Week 8 Grades

No real standout performances this weekend. The better team won every game and no one really exerted themselves in dominant fashion.

LSU: A-
Rebounded nicely from last week’s debacle to pick up a nice conference road win. Weathered a 17-point Gamecock outburst in the 2nd quarter to play an otherwise solid defensive game. Held SC to 39 yds rushing and a 1.3 ypc avg and forced 3 turnovers. Solid outing from the young Tiger QBs and the veteran RBs. LSU’s best win of the season.

Tennessee: A-
Another fairly stagnant offensive performance for the Vols – 275 yds – but the defense was there as usual to carry them. Not 1, not 3, but 2 MSU passes were picked off and run back for TDs in the 4th quarter busting open a semi-close game. Eric Berry continues to get my vote for best player in conference. A good, much needed win on the 2nd Saturday in October considering what happens on the 3rd.

Georgia: B
Another one of those games that leaves you wanting more from the ‘Dawgs. Were obviously the most talented team on the field and dominated every statistic except the scoreboard. They led by only 7 at the break and won by only 10 despite outgaining VU by 180 yds. Cut back significantly on the penalties. Stafford has a ho-hum day but Moreno finally had his season breakout game with 170+ yds and a 7.5 ypc average.

Kentucky: B
Whoduthunkit? The offensively-challenged ‘Cats used two late TDs to snag a must-win game. The rushing defense was gouged early and often by Michael Smith, but the secondary held Casey Dick to 94 yds and 38% through the air. Outgained the Hogs for the game despite having the ball for 12 minutes less than Arkansas did. Randall Cobb caught 2 TD throws from Mike Hartline in the final 4:21 of the game to rally the ‘Cats (and save my College Pick ‘Em entry)

Ole Miss: B
Stop me if you’ve heard this before – Ole Miss played well Saturday, but careless turnovers cost them a shot a win. They have to be the best 3-4 team in the country. Actually scored on ‘Bama in the 1st quarter and were winning, both of which were Tide firsts this season. Outgained the Tide and were nearly able to take advantage of a lackadaisical 2nd half by Alabama.

Alabama: B-
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Early on, the Tide looked like the #2 team in the country and ready to challenge for a BCS title. For the rest of the game, they looked like Mike Dubose was back. Looked dominant in the 1st half, but completely different team in the 2nd half, particularly without Mt. Cody stuffing the run. Completely nullified the “Wild Rebel”. Will need to tighten things up and play a complete game at some point or it will cost them against LSU or UGA/UF.

Vanderbilt: B-
Despite being dominated in nearly every facet of the game, the ‘Dores once again found away to hang around against a more talented team. Although the defense gave up way too many yds (425), it did do a good job getting off the field when the opportunity was there, holding UGA to 1-8 on 3rd downs. WR Jamie Graham hauled in 2 TD passes from new starter Makenzi Adams.

Arkansas: C+
Snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the waning moments of the 4th quarter, but another improved effort for the first 50 minutes of the game. Michael Smith is a stud RB and had another big game, but the passing game provided no help. The defense bottled up UK for the most part – forcing 4 turnovers. Unfortunately, the Hogs committed 13 penalties for 102 yds and 4 TOs of their own.

South Carolina: C+
This is one of those games you’ve got to win to be considered a big time program. The crowd was as raucous as it’s ever been at Brice-Williams, the QB of the future making his first home start, a chance to have a 3-game conference winning streak, but the Gamecocks couldn’t get it done. The offense sputtered for 75% of the game and while the defense played well, it couldn’t get off the field on 3rd downs (LSU was 6/14).

Bonus: For those of you who somehow haven’t seen this, well, here ya go…


Mississippi State: D-
This team is just bad, so it’s hard to give them an “F”. The defense held UT fairly well, but the offense was just horrible, mustering only a FG and throwing 2 TDs to UT DBs. MSU really didn’t do anything well this game except hold a mediocre UT offense to less than 300 yds. I’m scouring the box score looking for something to spin in a positive light and all I can come up with is that Wesley Carroll didn’t throw an INT. He was 1/7 for 6 yds, but no INTs.

