Tagged: Tyler Wilson
2012 SEC Football: Top 10 Returning Offensive Playmakers
The dynamic offenses that once tore up and down the fields of the SEC were hard to come by during the 2011 season due to the stifling defenses found throughout the conference.
Five conference teams finished ranked in the top eight out of all FCS teams in total defense outdistancing the SEC from the rest of college football with Alabama finishing the season No. 1, LSU No. 2, South Carolina No. 3, Georgia No. 5, and Florida No. 8.
The depth of talent did not stop there as three more teams notched top 50 defensive efforts with Vanderbilt No. 18, Mississippi State No. 35, and Arkansas No. 47.
The tough defenses in the SEC not only shutdown conference rivals but showed dominance in non-conference action during the regular season and in bowl games.
When the 2011 season concluded University of Arkansas was the only SEC team ranked in the top 30 in total offense last season with Alabama closing in ranking No. 31.
The pendulum appears to be swinging back to the offense with the exodus of top defensive players from all high ranking teams to graduation and early entry to the NFL. The emergence of dominating skill players on the other side of the ball promises the return of offensive firepower to the SEC and college football in 2012.
The top returning playmakers will not only excite college football fans but could lead the SEC to their seventh straight BCS National Championship Trophy.
Which player is the SEC’s best?
No. 10 Tre Mason, sophomore, running back/kick returner, Auburn
Many college football fans are unaware of Tre Mason. Heck many Auburn fans may not fully appreciate the Lake Worth, Florida native and his ability as the top kickoff returner in the SEC.
Mason led all kickoff returners posting 26.4 yards per return average taking one 97 yards to the house.
Mason’s role within the offense was sporadic at best through 2011. With the void left by the departure of All-SEC tailback Michael Dyer Auburn should use running back Onterio McCalebb and Mason to carry the load in 2012.
2012 Outlook:
Auburn’s defense should be improved in 2012 thus lowering the opportunities for Mason returning more kickoffs. If teams do not kick away from Mason he should improve upon his 633 return yards in only 24 attempts.
No. 9 Isaiah Crowell, sophomore, running back, Georgia
Crowell lived up to his five-star recruiting hype throughout most of his freshman season. He finished with 850 yards, ranking sixth in the SEC, while notching four 100-yard rushing games-South Carolina, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Auburn.
Crowell experienced what most freshman running backs endure in the SEC, SEC defenses.Georgiahead coach Mark Richt did a good job of not overusing his talented tailback. Still Crowell’s production slowed in the second half of the season.
2012 Outlook:
Georgia featured a veteran offensive line in 2011. How well the new starters rotate into their roles will be determined. If the line can continue their solid run blocking and Murray gets time to throw, Crowell should benefit in the form of a 1,000-yard rushing season.
No. 8 Tyler Bray, junior, quarterback, Tennessee
Do not mistake Tyler Bray’s swagger and confidence on the field as a sign of arrogance. The junior to be can play. He ripped Cincinnati for 405 yards in the second game of the 2011 season and came 12 yards shy of 300 atFlorida.
The only obstacle holding Bray’s development back is game time. A hand injury kept him out of five games last season which was also the toughest stretch of games on the Vols schedule.
Bray showed his ability and poise as a freshman after he replaced veteran SEC quarterback Matt Simms at the end of the 2010 season. His spunk helped the Vols win four out of their final five games after Tennessee started the season 2-6.
Between his freshman and sophomore seasons Bray has missed the grueling part of both Vols schedules. If he can stay healthy for an entire season, how will he respond against the defensive pressure of teams like Arkansas, Alabama, and South Carolina?
Bray threw for over 250 yards in each of his first five starts in 2011, two games he topped 300. For the Vols to succeed and Bray to become an elite SEC quarterback he will have to play better on the road.
Before his injury he threw well at the Swamp but was picked off twice. After his return from injury he was picked off twice by Vanderbilt at home and Kentucky on the road. The loss at Kentucky kept the Vols out of a bowl game.
2012 Outlook:
Tennessee catches a break by dropping LSU and picking up new SEC East conference member Missouri. The Vols also get Bama and Arkansas at home.
Bray will have All-SEC wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers returning. If wide receiver Justin Hunter can return from his knee injury Bray may have the best wide receiver duo in the SEC catching his passes.
Bray cracked his hand on a helmet following through after a pass making the hand injury a fluke.
He has not thrown for more than 2,000 in a season to date. Look for that to change in 2012. If he can stay healthy he should be able to clip 3,000 yards.
No. 7 Knile Davis, junior, running back, Arkansas
There are a few unproven SEC players returning in 2012 expected to make major contributions to their teams and there are also a couple of proven SEC players with a lot left to prove. One of those players is 2010 All-SEC running back Knile Davis.
Davis tore up the second half of the 2010 season rushing for 1,322 yards, leading all SEC running backs, and found the end zone 14 times.
A foot injury during fall practices caused him to miss the entire 2011 season, a time when he was to be the highlighted offensive weapon for the Razorbacks and a possibly Heisman Trophy candidate.
2012 Outlook:
Rumors and speculation out of Arkansas’ camp say Davis has his speed and cutting ability back. The first test for Davis will be live scrimmages in spring practice and his ability to make it through fall practices without another injury.
Arkansas’ offensive line will be much improved with three offensive linemen returning and two true sophomores with SEC game experience expected to earn starting positions.
If Davis’ body can take the pounding from SEC defenses his talent, speed, and field vision will make him an All-SEC performer again in 2012. Having Tyler Wilson as the starting quarterback should only enhance the running lanes for Davis.
No. 6 Da’Rick Rogers, junior, wide receiver, Tennessee
Da’Rick Rogers blew onto the college football scene out of nowhere during the 2011 season, his sophomore year. Even though his overall production was low in 2010, he showed signs of what was to come when he averaged over 15 yards per catch and two touchdowns on 11 receptions.
In 2011 it did not matter who was under center for the Vols, Rogers kept producing. He completed the regular season leading the SEC in yards and receptions but lost the overall lead to Jarius Wright in post season play.
Rogers’ production may have benefited from the injury to Justin Hunter, but at the same time SEC defenses focused on Rogers due to Tennessee’s lack of a running attack for most of the season.
2012 Outlook:
Quarterback Tyler Bray missed time with a hand injury and fellow wide receiver Justin Henry, an amazing talent in his own right, missed most of the season with a knee injury in 2011. Henry’s return to full strength will be tested during fall practices.
If Henry can take some of the defensive pressure off Rogers, Bray should be able to pick offenses apart in 2012 allowingRogersto have another All-SEC caliber season.
Roger’s 2011 receiving totals:
Receptions 67, second in SEC
Receiving yards 1,040, second in SEC
Touchdowns 9, second in SEC
Average yards per catch 15.5, seventh in SEC
No. 5 Eddie Lacy, junior, running back, Alabama
The offensive system is in place inTuscaloosawith no major changes on the horizon. Exit Trent Richardson, enter Eddie Lacy.
Bama head coach Nick Saban’s offense has become a college football system offense. The term system offense usually brings a negative undertone to a coach’s offense. Think a gimmick philosophy that defensive coordinators will one day figure out how to stop.
Not true here. The results speak for themselves, two national championships and soon to be two first round draft picks that were former Tide starting running backs.
Richardson’s rushing statistics were a clone of Mark Ingram’s Heisman Trophy season of 2009. Why would Lacy’s ascension into the starting tailback role be any different?
Lacy’s 7.1 yards per rush average was higher as Richardson’s understudy than Richardson’s 5.2 yards per carry average in 2009 as Ingram’s backup.
2012 Outlook:
A.J. McCarron was not asked to do a lot as the starting quarterback last season. McCarron finished third in the SEC in total passing yards posting a respectable 16-5 touchdown to interception ratio and led all SEC starters in completion percentage (66.8).
McCarron looses his top four targets to graduation or early entry to the NFL. Senior receivers Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks, senior tight end Brad Smelley, and Richardson are all gone. Wide receiver Kenny Bell (17 catches, 255 yards) is the most experienced receiver returning for the Tide’s offense.
Much of the burden to produce will be placed on Lacy’s shoulders. One would think Lacy will be ready. He better be or Saban could have another 2010 season on his hands.
Watch out for running backs Jolston Fowler and Dee Hart. Fowler excelled as the third Alabama running back and true freshman Dee Hart was back on the practice field in October after tearing his ACL in July.
No. 4 LSU’s Rushing Attack: Ford, Ware, and Blue
Sure it may be cheating to lump three players into one spot on a top 10 list but if you have watched LSU’s rushing attack under head coach Les Miles you should understand. The biggest question is will one of the three-headed monster rotation breakout from the back?
Michael Ford, a junior, can lay claim to being the top yard gainer for the Tigers in 2011. Of the three returning running backs his production was more of a steady as he goes instead of overwhelming the opposition.
Ford came close to gaining 100 yards in a game racking up 96 yards twice against Oregon and Arkansas but he was never counted on for more than 14 rushing attempts in a game.
Spencer Ware will start his junior season as the second leading rusher for the Tigers in 2012 having posted 707 rushing yards with eight touchdowns.
After the first seven games Ware appeared to be on track for a monster season compiling 512-rushing yards. His 73.14 yards per game average over the first half of the season was deceiving because the Tigers barely used Ware against Northwestern State and Kentucky, gathering a total of 10 rushes for 25 yards.
Over the first seven games Ware rushed for 99 yards against Oregon in the season opener, tacked on 107 against Mississippi State, and hit Florida for 109. He found the end zone six times carrying the ball and one time receiving.
Then he was suspended for the Auburn game after failing a drug test. After his return from his suspension, Ware’s punishment for failing the drug test was not over as Miles lowered his production and role in the offense. Ware was no longer the primary back for the Tigers.
Over the remaining six games Ware posted 195 rushing yards for 32.5 rushing yards per game average. He scored two more touchdowns but had clearly lost favor with the Tigers’ coaching staff.
Of the 14 games LSU played last year junior running back Alfred Blue was used as a change of pace back only topping double digit rushing attempts three times. What Blue did prove is his ability to be the homerun threat LSU needs out of the backfield. Against Western Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Georgia Blue ripped off runs of 45 or more yards.
2012 Outlook:
The lack of production in the second half of the season for Ware and the rest of the backfield could be blamed on LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson. LSU fans saw more ofJeffersonrunning than throwing which led to grumblings from within the locker room and around Tiger nation.
Jefferson is gone and the quarterback position is up for grabs. LSU will have to rely on their running game as Miles breaks in a new guy under center.
Do not be surprised to see sophomore running back Kenny Hillard take rushing attempts away from the big three. Hillard caught fire againstArkansasrushing for 102 yards which resulted in snaps being taken away from Blue in the BCS National Championship Game.
2011 Rushing Statistics:
Michael Ford: 127 rushing attempts, 756 yards rushing, seven touchdowns
Spencer Ware: 177 rushing attempts, 707 yards rushing, eight touchdowns
Alfred Blue: 78 rushing attempts, 539 yards rushing, seven touchdowns
Kenny Hillard: 62 rushing attempts, 336 yards rushing, eight touchdowns
No. 3 Zac Stacy, senior, running back, Vanderbilt
SEC fans there is no need to adjust your screen, yes a returning Commodore, running back Zac Stacy, will be one of the top offensive players in the SEC next season. If you don’t believe it you must have missed the 2011 college football season.
Stacy finished his junior season third in the SEC in total rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns behind a grizzled veteran SEC offensive line last season. He will benefit from that same lineup in 2012 as well. Barring injury, Vanderbilt will return four offensive linemen only losing right guard Kyle Fischer to graduation.
Stacy posses an Emmit Smith style of running along with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
He doubled his career rushing numbers last season under the direction of first year head coach James Franklin. In the process the Commodores found their passing quarterback in senior to be Jordan Rodgers. Rodgers ability to run and pass took pressure off Stacy while opening up running lanes in the ground attack.
2012 Outlook:
Rodgers’ presence along with an offensive line going into their third year of playing together should make Vandy a tough game for any team and positions Stacy as a dangerous weapon in the SEC.
