SEC/Hogs Weekend Review: Comparisons

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Most SEC teams played "rent-a-win" teams this past weekend and that being the case, what they generated on offense and defense should have reflected that. In most cases it did.

Total Offense and Defense is shown below along with "Neg" for negative plays on offense(tackles for loss and sacks allowed), "Pos" for positive plays on defense(tackles for loss and sacks) and finally T/O margin coming out of the first game.

There are some teams that look improved though it is difficult to guage accurately against lesser teams.

                             OFF    DEF    NEG    POS     TO +/-
Hogs vs. Mo St.        591    205      3       7          +1
S. Car vs NC St        256    133      8       9         Even
Ky vs Miami-OH        488    188      2       5           +2
Tenn vs W. Ky         657     83       2      15        Even
Georgia vs OSU        257    307      5       2           -3
Miss St vs JSU         410    194      6       7           +3
Aub vs La Tech        526    245      3       8         Even
Fla vs Charleston      624    323      1       2           +1
Vandy vs W. Car       620    115      7       6          +3
Ala vs Va Tech         498    155      8      10        Even
LSU vs Wash            321    478      2       9          +1
Ole Miss vs Memp      349    284      6      10       Even

Tennessee, Auburn and Kentucky could be improved. Ole Miss looked like they had been reading their own press clippings. Georgia looked horrible offensively and LSU looked horrible on both sides of the ball. Florida and Alabama looked like, well, Florida and Alabama, at this point anyway.

Check these numbers, pretty interesting. Looks like the elder Kiffin is putting his mark on the Tennessee defense...10 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 3 T/O's.

I like the way we started out too, especially in comparison to the rest of the SEC who also played lesser teams.   

[Cure]

Tennessee will be much improved on the defensive side of the ball. Eric Berry + Monte Kiffin = wow
Kentucky has a gamer in Hartline, if his stud freshmen remain consistent.

Ole Miss is and will always be overrated over Houston Nutt, anybody that has a good passing game will beat them. Auburn is going to creep up on some teams this year, hell of an offense brewing under GM. MSU's strength is their defense, but much to be answeredon the offensive side of the ball. Vanderbilt is on the come up.

[jdevers]

I have to officially take back what I said about Alabama being overhyped.  They looked as good as they did last year, maybe better.  The offense was certainly more interesting than last year.  I don't know if I can ever remember a Saban offense utilizing somany different formations and "spread-like" aspects.  The defense was pretty good, but VT played to their strength.  After they play a decent passing team we will know more about their pass defense. They may be REALLY good this year and could challenge FL.

[Cure]

I have to officially take back what I said about Alabama being overhyped.  They looked as good as they did last year, maybe better.  The offense was certainly more interesting than last year.  I don't know if I can ever remember a Saban offense utilizing somany different formations and "spread-like" aspects.  The defense was pretty good, but VT played to their strength.  After they play a decent passing team we will know more about their pass defense. They may be REALLY good this year and could challenge FL.

Bama's offense rides on the success of their backs. The only decent pass McElroy can throw is deep. If we can take Julio Jones out of the game, just as Va Tech did and TACKLE their RBs, then we can and will beat them.

Their defense was not really tested by VTech's offense. Tyrod has hardly any receivers to throw it and we already knew that the D-Line was one of Bama's strengths, having Cody back.

The offense is really manilla and if we can force Bama to put it in the air all game, our chances of winning are pretty good.

Bama is not as good as most are thinking after seeing the Virginia Tech game, book it.

[elksnort]

LSU gave up 478 yards against Washington ?

I watched the tail end of this game and did not realize that Washington put up this many yards against LSU. My friend was saying that Washington is not any good and I was saying that Washington will be good again soon. What does this say about LSU'S defense?

[MuskogeeHogFan]

LSU gave up 478 yards against Washington ?

I watched the tail end of this game and did not realize that Washington put up this many yards against LSU. My friend was saying that Washington is not any good and I was saying that Washington will be good again soon. What does this say about LSU'S defense?

They gave up 321 yds in passing alone. They are lucky that they won that game.

[GuvHog]

Most SEC teams played "rent-a-win" teams this past weekend and that being the case, what they generated on offense and defense should have reflected that. In most cases it did.

