Take Down The SEC

[Mike]

Can Someone, Anyone, Please Take Down the SEC?



ATLANTA August 17, 2013 (AP)

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National Writer
Associated Press
Can somebody — anybody! — please stand up to that bully down South.

The college football season hasn't even started yet, but we already feel like we know the outcome.

The SEC is up here.

Everyone else is down here.

Frankly, it's getting a little boring.

Sport requires drama, suspense, some degree of uncertainty to truly capture our attention.

In this sport, though, we've got the closest thing to a sure bet. Come January, we all know there's likely to be another Southeastern Conference team standing in the middle of that confetti at the Rose Bowl, collecting the league's eighth straight national title.

Once again, the SEC has an embarrassment of riches: the best offensive player (Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel), the best defensive player (South Carolina end Jadeveon Clowney), the best coach (Alabama's Nick Saban), and — oh, yeah — the best team (Saban's mighty Crimson Tide, winner of three crowns in the last four years and heavily favored to claim another).

Yawn.

For the good of college football, somebody needs to end this reign of terror.

Sure, dynasties are a whole lot of fun for those on the right side of history, but they're not the best way to keep the rest of us engaged. It is surely no coincidence that average attendance this past season was down 1.3 percent from 2005, the last time a team not from the SEC finished No. 1, and a more troubling 3.3 percent from its record high in 2008.

In fact, last year's turnout of 45,440 per game was the lowest for the NCAA's top division since 2001. Even the folks in SEC country seem to have become a bit bored with all this winning, judging by a slight drop in average attendance each of the last two seasons and a more glaring number of no-shows at some big-time stadiums.

For now, look for more of the same.

The SEC could have as many as five teams (Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Florida) in the top 10 when the first Associated Press poll of the season comes out on Saturday. LSU is right in the mix, too.

There are those who choose to bury their head in the sand when it comes to the SEC.

A few weeks ago, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini took offense at anyone suggesting the SEC was head and shoulders above every other conference. Alabama, for sure, but not the entire conference.

"I guarantee there are a lot of teams in the SEC that aren't Alabama that wish they were Nebraska, that wish they were Michigan, wish they were Ohio State," Pelini said, "so don't talk to me about the SEC."

That sort of denial isn't going to get it done.

Not when anyone can match up to the SEC in two crucial areas: quarterback and defense.

It starts with Manziel, the game's most dynamic player, assuming he isn't sidelined by an investigation into whether he got paid for doling out his autograph (the guess here is that Johnny Football beats the rap). Alabama is led by AJ McCarron, who has done nothing but win championships since taking over as the Tide's QB. Georgia has Aaron Murray, a fifth-year senior who surprisingly passed on a chance to enter the NFL draft after guiding the Bulldogs to the cusp of the national title game last season.

Clowney would surely be in the pros by now if he wasn't required to spend one more year in college. If anyone needs a refresher on just how good this guy is, check in with former Michigan running back Vincent Smith, assuming he's finally coherent after taking the season's most vicious hit in the Outback Bowl, one which sent both the ball and his helmet flying.

In a sense, Clowney is the exaggerated prototype for the kind of player that makes SEC defenses stand apart from everyone else. In this league, it seems, everyone is just a few pounds bigger, a little bit stronger, a step quicker. Manti Te'o might've been a stud at Notre Dame, but his performance in the national title game — most of it spent on his back as Alabama romped to a 42-14 victory — showed he would've been just another player in the SEC.

If there was any hope the Crimson Tide might back off the throttle just a bit, Saban shot that down just minutes after his team had finished its destruction of the Fighting Irish. He said the celebration would last all of 24 hours, then he'd be back in the office getting ready to win another championship.

"Even though I really appreciate what this team accomplished and am very, very proud of what they accomplished, we need to prepare for the challenges of the new season very quickly with the team we have coming back," he said.

Saban sounded totally devoid of joy, just a man on an insatiable quest to knock down anyone in his path. He is the perfect symbol for the SEC, which saps a little more joy from this game with each passing season, a league on cruise control while everyone else is struggling mightily just to get off the ground.

