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October 13, 2007: Kentucky outlasts and stuns #1 LSU 43-37 in triple OT, and it looked like the Cats were ready potentially a historic season…
Nope. UK was run over by the Fighting Tebows the next week, showed up flat in a home loss to Mississippi State, and came up short at Georgia and against Tennessee, going from 6-1 to finishing 7-5. Certainly a disappointing finish to a hope-filled season for Kentucky fans, who no longer can wait for basketball season like they used to…
Rich Brooks, much like Bobby Johnson at Vanderbilt, has taken relatively less-talented teams at a basketball-driven, historically tradition-deprived (2 SEC titles – one shared – and just 11 bowl games) SEC school and done well. In terms of relative success, two straight Music City Bowl wins may really be the ceiling for Kentucky in today’s loaded division/league.
That said, last year’s Kentucky team was probably the best in the school’s history, for sure the best in my lifetime. UK was pretty loaded with offensive weapons, most notably QB Andre Woodson, who’s now gone. HB Rafael Little had a very productive career both rushing and receiving and he’s gone. Outstanding receivers Keenan Burton, Steve Johnson, and Jacob Tamme are all gone.
UK typically puts up some pretty nice offensive numbers, but they were above that last year, averaging over 36 points/game (yes, 3OT and 4OT pad that number). The problem is that Kentucky lost most of that offense – returning just four starters – 3 OL and WR Dicky Lyons. The last time UK had this few offensive starters back? 2004, where they averaged under 16 points/game and went 2-9.
That said, I would say the overall talent in Lexington is probably better now than it was just a few years ago. Or in other words, I don’t see UK going 2-10 in 2008. Why? Believe it or not, Kentucky might have a pretty good defense this year.
Don’t laugh. The Cats return 8 starters, and that doesn’t include MLB Micah Johnson, who looks to fill the hole of the departed Wesley Woodyard, one of those guys who seemingly was everywhere on the field. Johnson has that ability. He’ll have Braxton Kelley and Johnny Williams to his left and right and defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon and Myron Pryor in front of him.
CB Trevard Lindley was a Freshman All-American in 2006 and FS Marcus McClinton looks to rebound after starting just 7 games last year due to injury. Overall, 17 of 22 players are back from the two-deep at the end of last year. UK gave up 56 yards/game less from 2006 to 2007, so there’s been some improvement.
UK will need more defense while the offense gets going, and it may take awhile with the huge hole at QB, where likely starter Curtis Pulley was kicked off the team a couple weeks ago, making the starting job Mike Hartline’s to lose.
Even with the offensive losses, I see UK bowling again. The schedule sets up for Kentucky to just have to win two of their toss-up/underdog games to get to six wins, which is definitely doable. They start off with one of these: at Louisville Sunday the opening weekend.
Can UK continue its success for a third year?
Obviously, of course, but nobody knows this better than Steve Spurrier. After building his legend as a player and genius coach at Florida in the 90s, the OBC was more or less a bust in the NFL and hasn’t exactly turned South Carolina into anything they haven’t already been – the epitome of mediocrity.
After getting off to a good start with two bowls and wins over Florida, Tennessee, and Clemson in his first two years, Spurrier at South Carolina seemed to have turned a corner when the Gamecocks went into Athens and finally beat Georgia 16-12. At 6-1 and #6 in the country, Spurrier’s media day predictions of Carolina being ready to be a championship-level team in gauntlet that is the SEC East were taking form…
Oops. Carolina was upset by Vandy 17-6 in Columbia, stole defeat from the jaws of victory as only they can in Knoxville the next week, gave up 48 and 51 points to Arkansas and Florida, and again found a way to lose to Clemson on a late FG. From #6 to 6-6 and home for the holidays. Ouch
Most of those defensive struggles resulted from Jasper Brinkley’s injury against LSU, which forced him to miss the rest of the year. He redshirted and returns this year to lead what should be one of the SEC’s best defenses (Spurrier and defense, crazy I know). Just one lost starter for the Gamecocks, who also bring in defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson who had less-talented Mississippi State defenses in the middle of the pack defensively in the SEC the last three years. Along with Brinkley, South Carolina has 1st Team All-SEC players Eric Norwood and Captain Munnerlyn.
Truth is, though, that South Carolina will almost have to win games with defense this year. Can they? Absolutely. I just don’t see much about this offense that scares me outside of Kenny McKinley and the fact that Spurrier is the guy coaching it.
