ESPN College Football

Spring is a time for renewal. In college football, spring is also the time to look ahead to fall and the upcoming season. Saturday, Alabama holds its annual Golden Flake A-Day Game (ESPN3, 3 ET), which will give its fans a first look at the defending national champions.

Alabama captured its record-breaking ninth national championship of the major poll era in January. Once again, the Crimson Tide are expected to be one of the best teams in the country in 2012. But the Tide have been here before. Will history repeat?

In 2010, Alabama was preseason No. 1 in both The Associated Press and Coaches polls with 11 combined offensive and defensive starters returning from the team that had won the 2009 national title. The problem was the retention breakdown. Bama lost eight starters from a defense that allowed the second-fewest yards (244.1) and points (11.7) per game in the bowl subdivision. With quarterback Greg McElroy, the running back tandem of Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, and receiver Julio Jones, the belief was that the Tide would score points and win games with their offense, while buying enough time for their defense to jell.

However, all did not go as planned. The defense allowed slightly more PPG than in 2009 (13.5 in 2010, 11.7 in 2009). The Tide allowed more plays of 20-plus yards (13) in 2010 than it did in 2009 (7). They also blew a 24-point lead in a loss to rival and eventual national champion Auburn in the regular-season finale, the biggest collapse in Alabama’s storied history. That was one of three losses for the Tide that season.

Like in 2010, this Alabama team has a quarterback returning for his second season as a starter (AJ McCarron), along with a strong running back (Eddie Lacy). Also like the 2010 team, the Tide will lose several starters on defense including four likely first-round picks (cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, linebacker/defensive end Courtney Upshaw, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, and safety Mark Barron).

So how good will Alabama be in 2012? History suggests the Tide will be one of the best teams in college football, but not good enough to win a second straight national championship. Just like 2010.

NEW ORLEANS -- Auburn had Cam Newton.

Alabama had Greg McElroy.

Florida had Tim Tebow, twice (though Chris Leak was the starter in 2006).

And LSU had Matt Flynn.

All solid national championship quarterbacks.

This time, the quarterbacks enter Monday’s Allstate BCS National Championship Game with some concern attached to their names.

For Alabama, it’s the talented but young AJ McCarron. For LSU, it’s embattled senior Jordan Jefferson. Together, they create more questions than answers.

McCarron probably hasn’t received the criticism Jefferson has. As a first-year starter, the sophomore is allowed a mulligan here and there. His year has consisted of 2,400 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions. But it also featured seven games in which he threw for fewer than 200 yards, including the final four games of the regular season, among them Alabama's Nov. 5 showdown with LSU.

His decision-making has been questionable at times and there are more than a handful of times in which McCarron tried to do too much, and while that’s natural for a youngster, it can’t happen Monday.

“Growing as a quarterback all year long, I felt like I've done a pretty good job so far,” McCarron said. “Coming in your first year you're not going to know a whole lot going into it. As of now, I feel like I've been here forever.

“This season's taken a long time.”

It feels like it’s been a tremendously long career for Jefferson. His four years at LSU have seemed like eight and he’s always been such a wild card for the Tigers. He's thrown 34 career touchdowns in 41 starts. To put that in perspective, Georgia's Aaron Murray threw 35 touchdowns this season.

It's been a rocky career for Jefferson, and he's had his share of rocky moments in 2011. His 33-yard performance against Georgia in this year’s SEC championship seemed to set quarterback play back, and he’s completed double-digit passes in a game just once this season, when he threw for 208 yards on 18-of-29 passing.

He’ll enter Monday’s game with fewer than 700 passing yards in nine games. Granted, Jefferson didn’t reclaim his starting spot until mid-November, but he averages just nine pass attempts a game.

And unlike McCarron, fans have let Jefferson know when they’re unhappy. The boo birds that greeted him during the Kentucky game after he returned from his four-game suspension for his role in a bar fight resurfaced at times when Jefferson wasn’t playing well. Most notably, they surrounded Jefferson during an eventual scoring drive against Arkansas and a few times against Georgia.

“Once they see that error occur, I guess it makes them mad a little bit, I guess,” Jefferson said of the boos.

But like his team has all season, Jefferson blocks out the negativity on the field. He can’t control it, so he doesn’t bother with it. It’s just like his reaction to his poor play. Jefferson prides himself on quarterback amnesia.

