On Rankings

Every year, I struggle with the continuing irony that teams many, many media people think can finish with no more than 8 wins is ranked by the media. While the polls are a necessary evil of college football, I tend to agree with Blutarsky (my most sincere apologies) that doing any type of national poll before October 1 is folly. 

So, if Georgia is that team this year, are there reasons that you see for the media and coaches to rank Georgia in the top 20?  I mean, I think we could finish with 10-11 wins.  I also think we could finish with 6-7.  I guess that is why I think pre-season polls are so difficult to deal with, especially the coaches' poll.  That one has a bearing on who ends up in the BCS games. 

Any team in the preseason top 15 or so that wins all but one game has a much better shot at a BCS game than any other team that does so.

I guess I started writing this post as a question about Georgia's ranking, so I apologize for the little rant.  I know we are the sixth or seventh ranked SEC team, but is the SEC so much better that an 8-4 SEC East team should be ranked with virtually all other 9 win teams at the end of the season? Are there reasons Georgia got the ranking love?

Pre-Season Polls

Georgia gets ranked 22nd in the USA Today Coaches' Annual Dart Board Line up of teams we've heard of Pre-Season Poll.  Yawn. 

Hey, I'm happy we're ranked, but there is nothing about this team that makes me think we should be ranked. Looks like people who are head coaches are placing their bets on the moves Mark Richt has made this off season. 

Light at the End of the Tunnel?

...and it's not an on coming train. The Georgia Basketball team made Andy Katz's preseason Top 25. We debut at #25. This comes on the heels of Marcus Thornton's visit over the weekend.

When you look at the NBA early draft entrants across the SEC as well as the senior departures, it looks like 10 wins for Georgia is very possible. Arkansas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky all took massive personnel hits while Georgia returns almost everyone and adds Williams and Brantley who could both make a meaningful impact on the team.

Marcus Thornton's four finalists for his signature are UGA, GT, Alabama and Texas. It's worth noting that only Georgia is ranked among those four teams heading into next year.

This is the most optimistic about basketball that I've been in 8 years.

PWD

SEC Power Poll All-SEC Team: Specialty Teams

All the SEC Power Poll voters banded together to select an All-SEC team this year.  Team Speed Kills coordinated the effort.  Today, the Georgia Sports Blog is happy to unveil the special teams selection.  It's appropriate considering the Dawgs have a unanimous selection.  Other selections can be found here.

I also confess that I bestow a special reverence on kickers.  There are three reasons.  First, a good kick is difficult to appreciate on TV, but it is a beautiful thing when viewed live.  Placekicks explode past the line to begin slowly tumbling toward the goalposts.  Punts look like artillery fire, driving and spinning into the night air and hanging aloft until slowing descending into a chaotic punt return.

Second, kickers and returners are important.  Special teams can completely change a game with a long punt or a big return.  A good field goal kicker takes pressure off an offense if they know they'll get three points for getting to the 35.

Lastly, it's not something I can do.  I feel confident that I could rush five times in a college game (for no or negative yardage), throw a screen pass, catch a ball if wide open, or make contact on a runner at the line of scrimmage.  I can also confidently state that there is no hope of me or any of you punting a ball 40 yards with a four second hangtime or kicking a 35 yard field goal.  If I tried to return a punt in an SEC game, not only would I not catch the ball, it's possible that I would die if I did from either the force of the ball or the hit I would take from onrushing defenders.

The Selections:

Punter - Drew Butler - University of Georgia
This was a unanimous pick and you can see why.  He led the nation in average at 48.84 yards per kick.  Second place was more than three full yards lower.  Butler won the Ray Guy Award for the nation's top punter and is only a sophomore.  He also booted the eighth longest punt this year with a whopping 75 yarder.

Kicker - Leigh Tiffin - University of Alabama
Tiffin, once a joke for missing kicks in Fayetteville his freshman year, led kickers nationally in field goal kicks made.  He converted 87.9% of his field goals, 92.7% on extra points, and hit from a long of 50 yards.  With Bama's dominating defense, the offense could afford to stay physical, grinding, conservative and methodical because if something went wrong, Tiffin was there to tack on three points.  The guy got his opportunities and converted.  He led the poll with six votes.
Also receiving votes: Blair Walsh (Georgia) - Hit 19 kicks for 90.5% accuracy, long of 53, and was perfect on PATs. 5 votes. \ Wes Byrum (Auburn) - Converted 14 kicks for 93.3%, hit from a long of 49, and was perfect on extra points. 1 vote.

Returner - Javier Arenas - University of Alabama
Arenas looked like your big brother playing kill the man with you and your friends.  The first guy never brought him down and he usually ran through at least one more tackle before going down.  He wasn't as fast as Trindon Holliday or Brandon James, but he was the most consistently frightening returner this year.  He led with nine votes.
Also receiving votes: Warren Norman (Vanderbilt) - Norman got a bunch of opportunities at Vandy and led the conference with over a thousand kickoff return yards and three TDs.  He got 2.5 votes. \ Dennis Johnson (Arkansas) - Like Norman, Johnson had over a thousand kickoff return yards.  He also had a touchdown return for 91 yards.

