Kickoff Zone College Football Blog

The college football season begins tomorrow, so it’s time to get everything out there.  The week one game of the week…

Boise State vs. Virginia Tech (in Landover, MD)

This week’s choice is rather obvious, as it is the only matchup between two top 10 teams and national title contenders.  While Boise State has been talked up as possibly the first team from outside of a BCS conference to play for the national title, Virginia Tech has flown somewhat under the national radar, but are never far from the conversation, and this year they should near the top with the talent they are returning.

Week One Pick- Virginia Tech by 3+  (meaning that I think they will win by at least three points, but maybe a bit more)

It’s not that I think Boise State is overrated, but that Virginia Tech has been criminally underrated by a number of preseason publications, as they would easily be in my Top 5 to start the year.

Tags: Boise State, College Football, College Football Picks, College Football Power Rankings, Nick Saban, Preseason Prognostications, Schedule, The Kickoff, Top 25, Virginia Tech, bcs, odds by Tommy
No Comments »

The juiciest headlines coming out of SEC Media Days has little to do with on the field matters, but who was at what party with what agent.

As has been reported, the University of Georgia is the fourth team to be added to the list of schools being  investigated concerning a Florida party which involved agents and NCAA college football players.  UGA reciever A.J. Green has denied that he is the player under investigation.

Reached by phone Tuesday night — almost a day before the NCAA contacted Georgia — Green told SI.com that he did not attend the party. Green, who is considered on of the nation’s best receivers, said a Georgia compliance official asked him Tuesday if he attended the party. Green said he spent Memorial Day weekend at home in Summerville, S.C.

“I never went to South Beach,” Green told SI.com.

Sports Illustrated does a good job of explaining exactly what is going on-

Earlier Tuesday, ESPN.com reported that Alabama officials are investigating rumors that defensive end Marcell Dareus attended the party. NCAA officials have interviewed several North Carolina players as well as South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders. Investigators are trying to determine whether agents or financial advisors paid for the party. If someone other than the players footed the bill, any player who attended would be found to have accepted improper benefits and could be ruled ineligible to play for part or all of the 2010 season.

Jim Litke, of the Associated Press, has called out Nick Saban for referring to the agents as “pimps.”  Litke feels that many of the coaches are being dishonest when giving their opinion involving agents and NCAA programs, and I tend to agree with him.

Everyone hates agents — even scrupulous agents — unless they have one. The problem with making unscrupulous agents the villains in this drama is that just like the kids they pick off, they’re only the low-hanging fruit. Considering the way college football is structured, it’s nothing short of laughable to hear the coaches and conference commissioners occupying the branches above to suggest the rot could be stopped there.

Big-time college football is effectively running a minor-league system for the NFL, and they’re doing it largely on the backs of kids whose football schoolwork is so demanding that many will never be able to take advantage of the scholarship that gets thrown in with it.

It’s not about the scholarships, anyway. As incoming Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly noted not too long ago, both of his predecessors routinely boasted some of the best graduation rates in the nation and both got fired.

Leave it to Steve Spurrier to give the most honest and straightforward assessment of the situation when he said that he had no real solution and that “I guess sometimes the lure of taking some cash right away affects all of us.”

Tags: College Football, Florida Gators, Infractions, NCAA, Nick Saban, Southeastern Conference, University of Alabama, University of Georgia, University of North Carolina, University of South Carolina, bcs, rumor mill, suspension by Tommy
No Comments »

The coaches selections for the preseason All SEC teams have been released.   Here they are:

Preseason Coaches All SEC Team-

1st Team Offense:

QB Ryan Mallet Arkansas 6-6 238 Jr. Texarkana, Ark.

RB Mark Ingram Alabama 5-10 215 Jr. Flint, Mich.

RB Derrick Locke Kentucky 5-9 190 Sr. Hugo, Okla.

WR A.J. Green Georgia 6-4 205 Jr. Summerville, S.C.

WR Julio Jones Alabama 6-4 220 Jr. Foley, Ala.

TE D.J. Williams Arkansas 6-2 251 Sr. Little Rock, Ark.

OL Clint Boling Georgia 6-5 310 Sr. Alpharetta, Ga.

OL Carl Johnson Florida 6-5 360 Sr. Durham. N.C.

OL Barrett Jones Alabama 6-4 301 So. Memphis, Tenn.

OL Lee Ziemba Auburn 6-8 391 Sr. Rogers, Ark.

C Mike Pouncey Florida 6-4 310 Sr. Lakeland, Fla.

