SEC 2014

SEC The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

2014

What’s next for A&M’s D? Team previews and schedules Expert predictions

Next in line Aggies hope to continue All-American, NFL streak

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ROBERT CESSNA: EXCITEMENT SURROUNDS KEVIN SUMLIN’S PROGRAM. 6

INDEX Where they stand: Robert Cessna offers his take on Texas A&M’s upcoming season. ........................... 6

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ON THE RADIO

Experts weigh in: SEC and A&M predictions from Tony Barnhart, Kirk Bohls, Bruce Feldman, Blair Kerkhoff and George Schroeder ...........................42

A new tradition: A&M’s offensive line is deep, strong and loaded with NFL prospects ................... 8

All-SEC preseason team .......................................... 43

Something to prove: A&M’s defense has nowhere to go but up .................................................12

SEC All-Name Team: From Altee Tenpenny to Jeremy Sprinkle .............................................................. 44

Youth is served: Kyle Allen and Kenny Hill give A&M bright future at QB ..14

Replacing Johnny Football: It’s a daunting task.

We found some other big-shoes-to-fill examples from sports and pop culture. ......................46-47

SEC team previews .................15 Alabama................................16 Arkansas ...............................18 Auburn ..................................20 LSU..........................................22 Mississippi State ................24 Ole Miss.................................26 Texas A&M............................28 Florida....................................30 Georgia..................................32 Kentucky...............................34 Missouri ................................35 South Carolina ....................36 Tennessee ............................38 Vanderbilt ............................40

The SEC Mix Tape: Songs for conference stars, coaches and personalities ....... 49 Introducing the Swaggcopter toy: Now you can recruit just like Kevin Sumlin (well, sort of ) .....50-51 Fun with fake email: We take a sneak (and fictional) peek at Kevin Sumlin’s email ..................................... 53 3

publisher Crystal Dupré editor Kelly Brown managing editor Darren Benson projects editor Rob Clark executive sports editor Robert Cessna designer Joshua Siegel contributors Michael Ayo Aubrey Bloom Richard Croome advertising director Ron Prince display advertising manager Linda Brinkman creative services manager Jim Bob McKown

Trey Williams Eagle photo

by Stuart Villanueva

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Join The Eagle sports crew — Aubrey Bloom, Robert Cessna, Richard Croome, Robert Premeaux, Larry Bowen and David Campbell — each weekday for Aggie Nation.

We discuss all the A&M sports, and also national action, along with the daily High School Report. And The Eagle newsroom brings us news and entertainment as well. It’s Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. on SportsRadio 1150 The Zone.

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ON THE COVER

Germain Ifedi, Mike Matthews and Cedric Ogbuehi at the Coolidge Practice Field. Eagle photo by Stuart Villanueva.

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Eagle photo by Stuart Villanueva Senior defensive back Deshazor Everett will be one of Texas A&M’s leaders on defense.

Good times are here for A&M program B

the pressure of following a legend. y this time next year, Aggies will be boasting about playing in the There are positives. A&M has a veteran country’s best stadium. offensive line anchored by senior left tackle The excitement created by the Cedric Ogbuehi, a potential over$450 million renovation of Kyle all No. 1 draft pick. A stable of Field comes on the heels of talented running backs should Johnny Manziel, the program’s be able to take advantage of that greatest player. He did more muscle up front. Drew Kaser is the than help make the transition country’s best punter. to the Southeastern Conference A&M also expects significant successful. He created seemhelp from the nation’s sixth-best ingly never-ending hope. recruiting class. Defensive end The good times are Myles Garrett and Robert Cessna here to stay. A national quarterback Kyle Allen title is no longer a fanrobert.cessna@theeagle.com both have a chance to tasy — it actually could make an early impact. happen, maybe as soon as The fact that a pair of 2015 or 2016. true freshmen could do that says how far A&M But what about this year? has come in recruiting, but it also shows how For Texas A&M to be a national contender, fragile some things remain.

The Aggies are just a 6-7 season away from this year’s team will have to lay a solid foundaputting all those national title dreams on hold. tion. That’s not going to be easy. A&M has This season seems especially critical for the a brutal league schedule, its toughest since Aggies because of where the program has been joining the SEC. The defense unfortunately and where it’s expected to go. Few envision looks much the same as last season, and an A&M repeating the success of 2012, but one inexperienced quarterback will have to handle

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or two magical Saturdays would do wonders, especially after a rocky offseason.

This year’s defense has a playmaker in cornerback Deshazor Everett, but the rest of the unit was so bad a year ago you couldn’t tell. That has the potential to change. The other youngsters who played last season will have to live up to their potential, coupled with solid play by the veterans — especially in the secondary.

A&M’s offense, even having to replace a trio of first-round draft picks and breaking in a new quarterback, figures to be able to score points in bunches. If the defense can take a significant step forward, it will be a fun year, and excitement for 2015 will continue to build.

But if the defense fails and the offense slips — even just slightly — there will be cause for concern.

A 7-5 season with A&M being competitive in the losses will do the trick. That’s realistic. It will be a challenge for A&M to come out with one victory from road games at South Carolina, Mississippi State, Alabama and Auburn.

And A&M has to do a better job of winning at home. If the Aggies can be unbeaten at home heading into the Thanksgiving game against LSU, that would be an improvement on the first two seasons in the SEC. Do that, and either beat LSU or grab a league victory on the road, and this team will have successfully kept the program moving forward.

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Eagle photo

by Stuart Villanueva Germain Ifedi, Mike Matthews and Cedric Ogbuehi return to anchor the Texas A&M offensive line.

Standing strong Tough o-line tops A&M’s assets

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years, something that’s never been ompetition has made Texas

By Robert Cessna A&M’s offensive line betin school history. robert.cessna@theeagle.com done ter. It’s also paying off for The line has also created a great the players in a big way. recruiting pitch for the Aggies.

A&M’s last two left tackles were “Here’s how it goes,” said A&M first-round NFL picks: Luke Joeckel was picked second head coach Kevin Sumlin at the Southeastern Conferoverall by Jacksonville in the 2013 draft and Atlanta ence Media Days. “You play left tackle, and you leave selected Jake Matthews sixth overall this year. and you become a millionaire. Then the guy on the right, Next in line is 6-foot-5, 300-pound Cedric Ogbuehi, he gets to move over to left and he becomes a millionwho played right tackle last season. He could have aire. And we just keep moving them. So whoever’s playdeclared for the draft after receiving a first-round grade ing right tackle this year, he’s going to be pretty excited. from the NFL, but opted to return for his senior season.

There’s a bigger fight right now to play right tackle than Now he moves over to left tackle — just as Matthews there is left, because the left tackle guy, they call his did last year — looking to improve his market value. name in New York every year.”

Ogbuehi also has a chance to be A&M’s third offenCome May, that should be Ogbuehi. sive lineman to earn All-America honors in consecutive “I mean, it’s a big deal, but every game, I still have to

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play,” Ogbuehi said at Media Days. “I have to show [up]. I have to work for it.”

He’s certainly done that.

Ogbuehi has made 30 starts, one behind senior left guard Jarvis Harrison. They also are surrounded by veterans.

Junior center Mike Matthews started every game last season, as did sophomore Germain Ifedi at right guard. Ifedi, at 6-5, 320 pounds, is positioning himself to be the program’s next great lineman by playing Mike Matthews right tackle this year. junior center The only newcomer in the line will be junior right Started all 13 games at center in 2013 as a sophomore. Named to 2014 preseason guard Joseph Cheek, who watch lists for Rimington and Outland has never started, but has trophies. seen action in 26 straight games. The backups include a pair of junior college transfers in tackle Avery Gennesy and guard Jermaine Eluemunor. There’s also senior guard Garrett Gramling, a backup to Harrison, who started twice

last season when the lineup shuffled due to injuries.

Ifedi said this is the deepest line he’s been a part of in his three seasons, and he credits the competition.

“No one likes complacency,” he said. “At some point in your career, there’s going to be some chomping at your heels. I think there’s nothing better than some healthy competition, a healthy fear that hey, you might look up, and coach might say, ‘That guy’s going Cedric Ogbuehi first.’ There’s nothing wrong senior tackle with a healthy fear. I love Preseason All-American named to Outland competition, and that’s why Trophy watch list. Ogbuehi was also voted I play football.” to the 2014 Preseason Media Days AllA&M’s line was lacking SEC first team. when former head coach Mike Sherman arrived. He had only eight scholarship players to work with in spring drills in 2008.

Continued on Page 11

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that makes us best.”

Ifedi said the line already had great leaderSherman, who had served as A&M’s offenship when he arrived from Houston Westside sive line coach under R.C. Slocum, molded High School, and that made it easier for him the group. He landed four-star recruit Patrick to create good habits.

Lewis in 2009, who became a three-year “We have guys who continue to buy into starter at center. Then Sherman struck it rich things,” he said. “It started with Patrick the following year with Joeckel and Jake Lewis, then Luke and Jake and Ced. And we Matthews, in a recruiting class that also injust hope players come in here and continue cluded Ogbuehi and Harrison, who were able to learn. None of us come in here as the to redshirt. They’ve continued to add depth greatest player in the world. I was one of with this year’s incoming class, including a the lower prospects in my class, but learning couple of freshmen along with Gennesy and from those guys allowed me to buy into what Eluemunor. they were doing.”

“It’s crazy having three deep,” Ogbuehi Improved line play has helped the Aggies said. “Two years ago, it really was two finish in the Top 10 for total offense in four Germain Ifedi deep, but depth brings a good team.” of the past five seasons. A&M will try to Besides the competition, Mike Matthews sophomore tackle extend that streak, despite having to replace said the unit’s work ethic helps set them quarterback Johnny Manziel. Sumlin said Moving to right tackle after starting all 13 games in 2013 at guard. Named to apart, and that offseason workouts are a the other 10 players on offense will have to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list. crucial part of the line’s success. make the offense “quarterback-friendly.”

“I feel like we all work out hard and we The linemen say they will be able to do really enjoy the workouts,” he said in a their part. recent interview. “So, we take the opportunity to get better.

“I think we have a great opportunity to be just as good as last year,” Matthews said, “if not better.”

I think really, it’s when no one’s watching in the offseason Continued from Page 9

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Eagle photo by Stuart Villanueva Julien Obioha (95) returns as a third-year starter on the Texas A&M defensive line.

Offseason creates chances for young players on defense

T

he magnet board Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mark Snyder uses for a depth chart figures to get adjusted throughout the 2014 season, with all the young talent wanting to play a part in reversing the Aggies’ defensive fortunes.

Snyder definitely didn’t figure the board would get so much attention before the team reconvened for practice in August.

Two starters — defensive tackle Isaiah Golden and linebacker Darian Claiborne — were dismissed from the team in early June after being charged with aggravated robbery. Defensive end Gavin Stansbury left the team for personal reasons. And Victor Davis, a backup defensive back, was arrested for shoplifting.

