SEC Rivalries must stay!

UPDATE: SEC GOING TO THE 6-1-1 FORMAT KEEPING THE RIVALRIES SAFE!!!

Rivalries are the one thing that really makes college football so special. Sure there is the Red Soxs vs Yankees or Celtics vs Lakers rivalries, but college rivalries can't be matched by any pro sport. The pageantry and emotions of a college football rivalries run so deep especial in the south were you have to declare your side at birth, but conference realignment is forcing college football to change right down to one of the main things that makes it so special.

I was all for conference realignment a few years back because I wanted to see some change, I wanted to see my team play someone new, but now I cringe every time a new school is rumored to be moving. I wrote a few weeks back about how realignment was weakening college football Link: college football expansion stronger or weaker? 

Texas vs Texas A&M, West Virgina vs Pitt are just some of the rivalries that were losing because of realignment and now Alabama vs Tennessee, Auburn vs Georgia and Florida vs LSU are on the chopping block.

Alabama vs Tennessee "Third Saturday in October" has been played since 1901, but with the SEC having to change up scheduling for added Missouri and Texas A&M it could be moved to every other year! Most say well it hasn't been a great series of late; of which I disagree. What about "Rocky Stop" where Roman Harper used his helmet to knock to ball lose as the Vols where about to score the game winning touchdown. Even better memories as of late was Mt Cody blocking not one but two fields goals to preserve to prefect season. Soon we might have to change the name to "Third Saturday in October Every Other Year"

Auburn vs Georgia "Deep Souths Oldest Rivalry" This game has been played a 115 times since 1892, but now we might only get to write its newest chapters every other year. Auburn would only be going between the hedges once every four years, and is that something that needs to happen in the oldest rivalry? NO.

Just think about how good the Florida vs LSU games have been over the past ten years. EPIC. Who wants to get rid of the game that Les Miles went for it on 4th down over and over again? This game is a staple of college football, and every year its a must watch. Soon sadly it might only get circled on the calender every other year.

I don't know what the solution is going to be. You could go to 9 SEC games and only 3 non conference games, but the SEC is already a gauntlet of games playing at 8. Some say do away with the East/West and just have a 14 team SEC and let the two top teams play in the SEC championship game. I'm not sure what the solution is to the realignment headache is but it has to be figured out. Rivalries must be kept alive and played every season.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!

Thank you to everyone who has served this country! Seeing video of places like Syria everyday make me relize how blessed I'm to live in America and my freedom would not be possiable with out our service men and woman.

Thanks again for your sacrifices.

Tennessee Vols Preview

It's Friday and I'm continuing to reveal my SEC 2012 Power Rankings.

#12 Tennessee Vols

Derek Dooley is feeling his seat warm up maybe to an unbearable temperature as he enters his third season as the Vols head coach. What does Dooley have to do to keep his job? Win duh. I know its easier said than done, but if Dooley wins around 8 games and beats Vandy and Kentucky then I think his job will be safe for one more year. If Dooley wins only 6 or 7 and looses to Vandy or Kentucky then I think he might be shown the door. Tennessee is a proud winning program and won't put up with .500% for very long especially with all the other SEC teams pulling in national tile after national title.

So what will the Vols have to do in 2012 to get over that hump? Tyler Bray has the size (6'6" 210lbs) and he's now another year older; so it's time for him to take control of the Vols offence. Last season he was under 60% accuracy and threw under 2000 yards. In 2012 he will need to get above 60% and throw for close to 3000 yards to insure a good season. The rushing attack was also lacking in 2011 and with Poole gone it will now be in the hands of Marlin Lane who ran for only 280 yards on 75 carries. Last season the Vols were 27th in defence, which isn't horrible, but now they bring in first time defencive coordinator Sal Sunseri who will bring some Nick Saban characteristics with him. The up side is the Vols bring back 20 starters making them the most veteran team in the SEC.  

2012 returning starters:

Total 20

Offense 10

Defence 8

ST 2

365 Predictions

• VS NC State (Atlanta) ? W
• VS Georgia State W
• VS Florida ? W
• VS Akron W
• @ Georgia L
• @ Mississippi St ? L
• VS Alabama L
• @ South Carolina L
• VS Troy W
• VS Missouri L
• @ Vanderbilt ? L
• VS Kentucky W

L- Loose / W- Win / ?- Swing Game

I think Tennessee will go 6-6, but there are a lot of swing games: NC St, Florida, @ Miss St, @ Vandy. Are all winnable for the Vols, but I have them splitting it up and going 2-2. I'm not sure Dooley will be able to survive going 6-6 which puts a very high level of importance on these four games for him.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13



Heisman 2012

Last year was supposed to be Andrew Lucks year, but RGIII stole the show and took the prize. This year doesn't have that same "his to lose feeling". It could go to a number of guys including Montee Ball or Tyrann Mathieu who got an invite to New York last year. There will be a couple of QB's though that are sure to surge up that list though in 2012, but who will it be? Here is my Heisman 2012 predictions.

1. Matt Barkley: Last year Barkley was 308 for 446 which is hitting  69.1% of his passes. He had 39 TD and only 7 picks leading the Trojans to a 10-2 season. I have Barkley number one on my list right now because I think his numbers will stay up playing PAC-12 D's, and USC has been known to produce a few Heisman winners.



