SEC WEST
| AP Top 25 | |||
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | PTS |
| 1 | Alabama (55) | 12-1 | 1495 |
| 2 | LSU (1) | 13-1 | 1425 |
| 3 | Oklahoma State (4) | 12-1 | 1399 |
| 4 | Oregon | 12-2 | 1250 |
| 5 | Arkansas | 11-2 | 1198 |
| 6 | USC | 10-2 | 1181 |
| 7 | Stanford | 11-2 | 1167 |
| 8 | Boise State | 12-1 | 1127 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 11-2 | 1013 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 11-3 | 905 |
| 11 | Michigan State | 11-3 | 873 |
| 12 | Michigan | 11-2 | 839 |
| 13 | Baylor | 10-3 | 780 |
| 14 | TCU | 11-2 | 653 |
| 15 | Kansas State | 10-3 | 621 |
| 16 | Oklahoma | 10-3 | 572 |
| 17 | West Virginia | 10-3 | 547 |
| 18 | Houston | 13-1 | 518 |
| 19 | Georgia | 10-4 | 439 |
| 20 | Southern Miss | 12-2 | 411 |
| 21 | Virginia Tech | 11-3 | 329 |
| 22 | Clemson | 10-4 | 188 |
| 23 | Florida State | 9-4 | 154 |
| 24 | Nebraska | 9-4 | 143 |
| 25 | Cincinnati | 10-3 | 103 |
Alabama vs LSU....Tigers by 1
Arkansas vs Kansas State..Hawgs by 7.5
South Carolina vs Nebraska...Gamecocks by 2.5
Georgia vs Michigan State....Dawgs by 3.5
Auburn vs Virginia....Tigers by 3
Florida vs Ohio State...Gators by 2.5
Texas A&M vs Northwestern....Aggies by 10
Miss State vs Wake Forest....Dogs by 7
Vandy vs Cincinnati....Dores by 1.5
Arkansas at LSU....Tigers favored by 12.5 pts
Alabama at Auburn.....Tide favored by 21 pts
Georgia at Georgia Tech....Bulldogs by 6
Clemson at South Carolina....Gamecocks by 4 pts
Florida State at Florida...$eminoles by 1.5 pts
Ole Miss at Miss State....Bulldogs by 17
Tennessee at Kentucky.....Vols by 7.5 pts
Vandy at Wake Forest....Dores by 1.5 pts
Nutt will resign at the end of the season..AD Boone will be leaving within the year...
Developing
1) LSU
3) Alabama
8) Arkansas
13) South Carolina
15) Georgia
20) Auburn
LSU at Alabama....Tide by 4.5 pts
South Carolina at Arkansas....Hawgs by 5.5 pts
Vandy at Florida....Gators by 13.5
Ole Miss at Kentucky...Rebels by 1
New Mexico State at Georgia...Bulldogs by 34
Middle Tennessee at Tennessee....Vols by 20
UT Martin @ MSU....State by 32
CBS SPORTS- Arkansas freshman Marquel Wade apologized Monday for hitting Vanderbilt punt returner Jonathan Krause early, a crushing tackle that led to Wade's ejection Saturday.
Wade has not been suspended for the hit, which occurred during the third quarter of the No. 8 Razorbacks 31-28 win over the Commodores. The wide receiver, playing on special teams, said he thought Krause had the ball when he ran through the returner.
"I was just going out there doing 100 percent, trying to play my game and I messed up," Wade said. "I take all the [responsibility] for everything I did."
#1 LSU
#2 Alabama
#7 Arkansas
#9 South Carolina
#18 Georgia
#22 Auburn
To see full Top 25, click on link.
Tennessee at Alabama....Tide by 29 pts
Auburn at LSU....LSU by 22.5 pts
Arkansas at Ole Miss.....Hawgs by 17 pts
Jacksonville State at Kentucky....even
Army at Vandy ...Dores by 9.5
Texas A&M at Iowa State....Aggies by 21
LSU 38 Tennessee 7
Alabama 52 Ole Miss 7
Auburn 17 Florida 6
Georgia 33 Vanderbilt 28
South Carolina 14 Miss State 12
The AP Top 25 has been released and here are your SEC Teams:
#1 LSU
#2 Alabama
#10 Arkansas
#15 South Carolina
#21 Texas A&M
#24 Auburn
To see full poll click on link.
For all the latest on SEC Football, download the SEC Football News APP Available on Iphone and Android phones.
LSU 41 Florida 11
Georgia 20 Tennessee 12 F
Arkansas 38 Auburn 14 F
Alabama 34 Vandy 0 F
South Carolina 54 Kentucky 3 F
Miss State 21 UAB 3
For all the latest on SEC Football, download the SEC Football News APP Available on Iphone and Android phones.
USA Today Poll released and the SEC has four teams (five if you include Texas A&M)
#2 LSU
#3 Alabama
#11 Arkansas
#13 South Carolina
#23 Texas A&M
To see full poll, click on link.
For all the latest on SEC Football news, download the SEC Football News APP available on Iphone, Ipad, Android phones.
