Week 12 has passed and it’s time for another viewing of the O&BHue SEC Powerpoll ballot.

1) Florida - FIU provided the perfect patsies to work on the passing game.  It’s like invading Poland before attacking a real army to work out the kinks.
2) Alabama - Other than the obvious bragging rights the Alabama-Auburn game has surprisingly little importance overall.  It really IS like we have a playoff system!
3) Ole Miss - Nutt has the Rebels peaking at the right time. Despite being a preseason darling it looks as though the best the Rebs can do is match last season’s accomplishment.
4) LSU - I hope Les Miles realizes that his sideline gesture for “send the FG unit on!” is so similar to what most teams use to signal “spike the ball” as to cause confusion.
5) Arkansas - The Hogs average almost 48 points in their wins and 21 in their losses.  A low scoring game against LSU does not bode well.
6) Auburn - I think the “character recruits” Tubberville left at Auburn were actual character actors from the Orlando Disney Resorts.
7) South Carolina - Spurrier’s best bet against Clemson is trying to convince his team that the bye week was actually the end of the 2009 season and this game is the first of 2010.
8) Tennessee - One more win and Kiffin can pass Kentucky in the league standings . . . wow . . . IMPRESSIVE!!!
9) Kentucky - While the basketball team has been less than impressive so far Rich Brooks and company continue to forge this program ahead.
10) Georgia - UGA should wear black against Georgia Tech. 1) It will demonstrate the proper mourning for the season. 2) If the Dawgs lose badly maybe people won’t know who they are.
11) Mississippi State - If the Mississippi State defense was a dam, the whole team would have drowned by now.
12) Vanderbilt - There aren’t really a lot of answers for that offense. They just don’t seem to have anybody fast and they don’t seem to be able to block anybody.

It’s rivalry week and although that means it’s time for the SEC’s biggest rivalry in Alabama and Auburn, what most interests me are the interconference matchups between the SEC and ACC.  In that regard it’s time for South Carolina vs Clemson, Georgia vs Georgia Tech and Florida vs. Florida State.  While the Gators look to be a big favorite the other contests have the SEC participants playing the role of the underdog.  A slumping Gamecock team comes off a bye for a last ditch try at redemption.  A win against Clemson might salvage a once promising season for Spurrier’s crew.  A Georgia team in utter disarray can also restore it’s wounded pride with a win over the highly ranked Rambling Wreck.  For Florida State I look for another nail to be pounded into Bowden’s coffin.  Another embarrassing blowout loss in Gainesville (his third against Meyer) would all but seal the fate on the old man’s legacy . . . and not in a good way.

As always check out the combined SEC Powerpoll on Wednesday at TeamSpeedKills.

Only a few weeks left for the SEC Powerpoll.  In the final leg of the stretch run we have our current vote.  For the first time this season Alabama claims first place in the poll.

1) Alabama - Saban has a simple but effective formula to winning games.  I’m not sure why wide receivers would want to go there but I understand why running backs would be falling all over themselves to.
2) Florida - This team is what it is, a ball control offense and a defense that can absolutely destroy an offense late in games.  See Alabama in the SECCG, Oklahoma in the BCS game and the Gamecocks last week for more on that.
3) LSU - I’ve always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why I so enjoy watching Jarrett Lee play quarterback.
4) Ole Miss - The Rebels prove once again that they are better suited as the underdog than the favorite. Hell, Northern Arizona gave them a tougher game than the Vols.
5) Auburn - Ben Tate was right. He is the best back in the state . . . his home state of Maryland perhaps.
6) Arkansas - After giving up 56 points to both Arkansas and Florida, I think Troy should try and steer clear of SEC teams. There’s always the ACC though.
7) Tennessee - Lane Kiffin assured the media that his team was determined and focused despite recent events. Thank God! Imagine the whoopin we’d have witnessed had they been UNFOCUSED!!!
8) Georgia - Did the Bulldogs win?  These days I only check out Georgia games to see what they’re wearing.
9) South Carolina - South Carolina fans love Spurrier. Most are NASCAR fans and you won’t find any better wrecks this time of year than on the football field in Columbia!
10) Kentucky - Lookout Shrevesport, here we come!!!
11) Mississippi State - As a head coach of Mississippi State you do a lot of praying.  Most of the time the answer is “no”.
12) Vanderbilt - Vanderbilt University - making average opponents look great for over four decades!!!

