SEC RECAP - WEEK 6

Stephen Garica happily walks around the Campus of South Carolina on Monday morning. Not sure what he is more happy about: Beating Alabama, or not getting arrested over the weekend

Greg McElroy hadn't lost since this picture was taken of him in the 8th grade! Just kidding, I think this picture was him in high school.






First off let me start by apologizing for not blogging last week. It has been pretty busy in my world lately and although I would like it to be, blogging is usually not my top priority. Don't we all wish we could have more time. I am short on time this week as well, but due to the incredible weekend in the SEC, I have to post...

UPSET ALERT!!! South Carolina UPSETS Top ranked Alabama!!!

You could see it coming. Alabama had to play the 3 top opponents three weeks in a row. Three weeks ago, they went on the road and barely squeaked out a win against an Arkansas team who had been anticipating the game for 365 straight days. Two weeks ago, Alabama took it to then Top 10 ranked Florida at home. They played better than they played all season, a truly dominating performance. And then things really started to get interesting...

The "Dynamic Duo" nicknames started flying around about Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram. Fans started proclaiming them as the best 1 - 2 punch in the history of college football. Some crazy fans on Paul Finebaum's radio show started saying Alabama may be better off playing on Sunday's and Monday nights. "S The Coach" bumper stickers (a copy of the George W. Bush stickers from 2004) started appearing on every car I saw. And oh yes, Greg McElroy still had not lost a game since 8th grade. Oh yes, Alabama nation got complacent.

Well...combine that with two weeks for Steve "Evin Genius" Spurrier to prepare, and what do you get? UPSET. And not just an upset, a good old fashioned butt whooping. Spurrier out-coached the best coach in college football, Nick Saban. USC's freshman running back Marcus Lattimore outperformed the "Dynamic Duo" of HESIMAN TROPHY winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. USC's O-line manhandled Kirby Smart's D. And finally, Greg McElroy finally lost a game and was outperformed by Stephen Garcia. It was the biggest win in USC history, and for Spurrier personally, it was huge. Here's a guy that many thought had lost some of his magic. He proved to us Saturday that he's still got it.

Things just got very interesting in the SEC. Its about to get real. Alabama can still get to Atlanta, but its going to be tough. They are still a great team, maybe the best team in college football. But we all know that in college football, the regular season means more than in any other level or sport, and Alabama just lost a critical regular season game. Will they get back to the Natl Championship? Maybe. But they will need some help. I guarantee you one thing: Nick Saban does not care about all that. He will be focused on one thing and one thing only, Ole Miss, who is their opponent next week. The Rebels better watch out!

Speaking of Greg McElroy finally losing, thank goodness! I had gotten so tired of hearing this "ohhh he's so great he has not lost a game since 8th grade" stuff in the media. Although he is a fierce competitor and did not want to lose, I bet Greg feels a little relief as well. Now he can refocus and not have this winning streak hanging on his head anymore. It's hard enough being the starting quarterback for the University of Alabama.

While on the subject of Alabama, I have come to the conclusion that half their fan base is absolutely insane. One guy on the radio yesterday said it was about time they replaced McElroy and let the backup AJ McCarron go ahead and play. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND??? He has lost 1 game in 10 freakin' years! Another few fans called for McElwain (Alabama's OC) to be fired. Here's a guy that has lost one regular season game in three years since he has been the offensive coordinator. Some fans truly are ridiculous. No wonder all the coaches seem to be losing their hair.

On to Stephen Garcia...I could not believe what I saw from him on Saturday. The dude went 17-20 (should have been 18) for 200+ and 3TD's. He was unreal. I know people think its crazy that he was able to do this, and other people think its crazy Spurrier finally kept him in the game, but I have something even crazier about Saturday. Its crazy that Garcia is still on South Carolina's team! Let's take a look at Garcia's past...

2007
February 17: Arrested in Columbia. Charged with drunkenness and failure to stop on police command
February 19: Suspended indefinitely by Steve Spurrier from team activities
March 3: Arrested and charged with vandalizing the car of a South Carolina professor two days earlier.

2008
March 22: Cited and charged with underage drinking. Also listed as the only suspect in discharging of fire extinguisher in campus dorm.
March 25: Suspended from team activities until Aug. 15 by the university.


BUT....On October 9th 2010, Garcia goes 17-20 with 3TD's and upsets top ranked and defending national champion Alabama.

It has been a heck of a ride for this guy to say the least. If he did not play football, I don't think there would be any doubt that he would have been asked to leave the University of South Carolina. But as you all know, big time college athletes tend to get free passes more than most other "normal" students. Fair? Unfair? What do you guys think?

LSU beats Florida

Once again, Les Miles wins it at the end in a unconventional way. I swear, this guy must have sold his sole to the Devil or sold it to a voodoo witch in the bayou, or done something like that, because he is the luckiest coach I have ever seen. My high school basketball coach used to tell me that there was no such thing as luck. I used to agree with him and say that I didn't believe in luck, but now after watching Les Miles for 3 years, I am officially taking back that statement. However, I really do like the guy. I think he's funny and entertaining to say the least. If he goes on to run the table against Arkansas, Auburn, AND Alabama, then I'll say its skill, because NOBODY is that lucky.

Georgia whoops Tennessee

Aaron Murray was awesome, AJ Green was nothing short of freakish, and Tennessee looked like they had checked out mentally. Those three things led to a lop-sided 41-14 UGA victory. Georgia, its about dang time! The Dawgs finally got an SEC win. However, two days later, Athens went back down to reality and Caleb King got arrested. UGA's 11th arrest this year. King has been suspended for two games.

Auburn Squeaks by Kentucky

Auburn gets yet another comeback 4th quarter victory. This team is undefeated, but they are really playing it close right now. I am not so sure they can survive another comeback win against Arkansas and Ryan Mallett this weekend.

That's it for this week. Overall, it was an awesome Saturday in the SEC.

The Urban Peach SEC Player of the Week - Stephen Garcia, South Carolina. 17-20, 3TD's, 200+ yards in an upset over the Crimson Tide.