The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
6-7 (3-5)
2016 Schedule
Lost to South Alabama 21-20
Beat South Carolina 27-14
Lost to LSU 23-20
Beat U Mass 47-35
Lost to Auburn 38-14
Lost to BYU 28-21
Lost to Kentucky 40-38
Beat Samford 56-41
Beat Texas A&M 35-28
Lost to Alabama 51-3
Lost to Arkansas 58-42
Beat Ole Miss 56-20
Beat Miami (Ohio) 17-16 (St. Petersburg Bowl)
MVP Offense: QB Nick Fitzgerald, WR Fred Ross
Nick Fitzgerald was one of the most effective dual threat QBs in the nation in 2016. While never a great passer, he did manage to pass for 2423 yards and 21 scores, against 10 INTs. He averaged 27.8 passing attempts per game, but only completed 54.3% of his passes. He was also the leading rusher for the Bulldogs, and was one of the better runners in the nation overall, as he rushed for 1375 yards and scored 16 more TDs on the ground, while averaging 7.05 yards per carry, and 105.77 yards per game. He carried 15 times per game.
Ross was a beast in the passing game, as he led the team with 917 yards and 12 scores on 72 receptions. He averaged 12.74 yards per receptions per game, and 70.5 yards per game.
MVP Defense: DE Jonathon Calvin
Calvin finished with 55 tackles on the season, and loaded up 11.5 TFLs. He finished with seven sacks, and posted 5 QB hurries on a defense that allowed 31.8 points per game. For a defense that played poorly all season, he was a bright spot.
Others of Note
Aeris Williams rushed for 720 yards on the season.
Ross had 31 receptions more than any other Bulldog receiver.
Richie Brown led the team with 102 tackles.
AJ Jefferson finished with 10.5 TFLs.
Mississippi State allowed just 18 sacks.
MSU QBs had 55 passes deflected.
The Bulldogs converted on over 40% of their 3rd down conversions.
Best Win: Texas A&M 35-28, Ole Miss 56-20
The Bulldogs were all over the place in 2016, but landed a high quality win over Texas A&M before the gave away 109 points in the following two weeks. The Bulldogs broke a two game losing streak to wrap with a massive win over arch rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl, and that allowed the Rebels to receive a waiver with five wins to head on to the bowl season, where they beat Miami (Ohio) in a tough grind out game.
Worst Loss: South Alabama 21-20
Nobody saw this loss coming, and it is never acceptable for an SEC team to lose to someone from the Sun Belt. This loss put a stamp on the Bulldog season, and it went down from here. The Jaguars frustrated the Bulldogs all day long, and the Bulldogs were stunned.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Charleston Southern, 9/9 at Louisiana Tech, 10/14 BYU, 11/4 U Mass
The Bulldogs need a bounce back season i 2017. They will handle Charleston Southern and U Mass, but Louisiana Tech and BYU will push the Bulldogs to the brink. Worst case scenario here is 2-2.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Farewell to 2016: Ole Miss Rebels
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Ole Miss Rebels
5-7 (2-6)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Florida State 45-34
Beat Wofford 38-13
Lost to Alabama 48-43
Beat Georgia 45-14
Beat Memphis 48-28
Lost to Arkansas 34-30
Lost to LSU 38-21
Lost to Auburn 40-29
Beat Georgia Southern 37-27
Beat Texas A&M 29-28
Lost to Vanderbilt 38-17
Lost to Mississippi State 55-20
MVP Offense: TE Evan Engram
Engram was one of the best TEs in the nation, and posted 65 receptions for 926 yards and eight scores. He averaged 14.25 yards per reception, and caught 5.9 passes per game. He also averaged 84 yards per game. He caught nine passes in three different games,
MVP Defense: DL Marquise Haynes
Haynes finished with 53 tackles on the season. He posted 11 TFLs (team leading), and added seven sacks. He broke up three passes, created eight QB hurries, and forced three fumbles. He was the most complete player on the defensive side of the field for the Rebels, who failed to compete in a bowl.
Others of Note
Chad Kelly was limited to nine games in 2016, his final season in Oxford. Kelly passed for 2758 yards and 19 scores, and he tossed eight picks. He averaged 306 yards passing per game, and added 36.4 passes per game.
Akeem Judd led the Rebels in rushing, piling up 826 yards and six scores. He averaged 5.04 yards per carry.
Kelly added five rushing scores on the season.
Damore'ea Stringfellow was the highest rated WR on the team, as he posted 46-716-6 as a junior.
Van Jefferson caught 49 passes on the season.
DeMarquis Gates led the team with 79 tackles.
Ole Miss only recorded 20 sacks on the season.
Ole Miss QBs had 67 passes broken up, and tossed 14 INTs.
Rebel defenders picked off just eight picks.
The Rebels defense gave up 246.33 yards rushing per game.
Best Win: Georgia 45-14
The Rebels never beat a team with less than a winning record (Wofford had a winning record, but plays FCS football). he best of these wins came against the Bulldogs in the first month.
Worst Loss: Vanderbilt 38-17, Mississippi State 55-20
While the Rebels beat solid teams all season, they did not have what could be considered high quality losses. Neither Vandy nor Mississippi State finished with a winning record in 2016, and the Mississippi State loss was a quitting moment for a team that closed the season with these two losses. The Mississippi State loss in particular was the onle that kept the Rebels out of a bowl.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 South Alabama, 9/9 UT-Martin, 9/16 at California, 11/11 UL-Lafayette
The Rebels should have easy enough wins over South Alabama, UT Martin, and UL Lafayette, but remember, South Alabama beat Mississippi State last fall. The Cal game is a toss up on the road. All of that said, 2017 is an irrelevant season, as the Rebels have self imposed a bowl ban for off-field issues over the last several seasons.
Ole Miss Rebels
5-7 (2-6)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Florida State 45-34
Beat Wofford 38-13
Lost to Alabama 48-43
Beat Georgia 45-14
Beat Memphis 48-28
Lost to Arkansas 34-30
Lost to LSU 38-21
Lost to Auburn 40-29
Beat Georgia Southern 37-27
Beat Texas A&M 29-28
Lost to Vanderbilt 38-17
Lost to Mississippi State 55-20
MVP Offense: TE Evan Engram
Engram was one of the best TEs in the nation, and posted 65 receptions for 926 yards and eight scores. He averaged 14.25 yards per reception, and caught 5.9 passes per game. He also averaged 84 yards per game. He caught nine passes in three different games,
MVP Defense: DL Marquise Haynes
Haynes finished with 53 tackles on the season. He posted 11 TFLs (team leading), and added seven sacks. He broke up three passes, created eight QB hurries, and forced three fumbles. He was the most complete player on the defensive side of the field for the Rebels, who failed to compete in a bowl.
Others of Note
Chad Kelly was limited to nine games in 2016, his final season in Oxford. Kelly passed for 2758 yards and 19 scores, and he tossed eight picks. He averaged 306 yards passing per game, and added 36.4 passes per game.
Akeem Judd led the Rebels in rushing, piling up 826 yards and six scores. He averaged 5.04 yards per carry.
Kelly added five rushing scores on the season.
Damore'ea Stringfellow was the highest rated WR on the team, as he posted 46-716-6 as a junior.
Van Jefferson caught 49 passes on the season.
DeMarquis Gates led the team with 79 tackles.
Ole Miss only recorded 20 sacks on the season.
Ole Miss QBs had 67 passes broken up, and tossed 14 INTs.
Rebel defenders picked off just eight picks.
The Rebels defense gave up 246.33 yards rushing per game.
Best Win: Georgia 45-14
The Rebels never beat a team with less than a winning record (Wofford had a winning record, but plays FCS football). he best of these wins came against the Bulldogs in the first month.
Worst Loss: Vanderbilt 38-17, Mississippi State 55-20
While the Rebels beat solid teams all season, they did not have what could be considered high quality losses. Neither Vandy nor Mississippi State finished with a winning record in 2016, and the Mississippi State loss was a quitting moment for a team that closed the season with these two losses. The Mississippi State loss in particular was the onle that kept the Rebels out of a bowl.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 South Alabama, 9/9 UT-Martin, 9/16 at California, 11/11 UL-Lafayette
The Rebels should have easy enough wins over South Alabama, UT Martin, and UL Lafayette, but remember, South Alabama beat Mississippi State last fall. The Cal game is a toss up on the road. All of that said, 2017 is an irrelevant season, as the Rebels have self imposed a bowl ban for off-field issues over the last several seasons.
Farewell to 2016: Arkansas Razorbacks
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Arkansas Razorbacks
7-6 (3-5)
2016 Schedule
Beat Louisiana Tech 21-20
Beat TCU 41-38
Beat Texas State 42-3
Lost to Texas A&M 45-24
Beat Alcorn State 52-10
Lost to Alabama 49-30
Beat Ole Miss 34-30
Lost to Auburn 56-3
Beat Florida 31-10
Lost to LSU 38-10
Beat Mississippi State 58-42
Lost to Missouri 28-24
Lost to Virginia Tech 35-24
MVP Offense: RB Rawleigh Williams III
With an inconsistent passing game flailing away at a high rate of speed, the lone consistent on offense was the running of Williams. He rushed for 1360 yards and 12 scores as the primary back. He averaged 5.55 yards per carry, and 104.62 yards per game as a sophomore. Williams posted a season high 205 yards and four scores on the road against Mississippi State in a 58-42 win, and topped 100 yards seven times.
MVP Defense: LB Brooks Ellis
Ellis, a senior, led the team with 83 tackles, 20 more than anyone else on the team. He also finished with seven TFLs, five PBUs, and three QB hurries. He finished with a seaosn high 13 tackles in a 41-38 win over TCU.
Others of Note
Austin Allen passed for 3430 yards and 25 TDs, but also tossed 15 INTs in 13 games.
Keon Hatcher posted a line of 44-743-8 at WR as a senior.
Only four receivers caught 20 or more passes.
The offense allowed 87 TFLs.
Allen was sacked 35 times in 13 games played.
Arkansas won the tackle efficiency battle, making 64 per game, while forcing 75.
Arkansas was penalized 6.2 times per game. They were hit 6.1 times per game at home, and 6.2 on the road.
Senior Adam McFain hit 8/10 FG attempts, while Cole Hedlund hit 5/7.
Toby Baker averaged 44.42 yards per punt.
Best Win: Florida 31-10
The Razorbacks dominated the SEC East champs from star to finish and dismantled an otherwise stout defense on the way to the three score win. Arkansas would finish just 1-3 after this win.
Worst Loss: Auburn 56-3, Virginia Tech 35-24
The week before beating Florida, the Razorbacks suffered one of their worst losses in school history to Auburn, and the Razorbacks were exposed across the board.
In the bowl game, the Razorbakcs led Virginia Tech 24-0. They never scored again, and gave up 35 unanswered points in an embarrassing loss that placed Bret Bielema squarely on the hot seat entering 2017.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Florida A&M, 9/9 TCU, 9/30 New Mexico State, 11/4 Coastal Carolina
Arkansas should run away from Florida A&M, New Mexico State, and Coastal Carolina. The TCU ame was a war in 2016, and many of the same pieces will clash again in Fayeteville in 2017. It is a coin flip once again. Worst case here is 3-1 in non con play.
Arkansas Razorbacks
7-6 (3-5)
2016 Schedule
Beat Louisiana Tech 21-20
Beat TCU 41-38
Beat Texas State 42-3
Lost to Texas A&M 45-24
Beat Alcorn State 52-10
Lost to Alabama 49-30
Beat Ole Miss 34-30
Lost to Auburn 56-3
Beat Florida 31-10
Lost to LSU 38-10
Beat Mississippi State 58-42
Lost to Missouri 28-24
Lost to Virginia Tech 35-24
MVP Offense: RB Rawleigh Williams III
With an inconsistent passing game flailing away at a high rate of speed, the lone consistent on offense was the running of Williams. He rushed for 1360 yards and 12 scores as the primary back. He averaged 5.55 yards per carry, and 104.62 yards per game as a sophomore. Williams posted a season high 205 yards and four scores on the road against Mississippi State in a 58-42 win, and topped 100 yards seven times.
MVP Defense: LB Brooks Ellis
Ellis, a senior, led the team with 83 tackles, 20 more than anyone else on the team. He also finished with seven TFLs, five PBUs, and three QB hurries. He finished with a seaosn high 13 tackles in a 41-38 win over TCU.
Others of Note
Austin Allen passed for 3430 yards and 25 TDs, but also tossed 15 INTs in 13 games.
Keon Hatcher posted a line of 44-743-8 at WR as a senior.
Only four receivers caught 20 or more passes.
The offense allowed 87 TFLs.
Allen was sacked 35 times in 13 games played.
Arkansas won the tackle efficiency battle, making 64 per game, while forcing 75.
Arkansas was penalized 6.2 times per game. They were hit 6.1 times per game at home, and 6.2 on the road.
Senior Adam McFain hit 8/10 FG attempts, while Cole Hedlund hit 5/7.
Toby Baker averaged 44.42 yards per punt.
Best Win: Florida 31-10
The Razorbacks dominated the SEC East champs from star to finish and dismantled an otherwise stout defense on the way to the three score win. Arkansas would finish just 1-3 after this win.
Worst Loss: Auburn 56-3, Virginia Tech 35-24
The week before beating Florida, the Razorbacks suffered one of their worst losses in school history to Auburn, and the Razorbacks were exposed across the board.
In the bowl game, the Razorbakcs led Virginia Tech 24-0. They never scored again, and gave up 35 unanswered points in an embarrassing loss that placed Bret Bielema squarely on the hot seat entering 2017.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Florida A&M, 9/9 TCU, 9/30 New Mexico State, 11/4 Coastal Carolina
Arkansas should run away from Florida A&M, New Mexico State, and Coastal Carolina. The TCU ame was a war in 2016, and many of the same pieces will clash again in Fayeteville in 2017. It is a coin flip once again. Worst case here is 3-1 in non con play.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Farewell to 2016: Texas A&M Aggies
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Texas A&M Aggies
8-5 (4-4)
2016 Schedule
Beat UCLA 31-24
Beat Prairie View 67-0
Beat Auburn 29-16
Beat Arkansas 45-24
Beat South Carolina 24-13
Beat Tennessee 45-38
Lost to Alabama 33-14
Beat New Mexico State 52-10
Lost to Mississippi State 35-28
Lost to Ole Miss 29-28
Beat UTSA 23-10
Lost to LSU 54-39
Lost to Kansas State 33-28 (Texas Bowl)
MVP Offense: QB Trevor Knight, RB Trayveon Williams, WR Josh Reynolds
With an Aggie team in a QB crisis after 2015, Knight transferred in from Oklahoma and saved the passing game. He played in 11 games before becoming injured, and passed for 2432 yards and 19 scores, but threw seven picks, and completed just 53% of his passes. Still, he stabilized the position for the time being.