Alabama 38 Florida 10 F
LSU 35 Kentucky 7 F
Arkansas 42 Texas A&M 38 F
Auburn 16 South Carolina 13 F
Georgia 24 Miss State 10 F
Tennessee 41 Buffalo 10 F
Ole Miss 38 Fresno State 28 F
For all the latest on SEC Football, check out the SEC Football News App, avail on Iphone, Ipad and Android phones.
Six SEC are in the top 25 with #1 LSU, #2 Alabama, #10 Arkansas, #15 Auburn, #17 Florida, #18 South Carolina.
To see full AP top 25 click on link
SEC Football News App available on Iphone, Ipad and Android phones.
Alabama @ Florida...Tide favored by 3.5
Auburn @ South Carolina...Gamecocks by 10.5
Miss State @ Georgia...GA by 7
Texas A&M @ Arkansas...Aggies by 3
Kentucky @ LSU....Tigers by 29.5
Buffalo @ Tennessee...Vols by 28.5
Ole Miss @ Fresno State....Bulldogs by 4.5
ASSOCIATED PRESS- Interceptions by Jermaine Whitehead and Neiko Thorpe led to third-quarter scores that helped Auburn stamp out a Florida Atlantic upset bid 30-14 on Saturday night.
With the Tigers (3-1) leading by just four points, Whitehead stepped in front of a Graham Wilbert pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown and a 17-6 Auburn lead 1:26 into the second half.
After Onterio McCalebb took a Barrett Trotter screen pass 51 yards for an Auburn touchdown 5:27 later, Thorpe intercepted another Wilbert pass on the next scrimmage play for Florida Atlantic (0-3) and returned it 46 yards to the Owls' 19, setting up a 31-yard field goal by Cody Parkey.
The Auburn defense, which gave up 624 yards at Clemson last week in a loss that snapped the defending national champions' 17-game winning streak, seemed set for more struggles throughout the first half. The Owls moved the ball at will at times, managing 153 yards and six first downs, both significantly more than they managed all game in a 44-0 loss at Michigan State two weeks ago. However, the Owls saw several drives stall out inside Auburn territory, and settled for two Vinny Zaccario field goals.
ESPN- Nickoe Whitley intercepted Nick Isham's pass in overtime and Chris Relf hit LaDarius Perkins for a quick touchdown to lead Mississippi State to a 26-20 win over Louisiana Tech.
Mississippi State (2-2) scored first and led at half, but could never put the visiting Bulldogs away.
Late in the fourth quarter with the game tied 20-20, Louisiana Tech (1-3) went on a nine-play, 60-yard drive and had the ball in field goal range with less than four minutes to play. But an interception by Jonathan Banks ended the drive.
Neither team was able to generate any offense in the final minutes.
LSU at West Virginia...Tigers by 5.5
Georgia at Ole Miss...Dawgs by 9.5...
Arkansas at Alabama...Tide by 11.5...
Vandy at South Carolina...Gamecocks by 16...
Florida @ Kentucky...Gators by 19.5...
Louisiana Tech @ Miss State...Dogs by 20...
Florida Atlantic @ Auburn...Tigers by 33.5....
SEC SPORTS REPORT- The AP Top 25 has been released and the SEC is down the only 5 schools. #2 LSU, #3 Alabama, #12 South Carolina, #14 Arkansas, #15 Florida. Auburn and Miss State got bounced out this week.
SEC SPORTS REPORT- I was a guest on an Upstate South Carolina radio station last night and the host asked me about the Auburn-Clemson game. I told him I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Auburn would beat Clemson and leave town with another upset win on their record. He said it would never happen. I told him all Auburn does is win and this week would be no different.
The Clemson rationale for beating Auburn is that Clemson played Auburn dead even last year and this year Clemson is better and Auburn is not as good as they were last year. That may all be true but it has nothing to do with the outcome of this game.
Thursday Night Game: LSU @ Miss State 8 pm ESPN
Saturday SEC Schedule:
Tennessee at Florida 3:30 pm CBS...
Ole Miss at Vandy TBD SEC Network
Auburn at Clemson 12:00 noon ABC
For all listings click on link:
The SEC returns 7 teams to the top 25.
#2 Alabama...
#3 LSU....
#10 South Carolina...
#14 Arkansas....
#16 Florida...
#21 Auburn...
#25 Miss State
To See complete list, click on link.
THE DISPATCH- Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen wanted to dismiss it Tuesday after his team's practice Tuesday night but the MSU program has reached a new territory as a road favorite against a conference opponent.
"Does that (line) mean they're going to put seven points on the scoreboard when we show up?" Mullen asked in a joking fashion. "I'm not much into gambling."
This statistic item led my notebook in Wednesday's edition of The Dispatch but here's the numbers of what State's done on the road against the SEC since 2006.
- Mullen is 7-4 on the road against all teams and 4-4 in the SEC away from Davis Wade Stadium. Yes, that means the Bulldogs third-year head coach is better in conference play on the road than in Starkville (3-5).
OPELIKA NEWS- Of course, this isn’t last year’s Auburn defense.
