Dougherty's Diatribe 9/12

Dougherty’s Diatribe 9/12

Best Team?

The polls list USC as the top team in the country and it’s tough to argue that unless you have seen LSU play this year. I understand that USC is an unbelievably talented team that has rolled off quite a run over the last few years. USC is 60-6 since 2002. That is an amazing run. No doubt. And in 2007, USC belongs near the top. However, we’re talking about 2007 which must be separated from previous years and I have to wonder if these guys have seen LSU play this year.

LSU blasted Mississippi St. on the road 45-0. The Tigers then demolish Virginia Tech, a top ten team, on national television 48-7. LSU has the best defense in America and they have many weapons on offense. Their toughest games are at home as South Carolina, Florida, Auburn and Arkansas all come to Baton Rouge. The only potential disruption to an LSU trip to the Sugar Bowl is distraction that will build with growing talk of Les Myles leaving to go to Michigan. Otherwise, watch for LSU to play West Virginia for all the marbles.

Bama Fans are excited:

Nick Saban is off and running at Alabama. The Crimson Tide won their opener in blowout fashion that has not been seen in Tuscaloosa on the first weekend since 1973. The Tide then go on the road for their conference opener against a much improved Vanderbilt team that walks on to the field with many offensive weapons. Alabama wins easily, 24-10. Tide fan is excited, and Tide fan should be excited.

When breaking down the West before the season on Prime Time Sports on 1510 WLAC in Nashville, I argued that Alabama would be the surprise team in the SEC and that they would finish second in the West. I believe that the infusion of excitement the new coach brings with him coupled with the new idea of managing details will enable the Tide to have a good year in terms of record. Alabama also has a home heavy schedule as Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee and LSU all visit Tuscaloosa. That’s good news for roll tiders.

Auburn gets upset:

South Florida wins at Auburn. Three years ago, did you expect to see that headline in 2007? Auburn has had difficulty replacing the play making abilities of Kenny Irons at running back and Courtney Taylor at wide receiver. The Tigers trailed Kansas St. with about two minutes to go but get it done down the stretch. If not for that comeback, Auburn would be 0-2 heading into the conference schedule.

Speaking of the schedule, have you seen the league road game set that Auburn has on its agenda? Auburn plays at Florida, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia. They do wrap up with Alabama at home having won five in a row in the series. The problem with that stat is that Auburn has never beaten Alabama six straight years.

The Old Ball Coach is at it again:

Steve Spurrier has the SEC Title as his team’s goal and from a talent level standpoint the Gamecocks are getting closer. But again, it’s the schedule that holds them back ultimately this year. League road games take USC to LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas. They also wrap up with Florida and Clemson. It may be unrealistic to think that South Carolina can win the East, but we have had callers to the show predict just that.

Leave it to the OBC to twist the knife after a big victory. Check out what the visored one had to say about Georgia after his team’s 16-12 win between the hedges on his coaches show. Spurrier was asked about the win against Georgia and retorted, “It wasn’t like they were some big powerful team. They’ve actually lost five in a row to Eastern Division opponents. Kentucky and Vandy beat ’em last year.” Ouch!

The throw down in the Swamp:

Tennessee heads down to Gainesville this weekend for a program changing opportunity. Tennessee knows far more about where they are as a team than do the Gators. The typical key applies here. The team that runs the ball more consistently will win. The statistic that everyone points to with regard to this series is this: The team that runs for the most yards has won fifteen out of the last seventeen years. Let’s take it one step further. Tennessee has not won any of those games when not out rushing the Gators.

I understand that there is a number written in the Tennessee football complex that has been visible since before the season began. Minus 11. That is the total rushing yardage that Tennessee accumulated last year against the Gators as Florida won in Knoxville.

Florida has questions on defense. However, in terms of questions, Tennessee has more. The big question is this: Can Tennessee line up defensively and tackle the Gators? If the answer is yes, this could be a close game. If the answer is no, Florida wins easily.

Ultimately, Florida has too much speed and too many playmakers for the Vols. Florida wins 31-24.

As always, thanks for reading. I encourage you to listen to Prime Time Sports on News Radio 1510 WLAC in Nashville.

We are on the air from 5p-8p cst.

You can check us out on-line at wlac.com – keyword: PTS.

-Brent Dougherty

brentd@wlac.com