This week we have:

OOC

Nichols St at Georgia - Noon, SECN
Prairie View A&M at Texas A&M - Noon, SECN
Western Kentucky at Alabama - 3:30 ESPN2
Wofford at Ole Miss - 4, SECN
Middle Tennessee at Vandy - 4, SECN
Arkansas at TCU - 7, ESPN
Arkansas St at Auburn - 7:30 SECN
Jacksonville St at LSU - 7:30 ESPNU
Eastern Michigan at Missouri - 7:30, SECN
Virginia Teach vs. Tennessee (Bristol) - 8, ABC

Conference

Kentucky at Florida - 3:30 ESPN2
South Carolina at Miss St - 7, ESPN2

Overall not a lot going on other than Arkansas/TCU and Tennessee/VT. Only two conference games, neither of which really move the needle at all with all four teams coming off of lackluster week one performances. Other than SC, I'm primarily interested in seeing how Tennessee looks and if they are going to be the type of team that can win the East.

Upset alert: Jacksonville State at LSU. If that happens Les is gone.

Mizzou could lose if they can't figure out if they have a qb

Tennessee wins if they don't turn the ball over

Florida over UK

Muschamp starts 2-0 in sec play

Go hogs. Beat TCU

(09-06-2016 03:50 PM)murrdcu Wrote:  Upset alert: Jacksonville State at LSU. If that happens Les is gone.

Mizzou could lose if they can't figure out if they have a qb

Tennessee wins if they don't turn the ball over

Florida over UK

Muschamp starts 2-0 in sec play

Go hogs. Beat TCU

If LSU loses to Jax St they might not let Miles coach in week 3.

This week there is Tennessee and Arkansa and nobody else on.

(09-06-2016 03:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  This week there is Tennessee and Arkansa and nobody else on.

If this had been week #1's schedule and week #1's this week's schedule I don't think we would have lost 7 games. Maybe 4 or 5, but not 7. The tune up is necessary if you aren't going to have 1 preseason game. I still like the idea of eliminating the Spring scrimmage and replacing it with an FCS or small FBS school on the third weekend of August. Then our coaches would have two weeks to work on weaknesses and to fine tune systems running inefficiently. It would also mean better football for the fans when things got started for real.

(09-06-2016 04:34 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 03:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  This week there is Tennessee and Arkansa and nobody else on.

If this had been week #1's schedule and week #1's this week's schedule I don't think we would have lost 7 games. Maybe 4 or 5, but not 7. The tune up is necessary if you aren't going to have 1 preseason game. I still like the idea of eliminating the Spring scrimmage and replacing it with an FCS or small FBS school on the third weekend of August. Then our coaches would have two weeks to work on weaknesses and to fine tune systems running inefficiently. It would also mean better football for the fans when things got started for real.

Would the coaches schedule an extra decent game or just keep the current status quo? I would assume the status quo.

I like having two "gimmes" on the schedule - homecoming and a warm-up game. I think both should be regionally relevant or in-state games (like TN versus MTSU as an example). 8 conference games leaves 2 games for solid matchups. (Or one game if the school has an OOC rival)

(09-06-2016 04:34 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 03:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  This week there is Tennessee and Arkansa and nobody else on.

If this had been week #1's schedule and week #1's this week's schedule I don't think we would have lost 7 games. Maybe 4 or 5, but not 7. The tune up is necessary if you aren't going to have 1 preseason game. I still like the idea of eliminating the Spring scrimmage and replacing it with an FCS or small FBS school on the third weekend of August. Then our coaches would have two weeks to work on weaknesses and to fine tune systems running inefficiently. It would also mean better football for the fans when things got started for real.

I don't think I'd replace the Spring game. Coaches use Spring practice to figure out their depth charts although the Spring game is more of an exhibition for fans. Nonetheless, it's a fun time and a reason to get together in the offseason.

What I would do is schedule a preseason game against FCS schools right before the regular season begins or maybe jamboree style events...

Let's say Alabama decided to host South Alabama, Southern Miss, and Georgia State. Everybody could play a quarter against each other with little risk of injury or embarrassment for that matter. Everyone gets a little live game action and an opportunity to work out the kinks. Of course, TV would want to broadcast some of them. All in all, it would be an attractive event for people from across the region.

Kentucky vs Florida is on CBS not ESPN2

Dang! You stole my Thunder!

Looking forward to balancing out the OOC wins and getting a couple of more good wins this week.

Hogs win 30-24.

I'd be going to TCU/Arkansas if I didn't have to work all day Saturday.

Alabama should roll WKU but IF they just go through the motions, the Hilltoppers are capable of pulling a shocker. Jeff Brohm is a quality coach.

(09-06-2016 08:00 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 04:34 PM)JRsec Wrote:  ...The tune up is necessary if you aren't going to have 1 preseason game. I still like the idea of eliminating the Spring scrimmage and replacing it with an FCS or small FBS school on the third weekend of August. Then our coaches would have two weeks to work on weaknesses and to fine tune systems running inefficiently. It would also mean better football for the fans when things got started for real.

