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DEL.ICIO.USWhere five SEC teams need to get better
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Spring football is about two things: 1) Trying to identify your best 40-50 football players who you can count on in a game and 2) trying to improve as a team in the areas where you had problems the season before.
Here are five SEC teams and the areas where they need to get better this spring:
1. South Carolina: One of the fundamental rules in the SEC is that you will not be successful over the long haul unless you can run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense. South Carolina collapsed down the stretch last season because the Gamecocks finished last in the SEC in rushing offense (113.7 ypg) and last in rushing defense (209.3 ypg). Steve Spurrier has said his quarterback will run a little more to keep the defenses honest. New defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson will have a busy spring.
2. LSU: When defensive coordinator Bo Pelini left to become the head coach at Nebraska, Les Miles promoted from within. He did that in order to hire Joe Robinson as his special teams coach. Robinson has built a very impressive resume as a special teams coach at Southern Miss, Central Florida, and Arizona. Despite the obvious talent on the LSU roster, the Tigers were 10th in kickoff returns (19.7 avg.), 11th in punt returns (5.9 avg.) and seventh in kickoff coverage (19.9 average on returns).
3. Florida: The Gators knew they were going to be young in the secondary in 2007 and by the final third of the season their opponents had figured it out. Florida finished dead last in the SEC in pass defense giving up 258.5 yards per game. Opponents completed 59.4 percent of their passes against Florida last season. Dan McCarney, the former Iowa State head coach who built a very good defense at South Florida, arrives as co-defensive coordinator (with Charlie Strong) and Job 1 is to get this problem fixed.
4. Tennessee: If the Volunteers throw two passes to the right people, they could have very easily beaten LSU for the SEC championship. What makes that amazing is that in 2007 Tennessee finished 11th in total defense (403.3 ypg), 10th in scoring defense (27,3 ppg), 9th in rushing defense (164.6 ypg), and 11th in passing defense (238.6 ypg). I thought head coach Phillip Fulmer would shake up his defensive staff a little bit. He didn’t. With offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe and QB Erik Ainge gone, chances are that Tennessee won’t score as many points (32.5 ppg in 2007). The defense has to get better.
5. Auburn: There is a reason why Tommy Tuberville pushed Al Borges out the door and brought in Tony Franklin as his new offensive coordinator. Auburn was ninth in the SEC in scoring offense (24.2 ppg) and 10th in total offense (335.2 ypg). Franklin is a guru of the spread offense, which forces the defense to cover the entire field. Last season Auburn had seven games that were decided by seven points or less. The Tigers won four of them. Auburn needs to score more points to give its defense a bigger margin for error.
Comments
By SECCoachnDallas
March 10, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
The COOTS were first in the SEC …TWICE. worst running offense and worst rushing defense!
By m
March 10, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Tech is improved in the most important area….COACHING. Tech fired the worst coach in the history of the NCAA and replaced him with QUALITY. It WILL show on the field…this year and every year from now on. THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND THAT CHAN IS GONE!!!
By Bill
March 10, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23527125
By Roswell Ed
March 10, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
6. Alabama: The tide broke a streak of weekly arrest last week. To make sure that they have enough players to field a team in the fall Saban is listing all of the player’s addresses as Legion Field. That way when they are inevitably arrested, their house arrest will not affect their ability to play at home.
I hear that the University has cut a deal with the Alabama Corrections officials to be the official ankle bracelet sponsor of Alabama football. Support your team by wearing an officially licensed University of Alabama home arrest bracelet.
By Roswell Ed
March 10, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Hey Tech fan- isn’t there a slide ruler blog out there that’s missing you?
By Baker
March 10, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Hey Roswell Eddie, If your gonna try to seem intelligent and witty try to at least get your facts straight. Legion Field?? Bama hasn’t played a home game there since 2003. I can’t quite tell if your a Vol fan or an Aubie, but what’s the difference?
By Roswell Ed
March 10, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Baker- my bad Bryant Denny.
I would say what’s the difference between UT and UAT?
Phat Phil and Saban have the exact same approach to discipline.
Tubs actually follows through.
WAR EAGLE!!
By GeoffDawg
March 10, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
m - This is about SEC football. The ACC spring practice overview will be on the high school page next week.
Baker - When you’re insulting someone’s intelligence, it’s best to not confuse your and you’re.
By Joe Gibbs
March 10, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Phil Fulmer doesn’t shake up anything, except the ground whenever he walks on it. Vols will stink in ‘08. Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of inbreds. Hey, isn’t it about time for Phil to start using a power chair?
By Fred
March 10, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Eddy-
You continue your moronic tirade against Bama. I guess you’ll always have that chip on your shoulder.
Also you can keep your Tubby will take care of business crap. I believe he brought back Blackmon after two arrest but who’s counting.
Also your campus is getting quite dangerous so I wouldn’t be slamming others. Now it’s not only the ugliest campus in the SEC it’s not safe either.
Fred
By bill
March 10, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
Hey Tony great writing as always.The DC’s name at Florida is Dan McCarney.
UF’s real problems were on the defenseive line.No pass rush generated meant the Gators made some qb’s look like top 5 draft picks.
A year’s experince plus added depth will improve UF defense.
By Go Vols!
March 10, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Mark my words, the Vols do not drop off! Sorry pups your looking at your 3rd straight loss between the shrubs to us. Crompton will take over for Ainge, and what’s the difference. None. nYou may see a drop in accuracy, but not by much. For those of you who don’t know about Crompton…. he is bigger and stronger than Ainge,and he has a better arm than Ainge. His first start was against LSU in ‘o6 when Ainge missed a few games, and oh all he did was throw 2 TD’s including a 80 yard bomb right down LSU’s throat over the safety and only miss out on a 2 point loss, after what many LSU fans could argue as Jamarcus Russell’s best road game in the SEC in his career. Oh by the way, he was all state in NC his senior year, throwing for 2500 plus, rushing for another 1,000, and ya I almost forgot… he led his team in tackles at safety that same year playing Iron Man on both sides of the ball.
