Bleacher Report - Articles by Justin Hokanson

Auburn Football: Chizik, Tigers End First Year with Hope for Future

Justin Hokanson — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:54:00 -0500

As Auburn left the field of Jordan-Hare Stadium Friday afternoon after a heartbreaking loss to rival and second-ranked Alabama, 26-21, there was a sense of pride that seemed to prevail among many Auburn fans.

Although Auburn didn't come away with a win that would have no doubt been one of the bigger upsets in series history, the fans, coaches, and players left with a feeling that the future was bright.

Holding a Heisman-leading candidate in Mark Ingram to 30 yards rushing can do that, as can scoring 21 points on a defense that averaged giving up 11 points a game.

Auburn was tied or leading for 58:30 against what some call the best college football team in the nation; there was a lot to be proud of if you are Auburn and Gene Chizik.

At the same time, you can't help but look back and realize what could have been for this 2009 season.

Auburn held a 14-7 lead at home to Kentucky going into the fourth quarter, only to give up 14 fourth quarter points to the Cats and lose 21-14.

That was a game that lacked emotion, intensity, execution, and anything else that is the opposite of the way Auburn played Friday against Alabama.

Auburn held a 14-0 lead on the road at Georgia just two weeks ago, and lost that game as well 31-24. Once again Auburn jumped out early, but lacked the ability to finish and play consistently enough defense to hold on to a lead.

Then came Friday, when Auburn held a 14-0 lead, and a 21-20 lead late in the fourth quarter and was just one stop away from a potential monumental victory over the second-ranked Tide.

One the other hand, who would have thought Auburn goes into Knoxville and Neyland Stadium and puts it on Tennessee and a Monte Kiffin defense the way they did—leading 23-7 at one point in the third quarter on their way to a 26-22 victory that at the time, put the Tigers in the top 20 in the nation?

So Auburn finishes 7-5, which is right in line with expectations most had going into Chizik's first year at Auburn. One can't help to think, though, that this team was a play or two away from something bigger.

Back to the tough loss on Friday, though.

As that Auburn team that laid their guts on the line left the field Friday, something unique happened in that stadium that I haven't witnessed in my 14 years of attending Auburn football games.

The cheer normally reserved only after an Auburn win, began to become a loud voice of support from the fans towards the team.

A sense of pride about the effort put forth by an out-manned and thin football team, and a thought to the future and what can be under this new coaching staff.

That cheer? "It's Great to Be an Auburn Tiger."

I'm sure Alabama fans had to be perplexed, as would any visiting team coming away with a huge road win.

This wasn't a moral victory for Auburn, the players said as much after the game. They weren't in the game to play it close, there were there to win. But the cheer was meant to say, "We applaud your effort, and the future is bright."

So while Auburn had it's up's and down's in 2009, the number one thing a new head coach wants to do in his first year is create optimism, build a foundation, and create excitement around the program that it will be back where the fans want it.

If hearing the voice of the fans after a heartbreaking loss was any indication of the attitude around the future of the Auburn football program right now, consider it mission accomplished.

College Football: Iron Bowl Comes Down To Four Important Factors

Justin Hokanson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:28:07 -0500

No matter the rivalry, the phrase, "throw out the record books," always seems to come up. People assume that because it's a rivalry of immense proportions, like the annual game between Alabama and Auburn, is that records and stats don't matter.

Well, they are wrong.

Yes, this game is a fierce battle, and the underdog always comes to play, but that doesn't mean they will win. They rarely do.

Of the 32 meetings between these two teams where they are separated by three games or more in the win column, like they are this year with 11-0 Alabama and 7-4 Auburn, the team with the better record has won 29 of those meetings.

Many times an underdog has covered a spread against the favorite, but very few times as an underdog, especially one that's a double digit underdog like Auburn is Friday, gone into a game and won it outright.

With all the emotion that goes into the game from the fans perspective, the players still have to execute the gameplan and the game has to be won on the field. Bottom line.

So what are the key factors in this game, or any game for that matter?

Here are four crucially important factors to victory for Auburn and Alabama come Friday, and judging from the last seven years, these stats are very telling of who will win the ball game.

In this rivalry, it all starts with the run game. The team with the most rushing yards almost always wins the game. In the last seven years, the team with the most rushing yards is 7-0, and the team with the most rushing attempts is 6-1.

Alabama comes in with a leading Heisman candidate in sophomore running back Mark Ingram, who leads the SEC in rushing and leads an Alabama team ranked 10th nationally in rushing. But don't count out Auburn.

Auburn has the third leading rusher in the SEC in senior Ben Tate, and sits at 11th nationally in rushing themselves. Just one place behind second ranked Alabama

Advantage: Alabama.

The Tide's defense will make it very tough for Auburn to run the ball, and Auburn's front seven are just too thin to slow down the Alabama run game the way they'd like to.

The next key aspect to winning Friday will be average yards per pass attempt. It might sound like an obscure statistic, but it certainly is not.

The team that's had the higher average in this category is also 7-0 in the last seven meetings.

Auburn actually comes into the game holding the better average. Senior Chris Todd has averaged over eight yards per pass attempt this year, while his counterpart junior Greg McElroy has averaged seven and a half yards per pass.

The reason this is important is because first, the better the average the more you are backing off the defense. Constantly throwing underneath for short yardage means nobody is getting open downfield and you certainly aren't threatening the defense with big play ability.

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn loves to attack the defense downfield, and he will do it on any down regardless of down and distance. The question may be how much faith does Malzahn have in his quarterback against a talented Alabama secondary.

For Alabama, McElroy and offensive coordinator Jim McElwain love to go play action and really take some shots down the field. With Auburn's recent struggles to keep receivers in front of them, I'd expect to see McElroy taking shots early and often against the Auburn secondary.

Advantage: Auburn.

The reason I think Auburn may win that battle is because unlike in the Tennessee game where Malzahn didn't really test the good Vol secondary deep, this game is different. There is nothing to lose for Auburn, I expect them to have trouble running the ball against Alabama, and I expect Alabama to feed Mark Ingram the ball a lot. So Auburn might be the more desperate team and the one more in need of the big play.

The last major point of emphasis in any game, but especially the Iron Bowl, is third down conversions. With the importance placed on running the football in this series, third downs are crucial to convert and keep drives alive and keep your defense off the field.

In the last seven meetings, the team with the better conversion rate is 6-1. Auburn comes into the game leading that category as well converting 41 percent of their third down's, while Alabama comes in converting 36 percent of its third downs. The numbers are even more in Auburn's favor when you take into account Auburn is playing at home, where the Tigers convert 46 percent on third down and Alabama drops down to 33 percent on conversions.

The key though, will likely be the Alabama defense. While Auburn's defense is letting their opponent convert 33 percent on third down, the Alabama defense is only giving up 28 percent on third down, and an even better 17 percent on the road.

Advantage: Alabama.

You know what to expect from Auburn's defense against the Alabama offense. The key is if Alabama's defense stays close to their norm, they should win this very important battle, and whoever can keep the other defense on the field more will win the game.

So while this game to the fans is about tradition, passion, hatred, bragging rights, and everything else that comes with what I think is the best rivalry in college football, ultimately this game comes down to the Xs and Os, regardless of where it's played.

I'm not telling Auburn fans to not think they can win Friday afternoon in Jordan-Hare Stadium, they certainly can.

Just don't make the mistake of thinking because emotions are running high that it erases what the previous eleven games of the season. As shown by previous encounters, most of the time, the better team wins.

College Football: 2009 SEC All-Defensive Team

Justin Hokanson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:56:43 -0500

Most regard the SEC as the best conference in America, and what has always made the SEC so tough a conference is the defense that is played in this league every week of the fall.

The league’s defenses are built on speed and depth more than anything and that’s no different in 2009.

Glenn Dorsey, Patrick Willis, Demeco Ryans, and Laron Landry are just a few of the names that have been All-American's from the SEC and are now playing in the NFL.

Who will be the next great SEC defender to join them in the ranks of the nation's elite?

Here's my SEC All-Defense team for 2009. With teams playing multiple defenses these days, there is an extra linebacker and I went with the four best defensive linemen, regardless of tackle or end.

Terrence Cody, Defensive Tackle

Alabama

Also known as "Mount Cody", it's no coincidence that Alabama's defense went to an elite level last year with the arrival of Cody, and it's stayed that way in 2009. Cody isn't going to rack up lots of tackles and sacks, but he's a guy that demands a double-team almost every snap. Listed at 365 pounds, he is one of the most dominant tackles in college football.

Jermaine Cunningham, Defensive End

Florida

Cunningham helps form the Gators dynamic duo of bookends better than anyone in the country. Likely a first round draft pick, Cunningham is second in the league in sacks with seven, and his 11.5 tackles for a loss is good for third in the league.

Carlos Dunlap, Defensive End

Florida

Dunlap makes up the other end of the great duo at Florida. He has freakish size and athletic ability, and may even end up being a top ten NFL draft pick because of his potential. Dunlap has six sacks and another eight tackles for loss on the season.

Antonio Coleman, Defensive End

Auburn

Coleman returned for his senior season to end his career on a good note and improve his draft stock; he's seemed to do both. Coleman was injured the first part of the season, but since getting healthy he's been one of the best players in the league, leading the SEC in sacks with 7.5 and tackles for loss with 13.5.

Rolando McClain, Linebacker

Alabama

If there is a smarter player in college football, you will be hard-pressed to find him. McClain is the leader of a swarming defense and many think McClain is like having another set of Nick Saban eyes on the field. McClain has racked up 76 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss this season.

Eric Norwood, Linebacker

South Carolina

Norwood was a somewhat underrated recruit out of high school, but he's not overlooked anymore. He’s versatile enough to play end or linebacker and will make some NFL team very happy in the 3-4 scheme. The senior has 66 tackles, seven sacks, and 10.5 tackles for loss.

Rennie Curran, Linebacker

Georgia

In a word: missile. Curran, a junior, is a bit undersized but can really run and when he hits you, you tend to go backwards. The speedy linebacker has 94 tackles on the season, including six tackles for loss.

Brandon Spikes, Linebacker

Florida

Spikes' "eye gouge" aside, he's still one of the best players on defense in the SEC. A unique combination of size and speed similar to McClain, Spikes leads a defense that can flat shut you down. Spikes has missed a few games but still has 45 tackles, three sacks, and five tackles for loss on the season.

Joe Haden, Cornerback

Florida

There may not be a better corner in the nation than Haden. He can run, cover, hit, really do it all and many project Haden to be a top ten draft pick. Haden has nine pass breakups, three interceptions, and an impressive 55 tackles from his corner position.

Patrick Peterson, Cornerback

LSU

Peterson is only a sophomore, but his talent is undeniable. After LSU's game at Alabama, I heard a college football analyst say Peterson may have been the best defender on the field. He has a great combination of size and speed that's helped him register 33 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and two interceptions on the season.

Eric Berry, Safety

Tennessee

Was there an easier choice than this? Probably not. Berry has been spectacular since he was an SEC freshman in this league and this year teams finally realized not to throw his way as Berry only has two interceptions on the season, but has still racked up 70 tackles. Berry will likely be a top five draft pick.

Mark Barron, Safety

Alabama

The only other sophomore on the team along with Peterson, Barron has really emerged as a playmaking safety on the Alabama defense. Barron is a big, physical safety with great athletic ability. His six interceptions are league leading, and has 60 tackles and nine pass breakups to along with them.

College Football: Auburn Tigers Always Have a Georgia Flavor

Justin Hokanson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:19:34 -0500

Not only is the Auburn vs. Georgia series the deep south's oldest rivalry running with over 100 meetings, but it also provides one of the real unique storylines for Auburn every year.

Georgia has always produced lots of college talent, and with Auburn almost being on the Georgia line, just across from Columbus, Georgia, it makes sense that Auburn has always had a very strong presence of Georgia players on their roster.

The 2009 version of the Auburn Tigers has 20 players from the state of Georgia, including starters such as receiver Darvin Adams, receiver/running back Mario Fannin, and starting cornerback Neiko Thorpe.

These players though are just more in a long line of Auburn greats that have called the state of Georgia home.

William Andrews, a native of Thomasville, Georgia, was an Auburn great in the late 1970's and went on to be a four time Pro Bowler in the NFL.

At that same time, a back by the name of James Brooks, a native of Warner Robins, Georgia, was racking up yards at Auburn becoming the Tigers' third all-time leading rusher with 3,500 plus career yards. Brooks was a first round draft pick and an All-American at Auburn.

Then came the early 1980's when a back by the name of "Little Train" Lionel James continued the Auburn running back pipeline. James was from Albany, Georgia, and went on to become a 2,000 plus yard career rusher at Auburn and earn a career in the NFL where he set an NFL record in 1985 for all purpose yards in a season.

Then the late 1980's brought Auburn two great linemen from the state of Georgia.

Stacy Searels was an All-American offensive linemen in 1987, originally from Rome, Georgia. Searels is currently Georgia's offensive line coach as well.

The other Auburn great at that time was Tracy Rocker, from Atlanta, Georgia. Rocker was a true Auburn legend winning both the Outland and Lombardi awards in 1988, and is currently Auburn's defensive line coach.

That should make for an interesting battle to watch for Saturday; former Auburn linemen on either side of the ball, now coaching against each other.

The last 15 years have produced even more Auburn greats.

All-American and 12 year NFL veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes was a star for the Tigers in the mid 1990's; Spikes is from Augusta, Georgia.

Then came a trio that helped lead Auburn to an undefeated season in 2004. All-American and two time Pro Bowl offensive linemen Marcus McNeill was an anchor for three years out of Ellenwood, Georgia.

The 2004 Thorpe Award winner and a first round draft pick at cornerback was Carlos Rogers, also from Augusta, and of course the second overall draft pick in the 2005 NFL draft, running back Ronnie Brown was from Rome, Georgia.

It's truly amazing to look at not only the sheer number of players Auburn gets from Georgia, but the amount of players from the bordering state that become stars at Auburn instead of the home state Georgia Bulldogs.

The connection doesn't just stop with players though. Maybe the most important connection Auburn has with the state of Georgia is that of Pat Dye. Dye came to Auburn in 1981 to become it's new head coach.

12 years later, Dye had won four SEC championships, won seven bowl games, and was a three time SEC coach of the year.

What's the connection you ask?

Dye was born in Blythe, Georgia and played football for the University of Georgia from 1958-1960.

All this, and not even talking about Georgia's connection with Auburn University. Georgia's legendary head coach Vince Dooley played quarterback at Auburn from 1951-1953, and current Georgia defensive line coach Rodney Garner played at Auburn and was an All-American in 1988.

That's why this rivalry is truly so special.

It's not just about the amount of times these teams have played, although that is what makes it the "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry."

For Auburn, it's always been about the number of players they have from their neighboring state of Georgia, and the emotion that comes with playing against your home state school in such a big rivalry game.

No doubt that won't be any different Saturday night for the 20 players on Auburn's team that call Georgia home, and it's certainly an emotion that all the former Auburn greats that came before them from that state can relate to.

Auburn, Chizik Enter "Amen Corner" with Confidence

Justin Hokanson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:04:15 -0500

Two weeks ago, Auburn was coming off an embarrassing loss in Baton Rouge to LSU. A game where Auburn's offense under Gus Malzahn looked as bad as it had all season and left the Auburn faithful wondering if this 2009 campaign would mirror the 2008 season where the team collapsed down the stretch.

Well, coming off a big win over a ranked Ole Miss team, and a homecoming blowout of Furman, the Tigers are once again confident as they enter what former Auburn coach Pat Dye used to call, "Amen Corner." The last two games of the season against their two biggest rivals, Georgia and Alabama.

Last year, Auburn came into this game with 5-5, and was really down to their last shot at making it to a bowl game in 2008 at home against Georgia. The Tigers came up short and went on to finish 5-7 with a blowout loss to Alabama to end the season.

