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Sugar Bowl Open Thread, Second Half

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Halftime thoughts

Utah hasn’t done anything since early in the game. Advantage: Alabama

But the offense still hasn’t done much for Bama. Javier Arenas and Tiffin can’t win this game on their own.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 9:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bama has had a couple of decent drives – inside handoffs, and passing from rollouts are both working. But they haven’t been able to sustain those drives into scoring range.

Fortunately, the defence seems to have recovered from their early game bewilderment – now three straight punts after three straight TDs. But they can’t let up – even 11 points is pretty big deficit for a fairly slow-paced O like this.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 9:55 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So

How many players urinate on themselves during Saban’s halftime “pep talk”?

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 9:52 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, you can dress 85 players for a bowl game, so...

…I’m guessing about 86 puddles because I think Tiffin will urinate twice because he missed the field goal.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 9:54 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nah

they might need him in the second half. But if I were a walk-on, I’d have been mighty nervous going into the locker room.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:00 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Band shot

Time to drink again! Whoo!

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:00 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whoa

Alabama has a guy playing electric bass. I’ve never seen that before.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:01 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I really do loathe halftime shows on television

At the stadium, you can see the whole band, and it’s live music.

On TV, it’s just a really bad music video.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:02 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bama's priority has to be to stop the next Utah drive

They can’t go down by three possessions. They don’t have the offense to keep up.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:01 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And conversely, Utah needs to get something positive from their drive. After a dominating first, Bama had the edge in the second – they didn’t make the best use of it, but they had it. And against a bigger, perhaps deeper, team you can’t count on regaining the upper hand once you lose it.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, that's the main difference between an SEC team and a MWC team

Typically the 1st team guys at most school are fairly comparable. The difference is that in the SEC, your 2nd and 3rd stringers could play 1st team anywhere in the country. It’ll be interesting to see how this game goes because Alabama doesn’t have a ton of depth.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's why Bama has to get Utah off the field quickly to start the half

Otherwise, the defense will get plenty of rest between the halftime and the Utes’ drive.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:09 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No, they don’t – but they were so unbelievably lucky with injuries all year it never caught up to them. (Except possibly in the SECCG; the offensive line in particular was much less effective in the fourth quarter.)

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:10 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At least his speech is better than Emmitt Smith's

Is there a guy with worse English skills on a pre-game show than Smith?

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:11 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No. And thank God UF has Collinsworth and Palmer in the punditry business… Smith would bury us otherwise.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:13 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It was all the concussions in the pros that did it, man – I swear, he was perfectly lucid when he left us. Really. Honest to God.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:14 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bama has to capitalize

Anything less gives the momentum back to Utah

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Run it inside, mix in the occasional quick pass to Jones, don’t get fancy or try to run slow-developing plays… in short, play the same offence Bama played all year.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:21 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He hasn’t been so brilliant tonight. But if they keeping giving him single coverage, they’re going to pay eventually.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:22 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bama to the Utah 5

Their first 1st and Goal of the night, IIRC

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:22 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That looked easy

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And we’ve got a ball-game. Pressure’s definitely on Utah now.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Now, the question goes over to Utah

Do they fold now that Bama’s put together a 17-0 stretch? They still have the lead, but if they get nervous, they’ll start making mistakes.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:24 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Now, it's Utah's turn to go on the fritz

From Block U:
This is the game for Utah right now. They don’t score and the Tide will roll ’em.

That’s one of the few printable ones.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Really poor tackling by Bama on first down.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Utah responds

Big pass play into Bama territory.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At least Bama is getting pressure on the QB – even on the big play, they had guys in the backfield.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:29 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But not much pressure on the third down…

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:29 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

FG doesn't do much for Utah here

Only guarantees a tie if Bama scores another TD

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:28 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Another short- to medium-range pass

Have Alabama’s LBs ever, you know, covered anyone?

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:29 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Perhaps they’re more the run-support type? LBs who are effective in coverage aren’t all that common, really.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:30 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But a worse play by the defender – looked he gambled on the deflection or pick instead of settling for the stop, and whiffed on both. (That’s what we call the “Tony Joiner special.”

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:32 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Horrible tackling by Bama

TD Utes.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:32 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was awful tackling

Had him covered, Ute eluded the defender and dashed for the TD

27-17, XP pending

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:32 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

28-17

Our conference is dishonored. I would say it’s time for the Alabama D to commit hari-kari, but I think Saban will probably handle that for them.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:33 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Salient comment from Block U

Alabama “Still hasn’t driven down the field to score a TD. Punt return and very short field on the fumble.”

