Will Muschamp: "I Certainly Can" Guarantee A Win Over Georgia

Well, well, well...those are what might qualify as fighting words if we were actually discussing a rivalry game (Georgia-Florida) that was not as lopsided as the one this match-up has become over the last two decades.

New Florida head coach, Will Muschamp, made certain to emphasize that any ties he had to the Georgia Bulldog nation as a former player and coach were no longer present in his mind in his new position as the head man at Florida. Said Muschamp, his loyalty is with whomever "signs my checks" and no one else.

You can't hate the guy for saying as much since he does have bills to pay, but the whole guaranteeing of a win thing has to stick in the craw of just about every Georgia fan who hates the color orange and has vivid memories of making those long, painful, trips back from Jacksonville after yet another Bulldog loss to the Gators.

The hope in 2011 is that the Dawgs can turn it around and start a new trend—a winning one.

After all, they will have one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the SEC—from a playbook knowledge aspect—and a defense that has nowhere to go but up in season two.

That said, there are also still plenty of questions at both running back and wide receiver, and now also the offensive line, where there is no certainty that a star will rise.

So, when a former Georgia player (who grew up attending Florida Gator games and, apparently, only came to Georgia because it was cost-efficient) starts making pronouncements that his team will be the better one on the field come October, you start to wonder just how scared the Bulldogs should be of their SEC East foe.

In the end, it's all just conjecture and grandstanding for the Florida Gator fanbase, but Muschamp has certainly given his alma mater even more reason to show up in Jacksonville—for all four quarters—in October.

Related articles

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• Dead to me. (blutarsky.wordpress.com)

Georgia Bulldogs: Wherefore Art Thou, Marlon Brown?

Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin/AJC

It feels like we've been asking this question for longer than necessary as Marlon Brown was supposed to be the gem of Georgia's 2009 signing class. On that signing day, if you had told anyone that Brown would be entering his junior season with a stat line of 13 receptions, 148 yards, and one touchdown, they might have asked if you needed professional help.

He was a star at Harding Academy in Memphis and was considered a lock to become the same at the next level—how could he possibly fail playing alongside the likes of A.J. Green? Brown was coming into a good situation, possibly being able to make a mark early with Mohammed Massaquoi exiting in 2008, and he had every opportunity to break down the freshman wall and become the next big thing at Georgia.

However, as it turns out, the mediocre competition at Harding Academy proved to be a bigger obstacle to his development than some thought it might. He wasn't prepared for the physical play of the SEC and was never able to find his groove on the football field.

Truthfully, he should have redshirted his first year as his two catches for 15-yards weren't worth the paper they were printed on. Even more, it was clear that he needed more time to learn the routes, learn the league, and add more weight to his lanky frame—the height was there, the strength was not.

By 2010, the question was no longer 'is he ready?', but rather 'where's he at?'  and if ever there were a time for him to shine, it was last season—A.J. was suspended, the running game was mediocre, and Aaron Murray was looking to make new connections, in the passing game, with anyone willing to step their game up—so what happened?

Well, Brown saw much of that season cut down by a shoulder injury.  He was never able to get healthy enough to make a real contribution.

2011 is already seeing some positive reports on Brown out of spring practice, but the same was said in 2010—and look how that turned out. At this point, it would just be nice to see Brown doing something other than traversing the sidelines as he's not become nearly the player Georgia expected him to be when he arrived in 2009.

It's time for Marlon Brown to make something happen at Georgia and hopefully this is the year that finally happens.

Georgia Bulldogs: Waiting on Marlon Brown To Become "Marlon Brown"

Photo Credit:UGA Sports Communications

When Marlon Brown announced he was heading to the University of Georgia, there was a lot of excitement about the talented receiver from Harding Academy in Memphis, TN.

Many expected him to immediately step onto the field and become an impact player—catching footballs alongside A.J. Green. However the opposite has proven true as Brown has not only not been an impact player, but has hardly made much of a contribution at all.

So, what's the problem?

Popular opinion seems to be that the young man simply wasn't ready for the SEC. He certainly had the size and speed, but his domination came easier when he was playing in Memphis—against the lesser competition in his league. He simply wasn't challenged enough at the high school level and, to some extent, coach Richt's staff understood that when they signed him, said Richt, at that time,  "...the league he played in certainly made you question just a little bit, is this just a big man in a league where he's dominant, or can he really play with the big boys."

That said, the potential for Brown still seemed limitless in terms of what he could do once he became better acclimated to SEC play. However, he has been plagued with a series of unfortunate setbacks, mostly injury-based, that have translated into Georgia Bulldog fans seeing a player who doesn't look like he will ever become what they imagined.

To be fair to Brown, it seems only right to mention that the wasted redshirt season of 2009 is as much a factor in Brown's overall lack of development than anything. The young man was targeted less than a dozen times during his true freshman season (2009) and, essentially, wasted a year of possible tutelage.

The mentality behind that decision not to redshirt him is a source of ongoing debate, but is neither here nor there as he enters his third season at Georgia—you know what they say about hindsight.

With A.J. Green gone and Kris Durham graduated, Brown has a better than average opportunity to begin to showcase what he can do at Georgia. He is no longer playing in the shadows of a superstar wide receiver, nor is he likely to be short-changed on the football field if he can play consistent football throughout the spring and summer.

The sky can still be the limit for Brown—if he can remember how to fly.

What say you, is Marlon Brown finally ready or are his best days behind him?

Georgia Bulldogs: Weeding Out The Bad Apples and Cultivating The Seeds

Photo Credit: WES BLANKENSHIP

Make no mistake about it, changes are being made at Georgia. The installation of the new S&C program has brought out the bad, and the good and, for some players, that means a stern reality check has made it's way into their hands—much to their dismay.

Washaun Ealey has been indefinitely suspended after failing to show up for a punishment run and this latest transgression could turn out to be the denouement on a career marred by missteps.

While nothing has been said, publicly, about Ealey leaving Georgia to seek opportunities elsewhere, the writing is on the wall this time and the indefinite suspension doesn't appear to bode well for the young man's future prospects with the team—particularly with Isaiah Crowell on board.

If Ealey decides to transfer (which is merely speculation at this point), Caleb King, Ken Malcome, and Carlton Thomas would be left to split carries along with Isaiah Crowell—assuming Crowell come in ready to play—unless, of course, King runs into more eligibility issues.

Recall that King  was forced to miss time on, at least, two occasions last season due to academics so there is zero guarantee that he will be ready to get on the field by this spring.

If King is also out of the equation, Carlton Thomas will be the lone returning tailback with game experience.  Ken Malcome (who didn't play a down last season) and the incoming Crowell would round out thee depth chart. Scared yet? Well, don't be, the situation could be massively inconvenient, but don't know that it qualifies as dire—especially if the changes in the S&C program lends to less injuries on the field.

