Thoughts of the Day: September 16, 2021
Updated: Sep 16, 2021
A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning:
ALL THE ATTENTION ON AR15 MIGHT TURN OUT TO BE A GOOD THING Okay, let’s first address the question of the week: What is the latest on Anthony Richardson and that tender, troublesome hamstring?
Here is what Dan Mullen said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference: “He’s practiced every day. He’s getting treatment, making sure that he’s healthy, ready to go, but he’s had a pretty good week of practice.”
So, there you go.
Mullen also indicated on the weekly call that barring an injury, he’s going to play both Emory Jones and Richardson at quarterback Saturday afternoon (3:30, CBS) when the No. 9 Gators (2-0) take on No. 1 Alabama (2-0) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“That’s all set within the game plan unless something happens during the course of the game with an injury during the game or one of those deals,” Mullen said.
See, he’s got this planned out. What a concept.
Perhaps it wasn’t part of the plan, but the combination of Emory Jones struggling in the passing game, the spectacular play of Richardson and the hamstring injury seems to have absorbed all the energy for a game which the Las Vegas oddsmakers give a huge (14.5 points) advantage to Alabama. Instead of reams of analysis on why Alabama, with its personnel advantage at every position based on old recruiting rankings and NFL Draft ratings, should blow out the Gators everyone but the quarterbacks and Mullen have pretty much gotten a pass.
In some respects it’s like déjà vu of Steve Spurrier soaking up all the criticism by talking about all the late hits on Danny Wuerffel in the days ahead of Florida’s 52-20 win over Florida State in the Sugar Bowl for the 1996 national championship. Or, how about the way Urban Meyer seemed to egg the national media on in the days ahead of Florida’s 41-14 win over Ohio State in the 2006 national championship game in Glendale, Arizona? Every time the national media proclaimed the Buckeyes one of the greatest – if not THE greatest – team in the history of college football, Meyer made sure every Gator saw those gushing reports. Not once did Meyer give us a “we’ll see” or a “that’s why we play the game on the field” retorts. He fueled the fire.
Mullen hasn’t had to answer a lot of questions about his O-line or his defense this week because he’s been busy telling everyone that in his mind, at least, there is no quarterback controversy at UF because he has full confidence in Emory Jones.
https://www.gatorbaitmedia.com/post/florida-gators-mid-week-injury-update-ahead-of-saturday-s-showdown-with-no-1-alabama-crimson-tide
Meanwhile, no one has been asking how tackles Richard Gouraige or Jean Delance will handle those Bama edge rushers. No one has been asking how anyone other than Jones or Richardson is going to run the ball against the Bama defense. No one has been asking how Jacob Copeland and the rest of the Florida receivers plan to get open against the Alabama secondary. And, no one has been asking how the Gators are going to defend Alabama redshirt freshman QB Bryce Young, who some national experts have proclaimed is the Heisman heir-apparent after he lit up mediocre Miami and D1AA Mercer.
This wasn’t by design on Mullen’s part, but it has indeed worked out nicely. His guys will feel plenty of pressure once foot hits football Saturday. With the exception of Jones, Richardson and Mullen, the Gators have been flying under the radar.
This is no guarantee of an upset, but less pressure can’t hurt.
OVER, UNDER, AROUND AND THROUGH THE SEC Alabama (2-0): Linebacker Will Anderson, who strained a knee against Mercer, is now listed day-to-day for Saturday’s game at Florida. “Will did practice yesterday,” Nick Saban said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference Wednesday morning. “We’re taking it by day-by-day. If he continues to make improvement through the rest of the week, he certainly could play in the game.” Saturday: Alabama is a 14.5-point favorite at Florida.
Arkansas (2-0): Getting the Razorbacks re-focused after their stunning 40-21 win over Texas has been the issue for HBC Sam Pittman, who says Tuesday was a bad practice day as the Hogs prep for Saturday’s game with Georgia Southern. “We probably haven’t been in this spot for awhile, but we know how to get then ready and they’ll be ready,” Pittman said Wednesday on the teleconference. Saturday: Arkansas is a 23.5-point favorite at home against Georgia Southern.
Auburn (2-0): Quarterback Bo Nix has looked much improved through two games. HBC Bryan Harsin attributes the new and improved Nix to better “footwork, mechanics, maturity” and adds that Nix “and Coach (Mike) Bobo work well together.” Through two games, Nix is 29-39 passing for 383 yards (9.8 per attempt) and five touchdowns. Saturday: Auburn is a 5-point road dog at Penn State.
Georgia (2-0): Stetson Bennett IV might be unavailable to play against South Carolina on Saturday due to some lower back issues. With JT Daniels still recovering from an oblique strain, if Bennett can’t go, redshirt freshman Carson Beck will be Georgia’s starting QB. Saturday: Georgia is a whopping 31.5-point favorite at home against South Carolina.
Kentucky (2-0): On the coaches teleconference, HBC Mark Stoops reacted to UK being called one of the top jobs in college football by saying, “I guess I take that as a compliment because when I got here I can guarantee it was a Bottom Ten job.” Saturday: There is no line for UK’s game with D1AA Chattanooga.
LSU (1-1): Asked about the academic suspension of running back John Emery on the SEC Coaches Teleconference, Coach Ed Orgeron said, “He’s unavailable right now for the year, unless things change and they could change. If they do change I’ll play him, but right now he’s unavailable for the year.” Saturday: LSU is a 19.5-point favorite at home against Central Michigan.
Mississippi State (2-0): Lideatrick Griffin leads the SEC and ranks second nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 48.8 yards per return including a 100-yarder for a touchdown last week against North Carolina State. Saturday: Mississippi State is a 3-point favorite on the road at Memphis.