Stacy’s overall numbers could have been higher but he was limited to 11 total rushes against South Carolina and Alabama. He eclipsed the 100 rushing yard mark five times nearly reaching 200 against Army (198) and Wake Forest(184). He also had three games with three rushing touchdowns in each game- Army, Kentucky, and Wake Forest.
Alabama’s running back Trent Richardson and Stacy were the only two rushers in the SEC with over 200 attempts that carried an average rushing attempt of 5.9.
Stacy’s offensive numbers:
Rushing yards 1,193, third in the SEC
Rushing touchdowns 14, second in the SEC
Rushing attempts 201, third in the SEC
No. 2 Aaron Murray, junior, quarterback, Georgia
The Bulldogs undisputed leader on offense over the past two seasons has been the man under center, Aaron Murray. Murray added another 3,000 yard passing season to his resume in 2011. He was second in the SEC in total passing yards with 3,149 and led all quarterbacks with 35 touchdown passes.
Murrayhas too much talent to be overlooked but his development is still a work in progress. He threw 61 more passes during his sophomore season than his freshman year but only managed 100 more yards passing.
The positive is his touchdown total increased from 24 to 35 but he also threw six more interceptions. For stat lovers that means in the 61 more passes he threw over the previous season every tenth pass was picked off. He also took a league high 35 sacks.
What was the contributing factor forMurray’s decrease in throwing accuracy percentage? Was it a sign of him fearing a sack or did the receiving core drop too many passes?
The SEC was top heavy in defense this year but one would guess that someone with Murray’s talent would have thrown for more than 300 yards at least twice last year, but he did not. Vanderbilt’s tough secondary was the only team that gave up 300 yards passing to the Tampa, Florida native.
To be fairMurraycould have thrown for 300 yards against Auburn and New Mexico State. The Bulldogs needed him to throw for 300 in their bowl loss to Michigan State.
2012 Outlook:
True freshman running back Isaiah Crowell had an excellent year for the Bulldogs. He rushed for 850 yards, good for seventh best in the SEC, and added five rushing touchdowns. With the running game on the uptickMurrayshould be able to get better passing lanes in 2012.
The big question is will the receivers help Murray out or will they bail on him like they did in the SEC Championship Game?
The bad news is three offensive linemen graduated including stud guard Cordy Glenn. To make matters worse tight end Orson Charles declared for the NFL draft a year early.
The SEC East should be better in 2012 than it was in 2011. Look forMurrayto have another 3,000 yard throwing season but nothing close to 3,600 yards.
No. 1 Tyler Wilson, senior, quarterback, Arkansas
The two biggest recruiting coups of the 2012 recruiting class came and went without much attention. In all fairness to every other freshman entering college football this year, none will have the impact of USC’s quarterback Matt Barkley or Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson. They are arguably the two best quarterbacks in Division 1-A heading into their senior seasons.
Wilsontook the reigns of head coach Bobby Petrino’s offense after the departure of Ryan Mallett to the NFL and never looked back.Wilsonled the SEC in passing yards (3,638), completions (277), and attempts (438) only throwing six interceptions. He also set a single game school record with 510 passing yards against Texas A&M on a neutral site.
The Greenwood, Ark. native did all of this without a strong rushing attack for much of the season and in the statistically toughest defensive conference in the nation… and the toughest football division in all of college football.
Adding to Wilson’s legend, the Hogs broke in three new starters along the offensive line and replaced Mackey Award winning tight end D.J. Williams. All five offensive line starters return for Wilson in 2012.
The news gets better forWilsonwith not only the return of running backs Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo but All-SEC tailback Knile Davis comes back after missing all of last season with an ankle injury.
2012 Outlook:
Alabama and LSU took some major hits on defense to the NFL Draft and graduation. The SEC West isWilson’s to win.
The bad news is two of his top wide receivers, All-SEC performer Jarius Wright and All-American Joe Adams, graduated. Wide receiver Kobi Hamilton and tight end Chris Gragg return for their senior seasons. Hamilton caught 34 passes for 542 yards and Gragg caught 41 for 518.
Of the plethora of wide receivers Petrino has at his disposal, who will step up for the Hogs in 2012 asWilson’s new go-to target?
Look for Wilson’s passing numbers in 2012 to be similar to his 2011 statistics. The difference for Wilson and Arkansas will be a stronger more cohesive offensive line and a much improved running attack.
Worth Mentioning
Marcus Lattimore, junior, running back, South Carolina
Despite missing the final six games of the season, Lattimore’s efforts over the first seven games was good enough for him to finish seventh in total rushing yards in the SEC.
Freshman Brandon Wilds stepped in admirably rushing for over 100 yards in three of his final five games.
Will Lattimore’s knee be healthy enough for him to make an impact in 2012? If Lattimore returns to his pre-injury form he could challenge Tyler Wilson for the SEC’s top playmaker especially with the expected growth of Connor Shaw at quarterback.
Michael Dyer, junior, running back, Auburn
He did what? That’s right he transferred toArkansasState. Not sure why, but after posting back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons in the SEC he left the Tigers to follow offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to the Red Wolves in Jonesboro, Ark.
Sunbelt Conference members you have been put on notice.
Justin Hunter, sophomore, wide receiver, Tennessee
If Hunter’s injured knee responds well to rehabilitation allowing him to regain his speed, quickness, and explosive athletic ability he could be the best wide receiver, again, in the SEC.
Hunter had two 100-yard receiving games to start 2011 before hurting his knee against Florida.
Jordan Matthews, junior, wide receiver, Vanderbilt
Much attention is given to the Commodores’ quarterback Jordan Rodgers but Rodgers is still learning how to play quarterback on the college level. Matthews’ help hauling in his passes does not hurt Rodgers chances of becoming a solid perhaps elite SEC quarterback.
Dennis Johnson, senior, running back/kick returner,Arkansas
Arkansas’ depth chart is filled with potential playmakers and Mr. Johnson is one of them. DJ missed all or parts of the first four games of the 2011 season with a hamstring injury after missing the entire 2010 campaign due to bowel surgery. In 2009 he was an All-American kick returner for the Hogs.
He showed his ability returning kicks and finding open running lanes out of the backfield in 2011 constantly setting the Hogs up with great field position. Johnson’s only limitation is his tendency of putting the pigskin on the carpet.
Donte Moncrief, sophomore, wide receiver, Ole Miss
Through all the ups and downs ofMississippi’s 2011 season true freshman Donte Moncrief showed great flashes of potential game breaking skills. His speed and pass catching should only improve with experience and maturity.
With Houston Nutt out and new Head Coach Hugh Freeze in, the Rebels offensive production should increase dramatically.
SEC Football: Recapping the 2011 Arkansas Razorbacks with a Look Ahead to 2012
What more can be said about the season Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino and his Razorback’s have had that has not already been said? Simply put, they had one of the best seasons in the school’s history. With all due respect to all previous Arkansas teams, maybe the second best ever?
Petrino guided Arkansas to their third 11 win season in school history (1964, Broyles, and 1977, Holtz), first in the BCS era. In the process the Razorbacks played four teams ranked in the BCS Top 10 finishing the season with a 29-16 win over Big 12 runner-up, No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats.
Entering the 2011 season the Hogs’ offense only returned four starters from 2010’s 10-win BCS Sugar Bowl team. Players gone to the NFL included: starting quarterback Ryan Mallett, All-SEC offensive linemen DeMarcus Love and Wade Grayson, and Mackey Award winning tight end D.J. Williams.
The Hogs were dealt two significant losses during spring and fall practices when running backs Knile Davis (foot) and Broderick Green (knee) suffered major injuries. Adding to the offensive woes was a hamstring injury to junior running back Dennis Johnson, a 2009 All-American as a kickoff returner.
Petrino had the arduous task of getting first-year starter Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson, three offensive linemen, running back Ronnie Wingo Jr., and a new starting tight end ready for one of the more demanding schedules in college football.
The 2010 Arkansas team was one of the most prolific scoring teams in school history finishing the season No. 17 in scoring offense (36.5 points per game) and No. 9 in total offense (482.5 yards per game) in Division 1-A.
Life was no easier on defense for coordinator Willy Robinson. The Razorbacks returned seven starters after losing players like Rudell Crim, Anthony Leon, and Ramon Broadway.
During the 2010 season the Hogs ranked 36th in total defense (348 yards per game) after playing six ranked teams- No. 1 Alabama, No. 7 Auburn, No. 18 South Carolina, No. 22 Mississippi State, No. 6 LSU, and No. 6 Ohio State.
The overlooked Razorback defense had a stronger finish than most expected ending No. 47 in total defense in 2011 allowing an average of 363 yards per game. Their scoring defense improved from No. 47 (23.4 points per game) in 2010 to No. 33 (22.23 points per game).
Playing not only in the toughest football conference in Division 1-A but perhaps the toughest division in college football history, the Hogs managed to finish the 2011 season with only two defeats, both coming on the road to then No. 3 Alabama and No. 1 LSU.
Regardless of the shortage on returning starters, Petrino added to his reputation as one of the greatest offensive football minds in the game after leading the Hogs to an average of 438.08 yards per game (No. 1 in the SEC) and the No. 16 ranked scoring offense in Division 1-A, averaging 36.77 points per game.
The Razorback offense played four teams that finished in the Top 20 in total defense- No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 LSU, No. 3 South Carolina, and No. 18 Vanderbilt.
On the schedule for the Hogs were Tennessee and Mississippi State. Both teams ended up No. 27 and No. 35 respectively in total defense.
Quarterback Tyler Wilson led the SEC in total passing yards (3,638), completion percentage among quarterbacks with over 300 passing attempts (63.2), total completions (277), and finished second in total touchdown passes (24).
Comparing Wilson’s 2011 season to Mallett’s 2010: Wilson had 11 more completions, eight fewer touchdown passes but threw six fewer interceptions (6 total) than Mallett’s 12. Mallett threw for 231 more total yards thanWilson.
Wilson spread the ball around to his receivers in Petrino’s offense. His favorite target was Senior receiver Jarius Wright. Wright led the SEC in yards (1,117) and touchdowns (12). He finished second to Da’Rick Rogers (Tennessee) in total receptions with 66 toRogers’ 67.
Seven Arkansas players caught 20 or more passes, four amassing over 500 total receiving yards- Wright, Joe Adams 54 catches 652 yards, Cobi Hamilton 34 receptions for 542 yards, Chris Gragg 41 catches for 518 yards, Dennis Johnson 24 receptions for 255 total yards, Greg Childs 21 receptions for 240 yards, and Ronnie Wingo Jr. 20 catches 187 total yards.
Wright, Adams, and Childs are all graduating seniors. Which returning Razorback receivers will replace this dynamic trio?
Cobi Hamilton is a junior with great speed and a knack for breaking loose in the oppositions secondary. As a freshman Hamilton averaged 18.3 yards per catch, as a sophomore he averaged 19.7, and this year he posted a 15.9 yard per catch average.
True freshman wide receiver Marquel Wade (Jacksonville, Florida) made an immediate impact on special teams for the Hogs with his game-breaking speed. Wade averaged 25.6 yards per kickoff return taking one of 14 returns to the house for an 85-yard touchdown.
Julian Horton, Quinta Funderburk, Keante Minor, Maudrecus Humphrey, and Javontee Herndon are all eagerly waiting for their chance to replace the aforementioned departing Razorback receiving core.
Perhaps two of the most difficult players to replace on the entire team will be linebacker Jerry Franklin and defensive end Jake Bequette.
Franklin led the team in tackles in each of the past four seasons. Franklin registered over 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons and was the heart and soul of the Razorback defense.
Bequette finished the season tied for second in the SEC with 10 sacks despite missing action in four different games. Bequette graduates third on the Razorback career sack list with 23.5- Wayne Martin 25.5 and Henry Ford 25.
Junior linebacker Alonzo Highsmith, sophomore defensive end Chris Smith, and true freshman defensive end Trey Flowers (Huntsville, Alabama) all appear ready to take over for the senior players.
Highsmith was second on the team with 4.5 sacks and third in total tackles with 80. Highsmith finished No. 10 in the SEC with 12.5 tackles for a loss. Smith was third on the team with 3.5 sacks and Flowers plays with a motor that never stops.
