It's Nice To See Jared Lorenzen Is Still Keepin' It Real...Real Big

Back in the day when the Georgia Bulldogs played the Kentucky Wildcats—post Tim couch, pre Andre Woodson—they had the displeasure of going up against Jared Lorenzen (AKA, pillsbury throwboy and the round mound of touchdown). He had a big arm, attached to a big body, and most Georgia players found his cushy mid-section was quite the bouncy house as they often just ricocheted right off him.

Well, Lorenzen is still finding an avenue for his God-given talents as a member of the Northern Kentucky River Monsters of the Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL), and while he's not nearly as dangerous now as he was back when he played at the University of Kentucky, he's certainly keeping that figure right where he wants it.

Here's a shot of Mr. Lorenzen as he looks today at a svelte 6'5", 290 (photo courtesy of NationofBlue.com):

Jared should seriously consider moving his talents to the offensive line. Wow...that's one biiiiigggggg dude.

Keep doin' your thang, Jared—nobody does it better.

Kentucky Wildcat QB, Mike Hartline, Gaining Ground As NFL 2011 Draft Prospect

The Kentucky Wildcats offense has been nothing short of explosive this season.

Some might think that was to be expected given the presence of both Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke, but that would be short-changing the above-average job that senior quarterback Mike Hartline has done for the team this year.

Hartline ranks 13th in the nation, 1st in the conference, in passing (2,402 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions)— a surprising feat given the fact that Ryan Mallett, Greg McElroy, and John Brantley were mentioned ahead of Hartline as the conference's top quarterbacks to start the year.

His strong play has started to peak the interest of NFL draft scouts too as his name is moving up on some draft boards as a potential late-round selection in the 2011 draft.

As of now, he is projected as a 6th or 7th round selection and, before you scoff at the notion of that being relevant, recall the sheer number of players who were either drafted beyond the fifth-round, or not at all, yet managed to have great success at the pro level.

The last two Kentucky quarterbacks to be drafted—Jared Lorenzen (who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2008) and Andre Woodson (drafted in the sixth-round in 2008)—are not currently playing professional football.

Woodson was signed to a contract with the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League (UFL) in summer of 2010, but was later released. Lorenzen is the quarterback's coach at his old high school.
 

Georgia Bulldogs Football: Washaun Ealey Leads The Way In 44-31 Win Over Kentucky

The Georgia Bulldogs went into Lexington with one goal: run it down their throats—period. It was a plan that worked to utter perfection as Georgia QB, Aaron Murray, barely broke a sweat (9/12 for 113-yards) in allowing Washaun Ealey to do all the dirty work for the offense.

Ealey led the charge in Georgia's 44-31 defeat of the Kentucky Wildcats, running for 157-yards and five touchdowns on 28 carries (5.6 ypc).  He became the first Bulldog running back to do so since Robert Edwards did so against South Carolina.

The game was all Georgia from the start, as they ran out to a 28-10 lead, by halftime, on the strength of a 100-yard return by Brandon Boykin, three rushing touchdowns by Washaun Ealey, and three Kentucky turnovers (all fumbles).

Add to that, the immediately noticeable pass-rush offered by a determined Justin Houston (who finished with three sacks), and you have a Bulldog team that continued to roll for the third straight week.

With the win, the Bulldogs move to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the SEC (2nd to South Carolina).

The stat of the game is 423-yards. That's the total yards given up by the Georgia defense tonight—353-yards of which came through the air. The secondary will need to tighten up before next week's match-up with Urban Meyer's Gators who, reeling themselves, will be looking for any advantage they can find against this, suddenly, surging Georgia defense that has been so stingy against the run.

But, for the night, Georgia fans can rejoice in being a .500 football team. Something that seemed improbable just three-weeks ago.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Things You Need To Know About Kentucky

The Georgia Bulldogs have enjoyed their stay in Athens, GA these last two-weeks, as both the offense and the defense seemed to find their rhythm. Now, it's time to take their show back on the road again as the surging Bulldogs will take on the feisty Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington.

For many, this game will be the true barometer of whether or not Georgia's last two wins were a result of good play or bad opponents—some aren't so sure it's not more the latter than the former.

Either way, it's time to see how much improved this offense and defense is against a better, more challenging, opponent.

If you've been following this blog all season, you know how this works, 10 points of interest about the Wildcats will be offered up as FYI—take them for what they are worth.