“There were way too many mistakes,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. “Things that we can control and things we’ve all got to get better at. It was a combination of a bunch of things, and we’ve got to work to get it fixed.
“We’ve got to get better in a hurry.”
Auburn cycled in 24 players on defense Saturday, 11 on the defensive line, six linebackers and seven in the secondary.
Freshmen or sophomores made up 18 of those players, with the only upperclassmen being defensive endDee Ford, defensive lineman Jamar Travis, linebackers Daren Bates and Jonathan Evans, cornerbackT’Sharvan Bell and safety Neiko Thorpe.
Roof said the plan is to continue playing about as many defenders for the near future, to build up some depth on the defense.
The member presidents of the Southeastern Conference unanimously voted to accept Texas A&M Tuesday night as the league's 13th member, but the Aggies' official acceptance has been delayed by the potential threat of legal action.
The SEC's presidents want assurances that no individual Big 12 school will sue for contractual interference over Texas A&M's departure. Baylor has not given that assurance to this point, according to sources.
"We were notified yesterday afternoon that at least one Big 12 institution had withdrawn its previous consent and was considering legal action," University of Florida president and SEC chairman Dr. Bernie Machen said in a statement released Wednesday. "The SEC has stated that to consider an institution for membership, there must be no contractual hindrances to its departure. "
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED- By Tuesday night, the SEC should know whether it has the required nine presidential votes to extend an invitation to Texas A&M, which sent a conditional withdrawal letter to the Big 12 last week. If the Aggies get the invitation, they will accept and announce as early as Wednesday their intention to join the SEC. Then, things could get wild.
So, with college sports again on the precipice of a major realignment for the second time in 15 months, here are the answers to a few key questions.
- Linebacker Jake Holland said the communication “wasn’t there” in the Utah State game. He said some of it was lost in translation. “Some people were calling different calls and some people were receiving different calls,” he said. “We weren’t all on the same page, and obviously that can be devastating to a defense.”
- To make it easier for the youngsters this week, the Tigers are going to simplify the defensive playbook. “Just so we can get lined up and play,” Holland said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys out there and they can get wide eyed. I feel like if we can simplify it down, then a lot of good things will come out of that.”
South Carolina @ Georgia...Gamecocks by 3.....
Miss State @ Auburn....Bulldogs by 7.....
Alabama @ Penn State....Tide by 10.....
Cincinnati@ Tennessee...Vols by 7....
The AP Top 25 was released Tuesday and there have been some changes. The SEC now has 6 teams in the top 25.
#2 LSU
#3 Alabama
#12 South Carolina
#14 Arkansas
#16 Miss State
#18 Florida
Click on link to see full rankings
LEDGER ENQUIRER-
The Cam Newton recruiting saga dominated headlines for the latter half of the college football season a year ago.
As far as both Auburn coach Gene Chizik and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen are concerned, that’s where the story remains.
With their teams set to play this weekend, neither coach seemed thrilled to drudge up the past when asked about the Newton, who famously picked the Tigers over the Bulldogs coming out of junior college in December of 2009.
Allegations later emerged, and were confirmed by the NCAA, that Newton’s father, Cecil, asked for $200,000 from Mississippi State for his son to sign there.
Read more: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/09/05/1722087/auburn-football-chizik-mullen.html#ixzz1XB4M2f00
THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES- Auburn scored the winning points with 30 seconds left on a Mike Dyer 1-yard run, and that made it a thriller. But coach Gene Chizik, with the bar raised after going 14-0 last season, said he wasn't fooled by the final score. He said the Tigers had a "very poor defensive effort" and he didn't lavish much praise on the offense, either.
SEC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
VICK BALLARD (Watch Mississippi State Highlights)
Running Back
MISSISSIPPI STATE
5-11 • 220 • Sr. • Pascagoula, Miss.
• Ballard rushed for a career-best 166 yards and three touchdowns in Mississippi State’s 59-14 win at Memphis.
• Ballard scored three touchdowns for the fifth time in his 13 career games at State.
• His touchdown runs were for 46, 66 and 1 yard.
• Ballard paced a Bulldog rushing attack that finished with 309 yards rushing against the Tigers.
• Ballard leads the SEC and is fifth in the nation in rushing, averaging 166 yards per game.
COMMERCIAL APPEAL- "But for that play, we would have won," said Lee, which is also true but somewhat misses the point. He should have said: But for that call we would have won.
It was the call that lost the game for the home team. It may be the call that's the beginning of the end of Houston Nutt's tenure at Ole Miss.
Don't laugh. Remember Ed Orgeron's fourth-and-1?
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED- Over the past couple of years, Les Miles has redefined how a coach best goes about having a great day.
There was no last-second drama in LSU's runaway 40-27 victory over third-ranked Oregon here Saturday night, no need for one of its coach's wacky play-calls or blind-luck miracles. But make no mistake about it, the fourth-ranked Tigers' season-opening statement had Miles' hatprints all over it.
Ole Miss led 3-0 at halftime and stretched it to 10-0 with 8:34 left in the third quarter on a 96-yard interception return for a touchdown by Charles Sawyer.
