Head's are Rolling

It's the end of the regular season and teams are starting to make changes for next season - meaning many coaches will be looking for a new address. Among those coaches from Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Michigan and yes, Southern Miss.

I knew Coach O was on the cutting block - the guy is a hell of a recruiter but cannot coach a bit - after not winning a SEC game for the first time in school history he deserves it. Same can be said for the coach at Nebraska - brought in to revive the Huskers, he managed to make them look worse. On to Southern Miss, the rule of mediocrity is over. It's just exciting to think about doing better than 7-5 and a birth in the New Orleans Bowl or the Birmingham Bowl (papajohns). Look I give credit to Bower for being a great guy and keeping the program out of the tank, but unfortunately he doesn't have the ability to move the program to the next level - after 17 years it's time to try something new (maybe bring Nix back??).

While some coaches are getting kicked out, others are getting congratulated. Croom at State should win Coach of the year in the SEC - he has gotten rid of Sherrill's Thugs and finally has a coachable team. Also, I think it's fair to say that Vol's coach Fulmer was saved by leading his team back to SEC title.

There are still a few "?" as the season ends: 1) Will Saban turn around the Tide next season (they looked weak this year) and will be shut his mouth and just coach? 2) Will FL. State force Bowden to retire (because it's obvious he is not coaching but just a face on their sideline)? 3) Will Les Miles move to Michigan and if so, who will go to LSU (maybe Spurrier)? 4) Can Ole Mis dig themselves out of the cellar of the SEC? 5) Will Southern Miss go up or down the year after Bower?

Other than that: this weekend will determine the Bowl match-ups...interesting. I'm going with West Virginia v. Ohio St. - but I'd rather see Missouri v. West Virginia or in a fantasy world, Hawaii v. Kansas.

So far I know Southern is going to B-Ham to play a team from the Big East - good chance it will be Rutgers. Now, where will State, Alabama, GA Tech, TN (etc) go?

FOOD AND FOOTBALL

While you're sitting around the house stuffing your face with turkey and dressing there will be HUGE games going on. Very seldom in the SEC does the last weekend have so much riding on it. Usually we know a couple weeks ahead of time who will be in the championship game and we have a pretty good idea of where our team is headed during bowl season. (Even if it's gonna be sitting on the couch) I would like to mention that flying under the radar this weekend is Vandy. If they defeat Wake Forest, they will give the SEC 11 bowl eligible teams. Wouldn't expect anything less after a year this wild.

Florida, South Carolina and Georgia are done with SEC play and will wrap up their seasons playing their in-state rivals, Florida State, Clemson and Georgia Tech. Florida and Georgia are playing well and should come away with wins. Will be interesting to see if Clemson has hung it up after handing over the ACC division title last weekend.

Ole Miss will play the only bowl they are eligible for this week. Despite all the pitiful coaching done last week, I would imagine Brent Schaeffer will take most of the snaps. In my opinion that gives them the best opportunity to win.

I'm also curious to see how Arkansas plays with Houston Nutt's job winding down in Fayetteville. Will they lay it all out there? or will they lay down? I think Felix Jones' health will play a huge factor in keeping all 11 defenders from keying on McFadden. Not to mention Jones is an outstanding kick returner.

Iron bowl thoughts...Couldn't have been more proud of La Monroe last weekend! Auburn has won 5 in a row. Alabama gets its players back from suspension. OL Caldwell will probably be welcomed back by the assignments of blocking Q. Groves. What I'm lookin for is Alabama trying to thrown deep a lot against an Auburn secondary that has given up a good number of plays down the field this season.

Tennessee at Kentucky, Ok Tennessee wins and they go play LSU. Tennessee loses and UGA wins the SEC East. That's a simple explanation for a game with big implications.

Picks, Picks, Picks...
Vandy 24 Wake Forest 19
Florida 31 Florida State 20
Georgia 35 Georgia Tech 10
Clemson 28 South Carolina 27
Auburn 20 Alabama 13
Arkansas 31 LSU 28
Kentucky 41 Tennessee 35
Ole Miss 24 MS State 17

The Season That Is

Ok, we're half way through the 2007 season, and I'm going to give my grade to each team - I mean, each of you teams, including my Golden Buzzards. Who should I do first?

Ole Miss (3-7)

Poor Ole Miss. They keep coming close to getting that first SEC win, but it keeps eluding them - it's that or they get stomped in the ground, and it doesn't look any better for them as they play LSU next weekend. Their hope is to end the Bowl chances of State at season's end and hope they find a coach during the off season. Grade: F-

Alabama (6-3)

I have to say I have been impressed with the way the Tide have played this season. They are scrappy and could have easily won two out of the three games they lost. Grade: B+

Southern Miss (5-4)

What could have been for the Eagles - a chance to yet again set themselves apart from the rift raft of C-USA and they blow it. Never mind they've been through each QB six times - losing to Rice is embarrassing. If anything, maybe Bower has learned that the screen pass does not work on each set of downs. New Orleans Bowl here they come. Grade: D+

Tennessee (6-3)

The question for TN has been - which team will show up this week? They play great one week and lay an egg the next. They have the talent, but forget to show up with the heart. They play there sister this weekend, Arkansas has had the same issue. Still, I expect one to get blown out.
Grade: B-

Mississippi St. (5-4)

They're one game away from the Liberty Bowl - now they have to survive and not have a let down against the Reb's. I have to say - I have been somewhat impressed with the fire that MS State has played with this year - it seems as if they're tired of being called nobody's and are scrapping for a Bowl appearance. Grade: B+

Miami (5-4)

Both the wins and losses have been ugly for the Hurricanes. I think they will limp into a Bowl game due to their athletic ability. Not saying they haven't had a few good wins - Texas A&M coming to mind - then losing to North Carolina ruins that. Grade: C

Florida (6-3)

That record is not bad considering the level of teams they play, plus how young they are - I mean, no one expected them to repeat. Look for good things next year - well, if they don't kill Tebow before then. Grade B+

Georgia Tech (5-4)

They are unpredictable as well. The one thing you can predict about GT is that they keep the ACC grade point average up. Grade: C+

LSU (8-1)

The Tigers are tough and have came through with some big wins, but they're not that darn good. I predict they will lose again before the 2007 season is out, maybe in the SEC Championship game. Grade: A-