The Fire Mark Richt Debate Verdict

September 29, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Optimist Prime and Bleacher Fan.

Athens, Georgia is in a state of panic due to the recent struggles of the Georgia Bulldogs. It has been the general consensus, until recently, that while Mark Richt hasn’t been in danger of losing his job, he has definitely been feeling the heat. That’s why he brought in a new defensive coordinator this past off-season in Todd Grantham (after an extended courtship of UGA alum, and current Alabama defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart, who I actually think will make a fine head coach someday). However, a loss last Saturday to Mississippi State dropped the Bulldogs to 1-3 overall and an embarrassing 0-3 in SEC play. What to do with coach Richt?

Bleacher Fan took the route of giving the heav- ho to Richt. While stating Richt’s credentials, which seem to be rather impressive on the surface, Bleacher Fan notes that other coaches in the SEC like Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, and Les Miles have blown his doors off and won at least one national championship since Richt became head coach at the University of Georgia. It’s also stated that Georgia seems to be underachieving given the talent on the roster. The 2008 team, with future first round NFL picks Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, started out the year ranked number one… but ended up the year playing in the Capital One Bowl. It’s a New Year’s Day Bowl, but not a BCS Bowl, which should be the goal at a school like Georgia.

Optimist Prime takes the opposing view, preaching thatUGA fans should remain patient with Mark Richt. Richt is a proven winner in arguably the nation’s best conference, and there’s no reason to think that he won’t be again. Three examples are brought up that I think are relevant, but one really hit me.

Frank Solich was fired after a 9-3 season in 2004 at Nebraska. Keep in mind Nebraska was arguably THE program of the 1990s with two national championships. But Solich’s 58-19 record had been eclipsed by the success at the time by Bob Stoops and Mack Brown. That’s the same kind of success Meyer and Saban are experiencing at Florida and Alabama, respectively, right now. However, we all recall what happened to Nebraska after Solich was fired. Bill Callahan. A West coast offense at Nebraska? They are just now recovering after that disaster.

Back to the situation at hand…

There are definitely some issues in Athens, in addition to the ones on the field, and Richt deserves some responsibility for that. Yet another UGA football player (the tenth this season) was recently arrested for DUI and underage possession (he certainly wasn’t celebrating a UGA victory). He was quickly dismissed from the team as new athletic director Greg McGarity, himself replacing someone arrested for DUI, has indicated this kind of activity won’t be tolerated. And as Bleacher Fan stated, Georgia consistently produces top ten recruiting classes. Where are the kids going? Other than spending time in Clarke County Jail, where are they going? (Note: Former UGA quarterback Zack Mettenberger was arrested in March in Valdosta, Georgia, where Sports Geek and I went to college). I’m on record as saying that recruiting is hit or miss to some extent. But…

Let’s look at the context of this season. As we all know, A.J. Green has missed the first four games of the season due to, quite frankly, poor judgment on his part. Richt had no control over this. He’s playing a redshirt freshman at quarterback in Aaron Murray. He’s going to be a good one, but he still doesn’t have his best weapon at wide receiver. Things look grim right now. And they are grim.

But look at the next four games on the schedule. Starting this weekend the Dawgs go to Colorado, return home to face Tennessee and Vanderbilt, and then travel to Kentucky. All four of those games are winnable. Win those four and all of a sudden Georgia is 5-3 before the trip to Jacksonville to take on the Gators. I just don’t think now is the time to pull the plug on Mark Richt. He hasn’t YET had a losing season, which is quite remarkable if you think about it. If UGA finishes 6-6, or thereabouts, at the end of the season, then some tough decisions may have to be made. But now is not that time. Let’s not panic just yet. Let’s see this thing play out. That’s why I am awarding the verdict to Optimist Prime.

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Posted by Loyal Homer

The Fire Mark Richt Debate

September 28, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Optimist Prime and Bleacher Fan.

The heat has been turned up in Athens, Georgia!

For the past ten years the Georgia Bulldogs have been one of the top programs in the SEC. Ever since Mark Richt became head coach in 2001 UGA has consistently contended for conference championships, even winning a couple in 2002 and 2005. The program, after going through a lull in the 1990s, had reached the status it once had in the 1980s.