BYU won its first game as an independent after leaving the Mountain West Conference last year. Heaps completed 24 of 38 passes for 225 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Cougars outgained the Rebels 318-208.
Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt had said that he hoped Saturday's game would be played in stifling heat and humidity since BYU comes from a more arid climate. But with Tropical Storm Lee looming, the weather was relatively pleasant, with highs in the 80s and overcast skies.
Michael Ford ran for two touchdowns and Jarrett Lee admirably directed LSU's offense in place of suspended quarterback Jordan Jefferson in the fourth-ranked Tigers' season-opening 40-27 victory over No. 3 Oregon on Saturday night.
LSU converted three of Oregon's four turnovers into 20 points and won its 34th consecutive nonconference game.
Tyler Wilson got off to an efficient, if not spectacular, start at Arkansas.
Ryan Mallett's backup the past two seasons threw for 260 yards and a pair of touchdown to Jarius Wright to help the No. 15 Razorbacks beat Missouri State 51-7.
The junior had plenty of help in the form of a dominating defensive performance and a pair of punt returns for touchdowns by Joe Adams, who tied a Southeastern Conference record with his performance.
More
Just in time for college football season, the SEC football Breaking News App will be officially launched. The official launch will occur at kick-off of the first SEC Football game on Thursday night which features Miss State vs Memphis.
The SEC Football app is similar to a SEC Football mobile newspaper. The SEC Football app gives SEC fans faster access to all the daily top stories through their smart phones. The app covers SEC Football exclusively and collect news stories from journalist all over the country.
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS- Duron Carter has been admitted as a student to Alabama and could be at practice as early as today, according to a source close to Carter.
THE TIMES PICAYUNE- LSU football players Jordan Jefferson and Josh Johns have turned themselves in to Baton Rouge police after being charged with felony second-degree battery Friday.
Police issued arrest warrants for the two for their roles in a bar fight Aug. 19 at Shady's bar. BRPD contacted LSU Coach Les Miles and the players' attorney, Nathan Fisher, to request the players turn themselves in, which they did at 10:15 a.m. at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
Attorney Shannon Fay transported the players to the prison and bail was set at $5,000 each. Both players bonded out at about 11:40 a.m.
Shortly after surrendering to police, both players were suspended indefinitely by Miles. Jefferson is the team's starting quarterback. Johns is a reserve linebacker.
ARKANSAS NEWS- Arkansas announced what seemed like the worst kept secret of preseason camp Thursday.
Junior Tyler Wilson will be its starting quarterback against Missouri State.
Coach Bobby Petrino said Wilson “deserves” the opportunity to lead Arkansas’ offense after competing for the position with sophomore Brandon Mitchell throughout the preseason.
“He’s prepared hard,” Petrino said. “He’s done a good job in practice. He’s done a good job working hard at his leadership.”
Wilson handled most of the first-team repetitions during preseason practices and has been the odds-on favorite to replace record-setting quarterback Ryan Mallett since the 2010 season ended. The reason: He was sharp in relief of Mallett in six games last season, completing 34 of 51 passes for 453 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Wilson was elected a team captain before preseason practice began and had been lauded by teammates for his leadership during the offseason. But the Razorbacks had not named a starter until Thursday, saying they wanted to evaluate every aspect of its two candidates.
LSUSPORTS.NET- LSU wide receiver Russell Shepardhas been declared ineligible by LSU for violation of an NCAA rule, it was announced Thursday.
LSU will seek reinstatement for Shepard but he is expected to miss a number of games until the reinstatement can be considered by the NCAA. He can continue to practice with the team.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED- Texas A&M has taken the next step toward leaving the Big 12 and joining the SEC.
A letter from Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin was delivered Thursday afternoon to Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe to inform Beebe that Texas A&M is exploring its conference options. In the letter, Loftin asked Beebe to outline the procedures required should the Aggies decide to leave the conference.
THE ADVOCATE- Four LSU football players reportedly involved in a bar fight Friday will not meet with police investigators until at least Tuesday morning, police spokesman Sgt. Donald Stone said Sunday.
A meeting had been scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at Police Department headquarters, Stone said.
The players are senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson, freshman wide receiver Jarvis Landry, sophomore offensive tackle Chris Davenport and sophomore linebacker Josh Johns, Stone said.
Baton Rouge attorney Nathan Fisher, who is representing the four players, said Sunday he requested more time to review the details of the case before his clients meet with investigators. He said the police interviews should happen by the end of the week.
Fisher, who said he was not hired by LSU and routinely represents college students for free, met with the players for the first time Sunday morning and the meetings continued most of the day.
Fisher described the men as “upset, disturbed and obviously concerned.”
“This can affect their futures, their job opportunities and school opportunities,” he said. “It’s not just about football.”
ESPN- Starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson has been implicated, and Miles said Saturday at a strongly worded news conference, which included members of the team's unity council, that senior offensive guard T-Bob Hebert was also there at the bar. Police have said as many as 20 LSU football players were present.
