SEC and National Writers Preview Hog 2014 Football Opponents

[jbcarol]

Phil is suggesting that Georgia might just WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. And before you laugh/scoff/label-him-a-moron, note this: Steele's No. 1 surprise team for 2013 was ...

Florida State.

Last season, they had just three returning starters on defense, and, as you would expect, the inexperienced unit allowed 29 points per game. This season they have eight returning starters, led by a linebacking corps that I rank No. 1 in the country. In 2013, they played Clemson and South Carolina in back-to-back weeks but have a bye between them this time. I really like new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt's attitude on defense, and keep in mind he has coached on the past three national championship teams (Alabama 2011 and 2012, Florida State 2013) and could make it four in a row here.

[jbcarol]

David Morrison @DavidCMorrison  ·  9h
On the blog: 2014 opponent previews roll on with Georgia- http://bit.ly/1w38hlU .

2013 Record: 8-5, 5-3 Southeastern (Lost to Nebraska, 19-24, in Gator Bowl)

Coach: Mark Richt (Miami, 1982); 126-45 (13 years)

Notable National Rankings

Tackles for Loss Allowed: 8th (4.15 per game)

Passing Efficiency: 14th (155.65)

Total Offense: 17th (484.2 yards per game)

Punt Returns: 122nd (2.9 yards per return)

Interceptions: 108th (7)

Turnover Margin: 102nd (-0.5 per game)

Unexpected Attrition: Georgia's secondary was pretty young last year and, while opposing teams didn't exactly light up the skies against the Bulldogs, Georgia didn't five (sic) them much to worry about in the takeaway realm. But, the thinking went, with all the experience gleaned from last season and the number of players the Bulldogs rotated in back there, it should do nothing but benefit Georgia's back end this season. Then came the offseason. Strong safety Josh Harvey-Clemons, who started 11 games at strong safety last season, was dismissed in February due to that old chestnut "violation of team rules." He's reportedly planning on following defensive coordinator Todd Grantham to Louisville. Shaq Wiggins, who started eight games as a freshman at corner last year, decided to transfer in early May. He, too, plans on playing at Louisville. Tray Matthews, who started six games at safety as a freshman last year, was dismissed from the team earlier this month, reportedly after acting up during a class...

[jbcarol]

Glenn Guilbeau @LSUBeatTweet  ·  4h
LSU Rebuilding in '14 - Unless:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20140622/SPORTS0402/140622006/Glenn-Guilbeau-paper-looks-like-rebuilding-year-LSU-unless?nclick_check=1 ...

LSU lost a school record 11 non-seniors who decided to enter the NFL Draft after the 2012 season. Following the 2013 season, LSU lost another seven non-seniors. Miles found himself with several empty helmets again and has been scrambling to get up to the 85 scholarship limit. The classes of 2010 and '11 classes were ranked sixth coming in, but both were depleted before Miles saw them develop fully.

Consequently, the Tigers do not have experienced receivers to help along an inexperienced quarterback, nor do they have an experienced quarterback to help inexperienced wide receivers. Since Miles started at LSU in 2005, he had one or the other. Not the case this season.

"It is like we're starting all over again," said junior Travin Dural, the most experienced returning wide receiver. He caught seven passes last year. Incoming wide receiver Malachi Dupree needs to be very good very quickly.

There is another gaping hole at defensive tackle, where juniors Anthony Johnson and Ego Ferguson – a pair of jewels from the 2010 and '11 classes – left early for the NFL. Underclassmen Christian LaCouture and Quentin Thomas will have to dive in.

But if there is a quarterback coach out there who can get more than an average season out of Jennings or Harris, it is Cameron. And it's about time LSU got something out of a freshman quarterback. In addition, LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis has been too good for too long to have a third straight so-so season.

On green paper, if Cameron and Chavis earn their million dollar salaries...

