Prince Hall Suspended

http://blog.al.com/live/2008/07/alabama_lb_hall_to_miss_first.html

SEC Predictions

SEC Media Days are over and the writers have spoken picking Florida to beat Auburn to win the SEC Championship. WRAS sees it the same way, almost, as Auburn will beat Florida in Atlanta for the third straight year and end the Gators chance at another national title.

SEC East

1. Florida Gators (12-0, 8-0) - The Gators have it all offensively as last year they scored 40+ points in 9 of their 13 games. If their defense can perform better than last year when 11 of their 13 opponents scored 20+ points, they will contend for championships. Last year's weakness is this year's weakness; the defensive front is a question mark and the secondary (which finished 2007 last in the SEC in pass defense) is not off to a good start with season-ending injuries to Junior starter Dorian Munroe and reserve John Curtis.

Florida will have enough talent to outscore their opponents during the regular season and should be sufficiently motivated to exact revenge on the Georgia Bulldogs who went into last year's cocktail party with a distinct advantage due to injuries to a less than 100% Tim Tebow, among others.

Florida has tough games versus Miami (FL), at Tennessee, LSU, Georgia and at Florida State but other than Georgia, those teams are one way or another in transition and do not have enough to beat the Gators this year.

Wins - Hawaii, Miami (FL), @ UT, Ole Miss, @ Arkansas, LSU, Kentucky, Georgia, @ Vanderbilt, South Carolina, The Citadel, @ Florida State

Losses - None

2. Georgia Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2) - The initial enthusiasm for Georgia as a national championship contender has cooled somewhat. While Georgia is going to be in everyone's preseason Top 10, they are no longer the favorite to win the SEC as they were back in February. While everyone of significance is back from last year's Sugar Bowl team, they were hardly a rolling ball of butcher knives as they barely beat Alabama and Vanderbilt, lost at home to South Carolina and were throttled by Tennessee in Knoxville. The passing game is living on reputation alone and the loss of PK Brandon Coutu is bigger than one might think.

The Dawgs had good wins over Florida and Auburn during a 7 game winning streak to close out the season, but those wins were over a less than 100% Florida team and an Auburn team that could only turn the ball over. Wins over Vanderbilt, Troy, Kentucky, Georgia Tech and a just happy to be here Hawaii team in the Sugar Bowl during the 7 game winning streak are not enough to convince this skeptic they are ready for prime time.

UGa's road schedule is daunting with games at South Carolina, Arizona State, LSU and Auburn, along with the Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. If they make it through that unbeaten then they can punch their postseason ticket to Atlanta and Miami, but don't bet on it.

Wins - Georgia Southern, Central Michigan, @ South Carolina, @ Arizona State, Alabama, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, @ Kentucky, @ Auburn, Georgia Tech

Losses - @ LSU, Florida

3. Tennessee Volunteers (9-3, 5-3) - Last year's SEC East champion is back to defend its crown. UT brings everyone back on offense except for Erik Ainge and coordinator David Cutcliffe. UT's offensive line led the nation in sacks allowed and should give plenty of time for new QB Jonathan Crompton and the rest of the Vols to put up plenty of points. On the other hand, Tennessee's usual rock solid defense has had some cracks in the last few years and 3 of their best defenders from last year's below average defense are gone in Jerod Mayo, Jonathan Hefney and Ryan Karl. Florida and Alabama made the Vols look like swiss cheese on defense. SS Eric Berry and company are going to have to play better in the secondary and put more pressure on the QBs if they want to repeat.

Tennessee does not waste any time with a road trip to UCLA the first weekend of the year and if they can win 2 of the 3 against Florida, at Auburn, and at Georgia; the Vols will likely close with their patented 6 game winning streak over inferior competition (Miss. State, Alabama, at South Carolina, Wyoming, at Vanderbilt, and Kentucky) and again defy all logic by making it to Atlanta.

