“Shane from Centerpoint”

Tide –Tiger quarterbacks under the gun

Nevertheless, 2011 is the time when we will all find out how good Bama’s Jim McElwain and Auburn’s Malzahn (offensive coordinators) really are. Simply put, neither has a proven winner to put on the field. Both will have to depend on their offensive lines to dominate the defenses enough so the young quarterbacks have a little more time to operate and execute. Just remember I said it here; the starter for either team might change several times this year.

In fact, SEC defenses are so brutal that every team truly needs three solid, “conference caliber” signal-callers to call themselves deep at the quarterback position. Why? Because when all is said and done, an SEC passer makes a tremendous sacrifice to deliver the football to his playmakers. Massive defensive linemen that weigh 300 pounds can shut down a passer’s season in one swift motion. Needless to say, protecting the quarterback to prevent injuries is premium in America’s toughest league. And, it always helps to have one or two quarterbacks trained to play like the starter in case he goes down.

Look at Alabama’s Nick Saban; he’s entertaining the thought of a two-quarterback system, mainly due to the fact that he has two very talented pocket-passers that like to throw vertical. The Crimson Tide’s A. J. McCarron and Phillip Sims recently received some rare public praise from Saban himself for the way they’ve handled their contest to win the starting job. Both are getting reps with the first unit and Saban has them preparing like each is going to start. Coach Saban also has a freshman in Phillip Ely that he expects to groom and prepare for some action this season as well.

Much like Auburn’s crew, the Alabama quarterbacks all seem to value the “team” concept over individual goals (at least that’s what they say on camera) and all understand that everything could change in the blink of an eye. Bama’s McCarron and Sims seem willing to split time until one separates and distinguishes himself from the other with his play on the gridiron. Meanwhile, Auburn’s Trotter has already taken on the attitude and leadership role required of an SEC quarterback.

Will either team’s original starter hold his ground and keep his starting job? We’ll see. Remember as the season progresses the competition gets stiffer and the injury risk rises. It is going to be fascinating to watch these blue-chip athletes develop (or not) as they step out on the field and take on the daunting task of trying to advance their team’s offense and score points while facing some of the meanest, nastiest defenses in the land. Frankly, I think they could all use a little luck.

In the SEC experienced depth beats youthful talent

If you check the recruiting rankings and the roster, the Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Mark Richt should be included in the notable second-tier I mentioned above. Fact is, Georgia is a talent-rich State and the school itself has always had a strong winning tradition. But, Mark Richt hasn’t done much lately with any of his assets. As a result his back is against the wall, with some Bulldog fans calling for his head if his team doesn’t compete for a trophy this year. Nevertheless, I personally believe that Georgia will win the SEC’s eastern division in 2011. Why? Because the stars are properly aligned and Richt’s understanding of his disposition with the fan base and those that pay his salary will serve to motivate him to do a better job coaching — which should translate to better performances by the players. Hey, they watch the news and read the Internet, too. This year will be Mark Richt’s own little version of “win one for the Gipper”.

My third tier of traditionally elite SEC football schools has to include the Tennessee Volunteers and the Auburn Tigers. I’ll first take a look at Tennessee. This is a program that enjoyed “powerhouse” status on a national scale under the guidance of longtime, legendary head coach Phillip Fulmer. He delivered the Vols their only national title in the last 50+ years and kept them in the hunt for championships most of the time. Meanwhile, Tennessee fans eventually showed their true colors, leaving no doubt that the cumulative I.Q. of the Vol nation does not approach triple digits. They fired the steady Fulmer and hired one of the goofiest clowns to ever walk the sidelines, Lane Kiffin. To sum it up quickly, in his one and only season at Tennessee Kiffin left a stench on the Vol program that Ajax couldn’t scrub off. Now, Derek Dooley, son of the great Vince Dooley and a Nick Saban disciple has been hired to clean up the mess. Let me make myself clear: I do believe that Coach Dooley has the right stuff to make Tennessee a prominent football program once again. He learned to recruit from the master and is a solid coach, but the Vol fan base must be patient. Rebuilding and regaining prominence will take 2-3 years, especially in a league as tough as the SEC.

Which brings me to the sixth and final team that I include in my list of SEC “powerhouses”. The recent success of the Auburn Tiger football program is proof in the pudding. Fresh off a national championship run, with the coaching staff in its third year together (only one coach has left the original staff), one would expect the Tigers to be a considered a top-5 program this year. Yet, most experts (except Danny Sheridan) aren’t showing Auburn much respect. Could be they realize that the 2010 championship team consisted of 25 highly experienced seniors that Tommy Tuberville brought in and trained, along with an offensive “ringer” in Cam Newton that turned out to be one of the best offensive weapons in the history of the game. Anyway, current head coach Gene Chizik is left with both a challenge and an opportunity facing him in 2011. According to the Birmingham News sports division, Chizik has somewhere around 72 players on scholarship, and yes that does include this year’s incoming freshmen. For you Tennessee fans, that’s 13 players short of a full load. Of course Chizik can enhance the numbers by awarding scholarships to walk-ons. Actually, the evidence shows (and the News states) that more than half of Auburn’s 105-man roster consists of freshman, with 35 being walk-ons. The most sobering number in the News piece was 22. Yes, there are only 22 players who’ve been on the Auburn campus for more than two years. Regardless of how talented the young Auburn players might be, they must pay some hard dues in the SEC wars before they will be able to compete with the two big boys (Alabama and LSU) in their division. Last year was great for Gene Chizik and the Auburn football program, but this year’s circumstances will expose whether the man and his staff can really coach football.

Now, I’m sure there are some angry Arkansas and South Carolina fans out there wondering why I didn’t include their Razorbacks or Gamecocks in the mix of SEC powerhouses. My answer is simple: I might’ve put them on the list if they had actually done anything since they entered the league 19 or 20 years ago. The cold, hard truth hurts sometimes and neither South Carolina nor Arkansas has won an SEC or National title since becoming members of the conference. As a result, I don’t think any reasonable Razorback or Gamecock fan would consider their football program to be a “powerhouse”. Maybe, Steve Spurrier and/or Bob Petrino can change the perception, but right now I consider both to be middle-of-the-pack.