The vast majority of SEC teams last season weren't more than two-deep at tailback, and while that isn't ideal, it happens, and many teams have been able to succeed using a two-back rotation.

What should be of greater interest to fans is Georgia's burgeoning commitment to changing the culture of the program. For the first time, in a long while, it actually looks like Richt is trying to get a handle on this team. The good and bad apples are being separated from the bunch and that's great news!

The following tweet, made by a former athlete (non-football) at Georgia, caught my eye last night:

People complained of the players being soft and out of shape, this is Tereshinski's response to that criticism and the players, apparently, aren't happy about it.

Again, a hard-nosed approach was needed if Georgia's team was going to show any improvement and, if nothing else, this approach is helping to weed out the guys who want to work from the ones who don't and, in my humble opinion, it's about time.

Georgia Bulldogs: What You Really Hope To See In 2011... (VIDEO)

Though no one can be sure that another Herschel Walker will come along in the near future, it most certainly would be nice to see some tough running like this 'Tween The Hedges next season:



"My God, a freshman!"

Just a little flashback to get your Friday morning started off right.

Georgia Bulldogs: Sometimes, Perception Is Everything

Playing the "what if" game is always dangerous, but let's do it anyway—just for today—and rewind to Georgia's first championship season under Mark Richt.

It was 2002, and that David Greene led squad was pegged by many as the best team in the SEC, ending their regular season at 12-1 while securing their first SEC title in twenty-years.

The only thing standing between them and a BCS bid was a loss by either Ohio State or Miami.

Unfortunately for them, both teams won out and, eventually, played each other for a shot at the national title.

Now, fast forward to the here and now and ask yourself, if given today's college football landscape, you could see a scenario where a one-loss SEC team is overlooked in favor of an undefeated Big East one.

I'll go on the record and say it wouldn't happen—not today.

The media is securely on the SEC's bandwagon. Many sportswriters and pundits believe that even a two-loss SEC team is better than most any undefeated WAC, Big East, or Mountain West one.

However that wasn't the case in 2002 when Miami was still the media darling and considered, by many, to be unbeatable.

So when did the SEC become king?

Well, despite BCS Championships by Tennessee (1998) and LSU (2003), the shift officially began in 2006 when
Urban Meyer actively campaigned for his one-loss Gators to be extended a bid to the BCS title game based on the premise that their schedule was tougher.

He felt, and this appears to be the reigning sentiment even now where SEC teams are concerned, that there was no schedule more grueling than an SEC one.

He won the argument, much to Michigan's chagrin, and Florida played Ohio State for the national title.

The rest is history.

In 2007, LSU benefited from the same logic, as they were offered a spot in the BCS title game as a two-loss team—and won—giving further credence to the idea that the SEC is "the toughest conference in the nation".

Now, what if Georgia were given those same benefits in 2002?

It seems fair to argue that they would have leap frogged either Ohio State or Miami for a spot in the title game—undefeated records or not—and then who knows?

Now, I know what you're thinking, I'm taking a whole lot of license with this argument, and I probably am, but it has to make you think...just a little bit.

Of course, most would be quick to point out that even though you can't get 2002 back, you still have to justify the lapses since.

A loss to Tennessee in 2007 left room for LSU to make their move.

A bad loss to Alabama in 2008 negated Georgia again.

Add to that, attrition, injuries, coaching changes, and a rising level of competition, and the perception of your program, within the SEC, as a stand-alone product—particularly judged against the successes of LSU, Alabama, and Florida—becomes as much a factor as the play itself.

Coach Richt deserves responsibility for recruiting misses (the years he failed to close the borders and great talent got away) and being too loyal to both coaches and players (redshirting Knowson Moreno, keeping Willie Martinez for too long, and starting Joe Tereshinski over Matthew Stafford in 2006). By no means can Richt be let off the hook—and he isn't.

The only point here is to state that the perception of the SEC, since 2006, has played as much a role in the opportunities that have been granted as anything.

Sure, LSU and Tennessee won titles in 1998 and 2003, respectively, but ask anyone how many people—outside of Knoxville and Baton Rouge—thought they would?

The SEC was still playing second-fiddle to the Big 12 (Oklahoma), the Big East (Miami), and the ACC (Florida State/Virginia Tech) in those early BCS years—and the teams in those conferences were given far more respect.

Georgia's luck in 2002 might have been different had that team played in today's landscape.

Perception is everything, and sometimes, too, it's just bad timing.

What say you?

Georgia Bulldogs: Richt's 'Dream Team' Takes A Direct Hit

When four-star DE, Xzavier Dickson, spurned the Georgia Bulldogs in favor of the Crimson Tide, panic attacks broke out across the state as Bulldog fans began picturing a 2011 class minus all of it's dream prospects.

Recruiting pundits, beat writers, and casual observers—read non-supporters—began readying fans and followers alike for the probability that this one decision, by this one kid, was the one domino needed to start the downward spiral of the football program, led by Mark Richt, at UGA.

The message was today it's Xzavier Dickson and Quan Bray, tomorrow it will be Ray Drew and Isaiah Crowell. Either way, Georgia's goose was already cooked for 2011, and beyond, as the likes of Tennessee, South Carolina, Auburn, Alabama, and Florida would begin snatching the state's best away from the home team—setting football in Athens back for the next decade.

Well, forgive me for saying so, but why should this one kid's decision be any more important than that of Jay Rome, Isaiah Crowell, or Damian Swann? Dickson would have been a great get and it would have been lovely to see him filling out the depth chart at Georgia, but the fact that he won't be suiting up for Todd Grantham shouldn't mean the football program is done.

In fact, according to the Rivals100, Georgia already has the best defensive end in the state—Sterling Bailey. Last check, Dickson didn't even make that list—just saying.

Furthermore, the very notion that Quan Bray, the other supposed prospect that kicked Georgia to the curb last night, was ever solid to the Bulldogs is erroneous. Bray was, largely, felt to be an Auburn lean.

Georgia made a play for him and they lost. It's that simple.

He didn't spurn the Bulldogs, he went with his initial choice—which was ALWAYS going to be Auburn.

Should Georgia be locking down the state? Yes, but it's foolish to expect they will sign every four- and five-star player that comes through the door. Big time prospects have the option of going wherever they like. They know it and many of them will take the opportunity to spread their wings—at other schools.

Georgia cannot get them all.

That said, they still have to nail a high percentage of the best this state has to offer and, so far, they've locked down seven four-star guys for this class. That's as many as LSU and Auburn, and more than South Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

If they can close out strong by snagging Damian Swann, Isaiah Crowell, Jay Rome, and—maybe—Ray Drew, this is still going to be one of the best classes in the SEC.