Week 7 Grades

Florida: A+
This one was over before it even started. The floodgates opened early for the Gators and they buried LSU in the first quarter before cruising to a resounding victory. Reestablished themselves as the favorite in the East.

Mississippi State: A
Congratulations to MSU for being the first team all season to hold onto the ball against Vanderbilt. The offensive numbers weren’t great – less than 250 total yds – but the Bulldogs had 0 turnovers and forced 2 Commodore turnovers. It never hurts to hold you opponent to 107 total yards.

Arkansas: A-
Arkansas’ defense has been bad all season, but got just the cure in Auburn’s impotent “offense”. What was more surprising was the way the Hogs carved up the Tigers normally reliable defense. Without a few miscues – particularly on Special Teams – this game wouldn’t have been close.

Georgia: B
After the last two games against the Vols, the ‘Dawgs will take any win they can get, but this one wasn’t easy. They dominated the stats – 458-209 total yards, 29-10 FD, 42:04-17:56 TOP – but managed only 6 2nd half points and led by only 6 at the start of the 4th quarter. The 11:00 minute FG drive was a back breaker for the Vols.

South Carolina: B
Maybe this was officially the beginning of the Stephen Garcia era. He added a new dimension the ‘Cocks’ offense. The 4 turnovers is way too many though. Big play in Special Teams was a big life in an otherwise stagnant first half for SC.

Kentucky: C
The ‘Cats again played fairly well, but were outmanned by the Gamecocks. Their defense had no answer for Stephen Garcia, though it did force 4 turnovers. Special Teams breakdown on FG attempt was huge and ended up providing the difference in the game. Didn’t have a single run of longer than 9 yds and ended up with less than 220 total yds.

Tennessee: C
Once again, the Vols D played well – at times – and actually had the Vols down only 6 at the beginning of the 4th. Eventually though, they just couldn’t get off the field. Not that the offense did that much when they were on the field. Stephens again showed signs of life under center, but 1 rushing yd is inexcusable.

Vanderbilt: D+
Met its match against a well-disciplined MSU team that didn’t give Vandy the game. VU mustered only 107 yds of offense against the Bulldogs. The Defense was good – holding MSU to 247 yds – but it wasn’t enough. Offense was forced to deal with a full football field most of the day and that spelled trouble.

LSU:D
Walked into a buzzsaw in the Swamp and just got obliterated. Lee looked shaky under center. Thought they were making a move with bookend TD drives around halftime, but then more of the same. This may help them in the long run, but for now… yikes.

Auburn: F
How much explanation does this one really need? Their offensive struggles are old hat now, but their defense gave up more than 400 yds to an Arkansas team that was averaging just over 300 yds. Made some nice plays on special teams or they would have gotten an “I” for incomplete.

Week 6 Grades

South Carolina: A
This is how Gamecock fans have been waiting to see a Spurrier-coached SC team play. Out of nowhere, QB Smelley throws for 330+ yds and the reliable defense held the Rebels to just 3 points in the 2nd half and took advantage of the 3 OM miscues. Easily their best effort of the season.

Vanderbilt: A-
Another one of those headscratchers that Vanderbilt has mastered this year. Actually outgained an SEC opponent for the first time this year, though against this year’s Auburn team, that’s not saying much.

Arkansas: B+
The Hogs were actually competitive for 3 quarters which is more than they can say about their recent games. This is certainly Petrino’s first moral victory to go along with his 2 moral defeats he opened the season with. I’m not sure how much better the Hogs could have played in this one.

Kentucky: B+
Went toe-to-toe with the #2 Tide in a ridiculously lopsided rivalry and nearly walked out with a victory. This weekend’s game with South Carolina will be a better indicator of how good UK is than this game was.

