SEC 2015

SEC 2015 The Eagle • AggieSports.com • MyAggieNation.com

• THE NEW KYLE FIELD • EXPERT PREDICTIONS • SEASON PREVIEWS

JULIEN OBIOHA MYLES GARRETT ALONZO WILLIAMS

GREAT EXPECTATIONS TEXAS A&M’S DEFENSIVE LINE AIMS FOR BIGGER AND BETTER RESULTS

PHOTO FUN: Julien Obioha and Myles Garrett goofed off for the camera but will be all business on the defensive line. PAGE 8

The Eagle theeagle.com AggieSports.com MyAggieNation.com publisher Crystal Dupré editor Kelly Brown managing editor Darren Benson projects editor Rob Clark executive sports editor Robert Cessna designer Joshua Siegel contributors Aubrey Bloom Larry Bowen Richard Croome Elizabeth Kamenicky display advertising manager Linda Brinkman creative services Aaron Beagle

Sam Craft/The Eagle

INDEX A&M’s new digs: Robert Cessna explores how Experts weigh in: A&M and the renovated Kyle Field could provide SEC predictions from Tony Barnhart, Charles Davis, a boost to the A&M football program. 6 Dennis Dodd, Bruce Move on up: The Aggie defense Feldman, Scott Rabalais — led by sophomore stud Myles and Ralph Russo. 36 Garrett and new coordinator John All-SEC preseason Chavis — is expected to be a team: Myles Garrett, much-improved unit this year. 8 Speedy Noil lead the SEC team previews way for Texas A&M preAlabama 15 season honors. 37 Arkansas 17 Auburn 19 SEC All-Name Team: From Ralph LSU 21 David Abernathy IV to Shakenneth Mississippi State 22 Williams. 38 Ole Miss 23 SEC Mix Tape: Our annual playlist Texas A&M 25 for college football players, coaches and Florida 27 personalities. 40 Georgia 28 John Chavis’ Magnificent Mustache: An Kentucky 29 unnecessarily deep look into the wonders of Missouri 31 Texas A&M’s new defensive coordinator’s South Carolina 33 mustache. 44 John Chavis during his playing Tennessee 34 days in the ’70s at Tennessee.

Vanderbilt 35 Tennessee Athletics 4

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ON THE COVER

Julien Obioha, Myles Garrett and Alonzo Williams at A&M’s McFerrin Athletic Center.

Eagle photo by Sam Craft.

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HOME SWEET HOME

A&M now tops in Texas with renovation

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ggies settle for nothing but the best. That will be reflected in the new Kyle Field.

Texas A&M has a lot of things working for it: rich traditions, a strong recruiting base and devoted fans, to name a few. Many schools have similar strengths, and there’s virtually no way to prove one is better than the other. But add in what A&M has in Kyle Field — a $485 million state-of-the-art venue that seats 102,512 — and we’re talking about something special.

Oh, other stadiums are great: The Rose Bowl, LSU’s Tiger Stadium, Ohio Stadium, Michigan Stadium, Clemson’s Memorial Stadium and Florida’s “The Swamp” come to mind. As for game-day atmosphere, fans at Alabama, Nebraska and Notre Dame have a lot to boast about. And even Ole Miss has a can’t-miss tailgating venue in The Grove.

The new Kyle Field is not going to land every five-star recruit, though it could be the final piece in a pretty impressive pitch.

The previous big piece was A&M joining the Southeastern Conference. There’s only one place in the state you can play in the country’s best conference. That’s a powerful pitch.

Yet A&M isn’t even the top team in Texas at the moment. Gary Patterson at TCU and Art Briles at Baylor have led their programs

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ROBERT CESSNA to that spot, and both have impressive facilities: Baylor’s new McLane Stadium and TCU’s renovated Amon G. Carter Stadium.

Both pale in comparison to the renovated Kyle Field.

A&M had the state’s best program from 1985 to 1998, winning seven conference championships. In that time, A&M was 13040-2. The Aggies won because they had Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum, good coaches and tremendous recruiters. They helped the fan base grow, creating a huge home-field advantage where A&M seldom lost, going 76-7-1 in those 14 seasons. That included a 31-game win streak from 1990 to 1995.

But while A&M was winning, problems were developing. A&M wasn’t improving its facilities, nor paying its coaches enough.

Maybe the leadership was thinking it didn’t have to, or need to, or just kept pushing it to the back burner. Whatever the reason, it allowed other programs to catch up, and some passed the Aggies. By the time A&M realized that action was needed, Texas and Oklahoma had won national championships. The Aggies

SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

weren’t on the same level. They struggled to beat Texas Tech from 1995 to 2008.

A&M has worked hard to put itself back in position to be the state’s top program. The university poured money into facilities, so much so that some have claimed the players are too pampered: practicing indoors, having a dressing room that looks more like a nightclub, and training facilities that rival a world-class spa.

But they are the best facilities, and that matters.

Game day in Aggieland is a must-see event. Take Midnight Yell, the Spirit Walk, the yell leaders, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band and the 12th Man, and A&M has an atmosphere that should be second to none.

Yet in the past decade, the team’s record at home is 44-24.

By most accounts, the Aggies disappointed last season, slipping to 8-5, and 3-5 in league play. That includes a 3-3 record at Kyle Field, with no home conference wins.

But this is only year four in the “100-yeardecision.” A&M averaged 105,122 fans in 2014, and that is mind-boggling. Those are the kind of numbers that can produce championships.

Maybe all the Aggies need is a new and improved Kyle Field.

Robert Cessna’s email address is robert. cessna@theeagle.com.

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MOVE ON UP A&M expects bigger things from D-line

LEFT: Julien Obioha, Myles Garrett and Alonzo Williams make up the backbone of the Texas A&M defensive line.

RIGHT: Myles Garrett’s 11.5 sacks in 2014 broke Jadeveon Clowney’s SEC freshman record of eight.

Sam Craft/The Eagle

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By LARRY BOWEN yles Garrett wowed Texas A&M fans, college football analysts and just about everybody who saw the Aggie defensive end play as a freshman.

There is at least one detractor, however, someone who has no use for such adjectives as spectacular, sensational and outstanding.

That person is Myles Garrett.

Garrett broke the Southeastern Conference record for sacks by a freshman, and was a consensus freshman All-American. He is expected to be a cornerstone of what should be a much-improved line under new defensive coordinator John Chavis.

Pretty nice first season, wouldn’t you say?

“I was disappointed in myself,” Garrett replied in a recent interview. “I feel like I could have done a lot better. I want to be the best to ever play, and I want to have fun doing it. If you love playing the game and you have fun doing it, why not be the best at it?”

Garrett recorded 11.5 sacks last season to break Jadeveon Clowney’s SEC freshman record of

eight. Garrett, who was voted the Aggies’ defensive MVP, also led the team in tackles for loss (14) and quarterback hurries (nine), while ranking second among A&M defensive linemen with 53 tackles.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Garrett put up great numbers while the Aggie defense struggled. A&M gave up 450.8 yards per game, which ranked 102nd among 125 FCS schools in total defense. Against the run, A&M was a leaky 109th at 216 yards per outing.

Chavis, the defensive boss lured from LSU, is a major reason to expect better this season. Another is the defensive line, with a likely starting lineup of junior Daeshon Hall and Garrett at ends, and seniors Julien Obioha and Alonzo Williams at tackles.

I

was disappointed in myself. I feel like I could have done a lot better. I want to be the best to ever play, and I want to have fun doing it. If you love playing the game and you have fun doing it, why not be the best at it?

— Myles Garrett

Continued on Page 10 SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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Senior Julien Obioha jokes around during a photo shoot at the McFerrin Athletic Center.

(Seriously, this pose was his idea.)

Photos by Sam Craft/The Eagle

Continued from Page 9 “I think all the pieces are there,” said Obioha, who has been asked to move inside to better fit Chavis’ defense and make room for the promising Hall. “I think we have the talent to be one of the better defensive lines in the SEC, if not the country. Coach Chavis said he thinks we have the best pair of defensive ends in the country.

“We don’t go out every Saturday trying to prove people wrong. We go out trying to win games. But obviously we’re trying to be a better defense.

We don’t want to be 104 or 108 or whatever we were last year.

We want to be a lot better than that.”

The defensive linemen base their optimism primarily on two factors: experience and scheme. Garrett, Obioha and Williams all started last season.

The Aggies have another lineman with starting experience in junior tackle Hardreck Walker.

“I think we’re going to be a lot better, because everybody

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THE CHAVIS EFFECT The addition of defensive coordinator John Chavis is expected to amp up the Aggie defense. Here is how A&M compares to Chavis’ LSU teams since joining the SEC (average rank from 2012 to 2014).

CATEGORY Total defense Yards per play 3rd down % Scoring defense Takeaways

Alonzo Williams had the most tackles among A&M defensive linemen in 2014 with 57.

knows how each other plays now,” Williams said. “I can just about tell every time Myles is going to make an inside move or when he’s going to spin, so I can match that with my moves.”

Obioha likely will get playing time at end as well, but his move inside has changed more than where he lines up. He gained 20 pounds during the offseason to get to 280, and hopes to add a few more.

“This jersey is a lot tighter because he asked me to move to defensive tackle,” a smiling Obioha said.

Regardless of where they line up, the linemen expect to be turned loose more often in Chavis’ system. Last year’s defense under Mark Snyder seemed somewhat restrictive, Garrett said.

“I felt like they kind of wanted us to be hesitant and

SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

A&M 90th 81st 54th 66th 91st

LSU 11th 17th 32nd 13th 51st

stay on the line and hold them up for the linebackers to make the play,” Garrett said. “Coach Chavis came in here and said he wants us to make the play ourselves, just go get them. It fits me. It’s like I just went back to senior year of high school, and they told me just to go.”

Although he doesn’t play the glamour rushing position of end, Williams is just as ready to get started in the new scheme.