Here's what you need to know about Kentucky:

1. Their pass offense is good. 

The Wildcats are currently ranked 25th in the nation—2nd in the conference—in passing offense. The maturation of Mike Hartline has been the difference.

The senior is comfortable in this offense, proficient in calling plays, and confident in his ability to lead this team back—no matter what the deficit. He is playing his best football of the year, so far, and was a major catalyst in the Wildcats big win over South Carolina last week—passing for 349-yards and four touchdowns.

2. The offensive line is better-than-advertised. 

The Wildcats had to replace four players from last season's unit, but that hasn't seemed to matter much. This group has developed a great chemistry together, and have done a tremendous job of keeping Mike Hartline upright this season—allowing only six sacks through seven games.

3. They are porous against the run. 

They managed to keep South Carolina (who lost their leading rusher in the second half) and Akron (who ranks 100th in rushing offense this season) under 100-yards rushing, but they have consistently given up 175-yards or better to every other opponent they have faced this year—including 211-yards to Mississippi and 311-yards to Auburn.

Note: The Wildcats have given up 45 rushing plays that have gone for 10 or more yards this season. 

4. That said...they have issues with mobile quarterbacks. 

Trey Burton, of Florida, had his biggest game of the season against the Wildcats (scoring five rushing touchdowns), Jeremiah Masoli, of Ole Miss, scored four times (scrambling for one touchdown and tossing three more), Cam Newton, of Auburn, tallied 198-yards and four scores. Quarterbacks who have the potential to run, and roll out of the pocket, give the Wildcats fits.

5. They're defensive line is capable of dominating—if they get on a roll. 

The defensive line is young, but hungry. They have had a few really good performances this season—three weeks ago against Ole Miss, they tallied eight tackles for loss (TFL)—and some not so good. However, they remain focused and ready to meet the challenge each week.

Mark Crawford, a JUCO transfer from Kansas, has been a great leader on the line and provides the emotional spark the team needs when things get tough. Keep an eye on him at defensive tackle. He's already got 3.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks on the year.

6. Randall Cobb is still the man. 

The junior wideout is responsible for 1,155 total yards for the Wildcats this season, and remains a weapon that has to be accounted for at all times. He, along with Derrick Locke, remain two of the most important pieces to the success of Kentucky's offense.

7. Chris Matthews may have had his coming out party last week. 

Senior wide receiver, Chris Matthews was an enigma for South Carolina last week. He finished the game with 12 catches, for 177-yards, and one touchdown. It was his second 100-yard receiving game of the year (the first came against Florida).

If Derrick Locke is forced to miss more time (leaving Cobb to perform more rushing duties), Hartline will be tossing plenty more passes Matthews' way—at 6'5", 219 pounds, he makes for an ample target.
  
8. Their third down defense hasn't been as impressive in conference play. 

Kentucky has held their non-conference opponents to less than 22-percent on third downs this season. However, in SEC play, they have been susceptible to allowing teams to extend their drives via conversions. SEC opponents convert at just over a 50 percent clip.

9. Their redzone defense is pretty bad. 

If an opponent can get inside the 20, they are likely going to get six. This season, the Wildcats have allowed the opposition into the redzone 25 times—19 of those resulted in a touchdown.

Note: They are dead last in the SEC in this category.

10. Their second-half defense is tough. 

The Wildcats, over the last two weeks, have done a phenomenal job of making halftime adjustments on defense—outscoring their opponent 38-6. On the flip side, they've been walloped in the first-half, of those same games, 59-27.

If a team can jump out early and contain the Cats' late, they stand a chance of escaping Lexington with a win.

*Most of the stats used in this article are available via courtesy of cfbstats.com. 

Steve Spurrier Gets Cocky and Cat's Go Wild: Kentucky Steals Big Win Over Top 10 Foe (VIDEO)

Remember all that chatter about Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks suffering a letdown this week over the Kentucky Wildcats, after defeating the former No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide in Columbia last week? Well, that came to fruition tonight as the Kentucky Wildcats and, new head coach, Joker Phillips, got their first signature win over a ranked opponent.

The Gamecocks were leading the game with less than 1:00 minute to go in the fourth-quarter, but then Kentucky quarterback, Mike Hartline connected with Randall Cobb for a 24 yard touchdown reception—followed by a two-point conversion—making it 31-28 Kentucky with less than :15 seconds to play.

Stephen Garcia took over on his own 31 but, two big completions to both D.L. Moore and Tori Gurley placed the Gamecocks within striking distance of a field goal. Then, the unthinkable happened, Spurrier used his final timeout to draw up a play for one last shot at the end zone—he likely should have just gone for the tie but, for whatever reason, he decided to try and go for the win instead.