Quinton

The Highest Bidder Votes

I get lots of email updates trying to get me to bid on the athletic department's online auctions.  The auctions raise money for the athletic department and you can buy autographed stuff and special experiences throught UGA athletics that you can't find other places.  We're not alone in this fundraising practice.  For the Florida game, LSU auctioned off the "experience of a lifetime" for LSU fans.  The package included walking with the team to the game, running through the tunnel, and watching the game with the AD.  It sold for over $15,000.  A friend asked how much it would cost to call LSU's plays for a quarter?  None of UGA's auctions have been that dramatic.

With that background, I was listening to Kirk Herbstreit yesterday on 680 as he was complaining that the Coaches Poll is just an absolute joke.  Coaches don't watch games because they have to, you know, work on Saturdays.  The SIDs that they hand off their voting duties to just look at the scores in the paper.  So, the vote doesn't really reflect reality because the voters are too busy to really watch what they are voting on.  It's like picking Miss America based on her application, sight unseen.

Thus, I have a proposal.  Explicitly allow the coaches to transfer their voting obligations (which they already do) and then let the athletic departments auction the vote off to the highest bidder.  First, this gets the vote into the hands of someone who might actually watch the games.  Second, it gets more money to the athletic departments.  Third, it could lead to some awesome market manipulation.  Boone Pickens and Phil Knight would battle to buy all the ballots.  It could even lead to more auctions so that the athletic departments could buy up more ballots.

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

1. Alabama - The Wildcats scored some mop up TDs against Bama that made it look close, but the Tide remains unchallenged so far.  Again, everything Bama does is competent.  Nothing spectacular, just solid, consistent football.
   
2. Florida - I guess we'll find out something about the Gators this weekend.  Tebow is questionable right now, but don't you have to assume the guy will play?  I can't see him missing their biggest game of the season in his senior year, headaches or not.
3. LSU -  Even after the UGA game, I'm just not sure how good LSU really is.  If they had a consistent pass rusher and a vertical passing game, you might consider putting them in with Bama and Florida.  How an offense with that many quality skill people can't put games away is troubling.  Gary Crowton should turn it loose Saturday night because he'll have to.
   
4. Auburn - The Aubs may have the most competent offense in the league and Gus Malzahn is coordinator of the year so far.  Do you remember how terrible their offense was last year?  Substantially the same personel, different genius, and 5-0.
   
5. Georgia - Saturday's game in Knoxville is as big a game as UGA will play this year.  Win it and there is hope for continued relevance.  Lose it and the season starts heading toward a patented Fulmer Year of Death.  A.J. Green still looked like himself against Patrick Peterson and the LSU secondary.  Monte and Eric Berry await their chance to slow him down.
   
6. South Carolina - The Cocks woke up after halftime to put away a patsy.  
7. Ole Miss -Redemption calls this weekend.  If Snead didn't like the pressure Carolina was sending, wait until Saban brings the heat.
8. Arkansas -If you don't pressure Ryan Mallett consistently, Arkansas will put up forty on you.  Ask the Aggies who spent $300 a ticket to watch Mallett light the wrecking crew up like a bonfire.
   
9. Tennessee - I loved watching Kiffy call for a two point conversion after their meaningless touchdown while time expired.  I suppose the refs refused the try.  A win this weekend could give Kiffy some legitimacy.  A UT win would at least show the Vols that the program still contains short term promise. 
   
10. Mississippi State - State couldn't hold up once the Tech option grinder got some traction.  At this point, State fans should be happy to score over twenty points a game.  They've simply switched their contraint from offense to defense.
11. Kentucky - The Cats will fight and claw for everything and meet with a degree of success.  Too bad it's after the game has been decided by an overwhelming show of opponent force to open the game.
    
12. Vanderbilt - It's back to the same old Vandy.
    

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

1. Alabama - I had them No. 1 last week and see no reason to change.  Everything they do is competent.  Nothing spectacular, just solid, consistent football.
   
2. Florida - That off week will help, huh?  UF blew the Wildcats off the field in the first half until they slowed and Tebow got hurt.    
3. LSU -  Slots three through five are interchangeable.  LSU continues to look sluggish.  At some point I'll have to admit that it is simply a defining characteristic of the team, not just their play. 
   
4. Georgia - Other than the turnover problems the Dawgs have had, UGA and LSU are playing a mirror image of themselves this weekend.  Neither team runs the ball, rushes the passer, or defends particularly well. 
   
5. Auburn - Another blowout win over a patsy, but at least it was convincing.  Two things that I'd never thought I'd see in a sentence together:  "Chris Todd" and "5 TDs".
   