I see a huge question mark at the QB spot, where Tommy Beecher was named the starter at the end of spring. Beecher and Chris Smelley combined to throw 8 INTs in the spring game and potentially the most talented of the Carolina QBs, Stephen Garcia, can’t seem to stay out of trouble, though he was reinstated at the start of preseason practice, only to suffer an ankle injury and miss a week.
The workhorse of last year’s offense, Cory Boyd, is gone as well, and one of the main problems for Carolina under Spurrier is poor OL play. There’s plenty of experience with four starters back this year, but there’s been a bunch of inconsistency, especially last year.
I’ve seen a number of preseason publications that have South Carolina ahead of Tennessee in the East, and even objectively I just can’t see how that can be justified. I’m not saying they won’t be good this year or that Tennessee’s gonna beat them by three touchdowns in Columbia, but I just don’t see it with this team.
That said, this defense is going to be pretty sick. And they’re going to have to be with the offenses at Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee all within the same division. I just see too many issues on offense – even with Spurrier – especially at the QB spot to see South Carolina be better than either of the three they’ve always been behind in the division.
Carolina may get UGA or Tennessee in Columbia but expect a loss to a team they should beat and don’t forget about the trip to Clemson in the finale. After all, they’re South Carolina – their only title in history was the 1969 ACC Title.
Poor, poor Vanderbilt. I know, supposedly Vanderbilt hates everything that is Tennessee but the hate is generally one-sided. I’m sure it’s different for different situations than mine, but I just don’t have any reasons to hate Vanderbilt football. Sure, I wanted to beat them by 150 in 2006 after what happened the year before, but that’s about as much as it goes for Commodore football.
That being the case, I can stand Vanderbilt having some success in football, much more than it is for hoops. The problem is “Vanderbilt” and “success” aren’t in any situation synonymous terms. By Vandy standards, the Dores were pretty good in 2005 and last year, but came up just a win short of becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 1982 and the streak of losing seasons is now to 25.
To be honest, Vandy probably should have been bowl eligible last year: they were going in for a late win over Georgia (a second-straight win over the Dawgs) and they did everything but beat Tennessee. Back in 2005, Vandy started 4-0 but lost – at home – to Middle Tennessee State, nearly won in Gainesville, and finished 5-6. In both years, the Dores spoiled big upset SEC wins.
Bobby Johnson should be given a pretty good deal of credit for making Vanderbilt much more competitive in recent years than they were earlier this decade (and the last 25 years). He has led his undermanned, out-talented team to some pretty big road victories in recent years: Tennessee in 2005, Georgia in 2006, and South Carolina (#6 at the time) last year.
Bryant Hahnfeldt nailed a 33-yd FG with two seconds left to beat Georgia 24-22 in Athens back in 2006
Yet when I look at Vanderbilt and how they missed out on bowl eligibility last year, all I can say is, “Well, that’s just Vanderbilt being Vanderbilt. They just find ways to come up short.”
And it’s true – look no further than the Tennessee game last year. You can’t tell me that Vanderbilt doesn’t beat Tennessee if Vandy’s Broderick Stewart doesn’t rough Britton Colquitt late in the 3rd quarter. Then after blowing a 24-9 lead, they regroup, get an excellent kickoff return to setup the go-ahead field goal attempt. Sure enough, it clips the left upright
That’s Vanderbilt for ya.
As for 2008, the Commodores likely are going to take a step back – as in they aren’t going to win five games and likely aren’t going to pull off an upset for the fourth-straight year. The main reason for this is the offensive line – all five starters are gone, including the Chicago Bears’ first-round NFL Draft pick T Chris Williams. Number of returning career starts for the Vandy line? Three, the fewest in the NCAA. There’s just 9 seniors on the whole team.
Oh, they lose the SEC all-time receptions leader Earl Bennett and playmaking LBs Jonathan Goff and Marcus Buggs too. Vandy does have some offensive players back of note: QB Mackenzi Adams was solid-yet-not-spectacular in filling in for the struggling Chris Nickson, WRs George Smith and Sean Walker and HB Jeff Jennings all come back, but the OL struggles will be too much to overcome.
Defensively, coach Johnson will have to rely on their secondary of D.J. Moore (#17), Myron Lewis (#5), Reshard Langford, and Ryan Hamilton, all of whom return from last year. Look for these guys to be making lots of tackles, as DE Steven Stone and LB Brandon Bryant are the only two guys back on the front seven.
