Listing the Top 37 SEC Players Eligible for 2012 NFL Draft

During the 2011 NFL Draft 37 players from the SEC heard their name called by NFL teams, 10 in the first round alone. 51 total seniors from SEC schools have been invited to participate in the four different post season all-star games. Underclassmen are already preparing for this year’s NFL Combine by hiring strength and fitness instructors to help them display their athletic abilities.

How many SEC players will hear their names called during the 2012 NFL Draft? 

Here’s a list of the top 37 players that can equal last year’s impressive transition from college football into the NFL.

*Denotes underclassman

Running Backs:

*Trent Richardson, 5’11”, 224 pounds, University of Alabama

Workhorse, power runner, game changer, break away back, the total package… However you want to describe Richardson as a dominate running back take your pick. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield. The only thing that will keep him off the field as a rookie in the NFL is if he does not show the ability to pick up the blitz on passing downs.

Richardson led the SEC in rushing yards (1,679), rushing attempts (283), and rushing touchdowns (21). He also led the SEC to their sixth straight BCS National Championship.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

RB Vick Ballard, Mississippi State

RB Tauren Poole, Tennessee

RB Chris Rainey, Florida

FB Broderick Green, Arkansas

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends:

*Alshon Jeffery, 6’4”, 229 pounds, University of South Carolina

Jeffery is a big target which NFL scouts like and he’s great at jumping over defenders, especially in the red zone. Jeffery lacks the blazing speed coveted by NFL teams and his route running is not crisp.

Even with the instability at quarterback for the Gamecocks, Jeffery was able to finish the season ranked No. 5 in the SEC in total receiving yards. His eight touchdown receptions were tied for third best in the SEC.

*Orson Charles, 6’3”, 242 pounds, University of Georgia

Charles may be the best tight end available in the NFL Draft much less the best tight end in the SEC. He has the speed, height, and athletic ability for the next level. His ability to stretch the field and pump against linebackers will help his draft status.

Charles was No. 12 in the SEC in total receiving yards with 574 while hauling in 45 passes and five receiving touchdowns.

Jarius Wright, 5’10”, 180 pounds, University of Arkansas

Wright is smaller wide receiver than what most scouts want in a No. 1 receiver. In Arkansas’ offense he was accustomed to running routes across the middle of the field which is something he will have to do on the next level as a No. 2 option or as a slot receiver.

Wright finished the 2011 season leading the SEC in receiving yards (1,117) and receiving touchdowns (12). He was one catch shy of tying Da’Rick Rogers (Tennessee) for most receptions- Rogers 67, Wright 66.

Joe Adams, 5’11”, 190 pounds, University of Arkansas

Adams was a consensus All-American as a punter returner in 2011. He led all players with four kickoff returns for touchdowns and his yardage per punt return average of 16.89 was second in college football. Some team will take a chance on Adams for his return ability alone. His 4.3 40-yard dash helps too.

Do not overlook Adams’ ability as a receiver. He was No. 4 in the SEC in total receptions (54) and No. 8 in total receiving yards (652).

Draft Worthy Mentions:

Greg Childs, Arkansas

*Reuben Randle, LSU

Offensive Linemen:

Cordy Glenn, 6’5”, 348 pounds, University of Georgia

Glenn has the size of a NFL tackle but played guard for the Bulldogs since his sophomore year. Either way he’s a beast to contend with especially on running plays.

He has started since his freshman season and has played against top quality defensive linemen throughout his college career. Glenn should be a late first round draft pick.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama

C Ben Jones, Georgia

OG Will Blackwell, LSU

C William Vlachos, Alabama

OT Bobby Massie, Ole Miss

Linebackers:

*Dont’a Hightower, 6’4”, 260 pounds, Alabama

Hightower is a hard nosed tackler with size and good speed. If he did not have a history of being injured (tore ACL in left knee in 2009) Hightower might be considered the top outside linebacker in the NFL Draft. As it is he still will go somewhere in the first round.

Courtney Upshaw, 6’2”, 265 pounds, Alabama

Upshaw is another Alabama product that projects high in the NFL Draft. Upshaw is an excellent fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 NFL defensive scheme. He led Bama with 9.5 sacks this season and seven in 2010.

Upshaw was a four year player for the Tide. He has 4.6 speed to go with his massive frame.

Chris Marve, 6’0”, 242 pounds, University of Vanderbilt

Marve is a typical SEC middle linebacker, always in on a play and a sound tackler. He had an off senior year due to injuries. Still he finished with 91 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Unless Marve shows tremendous speed at the combine he is likely going to drop into the third round.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

Danny Trevathan, Kentucky

Defensive Linemen:

Melvin Ingram, 6’2”, 276 pounds, University of South Carolina

Ingram was the senior leader of a three-headed defensive end rotation that terrorized the SEC- Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney. Ingram had nine sacks as a junior and 10 sacks as a senior.

He has a knack for making big plays. His speed is average for a defensive end his size (4.6 40-yard dash). If he can show off some superior atheism at the combine he could work his way into a solid second round pick. 