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:34 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I mean, there's still lots of time left

11 points with 10:00 mins to go in the 3rd quarter. That’s not impossible to come back. They just need to keep Utah out of the end zone.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:36 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, but I don't think they can keep depending on short fields

They’re going to have to have at least one 60-70 yard drive

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:37 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"Honk if you sacked Wilson" is getting made for sure

Lowder is already figuring a way to make money off this idea.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:37 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did you see the Bama cheerleader finish her cheer

And then arrange her hair like she had somewhere better to be?

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was just thinking

She seems like she’d rather be on Bourbon Street.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:39 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The short, quick passes aren’t getting much after the catch – there’s always a defender right there for the tackle.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At least they didn't suffer the same fate as Hawaii fans

Taking out second mortgages only to see your team poop themselves on national television.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:40 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Man, that was an awful, awful game

You could just look at Georgia after the first few plays and say, “Man, they’re going to kill them.”

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:41 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

Hawaii false started on the first two offensive plays of the game. You knew they were like deers in the headlights then.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:42 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Everyone in the world knew that flag was coming.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Coffee is down

Tough block and then down

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:40 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The freaking out at RBR has begun

“Why God?
Why Coffee? Why now?”

Just a little snippet from over there.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:41 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh. Hate to say it

But with Andre Smith and Coffee … do they get that one?

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:42 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They’re one more casualty away from throwing the towel.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:43 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

As you mentioned earlier

They avoided the injury bug this year and were lucky because they had so little depth. This is a completely different team without those guys. They don’t have someone that can just step in and take over.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:44 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It really is – I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a team miss a single offensive lineman so desperately.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:45 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anyone who doubts the value of line play needs to watch this game

It’s the best example since Oregon State-Southern Cal

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:47 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And the painful irony is – line play was supposed to be Bama’s great advantage.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:48 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or the Bama/Georgia game

They manhandled Georgia on both sides of the line and flat out dominated that game.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:48 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or Oklahoma – TTech; the Sooners were so enormously superior Tech had absolutely no chance. Harrell was hounded ceaselessly the entire first half, and Bradford was barely breathed upon…

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:49 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Big stop for Bama's D here

They need this bad.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:51 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bama is seriously running out of time

They’ve got 17 minutes to score 12 points, with an offense that isn’t used to being required to do that, on a night when said offense still hasn’t driven the length of the field.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:53 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They've got some bandwagon jumpers over at RBR, looks like

Maybe I should offer them to jump on the Georgia bandwagon. There’s pretty of room on it, I hear.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:55 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

All aboard

I’m riding it out with Kyle and Macon Dawg over at DawgSports.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:58 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Julio Jones again

Coffee appears to be ready to come back

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:55 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was an easy PI call

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:56 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Uhhh

It’s a legit call, but kind of ticky-tacky

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 10:56 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

On first look, it appeared ticky-tacky

He got a pretty good pull on the jersey.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 10:57 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heaving it deep for PI is their most reliable play.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:56 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Neither of which are plays you should be relying on…

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 10:58 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

BlockU comment

we have to get to JPW

Give him time and he’ll kill us.

They haven’t watched much SEC football, have they?

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:00 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They’re not having much trouble getting to him at the moment….

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:01 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I could understand if they only watched the Bama/Georgia game

JPW was lights out in that one, but other than that he’s been average at best.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:02 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think, after today’s games, that Snead definitely passes him in the pecking order.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:03 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No question

It’s Tebow/Stafford, Snead, and everyone else

There are some young ones out there who could be good (Jefferson, Garcia), but none that have done it quite yet. Poor Kodi Burns will never get his head straightened out after the last year.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Snead

He’s definitely up there with Tebow and Stafford by the end of the season.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:05 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Jefferson in particular could be a rising star. But the pool was awfully shallow this year, and at far too many schools the future doesn’t look much brighter.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If Stafford and Tebow leave..

It’s Snead and maybe Jefferson?

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Let's not coronate Jefferson yet

If Stafford and Tebow leave, it’s Snead and someone else TBD.

The kid’s played in a few games. Jefferson isn’t the guy for LSU yet.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:07 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Snead is probably tops. Jefferson would definitely be in the conversation. Brantley hasn’t been particularly brilliant in his cameos, but he was very highly regarded out of high school and might have the best arsenal in the conference.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'd love to see Brantley more

Meyer rarely recruits a bad one.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:10 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He has shown flashes of real promise – but so far he’s never been in a position to do anything but run out the clock. His offence certainly won’t be the same as Tebow’s – Brantley looks like a waif next to him – but hopefully he’ll be able to run enough to keep defences honest. (Tebow as the default short-yardage option works, mostly, but it isn’t really a desirable system.)