I’ll sum up this piece by saying that it surely is going to be a blast finding out which SEC football team has the right ingredients to ultimately enjoy success in 2011. If I were betting the house, I would pick a team that’s loaded with battle-tested, top-tier talent – a team that has enough depth to counter the attrition (due to injuries) that’s just a part of life in the SEC.

Saban’s 2011 team should continue the Tide’s longstanding winning tradition

In fact, the Tide’s head coach currently has his Crimson Tide on a winning “run” that most college football programs can only dream about. Under Saban’s guidance Bama has posted an ultra-impressive 36 victories in the past three seasons. With so many big winning “streaks” already represented by the hardware in the Tide’s trophy case (Alabama has a nation-leading 17 undefeated, untied seasons and 30 ten-win seasons as well) one has to be even more respectful of this recent accomplishment.

With a schedule that sets up very favorably (most of the tougher games are at home), and plenty of depth to handle the rigors of eight SEC battles (possibly nine) and one big non-conference foe, Penn State, the Crimson Tide is locked and loaded.

One area that may be legitimately questioned is the quarterback position. I personally believe that A. J. McCarron is a future star, but the one that counts – Nick Saban – says that A. J. and newcomer Phillip Sims are in a dead-heat going into fall camp. I don’t have many concerns either way. Especially since the running game is in great hands, and the defense will probably dominate most opponents anyway. Besides, I don’t think Alabama’s quarterback will be as much of a concern during the games as the welfare of the opponent’s signal caller after the Bama D is finished with him.

Actually, should Alabama live up to the expectations of the national pundits and accomplish another undefeated season in 2011, they will have won a total of 50 games in four years. They will have lost only 5. I’m not sure if that’s ever been done before, but I do know that it would be one of the greatest victory runs in the history of the sport.

One thing’s for sure, Nick Saban gives the Crimson Empire’s fan base good reason to put full credence in his “process”. After all, it’s not bragging if you can back it up. The payoff from 3-4 solid years of recruiting on the highest level and excellent instruction on the field of play by the staff has Alabama primed for a quick return to the apex of college football only one season after winning it all.

Would fifty wins in four years, coupled with two SEC and two national championships constitute a dynasty? Any reasonable sports fan would have to acknowledge that that type of performance in an era of scholarship limits (25/85) would simply be an amazing accomplishment. The feat could potentially set a new standard of excellence.

Actually, since his arrival on campus coach Saban has been consistent with his methods and his formula for success apparently provides his players with the necessary tools to win at home or on the road. In fact, the extreme preparation that Saban puts his team through shows every time the players hit the field.

Could there be a land mine waiting for the Tide somewhere on the schedule? Not if Nick Saban has anything to do with it. He prepares his team for Kent State the same way he prepares for Tennessee — though lately there doesn’t seem to be much difference between the two.

In final summary, the University of Alabama has had some outstanding coaches, evidenced by the four other championship-caliber coaches that preceded Nick Saban. Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, and Gene Stallings would have to be considered among some of the top-level coaches in college football history. And, of course, the “legend” himself – Paul “Bear” Bryant – left an unmatchable legacy and left high marks that no coach to date can touch.

Nevertheless, I don’t think Nick Saban is intimidated by any of the guys mentioned above, including the “Bear”. Saban exudes a confidence that reveals how much he enjoys the challenge of being considered the best. But, ultimately, coaches are judged by their teams’ performances on the field. As it stands today, Saban begins the 2011 campaign with a legitimate shot at winning his second national title in three years (3rd overall) and I’m sure he’s ready to get his Crimson Tide rolling toward that goal.

Odds-making guru Danny Sheridan co-hosts show with Finebaum and shoots from the hip on Auburn

I’m sure by now you’ve either heard, or heard about, Danny Sheridan co-hosting Paul Finebaum’s live broadcast at SEC “Media Days” last Wednesday. I know the Auburn family’s ears had to be catching fire – and maybe a few other things tightened up too – when Danny indicated that a source inside the NCAA told him that the group was aware of the name of a “bag” man in the Cam Newton case. His prediction that Auburn had a 50-50 chance of the NCAA’s being able to prove it, coupled with the fact that Sheridan rarely speaks about a subject unless he knows the facts, should raise true concern with Auburn Tiger fans everywhere.

I’ll have to admit the implication that the NCAA could come back and punish Auburn for transgressions that Cecil and Cameron Newton committed is not beyond belief. Actually, it’s pretty reasonable for Sheridan to believe that college football’s governing body is after Auburn, especially after one of its top people blew up when pushed for closure of the case by Tiger head coach Gene Chizik at the SEC coaches meeting.

Okay, so maybe Danny is a graduate of the University of Alabama. That could be twisted into something. However, I don’t think his reputation as a fair and balanced sports analyst has ever been disputed before. Honestly, I don’t see what that has to do with his getting inside information about Auburn anyway. By the way, I haven’t heard anyone from the Auburn camp come forward to dispute anything Mr. Sheridan said on the show that day.

Why were Sheridan’s comments so controversial? Because the primary damage from statements like the one Sheridan made about “Camgate” have the potential to damage recruiting. And, Auburn already has enough perception issues in that area.

Besides, the “Laptop Cameo/ Auburn” situation wasn’t the only topic Sheridan had a strong opinion on. In spite of the fact that most every expert in America has the Tigers ranked as a .500 team, Danny stated that he believes Auburn has enough talent and a coaching staff superior enough to deliver a nine-win season. I’m still at a loss for words over how Sheridan thinks fifty-five scholarship players are going to allow Auburn to compete in a league like the SEC.

I don’t care how talented the incoming players might actually be attrition (injuries) alone can destroy a season when the numbers are that low from the onset.