The secondary will miss the athletic play of safety Tramain Thomas. Thomas led the Razorbacks in interceptions the past two seasons- four in 2010 and five in 2011. He was also second in total tackles for the Hogs this year with 91.
Not accounting for players leaving early for the NFL, the Razorbacks should return seven starters on offense-Wilson, guard Alvin Bailey, center Travis Swanson, tackle Jason Peacock, early season starter true freshman Mitch Smothers (Springdale, Arkansas), tight end Chris Gragg, and running back Dennis Johnson.
Fullback Kiero Small, receiver Cobi Hamilton, and running back Ronnie Wingo’s contributions as starters cannot be overlooked heading into 2012.
Much speculation has centered on the return of All-SEC running back Knile Davis. Most Razorback fans expectDavisto return to his 2010 form in 2012 when he totaled 1,322 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns- second highest total in the SEC to Cam Newton’s 1,473. Rumblings have Davis possibly declaring for the NFL Draft despite missing the entire 2011 season.
Is it too late to start a “one more year” campaign for Davis inFayetteville?
Regardless ofDavis’ 2012 status the Hogs will be stacked at running back with Johnson, Wingo, and Kody Walker returning.
Defensively the Hogs will return seven starters- linemen Bryan Jones, Robert Thomas, and Tenarius Wright, Highsmith, corners Darius Winston and true freshman Tevin Mitchell (Mansfield,Texas) with safety Eric Bennett.
The play of the Razorback front seven against Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl has fans excited about the arrival of new defensive coordinator Paul Haynes.
Arkansas held the Wildcats to 87 total rushing yards while totaling six sacks. The secondary limited KSU quarterback Collin Klein to 173 passing yards.
Is this a sign of things to come from Arkansas’ defense?
On special teams Arkansas will return punter Dylan Breeding and place kick Zach Hocker. Breeding led the SEC in punting averaging 45.28 yards per punt. His ability to flip the field of play was a defensive weapon throughout the season.
Hocker was fourth in the SEC in field goal percentage (78) and tied for second in total field goals (21). Hocker led the SEC with 40 touchbacks on kickoffs.
Dennis Johnson and Marquel Wade give the Razorbacks two of the better return specialist in the SEC. Johnson and Wade both returned kickoffs for touchdowns in 2011.
The schedule plays into Arkansas’ favor in 2012. With seven home games, including SEC rivals Alabama and LSU, and the possible addition of another home non-conference game, the Hogs should find comfort in the friendly confines of Reynolds Razorback Stadium and War Memorial Stadium inLittle Rock. Arkansas was undefeated at home in 2011.
Vanderbilt and Tennessee are rotated off the schedule for a home game against Kentucky. SEC newcomer Texas A&M, a team the Hogs have beaten three straight years in non-conference play, becomes a permanent fixture as a SEC West divisional rival.
With all of the returning talent and home schedule a third straight 10-win season for the Hogs is a more than reasonable expectation.
Petrino leading Arkansas to their only back-to-back 11 win season is a possibility worth visiting Las Vegas.
Watching the Razorbacks roll to the SEC Championship Game in 2012 with a chance to play in the BCS National Championship game is what Razorback Nation has been waiting for.
Any Razorback fans ready for fall practices yet?
2012 Cotton Bowl Preview: No. 6 Arkansas versus No. 8 Kansas State
Friday January 6, 2012 college football fans will witness what happens between vastly contrasting styles of play when the Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2012 Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas.
The matchup seem more like a lesson in physics from Archimedes or Albert Einstein than a college football game; a slow moving Kansas State offense against a bending Razorback run defense and a high powered Arkansas offense against a spacious Wildcat pass defense.
All of the elements add up to what promises to be one of the best bowl games of the year.
Team Overviews
KansasStaterelies on a solid ground attack led by Junior quarterback Collin Klein while the Razorbacks are led by their fluid passing Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson.
Klein set the single season Wildcat rushing touchdown record this season racking up 26 scores along with 1,099 rushing yards. Should Klein score one more rushing touchdown against the Razorbacks he will tie former Texas running back Ricky Williams for the all-time single season Big 12 record.
Klein’s 1,099 total rushing yards was fourth best in the Big 12 and his 91.58 rushing yards per game was the 39th best rushing yard per game average in Division 1-A.
Sophomore scat back John Hubert was second on the Wildcat team with 933 rushing yards, seventh best in the Big 12. The 5’7”, 185 pound running back scored three rushing touchdowns and proved to be dangerous as a pass catching option out of the backfield amassing 23 receptions for 193 yards with one touchdown on the season.
A deceptive running option for the Wildcats had been wide receiver Tyler Lockett. Lockett, a freshman from Tulsa, Oklahoma, rushed 10 times for 110 yards before a lacerated kidney ended his season.
Will KSU head coach Bill Snyder find another speedy option on reverses or option running plays to replace Lockett?
Klein threw for 1,745 yards in 2012 ranking him No. 8 in the Big 12; per team totals KSU was last in the Big 12 in total passing yards.
Klein’s average passing yards per game (145.42) plus his average rushing yards per game (91.58) ranks him 45th in the nation in total yards per game (237).
Chris Harper is the leading receiver for KSU. He caught 39 passes for 536 yards with five touchdowns. Tramaine Thompson is second on the team with 18 catches for 281 yards with one score.
The Wildcat offense ranked No. 96 in Division 1-A averaging 343.42 yards per game.
In comparison to Kansas State, Arkansas’ offense operates at the speed of light. The Razorback’s offense ranked No. 25 in the nation averaging 445.83 yards per game.
Arkansashead coach Bobby Petrino relied on Tyler Wilson to lead his pass happy attack in 2012 after Ryan Mallett departed for the NFL at the end of last season.
Wilson, a first-year starter, is averaging 285 passing yards per game, 21st best in college football.
Wilson’s favorite target has been Senior wide receiver Jarius Wright. Wright is first in the SEC in receiving touchdowns (11) and second in the SEC in total receiving yards (1,029).
Wright only needs four catches against KSU to tie Ja’Rick Rogers (Tennessee) for the SEC lead (67) in total receptions and he is 12 receiving yards away from passingRogers(1,040) for the SEC lead in total receiving yards.
Wilson has done a great job of spreading the ball around within the offense. Joe Adams is No. 5 in the SEC in total receiving yards (630) with 49 receptions, Cobi Hamilton is No. 12 (516) with 31 receptions, and tight end Chris Gragg has 40 catches for 492 total yards.
The Razorback running game has been by committee for most of the 2011 season. Junior running back Ronnie Wingo Jr. was the early season starter for the Hogs while Dennis Johnson (hamstring) and Broderick Green (knee) recovered from injuries.
Wingo accumulated 280 of his 440 rushing yards in the first six games of the season before giving way to Johnson. Since Dennis Johnson’s return to full-time work, he has rushed for 637 yards with three touchdowns ranking No. 12 in the SEC.
Johnson and Wingo are both threats in the passing game. Johnson has caught 22 passes for 253 and Wingo has 19 receptions for 183 yards.
Both backs give way to Senior Broderick Green on short yardage and goal line situations. Green has five rushing touchdowns on 61 attempts.
For the season the Hogs are ranked No. 81 in Division 1-A in total rushing yards with 1,657. Arkansas ranks No. 25 in total offense averaging 445.83.
Key Matchups
Kansas State’s running attack versus Arkansas’ run defense: The Razorback run defense has been a dark matter during the season. The Hogs fought through injuries to four starters (Bequette, Winston, Wright, and Madison) from theAlabamagame to the Tennessee game finishing the season allowing 174.33 rushing yards per game.
One of the weak areas for the Hogs has been their ability to stop running quarterbacks. Opposing quarterbacks have typically run against the Razorbacks on broken plays or resulting from excellent downfield coverage.
Klein runs on every play not just on passing plays gone wrong.
Can the Hogs stop a “Wildcat” quarterback?
Arkansas’ passing attack versusKansasState’s pass defense: In KSU’s two losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State the pass defense allowed Landry Jones (OU) and Brandon Weeden (OSU) to pass for over 500 yards. Jones threw five touchdowns and Weeden threw four on the Wildcats.
The Wildcats secondary is led by undersized junior college transfer cornerback Nigel Malone. Malone, listed at 5’10”, 175 pounds, led the team in interceptions with seven ranking first in the Big 12.
In a pass first league KSU only managed 18 sacks on the season. Will Snyder’s defense be able to force the dynamicWilsoninto turnovers?
Wilson has 22 passing touchdowns on the season with six interceptions. He has faced six pass defenses ranked in the Top 25 – No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 South Carolina, No. 8 LSU, No. 13 Tennessee, No. 19 Vanderbilt, and No. 22 Ole Miss.
The Hogs offensive line has been a wave of missed assignments in pass blocking schemes during the 2011 season. In 12 games they have surrendered 25 sacks, tied for 71st in Division 1-A, but Wilson has been hit or knocked down repeatedly after releasing the ball.
If the Wildcats hope to slow down the Razorback passing game they will have to attack the offensive line with blitzes and stunts throughout the game.
The Statistics
Total Offense: Arkansas No. 27, Kansas State 96
Scoring Offense: Arkansas No. 14,Kansas State 30
Rushing Offense: Arkansas No.79, Kansas State 29
Passing Offense: Arkansas No. 13, Kansas State 109
Total Defense: Arkansas 52, Kansas State 74
Scoring Defense: Arkansas 37, Kansas State 69
Rushing Defense: Arkansas 80, Kansas State 39
Passing Defense: Arkansas 26, Kansas State 105
Net Punting: Arkansas46,Kansas State 50
Punt Returns: Arkansas 15, Kansas State55
Kickoff Returns: Arkansas 32, Kansas State 9
Turnover Margin: Arkansas 59, Kansas State 5
Game Analysis
On paper the Cotton Bowl pits an accelerating offense opposed by a collision-grind it out offense. Both defenses will be challenged by the other’s offense.
When Arkansas faced a similar pass defense in Texas A&M, ranked No. 109 to K State’s 105, Tyler Wilson threw for a school record 510 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
WhenKansasStatefaced similar passing offenses toArkansas, they lost both games- Oklahoma 58-17 and Oklahoma State 42-45.
Snyder’s Wildcat team has one defeat against a team ranked at the time of their game- No. 15 Baylor.
Petrino has led the Razorbacks against five ranked teams, three in the Top 10 at the time of the game. The Hogs record is 3-2 against those teams- Alabama, Texas A&M, Auburn, South Carolina, and LSU.
Common 2011 Opponent: Texas A&M
Kansas State won 53-50
Arkansas won 42-38
Field goal attempts:
Kansas State is 17-21, with four misses on kicks between 30-49 yards
Arkansas is 18-24, with five misses on kicks between 30-49 yards
Punting Average:
Arkansas punter Dylan Breeding leads the SEC in punting averaging 45.2 yards per punt
Kansas State punter Ryan Doerr is No. 8 in the Big 12 in punting averaging 39.9 yards per punt
Prediction
Bowl games can showcase the talented teams from the regular season or they can show that the month plus long layoff between games proves to be too much of a distraction for some teams. All coaches have to fight the inertia, rust, players facing graduation, and players looking forward to the NFL to keep their teams focused. Will the Razorbacks or Wildcats face this problem in the Cotton Bowl?
Both teams can play the disrespect card of not being in a BCS Bowl Game. Kansas State was outright snubbed by the Sugar Bowl because of a thought lack of a traveling fan base. While the Razorbacks momentum was stopped by the BCS rule of no more than two BCS teams per conference forcing them to yield toAlabamaand LSU in the BCS National Championship Game.
Arkansas’ offense is battle tested in a defense first conference. Texas, ranked No. 12 in total defense, is the only Top 50 defense the Wildcats have faced this year. Oklahoma is the second best defense they played- No. 55.
Klein will keep drives alive with his feet as he has done all season long. He was beat up at the end of the regular season. A month off should prove to be a big advantage for the Wildcats’ offense and Klein’s ability to produce within the offense.
The big question is can Snyder control the game clock with his running game and limit the Razorback’s offensive possessions?
The game will come down to Bobby Petrino’s offense. If the Razorback offense comes ready to play their potential energy should prove to be too much for the Wildcat pass defense.