Wins - @ UCLA, UAB, Northern Illinois, Miss. State, Alabama, @ South Carolina, Wyoming, @ Vanderbilt, Kentucky

Losses - Florida, @ Auburn, @ Georgia,

4. South Carolina (7-5, 4-4) - No longer are Steve Spurrier teams known for their offense (Steve Spurrier, Jr.?), at South Carolina it's all about the defense. 10 starters return including LB Jasper Brinkley who is back from a season-ending knee injury. The Gamecocks started 2007 on fire but fizzled down the stretch as their 6-1 start turned into a 6-6 one without even a bowl trip to show for their troubles. If you win in the SEC by running the football and stopping the run, USC fans should have been happy with the 6 wins considering they had the worst running offense and were also last at stopping the run. Combine that with finishing 101st in the nation in turnover margin and you have the recipe for a 5 game losing streak to end the season (Vanderbilt, at Tennessee, at Arkansas, Florida, Clemson). Last year Spurrier said his team was ready to contend for the SEC championship, this year not so much.

While USC gets Georgia, LSU and Tennessee at home, they have to play at Florida, at Clemson and at a much improved Ole Miss team. Those teams penchant for running the football will end any chance USC had to win the SEC but with games at Vanderbilt, Wofford and UAB; a bowl game is within reach.

Wins - NC State, @ Vanderbilt, Wofford, UAB, @ Ole Miss, @ Kentucky, Arkansas

Losses - Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, @ Florida, @ Clemson

5. Kentucky Wildcats (4-8, 1-7) - Have Rich Brooks and the Kentucky Wildcats arrived as a yearly contender? Can Kentucky make it 3 straight bowl wins? Couple the big SEC wins (like over LSU) and NFL draft success and the last two years have been as good to the Wildcats as any in their history. But the loss of depth for the pass-happy Wildcats will be too much to overcome. The offensive line is going to have give better protection for new starting QB Curtis Pulley or Mike Hartline and the replacements for Rafael Little. This team still has a lot of talent and with the right breaks could go 8-4, it could go 4-8 or anywhere in between. That will depend on how swing games with Louisville, Alabama, South Carolina and Arkansas go.

Wins - Norfolk State, Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky, Vanderbilt

Losses - @ Louisville, @ Alabama, South Carolina, Arkansas, @ Florida, @ Miss. State, Georgia, @ Tennessee

6. Vanderbilt Commodores (3-9, 0-8) - Here we go again. Vanderbilt had their chance to go bowling each of the last two years and couldn't get it done. Gone is Earl Bennett and the entire offensive line. The defense will give teams fits but the offense just won't have enough firepower to compete. Everyone in the SEC East has gotten better except for Kentucky and they play the Wildcats on the road and towards the end of the season when Kentucky's young offense should be improved. Having to play at Ole Miss, Auburn and at Miss. State from the SEC West doesn't bode well for the Commodores bowl chances.

Wins - @ Miami (OH), Rice, Duke

Losses - South Carolina, @ Ole Miss, Auburn, @ Miss. State, @ Georgia, Florida, @ Kentucky, Tennessee, @ Wake Forest

SEC West

1. Auburn Tigers (11-1, 7-1) - New offensive and defensive coordinators in Tony Franklin and Paul Rhoads will try to do what the last three Auburn teams have not been able to, win the SEC championship. While the defensive has been its usual nasty self during the Tommy Tuberville era, the offense has steadily declined in the last three years. This prompted the complete 180 that Tuberville has done with his hiring of Tony Franklin and the switch to the spread offense. Auburn will still run the ball with authority but will likely use the pass to set up the run. Auburn will have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball but the inexperience lies with the quarterbacks and wide receivers. The good news is the entire offensive line is back as are the running backs. There is enough to contend for the SEC championship and if Auburn can improve on last year's average of 24 points per game, Atlanta in early December is a likely destination.

Wins - La. Monroe, Southern Miss, @ Miss. State, LSU, Tennessee, @ Vanderbilt, Arkansas, @ West Virginia, @ Ole Miss, UT-Martin, @ Alabama

Losses - Georgia

2. LSU Tigers (10-2, 6-2) - The defending national champions are back and with the exception of unproven and virtually unknown quarterbacks, look ready to defend their SEC title from 2007. The Tigers have one of the best offensive and defensive lines in the country coming back along with plenty of skill players ready to put up a bunch of points. But who is going to get them the ball now that Ryan Perilloux is off to Jacksonville State? Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch are the two candidates and no starter has been determined going into fall practice. LSU's schedule is spread out evenly with road games at Auburn and Florida but home games versus Georgia and Alabama to help balance it out. This team got every break imaginable and still managed to lose two games. Too many penalties and too many turnovers kept a lot of teams in games. The tone will be set during the September 20th game at Auburn, win that one and LSU is in the driver's seat, lose it and they will be behind the eight ball all year.

