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| Tuesday, October 22 Updated: November 1, 9:34 AM ET Surprise -- Gators, Vols not the elite teams anymore By Pat Forde Special to ESPN.com |
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It's tempting to say that the Southeastern Conference misses Steve Spurrier, but you'd get some argument from the good people of Athens, Oxford and Baton Rouge. If Visor Boy were still around, Georgia might not be enjoying life as the league's lead dog. The goalposts might not have been uprooted at Ole Miss. And LSU might not have rung up the biggest win by a visitor to Gainesville in 23 years. Yet for all the joy spread at Ron Zook's expense, life without Spurrier hasn't been good for the SEC's overall strength. The league is short at least one powerhouse. The season began with three teams considered Top 10 material: Florida, Tennessee and Georgia.
By mid-October the Gators and Volunteers have recused themselves from that company. Florida is in coaching-change disarray and Tennessee has been undermined by A) monsoon mismanagement and B) Casey Clausen's creaky collarbone. The Bulldogs have held up their end of the preseason hype, having the season their fans have waited two decades to see. They have a hammerlock on the East, with a two-game lead on Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Kentucky (which is ineligible for the title anyway). There is a rare semblance of order to the annually anarchic West. Replacing last year's big-play offense with a wicked defense, LSU seems to be reprising its powerful surge to the SEC championship and a Sugar Bowl triumph. Georgia is certainly a national championship contender. LSU has a shot at inserting itself into the BCS picture as well. But now both must deal with major health issues. Georgia heads into a dangerous game at Kentucky without leading rusher Musa Smith and big-play receiver Fred Gibson, both of whom had thumb surgery Tuesday. (Smith broke his against Vanderbilt, while Gibson injured ligaments.) And star offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb is questionable this week with a knee injury. LSU starting quarterback Matt Mauck is expected to be out for eight weeks after surgery on his foot. That leaves the job to Marcus Randall, who performed ably last Saturday against South Carolina -- 183 yards passing, 36 running, no turnovers -- in his first extended Division I action. (Smith, Gibson and Mauck are not the only significant skill-position injury in what's been a banged-up league. Marquee players such as Clausen, Kelley Washington, Ahmaad Galloway, Tyler Watts, Cadillac Williams, Cedric Cobbs, D.J. Shockley, Kevin Fant and LaBrandon Toefield have all missed at least one start, and some of those are out for the year.) Behind Georgia and LSU, the rest of the league has failed to fill Florida's power vacuum. The other 10 teams have already lost at least twice, and there's likely to be more trappings of parity to come. Alabama and Tennessee comprise the second flight, and half a dozen teams after that could be ticketed for 7-5 or 6-6. The SEC has had at least two teams in the final AP Top 10 in 10 of the last 11 seasons -- and Florida was one of those teams 10 times. Life without Spurrier is good for some folks, but probably not for the league in general. Biggest surprise: Kentucky football had been an unrelenting source of bad news for two consecutive years, and there was no reason to believe this year would be any different. Until it started, and the Wildcats upset No. 17 Louisville. Now good news abounds for the 5-2 Cats, who already have won more games this year than in the past two combined. If anything can take the sting out of probation and a postseason bowl ban, this season is it. Biggest disappointment: Hard to believe Florida could go into Knoxville and drill Tennessee, yet still be the Bust of the Year in the SEC. But the Gators are, and it isn't close. Humiliated by Miami and LSU, upset by Mississippi, fairly fortunate to beat Kentucky and flat-out lucky to beat Auburn, this program has lost it juice -- and quickly. And Georgia and Florida State are still to come. Ron Zook is starting to bear a marked resemblance to Bob Davie, but he's not going to get five years to prove he can't do it. Midseason MVP: This is so wide open that the flip-a-coin front-runner is a guy who appeared in danger of being benched a couple of weeks into the season. Georgia quarterback David Greene struggled early while sharing snaps with freshman D.J. Shockley, but has steadily regained last year's Freshman of the Year form since Shockley broke his foot. Shockley came back last Saturday, but Greene completed 20 of 23 passes for 319 yards against Vanderbilt -- and one of those incompletions was a drop. So he might be over Shockleyphobia. Midseason Coach of the Year: There wasn't a coach in the SEC -- nor many in the nation -- who would have traded places with Guy Morriss in August. His program was on probation and facing major scholarship cuts, he had no buyout in his contract and a new athletic director had just come to town. This was a dead man coaching, but Morriss never got the memo. He's led the 'Cats to a pair of road wins as double-digit underdogs -- at Louisville and Arkansas -- and earned himself a nice contract extension along the way. Plenty of guys would trade jobs with him now, but Kentucky isn't parting with the plainspoken Texan who turned around a tough situation. Bowl bound: Not Kentucky and Alabama, we know that for sure. Not Vanderbilt, either. Mississippi State is fighting seriously uphill. Everyone else is in the hunt, though the remaining schedule could make it dicey for several teams. The present invitee list: Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida and Arkansas, with Auburn and Mississippi on the bubble.