Total Offense and Defense is shown below along with "Neg" for negative plays on offense(tackles for loss and sacks allowed), "Pos" for positive plays on defense(tackles for loss and sacks) and finally T/O margin coming out of the first game.

There are some teams that look improved though it is difficult to guage accurately against lesser teams.

                             OFF    DEF    NEG    POS     TO +/-
Hogs vs. Mo St.        591    205      3       7          +1
S. Car vs NC St        256    133      8       9         Even
Ky vs Miami-OH        488    188      2       5           +2
Tenn vs W. Ky         657     83       2      15        Even
Georgia vs OSU        257    307      5       2           -3
Miss St vs JSU         410    194      6       7           +3
Aub vs La Tech        526    245      3       8         Even
Fla vs Charleston      624    323      1       2           +1
Vandy vs W. Car       620    115      7       6          +3
Ala vs Va Tech         498    155      8      10        Even
*LSU vs Wash             321     478        2       9           +1
Ole Miss vs Memp      349    284      6      10       Even

Tennessee, Auburn and Kentucky could be improved. Ole Miss looked like they had been reading their own press clippings. Georgia looked horrible offensively and LSU looked horrible on both sides of the ball. Florida and Alabama looked like, well, Florida and Alabama, at this point anyway.

Check these numbers, pretty interesting. Looks like the elder Kiffin is putting his mark on the Tennessee defense...10 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 3 T/O's.

I like the way we started out too, especially in comparison to the rest of the SEC who also played lesser teams.   

*I thought LSU's Defense was supposed to be better? Giving up 478 yards of total
offense to an AVERAGE at best Washington team is not a sign of improvement. If
that doesn't change LSU will have a long year and Les Myles won't have a job.

[Cure]

*I thought LSU's Defense was supposed to be better? Giving up 478 yards of total
offense to an AVERAGE at best Washington team is not a sign of improvement. If
that doesn't change LSU will have a long year and Les Myles won't have a job.

When you bring in a new DC in Chavis and they're going against a Sarkisian offense, I wouldn't expect them to be that successful in the first outing. Do not write that defense off, they have the depth and talent needed to become the defense of old.

[Hoggy1]

They gave up 321 yds in passing alone. They are lucky that they won that game.

Yep, hopefully LSU' will be getting torched all year...

Seems to me Lester has the bayou bengals going backwards.

[ErieHog]

LSU's offense put up 24 points and averaged 6.7 yards per play in an extremely hostile road environment against a BCS conference school, despite a 2,500 mile trip.  Their offense is fine.

[Melorock089]

I disagree and say Bama isn't as good as last year but not by much. It's mainly due to the Oline, the biggest factor. McElroy, Julio Jones, and the solid run game..Bama's offense isn't flashy but very solid.
Their defence is still certainly stellar. They'll probably win the west but I'm not sure as to how decisively.

LSU? Remember Washington was 0-12 last year. Locker's comeback makes a huge difference but really, he's not everything. Washington is still a low-tier Pac-10 team, but I will say they're very much improved. Their new staff is into only a year, and it takes longer than a year to build up Washington.  It's not looking as expected for LSU this year. I won't say we win @ LSU yet, but I think our chances are more favorable.

Georgia - Losing Stafford and Moreno, having key Oline and Defense injuries, the fact that we have a bye week and it's a home game? I like our chances.

South Carolina - Not impressive at all vs. NC State. Defense won them that game. Garcia is still a mediocre QB. I like our chances.

Auburn - hard to tell against LM, but they didn't struggle if I remember correctly. They'll be better than I expected them. The foundation is just now into place. We beat Gus's offensive when it was better utilized at Tulsa, and we'll beat Auburn again this year.

Florida - @ the swamp..I don't like our chances.

MSU - Mullen impresses me, but MSU just doesn't have the athletes and the personnel. We still win, but it won't be a rollover.

[ErieHog]

I disagree and say Bama isn't as good as last year but not by much. It's mainly due to the Oline, the biggest factor. McElroy, Julio Jones, and the solid run game..Bama's offense isn't flashy but very solid.
Their defence is still certainly stellar. They'll probably win the west but I'm not sure as to how decisively.

