ESPN will provide coverage of the entire 2013 SEC Big 12 Challenge

2013 SEC Big 12 Challenge schedule (times and networks are to be determined):
Thursday, November 14 Texas Tech at Alabama

Monday, December 2 Vanderbilt at Texas and Auburn at Iowa State

Thursday, December 5 Ole Miss at Kansas State and West Virginia at Missouri and TCU at Mississippi State

Friday, December 6 South Carolina at Oklahoma State and Kentucky vs. Baylor (Arlington, Texas)

Tuesday, December 10 Kansas at Florida

Saturday, December 21 Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma (Houston, Texas)

Here is the text of the press release announcing the event:
The Southeastern Conference and Big 12 Conference have agreed to play in the Big 12/SEC Challenge, a men’s basketball inter-conference event that will begin during the 2013-14 season.

“The ability to showcase SEC basketball in this kind of conference competition makes this a unique and exciting event for our coaches, student-athletes and fans,” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said. “We are pleased to be able to work with the Big 12 and ESPN to highlight the sport of men’s basketball.”

All 10 of the Big 12’s teams and 10 of the SEC’s 14 member institutions will participate in the annual event. Arkansas, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee will not play in the first year. ESPN will provide exclusive coverage of all 10 games across it networks.

Eight of the 10 games in the 2013 event will be played at home sites (each conference has four home games) and two matchups will be at neutral sites.

The inaugural Big 12/SEC Challenge (the event title will rotate to SEC/Big 12 Challenge in 2014) is a combination of existing games already scheduled along with new matchups created for this event during November and December. The two conferences and ESPN will work to schedule matchups over consecutive days in future events.

Alabama football’s new weight room facility. The new workout area is 37,000 square feet and cost $9 million.

The gulf between SEC football and everyone is about to get larger, as the SEC prepares to announce details of its new cable SEC network. Pat Forde of Yahoo broke news that the SEC will announce details of this revenue bonanza in April.

What separates SEC football from the rest of college football? Yes, the seven straight BCS championships with Alabama holding three of these, is a big difference. But what has caused such a separation between the quality of the SEC and everyone else? Why the lack of parity?

Demographics. Energy. Money. Demographics favor the SEC and the West as much of the Old Northwest Territory rusts away in poor weather, unemployment and stagnation. This demographic stagnation is a big reason that the Big Ten hired an investment bank as its consultant during the conference expansion blitz. What did these money men tell the Big Ten? Look to new markets.

As noted here, the energy of SEC fans is truly remarkable in how much they spend supporting their programs via retail sales of licensed merchandise.

Money forms the sinews of war, as Cicero once famously said. And college football is war. Upgraded facilities are one element of the current arms race waging among the college football powers not unlike the battleship arms race that sparked the Washington Naval Treaty.

An example of that arms race is the new 37,000-square-foot weight room built for the Alabama football team and other Alabama athletes.

The price tag for this impressive facility? $9 million.

Just like those old battleships, everyone is building them bigger, better and pricier.

You need cash to do it. The new television deal is expected to net each SEC team a substantial payday.  With expansion into Texas by adding Texas A&M and into Missouri with the University of Missouri, the television footprint is much larger. Some of this money will no doubt be reinvested in the great revenue producer—college football.

With demographics, energy and money on the SEC’s side, can anyone sink this dreadnought?

10. Tim Brando (follow on Twitter @TimBrando)
Tim Brando is the face of college football on CBS. The blowhard is known for giving his opinion. His opinion matters because it is disseminated on national television and his radio program. He knows how to annoy and get a reaction. He behaves in a confrontational manner on Twitter, but there is little doubt that what he says matters because of his platform.

9. Jimmy Sexton
Sports agents aren’t getting as much attention today as they did 2007-2010, but it is hard to argue that Jimmy Sexton has influenced the SEC. He continues to land top pro prospects like Trent Richardson, Julio Jones and coaches like Nick Saban and Jim McElwain just in the Alabama family. He also represents USC’s Matt Barkley and even represented the buffoon USC coach Lane Kiffin. Sexton’s greatest power in the SEC is to shape coaching searches. He represents many clients and routinely utilizes job openings and strategic leaks in order to land pay raises for his stable of clients. Sexton is feared by some athletic directors who know he almost has a monopoly on the top talent.

