Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee, 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl, Prediction Pick

A little personal information about me. I figured I would be a more famous blogger than I am right now? So when I would call something a Lee Marvin game? People would understand.

But as I’m not there, here’s what a Lee Marvin game is. It’s a game with two hard-hitting defenses that will ask for no quarter and have malice in their hearts. And considering that it’s Monte Kiffin rolling up against Beamerball?

There will be blood.

Then again? There is a certain flaw to this diamond of pure defense skill. Both teams are pretty similar in where they’re strong. They are great against the pass (both in the Top 10), they’re good at limiting scores (both in the Top 30), and they’re kind of able to get run upon (both between 50 and 60 against the run). So, what happens here? It will wholly be dependent on the offense.

And you know what? I love the dual threat quarterback. But Tyrod Taylor’s not someone who can pass the ball to save his life this year. And going up against a defense like the Volunteers? He’s not about to start now.

That being said, Ryan Williams has shown himself to be an adept force of ballcarying nature. He took what the Crimson Tide dealt out and managed a solid game. Here? I expect him to get triple digits and a score.

The Volunteers question is can Jonathan Crompton manage the game? Virginia Tech was able to turn defense into offense in a semi-regular basis. And I’m sure that Lane Kiffin knows that he’s not going to make an effort to swing for the fences with Crompton, but the Volunteer fan still has the sense memories of past fails. On the other hand? Montario Hardesty is going to roll up and have a similar game as Ryan Williams.

On paper? Tennessee is the better team. Crompton is going to play smart and do enough to keep Hardesty from facing 8 men in the box. The defense can actually find their way into having eight men in the box. However? Virginia Tech is going to generate a big play on defense. And that will be enough to force a cover. Tennessee 12, Virginia Tech 10.

A brief look at the SEC this week in terms of lines and betting…

I’m going to let you into the real world. I am a substitute teacher. And I like to teach. But I do find myself unable to connect synapses effectively to write sentences. And as such? We’re going to run a speed picks.

The only question that the Crimson Tide have is when UT-Chatanooga falls completely out of reach.
Florida cannot win by more than 45 until they do. So that means I take Florida International to cover.
I want to pick Ole Miss for bowing to political correctness, but I don’t want a burning lowercase t on my lawn because those idiots in the KKK decided to roll up on the game site to defend the Confederacy. So LSU. I choose you. (And the 4.5 points.)
In the uncreative nickname bowl? I take Kentucky to cover. The Georgia offense seems to be wholly A.J. Green centric and the line’s at 9.5 points. The Cats won’t beat Dogs, but they sure can keep it close.
This will be a respect check. Team Kiffin got broke last week. The defense especially. They have Vandy coming in to Rocky Top. They always beat Vandy at Rocky Top. But 17 points? You know what? I’ll take it. Rocky Top can get to 28 points.
I’ll say that Mississippi State and 11.5 points is intriguing. But can I take it? No. I’m a wimp. And it looks like Arkansas can win by 2 scores.

Last Week: 3-4
Overall: 41-32

Dropping Beats Like Hasheem Thabeet on the SEC…

This means a stiff move where I get flipped by an undersized tough guy. So basically? Dan Mullen.

Vanderbilt: Good looking out on getting 31 points on Georgia Tech. Bad looking out on nearly getting doubled up. 
Georgia: I could make a snarky joke about how the good Lord really does not care about sports due to the failings of these here Bulldogs. But they lost a lot from last season. It was supposed to be a dropoff. I know it’s a big difference between 8-4 and 6-6, but still.
Kentucky: Mississippi State damages, but in no way kills (FCS Gimme and Vanderbilt equal 6 wins) their bowl eligibility. The fact that their skilled players are dropping like some characters in an Agatha Christie Novel is a problem that needs solving.
Mississippi State: Can they get to 6 wins? Alabama could be feeling really relieved after their game against LSU. Arkansas vibes like they have peaked. And if they go into the Egg Bowl with five wins? Ole Miss is the sort of team that will roll over.
Arkansas: The Bobby Petrino Supersystem still looks like its peaked. I mean, EMU is the sort of team that allows 500 yards rushing to previously winless teams. It could have been 630-27 and I would have said meh.
Ole Miss: Giggidy. They’re roasted, toasted, and burnt to a crisp as if they were the victims of Bobby Budnick tomfoolery.
South Carolina: Traveling to Arkansas when everybody and their mother is saying you’ve hit the collapse portion of your schedule? Not as easy of a challenge, even if Arkansas seems to have peaked.
Auburn: MALZAHN-MANIA has returned!!! And they get Furman this week. Chris Todd may be able to get his swagger back with this road work.
Tennessee: So long as I post here, I think I will leave the Crompton alone. He’s become a competent game manager. And with the sort of team UT has? That will be good enough to probably win out.

