The SEC Round Up: Week 11

As we head into week 11 of the 2010 FBS season, a lot of questions, concerns, distractions arise as QB Cam Newton established himself as the best player in the country with the perks of being in an investigation of money or recruiting issues. Is the 2nd ranked team in the nation Auburn distracted? I bet you they are, we’re all human this type of stuff is going to be running thru their heads today, tomorrow and throughout the game. The question we’re all asking is if Cam Newton can once again block out these allegations and play some ball on Saturday. He’s clearly the favorite to win the Heisman trophy this year unless he is guilty of his allegations than he’ll be looking into some NFL employment instead.

With that being said we got some intense games upon us this weekend as; but I’ll get into those in a minute, first of all lets look at the power rankings of the SEC as of today.

Power Rankings
1. Auburn
2. LSU
3. Alabama
4. Arkansas
5. Mississippi State
6. South Carolina
7. Florida
8. Georgia
9. Kentucky
10. Ole Miss
11. Vandy
12. Tennessee

Lets take a look at this week’s games in the SEC

OLE MISS @ TENNESSEE – Anyone else think the Volunteers want to just forget this season even happened? They haven’t won 1 game yet in the SEC and I don’t see them winning this week despite there at home. Masoli will find a way to win in this one, as they’d have to keep winning to have a shot at some bowl game. Ole Miss wins this game but it’ll be closer than people think. OLE MISS 27 Tenn 17

VANDY @ KENTUCKY – Randall Cobb and the Wildcats will look forward to taking care of business against Vandy this week. Once they get their passing game going there’s no stopping Kentucky, it won’t be close. KENTUCKY 36 Vandy 17

GEORGIA @ (2) AUBURN – Is this going to be Auburn’s trap game? Are all these distractions going to catch up with their star studded QB Cam Newton or is he going to block that out and lead his undefeated team to victory? I go for the latter and say’s Cam Newton dominates once again but it’ll be a shootout with both offenses being scary good. Newton and company do their part but AJ Green get’s his. AUBURN 54 Georgia 43

LA MONROE @ (5) LSU – Seriously can LSU get another easy break, sort of? 2 of the past 3 weeks they played teams outside their conference and lets face it there not competition. The Tigers should be able to cruise to victory in this one, but like Appalachian State declared, you never know. LSU 35 LA Monroe 14

UTEP @ (14) ARKANSAS – Ryan Mallett put on an air show last week, and it’s a lock where he’d do it again; the razorbacks should have no problem with UTEP as their at home and playing a non-conference opponent. I say Childs has a big game to help the Razorbacks get this win. ARKANSAS 47 UTEP 21

(22) SOUTH CAROLINA @ (24) FLORIDA – Spurrier gets back in the swamp to try and get the victory. This years gamecocks are a different team from year’s past; I mean they put up points on the board and with Florida struggling and although they’re at home I see Garcia and company taking the victory from the Gators. Garcia has been on a roll lately and is having probably his best season yet, don’t see why it’ll stop now, Garcia to Jeffery all game. SOUTH CAROLINA 36 Florida 24

(17) MISSISSIPPI STATE @ (11) ALABAMA – Another big game amongst the ranked in the SEC, both sitting at 7-2 and Alabama pretty much out of the title game already; both are looking for big bowl game to get into. Mark Ingram hasn’t been the RB we’ve seen last year, Richardson has been struggling too past few weeks and Mississippi State has been playing stingy defense, I say it’ll be low scoring and whoever has the 1st turnover in the 2nd half will end up losing. MISSISSIPPI STATE 23 Alabama 20

Written by Brandon “BEE” Salamat.  Follow him on Twitter @TruGentleman808.

Week 9 in the SEC

THE SEC WEEKLY RECAP

 

With only a few more weeks left into the regular season of the 2010 FBS season; the match-ups get a little bit more intense and the wins matter more, Auburn has their eyes on the prize and looks like nothing will stop them.  Cam Newton probably wrapped up the Heisman Trophy barring any type of fall back the next couple of weeks; but really who is going to contain him? Green, Jones and Jeffery looking like the best WR’s in the conference with solid performances week in and week out.  With Auburn currently ranked 1^st on the BCS standings; question is can they maintain that rank to play in the BCS Title game? The only game I’m afraid of it if they fall into a trap game, they still have to face Alabama and that can be a huge game. 