Williams carried just 12 times per game, but he racked up 1057 yards per game, while averaging 6.78 yards per carry. He scored eight times.
Reynolds was the best receiver in a talented receiving corps. He caught 61 passes for 1039 yards and scored 12 times. He averaged 17.03 receptions per game, and 79.9 yards per game.
MVP Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DL Daeshon Hall, DB Justin Evans
Garrett only recorded 33 tackles, but 15 were for loss. Garrett recorded 8.5 sacks as well. Garrett recorded 12 QB hurries as well.
Hall stacked up 50 tackles on the season, and posted 13 for loss. Hall picked up 4.5 sacks on the season as well. He added 12 QB hurries as well.
Evans posted 87 tackles, and recorded 5 TFLs. Evans led the team with 4 INTs, and posted 8 PBUs.
Others of Note
Knight added 10 rushing TDs on the season.
The Aggies averaged 211 yards rushing per game.
Christian Kirk caught 81 passes on the season to lead the team, and posted 928 yards.
Only four receivers caught 20 passes or more.
Shaan Washington recorded 104 tackles to lead the team.
The Aggies got roasted in the tackle efficiency game. The Aggies were forced to make 77.46 tackles per game, while their opponents recorded 66.15 per game. The Aggies were losers by a +12 margin.
Claude George finished with 11.5 TFLs, while Zaycoven Henderson finished with 10 TFLs.
The Aggies finished with 111 TFLs as a team.
The Aggies allowed just 21 sacks on the season.
Nick Harvey led the team with 10 PBUs.
Opponents forced 57 QB hurries on the Aggie QBs.
Best Win: Auburn 29-16, Tennessee 45-38
The Aggies started 6-0 before the wheels started to fall off at the end of the year. Auburn finished second in the West, and the loss to the Aggies harmed them in the SEC West race. It was one of the best defensive efforts on the season.
Texas A&M also damaged Tennessee in the SEC East race. It was the final win in their opening win streak. It was important because it made the Aggies bowl eligible, and they finished 2-5 the rest of the way.
Worst Loss: Mississippi State 35-28
Mississippi State finished with just 5 wins on the year, and began a run in which the Aggies went just 1-4 starting with this game. This was the beginning of the end of what had been a good run for the Aggies.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 at UCLA, 9/9 Nicholls State, 9/16 UL-Lafayette, 11/11 New Mexico
Nobody knows what kind of team that UCLA will be, or what they Aggies will be like heading into next season. Nicholls State and ULL will be easy wins, and New Mexico may be more challenging than they look. Texas A&M goes either 4-0, or 2-2. It's that close to the margins for them.
Texas A&M Aggies
8-5 (4-4)
2016 Schedule
Beat UCLA 31-24
Beat Prairie View 67-0
Beat Auburn 29-16
Beat Arkansas 45-24
Beat South Carolina 24-13
Beat Tennessee 45-38
Lost to Alabama 33-14
Beat New Mexico State 52-10
Lost to Mississippi State 35-28
Lost to Ole Miss 29-28
Beat UTSA 23-10
Lost to LSU 54-39
Lost to Kansas State 33-28 (Texas Bowl)
MVP Offense: QB Trevor Knight, RB Trayveon Williams, WR Josh Reynolds
With an Aggie team in a QB crisis after 2015, Knight transferred in from Oklahoma and saved the passing game. He played in 11 games before becoming injured, and passed for 2432 yards and 19 scores, but threw seven picks, and completed just 53% of his passes. Still, he stabilized the position for the time being.
Williams carried just 12 times per game, but he racked up 1057 yards per game, while averaging 6.78 yards per carry. He scored eight times.
Reynolds was the best receiver in a talented receiving corps. He caught 61 passes for 1039 yards and scored 12 times. He averaged 17.03 receptions per game, and 79.9 yards per game.
MVP Defense: DE Myles Garrett, DL Daeshon Hall, DB Justin Evans
Garrett only recorded 33 tackles, but 15 were for loss. Garrett recorded 8.5 sacks as well. Garrett recorded 12 QB hurries as well.
Hall stacked up 50 tackles on the season, and posted 13 for loss. Hall picked up 4.5 sacks on the season as well. He added 12 QB hurries as well.
Evans posted 87 tackles, and recorded 5 TFLs. Evans led the team with 4 INTs, and posted 8 PBUs.
Others of Note
Knight added 10 rushing TDs on the season.
The Aggies averaged 211 yards rushing per game.
Christian Kirk caught 81 passes on the season to lead the team, and posted 928 yards.
Only four receivers caught 20 passes or more.
Shaan Washington recorded 104 tackles to lead the team.
The Aggies got roasted in the tackle efficiency game. The Aggies were forced to make 77.46 tackles per game, while their opponents recorded 66.15 per game. The Aggies were losers by a +12 margin.
Claude George finished with 11.5 TFLs, while Zaycoven Henderson finished with 10 TFLs.
The Aggies finished with 111 TFLs as a team.
The Aggies allowed just 21 sacks on the season.
Nick Harvey led the team with 10 PBUs.
Opponents forced 57 QB hurries on the Aggie QBs.
Best Win: Auburn 29-16, Tennessee 45-38
The Aggies started 6-0 before the wheels started to fall off at the end of the year. Auburn finished second in the West, and the loss to the Aggies harmed them in the SEC West race. It was one of the best defensive efforts on the season.
Texas A&M also damaged Tennessee in the SEC East race. It was the final win in their opening win streak. It was important because it made the Aggies bowl eligible, and they finished 2-5 the rest of the way.
Worst Loss: Mississippi State 35-28
Mississippi State finished with just 5 wins on the year, and began a run in which the Aggies went just 1-4 starting with this game. This was the beginning of the end of what had been a good run for the Aggies.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 at UCLA, 9/9 Nicholls State, 9/16 UL-Lafayette, 11/11 New Mexico
Nobody knows what kind of team that UCLA will be, or what they Aggies will be like heading into next season. Nicholls State and ULL will be easy wins, and New Mexico may be more challenging than they look. Texas A&M goes either 4-0, or 2-2. It's that close to the margins for them.
Farewell to 2016: LSU Tigers
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
LSU Tigers
8-4 (5-3)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Wisconsin 16-14
Beat Jacksonville State 34-13
Beat Mississippi State 23-20
Lost to Auburn 18-13
Beat Missouri 42-7
Beat Southern Mississippi 45-10
Beat Ole Miss 38-21
Lost to Alabama 10-0
Beat Arkansas 38-10
Lost to Florida 16-10
Beat Texas A&M 54-39
Beat Louisville 29-9 (Citrus Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Derrius Guice
With Leonard Fournette only playing in seven games, Guice stepped up, and unlike Fournette, played like he actually wanted to be in Baton Rouge. Guice played in 12 games, and rushed for 1387 yards. He scored 15 times, and averaged 115.58 yards per game off of just 15 carries per game. He rushed for 285 yards and 4 scores against Texas A&M, and ran for another 252 yards against Arkansas. He averaged 12 yards per carry against Arkansas, and 7.7 yards per carry against the Aggies.
MVP Defense: DL Arden Key
Key finished with 56 tackles as a sophomore, and led the team with 14.5 TFLs. He also managed 12 sacks on the season. He recorded 3 PBUs, and 11 QB hurries, and 3 forced fumbles.
Others of Note
Danny Etling took over at QB after Les Miles was fired, and turned the passing game around somewhat. He passed for 2123 yards and 11 scores, and tossed 5 INTs. He averaged 193 yards passing per game, and averaged 24.5 pass attempts per game.
Fournette played in only seven games. He rushed for 843 yards on the season. He averaged 6.52 yards per carry.
Only three receivers caught as many as 20 passes in 2016.
Duke Riley led the team with 93 tackles and Kendell Beckwith finished with 91.
LSU finished with a team 78 TFLs. The offense allowed 70.
LSU allowed just 19 sacks.
Tre'Davios White finished with 14 PBUs.
LSU finished averaging just 4.8 penalties per game.
LSU averaged 233 yards rushing per game, and allowed just 117.25.
LSU allowed 197 yards passing per game.
Josh Growden averaged 41.35 yards per punt.
Best Win: Louisville 29-9
Louisville stumbled at t he end of the season, and that stumble ended with a massive thud against the Tigers, who dominated the Cardinals from start to finish. The Tigers destroyed Heisman winner Lamar Jackson.
Worst Loss: Auburn 18-13
Auburn finshed off Les Miles, who went 2-2 in the first month. He was about to be fired at the end of the 2015 season. The win likely took Gus Malzahn off of the pressure cooker, but it gave life to the beginning of the Ed Orgeron era. Auburn went 6-2 after that loss. The Tigers were a lost team at the time, and they found a way to push forward from a difficult time.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 BYU @ Houston, 9/9 Chattanooga, 9/23 Syracuse, 9/30 Troy
LSU has some decent pieces coming back in 2017, and they should roll through this non con schedule with ease. I do not see another slow start coming, as I fully expect LSU to get off to a 4-0 start in non con play.
LSU Tigers
8-4 (5-3)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Wisconsin 16-14
Beat Jacksonville State 34-13
Beat Mississippi State 23-20
Lost to Auburn 18-13
Beat Missouri 42-7
Beat Southern Mississippi 45-10
Beat Ole Miss 38-21
Lost to Alabama 10-0
Beat Arkansas 38-10
Lost to Florida 16-10
Beat Texas A&M 54-39
Beat Louisville 29-9 (Citrus Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Derrius Guice
With Leonard Fournette only playing in seven games, Guice stepped up, and unlike Fournette, played like he actually wanted to be in Baton Rouge. Guice played in 12 games, and rushed for 1387 yards. He scored 15 times, and averaged 115.58 yards per game off of just 15 carries per game. He rushed for 285 yards and 4 scores against Texas A&M, and ran for another 252 yards against Arkansas. He averaged 12 yards per carry against Arkansas, and 7.7 yards per carry against the Aggies.
MVP Defense: DL Arden Key
Key finished with 56 tackles as a sophomore, and led the team with 14.5 TFLs. He also managed 12 sacks on the season. He recorded 3 PBUs, and 11 QB hurries, and 3 forced fumbles.
Others of Note
Danny Etling took over at QB after Les Miles was fired, and turned the passing game around somewhat. He passed for 2123 yards and 11 scores, and tossed 5 INTs. He averaged 193 yards passing per game, and averaged 24.5 pass attempts per game.
Fournette played in only seven games. He rushed for 843 yards on the season. He averaged 6.52 yards per carry.
Only three receivers caught as many as 20 passes in 2016.
Duke Riley led the team with 93 tackles and Kendell Beckwith finished with 91.
LSU finished with a team 78 TFLs. The offense allowed 70.
LSU allowed just 19 sacks.
Tre'Davios White finished with 14 PBUs.
LSU finished averaging just 4.8 penalties per game.
LSU averaged 233 yards rushing per game, and allowed just 117.25.
LSU allowed 197 yards passing per game.
Josh Growden averaged 41.35 yards per punt.
Best Win: Louisville 29-9
Louisville stumbled at t he end of the season, and that stumble ended with a massive thud against the Tigers, who dominated the Cardinals from start to finish. The Tigers destroyed Heisman winner Lamar Jackson.
Worst Loss: Auburn 18-13
Auburn finshed off Les Miles, who went 2-2 in the first month. He was about to be fired at the end of the 2015 season. The win likely took Gus Malzahn off of the pressure cooker, but it gave life to the beginning of the Ed Orgeron era. Auburn went 6-2 after that loss. The Tigers were a lost team at the time, and they found a way to push forward from a difficult time.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 BYU @ Houston, 9/9 Chattanooga, 9/23 Syracuse, 9/30 Troy
LSU has some decent pieces coming back in 2017, and they should roll through this non con schedule with ease. I do not see another slow start coming, as I fully expect LSU to get off to a 4-0 start in non con play.
Farewell to 2016: Auburn Tigers
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Auburn Tigers
8-5 (5-3)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Clemson 19-13
Beat Arkansas State 51-14
Lost to Texas A&M 29-16
Beat LSU 18-13
Beat UL-Monroe 58-7
Beat Mississippi State 38-14
Beat Arkansas 56-3
Beat Ole Miss 40-29
Beat Vanderbilt 23-16
Lost to Georgia 13-7
Beat Alabama A&M 55-0
Lost to Alabama 30-12
Lost to Oklahoma 35-19 (Sugar Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Kamryn Pettway, RB Kerryon Johnson
Being that Auburn has not had a legitimate QB since Cam Newton left, they had to depend on the run heavily once again. Pettway rushed for 1224 yards and scored seven times. He averaged 20.9 carries per game, and averaged 122.4 yards per game. He did not carry against Clemson, and missed three other games. He ran for 3 scores against Mississippi State, and ran for a season high 236 yards against Ole Miss on the road.
Johnson added to the run game totals, as he rushed for 885 yards and 11 scores. He averaged 15.17 carries per game, and 74.58 carries per game.
In all, Auburn rushed for 271.31 yards per game.
MVP Defense: DL Carl Lawson, DL Montravius Adams
Lawson may have only finished with 30 tackles, but 13.5 were for loss. He finished with 9 sacks on the season, and was a dominating force with 24 QB hurries.
Adams ended up with 44 tackles across the way from Lawson. He recorded 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and he recorded 15 QB hurries.
Others of Note
Auburn finished with just 169 yards passing per game. Sean White passed for 1679 yards in 11 games, with 9 TDs and 3 picks.
No Auburn receiver caught more than 31 passes.
Auburn won the tackle efficiency battle by a solid margin.They averaged 65.15 tackles per game, while their opponents were forced to make 75.46 tackles per game.
Carlton Davis and Joshua Holsey both finished with 10 PBUs.
Auburn finished with 86 PBUs.