In fact, in spite of Finebaum’s attempts to be the voice of reason that day, Sheridan wanted to press the issue. He said that if Auburn football did actually drop to a mediocre level following their national title run that the blame should be placed on the Auburn coaching staff. Danny indicated that if the losses mount, the staff would lose credibility with him. In essence, he said that he expects nine-wins minimum from Chizik, Trooper, Luper and the rest of the crew.

I’ve been weighing the difference in impact when one of America’s top handicappers and best known sports celebrities tosses out an NCAA nugget like the one about them identifying Cam Newton’s “bag man” versus his opinion that the Auburn football program needs to win nine games minimum for the coaching staff to be worth their salt. It goes without saying that anything that impacts negatively on recruiting can be considered very damaging. But, playing the “expectations” game with Auburn’s coaching staff in front of the nation could create a perception issue for the future if the season goes down the drain.

To sum it all up, I personally think Danny Sheridan was playing games by toying with the idea that Auburn has one of the best groups of coaches in all of college football. I think that particular spin he started puts the onus on those guys to out-perform realistic expectations because of the handicap (low numbers on scholarship) I mentioned earlier. Sheridan left the Tiger staff no wiggle-room and I’m sure he will be more than willing to cut them down to size if they fail to live up to the standard he set while co-hosting with Paul during the latest SEC media frenzy.

The bottom line on Danny is that no matter what else he accomplished during his stint as Finebaum’s sidekick, he put last year’s national champion on notice that “Camgate” is still highly volatile at best, and he also expects the current coaching staff to win big in its third year or they simply aren’t as good as he assumed from the beginning. Regardless, it’s going to be interesting to find out if Sheridan is on the money this time around.

Crimson Tide’s 2011 defensive talent and depth are scary

When it comes to Nick Saban’s brand of Alabama football, it’s apparent that Saban – much like the great “Bear” Bryant – puts his primary emphasis on defense. Evidently, Bryant believed and Saban embraces the maxim that “defense wins championships”. A close look at their track records makes their case and leaves no doubt that the philosophy is sound.

In light of the opening, over the past four years Nick Saban has methodically assembled a group of defenders with NFL size and speed who play in his very complex pro-style system that is highly aggressive and totally offensive in some ways.

A thorough study of the 2011 Tide defensive roster reveals a football team so stockpiled with talent that most coaches could only dream about having that many quality defenders on the field at the same time.

Nevertheless, during an era of the college game where the “spread”-type offenses are becoming increasingly popular and winning a game 56 – 48 is acceptable, Nick Saban’s game plans are centered on holding opponents to a few yards and very few points. Honestly, I think the Alabama head coach would take a 24-7 winning result every time the Crimson Tide hits the field.

A glance backward tells us Saban’s 2009 defense was the catalyst that propelled the Tide to capture its 13th national crown. That Tide defense constantly created opportunities for the offense. They would always capitalize on opportunities by totally disrupting the opposing offense’s game plan and creating turnovers in the clutch.

The 2010 stop-unit wasn’t that far behind 2009’s. The only Achilles Heel in that group was in the defensive backfield, where Saban lost some “key” personnel from the previous year, especially quality, experienced pass coverage specialists. One key corner left for the NFL and the rest is history. Actually, Alabama’s three losses in 2010 can be largely attributed to poor corner back play, mainly on one side of the field.

Anyway, the past is the past. Besides, 2011 brings a sense of high expectations for this Alabama football team. Of course the offense has many weapons and everybody should feel confident that they have the potential to light up the scoreboard on most opponents. However, if breaking in a new quarterback takes a little time, this Crimson Tide defense should be busy taking out the opposing signal caller, shutting down their running game or creating a turnover to set up the offense for easy points.

Yes, the 2009 defense was great, rivaling the legendary unit from 1992 and coming real close to putting up the same type numbers the 1992 unit produced that year.

But, it’s my contention that this 2011 group will be better than both the 1992 and the 2009 crews. I see this defense allowing fewer than ten-points a game on average. I also think they will lead the conference in several categories, including the all-important rushing yards allowed.

Why am I so confident? Because Saban has been able to create an environment where the competition for playing time on the practice field is difficult and there are two or three men at each position that could make a starting line up anywhere in the country.

There are twelve top-notch defensive linemen, ten superb linebackers, led by two future NFL stars, Donta Hightower and Courtney Upshaw, and nine defensive backs, with Dre Kirkpatrick and (a fully healthy) Dequan Menzie both showing “shut-down” capability at the corner position.

As always, the proof will be in the proverbial pudding. But, I think Alabama fans should expect this year’s 2011 Crimson Tide defense to be vicious and nasty. I believe they can look forward to seeing their Crimson Tide defenders strike fear into opposing quarterbacks, while totally frustrating every offensive coordinator on the schedule as they make their way to possibly another national championship.

The Auburn “family” is a strange bunch

In winning the 2010 national championship Auburn University finally accomplished something that they’ve been coveting for over fifty years. Until last season, Auburn spent countless millions, torched almost every by-law the NCAA’s ever written (see record six probation’s), and used every tactic in the Barry Switzer handbook trying to win a title. Yet, college football’s greatest reward eluded the Tiger nation for 5-plus decades. Of course watching their “hated” cross-state rival Alabama rack up 6 national crowns during that same time period didn’t help.

Somewhere along the path the Auburn “family” decided to reorganize and do business in a different way. Tiger officials made the decision to run a high risk – high reward scheme. They began an aggressive campaign to compete with the nation’s elite programs. In 2010 it worked.

Anyway, the one thing Auburn officials apparently missed when they originally wrote the script for their return to the top of college football was that intense scrutiny will follow a winner and the chance of exposing controversial practices within the program only rises when you win it all.

