Archive for August, 2009

While Bama Awaits Word From NCAA, Saban Must Be Fuming

Posted by Kevin Scott on August 25 2009 Add Comments
One can only imagine the anger and frustration Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is feeling at this moment.  Though the coach will never show it publicly, I would imagine there are some people in that locker room that wish they didn't know the coach right now. A short few months back, Saban had to find a way to put aside the distraction of the "textbook scandal" that landed Alabama on probation once again.  This was ...

A Not-So Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Opening Day

Posted by Joel Barker on August 25 2009 Add Comments
We’ve all heard the numerous jokes that begin with, “So a funny thing happened to me on the way to the doctor…” For the Tennessee Vols that has become the unfortunate motto of pre-season practice in ’09, except its not funny—at all! On Saturday, Gerald Jones, the Vols top wide receiver was lost for three-to-six weeks with a high ankle sprain. The news is, at best, devastating. Adding Jones to an injury list that already includes WRs ...

Five Things the Alabama Crimson Tide Must Avoid If They’re to Win an SEC Title

Posted by Douglas Webb on August 25 2009 Add Comments
With so much focus being put towards what it will take for Alabama to be successful on the season, I thought in this one that I would focus on things the Crimson Tide needs to avoid if it hopes to win its first SEC title in a decade. There are countless things that the Tide needs to avoid this season, from simplistic ones like losses to some of the less obvious ones I listed below. So without ...

Beamer Ball Won’t Be Enough…Get Ready for Some Wrinkles

Posted by Larry Burton on August 25 2009 Add Comments
Before you look up my Bio, yes, I write professionally for Alabama.  Let me get that out of the way right up front.  I actually wanted that said right up front because I think the Tech fans who read this would be hard pressed to find one among their own ranks who respects Frank Beamer as much as I do. This is a guy who did what another great coach I admire, Bobby Johnson, who went to ...

All-Time Clemson Team: Defense

Posted by Joseph Durst on August 25 2009 Add Comments
In honor of the beginning of the college football season and a new era in Clemson football, I will be unveiling my all-time Clemson football team in a three part series. Considering the depth of football talent that has graced the Clemson gridiron, the task of compiling a single team of all-time greats was not easy. Having said that, here are my selections for Clemson's all-time head coach, defensive coordinator, and defense. The coaches selected both led Clemson to ...

Predicting The SEC Championship Game (Way Too Far In Advance)

Posted by Matthew Smith on August 25 2009 Add Comments
It's pretty clear, barring some unforeseen tragedy, that Florida will be the team to represent the Eastern division of the Southeastern Conference in the Championship game. The only slip up they could have is on the road, at night, at LSU. Other than that, it seems the Gators will roll through the Eastern division on the way to their second straight conference championship game. Florida's toughest games are all at home or on a neutral site. They ...

Rutgers Football 2009: Offensive Line

Posted by Josh Rosenberg on August 25 2009 Add Comments
During the first half of the Rutgers season, the offensive line played poorly as senior quarterback Mike Teel found himself constantly pressured and sacked. Teel was never the best decision-maker under pressure and this forced him to make some very bad throws, which resulted in Rutgers’ 1-5 start last season. Offensive line Coach Kyle Flood reshuffled the line, adding Art Forst into the lineup at right guard, benching fifth-year senior Mike Gilmartin, moving Kevin Haslam to ...

Florida Gators Worthy Of First Place Votes

Posted by The Rant on August 25 2009 Add Comments
Defending National Champion Florida Gators received 58 of 60 first place votes in Saturday's Associated Press Preseason Rankings, the highest total of first place votes in the poll's 59-year history. The two remaining first place votes went to the Texas Longhorns. But do the Gators deserve to be ranked so much higher than everyone else? The answer is yes, for many reasons. The Gators have one of the best coaches in college football in Urban Meyer. Meyer ...

Husky Trails: Five Keys to the Washington Huskies’ Season

Posted by Ian Peterson on August 25 2009 Add Comments
With the season fast approaching, it is easy to get caught up in all the rhetoric that naturally flies around fall camps. The optimism can be contagious. Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian has done an excellent job at bringing a fresh look to the Huskies. While it remains to be seen what he does on the field, he should be lauded for taking that first step. If Sarkisian is going to be successful this season, these ...

Four Football Conferences in Search of Respect

Posted by David Singleton on August 25 2009 Add Comments
  Respect. It’s a funny word. Whether it’s Aretha or Otis Redding singing about it, or some athlete somewhere complaining because the media isn’t giving their team enough of it, it’s something that we all clamor for. Respect usually has to be earned; it is not simply bestowed upon those who want it. It’s something you have to show that you are worthy of being granted. In the 2009 season, there are four leagues that could be seen as ...