Auburn was penalized just 4.7 times per game. Auburn allowed just 132 yards rushing per game.
Junior PK Daniel Carlson will be one of the best returing kickers in the nation in 2017 after hitting 28/32 FGs.
Kevin Phillips averaged 42.27 yards per punt.
Best Win: LSU 18-13
This will forever go down as the game that got Les Miles fired at LSU and likely saved the job of Gus Malzahn, for now. Despite winning 8 games, Malzahn is very much on the hot seat in 2017.
Worst Loss: Georgia 13-7
Nothing went well in this loss, as the offense fell off the grid in a battle of inept offenses.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Georgia Southern, 9/9 at Clemson, 9/16 Mercer, 11/18 UL-Monroe
Auburn cruises in games against Georgia Southern, Mercer, and UL-Monroe, but the Clemson game is a toss up heading in. Auburn may even have the edge due to returning talent. Worst case here in non con play is 3-1.
Auburn Tigers
8-5 (5-3)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Clemson 19-13
Beat Arkansas State 51-14
Lost to Texas A&M 29-16
Beat LSU 18-13
Beat UL-Monroe 58-7
Beat Mississippi State 38-14
Beat Arkansas 56-3
Beat Ole Miss 40-29
Beat Vanderbilt 23-16
Lost to Georgia 13-7
Beat Alabama A&M 55-0
Lost to Alabama 30-12
Lost to Oklahoma 35-19 (Sugar Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Kamryn Pettway, RB Kerryon Johnson
Being that Auburn has not had a legitimate QB since Cam Newton left, they had to depend on the run heavily once again. Pettway rushed for 1224 yards and scored seven times. He averaged 20.9 carries per game, and averaged 122.4 yards per game. He did not carry against Clemson, and missed three other games. He ran for 3 scores against Mississippi State, and ran for a season high 236 yards against Ole Miss on the road.
Johnson added to the run game totals, as he rushed for 885 yards and 11 scores. He averaged 15.17 carries per game, and 74.58 carries per game.
In all, Auburn rushed for 271.31 yards per game.
MVP Defense: DL Carl Lawson, DL Montravius Adams
Lawson may have only finished with 30 tackles, but 13.5 were for loss. He finished with 9 sacks on the season, and was a dominating force with 24 QB hurries.
Adams ended up with 44 tackles across the way from Lawson. He recorded 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and he recorded 15 QB hurries.
Others of Note
Auburn finished with just 169 yards passing per game. Sean White passed for 1679 yards in 11 games, with 9 TDs and 3 picks.
No Auburn receiver caught more than 31 passes.
Auburn won the tackle efficiency battle by a solid margin.They averaged 65.15 tackles per game, while their opponents were forced to make 75.46 tackles per game.
Carlton Davis and Joshua Holsey both finished with 10 PBUs.
Auburn finished with 86 PBUs.
Auburn was penalized just 4.7 times per game. Auburn allowed just 132 yards rushing per game.
Junior PK Daniel Carlson will be one of the best returing kickers in the nation in 2017 after hitting 28/32 FGs.
Kevin Phillips averaged 42.27 yards per punt.
Best Win: LSU 18-13
This will forever go down as the game that got Les Miles fired at LSU and likely saved the job of Gus Malzahn, for now. Despite winning 8 games, Malzahn is very much on the hot seat in 2017.
Worst Loss: Georgia 13-7
Nothing went well in this loss, as the offense fell off the grid in a battle of inept offenses.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Georgia Southern, 9/9 at Clemson, 9/16 Mercer, 11/18 UL-Monroe
Auburn cruises in games against Georgia Southern, Mercer, and UL-Monroe, but the Clemson game is a toss up heading in. Auburn may even have the edge due to returning talent. Worst case here in non con play is 3-1.
Farewell to 2016: Alabama Crimson Tide
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Alabama Crimson Tide
14-1 (8-0)
2016 Schedule
Beat USC 52-6
Beat Western Kentucky 38-10
Beat Ole Miss 48-43
Beat Kent State 48-0
Beat Kentucky 34-6
Beat Arkansas 49-30
Beat Tennessee 49-10
Beat Texas A&M 33-14
Beat LSU 10-0
Beat Mississippi State 51-3
Beat Chattanooga 31-3
Beat Auburn 30-12
Beat Florida 54-16 (SEC Title Game)
Beat Washington 24-7 (Peach Bowl)
Lost to Clemson 35-31 (National Championship)
MVP Offense: QB Jalen Hurts
Hurts had a very impressive, even if uneven at times, freshman campaign in 2016. He passed for 2780 yards and 23 scores against just 9 INTs, and he added 954 yards rushing with another 13 scores. He completed 62.8% of his passes, and averaged 25.5 passes per game. He averaged 4.99 yards per carry, and ran for an average of 63.6 yards per game. He passed for 347 yards and 4 scores for a season high against Mississippi State.
MVP Defense: LB Reuben Foster, DL Jonathon Allen, LB Tim Williams, LB Ryan Anderson, DB Minkah Fitzpatrick
As usual, Alabama was loaded on defense, with several star players bolstering the ranks. Foster was the first leader. He led the team with 115 tackles, and added 13 TFLs, five sacks, and finshed with eight QB hurries.
Allen was a force of nature up front once again, as he finished with 69 tackles, 16 TFLs, a team leading 10.5 sacks, and a crushing 15 QB hurries.
Williams was another bone crusher in the LB corps, as he finished with 31 tackles, and ended up with 16 of those being for loss. He added nine sacks, and added 12 QB hurries to go with two PBUs and two forced fumbles.
Anderson, again, a LB, finished with 61 tackles, and led the team with 19 TFLs, and added nine sacks, and added 10 QB hurries, three PBUs, and four forced fumbles.
Fitzpatrick was the anchor of the secondary, where he finshed with 66 tackles, and added 5 TFLs, and added 7 PBUs. He picked off six passes, and returned two of those for scores.
Others of Note
Damien Harris rushed for 1037 yards and two scores. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry.
Bo Scarbrough ran for 812 yards, and scored 11 times. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry.
Alabama scored 33 rushing scores, and gave up only five.
Alabama averaged 245 yards rushing per game, and allowed just 63.93 yards per game.
Alabama collected 118 TFLs as a team, but the offense allowed 108. They allowed just 63 in 2014.
Alabama collected 54 sacks, while allowing just 24.
Alabama collected 80 team sacks.
The Tide was penalized 4.7 times per game at home, but 6.6 times per game on the road.
JK Scott averaged over 47 yards per game.
Best Win: USC 52-6, Florida 54-16, Washington 24-7
The Tide had some very credible wins in 2016. USC was down when Alabama got them in the opener, but the Trojans were still quite talented, and the Tide destroyed them systematically.
The SEC East was weak, but Alabama showed how far ahead of the pack they were when they hammered Florida into the ground in the SEC title game.
Washington was skidding a bit late in the season in some ways, but Alabama slowed down their offense and boxed them in on special teams in order to grind the Huskies down to the nub in the Peach Bowl.
Worst Loss: Clemson 35-31
The Tide was in control heading into the 4th quarter and should have been able to cruise out the win, but they imploded defensively, and blew a sizable lead, and the Tide blew their shot at winning a second consecutive national title.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Florida State @ Atlanta, 9/9 Fresno State, 9/16 Colorado State, 11/18 Mercer
The Florida State game, in Atlanta, could be a preview of a national semifinal at the end of the season. It is a coin flip game with two of the best sophomore QBs in the nation in Hurts and DeAndre Francois. Alabama should very much cruise through the rest of the non con schedule. Worst case is a 3-1 record out of conference.
Alabama Crimson Tide
14-1 (8-0)
2016 Schedule
Beat USC 52-6
Beat Western Kentucky 38-10
Beat Ole Miss 48-43
Beat Kent State 48-0
Beat Kentucky 34-6
Beat Arkansas 49-30
Beat Tennessee 49-10
Beat Texas A&M 33-14
Beat LSU 10-0
Beat Mississippi State 51-3
Beat Chattanooga 31-3
Beat Auburn 30-12
Beat Florida 54-16 (SEC Title Game)
Beat Washington 24-7 (Peach Bowl)
Lost to Clemson 35-31 (National Championship)
MVP Offense: QB Jalen Hurts
Hurts had a very impressive, even if uneven at times, freshman campaign in 2016. He passed for 2780 yards and 23 scores against just 9 INTs, and he added 954 yards rushing with another 13 scores. He completed 62.8% of his passes, and averaged 25.5 passes per game. He averaged 4.99 yards per carry, and ran for an average of 63.6 yards per game. He passed for 347 yards and 4 scores for a season high against Mississippi State.
MVP Defense: LB Reuben Foster, DL Jonathon Allen, LB Tim Williams, LB Ryan Anderson, DB Minkah Fitzpatrick
As usual, Alabama was loaded on defense, with several star players bolstering the ranks. Foster was the first leader. He led the team with 115 tackles, and added 13 TFLs, five sacks, and finshed with eight QB hurries.
Allen was a force of nature up front once again, as he finished with 69 tackles, 16 TFLs, a team leading 10.5 sacks, and a crushing 15 QB hurries.
Williams was another bone crusher in the LB corps, as he finished with 31 tackles, and ended up with 16 of those being for loss. He added nine sacks, and added 12 QB hurries to go with two PBUs and two forced fumbles.
Anderson, again, a LB, finished with 61 tackles, and led the team with 19 TFLs, and added nine sacks, and added 10 QB hurries, three PBUs, and four forced fumbles.
Fitzpatrick was the anchor of the secondary, where he finshed with 66 tackles, and added 5 TFLs, and added 7 PBUs. He picked off six passes, and returned two of those for scores.
Others of Note
Damien Harris rushed for 1037 yards and two scores. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry.
Bo Scarbrough ran for 812 yards, and scored 11 times. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry.
Alabama scored 33 rushing scores, and gave up only five.
Alabama averaged 245 yards rushing per game, and allowed just 63.93 yards per game.
Alabama collected 118 TFLs as a team, but the offense allowed 108. They allowed just 63 in 2014.
Alabama collected 54 sacks, while allowing just 24.
Alabama collected 80 team sacks.
The Tide was penalized 4.7 times per game at home, but 6.6 times per game on the road.
JK Scott averaged over 47 yards per game.
Best Win: USC 52-6, Florida 54-16, Washington 24-7
The Tide had some very credible wins in 2016. USC was down when Alabama got them in the opener, but the Trojans were still quite talented, and the Tide destroyed them systematically.
The SEC East was weak, but Alabama showed how far ahead of the pack they were when they hammered Florida into the ground in the SEC title game.
Washington was skidding a bit late in the season in some ways, but Alabama slowed down their offense and boxed them in on special teams in order to grind the Huskies down to the nub in the Peach Bowl.
Worst Loss: Clemson 35-31
The Tide was in control heading into the 4th quarter and should have been able to cruise out the win, but they imploded defensively, and blew a sizable lead, and the Tide blew their shot at winning a second consecutive national title.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Florida State @ Atlanta, 9/9 Fresno State, 9/16 Colorado State, 11/18 Mercer
The Florida State game, in Atlanta, could be a preview of a national semifinal at the end of the season. It is a coin flip game with two of the best sophomore QBs in the nation in Hurts and DeAndre Francois. Alabama should very much cruise through the rest of the non con schedule. Worst case is a 3-1 record out of conference.
Farewell to 2016: Missouri Tigers
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Missouri Tigers
4-8 (2-6)
2016 Schedule
Lost to West Virginia 26-11
Beat Eastern Michigan 61-21
Lost to Georgia 28-27
Beat Delaware State 79-0
Lost to LSU 42-7
Lost to Florida 40-14
Lost to Middle Tennessee 51-45
Lost to Kentucky 35-21
Lost to South Carolina 31-21
Beat Vanderbilt 26-17
Lost to Tennessee 63-37
Beat Arkansas 28-24
MVP Offense: QB Drew Lock, WR J'Mon Moore, RB Damarea Crockett
Considering how bad Missouri was in 2016, there were a few bright spots on offense. Lock took over an embattled QB position and passed for 3399 yards with 23 scores and 10 picks. He averaged 36.2 passes per game, and 283.3 yards passing. His only draw back was that he only completed 54% of his passes, which is an area of needed improvement for the junior to be.
Moore was the top target in the passing game. He caught 62 passes for 1012 yards, and scored 8 times in the passing game.He averaged 16.32 yards per reception, and 5.2 catches per game. He caught 9 passes against Tennessee, and had 8 receptions in four separate games.
Crockett was a solid find as a freshman in 2016. He ran for 1062 yards and scored 10 times, averaging 6.94 yards per carry, and just 13.91 carries per game. He ran for 156 yards and 4 scores against Middle Tennessee, and the Tigers still lost the game.
MVP Defense: DL Charles Harris
Charles Harris was a bright spot on a bad defense. The DE finished second on the team in tackles with 61, and led the team with 12 TFLs. He also led the team with nine sacks, and recorded 10 QB hurries to go with two PBUs and 2 forced fumbles.
Others of Note
Ish Witter finished with 6 rushing scores on 750 yards rushing.
Dimitrios Watson was the only other receiver with over 40 receptions.
Donovan Newsom led the team with 73 tackles from the secondary.
Missouri finished with 72 team TFLs. The offense allowed 36.
Tiger QBs were sacked just 14 times all season.
Senior DB Aarion Penton broke up 12 passes on the season. He also picked off 5 passes. Missouri was penalized 7.4 times per game at home, and 6.7 times per game on the season.
Missouri fumbled the football 13 times. The defense only forced 6.
Freshman kicker Tucker McCann connected on just 6/12 FGs.
Sophomore Punter Corey Fatony averaged 43.85 yards per punt on 5.5 punts per game.
Best Win: Arkansas 28-24
The win over the Razorbacks was their second in three games, and helped the Tigers finish strong and knock the Razorbacks down one peg in the bowl selection charts. It was the treated like a bowl game for Missouri, and they head into 2017 on a high note after a long season.
Worst Loss: Middle Tennessee 51-45
It is never aceptable for an SEC team to fall to a team from Conference USA. Missouri wasted a massive Crockett performance as well. If the defense had played half as well as the offense, they win this game.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Missouri State, 9/16 Purdue, 10/21 Idaho, 10/28 at U Conn
I would favor Missouri over both Missouri State and Purdue right now, and they should be able to handle Idaho as well. The U Conn game may present a challenge, but if Missouri can win all four of these, which there is a chance of, the Tigers are back in a bowl.