“Playing quarterback, you’re not always expected to have a perfect performance,” he said. “That’s why you have to put the bad performances behind you and try to find ways to improve for the next performance.”

McCarron stresses over his mistakes more, but only because he’s a perfectionist. Curing his field issues is mandatory for McCarron to get through a practice session, and that attitude should take him far in this league.

“Every game you're not going to be perfect going into the game, especially after the game,” he said. “You just try to eliminate as many mistakes as you possibly can.”

They won’t be perfect. That’s why there are other players to lean on at times. McCarron and Jefferson aren’t true stars and don’t have the flashiest stats, but with help from those around them, their teams are playing for a national title and one will be hoisting that coveted crystal ball Monday night.

It could always be worse, LSU offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa said. LSU’s quarterback play could be like it was the three years after its 2007 championship, when quarterbacks threw 48 touchdowns to 37 interceptions and LSU took a back seat to teams.

“Up-and-down, in my opinion,” he said, “has been better than it’s been.”

NEW ORLEANS -- When you’re the quarterback at the University of Alabama, it’s hard to go unnoticed.

Adults know you. Kids know you. And you’re more than likely going to have a random baby named after you.

But somehow, AJ McCarron managed to stay relatively low key during his first season as the Crimson Tide’s starter.

Until his media appearance Thursday inside the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center, McCarron had done a pretty good job of distancing himself from journalists with help from coach Nick Saban.

Shockingly, the player who usually is more recognizable than the governor of Alabama went through most of 2011 away from the public eye.

“When you don’t get to talk to the media all year long, it’s not that [hard to avoid the limelight],” McCarron said.

But as he faced a throng of media members for his mini news conference, he certainly acted like the man in charge of Alabama’s offense. He spoke with confidence and sure looked like the Tide’s quarterback.

While McCarron hasn’t had to feel a ton of media scrutiny this season, his play has been criticized here and there. He will enter Monday’s Allstate BCS National Championship Game against No. 1 LSU with 2,400 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’ll also enter it with a lot of questions.

Is he ready for another big game on the big stage?

Can he fix the mistakes he made the last time?

Can he live up to the high school hype that followed him to Tuscaloosa?

McCarron thinks he can ... and he thinks he will.

You see, McCarron is a perfectionist. Mistakes really eat at him. Not immediately, but with time to sit and fester in his brain, errors can drive McCarron crazy. Dinner with him after a game can be almost unbearable because of his thirst for immediate improvement.

For most of his football life, McCarron has flourished each time he’s taken the field. As a three-year starter in high school, McCarron threw for 6,066 yards, 66 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.

With those numbers, it comes as no surprise that the little mistakes that have arisen this season frustrate him so much.

“When little things like that happen, I try to do my best to make sure they don’t happen again,” McCarron said.

That’s why the LSU game still haunts him. There were a handful of throws -- his interception in particular -- he wishes he had back. His poise was off, his throws were wild and his confidence wasn’t as high.

In the losing effort back on Nov. 5, McCarron threw for 199 yards and an interception on 16-of-28 passing. It has some wondering whether he can stand another game against LSU’s talented secondary.

“I don’t really pay attention to that,” he said. “I go out and play my game. I’m basically letting my play do the talking.”

To his teammates, his play has said a lot.

Senior center William Vlachos has marveled at McCarron's ability to show composure in environments at Florida, Penn State and Auburn. He also has been impressed with McCarron’s leadership skills, which emerged instantly after Greg McElroy left and before he was named starter.

“He’s very poised and he’s never wavered,” Vlachos said. “I’ve really been impressed with that. I kind of expected him to get a little bit rattled, being the quarterback at Alabama in those situations for the first times, but he really hasn’t had a problem with that.”

He also hasn’t had much of a problem expressing himself with some emotion on the field. If you watched carefully during the first part of the season, McCarron spent time showing just how much he thought of big plays with some trash talk, goofy celebrations and chest bumps.

“He’s kind of fearless,” junior offensive lineman Barrett Jones said. “He just doesn’t back down from big situations. For a young, first-year quarterback, that’s something that you are really impressed with as an offensive lineman. You can see that in his eyes.”

But after the QB taunted a Florida defensive lineman in early October, Saban told McCarron to tone down his emotions -- a move that proved costly a month later.

On Nov. 5, McCarron had no emotional edge. He wasn’t himself, and he didn’t play like it.