8. CLC
College athletics is big business. How big? The numbers are in the billions. TV contracts are worth billions and retail sales of collegiate goods are at least $4.6 billion per year. The Collegiate Licensing Company was founded by former Alabama player and Tennessee coach Bill Battle in 1981. Since then the growth in collegiate sales has been substantial. In fact, licensing to the larger schools net as much as $7-8 million each year, according to this report. This is a big reason for the rise of SEC schools. The popularity of SEC football allows the schools to earn significant income from fans. This in turn fuels investment in coaches and facilities, which for the SEC yields championships which yields still more revenue from sales fueled by the championship excitement. Wonder how the SEC ranks in terms of sales? In the last fiscal year ending July 31, 2012, CLC ranked Alabama #2 in sales, Kentucky #3, Florida #4, LSU #6, Georgia #8 and Auburn #11.

7. LSUFreek (follow on Twitter @LSUFreek)
Times have changed. When was the last time you heard someone talk about an article in the newspaper? It is all about the Internet now. And one voice is unique and transcends platforms speaking to blogs, forums and even Twitter. LSUFreek describes himself as a “Photoshop artist by day, RN by night.” That is only half the story. LSU Freek’s reaction to the major scandals, failures and successes is more anxiously awaited on discussion forums than any columnist’s opinion or blogger’s rant. Terrance Donnels is the creator of these animated works of art. Donnels’ rise to fame is a combination of his wit, talent and the Internet. The animations would not work in print, so LSU Freek’s art has to be considered an evolution of the newspaper’s political cartoon—only that people care about sports. In an interesting Yahoo feature on LSU Freek, there is this fascinating bit of history about Terrance Donnels’ grandfather that tells us something about LSU Freek and the evolution of art and technology:

“John’s father, also named John, was a brilliant artist – a man who used to make beautiful paintings in the French Quarter until one day he bought a camera and discarded his brushes and easels for photographs. He opened a gallery in the Quarter. By the late 1960s, Johnny Donnels was so famous, stars like Dustin Hoffman and Angie Dickenson came to New Orleans just to be profiled by him.”

LSU Freek’s influence is a testament to how things have changed in sports journalism. As newspaper’s decline, Internet message boards become a source of not only community but setting opinions. There is one voice that transcends the sectarian nature of SEC message boards and speaks to all of these fragmented communities—that voice is LSU Freek.

6. Larry Templeton (former Mississippi State AD and now SEC consultant)
Larry Templeton is another important SEC consultant. Templeton was involved in the previous television negotiations back in 2008-2009. Templeton also had a role in transitioning the SEC from a 12-team conference into its current 14-member roster. Templeton’s major role was figuring out the schedule. You can’t get much more important than that.

5. Florida President Bernie Machen
Bernie Machen almost left Florida this last year, but in January he was convinced to stay. Machen has played an important role in academics for the University of Florida. He was also an important voice during the recent SEC expansion. Machen also played a role in bringing Urban Meyer to Florida. He has also been a voice calling for a college football playoff. Machen voiced the need for a playoff as early as 2006.

4. Chuck Gerber (former TV executive and now consultant)
Mike Slive plays a major role in shaping the future of a college football playoff. Who is close to Slive, the SEC and also involved? Chuck Gerber. Gerber was involved in past SEC television negotiations including the 2009 contracts. You might remember the $3 billion payday the SEC scored in the deals with CBS and ESPN. When the BCS began to look at a college football playoff, Slive made sure Gerber was one of the consultants included in the analysis.

3. Paul Finebaum (follow on Twitter @finebaum)
Paul Finebaum is the most important voice covering the SEC. His position in Birmingham places him at the epicenter of the most Balkanized football rivalries in college football. His show is the heartbeat of the SEC. Finebaum’s influence has been recognized with features in the Wall Street Journal and the New Yorker. Finebaum was included on a similar list compiled by the Orlando Sentinel back in 2009.

