Pick'em Predictions

Alright pollsters, after a great week for Week 8, we're looking to continue to dominate our picks this week. It's a tough start, with VT going down UNC in LANE Stadium... Oh well, can't win them all. This is how we see this weekend turning out

Virginia Tech (-16.5)
Georgia (+15)
Texas (-9)
Boise (-35)
Cincinnati (-15)
Indiana (+17.5)
Oregon (+3)
Texas Christian (-35)
Georgia Tech (-12)
Penn St (-14.5)
Houston (-6.5)
New Mexico St (+44)
Miami (-7)
Utah (-17)

Pick'em Results

Pollster Pick'em
Week 8: 10-4
Running Tally: 59-54-3, or 52.2%

Pollster	This Week	Overall	Overall Percentage
Nathan Wilson	10-4	62-51-3	54.9%
Rob Carlton	10-4	61-52-3	54.0%
Jeff Renfro	8-6	59-54-3	52.2%
Greg Frayser	8-6	59-54-3	52.2%
Jordan Renna	6-8	58-55-3	51.3%
Kumar Chadha	9-5	57-56-3	50.4%
Max Renfro	11-3	57-56-3	50.4%
Mark Houston	8-6	56-57-3	49.6%
Edwin Sweeten	10-4	56-57-3	49.6%
Michael Coker	8-6	55-58-3	48.7%
Jarad Wilson	11-3	55-58-3	48.7%
Doug Bendinger	8-6	54-59-3	47.8%
John Buzbee	4-10	53-60-3	46.9%
Sean Hardin	7-7	53-60-3	46.9%
Brian Smith	10-4	51-62-3	45.1%
Eddie Slep	8-6	49-64-3	43.4%

What a Great weekend for the pick'em challenge. The great weekend put the poll over .500 for the first time this year, so lets stay there. We went 10-4, putting this week as our second best ever in winning percentage since pick'em was started. Special congrats to Max and myself who went 11-3.

Even in the Rain, Option Shines in Charlottesville

The rain was coming down in sheets, challenging the drainage system in C’ville. Seemingly going to play a huge factor, the rain was the cause of at least 3 fumbles, and numerous dropped passes. In what appeared to be a close game in the first half, 13-6, was blown open in the 3^rd quarter by the Jacket’s triple option.

The quarter opened with a seemingly good stop by UVA’s kickoff team. Then, in what can only be described as a mauling, the triple option drove 18 plays, milked 10:47 off the clock, and threw only a single pass, for a TD. The drive included a ridiculous run by Anthony Allen, who was hit behind the line, somehow stayed on his feet, rolled left, and managed 6 yards. Then soon after, a nice draw handoff to Jonathan Dwyer, lead to his just running straight over a UVA cornerback, for a nice 20 yard gain. Allen soon after took a toss-sweep into the endzone, making it 20-6, with barely 4 minutes left in the 4^th.

This drive took most of the life out of UVA, and their inability to get into the endzone after getting down to the 3 yard line stole the rest. The next 2 GT possessions saw Allen break a 20 yarder for a TD, then Nesbitt driving the option down for another 1 yard QB keeper TD.

The rain was incredible, the Jacket D held UVA to under 200 total yards of offense, and the option was unstoppable with 362 yards on the ground. The 1^st win in C’ville since 1990, and Johnson breaks another rough GT streak, that includes that factor, he beat a top-5 team for the first time since 1962 at home, he beat UGA AT UGA last year to break a 0-7 streak, AND he beat FSU AT FSU for the first time ever for a GT team. Where can Tech go from here? I quote CollegeFootballNews, “just assume Georgia Tech will rumble for 300 yards per game, and go from there.”

What’s the good word? Go Jackets!

Pick'em Preditctions

Alright pollsters, not a huge game weekend this week in college football, but there are plenty of sleeper upsets in my opinion. Here is how the pick'em pollsters see these games unfolding. Good Luck to all, and Go Jackets!

Tennesse (+15.5)
Mississippi St (+23)
Texas (-13)
Iowa (Pick)
Cincy (-18)
USC (-20.5)
Hawaii (+25)
TCU (-2)
Miami (-5)
LSU (-7.5)
Georgia Tech (-4)
Oregon (-8.5)
Michigan (+4.5)
Oklahoma St (-9.5)

Pick'em Tallies

Pollster Pick'em
Week 7: 7-6-1
Final Tally: 49-50-3, or 49.5%

Pollster	This Week	Overall	Overall Percentage
Nathan Wilson	7-6-1	52-47-2	52.5%
Jordan Renna	8-5-1	52-47-2	52.5%
Jeff Renfro	5-8-1	51-48-2	51.5%
Greg Frayser	5-8-1	51-48-2	51.5%
Rob Carlton	6-7-1	51-48-2	51.5%
John Buzbee	8-5-1	49-50-2	49.5%
Mark Houston	5-8-1	48-51-2	48.5%
Kumar Chadha	10-3-1	48-51-2	48.5%
Michael Coker	7-6-1	47-52-2	47.5%
Sean Hardin	4-9-1	46-53-2	46.5%
Max Renfro	4-9-1	46-53-2	45.5%
Doug Bendinger	7-6-1	46-53-2	44.5%
Edwin Sweeten	8-5-1	46-53-2	44.5%
Jarad Wilson	8-5-1	44-55-2	44.4%
Eddie Slep	6-7-1	41-58-2	41.4%
Brian Smith	7-6-1	41-58-2	41.4%

What a weekend of upsets and huge wins, sandwiched in between some late night heroics. Tulsa, are you serious Boise St? Purdue, are you serious Big10/Ohio St? Arkansas, are you serious Florida? Notre Damn, are you serious USC? But, yet another winning weekend for the poll, and a huge week by Kumar, so congrats to all. Keep up the good work... Go Jackets!

