Thoughts of the Day: July 19, 2021

A few thoughts to jump start your Monday morning:

FLORIDA-UCF WILL HAPPEN; CAM NEWBAUER OUT, KELLY RAE FINLEY IN If you’re into surprises, then Scott Stricklin delivered two of them at the end of last week. First came the announcement that the University of Florida and UCF have agreed to a three-game series that will see the Gators play UCF in Gainesville in 2024 and 2033 with UF traveling to Orlando for the sandwich game in 2030. That’s a scheduling move that probably wouldn’t have taken place had Danny White remained UCF’s athletic director. With White gone to Tennessee, Stricklin and new UCF AD Terry Mohair got a deal done.

White always insisted that UCF is on the same par with Florida football, therefore nothing but a home-and-home would suffice. That wasn’t going to happen. Florida doesn’t need UCF and always held the cards. It was up to UCF to accept a two-for-one deal (two home for UF, one for UCF) to get a deal done or else there would be no deal.

The announcement that Florida women’s basketball coach Cam Newbauer is stepping down for personal reasons effective immediately with assistant Kelly Rae Finley taking over as the interim for the 2021-22 season was totally unexpected. It was only six weeks ago that Newbauer was given a contract extension without pay raise, quite surprising since he never delivered a winning season in four years on the job. Stricklin didn’t go into any details why Newbauer is stepping down. In a brief statement he wished Newbauer well and announced Finley will guide the program next season.

In the days since the Friday announcement there has been plenty of speculation why Newbauer resigned. Whether he stepped down on his own volition or was asked to leave isn’t important unless there was some sort of NCAA violation involved. If there was no breaking of the rules or anything that would harm the University of Florida, then the personal reasons explanation is sufficient.

THE RUNNING BACKS ROOM AT EVERY SEC SCHOOL

ALABAMA

The starter: Brian Robinson (6-1, 228, RSR)

The backups: Trey Sanders (6-0, 214, RSO); Jase McClellan (5-11, 212, SO); Roydell Williams (5-10, 210, SO); Kyle Edwards (6-0, 209, RFR)

Expectations: Najee Harris and his 3,843 rushing yards, 80 career receptions and 57 touchdowns has moved on to the NFL, so this is Brian Robinson’s chance to prove he is that next great Alabama back ready to state his case that he belongs in the league. Robinson is taking advantage of the NCAA rule that lets him come back for a sixth season. In 52 career games he has gained 1,361 yards (5.0 per carry) and scored 15 rushing TDs. Robinson has waited patiently to be THE GUY. It’s his year to prove he can do it.

What if: This is a typical stable of running backs like there is every year at Alabama only this year there is no returning star. Robinson gets the lifetime achievement award so he gets to start, but if Trey Sanders is finally healthy he might be the starter by midseason.

ARKANSAS

The starter: Trelon Smith (5-9, 190, RJR)

The backups: T.J. Hammonds (5-10, 190, RSR); Dominique Johnson (6-1, 240, RSR); AJ Green (5-11, 194, FR); Raheim Sanders (6-2, 220, FR); Javion Hunt (6 -0, 205, FR)

Expectations: When Rakeem Boyd got hurt last year, Smith surprised everyone with a productive (710 rushing yards; 22-159 receiving) season. Prior to 2020, Smith had all of 12 career carries. Smith needs to stay injury free while taking the next step in his development in 2020.

What if: T.J. Hammonds is the only experienced back behind Smith. In five previous seasons, Hammonds has gained 544 yards. Former 4-star recruit AJ Green has sprinter’s speed (10.38 100 meters as a HS freshman) and will be on the field early and often.

AUBURN

The starter: Tank Bigsby (6-0, 208, FR)

The backups: Shaun Shivers (5-7, 189, SR); Jordan Ingram (6-1, 199, RFR); Jarquez Hunter (5-10, 190, FR)

Expectations: It’s all on Bigsby to stay healthy and produce as well or better than he did last year as a true freshman when he ran for 834 yards (6.04 per carry). He averaged fewer than 14 carries per game last year. Auburn has four returning offensive linemen and a need to play ball control to keep the defense off the field, so Bigsby is going to have to carry a much bigger load.

What if: The only experienced back behind Bigsby is tiny Shaun Shivers, a scatback who has never been used effectively in the passing game. Freshman Jarquez Hunter doesn’t have great size but he’s durable and can run between the tackles. If Bigsby is hurt, Auburn’s offense is going to suffer.

FLORIDA

The starter: Dameon Pierce (5-10, 212, SR)

The backups: Malik Davis (5-10, 198, RSR); Nay’Quan Wright (5-9, 197, RSO); Lorenzo Lingard (6-0, 206, RJR); Demarkcus Bowman (5-10, 187, RFR)

Expectations: This is the deepest and most talent running backs room in the Dan Mullen HBC era which has plenty to do with the expectation the Gators will probably go something like a 55/45 run-pass ratio this year. Damien Pierce is the power guy and the expected starter but the other four running backs are such a combination of speed and pass catching ability that Mullen will have plenty of options.

