Friday, September 23, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Football Time in Tennessee
Football is back, and it is balls hot.
Isn't it only fitting that the first game is supposed to be so hot that I am debating not going. Why should I go and stand in 96 degree heat next to hundreds of drunk people all who are crowding in around me trying to get good seats, or "just talk" to their friend who has one ticketed seat while 9 guys pack in around him? Is there an answer? Is it because I love getting smuggled liquor mixed with sprite/coke dumped on me? Is it because I love almost getting fallen on by passed out drunk guys? Is it because I love smelling the throw up that gets splattered on the row below me in the second quarter and stays there the whole game?
No, the only answer is because it's football season....ok, well, can I get another explanation?
Well, you can bond with fellow fans!
The mystique of having some bond with 105,000 people is great, except that there won't be 100,000 there, and there isn't a bond when it is just a regular game against a Division 1-AA team.
Luckily, I have thought ahead and waited to buy my ticket until late so I will be far away from the "best seats in the house."
You know, front row in the students section. The area that is right behind all the behemoths that are on the football teams, so I get a great view of the back of their heads while hundreds of people try and cram into seats they don't have.
Instead I will be up in EE. Where I can see all of the field and can watch the game on both sides of the field with out flipping like an anchovy every time the ball crosses the 50, it will be glorious.
So, as I was saying, football is back!
I love watching me some football, and here is my quick SEC preview that is a bit skewed as the season began Thursday.
East:
1) South Carolina: Sure, this may be the favored pick in the league, but my reasoning is this. Steve Spurrier is a man, a myth, and a legend. He hates using one quarterback and is the only man that has ever scared Phillip Fulmer. Now, Steve has at his disposal in Columbia arguably a top-5 running back and a top-5 wide receiver. Top-5 not just in the SEC, but in the nation. Jeffries and Lattimore are studs, end of story. Steve also has two quarterbacks at his disposal, which is good for him. Call me crazy, but I see SC as an East contender as long as Steve continues his recruiting streak he is on (Clowney anybody). Steve breaks records, and is re-writing SC's football firsts, and let's not toy with the idea he will be out-coached.
2) Georgia: Is Georgia good, yes, is this new, no. Mark Richt has been on the wrong side of luck recently. That being said, you would think he averages 7 wins a season the way UGA fans rip into him. Check out this wins resume, since '01 when he took over: 8, 13, 11, 10, 10, 9, 11, 10, 8, 6 (plus 7-3 in bowl games, 3 of which were BCS bowls). That is well above what most schools have had. Yes last year was rough, but look at the positives: The pick to win the East is Carolina...hello, it's yours to take. Urban Meyer is finally gone, the man won games and unfortunately was in the same division. And finally, the East is down now, so your stable program should be good.
3) Florida: This is simply because they have recruited talent over the years, and you can't tell me Muschamp is that bad of a coach that he can squander all the recruiting talent Meyer built up. However, his new system could take a while to function smoothly, plus the SEC isn't the most welcoming place for new coaches.
4) Tennessee: Derek Dooley is the funniest coach in the SEC. And he has the worst luck (LSU, UNC games). However, karma didn't give him a lot of depth or old players to pay him back for the screw overs he got. The line should be much improved and Tyler Bray should be comfortable with his top 2 targets. It remains to be seen if he can handle a full SEC schedule though. Also, Poole needs to learn how to consistently run, instead of breaking one 60-yard run a game and averaging 2 yards per carry after that.
5) Kentucky: They are better than Vandy. The loss of Randall Cobb will hurt, as well as other key starters. Joker has got a good team, by Kentucky standards, but that still isn't good enough for the SEC.
6) Vanderbilt: Laaaary. Their quarterback is named Larry Smith. I played high school football with a guy named Larry Smith, he was hilarious, and quite strange. However, this coincidence will not be enough to get Vandy out of the basement.
West:
1) Alabama: I will stop picking them here when they prove they don't belong. Yes, last year was rough, but who saw Cam Newton doing what he did? Trent Richardson needs to prove to me he can be more than a change of pace back and that he can consistently power through run defenses, but I have the Tide winning the West.