To be fair, nobody has been arrested, and police are still conducting interviews.
Miles isn't waiting around. He said Saturday that's he already started disciplining some players and suggested that some suspensions could be forthcoming.
Over and above what the police determine, Miles said the players broke their 10:30 p.m. curfew on Thursday. He called his team's behavior "unacceptable" and apologized for the actions of the players involved.
“At the appropriate time, we’ll take very strong action," Miles said. "I want to find out more that went on. The pieces that I have ... first of all, they should not have been there. So first and foremost, I take discredit for that."
Before anybody on LSU's team is branded as anything, let's first allow the legal process to play out. There are two sides to every fight, especially bar fights.
Though it's fair to question the leadership and the focus on this team when a bunch of players, including guys who are supposed to be senior leaders, not only violate curfew, but are shortsighted enough to get themselves involved in a bar fight at 2 0'clock in the morning during the middle of preseason camp.
It's not like LSU is opening the season in two weeks against some directional school. No. 3-ranked Oregon awaits in a game that will go a long way toward shaping the most anticipated season at LSU since the Tigers' last national championship in 2007.
Keep on reading by clicking on link
TIMES DAILY- Barrett Trotter, named the team’s starting quarterback earlier in the week, saw his morning limited to some pre-scrimmage drills. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn spoke for the first time Saturday about why he chose Trotter over sophomore Clint Moseley.
“He can handle the adversity. He can handle the arena out there, whether it’s good or bad,” Malzahn said. “We’ll know how he’ll react.
And he’ll react the way we need him to. He’s a champ.”
The comments were intriguing given that Moseley has a reputation for being emotional on the field. Though teammates say Moseley has learned to channel his emotion into positive pursuits — he described his attitude as “negative” shortly arrival in 2009 — Malzahn affirmed Saturday that Trotter’s even-keeled approach helped settle the positional quandary.
That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s down on Moseley.
“Those quarterbacks are like my sons. We do everything together,”
Malzahn said. “When one’s hurting, I’m hurting. Clint is a competitor. He’s disappointed, but he bounced back. He’ll be ready.”
That’s position is settled. Many more are not.
GADSDEN TIMES- Nick Saban liked what he saw from first-team players Saturday as the University of Alabama held its second and final scrimmage of fall camp.
But what he saw from second-team players could use some work. On the same day the Crimson Tide was named the nation’s No.2 team in the Associated Press preseason poll, Saban made it clear that a contending football team requires more than gifted starters. It requires depth, as well.
“We probably need more players to be able to compete at a higher level. I was not really pleased with the way some of our twos competed,” Saban said.
“You’ve got a few guys that aren’t playing all the time, and you’re trying to get some young guys some opportunities to play so you can get a look at them, and they don’t respond maybe the way you’d like for them to, which is a sign of maturity.”
Being voted preseason No. 1 is a tradition at Oklahoma, and this season is no different.
The Sooners will start out top-ranked in The Associated Press college football poll for the 10th time, more than any program in the country.
The defending Big 12 champions received 36 of 60 first-place votes and 1,464 points in the Top 25 released Saturday.
Auburn, last season's national champion, will start the season No. 23, one spot behind where it began in 2010.
If the rankings are any indication, the national title race could be a scramble.
No. 2 Alabama, one of a record eight Southeastern Conference teams in the preseason poll, wasn't far behind OU, receiving 17 first-place votes and 1,439 points.
No. 3 Oregon got four first-place votes, No. 4 LSU received one and No. 5 Boise State got two.
Florida State was No. 6, the Seminoles' best preseason ranking since starting the 2004 season at No. 5.
Full Rankings Click on Link
As of August 15, 2011, here are the number of verbal commits for the SEC West for the class of 2012:
1) LSU 18...
2) Alabama 16...
3) Miss State 16...
4) Arkansas 15...
5) Auburn 13...
6) Ole Miss 10...
For all the latest on SEC Football, check out the "SEC Football News" APP available on Iphone, Ipad and Android phones.
ESPN- Coming out of Saturday's scrimmage, Auburn coach Gene Chizik said the quarterbacks did some "nice things," but said there was still not enough separation to name a starter. The longer this goes, the more it sounds like true freshman Kiehl Frazier is going to be a real factor for the Tigers this season at quarterback. Chizik said several jobs remain wide open, and defensive coordinator Ted Roof was able to get a look at a ton of young players. Running back Mike Dyer and offensive tackle A.J. Greene were held out of the closed scrimmage with undisclosed injuries. Here's a video courtesy of Andy Bitter of The Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer with the three quarterbacks talking about the competition.
ESPN- Here’s a look at how our top 5 teams stack up:
1. LSU: Check out that LSU defense. The Tigers have at least 10 players who are sophomores or younger that will play key roles this season, and most of those have star potential.
2. Florida: It’s hard to beat the Gators’ young collection of talent in both the offensive and defensive lines.
On offense, sophomore guard Jon Halapio is one of three underclassmen who could wind up in the starting lineup or at least be in the rotation. And on defense, the second time around for Ronald Powell, Sharrif Floyd and Dominique Easley should be a lot better. All three are supremely talented.