Georgia still has plenty of fish in the sea, they just need to close strong.

Related articles

• Georgia Bulldogs coach Mark Richt to devote more 'study' to football (sports.espn.go.com)

Georgia Bulldogs Football: Getting Back To Fourth-Quarter Dominance in 2011

There was a time when the Georgia Bulldogs knew how to 'Hunker Down' in the fourth-quarter. They knew how to G.A.T.A and make the other team play their game.

There was very little of that in 2010, and Georgia has got to get back to doing that if they expect to impose their will on the SEC in 2011.

The new strength regime at has expressed an understanding of this fact, and that bodes well for the future, but the end-result will come on the football field—we're left with questions until then.

That said, this post is less about continuing the conversation about the direction of the defense or the strength program,  than it is about recalling a time when that conversation wasn't necessary.

Below is another phenomenal video—courtesy of Patrick Garbin—(circa 1976) that shows the 'Junkyard Dawgs' (JYD) in action against the hated Florida Gators—back when Georgia owned the orange and blue—the game was a close affair through the first-half, but the JYD's showed up and shut Florida down in the second-half—yielding no points.

Their fourth-quarter dominance during that season—particularly in this game—was impressive and, given the lack of such dominance this past season, made this video all the more compelling to watch.

Enjoy:



(h/t apgarbin)

Auburn Fans Respond: Nick Fairley Was Just Doing His Job (VIDEO)

Ya know, this would be funnier if it weren't so dead wrong. Of course, have to admit, the dialogue does give a slight chuckle in some places—particularly the "All Auburn fans should be killed" retort by the "Georgia" fan.

For the most part, though, it just amazes me how differently two sides can see a ball game.



Here's to killing Auburn, on the football field, next year in Athens!

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• Nick Fairley Won't Face Suspension For Hit On Aaron Murray (sbnation.com)

Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Things Not To Do Against The Auburn Tigers

This is the time of week that this site offers a "10 Things To Know..." section, discussing the upcoming opponent.

Well, by this point in the season, we have all seen, read, and heard so much about the Auburn Tigers, that it would be a near impossibility to offer anything of substance.

With that in mind, this week will be a bit different as we will touch on the things that Georgia does not need to do if they expect to have a chance at winning this Saturday.

So, let's just jump right into it: 

1. Come out flat.

Georgia should have come out firing against the Bengals last week but, as they have often done this season, the offense came out looking mediocre and out of sync. If they do that against Auburn this weekend, they will find themselves in a hole very quickly.

They cannot come out looking dazed and confused like they did last week or the week prior against the Gators. The Tigers will bury them early if they do.

2. Concentrate too much on Cam Newton.

Cam Newton might be the most recognizable and talked about weapon on the field for Auburn, but he's not the ONLY weapon for the Tigers.

Michael Dyer leads the SEC in rushing—for a freshman. He has more yards than Marcus Lattimore and he's been a perfect compliment to Newton this season. Add to that, both Darvin Adams (WR) and the emerging Terrell Zachery (WR), are every bit the playmakers they appear to be.

Georgia cannot allow No. 2 to occupy so much of their mental and physical attention that they leave the other guys on the field free to beat them.

3. Forget how to pass protect—again. 

Nick Fairley is a beast and, if left unattended, he will feast on Aaron Murray.

For all the chatter about how poised and steady Murray has been this season, he has yet to truly face a defense as athletic, tough, and fierce as this Auburn front seven, and he's going to need a competent line, giving their best effort,  if he hopes to have a shot at picking apart Auburn's secondary.

4. Turn the ball over.

This is obvious, but it had to be said.

Georgia has both lost and gained momentum on turnovers this season. They need to be stingy with the football this weekend. No bobbles, no bad snaps, no forgetting how to secure the ball on long-gainers, etc.

Hold onto the football and be purposeful with every pass. 

5. Blitz too early and/or too often. 

While the "attacking style" defense of the 3-4 has been effective at points this season, Newton isn't going to crumble under the pressure of whatever Georgia has to offer. He's got a passer efficiency rating of 258.4 and a completion percentage of better than 70 percent against the blitz.

In other words, it hasn't worked on him.

The best thing Georgia can do is neutralize the running game and concentrate on jamming the routes of the Auburn receivers. If they can do that, they will flush Newton out of the pocket.

While that may seem like a poor option—given the fact that he's tallied more than 1,100 yards on the ground this season—it's the one that offers Georgia (which is currently No. 2 in the conference against the run) the best chance at disrupting the Tigers offense.

6. Over-commit to the running game. 

If Auburn's pass defense is shaky, then their rush defense is the steadying force that evens things out.

The Tigers are third in the SEC in rush defense (114.0 ypg). More to the point, Auburn has been
deadly good against the run this year and the three-headed monster of Caleb King, Washaun Ealey, and Carlton Thomas isn't likely to leave them with nightmares.

The most important players on the field for Georgia will be Kris Durham, A.J. Green, Tavarres King, and Orson Charles.

Should they abandon the run? No, but if they see it's not effective, they shouldn't remain so committed to it, that they fail to consider other playcalling options.

7. Allow Auburn to set the tempo. 

Auburn hasn't been the kind of team that grinds out plays. They have, for the most part, been quick to strike and quick to score. Georgia cannot allow the Tigers to control the tempo of this game, they don't run the kind of offense that would allow them to go toe-to-toe with Auburn for 60 minutes and if they have to get into a shout-out with Cam Newton and his trusty brigade, the defense could be sucking wind before halftime.

Georgia has to find a way to control the clock, keep the Auburn offense off the field, and slow the game down enough that Auburn has to adjust to them—not the other way around.

8. Get too caught up in this being the "Best Team In The Nation".

Part of Murray's problem against the Gators was he let his emotions control his play for the better part of 30 minutes. He was too pumped, too anxious, and too embedded in it being "Georgia-Florida". He cannot do that on Saturday if he expects to run an efficient, focused, and productive offense.

Ditto that for the defense. They need to play this game like it's just another opponent—don't let the ranking or "what this win means for the program" come onto the field of play.

Finish. The. Drill.

9.  Fail to maintain defensive intensity on third down.

All season it has seemed that Georgia goes full-out on first and second downs, then completely falls apart on third downs—no better example of this than against the Kentucky Wildcats a few weeks back.
Georgia needs to maintain a consistent level of intensity on every. single. down.

Defensive lapses have killed them all season and, more often than not, have led to momentum-changing plays.

10. Tighten up if the game is close. 

Cam Newton has proven that he only gets more resolved, more focused, and more calm as the game winds down. He's ready to play for all 60 and he's willing to take the team on his back if he has to. By contrast, Georgia hasn't found their formula for doing the same.

The tighter the game, the more prone to mistakes they become.

