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SEC

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005

MATT HAYES' TAKES

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Steve Spurrier's first year back in college football will look a lot like his first with the Washington Redskins: good defense, bad offense. But somehow he will get seven wins out of South Carolina.... I wish I could watch Kentucky QB Andre' Woodson play for Spurrier. Woodson is big (6-5,230) and has a strong, accurate arm. Unfortunately, he'll get lost in the muck that is UK football.... If Alabama QB Brodie Croyle stays healthy--and Mike Shula's coaching doesn't give away a game or two--the underrated Tide will be playing for the West Division title when the Iron Bowl rolls around.... It looks as though Thomas Brown will get the majority of the carries in Georgia's crowded backfield and Danny Ware will play some at H-back. Big mistake. When Ware was healthy last year, he was fantastic. He has a rare combination of speed, size and attitude.... It's not going to happen overnight, but Ed Orgeron will get Ole Miss to its first SEC title game. His strong recruiting ties in California and Florida will be key.... Auburn DEs Stanley McClover and Quentin Groves look a lot like former Florida State stud DEs Reinard Wilson and Peter Boulware. Fast, aggressive, intimidating. McClover and Groves will combine for 20-plus sacks.... Last year, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer brought senior QB C.J. Leak to SEC media days. He barely played in 2004. This year, Fulmer brought senior QB Rick Clausen. Let me put it this way: Erik Ainge clearly is the best quarterback on the roster, but Fulmer likes to throw a bone to loyal seniors.... Who has the safest job in the league? Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson, of course. No. 1, he doesn't have to report to an athletic director (things are done differently at Vandy, people). No. 2, who else is Vandy going to get? ... Surprise player of the year: Florida RB DeShawn Wynn. This guy ran over Miami S Sean Taylor two years ago but hasn't been heard from since. Wynn will thrive in new coach Urban Meyer's offense--and Meyer's no-nonsense attitude will rub off on Wynn.... LSU must find a way to better take advantage of WR Xavier Carter. He's the fastest player in the nation. Yep, faster than Reggie Bush and Ted Ginn. But Carter still is a long way from understanding the game.

SCOUTS VIEWS

Observations from SEC coaches

The honeymoon is over for Mike Shula at Alabama. He has to show that his team is on the verge of playing for the SEC championship.... I think Houston Nutt manages the game well, but Arkansas never looks likes it will take the next step in the evolution.... Two years ago, Auburn's Tommy Tuberville was a dolt. Now, he's a genius. He does a good job getting his kids motivated to play.... I'm still a little suspicious about Florida QB Chris Leak's running the spread option. He's more of a pocket, pro-style passer. How will his accuracy and confidence be shaken after getting hit play after play? ... After four years of David Greene, a very coachable quarterback, we're going to see how patient Georgia's Mark Richt can be with D.J. Shockley.... If Rich Brooks doesn't show improvement at Kentucky, he won't be around next year. At least the two previous coaches made it interesting.... I don't think any team in the country has as much talent at wide receiver and running back as LSU--and that includes Southern Cal.... Whatever Mississippi does at quarterback, it has to run that offense through Vashon Pearson. He's a heck of a back, a strong runner with deceptive speed.... If Mississippi State's Jerious Norwood played for LSU, he'd be one of the most hyped running backs in the nation.... I think Steve Spurrier is going to have problems at South Carolina. It's hard to recruit there because there's no history and he doesn't have the best recruiting base.... Tennessee will be as good defensively as they have been in the last decade, and that's saying a lot. I love Jesse Mahelona at tackle.... I don't think Bobby Johnson is going to get it done at Vanderbilt, but that doesn't mean he's not a talented coach.

MATCH GAME

By Michael Bradley

1. The streak: a school-record 16 straight bowl games. The schedule: includes six 2004 bowl teams.

2. Has won more than one conference game in a season once over the past 10 years.

3. Returns nine starters from a defense that ranked first in the SEC and second in the nation.

4. Led the SEC in passing offense, passing touchdowns, passing attempts and completions in 2004.

5. Returns the top three rushers from the SEC's best ground offense.

6. Has run off eight consecutive seasons with at least eight wins for the first time in school history.

7. Has 18 starters back but lost its top passer and top rusher--and he's the same guy.

8. Will try to rebound from its first losing season since 1996.

9. This team's coach is the only man in SEC history to post 12 straight seasons of nine or more wins.

10. Returning players produced just 9 percent of the rushing yards and 12 percent of the passing yards in 2004.

11. Hasn't averaged 20 points per game since 2000.

SEC

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005

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