1. Mike Slive & 2. Nick Saban
The two most powerful men in the SEC are the same today as they were last year, the year before last year, or the year before that. SEC Commissioner Mike Slive is one of the most powerful men in college football, according to SI. He tops any list of powers in the SEC. Behind Slive is Alabama football coach Nick Saban. Saban is now recognized as one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football. Also, Saban holds significant power in the state. By virtue of his position and success, if Saban wanted the state of Alabama to add a lottery because it would help the football program, the lottery would be on the ballot before the end of the year. And, unlike previous votes, it would probably pass.

VISIT TOMORROW FOR: The five most important blogs in the SEC

In a letter to the University of Tennessee, the East Tennessee Chapter of the Alabama Alumni Association explained the history of the group. It was formed in 1948 and Alabama’s Col. Joe Shepherd (also a University of Tennessee ROTC professor) arranged for the association to meet in the Tennessee Faculty Club starting in the 1970s. Today, that building is the Tennessee Welcome Center.

Jack Bailey, chapter president, summed up the situation perfectly. He said, “Somebody has lost perspective of college sports and the rivalry and all that. And it’s just unfortunate.”

How true.

As the article notes, former Tennessee legend and coach Johnny Majors spoke to the Alabama alumni chapter last week. Majors talked about the Third Saturday in October.

Majors was from the great days of the rivalry when it was filled with respect and honor. Paul W. “Bear” Bryant invited Majors to watch an Alabama practice when Majors was the Volunteer’s football coach.

Think about that. Alabama’s greatest rival from the era got a chance to watch how Alabama did things at a practice. It would not happen in today’s world of college football for many reasons. However, one of the chief reasons is how many of today’s adults act like children.

Tennessee fans need to grow up. Crying like Clay Travis won’t win you any football games.

We found out that Arkansas fans are a passionate group of pigs. Hey, you have to respect a program who has a wild Honeybaked Ham as its mascot.

Florida fans are like new money from the dotcom boom, but are dealing with losing most of their relevancy. However, they have great athletic department leadership, so if they have a justifiable confidence in their administration.

We found out that Ole Miss fans use partying to cover their losing past.

We explored what makes LSU fans rude, disgusting and vile. Unfortunately, the answer wasn’t a shock—it was the alcohol.

If you know about the cowbell, then you know all you need to know about Mississippi State football fans.

We are still getting to know our new friends—Missouri fans, but they are polite.

Kentucky is all about hot women and ugly football. There are a few pictures to prove the hotness that are Kentucky girls.

Georgia football fans are a messy group that get trashed and leave trash around campus.

Auburn football is a cult. This dangerous mental situation for Auburn fans developed because of Auburn’s deep feelings of inferiority.

Vanderbilt fans endured horrible years, but are now getting a chance to enjoy a good coach who is building a strong program—a program so strong that Tennessee is the weaker program in Tennessee.

Aside from all that cock stuff, South Carolina fans are living in the best years of the program’s existence. It is an exciting time if you like the Cocks.

Tennessee fans are bitchy crybabies epitomized by losers like Clay Travis and Phil Fulmer. Tennessee is now Vandy’s bitch, and just fired another coach.

Texas A&M fans are an odd group. They have odd cheers and they have ONLY male cheerleaders. While they are odd, it is nice to have A&M in the SEC.

Finally, we examined Alabama fans. It was an interesting self-examination of how Alabama fans act—spoiled and what inspires it—triumphalism.

It was a fun and light-hearted series. Thanks for reading and sticking with the Capstone Report. The site launched in 2006 and it has been a fun time going from the dark days of Alabama football into a time that rivals the best years ever. Roll Tide.

The Beautiful Shae Peppler and the beautiful Amanda Pflugrad on set of TCS. Photo via twitter

Shae Peppler and Amanda Pflugrad share the top five moments from college football’s National Signing Day 2013. A brief synopsis of their opinions in the video and then I will share a few of my top moments below.

The TCS top five are:
5. Calvin Klein Model Signs with SMU
Calvin Klein model Myles Crosby put fame and fortune on hold to play for SMU.