Almost immediately after, Saban told him to rev up that emotion, and here the two are -- days away from competing for a national championship.

McCarron said his antics -- which sometimes can be just random arm flailing, as Jones pointed out -- aren’t just for him. McCarron believes they energize his teammates, and Alabama will need plenty of that against LSU on Monday.

“I gotta play with emotion,” he said.

“That’s how I’ve always played the game. I try to get the best out of every guy around me. I feel like when you do that, when you play the game with emotion, it just gets guys’ energy level to the highest.”

2010 overall record: 10-3

2010 conference record: 5-3

Returning starters

Offense: 7; Defense: 9; Kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

RB Trent Richardson, OG Barrett Jones, C William Vlachos, OT D.J. Fluker, WR Marquis Maze, LB Courtney Upshaw, LB Dont’a Hightower, S Mark Barron
Key losses

QB Greg McElroy, RB Mark Ingram, OT James Carpenter, WR Julio Jones, TE Preston Dial, DE Marcell Dareus, LB Chavis Williams

2010 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Mark Ingram (875 yards)

Passing: Greg McElroy (2,987 yards)

Receiving: Julio Jones (1,133 yards)

Tackles: Mark Barron* (75)

Sacks: Courtney Upshaw* (7)

Interceptions: Robert Lester* (8)

Spring answers

1. Trent’s time: Mark Ingram is gone, so Alabama’s backfield belongs to junior Trent Richardson. While Ingram might have won a Heisman Trophy two years ago, there are some who feel Richardson might be a better all-around running back. He’s a step faster than Ingram and is one of the Tide’s strongest players, regardless of position. This spring, Richardson made it a point to not only improve his game on the field but became more of a leader. With Alabama breaking in a young quarterback this season, Richardson showed everyone that he felt comfortable putting the offense on his shoulders. Richardson is more than ready to be the feature back in the Tide’s offense.

2. Linebacker revival: Everyone knew how talented Alabama’s linebacker corps was in 2010, but there were times when the group showed its inexperience and looked confused. This spring, the linebackers appeared to be one of the strengths of the defense. Making things better for the Tide – and worse for opponents – is the health of Courtney Upshaw and Dont’a Hightower. Upshaw’s nagging ankle injury disappeared and Hightower seems to finally be back to 100 percent after suffering a serious knee injury in 2009. Nico Johnson and C.J. Mosely looked even better this spring and will get solid time in the middle when Hightower is on the outside. Vast improvements were made by Chris Jordan, and Jerrell Harris should get playing time as well this fall.

3. Receivers don’t miss a beat: If you haven’t figured it out by now, Julio Jones is gone. That evidence was made a harsh reality when the Atlanta Falcons drafted him in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. Fortunately for the Tide, there is still some talent left at the wide receiver position. Seniors Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks had solid springs. Neither can fully replace Jones’s ability on the field, but each should be a formidable matchup for defenders. Fellow senior Brandon Gibson is looking to finally breakout on offense, while newcomers Kenny Bell and Keiwone Malone made strong impressions this spring. Alabama will add junior college transfer Duron Carter before fall camp.

Fall questions

1. Youth at quarterback: It’s not the worst situation for the Tide to be in because both contenders to direct the offense are talented. Sophomore A.J. McCarron and freshman Phillip Sims battled it out this spring, but neither took the edge heading into the offseason. Both showed they were talented enough to command the offense and pretty strong leadership skills. However, they're inexperienced. Sims redshirted last fall, while McCarron played sparingly. Talent is one thing, but no one is quite sure how each will respond when they line up against opposing SEC defenses away from Tuscaloosa.

2. Sore secondary: Alabama’s secondary suffered in 2010. Though Mark Barron and Robert Lester return, the Tide secondary had trouble staying healthy this spring. Barron, Jarrick Williams, Dre Kirkpatrick and Nick Perry all dealt with injuries. The coaches and players expect experience and maturity to fuel the secondary, but it’s hard to say how the unit will perform without seeing what it could do as a whole this spring. There’s no doubt this group is equipped with future NFL talent, but without going through most of spring drills, we’ll have to wait and see what happens when everything is live.

