Random thoughts on yesterday’s SEC action

Most of it was the usual suspects – SEC teams taking on various mid-major teams and lower division squads with varying degrees of haplessness.  But there were a few items of note:

  • Kentucky and Tennessee struggled on defense.  The Cats couldn’t stop the run.  The Vols gave up a ton of passing yards.  UK wasn’t very good on defense last season, so that’s not entirely surprising, but the Vols actually looked worse.
  • Mississippi State looked like you’d expect.  MSU has a very underrated run defense and a porous secondary, just like last season.  Dak Prescott was somewhat sloppy, which comes with the territory of opening on the road, but got the job done.
  • Auburn has a pass rush again.  Some of that’s due to Boom and some due to getting guys like Lawson back.
  • So much for the Jeremy Johnson Heisman candidacy.  Yes, that’s what struggling looks like.  The three interceptions have to be really troubling for Gus.  I loved the suggestions after the game that he might have to dumb down the playbook.
  • ‘Bama’s gonna ‘Bama.  Sure, Wisconsin’s offense was a perfect match for Saban’s defense, but the Tide pretty much had its way throughout.  And Alabama’s running game is more than stout.
  • BREAKING:  John Chavis is not underpaid.  Last season, Texas A&M taught me not to jump to conclusions after one game, but if there was anything more impressive than the Aggies’ defense yesterday, I’d love to hear about it.  Nine freaking sacks.  I’m already regretting my preseason prediction for TAMU.  And I’m really wondering about how LSU’s defense is going to be without Chavis.

What did y’all see?

63 Comments

Filed under SEC Football

63 responses to “Random thoughts on yesterday’s SEC action

  1. Will (the other one)

    Either WVA has a great defense, or Georgia Southern is missing some of last year’s offensive linemen. Going to briefly feel about that matchup later this season like I did prior to the Eagles breakthrough last season.

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  2. Vol fan called in the radio this morning. Willie was out because of “some minor secondary violation two years ago” and it was because of this they couldn’t cover anyone. Orange hope springs eternal.

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  3. ScoutDawg

    Florida may not be back yet, but they are on the way.

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  4. 92 grad

    Auburn, I think Gus is pacing the team so that they peak in October/November. They just looked kind of “barely got it together” somehow.

    Tennessee, they could pull an upset or two IF they play up to the gargantuan, unwarranted ego’s I saw on display. They appeared to be running on fake juice to me….

    TAMU, wow.

    Alabama, I sort of got the NFL vibe from watching them. They’re good, they know it, business like. Solid stuff and I’m looking forward to their visit.

    Georgia, I agree with most the sentiments I’ve read here and elsewhere. Nice start, exciting potential, might just see it come together.

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    • ScoutDawg

      I wouldn’t swap our O backfield period.Shifty, downfield speed, vision, cuts, POWER. But, I saw D. Hen. passpro 1 play last night against a big ol’ linebacker that he was bigger than. Mr. Hen blew this dude up, but then he didn’t stop until the whistle. He totally broke the play. Breaks my heart that he was the 1 that got away. Then again how would we work in 5?

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      • ScoutDawg

        Sorry, EVERY 1 of our guys passPRO. Never seen a back neutralize a LB like D. Hen. did last night. I wonder though if it would have been the same if that had been Jenkins, Floyd, or Lo, rushing. I guess we will see.

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      • I saw one play on Saturday where Sony did the same thing to a linebacker trying to shoot the A gap. He blew him up and stayed on him until the ball was thrown. Our guys are pretty darn good at pass pro as well. CMR doesn’t play guys at RB who don’t do it well. I don’t think he ever said it, but I think that’s why Knowshon redshirted.

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  5. Macallanlover

    Agree with your assessments Senator. As expected, Auburn and TN are significantly over rated and A&M and Arky are the most under rated. We won’t know about LSU until next week but I am keeping them as a contender, and may have to move Ole Miss up the list if that offense is for real because their D is going to be pretty good.

    On the national scene, that UCLA freshman QB was wow! They and USC looked solid in the PAC12 South. In the North, it looks like Oregon has a walkover to the title game. I thought Golson looked pretty good for an opener so they and Clem’s Son should be interesting again. Really looking forward to watching OU play TN next week end, they could be the best in the Big 12.

