During the season we're going to start keeping a cursory eye on the entire schedule to help us both better judge our own strength relative to the performances of our past opponents (a la the Clemson win last year looking less and less impressive as the weeks wore on) and how the teams on the rest of the schedule are performing as well. Since no one has played a game yet this week's edition will be a little skimpy, but future editions will have the benefit of game results, emerging playmakers, injury issues, and the like. I will also not be including UT-Chattanooga in this thing for obvious reasons. Without further ado:
***
WEEK ONE
Virginia Tech - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - #7 * Coaches - #7 * BlogPoll - #9
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 174.36 | 35 | 3 |
| Passing Offense | 129.07 | 111 | 11 |
| Passing Efficiency | 108.12 | 99 | 10 |
| Scoring Offense | 22.07 | 90 | 8 |
| Total Offense | 303.43 | 103 | 11 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 104.43 | 14 | 2 |
| Passing Defense | 175.00 | 16 | 5 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 112.68 | 28 | 5 |
| Sacks | 2.50 | 26 (T) | 3 |
| Tackles for Loss | 6.43 | 37 | 6 |
| Scoring Defense | 16.71 | 9 | 1 |
| Total Defense | 279.43 | 7 | 2 |
Key Players
Offense:
Tyrod Taylor - QB
With the unfortunate loss of Darren Evans to injury during fall camp, the offense is now squarely on the shoulders of junior QB Tyrod Taylor. Though he's an athletic player that can make defenses pay with his feet (7 rushing TDs last year to 2 passing), Taylor has been inconsistent over the past two years due to injury concerns and has rotated in and out with Sean Glennon his whole career. With Glennon having graduated, it's all up to Taylor now. Two factors will make or break his season: 1) Can he stay healthy? and 2) can the skill positions finally give him some help?
Jarrett Boykin - WR
Last year's leading receiver as a freshman, Boykin caught 30 passes for 441 yards and 2 TDs. If he can step up this season and provide more consistency (along with fellow sophomores Danny Coale and Dyrell Roberts) for Taylor then the Hokies might actually add "passing" to their offensive philosophy.
Defense:
Stephan Virgil - CB
With Macho Harris in the NFL, it's up to Virgil to fill his hard hitting shoes. Virgil finsished last season with 6 INTs (tied Harris for the most) and will keep the Hokie pass D as dangerous as ever.
Cody Grimm - LB
3rd on the team in tackles last year and tied for second in sacks, the awesomely named Grimm is the only returning starter at LB for the Hokies.
Schedule:
| 09/05 | vs Alabama (Georgia Dome) | ||
| 09/12 | vs Marshall | ||
| 09/19 | vs Nebraska | ||
| 09/26 | vs Miami (FL) | ||
| 10/03 | at Duke | ||
| 10/10 | vs Boston College | ||
| 10/17 | at Georgia Tech | ||
| 10/29 | vs North Carolina | ||
| 11/05 | at East Carolina | ||
| 11/14 | at Maryland | ||
| 11/21 | vs NC State | ||
| 11/28 | at Virginia |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
Starting the season against a quality BCS opponent like Virginia Tech has three built in advantages for the Crimson Tide:
1. It gives the team a real goal to work towards in the offseason
If the repetition and drudgery of fall camp isn't bad enough, imagine doing all that work just to face off against Charleston Southern. With an opponent like Virginia Tech coming right off it gives the team that much more of a sense of urgency in their preparations.
2. National Exposure
This is arguably the biggest game of the first weekend and a win immediately catapults whoever comes out on top into the "dark horse" national title contender conversation. A loss here doesn't necessarily end the Tide's season since a one loss SEC champion has a pretty good shot at making the MNC game anyway, but a win here goes a long way towards answering the more frequent criticisms of the Tide's chances. If we can knock off a quality squad like the Hokies with our rebuilt line and inexperienced QB, imagine what we can do after a few weeks of real live game experience?