Well the season is winding down but there are still some compelling games on the SEC slate.  LSU faces Mississippi in a bowl positioning matchup.  Despite wanting revenge from last year’s loss I think Ole Miss is the team to beat here.  The Tigers will need to have a serviceable Jordan Jefferson to have any chance of winning.  Tennessee meets in-state rival Vanderbilt.  The Vols need a win to become bowl eligible.  But with the current off-field circus who knows what Tennessee team shows up on Saturday.  MSU versus Arkansas and UK versus Georgia are essentially toss up games.  Maybe parity isn’t such a good thing after all.

As always check out the combined SEC Powerpoll on Wednesday at TeamSpeedKills.

Okay folks, week 10 is now in the record books and here are the latest O&BHue rankings for the SEC!

1) Florida - Tebow’s effort keeps him near the top in Heisman contention but . . . just barely.
2) Alabama - Another week, another tough game. This week a new hero rose up to save Alabama’s season. This weeks game ball goes to SEC Replay official Gerald Hodges!
3) LSU - LSU lost Charles Scott, Jordan Jefferson AND Patrick Peterson in the game.  The Tigers couldn’t have been more impacted if Saban had a sniper in the stadium.
4) Auburn - The Furman Paladins played themselves while the Auburn Tigers played a giant, 3-headed, fire breathing dragon enjoying some Paladin flavored BBQ.
5) Tennessee - With Memphis down only Vandy stands between the Vols and TOTAL DOMINATION OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE!!!  Behold the rise of the Kiffin Empire!
6) South Carolina - The Gamecocks have lost 3 of their last four and are on the verge of collapse. That can mean only one thing . . . THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST HERE!!!
7) Mississippi - How is it fair that N. Arizona has to play Sacramento State and Ole Miss BACK TO BACK?!?!  The schedule is not doing the Lumberjacks any favors this year.
8) Arkansas - Petrino has the Hogs one win away from bowl eligibility.
9) Georgia - Just what the doctor ordered for poor coach Richt.  A nice big cup of Ohio Vally Conference member Tennessee Tech to make things better.
10) Kentucky - The Vandy game will probably determine if Kentucky makes it’s 4th straight bowl game.  Although Georida is still on the schedule.
11) Mississippi State - Mullen and company await Alabama in the ultimate trap game.
12) Vanderbilt - Vandy, the only school that looks at the Memphis Football Program with stares of envy.

This weekend doesn’t bring us the BIG game like last week’s LSU-Alabama matchup but there are some compelling matchups in league.  Kentucky can ensure themselves a fourth consecutive bowl season with a win over Vanderbilt.  If they lose then they’ll need to upset either Georgia or Tennessee to get the bid (of course those games aren’t as daunting this season as in the past).  Auburn at Georgia looks like a game that could be a potential shootout.  Auburn scores a lot against average defenses and to say that Georgia has an “average” defense would be an insult to average defenses everywhere.  Florida and South Carolina still has some interest in it although late season Gamecock games quickly lose luster with their typical end of the year collapse. 

Alabama and Mississippi State could be the trap game of the year for the Tide.  Everything seems to set up for the Bulldogs who are playing much better now under Mullen.  MSU had the off week/they play at home at night/Alabama is coming off an emotional and physical marquee game, etc.  Tennessee and Ole Miss is actually an interesting game when it comes to bowl slotting.  Both teams are still fighting for second place in their respective divisions.

As always check out the combined SEC Powerpoll on Wednesday at TeamSpeedKills.

It was, once again, not the prettiest of wins, but it was a decisive one. Vandy played hard and picked up a few yards, but never got a shot at more than 3 points.

While the offense showed some of the same drive-killing tendencies it has all year, and the 375 combined yards Tebow & Co. put up was rather a low total against a team of Vandy’s caliber, Tebow’s stats are surprisingly good. Little Timmy completed 15 of 20 for 208 yards and 1 TD, plus ran for another 27 and a rushing TD. His rushing totals would be much higher if he hadn’t been sacked four times. Florida’s pass protection, plus Tebow’s willingness to hold onto the ball for many seconds after it should be launched downfield, were both contributing factors.

Still, UF converted only 4 of 13 3rd downs, and shot themselves in the foot with 9 penalties for a loss of 68 yards. Tebow’s lone TD pass sanguinely bounced off of Riley Cooper’s hands and into David Nelson’s open arms in the end zone — last time that occurred, the Bulldogs of Mississippi State ran it back for six. But hey, we’ll take it.

Let’s sum up the questions with which Gator Nation is tormenting itself:

1) “Why isn’t this offense playing better when we have All-World players?”

2) “Why is Tim Tebow holding on to the ball so long, and looking so hesitant in the pocket?”

3) “If Florida can’t wipe inferior squads off the map, how will they beat teams like Alabama or Texas?”

4) “Why does a 9-0 record and a 19-game school-record winning streak feel so ‘bleah’?”