3. Auburn: The Tigers’ past two recruiting classes have ranked among the top 5 nationally, and you’re going to see a ton of those players on the field this season. The sophomore class will be especially important.
Guys like defensive ends Nosa Eguae, Corey Lemonier and Craig Sanders, defensive tackle Jeffrey Whitaker and running back Mike Dyer will be the heart and soul of this team. Redshirt freshman receiver Trovon Reed would have made a big impact last season had he not had the knee problems, and coach Gene Chizik is already on record as saying the true freshmen would be playing and not watching this season.
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS- Auburn staged all of its single-day practices in the late afternoon, then, lo and behold, the Tigers held their first scrimmage of the fall around 11 a.m. Wednesday.
WAR EAGLE EXTRA- Defensive lineman Derrick Lykes was dismissed from the Auburn football team for a violation of team rules, a school spokesman confirmed this afternoon.
The backup appeared in 16 games during his Auburn career, making 12 tackles, nine of which came in 2009. He played in only three games last year, making three tackles.
He did not appear on the 105-member practice roster for August that was released Wednesday afternoon.
CBS SPORTS- The Tiger program has announced that Kragthorpe is suffering from Parkinson's disease, and will be giving up his coordinating duties effective immediately. He will, however, remain on the LSU staff as quarterbacks coach. The new play-caller will be Greg Studrawa, the Tigers' offensive line coach.
THE GADSDEN TIMES- The defending national champion Auburn Tigers hit the field Wednesday night for the beginning of their 2011 fall football camp.
Coach Gene Chizik enters his third season with the Tigers on the heels of arguably the most successful season in school history. Following the Tigers' 14-0 march through 2010 and victory over Oregon in the BCS national championship game, the Tigers had quite a busy off-season.
After a trip to the White House, Chizik went on a media blitz promoting the Tigers and his new book, “All In: What it Takes to Be the Best.”
1) Oklahoma...
2) Alabama...
3) Oregon...
4) LSU...
5) Florida State....
Fayetteville, Arkansas 108....
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 99....
Oxford, Mississippi 99....
Starkville, Mississippi 98....
Auburn, Alabama 95....
Baton Rouge 93.....
Tell your friends that the best mobile SEC Football source is "SEC Football News" available on Iphone and Android.
Through the end of July, here are the verbal commits for 2012:
1) LSU Tigers 18
2) Alabama Crimson Tide 14
3) Miss State Bulldogs 14
4) Auburn Tigers 13
5) Arkansas Razorbacks 12
6) Ole Miss Rebels 8
For more information, get mobile news through the "SEC Football News" APP available for Iphone and Android phones.
We've just recently hired on Ashley Reagan (SECappGirl) to help promote our "SEC Football News" APP available on Iphone and Android phones.
She will work in the field helping us break news with Recruiting.
You can follow her on twitter at SECappGirl.
We've launched an app to be one mobile source for all SEC Football News. Fans have given us 5 stars as reviews and we have an almost even split between Android and Iphone downloads.
For our updated, around the clock info on SEC Football, you will need to download the app.
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS- The SEC has forced college sports into a unique moment. Is this SEC stretch of national titles in multiple high-profile sports simply cyclical, or further proof of the widening gap between the haves and have nots?
Whatever the reason, this run can't be ignored. We're witnessing a rare multi-sport dynasty by one conference.
Four NCAA sports are more prominent than others, the Big Four sports, if you will: football, men's basketball, women's basketball and baseball. The SEC has won half of those sports' national titles in the past six years.
ESPN
ALABAMA
Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, S: Alabama boasts one of the best safety tandems in the league in Mark Barron and Robert Lester, but the 6-foot-1, 203-pound Clinton-Dix has the size and skill set to come in and make the Crimson Tide even stronger on the back end of their defense.
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT: One of the top offensive tackle prospects in the country last year, Kouandjio could provide some immediate depth. The Tide were already looking at moving All-SEC guard Barrett Jones to left tackle.
LSU
Jarvis Landry, WR: If the Tigers are going to make a run at a national championship in 2011, they’re going to need a lot more production from their passing game than they got a year ago. Landry is dynamic in the open field and should complement Rueben Randle and Russell Shepard nicely.
247SPORTS- Robby Green, from John Curtis Christian High School in New Orleans, was suspended for the 2010 season by the NCAA and did not participate in spring drills as Saban continued to describe his status as “suspended indefinitely.”
247 Sports- Robby Green played in 26 games during the 2008-09 seasons, with six starts, and made 33 tackles. He broke up six passes and made an interception against LSU.
Green led the Crimson Tide in 16 special-teams tackles during the 2009 season and had a career-high six tackles against Texas in the BCS National Championship Game against Texas.
TIDESPORTS.COM- University of Alabama defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore is exploring transfer options that include The University of Miami, a source told Tidesports.com Thursday morning.
Miami was among the other schools that recruited Sentimore out of Destrehan High in Louisiana. He also made official visits to Arkansas and LSU before signing with the Crimson Tide in February of 2009.
