SEC Power Poll Ballot: Week Six
by T Kyle King on Oct 11, 2009 9:23 PM EDT
in Football
35 comments
I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve had about as good a weekend this weekend as David Letterman had last weekend. In addition to my obvious disappointment with Saturday’s loss and its aftermath, I had to pick up my 19-month-old daughter, Elizabeth, early on Friday, which severely cut into the productivity of my workday and necessitated that I go in to the office on Sunday afternoon to make up for lost time. (Depending upon your particular inclination in Biblical interpretation, that may mean I’m going to Hell, so all you Georgia Tech fans who have declared your support for such a result while singing your fight song ought to be pleased that I risked eternal damnation.) Florida and Georgia Tech both won. To top it all off, my aforementioned daughter managed to get hold of my cell phone on Friday evening, and the place where she put it has yet to be determined. It’s been a pretty crummy weekend.
Accordingly, rather than dive headfirst into my BlogPoll ballot, I’m going to take the easy route and stick with this week’s SEC Power Poll, which only requires me to examine twelve teams instead of 25. Here is how the Southeastern Conference stacks up, at least from my point of view:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0): I genuinely don’t understand the argument for any team other than ‘Bama being ranked No. 1, either in the conference or in the country. While I take nothing away from the Sunshine State Saurians, I have seen few flaws in the Tide, who have been more dominant against what thus far has been a tougher schedule. I have yet to see any argument other than preseason poll inertia for treating Alabama as the runner-up to anyone.
2. Florida Gators (5-0): The Orange and Blue are a solid football team, although ESPN tends to overlook the reason why. I saw a headline at the Worldwide Leader’s website describing Tim Tebow’s effort against Louisiana State as "superhuman." Uh . . . the Gators scored 13 points in Baton Rouge. Was Joe Cox superhuman when he lead the ‘Dawgs to a 13-point outburst against the Bayou Bengals, too? It’s the defense, dude.
3. LSU Tigers (5-1): Les Miles’s squad is the Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns of the SEC in 2009. Louisiana State is a good football team that happens to have the misfortune of playing in the same league at the same time as Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
4. South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1): The schedule gets tougher in November, as it always does for the Palmetto State Poultry, but, so far, they’re winning the games they’re supposed to win.
5. Auburn Tigers (5-1): While the Plainsmen’s bubble was burst against the Hogs (which was all that redeemed my weekend), Auburn battled back and the fight they showed indicated that these are not just paper Tigers.
6. Arkansas Razorbacks (3-2): When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. When all you have is Ryan Mallett, everything looks like a pass. So far, that’s working out all right.
7. Mississippi Rebels (3-2): Tied for last place in the Western Division was not where Ole Miss expected to be at this juncture, but Houston Nutt has done a heck of a job of bringing those overly lofty expectations down to a more manageable level.
8. Tennessee Volunteers (3-3): Lane Kiffin has firmly entrenched his Big Orange club as the best 3-3 team in the Southeastern Conference. Are you people happy now?
9. Georgia Bulldogs (3-3): Willie Martinez has firmly entrenched the Red and Black as the worst 3-3 team in the Southeastern Conference. That, or every sub-par quarterback in the league just coincidentally happens to have his breakout game the week the ‘Dawgs come up on the schedule. The over/under on games remaining on Georgia’s schedule in which the Classic City Canines surrender 35 or more points is three.
10. Kentucky Wildcats (2-3): Rich Brooks’s ‘Cats are scrappy. Of course, "scrappy" only gets you as far as the Music City Bowl, but, still, it’s progress.
11. Mississippi St. Bulldogs (2-4): Dan Mullen has turned this into a program on the rise. Unfortunately, when you start at the bottom of a pit, it’s a long way up to the ground floor. On the plus side, if you’re at the bottom of a pit, you might find a Big Ten victory trophy!
12. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-4): This is a recording.
Go ‘Dawgs!
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Uh, that would be . . .
. . . “led,” not “lead.”
Apparently, after anger, the next stage of post-loss grief is the inability to spell.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 11, 2009 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
T. Kyle, don't you go promising the Music City Bowl
to Rich Brooks and his scrappy Wildcats. My son-in-law and I were discussing Saturday night while watching LSU & UF what a great family Christmas vacation it would make if our respective teams could be scheduled for a rematch in Nashville the upcoming holiday season.
by Jujdog on Oct 11, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's all I need . . .
