Around the SEC: Candid Thoughts About Week Three

Ryan Mallett looks every bit the elite quarterback he was touted to be, but it appears Georgia is out to kick-start every quarterback’s 2010 Heisman campaign.  First the Dawgs gave up 37 to South Carolina, then 41 to Arkansas.

Maybe Stephen Garcia and Ryan Mallett really are Heisman hopefuls.  Chances are, though, that Georgia’s defense is just bad.  The true test will be when Georgia plays Tennessee.  If Crompton completes more than seven passes—not including catches by the Bulldog defenders—then all is lost for the Georgia hopeful.    

I’m not saying Willie Martinez is going to get fired—he’ll just be encouraged by Georgia officials to get a new start at a different school.    

Randall Cobb, you can be on my flag football team.   

Lane Kiffin still hasn’t figured out that talking doesn’t win games.  And I have no clue what “powerful message” Tennessee is sending recruits when the Vols are on a two-game losing streak. 

Urban Meyer, meanwhile, was uncharacteristically happy after his team’s less-than-impressive 23-13 win.  Meyer wanted to watch tape before commenting on his team’s national championship win, yet a 10-point win over a one-dimensional Tennessee team needs to be “enjoyed"?  What in the world is going on?   

Alabama just picked up another first down. 

After spotting West Virginia 14 points, Auburn finally woke up and dropped 41 on the Mountaineers.  Is Guz Malzahn the Tim Tebow of offensive coordinating?  Methinks yes.   

Jordan Jefferson’s yards per completion average is becoming comical.  The man still hasn’t thrown for even 175 yards in a game.  How many more pedestrian efforts do we have to watch this kid play before we stop calling him a good quarterback?

If you’ve never watched true freshman cornerback Stephon Gilmore play, do us all a favor and punch yourself in the face.  This kid demands your television-viewing prowess.  Circle this Thursday on your calendar—when Gilmore faces off against Jevan Snead and his posse of receivers.  

And also be sure to watch South Carolina’s top receiver, Tori Gurley.  I used to think he was the most physical receiver in the country because he always gets tangled up with whoever is defending him, but I finally figured it out after looking at the kid’s shoes: the dude has Ronald McDonald feet. DVR the game, replay a slow motion sideline shot and marvel at his size 19s.   

For all the hype around Tennessee’s “amazing” recruiting class, we certainly aren’t seeing big-time results.  Bryce Brown looked great against Western Kentucky, but in games against UCLA and Florida, his production was average at best—45 yards on 19 carries, or under three yards per carry. 

Marsalis Teague and Nu’Keese Richardson, meanwhile, combined for zero catches against UCLA and Florida.  Return man David Oku is dangerous, but he’s only on the field a handful of times.   

And don’t tell me they need time.  Look around the league—and the nation, for that matter—over the last few years.  True freshmen are not only contributing, they are starring.