Entering "Amen Corner" this year though, this Auburn team is in a much different situation. First year Auburn coach Gene Chizik righted the ship after three straight losses and has this team thinking New Year's Day bowl game, but a win over Georgia is most likely needed to accomplish that.

Georgia comes in sporting a disappointing 5-4 record, and head coach Mark Richt is certainly catching some heat this year. Make no mistake though, this Georgia team is still talented and very capable of putting a run together.

It's a very big game for first year coach Gene Chizik though, his first chance of getting a win over a hated rival, and a chance to send his Auburn team into a game with a likely undefeated Alabama riding sky high.

Auburn has lost three straight games in this series, after winning five of seven from 1999-2005.

This rivalry generally produces some classic football games, and Auburn has a chance to really exceed those critics expectations with a win in Athens Saturday night.

Traveling to Athens is never an easy task though with Auburn's last trip there in 2007 ending in a blowout during the Bulldogs first "blackout."

With Georgia only having black capes left to bring out to surprise anyone, this looks to be back to a classic game in the "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry," and a win that this Auburn team would desperately love to get.

Auburn Tigers: Will the Team Hold Things Together or Collapse Like Last Year?

Justin Hokanson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:36:04 -0400

As the clock ticked down in Baton Rouge on Auburn's third straight loss, this one a 31-10 drubbing at the hands of ninth ranked LSU, Auburn was left wondering just what has happened to this team?

A team that started off the season 5-0, with an offense rolling and a defense forcing turnovers, has quickly become a team that can't move the ball on offense, can't stop anyone on defense, and is reminding many Auburn fans of the season that was 2008.

Auburn's offense has officially become a real liability after their lowest output of the season in points and yards Saturday night against LSU.

Auburn's defense actually showed up to fight Saturday night and did a decent job at times, but gave up too many big plays and committed to many penalties.

LSU looked like the fresher team coming off a bye week and Auburn looked like a thin team playing it's third road game in four weeks. Sounds simple enough, but is it that simple?

How does a quarterback in Chris Todd, that threw for 12 touchdowns and two interceptions in the first five games, have zero touchdowns and two interceptions in the last three?

Obviously the talent getting into the SEC schedule is a different story, and you had to know the offensive production would slow down.

But it's done more than slow down, it's hit a brick wall in a big way.

Have defenses figured out Gus Malzahn?

Well Malzahn has run this offense for years, and it's been successful, but this is the SEC, where defense reigns. So you had to imagine Malzahn would be slowed down, but it's beginning to look like Malzahn is outmatched.

Obviously Auburn doesn't have the talent right now to match up with a team like LSU, Alabama, Florida, etc. They were basically put on probation by former coach Tommy Tuberville's recruiting the past two years, and are playing with 74 scholarship players, and even less healthy ones.

But that isn't an excuse for committing almost twenty penalties in two games.

That isn't an excuse for not putting your best playmakers on the field, regardless of senior or freshman.

Gene Chizik said Sunday that senior Chris Todd will remain the starting quarterback for another week. A controversial decision to say the least considering Todd's last two performances are two of the worst in the last 25 years for an Auburn quarterback.

Junior Neil Caudle has had plenty of chances to take over the starting quarterback job and has yet to emerge as the guy. Having said that, he did come in and lead a touchdown drive at the end of the LSU game, and he does bring mobility to the table, something Todd absolutely doesn't.

Chizik faces a very tough thing right now. He has to convince this team that this isn't 2008, and that they won't fold and there is a future. He has a fragile team right now, and how he and his staff handle it will control how competitive this team can be the rest of the season.

This staff has to do the best with the hand they've been dealt. Gene Chizik has said all season, even in the midst of the Tigers surprising start, that he still saw plenty of things that the Tigers needed to get better at.

Obviously he knew more about this team's weaknesses than we did, and wasn't just giving us coach speak.

An immobile quarterback with average arm strength, a lack of playmakers at wideout, a paper thin defense, and an overall lack of talent across the board is what Auburn has right now.

The first five games may have hid that temporarily, but the SEC schedule is where the cream rises to the top, and it's up to this new coaching staff to make the proper adjustments and get the most out of their players the last four games.

How this season plays out for Auburn is anyone's guess, the question will be if this staff can hold things together unlike last year.

An Auburn Perspective on the LSU-Auburn Game: Creature vs. Creature

Justin Hokanson — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:37:50 -0400

The Auburn-LSU rivalry is absolutely one of the most unique and dynamic rivalries in the country. So when Auburn travels to Baton Rouge Saturday night to play ninth-ranked LSU on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m., expect the unexpected is all I can tell you.

The two sets of Tigers are always battling for the SEC West, and there are never any shortages of dramatics when these two get together.

From the "Earthquake Game" in 1988 which LSU won 7-6, to the "Interception Game" in 1994 where Auburn came back with six fourth-quarter interceptions to win 30-26, this rivalry is where "crazy" happens every year.

LSU's win last season broke an eight-game winning streak by the home team in the series, and eight of the last 14 games have been decided by a touchdown or less, including the last five in a row.

This season, the Tigers from Auburn come in at 5-2, but on a two-game losing streak and in dire need of some confidence and a win.

Auburn had their sights set on a really good season with a 5-0 start, but with Ole Miss, Georgia, and Alabama left after LSU, the Tigers could really use an upset of LSU to get back on track in a big way.

Here's a breakdown of how the Auburn Tigers can win and lose this game Saturday night.

Auburn wins if...

First, Chris Todd is feeling mentally and physically ready to go. There's no doubt that he is having some issues with his arm strength, especially later in the ballgame.

Todd had a solid first five games, but the last two has shown real deficiencies in his arm on certain throws. Auburn needs a healthy Todd and a confident one to beat a good LSU defense.

Second, the Auburn defensive line has to play their best game of the season. Auburn is second to last in the SEC, giving up 181 rushing yards per game.

Fortunately, LSU has yet to make a commitment to the run, averaging only 123 yards per game on the ground with Charles Scott.

Look for LSU to make a commitment to the run Saturday night, including Russell Shepard in the wildcat, a formation that Kentucky had much success with in Auburn last Saturday.

Third, cut down on penalties and turnovers. Auburn committed 10 penalties against Kentucky, including eight in the fourth quarter and six on one drive alone.

Auburn has to play more disciplined, especially on offense. They don't have the playmakers to overcome being behind the chains against a very good defense.

LSU has intercepted a pass in eight straight games, which doesn't bode well for Chris Todd who is having trouble with his arm strength at times.

Auburn needs to stay ahead of the chains and not give the ball away, Auburn's thin defense can't handle any extra possessions.

Auburn loses if...

Just like Chris Todd is needed to win the game, Auburn will most certainly lose if Todd plays like he has the last two games. If he continues to throw into double coverage, LSU will not let him get away with that.

Todd has to play extremely smart and not give the talented LSU secondary a chance to make plays, much like he did against a good Tennessee secondary.

If Auburn's thin linebacking corps continues to have to take on offensive linemen downfield, look for Charles Scott to have a breakout game against the porous Auburn defense.

Scott will pound the Tigers early and often if Auburn doesn't show the ability to at least slow down the LSU run game.

Also, watch out for Russell Shepard. Like I mentioned before, Kentucky's Randall Cobb had over 100 yards rushing against Auburn from the wildcat, look for Shepard to play a big part in the run game Saturday night.

Third, if Auburn's Wes Byrum has a busy night, then it will be a long night for Auburn. Auburn had trouble against the best defense they've played so far this year in Tennessee, scoring touchdowns in the red zone.

If that continues against an equally talented LSU defense, the Auburn defense won't be able to hold up all night.

Auburn's X Factor Could Be...

Onterrio McCalebb.

McCalebb is a true freshman that has added another dimension to the Auburn offense when he's been healthy. McCalebb is not a big back, but he brings tremendous speed to the table, and that will be needed for Auburn to beat LSU.

In Auburn's five wins, McCalebb averaged 83 yards rushing and 90 total kickoff return yards per game. In Auburn's two losses, McCalebb had been battling an ankle sprain and only averaged 22 yards rushing and 10 total kickoff return yards per game.

Prediction Time

Going into Baton Rouge at night is never easy, we all know that. The last two trips Auburn has made to LSU they have been right there at the end, losing by three in 2005 with five missed field goals, and in 2007 with LSU scoring a game winning touchdown with one second left on the clock.

Auburn has won nine of their last 14 games against AP top ten teams, so they do have a history of playing well against top competition.

On the downside, Auburn hasn't won in Baton Rouge since 1999, when an unranked Auburn team came in as a big underdog and shocked the Bengal Tigers 41-7 in Tommy Tuberville's first season on the Plains.

Bottom line, LSU's defense is playing very well and will likely hold Auburn to under 24 points Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

If the Auburn can't be +2 in the turnover margin, I'm not sure they will be able to stop LSU enough to win the game.

In the end, I think LSU, at home, will win the game 27-17, and Auburn will be looking at a real must win type of game when they come back home to face Ole Miss next Saturday.

For the LSU perspective of this game check out Justin Goar's take here

Steve Spurrier, Sweet QB Matchups, and a Stingy Florida D Tell Week Seven Story

Justin Hokanson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:14:52 -0400

Week seven of the college football season brings us some really intriguing storylines. From some top-notch quarterback matchups in Dallas and South Bend, to a legendary coach who is still looking to get over the hump and get that signature win, this should be another exciting week of football.

Battle of the Top-Rated Quarterbacks

In South Bend Saturday, the top-rated quarterback in the 2007 class in Jimmy Clausen, faces off with the top rated quarterback in the 2009 class in Matt Barkley.

Both are California kids, Clausen being from the celebrity high school Oaks Christian, and Barkley being from Mater Dei HS. They are friends, but come Saturday, this will be all business as the Irish look to finally get over that hump of recent failures and beat the Trojans.

Both Clausen and Barkley were considered "special" quarterbacks coming out of high school, the kind that just doesn't come along every year. Which QB will be special Saturday night may depend on the team around him.

Barkley is just a freshman, but he has the better talent around him. Clausen is on fire this year and is in the thick of the Heisman race, and has the home-field advantage.

Should be a good one. Someone keep an eye on the length of the grass in South Bend this time around.

Rematch in Dallas

Last year was a classic game between Oklahoma and Texas, with the Longhorns coming from behind and beating the Sooners behind the arm of Colt McCoy.

Of course, the Sooners are the ones who made the BCS title game, so if Texas does lose sitting at No. 3 right now, they shouldn't get too down.

This game will feature the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Sam Bradford versus maybe the current favorite in the Heisman race, Colt McCoy. These two are great friends, whose relationship goes beyond the rivalry, much to the dismay of the two fanbases, I'm sure.

McCoy is still completing over 70 percent of his passes like last season, but can Bradford make this his breakout game of 2009 after his tough shoulder injury against BYU and get back into the Heisman race himself?

Despite Bradford coming off injury, I fully expect this game to be much like last year's.

Can Oklahoma rebound after the 3-2 start and get a leg up in the Big 12 title race? Or will Texas come away with a huge win and jump back over Alabama and get the number two spot back in the polls?

Can't get enough of a Bradford/McCoy battle in Dallas.

Will Spurrier Get Over That "Hump"?

Entering his fifth season as head ball coach in Columbia, Spurrier is still looking for that big time signature win to catapult him into a big time season.

In 2005, Spurrier's first season, he beat Florida at home. The Gators, though, were coached by Urban Meyer in his first season and were a year away from having a dominant team.

In 2006, South Carolina was sitting at 5-2, but then lost three straight games and fell back into mediocrity.

In 2007, the Gamecocks were riding as high as ever at 6-1 under Spurrier, but a total collapse at the end of the season saw the Gamecocks lose their last five ballgames.

Last season, Spurrier again had his team poised for a big season at 5-2 and entering a marquee game against LSU. Spurrier lost that game and went on to lose his last three games of the year.

Now comes 2009. The Gamecocks are 5-1 and sitting at 22nd in both polls. Problem is they are making a road trip to Tuscaloosa to face the second-ranked Crimson Tide.

Once again Spurrier has his team ready to make some noise but faces a "hump" game that could catapult his team into some uncharted waters, or send his team into the spiral that has plagued his career so far in the Palmetto State.

You can't like his chances that he will get that signature win this week, and with games at Tennessee, at Arkansas, and against Florida left to go, he can't let this turn into another late-season flop either way.

Can the Gator Defense Stop Mallett?

Arkansas sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett comes to Gainesville as the top-rated passer in the SEC, averaging 285 yards passing a game. Mallett has also thrown for 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions on the season.

The Gator defense though has been even more impressive so far.

After giving up 228 yards passing to Charleston Southern, I'm sure against backups in mop-up duty, the Gators haven't given up even 100 yards passing in their last four games against Troy, Tennessee, Kentucky, and LSU.

Florida's pass defense is currently ranked No. 1 in the country, while Mallett is a top ten national passer.

Something has to give.

There has been some debate over whose defense is better, Florida or Alabama. Well, the Tide held Mallett to 160 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception, while only allowing Mallett to complete 12-of-35 passes.

Let's see how the Gator defense fares in the Swamp on Saturday.

Can the Hokies Even Their Record in Atlanta in 2009?

Virginia Tech has already played in the city of Atlanta once this year, and the results weren't what they were looking for with a loss to Alabama in the Georgia Dome.

Now the Hokies head to Atlanta for the second time this year in facing ACC rival Georgia Tech, but they are looking for a different outcome this time around.

The good thing for the Hokies is they come in having won four of the last five games in this series, beating Georgia Tech the last two times they've played in Atlanta.

Of course, maybe it's just a Georgia Dome thing. Remember, the Hokies got upset by the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in 2006.

Auburn Brought Back To Earth, Still Can Exceed Expectations

Justin Hokanson — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:11:31 -0400

Auburn's 5-0 start under new head coach Gene Chizik was surprising to many across the country. Many thought Auburn had some pieces in place from last year to start the season off well, but not many thought Chizik would have this Auburn team on the same page like he's had so far.

Saturday though, that momentum hit a speed bump with a 44-23 loss on the road at Arkansas.

Auburn is a team that can't afford lots of mistakes and miscues on either side of the ball, they don't have the depth, or the personnel to afford those mistakes and still beat a good football team.

Chizik acknowledged as much after the loss Saturday, saying the Tigers are a team with a "small margin for error".

So while the first five games of the season have been all positive for Auburn fans and coaches, now you get to see what this team and new coaching staff is made of coming off a bad loss, and a performance from a team that looked unprepared.

But this loss needs to be kept in perspective.

If you asked any Auburn fan before the season whether they'd take a 5-1 start to the season, they'd take it in a heartbeat.

Saturday was the first time this season that Auburn looked not ready to play, and it resulted in a blowout in the first half, and the Tigers never recovered.

Now another layer of the onion will be peeled away as this new coaching staff and young team are forced to rebound for the first time this season.

Florida and Alabama showed Saturday why they are the best two teams in the league, they went on the road and dominated a very good opponent, and they did it with defense.

Early on that was Auburn's glaring weakness. In three of Auburn's first six games they gave up 400 yards of offense, or more.

Unlike in 2008, Auburn's offense will have to be on their "A" game every week, because the defense just isn't there right now.

At least Chizik and Auburn have a benchmark to work towards, and it will take a few recruiting classes to make that happen.

This won't be the last time this Auburn team loses a game like this either. That's what happens when you are rebuilding a program in a conference as brutal as the SEC.

In the meantime, it's just one loss, and this Auburn team is still 5-1. With home games against Kentucky and Furman still left on the schedule, seven wins is likely, and eight wins is very possible in 2009.

There's no doubt this Auburn team needs to regain it's focus after a mistake filled game Saturday, but like Chizik has told this team from game one, the season is a 12 round fight, and the Tigers just dropped their first round of the year.