Rice is the only sure win I see for Vanderbilt, as a trip to Miami (OH) the opening Thursday night and a home game against Duke are toss-ups and an 0-fer in the SEC is a definite possibility. Win two SEC games and Bobby Johnson will get some SEC Coach of the Year recognition.
Yep, I’m the new guy. The Vol bloggers started the Roundtable early in July and it’s been a resounding success. And now they’ve asked me to join them, so thanks guys for the kind addition. Also, thanks to lawvol at Gate 21 for giving me the nice little logo in the above picture.
If you’re not familiar how this works, one of the ten Vol blogs hosts the Roundtable, coming up with questions and answering them. The rest of us then respond and that’s when it gets interesting.
Anyways, Thomas the Terrible over at YMSWWC (Your Mother Slept With Wilt Chamberlain) hosts this week, and he’s all about hating on Alabama, which is totally cool with me.
(1) One former VOL made the brave choice to testify against some Bammers and has to enter witness protection with a whole new identity, but that also gives him 4 more years of eligibility. Which VOL would you pick and why?
An obvious choice would be one of Tennessee’s great defensive linemen of the recent decade or so – such as YMSWWC’s choice Albert Haynesworth, Leonard Little, John Henderson, Jesse Mahelona, anybody who nearly killed Brodie Croyle 2003-2005, and many more I’m leaving out.
Of course another obvious choice is Peyton Manning because, well, he’s Peyton Manning. But that’s too easy of answer for me to take.
That said, I’m gonna go old-school (for me at least) with Jay Graham, because he broke the Bammers’ hearts two straight years, and I think he just scored on the Tide again. Proof…
(the particular highlights start at 0:53)
I understand we have excellent HBs already, so I picked Graham more for his Bama ownage than the need for him to return for four more years (though he was a great Vol). I’m all for Bama ownage and I’m expecting some this year after seeing last year’s debacle live and in person (I was at the Florida game too…ouch).
(2) Alabama has been given the death penalty and is forced to leave the SEC, at the same time South Carolina decides it can win a lot more in the Sunbelt conference and bolts the SEC. Two teams have to take their place who would you like to see take their place?
South Carolina in the Sun Belt…classic. I think the common answer here will be for Clemson to replace the Gamecocks. Clemson is basically Auburn anyways (been to both).
Clemson’s had the most success of any ACC team in the recruiting battles against the SEC schools, and they have SEC-type talent. When I look at Clemson, I see an SEC school that’s out of place in the ACC. I would love for Tennessee to play the Tigers avenge the garbage of the ‘03 Peach Bowl.
My second choice might get me kicked off the Roundtable: I’ll go with Memphis. I’m from there, and I’ve had to deal with Tiger fans for my entire life. In fact, my first memory of Tennessee losing was the Memphis game in 1996 when I watched in horror as the Tiger fans tore down both goalposts. That shouldn’t have happened and here’s proof (at 0:27)…
They like to talk about how they should be in the SEC, especially with basketball, and I’d like to see them try and end up at as the worst athletic program in the league because that’s what would happen.
Driving around town, I’ve seen my fair share of 21 17 license plates, and plenty shirts as well, from that one time Tennessee lost to Memphis. I also had a couple Memphis fans talk trash about Tennessee in football after our 2005 bowl-less season, and I kindly reminded him that we still beat them.
This choice is more for basketball. That’s two wins for Bruce over the tool Calipari every year and the Tigers have been using their garbage C-USA schedule to get 1-seeds and 30 wins per season. And I hate the basketball program about 250 times more than the football program.
(3) What will be the toughest road game to win and why?
UCLA will be tough because it’s across the country and that didn’t go so well last year. There’s Georgia, where Tennessee will likely be the blackout game with the revenge factor from the past two beatdowns. Then there’s South Carolina, and though it’s always a tough battle in Columbia, it’s South Carolina. Vanderbilt isn’t a “road” game.
I’ll pick Auburn. Jordan-Hare is always a difficult place to play, and we haven’t exactly done well against the Tigers the last few times we’ve played. I know there’s the more familiarity/hate factor with UGA and Carolina, but I’m still going to go with Auburn. We know how to beat UGA and Carolina has no QB.