3. Quality Game Experience
Saban is very fond of talking about how the only way to really know what sort of team you have is testing them against the best opponents, and facing off against a team that is as hard nosed on defense as Va. Tech is will pay huge dividends as far as gaining game experience goes for our offense, while dealing with a mobile QB that forces you to account for his feet on defense can't hurt a unit that is certainly licking their chops at the prospect of one more shot at Tebow.
***
Florida International - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - NR * Coaches - NR* BlogPoll -NR
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 98.67 | 107 | 8 |
| Passing Offense | 218.25 | 56 | 5 |
| Passing Efficiency | 125.82 | 58 | 4 |
| Scoring Offense | 24.67 |
68 | 5 |
| Total Offense | 316.92 |
96 |
8 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 156.17 | 80 | 4 |
| Passing Defense | 212.92 | 67 | 4 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 121.34 | 52 | 3 |
| Sacks | 1.50 | 89 | 4 |
| Tackles for Loss | 6.75 | 21 (T) | 3 |
| Scoring Defense | 28.33 | 79 | 4 |
| Total Defense | 369.08 | 71 | 4 |
Key Players
Offense:
WR T.Y. Hilton
Paul McCall - QB
McCall led the Golden Panthers to their only win in his lone start in 2007 and guided them to a much improved 5-7 last year finished the season with 2,332 yards and 15 TDs as a full time starter last year without much help from the ground game. All five starters are back on the offensive line and the top five pass catchers from last year are all back.
T.Y. Hilton - WR
As a freshman, Hilton finished the year with 1,013 yards receiving, a team high seven TDs, and was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year.
Defense:
Anthony Gaitor - CB
An all conference selection last year as a sophomore, Gaitor grabbed 5 INTs and returned two of them for scores.
Scott Bryant - LB
The team's leading tackler last year, Bryant was an honorable mention all conference selection and will help anchor a front seven that is thin on experience, especially on the line.
Schedule:
| 09/12 | at Alabama | ||
| 09/19 | at Rutgers |
||
| 09/26 | vs Toledo |
||
| 10/03 | at Louisiana-Monroe |
||
| 10/10 | at Western Kentucky | ||
| 10/17 | vs Troy | ||
| 10/24 | at Arkansas State |
||
| 10/31 | vs Louisiana-LaFayette |
||
| 11/07 | at Middle Tennessee State |
||
| 11/14 | vs North Texas |
||
| 11/21 | at Florida |
||
| 12/05 | vs Florida Atlantic |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
In games like these, wins don't mean much but losses are unforgivable. The most we can take out of this game really depends on how well we do against Va. Tech. If we beat the Hokies and then limp along half heartedly against FIU, then that says bad things about our team, just like a loss to the Hokies and then a middling performance against FIU would. If we come out and dominate what should be a pretty woefully outmatched Golden Panther team no matter what the outcome of the Va. Tech game, then we know the team has bought in and is giving it all on every down.
***
North Texas - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - NR * Coaches - NR* BlogPoll -NR
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 127.33 | 82 | 6 |
| Passing Offense | 235.67 | 44 | 4 |
| Passing Efficiency | 111.13 | 94 | 8 |
| Scoring Offense | 20.00 | 102 | 8 |
| Total Offense | 363.00 | 57 | 5 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 207.08 | 105 | 6 |
| Passing Defense | 275.50 | 115 | 8 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 164.87 | 118 | 8 |
| Sacks | 1.00 | 112 (T) | 7 |
| Tackles for Loss | 4.42 | 111 | 8 |
| Scoring Defense | 47.58 | 119 | 8 |
| Total Defense | 482.58 | 119 | 8 |
Key Players
Offense:
Cam Montgomery - RB
Running behind an offensive line that returns all five starters, Montgomery, who rushed for 928 yards and 9 TDs last season, is about the only proven commodity for North Texas on offense.
Riley Dodge - QB
A redshirt freshman (and the coach's son), Dodge is a former Longhorns commit that could possibly bring a much needed spark to the Mean Green passing game.