Auburn got a wake up call Saturday in Fayetteville, now Chizik faces his next big test as Auburn coach. Responding to a bad loss that exposed a fragile team.

The next week could tell us a lot about not only the rest of the season, but how the future of the program could shake out under Chizik.

Auburn Starts Tough October Road With a Win In Knoxville

Justin Hokanson — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:20:25 -0400

The fact that Auburn was 4-0 entering their first road test in Knoxville wasn't all that surprising really. Most expected them to beat Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, and Ball State. The West Virginia game was the early season swing game that the Tigers needed to win, and they got it done with a big comeback and forcing six turnovers.

But their first road test started a second season of sorts. The Tigers first four games were in the comfort of the home stadium on the Plains, and featured three non conference games. It was a preseason of sorts, but their game in Knoxville started a four game stretch where three are on the road, and will no doubt be the stretch that defines this season.

Games at Arkansas, at home against Kentucky, and on the road at LSU are what await the Tigers in October after the win in Knoxville.

So you can see why Auburn's win in Knoxville was so important. It was first and foremost, a benchmark game for new head coach Gene Chizik and his team. They needed to find out what kind of team they are by going on the road and facing a top ten defense in the country.

The result was a good one for Chizik and the Tigers with a 26-22 road win Saturday night, and the score wasn't indicative of the way Auburn controlled that game for most of the night.

The outcome could have been much worse if the Tigers converted the opportunities they had, but a win is a win, especially in your first road game of the season in a stadium with 100,000 people.

If there were any doubts about Malzahn and his offense after playing four average or below average defenses, he answered them by rolling up 459 yards of total offense on the number eight defense in the country led by Monte Kiffin.

The defense still showed they have work to do though giving up 400 yards to an anemic offense and a troubled quarterback in Jonathan Crompton. The Auburn defense is thin, and that's just something they will have to deal with as the season goes on.

The bottom line for Auburn is that they are 5-0, which not many people gave them a chance of being, and are now a top 20 team nationally. Big steps for a program that was 5-7 last season and in complete disarray behind the scenes and ready to implode.

The next three games will continue to tell us what kind of team this Auburn group is and just how good this new coaching staff is led by Gene Chizik.

But make no mistake, the win over the Vols Saturday night was not only big for the record, but it gave Auburn fans and their players another jolt of confidence that they were waiting on and needed.

Winning games at home is one thing, winning road games in the SEC is a whole other deal. This team took that next step to proving the critics wrong at Neyland Stadium Saturday night.

How will Auburn finish this tough month is yet to be seen, but Auburn fans and players should be encouraged by what they saw on Rocky Top.

It's only five games, but at least Chizik now knows he has a resilient team that can handle adversity. Auburn is a good football team.

How good?

The other undefeated teams in the SEC right now are defending champ and number one Florida, number three Alabama, and number four LSU.

Pretty good company.

Tigers-Mountaineers: Rain, Turnovers, Scoring Create One Crazy Night in Auburn

Justin Hokanson — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:11:01 -0400

Saturday night was one of the craziest nights in Jordan-Hare Stadium that I can remember.

It all started with a rain of biblical proportions that started about 30 minutes before the game was scheduled to kickoff. I've never seen it rain harder or faster than that 45 minutes in Auburn, leaving the field almost covered in standing water.

That's where the student section came into play.

At 15,000 students strong, not a one left their seat as the monsoon came down across the field in Auburn. If anything, the rain seemed to fire the crowd up. Singing along to Bon Jovi and Creedence Clearwater Revival being played in the stadium and leading the cheers, it was a sight to behold.

It drew the attention of writers, recruits, and opposing fans alike. What looked to be a rain that would not only affect the game, but dampen the spirits of the crowd ended up doing nothing of the sort.

And we still had a game to play.

What was a fired up crowd, was quickly silenced by 14 quick points by the Mountaineers and flashbacks to last year's 34-17 defeat in Morgantown.

But this Auburn team isn't last year's Auburn team.

There is no sense of panic that has come over this team, a sense of belief instead, in what they are doing has occupied the space where doubt was last year. The Tigers answered back and by halftime, Auburn was only down a point and it was clear then, this was going to be a down to the wire game to remember.

Auburn finally tied the game 27-27 on a Mario Fannin 82-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. But that was just beginning the wild ride that was the fourth quarter.

West Virginia took a 30-27 lead, but that would be the last points scored by the Mountaineers that night.

Thanks to an Auburn defense that would force four consecutive interceptions in the fourth quarter, including an interception returned for a touchdown by Craig Stevens to seal the deal late in the fourth quarter, Auburn was on their way to a 41-30 victory Saturday night.

Ask any Auburn fan in the last three years if they gave up 30 points would they have a chance to win and they would tell you absolutely not. This Auburn team found a way, maybe it was Gus Malzahn, the six turnovers obviously helped, but this Auburn team didn't panic or throw in the towel like they did in Morgantown a year ago.

So after four inches of rain in an hour, a delayed start time, a 14-point deficit in the first quarter, and an extremely dangerous offensive team in West Virginia, the Auburn Tigers found a way to battle back and win and move to a very important 3-0.

Auburn has passed their first big test in 2009, playing a quality team and having to come from behind to win. The next big test will be their first road game in Knoxville in two weeks.

Judging from this past weekend though, it looks like this Auburn team led by Gene Chizik has the mental toughness needed to win in the SEC. Only time will tell if they have the players and depth to go with it for an entire season.

Malzahn, Auburn Quickly Erasing Bad Feelings of 2008

Justin Hokanson — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:42:42 -0400

A year ago, the Auburn football team was 2-0, just like it is after two games in 2009.

What makes the start to the 2009 season much different than the 2008 season is the incredible numbers new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and his offense are putting up.

Auburn has produced two 100-yard rushers in both games, the first time that's happened in the team's history.

The school, which has produced Bo Jackson, Joe Cribbs, Brent Fullwood, Carnell Williams, and Ronnie Brown, has never had a duo go for 100-yards a piece in two consecutive games.

That's certainly something for fans to hang their hats on, especially compared to last year's struggling performances against Louisiana-Monroe and Southern Mississippi in the first two games.

Last year, in eight SEC games, Auburn scored 93 points and scored only seven touchdowns. This year, through one game, Auburn put up 49 points against Mississippi State and scored six offensive touchdowns.

That speaks not only to the improvements in this year's team, but to the abysmal performance of last year's offense.

Last year, Auburn scored 208 total points all season. They've already scored 86 points this year, equaling 41 percent of last year's scoring total.

What Malzahn has done is give Auburn a chance. He has given the defense a chance to believe that they don't have to hold a team to 10 points to win a football game, and they've given the offense a confidence they couldn't have dreamed of last season.

The dissension on the team in 2008 was obvious. It was a big part of why Auburn had a losing season.

Well that's gone now.

The team has a different mentality in 2009 and the sense of unity is very evident.

There is still a lot to learn about this Auburn team; they will face much tougher competition than Louisiana Tech and Mississippi State as the season goes on, and it starts this week with a good West Virginia team.

Regardless of how the schedule plays out, new head coach Gene Chizik has already accomplished a big goal since he's taken over.

He took a team deeply divided and wounded from last year's disaster, brought them together, and now has them believing in each other.

Now they doesn't mean they will win more than five games like they did in 2008, but what it does say is that he's building a foundation, and that starts with getting the players behind you, especially as a new coach.

Don't expect this Tiger team to go 5-7, though, and so far Auburn has been far more impressive than what most thought.

One thing is for certain: If you are buying stock in Gus Malzahn, you better buy now, because it will only go higher with the way he's turned this Auburn offense around so quickly.

College Football: Auburn Quarterbacks a Story of Perseverance

Justin Hokanson — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:38:22 -0400

When Auburn kicks off Saturday against Louisiana Tech, they will have a pair of quarterbacks that have certainly been through their share of trials and tribulations.

When Chris Todd was named Auburn's starting quarterback last week, it started another chapter in Todd's long journey to become a starting quarterback in big time college football.

Todd signed with Texas Tech coming out of high school in Elizabethtown, KY. He was a prolific passer in high school throwing for over 10,000 yards and 120 touchdowns running the spread, and was taught the offense in high school by Tony Franklin, who would later become his offensive coordinator at Auburn.

Todd redshirted his first year in Lubbock, and then lost the battle for the starting job to Graham Harrell in 2006. Todd played five games in Lubbock and then transferred to Hutchinson Community College.

In 2008, Auburn hired Tony Franklin as their new offensive coordinator and with him, he brought his pupil from high school and a quarterback he was recruiting to Troy, Chris Todd.

Things were never quite right in Todd's first year on the Plains though.

We all know the story behind why the offense failed, but what most didn't know is the battle Todd was having with his previously injured shoulder. He was thought to be healthy coming to Auburn, but that turned out not to be the case. Todd was benched half way through the season, and after the 2008 season was over, required shoulder surgery and didn't even throw a pass until the summer workouts this year.

Not many quarterbacks have had to overcome like Todd has in the last three years. Going through what he did last year though, would be enough for any player to have to deal with.

Todd was the newcomer brought to Auburn by the new coordinator, and never did really get the player's support last season. He was looked upon as Franklin's "guy", and there seemed to be some resentment because of that. He struggled all season to gain respect and never really got it in 2008.

"Back then, we still had people that were 'I'm for Kodi Burns, I'm for Chris Todd, I'm for Kodi Burns.' That kind of split the team up," senior corner Walter McFadden said. "It got to the position with who was starting the game we were like 'I don't know, man. We can't win it with him."

Now that Tony Franklin has gone, and Todd has now won the job at Auburn for the second year in a row. there seems to be more acceptance of Todd as the starting quarterback and 2009 looks to be a redemption type year for senior Chris Todd.

"Now that we already have a quarterback, we already know who our quarterback is. The only thing we can do is say, 'Chris Todd is our quarterback,' and that's who we're going to be behind," McFadden said.

Todd isn't the only Auburn quarterback to go through tough times though. Enter junior Neil Caudle.

Caudle was named Auburn's backup quarterback on Friday, the highest Caudle has been on the depth chart entering a football season on the Plains in his career.

Caudle was an Elite 11 national quarterback coming out of high school in Birmingham, Alabama. In a quarterback class with Tim Tebow, Matt Stafford, and Jevan Snead, Caudle was thought to be the next great Auburn quarterback.

Injuries though have slowed Caudle's road to becoming a starter.

In high school, Caudle suffered serious knee injuries in both his junior and senior years in high school cutting short both seasons.

Caudle persevered though and fought back to battle for Auburn's backup starting quarterback job in 2007, his redshirt freshman season. Caudle was again injured though suffering a tough shoulder injury in a fall scrimmage that set him back and killed any chance of becoming the back up in 2007.

Last season, Caudle wasn't even really given a fair shot. Tony Franklin came into Auburn with his guy in Chris Todd, and dual threat Kodi Burns had the players and the coaches on his side for the starting job. Caudle got minimal reps and was never a factor for the starting job.

This year, Caudle had to fight off highly recruited true freshman Tyrik Rollison to win the No. 2 job, and head coach Gene Chizik admires Caudle's road to becoming a good quarterback.

"Neil to me is the ultimate tough guy,' Chizik said. "He has been through a lot of adversity. He's such a tough guy. He just keeps coming back. That's one of the cool things to watch a guy like that do in a career that's been injury-plagued. A lot of adversity to overcome.

"I'm really proud of the way he's come on. It means a lot for a great kid that's an Auburn man to be able to step in and we feel good about him if he has to go in the football game."

2009 looks to be a different story for both quarterbacks.

Todd seems to have regained the trust of his teammates and seems to be over his shoulder injury that severely limited his ability in 2008.

Caudle has battled knee injuries, shoulder injuries, and being pushed to the back of the line, to become Auburn's backup this season over highly touted freshman Tyrik Rollison.

These two quarterbacks may mirror the path of this 2009 Auburn football team. Trying to battle back to what it once was and overcoming the struggles of last season. Either way, both have shown and important trait of what it takes to be a great quarterback, perseverance.

Auburn Football News and Notes, Week Two

Justin Hokanson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:13:09 -0400

The second part of football practice at Auburn finished up Saturday with scrimmage number two at Jordan Hare Stadium. After a few days off, they began practice again tonight.

It was a busy four days from their first scrimmage to their second, as Auburn named their starting quarterback in senior Chris Todd, and got another scrimmage in featuring many young players and finally getting some extensive work with Todd and the first team offense.

TODD NAMED STARTER

It only took one week, but Auburn named their starting quarterback after the first scrimmage, and it's senior Chris Todd. Todd, who came to Auburn from junior college last year, won the job despite not throwing in the spring to rest his shoulder after offseason surgery.

Todd was the game one starter last year and had a 4-1 record before being replaced by sophomore Kodi Burns in the middle of the season.

If Todd's shoulder is healthy like most think it is, he could be a pleasant surprise for the offense with his experience and maturity he brings to the table.

BURNS TO WIDE RECEIVER

With the naming of Chris Todd to starting quarterback, Kodi Burns has now been getting reps at receiver so his athleticism may still be used.

Burns will continue to get reps at quarterback, but if he is to make an impact on this team it will most likely be at receiver or running the quarterback spot in the wildcat packages.

WHO'S SECOND TEAM QUARTERBACK?

While the logical player would be junior Neil Caudle, who most thought came out of spring as the leader of the quarterback race, it looks like true freshman Tyrik Rollison could very well be the second team quarterback by game one.

Rollison was Auburn's most highly recruited player in the 2009 class, and shows a lot of natural ability, with experience being the number one thing holding him back right now.

A plan to start the senior in Chris Todd, and then turn the reigns over to Rollison next year looks to be in place. Rollison may even make a push at the number one job later this season if he continues to pick up the offense.

MCCALEBB IS FAST

The quarterback race has garnered most of the attention so far, but one running back that continues to impress is freshman Onterrio McCalebb. Junior Mario Fannin said he looks up to McCalebb because of the heart McCalebb plays with and how hard he runs for a guy who's only 5'10" and 170 pounds. His toughness has earned him much respect so far.

McCalebb is a smaller back, but is likely the fastest player on Auburn's team and has even been known to catch a squirrel or two (I've been told that he in fact has caught a squirrel before, talk about quick).

Watch for McCalebb to play a big role in the Auburn offense and provide them with a home run threat they didn't have last year.

YOUNG RECEIVERS STEPPING UP

Receiver coach Trooper Taylor continues to like the way his freshman receivers are stepping up early on.

Deangelo Benton and Emory Blake got most of the attention as highly recruited players, but fellow freshman Travante Stallworth and Anthony Gulley have been solid so far as well.

With Auburn's lack of playmakers last year, the depth the freshman have added could turn out to be crucial during the season. Look for all four freshman to play this year and Benton and Blake could even earn starting roles by the middle of the season.

BOULWARE TOUGH ON SPECIAL TEAMS

New coach Jay Boulware didn't get quite the recognition that some other assistants got when they were hired, maybe that's because Boulware was the only coach to come over with Gene Chizik from Iowa State.

Boulware is in charge of special teams, and the punters and kickers are making no bones about how demanding Boulware is.

Punter Clinton Durst said Boulware is even more demanding than former special teams coach Eddie Gran, now at Tennessee. Gran is widely regarded as one of the better special teams coaches around.

BO JACKSON BACK AT AUBURN PRACTICE

Auburn legend Bo Jackson made his first appearance at an Auburn practice in quite some time last week. The former staff under Tommy Tuberville seemed to be reluctant to incorporate past players into the current program.

Gene Chizik has openly invited past players to be a part of the program and it seems to be having a good response, as shown by Jackson coming to visit.

Jackson talked to the running backs as well as the team urging them to appreciate their time now, because it doesn't last forever.

QUICK HITTERS

**Both senior Ben Tate and senior Walter McFadden say that the team is rallying around the starting quarterback better than they did a year ago when the locker was divided between Burns and Todd.