*Michael Brockers, 6’6”, 306 pounds, LSU

A disruptive force for offensive lines to deal with, Brockers easily dominates most blockers in one-on-one situations. He gets up field in a hurry and commands double teams.

He converted from defensive end to defensive tackle while in Baton Rouge. He is short on overall experience but has a ton of upside. If he does well at the combine he should hear his name called in the first round.

Josh Chapman, 6’1”, 310 pounds, Alabama

Chapman anchored the line for a great Alabama defense throughout his colligate career. His size is a little undersized for a nose tackle. His real weapon in the trenches is his speed. He clocked a 4.92 40-yard dash.

Chapman should go before the second round his over. Early third round if he has a bad NFL Combine or pro day.

*Fletcher Cox, 6’4”, 295 pounds, Mississippi State

There is nothing bad to say about the abilities of Fletcher Cox. He has a motor that does not stop, he is quick off the ball, and played through double-teams throughout his college career. He posted 5 sacks in 2011 and 2.5 in 2010.

NFL teams will want to beef Cox up once he is drafted. Look for Cox to go somewhere in the second to third round.

Jake Bequette, 6’5”, 271 pounds, University of Arkansas

Bequette is an experienced college player having redshirted before becoming a four-year starter for the Hogs. He finished the 2011 season with 10 sacks in 10 games as a hamstring injury forced him to miss three games during the early part of the season.

Bequette is fast but not necessarily strong for a defensive end. He has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He might end up being a weak side defensive end in the NFL.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

DT Malik Jackson, Tennessee

DE Tim Fugger, Vanderbilt

Defensive Backs:

*Dre Kirkpatrick, 6’3”, 192 pounds, University of Alabama

Kirkpatrick has the size and speed NFL scouts drool over for cornerbacks. His background at Alabama will help him play man defense and zone defense at the next level.

Kirkpatrick had zero interceptions in 2011 but had three in 2010.

His ability on the field makes him a first round draft pick. Getting busted for marijuana in Bradenton, Florida may drop his draft status.

*Morris Claiborne, 6’0”, 185 pounds, LSU

Claiborne is considered the best corner in college football with the ability to be a shut-down corner on the next level. His speed, toughness, and athletic ability will make him a first-round pick for some lucky NFL team.

Claiborne had six interceptions during his junior campaign with one returned for a touchdown. He had five interceptions in 2010.

*Jonathan Banks, 6’1”, 185 pounds, Mississippi State

Banks is a legitimate cover corner ready for the next level. He had three picks in 2010 and five in 2011 with one returned for a touchdown. He also registered three sacks this season.

His ability to move up in draft status will depend on how well he competes at the NFL Draft Combine.

Draft Worthy Mentions:

*CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia

CB Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt

SS Mark Barron, Alabama

FS Tramain Thomas, Arkansas

What would you like to clarify? Don't forget to sign up for email notifications and as a reader/follower. Follow HogManInLA on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/HogManInLa

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: End of 2011 Season Poll

1. Alabama 12-1
2. LSU 13-1
3. Arkansas 11-2
4. Oregon 12-2
5. Oklahoma State 12-1
6. USC 10-2
7. Houston 13-1
8. South Carolina 11-2
9. Boise State 12-1
10. Michigan State 11-3
11. Stanford 11-2
12. West Virginia 10-3
13. Wisconsin 11-3
14. Michigan 11-2
15. Kansas State 10-3
16. Baylor 10-3
17. TCU 11-2
18. Oklahoma 10-3
19. Southern Mississippi 12-2
20. Auburn 8-5
21. Georgia 10-4
22. Florida State 9-4
23. Cincinnati 10-3
24. Virginia Tech 11-3
25. Clemson 10-4

What would you like to clarify? Don't forget to sign up for email notifications and as a reader/follower. Follow HogManInLA on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/HogManInLa

Arkansas Razorback’s 2012 College Football Schedule Should Yield another 10-win Season

 

On Wednesday the University of Arkansas athletic department released a tentative 2012 college football schedule, a schedule that should give the Razorbacks their third 10-win season in a row.

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino is leading Razorback fans into uncharted waters. The Razorbacks have never had three straight seasons of 10 or more wins. After back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2010 and 2011, Petrino has the Hogs on the cusp of the college football elite.

The most prolific era of Razorback football in terms of wins came from 1985-1989 under former head coach Ken Hatfield. During that five-year span the Hogs won 48 games with 13 losses posting two back-to-back 10 win seasons in 1988 and 1989 for only the second time in school history – 1964 11 wins and 1965 10 wins.

Previewing the 2012 schedule coupled with the amount of talent the Hogs have returning, 10-wins should be attainable next season.

The Hogs start the 2012 college football season off with Jacksonville State on September 1, in Fayetteville followed by another non-conference game against Louisiana-Monroe. The Hogs then begin SEC play at home against Alabama on September 15.

After the Alabama game the Hogs have an opportunity to fill the following weekend versus a non-conference team or have an open date.

The next three opponents include Texas A&M and Auburn on the road and then back home to face Kentucky.

