SEC: SEC team outlook 102109
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
A year ago, Vanderbilt hung on just enough during the second half of the season to qualify for its first bowl trip in 26 years. This year, the Commodores have their work cut out if they’re going to win another game. Injuries have taken their toll on Bobby Johnson’s club, although it looks like Vanderbilt will be getting back senior defensive end Steven Stone from a broken foot these last five games. With games against three nationally ranked teams remaining, the Commodores would need a miracle to get to .500 and become bowl eligible. They’ve attempted to generate more offense by moving Jamie Graham from defensive back to receiver, but this is an offense that has failed to produce more than 10 points in an SEC game this season.
Best-case scenario: Quarterback Larry Smith finds himself or Johnson goes with backup Mackenzi Adams, who adds a spark, and the Commodores pick up two more wins to finish 4-8.
Worst-case scenario: The Commodores’ three-game losing streak turns into an eight-game losing streak, and they limp to a 2-10 finish, including an 0-8 record in the SEC. Vanderbilt hasn’t gone winless in the league since Johnson’s first season in Nashville in 2002.
Prediction: Vanderbilt manages to find an SEC win somewhere, avoiding a winless season in the league and finishing 3-9 overall.
A year ago, Vanderbilt hung on just enough during the second half of the season to qualify for its first bowl trip in 26 years. This year, the Commodores have their work cut out if they’re going to win another game. Injuries have taken their toll on Bobby Johnson’s club, although it looks like Vanderbilt will be getting back senior defensive end Steven Stone from a broken foot these last five games. With games against three nationally ranked teams remaining, the Commodores would need a miracle to get to .500 and become bowl eligible. They’ve attempted to generate more offense by moving Jamie Graham from defensive back to receiver, but this is an offense that has failed to produce more than 10 points in an SEC game this season.
Best-case scenario: Quarterback Larry Smith finds himself or Johnson goes with backup Mackenzi Adams, who adds a spark, and the Commodores pick up two more wins to finish 4-8.
Worst-case scenario: The Commodores’ three-game losing streak turns into an eight-game losing streak, and they limp to a 2-10 finish, including an 0-8 record in the SEC. Vanderbilt hasn’t gone winless in the league since Johnson’s first season in Nashville in 2002.
Prediction: Vanderbilt manages to find an SEC win somewhere, avoiding a winless season in the league and finishing 3-9 overall.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
The rout of Georgia two weeks ago made all the difference in the world in the way you view the rest of Tennessee’s schedule. The Vols will certainly have their hands full with Alabama this Saturday, but everything else is winnable. In fact, Tennessee’s likely to be favored in four of those games. The key is getting steady play from senior quarterback Jonathan Crompton the rest of the way. He doesn’t have to throw for four touchdowns in every game like he did against Georgia, but he does have to make the throws when they’re there and not turn the ball over. Look for All-America safety Eric Berry to make his presence felt these last six games, too. He’s still got a few big plays left in him before the season is over. A winning season looked like it might be a stretch after that loss to Auburn, but first-year coach Lane Kiffin has the Vols pointing in that direction.
Best-case scenario: Crompton saves his best football for the second half of the season, and the defense picks up where it left off against Georgia to carve out an 8-4 season and trip to the Outback Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: Crompton reverts to his September ways. The running game bogs down, and the Vols simply can’t score enough to be a factor. They lose four of their last six, including a loss to Kentucky for the first time since 1984, and suffer their second consecutive losing season.
Prediction: The Vols will be good enough on defense down the stretch to get to 7-5 and will head across the state to play in the Liberty Bowl.
The rout of Georgia two weeks ago made all the difference in the world in the way you view the rest of Tennessee’s schedule. The Vols will certainly have their hands full with Alabama this Saturday, but everything else is winnable. In fact, Tennessee’s likely to be favored in four of those games. The key is getting steady play from senior quarterback Jonathan Crompton the rest of the way. He doesn’t have to throw for four touchdowns in every game like he did against Georgia, but he does have to make the throws when they’re there and not turn the ball over. Look for All-America safety Eric Berry to make his presence felt these last six games, too. He’s still got a few big plays left in him before the season is over. A winning season looked like it might be a stretch after that loss to Auburn, but first-year coach Lane Kiffin has the Vols pointing in that direction.