Wins - Appalachian State, Troy, North Texas, Miss. State, @ South Carolina, Georgia, Tulane, Alabama, Ole Miss, @ Arkansas

Losses - @ Auburn, @ Florida

3. Arkansas Razorbacks (6-6, 3-5) - Incoming head coach Bobby Petrino has a tall order ahead of him this season with the loss of Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Marcus Monk to the NFL. But if any offensive coach can handle it, it's Petrino. The offensive talent is not as bad as many people are making it out to be and the schedule has plenty of games where Arkansas will still be the most talented team on the field. Defense will be the problem as their is little depth, especially at linebacker, to combat all of the running teams on their schedule so it will be up to Petrino's offense to outscore opponents.

Wins - Western Illinois, La. Monroe, Alabama, @ Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tulsa

Losses - @ Texas, Florida, @ Auburn, @ South Carolina, @ Miss. State, LSU

4. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-6, 3-5) - Speaking of defensive depth problems, here comes the Crimson Tide. Any experienced depth they had is gone with the departures of Ezekial Knight and Jimmy Johns, not to mention the up in the air status of Prince Hall. Alabama will have to rely on incoming freshmen to fill the void and while they might become all-SEC performers, that might be too much to ask with the teams they have on their schedule. The same can be said for the offense as the wide receivers were a strength of the team last year and now young players will have to step up for new offensive coordinator Jim McElwain. The home schedule is easy enough until you get to Mississippi State and Auburn, two teams that have owned Alabama in recent years. If Alabama is unable to find some runstoppers by the end of the year then those two losing streaks will continue. There is enough cake on the schedule to get to a bowl game but there is probably too much meat to go much further. Games at Arkansas, at Georgia, at Tennessee, and at LSU along with opening up in Atlanta versus ACC favorite Clemson and their running game will be too much to handle.

Wins - Tulane, Western Kentucky, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Arkansas State, Miss. State

Losses - Clemson, @ Arkansas, @ Georgia, @ Tennessee, @ LSU, Auburn

5. Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-5, 3-5) - Sly Croom and his overachieving Bulldogs are back and are now dealing with some expectations in Starkville. The defense is deep and talented as they return eight starters. The offense also is experienced as seven starters return on that side of the ball. Mississippi State lived off of turnovers and their defense to get to eight wins in 2007 but can they live off that formula in 2008? They will need some help from their offense if they want to reach another bowl game. The running game is solid but will the passing game give them any help. If MSU does not get the breaks they did last year they could slip back to the bottom of the SEC West. There are enough games on the schedule to get them bowl eligible but the margin for error is thin as they have to travel to Georgia Tech, LSU, Tennessee, Alabama and a much-improved Ole Miss team.

Wins - @ La. Tech, Southeastern Louisiana, @ Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas

Losses - Auburn, @ LSU, @ Tennessee, @ Alabama, @ Ole Miss

6. Ole Miss Rebels (5-7, 2-6) - Houston moves south in the SEC West as he leaves Arkansas and takes over a young and talented Rebel squad. Ole Miss had a lot of close calls in the SEC last year but close will not cut it when you end up 0-8 in conference. The quarterback position is upgraded with Texas transfer Jevan Snead likely to line up under center and Nutt always does wonders with the running game. The wide receivers are talented and the offensive line will be solid with Michael Oher returning for his senior season. If the defense, led by Greg Hardy can give the offense a little bit of help then Ole Miss will give plenty of teams fits on Saturdays. Ole Miss is on the way up but look to be a year away from being bowl eligible. Too many road games against the top SEC teams and Wake Forest will be their undoing.

