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If you ask college football fans where to find the best high school talent in the country, many would tell you California, Texas, and Florida.
They wouldn't be wrong, but few are aware of a high school in the town of Stone Mountain, Georgia that has produced 19 Division I football players since 2001. That includes two guys, Anthony Cannon of the Detroit Lions and DeMario Minter of the Cleveland Browns, who were drafted in April. This football program has only been around for 10 years, yet it continues to generate college stars.
SEC coaches are certainly well aware of Stephenson High School and its head coach, Ron Gartrell.
"We've got our share out there in the SEC," Gartrell said. "Each week we're kind of straddling the fence in terms of who we're gonna cheer for, but we're just glad they're all out there."
Here's a quick list of some of current SEC players that Gartrell coached.
LSU LBs Kelvin Sheppard and Perry Riley
Georgia RB Kregg Lumpkin and SE T.J. Gartrell (the coach's son)
Vanderbilt WR Alex Washington
Alabama DB Lionel Mitchell
Then there's junior free safety Michael Grant, who originally signed with Georgia but ended up with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Grant had 39 tackles and three interceptions in nine games. He will miss Saturday's game because of an injury.
"Michael Grant, during the time he was in high school, was one of the fastest kids in the country," Gartrell said.
The coach told us that Grant, who played safety and occasionally offense while also running track in high school, was heavily recruited by numerous teams. He eventually chose the Razorbacks, and that gives Coach Gartrell an easy decision to make on Saturday.
He'll root for Arkansas.
Actually, not so fast.
I forgot to tell you about Florida's freshman defensive end Jermaine Cunningham, another Stephenson High School superstar.
"Tremendous football player," Gartrell said. "One of the best defensive players we've ever had. One of the best high school defensive players that anybody's ever had."
Cunningham has seen limited action this year as a backup on a very deep defensive line. In high school, he set a Stephenson single season record with 25 sacks and a career record with more than 50 sacks.
"Jermaine was the hardest hitter," Stephenson fullback Jeffrey Tarver said.
Stephenson is actually the only high school with a player on both Arkansas and Florida. So who will the coach be rooting for this weekend?
"We don't have any preference in terms of who wins and who loses," he said. "We'll let them guys do the bragging about that. We just want to see our kids do well."
Gartrell's kids have done very well. Stephenson High School also provided Georgia Tech with its quarterback - Reggie Ball. And while Arkansas and Florida are playing in the Georgia Dome this week, one more win for the Stephenson Jaguars puts them in the semifinals of the playoffs. That game will be held in downtown Atlanta, at the Georgia Dome.
Friday's quarterfinal game will be huge for the Jaguars, but the following day, the focus will shift to the guys who are playing at the next level and representing their high school.
"I'm gonna cheer for them both," Tarver said, "but I think Florida's gonna pull it out, though."
Another teammate, running back Louis Manning, shared his memories of playing with both Grant and Cunningham.
"I just know you had to be on your P's and Q's when they're out on the field practicing, because they come hard every play."
Both Tarver and Manning are inspired by the success of their former teammates. They hope to follow in their footsteps soon. Many of these Stephenson stars come back to their high school and give advice to the current players. They tell them to stay focused and keep their heads up.
If they get a chance to watch the SEC Championship on Saturday, it will be a special moment for the Jaguars players and coaches who shared a locker room with Grant and Cunningham. It's special any time they flip through the channels on a Saturday and see Stephenson High School being represented all over the country.
"It means a lot to us," Manning said. "They're putting us out on the map."
Unfortunately, it can make watching television difficult.
"Sometimes," Gartrell said, "just sit there on Saturdays. Just flick through the TV because you've got so many that's playing."
That's a good problem to have.
For now, let's assume the rumors are true. Maybe it's all false and the Tigers aren't going to be invited to the Rose Bowl, but let's just act like what we've been reading is accurate.
LSU is headed to Pasadena.
The SEC is headed to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1946.
Nice.
College football fans deserve an LSU-Michigan or an LSU-USC battle. Without question, either of those two games would be the best BCS Bowl Game on paper, aside from the National Championship.
Personally, I'd love to see LSU play the Trojans of Southern California. East needs to meet West more often. It would be a great opportunity for LSU to show that the SEC can dominate West Coast football teams. It would be a way to confirm what a lot of people in Eastern Standard Time already believe - that USC has benefited over the last few years from a weak schedule.
An LSU victory would be a serious statement for those who believe in strength of schedule and the strength of the Southeastern Conference.
All the Florida fans that are talking about strength of schedule right now would love to see LSU beat the Pac 10 champs in a bowl game.
Actually, they would love to see the Gators beat the Pac 10 or Big 10 champs in a bowl game.
The only problem with LSU being invited to the Rose Bowl is this: What about Florida?
If UF loses to Arkansas on Saturday, are they really not going to be the at-large SEC bid? Didn't they beat LSU? Doesn't it seem premature to be sending the Tigers to the Rose Bowl? I'm sure Gators fans would say that UF deserves a BCS Bowl bid over a team that they beat.
The SEC deserves two BCS teams. The winner of Saturday's game will be one of them. If that team is Florida, send LSU to Pasadena. If that team is Arkansas, send UF.
But regardless of which team goes, it would be great to have an SEC team in the Rose Bowl. I love tradition. I respect the Big 10 - Pac 10 history of the Rose Bowl. However, I'm ready to see East Coast football meet West Coast football.
If it ends up being an SEC team against Michigan, we've still got a heck of a game to watch. It won't be two teams from opposite sides of the nation, but it will be two teams with great history.
Part of the appeal of Bowl Games is the opportunity to have teams that don't usually get to play each other go head to head.
I hope the rumors are true.
I figured the UF students would be much more irate about Florida's current chances of playing for the title. I took a small sample of the UF population that included some current students and some recent alumni. Here is what they had to say about UF, USC, Michigan, and the BCS:
(Note: All were operating under the assumption that UF beats Arkansas)
"I absolutely, whole-heartedly think that Florida should play for a National Championship if USC loses. I'm one of the few that thinks USC should be ranked ahead." - Jared Ross, alum
"I think we should be ahead of USC because we have played a tougher schedule, and USC lost to a pretty bad team." - Seth Gilson, senior. Seth also added: "I really think Michigan had their chance. I don't want to see the same two teams play twice."
