My favorite bit in Athlon is what I refer to as the “talking shit about other programs” section, which is where the magazine gets coaches at SEC programs to snipe at each other’s. Admittedly, it isn’t nearly as much of a fun read as it was when Tuberville was still at Auburn, but there are still usually a few nuggets worth seeing unearthed.
The interesting part from this year’s piece is how wide open those anonymous sources see the West being. For several reasons, I don’t see Ole Miss having a real shot at winning the division, but there seems to be a real sense there that the big boys may be sliding a little in 2014.
Also, the general consensus is that Georgia is talented. Lot of good that did last year.
Get The Picture 
“As it sits, Alabama might be an eight-win team on paper.”
If so, prepare for the toppling of Nick’s statue
“Bo Wallace is not a big time quarterback but he’s functional. He won’t really screw it up a lot.”
Bo for Heisman campaign opening lines
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Ole Miss good? Well, no, but yes, i agree with the coaches we have a weaker qb and big issues on a young inexperienced defense.
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if they think gurley’s good, wait til they see chubb & michel.
little surprised the coaches didn’t talk about our wr’s. it’s loaded, means we’ll come in under the radar.
but yes, our secondary has real issues.
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Lolz at whatever coach believes Ole Miss is at least the 2nd best team in the West.
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Are we really treating Gurley as an afterthought in favor of two guys who have never played a down of college football? Somehow I think Stopper’s time here is destined for brevity.
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Agreed …
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For Georgia, essentially the same themes we’ve been advocating here:
1) The defense needs to play harder (and better, given the talent)
2) Gurley needs to stay healthy
3) Mason can’t/won’t be Murray, but will he be able to do enough?
I see no reason why #1 and #3 won’t break in our favor. Gurley staying healthy will be a roll of the dice, however. And Gurley’s health will no doubt factor into how Mason plays, especially early. We need ’em both out there.
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Speaking of Mason, I re-watched a bit of the GT game from last year, and the broadcast play by play guys said the coaches told them that Mason has a stronger arm than Murray. That surprised me as I’ve always heard/read that Murray unquestionably has a stronger arm than Mason, and that Mason is best compared to David Greene in regard to arm strength. My own eyeballs also tells me that Murray has a better arm, if not much better.
Am I wrong here or were the TV booth guys wrong/mistaken. Obviously I’m hoping I’m the one who is wrong.
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Your eyes don’t deceive you. The broadcast guys are idiots.
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Hey Americusdawg. I see we share a hometown. Small world.
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I can’t remember details but I seem to remember thinking that the broadcast team for that game was pretty clueless
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That broadcast team was not only clueless, it was also destined for brevity
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I dunno Fla. When it comes to broadcast teams, mediocrity and drama are attributes, not shortcomings.
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True. They are probably destined for longevity and may end up being recycled – when their time is up – on The SEC Network
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“Last year”? Jeebus, is your memory that bad?
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I would say that my memory exceeds your reading comprehension skills.
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“That Georgia, she has a nice personality. Bless her heart.”
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I think the West is very wide open this year but while Ole Miss may play a role by upsetting someone in the hunt, they will not be first or second. If UGA has any decent luck with injuries this season, we can play/beat anyone in the West.
All this West superiority and media love is out of proportion to the facts…I believe they hold a one game lead over the East in the SECCG after 20+ games, and I blame SC for that. They just aren’t “championship capable” and have a century of seasons to prove it.
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Dang. I didn’t know they were really going to use my quotes. I just made some stuff up.
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