Youy’re welcome.
LSU: They’ve tuned up the band properly. They look ready. And Alabama’s default mode is vulnerable after last weekend’s bye.
Alabama: See? I moved Florida up in importance.  
Florida: They’ll wait for the SEC West to shake out. It’s either Championship or spoiling a BCS dream for them.

After Five Weeks: The SEC is in my iPod.

I’m going to try something differentish. I tried to do a what we know and what we don’t so far. But today, I’m going to try and tie it into my iPod. Why? Because SEC Football is like what’s in my iPod. Total and complete awesomeness.

Excepting Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt is “Whatever Happened to My Rock and Roll?” from the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

This is a simple Occam’s Razor scenario. Last season Vanderbilt had the single greatest season in its history. And considering the regression to the mean? There ya go, kids.  

Kentucky is The Mister Magorium Wonder Emporium Q&A Podcast

Zack Helm is one of the most interesting writers of the decade. He wrote Stranger than Fiction. It was one of the best premises of all time. It was as electrifying as Randall Cobb on a go route. The problem is? The interesting of one man cannot carry an entire team. Especially when you consider that the Natalie Portman in this forced analogy (Trevard Lindley)? Is listed as doubtful for South Carolina.

And that’s my impression of Mike Hartline dropping back to pass.

Mississippi State is “Smooth Criminal” from Alien Ant Farm

You have a team that you could consider a Florida cover band. It’s less polished. In some aspects it’s far less polished (the defense is like the fact that AAF never did get that second hit). But you know what? The Bulldogs this year are like the 3:28 of Smooth Criminal. A lot better than they’re given credit for.

Tennessee is ”Jump” from Van Halen

Or more specifically Jonathan Crompton. Think about it. I get up, and nothing gets me down. You’ve got it tough, I’ve seen the toughest around. And I know baby, I know just how you feel. You’ve got to roll with the punches to get to what’s real. Oh can’t you see me standing there with my back against the record machine? I ain’t the worst that you’ve seen, oh can’t you see what I mean?

Knoxville agrees: He might as well jump.

Fine. You jerks.

Arkansas is “Duality” from Slipknot.

Not for the reasons you think I’m thinking of. There is an obvious duality of the Hoo Pig Sooey. And all the Bobby Petrino supersystem has is a need to put up insane offense. But let’s talk about the Slipnutz. A comedy sketch based on Slipknot. It’s basically three writers from Conan running around and singing about slipping on peanuts. Nothing explains Arkansas’s defense better.

They slip on some nuts!

Ole Miss is Episodes Five and Six of Andy Barker P.I.

The hype of this crtically acclaimed team is gone. But the episode order was longer than the interest or desire. So? You burn off the final episodes at a point where no one is watching. They still have intrigue for the critics, but nobody else is watching.

Georgia is “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes.

The scrappy Bulldogs sneak up on you like this song. You don’t expect the hipster White combo to be able to rock this hard. But yet? They do. A.J. Green is as electrifying of a talent as Jack White. And Joe Cox is the reason you’re interested in this band to begin with. The Ginger Ninja is gone? You wouldn’t have near the interest. Same goes for Meg White. She’s the glue guy, so to speak. 

South Carolina is Paul F. Tompkins impersonation of Ice-T

From the Comedy Death Ray in Vancouver and much like South Carolina? You’ve found something that’s not supposed to work. Paul F. Tompkins isn’t that funny. Stephen Garcia isn’t that good of a quarterback. And yet? Hilarity enuses. On both sides.

YAAAAAY!

Auburn is “Redemption Song” from Joe Strummer.

Dual meanings here. One, Auburn is back to being a force for good with one of those first year shock the world scenarios that ultimately become meaningless. Two? Gus Malzahn gets Arkansas. The team that Tony Franklined him fter grabbing the hottest of his recruits and doing nothing with them. He’ll say all the right things. But being a man who is also older than 40? He wants this. He wants this bad.

LSU is “Hair of the Dog” by Nazareth

If the coach was sane? The first Charles Scott touchdown would have iced the game. But as the song says, you don’t go messing with a son of a bitch. And Les Miles? He is the toughest SOB this side of the Ozarks.

Alabama is Iron Man

Okay, more technically, they am Iron Man. The most technically proficient batch of awesome since Robert Downey Jr. made his first move toward becoming an Avenger. It’s a well acted team with Greg McElroy as a Jon Favreau sort of a director. Julio Jones as a charismatic force of nature Downey-style. And Terrance Cody? He’s a suit of armor that will force all evil to yield.

Sadly, my lack of an analogy for the Black Widow does not preclude a cheap ploy for hits. Yeah. Moving on.

Florida is Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story

Like the Chuck Klosterman work, the Gators road trip to Baton Rouge puts them at a crossroads. John Brantley represents the future. But will he end any chance of a National Championship? I’d like to say no. But I’m not in Urban’s head. Urban may send the still concussed Tebow up to face LSU. And that would be suicidally dangerous.

See that’s how you end it. Occam’s Razor Style.

