Once again thank you!
-Patrick Pierce
Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13
Monday, August 20, 2012
Follow me over to Alabamas13.com
Thank you for reading Dominate365! I started this blog so that I would have a place to write and express my opinion and analyst of sports. I now have a new place to write and that's for Alabama's 13 as the Alabama Tonight sports blogger. If you have enjoyed the content on Dominate365 then please follow to my new blog Alabama Tonight Sports Blog
Once again thank you!
Once again thank you!
Monday, August 13, 2012
SEC POWER POLL
-Patrick Pierce
Follow me on Twitter: Patrickp13
Friday, August 10, 2012
LSU Preview for 2012 with no Tyrann Mathieu
#2 LSU
I was all set to write my LSU preview today and name them co number one with Alabama, but then came the 12pm presser out of LSU announcing that Heisman hopeful Tyrann Mathieu has been removed from the team after violating team polices. This changes everything as Mathieu AKA Honey Badger was a game changer and was the difference in a couple of LSU victories in 2011. Alabama is now my solid number one team in my SEC Power Poll.
Let's move on now and breakdown LSU without Mathieu. They will still be a force on defence, but with Mathieu leaving one DB spot and Mo Claiborne now in the NFL puts it's all on Eric Reid to hold together for the LSU secondary. Up front LSU has the best D-Line in all of college football with Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, and Bennie Logan nuff said. I'm not super impressed with their linebackers, but LSU defence will still be in the top 10 for total defence in 2012.
Offence was a real struggle for LSU in 2011 finishing the season 86th in total offence. They have a ton of depth at running back full of big bruising runners who they switch out as the game goes on. The big question is can the 2012 passing attack lead by Zack Mettenberger impove from last years embarrassing numbers? How embarrassing you might ask how about 106th out of 120 in passing offence ouch. Mettenberger is a big 6'5" QB who used to play for Georgia, but was arrested and kicked out, but we've seen a guy get kicked out of one SEC school and go to another SEC school and win it all (Cam Newton). LSU will improve on last year 106th finish in passing, but is 80th or 60th good enough to get past defences like Alabama? The biggest weapon might still be Brad Wing the LSU kicker who is undoubtedly the best in the SEC.
Returning starters (13)
offence: 7
defence: 4
ST: 2
Predictions and Schedule
- North Texas W
- Washington W
- Idaho W
- @ Auburn W
- Towson W
- @ Florida W
- South Carolina ? W
- @ Texas A&M W
- Alabama ??? L
- Mississippi State W
- Ole Miss W
- @ Arkansas ? W
I think LSU will go 11-1 with two other swing games --> South Carolina and @ Arkansas where if their not careful they could slip up and lose. A week ago I didn't see anyway LSU would lose more than a game, but I think Tyrann Mathieu means that much to LSU. He was so much more to them than just a lock down corner, he would find away to get the ball and make a play. Time after time last year Mathieu was the spark that got the Tigers going example: The SEC Championship Game VS Georgia. Still their season is the November 3rd match up with Alabama which is a night game on the bayou and anything can happen.
-Patrick Pierce
Follow me on Twitter @PatrickP13
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Top SEC Offensive Lines
Top SEC Offensive Lines
14. Ole Miss: This offensive line will struggle to open up holes or provide much time for Bo Wallace. Their best lineman Matt Hall left the team in the spring, and they will have to rely on some JUCO help. Huge Freeze will have his work cut out for him as he rebuilds that group.
13. Vanderbilt: The 2012 recruiting class for the Commodores brings in six linemen who will provide some much needed depth up front, but the Dores will have an experience problem this season.
12. Kentucky: The Wildcats offensive line was horrible like the rest of the offence in 2011. Replacing three of them for 2012 might not be such a bad thing. The bright spot is Larry Warford who is one of the best lineman in the SEC and with a good center Matt Smith next to him should make for a solid interior line.
11. Georgia: If the Bulldogs don't make a return trip back to the SEC Championship then the offensive line could be one of the reasons why. I think this unit will progress overtime, but Aaron Murry might be forced to hurry some of this throws as they try to figure things out up front.
10. Mississippi State: This line will get better as they go though the season, but they will have to bring in three new starters in 2012. The line will be lead by 6'4" 320 Gabe Jackson who is a beast up front.
9. Missouri: The Tigers lose three experienced lineman from 2011, but their backups still have a lot of playing experience that will help this group make their transition into the SEC. The reason I'm not ranking them higher is I don't think they are built to handle SEC defensive lines just yet.