6. South Carolina - Garcia and the Cocks keyed the hell out of Ole Miss's shiny #4 ranking in front of a national audience.
7. Ole Miss - The Rebs were overrated and now all the experts admit it.  Frankly, they had as good a case as anyone else for the top 5.  Nutt is a far more compelling personality when he is the crazed underdog than the frontrunner.  A high ranking just doesn't fit the guy's personality.
   
8. Arkansas -So that's what an SEC defense is supposed to look like.  Saban blitzed Mallett like he was Poland and the result was surrender.  Also, Hogs, learn to tackle.  That Trent Richardson TD run was embarrassing.
   
9. Mississippi State -You can't get closer to a big win that State did Saturday.  If the ball were pitched on 4th down, Mullen would have a signature win in his first year.  Instead, he has sadness.
   
10. Tennessee -The woe is back in Knoxville.  We should have known that the Vols would be lethargic after last weekend's big moral victory against the Gators.
    
11. Kentucky - Hey, the 'Cats looked decent in the second half after Tebow got knocked out.
    
12. Vanderbilt - Our nerds are better than your nerds, Conference USA!
    

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

We're still early, but the goo is starting to harden a bit.  Here are my continued guesses:

1. Alabama - Right now, they appear to have the best team.  My concerns about their offensive line and QB haven't materialized.  It's a power poll, so the Bammers get my nod.
2. Florida - Was Meyer being nice or was that the best the Gators have?  Meyer doesn't have "nice" in him, so I'm forced to assume UF is only a few points better than UCLA. 
   
3. Ole Miss -The Rebs are #4 in the country and need to prove they deserve it Thursday night.  
4. Auburn - I'm buying the Aubs.  Their offense looks like its for real and their defense can control the game enough to make the O's scores stand up.  They also have wins over fairly legit opponents, a rarity at this point in the season.
   
5. LSU - I've never heard a group of people more upset about going 3-0.  They have issues on both sides, but I just get the feeling this team is going to hit its stride and crush some people later this season.  Right now, they're just thinking about it.  That Washington win suddenly looks better.
   
6. Georgia - The offense can score with anyone.  The defense can allow scores as well as anybody too.  So far, the Dawgs are Loyola Marymount, scoring huge numbers of points and eeking out wins. 
7. Arkansas -They'll score a bunch of points this year because they have a huge QB who can sling it around.  But, their defense has to get a lot better for them to win serious games.
   
8. South Carolina - The Cocks pulled away in the second half against FAU.  Garcia and crew must win Thursday to remain relevant.
   
9. Mississippi State - State got a conference win in Nashville.  Celebrate Dogs because that may be it for a while.
   
10. Tennessee - Moral victory!  This past weekend's game was the most disappointed I've been with a Vol loss in a long time.  Didn't everyone want to see Kiffy bleed and grovel for mercy? 
    
11. Kentucky - I don't know if Louisville is any good, but I bet that Kentucky is just like they always are: capable, but not overly threatening.
12. Vanderbilt - At home with a winnable game and they come up short again.
    

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

 

The data is still fluid and the conference pecking order has yet to emerge.  Here are my continued guesses:

1. Florida - Everybody is waiting to see Urb and the Gators utterly crush Kiffy and I wouldn't mind that result.  The most interesting thing about Saturday's game to me is watching Monte scheme against the spread.  Does the old man have some brilliant insight?
2. Alabama - Bama struggled at times, but the numbers were still respectable at the end.  
3. Ole Miss - Not sure if Southeastern Louisiana will put up much more of a fight than the open week did.
   
4. LSU - The Tigers seem to be trying to figure it all out.  I continue to think they have talent and good coaching, but they look like a team groping around in the dark. 
   
5. Georgia - The Dawgs rebounded well, but they are shaky.  Richt needs to stabilize things because Petrino has been eyeing this weekend's game since December.
   
6. Auburn - I have a feeling that Gus Malzahn is going to make Auburn look very good all year.  They've played decent competition, but not a high end defense.  I haven't bought them yet, but I'm inching up to the check out line.
   
7. Arkansas - Saturday is the biggest game of the Petrino era. 
   
8. South Carolina - Gave up too many big plays Saturday, but can be encouraged by Garcia's progress. 
   
9. Kentucky
10. Vanderbilt
    
11. Tennessee - Now that's the Crompton I remember. 
    
12. Mississippi State - Mullen got some points again. but the Aubs tore up the State defense.  I think they have a shot in Nashville this weekend.

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

The Georgia Sports Blog will again vote in the SEC Power Poll, hosted by Team Speed Kills.  It's the first week of the poll and data is scarce and analysis is shortsighted and myopic.

1. Florida - Urb and the Gators failed to cover the 63.  Does that mean Meyer has a soul?  Or, was that "tremendous" Charleston Southern defense just that tough?
   
2. Alabama- I'm still waiting for them to falter, but they didn't  miss last year's considerable losses off the offensive line.  The D wasn't impenetrable, but it was sufficient.  The O was as methodically brutal and effective as ever.
   
