The first week of the 2011 season is in the books. We know a little more than we did when we woke up yesterday about this Tide team, and the SEC in general. Here's our take on what we saw yesterday.
AJ McCarron is slightly ahead.
Splitting time under center yesterday had mixed results for the two quarterbacks. McCarron was 14 of 23 for 226 with a pick and two TDs. Sims was 7 of 14 for 73 yards with two INTs. McCarron has been in the system longer, but Sims at times seemed more fundamentally sound. Sims goes through his progressions much slower, but AJ seems to think there's no throw he can't make. In other words, McCarron may have a slight edge, this thing isn't settled.
We're loaded at running back.
Trent Richardson got the touchdowns, but didn't wow Heisman voters with his yards yesterday. He has the strength to run over defenders, and seemed to rely on that. Eddie Lacy, on the other hand, has the size to mow you down, but also the finesse to put a spin move on you. He still has trouble holding onto the ball, though.
There is no second receiver.
At least not yet. Marquise Maze had over 100 yards, but no other receiver came close.
Defense wins games.
We knew defense would be the strength of this team, and it shows. The secondary has great speed and fundamentals, and gets to the ball quickly. With an offense that's still figuring itself out, Alabama will need to keep opponents out of the end zone to hold onto a top ranking.
Elsewhere in the SEC, things shook out about like we expected. A few things that stood out:
LSU is very good.
Despite all the off-the-field controversy, LSU manhandled a lightning-quick Oregon team. It's already pretty clear the winner of Alabama-LSU will win the SEC West.
Auburn is very bad.
They rolled Toomer's Corner after a stunning comeback at home against Utah State. Longest winning streak in the country, Auburn fans will say. But this is a gimmicky, lucky team, and a lcuky streak can last a long time before it runs out.
Georgia is Georgia.
Let the vultures begin circling Athens. Mark Richt has yet again done less with more. He recruits elite talent, dresses them up in flashy gear, and sends them onto the field unprepared. He will not be back next year.
It's early in the season.
Most of the SEC played tuneup games yesterday, so it's hard to gauge where they really stand. Teams have time to make adjustments and ready themselves for the meat of an SEC schedule. For some teams, like Auburn and Georgia, there are more questions than answers. Once league play begins, things will come in much clearer focus.
Despite utter indifference by the blogosphere (is that still a word?), we're gonna give your our thoughts on the weekly slate of games. Sleepwriter will be playing the role of the studied analyst, whereas I will settle into my usual Corso-level wild guessing.All picks are for entertainment purposes only, and even that much is in doubt.
Kent State at Alabama
Sleepwriter: The #2 Crimson Tide begins with Head Coach Nick Saban's alma mater. Trent Richardson should shine early and give plenty of time for the rest of the RB fleet to get some carries. Which QB will start? I am comfortable with either one and I expect to see them both. Look for Alabama to lift the spirits of a storm-ravaged hometown with an opening statement.
Alabama 62 – Kent State 9
TonyOrlando: Neil Young needs to get ready for another Kent State Massacre (I swore I wouldn't make that joke...). QB auditions will be just another way this looks like a preseason game for the Tide. The defense should do its job, and plenty of folks should get to play.
Alabama 45 - Kent State 0
Missouri State at Arkansas
TonyOrlando: Speaking of defense, will bobby Petrino only coach one side of the ball this year, or will Arkansas make a serious run at the SEC title game? I'm going with yes, and no.
Arkansas 34 - 7
Sleepwriter: Arkansas continues to improve under coach Bobby Petrino. Fans are going to like QB Tyler Wilson. The loss of star RB Knile Davis is going to hurt the Razorbacks in the search for an SEC West title, but this game should help them get a clearer picture of who will step in for the injured Davis. Missouri State's Bears should not pose much of a threat. Arkansas 35 – Missouri State 6
Utah State at Auburn
Sleepwriter: By any measure, this game should be an easy pick. Utah State is a traditionally weaker school in a weak conference. Auburn is the defending BCS champion. However, Auburn's depth charts have been decimated in the off season to the point where 8 walk-ons earned scholarships and they are still below the NCAA limit. They should have enough to take care of business at home, but I don't look for it to be pretty and the season will just get worse. If the running game steps up, this score will be higher.