Now, take the first three of those questions, scrunch them up into a tight little ball of paper, and throw that negativity blob into the trash.

Yes, the offense has issues, and yes, we’d all like to see this unit ring up pinball scores like they did in years past.

Will this offense suddenly explode at this point? Unlikely. What we see is basically what we’ve got. Offensive line play rarely shows dramatic improvement throughout a season, and that’s probably the weakest link on this unit — not the receiver corps. No, I fully expect Florida to continue grinding out close wins against good competition, and slowly pull away from weaker teams like Vandy.

So, I’ve got a suggestion for you: forget about it. Because the answer to 1-3 is: “It doesn’t matter.” Because our defense is that good. Because Caleb Sturgis is starting to fulfill the promise and potential he brought to the Gators’ kicking game. Because we still have the best player in the history of college football lining up under center. Because we have a tough, physical, grind-you-to-dust rushing attack. Because our players expect to own the 4th quarter, and have excelled each and every time the crowd stops swaying to ‘We Are the Boys’. Because we have the best coaches in the business, coaches who have already adjusted our scheme and gameplanning to accentuate Florida’s strengths and minimize its weaknesses.

Because, at the end of the day, Florida is still the best team in the country, warts and all. Which team has clearly proven that they deserve #1 instead of Florida? I’d be happy to acknowledge it if it were true. But if you think Florida’s offensive woes are troubling, it’s far worse at ‘Bama. Texas? Sure, they’re good, and Colt McCoy is a great quarterback, but the college football institution learned a lesson about the value of wins against Big 12 defenses vs. their SEC counterparts at the conclusion of the 2008 season.

Florida is undefeated in the nation’s toughest conference, has survived everything from flu, to off-field distractions, to on-field distractions, and has secured a berth in Atlanta.

There’s a lot to be happy about, folks.

We have to let this offensive ennui we’ve collectively endured reach its nadir and then disappear. This is our team. Our team is not perfect. Our team will not reach the offensive heights they did in ‘08. If you’ll recall, our ‘06 team is one of the greatest in Florida history, and that was a team that was far more troubled offensively than this one. Defense wins championships, ladies and gentlemen.

By playing tough. By playing with discipline. By squeezing the life out of our opponents. This is how our team wins games. And I fully expect them to win five more.

The answer to the fourth question? “It’s all in your mind.” So get your mind right, Gator Nation.

Hi, I’m Trevor Matich.  Recently I made some public comments regarding the Brandon Spikes eye gouging incident from the Florida-Georgia game that I’d like to expound upon.  On ESPN’s College Football Live show I stated that what Brandon Spikes did was far worse than the actions of LeGarrete Blount against Boise State.  And there’s a reason I made that comment.  It’s because I’m an idiot.

You see, it has been so long since the Blount incident that I guess I’d forgotten exactly what happened.  Whether that was caused by having so much work on my plate or excessive drinking . . . I can’t say.  My initial thought was that Spikes was even MORE responsible because he was retaliating for a previous incident rather than reacting in the heat of the moment like Blount did.  Since Blount was suspended for the whole season, in my convoluted mind I used that as the standard and felt Spikes should be suspended the rest of the season.  And quite frankly, that’s ridiculous.

I guess I “misremembered” what happened that night in Boise.  You see, Blount was just suspended for the season because of the punch.  While that in itself should have drawn a multiple game suspension, it was much more than that.  After watching the footage I remember that punching the Boise player was only part of what Blount did that evening.  After sucker punching Byron Hout, Blount backed away and went to the sideline where he flung his helmet in disgust.  Then everything deteriorated quickly.  The next thing you know LeGarrette was being restrained by players, coaches and police officers because he was attempting to RUN INTO THE STANDS AND ATTACK BOISE STATE FANS!!!

Holy cow!  What was Blount thinking?  I have no idea.  Not to mention this was Blount’s 5th strike with the Ducks after having TWO PREVIOUS suspensions.  For me, Trevor Matich, to somehow equate what Spikes did against Ealey to Bount’s actions that night is borderline negligent and shows just how little research I do for my opinions.  It is quite possible the most ridiculous statement I have made since I suggested that NFL defensive lines should “dive” at Tom Brady’s legs in a spike or victory formation because Tom Brady once faked spiking the football and threw a touchdown to Randy Moss.  God knows what I was drinking the day I came up with THAT beauty.

