Check out the Full Poll Results at Team Speed Kills!

Final Season Ballot

Well, it’s been a long season and all the games are in the books.  This season, I have been less than dutiful in managing to write anything about the comings and goings of college football, which is highly disappointing for me.  Of late I’ve taken a few weeks off to try and recharge myself both as a person and as a blogger—more on that later.  Either way, since all that really matters in the world of college football is where you end the season, here’s my final ballot the SEC Football Power Poll, serving as a cap to the the 2009 season.

Here they are, my darlins:

Rk.	Team	Comments
1.		The last chapter in this book was nothing but ugly, but the 13 wins before that were pretty stellar.  A well earned championship the Alabama Crimson Tide.
2.		The Florida Gators finished strong against Cincinnati—bidding Tim Tebow a fond farewell, and possibly Urban Meyer. Next year, however, looks awfully uncertain, not bad, just really “sketchy.“
3.		Up and down, up and down.  The Ole Miss Rebels 2009 season was the roller coaster from hell, but it was fun, and was worth the ticket. In 2010, the Rebels have holes to fill and maybe the expectations will be a little more reasonable.
4.		What a difference between 2008 and 2009.  The LSU Tigers looked like a top-rate, second-rate program at times, especially on offense. I have a feeling there will be some changes in the off-season.
5.		Considering where the Auburn Tigers were this time last year, I call this one a success. Hats off to Gene Chizik for managing to return a winning record and to avoid being lynched by the Tigers’ fans.
6.(t)		The Tennessee Volunteers improved steadily throughout the season until injuries began exposing just how empty the cupboard was when Lane Kiffin took over. Call me crazy, but I think the Vols overachieved this season.  Next year, however, will be much more important; setting the stage for years to come.
6.(t)		The Georgia Bulldogs finished with a win, which is probably a good thing for Mark Richt. The question remains, however, just how much can they reasonably improve by 2010?  I fear not enough to keep the crazies at bay.
8.		While there were some real bright spots here and there in 2009 for the Arkansas Razorbacks, on the whole I am not so sure that things will be much better next season for the Hogs, until they figure out who they want to be offensively and start playing just a little bit of defense. Still, they were much better in 2009 than in 2008.
9.		Once again, the South Carolina Gamecocks suffered their late-season slide. Still, they beat kissing-cousin Clemson before imploding against Connecticut. So, how many more seasons does the Ole Ball Coach hang around?  I’m thinking not that many.
10.		While the Kentucky Wildcats lost to Clemson in the Music City Bowl, considering where the Cats were when Rich Brooks took over, I call four bowls in a row big time improvement. As for the future, well, it’s not like Joker Phillips hasn’t already been there and done that.
11.		Dan Mullen’s Mississippi State Bulldogs were light-years better than they were under Sly Croom in 2008.  They just could never catch a break when they needed one. Next year, however, that should start to change.
12.		As for the Vanderbilt Commodores, well … umm … the field looked nice this year.

The Rest of the Power Poll

Now that you have wasted your time looking at my ballot, go check out what everybody else is saying over at Team Speed Kills, where the 2009 Football Power Poll round-up is there for all to see.

Now, on to basketball season…

– So it goes…

Allegedy Related Posts (Computer Generated):

• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 6 (2)
• SEC Power Poll: 2009 All-SEC Football Selections Ballot (3)
• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 3 (0)

All-SEC Team: Defensive Backs

Check out the Complete All-SEC Team at Team Speed Kills!

Well, due to a complete lack of judgment on the part of the SEC Power Poll brain-trust, Gate 21 has been selected to announce the Power Poll All-SEC Team selections at defensive back.   The following positions for the 2009 All-SEC team have already been announced:

• Alligator Army:  Quarterback
• Roll Bama Roll: Running Backs
• Hey Jenny Slater: Wide Receivers
• Team Speed Kills: Tight End

The rest of the positions are being announced today and tomorrow across the blogosphere.  In case you miss one, be sure to check in for the most up-to-date announcements over at Team Speed Kills.

The envelope, please…

The 2009 SEC Power Poll All-SEC Selections at Defensive Back are (in order of votes received): Eric Berry (Tennessee), Joe Haden (Florida), Javier Arenas (Alabama) and Mark Barron (Alabama). The reasons behind these should be obvious, but in case they aren’t here’s why these fine athletes are the cream of the crop:

Eric Berry • 14

Tennessee Volunteers

5’11” • 203 • Junior • Defensive Back

What can you really say about Eric Berry that hasn’t already been said?