Auburn 17 – Utah State 10
TonyOrlando: We're all still smarting from last year's Auburn game, but this should be a fun year to watch these guys. Running their sandlot offense worked with a guy like Cam Newton in the backfield, but this year should be a lot steeper climb. We'll get to see how much of last year was Cam, how much was OC Gus Malzahn, and how little was Gene Chizik.
Auburn 24 - 12
Florida Atlantic at Florida
TonyOrlando: The Boom MFer era begins as the Schnellenberger era draws to a close. Florida has recruited for the spread for a few years, so the new, hard-nosed approach may have some bumps in the road. Still, there's plenty of talent at the Swamp, so we're looking at another opening week tuneup game.
Florida 24 - FAU 9
Sleepwriter: I confess, I like FAU and Howard Schnellenberger. Maybe it's his Alabama connection, or maybe it is because his name is more cumbersome than my own. Either way, Florida should handle this one with ease. It will be a tough road to make it to Atlanta this season, but the Gators will do better than expected. Look for FAU to hang in there for the first quarter or so.
Florida 28 – FAU 10
Boise State vs. Georgia
Sleepwriter: With both teams sporting ridiculous Power Ranger-looking uniforms for this game, it will be the prime time matchup of week 1. Boise, the smurfs of the blue turf, will visit the Georgia Dome to take on Georgia, the perennial C student of the SEC East. Boise has a reputation for getting fired up for their one or two real games each season, but it might not help them this time. I look for the Red Power Rangers of Georgia to make a statement in defense of their coach and get him off the hot seat. It will be exciting to watch, even if the score does not sound exciting.
Georgia 24 – Boise 17
TonyOrlando: I loathe Mark Richt. He's got a hotbed of talent, good facilities, and has squat to show for it because he prefers style over substance. He's taken a traditional SEC powerhouse team and turned them into a school players come to for the exposure and the cool unis, not to win titles. Still, Boise losing is always funny, so we gotta pull for that.
Georgia 23 - Boise 20 in OT
Oregon vs. LSU
TonyOrlando: The marquee matchup for week one pits last year's runner-up with the luckiest man alive. LSU wants to make a statement, and is more experienced on the national stage, last year notwithstanding. Defense will be the deciding factor in this one.
LSU 17 - Oregon 14
Sleepwriter: This one is tough to pick. Both teams are loaded with talent and both have had some off-season controversy. LSU is a real contender and I don't think the potential loss of QB Jefferson hurts them that much. As usual with the mad hatter, this one could run down to the last minute.
LSU 28 – Oregon 24
Brigham Young at Ole Miss
Sleepwriter: BYU emerges from the Mountain West conference into a new status as NCAA Independent and (prediction) new media darling to replace Boise as a potential BCS buster. BYU travels to Oxford to open up the first date on the Houston Nutt farewell tour.
BYU 42 – Ole Miss 10
TonyOrlando: Houston Nutt farewell tour. I like that.
Ole Miss 23 - BYU 20
East Carolina vs. South Carolina
TonyOrlando: Look, Steve Spurrier is never going to win the SEC. But he could have back-to-back appearances in the title game.
South Carolina 38 - ECU 17
Sleepwriter: By all logic, South Carolina should take this one if they are not looking ahead. It won't be an easy game but it could be high scoring. East Carolina is a talented team with a very good passing game (8th in the FBS last season). The Gamecocks, on the other hand, have lost some talent on defense. This one could be an upset, but the South Carolina running game should save them in a high scoring game.
South Carolina 42 – ECU 30
Montana at Tennessee
Sleepwriter: Look for some improvement from Tennessee this season. They have a good coach, Dooley, who is trying to rebuild. It will be a few years before we know if he is an SEC caliber coach like his dad. I don't know if they will give him the time he needs but he will give them the early victory the fans need with this game.