Best-case scenario: Crompton saves his best football for the second half of the season, and the defense picks up where it left off against Georgia to carve out an 8-4 season and trip to the Outback Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: Crompton reverts to his September ways. The running game bogs down, and the Vols simply can’t score enough to be a factor. They lose four of their last six, including a loss to Kentucky for the first time since 1984, and suffer their second consecutive losing season.
Prediction: The Vols will be good enough on defense down the stretch to get to 7-5 and will head across the state to play in the Liberty Bowl.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Here South Carolina is again, positioned nicely for a successful season if only the Gamecocks can deliver in October and November. So far under Steve Spurrier, they really haven’t been able to. They ended last season by losing three in a row and dropped five in a row to end the 2007 season. The back half of the schedule is always a little more difficult for South Carolina, but Spurrier also thinks the attitude of this team is much better than it’s been the last couple of years. The first thing the Gamecocks have to do is beat Vanderbilt this Saturday. The Commodores have won the last two years. Then comes road games at Tennessee and Arkansas followed by Florida’s visit to Columbia. The Gamecocks end the season with in-state rival Clemson every year. They can’t afford any more injuries on defense, and sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia needs to keep improving. But it’s all out there in front of the Gamecocks.
Best-case scenario: Garcia and freshman Alshon Jeffery continue hooking up in the passing game, and the defense plays its best football down the stretch to lead South Carolina to a 9-3 finish and a date in the Capital One Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The Gamecocks fall victim to their familiar late-season slide and lose their last four games to finish 6-6, which wouldn’t necessarily guarantee them a bowl game.
Prediction: No more disappearing acts. The Gamecocks finish up 8-4 and give a much better accounting of themselves in a return trip to the Outback Bowl.
Here South Carolina is again, positioned nicely for a successful season if only the Gamecocks can deliver in October and November. So far under Steve Spurrier, they really haven’t been able to. They ended last season by losing three in a row and dropped five in a row to end the 2007 season. The back half of the schedule is always a little more difficult for South Carolina, but Spurrier also thinks the attitude of this team is much better than it’s been the last couple of years. The first thing the Gamecocks have to do is beat Vanderbilt this Saturday. The Commodores have won the last two years. Then comes road games at Tennessee and Arkansas followed by Florida’s visit to Columbia. The Gamecocks end the season with in-state rival Clemson every year. They can’t afford any more injuries on defense, and sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia needs to keep improving. But it’s all out there in front of the Gamecocks.
Best-case scenario: Garcia and freshman Alshon Jeffery continue hooking up in the passing game, and the defense plays its best football down the stretch to lead South Carolina to a 9-3 finish and a date in the Capital One Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The Gamecocks fall victim to their familiar late-season slide and lose their last four games to finish 6-6, which wouldn’t necessarily guarantee them a bowl game.
Prediction: No more disappearing acts. The Gamecocks finish up 8-4 and give a much better accounting of themselves in a return trip to the Outback Bowl.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt feels like his offensive line took a big step forward last week in the blowout win over UAB. That’s what it’s going to take the rest of the way if the Rebels are going to come close to living up to their preseason billing. There’s no question that quarterback Jevan Snead has struggled against good defenses this season, but so has his offensive line. The Rebels still need to protect better, and they also need to run the ball better. Unleashing Dexter McCluster the second half of the season would help everyone. McCluster has just 164 rushing yards through six games and doesn’t have a run longer than 18 yards. The Rebels could desperately use some more big plays from McCluster. If the offense comes around, the defense is playing well enough for the Rebels to win out. Either way, you find out a lot about this Ole Miss team Saturday when Arkansas comes to town.
Best-case scenario: Snead closes the season the same way he closed last season, and the Rebels go unbeaten the rest of the way to finish 10-2 and land in the Capital One Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The offensive woes continue, and with the Rebels not scoring any points, the defense’s spirit also breaks. The Rebels end the season by losing three of their last six games and finishing a disappointing 7-5.
Prediction: Snead plays better in the second half, and the defense keeps up its strong play to steer the Rebels to an 8-4 finish and a return trip to the Cotton Bowl.
Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt feels like his offensive line took a big step forward last week in the blowout win over UAB. That’s what it’s going to take the rest of the way if the Rebels are going to come close to living up to their preseason billing. There’s no question that quarterback Jevan Snead has struggled against good defenses this season, but so has his offensive line. The Rebels still need to protect better, and they also need to run the ball better. Unleashing Dexter McCluster the second half of the season would help everyone. McCluster has just 164 rushing yards through six games and doesn’t have a run longer than 18 yards. The Rebels could desperately use some more big plays from McCluster. If the offense comes around, the defense is playing well enough for the Rebels to win out. Either way, you find out a lot about this Ole Miss team Saturday when Arkansas comes to town.
Best-case scenario: Snead closes the season the same way he closed last season, and the Rebels go unbeaten the rest of the way to finish 10-2 and land in the Capital One Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The offensive woes continue, and with the Rebels not scoring any points, the defense’s spirit also breaks. The Rebels end the season by losing three of their last six games and finishing a disappointing 7-5.
Prediction: Snead plays better in the second half, and the defense keeps up its strong play to steer the Rebels to an 8-4 finish and a return trip to the Cotton Bowl.
Second-half outlook: Mississippi State
October, 21, 2009
Oct 21
2:41
PM ET
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Despite what happens the rest of the way this season, the fans in Starkville are genuinely excited about the future of Mississippi State football. They’re expecting a record crowd this Saturday night when No. 1 Florida comes to town. It’s the first of several daunting tests for the Bulldogs during the second half of the season. Alabama will visit in November, and Mississippi State still has to go to Kentucky and Arkansas and then ends the season at home against Ole Miss. As it turns out, the Bulldogs’ schedule has been even more difficult than it appeared back in August. Senior Anthony Dixon is having an outstanding season and is one of those guys who can take all the carries you want to give him, but he could still use some more help out of the passing game. It’s Tyson Lee’s show at quarterback, especially with Chris Relf remaining on suspension for the time being.
Best-case scenario: The Bulldogs man up defensively and find a way to squeeze out three more victories, most likely against Kentucky, Arkansas and Ole Miss, to get to 6-6 and become bowl eligible.
Worst-case scenario: The Florida game gets out of hand, and the Bulldogs go downhill from there. They don’t win again and finish with a worse record than a year ago at 3-9.
Prediction: The Bulldogs pick up two more wins behind a 1,000-yard rushing season from Dixon, but a 5-7 record keeps them out of a bowl game for the second straight year.
Despite what happens the rest of the way this season, the fans in Starkville are genuinely excited about the future of Mississippi State football. They’re expecting a record crowd this Saturday night when No. 1 Florida comes to town. It’s the first of several daunting tests for the Bulldogs during the second half of the season. Alabama will visit in November, and Mississippi State still has to go to Kentucky and Arkansas and then ends the season at home against Ole Miss. As it turns out, the Bulldogs’ schedule has been even more difficult than it appeared back in August. Senior Anthony Dixon is having an outstanding season and is one of those guys who can take all the carries you want to give him, but he could still use some more help out of the passing game. It’s Tyson Lee’s show at quarterback, especially with Chris Relf remaining on suspension for the time being.
Best-case scenario: The Bulldogs man up defensively and find a way to squeeze out three more victories, most likely against Kentucky, Arkansas and Ole Miss, to get to 6-6 and become bowl eligible.
Worst-case scenario: The Florida game gets out of hand, and the Bulldogs go downhill from there. They don’t win again and finish with a worse record than a year ago at 3-9.
Prediction: The Bulldogs pick up two more wins behind a 1,000-yard rushing season from Dixon, but a 5-7 record keeps them out of a bowl game for the second straight year.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Outside of Alabama and Florida, nobody in the SEC has a better opportunity the second half of the season than LSU. If the Tigers can win out, they will play in the SEC championship game. That’s easier said than done. They still have to go to Alabama and to Ole Miss, while Auburn and Arkansas will come to Baton Rouge. The Tigers have shown the defensive prowess to win these next six games. First-year defensive coordinator John Chavis has LSU playing at a high level on that side of the ball, and look for the Tigers to do even more defensively from here on out. The reason it’s hard to pick the Tigers in the West at this point is because they’ve been so dysfunctional offensively. Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson hasn’t found any rhythm throwing the ball, and the Tigers might also want to remember they have Charles Scott in the backfield. LSU also needs to find a way to get freshman Russell Shepard more involved.
