Will Muschamp Heading To South Carolina? That's News To The Head Ball Coach

South Carolina's Scout website Gamecock Pride is citing an unofficial source confirming that Will
Muschamp will be hired as the Gamecocks new defensive coordinator.

"No, I haven't hired Will," South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier told The State newspaper. "I haven't really talked to anybody about additions (to staff)."

Lorenzo Ward remains South Carolina's defensive coordinator.

Reportedly Muschamp has offers for open defensive coordinator positions at either Auburn or Texas A&M.

Should he choose Muschamp won't be unemployed very long.

It appears that Ward won't be unemployed soon either.  Spurrier told The State he has no plans of making any staff changes.

“All our coaches are out recruiting. All of our coaches are under contract,” he said. “Some of them may get a job somewhere else, you never know, and we’ll go from there. We are probably pretty flexible right now a little bit on the staff, but I believe that almost all of our guys will be back.”

The coaching carousel continues to spin.

If It Wasn't For Bad Luck Florida Would Have No Luck At All, Gamecocks Win Over Gators In OT 23-20

It's been well documented here at OSG Sports what a miserable season the Florida Gators are experiencing.

Today's game at Gainesville against South Carolina with UF alum Steve Spurrier on the opposite sideline was a clear definition of without bad luck the Gators would have no luck at all.

In the fourth quarter with the Gators up 17-10 all Florida kicker Francisco Valez had to do is split the uprights on a 32 yard field goal and the game would have been put on ice.  Except it wasn't.


Brison Williams blocked the kick giving the Gamecocks life.

With a minute and a half left in the game Florida was punting only it was blocked too.


Carlton Heard's big play on special teams led to South Carolina's tying touchdown and forced overtime.

In the overtime the Gamecocks prevailed with Dylan Thompson's four yard touchdown run and it's a 23-20 win for South Carolina.


You just get the feeling that Gator fans are numb to all of this.

That or just waiting to be put of their misery.  At least Will Muschamp's head on a pike.

Ever See A Walk-Of Presser...???

((HT: ABC Columbia))

The OBC had a 14-point lead at home against Tennessee last night...

It didn't last as Joshua Dobbs hooked up with Jason Croom and Tennessee had a monstrous fourth quarter to send the game to overtime.

In the fifth quarter, the Vols kicked a field goal, the Gamecocks went backwards and lost 45-42.

All that caused what is, probably, the shortest Steve Spurrier press conference ever...


Makes you wonder if this week of prep will be one the players at Sakerlina will not like at all...

Head Ball Coach Can't Believe South Carolina Lost To Mizzou

Early in the fourth quarter South Carolina wide receiver Pharoh Cooper caught a 23 yard touchdown
pass from Dylan Thompson to give the Gamecocks at 20-7 lead at home.



Though the 'Cocks nailed the extra point head coach Steve Spurrier's gut said go for two.

'I messed up on the two-point conversion, should have gone for it." Spurrier said.  "I wasn’t even thinking about it until I looked up and saw it was 20-7. I had something in my mind that 16-7 might be real good the way our defense was playing. All of a sudden Pharoh [Cooper] caught that [the touchdown pass] and nobody even on the bench thought about it [going for two points]. I looked up and said you know what we should have gone for two, too late now. That was a mistake on my part."

That's because Mizzou scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to stun South Carolina 21-20 leaving the head ball coach sick at his stomach.



"It was a tough night for us."  Spurrier said.

Meanwhile Gary Pinkel was thrilled.

"When things got tough, we just stayed positive." Pinkel said. "Big win for us."

It's big because Mizzou is the only team in the SEC East that's undefeated in conference play.

"We just have got to focus on getting better and the confidence level that you gain for something like this is significant."  Pinkel said.  "We’ve got to be a lot better football team. We’ve got to use this to make us better, not use this to make us feel good.”