With that being said lets check out the action last week in the SEC as they’re some close games and a blowout or two. 

OLE MISS – 24 @ (21) ARKANSAS – 38

• QB – JEREMIAH MASOLI (MISS) – 21/36 327YDS 3TDS 15CAR 98YDS
• WR – MARKEITH SUMMERS (MISS) – 3REC 104YDS 2TDS
• RB – KNILE DAVIS (ARK) – 22CAR 176YDS 3TDS

 

(6) LSU – 17 @ (5) AUBURN – 24

• WR – RUEBEN RANDLE (LSU) – 6REC 73YDS 1TD
• QB – CAM NEWTON (AUB) – 10/16 86YDS / 28CAR 217YDS 2TDS

 

(19) SOUTH CAROLINA – 21 @ VANDY – 7

• QB – STEPHEN GARCIA (SC) – 31/39 355YDS 2TDS 1INT
• RB – BRIAN MADDOX (SC) – 24CAR 146YDS 1TD
• WR – ALSHON JEFFERY (SC) – 9REC 158YDS 1TD
• WR – TORI GURLEY (SC) – 13REC 109YDS 1TD

 

(7) ALABAMA – 41 @ TENNESSEE – 10

• RB – TRENT RICHARDSON (ALA) – 12CAR 119YDS 1TD / 1REC 5YDS 1TD
• RB – MARK INGRAM (ALA) – 14CAR 88YDS 2TDS
• WR – JULIO JONES (ALA) – 12REC 221YDS
• RB – TAUREN POOLE (TENN) – 14CAR 117YDS 1TD

 

UAB – 24 @ (24) MISSISSPPI STATE – 29

• RB – LADARIUS PERKINS (MISS) – 18CAR 131YDS 1TD

 

GEORGIA – 44 @ KENTUCKY – 31

• RB – WASHAUN EALEY (GEO) – 28CAR 157YDS 5TDS
• WR – AJ GREEN (GEO) – 6REC 86YDS
• QB – MIKE HARTLINE (KEN) – 27/43 353YDS 4TDS 1INT
• WR – LA’ROD KING (KEN) – 3REC 88YDS 2TDS

 

POWER RANKINGS

1. AUBURN             5-0         8-0
2. ALABAMA         4-1         7-1
3. LSU                      4-1         7-1
4. S. CAROLINA     3-2         5-2
5. MISS STATE       2-2         6-2
6. ARKANSAS        2-2         5-2
7. GEORGIA            3-3         4-4        
8. FLORIDA            2-3         4-3
9. KENTUCKY       1-4         4-4
10. VANDY               1-3         2-5
11. OLE MISS            1-3         3-4
12. TENN                   0-4         2-5

 

Notes – Auburn is currently 1^st in the BCS Standings while Alabama is 7^th and LSU 12^th.  QB Cam Newton currently has 1364yds passing, and 1077yds rushing with a total of 27 touchdowns; Heisman is his to lose.

Lets take a look at the upcoming games this weekend in the SEC.

TENNESSEE @ (17) SOUTH CAROLINA

               I don’t expect this one to be close as I see QB Stephen Garcia continuing to have a stellar season putting up very impressive numbers.  The Volunteers will remain winless in the SEC and Lattimore and Jeffery will put up numbers in this one. 

SOUTH CAROLINA – 34 v. Tennessee – 13

GEORGIA @ FLORIDA

               Can’t believe the Gators aren’t in the top 25, but I seen it coming when Tebow left.  The question in this one is can the Gators defense stop Murray, Ealey and Green? The answer to that will be no, and the Bulldogs will go into Gatorville and give them their 4^th straight loss and will have Meyers sweating, but I don’t think his job should be on the hot seat, hard to replace Tebow in College football.  Florida will give it their best as they’re at home but the Bulldogs will prove too much firepower on offense.

GEORGIA – 41 @ FLORIDA – 24

(3) AUBURN @ MISSISSPPI

               Can you say trap game? No I don’t think so, Cam Newton and company will handle their business as nobody has been able to contain Cam yet; so why would the Rebels? Auburn will keep rolling in this one as the past couple weeks has been close games; this one will turn into a blowout, early! Maybe Cam can throw for 200 and run for 200, or is that a given? The BCS title game is in their view; they know it. 