By The truth
March 10, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Fred, Being the trailer trash that you are, maybe you should keep your 300lb trap shut! To say Auburn is not safe is a little retarded. But then again, coming from a Bama fan I can totally understand. Most Bama fans never went to to Bama in the first place. How dare you bring an innocent dead girl in to this! Why don’t you go back to banging and raping your cows and horses. Troglodyte!
By Jim
March 10, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Ed-
You really are obsessed with the TIDE! The article has nothing about them yet you feel so inferrior that you have to bring the CRIMSON TIDE into blog. Whoever thinks that aubies don’t have a complex need to visit this column’s blog. It must be tough living in BAMA shadow. Have fun watching cow college fall apart this year.
Roll Tide
By gtwareagle
March 10, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Wow Fred you fricking a-hole, you’ve got a lot of class capitalizing on a girl’s murder for the sake of a sports blog.
Go to hell.
By gtwareagle
March 10, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Parole tide.
By The truth
March 10, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Jim, Shadows of Bama? What planet have you been on the past 6 years? We’ve beaten you SIX times in a row. Also, last time I checked you guys have not finished in the top 25 two years in a row. Great job beating a bad team in the Shreveport Bowl! This columns blog HAS AUBURN IN IT! Can you read? Seriously, I know you guys suck and will never get Bear Bryant back but please go back and take remedial English. The article has nothing to do with Bama because the entire article would have to be about how bad Bama is and how you guys have at least 7 more years to be considered a good team. Roll Over Tide!
War Eagle!!!!
By Doug
March 10, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Tony you have watched Fulmer for 15 years so why would you expect him to “shake up his defensive staff,” after only finishing 11th in Total defense and 10th in scoring defense?
Mr. Staff Loyalty and continuity only makes a coaching move when an absolute disaster hits like in 05.
By War Eagle
March 10, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
To all the bama fans: Nothing was written about Bama because Bama has way too much work to do with their team. Saban is a hack and you’ve payed way too much for him. Bama is now in the same category as Miss State and Ole Miss. You guys went 7-6 last year. Face it, you guys are ALL talk. There will never be another Bear!
By shane #1
March 10, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
tony,great blog.you have stated questions about each of the five teams clearly and in an easy to understand manner.you have even organized everything in a one through five format that a five year old could follow.the fact that most posts on this blog just bash the rival school and it’s fans says a lot about the mental age of those posting.now to get back on track,1-imo,usc’s collapse at the end of last season was due to injurys on the defense and lack of depth.sos should be back this year but i don’t think the depth is there.his best hope is that no key players get hurt this year.2-lsu has so much talent special teams are a minor problem.they should win the west again next year.3-i agree with bill,uf’s problems began with the d line.in jacksonville they seemed to be unable to stop a strong running game.stafford passed just enough to keep them honest.uf has some young talent,but they lose their best pass rusher.i believe their line play will improve anyway.4-as tony stated last year,cpf is a great coach when his back is against the wall.however,i think the loss of cutliff will be a blow that phil can’t overcome.if cutliff can win at duke i think he will be hc at ut in a few years.5-tubby recognized the weakness of his offense and took steps to correct it.au has lost,imo,the best dc in the conference.how much will that great d be hurt?
By yankeedawg
March 10, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Go Vols, Crompton may be a good QB but his teacher has left the building!
By Concerned
March 10, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
I am sure it was a typo, but it is Dan McCarney. Also, it is very rare for any program that runs that chicken sh** spread offense for any length of time to produce a good defenses.
By Chuck Uga
March 10, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Comment #2 by “m.” Where in the he__ is this column about a team from the ACC?!! Moron.
By Tony Barnhart
March 10, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Bill,
Thanks for the catch on Dan McCarney’s name. Typo on my part. I fixed it.
TB
By quaildawg
March 10, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Go Vol, BWAHHHHH Better then why wasn’t he starting?????? Oh I know Phil just wanted to keep it fair or was it that he was unable to get off of work detail on weekends? FYI Dawgs have the off week prior to this years matchup and Richt has been unbeatable with that setup. Suspect there will be a huge can of Whoop A$$ and Payback that Saturday. Chavis might be drawing Unemployment check the next week after Phil throws him under the bus to save his hide. As for Compton good to know he was an excellent tackler as a Safety because I expect he will get plenty of opportunities to show his stuff…if you know what I mean.
By SecIsFootball
March 10, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
WarEagle…If Saban is a Hack, what is Tubs? Saban won 2 SEC titles and a NC in 5 years. Tubs has been at AU, what 9 years and has one SEC title and no NC’s. I guess Saban is only a hack now because he is at Alabama, huh?
Roswell Ed…Correct me if I am wrong but didnt Tubs offer a scholarship to a convicted felon who is a WR and kick returner for Cow U? Didnt Saban just throw someone off of the team for being CHARGED with a felony? I guess it only matters if the kids wears a crimson jersey, huh?
By Chuck Uga
March 10, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Hey Go Vols, you’re out of your mind if you think you have a snowballs chance in hades of winning in Athens. UGA with two weeks to prepare and a coach who is consumed with beating you in 2008. Don’t think so. Crompton so much better than Ainge that he couldn’t get on the field hardly in 2007. Makes a lot of sense. Dream on, you’ll lose 5 or 6 games in 2008, especially with that D where all tackles are made by your defensive backfield! And you pick up a hungry Auburn team! UGA will pick up their 6th win in 9 games with more W’s to come. Oh, and what’ll you do in 2009 with no QB?!!
By War Eagle
March 10, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
SecIsFootball, Saban won a national title only because of USC losing in it’s final game. Tuberville went undefeated and SHOULD have a NT trophy in his office. No one respects Saban. You gonna chime in on his time in Miami? Cow U? I guess I’ll start calling Bammer Trailer U!