“It is what it is,” Snyder said in a recent interview. “We’re in college football. It’s not the NFL. You can’t just go get on waiv-

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By Richard Croome richard.croome@theeagle.com ers and pick up someone else. It’s part of what we deal with as college coaches and is part of the college game.”

The dismissals and departures only magnify A&M’s biggest weakness last season, a defense that allowed 6.7 yards a play in Southeastern Conference games and 36.5 points a game — last in the conference.

Snyder had to play a lot of young players in 2013 and it showed, but the freshmen gained experience. Trouble is, two of those players were Golden and Claiborne. So Snyder will find himself in a similar situation this season.

“It gives other guys opportunities to step up and play,” Snyder said. “[The young

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

players] were going to be competing anyway, so it’s an opportunity for some guys to step up and show us what they can do.”

The secondary is the only unit with a good deal of experience. Four starters return, led by All-SEC preseason selection Deshazor Everett.

“He’s played a lot of football in a very good league,” Snyder said. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence. We have to make sure we put him in positions to make sure that confidence level stays up.”

Of the returning players, Everett was second on the team in interceptions with two and fourth in tackles with 73. Everett has played every position in the secondary, and will start the season at cornerback.

“He’s so versatile, that’s what makes Deshazor really good,” Snyder said. “He could play nickel, corner or safety. That’s going to bode really well for him in the future.”

Howard Matthews (left) and Deshazor Everett (right).

Eagle photo by Stuart Villanueva

Room for improvement

Texas A&M hopes to bounce back on defense after ranking near the bottom of most defensive metrics: CATEGORY Points per play 3rd down percentage Rush yards/attempt Rush yards/game Takeaways Sacks/game Sack percentage

AVG. 0.418 41.3% 5.4 220.8 1.7 1.7 4.6%

RANK 85 77 111 106 63 84 95

Statistics only against FBS opponents provided by teamrankings.com

Safety Howard Matthews has played in 38 games overall and started 20. He led the team in interceptions with three and was second in tackles with 90 last season, both tops among returnees.

De’Vante Harris and Floyd Raven round out a secondary that — if the young front seven can make strides — should be a strength because of its experience.

“You have to put Clay Honeycutt in that boat too,” Snyder said of the defensive backs crew. “They need to play within the system and have career-best years. That’s what seniors are supposed to do, have career-best years.”

The defensive line and linebackers have little experience, and most of it belongs to junior Julien Obioha at defensive end. Others got their feet wet last season but are still fairly green when it comes to snaps in SEC games.

Daeshon Hall on the line and Shaan Washington and Jordan Mastrogiovanni at linebacker will be counted on to lead on the field,

as well as raise a low sack total and help bring down a yards-per-carry of 5.4 yards.

“DaeDae’s a good football player,” Snyder said. “He’s got some natural ability, got some rubber band in his body and is up to 260. He’s over the hurdle of looking around at the big stadiums and big crowds and those type of things. And we have a guy like Myles Garrett, who’s going to come in and give DaeDae a blow.”

Snyder compared Mastrogiovanni to Jonathan Stewart, the starting linebacker in Snyder’s first year, in that he is a smart guy that didn’t play much and then stepped up. His play and attitude had a big effect on the rest of the defense.

And a player that may have benefited from the ever-changing depth chart is TCU transfer A.J. Hillard.

“I don’t want to put a lot of pressure on him, but in the absence of Darian, A.J.’s role just increased quite a bit,” Snyder said. “He had a great spring, finished really well.

He’s a guy we need to step up.”

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Who can replace Johnny?

Former coaches say Allen and Hill have skills needed to lead A&M

K

eligibility remaining, as enny Hill

By Aubrey Bloom hails from well as the then-fresha storied aubrey.bloom@theeagle.com man Hill.

Texas high “Kyle kind of rolled school with a reputathe dice,” Tabor said. tion for producing top “He felt like Johnny quarterbacks. Kyle Allen of Arizona was the Manziel would leave, which I thought evnation’s top-ranked passer in his recruiting erybody did. And he felt like Coach Sumlin class. was going to stay at A&M, and he signed that Both are sure to see important snaps this five-year contract. If I was betting right now, season for Texas A&M, as they take on the I’d bet on Kyle because he’s done pretty well, daunting task of replacing star quarterback and I think he’s put himself in position.”

Johnny Manziel. (Coach Kevin Sumlin had Allen got an extended look running the ofyet to name a starting quarterback at press fense during spring practices while Hill served time.) a suspension after being arrested in March Hill, who was the 10th-ranked dual-threat for public intoxication. Wasson called the quarterback in the class of 2013 by 247Sports, incident a learning experience that can help has the edge on experience. Not only has he Hill mature. taken snaps at Kyle Field, but Hill’s teams at “It was unfortunate,” Wasson said. “It’s like Southlake Carroll ran an offense similar to we always say, it’s in the rearview mirror. It’s A&M’s. history. It’s unpleasant to go through, but I Carroll coach Hal Wasson watched Hill would say when we visited, we didn’t really lead the Dragons to their eighth state title on a visit about that situation. It was about moving grand stage in 2011 — in front of a crowd of forward. I think it was a learning experience, 42,822 at Cowboys Stadium. and he has moved forward from it, and he’ll “There was never a stage too big for him be stronger for it.” in high school,” Wasson said. “The bigger the The two quarterbacks have contrasting stage, the bigger he played. And I’ve always styles. Hill is considered a run-pass threat, admired that in him. He’s very smart. He’s Allen is more of a pro-style quarterback. Allen from a very competitive family. I watched him threw for 8,201 yards and 86 touchdowns in grow as a young sophomore player.” his high school career; Hill threw for 7,925 Allen would become A&M’s first nonyards and 66 touchdowns. Hill rushed for 905 Texan to start at quarterback since Bucky yards in his senior season at Carroll. Allen had Richardson in the 1991 season. He would be just 221 rushing yards his entire career.

A&M’s first true freshman opening-day starter According to A&M defensive coordinator since World War II, when freshmen were temMark Snyder, Allen is a better athlete than that porarily eligible. But Tony Tabor, Allen’s high last stat might suggest. school coach at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, “Kyle is deceptive in his mobility,” Snyder Arizona, thinks the young quarterback has the said in a recent interview. “That was the first physical tools to make an impact right away. thing that stood out to me in spring ball. Ev“He can zing the ball,” Tabor said. “You eryone talks about Kenny being more mobile. watch his arm. The kid has a cannon for an Kyle’s got some escapability.” arm. Kid can throw the damn football. That’s Both Wasson and Tabor describe their forwhat he does.” mer quarterbacks as fiery but controlled leadAllen graduated early and enrolled at A&M, ers on the field. Not surprisingly, each coach choosing the Aggies despite the presence of also has full confidence in his guy’s ability to Manziel, who at the time had two years of lead the Aggies this fall.

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Kenny Hill

Eagle photo by Stuart Villanueva There was never a stage too big for him in high school. The bigger the stage, the bigger he played. And I’ve always admired that in him.

Southlake Carroll coach Hal Wasson

Kyle Allen

Eagle photo by Stuart Villanueva He can zing the ball. You watch his arm. The kid has a cannon for an arm.

Kid can throw the damn football. That’s what he does.

Desert Mountain coach Tony Tabor

“From looking at the situation and what they do,” Tabor said, “I think [Allen] stands as good a shot of rolling out there against South Carolina as the other guy.”

Wasson was a bit more emphatic in his assessment of Hill’s chances.

“I don’t have a vote, doesn’t matter what I think,” he said. “But I’m 100 percent sure Kenny Hill will be the starting quarterback if you ask me today. No disrespect to Allen. I hear he’s an incredible young talent, an incredible playmaker. He’s going to do great things.

But there’s no doubt in my mind that Kenny will compete.”

Trey Flowers

Sharrod Golightly

DL • Arkansas

LB • South Carolina

Jeff Driskel QB • Florida

Nick Marshall

QB • Auburn

Laquon Treadwell

WR • Ole Miss

Amari Cooper WR • Alabama

Todd Gurley

AP photos

RB • Georgia

TEAM PREVIEWS

Season recaps and outlooks • Schedules Five-year program glance • Key players Quotes from players and coaches • P. 16-40

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University of AlAbAmA SCHEDULE vs. West Virginia 2:30 p.m. August 30 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta

vs. Florida Atlantic 11 a.m. September 6 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

vs. Southern Miss 5 p.m. September 13 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

vs. Florida September 20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

at Ole Miss October 4 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

HEAD COACH: NICK SABAN (165 wins, 57 losses, 1 tie; 74-15 in seven seasons at Alabama) • STADIUM: BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM, TUSCALOOSA, ALA. (101,821)

H

at Arkansas

vs. Texas A&M

LAST SEASON An 11-2 mark would satisfy most, but Alabama is not most. The Crimson Tide lost the opportunity at three straight national titles when they watched Auburn’s Chris Davis return a lastsecond Bama field goal attempt from the end zone for a 34-28 win and a berth in the SEC title game. Bama then went on to surprisingly lose to Oklahoma 45-31 in the Sugar Bowl.

aving lost our last two games last year, I think it’s a little bit different mindset with our players. We have to reestablish our identity as a team at Alabama. It’s going to take every player to have a tremendous amount of buy-in for us to be able to do that.

THIS SEASON

— Nick Saban

October 11 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

October 18 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“I wouldn’t say we are scared to perform. I think a lot of outsiders have a different perspective than the insiders do. Coach Saban is a great person. He is a great leader. When he talks, you want to listen to him.”

— junior receiver Amari Cooper

at Tennessee October 25 at Neyland Stadium

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

KEY PLAYERS

vs. Mississippi State November 15 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

vs. Western Carolina November 22 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

vs. Auburn November 29 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

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VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

at LSU November 8 at Tiger Stadium

W, 37-21 Texas

2009

OvR. ........14-0 SEC .......... 8-0 Coaches ... 1 AP .................. 1

W, 49-7 Michigan St.

2010

OvR...........10-3 SEC ...........5-3 Coaches ..11 AP ................10

W, 21-0 LSU

2011

OvR.............12-1 SEC ............7-1 Coaches ... 1 AP ...................1

It should be more of the same for the Crimson Tide, with nothing less than a national title being considered a good year. Bama has reloaded, as it always does. A favorable schedule with little nonconference resistance — plus A&M and Auburn at home and a bye week before Ole Miss — should help the Tide roll.

W, 42-14 Notre Dame

2012

OvR.........13-1 SEC ............7-1 Coaches ... 1 AP ...................1

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L, 45-31 Oklahoma

2013

OvR.........11-2 SEC ............7-1 Coaches .. 8 AP .................. 7

RB T.J. Yeldon, jr. (1,235 yards rushing, 6.0 avg., 14 TDs); WR Amari Cooper, jr. (45 receptions, 16.4 avg., 4 TDs); WR Christion Jones, sr. (36 receptions, 9.7 avg., 2 TDs); DL A’Shawn Robinson, so. (38 tackles, 5.5 sacks); LB Trey DePriest, sr.

