SEC Mid-Season Review

SEC Midseason Review

UPDATE Monday 10/9/06: SEC EAST REVIEW

MID-SEASON REVIEW Biggest Surprise Kentucky This is an easy call. Not to take away from the accomplishments of Tennessee, but no one would have predicted the Wildcats to win three games this season and have an outside shot at a bowl game this year. A big Les Miles Hat-tip to former Vol Offensive Coordinator Randy Sanders, for his work with QB Andre Woodson who is second in the SEC in passing behind Erik Ainge. It makes one wonder what/who the real problem really was in Knoxville last season.

Biggest Disappointment Florida It is hard not to pick LSU for this slot merely because of their preseason expectations and depending on how they finish the season they could end up the biggest disappointment at the end of the year. But for now, Florida is the biggest disappointment in the SEC so far. Not only have the Gators struggled to lose this season, but they appear to continue to receive all the officiating calls in their favor. Throw in the reinstatement of 2-time piss test failure DT Marcus Thomas that gave the SEC a black eye on the national scale; Urban Meyer and the Gator Nation win this award. MVP (season to date) Erik Ainge No one player has meant more to his team and their current record than Erik Ainge. He should be a lock for the SEC’s most valuable player award at the end of the season. His statistics are solid as the number one SEC Quarterback. Ainge passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another as 13th-ranked Tennessee came-from-behind to defeated 10th-ranked Georgia, 51-33, in a SEC showdown. Ainge completed 25-of-38 passes and had scoring tosses of 16 and 15 yards to lead the Volunteers (5-1, 1-1 SEC), who scored 27 fourth-quarter points against a Georgia defense that entered the game allowing just 6.8 points per contest. Best Head Coaching Job Houston Nutt At this point I give a slight nod to Nutt because the Hogs are in a position that very few analysts predicted. Houston hired a high school coach to run his offense, a move that brought chuckles from other schools. Houston had some quarterback issues but quickly put Mustain-a-licious as the starter. The Hogs rebounded from another solid ass whipping from Southern Cal with a big win at The Barn. Oops, did USC just score again? The Hogs went to the Barn and beat the #2 Tigers in a game that was not even close. Urban Meyer and Les Miles continue to win using other coaches’ recruits. So they don’t get votes.

Coach(s) on the Hot Seat Ed Orgeron – Ole Miss Sly Croom – Mississippi State Although LSU fans have to be disappointed in the performance of the Tigers this season; Les “Big Hat”Miles is not even close to a “hot seat”. Orgeron and Croom on the other hand may the casualties of SEC fan’s insatiable appetite to win. Croom’s Bulldogs will likely finish the season with 2 wins (they will win the Egg Bowl again) and finish last in the SEC. As for “Batshit Crazy” Orgeron, given the job that David Cutcliffe is doing at Tennessee, many Ole Miss fans are wondering why AD Pete Boone let him go. It is not his won/loss record as it is his flirtation with his off-field antics and lack of improvement that has been noted by both Boone and Archie Manning may signal this big sweaty shirtless Cajun to be kicked to the curb. Boone may feel pressure to make a change as Ole Miss will miss a bowl game for the third year in a row and QB Brent Schaffer is sleeping in meetings again.

Best Game: This game has not been played yet. Hands down the best game played so far this season should take place next week at Auburn. This game had all of the elements that make college football great, including the feel good story of a pissed and embarrassed Auburn team. The War Eagles should torch the highly overrated Gators at Auburn. Florida should not benefit from any home cooking officiating in this contest. Hopefully, this game will be decided by field goal kickers.The Gators have not made a field goal all season and after watching them all season, this trend should continue. Thus sending possibly the worst fans of any SEC School back to their Doublewides an above ground pools demoralized. It is our sincere hope here at LWS, that after Auburn defeats Florida, that Urban Meyer will weep at his press conference.