**Freshman John Sullen has caught on quick on the offensive line and could be a real player down the line, maybe even providing some much needed depth this year.

**Sophomore corner back Harry Adams is getting better and better according to his teammates. Adams, who rivals Onterrio McCalebb as the fastest player on the Auburn team, moved back to corner after a brief stint at receiver and seems to be making nice strides at the position.

**Freshman safety Daren Bates was one of the last signees from the 2009 class to qualify, and it turns out he could be one of the most important. Bates has impressed early making plays at safety, and with starter Mike McNeil out with an injury right now, Bates could push for a starting job for game one Chizik said Tuesday.

Auburn Tigers Football: News and Notes after One Week of Practice

Justin Hokanson — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:13:36 -0400

Well, Week One of preseason practice is down in the Gene Chizik era of Auburn football. Here's a quick recap of what went on and what transpired the past week after the Tigers held their first scrimmage last night.

NEWCOMERS MAKING EARLY IMPACT

With a thin team from a depth standpoint, there will be some freshmen playing this year for Auburn.

Early returns have receivers Deangelo Benton and Emory Blake as almost sure things to get considerable playing time. Tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen also has the athleticism to play right away and looks like he will play some type of role this year.

A junior college transfer, but just a sophomore, Nick Fairley has made an impact at defensive tackle, while true freshman defensive end Nosa Eguae has also impressed and looks to be part of the rotation on defense.

QUARTERBACKS BATTLE FOR REPS

A starter hasn't been named yet, but with mainly four quarterbacks vying for that starting spot, it's vital for offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to narrow it down so those couple of quarterbacks can get the reps needed to be ready to start.

The main four have been senior Chris Todd, junior Neil Caudle, junior Kodi Burns, and true freshman Tyrik Rollison.

Early reports from the Tuesday night scrimmage have Caudle, Todd, and Burns working with the first team, with Rollison working with the second team.

It was Todd and Burns rotating last year, but don't be surprised if Neil Caudle wins the job. He's been consistent and brings some mobility to the table as well. Should be a good battle to continue to watch for another week or so until they narrow it down.

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD SHUFFLE

Through one week, freshman T'Sharvan Bell and sophomore D'Antoine Hood have moved from corner to safety. The moves come after junior safety Mike McNeil was injured in the spring, and sophomore safety Christian Thompson was kicked off the team.

Newcomer junior Demond Washington looks to be the No. 3 corner right now after coming to Auburn from junior college.

Sophomore Drew Cole has looked good in the safety position taking the place of Mike McNeil until he's back healthy, which should be by the first couple of games.

One note that should please Auburn fans is that receiver coach Trooper Taylor said about sophomore corner Neiko Thorpe that he could be one of the best corners in the SEC and nation.

RECEIVERS LOOKING TO STEP UP

Coming into fall camp, receiver looked to be a position in desperate need of playmakers. After one week, there are a few guys that look to be trying to step into those roles.

Junior Terrell Zachery has been impressive according to receiver coach Trooper Taylor, as well as sophomore Darvin Adams. Both have been very consistent in their play.

Freshman Deangelo Benton and Emory Blake have also done very well for their first college camp. Both have shown maturity and saw natural ability that will get them on the field early and often.

Senior Montez Billings and sophomore Quindarius Carr have also shown flashes. Billings is coming off missing much of spring practice, but is Auburn's most experienced returning receiver. While Carr has shown some signs of being a good player, he must be more consistent.

Junior Tim Hawthorne, who expects to be a major contributor this fall, is still sidelined with an ankle injury.

OFFENSIVE LINE STILL LOOKING FOR DEPTH

The first string offensive line should be a strength for Auburn this year. The backups are another concern.

Offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said he doesn't feel that any of the backups are ready to start in the SEC.

Barring injuries though, the first team line should be a strength. Returning starters in juniors Lee Ziemba at tackle, Ryan Pugh at center, and Byron Isom and Mike Berry at the guard spots, leaves only the right tackle spot to fill. Senior Andrew McCain looks to be dedicated to filling that gap nicely.

The line has gained on average, around 15-20 pounds per player from last year. This should give them much more push in running downhill, as opposed to side-to-side like last year in Tony Franklin's offense.

One side note is Florida State transfer and freshman Aubrey Phillips hasn't practiced the last few days because of a medical issue. It's unclear what the issue is, but it may be serious. He was expected to provide some immediate depth and be a real player down the road.

DEFENSE FLYING AROUND

New defensive coordinator Ted Roof says he wants his players to fly to the football, rather than overthink things. Junior middle linebacker Josh Bynes has openly talked about how much the players love the style.

Keep an eye on JUCO transfer Eltoro Freeman. The sophomore is fast, physical, has great instincts, and was born to play linebacker.

WILD-TIGER?

With Gus Malzahn coming on board, you knew the Wildcat formation would come with him. It looks like early on there are four candidates to run the Wildcat. Junior running back Mario Fannin, freshman running back Dontae Aycock, and freshman receivers Travante Stallworth and Emory Blake will all get looks.

FRESHMAN THAT LOOK CERTAIN TO PLAY

Here's the freshmen that look for sure like they will play in 2009:

TE Philip Lutzenkirchen

WR Deangelo Benton, WR Emory Blake

DE Nosa Eguae

LB Jonathan Evans, LB Harris Gaston

Other possibilities are defensive end Dee Ford and running back Dontae Aycock.

Pressure Cooker: Houston Nutt, Other SEC Coaches Get Ready for 2009

Justin Hokanson — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:17:26 -0400

Heading into 2008, many considered the coaches in the SEC to comprise one of the best collective groups of coaches in recent memory, and maybe ever in the SEC.

There was Urban Meyer, Les Miles, Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban, and Phillip Fulmer, all who previously won national championships, plus Tommy Tuberville, who had a 13-0 season to his record, and Mark Richt and his two SEC championships to form an incredible group of coaches in one conference at one time.

Fast forward to now:

Tuberville and Fulmer are gone after losing seasons in 2008. Les Miles is coming off a rare five-loss season for LSU. Richt is coming off a three-loss season in which they had a top-10 running back and quarterback and were preseason No. 1 in the country. Plus, Spurrier is coming off a season in which they lost their last three games in blowout fashion.

So how have things changed in just one year in the best football conference in America?

All of a sudden there are a number of coaches in this conference that are really facing some pressure and are in need of a good season to really prove themselves. Not necessarily to the fans in all cases, but to themselves as well.

To help sustain a legacy, to begin to create a new one, and to get fans off their back are all reasons these coaches are facing pressure.

Who are the coaches in 2009 that need good seasons to relieve pressure and prove themselves in the face of critics?

The New Guys

From the first day he set foot on campus, Lane Kiffin has been a lightning rod of controversy. His comments accusing Florida of cheating, his remark about South Carolina recruits pumping gas for the rest of their lives, and his overall demeanor have really gotten under the skin of opposing teams.

The Vol nation seemed to feed off Kiffin's remarks, but privately I wonder if they wish Kiffin would tone it down a notch. At the end of the day, he's only putting undue pressure on himself and his program.

Kiffin will have to answer the question of whether his bark is worse than his bite soon enough, and who knew that we might actually be thinking Al Davis could have been right about Kiffin all along?

With a coaching staff that includes two former NFL coaches in Ed Orgeron and a Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator in Monte Kiffin, the pressure is on Kiffin to take the Vols back to Atlanta, and a six-win season after a lot of talk will leave some underwhelmed.

Gene Chizik comes into Auburn with a career head coaching record of 5-19. That is reason enough to have the pressure of proving the doubters wrong starting in 2009.

Although much can be made of the program Chizik was in at Iowa State and the rebuilding job that was needed there, 5-19 is what it is, and it leaves some doubt in many Auburn fans' minds as for what to expect at Auburn.

Many believe Auburn may be a program that is bigger than what Chizik is ready to take on right now. Chizik has done a nice job of staying under the radar and not drawing undue pressure on himself, but we all know wins and losses are what make your actions and demeanor acceptable or not.

While most would agree that Auburn will lack depth in Year One, there is enough talent in the starters to win seven games or more. With eight home games as well, that is attainable.

Like Kiffin, a first-year coach like Chizik doesn't have to turn it around in Year One, but unlike Kiffin, Chizik's hire was faced with much criticism from Day One. So Chizik needs a successful season in Year One to convince fans that he is indeed up to the job in all facets of being a SEC head coach.

Maintaining the Legacy

You don't have to be a first-year head coach, though, to face pressure and feel the need to prove or re-prove yourself in the SEC.

Take Les Miles, for example. This guy has SEC and BCS national championships, yet still is working to prove himself to the LSU fans every day. Coming off a five-loss season in which Miles was playing with freshman quarterbacks, there is some legit reason to giving him a pass for a bad season, but LSU is a program that is above that at this point.

The Tigers are a premier program in the country and a five-loss season just won't cut it.

The other problem Miles has is a man named Nick Saban. Not only has Saban cast a shadow on the LSU program with his success there, but it has forced Miles to create his own legacy while people say he was winning with Saban's players. Alabama's new success has just put more pressure on Miles to make LSU fans embrace him.

For a coach that is right behind Meyer and Saban in pay, Miles can't afford another three-plus loss season in 2009, or any other year really.

Mark Richt and Miles are in similar boats: each an established coach that has won two SEC championships and averaged around 10 wins a season at Georgia.

So why would Richt be facing some pressure to prove himself again in 2009?

This is a classic case of "What have you done for me lately?" The Bulldogs are coming off a season in which they were preseason No. 1 in the country, had the No. 1 overall draft pick at quarterback, and another top-15 pick at running back, and proceeded to lose three games and not make a BCS bowl game. To most that is a good season, but not to a program that expects championships.

While Georgia fans and people that follow the program won't say it publicly, there has to be some concern about why Richt hasn't played for a national title yet with the talent pool he has to recruit from in Georgia every year. Richt has been an extremely successful coach in the SEC, but Georgia views itself on the same plane as Florida, LSU, and Alabama right now, and 9-3 records just aren't good enough.

The third in this category is Steve Spurrier. Now South Carolina is a program that has historically struggled so much that a 8-4 or 7-5 season every year is a thrill, but that's not what Spurrier expects wherever he goes.

The Gamecocks have an uphill battle to climb with Florida and Georgia right now, but they have recruited very well the last few years, so the time is now if Spurrier is ever to get over the hump and make an SEC title game in Columbia.

Maybe more importantly, though, are two other factors.

One is the recent incident at SEC media days in which Spurrier admitted to leaving Tim Tebow off the All-SEC first team at quarterback. Now the omission itself isn't a big deal, but what followed set off a real firestorm of talk about how inept and timid Spurrier looked in his explanation.

The old Spurrier wouldn't have apologized for what he did. He would have made a smart comment like Jevan Snead beating Tebow head-to-head last year, and gone on about his business. After watching Spurrier stumble over his answer, along with the thought of how Bobby Bowden acts these days, many felt he was a coach that's out of touch and not sure of himself anymore.

The other factor is Urban Meyer. Like the Saban and Miles dynamic, every year of tremendous success that Meyer has at Florida minimizes just a bit what Spurrier did in Gainesville in the '90s.

Obviously Spurrier was tremendous at Florida, but there's no doubt that Meyer's success at Florida has taken some shine off of Spurrier's overwhelming success there. Of course Meyer's success is built off the foundation Spurrier laid in the 90's.

Spurrier needs to finish strong at South Carolina, even if it doesn't result in an East title, to cement his legacy that he established so well at Florida and make people view him as the legendary SEC coach he is, and not the legendary coach that he was.

Who's under the Most Pressure?

Houston Nutt.

Ole Miss fans might tell you they will take eight wins every year, but that isn't the case this year. Ole Miss has 14 returning starters, a future first-round quarterback, defensive end, and maybe receiver, and in a league with Tebow and Snead as the only top-notch quarterbacks, the Rebels have a big advantage over most other SEC teams that they don't normally have.

Nutt has traditionally been a seven or eight-win coach, but now is his time to show he can be an elite SEC coach and not only one that has success under the radar.

Tommy Tuberville took that step in 2004 when he finally had the pieces together and went 13-0 and showed he could be an elite coach in the country. Before that, he was a coach that thrived on being under the radar and always seemed to get an upset a few times each year.

That is Nutt's goal in 2009. Prove to everyone that he is more than a good motivator, more than a Cotton Bowl-at-best coach. He has the talent, he has a big-time quarterback leading the team, and now we'll see if Nutt takes the next step and takes the Rebels to their first SEC championship in school history.

Peach Clobber: Six SEC Title Games That Would Be Sweet to See in Atlanta

Justin Hokanson — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:01:15 -0400

The SEC championship game set a new standard in college football starting in 1992, one that is now being followed by the Big 12 and the ACC in creating championship games of their own.

Ask any SEC player or coach, and they will all tell you the same: Goal No. 1 every summer is get to Atlanta and win the SEC championship game. It always has been, always will be.

That's one of the great charms about not only the SEC, but the SEC title game itself. It carries an added weight and importance to it like a BCS bowl game does. The tradition-rich conference places great importance on winning that championship game and claiming your place as the best team in the best conference in America.

So after 17 years of an SEC title game, there have been six different winners—Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Georgia, and Auburn—and some absolute classics played in the Georgia Dome.

The great Florida-Alabama games of the '90s, with the Gators taking three of five—Alabama went on to a national title in 1992, while Florida went on to a national title in 1996.

The two meetings between Auburn and Tennessee—the Vols winning an SEC championship led by Peyton Manning in 1997, and the Auburn win over the Vols in 2004 that led to a 13-0 season.

Then LSU and Georgia have gotten together twice since 2003, with the Tigers thumping the Bulldogs in 2003 and winning a national title, and then Georgia returning the favor in 2005.

Amazingly enough though, in those 17 years, there are still some matchups that most SEC fans would love to see happen.

Some are classic rivalries that would be taken to a whole other level with an SEC title on the line, and some are games involving teams that have never made the title game and would represent SEC firsts and further enhance the perception of the depth of the conference.

Let's take a look at some SEC championship games that have to happen.

Florida vs. LSU

It's hard to believe these two programs, which have produced so much NFL talent in the last seven or eight years, haven't met in Atlanta yet. LSU has faced the other two teams in the East that have made it, while the Gators have faced each of the other three teams that have made it from the West.

LSU and Florida has really taken on a whole other dimension in their rivalry since the SEC changed their format and these two now play every year. With both programs rolling, they have produced some great regular season games; now we just need to see it in Atlanta.

Georgia vs. Auburn

Both Georgia and Auburn have made three appearances in the SEC title game, but they have yet to bring the "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry" to the Georgia Dome.

A rivalry that has been played well over 100 times in their history seems like a natural game to happen in Atlanta sooner or later.

Ironically enough, in 2002, a Hail Mary-type fourth down pass from David Greene and Georgia to beat Auburn was what sealed the Bulldogs' first title game appearance and what dashed Auburn's Western Division hopes. Otherwise that likely would have been the showdown in Atlanta a few weeks later.

Not to mention other than Athens and Auburn, the next place to find the greatest population of Georgia and Auburn fans is in Atlanta. What a sight that game would be.

Alabama vs. Tennessee

Now this would be a ferocious game. While Auburn and Georgia have a great rivalry, it's a rivalry that is built on some mutual respect and ties between the two programs.

Not the Crimson Tide and the Vols.

These two programs despise each other, and watching them both go at it with an SEC title on the line would be truly special. We are waiting on these two programs to bring what used to be a traditional game on the third Saturday in October to the first Saturday in December.

A week leading up to that game would likely feel like two, and there's no way that bulletin board material isn't produced for that one. My only hope is that Lane Kiffin and Nick Saban are the two coaches to make it happen.

Alabama vs. Georgia

Amazing that Alabama has played in six SEC title games, and all six have been against the Florida Gators. So needless to say, the Tide matching up against the other two East powers are games that have to happen.

This is a unique rivalry in that it isn't a traditional every year SEC rivalry like Alabama-Tennessee or Auburn-Georgia, but there have been some memorable games in this series for sure.

You don't have to look back far but to 2007, when the Bulldogs went to Tuscaloosa and won in overtime over the Tide, followed by a trip last season to Athens for Alabama and a dominating performance that left the Bulldog "Black Out" in disbelief.

These two programs are really at a high level right now, so it would be a perfect time for this game to take place.

South Carolina vs. Ole Miss

Okay, so you are probably wondering what this is all about. Well, the Gamecocks and the Rebels are the two best programs in the SEC that have yet to make it to Atlanta.

Ideally, South Carolina would make it to the title game with Steve Spurrier still as their head coach so he can achieve what he set out to do when he came to Columbia. Seeing Spurrier in the Georgia Dome one more time, a place where he's won five SEC titles in the past, would be a fitting end to a career, assuming it's on the backstretch at this point.

The Rebels' only real chance they've had recently was in 2003, when Eli Manning couldn't quite lead the Rebels past a national champion LSU team in the West. Most seem to think this could be the best opportunity Ole Miss has had in years to make it to Atlanta finally.

So while this looks like an odd game, a championship game featuring two teams making their first appearance would have some real charm to it.

Vanderbilt/Kentucky vs. Pick an SEC West team

It really doesn't matter who from the SEC West were to play in this game; the story would be Vanderbilt or Kentucky.

Not to sound pessimistic, but I honestly don't see any way either of these two programs makes it to Atlanta in the near future. None.

The hurdles both these schools have to jump to beat Florida, Georgia, or Tennessee are huge and maybe impossible, but don't think I wouldn't be rooting for them.

Whichever Commodore or Wildcat team finally breaks through and wins the East will have to go down as the greatest team in school history given the period of SEC football we currently play in.

A Case of Athlete's Foot: Who's Got Biggest Shoes to Fill in College Football?

Justin Hokanson — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:02:24 -0400

We know all about guys like Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, and Colt McCoy—the All-Americans returning to make another run at a national title, returning to positions that will have to wait another year to be vacated.

What often times decides championships, though, are the players that have to step up out of obscurity and take the place of a star.

Take the quarterback that now has the reins of a national program where all the pressure is on his shoulders—like Aaron Corp at USC or Joe Cox at Georgia.

How about replacing the workhorse that was the fuel to an offense a year ago like Knowshon Moreno at Georgia, or the most prolific wide receiver in school history like Michael Crabtree at Texas Tech?

What these players do when it's their time to shine is what can determine whether teams are one-year wonders or whether those programs go on to become sustained national programs.

So let's take a look at what I think are some big shoes to fill in 2009. Not only do they have to replace a great player, but whether they do so will have a big impact on the outcome of the college football season.

New Guy(s): QB Joe Cox, Georgia, Senior/RB Caleb King, Georgia, Sophomore

Replacing: Matt Stafford, first overall draft pick, 3,459 passing yards, 25 touchdowns/ Knowshon Moreno, 12th overall draft pick, 1,400 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns

Although Stafford didn't get his SEC title ring, he will go down as one of the best QBs in Georgia history. Fifth-year senior Joe Cox has paid his dues, and now it's time for him to be the quarterback Georgia fans want him to be in order to win an SEC title.

Cox actually hasn't lost a football game as a starting quarterback since middle school, including a win over Colorado two years ago. Cox doesn't have the flash that Stafford did, but Bulldog fans won't care if he gets them back to 10 wins again.

Like Stafford, Moreno will go down as a true Georgia legend, but without that SEC title ring. What will be tough for sophomore Caleb King to do is match the passion and fight that Moreno brought with him every Saturday.

King didn't exactly shine last season in Moreno's shadow, but let's see now that he's the No. 1 guy if he can step up his game and be the caliber back that's needed to win an SEC title.

New Guy: QB Aaron Corp, USC, Sophomore

Replacing: Mark Sanchez, fifth overall draft pick, 3,207 passing yards, 34 touchdowns

Really, Corp is replacing more than Sanchez. He's trying to continue the legacy of Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, John David Booty, and then Sanchez with four straight top Heisman candidates.

Corp has to hold off freshman Matt Barkley and transfer Mitch Mustain, and he would be maybe the most unlikely of the three candidates to replace Sanchez. Stud wideout Damian Williams, along with a loaded backfield, should help ease the transition.

New Guy: RB Chris Rainey, Florida, Sophomore

Replacing: Percy Harvin, 22nd overall draft pick, 1,300 total yards, 17 touchdowns

Harvin was to Florida what Reggie Bush was to USC. It's taken USC three backs to try to match what Bush could do; we'll see how Rainey does in replacing the electric Harvin. Although Rainey is a little smaller than Harvin, he has the sprinter speed and pass catching ability to do the same things that Harvin did in the SEC.

As anyone who watched the national title game against Oklahoma knows, Harvin was every bit the reason the Gators won that game as Tebow was. Florida will need that production from Rainey to repeat as national champs.

New Guy: QB Jarrett Brown, West Virginia, Junior

Replacing: Pat White, Round Two, 44th overall draft pick, 1,842 passing yards, 934 rushing yards, 17 total touchdowns

No big deal, Jarrett—you are only replacing the best football player in West Virginia football history. I know Mountaineer fans don't realistically expect Brown to be another Pat White, and that's a good thing because Brown is different than White: less running, more passing, but still the mobility to really make a team pay on the ground.

New Guy(s): QB Taylor Potts, Texas Tech, Junior/WR Detron Lewis, Junior

Replacing: Graham Harrell, 5,111 passing yards, 45 touchdowns/ Michael Crabtree, 10th overall draft pick, 1,165 receiving yards, 19 touchdowns

Even though Graham Harrell was maybe the best quarterback Texas Tech has ever seen, that program always churns out quarterbacks because of the system. It produces accurate, efficient quarterbacks every year, and there's no reason to think Taylor Potts won't be the next one. Potts is probably the most highly recruited quarterback the Red Raiders have landed and has big-time potential.

Replacing Michael Crabtree is an entirely different story. While the Mike Leach offensive system produces numbers, it can't reproduce a freak athlete like Crabtree was. Incredible hands, moves, everything that made Crabtree a two-time Biletnikoff Award winner Detron Lewis will have to try to replace. Lewis had almost 1,000 yards last season himself, but he had only three touchdowns, a long cry from Crabtree's 19.

New Guy: OT James Carpenter, Alabama, Junior

Replacing: Andre Smith, sixth overall draft pick

It's not easy to replace a three-year starter, let alone a 6'5", 350-pound three-year starter. JUCO transfer James Carpenter should be able to step in this year and do a more than adequate job in replacing Smith.

Carpenter will have to hold off freshman giant D.J. Fluker, 6'5" and 340 pounds, but he should be your game one starter. If you want to know how important that left tackle spot is, go watch the Sugar Bowl against Utah, a game played without Smith. Bad ending for the Tide.

Here's a fun fact: Anyone know who signed Carpenter out of high school in Georgia two years ago? Try then Iowa State head coach and now Auburn head coach Gene Chizik.

New Guy: QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri, Sophomore

Replacing: Chase Daniel, 4,335 passing yards, 39 touchdowns

While Mizzou fans will never forget Daniel taking the Missouri Tigers to the peak of a national title and putting Mizzou football back on the map, they have much to be excited about in Gabbert.

The No. 1 high school quarterback in the country coming out of high school in 2008, Gabbert has the size and ability to help the Tigers rebuild in a hurry. The problem is the Tigers are replacing the most prolific quarterback in school history with a guy who has only thrown 13 career passes.

2009 SEC Media Days: Malcolm Sheppard, Razorbacks Anxious To Get Started

Justin Hokanson — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:16:19 -0400

Entering Bobby Petrino's second season as Arkansas head coach, many expect the Hogs to be the surprise team in the entire SEC. With a year for the team to adjust to Petrino, the Hogs are anxious for the 2009 season to get started, none more than senior defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard.

Sheppard is the clear leader of a Razorback defense that was very suspect last season and will have to improve for a run at an eight-win or better season.

"We're, as a team, anxious about getting started, on improving what was done last year," Sheppard said Wednesday. "Our team chemistry is much better. There are things we worked on in the offseason that will work. Guys are faster, stronger. We're definitely a more physical team, guys are getting bigger and faster."

In the SEC, being bigger and faster is a necessity to improve on a defense that gave up more than 370 total yards per game in 2008.

The bar is extremely high in the SEC and Sheppard knows it.

"It's tough because you have to have your mindset right every week. Every week, you're in a battle," he said. "Our defense knows if they don't put pressure on the quarterbacks that they can pick us apart, so we're definitely working on that, and it starts with run stop so that we're prepared for the pass."

One of the toughest things to do for a team is adjust to a new head coach, especially a coach like Petrino who is a very demanding coach who expects everything to be done a certain way or it will be done over again.

Not to mention new offensive and defensive systems that you better not be learning on the fly in the SEC or you will have a season to forget.

"It was an adjustment. The whole system was different," Sheppard said. "From academics to practice. I think we're used to it by midseason, and it's been just getting used to it after that."

For the Razorbacks to get back to Atlanta, though, it will take more than improvement on defense. What most SEC teams are lacking right now is what Arkansas is hoping to showcase in 2009, and that's a primetime quarterback in Ryan Mallett.

Mallett was a transfer from Michigan who had to sit out last season, but is ready to go this year after dropping almost 30 pounds and walking around now at a solid 238 pounds.

"He definitely brings a lot to the team," Sheppard said about Mallett. "He's a great quarterback with a strong arm. He's a great leader in the weight room as well."

So with many media people and fans picking the Hogs to be the potential breakout team in 2009, how does Sheppard see his team's expectations and how close are they from winning the SEC?

"I've been here since 2006, and we've beaten all those teams (in the SEC West) so we're definitely capable this year. We try not to pay attention to preseason polls. You can't get caught up in that. We're just preparing to be the best team in the SEC West."

So count Sheppard among those who believe the Hogs do have what it takes to win the conference not just in the future, but right now. It won't be long until we all find out just how good the Hogs will be in Petrino's second season, but if Sheppard has anything to say about it, the SEC West race favorites will have company in Arkansas.

2009 SEC Media Days: Dan Mullen Bringing Excitement Back to Starkville

Justin Hokanson — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:05:49 -0400

It's said what you don't know won't hurt you. Well don't tell new Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen that he's coaching a program that was 4-8 last season and has been the SEC cellar dweller for most of the last five years, and even if you did, I'm not sure he would care.

Mullen took the podium Wednesday, brimming with that confidence and appeal that he learned as Florida's offensive coordinator. He helped the Gators win two of the last three BCS titles.

Right off the bat, Mullen was joking with the media about Twittering on stage and saying he would answer all questions through Twitter or Facebook. Like an old pro, Mullen already had most of the crowd eating it up.

While the Bulldogs will lack the talent to compete and beat the better teams in the SEC this year, what he seems to be doing is energizing a fan base that had surely grown stale and complacent with the Sylvester Croom era.

Well, that's changing now with a charismatic Mullen, and State fans are getting behind their new coach.

"The excitement for our program has been off the charts," Mullen said Wednesday.

"When I was hired, we went out [and] I wanted to give the state of Mississippi a team they could be proud of on and off the field. We promoted our program. They returned by having 31,000 people show up for our spring football game, which was a record in the state of Mississippi."

Mullen even spoke of how the fans impacted his students in the classroom as well as on the field after their record turnout to the spring game. Mullen was not the only one making an impact with his excitement and passion, but the fans in return were responding to it in a big way.

"To see that passion the fans have, the excitement they had, drove our team to work even harder over the summer. I think that had a lot to do with our team recording one of the highest GPA's in school history...that finish that our team had when they saw the passion the fans had, having a record crowd turn out to watch them, you know what, it gave them a lot of motivation going into the last couple of weeks of school and obviously rolling into summer."

Many Bulldog fans will tell you how excited they are every time they go hear Mullen speak. While Mullen travels around to booster groups to do fundraisers and fire up the home fans, he's apparently doing his job extremely well in the early going.

"We got to travel around and meet a lot of booster groups. [We] had huge crowds everywhere we went. Got to see the excitement in everyone's face, the passion they had for their university. I think we sold over 37,000 season tickets to this point. I'm hoping we get to 40,000 before the season starts."

Mississippi State only sold out one game last season—the second game of the year against Auburn. Ironically, the only sold-out crowd saw an unreal 3-2 ballgame that no doubt killed their chances for a sellout for the rest of the season.

The majority of their games last season only were attended by approximately 40,000 people. So, season ticket sales of 37,000 to 40,000 after a 4-8 season speak to Mullen's ability to ignite the fans for the future.

With the increased ticket sales, Mullen is trying to build a home field advantage in Starkville as well. In a conference where a road game is normally counted as a loss, the Bulldogs need something to help level the playing field until they build their talent pool back up.

"Any team that comes in, we want to make Starkville one of the hardest destinations in the league," he said "I'm hoping our fans will follow through with that and make it a tough place."

So, as Mullen prepares for his first season as a head coach in the SEC, he has at least successfully completed phase one of the new coach's handbook. He's created belief and excitement in the fan base that you can get the job done.

Now will that help when Tebow and the Gators come to town in October? We'll find out soon enough.

College Football: Greatest Offensive Player of the Decade

Justin Hokanson — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:20:36 -0400

Yesterday it was the greatest defensive player of the decade. Today it's time to crown the greatest offensive player of the decade.

Now this doesn't include offensive linemen, because that is a very hard thing to rank and decide which ones were truly the best.

So we'll stick with skill position players, but that will provide more than enough firepower to choose from in the last 10 years. This includes even players who only played one or two years in this decade, so guys like LaDainian Tomlinson is included.

The list that you are about to read is absolutely prolific in every way, and many of them would be among the best at their positions of all time, not just the current decade.

Let's get to it then, and you decide who was left off and who you would choose as the best offensive player in the last decade.

Matt Leinart, Quarterback, Southern Cal

10,693 yards passing, 99 touchdowns

Before he was wasting his career away by partying, Leinart was winning back-to-back national championships and leading one of college football's greatest teams in 2004. A two-time winner of the Archie Griffin award, and winner of the Heisman Trophy, Manning Award, Johnny Unitas Award, and the Maxwell Award.

Tim Tebow, Quarterback, Florida

6,159 yards passing, 67 touchdowns/2,037 yards rushing 43 touchdowns
*Career still in progress

The most popular college football player maybe of all time is a no brainer. Tebow has already won two national titles, one as a starter, a Heisman Trophy, the Manning Award, and the Davey O'Brien Award. Tebow has his team geared up for another national title run in 2009 and could add his second Heisman Trophy as well.

Vince Young, Quarterback, Texas

6,040 yards passing, 44 touchdowns/3,127 yards rushing, 37 touchdowns

While Tebow is a great dual threat talent, Young was more dangerous with the ball in his hands. Vince Young single-handedly beat USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl to win a national title racking up over 450 total yards himself. Winner of the Davey O'Brien Award, Archie Manning Award, and Heisman runner-up to Reggie Bush in 2005.

Adrian Peterson, Running back, Oklahoma

4,057 yards rushing, 41 touchdowns

Nicknamed "A.D.", meaning "All Day", Peterson was a man amongst boys running the football. He rushed for a ridiculous 1,900 plus yards as a true freshman in 2004 and was a Heisman runner-up to Matt Leinart. Peterson was a Doak Walker and Heisman Trophy finalist, and a Jim Brown Award winner as well.

Darren Sproles, Running back, Kansas State

4,979 yards rushing, 45 touchdowns

Sproles was one of the most exciting college backs of all time. Who can forget his great performance in the 2003 Big 12 championship game helping defeat No. 1 Oklahoma 35-7. Sproles had a crazy 6.1 yards per carry for his career and ranks sixth all time in NCAA all purpose yardage.