By Same old garbage
March 10, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Roswell Ed & War Eagle, you two should grow up. Act your age & quit trashing Mr. Barnhart’s blog.
By 3peat
March 10, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Chuck Uga, you’re the one dreaming. I’ve heard this same noise for the past 2 years and I know i’ll hear it again until we spank you yet again in 2008! Without a doubt, UGA is never tougher, or more intimidating, than between February and September.
By Roswell Ed
March 10, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Blackmon was charged with underage drinking 1 time and was suspended
5 GAMES!!
I don’t know anything about a WR with felony.
What do you say to a Bammer player in a three piece suit?
Will the defendant please rise!!
By War Eagle
March 10, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Same old garbage, Maybe you should throw yourself in the garbage.
By Candy-Gram
March 10, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Today’s Candy-Gram:
The question was asked above by “Baker”, a.k.a. the Village Idiot - what’s the difference between a Vol Fan and an Aubie?
Not too sure the difference…but here are some similarities:
Both root for proud programs …that if you are not prepared to play them…you are toast. (Just ask UGA fans last year about their trip to Knoxville).
Both hate Alabama.
Both think it is hillarious that Bama ..the school that prides itself as being “a cut above”…gets caught paying off Memphis High School coaches for mediocre players - while it’s own head coach is screwing his secretary …but then tries to blame Tennessee for their program’s demise.
Both think it is funny how Bama refused to play Auburn at Auburn as this was beneath the Tide to do so. Now we know why the Bama nation did not want to play at Auburn!!! Bama…still looking for their first victory at the Lovliest Village in the Plains!!!!!!
Both think how stupid to overpay a coach ($4 million a year) while the nearest highest paid coach is making over $1 Million a year less. We call that leaving too much money on the table….paying above the market rate….overspending…being just plain stupid. Bama fans call it making a statement. The rest of the college football world call’s it someting else.
NOW……Here’s the difference between Vols head coach and Auburn’s head coach……165lbs!!!!!! Ha! Ha! HA! HA!….now that is funny!!! I just kill myself!!!!
Hope you enjoyed today’s Candy-Gram!!
By SecIsFootball
March 10, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Should have and DID NOT are 2 different things. Yes, USC lost the year LSU won the NC but LSU drummed Oklahoma. Had AU had any national respect and a better ooc schedule, they may have played in 2004 but didnt. Sorry. As for Saban and no respect, seems he has a little seeing as how he pulled in the top recruiting class in the country. There goes that theory of yours.
By SecIsFootball
March 10, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
roswell ed….So, Blackmon was suspended 5 games for his first arrest. Why has he had so many other suspensions? Seems to me he missed the vast majority of the 2006 season and was again suspended for the bowl game.
As for Robert Dunn, do a google search on Robert Dunn arrest and you will see he was convicted of a felony in high school. I guess it is ok to take felon’s on your team at AU though.
By gtwareagle
March 10, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
I found one article that referenced some of his problems… but as you pointed out yourself those were in high school… What has he done since then? You’ve literally got scholarship football players holding up students for money, as if they aren’t pampered enough (they are). Tuberville has always been no BS. Nothing compares to Saban suspending DJ Hall until he desperately needed him to go into the game. Saban’s dirt and everyone knows it.
By SecIsFootball
March 10, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
gtwareagle…you are aware the student athlete at Alabama you are referring to is not long a student athlete at UA, right? Dunn was CONVICTED of a felony in the burglary of 2 stores and was under one year house arrest wearing an ankle monitor. He was AWARDED a scholarship after that by AU. Oh year…didnt he walk out on his teammates this past season as well? Elder at UA had no past history of any issues so what should Saban have done. Kicked him off the team prior to the incident just in case??? The kids did something INCREDIBLY stupid and was kicked off the team and out of school! As for DJ HAll, what did he do to get suspended? Something tells me you dont even know but you feel you can judge his suspension. You know as well as I do that they players on the team suspended this past season didnt dress but also didnt get to be on the sideline. Maybe, just maybe, Saban allowed DJ to dress because it was senior day??? But hell, you probably know more about it than I do!
By Volaholic
March 10, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Hey Candy-Gram…pretty funny stuff. Can’t tell who you root for.
By Gator
March 10, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Beware of the Gators!!! Bold predictions for 2008 Season:
East: Gators/BullDawgs/Vols/WildCats/Vandy
West: LSU/Bama/WarEagle/Hogs/the two MS schools
SEC Champs - Gators.
Best games of the season - Gators/LSU - both of them. Aub/Bama will be a war!!
Worst game of the year that is hyped: Gators/Dawgs - Sorry Dawg fans, I just do not see this one being close. Why you ask? Because of your schedule….playing LSU on the road before playing the Gators??? Every SEC East team rotates into the danger schedule…it’s UGA’s turn. You guys play Auburn, Alabama, LSU out of the West….and still have your East schedule to contend with - AZ State on the road before SC. SC could make it two in a row!!! Bama at UGA should be good.
TN Vols - can’t wait to see your new OC. He did a heck of a job at Richmond. Plays to his talent. Everyone is in awe of Cutcliff - he deserves the repsect….but this is a good hire for TN…give this guy a year or two….Vols needed a breath of fresh air in a stale coaching staff.
Can’t wait until this fall guys….what a heck of a conference!!!Gators!!Dawgs!!!Vols!!Cocks!!!WildCats!!!LSU!!!War Eagle!!!Roll Tide!!!Hogs!!! Sorry Miss schools and Vandy-somebody has to be in the back…keep plugging!!
By Gator
March 10, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Beware of the Gators!!! Bold predictions for 2008 Season:
East: Gators/BullDawgs/Vols/WildCats/Vandy
West: LSU/Bama/WarEagle/Hogs/the two MS schools
SEC Champs - Gators.