[jbcarol]

MrSEC: Dan Mullen has led Mississippi State to a bowl game in four consecutive years.  That's a first for the MSU program.  Still, the Bulldogs haven't exactly leapt into the upper echelon of the Southeastern Conference.  Mullen's first five teams have finished 5-7, 9-4, 7-6, 8-5 and 7-6 with the aid of some cupcake scheduling.  They've also gone just 16-24 in SEC play.  In addition, of MSU's 11 losses that last two years, only one was by fewer than 10 points (a four-point loss at eventual SEC champ Auburn last season).

State will hang its hopes for improvement on two things in the year ahead —  a weak non-conference schedule (Southern Miss, UAB, South Alabama and UT-Martin) and quarterback Dak Prescott.  Football is a team sport, sure, but a special quarterback can still make an average team good and a good team great.

Last year he finished fifth in the SEC in total offense behind Manziel, Aaron Murray (Georgia), Bo Wallace (Ole Miss) and James Franklin (Missouri).  Splitting time with Tyler Russell, Prescott averaged 75.3 yards rushing per game.  That was the SEC's 10th best average on the season and second only to Auburn's Nick Marshall for quarterbacks.

Throwing the ball, Prescott needs some work...

[jbcarol]

Ross Dellenger @DellengerAdv  ·  6h
ICYMI: Our Summer Scouting blog series hits #LSU's Week 4: Mississippi State and QB Dak Prescott - http://bit.ly/1jdld0N

[jbcarol]

Bruce Feldman @BruceFeldmanCFB  ·  52m

Despite losing a lot of starpower to the NFL, #LSU's re-loaded thx to 3 stud FR primed to make a big impact. Story: http://foxs.pt/1ryGQ0B

[jbcarol]

Bob Holt @BobHoltADG  ·  17h

Texas Tech CB punches student, dismissed http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11152834/texas-tech-red-raiders-cornerback-nigel-bethel-ii-dismissed-punching-women-hoops-player-amber-battle ... via @espncfb

[jbcarol]

The alleged victim was TTech's women's basketball leading scorer.

[jbcarol]

SUMMER SCOUTING: A&M

A&M at a glance

Coach (year): Kevin Sumlin (3rd)
2013 record: 9-4 (4-4, 4th SEC West)
2013 postseason: Beat Duke 52-48 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl
Returning starters: 16
Preseason projection (Sporting News): 4th SEC West
SPRING STORYLINE

Replacing Johnny: Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel is gone. It has set off a dramatic spring in College Station. Returning senior backup Matt Joeckel transferred to TCU after spring practice. Meanwhile, dual-threat returner Kenny Hill was arrested for public intoxication and indefinitely suspended during spring. So, yeah, the replacements are running low. The door is open for Kyle Allen, the No. 1 ranked pro-style quarterback in the 2013 class. He enrolled in January and participated in spring.

BIGGEST THREAT

WR Ricky Seals-Jones: This is a stretch, seeing that Seals-Jones hasn't played more than two full games of college football. Still, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound redshirt freshman was ranked as the No. 1 receiver prospect in the nation...

[jbcarol]

RossDellenger

No Jalen Mills. Jefferson, Martin at safeties. RT @valleyshook : And here's the 1st 2014 depth chart http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bsg2WIGCAAECe4L.jpg #LSU

[jbcarol]

During SEC media days, A&M cornerback Deshazor Everett stole the show for the Aggies.

Everett, a senior leader, was brutally honest about last year's showing by the Aggies defense, which finished 109th nationally during a 9-4 season. He assured the defense will be better, because "it couldn't get much worse."

Everett said A&M's defenders were "out there doing what we wanted to do" – instead of paying attention to coaching and playing as a unit...

Everett also addressed the offseason dismissals of defensive lineman Isaiah Golden and linebacker Darian Claiborne, two starters arrested on charges of armed robbery.

"It was a sad day," Everett said. "Those were two brothers that we lost."

[jbcarol]

LSU replaces top early departures

LSU signed top national tailback Leonard Fournette and the promising receiver punch of Malachi Dupre and Trey Quinn.