Around the SEC
Alabama Midseason MVP: Impossible to choose a single player on a team that has effectively used two quarterbacks and four running backs, so let's give it to five: The offensive line. Doesn't seem to matter whether it's Ahmaad Galloway (257 rushing yards), Santonio Beard (435), Shaud Williams (437) or Ray Hudson (184) taking handoffs, or Tyler Watts or Brodie Croyle running the option. It all works behind the league's best blockers. What's next: There are three heavyweight dates in Bama's final six games: at Tennessee this week, at LSU Nov. 16 and hosting Auburn Nov. 23. The Tide has lost seven straight to the Volunteers in what's become a blood feud for the fans, inflamed by accusations of NCAA rule-breaking on both sides. The final game is a feel-good date at Hawaii that the Tide scheduled to thumb its nose at the NCAA for the bowl ban. Great to see they're feeling repentant for some of the most egregious cheating in recent college history.
Arkansas Midseason MVP: Quarterback Matt Jones has produced more than one-third of the Razorbacks' yards in four SEC games, running the show for the league's No. 1 total offense. He's thrown for 827 yards and six touchdowns and is the team's No. 2 rusher with 367 yards and three TDs. What's next: The Hogs might have the easiest remaining road in the league -- and at 3-3 overall and 1-3 in conference play, they'll need it. Four home games remain, including glorified scrimmages against Troy State and Louisiana-Lafayette. With hopes of a division title all but extinguished, Arkansas must set its sites on a bowl bid and possibly playing spoiler to LSU when the Tigers visit Little Rock Thanksgiving weekend.
Auburn Midseason MVP: When the Caddy is hitting on all cylinders, so are the Tigers. When he isn't, they usually aren't. The exception came after his injury last week against Florida, when Ronnie Brown filled in spectacularly, but what passes for Auburn's offense is built around the darting moves and sudden bursts from sophomore Williams. (It isn't built around quarterbacks Daniel Cobb and Jason Campbell, who have been marvels of inconsistency.) Without Williams, even more pressure falls on Auburn's defense to keep games close. What's next: It's pretty brutal from here on out. Auburn's four remaining SEC games are against teams with a combined record of 23-5, but at least LSU and Georgia must come to The Plains. Louisiana-Monroe offers refuge right in the middle of the final five games.
Florida Midseason MVP: Despite throwing picks by the bushel, despite being stripped of much of his power to call audibles, despite some calls to see more of backup Ingle Martin, Grossman is still the Gator who matters most. When he plays well (Tennessee, Kentucky, Auburn), Florida wins. When he doesn't (Ole Miss, LSU), Ron Zook gets yelled at. What's next: The Gators get a couple great shots at redemption, against Georgia Nov. 2 and Florida State Nov. 30. Winning either -- winning both seems a stretch at this point -- would at least give Zook two quality wins. Losing both would not be pretty, and .500 or worse could possibly be considered a fireable offense.
