SEC Predictions

Look for this guy to be holding up that finger again this year

With College Football approaching, I felt it was necessary to put together a little SEC predictions preview. I won't bother with any of the other Conferences because A. I love the SEC, and B. The SEC is the BEST Conference - no doubt about it!

Let's start with the SEC West...

SEC WEST PREDICTIONS

SEC WEST CHAMPIONS - Alabama
2. Auburn
3. Arkansas
4. LSU
5. Ole Miss
6. Mississippi St.

Alabama - The defending National Champions from a year ago, Alabama Returns some significant weapons on offense including Heisman Trophy RB Mark Ingram, QB Greg McElroy, and Wide Receiver Julio Jones. Let's not forget about their backup RB Trent Richardson who has blazing speed and would most likely start on any other team in the country. Their defense loses 9 starters but that should not matter - because of their head coach. As long as Nick Saban is at Alabama, their defense will reload. Saban has it going at Alabama and as long as he is there I am not sure I can pick against them. In my opinion he is the best coach in the country, hands down.

Auburn - Kirk Herbstreit went on ESPN and predicted Auburn to win the SEC West last week. While I am not the biggest fan of Herbstreit (Ohio St., Gel frosted hair etc.), I do agree with him that Auburn will be much improved. However, they won't be good enough to beat Alabama, and will finish the year with 3 SEC losses. Look for QB Cameron "fig" Newton to have a solid year.

Arkansas - So many people seem to be jumping on Petrino's band wagon this year, but I don't see why. Yes, Ryan Mallett may be the best passing quarterback in the SEC and is definitely the best pro QB prospect in the SEC right now. But did anyone see their defense last year? It was worse than UGA's, and UGA defense was pretty bad. Mallett and Petrino won't be ready for the hype and they will lose back to back games at Georgia and Alabama.

LSU - the Les Miles train is about to come completely off the tracks in Baton Rouge. This guy is arguably the worst coach in the SEC, and seems have no idea what he is doing at times. If they lose to UNC this weekend, look out, because it could get ugly quick. However, they still have talent and speed, and those are two things Les Miles does not have to coach. They are capable of beating anyone, but losing to anyone as well.

Ole Miss - look for Oregon transfer Jeremiah Masoli to win Ole Miss a game or two that it shouldn't win, but they will not be in contention to challenge Alabama in the SEC West. With that being said, Ole Miss plays better in an underdog role, and could play the spoiler role a few times this year.

Mississippi St. - Unfortunately for Dan Mullen, the SEC West is stacked this year. Although he is a good coach, he will find himself at or near the cellar once again.

SEC EAST PREDICTIONS

SEC EAST CHAMPIONS - Florida
2. Georgia
3. South Carolina
4. Tennessee
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt

Florida - After a strange off season in which Urban Meyer quit and then sort of quit and then came back, Florida is loaded again this year. Although Tim Tebow is gone, I am afraid that the emergence of John Brantley will not be too much of a drop off. Although he is completely different from Tebow, he can really throw the ball well. Florida will lose one regular season game, but they will be back in the SEC Championship.

Georgia - Look for freshman QB Aaron Murray to struggle some at South Carolina on Sept. 11, but to really find his stride mid way through the season. UGA will be improved on defense this year thanks to new D-coordinator Todd Grantham and his 3-4 scheme. UGA will lose to South Carolina on the road early, but will win 9 out of its last 10 to finish second in the SEC East and set the stage for a better year in 2011.

South Carolina - The Gamecocks will be riding high early after their win over UGA, but as has happened the last few years, they will level out in November. They will finish third in the SEC East only because Tennessee will be down and Vandy and Kentucky will be...well...Vandy and Kentucky.

Tennessee - Look for new coach Derek Dooley to have his hands full in year one. He will go into Athens wearing orange with his parents and lose. Then he will play Alabama two weeks later and get pounded. However, this guy can coach. It will just take him a few years to get rid of the mess Lane Kiffin left him.

Kentucky - They are capable of one upset but that is about it. Hopefully it won't be against UGA again this year.

Vanderbilt - They had a good coach the last few years - but he left and that should tell you something about how confident he was that Vanderbilt could compete for an SEC East Championship. Look for new coach Robbie Caldwell to have a frustrating year one in the SEC.

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP - Alabama v. Florida
Winner - Alabama 24 - 17. Look for Alabama to get back to the National Championship and hopefully play Boise St. so that the nation goes into an uproar about a playoff system!

An article I wrote about the Birmingham-Southern Baseball Team this Spring for the Hilltop News

http://www.bscsports.net/news/2010/7/8/BB_0708104923.aspx?path=baseball

St. Louis Bound

Off to St. Louis today to visit Coach Kevin Carroll. Coach Carroll is undoubtedly one of the best young basketball coaches in the country and has already landed a head college coaching job at Maryville University. Still in his early 30's, Carroll is one of the youngest head college basketball coaches in the nation. Mark my words, down the road, you'll be watching this guy work wonders on CBS in March!

Coach Carroll was my high school coach, and the thing that I remember most about him was his tireless work ethic and his demand for perfection. He put his heart and soul into getting the most out of his players. Once when I was a junior in high school, Coach Carroll told me that his goal was for his players to appreciate him and love him 5 years AFTER he coached them. His goal was not to be our best friend while he coached us. Rather, he wanted us gain appreciation for him after we were finished playing. He promised me that I would have a new perspective on all the hard work he demanded from us after I had finished playing basketball. Well, I am now done playing basketball and I promise you I now appreciate Coach Carroll way more than I did when I was in high school. I can also promise you that every single player that played for Coach Carroll feel the same way. When we were in high school, there were many times we hated Coach Carroll and all the drills he made us do that seemed pointless at the time. However, now we all think back on those days and understand the full value of those grueling days in the gym. They won us a championship, and that is something no one can ever take away from us. So thank you Coach Carroll, for being hard on us and demanding the absolute best out of each and every one of us. None of us would be where we are today without your influence.

If you have love for this country, than this book is a must read. Marcus Luttrell's story is inspiring, motivating, and heartfelt. The book really touched me. Read it, and I promise it will touch you as well.

The Dunes in Nags Head

NAGS HEAD

I got back from Katie and I's beach vacation yesterday and I wish it never had to end. We went to the Outer Banks NC to a beach called Nags Head. The place was unbelievable. It was such a cool and unique beach town. It had so many locals, great restaurants, great waves and beautiful beaches. Also, it had the largest and most incredible dunes I have ever seen. Some of the dunes had to be about 80 feet high. From the top of one of the dunes, you could look each way and see the ocean as well as the sound.

It was a great vacation and I wish I never had to leave. Now it is back to reality. BUT...college football starts soon and I am highly anticipating the start of that!