Florida: B
On the plus side, they rolled up 500+ yds of offense and held the Hogs to 7 points. But they also committed 12 penalties and didn’t put the game away until the 4th. Probably looking ahead to the big showdown with LSU.

Alabama: C
Came out and smacked UK in the mouth in the 1st quarter, then really didn’t do much else the rest of the game. While some of that goes to an inspired effort by the ‘Cats D, a lot of it is on the Tide. The penalties – 10 for 92 yds – were very surprising, as one of the trademarks of this team has been discipline.

Ole Miss: C-
The game started out as well as possible for the Rebels, up 14-3 after the 1st quarter. After that, the turnovers came out, which has been an all-too-familiar theme for OM this year. The offense went stagnant in the 2nd half and the vulnerable secondary was torched by Chris Smelley. Not a very strong effort following last week’s big win.

Tennessee: D-
Yea, the Vols beat Northern Illinois by 4. They had 9 first downs and less than 230 yds of offense. If not for an above average defense, the Vols would be Arkansas.

Auburn: F
Just an ugly, ugly game from Auburn. It’s not even worth the effort to come up with different words to describe that “offense”. And missing a PAT is icing on the cake.

Week 5 Grades

Alabama: A+
Aside from a blip against Tulane, the Tide have been the league's most consistent team this season. Thoroughly dominated UGA from opening kick, though 11-point margin may say otherwise, this game was never close.

Ole Miss: A-
Forced UF into their first three TOs of the year and took full advantage of it. That defensive line is going to bother a lot of teams the rest of the year. Tebow may have seen Greg Hardy in his sleep last night.

Kentucky: B+
The 'Cats blew out another patsy last night, holding WKU to 8 FDs and 157 total yds. The offense seemed a bit more in sync as well, particularly under center. They'll be catching Alabama at a good time next weekend.

Mississippi State: B
Even MSU's best offensive effort of the year wasn't enough to beat a sleepwalking LSU team. You know your team isn't thought of very highly when this is the headline to your recap. Last night's effort at least gives a shimmer of hope for future games.

South Carolina: B-
UAB is horrid and, while the Gamecocks won, hard to say it was impressive. Stephen Garcia probably did enough to earn the starting job for next week's tussle with Ole Miss, but I don't know that he's the answer to the Gamecocks' offensive woes.

LSU: C
Sleepwalked through last night's game and still won, though not by as much as they should've. Charles Scott continues to impress.

Tennessee: C
Hard to even watch the AU/UT. Two bad offenses on display, headed by the Orange and White. The Vols couldn't even get 200 yds of offense on the books. Defense played much better, but Auburn's offense tends to do that to teams.

Auburn: C-
Another day, another game where the defense bails the offense out. Worse grade than Tennessee because they're better than the Vols and should win that game by more than 2 points. Gotta figure Kodi Burns is the guy for that offense...

Florida: C-
Picked a bad day to turn the ball over three times as a hungry OM team stunned them in the Swamp. Tebow was off on a couple of seemingly easy throws and even apologized to the Gator Nation after the game. But it wasn't him who missed tackle after tackle on the Rebels' big plays yesterday.

Arkansas: D
Basically the only thing that saved them an "F" is the fact they're horrible and would probably get beat by close to 42 points each time if they played Texas 100 times.

Georgia: F
The winning margin is deceiving. Alabama dominated this game from the opening drive. They exposed UGA' OL and DL as soft and capitalized on the 'Dawgs' tendencies to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties. UGA looked scared and timid and completely lost.

Week 4 Grades

Georgia: A-
Another workmanlike effort from the Bulldogs. They rolled up 461 total yds, held ASU to just 4 yds rushing, committed 0 turnovers, and watched as Knowshon added another ridiculous run to an already ridiculous highlight reel. The 12 penalties for 105 yds are a bit disconcerting as is the kickoff coverage.

