Team Speed Kills - SEC Football Weekend: LSU Defeats Arkansas; SEC Routs ACC in Annual Rivalry GamesSports are just better in the SEChttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52580/tsk_fav.png2012-11-25T00:17:26-05:00http://www.teamspeedkills.com/rss/stream/34454152012-11-25T00:17:26-05:002012-11-25T00:17:26-05:00Ole Miss Upsets Mississippi State, 41-24
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<figcaption>Stacy Revere</figcaption>
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<p>Ole Miss clocks its in-state rival to finish off a late run through the season. There might even be bigger things ahead</p> <p>It's hard to avoid the thought that Ole Miss has continued to improve as the season has worn on. After all, this is the team that needed to rally to beat Central Arkansas and got run out of its own stadium by Texas. With the loss to Vanderbilt two weeks ago, it seemed like the Rebels' last bowl chances had slipped away. But then, in the Egg Bowl, Ole Miss routed its cross-state foes and sent a signal that the Bulldogs aren't the only Mississippi program ready to make its mark in the SEC West.</p>
<p>And it was not a fluky win. After a 17-17 deadlock at the half, Ole Miss then scored the next 24 points to finish off the Bulldogs. A team that had started the season with dreams of potentially challenging Alabama and LSU for supremacy in the SEC West ended up dropping the rivalry matchup with a team that needed every last win it could muster to get into the postseason. Ole Miss churned out 527 yards and 28 first downs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/137362/donte-moncrief">Donte Moncrief</a> -- a sophomore -- went off, catching seven passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. On the other end of those passes was <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112835/bo-wallace">Bo Wallace</a> -- another sophomore -- who went 15-of-22 for 294 yards, five touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.</p>
<p>Whether that's enough to signal a real challenge to the SEC West's Big Three of Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M is a question for another day. But it does seem to indicate that Ole Miss under Hugh Freeze will not be a team easily forgotten. And if they keep improving at this rate, maybe that other goal will look within reach after all.</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/11/25/3687550/ole-miss-41-mississippi-state-24-final-score-statsBrandon Larrabee2012-11-24T23:47:41-05:002012-11-24T23:47:41-05:00South Carolina Closes Down Clemson, 27-17
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<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>South Carolina's defeat of Clemson adds a few more chapters to the Head Ball Coach's list of achievements in Columbia. It also continues to raise the important question of what happens when he's gone</p> <p>When he came to South Carolina several years ago, and through the periods when he enduring 7-5 season after 7-5 season, Steve Spurrier stressed the reason that he enjoyed being in Columbia: The chance to do things that had never been done, or at least to do things that had not been done in a long time. On Saturday, he added a few more accomplishments to a growing list.</p>
<p>With his 65th victory as Gamecocks head coach, Spurrier passed Rex Enright as the winning coach in South Carolina history. But he did so with 32 fewer losses and in seven fewer seasons than Enright, virtually ensuring that he will go down as one of the greatest head coaches in two programs -- his alma mater of Florida being the other. And Spurrier extended the winning streak against rival Clemson to four games, the longest in nearly 60 years and only the second to ever go that far. That was also an Enright mark.</p>
<p>And South Carolina did it with a mix of things we have come to expect from them under Steve Spurrier, and things we have not. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116164/dylan-thompson">Dylan Thompson</a>, a late replacement for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116169/connor-shaw">Connor Shaw</a>, had a solid day -- going 23-of-41 for 310 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The Gamecocks had mixed success with the run but generated 444 yards overall.</p>
<p>The defense, meanwhile, did what we've seen Spurrier's defenses do frequently since he came to South Carolina: Shut down, as much as anyone can, the Clemson offense. The Tigers gained 328 total yards, their second-smallest total and only 33 more than Virginia Tech allowed in the lowest-octane performance Clemson had turned in so far. South Carolina sacked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75473/tajh-boyd">Tajh Boyd</a> six times, including 4.5 sacks from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/138017/jadeveon-clowney">Jadeveon Clowney</a> alone.</p>
<p>All of which keeps South Carolina's very faint hopes of a BCS at-large invitation alive. In another year, a 10-win SEC team with its only losses coming to two other SEC teams with at least 10 wins each would at least be in the running. But the rise of South Carolina and the addition of Texas A&M have changed the dynamics of the conference, which will now boast six teams with double-digit wins this season. The Gamecocks will be one of several strong teams trying to keep from ending up in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. It seems that Spurrier's changes in Columbia could have ramifications throughout the league.</p>