The Southern Fans' College Football Poll
October 20, 2009
22 Pollsters

Ranking	Team	Points	Previous
1	Alabama [12]	337	2
2	Florida [10]	332	1
3	Texas	315	3
4	Iowa	243	10
5	Cincinnati	239	6
6	Southern Cal	224	5
7	Boise State	217	7
8	Texas Christian	188	12
9	Miami	182	8
10	LSU	179	11
11	Georgia Tech	139	NR
12	Oregon	126	13
13	Penn State	105	14
14	Virginia Tech	52	4
15	Oklahoma State	51	18
16	BYU	24	NR
Other's Receiving Votes: Houston 11, Utah 11, South Florida 7, Pittsburgh 5, West Virginia 2, California 1, Kansas 1

Pick'em Predictions

Alright pollsters, after a Thursday night win for Cincy and us, we're looking to close out undefeated today. So here is how the pollsters see this weekend shaking out. Go Jackets!

Arkansas (+24)
Alabama (-17)
Virginia Tech (-3.5)
Texas (-3)
Southern Cal (-10)
Ohio St (-14)
Iowa (+3)
Kansas (-9.5)
Nebraska (-10.5)
Texas Christian (-22)
Oklahoma St (-10)
Penn St (-16.5)
Miami (-14.5) (first unanimous vote)

Midseason Grade Report : SEC

(If you haven't already, head over to sfpoll.com.
All stories will be posted on sfpoll.com first.)

Tide, Cocks, Gators receive top-marks
by John Buzbee

Ok, six games in, and it's time to start giving out some grades. The rankings come from how I think the teams in the SEC rank (though teams 3-7 can probably just be shaken up and tossed out in any order). The grades come from how the teams have played during the season with a bit of thought to how good they were expected to be in early September.

1. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE --- Mid-season Grade: A+
Review: The team is starting to get acclaim as the best team in the country. There aren't many holes on either side of the ball, and while they haven't played a truly balanced team, they have been tested defensively by separate teams that are great passers and rushers. The win over Virginia Tech is looking especially powerful, as the Hokies are being mentioned as the nation's No. 3 team.

Record-to-date: 6-0
vs. Virginia Tech - Won - 34-24
Florida International - Won - 40-14
North Texas - Won - 53-7
Arkansas - Won - 35-7
at Kentucky - Won - 38-20
at Ole Miss - Won - 22-3

Outlook: With the resume they've created, it's difficult not to forcast the Tide in the SEC Championship game. Anything less than a title berth will be a big disappointment for the fans, and possibly the country, with most of the media yearning for a repeat of last season's No. 1 vs. No. 2 Championshp game.

Remaining schedule: South Carolina, Tennessee, BYE, LSU, at Mississippi State, Chattanooga, at Auburn

Toughest / Most Important Game: at Auburn - While the game against LSU will be charged up, with the Tigers still in the hunt for an SEC Title appearance, that game is in Tuscaloosa and the Tide has two weeks to prepare. Bama has to travel to Auburn to end the regular season where those Tigers have shown a bit of offense and two weeks two get ready (though that didn't help last season). Alabama has not won in Auburn since 2001, and Saban is still looking for his first victory in the Loveliest Village. This will be the last real offensive test Bama will have (until the Bowl Game).

Expected Regular Season Record: 12-0 and trip to SEC Championship Game

Expected Bowl: BCS National Championship Game


2. FLORIDA GATORS --- Mid-season Grade: A-
Review: Yeah the Gators have run through their schedule with relative ease, but isn't that what they were suppose to do? In fact, given the returning starters, most people expected for the regular season to be a meaningless chore for Tebow & Co. Close wins over Tennessee and LSU, though dominant, have given much of a 'Wow' factor, and the Gators aren't giving many of ESPNers much need to label them 2009's Team of the Forevers. While the defense has been crushing, the offense has been all-Tebow... wasn't this suppose to be the year where Urban opened it up and let Tebow show that he has an NFL arm?

Record-to-date: 5-0
Charleston Southern - Won - 62-3
Troy - Won - 56-6
Tennessee - Won - 23-13
at Kentucky - Won - 41-7
at LSU - Won - 13-3

Remaining schedule: Arkansas, at Mississippi State, Georgia (Jacksonville), Vanderbilt, at South Carolina, Florida International, Florida State

Toughest / Most Important Game: at South Carolina - Toss in the Tennessee game, and who would have thought that this game would mean more than the Gator's three traditional rivals. Florida will likely already have the SEC East title wrapped up by the time this game is played, and FSU will grab more headlines with both Bowden and Tebow making their exits, but USC is going to have enough offense and a tough defense to force the Gators trouble (in Columbia).

Expected Regular Season Record: 12-0 and trip to SEC Championship Game

Expected Bowl: Sugar Bowl

Outlook: The Gators are going to roll through the rest of their schedule. Arkansas will test the defensive secondary, but that's only if Ryan Mallett can stand up straight, which didn't happen against Alabama. The remainder of the season will amount to comparing and contrasting the Gators and Tide, and while many people are going to start to neglect focusing on the SEC due to the championship being a foregone conclusion, the Gators are going to have at least one (and possibly another) scare along the way. It won't matter. Florida vs. Alabama is about an even bet.


3. LSU TIGERS --- Mid-season Grade: C+
Review: The Tigers edged their way up to No. 4 in the country before the smackdown in Baton Rouge, and don't let the score fool you - what happened on Saturday was a smackdown. LSU's offense is going no where fast, and the team lacks an identity. It seems Les Miles wants to play a bull-rush old Big Ten style of football and just pummel away with Charles Scott, while OC Gary Crowton wants to fling the ball around. Unfortunately for Crowton, Jordan Jefferson can't fling the ball (at least not yet), and teams are left to stack the line.