I don't think I'd replace the Spring game. Coaches use Spring practice to figure out their depth charts although the Spring game is more of an exhibition for fans. Nonetheless, it's a fun time and a reason to get together in the offseason.

What I would do is schedule a preseason game against FCS schools right before the regular season begins or maybe jamboree style events...

Let's say Alabama decided to host South Alabama, Southern Miss, and Georgia State. Everybody could play a quarter against each other with little risk of injury or embarrassment for that matter. Everyone gets a little live game action and an opportunity to work out the kinks. Of course, TV would want to broadcast some of them. All in all, it would be an attractive event for people from across the region.

FCS payday home games are a farce and should be completely eliminated as regular season games. Exhibit games in the spring or late August would be fine - just get them off the regular season schedule!

Of course, it will never happen because schools don't want to give up the easy win or the revenues from the extra home game.

College football needs more Virginia Tech-Tennessee and Wisconsin-LSU type matchups, or even just North Carolina-Illinois and Virginia-Oregon; not Nicholls St. @ Georgia or Wofford @ Ole Miss.

If we're going to continue to have a beauty pageant to determine who gets to play for the national championship, we need the contestants on the same stage much more frequently.

(09-07-2016 12:32 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 08:00 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 04:34 PM)JRsec Wrote:  ...The tune up is necessary if you aren't going to have 1 preseason game. I still like the idea of eliminating the Spring scrimmage and replacing it with an FCS or small FBS school on the third weekend of August. Then our coaches would have two weeks to work on weaknesses and to fine tune systems running inefficiently. It would also mean better football for the fans when things got started for real.

I don't think I'd replace the Spring game. Coaches use Spring practice to figure out their depth charts although the Spring game is more of an exhibition for fans. Nonetheless, it's a fun time and a reason to get together in the offseason.

What I would do is schedule a preseason game against FCS schools right before the regular season begins or maybe jamboree style events...

Let's say Alabama decided to host South Alabama, Southern Miss, and Georgia State. Everybody could play a quarter against each other with little risk of injury or embarrassment for that matter. Everyone gets a little live game action and an opportunity to work out the kinks. Of course, TV would want to broadcast some of them. All in all, it would be an attractive event for people from across the region.

FCS payday home games are a farce and should be completely eliminated as regular season games. Exhibit games in the spring or late August would be fine - just get them off the regular season schedule!

Of course, it will never happen because schools don't want to give up the easy win or the revenues from the extra home game.

College football needs more Virginia Tech-Tennessee and Wisconsin-LSU type matchups, or even just North Carolina-Illinois and Virginia-Oregon; not Nicholls St. @ Georgia or Wofford @ Ole Miss.

If we're going to continue to have a beauty pageant to determine who gets to play for the national championship, we need the contestants on the same stage much more frequently.

As a fan of the game I agree but from a practical standpoint I disagree.

Those games are just one mechanism by which money trickles down into the pockets of smaller programs.

Getting rid of those games would further separate the haves from the have-nots.

And, in all honesty, how do you justify not playing FCS teams and at the same time playing G5 opponents who at best have a slight lead in talent?

(09-07-2016 12:43 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 12:32 PM)YNot Wrote:  FCS payday home games are a farce and should be completely eliminated as regular season games. Exhibit games in the spring or late August would be fine - just get them off the regular season schedule!

Of course, it will never happen because schools don't want to give up the easy win or the revenues from the extra home game.

College football needs more Virginia Tech-Tennessee and Wisconsin-LSU type matchups, or even just North Carolina-Illinois and Virginia-Oregon; not Nicholls St. @ Georgia or Wofford @ Ole Miss.

If we're going to continue to have a beauty pageant to determine who gets to play for the national championship, we need the contestants on the same stage much more frequently.

As a fan of the game I agree but from a practical standpoint I disagree.

Those games are just one mechanism by which money trickles down into the pockets of smaller programs.

Getting rid of those games would further separate the haves from the have-nots.

And, in all honesty, how do you justify not playing FCS teams and at the same time playing G5 opponents who at best have a slight lead in talent?

Fans would still pay to attend the exhibition games, so money would still trickle down; but that's a fairly lame argument to support the sham. Why does the SEC need to prop up the FCS system?

FCS games aren't altruistic. The purpose isn't to join hands in solidarity with the have-nots; the purpose is to make lots of money and pad win-loss records.

Regarding the G5 opponents, I agree - FBS, or the new "Division 4," should trim the top level to somewhere between 80-100 schools. That should be the pool from which your regular season schedule is structured. Then, one preseason FCS/FBS opponent in an exhibition contest.

(09-07-2016 01:21 PM)YNot Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 12:43 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 12:32 PM)YNot Wrote:  FCS payday home games are a farce and should be completely eliminated as regular season games. Exhibit games in the spring or late August would be fine - just get them off the regular season schedule!

Of course, it will never happen because schools don't want to give up the easy win or the revenues from the extra home game.

College football needs more Virginia Tech-Tennessee and Wisconsin-LSU type matchups, or even just North Carolina-Illinois and Virginia-Oregon; not Nicholls St. @ Georgia or Wofford @ Ole Miss.

If we're going to continue to have a beauty pageant to determine who gets to play for the national championship, we need the contestants on the same stage much more frequently.