Best-case scenario: The Tigers come out of the open date with a better idea of what they want to do offensively, get some production in the downfield passing game and play their way into the SEC championship game.
Worst-case scenario: The offense we saw during the first half of the season is the offense we’re going to see for the entire season, and the Tigers stumble to three more losses and an 8-4 finish in the regular season.
Prediction: LSU isn’t able to take down Alabama, but is good enough on defense to scratch out a 9-3 record and earn a berth in the Capital One Bowl.
Outside of Alabama and Florida, nobody in the SEC has a better opportunity the second half of the season than LSU. If the Tigers can win out, they will play in the SEC championship game. That’s easier said than done. They still have to go to Alabama and to Ole Miss, while Auburn and Arkansas will come to Baton Rouge. The Tigers have shown the defensive prowess to win these next six games. First-year defensive coordinator John Chavis has LSU playing at a high level on that side of the ball, and look for the Tigers to do even more defensively from here on out. The reason it’s hard to pick the Tigers in the West at this point is because they’ve been so dysfunctional offensively. Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson hasn’t found any rhythm throwing the ball, and the Tigers might also want to remember they have Charles Scott in the backfield. LSU also needs to find a way to get freshman Russell Shepard more involved.
Best-case scenario: The Tigers come out of the open date with a better idea of what they want to do offensively, get some production in the downfield passing game and play their way into the SEC championship game.
Worst-case scenario: The offense we saw during the first half of the season is the offense we’re going to see for the entire season, and the Tigers stumble to three more losses and an 8-4 finish in the regular season.
Prediction: LSU isn’t able to take down Alabama, but is good enough on defense to scratch out a 9-3 record and earn a berth in the Capital One Bowl.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
As much as any team in the league, Kentucky has demonstrated the kind of perseverance you can build on during the second half of the season, and that’s precisely the plan for the Wildcats. Starting quarterback Mike Hartline remains out with a knee injury, but Rich Brooks will use a combination of players to fill in for him, including Randall Cobb. The versatile sophomore will be a huge key for the Wildcats down the stretch. The more they can get the ball in his hands, the better off they will be. The Wildcats are through the teeth of their schedule, and they’re hopeful of getting cornerback Trevard Lindley back from an ankle injury sooner rather than later. Four of their final six games are at home, including a pair of nonconference games they will be big favorites in. The win over Auburn last week puts Kentucky in great shape to go back to a bowl game.
Best-case scenario: The Wildcats avoid any more serious injuries. Lindley’s return to the defense makes that unit even stronger, and Kentucky goes 5-1 the rest of the way, capped by a win over Tennessee to snap the Vols’ 24-game winning streak in the series. An 8-4 record gets Kentucky into the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The offense bogs down. The defense also loses its stinger after having to play 11 straight weeks without a bye to end the season, and the Wildcats only win twice more the rest of the way and miss out on a bowl.
Prediction: A 7-5 record and trip to the Papajohns.com Bowl, where the Wildcats will go for their fourth straight bowl win.
As much as any team in the league, Kentucky has demonstrated the kind of perseverance you can build on during the second half of the season, and that’s precisely the plan for the Wildcats. Starting quarterback Mike Hartline remains out with a knee injury, but Rich Brooks will use a combination of players to fill in for him, including Randall Cobb. The versatile sophomore will be a huge key for the Wildcats down the stretch. The more they can get the ball in his hands, the better off they will be. The Wildcats are through the teeth of their schedule, and they’re hopeful of getting cornerback Trevard Lindley back from an ankle injury sooner rather than later. Four of their final six games are at home, including a pair of nonconference games they will be big favorites in. The win over Auburn last week puts Kentucky in great shape to go back to a bowl game.
Best-case scenario: The Wildcats avoid any more serious injuries. Lindley’s return to the defense makes that unit even stronger, and Kentucky goes 5-1 the rest of the way, capped by a win over Tennessee to snap the Vols’ 24-game winning streak in the series. An 8-4 record gets Kentucky into the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: The offense bogs down. The defense also loses its stinger after having to play 11 straight weeks without a bye to end the season, and the Wildcats only win twice more the rest of the way and miss out on a bowl.