Best games of the season - Gators/LSU - both of them. Aub/Bama will be a war!!
Worst game of the year that is hyped: Gators/Dawgs - Sorry Dawg fans, I just do not see this one being close. Why you ask? Because of your schedule….playing LSU on the road before playing the Gators??? Every SEC East team rotates into the danger schedule…it’s UGA’s turn. You guys play Auburn, Alabama, LSU out of the West….and still have your East schedule to contend with - AZ State on the road before SC. SC could make it two in a row!!! Bama at UGA should be good.
TN Vols - can’t wait to see your new OC. He did a heck of a job at Richmond. Plays to his talent. Everyone is in awe of Cutcliff - he deserves the repsect….but this is a good hire for TN…give this guy a year or two….Vols needed a breath of fresh air in a stale coaching staff.
Can’t wait until this fall guys….what a heck of a conference!!!Gators!!Dawgs!!!Vols!!Cocks!!!WildCats!!!LSU!!!War Eagle!!!Roll Tide!!!Hogs!!! Sorry Miss schools and Vandy-somebody has to be in the back…keep plugging!!
By Volaholic
March 10, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Candy-Gram…just read your post again….I can definately tell who you don’t root for!!! To heII with Bama.
As for Auburn….wish we could play them more often…always a war and another big time SEC school to line up against.
Rather play Auburn than Arkansas. Hoping the Big 12 drops Iowa State to Big 10 - picks up Arkansas so they can whine about Texas - Big 12 better fit for that school due to their Big 8 heritage.
SEC could pick up GA Tech (for all you old SEC fans) or make a run at Clemson. GT would br ideal….in the ATL, has a serious history against Auburn, Bama , Tennessee and of course UGA.
Go Vols!!!
Candy-Gram - who do you root for?
By Roswell Ed
March 10, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Was Tubs his couch in high school?
I’m fairly sure it was a misdemeanor charge and that it was for stolen goods in his car. He cooperated with officials.
One of the victims testified on his behalf.
That was the summer before his senior year in high school and he seems to have straightened his life out.He’s on 8 years of probation. If he gets in trouble we’ll know.
The way i remember it was that in his Sr year in high school he was on a monitoring anklet. He was on his way to Hargrove but did what he had to do in class to get qualified. Why wouldn’t you give a kid like that a second chance.
Blackmon has been suspended several times for AUBURN FOOTBALL TEAM RULE VIOLATION. The one run in with the law lead to a 5 game suspension!
The 8 arrests at UAT have all been by current football players.
I don’t remember Dunn walking out but I could be wrong about that.
By Buckhead Eagle
March 10, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Volaholic…..I also enjoyed Candy-Grams post. Has to be Bama Hater…threw out the facts…knows his stuff.
Interesting idea for GT to rejoin SEC. I am all for it. Auburn has a long history with GT. Would love to have the yellow jackets back.
But who would leave the SEC? Vandy of KY could go ACC. But would like to keep them as they have the history in the SEC - plus, Vandy contributes to baseball and basketball. Kentucky is tried and true SEC.
I also vote off Arkansas. They would be a great fit for the Big 12. Pigs have a great rival history against Texas and surviving Big 8’s in the B12. Oklahoma / Arkansas would be a natural.
Let’s get the jackets back!!!
By Gator
March 10, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Volholic….agree on Tech in the SEC. Would welcome them back.
I used to want FSU…but they had their chance and went down the path of least resistance….COWARDS!!! Bowden is a Coward…had the chance to be in the SEC… stated that there are too many good programs to contend with for a championship.
Bring back the Jackets…excellent school, geographically a great fit for several schools to contend with. Put them in the SEC East - move KY to the West - keeps the GT/UGA rivalry intact.
Plus KY would be a great fit in the West - have a shared history with Bama with the Bear. Stagger Vandy and TN on their schedule so they have easy travel to a TN school every year - Make SC their permanent East opponent. Makes sense.
By Buckhead Eagle
March 10, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Gator Fan…nice predictions…kind of a homer!!! But that is what it’s all about!!
We got Volaholic, Gator and Buckhead Eagle voting off Arkansas and voting in GT. Any UGA fans out there that would welcome your brother school back into the SEC???
Candy-Gram…you still out there?
By Fred
March 10, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
War Chicken-
You need to check out your own campus before you call anyone else trailer u. ALBARN HAS MORE STUDENTS LIVING IN MOBILE HOMES(I’m sure you prefer manufactured homes)THAN ANY OTHER SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY I guess thats why they roll their own campus when they win.
By War Eagle
March 10, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
SecIsFootball, Stay off the crack dude. Auburn played a soft schedule in 04? Really? I don’t remember any other teams finishing undefeated in the SEC other than the Vols in 98. And we beat them twice! We beat VT by 3. A team in which USC beat by 6. We played five nationally ranked teams that year and beat them. We beat the defending national champion LSU tigers. These arguments are getting old with morons like yourself. Top teams Auburn beat in 04: Tenn-twice, UGA-ranked number 9 when we played them. LSU-ranked number 3 when we beat them. VT-ranked number 8 when we played them. USC did not play nearly as tough a schedule. And Oklahomo? They beat ONE ranked team. Texas. So, go back to your trailer in Tuscalooser and screw your sister.
By Sic'em Dawg
March 10, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
Interesting posts today.
Gator not showing love on UGA’s schedule. Gator - you may be correct in your thinking. Yes, it is our turn to go through the gauntlet. Dawgs will have to take it one game at a time….man will this be an exciting year.
Gator - you failed to mention what I think will be yet another great game this coming season - Aub/TN. Yet another colorfull game to be played in the mighty SEC…just can’t beat this conference!!!!!
Candy-Gram….not showing love on Bama. Funny Post…165lbs remark actually made me laugh. That was funny and kind of came out of no where.