<p>Which raises the question: Just how long is Spurrier going to stay at South Carolina? The list of things that haven't been done in Columbia is growing shorter, with only one notable one left that is completely within the team's control -- winning the SEC. If Spurrier can do that within the next year or two, he might decide that it's time to ride off into the sunset with a surefire Hall of Fame invitation waiting to be mailed.</p>
<p>And then it will fall to South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner to do something else that has never been done in Gamecocks history: Find a coach who can repeat all of Spurrier's accomplishments. The first time a program can do certain things is a milestone for the program's fans, but it's only a fading memory if it isn't followed by the second.</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/11/24/3687412/south-carolina-27-clemson-17-steve-spurrier-writes-his-name-intoBrandon Larrabee2012-11-24T19:31:54-05:002012-11-24T19:31:54-05:00Florida 37, Florida State 26: Gators Strike Back
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<figcaption>Melina Vastola-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Gators weren't in control the whole way, but they put a hurting on their in-state rivals.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-gators">Florida Gators</a> overcame a hideous third quarter in order to take down FSU 37-26.</p>
<p>For three quarters, UF dominated the game. Over the course of the first, second, and fourth quarters, the Gators outscored the Seminoles by a count of 37-9. The first half was all Florida, with the visitors holding the ball for about three quarters of it. They could have had more than the 13-3 halftime lead they did if not for a bad <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/111909/trey-burton">Trey Burton</a> pass to a wide open <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131906/clay-burton">Clay Burton</a> on a fourth down conversion attempt and a drive that began deep in FSU territory that only went backwards out of field goal range.</p>
<p>So while UF played very well in the first half, the 13-3 lead proved inadequate. FSU roared out of intermission, forcing a three-and-out on the Gators' first drive and returning the subsequent punt to the Gators' 25. They would jam it in for a touchdown four plays later, and they recovered a fumble deep in Florida territory on the first play of the next drive. They converted that into a touchdown, and they turned another <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131901/kyle-christy">Kyle Christy</a> punt into a field goal. The momentum had swung entirely into FSU's favor, and they took a 20-13 lead into the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>From there, Florida found its footing again and took the game over. Despite the scores that Florida State was picking up, the Gators were able to extend their lead in time of possession in the third quarter. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78461/mike-gillislee">Mike Gillislee</a>, a newly minted 1,000-yard rusher, and his backup Matt Jones wore down the defense even more, and a 24-point fourth quarter was the result. It was reminiscent of the way Florida wore down LSU's defense, only LSU's defense is better. FSU only managed a meaningless touchdown on the game's final play.</p>
<p>It was not a picture perfect win for the Gators, as the offense looked lost at times and they were flagged 12 times for 101 yards (not counting a couple more that were declined). Still, they picked off <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36085/e-j-manuel">E.J. Manuel</a> three times and recovered two more fumbles to capture five turnovers on the game. They also gained 394 yards, the most they've had since 403 on Vanderbilt in mid-October.</p>
<p>The team showed an ability to counterpunch that it did not have against Georgia. The team is all but guaranteed to finish at least fourth in the BCS and get a guaranteed BCS bowl bid, and it of course will be watching Los Angeles very closely to gauge its chances for something more.</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/11/24/3686870/florida-37-fsu-26David Wunderlich2012-11-24T17:36:50-05:002012-11-24T17:36:50-05:00Egg Bowl Preview: Bowl Position
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<figcaption>John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Both of these teams need a win to burnish their postseason positioning. So who gets it?</p> <p><i><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/mississippi-st-bulldogs">Mississippi St. Bulldogs</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/mississippi-rebels">Mississippi Rebels</a>, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU</i></p>
<p>The Egg Bowl comes this year with Mississippi State and Ole Miss both needing a win for the postseason possibilities, but for very different reason. The Rebels need another win to make a trip to the bowls at all, while the Western Division Bulldogs would like to strengthen their resume a little more; a win today would mean a bowl victory would get Mississippi State a 10-win season. That's kind of milestone that Dan Mullen can build on, regardless of how many people carp about State's schedule.</p>