Wins - Memphis, Samford, Vanderbilt, La. Monroe, Miss. State

Losses - @ Wake Forest, @ Florida, South Carolina, @ Alabama, @ Arkansas, Auburn, @ LSU

Hat Doggy Dogg?

http://www.2theadvocate.com/wbrz/videos/26122989.html

Video in the link that includes Miles bustin' rhymes.

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#21 - West Virginia (8-4, 5-2)

Wins - Villanova, @ East Carolina, Marshall, Rutgers, Syracuse, @ UConn, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh

Losses - @ Colorado, Auburn, @ Louisville, South Florida

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#22 - Kansas (7-5, 4-4)

Wins - Florida International, La. Tech, Sam Houston State, @ Iowa State, Colorado, Kansas State, @ Nebraska

Losses - @ South Florida, @ Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Texas, Missouri

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#23 - Illinois (8-4, 5-3)

Wins - Eastern Illinois, La. Lafayette, @ Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Western Michigan, @ Northwestern

Losses - Missouri, @ Penn State, @ Wisconsin, Ohio State

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#24 - UCLA (7-5, 6-3)

Wins - Arizona, Fresno State, Washington State, Stanford, @ California, Oregon State, @ Washington

Losses - Tennessee, @ BYU, @ Oregon, @ Arizona State, USC

Bammers of the Week

Most inbred of the inbred Bammer

http://www.theauburner.com/

When I look into that poor child's dimly lit eyes, I cannot see a future, only a wasted life and a one that never stood a chance. It makes me sad to think that he is traveling down a dead end road, not ever seeing the sign on his right because he isn't able to read it.

SEC Media Days Bammer



$399? Really?

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#25 - Rutgers

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#26 - Florida State

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#27 - Pittsburgh

The Amazin's Movie

http://www.theamazinsmovie.com/welcome.html

More Bammerham Bias?

http://www.al.com/sec/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/121680104123450.xml&coll=2&thispage=1

On the front page of The Birmingham News is an article about today's head football coaches in the SEC and if they are the best ever assembled. There are 5 pictures of coaches (Meyer, Fulmer, Sa6an, Spurrier, Miles) on the front page. I'm sure what they are doing is highlighting the 5 coaches who have won a Mythical National Championship and what those coaches have done is great. To leave off Coach Tuberville does not sit well with WRAS.

You want a more exclusive club than the 5 MNC coaches? How about current coaches in the SEC who have had an undefeated season? That would be two, Tuberville and Fulmer.

Here are the coaches that have had undefeated and untied seasons since the SEC was formed...

Auburn - Tommy Tuberville (2004), Shug Jordan (1957), Terry Bowden (1993)

Alabama - Paul Bryant (1961, 66, 79), Gene Stallings (1992), Frank Thomas (1934, 45)

Georgia - Vince Dooley (1980), Wally Butts (1946)

Tennessee - Philip Fulmer (1998), Robert Neyland (1938)

LSU - Paul Dietzel (1958)

Ole Miss - Johnny Vaught (1962)

That is the list. Pretty impressive, huh? The people on this list are the best of the best, have their names on stadiums, stand tall as statues and have streets named after them on campus. Only Paul Bryant and Frank Thomas have multiple undefeated seasons and with one more, MNC or not, Tommy Tuberville will belong on the shortest of lists of greatest coaches in SEC history.

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#28 - The Scandal Plagued University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa

Quote of the Day

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/25743514.html

Speaking to a crowd of more than 500 LSU fans in a Tiger Tour stop at the Hilton Riverside hotel in New Orleans, Miles made an offhand comment regarding LSU’s victory over Alabama last season.

Miles’ Tigers beat the Crimson Tide, coached last season for the first time by former LSU coach Nick Saban, 41-34 in Tuscaloosa. The Tigers went on to win the BCS national championship.

According to The Times-Picayune of New Orleans, Miles cautioned LSU fans “not to make too much of that game, as it seems like a lot of teams in Louisiana beat that team.”

Miles’ reference was to Alabama’s 21-14 loss to Louisiana-Monroe last year, two weeks after falling to LSU.

