Friday, September 19, 2008
Weekly Theme Music
Vandy and the Rebels have been together on the bottom of the SEC the last few years both are taking steps this year in the right direction.
THE PICKS
Ole Miss and Vandy to stay within 5 points of one another
Auburn to lose to LSU by more than 2
Alabama by more than 9 over Arkansas
Tennessee to lose by more than 7.5 points to Florida
Georgia by more than 6.5 over Arizona State
Mississippi State to cover Georgia Tech's 8 points
South Carolina to eat cupcake Wofford.
Vanderbilt Game Preview
Vanderbilt is a much improved team this year and its not the push over they once were. It will be a tough game for the Rebels but the winner has a great chance to going bowling this year. The looser is going to have a hard time crawling back up.
Vanderbilt it lead by quarterback Chris Nickson. Nickson's not as much of a passer but one of the best running quarterbacks in the country. The also have a solid running back in Jared Hawkins who has run for 268 yards and 5 touchdowns. They run the ball exceptionally well but don't do much through the air.
On Defense Vandy is lead by cornerback D.J. Moore who has a good chance to finish on the first team All SEC team. Vandy's biggest strength is playing sound football and maximizing turnovers. The lead the SEC in turnover margin going into the game.
THE PLAYERS
Vanderbilt it lead by quarterback Chris Nickson. Nickson's not as much of a passer but one of the best running quarterbacks in the country. The also have a solid running back in Jared Hawkins who has run for 268 yards and 5 touchdowns. They run the ball exceptionally well but don't do much through the air.
On Defense Vandy is lead by cornerback D.J. Moore who has a good chance to finish on the first team All SEC team. Vandy's biggest strength is playing sound football and maximizing turnovers. The lead the SEC in turnover margin going into the game.
THE HEEL
The biggest weakness Vandy has is their inability in the passing gaming. The Key to the game will be for the Rebels to play assignment football and keep Nickson in the pocket. If every man protects his gap and keeps Nickson from taking big gains with his feet the Rebels can have a good game. This goes towards the Rebel linebackers more than anyone which unfortunately is the Rebels biggest weakness. If he gets loose than its going to lead to Hawkins having a big day as well. The Rebels will also have to keep the turnovers to a minimum because Vandy does their best when taking advantage of a short field.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Status of the SEC
We're a fourth of the way through the SEC schedule. Every three games I'm going to try and rank the SEC. Since few conference games have been played I expect this to change dramatically in the future. 1) LSU They haven't faced tough competition yet going against North Texas and Appalachian State. But they crushed both. Don't really know what they have at quarterback but right now the rest looks like an NFL team. Considering they won a national championship and share of another with Matt Mauk and Matt Flynn I don't know how big of a problem this will be for them. See what they can do against a good defense this weekend and we'll have a better idea.
2) Florida - Lack of a non quarterback running option and difficulty with a bad although rival Miami brings them down barely. Just barely. Still look loaded with speed and they get Percy Harvin back. Have a great middle linebacker but are a little suspect on the outsides.
3) Georgia - Vandy beat South Carolina worse. Knowshon is the best running back in the country. Stafford looked solid against Central Michigan and okay against South Carolina. Defense is solid.
4) Bama - Last year they also started big and fell apart. Huge drop from top three. Win over Clemson doesn't look as good after the struggling with Tulane. Don't see them being able to give the top three teams a game. Could easily fall to a lower team but for now they look better than the rest. Andre Smith is one of the best lineman in the country and a dominate force they will be able to run behind against anyone.
5)Kentucky - Haven't played a tough team yet but putting up good scoring margins. Middle Tenn. win looks good after they beat the same Maryland team that beat Cal bad. Have one of the weakest schedules in the country and might still be a week or two before we know if they really are any good. Poised to take a huge tumble in the ratings.
6) Vandy - Lack of passing game but still find a way to score points. Lead conference in turnover margin. Solid D. Runs the ball very well.