3. Ole Miss - Looked average for long stretches of the first half before crushing Memphis in the second half. 
   
4. LSU - Not sure how Chavis gave up that many yards and points to UW.  Jordan Jefferson looked fine and Terrance Toliver finally lived up to his recruiting hype.  I think LSU is going to be really good this year, but that defense needs to come around. 
   
5. Georgia - The Dawgs defense was much improved over last year's horrors, but the offense left with Stafford and Moreno.  They don't have to panic just yet, but with that nasty schedule, there needs to be quick improvement.  A road loss to a top 10 team doesn't throw you too far down the poll.
   
6. Auburn - With just one game, Chizik is one-fifth of his way to matching his win total at Iowa State.  Might Chizik and the Aubs surprise some folks this year?  Louisiana Tech is a respectable team and the Tigers handled them in the second half.
7. South Carolina - The Cocks got a win and that's the bottom line, but I told my daughter to leave the room at one point because I didn't want her exposed to such crappy offensive play.  She may not last a quarter of the Georgia game before a permanent ban given the state of those two offenses.
   
8. Kentucky - Beat a legit opponent badly behind solid performances from Locke, Cobb and Hartline.
   
9. Arkansas - The Hawgs crushed some FCS school and have two weeks to prepare for UGA.  Beat the Dawgs and Arkansas can start thinking big.
   
10. Tennessee -Surprise!  I don't think anyone thought Kiffy would lose to Western Whoever, but the margin of victory and Crompton's stat line raised my eyebrows.  Saturday's UCLA game is huge for the Vols.  Win and you've got some real positive energy going to Gainesville.  Lose and you're may be in a fight for bowl eligibility.
11.  Mississippi State - It is possible that an entire generation of State fans didn't know the Bulldogs could score so many points and remain within the rules of football. 
    
12. Vanderbilt - Also stomped a FCS school.  Positions 9 through 12 are arbitrary, so sorry Vandy.

Quinton

Things I Don't Understand These Days

This offseason has been a confusing one for me.  People have been screaming at me to just get some things through my head, but I've not yet seen the logic behind some of their conjectures. So here's a little list of things that I don't understand and that keep bugging me.

1. The Alabama Hype - Alabama's going to have a good defense.  Any Nick Saban coached team must be respected as defenders.  My trouble is on offense.  The Tide lost two of the best offensive lineman in the country off last year's team.  It's difficult to replace one of those guys, much less two.  And those losses are at the most critical line spots, left tackle and center.  Just look at the two games Smith didn't play in last year and what happened to Bama's production - Tulane, 172 yards of total offense, and Utah, 208 yards of total offense. Add to that a new quarterback, and I don't think the sum of those subtractions equals the number 5 team in the country.
   
2.  "Sliders" or Mini-hamburgers - Why would I want three small things when I can get one big thing, roughly equivalent in size to the three small things, for a lower price? 
3. The Credibility of Preseason Polls - This has been covered a thousand times by much better writers than me, but I'd just like to mention one game that beautifully illustrates my confusion.  An LSU friend of mine recently argued that all you need to judge the credibility of preseaon polls is to look at the LSU-Auburn game last year.  Both teams were in the top 10 in the country and ESPN Gameday was there.  LSU finished the regular season 7-5.  Auburn was an ugly 5-7 and didn't even get invited to the PapaJohns.com Bowl.  In retrospect, it was a highly-ranked average team against a highly-ranked bad team.  Why do we keep doing this?  To sell newspapers?  Who is buying newspapers?
4. The New SEC Digital Network Deal - There's been a load of discussion on this in the blogosphere.  The Senator and David Hale had some rational and sound thoughts about the new video restrictions on highlights and replays of SEC games under the new online media rights deal, which have subsequently been revised.  My concern is if the delivery platform will be reliable.  The online deal is with XOS Technologies who, through JumpTV, has administered GXtra.  During my time as a GXtra subscriber, I'm not sure if I spent more time fuming over the technical difficulties or actually following the game.  Whatever the SEC online media center looks like, it better run better than GXtra or every SEC fan, not just the reporters on the beat, will be squawking loudly.
5. What the Braves are Doing.  This is usually the time of the year when I figure out if I am going to keep following the Braves through the start of football season or cut them loose.  For a while I thought it was going to be easy, but the past couple of series have given me a little bit of hope for the wild card.  They've got the arms, but if the increased offense is relying on Adam LaRoche, I'm concerned.