4. Miami signee brings the Swag
Four-Star signee with the University of Miami wore the traditional hat, but the hat said Swag. You can see it in the video.

3. Reuben Foster signs wearing Nick Saban style Alabama hat and vest
The Reuben Foster recruitment was drama filled and it concluded with Foster signing with Alabama wearing a Nick Saban style straw hat with the Alabama logo and vest where the athlete was dressed as Nick Saban.

2. Alex Collins’ runaway mom
Arkansas commitment Alex Collins wanted to sign with Arkansas, but his mom ran away with the letter of intent, according to reports.

1. Ole Miss Recruit commits to University of Ole Miss
Robert Nkemdiche committed to play football at the University of Ole Miss.

These are all excellent moments from signing day. I would include most of these on the list; however, there were a couple of other moments that illustrate what signing day has become—a circus.

First, the University of Tennessee is having a little trouble attracting fans to football games. Honestly, we understand why. The football program has had a tough go of it the last decade. So, when Signing Day 2013 came around a local radio station decided to copy the Alabama Crimson Tide and launch their own Fax Cam Girl.

For those who do not remember, here is what the Alabama Fax Cam looked like just a few years ago before the SEC office prudes led by Mike Slive got involved. Alabama’s Fax Cam Girl:

Alabama Fax Girl from National Signing Day 2011 Fax Cam

And here is what this year’s Tennessee fax cam girl looked like. Photo via SDS:

Tennessee-sports-radio-Fax-Cam-Girl

Now, this year’s Tennessee fax cam girl illustrated that Tennessee fans are apathetic. Seriously, you only have a handful of people for an attractive girl wearing what looks like lingerie or maybe a bikini? When you mix an attractive female and football and can’t get much of a turnout, it says much about how Tennessee fans feel.

The second moment showing what a circus Signing Day has become involved an Alabama signee. A’Shawn Robinson inked his papers with the help of an elephant. This picture is via Max Olson’s twitter:

Elephant at Signing Day

What were your favorite moments? Share them in the comments section.

Hugh Freeze is a Baptist preacher. Apparently, Mt. Zion Baptist Church ordained him many years ago. It seems a perfect training to be an SEC football coach. As an SEC coach you speak to large crowds, you speak to your players and you appear on television about as often as Jim Bakker. However, don’t think that Freeze has left his religion behind now that he is head coach at Ole Miss.

Freeze told CBS Sports Bruce Feldman that several factors went into Ole Miss’ recruiting haul. One of those factors was God’s divine favor.

“I think the plan that we had in place and the connections and the natural ‘ins’ and God’s goodness to us and little luck and hard work has brought this fate to fruition for us,” Freeze said.

That strategy was good enough for Auburn and good enough for Gene Chizik.

It was good enough for Auburn. Sure, putting God first was the strategy of Gene Chizik. And, it bore fruit.

It was by God’s good grace that Cam Newton came to Auburn. It was by God’s good grace that Cam and his daddy ignored Mississippi State.

Sure, there were some haters who questioned it. However, it went through the trial of an NCAA probe and was vindicated.

The NCAA probed Auburn for a long, long time. In the end, God protected his chosen from the arrows of the ungodly.

Why expect any different at Ole Miss? When God is on your side, who can be against us?

Combining God and recruiting works. Just ask Rev. Newton, former Auburn coach Gene Chizik and now Ole Miss and its coach Hugh Freeze.

The only question now for SEC fans to ponder, has God turned away from Auburn now that Gene and Trooper Taylor have left? Or, will Rev. Gus turn Auburn back into the shining city on a hill? It could turn into a real battle for God’s favor in the SEC West.

Freeze tweeted, “If you have facts about a violation, send it to compliance@olemiss.edu. If not, please do not slander these young men or insult their family.”

Ole Miss compliance, I feel sorry for you. A few SEC fans can be rather, ummm, creative in what they email. Freeze’s tweet was thoughtless for whoever must handle this email account.

Freeze’s tweet, from a PR perspective, is a nightmare. He confirmed there are rumors of violations involving Ole Miss and recruiting.

This is amateurish.