LSU: A-
In another classic LSU/Auburn game, the Bayou Bengals had a few more tricks up their sleeves and came out victorious. In something of an offensive explosion for this series, LSU rolled up nearly 400 yds of offense with two QBs making their first appearances in true road games in one of the most hostile environments in the country against one of the stoutest Ds in the country. Sure they gave up a lot of yds to a team that mustered just 3 points against MSU last weekend, but games in this rivalry take on a life of their own. Miles and staff will take it.

Alabama: B+
Another strong effort from the Tide this week, particularly considering the number of young guys playing their first true road game this season. Granted the competition was weak, but still no hiccups. The defense again proved to be stout, picking off 4 passes total, and returning 2 for TDs. A 9.4 ypc average is never a bad thing, though JPW was again off target, hitting on just 43% of his passes for 73 yds.

Florida: B
A dominating defensive performance for UF, but it’s not like UT is an offensive juggernaut. The Gators again struggled a bit on offense – only 243 total yds – but the defense and special teams stepped up in a big way. The Gators forced 3 Vol turnovers, returned a punt for a TD, and connected on all 3 of their FG attempts.

Vanderbilt: B
This was a huge road win in a swing game for Vandy’s bowl eligibility, but there still has to be some concern about the offense. The defense again bent but didn’t break as they gave up yardage but no offensive scores and forced 6 turnovers. The offense though only managed 202 yds.

Auburn: B-
While the defense was shredded by LSU, there were definite signs of life from a thus-far impotent offense… at least in the passing game. With LSU stacking up against the run, AU QB Chris Todd threw for 250 yds. The defense also returned an INT for a TD in one of the strangest looking plays you’ll ever see. My hunch is that the defensive lapse was an aberration and the Tigers will be back on track next week against UT.

South Carolina: C-
The Gamecocks were predictable flat against Wofford Saturday night, but they did come away with a much needed win. Surprisingly, Spurrier stuck with one QB – Smelley – for the entire game and was rewarded with fair-ta-middlin’ play – 204 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs – which is about par for the course this year for the ‘Cocks. The defense gave up a 4.3 ypc average, but given the circumstances, I don’t think that’s anything to be concerned with.

Tennessee: C-
The Vol defense did a great job bottling up Tebow and company, holding them to less than 250 total yds. The offense though continued its inconsistency. While they outgained the Gators 258-243, the Vols had a -3 TO margin and averaged just 3.1 ypc. The 95 yds in penalties certainly didn’t help the cause.

Ole Miss: D
Can’t flunk the Rebels as the defense held Vanderbilt to just over 200 yards and scored a TD on a fumble recovery. They also returned a kickoff for a TD, so it wasn’t all bad... just the offense, which was again careless with the ball. The yardage total is not terrible – 385 yds – but 6 turnovers in this league is a recipe for disaster.

Mississippi State: D-
The Bulldogs finally managed to roll up some yards offensively – 407 to be exact – but still continued to shoot themselves in the foot with 4 more turnovers. The defense never got off the bus, giving up 500 yds of offense and 38 points, which is well over half as many points as MSU has scored in 4 games this year. This one was never close.

Arkansas: D-
The Hogs faced their first real test Saturday and predictably thigns didn’t go so well. The Razorbacks were outclassed at every position and it showed. Casey Dick did throw 3 TDs… but 2 of them were to Alabama DBs. At least the punter did his job, averaging 43.4 ypk and leaving 3 inside the 20.

Week 3 Grades

Alabama: A
The Tide rolled up 557 yds of offense, held the ball for 37:21, had a 30-9 first down edge, and converted 9/14 3rd downs. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers managed less than 160 yds of offense.

Tennessee: A-
Much better effort than inexcusable loss @UCLA 2 weeks ago. The Vols amassed 540 yds of offense and actually stuck with the running game this week, instead of abandoning it like Game 1. Their running game gives them at least a puncher's chance against the Gators next week.