Quinton

Coaches Poll is Out

The ESPN/USAToday Coaches Poll:

Rank	Team (1st place votes)	'08 record	Points	Final '08
1.	Florida (53)	13-1	1,466	1
2.	Texas (4)	12-1	1,386	3
3.	Oklahoma (1)	12-2	1,358	5
4.	Southern California (1)	12-1	1,321	2
5.	Alabama	12-2	1,134	6
6.	Ohio State	10-3	1,126	11
7.	Virginia Tech	10-4	1,020	14
8.	Penn State	11-2	988	8
9.	LSU	8-5	917	NR
10.	Mississippi	9-4	889	15
11.	Oklahoma State	9-4	861	18
12.	California	9-4	711	25
13.	Georgia	10-3	707	10
14.	Oregon	10-3	694	9
15.	Georgia Tech	9-4	559	22
16.	Boise State	12-1	542	13
17.	TCU	11-2	461	7
18.	Utah	13-0	404	4
19.	Florida State	9-4	371	23
20.	North Carolina	8-5	293	NR
21.	Iowa	9-4	257	20
22.	Nebraska	9-4	236	NR
23.	Notre Dame	7-6	194	NR
24.	Brigham Young	10-3	178	21
25.	Oregon State	9-4	165	19

I just can't see how Bama is #5 with. The three most overrated teams on this list might be Bama, Cal and Notre Dame. Just because the Irish don't play anyone and will rack up a bunch of 8 or 9 wins against thin air doesn't mean they should be ranked high. I think Oregon, Florida State, UNC and Georgia Tech could all end up higher than their current ranking.

What jumps out at you?

See Also:
-- 2009 Georgia Bulldogs Football Tickets

PWD

UGA Ranked #1 in three Baseball Polls

UGA vs. Nerds on Wednesday! (Image: DawgsOnline.com)

OnlineAthens.com gave us the heads up that the Georgia Bulldogs are ranked #1 again. Since their story ran a third baseball poll has put UGA at #1.*

USAToday/ ESPN	College Baseball Newspapers	NCBWA Poll
1. Georgia	1. Georgia	1. Georgia
2. Arizona State	2. Cal St. - Fullerton	2. Miami (Fla.)
3. Cal St. - Fullerton	3. Georgia Tech	3. Georgia Tech
4. Miami (Fla.)	4. LSU	4. Cal St. Fullerton
5. LSU	5. UNC	5. UNC
Others of Note
7. Georgia Tech	9. Arkansas	7. LSU
10. Arkansas	14. Ole Miss	14. Ole Miss
16. Mississippi	22. Clemson	16. Arkansas
20. Clemson	23. Florida	20. Clemson
26. Florida	26. Alabama	23. Florida
28. Alabama	28. S. Carolina	27. Alabama

Jim Harrick once said (paraphrase) that college basketball polls only have value in so much as they determine which teams have their highlights featured on ESPN SportsCenter and their recaps in every national paper.

College baseball polls mean even less because the World Wide Leader doesn't cover the sport until the post-season.

Various RPI-style ratings determine the NCAA Post-Season. With that in mind, Warren Nolan says the Dawgs currently have the #24 RPI. That rating could skyrocket after games with Tech, Tennessee (3), Clemson (2), and LSU (3) over the next two weeks.

On Wednesday, UGA plays at Tech (7:00 pm). I think the game will be carried by CSS in Atlanta.

This team is extremely fun to watch. They play 3-5 freshman per game so their bound to have some stumbles along the way, but the is a team worth watching. We'll know what type of team we have very soon.

See Also:
-- Georgia's Baseball Schedule - Georgiadogs.com

PWD


*Baseball America has the Dawgs at #6. But three out of four is good enough.

UGA Ranked #1 in three Baseball Polls

UGA vs. Nerds on Wednesday! (Image: DawgsOnline.com)

OnlineAthens.com gave us the heads up that the Georgia Bulldogs are ranked #1 again. Since their story ran a third baseball poll has put UGA at #1.*

USAToday/ ESPN	College Baseball Newspapers	NCBWA Poll
1. Georgia	1. Georgia	1. Georgia
2. Arizona State	2. Cal St. - Fullerton	2. Miami (Fla.)
3. Cal St. - Fullerton	3. Georgia Tech	3. Georgia Tech
4. Miami (Fla.)	4. LSU	4. Cal St. Fullerton
5. LSU	5. UNC	5. UNC
Others of Note
7. Georgia Tech	9. Arkansas	7. LSU
10. Arkansas	14. Ole Miss	14. Ole Miss
16. Mississippi	22. Clemson	16. Arkansas
20. Clemson	23. Florida	20. Clemson
26. Florida	26. Alabama	23. Florida
28. Alabama	28. S. Carolina	27. Alabama

Jim Harrick once said (paraphrase) that college basketball polls only have value in so much as they determine which teams have their highlights featured on ESPN SportsCenter and their recaps in every national paper.

College baseball polls mean even less because the World Wide Leader doesn't cover the sport until the post-season.

Various RPI-style ratings determine the NCAA Post-Season. With that in mind, Warren Nolan says the Dawgs currently have the #24 RPI. That rating could skyrocket after games with Tech, Tennessee (3), Clemson (2), and LSU (3) over the next two weeks.

