Alabama 48, Kent State 7
There's a quarterback issue/problem in Tuscaloosa. A.J. McCarron looks like the better player; Phillip Sims looks pretty clueless. But is McCarron good enough to lead this team to an SEC championship? He was 14-of-23 for 226 yards and one td along with two interceptions. OK numbers, but the ints are a problem for S and the coaching staff. Sims was seven-of-14 for 73 yards, no TDs and two ints along with a lost fumble. I'm not sure there was total separation between the two in Saban's mind, but it's pretty clear that McCarron is the better option going into the Penn State game. But S makes it sound like the competition is still ongoing. He's not giving up on Sims because McCarron has not proved to be a reliable starter yet either. This team needs a quarterback like Greg McElroy, who was perfect for the offense two years ago that won the national championship. McElroy didn't make mistakes and was a leader. He was the consummate game manager. McCarron and Sims haven't shown that yet, though McCarron looks like the better player at this point. Not seeing a lot of leadership out of these two. They're young and inexperienced so I guess that's natural. McCarron should obviously start, but I have a feeling S will try and use Sims some this Saturday. If McCarron struggles, Sims will definitely come in. I have to be honest, I interviewed McCarron in high school and he wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box. Not sure if his Wunderlic will be north or south of Cam Newton's 21. The difference between him and Cam besides physical talent is Cam's high football IQ. McCarron not there yet. He played against Briarwood in the state championship game in 2008 and didn't do much. His senior year at St. Paul's in Mobile without some good weapons on his team, the team wasn't that great. I just don't know about him. He has the physical tools, but not sure about his mental game. He's better than Sims, that's for sure at this point.
Trent and Eddie Lacy and the offensive line, and, without a doubt, the defense, are going to have to carry this team for two or three games before one of these quarterbacks steps up and takes charge. Trent was OK against Kent State, but he'll be fine. Lacy looked very good. Marquis Maze had a great game at wideout with 8 catches for 181 yards and a TD. It'll help when Darius Hanks gets back, too, in the third game against North Texas and particularly in game four versus Arkansas. DeAndrew White looks like a good player. Duron Carter may provide some help out wide this weekend. Supposed to be a very talented guy and a big target at 6'4", 210. Defense was solid and that young linebacker, Trey DePriest, looks like a heckuva player to go along with the veterans at linebacker and in the secondary.
Penn State won 41-7 over Indiana State but they seem to be having qb problems as well. Robert Bolden, their sophomore, is battling it out with veteran Matt McGloin and they're not settled there, so the 'Bama defense could be primed for a big game against the slower, less explosive Penn State offense. Penn State will be a solid team that can run the football. Silas Reed rushed for 1o4 yards and two tds against Indiana State. The Nittany Lions ran for 245 yards in the game. Bolden is a good athlete and can run. Didn't run for many yards last Saturday, but he's capable. The defense is led by linebackers Mike Hull (7 tackles last Sat) and Mike Yancich (6 tackles). They also got two interceptions last week, so McCarron and Sims, if he's in, need to take care of the football. This will be a challenge, but I expect Trent and Lacy to have good games and the defense– Courtney Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower, Mark Barron and the other talented, physical players–to make a lot of plays; sacks, ints and fumbles. They should help the Tide get over the top. Tide better than the Nittany Lions. It's at Happy Valley so that makes it a little tougher. Tide a 10 point favorite.
The quarterback issue is something that needs to be worked out if Alabama wants to win a lot of games, win the SEC West, and make a run to the Sugar Bowl for the national title. LSU looked very good on Saturday Night over Oregon. They have a very good running game with Spencer Ware (26-98, 1 TD) and Michael Ford (14-96, 2 TDs). Jarrett Lee looks more than capable of leading this team. He's a fifth year senior and has that leadership intangible about him. He was 10-of-22 for 98 yards and one TD. He'll get better. I think LSU is in just as good of hands with Lee as they would be with Jordan Jefferson.