7) Ole Miss - Opposite of the rest of the conference. Potential for better than average offense when they click. Potential for a very bad defense against passing teams. But if the defense can at least make teams keep it honest like they did against Wake, they can have a decent season. Have to have the offense play better than it did against Samford.
8) Auburn - Probably one of if not the best defense in the conference and easily in the top three on defense. Offense is horrible like a lot of teams on here. Chris Todd doesn't have the arm and is too scared to get hit. If Kodi Burns gets healthy they could rise up. The spread does not use what talent they have with solid running backs. Their fans Saturday acted like they lost and didn't think they could win another conference game. I reminded them they still played Arkansas.
9) South Carolina- Defense is decent. Offense is bad. Just not as bad as others. Spurrier doesn't look interested in football these days.
10) UT - After BYU escaped Washington to destroy UCLA, Fulmer's loss to UCLA looks really bad. Fulmer's offense just isn't the same with out Cut. Blowing out a horrible UAB team doesn't show anything. Real test will be how they handle Florida this weekend.
11) MSU - Great defense. Worst BCS quarterback and offensive scheme. How does Woody McCovery still have a job? Is five seasons not enough for Croom to see that his offense doesn't work? And the offense will be worse with Anthony Dixon out. Jessie Bowman is one of the better D-lineman in the conference.
12) Arkansas - Defense looks bad struggling against La Monroe and West Illinois. Offense is having to have Casey Dick perform miracle comebacks to be 2-0. Will be interesting to see what happens when they play above the Sun Belt. Does Petrino quit once a loosing record is ensured? Its about to get tough as they play Alabama, Texas, Florida and Auburn in four straight weeks.
Samford Recap
The game wasn't terribly exciting so its hard to get excited to do the recap. Send your complaints about the recap's lack of excitement to our Canadian friend to the north.
After showing up a little late the Rebel defense actually did its part. Samford helped by missing a 39 yard field goal on their opening drive but after that the defense seemed to clamp down. The only points they allowed came on short fields after Jevan Snead interceptions. The defense only allowed 198 yards of offense and which would have been less had they had three penalties result in first downs for Samford.
The linebacker play was still very spotty as Ashlee Plamer was the only one to get 4 tackles. Allen Walker apparently impressed the coaches because he was subsequently moved to first team after the game. Cornell and Tony Fein each only had three tackles. Peria Jerry had a monster of a game and looks to be full speed again. He was second in tackles with 6 including two for a loss. The defensive line again had a great day holding Samford to 41 total rushing yards for a 1.8 yards per rush average. They will need more of that against Vandy.
Lionel Breaux got in the game and caught three passes and looks to give the Rebels another receiving threat. Marshay Green had a big 77 yard punt return that sealed the victory in the forth quarter. He's one of the better return men in the conference and is playing better in the backfield.
But the running game was the story of the day. All three running backs scored touchdowns. Six different backs carried the ball for over two hundred yards. Eason, Davis, Bolden, Devin Thomas, and Dexter all averaged over five yards per carry. Couldn't ask any more than that from the running game. The line was performing well for every back and didn't give up a sack for either Snead or Billy Tapp.
Eason had the big day for the Rebels and gets the game ball. He rushed for 71 yards with a 5.2 yards per carry average and a touchdown. He remains the best blocker of the running backs and the best receiver. After two long years he is finally getting his chance to shine in the offense.
The passing game struggled this week other than a few great passes to Breaux and Burnell Mike Wallace. According to Kent Austin Jevan's mechanics were off again causing him to over throw a lot of his passes. His two interceptions proved costly as they lead to all of Samford's points. Especially getting intercepted in the first quarter on his own 37 yard line that gave Samford a ten yard field to score.