Six starters return offensively, including the tackle tandem of La'el Collins and Jerald Hawkins, and seven return on defense, including the end tandem of Jermauria Rasco and Danielle Hunter.

A quarterback battle between sophomore Anthony Jennings and freshman Brandon Harris is expected to be the dominant storyline in preseason camp, but Miles has comfort in the experience offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has in developing players at that position.

"Certainly we have, in my opinion, the style of team that can win championships," Miles said. "If we continue to do the things we've done in the past, then we'll earn our way. I like us, and I like us in every game."

LSU has seven games in the new 102,000+ seat Tiger Stadium. The total number to be played at night is week-to-week.

[jbcarol]

Georgia picked second in East, Richt disagrees

Georgia is picked to finish second in the East, behind South Carolina, in the media vote announced on Thursday morning.

"No. I'd have us first," Richt said.

That was an uncharacteristically brash answer from Richt. He was asked if he was being flip or serious.

"That's our expectation. To win the East," Richt said.

The vote was close: South Carolina had 1,895 points, and Georgia had 1,777. Florida was picked to finish third with 1,362 points, followed by Missouri, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.

Alabama was picked to win the West, and to be the SEC champion. The predicted order in the West after Alabama was Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Arkansas.

Georgia did receive 19 votes, out of 294, to be the SEC champion.

Tailback Todd Gurley, kicker Marshall Morgan and linebacker Ramik Wilson were on the preseason All-SEC first team.

Receiver Malcolm Mitchell, linebacker Jordan Jenkins and cornerback Damian Swann were on the second team.

Tailback Keith Marshall, tackle John Theus and defensive end Ray Drew made the third team.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  16h

RT @ByCasagrande: Greg McElroy responds to backlash after picking LSU to beat Alabama on ESPNU http://ow.ly/zfh4c

The former Alabama quarterback is now paid to be an objective observer as a commentator for the SEC Network. "I understood that I would probably ruffle some feathers along the way once I took this job," McElroy said in an interview with AL.com after signing off for the day. "I know that I'm not always going to make them happy, but I have to do what's in the best interest of the fans of college football and give my opinion."

He lists a few reasons for his LSU-over-Alabama pick. The last two games in Baton Rouge were close with Alabama needing a last-second drive to win 21-17  in 2012. McElroy was the starter in 2010 when the Tide left with a 24-21 loss.

"I know how difficult Les Miles is to prepare for," McElroy said. "I know how tough his team plays and I look at that being a tough place to go in and get a win."

David Read @Footballfile
@GVMcElroy C'mon Greg! You have us losing to LSU, but LSU losing to Arkansas. Greg you're better than that! #RollTide
3:23 PM - 16 Jul 2014

[jbcarol]

David Morrison @DavidCMorrison  ·  51m

Richt informed that the media has picked the SEC champion correctly 4 times in 22 years: "Good."

Alabama was picked to win the West, and to be the SEC champion. The predicted order in the West after Alabama was Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Arkansas.

South Carolina had 1,895 points, and Georgia had 1,777. Florida was picked to finish third with 1,362 points, followed by Missouri, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.

[jbcarol]

For the first time in Gus Malzahn's eight seasons at the collegiate level, his starting quarterback is back for the second straight season...

"Well, we've got a lot of our guys coming back, and that's a good thing," Malzahn said on ESPN SportsCenter during the network's annual Car Wash on Monday. "Four of our five offensive lineman are back. We're a run, play-action team, and we've got a lot of receivers who can make plays down the field. I'm excited."

Auburn lost the No. 2 pick in the draft, left tackle Greg Robinson, off of the line, but the Tigers still return left guard Alex Kozan, center Reese Dismukes, right guard Chad Slade and right tackle Avery Young, and the Tigers have two clear prospects to fill Robinson's shoes in Shon Coleman and Patrick Miller.