8. Auburn: The Tigers are really young and have lots of depth up front, but I think they are a year away from becoming one of the top lines in the SEC. They return three starters from last season, but they will still be mixing in a lot of Freshman as they try to figure out the best combinations.
7. Florida: The Gators struggled up front in 2011, but I think they will be the most improved O-line in 2012. They return four starters who will benefit greatly from another year under belt.
6. Tennessee: They have a lot of depth and experience, but the talent hasn't always been that good. Their run blocking was horrific in 2011 and I'm not sure it will improve all that much, but the The Vols will have a pass first attack, and I think this group will allow Tyler Bray just enough time.
5. South Carolina: The Gamecocks will have solid run blocking to open up holes for Lattimore and Shaw again in 2012. They do lose a couple of guys from 2011, but I think will be able to build around the big 6'6" 331lbs RS Freshman Brandon Shell.
4. Arkansas: Its only natural for the Razorbacks (Hogs) to have some really good hoggies up front. Alvin Bailey is one of the best guards in the league, and Knile Davis will surly be running behind him in 2012. If this unit can jail together and stay out of jail like their starting Jason Peacock then they should be one of the best groups in the SEC.
3. Texas A&M: I think the Aggies un like Missouri enters the SEC with a offensive line that is built to handle SEC defencive lines. A&M has two of the top lineman in Jake Matthews and Luke Joeckel who will hold their own while making the transfer into the league. They have experience everywhere else on the line, but are a little lacking in depth.
2. LSU: Once again LSU and Alabama seem to be on a whole different playing field than everyone else. The Bayou Bengal Tigers are loaded up front returning four starters from the world movers of last year. Both 6'6" 325 Chris Faulk and 6'6" 340 Alex Hurst are two of if not the two best OT in the SEC.
1. Alabama: With three Pre-Season All SEC lineman one could make the argument that this unit has the potinal at being the best O-Line in SEC history. The 2011 Outland Trophy winner (Top O-Lineman) Barrett Jones turned down the NFL and returned for another year at Alabama; Jones will move to center for his senior year. Chance Warmack is rated by most to be the top SEC guard, and the big guy 6'6" 335lbs DJ Fluker has finally lived up to his five star hype. The only spot where experience is lacking is at the other tackle spot where former five star Cyrus Kouandjio will be looking to make it back from his season ending knee injury from 2011.
-Patrick Pierce
Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13
Friday, August 3, 2012
2012 Alabama Football Preview
We are now 27 days to the kickoff of collage football and 29 days from the start of Alabama's season. As every Friday I reveal the next team in my SEC Power Poll and today's team is #1"A" The Alabama Crimson Tide. I know I have Alabama ahead of LSU in my NCAA Football Top 25 but a power poll is a poll of talent, and I think its pretty safe to say the talent level at Alabama and LSU is second to none. Because of the equals between the two teams I have ranked them #1"A" and #1"B".
 |
| #1 Alabama Crimson Tide |
Last season wasn't perfect as the Tide split its two games with LSU, but they won the most important of the two and came away with the crystal ball. A good chunk of the 2011 team has now moved on to the NFL, but the Tide should be able to reload and not rebuild. One of the main obstacles they will have to overcome is the same thing that bit them in 2010 as they got extremely complacent after winning the 2009 National Championship.
Back to the talent on the Field in 2011 Bama's Defence was maybe if the not the best defence to ever play collage football, but only 4 official starters return for 2012. That number is a little bit misleading because players like Nico Johnson have started and have lots of player experience along with Dee Milliner. I think the defence will have some learning to do because you can't just lose 3 first round players and expect the same results. The 2012 defence will still be one of the tops in the SEC with major players on all three levels of the defence Jesse Williams AKA "The Monster" will anchor down the defensive line; CJ Mosley and Nico Johnson are two Preseason All SEC Linebackers; Robert Lester is one of the best safeties in the nation leading the Tides secondary.
Offence will need to find new skill players with Trent Richardson, Marquis Maze, and Darius Hanks are all now gone. Alabama does return its QB AJ McCarron and they have some very talent skill players who have been waiting their turn with Eddie Lacy, Kenny Bell, and Kevin Norwood. They're also a par of 5 star running backs in Dee Hart and TJ Yeldon who are expected to make an impact. The real strenght of this offence is what could be the Tides best Offencive line ever. They're lead by Outland Trophy winner Barrett Jones who will now be at center, also on that line is preseason All SEC DJ Fluker, and Chance Warmack. Even with Trent and Maze gone I think this years offence has the chance to improve on last years offencive numbers.