Vanderbilt: B+
Another solid win for the 'Dores. Positives - The defense pitched a shutout in the 2nd half, VU rushed for 270+ yds, and they committed 0 TOs. The only real negative was that they were again inefficient throwing the ball. Once they get to the meat of conference season, they'll need to be able to go to the air to keep the Ds they face off balance.

Georgia: B-
It wasn't easy or pretty, but the 'Dawgs got the job done, and I guess that's the bottom line. They committed 0 TOs, held SC to 18 yds rushing, and averaged nearly 50 yds per punt.

LSU: B-
Let's assume it was rust from the hurricane, but North Texas gave up 45 pts to Kansas State and 56 to Tulsa, so it's somewhat surprising to see LSU "only" score 41. The D was again dominant, but the QB play was less than great against a porous pass defense.

South Carolina: C+
The defense again was stout, holding UGA to ~250 yds of offense, but - again - the offense just couldn't score any points. It's hard to grade them any lower here because I don't know how much better they really could've done.

Kentucky: C-
UK was a shoestring tackle on the 2 yd line away from almost a repeat of the Bluegrass Miracle against LSU a few years back. The 352 yds passing they gave up is way too much, though 1.3 ypc the defense put up is much better. Offensive inefficiencies still concern me headed towards conference play.

Ole Miss: C-
The Rebels were flat as expected after the heartbreaker last weekend @Wake Forest. The defense forced 0 turnovers and QB Snead didn't throw a TD, but did end up with 2 interceptions. A 77 yd punt return for a TD was the bright spot in an otherwise lackluster game.

Mississippi State: D+
The defense was good, forcing 3 TOs, but the offense set new records for ineptitude: 6 first downs, 118 yds of offense, 0/14 on 3rd downs, 1,3 ypc, etc. etc. One of the ugliest games I've ever seen.

Auburn: D
Yes, their defensive numbers were gaudy, but that had as much or more to do with the fact that MSU's offense is horrible than it did AU's performance. AU managed just 3/16 3rd downs and lost 3 fumbles. It's a win, and Tuberville will take it, but his confidence can't be high heading into the uber-showdown next week with LSU.

Week 2 Grades

Dead Guy's Tip of the Day: Avoid the stomach virus going around at all costs. I've been laid up since Thursday afternoon, so these are a day late. Hopefully not a dollar short though.

Vanderbilt: A
What can you say about the 'Dores? They were picked last in the East by nearly everybody and have opened the season with two nearly flawless performances. They beat South Carolina despite being outgained by 100 yards, though they did force 3 turnovers. Bobby Johnson may start to live up to his hype this year.

Georgia: A-
With a stretch of tough games coming up, UGA was much more in rhythm this week, blowing out a good MAC team.

Kentucky: A-
Two games in and no touchdowns allowed by the Big Blue. While the competition has been weak, it's still a marked improvement over the porous 'Cat D from last year. The offense was much better in Week 2 as well.

Auburn: B+
Much better passing game for the Tigers Saturday, throwing for nearly 250 yds. The defense basically turned USM one-dimensional, holding the Eagles to 37 yds on the ground.

Florida: B
Speaking of improved defense, the Gators again looked strong, holding the 'Canes to less than 150 yds of offense. They did struggle a bit running the ball though, only gaining 3.3 ypc.

Mississippi State: B
Much better effort all around form the Bulldogs this week. The offense managed 401 total yds and the defense held the Lions to less than 150. While it was against 1AA competition, it's still something to build on for future games.

Ole Miss: B
The Rebels were one play here or there from earning a huge win. The QB situation seems to be well in hand, but they're obviously still learning the "Wild Rebel" formation. Still, hard to fault the effort in a last second loss to ranked team on the road.

Alabama: C
Not an unexpected flat effort by the Tide. I'm sure it's hard to get up for Tulane after embarrassing Clemson in front of a national TV audience. The offense was horrible - 173 total yards - but the special teams and defense were dominant.