Record-to-date: 5-1
at Washington - Win - 31-23
Vanderbilt - Win- 23-9
Louisiana - Win - 31-3
at Mississippi State - Win - 30-26
at Georgia - Win - 20-13
Florida - Loss - 13-3

Remaining schedule: BYE, Auburn, Tulane, at Alabama, Louisiana Tech, at Ole Miss, Arkansas

Toughest / Most Important Game: at Alabama - The Tigers could count off the lose to Florida because by winning out in the SEC, LSU will get a rematch (though I can't expect much of a different outcome in Atlanta then what happened on Saturday), but the Tigers have to win in Tuscaloosa. Auburn is going to be a tough match-up for LSU, whose defense has not looked good against spread teams, but the SEC West lead is going to come down to LSU vs. Alabama in the first week of November.

Expected Regular Season Record: 9-3

Expected Bowl: Capital One Bowl

Outlook: LSU should probably be 4-2, but the Tigers are still in the hunt for a SEC title berth. Their offense is on the rocks, but they have two weeks to prepare for Auburn's defense, which tends to make everyone's offense look good. The Tigers are talented enough to roll through the schedule and rematch Florida in Atlanta. But they're also capable of going into the tank (a la 2008) and losing four games. As the team gets further from the days of Saban and more in tune with Miles, the latter becomes a distinct possibility.


4. SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS --- Mid-season Grade: A
Review: The Gamecocks are a last second pass away from taking down rival Georgia and being undefeated, and it's hard not to think that the Cocks are better than the Dawgs today. Kentucky pushed USC to the brink last weekend, but those are the type of games that USC have normally lost in year's past. Now the Cocks have a big chance to make a huge national splash, and regardless of what Steve Spurrier claims (that next week's game against Vanderbilt means more) a win over the Tide on Saturday would give USC at least a shot the SEC East title. I'm honestly not making that up.

Record-to-date: 5-1
at N.C. State - Won - 7-3
at Georgia - Loss - 41-37
Florida Atlantic - Won - 38-16
Ole Miss - Won - 16-10
SC State - Won - 38-14
Kentucky - Won - 28-26

Remaining schedule: at Alabama, Vanderbilt, at Tennessee, at Arkansas, Florida, BYE, Clemson

Toughest / Most Important Game: Clemson - The Cocks will likely be out of the SEC race before the Florida game, so the biggest game on the schedule is ... what's always the biggest game on the schedule. USC has had the better coach and played a team in turmoil for almost the entire decade, yet USC has only won once since 2001. Spurrier needs to break through and begin to dominate Dabo Sweeney as he was dominated by (yet another) Bowden.

Expected Regular Season Record: 8-4

Expected Bowl: Outback Bowl

Outlook: While I was truthful before, I see no shot at USC running the table prior to the Gator's visit in November. Even with a win over the Tide (which is almost ludicrious to ponder), the Gamecocks have Vandy (who they've lost to twice-in-a-row), at Tennessee and at Arkansas. The Gamecocks are sitting at No. 4 in the conference at the mid-way point, but will likely fall back in the bottom third by the beginning of November.


5. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS --- Mid-season Grade: B+
Review: Bobby Petrino claimed last weekend's game against Auburn was a must-win, and his team came through with a dominating performance. Knowing they were likely in for a shootout, the defense stood up and shut down Auburn in the first half, allowing Ryan Mallett to take his team to a 27-3 halftime lead. Only one team has been able to slow the Arkansas attack, and while there is likely to be a repeat on Saturday, Arkansas is in position to make some noise in the West.

Record-to-date: 3-2
Missouri State - Won - 48-10
Georgia - Loss - 52-41
at Alabama - Loss - 35-7
vs. Texas A&M - Won - 47-19
Auburn - Won - 44-23

Remaining schedule: at Florida, at Ole Miss, Eastern Michigan, South Carolina, Troy, Mississippi State, at LSU

Toughest / Most Important Game: at LSU - The Florida game would do wonders for the program (much like it did for Ole Miss last season), but another win over Les Miles and LSU - this time in Baton Rouge - would go far not only with fans, but also with recruiting.

Expected Regular Season Record: 8-4

Expected Bowl: Chick-fil-A Bowl

Outlook: With that offense, the schedule is favorable for the Razorbacks to make a run in Petrino's sophomore season. However, Arkansas' defense is going to have to do to other teams what they did to Auburn in the first half. While the trip to Gainesville should end similarly to the one in Tuscaloosa, Arkansas has a host in the remainder. The defense has to edge out the Rebels and Tigers offense (both of which appear pedestrian) and will be in shootouts against USC and Mississippi State; but the latter two are in Fayetteville.

6. AUBURN TIGERS --- Mid-season Grade: B+
Review: Auburn's fast start quickly came crashing back to earth in Fayetteville on Saturday. After scoring 37-plus points in the first four games, Auburn hasn't cracked 30 against real SEC competition. The Tiger offense, when on, can hang a bunch on anyone, but the defense is just as likely to allow 40. Due to a lack of experience, depth, and (glaringly) talent, the defenese is not characteristic for Auburn or Gene Chizik.