If they find themselves in a position to win on Saturday, they need to play like they both deserve and CAN win. If they don't believe it, their play on the field will reflect it, and they will have already lost.

What say you, do you like the Bulldog's chances to make a game of it this weekend?

Former Georgia Bulldog, Verron Haynes, Has a Message for UGA Haters

Verron Haynes is a former running back for the Georgia Bulldogs. He solidified his place in Bulldog lore with the well-known "P-44 Haynes" play...you know the one:



Yeah, that one.

The play that started the run of wins and championships for Mark Richt at Georgia. The play that, arguably, marks the moment the tide changed in Athens, GA and Georgia football went from perennial mediocrity to national contenders.

Well, Mr. Haynes has a message for all the people who decided to call for Mark Richt's head when the chips were down.

He, along with many other former players, didn't take too kindly to the shots that coach Richt, the program, and the team took during the four-game losing stretch. So, he had this to say to the bandwagon jumpers who are now back to being "loyal" to the red and black:

Gotta love that. I always did like, Mr. Haynes.

SEC Injury Alert: Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett Leaves Game With Possible Head Injury

Uh-oh...that can't be good.

Ryan Mallett, the star quarterback of the Arkansas Razorbacks and the SEC (in the minds of many) has left the game with a head injury according to coach Bobby Petrino. His return, at this time, is questionable.

Speculation is that Mallett will not return but, if he doesn't, his backup, Tyler Wilson, would be an adequate—if not stellar—replacement.

The junior QB came into the game late in the second quarter and led the Hogs on a 66-yard touchdown scoring drive to trim the Tigers lead to three points—21-24 with less than 3:00 minutes to go til the half. That said, if the Hogs can't find an answer for Cam Newton, it won't matter who is playing quarterback.

Newton already has 230 yards of total offense for the Tigers—143 yards rushing—and has had no problems finding the passing lanes when he wants to. By stark contrast, the Razorbacks have 81 yards rushing—total—and are relying on the passing attack to move the chains.

While this is Arkansas' usual method of getting the job done, it's difficult to say how effective it will be for them the rest of the way—especially if Mallett is unable to return.

At the half, the score is 27-21 Auburn.

Here's the halftime interview with coach Bobby Petrino on both Ryan Mallett and what Arkansas will need to do to contain Cam Newton:



...think Bobby's a little miffed?

Georgia Bulldogs Football: A Closer Look At What The Dawgs Are Doing Wrong

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see what's going wrong for the Georgia Bulldogs this year—just look at the games and you'll be plenty aware of what's not right.

This is not the team that fans signed up to see when they said goodbye to the reign of Willie Martinez. The "mediocre" 2009 was replaced by a hopeful 2010 with the arrival of Todd Grantham.

Grantham was going to be a breath of fresh air for the defense and Aaron Murray, although inexperienced, had to be better than Joe Cox—or at least if he wasn't, the running game would help him in the short-term.

Either way, this wasn't going to be a team that looked as disorganized, inconsistent, and out-manned as the one we saw last year—no way that was going to happen again at Georgia.

Unfortunately, 2010 brought a bitter pill to Athens, GA. A pill so tough to swallow that it almost seems like too much. The hang-dog look of die-hard fans who are still reeling from losses to Mississippi State and Colorado, tells the story of a season that, to this point, has been a complete disaster. No one wants to admit the team is bad, but at 1-4 it becomes more and more difficult to believe much else.

So, if you take the biggest magnifying glass you can find, and look only at the statistics* and not the people running the plays, what the heck is Georgia doing so wrong that they not only can't pull out a win, but can't seem to remember how to win at all:

1. The offense is terrible. 

That seems pretty obvious, right? Georgia is ranked No. 79 in the nation in points per game (PPG), scoring 24.8 per contest. Through the first five games of the season, the Bulldogs have scored 124 points—1/3 of which are courtesy of Blair Walsh (40 points).

Even more disturbing, A.J. Green has missed four games this season, yet, his contribution to the team's overall point total is 12. That may sound like nothing, but that ties him for second on the team—behind only Aaron Murray and Tavarres King.

That's pathetic.

While A.J. Green showed that he is the uber talent that most everyone knew him to be, there is no excuse for the offense being so centered around his presence that it becomes a wet rag minus him on the football field.

2. The running game looks worse than it is.

Through the first five games of 2009, the team averaged 3.20 yards per carry (ypc). The running game was not only anemic, at that time, but it was a bit of a joke as the coaches kept trying to find the right man to do the job—Richard Samuel, Carlton Thomas, Dontavius Jackson (here and there), and Caleb King all had there shot before Washaun Ealey was allowed to show us what he could do.

This season the team is averaging better than 4.03 ypc, yet they still look awful. Even still, aside from the contest against South Carolina, the team has eclipsed better than 100 yards per game—on the ground—each week. That includes two 150+ yard efforts (184 and 188) against Louisiana and Colorado, respectively.

The problem isn't a lack of effectiveness in the run game, but rather the fact that it has been used, ad nauseum, when it seemed more beneficial to call a pass instead. 14 run plays have been executed on third downs where a distance of more than four yards was needed to convert—Georgia's total yardage on those 14 plays: -4 yards.

3. The punting game is off. 

Drew Butler is an All-American punter. Last season he averaged better than 48 yards per attempt—that ranked Georgia No. 1 in the nation. This season, he's averaging a little more than 44 yards per punt (No. 22).

Last season, he was better on the road (52.23 yards per attempt) than he was at home (47.23). This season, the opposite has been true.

Field position matters in the SEC, and Butler has not been booting it the way he was in 2009. That makes for a shorter opponent field and a lot more work for the Georgia defense.

4. Too many three-and-outs!

Georgia ranks only above LSU, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee in converting first downs. The defense spends more time on the field than the offense does. That means a tired, wore out, defensive unit will usually enter the fourth quarter. You do the math on that one—especially if you consider that a majority of Georgia's losses were sealed in the fourth quarter.

The offense has to do a better job of extending drives if they hope to put any pressure on opposing defenses.

Georgia has 88 first downs this year—two of which were granted through penalties. That's not going to cut it (Oh, and if you want a contrast to that, Alabama has 117 first downs this year).

5. Penalties! Penalties! Penalties!

There are too many of these coming back to haunt Georgia.

In 2010, the Bulldogs have 32 penalties for a total of 219 yards. As a result, Georgia has lost, at least, 17 points of offense and helped extend countless drives for the opposition. It's something that needs to be improved, but—silver lining—it is better than what we saw from the team in 2009.

Through the first five games of that season, Georgia incurred 42 penalties for 373 yards.

6. The offensive line is not pass protecting. 

If Aaron Murray couldn't scramble, he'd be toast right now. The young phenom sees the ground at least twice a game and rarely comes out of his drop without seeing a defender breaking through on his right or left side.