Of course, there are rumors and innuendo of recruiting violations. This is the SEC. Every fan assumes the other guy is cheating. Often they have good reason. The SEC has a checkered history of NCAA rules compliance.

Responding to rumors brings the issue into the major outlets instead of staying on message boards and talk radio.

Furthermore, the tweet encouraged every private eye wannabe to grab his spyglass and play Sherlock Holmes. Sure, most of these will be about as effective as Barney Fife on stakeout, but why dare other SEC schools to turn your program in to the SEC and NCAA?

Already, there is chatter in coaching circles that several SEC and non-SEC schools have turned Ole Miss in this cycle.

The number will surely grow if Ole Miss finishes as strongly as some recruiting watchers expect.

Freeze’s tweet seems about as tone deaf to the real world as former Auburn Coach Gene Chizik. Yes, Chizik thought it was a good idea to taunt the NCAA’s enforcement arm. His antics at the meeting reignited bad press for Auburn instead of getting the desired result.

Freeze’s remarks will have the Ole Miss faithful circling the wagons and cheering. However, it makes it more likely the rest of the college football world notices what is going on in Oxford. The truth is most college football fans will assume the worst.

Is that really what Freeze intended to accomplish with this tweet?

As the Volunteers grapple with debt, attendance has plummeted. According to the same report, Tennessee attendance averaged as high as 107,593 in 2005, but fell to only 89,965.

With this much turmoil, how long until the IMF is forced to intervene? There looks to be a serious balance of payments problem in Tennessee’s football model.

Perhaps the World Bank could create a plan to loan money to the struggling third-world football realm now known as Knoxville.

Part of Tennessee’s trouble comes from firing coaches.

The Volunteers paid Phillip Fulmer a buyout of $6 million when it terminated him in 2008. Derek Dooley was owed a buyout of $5 million when the Vols fired him in 2012. Chris Low provides a breakdown of SEC coaching buyouts since 2007 on the ESPN website.

Sports Business Daily provides even more details on the buyouts. According to the report, a total of “$11.4 million in buyouts to fired coaches in football, basketball and baseball, as well as administrators. Hamilton walked away in 2011 with a $1.335 million buyout.”

Third world is an apt description of Tennessee football. The program has lacked real leadership and vision. With coaches like Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley in the post-Fulmer era, the Volunteers are a laughingstock. In fact, perhaps it is an insult to Greece to be compared with Tennessee football.

According to Nielsen, “Alabama beat Notre Dame on the field and in average TV viewership by 27 percent over the 2012 season. Alabama had 7.2 million viewers on average during nationally televised games, while Notre Dame had 5.7 million viewers.”

Also, the BCS Championship Game between Alabama and Notre Dame drew 26,380,000 viewers while the Rose Bowl drew 17,024,000 viewers and Fiesta Bowl posted 12,306,000 viewers. The SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia drew 16,228,000 viewers, according to the report.

Another SEC school in a championship game in the NCAA basketball tournament also posted high numbers as the Kentucky Wildcats game against Kansas drew 20,869,000 viewers.

Nielsen also analyzed how conference realignment affected ratings. According to the report, SEC games featuring Texas A&M and Missouri accounted for nine telecasts and earned an average of 3,926,000 viewers while SEC games featuring original SEC teams accounted for 28 telecasts averaging 3,957,000 viewers.

There is considerably more information in the Nielsen report. If you are interested in the business of sports and particularly college athletics, then check it out for more information on ad spending and how viewers are responding to broadcast network’s Saturday night college football games. You can access the report at Nielsen’s website.

All the talk that Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long did the right thing in firing Bobby Petrino is exposed.

Which is worse, a few months of scandal or a few years as a cellar dweller in the SEC West?

Which would you rather endure, a few years of sex jokes about an Arkansas resident other than Bill Clinton or Saturday nights where the offense cannot pass protect and the defense forgets how to play defense?

It is an easy choice.

Arkansas was lucky to have a coach of the caliber of Bobby Petrino. The former Arkansas coach owned a college coaching record of 75-26 and was 34-17 at Arkansas.