Actually, when viewed objectively, the Cam Newton controversy tainted Auburn’s championship season to some degree by causing the national media to zero-in on Auburn in a fairly negative way. In fact, Newton brought a bag full of questions and potential NCAA trouble with him when he rode his little scooter on to Auburn’s campus. However, the Auburn “family” (more to come on this topic later) decided to throw their support and possibly money behind Newton because after all he was the sole reason the Tigers won the BCS championship.

Think for a moment how Auburn’ s championship was obtained. Auburn took 25 seasoned veterans (all seniors) that former head coach Tommy Tuberville and his fine staff trained, added a “ringer” in Cam Newton, and rode a favorable schedule to a national title.

Here comes the weird part: I don’t know who deserves actual credit for putting Auburn University back in the national spotlight. I don’t think anybody outside the Auburn “family” really does.

Is it Pat Dye? He is pretty much the “Godfather” at Auburn now, isn’t he? How about the three amigos? Two are former Dye players that have been loyalists of his for many years. Amigo number one – the Tiger’s self-proclaimed general manager, Tim Jackson – might be credited with hiring the right personnel to win a title. After all, he has access to a fortune, considering he’s also the executive director of Auburn’s private fund-raising arm, Tigers Unlimited.

How about team owner (Jackson’s words) Jay Jacobs? Jacobs took over supposed ownership of the team after he left his former post as Jackson’s predecessor running Tigers Unlimited. Could Jacobs be the man responsible for Auburn’s national crown?

Or, what about the “wonder” boy himself, Gene Chizik? With Chiz, we’re supposed to buy the story that Chizik’s 5-19 record at Iowa State meant nothing, and Auburn A. D. Jay Jacobs became Edgar Cayce just long enough to see that Gene was truly a national championship caliber head coach. Sure – like most any seasoned coach – Chiz can organize a team, but most Auburn fans realize that without Gus Malzahn and Cam Newton, the Tiger’s would’ve produced another average record in 2010.

Actually, I’m sure that Tim Jackson has the “inside” track to receive most of the credit since (according to the Birmingham News) he ultimately became Newton’s handler after Cam’s breakout game, walking him to and from class, shielding him from autograph hunters, and making sure he adhered to his football and non-football schedules.

Yes, Malzahn’s real good, but Tim Jackson managed the man that single-handedley delivered the crystal football to Auburn University. Jackson said, “I probably did become a bodyguard. Cam needed somebody to be the bad guy, somebody to say ‘no’. That’s not his personality.” I’m not sure what Jackson meant by that, but I do know it sounds strange.

According to Sports by Brooks, Jackson also controls the purse strings on the majority of Gene Chizik’s salary, which Tigers Unlimited pays in the form of fees. My question: does team owner Jacobs control Jackson, and do they both control Chizik? Again, remember Jacobs gave Tim Jackson administrative oversight of the football program “after” Chizik was hired.

Jackson says, “There’s nothing too small I’m not willing to do to help the players and coaches be successful within the rules.” In my opinion Cam Newton’s saga, coupled with Tim’s efforts surrounding it, stands as solid proof that Jackson is a gambler and doesn’t mind pushing the rules to the limit.

Nevertheless, Tim also said, “Our management structure is probably unique in college football.” Duh? Realistically, most head football coaches want complete control over their program. But, I guess since his 5-19 record nullified Chizik’s clout, he grabbed what power and control he could and ceded the rest to Jacobs and Jackson. Did I mention that those two are Pat Dye’s right hand guys?

It would be interesting to know exactly whom Auburn’s recruiting “ringers”, Curtis Luper and Trooper Taylor, report to. I’d bet the house it’s not Gene Chizik. Maybe Team Jacobs-Jackson get personal updates from the guys since they are the owner and general manager respectively. Maybe Pat Dye meets Luper and Trooper out on his farm and they run ideas and schemes past the old man seeking his approval.

In summary, much like I said earlier, I can’t nail down who’s in charge down on the Plains. But, I do have a pretty good hunch. And, it’s clear that they have a strange way of doing business. If you still need convincing, look no further than Jackson, who told the Birmingham News that some people around the program call him “Steinbrenner”. I guess that’s why I call his boss the “Godfather”.

Crimson Tide defense will be formidable in 2011

Webster’s dictionary defines “formidable” as something inspiring dread, fear, or awe. In 2011 Alabama will field a defense that parallels the definition. In fact Nick Saban – through excellent recruiting, superb player-development, and consistent motivation – has built a championship contender for the upcoming campaign. Even better, he did it the “right” way. Truthfully, I believe that this year’s Crimson Tide is going to be a team that nobody really wants to play.

It’s a unanimously-celebrated fact that great defense is the most important of the gridiron game’s three phases, especially when it pertains to championships. Luckily for the Tide, Coach Saban is one of the finest defensive minds to ever coach the game. So naturally, with Nick’s uncanny ability to evaluate and sign awesome athletes, the 2011 defense (Saban’s 5th) is stacked with tremendous talent, three-deep in many positions.

Returning from last year’s big “D” are some of the best defensive football players in America. Linebackers Courtney Upshaw (6-2, 265) and Donta Hightower (6-4, 258) are healthy and primed for outstanding seasons. Both will be tuning their NFL-caliber talents in 2011 by terrorizing the opposition’s quarterbacks and making it impossible to run.

Sophomore sensation C.J. Mosely (6-2, 230) is a “play maker” from his linebacker position and he will be directing Saban’s ultra-complex defensive system. Actually, C.J. has the potential to be the best of the bunch. His instinct in the heat of battle – combined with his extreme athletic ability – allows Mosely to make many plays that most simply cannot.

Alabama’s defensive line is also thick with talent. Words like “power”, “size” and “speed” come to mind instantly when you watch this unit practice. Everybody knows that a constant supply of fresh defensive linemen is required to win consistently in the SEC, and Saban has stockpiled a corral full. Damion Square (6-3, 285) and Ed Stinson (6-4, 255) are two seasoned defensive ends that stand a good chance to make a living in the NFL someday. For now they’ll just be shutting down college runners and pressuring quarterbacks every time they drop back.