However it does seem like a lot of the praises that Snead drew just last week were a bit premature. He has to find a way to get more consistent. Instead the running game and the passing game are alternating weeks of carrying the offense. If they ever got together and played at their top level the Rebels could have one of the top offenses in the country. Instead with the lack of balance they can't find a way to score 35 points against Samford.
The failure of the passing game and the lack of passing touchdowns were one of the biggest reasons the Rebels only could score 34 points. There should have been a lot more touchdown celebrations in the endzone against a Div. I AA team like Samford. The last time Samford played a Div. I A team they had 69 points scored on them. And that team fired their coach after the season. The Rebels at least should have scored 50 points on them. Actually embarrassing not to and shows that this team has a long way to go before the return to the top of the SEC.
Bowl teams don't beat Samford by 24 points. The Fox's rebuilding process is going to take more than one off season thanks to the complete lack of depth on the team. They may still sneak into a lower tier bowl thanks to the lack of offenses in the SEC but the Rebels have to make a lot of improvements as the season goes on and they have start facing SEC defenses. Auburn, MSU, Florida, LSU, Bama, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt all have much tougher defenses.
It'll take a much greater effort to score a point on those defenses than it took to score 34 on Samford.
After showing up a little late the Rebel defense actually did its part. Samford helped by missing a 39 yard field goal on their opening drive but after that the defense seemed to clamp down. The only points they allowed came on short fields after Jevan Snead interceptions. The defense only allowed 198 yards of offense and which would have been less had they had three penalties result in first downs for Samford. The linebacker play was still very spotty as Ashlee Plamer was the only one to get 4 tackles. Allen Walker apparently impressed the coaches because he was subsequently moved to first team after the game. Cornell and Tony Fein each only had three tackles. Peria Jerry had a monster of a game and looks to be full speed again. He was second in tackles with 6 including two for a loss. The defensive line again had a great day holding Samford to 41 total rushing yards for a 1.8 yards per rush average. They will need more of that against Vandy.
Lionel Breaux got in the game and caught three passes and looks to give the Rebels another receiving threat. Marshay Green had a big 77 yard punt return that sealed the victory in the forth quarter. He's one of the better return men in the conference and is playing better in the backfield. But the running game was the story of the day. All three running backs scored touchdowns. Six different backs carried the ball for over two hundred yards. Eason, Davis, Bolden, Devin Thomas, and Dexter all averaged over five yards per carry. Couldn't ask any more than that from the running game. The line was performing well for every back and didn't give up a sack for either Snead or Billy Tapp.
THE DUDE
Eason had the big day for the Rebels and gets the game ball. He rushed for 71 yards with a 5.2 yards per carry average and a touchdown. He remains the best blocker of the running backs and the best receiver. After two long years he is finally getting his chance to shine in the offense. THE BAD
The passing game struggled this week other than a few great passes to Breaux and Burnell Mike Wallace. According to Kent Austin Jevan's mechanics were off again causing him to over throw a lot of his passes. His two interceptions proved costly as they lead to all of Samford's points. Especially getting intercepted in the first quarter on his own 37 yard line that gave Samford a ten yard field to score.
However it does seem like a lot of the praises that Snead drew just last week were a bit premature. He has to find a way to get more consistent. Instead the running game and the passing game are alternating weeks of carrying the offense. If they ever got together and played at their top level the Rebels could have one of the top offenses in the country. Instead with the lack of balance they can't find a way to score 35 points against Samford.
THE UGLY
The failure of the passing game and the lack of passing touchdowns were one of the biggest reasons the Rebels only could score 34 points. There should have been a lot more touchdown celebrations in the endzone against a Div. I AA team like Samford. The last time Samford played a Div. I A team they had 69 points scored on them. And that team fired their coach after the season. The Rebels at least should have scored 50 points on them. Actually embarrassing not to and shows that this team has a long way to go before the return to the top of the SEC. Bowl teams don't beat Samford by 24 points. The Fox's rebuilding process is going to take more than one off season thanks to the complete lack of depth on the team. They may still sneak into a lower tier bowl thanks to the lack of offenses in the SEC but the Rebels have to make a lot of improvements as the season goes on and they have start facing SEC defenses. Auburn, MSU, Florida, LSU, Bama, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt all have much tougher defenses.
