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By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor talks ACC and SEC football with ESPN.com college football writer Mark Schlabach.

By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor

SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor talks ACC and SEC football with ESPN.com college football writer Mark Schlabach. 

Even ESPN.com national college football writer Mark Schlabach can’t decide.http://espn.go.com/i/columnists/schlabach_mark_m.jpg 

“Ahh…you know…(sigh)...I think they are both equally talented,” Schlabach explained when asked who between Florida and Georgia he would give the early edge to.  “I think Georgia is a little more established on the defensive line, which I think is probably the most critical area on any team, certainly on defense.  Florida’s schedule sets up a little bit nicer.  Everybody is making a big deal out of Georgia’s schedule and I think it’s tough.  Anytime you have to go play South Carolina and Arizona State back to back and go to LSU and then play Florida in Jacksonville it’s definitely going to be daunting.  On paper I think it’s probably a lot tougher than what it’s going to turn out to be.  I think LSU losing Ryan Perriloux knocks them back a little bit.  They were already having to replace guys like Jacob Hester, Glenn Dorsey and Craig Steltz, All-American type players.  I think Florida’s road is a little bit easier, but if both teams can go into Jacksonville undefeated, I think the winner of that game will certainly be in the drivers’ seat not only for the SEC Championship, but possibly a spot in the BCS title game.”

It’s common knowledge by this point that both schools have been ranked pre-season number one by at least one prominent media outlet.  Though it’s mid June and a number of crucial national and conference games must be played before the Bulldogs and Gators meet, the hype for the game has long been building. 

“The perfect scenario would be for both teams to go into the game in Jacksonville unbeaten, which I don’t think has ever occured before,” Schlabach continued.  “I think Georgia with Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno coming back and three or four starters coming back on the offensive line…I think Georgia is going to have as much firepower as any offense in the country.  If you look at Florida obviously, with Tim Tebow the Heisman trophy winner coming back, Percy Harvin if he can get healthy, Chris Rainey is a freshman that was really impressive in the spring.  I think they are going to be as fast as anybody.  Georgia probably has a little more depth on defense.  Florida has to shore up their secondary and defensive line, but after what went down in Jacksonville last year after the way Georgia celebrated their first touchdown, I’m sure that’s going to be a game Florida has circled.”

In addition to Florida and Georgia being fixtures in most pre-season top fives, LSU, Auburn, Tennessee and Alabama have been regulars in the national polls.  The SEC anually prides itself on its top-to-bottom strength and for good reason.  This fall, that sentiment could be magnified even more.  Whether or not the Bulldogs, Gators or the defending national champion Tigers could emerge from such a gauntlet unscathed is something that remains to be seen. 

“It would take a pretty special team.  That’s why when you look back at what happened a few years ago with Auburn that’s why it was such a travesty,” Schlabach recalled.  “It’s been so difficult to do over the years.  I think Tennessee in ‘99, that was the last time a team from the SEC that finished undefeated and won the national championship.”

While Florida and Georgia are the SEC East headliners, one team in particular might be in place to step up and challenge the reigning champs. 

“With Perriloux being dismissed at LSU, I think that opened up the door for Auburn.  I went over there a couple of times during spring practice and really liked what I saw with the offense.  Tony Franklin was installing a spread look.  I think you got to find the right trigger guy.  Kodi Burns was that guy in the spring.  I think Tony is looking for a little bit more consistency out of him.  Chris Dodd, a junior college transfer who spent some time at Texas Tech is probably the ideal guy to run that offense because he was at a high school in Kentucky when Franklin installed that offense a few years ago.  He’s very familiar with it.  He had shoulder problems in the spring.  If he can get healthy, I look for him to win the job,” Schlabach said.  “It’s ‘Typical Tom’ when Tommy Tuberville sneaks up on you.  You know they are going to be good on defense.  I really Rhodes the coach he brought in from Pittsburgh.  They are going to be sound on defense.  They are still going to be able to run the ball, but running this offense it’s going to open up a little bit.  It’s not going to be three yards and cloud of dust which is what they have been the last few years.” http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/clem/sports/m-footbl/auto_action/1367270.jpeg       

In the ACC, the team in the national spotlight is Clemson.  The Tigers have been spotted in the pre-season top ten, but this remains a program that hasn’t won an ACC Championship since 1991.  With arguably his most talented team to date, it may be now or never for Tommy Bowden.

“I think if it’s ever going to happen, this is the year.  You look at the talent they bring back on offense…Cullen Harper is really one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the country.  He’s kept Willy Korn on the bench, the highly-talented guy that Clemson fans were eager to see.  Harper was so consistent and had a real high efficieny rate last year.  You look at the two tailbacks, C.J. Spiller and James Davis are as good as any one-two punch in America.  They got Aaron Kelly to come back for his senior year.  The offensive line, they have to replace two or three guys there.  Linebacker is a big concern for them.  They lost Vincent for the spring, a couple of other guys have some academic (problems) so I think linebacker is a concern for them.  I really like the offenisve firepower there.  Rob Spence has done a nice job with the offense,” Schlabach stated.  “We seem to say it every year, but maybe this is indeed the year that Clemson finally gets to a BCS bowl game and wins the ACC.”

As for Clemson’s top divisional rival and a team that could reassurt itself in the ACC Atlantic, Florida State, Schlabach is a bit baffled.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen at Florida State.  I wonder if Jimbo Fisher really realizes what he has inherited there.  I’ve got all of the respect in the world for Bobby Bowden, one of the greatest coaches in college football history, but if he doesn’t get it done this year I think he will probably realize it’s time to step away,” Schlabach added.

One of the premier college football journalists in the nation and a lead writer for ESPN.com, Schlabach expects another tremendous season in college football.  As for picking conference favorites and separating certain teams from others here in the south, Schlabach and members of the SouthernPigskin.com staff all agree…

At this point, it’s pretty tough to say.

Below is the full audio interview.  Click to listen to Schlabach expand on the above topics, talk about Alabama, Georgia Tech, Miami and more.  Play the audio interview Here

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Front page photo: SPTimes.com