The return of Marshall -- a decision on Marshall's punishment for marijuana citation hasn't been announced yet -- also offers the potential for a more balanced offense than the one that ran the ball on 72 percent of its plays last season.

"He's got a natural throwing motion, he can throw it 75 yards and make all the throws," Malzahn said. "We really felt good after the spring coming out that we could be more balanced."

In addition to Marshall's improved ability to throw the ball, the Tigers have a much deeper, more experienced receiving corps than the one that relied heavily on Sammie Coates last season.

Adding the nation's No. 1 junior college transfer, D'haquille Williams, to a group that already included Ricardo Louis, Marcus Davis, Quan Bray and tight end C.J. Uzomah has led Malzahn to offer some lofty praise over the course of the summer.

"At least since I've been at Auburn, this has been the most talented receiving group we've had," Malzahn said. "We've got guys who can make plays in one-on-one situations, and if you can run the ball effectively, you're going to get those."

The only remaining question, then, is who will replace 1,800-yard back and Heisman Trophy finalist Tre Mason...

[jbcarol]

State

2013 Record: 7-6, 3-5, tied for fifth in SEC West.

Coach: Dan Mullen, 36-28, 16-24, sixth season at Mississippi State.

Returning starters: Offense (Eight), Defense (9), Special teams (1)

Quickie synopsis: Lots of promise for the Bulldogs with 17 starters back, including Louisiana-born and raised quarterback Dak Prescott. Defense is loaded with experience, led by linebacker Bernardrick McKinney, and State is coming off a strong 2013 finish, with three consecutive wins.

Is Dan Mullen trying to find new ways to get the ball the Jameon Lewis?

I'm not sure how many more ways Lewis can get the football. Last season he rushed for three touchdowns, threw three and caught five. Lewis also served as MSU's kickoff and punt returner as well. He totaled 1,537 all-purpose yards in 2013 and set the school's single-game receiving record in the Liberty Bowl with 220 yards.

How good is the rest of the defense after stud linebacker Bernardrick McKinney?

McKinney is NFL-caliber no doubt, but he won't be the only one on the Bulldogs' defense that suits up on Sundays. Sophomore defensive tackle Chris Jones is another stud, along with senior defensive end Preston Smith. Junior Taveze Calhoun might be one of the league's most underrated corners. I also expect Justin Cox's move to safety to be beneficial as a senior. State has two full defensive units it feels comfortable with having on the field in any situation.

[jbcarol]

Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  ·  Jul 29
Many Georgia defensive players dropped weight - while offensive linemen gained it.
http://www.macon.com/2014/07/29/3223319/georgia-defenders-drop-weight.html ...

Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  ·  Jul 30
Jeremy Pruitt on a host of subjects as Georgia preseason practice is set to begin.
http://www.macon.com/2014/07/30/3224322/pruitt-on-georgia-player-departures.html ...

Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  ·  Jul 30
But as we have seen, Georgia will play walk-ons at receiver. It will likely happen again this season.

[jbcarol]

Ross Dellenger @DellengerAdv  ·  2h

#LSU freshman RB Leonard Fournette not practicing with vets. Jennings out here. Jalen Collins running with 1s at CB.


Ross Dellenger @DellengerAdv  ·  1h

Freshmen at morning vet practice (don't read into too much):Dupre, Upchurch, Jeter, Gage, Garrett, Alexander, Godchaux, Clark, Teuhema. #LSU

[jbcarol]

Dave Matter @Dave_Matter  ·  2h

You can find all our #Mizzou position previews here: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/eye-on-the-tigers/countdown-to-camp-mizzou-secondary/article_55906bee-db15-52af-a3bd-18bdbee1a631.html ...

[mizzouman]

https://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1666159

[jbcarol]

Drew Champlin @DrewChamplin  ·  2h
Spotlight on massive Alabama freshman defensive tackle Josh Frazier http://ow.ly/zZDbd

[jbcarol]

This has gone beyond ridiculous.

