcist for Brandon? Has anyone watched to see if he's puking up pea soup? Does he ever pretend to just be looking at something and accidentally turn his head all the way around? Because this--this being three turnovers in Cox's last three first-half possessions and last two first-half snaps--is getting outright unnatural." -- Jerry Hinnen, The Joe Cribbs Car Wash
  
  
• "Can Tebow take this much abuse and survive an entire football season? I know he’s the toughest guy on the planet, but… can he?" -- GatorPilot, Orange and Blue Hue
  
  
• "I'm not saying Saban is the equivalent of some coyote-ugly skank, but Tide Nation would've had us believe for the past nine months that he was a Voltron formation of Melissa Theuriau, '60s-era Sophia Loren, and the last twelve Playmates. Sorry, guys, but he's really not that much hotter than any of the rest of 'em." -- Doug, Hey Jenny Slater
  
  
• "Kentucky (4-0 overall, 2-0 SEC). I’m not ready to drink the Kool-Aid yet, but after the win at Arkansas, I’m at least willing to acknowledge that the glass is sitting on the table near my hand." -- Senator Blutarsky, Get The Picture
  

• "I tip my cap to the 'Bama coaches, players, and fans, who may be disappointed in this evening's outcome but who may look forward to many more years of success. Clearly, the Tide are rising back to their proper place in the college football firmament, and I salute Coach Saban, his squad, and their supporters on a well-played, hard-fought college football game." -- Kyle King, Dawg Sports
  

• "How much does Louisville get to humiliate itself before these things stop being upsets? UL’s defense was labeled as “tackling-optional” (sounds like Tennessee)." -- AngryEer, Loser With Socks
  

• "Kentucky defeated Arkansas tonight by a wide margin. Kentucky is undefeated in football?!? :::Checks Revelation::: Yep, the apocalypse is upon us." -- Big Orange Michael
  
  
• "I can't tell you how much I completely and utterly despise Middle Tennessee State University. More than Yew Tee. More than-- well, I don't know what hatred is deeper than a Vandyfan's for the Vawls (perhaps the Auburn/Alabama fan's hatred for Alabama/Auburn?), but let me tell you, it's deeper than that. Woody's MTSU debacle was my very first game as a Vanderbilt freshman, and I will always hate them with my whole heart. Always." -- Diezba, Star & Stripe
  

Gameday!

I am really psyched for today's games, it really will be lots of great football. When you get to week four of the season, the games become more meaningful and difficult -- many of the early season pastries have been gobbled, resumés have been padded, and teams are largely untested, except perhaps once. Now the grind of the conference season sets in.

From an SEC standpoint, I will be pulling hard for Auburn and Tennessee today. UT has really had a rough go early, playing a very difficult early schedule and being largely unsuccessful. Today, they face a pretty tough team in Arkansas State, but the Vols out-talent them 2-1 at least, and in games like this, even underperforming teams like Tennessee can often get by on talent alone.

But Fulmer's job is really getting tenuous right now, and he needs a statement to ease the pressure. If he just eeks by ArkState, he is going to be under more pressure than any coach in the country save Lloyd Carr, and frankly, I wouldn't give $0.2 for his chances of roaming the sidelines in orange next year. If he gets a flawless victory, his odds don't improve much, but at least some of the vitriol will subside slightly. Tennessee fans know that this team is talented, and have faced the toughest schedule to date in the SEC. They can still right the ship and contend for the East, but if they lose or limp away from this game, it is likely to doom Fulmer and demoralize the team to the point that I wouldn't be betting on success.

Auburn is in a somewhat similar position, except they have less talent to lean on than the Vols. New Mexico State will test the Auburn defense, but Hal Mumme teams tend to play below average to poor defense, so even the anemic Auburn offense should be able to put points on the board.

Tommy Tuberville's seat is not nearly so hot as Fulmer's thermonuclear behind, but it is getting uncomfortably warm. His recent season successes should insulate him from one bad season, but I remember a time not too long ago when AU was thinking of replacing him with Bobby Petrino despite the success that Tuberville has had. Auburn is getting bored with Tuberville, and Kentucky basketball fans know what happens when the team becomes boring -- a movement for change begins.

I haven't talked much about Mississippi State, but beating Auburn and now facing a bit of a croissant in Gardner-Webb puts them in an interesting position. They are beginning to look like a team with an outside chance at reaching bowl eligibility. Who would have thunk that at the beginning of the season?