There will be a couple of new additions (from the junior college ranks) joining the Tide’s defensive line that are almost “dead-ringers” to rock the college football world and make life miserable for opposing SEC offensive coordinators. Jesse Williams, an Australian (6-4, 325), will be dishing out his “thunder from down under” weekly, wreaking havoc in spite of the double teams he’ll often face. The other JC player with a huge upside is Quinton Dial. He’s a 6-6, 320-lb. defensive end with enough speed off the edge to be scary, and might be good enough to see playing time.

Quite frankly, I am of the opinion that quality players competing for playing time is the single biggest building-block of a champion, and the front-seven of Saban’s defense has 21 top-notch, blue-chip athletes fighting for seven openings.

Next, this year’s defensive backfield starts with the two big safeties. All-American Mark Barron (6-2, 215) and last year’s interception leader, Robert Lester (6-2, 210), are prototype NFL-size safeties. Both are excellent run-support tacklers, yet they also have the recognition and speed capabilities to cover the passing routes.

Corner back Dre Kirkpatrick (6-3, 195) is well on his way to becoming one of the country’s top corners. Not many quarterbacks bothered challenging Kirkpatrick last year. Nevertheless, Dre will be asked to cover many of college football’s best receivers in 2011. He should be up for the task.

DeMarcus Milliner (6-2, 190) is the other tall corner that will probably start opposite Kirkpatrick in 2011. Actually, Milliner was a target of every team that beat Alabama last year. He had to learn and earn his way through every battle. But, as with most of the corners that Saban personally coaches, Milliner will probably turn out to be one of the best at his position.

When you toss in the new class that’s set to arrive in the fall, it’s easy to see that the 2011 Crimson Tide defense could be almost impossible to penetrate and Saban’s unorthodox schemes will be very difficult for Alabama’s opponents to overcome.

Additionally, the possibility does exist that a few “true” freshman will get a chance to show what they can do. Linebacker Trey DePriest (6-2, 230), safety Ha’sean Clinton-Dix (6-2, 200), jack-linebacker Xzavier Dickson (6-3, 240), and defensive end D.J. Pettway (6-3, 255) all may stand a chance to see playing time during the approaching campaign.

And finally, yes, defense wins championships and I know that coach Nick Saban knows that this year’s Alabama Crimson Tide defense will be stout indeed. And, when Saban has complete confidence in his defense’s capability to devastate and annihilate opponents, he is much more willing to unleash the firepower of his offense. I end my case by telling you – if you don’t believe me – to just ask the experts. Most of them have the Tide ranked a pre-season number one for a reason (or many).

A separation of class and culture

On the other side of the state things couldn’t be more heterogeneous (dissimilar). After over fifty years watching “big brother” win national championships (Alabama had won 7-8 since Auburn’s last), Bobby Lowder, Pat Dye, Jimmy Rane, Milton McGregor, and the rest of the family finally stole some thunder from their enemy in T-town. They rode Cam Newton like a mule, conquered all foes, and took the 2010 national crown. However, the atmosphere and environment surrounding the Tiger’s title chase have been tainted from the outset by the shenanigans of Cam and his dad Cecil. Nevertheless, Newton brought Auburn great rewards. However, he might end up costing them even more in the end. Actually, Auburn’s post–championship journey has been the complete antithesis of the Crimson Tide’s 2009 campaign. It seems that head coach Gene Chizik must be preaching his positive message only to himself, because his players are definitely marching to the beat of a different drummer. As it stands, while the NCAA is currently investigating Auburn’s program, Chizik’s had to kick five violent players off the team, and a massive dark cloud looms on the horizon.

Before you Auburn family members start claiming that my bias is blinding my objectivity, think about what is being said about your program and by whom. Your fanatical fans claim that Paul Finebaum believes the Auburn coaching staff cut corners to achieve success. In fact, many of the nation’s top media-giants remain convinced that the Cam Newton deal alone was “dirty”.

Internet sensation Brooks (SBB) has been like a dagger in Auburn’s heart for some time now. He’s covered every potential NCAA trouble-spot the Tiger’s have stepped in, including the Louisiana/ Sean Nelson (street agent), the Arkansas/ Walt Williams (street), and the recent home-invasion robbery. Brooks currently has four more Auburn players – some very prominent starters – NOT involved with the “felony four” – flashing “gang” signs while on camera.

Incidentally, there have been rumors of a group called “the Swag Crew” floating around for a couple of years. Now another name has surfaced. Brooks refers to some group called “30 deep” and even has a link to their video on his web site.

Meanwhile, until senior safety Mark Barron’s recent arrest for a petty crime (he refused to tell a police officer that his cousin wrecked his car), Alabama served as a prime example of how a football program should conduct itself while serving as the BCS national champion.

It is a major credit to Nick Saban and his coaching staff that the University of Alabama made SEC commissioner Mike Slive and the NCAA smile by conducting themselves with class and staying focused on the task at hand. It has been more than evident since Nick’s arrival that Alabama players are instructed to conduct themselves in the proper manner when representing the “crimson jersey”.

Conversely, Auburn not only has a public relations nightmare brewing, it evidently has a very difficult cultural issue raising its ugly head that must be addressed before it gets out of control (maybe it already has). And, I’m quite sure that long-time Tiger faithful detest the images that are being flashed across every Internet and television screen in America.

The mere thought that a “gang” could exist within the ranks of a college football team should embarrass the “hardcore” Auburn family members and I’m sure they would want any and all of the “cancers” removed in order to restore order and push the perception meter back toward the positive side.

I think athletes reflect almost everything about their head coach. If you want to see three guys that have become mirror images of their mentor, just observe Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, and Marcel Dareus in action. Throughout the season and during the ensuing pro-related public appearances all three men chose to use a few wise words but, for the most part, did their talking on the field. They’ve exuded class and impressed everybody they’ve encountered, including several NFL franchises. It’s easy to see that Nick Saban has a heavy influence with every player because these three are chips off the old “Saban” block.