It's now comical that Gus Malzahn won't officially say what the rest of the college football world already knows — Jeremy Johnson will start in place of Nick Marshall in Auburn's Aug. 30 opener against Arkansas.

The only mystery here is when will Malzahn put Marshall in the game?

Malzahn had planned to use Johnson more and has said the G.W. Carver graduate could play for "90 percent" of the teams in college football, but he can't say Johnson will start Aug. 30?

Am I only one who finds his completely hysterical?

Just for the sake of argument, let's look at the other quarterbacks who have an outside chance of starting ahead of Johnson. And I'm talking way outside — like 50 Cent's first pitch for the New York Mets.

Got Wallace, a junior who fell to third string when Marshall and Johnson arrived on campus. Nice guy, does a great Malzahn impression, but only attempted four passes in five games last season.

[jbcarol]

MrSEC @MrSEC  ·  3h

Can Both Ole Miss and Miss State Be SEC Sleepers? History Says No... http://mrsec.com/articles/history-suggests-ole-miss-and-miss-state-can-t-both-be-sec-sleepers ...

[jbcarol]

Bama held its eighth practice of the preseason Thursday, working out for two hours in full pads inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility. Saban labeled the practice "fantastic" but admitted that being indoors likely helped that.

The Crimson Tide will hold their second two-a-day session today and scrimmage for the first time Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

A'Shawn Robinson, Brandon Ivory and Jarran Reed comprised Alabama's first-team defensive front during the A-Day game in April.

When the Crimson Tide held their first two-a-day practice Wednesday, all three were absent, with Robinson nursing an injury and Ivory and Reed serving suspensions. Those suspensions were lifted Thursday by coach Nick Saban, so the 6-foot-4, 308-pound Ivory and the 6-4, 315-pound Reed returned to the field in a limited capacity.

"They both did the things they were supposed to do relative to their suspensions," Saban said in a post-practice news conference. "Now they have to go through a five-day acclimation period just like all the other players did."

Saban last Friday announced the suspensions of Ivory, Reed and linebacker Tim Williams for violating team rules. Reed was arrested in July on a charge of driving under the influence.

Robinson's ailment had been unknown to the media until Saban said the 6-4, 320-pound sophomore from Fort Worth, Texas, sprained his knee and will miss the next few days, possibly a week.

"We're going to be pretty cautious with this kind of thing, especially at his position," Saban said. "It's not easy to function as an inside player if you have a sprained knee."

Alabama's promising defensive front also contains Jonathan Allen, D.J. Pettway, Dalvin Tomlinson, Darren Lake, Dee Liner and freshmen Da'Shawn Hand and Josh Frazier. Hand, a 6-4, 273-pounder from Woodbridge, Va., was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 1 prospect nationally in the 2014 class.

Ivory started 12 games last season at noseguard in the 3-4 system, tallying 24 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Robinson notched a team-high 5.5 sacks in earning Freshman All-America honors, and Allen recorded 16 tackles and three for loss in playing all 13 games.

Reed and Pettway arrived in January from East Mississippi Community College.

"We thought that the defensive line was an area where we had pretty good depth with the guys that we recruited," Saban said. "This provided the opportunity to create more reps for the younger players."

One young defensive lineman who won't suit up this season is freshman O.J. Smith, a 6-2, 330-pounder from Bossier City, La. Saban said Smith has a shoulder injury that needs surgery, which would shelve him for the season.

Also, veteran Trey DePriest is recovering from minor knee surgery.

[jbcarol]

Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  ·  19h
All the scrimmage stats right here:
http://www.macon.com/2014/08/09/3241733/georgias-first-scrimmage-stats.html?sp=/99/160/166/823/ ...

Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  ·  19h
The secondary, believe it or not, had a decent night: "In regard to giving up the big play, they didn't," Richt said.

Keith Marshall was also among the receiving leaders with 3 catches for 56 yards. So he appears to be all right.

