We're watching an all time great run by the Bammmers here. I know it hurts if you pull for another SEC team,but it's kind of fun to watch history being made. Saban's in the all timer mix here. I would put him in the company of Neyland, Bryant, Dodd , Mc Kay and Rockne.(Of course, Steve Spurrier would say, "How many has Rockne won lately"?)
At least three SEC teams gave Bama a better game than the number 1 team in the nation (LSU had them beat, aTm beat 'em in Tusky and Georgia coulda,shoulda,woulda in Atlanta). I think that this shows just how far ahead of the pack the SEC is. Its a whole other world in the fall.Can't wait for OSU to make it to the big show and get pantsed next January.
AJ's a lucky guy,but Musburger is a creep.(And he was a creep before he started mooning over McCarrons squeeze).Could you even IMAGINE Keith Jackson being that unprofessional? I turn down the audio when Musburger and Herbstreit do a game that I want to watch.
Looking out 8 months, the SEC is going to be scary-good this year.The top 6 teams (Bammy,Florida,LSU,Cackalacky,Georgia,A&M) can play with anybody.The next level could be pretty good,too (Aubie,Missouri,Arkansas, Ole Missy),but would cruise through the ACC,Big Least or other leagues.The bottom feeders (UTK,UK,VU,State)might (with the exception of Kentucky) make a minor bowl,causing a minor controversy when bowl invites are handed out.It's a good problem to have for Mike Slive.
HOF- Easy call here. There are some morally repugnant men in the Hall Of Fame. The juicers on this list are selfish, dishonest poseurs that have (apparently) cheated the fans,their teams and ultimately,themselves for years. They are physically brave,but moral cowards for not admitting their misdeeds.These weasels have hid behind half truths,"no comment"s and evasions for years. It's time that lovers of the game hold them accountable and I hope that they do.No HOF. They cheated.
1) Leaving/ Staying SEC talent- Bray's heart wasn't in it at UTK,so it's better for everybody if he leaves.A fresh start in Knoxville is probably better for all concerned. It give Butch Jones a chance to put his choice in the drivers seat without a QB controversy and dampens the malcontent fans that expect miracles every time there's a coaching change.
Aaron Murray is huge for the pups.His staying means that every game will be winnable for UGA in '13.Way too much defensive talent is leaving for another oh-so-close season like this year,but the Dawgs will have a huge say in who plays in Atlanta come December.We'll probably see some shootouts,but Mark Richt has to be the happiest guy in the SEC today.
The Honey Badger? Likes his weed, that's for sure. I don't care spit about upbringing,background or any of those cop outs. The guy had a chance to do some special things at LSU and he (literally) set a match to them.I hope he gets his act together,but let us not speak of what he might have been. He threw that away...
Chip Kelly- Interesting chess game this week with this guy. I noticed where UO had more or less named his successor while he was publicly shopping himself in the NFL over the weekend.Maybe there was some pushback from his open dalliances with teams at the next level.Either way, the Duckos are ready to make another run next year and the Vols are on the menu in September.
"Speaking of ego, how about Lane Kiffin! How much longer does he survive in LA?"
Kiffy is on life support in LA.With dad wisely getting out while the getting is good,the Trojans had better come out smokin' in '13 or this time next year we will be discussing the new USC(W) regime.
"The Clowney hit was the type that makes you involuntarily gasp and scream. "Oh snap!"
Clowney is a special player. One day we will look back at the 2011-2012 SC team and realize that the HBC assembled some top shelf talent. Scary to think what a team with a healthy Lattimore,Clowney,Ace Sanders and two good quarterbacks could be next year...
"James Franklin seems to have figured something out over there in Nashville "
He seems to connect better with his players than any coach that I have seen on the west side in my lifetime.Vandy has traditionally went with proven commodities as head coach,but getting a young buck like Franklin may have been the answer all along.I'm happy for the 'Dores for their special season,but I have to believe that they take a step back in '13.The schedule is mildly tougher and they lose a lot of seniors (including Aaron Rodgers) at QB.The SEC is a tough place to break in a new QB and inexperience could cost them a couple of games.
I've been watching CFB since the Flintstones were first run TV and I have never seen a worse call that the phantom first down awarded to Michigan yesterday.I mean this was 1990 Colorado-Missouri bad.If the refs in that one don't get a reprimand,then the teams should just agree to ref their own games in the future.