"I think based on the way we played, we don't really deserve to be ranked one or two, but I think there should be a playoff system. I don't think Florida has proven themselves to be better than USC or Michigan." - Tracy Ulrich, alum
"Any team that plays the schedule that UF does will come out with one loss. It's hard to say that they don't deserve to play for a National Championship. All three teams are so close, but with Auburn getting left out a few years ago, enough is enough." - Benjamin Brauser, alum
"I would think that if UF wins against Arkansas, they should get a chance to play for the National Championship. I know all the games haven't been pretty, but it doesn't make sense that in all other sports defense wins championships, but in college football, it doesn't." - Ian Fisher, an alum who is also a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times. Ian added: "The fact that they would go 12-1 through the SEC means they should at least go to the National Championship."
I was expecting more frustration with the current rankings, but UF fans are realistic. Generally speaking, the ones I spoke to realize that UF hasn't blown teams out, and that does matter. However, many of them respect the strength of the SEC, and think that going through the schedule with one loss is enough to get a team to the big game, regardless of the scores.
Then, I asked my friend John about this topic. I won't release his last name for safety issues. John is a high school friend of mine who attends UF, but refuses to give up his Miami Hurricanes roots. This is what he said:
"I don't think UF should be playing for a National Championship. I think the SEC wasn't as good as people thought. There are a lot of good teams, but not a great team. Also, I don't think UF beat teams convincingly enough."
John, be careful. Don't say that too loudly.
You can hear it already.
Inevitably, something big will happen for the Gators on offense during Saturday's game. When it does, UF's historic band, the Pride of the Sunshine, will play UF's historic song, "Go Gators."
If you have ever been to, or seen on TV, a Florida football game, you know what I'm talking about. It starts off with two notes, played several times, picking up the intensity each time.
The fans do the Gator Chomp with their hands to correspond with the music.
Then, the crescendo!
The band plays those memorable notes, and the whole crowd yells, "Go, Gators!"
"I get to initiate that," Drum Major Michaela Churilla said. "And to hear everybody cheer in response is just a thrill beyond belief."
At the University of Florida, the football players work hard. It's a year-long process, with practices during the spring, the summer, and throughout the week leading up to games on Saturday.
But the football experience wouldn't be the same without the Pride of the Sunshine. And for as hard as the players work, the band members deserve some credit for putting in the hours as well.
"Well, it's very hectic most of the time," Churilla said. "We practice Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fridays. Usually Saturday mornings. Practices generally range (from) about two to two and a half hours. If we need to cram, probably three or four on Saturdays."
To be fair, band practices seem a lot more fun, and probably much easier, than football practices. Last night, we sat on UF's Norman Field and watched the band prepare for the SEC Championship.
I was rocking out. It's not often that I get to hear a college marching band play Welcome to the Jungle, Smoke on the Water, and I Want to Rock and Roll All Night.
The Pride of the Sunshine isn't just a bunch of musicians. Practicing off in the background were the baton twirlers (a.k.a. "The Gatorettes"). Part of their job is to learn choreography, know their spots on the field, and figure out how to interact with the other band members during their routines.
"It's a lot of hard work," Elise Kashmiry said, "and a lot of everyone being focused."
Kashmiry is a grad student who has been a UF baton twirler for four years. She is the two-time reigning "Gatorette of the Year." She loves being out on the field, warming up the crowd, getting all the Gators fans ready for game time.
"It's definitely a rush," she said. "I mean, being on the field in front of 90,000 people, screaming and yelling, singing the fight song."
The two girls we spoke to today talked about the tradition at UF. They love hearing "Go Gators." They love playing "We are the Boys From Old Florida" at the end of third quarter. And being able to attend every game isn't a bad perk either.
They told us about some superstitions among the band members. For example, Churilla has the same game day routine each week.
"The other Drum Major and I, we don't feel like we're gonna win a game unless we're wearing every single thing we wore in the last game," she said with a smile. "I'm just gonna leave it at that."
But what they seemed to love most was the excitement of representing their university.
"Coming out of the tunnel for pregame is - I can't even describe to you the feeling," Churilla said. "... It's just such a rush because you know that all eyes are on you at that moment."
Going to a Gators game wouldn't be the same without that extremely loud, extremely proud marching band. You'll be hearing them throughout Saturday's game.
You can hear them already.
Most of the talk surrounding UF these days involves the BCS. Urban Meyer has called for its implosion if Michigan and Ohio State get their rematch. The Gators feel like a win is a win. Style points shouldn't matter.
The voters don't seem to agree.
And there are some people who think Florida has no chance to jump Michigan anyway. Perhaps the National Championship is already out of the question.
Well, none of that is on the Gators' minds this week. It's all about Saturday. It's all about Arkansas and Darren McFadden and winning the conference.
What is the freshman Tim Tebow thinking about?
"Arkansas, and that's it right now," he said. "That's all we're worried about. Trying to go in the SEC Championship and take care of business."
That won't be easy against an Arkansas team with a great running game, a very good receiver (Marcus Monk), and an underrated defense. Certainly the Gators watched the Arkansas-LSU game and saw how the Razorbacks put up points against the Tigers.
Even though Tebow won't have to worry about McFadden, he knows his defense will.
"They're gonna have to bring it," Tebow said. "(McFadden) runs really hard, and it takes more than one person to bring him down most of the time."
Of course, Arkansas has a lot to be concerned about as well. The Gators are the fourth-ranked team in the country for a reason. They have a stingy defense, a great pass rush, Chris Leak, Tebow, Percy Harvin, Dallas Baker. The offense sounds like something from the Spurrier Era. UF's offensive speed will be a lot for the Arkansas defense to handle.
But Florida might be at a disadvantage on special teams. We've seen what McFadden and Felix Jones are capable of doing on kickoff returns.
The Gators will be prepared.
"We got a litlte something for them," special teams standout Wondy Pierre-Louis said, with a big grin on his face. "I aint gonna say nothing, but we're gonna see what happens."
Pierre-Louis reiterated what Tebow had already told us.
"We're just focusing on Arkansas," he said. "We're trying to win the game."
Saturday's game is setting up to be a good one. There is a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. There is a guy named McFadden who will be up for the Heisman this year. There are two guys on Florida named Tebow and Harvin who might have a chance to win that award in the upcoming seasons.
And there are the National Championship implications, but the Gators will worry about that after they try to take care of business against the Hogs.
"Winning the SEC is one of our goals, and it's what we've been working for," Tebow said. "That's all we're worried about. After that game, I think maybe then there will be time to look at some other stuff. But for now, it's not even something we can control. So why worry about it?"