Things began to go downhill last season. An 8-5 finish last season capped off with an Independence Bowl win isn’t exactly what Bulldog Nation wants to see. The fans want bowl games in New Orleans and, at the very least, in Florida on New Years… not in Shreveport in late December. All could have been smoothed over with a solid start to the 2010 campaign.

That simply hasn’t happened

After Saturday night’s embarrassing loss to Mississippi State in Starkville, the Bulldogs are 1-3 overall and 0-3 in conference play, with games remaining against Florida and Auburn, among others. The Bulldogs lost three games in a row for the first time in twenty years. What once was one of the marquee SEC programs has now slipped into mediocrity.

That brings us to today’s debate. Should UGA cut ties with Mark Richt and fire him?

Optimist Prime believes that Richt has earned the benefit of the doubt in his tenure and deserves a chance to turn things around. Bleacher Fan, on the other hand, believes that the program has slipped far enough that Richt needs to be fired so UGA can begin the rebuilding process immediately.

This is sure to be a passionate debate so have at it!

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The Fire Mark Richt Debate… Patience Leads to Stable Success

September 28, 2010

Read the opposing argument from Bleacher Fan.

It’s often said that the grass is greener on the other side. Nowhere is this statement taken more to heart than fan bases of big-time college football programs. As soon as the starting quarterback throws a bad pass, they want the back-up to play. As soon as the kicker shanks a field goal they want open tryouts so the student body can come try its hand at kicking. Last but not least, as soon as the head coach loses a couple games in a row they are calling for his head, putting for sale signs in his yard, and announcing on message boards that their sister’s lawn guy’s cousin just saw Bill Cowher at the local Wendy’s with his real estate agent.

Exhibit A for this behavior right now is the Dawg fans of the University of Georgia. After a brutal 1-3 start (0-3 in the SEC) many to most of them would gladly buy Mark Richt’s bus ticket out of Athens. The question they should ask themselves, however, is what exactly will that accomplish?

Currently in his tenth season at UGA, Richt owns an overall record of 91-30, a record of 50-25 in the Southeastern Conference, and a bowl record of 7-2. In four of his first nine complete seasons at the helm of the Bulldogs, he won all or part of the SEC Eastern Division title. The Bulldogs also finished six of those nine seasons ranked in the top 15 of the AP poll. Many fans reading this article would love to be able to spout these stats off and would gladly sing Richt’s praises before and after their weekly tailgate.

While I was reading through these stats while researching this post, it boggled my mind that firing Richt is even a discussion at this point, but it most certainly is. He seems to be a favorite “hot seat” mention, and while I’m sure the media is drumming this up a bit to give themselves something to talk about, a quick perusal of UGA fan sites and blogs (such as the AJC blog and comments page here) show that this is not merely a media-generated controversy.

While some fans will point to UGA’s rising ranking in the Fulmer Cup standings as the reason they’d like to see Coach Richt gone, let’s be serious here and point out that if the Bulldogs were 4-0 at this point in the season, the level of moral outrage among a lot of the fans would be significantly diminished. Pure and simple, the reason that some UGA fans are looking toward making a change is because of the perception that the program is slipping after an 8-5 record last season and a 1-3 start this season.

While many fans are more than happy to throw the aforementioned statistics out the window in a situation like this, that can be a dangerous thing. Nebraska fans were eager to get rid of Frank Solich, Texas A&M fans eventually ran R.C. Slocum off, and in the not too distant past the University of Michigan ran off the successful, respected Lloyd Carr. How has that worked out for the three schools? Nebraska seems to be on the road to recovery, but it’s taken a few years and a disastrous coaching hire before the current one. Texas A&M has struggled, and often failed, to attain the level of respect and relevance the program once had. Michigan, this year’s start notwithstanding, has been far, far below their standards the past two years and without Denard Robinson this season, one could argue they’d again be an average to below-average football team.

What’s my point here? My point is that the grass is not always greener on the other side. A poisonous fan culture can sometimes poison the team and the program. My advice to the UGA fans now dedicated to “not accepting mediocrity” – crack a cold one, enjoy your tailgate, and cheer on your Dawgs. Evaluate the program after the season just like the Athletic Director will, and speak your piece then. History says that Mark Richt is a good coach and he likely will be again (perhaps even this year). History also says that these trigger-happy fans should be careful what they wish for because they just might get it.