This deep-ball predator is the sound of pain to backs and receivers in the open field, and a quarterback’s worst nightmare. This defensive terror has amassed nearly every accolade possible in his three seasons at Tennessee. He has broken almost every record for interceptions, some of which had stood for a very long time. Berry holds records for most interceptions at UT in a single season (which previously stood for 37 years), most career interceptions at UT (39 years), SEC record for most interceptions in a season (52 years) and SEC most career interceptions (59 years). He was named freshman defensive player of the year in 2007, as well as Freshman All-American.  As a sophomore, he once again garnered

unanimous All-American honors, and was a unanimous first-team All-SEC selection in both “official” and SEC Power Poll All-SEC balloting.  This season, he was once again unanimously selected as an All-American, won the coveted Jim Thorpe Award, was a unanimous All-SEC (official) selection and now, once again, has been unanimously selected as a member of the 2009 SEC Power Poll All-SEC Team.

This season, Berry was seen all over the field as he rotated between Safety, Linebacker, and even Kickoff Return Specialist.  Here are his career statistics through the end of the 2009 regular season:

As the only unanimous selection in this category (garnering 12 votes) Berry is truly in a class of his own.

Joe Haden • 5

Florida Gators

5’11” • 190 • Junior • Corner Back

Joe Haden has dominated the backfield for Florida for three seasons.  A 2007 Freshman All-American, he led the Gators in tackles by a corner back in both his freshman and sophomore seasons.  In 2009 he was again a force to be reckoned with recording 4 interceptions, 57 tackles, and a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks.  He led the Gators in Interceptions and finished the season near the top of the SEC in both Passes defended and Interceptions.

Here are his career statistics through the end of the 2009 regular season:

Haden garnered 9 votes (75%) for the 2009 SEC Power Poll All-SEC Team.

Javier Arenas • 28

Alabama Crimson Tide

5’9” • 189 • Junior • Defensive Back

Javier Arenas is truly a man of many parts, having contribute to the Crimson Tide attack on defense, special teams, and offense.  As a freshman, Arenas was only used on special teams to return kicks.  Then, in 2007 the sophomore broke out as a defensive back and began terrorizing quarterbacks across the SEC.  As a junior he was selected a member of the second-team All-SEC team, and produced 3 interceptions.  This year, Arenas continued notching 65 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 interceptions.

Here are his career defensive statistics through the end of the 2009 regular season:

Arenas garnered 8 votes (66%) for the 2009 SEC Power Poll All-SEC Team.

Mark Barron • 14

Alabama Crimson Tide

6’2” • 215 • Sophomore • Defensive Back

Despite only being a sophomore, Mark Barron had an impressive season.  Leading the SEC with 7 interceptions, he also recorded 68 tackles, and 125 return yards.  This included a pick-six return for 77 yards and a touchdown against South Carolina.  With two years of eligibility remaining, it is probably fair to say that the other members of the SEC will be watching this predator in the secondary very closely in 2010.

Here are his career statistics through the end of the 2009 regular season:

Arenas garnered 6 votes (66%) for the 2009 SEC Power Poll All-SEC Team.

Other Receiving Votes

In addition to these four All-SEC Selections, the following players also received votes:

• Patrick Peterson • LSU Tigers (4 votes)
• Trevard Lindley • Kentucky Wildcats (3 votes)
• Major Wright • Florida Gators (1 vote)
• Walt McFadden • Auburn Tigers (1 vote)
• Ahmad Black • Florida Gators(1 vote)
• Sam Maxwell • Kentucky Wildcats (1 vote)
• Chad Jones • LSU Tigers (1 vote)
• Marquis Johnson • Alabama Crimson Tide (1 vote)

The Rest of All-SEC Team

You can check out the rest of the Power Poll All-SEC Team by visiting Team Speed Kills, where the complete All-SEC Team rundown will be updated as each position is rolled-out.

– So it goes …

Image(s) Courtesy of:   UT Sports.com •   Gator Zone.com •   Roll Tide.com ||  Statement on Fair Use

Allegedy Related Posts (Computer Generated):

• SEC Power Poll: 2009 All-SEC Football Selections Ballot (3)
• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 6 (2)
• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 4 (0)

2009 All-SEC Football Selections

Well, I have been really lousy job lately at posting.  This has been due to a variety of things, none of which are of any importance to those of you out there in web-land who actually take the time to read the drivel that I produce.  Be that as it may, the brain-trust of the SEC Power Poll have joined together to, yet again, collectively select an All-SEC Football team for 2009.  Here is my ballot in all of its radiant glory:

All-SEC 2009 Offense

• WR: Brandon LaFell, LSU
• WR: A.J. Green, Georgia
• L: Mike Johnson, Alabama
• L: Mitch Petrus, Arkansas
• L: Mike Pouncey, Florida
• L: John Jerry, Ole Miss
• C: Ryan Pugh, Auburn
• TE: Luke Stocker, Tennessee
• QB: Tim Tebow, Florida
• RB: Mark Ingram, Alabama
• RB: Montario Hardesty, Tennessee

All-SEC 2009 Defense

• DL: Antonio Coleman, Auburn
• DL: Pernell McPhee, Mississippi St.
• DL: Terrence Cody, Alabama
• DL: Dan Williams, Tennessee
• LB: Rolando McClain, Alabama
• LB: Eric Norwood, South Carolina
• LB: Rennie Curran, Georgia
• DB: Javier Arenas, Alabama
• DB: Trevard Lindley, Kentucky
• DB: Eric Berry, Tennessee
• DB: Mark Barron, Alabama

All-SEC 2009 Special Teams

• P: Drew Butler, Georgia
• K: Leigh Tiffin, Alabama
• RS: Javier Arenas, Alabama

Thus, if you do the math, here are the total number of selections by school on my ballot:

I’m not going to lie, I feel bad about leaving a few key players off my list, (including folks like Dexter McCluster, Darvin Adams, and Ryan Mallett), but Alabama is just so damn good, they really occupy the field.  Oh, and I also feel bad about leaving Vanderbilt out of my ballot completely, but such is life.

At any rate, the members of the SEC Power Poll will be rolling out the consensus selections beginning next week, so check back here or over at Team Speed Kills for more information on that in the near future.

I know you can hardly wait…

– So it goes…

Allegedy Related Posts (Computer Generated):

• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: All-SEC Team: Defensive Backs (3)
• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 6 (2)
• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 4 (0)

Losing is never fun.

I think that must be an axiom.  If not, then it should be.  Still, there are degrees of losing — certain nuances to the old black and white world of one team wins and one team loses.  The Tennessee Volunteers, their coaches, their fans, and yours truly have become increasingly more familiar with the details of these degrees of losing this season.

That is not necessarily a bad thing…

On the one hand they lost two games — against the UCLA Bruins and the Auburn Tigers — which, by most measuring sticks, they should have won.  Each of those contests were marked by an anemic passing game and a defense which was exhausted at the end of the game.

In each of these games, the Vols offense floundered early in the game — spotting their opponent a substantial (though not insurmountable) lead lead, only to rebound too late in the game to have enough time to mount a complete comeback.

That is the darker side of defeat.

Then there was the “moral victory” of a ten-point loss to the Florida Gators.  Most folks had the Vols written off as dead before the opening kickoff — near 30-point underdogs.  Yet, when the final whistle sounded, the men in orange had defended their honor and managed to show the Gators that they would not go quietly.  Though they lost by 10, Tennessee left everything on the field and left Urban Meyer answering questions about why the vaunted Gators had not annihilated the out-manned Volunteers.  It was a loss — no question about it — but it was respectable.  It marked a small step forward.

The reality in that game was, however, that though the Vols were never truly “out of it,” they were likewise never truly in a position to win.  They hung around till the end, but really never had what it took to get the victory.  I suppose that is the sort of loss where you simply say, “well, they gave it their best.“

Then there is the Alabama game…

Make no mistake about it, the Alabama Crimson Tide won the game and won it honestly.  Alabama did what they had to do to win…

…but so did the Vols.

Unlike the Florida game, Tennessee was very much in a position to win and, with only a little bit of luck, everyone in Big Orange Country would be smiling right now.  The Vols did not win, but they were there at the end of the game fighting for the chance to bring it home.

This represents an amazing leap forward for this program, for this team, and for this staff.  This shows — clearly in my mind — that with a little time there are very special things to come for the Tennessee Volunteers.  The future looks even brighter than it did after the Vols victory over the Georgia Bulldogs.

Are the Vols “back“?  No.

…but they are getting closer.

– So it goes…

Allegedy Related Posts (Computer Generated):

• Big Orange Roundtable: Week 4 Round-up (4)
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Podcast: Team Speed Kills NOW!: Midseason Reports

Special thanks to the guys over at Team Speed Kills for having me on, and for not hitting the kill switch in the middle of things.

– So it goes …

Allegedy Related Posts (Computer Generated):

• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 6 (2)
• Yet another Meme: Shaun Ellis, “He made it! He made it!” (1)
• SEC Power Poll: All-SEC Safeties (1)

Team Speed Kills!