Missouri Tigers
4-8 (2-6)
2016 Schedule
Lost to West Virginia 26-11
Beat Eastern Michigan 61-21
Lost to Georgia 28-27
Beat Delaware State 79-0
Lost to LSU 42-7
Lost to Florida 40-14
Lost to Middle Tennessee 51-45
Lost to Kentucky 35-21
Lost to South Carolina 31-21
Beat Vanderbilt 26-17
Lost to Tennessee 63-37
Beat Arkansas 28-24
MVP Offense: QB Drew Lock, WR J'Mon Moore, RB Damarea Crockett
Considering how bad Missouri was in 2016, there were a few bright spots on offense. Lock took over an embattled QB position and passed for 3399 yards with 23 scores and 10 picks. He averaged 36.2 passes per game, and 283.3 yards passing. His only draw back was that he only completed 54% of his passes, which is an area of needed improvement for the junior to be.
Moore was the top target in the passing game. He caught 62 passes for 1012 yards, and scored 8 times in the passing game.He averaged 16.32 yards per reception, and 5.2 catches per game. He caught 9 passes against Tennessee, and had 8 receptions in four separate games.
Crockett was a solid find as a freshman in 2016. He ran for 1062 yards and scored 10 times, averaging 6.94 yards per carry, and just 13.91 carries per game. He ran for 156 yards and 4 scores against Middle Tennessee, and the Tigers still lost the game.
MVP Defense: DL Charles Harris
Charles Harris was a bright spot on a bad defense. The DE finished second on the team in tackles with 61, and led the team with 12 TFLs. He also led the team with nine sacks, and recorded 10 QB hurries to go with two PBUs and 2 forced fumbles.
Others of Note
Ish Witter finished with 6 rushing scores on 750 yards rushing.
Dimitrios Watson was the only other receiver with over 40 receptions.
Donovan Newsom led the team with 73 tackles from the secondary.
Missouri finished with 72 team TFLs. The offense allowed 36.
Tiger QBs were sacked just 14 times all season.
Senior DB Aarion Penton broke up 12 passes on the season. He also picked off 5 passes. Missouri was penalized 7.4 times per game at home, and 6.7 times per game on the season.
Missouri fumbled the football 13 times. The defense only forced 6.
Freshman kicker Tucker McCann connected on just 6/12 FGs.
Sophomore Punter Corey Fatony averaged 43.85 yards per punt on 5.5 punts per game.
Best Win: Arkansas 28-24
The win over the Razorbacks was their second in three games, and helped the Tigers finish strong and knock the Razorbacks down one peg in the bowl selection charts. It was the treated like a bowl game for Missouri, and they head into 2017 on a high note after a long season.
Worst Loss: Middle Tennessee 51-45
It is never aceptable for an SEC team to fall to a team from Conference USA. Missouri wasted a massive Crockett performance as well. If the defense had played half as well as the offense, they win this game.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Missouri State, 9/16 Purdue, 10/21 Idaho, 10/28 at U Conn
I would favor Missouri over both Missouri State and Purdue right now, and they should be able to handle Idaho as well. The U Conn game may present a challenge, but if Missouri can win all four of these, which there is a chance of, the Tigers are back in a bowl.
Farwell to 2016: South Carolina Gamecocks
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
South Carolina Gamecocks
6-7 (3-5)
2016 Schedule
Beat Vanderbilt 13-10
Lost to Mississippi State 27-14
Beat East Carolina 20-15
Lost to Kentucky 17-10
Lost to Texas A&M 24-13
Lost to Georgia 28-14
Beat U Mass 34-28
Beat Tennessee 24-21
Beat Missouri 31-21
Lost to Florida 20-7
Beat Western Carolina 44-21
Lost to Clemson 56-7
Lost to South Florida 46-39 (Birmingham Bowl)
MVP Offense: QB Jake Bentley
Although he did not play until the U Mass game, Bentley gave the Gamecocks direction at QB that they had not had in some time. He passed for 6 TDs in his first three games, and did not throw a pick until his fourth start. In total, he passed for 9 scores and 4 INTs on the year, and passed for 1420 yards. He also completed 65.8% of his passes on 27.1 attempts per game, and will enter 2017 as the foremost favorite to be the starter from day one.
MVP Defense: DL Darius English, DB Jamarcus King
English, a senior, was yet another amongst a group of big stars on the D line in the last several seasons. He finished with 60 tackles, and provided 13.5 TFLs, added 9 sacks, and posted 5 QB hurries and 2 forced fumbles.
King recorded 56 tackles, 51 of them being solo jobs. He also added 9 PBUs and 3 INTs on the season, and was an anchor in the secondary during his junior season.
Others of Note
The Gamecocks were held to just 134 yards rushing per game.
WR Deebo Samuel finished with a line of 59-783-1, while Hayden Hurst added 48-616-1 as a TE. Bryan Edwards dumped in 44-590-4 to give the Gamecocks three receivers with 44 receptions or more.
Junior DB DJ Smith led the team with 80 tackles.
South Carolina soundly lost the tackle efficiency battle, as they had to make 73.23 per game, while opponents made only 66.46 per game.
The South Carolina offensive line allowed a massive 102 TFLs, and 41 sacks.
Gamecock QBs had 47 passes deflected and were hurried 34 times.
South Carolina converted on just 34% of 3rd down conversions.
Senior Punter Sean Kelly capped off his career by averaging just over 42 yards per punt.
Best Win: Tennessee 24-21
Tennessee was a big favorite to win the East but yet finished with just four wins. This win came in a group where the Gamecocks had won four of five to get into the post season.
Worst Loss: Mississippi State 27-14, Clemson 56-7
Mississippi State was the second worst team in the West, and dropped the Gamecocks to 1-1 in conference play before the first month was up. It proved that the Gamecocks were not going to make a run in the first season under Will Muschamp.
The loss to arch rival Clemson was one of the worst in school history, and showed a massive disparity between the two schools.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 NC State at Charlotte, 9/23 Louisiana Tech, 11/18 Wofford, 11/25 Clemson
With Bentley at QB, I look for South Carolina to improve in 2017, but only if the line improves massively in front of him. NC State should be a win, as should the Wofford game, but can the defense keep pace with Louisiana Tech? The Clemson game should be more even with several Tigers having moved on from this two year title run. I can see a 2-2 run coming here.
South Carolina Gamecocks
6-7 (3-5)
2016 Schedule
Beat Vanderbilt 13-10
Lost to Mississippi State 27-14
Beat East Carolina 20-15
Lost to Kentucky 17-10
Lost to Texas A&M 24-13
Lost to Georgia 28-14
Beat U Mass 34-28
Beat Tennessee 24-21
Beat Missouri 31-21
Lost to Florida 20-7
Beat Western Carolina 44-21
Lost to Clemson 56-7
Lost to South Florida 46-39 (Birmingham Bowl)
MVP Offense: QB Jake Bentley
Although he did not play until the U Mass game, Bentley gave the Gamecocks direction at QB that they had not had in some time. He passed for 6 TDs in his first three games, and did not throw a pick until his fourth start. In total, he passed for 9 scores and 4 INTs on the year, and passed for 1420 yards. He also completed 65.8% of his passes on 27.1 attempts per game, and will enter 2017 as the foremost favorite to be the starter from day one.
MVP Defense: DL Darius English, DB Jamarcus King
English, a senior, was yet another amongst a group of big stars on the D line in the last several seasons. He finished with 60 tackles, and provided 13.5 TFLs, added 9 sacks, and posted 5 QB hurries and 2 forced fumbles.
King recorded 56 tackles, 51 of them being solo jobs. He also added 9 PBUs and 3 INTs on the season, and was an anchor in the secondary during his junior season.
Others of Note
The Gamecocks were held to just 134 yards rushing per game.
WR Deebo Samuel finished with a line of 59-783-1, while Hayden Hurst added 48-616-1 as a TE. Bryan Edwards dumped in 44-590-4 to give the Gamecocks three receivers with 44 receptions or more.
Junior DB DJ Smith led the team with 80 tackles.
South Carolina soundly lost the tackle efficiency battle, as they had to make 73.23 per game, while opponents made only 66.46 per game.
The South Carolina offensive line allowed a massive 102 TFLs, and 41 sacks.
Gamecock QBs had 47 passes deflected and were hurried 34 times.
South Carolina converted on just 34% of 3rd down conversions.
Senior Punter Sean Kelly capped off his career by averaging just over 42 yards per punt.
Best Win: Tennessee 24-21
Tennessee was a big favorite to win the East but yet finished with just four wins. This win came in a group where the Gamecocks had won four of five to get into the post season.
Worst Loss: Mississippi State 27-14, Clemson 56-7
Mississippi State was the second worst team in the West, and dropped the Gamecocks to 1-1 in conference play before the first month was up. It proved that the Gamecocks were not going to make a run in the first season under Will Muschamp.
The loss to arch rival Clemson was one of the worst in school history, and showed a massive disparity between the two schools.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 NC State at Charlotte, 9/23 Louisiana Tech, 11/18 Wofford, 11/25 Clemson
With Bentley at QB, I look for South Carolina to improve in 2017, but only if the line improves massively in front of him. NC State should be a win, as should the Wofford game, but can the defense keep pace with Louisiana Tech? The Clemson game should be more even with several Tigers having moved on from this two year title run. I can see a 2-2 run coming here.
Farewell to 2016: Vanderbilt Commodores
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Vanderbilt Commodores
6-7 (3-5)
2016 Schedule
Lost to South Carolina 13-10
Beat Middle Tennessee 47-24
Lost to Georgia Tech 38-7
Beat Western Kentucky 31-30
Lost to Florida 13-6
Lost to Kentucky 20-13
Beat Georgia 17-16
Beat Tennessee State 35-17
Lost to Auburn 23-16
Lost to Missouri 26-17
Beat Ole Miss 38-17
Beat Tennessee 45-34
Lost to North Carolina State 41-17 (Independence Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Ralph Webb, RB Khari Blasingame
Like many SEC teams, the Commodores had to rely on a solid ground game to get things done on offense. As it also turns out, they had one of the best backs in the nation in Ralph Webb, who is vastly underrated. Webb ran for 1283 yards, and scored 13 times. He averaged 19.23 carries per game, and averaged 98.63 yards per game. Had he been on one of the better teams in the league, he would have far outpaced those numbers. He also managed to average 5.13 yards per carry.
Khari Blasingame eas also rock solid in 2016. He managed to rush for 10 scores, or every 9.7 times he touched the ball on a run play, and provided a huge scoring boost on short yardage scenarios.
MVP Defense: LB Zach Cunningham
Zach Cunningham was one of the best defenders in the nation at LB, and should be a late 1st round draft pick. He colledtced 125 tackles (9.62 per game), and added 16.5 TFLs, 3 PBUs, and 2 forced fumbles. He finished in double figures in tackles seven times, including 19 tackles in a one point win over Georgia. He finished with 2 or more TFLs five times as well, including picking up three ainst South Carolina in a game where the Commodore offense failed to show up.
Others of Note
Kyle Shurmer never got on track at QB as a sophomore, finishing with just 9 TDs and 10 INTs.
Despite Shurmer's struggles, six receivers finished with 20 or more catches.
Cunningham, LaDarius Wiley, and Ryan White all finished with 6.25 tackles per game or more.
The Commodore O line gave up 78 TFLs in 13 games. The line also allowed 32 sacks.
Senior DB Torren McGaster broke up 10 passes. Tre Herndon broke up 8.
Vanderbilt allowed 41 QB hurries.
Vanderbilt only recorded 7 team fumbles that were forced.
Vanderbilt was penalized a very respectable 5.2 times per game, and were only nailed 4.8 times per game at home.
Vanderbilt only converted 35% of their 3rd down conversions.
The Commodores offense score just 23 points per game, while their defense gave up just 24 points per game.
Best Win: Tennessee 45-34, Georgia 17-16
Anytime you can beat Tennessee and Georgia in the same season at Vanderbilt, that is a good deal. The Commodores also only lost to Florida by seven, but scored only six points in that loss. Tennesse and Georgia were both wins against bowl teams.
Worst Loss: Missouri 26-17
Missouri was beyond awful in 2016, and while the defense mostly did their job, the offense completely let them down in this loss, which was by far the worst defeat on the schedule.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 at Middle Tennessee, 9/9 Alabama A&M, 9/16 Kansas State, 11/4 Western Kentucky
The only game that is a sure thing here is the date with Alabama A&M. Middle Tennessee, if consistent, is a huge threat, as is Western Kentucky. Kansas State is an up and down club that can kill you when on their A game. This is not an easy non con schedule by any means.
Vanderbilt Commodores
6-7 (3-5)
2016 Schedule
Lost to South Carolina 13-10
Beat Middle Tennessee 47-24
Lost to Georgia Tech 38-7
Beat Western Kentucky 31-30
Lost to Florida 13-6
Lost to Kentucky 20-13
Beat Georgia 17-16
Beat Tennessee State 35-17
Lost to Auburn 23-16
Lost to Missouri 26-17
Beat Ole Miss 38-17
Beat Tennessee 45-34
Lost to North Carolina State 41-17 (Independence Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Ralph Webb, RB Khari Blasingame
Like many SEC teams, the Commodores had to rely on a solid ground game to get things done on offense. As it also turns out, they had one of the best backs in the nation in Ralph Webb, who is vastly underrated. Webb ran for 1283 yards, and scored 13 times. He averaged 19.23 carries per game, and averaged 98.63 yards per game. Had he been on one of the better teams in the league, he would have far outpaced those numbers. He also managed to average 5.13 yards per carry.
Khari Blasingame eas also rock solid in 2016. He managed to rush for 10 scores, or every 9.7 times he touched the ball on a run play, and provided a huge scoring boost on short yardage scenarios.
MVP Defense: LB Zach Cunningham
Zach Cunningham was one of the best defenders in the nation at LB, and should be a late 1st round draft pick. He colledtced 125 tackles (9.62 per game), and added 16.5 TFLs, 3 PBUs, and 2 forced fumbles. He finished in double figures in tackles seven times, including 19 tackles in a one point win over Georgia. He finished with 2 or more TFLs five times as well, including picking up three ainst South Carolina in a game where the Commodore offense failed to show up.