October 20, is another weekend the Razorbacks can leave as an open date or fill against a non-conference opponent.

Starting on October 27, The Hogs have back-to-back home games against Ole Miss and Tulsa before going on the road to face South Carolina and Mississippi State.

As the schedule is currently laid out, Arkansas will host LSU on Saturday November 24, instead of on Friday the day after Thanksgiving. CBS has traditionally aired the Battle for the Golden Boot on Friday. Should CBS pick up the game again in 2012 the game day could be moved.

For now it appears that South Carolina will remain Arkansas’ annual SEC East opponent as former Big 12 conference foes, Texas A&M and Missouri, will be paired against one another as SEC Divisional rivals.

The Razorbacks keep A&M on the schedule but no longer as a non-conference game. The site of the game has not been confirmed. The Arkansas athletic department has let it be known that they would like to keep their game against the Aggies in Arlington, Texas at the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium instead of alternating venues.

The Razorbacks rotate Vanderbilt off their schedule and lose the backend of the home-and-away matchup against SEC East rival Tennessee in 2012.

The two big games on Arkansas’ schedule appear to be Alabama and LSU, either team will be the defending 2011 BCS National Champion.

Alabama is the lone SEC West opponent Petrino has not defeated as head coach of the Razorbacks. Not counting the potential loss of underclassmen, the Tide’s football team is set to lose 24 total players off this season’s BCS National Championship Title team – 11 offensive players, 12 defensive, and 1 on special teams.

LSU is slated to lose 21 total players to graduation – 9 on offense, 9 on defense, and 3 on special teams.

Arkansas will lose 20 to graduation – 7 offense and 13 on defense.

The Razorbacks will have a tough time replacing senior wide receivers Joe Adams, Greg Childs, and Jarius Wright. Petrino will also have to replace Grant Freeman and Grant Cook along the offensive line.

On defense, new defensive coordinator Paul Haynes will have an even tougher time replacing defensive end Jake Bequette, cornerback Isaac Madison, safety Tramain Thomas, and linebackers Jerrico Nelson and Jerry Franklin after their collegiate eligibility is finished.

A saving grace for Petrino is he could have two Heisman Trophy candidates, quarterback Tyler Wilson and running back Knile Davis, on offense in 2012 to lead the Razorbacks to another 10-win season or more.

The Arkansas Razorback 2012 Schedule

Jacksonville State, September 1, Home

Louisana Monroe, September 8, Home

Alabama, September 15, Home

Open Date, TBD

Texas A&M, September 29, TBD

Auburn, Auburn, AL

Kentucky, Home

Open Date, TBD

Ole Miss, Home

Tulsa, Home

South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Mississippi State, Starkville, MS

LSU, Home

What would you like to clarify? Don't forget to sign up for email notifications and as a reader/follower. Follow HogManInLA on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/HogManInLa

Arkansas Razorbacks: Tyler Wilson Named First Team All-SEC

Tyler Wilson has done something no other Arkansas Razorback has ever accomplished he’s been named first team All-SEC at the quarterback position.

Wilson along with six other Razorback players was named to All-SEC teams Monday. Wide receivers Jarius Wright and Joe Adams were selected first team All-SEC as well. Adams selection was as an all-purpose player for his contributions as a punt returner and wide receiver.

Arkansas second team picks included linebacker Jerry Franklin, punter Dylan Breeding, guard Alvin Bailey, and running back Dennis Johnson; Johnson was an all-purpose selection for his kickoff return abilities and play at running back.

Senior safety Tramain Thomas received an honorable mention. Thomas had five interceptions during the 2011 season tying him for No. 10 in FBS and No. 4 in the SEC.

Missing from the All-SEC lists is senior defensive end Jake Bequette. Bequette missed significant game time and three total games with an early season hamstring injury but still managed to finish the season with eight sacks. Bequette’s eight sacks ranked No. 8 in the SEC.

Jarvis Jones led the SEC in sacks with 13.5, finishing second in college football during the regular season to Whitney Mercilus a defensive end for Illinois.

The following is a list of the All-SEC honorees, their position, their school, and their class:

First Team Offense

QB – Tyler Wilson, Arkansas, Jr.

RB – Trent Richardson, Alabama, Jr.

RB – Michael Dyer, Auburn, So.

WR – Jarius Wright, Arkansas, Sr.

WR – Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee, So.

OL – Barret Jones, Alabama, Jr.

OL – Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina, Sr.

OL – Cordy Glenn, Georgia, Sr.

OL – Will Balckwell, LSU, Sr.

C  - William Vlachos, Alabama, Sr.

TE – Orson Charles, Georgia, Jr.

Special Teams

K – Caleb Sturgis, Florida, Jr.

AP – Joe Adams, Arkansas, Sr.

First Team Defense

DT – Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, Jr.

DT – Malik Jackson, Tennessee, Sr.

DE – Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, Sr.

DE – Sam Montgomery, LSU, So.

LB – Danny Trevathan, Kentucky, Sr.

LB – Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, Sr.

LB – Jarvis Jones, Georgia, So.

