Vanderbilt the new Stanford?

Believe it or not but Vanderbilt is a raising program in the SEC. The Commodores have always been a doormat team to most of the SEC, but that is soon to change. I'm not saying Vanderbilt will ever be on the level of Alabama, Florida, LSU etc... but could they reach Stanford like success?

Stanford and Vanderbilt share some inherited challenges, as they both have very high academic standers and not every kid can just enroll and play football. The difference right now in the two schools is Stanford football has went from 1-11 in 2006 to 12-1 by 2010! Okay I know Andrew Luck is a once in a lifetime player for most teams and chances of Vanderbilt getting that lucky are very slim, but Stanford laid the out the blueprint to take it to the next level  for schools like Vanderbilt.

The buck stops at the top Jim Harbaugh took over a team that just came off a 1-11 season and slowly changed the mindset of the team. The next part of the blueprint was recruiting. A great coach can get his team an extra win or two, but at the end of the day if you lack talent then you will lack W's. When Harbaugh took over at Stanford in 2007 their Rivals class ranking was 51st in 08 it was 50th, but as the mind set changed so did recruiting as they jumped up 30 spots in 2009 to snag the 20th best class, and by 2012 they had the 5th best class according to Rivals.com. What Harbaugh did at Stanford and was Shaw has the task of keeping up has been nothing but amazing in college football.

It’s very evident that Vandy has picked up a copy of this blueprint. James Franklin took over a team in 2011 that had just finished their 2nd 2-10 season in a row! Before Franklin the Commodores where 90th in recruiting in 2008, 09 71st, 10 61st, 11 70th. In come Franklin and his first class jumped up 44 spots to 26th and this year’s class is ranking higher than teams like Oklahoma and Nebraska at 15th! In only his second year on the job Franklin has managed to change the mind set in Nashville; took them to a bowl game; recruiting is leaps and bounds better; they have even agreed to add on to their stadium.

Yes Vanderbilt is on track to be at the same level as Stanford, but the X-factor is the SEC which Stanford doesn't have to deal with. Vanderbilt isn't going to be a 12-1 team, but 8-4, 9-3 under Franklin is only a matter of time.

Welcome to SEC football Vanderbilt



-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Missouri Preview

We are 69 days away from the start of the college football season, and on that note it's time for Dominate365's latest SEC Power Poll preview. The Missouri Tigers check in at number eight as they get ready for their first year of SEC play.

#8 Missouri

 The Missouri Tigers have the lowest number of returning starters of any SEC team, but they are lead by the best dual threat QB in the SEC in James Franklin. Last years Tigers offence was 12th best in the nation, and Franklin accounted for 3846 yards of it, but the Tigers wasn't going up against SEC defences. Speaking of defence last year you have look way on down the list to 61st in total defence before finding the Tigers. For Mizzou to have a good season in the SEC they will need to get over the cultural shock and toughen up fast.

 Returning Starters: 13

Offence: 5

Defence: 6

ST :  2

Predictions

• Southeastern Louisiana W
• Georgia L
• Arizona State W
• @ South Carolina L
• @ UCF W
• Vanderbilt ? W
• Alabama L
• Kentucky W
• @ Florida L
• @ Tennessee ? W
• Syracuse W
• @ Texas A&M ? L

W - Win / L - Lose / ? - Swing Game

I have the Missouri Tigers going 7-5 overall and 3-5 in SEC play in their first year in the SEC. They do have three swing games that are too close to call, but I think they will win two of the three. If Franklin wasn't returning I wouldn't give them much of a shot a going to a bowl game, but Franklin is a game changer at QB.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Top College Running Backs for 2012

Top Running Backs for 2012



10. LSU's Running Backs By Committee. Ware, Ford, Blue, and Hilliard make up what is easily the best running back stable in the country. LSU will be able to plug in any of them at any time. They all like to run down hill playing smashmouth football. This will allow LSU to keep fresh legs and big rushing numbers.



November 11, 2011 - Source: Butch Dill/Getty Images North America



9. Eddie Lacy: The next Alabama Crimson Tide running is known for his spin move, but he will need more tools in 2012 to make up for the loss of Trent Richardson, but 2011 Lacy who was battling a turf toe still racked up 674 yards on only 95 carries.

8. Rex Burkhead: The powerful Cornhusker carried the ball 284 times last year for over a thousand yards. Burkhead is a throwback hard noised back that gets stronger as the game goes on.

 7. Christine Michael: This Aggie doesn't need a 12th man to rack up the yards. He didn't play in four games last year but ranked up almost 900 yards. In the Arkansas game Michael's rushed for over 230 yards!

