Bad luck, bad timing… or maybe both

Boy, if there’s a “we hardly knew ye” story, surely it’s this one:

Georgia reserve wide receiver Tommy Bush is leaving the program.

The fourth-year junior told the Athens Banner-Herald he has put his name in the transfer portal.

Bush played in two games in 2018 and another in 2019, making one catch against Georgia Tech for a yard.

He said he dealt with a groin injury as a sophomore.

“UGA did a lot of good things for me, I became a lot better player,” Bush said. “They definitely helped me in recovery.”

Between the groin and being hit by a truck, he spent most of his time in Athens behind the 8 ball.  Best of luck to you going forward, Tommy.  Sounds like you’re due.

Busted

Shot.

Over the past 15 years, these programs have scheduled more FCS opponents than Power 5 opponents:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Baylor
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kansas St
• Minnesota
• Miss. St
• NC St
• Ole Miss
• Oregon St
• Texas A&M
• Texas Tech
• Washington St
• Wisconsin

— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) February 26, 2021

Chaser.

For some they play an additional conference foe. The PAC 10/12 has done it 2006. The Big 12 since 2011 and the Big 10 since 2016. So the real stat is how many P5 total have they played. The P12, B12 and B10 play at least 9 and often 10.

— Ron Ward (@rward80640) February 26, 2021

So, not everything about the SEC just means more.  At least when it comes to scheduling at Arky, Ole Miss and TAMU.  No discounting ticket prices, though.

TFW the journey is more important than the final destination

The idea that, in a sport governed by less parity than any other, playoff expansion will blissfully lead to a time when Cinderella cracks the national title game barrier is pretty stupid.  But apparently that’s the story they’re gonna tell to deflect from the real goal behind postseason growth.

Count Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick, one of the strongest voices in the playoff discussion, among those changing their tune. He wants the playoff to expand, and for many schools it can’t come soon enough.

“I don’t think sport is hurt when there are really strong programs,” Swarbrick said on The Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday. “You want the Celtics and the Lakers good in professional basketball, you like the Dodgers and Yankees good in baseball. So I think when the Alabamas, the Georgias, the Notre Dames, the USC’s, whoever they are, get in periods where they are really good, I think that’s great for college athletics.

“What we can’t have is the sense that the other schools can’t make it in. And we’ve gotta make sure that the opportunity is real and schools feel like they can get there. So eventually an expanded playoff will hopefully create that greater opportunity.”

Sanctimonious twaddle.  Making Alabama play an additional game against the eighth-weakest team in the CFP field is some opportunity there, Jack.  But you’ll be cashing a bigger check, so it’s all good, I guess.

When they don’t say it’s about the money…

Tackling the left tackle position

While the secondary as a group is my biggest area of concern for Georgia’s 2021 prospects, the single position question that looms largest for me is, after watching the bowl game, left tackle.  It seems pretty apparent that the coaches want to move Salyer inside to a guard position, but it’s hard to see how Truss’ performance against Cincinnati gives them the confidence to do so.

As for other options, check out Jake Rowe’s position outlook piece here.

Jamaree Salyer (Senior): A move to left guard could be the move here but it’s going to take someone stepping up and playing left tackle at a high level. Salyer provides a security blanket for the Bulldogs in that regard. He’s a very good tackle but he’s a potentially dominant guard.

Xavier Truss (Redshirt sophomore): He has a little experience at this spot and he probably learned some lessons the hard way against Cincinnati. He has the length and athleticism to play the spot but he has to clean up his technique and grow from a mental standpoint. He seemed to lack focus and patience in the Peach Bowl.

Broderick Jones (Redshirt freshman): The former five-star prospect’s athleticism was on full display in the mop-up action he saw late last season. The sky’s the limit for Jones but he has to attack the off season. Smart commented no Jones need to get bigger and stronger late last season and that’s something he can control between now and the start of preseason camp. This spring will offer him the opportunity to build on his knowledge and comfort level within the offense.

Amarius Mims (Freshman): Never count out a player this talented. Mims, like Jones, has tremendous potential. He has a college-ready body at 6-foot-7 315 pounds and he has already impressed with his power. He has the length offensive line coaches desire at left tackle and he has the athleticism to go with it. This spring will probably be a struggle for him in some ways. His head will be spinning much like Jones’ was during preseason camp. He’s going to need a little time but how much depends on how quickly he can pick things up.

As much as they’d like to move Salyer, they won’t unless they’re comfortable with another option at left tackle.  Does Truss step up?  What about Jones taking the big step in his second season?  Talent certainly isn’t the issue.  Experience is.  By all accounts, Mims is a total stud.  But, do you really want to entrust protecting Daniels’ blind side to a true freshman?  We shall see.

“We’re really fortunate to be part of the SEC, let me just say that.”

I’d sure love to know what UT Chancellor Donde Plowman means when she said this:

Tennessee athletics expects to incur an operating loss of more than $28 million during the 2021 fiscal year, and it will rely on financial support from the university and the SEC to cover the deficit.

The projected loss is primarily tied to a steep reduction in ticket revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

…

The university has committed $12.5 million in institutional support from financial reserves to help cover the deficit, Plowman said. That support is not funded by tuition dollars, she said. Additionally, the SEC will provide financial relief, Plowman said.

“I can’t go into all the details about what that conference package is going to look like, but what I can tell you is, that (operating deficit) will be covered,” Plowman said. “It will be close, but we’re going to make it.”

Is Greg Sankey bailing out UT athletics with a loan?  An outright grant?  An advance on TV money?  That opens up an enormously potential conflict of interest.  For example, how motivated will the conference be to support NCAA sanctions if it impacts the school’s ability to meet future financial obligations?

There’s no indication anyone’s asked the SEC office about this, but I’d sure love to hear the details.

Sometimes, the grass ain’t greener.

I thought Kirby was keeping a couple of roster spots open in order to fish a cornerback out of the transfer portal, but after seeing this 247Sports list of the top ten defensive backs in there, I can see why he’s in no hurry.  It’s a pretty undistinguished bunch.

Y’all have any thoughts about it?

All in, in College Station.

Full speed ahead at Texas A&M:

Texas A&M officials are planning for a full Kyle Field for the 2021 football season, athletics director Ross Bjork said Tuesday on his monthly Facebook Live town hall meeting.

“Our approach as we sit here today on February the 23rd is that we will operate at full capacity, that we’ll have full stadiums,” he said. “We’ll have the full experience. We’ll have the Aggie band back on the field. We’ll do all the things that we normally do.”

He’s not being stubborn or insane — “If we have to pivot, we know we can,” Bjork said. “The virus will dictate.” — he’s merely being aggressive in making plans.  I’ll be curious to see how quickly any of his peers jump on the bandwagon.  Or if Sankey feels a need to weigh in.

Interestingly enough, four of the top five highest attended college football games last season were played at Kyle Field.  Sounds like there’s plenty of pent-up demand.