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30 SEC Questions in 2010
30 Questions for the SEC in 2010
Matt Barber
July 10, 2010
30. What player has the most pressure in 2010?
A. Stephen Garcia QB South Carolina- Garcia had a decent 2009 season (2,862 yards passing and 17 TDs) considering it was his first full season of starting for the Gamecocks. Despite a good sophomore campaign, Steve Spurrier still doesn't seem pleased with him. This spring Steve Spurrier was highly critical of Garcia and seemed to question his work ethic. If the Gamecocks struggle early on in the 2010 season don't be shocked if freshman Connor Shaw comes in to take some snaps.
29. What coach has the most pressure in 2010?
A. Les Miles Head Coach LSU- Miles did win a national championship in 2007 despite losing 2 games, but many credit Nick Saban's recruiting for that championship. Liles went 34-6 in his first 3 seasons, but in the last two seasons he's gone 17-9. Tiger fans see what Nick Saban has built in Tuscaloosa and are getting frustrated at seeing LSU drop in productions under Miles.
28. Who's the most underrated player in the SEC?
A. Randall Cobb WR/RB/QB/Return Man Kentucky- What is it that Cobb can't do? The Kentucky Wildcat athlete doesn't get the national press that many in the SEC does, but SEC coaches know who he is because they can't figure out how to gameplan for him. In his two year career Cobb has 2 passing touchdowns, 6 receiving touchdowns, 16 rushing TDs, and 1 special teams TD. Cobb is a true difference maker for the Cats with 39 receptions last season and 573 rushing yards(6.1 yds per carry).
27. Will Alabama go 8-0 in the SEC once again in 2010?
A. No- The Tide have won 16 straight regular season conference games with their last loss coming in the Iron Bowl during the 2007 season. This year six SEC teams will play Alabama after coming off a bye week. Alabama has a tough three game stretch from September 25-October 9 as the Tide must travel to Arkansas, host Florida, and then play at South Carolina. Expect an upset loss somewhere in this 3 game stretch.
26. What assistant coach can expect to get a head coaching job in 2010?
A. Gus Malzahn OC Auburn- Last season we saw Charlie Strong leave Florida for the Louisville head coaching job. After the 2010 season expect Malzahn to get a call. Malzahn was named the top coordinator in college football by Rivals.com in 2006 at Arkansas. After coaching two very potent offenses at Tulsa in 07 and 08 Gus took his hurry up no huddle offense to The Plains. The improvement at Auburn was amazing in one year. In 2008 the Tigers scored 208 points, in 2009 they scored 433. Malzahn has a great offensive mind and is a fantastic recruiter as well. I'd expect him to land a good job in Conference USA or maybe the ACC for the 2011 season.
25. Who has the toughest schedule in 2010?
A. LSU- The Tigers start the season with an out of conference game in Atlanta against a North Carolina team that has tons of NFL talent on defense. LSU will also host a good West Virginia team this year. In SEC play the Tigers will play three difficult road games at Auburn, Arkansas, and Florida.
24. Who has the easiest schedule in 2010?
A. Ole Miss- Despite losing many stars from its 2009 team, the Rebels still should go bowling due to an easy schedule. The Rebs out of conference schedule consists of games against Jacksonville, Tulane, Fresno State, and Louisiana(Lafayette). Ole Miss is likely to be playing the three worst teams in the SEC East in 2010 with games against Tennessee, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt.
23. What's the best out of conference game for the SEC in 2010?
A. Penn State at Alabama- On September 11 the Nittany Lions will travel to Tuscaloosa for a game between two of College Football's most historic programs. Alabama leads the series 8-5 with the most memorable win coming in the 1979 Sugar Bowl. The 14-7 win over Penn State on New Year's Day in 79 helped Bear Bryant's Tide win the 1978 National Championship. Expect ESPN's College Gameday and a record crowd at the newly expanded Bryant Denny Stadium.
22. What's the worst out of conference game for the SEC in 2010?
A. Georgia State at Alabama- Bill Curry returns to Tuscaloosa as the head coach of Georgia State. The Panthers will be competing in their first full season of football in 2010 and will be playing the 2009 National Champs. Despite being the coach of Kentucky from 90-96, the only game he has ever coached against his former team in was a 35-7 loss to the Tide in 96.
