Sec notebook

[cloverleaf]

Pay The Man

Alabama paid Nick Saban over $7 million last season, making him the fourth highest-paid
football coach in America. Sean Payton's $8 million with the Saints, Pete Carroll $8 million
with the Seahawks and Bill Belichick $7.5 million with the Patriots are the only coaches
who are paid more. Saban was college football's first $4 million per-year coach when he
arrived in Tuscaloosa with an 8 year, $32 million contract and it probably won't be long
before an extension/raise puts him at the $8 million mark. When Saban was hired, then
University of Florida president Bernie Machen called the contract "not good for college foot-
ball." Well, more than 60 years ago the discussion featured Bear Bryant, then the coach
at Texas A&M and a Aggie English professor who was critical of Coach Bryant's $25,000
salary. During a radio debate between the two, Coach Bryant ask the professor "how many
people watch you give a final exam." The English professor answered "about 50." "Well,"
Bryant countered, "I have over 50,000 watch me when I give mine, every Saturday." Bryant
was a bargain at $25,000 for Texas A&M and Saban is a bargain at $7 million for Alabama.

Sidenote: Alabama is the only school in the country to allow fewer than 20 points per game
in each of the past three years. 13.9 points per game in 2013, 18.4 in 2014 and 15.1 last
year. Alabama ranked 4th, 6th and 3rd nationally in scoring defense in each of those seasons.

 

[Wanger]

Odds to win the SEC via LV SuperBook

 

[cloverleaf]

Thanks Wanger...I still like LSU to win the championship only because they get Alabama
at home this year. I would not bet my rocking chair on it though.
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Alabama Quick Hit: The Crimson Tide has 19 former 5-star recruits on its roster, according
to 247Sports Composite, to go with 49 4-star athletes. Combined, that's 80 percent of the
team's scholarship players.

LSU Quick Hit: The Tigers had only one underclassman who declared to enter the NFL Draft
this year. In the previous four years, 23 underclassmen left early for the draft.

Sidenote: Talent galore on both of these football teams.

 

[cloverleaf]

Tennessee

The Vols had a difficult season last year even though they went 9-4. They blew double-
digit, fourth quarter leads against Oklahoma and Florida, coughed up an early 14 point
lead against Arkansas and gave up a late touchdown to Alabama. Tennessee is 13-5 in
its past 18 games, with losses coming by a combined 25 points. The Vols have lost their
past 24 games against teams ranked in the top 10 and are on an 11 game skid against
rival Florida.

Tennessee certainly has a talented team but knowing "how to win" is just as important
as talent. Why I've said the past several months that Florida will again win the SEC
East. My prediction and I'm sticking to it!

 

[cloverleaf]

Butkus Award List

Alabama senior linebackers Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams were
among the 51 players named to the Dick Butkus Award preseason watch list. Anderson
and Williams are considered two of the nation's top pass-rushing linebackers, combining
on 16.5 sacks among the two of them last season. Foster, who slides into the starting
lineup at middle linebacker, is the team's top returning tackler with 73 last season. Foster
is also one of the hardest hitting players in the Southeastern Conference. The award
is presented annually to the nation's top linebacker. The initial watch list will be narrowed
down throughout the season, with semifinalist to be announced October 31 and finalist on
November 21.

 

[cloverleaf]

Mississippi State

The Bulldogs have a favorable schedule within the SEC, although no SEC West
schedule contains soft opponents. Mississippi State's most difficult non-conference
test is a trip to BYU. The Bulldogs should cruise to wins in its three other non-
conference games. MSU should pile up the wins early with matchups against South
Alabama, UMass, Samford...and perhaps, rebuilding South Carolina. The back half
of the schedule doesn't offer many opportunities for wins. It contains trips to Bama
and Ole Miss, as well as Kentucky. That's in addition to a road game against LSU in
the third game of the season. On a path to bowl eligibility, MSU might need to take
advantage of home games against Texas A&M, Auburn and Arkansas. After winning
19 games in the past two seasons...2016 will be a rebuilding year.

 

[cloverleaf]

SEC Media Preseason Poll

At the conclusion of SEC Media Days in Birmingham, Alabama, the Media
has made its preseason order of finish for the East and West Divisions.
First place votes are in parentheses.