AUBURN – 47 @ OLE MISS – 17

KENTUCKY @ (23) MISSISSIPPI STATE

               Mississippi State keeps on rolling, after their victory over Florida a couple weeks ago they got into the top 25 and moved up one spot in each of the past 2 weeks.  With the Wildcats putting up points the last few weeks and not winning; there due for a win and I think they’ll get it here.

KENTUCKY – 37 @ MISSISSIPPI STATE – 28

VANDY @ (19) ARKANSAS

               The Razorbacks are going to be no contest for Vandy, Ryan Mallett should have a tremendous day and have no problem connecting with Childs. 

ARKANSAS – 43 v. VANDY – 10

Written by Brandon “Bee” Salamat.  Follow him on Twitter @TruGentleman808.

THE SEC APPROACHES WEEK 8

 

So week 7 is in the books in this amazing 2010 college football season and before I begin I just have to say one thing, Cam Newton IS YOUR 2010 FBS Heisman, Denard who? Kellen who? Martinez who? Yes its Cam whose the best player in the country and leading his Auburn Tigers into title contention; a couple more tough tasks on the way but I’m sure they’ll be fine and nothing wrong with seeing Auburn in the BCS title game, I’m sure the nation would love to watch Cam Newton!

Last week there were a couple surprises, and of course the game I called the “hangover” game for the Gamecocks; fresh off beating the previous #1 ranked team Alabama I knew they’d have their hands full with the Kentucky Wildcats and I thought they could pull out the victory but I was wrong, they fell short by 3 points.  Kentucky won that game in the 2^nd half as they outscored the Gamecocks 21-0 when it looked like South Carolina was going to roll thru them, Garcia was on fire in the 1^st half.  The Georgia Bulldogs put the beatdown on Vandy as they crushed them at home 43 to 0 and All-American WR AJ Green only had 3receptions? With that blowout Bulldogs didn’t need Murray to pass much and just keep pounding the ball.  The freebie of the week LSU welcomes McNeese State to town and took care of business, not as expected but a win is a win; could you imagine if they lost this game? My kudos points goes to Mississippi State holding Florida to 7 points in their own backyard; yeah I say that’s domination at its finest, do you think the Gator Nation misses one Tim Tebow? Alabama hung on to beat Ole Miss in a game where I figured they’d take their frustration out on Ole Miss being that they just lost their #1 ranking and Ingram and Richardson were contained once again; they’re still in the hunt for the BCS title game but will have to be impressive down the stretch and also faces Auburn still.  Lastly, the game of the day in the SEC was between the Auburn Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks who turned in what was suppose to be a football game into a college basketball score.  Cam Newton was amazing, Auburn defense took out Mallett and can anyone contain Newton? Cam Newton took this game over and never looked back as the Tigers beat the Razorbacks 65 to 43, crazy!

SEC POWER RANKINGS

1. 1. Auburn
2. 2. Alabama
3. 3. LSU
4. 4. South Carolina
5. 5. Georgia
6. 6. Mississippi State
7. 7. Florida
8. 8. Arkansas
9. 9. Kentucky
10. 10. Ole Miss
11. 11. Vandy
12. 12. Tennessee

 

WEEK 7 STANDOUT PLAYERS

 

• GEORGIA – QB – AARON MURRAY – 15/24 287yards 2tds
• GEORGIA – RB – WASHAUN EALEY – 17car 123yards 1td
• GEORGIA – WR – KRIS DURHAM – 4rec 112yds 1td
• ARKANSAS – QB – TYLER WILSON – 25/34 332yds 4tds 2int
• ARKANSAS – WR – GREG CHILDS – 9rec 164yds 2td
• AUBURN – QB – CAM NEWTON – 10/14 140yds 1td 25car 188yds 3tds
• SOUTH CAROLINA – RB – MARCUS LATTIMORE – 15car 79yds 2td 4rec 133yds 1td
• SOUTH CAROLINA – QB – STEPHEN GARCIA – 20/32 382yds 2td 2int
• KENTUCKY – QB – MIKE HARTLINE – 32/42 349yds 4tds
• KENTUCKY – WR – CHRIS MATTHEWS – 12rec 177yds 1td
• LSU – RB – MICHAEL FORD – 10car 86yds 2tds
• ALABAMA – QB – GREG MCELROY – 17/25 219yds 2td
• ALABAMA – RB – TRENT RICHARDSON 11car 45yds 5rec 101yds 1td

 

A LOOK INTO WHAT TO EXPECT IN WEEK 8

 

OLE MISS @ (21) ARKANSAS – Unsure if Mallett will play in this game, backup Wilson should take over as he did quite nice against Auburn last week; and faces a much weaker opponent this week in Ole Miss.  Look for Childs to have another monster game and the Razorbacks to bounce back in the win column in this one as their at home. 