LSU? Remember Washington was 0-15 last year. Locker's comeback makes a huge difference but really, he's not everything. Washington is still a low-tier Pac-10 team, but I will say they're very much improved. Their new staff is into only a year, and it takes longer than a year to build up Washington.  It's not looking as expected for LSU this year. I won't say we win @ LSU yet, but I think our chances are more favorable.

Georgia - Losing Stafford and Moreno, having key Oline and Defense injuries, the fact that we have a bye week and it's a home game? I like our chances.

South Carolina - Not impressive at all vs. NC State. Defense won them that game. Garcia is still a mediocre QB. I like our chances.

Auburn - hard to tell against LM, but they didn't struggle if I remember correctly. They'll be better than I expected them. The foundation is just now into place. We beat Gus's offensive when it was better utilized at Tulsa, and we'll beat Auburn again this year.

Florida - @ the swamp..I don't like our chances.

MSU - Mullen impresses me, but MSU just doesn't have the athletes and the personnel. We still win, but it won't be a rollover.

You can't go 0-15 with a 12 game schedule.  Nobody's that bad.

[Pistol Pete]

LSU's offense put up 24 points and averaged 6.7 yards per play in an extremely hostile road environment against a BCS conference school, despite a 2,500 mile trip.  Their offense is fine.

I differ in opinion on this. LSU will have a hard time winning against mid-level SEC teams. The QB is not good, he's a runner.

[ErieHog]

I differ in opinion on this. LSU will have a hard time winning against mid-level SEC teams. The QB is not good, he's a runner.

He was 11-19 for 172 yards and 3 TDs-- and no turnovers on top of that.   That's solid production from the QB slot. 

[bigdaddyhawg]

They gave up 321 yds in passing alone. They are lucky that they won that game.

The outcome of that game was not in doubt for most of the second half.  LSU gave up a late TD that made the score closer.

You guys hating on LSU's defense need to remember two things: 1) this was their first game under a new coordinator, which means they are still settling in, and that is predictable; and 2) Jake Locker is a good QB, maybe the best in the Pac 10.  He made tons of plays with pressure in his face all night.  There were many plays where his exceptional mobility (he's got 4.4-4.5 speed) avoided sacks that few QB's would have been able to do.

UW's skilled players are also pretty good, so I think it's fair to say LSU's defense had a pretty difficult first game on the road.

LSU has very impressive talent on the defensive side of the ball in pretty much every position.  If you couldn't see that, you weren't paying very much attention.  They ran well and tackled pretty well.  They will have a good defense in the SEC this year, and will be a handful for the rest of us.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

*I thought LSU's Defense was supposed to be better? Giving up 478 yards of total
offense to an AVERAGE at best Washington team is not a sign of improvement. If
that doesn't change LSU will have a long year and Les Myles won't have a job.

Might be Chavis(the DC) who doesn't have a job. It isn't like Willy coming to Arkansas, LSU should have had the talent on the ground waiting for Chavis. So is it the scheme? Or was it a dual threat QB like Jake Locker(321 passing, 51 rushing) just being too much for them?

[Cure]

He was 11-19 for 172 yards and 3 TDs-- and no turnovers on top of that.   That's solid production from the QB slot. 

On top of that, he didn't get much production from his receivers. LSU will be fine on offense AND defense.

[GuvHog]

When you bring in a new DC in Chavis and they're going against a Sarkisian offense, I wouldn't expect them to be that successful in the first outing. Do not write that defense off, they have the depth and talent needed to become the defense of old.

Washington has finished near or at the bottom of the PAC 10 the last few
years, they are not going to become THAT good overnight. They're still an
average at best team and will finish near the bottom of the PAC 10
again. Sarkisian or not, 487 yards against an LSU defense just won't fly.

[ErieHog]

Washington has finished near or at the bottom of the PAC 10 the last few
years, they are not going to become THAT good overnight. They're still an
average at best team and will finish near the bottom of the PAC 10
again. Sarkisian or not, 487 yards against an LSU defense just won't fly.

They'll finish in the middle of the pack;  last year's offensive numbers were an aberration, a product of Locker getting hurt and the utter lack of QB depth.     With their schedule, a bowl is a 50/50 shot, meaning they aren't going to be 'average'.

[GuvHog]

The outcome of that game was not in doubt for most of the second half.  LSU gave up a late TD that made the score closer.