CB – Morris Claiborne, LSU, Jr.

CB – Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, So.

S – Mark Barron, Alabama, Sr.

S – Bacarri Rambo, Georgia, Jr.

Special Teams

P - Brad Wing, LSU, Fr.

Second Team Offense

QB – Aaron Murray, Georgia, So.

RB – Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt, Jr.

RB – Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, Sr.

WR – Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, Jr.

WR – Rueben Randle, LSU, Jr.

OL – Alvin Bailey, Arkansas, So.

OL – Chris Faulk, LSU, So.

OL – Larry Warford, Kentucky, Jr.

OL – Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State, So.

C – Ben Jones, Georgia, Sr.

TE – Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn, Jr.

Special Teams

K- Drew Alleman, LSU, Jr.

AP – Dennis Johnson, Arkansas, Jr.

Second Team Defense

DT – Michael Brockers, LSU, So.

DT – Josh Chapman, Alabama, Sr.

DE – Cory Lemonier, Auburn, So.

DE – Barkevious Mingo, LSU, So.

LB – Chris Marve, Vanderbilt, Sr.

LB – Jerry Franklin, Arkansas, Sr.

LB – Don’t’A Hightower, Alabama, Jr.

CB – Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, Jr.

CB – Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt, Sr.

S – Antonio Allen, South Carolina, Sr.

S – Eric Reid, LSU, So.

Special Teams

P – Dylan Breeding, Arkansas, Jr.

Offensive Player of the Year

Trent Richardson, Alabama

Defensive Player of the Year

Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

Coach of the Year

Les Miles, LSU

Freshman of the Year

Isaiah Crowell, Georgia

What would you like to clarify? Don't forget to sign up for email notifications and as a reader/follower. Follow HogManInLA on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/HogManInLa

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 15

1. LSU 13-0
2. Alabama 11-1
3. Oklahoma State 11-1
4. Arkansas 10-2
5. Wisconsin 11-2
6. Oregon 11-2
7. South Carolina 10-2
8. Stanford 11-1
9. USC 10-2
10. Georgia 10-3
11. Michigan State 10-3
12. Boise State 11-1
13. Virginia Tech 11-2
14. Kansas State 10-2
15. Clemson 10-3
16. Michigan 10-2
17. Oklahoma 9-3
18. Baylor 9-3
19. Southern Mississippi 11-2
20. TCU 10-2
21. Arkansas State 10-2
22. Houston 12-1
23. Nebraska 9-3
24. Penn State 9-3
25. West Virginia 8-3

All the hype on Sunday will be about Oklahoma State. Will they or won’t they… that is will they move to No. 2 in the BCS Rankings or will they remain at No. 3?

Oklahoma State did impress Saturday night in their home win over Oklahoma, but one has to remember that Alabama lost to the No. 1 team in the nation in their lone defeat not to an unranked team; one could argue that Bama won every facet of the game except the score board against LSU. All Oklahoma State did was beat a two-loss team Saturday.

Houston lost out on an undefeated season and a BCS at-large bid Saturday when they lost to Southern Mississippi in the Conference USA Title Game. 

What would you like to clarify? Don't forget to sign up for email notifications and as a reader/follower. Follow HogManInLA on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/HogManInLa

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 13

1. LSU 11-0
2. Arkansas 10-1
3. Alabama 10-1
4. Virginia Tech 10-1
5. Georgia 9-2
6. Oklahoma State 10-1
7. Michigan State 9-2
8. Wisconsin 9-2
9. Houston 11-0
10. South Carolina 9-2
11. Stanford 10-1
12. USC 9-2
13. Oklahoma 8-2
14. Boise State 9-1
15. Oregon 9-2
16. Kansas State 9-2
17. Penn State 9-2
18. Michigan 9-2
19. Clemson 9-2
20. Baylor 7-3
21. Georgia Tech 8-3
22. TCU 9-2
23. Arkansas State 9-2
24. Tulsa 8-3
25. Auburn 7-4

What would you like to clarify?

Don't forget to sign up for email notifications and as a reader/follower. Follow HogManInLA on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/HogManInLa

SEC College Football Preview: Predicting Outcomes for Every SEC Game in Week 11

Last week the SEC accomplished a feat they had never done before, they gave college football fans two games in the same week featuring four top ten teams. This week the excitement is not as great on a national level but there is plenty of intrigue as mid-level teams continue to fight for bowl eligibility.

The matchup of the weekend pits cross-divisional teams No. 24 Auburn at No. 14 Georgia. 5-4 Florida travels to No. 15 South Carolina in hopes of becoming bowl eligible and 4-5 Vanderbilt hosts 4-5 Kentucky in a must win game for both teams.

LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas all play non-ranked teams with Bama traveling to Mississippi State. No surprise that each team’s fan base is praying for a shocking loss for the other’s programs.

Ole Miss welcomes Louisiana Tech in the first of three farewell games for soon to be departing head coach Houston Nutt.

Auburn versus Georgia

The Auburn versus Georgia game will pit the strength of each team against the other, running the ball. Auburn holds an edge here with sophomore running back Michael Dyer.