“I’ve got a great feeling about it,” Williams said. “I love the way we were attacking during the spring. I think we’re going to wreak a lot of havoc.”

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ALABAMA

HEAD COACH: NICK SABAN (177 wins, 59 losses, 1 tie; 86-17 in eight seasons at Alabama) • STADIUM: BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM, TUSCALOOSA, ALA. (101,821)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Talent is there for Tide to continue dominance

Coker, Henry, Foster take on bigger roles

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Despite splitting carries with the departed T.J. Yeldon, DERRICK HENRY rushed for 990 yards (5.8 avg.) and 11 touchdowns in 2014. This season, he will be the Crimson Tide’s feature back.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS QB Jake Coker (38-59, 4 TDs, 0 INT), RB Derrick Henry (990 yards, 5.8 avg, 11 TDs), WR Robert Foster (6 receptions, 7.3 avg), LT Cam Robinson (freshman All-American), C Ryan Kelly (honorable mention All-SEC), NT A’Shawn Robinson (49 tackles, 4 QB hurries), DE Jonathan Allen (33 tackles, 7 QB hurries), LB Reggie Ragland (95 tackles, 10.5 TFL), DB Cyrus Jones (46 tackles, 3 INTs), P JK Scott (48.0 avg).

labama coach Nick Saban has arguably the most talent in the SEC, so he should be able to replace quarterback Blake Sims, tailback T.J. Yeldon and wide receiver Amari Cooper. Sims had the best quarterback rating in the SEC last year, thanks in part to Cooper, who caught 124 passes for 1,727 yards.

That’s 47 catches for almost 600 yards more than any other SEC receiver last season.

Yeldon rushed for almost 1,000 yards, and is the easiest to replace. Derrick Henry — at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds — will get the bulk of the carries, and is getting Heisman buzz.

At quarterback, Jake Coker will likely step in. Many thought he would start last season after transferring from Florida State. Sophomore Robert Foster leads a trio of young receivers.

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Wisconsin AT&T Stadium, Arlington

9/12 vs. Middle Tennessee St. Bryant-Denny Stadium

9/19 vs. Ole Miss Bryant-Denny Stadium

9/26 vs. Louisiana-Monroe Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/3 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

10/10 vs. Arkansas Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/17 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

10/24 vs. Tennessee Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/7 vs. LSU Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/14 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

11/21 vs. Charleston Southern Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/28 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was lauded for improving the Tide’s ranking in total yardage from 33rd to 17th

in his first year. He will be hard-pressed to duplicate those numbers with only two returning starters, senior center Ryan Kelly and sophomore left tackle Cam Robinson. But Saban’s annual haul of five-star recruits should result in some new stars emerging.

The defense has slipped in each of the past two seasons, with pass defense being the main culprit. Seven starters return, including the front three and linebacker Reggie Ragland, considered by many as the best in the nation.

Alabama was up 21-6 over Ohio State in the playoff semifinal game before losing 42-35.

That made it two straight years without a national title.

A three-year stretch under Saban would be considered a drought. But first up for Bama is navigating past Wisconsin, and then the SEC West.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING e did not finish the season the way we wanted to last year in terms of the way we played. ... We turned the ball over too much at the end of the season. We gave up too many explosive plays on defense. We gave up too many points because of a combination of all those things.”

— Nick Saban, head coach

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“We’re not allowed to have a bad season, because the fans will let you know when you’re playing badly. We have to have the right mindset at all times, because the players that came before us instilled something that we have to keep finishing and keep going on.”

— Reggie Ragland, senior linebacker SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

ARKANSAS

HEAD COACH: BRET BIELEMA (78 wins, 39 losses; 10-15 in two seasons at Arkansas) • STADIUM: DONALD W. REYNOLDS STADIUM, FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. (72,000)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Ground and pound begins to pay dividends for Hogs

Razorbacks look to continue improvement

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Tight end HUNTER HENRY caught 37 passes for 513 yards and two touchdowns in Arkansas’ runheavy offense in 2014. Phil Steele named him to his 2015 preseason All-SEC team.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS QB Brandon Allen (190-339, 20 TDs, 5 INTs), RB Alex Collins (1,100 yards, 5.4 avg, 12 TDs), RB Jonathan Williams (1,190 yards, 5.6 avg, 12 TDs), TE Hunter Henry (37 receptions, 13.9 avg, 2 TDs), RT Dan Skipper (honorable mention All-SEC), LT Denver Kirkland (honorable mention All-SEC), WR Keon Hatcher (43 receptions, 13.0 avg, 6 TDs), DE JaMichael Winston (26 tackles, 2 TFL), LB Brooks Ellis (72 tackles, 5.5 TFL), CB Jared Collins (53 tackles, 13 passes defended), SS Rohan Gaines (59 tackles, 5 pass breakups).

ret Bielema has put his stamp on the Razorbacks more than any other head coach in the SEC over the past two seasons.

Bielema’s ground-and-pound offense averaged 100 yards more rushing per game in 2014 than Arkansas did in 2012, the season before he arrived.

Don’t look for much to change with the Hogs returning two 1,000-yard rushers in Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins. They will run behind an offensive line that returns four starters and averages 320 pounds, along with All-SEC tight end Hunter Henry.

Senior quarterback Brandon Allen does what he is supposed to do — manage the game. He threw only five interceptions in 339 attempts, and earned MVP honors in the Hogs’ 31-7 Texas Bowl win over Texas.

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. UTEP Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

9/12 vs. Toledo War Memorial Stadium Little Rock

9/19 vs. Texas Tech Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

9/26 vs. Texas A&M AT&T Stadium, Arlington

10/3 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

10/10 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/24 vs. Auburn Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

10/31 vs. Tennessee-Martin Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

11/7 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/14 at LSU Tiger Stadium

11/21 vs. Mississippi State Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

11/28 vs. Missouri Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

Allen’s top two targets return as well: senior receiver Keon Hatcher (43 receptions, 558 yards, six touchdowns) and

Henry (37 receptions, 513 yards, two touchdowns).

The Razorbacks ended a 17-game SEC losing streak in style, blanking LSU and then following it up with a shutout of Ole Miss.

Those wins and a dominating victory in the bowl game vaulted the Hogs into the top 10 in scoring defense, a jump of 78 places. Defensive coordinator Robb Smith worked wonders in his first season and welcomes six starters back. His main objective will be replacing defensive end Trey Flowers and leading tackler Martrell Spaight at linebacker.

The Razorbacks started last season 3-1 before finishing 7-6. It’s a must that Arkansas rolls through its nonconference games, considering it only plays three SEC home games, just one of which comes before mid-November.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING cars remind you of difficult places in your life that you’ve championed. We’ve championed those moments. We didn’t win them, but they’re not going to be a part of our history that’s lost forever. They’ll be things we carry with us forever, and I’ll remind our players how close we are.”

— Bret Bielema, head coach

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“The expectations we have gotten from the outside, they don’t compare to the expectations we put on ourselves. Inside our program, on our team, we expect to win every single game.”

— Brandon Allen, senior quarterback SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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AUBURN

HEAD COACH: GUS MALZAHN (29 wins, 10 losses; 20-7 in two seasons at Auburn) • STADIUM: JORDAN-HARE STADIUM, AUBURN, ALA. (87,451)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Tigers begin new era with Johnson, Muschamp

Ex-Gators coach expected to boost D

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Receiver DUKE WILLIAMS decided to return for his senior season despite earning first- and secondround grades from some NFL teams. In 2014, he caught 45 passes for 730 yards and five touchdowns.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS QB Jeremy Johnson (28-37, 3 TDs), RB Jovon Robinson (JC transfer), WR Duke Williams (45 receptions, 16.2 avg, 5 TDs), WR Ricardo Louis (21 receptions, 12.4 avg, 3 TDs), LT Shon Coleman, DE Carl Lawson, DT Montravius Adams (43 tackles, 3 sacks, 8 TFL), CB Jonathan Jones (36 tackles, 6 INTs), LB Cassanova McKinzy (91 tackles, 11 TFL), LB Kris Frost (87 tackles, 10 TFL).

uburn started 2014 in the Top 10, but faded down the stretch.

The Tiger defense gave up 38 points a game over its final seven outings (not counting a late-season romp over Samford). Enter Will Muschamp, who was hired to take over the defense after being fired as head coach at Florida.

“Coach Muschamp’s intense,” cornerback Jonathan Jones said at SEC Media Days. “He’s going to make sure he gets it, and that’s great.”

Muschamp inherits six returning starters, along with defensive end Carl Lawson, who was a freshman All-American, then tore his ACL before his sophomore season.

Lawson will get help up front from defensive tackle Montravius Adams, along with linebackers Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy, who is built

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Louisville Georgia Dome, Atlanta

9/12 vs. Jacksonville State Jordan-Hare Stadium

9/19 at LSU Tiger Stadium

9/26 vs. Mississippi State Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/3 vs. San Jose State Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/15 at Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium

10/24 at Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

10/31 vs. Ole Miss Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/7 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

11/14 vs. Georgia Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/21 vs. Idaho Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/28 vs. Alabama Jordan-Hare Stadium

like a nose guard.

The offense returns only three starters, and must replace its big three of quarterback

Nick Marshall, running back Cameron Artis-Payne (1,608 yards) and receiver Sammie Coates. Junior quarterback Jeremy Johnson is big and athletic and should add to the passing game, which will help receiver Duke Williams, who caught 45 passes for 730 yards.

At running back, Roc Thomas’ 43 carries leads the way. Thomas will have to compete with junior college transfer Jovon Robinson, who rushed for 2,387 yards and 34 touchdowns at Georgia Military College in 2013.

The Tigers have scored at least 35 points in 16 of its 27 games under Gus Malzahn and should keep that pace going in 2015.

Auburn is one of a handful of SEC teams that will find out immediately where it stands, opening against Louisville in Atlanta.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING e’re hoping to repeat the same performance offensively as we did in 2013.