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#29 - Colorado

John Clayton Praises Rudi & Cadillac

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3491802

Q: Do you think Bengals RB Rudi Johnson has enough left in the tank to regain the form he had when he rushed for more than 1,400 yards?

Seeing Johnson in minicamp was a revelation. He has worked out so hard this offseason -- he's a ball of muscles. It was amazing how quickly he was hitting the holes. He has the ability to get to the 1,400-yard level, but I'm not sure he will have enough carries for that number. The days of the 350-carry back are over, and the Bengals will try to get Chris Perry involved a little. From what I see, though, Johnson has a chance to have a Pro Bowl season. He looks awesome.

Q: Will Cadillac Williams regain his starting spot in Tampa Bay or will he lose his spot to Earnest Graham? If so, will he go down as one of the biggest blunders in the draft at RB?

Cadillac was a great choice. He just has bad luck, and that happens in this physical game. I'm not sold he will be a factor this year coming off his knee injury, as his was the worst of all the running back knee injuries. That doesn't mean he won't play this season, but it will be hard for him to get back to his old form so soon. That's why the Bucs rewarded Graham with the three-year contract and signed Warrick Dunn. They are covered. Don't count out Cadillac for the future and never consider him a bust.

Bammer of the Week

What follows is an email forwarded to me and some of my Auburn friends by a Bammer that he copied from Bama Online. Obviously to frighten and intimidate us as Auburn fans. With this type of objective analysis, WRAS can see why SPUAT is the favorite to win Super Bowl XLIII. Decide for yourself...

Here is some info that has been posted on BOL by an "insider". The guy has been spot on with everything else ever posted so I for one believe every word.

* Julio Jones probably will be starting opposite McCoy during the Clemson game. Julio is a physical freak of nature, and is actually bigger than Jack linebacker, Alex Watkins. Julio had only one weakness coming into the summer. That was getting off the press. Now he has that down packed, his only weakness is..........well, actually nothing....
* B.J. Scott is the real deal in the slot. He caught a pass in 7 on 7 the other week and split the defense and left everyone in the dust. He has been compared to a mixture of David Palmer and Freddie Milons, but explosive like Prothro. He should end up being the best out of that bunch, and that's saying a lot.
* Mark Barron is quiet. He's like Silent Bob. lol. He's said to be walking around the complex with an angry look on his face, because he can't hit anybody yet. He's said to have reported in around 220, and they wanted him to lose weight, and he's reported to be at around 205.
* Alonzo Lawrence is awesome. A freakish athlete. He can cover anybody out there, and that's without technique. Once Saban gets a hold of him and work with him.....watch out. Expected to be a starter by mid-season.
* Robbie Green is small. Maybe around 5'9. Probably will need a redshirt year to bulk up.
* Dontae Hightower is huge, and the thought of two 260 pound linebackers in the middle of that defense is scary.
* Marcel Dareus is absolutely a monster. Saw him yesterday, and he is all solid. Nothing fat about him. He was weighing in at 301. He's standing at around 6'3, no taller than 6'4. He should be playing early and often, and is a very personable individual with a hell of a work ethic.
* Courtney Upshaw is impressive. Expected to play as a freshman.
* Damien Square's arms are HUGE and ripped up!! Getting stronger in the weightroom and is Dareus's workout partner. Everyone calls him Square.
* Jerrell has is every bit of 6'3, and he looks intimidating. He should nail down the SAM position by the end of camp. H e looks like an upper classmen.
* Matchett has nice size on him and is every bit over 200 pounds and is solid standing at around 5'10.
* Mark Ingram is built like a race horse. He will be a 20+ carry a game back.
* Star Jackson is expected to be the #2 quarterback by the end of camp. He is said to be smooth in the pocket and has lots of confidence. Only time will tell.
* Wesley Neighbors is built like a rock, and is expected to be force at least on special teams.
* Tyler Love is expected to compete for the right tackle spot in camp. Drew Davis has added good weight and improved over the spring. But it's unsure if he'll be able to hold down the fort at RT.
* Barrett Jones needs to add lots of weight. Athletic, but small.
* Terrance Cody has a very impressive work ethic. He's doing well.
* Chris Jordan is a physical specimen. He's working out at RB, and that's where he wants to be, but it's just a matter of time, before he's on the other side of the ball.
* Michael Williams will be a beast. Very raw talent. Something special to watch in the future. Said to look like Juwan Simpson in the face. lol.
Now for updates on current players
* Mike McCoy is a first class individual and Saban absolutely loves him
* No signs of Johnathon Lowe
* Nick Walker is taking a very serious approach to his last year and is said to have matured a lot. * Expect big things from Justin Woodall. All of the "negative influence" that he was hanging around has graduated, and he's on a mission to prove himself.
* Marquise Maze is not only quick, but is said to be the 3rd fastest player on the team behind Terry Grant and Rashard Johnson.
* Glenn Coffee is 100%, and is weighing in at 203. He wants to play at 215. Shoulder is fine.
* John Parker-Wilson should have a much better season this year. It was said that Applewhite screwed him up last year, and all of the kinks are being worked out. So expect a better season from him this year.
* Andre will be a top 5 pick next April. Caldwell a late 1st rounder.
* Darius Hanks catches everything thrown his way. No questions asked.
* Colin Peek will be something special to watch next year. Like Hanks, he doesn't drop anything.
* Prince Hall's issue is just simply "trust". Has a lot of proving to do.
* Josh Chapman will be a monster this year.
* Greenwood has added major weight.
* Talks of Zo moving from the nose to the end, cause Chapman and Cody will probably hold down the middle.
* Don't count out McCollough.
* Don't count out Ali Sharief. Can flat out fly and won't be denied.
* McElroy seems very excited to be at Bama and is a great guy. Talks of a transfer should be silenced.
* Cory Reamer is coming along. Don't count him out just yet.