Dyer is second in the SEC in total rushing yards with 989 and third in rushing touchdowns having collected nine scores.

Bulldog true freshman running back Isaiah Crowell is sixth in the SEC in total rushing yards with 689 despite missing Georgia’s last game due to a suspension.

The pivotal point between the two teams will come down to quarterback play. The edge swings back in Georgia’s favor here.

Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray is second in the SEC in total passing yards having thrown for 2,060. His 23 passing touchdowns leads the SEC. Murray’s eight interceptions is second in the conference to departed Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia.

Tiger quarterback Clint Moseley will make his third career start against a Bulldog defense ranked 7th in the FBS. Moseley threw for 160 yards, his season high, against Ole Miss two weeks ago. He finished the game 12-15 with four passing touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Auburn is coming off a bye thus they should be rested and ready. But Georgia should get some quality contributors back on the field this weekend too when wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and running back Carlton Thomas return from an injury and suspension respectively.

Between the two teams Auburn is more battle tested having played six teams currently ranked or ranked at one time during the season to Georgia’s four.

Auburn has the 75th rated defense in the country to Georgia’s 7th ranked defense.

Georgia has the momentum riding a seven game winning streak with a solid opportunity to wrap up the SEC East division title.

Final Score

Georgia 28, Auburn 21

Florida versus South Carolina

Revenge game, new rivalry game, whatever you want to call it these two teams will get after each other come Saturday. Both teams have season goals and bragging rights riding on the outcome.

If South Carolina wins they stay alive in the race for the SEC East divisional title. Should they lose, Georgia wins the SEC East and the Gamecocks will have to fight for a better bowl bid and/or play spoiler to in-state rival Clemson during the last weekend of the season.

A win by 5-4 Florida makes the Gators bowl eligible and takes some of the heat off of first year coach Will Muschamp and his infamous offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

Gamecock quarterback Connor Shaw is expected to play this week after taking a vicious hit from Arkansas defensive end Jake Bequette in last week’s game. Shaw was suffering from concussion-like symptoms after the game.

Florida is also expecting their starting quarterback John Brantley to play after injuring himself against Vanderbilt last week as well.

Florida’s defense is stingy against the run which is what the Gamecocks need to do well in order to beat the Gators. Against the Hogs the Gamecocks were held to 79 total rushing yards.

The Gamecocks entered the Arkansas game only allowing 135.88 passing yards per game. Quarterback Tyler Wilson piled up 299 passing yards with two scores against the vaunted Gamecock defense. What can Brantley do against the same defense especially if safety DeVonte Holloman is not cleared to play for USC?

The Gators are hoping senior running back Chris Rainey will return to the lineup after injuring his ankle against Georgia.

The wheels seem to be coming off for Steve Spurrier and his Gamecock team. Can he keep his team together for three more regular season games?

Florida becomes bowl eligible on Saturday.

Final Score

Florida 24, South Carolina 21

Kentucky versus Vanderbilt

Looking over the SEC schedules before the season started the Wildcats vs. the Commodores game is not one of the games most fans circled. Yet the game holds heavy importance for both teams.

4-5 Kentucky is riding a five-game bowl appearance streak with three games left to play. 4-5 Vanderbilt is looking to go bowling for only the fifth time in the team’s history and the first time since 2008.

Head coach Joker Phillips is in his second year with the Wildcats. James Franklin is a first year head coach for the Commodores. Both coaches are trying to build a solid SEC program and need a win this weekend to keep their bowl hopes alive.

Phillips will call upon true freshman Maxwell Smith (Granada Hills, California) for the third game in a row to lead his team. Smith has played well in the place of injured quarterback Morgan Newton. Newton is healthy enough to play this week but will serve as the team’s second string quarterback.

The missing element from Kentucky’s offense this year has been a passing attack. Smith threw for 283 yards on 19 completions with two touchdowns against Ole Miss last week igniting hope for Wildcat fans that they can finish the season strong.

With the passing game elevated the running game has responded as well. CoShik Williams had a game-high 111 rushing yards on 25 carries finding the end zone twice against the Rebels.

Vanderbilt has continued their maturation process this season. The Commodores were a couple of plays away from possibly beating Georgia, Arkansas, and Florida over their past four games. Franklin’s young team has not learned how to win yet. The SEC East better watch out for this team next season.

Jordan Rodgers continues to impress after taking over for senior quarterback Larry Smith. Rodgers has started the last three games and finished last week’s game against Florida with 297 yards passing, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Commodore running back Zac Stacey was held to 23 rushing yards after back-to-back 100-yard performances against Army and Arkansas.

The game will come down to which defense can make the other team’s offense make mistakes. This heavily favors Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt has the 30th ranked defense in the nation despite not having much support from the offense for most of the season.

Vanderbilt keeps their bowl hopes alive.

Final Score

Vanderbilt 28, Kentucky 17

Alabama versus Mississippi State

After last week’s “game of the century” most college football fans want to see how Bama will respond. Will they have a let-down game or will they come out and prove a point by punishing MSU? Either way LSU and Arkansas will be interested in the final outcome as their season’s final outcome could be made easier with a Bama loss.