On Wednesday, UGA plays at Tech (7:00 pm). I think the game will be carried by CSS in Atlanta.

This team is extremely fun to watch. They play 3-5 freshman per game so their bound to have some stumbles along the way, but the is a team worth watching. We'll know what type of team we have very soon.

See Also:
-- Georgia's Baseball Schedule - Georgiadogs.com

PWD


*Baseball America has the Dawgs at #6. But three out of four is good enough.

SEC Power Poll Ballot

1. Florida -That offense looks like a hundred flying powersaw blades ripping through all who dare oppose it.  Mickey Andrews, mud, rain, and the Doak combined couldn't hold them to less than 40 points.

2. Alabama - Up 29-0, Saban makes his punter cry tears of blood after a shank (even that description is mild compared to the verbal assault that kid took).  After seeing that, I turned off my TV because I've heard that sustained exposure to that type of intensity causes bowel discomfort.  I cannot wait to see Saban scheme against Urb.

3. Ole Miss -It was just Moo State, but Ole Miss crushed their biggest in-state rival with its second consecutive conference beatdown.  That defensive line can give anybody problems, including whoever they face in Dallas.

4. Georgia - Is there a more disappointing 9-3 team ever?  Georgia's season comes down to three halves when their defense looked like it hadn't ever seen football played.  Knowshon and the offense can be breathtaking, though.  Moreno absolutely willed a 32 yard score Saturday and has some of the best runs you'll ever see.  He'll be missed.

5. South Carolina - Shiny Pants got popped by Dabo, as Chris Smelley lived up to his last name with a terrible performance.  Spurrier is now 1-3 against his biggest in-state rival. 

6. LSU - I can understand the offensive inconsistency and pick sixes.  After all, they are on what would be their fourth string QB.  That defense, though, is bad.  If LSU went to the Cotton Bowl, they'd give up 60.

7. Kentucky - One just got the feeling that the Vols weren't going to lose that game, no matter how terrible they played this season.  Frankly, the Cats have a weak nonconference schedule to thank for their bowl trip.  They don't have a single win over a team with more than five wins.

8. Vanderbilt - 'Dores limp to the finish line with the assistance of paramedics.  Unless their bowl opponent makes a lot of mistakes, expect Vandy's first bowl in forever to result in a typical Vandy outcome: a respectable loss.

9. Arkansas - After an early season of calamity and woe, Petrino and the Hawgs have found a bit of spark.  After the Texas game, they looked hopeless, like bottom of a dark well with Buffalo Bill standing over them hopeless.  That's why I'm so shocked that they were a field goal against Mississippi State away from a bowl bid.

10. Tennessee - The Vols sent Phil off with a win and a fat wallet. 

11. Auburn -Tubs has to feel like things are slipping away from him.  This whole season has been a nightmare.  Not only the failures of his team, but also the success on the Capstone has to sting.  He needs to flush it, get a new offensive coordinator, and recruit his ass off this year.  It won't get easier.

12. Mississippi State - Croom got beat so bad, he left.  Forget Lane Kiffin, this is the most interesting coaching search in the conference.  Who's got the guts to take over that program and compete against the SEC's band of mighty mercenaries with all the handicaps that State has?

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

1. Florida -That offense looks like a hundred flying powersaw blades ripping through all who dare oppose it.  Mickey Andrews, mud, rain, and the Doak combined couldn't hold them to less than 40 points.

2. Alabama - Up 29-0, Saban makes his punter cry tears of blood after a shank (even that description is mild compared to the verbal assault that kid took).  After seeing that, I turned off my TV because I've heard that sustained exposure to that type of intensity causes bowel discomfort.  I cannot wait to see Saban scheme against Urb.

3. Ole Miss -It was just Moo State, but Ole Miss crushed their biggest in-state rival with its second consecutive conference beatdown.  That defensive line can give anybody problems, including whoever they face in Dallas.

4. Georgia - Is there a more disappointing 9-3 team ever?  Georgia's season comes down to three halves when their defense looked like it hadn't ever seen football played.  Knowshon and the offense can be breathtaking, though.  Moreno absolutely willed a 32 yard score Saturday and has some of the best runs you'll ever see.  He'll be missed.

5. South Carolina - Shiny Pants got popped by Dabo, as Chris Smelley lived up to his last name with a terrible performance.  Spurrier is now 1-3 against his biggest in-state rival. 

6. LSU - I can understand the offensive inconsistency and pick sixes.  After all, they are on what would be their fourth string QB.  That defense, though, is bad.  If LSU went to the Cotton Bowl, they'd give up 60.

7. Kentucky - One just got the feeling that the Vols weren't going to lose that game, no matter how terrible they played this season.  Frankly, the Cats have a weak nonconference schedule to thank for their bowl trip.  They don't have a single win over a team with more than five wins.