Others of Note
Kyle Shurmer never got on track at QB as a sophomore, finishing with just 9 TDs and 10 INTs.
Despite Shurmer's struggles, six receivers finished with 20 or more catches.
Cunningham, LaDarius Wiley, and Ryan White all finished with 6.25 tackles per game or more.
The Commodore O line gave up 78 TFLs in 13 games. The line also allowed 32 sacks.
Senior DB Torren McGaster broke up 10 passes. Tre Herndon broke up 8.
Vanderbilt allowed 41 QB hurries.
Vanderbilt only recorded 7 team fumbles that were forced.
Vanderbilt was penalized a very respectable 5.2 times per game, and were only nailed 4.8 times per game at home.
Vanderbilt only converted 35% of their 3rd down conversions.
The Commodores offense score just 23 points per game, while their defense gave up just 24 points per game.
Best Win: Tennessee 45-34, Georgia 17-16
Anytime you can beat Tennessee and Georgia in the same season at Vanderbilt, that is a good deal. The Commodores also only lost to Florida by seven, but scored only six points in that loss. Tennesse and Georgia were both wins against bowl teams.
Worst Loss: Missouri 26-17
Missouri was beyond awful in 2016, and while the defense mostly did their job, the offense completely let them down in this loss, which was by far the worst defeat on the schedule.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 at Middle Tennessee, 9/9 Alabama A&M, 9/16 Kansas State, 11/4 Western Kentucky
The only game that is a sure thing here is the date with Alabama A&M. Middle Tennessee, if consistent, is a huge threat, as is Western Kentucky. Kansas State is an up and down club that can kill you when on their A game. This is not an easy non con schedule by any means.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Farewell to 2016: Georgia Bulldogs
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Georgia Bulldogs
8-5 (4-4)
2016 Schedule
Beat North Carolina 33-24
Beat Nicholls State 26-24
Beat Missouri 28-27
Lost to Ole Miss 45-14
Lost to Tennessee 34-31
Beat South Carolina 28-14
Lost to Vanderbilt 17-16
Lost to Florida 24-10
Beat Kentucky 27-24
Beat Auburn 13-7
Beat Louisiana-Lafayette 35-21
Lost to Georgia Tech 28-27
Beat TCU 31-23 (Liberty Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Nick Chubb
2016 was a season of offensive transition for the Bulldogs, as they went from an offensive minded coach in Mark Richt, to a defensive minded one in Kirby Smart. With a true freshman at QB in Jacob Eason, Georgia went to their strength on offense, and hit the ground running. Chubb was the rock that he has always been. In 13 games, he rushed for 1130 yards and 8 scores, and averaged 5.04 yards per carry. He averaged just over 17 carries per game, as the staff kept his carries down in order to protect him from any injury such as he sustained in 2015. Chubb still managed to be the rock with the football, and has even announced a return for the 2017 season as a senior.
MVP Defense: LB Roquan Smith
There is nothing wrong with the Bulldogs on defense. Smith led the way for the Bulldogs on a unit that allowed 24 points per game. He led the team with 95 tackles, and added 5 TFLs, and forced two fumbles. He collected a season high 13 tackles in back to back games to end the season against Georgia Tech and TCU, and recorded 11 in a win over South Carolina. He should be one of the best defenders in the SEC in 2017.
Others of Note
Eason eased his way into the QB job as a freshman in 2016, and had some bumps and flashes along the way. He passed for 2430 yards, averaging 186.9 yards per game, which is OK, but not legendary. He also only managed to complete 55.1% of his passes on the season. He attempted 28.5 passes per game, averaged 6.6 yards per attempt, and had a rather pedestrian QBR of 120.26.
Sony Michel missed one gam in 2016 at RB, and had a season that I am certain could have gone better. He recorded 840 yards rushing, but scored just four times while averaging 12.67 yards per game. Expect an uptick in 2017.
Isaiah McKenzie showed some promise at WR, posting a line of 44-633-8. He averaged 14.39 yards per catch, and should be the top play maker in the passing game in 2017.
Only three other Bulldog receivers caught 20 passes or more in 2016.
Georgia averaged 66.15 tackles per game, and forced opponents to make 75.15 per game.
The Bulldogs allowed 82 TFLs in 2016. They allowed only 50 in 2015.
The Bulldogs forced 15 fumbles in 2016, and picked off 15 passes as a team.
The Bulldogs were only penalized 4.7 times per game at home, but were hit for 6.6 penalties per game on the road.
Best Win: North Carolina 33-24
With Georgia not being high on many radars entering the season after a coaching change, the Bulldogs rolled int Atlanta and showed North Carolina that this program may be a bit slow right now, but was not at a full stop. The Bulldogs got after the UNC offense early and let their defense control the flow of the game.
Worst Loss: Vanderbilt 17-16
This was certainly a low point moment for the Buldogs in 2016. Losing to Florida and Tennessee was bad enough, but this loss was a kick to the gut.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Appalachian State, 9/9 at Notre Dame, 9/16 Samford, 11/25 at Georgia Tech
Georgia should be favored in each of these games in 2017. Nobody knows what to expect from Notre Dame, and the only game that could be a tough go is against Georgia Tech on the road. Tech has had UGAs number lately in the rivalry. Worst case scenario, I still see Georgia going 3-1 against this lot.
Georgia Bulldogs
8-5 (4-4)
2016 Schedule
Beat North Carolina 33-24
Beat Nicholls State 26-24
Beat Missouri 28-27
Lost to Ole Miss 45-14
Lost to Tennessee 34-31
Beat South Carolina 28-14
Lost to Vanderbilt 17-16
Lost to Florida 24-10
Beat Kentucky 27-24
Beat Auburn 13-7
Beat Louisiana-Lafayette 35-21
Lost to Georgia Tech 28-27
Beat TCU 31-23 (Liberty Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Nick Chubb
2016 was a season of offensive transition for the Bulldogs, as they went from an offensive minded coach in Mark Richt, to a defensive minded one in Kirby Smart. With a true freshman at QB in Jacob Eason, Georgia went to their strength on offense, and hit the ground running. Chubb was the rock that he has always been. In 13 games, he rushed for 1130 yards and 8 scores, and averaged 5.04 yards per carry. He averaged just over 17 carries per game, as the staff kept his carries down in order to protect him from any injury such as he sustained in 2015. Chubb still managed to be the rock with the football, and has even announced a return for the 2017 season as a senior.
MVP Defense: LB Roquan Smith
There is nothing wrong with the Bulldogs on defense. Smith led the way for the Bulldogs on a unit that allowed 24 points per game. He led the team with 95 tackles, and added 5 TFLs, and forced two fumbles. He collected a season high 13 tackles in back to back games to end the season against Georgia Tech and TCU, and recorded 11 in a win over South Carolina. He should be one of the best defenders in the SEC in 2017.
Others of Note
Eason eased his way into the QB job as a freshman in 2016, and had some bumps and flashes along the way. He passed for 2430 yards, averaging 186.9 yards per game, which is OK, but not legendary. He also only managed to complete 55.1% of his passes on the season. He attempted 28.5 passes per game, averaged 6.6 yards per attempt, and had a rather pedestrian QBR of 120.26.
Sony Michel missed one gam in 2016 at RB, and had a season that I am certain could have gone better. He recorded 840 yards rushing, but scored just four times while averaging 12.67 yards per game. Expect an uptick in 2017.
Isaiah McKenzie showed some promise at WR, posting a line of 44-633-8. He averaged 14.39 yards per catch, and should be the top play maker in the passing game in 2017.
Only three other Bulldog receivers caught 20 passes or more in 2016.
Georgia averaged 66.15 tackles per game, and forced opponents to make 75.15 per game.
The Bulldogs allowed 82 TFLs in 2016. They allowed only 50 in 2015.
The Bulldogs forced 15 fumbles in 2016, and picked off 15 passes as a team.
The Bulldogs were only penalized 4.7 times per game at home, but were hit for 6.6 penalties per game on the road.
Best Win: North Carolina 33-24
With Georgia not being high on many radars entering the season after a coaching change, the Bulldogs rolled int Atlanta and showed North Carolina that this program may be a bit slow right now, but was not at a full stop. The Bulldogs got after the UNC offense early and let their defense control the flow of the game.
Worst Loss: Vanderbilt 17-16
This was certainly a low point moment for the Buldogs in 2016. Losing to Florida and Tennessee was bad enough, but this loss was a kick to the gut.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Appalachian State, 9/9 at Notre Dame, 9/16 Samford, 11/25 at Georgia Tech
Georgia should be favored in each of these games in 2017. Nobody knows what to expect from Notre Dame, and the only game that could be a tough go is against Georgia Tech on the road. Tech has had UGAs number lately in the rivalry. Worst case scenario, I still see Georgia going 3-1 against this lot.
Friday, February 24, 2017
Farewell to 2016: Kentucky Wildcats
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Kentucky Wildcats
7-6 (4-4)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Southern Mississippi 44-35
Lost to Florida 45-7
Beat New Mexico State 62-42
Beat South Carolina 17-10
Lost to Alabama 34-6
Beat Vanderbilt 20-13
Beat Mississippi State 40-38
Beat Missouri 35-21
Lost to Georgia 27-24
Lost to Tennessee 49-36
Beat Austin Peay 49-13
Beat Louisville 41-38
Lost to Georgia Tech 34-18 (Gator Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Benjamin Snell, Jr.
It was an up and down season for Kentucky football, and the offense was centered on a steallar run game that carried the team all season. Snell was the leader in terms of carries (186) and scoring (13 TDs), and he averaged 5.87 yards per game. He ran for 192 yards and two scores in a 14 point win over Missouri, and ran for another 152 yards and two scores in a meaningless game against Austin Peay late in the season. In all, he rushed for 100 yards or more five times during the season.
MVP Defense: LB Jordan Jones
Jones had a massive season in 2016 for the Wildcats during a season that was not exactly stellar defensively. Jones led the team with 109 tackles (8.38 per game), and also led the team with 15.5 TFLs on the year. He also recorded 4 sacks, collected 4 PBUs, and created 9 QB hurries. He collected 19 tackles in the loss to Southern Miss, and picked up 11 against Mississippi State, and added another 10 against Georgia.
Others of Note
Steohen Johnson took over at QB in week two, and passed for 2037 yards and 13 TDs to 6 INTs. He added 3 more scores on the ground. He completed just 54.7% of his passes as a junior.
Boom Williams was right there with Snell in terms of rushing production. He ran for 1170 yards and 7 scores, while averaging 6.84 yards per carry.
Only three receivers caught 20 passes or more.
DB Mike Edwards joined the triple digit club in tackles, as he racked up 100 on the season. He added 5.5 TFLs and 3 INTs, and added a team leading 8 PBUs.
Sophomore DB Derrick Baity knocked down 7 passes.
Sophomore DL Denzel Ware piled up 12 TFLs and 5.5 sacks.
Sophomore LB Josh Allen forced four fumbles.
PK Austin MacGinnis was highly accurate in 2016, hitting 16/19 FGs, and hit 44/45 PATs.
Best Win: Louisville 41-38
Kentucky only finished 2-3 in their final five games, and stumbled into their bowl birth, but beating Louisville was a huge way for the Wildcats to finish the regular season. It was also one of their two wins against teams with a winning record.
Worst Loss: Southern Miss 44-35
Some had favored USM in this game, but Kentucky was in complete control early before imploding to fall to the Golden Eagles in Lexington. USM went on to have a very mediocre season, and this loss had some thinking that the Wildcats would fall short of expectations, and even had Mark Stoops thinking about his job security right out of the gate.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 at Southern Mississippi, 9/9 Eastern Kentucky, 9/30 Eastern Michigan, 11/25 Louisville
The dates against Eastern Michigan and Eastern Kentucky are flat out wins. Southern Miss is a revenge is a revenge game against an Eagles team that loses some key parts, while Louisville will be looking for revenge against the Cats in Lexington. Worst case scenario here is 2-2, but I am thinking more like 3-1 against this group.
Kentucky Wildcats
7-6 (4-4)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Southern Mississippi 44-35
Lost to Florida 45-7
Beat New Mexico State 62-42
Beat South Carolina 17-10
Lost to Alabama 34-6
Beat Vanderbilt 20-13
Beat Mississippi State 40-38
Beat Missouri 35-21
Lost to Georgia 27-24
Lost to Tennessee 49-36
Beat Austin Peay 49-13
Beat Louisville 41-38
Lost to Georgia Tech 34-18 (Gator Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Benjamin Snell, Jr.
It was an up and down season for Kentucky football, and the offense was centered on a steallar run game that carried the team all season. Snell was the leader in terms of carries (186) and scoring (13 TDs), and he averaged 5.87 yards per game. He ran for 192 yards and two scores in a 14 point win over Missouri, and ran for another 152 yards and two scores in a meaningless game against Austin Peay late in the season. In all, he rushed for 100 yards or more five times during the season.
MVP Defense: LB Jordan Jones
Jones had a massive season in 2016 for the Wildcats during a season that was not exactly stellar defensively. Jones led the team with 109 tackles (8.38 per game), and also led the team with 15.5 TFLs on the year. He also recorded 4 sacks, collected 4 PBUs, and created 9 QB hurries. He collected 19 tackles in the loss to Southern Miss, and picked up 11 against Mississippi State, and added another 10 against Georgia.
Others of Note
Steohen Johnson took over at QB in week two, and passed for 2037 yards and 13 TDs to 6 INTs. He added 3 more scores on the ground. He completed just 54.7% of his passes as a junior.
Boom Williams was right there with Snell in terms of rushing production. He ran for 1170 yards and 7 scores, while averaging 6.84 yards per carry.
Only three receivers caught 20 passes or more.
DB Mike Edwards joined the triple digit club in tackles, as he racked up 100 on the season. He added 5.5 TFLs and 3 INTs, and added a team leading 8 PBUs.
Sophomore DB Derrick Baity knocked down 7 passes.
Sophomore DL Denzel Ware piled up 12 TFLs and 5.5 sacks.
Sophomore LB Josh Allen forced four fumbles.
PK Austin MacGinnis was highly accurate in 2016, hitting 16/19 FGs, and hit 44/45 PATs.