Please don't put us through that again.

Can you help us out, Ohio State? The Buckeyes at least have a coach, Urban Meyer, who knew how to win in the SEC and clearly doesn't mind cutting a few corners.

What about you, Louisville? The Cardinals certainly have a championship-caliber quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, and put quite a whippin' on Florida in the Sugar Bowl.

Oregon?

Stanford?

Somebody?

At this point, we'll take anybody.

 

[Zilly]

I'm hoping for a 'Bama (or any other SEC team) vs. Ohio State championship game, just as many are predicting. Nothing will make my January better than seeing Ohio State making their way back to Columbus with tails between their legs.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Heard a good analogy the other day. Somebody on the radio said

"There are to many Pro athletes imitating college students."

Meaning some of these players aren't really "Enrolled" in legitimate college classes but just playing college sports.

 

[3 M L & C]

How is attendance at college games connected to the sec being good? That part makes no sense. If so many teams are that good wouldn't the attendance be more? Regardless of how much you win, you just want to win more. I don't think as fans you set there and think well we won the championship last year, so I'm not going to watch this year.

 

[Mike]

How is attendance at college games connected to the sec being good? That part makes no sense. If so many teams are that good wouldn't the attendance be more? Regardless of how much you win, you just want to win more. I don't think as fans you set there and think well we won the championship last year, so I'm not going to watch this year.

Maybe it's not that the SEC is so good. Maybe the other leagues are so bad?

Couldn't that play a part in lower attendances everywhere except the SEC? :wink:

 

[jigs]

it boils down to TV's and population...the south eastern part of America is very populated by what most would consider slightly ignorant and retarded people who have little going for them other than a case of beer, a cousin who is carrying their baby, and a football team to cheer for.... so ESPN seeing the obvious, pushes the SEC hype machine 24-7, and added into it, the recruiting violations that are over looked, to propel the SEC to the top, has created a bit of a gap in the nation...take the top 4 teams out of the SEC, and you are left with the big east conference...the top 4 teams play those losers at the end of the year, when every other league is playing top caliber league opponents at the end of the year...thus creating an image of superiority for the SEC.... had Alabama played Oregon last year, the SEC would not have a title. Notre Lame is a joke. but they are a media blessing to parade around as the puppet for the SEC king to beat up.... until there is a fair play off, no one will see how top heavy and over rated the SEC really is.... but till then, it is Pabst Blue Ribbons and horny cousins for everyone in the SEC.....

 

[Mike]

 

[jigs]

was hoping you saw the satire in there....

when arguing with a southern football fan, I grouped them all together as beer drinking, cousin humping, Bama Fans...the guy got pissed off...said he took offense to that, said he was an Auburn fan.!!! never really put up a fight on the rest of it ... :???: :???: :wink:

 

[Mike]

You're just P.O.ed cause we got your Q'back................. :lol:

8/17/2013
AUBURN, Alabama -- Nick Marshall, the junior-college transfer with the big arm and lightning-quick feet, has officially won Auburn's starting quarterback job, according to a release Saturday.

Marshall beat out freshman Jeremy Johnson and sophomore Jonathan Wallace in a training camp battle that covered three scrimmages and a key situational practice on Saturday.


After Saturday morning's practice, Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn met with offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee to make a final decision that came roughly three hours after Malzahn's press conference ended.

"Nick Marshall has emerged and earned the right to be our starting quarterback," Malzahn said in a statement. "As I've said, we wanted to go with the guy that gives us the best opportunity to win football games and Nick is that guy."


Marshall, who landed at Auburn after being dismissed following his freshman season at Georgia and subsequently transferring to Garden City (Kan.) Community College, was the nation's most coveted junior college quarterbacks, drawing heavy interest from Kansas State and Baylor, among others.

Beyond his physical gifts, Marshall possesses good football smarts and an ability to pick up offenses quickly, and he grasped Malzahn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense well in the first 18 days of practice.

"He has caught on quickly in the short period of time he has been with us," Malzahn said. "He is a playmaker with a big upside, and once he becomes more comfortable with the offense, he has the chance to improve each week."