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  6. The other Doug

    I watched some of the UT game. The Bowling Green QB was very good, but I noticed the tell tail signs of a Willie Martinez coached DBs. Out of place and or late to turn their head around. I smiled to myself as imagined our coon hound lovin’ neighbors setting fire to things when they realize what they have in Martinez.

    But I was wrong! The announcers were kind enough to inform the listening public that the DBs were bad because Willie was suspended for the game because of a recruiting violation. I was assured that if he was there, then he would have been able to correct it.

    My wife is not happy about the beer I spewed on the rug.

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  7. Cojones

    We have to wait to assess LSU’s D, however, its a major SEC team with good athletes and I’m sure the experienced LSU D coach can make LSU fans forget Chavis before the suit settlement.

    Even one of the AFs on here could coach that D successfully.

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  8. I know it’s only one game, but was kinda odd seeing the lack of speed on AU’s offense. I mean you saw almost none of the jet sweeps and other perimeter-based plays that have been staples the past couple of years (the plays that Floyd pretty much single handedly shut down last year). Duke is still a scary receiver working the middle of the field from the slot, but I didn’t really see anyone on their offense that scared me as a potential game breaker.

    Muschamp had their D ballin’ at times tho, for sure.

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    • That young Louisville QB, tho, is almost an exact clone of Nick Marshall. Once he gets a handle on it all, NOBODY is gonna enjoy playing against him.

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    • Chopdawg

      I’m not so sure about Allbarn’s defense. Louisville pretty much gave away the game with turnovers, & I don’t think their offense was near as strong as the one we faced in Charlotte last season.

      If Louisville had won that game you’d be reading different things in the papers today about Muschamp.

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  9. Scorpio Jones, III

    Auburn…discombobulated…looked like the first game in a new offense, which its kinda like, not. Carl Lawson appears to have an injury that will limit is his playing time all year.

    I spec we’ll know a lot more about the Vowels late Saturday night. Jalen Hurd IS a big, stiff back. Oklahoma is better than Bowling Green.

    Bama’s quarterback situation seems way more complicated than ours. But I could not help thinking that youth on defense vs Bama’s offense, no matter who is pulling the trigger is not a good thing.

    Florida and Tennessee will be interesting. Butch Jones pretty much has to beat Florida sometime.

    There should be plenty of tickets to Georgia-Vandy.

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    • TXBaller

      3rd, I was at the Bama game.

      1) There is no QB competition any longer. After Bateman came in and was unimpressive, a slow under the mic chant started of “we…want…Co…Ker, we…want…Co…Ker”.
      2) The ALA O line is huge….and they move bodies. Will be a fist fight come Oct 3 v. our defensive front. Hell, gonna be a fist fight going the other way too.
      3) Hard to believe Richt wanted D Henry at LB. I’m sure he would be all world there, but he is definitely a monster. He v Chubb gonna be epic.

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  10. Uglydawg

    Auburn had trouble with a L’ville team that wasn’t and shouldn’t be ranked. They struggled against mediocrity. And that QB that was going to make the Barners forget all about Cam? LOL.
    Tennesssee had a hell of a lot of help from the refs or they might have easlily lost. The late no-call on pass inf in the endzone was sick, and followed by an unsportsman like behavior call on the BG coach. Saved Tennessee’s bacon.
    Alabama looks scary good. both front lines are great. But I don’t think Wisconsin was very good…and I got all teary eyed watching Herbstreet consoling the WI fans for ten minutes of his show this morning…BTW, Herbie..do you still think AZST is going to be in the playoffs?
    Georgia looked pretty good, but it’s hard to tell against LM. But the Dawgs are certainly the class of the SECE.

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  11. ApalachDawg

    Bama – that D (line) looks NFLish. Mr Chubb and Co. will earn their money that day.
    Barners – loved the three picks from their Heisman trophy pre-season winner. Boom has the D line playing solid but they don’t seem to have that explosiveness on O.
    Texas – looks like the tail end of the Goff years. It is still 10 to 9 in Austin…
    Irish – domers put a beat down on a storied program that has lost its way. They will be rocketed to the top of the polls by the ‘experts’.
    UT – wolf in sheep’s clothing
    UK – same ol’ same ol’
    Vandy – anchored down, ghosts of Franklin’s past
    South Cack-e-lack – OBC still scares me but without the tar heels Christmas gifts in September, they’d be 0-1.