In direct contrast to Nick Saban, I’ve never really been able to get a handle on Auburn coach Gene Chizik’s real message. He says all the right words about Auburn to the media and makes a very good motivational pitch to the fan base, but I’m starting to wonder if his team believes his message, or if he’s the one they follow. At times, assistant head coach Trooper Taylor appears to have a greater influence over the team than Chizik. At the very least, Taylor serves as a role model for most of the players.

For a direct contrast in systematic approach, let’s look at the product Trooper put on the field. Cam Newton was a “showboat” who knew he could “back it up”. Unlike 2009 Heisman winner Mark Ingram, Cam chose to add drama to every play and constantly mugged for the cameras – running his mouth and gesturing like his mentor with the white towel. His teammate, defensive star Nick Fairley, billed himself like a pro wrestler, quickly gaining a “bad” reputation for deliberately body-slamming quarterbacks. Apparently Gene Chizik and Trooper Taylor must’ve approved because Fairley continued to practice his “slam” maneuver throughout the 2010 season. I’ve already written that players usually are a direct reflection of their primary coach. Quite frankly, Cam Newton and Nick Fairley are nothing like the ultra- conservative Chizik or the message he preaches. I guess they were Trooper-trained.

Like I pointed out in the title, Alabama and Auburn did win back-to-back national titles, but the cultural differences are separated by a huge gulf of class.

Alabama is a football program lead by one of the finest coaches to ever teach the game. Nick Saban will provide the Crimson Tide with the unique opportunity to enjoy sustained success for years to come.

On the other hand, Auburn is a school with an identity crisis. The head coach needs to re-establish his authority and tighten the reigns on the Plains. It’s long been rumored that Auburn secretly wants to be Alabama. Right now they aren’t even close.

Players’ conduct cuts Auburn and Chizik adrift in uncharted seas

As I sat down to pen this week’s commentary, I rifled through the files of my mind searching for the right topic. Should I write about “March Madness”? After all, it’s college basketball’s better version of football’s BCS series, isn’t it? Or, maybe I should pontificate on the growing popularity of spring football? Amazingly, the annual inter-squad games have become huge public relations and recruiting events, serving a key role in promoting the “elite” status of a program. Honestly, the main topic – and I know this goes without saying – totally overshadows the first two. The startling revelation that four football players had been arrested for one of the most heinous crimes known to man – invading the privacy of an American home, armed with a gun, while taking the property of the victims using deadly force – has Auburn University caught on the horns of a dilemma.

Somebody said earlier – while referring to Auburn’s NCAA issues – that perception problems during the Cam Newton saga would be a footnote by the time the Tigers’ troubles were over. Frankly, I didn’t believe it would happen, but this terrible crime has staggered my imagination. It boggles the normal mind. I’ve racked my brain searching for even a semi-rational explanation and it just leaves me at a loss.

Look, there’s no use beating around the bush. The eyes of the football world have been focused on Gene Chizik and the Auburn Tigers for at least the last four to five months. National titles tend to turn the winners into media magnets.

The potential fallout from a crime of this epic proportion occurring in such a relatively short period of time after hoisting THE trophy has to raise this question: Is Auburn its own worst enemy? Honestly, doesn’t it seem like every time Auburn reaches the summit it somehow ends up cutting off its nose to spite its face?

Nevertheless, as I watched the motley crew (I’ve nicknamed them “felony-four”) I began to understand that there will be a classic “moment of truth” coming for head coach Gene Chizik. His day of reckoning is fast approaching. There’s no need to mince words – you can throw out the credit Coach Chizik might get for immediately dismissing the “felony-four” in a case considered to be this egregious. Besides, I would think that it would be a mandatory move controlled by institutional policy.

Kevin Scarbinsky, the local print-media’s top opinion-maker almost got it right when he publicly acknowledged in print that Coach Chizik and his program have a serious public image problem, but I don’t think he went far enough. In no uncertain terms, Chizik – or any head football coach – will be held ultimately responsible for every aspect of the program. That’s why they pay him a fortune.

Has Chizik been too busy basking in his conquest – “fiddling while Rome burns”? Million-dollar head coaches are supposed to have the bull by the horns. Sure, Chizik has a large group of kids he is responsible for, but he also has nine highly-paid assistants and countless support staff to keep them on the straight and narrow.

Yet, somewhere along the line these players (Eric Smith included) have pulled the wool over Gene Chizik’s and assistant head coach Trooper Taylor’s eyes. The dismissal of five players from the team for alleged involvement in violent crimes puts some credence to rumors of the “swag crew” and casts doubt about Chizik’s ability to control his players.

I wonder where the Auburn staff members – guys that could’ve helped prevent this horrible incident – like assistant head coach Trooper Taylor, Team Chaplin Chette Williams, or team consultant Pat Dye (has many year’s experience as head coach) – were before this happening. Why wasn’t at least one of these highly-trained men able to spot the probable troublemakers before they went “off the rails”?

From a distance it must appear that Auburn is like a house on fire. Coach Gene Chizik is definitely on the clock, and I’m not sure if he can put out the fire completely, mainly because the national press is about to throw the book at the Tiger football program.

I do think that time is of the essence. The powers-that-be must quickly make an agonizing reappraisal of the entire system in order to find out why these young men went berserk. Hopefully, the overall environment within the team isn’t conducive to this type of deranged anti-social behavior.

In fact, one would like to believe that the “felony-four” incident is isolated in nature, but Chizik’s controversial handling of former running-back Eric Smith’s case set a dangerous precedent. Smith committed a brutal attack on an Auburn student, yet he was allowed to remain on the football team. I think it’s interesting to note that a few weeks ago Chizik and Auburn had to finally distance themselves from Smith and take back his scholarship because he assaulted someone again.

