AU_Tigers

Part of that is because a lot of the West Division doesn't have major OOC opponents in state like all the matchups you named. Those East teams wouldn't be lining up to play those matchups every year if it weren't in state matchups. Also, don't know that UGA and GT can be considered a "great rivalry". UGA has dominated the rivalry with a record of 70-39. AU vs UGA is a much better rivalry and is much more competitive with a record of 63-56. Clemson has also dominated the series with a record of 72-43. I'll give you that UF and FSU is a good rivalry, but LSU vs UF is also a great rivalry and it would be a shame if that game wasn't played every year. UK vs Louisville - Not sure many people would consider this a "great rivalry" outside of UK and Louisville fans. Total of 34 games played against each other doesn't really show that this is a long standing rivalry game.

Dixie - who else from the Pac-12 deserved to be hosting and who should they have replaced?

I think both Bama & AU will need a good showing in Hoover if they want to host a regional. I think UF, Ark, LSU, Vandy, and UK are locks to host regionals with UF, Ark, and LSU locks to be top 8 seeds.

Yes you are seeing that right! It was an ugly game on both sides, Auburn shot 26%(13/50) and Northwestern shot 25%(14/56).

I can’t wait for Gwhite to tell us that ut lost this game on purpose!

AU will lose some games this year without a consistent outside shooter, but their defense will keep them in just about every game. They are fun to watch, if they get hot from deep - they will be really tough to beat.

"Neither Morehead State transfer Johni Broome nor top 50 freshman Chance Westry have made an appearance for the Tigers this season, but have a chance to Tuesday night when Bruce Pearl’s squad takes on Winthrop." Broome has played in both games this year...

Gwhite - you are the dumbest person I have ever heard of if you truly think ut threw the game against uga. Part of me wants ut to miss the playoffs all together because of you. The other part of me wants ut to get in and get dominated by uga again just. To hear what you have to say. You are truly an idiot.

I just don't see UT getting in if all P5 champs have the same or better record than them.

The committee is praying LSU doesn't win out

Here is the problem for UT with TCU - if they only lose 1 game to either Baylor, Texas, or Iowa state and then win the conference championship game - I think the committee puts them in the playoff over UT as a one-loss conference champion. I think you have to hope they either lose two games or lose the conference championship game. I don't think there is anyway to justify putting them in over UT if they aren't conference champs. It will be mighty tough for UT if you have a one loss or undefeated Big12 champ, 1 loss or undefeated Big10 champ, one loss ACC champ, and one loss Pac-12 champ.

I'm not sure I would have Arkansas at 2 just yet. They had a lot of roster turnover and expecting a lot out of their true freshmen. There will probably be some bumps in the road early on - I am glad AU gets them at home early in the SEC season because I don't think this will be a team you want to face in March. Muss always seems to start a little slow but has the team firing on all cylinders come March. If this was a ranking of where each team will finish the season, you could argue that they are 1 spot too low.

Top 3-4 seems lofty based on new coach and the roster turnover. It could happen, but Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama, Texas A&M, and Florida should all be really good teams. It will be an exciting year in a deeply competitive league.

A couple reasons why I don't think he will say that publicly at this point. 1. He may be interested in seeing what else is out there. 2. He may want to use offers/interest from other schools as leverage to get more out of Ole Miss. 3. Bringing it up(even if he was saying he is planning on staying at Ole Miss) could bring more distraction to the Ole Miss locker room and doesn't want to do anything to hurt what has been a great year so far for Ole Miss.

Not sure this is much news - he had already announced he was entering the transfer portal but had to wait until the specific time frame to do so...until a coaching change was made and allowed him to enter immediately.

T-Bone - who is your pick if you were leading the search committee?

I agree - He would be an interesting hire and could definitely recruit. He would also bring a lot of energy to the program. I'm also more comfortable with a P5 experienced HC....but the thought of Deion isn't as absurd as I originally thought.

You could definitely argue LSU should have beaten FSU. On the other hand, you can argue that LSU should have lost the AU game - and no I don't think AU is better than LSU. Just saying AU blew a 17-0 lead, and overall had a better game statistically - the 4 turnovers killed them. I think 8-4 is the ceiling this year for LSU which is a great year for BK in his first season. The game that will be interesting to me is Arkansas. I think LSU is better than Arkansas, but I think Arkansas will push LSU to the limit.

Guess it depends on how you look at it - If you consider lowest offensive output just based on score, it would be UGA. They actually had less yards, less first downs, worse 3rd down converstion %, and worse 4th down conversion % against AL.

Will Rogers not being in the conversation/top 5 is also pretty silly.

I agree, I think Harsin gets fired after UGA. It would be cruel to send an interim coach into Athens for his first game. On the other side, maybe Kirby would take the foot off the gas against an interim coach and only beat AU by 35...

I would have probably agreed until I watched Penn State dominate us at home.

I'm surprised people are projecting Auburn to make a bowl. I assume they are saying we will beat Mizzou and Western Kentucky. Although after the first 3 weeks, I wouldn't say those are guarantees. I don't think anyone in their right mind thinking we will beat Alabama or Georgia. I also don't see two more wins between LSU, A&M, MSState, Ark, or Ole Miss.

Saban is the best to ever do it. 6 National Championships at Bama (7 overall), 9 SEC west titles at bama, 8 sec championship titles at bama, 44 consensus all-americans, 4 heisman winners...but sure, he doesnt actually know how to coach or develop players...Gwhite - you're an idiot.

Fisher and A&M better figure something out fast. Brutal stretch coming up with Miami, Arkansas, MSU, and Bama. They can still put together a good season, but at the moment it seems far fetched that they even win 3 of the next 4.

I agree Daniels operates better in up tempo. Only fear there for LSU is MSU is really good at time of possession so if the up-tempo isn't sustaining drives, that LSU defense could be on the field a lot. It should be a really good game.

Yes random - you dont take all the stats into consideration. You pick whatever stat fits your narrative. Like above, you bash UGA defense for allowing 4.7 yards/att in passing. UT allowed 6.3 yards/att in passing to Ball State. The "yearly" blowout loss doesn't seem too big a deal since they are reigning National Champs. Is Tennessee's offense really good? Yes. Is Tennessee's defense improved? Probably/although that isn't saying much because it was very poor last year. Is Tennessee on a level to compete with UGA and Alabama for SEC Championships and National Championships? Not even close

agree VFL - I am a little concerned about UGA vs AU this year...Concerned that they might beat us by 100 that is

Gwhite - you take random stats all the time that fit your narrative. Lets talk stats from week one - Ball St had more total yards, passing yards, and average yards per play against UT than Oregon did against UGA. I don't think Oregon is a great team by any stretch, but they are certainly much better than Ball St. You also talk about UGA not having any receivers - they did alright on Saturday against Oregon since they had 10 players record a reception, 4 with over 40 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 439 total yards.

Would definitely agree Florida game sets the rest of the season for UT. If they lose to UF, what do you predict for the rest of the year? Going to LSU is always tough, and coming off a loss/having Bama the following week doesn't make it any easier. If they were to somehow lose all 3 of those, it could make for a long/disappointing season.