The offensive line is filled with, essentially, the same guys that lined up for Georgia last season. There is no way they are this bad—strength and conditioning needs to be addressed.

There is no other explanation for the way the line gets pushed, punked, and pulverized on a weekly basis—NONE!

7. The redzone is a problem. 

Would you believe it, if someone told you that Georgia has a higher conversion rate, overall, in the redzone than Alabama, Auburn, and Florida? Well, they do.

Georgia can get into the redzone, they have been there 18 times this season—scoring on 16 of those drives. The problem isn't getting into the redzone, the problem is that of those 16 scores, only nine of them went for six. Georgia continually settles for field goals and that cannot continue to happen.

8. By contrast, Georgia's opponent's have no problem scoring touchdowns in the redzone. 

What's that phrase we fans love to use where the Georgia defense is concerned? Hunker Down? Well, there isn't much of that going on this season. The defense is doing the opposite of hunkering down in the redzone, they are helping their opponents find holes and get free for six with ease.

On 11 attempts, the opposition has scored 10 times—all but one went for six.

Conclusion:

The obvious problems are obvious for a reason and, to be frank, most of the problems above could be solved by making two moves: firing the offensive coordinator and asking the strength coach to step down—neither of which seems likely to happen in-season.

What that means is there could be more mediocrity in the near future unless this team starts learning how to play with or without A.J. on the field. There is no excuse for the offensive coordinator to be so unimaginative and dependent on one player that he ceases to do his job when said player has left the field—that's the very definition of incompetence.

As for the defense, it's not nearly as ineffective as it seems, improvements have been made in every phase of the game. The problem isn't Todd Grantham, it's the execution of each play by the players who don't seem altogether familiar with what they should be doing—yet.

If anything, a spotlight is needed on the sudden inability of the running backs, aside from Carlton Thomas, to hang onto the football. It's deplorable to lose points due to lack of fundamentals in ball carrying. Perhaps the duties of the running back coach need to be looked at again because it seems that Bryan McClendon has some questions to answer about what his guys are learning versus what they are doing.

Comment below if you have something insightful to add, but, in the end, the only number a fan will see is 1-4 (Georgia's current record).  Everything else is just chatter.

*All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Things You Need To Know About Tennessee

The Georgia Bulldogs are back from Boulder, Colorado and they are 1-4. Everything else is irrelevant at this point as the majority of Georgia fans likely woke up on Sunday morning asking only one question: when will the Bulldogs get another win?

It's useless to recap another disappointing Saturday, because there is no way to adequately explain how a game that could have been won by this Georgia team, was instead, again, lost by them—in such heinous fashion.

As with every week, so far this season, it's just time to move on and focus on the next opponent. This week that's the Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols have shown plenty of fight the last few weeks: winning in overtime, at home, against UAB and in nearly upsetting a vastly overrated LSU team in Baton Rouge this past Saturday.

This team is hungry for an SEC win, and they are more than willing to come into Sanford Stadium to get it. So, what should Georgia fans know about the 2010 Vols?

1. They have a solid running back in Tauren Poole.

If people thought the running game at Tennessee was going to suffer minus the talents of Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown, they were sadly mistaken. Tauren Poole has done a more than capable job of carrying the load this year.

The junior already has three 100+ yard rushing games—including a 109 yard performance against the SEC's best rush defense (LSU) last week—and he's one of the best offensive players on the team. He should not be underestimated.

2. They are steadily improving from week-to-week. 

The Vols aren't a bad team, they're a young team. They've fought through every win and loss and they've done so with a lot of heart. The quarterback play gets better each week, and the careless mistakes that seemed to plague them in the early-going are fewer and fewer as the team gels. It's easy to see that they are coming into their own under Dooley.

3. Matt Simms is gaining confidence. 

The junior quarterback has done as well as you can expect, standing behind a young offensive line, with little pass protection. His numbers may not seem impressive, but he's been money in third down situations (particularly those where between 3-7 yards is needed) and his toughness has made him a fan favorite. He's not particularly mobile, but he can make plays on the move if he has to.

4. Gerald Jones is the leader of this offense. 

After the heartbreaking loss to LSU, the senior wide receiver was said to have gotten in the face of the offensive lineman, asking them the following: "Ask yourself, are you doing your job?" He doesn't shy away from giving or receiving criticism, and he's definitely one to watch on third downs—84 of his 132 yards this season have come in those situations.

5. Eric Gordon—remember that name. 

David Oku has been the primary return man for the Vols this year but the flashes of brilliance that Eric Gordon displayed against LSU this past Saturday could be a harbinger of things to come. He's got nice speed and some killer moves in his game and, if given too much space, could soon break free for a touchdown—giving the Vols just the spark they need on special teams.

6. Nick Reveiz is the heart of the defense.

The linebacker is considered, by many, to be the emotional leader on the defense. He's not the strongest, fastest, or even the most talented player, but he plays with a ton of heart and he brings intangibles to the field that defensive coaches love to see (toughness, leadership, and sound fundamental play).

Statistically, he leads the SEC in tackles (50), but his leadership is probably the most important part of his game.

7. They have an opportunistic secondary. 

The Volunteers have six interceptions as a unit this season (28th in the nation). Sophomores Prentiss Wagner and Janzen Jackson are both more than capable of defending any wide receiver in the country—particularly Jackson who, as a five star recruit out of Louisiana, has already made his presence felt on the field. Wagner has two interceptions this year—both returned for touchdowns.

8. Speaking of opportunistic...the pass defense is top notch. 

So far this season, the Vols pass defense (ranked 13th in the nation) has 21 passes broken up, 22 quarterback hurries, and three forced fumbles (h/t cfbstats.com). They rank third in the conference—following only Alabama and Florida, respectively. By contrast, in the same category, Georgia ranks 79th (that's a match-up worth noting).

9. Despite point No's. 7 and 8, the defensive front hasn't put opposing quarterbacks on their backs much. 

The defensive line of Tennessee has struggled getting into the backfield. The Vols only have five sacks this year, despite their ability to put pressure on the quarterback.

10. They haven't done a good job protecting their quarterback this season. 

Through five games, Matt Simms has been sacked 18 times. If there is one weakness the Vols have certainly had this year, it's in pass protection. Simms has managed to do well, despite their short-comings. Said Simms, "I think I've kind of mastered how to take a sack and just protect my body and protect the football, as crazy as that sounds."

Georgia Bulldogs Football: If This Is The Conditioning Program, Georgia Is In Trouble (VIDEO)

Have to give an ENORMOUS shout to the Leather Helmet Blog as they were the original posters of the first two videos you will see below. You can draw your own conclusions, most assuredly, but it's definitely clear that the approach that Dave Van Halanger takes at Georgia is a bit modest in comparison to others around the country.