East Division
1. Tennessee (225)
2. Florida (57)
3. Georgia (45)
4. Kentucky (0)
5. Vanderbilt (0)
6. Missouri (0)
7. South Carolina (0)

West Division
1. Alabama (246)
2. LSU (76)
3. Ole Miss (5)
4. Texas A&M (3)
5. Arkansas (1)
6. Auburn (0)
7. Mississippi State (0)

 

[cloverleaf]

Missouri Opener

The Tigers will travel to Morgantown on September 3 for their season opener against West
Virginia. The Mountaineers figure to be better on offense this year, but do lose nine of their
thirteen tacklers on defense including four NFL draft picks. This defense could be susceptible
to giving up a lot of points early in the season while the new starters adjust which leaves the
back-door wide open for a much improved Missouri offense (awful 2015). The technicals are
are also in favor of the Tigers here as they are a respectable 28-16 against the spread (64%)
the last ten years in non-conference action while also sporting a solid 12-5 ATS mark (71%)
as an away underdog. Meanwhile, West Virginia has struggled as a home favorite under coach
Dana Holgorsen going just 9-15 ATS (37%). Finally, the early noon start could see both teams
slow out of the gate which I believe favors a big dog. I haven't seen a total for this game but
trends seem to point toward the Under.

Sidenote West Virginia

17-5 Under their last 22 games.
10-1 Under their last 11 as home favorites of 10.5 plus.
6-1 Under last 7 games as a home favorite.
22-6 Under their last 28 as a favorite.
9-4 Under their last 13 versus non-conference.

Sidenote Missouri

12-2 Under their last 14 September games.
18-7 Under their last 25 overall.
5-0 Under their last 5 road games.
6-1 Under their last 7 as an underdog.
4-0 Under their last 4 playing non-conference game.

For what it's worth..........................

 

[cloverleaf]

Auburn Uncertainty

There's plenty of question marks on the Plains going into this football season.
Auburn has yet to name a starting quarterback, lost a pair of talented running
backs to transfer and is adapting to its third defensive coordinator in as many
years. Did I mention they will open September 3 against the best quarterback
in the country? All he did in the title game against Alabama was rack up 478
yards and 4 touchdowns. Yeah, lots of uncertainty on the Plains these days!

 

[rolltide]

SEC Media Days predictions ... as assumed, 2-3 horse race in the West and a clear 3 horse race in the east. I would favor LSU over Bama and surprised they got 4x the amount of votes as LSU since game this year is down in Baton Rouge. No love for UK, USCe, Missouri, or Vandy ... nor should there be

SEC CHAMPION
Alabama (223 points)
LSU (59)
Tennessee (29)
Georgia (7)
Florida (5)
Ole Miss (4)
Texas A&M (1)
South Carolina (1)
Vanderbilt (1)
Arkansas (1)


EASTERN DIVISION
Tennessee (2167 points)
Florida (1891)
Georgia (1860)
Kentucky (933)
Vanderbilt (810)
Missouri (807)
South Carolina (800)


WESTERN DIVISION
Alabama (2220 points)
LSU (1984)
Ole Miss (1479)
Texas A&M (1130)
Arkansas (1047)
Auburn (890)
Mississippi State (518)

 

[cloverleaf]

Florida

The Gators once again have stars at every level of the defense, though depth may not be
quite as good as a year ago. A strong defensive line should key things up front, while a
talented secondary returns a handful of All-SEC caliber players again. The offense will need
things to jell because of new players at virtually all of the skill positions, but the talent level
is improving especially at quarterback where Florida has started nine in the six years since
Tim Tebow left campus. It's hard to imagine an easier home schedule, with non-conference
games against UMass, North Texas and Presbyterian. However, despite three home games
to start the season, the schedule takes a twist with SEC play starting in Week two against
Kentucky. The Gators won't have much time to fine-tune before conference action. Things
really heat up at the end of September with a game against SEC East favorite Tennessee in
Knoxville. Florida gets LSU at home and Georgia in Jacksonville in October. Win two of those
three and the Gators will feel great about their chances to repeat in the SEC East. A tricky
trip to Arkansas who will be coming off a bye week, then Will Muschamp will return to the
Swamp with South Carolina. A difficult road trip to Tallahassee headline the November slate.