1st Team Defense

DL Marcell Dareus Alabama 6-4 306 Jr. Birmingham, Ala.

DL Jerrell Powe Ole Miss 6-2 320 Sr. Waynesboro, Miss.

DL Cliff Matthews South Carolina 6-4 260 Sr. Cheraw, S.C.

LB Josh Bynes Auburn 6-2 235 Sr. Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.

LB Dont’a Hightower Alabama 6-4 258 So. Lewisburg, Tenn.

LB Chris Marve Vanderbilt 6-0 232 Jr. Memphis, Tenn.

LB Kelvin Sheppard LSU 6-3 239 Sr. Stone Mountain, Ga.

DB Mark Barron Alabama 6-2 210 Jr. Mobile, Ala.

DB Patrick Peterson LSU 6-1 211 Jr. Pompano Beach, Fla.

DB Stephon Gilmore South Carolina 6-1 188 So. Rock Hill, S.C.

DB Janoris Jenkins Florida 5-11 186 Jr. Pahokee, Fla.

1st Team All Purpose/Special Teams

PK Blair Walsh Georgia 5-10 191 Jr. Boca Raton, Fla.

P Drew Butler Georgia 6-2 207 Jr. Duluth, Ga.

RS Warren Norman Vanderbilt 5-10 192 So. Stone Mountain, Ga.

AP Randall Cobb Kentucky 5-11 186 Jr. Alcoa, Tenn.

2nd Team Offense

QB Greg McElroy Alabama 6-3 225 Sr. Southland, Texas

RB Jeff Demps Florida 5-8 184 Jr. Winter Garden, Fla.

RB Trent Richardson Alabama 5-11 220 So. Pensacola, Fla.

WR Darvin Adams Auburn 6-3 185 Jr. Kennesaw, Ga.

WR Alshon Jeffery South Carolina 6-4 237 So. St. Matthews, S.C.

TE Luke Stocker Tennessee 6-6 253 Sr. Berea, Ky.

OL James Carpenter Alabama 6-5 300 Sr. Augusta, Ga.

OL DeMarcus Love Arkansas 6-5 315 Sr. Lancaster, Texas

OL Derek Sherrod Mississippi State 6-6 305 Sr. Columbus, Miss.

OL *Cordy Glenn Georgia 6-5 330 Jr. Riverdale, Ga.

OL *Joseph Barksdale LSU 6-5 315 Sr. Detroit, Mich.

C Ryan Pugh Auburn 6-4 297 Sr. Hoover, Ala.

2nd Team Defense

DL Pernell McPhee Mississippi State 6-4 285 Sr. Pahokee, Fla.

DL Drake Nevis LSU 6-1 292 Sr. Marrero, La.

DL *DeQuin Evans Kentucky 6-3 256 Sr. Long Beach, Calif.

DL *Chris Walker Tennessee 6-3 245 Sr. Memphis, Tenn.

DL *Ladi Ajiboye South Carolina 6-2 278 Sr. Riverdale, Ga.

LB Jerry Franklin Arkansas 6-1 241 Jr. Marion, Ark.

LB A.J. Jones Florida 6-1 226 Sr. Tampa, Fla.

LB Craig Stevens Auburn 6-3 229 Sr. Tallahassee, Fla.

LB K.J. Wright Mississippi State 6-4 250 Sr. Olive Branch, Miss.

DB Ahmad Black Florida 5-9 189 Sr. Lakeland, Fla.

DB Chris Culliver South Carolina 6-1 197 Sr. Garner, N.C.

DB Will Hill Florida 6-1 204 Jr. West Orange, N.J.

DB Neiko Thorpe Auburn 6-2 186 Jr. Tucker, Ga.

2nd Team All Purpose/Special Teams

PK Caleb Sturgis Florida 5-10 192 Jr. St. Augustine, Fla.

P Chas Henry Florida 6-3 222 Jr. Dallas, Ga.

RS Brandon Boykin Georgia 5-10 183 Jr. Fayetteville, Ga.

AP Chris Rainey Florida 5-9 176 Jr. Lakeland, Fla.

Tags: Auburn University, College Football, College Football Picks, Derek Dooley, Florida Gators, Houston Nutt, LSU, Live Update, Louisiana State University, Mark Ingram, Mark Richt, Mississippi State University, NCAA, Nick Saban, Ole Miss, Preseason College Football Rankings, Preseason Prognostications, Ryan Mallett, Southeastern Conference, Steve Spurrier, Top 25, University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of Mississippi, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, Urban Meyer, Vanderbilt University, Vols, bcs by Tommy
No Comments »

I have just finished my ballot for the preseason ALL SEC team (the media ballot). 