Heck, let's be real, when compared to the program run by Benny Wylie at the University of Tennessee, Georgia's program looks like a Gymboree class.

Please, feast your eyes on this training video, for the "advanced athlete", presented by Georgia's strength and conditioning coach—Dave Van Halanger:



Now, did he really say three sets of ten? Now, no one here is professing to be an expert, but, shouldn't the routine be a touch more challenging—these are football player after all.

The  video above looks like it needs to be for the beginning athlete, not the advanced one and, production quality aside, no coach in the SEC is going to be rushing out the door looking for Van Halanger's regimen in any manual if this is what he's bringing to the table—hell, I can do three sets of ten!

Is he for real?!?

Now, take a look at Tennessee's strength coach, Benny Wylie, and ask yourself one question: could anyone describe him as soft?



"If you suffer as a group, you'll normally bond, and that's what we try to do. We put our guys through intense training, hard training, things that the normal person can't do—couldn't do—and we forge our guys together in the summer..."

Well, that sounds like a great idea: "suffer as a group and bond". Haven't seen too much bonding on the Georgia football field lately, could that be a part of the reason why? Just asking questions, here, because it seems that not enough light is being shined on Dave Van Halanger just yet and there has to be some accountability swept his way too.

But, no worries, right? The guys on the field can still lift with the best of them:

Is There Really Any Chance That Temple Beats Penn State?—The Lady's Friday Links (9/24)

The head coach at Temple University, Al Golden, has the Owls on the cusp of relevancy. After two winning seasons, their first bowl appearance since 1979 (in 2009), and a hot start (the Owls are currently 3-0), Golden has his program standing at the threshold of college football legitimacy.

After last weeks surprising win over Big East power, Connecticut, the Owls head into Saturday's match-up against Penn State with a lot of confidence—are the Owls for real? This game will surely be the one that answers that question.

Read more about the emergence of the Temple football program right here. 

Michigan State head coach, Mark Dantonio, is on the mend but his team will retake the field this weekend—hoping to remain undefeated.

Florida coach, Urban Meyer, will add his name to an exclusive group of head football coaches if/when he reaches the 100-win mark over the next four games. He would be the fastest coach, in more than 50 years, to reach the milestone—boy...it sure does pay to stay in-state and play those pansies, eh Urban?

The Alabama Crimson Tide are tentatively scheduling a game with the Michigan Wolverines. The match-up would take place in Dallas, TX in 2012—the Crimson Tide are really looking to expand their brand under Saban...well played.

Randall Cobb and the Kentucky Wildcats will look to get their program-defining win in The Swamp on Saturday night. Said John Clay, of KentuckySports.com, "You might expect a little more respect for a program that has been to four consecutive bowl games. You might expect a little more respect for a program that won on the road at Auburn and Georgia last year, that boasts a Randall Cobb, that competes in the SEC."—with all due respect to what the Wildcats were able to do last year, their schedule this year has been a joke. If they win at Florida, then they should join the conversation, but they are hardly worth a top 25 nod after beating a couple cupcakes and a pansy.

And speaking of Randall Cobb, he's mighty sensitive where his team is concerned. Red Lobster has lost his business for a little while after a hostess, unwittingly, dissed the Wildcats football program—you can hardly blame her, it was an honest mistake. 

This writer offers a different opinion on the Reggie Bush debacle, he seems to feel an injustice was done to both Reggie Bush and USC. Says Jerry Soifer, "Where is the media outcry against the people who bribed Bush and his family, taking advantage of a 19-year-old man and a family that had very little at the time?"...uh-huh. I have a better question, where was Reggie Bush's honor code? He wasn't nine, he knew what he was doing was wrong—I hardly feel sorry for him. It's called accountability. 

The cost to the Colorado Buffaloes to leave the Big 12 and become a member of the new Pac-12: a whopping $6.836 million—ouch.  

Before the start of the season, a lot of people felt like the Pitt Panthers were going to be major players in the BCS this season. Well, after last night, that notion took a big hit. 

Some cool video:

Bobby Petrino talks Bama:

College Football: Power Ranking The SEC Quarterbacks After Week Three

See the power rankings for weeks one and two at the respective links:

1. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas(21/33 for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns) at Georgia.

The senior leader of the red hot Razorbacks continued to prove why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC this season. His dismantling of the Georgia Bulldog offense, including tossing the game-winner with only seconds left to play, sent a message to the rest of the nation that he is for real.

2010 season total: 70/100 for 1081 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. 

2. Greg McElroy, Alabama (14/20 for 258 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception) at Duke

Speaking of senior leaders, the Crimson Tide once again took care of business against a lesser opponent. Mark Ingram made his season debut and he didn't disappoint. The dynamic duo will need to be at their very best this week as they prepare to take on the Razorbacks high-powered offense led, of course, by Ryan Mallett.

2010 season total: 43/60 for 705 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 interception). 

3. Matt Simms, Tennessee (19/31 for 259 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions) vs. Florida

The Vols are going to be a good team, at some point, they simply need to find a way to keep up their intensity for 60 minutes. Simms did a fine job getting against a talented Florida secondary that leads the SEC in interceptions this season (10). His maturation process grows with each passing week.

2010 season total: 48/84 for 591 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

4. Aaron Murray, Georgia (15/27 for 253 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception) vs. Arkansas

For all the question marks the Bulldogs have on both the offense and defense, one thing is very clear: Aaron Murray can play ball. The redshirt freshman engineered the comeback that nearly won the game for the Bulldogs. He's still got a lot of growing to do, but he's done a fine job thus far.  

2010 season total: 46/74 for 605 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.


5. Cameron Newton, Auburn (7/14 for 203 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions) vs. Clemson

For a while it looked like the Tigers would be upended by Clemson, but Auburn showed why they have every bit the reason to be optimistic about their chances of winning the west. The offense finally woke up in the second half (scoring 21 points), thanks in large part to Cameron Newton, and Auburn was able to stay undefeated on the year.

2010 season total: 27/47 for 525 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. 

6.  Mike Hartline, Kentucky (21/29 for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns) vs. Akron

The Wildcats have done well this season. Hartline's team stands at a comfortable 3-0 so far this season. Of course, they haven't played anyone yet, we'll have to see how well they do once they get into conference play. That said, Hartline continues to manage the game as well as anyone and his confidence appears to grow with each win under his belt.

2010 season total: 54/75 for 680 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.  

7. John Brantley, Florida (14/23 for 167 yards and 1 touchdown) at Tennessee

Brantley managed to escape his first true road test with a win—the accolades end there. The Gators offense continues to look mediocre and all the hype about Brantley still seems as if it may have a come a year too soon. He's not awful, he's just not as impressive as many thought he might be.