Record-to-date: 5-1
Louisiana Tech - Won - 37-13
Mississippi State - Won - 49-24
West Virginia - Won - 41-30
Ball State - Won - 54-30
at Tennessee - Won - 26-22
at Arkansas - Loss - 44-23

Remaining schedule: Kentucky, at LSU, Ole Miss, Furman, at Georgia, BYE, Alabama

Toughest / Most Important Game: Alabama - The trips to LSU and Georgia and the home game against Ole Miss will affect where Auburn is headed in the postseason, but all anyone has to know about the Iron Bowl is 36-0. Last year, Alabama didn't just end the Tigers six-game winning streak, they stomped it into the ground. The Tide embarrassed Auburn in Tuscaloosa, and now, as they look toward a national title opportunity, want to do it again in Auburn. Gene Chizik might have won over the Auburn fan base in the first half of the season, but a repeat of 2008 will turn up the criticism to an unbearable level.

Expected Regular Season Record: 9-3

Expected Bowl: Cotton Bowl

Outlook: The defense is a liability, and Auburn coaches don't have much of a solution for it. Now the question comes to whether the offense can continue to score in bunches to outpace the opponent. The biggest fear for Tiger fans is if QB Chris Todd, whose shoulder failed him in 2008, will be able to throw the ball around like he did over the first half of the season. In Fayetteville, he reverted to old from, unable to find open receivers and missing a wide-open first half TD throw - something that hadn't happened early in the season. Still, fans have to be somewhat optimistic, with every game winnable up until the Iron Bowl.


7. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS --- Mid-season Grade: B
Review: Lane Kiffin finally got his first SEC win with a drumming of Georgia last weekend, and now he's ready to use the win to wage war against UGA in recruiting. While one victory probably won't make UT dominant in the state, it has shown that a victory or two will make the brash Kiffin even more unbearable to listen to. Kiffin has decided to live off his daddy's defense and hope that Jonathan Crompton can play above his head. The strategy to use Crompton, even with the game against UGA, has to be a way to recruit a top prospect behind the center.

Record-to-date: 3-3
Western Kentucky - Won - 63-7
UCLA - Loss - 19-15
at Florida - Loss - 23-13
Ohio - Won - 34-23
Auburn - Loss - 26-22
Georgia - Won - 45-19

Remaining schedule: BYE, at Alabama, South Carolina, Memphis, at Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, at Kentucky

Toughest / Most Important Game: South Carolina - The Bama game will be huge and move UT to over .500 for the first time since Week 1, but Tennessee doesn't have much of a chance with Jonathan Crompton against Alabama's defense. (Not to mention, if Kiffin plays hide-a-quarterback against the Tide, Saban will eat them alive.) But with the remaining, it's USC that will mean the most. The Vols get Spurrier at home, and Kiffin and Spurrier are sure to send verbal jabs prior to the game. A loss to Spurrier will drop Kiffin to five losses - and erase much of the headway he made last weekend.

Expected Regular Season Record: 6-6

Expected Bowl: Music City Bowl

Outlook: With a week to practice before traveling to Tuscaloosa, many in Knoxville are beginning to let the UGA win cloud their judgment and lead them in thinking that UT has a chance against Alabama. They do not. But things do look a lot better after the UGA win, as the defense is good enough to keep the Vols in all the remaining games.


8. GEORGIA BULLDOGS --- Mid-season Grade: C
Review: So this is what success brings. Mark Richt has only really faced adversity once in his tenure in Athens, during the 2006 season when the team fell to 4-4. But that team was starting a freshman at QB and was able to rebound to win it's final five games and end the season at 9-4 with a win over Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. But this season, with a senior (first-year) QB, the Dawgs are back at .500 half-way through the season and UGA fans are ready for a change-of-blood. What really scares fans is this team is a knocked-down pass and blocked FG from being 1-5 (not to mention the Dawgs gave cocky Lane Kiffin his first SEC win).

Record-to-date: 3-3
at Oklahoma State - Loss - 24-10
South Carolina - Won - 41-37
at Arkansas - Won - 52-41
Arizona State - Won - 20-17
LSU - Loss - 20-13
at Tennessee - Loss - 45-19

Remaining schedule: at Vanderbilt, BYE, vs. Florida, Tennessee Tech, Auburn, Kentucky, at Georgia Tech

Toughest / Most Important Game: at Georgia Tech - Florida is bigger in fan's hearts and Auburn is bigger for SEC standings, but after 45-42, Dawg fans are ready to re-establish their dominance in the rivalry (UGA has won 14 of the previous 18 games). With the roles apparently flopped and Tech chasing a conference (and perhaps national) title, UGA won't have a problem stepping into a spoiler role.

Expected Regular Season Record: 6-6

Expected Bowl: Liberty Bowl

Outlook: When things look bleak, Richt seems to be able to get his players' best. Not only in 2006, when UGA realed off five straight to close the season and set up their 2007 run, but also when the team needs extra motivation, like the Jacksonville Stomp and Auburn Black-out. UGA gets a break this weekend in Nashville and two weeks to gloat and prepare for the Gators. Don't be surprised when Georgia pushes Florida to the edge. Having Auburn at home isn't a luxury given the series history, but there is enough ability on the team to erase these midseason doubts.

9. OLE MISS REBELS --- Mid-season Grade: D-
Review: After the Rebels were picked by many to challenge for the SEC West (possible national title), people are quickly jumping off their bandwagon. What many forget is that this is about where Ole Miss was last season. But while the records are similar to 2008, the play at QB is not even close. While the defense is allowing only 13 points per game (ninth nationally), Jevan Snead's play has been atrocious, completing only 47 percent of his passes. The Rebels must get more consistent play at QB if they are to get their season back on track.