In the final analysis, the problems at Auburn may be more than meets the eye. In the past, Auburn has been able to keep player transgressions under the cloak of secrecy. Those days are long gone. As a result, Gene Chizik is the “on point”. In the end, he is going to ultimately be held accountable for everything that happens down at the loveliest village on the Plains. If Chizik is going to save Auburn’s reputation and clean up the war eagle’s image – especially for recruiting purposes – he needs to do it now. The coach needs to make sure all criminal-type activity ceases and somehow he must insure that nothing like last week’s travesty ever happens again.

Absit invidia: My observations and criticisms from 2010 and more

Does Finebaum’s “one-eighty” signal the beginning of major trouble ahead for Auburn?

Much to my surprise, right after his return from the national championship contest, Finebaum began to have a change of heart. We’ll probably never know what he heard in Glendale that opened his eyes, but something flipped him “one-eighty”. It’s been pretty clear by his tone on the air of late that he knows something bad has happened – or is about to happen.

Last Friday’s show (Feb. 25th) was typical in many aspects. There were some great interviews with guests, “star” caller-delivered sound-takes, and Paul seemed at ease. Everything appeared normal.

Yet, something huge happened that I believe very few people caught. Paul was asked a controversial question by a caller – that he’s addressed with the standard Auburn answer dozens of times before – about whether he believed Cameron Newton knew that Cecil Newton was shopping his services.

For the first time, on his nationwide show – broadcast across the nation – Paul Finebaum answered the man’s question with a steady, resounding, “yes!” Was his answer explosive? There is an old saying that points out the power of dynamite despite its small size.

In my opinion F-bomb’s “yes” serves as a confirmation that there is now solid evidence in somebody’s possession that clearly shows that Cam was in on the deal.

Paul’s timing on the delivery of this shocking revelation should also be noted. I’m not sure why he chose last Friday to blow the lid off. Nevertheless, he stages and orchestrates news items and commentary to suit his agenda all the time. That’s why they pay him the big bucks. Who knows his M.O.?

Regardless, I think Paul might’ve opened college football’s equivalent to Pandora’s Box for Auburn when he answered the one simple question we’ve asked him many times before.

Finally, I’m quite sure we’ll all be astonished by Paul’s next blockbuster revelation. Or, will we?

Tree Spiking Taps Many Emotions

Finally, I have complete faith that no matter how severe the rhetoric seems to get, football fans in the fine state of Alabama will never do anything that comes close to matching the radical nature of the Toomer’s tree incident again.

Pride of the South

One thing’s for sure: when Nick Saban laid Alabama’s team-persona out as the school nobody wants to play, he set precedence. In 2010 Auburn met and matched Saban’s idea to a tee. The 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide may be prepared to match Nick’s intense mantra once again and be the type team that physically whipped every opponent in 2009.

To sum it up I’ll say that fans of both schools can hold their heads high and be proud that both have a brand new crystal football in their home trophy case. The rest of the country can only watch and wish they were Alabama or Auburn. In any case, it makes me think of an old saying: “Gentlemen, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

From worst to first: ranking the SEC’s head football coaches

#3 Steve Spurrier – South Carolina I know that Spurrier just delivered the Gamecocks their first entry into the SEC championship game but, just like it’s been since he arrived in Columbia, his team faded down the stretch and was destroyed by the Auburn Tigers. Nevertheless, Steve is the “ole ball coach” and if he eventually finds a great quarterback, he has the ability to win it all. After all, he’s been a champion many times before.

#2 Les Miles – LSU Coach Miles has some quirky ways about him. Needless to say, he’s unconventional in his methodology, and unorthodox on the gridiron. But, he’s apparently an excellent recruiter and many say his players love him. At the least Miles is a superb mimic. He’s taken a patented system that Nick Saban implemented for keeping Louisiana players in state, and parlayed it to perfection. It’s taken a long time for the Bayou Bengal fan base to get behind Miles one-hundred percent, but it might be about time for them to go all-in. I think Les has proven himself to be a consistent winner.

#1 Nick Saban – Alabama Coach Saban has two national titles (at two different SEC schools) under his belt. He just finished ripping off two consecutive undefeated (08/09) SEC regular seasons, and won another SEC title in the process. With the departure of Florida’s Urban Meyer, Saban has no peer when it comes to recruiting. Nick’s delivered two number-one classes since he’s been at Alabama and a third is possibly on the way this year. Saban always fields physically-strong, fundamentally-sound, aggressive teams that play the pro-style offenses and pro-style defenses used in the NFL today. Saban is a proven commodity. He needs no pump or polish. Saban is what he is; he’s the best football coach in the business.

2011 SEC Football Power Rankings

Why then is he on my list? Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and his talented defense, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, and running back Marcus Lattimore have the potential to become a team like the one that destroyed 2009 defending champion Alabama during last year’s contest.

As I said earlier, I’m going to buy in one more time and say that the Gamecocks will win eleven games. I think they will reach the SEC championship game again, but they’ll lose. However, they will play in a New Year’s Day bowl.

#2 LSU The swamp cats are ultra talented and will remain that way for years to come. Coupled with the recruiting system Nick Saban put in place, the contract extension with head coach Les Miles gives a top-level program like the one in Baton Rouge the stability required to stay at or near the top.

Yes, LSU lost guys like Petersen, Shepard, and Nevis, but – trust me – they will only be reloading. The quarterback position is getting an upgrade with the addition of junior college transfer Zack Mettenberger. He’s a 6’5” 245 lb. gunslinger that is supposed to have the potential to be as valuable to these Tigers as Cam Newton was to Auburn last year.

One thing about Miles: I believe that there are enough worries for a head coach with a multitude of factors that have the potential to make or break a season. However, Les Miles defies logic sometimes by coaching “out-of-the-box” and living on the edge of reason – all while “eating grass” – literally. Think about it.

All kidding aside, I’m picking the Bayou Bengals to possibly win it all. If they can navigate the gauntlet of league games, LSU will face the Crimson Tide in their annual showdown for the right to represent the west in the SEC championship game.