Final Score
Arkansas 38, Kansas State 28
Cotton Bowl Game Time Information
The Cotton Bowl will be played January 6, 2012, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Game time is 8:00 p.m. EST on FOX.
FOX Broadcast Team
Gus Johnson – Play-by-play
Charles Davis – Color
Tim Brewster – Sideline Reporter
Arkansas Razorbacks: Tyler Wilson Named First Team All-SEC
Wilson and Wright named first team All-SEC.
Tyler Wilson has done something no other Arkansas Razorback has ever accomplished he’s been named first team All-SEC at the quarterback position.
Wilsonalong with six other Razorback players was named to All-SEC teams Monday. Wide receivers Jarius Wright and Joe Adams were selected first team All-SEC as well. Adams selection was as an all-purpose player for his contributions as a punt returner and wide receiver.
Arkansassecond team picks included linebacker Jerry Franklin, punter Dylan Breeding, guard Alvin Bailey, and running back Dennis Johnson; Johnson was an all-purpose selection for his kickoff return abilities and play at running back.
Senior safety Tramain Thomas received an honorable mention. Thomas had five interceptions during the 2011 season tying him for No. 10 in FBS and No. 4 in the SEC.
Missing from the All-SEC lists is senior defensive end Jake Bequette. Bequette missed significant game time and three total games with an early season hamstring injury but still managed to finish the season with eight sacks. Bequette’s eight sacks ranked No. 8 in the SEC.
Jarvis Jones led the SEC in sacks with 13.5, finishing second in college football during the regular season to Whitney Mercilus a defensive end forIllinois.
The following is a list of the All-SEC honorees, their position, their school, and their class:
First Team Offense
QB – Tyler Wilson,Arkansas, Jr.
RB – Trent Richardson, Alabama, Jr.
RB – Michael Dyer, Auburn, So.
WR –Jarius Wright, Arkansas, Sr.
WR – Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee, So.
OL –Barret Jones,Alabama, Jr.
OL –Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina, Sr.
OL – Cordy Glenn, Georgia, Sr.
OL – Will Balckwell, LSU, Sr.
C -William Vlachos, Alabama, Sr.
TE –Orson Charles, Georgia, Jr.
Special Teams
K –Caleb Sturgis, Florida, Jr.
AP – Joe Adams, Arkansas, Sr.
First Team Defense
DT – Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, Jr.
DT –Malik Jackson, Tennessee, Sr.
DE – Melvin Ingram,South Carolina, Sr.
DE – Sam Montgomery, LSU, So.
LB – Danny Trevathan, Kentucky, Sr.
LB – Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, Sr.
LB –Jarvis Jones,Georgia, So.
CB – Morris Claiborne, LSU, Jr.
CB – Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, So.
S –Mark Barron, Alabama, Sr.
S –Bacarri Rambo,Georgia, Jr.
Special Teams
P – Brad Wing, LSU, Fr.
Second Team Offense
QB – Aaron Murray, Georgia, So.
RB – Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt, Jr.
RB –Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, Sr.
WR –Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, Jr.
WR – Rueben Randle, LSU, Jr.
OL – Alvin Bailey, Arkansas, So.
OL – Chris Faulk, LSU, So.
OL – Larry Warford,Kentucky, Jr.
OL – Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State, So.
C –Ben Jones, Georgia, Sr.
TE – Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn, Jr.
Special Teams
K- Drew Alleman, LSU, Jr.
AP – Dennis Johnson, Arkansas, Jr.
Second Team Defense
DT – Michael Brockers, LSU, So.
DT – Josh Chapman, Alabama, Sr.
DE – Cory Lemonier, Auburn, So.
DE – Barkevious Mingo, LSU, So.
LB – Chris Marve, Vanderbilt, Sr.
LB – Jerry Franklin, Arkansas, Sr.
LB – Don’t’A Hightower, Alabama, Jr.
CB –Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, Jr.
CB – Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt, Sr.
S –Antonio Allen, South Carolina, Sr.
S – Eric Reid, LSU, So.
Special Teams
P –Dylan Breeding, Arkansas, Jr.
Offensive Player of the Year
Trent Richardson, Alabama
Defensive Player of the Year
Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
Coach of the Year
Les Miles, LSU
Freshman of the Year
Isaiah Crowell, Georgia
Ranking the 10 Best Quarterbacks in College Football
How do you like your college football quarterback? Do you like a QB that is rough and rugged, one with a quick release, or a guy with a gun for an arm? Does your leader need to be able to scramble out of the pocket to buy time for his wide receivers to keep the play alive?
How about a player that lines up under center with gaudy offensive numbers or a dual threat speed demon that can eat up chunks of yards with his feet as well as his arm?
Whatever your preference is in a quarterback, this year’s college football class has the talent to make any fan happy.
The following article breaks down each individual quarterback giving the highlights and lowlights of the 10 best college football quarterbacks in the nation with the reasons why they are better than all the rest.
10) Tajh Boyd, Clemson University, Sophomore, 6’1”, 230 lbs
Clemson was slated to be a .500 team by most college football pundits entering 2011 play. Once the season began college football took notice of the upstart Tigers behind the heady play of Tajh Boyd… and he’s only a sophomore.
Boyd led Clemson to eight straight wins to start the season on the way to a 9-3 regular season record. The Tigers play Virginia Tech in the ACC Conference Championship Game for the right to represent the ACC in a BCS Bowl game on Saturday.
The Highlights:
11 straight games with 200 yards or more passing, 28 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a QB Rating of 143.1 for the season. 17th in the nation in passing yards per game with 278. Boyd leads the ACC in total passing yards with 3,338.
Clemson had quality wins over Auburn, Florida State, and Virginia Tech.
The Lowlights:
Boyd had a horrible game against South Carolina, 11-29, 83 yards passing, 5 sacks, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception. The Gamecocks rolled over the Tigers 34-13 to end the regular season for both teams.
Boyd was sacked 27 times during the season.
9) Russell Wilson, University of Wisconsin, Senior, 5’11”, 201 lbs
Wilson, a senior transfer fromNorth CarolinaState, has made an immediate impact for the Badgers. His noticeably seamless ease into the role of the new starting quarterback for Wisconsin has paid dividends as Wisconsin is two Hail Mary plays away from being undefeated and playing for a BCS National Championship.
Wilson’s numbers may not overwhelm but his results do. Sporting a 10-2 record entering the inaugural Big Ten Conference Championship Game, the Badgers have an opportunity to defend a last second loss toMichiganState, this time the game is on a neutral field. Can Wilson lead Wisconsin back to the Rose Bowl for the second year in a row?
The Highlights:
Wilsonhas two 300-yard passing games on the year, has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game this season with five rushing touchdowns. His passing yards per game ranks him 46th in the nation with 224 per game.
Other thanWilson’s ridiculous 192.9 quarterback rating, his most impressive stat may be the three interceptions he’s thrown in 260 pass attempts against a defense first conference.
The Lowlights:
Wilsonput up more passing yards at North Carolina State during his junior and sophomore campaigns, 3,563 in 2010 and 3,027 in 2009. The trade off for passing yards has been fewer interceptions thrown, a better team record, and the ability to rely on running back Montee Ball.
Ball is second total rushing yards in college football with 1,622 yards and two games left to play.
Wilson’s statistics will not get him an invite toNew York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony but his leadership and play for Wisconsin has been tremendous. He leads FBS in quarterback rating, is fifth in completion percentage, and is second in yards per completions with an average of 10.4 yards per.
If more was asked of Wilson one can only imagine how gaudy his numbers would be.
8) Nick Foles, University o fArizona, Senior, 6’5”, 240 lbs
Foles has NFL ability and gaudy passing statistics to prove it despite having very little overall talent around him. The Wildcats are 4-8 on the season with tough losses at USC and at Oregon State. Without him Arizona might be winless.
Foles is second in the nation in total passing yards with 4,334. Because the Wildcats have played their last game of the season, Foles may drop to fifth or sixth by the end of the postseason.
The Highlights:
2-1 touchdown to interception ratio (28-14), 10 games with over 300-yards passing (two of those games he went over 400-yards), and averaged 32.25 completions per game.
Foles has a completion percentage of 69.1. He is second in college football in total passing attempts and completions with 560 and 387 respectively.
He can play against the “big boys”: In 2011 Foles threw for 398 yards against Oklahoma State, 398 against Oregon, 425 against USC, and 388 against Washington.
The last three years Foles has progressively gotten better. His numbers are amazing especially considering all opposing defensive coordinators know they have to try and stop Foles somehow but never do.
The Lowlights:
Foles takes a lot of sacks – 23 in 2011 and 23 in 2010. How much of this is his fault and how much is the play of the offensive line can be debated. Considering the entire offense rests on his ability to throw the ball, all in all he has played really well.
7) Matt Barkley,UniversityofSouthern California, Junior, 6’2”, 220 lbs
Matt Barkley is a college quarterback candidate who may leave college early for NFL riches. The shame for USC fans is if Barkley returns for the 2012 season the Trojans will more than likely be a Top 10 preseason team.
The Trojans will also have something to play for in 2012 as 2011 is their last season under NCAA post season sanctions stemming from Reggie Bush’s NCAA violations.
Even without much motivation or overall team goals to shoot for, Barkley has led the Trojans to a 10-2 season and what would have been a PAC-12 South Division Title.
The Highlights:
Barkley has a 39-7 TD-INT ratio, six games of 300-yards or more passing, and has only been sacked 8 times. He has a passing touchdown in every game this season with two games of six passing touchdowns against Colorado and UCLA.
The Lowlights:
Barkley puts up great numbers but has games when he underachieves against better competition. Against Arizona State he finished 21-33 for 227 yards passing, againstCaliforniahe went 19-35 for 195 yards, and 24-35 against Notre Dame for 224 yards.
Truth be told, Barkley could use one more year of seasoning in college football.
6) Case Keenum, University of Houston, Senior, 6’2”, 210 lbs
Keenum may be a product of the offensive system he is in, regardless, he delivers.
The Cougars are 12-0 entering Conference USA’s Conference Title Game against No. 24 Southern Mississippi. IfHoustonbeats Southern Mississippi on Saturday, Houston will play in their first BCS Bowl.
The Highlights:
Keenum leads college football in just about every major passing category including total passing yards (4,726), passing touchdowns (43), completion percentage with a minimum of 300 attempts (73.2), and has only thrown 3 picks this season (14-1 TD-INT ratio).
His 393.83 passing yards per game leads FBS despite having fewer total passing attempts than 6 of the Top 10 quarterbacks in college football. Put in other terms, he’s more efficient than his counterparts.
Every Houston game during the 2011 season has finished with Keenum throwing for more than 300 yards; six of those games Keenum threw for more than 400 yards with one of those games going for 534.
If he throws one touchdown pass against Southern Miss he will tie his previous single season highs of 44 set in 2009 and 2008.
The Lowlights:
Keenum threw for more yards in 2009 (5,671) and 2008 (5,020).
Conference USA does not get the respect of the other power conferences; one could debate the level of play between the Big East and Conference USA. College football fans will always wonder how well Keenum would have performed playing against power conference teams every week.
UCLA was the lone BCS program Keenum faced in 2011; his first game back from a season ending knee injury in 2010 that occurred against UCLA. He finished the game 30-40 for 310 yards passing with 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions.
If Keenum puts up video game passing numbers inHouston’s bowl game his spot on the Top Quarterback list would jump dramatically. He will finally have an opportunity to prove himself against top tier competition.
5) Landry Jones,UniversityofOklahoma, Junior, 6’4”, 229 lbs
Will he stay or will he go? Entering the 2011 season Jones and company were preseason No. 1. The Sooners 9-2 team record may not have turned out the way he wanted but few could argue the success that Jones has had under center. The big question for Jones is will he stay on campus for one more year or pass up his senior year for NFL riches?
The Highlights:
Jones has eight games with 300 or more yards passing, ranks third in FBS in passing yards per game with 368, and averages 28 completions per game.
The Lowlights:
One can question the toughness of Big 12 defenses and the offensive numbers put up within conference play. Five of the top 20 passing quarterbacks in college football sling it around the Big 12; Seth Doege (Texas Tech), Brandon Weeden (OSU), Jones, Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M), and Robert Griffin III (Baylor).
Are Big 12 quarterbacks that good or is pass defense an afterthought in that conference?
