Thoughts of the Day: September 30, 2021

A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning:

EVEN WITH THE NECKTIE IT’S STILL A PIG

My grandmother, the sage and insightful Ivey Van Sickle, used to tell me, “You can put a necktie on a pig, but all you’ve got is a pig wearing a necktie.” She explained that some things, no matter how you dress them up, will always remain the same.

We could say that about Kentucky’s offense. Yes, the Wildcats have a better passing quarterback in Will Levis than last year’s starter Terry Wilson and a couple of very good receivers in Josh Ali and Nebraska transfer Wan’Dale Robertson, but Mark Stoops is never going to stray too far from his ground and pound roots. In other words, the improved passing scheme brought in by first-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen combined with Levis’ ability to make accurate throws is the necktie. The pig is still the same and that means the Wildcats (4-0, 2-0 SEC) are still going to try to impose their will on 10th-ranked Florida (3-1, 1-1 SEC) Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium by trying to jam the ball down the Gators’ throats with 225-pound tailback Chris Rodriguez.

On the SEC Coaches Teleconference Wednesday, Dan Mullen explained, “Schematically, I think they are different. I don’t know they’ve undergone a massive philosophical change. What I mean by that is they’re still based around a physical rushing attack. How they’ve gone about that is very different. That adds to the issues it causes … their ability to get to the play action and the shot plays that come off it. It’s a very different system and it opens up a lot of different options for them to create big plays based on their philosophy of being a power running team.”

In their two non-conference games, the Wildcats threw 68 passes (completed 45) for a combined 673 yards and six TDs. In their conference wins over Missouri and South Carolina, the Wildcats threw a combined 40 passes (completed 25) for 281 yards and one TD. In those games they ran the ball 96 times for 571 yards.

In SEC play, the Wildcats loosened up the necktie and were pretty much all-pig. That’s what Florida should expect Saturday.

O-line related stats: Average recruiting stars for the starting O-line: 3.4 (Richard Gouraige 4, Ethan White 3, Kingsley Eguakun 3, Stewart Reese 3, Jean Delance 4). The Florida offense averages 322.5 rushing yards per game (3rd nationally, 1st SEC, 7.46 per carry) and 540.8 yards total offense per game (9thnationally, 2nd SEC, 7.48 per play). The Gators have given up three sacks for -12 yards.

OVER, UNDER, AROUND AND THROUGH THE SEC

Alabama (4-0, 2-0 SEC): On the SEC Coaches Teleconference Wednesday, Nick Saban said it was “really, really tough” when Alabama played at Florida due to the crowd noise. He said he’s hoping Alabama fans can “make it that way” for Ole Miss Saturday afternoon. Starting O-line: Average 4.2 stars. Total offense: 466 yards per game (7.06 per play), 6th SEC. Sacks allowed: 7-35

Arkansas (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Can Sam Pittman’s offensive line handle the front seven of Georgia? Georgia is first in the SEC in rushing defense (69.5 yards per game, 2.3 per carry) and second in sacks (14 for -86). The Hogs average 261 rushing yards per game (5.55 per carry) and they’ve allowed only four sacks. Starting O-line: Average 3 stars. Total offense: 488 yards per game (7.06 per play), 5th SEC. Sacks allowed: 4-26

Auburn (3-1): Auburn’s O-line will be going up against an LSU front seven that leads the nation in sacks with 18 and is only giving up 2.96 yards per carry. Starting O-line: 3.2 stars. Total offense: 484.3 yards per game (7.07 per play), 3rd SEC. Sacks allowed: 3-9

Georgia (4-0, 2-0 SEC): A day after saying he expected tight end Darnell Washington and defensive back Tykee Smith to play in Saturday’s game against Arkansas, HBC Kirby Smart didn’t sound quite as optimistic. “They’ve got a ways to go. I don’t know if they’ll be able to play in the game or not,” Smart said. Starting O-line: Average 4 stars. Total offense: 458.3 yards per game (6.97 per play), 7th SEC. Sacks allowed: 2-15

Kentucky (4-0, 2-0 SEC): Describing SEC leading rusher Chris Rodriguez (552 yards) on the SEC Coaches Teleconference, Mark Stoops said, “He’s one of those backs that’s always going forward. Very few negative plays with him. Very good strength and vision.” Starting O-line: Average 3.4 stars. Total offense: 443 yards per game (6.69 per play), 8th SEC. Sacks allowed: 7-43

LSU (3-1, 1-0 SEC): The NCAA has denied former 5-star running back John Emery’s appeal to regain his academic eligibility. He is ineligible for the season although his attorney is looking for other options to have his eligibility restored … Wide receiver Jontre Kirkland and defensive end Soni Fatua, who missed the first four games for academic reasons, have regained their eligibility. Starting O-line: 3.75 stars. Total offense: 377.5 yards per game (5.79 per play), 12th SEC. Sacks allowed: 8-54

Mississippi State (2-2, 0-1 SEC): Despite having the top passing offense in the SEC, Mike Leach thinks the wide receiver play has to get better. Asked on the SEC Coaches Teleconference to evaluate the play of his pass catchers, Leach responded, “I’d say average. We’ve got to get better there for sure.” Starting O-line: Average 3.8 stars. Total offense: 426.3 yards per game (5.66 per play. Sacks allowed: 7-48

Missouri (2-2, 0-1 SEC): Mizzou’s run defense is the main reason the Tigers are dead last in the SEC in total defense. HBC Eli Drinkwitz said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference, “We’ve got to do a better job of tackling and taking the proper angles and we have to do a better job of defeating blocks. We’re working hard to rectify those.” Starting O-line: Average 3.5 stars. Total offense: 483 yards per game (6.86 per play), 4thSEC. Sacks allowed: 3-25.