3. Putting it all together: I’m sure coach Nick Saban isn’t going to let the hype get to his football team this season. Last season, Alabama was expected to make back-to-back trips to the national title game, but three losses kept the team in sunny Florida during bowl season. This season, the expectations are greater, and the Tide’s veteran quarterback and Heisman-winning running back aren’t even around. Will this team be as good as advertised? This team still has to play LSU and Arkansas, who will be contending for the West title. Fortunately, Alabama gets both at home. Obviously, everyone in the SEC is gunning for the Tide, but will Alabama have enough stamina (mentally and physically) to hold up this time?

Spring game: 3 p.m. ET on ESPNU and ESPN3.com

Questions answered: Julio Jones might not be out there anymore, but Alabama will still have a solid group of receivers this fall. Returning starters Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks have bee flying around this spring. Neither has the skill Jones had, but both will be formidable matchups for defenders this fall. Alabama should also be fine at running back without former Heisman winner Mark Ingram. Trent Richardson returns and he’s healthy, while newcomer Dee Hart has added a lot of speed to the position. Richardson not only has tremendous talent, but he has increased his leadership skills. This offense will be leaning on him quite a bit this season.

Questions unanswered: Greg McElroy is gone, but his replacement hasn’t been named. There are two guys -- A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims -- still battling for the spot and it looks like a starter won’t be named until the fall. McCarron entered as the favorite, but Sims has made a major push this spring. Players have been pretty tight-lipped about the quarterback position, making Saturday’s spring game that much more interesting. Alabama’s secondary was an issue for the Tide in 2010 and this spring most of the unit was on the mend. Barron, Jarrick Williams, Dre Kirkpatrick and Nick Perry all dealt with injuries this spring. True evaluation of this unit won’t come until summer and fall workouts.

Spring stars: Hart was supposed to be getting ready for prom around this time, but instead he’ll be getting reps in Alabama’s spring game Saturday. Hart has played well in scrimmages and with his shiftiness and speed, he’ll add another element to Alabama’s bruising running game. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower seems to have his legs back this spring. After suffering a major knee injury in 2009 that even slowed him last year, Hightower has been solid in spring practices and is back to 100 percent. Linebacker C.J. Mosley made a ton of plays in scrimmages this spring. Receiver DeAndrew White was a bright spot on offense as well.

Of note: Defensive tackle Kerry Murphy, receiver Kendall Kelly and defensive back Wesley Neighbors missed spring practice with injuries. … Senior safety Mark Barron was limited as he recovered from surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle. … Linebacker Alex Watkins underwent knee surgery that kept him out of the latter part of spring practices, but should ready for preseason camp in August. Former linebacker Ed Stinson is now at defensive end. ... Former Ohio State receiver Duron Carter, the son of Cris Carter, is finishing up at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and plans to enroll at Alabama in June and will be eligible next season.

Similar to the past few years, there’s a lot of uncertainty at the quarterback position this spring in the SEC and still a lot to be settled.

Alabama, Arkansas and Auburn don’t have any quarterbacks on their rosters who have ever started a game for their respective schools.

That said, the past two national championship teams went into the season with quarterbacks making their first career starts in the SEC -- Cam Newton at Auburn and Greg McElroy at Alabama.

The returning quarterback in the league with the most starts, South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia, is indefinitely suspended and may or may not be back.

Here's a quick rundown of the SEC quarterbacks who have started games:

Schedule: The Crimson Tide will open practice Monday afternoon and conclude the spring with their A-Day spring game on April 16. It will be televised live by ESPNU with a 3 p.m. ET kickoff.

What’s new: Veteran offensive line coach Joe Pendry retired following the 2010 season and was replaced by Jeff Stoutland, who’d been Miami’s offensive line coach the previous four seasons. Mike Groh takes over as the Crimson Tide’s receivers coach and will also serve as recruiting coordinator. Chris Rumph was hired away from Clemson to replace Bo Davis as Alabama’s defensive line coach. Davis took a job on Texas’ staff.

On the mend: Defensive tackle Kerry Murphy, receiver Kendall Kelly and defensive back Wesley Neighbors will miss spring practice with injuries. Safety Mark Barron will be limited while recovering from surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.

On the move: Sophomore Ed Stinson, who spent most of last season at linebacker, is making the move full time to defensive end.

Key battle: Steady Greg McElroy threw 37 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions the past two seasons in leading the Crimson Tide to a 24-3 record, including a national championship in 2009. His departure sets up what will be one of the most closely watched battles in the league this spring. Sophomore AJ McCarron and redshirt freshman Phillip Sims will duke it out for Alabama’s starting quarterback job. McCarron goes in as the guy to beat and is oozing with talent, but Sims can also throw it and has been looking forward to his opportunity on this stage.