Record-to-date: 3-2
at Memphis - Won - 45-14
Southeastern Louisiana - Won - 52-6
at South Carolina - Loss - 16-10
at Vanderbilt - Won - 23-7
Alabama - Loss - 22-3

Remaining schedule: UAB, Arkansas, at Auburn, Northern Arizona, Tennessee, LSU, at Mississippi State

Toughest / Most Important Game: LSU - Heading to Auburn on Halloween and hosting Tennessee will both be big on getting Ole Miss back on track, but winning the Magnolia Bowl for the second year in a row. Any wins over the Tigers significantly helps recruiting, and Houston Nutt is ready to create more in-roads from Oxford to Louisiana. A victory would give Ole Miss it's first back-to-back wins in 10 years.

Expected Regular Season Record: 6-6

Expected Bowl: Independence Bowl

Outlook: Ole Miss only has to travel away from Oxford two more times, both winnable games (at Auburn and at Miss. State). But their season really hinges on getting better play at QB, and getting Dexter McCluster more involved with the offense (or else he's going to have to be benched from my fantasy team). Their schedule breaks well enough for Ole Miss to make another run like 2008, but that will all depend on the two week stretch after UAB. Wins over Arkansas and Auburn will set the Rebs up again in the rankings.


10. MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS --- Mid-season Grade: C+
Review: Dan Mullen's first season in Starkville has ended with the same amount of wins and losses as would be expected, but Bulldog fans have to be more excited about the offense put on the field. Outside of the low scoring game in Nashville, MSU hasn't scored less than 24 points in any game, and their offense is currently ranked 44th nationally (after ranking 113th in 2008 and 2007, 103rd in 2006, 113th in 2005, 107th in 2004, 99th in 2003, 93rd in 2002, 85th in 2001, and 46th in 2000). Obviously the loss to Houston was a huge setback in regards to bowl eligibility, but it's not quite as bad given the teams the Cougars have beaten.

Record-to-date: 2-4
Jackson State - Won - 45-7
at Auburn - Loss - 49-24
at Vanderbilt - Won - 15-3
LSU - Loss - 30-26
Georgia Tech - Loss - 42-31
Houston - Loss - 31-24

Remaining schedule: at Middle Tennessee, Florida, at Kentucky, BYE, Alabama, at Arkansas, Ole Miss

Toughest / Most Important Game: Ole Miss - with the likelihood of six wins dwindling, the Egg Bowl will probably be MSU's only bowl for this season, but Mississippi State has enough of an offense to take down the Rebels at home. More importantly, the Bulldogs must make amends for the 45-0 beatdown placed on them by Houston Nutt in his inaugural season; the win was the second biggest for Ole Miss in the series (outmatched by the 48-0 win in 1971).

Expected Regular Season Record: 4-8

Expected Bowl: No Bowl Appearance

Outlook: While the offense has improved drastically with Mullen's schemes, the defense has not been the stellar Bulldog group of years' past. In all of their losses, MSU has given up at least 30 points. MSU travels to Murfreesboro, Tenn. this weekend to face MTSU, who now has Tony Franklin as OC; if Bulldogs remember that name, it's because he lead Auburn's attack for six games last season, and the Bulldogs limited them to just three points. And if MSU is to make a bowl push, they'll have to win on the road, as two of their remaining home games are No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Alabama. Scratch those down as the only two L's MSU can have left.


11. KENTUCKY WILDCATS --- Mid-season Grade: C+
Review: The Cats have been somewhat impressive, losing the games they were suppose to, but fighting throughout. The Florida shallacking was going to happen, especially after the Gators underperformed in the win over Tennessee, and Bama was too good and focused to allow for an upset. Kentucky played hard last weekend in Columbia even after QB Mike Hartline went down for the season, and Rich Brooks has the team confident that they can make it back to a bowl for the fourth straight season, something UK has never accomplished.

Record-to-date: 2-3
Miami (OH) - Won - 42-0
Louisville - Won - 31-27
Florida - Loss 41-7
Alabama - Loss - 38-20
at South Carolina - Loss - 28-26

Remaining schedule: at Auburn, La-Monroe, Mississippi State, Eastern Kentucky, at Vanderbilt, at Georgia, Tennessee

Toughest / Most Important Game: Tennessee - The Wildcats haven't beaten the Vols in, well, forever, and this game will come down to whether UK plays in a bowl game. Kentucky gets the game in Lexington, and UK should have shored up the QB position by then, so the Cats will be in good position for their first win over Tennessee since 1984.

Expected Regular Season Record: 6-6

Expected Bowl: Papajohns.com Bowl

Outlook: Kentucky gets the 11th spot mainly because of the loss of QB Mike Hartline and a lack of available options behind center. Scratch that - they may have too many options, just no clear cut favorite. Whoever gets the nod, they'll get to start off lightly, as UK's next four games are against Auburn (67 in total defense; 49 in pass defense), ULM (74; 113), MSU (71; 78), and Eastern Kentucky.


12. VANDERBILT COMMODORES --- Mid-season Grade: D+
Review: The Commodores have been explosive in two games this season - Western Carolina and Rice. Since then, grrrrrr. No one expected wins over LSU or Ole Miss, but expectations of a repeat postseason trip were dashed with losses to Mississippi State and ... ARMY?!? Now, Vandy returns to it's role of SEC underdog and (hopeful) spoiler.

Record-to-date: 2-4
Western Carolina - Win - 45-0
at LSU - Loss - 23-9
Miss State - Loss - 15-3
at Rice - Win - 36-17
Ole Miss - Loss - 23-7
at Army - Loss - 16-13 (OT)

Remaining schedule: Georgia, at South Carolina, Georgia Tech, at Florida, Kentucky, at Tennessee (As a side note, why doesn't Vandy have to play a game the week before the SEC Championship? There was a big to-do over the Iron Bowl being two weeks prior to the title game, and a rule instituted that all SEC teams must play a game. The 'Dores obviously are granted an exception.)