Best Win: Louisville 41-38
Kentucky only finished 2-3 in their final five games, and stumbled into their bowl birth, but beating Louisville was a huge way for the Wildcats to finish the regular season. It was also one of their two wins against teams with a winning record.
Worst Loss: Southern Miss 44-35
Some had favored USM in this game, but Kentucky was in complete control early before imploding to fall to the Golden Eagles in Lexington. USM went on to have a very mediocre season, and this loss had some thinking that the Wildcats would fall short of expectations, and even had Mark Stoops thinking about his job security right out of the gate.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 at Southern Mississippi, 9/9 Eastern Kentucky, 9/30 Eastern Michigan, 11/25 Louisville
The dates against Eastern Michigan and Eastern Kentucky are flat out wins. Southern Miss is a revenge is a revenge game against an Eagles team that loses some key parts, while Louisville will be looking for revenge against the Cats in Lexington. Worst case scenario here is 2-2, but I am thinking more like 3-1 against this group.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Farewell to 2016: Tennessee Volunteers
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Tennessee Volunteers
9-4 (4-4)
2016 Schedule
Beat Appalachian State 20-13
Beat Virginia Tech 45-24
Beat Ohio 28-19
Beat Florida 38-28
Beat Georgia 34-31
Lost to Texas A&M 45-38
Lost to Alabama 49-10
Lost to South Carolina 24-21
Beat Chattanooga 55-0
Beat Kentucky 49-36
Beat Missouri 63-37
Lost to Vanderbilt 45-34
Beat Nebraska 38-24 (Music City Bowl)
MVP Offense: QB Joshua Dobbs, WR Josh Malone
Dobbs was probably one of the most embattled QBs in Tennessee history. You went from loving him to hating him and back again, and he turned in a decent, if not always consistent, effort in 2016. Dobbs passed for 2946 yards with 27 scores and 12 picks. He managed to complete 63% of his passes, and tossed 4 scores in a win over Florida.
Malone was the key component in the passing game all season. He caught 50 passes, but those went for 972 yards and 11 scores on the season. He averaged 19.44 yards per reception, and he was good for 74.8 yards per game.
MVP Defense: DE Derek Barnett
Barnett was one of the best defenders nationally in 2016. He finished with 56 tackles on the season, and added 19 TFLs, 13 sacks, 5 PBUs, 16 QB hurries, and 2 forced fumbles. There were few players as dominant as Barnett anywhere.
Others of Note
Dobbs also led the Vols in rushing with 831 yards and 12 more scores.
Jalen Hurd played in just 7 games, and then announced he would transfer away from Tennessee.
Alvin Kamara rushed for 9 scores.
The top three tacklers (Todd Kelly, Jr., Micah Abernathy, Rashaan Gauldon) were all DBs.
Corey Vereen was often overlooked for Barnett on the D line, and used that to finish with 11.5 TFLs.
Trevor Daniel had a solid season at Punter, as he averaged 44.57 yards per punt.
Best Win: Beat Florida 38-28
The Vols had not beaten the Gators in forever, and this was the year to pull it off, and it may have saved the tail of coach Butch Jones. The Vols beat Georgia the following week, but then went on a three game skid. Dobbs played his best game of the year here.
Worst Loss: Lost to Vanderbilt 45-34
Losing to Vandy is always something that sits rancidly on the palates of Vol fans, and this win basically got the Commodores into a bowl game, making it sting just a bit more.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/4 Georgia Tech, 9/9 Indiana State, 9/23 U Mass, 11/4 Southern Mississippi
This is a fairly weak non con schedule for Tennessee. Georgia Tech presents a challenge, but Indiana State and U Mass, both in September, is ludicrous scheduling. I am hoping nobody has to pay full price for those dates. Southern Miss was very much down in 2016, but the Vols should still be favored heavily here.
Tennessee Volunteers
9-4 (4-4)
2016 Schedule
Beat Appalachian State 20-13
Beat Virginia Tech 45-24
Beat Ohio 28-19
Beat Florida 38-28
Beat Georgia 34-31
Lost to Texas A&M 45-38
Lost to Alabama 49-10
Lost to South Carolina 24-21
Beat Chattanooga 55-0
Beat Kentucky 49-36
Beat Missouri 63-37
Lost to Vanderbilt 45-34
Beat Nebraska 38-24 (Music City Bowl)
MVP Offense: QB Joshua Dobbs, WR Josh Malone
Dobbs was probably one of the most embattled QBs in Tennessee history. You went from loving him to hating him and back again, and he turned in a decent, if not always consistent, effort in 2016. Dobbs passed for 2946 yards with 27 scores and 12 picks. He managed to complete 63% of his passes, and tossed 4 scores in a win over Florida.
Malone was the key component in the passing game all season. He caught 50 passes, but those went for 972 yards and 11 scores on the season. He averaged 19.44 yards per reception, and he was good for 74.8 yards per game.
MVP Defense: DE Derek Barnett
Barnett was one of the best defenders nationally in 2016. He finished with 56 tackles on the season, and added 19 TFLs, 13 sacks, 5 PBUs, 16 QB hurries, and 2 forced fumbles. There were few players as dominant as Barnett anywhere.
Others of Note
Dobbs also led the Vols in rushing with 831 yards and 12 more scores.
Jalen Hurd played in just 7 games, and then announced he would transfer away from Tennessee.
Alvin Kamara rushed for 9 scores.
The top three tacklers (Todd Kelly, Jr., Micah Abernathy, Rashaan Gauldon) were all DBs.
Corey Vereen was often overlooked for Barnett on the D line, and used that to finish with 11.5 TFLs.
Trevor Daniel had a solid season at Punter, as he averaged 44.57 yards per punt.
Best Win: Beat Florida 38-28
The Vols had not beaten the Gators in forever, and this was the year to pull it off, and it may have saved the tail of coach Butch Jones. The Vols beat Georgia the following week, but then went on a three game skid. Dobbs played his best game of the year here.
Worst Loss: Lost to Vanderbilt 45-34
Losing to Vandy is always something that sits rancidly on the palates of Vol fans, and this win basically got the Commodores into a bowl game, making it sting just a bit more.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/4 Georgia Tech, 9/9 Indiana State, 9/23 U Mass, 11/4 Southern Mississippi
This is a fairly weak non con schedule for Tennessee. Georgia Tech presents a challenge, but Indiana State and U Mass, both in September, is ludicrous scheduling. I am hoping nobody has to pay full price for those dates. Southern Miss was very much down in 2016, but the Vols should still be favored heavily here.
Farewell to 2016: Florida Gators
The SEC had a down year compared to other years, as Alabama was the lone team to win 10 games or more in 2016. That is an unusual turn of events for the self proclaimed best conference in college football. The East was still down, as Florida and Tennessee continued to struggle despite having high expectations. Georgia is still trying to find themselves under Kirby Smart. LSU made a mess of the Les Miles situation. Ole Miss was clouded over by off-field issues. Here is a look back at the 2016 SEC season, on a team by team basis.
Florida Gators
9-4 (6-2)
Schedule
Beat U Mass 24-7
Beat Kentucky 45-7
Beat North Texas 32-0
Lost to Tennessee 38-28
Beat Vanderbilt 13-6
Beat Missouri 40-14
Beat Georgia 24-10
Lost to Arkansas 31-10
Beat South Carolina 20-7
Beat LSU 16-10
Lost to Florida State 31-13
Lost to Alabama 54-16 (SEC Title Game)
Beat Iowa 30-3 (Outback Bowl)
MVP Offense: None
Despite winning the SEC East, the Gators were a train wreck on offense. I could not identify one area where things are headed in the right direction, including the QB position, where Luke Del Rio and Austin Appleby, both transfers, struggled.
Florida averaged 215 yards passing per game, but both QBs combined to toss 18 TDs and 15 INTs, hardly a ratio to write home about.
The Gators were also held to just 128 yards rushing per game.
MVP Defense: DL Jabari Zuniga
Despite only allowing 16.8 points per game, there were not a ton of stand out performances from individuals, as this was more of a team effort. Sophomore Jabari Zuniga did show some growth and promise, as he led the team with 5 sacks, and finished 8.5 TFLs. He also registered 11 QB hurries.
Others of Note
Luke Del Rio was the better of the two QBs who played last fall, but lasted just 6 games before he was injured. He averaged 226.3 yards per game, but otherwise was average or not so great across the board. This is still a position where the Gators are hurting.
Sophomore RB Jordan Scarlett is showing signs of growth, and rushed for 889 yards and 6 scores. He averaged just 13.77 carries per game, so it may be time to take the leash off.
Only four receivers caught 20 or more passes in 2016. Antonio Callaway was the leader with a line of 54-721-3
DB Marcell Harris led the Gators with 73 tackles. He also picked off a pair of passes.
DE Caleb Brantley led the team with 9.5 TFLs.
Sophomore Eddy Piniero had a strong effort at PK, as he hit 21/25 FG attempts.
Johnny Townsend had a cannon for a leg in 2016, as he averaged over 47 yards per punt.
Best Win: Beat Georgia 24-10, Beat Iowa 30-3
The Big Cocktail game was the final win in a three game winning streak for the Gators, and beating the Bulldogs is how you keep your job at Florida.
The Bowl win over Iowa was a combination of an offensive domination and a defensive stranglehold for the Gators, one of the few times that the Gators played a complete game on both sides of the football all season.
Worst Loss: Alabama 54-16
The loss to the Tide, by 38 points, just continues to show the desparity in the SEC between not only Alabama and the Gators, but between Alabama and everyone else in the SEC right now. If not for Alabama, this would have been a very average conference in 2016.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Michigan @ Arlington, TX, 11/18 UAB, 11/25 Florida State
Only three of four non conference games had been posted at publishing time, and two of these three games are brutal. The opener with Michigan in Texas will be a huge test for the Gators, while the Florida State finale could be coming up against a national semi finalist.
Florida Gators
9-4 (6-2)
Schedule
Beat U Mass 24-7
Beat Kentucky 45-7
Beat North Texas 32-0
Lost to Tennessee 38-28
Beat Vanderbilt 13-6
Beat Missouri 40-14
Beat Georgia 24-10
Lost to Arkansas 31-10
Beat South Carolina 20-7
Beat LSU 16-10
Lost to Florida State 31-13
Lost to Alabama 54-16 (SEC Title Game)
Beat Iowa 30-3 (Outback Bowl)
MVP Offense: None
Despite winning the SEC East, the Gators were a train wreck on offense. I could not identify one area where things are headed in the right direction, including the QB position, where Luke Del Rio and Austin Appleby, both transfers, struggled.
Florida averaged 215 yards passing per game, but both QBs combined to toss 18 TDs and 15 INTs, hardly a ratio to write home about.
The Gators were also held to just 128 yards rushing per game.
MVP Defense: DL Jabari Zuniga
Despite only allowing 16.8 points per game, there were not a ton of stand out performances from individuals, as this was more of a team effort. Sophomore Jabari Zuniga did show some growth and promise, as he led the team with 5 sacks, and finished 8.5 TFLs. He also registered 11 QB hurries.
Others of Note
Luke Del Rio was the better of the two QBs who played last fall, but lasted just 6 games before he was injured. He averaged 226.3 yards per game, but otherwise was average or not so great across the board. This is still a position where the Gators are hurting.
Sophomore RB Jordan Scarlett is showing signs of growth, and rushed for 889 yards and 6 scores. He averaged just 13.77 carries per game, so it may be time to take the leash off.
Only four receivers caught 20 or more passes in 2016. Antonio Callaway was the leader with a line of 54-721-3
DB Marcell Harris led the Gators with 73 tackles. He also picked off a pair of passes.
DE Caleb Brantley led the team with 9.5 TFLs.
Sophomore Eddy Piniero had a strong effort at PK, as he hit 21/25 FG attempts.
Johnny Townsend had a cannon for a leg in 2016, as he averaged over 47 yards per punt.
Best Win: Beat Georgia 24-10, Beat Iowa 30-3
The Big Cocktail game was the final win in a three game winning streak for the Gators, and beating the Bulldogs is how you keep your job at Florida.
The Bowl win over Iowa was a combination of an offensive domination and a defensive stranglehold for the Gators, one of the few times that the Gators played a complete game on both sides of the football all season.
Worst Loss: Alabama 54-16
The loss to the Tide, by 38 points, just continues to show the desparity in the SEC between not only Alabama and the Gators, but between Alabama and everyone else in the SEC right now. If not for Alabama, this would have been a very average conference in 2016.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Michigan @ Arlington, TX, 11/18 UAB, 11/25 Florida State
Only three of four non conference games had been posted at publishing time, and two of these three games are brutal. The opener with Michigan in Texas will be a huge test for the Gators, while the Florida State finale could be coming up against a national semi finalist.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Farewell to 2016: Arizona Wildcats
It was a season of highs and lows in the PAC-12 in 2016. The Washington Huskies turned a major corner, making it to the national semifinal before getting smothered by Alabama. The Huskies were one of four teams that won 10 games or more. On the flip side, half of the teams in the conference finished under .500, including two major surprise teams in Oregon and UCLA. The conference's prize QB, Josh Rosen, was injured for most of the season, and under performed when he was available, and Jake Browning became the new star QB of the conference until being upstaged by Sam Darnold at USC. The biggest story was the emergence of the Colorado Buffaloes, who shocked everyone by winning the South. Here is our farewell to the 2016 season, team by team, in the PAC-12...
Arizona Wildcats
3-9 (1-8)
2016 Schedule
Lost to BYU 18-16
Beat Grambling 31-21
Beat Hawaii 47-28
Lost to Washington 35-28
Lost to UCLA 45-24
Lost to Utah 36-23
Lost to USC 48-14
Lost to Stanford 34-10
Lost to Washington State 69-7
Lost to Colorado 49-24
Lost to Oregon State 42-17
Beat Arizona State 56-35
MVP Offense: QB Brandon Dawkins
Make no mistake, the Wildcats were entirely awful in 2016, and scored just 24.8 points per game. Dawkins was not nearly a perfect, nor even decent, QB in 2016, but he did things that nobody else was doing, and probably had too much on his shoulders. He passed for 1345 yards and 8 scores, while tossing 6 INTs in 10 games. Remember, he was not supposed to be the starter, but Anu Solomon never got it together between injuries and lack of overall focus, and so Dawkins had to step up. He is always better on his feet as a runner, and led the team with 944 yards rushing, and he ran for another 10 scores. MVP Defense: None
Arizona allowed 38.3 points per game, and allowed 35 points or more 9 times. It was impossible to find a standout on this unit. Arizona allowed 275 yards passing per game, and 194 yards rushing per game, so defense was not exactly something that was taken all that seriously, which has always been a Rich Rodriguez problem dating back to his days at Michigan. Others of Note
Solomon played in only 5 games at QB, and was held to an average of just 93 yards per game. He transferred out of the program after the season, landing at Baylor after drawing interest from UNLV.