Nick Chubb leading rusher, 52 yards on seven carries. Keith Marshall 5-23. Sony Michel 5-21. Todd Gurley held to 13 yards on five rushes.

[jbcarol]

David Morrison @DavidCMorrison  ·  4h
Raymond Wingo was back for photo day after missing Friday and Saturday's practices with what Gary Pinkel said was a family matter.

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/86021/lsu-tigers-team-preview

2013 record: 10-3 (5-3 SEC). Beat Iowa 21-14 in the Outback Bowl.

Key losses: QB Zach Mettenberger, RB Jeremy Hill, WR Odell Beckham, WR Jarvis Landry, LB Lamin Barrow, S Craig Loston, DT Ego Ferguson, DT Anthony Johnson, RB Alfred Blue.

Key returnees: OT La'el Collins, DE Danielle Hunter, DE Jermauria Rasco, RB Terrence Magee, CB Tre'Davious White, OG Vadal Alexander, WR Travin Dural, LB D.J. Welter, LB Kwon Alexander, OT Jerald Hawkins, S Jalen Mills.

Instant impact newcomers: RB Leonard Fournette, QB Brandon Harris, WR Malachi Dupre, WR Trey Quinn, LB Clifton Garrett, S Jamal Adams, CB Ed Paris, DB John Battle.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  1h

Potential starter at defensive end, backup tackle suffer injuries, setbacks at Auburn http://ow.ly/AkU2J

Defensive end DaVonte Lambert, who is challenging Elijah Daniel for the starting job on the left side, is battling through back spasms and defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence is recovering from a knee injury...

"The frustrating thing is we can't get Devaroe and DaVonte out there for three or four days in a row," Ellis Johnson said. "They've been really hampered with nagging injuries. ... Nothing really serious, but again, for two new players, missing a couple or three days of practice can really set them back."

The former teammates at Georgia Military College are expected to contribute immediately this season...

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/85882/ole-miss-team-preview

Key losses: WR Donte Moncrief, RB Jeff Scott, C Evan Swindall, OL Jared Duke, OL Pierce Burton, K Andrew Ritter

Key returnees: QB Bo Wallace, WR Laquon Treadwell, TE Evan Engram, DL Robert Nkemdiche, DE C.J. Johnson, S Cody Prewitt, S Tony Conner

[NoNC4Tubs]

This has gone beyond ridiculous.

It's now comical that Gus Malzahn won't officially say what the rest of the college football world already knows — Jeremy Johnson will start in place of Nick Marshall in Auburn's Aug. 30 opener against Arkansas.

The only mystery here is when will Malzahn put Marshall in the game?

Second play........

[jbcarol]

Mark Richt voiced his displeasure in the overall execution at his post-practice news conference.

"It was just frustrating, and I told them, too," Richt said after the offense threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles.

Richt said the first-team offense started quickly, marching 11 or 12 plays and scoring on a pass from Mason to Chris Conley. Apparently that was the high-water mark as Richt again pitted the ones against the ones and the backups against the backups.

"From then on, the execution kind of deteriorated," Richt said. "That's not to say there weren't good plays offensively, but we had way too many fumbled snaps or poor shotgun snaps. Too many guys were jumping offsides.

"There were just too many guys having to be babysat out there as far as getting lined up right."

They will take Sunday and Monday off and resume Tuesday afternoon.

[jbcarol]

Dave Matter @Dave_Matter  ·  2h
#Mizzou scrimmage stats are on the blog. Much more to come at STLtoday: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/eye-on-the-tigers/another-sluggish-scrimmage-for-mizzou-offense/article_a1f5844b-0d23-55b6-a7fe-26115ae08622.html ...

[jbcarol]

Joel A. Erickson @JoelAEricksonAU  ·  2h
Freshman Daniel Carlson will be first Auburn specialist in a decade to handle both kicking, punting duties http://s.al.com/Kbf43jS

[jbcarol]

The question of whether or not HUNH was anything more than a passing fad has been answered with a resounding "No."