You guys hating on LSU's defense need to remember two things: 1) this was their first game under a new coordinator, which means they are still settling in, and that is predictable; and 2) Jake Locker is a good QB, maybe the best in the Pac 10.  He made tons of plays with pressure in his face all night.  There were many plays where his exceptional mobility (he's got 4.4-4.5 speed) avoided sacks that few QB's would have been able to do.

UW's skilled players are also pretty good, so I think it's fair to say LSU's defense had a pretty difficult first game on the road.

LSU has very impressive talent on the defensive side of the ball in pretty much every position.  If you couldn't see that, you weren't paying very much attention.  They ran well and tackled pretty well.  They will have a good defense in the SEC this year, and will be a handful for the rest of us.

Go head and make all of the excuses you want but there's absolutely NO excuse
for LSU's defense giving up 478 yards of total offense to an AVERAGE at best
Washington Huskie team that will still finish at or near the bottom of the PAC 10.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

The outcome of that game was not in doubt for most of the second half.  LSU gave up a late TD that made the score closer.

You guys hating on LSU's defense need to remember two things: 1) this was their first game under a new coordinator, which means they are still settling in, and that is predictable; and 2) Jake Locker is a good QB, maybe the best in the Pac 10.  He made tons of plays with pressure in his face all night.  There were many plays where his exceptional mobility (he's got 4.4-4.5 speed) avoided sacks that few QB's would have been able to do.

UW's skilled players are also pretty good, so I think it's fair to say LSU's defense had a pretty difficult first game on the road.

LSU has very impressive talent on the defensive side of the ball in pretty much every position.  If you couldn't see that, you weren't paying very much attention.  They ran well and tackled pretty well.  They will have a good defense in the SEC this year, and will be a handful for the rest of us.

True, Washington didn't score their last 10 points until the 4th quarter. And I'm not "hating" on anyone, I actually could care less except to be discussing the SEC's weekend. And yeah, they have a new DC and yeah they had to travel 2,500 miles...good and valid points that could make it difficult for any team. But anytime you give up more yards than you generate, I would contend that you are lucky to have won the game. If you played ten similar games where you gave up more than you generated in yards, how often would you win? I have no idea, but I have to think the odds would be against you.

[GuvHog]

They'll finish in the middle of the pack;  last year's offensive numbers were an aberration, a product of Locker getting hurt and the utter lack of QB depth.     With their schedule, a bowl is a 50/50 shot, meaning they aren't going to be 'average'.

I disagree. IMO they'll lose to UCLA, USC, California, Arizona St.,
and possibily Washington St and Oregon.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Go head and make all of the excuses you want but there's absolutely NO excuse
for LSU's defense giving up 478 yards of total offense to an AVERAGE at best
Washington Huskie team that will still finish at or near the bottom of the PAC 10.

On the other hand I gotta tell you that Washington has some talent and now they finally have a coach. Their QB makes their offense go and he is a good player plus, he is surrounded by some good talent. Are they ready to contend for the Pac 10? I doubt it, but, barring injuries, I doubt they will be near the bottom of the Pac 10 come the end of the season.

[ErieHog]

I disagree. IMO they'll lose to UCLA, USC, California, Arizona St.,
and possibily Washington St and Oregon.

Washington State is in abominable shape.   They are much more likely to lose to a rebuilding Stanford (and a good coach) --  after October 3rd, their toughest remaining dates will be at home against Oregon and Cal.

They'll destroy Idaho, beat Wazzou, split the Arizona schools at worst, split the Oregon schools at worst, and are capable of beating either Stanford or UCLA-- and they have the offensive weapons to ambush ND when they visit Auzten Stadium--- unless, of course, you want to make the argument that ND's defense is on the LSU defensive level?

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Washington State is in abominable shape.   They are much more likely to lose to a rebuilding Stanford (and a good coach) --  after October 3rd, their toughest remaining dates will be at home against Oregon and Cal.

They'll destroy Idaho, beat Wazzou, split the Arizona schools at worst, split the Oregon schools at worst, and are capable of beating either Stanford or UCLA-- and they have the offensive weapons to ambush ND when they visit Auzten Stadium--- unless, of course, you want to make the argument that ND's defense is on the LSU defensive level?

And that's another good point. Playing at their home field, unknown to many of us SEC dwellers, is traditionally a very difficult place to play. Not making excuses for LSU, just sayin, that's true.