Defense:
Tobe Nwigwe - LB
With a defense that finished at or near dead last in the country in every major category, the Mean Green need someone, anyone, to step up on that side of the ball. SR linebacker Nwigwe led the team last year with 111 tackles and three INTs. He leads a linebacking corps that returns all three starters, but with only one starter back on the line it remains to be seen if they can improve on last year's performance.
Schedule:
| 09/03 | at Ball State | ||
| 09/12 | vs Ohio | ||
| 09/19 | at Alabama |
||
| 09/26 | vs Middle Tennessee State |
||
| 10/10 | at Lousiana-LaFayette | ||
| 10/17 | vs Florida Atlantic |
||
| 10/24 | at Troy | ||
| 10/31 | vs Western Kentucky |
||
| 11/07 | vs Louisiana-Monroe | ||
| 11/14 | at FIU | ||
| 11/21 | vs Army | ||
| 11/28 | at Arkansas State |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
Like FIU, the Mean Green aren't much more than an extra home game to keep the revenues up. Also like FIU, we can judge how far the team has come along by their performance here. If we come out and dominate early on and never let up, then you know the team is clicking and on the right page. If we come out flat and scrape by...
***
Arkansas - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - NR * Coaches - NR* BlogPoll -NR
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 113.50 | 97 | 10 |
| Passing Offense | 259.58 | 23 | 2 |
| Passing Efficiency | 122.19 | 68 | 5 |
| Scoring Offense | 21.92 | 91 | 7 |
| Total Offense | 373.08 | 49 | 4 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 170.75 | 90 | 12 |
| Passing Defense | 204.42 | 54 | 10 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 127.26 | 62 | 12 |
| Sacks | 2.08 | 50 | 7 |
| Tackles for Loss | 5.75 | 58 | 7 |
| Scoring Defense | 31.17 | 93 | 12 |
| Total Defense | 375.17 | 72 | 12 |
Key Players
Offense:
Michael Smith - RB
Following in the extremely large footsteps of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, Smith made a big splash for the Hogs as a 1,000 yard rusher and the SEC leader in all purpose yardage.
Ryan Mallett - QB
A Michigan transfer, much of the Hogs hopes for the season rest on his shoulders. Though Petrino was able to get more out of Casey and Nathan Dick as QBs than Houston Nutt ever did, they weren't the pocket passer types that typically thrive in his offense. Mallett is, though, and with a redshirt year in the system he should be able to give what was already a pretty solid passing attack an even bigger boost.
Defense:
Malcolm Sheppard - DT
The Hogs were simply awful on defense last season and with injuries mounting over the fall to an alread suspect secondary, its up to the front seven to help keep them in games. Every starter on the line and at LB is back, and Sheppard is arguably the best of the bunch. A 2nd team All-SEC selection, Sheppard will have to help anchor the line if they are going to show any improvement.
Schedule:
| 09/03 | vs Missouri State |
||
| 09/19 | vs Georgia | ||
| 09/26 | at Alabama |
||
| 10/03 | vs Texas A&M (Arlington, TX) |
||
| 10/10 | vs Auburn |
||
| 10/17 | at Florida |
||
| 10/24 | at Ole Miss |
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| 10/31 | vs Eastern Michigan |
||
| 11/07 | vs South Carolina |
||
| 11/14 | vs Troy |
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| 11/21 | vs Mississippi State |
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| 11/28 | at LSU |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
As the first conference game, a win here is an absolute must for the Tide to keep a trip back to Atlanta in the works. Arkansas has been a thorn in our side ever since they joined the conference, though two straight wins have given us a little bit of breathing room as far as keeping a winning record goes. Though last year's match ended up being a total second half rout, the first half was much closer than was comfortable. Their offense moved the ball pretty well on us and it took a goal line stand going into the half to really set the Tide up for the second half beat down. With Ole Miss and LSU still looming in the west, getting by the Hogs with a W puts the Tide at least that much closer than the other two to securing the division.
