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By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor B.J. Bennett reflects on the first half of the season in the SEC. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin
1. Alabama and Florida are just awesome - From the All-American talent, to the overall speed and athleticism to the coaching staffs, both of these teams have the feel of a national champion. There is still a lot of football left to be played, but this year's SEC Championship Game, assuming it's the Crimson Tide versus the Gators, has the potential to be one of the biggest games in SEC history. Nick Saban and Urban Meyer are both doing a tremendous job keeping their teams focused and consistent in terms of their effort and efficiency. No disrespect to Texas, but most analysts agree these are the top two teams in college football.
2. Getting defensive - The SEC has four of the top 15 ranked teams nationally in total defense. Florida an Alabama rank first and second respectively, with Tennessee coming in at 13th and South Carolina at 15th. Vanderbilt (22) and Ole Miss (24) are in the national top 25, meaning half of the conference is ranked in the top 25 in total defense. Just for a point of reference, the Big XII has three teams ranked in the top 25 in total defense, the Big Ten has two. The SEC is, without question, home to the best defense in all of college football. The 11th ranked defense in the league, Georgia, held Oklahoma State to 24 points and Arizona State to 17. The last ranked defense in the conference, Arkansas, held Texas A&M to 19. From Eric Berry and Eric Norwood to Brandon Spikes and Terrence Cody, it doesn't get any better than the defenses in the SEC.
3. Auburn and South Carolina on the rise - At the halfway point, the Tigers and Gamecocks are a combined 10-2. Despite meager pre-season expectations, this may be Steve Spurrier's best South Carolina team. The USC defense boasts an attacking front seven and quarterback Stephen Garcia has progressed nicely. The Gamecocks are currently ranked second in the SEC East and are one play away from being undefeated with a win over rival Georgia. So much for the OBC losing his touch. Needless to say, Gene Chizik has won over the Auburn faithful. He and his staff have restored a sense of physicality to the Tiger football team. Auburn is amongst the national leaders in rushing and has produced an opportunistic defensive unit. Oh, and Gus Malzahn is a genuis. The Tigers, not UF, lead the SEC in total offense. These two teams have been pleasant surprises in the SEC.
4. Georgia struggling, but some fans are struggling to find perspective - The Bulldogs, 3-3, are in an obvious rebuilding year. The team has struggled all season long and is fresh off a 45-19 beatdown at the hands of rival Tennessee. Everyone is disappointed, players and coaches included. But calling for head coach Mark Richt is simply laughable. Richt has won 82 games in eight full seasons at UGA and has won two SEC Championships. He has the highest winning percentage (of any coach who has been there more than one year) in school history. This team is replacing two first round NFL Draft selections including the number one overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. The fact that Richt is feeling the heat just speaks to the current unrealistic expectations of fan bases in college football today. I mean, seriously? Mark Richt?
5. The SEC West is nasty - Top-to-bottom, this division is crazy good. With Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, the SEC East has led the way for many years, but the balance of power has shifted to the west this season. Alabama is a national title contender, LSU remains in the national top ten and Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss, though disappointing, are all good football teams. Even Mississippi State, under first year head football coach Dan Mullen, has been impressive at times this season, You better bring your hard hat to a day of work in the SEC West.
Biggest Surprise - South Carolina. One play away from being undefeated. After catching widespread criticism this pre-season, Steve Spurrier has brought this team together. Veteran Ellis Johnson has also done a great job with the defense. The Gamecocks are in the national polls and are ranked second in the SEC East. Give QB Stephen Garcia a lot of credit for how he has progressed. Linebacker Eric Norwood is one of the most underrated players in college football.
Biggest Disappointment - Ole Miss. It hasn't been a disaster for the Rebels, but considering this team was a pre-season top five pick, Ole Miss has not lived up to expectations. Many thought this would be the year the Rebels finally broke free and made the SEC Championship Game. It doesn't appear that is going to happen. Quarterback Jevan Snead, after a stellar 2008 season, has been average in 2009.
Five Things to Watch in the Second Half
1. Can Alabama and Florida both finish the regular season undefeated?
2. Do the Georgia Bulldogs turn their season around?
3. Can one of Arkansas, Auburn or South Carolina emerge as a consistent top 20 team?
4. How does Ole Miss rebound from a sluggish start?
5. After a 3-3, up-and-down first half, how does Lane Kiffin fare?
Midway Mark Awards
SEC Offensive Player of the Year - A.J. Green, Georgia
SEC Defensive Player of the Year - Eric Berry, Tennessee
SEC Rookie of the Year - Onterio McCalebb, Auburn
SEC Coach of the Year - Urban Meyer, Florida
SouthernPigskin.com SEC X-Factor of the Year: Eric Norwood, South Carolina - Doesn't get the hype of an Eric Berry or Terrence Cody, but has a similar impact on football games. Is the catalyst for a fierce Gamecock defense and always seem to step up big in big games. Just watch film from the Ole Miss upset. Savvy veteran leads the SEC in sacks with six. Just a tremendous athlete and a big-time playmaker.
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Comments
For the record as the original Dawg fan on this site… I have NEVER said anything about firing Mark Richt.
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