CFB: S.Carolina Beats Georgia By Inches

This was a pretty good game. Georgia vs. South Carolina in Columbia a place where the strange often happens and Saturday's game was no exception.

After a 1hr 15min delay because of storms in the area, both teams came out swinging and never stopped.

The Gamecocks rode 3 TD passes by Quarterback Dylan Thompson and 93 yards on the ground by Brandon Wilds and held on for a 38-35 win over the Bulldogs.

The game, which featured 850yds of offense went back and forth and ultimately came down to two plays.

One: Georgia kicker Marshall Morgan, who earlier in the game hit his 19th straight field goal to break an SEC record, proceeded to miss a relative chip shot late in the 4th quarter. Although Georgia had a golden opportunity to win outright when Damian Swann intercepted Thompson and returned the ball down to the 4 yard line.

But UGA Quarterback Huston Mason was called for grounding and two plays later, Morgan was forced to try the Field Goal.

Two: South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier decided to go for it on 4th and inches, with the ball at midfield and just under two minutes left in the game. Thompson converted, but based on the spot of the ball and measurement, if he did, it was by millimeters.

The Gamecocks ran out the clock and celebrated. But what is cracking us up is the reaction of the Georgia fans who are screaming "Fire Mark Richt, fire Mike Bobo, we suck".  Remember, just two weeks ago before beating Clemson, you had no idea whether your team would be great or not. Stop whining!

Anyway...here's the highlights from CBSSports:

Post Johnny Manziel Era Looks Good For Texas A&M, Aggies Pound Gamecocks 52-28

New Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill not only had Aggie fans forgetting about Johnny Manziel, Hill wipe out Johnny Football from the Aggie record books too.

Hill broke Manziel's school single game passing record throwing for 511 yards as Texas A&M routed South Carolina 52-28 breaking the Gamecocks 18 game home win streak.


Do we start the Kenny Hill Heisman Trophy campaign now?  Please no Kenny Football references.

It was obvious the Texas A&M played with a chip on their shoulder trying to prove that their will be no drop off after Manziel moved on to the NFL.

“You know, basically, nobody gave us a chance to even be close in this game,”Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin said. “All I heard last week was [we’re] two-touchdown [underdogs] and if we could keep it close it would be great.”

“I think what we did tonight showed that really, we’re not a one-trick pony,”Sumlin said. “You know, we are not anywhere near where we want to be – [but] we’re not going anywhere, anytime soon.”

The Aggies put up 680 yards on South Carolina's offense.

"We got manhandled," South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier said. "We got clobbered tonight."

The head ball coach was humbled by the Aggies performance at Columbia.

"That team is so much better than us, it wasn't funny," Spurrier said.

South Carolina fans were a little shell shocked too as this string of sound bites from WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina shows.


wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |
As a post script to Kenny Hill's 511 yards passing he becomes the sixth SEC quarterback to surpass 500 yards.  Here's the list:
Eric Zeier - Georgia
Jared Lorenzen - Kentucky
Rohan Davey - LSU
Peyton Manning - Tennessee
Tyler Wilson - Arkansas
Kenny Hill - Texas A&M

Things You Can't Unsee: Steve Spurrier Dancing a Jig

((ht: Twitter/@JeffTynerGC))

Zoinks! It really is college football time in the south.

Rainy, humid days and crappy Braves baseball have chased most Southern Sports fans towards their other favorite pastime, College Football.

Yes, College Football.

And nobody, or very few people are better "College Football" characters than University of South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier.

Or the master of the pun...

But today, as he strolled out to the practice field he became happy "Ball Coach"...at least that's what it appears.

Check out the 'ol ball coach cutting a rug...

Man, was I lucky to have my camera on Coach Spurrier http://t.co/PCBippOoai #gamecocks http://t.co/dGUHxk8t0J
— Jeff Tyner (@JeffTynerGC) August 8, 2014

Steve Spurrier Just Can't Resist

((HT: ESPN on ABC))

And the HQ enjoys when he gets in his shots...

