Welcome in to the SEC Roundup here on SoBros Network. Each week, we’ll take you through the headlines of the Southeastern Conference – we’re planning to stick to football, but who knows where this thing will take us? Buckle up and stay tuned. LFG.
SEC Roundup: February 27th, 2019
Okay, so let’s pick up on some of the major SEC offseason storylines heading into the spring. Where do we stand here at the end of February?
Recruiting rankings
Here’s how the 2019 recruiting rankings shook out:
1.Alabama
2. Georgia
4. Texas A&M
5. LSU
9. Florida
11. Auburn
12. Tennessee
17. South Carolina
22. Ole Miss
23. Arkansas
24. Mississippi State
34. Kentucky
36. Missouri
58. Vanderbilt
Surprised? Not really – I will say, good for Jimbo Fisher and Jeremy Pruitt.
ESPN’s Way Too Early Top 25
A couple of weeks ago, ESPN released their way-too-early top 25 for the 2019 season. As you’d expect the SEC had quite the presence on the list. Clemson took the #1 spot, but no one should be surprised after a lopsided National Championship victory that certainly felt like a changing of the guard. The Alabama Crimson Tide lead the SEC at #2, but if ever there were a year for this program to tumble, this might be it. Only returning five starters on defense (I know – we say that every year), and having to hire what feels like a thousand new coaches…eventually it’s going to catch up to them, if it hasn’t already.
The Georgia Bulldogs are at #4, and as it stands, I’d list them as the favorite to win the SEC in 2019. Kirby Smart is doing a bang-up job in recruiting. From a depth perspective, they’re finally catching up to ‘Bama.
Having the Florida Gators at #8 seems a little high to me. I love Dan Mullen, but they’re going to have virtually an entirely new offensive line. Plus, they’re losing some key production on defense. They’re my prime regression candidate this season.
I love, love, love the Texas A&M Aggies at #11, even if their schedule looks crippling right now. The LSU Tigers are currently at #12, though I think they’re another candidate for regression. Then, the Auburn Tigers round out the SEC presence on this list at #23.
It’s fuckin’ February. So, it’s hard to tell whether or not I agree or disagree with this list. I imagine it’ll look a whole lot different by the time September rolls around. But, for the most part, there’s nothing egregious here.
Jalen Hurts to Oklahoma
What are the odds that the Oklahoma Sooners can have three consecutive Heisman winners? I don’t know, but there’s a large group of people in the desert who could probably tell you. After a strong career with the Tide, Jalen Hurts announced his transfer to the high-powered Sooners offense. They’re going to torch the Big 12, and personally, I wish Hurts nothing but the best. Legitimately one of my favorite college football players of all time.
Jim Chaney joins the Vols
The Tennessee Volunteers found themselves in need of an offensive coordinator after Tyson Helton left to become the head coach at Western Kentucky. The absurd coaching search lasted six weeks before it was announced that Jim Chaney would fill the role.
Shit – maybe it took six weeks to convince him to leave. That was a big get for the Vols and a huge victory for Pruitt, who is one of college football’s hottest emerging coaches, in my opinion.
Missouri’s Bowl Ban
There’s way too much info on this story to keep it simple for a roundup piece, so I’ll just defer to SB Nation’s overview of it:
The NCAA dropped a hammer on Mizzou’s athletic department Thursday, announcing a series of sanctions that most prominently include a 2019 bowl ban for the football team. The school will appeal, but for now, it’s in boiling water.
The punishments stem from compliance violations by a tutor who was a bit too helpful to the athletes she taught, sometimes taking exams and, in at least one case, “an entire course” for a player she was supposed to be helping. The Tigers’ baseball and softball teams also got postseason bans, but it’s the football ban that will get the most publicity.
The NCAA’s investigation stretched from January 2017 to February 2018, when it formally accused Mizzou of academic fraud. The NCAA’s public presentation on Mizzou is here.
Alex Kirshner did a fine job writing that piece. But, it couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Missouri Tigers. I mean, they had a stellar 2018 campaign. They win the Kelly Bryant sweepstakes. Are they as deep as Georgia? No – but I think there was a good chance they could’ve finished second in the SEC East in 2019.
Instead, Barry Odom is worried about players getting poached from schools who are actually going to play in bowl games. SMDH.
Notes/Links
- Alabama and West Virginia have agreed to a home-and-home in 2026 and 2027. “Take me home, country roads.” -Nick Saban, probably
- Awesome write-up on the potential to renew the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry game.
- Vanderbilt has extended Derek Mason. I dig it – think he’s done an admirable job. That ain’t an easy job, but I think stability is the key here.
- Major Applewhite is joining the Alabama staff as an analyst.
- The Auburn-Georgia game is being moved up earlier in the season in 2020.
- Barry Odom goes scoreboard on the Tennessee Volunteers.
- Go on a cruise with Steve Spurrier. Seriously.
Until next week, S-E-C! S-E-C! S-E-C!
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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