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Posted by Optimist Prime

The Fire Mark Richt Debate… Expectations Outpace Mark Richt

September 28, 2010

Read the opposing argument from Optimist Prime.

Mark Richt is no longer able to compete in the SEC.

Yes, he HAS led the Georgia Bulldogs to nine consecutive bowl appearances, and boasts a bowl record of 7-2 in those nine games. He has maintained exceptionally strong recruiting classes during his tenure, and has twice been named the SEC Coach of the Year. And if he were head coach of a Big East or ACC program, that would be considered a wildly successful performance, and Richt would be at the front of the line for the next “elite” coaching job in college football.

The only problem is he already HAS that elite coaching job in the nation’s top football conference. And when you look at his performance, specifically over the past four years as the SEC has completely dominated college football, Richt has actually UNDER-performed.

BCS Shortcomings

In the nine full seasons since Richt became head coach at Georgia, he has coached his squad to a 2-1 BCS record, with no national championship game appearances.

Now, let’s compare that to some of his SEC colleagues:

Les Miles is 2-0 in BCS games since 2005, including a national championship with LSU.

Nick Saban is 3-1 in BCS games, with two national championships for two different SEC programs (LSU and Alabama).

Urban Meyer is 3-0 in BCS games, with two national championships.

Pop quiz, what is Mark Richt lacking? That’s right! A national championship, DESPITE being at the head of one of the supposed powerhouses in the SEC.

As for those two BCS wins, one came in 2002, back before the SEC had really developed into the conference powerhouse it is today, and the other came in 2007 against a Hawaii team that had no business being in the BCS, DESPITE an undefeated regular season record (don’t forget that Hawaii earned their record by playing the WAC, two different FCS teams, and the only team they played from a BCS-caliber conference was the 4-8 Washington Huskies).

While the SEC has improved, Georgia has declined

There is clearly a gap in talent between Mark Richt and the other premier coaches of the SEC. And with each passing year the irrefutable evidence indicates that the gap is widening.

Since Georgia’s last BCS win in 2007, while the SEC has improved as a conference, the Bulldogs have been on a steady and sharp decline.

Entering into the 2008 season Georgia was ranked as the top team in the country. How did Richt respond to that ranking? By losing not once, but THREE times that season.

Again, a 10-3 record (with a win in the Capital One Bowl) is not bad, but as the pre-season favorite to win the national championship, three losses equals to a HUGE disappointment.

Then in 2009, Georgia (who still managed a top-ten recruiting class) was ranked in the pre-season as the 13th best team in the nation, and they played on to a record of only 8-5… falling COMPLETELY out of the top-25 by season’s end.

Somehow, despite that slide even deeper out of SEC relevance, Georgia managed ANOTHER solid recruiting class and found itself once more ranked in the 2010 pre-season as one of the 25 best teams in the country.

And once again, Richt has failed.

So far this season he has managed to win only one game (against Louisiana-Lafayette), and his three losses (all of which have come against SEC competition) have him sitting in dead last as the worst team in the conference.

It is time for Richt to go

During his tenure, Richt’s performance at the University of Georgia has been good, but as far as the University of Georgia’s expectations are concerned, “good” in the SEC simply isn’t good enough. This is a program that has recruited some of the top talent in the country, but has failed miserably on the field.

Since 2007, Mark Richt has had top-ten caliber talent coming into each season, and has progressively dropped further and further out of contention. He has lost 11 times in the SEC during that time (compared to only four losses each by Florida and Alabama during that same period). This season, he has the Bulldogs off to their worst start in 20 years (they also started at 1-3 during the 1993 season).

The SEC has progressed to a level at which Mark Richt can no longer compete.

Three different head coaches have won national championships in the SEC over the last four years. Each one has progressively improved their program’s stature, elevating the conference in the process. All the while Georgia fans have been left on the sidelines with nothing but disappointment.

Mark Richt has had all the tools, and every opportunity, to improve his program right alongside the likes of Saban, Miles, and Meyer. But unlike those three, Richt has failed to capitalize on his opportunities.