OLE MISS – 13 @ ARKANSAS – 34

(6) LSU @ (5) AUBURN – The battle of the Tigers and by far the game of the week for the SEC as well in college football in general.  One of them is going to end up with their 1^st lost on the season; and I bet you it’ll be a tiger. Joke aside; Auburn is at home, Cam Newton is playing on another level and I’m confident the defense will show up in this game.  This could turn out into a high scoring game though; but Lee and Ford and company from LSU will fall short.

(6) LSU – 27 @ (5) AUBURN – 47

(19) SOUTH CAROLINA @ VANDY – What an up and down past couple of weeks for the Gamecocks, first they upset Alabama then ended up coming up short to Kentucky.  They now take their travels to Vandy where they’re just coming off a shutout they got handed to them from the Georgia Bulldogs.  Lets hope they can find their offense in this game but I expect a bounce back game from Spurrier’s school; Garcia continues to have a great year and will do so in this one as he has the SEC’s best WR in Jeffrey. 

(19) SOUTH CAROLINA – 33 @ VANDY – 10

(7) ALABAMA @ TENNESSEE – Alabama travels to Volunteer Avenue to take on Tennessee as they’re 0-3 in SEC play and will more so likely be 0-4.  Both RB’s Ingram and Richardson look to get back on track coming off back-to-back disastrous weeks after starting off the season hot.  McElroy and Julio Jones will continue their play in the passing game that Tennessee can only hope to stop; chalk up another win for Alabama.

(7) ALABAMA – 41 @ TENNESSEE – 21

UAB @ (24) MISSISSPPI STATE – newly ranked Mississippi State welcomes UAB to their home stadium fresh off their upset of the Flordia Gators.  Last weeks game was nothing exciting, and UAB can put up some points if Mississppi State allows them too.  This is the freebie of the week as I expect the Bulldogs to take this one with ease.

UAB – 13 @ MISSISSIPPI STATE – 31

GEORGIA @ KENTUCKY – I think this game will be a great match-up, both high scoring offenses, both filled with playmakers with the likes of Murray, Ealey, Green, and Cobb.  Cobb will be a handful for the Bulldogs to contain and Hartline is coming off a great game last week against South Carolina so I hope we see more of the same, but in this game AJ Green dominants.  He only put up 3 receptions last week, I say he goes for at least 8 receptions in this one to clearly state he’s the nations best WR.  Georgia Bulldogs continue their winning streak and take charge!

GEORGIA – 42 @ KENTUCKY – 34

Written by Brandon “BEE” Salamat.  Follow him on Twitter @TruGentleman808.

SEC Report: Week 7

A Recap of the Best Conference the SEC

 

Week 6 Score Recap

• TENN – 14 @ GEORGIA – 41
• (11) ARKANSAS – 24 @ TEXAS A&M – 17
• (1) ALABAMA – 21 @ (19) SOUTH CAROLINA – 35
• E.MICHIGAN – 6 @ VANDERBILT – 52
• (8) AUBURN – 37 @ KENTUCKY – 34
• (12) LSU – 33 @ (14) FLORIDA – 29
• MISS. STATE – 47 @ HOUSTON – 24

 

Alabama slipped all seven spots to 8^th in the AP Poll and Auburn remains the highest ranked SEC school being ranked 7^th.  For the first time since 2006 the SEC is nearly 7 ranks behind the #1 team in the nation.  This has been a great week for the SEC Conference as it points out they’re still by far the toughest conference to play in; the South Carolina v. Alabama game was a good example.  The late game heroics by LSU; well lets just say they got lucky.  Gutsy call on the fake field goal but everyone knew it was coming; and Les Miles just saved his job once again but if you’re an LSU fan its nothing new, right? Auburn QB Cam Newton continues to impress and lead his Tigers into BSC contention as he lead his team to victory over Kentucky. 