His gamble ended up being a poor one as Stephen Garcia was intercepted in the end zone—Wildcats win:



So close...yet, so very far away.

Nice win for the Cats' though, after the close loss to Auburn last week, they were bound to come out on the winning end of one of these eventually.

Has The Red River Rivalry Lost Its Luster?—The Lady's Friday Links (10/1)

There isn't going to be a match-up between Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford (there barely was one to speak of last season). The days of Adrian Peterson and Ricky Williams have gone to the wayside. Vince Young ran his way into the record books and out of Austin, what seems like, an eon ago. What you have left are two teams with marginal stars and questionable marketing appeal—unless you live in Norman or Austin. So, it seems valid to ask the question: Is the 2010 version of the Red River Rivalry really all that big of a deal?

Appalachian State University is thinking about leaving the FCS for the FBS ranks. Apparently, after beating Michigan a few years back, and running all over the teams in their own league, they feel pretty good about their chances of being successful. Good for them. That said, the last legitimate FBS team they faced was LSU in 2008—that didn't exactly go well (41-13).

Trey Burton had one very big game against the Kentucky Wildcats and, already, people are comparing him to No. 15 (former Gator QB, Tim Tebow). Easy media hounds, this kid hasn't proven anything yet—except that he can run it in against a mediocre SEC defense. Give him some time to do something bigger before you go raising that pedestal to unreachable heights.

The Big Ten is done expanding...unless Notre Dame comes calling, then they might be open to changing that stance.

That move that Boise State made to become a part of the Mountain West is looking more and more like a moot point. Utah already exited to the Pac-10, BYU is looking for it's indepence, and now TCU is considering jumping to the Big East—hmmm, seems to me, Boise should have just stayed where it was—the Mountain West is looking more and more like the WAC to me.

Ole Miss will play South Alabama in 2017...wow, talk about your compelling match-ups.  Of course, the way Ole Miss is trending, SOuth Alabama could actually be the better team by that time—just saying.

At 4-0 now, some national media are starting to jump on the NC State bandwagon. That likely means they will now fold like a house of cards and become irrelevant by Monday—starting with a loss to
Virginia Tech on Saturday. Hope not, but, this is certainly not a good sign.

Is it time to place a cap on bowl invitations?

Are the Florida Gators bait for or baiting the Alabama Crimson Tide this week?

Coach Mark Richt has ties to Colorado.

Cool video of the week:

This is a little outside of the sports realm, but, my brother is trying his hand at film making. The video below is the third in a web series he created, along with a buddy, called "The Idea Men". Give it a look, and, if you like what you see, check out the first two eps at their YouTube site—BasementBoysPictures

Okay, that's my shameless plug for the week :)

Is There Really Any Chance That Temple Beats Penn State?—The Lady's Friday Links (9/24)

The head coach at Temple University, Al Golden, has the Owls on the cusp of relevancy. After two winning seasons, their first bowl appearance since 1979 (in 2009), and a hot start (the Owls are currently 3-0), Golden has his program standing at the threshold of college football legitimacy.

After last weeks surprising win over Big East power, Connecticut, the Owls head into Saturday's match-up against Penn State with a lot of confidence—are the Owls for real? This game will surely be the one that answers that question.

Read more about the emergence of the Temple football program right here. 

Michigan State head coach, Mark Dantonio, is on the mend but his team will retake the field this weekend—hoping to remain undefeated.

Florida coach, Urban Meyer, will add his name to an exclusive group of head football coaches if/when he reaches the 100-win mark over the next four games. He would be the fastest coach, in more than 50 years, to reach the milestone—boy...it sure does pay to stay in-state and play those pansies, eh Urban?

The Alabama Crimson Tide are tentatively scheduling a game with the Michigan Wolverines. The match-up would take place in Dallas, TX in 2012—the Crimson Tide are really looking to expand their brand under Saban...well played.

Randall Cobb and the Kentucky Wildcats will look to get their program-defining win in The Swamp on Saturday night. Said John Clay, of KentuckySports.com, "You might expect a little more respect for a program that has been to four consecutive bowl games. You might expect a little more respect for a program that won on the road at Auburn and Georgia last year, that boasts a Randall Cobb, that competes in the SEC."—with all due respect to what the Wildcats were able to do last year, their schedule this year has been a joke. If they win at Florida, then they should join the conversation, but they are hardly worth a top 25 nod after beating a couple cupcakes and a pansy.