Prediction: A 7-5 record and trip to the Papajohns.com Bowl, where the Wildcats will go for their fourth straight bowl win.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
As disappointing as the first half of the season has been for Georgia with the continuing problems on defense and a running game that has been non-existent, the Bulldogs still have an opportunity to salvage this season. As furious as the Bulldog Nation was over the embarrassing loss to Tennessee two weeks ago, things could change in a hurry if Georgia could knock off Florida in two weeks. The Bulldogs are off this Saturday, so they have some extra time to get ready for the Gators. Finding a running game would help, and so would playing closer to their talent level defensively -- especially against the pass. Nothing’s going to be easy for Georgia the rest of the way. But winning those two home SEC games against Auburn and Kentucky in November is a must if the Bulldogs are going to keep their head above water.
Best-case scenario: The bye week rejuvenates the Bulldogs, and they upset No. 1 Florida on Oct. 31. The defense plays its best stretch of football during the second half, and the Bulldogs streak to an 8-4 record and play in the Outback Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: Florida routs Georgia for the second straight year, sending the Bulldogs into a spiral they can’t recover from. They lose two more games, finishing up at 6-6, and Mark Richt is forced to make changes on his staff.
Prediction: The Bulldogs lose to Florida and Georgia Tech, sending them to the Independence Bowl with a 7-5 record, and Richt is faced with some tough decisions in the offseason.
As disappointing as the first half of the season has been for Georgia with the continuing problems on defense and a running game that has been non-existent, the Bulldogs still have an opportunity to salvage this season. As furious as the Bulldog Nation was over the embarrassing loss to Tennessee two weeks ago, things could change in a hurry if Georgia could knock off Florida in two weeks. The Bulldogs are off this Saturday, so they have some extra time to get ready for the Gators. Finding a running game would help, and so would playing closer to their talent level defensively -- especially against the pass. Nothing’s going to be easy for Georgia the rest of the way. But winning those two home SEC games against Auburn and Kentucky in November is a must if the Bulldogs are going to keep their head above water.
Best-case scenario: The bye week rejuvenates the Bulldogs, and they upset No. 1 Florida on Oct. 31. The defense plays its best stretch of football during the second half, and the Bulldogs streak to an 8-4 record and play in the Outback Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: Florida routs Georgia for the second straight year, sending the Bulldogs into a spiral they can’t recover from. They lose two more games, finishing up at 6-6, and Mark Richt is forced to make changes on his staff.
Prediction: The Bulldogs lose to Florida and Georgia Tech, sending them to the Independence Bowl with a 7-5 record, and Richt is faced with some tough decisions in the offseason.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Maybe the pressure of being the defending national champion and dealing with all the expectations is starting to get to Florida. Urban Meyer conceded this week that some guys were pressing. The Gators have been far from dominant offensively, but will still be heavily favored against everybody they play the rest of the way in the regular season. With a two-game lead in the Eastern Division, they’ve all but locked up a trip to the SEC Championship Game. The bigger question is whether or not they can stay unbeaten and find some more playmakers on offense. Tim Tebow can’t do it by himself, which means guys like Deonte Thompson, Jeffery Demps, Chris Rainey and Brandon James need to provide more quick strikes down the field. The defense has been excellent, but getting everybody healthy for this final stretch will be critical. The Gators aren’t the same defense when senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes isn’t on the field.
Best-case scenario: Tebow gets some help on offense. The downfield passing game becomes more dependable, and the Gators get all their injured players back on defense. They run the table for their second straight SEC championship and go to Pasadena to play for their second straight national championship.
Worst-case scenario: The burden gets even heavier on Tebow. Defenses continue to gang up on him, and nobody else steps forward. The Gators trip up somewhere in the regular season and then lose again in the SEC Championship Game.
Prediction: Florida remains unbeaten until the SEC Championship Game, but loses to Alabama in Atlanta and plays in the Sugar Bowl.
Maybe the pressure of being the defending national champion and dealing with all the expectations is starting to get to Florida. Urban Meyer conceded this week that some guys were pressing. The Gators have been far from dominant offensively, but will still be heavily favored against everybody they play the rest of the way in the regular season. With a two-game lead in the Eastern Division, they’ve all but locked up a trip to the SEC Championship Game. The bigger question is whether or not they can stay unbeaten and find some more playmakers on offense. Tim Tebow can’t do it by himself, which means guys like Deonte Thompson, Jeffery Demps, Chris Rainey and Brandon James need to provide more quick strikes down the field. The defense has been excellent, but getting everybody healthy for this final stretch will be critical. The Gators aren’t the same defense when senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes isn’t on the field.