Arkansas won 51-7 and Tyler Wilson was 18-of-24 for 260 yards and two touchdowns with no ints. Arkansas' receivers are all world. State won 59-14. Of course, State has a huge game at Auburn this weekend. State is a 6 1/2 point favorite. They look really good with Chris Relf at qb and Vick Ballard at running back. The SEC West is going to be a war this year. Any of those four teams can win it. And I'm not totally counting out AU yet. They need to win this weekend. Arkansas plays at 'Bama on Sept 24, LSU comes to Tuscaloosa on Nov.5 and State hosts Alabama on Nov. 12. And the Iron Bowl is Nov. 26. Should be a good test this Saturday for Tide in Happy Valley. Game at 2:30 on ABC.
Auburn 42, Utah State 38
Was watching the Alabama game and had taped the Auburn game to watch right after, but caught the last five minutes and it was awesome. What a comeback by Barrett Trotter, Emory Blake and company. Barrett showed so much poise late. He finished the game 17-of-23 for 261 yards and three touchdowns. The Auburn receiving corps is fine with Blake, Lutzenkirchen and Travante Stallaworth among others. Like that group. Blake was the player of the game. What a recovery on the onsides kick. I wish they'd change the rule in college where a player on the kicking team can run with the ball after he catches the kick. Seems like a dumb rule that the player is ruled down at the spot. They need to change that. College football needs to upgrade that rule. Blake may have scored, but for sure would have gone a long way down the field. Great kick by the kicker, Chadler Brooks, as well. Loved how Auburn set up that kick. That was a very smart onsides kick play. Michael Dyer and McCalebb didn't have great games. They need to get better. Tre Mason looks like a very exciting player and could be a big help in the backfield. Ninety seven yard kickoff return. Wow. That was awesome. Again, have to stay healthy at running back. Oline trying to come together. There is talent there, but they're young and getting used to college game. Do like Reese Dismukes. Think he'll be a great one at center for the next three or four years. The Oline is a work in progress, but there is talent there to have a good year.
Defense could be problemetic. There is plenty of talent over there, but Utah State seemed to have their way on the line of scrimmage. Still think there are good players there with Jeffrey Whitaker, Corey Lemonier, Nosa Eguae and Dee Ford. Linebacker looks thin. Secondary needs to grow up pretty fast. Saw where lb Jonathan Evans got hurt. Hopefully he's OK and will be ready to go against State. Eltoro Freeman didn't play. Not sure when he'll be back and not sure if he'll ever reach his potential that was expected when he came in, but he could help if he steps up his play. Jake Holland played well at MLB. Darren Bates was pretty good at OLB. It's another work in progress. There are some good players just not a lot of experience. The Tigers are really going to have to step it up this weekend. The game is at home so that gives them a chance. I think Trotter is going to be a very good quarterback. Dyer and McCalebb are going to have to be better this weekend. State defense is pretty decent. They lost their d coordinator, Manny Diaz, to Texas, so they're probably not where they want to be yet. I think they're pretty decent on defense, not great. They'll get defensive tackle Fletcher Cox back this weekend so that should help them on line of scrimmage. State is a good football team. I was very impressed with them in the spring game and they looked pretty impressive against Memphis on Thursday. Auburn has their work cut out for them. Expecting a pretty high scoring game, but you never know when two good SEC teams meet. A lot of times defense proves to be the difference. But I think Relf and Ballard are going to put up some points and I think Trotter and company can do so as well. Should be an interesting, exciting game. 11:20 AM on SEC Network
Another blockbuster is South Carolina at Georgia @ 3:30 PM on ESPN. Stephen Garcia had to come in and rescue Spurrier over the weekend against East Carolina. I guess Spurrier was trying to send Garcia another message by not starting him. Apparently, Connor Shaw had outplayed Garcia in fall practice, but Shaw does not have very good arm strength. I watched Shaw in the spring game and wasn't very impressed.Garcia brought'em back to win 56-37. The SC defense didn't play well, but I think they'll get better. Georgia needs this one. Mark Richt really needs it. They're at home, so that helps them. But I like SC to win. Just think Lattimore, Garcia and Jeffery are too good for the Dawgs. I expect some points to be scored in this one.
Will have previews and predictions on Thursday.
(McCarron really needs to step it up against Penn State; Trotter needs to take his game up a notch, too, this Saturday against State.)