So- in full disclosure-  I am publishing my ballot.

Tommy’s All SEC Media Ballot:

1st Team Offense:

QB- Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

RB1- Mark Ingram, Alabama

RB2- Jeff Demps, Florida

WR- AJ Green, Georgia

WR- Julio Jones, Alabama

TE- Luke Stocker, Tennessee

OL- Clint Boling, Georgia

OL- Lee Zimbia, Auburn

OL- Carl Johnson, Florida

OL- Barrett Jones, Alabama

Center- Mike Pouncey, Florida

1st Team Defense:

DE- Chris Walker, Tennessee

DE- Marcell Dareus, Alabama

DT- Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss

LB- A.J. Jones, Florida

LB- Donte Hightower, Alabama

LB- Kelvin Sheppard, LSU

LB- Chris Marve, Vanderbilt

DB- Janoris Jenkins, Florida

DB- Patrick Peterson, LSU

DB- Will Hill, Florida

DB- Janzen Jackson, Tennessee

1st Team All Purpose/Special Teams

Placekicker- Blair Walsh, Georgia

Punter- Drew Butler, Georgia

Return Specialist- Warren Norman, Vanderbilt

All-Purpose Back- Randall Cobb, Kentucky

Tommy’s Preseason SEC Ranking:

Eastern Division

1- University of Florida

2- University of South Carolina

3- University of Georgia

4- University of Tennessee

5- University of Kentucky

6- Vanderbilt University

Western Division

1- University of Alabama

2- Lousiana State University

3- Auburn University

4- University of Arkansas

5- Mississippi State

6- University of Mississippi

SEC Champion:

University of Alabama

Tags: Auburn University, College Football, College Football Picks, College Football Power Rankings, Florida Gators, LSU, Louisiana State University, Mark Ingram, Mississippi State University, NCAA, Nick Saban, Ole Miss, Preseason College Football Rankings, Preseason Prognostications, Ryan Mallett, Schedule, Southeastern Conference, Steve Spurrier, Top 25, University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Vols, bcs by Tommy
4 Comments »

According to the Associated Press, University of Alabama backup quarterback Starr Jackson is considering a transfer:

 Star Jackson’s high school coach says the Alabama quarterback is considering a transfer.

Lake Worth (Fla.) coach Errick Lowe told The Tuscaloosa News and The Birmingham News that Jackson is weighing his options. Reached on Tuesday by The Associated Press, Lowe would only confirm that Jackson met with Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban last week.

Jackson played in five games last year as a redshirt freshman, but freshman AJ McCarron overtook him on the depth chart during the season. Highly regarded signee Phillip Sims enrolled early and went through spring practice. 

Jackson was a highly coveted talent coming out of high school, but it became apparent last season that he may not be in Nick Saban’s plans for replacing rising senior Greg McElroy after next season.  Jackson was a 2007 U.S. Army All-American and rated by Rivals as the #2 scrambling and the #5 pro style quarterback in the nation coming out of high school.  Scout also rated him as a 4 star prospect.  Whether Jackson is a bust or just not a good fit in Saban’s system is still up for debate.  While many FCS would likely give him a shot, he is said to be considering FBS Georgia State.

Tags: College Football, NCAA, Nick Saban, Southeastern Conference, University of Alabama, rumor mill, transfer by Tommy
No Comments »

Class Recap:  University of Alabama

Although Rivals ranks Alabama’s class just below that of arch rival Auburn, Nick Saban and staff have nothing to be ashamed of.   Despite losing out on super-prospect Keenan Allen, they were still able to land two of the nation’s most sought after defensive backs in DeMarcus Millner and John Fulton.  Joining them on defense will be two Under Armour All American defensive ends, Adrian Hubbard and Alfie Hill.

Post Signing Day Class Rankings:

Rivals- 5th, ESPN- 3rd, Scout- 4th

Star of the Class:

DB DeMarcus Milliner

Rivals Ranking: #2 Cornerback in the nation; #23 overall prospect

The lone 5 star prospect of Alabama’s class, Milliner will be expected to step in and contribute immediately in the Crimson Tide Secondary.  He should also see plenty of opportunities to have the ball in his hands on kickoff and punt returns, as he has exceptionable size and speed.

Tags: College Football, NCAA, National Signing Day, Nick Saban, Rankings, Recruiting, University of Alabama, commitments, recap by Tommy
No Comments »