It'll take a much greater effort to score a point on those defenses than it took to score 34 on Samford.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Weekly Theme Music
Until I start feeling better we're going with all Dire Straits all the time to cheer me up. Its going to take a legit program building win.
I don't think a win over Samford is worth anything.
THE PICKS!
Ole Miss will let Billy Tapp play against Samford
Mississippi State will cover Auburn's 10 points
North Texas will cover LSU's 41
Arkansas will get postponed by Hurricane Ike
Bama will beat Western Kentucky by more than 27.5
UAB will cover Tennessee's 29.5
Georgia beats South Carolina by more than 7
Vanderbilt beats rice by more than 7
Samford Game Preview
Ha Ha Just Kidding. There is no Samford preview. They're a Division I AA Baptist School from Birmingham and the only interesting thing about the team is that former Spirit favorite and Ole Miss Legacy Matt Malouf is their second string quarterback.Sure some Oxford locals are going to talk about how he's coming for revenge. But it's really just a joke game with a Div. I AA opponent. Vegas won't even put lines on it. Further proof that we have no business playing them. Its not entertaining football.
The worst thing the NCAA ever did was go to the permanent 12 games a season schedule. They let the big schools convince them that this would create a scheduling problem and they needed to allow them to play the Div. I AA schools and count towards bowl eligibility every year. The one conference to do the right thing was actually the PAC 10. They added a ninth conference game instead. The SEC decided to let everyone instead buy a cheap meaningless win over a school they have no business playing.
Its the same reason highschools have divisions. Its not good for competition. Its not good sportsmanship. Its not entertaining football. And the only reason to go would be to avoid having to listen to David Kellum, the worst broadcaster in broadcasting history. But that's only if you're a die hard and want to know the score that bad.
I actually applaud Pete Boone for scheduling Fresno State and getting them to a 2-1 deal. I much rather play and loose to Fresno than beat a DIAA team. The only bright side is that the DIAA buy a wins are getting so expensive that we might not be able to afford them much longer.
If everyone has to schedule DIA teams then the "scheduling problem" would work itself out. And there are plenty of patsy C-USA teams and Sun Belt teams to keep some manageable teams in. It also isn't a bad thing to play some where like New Orleans every once in a while. Most fans would like the trip.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Wake Forest Recap
This one has taken a while to get over. I haven't felt like I was punched in the gut after a loss like this since LSU 2003. Sure we've had a lot of terrible losses and by huge margins. Including to teams we had no business loosing to. But with the gar fisherman you never felt that you were any good so you did knocked down as bad. Just frustrated with the program. Any way if the recap brings you down too much, make sure and send your complaints to our Canadian friend currently lost some where in Ireland.
All things considered the defense was great and played well enough to win. Riley Skinner said it was one of the best he'd faced. Really stepped up and improved from week one to week two especially considering how much better Wake is than Memphis. If they continue to play that way we will win some ball games.
The defensive front especially had a great day and backed up why I thought they would be a major strength this season. They controlled the line of scrimmage most of the day and only gave Wake 81 total yards rushing with a 2.6 yards per carry. That's what they had to do. With Skinner forced to pass most downs they were actually able to hold him in check at times. They also managed to get five sacks. Marcus Tillman had a great game and the Fox continues to rave about his play. Lawon "The Manatee" Scott played well and came up with a big sack. Kentrell Locket had a bit of a break out game with 1.5 sacks and a couple more pressures on Skinner.
Brandon Bolden continues to impress after combining for 43 yards rushing with a 5.4 average and another 43 yards receiving. Devin Thomas also looked good on his one carry getting 19 yards and showing some good speed. Its obvious the Fox loves running backs and is going to give them all a lot of carries. Cordera also came up huge with the final touchdown catch.