I'm starting the Kiffen Watch right now. His team mailed it in big time against Tech. If he can't motivate his guys to play any harder than I saw yesterday,he'll go trick or treating as an unemployed coach.
Predictions : (Worth what you're paying)
The other USC (The one that beats Clempson on a regular basis these days) finally breaks through and wins the SEC.The 'Ol Ball Coach retires on top. Carolina has a year for the ages.
Tennessee makes progress and loses ground.The Vols will be better (especially on defense),but a bowl trip will turn on a single play,field goal or turnover.That's how thin the margin for error will be for Butch Jones & Co. next year in Knoxville.
Bret Bielma will find that "SEC Speed" is no myth.However, he'll look like Knute Rockne after the clown show that was the John L. Smith era in Pigville.
Vanderbilt will come crashing back to earth (and reality)in '13.The 'Dores will need a couple of upsets to go bowling.We'll probably see Halley's Comet again before Vandy has another 9 win season.
Auburn will have a better year under Gus Malzahn.The Tigers have 5 winnable games baked in and could go bowling (probably in the Music City Bowl).The Tigers will take their lumps,but will finally look competitive again.
Kentucky will transition from Basketball School in a football conference to Bigger Basketball School in a football conference and petition the NCAA to go to a bowl if the basketball team wins 30 games.The 'Cats will reach the .500 mark in the second week of the season against Miami (OH) and lose every other game.
Missouri will go bowling for the first time as a member of the SEC. They will find that Shreveport is no South Beach.
Texas A&M will win the west and Bama fans will throw a rock through Nick Saban's window."Fire Saban" websites will multiply to the point that the GoDaddy Bowl will increase the payout to member teams.(Just Kidding)
Florida will finish second in the east (behind Cackalacky)and the grumbling about Will Muschamp will start at a low boil.The Gators will hang around the top 10 all year.
Georgia takes a step back to rebuild and the ceiling is pretty low. If Aaron Murray goes pro,the Dawgs are gonna struggle.If he comes back,it could be the difference between 7 wins and 8-9.
Ole Missy and Mississippi State both finish 7-5 and one side (Black Bear fans) are thrilled.Doggie fans will start to wonder if Dan Mullen can get it done in Starkville.
SC wins the 2013 SEC championship in Atlanta 24-14.Jadaveon Clowney wins SEC player of the year and is deep in the mix for the Heisman.
The Mocs get all the bounces and have a special season.Russ Huesman wins SoCon Coach of the year award.Chattanooga gets into the playoffs and wins their first game in forever.
I don't think that it would have made a difference. Clemson is a decent ACC team and the internal rot at AU meant that they would have been exposed in the SEC West sooner rather than later.It really became apparent in 'aught 12 that Coach Cheez Whiz was what his record said it was going into the year-A slightly below average coach. After Cam Newton decamped to the NFL and Gus Malzahn wisely decided to take a head coaching job, Chizik had to develop players and plot strategy against some really good competition.He was, to put it mildly, out of his depth. Chizik will land somewhere, and of course AU will carry on,but someday we will look back on his time at Auburn as a weird dream-stunning,instant highs and frightening lows.
"Dr. B. is already on the record for predicting a 9-3 season for the Vols next year. He also said the rest of the SEC was about to get "Butch-slapped." Quake predicted a more reasonable 6-6."
9-3 would take at least one, maybe two upsets of top 10 teams.Dr. B needs to lay off the corn liquor before airtime.
I remember driving through KnoxVegas (to and from Cincinnati) every Friday this spring and summer. I would flip on the local sports talk shows and listen as the die hards predicted 8-9-10 wins this season. It was sad,touching and funny all at once.(Back then,"Sal Sunseri" was still not a pejorative).I wondered then and wonder now if the mass of Vol fans realize just how far this proud program has slipped.When I hear that somebody who should know better is projecting 9 wins next year (with a totally retooled skill player squad and yet another defensive philosophy change),I have to wonder if the world has gone mad.
I think Bray leaving is a short term (really short term) negative and long term positive for Butch Jones and UTK. It's addition by subtraction. The Vols are most likely not going bowling next year anyway.The only sure wins look like Austin Peay,Kentucky and South Alabama. What looked like layups against Western Kentucky and Missouri not that long ago are a lot more iffy now.
