THINGS WILL TAKE SHAPE SLOWLY
Wednesday 9/18/02
It is obvious that things will take shape very slowly this year with the extended season and the revamped schedules of most schools. This will the first year I can remember where we don’t have that first big week where everyone in the SEC plays each other. It was usually in the 4th or 5th week. I don’t think there is a week this year where there is not at least one out-of-conference game. I miss that big week where everyone plays each other.
Not much of note this weekend except for Georgia’s win over South Carolina. It may have been ugly, it may have been lucky but it was a win and a big one. For the first time in awhile Georgia is out to a good start. With Florida coming out flat again this weekend Georgia might have a real chance to be the one to challenge Tennessee. However I would not count out the Gators yet. I am sure it was pretty hard to get up for the Bobcats of Ohio after getting whipped by Miami. There is no one in the SEC close to Miami except for maybe Tennessee so I still think people better watch out for the Gators. We should know a bit more about them after the big showdown with Tennessee.
Meanwhile if Florida has to watch out for Georgia, then South Carolina might have to watch out for Kentucky who could pass them. The Wildcats took home another big win and are 3-0 for the first time in awhile. I still think they are going to knock some people off this year. Last and least you have the Commodores. I agree with several people I have heard this week. After getting a better look at Vandy this weekend I don’t think they will win a conference game this year. The offense is a bit better but they are young and less talented which makes for a lethal combination.
The other big thing to come out was the denial of the Bama’s NCAA appeal thus verifying that Bama will not be a contender for the SEC title this year and next. That opens up a HUGE opportunity for somebody in the West. Bama has dominated the West since the SEC went to divisions winning the division 5 times and the conference twice although the 1999 titles are a bit marred by the NCAA problems. LSU has a chance to really take charge with a second straight trip to Atlanta.
They would be the first ones other than Bama to go twice in a row from the West. This is also a big chance for Auburn who has gone twice but never broken through. This is a big chance for Miss St and Arkansas who have both gone once to really give their programs a boost. Finally, again it will be Ole Miss’ best chance at getting there for a first time. There is no doubt the West is wide open for somebody to make a move. However Bama’s team this year will probably still go a long way toward deciding the winner even though they can’t go.
A lot of story lines and a lot of questions and again it looks it is going to take awhile to sort all this out…