            The SEC schools that are currently ranked are Auburn at 7^th, Alabama 8^th, LSU 9^th and South Carolina jumped 9 spots to get to 10^th.  After their devastating lost to LSU, the Gators fell to 22^nd after suffering 2 straight losses.  Both Auburn and LSU remain the SEC’s only unbeaten with a date against each other on October 23^rd, pending on who wins that game and continues to win out they may have a fighting chance for the title game but without looking ahead both schools still have to go thru Arkansas and Alabama still; both tough outs. 

Week 5 Standout Players

• RB Vick Ballard (Miss St.) ran for 134yds and 3tds @ Houston
• QB Cam Newton (Auburn) ran for a career high 198yds 4tds
• QB Ryan Mallett (Arkansas) threw for 3 td passes against the Aggies
• QB Aaron Murray (Georgia) completed 17/25 passes for 266yds 2tds 2rushTD
• WR AJ Green (Georgira) 6rec 96yds 1td
• QB Larry Smith (Vandy) 253yds passing 2tds and 1rush td
• QB Stephen Garcia (South Carolina) 201yds 3tds
• QB Greg McElroy (Bama) career high 315yds 2tds
• RB Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina) 23car 93yds 2td 2rec 16yds 1td
• WR Julio Jones (Bama) 8rec 118yds 1td
• WR Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina) 7rec 127yds 2tds
• WR Randall Cobb (Kentucky) 7rec 68yds 1td 11car 47yds 2tds 1/1 6ds td

 

WEEK 7 GAMES

            Ole Miss @ (8) Alabama

            (12) Arkansas @ (7) Auburn

            Miss State @ (22) Florida

            Vandy @ Georgia

            (10) South Carolina @ Kentucky

            McNeese @ (9) LSU

Freebie of the week: This goes to the LSU Tigers, after back 2 back exhausting wins against Tennessee and Florida guess this easy yet don’t look beyond match-up with McNeese is something they need.  The Tigers are at home and this should be an easy game, key word is should be; because you never know.  But I say Tolliver and the Tigers take care of business as they prepare for Auburn the following week.

McNeese – 10 @ LSU – 44

SEC Game of the Week: The Razorbacks visit the Tigers in what should be a classic game just like the South Carolina and Alabama game was last week.  Can Cam Newton keep up his heisman case and continue to lead his Tigers into victory? Auburn is currently 6-0 and looks to make some noise into BCS consideration.  Mallett keeps this one close but Newton and SEC’s best in pass efficiency takes it in the end.

Arkansas – 24 @ AUBURN – 37

Hangover of the week: This one goes to the Gamecocks as they head to Kentucky in what should be a battle for Garcia and company.  South Carolina has it going for them as they held ‘Bama to combined 64yards rushing; in this game they’ll have to deal with Randall Cobb who seems to be everywhere on the field and Kentucky’s lethal weapon.  In counter the Gamecocks have Jeffery whose the SEC’s leading WR and Garcia’s leading man and who’ll be looked at a lot in this game.  Kentucky keeps it close but cannot manage a victory, Garcia and company don’t have a hangover after beating the previous #1 ranked team, as their confidence rises and gets a win on the road.

SOUTH CAROLINA – 37 @ Kentucky – 17

Then there’s everyone else: Florida looks to end their 2 game losing streak as they welcome Mississippi State to Gatorville and Brantley hopes to get the program back on track.  Task for Florida is can they stop Vick Ballard and company in the rushing game? We’ll find out on Saturday.  Vandy heads to Georgia where Murray and Green have come alive and got this Bulldog offense back on track; Vandy keeps it close but AJ Green wins the game for the Bulldogs.  I feel bad for Ole Miss as they fly to Alabama and have to take on a frustrated and upset Alabama team; look for Ingram and Richardson to do some major damage in this one.

Miss State – 24 @ FLORIDA – 35

Ole Miss – 17 @ ALABAMA – 44

Vandy – 27 @ GEORGIA – 37

Written by Brandon Salamat.  Follow him on Twitter @TruGentleman808.

RIP Kenny McKinley

A highlight video of Kenny McKinley at South Carolina

South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier talks about Kenny McKinley, one of his all-time favorite players.

Kenny McKinley

1/31/1987 – 9/20/2010