Tennessee 36 – Montana 10
TonyOrlando: I can't disagree with you there. But I can't stress this enough; I hate Tennessee. Still, seething hatred won't force me into a stupid pick.
Tennessee 38 - Montana 9
Elon at Vanderbilt
TonyOrlando: I gotta be honest. Who cares.
Vandy 18 - Elon 3
Sleepwriter: Vanderbilt looks to go 1-0 to start the season by taking on the Elon Phoenix from the Southern conference. Elon finished with a 6-5 record last season. Vanderbilt did not. However, the 2-10 Vandy should get halfway to their season total for 2010 with a win at home.
Vanderbilt 24 – Elon 10
Texas Tech vs Texas State
Sleepwriter: In a battle of two former coaches from the state of Alabama, Dennis Franchione meets Tommy Tuberville on Saturday. The 1-AA Independent Bobcats should put up a good fight early against the Red Raiders of Tech. However, as it should be, depth will be an issue as the day wears on and the Red Raiders should pull away.
Texas Tech 42 – Texas State 12
TonyOrlando: Again, comedy level is off the charts on this one. Tommy Tuberville has changed the Red Raiders from swashbucklers to a hardnosed SEC-style team. Meanwhile, Dennis Franchione continues his what-might-have-been run through college football's Skid Row. Tubby goes 2-1 against Kim's hubby.
Texas Tech 38 - 7
Like a lazy, sleep-addled bear lurching out of its winter cave, we shamble out into the sunlight of another football season. Our traditional radio silence during the summer almost over, we prepare to sporadically post on the goings-on in Tuscalooosa.Mucho gracias to Sleepwriter for his contributions to keeping this site's stats out of the negative numbers. If you've managed to stumble into this place from elsewhere, welcome. A quick primer: we don't break down film, we don't analyze depth charts. Hell, we barely even post at all. But when we do, it's with a fan's love of the game, a Southern zeal for the Tide, and a microbrew close at hand.
We're not on Facebook; don't ask. Our Twitter feed is lively during games, so feel free to follow.
We'll see you shortly with our prediction picks. Until then, Roll Tide.
The injury that ended Tyrone Prothro's career was gruesome. I thought about that today as I sat in Full Moon BBQ eating a slab of ribs for the 4th of July. On the wall, there was a series of photos showing the great catch Prothro made against Southern Mississippi. You know the one.
It made me think of how many times that image has been reproduced for profit and how a great college player never saw any of the money. Some would say he got a free education and I agree that he got one of the best available. Is that enough?
Every product that carries the logo of the University must be approved by the licensing office and royalties are paid to the school. What would be wrong with putting back a percentage of each of those dollars and dividing the gains among the players who graduate each year?
I have no idea what it would take to get such a thing approved by the NCAA or if anyone would be willing to try. However, it could serve as an incentive to get an education because I would limit it only to players who graduate within the allotted five year time of their scholarships. If a player leaves early to go pro, they get nothing. If they are dismissed from the team or transfer, they get nothing. The only exception would be for a player whose career ends due to injury.
Maybe it would work if someone smarter than me could hammer out a plan and get it approved. Maybe I am just ready for the season to begin and wanted to talk a little football. What do you think?
SEC commish Slive prepares oversigning legislation | CollegeFootballTalk
According to the dictionary, slive is a verb meaning "to sneak." How excited should we be that the commissioner who lets everyone take a week off before the Bama game is introducing legislation on signing recruits?
Thanks to all of the fans from other schools who have sent comments and prayers for the people of Tuscaloosa. If you are seeking to give to help others, please do so where you feel led. The Red Cross is also seeking blood donations.
As a graduate of the Capstone, I have been to the effected areas thousands of times. It will never be the same. All that is left are memories. More important, please remember the local families, students, and businesses who have lost homes, stores, or lives in this once in a generation disaster.
Roll Tide and God bless.