On paper this game is a mismatch heavily favoring Alabama

Mississippi State allows 349 yards of total offense per game. Alabama is the top ranked defense holding teams to 187 total yards.

Alabama has the best rush defense in the country averaging 56.33 yards per game, Mississippi State 161.22.

Alabama averages 214 rushing yards per game, MSU 187 yards.

5-4 Mississippi State hosts Bama this week, travels to Arkansas next week, and hosts Ole Miss on the final weekend of the season. This is a tough road to walk down for head coach Dan Mullen trying to get his team to the all important six win plateau.

Final Score

Alabama 38, MSU 7

Louisiana Tech versus Ole Miss

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are one of the more intriguing teams in college football. They easily could have won the four games they lost, Southern Miss 19-17, Houston 34-35, and Mississippi State 26-20 and be undefeated going into the stretch run of their Western Athletic Conference schedule. As it is the Bulldogs need this win against Ole Miss to become bowl eligible.

The game is not without some controversy as embattled Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt resigned on Monday which will be effective come November 26. After losing 12-straight SEC games how will his team respond this week? Will they rally around Nutt or have they already given up on the season?

The Bulldogs are on a four-game winning streak. Look for them to shock a SEC team on the road.

Louisiana Tech 34, Ole Miss 28

Western Kentucky versus LSU

It’s the top ranked team in the nation with one of the best defenses in the nation going up against a 5-4 Sun Belt Conference team that lost 14-3 to Kentucky during the first week of the season.

LSU sleepwalks through this one.

LSU 48, WKU 6

Tennessee versus Arkansas

Tennessee looks to do the near impossible this weekend by knocking off No. 8 Arkansas on the road.

Arkansas responded well to their home surroundings last weekend after playing four of five games on the road. The Hogs easily defeated then No. 10 South Carolina 44-28.

The Vols are coming off a feel good win over Middle Tennessee State, 24-0.

Tennessee’s defense is SEC caliber but the offense is not.

There is an outside chance that Tyler Bray may return for this game. At 4-5 Dooley may sit his starter in hopes of winning their final two games to become bowl eligible. Why risk an injury to Bray with post season hopes hinging on his play during the final two games?

Arkansas’ passing attack has remained solid all year long behind the play of quarterback Tyler Wilson. Wilson leads the SEC in passing yards and his top target, Jarius Wright, leads the SEC in receiving yards with 812 and receiving touchdowns with nine.

The one shining offensive production for the Vols has been wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers. Rogers has assumed the No. 1 wide receiver role after Justin Hunter tore his ACL earlier in the season. Rogers is second in the SEC in receiving yards with 780 and tied for second in receiving touchdowns with seven.

Hogs win their sixth game in a row in front of a happy Reynolds Razorback Stadium crowd.

Arkansas 45, Tennessee 17

What would you like to clarify? Don't forget to sign up for email notifications and as a reader/follower. Follow HogManInLA on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/HogManInLa

2011 College Football: Potential Bowl Bids for All SEC Teams Still Depends on LSU

As the 2011 college football season takes a turn towards the stretch run, many SEC fans and teams alike are prognosticating where their beloved team may go bowling at the end of the season. With the current state of the conference still influx not only does the SEC have a potentially problematic situation on their hands but so does the Bowl Championship Series.

With last week’s “game of the century” matchup between top ranked LSU and then second ranked Alabama behind us, the SEC West divisional race and BCS National Championship game became more focused… or did it?

Alabama dropped one spot from second to third behind Oklahoma State leaving the BCS Championship waters murky. With three points separating the two former top teams in the nation, fans, mainly Alabama fans, are clamoring for a rematch between the Tide and Tigers in the national championship game. But is that what’s best for college football?

LSU is the clear cut top team in the nation with six of their nine wins coming against ranked opponents including PAC-12 and Big East stalwarts, University of Oregon and West Virginia University. The Tigers are not in the clear yet, waiting in the background for LSU is eighth ranked University of Arkansas and unranked Ole Miss.

The Razorbacks have quietly strung together five straight wins after a disappointing loss to the Tide in Tuscaloosa to improve to 8-1 on the season. In their past five games Arkansas has toppled then 14th ranked Texas A&M, 15th ranked Auburn, and 10th ranked South Carolina.

The Hogs running game is slowly coming together, their 2009 All-American kickoff returner is healthy and making a difference, and more importantly their defense is finally recovering from five injuries sustained early in the season.

As the defense has welcomed their starting players back defensive coordinator Willy Robinson has turned up the heat opting to blitz, call stunts, and leave his corners on an island instead of run a basic 4-3 defense without putting any pressure on the opposing offense.

The Hogs last 8-1 start to a season was in 2006 when they finished 10-4 after playing five top ten teams; Southern California, Auburn, LSU, Florida, and Wisconsin.

Should LSU be worried about the Hogs? Yes!