Toughest / Most Important Game: Tennessee - The Commodores match-up against the Vols will once again replace their bowl game. While the 'Dores could possibly upset someone over their final six games, and they'd most want it to be UT, Tennessee isn't dropping a fourth game in 45 years to their instate "rival."

Expected Regular Season Record: 2-10

Expected Bowl: No Bowl Appearance

Outlook: The Commodores might be able to upset someone - with UGA reeling from back-to-back losses and talk of heads rolling in Athens, while Vandy has been successful against Spurrier for the last two seasons. But the game against the Gamecocks is in Columbia and UGA doesn't go under .500 under Richt. Kentucky looks to be the only chance at a win, and while the game is in Vanderbilt, I think the team has folded by mid-November.

Tonight's Game!

Sorry for the last post pollsters, but we see Cincy pulling out and covering the 3 point spread down in Florida. I'll post the rest a little later tomorrow! Go Bearcats!

SEC Midseason Grades: Vanderbilt

Ok, six games in, and it's time to start giving out some grades. The rankings come from how I think the teams in the SEC rank (though teams 3-7 can probably just be shaken up and tossed out in any order). The grades come from how the teams have played during the season with a bit of thought to how good they were expected to be in early September.

I'm going to start by posting No. 12, with the remainder to follow today and tomorrow.


12. Vanderbilt Commodores --- Midseason Grade: D+

Review:
The Commodores have been explosive in two games this season - Western Carolina and Rice. Since then, grrrrrr. No one expected wins over LSU or Ole Miss, but expectations of a repeat postseason trip were dashed with losses to Mississippi State and ... ARMY?!? Now, Vandy returns to it's role of SEC underdog and (hopeful) spoiler.

Record-to-date:
Western Carolina - Win - 45-0
at LSU - Loss - 23-9
Miss State - Loss - 15-3
at Rice - Win - 36-17
Ole Miss - Loss - 23-7
at Army - Loss - 16-13 (OT)

Remaining schedule: Georgia, at South Carolina, Georgia Tech, at Florida, Kentucky, at Tennessee(As a side note, why doesn't Vandy have to play a game the week before the SEC Championship? There was a big to-do over the Iron Bowl being two weeks prior to the title game, and a rule instituted that all SEC teams must play a game. The 'Dores obviously are granted an exception.)

Toughest / Most Important Game: Tennessee. The Commodores match-up against the Vols will once again replace their bowl game. While the 'Dores could possibly upset someone over their final six games, and they'd most want it to be UT, Tennessee isn't dropping a fourth game in 45 years to their instate "rival."

Expected Regular Season Record: 2-10

Expected Bowl: No Bowl Appearance

Outlook: The Commodores might be able to upset someone - with UGA reeling from back-to-back losses and talk of heads rolling in Athens, while Vandy has been successful against Spurrier for the last two seasons. But the game against the Gamecocks is in Columbia and UGA doesn't go under .500 under Richt. Kentucky looks to be the only chance at a win, and while the game is in Vanderbilt, I think the team has folded by mid-November.

Midseason Report

Halfway Through 'Lane Kiffin: Year 1'
by Max Renfro

The Kiffin era started with a bang, landing the #1 recruit by some services Bryce Brown, along with stealing key recruits from under the nose of Urban Meyer, Nu'keese Richardson and long-time LSU commit, Jansen Jackson from Les Miles. If this wasn't enough to grab the headlines we all know the story of Lane and Urban Meyer cheating. Most fans around the South didn't take well to the brashness of the new kid, and I mean kid, on the block at Tennessee.

Many pointed to his failure with the Oakland Raiders as evidence of what was to come at the University of Tennessee, most forgetting who really runs the Raiders organization. A glance at the '09 Oakland team makes you think how smart CLK was to get fired and move to the opposite end of the country from that disaster. Kiffin was dead set against drafting JaMarcus Russell as his QB at Oakland, much like he was against bringing in four-star and Tennessee commit Taj Boyd as his QB. To the dismay to may Vol fans, Kiffin met with Boyd and his dad, telling them Taj would not fit into his system at Tennessee but UT would honor his scholarship offer but he would play a position other that QB. Taj Boyd ultimately ended up at Clemson where he isn't listed on the depth chart. Was this a decision to help Tennessee recruit a pro-set style of QB and not scare away potential commitments for 2010? Only time will tell.

Then came start of the 2009 season, an impressive start against cupcake Western Kentucky raised the expectations of Vol fans everywhere. But those hopes were dashed only a week later as for the second year in a row, UT lost to a rebuilding UCLA. Now the long media-awaited game with the No. 1 ranked Florida Gators in the Swamp was next. The Gators were a 28-point favorite and many thought it probably wouldn't be that close; Lane Kiffin's Big Orange managed to gain the respect of many around the country, as Urban Meyer resorted to excuses for the game being close. But the QB problem remained as the Vols struggled with Ohio and lost to Auburn. Many fans were now questioning Kiffin's stubbornness to stick with fifth-year senior Jonathan Crompton, as his ineptness from the '08 season that ultimately cost Phillip Fulmer his job, seemed to be plaguing the '09 team also. Kiffin continued to tell the media he wasn't into playing QB roulette and that Crompton was winning the job on the practice field and would remain his starter.