Sidenote: For eight consecutive seasons Florida has been ranked in the national top 15 in total
defense. The Gators finished in the top 10 in seven of those years.

 

[cloverleaf]

Missouri

Talk about a contrast in offense and defense on one team...how about this one? During
the 2015 season, Missouri's defense was ranked No. 5 nationally for scoring defense, while
the offense was ranked No. 126 for scoring offense. Not sure I have ever seen such a
difference in offensive and defensive production from any other team.

Sidenote: Not picking on the offense after such a sorry year but don't get to excited about
this year's edition. The offensive line is thin on depth and experience. The same goes for
a running back group that returns only one player with Division I experience. There's no
established depth at quarterback behind starter Drew Lock who completed less than 50%
of his passes last year.

Sidenote: The defense should be good again. The defensive front is loaded with experience,
skill, and depth and will backed by two veteran linebackers. The secondary returns three
starters but one was beaten out this spring. This defense is going to be pretty stout with eight
starters back.

Interesting Stat: When playing at home after a loss, the Tigers rebound for a money making
21-10 against the spread. If they are playing at home off a double digit loss they rebound
by going 16-5 against the spread. Don't sleep on the Tigers when playing at home off a loss...
especially off a double digit loss. 2-1 last year in this situation.

 

[cloverleaf]

Bowl Connections

One or more SEC teams are eligible for the four-team College Football Playoff.
Those SEC teams not selected for the semifinals can be picked for the Sugar
Bowl this season.

SEC#1 Sugar vs. Big 12
SEC#2 Citrus vs Big 10
SEC#3 Outback vs Big 10
SEC#4-7 Taxslayer vs Big 10
SEC#4-7 Music City vs ACC
SEC#4-7 Liberty vs Big 12
SEC#4-7 Belk vs ACC
SEC#8-10 Birmingham vs AAC
SEC#8-10 Independence vs ACC
SEC#8-10 Texas vs Big 12
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SEC Defense

SEC head coaches seem to value defensive coordinators more than offensive coordinators.
In 2015, five SEC defensive coordinators made at least $1 million, up to a high of $1.7 million.
Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, Georgia and LSU each paid at least $1 million. The average:
$894,615. On the flip side, only one SEC offensive coordinator made more than $1 million,
that being (over paid) Cam Cameron at LSU ($1.5 million). The average for offensive
coordinators is $601,307. Explanation: Coaches believe defense wins championships!

 

[rolltide]

sec arrests piling up.....................

A pair of Florida Gators true freshman wide receivers were jailed overnight on two felony charges stemming from firing a BB gun outside a dorm on the campus of the University of Florida.
Four-star Tyrie Cleveland, Florida’s top-rated signee in 2016, and three-star Rick Wells were booked into a Alachua County Jail early Monday morning on identical felony offenses: second-degree for using a weapon (firing a missile into a dwelling, vehicle, building or aircraft) and third-degree for property damage (criminal mischief, $1,000 or more in damage).
Cleveland and Wells, both Jacksonville natives, were arrested for firing BB guns around the Keys Residential Complex. They were identified as the perpetrators by video.
The police report notes that three dorm windows were broken on July 15 at approximately 6:45 p.m., and an officer initially responded at 11:30 p.m. that night to assess the damage, prepare a report and begin his investigation.
After being identified and being read their Miranda rights early Monday, both Cleveland and Wells admitted to their actions on the spot and turned over their BB guns to the officer. They were taken into custody around 3:30 a.m.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Alabama offensive guard Alphonse Taylor was arrested Sunday and charged with driving under the influence by the Tuscaloosa Police Department, according to the Tuscaloosa Country Sheriff's Office. Taylor's bond was set at $1,000.
Taylor left the scene of an accident and was arrested on Hargrove Road on Sunday, according to multiple media reports.
Taylor was a starter at right guard along the Crimson Tide's offensive line, which won the first-ever Joe Moore Award, a last year, but the senior was given an ultimatum by head coach Nick Saban to lose some weight to be a starter again.
In the spring, Taylor was demoted to second-team right guard because of his weight, while Brandon Kennedy took valuable reps with the first-team offensive line. Taylor's weight is listed at 345 pounds -- his same weight from this spring.
Taylor was voted to the 2016 Preseason SEC Media Days All-SEC Team's second-team offense this past week in Hoover.

 

[NoCoke]

Just saw this article - more proof that it's really Nick Saban's world and everyone else is just living in it. This is just insane.

Alabama’s unprecedented recruiting run has been well documented, but nothing illustrates the success Nick Saban’s staff has had recently like the current depth of talent on the defensive side of the football. The Tide’s starting eleven will be the most talented bunch in the country this season, illustrated by the fact that four players were named to the watch list for the Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s best defender. Even more rare, however, is the fact that Jeremy Pruitt can conceivably deploy an entire defense consisting of nothing but five-star recruits.

http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2016/7/16/12205368/alabama-s-nothing-but-five-stars-defense

 

[rolltide]

Just saw this article - more proof that it's really Nick Saban's world and everyone else is just living in it. This is just insane.

Alabama’s unprecedented recruiting run has been well documented, but nothing illustrates the success Nick Saban’s staff has had recently like the current depth of talent on the defensive side of the football. The Tide’s starting eleven will be the most talented bunch in the country this season, illustrated by the fact that four players were named to the watch list for the Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s best defender. Even more rare, however, is the fact that Jeremy Pruitt can conceivably deploy an entire defense consisting of nothing but five-star recruits.

http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2016/7/16/12205368/alabama-s-nothing-but-five-stars-defense

that's wild ...

while I am very concerned about the offense they could start a ton of 5-stars there as well. with a 2-back formation and Blake Barnett at QB they would have 8 5-stars out there as all these guys will be starters:

QB - Blake Barnett
RB - Bo Scarb
RB - Damien Harris
TE - OJ Howard
WR - Calvin Ridley
WR - Robert Foster
RT - Jonah Williams
LT - Cam Robinson

 

[cloverleaf]

Bama has the talent to win another national title this year. Not saying they will but
if Saban can keep the majority out of jail this summer it will be an interesting season.

WR Calvin Ridley is the go to guy right now but don't be surprised if the other wide out
Robert Foster has a big season. Ridley, Foster and Howard are a threat if the QB can
get them the ball.

Bateman will start at QB and it will be up to him to hold on as a starter. Kid has talent
and can run if needed. Again, it will be interesting come fall camp.

 

[cloverleaf]

Auburn Opener

Auburn will face the best quarterback in the country in their opening game against
Clemson. Deshaun Watson won the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's best
college quarterback, in 2015 when he led the Tigers to a 14-1 record, ACC title and
a No. 2 ranking the final polls. He threw 35 touchdown passes and ran for 12 scores
in running a Clemson offense that became the first in ACC history with at least 4,000
yards passing and 3,000 yards rushing. Watson became the first quarterback in college
football history with at least 4,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing. Running back
Wayne Gallman is also a weapon having rushed for 1,524 yards and 13 touchdowns last
season. The 1,524 yards is an all-time Clemson record. He added 213 receiving yards
on 21 catches and his 1,740 yards from scrimmage broke the all-time school record. No
doubt Auburn will have their hands full with Watson and Gallman come September 3.

Guess: Clemson 40 Auburn 28

 

[cloverleaf]

LSU

The season will begin on an historic note when LSU faces Wisconsin on September 3
in the first major college game to be played in Lambeau Field, the 59-year-old legendary
home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. At least the foe in the Lambeau Field College
Football Classic will be somewhat familiar. LSU rallied to beat Wisconsin in Houston,
28-24, in the 2014 season-opener. In another rare encounter, Missouri will visit Tiger
Stadium for the first time for LSU's homecoming October 1. It will mark the second
ever meeting between the teams and the first since Missouri joined the SEC. Missouri
beat LSU in the 1978 Liberty Bowl, 20-15. Defending national champion Alabama will
visit November 5 in what is almost always an epic battle.

Sidenote: LSU is 6-0 against the spread before playing Mississippi State. Jacksonville
State fits the bill this season.

 

[rolltide]

updated SEC win totals @ Westgate

Alabama over 10 +130, under 10 -150
Arkansas over 7 -110, under 7 -110
LSU over 9.5 -120, under 9.5 +100
Tennessee over 9.5 -150, under 9.5 +130
Ole Miss over 8 -130, under 8 +110
Georgia over 8.5 -125, under 8.5 +105
Florida over 8 -140, under 8 +120
Auburn over 7 -145, under 7 +125