21. Was Derek Dooley a good hire for Tennessee?
A. Yes- I've been a big fan of Dooley since his days at LSU working for Nick Saban. Dooley was the recruiting coordinator for Saban and helped build the talent pool at LSU. The 17-20 record isn't going to impress anyone at first glance, but keep in mind that Dooley was not only the head coach for Louisiana Tech, but also the athetic director. The LT job is one of the toughest in college athletics due to a crazy travel schedule in the WAC. Dooley's 2008 team won the school it's first bowl game since the 77 Independence Bowl. There are going to be some growing pains at first, but in the end Dooley will prove to be a much better fit than Kiffin.
20. Will we see the SEC expand anytime soon?
A. No- At this time the SEC does not need to expand. Conference expansion is driven by TV revenue. Florida State, Miami, Georgia Tech, and Clemson aren't going to add any new markets to the SEC. TCU and Houston don't have the fan support to join. With Texas A&M and Missouri currently committed to Texas and the new look Big XII, there isn't a team that would be a good fit for the SEC right now.
19. Who is the best pro prospect in the SEC?
A. Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas- Mallett has the size(6-7 238) and the arm that has NFL scouts drooling. Last season Mallett had 3,624 yards passing, 30 TDs, and 7 Ints. Mallett does have some areas to improve on. Critics will point to the fact that in 09 he only completed 43% of his passes on the road and at times struggled to hit open targets in big games. Of course those critics must understand it was his first full season as a starter, didn't play in 2008, and is certain to improve under Bobby Petrino. Plus, I challenge anyone to find a QB that put up better stats as a first year starter in the SEC.
18. What team isn't getting the respect it deserves?
A. Georgia- Coming off an 8 win season that saw the Dogs give up 31 points a game last season in SEC play has many sleeping on Georgia, but now it's time to wake up. Georgia returns an offensive line that has an amazing 155 career starts on it! Last year's Oline allowed only 12 sacks all season(the fewest in the SEC). UGA also returns one of the deepest backfields in the country with Ealey, King, and Samuel. These 3 backs combined for 1,700 yards last season and all had over 400 yards rushing. A.J. Green will be a favorite to be a first team All American at the WR position. There are certainly some questions on defense for the Dogs, but new DC Todd Grantham's defense can't be any worse than last year's team. The Dogs also have the best punter and kicker in the SEC. Following a single digit win season, Richt's Georgia teams have finished the next season a combined 24-3! This is certainly a team that could be in Atlanta on December 4.
17. What true freshman will have the biggest impact in 2010?
A. Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina- I've had the pleasure to call the play by play for two Lattimore games in South Carolina State Championship Games in 2008 and 2009. The 2008 game saw Lattimore run for over 300 yards as a junior! What really impressed me with this kid was his ability to run forward and hit the hole. Too often we see young players dance around in the backfield and try to make every play into a 75 yard run. Lattimore has the size(5-11 215) and the hands that remind me of a young Duce Staley. Unlike past highly touted USC runningback recruits in the last decade, Lattimore has a fantastic work ethic and attitude. While Miles and Giles are solid backs for South Carolina, Lattimore will be the best back on campus when the Gamecocks kickoff in September.
16. Will Joker Phillips keep up Kentucky's bowl streak?
A. Yes- Rich Brooks did one of the best coaching jobs in the country the last 5 seasons taking a UK program coming off probation and placing them in 4 straight bowl games. The Cats are certainly in better position than they were entering 2005, but losing a SEC high 27 lettermen isn't going to be easy. The good news for Kentucky fans is that the schedule is very favorable for a 6 win season. WKU, Akron, and Charleston Southern are certain wins and Louisville is a "should be" win. UK avoids Alabama and Arkansas in the West and has winnable SEC games against MSU, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee on the schedule.
15. What is the best relationship the SEC ended this past season?
A. The partnership with the Independence Bowl- No longer will SEC fans be forced to spend the holidays in Shreveport, LA. Outside of Boise, Idaho there might not be a worse bowl location in the United States. Sure, Shreveport does offer casinos but if you don't gamble what can you do? The stadium is without a doubt the worse of the SEC bowl affiliates and isn't in a great location(unless you enjoy the view of Interstate 20. Even the weather can be awful, who can forget the 2000 Texas A&M-Mississippi State game? Twice since 2004 the SEC failed to place a team in Shreveport and we all got the exciting matchups of Iowa State vs Miami(Ohio) and Louisiana Tech vs Northern Illinois.