Best-case scenario: Tebow gets some help on offense. The downfield passing game becomes more dependable, and the Gators get all their injured players back on defense. They run the table for their second straight SEC championship and go to Pasadena to play for their second straight national championship.
Worst-case scenario: The burden gets even heavier on Tebow. Defenses continue to gang up on him, and nobody else steps forward. The Gators trip up somewhere in the regular season and then lose again in the SEC Championship Game.
Prediction: Florida remains unbeaten until the SEC Championship Game, but loses to Alabama in Atlanta and plays in the Sugar Bowl.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
The Auburn players have insisted this week that their two-game losing streak was not the start of a trend. They get a chance to make good on that vow Saturday when they go to Baton Rouge to face LSU. There’s no question that Auburn feasted a little bit on a softer schedule in jumping out to a 5-0 start, but the Tigers also haven’t played well these past two weeks. Their offense hasn’t been as explosive, and they need to get quarterback Chris Todd back to the level he was playing at during September. Auburn coach Gene Chizik said there’s nothing wrong with the throwing shoulder Todd had surgery on during the offseason. He just hasn’t thrown it as consistently in the losses to Kentucky and Arkansas. The Tigers don’t get a bye week until Nov. 21, the week before the finale against Alabama. So these next four games will really test their already glaring lack of depth.
Best-case scenario: Todd and the Auburn offense get back on track to the point where the Tigers are scoring enough points to hide their defensive deficiencies. They win at LSU, get some of their swagger back and finish 8-4.
Worst-case scenario: The Tigers' losing streak extends to four straight games with losses to LSU and Ole Miss the next two weeks, and the bottom falls out from there, leaving the Tigers 6-6 and hoping they land in a bowl game.
Prediction: The Tigers find a way to win one of their remaining SEC games against LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama, finish 7-5 and play in the Music City Bowl.
The Auburn players have insisted this week that their two-game losing streak was not the start of a trend. They get a chance to make good on that vow Saturday when they go to Baton Rouge to face LSU. There’s no question that Auburn feasted a little bit on a softer schedule in jumping out to a 5-0 start, but the Tigers also haven’t played well these past two weeks. Their offense hasn’t been as explosive, and they need to get quarterback Chris Todd back to the level he was playing at during September. Auburn coach Gene Chizik said there’s nothing wrong with the throwing shoulder Todd had surgery on during the offseason. He just hasn’t thrown it as consistently in the losses to Kentucky and Arkansas. The Tigers don’t get a bye week until Nov. 21, the week before the finale against Alabama. So these next four games will really test their already glaring lack of depth.
Best-case scenario: Todd and the Auburn offense get back on track to the point where the Tigers are scoring enough points to hide their defensive deficiencies. They win at LSU, get some of their swagger back and finish 8-4.
Worst-case scenario: The Tigers' losing streak extends to four straight games with losses to LSU and Ole Miss the next two weeks, and the bottom falls out from there, leaving the Tigers 6-6 and hoping they land in a bowl game.
Prediction: The Tigers find a way to win one of their remaining SEC games against LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama, finish 7-5 and play in the Music City Bowl.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
The toughest part of Arkansas’ schedule is over. The Razorbacks were blown out by Alabama and took Florida to the wire before Tim Tebow and some lousy calls by the officials beat them last week. Now we see if Bobby Petrino’s club can build off that performance. Quarterback Ryan Mallett should be even better the second half of the season now that he has the speed of SEC defenses down. It would also be nice if the Hogs could get everybody back out there offensively from injuries, including running back Michael Smith and receiver Joe Adams. The defensive improvement really makes for what should be a promising close to the season. The swing game is this week at Ole Miss. If the Hogs can get past the Rebels, four of their final five games are at home, and they will be favored in all four games.
Best-case scenario: Mallett keeps setting passing records. Everybody gets healthy on offense, and the defense just keeps improving. The Hogs flirt with a clean sweep during the second half, winning five of their last six games, and finish 8-4 in the regular season and play in the Cotton Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: Arkansas doesn’t regroup emotionally from that Florida loss and loses its second straight this week at Ole Miss. Mallett hits the wall down the stretch, and the defense isn’t good enough to bail the Hogs out. They also end up losing to South Carolina and LSU, finishing 6-6 overall and 2-6 in the conference.