Lane Kiffin gets his first signature win. As the Georgia Bulldogs rolled into Knoxville smarting from a loss to LSU on a controversial excessive celebrating penalty, many fans weren't sure what to expect. UGA's defense had not performed well, but against the Vols offense or lack of it, the fan faithful really were not fired up and expecting victory. With a lot of misdirection and QB rollouts, the Tennessee offense dominated the Bulldogs on both sides of the football. The only thing that made the game remotely close was the poor play of Tennessee's special teams. UT's defense has been solid most the year and if the offense has actually turned the corner, the rest of the season could be exciting for Vol fans. The record may not be any better than last year's, but the team has been in every game this year and probably should have a chance to win most of the remaining games, something you could not say of last year's team. It may be a little too early to say for sure but "The Kiffin experiment looks to be residing in Neyland Stadium for some time." The media will keep a pen in hand and their tape recorders rolling, that is for sure.

Arkansas named National Team of the Week

Following their 44-23 upset win over No. 12 Auburn, Arkansas has been named the Southern Fans' National Team of the Week for games played over the Oct. 10 weekend.

The Razorbacks used a 21-point second quarter to jump ahead of the high-octane Auburn offense, while the defense held the Tigers to just 3 first half points, a season low. The second quarter barrage included 14 points garnered in just 42 seconds. Auburn had no answer for the Razorback attack, as QB Ryan Mallett went 24-of-37 passing, for 274 yards, 2 touchdowns and just one interception, and RB Michael Smith gained 145 rushing yards and a score.

Auburn tried to make a game of it in the third quarter, rushing for 203 yards in that quarter alone, but the much maligned Arkansas defense slowed down the attack just enough while the offense put the game away with an early fourth quarter TD. Arkansas' defense forced three Tiger turnovers. The 44 points are the most a Razorback team has ever scored against Auburn, eclipsing the 42 high scored in 2001. The win broke a three-game home losing streak to the Tigers and ended Auburn head coach Gene Chizik's 20-game winning streak as part of the AU coaching staff.

Other nominees for Southern Fans' National Team of the Week for the weekend of Oct. 10:

No. 1 Florida
W - No. 4 LSU, 13-3
QB Tim Tebow played after suffering a concussion in the Gators last game against Kentucky and led Florida to victory over rival LSU. The Gators defense held LSU to just 162 total yards. Florida extended its winning streak to 15 games, while putting an end to LSU's 32-game win streak when playing at home on a Saturday night.

Nebraska
W - Missouri, 27-12
The Huskers rallied from a 12-0 deficit with 27 fourth-quarter points to defeat previously unbeaten Missouri in a driving rainstorm.

No. 2 Alabama
W - Ole Miss, 22-3
Alabama K Leigh Tiffin hit five short field goals - one short of the school record - while the Tide defense continued to dominate, as the Bama forced five Mississippi turnovers - four interceptions from ballyhooed QB Jevan Snead - to beat the Rebels for the sixth straight time and continue to dominate the Rebels when ranked in the top 5 (now 5-0).

No. 13 Iowa
W - Michigan, 30-28
The Hawkeyes ended the game by picking off freshman QB Denard Robinson, the fifth Wolverine turnover in the game, to down Michigan. Robinson had a chance to lead the comeback after Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez pulled starter Tate Forcier. Iowa's latest win against improved their winning streak to 10 - the school's longest streak in 80 years - and improved their season record to 5-0, the best start in Iowa City since 1985.


The Southern Fans' Poll began naming a national team of the week in 2008. Members of the Southern Fan's pool of voters decide the weekly honor. Each week during the 2009 college football season, the Southern Fans will name the National Team of the Week through the bowl season.

2009 Southern Fans' National Teams of the Week
• Weekend of Sept. 5: William & Mary Tribe
• Weekend of Sept. 12: Houston Cougars
• Weekend of Sept. 19: Washington Huskies
• Weekend of Sept. 26: Virginia Tech Hokies
• Weekend of Oct. 3: Texas-El Paso Miners
• Weekend of Oct. 10: Arkansas Razorbacks

The Southern Fans' College Football Poll
October 13, 2009
22 Pollsters

Ranking	Team	Points	Previous
1	Florida [14]	354	1
2	Alabama [5]	330	2
3	Texas [3]	320	3
4	Virginia Tech	271	5
5	Southern Cal	230	8
6	Cincinnati	202	7
7	Boise State	199	6
8	Miami	177	11
9	Ohio State	173	10
10	Iowa	167	13
11	LSU	130	4
12	Texas Christian	129	9
13	Oregon	82	14
14	Penn State	60	NR
15	Nebraska	49	NR
16	Kansas	46	15
Other's Receiving Votes: Georgia Tech 31, Oklahoma State 21, South Florida 15, Oklahoma 13, South Carolina 5, BYU 2

Pick'em Results

Pollster Pick'em
Week 6: 6-5
Final Tally: 42-44-2, or 48.8%

Pollster	This Week	Overall	Overall Percentage
Jeff Renfro	7-4	46-40-2	53.5%
Greg Frayser	7-4	46-40-2	53.5%
Nathan Wilson	6-5	45-41-2	52.3%
Rob Carlton	6-5	45-41-2	52.3%
Jordan Renna	5-6	44-42-2	51.2%
Mark Houston	9-2	43-43-2	50.0%
Sean Hardin	4-7	42-44-2	48.8%
Max Renfro	5-6	42-44-2	48.8%
John Buzbee	6-5	41-45-2	47.7%
Michael Coker	4-7	40-46-2	46.5%
Doug Bendinger	2-9	39-47-2	45.4%
Edwin Sweeten	5-6	38-48-2	44.2%
Kumar Chadha	6-5	38-48-2	44.2%
Jarad Wilson	5-6	36-50-2	41.9%
Eddie Slep	5-6	35-51-2	40.7%
Brian Smith	6-5	34-52-2	39.5%

Another Great Week of College Football. Florida stuffs LSU's offense, Alabama stuffs Ole Miss, Kansas and Oklahoma State struggle for 4 quarters, and Colorado made it a game against Texas. We pulled out a 6-5 record this week, and big congrats to Mark for a superb 9-2 record this week taking him to 6th overall. Keep up the good picks, as we finally close in on .500

Pick'em Predictions

Alright pollsters, this is how our panel thinks these games will turn out. Might have given a bit too much benefit to the favorites, but that worked for the underdogs last week. Should be a great day for college football!