6. Kenjon Barner: The Senior Duck will not have to share carries with LaMichael James this season and should easily break the 1000 yars rushing mark. Every year at Oregon Barner has average at least 6 yards pre rush!

5. Knile Davis: After missing all of the 2011 season with injury you can be sure that Davis will be hungry to make up for lost time, but will he be a step slow as he ties to come back? What we do know is in 2010 he was almost unstoppable, and if the same Davis returns in 2012... watch out.

4. Ray Graham: The Pitt Panthers are on their 3rd coach in three seasons and Graham will once again be leaned on to carry not just the ball, but the team on his back. Last season Graham ran for almost a 1000 yrds before getting injured missing the last five games of the season.

3. Stepfon Taylor: As we start the era after Luck players like Taylor will be asked to handle an even bigger load. I could see Taylor going for more than 1500 yards this year with out Luck.

2. Marcus Lattimore: Once again another running back who's 2011 was cut short due to an injury, but Lattimore was well on his way to passing 1000 yards in 11 and he will pass it in 2012 if he can stay healthy.

  

1. Montee Ball: The Touchdown machine who racked up 33 TD's in 2011 earning him a spot in Heisman finals. Ball will be looked at even more in 2012 as Russel Wilson has moved on the NFL. I look for Ball to make a return trip to NYC as he should get close to last years 1923 yards.  

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13 

Mississippi State Preview

We are 76 days from the start of the college football season, and like every Friday it's time for the Dominate365 SEC Power Ranking.

#9 MISSISSIPPI STATE

We are now in year four of the Dan Mullen era at Mississippi State so far he's 21-17, but many believe he's truly one of the best coaches in the SEC. So lets be honest does being just above .500 at Miss State make you a great coach? For me the jury is still out. Miss State will have a good defence in 2012 bringing back 7 starters from last years group which ranked 35th in total defence, but they will be missing Fletcher Cox. To me the key to their season lays in the hands of how good can this Dan Mullen offence be? They lose QB Chris Relf and RB Vick Ballard, also they will need to rebuild their O-Line. Tyler Russell has experience at QB, but has never played with a lot of consistency.

 

Returning Starters 2012

Offense 5

Defence 7

ST       1

2012 Schedule & Predictions

• Jackson State W
• Auburn ? L
• @ Troy W
• South Alabama W
• @ Kentucky W
• Tennessee ? W
• Middle Tennessee W
• @ Alabama L
• Texas A&M ? W
• @ LSU L
• Arkansas L
• @ Ole Miss W

W -Win / L - Lose / ? - Swing Game

I'm calling for Mississippi State to finish 8-4. They have 3 really important swing games all of which are at home so I'm going to give them two out of the three, so 9-3 isn't out of reach for the Bulldogs. Mullen is an offensive mastermind, and I think he will be able to get the best out of Russell as the full time starter.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Alabama Recruiting News

Recruiting News The Tide uses a scholarship on a long snapper and picks up Cole Mazza a 2 star out of Backersfield Ca. The two star was once committed to UCLA before switching to Bama. Mazza also had offers from UTAH, Washington State. (6-14-2012) 

 Team Rankings as of 6-8-2012

• Rivals Class Ranking: 2nd
• Scouts Class Ranking: 5th
• 247 Class Ranking: 1st
• ESPN Class Ranking: 3rd

Alabama commitments for 2013

• Reuben Foster LB 6'2" 228lbs Stars --> Rivals: 5/ Scouts: 5/ 247: 5 
• Jonathan Allen DE 6'3" 225lbs Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 5
• Altee Tenpenny RB 5'11" 200lbs Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4
• Cooper Bateman QB 6'3" 190 Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4
• Maurice Smith DB 5'11" 179lbs Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4
• Bradley Bozeman OL 6'5" 315lbs Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 3  
• Raheem Falkins WR 6'4" 192lbs Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 4
• Grant Hill OL 6'6" 315lbs Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4
• OJ Howard TE 6'5" 221lbs Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4
• Tyren Jones RB 5'8" 185lbs Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4
• Ardarius Stewart ATH 6'3" 190lbs Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts:4/ 247: 4
• Andy Dodd OL 6'4" 324lbs  Stars --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 4
• Anthony Averett ATH 6'1" 175lbs --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 4
• Deon Johnson ATH 6'0" 170lbs --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 4
• Darius Paige DT 6'3" 275lbs --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 3
• Parker McLeod QB 6'2" 189lbs --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 3 
• Leon Brown OT 6'6" 315lbs --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: NR/ 247: NR
• Cole Mazza OL 6'1" 240lbs --> Rivals: 2/ Scouts: 2/ 247: 2