[want2be]

Regarding the teams we play this year:

1) Bama is the clear cut favorite in the West after game 1. They have Florida International and North Texas, before we meet them. They should be up for us big time.
2) Georgia's play calling against OK St was weak to say the least. You would think this weeks game with S. Carolina will be a defensive battle.Samuel is an excellent running back who will give us fits. Petrino will find the holes in their defense. 
3) Auburn's offense was better than I thought it would be. Gus has done a good job with fitting in his new system. I would need to check their passage percentage which was on of their problems last year.
4) LSU will steadily improve and they will be tuff at home. Upset special for the year. LSU over Florida at home Oct 10.
5) Ol Miss....typical Jeckle-Hyde, don't know who will show up when they are rated to win.
6) Ms State...Uphill climb this year for sure

If we can win all our home games and Ol Miss on the road it will be a successful year.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Look at Auburn, they seem improved and don't say La Tech was a light opponent. True, they should be, but many on here were predicting a La Tech upset alert last week. Todd completed 62.9% of his passes with no INT's for 225 yards. Their biggest problem was not fumbling(3 and lost 2) but they still rushed for 301 net yards. They gave up 3 tackles for loss on offense, but no sacks. Defensively they had 5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks, forced 3 fumbles recovering 1 and had an INT while allowing a total of 96 yards rushing and 149 passing.

I think they are going to be better than we thought they were going to be. Maybe a middle of the pack kind of team.

[bigdaddyhawg]

Go head and make all of the excuses you want but there's absolutely NO excuse
for LSU's defense giving up 478 yards of total offense to an AVERAGE at best
Washington Huskie team that will still finish at or near the bottom of the PAC 10.

Remember this is a UW team that beat BYU last fall (then had a silly rule steal the victory).  BYU??  Well, they beat the #3 team in the nation Saturday night. 

Just another perspective that UW might not be all that bad, with Locker at QB.  Sometimes one player CAN make that much difference.  That's something else you can ask OU about.

[GuvHog]

And that's another good point. Playing at their home field, unknown to many of us SEC dwellers, is traditionally a very difficult place to play. Not making excuses for LSU, just sayin, that's true.

I agree with you about the Huskies splitting the Oregon schools. I believe they'll beat
Oregon St. but lose to Oregon and they'll beat Arizona but lose to Arizona St. UCLA,
USC, California, and possibly Stanford will beat the Huskies giving them a PAC 10
record of 4-5 or 3-6. They'll beat Idaho but ND is to close to call. They'll finish either
6-6 or 7-5 over all at best.

[GuvHog]

Remember this is a UW team that beat BYU last fall (then had a silly rule steal the victory).  BYU??  Well, they beat the #3 team in the nation Saturday night. 

Just another perspective that UW might not be all that bad, with Locker at QB.  Sometimes one player CAN make that much difference.  That's something else you can ask OU about.

Please. Oklahoma was Waaay overrated and BYU proved that. BYU is a little bit better this year.

[Pistol Pete]

I'm definitely not "hating" on LSU offensively or defensively, they are my 2nd favorite team in the SEC. But Jordan Jefferson will have to make major improvements for LSU to be competitive. Talent alone will make it a winning season, but not much better than that. IMO.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Moving on to Auburn:
Look at Auburn, they seem improved and don't say La Tech was a light opponent. True, they should be, but many on here were predicting a La Tech upset alert last week. Todd completed 62.9% of his passes with no INT's for 225 yards. Their biggest problem was not fumbling(3 and lost 2) but they still rushed for 301 net yards. They gave up 3 tackles for loss on offense, but no sacks. Defensively they had 5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks, forced 3 fumbles recovering 1 and had an INT while allowing a total of 96 yards rushing and 149 passing.

I think they are going to be better than we thought they were going to be. Maybe a middle of the pack kind of team.

This may wind up being a jousting match between two great offensive minds and two up and coming defenses.

[ErieHog]

I agree with you about the Huskies splitting the Oregon schools. I believe they'll beat
Oregon St. but lose to Oregon and they'll beat Arizona but lose to Arizona St. UCLA,
USC, California, and possibly Stanford will beat the Huskies giving them a PAC 10
record of 4-5 or 3-6. They'll beat Idaho but ND is to close to call. They'll finish either
6-6 or 7-5 over all at best.