Not only that, but this game’s after the Florida game, which, barring an inexplicable loss to UCLA, should be an epic, a bigger game than Cal was in 2006. A big win or close loss by Tennessee could really effect the Auburn visit next week. I know Auburn hosts LSU the week before, but it seems it’s always tougher to play a big home game then go on the road into a hostile environment.
(4) Could have the great Coach Fulmer handled himself better at the SEC media event when he was asked about the subpoena instead of asking what subpoena?
Probably, but I feel that in this particular situation it’s more on Fulmer’s PR guys and Tennessee’s media people to take care of that. Coach is there to talk football, he’s not thinking about getting a subpoena.
Had he been told about it by his people, he then should have publicly ripped the childish antics of the parties involved in embarrassing him. There’s a professional way to serve a subpoena and throwing an envelope at the targeted person doesn’t count as professional.
And in a way, he’s still got some responding to do: he has a successful year – another trip to Atlanta and breaking the drought would be nice, and NO blowouts – and any ill effects from the crap in Birmingham will be obviously forgotten.
Here’s the other Vol blogs, check back as I link their responses once they’re available. Please go read their answers and do it NOW!
- YMSWWC
- 3rd Saturday in Blogtober
- The World According to MoonDog
- Fulmer’s Belly
- Loser With Socks
- The Power T
- Rocky Top Talk
- SouthEastern Sports Blog
- Gate 21
Now for the Mac East division, otherwise known as the oddest division – literally, with 7 teams – in college football.
BOWLING GREEN
Last Year: 8-5, lost to Tulsa by bowl-record 56 points – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Bowling Green Jr. QB Tyler Sheehan looks to lead the Falcons into the MAC Title game in 2008
If it had been this year last year, Bowling Green would have played for the MAC Title, not Miami. The Falcons were 6-2, Miami was 5-2, but with only the division records counting, BG lost the tiebreakers. It worked out for them though – well, kinda. Miami lost, and Bowling Green got their bowl spot and promptly got blown away 63-7 by Tulsa.
The offensive skills position pretty much return everybody – QB Tyler Sheehan, HBs Anthony Turner and Willie Geter, and WRs Freddie Barnes and Corey Partridge. Interestingly enough, both Turner and Barnes played some QB for the Falcons in both 2005 and 2006, before Sheehan nailed down the starting job heading into last season. The offensive line, however, returns just 2 starters, and have just 36 career starts with the returning players this year.
Defensively, Bowling Green only has to replace a DE and an OLB. Leading tacklers – LBs Erique Dozier and John Haneline and SS P.J. Mahone – all return to lead what should be an improved defense. There are no non-conference breaks on the schedule, as BG plays Minnesota (who they beat last year) at home and Pitt, Boise State, and Wyoming all on the road. That said, the Falcons certainly are one of the favorites in a wide open East.
MIAMI
Last Year: 6-7, lost MAC Title and a bowl game to Central Michigan – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Clayton Mullins (9) is one of the 3 returning LBs that lead a strong Miami defense
It might be safe to say Miami is still finding the going tough post-Roethlisberger. They improved from 2-10 to 6-7 last year, and should see more of the same this season, challenging to repeat as the West’s title game rep. Daniel Raudabaugh returns at QB, though with 12 TDs and 12 INTs last year he will have to battle redshirt Fr. Clay Belton for the starting job. The top 3 rushers are gone, though Thomas Merriweather appears to be the guy at HB and he led the Redhawks in rushing TDs last year. Miami is fine at WR, with Dustin Woods, Eugene Harris, and Armand Robinson all returning, and the OL has 3 starters back.
Miami topped the MAC in defense last year and returns 9 starters, obvious reasons to believe they may be the team to beat in this division. The strength is the LBs – Caleb Bostic, Joey Hudson, and Clayton Mullins – who were the top 3 tacklers last year. The DL and secondary are both solid, and you know what they say – “Defense wins championships.” Miami plays at Bowling Green this year and hammered the Falcons 47-14 last year . Interestingly, they host a very green Vanderbilt offense on the opening Thursday night, becoming the first MAC team to host an SEC team since 1920.
KENT STATE
Last Year: 3-9 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Eugene Jarvis spearheads a potent Kent State running game as the Golden Flashes look to improve on last year’s 3-9 season
Kent State stunned Iowa State 23-14 in Ames on the opening Thursday night of last season, and then things went awry. Injuries, most notably at the QB spot where they were down to the fourth-stringer, wrecked the season. QB Julian Edelman started last year and is back this year, along with HB Eugene Jarvis, a 1st Team All-MAC player from last year. The OL is experienced, and the Golden Flashes are predominantly a running team.