(65 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 int.); DB Landon Collins, jr. (70 tackles, 2 int., 8 passes defended); C Ryan Kelly, jr. (12 games started, All-SEC freshman team); RB Derrick Henry, so.

(382 rushing yards, 10.9 avg.); TE O.J. Howard, so. (14 rec, 19.2 avg., 2 TDs).

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University of ArkAnsAs SCHEDULE at Auburn 3 p.m. August 30 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

vs. Nicholls State 3 p.m. Sept. 6 at DonaldW. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

at Texas Tech 2:30 p.m. September 13 at Jones AT&T Stadium

vs. Northern Illinois Sept. 20 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

vs. Texas A&M September 27 at AT&T Stadium, Arlington

HEAD COACH: BRET BIELEMA (71 wins, 33 losses; 3-9 in one season at Arkansas) • STADIUM: DONALD W. REYNOLDS STADIUM, FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. (72,000)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

I

LAST SEASON An about-face style of play under Bret Bielema didn’t bring about many victories (3-9, 0-8). But the faithful overunderstand it is not an over night project after the Bobby Petrino saga. The Hogs went from a wide-open passing game to a Big 10 traditional ground attack. The result was a QB that completed less than 50 percent of his passes and a tailback, Alex Collins, rushwho led all freshmen in rush ing with 1,026 yards.

didn’t expect to go 3-9.

On the same account, I didn’t expect to win [the SEC] my first year. What I’ve done is sustain what I believe helps you win. [And] understand the only way to change the results of a 3-9 season is to change what you’re doing.

THIS SEASON

vs. Alabama October 11 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

vs. Georgia October 18 at War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, Ark.

vs. UAB

— Bret Bielema “I understand what we’ve been through the last two years. From my freshman year, having an 11-win season, I understand what it takes to win. Just coming back to be a leader and help my team is what [brought me back for my senior season].”

— senior defensive lineman Trey Flowers

October 25 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

KEY PLAYERS

vs. LSU Nov. 15 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

vs. Ole Miss Nov. 22 at at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

at Missouri November 28 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

18

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

at Mississippi State November 1 at Davis Wade Stadium

A couple of SEC wins would be phenomenal and a bowl berth miraculous in Bielema’s second season.

The Hogs are probably better than their record was and will be, but being in the SEC West is not ideal for posting Ws. Bielema succeeded at Wisconsin with a program that had done well before he got there. Gaining ground on the big boys of the SEC is a different story.

W, 29-16 L, 31-26 Kansas St. W, 20-17 (OT) Ohio State E. Carolina

2009

OvR..........8-5 SEC ...........3-5 Coaches NR AP ............. NR

2010

OvR....... 10-3 SEC ...........6-2 Coaches .12 AP ................12

2011

OvR.........11-2 SEC ...........6-2 Coaches .. 5 AP ..................5

2012

OvR......... 4-8 SEC ...........2-6 Coaches NR AP ..............NR

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

2013

OvR..........3-9 SEC .......... 0-8 Coaches NR AP ..............NR

RB Alex Collins, so. (1026 yards rushing, 5.4 avg., 4 TDs); DL Trey Flowers, sr. (44 tackles, 5 sacks, preseason All-SEC); P Sam Irwin-Hill, sr. (44.3 avg., 20 punts inside the 20); RB Jonathan Williams, jr. (900 rushing yards, 6.0 avg. 4 TDs); QB Brandon Allen, jr. (128-258 13 TDs, 10 int.); TE Hunter Henry, so.

(28 receptions, 14.6 avg., 4 TDs); OT Brey Cook, sr. (6-7, 328 pounds, 17 starts); DT DeMarcus Hodge, jr. (27 tackles, 1 sack)

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19

AUbUrn University SCHEDULE vs. Arkansas 3 p.m. August 30 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

vs. San Jose State 6 p.m. September 6 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

at Kansas State 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium

vs. Louisiana Tech September 27 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

vs. LSU October 4 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

HEAD COACH: GUS MALZAHN (21 wins, 5 losses; 12-2 in one season at Auburn) • STADIUM: JORDAN-HARE STADIUM, AUBURN, ALA. (87,451)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING his year, we know we’re going to be circled. We talked about that with our players. But at the same time, I feel like that’s good pressure.

We’ve got our program back to where it should be, where people, you know, have us circled.

LAST SEASON

T

Guz Malzahn can only do one thing to top his first year as Auburn’s head coach.

Even if he wins it all it might not rank with what he did in 2013, taking a 3-9 team to the title game. Memorable victories included wins over Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State and Texas A&M, behind quarterback Nick Marshall and running back Tre Mason, who finished sixth in the Heisman voting.

THIS SEASON — Gus Malzahn

at Mississippi State October 11 at Davis Wade Stadium

vs. South Carolina October 25 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

at Ole Miss November 1 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

“I know what 3-9 feels like. There is no bigger motivation than that.”

—senior tight end C.J. Uzomah

“Our goal is to win the SEC championship and I believe that would put us at a good spot to compete in the playoff. I think it is a better way of determining who the best team is that season.

Doing that is going to increase the popularity of college football even more than it already is.”

— senior defensive lineman Gabe Wright

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

KEY PLAYERS

at Georgia November 15 at Sanford Stadium

vs. Samford November 22 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

at Alabama November 29 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

20

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

vs. Texas A&M November 8 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

W, 22-19 Oregon

2009

OvR........... 8-5 SEC.............3-5 Coaches..NR AP ............... NR

L, 34-31 Florida St.

W, 43-24 Virginia

W, 38-35 (OT) N’western

2010

OvR......... 14-0 SEC............ 8-0 Coaches.... 1 AP .....................1

2011

OVR........... 8-5 SEC............ 4-4 Coaches NR AP ................NR

Marshall is a front-runner for the Heisman and the O-line is one of the best with four returning starters.

Defense is where the Tigers can improve. Auburn surrendered 6 yards a snap, yet were second in the SEC in third-down defense. A brutal November will be the key, with road games at Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama.

2012

OVR............3-9 SEC............ 0-8 Coaches NR AP ................NR

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

2013

OVR..........12-2 SEC..............7-1 Coaches.... 2 AP ....................2

QB Nick Marshall, sr.

(142-239, 14 TDs, 6 int.); WR Sammie Coates, jr.

(42 receptions, 21.5 avg. 7 TDs); TE C.J. Uzomah, sr.

(11 receptions, 14.0 avg., 3 TDs); C Reese Dismukes, sr. (1st-team All-SEC, 37 starts); DL Carl Lawson, so.

(20 tackles, 4 sacks, 7 QB hurries); OL Alex Kozan, so. (freshman All-SEC); DL Gabe Wright, sr. (31 tackles, 3 sacks, 9 QB hurries); DB Robenson Therezie, sr. (57 tackles, 4 int); DB Jonathon Mincy, sr. (56 tackles, 1 int.)

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loUisiAnA stAte University SCHEDULE vs. Wisconsin 8 p.m. August 30 at NRG Stadium, Houston

vs. Sam Houston State 6:30 p.m. September 6 at Tiger Stadium

vs. Louisiana-Monroe 6 p.m. September 13 at Tiger Stadium

vs. Mississippi State September 20 at Tiger Stadium

vs. New Mexico State September 27 at Tiger Stadium

HEAD COACH: LES MILES (123 wins, 45 losses; 95-24 in nine seasons at LSU) • STADIUM: TIGER STADIUM, BATON ROUGE, LA. (92,542)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING would be willing to bet that not many picked Auburn a year ago.

So what generally seems to me to be our position is, ‘Don’t bother us, we don’t care, we just want to work, we want to improve, we want to play one game at a time, we want to point to the next opponent.’

LAST SEASON

I

With the emergence of Auburn, LSU was pushed into the background even though the Tigers were 10-3. All three losses came to SEC West schools for a team that was loaded at the skill positions, but young on defense. A 21-14 bowl win over Iowa was directed by freshman Anthony Jennings, who filled in for an injured Zach Mettenberger.

THIS SEASON

— Les Miles at Auburn October 4 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

at Florida October 11 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

vs. Kentucky

“I think that first of all, all the game starts up front. And as a veteran offensive line group, we just have to set the tone on how we want the season to go. So I believe if those guys [young quarterbacks and running backs] just buy into the program and buy into everything that we’ve done at LSU, then they’ll be OK.” — senior tackle La’el Collins

October 18 at Tiger Stadium

KEY PLAYERS

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

vs. Alabama November 8 at Tiger Stadium

at Arkansas Nov. 15 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

at Texas A&M 6:30 p.m. November 27 at Kyle Field

22

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

vs. Ole Miss October 25 at Tiger Stadium

L, 19-17 Penn State

2009

OVR............. 9-4 SEC ...............5-3 Coaches ... 17 AP.................... 17

W, 41-24 Texas A&M

2010

OVR.............11-2 SEC ...............6-2 Coaches ......8 AP.......................8

L, 21-0 Alabama

2011

OVR.............13-1 SEC .............. 8-0 Coaches ..... 2 AP....................... 2

L, 25-24 Clemson

2012

OVR........... 10-3 SEC ...............6-2 Coaches ... 12 AP.....................14

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

With the Tigers gutted the past two seasons by the NFL draft and the improvement in the SEC West, LSU could be hard pressed to win 10 games for a fifth straight year. The skill positions will be interesting to watch with QBs Jennings and Brandon Harris fighting it out, and freshman RB Leonard Fournette touted as the star.

W, 21-14 Iowa

2013

OVR........... 10-3 SEC ...............5-3 Coaches ... 14 AP.....................14

OL La’el Collins, sr. (preseason All-SEC); DB Tre’Davious White, so.

(55 tackles, 2 int., 9 pass breakups); QB Anthony Jennings, so. (two starts, 13-29, 1 TD, 1 int.); WR Travin Dural, so. (7 receptions, 20.7 avg., 2 TDs); DE Danielle Hunter, jr.

(57 tackles, 3 sacks); DE Jermauria Rasco, sr. (56 tackles, 4 sacks); LB Kendall Beckwith, so. (11 tackles, 1 sack); DB Rashard Robinson, so. (16 tackles, 1 int.); P Jamie Keehn, jr. (41.0 avg, 18 punts inside 20); PK Colby Delahoussaye, so.

(13 of 14 FGA, long of 49).

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23

mississippi stAte University SCHEDULE vs. Southern Miss 6:30 p.m. August 30 at Davis Wade Stadium

vs. UAB 1 p.m. September 6 at Davis Wade Stadium

at South Alabama 3 p.m. September 13 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium

at LSU September 20 at Tiger Stadium

vs. Texas A&M October 4 at Davis Wade Stadium

HEAD COACH: DAN MULLEN (36 wins, 28 losses in five seasons at Mississippi State) • STADIUM: DAVIS WADE STADIUM, STARKVILLE, MISS. (61,337)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

O

LAST SEASON Mississippi State gave its fans hope with a strong finish to a 7-6, 3-5 season with victories over rival Ole Miss and in the Liberty Bowl over Rice.

ur expectations are to find a way to get to Atlanta. That’s what we can control, and compete for that SEC championship this year. When you embrace that expectation early on as a program, when you embrace that for this year’s team, all those guys, that’s what they’re working for from day one.