2010 season total: 49/79 for 452 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. 

8. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina (13/20 for 150 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions) vs. Furman

Garcia looked about as uninspired as he could playing against Furman and, although the Gamecocks offense put 24 points on the board against the Paladins, they didn't look nearly as crisp as most might like. Perhaps Spurrier's team was simply saving some of that fire for next week when they face the Auburn Tigers...at least, that's what Gamecock fans should be hoping.

2010 season total: 41/60 for 508 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. 

9. Jordan Jefferson, LSU (10/16 for 97 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions) vs. Mississippi St.

Jefferson...what can you say about him at this point? He's been bailed out each week by a particular unit. In week one, it was Patrick Peterson (special teams). In week two, it was Stephen Ridley (running backs), and this week it was his field goal kicker. At some point, Jefferson's luck is going to run out.

2010 season total: 33/57 for 344 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.

10. Jeremiah Masoli, Ole Miss (19/35 for 190 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. 19 carries for 104 yards and 1 touchdown) vs. Vanderbilt.

Masoli's mobility has to be the only thing keeping him from being completely worthless to the Rebels this season.

2010 season total: 40/65 for 580 yards, 1 touchdown, and 4 interceptions 

11. Tyler Russell, Mississippi State (5/10 for 81 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions

Russell is a long way from his week one performance. He's not proved to be nearly as prolific against better defenses and his performance against LSU last week just shows that he's still got a long way to go yet.

2010 season total: 22/35 for 356 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.

12. Larry Smith, Vanderbilt (9/19 for 73 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions)

Larry Smith is not good. There is little that can prove the contrary right now. The Commodores won on Saturday, but not much of that was due to the play of Smith.

2010 season total: 36/67 for 383 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception

Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Things You Need To Know About Mississippi State

It was another night spent at the Heartbreak Hotel after the Georgia Bulldogs lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the waning seconds of Saturday's match-up in Athens.

The team fell to a worrisome 0-2 record in the SEC (1-2 overall) and the chorus of "Mark Richt Must Go" saw a sudden surge amongst opinionated bloggers and online media types looking for a surge in site traffic.

If you are a Georgia Bulldog die-hard, the win over the Louisiana Cajuns, on September 4th, has long since dissipated, and the truth you are left with is this: Georgia still has some growing up to do.

That said, it's time to shake off the heavy coat of disappointment and put on your best red and black face as the Bulldogs head to Starkville to face that other SEC Bulldog team from the west. They too are still seeking their first big time conference win and Georgia has to look ripe for the picking to a team that has played better than the final scores of their last two games would suggest.

So, what do Georgia fans need to know about the Mississippi State Bulldogs?

1. They still haven't truly settled on a quarterback. 

Tyler Russell has solid potential, but he's not ready to carry the team. He struggles with the pass rush and he isn't nearly as mobile Chris Relf. That said, Georgia still hasn't shown a propensity for getting to the quarterback on a consistent basis so it would not surprise to see Russell getting a few more snaps this week.

2. Chris Relf can be dangerous.

Relf may not dazzle you with his arm, but he is more than capable of picking up key yards with his feet. He is the most dangerous to a defense once the play begins break down. His ability to use his legs to buy time for his receivers to get open has served him well, for the most part, this season. He's a lot more instinctual and focused on the run than simply standing in the pocket—that's something to take note of. 

3. Vick Ballard is one to watch. 

The Bulldogs are still searching for their run game this season, but they hope to see Vick Ballard become the man who can offer them their most legitimate compliment to the passing game. He hasn't been able to bust out of his shell just yet, but he has been dangerous at home (averaging 6.08 ypc) where he's already scored three touchdowns.

4. They have a couple of talented receivers in Chad Bumphis and Brandon Heavens.

If the quarterback play is able to find its groove, there is definitely room to be encouraged about the Bulldogs ability to move the football vertically. Chad Bumphis' skills aren't a mystery. He's every bit the physical, talented, and speedy receiver you remember him to be, and he's only in his sophomore year. Heavens offers a nice No. 2 option—he is every bit as capable of stretching the field and challenging the secondary.

 5.  The offensive line is better this season than the last.

If you consider the fact that Chris Relf has scrambled a bit more than Dan Mullen might like, it's  impressive that, through three games, the offensive line has only allowed five sacks. By contrast, Georgia's line has allowed nine.  Derek Sherrod continues to shine at the left tackle position—giving coach Mullen hope that better days are on the horizon for both the passing and the running game once everything really starts clicking.

6. They have a solid group of linebackers. 

Starting with senior linebacker, and leader, K.J. Wright, the Bulldogs boast an impressive set of linebackers who are more than capable of making the life of the quarterback, and the accompanying running game, quite miserable. Wright is an all-around beast—both on the field as a playmaker and off the field as a leader—and Chris White doesn't get nearly enough credit for being the athletic, smart, and instinctive player he's been over the last year or so.

7. Beware of Charles Mitchell.

The secondary of Mississippi State is an opportunistic one. There are a lot of guys playing a very aggressive brand of football in this unit, and Charles Mitchell sets the tone for their approach. He's tough, he's hard to fool, and he brings the heat on every play. His veteran presence has been a steady, influential, force on a very underrated unit.

The Bulldogs are currently fourth in the SEC in pass defense.

8. They are more dangerous on third down than they are on first and second. 

The offense, as mentioned earlier, is still attempting to find an identity—both at the quarterback and the running back spots. That said, the Bulldogs have still proved to be adept at pulling out the big third down play when necessary. So far this season, they are converting 45 percent of their third downs—fifth in the conference (by way of comparison, the Crimson Tide convert close to 47 percent of their third downs).

9. They convert in the redzone. 

The Bulldogs haven't made many trips to the redzone this season (five), but they have made every one count—scoring a touchdown each time.

10. Kickoffs have been a sore spot.

Special teams coverage on kickoffs has been a problem for Mississippi State. They rank nearly dead last in the conference in kickoff coverage, allowing close to 27 yards per return.

Les Miles Has Offered, Former Georgia QB, Zach Mettenberger A Scholarship

Zach Mettenberger could be on his way back to the SEC in 2011. The former quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs has an offer on the table from LSU.

Mettenberger, if you recall, was dismissed from the Georgia Bulldogs football team last spring after pleading guilty to sexual battery. He was on the radar of a few schools immediately following the dismissal (Cincinnati and Louisville to name a few), but eventually landed at Butler Community College in Kansas—so far, he's done well  (three games, 40/63, 728 yards, and 10 td's).

Les Miles is in need of a quarterback in Baton Rouge as Jordan Jefferson will soon be out of eligibility—thankfully and, his replacement, Zach Lee, will likely enter with just as many questions once his time comes. Mettenberger, if he pans out, would be an immediate upgrade over either of the two.