Georgia Midseason MVP: If Greene is the most important player in the league, then he's the most important player on the team. He could be on his way to a second straight 3,000-yard passing year and has twice as many TD throws (12) as interceptions (six). What's next: Injuries mean Georgia's depth will be tested in a four-game SEC run at Kentucky, vs. Florida in Jacksonville, between the hedges against Ole Miss and at Auburn. Right now it appears the Bulldogs will be favored in every remaining game. The pressure will rise in proportion to fans' excitement level, as Georgia chases its first SEC title in 20 years.
Kentucky Midseason MVP: Artose Pinner leads the SEC in rushing, with 781 yards and seven TDs, and is Kentucky's leading receiver with 29 catches. More importantly, his hard-nosed running ability has allowed the 'Cats to remake their offense into a low-risk, ball-control attack. The fewer mistakes made, the less stress on the defense and the more Kentucky stays in games. What's next: The 'Cats play the league's two worst teams (Mississippi State Nov. 2 and Vanderbilt Nov. 16) and the three best (Georgia Saturday, LSU Nov. 9 and Tennessee Nov. 30). Expect 2-3, which would give Kentucky its first winning season since the Tim Couch days, but one more major upset doesn't seem out of the question.
LSU Midseason MVP: Linebacker Bradie James is the leading tackler (83 of them, including five for losses) and undisputed leader of the nation's No. 1 defense. That unit has carried the Tigers thus far, while a patchwork offense has done enough to win games. James' decision not to go pro after last year has been a classic win-win for him and the team. What's next: This looks like a team coming together at the right time, just as it did last year. LSU will need to play at a high level over its remaining five games, though. Three are on the road, and none are easy. All five opponents are currently .500 or better.
Mississippi Midseason MVP: Eli Manning hasn't quite managed the outlandish statistics he put up a year ago. He's thrown more interceptions and more incompletions, and has been prone to severe streakiness. But he's still what makes the Rebels go, and his very presence creates hope. Upsets of LSU, Alabama and Florida the past two seasons are why. What's next: The final five games will all be difficult for the Rebels. Visits to Arkansas, Georgia and LSU figure to be underdog scenarios (though the Hogs have seemingly forfeited some of their home-field advantage this year), while home games against Auburn and archrival Mississippi State could be tossups. It'll be interesting to see whether the Alabama blowout punctures the Rebels' confidence.
Mississippi State Midseason MVP: Not many candidates on offense, so give it to linebacker/defensive end Mario Haggan. He leads the team in tackles and is third in the SEC with 79, has four tackles for loss and has forced two fumbles. What's next: Despite three home games to come, the Bulldogs figure to be underdogs in their final five contests. They have a week off to pull a surprise on Kentucky -- which has lost four straight in Starkville -- then face Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Ole Miss in succession. Sherrill's job should be safe after the season -- but expect staff shakeups at the very least.
South Carolina Midseason MVP: No quarterback in America has run the ball more than Corey Jenkins, who has 135 carries through eight games. He's also thrown it 144 times. With little else to go on, Jenkins has been dragging the Gamecocks offense downfield almost by himself, absorbing a terrific pounding in the process. He might not be the prettiest or most effective quarterback in the league, but he's undoubtedly the toughest. What's next: South Carolina's late-season stretch is an annual killer, but this year could be marginally easier. After a week off, Tennessee and Arkansas visit Columbia, then come road games at struggling Florida and Clemson. A split would get the Gamecocks to 7-5, which would be pretty good in something of a transition year.
Tennessee Midseason MVP: Quarterback Casey Clausen leads the SEC in passing yards per game (272.2), passing efficiency (151.1 rating) and total offense (284 yards per game). If it weren't for some fumblitis against Florida and sitting out the Georgia game with an injury, he'd probably be the midseason league MVP. But he'll get some prime opportunities to make up for that in the season's second half. What's next: Knoxville is grumbling about the two losses that ruined what was supposed to be a run at the national title, but beating hated Alabama Saturday and No. 1 Miami Nov. 9 -- both at Neyland Stadium -- would improve the mood substantially. South Carolina and Kentucky both could provide serious challenges, though the Volunteers have beaten them a combined 26 straight times. The Vols have only played one road game to date, and only leave the state twice more (at South Carolina and at Mississippi State).