While the SEC has gotten better, Mark Richt has gotten worse. The only way that Georgia can progress as a football program is if they leave Richt behind.

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Early Season NFL Injury Debate… Saints Get Bushwhacked

September 27, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan.

Early season injuries are always tough. Just when a team is trying to find its stride, a key player gets injured and it is as if the team has to start over from scratch. Any rhythm the team has offensively is gone. All of the practice, the OTAs, the training camp, is rendered meaningless because the coaching staff and players have to hit reset on the approach to offense.

My colleagues, and others in the sports media, will argue for a variety of players as having the most important injury after three weeks of the regular season. However, most of those players either aren’t important enough to their team for the injury to be meaningful, or the team wasn’t important enough to the division, conference or league – that is, team expectations were low – so the injury just is not that big of a deal.

The first scenario includes players like Ryan Grant, Kevin Kolb, and Dennis Dixon. They are probably decent players, but not irreplaceable. The second scenario includes a player like Matthew Stafford. He may be important to his team, but the expectations for the Lions were so low that his absence doesn’t really impact anything.

Reggie Bush, however, is a different story. The division, conference, and league has high expectations for the returning champions. The Saints, in many ways, are a team defined by offense and big plays. Reggie Bush is the key to making the offense work. He is a versatile player, and one the team built its offense around. He can take a hand off, a direct snap, or split out wide in the slot and catch a slant pattern. He is the type of player a team has to get the ball to in space because he can quickly make a big play.

It is evident that a player is really tough to replace when beat writers start printing stories about how the team is dealing with the aftermath of the injury. Browse any local paper you’d like to, and you’ll see articles about how the Saints are going to struggle moving on from Bush’s broken fibula.

The biggest chance to look for in Bush’s absence is how the Saints will adjust to zone coverage, especially when facing a nickel package where the defense has at least one extra defensive back. Normally this is a situation where Bush would be sent in motion after lining up in the running back position. The idea is to create a mismatch with the opposition where Bush runs pass patterns against lower depth chart defensive backs or even linebackers. Especially on third down – a down the Saints are excellent at converting at 36 percent this season and a whopping 44.7 percent last season – as that is the preferred down for the opposition to mix up the defensive look.

Those who argue that Bush’s absence will not be felt are likely have their head stuck in the stat sheet. Bush isn’t setting records for rushing yards or receiving yards. But to reduce what Bush does for the Saints to stats reflects a poor understanding of Bush and, frankly, of football. Bush can change field position and break any play, and that is the most difficult type of player to replace in the lineup.

The Saints are not going to start playing terribly now. But, the team will have to hit reset and break out of an approach that has worked for several seasons. It is difficult, frustrating, and inconvenient, and there will be an adjustment period for the Saints. Bush isn’t the type of talent that can simply be replaced. The gameplan has to change, and that is why Bush’s injury is the most difficult to recover from at this point in the season.

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Posted by Sports Geek

The Early Season NFL Injury Debate… Grant’s Absence Could Slow Down The Pack

September 27, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan.

No matter how good a team is passing, it’s pretty common knowledge that a team needs to be able to pose some threat of a running game to be a good football team. Even a relative inexperienced writer like me knows that. Heading into tonight’s matchup with the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers have established themselves as a high powered offense behind the strong arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He’s quickly established himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. But with the season-ending week one injury to Ryan Grant, the Packers must find a way to develop some semblance of a rushing attack if they want to make some noise in January.

Some have been quick to dismiss this injury because of the potency of the Packers passing attack. After all, didn’t Rodgers throw for 58 combined touchdowns the past two seasons? As a matter of fact he did (as a Rodgers-owner in fantasy football the past two seasons… and this season… thanks). Lest we forget, Ryan Grant is somewhat quietly coming off back to back seasons of rushing for at least 1,200 yards. He was the workhorse of the backfield, carrying the ball 584 times over that same time frame. That’s durability, and that’s not something you can just pick up off the waiver wire or off the practice squad.