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @PatrickpAla13



Auburn Recruitiing Updates

Recruiting News

Auburn picks up Lemond Johnson a versatile 3 star athlete out of Florida for 2013 (6-13-2012) 

Auburn picks up  a tall speedy DE for 2013 in Tashawn Bower (6-12-2012)

Auburn's Team Rankings as of 6-14-2012

• Rivals Classs Ranking: 11th
• Scouts Class Ranking: 10th
• 247 Class Ranking: 10th
• ESPN Class Ranking: 9th

Auburn Recruits 

• Dee Liner DE 6'2" 264 Stars --> Rivals: 5/ Scouts: 5/ 247: 4
• Cral Lawson DE 6'2" 253 Stars --> Rivals: 5/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4
• Trey Johnson LB 6'1" 220 Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4
• Earnest Robinson WR 6'3" 200 Stars --> Rivals: 4/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4
• Tashawn Bower DE 6'5" 241 Stars --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 4
• Jeremy Johnson QB 6'6" 215 Stars --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 4/ 247: 4 
• Cameron Toney LB 6'3" 225 Stars --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 4
• Arshad Jackson TE 6'6" 239 Stars --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 3
• Lemond Johnson ATH 6'1" 190 Stars --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 3
• Jahmere Irvin-Sills DB 5'10" 173 Stars --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 3 
• Kamryn Melton DB 5'10" 165 Stars --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 3
• Jarrad Davis LB 6'2" 200 Stars --> Rivals: 3/ Scouts: 3/ 247: 3 
• Jimmy Hutchinson K 6'2" 175 Stars --> Rivals: 2/ Scouts: NR/ 247: 3

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Both sides of Birmingham could support the NBA!!!

Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News wrote a very interesting article --> How Does Mayor William Bell Think Birmingham can support NBA? Based off of an interview done on 97.3 The Zone morning show Smashmounth Radio Network where Bell talked about trying to bring the New Orleans Hornets to Birmingham and went into detail about letting the NBA know if they was to expand Birmingham has a group in place that would look to bring a team to the city. Yes that's right a NBA team in the city of Birmingham. This discussion sadly has brought out Birmingham ugly side, the side that keeps us from ever winning a beauty contest.

Part of the city's skyline is Red Mountain with Vulcan standing tall over the city. On one side of Vulcan's overlook you can see the skyscrapers of a city who has seen good and bad days, turning to the east signs of steel industry that used to be the heart beat of the city, looking to the south "over the mountain" you can see the rich suburbia, and more commercialize areas of the metro. What an out of towners wouldn't know is that Red Mt is much more than a mountain it's a WALL that divides the city. People who live "over the mountain" think downtown Birmingham is to dangerous, to much crime and hobos. They like to say they wouldn't take their kids down there at night. I'm not going to say crime doesn't happen in downtown, but what I will say is that I've walked downtown day and night with zero problems. I went to UAB which takes up most of the south side of the city, and not once have I even heard a gun shot. This stereotype that downtown B'ham is nothing more than a dumpy ghetto is sad, un-true, but worse it's what keeps this city down.

What people fail to see is if Birmingham goes down so does Hoover, Vestavia, Homewood, Mountain Brook. If Birmingham goes up so does Hoover, Vestavia, Homewood, Mountain Brook! Birmingham is the center of the wheel, Hoover, Irondale, Gardendale, Bessemer etc... are only the spokes. WE ARE THE SAME METRO!

Okay back to my original point Birmingham can support a NBA team! Sure there will be haters saying its a wast of tax payers dollars to build a nice arena is the "downtown ghetto", but they can stay at home in their shell. Now go back up on Vulcan and just look down at the city and only the city, look close.... what do you see? Crime? Hobos? Bullets shooting in the air? or do you see lots of development???? Loft apartments have popped up over the last ten years by the hundreds! Old building have been ripped down and replaced by a green space and water AKA railroad park. A shiny new state of the art Childerns Hosptial treats some of the sickest kids in the world. Construction workers look like ants as the new downtown baseball stadium raises up from the ground. One of the largest parks in the country is opening phase one of Red Mt Park. Lastly over by where a new NBA Arena would be located a new luxury hotel and Marketplace entertainment district is almost ready to open its doors.

Maybe it's just me, but I've never seen a ghetto with luxury hotels. Like it or not Downtown Birmingham is growing, and it's finally making ground on it's rival city's, and one day your going to look down from Vulcan and see a proud city. So yes Jon Solomon, and everyone else who said Birmingham is dreaming if they think we could support an NBA team... Your Wrong, Birmingham Can!   

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @PatrickAla13