2. Montee Ball: Last season Ball had an amazing 33TD's tying Barry Sanders for the most in a season, and that was with Russell Wilson at QB. Now that Wilson is gone Wisconsin will need Ball to step up even more. So the question is can he get over 2000 yards (1923 yrds in 2011) and can he break the 33 TD record? If so watch out.

3. Tyler Wilson: How will Bobby Petrino leaving and all the arrest in Razorback country affect Wilson? Them are questions that will remain to be seen, but with little brother Petrino still around calling the plays and Davis back to make D's play up a little and not just drop back will actually bring up Wilson's number which would put him at Heisman level. Last season he was 277 for 438 for 3638yrds that 63.2% CMP with 24 TD's and only 6 INT's.

  4. Marcus Lattimore: If he can stay healthy and that's a BIG if, then Lattimore at 6'1" 232lbs has the ability to be a guy that gets invited to New York. Last year he ran for only 818 yrds, but he was averaging 5.0 yards pre carry. I just feel that it's his time to have one long solid year.

5. Tyrann Mathieu: I'm not sure a DB can get back to New York in back to back years, but his ability to change the game as a return man his ability to cause turnovers and turn them in to defense scores will keep in the top five for now. What will hurt the Honey Badger is that teams will now start to kick away from him. Also with Claiborne gone teams will start to avoid passing in his direction.

6. Denard Robinson: He can make his case in game one when he will face off against the defending National Champions Alabama in Dallas. If he was to have a big showing in that game on national television then his campaign will take off. Robinson isn't a great passer and that's what he will have to improve on in order to crack the top 5. Last season he was 142 out of 258 55% for 2173 yrds with 20 TD's and 15 INT's. His X factor is his legs rushing for 1176 yrds and adding 16 more TD's.

7. Landry Jones: I think he might be the most NFL ready QB in college football, but what will be holding him down this season is lack of  WR's. Jones was 355 out of 562 ATT 63.2% for 4463 yrds with 29 TD's and 15 INT's. If the Sooners can stay healthy and stay in the title race then Jones could be looking at a trip to NY.

8. Geno Smith: Watching him in last years embaresing Orange bowl Smith looked all world, but Smith and co will be moving to the Big 12 this year which is not known for it's defense, but it will be tougher than the Big East. Last year Smith was 346 out of 526 that's 65.8% for 4385 yards with 31 TD's and 7 INT's. In his last outing vs Clemson he was 32 of 43 for 407 yards with 6 TD's and no picks! Numbers like that could push Smith way up the list.

9. De'Anthony Thomas: He's a small RB at 5'9" and 160lbs, but with James and Darron Thomas gone De'Anthony will be the Ducks feature play maker meaning he will rack up the stats, and with the Ducks in the national picture year and year out now look for his name to be mentioned in the Heisman talks.

10. Collin Klein: This guy took an un-ranked team to a 10 win season in 2011 and carried them on his back though out. Klein and the Wildcats won't sneak up on anyone this year, but Klein very well could be in route to a 2000 yard passing 1000 yard rushing season. If the Cats become a 10 win team and Klein plays to the same level he did last season and say they win some big games like Baylor did last season then Klein stock could shoot way up.

The Dark horses

• A.J. McCarron
• Eddie Lacy
• Aaron Murray
• Knile Davis
• Sammy Watkins
• Robert Woods
• Tajh Boyd

Ole Miss Preview

Every Friday I will be unveiling my SEC power rankings and team preview as we get ready for the college football season now only 105 days away. 

#13 Ole Miss

Number 13 in the SEC power rankings is the Ole Miss Rebels. I put them just above Kentucky based on the direction I think they will be heading under Hugh Freeze. Now most only know Hugh Freeze because of the movie The Blind Side where Hugh Freeze was Micheal Orr's head coach at Briarcreast Christan. He's had a very interesting career to get wear he's at now, but looking at his resume he's always moved up the latter no matter where he's been or what he was doing. He's young, but I think he will make Ole Miss a consistent bowl team over time.

Looking at this season there will be some some challenges as Freeze stats the rebuilding job. What he will need for some success this year is better play from Mackey or Stoudt, both were under %50 PCT passers last season. Also in 2011 the Rebels were dead last in the SEC for Total Defense.

The Facts: Returning Starters (17)

Offence: 8

Defence: 7

Special: 2

Schedule & Predictions

Dominate 365 prediction: 4-8

• VS Central Arkansas W
• VS UTEP W
• VS Texas L
• @ Tulane W
• @ Alabama L
• VS Texas A&M L
• VS Auburn L
• @ Arkansas L
• @ Georgia L
• VS Vandy ?
• @ LSU L
• VS Mississippi State ? 

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13





 

Auburn Recruiting Update

Auburn's Team Rankings as of 6-7-2012

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

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
• 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
• 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

Alabama Recruiting Update

 Team Rankings as of 6-7-2012

• Rivals Class Ranking: 3rd
• Scouts Class Ranking: 8th
• 247 Class Ranking: 2nd
• 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 Starts --> 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

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13