THIS SEASON

— Dan Mullen

vs. Auburn October 11 at Davis Wade Stadium

October 25 at Commonwealth Stadium

“I think our team faced a lot of adversity, as a team with guys going down and couldn’t play. We just trusted each other and guys stepped in and filled positions, and it gave us a nice gel towards the end of the season.”

“It’s always good to win, and we finished strong. … Even though I was sitting out, sitting back looking at these guys finishing. We learned how to finish these games. Once you learn how to play all four quarters, the road is yours to take.”

vs. Arkansas

— junior quarterback Dak Prescott

— junior safety Jay Hughes

at Kentucky

November 1 at Davis Wade Stadium

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

at Alabama November 15 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

vs. Vanderbilt November 22 at Davis Wade Stadium

at Ole Miss November 29 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

24

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

vs. UT Martin November 8 at Davis Wade Stadium

W, 52-14 Mighigan

2009

OVR............5-7 SEC.............3-5 Coaches NR AP ............... NR

2010

OVR........... 9-4 SEC............ 4-4 Coaches.. 17 AP ..................15

W, 23-17 Wake Forest

2011

OVR............7-6 SEC............ 2-6 Coaches NR AP ................NR

L, 34-20 N’western

2012

OVR........... 8-5 SEC............ 4-4 Coaches NR AP ................NR

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

W, 44-7 Rice

2013

OVR............7-6 SEC.............3-5 Coaches NR AP ................NR

Quarterback Dak Prescott and a solid defense give the Bulldogs hope that Dan Mullen’s sixth season in Starkville could be the best yet.

MSU needs to shore up its offensive line and find some consistency at wide receiver to make a major jump. It will also have to steal a game or two from the loaded SEC West.

KEY PLAYERS DL Chris Jones, so. (preseason All-SEC first team, 32 tackles, 3 sacks, 10 QB hurries); TE Malcolm Johnson, sr. (30 receptions, 13.0 avg. 2 TDs); LB Benardrick McKinney, jr. (71 tackles, 3.5 sacks); QB Dak Prescott, jr.

(156-267, 10 TDs, 7 int., ran for 829 yds, 13 TDs); RB Josh Robinson, jr. (459 yards rushing, 5.9 avg., 3 TDs); WR Jameon Lewis, sr. (64 receptions, 14.4 avg., 5 TDs); DB Taveze Calhoun, jr. (45 tackles, 3 int.); DB Jamerson Love, sr. (27 tackles, 3 int., 10 pass breakups); DB Will Redmond, jr. (23 tackles in 8 games).

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25

University of mississippi SCHEDULE vs. Boise State 7 p.m. August 28 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta

at Vanderbilt 3:30 p.m. September 6 at Vanderbilt Stadium

vs. Louisiana-Lafayette 3 p.m. September 13 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

vs. Memphis September 27 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

vs. Alabama October 4 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

at Texas A&M

HEAD COACH: HUGH FREEZE (45 wins, 18 losses; 15-11 in two seasons at Ole Miss) • STADIUM: VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM, UNIVERSITY, MISS. (60,580)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

W

LAST SEASON An 8-5 overall mark was dampened by a 17-10 loss in the Egg Bowl to Mississippi State. The Rebels rebounded for a 25-17 win over Georgia Tech in the Music City Bowl. The Rebels were young and many of the youngsters got experience in an injury-riddled season.

hen I first arrived there, I really thought we would be going to hopefully a bowl game in year three. We were able to do that in year one and two, and win both of them. … I think most fans that are close to our program realize that we’re still maybe a year or two away of looking like a total SEC team in the depth chart.

THIS SEASON

October 11 at Kyle Field

— Hugh Freeze vs. Tennessee October 18 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

“We are a dark horse and we know that. We are working every day to try and win an SEC championship.” at LSU

— senior quarterback Bo Wallace

October 25 at Tiger Stadium

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

KEY PLAYERS

vs. Presbyterian November 8 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

at Arkansas Nov. 22 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

vs. Mississippi State November 29 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

26

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

vs. Auburn November 1 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

A favorable schedule, Tennessee and Vanderbilt from the East and home games against Auburn and Alabama, makes for an outside run at a division title and a Top 20 finish. Freeze has recruited well, and with LSU and Texas A&M having to answer questions, this could be the ideal time for the Rebels to strike.

W, 21-7 Oklahoma StATE

2009

OVR........... 9-4 SEC............ 4-4 Coaches.. 21 AP ................ 20

W, 38-17 Pittsburgh

2010

OVR........... 4-8 SEC..............1-7 Coaches NR AP ................NR

2011

OVR......... 2-10 SEC............ 0-8 Coaches NR AP ................NR

2012

OVR............7-6 SEC.............3-5 Coaches NR AP ................NR

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

W, 25-17 Georgia Tech

2013

OVR........... 8-5 SEC.............3-5 Coaches NR AP ................NR

OL Laremy Tunsil so. (allowed one sack); DB Cody Prewitt sr. (71 tackles, 6 int.); QB Bo Wallace, sr.

(283-437, 18 TDs, 10 int., 355 yds rushing, 6 TDs); WR Laquon Treadwell, so. 72 receptions, 8.4 avg. 5 TDs); DL Robert Nkemdiche, so. (34 tackles, 2 sacks); LB Serderius Bryant, sr. (78 tackles, 3 sacks); DB Tony Conner, so. (66 tackles, 1 int.); DL C.J. Johnson, jr.

(12 tackles in 4 games, 6.5 sacks in 2012).

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27

texAs A&m University SCHEDULE at South Carolina 5 p.m. August 28 at Williams-Brice Stadium

vs. Lamar 6:30 p.m. September 6 at Kyle Field

vs. Rice 8 p.m. September 13 at Kyle Field

at SMU September 20 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium

vs. Arkansas September 27 at AT&T Stadium, Arlington

at Mississippi State October 4 at Davis-Wade Stadium

HEAD COACH: KEVIN SUMLIN (55 wins, 23 losses; 20-6 in two seasons at Texas A&M) • STADIUM: KYLE FIELD, COLLEGE STATION (106,511)

M

at Alabama

LAST SEASON Johnny Manziel and the Aggie offense could only outscore nine of its 13 opponents, with all four losses coming to SEC teams, two of which played for the SEC title. A&M’s defense made its opponents’ offense look like, well, A&M’s offense. The Aggies were last among SEC teams in total defense and rushing defense.

oving to the SEC is one thing, but if we had got our brains beat out like everybody thought, I don’t think recruiting would be going as well anyway if we’re in the SEC. You’ve got to come in this league and compete. With that being said, we haven’t accomplished what we wanted to accomplish. We’ve got a ways to go.

THIS SEASON

— Kevin Sumlin

vs. Ole Miss October 11 at Kyle Field

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“We’ve got to play better, that’s all we can take from [last year]. To give up as many points as we did as a defense is embarrassing. We’re definitely going to come out stronger this year.”

KEY PLAYERS

— senior cornerback Deshazor Everett

October 18 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

at Auburn November 8 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

vs. Missouri November 15 at Kyle Field

vs. LSU November 27 at Kyle Field

28

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

vs. Louisiana-Monroe November 1 at Kyle Field

L, 44-20 Georgia

2009

OVR............6-7 Big 12 ........3-5 Coaches NR AP ............... NR

L, 41-24 LSU

2010

OVR........... 9-4 Big 12 ........6-2 Coaches .. 21 AP ..................19

W, 33-22 N’western

2011

OVR............7-6 Big 12 ....... 4-5 Coaches NR AP ................NR

W, 41-13 Oklahoma

2012

OVR...........11-2 SEC .............6-2 Coaches .... 5 AP ....................5

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

Obviously, replacing Manziel is key. Just as important and maybe more worrisome is the defense improving, and not just a little bit. The offense lost three first-round draft picks, but there are plenty of candidates waiting for opportunities. The running game will likely be leaned on more with the backs and O-line being a strength.

W, 52-48 Duke

2013

OVR........... 9-4 SEC ............ 4-4 Coaches .. 18 AP ..................18

OL Cedric Ogbuehi, sr. (32 starts, preseason All-SEC); DB Deshazor Everett, sr.

(73 tackles, 2 int., 9 pass breakups); P Drew Kaser, jr. (47.4 avg., 17 punts inside 20); WR Malcome Kennedy, sr. (60 receptions, 11.0 avg., 7 TDs); C Mike Matthews, jr. (started 13 games as soph.); OL Germain Ifedi, so. (named to All-SEC freshman team); DE Julien Obioha, jr. (38 tackles, 1 sack); LB Jordan Mastrogiovanni, so. (26 tackles, 1 int.); CB De’Vante Harris, jr. (56 tackles, 1 int., 9 pass breakups); PK Josh Lambo, jr., (8 of 10 field goals made, long of 45 yards)

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University of floridA SCHEDULE vs. Idaho 6 p.m. August 30 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

vs. Eastern Michigan 3 p.m. September 6 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

vs. Kentucky 6:30 p.m. September 13 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

at Alabama September 20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium

at Tennessee October 4 at Neyland Stadium

HEAD COACH: WILL MUSCHAMP (22 wins, 16 losses in three seasons at Florida) • STADIUM: BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM, GAINESVILLE, FLA. (88,548)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

T

LAST SEASON Florida had one of its most horrific seasons in memory, finishing 4-8 overall, 3-5 in the SEC and losing its last seven games.

The Gators’ problem was obvious. The offense was anemic, averaging just 18.8 points and 316.7 yards a game, both last in the SEC.

here will be a lot of chatter about hot seat business.

That’s part of it. The way you combat that is having a winning football team and winning football games, which is what we’re going to do. I got a lot of confidence in this team and staff.

THIS SEASON

vs. LSU October 11 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

vs. Missouri October 18 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

vs. Georgia

— Will Muschamp “I don’t think you really want to put numbers expectations on yourself, you just want to go in and give your team a chance to win.

Obviously we’re going to need more production from the offense to do that, and I think based off the spring that we’ll be able to do that.”

— junior quarterback Jeff Driskel

November 1 at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

KEY PLAYERS

vs. South Carolina November 15 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

vs. Eastern Kentucky November 22 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

at Florida State November 29 at Doak Campbell Stadium

30

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

at Vanderbilt November 8 at Vanderbilt Stadium

W, 51-24 Cincinnati W, 37-24 Penn State

2009

OVR...........13-1 SEC ............. 8-1 Coaches .... 3 AP ................... 3

2010

OVR........... 8-5 SEC ............ 4-4 Coaches NR AP ................NR

L, 33-23 Louisville W, 24-17 Ohio State

2011

OVR............7-6 SEC .............3-5 Coaches NR AP ................NR

Quarterback Jeff Driskel returns from injury to learn a new system under former Duke offensive coordinator Kurt Roper. The Gators also return most of their skill position players, but they have a long way to go to match a majority of the SEC offenses. The Florida defense, loaded with athletes, will again carry the team, which could push for a Top-25 finish. If not, coach Will Muschamp will be in trouble after only four years in Gainesville.