Volaholic - I like your post on Jackets. Arkansas has been a good school to have in the SEC….but they are hard to get to - NW corner of the State. Geographically - they may be a better fit for B12.
But remember this Volaholic..it was the arrogance of the Jacket’s that played the “i’ll take my ball and go home” game on the SEC in 1965 - based on scholarship rules. Tech was right in their belief…but at the time, they also fancied themselves as a “Notre Dame” type school and thought that being independent was in their best interest. They got burned…self inflicted. They tried to get back into the SEC in the late 70’s - but conference presidents voted no.
Good posts today….Candy-Gram - you are funny!
ACC is a good fit for Jackets….not sure if I would welcome them back due to history of them walking away from the SEC like they did.
By Bill
March 10, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry about the “coots”. Oh, that’s right-Peppers, Thomas, Munnerlyn and the best LB in the league, Jasper Brinkley will all be back. (16-12). You may want to worry a little.
By 3peat
March 10, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
I think the issue was scholarships more than arrogance. A good recent article from Birmingham news (you knew it wouldn’t be AJC!) addresses the point. I’d love to see a charter member back in SEC - but maybe that’s just because I’d like to drop Vandy instead - Go Vols!
http://blog.al.com/bn/2008/02/southeasternconferencecharte.html
By SecIsFootball
March 10, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
roswell ed….you are incorrect, not all of them are on the team team. Castille was a sr and Elder was tossed from the team!!! Johnson had his charges dropped because video showed the charges against him not justified.
You use the arguement that Dunn has straightened out his life yet the players that were arrested at BAMA you think cant when their charges were no worse than Blackmon. None of these guys have been in trouble in the past but you seem to think that guys like Blackmon deserve a 2nd chance while guys like Upchurch, Deadrick and Fanney should be thrown out of school. Slight double standard there don’t you think. Blackmon might have straightened out to the extent of not getting arrested but I think you will agree he has issues following team rules as he has been suspended for the better part of his career at AU. It is clear you hate Alabama but dont like your loyalty to your school and hatred for mine get in the way of the fact that you can only have your life straightened out if you go to AU.
By SecIsFootball
March 10, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
wareagle…before you go telling ANYONE to go back to a trailer, I suggest you drive around that pasture on the plains and take a look at where a large majorty of AU students live. Yes….in trailers. Very fitting if you ask me.
Glad to see you cannot agrue football without getting into name calling. Say what you want about 04 and whatever schedule USC played. You guys played THE CITADEL!! They arent even D1. USC may have played a weak schedule but they did beat AU the previous 2 years. One, if I remember correctly was a 31-0 easy stroll through the pasture!
Your coach has won 1 SEC title what 13 years in the SEC? You guys have not won an NC in over 50 years and the greatest accomplishment in your teams history is 6 in a row! On top of that, you named your field after a coach who put you guys on probation(which you lead the nation in major violations). Not only that but after 6 in a row, you guys got owned this year in recruiting. AU offered 13 kids who committed to BAMA. BAMA offered no kids who committed to AU. Have your 6 in a row because aside from throwing toilet paper into trees, 6 in a row is all you guys have!
By dakid
March 10, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
Gator, when we joined the ACC you guys ruled the conference, and we ruled you, so FSU ducking the conference is about as true as The U ducking you guys, why don’t the Gaytors play them every year. Oh I forgot you haven’t beat them since 86.
By PUT IT TO REST
March 10, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
JUDGING BY THE STATS, ALABAMA RUNS CIRCLES AROUND AUBURN ACADEMICALLY
SEC STATS
BUSINESS SCHOOL-#1-UGA, #2-VANDY, #3-FLORIDA, #4-BAMA, #5-SOUTH CAROLINA
LAW SCHOOL- #1-UGA, #2-VANDY, #3-ALABAMA, #4-FLORIDA, #5- OLE MISS
VET SCHOOL- #1-UGA, #2-FLORIDA, #3-VANDY, #4-AWBARN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS- #16-FLORIDA, #18-UGA, #43-ALABAMA, #45-TENNESEE, #48- SOUTH CAROLINA, #51-AWBARN
By Sic'em Dawg
March 10, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
dakid,
As much as I hate saying this…being a dawg fan and all…but Gator is correct.
FSU positioned itself to get a SEC bid…but then Bowden decided the ACC was a better path…paraphrasing here so hang in there with me - Bowden stated that ACC would be easier to win championships on a consistent basis than the SEC. That is fact!!!!
Basically, he new that he could dominate the ACC and position FSU for national titles consistently in the ACC. He admitted this…NO DISRESPECT for FSU whatsoever…it worked out brilliantly for FSU and the ACC.
FSU would have added to the SEC..no question about it. But starting in 1992 - FSU won 9 ACC titles in a row. They skipped a year then won 2 more ACC titles….that’s 11 ACC titles in 12 years. Talk about dominance…what a great run!!!!
Do you think that they would have won 9 SEC titles in a row? 11 SEC titles in 12 years… No WAY!!!! But I will tell you this - FSU would have been in the thick of the title chase and definately would have won a few SEC titles during that run!
Like Gator…I was also hoping that FSU did not accept the SEC bid…and very disappointed that they went to the ACC….at least Bowden was honest and stated the facts without coming up with a lame excuse…and like I said - it worked out brilliantly for him and FSU.
By War Eagle
March 10, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
These stats should decide whos who this decade(2001-2007) in SEC conference wins: 1. LSU 45-15, 2. Auburn 42-15,3. UGA 42-17, 4, UF 40-17 6. Tenn 39-29, 6. Ark 29-29 7. BAMA 27-29. LSU has two NC, three SEC title and played in a fourth SEC title game. LSU has been dominant SEC team this decade and they will be hard to catch by 2010 as the best SEC team this decade. Personally, I dont see another undefeated SEC team in years to come.Hunk, shane#1 cuz other good dawgs,I appreciate the other War Eagle handle, but its not my style…
By War Eagle
March 10, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
SecIsFootball, Bowling Green got out of playing Auburn in 04. The Citadel plays South Carolina every year. Got anything to say about that? App State beat Michigan last year. They are not a D1 school. USC beat Auburn 23-0. Not 31-0. Last time you guys had a good year was 92. You guys were also on probation. Go shove up it up your fat elephant arse.
