Spring Football...news and notes

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Tennessee

For the first time since 2009, there seems to be a reason for hope on Rocky Top. The Vols believe they have life in the third year of the Butch Jones coaching era. A 7-6 record in 2014, including a 4-1 finish to the season that included a bowl win over Iowa, another highly regarded recruiting class and the emergence of an aerospace engineering major at quarterback are reasons some believe Tennessee is ready to return to SEC prominence. Junior quarterback Joshua Dodds development and improved leadership abilities are good news for Jones, whose first and second team offensive lines are composed of scholarship players for the first time since he arrived. Combined with a strong running game featuring Jalen Hurd and former Alabama RB Alvin Kamara, and experienced receivers....Tennessee could be in store for a breakout offensive season. Much will depend on keeping Dobbs on the field and the improvement of a very average offensive line. Because of depth issues, I believe the Vols are a year away from being considered a real challenger in the SEC.

*Side Note: Tennessee has lost its last eight meeting with Alabama by an average of three touchdowns. The last Vol win over the Tide came in 2006, the last year for Mike Shula.

 

[cloverleaf]

September 3, Thursday Night Openers

Men, CFB is only 51 days away. I have been looking at the lined Thursday night openers trying to get a feel for what's worth wagering on. Here are some quick hit starters just for a taste.

South Carolina vs. North Carolina
SC: Under is 14-3 in last 17 games vs ACC
SC: Under is 6-2-1 in last 9 Thursday night games

Western Kentucky vs Vanderbilt
Van: Under is 5-2-1 last 8 Thursday night games
WK: Over is 10-3-1 last 14 games overall

Oklahoma State @ Central Michigan
OS: Over is 19-7 last 26 games in September
CM: Under is 10-3 last 13 home games

Michigan @ Utah
UT: Under is 8-2-1 last 11 games overall
UT: Under is 7-3 last 10 home games
MI: ATS, 0-8 last 8 playing Pac 12

UTSA @ Arizona
SA: Under 9-3 last 12 road games
AZ: Under 10-4 last 14 home games

Ohio @ Idaho
OH: ATS, 8-2 last 10 Thur night games
ID: ATS, 2-6 last 8 home games

Duke @ Tulane
DK: Under 8-2 last 10 road games
TU: Under 7-1 last 8 games overall

TCU @ Minnesota
TC: ATS, 13-3 last 16 games overall

Welcome your comments............................

 

[TyBounce]

what if they kept the name rebels but got rid of the flag and had a James Dean or Billy Idol mascot? would that pacify the Hills?

You nailed it rt , they voted to keep the rebels nickname but they are doing away with the Col. Reb mascot. ...They are bringing in an outside consulting firm to help with the re-branding.

 

[rolltide]

You nailed it rt , they voted to keep the rebels nickname but they are doing away with the Col. Reb mascot. ...They are bringing in an outside consulting firm to help with the re-branding.

ha ha...nice

maybe they can just have a Sid Vicious look-alike walk around hugging the kids during the game.

glad the word rebel is not too racist for them. would hate to try and figure out how to reset by DVR to tape "Nonconformist without a cause"

 

[BigdaddyQH]

These players and coaches would worry about the upcoming season and not nicknames, flags, and everything else. Frankly it is really none of their business. They can run for political office if they want to change things or vote for changes. It's football season and the rest of that crap belongs in State Capitals and Washington D.C.

 

[Willye]

Nice work on this preview page even if you think my tex a@m pick is crazy lol... Great source of info in this thread thanks

 

[cloverleaf]

SEC Running Backs

This season may not be the year of the 'Quarterback' in the SEC but one could make the case for 'Year of the Running Back.' The conference has a stable of top notch backs to go along with two of the best in the nation. Georgia sophomore Nick Chubb and LSU sophomore Leonard Fournett are studs for sure. Take a look.........

Nick Chubb - (5-10, 223) Todd Gurley's bad luck was Nick Chubbs coming out party. With the future first-round pick on the sidelines because of suspension and then an ACL injury, Chubb took on pressure he didn't expect to have in 2014 and never looked back. He ended the season with over 1,500 yards rushing despite not earning the starting job until the Missouri game, which was Georgia's sixth game of the season. He never failed to rush for over 140 yards in a game as a starter against FBS competition and is the main reason Georgia enters 2015 as the favorite to win the SEC East.

Leonard Fournette - (6-1, 232) Fournette may just be the best running back in the country. It took the former No. 1 ranked recruit a little time to figure out the college game, but he eventually became the featured back in LSU's offense by the end of the season. He finished with 1,034 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 187 carries (5.6 ypc). He also had five 100-yard games despite not being the singular focus of the Tigers' rushing attack.