    Dawgs – Just like Elvis – TCB in a flash (two of them actually). We are exactly where we should be 1-0 without major injuries and quality QB reps. When we leave Nashville, the landlocked ‘dores shall know they’ve been Thunderstruck by the grown man football team from Athens… Bulldawg boogie all over their ass…Let’s take the first step toward Atlanta. GATA

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    • Macallanlover

      UT= Sheep in Wolf’s clothing They could lose all 3 of the games left before we come calling. I say they lose at least two of those. Will be desperate when we get there. Dare I say it: “we will get their best shot.”

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  12. I started watching the UGA game at noon and was really impressed. Then I flipped to the Clemson game and was impressed. By the end of the night I saw ole miss, Florida, Arkansas, FSU, Tenn, Missouri and a bunch of other teams look great against inferior teams. I’m sure LSU would have really looked good against mcneese state or whoever they were playing.

    Bama and TAM had the most impressive wins vs P5 competition. Will TAM play that well every week? I know Bama will. Auburn and Sc struggled but won, I expect both teams to improve. Every SEC team except Kentucky and Vandy either beat a quality team or beat an inferior team in a blowout. I know people will point out Tenn but I think Bowling Green was the best of all the cupcakes I saw playing and the game was never really in doubt.

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  13. Here is what I see…. and it has a theme:
    Ky suxs because it ain’t basketball
    UT suxs well because because nothing suxs like a big orange or a Willie Martinez defensive backfield. Does UT suck Willies?
    Jeremy Johnson suxs because he was not good enough to replace Nick Marshall(who by the way use to play for UGA) when he was absolutely stinking up the field in Athens last year.
    Mississippi St suxs because Pak Descott is all they got.
    Auburn…..I like driving in my truck…fill in the blank.
    Bama suxs because Bama is going to Bama meaning once a year at least they will run into a clearly inferior team…Utah, Texas A&M.Auburn, Old Miss arguably Ohio State with a 3rd string QB…… and that is just off the top of my head……, they along with their Coach will just shit the bed, have a brain cramp, find a new and inventive way to lose, just not be mentally prepared or motivated. (Damn this negativity is just soooo much easier than being a fan)
    LUS suxs because they don’t have a QB.
    South Carolina suxs because those Cocks were lucky as hell that the UNC QB is totally color blind when he enters the red zone. Let’s just hope they use up their luck prior to this year’s game.Cocks sux.
    . And finally Florida suxs whether their football team is back or not because UF just suxs. In my twisted universe Jacksonville is already looking big.

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  14. GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida police say computers were among the items stolen from a New Mexico State team personnel bus during Saturday’s game.

    Brad Barber of the university police department said the bus, which carried football staff members, was parked outside the stadium in a secure area.

    “Dozens of police cars were parked near the bus, so it seemingly took some gall to enter the bus where it was parked,” Barber said.

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  15. Will Trane

    SEC had a good day.
    Ole Miss looked good on both sides of the ball. Sometimes it is good when a QB graduates.
    Maybe it was first game for the new QB, new center, and new OC, but the pace of the offense seemed a tad slow to me.
    Did Godwin not get horse-collared in the second period with no penalty called. Marshall it quick to the line. Say the offense has some work to do. No deep balls.
    Many of us like to officiate an Auburn game. Run Gus by the beginning of the second period. Along with Jones at UT.

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  16. UGA85

    Just judging from the first week, it looks like many of you may be right. Tennessee and Auburn may be overrated. It also looks like South Carolina will struggle. As I have asked before, who on our schedule should be favored to beat us? Bama? This season clearly sets up well for us. Those who have poor-mouthed our rivals in essence have raised expectations for our team. We should be better than most anyone we play, and this first week reinforces my feeling that there is no legitimate reason for us to not win the SEC this year.

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    • AusDawg85

      So Bama’s not legit?

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      • UGA85

        Sure, they are legit. But we play them at home. And they have a new quarterback as well and they play a very difficult SEC West schedule. The question is “Are we legit?” And my answer is that we have all the tools to be as good or better than Bama. Our way of thinking this year should be “Why not us”? Bama can be beaten by a physical, talented, well-coached team. That should be our team this year.