His numbers were sick. 20 of 31, 65% completions, 253 passing yards, 18 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
The only thing I'd still like him to do is to spread the ball out more. They only receivers to catch a pass were Burnell Mike Wallace, Dexter (1TD), and Shay Hodge(1 TD). Tightend Gerald Harris also joined in to catch a touchdown.
The referees were terrible in this game. Absolutely terrible. I counted numerous terrible calls. My cousin who is a Wake fan noticed numerous terrible calls. We even agreed on how terrible the calls were and that they were bad for both teams. Of course we bring our own officials but they are so used to screwing us for Bama or LSU that they couldn't remember this was one of the times they are supposed to help us. The pass interference call on Marshay Green gave the game to Wake and was very suspect according to both of us. But we also got the benefit of a previous interference call that really looked uncatchable. (He was clearly held so a defensive holding call for five yards would be correct not interference.)
But the real issue, since they were equally bad for both teams, was why were the refs calling stupid ticky tack fouls at the end of the game anyway? Let the players make the plays to win. The refs shouldn't have that much control over the outcome. Since the two kind of cancel each other out its really not a big issue though. I'm not blaming the refs at all. You have to make the plays to win. Its just like in a basketball game you don't want the game decided on a ticky tack foul with 2 seconds to go. You don't make a call unless its egregious.
But the real ugly is that we have to find a way to win one of these games. Under the gar fisherman you knew we would find a way to lose. The Fox has won so many of these games but unfortunately with Oregron's players they are so used to loosing. He can't have to many of these or the mental block gets in place again. We can't keep loosing every close game we are in.
I was so excited that we were going to get rid of the bad karma in the second game and had the rug pulled out from under us. Finally some luck from the football gods would shine on us. No we're still Ole Miss and still find ways to lose.
THE GOOD
I won't call it a moral victory because it doesn't even remotely feel like one to me. We should have won that game. Hardy or no Hardy, Peria or no Peria we should have won that game. We were one play away. One real legit play from anywhere in the second half. Don't throw either interception, don't get the holding call, don't get the weak pass interference call, Kendrick lewis holds on for the sack, they miss the field goal, make them work for their last touchdown anything. One freaking play and we could put the Oregron behind us. Instead we are still playing the Orgeron moral victory, "we well look better at least" crap.
All things considered the defense was great and played well enough to win. Riley Skinner said it was one of the best he'd faced. Really stepped up and improved from week one to week two especially considering how much better Wake is than Memphis. If they continue to play that way we will win some ball games.
The defensive front especially had a great day and backed up why I thought they would be a major strength this season. They controlled the line of scrimmage most of the day and only gave Wake 81 total yards rushing with a 2.6 yards per carry. That's what they had to do. With Skinner forced to pass most downs they were actually able to hold him in check at times. They also managed to get five sacks. Marcus Tillman had a great game and the Fox continues to rave about his play. Lawon "The Manatee" Scott played well and came up with a big sack. Kentrell Locket had a bit of a break out game with 1.5 sacks and a couple more pressures on Skinner.
Brandon Bolden continues to impress after combining for 43 yards rushing with a 5.4 average and another 43 yards receiving. Devin Thomas also looked good on his one carry getting 19 yards and showing some good speed. Its obvious the Fox loves running backs and is going to give them all a lot of carries. Cordera also came up huge with the final touchdown catch.
THE DUDE
Jevan Snead had a coming out party against Wake and looks to be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC. If he keeps playing like he did Saturday you have to feel like the Rebels will at least be in a lot of games this year. He show a super quick release and great accuracy. Showed amazing elusiveness in the pocket to avoid sacks and buy time and hit the open man. Rushed for big first downs. 