Arizona rushed for 235 yards per game, but the best actual RB was Samajie Grant, who ran for only 461 yards on the season. Arizona never developed a number one back.
Nate Phillips was the only receiver that caught 30 or more passes (33).
LB Paul Magliore, Jr.. led the team with 81 tackles on the season.
LB Micahel Barton recorded 8 TFLs, but Arizona only recorded 59 on the season, while the offense allowed 73.
Arizona allowed 28 sacks.
Arizona had a deficiency of +10 on tackles this season, as they recorded 68 tackles per game, but forced just 58 on offense.
Arizona was penalized 8.7 times per game in their 3 wins, and was penalized 7.1 times per game at home. The numbers were lower in losses and on the road.
Best Win: Arizona State 56-35
The Wildcats were on an eight game losing streak in (all in conference play) before ending the season with their arch rival Sun Devils. Arizona State was also on a bad run, but it was Arizona who refused to quit in the 21 point win that was also their best, and most complete game of the season. Getting the win over the hated Devils was just a nice cherry on what had been a really terrible sunday. Worst Loss: Washington State 69-7, Oregon State 42-17
THe Wildcats just never got off the bus against the Cougars, and found themselves buried before they got started. Washington State started punding on Arizona and just never let up.
The loss to Oregon State was an indicator as to how far Oregon state was coming along, and how far back Arizona was falling. These programs are now switching power position in the loaded conference. 2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Northern Arizona, 9/9 Houston, 9/16 at UTEP
This is an interesting non con schedule for the Wildcats, who very much need to get off to a very quick start to gain some footing heading into conference play. The game against NAU is a win, as will be the game at UTEP. The Houston game will be an enigma based on what Houston has coming to the plate after what will be a complete off season change over.
Arizona Wildcats
3-9 (1-8)
2016 Schedule
Lost to BYU 18-16
Beat Grambling 31-21
Beat Hawaii 47-28
Lost to Washington 35-28
Lost to UCLA 45-24
Lost to Utah 36-23
Lost to USC 48-14
Lost to Stanford 34-10
Lost to Washington State 69-7
Lost to Colorado 49-24
Lost to Oregon State 42-17
Beat Arizona State 56-35
MVP Offense: QB Brandon Dawkins
Make no mistake, the Wildcats were entirely awful in 2016, and scored just 24.8 points per game. Dawkins was not nearly a perfect, nor even decent, QB in 2016, but he did things that nobody else was doing, and probably had too much on his shoulders. He passed for 1345 yards and 8 scores, while tossing 6 INTs in 10 games. Remember, he was not supposed to be the starter, but Anu Solomon never got it together between injuries and lack of overall focus, and so Dawkins had to step up. He is always better on his feet as a runner, and led the team with 944 yards rushing, and he ran for another 10 scores. MVP Defense: None
Arizona allowed 38.3 points per game, and allowed 35 points or more 9 times. It was impossible to find a standout on this unit. Arizona allowed 275 yards passing per game, and 194 yards rushing per game, so defense was not exactly something that was taken all that seriously, which has always been a Rich Rodriguez problem dating back to his days at Michigan. Others of Note
Solomon played in only 5 games at QB, and was held to an average of just 93 yards per game. He transferred out of the program after the season, landing at Baylor after drawing interest from UNLV.
Arizona rushed for 235 yards per game, but the best actual RB was Samajie Grant, who ran for only 461 yards on the season. Arizona never developed a number one back.
Nate Phillips was the only receiver that caught 30 or more passes (33).
LB Paul Magliore, Jr.. led the team with 81 tackles on the season.
LB Micahel Barton recorded 8 TFLs, but Arizona only recorded 59 on the season, while the offense allowed 73.
Arizona allowed 28 sacks.
Arizona had a deficiency of +10 on tackles this season, as they recorded 68 tackles per game, but forced just 58 on offense.
Arizona was penalized 8.7 times per game in their 3 wins, and was penalized 7.1 times per game at home. The numbers were lower in losses and on the road.
Best Win: Arizona State 56-35
The Wildcats were on an eight game losing streak in (all in conference play) before ending the season with their arch rival Sun Devils. Arizona State was also on a bad run, but it was Arizona who refused to quit in the 21 point win that was also their best, and most complete game of the season. Getting the win over the hated Devils was just a nice cherry on what had been a really terrible sunday. Worst Loss: Washington State 69-7, Oregon State 42-17
THe Wildcats just never got off the bus against the Cougars, and found themselves buried before they got started. Washington State started punding on Arizona and just never let up.
The loss to Oregon State was an indicator as to how far Oregon state was coming along, and how far back Arizona was falling. These programs are now switching power position in the loaded conference. 2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Northern Arizona, 9/9 Houston, 9/16 at UTEP
This is an interesting non con schedule for the Wildcats, who very much need to get off to a very quick start to gain some footing heading into conference play. The game against NAU is a win, as will be the game at UTEP. The Houston game will be an enigma based on what Houston has coming to the plate after what will be a complete off season change over.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Farewell to 2016: UCLA Bruins
It was a season of highs and lows in the PAC-12 in 2016. The Washington Huskies turned a major corner, making it to the national semifinal before getting smothered by Alabama. The Huskies were one of four teams that won 10 games or more. On the flip side, half of the teams in the conference finished under .500, including two major surprise teams in Oregon and UCLA. The conference's prize QB, Josh Rosen, was injured for most of the season, and under performed when he was available, and Jake Browning became the new star QB of the conference until being upstaged by Sam Darnold at USC. The biggest story was the emergence of the Colorado Buffaloes, who shocked everyone by winning the South. Here is our farewell to the 2016 season, team by team, in the PAC-12...
UCLA Bruins
4-8 (2-7)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Texas A&M 31-24
Beat UNLV 42-21
Beat BYU 17-14
Lost to Stanford 22-13
Beat Arizona 45-24
Lost to Arizona State 23-20
Lost to Washington State 27-21
Lost to Utah 52-45
Lost to Colorado 20-10
Beat Oregon State 38-24
Lost to USC 36-14
Lost to California 36-14
MVP Offense: None
UCLA was absolutely putrid on offense in 2016, and finished ahead of only Texas State nationally in rushing. Never in my life have I ever seen such a putrid effort out of this program across the board. Josh Rosen seemingly was regressing at a rapid rate, and was eventually injured because he was not smart enough to stay on the sidelines after already being hurt against Arizona State. The second injury in that game cost him the rest of what was already a very off balance seaon for him. As far as the Rosen hype machine is concerned, he has already been replaced as the QB darling in the PAC 12 by the kid across town, Sam Darnold at USC, and by Jake Browning at Washington. Anyone thinking that Rosen is better than either at this stage is simply being delusional. MVP Defense: LB Jayon Brown, DE Takkarist McKinley
I really felt for the Bruin defense in 2016. The offense did them no favors whatsoever, and this was a very decent unit. They were just forced to get worm down too many times by an offense that just never got going on any level.
Brown was a huge player at LB for the Bruins. He led the team with 120 tackles (a stellar 10 per game), and collected 7 TFLs, and was rock solid in pass coverage, as he broke up 6 passes, and picked off another 3.
McKinley became a consumate first round draft pick at DE in 2016, as he recorded 18 TFLs on the season. He added 10 sacks and 61 tackles, broke up 6 passes, and forced 3 fumbles.
Others of Note
Rosen averaged 319 yards passing per game, but needed a ton of effort to get there, as he only completed 59% of his passes. His QBR of 138.91 was rather pedestrian, and his TD to INT ratio was a very basic 2:1.
The Bruins finished averaging just 2.93 yards per carry as a team last season. Nobody ran for more than 4 scores all season.
Darren Andrews (55-709-4) and Jordan Lasley (41-620-5) were the only UCLA receivers to catch more than 25 passes on the season.
Kenny Young was an unsung hero on defense, as he finished with 90 tackles.
UCLA was crushed in the tackle efficiency battle, as they only focred teams to make a shade over 58 tackles per game, while the Bruins were forced to make 73.5, a 15 tackle per game difference. That just shows how awful the offense truly was.
Randall Goforth and Fabian Moreau were both solid in coverage as each collected 9 PBUs. Goforth finished with 4 INTs, which led the team.
UCLA QBs had 65 passes broken up (Rosen and Fafaul).
UCLA is still losing the penalty battle, as they were penalized 7.5 times per game in road games. They were more penalized when they won (7 times per game) than when they lost (6.4 times per game).
Best Win: BYU 17-14
The Bruins barely survived a tough defensive effort brought forth by the Cougars, but this was a game that exposed many of the problems that the Bruins would have moving forward. Instead of looking at that film and finding a way forward, nothing was done to fix the problems, and the ceiling caved in from there, as the Bruins ost 5 of their next 6 games.
Worst Loss: California 36-14
The Bruins did indeed have one of the tougher PAC-12 schedules of anyone in the conference. With their shortcomings looming, that was not helpful. With the Cal loss, the Bruins had absolutely already quit for the year, and there was no life or effort in this 22 point loss to a team with a losing record. This should have been loked at as a "bowl game" for the Bruins, but they treated it like the last day of school. 2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Texas A&M, 9/9 Hawaii, 9/16 at Memphis
The Bruins could have beaten Texas A&M in College Station, but they never put their pedal to the floor when they had the chance, and opportunities to win were squandered. This is a game that they could win in 2017 at home, but do they have the right mindset? Hawaii and Memphis, both games that the Bruins could have run away with years ago, now also look like challenges.
UCLA Bruins
4-8 (2-7)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Texas A&M 31-24
Beat UNLV 42-21
Beat BYU 17-14
Lost to Stanford 22-13
Beat Arizona 45-24
Lost to Arizona State 23-20
Lost to Washington State 27-21
Lost to Utah 52-45
Lost to Colorado 20-10
Beat Oregon State 38-24
Lost to USC 36-14
Lost to California 36-14
MVP Offense: None
UCLA was absolutely putrid on offense in 2016, and finished ahead of only Texas State nationally in rushing. Never in my life have I ever seen such a putrid effort out of this program across the board. Josh Rosen seemingly was regressing at a rapid rate, and was eventually injured because he was not smart enough to stay on the sidelines after already being hurt against Arizona State. The second injury in that game cost him the rest of what was already a very off balance seaon for him. As far as the Rosen hype machine is concerned, he has already been replaced as the QB darling in the PAC 12 by the kid across town, Sam Darnold at USC, and by Jake Browning at Washington. Anyone thinking that Rosen is better than either at this stage is simply being delusional. MVP Defense: LB Jayon Brown, DE Takkarist McKinley
I really felt for the Bruin defense in 2016. The offense did them no favors whatsoever, and this was a very decent unit. They were just forced to get worm down too many times by an offense that just never got going on any level.
Brown was a huge player at LB for the Bruins. He led the team with 120 tackles (a stellar 10 per game), and collected 7 TFLs, and was rock solid in pass coverage, as he broke up 6 passes, and picked off another 3.
McKinley became a consumate first round draft pick at DE in 2016, as he recorded 18 TFLs on the season. He added 10 sacks and 61 tackles, broke up 6 passes, and forced 3 fumbles.
Others of Note
Rosen averaged 319 yards passing per game, but needed a ton of effort to get there, as he only completed 59% of his passes. His QBR of 138.91 was rather pedestrian, and his TD to INT ratio was a very basic 2:1.
The Bruins finished averaging just 2.93 yards per carry as a team last season. Nobody ran for more than 4 scores all season.
Darren Andrews (55-709-4) and Jordan Lasley (41-620-5) were the only UCLA receivers to catch more than 25 passes on the season.
Kenny Young was an unsung hero on defense, as he finished with 90 tackles.
UCLA was crushed in the tackle efficiency battle, as they only focred teams to make a shade over 58 tackles per game, while the Bruins were forced to make 73.5, a 15 tackle per game difference. That just shows how awful the offense truly was.
Randall Goforth and Fabian Moreau were both solid in coverage as each collected 9 PBUs. Goforth finished with 4 INTs, which led the team.
UCLA QBs had 65 passes broken up (Rosen and Fafaul).
UCLA is still losing the penalty battle, as they were penalized 7.5 times per game in road games. They were more penalized when they won (7 times per game) than when they lost (6.4 times per game).
Best Win: BYU 17-14
The Bruins barely survived a tough defensive effort brought forth by the Cougars, but this was a game that exposed many of the problems that the Bruins would have moving forward. Instead of looking at that film and finding a way forward, nothing was done to fix the problems, and the ceiling caved in from there, as the Bruins ost 5 of their next 6 games.
Worst Loss: California 36-14
The Bruins did indeed have one of the tougher PAC-12 schedules of anyone in the conference. With their shortcomings looming, that was not helpful. With the Cal loss, the Bruins had absolutely already quit for the year, and there was no life or effort in this 22 point loss to a team with a losing record. This should have been loked at as a "bowl game" for the Bruins, but they treated it like the last day of school. 2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Texas A&M, 9/9 Hawaii, 9/16 at Memphis
The Bruins could have beaten Texas A&M in College Station, but they never put their pedal to the floor when they had the chance, and opportunities to win were squandered. This is a game that they could win in 2017 at home, but do they have the right mindset? Hawaii and Memphis, both games that the Bruins could have run away with years ago, now also look like challenges.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Farewell to 2016: Arizona State Sun Devils
It was a season of highs and lows in the PAC-12 in 2016. The Washington Huskies turned a major corner, making it to the national semifinal before getting smothered by Alabama. The Huskies were one of four teams that won 10 games or more. On the flip side, half of the teams in the conference finished under .500, including two major surprise teams in Oregon and UCLA. The conference's prize QB, Josh Rosen, was injured for most of the season, and under performed when he was available, and Jake Browning became the new star QB of the conference until being upstaged by Sam Darnold at USC. The biggest story was the emergence of the Colorado Buffaloes, who shocked everyone by winning the South. Here is our farewell to the 2016 season, team by team, in the PAC-12...