And speaking of Randall Cobb, he's mighty sensitive where his team is concerned. Red Lobster has lost his business for a little while after a hostess, unwittingly, dissed the Wildcats football program—you can hardly blame her, it was an honest mistake. 

This writer offers a different opinion on the Reggie Bush debacle, he seems to feel an injustice was done to both Reggie Bush and USC. Says Jerry Soifer, "Where is the media outcry against the people who bribed Bush and his family, taking advantage of a 19-year-old man and a family that had very little at the time?"...uh-huh. I have a better question, where was Reggie Bush's honor code? He wasn't nine, he knew what he was doing was wrong—I hardly feel sorry for him. It's called accountability. 

The cost to the Colorado Buffaloes to leave the Big 12 and become a member of the new Pac-12: a whopping $6.836 million—ouch.  

Before the start of the season, a lot of people felt like the Pitt Panthers were going to be major players in the BCS this season. Well, after last night, that notion took a big hit. 

Some cool video:

Bobby Petrino talks Bama:

Is Reggie Bush Kidding or Delusional—The Lady's Friday Links (9/17)

Reggie Bush returned his 2005 Heisman trophy to the Heisman Trophy Trust on yesterday. The former USC running back stated that: “It’s definitely not an admission of guilt. It’s me showing my respect to the Heisman Trophy and to the people who come before me and the people who come after me. You’re going to keep hearing the same thing because that’s what it is. It’s not an admission of guilt it’s me feeling like this is the best thing for me and the Heisman Trust right now.” Awww, isn't that special, Reggie is finally thinking of someone other than himself. Seriously, if he doesn't think he did anything wrong, why bother returning the trophy in the first place? Not inclined to buy that he's suddenly become enlightened about the situation, despite what he says.

Are Alabama and Oregon heading for disappointment in week three?...Doubtful, but I guess the story makes for good copy. On the other hand, that Tennessee over Florida pick makes perfect sense—just saying.

Isaiah Crowell is skipping his visit to the University of Georgia football game this Saturday, but the AJC assures that this is nothing to be worried about, if you're a Georgia Bulldog fan.

Speaking of the Georgia Bulldogs, wide receiver A.J. Green will be heard by the NCAA at some point today. The junior is currently serving a four-game suspension for selling his bowl game jersey. UGA hopes that his suspension is reduced and he will be allowed to play with the team on tomorrow—don't hold your breath.

After a few stellar performances, Michigan phenom, Denard Robinson, is already being analyzed as a future NFL prospect. It may be a little too early for the Michael Vick comparisons, but I guess the college football world needs something to hang onto right now.

Florida hasn't been impressive this season, thus far, so I suppose that gives writers an opportunity to turn their attention to the other things about Urban Meyer's program that is worthy of mention...like whether or not he's running a "dirty program" in Gainesville. Wow. what a difference a Tebow-less team makes. 

If you have been impressed by the performance of the Kentucky Wildcats, under new coach Joker Phillps, so far this season, then this writer has a little bit of reality to impart about just how good the Wildcats really are—don't get your hopes up. 

Tulane head coach isn't saying it's okay that his team lost to Ole Miss last weekend, but he is able to find the silver-lining—it wasn't like they were blown out by the Rebels (they lost 27-13). Said Bob Toledo, "“That’s the first time I’ve seen our offensive line run off the ball and knock people back...we were more physical in that game than we’ve been in four years since I’ve been here. Our physicality on both sides of the line impressed me.” No offense to the Green Wave but, Ole Miss is looking less and less impressive by the day.

This writer thinks the SEC East is the weaker of the two divisions this season (due mostly to Florida's offensive losses). Hmmm, that's funny, I don't recall one of the Eastern Division teams losing to it's I-AA opponent—just saying.

Middle Tennessee State will get their prized quarterback/running back, Dwight Dasher back in time to play conference power, Troy, on October 5th. Dasher was suspended for four-games due to accepting an impermissible loan of $1500.

I'll tell you this much, Bruce Pearl (Head Basketball Coach at Tennessee) has one hell of an agent. Despite his recent admission of guilt, Tennessee may not be able to terminate his contract. Man, that AD over in Knoxville has a way of getting screwed by his head coaches—didn't Kiffin get away free as a bird with a menial buyout? I think they need a new overseer in that department because the current one is not exactly top-notch.

Cool videos of the week—the SEC is well-represented.



That Beano Cook cracks me up! Do they actually pay him for his analysis or what?