The battle for the Golden Boot Trophy between Arkansas vs. LSU has become one of the best college football rivalries in the nation. The winner will have BCS and SEC title game ramifications and possible national championship claiming rights.

Since 2005 Arkansas and LSU have split their series 3-3 with the Hogs winning three of the last four. 21 total points separates the winning team from the losing team through those six games. Arkansas has the largest winning margin during this stretch, winning by 8 points in 2010. The average margin of victory between the two schools is 3.5 points.

Before LSU tackles another highly ranked team in Arkansas they must travel to Ole Miss November 19, to take on the Rebels and their embattled head coach Houston Nutt. Nutt, who resigned as head coach effective at the end of the regular season on Monday, has a history of winning big games when he is the underdog.

In 2007 while head coach at Arkansas, the unranked Razorbacks beat then top ranked and eventual BCS National Champion LSU 50-48 in three overtimes. In 2008 as the head coach at Ole Miss, unranked with a 2-2 record Nutt took his Rebel team into The Swamp and defeated the fourth ranked Gators 31-30. The following year Nutt beat LSU again to claim the Magnolia Bowl 25-23 in Oxford.

Does Nutt have enough mojo left to pull off one more dramatic SEC conference victory?

A loss by LSU to Arkansas forces a three-way tie for first place in the SEC West between Alabama, Arkansas, and LSU. Under this scenario SEC tie-breaker rules will place the team with the best Bowl Championship Series standings as the representative in the SEC Championship Game.

The tie-breaker rules are as follows:

1. Combined head-to-head record among the tied teams
2. Divisional record of the tied teams
3. Record against the team within the division or against non-divisional team
4. Overall record against non-divisional teams
5. Overall record against all common non-divisional teams
6. Team with highest ranking in the Bowl Championship Series standings after the last weekend of regular season play. If the second of the tied teams is ranked within five or fewer places of the highest ranked tied team. The head-to-head results of the top two ranked tied teams will determine the SEC Championship game team.

A LSU loss to Ole Miss but a win over Arkansas would still have the Tigers in the SEC Championship Game. LSU would be a controversial decision away from playing in the BCS Championship Game with a SEC Conference Title Game win over their would be eighth ranked team of the year.

The controversy would arise if a one-loss LSU team is picked to play in the national championship game over a possibly undefeated Oklahoma State, Stanford, and/or Boise State.

Adding to the confusion of the SEC race is Alabama. Alabama has two potentially tough SEC games remaining even though they should be heavily favored against Mississippi State and Auburn on the road.

Alabama won in Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2009, their first Iron Bowl win at Auburn since 2001. In 2010 Auburn overcame a 24-0 deficit to win 28-27. The 24 point deficit was the biggest point margin either team had faced for a come from behind win in the 75 game history of the Iron Bowl.

Since 2000 Auburn owns an 8-3 record against the Tide. Alabama leads the all-time series 40-34-1.

Nick Saban has won three straight against Mississippi State including last year’s 30-10 victory at Bryant-Denny Stadium. MSU has only beaten Bama 18 times and has lost 73 total games with 3 encounters ending in a tie during their all-time series.

Both scenarios for Alabama to lose appear to be long shots but that’s why they play the games.

Who is the Best in the West?

Should Bama win out and Arkansas defeats LSU who deserves to represent the SEC West in the conference title game?

Looking at the schedules of each team LSU has played the tougher schedule of the three. At the end of the season LSU will have played seven ranked teams with three of those teams being in the top ten at the time of their game.

Arkansas has the second toughest schedule having played five ranked teams, as Alabama has as well. The difference between Arkansas and Alabama is the Razorbacks have three top ten foes to Bama’s one.

If Arkansas beats LSU, should that serve as redemption for their loss to Alabama in the fourth game of the season? It should but it will not pass with voters and the BCS computers.

The unfortunate reality is Arkansas is getting passed over week after week. Their computer strength of schedule dropped this week from 14th to 17th after playing 10th ranked South Carolina per TeamRankings.com.

The Big 12 continues to get strength of schedule recognition from the computers even though the conference’s only quality non-conference win was Oklahoma over Florida State.

The Big 12 non-conference losses include Kansas to Georgia Tech, Texas A&M to Arkansas, and Missouri to Arizona State.

SEC teams are not getting the same strength of schedule attention even though they have played a much tougher non-conference schedule. Alabama beat Penn State, LSU beat WVU and Oregon, Arkansas beat A&M, Tennessee beat Cincinnati, and Vanderbilt beat Connecticut.

The SEC’s non-conference loses have not been to poor teams sans Ole Miss and Kentucky. Georgia played Boise State and Auburn took on Clemson. Ole Miss lost to BYU while the Wildcats lost to in-state rival Louisville.

There is still non-conference games left for SEC teams to play. South Carolina has Clemson to play, Florida has Florida State, Georgia has Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt travels to Wake Forest.

The SEC could have three teams deserving of BCS recognition at the end of the season, unless Alabama or Arkansas lose again. Even if the Razorbacks win out they appear to be left out of the BCS picture this year.