Missouri (1-1): In addition to giving up 340 rushing yards to Kentucky last week, HBC Eli Drinkwitz says the penalties were a serious problem. “I think we had between nine and 11 penalties,” Drinkwitz said on the coaches teleconference. “Those are free. Yards given away with no reason for it.” Saturday: There is no line for Missouri’s game with D1AA Southeast Missouri State.
Ole Miss (2-0): Reacting to the perception that the Rebels are strictly a passing team, Lane Kiffin said on the coaches teleconference, “I don’t know why that’s the case … We led the SEC in rushing last year.” The Rebels are throwing for 337.5 yards per game this year but they’re also running at a 262 yards per game clip. Saturday: Ole Miss is a 14-point favorite at home against Tulane.
South Carolina (2-0): For the next two home games, at least, fans at Williams-Brice Stadium will be required to wear a mask due to a new city ordinance in Columbia. The Gamecocks will be on the road Saturday in Athens where fans will be mask-less. Saturday: South Carolina is a 31.5 road dog at Georgia.
Tennessee (1-1): Saturday: HBC Josh Heupel was non-commital about his starting quarterback for Saturday’s game – Joe Milton or Hendon Hooker – when he spoke on the coaches teleconference. “We do not have a starter yet,” he said. “[Milton] was out there on the practice field today. I don’t know if he’ll be available on Saturday. We’ll see where we’re at as we get closer to kickoff.” There is no line for Tennessee’s game with D1AA Tennessee Tech.
Texas A&M (2-0): Zach Calzada, who replaced Haynes King when he was injured at Colorado, is the starting QB. He’s a good runner but was erratic throwing the ball last week. HBC Jimbo Fisher said Calzada can “reach all parts of the field with his arm.” Saturday: The Aggies are 29.5-point home favorites against New Mexico.
Vanderbilt (1-1): Tight end Ben Bresnahan and center Michael Warden are uncertain for Saturday’s game with Stanford. Saturday: The Commodores are 12-point home underdogs against Stanford.
NON-SEC GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON THIS WEEK
UCF (2-0) at Louisville (1-1): Seeing the way Matt Corral lit up Louisville, Dillon Gabriel has to be drooling. UCF is going to score but can the Knights get the stops to win on the road? Win this one and UCF probably goes to Cincinnati on October 16 unbeaten. UCF is a 7-point favorite.
Nebraska (2-1) at No. 3 Oklahoma (2-0): It’s the 50th anniversary of a game that was for years called “The Game of the Century,” only this time Oklahoma is the highly ranked team and Nebraska is trying to figure out a way to salvage a winning season. Oklahoma is a 22-point favorite. If it’s worse than three touchdowns, will Scott Frost be gainfully employed Monday morning?
No. 8 Cincinnati (2-0) at Indiana (1-1): Right now the Bearcats are carrying the torch for all of the Group of Five teams so this is a big game. The Bearcats have been good but not spectacular in going 2-0. Indiana needs to prove it isn’t nearly as bad as that opening game loss to Iowa would indicate. If Cincinnati loses its playoff chances are over and done with. Cincinnati is a shaky 4-point favorite.
Purdue (2-0) at No. 12 Notre Dame (2-0): How is Notre Dame even in the top 20? That win over Florida State is looking very bad. The Irish should have lost to Holy Toledo, too. They should be 0-2, not 2-0. Meanwhile Purdue needs a win over a ranked opponent and has a QB capable of lighting up the Irish. Notre Dame is a 7-point favorite.
No. 15 Virginia Tech (2-0) at West Virginia (1-1): West Virginia is a 3-point favorite which tells you the people in Las Vegas aren’t nearly as impressed with Virginia Tech as the people who vote in the polls. If WVU scores the win, it’s a real blow to the Always Climpson Conference, which is probably No. 5 of the Power 5 conferences.
Virginia (2-0) at No. 21 North Carolina (1-1): The last thing the ACC needs is for any ranked team to go down in flames. This one feels like a bad day for the Tar Heels and for Sam Howell. If the Heels lose they’re 0-2 in ACC play so you can stick a fork in their chances to win the Coastal Division. Another loss for Howell and he can all but kiss his Heisman chances good-bye. UNC is a shaky 8-point favorite.
Michigan State (2-0) at No. 24 Miami (1-1): It’s a little early in the season for must win games, but that’s what this feels like for Miami. Blown out by Alabama followed by a fortunate win against Appalachian State doesn’t give fans of The Ewe the warm and fuzzies. Michigan State probably gets ranked if it wins. Miami is a 6-point favorite.
Florida State (0-2) at Wake Forest (2-0): This is a season on the brink game for the Seminoles. After that disastrous loss to D1AA Jacksonville State, former FSU wide receiver PK Sam was tweeting that HBC Mike Norvel is in danger of losing the locker room. Start the season 0-3 and that seems highly likely. The Seminoles are going to have all sorts of problems stopping Wake Forest Gump QB Sam Hartman. Wake Forest is a 5-point favorite.
ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: The Knight Commission means well. Sometimes when it tackles big problems such as the health and safety of college football players it is a needed voice, but there are times – like yesterday – when the Knight Commission leaves you shaking your head. In its most recent proposal, the Knight Commission is calling for revenue reforms, wealth redistribution and perhaps even a luxury tax on schools that pay their coaches too much money. It is true that college football’s rich are getting richer, but it’s also true that there are way too many schools that have no business in Division I are spending well beyond their means. The reform that needs to take place isn’t parity legislation like the Knight Commission just proposed but a realignment of the divisions. We should have fewer teams in Division I and more in D1AA and Division II. If you don’t have a 30,000-seat stadium and can’t fill it, then you have no business trying to compete with schools that can.
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