The shortest of the Tigers' three quarterbacks at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Marshall possesses incredible athleticism and an ability to create something out of nothing.

"How athletic he is and how fast he is and his ability to extend the play and make things happen with his legs, it's something you just have to watch," tight end C.J. Uzomah said. "He's a blazing guy. It's something kind of special."

Marshall produced big numbers at Garden City, racking up 3,142 passing yards, 1,095 rushing yards and 37 total touchdowns, but he threw 20 interceptions and struggled at times with ball security.

But those turnover issues at Garden City haven't been a problem in Auburn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense, an offense geared to limiting turnovers.

"Nick is a guy who's very calm in the pocket, under control," Malzahn said in his Tiger Talk appearance Thursday night. "He's very quick, and he can run. He's got a very good arm, it's just a matter of him getting used to the reads and everything that goes with that."

Behind Marshall, Auburn's offense has been prolific in several scrimmages, combining a good running game with a big-play passing game.

An offense that badly needs to bounce back after a disastrous 2012 is starting to find some confidence.

"It's really starting to flow now," H-back Jay Prosch said. "It's starting to look like an offense. It's starting to come together and it's exciting."

Installing Marshall as the starting quarterback adds a big piece of the puzzle.

 

[Sandhusker]

In order for the SEC to be "taken down", one must first assume the fallacy that they are even "up" to be taken down. The "mighty SEC" is simply an overused storyline that sports writers need to hook themselves up to so that they have something to write about. I remember these same clowns writing on how Peyton Manning was going to pass all over Nebraska (NU 42, Tenn 17). I fondly recall them touting Spurrier's Fun-n-gun that was going to show the Huskers how football was played (NU 62, FLA 24).

For once Jiggsy is right about something; The SEC has way too many pigs to be realisticly considered above everybody else.

 

[Mike]

7 NC's IN A Row!!!!

Now go back to your ancient history. :lol:

That's all you have. :wink:

 

[jigs]

Marshall would have been a great grab for KSU, but we have two guys who should battle pretty hard for the starting nod.... Garden City is coached by three former Kansas State players, so it should turn into a nice farm for the Cats to send the academic troubles to.....

looking forward to Auburn coming to the little apple next year.... if you make it up to the game gimme a holler....

You're just P.O.ed cause we got your Q'back................. :lol:

8/17/2013
AUBURN, Alabama -- Nick Marshall, the junior-college transfer with the big arm and lightning-quick feet, has officially won Auburn's starting quarterback job, according to a release Saturday.

Marshall beat out freshman Jeremy Johnson and sophomore Jonathan Wallace in a training camp battle that covered three scrimmages and a key situational practice on Saturday.


After Saturday morning's practice, Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn met with offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee to make a final decision that came roughly three hours after Malzahn's press conference ended.

"Nick Marshall has emerged and earned the right to be our starting quarterback," Malzahn said in a statement. "As I've said, we wanted to go with the guy that gives us the best opportunity to win football games and Nick is that guy."


Marshall, who landed at Auburn after being dismissed following his freshman season at Georgia and subsequently transferring to Garden City (Kan.) Community College, was the nation's most coveted junior college quarterbacks, drawing heavy interest from Kansas State and Baylor, among others.

Beyond his physical gifts, Marshall possesses good football smarts and an ability to pick up offenses quickly, and he grasped Malzahn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense well in the first 18 days of practice.

"He has caught on quickly in the short period of time he has been with us," Malzahn said. "He is a playmaker with a big upside, and once he becomes more comfortable with the offense, he has the chance to improve each week."

The shortest of the Tigers' three quarterbacks at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, Marshall possesses incredible athleticism and an ability to create something out of nothing.

"How athletic he is and how fast he is and his ability to extend the play and make things happen with his legs, it's something you just have to watch," tight end C.J. Uzomah said. "He's a blazing guy. It's something kind of special."

Marshall produced big numbers at Garden City, racking up 3,142 passing yards, 1,095 rushing yards and 37 total touchdowns, but he threw 20 interceptions and struggled at times with ball security.