So while I do feel Spikes should be punished and suspended for his actions, no longer am I trying to equate his behavior with that of LeGarrete Blount.  And for that ignorant statement I would like to offer my apology.  Perhaps part of it is jealousy.  See I never played big time college football, I went to BYU instead.  I spent my NFL career as the “long snapper”, basically doing a job that real athletes don’t want to do.  I don’t have a third of the athletic ability of Brandon Spikes.  In fact I probably don’t have a third of the athletic ability of the backup punter at Vanderbilt.  And I’m hoping that this clarification will keep Brandon from pounding me into the ground if we ever meet up in the future.

But hey, as stupid as my comments might have been you have to admit it’s still not as bad as fellow ESPN analyst Desmond Howard.  How about when he said it was Byron Haut’s fault that Blount hit him and that Haut should be the one suspended?  Seriously, what kind of crack do you have to be smoking to make a comment like that?  At least now we all understand why Desmond spent his career as a special teams guy and was never smart enough to figure out how to run passing routes.

Sincerely,

Trevor Matich

Note: “I’m Desmond Howard and I approved this message.  But I don’t do crack.  I just say a lot of stupid things but because I can’t think of anything else to say.”

Florida has weathered the first two-thirds of the season, and regardless of margin, is now 8-0. Players and coaches talk about how the goal is to get to Atlanta every year, and thanks in part to Tennessee upsetting South Carolina, mission accomplished. Now, the remaining slate features two yawners and three home games.

This is an opportunity to fine-tune the issues on offense, especially against a likely bowl-bound South Carolina team and a Florida State team with a potentially dangerous QB in Christian Ponder.

There’s not too much else to say. Might we see a little of John Brantley?

As the season draws into it’s final third here’s how things stand so far in our SEC Power Poll vote.

1) Florida - “We just got our face stepped on by a hob-nailed boot and right in the eye. Our eyes have been gouged, our backs have been broken and our souls stolen by those damn dirty Gators. Oh God Almighty . . . I can’t see!”
2) Alabama - Take a week off, drop a spot in the polls.  How do you like dem apples?  That’ll teach you to rest.
3) LSU - The Tigers could have blown out Tulane with their third team.  Bama had a bye and LSU had a pseudo-bye week.
4) Auburn - In the up and down SEC this is a week where it’s time to buy Auburn stock.  Next week could be a sellers market though.
5) Tennessee - Coach Kiffin credited the Vols win in part to the inspired play of his team and in part on the protection spell conjured by his coalition of elves, faeries and leprechauns to offset the “magical flags” of the SEC Overlords.
6) South Carolina - A late season swoon to a team that starts well and is ranked by midseason.  I think we’ve seen this movie before.  Can Spurrier direct a different script in 2009?
7) Georgia - I’m fine with Richt breaking out the black helmets and pants. My issue is with his decision to sit the starting defense in favor of the cheer squad. Sure those girls are tougher but they don’t play disciplined assignment football.
8) Ole Miss - With every passing week the evidence continues to mount in favor of the theory that Jevon Sneed’s body has been possessed by the spirit of Jarrett Lee. 
9) Arkansas - Arkansas was unable to schedule a bye week in the middle of an 11 game stretch but they were able to schedule Easterm Michigan . . . the next best thing.
10) Kentucky - This Halloween the Wildcats decided to dress up as Vandy and drop a close game they should have won.
11) Mississippi State - Anthony Dixon has averaged over 150 yards rushing in his last two games against Florida and Kentucky. Although, 252 of those were against UK.  Do they even play run defense in Lexington?
12) Vanderbilt - For two quarters Vanderbilt played 11th ranked Georgia Tech toe to toe.  Unfortunately during the halftime celebration someone forgot to mention the need to score points in the second half.

It seems to me that after the top of the SEC (UF, LSU and Alabama) that there is little difference between the 4th and 10th team in the league.  The middle of the SEC looks like the ACC - any team could win on any given day.  The big game of the weekend and the game of the year in the West pits the LSU Tigers versus the Alabama Crimson Tide.  Gator fans should pay close attention as this could determine our opponent in the SECCG.  Arkansas and South Carolina could be an intriguing game on a regional level.  This is about the time of the yearly Gamecock swoon.  A loss to the Razorbacks combined with Florida and Clemson on the upcoming schedule could spell doom for the folks in Columbia.

As always check out the combined SEC Powerpoll on Wednesday at TeamSpeedKills.

At least that’s what Vern Lundquist, CBS analyst, said with just over six and a half minutes remaining in this year’s Florida-Georgia game.  Georgia had so quickly fallen apart, sputtered so hard in the second half and so thoroughly self-destructed that not even the CBS announcers tried to prop up any hope of this being a competitive game after that point.