Unfortunately for the Packers there isn’t a lot of depth at the running back position. There is no Chester Taylor, Ricky Williams, Felix Jones, or any of those “name” running backs. In fact, raise your hand (or leave a comment below) if you’re more than vaguely familiar with Brandon Jackson or Dmitri Nance. Are these guys going to be able to carry the load for the Packers? Can they replace the 1,200 yards that have been lost with Grant on injured reserve? I don’t think so, and that’s going to put that much more pressure on Rodgers and his receivers. It showed last week as the Packers ran for only 71 yards on 22 carries against the Bills.

Another area where Grant will be missed is pass protection. It’s well known that the Rodgers spent a lot of time on his backside last season. In fact, he was sacked 50 times! Both Jackson and Nance, along with fullback John Kuhn, are going to have to work much harder to protect the franchise quarterback. Teams are going to be geared up to stop the pass with virtually no running threat established at this point. Grant established himself as a strong pass blocker, and that’s one of the things that really doesn’t show up on the stat sheet in the morning newspaper.

Don’t be so quick to dismiss Ryan Grant’s injury. I know most people think that Green Bay is a pass happy team, and by most accounts it surely is. But Grant established himself as the perfect running back in the Packers’ offense. He’ll be sorely missed. It’ll be up to a cast of virtual unknowns to step up and keep the Packers’ goals alive.

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Posted by Loyal Homer

The Early Season NFL Injury Debate… In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

September 27, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Loyal Homer.

It just doesn’t seem fair, does it?

The Steelers, who traded away their top receiver, Santonio Holmes, after a multitude of legal issues, then saw Ben Roethlisberger suspended for his off-season activities. And now the team is cruising with a 3-0 record on the arm of the FOURTH-string quarterback.

Even the Jets, who have a front office, apparently, that does not care how classless and trashy the team looks, flaunt profanity, harass female TV reporters, and offer only token punishments for guys who get arrested for a DWI. Yet even the Jets have managed to win this season.

Then we have the Detroit Lions. No suspensions, scandals, controversies, or crimes of note. But more importantly, no wins yet again as we close out week three of the season.

Does Karma take Sundays off?

Despite winning only two games since the start of the 2008 season, the Lions were entering 2010 with real reasons for optimism, thanks in large part to the combination of Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and rookie running back Jahvid Best on offense. Through the first half of the week one game against the Chicago Bears it appeared that potential really was progressing toward proven. Matt Stafford was 11-15 in passing for 83 yards, Jahvid Best scored two rushing touchdowns, and the Lions stormed out to a 14-3 lead over the division rival Chicago Bears.

Unfortunately for Detroit, that’s where the good news ends.

As the first half drew to a close Stafford suffered a shoulder injury which knocked him out of the game, completely derailing any progress the Lions had hoped for while starting the 2010 campaign. Although it is true that the Lions were not going to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders this season, it does not change the absolutely devastating impact that Stafford’s injury has on the Lions.

Now, I don’t normally play the “What if” game, but who knows what would have happened if Stafford had remained healthy.

After losing Stafford the Lions went on to lose the first two games by a COMBINED total of only eight points. Perhaps if the Lions had the BEST quarterback in the game (instead of backup Shaun Hill), they would have gotten a little more production out of the offense, and would have come into yesterday’s game against the Vikings at 2-0 instead of 0-2.

Perhaps, if Stafford had remained healthy, the Lions’ box score from last weekend would have read better than 234 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against a struggling Vikings team.

Perhaps, if the Lions had been able to bring positive momentum into yesterday’s game, they would have been in FIRST place in the NFC North, rather than last place.

But those things didn’t happen. Instead, the Lions ARE in last place, and now that Jahvid Best is also injured, they appear to once more be in contention for the dubious honor of being the worst team in football.

Matthew Stafford’s injury has come at a much greater cost to the Detroit Lions than any other injury sustained around the league. The Lions will only find improvement with Stafford at the helm. Until he returns, Detroit fans better get used to losing (well, I guess they already are).

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate… Tradition, Stakes High For Week Three

September 23, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Babe Ruthless and Bleacher Fan.

Here I am, the last truly fervent college football devotee here at The Sports Debates, NOT writing about how some game on Saturday will be the weekend’s best. It almost makes me feel dirty. For me, college football is absolutely the greatest sport in America. The players may not have the refined athleticism of their professional counterparts, but, like the entire sport itself, its unrefined gray area on and off the field is what makes it so lovable.