8. Vanderbilt - 'Dores limp to the finish line with the assistance of paramedics.  Unless their bowl opponent makes a lot of mistakes, expect Vandy's first bowl in forever to result in a typical Vandy outcome: a respectable loss.

9. Arkansas - After an early season of calamity and woe, Petrino and the Hawgs have found a bit of spark.  After the Texas game, they looked hopeless, like bottom of a dark well with Buffalo Bill standing over them hopeless.  That's why I'm so shocked that they were a field goal against Mississippi State away from a bowl bid.

10. Tennessee - The Vols sent Phil off with a win and a fat wallet. 

11. Auburn -Tubs has to feel like things are slipping away from him.  This whole season has been a nightmare.  Not only the failures of his team, but also the success on the Capstone has to sting.  He needs to flush it, get a new offensive coordinator, and recruit his ass off this year.  It won't get easier.

12. Mississippi State - Croom got beat so bad, he left.  Forget Lane Kiffin, this is the most interesting coaching search in the conference.  Who's got the guts to take over that program and compete against the SEC's band of mighty mercenaries with all the handicaps that State has?

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

1. Florida - Could have scored as many as they wanted in Nashville, but shut it down around halftime. 

2. Alabama - I'm starting to jump off the Bama bandwagon.  Their entire reputation  and #1 ranking was made in the first thirty minutes in Athens.  Other than that, what have they done?  Eke out wins over mediocre or bad teams.  While the Gators may not have seen a defense like Bama's, Bama has certainly not seen an offense like Tebow and crew.

3. Georgia - Again, the Dawgs are a good team, but just not a championship contender. It shouldn't take a score and stop in the last two minutes to beat Kentucky.  Despite having the league's best rusher, passer, receiver and tackler, the Dawgs sweat out games over the average and get pounded by the big boys.

4. LSU -When Ricky Jean blocked the field goal, you just had to think that the Louisiana voodoo was going to bite Nick and the Tide, but Lee threw another pick to help Bama escape.  This season is either molding Lee into a decent quarterback or turning him into a hopeless headcase.

5. South Carolina - The Cocks look like a lock for New Year's Day after another solid effort against the Hawgs.  Spurrier has gotten Carolina in a position where they are winning the games they should and are competitive against the big boys.  He's quietly having a splendid season.

6. Ole Miss - Got an off week before a tune up against ULM.  Remember last year's Bama game against the Warhawks, Houston.  The conference can't afford another embarrasing nonconference loss.  I'm looking at you Rocky Top.

7. Kentucky -When a top team tries to give you one, you have to take it.  If UK had any sort of defense, Saturday would have been a huge win.  Stafford and the Dawgs looked like Texas Tech against the Big Blue defense, but Randall Cobb is a nightmare for defenses. 

8. Vanderbilt -The 'Dores just need to keep plugging away.  They have three winnable games to go.  One win gets you a bowl, two a good bowl. 

9. Arkansas - Get an off week to get Michael Smith healed up for State. 

10. Mississippi State - Got an off week before going for three straight against Bama Saturday.

11. Auburn - You shouldn't be tied with a FCS team in the third quarter, even if it is against a good FCS team.  The Kodi Burns show was on display Saturday as he rushed for 158 and threw for 130.  Given UGA's problems with Randall Cobb, is it inconceivable that Tubs shocks everyone with an upset Saturday?

12. Tennessee - Wyoming?  Really?  I thought those players were pissed that Phil got fired.  So they show it by pounding out an L at home to a Mountain West cellar dweller?

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

1. Florida - Could have scored as many as they wanted in Nashville, but shut it down around halftime. 

2. Alabama - I'm starting to jump off the Bama bandwagon.  Their entire reputation  and #1 ranking was made in the first thirty minutes in Athens.  Other than that, what have they done?  Eke out wins over mediocre or bad teams.  While the Gators may not have seen a defense like Bama's, Bama has certainly not seen an offense like Tebow and crew.

3. Georgia - Again, the Dawgs are a good team, but just not a championship contender. It shouldn't take a score and stop in the last two minutes to beat Kentucky.  Despite having the league's best rusher, passer, receiver and tackler, the Dawgs sweat out games over the average and get pounded by the big boys.

4. LSU -When Ricky Jean blocked the field goal, you just had to think that the Louisiana voodoo was going to bite Nick and the Tide, but Lee threw another pick to help Bama escape.  This season is either molding Lee into a decent quarterback or turning him into a hopeless headcase.

5. South Carolina - The Cocks look like a lock for New Year's Day after another solid effort against the Hawgs.  Spurrier has gotten Carolina in a position where they are winning the games they should and are competitive against the big boys.  He's quietly having a splendid season.

6. Ole Miss - Got an off week before a tune up against ULM.  Remember last year's Bama game against the Warhawks, Houston.  The conference can't afford another embarrasing nonconference loss.  I'm looking at you Rocky Top.