Texas is the only Big 12 team ranked in the Top 25 in total team defense.
In OU’s biggest non-conference game against Florida State, Jones finished 18-27 passing for 199 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
4) Tyler Wilson, University of Arkansas, Junior, 6’3”, 220 lbs
Tyler Wilson is a first year starter playing behind an average offensive line. All stats can be skewed but college football fans have to wonder how much betterWilson’s numbers could be if his offensive line gave him time to throw. He has been sacked 23 times in 2011. Who knows how many times he’s been knocked to the turf?
The Highlights:
Wilsonleads the SEC in total passing yards, completion percentage among QBs with 300 or more attempts (63.1), and yards per game (285.17). His overall numbers place him among college football’s elite especially considering he has faced three of the four top total defenses in the nation (Alabama, LSU, and South Carolina) and six of the top 25 pass defense teams in the nation (No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 South Carolina, No. 6 LSU, No. 12 Tennessee, No. 23 Ole Miss, and No. 25 Mississippi State).
Wilsonis 11th in FBS in total passing yards with 3,422 with an opportunity to move back in the top 10 during post season play.
InArkansas’ biggest non-conference game of the year,Wilsonthrew for a school record 510 yards against Texas A&M. Against South Carolina Wilson threw for 299 yards with two passing touchdowns.
The Lowlights:
Wilson’s two worst games came againstAlabamaand LSU when he finished with 185 and 207 yards passing respectively. He threw two touchdowns against Bama and one against LSU. He also threw one pick in both games as well.
3) Geno Smith, West Virginia University, Junior, 6’3”, 214 lbs
The 8-3 Mountaineers have been riding the electric arm of Smith’s all season long. Even in WVU’s three losses to LSU, Syracuse, and Louisville Smith has played well. He finished the game against LSU with 463 yards passing, 338 against Syracuse, and 410 against Louisville.
Smith has one more regular season game againstSouth Floridaremaining to add to his passing totals before their bowl game. Because the Big East only has eight conference members and not the twelve mandated for a conference title game, Smith will not get that extra game to pad his 2011 stats.
The Highlights:
Smith’s 5-1 touchdown to interception ratio (25-5) has been tremendous. He’s ninth in FBS in total offense per game with 332.91 yards per game, has seven games of 300 or more passing yards, and is fifth in the nation with 340 passing yards per game.
3,741 total passing yards has Smith ranked sixth in the nation.
The Lowlights:
Smith takes too many sacks (25) and his 65 percent completion rate ranks him 28th best in the nation.
Smith already puts up great numbers. One could argue that he should put up even better numbers in a weak Big East conference, but that is splitting hairs.
2) Robert Griffin III, Baylor University
An advertisement for Baylor football should read, “Baylor football is… Robert Griffin.” RG3 is the ultimate all around college football quarterback and arguably one of the best players in college football.
In Baylor’s three losses to Kansas State, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State RG3 put up 346 passing yards against KSU, 430 against A&M, and 425 on OSU. The big statistic against those three teams is each team held Griffin to his three lowest rushing totals of the season, 6, 15, and 27 rushing yards respectively.
The Highlights:
Griffinhas thrown for 300 or more yards in eight games this season, over 400 yards in four of those games. His 34-5 TD-INT ratio, 72.6 completion percentage, 334.46 passing yards per game proves he is a complete quarterback.
College football passer rankings: 6th in passing yards per game (334), 2nd in total offense per game (390), and 2nd in quarterback rating (191.1).
The Lowlights:
It’s hard to poke too many holes inGriffin’s game but his 22 sacks on the season is a start.
He had season low totals last weekend against Texas Tech after being knocked out of the game with a concussion. He still finished the game with a passing touchdown, as he has every game this year.
1)Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State University, Senior, 6’4”, 218 lbs
The only knock on Weeden as a college football quarterback is his age; he’s 28. No wait, that will be the knock on him going into the NFL. As college quarterbacks go, Weeden is great.
Weeden has led the Cowboys to a 10-1 record with a chance for a BCS Bowl berth. Even in Oklahoma State’s lone loss to Iowa State Weeden was great when he threw for 476 yards. His three interceptions against the Cyclones… were not so great.
The Highlights:
Eight games of 300 or more yards passing, three of those games he was over 400, one of those was over 500.
College football passer rankings: 2nd in passing yards per game (374), third in total passing yards (4,111) but should move into second barring injury after this weekend’s game against Oklahoma, fifth in touchdown passes thrown with 34, and eighth in quarterback rating (162.2).
The Lowlights:
Not too many holes to poke here. His 12 interceptions and 11 sacks could be improved upon. He has improved on his completion percentage from 2010, 67 to 73 percent.
Weeden was held to 218 passing yards against the Longhorns in Austin, the only defensive minded team he has faced all season.
Weeden may not be the best all around quarterback in the Big 12 with Robert Griffin lurking behind him. But should he have a great game against OU will Heisman voters realize how much better Weeden is than Andrew Luck?
Honorable Mentions
Ryan Alpine, Arkansas State
11th in total offense in FBS, averages 262 passing yards per game
Dan Persa, Northwestern
After returning from an injury, he leads FBS in completion percentage
Andrew Luck, Stanford
Luck is a media darling but statistically the fifth best QB in the PAC-12
Kellen Moore, Boise State
Average numbers in a non-BCS power conference, 290 passing yards per game
Zac Dysert, Miami of Ohio
Averages a FBS 11th best 293 passing yards per game
Brock Osweiler, Arizona State
Averages 303 passing yards per game, TD-INT ratio is poor (2-1)
10 Reasons Why No. 3 Arkansas will Beat No.1 LSU
The previous 2011 “game of the century” between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama will be a forgotten afterthought Friday night when No. 3 Arkansas travels to Death Valleyto take on No. 1 LSU. In a season full of upsets, the Razorbacks look to add one more team to the list.
Arkansasvs. LSU has quietly become one of the best SEC rivalry games and one of the best throughout college football. Since 2005 Arkansas and LSU have split their series 3-3. 21 total points separates the winning team from the losing team with Arkansas having the largest winning margin, winning by 8 points in 2010 in Little Rock, Arkansas. That’s a 3.5 average margin of victory between the two schools.
This year’s winner not only receives the Golden Boot Trophy but should end up in the BCS National Title Game. Thankfully CBS put this game back on the schedule the Friday after Thanksgiving before a college football hungry crowd.
The following article details how and why the Hogs will beat the Tigers.
Bobby Petrino versus Les Miles
Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino has defeated Les Miles two out of the three times they have faced each other as head coaches in the SEC. In 2010 No. 12 Arkansas beat No. 6 LSU 31-23, 2009 No. 17 LSU beat unranked Arkansas 33-30 in overtime, and in 2008 Arkansas beat LSU 31-30.
Les Miles may have a BCS National Championship Trophy on his mantle but after Friday’s Razorback win over the Tigers so will Petrino.
Arkansas’ Improved Defense
In 2010 the Razorbacks finished the season ranked 36th in total defense. The Razorbacks’ defensive play started out poorly in 2011.Arkansasgave up 397 total yards of offense to Alabama in week four and 628 total yards to Texas A&M in week five.
Since their early season troubles the Hogs have slowly started to dominate their opponents on defense. The Hogs’ defense is currently ranked 44th in total defense.
The turnaround in play is due to the return of healthy players on defense. The Hogs were without both starting defensive ends Jake Bequette and Tank Wright and both starting cornerbacks Darius Winston and Isaac Madison for several games during the heart of their midseason schedule.
With the starters returning to action,Arkansasdefensive coordinator Willy Robinson has been able to develop more depth on the team but more importantly start calling stunts and blitzes again. The base 4-3 defense the Hogs had to run was putting very little pressure on the opposing quarterbacks.
Arkansas’ Improved Running Game
Breaking in three new starters along any college football team’s offensive line will take time before the players gel. The amount of time for the entire line to gel may take longer when two true freshmen, a junior college transfer, two sophomores, and two seniors are learning to play together for the first time.
Offensive line coach Chris Klenakis has progressively done a solid job of getting these guys ready to play week after week. Early season run blocking woes have subsided with the return of running backs Dennis Johnson and Broderick Green from injury.
Johnson, a junior, missed all of 2010 with a bowel injury and started the 2011 season with a hamstring injury. Johnson was slow to get back to full health but by the seventh game of the season he had a season high 15 rushing attempts for 160 yards. Over the past five games Johnson has averaged 98.6 rushing yards per game.
Johnson is only 44 total rushing yards behind LSU’s leading rusher Spencer Ware and 19 rushing yards behind LSU’s second leading rusher Michael Ford on the year.
Senior running back Broderick Green was thought to be lost for the entire 2011 season after tearing his ACL in spring practices. Green returned for the Texas A&M game to provide depth and power running for the Hogs on short yardage and goal line plays. Green has five rushing touchdowns in the six games he has played in this year.
Fearing the LSU Defense?
LSU was among the top defensive teams in the nation during the 2010 season finishing 12th in total defense. 2011 has been an even better statistical year for LSU’s second ranked defense in total yards allowed per game. But is LSU’s defense really better than last year’s?
The loss of lock-down cornerback Patrick Peterson was thought to be difficult to replace along with his abilities as a kickoff and punt returner. Middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard was a beast for LSU in 2010 totaling 116 tackles. Who has replaced these leaders on defense?
LSU’s leading tacklers are safeties Brandon Taylor and Eric Reid with 61 and 58 tackles respectively. It’s not unusual for a safety to lead a defense in tackles but it is preferred that your linebackers make stops before the running back gets to “the defense’s next level”.
Junior cornerback Morris Claiborne has continued to play well in Peterson’s absence. Claiborne led the Tigers in interceptions in 2010 with five and has four this year.
No one has replaced Peterson’s special teams play on punt returns. Tyrann Mathieu leads the Tigers with 186 return yards with no punt returns for a touchdown.
Another note about LSU’s defense is the skewed statistics they have tallied this season. In games against Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, and Ole Miss the Tigers were facing either the worse offensive units in the SEC or a backup quarterback.
Also, last year was a stellar year for offensive players in the SEC. There’s an impressive list of offensive SEC players that are gone to the NFL or injured this season. The list includes: Ryan Mallett, Cam Newton, Darvin Adams, Marcus Lattimore, Greg McElroy, Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, Mike Hartline, Derrick Locke, Knile Davis, Randall Cobb, and A.J. Green. Without these players in the SEC it seems easier for teams to rack up stronger defensive numbers than in 2010.
Arkansas has Better Playmakers on Offense than LSU
Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson leads the SEC in passing yards with 3,215 total yards. Jarrett Lee is 7th in the SEC with 1,306 total passing yards.
Arkansas’ senior receiver Jarius Wright is tied for the lead the SEC in receiving yards with 1,002 yards despite missing one game this season. LSU’s leading receiver is Ruben Randle with 755 yards.
Arkansas’ second leading receiver is Joe Adams with 595 total receiving yards. LSU’s second leading receiver is Odell Beckham with 410 total yards, 47 total receiving yards behind Arkansas’ tight end Chris Gragg and 31 total receiving yards behind the Hogs’ third leading wide receiver Cobi Hamilton.
LSU’s Spencer Ware has 650 total rushing yards to Dennis Johnson’s 606. Johnson has a 6.7 yard per carry average to Ware’s 4.1. Ware has also carried the ball 160 times; Johnson only has 91 rushing attempts on the season.
Overconfidence of LSU
LSU’s team confidence seems to be at an all time high, and rightfully so. They are the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation with quality wins over Oregon and Alabama.
LSU is battle tested after playing six ranked teams with two of those teams being Top 10 teams at the time of the game, but so are the Razorbacks.
Arkansas has played four ranked teams this season with two of those teams being in the Top 10. Mississippi State was ranked at the time LSU played the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were not rank at the time Arkansas played them.
Three of the ranked teams LSU beat are no longer ranked.
Win One for Garrett Uekman
AfterArkansastook care of Mississippi State Saturday inLittle Rock44-17, the team was shocked to find out that their teammate Garrett Uekman had passed away Sunday. The sudden death of the 19-year-old redshirt freshman tight end will undoubtedly have a dramatic affect on the team entering the LSU game.