But, everyone once in a great while, some of the traditions that hold so strongly for college football seep into some professional games. When tradition is augmented with talent, intrigue, and TRUE drama – not the mocked up stuff the sports media wants us all to believe is important – then the traits that make all college football games great are mirrored in the professional game. No game better encapsulates that idea than the matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday.

It has been a long four seasons for the Chicago Bears. Can you believe it has been four years since the Bears even made the playoffs? Of course, the team more than made the playoffs. The team won the NFC Central, the NFC, and then lost in the Super Bowl. But the team has lost its direction since by firing several defensive coordinators, hiring former NFL coaches as coordinators (and in one case as just the defensive line coach), and swapping players out with reckless abandon. Well, at least that is one perception of the Bears the past several seasons. The other perception is that it was a down on its luck team that succumbed to too many injuries too close together.

No matter what, it was clear the team stunk and the expectations beyond .500 were unwise.

The Packers, however, are a team that built toward success through strong draft cycles, player development, and a commitment to a core group of players that was exceptionally wise. While the Bears acted in mercurial fashion, the Packers have slowly built toward a team that is coming of age and poised to dominate its division with designs on extending its life deeper into the playoffs in 2010. While the expectations are high, the talent and ability of the team seems to be in lockstep.

Now, both teams – which relish the opportunity to play in a rivalry that is truly one the greater contests in sports – sit in a tie atop a surprising division, each boasting a 2-0 record.

The Bears must prove their record is not a fluke. If not for a stupid rule that prevented the Detroit Lions from beating the Bears in week one, the team would be sitting at 1-1. Boosted by a bogus rule, the team came out and beat a still talented, though struggling, Dallas Cowboys team. A quick glance at the Bears’ schedule reveals that the next two weeks will be very revelatory for the team. If the team can be 4-0 at the quarter pole of the season – or even 3-1 – suddenly the Bears become the team to beat in the division. With a primetime, Monday night matchup this week, and a Sunday night contest against the Giants next week, the Bears may fight through ha tough stretch and legitimately challenge the Packers for the division crown.

The Packers must prove their record is a sign of things to come. Their schedule reads very differently than the Bears’. While Chicago caught Dallas early and down, the Packers face off against them in week nine, right after a game against the Jets. The injury to starting running back Ryan Grant has shaken the team, but does not appear to have broken it. Brandon Jackson is a more than able backup running back on a team that is built around the passing game anyway. The defense is outstanding, with Clay Matthews playing stellar on defense thus far having recorded six sacks already.

The Bears and the Packers are eager to make a statement. This game is early in the season but crucially important if either team is to prove it can compete each week when it matters the most.

As inconsistent s the Bears have been in recent seasons, the Packers are now that consistent. Both teams need to win this game. Sure, it helps for one of have bragging rights and the tiebreak, but both teams have a real shot to have a special season, and both need a win this weekend to build momentum and belief. For week three, there is a lot at stake, making this game the best this weekend has to offer.

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Posted by Sports Geek

The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate… Enter the Gauntlet

September 23, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Babe Ruthless.

Boise State is ranked as the third best team in the nation right now.

Is it deserved?

Sure after beating a ranked Virginia Tech team, but that is the same team that lost to FCS James Madison one week later, too.

Even if they beat Oregon State this weekend (who is grossly over-ranked at 24th in a fraudulent attempt to try and justify Boise State’s own over-ranking on the assumption the team will beat the Beavers), it does not truly validate the projection that they are the third best team in the nation.

Then you have the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now THERE is a team that has earned their ranking.

And if they are able to survive the next three weekends – arguably the toughest stretch in all of college football (they are scheduled to play the ninth, tenth, and twelfth ranked teams in the nation on back-to-back-to-back weekends) – then there will be no first place votes left to share with Ohio State, Boise State, or whatever other pretender to the Crimson Tide throne may step forward.

So, tomorrow, Alabama will embark on the first of its Herculean labors by traveling to Fayetteville to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. The matchup between these two SEC powerhouses at Reynold’s Razorback Stadium will feature several of the most talented players in college football, and unlike the Boise State games, this one has REAL national championship implications.