Florida (-8)
Alabama (-6.5)
Texas (-32)
Virginia Tech (-13.5)
TCU (-9.5)
Wisconsin (+15)
Arkansas (+2.5)
Michigan (+8)
Oregon (-6.5)
Kansas (-20)
Oklahoma St (-8)

Up in Arms

Excessive Celebration Penalties in the SEC: An Issue of Race?
by Mike Coker

By now you have all seen or heard the talk. A.J. Green, with 69 seconds left to play in the Georgia-LSU game, makes a spectacular touchdown catch over LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson to give the Bulldogs a 1 point lead in the game.

Sanford Stadium erupts. The crowd and the Georgia sideline are in frenzy. The team comes over and congratulates A.J. for what might be the most spectacular catch of the season. Everyone seems to be celebrating except A.J. Green, for whom these spectacular catches have become somewhat routine.

Then it happened.

Back judge Michael Watson immediately throws a flag for excessive celebration on A.J. Green. A 15-yard penalty that many Georgia fans, players and coaches believe cost them the game (it didn’t, but we will hold that conversation for another day).

But perhaps just as shocking is what happened immediately after the game. CBS Sports anchor Tim Brando on the SEC Post-Game show dared to infer what many of us were already thinking: Did A.J. Green get flagged because he was black?

Brando commented

“The rule absolutely has to be abolished. Not changed. Just get rid of it...

. . .There are more of these called in the Southeastern Conference than any other league in America, and I am going to tell you because it is up to the discretion and judgment of the official that I think now that the politics of the community...of the area are going to be called into question. You don’t want this to happen. . . it is not going to bode well for the Southeastern Conference.

. . .They don't want us to go more in-depth on why the SEC is throwing more. I am telling you, it is a conversation, I don’t want to have it, my friend Spencer [an African American] does not want to have it, and I am telling you, watch out, because people are going to take a closer look at this and it is not going to bode well for the league.

(Thanks to UGASports.com for the transcript.)

We have all seen Florida’s Tim Tebow score a touchdown and run around the field like some kind of caged animal just released. After scoring a touchdown, this SEC poster-boy points to the crowd, does the gator chomp, runs like a banshee to the 50 yard line yelling like a lion that just awoke from a 10 year hibernation.

And yet, in the SEC that is not “drawing attention to yourself” to invoke a penalty?

I know what you are thinking, Tebow is just the SEC angel and the Conference would never do anything to tarnish his precious record, but chew on this food for thought:

When LSU scored their first touchdown, the LSU offensive linemen (who are predominantly white) were pointing up to the UGA student section and jumping around to celebrate the touchdown. The same officials: No flag.

I am with Brando regarding his opinion that this rule needs to be abolished. Is race a factor? Even subconsciously? I don’t know, but white players seem to consistently get away with more than the African-American players when it comes to celebrating a touchdown in the SEC. As Brando said, it is a conversation that no one wants to have, but it time?

UTEP named National Team of the Week

For Immediate Release

Following their 58-41 upset win over No. 12 Houston, Texas-El Paso has been named the Southern Fans' National Team of the Week for games played over the Oct. 3 weekend.

A week after falling to Texas by 56 points, the Miners put up more points than they had all season against a Cougar team predicted to be a BCS at large after beating Big XII South members Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. Houston could not stop UTEP RB Donald Buckram, who thrashed the Cougar defense for 262 yards and four touchdowns.

Houston jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead just halfway through the first quarter, but UTEP stayed with the high-scoring Cougars, fighting back to tie the game 17-17 at halftime. From there, the Miners took control, outscoring the Cougars 41-24 in the second half despite Houston QB Case Keenum passing for 536 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. The game will probably be marked for it's conversion rate - as the teams combined for 68 first downs.

Other nominees for Southern Fans' National Team of the Week for the weekend of Oct. 3:

Miami
W - No. 9 Oklahoma, 21-20
Miami QB Jacory Harris fought back from a horrible start - throwing two interceptions on the Hurricanes two possessions - to lead Miami with three touchdown passes as the Canes beat their third ranked team this season.

No. 16 Auburn
W - Tennessee, 26-22
In a match-up a top-rated offense against a top-rated defense, it was the Auburn offense that controlled most of the game, as the Tigers had an almost perfectly balanced attack against the Volunteer defense, coached by renowned coordinator Monte Kiffin and led by S Eric Berry.

Virginia
W - North Carolina, 16-3
The Cavaliers finally broke into the win column as Virginia kept Butch Davis' Tar Heels out of the endzone for the first time this season. UVA kicker Robert Randolph kept booting the Cavs ahead with three field goals until the Virginia offense could ice the game with a Mikell Simpson touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.


The Southern Fans' Poll began naming a national team of the week in 2008. Members of the Southern Fan's pool of voters decide the weekly honor. Each week during the 2009 college football season, the Southern Fans will name the National Team of the Week through the bowl season.

2009 Southern Fans' National Teams of the Week
• Weekend of Sept. 5: William & Mary Tribe
• Weekend of Sept. 12: Houston Cougars
• Weekend of Sept. 19: Washington Huskies
• Weekend of Sept. 26: Virginia Tech Hokies
• Weekend of Oct. 3: Texas-El Paso Miners