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS--While Auburn no longer can suspend a large chunk of Chizik's pay during an investigation, the school still can suspend him without pay or fire him if he or anyone on his staff gets busted.
That's hardly "Auburn bankrupting Chizik's contractual obligation to NCAA rules," as SportsbyBrooks wrote.
LSUSPORTSNET- Miles has become somewhat of a regular on ESPN as he recently shot his second commercial for the network, which will promote the networks popular college football preview show - GameDay.
Miles is featured in the commercial that also includes ESPN personalities Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso and Desmond Howard. The commercial, which is still in production, is expected to air beginning in July.
ESPN- The top 5 include:
1) Alabama
2) Florida
3) Arkansas
4) Georgia
5) LSU
ARKANSAS NEWS- It’s no secret Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino pays attention to detail and expects players to do so as well. So it’s no surprise the ideology was extended to a dinner set up through the program’s student-athlete development staff.
The goal, according to assistant athletic director Eric Wood, was making sure players are prepared off the field as much as they are on it under Petrino...
ESPN- Alabama's Trent Richardson lead the pack followed by South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore. Knile Davis from Arkansas, Mike Dyer from Auburn and Brandon Bolden finish out the top 5....
Read full top 10 list...
SPORTS BY BROOKS- A recent financial audit by Sports by Brooks of payments made by Auburn University to student football recruiting hostesses since late 2009 revealed that the state-funded institution paid out tens of thousands of dollars to the student “Tigerettes” charged with escorting football players during recruiting visits to the school.
OPELIKA NEWS- Sunday night many former and current Tigers tweeted out photos of their brand-new BCS National Championship rings.
Players actually received three rings Sunday: One for winning the SEC Championship and two for the national championship.
ORLANDO SENTINEL- The offense only returns three starters in 2011 and will need to find someone to step up and fill the shoes left by superstar quarterback Cam Newton.
The offensive line is full of new faces and blocking could be an issue for whomever is under center.
ESPN- It's time to look at the SEC offensive lines and see who has the experience and who's rebuilding. At the top of the list is Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU...
1) Alabama
2) LSU
3) Arkansas
4) Miss State
5) Auburn
6) Ole Miss
PRESS REGISTER- Under defensive coordinator Willy Robinson, the Razorbacks have increased their sacks and tackles for loss in each successive season since the new staff's first in Fayetteville in 2008 while decreasing their points given up annually.
The most noticeable improvement for the Arkansas defense has come on third down. In 2008, the Razorbacks' opponents converted 41.6 percent of their third-down plays, the worst rate of any SEC defense. Last season, Arkansas held its opponents to a 33.5 percent conversion rate, the best in the SEC.
PRESS REGISTER- For the second straight year, Ole Miss could hand its offense to a refugee from another program. Sophomore Barry Brunetti, a transfer from West Virginia, emerged from the spring as a top contender to replace Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback for the Rebels.
ASSOCIATED PRESS- Auburn coach Gene Chizik's new contract allows him to be paid if there is an NCAA investigation into possible major rules violations, a departure from his previous deal.
The old one signed in June 2009 included a stipulation allowing Auburn to suspend pay to Chizik if his program is being investigated by the university, the SEC or the NCAA for "alleged major rules violations or significant or repetitive violations."
Verbal commitments thru June 14, 2011:
LSU 14
Alabama 13
Auburn 8
Arkansas 6
Ole Miss 6
Miss State 5
ARKANSAS NEWS-- How will Arkansas go 10-2?
The educated guess begins with Arkansas’ returning players, particularly at the skill positions, a favorable schedule, and a well-founded faith that Bobby Petrino will develop a quarterback.
Greg Childs, Knile Davis, Joe Adams, Cobi Hamilton, Dennis Johnson, and Jarius Wright are known commodities...
ESPN- Here's the breakdown for all nine assistants:
-
Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn: $1.3 million
-
Defensive coordinator Ted Roof: $500,000
-
Receivers coach/assistant head coach Trooper Taylor: $425,000
-
Offensive line coach Jeff Grimes: $400,000
-
Running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Curtis Luper: $330,000
-
Safeties coach Tommy Thigpen: $320,000
-
Defensive line coach Mike Pelton: $300,000
-
Cornerbacks coach Phillip Lolley: $255,000
-
Special teams/tight ends coach Jay Boulware: $255,000
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS- Richardson has run for 751 and 700 yards during the past two seasons as Ingram's backup.
Respected prognosticator Phil Steele picks Richardson to win the Heisman this season.
ARKANSAS SPORTS 360- Arkansas’ youth event is one of three upcoming camps hosted by Petrino and his staff.
Senior high camp (grades 9-12) is scheduled to begin Sunday and runs through Tuesday. A junior high camp (grades 5-8) is scheduled for June 16-18.
GAINESVILLE SUN- Three of the top seven highest paid coaches are in the SEC. Nick Saban is #2 with $4.6-$6 Million a year. Les Miles is #5 with $3.9 million plus in his checkbook.
Gene Chizik just got a $1M a year raise which puts him #7.