2012

OVR...........11-2 SEC ..............7-1 Coaches . 10 AP ....................9

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

2013

OVR........... 4-8 SEC .............3-5 Coaches NR AP ................NR

DL Dante Fowler Jr., jr.

(50 tackles, 3.5 sacks); DB Vernon Hargreaves III, so. (38 tackles, 3 int); OL Chaz Green, sr. (freshman All-American who missed all of last season); OL D.J. Humphries, jr. (freshman All-American who only played 6 games last season); WR Andre Debose, sr. (4 career kickoff returns for TDs); QB Jeff Driskel, jr. (42-61, 3 TDs, 3 int in 3 games); P Kyle Christy, sr. (39.6 avg.)

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University of GeorGiA SCHEDULE vs. Clemson 4:30 p.m. August 30 at Sanford Stadium

at South Carolina 2:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Williams-Brice Stadium

HEAD COACH: MARK RICHT (126-45 in 13 seasons at Georgia) • STADIUM: SANFORD STADIUM, ATHENS, GA. (92,746)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING vs. Troy 11 a.m. September 20 at Sanford Stadium

vs. Tennessee September 27 at Sanford Stadium

vs. Vanderbilt October 4 at Sanford Stadium

LAST SEASON The Bulldogs were ravaged by injuries. Georgia lost quarterback Aaron Murray and tailback Todd Gurley, both Heisman hopefuls, but still managed to finish 8-5.

The Bulldogs also lost tail tailback Keith Marshall and top receiver Malcolm Mitchell.

O

bviously, what’s important is what happens at the end of the year. I’m not happy to be picked number two [in the SEC East]. I’m not going to start cheering that we’re number two. I think in the end, it’s going to be Georgia.

THIS SEASON

— Mark Richt

at Missouri October 11 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

at Arkansas October 18 at War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, Ark.

vs. Florida

“I’m not really too big on [being a Heisman candidate]. People say it a lot, but it’s not the thing I’m going after. I feel like the Heisman is a team award. You could be a great player, but if your team’s not winning, you’re not going to get the award. It would be great to win, but I’m just happy to play the game of football. I don’t do it for all the awards.”

— junior running back Todd Gurley

November 1 at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

KEY PLAYERS

vs. Auburn November 15 at Sanford Stadium

vs. Charleston Southern November 22 at Sanford Stadium

vs. Georgia Tech November 29 at Sanford Stadium

32

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

at Kentucky November 8 at Commonwealth Stadium

W, 44-20 Texas A&M

2009

OvR............ 8-5 SEC .............4-4 Coaches NR AP ............... NR

L, 10-6 UCF

2010

OVR............ 6-7 SEC ............. 3-5 Coaches . NR AP ................ NR

L, 33-30 Michigan St.

2011

OVR..........10-4 SEC .............. 7-1 Coaches . 20 AP .................. 19

With Gurley, Marshall and Mitchell back, the offense should run smoothly if quarterback Hutson Mason can get them the ball. The defense will be directed by former Florida State de defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who will have three linebackers – Ramik Wilson, Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins – thought of highly enough to make preseason All-SEC teams. Another race for the East title could come down to the Georgia-South Carolina game, with both looking at Top 10 finishes.

W, 45-31 Nebraska L, 24-19 Nebraska

2012

OVR...........12-2 SEC .............. 7-1 Coaches .... 4 AP .................... 5

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

2013

OVR............ 8-5 SEC ............. 5-3 Coaches NR AP ................ NR

RB Todd Gurley, jr. (989 yards rushing, 6.0 avg., 10 TDs); PK Marshall Morgan, jr. (22 of 24 FG attempts, long of 56); LB Ramik Wilson sr. (133 tackles, 4 sacks); WR Chris Conley sr.

(45 receptions, 14.5 avg., 4 TDs); LB Leonard Floyd, so. (55 tackles, 6.5 sacks); DB Damian Swann, sr. (57 tackles, 8 pass breakups); C David Andrews, sr. (27 straight starts); LB Amarlo Herrera, sr. (112 tackles, 9 QB hurries); LB Jordan Jenkins, jr. (45 tackles, 5 sacks)

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33

University of kentUcky SCHEDULE vs. UT Martin 11 a.m. August 30 at Commonwealth Stadium

vs. Ohio 2:30 p.m. September 6 at Commonwealth Stadium

at Florida 6:30 p.m. September 13 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

vs. Vanderbilt September 27 at Commonwealth Stadium

vs. South Carolina October 4 at Commonwealth Stadium

vs. Louisiana-Monroe October 11 at Commonwealth Stadium

at LSU October 18 at Tiger Stadium

HEAD COACH: MARK STOOPS (2 wins, 10 losses in one season at Kentucky) • STADIUM: COMMONWEALTH STADIUM, LEXINGTON, KY. (67,942)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

W

LAST SEASON Offensive coordinator Neal Brown was supposed to bring a Top-10 passing attack to the bluegrass state, but the Wildcats did little offensively in going 2-10 overall and winless in the SEC. It was the opposing teams that found a liking to the passing game.The Wildcats were 117th in defensive passing efficiency.

e don’t dwell on anything that’s gone on in the past. Anything certainly before I arrived at Kentucky, we really don’t talk about much. We all take accountability in wins and losses. We all accept that.

THIS SEASON

— Mark Stoops

“If I was a fan, if I see a coach really caring about a program and changing a progam — to go out there and get all that money and change the football stadium and change the practice facilities and put money into the nutrition program — I would really hop on his train and jump on and hold on.”

vs. Mississippi State

— senior defensive end Alvin “Bud” Dupree

October 25 at Commonwealth Stadium

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

vs. Georgia November 8 at Commonwealth Stadium

at Tennessee November 15 at Neyland Stadium

at Louisville November 29 at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium

34

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

at Missouri November 1 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

L, 21-13 Clemson

L, 27-10 Pittsburgh

OVR............7-6 SEC.............3-5 Coaches NR AP ............... NR

OVR............6-7 SEC............ 2-6 Coaches NR AP ................NR

2009

2010

2011

OVR............5-7 SEC............ 2-6 Coaches NR AP ................NR

2012

OVR......... 2-10 SEC............ 0-8 Coaches NR AP ................NR

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

2013

OVR......... 2-10 SEC............ 0-8 Coaches NR AP ................NR

The defense alone should make the Wildcats more of a threat in 2014 with eight returning starters.

Sophomore quarterback Patrick Towles is expected to get the passing game moving forward. Stoops recruited a Top 25 class, but reaching a bowl game for the first time in four years is unlikely.

KEY PLAYERS DL Alvin “Bud” Dupree, sr. (61 tackles, 7 sacks, preseason All-SEC first team); OL Darrian Miller, sr. (26 starts, preseason AllSEC); DL Za’Darius Smith sr. (59 tackles, 6 sacks); RB Jojo Kemp, so. (482 yards rushing, 4.8 avg. 3 TDs); OL Jordan Swindle, jr. (started every game as sophomore); WR Javess Blue, sr. (43 receptions, 13.6 avg. 4 TDs); WR Ryan Timmons, so.

(32 receptions, 10.6 avg., 2 TDs); LB Josh Forrest, jr.

(16 tackles, 1 int.); DB J.D. Harmon, so. (started as walk-on in 2012); P Landon Foster, jr. (41.3 avg. 15 punts inside 20).

University of missoUri SCHEDULE vs. South Dakota State 2:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

at Toldeo 11 a.m. September 6 at Glass Bowl

vs. Central Florida 11 a.m. Sept. 13 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

vs. Indiana September 20 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

at South Carolina September 27 at Williams-Brice Stadium

HEAD COACH: GARY PINKEL (102-63 in 13 seasons at Missouri) • STADIUM: MEMORIAL STADIUM/FAUROT FIELD, COLUMBIA, MO. (67,124)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

I

LAST SEASON Missouri was the surprise of the SEC, or at least the East, finishing 12-2 overall and winning its division with a 7-1 mark. Loaded with veterans after an injuryplagued SEC debut, the Tigers finished in the Top 10 after beating former Big 12 foe Oklahoma State 41-31 in the Cotton Bowl. A starstudded defense was led by cornerback E.J. Gaines and pass rusher Michael Sam.

always tell our alumni, I tell them, if you drive by and you don’t see cranes up, then something is wrong. In this league you better be building, making yourself better all the time. Our administration gets that.

THIS SEASON

— Gary Pinkel

vs. Georgia October 11 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

at Florida October 18 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

vs. Vanderbilt

“At Missouri, we believe we can compete against anybody, and last year that’s what we were able to do. We’re going to try and do the same thing this year.”

— senior defensive end Markus Golden

October 25 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

KEY PLAYERS

at Texas A&M November 15 at Kyle Field

at Tennessee November 22 at Neyland Stadium

vs. Arkansas November 28 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

vs. Kentucky November 1 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

L, 27-24 Iowa

L, 35-13 Navy

2009

OVR........... 8-5 Big 12 ........5-3 Coaches NR AP ............... NR

2010

OVR......... 10-3 Big 12 ........6-2 Coaches .. 18 AP ..................18

W, 41-31 Okla. St.

W, 41-24 N. Carolina

2011

OVR........... 8-5 Big 12 ....... 5-4 Coaches NR AP ................NR

With a lot of new faces, the Tigers will look to quarterback Maty Mauk, who filled in more than admirably when James Franklin went down late last year. The Tigers will also have to depend on replacing four all-SEC players on defense and will likely have to post another plus-16 in the turnover margin to come close to repeating as division champs. A Top 25 finish is a possibility.

2012

OVR............5-7 SEC ............ 2-6 Coaches NR AP ................NR

2013

OVR..........12-2 SEC .............7-2 Coaches .... 5 AP ....................5

TB Marcus Murphy, sr.

(601 yards rushing, 6.5 avg., 9 TDs, 22.2 KOR avg.); DL Markus Golden, sr. (55 tackles, 6.5 sacks); DB Braylon Webb, sr. (89 tackles, 3 int.); QB Maty Mauk, so. (68-133, 11 TDs, 2 int.); C Evan Boehm, jr. (26 straight starts, freshman All-American); RB Russell Hansbrough, jr.

(685 yards rushing, 6.0 avg.

4 TDs); WR Bud Sasser, sr.

(26 receptions, 13.9 avg. 1 TD); LB Kentrell Brothers, jr.

(70 tackles, 3 int.); CB Aarion Penton, so.; (16 tackles, 1 int.)