Week 6

Through 11 October 2009

Here’s my ballot for this week in the SEC Power Poll, along with a feeble attempt at explaining why I’m such a moron.  Not a whole lot of ways to separate between some of the teams in the middle of the pack, but at least I thought up some excuses for my decisions.

Here they are, my darlins:

Rk.	Team	Comments
1.		The Alabama Crimson Tide is playing better than anyone in the country right now. Their defense is brutal, their offense effective. Now, if they could just figure out how to defend a kick return. Fortunately for Alabama, Tennessee is actually worse at this the Tide.
	Result: ALA 22 • MISS 3
2.		Florida Gators‘ coach Urban Meyer has proven that he will do anything to win — including risking St. Tim on a QB dive late in the game against LSU. Still, they are undefeated, that is until they likely meet Alabama in the SEC Championship game, where it’s anybody’s guess.
	Result: FLA 13 • LSU 3
3.		I was actually impressed with the LSU Tigers’ showing against Florida in some respects. Their defense — in classic bend but don’t break fashion — held the Gators to only 13 points. Their measly 162 yards and 23:30 time of possession, however, did them in. Still, they are better than many other SEC squads so, they stay put at number 3.
	Result: LSU 3 • FLA 13
4.		The South Carolina Gamecocks should have beaten Kentucky badly. Instead they simply kept from losing. Still, at 5-1, they are finding ways to win games. Props to Stephen Garcia for his herculean effort to drag the Cocks to victory.
	Result: SC 28 • KY 26
5.		The Arkansas Razorbacks are an offensive machine that is a thrill to watch. Defensively, however, they are weak and cannot rely upon simply outscoring their opponents. Still, great progress thus far, which Florida hopes to blunt … smartly
	Result: ARK 44 • AUB 23
6.		I cannot decide whether the The Tennessee Volunteers‘ win reflects a huge step forward or simply another bit of small progress paired with Georgia’s complete ineptitude. Either way, the victory over the Dawgs was huge for the program. It’s hard to believe that Jonathan Crompton — paragon of fail only weeks ago — is now the SEC offensive player of the week. Nice to see that the Blackjack General does know a lot more than the rest of us armchair geniuses
	Result: TN 45 • GA 19
7.		Defensively, the Ole Miss Rebels did everything they could to beat Alabama, but their offense continues to be wobbly at best. Apparently, the Wild-Reb offense had been in the White Lightning again.
	Result: MISS 3 • ALA 22
8.		Well, the party is over for Gene Chizik and the Auburn Tigers, courtesy of the Razorbacks. Auburn has a solid core, but needs to learn how to play defense — which no one (including the Vols) really require them to do previously. That whole tackling thing, that is important.
	Result: AUB 23 • ARK 44
9.		The Kentucky Wildcats were weaving through the season like a bourbon soaked drunk — in and out of competence and suck. Now, with quarterback Mike Hartline gone for the season, it’s looking like the it’s looking like the hangover will stay, and the Cats’ fans will have to start getting ready for basketball season.
	Result: KY 26 • SC 28
10.		I can honestly say that I have never seen a Georgia Bulldogs team with less spark than they showed in Knoxville. It’s looking like a long season for Dawgs with, Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech to come. I imagine the fire under Richt’s backside is for real now.
	Result: GA 19 • TN 45
11.		One of these days, the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Dan Mullen are going to manage to win one of these things. They keep putting up valiant efforts, but keep coming up short. While their record hardly reflects a departure from their legendary suck of 2008, they are a far better team and continue to improve..
	Result: MSU 24 • HOU 31
12.		The Vanderbilt Commodores losing to Army. Man, what to say? In the words of the Late General Anthony General McAuliffe (in response to a German demand for surrender during the Battle of the Bulge) “NUTS!“
	Result: VU 13 • Army 16

Yes, I know, rank incompetence on my part…

The Rest of the Power Poll

Now that you have wasted your time looking at my ballot, go check out what everybody else is saying over at Team Speed Kills, where the round-up will appear later this week.

Also—further confirming that the standards of the Power Poll have slipped—I will be joining in the “Team Speed Kills Now! ” podcast tonight at 9:00 ET to discuss the state of the SEC at mid-season.  I know you simply cannot wait to hear my brilliance unleashed.  I’ll be posting an embedded player and link to the podcast later today.