Ole Miss (3-0): Describing quarterback Matt Corral on The Paul Finebaum Show, HBC Lane Kiffin said, “Well, he may not be the biggest, not the fastest, but he would be up there in his ability to make throws at different arm angles, would probably be better than anyone of all of them. He’s a very unique talent.” Starting O-line: Average 3 stars. Total offense: 638.3 yards per game (7.69 per play). Sacks allowed: 6-47

South Carolina (2-2, 0-2 SEC): South Carolina is in an offensive rut. The Gamecocks rank 13th in the SEC in total offense this year. The 2018 season is the only one since 2015 in which South Carolina averaged as many as 400 yards per game. The only game this season the Gamecocks have topped the 400-yard mark is the opener against D1AA Eastern Illinois when they had 439 yards. Starting O-line: Average 3.4 stars. Total offense: 322.3 yards per game (5.14 per play). Sacks allowed: 9-55

Tennessee (2-2, 0-1 SEC): No word on the health of last week's starting QB Hendon Hooker. Starting O-line: Average 4.2 stars. Total offense: 422.3 yards per game (5.61 per play). Sacks allowed: 12-59

Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1 SEC): Greg McElroy of ESPN says the difference between the Aggies of last season and what we’ve seen so far this year is the play of the offensive line. Speaking on The Paul Finebaum Show, McElroy said, “And one thing I think I know about Texas A&M right now is that their offensive line play, based on what they were last year, they are unrecognizable.” Starting O-line: Average 3.8 stars. Total offense: 402.3 yards per game (5.94 per play). Sacks allowed: 9-40

Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-1 SEC): Perhaps Saturday’s game with UConn will be first team to 10 points wins. Of course, that might mean six or seven overtimes because the Vandy offense ranks 123rd nationally while UConn’s is 129th, which is next to last in the country. Starting O-line: Average 3 stars. Total offense: 284.5 yards per game (4.01 per play. Sacks allowed: 7-61

LANE KIFFIN REACTS TO MICHAEL WILBON

On “Pardon the Interruption” Tuesday, co-host Michael Wilbon said, “Lane Kiffin is a clown. He’s been an embarrassment at multiple stops. Nobody’s gonna run out and say I want Lane Kiffin right here on the logo representing me. Lane Kiffin is a cute little story for those who have to talk sports every day … Lane Kiffin equals embarrassment at some point wherever he is.”

Wilbon went on to predict No. 1 Alabama will beat Kiffin and 12th-ranked Ole Miss this Saturday. After responding on Twitter that he would be praying for Wilbon, who he called “so angry,” Kiffin tweeted out: “And way to go out on a limb and pick the number one team in the country at home who is a huge favorite. How long did you watch film to come up with that surprise pick?? Really newsworthy, captain obvious.”

KEEP AN EYE ON THESE SEVEN GAMES

No. 5 Iowa (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at Maryland (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten): Maryland is the best team Iowa has played this year and the Terps have the best QB the Hawkeyes have seen in Taulia Tagovailoa. Iowa is a shake 3-point favorite.

No. 6 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) at Kansas State (3-1, 0-1 Big 12): K-State has beaten Oklahoma the last two times they’ve played. Oklahoma’s O-line is struggling and K-State really gets after the QB. The Wildcats made Spencer Rattler look bad last year.

No. 7 Cincinnati (3-0) at No. 9 Notre Dame (4-0): Cincinnati hasn’t beaten anyone but neither has Notre Dame. Too much will be made over whichever team wins. Cincinnati is a 2-point favorite.

No. 11 Ohio State (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) at Rutgers (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten): Rutgers went white knuckles with Michigan at the Big House last week before losing in the fourth quarter. The Scarlet Knights have the best defense Ohio State has seen all year and they’re +7 in turnover margin. Ohio State could be sweating well into the fourth quarter.

Arizona State (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12) at UCLA (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12): The winner probably wins the Pac-12 South, which is really weak. It could also be a battle of coaches who won’t be at their school next year. If Chip Kelly doesn’t win at least eight games, UCLA probably will fire him. Herm Edwards has NCAA issues.

Boston College (4-0, 0-0 ACC) at No. 25 Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC): Must win, ACC, Clemson. It’s been a long time since Clemson had a must win ACC regular season game. The Tigers still could win their division which should tell you how weak the ACC really is.

Syracuse (3-1, 0-0 ACC) at Florida State (0-4, 0-2 ACC): Will the Seminoles go 0-5? How is it they are favored by 4.5 points? Things that make you go hmmm.

ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: You can figure we’re going to have another massive case before the United States Supreme Court before too long because Wednesday, the National Labor Relations Board issued a memo that college athletes are employees of their schools and should be afforded protections such as the right to unionize. This will be different than the recent Alston vs. the NCAA ruling in which Justice Brett Kavanaugh questioned how much longer the NCAA and member schools can get away without paying athletes “a fair share” of the revenue they bring in. Oh, play for pay is a matter of when and not if but other questions make this dicey, such as right-to-work laws and taxation among other things. And here is another issue: If a scholarship and educational benefits are ruled to be worth X dollars as part of a compensation package that includes a salary, will states that have no state income tax like Florida and Texas have a decided recruiting edge over California? At Southern Cal, it costs approximately $80,000 a year to attend ($95,000 at Stanford), so a scholarship plus salary, etc. would mean state income tax in the neighborhood of 10 percent. Brace yourself. What you see now in college sports and what you see five years from now are going to be radically different.