Defensively, in the offseason we hired Will Muschamp — in my opinion, the best defensive mind in all of football, not just college football.”

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— Gus Malzahn, head coach “My time is here now and I’m blessed. I’ve been preparing for a start since I got to Auburn, so I felt like a starter, but I wasn’t playing. And now that my time is here, I can release everything that I had inside me while I was sitting out those two years.”

— Jeremy Johnson, junior quarterback SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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LOUISIANA STATE

HEAD COACH: LES MILES (131 wins, 50 losses; 103-29 in 10 seasons at LSU) • STADIUM: TIGER STADIUM, BATON ROUGE, LA. (102,321)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Fournette looks to build on promising debut Harris, Jennings fight for starting QB gig

L

After breaking 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing as a freshman, LEONARD FOURNETTE is being touted as a top Heisman Trophy candidate. The Tigers will lean heavily on the sophomore with questions surrounding LSU’s quarterback position.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS RB Leonard Fournette (1,034 yards, 5.5 avg, 10 TDs), WR Travin Dural (37 receptions, 20.5 avg, 7 TDs), WR Malachi Dupre (14 receptions, 22.7 avg, 5 TDs), OT Jerald Hawkins, OT Vadal Alexander, QB Brandon Harris (25-42, 452 yards, 6 TDs), LB Kendell Beckwith (77 tackles, 7.5 TFL), CB Tre’Davious White (33 tackles, 6 pass breakups), SS Jamal Adams (66 tackles, 5 TFL), Jalen Mills (62 tackles), CB Kevin Toliver II.

es Miles and the LSU Tigers will go as far as Anthony Jennings or Brandon Harris can throw them. Sophomore running back and Heisman hopeful Leonard Fournette is the face of the Tigers and will be the go-to guy, but he can’t do it alone in the SEC. Jennings and Harris combined to complete just 50 percent of their passes in 2014 and threw nine interceptions compared to 17 touchdowns. It all added up to the Tigers ranking 114th nationally through the air.

Neither player has taken the job by the throat, although Jennings’ arrest in late June probably gives the strongerarmed Harris the upper hand.

If neither is able to be effective, opponents will be able

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. McNeese State Tiger Stadium

9/12 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

9/19 vs. Auburn Tiger Stadium

9/26 at Syracuse Carrier Dome

10/3 vs. Eastern Michigan Tiger Stadium

10/10 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

10/17 vs. Florida Tiger Stadium

10/24 vs. Western Kentucky Tiger Stadium

11/7 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

11/14 vs. Arkansas Tiger Stadium

11/21 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/28 vs. Texas A&M Tiger Stadium

to load up in the box against Fournette, who will be relied on heavily.

“Our quarterback play will

be better, legitimately better,” Miles said at SEC Media Days.

It starts up front with tackles Jerald Hawkins and Vadal Alexander. In the Tigers’ final two games of 2014, the line allowed Fournette to gain 289 yards on just 30 carries.

LSU lost defensive coordinator John Chavis to Texas A&M. Kevin Steele, the former Baylor coach and most recently an assistant at Alabama, takes over. He’ll have linebacker Kendell Beckwith and a bevy of talented defensive backs returning to continue the Tigers’ stellar defensive numbers.

The Tigers lost a whopping five games in 2014 and have trended downward over the past three years. They will get a barometer of how good they can be early with Mississippi State and Auburn in the first three weekends.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ur team, eight wins, certainly not enough. We played some really good ball clubs in that eight-win season and played them very close. But our goal is the playoffs, our goal is the SEC championship. We’re shy of our goals, and we want more.”

O

— Les Miles, head coach “Coach Chavis was like a father figure for me. It was strange not having him there, but then with him and Coach Steele being so close, they’re just like brothers. [Steele] came in and filled that role well.”

— Kendell Beckwith, junior linebacker SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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MISSISSIPPI STATE

HEAD COACH: DAN MULLEN (46 wins, 31 losses in six seasons at Mississippi State) • STADIUM: DAVIS WADE STADIUM, STARKVILLE, MISS. (61,337)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Prescott leads offense, but line is inexperienced

Tough early slate could decide season

A

AP photo

Quarterback DAK PRESCOTT set school records in 2014 for total yards (4,435) and total touchdowns (41).

KEY PLAYERS QB Dak Prescott (244-396, 3,449 yards, 27 TDs; 986 yards rushing, 14 TDs), WR De’Runnya Wilson (47 receptions, 14.5 avg, 9 TDs), OG Justin Malone, DT Chris Jones, DE Ryan Brown (39 tackles, 3.5 sacks), LB Beniquez Brown (62 tackles, 7 TFL), LB Richie Brown (50 tackles, 3 INTs), CB Taveze Calhoun (53 tackles, 10 passes defended), CB Will Redmond (51 tackles, 3 INTs).

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ny hope of repeating the best season in Mississippi State history is squarely on the shoulders of senior quarterback Dak Prescott.

The Bulldogs reached a No. 1 ranking for the first time, won 10 games and claimed a runner-up spot in the toughest division in college football.

Prescott, who finished eighth in the Heisman voting, is one of seven returning starters from that group. Gone are the likes of 1,200-yard rusher Josh Robinson, leading tackler Benardrick McKinney and all but three of the team’s starting offensive and defensive linemen.

Help will come from the receiver spot, with De’Runnya Wilson and a deep supporting cast. The line is where the Bulldogs must fill holes. Even though all five linemen are at

SCHEDULE 9/5 at Southern Miss M.M. Roberts Stadium

9/12 vs. LSU Davis Wade Stadium

9/19 vs. Northwestern State Davis Wade Stadium

9/26 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

10/3 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

10/10 vs. Troy Davis Wade Stadium

10/17 vs. Louisiana Tech Davis Wade Stadium

10/24 vs. Kentucky Davis Wade Stadium

11/5 at Missouri Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

11/14 vs. Alabama Davis Wade Stadium

11/21 at Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

11/28 vs. Ole Miss Davis Wade Stadium

least juniors, they’re light on experience. Left tackle Rufus Warren is a former tight end, and Jamaal Clayborn lines up

at center, a position he hasn’t played in more than three years.

The Bulldogs were 114th against the pass, but 23rd in scoring defense. The ultimate bend-but-don’t-break defense returns just three starters, one at each level, with junior defensive tackle Chris Jones getting some preseason AllSEC hype. The secondary is thin, and true freshman Jamal Peters will likely start at safety.

MSU hosts LSU in the second week, then heads to Auburn two weeks later, and to Texas A&M after that. If coach Dan Mullen can’t plug the holes, the Bulldogs could have as many losses by the fifth week as they did all last season.

“Well, hopefully, we’re getting to that point now where we can compete year in and year out,” Mullen said at SEC Media Days.

“I think one of the challenges is the league itself.”

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING know a lot of people think we’re going to be a young football team. I like that people think that. … We rotate, we play a lot of guys in the course of games. Guys have experience. They’ve been on the stage. They’ve been in the moments.”

I

— Dan Mullen, head coach “I feel like we weren’t satisfied with the No. 1 ranking, because we wanted to be No. 1 at the end of the year. I think it was great for our university and our fans. It raised the standard of Mississippi State football, and we will try continuing to be one of the top teams in the nation.”

— Teveze Calhoun, senior defensive back

SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

OLE MISS

HEAD COACH: HUGH FREEZE (34 wins, 17 losses; 24-15 in three seasons at Ole Miss) • STADIUM: VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM, UNIVERSITY, MISS. (58,580)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Rebels hope offense can match D’s performance

Wallace’s replacement will have top WRs

C

Junior tight end EVAN ENGRAM earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2014, hauling in 38 catches for 662 yards and two touchdowns. In the Rebels’ regular-season finale against instate rival Mississippi State, Engram caught five passes for 176 yards.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS QB Chad Kelly (3,906 yards, 47 TDs at JC), WR Laquon Treadwell (48 receptions, 13.2 avg), WR Cody Core (41 receptions, 13.6 avg), TE Evan Engram (38 receptions, 17.4 avg), OT Laremy Tunsil (first team All-SEC), DT Robert Nkemdiche (35 tackles, 2 sacks), DE Marquis Haynes (31 tackles, 7.5 sacks), LB C.J. Johnson (38 tackles, 4 sacks), SS Mike Hilton (71 tackles, 7 pass breakups), FS Trae Elston (59 tackles).

oach Hugh Freeze and his Ole Miss Rebels were riding high, reaching No. 2 in the rankings, thanks to a tough-nosed defense. But injuries stalled any chance of the Rebels making the SEC title game, and Ole Miss finished 9-4.

Defense will again be the Rebels’ calling card this year.

The offense hopes to catch up by finding a quarterback to throw to one of the deepest receiving corps in the nation.

Bo Wallace, the three-year starter at quarterback, is gone.

Backup Ryan Buchanan is in a dogfight with junior college transfer Chad Kelly

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Tennessee Martin Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

9/12 vs. Fresno State Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

9/19 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

9/26 vs. Vanderbilt Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/3 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/10 vs. New Mexico State Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/17 at Memphis Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

10/24 vs. Texas A&M Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/31 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/7 vs. Arkansas Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/21 vs. LSU Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

11/28 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

(nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly). Kelly threw 47 touchdowns for 12-0 East Mississippi.

Receiver Laquon Treadwell returns from a horrific leg injury, suffered while trying to score a late touchdown in a loss to Auburn. The Rebels will have to lean on the passing game because the running attack has been on the decline, dropping from 49th in the nation in 2013 to 73rd in 2014.

All-SEC tackle Laremy Tunsil was arrested in June on domestic violence charges stemming from an incident with his stepfather. But charges were dropped and he is expected to start.

Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche leads a defense that held 10 opponents to 20 points or less. The Rebels have seven starters back. C.J. Johnson’s move from end to linebacker will be a key. Tee Shepard and Tony Bridges step in at cornerback.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING look at the big picture, and if in a short three years we’re playing in a ‘New Year’s Six Bowl,’ beat some of the top teams in the nation, won some nine games, that’s really for me on the right track, and that’s what I would use to focus on for me.”

I

— Hugh Freeze, head coach “We know what success tastes like, coming out 7-0, but we’re ready to take that next step and hopefully get to the SEC championship and national championship.”

— Mike Hilton, senior safety

SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

TEXAS A&M

HEAD COACH: KEVIN SUMLIN (63 wins, 28 losses; 28-11 in three seasons at A&M) • STADIUM: KYLE FIELD, COLLEGE STATION (102,512)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Aggies eager to see how Chavis improves defense

DC has young talent to turn around unit

T

QB KYLE ALLEN started the Aggies’ final five games, throwing 13 touchdowns against five interceptions in that span.

Allen threw for four scores in Texas A&M’s Liberty Bowl win over West Virginia.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS QB Kyle Allen (118-192, 1,322 yards), RB Tra Carson (581 yards, 4.7 avg), WR Josh Reynolds (52 receptions, 16.2 avg, 13 TDs), WR Speedy Noil (46 receptions, 12.7 avg, 1,418 all-purpose yards), OT Germain Ifedi, C Mike Matthews, DE Myles Garrett (11.5 sacks), DT Alonzo Williams (57 tackles, 4.5 sacks), LB Shaan Washington (64 tackles), FS Armani Watts (59 tackles, 3 INTs), P Drew Kaser (44.1 avg).

he Aggies’ season could have taken on the title of The Good, Ugly The good the Bad and the Ugly. was a five-game winning streak to start the season, and a bowl win for the fourth-consecutive year. The bad was three straight losses at home to SEC teams.

The ugly? A 59-0 thumping at Alabama.

A&M should be more consistent, if nothing else, with returning quarterback Kyle Allen and arguably the top receiving corps in the nation with returning starters Josh Reynolds, Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones. The Aggies are loaded at the skill positions, and if new line coach Dave Christensen can find the right combination up front, the team could move back into the top 10 in scoring.

Allen had his ups and downs after taking over for Kenny Hill

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Arizona State NRG Stadium, Houston

9/12 vs. Ball State Kyle Field

9/19 vs. Nevada Kyle Field

9/26 vs. Arkansas AT&T Stadium, Arlington

10/3 vs. Mississippi State Kyle Field

10/17 vs. Alabama Kyle Field

10/24 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/31 vs. South Carolina Kyle Field

11/7 vs. Auburn Kyle Field

11/14 vs. Western Carolina Kyle Field

11/21 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

11/28 at LSU Tiger Stadium

in November. He did, however, notch a win at Auburn and was the MVP of the Aggies’ Liberty Bowl win against West

Virginia.

Statistically, the Aggies improved in 2014 in every major defensive category. But it wasn’t enough, so A&M brought in LSU’s defensive guru John Chavis to build a more aggressive, attacking unit. He has some weapons, although most of the stars are young. Myles Garrett led all freshmen with 11.5 sacks.

Safety Armani Watts paced the team with three interceptions and was fifth in tackles as a freshman. Incoming freshman Daylon Mack will quickly be counted on to shore up the middle of the line.

A&M won’t have to worry about being road weary, with its first six games in the state and only three trips outside of it. The Aggies also get a bye after the fifth week. But the opener will be a test, against Arizona State in Houston.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING verybody can’t win. We won eight games, so it wasn’t a complete flop. We need to get better. I think our guys going through the season that we went through should have been able to learn from that.”

E

— Kevin Sumlin, head coach “Over the last year or so, we have improved our hands and our feet. We feel confident that we can run the ball more effectively, while also being able to pass the ball and have the great tempo that we pride ourselves on.”

— Germain Ifedi, junior tackle SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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FLORIDA

HEAD COACH: JIM McELWAIN (22 wins, 16 losses; first season at Florida) • STADIUM: BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM, GAINESVILLE, FLA. (88,548)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Gators offense reboots with new HC McElwain

Defense will be leaned upon heavily again

F

Receiver DEMARCUS ROBINSON led the Gators with 53 catches for 810 yards and seven touchdowns in 2014.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS WR Demarcus Robinson (53 receptions, 15.3 avg, 7 TDs), RB Kelvin Taylor (565 yards, 4.9 avg, 6 TDs), QB Will Grier, C Trip Thurman, TE Jake McGee (transfer from Virginia), CB Vernon Hargreaves III (All-SEC), DE Jonathan Bullard (8.5 TFL), LB Antonio Morrison (101 tackles), DB Brian Poole (4 INTs), SS Marcus Maye (62 tackles, 2 forced fumbles).

lorida brought in Jim McElwain from Colorado State to replace head coach Will Muschamp, and to ignite an anemic offense. The problem is, the Gators are still a defensive team personnel-wise.

Florida has finished in the bottom third nationally in offense for the past six years. McElwain earned an “offensive guru” reputation after winning more games last season at CSU (10) than the Rams won the three seasons combined before his arrival.

The Gators will likely open with a redshirt freshman (Will Grier) at quarterback, after previous starter Jeff Driskel

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. New Mexico State Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

9/12 vs. East Carolina Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

9/19 at Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium

9/26 vs. Tennessee Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/3 vs. Ole Miss Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/10 at Missouri Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

10/17 at LSU Tiger Stadium

10/31 vs. Georgia EverBank Field, Jacksonville

11/7 vs. Vanderbilt Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/14 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

11/21 vs. Florida Atlantic Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/28 vs. Florida State Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

transferred to Louisiana Tech.

Trip Thurman returns at center, but he will be flanked by two freshmen and two

sophomores on the offensive line. Not exactly a formula for lighting up the scoreboard.

Top receiver Demarcus Robinson, who finished fifth in the SEC with 810 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, returns. McElwain touted running back-turned-receiver Brandon Powell at SEC Media Days. He said Powell will be a playmaker in a Percy Harvintype role, lining up at multiple spots.

If the Gators are to turn it around, they will have to lean on the defense, and specifically the secondary. Four of five starters are back, including AllAmerican Vernon Hargreaves III. An oddity in the Gators’ schedule: They host East Carolina in the second week, a team they beat 28-20 in last year’s Birmingham Bowl to finish 7-5.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING think part of the experience of being in this conference is realizing it doesn’t happen just overnight. It’s something that we know. And yet, every time we go to work every day, every time we wake up, our responsibility is to try to go out there and win.”

I

— Jim McElwain, head coach “Right now we are focused on the little things, like getting guys on time to meetings and workouts, and staying out of trouble. It’s the little things that lead to the big picture.

The main message Coach McElwain has emphasized so far is to do what is right.”

— Vernon Hargreaves III, junior defensive back SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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GEORGIA

HEAD COACH: MARK RICHT (136 wins, 48 losses in 14 seasons at Georgia) • STADIUM: SANFORD STADIUM, ATHENS, GA. (92,746)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Chubb will carry load for Bulldogs offense

Veteran linebackers lead young defense

M

After taking over the lead back role for the final eight games last season, NICK CHUBB rumbled for 1,328 yards (166 per game) and 12 touchdowns.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS RB Nick Chubb (1,547 yards, 7.1 avg, 14 TDs), OG Greg Pyke (second team All-SEC), OT John Theus (honorable mention All-SEC), PK Marshall Morgan, WR Malcolm Mitchell (31 receptions, 8.0 avg, 3 TDs), LB Leonard Floyd (55 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 6 sacks), Jordan Jenkins (70 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks), LB Lorenzo Carter (41 tackles, 7 TFL, 4.5 sacks), FS Dominick Sanders (34 tackles, 3 INTs, 1 fumble recovery for TD), DT Trent Thompson (2015 No. 1 recruit nationally).

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ark Richt is the longest-tenured coach in the SEC, starting his 15th season with the Bulldogs. He has 136 wins, yet Georgia’s last SEC title was in 2005. The Bulldogs have the talent to end that string, but must get production out of an inexperienced quarterback — sophomore Brice Ramsey, junior Faton Bauta or Virginia graduate transfer Greyson Lambert.

Brian Schottenheimer takes over the offense for Mike Bobo, who is now the head coach at Colorado State. The Georgia running game could be the best in the nation with Nick Chubb and a veteran offensive line led by tackle John Theus and guard Greg Pyke.

After replacing Todd Gurley as the lead back for the Bulldogs’ final eight games, Chubb churned up 1,328 yards and 12

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Louisiana-Monroe Sanford Stadium

9/12 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

9/19 vs. South Carolina Sanford Stadium

9/26 vs. Southern University Sanford Stadium

10/3 vs. Alabama Sanford Stadium

10/10 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

10/17 vs. Missouri Sanford Stadium

10/31 vs. Florida EverBank Field, Jacksonville

11/7 vs. Kentucky Sanford Stadium

11/14 at Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium

11/21 vs. Georgia Southern Sanford Stadium

11/28 at Georgia Tech Bobby Dodd Stadium

touchdowns, never finishing with less than 113 yards rushing in any of those games.

The defense has had dif-

ficulty stopping the run over the past three seasons and will have to rely on a young front seven, with only two returning starters. The good news is both of those veterans are among the SEC’s best in linebackers Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins. Floyd played through a shoulder injury last season that required surgery in the offseason. Sophomore Lorenzo Carter figures to break out this year as well after starting five games in 2014 and recording seven tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks.

The secondary, led by cornerback Aaron Davis and safety Dominick Sanders, is young but tested.

The schedule will allow the quarterback some time to adjust. September is the easiest month of the schedule, with South Carolina at home being the biggest test.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING know that these guys have been paying the price for the ability to compete in the best league in America. Going into my 15th season here in Georgia, I know that this league is jam-packed full of great coaches and great players and great venues.”