Vanderbilt Midseason MVP: Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer and receiver Dan Stricker have at least been good soldiers for four years at Vandy. Hillenmeyer is second in the league in tackles with 81, and Stricker is climbing the SEC's career charts in receptions and receiving yardage. It's been his bad luck to play his senior season on a team that has switched offenses to the option. What's next: Bring on Connecticut! Vandy gets its last realistic shot at victory Saturday when the Huskies mush into town. After that come dates with Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee. Even though all but Kentucky come to Nashville, Vandy has never been known for having the world's greatest home-field advantage. (See: Middle Tennessee's two straight wins in Nashville.)
Around the Sun Belt Conference
Arkansas State Midseason MVP: Running back Danny Smith, a junior-college transfer, has piled up 784 yards and seven touchdowns to power the offense. What's next: Arguably the nation's toughest schedule -- 13 games in 13 weeks, including trips to Virginia Tech, Illinois and Mississippi -- at least lightens up a little bit. The Indians host New Mexico State and Southern Utah before finishing on the road at Louisiana-Lafayette and Idaho. A split of those four (which seems quite possible) gives the Indians six wins for the first time since '95.
Idaho Midseason MVP: Quarterback Brian Lindgren is ninth in the nation in total offense at 289.1 yards per game. He's already over the 2,000-yard mark on the season and has thrown 15 touchdown passes, teaming with receiver Josh Jelmberg to make one of the nation's best pass-and-catch combos. What's next: Five straight league games gives the Vandals a chance to salvage the season down the stretch -- but it won't be easy. They'll likely be underdogs in all five games. If Idaho finishes with just one win for the second straight year, it will be hard for embattled coach Tom Cable to argue that he has the program headed in the right direction.
Louisiana-Lafayette Midseason MVP: Receiver Fred Stamps has caught 31 balls for 576 yards and has caught five of quarterback Jon Van Cleave's six touchdown passes. What's next: The Ragin' Cajuns have three straight home games coming up. Their last home effort was the upset of UAB, so maybe there's some magic at Cajun Field. The only no-hoper left is at Arkansas Nov. 16.
Louisiana-Monroe Midseason MVP: Freshman Steven Jyles has injected some energy into the offense, throwing for 1,186 yards and eight TDs. He's working on a string of four straight 200-yard passing games, with the help of junior wideout Mack Vincent. What's next: The Indians host future Sun Belt member Utah State Saturday, then go on the road for three straight before waging the battle of Louisiana with Lafayette. Any wins between now and 2003 would seemingly boost Collins' chances of keeping the job on a long-term basis.
Middle Tennessee Midseason MVP: Quarterback Andrico Hines put it all together against the Ragin' Cajuns passing for a career-high 347 yards and running for 75. He's still only thrown two touchdown passes, but he looks like he's turned the corner and ready for a big second half. What's next: Circle Nov. 2. That's when Middle visits New Mexico State for a game that could significantly impact the conference race. It would not be a huge shock to see the Blue Raiders win all five remaining games, and the league title -- but they might want to improve on opponents' 67 percent completion rate.
New Mexico State Midseason MVP: The Pierce-Dombrowksi duo has run the Aggies' I-formation option attack and low-risk passing game to near-perfection. What's next: If the Aggies are going to earn their first bowl bid in 42 years, they'll have earned it. Four of the final five games are on the road, and the lone home game is against dangerous Middle Tennessee. Tony Samuel, an African-American coach who has done a methodical building job in a highly difficult locale, could be in line for an upgrade.
North Texas Midseason MVP: Defensive tackle Brandon Kennedy has recorded four sacks and 11 tackles for loss, keying a line that has been the team's strength. What's next: November begins with three straight home games and should give the Mean Green a chance to make something of the season. The finale at Middle Tennessee probably looked like a title game when the schedule came out, but not much like one now. Pat Forde covers college football for the Louisville Courier-Journal. |
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