So Bray wasn't going to put the Vols in the BCS next year.This clears up some roster space for Jones to sign his kind of guy(s) to chunk the rock and gives him a built in 2-3 season washable,reusable excuse for the slow progress on the field.Bray might have been the difference in a game or two (Auburn,maybe Vandy), but its possible that the Big Orange is looking at a 4 win campaign in '13 and a youth movement might give the fans some hope down the stretch as the new pieces gel and mature.
Part of the problem here is scheduling (and coincidence). Getting Oregon and Florida early on the road hurts.And does anybody think that Western Kentucky won't improve some with former stunt cyclist Bobby Pinocch, um Petrino on the sideline?
Vols fans are just going to have to accept that it will take t-i-m-e to fix their favorite team.The transition year (and the year after) won't be pretty.
"What, just what, if he returned to show the Vol Nation what he can do with a coach that he respects and will listen to? "
Valid, well reasoned. But I would posit that even under ideal conditions,Bray can really only have a measureable impact on three games ( Missouri, Auburn and Vanderbilt. Tennessee should beat Austin Peay,Western Kentucky,Kentucky and South Alabama with any serviceable quarterback).That said, Bray's upside is limited. And for the record, I don't believe that Justin Worley is the answer either. I would like to see CBJ build a team the right way and avoid the quick fix guys (remember how Dooley brought in Juco refugee Matt Simms and the results were disastrous.)
But I live in Realville. I know that the pressure is to win and win now.And objectively,Bray might (MIGHT) be the difference between another 5-7 and some minor bowl that would give the illusion of progress. But then the Vols would have to start over with somebody else in the spring of '14.
Gun Sales
"Strawman argument."
Tell that to the guy he shot.
Gun Sales
When guns are outlawed,only liberal hypocrites will have guns. People like Carl Rowan.
5-at-10: Bama leaves no doubt today or in the future, MLB Hall of Fame and Saban's greatness
Jay,
Saddest day of the year.CFB is over.
We're watching an all time great run by the Bammmers here. I know it hurts if you pull for another SEC team,but it's kind of fun to watch history being made. Saban's in the all timer mix here. I would put him in the company of Neyland, Bryant, Dodd , Mc Kay and Rockne.(Of course, Steve Spurrier would say, "How many has Rockne won lately"?)
At least three SEC teams gave Bama a better game than the number 1 team in the nation (LSU had them beat, aTm beat 'em in Tusky and Georgia coulda,shoulda,woulda in Atlanta). I think that this shows just how far ahead of the pack the SEC is. Its a whole other world in the fall.Can't wait for OSU to make it to the big show and get pantsed next January.
AJ's a lucky guy,but Musburger is a creep.(And he was a creep before he started mooning over McCarrons squeeze).Could you even IMAGINE Keith Jackson being that unprofessional? I turn down the audio when Musburger and Herbstreit do a game that I want to watch.
Looking out 8 months, the SEC is going to be scary-good this year.The top 6 teams (Bammy,Florida,LSU,Cackalacky,Georgia,A&M) can play with anybody.The next level could be pretty good,too (Aubie,Missouri,Arkansas, Ole Missy),but would cruise through the ACC,Big Least or other leagues.The bottom feeders (UTK,UK,VU,State)might (with the exception of Kentucky) make a minor bowl,causing a minor controversy when bowl invites are handed out.It's a good problem to have for Mike Slive.
HOF- Easy call here. There are some morally repugnant men in the Hall Of Fame. The juicers on this list are selfish, dishonest poseurs that have (apparently) cheated the fans,their teams and ultimately,themselves for years. They are physically brave,but moral cowards for not admitting their misdeeds.These weasels have hid behind half truths,"no comment"s and evasions for years. It's time that lovers of the game hold them accountable and I hope that they do.No HOF. They cheated.
5-at-10: BCS title game, NFL playoffs and SEC players going pro
Jay,
Scattershot rants;
1) Leaving/ Staying SEC talent- Bray's heart wasn't in it at UTK,so it's better for everybody if he leaves.A fresh start in Knoxville is probably better for all concerned. It give Butch Jones a chance to put his choice in the drivers seat without a QB controversy and dampens the malcontent fans that expect miracles every time there's a coaching change.
Aaron Murray is huge for the pups.His staying means that every game will be winnable for UGA in '13.Way too much defensive talent is leaving for another oh-so-close season like this year,but the Dawgs will have a huge say in who plays in Atlanta come December.We'll probably see some shootouts,but Mark Richt has to be the happiest guy in the SEC today.
The Honey Badger? Likes his weed, that's for sure. I don't care spit about upbringing,background or any of those cop outs. The guy had a chance to do some special things at LSU and he (literally) set a match to them.I hope he gets his act together,but let us not speak of what he might have been. He threw that away...
Chip Kelly- Interesting chess game this week with this guy. I noticed where UO had more or less named his successor while he was publicly shopping himself in the NFL over the weekend.Maybe there was some pushback from his open dalliances with teams at the next level.Either way, the Duckos are ready to make another run next year and the Vols are on the menu in September.
5 at 10: Bowl pickings and trends and Who's with us?
"Speaking of ego, how about Lane Kiffin! How much longer does he survive in LA?"
Kiffy is on life support in LA.With dad wisely getting out while the getting is good,the Trojans had better come out smokin' in '13 or this time next year we will be discussing the new USC(W) regime.
"The Clowney hit was the type that makes you involuntarily gasp and scream. "Oh snap!" Clowney is a special player. One day we will look back at the 2011-2012 SC team and realize that the HBC assembled some top shelf talent. Scary to think what a team with a healthy Lattimore,Clowney,Ace Sanders and two good quarterbacks could be next year...
"James Franklin seems to have figured something out over there in Nashville "
He seems to connect better with his players than any coach that I have seen on the west side in my lifetime.Vandy has traditionally went with proven commodities as head coach,but getting a young buck like Franklin may have been the answer all along.I'm happy for the 'Dores for their special season,but I have to believe that they take a step back in '13.The schedule is mildly tougher and they lose a lot of seniors (including Aaron Rodgers) at QB.The SEC is a tough place to break in a new QB and inexperience could cost them a couple of games.
I've been watching CFB since the Flintstones were first run TV and I have never seen a worse call that the phantom first down awarded to Michigan yesterday.I mean this was 1990 Colorado-Missouri bad.If the refs in that one don't get a reprimand,then the teams should just agree to ref their own games in the future.
5-at-10: Look into 2013
I'm starting the Kiffen Watch right now. His team mailed it in big time against Tech. If he can't motivate his guys to play any harder than I saw yesterday,he'll go trick or treating as an unemployed coach.
Predictions : (Worth what you're paying)
The other USC (The one that beats Clempson on a regular basis these days) finally breaks through and wins the SEC.The 'Ol Ball Coach retires on top. Carolina has a year for the ages.
Tennessee makes progress and loses ground.The Vols will be better (especially on defense),but a bowl trip will turn on a single play,field goal or turnover.That's how thin the margin for error will be for Butch Jones & Co. next year in Knoxville.
Bret Bielma will find that "SEC Speed" is no myth.However, he'll look like Knute Rockne after the clown show that was the John L. Smith era in Pigville.
Vanderbilt will come crashing back to earth (and reality)in '13.The 'Dores will need a couple of upsets to go bowling.We'll probably see Halley's Comet again before Vandy has another 9 win season.
Auburn will have a better year under Gus Malzahn.The Tigers have 5 winnable games baked in and could go bowling (probably in the Music City Bowl).The Tigers will take their lumps,but will finally look competitive again.
Kentucky will transition from Basketball School in a football conference to Bigger Basketball School in a football conference and petition the NCAA to go to a bowl if the basketball team wins 30 games.The 'Cats will reach the .500 mark in the second week of the season against Miami (OH) and lose every other game.
Missouri will go bowling for the first time as a member of the SEC. They will find that Shreveport is no South Beach.
Texas A&M will win the west and Bama fans will throw a rock through Nick Saban's window."Fire Saban" websites will multiply to the point that the GoDaddy Bowl will increase the payout to member teams.(Just Kidding)
Florida will finish second in the east (behind Cackalacky)and the grumbling about Will Muschamp will start at a low boil.The Gators will hang around the top 10 all year.
Georgia takes a step back to rebuild and the ceiling is pretty low. If Aaron Murray goes pro,the Dawgs are gonna struggle.If he comes back,it could be the difference between 7 wins and 8-9.
Ole Missy and Mississippi State both finish 7-5 and one side (Black Bear fans) are thrilled.Doggie fans will start to wonder if Dan Mullen can get it done in Starkville.
SC wins the 2013 SEC championship in Atlanta 24-14.Jadaveon Clowney wins SEC player of the year and is deep in the mix for the Heisman.
The Mocs get all the bounces and have a special season.Russ Huesman wins SoCon Coach of the year award.Chattanooga gets into the playoffs and wins their first game in forever.
Happy New Year !
5-at-10: Bowl standings and picks, NFL dazzles, the year that was 2012
RE: Auburn & Clemson...
I don't think that it would have made a difference. Clemson is a decent ACC team and the internal rot at AU meant that they would have been exposed in the SEC West sooner rather than later.It really became apparent in 'aught 12 that Coach Cheez Whiz was what his record said it was going into the year-A slightly below average coach. After Cam Newton decamped to the NFL and Gus Malzahn wisely decided to take a head coaching job, Chizik had to develop players and plot strategy against some really good competition.He was, to put it mildly, out of his depth. Chizik will land somewhere, and of course AU will carry on,but someday we will look back on his time at Auburn as a weird dream-stunning,instant highs and frightening lows.
5-at-10: Friday mailbag on Bray's future, winning the offseason, Christmas tunes and a review of 2012
"Dr. B. is already on the record for predicting a 9-3 season for the Vols next year. He also said the rest of the SEC was about to get "Butch-slapped." Quake predicted a more reasonable 6-6."
9-3 would take at least one, maybe two upsets of top 10 teams.Dr. B needs to lay off the corn liquor before airtime.
I remember driving through KnoxVegas (to and from Cincinnati) every Friday this spring and summer. I would flip on the local sports talk shows and listen as the die hards predicted 8-9-10 wins this season. It was sad,touching and funny all at once.(Back then,"Sal Sunseri" was still not a pejorative).I wondered then and wonder now if the mass of Vol fans realize just how far this proud program has slipped.When I hear that somebody who should know better is projecting 9 wins next year (with a totally retooled skill player squad and yet another defensive philosophy change),I have to wonder if the world has gone mad.
Merry Christmas Jay!
5-at-10: Friday mailbag on Bray's future, winning the offseason, Christmas tunes and a review of 2012
I think Bray leaving is a short term (really short term) negative and long term positive for Butch Jones and UTK. It's addition by subtraction. The Vols are most likely not going bowling next year anyway.The only sure wins look like Austin Peay,Kentucky and South Alabama. What looked like layups against Western Kentucky and Missouri not that long ago are a lot more iffy now. So Bray wasn't going to put the Vols in the BCS next year.This clears up some roster space for Jones to sign his kind of guy(s) to chunk the rock and gives him a built in 2-3 season washable,reusable excuse for the slow progress on the field.Bray might have been the difference in a game or two (Auburn,maybe Vandy), but its possible that the Big Orange is looking at a 4 win campaign in '13 and a youth movement might give the fans some hope down the stretch as the new pieces gel and mature.
Part of the problem here is scheduling (and coincidence). Getting Oregon and Florida early on the road hurts.And does anybody think that Western Kentucky won't improve some with former stunt cyclist Bobby Pinocch, um Petrino on the sideline?
Vols fans are just going to have to accept that it will take t-i-m-e to fix their favorite team.The transition year (and the year after) won't be pretty.
5-at-10: NFL Power Poll, UT football moves, More than you wanted to know about the McRib and Poor Sportsman of the Year
"What, just what, if he returned to show the Vol Nation what he can do with a coach that he respects and will listen to? "
Valid, well reasoned. But I would posit that even under ideal conditions,Bray can really only have a measureable impact on three games ( Missouri, Auburn and Vanderbilt. Tennessee should beat Austin Peay,Western Kentucky,Kentucky and South Alabama with any serviceable quarterback).That said, Bray's upside is limited. And for the record, I don't believe that Justin Worley is the answer either. I would like to see CBJ build a team the right way and avoid the quick fix guys (remember how Dooley brought in Juco refugee Matt Simms and the results were disastrous.)
But I live in Realville. I know that the pressure is to win and win now.And objectively,Bray might (MIGHT) be the difference between another 5-7 and some minor bowl that would give the illusion of progress. But then the Vols would have to start over with somebody else in the spring of '14.