Arkansas, led by Heisman hopeful Ryan Mallett, is currently ranked tenth in the nation by the Associated Press, and is cruising into this weekend after an impressive win on the road against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Mallett, who leads the nation with 1,081 passing yards, will provide Alabama’s relatively inexperienced defense with its toughest test of the season as the Razorbacks look to end Alabama’s reign at the top of the SEC’s west division. If Mallett wishes to continue his candidacy for college football’s highest individual honor, he will have to play nearly flawless football. Otherwise, he can pull up a chair next to Jake Locker and kiss his hopes of becoming the next Heisman Trophy winner goodbye.

And speaking of Heisman winners (how’s that for a segue?!), Mark Ingram seems to be back at full strength after rushing for more than 150 yards and two scores on only nine carries for the Crimson Tide last weekend. And now that he is paired in the backfield again with Trent Richardson (who is just as explosive as Ingram), Alabama once more boasts the most formidable rushing offense in college football.

This game will feature arguably the two best teams in the SEC, one of whom will be making a statement this weekend that they legitimately deserve a shot at the national championship.

Yes, I know that there are still teams like Florida, LSU, and even South Carolina who have started the season strong. But it will be the winner from this game who becomes the de facto team to beat, not just in the SEC, but in the entire nation.

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate… AFC East Battle Ground

September 23, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan.

Over the past nine seasons the AFC East has belonged to the New England Patriots. The Patriots absolutely dominated the division winning seven of nine division championships since 2001, with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins each winning one championship during that time. With the Patriots looking more vulnerable than ever, the Dolphins and Jets will clash for the top spot in the division in the best game this weekend.

Sanchez Finds His Swagger

The Jets figure to bring their suddenly potent offense to this game, led by a resurgent quarterback in Mark Sanchez. After struggling to get anything going offensively in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens the Jets righted the ship last week against long time division rival, the New England Patriots. Out of nowhere, New York’s sophomore signal caller went from completing just ten passes for 74 yards and no scores in week one to setting career highs in completions (21) and touchdowns (3) just six days later against the Pats. While one good outing does not make the Jets a lock for the Super Bowl, it does show that Sanchez and the Jets’ offense are improving.

It also appeared as if the Jets answered questions about one of their perceived weaknesses – a lack of elite receiving options. Sanchez connected with Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, and Dustin Keller for touchdowns. Now if LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene – neither of which has scored or eclipsed 100 yards in a game – can somehow jump start Gang Green’s running attack, the Jets could boast one of the most threatening offenses in the league. And the Jets will need it as they take on the stout defense of the Dolphins.

New Team to Beat

For all the praise and accolades that Jets are accumulating, the 2-0 Dolphins are still the team to beat in the AFC East, becoming an offensive and defensive force. Chad Henne is starting to develop rapport with his new number one receiver Brandon Marshall (12 grabs for 124 yards through two games) and the ground game has proven even more formidable. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have racked up 237 yards thus far, and already look like the league’s premier one-two punch. And, of course, the Dolphins can always be counted on for some solid defense.

Miami’s off-season pickup of Brandon Marshall is one of the main difference makers for the new-look Dolphins. Marshall’s mere presence figures to stretch the field and keep opposing defenses honest when attempting to cover the run. It looks like Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie will be asked to cover Marshall, and by all appearances that looks like a matchup that Marshall can win. He is a strong, physical receiver that can mix it up with the contact averse Cromartie all game long. Each player called out of position to support Cromartie in coverage makes the Jets that much more vulnerable.

Tale of the Tape

Both of these teams have playoff contender written all over them, but they will have to get past each other first to truly earn that title. It all starts with this Sunday’s matchup.

For the Jets to win they will need another solid performance from Sanchez. The Dolphins will no doubt be sending pressure in the form of talented young linebacker Cameron Wake. If Sanchez can stay vertical and make accurate passes for scores he will put his team in a good position to win. For the Fins to retain first place in the division they will need to rely on what got the team to where it is in the first place, a gritty run game. Computer projections suggest that if the Miami ground game can surpass the 100 yard mark, then the game is pretty much a lock win for Miami. No matter who wins Sunday, the outcome should reshape the future of the AFC East.

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