PUT IT TO REST, you left our Pharmacy School where Auburn ranks very high. It all comes down to the individual what they do in life. I know several UGA grads and Bammer grads who are dumb as rocks. I don’t know any famous grads from either of those schools who aren’t athletes. Can you name any famous people from UGA or Bammer? Maybe some ambulance chasers from UGA?
By War Eagle
March 10, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
SECisfootball, you are correct about Robert Dunn, evidently CTT saw something good about him. He has contributed as a WR(caught key passes in wins over Florida last two years) and special, but more important is schedule to graduate on time. He is a good kid and you would like him if you met him and would not be so negative about him.
By Sic'em Dawg
March 10, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Put it to Rest.
Looks like two twins fighting over who is better looking. The State of Alabama has a very good university system.
Auburn will rate higher than Alabama in sciences, agriculture and engineering due to emphasis. Auburn’s business school is also very well respected.
Alabama will rate higher in Law and Business. Does Auburn have a Law School? Alabama is an overall exceptional university…beautiful campus. etc.
But being a Bama fan - you do not want to hear this….Tennessee is the school that is climbing the charts. Due to their HOPE SCHOLARSHIP Program - average SAT has gone up from 980 to 1200 in 3 years. 14,000 applies this year and will only take between 4000 to 5000. Same thing happened to UGA a few years ago when it was ranked with the cluster of schools - Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, S.Carolina - all very similar. Now look at UGA.
How do I know this?? My daughter is a high school senior - we live in Chattanooga. She has received a hope scholarship and an additional $1500 from UT for having above a 25 ACT and 3.7 GPA taking honors and AP.
She has also been accepted to UGA (where she wants to go), Auburn and Furman.
Now here is the big kick in the gut for Bama. Alabama is the “cool” school for kids in this area to attend ..has been the last two years…why? Kids in this area being accepted to Alabama are decent students…..but are now being wait listed at UT.
This is the truth….and I hate Orange. But if my daughter winds up at UT…so be it.
The UT Chancelor that recently vacated his post spoke at an honors banquet that we attended during my daughters junior year. He mentioned that UT wants to be nationally respected like UGA and UF. That is there mission and they are on course. They want to stop the exodus of excellent students to other State Universities and are willing to poney up additional scholarship money to keep kids like my daughter in State at UT. The hope is that the State’s best and brightest will go to UT - and stay in UT to make a better educated society and help this state economically.
It’s a solid plan….but go Dawgs!!
By SecIsFootball
March 10, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
WarEagle….You sure about that??? 1992 was a great year and we actually won the NC!!! In 1999, we won the SEC if I remember correctly. I think that was a good year. We also played for the SEC title against UF 3 other times! Seems that we won the west those years! In 2002, we would have won the west had we not been on probation (similar to AU in 2003 - difference is, BAMA didnt buy the team rings like AU did in 1993). I also seem to recall BAMA finishing in the top 10 in 2005. Not bad for a team who has not had a good season since 1992. Let me as you, do you even know what it is like to see your team (aside from the swim team) win a NC??? My guess is no.
As for Dunn, I am sure he is a good kid. My point about him is Tubby thought he deserved a 2nd chance and you guys second that. I agree. We have some guys get in trouble and AU fans seem to think they should be thrown off the team. I am all about 2nd chances (except for Elder - he deserved to be dismissed). I bet you would think that Rashad Johnson is a pretty good kid with high character but some AU fans want to see him thrown under the jail. Go figure!
By Sic'em Dawg
March 10, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Hey War Eagle,
Got a chip on your shoulder tonight…fighting the Bama clan can do it to you….try not to drag UGA into your fight.
You ask for famous UGA alumni?
Music - REM, B52’s- several band memebers of each attended UGA.
Goverment - slew of Congressmen/ Senators
Journalism - Nancy Grace, Debora Roberts (20/20), Deborah Norvell
Others off the top of my head: Ryan Seacrest attended UGA, Billy Payne, Bobbie Eakes (actress on Bold and the Beautiful..yes - she is beautiful!)
I know there are a few famous Auburn Alumni Astronauts - be proud of them. I’ll ask you the same you asked UGA. Who famous out of Auburn???
By Bamafan
March 11, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this
I really hope War Eagle and that SOB ED and other Bama fans would stop with the BS. I DON’T LIKE AUBURN, BUT I RESPECT AUBURN. WHO CARES WHO HAS THE BETTER CAMPUS OR THE BETTER FOOTBALL TEAM. FOLKS GET A LIFE AND ENJOY LIFE. WE ARE ONLY ON THIS PLANET FOR SO MANY YEARS. I WILL ALLWAYS PULL FOR THE CRIMSON TIDE, BUT THE BS BETWEEN AUBURN AND BAMA NEEDS TO STOP!! ROLL (PAROLE)TIDE
By WDE
March 11, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
regarding trailers:
http://www.theauburner.com/mark_charts.html
(2nd chart)
By War Eagle
March 11, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
SicDawg, here is your list for auburn grads that are famous.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListofAuburnUniversitypeople
By War Eagle
March 11, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
SicDawg, Something messed up in my list when I pasted it. Here it is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListofAuburnUniversitypeople
By Fred
March 11, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
PUT IT TO REST:
You forgot to mention programs such as Pharmacy, Engineering, and Architecture in which Auburn ranks higher in!!! Don’t be bias to just your school. And what in the hell is the “Public School” category? Don’t seem like Bama nor Auburn is strong in it…
By Flash
March 11, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
How many National Titles has Cow U won? How many SEC Championships?