<p>Ole Miss' offense is one of the reasons they've come this far, though, and the 35 points they scored against LSU is the clearest indication yet that it wasn't a smoke-and-mirrors job. Meanwhile, Mississippi State is coming off of a thumping victory against Arkansas that showed that the Bulldogs are indeed a quality team -- even they're not quite on the same level as Alabama and LSU, at least not yet.</p>
<p>We'll give the margin on motivation to Ole Miss, for now. It's a change from what I felt just a week go, and more of a feeling than an analytical decision. It wouldn't surprise me if State revels in the chance to show once again that they're really that good.</p>
<p><i>Ole Miss 34, Mississippi State 32</i></p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/11/24/3686596/egg-bowl-preview-ole-miss-mississippi-st-tv-timeBrandon Larrabee2012-11-24T17:12:33-05:002012-11-24T17:12:33-05:00Tennessee Gets Its SEC Win Over Kentucky, 37-17
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<figcaption>Randy Sartin-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>There's not much about the game that needs to be said. But there's a lot about the next season that needs to be decided</p> <p>There's not a lot that can be said about a pair of teams who are 0-7 in the conference fighting to see which would be only one to emerge from this season with an SEC win. Tennessee looked good in comparison to Kentucky, at least at times, and Jim Chaney burnished his credentials an offensive coordinator to watch in the offseason. But that's about it.</p>
<p>Instead, it's time to start monitoring some of the stars, such as they were, for Tennessee in this game and the forgettable season that was. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116203/tyler-bray">Tyler Bray</a> was 20-of-34 for 293 yards and four touchdowns, but there are still questions about his maturity and decision-making. (Though I don't understand those who somehow use <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaaf%2Fsec%2F2012%2F11%2F23%2Ftyler-bray-tennessee-volunteers-nfl%2F1721969%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.teamspeedkills.com%2F2012%2F11%2F24%2F3686440%2Ftennessee-37-kentucky-17-final-score" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Derek Dooley's stupid decision to pull Bray</a> in the first half of the Vanderbilt game as evidence of that.) Or Cordarrelle Patterson, who caught four of Bray's passes for 88 yards and a touchdown, or Justin Hunter, who caught three balls for 65 yards and a score.</p>
<p>What the next coach is able to convince them to do will be key to just how far Tennessee can go next year. All three might decide that now is the time to leave the program, rather than come back for the first year of a coach who's likely to not dramatically change the Vols' fortunes in year one. (A new coach can sometimes move the needle a couple of games in a league like the SEC, but asking for more than a New Year's Day Bowl would be pushing it.)</p>
<p>Kentucky, of course, also has a decision to make about its next head coach. But that coach will likely have a more challenging road ahead of him than the one in Knoxville, with fewer players that he will have to persuade not to join the NFL.</p>
<p>Either way, there are a bunch of decisions to make for the teams that just met in Knoxville. It's just that Tennessee's players and administration can feel a little bit better while making them.</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/11/24/3686440/tennessee-37-kentucky-17-final-scoreBrandon Larrabee2012-11-24T16:18:35-05:002012-11-24T16:18:35-05:00Georgia Blasts Georgia Tech, 42-10
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<figcaption>Scott Cunningham</figcaption>
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<p>All UGA really needed in this game was a convincing win over a mediocre ACC team. They got that much, and now their national title hopes rest on what happens in Atlanta</p> <p>Here's the interesting thing about this game: When it was over, Georgia Tech had gained 426 to 379 for Georgia. The Bulldogs had 18 first downs to 26 for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech had turned the ball over a couple of times for a minus-two margin -- but when you look at the rest of the box score, you would have to wonder if that really accounts for the 42-10 waxing that Georgia claimed in light of the other stats.</p>
<p>It came down, essentially, to who could score when they moved the ball. Tech drove the ball more than 50 yards three times in the first half. Those drives resulted in a fumble, a field goal and a missed field goal. But Tech didn't punt in the first half -- because its other drives ended with a turnover on downs and on an interception.</p>
<p>Georgia, meanwhile, drove the ball more than 50 yards three times, and 44 yards once when they started out on the Georgia Tech 44-yard line. All three of those possessions ended in a touchdown. The Dawgs did punt once in the half, but scored twice more on its first two drives of the second half to all but end the game. Georgia attempted one pass in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>They will likely not have that luxury next week against Alabama. And if Alabama is able to average 4.6 yards a rush next week -- with what is a very different offense and very different scheme, after all -- the result might not be quite as happy in Atlanta as it was in Athens.</p>