LSU should finish with a stellar eleven-win season, but a loss in the SEC West is always just sixty-minutes away.

#1 ALABAMA Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide are being selected by most of the early preseason prognosticators as America’s number-one team to open the 2011 season and I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit that my bias allows me to agree. But, I also wouldn’t be shooting straight if I didn’t pick Alabama to win the 2011 national championship.

There are many valid reasons for sports fans to believe that the Tide will be good enough to pull-off hoisting their second crystal ball in three years, but only one that is concrete – defense.

I know I’ve worn out the adage “defense wins championships” over the years. And, I’m aware that – in terms of importance – offense has made progress towards becoming the dominant facet of the game. But, this year’s Saban-coached (2011) version of the Alabama defense will be the best in the country.

All-Americans Courtney Upshaw, Donta Hightower, and Mark Barron stayed away from the NFL draft and lead a returning stop-unit that finished third nationally in scoring defense (13.5 ppg) last year. The Tide also finished fifth in total defense (285 ypg).

Admittedly, the Tide’s youth on defense cost them three ball games. Saban’s young corner backs were burned by South Carolina, LSU, and Auburn quarterbacks enough times to lose those games, but other players eventually stepped up to hide the backfield’s weakness. The return of Robbie Green to free safety next season is “huge”!

The defensive front seven, lead by future superstar linebacker C.J. Mosley, along with the signing of junior college’s most dangerous defensive weapon, Jesse Williams, is going to be outstanding. By the way, Williams is a 6’4”, 330 lb. defensive lineman that was offered a scholarship by everybody who was anybody. His agility and foot speed are legendary. Jesse bench-presses an incredible 520 lbs., which allows him to shed double-teams easily. His impact will be felt in the backfields of many.

The bottom line: If A. J. McCarron performs at the level I expect from him, the Crimson Tide running game will have the deep pass to help open up the running lanes. A. J. likes to throw down field on the hashes, where the money is made. As a result, Trent Richardson should lead the nation in rushing, especially if he gets twenty touches a game. He actually has the potential to bring home the state of Alabama’s third consecutive Heisman.

Alabama has the same favorable schedule set-up it had during that magical 2009 run. Finally, Nick Saban has assembled the best combination of depth and raw talent possible. Last year’s rebuilding is done. This team has no excuses.

Alabama should finish undefeated and the 2011 national champion. Plus, their cross-state rival Auburn’s latest accomplishment should serve as great motivation. Seriously, I just think the Tide defense is going to be one of the best ever. Remember folks, defense does win championships!

The Heisman Award: Ingram, Newton Separated By Character And Class

That’s when the trouble began. It appeared to all that Cam would choose Mississippi State, mainly due to his longtime close relationship with Bulldog head coach Dan Mullen and wife, Megan. Cam also had Kansas State, Tennessee and a few others on his list, but most schools didn’t want to waste their time recruiting him. Cam was considered a “lock” to play for Mullen.

However, when it came time to sign with a college program, Cam raised eyebrows and surprised many when his father decided that he would sign with Auburn – a team and coaching staff that had never been on Cam’s radar.

At some point before he chose Auburn, Cam’s father approached Mississippi State coaches with a pay-for-play scheme. The Bulldogs responded by turning him in to the SEC and NCAA.

Meanwhile, Cam arrived at Auburn in low-key fashion, claiming he had no knowledge of his daddy’s actions. The Auburn coaches must’ve known about his baggage and the storm that would erupt soon after the national media got on the Cam train.

The trouble came dead in the middle of Cam’s Heisman run this season, and not once did he appear apologetic or remorseful about anything he’d done at Florida.

Newton basically followed the party line script his Auburn handlers wrote for him when the SEC and NCAA decided to review his eligibility, although some of his answers contradicted each other and seemed like lies.

In fact, Cam was very comfortable under fire. The entire media circus that surrounded his situation never prevented him from “showboating” or enjoying an opportunity to pose for the camera.

And, once Cam understood he was being enabled by the power brokers to be cleared to play, he became defiant, almost always controlling the content of his interviews by hiding behind the Auburn athletic department’s policy.

In essence, Cam’s Heisman came with such controversy that many voters abstained. The media, in protest, wrote countless articles. Nevertheless, he received the award that has “integrity” as its mantra.

I’ll summarize by pointing out that Alabama’s Mark Ingram represented everything “good” that Heisman voters wanted in a winner.

And, evidently Auburn’s Cam Newton was voted in based on his game performances only, because he in no way met all the criteria that a Heisman winner needs to be called completely legitimate.

I didn’t write the script for Ingram’s story, but it could not have played out more appropriately. I didn’t pen Cam’s weird saga either, but I can say with conviction that I would never have voted for him.

Character and class prevailed in one situation, but not in the other.

Auburn finally gets a chance to prove it’s worthy

Could the unthinkable happen? Is it possible that Auburn might crumble under the weight because they’ve never been in a championship setting before? Not if we use the past performances of previous SEC champions in the “big” game as a gauge. According to those results, Auburn should perform well in the contest.

Nevertheless, Auburn’s fifty-plus year drought does leave some room for doubt. How many opportunities did the Tigers squander in past seasons? Were there other times when Auburn had a chance to go undefeated and play for the championship only to choke them away with a blunder or two?

Truthfully, unlike the traditional “powerhouses”, Auburn has to make the most of a rare opportunity like the one that’s presented itself in Glendale. Even the most ardent Tiger fan would have to admit – this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Any way you slice it, this is by far the most important game in Auburn’s long, storied history. Besides, SEC fans are counting on the Tigers to carry the flag high and ride the momentum generated by previous SEC national champions.

The bottom line: Is the Auburn football program ready for the bright lights of prime time and can they finally seal the deal?

If it’s left up to the player with No. 2 on his jersey, Auburn should finish number one!

Compared to the SEC Big 10 football is a joke