Bleacher Report - Articles by trey nelson

Florida Gators Swimming out of the Swamp?

trey nelson — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:06:44 -0400

The Gators came into the 2008 season with high hopes in search of making a run at the title one more time. With reigning Heisman Trophy-winner Tim Tebow leading the offense again and having a defense that is rock solid, that hope of the top spot in the league didn't seem to be too complicated.

Oops!

The Gators suffered their first defeat and most shocking upset of the season last weekend. Thus, the Gators did not only lose to an unexpected Ole Miss, they lost on their home turf, the famous Ben-Hill Griffin Stadium, their beloved Swamp.

Hearts were crushed as the Gators were beat and the stadium went silent with the exception of the screaming Miss fans and very excited Ole Miss Rebels themselves. On the walk across the field, Houston Nutt went to shake the hand of coach Urban Meyer, yet the Gators coach pulled away? Not a good sign or good character on his part.

The Gators set out in hopes of finishing the season on a good note, but with a schedule such as theirs with teams like Georgia, LSU, and the surprising Vanderbilt, it won't be easy. The Gators leave the Swamp five times this season; they have to put a beat down on the opponents to make people fear the "Gator Chomp."

It wont be easy. Florida still has the possibility to travel south to the big game in Miami, but they've got to put the upset behind them and play some football.

Auburn Tigers Slowing Down in Race for SEC West

trey nelson — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:09:14 -0400

Auburn, Alabama. The home of the great Auburn Tigers.

Well, I don't know about you, but the Tigers are not looking so great. They started out strong, but this whole new spread offense is looking like its spread out of points and can't produce anything else.

The Tigers, a team that has had a very successful run in the SEC and is always at the top of the list, are actually falling. Their most heart-breaking loss came in the Tiger Bowl in Auburn against SEC rival and powerhouse LSU. Another sign of struggle was the humiliating Miss State victory, in which the Tigers barely beat the Bulldogs in a shocking 3-2 win.

Coach Tommy Tuberville is showing some major awareness that his team is slipping in the SEC. Whether that means he is working on improvement, well, let's hope so.

The controversy over the quarterback situation with Kodi Burns and Chris Todd has a lot of people upset. Whichever guy comes out and says "hut" for this team is going to have problems, because they'll be dealing with an offense that is sort of—how should I say?—DEAD.

Auburn has got to get its offense going, because the defense they have can't hold things forever. If Auburn is going to finish the season and be a factor in the SEC, it needs to take that spread and "spread" around for some help to get the Tigers back on the prowl.

Tennessee Volunteers Are Playing Like Volunteers

trey nelson — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:53:15 -0400

Tennessee, the team that is known and hated by just about all in the SEC. The Vols are a team in the SEC that is well-established, having a national championship and quiet a few bowl game victories under their belt.

This season, though, is not looking too hot. The team started with another loss just as last season to a California team, making the SEC look bad. Tennessee has got to step back up and play southern football like it used to.

Phil Fulmer has got to get this program back in shape and back to being rough and tough. The 2008 season will most likely not be a good one for the Vols, but hopefully they can take their experiences from the year and use that as energy to become a better program if they want to become a competitor in what is arguably the hardest conference in football.

The Vols are the Volunteers; I think that they don't have a team and they are playing like they actually have volunteer players! All I can say is that Tennessee has to do something because, if not, they will become a scab team in the nation and the country's favorite tackling dummy.

Penn State: The Lions Are Out!

trey nelson — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:05:46 -0400

Penn State football—a product of the great Joe Paterno—has established itself in the most dominant way in college football. With the new "HD" offense compiling an amazing 249 points five weeks into the season, the Lions are making people talk about a potential BCS championship appearance.

Penn State has been an amazing team under the reign of the Lions' beloved Paterno, but this season they are at the front of the pack. If they continue with their success and the way these upsets are occurring, they could find themselves first in line on the road to the big game in Miami, ready to compete with whomever the opponent may be.

Despite Penn State's not-so-fantastic record on the road since 2003, the Lions look primed for a great season and are a true contender for any team in their path.