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#30 - California

D'Antoine Hood Article

D’Antoine Hood said, “It’s keeping up a tradition – sending Hoods through here."

At Auburn, that means one thing, at Alabama, it means something totally different.

http://www.auburnundercover.com/news/story.php?article=108

SEC Keys to the Season

SEC East...http://cfn.scout.com/2/767487.html

SEC West...http://cfn.scout.com/2/766528.html

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#31 - Fresno State

SEC's Top 7 Defining Games

http://cfn.scout.com/2/769496.html

In addition to today's article, you will see a list on the right of the screen with links to all of my College Football News posts. Thanks for reading.

Gabe Harris on Sports Talk with Bo Mattingly

A Mickey Goldmill production highlights Gabe Harris of Wire Road and Shug and College Football News as a guest on Sports Talk with Bo Mattingly to discuss off the field troubles at Alabama, Auburn's quarterback situation and Arkansas' season outlook.

http://www.sportstalkwithbo.com/site/

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#32 - Michigan

Hey, Nick, quit playing with your dingy!!

Look at these three idiots. No way in hell Karle and Finebaum can catch a fish. Karle stands about 5'3" and weighs 120 pounds soaking wet (his giant head weighs about half of that). That boat looks so new I'll bet they bought it at Academy that morning. Mickey has caught cobia bigger than that thing. I even heard Karle and Finebaum talking about this yesterday on the radio and they both talked about how they don't know how to fish (sure can't tell by the video). Why even do it then? Sa6an looks even more uncomfortable than normal.

I'm sure Finebaum got a little queezy from the huge rapids on whatever man-made lake behind Karle's subdivision they are on. Though maybe they were just butterflies in his stomach from being so close to his mancrush, Sa6an. Finebaum was so excited he even broke his pole.

http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=6993937&version=1&locale=EN-US

Patriots Rookies Win "Ultimate Rookie Challenge"

Jonathan Wilhite and Terrance Wheatley

No doubt Jonathan Wilhite answered his fair share...
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/07/rookies_are_qui.html

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#33 - Miami

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#34 - South Carolina

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#35 - Oklahoma State

War Damn Bass!

Auburn University students, Richard Peek and Adam Murphree, are competing in this year's College Bass National Championship. They are in first place going into the last day with a 5.08 pound lead over the second place team, The Scandal Plagued University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Protect this lake!