Onward and upward …

– So it goes…

Allegedy Related Posts (Computer Generated):

• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 4 (0)
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• SEC Power Poll: 2009 All-SEC Football Selections Ballot (3)

Posted in Realtime via Smartphone

On the heels of my last attempt at liveblogging, once again I will be posting comments throughout the today’s game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georiga Bulldogs in real time via Twitter.  I imagine, as things progress, that I may trail off a bit and my battery will likely conk out at some point.  Furthermore, given the logjam on the cell towers at Neyland Stadium, things may not get through.  Either way, I will be (trying) to post my thoughts throughout the day in case any of you care.

Here’s the conversation (you may need to hit refresh to update):

Something isn’t working, but I will still be updating and posting on Twitter at the link below or in the widget at the bottom of this column.

Live from the Georgia Game

– So it goes …

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• Flashback: The Great Games — Kentucky 1997 (2)
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Team Speed Kills!

Week 4

Through 27 September 2009

Here’s my ballot for this week in the SEC Power Poll, along with a feeble attempt at explaining why I’m such a moron. Hopefully most of these are fairly obvious.

Here they are, my darlins:

Rk.	Team	Change	Comments
1. (T)		—	The Florida Gators manhandled Kentucky this past weekend, but the Cats manhandled Tebow. The Gators are good, very good. They are, however, beatable. Without Tebow, they are very beatable.
	Result: UF 41 • UK 7
1. (T)		2	After seeing he Alabama Crimson Tide make short work of Arkansas, my gut is beginning to tell me that Alabama is the best team in the SEC. That’s why they are tied for first this week.
	Result: ALA 35 • ARK 7
3.		1	The LSU Tigers get the bump to number 3 this week for simply managing to not lose against Miss. St. I don’t think they are nearly as good as Florida or Alabama, but I do think they are the best of the rest.
	Result: LSU 30 • MSU 26
4.		2	The Georgia Bulldogs found their stride this past week against a solid Arizona State team. Maybe they have begun to figure out what the problem was and have started heading in the right direction. They rise shakily in my ballot.
	Result: GA 20 • AZ St.17
5.		2	The Auburn Tigers are not flashy and are not getting a lot of press, but they are disciplined and undefeated. I think that counts for something. I am not sure how well they will fare down the stretch, but for now I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
	Result: AUB 54 • Ball St. 30
6.		3	The Ole Miss Rebels laid a huge egg versus South Carolina last week and obviously are not quite as good as I originally thought. Still, I think they have a chance to remain very relevant in the SEC West.
	Result: MISS 10 • SC 16
7. (T)		4	The South Carolina Gamecocks have apparently righted the ship and look light years better against the Rebels this past week. They played with more “fire” than I’ve seen in a long time. They have a bye this week since SC State simply doesn’t count as an opponent.
	Result: SC 16 • MISS 10
7. (T)		3	Yes, I know they lost, but Dan Mullen has the Mississippi State Bulldogs looking tough. They had LSU beaten, and let it slip away. At this point, they are definitely my most improved team. I guess this means I have to get used to hearing cowbells again. They’ll be tested again this week by the bumblebees of Georgia Tech.
	Result: MSU 26 • LSU 30
9.		2	The Tennessee Volunteers struggled this week on defense against a scrappy Ohio team that refused to die. My gut tells me they were tired from the Florida game or looking ahead to Auburn. Either way, this week looks to be a milestone game for the Vols.
	Result: UT 34 • Ohio 23
10.		2	The Kentucky Wildcats got the hell pounded out of them by Florida and they responded by sending Tebow to the hospital. Kentucky looks like Kentucky usually looks: not good, not bad, and not at all happy that basketball season isn’t here yet.
	Result: KY 7 • FLA 41
11.		2	The Arkansas Razorbacks, took it in the chops from Alabama who did everything that Georgia didn’t do against the Hogs: namely play a little defense. It’s amazing how actually defending your end of the field will keep an opponent from scoring.
	Result: ARK 7 • ALA 35
12.		—	The Vanderbilt Commodores beat up on Rice and got a much needed win. The Owls, however, are 0-4, so I’m not so sure that means much. Either way, the Dores’ are going to have to pick it up this week lest they be smitten by the ticked-off Rebels in a nasty way.
	Result: VU 36 • Rice 17

The Rest of the Power Poll

Now that you have wasted your time looking at my ballot, go check out what everybody else is saying over at Team Speed Kills, where the round-up will appear later this week.

– So it goes…

Allegedy Related Posts (Computer Generated):

• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 6 (2)
• 2009 SEC Football Power Poll: Week 3 (0)
• SEC Power Poll: 2009 All-SEC Football Selections Ballot (3)