Arkansas is a good football program, but it has serious challenges in the SEC West. These challenges require a coach with unique talents—talents that Petrino brought to the University of Arkansas.

The first challenge is in recruiting. Arkansas has its share of trouble keeping talent at home with high profile players heading out of state to play at schools like Auburn (including an All-SEC running back.) This is a challenge as Arkansas is not as flush with talent as states like Georgia, Florida or Louisiana. So, losing one big player is a serious loss and it was already tough enough with Petrino. How bad will it be without him? The Razorbacks need a coach with name recognition to recruit at home and beyond the state’s borders.

Arkansas has ranked lower than SEC West foes Alabama and LSU in the recruiting rankings. Consistently.

For reference, Rivals ranked Arkansas 34th in 2012, 24th in 2011, 49th in 2010, 16th in 2009, 36th in 2008, 31st in 2007, 27th in 2006 and 24th in 2005. Everyone knows where Alabama and LSU have been during most of these seasons—in the top ten and often ranked number one. The 2013 recruiting class ranking has Arkansas ranked 40th. http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/teamrank/2013/all/all

The second challenge is facing these SEC teams stocked with talent. This is where a coach like Bobby Petrino with a record of accomplishment at Louisville and in Arkansas helps. Petrino knows how to do more with less. His offensive playcalling was a great equalizer. Arkansas averaged 36 points per game in 2009, 36.5 points per game in 2010 and 36.8 points per game in 2011.

Petrino developed talent on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Ryan Mallett and now Tyler Wilson are products of Petrino’s tutoring. How good was Petrino? Arkansas led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in passing for three straight seasons.

Where is Arkansas without Petrino?

Wishing it had him back.

Sports in Paradise
by Dale Jones

In the mornings there is a hint of fall in the air, in the afternoons one can hear the sounds of bass drums and coaches whistles, and out in the Gulf of Mexico, there is a hurricane churning. All of this can only mean one thing to those of us who live in Alabama – football season is here.

Football fans in this state have lots to be proud of over the past three years. Collectively, the last three national championships have gone to Alabama and Auburn. Two of the last three Heisman Trophies have gone to Alabama and Auburn players (Ingram and Newton). As we head into the 2012 season, the Tide holds the top spot is some polls and the Tigers hope to be much improved after a 2011 season where Auburn played a ton of true freshmen.

As usual, in my fall column, I will breakdown of some of the important SEC games, look at other in-state teams, and will take a glimpse at a few games of national interest. Also, each week, I will pick the “upset of the week.” It should be another fun season so let’s get started.

UAB vs Troy
One of the most positive things to happen to UAB football recently took place on December 4 of last year when the Blazers announced Garrick McGee would be their new head coach. On paper, I want to give the advantage to Troy, but I think UAB fans will turn out in huge fashion to help the new Blazers get the job done. UAB 28 – Troy 24

South Alabama vs. Texas-San Antonio
Coach Joey Jones, still in the process of building the Jags football program has a real schedule this season, featuring the likes of Mississippi State and North Carolina State. Kind of difficult to see how good this team is going to be, but I like their chances out of the gate. South Alabama 24 – Texas-San Antonio 17

Tennessee vs. NC State
As strange as it may seem, this game could come down to which teams’ secondary has the best game. Personally, I think it is going to be a long season for the Vols. NC State 24 – Tennessee 14

Georgia vs. Buffalo
The Bulldogs are going to be very good this year. This is just a warm-up game for Richt and company. Georgia 45 – Buffalo 14

Kentucky @ Louisville
Normally, during the first week of football season, most Kentucky fans are already looking forward to hoops season. This year will likely be no exception. The Wildcats are young with just a few returning starters from last season. Their SEC schedule is going to be tough. So is their opener.
Louisville 17 – Kentucky 14

Arkansas vs. Jacksonville State
There will be few times this season that I will be inclined to pick Arkansas to lose. They could be a surprise to all in the SEC West. Bama better keep this team circled on their schedule. Arkansas 38 – Jacksonville State 13

Missouri vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Missouri better enjoy their non-conference schedule because their “welcome” to the SEC could get ugly. Missouri 31 – Southeastern Louisiana 3