14. What is the best relationship gained by the SEC this past season?
A. The partnership with the Gator Bowl- Jacksonville, Florida is an ideal location for SEC football. Not only is Jacksonville home to large groups of SEC alumni, it also offers the SEC a NFL stadium, nicer weather, beaches, and a Big 10 opponent. The SEC also has a great history with this bowl. South Carolina participated in the first Gator Bowl over 60 years ago. South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss, Auburn, Georgia, and Arkansas all have been to The Gator Bowl more than once
13. What SEC Coach will no longer be with his current school in 2011?
A. Bobby Johnson- Vandy's head man has done a solid job with one of the toughest coaching jobs in the country. Despite his 29-66 record, Johnson was able to get the Dores into a bowl for the first time since 1982 two seasons ago and win it. The problem is Johnson has taken the program as far as he can. Since ESPN's College Gameday left Nashville after a win over Auburn in 2008, the Commodores have only a 3-16 record against Division I opponents and are 1-11 in SEC games. Only 11 starters return in 2010 and another 10 loss season seems possible.
12. What was added to the SEC in 2010?
A. An 8,500 seat upper deck; 1,700 club seats, and 36 skyboxes to Bryant-Denny Stadium- The most rabid football fans in America now have the largest stadium in the SEC, fourth largest in the country, and seventh largest non-racing stadium in the world. Since 1998 Bryant-Denny has added over 30,000 seats!
13. What did the SEC lose in the last year?
A. 2 Great Mascots- On November 19, 2009 Georgia's Uga VII died of heart failure. Uga VII was only Georgia's mascot for two seasons and had a record of 16-7. On January 5, 2010 the Arkansas Razorbacks lost its mascot Tusk II. Tusk II, who was almost 500 pounds, died of natural causes only 3 days after the Hogs win over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl.
12. How does Florida replace Tim Tebow?
A. With Junior QB John Brantley- Brantley isn't as big as Tebow(he's 6'3 218) and he isn't going to run as often, but don't expect a huge dropoff in the passing game. Brantley will prove to be a better passer than Tebow and we should expect some impressive stats. With limited playing time last season, Brantley did pass for 7 TDs and didn't throw an interception. Florida has a very good offensive line returning which should help Brantley's confidence grow as the season progresses. Don't be shocked to see Brantley as a 2nd team All SEC QB behind Mallett.
11. What will be the SEC's first upset in 2010?
A. Mississippi State will beat Auburn in week 2- Dan Mullen only went 5-7 in 2009, but the improvement from week 1 to week 12 was amazing. Mullen's team had to adjust to a new system and improved by 10 points per game on offense! Cam Newton will be making his first SEC start on the road with 55,000 cowbells ringing in his ear. Thursday Night games typically favor the home team and this will be the case on September 9. Expect a high scoring game with the Bulldogs winning 42-38.
10. Is Mark Richt on the hot seat?
A. No- Now that Georgia will be hiring a new athletic director in 2010, Richt is safe. Richt has a record of 90-27 at Georgia, but despite two finishes in the top 3 nationally and 2 SEC titles he has yet to win a national championship. Richt's defensive issues of the last 2 seasons must be solved in 2010 in order for Georgia to be a SEC contender once again. If this year's Georgia team finishes with less than 8 wins, then without a doubt Richt will be on the top of everyone's hotseat in 2011.
9. On a scale of 1-10(10 being the best) how did the new SEC TV Deal grade?
A. I give it an 8- If you are unable to attend your school's game, then you are certain to see it on TV. 11 games for your school can be seen if you have CBS, Fox Sports Regional, and the ESPN Family of Networks. The 12th game is offered on PPV for a price much lower than the average SEC ticket price. There are some improvements that could be made though. Several games aren't in HD, which is being a bit picky but this keeps the deal from getting a perfect 10. Another negative is that we now have 12:00 EST kickoffs. It was bad enough for the old 12:35 EST Jefferson Pilot/Raycom/Lincoln Financial Kickoffs, but now we have noon games with Pam Ward as the play by play person. It would've been nice to see ESPN allow the SEC to be part of some of its primetime ABC games.