The last time the Arkansas Razorbacks lost, they ran off 10 straight wins.
A 50-14 destruction by USC on Arkansas' home field created negativity and a lot of doubt among the fans and media.
But it was a much different story inside the locker room. After that loss, a seniors-only meeting was held to regroup the Razorbacks and save the season.
And it worked.
So if you think Arkansas will limp into the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, think again.
Last week, I asked senior defensive tackle Keith Jackson about his team. How did the Razorbacks rebound after that season-opening loss?
"A group of togetherness, brotherhood, seniors," he said. "A great group of seniors."
The togetherness has been there all year for the Razorbacks. It starts with the head coach, Houston Nutt, who will likely win SEC Coach of the Year. It extends to the senior class and the rest of the Razorbacks players. They have battled adversity before, and I believe they will put the LSU loss behind them quickly.
Just look at how they responded in Friday's game. Trailing 24-12 with 10:52 remaining in the game, the Razorbacks turned to Darren McFadden. On the first play of the drive, he exploded for an 80 yard touchdown. Arkansas was back in the game.
Just as quickly, they were out of it again. Trindon Holliday returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. LSU led 31-19.
So what did the Razorbacks do? Felix Jones took a kickoff 62 yards to the LSU 37, and then he ran in a touchdown from five yards out to make it a five point game again.
Arkansas has shown its character throughout the season. I expect to see it again against the Gators.
If you stop to think about it, Friday's 31-26 defeat didn't do that much damage. Arkansas had no chance to play for a National Championship, as long as USC kept winning. Even with the loss, the Razorbacks can accomplish the one goal they had before the season began.
"We control our own destiny to get to the SEC Championship Game," senior offensive lineman Stephen Parker said to me last Monday. "That was our goal throughout the summer."
Every team wants to win the National Championship, but I think Arkansas entered the year with more realistic expectations. They wanted to win the SEC West, and they wanted to win the SEC.
The Razorbacks can still do that. They face a Florida team that allowed FSU running back Lorenzo Booker to average 6.1 yards per carry on Saturday. McFadden and Jones sliced up LSU's defense, which is as good as it gets. After meeting and talking to McFadden, I just can't imagine that he won't give everything he's got against the Gators.
Some teams become demoralized after losses. Some teams don't show up for the following game. I can't predict the future, but after hearing the Razorbacks players talk about the leadership and toughness of their team, I don't see Arkansas giving anything less than 100% against UF.
"It's gonna mean a lot to us," Jackson said about winning the conference, "and the seniors, and the whole team."
So.. What's the buzz in Oxford, MS?
Well.. Coach Orgeron and his distinctive vocal stylings have created quite the musical sensation...
Check Out the Music Video for 'The Coach O Song'
You want to know how important the Iron Bowl is in the state of Alabama?
It might have cost Mike Shula his job.
When we went to the Iron Bowl a few weeks ago, I asked a number of people who either cover or watch Alabama regularly about Shula's job security. Most people said his status was uncertain. He might come back. He might get fired. I would say that the general feeling was, if people had to pick one outcome, Shula would be let go.
But I think he might have sealed his fate with some questionable coaching decisions that made him the first Crimson Tide coach ever to lose four consecutive games to Auburn.
On two instances, Alabama took too long to get the field goal unit out and had to burn timeouts. Then, Shula decided to go for it on fourth and 15 in the fourth quarter. It was a one-possession game at the time, and Alabama was in field goal range. Not everyone disagreed with that decision, but it backfired, as an incomplete pass gave Auburn the ball back. Auburn won by seven.
I can remember thinking at the time that the move would give more ammunition to the people calling for Shula's head.
Here's the bottom line. Coaching Alabama is one of the most difficult jobs in the country. The expectations are incredibly high. The legend of Bear Bryant is a lot to compete against. Shula put together a terrific 2005 season, but that isn't enough. At Alabama, you're expected to win every year.
I recall speaking to some Alabama fans about that. They talked about the demand for a winning program, not just a few winning teams here and there. They agreed that they've been spoiled by past success, but that doesn't seem to change their yearly expectations.
When you coach a program with a winning tradition, you have an advantage over other schools. Some recruits will be attracted to the program just because of the name alone. But you're at a disadvantage as well. You must win now. You must win next year, and the year after that.
And you must beat your in-state rival. Shula couldn't do that in his time at Alabama. I'm not saying that's the only reason he was fired, but I think it played a significant role in the decision.
These players stepped up during Saturday's Egg Bowl:
Ole Miss receiver Mico McSwain: McSwain finished the day with modest numbers (two carries for 15 yards and three catches for 29 yards), but I was impressed with his toughness. He bailed out quarterback Brent Schaeffer several times. Early in the second quarter, Schaeffer fired high in traffic, McSwain hauled in the pass by making a good adjustment. He then turned upfield, juked a defender, and gained 11 yards. McSwain made another nice catch with defenders around him in the third quarter for a gain of seven. Both of those catches came on drives that ended in Ole Miss field goals. Those points would not have been on the board without McSwain's grabs.
Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis: I finally got a chance to see one of the best defensive players in the country. Willis didn't have his best ball game. He finished with 13 tackles, but I honestly thought some of those were handed out generously by the stat crew. Still, Willis impressed with his ability to be everywhere on the field. He also played defensive end on numerous third downs, and he crushed quarterback Omarr Conner on a vicious sack that made MSU settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown.
Mississippi State defensive end Michael Herd: Herd finished the game with only three tackles, but his effort combined with the rest of the MSU defensive line made BenJarvus Green-Ellis' day miserable. On the opening Ole Miss drive, Herd stuffed Green-Ellis just in front of the line of scrimmage. On the next drive, he forced a false start on Michael Oher and then stopped Bruce Hall for no gain on the next play. Herd didn't do quite as much in the second half.
Mississippi State linebacker Gabe O'Neal: O'Neal was outstanding near the endzone. Ole Miss had the ball, leading 7-3, first and goal at the three yard line. O'Neal tackled Green-Ellis on first down for a two yard loss. On third and goal, O'Neal had the coverage to force an incompletion in the back of the endzone. The Rebels settled for a field goal. Then, in the third quarter, O'Neal made a great tackle on Schaeffer's quarterback keeper on second and goal to save a touchdown. Again, the drive ended in a field goal.
Ole Miss special teams: This was where the game was decided. Marshay Green ran back a punt 47 yards for a touchdown to give the Rebels a 10 point lead. Punter Rob Park had a strong day. He pinned the Bulldogs inside their 20 three times. Here are the starting points for the Bulldogs drives in the second half: Own 20; Own six; Own 28; Own 48; Own 16; Own 8; Own 27. Then, their last possession began at their own 48 after stopping Ole Miss on fourth and inches. Park's punts and Green's returns helped the Rebels win the field position battle.
In LSU's 31-26 victory over Arkansas, these are some of the players who stood out.
LSU receiver Dwayne Bowe: He went up against stiff competition. Arkansas cornerback Chris Houston is a good player, but he was no match for Bowe (five catches, 68 yards). He ran the slant pattern to perfection and the wide receiver screen was one of LSU's most successful plays thanks to Bowe. It wasn't just his pass catching. Bowe's blocking ability was great early, helping set up a 29 yard touchdown in the first quarter.
LSU safety LaRon Landry: Landry is fun to watch. He covers so much of the field, and his tackling ability is great for a defensive back. He broke up a critical third down pass on the final Arkansas drive. He intercepted a ball in the third quarter and returned it to the Arkansas nine yard line. I can't even imagine how many yards Felix Jones and Darren McFadden would have had if not for Landry (nine tackles, seven solo). Cornerback Chevis Jackson and safety Jesse Daniels are also very good players, but Landry was the best player in the secondary on Friday.
Arkansas running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones: It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you how good these guys are. Jones had a spectacular kickoff return in the fourth quarter, knocking people down and gaining 62 yards to set up a touchdown when the team needed it the most. He gets around the edges extremely quickly on handoffs. The defense has no chance. McFadden is a standout in every game he plays. I have seen, in person, players such as Willis McGahee, Andre Johnson, Frank Gore, Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Michael Vick, Peter Warrick, Chris Weinke, and many others. McFadden is far and away the best I've ever seen. I never saw Reggie Bush play in person, but McFadden can't be too far behind. Not many guys can take a handoff straight up the middle and go 80 yards for a touchdown against a speedy LSU defense. Many tailbacks get chased down by defensive backs. Not McFadden. You have to see him in person to understand how good he is. He also made a great throw on the first possession of the game.
LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey: Dorsey (six tackles) was able to get in the backfield and break up some running plays before they got started. Overall, I thought the Arkansas offensive line did a good job, but Dorsey still found ways to make plays. I wouldn't say the way he played was the difference in the game, but he still performed nicely.
LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell: You don't always have to make the beautiful passes to win games. Sometimes, you just have to manage the game and be efficient. JaMarcus Russell's numbers weren't incredible, but he only threw eight incompletions and no interceptions, although one sure INT was dropped by an Arkansas defender. Russell threw a perfect fade to Early Doucet for a seven yard touchdown. On the opening drive of the second half, his shovel pass on third and nine after avoiding a sack kept the drive going and led to a field goal. Russell also prolonged the final LSU drive with a 16 yard pass to Bowe on third down. It allowed LSU to take time off the clock and eventually win the game. When it mattered, Russell did the little things that gave LSU the Golden Boot.
My final memory of our final regular season game will be the diehard Ole Miss fans standing and singing in their endzone seats. They were watching the Mississippi players carry the Golden Egg off Hollingsworth Field just a few yards away from where the final field goal missed.
Everyone wearing red and blue seemed to forget that the Rebels just finished a 4-8 season. There will be no Bowl Game this year. It doesn't matter. The Egg Bowl is all these people cared about today.
And isn't that what this journey has really been about? Sure, we've paid attention to the football players and coaches, but really, we've been impressed with the thousands of fans who attend every game, regardless of their favorite team's record.
What a way to end our regular season. A classic rivalry, one of the oldest in college football. Fourteen points in the final 3:29. A fourth and inches stop by Mississippi State trailing by three points. A desperation Bulldogs drive that began at the Ole Miss 48 yard line with 42 second remaining. A 51 yard field goal attempt with hopes of forcing overtime that fell wide to the left. A three-point win for the home team, the Rebels of Ole Miss, 20-17.
"It was a very physical football game," Ole Miss Head Coach Ed Orgeron said, with his shiny gold trophy sitting over his right shoulder.
He's right. It wasn't pretty. There were few spectacular plays or players. If anyone deserves the headlines, it's punt returner Marshay Green. His 47 yard touchdown return late in the fourth quarter put Ole Miss up 20-10. A Mississippi win seemed like a foregone conclusion, but Sylvester Croom's Bulldogs had a lot of fight left in them.
They never gave up. Down by 10 with 3:16 to play at their own 27, the Bulldogs went 73 yards in only 8 plays. Quarterback Omarr Conner needed just 56 seconds to direct the touchdown drive. Conner, might I remind you, is supposed to be catching passes, not throwing them. But he filled in for the injured Michael Henig and did an effective job.
In the end, his effort was not enough. Ole Miss held on. It's something for the Rebels to build on heading into 2007.
"I'm happy for our team," Orgeron said. "We finally found a way to win a game at the end. We've been close. And I know our guys wanted to beat Mississippi State. It's a big rivalry for Ole Miss, and I'm just happy that we could get that done."
The two teams entered the locker room at halftime tied at 10. MSU running back Anthony Dixon had sliced and diced his way through the Rebels defense. Sixteen carries, 97 yards and a touchdown in just two quarters. But things changed in the second half.
"We just got a little tougher," Orgeron said.
Dixon carried nine times in the second half. He gained just 28 yards. Ole Miss stepped it up defensively, and that was the difference in the game.
That and Ole Miss' domination on special teams.
Both teams have a lot to look forward to. MSU has proven over the last few weeks that it can stop the run. The Bulldogs will have to replace some departing seniors, but there is defensive talent that will return next season.
Ole Miss showed that if a Rebels quarterback can play consistently, there will be a productive offense in Oxford next year. All you have to do is look at the last few box scores for Ole Miss and Mississippi State to realize that these two teams are on the rise.
Next year's Egg Bowl might have a lot more at stake.
This year's Egg Bowl was sloppy at times. There were five three-and-outs and one four-and-out in the fourth quarter alone. Punts were shanked and field goals were missed. I feel bad for the guy cutting highlights for this game (Glenn).
That's really not what matters though. Two teams with three wins and no hope to play postseason football played hard for 60 minutes. It came down to the last play of the game. What a great way to end our regular season.
Now we're off to the SEC Championship. What a great way to end the mission.
It keeps getting better and better each week.
Last Saturday, I was blown away by The Quad at Alabama. Today, it was The Grove at Ole Miss that topped all tailgates I've seen thus far.
We left Little Rock last night after the LSU-Arkansas game and drove to Oxford, arriving at The Grove at 11:00 PM. It was a Ghost Town last night, eerily void of people put populated by blue and white tents and lawn chairs. Tailgaters had gotten there several hours earlier to claim their spots, much like at The Quad a week ago.
Here's what separated The Grove from The Quad: The scenery. First of all, it was a beautiful fall morning today. Perfect weather with just a slight chill in the air. The leaves that hadn't abandoned their trees yet had turned bright orange and casually drifted through the air and onto the ground. The sun was shining, and there was a carefree feeling on an unusually subdued Saturday.
Rebels fans have been tailgating at The Grove for more than 30 years, but things have changed over time. Long ago, fans would drive their cars and trucks to The Grove and do some drive-in tailgating. The Grove has become more and more populated and crazier throughout the years. It has become as important to Ole Miss football as the Manning family.
Thanksgiving break eliminated much of the student population, so the atmosphere today was quieter and calmer than typical gamedays. But the fans showed up early and brought food, drinks, and friends to their tents. The Grove, much like Alabama's Quad, was full of people. Yet, it did not feel crowded at all. It's a rather large area with gorgeous buildings of the Ole Miss campus surrounding it.
Dean of Students Sparky Reardon gave us the tour today. He is a popular guy. Sparky couldn't walk for five minutes without seeing someone he knew. He introduced us to his friends, who instantly became our friends. I'll say this about tailgating: A tailgate is only as good as the people that create it. It doesn't matter what food you eat or who you root for. The memories we have from touring SEC tailgates are mostly of the great and welcoming people we've met. There were so many of those people at Ole Miss today.
As we've traveled through the Southeast and told strangers in hotels and restaurants about our job, so many of those strangers have asked us, "Have you been to The Grove yet?" Everyone promised it would be something special. Everyone was right.
At 11:05 AM, the crowd lined the Walk of Champions and waited for Coach Orgeron to lead his Rebels through the fans and into the stadium. Usually, the coaches walk past the crowd with a determined look on their faces, and with little to no interaction with the screaming fan base. Orgeron went nuts in comparison to the other SEC coaches. He raised his arms up and urged the crowd to make more noise. It's all part of the experience at The Grove.
The leaves fell. The band played. The fans greeted us with exceptional hospitality. We walked for over an hour and took in all there was to see at The Grove. It's the calm before the storm. It's where all the Ole Miss fans gather to eat, socialize, and relax before becoming a 12th man as kickoff approaches. With my apologies to all other SEC tailgates that I've seen, nothing compares to The Grove.
The Egg Bowl will pit the two worst offensive teams in the SEC against each other. Ole Miss (3-8 overall, 1-6 SEC) hosts Mississippi State (3-8, 1-6) for nothing more than pride. It's an opportunity for both of these teams to end the season on a high note and carry momentum into 2007. While we are not looking at great teams, we are looking at a great, historic rivalry, and we'll see some great players in this year's Egg Bowl.
MSU OFFENSE VS. OLE MISS DEFENSE:
It's tough to get a feel for a game when you don't know who the starting quarterbacks will be. For MSU, it is expected to be Omarr Conner. Conner played quarterback last year, and he filled in admirably for the injured Michael Henig last week. Mississippi State is an improving team, but in some games the turnovers have been costly. If the MSU quarterbacks can avoid turning it over, they can rely on six foot four inch receiver Tony Burks. Burks is emerging as a solid playmaker. Ole Miss has the worst pass defense in the conference.
It's not Burks that Mississippi Coach Ed Orgeron is worried about. His concern is MSU running back Anthony Dixon. Dixon seems to be improving as the year goes on. He had a 65 yard rushing touchdown against Arkansas. He is the key for MSU's offense. Statistically, MSU has the worst rush offense in the SEC, but as Dixon improves, those stats become more and more deceiving. Here's one reason Dixon might struggle on Saturday: Linebacker Patrick Willis. Willis is not just good, he is perhaps the best defensive player in the country. Despite Willis' skills, Ole Miss allows 159.5 rushing yards per game, 11th in the SEC.
Neither team has a particularly strong line. Offensively, MSU has allowed a whopping 28 sacks. Ole Miss has sacked the quarterback just 13 times this season. Willis has two sacks, while Greg Hardy leads the team with three.
MSU is without its starting quarterback. Therefore, the Bulldogs must run the football well. You can expect some productivity at the QB position, but also some mistakes. The Rebels' porous pass defense is aided by the absence of Henig. Ole Miss hasn't been able to stop teams all year, though the Rebels did a nice job against LSU last week. Both teams are getting better, and overall, I'd have to give the edge to the Ole Miss defense when Mississippi State has the ball.
OLE MISS OFFENSE VS. MSU DEFENSE:
At Monday's press conference, we heard Orgeron say Brent Schaeffer would be the starter. Then, there was uncertainty. Now, Schaeffer has been confirmed again as the starting quarterback. The Rebels disappointing season has a lot to do with the struggles of Schaeffer. He has thrown 10 interceptions and only eight touchdowns. He averages 119.2 yards per game. The other option is Seth Adams. Adams has a better passer rating, but much less experience than Schaeffer. This is the worst pass offense in the conference, according to the stats. The receivers are young, and Orgeron said on Monday that freshman Dexter McCluster is unlikely to play. Mike Wallace is the leading receiver with 372 yards.
The Ole Miss offensive line must be aware of defensive end Michael Heard and his 6.5 sacks. Defensive tackles Andrew Powell and Deljuan Robinson have played well also. The Bulldogs will face a line that has given up 27 sacks. However, it is a unit that keeps getting better thanks to offensive line genius Art Kehoe. The lack of a passing game gives the MSU pass defense an edge over the Ole Miss pass offense.
That means the Rebels will have to win the game on the ground. These two offenses are similar in that respect. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is the most productive player on the offense. He is approaching a 1,000 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry along the way. The Rebels offense will go as far as he goes. Mississippi State needs to key in on stopping the run and forcing the SEC's worst passing game to make plays. The Bulldogs feature a physical front seven that slowed down Darren McFadden last week. Also, the defensive backs can tackle well. Jeramie Johnson has forced five fumbles.
This game has the makings of a defensive struggle. One thing Ole Miss usually does well is avoid penalties. Also, the Rebels like using trick plays such as onside kicks and fake punts, so MSU must stay aware. A key for Ole Miss will be avoiding third and long. Ole Miss is the worst third down offense in the SEC. It could be ugly, but the team that runs the ball better will have a huge edge. MSU is good against the run and bad against the pass, but they match up perfectly against the Ole Miss offense. Advantage: Bulldogs.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Coach Croom will make some minor adjustments in the Mississippi State kickoff coverage unit, which was shredded by Arkansas last week. Punter Blake McAdams is above average, but kicker Adam Carlson is just 5 for 9 this season. The Bulldogs are good on punt returns.
Ole Miss return units have provided very few big plays and no touchdowns. Punter Rob Park has had one punt blocked, but he averages a respectable 38.8 yards per attempt. The stat sheet indicates he is good at placing the ball inside the 20. Placekicker Joshua Shene is 12 of 15 this year with a long of 52 yards.
The edge here goes to Ole Miss.
PREDICTION:
Considering the shaky quarterback situations, I don't see either team scoring a lot of points. It will be one of those games in which the team that makes the least amount of mistakes will win. Ole Miss has won the last three Egg Bowls in Oxford. I will take the home team, just because I don't see any other advantage here.
Mississippi State: 10
Ole Miss: 16
The LSU Tigers were looking for respect. They got it.
The boys from Baton Rouge believed before this game that they were the best in the SEC. Even with today's win, fans in Gainesville will point out UF's victory over LSU in The Swamp as proof to the contrary. But the Tigers put on quite a performance in Little Rock this afternoon which will surely allow them to jump the Razorbacks in the polls.
Now picture this: If Florida loses to Florida State tomorrow or to Arkansas next week, LSU could easily become the highest ranked SEC team in country. That would mean it is possible for the best team in the conference, according to the rankings, to not have played in the conference championship game and perhaps not even go to a BCS Bowl Game. Although I would say LSU will probably get there after this win.
If any conference deserves an at-large bid to a BCS Bowl, it's the SEC. If any team in the SEC deserves it, it's LSU. Why? Four road games against top 10 teams, and a 2-2 record in those games.
If Arkansas beats Florida and earns the automatic bid to the Sugar Bowl, should LSU get the at-large over UF? That would be a topic of conversation for next week.
For now, let's look at LSU's performance against this great Arkansas team in this loud War Memorial Stadium.
No, the Tigers did not stop Darren McFadden. McFadden and Felix Jones combined for 319 rushing yards, averaging 8.7 and 8.6 yards per carry, respectively. But, yes, the Tigers did shut down receiver Marcus Monk. Monk caught one pass all day. It was a 21 yard touchdown pass that required a nifty catch and a great effort to reach the endzone, but Arkansas needed more from Monk and didn't get it. You can thank cornerback Chevis Jackson for that, and don't forget about safety LaRon Landry. Landry was one of the best defensive players out there today.
LSU hangs it hat on its defense, but the defense was far from great today. LSU allowed 360 total yards and forced just one turnover. They were clearly not prepared for McFadden's "Wildcat" formation in which he plays quarterback out of the shotgun. But when a great team's great defense is struggling, the offense and special teams need to step up.
JaMarcus Russell quarterbacked his team to this five-point win with an efficient 14 for 22 day, including 210 yards and two touchdowns. Facing third down and 10 at his own 26 - fourth quarter, about three minutes remaining - Russell completed a 16 yard pass to Dwayne Bowe to extend the drive. Speaking of Bowe, he abused Arkansas' best cornerback, Chris Houston, in ways that other elite receivers could not. Receiver Craig Davis hauled in a 47 yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Keiland Williams gained 68 yards on just 13 carries, and Jacob Hester exploited the interior of the Arkansas defense consistently in the second half.
Let's not forget the 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Trindon Holliday immediately following McFadden's 80-yard touchdown dash.
I don't think LSU expected to give up 26 points, but despite the unusually weak defensive effort, the Tigers pulled through. That's what great teams do.
And in the end, LSU's defense showed up when it had to. This long game that featured 57 total points, 688 combined yards, 10 penalties, three turnovers, and several game-changing plays came down to one possession with 2:04 to play.
Arkansas trailed by five with the ball on its own 27 yard line. This was the undefeated run through the SEC, the National Championship hopes, and the Golden Boot all on the line with this one possession.
First down. A deep ball to McFadden. Knocked away by Jonathan Zenon.
Second down. A pass to Monk. There's Zenon again knocking it away.
Third down. Another pass to Monk. Here comes Landry to break the pass up.
Fourth down. Another long ball, up the left sideline this time. Looking for London Crawford. Chevis Jackson with the blanket coverage and the pass breakup. The crowd wanted pass interference. It looked close. It could have gone either way. It went LSU's way.
The Tigers came into Little Rock hoping to prove to a national television audience that they are the best in the conference. I'm sure a lot of people agree with that now.
We couldn't ask for a better game this week. I believe that when Arkansas hosts LSU Friday afternoon, we will be seeing the two best teams in the SEC. LSU strong safety Jesse Daniels says his team is the best in the conference. Now the Tigers have to prove it.
LSU OFFENSE VS. ARKANSAS DEFENSE:
Statistically, LSU boasts the best offense in the SEC. I'm sure by now you've heard of quarterback JaMarcus Russell. The guy looks more like Big Baby Davis than a typical quarterback, but he's got a great arm and great legs, and he might be a candidate for early entry into the NFL Draft. The LSU passing game is so good because Russell has a great trio of wide receivers. Dwayne Bowe is his main target, but Early Doucet and Craig Davis are no slouches. Also, watch out for running back Jacob Hester, who is a very good receiver out of the backfield. Arkansas sports a defense that has not gotten its credit because of the Razorbacks' offensive prowess. The defense has allowed only eight touchdowns in the last 26 quarters. Cornerback Chris Houston was last week's SEC Defensive Player of the Week. He had two interceptions and ran one back for a touchdown. Overall, LSU holds an advantage over the Arkansas pass defense, but that is a reflection of LSU, not Arkansas.
The Razorbacks allow just 117.2 rushing yards per game. That's pretty good for an SEC team. They'll have their hands full with LSU's stable of running backs. LSU gains 162.9 yards on the ground per game. Wow. Hester is the leading rusher, but Keiland Williams and Charles Scott, among others, provide great talent and depth. The player to watch on defense for Arkansas is linebacker Sam Olajubutu. This guy is for real. His 89 tackles lead the Hogs. Great matchup here, but again, LSU probably holds an edge.
Arkansas can take away the statistical advantages that LSU holds by pressuring Russell and winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. You may not be aware of it, but Arkansas' defensive line is quite good. Ends Jamaal Anderson (10 sacks) and Antwain Robinson (6.5) and defensive tackle Keith Jackson Jr. need to beat an LSU offensive line that has allowed just 15 sacks all season. When LSU has the ball, that will be the most important thing to watch.
The Razorbacks must keep JaMarcus Russell in the pocket. If Russell gets off and running, it will be a good day for the LSU offense. LSU typically dominates the first quarter, outscoring opponents 122-14. That will be important in a loud War Memorial Stadium. LSU's offense is better than almost every opponent's defense. Arkansas needs to win at the line of scrimmage and make Russell a thrower. Plus, Dwayne Bowe is great in the red zone. Take that option away.
ARKANSAS OFFENSE VS. LSU DEFENSE:
Okay, so LSU has the best offense in the SEC. Well, LSU has the best defense in the SEC too. Luckily, Arkansas has the best player in the SEC - running back Darren McFadden. McFadden is coming off an unusually unproductive game carrying the ball, but he did run a kickoff back against Mississippi State. Most of the offense will involve him. He will line up at quarterback out of the shotgun in the "Wildcat" formation. He will catch passes. He will carry and carry and carry.
LSU's rush defense allows a remarkable 74.6 yards per game. Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is one of the best in the conference, maybe the country. Defensive end Tyson Jackson is a good one too. It's a loaded defensive line that will compete against a terrific Arkansas offensive line. Sounds a lot like when LSU has the ball against the Razorbacks defensive front. Again, this will be the key battle. Arkansas has opened up holes for McFadden and RB Felix Jones so well this year. This will be the stiffest test. Hard to say which side has the advantage. Once the ball is past the defensive line, keep your eyes on LB Ali Highsmith, who is second on the team with 57 tackles. The LSU secondary can tackle well also. Safety LaRon Landry leads the team.
Quarterback Casey Dick took the starting job from Mitch Mustain and ran with it. Well, really he threw with it, and the offense has improved since he took over against South Carolina. Dick loves receiver Marcus Monk, a six foot six inch playmaker. Teams like to focus on stopping McFadden. I think they should focus more on stopping Monk. Monk gets little help from other receivers. LSU should put shutdown cornerback Chevis Jackson on Monk with a little safety help over the top. McFadden will likely get his yards. The key will be making things difficult on the quarterback. LSU has the players capable of shutting down the Arkansas passing game, and I think the Tigers will do a pretty good job in their attempt to do that.
Eventually, the game will be about McFadden and Jones. This is probably the best running back duo in the country. When you analyze the Arkansas offense, you realize that it isn't a methodical one that likes a 12-play drive. This is an offense that loves the big play. LSU must eliminate that. Arkansas also likes to throw in some trick plays here and there. LSU can't let that stuff work. I can't wait to see this Razorbacks offense vs. this Tigers defense. It may not be a great, well-balanced offensive unit, but somehow Houston Nutt finds a way to make it work every game.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
LSU kicker Colt David is just 5 for 9 this year and 3 for 6 from 40 or more yards. Punter and kickoff specialist Chris Jackson is a lot better. He has helped LSU win the field position battle with his 20 touchbacks this season. Kickoff and punt returns have been nothing special.
Arkansas has the best kickoff return average in the conference, and the Razorbacks have run two kickoffs back for touchdowns. Placekicker Jeremy Davis is good from short distances, but only 1 for 5 from 40 or more yards. Punter Jacob Skinner is exceptional at placing the ball inside the 20.
Arkansas holds a rather large edge on special teams, although I will say that I never think it's a good idea to have your best player returning kicks. That's what McFadden does for Arkansas.
PREDICTION:
Most people expect nothing short of a great game. LSU will play its fourth road game against a top 10 team this year. So far, the Tigers are 1-2 in those games. Maybe if this game were in Baton Rouge, the Tigers would prove how good they are. But it isn't.
LSU 17
Arkansas 23
It's 5:25 PM as I write this story on Thanksgiving Day.
Usually right now I'm making my way back to the kitchen counter in Coral Springs, Florida for my second helping of ham (I'm not a turkey guy) and sweet potatoes. Then I'll sit my lazy and incredibly sleepy body on the family-room couch and watch the end of the Cowboys game. Then I'll get angry because the Cowboys are winning, and forget about it by heading over to a buddy's house.
And usually I wonder what the professional and college athletes are doing on Thanksgiving. Well, today I found out.
Glenn, Emily, and I woke up late and had our big Thanksgiving meal. What better place to have it than Waffle House? Who cares if it was the only place open? It's still great.
No, we didn't have any turkey, but chocolate chip waffles and some toast did the trick.
At 2:00 PM we made our way to the Embassy Suites Hotel and watched the Arkansas Razorbacks eat a big Thanksgiving meal with their families. They sat in a massive dining room and dressed up for the occasion. Coach Houston Nutt's mother said a prayer, then it was eatin' time.
These are just some of the items on the menu:
Bourbon ham; roast beef; traditional turkey and dressing; sweet potato casserole; fire roasted corn; mixed vegetables; mashed potatoes; pumpkin and pecan pie.
Yeah, I wanted to be a Razorback for Thanksgiving too. Or at least related to one.
"I'm thankful for these players, their parents, how they raised them," Nutt said. "Very thankful for the university, our fans. And there's been so much to be thankful for."
After salivating over other people's food, we moved on to check in on LSU. We went back to War Memorial Stadium and saw the Tigers pull in at 4:55 PM in three buses. About 25 fans were there to greet them.
The players and coaches were dressed in suits, taking a walking tour of the field that they will leave their blood, sweat, and tears on tomorrow.
Fans across the country will root religiously for their favorite teams, and often times, we forget about the commitment these guys make. LSU players don't have the privilege of being home with their families this Thanksgiving. Nevertheless, I'm sure they're thankful for their opportunity to be a Tiger.
Here are some of the things missionsecfootball.com is thankful for:
Emily: I'm thankful for my wonderful family, who have taken in the road trip crew a few times and actually injured Adam in the family football game (which is something I've been trying to do for two months). For my good friends, two of whom I've made on this journey through the SEC. For 80's Rock, the best road trip music ever. And for the Thumb, Auburn's fifth win in a row over Alabama.
Glenn: I'm thankful for Adam's CD collection. This guy knows how to rock. For Emily's organizational skills. "Emily, where are we going today?" For my family back in New York that did not laugh at me when I left grad school and said, "I want to be a freelance sports documentarian." And for the opportunity to bring the passion and pride of SEC football to our viewers.
Adam: I'm thankful for my job, which allows me to see the best of the best in college football every week. For my family... they're pretty cool, trust me. And for a pair of Knicks tickets that await me when I arrive in New York after the SEC Championship.
And now to prove just how southern I have become...
Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.
'The Mission' has brought us and our readers closer to 'the inside story' of the SEC than I ever thought possible.
Over the past few months we've sat with legendary coaches like Spurrier and Dooley; legendary players like Wuerffel, Rogers and Sullivan; legendary fans like The Big Dawg and Jim Brown and even legendary mascots like Aubie and Uga. While these moments of great access have helped us in telling the stories of passion and pride in the SEC-- it is the off-cuff moments and the surprise sound-bites that have had the most impact on me...
On September 23rd Alabama and Arkansas battled it out into double overtime. When the victory finally fell into the hands of the Razorbacks, I made the mad-dash to midfield to document the profound hysteria of the day. On my way to the 50-yard line I saw Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt embracing one of his daughters-- not that many media had gotten to him yet and as I closed-in, I heard him say: 'We needed that one.'
College Football coaches have a tough job. Tremendous demands coupled with a uniquely calculable gauge of job performance create a profession that is defined by its instability. In this game, one man can carry the pride of an entire state on his shoulders. That is a lot to ask of anyone ...
Hours before kickoff at that very same Alabama - Arkansas game I walked around the tailgating areas that encircle Razorback Stadium gathering footage for CSTV's Sultan of Saturday. The question that day: 'What coach is on the Hot Seat?' Very few Hog-fans hesitated to say: Houston Nutt.
Last night I again found myself on the field at Razorback Stadium--
With the home season over (this weekend Arkansas will be playing LSU at their alternate 'home' stadium in Little Rock) Coach Nutt decided to move practice to the stadium field. As practice ended, the media engulfed Coach Nutt, in every way possible this is a different man than he was less than two months ago...
Under the lights last night Houston Nutt seemed confident but humble. While his squad may have had some luck against Alabama and Vanderbilt, he seems to know that he was the architect behind the convincing victories over Auburn and Tennessee. In the hysteria following the Alabama victory, Coach Nutt ascended a ladder to conduct the Arkansas band-- there doesn't seem to be a need for that now. The Hogs have climbed further and higher than any team in the country, with the notable exception of the State Univ. of NJ. Houston Nutt has arrived.
While few teams have exceeded expectations more than Arkansas, a very tough road remains. No team in the country would want to end the season having to face LSU and Florida.
Coach Nutt looks confident. He looks proud. His team looks ready and his job seems quite secure...
So I guess you can say that he 'doesn't need this one' when it comes to the game this Friday afternoon in Little Rock.
But wouldn't it be great to celebrate again like we did on September 23rd?
"Every time he touches it, it seems like it's magic. We expect him to go all the way."
These are the words of Steve Sullivan, a sports anchor and reporter at KATV in Little Rock. You probably needed me to tell you that.
Sullivan is referring to Razorbacks running back Darren McFadden. You probably didn't need me to tell you that one.
Glenn, Emily, and I stood on the field at an empty War Memorial Stadium. This is Arkansas' "other" home field. On Friday afternoon, the fans that don't usually get to make it to home games in Fayetteville will pack this smaller, more old-school edifice and do their best to intimidate the LSU Tigers.
They'll be cheering on a hometown hero, McFadden, as well.
Joining us at War Memorial were Sullivan and two former Arkansas standouts - Bruce James (All American defensive end in 1969 and 1970) and David Bazzel (a linebacker in the early 80s). The three have spent this season marveling at McFadden's feats, but unlike the national media members, these guys had a chance to see the running back dominate before he was a Razorback.
At Pulaski Oak Grove High School, Darren McFadden carried the football. He also played linebacker. And safety. And a little quarterback too. Count Sullivan, James, and Bazzel as three guys who are not shocked to see McFadden's success at the next level.
"No surprise at all," Bazzel said. "I mean, we saw him in high school, and you knew that he was special."
"He's graceful as a thoroughbred," James said, "but he's as strong as a Clydesdale. And he's got that linebacker mentality with that stiff arm. And if you ever notice, when he gets hit, he always falls forward. That's always what, when I played, great backs always fell forward."
James should know a thing or two about great backs. In addition to McFadden, he has witnessed the high school days of Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, and Marcus Dupree - an Oklahoma stud who suffered an injury and never lived up to his potential.
"They play football, (the) running back position the same," James said. "They're brutal ... they punish people."
That's more or less what McFadden and his teammates hinted at when we spoke to them on Tuesday.
"Basically," McFadden said, "I'm trying to tackle the person who's trying to tackle me."
Bazzel has never had to tackle Darren McFadden. I'm sure that's one thing he'll be saying he's thankful for on Thursday. But back in his day, Bazzel played against some big time players, like Eric Dickerson and Bo Jackson.
"(McFadden) runs a little bit like Eric Dickerson," he said. "Long legs. Long stride. But, he's definitely got the combination of size and strength that are unique. And speed."
When I met McFadden yesterday, it was easy for me to pick up on his humbleness. I asked him who he thought should win the Heisman. He said Troy Smith.
"He's been doing a great job all year," McFadden said. "He's got his team (12-0)."
Sullivan, James, and Bazzel aren't necessarily disagreeing with that, but there is no running back in the country they'd rather have on their favorite team.
"If you had to start a team," Bazzel said, "the combination, I mean, he's thrown for touchdown passes. He's run kickoffs back. He's caught touchdown passes. He's done everything."
Reggie Bush, anyone?
"And he's done it all with ease," Sullivan added.
So when did these guys realize that McFadden was going to be a superstar?
Bazzel recalls watching a high school game on the field. McFadden was playing safety at the time. There was a pass out to the flat.
"I'm standing on the sideline and the guy is coming at me with the ball all of a sudden like a heat-seeking missile," Bazzel said, as he slammed his hands together." McFadden comes out and just blows the guy up on the sidelines, and you realized just how talented he is."
"First time he touched the ball his senior season against Robinson," Sullivan recounted, "bang! Eighty yards for a touchdown."
Believe it or not, McFadden was not heavily recruited. He knew all along where he wanted to go to school, and he is starring there in 2006.
"There was no recruiting at all," James said. "He was just born to be a Razorback."
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