MyAggieNation.com | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | T h e E a g l e | SEC 2014

35

University of soUth cArolinA SCHEDULE vs. Texas A&M 5 p.m. August 28 at Williams-Brice Stadium

vs. East Carolina 6 p.m. September 6 at Williams-Brice Stadium

vs. Georgia 2:30 p.m. September 13 at Williams-Brice Stadium

at Vanderbilt September 20 at Vanderbilt Stadium

vs. Missouri September 27 at Williams-Brice Stadium

at Kentucky October 4 at Commonwealth Stadium

vs. Furman October 18 at Williams-Brice Stadium

at Auburn

HEAD COACH: STEVE SPURRIER (219 wins, 79 losses, 2 ties; 77-39 in nine seasons at South Carolina) • STADIUM: WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM, COLUMBIA, S.C (80,250)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

I

LAST SEASON The Gamecocks have won 33 games in the last three seasons, including an 11-2 mark in 2013 when they finished second in the East. Senior quarterback Connor Shaw proved to be the catalyst on offense. The defense was more of a team effort than most would have thought, with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney not quite living up to his Heisman hype.

’ve also learned over the last several years when you win that bowl game, life is a lot more comfortable in the offseason.

Whoever wins that bowl game, you get ranked in the Top 10. We were never in the Top 10 till the last three years. Done that every year since we started winning the bowl games.

Hopefully, we can add an SEC championship.

THIS SEASON

— Steve Spurrier “Coach is awesome. Every time someone asks me how it is playing for him, I say it’s just a blast. … I knew that he was a perfectionist, so that’s been awesome to be able to work with him. You’ll have a decent game and he’s just not satisfied, and that’s what I love about him.”

— senior quarterback Dylan Thompson

October 25 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

KEY PLAYERS

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

at Florida November 15 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

vs. South Alabama November 22 at Williams-Brice Stadium

at Clemson November 29 at Memorial Stadium

36

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

vs. Tennessee November 1 at Williams-Brice Stadium

L, 20-7 UCONN

2009

OVR............7-6 SEC .............3-5 Coaches NR AP ............... NR

L, 26-17 Florida St.

2010

OVR........... 9-5 SEC .............5-3 Coaches . 22 AP ................. 22

W, 30-13, Nebraska

2011

OVR...........11-2 SEC .............6-2 Coaches ... 8 AP ....................9

W, 33-28 Michigan

2012

OVR...........11-2 SEC .............6-2 Coaches .... 7 AP ....................8

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

The Gamecocks are the popular pick to win the East with three of their key games – Texas A&M, Georgia and Missouri – at home. Dylan Thompson will replace Shaw and will have the luxury of one of the best offensive lines in the country. On defense, replacing two All-America linemen and finding two good cornerbacks will be the first priority.

W, 34-24 Wisconsin

2013

OVR...........11-2 SEC .............6-2 Coaches ... 4 AP ....................4

OL A.J. Cann, sr. (38 starts, preseason All-SEC first team); RB Mike Davis jr. (1,183 yards rushing, 5.8 avg.11 TDs); OL Brandon Shell, jr. (23 starts, preseason All-SEC second team); WR Shaq Roland, jr.

(25 receptions, 18.2 avg., 5 TDs); OL Corey Robinson, sr. (22 starts); PK Elliott Fry, so. (15 of 18 FG, long of 45); DL Gerald Dixon jr. (18 tackles); LB Skai Moore, so. (56 tackles, 4 int.); DB Brison Williams, sr. (45 tackles, 1 int.); QB Dylan Thompson, sr. (52-89, 4 TDs, 3 int.)

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37

University of tennessee SCHEDULE vs. Utah State 6 p.m. August 31 at Neyland Stadium

vs. Arkansas State 11 a.m. September 6 at Neyland Stadium

at Oklahoma 7 p.m. September 13 at Memorial Stadium

at Georgia September 27 at Sanford Stadium

vs. Florida October 4 at Neyland Stadium

vs. Chattanooga

HEAD COACH: BUTCH JONES (55 wins, 34 losses; 5-7 in one season at Tennessee) • STADIUM: NEYLAND STADIUM, KNOXVILLE, TN (102,455)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Y

LAST SEASON The Vols went 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the SEC under first-year coach Butch Jones. A few of the losses were truly embarrassing, with Oregon, Auburn and Alabama darting past the Tennessee defense, 59-14, 55-23 and 45-10, respectively.

ou win with consistency and you win with continuity. For a lot of these individuals, they’ve had too much change. Some of these individuals, this was their third or fourth defensive coordinator. To be able to have the same consistent and constant messaging day-in and day-out, our players understand the standard and the expectations.

THIS SEASON

October 11 at Neyland Stadium

— Butch Jones at Ole Miss October 18 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

vs. Alabama

“I came here to build the program up and get it back to a winning program. This is my senior year, so I’ll have one more year to do that, and get some wins and leave a winner. The other big decision is I get to graduate in December and leave with a degree. That’s going to help me throughout life.”

— senior linebacker A.J. Johnson

October 25 at Neyland Stadium

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

KEY PLAYERS

vs. Kentucky November 15 at Neyland Stadium

vs. Missouri November 22 at Neyland Stadium

at Vanderbilt November 29 at Vanderbilt Stadium

38

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

at South Carolina November 1 at Williams-Brice Stadium

Tennessee will be hard pressed to get to six wins with 32 new faces and an entirely new starting offensive line. The Vols boast plenty of receivers, but an untested quarterback. Linebacker A.J. Johnson has been a stalwart for three seasons but can’t make every tackle. Help is on the way. The Vols will have to baptize many of their young players early.

L, 37-14 Va. tech

2009

OVR............7-6 Big 12 ....... 4-4 Coaches NR AP ............... NR

L, 30-27 (2ot) N. Carolina

2010

OVR............6-7 Big 12 ........3-5 Coaches NR AP ................NR

2011

OVR............5-7 Big 12 .........1-7 Coaches NR AP ................NR

2012

OVR............5-7 SEC..............1-7 Coaches NR AP ................NR

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

2013

OVR............5-7 SEC............ 2-6 Coaches NR AP ................NR

LB A.J. Johnson, sr. (106 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss); DB Brian Randolph, jr. (75 tackles, 4 int.); WR Marquez North, so. (38 receptions, 13.1 avg.); WR Jason Croom, so. (18 receptions, 14.9 avg. 2 TDs); RB Marlin Lane, sr. (534 yards rushing, 5.3 avg., 4 TDs); DE Corey Vereen, so. (13 tackles, 1 sack in 9 games); Curt Maggitt, jr (knee injury, 56 tackles as freshman); RB Devrin Young, sr.; (6 receptions, 13.2 avg., 2 TDs)

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39

vAnderbilt University SCHEDULE vs. Temple 8:15 p.m. August 28 at Vanderbilt Stadium

vs. Ole Miss 3:30 p.m. September 6 at LP Field

vs. Massachusetts 11 a.m. September 13 at Vanderbilt Stadium

vs. South Carolina September 20 at Vanderbilt Stadium

at Kentucky September 27 at Commonwealth Stadium

HEAD COACH: DEREK MASON (First season at Vanderbilt) • STADIUM: VANDERBILT STADIUM, NASHVILLE, TENN. (40,350)

O

— Derek Mason

October 4 at Sanford Stadium

October 11 at Vanderbilt Stadium

LAST SEASON A veteran club played its way into the BBVA Compass Bowl, where it won to finish the season 9-4 overall. A 4-4 SEC mark gave the Commodores a 9-7 record for two seasons, more wins than the previous five years combined. The passing game, with SEC career record holder Jordan Matthews at wide receiver, averaged 227 yards a game.

The secondary, with four seniors, was sixth in the SEC against the pass.

ur team is a team of probably no-name young men who have a chance to do something great. It’s talented across the board.

I think our opportunity to compete for an SEC East title is now.

at Georgia

vs. Charleston Southern

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

THIS SEASON

“We lost a lot of guys, but overall we’ve got a lot of talent up there, a lot of young talent. I feel as if it’s one of the more talented teams that we’ve had, as far as our guys and depth. So, I think the guys are buying into Coach Mason and his expectations, saying SEC championships.”

at Missouri

— junior safety Andrew WIlliamson

October 25 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

FIVE-YEAR GLANCE

vs. Florida November 8 at Vanderbilt Stadium

at Mississippi State November 22 at Davis Wade Stadium

vs. Tennessee November 29 at Vanderbilt Stadium

40

VICTORIES/BOWL RESULT

vs. Old Dominion November 1 at Vanderbilt Stadium

It will truly be the start of something new for Derek Mason, the former Stanford defensive coordinator who takes over for James Franklin. The ‘Dores will have to work to extend their bowl streak of three years alive.

The passing game will be more spread out and the defense switches to a 3-4 alignment. Vandy’s biggest hope is a relatively easy nonconference schedule.

KEY PLAYERS

2009

OVR......... 2-10 SEC ............ 0-8 Coaches NR AP ............... NR

2010

OVR......... 2-10 SEC ..............1-7 Coaches NR AP ................NR

L, 31-24 Cincinnati

2011

OVR............6-7 SEC ............ 2-6 Coaches NR AP ................NR

W, 38-24 N.C. State

2012

OVR........... 9-4 SEC .............5-3 Coaches . 20 AP ................. 23

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

W, 41-24 Houston

2013

OVR........... 9-4 SEC ............ 4-4 Coaches . 23 AP .................24

QB Patton Robinette, so.

(46-88, 4 TDs, 5 int.); RB Jerron Seymour, jr. (716 yards rushing, 4.4 avg. 14 TDs); RB Brian Kimbrow, jr. (341 yards rushing, 4.2 avg. 3 TDs); NG Vince Taylor, sr. (18 tackles); LB Kyle Woestmann, sr., (40 tackles, 6 sacks); LB Caleb Azubike, jr. (31 tackles, 4 sacks); P Taylor Hudson, jr.

(42.9 average with only two punts going for touchbacks); TE Steven Scheu, jr. (9 receptions, 13.7 avg., 1 TD)

At Texas A&M our students and faculty succeed on every “playing field.�

We are committed to a culture of excellence in teaching, research, and service and to an environment of respect where all Aggies Commit to Learning for a Lifetime.

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41

What the future holds

Experts weigh in on SEC, Texas A&M's outlook after Johnny Kirk Bohls

Ivan Maisel

Austin American-Statesman

ESPN

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Auburn; 3. LSU; 4. Ole Miss; 5. Mississippi State; 6. Texas A&M; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. Florida; 2.

South Carolina; 3. Georgia; 4. Missouri; 5. Tennessee; 6. Vanderbilt; 7.

Kentucky Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 6-6 Summarizing A&M’s season: Well, the stadium should look nice. The defense should improve, uh, modestly. What’s a step up from atrocious? I think the offense will drop off very little, but will look drastically different from the last two years. The Aggies will ground and pound to shorten games, Kyle Allen will show form that could make him the All-SEC quarterback in, say, 2016 if not sooner, and the Aggies will quietly build for a championship run in two years. A&M will be fortunate to go 6-6, thanks to Cupcake Parade in the nonconference.