Georgia vs Oklahoma State, 2009 Prediction Preview
By Josh Q. Public at joshqpublic.com

Last season, Georgia began as the No. 1 ranked team in the country. Last season Georgia was led by Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. This season ain’t last season.

While the Dawgs do have an experienced offensive line which returns eight players, they lack talent at the skill positions. They lack talent at the big kill positions. The dollar bill positions. Oklahoma State ain’t lacking nothing there mon frere.

Yes the Bulldogs have AJ Green, but you know what the man says? The man says peace through superior firepower. Oklahoma State has the firepower. Ride, ride, ride, ride. Ride ‘em Cowboys, down the field.
Fight, fight, fight, fight. Fight ‘em Cowboys, and never yield.
Zac Robinson ain’t yielding for no one.

Zac Robinson, the Cowboys quarterback is big. Zac Robinson, the Cowboys quarterback is strong. He is one of the nation’s most effective dual-threat quarterbacks. In two seasons as the Cowboys?
starter, he?s thrown for 5,888 yards, rushed for 1,409 more and accounted for 65 touchdowns. Yowza! As goes Zac Robinson, so go the Cowboys. Zac Robinson is going places. He’s going on to victory.

Robinson will have help. The Oklahoma State running game was ranked eighth nationally in 2008, averaging 245.5 yards per game, behind star tailback Kendall Hunter. Hunter racked up 1,555 yards and 16 scores on the ground last season. Hunter is back this year leading perhaps the
most balanced offensive attack that is tough to stop. A balanced offensive attack that should run roughshod all over Georgia. OSU by 5 1/2. Mark my words. Mark them I say!

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Peace out homies. Six two and even!

Alabama vs Virginia Tech, Prediction Preview 2009. For the second year in a row Alabama will be playing in the Chick Fil A College Kickoff matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 8pm ET on Sept. 5, 2009. This game promises to be quite the event. ESPN’s College GameDay will be on hand for the game in Atlanta. Not only will there be plenty of excitement, but this game looks to be quite the matchup.

Not that it means much, but the preseason coaches’ poll has Alabama ranked at No.5 with Virginia Tech following closely at No. 7. Looking at the teams on paper Alabama has the edge, but that doesn’t always mean anything. Tech has experience to their advantage. Tech’s QB Tyrod Taylor has much more playing experience than Alabama’s Greg McElroy, while many say that McElroy’s skills surpass Taylor’s. I think the offensive line will be a major factor in this game. It is yet to be seen how Alabama’s o-line performs with only two returning starters. The offensive line’s performance can sometimes negate a great QB.

Personally I feel that Alabama does have the edge because of their defense and the supporting offensive players. They have a great stable of running backs and wide receivers. There is a status issue with Mark Ingram and Julio Jones, but if that is resolved Alabama should be loaded. My pick to win will be Alabama, but we all know that anything can happen. I say about 17-10 for Bama.

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Alabama’s 2009 Trailer

Tennessee Vols to add Cincinnati in 2011

Now there’s a lot to be said about Lane Kiffin. There’s a youtube series of programs that have said a whole lot about the man and the mythic foundation that he’s built. But you know what? He’s not exactly going to be backing down in the pivotal year three of the program.

Sure, 2010 has a game with Oregon to go with the general conference shenanigans. But 2011? That’s where the rubber looks to be meeting the road. Kiffin’s schedule includes two non-conference programs on the rise. The Butch Davis led North Carolina Tar Heels has already found its place on the schedule. And when you add the aforementioned headline to the schedule? You could see a schedule that allows the Volunteers an easy out of Kiffin doesn’t put things together quickly.

Credit: Chris Low

Bobby Bowden: Charlie Ward Better Than Tim Tebow. In the words of Denzel Washington, from his outstanding role in ‘Remember The Titans’, Coach Bobby Bowden “You gots to be outside your mind!“. I agree with FanIQ. This is proof that Booby Bowden needs to retire. I have said this several times on this blog and other places, Tim Tebow is the best QB to ever play college football. Now Bobby B says that Timmy T might not even be the best QB to come out of Florida.

Bowden: “People keep asking me about Tebow. You know, is he the best ever? I don’t know if he’s better than Charlie. I don’t think he runs better than Charlie. I don’t think he throws better than Charlie. And Charlie only played two years for us.”

Here are a few stats, and remember that Tebow has another year left to play.

• TD/Interception ratio = Tebow 67-11, Ward 49-22
• Rushing Yards= Tebow 2037, Ward 889
• Rushing TD’s = Tebow 43, Ward 10

Tebow still has a year to go, and he far eclipses Ward’s numbers. You might say that Ward only played 2 years, but Tebow only played 2 full years. He came off the bench just for running in his Freshman year. I’ll put it this way, if Bobby Bowden made this statement at your local water cooler at work, he would be banned from all future speaking arrangements at said water cooler, even Tallahassee Florida water coolers.

Hat Tip Orlando Sentinel. Also see EDSBS.