Coach Richt had removed his starting quarterback and replaced him with backup Logan Gray.  With a commanding 17 point lead Florida smelled blood and teed off for the quarterback every play with devestating results.  In Tim Tebow’s final game he combined for 250 total yards with 85 of them coming on the ground.  Two of his four touchdowns came on the ground breaking his tie with Georgia running back Herschel Walker for career touchdowns in the SEC.  On a day where everything seemed to go Florida’s way, Georgia continued their season long knack of committing penalties and turnovers to allow the Gators to turn a 3 point game (14 to 10) into a 24 point rout.

While the Gators looked more like their 2008 selves than their recent 2009 version, this IS Georgia we are talking about.  A team who has come into the season seemingly determined to make every offense they face seem like the 2007 Patriots.  The offense came out spreading the ball around but seemed to revert to the more conservative performance as the game went along.  The reshuffling of the offensive line seemed to pay early dividends but the running game seemed to sputter in the second half.  There is more work to be done but Florida’s staff has definitely taken a step in the right direction in addressing some of the lingering problems that have hampered the offense thus far.

Despite the win, here are some philosophical suggestions for the future.

1) Use Emmanuel Moody more early in the game to wear down the defense.  This should allow Demps and Rainey to have an even greater advantage as a change of pace back with their quickness.  I don’t mean that Demps, Rainey and perhaps Gilisslee shouldn’t rotate in but let Moody who is the most physical Florida back pound on the defense before trying to hit them with the little guys.

2) Limit the use of Rainey and Demps inside, especially Rainey.  Both are small backs who can only take so much punishment.  Of the two Demps is the better inside runner with better straight ahead burst.  Rainey is a guy who likes to use his shiftiness and cut backs to create big plays.  His tendency to dance in the hole combined with his diminuitive size leaves him vulnerable to injuries.  Basically he spends too much time in one plays standing straight up.  In comparison Demps tends to always be moving foward and dives forward for positive yards making him the better inside runner of the two.  Brandon James is absolutely inequipped to run inside as the blast of air from a falling defensive lineman could knock him down.

3) Once we have a big lead we need to specifically move away from calling plays that involve Tebow running the ball.  There will always be the scramble and the play where Tebow will just try to make something happen with his legs but there is absolutely no reason to risk losing him here in the stretch run.  Think of it as something similar to a pitch count limiting how many hits Tebow takes in a game.  If necessary tell Tebow to GET RID OF THE BALL rather than absorb the extra pounding.

4) Similar to the way we started the game we need to make a concerted effort to spread the ball around and throw the ball in the second half as well as the first.  Granted with a lead like we had against Georgia the smart move is to run the ball and run the clock to shorten the game.  But in the process Tebow too way to many hits against a team that would love nothing more than to end his career.  Tim needs to be protected (even from himself) as much as we need to spread the ball around to best attack opposing defenses.  In an effort to promulgate this effect Tim needs to be encourages to get the ball to the short receivers who are open and look downfield when scrambling.  Currently Tim is reluctant to throw it short believing he can do better with his legs and thus is not looking down the field where we might hit a big play.

5) End the Brandon James experiment.  I’m not saying he shouldn’t play but he shouldn’t be part of the game plan.  You would think that BJ and Rainey would be terrifying weapons in space but we rarely put Rainey in space to take advantage of his ability (running him inside as much as we try and get him on the perimeter) and James has not proven he deserves such opportunities.  Not only has his special teams play declined with his additional offensive responsibilities but he tends to dance too much on sweeps instead of bursting upfield, his hands are not good in games (catching passes and holding onto the ball) and his diminuative size makes it hard for Tebow to get him the ball and means a high throw could easily turn into an interception.

Despite the big win I think we will see continued improvement offensively.  I hope Chris Rainey can recover from his shoulder injury because I believe he could be a big factor in the open field despite being ignored in that regard for much of the year.  Nelson proved he can be an integral part of the offense.  Deonte Thompson is not getting the ball enough.  He should be getting the same attention from Tebow that Cooper gets.  Cooper is Timmy’s main guy (which is fine) but Thompson has the same big play ability and can’t become the forgotten man.  Timmy significantly improved his play from the previous three games and if he can return to the level he played at the end of last year the sky is the limit for this team.

As always, Go Gators!

…as I previously stated, I do not believe Brandon Spikes is inherently mean-spirited.

I’m sorry if anything I said painted him as such. I’ve since taken off the post, and want to move on.

I’m happy that nobody was hurt in the game.

Last night I had the privilege of appearing on a podcast for Team Speed Kills with Brandon Larrabee of TeamSpeedKills.com and Phillip from Save The Shield discussing Florida, the Florida-Georgia game and the SEC PowerPoll.

Click Here to link to the Podcast.