. . . losing to Auburn twice in one season! :)
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 11, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
RE-Over/Under
Over.
Driving the "Fire Willie Martinez" bandwagon since 2006
by SG Standard on Oct 11, 2009 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dr. Saturday has the goods:
I told you I saw this!
Now, if only we could get Matt Hinton to quit picking Georgia to win and Georgia Tech to lose, because the boy is bad mojo for Bulldog Nation. . . .
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 11, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lose-Lose
This was the quinessential lose-lose proposition for anyone who was not a Florida fan, and was sick of hearing updates about Tim Tebow on ESPN. There were really only two story lines that could have happened:
1. The aforementioned Tim Tebow is superman, and how Florida won despite playing at less than 100%.
2. Florida lost while Tim Tebow was not 100%. If Florida lost the game the headline would still be all about Tim Tebow “gutting it out.”
by Kenny483 on Oct 12, 2009 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While it is virtually impossible for me to say anything positive about Georgia at this point...
(And coming from a man who once said Joe Tereshinski III would lead UGA to a SEC championship, that’s saying something)— UGA should not be below Ole Miss.
All the Fighting Nutts have done is get shelacked by Bama and lose to South Carolina (whom Georgia beat)..
Although the Dawgs have admittedly looked anemic/pathetic/any other synonym for BAD, they have won two conference games and beaten a BCS conference opponent which is more than one can say for the team from The Grove.
Behold, this year's College Gameday Sign:
"Joe Cox -- He circumcises ANGELS!"
by RedCrake on Oct 12, 2009 12:50 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
+1
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
by Ivory Tower on Oct 12, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's an argument
I genuinely don’t understand the argument for any team other than ‘Bama being ranked No. 1, either in the conference or in the country
How about this argument: the two teams played last season in the SECCG and Florida won by 11. I know, I know – that was LAST year and this is college and the teams change every year. But in this case – they haven’t changed all that much. It is well documented that UF lost no defensive starters or immediate backups and it shows this season. Through the first 5 games, Florida’s defense has allowed 6.4 PPG. That is considerably better than the 11.4 PPG allowed at this point last season.
Meanwhile, Alabama’s defense looks better than it did last season too, right? Well….barely. The Tide D has allowed 12.5 PPG through 6 games this season, as compared to 13.5 PPG at the same point last season. Somewhat better, but not as significant a improvement as Florida has made.
Alabama must be much better on offense than a year ago as compared to UF, right? Well, not exactly. Bama’s scoring is up about 3.5 PPG from a year ago, while Florida’s scoring output is up 3 PPG from this point last season.
Maybe it is all the lost personnel? Florida lost Percy Harvin – admittedly, one of our top 3 players from last season. But Percy sat out the aforementioned SECCG in which Florida prevailed over the Tide. The Gators also lost Louis Murphy – surely he played a major roll in the win over the Tide? Not so much. Lou totaled 1 catch for 4 yards in the game.
Bama lost Glen Coffee, who romped for 112 yards and a TD against the Gators, averaging 5.3 yards per run. Ingram is surely a fantastic replacement, despite only gaining 2.6 yards per carry on his 8 attempts against the Gators last season (altough he did score a TD in the game). Greg McElroy has looked like a world beater at times, but is he that much better than JP Wilson in his first season as starter? Will he be against a top defense? Bama did lose its top offensive lineman right? I seem to remember that being claimed as a major reason Alabama lost to Utah in teh Sugar.
I’m not saying that Alabama can’t beat Florida right now – of course they can, and I think the two teams are basically a wash right now. But a fair argument can surely be made to justify why a team other than Alabama is ranked #1 right now. I’m fine with the Gators being ranked #2 in most blog polls right now because we’ll get our shot at #1…..in fact, Meyer’s teams have played pretty good football against top ranked teams.
by skigator93 on Oct 12, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good point
I had forgotten that Percy sat out the SECCG.