Eight defensive starters return, including all 3 LBs – Cedrick Maxwell, Stevon Moss, and Derrek Burrell. 3 DL starters are back, and, while losing their top 2 DBs, Kent State has 6 DBs returning with starting experience. Overall, Kent State should be an improved defense, and should be much better overall. They could be a darkhorse contender in the West and reaching bowl eligibility – Kent State has made only one bowl ever – isn’t out of the question.
BUFFALO
Last Year: 5-7 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Could HB James Starks lead Buffalo – yes, Buffalo – into a bowl game??
Buffalo was 12-68 from 2000-2006, or really, really bad. UB brought in Turner Gill in 2006, went 2-10, and started off 2007 1-4 – ho-hum Bulls football. Yet after a 26-10 win over Akron, Buffalo was 3-0 in the division and were in the race. After a 31-28 loss at Miami, Buffalo fell 31-17 at home to Bowling Green, falling out of contention. They won 5 MAC games last year, just 3 less than the 7 years before that, and outgained MAC teams by 70 yards/game last season (third in the conference). Maybe that’s why Nebraska was looking at Gill for their vacancy. The offense returns 10 starters, most notably 1,100-yd and 12 TDs from last year in HB James Starks.
Defense is a little bit of a concern, though, especially at LB. The line should continue improvement and the entire secondary returns. Road games at Pitt, Missouri, Central Michigan and Bowling Green will be tough, but could it be possible for Buffalo to have a .500 season?
TEMPLE
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
HB Jason Harper is one of Temple’s 22 – yes, that’s all of them – returning starters
After seemingly forever in the Big East cellar, Temple has found a much better home in the MAC. From 2003-2006, Temple won four games, the same number they won last year. Much like Buffalo, incredible improvement for one of the worst I-A programs in recent years. Amazingly, Temple returns all 22 starters and loses just two letterman from last year, something I have never even seen or heard of.
The top 3 offensive players – QB Adam DiMichele, HB Jason Harper, and WR Bruce Francis – return with a year of experience. The entire defense is back. You would think a team with all their starters back would have to improve, but it’s Temple, right? Could Temple be one of the bowl eligible teams next year? It will certainly be a surprise to me if Buffalo or Temple reaches the 6-6 mark next year.
OHIO
Last Year: 6-6 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
So. WR LaVon Brazill should be a starter at WR for Ohio this season
After being fired for going 9-3 at Nebraska, Frank Solich seems to have found some success at Ohio, signing an extension through 2013 in mid-July. The Bobcats went bowling in 2006, but were just 6-6 last year. This year could be tougher as Ohio returns just 13 starters. HB Kalvin McRae (19 rushing TDs last year) is the biggest hole to fill, and QB Brad Bower is gone, giving way to Theo Scott to be this year’s starter.
Three of the top five tacklers from last year are gone, but LB Michael Brown, SS Michael Mitchell, and DE Jameson Hartke look to lead the defense. A tough sked won’t help the young Bobcats – trips to Wyoming, Ohio State, Northwestern, Western Michigan, Kent State, Temple, and Miami could be trouble. Phil Steele says of Ohio, “If Solich pulls out a winning record, I’ll give him my vote for MAC Coach of the Year.”
AKRON
Last Year: 4-8 – 2007 Schedule – 2008 Schedule
Akron’s Andre Jones moves from FS to WR this year in efforts to replace the departed Jabari Arthur
Last year’s struggles might have been expected for Akron, having to replace QB Luke Getsy, who replaced Akron’s career passing leader Charlie Frye. QB Chris Jacquemain enters his second season as the Akron starter after a tough 2007. The leading rushing TD (7) HB Alex Allen is back, but they must replace 1,171-yd, 10 TD receptions WR Jabari Arthur. The offensive line does have 4 starters back, and T Chris Kemme was 2nd Team All-MAC in 2007.
Just 5 starters back from a defense that was #10 in the MAC last year. Leading returning tackler FS Andre Jones moves to WR, leaving Sr. MLB Kevin Grant as the top returning tackler. Leading rusher from last year Bryan Williams moves to SS and is the only returning “starter” (can you call it that?). The defensive line should be the Zips’ strength, but it’s a little different in the back 7.