By KR
March 11, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
**Sic’em Dawg asks:
I’ll ask you the same you asked UGA. Who famous out of Auburn???**
Does Vince Dooley count?
By The truth
March 11, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Flash, Auburn COULD claim 7 titles when they went undefeated 7 times in school history. They only claim one. Bammer likes to claim 12 yet AP only gives them 7. Guess bammer pride outweighs common sense. Then again, most bama fans are none too smart is they?
By PuntBammer
March 11, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
I just wanted to clear up a few misconceptions about Alabama’s claim to 12 national championships based on fact rather than bias. Credit is given where credit is due.
To clear up confusion, the word retroactive means they went back in time to award the championship.
‘TWELVE’ national championships is fraudulent, nothing but pure bunk ginned up by the SID Department. Here’s a rundown:
1925 National Championship- Alabama claims they share this one with Dartmouth. Who awarded the NC? Houlgate and Helms. Houlgate started his system in 1927. So Bama won their 1925 NC using a formula that didn’t exist until 1927? Helms Athletic Foundation started in 1941. Another incredible retroactive NC.
The Associated Press Poll has been active since 1936. The AP took their final poll prior to bowl games from 1936 - 1964 and in 1966 and 1967. They took their final poll after the bowl games in 1965 and from 1968 - Current.
1926 National Championship- Alabama claims they share this one with 3 other teams with equal or better records! Once again it is the Helms Athletic Foundation in 1941 that awards it!
1930 National Championship- The Davis poll says that Bama tied Notre Dame for NC this year. This was the only one to award it to Bama. Notre Dame was named NC in 6 polls! Parke Davis is another retroactive system! He (an individual, not an organization) did his in 1933!
1934 National Championship- Alabama says they share this with two other teams. The awarders are Dunkel, Williamson, and Football Thesaurus. Dunkel was an individual who came up with his own system. Williamson was a geologist who came up with his own system. Football Thesaurus first appeared in 1946!
1941 National Championship- This is a complete joke. The AP ranked Alabama 20th in the nation with 14 teams with better records in the top 20. Once again it is the Football Thesaurus that retroactively awards it. Alabama finished 3rd in the SEC that year. Mississippi State won the SEC title..yet Bama claims a National title!
1961 National Championship- Finally a legitimate NC. .
1964 National Championship- While the AP did award the NC to Bama (10-1-0), Arkansas had the better record, 11-0. Alabama played Texas in their bowl and LOST. The AP final poll was before the bowl.
1965 National Championship- The AP gave this to Bama. That year there were three teams with better records than Bama. Bama 9-1-1, Michigan St 10-1-0, Arkansas 10-1-0, Nebraska 10-1-0.
1973 National Championship- AP puts Bama 4th after their bowl game loss. Bama claims a NC from the UPI poll that was taken before they met Notre Dame in the bowl game and lost. There were 3 teams with better records than Bama that year. The embarrassment of naming Alabama number one caused the UPI to name champions after bowl games. Yet Bammer has no shame in claiming it of course.
1978 National Championship- AP gives this to Alabama(11-1-0) even though USC (12-1-0) had the better record Guess who Alabama lost to that year? USC!!!!!!!!!. UPI gave the NC to USC.
1979 National Championship- Their second legitimate NC. Their first Unanimous NC.
1992 National Championship- Their third legitimate NC. Their second Unanimous NC.
You can see why people ridicule Bama fans when they talk about 12 NCs. The early ones were awarded by individuals years after the games were played. These weren’t consensus polls but NCs awarded by people that had their own formula for determining champions. Some NCs were given before bowl games that Bama lost. Using Alabama logic, Auburn could claim four national championships. But when Bammers brag they like to say they have twelve and Auburn has one. How silly. The NCAA recognizes 6 NCs for Bama and there are only two NCs that Bama has unanimously. You can’t find an Auburn site claiming four national championships but there are plenty Bama sites claiming twelve.Debunking the Alabama National Championship myths.
At the same time, Auburn could claim at 5 national titles using the Bammer methods.
1913- Auburn went 8-0 and claimed the NC in the Billingsley Poll.
1957-AP national Champions.
1983-Auburn went 11-1, played the nation’s toughest schedule, and won the national title in The New York Times, Sagarin, Billingsley, Rothman and College Football Researchers Association
1993-Auburn went 11-0 and won the national title by the National Championship Foundation .
2004- Auburn became only the second team in SEC history to go 13-0. Auburn even beat SEC East champion Tennessee twice. Auburn was awarded the national title by the first People’s National Championship Poll, Golf Digest, and The Eufaula Times.
AUBURN only claims the 1957 national title. HOWEVER..IF Alabama can claim some of the ones that they claim, we have ever right to claim the ones above.
Bama…legends in their own minds!
By PuntBamaPunt
March 11, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
famous people who attended Auburn.