Arizona State Sun Devils
5-7 (3-6)
2016 Schedule
Beat Northern Arizona 44-13
Beat Texas Tech 68-55
Beat UTSA 32-28
Beat California 51-41
Lost to USC 41-20
Beat UCLA 23-20
Lost to Colorado 40-16
Lost to Washington State 37-32
Lost to Oregon 54-35
Lost to Utah 49-26
Lost to Washington 44-18
Lost to Arizona 56-35
MVP Offense: RB Kalen Ballage
Considering the fact that ASU averaged 33.3 points per game in 2016, it was very difficult to find any one player that stood out on offense. Ballage ended up as my pick for the simple fact that he managed to rush for 14 TDs on just 10.5 carries per game. Otherwise, Ballage only ran for 536 yards, and averaged 4.25 yards per carry. He did manage to catch 44 passes for 469 yards and one more score to his totals on offense. He scored 7 rushing TDs in the win over Texas Tech where the Sun Devils scored 68 points.
MVP Defense: LB DJ Calhoun
The Sun Devil defense was nothing short of a train wreck, as they allowed 39.8 points per game. Calhoun was the lone major standout on defense. He led the team with 77 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, and had 4.5 sacks. He was nothing special at all in pass coverage, but then again, nobody else was either. Others of Note
Manny Wilkins was not special as a sophomore at QB, and missed 2 full game and a part of another. He only managed to pass for 12 scores, but threw 9 INTs. He did manage to pass for 2329 yards and completed 63.3% of his passes, but was largely uneven in 2016.
Demario Richard was the narrow leader in rushing with just 593 yards and a 3.83 yards per carry average. ASU averaged just 131.5 yards rushing per game, placing too much pressure on their passing game.
Tim White posted a receiving line of 56-713-2, while N'Keal Harry posted 58-659-5.
The Sun Devils ended the season with just 16 team passing TDs. They allowed 33.
The Sun devils did win the battle of efficiency in tackles, as they averaged 59.25 per game, but forced the opposition into making 68.67 per contest.
The Sun Devils lost every other battle on defense, as they allowed 163.08 yards rushing per game, and got torched for 357.4 yards passing per game.
Jo Jo Wicker recorded 11 TFLs, while Koron Crump added 10.5, giving ASU three players in double figures in this category.
The ASU line allowed 90 total TFLs on the season, and gave up 41 sacks.
The Sun Devils fumbled just 5 times all season. Best Win: UTSA 32-28
This was the best win on the resume simply for the fact that UTSA was the only team that ASU beat that went to a bowl game, and only just barely. As far as quality of wins goes, this is not very high, but it was the best shot they had, and they barely got by it. Worst Loss: Arizona 56-35
Losing to Arizona was bad enough, but at this point, the Sun Devils had lost 6 straight, and it became fairly obvious that the team just simply had quit. It is a bad sign of things to come in 2017, because the roster is not much better. 2017 Non Conference Schedule: 8/31 New Mexico State, 9/9 San Diego State, 9/16 at Texas Tech
The Sun Devils should be able to get by New Mexico State easily enough, but I would project them as losers to what should be a very strong San Diego State program in 2017. The Texas Tech game will be a no defense effort on either side, but the roles could flip with Arizona State going to Lubbock. If ASU starts 1-2, calls will be made for Todd Graham's job.
Arizona State Sun Devils
5-7 (3-6)
2016 Schedule
Beat Northern Arizona 44-13
Beat Texas Tech 68-55
Beat UTSA 32-28
Beat California 51-41
Lost to USC 41-20
Beat UCLA 23-20
Lost to Colorado 40-16
Lost to Washington State 37-32
Lost to Oregon 54-35
Lost to Utah 49-26
Lost to Washington 44-18
Lost to Arizona 56-35
MVP Offense: RB Kalen Ballage
Considering the fact that ASU averaged 33.3 points per game in 2016, it was very difficult to find any one player that stood out on offense. Ballage ended up as my pick for the simple fact that he managed to rush for 14 TDs on just 10.5 carries per game. Otherwise, Ballage only ran for 536 yards, and averaged 4.25 yards per carry. He did manage to catch 44 passes for 469 yards and one more score to his totals on offense. He scored 7 rushing TDs in the win over Texas Tech where the Sun Devils scored 68 points.
MVP Defense: LB DJ Calhoun
The Sun Devil defense was nothing short of a train wreck, as they allowed 39.8 points per game. Calhoun was the lone major standout on defense. He led the team with 77 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, and had 4.5 sacks. He was nothing special at all in pass coverage, but then again, nobody else was either. Others of Note
Manny Wilkins was not special as a sophomore at QB, and missed 2 full game and a part of another. He only managed to pass for 12 scores, but threw 9 INTs. He did manage to pass for 2329 yards and completed 63.3% of his passes, but was largely uneven in 2016.
Demario Richard was the narrow leader in rushing with just 593 yards and a 3.83 yards per carry average. ASU averaged just 131.5 yards rushing per game, placing too much pressure on their passing game.
Tim White posted a receiving line of 56-713-2, while N'Keal Harry posted 58-659-5.
The Sun Devils ended the season with just 16 team passing TDs. They allowed 33.
The Sun devils did win the battle of efficiency in tackles, as they averaged 59.25 per game, but forced the opposition into making 68.67 per contest.
The Sun Devils lost every other battle on defense, as they allowed 163.08 yards rushing per game, and got torched for 357.4 yards passing per game.
Jo Jo Wicker recorded 11 TFLs, while Koron Crump added 10.5, giving ASU three players in double figures in this category.
The ASU line allowed 90 total TFLs on the season, and gave up 41 sacks.
The Sun Devils fumbled just 5 times all season. Best Win: UTSA 32-28
This was the best win on the resume simply for the fact that UTSA was the only team that ASU beat that went to a bowl game, and only just barely. As far as quality of wins goes, this is not very high, but it was the best shot they had, and they barely got by it. Worst Loss: Arizona 56-35
Losing to Arizona was bad enough, but at this point, the Sun Devils had lost 6 straight, and it became fairly obvious that the team just simply had quit. It is a bad sign of things to come in 2017, because the roster is not much better. 2017 Non Conference Schedule: 8/31 New Mexico State, 9/9 San Diego State, 9/16 at Texas Tech
The Sun Devils should be able to get by New Mexico State easily enough, but I would project them as losers to what should be a very strong San Diego State program in 2017. The Texas Tech game will be a no defense effort on either side, but the roles could flip with Arizona State going to Lubbock. If ASU starts 1-2, calls will be made for Todd Graham's job.
Farwell to 2016: Utah Utes
It was a season of highs and lows in the PAC-12 in 2016. The Washington Huskies turned a major corner, making it to the national semifinal before getting smothered by Alabama. The Huskies were one of four teams that won 10 games or more. On the flip side, half of the teams in the conference finished under .500, including two major surprise teams in Oregon and UCLA. The conference's prize QB, Josh Rosen, was injured for most of the season, and under performed when he was available, and Jake Browning became the new star QB of the conference until being upstaged by Sam Darnold at USC. The biggest story was the emergence of the Colorado Buffaloes, who shocked everyone by winning the South. Here is our farewell to the 2016 season, team by team, in the PAC-12...
Utah Utes
9-4 (5-4)
2016 Schedule
Beat Southern Utah 24-0
Beat BYU 20-19
Beat San Jose State 34-17
Beat USC 21-17
Lost to California 28-23
Beat Arizona 36-23
Beat Oregon State 19-14
Beat UCLA 52-45
Lost to Washington 31-24
Beat Arizona State 49-26
Lost to Oregon 30-28
Lost to Colorado 27-22
Beat Indiana 26-24 (Foster Farms Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Joe Williams
Williams was essentially called off of his couch and out of retirement to helpo a depleted unit at Utah, and he exploded onto the scene with a fury. Williams exploded for 1407 yards rushing in just 9 games, and scored 10 times. He averaged 156.33 yards rushing per game, and averaged 6.7 yards per carry on 23.33 carries per game. Williams absolutely crushed UCLA in a 52-45 win, as he rushed for 332 yards and 4 scores against the reeling Bruins, and ran for 150 yards or more 5 times on the year. MVP Defense: DB Chase Hanson, DE Hunter Dimick
DB Hanson led the team with 90 tackles on the year, and picked off 3 passes. He finished with 7.5 TFLs and forced 3 fumbles, while breaking up 9 passes and causing 2 QB hurries. His best game came against Colorado, as he finished with 13 tackles in the narrow loss.
Dimick was a force up front with 21 TFLs, and recorded 14.5 sacks. He finished with 54 tackles on the season, and batted down 7 passes as well. Dimick finished with 9 tackles against Arizona State, and finished with 6.5 TFLs in that same game. Others of Note
Troy Williams was eratic at times for the Utes at QB, and never seemed to have it all fully together from week to week. He completed only 53% of his passes, and finished with 2757 yards with just 15 TDs to 8 INTs.
Tim Patrick was the lone Ute receiver to finish with over 27 passes. He put together a line of 45-711-5, and averaged 15.8 yards per reception. Raelon Singleton led the team with a 17.19 yards per reception average.
Cody Barton, Marcus Williams, and Sunia Tauteoli all missed 2 games on defense. Injuries became a real issue at points on both sides of the football.
Pita Taumoepenu joined Dimick as the only other Ute defender to finish in double figures in TFLs with 12. He fell short of double figures in sacks with 9.
Utah QBs had 63 passes broken up on them in 2016.
The Utes fumbled 21 times in 13 games.
Marcus Williams led the Utes in INTs with 5. Utah picked off 18 passes as a team.
Utah averaged 60.54 tacckles per game, while opponents made 74 per game, as Utah won the defensive efficiency battle. They allowed just 23.9 points per game.
Best Win: USC 21-17
The Utes got the Trojans early, and when they were down. Utah struggled offensivly in the win, as injuries had started to mount, but the Utes got away with what turned out to be a very high quality win early in the seaosn, their second in the first 4 games of the year (BYU being the other). Worst Loss: Oregon, California
These losses kept Utah from winning the PAC-12 South in 2016, hich were joined by the loss to Colorado that eliminated the Utes from the race. If you are getting eliminated, losing two games to teams that combined for just 8 wins on the year is a bad way to go. Not only did Utah not get close to winning the division for the first time, they have these losses to look back on in shame. 2017 Non Conference Schedule: 8/31 North Dakota, 9/9 at BYU, 9/16 San Jose State
THe trend of cupcake non conference scheduling in the PAC-12 continues with this easy slate. The Utes will win games against North Dakota and San Jose State outright, but will have their hands full against what should be a very good BYU club on the road. Going 2-1 or 3-0 is the highest probability.
Utah Utes
9-4 (5-4)
2016 Schedule
Beat Southern Utah 24-0
Beat BYU 20-19
Beat San Jose State 34-17
Beat USC 21-17
Lost to California 28-23
Beat Arizona 36-23
Beat Oregon State 19-14
Beat UCLA 52-45
Lost to Washington 31-24
Beat Arizona State 49-26
Lost to Oregon 30-28
Lost to Colorado 27-22
Beat Indiana 26-24 (Foster Farms Bowl)
MVP Offense: RB Joe Williams
Williams was essentially called off of his couch and out of retirement to helpo a depleted unit at Utah, and he exploded onto the scene with a fury. Williams exploded for 1407 yards rushing in just 9 games, and scored 10 times. He averaged 156.33 yards rushing per game, and averaged 6.7 yards per carry on 23.33 carries per game. Williams absolutely crushed UCLA in a 52-45 win, as he rushed for 332 yards and 4 scores against the reeling Bruins, and ran for 150 yards or more 5 times on the year. MVP Defense: DB Chase Hanson, DE Hunter Dimick
DB Hanson led the team with 90 tackles on the year, and picked off 3 passes. He finished with 7.5 TFLs and forced 3 fumbles, while breaking up 9 passes and causing 2 QB hurries. His best game came against Colorado, as he finished with 13 tackles in the narrow loss.
Dimick was a force up front with 21 TFLs, and recorded 14.5 sacks. He finished with 54 tackles on the season, and batted down 7 passes as well. Dimick finished with 9 tackles against Arizona State, and finished with 6.5 TFLs in that same game. Others of Note
Troy Williams was eratic at times for the Utes at QB, and never seemed to have it all fully together from week to week. He completed only 53% of his passes, and finished with 2757 yards with just 15 TDs to 8 INTs.
Tim Patrick was the lone Ute receiver to finish with over 27 passes. He put together a line of 45-711-5, and averaged 15.8 yards per reception. Raelon Singleton led the team with a 17.19 yards per reception average.
Cody Barton, Marcus Williams, and Sunia Tauteoli all missed 2 games on defense. Injuries became a real issue at points on both sides of the football.
Pita Taumoepenu joined Dimick as the only other Ute defender to finish in double figures in TFLs with 12. He fell short of double figures in sacks with 9.
Utah QBs had 63 passes broken up on them in 2016.
The Utes fumbled 21 times in 13 games.
Marcus Williams led the Utes in INTs with 5. Utah picked off 18 passes as a team.
Utah averaged 60.54 tacckles per game, while opponents made 74 per game, as Utah won the defensive efficiency battle. They allowed just 23.9 points per game.
Best Win: USC 21-17
The Utes got the Trojans early, and when they were down. Utah struggled offensivly in the win, as injuries had started to mount, but the Utes got away with what turned out to be a very high quality win early in the seaosn, their second in the first 4 games of the year (BYU being the other). Worst Loss: Oregon, California
These losses kept Utah from winning the PAC-12 South in 2016, hich were joined by the loss to Colorado that eliminated the Utes from the race. If you are getting eliminated, losing two games to teams that combined for just 8 wins on the year is a bad way to go. Not only did Utah not get close to winning the division for the first time, they have these losses to look back on in shame. 2017 Non Conference Schedule: 8/31 North Dakota, 9/9 at BYU, 9/16 San Jose State
THe trend of cupcake non conference scheduling in the PAC-12 continues with this easy slate. The Utes will win games against North Dakota and San Jose State outright, but will have their hands full against what should be a very good BYU club on the road. Going 2-1 or 3-0 is the highest probability.
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