I

— Mark Richt, head coach “Your senior year, I feel like you play differently. You’re a lot hungrier and you’re a lot more tenacious. I see myself as a leader because, one, I lead by example. Two, I try to make every guy get to a higher level of playing than they are used to.”

— Jordan Jenkins, senior linebacker

SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

KENTUCKY

HEAD COACH: MARK STOOPS (7 wins, 17 losses in two seasons at Kentucky) • STADIUM: COMMONWEALTH STADIUM, LEXINGTON, KY. (61,000)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Wildcats set sights on first bowl since '10

Continued improvement depends on D

K

In the three games running back BOOM WILLIAMS carried the ball at least 10 times, he totaled 265 yards and averaged 6.6 yards per carry.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS QB Patrick Towles (225-393, 14 TDs, 9 INTs), PK Austin MacGinnis (21-27 FGs), RB Boom Williams (486 yards, 6.6 avg, 5 TDs), OT Jordan Swindle, WR Ryan Timmons (45 receptions, 11.9 avg), LB Josh Forrest (110 tackles, 8 TFL), DT Melvin Lewis (37 tackles), CB Fred Tiller (46 tackles, 11 passes defended), FS A.J. Stamps (56 tackles, 4 INTs), LB Ryan Flannigan (57 tackles).

entucky spent the second half of the 2014 season trying to become bowl eligible. It never happened. The Wildcats lost their final six games, primarily because of a defense that gave up an average of 44 points during that span (including 63 to Georgia and 50 to Tennessee).

The good news is Kentucky returns six defensive starters. The bad news is All-SEC defensive end Bud Dupree and defensive end Za’Darius Smith have moved on. Kentucky’s best finish in scoring defense over the past three seasons has been 85th. The defense is switching to a 3-4, and has eight seniors and two juniors starting, so that should improve.

“We have a long way to go to build the program to where we want to be,” coach Mark Stoops said at SEC Media Days. “I do feel good about the work we’ve

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Commonwealth Stadium

9/12 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

9/19 vs. Florida Commonwealth Stadium

9/26 vs. Missouri Commonwealth Stadium

10/3 vs. Eastern Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium

10/15 vs. Auburn Commonwealth Stadium

10/24 at Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium

10/31 vs. Tennessee Commonwealth Stadium

11/7 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

11/14 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

11/21 vs. Charlotte Commonwealth Stadium

11/28 vs. Louisville Commonwealth Stadium

put in.”

UK returns the bulk of its playmakers, including quarterback Patrick Towles, leading

rusher Boom Williams and receiver Ryan Timmons. Four starting linemen are back, so first-year offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has some pieces in place.

Williams, whose first name is Stanley, earned his nickname “Boom” as a freshman for his playmaking abilities. He and Georgia’s Nick Chubb were the only SEC players that had three runs of 50 yards or more, and had 10 plays of 30 or more yards. In Kentucky’s season finale against Louisville, Williams gained 126 yards on 18 carries with two scores.

The Wildcats will play in the renovated Commonwealth Stadium, and hope to earn their first bowl appearance since 2010. It won’t be easy for thirdyear coach Mark Stoops, as the Wildcats’ first nine games are against teams that made it to the postseason in 2014.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ear three, we should be better. We are better. I think one of the big things that stands out to me is just the unity of our football team. They’re all in together.”

Y

— Mark Stoops, head coach

“… Our team is super-explosive right now. Two years ago, we had five people run 19 miles per hour. We test that with GPS on our backs, and just last week we had 33 people run 19 miles per hour. So that’s a huge improvement for our team.”

— Jordan Swindle, senior offensive tackle SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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MISSOURI

HEAD COACH: GARY PINKEL (186 wins, 103 losses, 3 ties; 113-66 in 14 seasons at Missouri) • STADIUM: MEMORIAL STADIUM/FAUROT FIELD, COLUMBIA, MO. (71,168)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Tigers counting on Mauk to keep SEC streak going

Defensive line remains biggest question

Q

After going 3-1 as a starter in 2013, MATY MAUK led the Tigers to an 11-3 record last year. While his quarterback rating dipped from 143.1 to 120.8, Mauk managed to pass for 2,648 yards and 25 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS QB Maty Mauk (221-414, 2,648 yards, 25 TDs, 13 INTs), RB Russell Hansbrough (1,084 yards, 5.3 avg, 10 TDs), C Evan Boehm, LT Connor McGovern (28 starts), PK Andrew Baggett, LB Kentrell Brothers (122 tackles), LB Michael Scherer (114 tackles), FS Ian Simon (54 tackles, 4 passes defended), CB Aarion Penton (3 INTs, 13 passes defended).

uick, name the SEC East team with the most wins over the last two seasons. Bzzzzz.

Wrong. Despite all the usual preseason hype over Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, the answer is Missouri. The Tigers have 23 wins, fifthmost in the nation, and two SEC East titles.

It’s just year four for Missouri in the conference, and the Tigers have accomplished all this in typical SEC fashion — with defense and a running game. The Tigers hope to take the next step by adding a passing game to their bag of tricks, though they lost all three starting receivers. So, Maty Mauk, a junior quarterback with 18 starts, must pick up his game. Despite Mauk’s 14-4 record as a starter, the Tigers ranked 11th

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Southeast Missouri Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

9/12 at Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium

9/19 vs. Connecticut Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

9/26 at Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium

10/3 vs. South Carolina Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

10/10 vs. Florida Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

10/17 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

10/24 at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium

11/5 vs. Mississippi State Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

11/14 vs. BYU Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, Mo.

11/21 vs. Tennessee Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

11/28 at Arkansas Donald W. Reynolds Stadium

in SEC passing efficiency and 13th in total offense. Tailback Russell Hansbrough and a veteran line should have

more success on the ground.

Defensively, the Tigers have lost starting defensive ends to the NFL two straight seasons.

Harold Brantley was supposed to help soften the blow, but he was seriously injured in a car accident in June and will miss the 2015 season.

That puts more pressure on second team All-SEC linebacker Kentrell Brothers and a veteran secondary. It also opens the door for defensive lineman Terry Beckner Jr., Missouri’s highest-ranked recruit in five years.

The Tigers’ secondary, especially cornerbacks Aarion Penton and Kenya Dennis, will be counted on to make up for the missing pass rushers.

Missouri only has six home games, but doesn’t play a top25-caliber team until Georgia on Oct. 17.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING e’re not going to change a lot of things, because what we do works. But we always try to stay on the cutting edge to improve as a football program, and that’s no different than now. So we focus on what we call ‘Mizzou Made.’”

W

— Gary Pinkel, head coach “Last year, I had my ups and downs. We won, but sometimes it was sloppy, and I don’t want it to be sloppy. The main thing is that I don’t want to just talk about it; I want to go out there and do it.”

— Maty Mauk, junior quarterback SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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SOUTH CAROLINA

HEAD COACH: STEVE SPURRIER (226 wins, 85 losses, 2 ties; 84-45 in 10 seasons at South Carolina) • STADIUM: WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM, COLUMBIA, S.C. (80,250)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Gamecocks look to prove last season was outlier

Lack of QB experience could be problem

I

Receiver PHAROH COOPER led the Gamecocks with 69 receptions, 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns. In South Carolina’s 24-21 bowl win over Miami, Cooper had nine catches for 170 yards and a score.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS WR Pharoh Cooper (69 receptions, 16.5 avg, 11 total TDs), QB Connor Mitch, RB David Williams (256 yards, 5.7 avg), OT Brandon Shell, PK Elliott Fry (18 of 22 inside 50 yards), DE Marquavius Lewis (JC transfer that had 11 sacks), LB Skai Moore (93 tackles, 3 INTs), LB Jonathan Walton (61 tackles), CB Chris Lammons (21 tackles), CB Rico McWilliams (33 tackles, 5 passes defended).

t didn’t take long last year to see that the Gamecocks’ streak of three straight seasons of double-digit wins was in jeopardy. Texas A&M’s 52-28 opening victory at Williams-Brice Stadium was a sign of things to come for Steve Spurrier’s team, which ended the year 7-6 and only earned one impressive win (against Georgia).

The defense got much of the blame, ranking 89th overall in scoring and 105th against the rush. Jon Hoke, a 13-year NFL vet, has been brought in to turn things around on that side of the ball. He’ll have six returning starters including linebacker Skai Moore, the team’s leading tackler.

Only two starters are seniors, both on the defensive line, which was a unit that couldn’t stop the run and only had 14 sacks.

SCHEDULE 9/3 vs. North Carolina Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, NC

9/12 vs. Kentucky Williams-Brice Stadium

9/19 at Georgia Sanford Stadium

9/26 vs. Central Florida Williams-Brice Stadium

10/3 at Missouri Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

10/10 vs. LSU Williams-Brice Stadium

10/17 vs. Vanderbilt Williams-Brice Stadium

10/31 at Texas A&M Kyle Field

11/7 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

11/14 vs. Florida Williams-Brice Stadium

11/21 vs. The Citadel Williams-Brice Stadium

11/28 vs. Clemson Williams-Brice Stadium

Offense could be the pressing problem in 2015. Quarterback Conner Mitch has thrown six college passes, and he joins six

other first-time starters. AllSEC receiver Pharoh Cooper, who threw more passes (eight) than Mitch last season, is the only returnee with doubledigit receptions.

“We’re going to do a whole lot better than people think we’re going to do,” Cooper said at SEC Media Days.

The line also is a question mark. Brandon Shell (6-7, 327 pounds) returns at right tackle, but had offseason shoulder surgery. The Gamecocks had six healthy linemen in spring drills.

The Gamecocks have arguably the toughest nonconference schedule in the East, with North Carolina and Clemson at either end of the slate. That could contribute to a rough season. Then again, no one thought the Gamecocks would only win six regular season games last year. So surprises are possible in the SEC.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING obody gives us a chance this year, which is good. Stranger things have happened. We still have lofty goals, but we need to return to being a Top 10 team. I don’t think we’re too far away from returning to that.”

N

— Steve Spurrier, head coach “We have kind of forgotten about last year. We’re focused on this year. We are a whole different team. We’ve got some new guys on offense and defense. We are kind of young, but last year is over with, and we’re going to turn it around this year.”

— Pharoh Cooper, junior receiver SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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TENNESSEE

HEAD COACH: BUTCH JONES (62 wins, 40 losses; 12-13 in two seasons at Tennessee) • STADIUM: NEYLAND STADIUM, KNOXVILLE, TENN. (102,455)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Volunteers expected to push for division title

QB Dobbs looks to build on strong finish

T

AP photo

Quarterback JOSH DOBBS helped the Vols win four of their final five games. During that span, he averaged 203 yards passing and 79 rushing. He also threw seven scores and ran for eight more.

KEY PLAYERS QB Josh Dobbs (112-177, 1,206 yards), RB Jalen Hurd (899 yards, 4.7 avg, 35 receptions), WR Marquez North (30 receptions, 10.7 avg), WR Pig Howard (54 receptions, 11.4 avg), PK Aaron Medley (19 of 20 FGs inside 50 yards), DE Derek Barnett (10 sacks, 20.5 TFL), LB/DE Curt Maggitt (48 tackles, 11 sacks), LB Jalen ReevesMaybin (101 tackles), CB Cameron Sutton (37 tackles, 3 INTs, 13 pass breakups), FS LaDarrell McNeil (31 starts, 76 tackles).

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he Vols are a big reason the SEC East hasn’t had as much hype as the West in recent years. Tennessee, a perennial power under Phillip Fulmer, hasn’t won eight games since 2007. Quarterback Josh Dobbs won half that in his five starts last season. Along with 16 other returning starters, he is a big reason the Vols are picked to push Georgia for the SEC East title.

The Vols averaged 127 more yards a game when Dobbs was at QB. He led the Vols to a 4-2 record down the stretch, with Tennessee’s two losses coming to SEC division winners Alabama and Missouri. In that span, Dobbs threw for 1,206 yards and nine touchdowns.

Dobbs also has all three wideouts back, and tight end Ethan Wolf, who had 23 catches as a freshman. The line

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Bowling Green LP Field, Nashville

9/12 vs. Oklahoma Neyland Stadium

9/19 vs. Western Carolina Neyland Stadium

9/26 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

10/3 vs. Arkansas Neyland Stadium

10/10 vs. Georgia Neyland Stadium

10/24 at Alabama Bryant-Denny Stadium

10/31 at Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium

11/7 vs. South Carolina Neyland Stadium

11/14 vs. North Texas Neyland Stadium

11/21 at Missouri Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field

11/28 vs. Vanderbilt Neyland Stadium

returns intact, though it must improve on its pass protection after allowing 43 sacks. Guard Jashon Robertson, an All-SEC

freshman team selection, leads the way.

The running game boasts freshman All-American Jalen Hurd and junior college transfer Alvin Kamara, a former Alabama recruit and Lindy’s SEC preseason newcomer of the year. Hurd finished with 899 yards and five touchdowns on 190 carries, but also proved himself valuable in the passing game with 35 receptions.

The Vols improved from 78th to 35th in scoring defense, and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (101 tackles) returns. Up front, Curt Maggitt and Derek Barnett combined for 21 sacks and 35 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. The Vols will add depth with its recruiting class (ranked fifth by rivals. com), which included DTs Kahlil McKenzie (6-3, 327) and Shy Tuttle (6-3, 315).

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING really think our players really learned how to win last year. They learned how to prepare. They learned how to take care of their bodies. They learned excellence in the classroom. They learned everything that it takes to prepare for [an] opponent, week in and week out.”

— Butch Jones, head coach

I

“My goal is to be the best motivator I can be for this team. … I push the players and hold them accountable and hold them to a high standard, then I’ll get the most out of them.”

— Josh Dobbs, junior quarterback

SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

VANDERBILT

HEAD COACH: DEREK MASON (3 wins, 9 losses in one season at Vanderbilt) • STADIUM: VANDERBILT STADIUM, NASHVILLE, TENN. (40,550)

SEASON OUTLOOK

Commodores have work cut out for them in East

Mason adds DC duties to responsibilities

D

As a freshman, linebacker NIGEL BOWDEN led Vanderbilt with 78 tackles.

AP photo

KEY PLAYERS RB Ralph Webb (907 yards, 4.3 avg), TE Steven Scheu (39 receptions, 13.5 avg), WR Latevius Rayford (36 receptions, 9.7 avg), OT Andrew Jelks (6-6, 307), KR Darrius Sims (24.5 avg, 2 TDs), DE Caleb Azubike (39 tackles, 4 sacks), DE Adam Butler (35 tackles, 2.5 sacks), LB Nigel Bowden (78 tackles), LB Stephen Weatherly (55 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks), CB Torren McGaster (66 tackles, 2 INTs, 5 passes defended).

erek Mason’s first season as head coach at Vanderbilt was an eye-opening experience.

The Commodores went from two straight seasons with nine wins to just three victories in 2014. When it was over, Mason fired both coordinators, neither of whom could keep their units in the top 100 in scoring. Mason brought in Andy Ludwig from Wisconsin to direct the offense, and appointed himself as defensive coordinator. So he will have nowhere else to look if the defense fails.

Vandy’s roster was young, and so Mason should benefit from having 17 returning starters. Unfortunately for the Commodores, quarterback is not one of those returnees, and only five are seniors.

Ludwig had Heisman runner-up Melvin Gordon at

SCHEDULE 9/5 vs. Western Kentucky Vanderbilt Stadium

9/12 vs. Georgia Vanderbilt Stadium

9/19 vs. Austin Peay Vanderbilt Stadium

9/26 at Ole Miss Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

10/3 at Middle Tennessee St. Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium

10/17 at South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium

10/24 vs. Missouri Vanderbilt Stadium

10/31 at Houston TDECU Stadium

11/7 at Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

11/14 vs. Kentucky Vanderbilt Stadium

11/21 vs. Texas A&M Vanderbilt Stadium

11/28 at Tennessee Neyland Stadium

Wisconsin. He will start with sophomore Ralph Webb (4.3 yards per carry), four returning linemen and a rare com-

modity in college football — a fullback, in former defensive tackle Ladarius Banks. Steven Scheu led all SEC tight ends with 39 receptions.

Mason’s 3-4 defense will rely heavily on its linebacker corps.

Leading tackler Nigel Bowden is just a sophomore, and Zach Cunningham was second in tackles. Playmakers are in demand with the Commodores only forcing 13 turnovers (six interceptions, seven fumble recoveries) and just 20 sacks.

The Commodores’ youth showed last season. After averaging 344.3 yards allowed per game in 2012-13, Vanderbilt fell to 10th in the SEC in that category, allowing 402.1 yards per game.

Vanderbilt brings in the 46th-ranked recruiting class nationally, according to 247Sports. But that still ranks last in the SEC.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING believe one year doesn’t make a football team. What you do is, you realize who you are, and you retool yourself, and you get yourself ready to go play. We were a young football team a year ago.”

I

— Derek Mason, head coach “I use last season as things I could build off of. What were my weaknesses? What were my strong points? I want to build off of the things I do pretty well to be great. That is what we are doing with the program this year.”

— Ralph Webb, sophomore running back SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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EXPERT PREDICTIONS

We asked college football writers about this year’s season for Texas A&M and the SEC. Here’s what they had to say.

Bruce Feldman

Tony Barnhart

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Auburn; 3. Texas A&M; 4. LSU; 5. Arkansas; 6. Ole Miss; 7. Mississippi State.

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

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 9-3 Summarizing A&M’s season: I think they’re one year away of competing for a national title. I expect them to be better on both sides of the ball, but I still think they will be a bit young at too many key spots to consistently make a run this year.

How will the defense improve under John Chavis? Much improved, but I think they would’ve been no matter who the DC was because the talent level has matured and been upgraded in so many places.

But Chavis simplifying things and his experience in the league will help a lot.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback for its bowl game? Kyle Allen How many yards will A&M allow to LSU? It’s a road game and Fournette is terrific and they have speed at WR. I’ll say 375.

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

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

Vanderbilt.

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarizing A&M’s season: Two things must happen for the Aggies to beat this prediction. If Dave Christensen is successful in bringing more toughness and production in the running game, and if John Chavis has a significant impact on the defense, Texas A&M could be better than 8-4.

How will the defense improve under John Chavis? John Chavis will increase the pressure on the quarterback and will increase the number of forced turnovers. Aggies only forced 13 turnovers and were minus-seven on turnover margin. Can’t win like that.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback for its bowl game? Kyle Allen How many yards will A&M allow to LSU? LSU gains 325 yards against Texas A&M.

Fox Sports

Ralph Russo

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

Picking the SEC East: 1. Georgia; 2.

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

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarizing A&M’s season: For all the attention being given to Texas A&M’s defense, I’m more curious about the offense. The Aggies will always field a formidable offense, but by Kevin Sumlin’s standards, last year’s was just OK. The addition of John Chavis and some underclassmen growing up will inevitably improve the defense. A&M has the material to have an elite offense (7 yards per play, 550 yards per game), with a defense that makes enough big plays. If that happens, the Aggies are a double-digit win team with playoff possibilities.

How will the defense improve under John Chavis? At the very least, Chavis will clean up the defense. Fewer missed tackles, bad angles and blown assignments.

Still, lots of sophomores being relied upon in the back seven. My guess is the defense goes from bad to so-so, which would still be a big improvement.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback for its bowl game? Kyler Murray, and while that might be good news for the long term, it’s probably not for this season.

How many yards will A&M allow to LSU? 460, 235 of them rushing.