In sum, this should be a great day for college football fans, and a somewhat uncomfortable day for at least two SEC coaches. Enjoy, SEC fans!

Big games around the SEC this weekend

Well, Saturday is tomorrow, and there are a number of particularly meaningful games on tap:

1. Georgia at Alabama - Mark Richt and company really need this game. Not only is Alabama a rival, they were expected to be in a rebuilding stage this year, while Georgia was supposed to be making a triumphant return from last year's irrelevance. This game means way more to Richt than Saban.
   
2. Arkansas State at Tennessee - Phil Fulmer's seat will approach the heat level of a fusion reaction if he loses this game. Unfortunately, Arkansas State is no cupcake.
3. South Carolina at LSU - Nobody expects the OBC to go into Death Valley and come out victorious. The biggest question I have is can the Gamecocks cross the goal line?
4. Kentucky at Arkansas - Kentucky created a national stir by beating top ten Louisville. If they beat Arkansas, SEC East opponents will be in the uncharacteristic position of actually having to worry about the Wildcats. All the remaining big boys in the SEC have to come to Kentucky this year, with the exception of South Carolina.
5. New Mexico State at Auburn - Tubberville is in one hell of spot right now. Unfortunately, the Aggies look better on paper than the Tigers, and former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme is at the reigns for NM State. We know Mumme's teams can score, and we also know that so far, Auburn can't.

What the SEC blogs are saying:

Georgia at Alabama

Georgia:

• Senator Blutarsky, Get The Picture: Paranoia in Dawgland?
• Doug, Hey Jenny Slater: Going inside the minds of Sabanists at Roll 'Bama Roll

Alabama:

• Capstone Report: Rethinking 'Bama's chances against the Dawgs. The word "cowardly" gets used.
• AL C. Hemist, Eight in the Box: Vanderbilt had confidence. Arkansas had contempt. Georgia has a conspiracy.

Arkansas State at Tennessee

Tennessee:

• Jai Eugene, Loser with Socks: Fulmer, you in big trouble now, boy.
• Doug Coffin, The Power T: Warning, warning Phil Fulmer. Ass heat in the red zone.

South Carolina at LSU

South Carolina:

• Chuck, TheCoolChicken: "South Carolina will upset LSU this weekend. Yep. You read that right."
• Cocknfire, Garnet & Black Attack: Wisdom from the other side.

LSU:

• Richard Pittman, Geaux Tuscaloosa: What to expect from LSU and South Carolina.
• Purple Reign, And The Valley Shook: "The statistical numbers for LSU's defense are staggering."

Kentucky at Arkansas

Kentucky:

• Mosley, Kentucky Sports Radio: Know your enemy
• Chris Diggs, C-J Wildcat Fan Blog: "Could this be similar to the seven-overtime shootout from 2003 that ended in a 70-63 Arkansas win? Prediction coming tomorrow."

Arkansas:

• RazorbackExpats: Five reasons to hate Kentucky
• TipsterHog, the RazorBloggers: Various Hog bloggers predict the outcome of the game.

New Mexico State at Auburn

Auburn:

• Jerry Hinnen, Joe Cribbs Car Wash: Wish list for Auburn vs. New Mexico State.
• Ryan, The Auburner: "I have a fever… and the prescription is LESS cowbell."

Best of the SEC: Where we are

I think it's time to take a look at where the SEC stands so far this year, and at a few of the surprises we have had. Looking back down the timeline from week 3, how has the SEC lived up to pre-season expectations?

The SEC received a lot of pre-season hype as the toughest conference in the land. At week 3, the SEC has six teams ranked in the AP top 25. The Big Ten has 3 ranked teams, as does the ACC, the Pac 10. The Big East surprisingly has four top 25 teams with one (Cincinnati) knocking on the door. The Big 12 is currently second with five teams ranked in the top 25.

The Birmingham News reports that scoring is way up in the SEC -- way, way up. 43% up, and they make a compelling argument that scheduling doesn't explain it. But as you might expect, scoring on SEC defenses is apparently a lot easier, too -- to the tune of 36% (via CFBStats.com). These are staggering percentages, and although scoring is apparently up all around Division I as a result of changing the clock rules, the SEC's delta in scoring and allowing scores is way above anyone else's. Not sure what that means, but there you go.