His numbers were sick. 20 of 31, 65% completions, 253 passing yards, 18 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
The only thing I'd still like him to do is to spread the ball out more. They only receivers to catch a pass were Burnell Mike Wallace, Dexter (1TD), and Shay Hodge(1 TD). Tightend Gerald Harris also joined in to catch a touchdown.
THE BAD
While the defense played good at times that was mainly attributable to the secondary and front four. They linebackers had another rough day. The top three tacklers were again members of the secondary. You have to have linebackers step up and make big plays especially when the defensive line is requiring double teams. Even if Wake was throwing a lot because of the line pressure most of the passes were short routes and the linebackers were getting beat to the outside. Wake's final touchdown drive was the only terrible drive for the defense where they looked exhausted and gave away a score. It was way too easy and cost them the game more than the final drive where they actually made Wake have to make some big plays.
What didn't help the defense stay fresh was two interceptions in two consecutive offensive plays. Can't do that to your defense. Snead didn't see a safety but after the day he had you can excuse one pick. Dexter's was terrible. He should never throw the ball unless the play is unfolding as it was drawn up. He admitted later he should have held on and tried to run for a couple yards. I think its one of those mistakes that was bound to happen and he's learned from it.
Running game disappearing for the second half until the last drive. The Fox praised the line on Monday for their performance but I didn't see it. Really felt we should have been able to get the ground game established more. Especially after last weeks performance. They managed to barely crack a hundred yards rushing. Enrique Davis compiled a .2 yards per carry average on five carries. That's abysmal and we know he's better than that.
We were truly one play away though. All they had to do was get the sack on the final series or not giving up the 20 completion down the middle. When its that close you have to execute and seal the deal.
What didn't help the defense stay fresh was two interceptions in two consecutive offensive plays. Can't do that to your defense. Snead didn't see a safety but after the day he had you can excuse one pick. Dexter's was terrible. He should never throw the ball unless the play is unfolding as it was drawn up. He admitted later he should have held on and tried to run for a couple yards. I think its one of those mistakes that was bound to happen and he's learned from it.
Running game disappearing for the second half until the last drive. The Fox praised the line on Monday for their performance but I didn't see it. Really felt we should have been able to get the ground game established more. Especially after last weeks performance. They managed to barely crack a hundred yards rushing. Enrique Davis compiled a .2 yards per carry average on five carries. That's abysmal and we know he's better than that.
We were truly one play away though. All they had to do was get the sack on the final series or not giving up the 20 completion down the middle. When its that close you have to execute and seal the deal.
THE UGLY
The referees were terrible in this game. Absolutely terrible. I counted numerous terrible calls. My cousin who is a Wake fan noticed numerous terrible calls. We even agreed on how terrible the calls were and that they were bad for both teams. Of course we bring our own officials but they are so used to screwing us for Bama or LSU that they couldn't remember this was one of the times they are supposed to help us. The pass interference call on Marshay Green gave the game to Wake and was very suspect according to both of us. But we also got the benefit of a previous interference call that really looked uncatchable. (He was clearly held so a defensive holding call for five yards would be correct not interference.)But the real issue, since they were equally bad for both teams, was why were the refs calling stupid ticky tack fouls at the end of the game anyway? Let the players make the plays to win. The refs shouldn't have that much control over the outcome. Since the two kind of cancel each other out its really not a big issue though. I'm not blaming the refs at all. You have to make the plays to win. Its just like in a basketball game you don't want the game decided on a ticky tack foul with 2 seconds to go. You don't make a call unless its egregious.
But the real ugly is that we have to find a way to win one of these games. Under the gar fisherman you knew we would find a way to lose. The Fox has won so many of these games but unfortunately with Oregron's players they are so used to loosing. He can't have to many of these or the mental block gets in place again. We can't keep loosing every close game we are in.
I was so excited that we were going to get rid of the bad karma in the second game and had the rug pulled out from under us. Finally some luck from the football gods would shine on us. No we're still Ole Miss and still find ways to lose.
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