What if: The combination of dual threat quarterbacks Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson to go with these five backs might result in Mullen using a two-back offense much the way he used Percy Harvin back in the day when UF averaged more than 200 yards in both the running and passing game. We shouldn’t be the least bit surprised if we see Malik Davis, Nay’Quan Wright and Lorenzo Lingard in the slot fairly regularly so they can be used in both the passing game and the running game. In Lingard and Clemson transfer Demarkcus Bowman, the Gators have a pair of go-the-distance guys, something that has been lacking for years in the UF offense.

GEORGIA

The starter: Zamir White (6-0, 215, RJR)

The backups: James Cook (5-11, 190, SR); Kenny McIntosh (6-1, 210, JR); Kendall Milton (6-1, 220, SO); Daijun Edwards (5-10, 201, SO); Lovasea Carroll (6-1, 195, FR)

Expectations: Athlon rates Georgia’s running backs stable second best in the country, trailing only Alabama. Zamir White and James Cook were last year’s 1-2 punch when they combined for 1,083 yards and 14 touchdowns and 22 receptions for 262 yards and two more touchdowns.

What if: The running back position is loaded and deep. Georgia’s biggest problem might be keeping everybody happy. There is only one football and the four former 4-star backups behind White and Cook will have to be patient unless Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Todd Monken can spread the carries around enough so that no one becomes disgruntled.

KENTUCKY

The starter: Chris Rodriguez Jr. (5-11, 224, RJR)

The backups: Kavosiey Smoke (5-9, 201, JR); Torrance Davis (6-2, 220, SO); Tyler Markray (5-10, 220, RJR); JuTahn McClain (5-9, 187, SO); Travis Tisdale (5-9, 173, RFR); La’Vell Wright (5-11, 202, FR)

Expectations: In just about any other league but the SEC, Chris Rodriguez would be considered one of the top two backs. He gained 785 yards (6.6 per carry) and scored 11 touchdowns last year. He’s averaged 7.1 per carry for his career. He is the thunder in the backfield while Kavosiey Smoke (890 yards, 5.9 per carry the last two years) is the lightning. Kentucky averaged 196 yards per game last year and that was against eight-in-the-box defenses that didn’t respect the pass. The Wildcats will average at least 200 per game this year if they get any kind of passing game to back the safeties off the line.

What if: Rodriguez is the only power back with any experience, so he has to stay healthy. Everybody else is a speed guy. But no matter who’s in the backfield, UK has to come up with a passing game that averages more than 5.5 yards per attempt or the running game won’t be effective.

LSU

The starter: Tyrion Davis-Price (6-1, 232, JR)

The backups: John Emery Jr. (5-11, 215, JR); Corey Kiner (5-10, 210, FR); Armoni Goodwin (5-8, 190, FR)

Expectations: There isn’t a Clyde Edwards-Helaire in this group. Davis-Price is good between the tackles (741 yards in two seasons) but he’s a grinder at best. They’ve been waiting on John Emery Jr. to light it up since he arrived, but he hasn’t been very productive.

What if: The running game has to step up after a year in which the Tigers averaged 121 yards per game and 3.33 per carry. If Davis-Price and Emery can’t come through the LSU offense is going to sputter.

MISSISSIPPI STATE

The starter: Jo’Quavious Marks (5-10, 195, SO)

The backups: Dillon Johnson (6-0, 200, SO); J.J. Jernigan (5-11, 210, RJR); Omni Wells (5-10, 195, RSR); Simeon Price (6-0, 204, FR); Ke’Travion Hargrove (5-11, 185, FR)

Expectations: The Bulldogs averaged only 43 yards per game rushing last year. That has to improve if they expect to be anything more than a break even team. Jo’quavious Marks led the team in rushing (312 yards) and caught 60 passes for another 268 yards. He’s the starter.

What if: Dillon Johnson ran for 225 yards and caught 36 passes for 157 yards last year. If Johnson and Marks stay healthy, the MSU offense should improve.

MISSOURI

The starter: Tyler Badie (5-8, 194, SR)

The backups: Elijah Young (5-9, 185, SO); Dawson Downing (5-11, 221, GR); Taj Butts (5-10, 232, FR); BJ Harris (5-9, 210, FR); Simi Bakare (6-3, 209, SR)

Expectations: Larry Rountree III is gone along with his 3,720 career rushing yards and 40 touchdowns. Tyler Badie has gained 1,136 yards (4.6 per carry) in three previous seasons and he’s caught 72 passes but he’s never been the go-to guy until now. He lacks between the tackles ability but he can make people miss.