Here is the official website...
http://www.collegebass.com/

Here are the standings...
http://www.collegebass.com/live-weighin.asp

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#36 - North Carolina

Auburn Recruiting Rant

As most of you already know, Auburn football landed their 19th verbal commitment for the 2009 signing class and there has been much wailing and nashing of teeth regarding this class.

I for one, am not one of these people. Coach Tuberville and his staff recruit players that they "see", not the ones they read about. If any of the so-called recruiting experts knew anything then they would be on the sidelines or working in an athletic department somewhere.

Take a look at this list and see if you agree. The ratings are given by Scout.com:

Ben Grubbs - 1 star
Courtney Taylor - 1 star
Tre Smith - 1 star
Carl Stewart - 1 star
Chris Evans - 1 star
Jason Bosley - 2 star
Tyronne Green - 2 star
Robert Dunn - 1 star
Jonathan Wilhite - 1 star
Sen'Derrick Marks - 2 star

And for the Bammers...

D.J. Hall - 2 star
Demeco Ryans - 1 star
Atnoine Caldwell - 2 star
Tyrone Prothro - 2 star

If crootin' rankings are important to you, Tom Luginbill of ESPN.com updated his recruiting rankings on July 9th and has Auburn ranked #11.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=3477705

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#37 - Nebraska

The Mickey Goldmill Retort

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6923862&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

The only school that would surprise me less would be Duke. This is the most pathetic thing Mickey has ever read. This kid is a junior and he's NEVER kissed a girl? There isn't a bar he could wander into in Atlanta at 3am and find some drunk chick to make out with? He doesn't need lessons for that, she won't know the difference and she'll probably think it's great.

The thing most unsurprising about this article?

Michael McCarty said he went to the drastic measure of placing an ad because he wanted to impress a certain girl. The special girl is a co-ed from Maryland that McCarty has been chatting online with for years and the two will be meeting soon. "I think she's my soul mate so I can't wait to see her next week," McCarty said.

The second most unsurprising?

"I guess I've been on the computer too much playing video games and not going out and meeting people as much as I'd like to," said McCarty.

Alright, Michael, you've found the solution to your own problem. Now get off your butt and get down to Buckhead or some frat party and do your thing.

I'm still bitter about watching those nerds carry a goalpost around Atlanta in 2003 after beating Auburn. 2005 wasn't much better.

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#38 - Cincinnati

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#39 - Iowa

Hunter Morris Named to USA Baseball National Team

http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/0608/531183.html

Ray Melick's Cold Sore and Kevin Scarbinsky Debate Auburn's New Offensive Philosophy and Recruiting

Auburn awash in football commitments

Auburn recruiting for a Tony Franklin offense

The "Revenge of Markeith Cooper"? WRAS doesn't think so. There is one difference between this offense and the one of Terry Bowden: talent. Bowden was a great X and O coach but was not a good evaluator of talent, he relied on Papa Bowden's castaways while Coach Tuberville knows good football players when he sees them.

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#40 - Texas A&M

Vote for Coach Tuberville's Top Ten Games

http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/top-ten/tuberville-top-ten.html

The Official WRAS Top Ten...

1) 2004 SEC Championship win over Tennessee,

2) 2007 Iron Bowl - 6 in a row over Alabama,

3) 2005 Sugar Bowl - Win over Virginia Tech caps 13-0 season,

4) 2003 Iron Bowl - Cadillac goes crazy and the Jetgate controversy,

5) 2004 versus LSU - Sam Rives digs snap out of dirt to beat LSU,

6) 2005 Iron Bowl - Honk if you sacked Brodie,

7) 2006 versus Florida - 27-17 win with arguably the loudest crowd JHS has ever had,

8) 2004 versus Georgia - Total domination over top 10 team during 2004 run,

9) 2005 versus Georgia - Athens crowd leaves before John Vaughan kicks game winner, and

10) 2006 versus LSU - 7-3 all-time defensive struggle.

And I was at every one of these games!

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#41 - TCU

Pat Dye's Pants Found

http://lakemartinmagazine.com/articles/2008/07/01/features/news03.txt

Makes you wonder how many bottles of Jim Beam it took for them to get there.

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#42 - Boise State

Mythical National Championship Contenders

#43 - Arizona