That has prompted a different concern heading into the 2014 season that begins on Aug. 28: how do you keep defenses off-balance with what is now a common offense?

Asked how you defend the pass option, Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack was understandably cautious in giving away too much of his game plan. But he did say there's not a hard-and-fast way.

"It depends on what scheme you're in," Wommack said. "Some people like to play it in a one-high (safety) scheme, some do it with two-high. We do a little bit of both, so it's really based on that scheme."

It is Wommack's belief that defending Ole Miss' offense in practice each week helps when it comes to Auburn or A&M week with not only the specifics of the offense but also the speed it is run. And with a defense that lost only one full-time starter, Wommack said he has more trust in the defense's ability to keep up, and then read and react at the line of scrimmage.

"Do you ever get caught with your pants down? Sure," Wommack said. "It's not really the hurry-up. It's when they slow down and change (plays) at the line of scrimmage. It's forced defenses, including ourselves, across the country, to get better at changing at the line of scrimmage."

The quarterback's first read on the play is almost always the defensive end. If he dives down the line for the back, the quarterback should pull the ball out of the back's gut and take off. If the end stays in space, then let the back go. C.J. Johnson, a defensive end with four years' experience, said there are games he can play.

"Once you understand the basics of zone read and know your defense, you can kinda trick the quarterback a little bit," said Johnson, who hopes to be a coach one day. "If you know you're the quarterback (read), fake the dive and jump back out and grab the quarterback.

"... You really help yourself out a lot if you look in the backfield before the ball is snapped. If the back is away from you, you might get zoned to you. And if the back is to you, you know you have to be ready for the quarterback and the dive."

You can play the scheme correctly and still not always make the play, because all the fakes and options are designed to let the quarterback exploit the area of the field where there are more blockers than there are people to be blocked.

"It's our job to keep the pressure on and as teams get better doing it, we can't worry about that," said Matt Luke...

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  57m

SEC practice report: Questions remain after weekend scrimmages | http://AL.com  http://ow.ly/ArQ7a

Matt Jones writes that the Razorbacks' starters shined in a weekend scrimmage...

State: The Bulldogs got a visit last week from former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, who talked to them about what it takes to be a champion, according to the Clarion-Ledger's Michael Bonner. MSU cornerbacks coach Deshea Townsend played with Bettis in Pittsburgh...

[jbcarol]

Brandon Marcello @bmarcello  ·  36s

Auburn turns focus to Arkansas, knows preparing for Hogs will be difficult http://ow.ly/AuhxX

It's the earliest SEC opener for Auburn since 1995, and staying focused on the three-win team from a season ago shouldn't prove difficult.

"It's a team that went to LSU and really should have won that last game of the year," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Monday on SiriusXM radio. "We know we're going to get their best."

"It was a really good game last year, if you really look at it," Malzahn said of the 35-17 victory at Arkansas. "We had two short fields, they got down to the 1-yard line, had two shots at it, didn't get in, so that game could have went either way. We know we're going to get their best shot."

Arkansas' run-heavy scheme and large offensive line will prove difficult to prepare for as well...

"They're going to give us some formations we have not seen," Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson told SiriusXM radio. "You would say that sounds simple, but when you put in two tight end wing sets and our players have not seen them all through spring and (preseason) camp, that's another adjustment."

Only one starter -- hybrid Star safety Robenson Therezie, who is facing eligibility issues -- could miss the season opener as of today, but that can change.

[jbcarol]

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  12m

Auburn coaches say 'nobody's figured this offense out' because it's in Gus Malzahn's mind http://s.al.com/ydM0LoO

Every time Dameyune Craig sees a story on TV or a website about defenses catching up to Auburn's offense, he can't help but laugh.

"Nobody's figured this offense out," Craig said. "It's in his mind."

"We don't run a whole lot of stuff," Malzahn said on Sirius XM's College Sports Nation Monday. "The bottom line is we are going to run the power, the counter, the buck sweep and the inside zone. The rest is just window dressing."