New faces: Alabama welcomed nine enrollees in January who will be participating in spring practice, and at the head of the list are former Arizona Western College teammates Aaron Douglas and Jesse Williams. Douglas will vie for the starting job at left offensive tackle. He started his career at Tennessee and was a Freshman All-American for the Vols in 2009. The 6-4, 330-pound Williams has a chance to be an early impact guy at nose guard. A third junior college signee, Quinton Dial, will factor in at defensive end. Heralded running back Dee Hart of Orlando, Fla., is talented enough to warrant some carries next fall. He'll go through spring practice along with five other high school early enrollees -- receiver Ronald Carswell, quarterback Phillip Ely, defensive end Wilson Love and linebackers Vinnie Sunseri and Trey DePriest.

Breaking out: Senior jack linebacker Courtney Upshaw finished fifth in the SEC last season with 14.5 tackles for loss, and had six of those in his final two games against Auburn and Michigan State. You won't find Upshaw's name on any of the first- or second-team All-SEC lists from the past season, but he’s poised to make that jump and then some in 2011. The 6-2, 263-pound Upshaw returns as one of the best pass-rushers in the league.

Don’t forget about: Junior running back Trent Richardson wasn’t 100 percent for the latter half of the season a year ago, and it showed. But with Mark Ingram gone to the NFL, there are going to be a ton of carries coming Richardson’s way next season. Look for him to remind everybody why he’s one of the most feared offensive playmakers in the SEC.

All eyes on: An inexperienced secondary cost the Crimson Tide last season, especially when it came to blown assignments. Getting that unit to play with more discipline could be the difference between returning to the SEC championship game for the third time in four years and staying at home for the second straight year.

Good Monday to everybody. A few links to munch on:

• Focusing on highly rated in-state prospects has paid off handsomely for South Carolina.
• Former Ole Miss defensive lineman Jerrell Powe declares himself the best nose guard in the NFL draft.
• Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy scores a 48 out of 50 on the Wonderlic test.
• Suspended Georgia running back Washaun Ealey has been reinstated in full to the team.
• Georgia assistant coaches Mike Bobo, Rodney Garner and Tony Ball are all in line to receive retention bonuses.
• Former Tennessee receiver Denarius Moore is hopeful NFL scouts notice the way he finished his college career.
• It's never too early to talk LSU football, writes Scott Hotard of The Baton Rouge Advocate.

A check of what's making news around the SEC:

• Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen says he has no regrets about the way the Bulldogs recruited Cam Newton.
• Former South Carolina offensive guard Garrett Chisolm has overcome unspeakable tragedy, writes Gene Sapakoff of The Charleston Post and Courier.
• John Butler, who worked under Tim Brewster at Minnesota as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach, has been hired to replace Shane Beamer at South Carolina as the Gamecocks' special teams coordinator.
• John Adams of The Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee might want to seek former athletic director Doug Dickey's advice during this whole NCAA mess.
• Harvey Updyke, the alleged Toomer's Corner tree poisoner, has gone into seclusion and is living in his car.
• LSU first-year offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe is looking for players who can deliver in the clutch.
• Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy doesn't expect to throw at the NFL combine or Alabama's pro day because of his injured hand.
• Clint Hurtt, who interviewed at Auburn for the defensive line job, has decided to stay at Louisville.
• Lane Kiffin's legacy continues to haunt Tennessee.

The Scouts Inc. team of Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl break down Day 3 of the Senior Bowl practices , and here are some of their thoughts on the SEC players in Mobile:

• One of McShay’s top performers was Georgia offensive lineman Clint Boling. The thinking going into this week by many was that Boling was probably a guard in the NFL, but McShay now thinks there’s a chance he could play right tackle. Either way, Boling has really helped himself. McShay said, “He has good balance as a blocker, is aggressive and physical, and just knows where he wants to go. He attacks pass-rushers, does a good job with hand placement, and for a guy who's not a great athlete, he's capable of sinking his hips and getting good leverage. The best part of his game is his strength. He's underrated in terms of his overall strength and power at the point of attack. I think out of all the offensive linemen, Boling had the best day today and has the looks of a guy would could be drafted on Day 2.”
• One of Weidl’s top performers was LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, who at 6-2 and 250 pounds has been impressive with his power and strength at the point of attack. Weidl said, “You see it when he's rushing off the edge in one-on-ones. He's shocking the blocker and knocking him back. He has shown good recognition skills and awareness dropping in coverage. The added weight might have hurt his range a little bit, but he still shows above-average range so it doesn't hurt him that much. We had concerns about him taking on and getting off blocks and we saw some of that today, but overall it was a good day for Sheppard.”
• Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy has shown good footwork and might be the most mechanically sound quarterback at the Senior Bowl, according to the Scouts Inc. guys. But arm strength has been a problem, making him someone who could go in the sixth or seventh round or possibly undrafted.
• Tennessee tight end Luke Stocker, who was singled out earlier in the week for his ability to catch the ball over the middle, has also been the best blocker among the tight ends.
• Alabama offensive lineman James Carpenter got a shout-out for having a good day against the likes of Clemson’s Jarvis Jenkins and Baylor’s Phil Taylor.
• Mississippi State linebacker Chris White struggled on Day 3. The Scouts Inc. crew are concerned about his range, and he’s limited in space. He also didn’t get off blocks real well, but they like his fight and effort.
• Alabama tight end/H-back Preston Dial made a couple of one-handed catches, and the Scouts Inc. crew think he may be a sleeper and a great value pick in the later rounds.

Making the rounds in the SEC:

• One of Ole Miss' top commitments, receiver Tobias Singleton of Madison, Miss., faces felony malicious mischief charges and misdemeanor domestic violence charges. He's accused of punching his girlfriend.
• Tennessee commitment Marlin Lane gives the Vols the speed they needed at running back, writes Jay Greeson of The Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Herschel Walker has no doubt he could still play in the NFL, but isn't seeking a return to pro football.
• Former Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline gets community service on alcohol charges.
• Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett Louisiana News examines the Michigan myth concerning Les Miles.
• What's next for former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, who's trying to impress scouts at the Senior Bowl this week?
• Former Florida safety Will Hill says his Twitter account was hacked.
• Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel writes that Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins is more of a bonehead than a pothead.

Thanks to a good idea from Scott in Vermont last week in the SEC mailbag, we’re rolling out our 2010 All-SEC team, honoring seniors only.

Obviously, the league was dominated by talented underclassmen this season, but there were also several seniors who had big years. As you can see, it was a stretch at some of the positions to find guys who genuinely had All-SEC-caliber seasons.



There were several tough calls, too. Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline had the best season of his career. But Alabama’s Greg McElroy was fourth nationally in passing efficiency, finishing with 20 touchdown passes and only five interceptions.

It was tough leaving LSU’s Terrence Toliver off at receiver, but Tennessee’s Denarius Moore had nine touchdown catches and averaged 20.9 yards per catch. Kentucky’s Chris Matthews also had nine touchdown catches and was fourth in the league with 61 receptions.

The linebacker spot was also loaded with outstanding senior players this season. Georgia’s Akeem Dent, Auburn’s Josh Bynes, Auburn’s Craig Stevens, Mississippi State’s K.J. Wright, Vanderbilt’s John Stokes and Tennessee’s Nick Reveiz were all deserving, but there was only three spots. Before anybody questions the selection of Ole Miss' Jonathan Cornell, he had 14 tackles for loss in 11 games.

There were only a handful of senior defensive backs that made big impacts this season in the SEC.

Here’s what we came up with:

OFFENSE

• QB – Greg McElroy, Alabama
• RB – Derrick Locke, Kentucky
• RB – Mario Fannin, Auburn
• WR – Denarius Moore, Tennessee
• WR – Chris Matthews, Kentucky
• TE – D.J. Williams, Arkansas
• OL – Derek Sherod, Mississippi State
• OL – Lee Ziemba, Auburn
• OL – James Carpenter, Alabama
• OL – DeMarcus Love, Arkansas
• C – Ryan Pugh, Auburn

DEFENSE

• DL – Drake Nevis, LSU
• DL – Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss
• DL – Antoine Carter, Auburn
• DL – Pernell McPhee, Mississippi State
• LB – Kelvin Sheppard, LSU
• LB – Chris White, Mississippi State
• LB – Jonathan Cornell, Ole Miss
• DB – Ahmad Black, Florida
• DB – Zac Etheridge, Auburn
• DB – Johnny Brown, Ole Miss
• DB – Rudell Crim, Arkansas

SPECIAL TEAMS

• PK – Josh Jasper, LSU
• P – Chas Henry, Florida
• KR – Demond Washington, Auburn

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-- The local Auburn beat writers do a neat thing every year by selecting an Auburn player as the “Good Guy Award” winner.