***
Kentucky - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - NR * Coaches - NR* BlogPoll -NR
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 127.46 | 81 | 8 |
| Passing Offense | 171.85 | 96 | 8 |
| Passing Efficiency | 102.40 | 105 | 9 |
| Scoring Offense | 22.62 | 87 | 6 |
| Total Offense | 299.31 | 106 | 9 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 139.23 | 55 | 9 |
| Passing Defense | 193.15 | 40 | 9 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 121.01 | 51 | 11 |
| Sacks | 2.46 | 30 | 2 |
| Tackles for Loss | 6.62 | 29 | 2 |
| Scoring Defense | 21.46 | 35 | 8 |
| Total Defense | 332.38 | 40 | 11 |
CB Trevard Lindley
Key Players
Offense:
Mike Hartline - QB
If Hartline is going to be the Wildcats QB, he better get it done now. Pulled for four games last year in favor of the far more athletic Randall Cobb, Hartline rebounded with a strong showing against East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl, going 19 of 31 for 204 yards against a pretty solid Pirate defense. He's supposedly improved a good deal over the spring and fall.
Randall Cobb - WR
Cobb saw most of his work at WR during the spring and fall and has shown he can be an electric playmaker from any position. He'll also probably still see time at QB in their Wildcat package (sucks for UK that they can't come up with something original for that).
Defense:
Trevard Lindley - CB
Probably the only football player in Lexington that is a truly elite talent, Lindley is one of only five returning starters from last year's unit and has his work cut out for him in the secondary.
Schedule:
| 09/05 | vs Miami (OH) (Cincinnati) |
||
| 09/19 | vs Louisville | ||
| 09/26 | vs Florida |
||
| 10/03 | vs Alabama |
||
| 10/10 | at South Carolina |
||
| 10/17 | at Auburn |
||
| 10/24 | vs Louisiana-Monroe |
||
| 10/31 | vs Mississippi State |
||
| 11/07 | vs Eastern Kentucky |
||
| 11/14 | at Vanderbilt |
||
| 11/21 | at Georgia |
||
| 11/28 | vs Tennessee |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
Last year's game in Tuscaloosa was a little close for comfort; though the Tide managed to move the ball at will turnovers and missed field goals kept the Wildcats in it until the very end when a busted coverage gave them another spark of hope to pull the upset. Thankfully we recovered the onside kick and put it away, but it just goes to show how there is a thin margin for error in games like these if your players aren't executing like they should and can. As a winnable conference game, this one is just one more step closer to getting to Atlanta.
***
Ole Miss - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - #8 * Coaches - #10 * BlogPoll- #11
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 186.46 | 28 | 2 |
| Passing Offense | 221.15 | 53 | 4 |
| Passing Efficiency | 144.31 | 22 | 3 |
| Scoring Offense | 32.08 | 28 | 2 |
| Total Offense | 407.62 | 29 | 3 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 85.54 | 4 | 2 |
| Passing Defense | 221.69 | 81 | 12 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 120.47 | 49 | 10 |
| Sacks | 3.00 | 4 | 1 |
| Tackles for Loss | 8.62 | 1 | 1 |
| Scoring Defense | 19.00 | 20 | 5 |
| Total Defense | 307.23 | 19 | 5 |
Key Players
Offense:
Jevan Snead - QB
The Texas transfer worked his way into the offense by mid season and generally put on a show during the latter half of the year, throwing for 2,762 yards and 26 TDs to 13 INTs (most of which came during the first half of the year). If he can continue to put up those kind of numbers behind a rebuilt line, the Rebels will have an incredibly potent offense.
Dexter McCluster - WR
The do everything athlete, McCluster will line up at WR, RB, and QB in the "Wild Rebel." At only 5'8", 165lbs, McCluster managed over 1000 all purpose yards last year and seven total TDs. With Mike Wallace gone to the NFL, McCluster and Shay Hodge will be the two go to guys at WR.
Defense:
Greg Hardy - DE
If he's healthy and shows up, Greg Hardy is one of the best rush ends in the country. That's two big question marks, though, so we'll have to see where he's at when Alabama heads to Oxford.
Kendrick Lewis - FS
Last year's Rebel secondary gave up passing yards like nobody's business, finishing dead last in the league. Lewis led the team last season with 85 tackles and had four picks, and if the secondary is going to be better it's likely up to his senior leadership to get it done.
Schedule:
| 09/06 | at Memphis | ||
| 09/19 | vs Southeastern Louisiana | ||
| 09/24 | at South Carolina | ||
| 10/03 | at Vanderbilt | ||
| 10/10 | vs Alabama | ||
| 10/17 | vs UAB | ||
| 10/24 | vs Arkansas | ||
| 10/31 | at Auburn | ||
| 11/07 | vs Northern Arizona | ||
| 11/14 | vs Tennessee | ||
| 11/21 | vs LSU | ||
| 11/28 | at Mississippi State |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
This is going to be one of the games that shapes the SEC West this year and a win over the Rebels would give our hopes for Atlanta a leg up on LSU at this point. Must win.
***
South Carolina - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - NR * Coaches - NR* BlogPoll -NR
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 94.08 | 112 | 12 |
| Passing Offense | 222.46 | 50 | 3 |
| Passing Efficiency | 111.50 | 93 | 7 |
| Scoring Offense | 20.77 | 96 | 8 |
| Total Offense | 316.54 | 97 | 7 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 132.69 | 43 | 7 |
| Passing Defense | 159.23 | 2 | 1 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 111.13 | 23 | 5 |
| Sacks | 2.38 | 35 | 4 |
| Tackles for Loss | 5.46 | 70 | 9 |
| Scoring Defense | 21.08 | 31 | 7 |
| Total Defense | 291.92 | 13 | 4 |
Key Players
Offense:
Stephen Garcia - QB
Looking at the projected depth chart, there's just not a lot about the SC offense that makes me think they are going to take a big leap forward this year. They were a horrible rushing team last year, the receiver position is up in the air, and the line gave up 39 sacks last year. The oft troubled Garcia is either going to make or break the 'Cocks this year.
Defense:
Eric Norwood - LB
Norwood will likely rotate back and fourth between LB and DE, where he played his first two years in college, and is back for his senior year after flirting with the NFL draft. His 22 career sacks are just four shy of the school record.
Schedule:
| 09/03 | at NC State | ||
| 09/12 | at Georgia | ||
| 09/19 | vs Florida Atlantic | ||
| 09/24 | vs Ole Miss | ||
| 10/03 | vs South Carolina State | ||
| 10/10 | vs Kentucky | ||
| 10/17 | at Alabama | ||
| 10/24 | vs Vanderbilt | ||
| 10/31 | at Tennessee | ||
| 11/07 | at Arkansas | ||
| 11/14 | vs Florida | ||
| 11/28 | vs Clemson |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
Much like Kentucky, this is a winnable conference game and therefor a must win.
***
Tennessee - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - NR * Coaches - NR* BlogPoll -NR
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 122.92 | 88 | 9 |
| Passing Offense | 145.83 | 107 | 11 |
| Passing Efficiency | 99.79 | 107 | 11 |
| Scoring Offense | 17.33 | 110 (T) | 10 |
| Total Offense | 268.75 | 115 | 11 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 103.08 | 12 | 3 |
| Passing Defense | 160.42 | 4 | 2 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 102.42 | 11 | 2 |
| Sacks | 1.92 | 58 | 8 |
| Tackles for Loss | 6.58 | 31 | 3 |
| Scoring Defense | 16.75 | 10 | 3 |
| Total Defense | 263.50 | 3 (T) | 1 (T) |
Key Players
Offense:
Jonathan Crompton - QB
Crompton was a highly sought after recruit, yet floundered all season last year, looking like he'd never played QB before in his life. He's been named the starter for UT and has been praised for his efforts in practice, so we'll have to see if Kiffin and his staff are better at developing talent than Fulmer and Co. were.
