Although the hard copy of the MVP award goes to Eli Manning for a yeoman’s effort going 30 for 40 and just under 300, the most difficult judgement of the game belongs to Laird Hayes. On a grand stage that Madonna borrowed just a bit earlier he stared down Mario Manningham as he was getting ridden out of bounds, while snatching Manning’s pass from the Indy dome air. Hayes had about the time it takes a hummingbird to flap twice (maybe three times) to make the judgement – and he hit a home run. Bill Belichick challenged – just for the hey of it – and the challenge was denied. From there the NY Football Giants drove the field and Ahmad Bradshaw commenced to stagger over his own brake system into the end zone for the right to be victorious.

Let’s give a nice round of … well … just check out the video of the play and you decide!!!

If you’re thinking this is made up … it’s not.  This just happened to high school senior Justin Taylor who officially accepted Tricky Nicky’s offer in February of 2011.  Because of some new scholarship rules that were levied by the SEC this past year, Alabama found themselves in the position of having to cut some chaff.  Taylor was the fringe player, who because of a knee injury that he’s currently rehabing and because of other recruits that the Alabama staff deem better, still on the board, he received the unfortunate news that he was the odd man out.  Now, this 18 year old kid has to wrap his head around this and decide if he trusts what is currently being sold him … which is … you just hang out for a year; rehab … get a job … and we’ll be here for you next year with a scholarship ready and waiting.  Wait … didn’t he make a commitment earlier this year under the same promises.  We all see where that got him.  His commitment was not honored … his commitment to this Alabama staff held no water.

Way to Roll Tide … this ain’t the pros Saban!  These are high school kids you’re playing with … not millionaires!

All tongue in cheekness aside, I must say that as much as Tim Tebow is good for the NFL, the Denver Broncos defense is the real hero around the Mile High City nowadays.  Yes, Tebow has provided some magical moments in later stages of the last several games and has in effect morphed from someone that looks as if a linebacker playing quarterback to someone who looks like an All-Pro quarterback playing quarterback.  It is truly sensational and I could easily be convinced something straight out of a L’Engle fantasy novel.  Since Tebow has taken over the offense the defense – with the exception of Detroit (L) and Minnesota (W) – has been fairly stellar.  Now we must lend truth the situation by mentioning that the last several games weren’t against offensively scary units … the Bears, the Jets & the Chiefs.  However, John Fox’s defense has been getting the job done and it seems the 4th quarter is go time for Tebow to pull out the magic hat and get that rabbit.

I do also want to address the deeper more meaningful aspects of this phenomenon.  Since finding a stage as a Florida Gator, Tim Tebow has been touting the name of Christ from the highest mountain … and I am all for it.  As Christians we are commanded to declare the name of Jesus; not because we have to but because it is inate within us.  It should be our overwhelming desire to make the name of the Lord known in the circles that God has given us influence within.  In Tebow’s case, the Lord has given a large sphere to communicate towards and his faithfulness is to be commended … not condemned or judged.  It’s been since Michael Vick that an NFL personality has been so polarizing, and I’m not sure that an NFL player with such poor “fantasy numbers” has ever received so much lovin’.  I for one am grateful that Vick has left the limelight and Tebow has entered.  I love that people are talking about his love for Jesus … I love that Tebow exists to succeed in order to lift high the Holy God!

Now I must say that the “Tebow-ing” is a bit much but I don’t credit the branding to him … that’s an ESPN thing.  I say Tebow … keep on glorfying the name of the Lord!!

S0 … what’s the key here??  LSU has been rolling over their opponents in fine dominating fashion this year drubbing Oregon, West Virginia, Florida, Auburn & Arkansas while handling Alabama in a Tuscaloosa classic!  Georgia has … well, really beaten no one overly impressive.  They have had some fine wins over Mississippi State, Florida, Auburn and Ga. Tech, but they also lost to Boise and at home to South Carolina.  The line on this game will probably open around two touchdowns and stay there until game time, and here’s why.  LSU’s defense and special teams are outstanding and very opportunistic.  Their offense is tough and wants to beat you down until your state is broken.  The coaching staff – Les Miles – is a bit on edge and is the tough minded, keep the foot down mind power that drives the on field players and their game attitude.  All roads seem pointed to an LSU victory on this upcoming Saturday … however … the Dawgs will show up … and not to lose!  The Dawgs can and will win if and only if their defense matches up with the Tiger offense with the same brutal toughness - both physically and mentally.  On the offensive side Richt & Bobo will need to pull some tendencies out of their bag that include both aggressive and unexpected schemes to keep the Tiger defense off balance.  Should the Dawgs staff pull some creative schemes together that are both purposeful and well executed then this game could get interesting.  Don’t sleep on the Georgia offense as Aaron Murray has had them rolling of late and has thrown for a slew of TD passes in the last 4 weeks.

All that said … we’ll all know in 6 days!!