(1892); president of Clemson University (1910-1924), “father of Clemson football”; Luther Duncan (1900 and 1907); 4-H pioneer, Cooperative Extension administrator; Auburn University President. Gen. Holland Smith (1901); United States Marine Corps General, “father of modern U.S. amphibious warfare” P. O. Davis (1916); Agricultural Editor, radio pioneer, Alabama Extension Service director, and national agricultural leader and spokesman Major Gen. Wilton B. Persons (1916); Special Adviser to President Eisenhower William Spratling (1921); silversmith and artist, “father of Mexican silver” Gordon Persons (1922); Governor of Alabama, 1951-1955 James Harrison (1925); Founder of Harco Drugs, which later merged with Rite Aid Kenneth R. Giddens (1931); director of Voice of America and founder of WKRG-TV, Inc. in Mobile, Alabama Ralph “Shug” Jordan (1932); National Championship Winning Coach of Auburn Tigers Football Team Jimmy Hitchcock (1932); Pro baseball player; former Auburn assistant football coach, head baseball coach, and trustee Billy Hitchcock (1938); Former pro baseball player, coach, manager, and scout Paul Rudolph (1940); architect, chairman of Yale Department of Architecture - 1958 to 1965 E. T. York Jr. (1942); former Alabama Cooperative Extension System director; Chancellor emeritus of the State University System of Florida John M. Harbert (1946); businessman, philanthropist Hal Herring (1948); Pro football player and coach Alvin Vogtle - World War II fighter pilot who inspired Steve McQueen’s character in The Great Escape Vince Dooley (1954, M. His 1963); University of Georgia Head Football Coach 1964-1988, Athletic Director 1979-2004 Hank Hartsfield (1954); astronaut, STS-4, STS-41-D, STS-61-A Clifton Williams (1954); Gemini astronaut, test pilot Millard Fuller (1957); founder of Habitat for Humanity Fob James (1957); Governor of Alabama, 1979-1983, 1995-1999 Carl Mundy Jr. (1957); Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (1991-1995) Jim Phillips (football player) (1957); Three time NFL Pro-Bowler Ken Mattingly (1958); astronaut, Apollo 13 (pulled), Apollo 16 (spacewalk), STS-4, STS-51-C Anne Rivers Siddons (1958); best-selling author Samuel Ginn (1959); wireless communications pioneer and former chairman, Vodafone. Toni Tennille (1962); award winning singer, half of the singing group “The Captain & Tennille.” Dr. Lester Crawford (1963); former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner. Richard Myers (1967, M.S.); Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the United States of America Joe Forehand (1971); Chairman, Accenture James Voss (1972); astronaut, STS-44, STS-53, STS-69, STS-101, ISS Pat Sullivan (1972); 1971 Heisman trophy winner Hugh Shelton (1973, M.S.); retired general, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (US) from 1997-2001 Jimmy Johnson (1974); cartoonist, “Arlo and Janis” Samuel Mockbee (1974); architect, founder of Auburn’s Rural Studio, 2004 AIA Gold Medal Kathryn Thornton (1974); astronaut, second US woman in space, spacewalk, STS-33, STS-73 Thom Gossom Jr (1975); actor Cynthia Tucker (1976); syndicated columnist, Atlanta Journal-Constitution editorial page editor, Pulitzer Prize winner Jan Davis (1977); astronaut, STS-47, STS-60 Rheta Grimsley Johnson (1977); syndicated newspaper columnist Paul Saia (1978); businessman and father, American Cancer Society Lifetime Achievement Award Ali Abdelghany (1980); Egyptian academic and prominent marine biologist Bill Holbrook (1980); cartoonist, “On The Fast Track”, “Safe Havens” and “Kevin & Kell” James Brooks (1980); 4-time pro bowl NFL running back Donda West (1980, Ph.D); mother to rapper Kanye West, former chair of English department at Chicago State University.[1] Rowdy Gaines (1982); Olympic gold medalist, world record holder and television sports commentator Timothy D. Cook (1982); Apple Computer COO Tim Dorsey (1983); author Kevin Greene (1985); Pro-Bowl NFL linebacker and WCW pro wrestler Donald J. Boudreaux (1986); economist Chuck Person (1986); NBA forward, 1987 NBA Rookie of the Year Harold D. Melton (1988); Georgia Supreme Court Justice, 2005-current Jimmy Wales (1989); founder of Wikipedia Mark Thornton (1989 Ph.D.); economist Kimberly Page (1990); American actress & professional wrestling valet Travis S. Taylor (1991); science fiction author. Susan Whitson (1991); Press Secretary, Office of First Lady Laura Bush Bo Jackson (1992); 1985 Heisman trophy winner, former professional football and baseball player Johnny Micheal Spann (1992); first American killed in combat after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan Ace Atkins (1994); Author and journalist Eric O’Neill (1995); FBI Investigative Specialist who played a pivotal role in the investigation and arrest of his fellow agent, Robert Hanssen, for spying on behalf of the Soviet Union and Russia. The story is the subject of the 2007 film Breach, in which O’Neill is portrayed by Ryan Phillippe. Willie Anderson (1996); NFL offensive tackle Chad Boswell (1998); Christian Music Artist Mark Spencer (1999); President and CEO, Digium. Creator of Asterisk PBX. Stephen Huss (2000); 2005 Wimbledon Men’s Doubles champion - the first ever as a qualifier Rob Bironas (2000); professional football player Roderick Hood (2003); professional football player Carnell Williams (2004); professional football player and 2005 NFL first round draft pick Ronnie Brown (2004); professional football player and first round NFL draft pick Jason Campbell (2004); professional football player and first round NFL draft pick Carlos Rogers (2004); professional football player and first round NFL draft pick Kirsty Coventry (2006); Olympic gold medal swimmer Richard Marcinko (M.A. Political Science); founder U.S. Navy SEAL Team SIX and Red Cell; author of Rogue Warrior and several other fictional and non-fictional books. Big Bill Morganfield (Communications); blues singer and guitaristBy SecIsFootball
March 11, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
PuntBamaPunt…You prove your obsession with UA but not only your moniker but you detailed explanation of our titles. The only people who would take this much time to discredit UA are AU fans. Go figure!
By Fred
March 11, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Albarn- You are the biggest bunch of losers with a big chip on your shoulder. What a stupid list..haha. On yeah, look up the most penalized school in NCAA history it’s albarn. Ask anyone which school has the best history in the SEC and you’ll get Alabama, UGA and maybe UT but you will have no one ever say Albarn. You guys just don’t get it you’ll always be second best in the state even when you do win…HA HA HA!!!
By Your a TOOL
March 12, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
If no one but you knows who they are, are they still famous?
YOU ARE A TOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Your a TOOL
March 12, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
YOUR A TOOL!