Auburn vs. Clemson
Provided Auburn has any players left by the weekend who have not been suspended, they might have a chance to win. With new coordinators and a little more experience on both sides of the ball, Auburn should be improved, but this game will not be a cakewalk. Auburn 27 – Clemson 24

Alabama vs. Michigan
While Bama is loaded on the offensive line, that is not where this game will be won. If the Alabama defense, who lost some key players from last year’s squad, can stop Denard Robinson, they will cruise to victory. If they can’t, this game could be closer than Tide fans want. Alabama will have to score a lot to win. Alabama 42 – Michigan 35

Other Games of Interest:
Texas A&M 28 – Louisiana Tech 21
Florida 42 – Bowling Green 14
LSU 48 – North Texas 7
USC 52 – Hawaii 10

Upset of the Week:
South Carolina at Vandy
Both teams have quality skill players coming back from a year ago. I like both coaches. I think both teams will be as good, if not better than last season. But I am very impressed with Coach James Franklin and the atmosphere he has brought to this Vandy team. Look for the Commodores to score a big win against the ole ball coach. Vandy 28 – South Carolina 27

I hope your team comes out on top, and I would love to hear from readers as to how you think these games will turn out. Are you ready for some football?
Hit ‘em straight

—Dale Jones is a syndicated sports columnist, member of the Alabama Sports Writers Association, The Football Writers Association of America, and the Society of Professional Journalists. Email Dale at sportsNparadise@gmail.com or on twitter @sportsNparadise.

Do you agree or disagree? Share your picks for this week’s games.

According to the report, “The summer football coach of former Wooddale High and current Auburn University running back Jovon Robinson said he was interviewed by the NCAA this month.”

Just reading this would tend to make one think it was all about Auburn.

But not so! The probe is more about Memphis. See, we’ve told you repeatedly this is a Memphis problem.

According to the Memphis paper, “Central High coach Lynord Crutchfield said Monday that he had recently spoken with an NCAA representative about various players and coaches in the Memphis area. De’Vinner said his conversation was similar.’They were asking about different players, coaches and different practices, because I’ve been around the recruiting process a while and what not,’ De’Vinner said. ‘And the 7-on-7, that was something they discussed.’”

Clearly, the NCAA is concerned about rogue recruiting by major NCAA superpower the University of Memphis.

What other conclusion could one reach? The Memphis paper is sensationalizing this to make it about Auburn. See, Auburn is the most popular football team in the whole world. Auburn has a reputation for spotless NCAA compliance. This is the move by jealous football boosters in other states and of course, Alabama troublemakers.

Shae Peppler covers the top storylines heading into the 2012 SEC Football season. Here is a brief synopsis of the video report.

LSU
The LSU Tigers are without CB Tyrann Mathieu. The star cornerback was dismissed from the program for a violation of team and school policy.

Texas A&M and Missouri
The Texas A&M Aggies and Missouri Tigers join the SEC this season.

Three new coaches in the SEC
Kevin Sumlin begins his first season coaching the Texas A&M Aggies. Hugh Freeze leads Mississippi and John L. Smith takes the reins at Arkansas.

More than LSU and Alabama
Matt Hayes of the Sporting News shares his thoughts on how the SEC is more than just Alabama and LSU. Hayes believes South Carolina could win the SEC. Arkansas has enough to win the SEC. Perhaps even Georgia could contend for the SEC title.

Key Players for SEC 2012
Hayes starts with Alabama running back Eddie Lacy. Hayes said Lacy is a combination of Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. “I am expecting him to have a huge season,” Hayes said.

LSU’s Zach Mettenberger will be a key player in the SEC, Hayes said. If Mettenberger is able to pass then it will bring an extra dimension to LSU’s already potent running attack.

South Carolina’s offensive and defensive lines are strong, Hayes said. This could make Marcus Lattimore a very big player this season, if the running back recovers from injury.

What do you think? Is the SEC as deep as some analysts believe? Can Georgia and South Carolina compete against the powers of the SEC West? Do you think Arkansas can compete against Alabama and LSU without Bobby Petrino coaching the team?