What if: Rountree was a physical guy between the tackles so a power guy must be found. Freshman Taj Butts could be the big back Mizzou needs to work in tandem with Badie. If Badie gets hurt Mizzou could be in trouble.

OLE MISS

The starter: Jerrion Ealy (5-8, 190, JR)

The backups: Snoop Conner (5-10, 215, JR); Henry Parrish Jr. (5-10, 190, SO); Isaiah Woullard (5-9, 205, SR)

Expectations: The three-headed running back monster (1,389 rushing yards, 19 TDs) of Jerrion Ealy, Snoop Conner and Henry Parrish Jr. is one of the best in the country and all three can catch the football. Throw in a mobile QB like Matt Corral and Ole Miss could surpass the 210 yards per game averaged on the ground last year.

What if: As a true freshman John Rhys Plumlee played QB and gained 1,023 yards. He’s the backup QB but he will also play wide receiver and running back this year. If he’s in the game in a hybrid role, the Ole Miss running game may be as good as you’ll find in the country.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The starter: Kevin Harris (5-10, 225, JR)

The backups: MarShawn Lloyd (5-9, 215, RFR); ZaQuandre White (6-0, 210, RSR); Rashad Amost (6-2, 215, RFR); JuJu McDowell (5-8, 180, FR)

Expectations: For South Carolina to have a shot at anything more than a 3-4 win season then the running game is going to have to be even better than it was in 2020 when Kevin Harris led the SEC with 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns while catching 21 passes for another 185 yards.

What if: If MarShawn Lloyd is sufficiently recovered from the ACL tear that kept him out of 2020, then the Gamecocks should have a nice 1-2 running backs punch. Four returning starters on the offensive line to go with Harris and Lloyd makes the running game look promising, but the Gamecocks better be able to throw the ball or else they’ll see eight-in-the-box every single game.

TENNESSEE

The starter: Jabari Small (5-11, 206, SO)

The backups: Tiyon Evans (5-11, 220, JR); Dee Beckwith (6-5, 227, RFR); Len’Neith Whitehead (6-2, 220, RFR); Tee Hodge (6-1, 220, RFR); Jaylen Wright (5-11, 200, FR)

Expectations: Eric Gray (to Oklahoma) and Ty Chandler (to North Carolina) transferred out leaving behind the most inexperienced running backs room in the SEC. Jabari Small (26-117 last year) projects as the starter but it’s only a matter of time before juco transfer Tiyon Evans takes over.

What if: Josh Heupel’s offensive MO is getting off snaps every 15 seconds but with an inexperienced defense he might need to play keep away by running the ball. With only two starters on the O-line and so much inexperience at running back, it could be a long year.

TEXAS A&M

The starter: Isaiah Spiller (6-1, 225, JR)

The backups: Devon Achane (5-9, 185, SO); Ainias Smith (5-10, 190, JR); Darvon Hubbard (6-0, 210, RFR); Amari Daniels (5-8, 200, FR); LJ Johnson Jr. (5-10, 204, FR)

Expectations: Behind one of the nation’s best O-lines in 2020, Spiller pounded away for 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns while catching 20 passes for 193 yards. Ainias Smith is a hybrid running back (293 rushing yards, 4 TDs in 2020) who also plays wide receiver (43-564, 6 TDs). They make for one of the nation’s most dangerous 1-2 tandems.

What if: When Jimbo Fisher wants pure speed on the field he turns to Devon Achane, who averaged 8.5 per carry last year. With Spiller, Achane and Smith the Aggies are going to average more than 200 yards on the ground for the second straight year.

VANDERBILT

The starter: Re’Mahn Davis (5-9, 215, JR)

The backups: Ja’Veon Marlow (5-11, 195, RJR); Rocko Griffin (5-9, 215, SO); Dylan Betts-Pauley (5-11, 225, FR); Patrick Smith (5-10, 185, FR)

Expectations: When Keyon Henry-Brooks transferred out, Vanderbilt was able to replace him with Temple transfer Re’Mahn Davis, whose two-year totals were 1,259 yards and nine touchdowns. Davis figures to be the starter when the season begins September 4.

What if: Should Davis miss any games because of injury there isn’t much in the way of experience. Freshman Patrick Smith has plenty of speed and figures to move up the depth charts quickly.

ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: We got a great final round at the British Open as Collin Morikawa went bogey free to take a 2-shot win over Jordan Spieth. It was the second win (PGA in 2020 the other) in eight majors for Morikawa. Meanwhile Bryson DeChambeau let his mouth do more talking than his game. He shot a 65 Sunday, his only round of the week under par. If he focused more on winning golf like Morikawa and Spieth and less on his feud with Brooks Koepka (-8 for a 6th-place tie), DeChambeau might do better in majors.