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:12 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's just a bad idea

Let’s run it straight at Terrence Cody on our own goal line. It’s not like he pushes centers around or anything.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Another medium-range pass

Not an easy throw, either. Johnson is good, if it still needed to be said.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

IMO

Both he and Nate Davis of Ball State didn’t get the respect they deserved for Heisman consideration. They both played really well this year and if they were at Georgia/Florida/USC/Texas they would have been on magazine covers and awards finalists.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed. A player from outside the charmed circle of ‘high profile school QB or RB’ could win, I think – but he’d need Tebow-like numbers in a year when all of the big powers were helmed by guys like… well, like JPW.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:13 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow

Johnson has thrown for 301 yards. Granted, Utah only has 19 rushing yards, but that’s an impressive stat.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:09 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think it's more impressive with the running total

Alabama knows exactly what a team with supposedly inferior athletes is going to do — and they still can’t stop it.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:10 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How much guaranteed money has Andre Smith picked up tonight?

I mean, if you’re an NFL scout and you’re watching this…

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:12 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They're conceding defeat over at RBR

“do we chalk this up to not having anything to gain or just getting our asses kicked?”

It still seems to early to me for that kind of talk.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:13 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm not so sure

Bama is completely out of sync offensively

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:13 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We’re not so far from ‘only turnovers will save us’ territory. Because, yeah, they can’t get anything going offensively.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:14 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The answer

is that they’re getting their asses kicked, but there’s still 10 minutes in the game.

by DoubleB on Jan 2, 2009 11:16 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I got to tell you

I’ve been pretty impressed with “Moose” Johnston’s color commentary. He’s not been too bad at all.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:15 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Some of the Fox guys aren't bad

But they need to cover more than five games a year to do well.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:17 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Except Thom Brennaman

That guy is terrible. He pulled his best Joe Buck and spent 10 minutes criticizing Mark Richt because he threw the ball in the end zone when up 41-10. What he failed to acknowledge was it was with all backups and seniors playing in their only Sugar Bowl.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:21 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bama has a nearly 9:30 advantage in TOP

Against an “inferior” team. And they’re still losing.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:16 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Everyone has seen it before – yet the damn thing still works.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Forget Southern Cal

Maybe these guys should play the winner of Florida-Oklahoma

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:22 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That should be grounding

It didn’t cross the LOS.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:22 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I won't be surprised if they get a few first place votes

They did beat Oregon State this year. Something SC couldn’t do.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:24 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I definitely think

they get some first place votes. The MWC is better than the Big East so this isn’t a one-game thing for them.

by DoubleB on Jan 2, 2009 11:26 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That might do it

There’s the JPW we all know and love.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:27 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Seriously

How does that guy own all of Alabama’s passing records?

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:28 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hopefully

This will end some of this stupid SEC chest thumping bravado that we’ve experienced the last few years. Although it will probably lead to chest thumping bravado from other conferences’ fans.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:30 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

Only Florida left to play. I just think this “conference supremacy” thing is silly. I hardly agree with Stewart Mandel, but I think he’s right. It’s a cyclical thing.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:33 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

of course

but uh i do think the SEC has some in grown advantages

by grahamfiller10 on Jan 2, 2009 11:33 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and I think

the Big 10 coaching and programs have been behind the offensive 8ball

by grahamfiller10 on Jan 2, 2009 11:34 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly

The Big Ten has a great deal of talent. It just needs to use it better.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:35 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Defense, too

That’s why you fare so badly against Southern Cal and the like. I think your defense is behind a bit.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:36 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't believe so

What the Big 10 lacks is speed along the lines. Cocknfire and I talked about this on the earlier thread. Every school has plenty of speed at the skill positions (WR’s and DB’s). What the SEC has done has put 260 pound guys with sprinter speed on the lines and that’s the difference.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:36 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

True

That is some coaching, too. Big Ten teams don’t have fast linemen because some of the coaches don’t think they’re needed.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:40 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, and we were figuring 4-4 would be nice. But BC and UK were both dead lucky to win, and SC’s loss was pretty ugly (Bama’s will be too, assuming no miracle occurs.)

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:33 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Someone is always going to woof.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:32 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's Urban Meyer ballsy

Calling the hook and lateral up by two scores. Wow.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:31 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Okay, let's put this in perspective

The SEC is not miles ahead of anybody else, as anyone rationally watching it play this year has known. It’s probably either No. 1 or No. 2, with the Big XII taking the other spot, but it’s not that much better.