_______________________________
Eric Berry is better at football than you.
by kidbourbon on Oct 12, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
It is actually kind of frightening how similar the two teams have been especially on defense. Alabama has played an extra game so far, so that probably goes into Alabama’s favor. Also, I believe Alabama has played a little better group of offenses, though that becomes pretty much a moot point after Florida plays Arkansas this week.
I think perceptively speaking the difference is the out of conference games. Florida plays no one in their out of conference schedule, and to be fair it is not Florida’s fault that their lone game out of conferenc of any note is a wretched Florida State team, that looks like it completely quitting on defense. Obviously for Alabama the Virgina Tech win looks better and better, as they rack up wins in the ACC.
by Kenny483 on Oct 12, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt Alabama has had a more difficult schedule thus far
The VA Tech win looks nice, but remember, it is still the ACC we are talking about. VA Tech wouldn’t exactly terrify me – especially on the fast field turf of the GA Dome, but Alabama scheduled the game and we did not, so they do deserve a nod there.
One other matter I didn’t mention above is common opponents. Right now, all we have to draw upon in Kentucky, which didn’t really challenge either team. In a few weeks we’ll have more to compare the two in that arena.
Stay tuned….
by skigator93 on Oct 12, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Va. Tech should terrify anyone who's paying attention.
They are legitimately the 3rd best team in the country. I’d lay 10 points on a neutral field against anyone not in the SEC.
"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 12, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're funny
You’d take VT by 10 over Texas? USC (noting here that USC hasn’t lost by 10 to anyone since 2001)? Ohio State? Really?
by drothgery on Oct 12, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Easily.
This Texas team is not very good, and this USC team is even less so. And certainly Ohio State.
"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 12, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I should say that UT is more of an unknown quantity
After watching TTU and CU games, all you can really say is that they eventually put away not very good competition. But they can’t run, and their offense is predicated on “hope you break a tackle after the 2 yard reception”
"Hollywood made a movie of my life. The film had me proposing to my wife on the football field. I would never misuse a football field that way." -Crazy Legs Hirsch
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 12, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well I guess this week is their final test
After playing GA Tech in Atlanta, they don’t play anyone else above mediocrity the rest of the season.
by skigator93 on Oct 12, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As always, skigator93, you make good points . . .
. . . but I’m going by what I’ve seen this season.
Don’t get me wrong; Florida clearly is an outstanding team, but (due partly to the Crimson Tide’s having played a better schedule to this point) Alabama has accomplished more so far this season.
Obviously, barring an enormous upset (and very possibly even with an enormous upset, which either team ought to be able to overcome), we’re going to find out in December whether Florida or Alabama is the better team, so it will all come out in the wash.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 12, 2009 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough
I would probably have Alabama #1 right now too if I posted a poll. But an argument could surely be made for either team.
by skigator93 on Oct 12, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed . . .
. . . and it’s certainly possible Florida could overtake Alabama during the regular season.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 12, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
skigator is right; the Gators should be ranked # 1 in the powerpoll.
It’s gonna be real enjoyable to see the Dawgs finally put it together this year after the bye week.
by Jujdog on Oct 12, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't do that to me.
I still want to believe.
by NCT on Oct 12, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Over/under
It will be exactly 3, as long as our bowl opponent (if we get one) is not a “game remaining on Georgia’s schedule”. I realize it’s cautiously optimistic to exclude the other three teams (we can all agree on which three go in which column — and by “column”, I don’t mean W-L, I mean over/under 35 points), but cautious optimism is the best I can do right now. And that’s pretty damn good, all things considered.
by NCT on Oct 12, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't sure if everyone saw this......
Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez is under the most pressure. His defense was shredded in a 45-19 loss at Tennessee. Georgia ranks 11th in the SEC, yielding 377.2 yards per game. The Bulldogs are No. 4 against the run (128.2 ypg) but 11th against the pass (249.0 ypg). Georgia also is last in turnover margin, gaining just five turnovers and committing 16.
The Bulldogs are standing behind Martinez.
"In 2007, everybody was worried that Coach Martinez was going to get a head coaching job after the season and he was going to be gone," quarterback Joe Cox told reporters. "Our defense had a great year and then it’s like when things start going bad he’s still running the same exact thing. He still coaches the same way but we’re not carrying it out like those teams have in the past. It’s tough thinking about your coaches being on hot seats and things like that because you know they’re not playing the game. They’re calling the game but they can’t call perfect games all the time, it’s impossible."