This year, senior middle linebacker Josh Bynes won the award, which is meant to recognize a player who is consistently congenial and professional in his interactions with the media.

I couldn’t agree more. Bynes is always willing to do interviews. He has fun doing them and gives good, honest, insightful answers. He’s represented Auburn University extremely well during his career.

We in the media too often get hung up on those athletes who aren’t cooperative or go out of their way to be distant or boring in interviews. And in some cases, guys simply don’t like doing it, which is perfectly understandable.

But why not recognize those guys who are really good interviews, guys who always have something interesting to say and genuinely enjoy the banter with the media?

I agree with the Auburn beat writers that Bynes is certainly one of those guys in the SEC.

Here are 10 others, listed alphabetically, that I would put at the top of my list this season:

• Kentucky receiver Randall Cobb
• Alabama offensive guard Barrett Jones
• Tennessee receiver Gerald Jones
• Ole Miss defensive end Kentrell Lockett
• Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy
• LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson
• Florida center Mike Pouncey
• LSU receiver Russell Shepard
• Vanderbilt linebacker John Stokes
• Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams

Here’s a tentative list of the SEC players scheduled to play in the 2011 Senior Bowl. Players could be added and/or subtracted to this list as we get closer to the Jan. 29 game in Mobile, Ala.

ALABAMA

• Offensive tackle James Carpenter
• Tight end Preston Dial
• Quarterback Greg McElroy

ARKANSAS

• Offensive tackle DeMarcus Love
• Tight end D.J. Williams

AUBURN

• Linebacker Josh Bynes
• Offensive tackle Lee Ziemba

FLORIDA

• Safety Ahmad Black
• Punter Chas Henry
• Offensive guard Marcus Gilbert
• Center Mike Pouncey

GEORGIA

• Offensive tackle Clint Boling

KENTUCKY

• Running back Derrick Locke

LSU

• Defensive tackle Drake Nevis
• Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard

MISSISSIPPI STATE

• Defensive end Pernell McPhee
• Offensive tackle Derek Sherrod
• Linebacker K.J. Wright

OLE MISS

• Defensive tackle Jerrell Powe

TENNESSEE

• Tight end Luke Stocker

Alabama defeated Michigan State 49-7 on Saturday in the Capital One Bowl.

Here’s an instant analysis from the game:

How the game was won: It was pure domination by the Crimson Tide, who jumped out to a 28-0 lead at the half and never looked back. Michigan State was no match for an Alabama defense that set up shop in the Spartans’ backfield and kept coming the entire game. Offensively, Alabama drove the football at will and didn’t have to punt the football until the midway point of the third quarter.

Turning point: Alabama drove 79 yards in 13 plays for a touchdown on its first possession of the game, serving notice that the Crimson Tide had indeed come to play. From there, they scored touchdowns on their next three possessions to turn the game into a blowout in a hurry.

Player of the game: Junior linebacker Courtney Upshaw led Alabama’s swarming defense with three tackles for loss, including two sacks.

Unsung hero: In his final game in an Alabama uniform, senior quarterback Greg McElroy was 13-of-17 for 220 yards and a touchdown pass. He also led the way with a key block on Julio Jones’ 35-yard touchdown run on a reverse.

Stat of the game: Alabama held Michigan State to minus-48 yards rushing.

Record performance: Alabama set an SEC record with its 36^th win over the last three seasons.

Record performance II: With two rushing touchdowns, junior running back Mark Ingram set the school record with 42, breaking Shaun Alexander's old mark.

What it means: The Crimson Tide (10-3) waited until their final game, but finally got that complete game they’d been looking for all season. Even though they lost three games this season, there’s no doubt this was one of the most talented teams in the country. They just weren’t as consistent as they needed to be, but put it all together against the Spartans to win at least 10 games for the third straight season. Alabama will be one of the favorites to win the SEC next season, especially if the Crimson Tide can keep some of their underclassmen from going pro. Defensive end Marcell Dareus, Jones and Ingram are the most likely to make the jump.