Carnell Williams, Running back, Auburn

3,831 yards rushing, 45 touchdowns

If not for a man named Bo Jackson, Carnell Williams might be the most famous Auburn player of all time. Nicknamed "Cadillac", Williams was a four-year starter whose numbers would have been even better if not for sharing carries with his counterpart Ronnie Brown.

Williams was a nine-time SEC player of the week and set a school record with an incredible 741 attempts.

Larry Johnson, Running back, Penn State

2,782 yards rushing, 25 touchdowns

Now known as "LJ", Larry Johnson burst on the scene in 2002 rushing for over 2,000 yards. While Johnson didn't win the Heisman in 2002, he was the winner of the Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Running back, TCU

5,263 yards rushing, 40 touchdowns

Tomlinson ranks right up there with Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, and others as the most gifted college backs to ever play. Tomlinson won the Doak Walker Award and the Jim Brown awards in 2000, and set a single game record with 406 yards against UTEP in 1999.

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh

2,677 yards receiving, 34 touchdowns

Absolutely the best hands I've ever seen on a receiver, period. Who knew a former Minnesota Vikings ball boy turns out to be a college great. Fitzgerald was a Fred Biletnikoff Award and Walter Camp Award winner.

Michael Crabtree, Wide receiver, Texas Tech

3,127 yards receiving, 41 touchdowns

Crabtree just finished an incredible career including the play of the year last season with a game-winning catch against Texas that is for all time. Crabtree was a two-time Fred Biletnikoff Award winner and a two time Paul Warfield Award winner.

Calvin Johnson, Wide receiver, Georgia Tech

2,927 yards receiving, 28 touchdowns

One of the most physically gifted receivers to ever play college football, Johnson was a freak of an athlete recording a sub 4.4 40-yard dash as well as a 45-inch vertical leap. He made All-American and All-ACC teams as well as winning the Biletnikoff Award as well.

Josh Reed, Wide receiver, LSU

3,001 yards receiving, 17 touchdowns

Who knew a backup running back would turn into one of the all time SEC great receivers. Reed set a SEC single game record with 293 yards against Alabama, averaged 145 yards per game in 2001, and won the Biletnikoff Award.

Charles Rogers, Wide receiver, Michigan State

2,551 yards receiving, 27 touchdowns

Rogers holds school records for touchdowns in a career, and also holds the record for most yards in a game with 270. He's a Biletnikoff Award winner and was the second overall draft pick in 2003.

Braylon Edwards, Wide receiver, Michigan

3,541 yards receiving, 39 touchdowns

In a program known for great wideouts, Edwards may be the best to wear the maize and blue. In 2004, Edwards set single season records for receptions and yards, and holds the career record for receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Edwards also won the Biletnikoff Award in 2004.

Kellen Winslow Jr., Tight end, Miami (FL)

1,330 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns

Regardless of the overall attitude and ego that Winslow has, he was one of the most gifted tight ends to play college football. Following in Jeremy Shockey's footsteps, Winslow won the Mackey Award given to the best tight end in the nation.

He also had a record game in the 2003 national championship loss to Ohio State, racking up 11 catches for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Heath Miller, Tight end, Virginia

1,703 yards, 20 touchdowns

Miller had some of the best hands for a tight end you will ever see making plenty of acrobatic catches in his career at Virginia. Nicknamed "Big Money", Miller won the Mackey Award in 2004, and was actually originally signed to play quarterback with the Cavaliers.

Reggie Bush, Running back, Southern Cal

6,541 all purpose yards, 42 touchdowns

Did you think I was going to forget Bush? One of the most electrifying players in college football history, Bush was a Heisman Trophy winner in 2005 and was the closest thing we've seen to Barry Sanders since Sanders won the Heisman. Bush also won the Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award, and was AP player of the year in 2005.

So who's it going to be? So many ridiculous playmakers that you can't really go wrong.

After some deep, insightful thought (not really), the best offensive player of the last decade in my eyes is you guessed it, Tim Tebow.

Now I'm not a Tebow fanatic, but you can't ignore a guy with two national title rings, as a crucial role player and as a starter, and a Heisman Trophy winner as a sophomore with a chance to win a second Heisman in 2009.

Tebow will have over 11,000 yards of total offense and over 125 career touchdowns for his career, and doing it both through the air and on the ground is even more impressive in my mind than just being a prolific passer.

We don't even have to get into the kind of leader he is either, although that would just strengthen his hold on the best offensive player of the last decade.

I'd say Reggie Bush was a close second, followed by LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Fitzgerald.

So I'm sure the Tebow haters will voice their opinions, so let's hear it. Who would you have chosen? Who did I leave off?

I look forward to seeing your responses.

College Football: Greatest Defensive Player of the Decade

Justin Hokanson — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:09:32 -0400

With the 2009 season almost upon us, this is a perfect time to take a look back at the best college football players of last decade on both sides of the ball.

Of course this is completely subjective. That's why if you don't like my list, please give your thoughts on who you think should be recognized as the best player over the last 10 years.

We'll start with defense, and I'll publish an offensive list tomorrow.

So let's get it going with the discussion of the best defensive players of the last decade and then I'll give you my choice at the end.

Julius Peppers, Defensive End, North Carolina

Peppers was an absolute stud in college, even pulling double duty as a Tar Heel basketball player.

David Pollack, Defensive End, Georgia

The words "motor never stops" will forever be linked to Pollack. 242 career tackles is incredible. Pollack won the Lombardi, Chuck Bednarik, and Lott awards in 2004, and the Ted Hendricks award as the nation's best defensive end in 2003 and 2004.

Terrell Suggs, Defensive End, Arizona State

An absolute terror in college, I would have loved to see Suggs play for a more high-profile program. NCAA-record 44 career sacks.

Chris Long, Defensive End, Virginia

Future NFL Pro Bowler, son of Raider great Howie Long, dominant college player. 2007 Ted Hendricks award winner.

Glenn Dorsey, Defensive Tackle, LSU

Thought of in the same breath as Warren Sapp, Dorsey was a preseason Heisman candidate heading into the 2007 season. 2007 winner of the Outland, Lott, Bronko Nagurski, and Lombardi awards.

Tommie Harris, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma

Maybe the Sooners' most dominant defensive player in the Stoops era. 2003 Lombardi award winner.

Shaun Cody, Defensive Tackle, Southern Cal

Immovable tackle for the first of many great Trojan defenses to come after him. Went from freshman All-American to first team All-American as a senior.

John Henderson, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee

Outland Trophy winner in 2000, one of the best tackles in SEC history.

A.J. Hawk, Linebacker, Ohio State

Like his name, he's an absolute ball hawk. 2005 winner of the Jack Lambert and Lombardi awards.

James Laurinaitis, Linebacker, Ohio State

Former NHL draft pick, part of two national champion runner-up teams. 2006 Bronko Nagurski award winner, 2007 winner of the Dick Butkus and Jack Lambert awards, and 2008 winner of the Lott and Jack Lambert awards.

Derrick Johnson, Linebacker, Texas

Incredible athlete, Johnson roamed the outside with the best of them. How does 458 career tackles sound? Winner of the Bronko Nagurski and Dick Butkus awards in 2004.

Teddy Lehman, Linebacker, Oklahoma

Over 100 tackles his last two seasons and a first round draft pick, Lehman was the 2003 winner of the Butkus and Bednarki awards.

Terence Newman, Corner back, Kansas State

Part of the resurgent teams in Kansas State history, Newman was an incredible athlete. The 2002 Jim Thorpe award winner went on to be a top five NFL draft pick.

Deangelo Hall, Corner back, Virginia Tech

Part of some physical defenses for the Hokies, Hall was a standout at corner and punt returner. 190 tackles for a corner is rare as well.

Mike Doss, Safety, Ohio State

The physical safety for the Buckeyes was a two-time Jim Thorpe award finalist and racked up over 300 career tackles.

Roy Williams, Safety, Oklahoma

Known for his dive over the Texas offensive line that resulted in a Chris Simms fumble for a touchdown, Williams was a big-time hitter. Williams won the Jim Thorpe award and the Bronko Nagurski award in 2001.

Sean Taylor, Safety, Miami (FL)

The late Sean Taylor was a freak in the best sense of the word roaming the field for the Hurricanes. Fourteen interceptions highlighted Taylor's career and he was the most intimidating safety since Ronnie Lott.

Ed Reed, Safety, Miami (FL)

How about having Reed and Taylor back-to-back? Reed was an instrumental part of the Hurricanes national title in 2001, and holds three different Miami records on defense.

Troy Polamalu, Safety, Southern Cal

One of the most exciting defensive players out there, when you see long-haired Polamalu after you, watch out. One of the few safeties that could truly roam the field sideline to sideline.

So who's my choice as defensive player of the decade?

My three finalists were Terrell Suggs, Derrick Johnson, and Ed Reed. Each of those three players were completely dominant at their positions and were truly spectacular.

Who takes home the honor?

My choice is Ed Reed. The Hurricane safety racked up three different Miami career records with 21 career interceptions, 389 interception return yards, and five interceptions returned for touchdowns. He also notched almost 300 career tackles as well.

Reed was the leader of a national championship team in 2001 and had maybe the play of the year in picking up a fumble and returning it for an 80-yard touchdown against Boston College. In a word, Reed was electrifying as a player. He was a guy that could truly do anything on the football field.

Did I mention that Reed also blocked four punts during his career and just to show off his athletic ability, he was also a Big East javelin champion?

So in a great class of defenders for the decade, my choice is Reed as the best overall defensive player in the last 10 years.

Coming tomorrow, the Greatest Offensive Player of the Decade is revealed.

The 2009 Dynamic Duos of College Football

Justin Hokanson — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:41:14 -0400

We all know the superstars in college football, the Heisman candidates, the All Americans. Those guys are great to watch no doubt, but what's more intriguing sometimes are trying to find the tandems of great players within the same team, and even the same side of the ball.

2009 boasts another great group of what I call "dynamic duo's". A tandem of great players on the same side of the ball that will cause the opponent a big headache in trying to deal with not one, but two dynamic players.

So let's take a look at the top 20 duo's in college football for 2009.

20. QB Tony Pike and WR Mardy Gilyard, CINCINNATI

Cincinnati had all kinds of quarterback health problems last season, but Pike still threw for almost 2,500 yards last season and 19 touchdowns while missing some time.

The man that got away from the state of Florida, Gilyard was on the receiving end for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns.

19. RB Jacquizz Rodgers and WR James Rodgers, OREGON STATE

Jacquizz had a big freshman season with over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns, and helped lead the Beavers to the upset win over USC. James had 607 yards receiving, 408 yards rushing, and 9 total touchdowns as well. No doubt the best brother combo in college football.

18. QB Adam Weber and WR Eric Decker, MINNESOTA

No doubt the best Gopher duo since Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber. Weber threw for 2,700 yards last season and 15 touchdowns, while Decker was his main target hauling in over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns.

17. RB Stefon Johnson and WR Damien Williams, USC

This might look odd, but with no proven QB yet, these two playmakers are certainly worthy. Johnson accounted for over 700 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns in a crowded backfield last season, while the transfer from Arkansas, Williams, racked up almost 900 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns as well.

16. QB Jonathan Nesbitt and RB Jonathan Dwyer, GEORGIA TECH

If Nesbitt was a better passer, this duo would be much higher. Nesbitt racked up almost 700 yards rushing, 800 yards passing, and 9 total touchdowns last season, while his counterpart Dwyer was a workhorse in the backfield with almost 1,400 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.

15. QB Tyrod Taylor and RB Darren Evans, VIRGINIA TECH

Tyrod has been talking to Michael Vick in the offseason about becoming a better quarterback, we'll see if it works this season. Taylor only threw for a little over 1,000 yards and 2 touchdowns in '08, but rushed for over 700 and 7 touchdowns. Evans had a great year rushing for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns.

14. QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB Legarrette Blount, OREGON

Masoli and Blount had breakout seasons last year, look for more of the same in '09. Masoli in not a full season as a starter, threw for over 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rushing for over 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Blount is a big, athletic back that ran for over 1,000 yards behind Jonathan Stewart last year, Blount also added 17 touchdowns himself.

13. DT Terrance Cody and LB Rolando McClain, ALABAMA

The second ranked defensive duo in the nation in my mind is the mammoth Cody and the athletic, intelligent McClain. Cody had 24 tackles and 5 tackles for loss last season, but Cody's game is all about clogging up the middle, and that he does. McClain had 3 sacks, 95 tackles, and 12 tackles for loss as well.

12. QB Daryll Clark and RB Evan Royster, PENN STATE

This duo led the Lions to the Rose Bowl last season and they are back for more. Clark had a stellar season throwing for over 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also rushing for another 10 touchdowns. Royster added over 1,200 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns of his own.

11. QB Jimmy Clausen and WR Golden Tate, NOTRE DAME

While the Irish have struggled, and finally got a bowl win last season, Clausen and Tate have a chance to breakout in '09. Clausen for all the criticism, still had over 3,000 yards passing and 25 touchdowns in '08, while Tate added over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. The ceiling for this duo is very high in 2009.

10. S Eric Berry and LB Rico McCoy, TENNESSEE

Berry and McCoy lead a Vol team that is looking for resurgence. McCoy racked up 87 tackles last season in the middle, but the star is at safety. Berry notched 72 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns last year, he will solidify himself as the best safety in college football in '09.

9. QB Max Hall and RB Harvey Unga, BYU

For the second straight year, this BYU duo makes my top ten. Hall threw for almost 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns last year. Unga, the big, bruising back, had over 1,100 yards rushing, over 300 yards receiving, and 15 total touchdowns to compliment Hall.

8. QB Kevin Riley and RB Jahvid Best, CALIFORNIA

With Riley sharing time as a starter last season, this may be a tad high, but he should have a great season and Jahvid Best is absolutely electric. Riley had over 1,300 yards passing and 14 touchdowns in '08, but Best is the star.

The fast back racked up almost 1,600 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns last year and is a darkhorse Heisman candidate in '09.

7. QB Juice Williams and WR Arrelious Benn, ILLINOIS

Williams is one of those guys that you say, "is he still there?". Well he is and he's coming off a season where he threw for over 3,000 yards, rushed for another 700 yards, and accounted for 27 total touchdowns. Benn had a big year in terms of yards with over 1,000, but only had 3 touchdowns, he's still a threat anytime he touches the ball.

6. QB Jevan Snead and WR Dexter McCluster, OLE MISS

If the Rebels are going to live up to high expectations this season, this duo has to lead the way. Snead threw for over 2,700 yards and 26 touchdowns last year and will be a second tier Heisman candidate going into '09.

McCluster might be an under the radar to people nationally, but he has skills comprable to Percy Harvin, showing that by rushing for 655 yards, receiving for another 625 yards, and scoring 7 total touchdowns last year.

5. QB Todd Reesing and Dezmon Briscoe, KANSAS

How about this duo being top five nationally, but only fourth in the Big 12? Reesing is coming off an almost 4,000 yard season while throwing for 32 touchdowns. His top target Briscoe had an awesome year with 1,400 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns.

4. QB Tim Tebow and RB Chris Rainey, FLORIDA

A year ago Tebow and Harvin were the top duo in the nation in my mind. Harvin's gone, enter Chris Rainey. Tebow's numbers were a bit down, but still threw for over 2,700 yards and 30 touchdowns, to go along with his almost 700 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.

While some might think this is high, Rainey is the next Gator playmaker accounting for 650 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns last year in Harvin's shadow. He is the most dangerous back in the nation with his speed.

3. QB Colt McCoy and WR Jordan Shipley, TEXAS

McCoy is coming off a Playstation like season that saw him complete over 70 percent of his passes, throw for over 3,800 yards, rush for another 560, and rack up 45 total touchdowns. Gone is Quan Cosby, and it's time for Shipley to be the number one guy. Last season Shipley had over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns as the second option.

2. QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant, OKLAHOMA STATE

While Texas and Oklahoma's playmakers get all the attention, don't forget the Cowboy duo of Robinson and Bryant. Dez is now the best receiver in America now that Crabtree is gone, and Robinson should have a big senior year.

Robinson is coming off a season where he threw for over 3,000 yards, rushed for over 500 yards, and accounted for 33 total touchdowns. Bryant had a giant year as well with almost 1,500 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns.

1. QB Sam Bradford and TE Jermaine Gresham, OKLAHOMA

How many times do you see a tight end as part of a top ranked duo? Well having the Heisman winner as the other half helps, and both of these guys could have easily gone in the first round last year.

Bradford is coming off a monster year, throwing for 4,700 yards and 50 touchdowns, there's no way he hits those numbers again. Gresham will be the top tight end in the nation coming off a season with almost 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.

College Football: Traditional Powers Try To Make It Back on Top

Justin Hokanson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:37:18 -0400

The great thing about college football is there are more than a handful of traditionally strong programs across the nation.

It provides the opportunity to have a few big time powers struggle, as they look to regain their supremacy, however, this leaves more than a few teams ready and able to pick up their slack.

Every big time program goes through their own peaks and valley's. Right now Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas, Florida, and Southern California, are a few premier programs that are at the top of their games, and then there are a few that are trying like heck to get back to that plateau.

The first team that comes to mind is the Michigan Wolverines. The Maze and Blue record the last four years is 30-20, which isn't terrible, but by Michigan's standards, it isn't all that great either.

Most of the focus is on last year's record of 3-9 for first year coach Rich Rodriguez. When you take into account the change in offensive systems and philosophy, added with players transferring out, these were all factors that resulted in the struggle that was 2008.

Michigan has now lost five of their last seven bowl games going back to 2002. Going back in recent history, Michigan had produced double digit wins in five of their last seven seasons from 1997-2003, they've only got one double digit winning season in their last four seasons.

Michigan's 20 losses in the last four years are the most for the Wolverines since 1965-1968, where they lost 18 games.

Michigan will turn it around though, and quick. Their recruiting class last year was solid, and they added some real speed at key positions, the kind of speed that the Big Ten just doesn't see on a regular basis.

One of Michigan's key rivals, Notre Dame, is another obvious pick. The Irish, maybe the most historically rich program in the nation, have produced a 29-21 record over the last four years, and an even worse 10-15 record the last two seasons.

One of the most disturbing trends is losses in nine of their last ten bowl games. Their bowl win last season actually broke a nine-year losing streak in bowl games, a streak that spanned from 1995-2007.

Notre Dame is a program that usually feasts on the lesser programs that they face every year, but in the last two years the Irish have lost to Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Air Force, and allowed Navy to break a 43 game winning steak over the Midshipmen in 2007.

It's not just Notre Dame itself though, Charlie Weis is fighting for his legacy as well. As of now, only three Notre Dame coaches historically have a worse winning percentage than Weis does. It's now or never for the Irish as Weis has put together some very good recruiting classes the last few years. You should begin to see some results in 2009, or Weis will be in serious trouble.

When was the last time Nebraska produced a player the caliber of Tommy Frazier? Lawrence Phillips? Ahman Green? The Cornhuskers are another team that is looking to regain the dominance they had in the 70's and the 90's. The Huskers are 31-20 over the last four years, never losing less than four games in that span.

Obviously you can't expect the run like they had in the 90's where they won three national championships and had a stretch of nine of eleven double-digit winning seasons from 1993-2003. However, the Cornhuskers are moving in the right direction with Bo Pelini, and a win last year over Clemson in their bowl game was a nice momentum builder for a program that hasn't finished the season ranked since 2005.

Well thanks to the NCAA, Florida State's recent record now looks much different in the official record books, but for the sake of argument, let's just take their on the field records anyway and not pay attention to the vacated wins.

Of the teams mentioned in this article, the Seminoles actually are the only one that doesn't have a losing record in the last four years, but they have also lost six games twice, and hold a 31-21 record since 2005. Their previous worst four-year span of losses was from 1973-1976 where they lost 35 games.

Then Bobby Bowden got that program rolling in the 80's and 90's like nobody else could. Florida State actually went to a BCS bowl, or what is now a BCS bowl, in 12 of 14 seasons from 1992-2005, an incredible streak.

Now, the Noles have a 3-4 record in their last seven bowl games, and haven't made a January bowl game since 2005, where they lost five games that season.

The question is can the Seminoles turn it around to ACC champion status before Bowden hangs it up. With the NCAA vacating the Noles wins, the all time coaching record is probably not within reach for Bowden.

The last of the five programs that are looking to get back on top are the Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols were an absolute NFL factory in the 90's, but have since fallen off resulting in the firing of Phillip Fulmer and the hiring of Lane Kiffin.

The Vols sport a 29-21 record the last four years, and have only made two bowl games in that same span, winning only one. Even worse, the Vols are only 3-5 in their last eight bowl games. Before 2005, the Vols went 15 years in a row making a bowl game.

Another recent historical trend is losing to Florida. Tennessee hasn't had a lot of success against Florida in the last 20 years, but they have lost four in a row and seven of ten to the Gators. That's extremely important because if the Vols want to turn it around to national prominence, beating their division rival is an absolute must.

Goal one for new coach Kiffin, is find and develop a quarterback. Kiffin has put together a very good staff and they are showing they will recruit well. Honestly though, any program in the same division that Florida is in right now has a big hill to climb.

Looking at those five programs, I'd say Florida State and Tennessee look like they can make the quickest climb back to a BCS bowl, with Notre Dame in third.

The Noles and the Vols have the richest recruiting areas to take advantage of, and are a quarterback away from being very competitive.

Notre Dame just needs their quarterback to live up to billing, and recruit some speed on defense. The next two years could be very promising for the Irish as some top-notch recruits should start rising to the top.

Nebraska and Michigan to me have the longest rise back to national prominence. The Cornhuskers are a good team this year, but being in a conference with Oklahoma and Texas makes being successful a huge hill to climb, and unfortunately, there is not enough talent in the Midwest to help them overcome those two teams.

Michigan has a unique opportunity though, as the Big Ten isn't known for speed, but Rodriguez's offense is predicated on speed, and the Wolverines dipped down into Florida last year to grab some real speedsters. In a year or two they could be an extremely dangerous team in that conference.

College Football Recruiting 101: The "Offer" Game, How It All Works

Justin Hokanson — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:03:02 -0400

Last July, I released an article a recruiting article, Stars Mean Everything and Nothing at All. This time around, we will take a look at what the "offer" means and how it should be viewed in current college football recruiting.

For many college football fans, the recruiting game is a brand new world. Obviously recruiting is the lifeblood of your program, but many fans didn't really follow it year-round. They just wait to see the product on the field and don't know any better.

The last few years though, recruiting has absolutely taken off, and the importance and the interest has grown immensely.

So as someone who has followed recruiting closely for awhile now, I thought I'd give you a quick rundown of a trend going on in college football recruiting, and it centers around the "offer".

Someone asked me the other day, "what the heck is the point of offering a kid a scholarship if he can't accept it or commit to it?"

What he's referring to are offers given to kids, that are clarified to be offers that aren't committable. Meaning if the player tried to commit to the offer, he'd probably be turned down or told to wait.

So the question stands, why make an offer to a kid if you won't accept his commitment?

Here's why.

Most "offers" to kids at this stage, are bogus offers. Sure many are the real deal, but there are that many more that are nothing more than a way for your school to stay in the game with a prospect without losing ground on him to other schools. When in reality, the offer isn't a committable one, though it could be down the road.

These "offers" mostly consist of certain verbiage such as, "we are offering you a scholarship depending on three main goals being met: keeping your grades up, continuing to get better on the field, and staying out of trouble off the field."

That way the school has "offered" the prospect, but they have given themselves wiggle room if the prospect wanted to commit right then, saying the offer is based on certain things that must be met first.

Nowadays, offers go out before evaluations are even made on many of these kids. If not, then you won't sign many of these prospects. So if you "offer" a player before making an evaluation, you can see why the so-called offers aren't exactly iron clad.

One example is when Chan Gailey came into the college game at Georgia Tech from the NFL. In the NFL, you better be very sure about a player before you draft him, or you will be fired. Well Gailey brought that same approach to college and tried to make sure about a kid before they offered a scholarship.

Problem with that is by the time a full evaluation is done on a player, if you haven't offered him, other schools have and you don't have a chance to sign him.

Basically the "offers" are a way to keep the school in the thick of the race for the kid, but if he tried to commit at that time, he would be turned down. That's the way the game is being played now.

Tennessee and Alabama for example have offered close to 150 kids a scholarship this year so far. Keep in mind you can only bring in 25 players a year, so offering 150 seems outrageous.

Not when you take into account that many of those offers are simply a way to stay in touch with a player that might be further down the board, but you might want him down the road if you have lost out on other top targets.

It gives you a backup plan basically.

Some might think this is disingenuous to the player if he thinks he has an offer, but really doesn't, and that may be. The kid could turn down other schools thinking he has an offer from a big time school, only to find out that it isn't exactly a committable offer at the time. But that's the way the game is being played right now, and it's up to the player to find out just how sincere this offer is.

If school A reads about a stud player that has 10 offers, that school will most likely send an offer in the mail as well, whether they think they want him or not. The point is to not fall behind in case you do need or want that player.

So you get your foot in the door with an "offer", and then evaluate him. If he's a player you want, then you become the first school to offer him, and he remembers that and it's your advantage.

If he's a player you do not want, then you just forget to call him come spring.

Offers breed offers.

I can't tell you how many times you will see a kid that is relatively under the radar get an offer from a big time BCS school, and within a month he will have interest from many more programs. If one premier school is "offering" the kid, then maybe we should get in on him too.

The bottom line is you have to offer kids earlier now, if you don't, you probably won't land the prospect because everyone else already has "offered" him.

Recruiting is an ever evolving game, and this is just one of many little "secrets" that recruiting entails, but you must grasp this concept to have a better understanding of how the game is being played these days.

2009 SEC Football Outlook

Justin Hokanson — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:13:32 -0400

Florida enters 2009 as the heavy favorite to repeat as SEC champs, and most think Alabama will be their to play them again in Atlanta.

There is some real intrigue with teams like Ole Miss, LSU, and Georgia. Can those teams step up and knock off the favorite in their divisions?

Then you have teams like Tennessee, South Carolina, Auburn, and Arkansas, who have the potential to be very good teams, but there are big question marks that need answering.

Here's a 2009 schedule breakdown, wins, losses, and toss up games for the conference. Now nothing is a sure thing in the SEC, but these are games each team should win, combined with games that could go either way.

FLORIDA: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: Charleston Southern, Troy, Tennessee, at Kentucky, Arkansas, at Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Florida International

Losses: None

Toss Up: at LSU, vs. Georgia, at South Carolina, Florida State

The Gators should beat the Gamecocks and the Seminoles, but I think those games are just hard enough to not give them a win given the South Carolina game is on the road and the Noles are a rivalry game.

The games against LSU and Georgia are truly toss up games. There's no throwing your national championship ring in the stadium and getting a win there. Those two should be battles.

GEORGIA: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: South Carolina, at Arkansas, Arizona State, at Tennessee, at Vanderbilt, Tennessee Tech, Auburn, Kentucky

Losses: None

Toss Up: at Oklahoma State, LSU, vs. Florida, at Georgia Tech

The Dawgs first six games are very tough, with it all beginning with a trip to Stillwater. Games against LSU at home and Florida in Jacksonville follow, then the trip to Georgia Tech at the end of the season. The Jackets upset the Dawgs in Athens last season.

It should be very interesting to see how Georgia comes out of the first six games. They really need a 4-2 start with Florida and Georgia Tech looming later in the season.

ALABAMA: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: Florida International, North Texas, Arkansas, at Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, at Mississippi State, Chattanooga

Losses: None

Toss Up: vs. Virginia Tech, at Ole Miss, LSU, at Auburn

The Crimson Tide have a very favorable schedule to break in a new QB in 2009. The Hokies in game one should provide a stiffer test than Clemson did a year ago, and then the first huge SEC west showdown with Ole Miss in the middle of the season.

The Tide host LSU in early November which could be for the division title, then a trip to Auburn to end the year. Alabama will be a better team than Auburn, but the Tide hasn't won in Auburn since 2001, and rivalry games are always up for grabs.

LSU: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: at Washington, Vanderbilt, UL Lafayette, at Mississippi State, Auburn, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas

Losses: None

Toss Up: at Georgia, Florida, at Alabama, at Ole Miss

LSU is for the first time in years, flying under the radar in the western division. If they find a solid QB in Jordan Jefferson, watch out.

Those four toss up games could all be losses, I think a 2-2 split for the Tigers would be great considering the rest of their schedule. Three very tough road games should be a huge test this season.

OLE MISS: '09 Outlook, 8-0-4

Wins: at Memphis, SE Louisiana, at Vanderbilt, UAB, Arkansas, Northern Arizona, Tennessee, at Mississippi State

Losses: None

Toss Up: at South Carolina, Alabama, at Auburn, LSU

Maybe the biggest question in the SEC in 2009 is can the Rebels handle the hype? Much is expected from Jevan Snead this year, and they have the schedule and the talent to deliver.

Assuming they don't slip up in the should be wins, they face four big toss up games. An early season game at South Carolina could set the tone for the whole season, then the huge division rival game with Alabama, a tricky road trip to Auburn that could be trouble, and then a potential division deciding title game with LSU.

TENNESSEE: '09 Outlook, 6-4-2

Wins: Western Kentucky, UCLA, Ohio, Memphis, Vanderbilt, at Kentucky

Losses: at Florida, Georgia, at Alabama, at Ole Miss

Toss Up: Auburn, South Carolina

It's simple for the Vols, find a quarterback. They have enough talent in other places to win eight games, but they need a quarterback to run the offense and not mistakes. That looks like it will be Jonathan Crompton.

Some tough road games await the Vols, and it will take some big upsets for them not to lose four games this year. Now if they beat Auburn and Carolina at home, the Vols are looking at a very good bowl game, maybe even New Year's Day.

AUBURN: '09 Outlook, 5-2-5

Wins:Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Ball State, Kentucky, Furman

Losses: at LSU, at Georgia

Toss Up: West Virginia, at Tennessee, at Arkansas, Ole Miss, Alabama

The Tigers have the defense to win a division title in this league, what they don't have is a quarterback to do that. Auburn, much like Tennessee has to find that before they can do anything else.

A very tough schedule awaits Auburn in 2009 as well. Games at LSU and Georgia will be huge upsets if they win, which leaves a big group of toss up games. If you are an Auburn fan, a 3-2 record in those games would be a big success, but a 1-4 record in those games isn't out of the question at all.

ARKANSAS: '09 Outlook, 5-5-2

Wins: Missouri State, Texas A&M, Eastern Michigan, Troy, Mississippi State

Losses: Georgia, at Alabama, at Florida, at Ole Miss, at LSU

Toss Up: Auburn, South Carolina

The Hogs are a sexy pick as the sleeper team in the entire league this year. An improved offense thanks to new quarterback Ryan Mallett is the main reason, as well as lots of returning starters on defense.

The Hogs have maybe the toughest road schedule in the league however, with road games to Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, and LSU, four of the best five teams in the league. The Auburn and South Carolina games at home could very well decide whether this team goes bowling or not.

SOUTH CAROLINA: '09 Outlook, 4-3-5

Wins: Florida Atlantic, South Carolina State, Kentucky, Vanderbilt

Losses: at Georgia, at Alabama, Florida

Toss Up: at NC State, Ole Miss, at Tennessee, at Arkansas, Clemson

Once again, will Stephen Garcia step up and take the reigns at quarterback and take the Gamecocks to the next level?