Yes Joe and that’s why “adjustments” are made during the game! The comment on “he still coaches the same way but we’re not carrying it out like those teams have in the past” or maybe the scheme just doesn’t work or opposing OCs have figured it out (since 2007), or opposing QBs have seen it on film & have practiced against it all week long, etc- good coaches massage & adapt to what the opposing offenses are doing at that moment- CWM certainly doesn’t seem to be doing that!!
by Dawgrees on Oct 12, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ooops! it was posted on Yahoo sports a little while ago.....
News Flash: Changes are brewing at Georgia? By Tom Dienhart.
by Dawgrees on Oct 12, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Georgia Needn't Worry About Auburn
if the game is in the morning. My recommendation for Georgia is to schedule every single game against Auburn in the mornings from now on, and Georgia will never lose to Auburn again. I stand by my post on the Auburn blog a bit earlier:
No Excuse, But A Clear Reason Screwing up in the morning is nothing new for Auburn. I feared this would happen yet again, and it did. Auburn is a 100% different team in the evenings. Getting one’s ass up in the morning and getting going requires a modicum of mental discipline, which requires a modicum of mental capacity. Until Auburn grasps this, nothing will change. Auburn needs to do one of two things:
1: Never, EVER schedule a morning game again or
2: Hire someone to get the players up, splash some cold water on their none too bright faces, have them take a shower, have them do some jumping jacks, have them drink a cup of caffeinated coffee or a caffeinated soft drink, have them go for a brisk walk around the block.
Once Auburn’s players finally managed to wake their asses up, they outplayed Arkansas. Had they been awake from the beginning as they should have been, Auburn would have won, as they should have. And I wouldn’t have flown to Arkansas to watch the other team prove capable of being mentally and physically awake in the morning and Auburn not – yet again.
I may fly down to Georgia for the game, but NOT if it is in the morning. I wonder if Georgia is going to do a “blackout” and pipe “Superman that Ho” throughout the stadium again like they did the last time I went to a game there. I’ve not seen that anywhere – ever. Appalling and completely trailer trash skanky – I can’t help but wonder if they even know what that means. Still, if it’s a morning game, there will be cause for celebration for “them dawgs” once again.
by Auburn '07 in Manhattan on Oct 12, 2009 4:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Childish
Not a single time at that game did you ever hear the words “Superman that ho” in Sanford Stadium unless you were listening to them on your own radio or someone near you said them to you. You did not hear them come through the loudspeakers a single time. And, by the way, what do you suppose “Feel my, my, my serpentine, I wanna hear you scream” means?
by NCT on Oct 12, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard the stupid song on the loudspeakers without the lyrics. And saw hordes of “dawgs” of all ages “bumping and grinding” to it. I thought it was quite sad and disconcerting (and childish).
by Auburn '07 in Manhattan on Oct 12, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"bumping and grinding"
Now you’re just being silly. I totlly get how an emotional and embarrassing loss can skew perspective. We’ve all been there. I’ll just chalk your comments up to that. You’ll remember it differently, just as I’ll never accept the explanations for why my rather staid parents got hosed down in the stands on a cold Alabama night while waiting for the crowd to thin out.
by NCT on Oct 12, 2009 7:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I once heard something about that – though I think that was before my time. It had something to do with pulling up grass and putting it into one’s purses, I think. Not sure why anyone would want to do that, but if your parents were “in the stands,” then they certainly have cause to be peeved. I think if only Auburn would turn sprinklers with icy water on its players prior to morning games, Auburn could actually be a contender. I think I will have to e-mail that suggestion to Coach What’s His Face.
by Auburn '07 in Manhattan on Oct 12, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You really don't want to get into the "ripping up greenery" discussion
Please note, as well, that NCT’s parents were in the stands, not on the field.
NCT is absolutely right. The lyrics were never played in the stadium even once. The dancing took place primarily on the sidelines and only during television time outs.
What is it with Auburn guys not wanting football to be fun? You and Vince Dooley with that dadgum celebration penalty. . . .
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 12, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you had to bring VD into it, didnt you? )
by tankertoad on Oct 13, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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