GAINESVILLE SUN- The SEC is loaded with great assistant coaches. Auburn's Gus Malzahn, Florida's Charlie Weiss, Alabama's Kirby Smart, John Chavis at LSU and Todd Grantham. Read the full story on how these coaches have and will impact their teams in 2011...
WAR EAGLE EXTRA- Auburn is trying to get a jump start to the 2013 class. Dee Liner is 6'4" and 255 lbs and plays defensive lineman.
Believed to be one of the top recruits in the state of Alabama for 2013. He has an offer from Kentucky and interest from Alabama, Florida and Tennessee.
Lindy's puts a value on the entire SEC and here's how they see it:
2) Alabama
4) LSU
10) Arkansas
11) South Carolina
16) Georgia
20) Florida
21) Miss State
24) Auburn
52) Tennessee
62) Ole Miss
63) Kentucky
84) Vanderbilt
Phil Steele has been good at forecasting the SEC. Here is how he sees 2011:
1) Alabama
7) LSU
9) Georgia
13) Arkansas
14) South Carolina
32) Florida
36) Miss State
CLARION-LEDGER- Jesse Grandy, a wide receiver/kick returner who was said to have departed the Ole Miss football team back in February, is enrolled in summer classes at the school and may be on track to return to the roster this fall, coach Houston Nutt told The Clarion-Ledger today.
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS- Winning a national championship has its perks. For Auburn coach Gene Chizik he gets a yearly $1 million pay raise plus an additional $1 million in incentives and a solid contract thru 2015...
RIVALS- Coach Mullen picks up his 2nd commit for the week in Nelson Adams from Brandon, Mississippi. 6'5" 240 lbs and plays defensive end.
No other offers yet.
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS- "This team played one of the toughest schedules in all of college football last year. In nine games, they came from behind to win -- including after being down 24-0 on the road to Alabama," Obama said.
"Unbelievable. That was an unbelievable game. I watched that game. I'm busy, but I watched that game."
RIVALS- Alabama got its first recruit for the 2013 class. Bradley Bozeman from Roanoke, Alabama weighs in at 315 lbs on a 6'5 frame as a high school sophomore.
Plays offensive tackle and has interest from Auburn and Ole Miss.
WAR EAGLE EXTRA- Approximately 90 Auburn football players, including Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton and defensive tackle Nick Fairley, will be honored by President Barack Obama at the White House today for winning the 2010 national championship.
HUNTSVILLE TIMES- Redshirt freshman Grant originally committed to Alabama over Auburn and Florida in July 2009 before signing a national letter of intent last year.
He would be the fourth Alabama player to transfer since the end of the 2010 season. Others include B.J. Scott (South Alabama), Demetrius Goode (North Alabama) and Petey Smith (Holmes Community College).
Here's a look at where the SEC offensive lines rank nationally in career starts entering the 2011 season:
- T-No. 23: Alabama (90)
- T-28: Georgia (86)
- T-37: Mississippi State (80)
- T-41: LSU (78)
- T-43: Kentucky (77)
- T-43: Ole Miss (77)
- T-56: South Carolina (70)
- T-60: Vanderbilt (68)
- T-89: Tennessee (50)
- T-94: Arkansas (49)
- T-111: Florida (27)
- No. 118: Auburn (15)
PRESS REGISTER- Like Rocker, Mike Pelton is a former Auburn defensive lineman. Both coached at Troy after their playing careers before landing at bigger schools.
"I told (players) in the team meeting, 'This is personal to me.' It's not just a coach coming back, it's a guy coming home, and coming back to where I became a man," Pelton said.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED- In the last 20 years, the size, the speed and the power of the players has grown so fast. The equipment and the bone structure haven't changed very much. Something is going to give, right?
Our sources indicate that Offensive lineman Michael Flint from Oxford Alabama has decommitted from Auburn and has opened up the recruiting doors.
Flint committed to Auburn in October and he is 6'4", 303 lbs. He has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, Florida, Florida $tate, Kentucky, Miss State, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, USC.
PRESS REGISTER- Alabama linebacker Petey Smith will transfer to Holmes Community College in Mississippi, he confirmed Monday afternoon.
ATLANTA JOURNAL- File this under Empty Gestures: Six and a half years after the fact, the BCS has determined that Southern Cal was not its national champion.
(Thank Reggie Bush and his benefactors.) Indeed, the BCS has decreed that, from this day forward, it will have no national champion for 2004.
Our sources have told us we have to check out this video and we did. We found this footage of LSU commit John Thomas Tight End 6'6", 225 lbs from Boosier City, Louisiana.
He looks like a man among boys.
BIRMINGHAM NEWS- Miss State Coach Dan Mullen thinks trying to keep Mississippi State fans from ringing illegal noisemakers during a football game is an insult on par with trying to poison the Toomer's Corner trees in Auburn.
Best SEC Football APP
Jay Holgate's Life Coaching--Everybody Does Better with a Coach
Goals, Wisdom and Resources to help you go to the next level.
Let Jay Speak at Your Next Event
Get IT Training Today! Call 803-799-7321
Dandy Don
Subscribe