36

SEC Network

Sam Craft/The Eagle Myles Garrett will lead an Aggie defense that is expected to improve in 2015.

Dennis Dodd CBS Sports

Picking the SEC West: 1. Alabama; 2.

Auburn; 3. LSU; 4. Ole Miss; 5. Arkansas; 6. Texas A&M; 7. Mississippi State.

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

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: Can I fudge and say either 7-5 or 8-4?

Kind of depends on Arkansas’ game, which I see the Hogs winning right now.

Summarizing A&M’s season: Really, there’s no excuse. TAMU’s toughest games are arguably at home. Alabama AND Auburn come to Kyle Field. Arkansas is on a neutral field. The (state of) Mississippi phenomenon looks like a one-hit wonder. Why am I skeptical? The Aggies will score, but until they actually start playing SEC-worthy defense, they won’t win a division. That’s why John Chavis was brought in. As much as I admire “The Chief,” he can’t play defensive tackle.

His worth will be felt more in Year 2 and beyond, when he’s able to recruit and mold the defense. There’s a test right out of the blocks in Arizona State. That could go either way. Arkansas, too. That’s before the meat of the schedule. To make anything out of this

season, the Ags are going to have to beat either Auburn or Alabama or both. Until that happens, I see them as a fifth- or sixth-place team in the West.

How will the defense improve under John Chavis? Chavis is a master tactician. His LSU defenses could have held up some years in the NFL. But until he gets talent across the board, there’s going to be somewhat of a struggle. This defense doesn’t become good overnight. Linebacker has to be upgraded. So does pass defense overall.

The thinking is that if TAMU’s D is just average, great things will happen. TAMU has a long way to go to become average. It was 102nd in total defense last season.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback for its bowl game? Kyle Allen will be given every opportunity to succeed. Kevin Sumlin can’t afford to keep changing up. That sends a bad message in recruiting. Look, I understand Kenny Hill did himself in. Kyler Murray will be impatient with baseball looming in the background. But this is about the best guy under center.

How many yards will A&M allow to LSU? 401

Scott Rabalais

Baton Rouge Advocate Picking the SEC West: 1. Auburn; 2. Alabama; 3. Ole Miss; 4. LSU; 5. Arkansas; 6.

Texas A&M; 7. Mississippi State.

Picking the SEC East: 1. Missouri; 2.

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

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 7-5 Summarizing A&M’s season: You would expect the Aggies to score points and to be improved on defense, but the SEC West is brutal, and any improvement in the record will be incremental at best. The game Sept. 26 against Arkansas will be huge. If the Aggies can win that one, I expect they will be 5-0 going into the Alabama game.

How will the defense improve under

John Chavis? Chavis will bring a discipline to play assignments properly, using speed to match spread offenses. His players should be prepared to deal with the no huddle, so as long as they are well conditioned, there shouldn’t be an issue there.

Overnight miracles should not be expected, and even though LSU led the SEC in defense last season, the Tigers were still victimized by the late last drive. They had to have turnovers against Ole Miss and A&M to stop the threat in those games.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback for its bowl game? Kyle Allen How many yards will A&M allow to LSU? Boy, good question. I’ll say 415.

SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

Charles Davis Fox Sports

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

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

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

Vanderbilt.

Texas A&M’s regular-season record: 8-4 Summarizing A&M’s season: In baseball terms, continued good hitting, improved fielding. Defense will show sparks under new DC John Chavis, offense will continue to roll under HC Kevin Sumlin and OC Jake Spavital. Likely will continue to be in some shoot-out games.

How will the defense improve under John Chavis? Less thinking, more flow. If they run to the ball with abandon, they will make more plays. Coach Chavis will put them in positions to do so, and he will continue to improve their psyche. By season’s end, I expect the transformation to be noticeable.

Who will be A&M’s starting quarterback for its bowl game? Kyle Allen (barring injury). I know that Kyler Murray is lurking. If A&M’s record tanks? Then expect Murray.

How many yards will A&M allow to LSU? 341

Preseason Media Days

2015 ALL-SEC

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

SPECIAL TEAMS

QB

DL

P

RB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL C

Dak Prescott Mississippi State Nick Chubb Georgia Leonard Fournette LSU Laquon Treadwell Ole Miss Duke Williams Auburn Evan Engram Ole Miss Cam Robinson Alabama Laremy Tunsil Ole Miss Vadal Alexander LSU John Theus Georgia Ryan Kelly Alabama

DL DL DL LB LB LB DB DB DB DB

Robert Nkemdiche Ole Miss A’Shawn Robinson Alabama Myles Garrett Texas A&M Carl Lawson Auburn Reggie Ragland Alabama Jordan Jenkins Georgia Curt Maggitt Tennessee Vernon Hargreaves III Florida Cyrus Jones Alabama Jonathan Jones Auburn Jalen Mills LSU

PK RS AP

JK Scott Alabama Marshall Morgan Georgia Speedy Noil Texas A&M Pharoh Cooper South Carolina

Texas A&M receiver Speedy Noil was selected by the media as the preseason All-SEC firstteam return specialist. As a freshman, Noil averaged 23.9 yards on his 27 kick returns.

Noil also caught 46 passes for 583 yards and five touchdowns last season.

AP photo

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

DEFENSE

SPECIAL TEAMS

QB RB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL C

DL DL DL DL LB LB LB DB DB DB DB

P PK RS AP

Jeremy Johnson, Auburn Derrick Henry, Alabama Jonathan Williams, Arkansas Pharoh Cooper, S. Carolina De’Runnya Wilson, Miss. St. Hunter Henry, Arkansas Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M Dan Skipper, Arkansas Denver Kirkland, Arkansas Greg Pyke, Georgia Mike Matthews, Texas A&M

Jonathan Bullard, Florida Derek Barnett, Tennessee Jonathan Allen, Alabama Chris Jones, Mississippi State Kendell Beckwith, LSU Leonard Floyd, Georgia Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn Tony Conner, Ole Miss Cameron Sutton, Tennessee Will Redmond, Mississippi St. Tre’Davious White, LSU

Drew Kaser, Texas A&M Elliott Fry, South Carolina Pharoh Cooper, S. Carolina Leonard Fournette, LSU

THIRD TEAM Arkansas running back Alex Collins rushed for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014.

AP photo

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

SPECIAL TEAMS

QB RB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL C

DL DL DL DL LB LB LB DB DB DB DB

P PK RS AP

Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee Alex Collins, Arkansas Kenyan Drake, Alabama Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M O.J. Howard, Alabama Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas Alex Kozan, Auburn Avery Young, Auburn Brandon Shell, S. Carolina Evan Boehm, Missouri

Montravius Adams, Auburn Jarran Reed, Alabama Davon Godchaux, LSU Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss Kris Frost, Auburn Antonio Morrison, Florida Kentrell Brothers, Missouri A.J. Stamps, Kentucky Eddie Jackson, Alabama Jamal Adams, LSU Johnathan Ford, Auburn

Jamie Keehn, LSU Austin MacGinnis, Kentucky Leonard Fournette, LSU Speedy Noil, Texas A&M

SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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NAME GAME SEC rosters are loaded with interesting monikers

By ROB CLARK | rob.clark@theeagle.com

Opposing teams must quiver with fear when taking on Kentucky. The Wildcats, after all, feature linebacker Courtney Love.

The train-wreck rock star isn’t the only famous name on SEC rosters. The influence of acting great Denzel Washington appears to be in play, with Denzel Nkemdiche (Ole Miss), Denzell Evans (Arkansas), Denzil Ware (Kentucky), Denzel Devall (Alabama) and Venzell Boulware (Tennessee).

Longtime Houston news watchers may wonder if Missouri’s Marvin Zanders ever found “sliiiiiime in the ice machine.”

And just picture South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel, chasing after Missouri assistant coach Craig Kuligowski and Tennessee’s mascot Smokey. (That one’s for you, Friday fans.)

Some names are fun to ponder in the context of a game, like Vanderbilt’s offensive lineman Will Holden, who surely never commits the penalty that his name suggests. A television commentator will likely have fun with Mississippi

State’s offensive lineman Justin Senior, who is a junior. And let’s all be careful out there with Florida offensive lineman Matthew Fuchs.

In honor of former LSU great Barkevious Mingo, we recognize the awesomely named Montravius Adams (Auburn), Montavious Atkinson (Auburn), Jaunta’vius Johnson (Auburn), Dontavius Blair (Tennessee), Jervontius Stallings (Kentucky), Dontavian Lee (Mississippi State), Quintavius Burdette (Ole Miss), Marquavius Lewis (South Carolina), Latevius Rayford (Vanderbilt) and Tre’Davious White (LSU).

As the All-Name Team rules dictate, players only get to enjoy the honor for a year. So we bid a fond farewell to returning players that made the 2014 list: Thaddeus Snodgrass (Kentucky), Joey Ivie IV (Florida), Ish Witter (Missouri), Speedy Noil (Texas A&M), Ty Quick (Ole Miss), Nick Chubb (Georgia), Bruno Reagan (Vanderbilt), Finis Stribling IV (Missouri), Trevarris Saulsberry (Tennessee), Jeremy Sprinkle (Arkansas), Shawn Stankavage (Vanderbilt), Detric Denzel, meet Bing-Dukes (Georgia), Jasper Sasser (South Denzell, Denzil Carolina), Tolando Cleveland (Mississippi and Venzell.

State) and Gussie Busch (Alabama). Check out this year’s top 20 names on Page 39.