That said, the move by Miles will be met with disdain by some of the Georgia Bulldog faithful who won't like the idea of seeing their former top prospect playing ball within the conference.  Mettenberger wasn't going to start over Murray this season, even if he had never gotten into trouble, but there was no mistaking his potential or his talents.

So, if he goes into Baton Rouge and becomes a star, some fans could be forced to swallow a bitter pill because their coach did the right thing—and make no mistake, it was the right thing to do at that time. 

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the long term—particularly if the two schools happen to meet and Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger are the respective quarterbacks at the helm.

For the record, I don't like the idea much. It's a sketchy move by Miles, in my opinion, but if it worked for Houston Nutt at Ole Miss, then why not for Les Miles at LSU—it's all about winning, right?

Mettenberger is rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com , and is being compared to the likes of Christian LeMay and Max Wittek—both of whom are thought to harbor pro potential. He is also one of the Top 20 junior college prospects in the country so, needless to say, he's been able to slightly overcome the stain of his actions in Valdosta.

Junior College players sign their letters of intent from December 15th to January 15th, if not mistaken. Mettenberger is slated to make an official visit to LSU on November 19th. 

College Football: Power Ranking The SEC Quarterbacks After Week Two

After week two, the magnifying glass has a broader view of who's doing big things for his team and who, likely, benefited from a soft opponent in week one.

You can find the week one quarterback power rankings here.

1. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas (28/43 for 400 yards, 3 TD's, and 1 INT) at Louisiana-Monroe

Ryan Mallett still hasn't faced any true competition yet, but that doesn't make his arm or that Arkansas offense any less impressive. It took the Hogs two quarters to find their groove, but by the time the third-quarter ended in Louisiana, it was clear who had the best team.

2010 Season Total: 49/67 for 701 yards, 6 TD's, and 2 INT's

2. Greg McElroy, Alabama (16/24 for 229 yards and 2 TD's) vs. Penn State

McElroy had the distinction of being the quarterback who often lost his focus in the big games. If nothing else, the win over Penn State, in Tuscaloosa, proved that McElroy has truly come into his own as the leader of his team. His poise and confidence in the pocket have been a steadying influence on a team that is currently playing without two of its best players—Marcel Dareus and Mark Ingram.

2010 Season Total: 29/40 for 447 yards and 3 TD's

3. Mike Hartline, Kentucky (16/20 for 213 yards and 3 TD's) vs Western Kentucky

Whatever Joker Phillips is selling in Lexington, the Wildcats are buying it, and Mike Hartline is carrying it out on the field. The senior is a markedly better passer and seems much more comfortable leading this Kentucky offense this season than the last.

2010 Season Total: 33/46 for 430 yards and 3 TD's

4. Cameron Newton, Auburn (11/19 for 136 yards, 2 TD's, and 1 INT—18 carries for 70 yards) at Mississippi State

It wasn't as dynamic a performance as exhibited in week one, but, in Auburn's first SEC road game, against a rowdy home crowd, Newton led the Tigers to a key conference victory.

2010 Season Total: 20/33 for 322 yards, 5 TD's, and 1 INT—33 carries for 241 yards and 2 TD's

5. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina (12/17 for 165 yards and 0 TD's) vs. Georgia

Garcia's stats don't jump off the page but, watching him play, you get the sense that he may finally be coming into his own as a leader. The Gamecocks have found their running game in Marcus Lattimore, and Garcia is content to make the big plays when called upon. So far, he's been stellar on third downs, and he hasn't made the mistakes that cost his team in key situations last year. If he can continue on the right path, the Gamecocks will definitely be in Atlanta come December.

2010 Season Total: 28/40 for 358 yards and 0 TD's 

6. Aaron Murray, Georgia (14/21 for 192 yards and 0 TD's) at South Carolina

The scoreboard is what everyone pointed to at the end of the game, but that doesn't change the fact that the Georgia Bulldogs have found a player Aaron Murray. The redshirt freshman, in his first road game, showed veteran poise in the pocket, and made some timely throws on key downs. Despite the final outcome, the young gun kept Georgia in it til the end against a highly-motivated talented South Carolina team—that's saying a lot.

2010 Season Total: 31/47 for 352 yards, 3 TD's, and 1 INT

7. John Brantley, Florida (18/31 for 172 yards and 3 TD's) vs South Florida

The problem with John Brantley is he's not Tim Tebow—let's just put that out there. He's got a decent arm and a lot of potential (once he gets going), but he's been vanilla to this point in two blowout wins against subpar opponents. He's going to need to do a lot more if he expects to get by in the SEC.

2010 Season Total: 35/56 for 285 yards and 4 TD's

8. Jeremiah Masoli, Ole Miss (14/20 for 281 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT) at Tulane

Masoli hasn't bombed in his two appearances at quarterback this season, but the Rebels certainly haven't been the team they thought they would when they acquired him. He's done a decent job of transitioning into the offense so far and, considering the lackluster play of Nathan Stanley, it won't be long before it's the Masoli show in Oxford.

2010 Season Total: 21/30 for 390 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INT's

9. Jordan Jefferson, LSU (8/20 for 96 yards, 0 TD's, and 1 INT) at Vanderbilt 

The Tigers seem to win football games in spite of Jordan Jefferson, not because of him, and that's not a good thing. In week one, Patrick Peterson bailed him out and, in week two, it was running back Stephen Ridley. One would have to think his luck will run out soon and, when it does, he will only have himself to blame.

2010 Season Total: 23/41 for 247 yards, 2 TD's, and 2 INT's

10. Chris Reif, Mississippi State (12/26 for 110 yards and 0 TD's) vs. Auburn

Reif still isn't going to floor you with his passing prowess, but he did play fairly well against Auburn—his mobility likely kept the Bulldogs in the game. He isn't markedly better than 2009, but until Tyler Russell has his first go-round in SEC play, Reif is likely the better option.

2010 Season Total: 19/35 for 226 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT

11. Matt Simms, Tennessee (15/29 for 151 yards, 0 TD's, and 1 INT) vs Oregon

Give Simms a little more time and he will be a decent quarterback for the Vols but, right now, you get the feeling that the passing game isn't ready for the better defenses of the world. In time, as the receivers mature, and Simms gets more comfortable, that could change.

2010 Season Total: 29/53 for 332 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT

12. Larry Smith, Vanderbilt (8/15 for 70 yards, 0 TD's, and 0 INT's) vs LSU

Smith is what he is and that may never change. He struggled mightily against a much better defensive front and, despite the efforts of Vanderbilt running back, Warren Norman, the Commodores simply could not do much offensively to match the Tigers.

2010 Season Total: 27/48 for 310 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT