Eyes on the Prize; A look at Bama's SEC Matchups

This season in the SEC is once again proving to be an exciting one, full of contenders with eyes on the same prize.

            Preseason hype followed LSU and Alabama with predictions of their clash in Atlanta, with one of them emerging to the National Championship game.

            In August, that story line took a sharp turn for the LSU Tigers when Jordan Jefferson and four other players were allegedly involved in a bar fight after about 50 LSU players went out to celebrate the end of two-a-days.

            According to 19-year-old witness to the altercation, Victoria Long saw Jefferson kick one of the victims in the face. Jefferson was arrested on felony second-degree battery charges, and the Tiger organization was forced to suspend their starting quarterback. Tide fans rejoiced, but not everyone should be clapping.

            Not all of Baton Rouge was set on Jefferson in the first place. Last year Jefferson threw ten interceptions and went through a ten game period without throwing a touchdown pass. Still, people praised Jefferson’s improvement in the offseason- but none of that matters now.

            Back up quarterback, now starting QB, Jarrett Lee is still a more than capable leader. As a senior he is familiar with the LSU offense and has experience on the field in victory and defeat- he had a rough freshman season where he had 17 interceptions but also has made key plays in many significant Tiger wins.  

            But focus doesn’t need to be on LSU’s air game. Last year they were last in the SEC for passing yards, but this year expectations are still high because of their talented defense and running game that has bailed them out before.

            Alabama should still be nervous, and the absence of Jordan Jefferson should not affect the level of preparation for this huge SEC game- whose implications still could indicate a National Championship contender.            

            Another SEC foe that made Bama nervous early on the schedule was Arkansas, mainly because of a lethal running back in Knile Davis. But the Razorbacks suffered a huge blow when Davis injured his left ankle in summer practice. He is expected to be out the entire season.

            Not much has been said about the backs under Davis on the depth chart, but if they had a chance to watch him and be coached by the same coaches they can still do damage. Arkansas Head Coach Bobby Petrino also brought freshman corner back Kelvin Fisher Jr. to running back. Fisher played running back in high school and that position is where he gained attention from Arkansas recruiters. Fisher is just one option presenting itself for Arkansas.

             Petrino brings up another reason his team could look to mar anybody’s idea of a perfect season- their defense who he says doesn’t get enough credit.

            Alabama’s offense would be wise to take note, significantly making sure their young quarterback is not shaken up by any Razorback getting too close to home. Richardson should be prepared to have a big game that week, not necessarily with big numbers but by being a rock for his offense if he needs to.

            Never underestimate the growth the Mississippi State Bulldogs have made this year. They may not be going to the same championship games as other SEC teams, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t LOVE to be the thorn in the side of a championship nominee.

            Bulldog quarterback Chris Relf has gained experience and according to coaches and players has bought into the organization more this year than ever before. His mobility in the pocket matched with running back Vick Ballard is a one two punch for Mississippi State.

            Another Bulldog to watch is Georgia. Some college football analysts have picked Georgia to go the SEC championship. This is interesting considering Georgia’s previous season record of 6-7 and head coach Mark Richt coming under fire. But that pressure is exactly why some believe this is Georgia’s year.

            Alabama does not play them in the regular season so their matchup is highly hypothetical right now. If it came down to the two teams in Atlanta, Alabama’s experience with big games will be a big mental advantage.

            Florida has a lot to deal with internally but big coaching changes look impressive on paper. Charlie Weis is the new Gator offensive coordinator. Quarter back John Brantley says he has already learned so much from Weis’s offense, offenses that in the past have excelled in both the NFL and a brief stint at Notre Dame.

            While the offense intensifies under Weis, new head coach Will Muschamp has a defensive mindset. It might take more time for their presence to really shake things up but look for those positive changes this season in The Swamp.  

            Hype for South Carolina has died down a bit. Drama with their quarterback Stephen Garcia has left a bad taste with head coach Steve Spurrier.

            Spurrier knows that the success the team had last year doesn’t mean they’ve accomplished anything yet. Keeping tabs on that confidence will be on the agenda as long as it takes for players to buy in to the fact that this is 2011, not 2010.

            In the end, when looking at Alabama’s season there should be no shortage of pride in this years team. But, let last year be a testimony of caution to the power of not finishing four quarters. While still respecting each week’s opponent it could be debated that some games last year were Alabama’s to lose instead of the opponents to win. Alabama can’t lose games this year by not playing their best football. 

Out With The Old, In With The New

“It’s an exciting time to be a football coach. We’re all undefeated right now.”

After a disappointing 2010 season, coaching changes and team chemistry- Florida has a lot on their plate for 2011

       With that, Florida’s new head coach Will Muschamp took to the stage of Media Days. After Urban Meyer’s highly publicized coaching conclusion at Florida, Muschamp headed to Gainesville in December. After what he calls a “productive spring”, he’s eager for the season to start.

       “We had a good five-week offseason into spring,” he said. “I feel comfortable with our talent level. We do have some deficiencies as far as our as far as our numbers are concerned. I am concerned about that.”

        Despite his concern on the roster, he knows its tough getting sympathy in this league.

        “I don’t think anybody is feeling sorry for the Gators, for sure.”

         This off-season, Muschamp wants to create a blue-collar hard working mentality and says the team has identified playmakers on both sides of the ball. Both wide receiver Deonte Thompson and sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley have gained attention with their explosive spring practices by both players and coaching staff alike.

          For defensive end William Green something the Florida lacked last year was teamwork, something that is not going unnoticed this year. New team chemistry has both young and veteran players excited to share space on the Gainesville gridiron.

         “I told all the younger guys, ‘Are you going to go the distance? Are you with us or not?’” Deonte Thompson said. “We are a close knit team- everything is more ‘team’ this year.”

       As a new comer, Muschamp’s chemistry with the team is also evident. The initial comparison fans, media and even players look at is to his predecessor. Some players say they are similar, but others divulge greater differences in the two “great leaders”.

        “[Muschamp’s] a great coach, great defensive coach,” Florida quarterback John Brantley said. “Great intensity and he’s brought that to the team. We needed that, that giddy up.”

     “All the coaches interact with us a lot, Muschamp works out with us sometimes,” Thompson said. “I think the worst thing you can do as a leader is be something your not,” Muschamp said. “I’m a defensive coach.”

      Muschamp’s presence is not the only highly coveted addition to Florida’s coaching staff for 2011. Offensive mastermind Charlie Weis will take to the feild and Dan Quinn will help Muschamp’s defensive mindset as defensive coordinator. Weis, whose extensive resume with the Patriots and Dan Quinn’s history with the Dolphins combine to usher in close to 40 years of NFL experience.  

    “Since day one, seeing Weis’s track record- I’ve been jotting down as much as I can,” Florida QB John Brantley said. “He’s great.”

      Florida’s ties to proven NFL coaches got even more obvious this spring when Patriots head coach Bill Belichick attended Florida’s pro day. He watched some practice then spoke to the team.

     “What a presence he has within a group,” Muschamp said.

       But Belichick’s presence reached the University of Florida even before he physically visited campus, by way of Nick Saban. Once upon a time Saban coached under Belichick and Muschamp coached under Nick Saban while the two were at LSU. When asked what influences he took from Saban, praise was not short-lived.

      “I think more than anything, total program management, philosophically, what you believe offensively, defensively and special teams being tied together on both sides of the ball for what you what you want to be,” he said. “Having accountability, responsibility. All those things to me are traits of good football teams, certainly some things that reemphasize to me what was important. I had a great working relationship with Nick. He’s very smart, detail oriented, very organized in what he wants to do, the vision he sees for his program. That’s a credit to him.”

         Last year an 8-5 record had the Gators longing for better days. Like other SEC teams faced with a disappointing 2010 season the Gators hope to use the feelings of last year’s defeat as motivation.

        On the field, Florida looks to perfect the pass rush. For players, the stream of studying film “hasn’t really taken a break.” Recent years remember Florida as a constant favorite, but this year the expectations have eased, putting them in an unfamiliar underdog mentality.

       “We have a chip on our shoulder about how we played last year,” Green said.

       “We love it [being the underdog],” Thompson said. “We don’t need it…we have lots of young guys that are hungry.”

       “Being the underdog it does make it easier cause you’re not being hunted.” Green said.

       Florida may not be hunted yet, but teammates say quarterback John Brantley is improving with this year’s Gator offense, aiming for a “balanced” identity.

      “We have a more pro style offense, and you can see Brantley has his confidence back,” senior wide receiver Deonte Thompson said. “It’s a big difference, coming in very confident with 7x7 drills, he controls the huddle, more verbal.”

       “I think we’re going to surprise people this year,” Green said.