[jbcarol]

Paul Finebaum @finebaum  ·  2h

From @CecilHurt: In 2013, Saban was uptight and miserable going for three-peat. Today, with chip on shoulder - much more relaxed.

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/86867/texas-am-aggies-season-preview

Key losses: QB Johnny Manziel, RB Ben Malena, WR Mike Evans, WR Travis Labhart, OT Jake Matthews, DT Isaiah Golden, DE Gavin Stansbury, LB Darian Claiborne, LB Steven Jenkins.

Key returnees: QB Kenny Hill, RB Tra Carson, RB Trey Williams, WR Malcome Kennedy, WR Ricky Seals-Jones, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, C Mike Matthews, DE Julien Obioha, LB Jordan Mastrogiovanni, CB Deshazor Everett, CB De'Vante Harris.

Instant-impact newcomers: WR Speedy Noil, DE Myles Garrett, WR Joshua Reynolds, DT Zaycoven Henderson, S Armani Watts

[jbcarol]

Bruce Feldman @BruceFeldmanCFB  ·  23m
What's a day in the life of @TTUKingsbury during training camp like? It starts WAAAY early. WATCH: http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/video?vid=320292419519 ... #RedRaiders

[jbcarol]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/86920/key-losses-up-front-wont-deter-auburn-ol

The offensive line was supposed to be the strength of the team. All of a sudden, it was an area where coaches were moving bodies, scrambling to find the right combination, and there was little depth to work with...

[jbcarol]

Brandon Marcello @bmarcello  ·  51m

Will Auburn be as physical as Arkansas? ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer weighs in http://ow.ly/AAflH

[jbcarol]

Bruce Feldman @BruceFeldmanCFB  ·  Aug 20

#TAMU w/ 27 FRs/Sophs in the 2-deep and many of them are the most talented guys in the program.

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  4h

Texas A&M preview: About the Aggies: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/aggies/article/Texas-A-M-preview-About-the-Aggies-5704580.php ...

[jbcarol]

 
Brandon Marcello @bmarcello  ·  37m

What did we learn? Our best answers to Auburn's 5 biggest preseason questions http://ow.ly/ACLJM 

Who will start at running back?  Cameron Artis-Payne

What is Auburn's plan at quarterback?  Nick Marshall will not start the season opener against Arkansas.

Where's the pass rush?

Does Auburn have more than one big-play threat at receiver?  We'll find out Aug. 30

Will Auburn be OK on special teams? Replacing a kicker, punter [, field goal return man] and punt returner is never easy

[jbcarol]

Parrish Alford @parrishalford  ·  23h
#OleMiss DC Dave Wommack wants to apply more pressure this season and thinks he has the players to do it. http://insideolemisssports.com/2014/08/22/increasing-pass-rush/ ...

This much is certain about this defense: Wommack thinks he has options he didn't have his first two years and that, he says, will lead to different looks and more pressure packages.

[jbcarol]

Hugh Kellenberger @HKellenbergerCL  ·  14h
Ole Miss has released its depth chart for week 1, which includes a couple of surprises. http://www.clarionledger.com/story/olemisssports/2014/08/22/ole-miss-depth-chart-week-1/14467247/ ...

Hugh Kellenberger @HKellenbergerCL  ·  13h
Suspended for opener, therefore not on depth chart. RT @SSGuyton: @HKellenbergerCL Where's Denzel?

[jbcarol]

loganlowery @loganlowery  ·  22h
Know thy foe: Arkansas http://dlvr.it/6hT5kf

[jbcarol]

Brandon Marcello @bmarcello  ·  4h
Wanna see an Auburn depth chart? I took a stab at Auburn's offense and made projections: http://ow.ly/AEcpF 

Quarterback
Nick Marshall, Sr.

Running back
Cameron Artis-Payne, Sr.

Left tackle
Shon Coleman, So...