Bryce Brown - RB
He's eligible, and as a true freshman is already listed as a co-starter with Montario Hardesty. If he lives up to his recruiting hype like Julio Jones did his, then he could be something special.
Defense:
Eric Berry - FS
The SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Berry grabbed 7 INTs last year and likely took a couple of years off of several players lives with his brutal hits.
Rico McCoy - LB
87 tackles and the sexiest name in the SEC. Also the only returning starter at LB.
Schedule:
| 09/05 | vs Western Kentucky | ||
| 09/12 | vs UCLA | ||
| 09/19 | at Florida | ||
| 09/26 | vs Ohio | ||
| 10/03 | vs Auburn | ||
| 10/10 | vs Georgia | ||
| 10/24 | at Alabama | ||
| 10/31 | vs South Carolina | ||
| 11/07 | vs Memphis | ||
| 11/14 | at Ole miss | ||
| 11/21 | vs Vanderbilt | ||
| 11/28 | at Kentucky |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
Its the Third Saturday in October, and win here means much more than just another step towards Atlanta. With UT already having faced Florida, UCLA, Auburn and Georgia, we'll have a pretty good picture of just how far along they are with implementing Monte Kiffin's defense and whether or not the Lane Kiffin hire has gone from "risky" to just plain "bad."
***
LSU - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - #11 * Coaches - #9 * BlogPoll - #8
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 166.77 | 43 | 4 |
| Passing Offense | 201.31 | 71 | 6 |
| Passing Efficiency | 117.44 | 80 | 6 |
| Scoring Offense | 30.92 | 30 | 4 |
| Total Offense | 368.08 | 55 | 5 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 110.15 | 17 | 5 |
| Passing Defense | 215.38 | 73 | 11 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 116.62 | 42 | 8 |
| Sacks | 2.15 | 46 | 6 |
| Tackles for Loss | 5.77 | 56 | 6 |
| Scoring Defense | 24.15 | 56 | 9 |
| Total Defense | 325.54 | 32 | 9 |
Key Players
Offense:
Jordan Jefferson - QB
Jefferson finished last year with a .49 completion percentage, 419 yards and four TDs as a true freshman, but his athletic ability and extra time to learn the playbook make him the best hope for LSU in trying to find some stability under center.
Brandon LaFell - WR
LaFell has been LSU's leading receiver the past two seasons, catching 63 for 929 yards and an SEC best 8 TDs last season. Both he and Terrance Tolliver will give Jefferson playmaker targets to keep the offense humming.
Defense:
Patrick Peterson - CB
Peterson grabbed the starting job for the last four games last year and has yet to look back. With a new DC to help turn all the talent LSU has into a dominant unit, Peterson should be a star.
Charles Alexander - DT
The only returning starter on the d-line (though DE Rahim Alem saw significant playing time), Alexander will have to be the anchor for an unexperienced front four.
Schedule:
| 09/05 | at Washington | ||
| 09/12 | vs Vanderbilt | ||
| 09/19 | vs Louisiana-LaFayette | ||
| 09/26 | at Mississippi State | ||
| 10/03 | at Georgia | ||
| 10/10 | vs Florida | ||
| 10/24 | vs Auburn | ||
| 10/31 | vs Tulane | ||
| 11/07 | at Alabama | ||
| 11/14 | vs Louisiana Tech | ||
| 11/21 | at Ole Miss | ||
| 11/28 | vs Arkansas |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
Depending on how the Ole Miss and Arkansas games go, this is the last hurdle before Atlanta for the Tide. A win here either punches our ticket or spoils theirs.