Not that the Razorbacks need extra motivation for their game against the Tigers with a possible BCS National Title Game berth on the line, but the opportunity to rally around a fallen player can prove to be an emotional and powerful tool for any team looking for a motivational edge.
LSU’s Defense versus Passing Offenses
LSU has not faced a passing offense likeArkansas’ this season. How well do the Tigers’ defense respond to offensive minded teams?
Oregon’s offense outgained LSU’s 335 to 273. The Ducks also ran 12 more plays than the Tigers, had a 4.1 yard per play average to the Tiger’s 3.9. Darron Thomas threw for 240 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception against LSU.
West Virginia’s quarterback Geno Smith threw for 463 yards against the mighty Tiger defense. Smith finished the game 38 of 65 with 2 touchdowns and 2 picks. The Mountaineers outgained LSU 533 to 366.
Oregon and West Virginia both lost the turnover battle against the Tigers. The Ducks fumbled three times losing all three times while the Mountaineers also fumbled three times losing the ball twice. LSU interceptedOregononce and WVU twice.
LSU did not throw an interception against either team.
Even “run first” Alabama not only outgained LSU’s passing attack, throwing for 199 yard to LSU’s 91 total passing yards but more importantly had success against their secondary.
One can argue that LSU’s bend but don’t break defense works. One can also argue that LSU has been lucky and, to their benefit, opportunistic at the right time.
Arkansas has the 10th best passing offense in college football with pass catching ability at wide receiver, tight end, and running back. Arkansas has a talent level and overall team speed that LSU has not faced in 2011. In 2010 Arkansas gave this same LSU defense trouble as the Hogs finished with 320 yards passing with three touchdowns.
The Hogs’ 5-2 Defense is ready to stop the Tiger’s Rushing Attack
Many fans may forget that the Hogs experimented with a 5-2 defense against early season foes and in fall practices. The thought was the Razorbacks could stop Alabama’s rushing attack with a 5-2 defensive front. The 5-2 defense was not put into use against the Tide as both of Arkansas’ starting defensive ends did not play a full game against Bama.
The Razorbacks have their starters back and depth along the defensive front. Look for the Hogs to use the 5-2 defense against the Tigers to slow down their running game making LSU one-dimensional. The Hogs would love for Jordan Jefferson or Jarrett Lee to try to beat them with their arm.
Arkansas has been slow to stop the opposition’s quarterbacks from running at times during the season. Using a 5-2 defense will help keep Jefferson contained and limit running opportunities throughout the game as well.
The Razorbacks are Overdue!
The last Arkansas Razorback National Championship in football came in 1964. The Hogs have been a couple of games away a time or two in the past but have not been this close to playing for the national championship since 2006.
The SEC has won five straight BCS National Championships with three of those wins coming from their SEC West counterparts: Florida in 2007, LSU in 2008, Florida in 2009, Alabama in 2010, and Auburn in 2011. Arkansas would like to add the sixth straight title to the SEC’s run.
College Football: Mississippi State Trying to Catch No. 6 Arkansas Looking Ahead
The tale of two teams thought to be on a similar rise in the SEC West just a season ago could not be any more different as the Mississippi State Bulldogs travel to Little Rock, Arkansas this weekend in an attempt to knock off No. 6 Arkansas.
Last season Mississippi State, 9-4, appeared to be on the brink of taking a major step towards contending with the SEC West elite teams. The Bulldogs had wins over SEC powerhouses Georgia, Florida, and crushed their in-state rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. MSU finished the season with a 52-14 win over University of Michigan in the Gator Bowl.
The return of 15 starters and a preseason ranking of No. 20 brought high expectations for Mississippi State’s head coach Dan Mullen. High hopes have turned to a disappointing season for the 5-5 Bulldogs. Instead of challenging the SEC upper crust teams, Mullen has two games left to become bowl eligible.
The Razorbacks finished 2010 with their first appearance in a BCS Bowl when they accepted a bid to play Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. Even with the departure of quarterback Ryan Mallett and Mackey Award winning tight end D.J. Williams to the NFL along with only returning 11 starters, the Hogs have surpassed their preseason No. 15 ranking.
The 9-1 Arkansas Razorbacks have been focused and sharp entering the stretch run of their season after two lackluster road performances against lower tiered SEC teams Vanderbilt and Ole Miss. Arkansas easily defeated then No. 10 South Carolina 44-28 and University of Tennessee 49-7 in back-to-back home games as they narrow in on the biggest game of their season against No. 1 LSU.
The Bulldogs have struggled off and on all season as indicated by their 5-5 record. There has been inconsistent quarterback play between the shuffling in and out of senior Chris Relf, sophomore Tyler Russell, and freshman Dylan Farve. Combined the quarterbacks are averaging 204 passing yards per game with 10 total interceptions thrown on the season.
MSU senior running back Vick Ballard has suffered through poor offensive line play and a lack of a passing attack to put up solid numbers on the season. Ballard is ranked 6th in the SEC with 811 total rushing yards, though the majority of his rushing yards have come in non-conference games – 437 yards.
MSU’s defense has played well without the support of the offense. The Bulldog defense is ranked 40th in the nation in total defense holding teams to 353 yards per game.
The Razorbacks underperformed on defense in tough games on the road early in the season but have made significant strides over the past four contests. The addition of injured players Tank Wright, Isaac Madison, Darius Winston, and Jake Bequette back into the defensive rotation has allowed defensive coordinator Willy Robinson more flexibility in calling stunts and blitzes.
Throughout the season Arkansas has relied on the arm of quarterback Tyler Wilson. Wilson’s 2,850 total passing yards leads the SEC and he is second in touchdown passes thrown with 18. His favorite target, Jarius Wright, leads the SEC in total receiving yards with 906 and 11 receiving touchdowns even though he has missed one game this season -Troy.
Razorback fans are fearful that the Hogs will get caught looking ahead to LSU by a hungry Bulldog team. Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino is well aware of the talent Mississippi State has despite their 5-5 record. In 2010 MSU took Arkansas into double overtime before the Hogs pulled out a 38-31 victory on a seven yard touchdown pass by Ryan Mallett to Knile Davis.
What’s at Stake for Both Teams?
An upset victory over Arkansas would knock the Hogs out of contention for a possible shared SEC West Division Title and take away a potential BCS Bowl berth. The Razorbacks are well aware of what is riding on the line against MSU.
A Bulldogs win would mean they are bowl eligible for a second year in a row, something the Bulldogs have only done two other times in school history, 1980-81 and 1999-2000.
Inside the Mississippi State versus Arkansas Game
Vick Ballard and Chris Relf both rushed for over 100-yards with four combined touchdowns against the Razorbacks last year.
Jarius Wright had 2 catches for 105 yards and 1 touchdown last year against MSU.
Arkansas averages 455 yards of total offense per game ranking 26th in FBS.
Arkansas’ defense allows an average of 375 yards per game, 56th in FBS.
Mississippi State gains an average of 373 total yards of offense per game.
Arkansas averages 38.80 points per game.
Mississippi State averages 25.80 points per game.
Mississippi State holds teams to 19.20 points per game.
Arkansas holds teams to 21.50 points per game.
Arkansas averages 311 passing yards per game.
Mississippi State averages 203.80 passing yards per game.
Mississippi State’s pass defense is limiting teams to 186 yards per game.
MSU’s lone conference win came against 4-6 Kentucky.
Arkansas has won nine straight games in Little Rock.
The Razorbacks have won 11 of the last 12 games versus Mississippi State.
Prediction
Mississippi State could salvage their season by beating the Hogs inLittle Rock.Arkansascould throw away a possible shared SEC West Divisional Conference Title, a potential SEC Championship Game berth, and a possible BCS Bowl bid by losing to the Bulldogs. Both teams have a lot to play for only Arkansas has a lot to lose.
Playing at home, Arkansas has more talent, one of the best passing attacks in college football, and more riding on the line.
Petrino delivers Arkansas’ first undefeated season at home since 1999.
Final Score
Arkansas 28, Mississippi State 13
Last week the SEC accomplished a feat they had never done before, they gave college football fans two games in the same week featuring four top ten teams. This week the excitement is not as great on a national level but there is plenty of intrigue as mid-level teams continue to fight for bowl eligibility.
The matchup of the weekend pits cross-divisional teams No. 24 Auburn at No. 14 Georgia. 5-4 Florida travels to No. 15 South Carolina in hopes of becoming bowl eligible and 4-5 Vanderbilt hosts 4-5 Kentucky in a must win game for both teams.
LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas all play non-ranked teams with Bama traveling to Mississippi State. No surprise that each team’s fan base is praying for a shocking loss for the other’s programs.
Ole Miss welcomes Louisiana Tech in the first of three farewell games for soon to be departing head coach Houston Nutt.
Auburn versus Georgia
The Auburn versus Georgia game will pit the strength of each team against the other, running the ball. Auburn holds an edge here with sophomore running back Michael Dyer.
Dyer is second in the SEC in total rushing yards with 989 and third in rushing touchdowns having collected nine scores.
Bulldog true freshman running back Isaiah Crowell is sixth in the SEC in total rushing yards with 689 despite missing Georgia’s last game due to a suspension.
The pivotal point between the two teams will come down to quarterback play. The edge swings back in Georgia’s favor here.
Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray is second in the SEC in total passing yards having thrown for 2,060. His 23 passing touchdowns leads the SEC. Murray’s eight interceptions is second in the conference to departed Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia.
Tiger quarterback Clint Moseley will make his third career start against a Bulldog defense ranked 7th in the FBS. Moseley threw for 160 yards, his season high, against Ole Miss two weeks ago. He finished the game 12-15 with four passing touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Auburn is coming off a bye thus they should be rested and ready. But Georgia should get some quality contributors back on the field this weekend too when wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and running back Carlton Thomas return from an injury and suspension respectively.
Between the two teams Auburn is more battle tested having played six teams currently ranked or ranked at one time during the season to Georgia’s four.
Auburn has the 75th rated defense in the country to Georgia’s 7th ranked defense.
Georgia has the momentum riding a seven game winning streak with a solid opportunity to wrap up the SEC East division title.
Final Score
Georgia 28, Auburn 21
Florida versus South Carolina
Revenge game, new rivalry game, whatever you want to call it these two teams will get after each other come Saturday. Both teams have season goals and bragging rights riding on the outcome.
If South Carolina wins they stay alive in the race for the SEC East divisional title. Should they lose, Georgia wins the SEC East and the Gamecocks will have to fight for a better bowl bid and/or play spoiler to in-state rival Clemson during the last weekend of the season.
A win by 5-4 Florida makes the Gators bowl eligible and takes some of the heat off of first year coach Will Muschamp and his infamous offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.
Gamecock quarterback Connor Shaw is expected to play this week after taking a vicious hit from Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette in last week’s game. Shaw was suffering from concussion-like symptoms after the game.
Florida is also expecting their starting quarterback John Brantley to play after injuring himself against Vanderbilt last week as well.
Florida’s defense is stingy against the run which is what the Gamecocks need to do well in order to beat the Gators. Against the Hogs the Gamecocks were held to 79 total rushing yards.
The Gamecocks entered theArkansasgame only allowing 135.88 passing yards per game. Quarterback Tyler Wilson piled up 299 passing yards with two scores against the vaunted Gamecock defense. What can Brantley do against the same defense especially if safety DeVonte Holloman is not cleared to play for USC?
The Gators are hoping senior running back Chris Rainey will return to the lineup after injuring his ankle against Georgia.
The wheels seem to be coming off for Steve Spurrier and his Gamecock team. Can he keep his team together for three more regular season games?
Florida becomes bowl eligible on Saturday.
Final Score
Florida 24, South Carolina 21
Kentucky versus Vanderbilt
Looking over the SEC schedules before the season started the Wildcats vs. the Commodores game is not one of the games most fans circled. Yet the game holds heavy importance for both teams.
4-5 Kentucky is riding a five-game bowl appearance streak with three games left to play. 4-5 Vanderbilt is looking to go bowling for only the fifth time in the team’s history and the first time since 2008.
Head coach Joker Phillips is in his second year with the Wildcats. James Franklin is a first year head coach for the Commodores. Both coaches are trying to build a solid SEC program and need a win this weekend to keep their bowl hopes alive.