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    • Good points all, however UGa has only been an underdog (and that by 3.5) once in the past two seasons.

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      • UGA85

        Exactly. And I think our players and coaches are tired of losing to inferior teams. We are the 800 pound SEC East gorilla, talent wise. And our level of play this year should reflect that talent gap.

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  17. Bama – drew a perfect week 1 opponent, a quality team that doesn’t play HUNH. I thought 35-10, so I was close. Hello Outback Bowl, Badgers.
    UF – they’re going to be a tough out throughout the year. If they lose any o-linemen, it could get ugly quickly.
    UT – BGSU may have been the best cupcake this week but the 30 points weren’t in garbage time. I still think OU is going to take care of them this week.
    USCe – 17 points may be the fewest UNC gives up to a P5 opponent this year. No good for the OBS. The defense is better than last year.
    Barn – overrated, enough said

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  18. dudemankind

    That Alabama power run game scares me. I am not sure the Dawgs have enough size to stop it.

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    • SCDawg

      This. I was worried about the Arkansas game last year for the same reason.

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      • Macallanlover

        Me too, but we got them down 14 early and they tried to catch up with the passing game for a while. We were vulnerable last year to that type of run, and just don’t know about 2015 yet. We will by October 4.

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  19. Bob

    Hesitate to try and garner much from week 1. From where I sat, I thought most impressive teams were ND, Bama and A&M. I know Texas is down, but ND could have beaten them worse too. Bama beat a pretty decent team and frankly scares me. Aggie defense appears to have taken to Chavis. But this is overreaction Sunday and most teams make biggest improvements between now and next Saturday.

    My first impressions of the Dawgs were good overall, but didn’t think the O line played well at all. I saw 4 running backs busting butt and most of those runs were without much blocking at all. That is good news and bad news.

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  20. Cojones

    Senator, flipped over to The Fabris Pool games for next week and discovered a mistake that has to be corrected before odds are posted.

    I also made two changes in one trip last week. One was honored and the other wasn’t. I changed my pick to UGA, but since it was all a matter of luck, no real harm done. Is it possible that one could change and the other not or do I cut down on the cookies?

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  21. SouthernYank

    UF played a far worse team than UGA and UT. NMSt was 2-10 last year.

    I watched the UT game. BG I believe had all 11 offensive starters back from last season. Yes, it’s BG. But they could not run at all on UT and those passing yards were made up of about 4-5 bombs that the BG QB threw perfectly and were caught in good coverage. And Dobbs looked good, but not as good as Hurd and Kamara (spelling?).

    UT is the threat to UGA.

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    • Cojones

      Just didn’t see the same greatness the pundits have been claiming. Looking closely at Dobbs didn’t reveal any more talent than we have. While I looked for about 15 game minutes and before changing stations, their D looked porous. Agree that Hurd and Kamara are good runners that have to be dealt with, but we will know more by the time game time rolls around. I didn’t see the power from Tenn that we have.

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    • Why does UT impress you after giving up 30+ points to BG while SC doesn’t impress after holding UNC to only 13? Both teams returned 11 starters on offense and I’ll bet more UNC players will be in the NFL.

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    • Cojones

      Is “Yank” a verb in your name?

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  22. kckd

    UTK was just awful on defense. The boxscore shows it, but watching, it was probably worse. The only reason BG did not put up 40 plus is due to a non pass interference call on the goal line and a botched handoff inside the 5 yard line. I decided to check how BG did last year against power five schools. Indiana’s defense apparently played better than UT’s this year and Wisconsin really had no problems.

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  23. Biggus Rickus

    I’m just going to say that everything we think we know after week 1 is probably wrong.

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  24. Scooter

    my favorite moment in the ULM game… I think I recall that when Sony scored his TD on the long run, Malcolm had been blocking for him but Malcolm did NOT participate in the celebration… straight to the sideline. Im pretty sure I know why…… Here’s hoping that Malcolm keeps his knees about him. He could have a special season…

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    • Biggus Rickus

      The best part of the play was that Mitchell sprinted about 20 yards to get in front of Michel and try to get the last block.

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