On the other hand, Utah is a good team. This loss doesn’t say the SEC’s bad. Just that the people who take the name of this blog literally (instead of facetiously) are deluded.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:34 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree with that, although

I think there’s a gap between 2 and 3 (which I think is the Pac-10) and I think the Big Ten has been overrated for years (6-15 in last 21 bowl games—at some point that’s a reflection of the quality of the conference

by DoubleB on Jan 2, 2009 11:36 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, team speed does kill – it just isn’t the monopoly of the top SEC teams this year, as it has occasionally appeared in the past.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:37 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ESPN needs to hire Johnston

He actually does a good job

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:38 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Let's put this season in perspective

Alabama was predicted to finish third in the SEC West behind Auburn and LSU by Phil Steele. They went out and smacked Clemson and Georgia in the mouth on the road and are about two years ahead of schedule. They went toe to toe with what many think is the best team in the country in the SECCG and their other loss is going to be to the only remaining undefeated. Pretty damn good season if you ask me.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It is, definitely. The lack of depth that finally caught up with them here is an inevitable side-effect of being ahead of schedule…

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:40 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

Wait until Saban gets another recruiting class in. Scariness will ensue.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:41 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Definitely agree

But I don’t think anyone thought Utah was going to come in and manhandle Alabama. And they’ve done it without tricks, turnovers, or much else. Outgained them by about 150 yards and only allowed 1 offensive TD.

by DoubleB on Jan 2, 2009 11:41 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No – Bama’s biggest advantage was supposed to be on the lines. Utah’s superiority there was definitely a surprise.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:43 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes

This is only disappointing if you grant that Utah is a bad or “only good for a mid-major” team. They’re not.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:41 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The problem the SEC will have is that so few people watched this game

Many of them will go “LOLOLOLOL ALABAMA LOST TO UTAH EMM DUBYA CEE SPEED LOLOLOLOL” instead of “Man, Utah’s a good team.”

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:43 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed

Auburn is going to run with it for the whole offseason.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:45 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And that’s it, folks. And may I say on the way out, that this was an impressively courteous and friendly chat – though TSK is definitely a cut above the average in that respect normally. See you all later.

by peachy rex on Jan 2, 2009 11:45 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No perspective in Tuscaloosa

From RBR: “Alabama football is dead for another year guys.”

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:46 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Okay folks, it's past my bedtime

As peachy said earlier, this has been a cut above and everyone was respectful, cordial, and insightful. Easily the best thread I’ve been on all year. Take it easy, folks.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Jan 2, 2009 11:47 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

For anyone still here

should Utah garner some #1 AP votes?

by DoubleB on Jan 2, 2009 11:48 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think a few should do it as a sign of respect

But I’m not sure they deserve to be No. 1. Florida or Alabama will have played tougher schedules. I’ll definitely have the Utes in the Top 3.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:49 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Resume isn't

bad. Wins over TCU and Alabama (two top 10 teams). Beat Oregon State with Jacquizz Rodgers. Beat 6 bowl teams and no losses.

by DoubleB on Jan 2, 2009 11:51 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Florida or Oklahoma will have played tougher schedules

Alabama will be lucky to stay in the Top 10 at this point

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:52 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The problem with not ranking them #1

is that it’s entirely on the basis of punishing Utah for imaginary games that they never got to play.

You might argue, “I’m sure if they played Florida, the Gators would win by multiple scores.” Well, maybe. But you’re counting a loss in a game that never happened.

As far as I’m concerned Utah’s the only legitimate I-A champion, and Oklahoma and Florida are playing for the championship of the 6 BCS conferences plus Notre Dame. Utah and every other mid-major never had a chance to win that BCS championship, so let’s not pretend its scope is all of I-A.

by PhilipVU94 on Jan 3, 2009 5:36 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's not punishing Utah for imaginary games that they never got to play

It’s saying who has the best case to make for No. 1. Utah played the games they played, and Florida played the games they played. As far as I’m concerned, the argument for No. 1 probably comes down to the winner of Florida-Oklahoma and Utah. Even if Texas blows out Ohio State — well, it’s Ohio State. If you discount the fact that Florida played the games they played, you’re punishing the Gators for not playing a weaker schedule.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 4, 2009 5:43 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's time for packing

Thanks to all who took part. As others have said, it was a great conversation, almost entirely because of those who joined in.

Good night.

Team Speed Kills. All SEC, all the time.

by cocknfire on Jan 2, 2009 11:50 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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