AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 27
Monday, August 27, 2007
Five final questions about the SEC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Game week is finally here, but there are still so many things we don’t know. Here are five burning questions I still have about the SEC as we head into this weekend’s opening games.
1. Will Tennessee’s no-huddle offense work? When the no huddle is working well (think Peyton Manning), it dictates the pace of the game and limits the number of defensive substitutions. When it’s not working well it is a pretty ugly thing to watch. California returns only five starters from a defense that finished eighth in the Pac-10 last season (366.2 ypg). For Tennessee, this is all about getting the no-huddle in shape in time for a Sept. 15 trip to Florida.
2. How will South Carolina’s quarterbacks play?After his appeal was turned down on Monday, we know now that Blake Mitchell of LaGrange won’t play against Louisiana-Lafayette because he skipped too many classes in summer school. If Mitchell is not available redshirt freshman Chris Smelley will start but sophomore Tommy Beecher will also see some action. If they play well, does Mitchell start against Georgia? Probably, but you can bet Coach Steve Spurrier will make Mitchell sweat.
3. Can Georgia hold Oklahoma State to under 28? The Cowboys were second in the Big 12 and seventh nationally in scoring last season (35.2 ppg). In conference games they averaged 33 points. Eight starters are back including WR Adarius Bowman, who was first in the league in yards per catch (19.7 avg.). Folks, this offense is very, very good.
4. What will be Tim Tebow’s completion percentage? The sophomore left hander has to prove that he is more than brute force and a strong arm. He needs to show that he can throw touch passes and manage the offense. Against Western Kentucky Tebow should complete between 55 and 60 percent. Let’s see what the final number is.
5. When will the RVs start showing up in Tuscaloosa? Alabama fans showed how they feel about the future under Nick Saban when 92,138 showed up at the spring game in April. The Crimson Tide Nation is looking forward to a successful opening night against Western Carolina. My bet is that the first arrivals to the RV lot will be Tuesday night.