2) Arkansas: I believe Leyland is the name of the guy that calls into the Sports Animal every now and again to talk Razorback football. He talks highly of them and makes points, here is one: Look at Petrino's progression. 5 wins in '08, 8 wins in '09, and 10 last year. They only improve. Unfortunately, the injury to Knile Davis is troublesome, and Tyler Wilson still has to prove he can be Mallet-esque, but they are very close to potentially stealing the West, especially with those receivers.
3) LSU: I don't understand how Les Miles keeps doing it. Every year you see him pull out some victory after a boneheaded decision that should cause him to lose the game. But, he doesn't. And that is key. Jordan Jefferson and his 49 pairs of shoes are in trouble, but I don't necessarily think that is bad for LSU. It will be if Jarrett Lee continues his pick six talent (7 total pick sixes in '08, including 4 games in a row). However, I think he will be a stable addition to the offense and if they can score the defense will win them games.
4) Mississippi State: This team could shock some people. However, I think they are unfortunately in the wrong conference at the wrong time. A good team in a great division. They may cause some upsets, but I don't see them being able to sustain enough to win the West.
5) Auburn: It's a hard fall from grace. But I guess they didn't have an alleged 180,000 more dollars to get a new Cam Newton. They lost too much from both sides of the ball and their competition is just better. Hope it was fun while it lasted. Your national presence is dying....like your trees...(too soon? I liked it)
6) Ole Miss: They may be better than Vandy, and possibly Kentucky, but they are in the West and will get pounded on. They are...err...rebuilding right now and unfortunately for them that will leave them in the basement.
SEC Championship:
South Carolina over Alabama
As I typed this my computer froze for a while. Don't be shocked. This is just what Steve wants. Doubting of his skills just so his achievements look even better.
Hope it was enjoyable, sorry for the brevity and lack of pictures as I am churning this out before the game tonight. Headed to Dead End for some pre-game action!
Isn't it only fitting that the first game is supposed to be so hot that I am debating not going. Why should I go and stand in 96 degree heat next to hundreds of drunk people all who are crowding in around me trying to get good seats, or "just talk" to their friend who has one ticketed seat while 9 guys pack in around him? Is there an answer? Is it because I love getting smuggled liquor mixed with sprite/coke dumped on me? Is it because I love almost getting fallen on by passed out drunk guys? Is it because I love smelling the throw up that gets splattered on the row below me in the second quarter and stays there the whole game?
No, the only answer is because it's football season....ok, well, can I get another explanation?
Well, you can bond with fellow fans!
The mystique of having some bond with 105,000 people is great, except that there won't be 100,000 there, and there isn't a bond when it is just a regular game against a Division 1-AA team.
Luckily, I have thought ahead and waited to buy my ticket until late so I will be far away from the "best seats in the house."
You know, front row in the students section. The area that is right behind all the behemoths that are on the football teams, so I get a great view of the back of their heads while hundreds of people try and cram into seats they don't have.
Instead I will be up in EE. Where I can see all of the field and can watch the game on both sides of the field with out flipping like an anchovy every time the ball crosses the 50, it will be glorious.
So, as I was saying, football is back!
I love watching me some football, and here is my quick SEC preview that is a bit skewed as the season began Thursday.
East:
1) South Carolina: Sure, this may be the favored pick in the league, but my reasoning is this. Steve Spurrier is a man, a myth, and a legend. He hates using one quarterback and is the only man that has ever scared Phillip Fulmer. Now, Steve has at his disposal in Columbia arguably a top-5 running back and a top-5 wide receiver. Top-5 not just in the SEC, but in the nation. Jeffries and Lattimore are studs, end of story. Steve also has two quarterbacks at his disposal, which is good for him. Call me crazy, but I see SC as an East contender as long as Steve continues his recruiting streak he is on (Clowney anybody). Steve breaks records, and is re-writing SC's football firsts, and let's not toy with the idea he will be out-coached.
2) Georgia: Is Georgia good, yes, is this new, no. Mark Richt has been on the wrong side of luck recently. That being said, you would think he averages 7 wins a season the way UGA fans rip into him. Check out this wins resume, since '01 when he took over: 8, 13, 11, 10, 10, 9, 11, 10, 8, 6 (plus 7-3 in bowl games, 3 of which were BCS bowls). That is well above what most schools have had. Yes last year was rough, but look at the positives: The pick to win the East is Carolina...hello, it's yours to take. Urban Meyer is finally gone, the man won games and unfortunately was in the same division. And finally, the East is down now, so your stable program should be good.