These two teams seem to be similar if looking at paper (which we’re not really going to do here)!  The defenses are premier and are able to make opposing offenses want to whimper “uncle” and go home.  The sacks and interceptions are somewhat even with LSU holding a slight advantage.  They are both top 5 in total defense with Alabama holding their opponents to 180 ypg and LSU 250.  They both have incredible, athletic playmakers on the defensive side of the ball that can win the game for their respective teams.  However, neither of these teams will win because of thier defense on this coming Saturday.  It will be the team that comes away with the highest level of tide (no pun intended) turning plays through there offense and special teams that will deliver the W.

The rational here is that both teams are fairly conservative on offense … both depend heavily on the running game, which minimizes the effect that both teams great defensive backs will have on this game.  This game will be won at the offensive line and running back level.  Whoever can ground control early and often will come out victorious.  When checking out the running backs and olines of each team you’ll find that these are strengths of each … so, which team owns the greater of the two strengths?  Who will knock your block off harder, further and nastier.  Also, who’s playing at home??  Alabama!!  I think that Alabama will take it to LSU’s smaller defensive line and win a great ball game.  A ball game for the ages.

Score Prediction:    Alabama 24   LSU  17

Alabama vs. North Texas

Once again the Alabama Crimson Tide cruised to a stress free victory over the North Texas Mean Green after handily dispatching overmatched foes both weeks prior.  Running back Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy traded in their spikes for track shoes as they rushed for 167 and 161 respectively … Richardson had runs of 58 and 71 yards while Lacy hopped a train for runs of 43 and 67 … all of the aforementioned were touchdowns.  Starting QB AJ McCarron didn’t have to do much this day, going for 190 yards through the air with Philip Sims providing some periodic relief.  The vaunted Tide defense gave up 91 total yards and Alabama rolled the Mean Green 41-0.   They roll out the crimson carpet as the Arkansas Razorbacks come to visit next week … a game not to be missed.

LSU vs. Miss. State

Watch out SEC West … Coach Les Miles has his Tigers playing at a calibre that could very well lead to all the glory of a Championship.  They bounded into Starkville this past Thursday night and showed the nation that they are the real deal.  With a boisterous crowd lining the background and a good Mississippi State football team that fully expected to be victorious, the LSU Tigers pounded until the Bulldogs were beat into submission.  Exit some guy … Jordan Jefferson, and enter … some battle tested guy … Jarrett Lee.  After a hard fought first 3 quarters which saw the score at 9-6 in favor of the Tigers,  Lee hit Reuben Randle for a 19 yard icer to put the game away in the 4th quarter.   Lee ended his day 21-27 and 200+ yards … not a bad day at the office.  Spencer Ware led the way for LSU’s hard nosed, aggressive ground attack with 22 carries and 100+ yards.  Between the tough ground game and the tenacious defense, the Tigers wore down Miss. State to eeek out a 19-6 victory.  Mississippi State, played rock ‘em, sock ‘em defense but the offense couldn’t overcome the 4 sacks and 2 picks … 1 by starter Chris Relf and the other by Tyler Russell.  They were led by Chris Relf with 96 yards through the air and Vic Ballard with 38 yards on the ground.

Next week LSU gets West Virginia in what should be a great match up and Mississippi State gets Louisiana Tech in what should be slotted in the W column for the Bulldogs.

 Arkansas vs. Troy

Ok … the Razorbacks won this game 38-28 so let’s just say that they were looking ahead to Bama and be done with it.  With starting wideouts Jarius Wright and Greg Childs out of commission Arkansas did what they needed to to win this game.  Stepping in and carrying the load was RB Ronnie Wingo and WR Joe Adams who each turned in 110′ish yards in their craft – one toting the rock and one catching the rock.   Although outgained by Troy by about 9 feet and surviving a scare when Troy put up 2 quick TD’s in the 4th to close the gap to 31-21, the Razorbacks held on to put win #3 in the books.  Enter ‘Bama next Saturday when the Razorbacks travel out to Tuscaloosa.  Coach Petrino and Co. should be ready to roll.

Auburn vs. Clemson

The streak has come to an abrupt end … to be even more streak-ish this was a day of new streaks for both Auburn and Clemson … the most prominent being the end of Auburn’s 17 game winning streak.  The nations longest … until now!  At the same time Clemson has lost 14 straight to Auburn … which also came to an end as the Tigers of Death Valley outscored the Tigers of Auburn 38-10 in the final 3 quarters for a 38-24 victory.  Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, in his 3 collegiate start went for just under 400 through the air and found the end zone 4 times, while his counterpart for Auburn, Barrett Trotter, went for just under 200 yards.  This game though was about the inevitable!  After Auburn skirted defeat to both Utah State and Mississippi State, they could not escape the fate that awaited them as Clemson dominated them on both sides of the ball to the tune of 624-435 in total yards from scrimmage.  The War Eagles look to get back on the winning track next Sat. as 0-2 Florida Atlantic comes for their payday!!

Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt

In a battle of 2 teams that typically serve as the Homecoming opponents for their SEC brethren, this game, at the outset could be a coin flip.  After the 2nd quarter was done and with Ole Miss giving up 21 points to Vandy in that quarter alone, this game was all but in the books.  The Rebels couldn’t get really anything going on offense with their only score being a touchdown with just over 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter.  The defense did force 3 turnovers against Vandy but unfortunately the offense couldn’t capitalize and actually passed the ball back to Vanderbilt 5 times with 1 being returned all the way for the score. Final Score:  Vandy 30  Ole Miss 7.  The Rebels and Head Coach Houston Nutt need to get things shored up prior to UGA coming to Oxford this Saturday.  Otherwise Coach Nutt may become a statistic in Obama’s high unemployment ratings.

Let’s start with the match up of the week in the SEC East – UGA vs. USC

Georgia vs. South Carolina

Considering the history of this rivalry, this game could be counted on to be a burner from start to finish … and it didn’t disappoint!  South Carolina is learning how to win while Georgia seems to be going the opposite direction.  The Gamecocks did all the things neccessary to win a game that was on the fence.  Those plays that UGA used to make – see Rennie Curran and David Pollack – are now being made by Carolina – see Marcus Lattimore and Melvin Ingram.  Ingram … a defensive tackle … scored 2 touchdowns.  The first on a 68 yard fake punt scamper and the second on a recovered fumble return after Jadaveon Clowney slung UGA quarterback to the ground with such intensity that the poorly secured ball scooted out and found its way to the end zone.  On paper UGA won this game … but paper lies when Carolina scores 3 touchdowns on turnovers and the aformentioned punt fake.  Oh … and a fumble recovery to the 5 yard line, so let’s say the Gamecocks scored 4 touchdowns on non-offensive plays.  The Bulldogs did find their running back it seems, as freshman sensation Isaiah Crowell had a break out game with 100+ yards rushing and a touchdown both running and receiving.  Because of the 28 points South Carolina found when game changing plays were made, the Gamecocks beat a much improved Georgia team – when compared to the week before against Boise – 45-42!!

South Carolina – IMPROVED                           UGA – IMPROVED

Florida vs. UAB

Another workman like effort for the Gators as they trucked an overmatched opponent for the 2nd week in a row.  They really have the running game working as Florida rushed for 300 yards of offense with Chris Rainey serving as the front runner with 100+ yards and a touchdown.  Really not much was required from John Brantley this day as the running game took the lead – 55 rushes vs. 20 throws – but Brantley had right under 200 yards and got out healthy.   Florida shuts out the Blazers offense and wins big 39-0!!  Their first big test comes next week as UT comes a knocking on the Swamps front door.  Not sure the Gators have hospitability on their minds.

Florida – IMPROVED

Tennessee vs. Cincinnati

Understand that the competition hasn’t been great for the Vols yet but 2nd year head coach Derek Dooley has them humming to start off 2011.  After blistering Montana in week 1 they really just cruised past Cincinnati in week 2.  The trifecta has been found and they are quarterback Tyler Bray and wide outs Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter.  Bray picked apart the Bearcat defense for 400 yards passing while Hunter and Rogers went for 170 and 100 yards respectively.  Cincinnati had its moment as they opened up the scoring with a long gallop by Isaiah Pead, who wound up with 150+ on the ground.  At 1st periods end it was all even, 14-14.  It was then that the pass happy Vols ran away and hid.  Final score – 45-23!!  First test comes next week as Dooley & Co. pay a visit to the swamp.  You’ll want to check it out.

Tennessee – IMPROVED

Kentucky vs. Central Michigan

After a painfully lackluster performance against Western Kentucky the week prior Kentucky was a program with aspirations for improvement in week 2.  The Cats, after being down by a touchdown at the end of the first half woke up in the second to score 21 unanswered.  UK’s quarterback Morgan Newton wasn’t asked to be heroic and he played well enough for the W, getting some support from freshman back Josh Clemons who went for 125 and a TD and most of that coming on a 87 yard jaunt in the 3rd quarter that really put the game away.  Although the defense will need to shore up some against the pass Kentucky wins 27-13.  The Big Blue have in state rival Louisville coming to Lexington is week 3.

Kentucky – IMPROVED

Vanderbilt vs. UConn

We’ll sing it from the hills again … VANDY WINS, VANDY WINS, VANDY WINS!!  After pummeling Elon in week 1 the Commodores dispatched of UConn and made a valiant comeback to get it done.  The defense can take much of the credit for this win as Casey Hayward returned a UConn pass 50 yards for a TD.  Jerron Seymour showed out as well with 70 yards for the ‘Dores on the ground including a 40 yard touchdown run.  Vandy has much to tune up for week 3 as they host Ole Miss, but this week the score – Vandy 24 & UConn 21.

Vanderbilt – BETTER IMPROVE FOR WEEK 3