But those turnover issues at Garden City haven't been a problem in Auburn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense, an offense geared to limiting turnovers.

"Nick is a guy who's very calm in the pocket, under control," Malzahn said in his Tiger Talk appearance Thursday night. "He's very quick, and he can run. He's got a very good arm, it's just a matter of him getting used to the reads and everything that goes with that."

Behind Marshall, Auburn's offense has been prolific in several scrimmages, combining a good running game with a big-play passing game.

An offense that badly needs to bounce back after a disastrous 2012 is starting to find some confidence.

"It's really starting to flow now," H-back Jay Prosch said. "It's starting to look like an offense. It's starting to come together and it's exciting."

Installing Marshall as the starting quarterback adds a big piece of the puzzle.

 

[TexasBred]

In order for the SEC to be "taken down", one must first assume the fallacy that they are even "up" to be taken down. The "mighty SEC" is simply an overused storyline that sports writers need to hook themselves up to so that they have something to write about. I remember these same clowns writing on how Peyton Manning was going to pass all over Nebraska (NU 42, Tenn 17). I fondly recall them touting Spurrier's Fun-n-gun that was going to show the Huskers how football was played (NU 62, FLA 24).

For once Jiggsy is right about something; The SEC has way too many pigs to be realisticly considered above everybody else.

Funniest thing is that the SEC boys don't realize they are over hyped. They just go out there and beat the hell out of whoever lines up against them. Sandy it's bad when you have to go all the way back to Peyton Manning to find and example.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

In order for the SEC to be "taken down", one must first assume the fallacy that they are even "up" to be taken down. The "mighty SEC" is simply an overused storyline that sports writers need to hook themselves up to so that they have something to write about. I remember these same clowns writing on how Peyton Manning was going to pass all over Nebraska (NU 42, Tenn 17). I fondly recall them touting Spurrier's Fun-n-gun that was going to show the Huskers how football was played (NU 62, FLA 24).

For once Jiggsy is right about something; The SEC has way too many pigs to be realisticly considered above everybody else.

Funniest thing is that the SEC boys don't realize they are over hyped. They just go out there and beat the hell out of whoever lines up against them. Sandy it's bad when you have to go all the way back to Peyton Manning to find and example.

Isn't Peyton collecting the Old age pension now?

 

[Mike]

In order for the SEC to be "taken down", one must first assume the fallacy that they are even "up" to be taken down. The "mighty SEC" is simply an overused storyline that sports writers need to hook themselves up to so that they have something to write about. I remember these same clowns writing on how Peyton Manning was going to pass all over Nebraska (NU 42, Tenn 17). I fondly recall them touting Spurrier's Fun-n-gun that was going to show the Huskers how football was played (NU 62, FLA 24).

For once Jiggsy is right about something; The SEC has way too many pigs to be realisticly considered above everybody else.

Funniest thing is that the SEC boys don't realize they are over hyped. They just go out there and beat the hell out of whoever lines up against them. Sandy it's bad when you have to go all the way back to Peyton Manning to find and example.

Isn't Peyton collecting the Old age pension now?

Should be. He's been in the NFL about 15 years?

Don't mind Sandy. He's taking out his grudge against Wisconsin on the SEC. :lol:

 

[jigs]

In order for the SEC to be "taken down", one must first assume the fallacy that they are even "up" to be taken down. The "mighty SEC" is simply an overused storyline that sports writers need to hook themselves up to so that they have something to write about. I remember these same clowns writing on how Peyton Manning was going to pass all over Nebraska (NU 42, Tenn 17). I fondly recall them touting Spurrier's Fun-n-gun that was going to show the Huskers how football was played (NU 62, FLA 24).

For once Jiggsy is right about something; The SEC has way too many pigs to be realisticly considered above everybody else.

Funniest thing is that the SEC boys don't realize they are over hyped. They just go out there and beat the hell out of whoever lines up against them. Sandy it's bad when you have to go all the way back to Peyton Manning to find and example.

when you are a Husker fan, all you have is a glorious history..and NO future.... give the guy a break !