Like after winning in the Citrus Bowl earlier today...


See...???

We told you...

Conner Shaw Rallies Gamecocks Off The Bench For 27-24 Win Over Missouri In Double Overtime

Conner Shaw after 27-24 win over Missouri

South Carolina quarterback Conner Shaw wasn't suppose to play against Missouri.  A sprained left knee was causing Shaw to watch the game from the sidelines.

Shaw and the Head Ball Coach didn't like what they were seeing.

The Gamecocks committed three turnovers, gave up the ball on down twice and missed a field goal.  

Mid-way through the third quarter Missouri was up 17-0 and Tiger fans were thinking about a trip to Atlanta and the SEC Championship Game on early December.

The Gamecocks' season was on life support.

Enter Conner Shaw.

"I went over and asked him if he could play and he said sure."  South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier said.  "I said we had to make the move now. Dylan was just a little off here and there. I thought he had a few guys open and he zinged them out, but he threw some good balls. It just wasn't his night and Connor gave us a little sharpness in there."

It turned out to be perhaps and season defining move by the Head Ball Coach.  Shaw relieved Dylan Thompson and led the Gamecocks to a pair of touchdowns and a field goal force overtime.

Then on the overtime Shaw led South Carolina to a touchdown and a field goal and that was enough.

Missouri kicker Andrew Baggatt missed a 24 yard field goal off the left upright and South Carolina escaped Columbia, Missouri with their season saved for the time being.




“God is great, man,” Shaw said. “I wasn’t even supposed to be playing this game. Give all the glory up top.”



Shaw finished the night 20-of-29 for 201 yards and three touchdowns.

“It was a game I thought we were dead," Spurrier said. “It just worked out tonight. That’s all you can say, it was meant to be.”



"I thought it was a very courageous effort on his part". Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel said.

South Carolina is back in the race for the SEC Championship.  

It was a stunning loss for Missouri.

"Our guys are certainly frustrated and disappointed, and they should be." Pinkel said.  "They are competitors and we will have to bounce back from this."

Newspaper Tells Columnist He Can't Write About Sakerlina Anymore (THURSDAY UPDATE: He Can Again)

((HT: Jim Romenesko))

It's a safe play that none of the television stations in Columbia, South Carolina will go into any depth in this story...

On two separate occasions over the last two seasons, the Old Ball Coach has told the assembled media that he won't be answering questions from them- just because... and anything that Spurrier says in his press conferences, currently, has no value other than taking up oxygen...

But the "because" is, according to Romenesko, that The State columnist Ron Morris was negative (in 2011)
Spurrier ranted about it...
((HT: Student Gamecock Television))


And that Morris was suspected of planting questions with fellow reporters so THEY could ask Spurrier questions that he had after an incident in 2012 where Spurrier was criticized by Morris for starting Connor Shaw against UAB...

Six days later, Morris was on Bill King's show on SiriusXM College Sports Nation...


Here was OBC's response with Todd Ellis...


He won't have to worry about it anymore...

Morris has been told by his newspaper that he is not to write any more stories on USC...

From Romenesko:

The State publisher Henry Haitz III wasn’t a Morris fan, though; he wanted his columnist fired, I’m told. Executive editor Mark Lett talked him out of it, though, according to sources. There were no legitimate grounds for dismissal, the publisher was told.

Lett “has basically protected Ron’s job,” says one of Morris’s friends. “He’s had the guts to stand up to the publisher” when Haitz wanted Morris pink-slipped. “This is not a Mark Lett problem; if anything he’s been a protector.”

Morris kept his job, but he was told he could no longer attend Spurrier’s press conferences. He was also ordered by the publisher to write an apology column. That ran last Sept. 26.

The HQ can't say that we're shocked about a high-profile, heavy-handed coach like Spurrier being the pit boss in a college town being able to wield his vocal sword in a manner like this...

But, it also says a lot about the business as it currently exists...
Big business means you have to protect your relationships, and if that means that you divert a long-time, well-respected columnist for the sake of driving content...

Then, so be it...
And "The State" has put its line in the sand...

THURSDAY UPDATE: Unless Haitz backs off entirely...

Deadspin got a holt of an internal memo that backs off the policy- for now... at least in name...

Below is part of a memo written by executive editor Mark Lett today

Please know this today: Ron Morris and other columnists at The State are free to pursue topics and stories as guided by their curiosity, their news judgment, their obligation to readers and our standards for quality journalism. No subject or individual is off limits for examination.

Relationships can be difficult between news makers and journalists, especially those who write analysis, commentary and opinion. You all understand why. Around here, much has been said and written about Spurrier and Ron — in blogs, on the web, on talk shows and in other publications. . As with any relationship, it sometimes helps to step back and allow conditions to cool. In recent months, we asked Ron to draw upon his considerable sports knowledge and experience to produce highly readable, relevant columns and enterprise features.The work has been outstanding and has given sports fans much to enjoy and to think about. During this time, we asked Ron to focus first on coverage other than the USC football program.

Moving forward, all topics — including USC football — are in play. As always, this is a newspaper committed to accuracy, fairness and holding accountable the news makers and institutions that serve our community and our state.

Spurrier Says Clowney May Not Play In Season Opener VS North Carolina

The head ball coach did say it when reporters gathered around Steve Spurrier Monday night.



You heard right, Jadeveon Clowney might miss South Carolina's season opener against North Carolina because of a bruised shoulder.

You can just see the frustration on Steve Spurrier's face.  Perhaps the head ball coach will remind Clowney and the other players the difference between being hurt and injured.

The game is scheduled to be televised by ESPN.  You wonder if an four-letter executive is on the "bat phone" with South Carolina's athletic administration begging, pleading that Clowney can suit up.

Who else would the 4 - letter zone in on to sell that game.

Random Ruminations of Steve Spurrier

Hmmmm. And what folks is the age that you are required to be to vote again?

Uh...18?

Well, someone probably should, if they already haven't, remind South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier about that.

The 'ol ball coach was asked at his weekly press conference today about allowing his players extra time to go vote he answered "Our players that are 21?"

Oops.

Oh, by the way, we already know he's not fans of his local media. He got an opportunity today to answer a question about one of his players conditioning by answering "His body fat is very low, unlike a lot of you guys".

Haha! Guffaw, guffaw oh Steve, you are SO witty:

Thanks WACH-Tv for the clip:

So Much For That Whole South Carolina Thing...

((HT: ABCColumbia.com))

A lot of people were not surprised that this game in Death Valley:

1) Was a grinder and was played nowhere near the 20's and,
2) Would not be an upset if LSU actually won

So, there we are...

The LSU defense completely handcuffed Connor Shaw, kept him in the pocket, and forced the passing game to beat them instead of having the running game beat you in a confined space.

Offensively, it was simply to have Zach Mettenberger manage (as much as the HQ HATES THAT TERM) and just try not to screw things up when they needed him not to screw things up.

Freshman Jeremy Hill took up the slack on the ground with two scores and South Carolina, on the other hand, was held to 34 yards on the ground- 211 total.

Here's your wrap from FOSG Merissa Lynn in Lou-zee-anna...


"I don't know if he got hit in the head tonight or not," Spurrier said of Shaw after the game. "Some of his decision-making was a little off. Connor has played beautifully all year. He had some good plays tonight but he wasn't as sharp as he's been."

But, probably, the more telling words came from JD Clowney.

Whether or not the team pays attention to the words below will be the answer over the next few weeks as we hit the home stretch in the Ess-E-Cee:

"Some guys came out to play but some guys didn't. It may be because they were scared. We will address that in practice. We can't come out against Florida like that."

Now, will everyone listen to the young'un, or did he step out of line...???
That's the larger question...

Steve Spurrier Loves Kicking Georgia's Ass, Bulldogs Cold-Cocked By Gamecocks 35-7

Whenever Steve Spurrier has a chance to beat down the Georgia Bulldogs the head ball coach will do it.

Saturday night in Columbia, South Carolina the Gamecocks put a beat down the Bulldogs 35-7.

The head ball coach savored the butt kicking. (Thanks WOLO-TV Columbia, S.C.)

 

You heard right.  South Carolina’s win over Georgia was Steve Spurrier’s 250^th of his coaching career.  The win would have been special but it’s icing on the cake crushing the OBC’s personal rival.

The head ball coach can give props to the Gamecock defense which cold-cocked the Georgia offense.  Quarterback Aaron Murray was 11-31 passing for just 109 yards and an interception. 

The UGA running back combo of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, who combined to average 192.1 yards per game were held to 39 and 37 yards respectively. 

“I think it was the same pressure we used all season, but we made a conscious effort to not let them get on the outside.”  South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said. “ If you go back and watch them in every ball game they played, they make their plays by getting on the perimeter. We had a conscious effort to keep them on the inside.”

Here’s the highlights (Thanks ESPN)

 

Steve Spurrier vs. Local Columnist: He really believes this is heat?

Whiny Bitch

We didn't really touch on this story last week, and maybe we should have. It appears that the man with the thinnest skin in College Football has made an issue over a critical columnist in his local paper.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier thinks that The State (Columbia, SC) columnist Ron Morris has some sort of ax to grind with him. The latest reason: Spurrier taking umbrage with Morris critiquing some of Spurrier's decisions.

And Spurrier blew a gasket.

He's accused Morris of slandering him. He's accused him of having an ax to grind. He's accused Morris of trying to run him out of town. And he's blamed Morris for making him cancel a press conference before the Kentucky game two weeks ago.

(Note--This isn't the first time Spurrier took his ball and went home because of Morris's presence)

And Morris, who is perfectly in his rights to be critical of the coach, did something kind of stupid last week. In an attempt to explain what was happening, he compared Spurrier's power in Columbia to the Penn State scandal.

Bad move.

Anyone who has ever dealt with Spurrier knows how thin his skin is. He's the life of the party when his team wins and plays well. But he's also the "Guy who can laugh at others but not himself".

And he's using all of this to make stupid threats. Spurrier has gone on record, telling a local radio station that the University president and the publisher of the paper have talked and this will be taken care of. Spurrier has gone on to whine that "If Morris stays, I might have to just head to the beach". He also said that he wouldn't have taken the job if he knew he had to deal with Morris.

OKAY....ENOUGH!!!

We kind of summarized the alleged "Feud" here because it just gets stupider the more you read about it. Really, Spurrier is pissed because one columnist questions him? Boy he wouldn't last long in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, Knoxville or any other SEC outpost.

The problem is he has so much "Power" that everyone in Columbia is on his side. And he's wrong. It's not the Newspaper's job...or the public's job to agree with everything he says. Spurrier is taking advantage of the fact he's winning right now. And the Ass-Clowns in Columbia are ready to burn Morris at the stake because of it.

These days, it's a popular game to blame the media for everything that's wrong. From political candidates who say that the media is conspiring against them if they aren't winning, to poor-defenseless football coaches who think that nobody dare question them.

And the public buys into it. The fan base doesn't seem to care if their "Hero" does wrong. Heck, the hero doesn't even have to tell the truth anymore. The public wants their hero to be able to do whatever they want until they do something wrong. And then and only then do they want it to be reported on. All the "Fans" want is this: "We won!" "How great and perfect are we?"

If Spurrier had his way, the headline would be something like this:

"Spurrier Calls Perfect Game, Gamecocks Win 88-0"

Dateline: Columbia, SC

South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, the greatest coach in football history called every play perfectly, leading his team to an 88-0 win over Georgia Saturday.

Carolina looked like they could score and did score every time they had the ball and held the Georgia defense to 3 and out on every series.

Said Spurrier, "We're getting better, but we still have some work to do to be perfect"

Georgia had only 3 yards rushing and 3 yards passing during the game.

Spurrier as he is wont to do, praised his offense as well. "We were great today" We did everything well" "I'm proud of our kids".

Faithful Gamecock fans stayed and cheered throughout the whole game, something Spurrier couldn't have been more happy about.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Possible Real Game story:

"Georgia Holds off Carolina 28-26"

The Georgia Bulldogs held off a mistake prone South Carolina Gamecock team that committed 10 turnovers. 

Said Bulldog coach Mark Richt: "We were fortunate they had trouble executing plays. And when we had the ball, they had trouble stopping us"

The Bulldogs ran up 527 yards of total offense against a Gamecock defense that had trouble stopping the run.

Richt: "We could have scored more if we held on to the ball"

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier stormed out of his press conference when a writer, not from Columbia, asked about his teams poor performance. Said Spurrier: "Why do you have such an ax to grind against us?" "Our kids played horribly, but you can't ask me about that."

By the end of the game, which was closer than it should have been, the Williams-Brice crowd had thinned to only a handful of supporters, eager to see if the home team could come back.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Which version sounds more likely here? If Spurrier were to be believed, Carolina fans would only hear about version 1--no matter what happened.

So think about it Gamecock fan. Do you really want the Sugar-Coated "Ain't we great" version every day, all the time? Or do you want the truth? Do you want someone to say, "Hey what happened? Why didn't we do this?"

We aren't saying Morris is perfect, but this is all about the premise and not anything else.

For you Steven Orr Spurrier:

TWTW Thursday: South Carolina, Vandy, UConn, UMass

Here's your Thursday recap...

South Carolina just got out of Vanderbilt alive 17-13
Here's the OBC talking about survival and Connor Shaw got out alive- although he gets a lot of bonus points for being a tough SOB...
((HT: ABCColumbia))
UConn welcomed UMass to Division I with a 37-0 shutout at Renschler Field. It was the first time the two schools played each other since 1999, when both schools were Division I-AA... it wasn't even close... ((HT: WTNH-TV))

UConn beats UMass 37-0 in renewal of rivalry

UNLV lost to Minnesota in three overtimes 30-27, the highlights are here fron 13 Action News/KTNV-TV
Other winners include Central Michigan (sorry, Wilkie), UCLA, and Utah
More fun tonight...

OSG Previews the SEC East because we can

Not a ton of things going on...or to do on a pleasant weekend at OSG Global HQ. So we decided "Better late then never" and will give you are 2 1/2 cents on everyone's favorite College Football conference, the SEC.

We'll list the contenders by division, starting with the East...and where we think they'll finish.

SEC East--

1. Georgia 10-2 overall, 5-2 in conference.

Overview: Everyone looks and says "Soft Schedule" and well, they aren't wrong. This however is a very talented, though not very deep team that could be very, very good.

Offense: With Aaron Murray and a deep bunch of Receivers led by Tavarres King, they'll be a tough out for anyone. We'd like them more if they had Malcolm Mitchell the whole season, but they won't. The Running Backs are young, but could be very, very good. Watch out for true freshman Todd Gurley.

The line is a big question, though they are very big and athletic. How they go will determine how this offense goes.

Defense: This should, once the suspension season ends, be one of the best "D's" in the country. They are big, fast and deep everywhere except maybe defensive back where they will not have at least two starters the first couple games.

Jarvis Jones is an All-World Linebacker and John Jenkins and Cornelius Washington are pretty darn good on the line. Shawn Williams and Baccari Rambo are All-American level safeties.

Our thoughts: Anything less then the SEC Championship game for them will be a letdown. And it should be. This is one of the better groups Coach Mark Richt has had in awhile, let's see if they for once can live up to expectations.


2. Florida  9-3 overall, 4-3 in confernce

Overview: Year 2 of Coach Boom and the natives are already restless. The natives have no idea how bare Urban Meyer left the cupboard.

Offense: Jeff Driskell seems to have the QB job...for now. Mike Gillislee gives them the 1st "Power" back they've had in a long time. But who is going to catch it? The O-Line is solid and there is a lot of buzz about new coordinator Brent Pease's offense. Can they deliver?

Defense: Big, strong and pretty deep. This will be the Florida calling card in 2012. Dominique Easley and Shariff Floyd anchor the line, Jon Bostic at Linebacker and Marcus Roberson at Cornerback all have All-American potential.

Our thoughts: They'll be better. Particularly if they can score. The defense is very good, the offense has a ton of questions. Only time will tell if they'll be answered.

3. South Carolina 9-3 overall, 4-3 in conference.

Overview: With the return of Marcus Lattimore and Jadeveon Clowney, they'll be a tough out for anyone. Though we aren't sold on Connor Shaw.

Offense: All things go through the QB. Shaw stepped up last year, but was really inconsistent. He'll have to be really good for the 'Cocks (I said Cock) to be elite. Marcus Lattimore returns with a new knee and a lot to prove. Does he have it in him? Who will step up and replace Alshon Jefferey?

Defense: They lost a lot of guys here. Clowney returns, but all the other headliners graduated. Someone at linebacker and in the defensive backfield will have to step up. We don't see a lot of low scoring games for this team.

Our thoughts: Good, not great. We don't buy these guys as heavily as some others. They'll be able to outscore some people, but we think the biggest loss they had may be former D-Coordinator Ellis Johnson.

4. Missouri 8-4, 3-4 in conference

Overview: They should be a solid addition at least to this division of the SEC. There is some talent here, but there's going to be a learning curve for their new home. No way around it.

Offense: It will all starts with QB James Franklin. As he goes, the team will go and he's pretty solid. A good runner/passer who should fit right in with the big boys of the SEC. Henry Josey and T.J Moe make for some good support.

Defense: That's the question. There is some concern this isn't an elite SEC level defense. We should find out pretty fast. A lot of solid contributors, but no standouts in this unit.

Our thoughts: The Tigers will be competitive in their new home. They aren't far away from elite level, the defense will hold them back. Franklin should be one of the best QB's in the whole conference, at least on paper.

5. Tennessee 6-6, 2-5 in the conference

Overview: This is a make or break season for coach Derek Dooley whether he likes it or not. The natives are VERY restless in Knoxville. And this should be a decent team who may scare some folks, but we don't believe they are quite as good as the teams in front of them.

Offense: Tyler Bray should be healthy. And if he is, the Vols will throw the ball. A lot. There is experience on the offensive line. The skill positions will be tended to by committee which is why we aren't naming many names.

Defense: Defensive End Jacques Smith and LB A.J Johnson will make sure the defense is solid. There is some other talent here, but it's again a mish-mash of guys and the main reason we don't rank them higher.

Our Thoughts: They will be a dangerous out, but there still aren't the horses here to run with the big boys. Bray is excellent, Smith and Johnson are awfully good, the rest...are role players. And that is the difference between this and UT teams from years gone by.

We don't dislike Derrick Dooley, even though this will be an improved team, we're afraid anything less than 8 wins and he won't keep his job.

6. Vanderbilt 6-6. 2-5 in the conference.

Overview: We want to like this team. Really we do. And they are everyone's darlings. Coach James Franklin made a BIG impact with this bunch, within the SEC and especially in the Nashville area. He has them heading in the right direction.

Offense:  Zac Stacy is a very good running back. Jordan Rodgers played well the 2nd half of last season, but is being challenged in camp. That may or may not be good. Wesley Johnson anchors a deep, experienced line. 

Defense: They lost a lot of experience. Depth will be an issue on what is probably the weak link on this team. Walker May is the only headliner here, someone or several someone's are going to have to step up for them to keep pace.

Our Thoughts: The defense is an issue. It's why we don't think they'll make the big leap...this year. The 'Dores are still a program on the rise and for the first time in decades, there is some excitement surrounding them. There are less likely to be issues here as the fanbase traditionally doesn't expect much.

7. Kentucky 4-8, 1-7 in the conference

Overview: Something is missing here and we, nor anyone else can put their fingers on it. They should be better, though playing in the SEC probably doesn't help. Joker Phillips may be in trouble without a winning season too.

Offense: Max Smith was solid the 2nd half of last season, the question is can he continue to improve. WR La'rod King leads a group of solid backs that should contribute. With 3 starters gone on the line however, the question is who will be able to block for these guys?

Defense: Also a lot of holes here. Six to be exact. Donte Rumph and Mister Cobble (yes, that's his name) are the only starters of note to return. There isn't enough depth here to keep these guys competitive for long.

Our Thoughts: It's going to be a long year in Lexington. They aren't horrible, but in the SEC they are. Without much on defense, it doesn't matter what else they do because the offense isn't better than anyone they play.

Division MVP: Aaron Murray, UGA

Best Offensive Player: James Franklin, Missouri

Best Defensive Player: Jarvis Jones, UGA

Best Coach: Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

Ess-E-Cee Media Day One: Spurrier Goes Funny...Everyone Else Survives...

((HT: WLTX-TV Columbia))

The OBC was in rare form on Day One of Ess-E-Cee Media Days in Birmingham-slash-Hoover...

"If I made the schedule, Georgia would be playing LSU and we'd be playing Ole Miss," Spurrier said.

Spurrier later apologized to Ole Miss...

Here's Spurrier at the Wynfrey Hotel's version of the Chuckle Hut...
Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel stood there at the same podium and said there's a perception that "we play a bunch of high school teams." He says the Tigers know they have to earn respect in the SEC. Pinkel says Missouri fans have gone beyond excitement over playing in the SEC and "have become fanatical about it." Good luck with that one, coach... Vandy head coach had one thought for prospective recruits: "If you're truly the best and the brightest where else would you go?" Franklin led the Commodores to six wins and their second bowl appearance since 1982 in his first year at the helm... The HQ is thinking 5-7 ourselves, losing to Wake Forest on the last game of the year... Texas A&M has a new coach in Kevin Sumlin and he's ready to play in a damn, tough conference... ((HT: KBTX-TV Bryan/College Station)) But Missouri wide receiver T.J. Moe was the quote machine for the day: "It's like a zoo around here. Look at you guys. There's 1,100 media members here, I'm wearing a suit and tie for some reason, and I got escorted to an elevator by security when I got off the bus here. There were 15 people waiting for an autograph, so it's just different. It's way cooler here."
They're just lucky that they may not be around tomorrow...
That's when Alabama speaks and the world rotates off-kilter...

TWTW: Sakerlina Wrap- Clemson For Real, Gamecocks Jury Still Out

((HT: WSPA-TV))

Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney is still winning ((much to the dismay of TBH after the smack he ran after beating Auburn earlier this season))... they're off to their best start since 2000 after going into Blacksburg and beating Va Tech Saturday...

Holding them to only 3 points, even...

Here's your post...


Over at the Fairgrounds, Auburn OC Gus Malzahn pulled the Lutzenkirchen throwback out of the rear of the playbook. It was good enough for a 16-13 upset win and it gave the OBC pause to reflect on his quarterback situation since Stephen Garcia went all of 9-for-23 in the loss.

Here's them talking as well... led off by Coach Spurrier himself...
Who is still looking for more time to be put on the clock...