College Football
SEC Slow Start
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Well, I’m pretty sure that isn’t how the SEC was hoping the first weekend would go.
It wasn’t horrible or anything, but it couldn’t have gone as scripted. In their defense, one of the major reasons everyone was so excited about the match ups to start the college season was that most SEC teams scheduled legit opponents, not schools from the Underwater Basket Weaving conference.
Considering all the hoopla and questions coming into this weekend the one thing I basically learned is that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Evolution of The Running Back
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When most think of the running back position, thoughts of the work horse running back toting the ball over and over again likely come to mind.
Names like Jim Brown, OJ Simpson, Archie Griffin, Herschel Walker, and Bo Jackson go down in the annals for college football history.
Deadly Hurricanes?
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Miami Hurricanes might be the best program in the last 30 years. Since 1983 they’ve played for the national championship eight times, winning five. The program has also had low moments being placed on probation more than once.
The Canes went 8-5 last season and coach Al Golden was fired. The record isn’t terrible but the way they lost is what ultimately cost him. He was let go after a 58-0 blow out loss to Clemson at home.
Mark Richt was hired to replace him and return to his alma mater. I believe this was a great hire. Richt was very underappreciated at Georgia. He turned an average program into a perennial contender. UGA has not won a championship since 1980 but their delusional fan base expects to win one every year. I think Richt will instantly turn Miami back into an elite team.
Tide Keeps Rising
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Alabama Crimson Tide come into the 2016 season as the defending national champions, and has become a pipeline to replenish NFL rosters.
The defending champs don’t rebuild anymore they just reload. Until someone knocks the king off of the throne then they are my pick to win the SEC.
Flying High In New Nest
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Georgia Southern Eagles are coming off of a great 2015 season, but even still, left a lot on the table. A devastating loss to in-state rival Georgia State was one of the most shocking losses in the country last year when considering how dominantly the Panthers defeated the Eagles in Paulson Stadium.
However, the Eagles bounced back and won their first bowl game as a member of the football bowl subdivision of the NCAA. Things seemed to continue on an upward trajectory, but in the offseason head coach Willie Fritz suddenly left Statesboro for Tulane to avoid the ire of the NCAA as Georgia Southern had a reduction in scholarships and forced to vacate three wins that ineligible players were allowed to participate.
Gator Chomp
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Florida had a fairly successful year under new head coach Jim McElwain. The Gators went 10-4 and 7-1 in the SEC. They won the Eastern division and played in the SEC Championship game.
Florida was known for explosive offense under Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer. After Will Muschamp’s first season as head coach in 2011 the offensive production came to a screeching halt. The lack of talent on offense during Muschamp’s four years will come back to haunt Florida this season.
Florida State Dynasty
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It’s pretty difficult in sports, or really any profession for that matter, to be a dominating force for an extended period of time.
The Boston Celtics nine straight championships will never be duplicated.
Kennesaw State Preview
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
After years of rumors and false starts (pun intended), Kennesaw State University finally began its long-awaited football program last year.
First year football programs tend to be a struggle, but the 2015 Owls proved to be anything but, raging forward with a ferocious offense that scored more than 50 points several times and leading the team to a record of 6-5 on the year.
Auburn 2016 Preview
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Auburn Tigers have had back to back poor seasons under head coach Gus Malzahn, and the fan base hopes that turns around in 2016, or this could be Malzahn’s last year on the plains. The bar was set high in 2013 with a NC game appearance, but just 15 wins in the last two years has Auburn folks very nervous.
Malzahn is 27-13 entering his 4th season at Auburn. 7-5 type seasons will not cut in on the plains.
2016 Georgia Preview
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2016 football season for the Georgia Bulldogs is one that certainly has the Bulldog Nation’s full attention and fascination.
There is so much that is unknown heading into the season, which is scary, but also brings even more anticipation to see what the season will bring.