7. Kentucky -When a top team tries to give you one, you have to take it.  If UK had any sort of defense, Saturday would have been a huge win.  Stafford and the Dawgs looked like Texas Tech against the Big Blue defense, but Randall Cobb is a nightmare for defenses. 

8. Vanderbilt -The 'Dores just need to keep plugging away.  They have three winnable games to go.  One win gets you a bowl, two a good bowl. 

9. Arkansas - Get an off week to get Michael Smith healed up for State. 

10. Mississippi State - Got an off week before going for three straight against Bama Saturday.

11. Auburn - You shouldn't be tied with a FCS team in the third quarter, even if it is against a good FCS team.  The Kodi Burns show was on display Saturday as he rushed for 158 and threw for 130.  Given UGA's problems with Randall Cobb, is it inconceivable that Tubs shocks everyone with an upset Saturday?

12. Tennessee - Wyoming?  Really?  I thought those players were pissed that Phil got fired.  So they show it by pounding out an L at home to a Mountain West cellar dweller?

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

1. Florida - In what will be viewed as a dominating performance, the Gators set up a mildly surprising SEC Championship game with Bama.  Urban made sure to twist the knife by spending all timeouts and letting Tebow prance around as long as possible.

2. Alabama -Bama moves down only because UF beat UGA, Bama's only legit win, just as bad if not worse than the Tide.  Plus, UF let the hammer down and didn't let UGA sniff a comeback.

3. Georgia -The Dawgs are still a good team, but just not a championship contender.  Everything went wrong for the Dawgs against the Gators, but Georgia should finish with ten wins again.

4. LSU -Let the orgy of hate officially begin.  The Tigers haven't been overly impressive this year, but a win against Bama would soothe a disappointed fanbase who wants to watch Saban devoured by rabid nutria.

5. South Carolina - Carolina is solid.  Nothing spectacular, but they are a good football team now that they have figured out an identity and let Garcia take the reigns.  Despite a likely loss to the Gators, the Cocks still look like they are headed to a decent bowl game, a rarity for Carolina.

6. Ole Miss -The Rebs did what they needed to do to get bowl eligible. 

7. Kentucky - Got a huge win on the road, even if it was in Starkville.

8. Vanderbilt- Vandy's goodwill built up after five wins is in danger of being completely erased if they finish the year without another victory. They must get a win against UT.

9. Arkansas - I owe the Hawgs an apology.  After losing to Bama, I said they wouldn't win again.  They've proved me wrong twice now.

10. Mississippi State  - State can still hope for an Egg Bowl victory, but even that won't get them out of Starkville after the regular season is over.  They had to have a win Saturday to go bowling and couldn't come through.

11. Tennessee - In Knoxville, only the off field dramatics remain interesting. 

12. Auburn - Got a huge break at the start of the second half, but still couldn't get a win.  The Aubs remain mildly dangerous, but the offense is completely one dimensional.  Beating UGA or Bama would salvage a scrap of hope for next year, but either upset looks unlikely.

Quinton

SEC Power Poll Ballot

1. Florida - In what will be viewed as a dominating performance, the Gators set up a mildly surprising SEC Championship game with Bama.  Urban made sure to twist the knife by spending all timeouts and letting Tebow prance around as long as possible.

2. Alabama -Bama moves down only because UF beat UGA, Bama's only legit win, just as bad if not worse than the Tide.  Plus, UF let the hammer down and didn't let UGA sniff a comeback.

3. Georgia -The Dawgs are still a good team, but just not a championship contender.  Everything went wrong for the Dawgs against the Gators, but Georgia should finish with ten wins again.

4. LSU -Let the orgy of hate officially begin.  The Tigers haven't been overly impressive this year, but a win against Bama would soothe a disappointed fanbase who wants to watch Saban devoured by rabid nutria.

5. South Carolina - Carolina is solid.  Nothing spectacular, but they are a good football team now that they have figured out an identity and let Garcia take the reigns.  Despite a likely loss to the Gators, the Cocks still look like they are headed to a decent bowl game, a rarity for Carolina.

6. Ole Miss -The Rebs did what they needed to do to get bowl eligible. 

7. Kentucky - Got a huge win on the road, even if it was in Starkville.

8. Vanderbilt- Vandy's goodwill built up after five wins is in danger of being completely erased if they finish the year without another victory. They must get a win against UT.

9. Arkansas - I owe the Hawgs an apology.  After losing to Bama, I said they wouldn't win again.  They've proved me wrong twice now.

10. Mississippi State  - State can still hope for an Egg Bowl victory, but even that won't get them out of Starkville after the regular season is over.  They had to have a win Saturday to go bowling and couldn't come through.

11. Tennessee - In Knoxville, only the off field dramatics remain interesting. 

12. Auburn - Got a huge break at the start of the second half, but still couldn't get a win.  The Aubs remain mildly dangerous, but the offense is completely one dimensional.  Beating UGA or Bama would salvage a scrap of hope for next year, but either upset looks unlikely.

Quinton