Around the SEC
General SEC News: Tony Barnhart at AJC.com said the ESPN and CBS television deals are going to be major aids in recruiting battles. Barnhart also reveals how the SEC earned its big payday of $55 million per year from CBS and $150 million per year from ESPN. Barnhart does one puzzling thing. He defends Raycom and the Three Daves—This is just one man’s opinion, but if ESPN is smart, they’ll keep the same broadcast team of Dave Neal, Dave Archer, and Dave Baker to do the early SEC games. In fact, the SEC should insist on it. Continuity is important, especially in the over the air package of games, which has played an important role in the growth of the conference on TV. It’s just something to think about.
General SEC News: There is a scoreboard arms race at SEC schools. First there was Arkansas building a $5.3 million Smartvision scoreboard. Now Ole Miss and Mississippi State are building scoreboards. The Commercial Appeal explains how the Rebels have a $6 million 48 foot x 84 foot scoreboard and the Bulldogs are building a $6.1 million 47 foot x111 foot scoreboard. The pricetags sound large, but advertising revenues are expected to cover the cost.
Alabama: Tide blogs were mostly restrained after a Clemson defensive coach joked about Alabama’s popular recruit Julio Jones. Roll Bama Roll said the fallout was mostly negative for Clemson—so now his boss is taking heat for it and also has the added burden of mending bridges with a prominent football coach at a powerhouse program in a talent rich part of a state that he makes a recruiting priority. The Tide Druid wrote—What do I think of this? I was over it as soon as I read it. If you’ve lived in this state the last 10 years, you’ve heard your fill of cheating jokes. I’m just shocked Vic Koenning could not think of a better gag. The old “a player got an Escalade” bit has been done before.
Arkansas: Don’t call Arkansas’ new offense the spread. The Slophouse tells us that Paul Petrino says the offense is “a mixture of two-back, one-back, multiple offense.” This offense is about attacking players said. The Arkansas fans are anxious for the season to begin. Hogballer at RazorBloggers Network said he hasn’t “been this excited about a season opener in a very long time.” Hogballer credited the Razorback fans for saving their football program. I think only SMU after the ‘death penalty‘ could lay claim to having more administration changes in such a short time frame. The irony is that an out-of-control SMU administration lost their football program, while an out-of-control Razorback fan base helped to save their program by demanding change.
Auburn: Auburn has released its depth chart for the season opener. It didn’t reveal who would start the game at QB.
Florida: Percy Harvin participated in drills Tuesday but is still questionable for the season opener against Hawaii.
Georgia: The Dawg-Gone Blog provides a list of 10 things about this year’s Georgia squad. One of the things he expects NOT to see—An Auburn 2004 Screwjob – This is easy to predict. If we go undefeated this year, we have to be the best team in the land. Period. The SEC is universally thought of as the toughest conference, so don’t expect any kind of screwjob from the system or the media. If we go 13-0, we’re playing a week later than 117 other teams at the end of the season. One more item about the Bulldogs, Richt hasn’t given up using Knowshon Moreno on punt returns.
Kentucky: UK’s offensive line faces heavy pressure as it is touted as the strength of the team. John Clay provides the details of how the line is adjusting to the pressure and expectations. Kentucky fans are also thinking about basketball. A Sea of Blue examines the Wildcats’ chances to contend for the SEC title.
LSU: And the Valley Shook provides tidbits to setup the LSU-Appalachian State game. This stat was impressive—Ranked sixth entering the season, this is the fifth consecutive year LSU has started in the top 10.
Ole Miss: Parrish Alford reports on the differences at Rebel practice as the team moves from camp into game week prep. The Clarion Ledger explains how Houston Nutt has enjoyed his “honeymoon” at Ole Miss. Ole Miss is in a scoreboard arms race with rivals.
Miss. State: Miss State’s LT Derek Sherrod will miss a couple of practices due to a foot infection. The Bulldogs leading receiver Jamayel Smith is battling tendonitis in his left knee. MSU is in a scoreboard arms race with rivals.
South Carolina: Gamecock fans can expect to see improvements at Williams-Brice stadium. The most expensive item is a $2.4 million athletic training room. South Carolina is spending a total of $5.6 million on renovations.
Tennessee: Volquest has banned many posters reports Losers With Socks. LWS promises—THIS SHOULD BE A LOT OF FUN. The UT depth chart is available at Rocky Top Talk.
Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt needs a 2008 version of the 2006 Chris Nickson writes Matt Wilson on his blog.