Arkansas: D+
A fantastic effort by the offense - 500+ yds - was nearly wasted as the Hogs again had to rally in the final minutes to beat an opponent they should handle with ease. Lots of kinks to work out in Fayetteville.

South Carolina: D+
Being handled by Vandy on Thursday night in front of the country was not the way Spurrier and USC imagined opening conference season. The QB situation in Columbia may be beyond repair

SEC Football: Week 1 Grades

Alabama: A+
Hard to call that game an upset. I don't think there's any doubt the better team won that game, which really shows the discrepancy between the SEC and a weaker conference like the ACC. The Tide executed nearly flawlessly on offense and defense, holding the Purple Pant Pansies of Clemson to 0 rushing yards while rolling up 239 of their own. Major statement game for the Tide.

Vanderbilt: A
Yes, it was against a MAC team, but the 'Dores thrashed an opponent on the road with nearly 270 yards rushing and forcing 3 turnovers. In what is supposed to be a worse year than normal in Nashville, this was an impressive opening statement.

Florida: B+
Anytime you go on a 56-0 run over 2 quarters, you'll earn a nice grade. The maligned defense played well, giving up only 240 yards of offense and forcing 6 turnovers. Much of that had to do with the opponent, but it had to be encouraging for the Gator Nation to see those kinds of numbers. Only reason they didn't get an "A" was the quality of opponent.

Georgia: B+
Ho hum game for the 'Dawgs. Played it very safe with Moreno - only 8 carries - but he still managed 3 TDs. Stafford was efficient, throwing for 275 yards. D didn't give up anything until it was 38-0.

Kentucky: B+
Whodathunkit? The Big Blue winning it with a hard hitting defense? The D needed to be great as the offense produced just 210 yards. UK did force 5 Louisville turnovers though and held the Cardinals to 205 yds.

Ole Miss: B+
"Ed Who?" was probably muttered around Oxford last night as the new look Rebels rolled up 438 yards of offense in Houston Nutt's debut. The 41 points is the most the Rebels have scored since Eli's senior year. The defense needs some tightening up - 450 yds allowed - but they forced turnovers to negate some of those yards.

LSU: B
Impressive day for LSU in the trenches and running the ball, which should come as no surprise. They struggled throwing the ball though - 13/24 for 193 yards between the 2 QBs - but against App State, it din't matter. If the QBs develop, LSU will be scary as usual.

Auburn: B-
Breaking in two new coordinators and an overhauled offense, the Tigers shut out a decent opponent and rushed the ball for 321 yards. The passing game needs some work though - 13/27 for 85 yards between the 2 QBs, and most of that came in the 4th quarter. The Tigers managed only 3 first downs passing. The defense and running game were both dominant.

South Carolina: B-
Strange to give a 5 TD shutout over a BCS-opponent just a B-, but anyone who watched the game knows why. The USC D was awesome... and they had to be. The offense was terrible until garbage time. Lots of work still to be done in Columbia.

Arkansas: D
Under no circumstances should an SEC team need to score a TD with less than two minutes left in a game to beat a team called the Leathernecks. None whatsoever. Hog fans have been clamoring for more pass attempts... Well, I hope they're happy. 41 attempts and 300+ yds. Of course, they only mustered 76 yds rushing and were -3 on turnovers and only had the ball 23 minutes. But at least you threw the ball more, right Hog fans?

Tennessee: D
Can't give UT an "F" as they were breaking in a new OC and QB thousands of miles away from home on opening day, but this was a disappointing loss. The D picked off 4 passes in the first half and the Vols still couldn't deliver a win here. Fulmer was outcoached by Neuheisal, and that's bad.

Mississippi State: F
By the same token, no SEC team should lose to Louisiana Tech anywhere. The Bulldogs are now facing a major uphill battle to prove that last season was not a fluke.