The best thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: Fewer headlines but more focus on the team aspect.

The worst thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: Fewer headlines and much, much less national relevance, at least for a while.

Bruce Feldman Fox Sports Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

LSU; 3. Auburn; 4. Texas A&M; 5. Ole Miss; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2. Florida; 3. South Carolina; 4. Missouri; 5. Tennessee; 6. Vanderbilt; 7.

Kentucky Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing A&M’s season: Inexperience at QB and defense will mean a lot of inconsistency, but by the end of the season they’ll work their way into the Top 25 as the passing game with all those WRs blossoms.

The best thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: Kyle Allen.

The worst thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: It won’t be quite as riveting.

42

AP photo

“The circus – as fun as it was – has left town.”

Tony Barnhart

George Schroeder

SEC Network

USA Today Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Auburn; 3. LSU; 4. Mississippi State; 5.

Ole Miss; 6. Texas A&M; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. South Carolina; 2. Florida; 3. Georgia; 4. Missouri; 5. Tennessee; 6. Vanderbilt; 7. Kentucky Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing A&M’s season: This feels like a transition year. The Aggies could surprise — we’ve seen that recently, huh?

— but more likely they’re a year away

from contending for the SEC West, SEC championship (and from there, more). The defense, with experience by fire last year, should be better. But the loss of Johnny Manziel will be felt.

The best thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: The circus — as fun as it was — has left town.

The worst thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: The circus — as fun as it was — left the field.

Blair Kerkhoff Kansas City Star Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Auburn; 3. LSU; 4. Texas A&M; 5. Ole Miss; 6. Mississippi State; 7. Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. South Carolina; 2. Georgia; 3. Missouri; 4. Florida; 5. Tennessee; 6. Vanderbilt; 7. Kentucky Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 The best thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: I can’t think of an upside to not having Manziel. For all the noise he caused off the field, there never seemed to be a time when he wasn’t 100 percent dedicated during the action. And

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. LSU; 3. Auburn; 4. Mississippi State; 5. Ole Miss; 6. Texas A&M; 7.

Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. South Carolina; 2. Georgia; 3. Florida; 4.

Missouri; 5. Vanderbilt; 6. Kentucky; 7. Tennessee Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing A&M’s season: The quality of football played in November will be much, much higher than the football played in September. This is a team built for 2016. It will take time to mature physically and mentally.

The best thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: Not being under the national microscope for every snap at Kyle Field.

The worst thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: Not being under the national microscope for every snap at Kyle Field.

when he played, he was among the game’s best for two seasons.

The worst thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: Losing college football’s greatest playmaker means A&M must, to some extent, reinvent itself offensively. But when I think of A&M’s chances of success this year, it’s more of a defensive question. The Aggies must be better here.

They won’t have Manziel to bail them out as he did so many times, including the bowl game. This is no longer a shootout offense.

The Aggies must adjust.

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2. Auburn; 3. LSU; 4. Ole Miss; 5.

Mississippi State; 6. Texas A&M; 7.

Arkansas Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2. South Carolina; 3. Florida; 4. Missouri; 5. Tennessee; 6. Vanderbilt; 7.

Kentucky Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing A&M’s season: Aggies will be fine moving the ball regardless of the QB. The key is the defense, which simply can’t be as bad as it was a year ago.

The best thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: There is nothing good about losing Johnny Manziel, who was a once in a generation talent. It does make everybody else on offense realize they have to step up because Johnny is not there to bail them out.

The worst thing for A&M about not having Johnny Manziel will be: That there was really no way for opposing defensive coordinators to prepare for him. As my friend Gary Danielson said, “What he had you can’t coach and you can’t stop.”

Preseason Media Days

2014 All-SEC FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

QB Nick Marshall Auburn RB T.J. Yeldon Alabama RB Todd Gurley Georgia WR Amari Cooper Alabama WR Sammie Coates Auburn TE O.J. Howard Alabama OL La’el Collins LSU OL Arie Kouandjio Alabama OL Laremy Tunsil Ole Miss OL Cedric Ogbuehi Texas A&M

C

Reese Dismukes Auburn

DEFENSE

DL Robert Nkemdiche Ole Miss

DL Dante Fowler Jr. Florida

DL A’Shawn Robinson DL LB LB LB DB

Alabama Gabe Wright Auburn Trey DePriest Alabama A.J. Johnson Tennessee Ramik Wilson Georgia Landon Collins Alabama

DB Vernon Hargreaves III Florida DB Cody Prewitt Ole Miss DB Deshazor Everett Texas A&M

SPECIAL TEAMS P

Drew Kaser Texas A&M PK Marshall Morgan Georgia RS Christion Jones Alabama AP Christion Jones Alabama

3

T.J. Yeldon RB, Alabama

AP photos

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State RB Mike Davis, South Carolina RB Alex Collins, Arkansas WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss WR Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia TE C.J. Uzomah, Auburn OL A.J. Cann, South Carolina OL Vadal Alexander, LSU OL Alex Kozan, Auburn OL Corey Robinson, South Carolina C Ryan Kelly, Alabama

DEFENSE

DL Trey Flowers, Flowers Arkansas DL Chris Jones, Jones Mississippi State DL Alvin “Bud” Dupree, Dupree Kentucky DL Markus Golden, Golden Missouri LB Benardrick McKinney, McKinney Mississippi State LB Jordan Jenkins, Jenkins Georgia LB Denzel Nkemdiche, Nkemdiche, Ole Miss DB Robenson Therezie, Auburn DB Tre’Davious White, LSU DB Damian Swann, Georgia DB Tony Conner, Ole Miss

SPECIAL TEAMS

P Sam Irwin-Hill, Arkansas PK Colby Delahoussaye, LSU RS Andre Debose, Florida AP Terrence Magee, LSU

third TEAM OFFENSE

Damian Swann 4 DB, Georgia

QB Bo Wallace, Ole Miss RB Corey Grant, Auburn RB Keith Marshall, Georgia WR Jameon Lewis, Mississippi State WR Marquez North, Tennessee TE Hunter Henry, Arkansas OL Austin Shepherd, Alabama OL Chad Slade, Auburn OL John Theus, Georgia

OL Chaz Green, Florida C Evan Boehm, Missouri

DEFENSE

DL Ray Drew, Georgia DL Montravius Adams, Auburn DL Carl Lawson, Auburn DL Jermauria Rasco, LSU LB Kwon Alexander, LSU LB Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn LB Serderius Bryant, Ole Miss

DB Jon Mincy, Auburn DB Corey Thompson, LSU DB Rashard Robinson, LSU DB Brison Williams, South Carolina

SPECIAL TEAMS

P Jamie Keehn, LSU PK Andrew Baggett, Missouri RS Marcus Murphy, Missouri AP Trey Williams, Texas A&M

MyAggieNation.com | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | T h e E a g l e | SEC 2014

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What’s in a name?

A look at some of the SEC’s more interesting monikers

By ROB CLARK | rob.clark@theeagle.com It’s time for our annual look at some of the more unusual names on SEC rosters this season. Only the best can make our AllName Team.

But before we get to all that, some observations from scouring the media guides.

There’s lots of love on this year’s teams. Try Jamerson Love (Mississippi State), Shaquille Love (Kentucky) or Travonte Valentine (LSU). Not to mention the City of Love with Paris Bostick (Georgia), Paris Head (Vanderbilt) and Ed Paris (LSU).

Gardening and horticulture fans — we know you’re out there — can root for Kyle Meadows (Kentucky), Billy Busch (Ole Miss), Thomas Holley (Florida), Elliott Berry (Tennessee) and three players with the last name of Flowers: Kent (Mississippi State), Kenny (Auburn) Chris Martin 4 AP photo and Trey (Arkansas).

A religious debate is always fun (and never controversial!). Be sure to invite Max Godby (Kentucky), Trey DePriest (Alabama), Elijah Staley (Mississippi State), Moral Stephens (Florida) and Edward Pope (Texas A&M).

And celebrity names pop up all over. Fans of mellow singer-songwriter James Taylor will be pleased to know that there’s a player with his name at Missouri. Other famous (Misnames on SEC teams: blues legend Robert Johnson (Mis sissippi State), Coldplay singer Chris Martin (Vanderbilt) and longtime activist Jesse Jackson (Mississippi State).

As we unveil this year’s top 20 names on the next page, we must bid farewell to the active players who made last year’s list. Alas, the following players are no longer eligible, according to the rules I just made up: Pig Howard (Tennessee), Chief Brown (Ole Miss), Trip Thurman (Florida), Cassanova McKinzy (Auburn), Will Sport (South Carolina), Gimel President (Auburn), Curt Maggitt (Tennessee) and Taz Zettergren (Ole Miss).

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44

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

SEC All-Name Team Here are our 20 selections for this year’s team. Some are real names, some nicknames, but all are exactly how they are listed in the teams’ media guides.

1. Thaddeus Snodgrass (WR, Kentucky)

11. Finis Stribling IV (DB, Missouri)

2. Joey Ivie IV (DL, Florida)

12. Trevarris Saulsberry (DL, Tennessee)

3. Altee Tenpenny (RB, Alabama)

13. Jeremy Sprinkle (TE, Arkansas)

4. Ish Witter (RB, Missouri)

14. Juan Day (RB, Arkansas)

5. Speedy Noil (WR, Texas A&M)

15. Shawn Stankavage (QB, Vanderbilt)

6. Ty Quick (OL, Ole Miss)

16. Detric Bing-Dukes (LB, Georgia)

7. Nick Chubb (RB, Georgia)

17. Jasper Sasser (S, South Carolina)

8. Kohl Slaughter (FB, Arkansas)

18. Tolando Cleveland (DB, Mississippi St.)

9. Bruno Reagan (OL, Vanderbilt)

19. Ridge Underwood (LB, Georgia)

10. Sharrod Golightly (LB, South Carolina) 20. Gussie Busch (LB, Alabama)

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MyAggieNation.com | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | T h e E a g l e | SEC 2014

45

Eagle photo

by Stuart Villanueva Kenny Hill (left) and Kyle Allen should see meaningful snaps for the Aggies this fall.

BIG SHOES TO FILL

46

By ROB CLARK | rob.clark@theeagle.com

It’s one thing for an old TV show like Bewitched to switch Darrin characters midstream (shoutout to Dick York/Sargent!). It’s quite another for Texas A&M’s next quarterback to fill the massive shoes of Johnny Manziel.

But the Aggies soldier on with Kyle Allen and Kenny Hill. We took a look at other examples in sports and pop culture when a major success or personality had to be replaced. Here are 10 such situations, ranked from best to worst.

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

1 3 4

BIG SHOES TO FILL

2

Bill Murray replacing Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live (1977): Chase was the first to bolt the original SNL crew, and Murray was more than a capable replacement. The two famously brawled when Chase returned to host, yet they were able to later film the great “cannonball!” scene together in Caddyshack.