***
Mississippi State - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - NR * Coaches - NR* BlogPoll -NR
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 100.58 | 105 | 11 |
| Passing Offense | 174.33 | 94 | 7 |
| Passing Efficiency | 102.81 | 104 | 8 |
| Scoring Offense | 15.25 | 115 | 12 |
| Total Offense | 274.92 | 113 | 10 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 150.92 | 73 | 11 |
| Passing Defense | 176.58 | 17 | 4 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 115.44 | 36 | 7 |
| Sacks | 1.58 | 84 | 12 |
| Tackles for Loss | 5.00 | 90 | 12 |
| Scoring Defense | 24.67 | 60 | 11 |
| Total Defense | 327.50 | 35 | 10 |
Key Players
Offense:
Anthony Dixon - RB
About the only good thing State did last year on offense was put Dixon on the field. After a 1000 yard year, he'll probably have to shoulder much of the offensive load this year.
Defense:
Jamar Chaney - LB
Chaney was granted a medical redshirt last season after a broken ankle against La. Tech ended his season, and the senior will be the bedrock of the front seven at MLB.
Schedule:
| 09/05 | vs Jackson State | ||
| 09/12 | at Auburn | ||
| 09/19 | at Vanderbilt | ||
| 09/26 | vs LSU | ||
| 10/03 | vs Georgia Tech | ||
| 10/10 | vs Houston | ||
| 10/17 | at Middle Tennessee State | ||
| 10/24 | vs Florida | ||
| 10/31 | at Kentucky | ||
| 11/14 | vs Alabama | ||
| 11/21 | at Arkansas | ||
| 11/28 | vs Ole Miss |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
I think Mullen can probably be moderately successful at State if he can start bringing in some solid recruits, but I'm not expecting much from them in his first year. It will probably a hard fought game for us, but its a winnable contest and one that we'll have to make sure ends up as a W.
***
Auburn - 0-0 (0-0)
Ranking: AP - NR * Coaches - NR* BlogPoll -NR
| Offensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Offense | 137.50 | 69 | 6 |
| Passing Offense | 165.42 | 99 | 10 |
| Passing Efficiency | 102.05 | 106 | 10 |
| Scoring Offense | 17.33 | 110 (T) | 10 |
| Total Offense | 302.92 | 104 | 8 |
| Defensive Rankings | Actual | NCAA Rank | Conf. Rank |
| Rushing Defense | 138.92 | 54 | 8 |
| Passing Defense | 178.83 | 19 | 5 |
| Passing Eff. Defense | 113.78 | 30 | 6 |
| Sacks | 1.75 | 76 | 11 |
| Tackles for Loss | 6.25 | 43 | 4 |
| Scoring Defense | 18.00 | 14 | 4 |
| Total Defense | 317.75 | 29 | 7 |
Key Players
Offense:
Chris Todd - QB
Like it or not, Auburn fans, this man is your starter at QB. If his shoulder really is back to normal and the Malzahn offense clicks right away, he should be successful. A dearth of quality skill players is not something that will help, though.
Ben Tate - RB
Malzahn has made it a point to use his version of the spread as a means to run the ball, and Tate is the kind of bruising back that can take advantage of a spread out defense.
Defense:
Josh Bynes - LB
There's not a lot of depth at LB for the Tigers, but the starters are all capable and Bynes will have to be their leader.
Antonio Coleman - DE
A monster pass rusher, Coleman was a Lindy's 2nd Team All-American and will have to help carry the front seven with two new starters on the interior.
Schedule:
| 09/05 | vs Louisiana Tech | ||
| 09/12 | vs Mississippi State | ||
| 09/19 | vs West Virginia | ||
| 09/26 | vs Ball State | ||
| 10/03 | at Tennessee | ||
| 10/10 | at Arkansas | ||
| 10/17 | vs Kentucky | ||
| 10/24 | at LSU | ||
| 10/31 | vs Ole Miss | ||
| 11/07 | vs Furman | ||
| 11/14 | at Georgia | ||
| 11/27 | vs Alabama |
Best Win So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
Worst Loss/Performance So Far:
Sadly, not applicable at this point.
What Does a Win Here Mean for Alabama?
That all is just and right with the world.