7-5 with a bowl bid isn't average.

[GuvHog]

7-5 with a bowl bid isn't average.

But a 3-6 or 4-5 conference record in the PAC 10 is below average.

[ErieHog]

But a 3-6 or 4-5 conference record in the PAC 10 is below average.

You called them a below average *team*-- and 4-5 will be very close to average in the PAC-10, where you have 2 or 3 programs (USC, Cal, Oregon)that will combine to go 22-5 to 24-3 in conference play, and leave the rest distantly behind.

[want2be]

Look at Auburn, they seem improved and don't say La Tech was a light opponent. True, they should be, but many on here were predicting a La Tech upset alert last week. Todd completed 62.9% of his passes with no INT's for 225 yards. Their biggest problem was not fumbling(3 and lost 2) but they still rushed for 301 net yards. They gave up 3 tackles for loss on offense, but no sacks. Defensively they had 5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks, forced 3 fumbles recovering 1 and had an INT while allowing a total of 96 yards rushing and 149 passing.

I think they are going to be better than we thought they were going to be. Maybe a middle of the pack kind of team.

You are right.........Auburn may end up being one of the most improved teams. Their next 2 games against Ms St and W. Virgina should be confidence builders. I hope they go to Tenn and beat them(doubtful) before coming here.

[Zona Hog]

You can't go 0-15 with a 12 game schedule.  Nobody's that bad.

Washington also lost 3 intrasquad scrimmages... so yes, 0-15.

Anyways, Washington always seems to show up and contend and/or win a game that they shouldnt... see BYU last season and LSU this season.  They are probably the 8th or 9th place finisher in the Pac10 this year.  They'll get thumped by Oregon St, Oregon, SC, Cal, and probably ASU and Arizona.  They only have one sure conference win vs Wazzu.  Id be shocked to see them in a bowl game.

They are improved, but that aint tough when your trying to bounce back from a winless season.  LSU just overlooked them, and thats all it was.

[GuvHog]

You called them a below average *team*-- and 4-5 will be very close to average in the PAC-10, where you have 2 or 3 programs (USC, Cal, Oregon)that will combine to go 22-5 to 24-3 in conference play, and leave the rest distantly behind.

Oh I agree 4-5 is close to average, but it's still below average.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

You called them a below average *team*-- and 4-5 will be very close to average in the PAC-10, where you have 2 or 3 programs (USC, Cal, Oregon)that will combine to go 22-5 to 24-3 in conference play, and leave the rest distantly behind.

Oregon looks like a team that has lost its way and this may be a rough first season for Chip Kelly, though I have no doubt that they will rebound next year. Oregon State may be better than expected if they can find some pass defense in the traditionally pass-happy Pac 10. UCLA has potential with 16 starters back, though their opening victory over S.D. State was less than inspiring.

I think USC and Cal are the teams to beat in the Pac 10 with Stanford and possibly UCLA and Oregon State stepping up to be unsuspected spoilers at times and one might include Washington in that mix as well. Arizona could be a surprise with a new QB who is trying to find his way and T/O's hurt them this weekend. If they can resolve that and get some solid offensive line play, they too might find their way to a minor bowl this year.

[pedrothelion]

Did Auburn run the typical GM system like Tulsa did (with the spread and HUNH) or were they having to huddle up and put the QB under center?   

[ErieHog]

Oh I agree 4-5 is close to average, but it's still below average.

It'll be average, in the Pac-10.     As I've stated, you'll have 3 teams way, way over .500,  one team that will likely not win a conference game.  That means you'll still have roughly 7 to 9 more losses than wins in conference play to divy up among 6 squads-- meaning 4-5 is going to be very, very close to average.

[ErieHog]

Oregon looks like a team that has lost its way and this may be a rough first season for Chip Kelly, though I have no doubt that they will rebound next year. Oregon State may be better than expected if they can find some pass defense in the traditionally pass-happy Pac 10. UCLA has potential with 16 starters back, though their opening victory over S.D. State was less than inspiring.

I think USC and Cal are the teams to beat in the Pac 10 with Stanford and possibly UCLA and Oregon State stepping up to be unsuspected spoilers at times and one might include Washington in that mix as well. Arizona could be a surprise with a new QB who is trying to find his way and T/O's hurt them this weekend. If they can resolve that and get some solid offensive line play, they too might find their way to a minor bowl this year.