One potential problem both running backs could face this season is defenses loading up the box. Both Georgia and LSU have unproven quarterbacks. If one or both teams can't deliver with some sort of a passing attack to loosen up defenses...it's going to be a long and bruising year for Chubbs and Fournette.

Other running backs expected to have good seasons.

Derrick Henry - Alabama - Big, tough back Saban likes for his offense.
Jonathan Williams - Arkansas - Big back that loves to pound the ball.
Alex Collins - Arkansas - Just as good as Williams...maybe better.
Jovon Robinson - Auburn - Number 1 RB coming out of jr. college.
Jalen Hurd - Tennessee - Rushed for 900 yards as a freshman.
Kevin Taylor - Florida - Speedster should flourish in new offense.

 

[BigdaddyQH]

The SEC media is apparently brain dead. They pick Auburn to win the Conference, but Alabama and Georgia to win their respective divisions. Duh....Auburn has to win their division before they can play for the Conference Championship. I guess what they are trying to say is that they have no idea of what is going to happen in the SEC West, which is what they should have said to begin with.

 

[TyBounce]

The SEC media is apparently brain dead. They pick Auburn to win the Conference, but Alabama and Georgia to win their respective divisions. Duh....Auburn has to win their division before they can play for the Conference Championship. I guess what they are trying to say is that they have no idea of what is going to happen in the SEC West, which is what they should have said to begin with.

On the sec network this morning they said the sec media has only correctly predicted the conf champ 5 times since 1992.

 

[cloverleaf]

The SEC media is apparently brain dead. They pick Auburn to win the Conference, but Alabama and Georgia to win their respective divisions. Duh....Auburn has to win their division before they can play for the Conference Championship. I guess what they are trying to say is that they have no idea of what is going to happen in the SEC West, which is what they should have said to begin with.

2015 Predicted Order Of Finish (As voted on by SEC media attending SEC Football Media Days. Points are awarded on a 7-6-5-4-3-2 scale.

School.........1st place.....Points
Alabama..........92...........1405
Auburn...........108..........1362
LSU.................10...........870
Arkansas..........6.............821
Ole Miss...........3.............732
Texas AM.........4.............628
Miss. State.......2.............482

Georgia...........166..........1498
Tennessee.........36..........1231
Missouri............20..........1196
S. Carolina.........1............830
Florida...............1............768
Kentucky...........1............534
Vanderbilt..........0............243

SEC Champion
Auburn..............96 points
Alabama............80
Georgia.............28
LSU...................9
Ole Miss.............3
Arkansas............3
Texas AM...........2
Tennessee..........2
Miss State..........1
Florida...............1

 

[BigdaddyQH]

How many times in recent history have the scribes picked UGA to win the SEC East?

 

[cloverleaf]

Closing out this CFB thread....time to move on.

Good ride and appreciate the interest and involvement of all who have contributed.

Thanks for being good CFB men...theRX is the best because of you.

 

[GoSooners]

As always, there was some good offseason info in this thread. I'm going to be easing my posting down quite a bit starting in August because I've got Carpal Tunnel in my wrist and I'm going to have to wear a splint 24 hours a day. So my typing will be limited to one hand and my posting limited to one or two sentences...

 

[cloverleaf]

GS, if you ever need a guest for posting game picks at the SaturdayEdge...I would consider it. A friend of mine and I bet this one system a dime a game. Only 1 to 3 picks per week but has produced well in 2014 and 2013. 2014 was 18-9 (66%) and 2013 was 17-9 (63%). I want nothing in return...just appreciate you and the work you guys do over there.

 

[GoSooners]

GS, if you ever need a guest for posting game picks at the SaturdayEdge...I would consider it. A friend of mine and I bet this one system a dime a game. Only 1 to 3 picks per week but has produced well in 2014 and 2013. 2014 was 18-9 (66%) and 2013 was 17-9 (63%). I want nothing in return...just appreciate you and the work you guys do over there.

It's fine by me. I'll talk to Pez and Max and if they can make room for a guest capper I'll let you know. I would love to have you...

 

[BigdaddyQH]

The ACC scribes pick Clemson to win the Conference, ahead of Florida State and Ga. Tech. This places the ACC in the #1 position as far as being on the outside of the playoffs looking in is concerned. Dabo has not has a season with less than two losses since he has been there, and while Clemson may end up a Power 5 Conference Champ, they are about as popular as TCU or Baylor, compared to the top name brands, such as Ohio State, Michigan State, Oregon, USC, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, and others. A loss at home to Notre Dame finishes their hopes.