Returning Starters (13)
Offensive: 7
Defence: 4
ST: 2
Schedule and Predictions
- Michigan ? W
- Western Kentucky W
- @ Arkansas ? W
- Florida Atlantic W
- Ole Miss W
- @ Missouri W
- @ Tennessee W
- Mississippi State W
- @ LSU ????
- Texas A&M W
- Western Carolina W
- Auburn W
I see three games that the Tide could have trouble with. Game one VS Michigan in Jerry World; I think Bama will be a little to much for Michigan to handle. I don't think Michigan is ready for the power of a top SEC team, but it is game one and the Tide could come out a little sluggish. At Arkansas is always a scary game especially with the high powered offence of the Razorbacks, but Arkansas might be a headcase this year. Then there is At LSU "Game of the Century part 3" who will win that game is any ones guess. I think Bama will go 12-0 or at worst 11-1.
-Patrick Pierce
Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Top 14 SEC Wide Receivers
We are now just weeks away from the start of college football and for my next position break down I will be looking at the top wide receivers in the SEC.
Top 14 SEC WR
14. Kenny Bell, Alabama: With Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks now gone it opens up the door for Kenny Bell to have a bigger year in 2012. Last season Bell had 255 yards receiving and 2 TD, but I projecting him and Kevin Norwood to more than double their 2011 numbers.
13. Ace Sanders, South Carolina: The Gamecocks will be looking to replace their go to guy Alshon Jeffery, and Sanders at 5'7" isn't a natural replacement, but he's a solid slot WR and will be a weapon early for the Gamecocks while they look to fill Jefferys shoes.
12. La'Rod King, Kentucky: In 2011 King had 40 receptions for 598 yards and 7 TDs which is not bad when you look at the Quarterbacks he had throwing him the ball. If the 6'4" King had some decent QB play then I think King could be a top 10 SEC WR.
11. Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss: With new HC Huge Freeze spread attack and Bo Wallace at QB I think the Rebs will have a much improved passing attack. Moncrief pulled in 454 yards and 4 TD last season, but those numbers will go up in 2012.
10. Malcolm Mitchell, Georiga: He's a standout WR and one of the best in the SEC, but during the off season has moved to DB, but Richt said he will still play some WR and go both ways! I think Mitchell will make a progression back to WR once Georgia gets some other players going at DB.
9. Andre Debose, Florida: I think Debose is the Gators best offencive weapon, but last years offense was horrific. This season will be better for Gators offence which will lead to better numbers from Debose. If Florida can find some good QB play this year then I think Debose could be one of the leading WR in the SEC.
8. Odell Beckham, LSU: If Zack Mettenberger does open things up in the passing attack for LSU then the very talented true sophomore Beckham could come close to doubling his 475 yards from year ago, but I'm not fully buying in to this hype of LSU really opening up their offence this year. Yes I think they will pass it a little more, but at the end of the day Miles is going to keep this a run first power offence.
7. Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt: Last year when going up against Florida who had one of the best defense in the SEC Matthews showed why he's one of the top SEC WR catching 9 passes for 170 yards! The Junior for Madison Alabama will be looking for an even bigger numbers in the second year of Franklins system.
6. Emory Blake, Auburn: Was another SEC WR who was plagued with bad QB play in 2011, but still manged to rank up 613 yards and 5 TDs. Its still an unknown to what kind of QB play he will get in 2012, but Blake will put up solid numbers either way.
5. Tavarres King, Georgia: With Mitchell now at DB for at least some of the time it will make King the go to guy for Aaron Murry. Last season King pulled in over 700 yards and 8 TDs this season I project he will be 1000 yard WR. Also with Crowell gone from the team I look for Georgia to pass it more which will also add to Kings numbers.
4. Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee: In 2011 with QB injurys to Tyler Bray Rogers still pulled in over 1000 yards and 9 TDs which says a lot about the talent of the 6'3" WR. If Rogers can focus on just playing football then I think he could have another 1000 yard season even with the return of Justin Hunter.
3. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M: Last season Swope had big year pulling in 89 receptions for 1207 yards, but now facing SEC defences and a new QB I look for his numbers to decline some, but with Kevin Sumlin's passing attack I still think Swope will be one of the top stats leaders in 2012.
2. Justin Hunter, Tennessee: His season was cut way short last year by injury, but before the injury Hunter was lights out. In only two games Hunter had racked up over 300 yards! The 6'4" Target will have to share with Rogers, but I think both could have close to a 1000 yard season.
1. Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas: The past few seasons the Razorbacks have been loaded at WR, but now it Hamilton turn to be their leader. Hamilton is a good sized target at 6'3" 209lbs should easily get over 1000 years this season and lead the SEC in most stats.
-Patrick Pierce
Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13
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