Phillips will call upon true freshman Maxwell Smith (Granada Hills,California) for the third game in a row to lead his team. Smith has played well in the place of injured quarterback Morgan Newton. Newton is healthy enough to play this week but will serve as the team’s second string quarterback.
The missing element fromKentucky’s offense this year has been a passing attack. Smith threw for 283 yards on 19 completions with two touchdowns against Ole Miss last week igniting hope for Wildcat fans that they can finish the season strong.
With the passing game elevated the running game has responded as well. CoShik Williams had a game-high 111 rushing yards on 25 carries finding the end zone twice against the Rebels.
Vanderbilt has continued their maturation process this season. The Commodores were a couple of plays away from possibly beating Georgia, Arkansas, and Florida over their past four games. Franklin’s young team has not learned how to win yet. The SEC East better watch out for this team next season.
Jordan Rodgers continues to impress after taking over for senior quarterback Larry Smith. Rodgers has started the last three games and finished last week’s game against Florida with 297 yards passing, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Commodore running back Zac Stacey was held to 23 rushing yards after back-to-back 100-yard performances against Army and Arkansas.
The game will come down to which defense can make the other team’s offense make mistakes. This heavily favors Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt has the 30th ranked defense in the nation despite not having much support from the offense for most of the season.
Vanderbilt keeps their bowl hopes alive.
Final Score
Vanderbilt 28, Kentucky17
Alabama versus Mississippi State
After last week’s “game of the century” most college football fans want to see how Bama will respond. Will they have a let-down game or will they come out and prove a point by punishing MSU? Either way LSU and Arkansas will be interested in the final outcome as their season’s final outcome could be made easier with a Bama loss.
On paper this game is a mismatch heavily favoring Alabama.
Mississippi State allows 349 yards of total offense per game. Alabama is the top ranked defense holding teams to 187 total yards.
Alabamahas the best rush defense in the country averaging 56.33 yards per game, Mississippi State 161.22.
Alabama averages 214 rushing yards per game, MSU 187 yards.
5-4 Mississippi State hosts Bama this week, travels toArkansasnext week, and hosts Ole Miss on the final weekend of the season. This is a tough road to walk down for head coach Dan Mullen trying to get his team to the all important six win plateau.
Final Score
Alabama 38, MSU 7
Louisiana Tech versus Ole Miss
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are one of the more intriguing teams in college football. They easily could have won the four games they lost, Southern Miss 19-17, Houston 34-35, and Mississippi State 26-20 and be undefeated going into the stretch run of their Western Athletic Conference schedule. As it is the Bulldogs need this win against Ole Miss to become bowl eligible.
The game is not without some controversy as embattled Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt resigned on Monday which will be effective come November 26. After losing 12-straight SEC games how will his team respond this week? Will they rally around Nutt or have they already given up on the season?
The Bulldogs are on a four-game winning streak. Look for them to shock a SEC team on the road.
Louisiana Tech 34, Ole Miss 28
Western Kentuckyversus LSU
It’s the top ranked team in the nation with one of the best defenses in the nation going up against a 5-4 Sun Belt Conference team that lost 14-3 toKentuckyduring the first week of the season.
LSU sleepwalks through this one.
LSU 48, WKU 6
Tennessee versus Arkansas
Tennessee looks to do the near impossible this weekend by knocking off No. 8 Arkansas on the road.
Arkansas responded well to their home surroundings last weekend after playing four of five games on the road. The Hogs easily defeated then No. 10 South Carolina 44-28.
The Vols are coming off a feel good win over Middle Tennessee State, 24-0.
Tennessee’s defense is SEC caliber but the offense is not.
There is an outside chance that Tyler Bray may return for this game. At 4-5 Dooley may sit his starter in hopes of winning their final two games to become bowl eligible. Why risk an injury to Bray with post season hopes hinging on his play during the final two games?
Arkansas’ passing attack has remained solid all year long behind the play of quarterback Tyler Wilson.Wilson leads the SEC in passing yards and his top target, Jarius Wright, leads the SEC in receiving yards with 812 and receiving touchdowns with nine.
The one shining offensive production for the Vols has been wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers. Rogers has assumed the No. 1 wide receiver role after Justin Hunter tore his ACL earlier in the season.Rogersis second in the SEC in receiving yards with 780 and tied for second in receiving touchdowns with seven.
Hogs win their sixth game in a row in front of a happy Reynolds Razorback Stadium crowd.
Arkansas 45, Tennessee 17
SEC College Football Preview: Tennessee Travels to No. 8 Arkansas
If the lyrics to “Rocky Top” were a prayer to the football gods, University of Tennessee fans would be singing day and night this week to help their Vols in a showdown against No. 8 Arkansas.
Tennesseehead coach Derek Dooley may be living on a hope and a prayer to keep his team’s bowl hopes alive. After making two straight bowl appearances, 4-5 Tennessee is in desperate need of two wins in their final three games to reach the six win plateau needed for post season play. Playing Arkansas on the road does not help their cause.
Tennessee has been without starting sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray since October 8, when he broke his thumb against Georgia. Bray tweeted earlier in the week that he would be back for theArkansasgame but Dooley was not optimistic in his weekly news conference about Bray’s availability.
In Bray’s place senior backup quarterback Matt Simms was named the starter. Against improbable odds Simms had to face No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama in back-to-back games. After a poor showing in both games, Dooley replaced Simms with true freshman Justin Worley (Rock Hill, South Carolina) as part of an ongoing youth movement in Knoxville.
In Worley’s first start againstSouth Carolina he finished the game 10 of 26 for 105 yards passing with two interceptions, playing like a true freshman. Against Middle Tennessee Worley settled in for 291 passing yards on 23 completions in 32 attempts.
Not helping Worley’s cause is senior running back Tauren Poole. Poole production has been disappointing playing behind a young offensive line. Over the last two games Poole rushed 18 times for 38 yards against USC and the Blue Raiders held Poole to 13 rushing yards on 11 attempts. His two rushing touchdowns last week doubled his season total to four.
For the season Poole is ninth in the SEC in rushing with 513 total yards but his 3.5 yards per carry average tell a different story. His lone 100-yard rushing game came against University of Buffalo after a bye week in Tennessee’s fourth game of 2011.
Looking for a way to spark Tennessee’s limited offense, Dooley started running the Wildcat offense with freshman Jaron Toney against the Blue Raiders. Toney rushed 19 times for 52 yards. True freshmanMarlin Lane (Daytona Beach, Florida) returned to full-game action last week rushing for 37 yards on 9 attempts.
Arkansas welcomed the friendly confines of Reynolds Razorback Stadium last week when they hostedSouth Carolinaafter spending four of their previous five games on the road. The Razorbacks had a somewhat sloppy yet dominating performance over the Gamecocks.
The Hogs accumulated 435 total yards of offense while only committing one turnover against a Gamecock defense that entered the game ranked sixth in college football. The offensive line gelled in pass blocking situations limiting the Gamecock defense to one sack. With the extra time to throw, Razorback quarterback Tyler Wilson came one passing yard shy of 300.
The Hog running attack gained momentum again behind Dennis Johnson’s game high 86 yards rushing on 15 attempts. Broderick Green and Ronnie Wingo Jr. both added rushing touchdowns in route to amassing 136 total rushing yards.
The offensive line still has room for improvement in short-yardage and goal line situations. Twice in the fourth quarter the Razorbacks failed to convert rushing attempts on fourth and one. Both attempts saw big back Broderick Green, a straight-up and down runner, stopped for a loss.
The Razorback defense did a good job of containing the Gamecock offense and true freshman running back Brandon Wilds. Wilds gained 21 rushing yards on 10 attempts.
The Hogs have continued to show a weakness at covering the opposing quarterback when he chooses to run on a busted pass play. The slow recognition of the safeties and linebackers has kept teams like Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, and South Carolina in contention instead of stopping drives and limiting scores.
USC quarterback Connor Shaw rushed for two touchdowns against the Hogs last week extending a three-game streak of rushing touchdowns allowed by the opposing quarterback; Jordan Rodgers, Vanderbilt, and Randall Mackey, Ole Miss.
The final 44-28 score against the No. 10 Gamecocks was not indicative of the performance the Razorbacks displayed. The Hogs dropped two would be touchdown passes and Zack Hocker missed two field goals in uncharacteristic fashion.
Inside the Tennessee vs. Arkansas Game
Arkansas features the 23rd best total offense in the nation averaging 450.89 yards per game with the 15th best scoring offense scoring 38 points per game.
Tennesseehas the 31st best defense in college football limiting teams to 343 total yards per game.
The unfortunate problem for the Vols is their lack of offensive production. The defense is SEC capable but they tend to wear down in the second half due to time on the field and lack of depth.
Derek Dooley’s offense sputters without Tyler Bray under center. Practicing the Wildcat against another team was smart but also a waste of a surprise option against the Hogs. Arkansas will prepare for running back Jaron Toney lining up as the Vols quarterback.
With the return of key injured defensive players slowly matriculating back onto the field, the Hogs have increased their total defense ranking from a lowly 64th in the nation going into the Ole Miss game to 55th best after USC. Look for the Hogs to gain more ground in this statistical category on Saturday.
Tennessee’s scoring offense is the 90th worst in FBS averaging 23 points per game.
The Hogs rush defense has steadily improved as well. Once ranked 95th in the nation, they have improved to 79th best/worst in FBS dropping the oppositions average rushing yards per game to 176 yards per game instead of 189 per game just a few weeks ago.
Tennessee does a great job of limiting the opposition on kickoff returns holding teams to 18.31 yards per return. Derrick Brodus will not be in an Arkansas fraternity house waiting for a phone call from Dooley this weekend. If starting kicker Michael Palardy is not fully healthy the Hog’s kickoff returner Dennis Johnson will give Tyler Wilson excellent starting field position all night. The Razorbacks enter the game with the 10th best kickoff return game in FBS.
Tyler Wilson continues to perform week after week for the Hogs. His 291.78 passing yards per game is 11th best in FBS.Wilsontrails last year’s starter Ryan Mallett by 1,243 total passing yards on the season. With four, possibly five, games left to play,Wilsoncould eclipse Mallett’s 2010 record setting numbers if he averages 311 yards per game over the next four contests.
Tennessee allows 187 passing yards per game. USC had the third best pass defense in the nation holding teams to 136 passing yards per game.
Prediction
The Razorbacks seemed rejuvenated playing at home last week. They have two more games at home before traveling to Baton Rouge to take on No. 1 LSU.
Head coach Bobby Petrino appears to have his team starting to hit all cylinders again going down the back stretch of the season.Arkansasis still coming together as a team. The defense is starting to play better, the kicking game is solid, and the running game is improving. They take another step closer this week.
Regardless if Bray, Worley, or Simms is under center for the Vols whoever will have a tough time keeping pace with Wilson and the Razorback offense.
Petrino has not gone for the jugular on any team in conference this year. He also has not abandoned the run, for better or for worse, in late game situations. His coaching tactics is starting to pay dividends regardless of the style points he may have loss with AP voters and some fans. The Hogs will need some form of a running attack come November 25.
Should the Hogs hold a commanding lead by halftime look for Dooley to get more playing time to his younger players, as has been the case for the Vols most of the season. Resting some of his starters in the second half against Arkansas in preparation for their final two games may seem like poor sportsmanship but too much is riding on the line for Tennessee’s program and Dooley’s recruiting to miss out on a bowl this year.
The Vols expect Bray to be back for their final two games against Vanderbilt andKentucky. His presence in the lineup would be an emotional lift for his team this weekend, but not enough of a lift to affect the outcome of the game.
Tennessee may attempt to blitz Wilson more than the Gamecocks did. Look for quick strike pass plays instead of play-action passes once Vols defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox tips his hand.
Petrino will keep the same game plan he has for weeks. Spread the opposition’s secondary out, drag his receivers across, get one-on-one situations with his backs on the wings, and keep pounding the ball on short yardage plays until the backs and offensive line click.
Final Score
Arkansas 45, Tennessee 17
College Football Preview: Outcome of every SEC Game in Week 10
The SEC takes the main stage of college football this weekend when four of the top ten teams in the nation square off in great intra-conference matchups. No. 10 South Carolina travels to No. 8 Arkansas and the game of the year takes place in Tuscaloosa when No. 1 LSU plays No. 2 Alabama.
Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi State go out of conference to play New Mexico State, Middle Tennessee State, and Tennessee-Martin respectively.
Two of the SEC’s most down trodden teams play each other when Ole Miss travels toKentucky. While Vanderbilt looks to keep their bowl hopes alive inGainesville.
Auburn is on a bye this week.
No. 1 LSU versus No. 2 Alabama
Tagged as the game of the century, top ranked and undefeated LSU looks to take down divisional rival Alabama for the right to claim the top spot in the SEC West.
Not much hype is needed for this game as all college football fans are interested in the outcome of this game. The winner could end up in the BCS National Championship game and give the SEC a chance to extend their national title run to six straight years.
LSU and Alabama are mirror images of each other. Both teams are highlighted by the best defenses in the nation and play a run-first pass as needed offense. Bama is ranked number one in total defense limiting opponents to 180.50 points per game. LSU has the fourth ranked defense allowing 251.38.
The key to the game will be either team’s ability to score on the other team’s defense.
Offensively Alabama holds the edge by producing an average of 457.63 yards per game to LSU’s 372.13. The styles are similar; grind out tough yards with the running game and wear down the opposition’s defense front to control the second half.
Bama quarterback AJ McCarron leads the SEC in pass completion percentage with an average of 67 percent. Tiger’s quarterback Jarrett Lee is not far behind completing 63.2 percent of his passes. Bama averages 228.38 passing yards to LSU’s 183.13.
A methodical running attack sets up late game scoring opportunities for both teams. Either team can go three to four-deep with their rotation in the backfield. The Tide holds an advantage on paper here as well. They average 229.25 rushing yards per game to LSU’s 189.
With two teams so closely matched offensively and defensively the game could come down to special teams play. This is where LSU separates themselves from Alabama.
LSU averages 41.08 net yards per punt. The Tide averages 36.37. The difference of five yards per punt may not seem like much on paper. Over the course of the game five yards here and five yards there can make a major difference in field position and offensive play calling.
Both teams average 23 yards per kickoff return. LSU has a slight edge with one kickoff returned for a touchdown.
If the game comes down to field goals between Jeremy Shelly, Alabama, and Drew Alleman, LSU, the Tigers get the nod here as well.
Alleman has a long of 44 yards to Shelly’s 37. Both kickers have missed two field goals during the season including one missed attempt from 30-39 yards. Alleman’s other miss was an attempt over 50 yards. Miles must feel that Alleman has the range which could be important in a highly contested game like this one.
LSU is battle tested, Alabama not so much. The current BCS rankings show LSU has a strength of schedule rated ninth best in the nation. Bama’s ranking has them tied for 57th best in FBS. Five of the Tiger’s eight games have been against teams ranked at the time of their game.
Three teams onAlabama’s schedule have been ranked at the time of their game; Penn State, Arkansas, and Florida.
LSU has played three ranked teams on the road this season; Oregon, Mississippi State, and West Virginia. Tuscaloosa is an environment at night unlike any other place in college football but LSU should not be easily affected as other teams when visiting Bryant-Denny Stadium.
It is hard to pick against a Nick Saban coached team. Les Miles has a national championship trophy sitting on his mantle too. Saban just has one more than Les.
Last Year’s Outcome
LSU 24, Alabama 21
Prediction
LSU has found a way to win all of their tough games this season, and win handily. Alabama may have the better coach and the home field advantage but…
Final Score
Alabama 17, LSU 20
No. 10 South Carolina versus No. 8 Arkansas
Arkansas takes on their fourth ranked team in the past six games when the Gamecocks visit Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday.
Based off preseason predictions both teams have struggled to meet expectations offensively and defensively this season despite their current rankings and matching 7-1 records.
In four of their past five games the Hogs have overcome double digits deficits before rallying to win. Included in those wins were sub-par performances against Ole Miss and Vanderbilt in their past two games.
South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier has had to overcome one difficult situation after another this season. Connor Shaw started the season under center for the Gamecocks only to be replaced by troubled senior Stephen Garcia in the second quarter of their first game. Garcia was dismissed from the team in week seven of the season for violation of team rules.
Shaw replaced Garcia as starting quarterback. Shaw was to count on the production of All-SEC running back Marcus Lattimore only to lose him at the end of that same week to an ACL injury suffered against Mississippi State.
Through shaky offenses, injuries, and poor defensive performances both teams are fighting for an opportunity to remain in contention for a SEC Conference Title Game appearance and a possible BCS bowl berth.
South Carolina had a bye week to prepare true freshman Brandon Wilds (Blythewood, South Carolina) for their first game without Lattimore. Wilds responded with 135 yards rushing on 28 attempts in a sluggish win over the Vols. Wilds also caught three passes for 31 yards.
Before his breakout performance against Tennessee, Wilds highest rushing totals had come against Kentucky when he rushed five times for 45 yards.
Connor Shaw has been inconsistent as the Gamecock starting quarterback. He threw for 311 yards against Kentucky but has regressed since then. Against MSU he only threw for 155 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. On the road against Tennessee he finished with 87 passing yards on 10 of 18 passing attempts.
The Hogs running game made a brief appearance for two games but took a big step back against the Commodores last week. Dennis Johnson was held to 52 yards rushing on nine attempts and was benched after fumbling the ball for the second straight game. Arkansas finished with 72-net rushing yards after quarterback Tyler Wilson was sacked three times for a loss of 21-yards.
South Carolina’s defense will get their first true test of the season against the Razorbacks. The Gamecocks defense has the sixth rated total defense in FBS but the Hogs have the ninth best passing attack in the nation.
Weakness on weakness pits Arkansas’ running game and USC’s rush defense. Can the Hogs take advantage?
The Razorbacks allowed two inferior opponents, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, to rack up 151 rushing yards and 222 yards respectively. The Hogs have to like that a true freshman is handling the ball for the Gamecocks. They have to hate that Wilds ran for 135 in his first game as a starter. They can only hope that the 28 carries last week wore him down some.
Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino has to be excited that he has made it through the most difficult part of his schedule to return home 7-1. Spurrier has to hate that his young team is Arkansas’ homecoming game.
The Razorbacks have been uninspired over their past two games but gain a spring in their step being home.
Final Score
Hogs 28, South Carolina 17
Vanderbilt versus Florida
Starting the season who would have thought that this game would hold some relevance within the SEC East standings? 4-4 Vanderbilt travels to 4-4Floridawith the winner taking possession of third place in the SEC East.
Both teams have four conference losses and appear to be going in opposite directions. Vanderbilt has played well over their past four games. Florida has lost four in a row.
The winner takes a step closer to earning a bowl bid as the SEC seventh seed. The loser of this game may miss out on a bowl game.
Vanderbilt has a top line defense to go against Florida’s failing offense, ranked 94th in the nation. Georgia was able to hold Florida to 226 total yards last week. Running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps were held to a combined 38 yards rushing in a losing effort to the Bulldogs.
Commodores quarterback Jordan Rodgers has slowly come along as a starting SEC quarterback. In his first two starts of the season he was less than spectacular throwing the ball against Georgia and Army.
Rodgers posted a quarterback rating of 17.7 against the Bulldogs and 43.1 against Army. In a heartbreaking loss to the Razorbacks, Rodgers finished the game with a 97.8 quarterback rating and had his first 200-yard passing game of the season.
James Franklin and Will Muschamp are first year head coaches with a lot at stake. Florida has their pride and reputation on the line. Vanderbilt has a young team with a successful future ahead of them.
Vanderbilt has found a way to keep games close but have not learned how to win yet. Look for Vanderbilt to keep the game close but lose another tight one in a tough environment.
Final Score
Florida 24, Vanderbilt 21
Mississippi versus Kentucky
This game holds a dubious honor for the winner… they are not the worst team in the SEC.
Ole Miss, 2-6, has shown signs of life over the past two games. Their 2011 recruiting class has started to contribute and the Rebels are getting healthier.
Kentucky, 3-5, has not turned the corner on their season to date. The offense has been one of the worst statistically in FBS, ranked 118th out of 120. The answer to the Wildcat’s woes may have been on Joker Phillips’ bench all season long in true freshman Maxwell Smith (Granada Hills, California).
Smith replaced starting quarterback Morgan Newton in the first quarter after Newton sprained his ankle against Mississippi State last week. Smith responded with a 26 for 33 passing effort for 174 yards.
Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt is on the hot seat and really needs this win. Realistically the Rebels will not make a bowl game this year for the second year in a row. Nutt needs to finish strong winning games against Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, and Mississippi State. Should Nutt stumble against any three of those teams his days in Oxford may be over.
Kentucky has a slight advantage playing at home but Ole Miss is due for a win.
Final Score
Ole Miss 36, Kentucky 24
New Mexico State versus No. 18 Georgia
If you have not heard Georgia could be in trouble this week. Chances areNew Mexico State does not have much of a chance against the Bulldogs butGeorgiais on upset alert.
Mark Richt suspended three of his top four running backs for violating team rules. Included in the suspensions is true freshman running back Isaiah Crowell. Crowell is fifth in the SEC in total rushing yards with 689 total yards. Top backup running back Richard Samuel suffered an ankle injury against Florida and may be lost for the season.
Georgia will count on two former walk-on running backs to provide the rushing attack for the Bulldogs this weekend.
Sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray should be able to provide enough offense for Georgia against the 3-5 Aggies. Credit is due to the Aggies who have played tough this season even if they have not played SEC caliber teams.
The Aggies have the 65th ranked defense in the nation allowing 228.25 total yards per game.Georgiahas the 56th ranked offense in the nation gaining 404 yards per game.
This game could be closer than people may realize or it could be a blowout if Murray and company choose to play with a decided edge. Either way, Georgia’s defense will need to come ready to play to help bail out the offense if needed.
Final Score
Georgia 34, New Mexico State 17
Middle Tennessee State versus Tennessee
Tennessee catches a break in their schedule after a rough in-conference season when the Blue Raiders visit Neyland Stadium.
The youth movement is under way in Knoxville with sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray still out with a thumb injury. Senior quarterback Matt Simms started the first two games after Bray’s injury without much success against the two best teams in the nation, LSU and Alabama.
Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley then started true freshman Justin Worely (Rock Hill, South Carolina) against the Gamecocks, also with limited success. Worley finished the game completing 10 passes out of 26 attempts for 105 yards, looking like a true freshman starting for the first time.
Worely was not the only Vols freshman to get a start against the Gamecocks. Offensive guard Marcus Jackson (Vero Beach,Florida), safety Byron Moore (Harbor City,California), and defensive tackle Maurice Couch (Orlando,Florida) all got their first starts last week.
The Blue Raiders have played better in non-conference games this season than within the Sun Belt Conference. MTSU hung tough with Purdue only losing by three and beat lowlyMemphis38-31.
Tennesseecompletes their non-conference schedule against MTSU needing this win for a chance to become bowl eligible.Tennessee’s three remaining games are on the road against No. 8 Arkansas, versus Vanderbilt, and atKentucky. Winning three of their last four games would put the Vols at 6-6 and in their third straight bowl game.
Tennesseehas been worn down come the fourth quarter against SEC defenses. Dooley should be able to win one at home and get continued playing time for next year’s team.
Final Score
Tennessee17, MTSU 13
Tennessee-Martin versus Mississippi State
A disappointing year for the Bulldogs can take another positive step forward with a non-conference win against Tennessee Martin on Saturday.
MSU is 4-4 on the season with two tough games remaining against Alabama and Arkansas. For the Bulldogs to become bowl eligible they need to beat the Skyhawks and in-state rival Mississippi to ensure their second straight bowl game appearance.
Last week against Kentucky the Bulldogs found balance with their tandem quarterback rotation. Senior Chris Relf has become the running quarterback and sophomore Tyler Russell the passing quarterback. Together the two quarterbacks combined for 264 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Relf added two rushing touchdowns.
Tennessee-Martin is a Football Champion Subdivision team.
Look for Mississippi State to run away with this one in a much needed confidence building game.
Final Score
Mississippi State 38, Tennessee Martin 24
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