Oregon State has huge, huge issues up front.    They won this weekend, but their starters gave up two sacks to a truly awful Portland State team.     They could easily plummet to just above Washington State.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Oregon State has huge, huge issues up front.    They won this weekend, but their starters gave up two sacks to a truly awful Portland State team.     They could easily plummet to just above Washington State.

Yeah, I got that. But they also have a decent(not great) experienced QB returning and the Soph. RB, Rogers is a good player with a lot of upside. They lost 2 of 5 starters on the OL so they should be more solid than they played this past weekend. It really is so difficult to project after this first weekend. A couple of more weeks will tell us a lot more about who is going to shake out, where.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

Oregon State has huge, huge issues up front.    They won this weekend, but their starters gave up two sacks to a truly awful Portland State team.     They could easily plummet to just above Washington State.

But back to the SEC, what do you think about Auburn based on the numbers I have posted on them?

[MuskogeeHogFan]

The Auburn question has been raised in another thread. What is our collective opinion based on their first week numbers?

[MuskogeeHogFan]

The way I see it, Alabama and Florida are the only sure things in the SEC.  Arkansas MIGHT be the second best team in the West already.

We will see. Ole Miss and LSU still have a dog in this fight and much will be determined as the season progresses. Despite LSU's lackluster showing at Washington, I think they still have a shot and the lack of Ole Miss dominance vs. Memphis means little at this point. Memphis meant little or nothing to them. Nutt has a way of blowing smoke up the skirts of his team for big games. They aren't done by any means.

That being said, we all know the trouble he seems to have getting his team up for big games back to back, so understanding that, he has UAB before us and Auburn after us. No problem focusing his team on us, but what does he do about Auburn(and Gus who we know he wants to beat) after us? Does he focus his team on us or on Auburn? Who does he save the big pep talk for?

He will either lose to us or Auburn, but he won't win both.

[bigdaddyhawg]

I'm definitely not "hating" on LSU offensively or defensively, they are my 2nd favorite team in the SEC. But Jordan Jefferson will have to make major improvements for LSU to be competitive. Talent alone will make it a winning season, but not much better than that. IMO.

Jefferson looked like what he was:  A young sophomore leading his team for the first time.  He looked very good at times, but was inconsistent, which is to be expected.

If he improves as he goes along LSU is going to be a very, very tough team to beat this fall.

[want2be]

But back to the SEC, what do you think about Auburn based on the numbers I have posted on them?

I heard Gus interviewed today and he stated they wanted to be a run first offense, but like Petrino, he will take what the defense gives him. He stated that the biggest issue is depth at the skilled positions but he did not go into specific details. Probably losing 2 receivers to injury (like we have now with Miller and Crawford) would hurt them much more than us.

I think they will make more noise this year than most expected IF they can stay healthy enough.

[Lake City Hog]

I think Georgia and LSU played the 2 best opponents of the SEC openers, OSU is a good team and Wash is improved and a 2500 mile road trip.
Georgia will show the future of their season against the Visor this weekend. LSU will get better every week as far as the defense is concerned, Chavious is a very good DC.
Looking at the games makes me feel better about us, everyone seemed to have issues in certain areas. Knocking off the rust in the first game and finding out a lot about areas of needed improvement. Overall, a much better start than last year.
We need to all be realistic, the SEC is going to be tough again this year. There won't be any gimme games on the conf schedule, Miss St and Auburn both scored more points in game 1 than any game last year.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

I think Georgia and LSU played the 2 best opponents of the SEC openers, OSU is a good team and Wash is improved and a 2500 mile road trip.
Georgia will show the future of their season against the Visor this weekend. LSU will get better every week as far as the defense is concerned, Chavious is a very good DC.
Looking at the games makes me feel better about us, everyone seemed to have issues in certain areas. Knocking off the rust in the first game and finding out a lot about areas of needed improvement. Overall, a much better start than last year.
We need to all be realistic, the SEC is going to be tough again this year. There won't be any gimme games on the conf schedule, Miss St and Auburn both scored more points in game 1 than any game last year.

The West, overall and on average, is going to be far more competitive than the East this year.