AP photo

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SEC ALL-NAME TEAM

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

1. Adonis Thomas (Alabama) 2. Prince Tega Wanogho (Auburn) 3. Farrington Huguenin (Kentucky) 4. Hootie Jones (Alabama) 5. Boone Niederhofer (Texas A&M) 6. Damore’ea Stringfellow (Ole Miss) 7. Shy Tuttle (Tennessee) 8. Gage Pucci (South Carolina) 9. Jazz Ferguson (LSU) 10. T.V. Williams (Kentucky)

LET

11. Riley Lovingood (Tennessee) 12. Rivers Bedenbaugh (South Carolina) 13. Taiwan Johnson (Arkansas) 14. Ralph David Abernathy IV (Tennessee) 15. Shattle Fenteng (Georgia) 16. Kivon Coman (Mississippi State) 17. Shakenneth Williams (Georgia) 18. Laszlo Toser (Tennessee) 19. Xavier Dampeer (Auburn) 20. Egidio DellaRipa (Vanderbilt)

TRAIN YOUR TEAM

TEEX.ORG LAW ENFORCEMENT • FIRE & RESCUE • INFRASTRUCTURE & SAFETY • ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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SEC MIX TAPE A pop playlist for players, coaches and personalities

By ROB CLARK | rob.clark@theeagle.com There’s a song for every occasion, and that’s true for Aggie football as well. Here’s a little mix for this year’s team, along with other SEC teams and some old Aggie opponents.

Myles Garrett The Boss by James Brown (1973): This classic, with its wicked horn blasts, ought to blare from the Kyle Field speakers every time Garrett whips past a lineman and sacks the quarterback.

Lyrics: “I paid the cost to be the boss/Look at me, you know what you see?/You see a bad mother …”

Kyle Field Man, It’s So Loud in Here by They Might Be Giants (2001): The eccentric duo’s song is about a store-turnednightclub, but it also fits for newcomers to Kyle Field.

Opposing fans may not know what is going on when the yelling, arm motions and swaying starts: “They’re all shouting something at us/Waving and pointing.”

Lyrics: “Everyone is dressed so oddly/I can’t recognize them/I can’t tell the staff from the customers/ Baby, check this out, I’ve got something to say/Man, it’s so loud in here.”

John Chavis Fix You by Coldplay (2005): The bombastic ballad may be a little too on-thenose for A&M’s new defensive coordinator. Chavis is tasked with bringing the Aggie defense back from the conference basement, and perhaps even to its Wrecking Crew glory days.

Lyrics: “And the tears come streaming down your face/When you lose something you can’t replace/When you love someone, but it goes to waste/ Could it be worse?/Lights will guide you home/And ignite your bones/And I will try to fix you.”

Les Miles Lust for Life by Iggy Pop (1977): You never know what might come out of the freewheeling LSU coach’s mouth. So the Iggy line “That’s like hypnotizing chickens” isn’t completely unreasonable.

Lyrics: “Well, I’m just a modern guy/Of course, I’ve had it in the ear before/’Cause of a lust for life.”

Charlie Strong Thought It Would Be Easier by Shelby Lynne (2000): We’re just spitballing here. But when Strong took the Texas coaching job in 2014, and accepted all the hype and hooplah that goes with it, he probably didn’t anticipate his team gaining 59 total yards in a bowl game.

Shelby Lynne Lyrics: “All I know today is that I can’t stand it/This ain’t how I planned it/I thought it would be easier.”

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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SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

Will Muschamp Cruel by St. Vincent (2011): The dismissed Florida coach landed comfortably as Auburn’s defensive coordinator. But surely he looks back wistfully at the missed opportunities in Gainesville. Cue the single tear …

Lyrics: “They could take or leave you/So they took you, and they left you/How could they be casually cruel?”

Mark May Hero Takes a Fall by The Bangles (1984): The commentator will no longer be part of ESPN’s wrap-up show, College Football Final. After years of May sneering at A&M, there won’t be many Aggies that miss him.

Lyrics: “Every story’s got an ending/Look out — here it comes, here it comes/ And I won’t feel bad at all/When the hero takes a fall.”

— “Life is very short, and there’s no time/For fussing and fighting” — rings true. Do you really want to go the rest of your life without an A&M-Texas game?

Lyrics: “Think of what you’re saying/You can get it wrong and still you think that it’s all right/Think of what I’m saying/We can work it out and get it straight, or say goodnight/We can work it out.”

Kyle Allen and Christian Kirk Furnace Fan by Robert Earl Keen (2003): In honor of A&M’s recent recruiting pipeline to Arizona, we turn to the Aggie singer-songwriter. Allen and Kirk can tell their teammates about how hot it gets out in the desert, and then spark a passionate locker-room debate about dry heat versus humidity.

Lyrics: “I understand why lizards live in sunny Arizona/Why people do and call it home I’ll never understand/It’s hotter than a furnace fan out in Arizona/110 ain’t nothing when you live out there you see.”

Bret Bielema Erotic City by Prince (1984): The Arkansas coach’s bizarro description at SEC Media Days about beating Texas last year (calling it “borderline erotic”) naturally brings to mind this naughty B-side from His Royal Badness.

Lyrics (very few of which are printable): “… So pretty you and me, erotic city come alive.”

Longhorns and Aggies We Can Work It Out by The Beatles (1965): Though there are stubborn fans (and officials) on both sides, a lot of us miss the rivalry. One lyric in particular

Paul, Ringo, John and George would want the Aggies and Longhorns to come together, right now, and to take the long and winding road to get back to where they once belonged.

(We could go on …)

AP photo

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Courtesy of Tennessee Athletics (first two photos); AP photo; Dave McDermand/The Eagle John Chavis through the years: His fabulous look as a Tennessee player in the ’70s (left), as a coach at Tennessee and LSU, and at one of his first A&M practices.

BEHOLD! THE POWER OF JOHN CHAVIS’ MUSTACHE

W

hen Texas A&M hired John Chavis as defensive coordinator during the offseason, it was cause for celebration in Aggieland. Chavis’ long and distinguished career as a defensive guru in the SEC made him the ideal person to turn around the maligned Aggie “D.” So a “whoop” chorus from the Aggie faithful was warranted. Maybe a few churchworthy “hallelujahs.” Even Jabberwocky-level joy: “O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”

As Chavis came galumphing over to College Station, a non-football notion emerged when examining the man himself.

“That,” I thought, “is one hell of a mustache.”

Big, bold and bushy, the mustache is the exclamation point on Chavis’ intense stare.

Just guessing here, but being the target of the furrowed scowl of the man known as “Chief ” would seem to be a fairly unpleasant experience.

But a more qualified opinion was needed.

I reached out to Dr. Allan Peterkin, a psy-

ROB CLARK chiatry professor at the University of Toronto and a facial-hair connoisseur. Peterkin has written three books on the topic, including One Thousand Mustaches: A Cultural History of the Mo. In it, he classifies a variety of mustache looks, from the box car to bullet heads, the Chaplin to the chevron, the handlebar to the horseshoe. Peterkin has even twice served as a judge of the National Beard and Mustache Championships.

The good doctor was kind enough to play along — he gets these kinds of requests a lot — and analyze Chavis’ ’stache. His diagnosis? It’s “a caterpillar on its way to a walrus,” Peterkin says. “It’s a fuller mustache than, say, the Magnum P.I. sort of chevron, or the cop ’stache.”

Peterkin notes that Chavis’ mustache is “very tidy,” and one that likely requires

WHO’S WHO IN THE MUSTACHE HALL OF FAME In honor of John Chavis’ arrival at Texas A&M, we developed this completely fictional Mustache Hall of Fame. Among those included on Page 44 are some of the finest mustache-wearers in sports and pop culture through the years. We skipped political figures (too many dictators). Chavis fits right in as a new inductee.

Photos by Associated Press; Lorax courtesy of AP/ Universal Pictures; Ned Flanders courtesy of Fox

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1. Richard Pryor; 2. Charlie Chaplin; 3. Burt Reynolds; 4.

Stevie Wonder; 5. Nick Offerman; 6. Freddie Mercury; 7.

Tom Selleck; 8. John Waters; 9.

Mike Ditka; 10. Salvador Dali; 11. Prince; 12. Ted Lange; 13.

Julius Erving; 14. Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy; 15. The Lorax; 16. Groucho Marx; 17.

Rollie Fingers; 18. Sam Elliott; 19. Danny Trejo; 20. Eddie Murphy; 21. Ice Cube; 22. Clark Gable; 23. Run DMC; 24. The Iron Sheik; 25. Frank Zappa; 26. Ned Flanders; 27. Albert Einstein; 28. Mark Twain; 29.

Andre 3000; 30. Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat.

clippers or “short, blunt scissors, just to clip the edge so it doesn’t go below the lip.” It’s similar, he says, to that of Nick Offerman, best known as Ron Swanson, the man’s man from NBC’s Parks and Recreation. (“Growing a mustache isn’t easy,” Offerman once said.

“Nothing incredibly awesome is.”)

“It tends to be an old-fashioned style, and a style of older men,” Peterkin says of Chavis’ look. “I would say pretty no-nonsense — he looks pretty serious. Facial hair can make a man look more mature, more authoritative, someone you wouldn’t want to mess with.

I would suspect that he’s worn it for many, many years.”

As the photos of Chavis show, including the glorious shot of his playing days at Tennessee in the ’70s, this is correct. It’s not a temporary fashion, like the “Movember” movement, when guys grow mustaches in November to recognize men’s health issues.

Peterkin points out that facial hair can often mean a lot more.

“A lot of guys don’t dare to wear a mustache,” he says. “For some guys, they’d no sooner take off their arm than take off their mustache or their beard. It’s really a part of their brand, their personality, their persona.”

It would certainly seem that way with Chavis. His brand is a tough one, and many Aggie fans would say that’s exactly what the A&M defense needs.

We attempted to have a ’stache chat with Chavis to discuss all this, but it was not meant to be. And that’s OK. The mustache sort of speaks for itself.

So here’s to you, Coach. Next round is on us. Long may your mustache — and your defense — reign.

Rob Clark’s email address is rob.clark@ theeagle.com.

SEC 2015 | The Eagle | AggieSports.com | MyAggieNation.com

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