The Big East, it seems, is not quite the cupcake it has been over the last few years. With half their conference ranked in the top 25, it may be time for the Big East detractors to reign in their claws, at least for now. The SEC is showing about what was expected, with Florida and LSU at the top of the heap. Kentucky has surprised some with its improved defense (they were 118th out of 119 in Div I in 2006, but currently 70th -- a lot of low-hanging fruit there).

The Big 12 has surprised many with its conference strength. With only four top 25 teams in the pre-season, they have been playing pretty well as a conference, particularly Oklahoma and surprisingly, Kansas. Many pundits rank the Big East as the third best conference this year, but I'd say the Big 12 could take issue with that. But the Big 12 has played some relatively close games with weak competition, so perhaps they don't deserve it after all.

We have all waited to see the new kickoff rule cause manifold long returns, but CFBStats.com also reports that this just doesn't appear to be happening. Apparently, more kicks are being returned as expected, but there appears to be no sea change in how the return game is affecting college football overall. One could argue convincingly that now that the average starting spots for drives after kickoffs is past the 30, that could account for the increase in point production. Maybe, but we don't have enough data yet to make sense out of it. On average, kickoff returns in the SEC are up 2.51 yards. Whoopee.

So how have the SEC teams performed? Here's how I see it:

• Auburn - surprisingly bad
• Alabama - better than expected
• South Carolina - Better than expected
• Georgia - weaker than expected
• Tennessee - weaker than expected
• Kentucky - better than expected

I'd say everyone else is about par with expectations. After next week, this list could change quite a bit, depending on such games as Alabama vs. Georgia, LSU at South Carolina, Auburn vs. New Mexico State and Kentucky at Arkansas (C'mon, Auburn! Defend our freakin' honor!)

Best of the SEC: Tuesday Night Blogging

Last Saturday was as exciting and significant as any third week I can remember in college football in a while, particularly in the SEC. I want to look at a few broad themes tonight, and see what SEC bloggers have to say about them.

Big East:

• 22. Louisville: Not particularly good, but as long as Brohm stays healthy, they'll still probably win nine or ten games in the extremely weak Big East. -- Todd at Roll 'Bama Roll
• Credit goes to the Smurf Nation for taking out Louisville, but the Big East is still lame and Kentucky has sucked for so long, the Wildcats will have to keep winning to make me a believer. -- Newspaper Hack, Journalism is for Rockstars
• Rich Brooks just climbed the aggro-krag! They brought some SEC pride back in beating one of the best teams in the Big East. -- The Tide Druid
• Wins over Oregon State and at Miami (Ohio) got the [Cincinnati Bear]'Cats into the top 20, but it will take better victories against Big East foes to keep them there. -- Kyle King, Dawg Sports

Auburn's two losses in a row:

• Sabanoia is flowing like water in Auburn. As a result, Jester is trying to figure out how to blame Nick Saban's arrival for his team's complete collapse. -- St. Nick, The Football Diary of Nick Saban
• For five years Auburn had the run of the state. How long did it take to undo that half-decade of dominance? Three weeks. Six football games. -- Moggy, Alabama Game Day
• 11. Auburn. Seven turnovers in a three-quarter span, if you were keeping track at home. Five defensive starters out. And like that object in the rearview, New Mexico St. is closer to Auburn's quality than they appear. Things could, amazingly, still get worse before they get better. -- Jerry Hinnen, Joe Cribbs Car Wash
• Now that Auburn has faced extreme adversity we will see how they respond. My prediction is that they will roll over and die: aka “Dead Pussy walking”!!! -- Keltic Gator, Orange and Blue Hue
• 11) Auburn - This team is just broken. It can be fixed this season, but it's gonna take some time (read: losses) If the fans can stay off Tuberville's back, he can turn it around. The Iron bowl is all that matters at this point. -- Erik, Deep South Sports
• Finally, a note to the booing fans: You woke up early on a Saturday to watch Brandon Cox throw interceptions. You’re angry. It’s understandable. You boo him though? Why? Do you think the display of your disproval will motivate him to not throw into double coverage? -- Mark, The Auburner
  

Arkansas' Earnest Mitchell's helmet assault on an Alabama player:

• Finally, Ernest Mitchell is going to have to work hard to earn back the respect of fans and teammates after his ejection from Saturday night’s game. Picking up an Alabama offensive lineman’s helmet and hitting his unprotected head with it? What the heck was he thinking? -- TipsterHog, Razorbloggers
• Britt isn’t innocent here, he was involved in some extracurricular activity on the play, but come on, Ernest. Unless he’s sodomizing your mother on the field right in front of you, there’s no reason to throw a helmet. He literally could have killed him -- The Hog Blogger
  

Florida's blowout of Tennessee:

• Why was Florida still throwing deep in the 4th quarter up by 20 plus? Because you were still on the field. This is Sparta. -- Orson Swindle, EDSBS
• Sure, in “days of yore” there might have been noble, unwritten mercy rules, but in these “days of polls” you had better beat your rivals without the merest glimmer of compassion if you want to get the national media attention necessary to achieve. -- Mergz, Saurian Sagacity
• 2. Florida. Can't we just skip to the LSU-Florida game now? Please? (Also: 13 points allowed to Ainge and Cutcliffe. With nine new starters. Ye gods.) -- Jerry Hinnen, Joe Cribbs Car Wash
• No matter, Florida passed its first test in a big way, and anytime you beat Tennessee by margins not see since Herschel Walker was patrolling the SEC, it’s a good weekend. -- Year 2
  

Best of the SEC: Big Game Reax

I kind of laid down on previewing these games. I am on the road right now on a mini-vacation, and as a result, updating blogs hasn't exactly been on the top of my list of things to do. But today, I shall get that job done.

I want to look a the results of the big games I identified in my earlier post:

1. Arkansas at Alabama -- Two undefeated teams with a lot to prove, and Alabama proved they are, well, improved. Taking down Arkansas on the road is a signal to the rest of the SEC that 'Bama is back.
   
2. Tennessee at Florida -- Another rivalry, with the SEC East likely on the line. Florida dispatched Tennessee rudely with what looks like the most powerful offense in the SEC.
   
3. MSU at Auburn -- Why is this a big game? Because the Tigers are on their heels after last week's loss to USF, and we have seen (Michigan, anyone?) what a big upset can do to a team with a fragile psyche. Now, we know that Auburn is either truly weak or truly in shock, and I am leaning toward the former.
   
4. Louisville at Kentucky -- The honor of the SEC is on the line, and it is in the hands of ... er ... well, OK, the Wildcats. But they acquitted themselves well, dispatching the #9 team in the land in style. Bourbon distillers around the Commonwealth have noted a major spike in sales due to the celebration, which is still going on in the Bluegrass.
   

Here are some of the comments from the fans of the principles:

Alabama

• The Capstone Report: "The Arkansas game continued to show Alabama has weaknesses. But football is about overcoming weakness."
• Glen Dean, Glen's Rebel Sports Blog: "Man it's good to finally have a real coach at Alabama."
• Newspaper Hack, Journalism is for Rockstars: "Right now, I’m still coming to grips with what I believed at the time was an eight-hour long alcohol-induced hallucinogenic frenzy"
• The Tide Druid: "I have also come to a conclusion about McFadden: You don’t try to stop McFadden. You try to survive McFadden."

Arkansas

• Stephen at Razorback Expats: "All of which is not to say that I’m looking forward to watching a replay of the game anytime soon - just that the authorities now are allowing me to be around sharp objects and to put the laces back into my shoes."
• Tipster Hog, Razorbloggers: "Picking up an Alabama offensive lineman’s helmet and hitting his unprotected head with it? What the heck was he thinking?"

Tennessee

• Jon, Fulmer's Belly: "It has come to pass that we are behind the ball in terms of innovation and ability. With the types of athletes that we have, we shouldn’t be allowing 39 points let alone losing by 39 points."
• Jai Eugene, Loser with Socks: "How does a fine Christian young man handle adversity? He blames others."
• Joel, Rocky Top Talk: "Well, how was your weekend? Not good, huh? We look forward to football season in general, and the Florida game in particular, for nine months, only to find ourselves relegated to a place called Dishumiliarrassment after only the third game of the season. It's postivively debilitating."
• Doug Coffin, The Power T: "Like there is ANY question on what the outcome of this evaluation will be? Gotta fight through the pain to keep the blog rolling. Maybe we'll get some attention."
  