8. How many legit Heisman Candidates does the SEC have?
A. 3- Mark Ingram won it last year, so obviously he's a candidate. Ryan Mallett is certainly a top 5 candidate nationally, but likely needs the Hogs to win 10 or more. A.J. Green has an outside shot, but it's always hard for a WR to win the Heisman
7. Who will have the best offense in the SEC in 2010?
A. Arkansas- With 10 returning starters, a first round NFL QB, a deep backfield, and the nation's best group of wide receivers the Hogs can expect to improve on last year's 36 ppg. It's hard to find a problem with this offense. Mallett can throw the deep ball, Green provides a good red zone RB, DJ Williams is a great 3rd down target at TE, and Dennis Johnson is a smaller back that is hard to bring down. Gus Malzahn's Auburn offense would rank just behind the Hogs in the SEC.
6. Who will have the best defense in the SEC in 2010?
A. Alabama- Really took a chance on this one didn't I? In 2008 the Tide allowed 14 ppg, but improved on that by only allowing 11 ppg in 2009. If there is a weakness it could be in the secondary, which should be cause for concern against teams like Florida, Arkansas, and Auburn. Still, it should be expected that Marcell Dareus and Josh Chapman will cause enough trouble for QBs before they are able to throw the ball. Ellis Johnson's South Carolina defense would be 2nd in the SEC.
5. Who is the best defensive player in the SEC?
A. Patrick Peterson LSU- The junior LSU CB could be a top 15 pick in the 2011 NFL draft and could be the first SEC defensive player drafted. Last season Peterson had 2 INTs, 13 pass breakups, and 52 tackles. Peterson should be on many first team all american lists.
4. What is Dixiefriedsports First Team All SEC Team?
A. Offense
QB- Ryan Mallett Arkansas
RB- Mark Ingram Alabama
RB- Washaun Ealey Georgia
WR- A.J. Green Georgia
WR- Julio Jones Alabama
WR- Randall Cobb Kentucky
TE- DJ Williams Arkansas
C- Mike Pouncey Florida
OG- Chris Davis Georgia
OG- Barrett Jones Alabama
OT- Clint Boling Georgia
OT- Derek Sherrod Mississippi State
*FB*- Patrick Dimarco South Carolina
Defense
DE Cliff Matthews South Carolina
DE Marcell Dareus Alabama
DT Jerrell Powe Ole Miss
DT Omar Hunter Florida
LB Justin Houston Georgia
LB Chris Marve Vanderbilt
LB Dont'a Hightower Alabama
LB Craig Stevens Auburn
CB Patrick Petersen LSU
CB Stephon Gilmore South Carolina
S Mike Barron Alabama
S Will Hill Florida
Special Teams
K Blair Walsh Georgia
P Drew Butler Georgia
PR Randall Cobb Kentucky
KR Warren Norman Vanderbilt
3. Which is the best division in the SEC?
A. The West- This season The SEC West is the stronger of the two divisions. All 6 teams are capable of bowl appearances and 3 teams will challenge Alabama for the SEC West. The best defense and offense is found in the West. There isn't a team in the SEC East that has a proven QB with the exception of South Carolina, and as noted above Spurrier isn't happy with him.
2. Who wins the SEC?
A. Alabama- The Tide becomes the first SEC Champion to repeat since the 97-98 Tennessee Volunteers. Their opponent in the SEC Championship game will be the Georgia Bulldogs, who will win a close battle in Jacksonville against the Florida Gators. The SEC will place 10 teams in bowl games and once again play for the national championship. Georgia and Arkansas fans will be angry as Florida is chosen in the BCS with a 10-2 overall record over the Dogs and Hogs.
East SEC OVR Bowl
Georgia 6-2 10-2 Capital One vs Wisconsin
Florida 6-2 10-2 Sugar vs TCU
USC 4-4 8-4 Gator vs Michigan State
Kentucky 2-6 6-6 Papa Johns vs South Florida
Tennessee 2-6 5-7
Vanderbilt 0-8 1-11
West
Alabama 7-1 11-1 NC Game vs Nebraska
Arkansas 6-2 10-2 Cotton vs Texas
Auburn 4-4 8-4 Chick Fil A vs Miami
LSU 4-4 8-4 Outback vs Michigan
MSU 3-5 6-6 Music City vs Boston College
Ole Miss 2-6 6-6 Liberty vs Houston
1. Does the SEC win its 5th straight National Championship?
A. Yes- The conference continues to dominate as Saban and the Tide will be your 2010 National Champs after winning a defensive struggle over Nebraska
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