Why the SEC Will Experience a Major Shift in Power

Robert Matthews — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:11:57 -0500

This is all my opinion and nothing more.

For the past few years the SEC East has been the powerful half of the conference. Sure, there were LSU in '07 and Auburn in '04, but the majority of the time the East has dominated most with Georgia and Florida. However, the momentum is swinging back to the West.

Several reasons from the East

1. Despite a nice recruiting class, Georgia loses its major offensive playmakers Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno.

2. Tennessee—two words: Lane Kiffin.

3. Steve Spurrier could take Georgia, Alabama, LSU, or Florida to the title game easily. But his job is at South Carolina, and with the talent he acquires there, he will be left in the dust thrown up by the big boys.

4. Does anyone actually believe Vandy or Kentucky will challenge Florida?

Reasons against from the East

1. A few words here: in, Tebow, Chris, Jeffrey, Meyer, spread, Tim, Spikes, second, returning, all, addition, Rainey, are, complete, deep, Urban, to, offense, defense, starters, of, Brandon, Demps, has, and, the, string, especially.

Translation: Urban Meyer has Tim Tebow, Chris Rainey, and Jeffrey Demps returning, and the defense has all the starters returning, especially Brandon Spikes, in addition to the returning of the complete second string.

Reasons for from the West

1. Alabama, I think, is every bit as good if not better than last year. The majority of the defense returns, including that monster of a tackle known as Mount Cody. Sure, Andre Smith and JPW aren't returning. But of the two, only Andre was really all that special.

JPW's only really great achievement in my opinion is learning to manage the game and not screwing up. His replacement will either be Greg McElroy or Star Jackson. Both are fully capable.

A second No. 1, 2, or 3 recruiting class, depending on where you look, will only add to the talent already in place. This class includes seven linemen. Replacements for the leaving players are already on campus or will be by the fall.

2. LSU—While I believe Les Miles is about as horrible a coach as you could ask for at a top tier SEC school, he has managed to win and recruit. The only thing that really hindered the Tigers last year was the absolutely horrible QB play. A top-end recruiting class will only add to the capabilities of LSU.

3. Ole Miss—Houston Nutt did an amazing job at Ole Miss last year with what he had in place. With defeating Florida, giving Alabama a run for the money in the second half, and tearing apart LSU, Nutt had a great first season.

Jevan Snead is probably the best QB in the SEC behind the obvious (if you need help with this one, God have mercy on your soul) and is without a doubt the most experienced in the West. A top 20 recruiting class will no doubt help fill in any holes that Nutt has found.

While I don't feel Arkansas needs special mention, I think they will be better in the next couple years than they were last year.

Reasons against from the West

1. Mississippi State? Give 'em a couple years and maybe, but as of right now they are the worst team in the West.

2. Auburn—a question mark. Bobby Lowder (otherwise known as the owner of Auburn) fired a good coach who had taken the team to a 13-0 season in '04 and hadn't really had a bad season until this one.

Tommy Tuberville's first mistake was not allowing Tony Franklin to pick his own assistants, and they didn't have a QB for the spread. Second was firing Franklin after the new system didn't work right away. While they will probably have a 5-7 if not 4-8 season in '09, they will likely improve if Gene Chizik is worthy of his job.

Overall it seems the momentum is swinging in favor of the West. Tebow will not be in college forever, and Florida will have to learn what it is like without Superman. Alabama appears to be here to stay, while Ole Miss is on the way up.

How Will Lane Kiffin's Mouth Affect Tennessee's Record in His First Season?

Robert Matthews — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:39:46 -0500

Ahh, the SEC, the home of some of the most storied programs in football history. Home to some of the greatest coaches of all time. Neyland, Vaught, Shug, and that guy who wrestled with a Bear—can't ever remember his name.

Then you got the guys who have made their names in the SEC who are among the best today: Gene, Steve, Phil, Tommy, Nick, Urban.

And then you got Lane Kiffin. Such a breath of fresh air. Comes in and opens his mouth expecting to have the SEC figured out in two months and a few days. Inheriting a well below average Tennessee team, you might wanna keep your mouth shut. However, good ol' Lane just couldn't help himself.

Within two months, Lane has managed to piss off Steve, one of the best coaches in the last 30 years in my opinion; Nick, the guy who had a national title in some three years at LSU and took Alabama to a 12-2 season his second year there; and finally Urban, who apparently missed The World's Largest Cocktail Party That's Not a Cocktail Party last year.

This is about Lane's chances for the 2009 season. Sure he will probably beat Western Kentucky. UCLA might be possible. Then Lane Kiffin is probably gonna wish he had kept his mouth shut. You see, he managed to really piss off Urban Meyer by calling him a cheater and only made himself look like an idiot.

On Sept. 19, 2009, Lane gets to visit this place called the Swamp. Maybe the Gators will leave his head attached so he can think about where he went wrong.

Next up is Ohio—who cares? Then good ol' Auburn; at least Gene has more or less kept his mouth shut and done his job. Ahh, a question mark. Georgia without Stafford and Moreno could go either way—I'm still saying LOSE.

By this point Lane may have realized his mistake, but if not, odds are the 92,000 screaming, crimson-wearing, possibly intoxicated fans in Bryant-Denny Stadium will help him. Your defensive guy just pissed off Nick. I see Ingram up the middle a lot, Richardson up the middle, and your Linebackers coach saying DAMN, they weren't this fast when I was last here.

South Carolina, bad news. If Steve finds a QB, your dad has to plan for one of the best offensive coaches in the game.

Memphis who?

Ahh, Ole Miss. Hope the ride down is fun, 'cause I bet the ride back won't be. Watch the Cotton Bowl on TiVo.

Vandy. We know they are smarter than Lane. It's Vandy; they're smart. Possibly you can pull it off.

Kentucky. Wasn't a horrible team last year. Lose.

My prediction on account of Lane's open mouth: Maybe 4-8?

Bleacher Report - Articles by Robert Matthews

Why the SEC Will Experience a Major Shift in Power

How Will Lane Kiffin's Mouth Affect Tennessee's Record in His First Season?