3) Florida: This is simply because they have recruited talent over the years, and you can't tell me Muschamp is that bad of a coach that he can squander all the recruiting talent Meyer built up. However, his new system could take a while to function smoothly, plus the SEC isn't the most welcoming place for new coaches.
4) Tennessee: Derek Dooley is the funniest coach in the SEC. And he has the worst luck (LSU, UNC games). However, karma didn't give him a lot of depth or old players to pay him back for the screw overs he got. The line should be much improved and Tyler Bray should be comfortable with his top 2 targets. It remains to be seen if he can handle a full SEC schedule though. Also, Poole needs to learn how to consistently run, instead of breaking one 60-yard run a game and averaging 2 yards per carry after that.
5) Kentucky: They are better than Vandy. The loss of Randall Cobb will hurt, as well as other key starters. Joker has got a good team, by Kentucky standards, but that still isn't good enough for the SEC.
6) Vanderbilt: Laaaary. Their quarterback is named Larry Smith. I played high school football with a guy named Larry Smith, he was hilarious, and quite strange. However, this coincidence will not be enough to get Vandy out of the basement.
West:
1) Alabama: I will stop picking them here when they prove they don't belong. Yes, last year was rough, but who saw Cam Newton doing what he did? Trent Richardson needs to prove to me he can be more than a change of pace back and that he can consistently power through run defenses, but I have the Tide winning the West.
2) Arkansas: I believe Leyland is the name of the guy that calls into the Sports Animal every now and again to talk Razorback football. He talks highly of them and makes points, here is one: Look at Petrino's progression. 5 wins in '08, 8 wins in '09, and 10 last year. They only improve. Unfortunately, the injury to Knile Davis is troublesome, and Tyler Wilson still has to prove he can be Mallet-esque, but they are very close to potentially stealing the West, especially with those receivers.
3) LSU: I don't understand how Les Miles keeps doing it. Every year you see him pull out some victory after a boneheaded decision that should cause him to lose the game. But, he doesn't. And that is key. Jordan Jefferson and his 49 pairs of shoes are in trouble, but I don't necessarily think that is bad for LSU. It will be if Jarrett Lee continues his pick six talent (7 total pick sixes in '08, including 4 games in a row). However, I think he will be a stable addition to the offense and if they can score the defense will win them games.
4) Mississippi State: This team could shock some people. However, I think they are unfortunately in the wrong conference at the wrong time. A good team in a great division. They may cause some upsets, but I don't see them being able to sustain enough to win the West.
5) Auburn: It's a hard fall from grace. But I guess they didn't have an alleged 180,000 more dollars to get a new Cam Newton. They lost too much from both sides of the ball and their competition is just better. Hope it was fun while it lasted. Your national presence is dying....like your trees...(too soon? I liked it)
6) Ole Miss: They may be better than Vandy, and possibly Kentucky, but they are in the West and will get pounded on. They are...err...rebuilding right now and unfortunately for them that will leave them in the basement.
SEC Championship:
South Carolina over Alabama
As I typed this my computer froze for a while. Don't be shocked. This is just what Steve wants. Doubting of his skills just so his achievements look even better.
Offensive Player of the Year: Marcus Lattimore
Defensive Player of the Year: Don’t’a Hightower
Breakout Offensive Player: Tyler Wilson
Breakout Defensive Player: Jadevon Clowney
Team on the Rise: Tennessee
Team on the Decline: Auburn
Coach of the Year: Derek Dooley (although it very well might be Steve)
Most Overrated: Trent Richardson
Bold Predictions:
Trent Richardson is just an average back, nothing special.
Tennessee wins 9 games
Arkansas wins the West
Alabama chokes away another SEC West title, drop key games to Miss. St and Arkansas
Bold Predictions:
Trent Richardson is just an average back, nothing special.
Tennessee wins 9 games
Arkansas wins the West
Alabama chokes away another SEC West title, drop key games to Miss. St and Arkansas
Hope it was enjoyable, sorry for the brevity and lack of pictures as I am churning this out before the game tonight. Headed to Dead End for some pre-game action!
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