Steve Carell replacing Ricky Gervais on The Office (2005): The never-ending narcissism of Gervais’ David Brent character was priceless, as were his bottomlip-biting and wicked dance skills. Carell’s Michael Scott added enough insecurities, inappropriate jokes and impressions to make the Americanized version of The Office a hit.

8

Jimmy Johnson replacing Tom Landry (1989): Dallas Cowboys fans still wince at the memory of Jerry Jones taking over the team and sending Landry packing. He had only taken the team to five Super Bowls, after all.

But Johnson quickly led Dallas to two Super Bowl wins and set up a third. Hard to argue with those results.

Conan O’Brien replacing David Letterman (1993): Letterman bolted to CBS after getting spurned for The Tonight Show (boo), and O’Brien had a rough early transition to the Late Night seat. But he soon found his stride, and eventually earned The Tonight Show gig in 2009. Then NBC execs spurned Conan even worse than they did Dave.

Kirstie Alley replacing Shelley Long on Cheers (1987): Long’s Diane Chambers was a snooty, literature-loving waitress and love interest for Ted Danson’s Sam Malone. Alley’s character Rebecca Howe was a more neurotic businesswoman.

Both won Emmys for their performances, but Long’s was the more memorable character.

6

5

Danny White replacing Roger Staubach (1980): Poor Danny deserved a better fate after taking over for Captain Comeback.

He led the Cowboys to three straight NFC championship games, and should’ve been in Super Bowl XVI (*fists raised in anger at Dwight Clark). White ended his career with a 67-35 record, but without the credit he deserved.

Sammy Hagar replacing David Lee Roth in Van Halen (1985): Hagar didn’t bother with coyote howls and karate kicks, and offered a steadier presence and a larger vocal range. But the songs couldn’t live up to the Roth classics like Runnin’ With the Devil and Panama. (We won’t bother with the Gary Cherone “era.”)

AP photos

9

Jenilee Harrison/ Priscilla Barnes replacing Suzanne Somers on Three’s Company (1981): The ridiculous sitcom tried to replace breakout star Suzanne Somers, first with Cindy (Harrison), and then with the sharper Terri (Barnes). Neither could match Chrissy’s dingy personality and snorting laugh. But could anyone, really?

7

Mads Mikkelsen replacing Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter (2013): There were plenty of skeptics about trying to recreate Anthony Hopkins’ iconic role — thp-thp-thp-thp-thp — from Silence of the Lambs. But Mikkelsen has been a pleasant surprise in NBC’s ultra-gory television version, Hannibal. Suave, smart and one hell of a cook.

10

Dennis Franchione replacing R.C. Slocum (2002): Sorry, Aggies.

A&M bumped out its all-time winningest coach, whose program was among the nation’s best in the ‘90s. His replacement lasted five years, highlighted by a boosternewsletter scandal, a waste of a star QB (Reggie McNeal) and a highly unfortunate trip to Norman in November 2003.

MyAggieNation.com | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | T h e E a g l e | SEC 2014

47

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Available at The Eagle • 1729 Briarcrest Drive • Bryan, TX 77805 Or online: Power of 2 – theeagle.com/thepowerof2

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SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

ALL THE BOOK PRICES INCLUDE TAX

Mix Tape: Songs in the key of the SEC

SEC 2014

By ROB CLARK | rob.clark@theeagle.com We’ve exhausted our arsenal of “Johnny” songs. Time to move on with the new season, and that calls for a new SEC mix tape. Here are a few tunes that relate to the conference players, personalities and broadcasters.

Kyle Allen & Kenny Hill

We’re the Replacements by They Might Be Giants: The young Aggie quarterbacks have big shoes to fill (see Page 46), and so this bouncy track fits the bill.

Lyrics: “Hi, we’re the replacements/Hi, we’re the replacements/Hi, we’re the replacements/And we’re playing in a rock ‘n’ roll band.”

Brent Musburger

The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get by Morrissey: The longtime voice of ABC’s prime time Saturday game is now the lead anchor for the SEC Network. Good gig, but a demotion. Release Angry Musburger!

Lyrics: “Beware, I bear more grudges than lonely high-court judges/When you sleep I will creep into your thoughts/Like a bad debt that you can’t pay.”

Mike Slive

The Future by Prince (below): What’s next for the NCAA? Our money is on the SEC commish and his vision for any big changes ahead.

Lyrics: “I’ve seen the future and it will be/I’ve seen the future and it works/If there’s life after we will see/Don’t go out like a jerk.”

Mark Snyder

Let It Go by Idina Menzel: The inescapable song is inescapable. Let’s hope Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator can move past the memories of his 2013 defense.

Lyrics: “And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast/I’m never going back/The past is in the past/Let it go, let it go/ And I’ll rise like the break of dawn.”

Les Miles

You May Be Right by Billy Joel: Picture the oddball LSU coach belting this out — in between bites of grass.

Lyrics: “You may be right/I may be crazy/But it just may be a lunatic you’re looking for/Turn out the light/Don’t try to save me/You may be wrong for all I know/But you may be right.”

AP photo

SEC Network

Digital Witness by St. Vincent: The hyperventilating over ESPN’s shiny new toy — and which cable outlets will provide it — has bordered on ridiculous.

How can we live without something we’ve never had?!?!

Lyrics: “Digital witnesses, what’s the point of even sleeping?/ If I can’t show it, if you can’t see me/What’s the point of doing anything?”

AP photo

Bret Bielema

My Name Is Mud by Primus: At least it will be for the Arkansas coach if the Hogs have another 3-9 belly flop.

Lyrics: “My name is Mud/Not to be confused with Bill or Jack or Pete or Dennis/My name is Mud and it’s always been.”

Will Muschamp

Sour Times by Portishead: We like to envision the embattled Florida coach as a pouty torch singer. Imagine him crooning this while draped over a grand piano.

Lyrics: “Who am I, what and why?/’Cause all I have left is my memories of yesterday/Oh, these sour times/’Cause nobody loves me, it’s true.”

MyAggieNation.com | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | T h e E a g l e | SEC 2014

49

THIS IS NOT A REAL ADVERTISEMENT

!

W NE

From

GIG ‘ EM GADGETS

it u r c e r an c u o y Now e AS SEEN ON just lik

! n i l m u s n i v e k

TV

Or at least on the Internet.

No, seriously, we made a commercial at MyAggieNation.com

This supercool gadget is guaranteed to bring all the top recruits to Aggieland!

#WRTS Hashtag

That’s right, kids. We run this state! Take that, all other major college football programs in Texas. You do not run this state!

However, feel free to use the hashtag #WDNRTS! 50

Special Features

Also included: a miniature fax machine! When recruits see the Swaggcopter, they’ll want to send in their commitment right away. “Fax it!” they will scream. “Fax it like the wind!” Note: Toner not included.

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

Music Playlist!

Just press the No. 12 and hear Drake’s Started From the Bottom, Kanye West’s Power or Dolly Parton’s Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That. (Wait. What? That can’t be right.)

THIS IS ALSO NOT A REAL ADVERTISEMENT

What th ey ’re saying about

Art Briles

! r e t p o c g Swag

Kliff Kingsbury

“Is that an A&M question?” “Damn, I’m good-looking.”

Hodor

Charlie Strong

“Hodor.”

[Muffled grunts]

MyAggieNation.com | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | T h e E a g l e | SEC 2014

51

AggieSports.com 52

SEC 2014 | T h e E a g l e | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | MyAggieNation.com

Kevin Sumlin’s

Inbox

By ROB CLARK | rob.clark@theeagle.com and JOSHUA SIEGEL | josh.siegel@theeagle.com

The fine folks at Grantland created the wonderful “fauxclusive” concept — hacking a famous figure’s email. With a tip of the hat to writer Justin Halpern, we adapted the idea for a peek at Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin’s desktop.

This isn’t real, people. But if only it were …

Inbox (74) Kevin.Sum

Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, MySp

(74)

Johnny Manziel Case Keenum Joe Tiller Jake Matthews Sean Porter Usher

Bob Stoops

To clarify ... - “Toughies” is a term of endearment. I call most Big 12 coaches that, a

Tim Howard, me (2)

Re: eligibility - Sorry coach, but I’m pretty sure I can’t play safety for your team. Tha

Aug. 23

Mark Snyder

another one bites the dust - Great song. Doon-doon-doon. Doon-doon-doon-doon.

Aug. 22

Rick Perry

Three things - One, you need a stud on defense. Two, I’m a stud. And three ... um

Aug. 22

Charlie Strong, me (2)

Re: Hashtags - # goes before the word. #HeyWeAreAlsoInThisState is a good one!

Aug. 22

Kliff Kingsbury, me (2)

Re: Larry Fedora pics - Look, you’re both handsome. Why do you keep asking me a

Aug. 20

Aug. 23

Aug. 20

Facebook

Your recent activity - You RSVP’d as “probably probable” for J-Sharp’s Dance Party

Eric Hyman, me (4)

Re: recruiting - I’m not sure hovercrafts have been invented yet, but I’ll check on tha

Aug. 19

Jason Cook

Good news! - Auto-Beveler 3000 has arrived! I just beveled my forehead and it is C

Aug. 17

Nick Saban

FYI - I HATE YOU AND YOUR GIMMICK OFFENSE. But I do like your visor. Where

Aug. 17

Mike Leach

FW: Larry Fedora pics - Are you getting these Kliff questions too? from KliffManziel too?

Johnny

Aug. 30

Mark Hagen

Wheel route - I had them write it 1,000 times on the blackboard

Aug. 30

Will Muschamp LinkedIn

Kliff Kingsbury Art Briles Christine Michael DeLoss Dodds

Dave South

Robert Cessna

Evite

Sam Khan Jr.

Visor Factory, Gig ‘Em Gadgets, Oa

Robert Cessna Bruce Matthews

Larry Jackson

Case Keenum

Mark Snyder

Jackie Sherrill

Johnny: cmon coach. come Aug. 30 out with us me: I’m not in Vegas. I’m in Your connection Dino Babers has endorsed you! - Kevin you have o CS. That makes it pretty Aug. 30 impossible Tom’s Barbecue - Oh doctor, you missed out. The Aggie Special was magic.

Just mag Johnny: nuh-uh. i can Aug. 30 teleport you here with my Wowwww - Hey, Kelvin Summerlin, it’s Cease at The Eagle, how’s itmind. going? J Aug. 30 me: It’s late, I’m going to bed.

Exciting and surprising! - Good news — we’re preggers again! Johnny: I CAN’T HEAR Aug. YOU30 THERE’S TOO MUCH Event reminder Les Miles has invited you to “get weeeeird, man” MONEY ... hey look Aug. at her30 Sent at 1:53 a.m. Friday

OK, I got a dog - It’s a cute Yorkie named Snuggles. Now what?

Yessir? - Somehow just got a seventh year of eligibility! What do you think?

Aug. 30

idea for you - It involves a bull and a blade. Stay with me now.

Aug. 30

MyAggieNation.com | A g g i e S p o r t s . c o m | T h e E a g l e | SEC 2014

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