Florida

• Mlmintampa, Alligator Army: "I was in section 35, row 74 on the student side. At halftime, the nearest concession stand ran out of bottled water and Gatorade. HOW THE HELL DO YOU RUN OUT OF GATORADE? WE INVENTED GATORADE! It's like running out of milk at a dairy farm."
• GatorPilot, Orange and Blue Hue: "Sometimes it’s really fun grading out your team. Sometimes it’s painful. Needless to say, this is a fun one… if you’re a Gator fan."

MSU

• Gregg Ellis: "What a win. Where do you rank this among Croom's wins?"

Auburn

• Will Collier, From The Bleachers: "I'm quite happy to give State credit for the win. For all the abuse he's received (much of it deserved), Sylvester Croom has succeeded in at least one crucial respect: he's taught his team not to give up."
• Jerry Hennin, Joe Cribbs Car Wash: "I'm not usually one of the "All we have to do is defeat 'Bama, and it's a great year" types. But honestly? This year, at the JCCW, given all that's happened both over there and on the Plains and how both programs are (completely justifiably) being seen right now, every game between now and the Iron Bowl is practice for that game."

Louisville

• Mike, Card Chronicle: "What can you say? If you don't know how to line up for a quarterback sneak on the goalline, you probably don't deserve to win."

Kentucky

• Tre Pryor, More than Derby: " It’s kind of tough to believe. Kentucky actually won a big football game."
• Rob Gidel, Kentucky Sports Radio: "I'll nit-pick on some coaching decisions later in the week, but I was generally disappointed in the officiating. For whatever reason, Kentucky cannot get an officiating crew that understands the general concept of common sense."

That's it for now.

Best of the SEC: Big games for Saturday

Today, we'll be looking at SEC bloggers takes on the big games of this Saturday around the conference. I have identified these games as follows:

1. Arkansas at Alabama -- Two undefeated teams with a lot to prove -- Saban that he can make a quick turnaround, and Arkansas that they really, truly are the class of the West after LSU.
2. Tennessee at Florida -- Another rivalry, with the SEC East likely on the line. I'm still not sold on South Carolina, so the winner of this is a likely favorite to take the East.
3. MSU at Auburn -- Why is this a big game? Because the Tigers are on their heels after last week's loss to USF, and we have seen (Michigan, anyone?) what a big upset can do to a team with a fragile psyche. Is Auburn such a team?
4. Louisville at Kentucky -- The honor of the SEC is on the line, and it is in the hands of ... er ... well, OK, the Wildcats. This is a grudge match, folks, and the bad blood runneth thick and hot.

I'll take one and two today, three and four tomorrow.

Beginning with Alabama The Capstone Report looks at the weather forecast for the 'Bama/Hogs matchup, and doesn't like it. Hurricane football, anyone? Memphis Tider provides a link dump of Alabama/Arkansas stuff, and even throws in some Mississippi State controversy starring Jackie Sherrill. Todd at Roll 'Bama Roll keeps on rolling, and consorts with the enemy, AKA Hog Blogger.

Arkbear at the Hawg Blawg says that the Alabama game "means everything to the Razorbacks." Razorback Expats gives us five reasons to hate Alabama, and good Lord, what a picture he has there. The Hog Blogger revisits the Razorbacks' triumph over 'Bama last year. Finally, the Hog Source gives us links to all sorts of pundits picking the game. Looks like a toss-up to me.

Time to move on to the Volunteers. From Loser with Socks' Jai Eugene, we have a picture perfect rivalry post. Lots of jorts. Lots of Tebow. Timeless Gator hate. This is what a rivalry should be. Doug Coffin of The Power T responds to EDSBS's Orson Swindle (more fun with him later) and includes some contractually required loathing and invective. All in good fun, of course. Then we have the Vol side of the Saurian Sagacity blogswap, with Mergz of Saurian Sagacity providing the love -- of Gators. Finally, Voluminous provides some jokes at the expense of Florida. Some are old, but some are funny.

So now, to the Florida side of the debate. Mimintampa at Alligator Army says that the Volunteer fans are coming for Florida's women. GatorPilot of Orange and Blue Hue takes a look at UT/UF history, and points out a large disparity in Florida's favor. Mergz at Saurian Sagacity demonstrates why Vol hatred is required of every true Gator fan.

But the post of the day (maybe the year) comes from Orson Swindle of EDSBS and Holly from Ladies... Folks, this is what a rivalry should be, and I can only marvel at how damn funny this post is. Enjoy.