Much like Auburn, the toss up games are a plenty, and can create a big swing in the season outcome. That opening game at NC State won't be easy at all, that could be a tone setter game for the season. The game in Knoxville starts a four game stretch with games against Arkansas, Florida, and Clemson to end the year.

KENTUCKY: '09 Outlook, 4-5-3

Wins: Miami (OH), Louisville, UL Monroe, Eastern Kentucky

Losses: Florida, Alabama, at South Carolina, at Auburn, at Georgia

Toss Up: Mississippi State, at Vanderbilt, Tennessee

The Wildcats are looking to continue to build on their recent success, including a couple of bowl wins in a row. Their schedule doesn't do them any favors though.

Last year they only won two conference games, and now they trade Arkansas at home for a game at Auburn. Games against Mississippi State and at Vanderbilt are must wins if the Wildcats want to go bowling again.

VANDERBILT: '09 Outlook, 3-6-3

Wins: Western Carolina, at Rice, at Army

Losses: at LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, at South Carolina, Georgia Tech, at Florida

Toss Up: Mississippi State, Kentucky, at Tennessee

The Commodores won their first bowl game in over 25 years last season, but a little tougher schedule awaits the Dores in 2009.

Last year upsets of Auburn and South Carolina put the over the hump for a bowl game. This year Auburn is gone, and a game at LSU is on, as well as that close win over Carolina is now a road game.

The Dores have to beat Mississippi State and Kentucky, and then pull an upset to make another bowl game this season.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: '09 Outlook, 2-7-3

Wins: Jackson State, at Middle Tennessee State

Losses: at Auburn, LSU, Georgia Tech, Florida, Alabama, at Arkansas, Ole Miss

Toss Up: at Vanderbilt, Houston, at Kentucky

This looks like one of the only teams in the SEC this year that there just doesn't seem to be a way to get to a bowl game. State has too many holes to fill, and a complete change in offensive philosophy will take time.

The Bulldogs have a very slim chance, if some fast freshman come in and contribute early, and they win all three toss up games, an upset would be all they would need for six wins, but count this as a rebuilding year in Starkville.

John Calipari Gets Memphis in Trouble; Calipari, Kentucky Should Be Ashamed

Justin Hokanson — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:06:14 -0400

In a report that broke Wednesday night, the Memphis basketball program is facing allegations from the NCAA of allegedly helping a player cheat on his SAT and making payments to an associate of a Memphis player of over $2,000 for travel to road games, all during the 2007-2008 basketball season.

The results of the potential sanctions could include vacating Memphis' wins from that entire season, including their NCAA-record 38 wins and their Final Four appearance.

There's no doubt that Memphis basketball is at a serious crossroads now, and new coach Josh Pastner has his hands full, to say the least.

This isn't about Memphis ultimately, though. This is about John Calipari and the University of Kentucky.

Calipari has always had a reputation as a coach who bends the rules, and in this case maybe breaks them, when it comes to recruiting. When Calipari was at UMass, they had to vacate their wins from their Final Four run with Marcus Camby in 1995-96 because Camby took $28,000 from an agent while in college.

By the way, Calipari is now looking to vacate BOTH of his runs to the Final Four because of NCAA sanctions. That would bring his total back down to a potential zero Final Fours—for those keeping count at home.

Even Calipari's connection with "Worldwide Wes," William Wesley, is well known. The man without a job title but all the connections in the world most likely helped Memphis land Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans.

Back to Calipari and Memphis—just how poorly did Calipari treat Memphis?

Consider that Memphis received the notice of allegations from the NCAA on Jan. 16 of this year. Haven't checked the calendar, but I'm pretty sure that's before Calipari bolted for Kentucky in what he described as the toughest decision of his life.

How hard of a decision do you think that was now?

Calipari knew about the notice of allegations months before he ever had contact with Kentucky. So when Kentucky came calling, you have to wonder just how tough the decision was to leave Memphis for Calipari.

Calipari leaves Memphis for one of the most prestigious jobs in college basketball and leaves behind potential NCAA sanctions that could cripple his chances of ever landing another high-caliber job in the future.

But why stop there if you're Calipari?

After Calipari bolts Memphis for Kentucky, leaving a program behind that is only months away from facing the NCAA committee on infractions, he decides that isn't enough. So he steals away Memphis' prized recruiting class by bringing stud recruits John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins with him to Kentucky.

Cousins was already committed to Memphis, and Wall was believed to be headed there as well. Wall even pleaded guilty to misdemeanor breaking-and-entering on Wednesday.

Classy guy, that Calipari.

Whatever punishment Memphis might face in the future from this, the NCAA should reduce the normal punishment on Memphis and give the rest to Calipari. The NCAA can't punish Kentucky, Calipari's current program, but Calipari should receive severe sanctions, just like Kelvin Sampson did.

Sampson was basically banned from college basketball for five years, and while it's not a hard and fast ban from the NCAA, the process a school would have to go through to hire Sampson makes it not worth the effort, especially considering his baggage.

So why should Calipari be any different? He's looking at putting two programs on probation now.

Is Kentucky next?

This brings me to the University of Kentucky—a basketball program that prides itself on being one of the most prestigious programs in the country, a program rich in tradition and history. It's a tradition of championships, no doubt, but also a tradition of probation and cheating.

So you would think that Kentucky would be very careful in the process of hiring a coach that has a reputation of being less than clean. So they go hire a coach with a checkered past, in terms of having a reputation of being dirty, but that didn't seem to bother them.

Did Kentucky even place a call to the NCAA for a quick heads-up on Calipari?

Many, including myself, wondered if Kentucky knew what they were getting into when they hired Calipari, and to most, it was a desperate move for a program that just wanted to get back to winning championships.

Well, I hope the Big Blue Nation is happy. Not only did your former coach, Billy Gillispie, file a lawsuit against your University for withholding money he believes is owed to him, but your current coach is now being accused of cheating...again.

Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart has made himself look silly now with the obvious lack of due process done in the hiring of Calipari—and Memphis won't be the program that receives a black eye from this. John Calipari and Kentucky will be the ones getting hammered in this whole deal.

In the end, maybe Calipari and Kentucky deserve one another. They both will do whatever it takes to win, regardless of the circumstances.

College Football: Sorry Mike Slive, Coaches Banter Here to Stay

Justin Hokanson — Wed, 27 May 2009 01:01:46 -0400

The SEC meetings started today in Destin, Florida, and one of the top priorities of commissioner Mike Slive is to tell the coaches to pipe down with the verbal shots that are being taken by some coaches against other programs.

Good luck with that.

You can get these coaches in a room all you want and tell them what not to say, but in the heat of the moment, the SEC is full of bitter rivals and there won't be any punches being pulled anytime soon.

SEC football is the most highly contested league in America, and there is a demand to win and win big more and more each day. Any advantage that a coach can get—be it on the field or psychological—will be taken advantage of.

Just look at the coaches we have in this league right now: Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Les Miles, Mark Richt, on and on.

This league is no place for the faint of heart.

This league is loaded with talent at the head coaching position, and every single one of these guys wants to win right now. Each university is getting more anxious to win right away, and that pressure spills over to the coaches and puts even more pressure on them than there already is.

Obviously much has been made in the offseason about comments that new coach Lane Kiffin has made. He called Florida coach Urban Meyer a "cheater" and then later had to apologize after the SEC office told him to do so.

Kiffin also told a recruit that if he went to South Carolina, he would end up pumping gas for the rest of his life, a comment in which he hasn't apologized for to this point.

After Auburn's assistant coaches recently took a recruiting trip across the state of Alabama in a stretch Hummer, Florida coach Urban Meyer said maybe they should be looked into by the NCAA and made general comments that they don't do "things" like that.

Mississippi State new coach Dan Mullen commented on the Hummer as well, and went as far as to say it was basically a big waste of money and uncalled for.

Right after Lane Kiffin was hired, Steve Spurrier questioned whether or not Kiffin was even allowed to recruit yet since he probably hasn't passed the NCAA recruiting test.

A lot of talk has been made about apologies and all of it seems to have been focused on Lane Kiffin. Kiffin actually apologized for one of his comments, none of the other coaches have apologized for any of their comments though.

So I'll give Kiffin some credit there, even if the apology was prompted by the SEC commissioner.

Bottom line: This is a new age in SEC football. The league is as competitive as it's ever been with increasing revenues, bigger stadiums, and larger TV contracts leading to more money.

The pressure is on big time right now in the SEC to produce right now. There's no doubt that the added pressure, combined with some interesting personalities including some huge egos will result in some smart comments, and probably some over-the-line comments as well.

So commissioner Slive, you can try and lay down the law all you want, but the comments will continue, it's just the way it is right now in this conference. Even if they don't continue, this might be the most combustible group of coaches the SEC has seen in years.

You think Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin, Steve Spurrier, and others are the kinds of coaches that will let someone take a shot without retaliation?

Think they will let things roll off their backs?

Me neither, and while the fans and the commissioner might want the bickering to stop, I can tell you one group of people that are loving it right about now.

ESPN and CBS.

Their new TV contracts put the SEC on TV every single week, and with all this side drama added to the already great football that's played, they are counting down the days to kickoff. You can count on that.

College Football: Notre Dame, TV Contracts, and What The BCS Could Be.

Justin Hokanson — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:22:11 -0400

$18 million.

That's the amount of money that perennial cellar dweller Vanderbilt is raking in on an annual basis thanks to the SEC's new TV contracts with ESPN, CBS, and the SEC championship game.

Notre Dame on the other hand?

The Irish are making $9 million off the NBC TV contract annually and they don't have a championship game since they are independent.

While I couldn't find the numbers for what Notre Dame makes being a member of Big East basketball, I'd guess it isn't close to $9 million a year, especially when you split it between 16 teams.

So why do the Irish still hold out, relish their identity as an independent, and claim the TV contract with NBC as a leading reason? At this point, it just looks like ego more than anything.

Sure, while a Vanderbilt or Kentucky rakes in more money annually, what they don't get is exposure. Notre Dame is on national TV every week and that exposure is invaluable. But would anyone argue that they wouldn't still be on national TV almost every week if they were part of the Big Ten?

Of course they would. The Irish could trade two or three national TV games per year, if you are still going to play seven or eight, and at the same time bring in an extra $7 million a year with a new big TV contract with the Big Ten.

The Irish are sitting right in the middle of Big Ten country, a conference with 11 teams, and yet they are still independent.

Meanwhile, the SEC set the standard for what a big time conference can achieve in TV contracts last summer, when they signed a 15 year deal with ESPN worth $2.25 billion.

That payout gives $12.5 million per team a year, plus the CBS contract which is 15 years and $4.6 million per team a year, adding in what the SEC earns from their conference championship game gives each team around $18 million annually.

So, teams like Vanderbilt and Kentucky make more money than Notre Dame on a yearly basis. That's almost unthinkable. The NBC/Notre Dame deal used to be the thing that made everyone else around the nation jealous. Not anymore.

So why do Notre Dame and the Big Ten still stay separately?

If they joined the Big Ten, they would no doubt up their annual payout and may push the Big Ten to bigger contracts than even the SEC. The Big Ten already makes $7 million per team a year from the Big Ten Network, and they make another $9 million per team a year from ABC.

Think what the contract would look like if Notre Dame was a part of that conference? That would also lead to a conference championship game, which means another million or two a year as well.

Notre Dame potentially holds the key to unlocking all that the BCS could be as well—just think about it.

Notre Dame wises up and joins the Big Ten, which is a no brainer to many. The Big Ten then creates their championship game, which the Big 12, ACC, and SEC already have.

Anyone think the Pac 10 won't follow suit?

Of course they will.

First, I think the Rose Bowl will want their two traditional conferences crowning a champion the same way.

Second, the Pac 10 will be the only big time conference other than the Big East to not have a conference championship. They will see the money flowing from TV contracts and a conference championship game and want a piece of that pie.

So with the Big Ten and Pac 10 now having conference championship games, the pressure will be unreal on the BCS and athletic directors to make these championships a play-in to the BCS playoffs.

Sure these steps to a playoff are far fetched for right now and probably wishful thinking at best, but that's the potential and Notre Dame can start the ball rolling.

Recently, the Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said they had no plans to expand at this time, but there's no doubt his tune would change very quickly if Notre Dame wanted in.

So, get with the program Irish. At the very least, you should join the Big Ten because it's the next logical step in college football. More money, and you can keep your three out of conference games with USC, Stanford, and Navy if you want to.

Be a part of something bigger than yourself—join the Big Ten—and make that one giant leap for college football fans everywhere towards a playoff. At the very least do what makes sense, or cents.

2009 SEC Preview: Tennessee Volunteers

Justin Hokanson — Mon, 18 May 2009 01:05:43 -0400

The Vols enter 2009 in rebuilding mode, but don't tell new Head Coach Lane Kiffin that.

Kiffin has already done enough talking to fire up most coaches in the league, now comes time to do the talking on the field.

Goal number one, find a quarterback, and fast. BJ Coleman was the most impressive during spring practice, but has since transferred when he said he wasn't in the Vols plans for the future.

There's no doubt, the goals for any Tennessee team are make a bowl game at the very least, and it won't be any different for Lane Kiffin, even in his first year.

Three easiest games

1. Western Kentucky 9/5
2. Ohio University 9/26
3. Memphis 11/7

Last year, the Vols got off to a bad start by blowing a lead at UCLA and losing that game. That game sent hints of what was to come with an anemic offense and no quarterback to lead the team.

This year those three games should be easy wins, and with two of them in September, the Vols should get some early season confidence before the heart of SEC play.

Three hardest games

1. at Florida 9/19
2. at Alabama 10/24
3. Georgia 10/10

If the Bulldogs don't find an adequate replacement for Matt Stafford, there's a chance the Vols could pull an upset at home in early October. The other two games mentioned are already rivalry games, but Kiffin has made them even more intriguing.

Kiffin took shots at both schools in the offseason, and now has to make road trips to both places. The Alabama game should be a good defensive, hard hitting game. Meanwhile, Urban Meyer WILL try and run the score up on Kiffin, no doubt about it.

Top Offensive and Defensive Players

Offense: Gerald Jones, Wide Receiver, Junior

Jones racked up almost 500 yards of offense last season and five touchdowns. The offense was a mess with no quarterback to get him the ball, but Jones found ways to make plays, including playing the quarterback in the Wildcat formation. He's the best athlete on the team next to Eric Berry.

Defense: Eric Berry, Safety, Junior

This super safety had over 70 tackles and three sacks last season, but even more impressive were his seven interceptions returned for two touchdowns, and a total of 265 return yards last season.

There isn't a better safety in the nation, and only USC's Taylor Mays is in the same ballpark. Watch him while you can, this junior may be off to the NFL after this season.

2009 Breakout Player

Chris Walker, Defensive End, Junior

This 6'3 240 pound end may be on the small side, but he's ultra quick and dominated during the spring. He had three sacks last season in a backup role, think Dwight Freeney type player.

No. 1 Strength and Concern

Strength: Defensive Backs

The strength for the Vols will of course be their secondary. Even with the dismissal of Demetrice Morley from the team, having Eric Berry back there is plenty, but Art Evans, Rod Wilks, and Dennis Rogan will make the secondary a strong unit.

Concern: Quarterback

The main concern is still the quarterback. It looks like Jonathan Crompton will emerge as the starter, especially with Coleman transferring, but no Vol could do anything well under center last year. Tennessee will not be a threat on offense until they get better QB play.

2009 will be successful if?

For this season to be a success the offense is going to have to be much better than 115th in the country. The defense will be there with Berry and senior linebacker Rico McCoy, but if Tennessee can't score it will be another long year.

As far as records go, 8-4 would be a success after a 5-7 season a year ago, and that would mean a New Year's Bowl game.

For Vols fans though, if they can win over Alabama, Florida, or Georgia, that would be icing on the cake. One Vol fan told me, "remember, Saban went 6-6 in his first year, so we have to be better than that."