Prediction: The Hogs go 4-2 in the second half of the season, good enough for a 7-5 record, and Petrino gets to go back to Atlanta for a date in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
The toughest part of Arkansas’ schedule is over. The Razorbacks were blown out by Alabama and took Florida to the wire before Tim Tebow and some lousy calls by the officials beat them last week. Now we see if Bobby Petrino’s club can build off that performance. Quarterback Ryan Mallett should be even better the second half of the season now that he has the speed of SEC defenses down. It would also be nice if the Hogs could get everybody back out there offensively from injuries, including running back Michael Smith and receiver Joe Adams. The defensive improvement really makes for what should be a promising close to the season. The swing game is this week at Ole Miss. If the Hogs can get past the Rebels, four of their final five games are at home, and they will be favored in all four games.
Best-case scenario: Mallett keeps setting passing records. Everybody gets healthy on offense, and the defense just keeps improving. The Hogs flirt with a clean sweep during the second half, winning five of their last six games, and finish 8-4 in the regular season and play in the Cotton Bowl.
Worst-case scenario: Arkansas doesn’t regroup emotionally from that Florida loss and loses its second straight this week at Ole Miss. Mallett hits the wall down the stretch, and the defense isn’t good enough to bail the Hogs out. They also end up losing to South Carolina and LSU, finishing 6-6 overall and 2-6 in the conference.
Prediction: The Hogs go 4-2 in the second half of the season, good enough for a 7-5 record, and Petrino gets to go back to Atlanta for a date in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
As dominant as Alabama has been on defense, the Crimson Tide has taken some hits. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower's being lost for the season means that Nico Johnson and Jerrell Harris will both have to keep coming at the “Will” inside linebacker spot. Cornerback and punt returner Javier Arenas is also nursing sore ribs that kept him out of the South Carolina game. The Crimson Tide have two big rival games coming up in Tennessee and LSU. Both games are at home, though, and they’re separated by a bye week. Getting quarterback Greg McElroy back to throwing the football the way he did in those first five games will be key for the Crimson Tide, and they also need to find a way to get Julio Jones more touches. He’s only scored one touchdown all season.
Best-case scenario: McElroy returns to his early-season form. The defense remains dominant and Alabama sweeps through its second consecutive unbeaten regular season to get to Atlanta and win its first SEC title in 10 years, which would put the Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game.
Worst-case scenario: The Crimson Tide have to rely too much on running back Mark Ingram, become stagnant on offense and end up losing at home to LSU. The head-to-head tiebreaker puts the Tigers in the SEC championship game and leaves the Tide at home. Alabama gets bumped by LSU and Florida in the BCS equation and goes to Orlando to play in the Capital One Bowl.
Prediction: BCS National Championship Game. The Crimson Tide head to Pasadena to play for their first national title since 1992.
As dominant as Alabama has been on defense, the Crimson Tide has taken some hits. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower's being lost for the season means that Nico Johnson and Jerrell Harris will both have to keep coming at the “Will” inside linebacker spot. Cornerback and punt returner Javier Arenas is also nursing sore ribs that kept him out of the South Carolina game. The Crimson Tide have two big rival games coming up in Tennessee and LSU. Both games are at home, though, and they’re separated by a bye week. Getting quarterback Greg McElroy back to throwing the football the way he did in those first five games will be key for the Crimson Tide, and they also need to find a way to get Julio Jones more touches. He’s only scored one touchdown all season.
Best-case scenario: McElroy returns to his early-season form. The defense remains dominant and Alabama sweeps through its second consecutive unbeaten regular season to get to Atlanta and win its first SEC title in 10 years, which would put the Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game.
Worst-case scenario: The Crimson Tide have to rely too much on running back Mark Ingram, become stagnant on offense and end up losing at home to LSU. The head-to-head tiebreaker puts the Tigers in the SEC championship game and leaves the Tide at home. Alabama gets bumped by LSU and Florida in the BCS equation and goes to Orlando to play in the Capital One Bowl.
Prediction: BCS National Championship Game. The Crimson Tide head to Pasadena to play for their first national title since 1992.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Chris Low
Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