<p>But Georgia's main task this weekend was to continue a dominant period in the rivalry with a convincing win and make sure that its national-title hopes remain on track in case they defeat Alabama. And no matter what the stat sheet says, the scoreboard says the Dawgs passed that test with flying colors.</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/11/24/3686340/georgia-42-georgia-tech-10-final-score-statsBrandon Larrabee2012-11-24T16:00:44-05:002012-11-24T16:00:44-05:00Mizzou vs. TAMU: We Meet in College Station. Again
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<figcaption>Bob Levey</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers are playing at A&M once again this year. Too bad it's not likely to be Faurot Field South this week</p> <p><i><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/missouri-tigers">Missouri Tigers</a> vs. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/texas-a-m-aggies">Texas A&M Aggies</a>, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2</i></p>
<p>A little historical note here: This is the third straight year that Missouri will play in College Station. It's a bit of a realignment historical fluke, with the Tigers having to play there in 2010 as part of the old Big 12 rotation, then having to play there as part of the first 10-team Big 12 schedule followed by having to play there are as part of the first 14-team SEC schedule.</p>
<p>Not that Mizzou should mind that much. So far, the Tigers are 2-0 during the Texas-heavy stretch in the series. Of course, A&M has arguably not been quite this good in that stretch and Missouri has certainly not been quite this bad. But the stakes for A&M were also considerably lowered by LSU's win against Arkansas on Friday; with that result, A&M can do nothing with a win but keep LSU alive in the SEC West.</p>
<p>Not that A&M needs much more motivation in the first meeting of the Big 12 refugees in the SEC East than regaining home field advantage. The offense is just too good for Missouri to stop.</p>
<p><i>Texas A&M 40, Missouri 21</i></p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/11/24/3686186/missouri-vs-texas-a-m-preview-tv-timeBrandon Larrabee2012-11-24T14:25:21-05:002012-11-24T14:25:21-05:00John L. Smith Officially Out at Arkansas
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<figcaption>Wesley Hitt</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn't exactly a surprise that Arkansas showed its interim head coach the door. But now it is official</p> <p>It's not really a surprise that John L. Smith won't be back next year in Arkansas. During his postgame press conference after Arkansas narrowly lost to LSU yesterday, Smith was already talking about his time as head coach in the past tense.</p>
<p>Today, Arkansas <a href="http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=205763060">made it official</a>. Smith will not return to the sideline in 2013. Arkansas is likely to undergo another season of transition, but it will be someone else tasked with picking up the pieces that <span class="sbn-auto-link">Bobby Petrino</span> left behind after his ill-advised motorcycle ride. The man who showed Petrino the door after that incident, athletics director Jeff Long, now has another decision to make.</p>
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<p>Last April, when I appointed Coach Smith for the 2012 season, I indicated I thought this would provide us the opportunity to take the time necessary to identify the right coach for the future and to do so in a time that would allow us to attract quality candidates.</p>
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<p>Well, that's close enough to the truth, though John L. Smith and others made it relatively clear that his year at the helm was a tryout to see if he would be considered for the position. The answer to that after a 4-8 season is a resounding "no." It's not coincidental that Long talked about "discipline, honesty and integrity" in his statement.</p>
<p>Smith was remarkably restrained in his response, though it came in the form of a prepared statement, so there were few signs of the interesting lines that have become Smith's trademark during his brief stint as an SEC head coach. There were also few signs of any bitterness on Smith's part.</p>
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<p>I enjoyed every day of this experience and this profession has been and will continue to be rewarding to me. During my time here, it has been incredible to be a part of helping this program grow and I wish everyone involved nothing but success in the future.</p>
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<p>The search now begins for Smith's successor, with the early names likely to include Jon Gruden and Charlie Strong. A particularly delusional local news figured put the name of Chris Petersen out there on the Twitter yesterday, but you have to think that Arkansas would be gun-shy about hiring another former Boise State head coach, given the Houston Nutt experience.</p>
<p>The one coach likely on the market that we know won't have the job is John L. Smith. Oh, and Bobby Petrino. Ultimately, it's Petrino that got the Razorbacks into the mess that the next coach will have to dig them out of.</p>
https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/11/24/3685922/arkansas-john-l-smith-out-head-coaching-searchBrandon Larrabee