A SEC Bowl Snap Shot

Currently there are six SEC teams that are bowl eligible. LSU 9-0, Alabama 8-1, Arkansas 8-1, South Carolina 7-2, Georgia 7-2, and Auburn 6-3.

Florida is 5-4 with remaining games at South Carolina, versus Furman, and versus Florida State. At worst the Gators should end the season 6-6 making them bowl eligible.

As disappointing of a season 2011 has been for Dan Mullen and Mississippi State, they are still candidates for a bowl berth. At 5-4 the Bulldogs only need one win in their last three games. Getting that last win may prove to be more difficult than any other SEC team on the fence. MSU hosts Alabama, travels to Arkansas, and gets the Egg Bowl at home. Will the Rebels give Houston Nutt a fair well victory?

Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee each have a 4-5 record with three games on the schedule. Of the three teams Kentucky has the longest bowl streak at risk. The Wildcats have made five straight bowl appearances since 2006; a longer active bowl streak than South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. Tennessee has a three-game bowl streak and Vanderbilt is looking for their first appearance since 2008 (Music City Bowl).

Kentucky can play spoiler and advance their own cause when they travel to Vanderbilt this weekend, play Georgia in Athens November 19, and end the season with a home game against the Vols. Which two teams can the Wildcats beat to become bowl eligible?

Tennessee also controls their post season destiny. The Vols have to play Arkansas this weekend but get Vanderbilt at home and play Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium to finish their regular season.

The oddity is the Vols are the team that will have to upset at least two teams to become bowl worthy. Tennessee is 0-5 in conference play besting only Ole Miss’ record of 0-6.

Tennessee’s head coach Derek Dooley’s saving grace may be the return of quarterback Tyler Bray. Bray tweeted that he expected to return for the Arkansas game this weekend. Dooley may play a strategic hand and hold his quarterback back for the final two games against lesser competition.

Vanderbilt may be the conference and national sentimental favorite to become bowl eligible of the remaining SEC teams. It is hard to cheer against a team that has only made four total bowl appearances throughout their college football existence, 1955, 1974, 1982, and 2008. Their bowl record is 2-1-1. And what a great success story this makes for first year coach James Franklin if the Commodores sneak into a bowl.

The Commodores host Kentucky this weekend, and travel to Tennessee on November 19, and finish up their schedule against ACC foe Wake Forest. Wake is 5-4 and pushing to become bowl eligible as well.

Ole Miss is the only SEC team currently mathematically eliminated from being bowl eligible with a 2-7 record.

A Little Bit of SEC BCS History

The SEC has won five straight BCS National Championships and has the most BCS wins by any conference with 15 in 21 appearances, 7 of those appearances were a result of at-large bids.

Florida, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Auburn have all represented the SEC in a BCS Bowl Game. Florida has the most all-time wins with five. LSU and Auburn are both undefeated in BCS games having gone 4-0 and 2-0 respectively.

The SEC’s winning percentage of .714 is highest among the six power conference teams. When the media and fans call the SEC the best football conference in the nation, they do it for a reason.

Competition within the conference is fierce when a SEC Title Game berth is at stake. In the 19 year history of the SEC Title game, nine winners have gone on to win the national championship outright or a share of the national championship.

Arkansas, Alabama, and LSU all have legitimate shots at winning the SEC West regular season title. Each team’s goal is to win their division knowing that a possible national championship is riding on the line.

Predicting who Will Go Where

The BCS will take two teams with the highest Bowl Championship Standings after all regular season and conference title games are played.

The following is a list of predicted bowl berths for all SEC eligible teams.

SEC Seed/Team/Regular Season Record/Bowl Game/Location/Seeded Opponent

LSU, 12-1, BCS National Championship, New Orleans, Oklahoma State

Alabama, 11-1, Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, BCS at-large – Stanford

Arkansas, 11-1, Capital One Bowl, Orlando, Big Ten #2 – Michigan State

Georgia, 10-3, Outback Bowl, Tampa, Big Ten #3 – Ohio State

Auburn, 7-5, Cotton Bowl, Arlington, Big 12 #2/3 – Texas

South Carolina, 8-4, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Atlanta, ACC #2 – Virginia Tech

Florida, 7-5, Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Big 10 #4/5 – Penn State

Mississippi State, 6-6, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, C-USA#1 – Southern Mississippi

Vanderbilt, 6-6, Music City Bowl, Nashville, ACC #6 – Virginia

Who is Left Out?

Kentucky losses out on their sixth straight bowl game finishing 4-8. Tennessee has too many injuries and poor offensive line play to finish better than 5-7. Ole Miss and their talented underclassmen will have to wait until next year for a chance to become bowl eligible.

Predicting all BCS Bowl Game Berths

Rose Bowl – Oregon versus Wisconsin

Fiesta Bowl – Oklahoma versus Boise State

Orange Bowl – Clemson versus Cincinnati

Sugar Bowl – Alabama versus Stanford

BCS National Championship Game – LSU versus Oklahoma State

What would you like to clarify? Don't forget to sign up for email notifications and as a reader/follower.

Follow HogManInLA on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/HogManInLa