Georgia has turnover issues?...What games has this guy been watching?

Five SEC RB's Who Have A Shot At Eclipsing 1,000 Yards in 2010

The SEC is a conference that isn't short on running back talent. As a matter of fact, the current holder of the Heisman trophy currently makes his home at the University of Alabama—Mark Ingram. That said, there is plenty more talent where that came from and, at least some of it, is a tad under-appreciated due to a lack of exposure.

However, the way to the big time is paved in a 1,000 yard runner. The SEC, for all it's great talent, only saw five players hit that mark in 2009. In 2008, it was four, In 2007, a banner year, there were eight, and in 2006, there were only two (Both from the University of Arkansas).

So, as much as it is an expectation in the pro ranks to see a tailback cross the 1,000 yard threshold, it's not an easy feat in the SEC where the defenses often make every yard count and the running back by committee (RBC) method of employing the ground game is more than the rule than the exception in this day and age.

Even still, there are a few guys who have the potential to reach that milestone in 2010—in no particular order:

1. Derrick Locke, University of Kentucky

2009 Stats: 196 attempts, 908 yards, and 6 touchdowns

Derrick Locke missed one game last season in order to rest a sore knee. That one game, against Eastern Kentucky, could very well have been the difference in him eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark in 2009.

2010 brings some challenges his way as the Wildcats lost four starters on their offensive line at the end of last season. That said, a player as talented as Locke has never had a problem being productive on the football field.

If he can get the ball rolling early, starting with three fairly manageable opponents, he could have enough momentum to keep it going all year long.

2. Warren Norman, Vanderbilt University

2009 Stats: 145 attempts, 783 yards, and 3 touchdowns

Last season, the rising sophomore averaged 12 carries per game—12. He parlayed that into 783 yards of ground offense for a Commodore team that often had trouble creating much offense at all. He did it against lesser tiered opposition as well as some of the better run defenses in the league (Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee all gave up better than 5.0 ypc to Norman in their contests).

If new coach, Robbie Caldwell, can quell an offensive line that is competent enough to open a running lane or two, and Vanderbilt can find a way to get Norman the 3-4 more carries a game, there is little reason to believe he won't eclipse the 1,000 yard mark in just his second season.

3. Jeffery Demps, University of Florida

2009 Stats: 99 attempts, 745 yards, and 7 touchdowns

Not sure if many people know this yet, but...Jeffery Demps is really, really, really, fast. His 7.53 yards per carry average was tops in the SEC last season and he did more with less than any other back in the conference—despite the presence of No. 15 on his team.

This year, he will have more opportunities to showcase his world-class speed as new quarterback, John Brantley, will concentrate more on the pass than the run and someone will need to pick up the slack on the ground that Tebow left behind.

Add to that fact, the Gators have one of the best offensive lines in the country coming into 2010, and you have to like Demps chances to not only make it to 1,000, but eclipse it substantially.

4. Trent Richardson, University of Alabama

2009 Stats: 144 attempts, 749 yards, and 8 touchdowns

The Alabama Crimson Tide have a very good chance of producing two 1,000 yard rushers next season.

The prowess of Richardson is already well known by SEC fans and he isn't expected to scale it back one bit come 2010. His biggest roadblock might very well be his Heisman winning teammate, Mark Ingram, who will look to match his stellar 2009 numbers (1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns) while, hopefully, leading his team to another SEC Championship.

That said, Richardson is all about having fun and there is little pressure on him to do anything more than play his brand of football and tons on Ingram (carefree and all-out). If he continues to do that, 1,000 yards is not only manageable but, quite possibly an expectation in 2010.

5. Washaun Ealey, University of Georgia

2009 Stats: 125 attempts, 717 yards, and 3 touchdowns

Ealey didn't put in his first appearance of the year until the Bulldogs faced LSU in game five of the 2009 season. He was limited to a handful of carries but, ask any fan of the team and they will tell you, without a doubt he was a definite spark in the Georgia Bulldog's offense that day.

Ealey only got better as the season progressed and he added an exclamation point at the end by delivering a 183-yard performance against the teams bitter in-state rival, Georgia Tech.

2010 offers a new quarterback, a more-experienced offensive line, and a heavier reliance on the run game to get the offense moving. Ealey, along with Caleb King, will be expected to get his mojo going early and it's expected that he will be ready for the challenge.

If he can keep his head on straight and maintain his focus, he will have little trouble making his presence felt in the SEC East this season.