As a fan of the game I agree but from a practical standpoint I disagree.

Those games are just one mechanism by which money trickles down into the pockets of smaller programs.

Getting rid of those games would further separate the haves from the have-nots.

And, in all honesty, how do you justify not playing FCS teams and at the same time playing G5 opponents who at best have a slight lead in talent?

Fans would still pay to attend the exhibition games, so money would still trickle down; but that's a fairly lame argument to support the sham. Why does the SEC need to prop up the FCS system?

FCS games aren't altruistic. The purpose isn't to join hands in solidarity with the have-nots; the purpose is to make lots of money and pad win-loss records.

Regarding the G5 opponents, I agree - FBS, or the new "Division 4," should trim the top level to somewhere between 80-100 schools. That should be the pool from which your regular season schedule is structured. Then, one preseason FCS/FBS opponent in an exhibition contest.

That's not a counterargument. That's muddying the water.

The SEC's real or imagined intent is irrelevant.

Still, glad we agree on the G5 part.

The G5 is still in the same division as the P5 so there isn't a reason why they shouldn't be playing. So Houston shouldn't be on the field with P5 teams because they're in the AAC & despite the fact that they have beaten FSU & Oklahoma back to back? That's ridiculous. I do support limiting D1 to 80-100 schools however.

While I don't have a problem with the P5 taking 1 game off from the money grabbing to help out the smaller colleges, I would rather see them as an exhibition game. Completely doing away with these games would cripple the S Alabama's & the EKU's. There is absolutely nothing wrong with helping out these colleges & in some states mandatory. Share the wealth with instate schools.

(09-06-2016 04:34 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 03:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  This week there is Tennessee and Arkansa and nobody else on.

If this had been week #1's schedule and week #1's this week's schedule I don't think we would have lost 7 games. Maybe 4 or 5, but not 7. The tune up is necessary if you aren't going to have 1 preseason game. I still like the idea of eliminating the Spring scrimmage and replacing it with an FCS or small FBS school on the third weekend of August. Then our coaches would have two weeks to work on weaknesses and to fine tune systems running inefficiently. It would also mean better football for the fans when things got started for real.

At least the SEC put themselves out there with a slate of games that could have led to a 'bad' weekend. The B1G has two weeks of MAC contests and quiet as kept don't like to mention that NW who won 10 games last year, lost to Western Michigan.

(09-07-2016 05:55 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 04:34 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 03:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  This week there is Tennessee and Arkansa and nobody else on.

If this had been week #1's schedule and week #1's this week's schedule I don't think we would have lost 7 games. Maybe 4 or 5, but not 7. The tune up is necessary if you aren't going to have 1 preseason game. I still like the idea of eliminating the Spring scrimmage and replacing it with an FCS or small FBS school on the third weekend of August. Then our coaches would have two weeks to work on weaknesses and to fine tune systems running inefficiently. It would also mean better football for the fans when things got started for real.

At least the SEC put themselves out there with a slate of games that could have led to a 'bad' weekend. The B1G has two weeks of MAC contests and quiet as kept don't like to mention that NW who won 10 games last year, lost to Western Michigan.

Let's not forget how much they'll be crying about the SEC scheduling cup cakes the week before rivalry weekend/end of the season. I'm fine with them crying all about that as long as they are kissing our butts for playing P5 opponents during weeks 1 and 2 as well as actual conference games.

(09-08-2016 12:31 AM)murrdcu Wrote:  

(09-07-2016 05:55 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 04:34 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(09-06-2016 03:59 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  This week there is Tennessee and Arkansa and nobody else on.

If this had been week #1's schedule and week #1's this week's schedule I don't think we would have lost 7 games. Maybe 4 or 5, but not 7. The tune up is necessary if you aren't going to have 1 preseason game. I still like the idea of eliminating the Spring scrimmage and replacing it with an FCS or small FBS school on the third weekend of August. Then our coaches would have two weeks to work on weaknesses and to fine tune systems running inefficiently. It would also mean better football for the fans when things got started for real.

At least the SEC put themselves out there with a slate of games that could have led to a 'bad' weekend. The B1G has two weeks of MAC contests and quiet as kept don't like to mention that NW who won 10 games last year, lost to Western Michigan.

Let's not forget how much they'll be crying about the SEC scheduling cup cakes the week before rivalry weekend/end of the season. I'm fine with them crying all about that as long as they are kissing our butts for playing P5 opponents during weeks 1 and 2 as well as actual conference games.

The greatest leveler of talent is Week #1. By playing P5 vs P5 in week 1 any P5 has almost a 50/50 shot at winning provided they are up to speed and their opponent isn't. I'd much rather we have the feature one or two match ups in Week 1 and play the normal slate of tune ups because we get truer results later in the season. This mess does two things: Gives the networks a rating bonanza and provides an agenda for early season polls. Neither in my opinion is in the interest of the programs involved.

As to why we pay FCS schools the answer is either direct or payback obligations between states trying to support smaller programs. It's very overt in South Carolina and in Alabama if we don't play in state we play neighboring state FCS schools and then their large schools schedule ours.