V3 August 2017 by V3 Magazine

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2017

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Columns 12

J. Bryant Steele offers a few musical suggestions for hearts on the mend, and wonders if our political parties can ever dance cheek-to-cheek again.

Don’t let a few marks in the loss column kill your team spirit, and Jim Alred encourages us to savor every moment in the sun.

Features 20

The Griffin Boys, four of Rome High’s star players on the football field, give us a glimpse of what it’s like to choose a college with a band of brothers.

Saddle up, college football fans, because this year’s SEC field promises to keep us guessing until the last whistle blows.

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OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin EDITORIAL MANAGER Oliver Robbins MAG ART & DESIGN Ellie Borromeo WRITERS J. Bryant Steele, Oliver Robbins, Tripp Durden, Lauren Jones-Hillman, Jim Alred, Emory Chaffin

oliver robbins editorial manager

Millennials can’t catch a break and you don’t have to be the sharpest crayon in the pencil pouch to fill in the reasons why. They really lack a sense of responsibility. For example, if you Volunteer for an animal rescue with one from this generation, and your job is to move a Gator from the swamp to a cozy sand bar at the zoo, they wouldn’t mind putting you on the business end. Heaven forbid if you both somehow miss a step along the way and get a tongue lashing from the zookeeper, because the mistake would most definitely be your fault. Millennials don’t lose, someone else is to blame for the fumbles they face in life. It’s a Dawggone shame. They should take a page from the book of the hard knocks generation. When I was a kid, I lived next door to a lady who was worn with disappointment and softened by failure. Ole Miss Vandy is what my father called her and she would tell me stories of her life during the depression era. She never blamed anyone for her misfortune. To be honest, her attitude was quite the opposite. She was a real Wildcat, but you just knew she never had a Gamecock in life’s fight to the top. Still, she Bulldogged her way through adversity, year after year, knowing that she didn’t have a prayer of crossing the line to victory. Ole Miss Vandy did have some interesting depression dishes she’d crafted throughout her years of making due with what she had. One was called Razorback Stew. We didn’t particularly like inviting her to potlucks because she could never put anything together that was fit for a bowl. Bless her heart. It would be nice if the Millennials could gather some traits associated with the struggle some folks experience. Even the Baby Boomers at least powered through hard times and were better on the other side for it. My youth basketball coach would have taught them a few things if they ever graced his gym. He was ex-military and wore a jacket with “War Eagle” stitched on the back. His Cajun accent would pierce the emptiness of the gym, as he taught us to be as fierce as a Tiger. And by the looks of the scars on his arm, he didn’t need a title or a medal to prove he would be a tough beat. Folks still had character then. As I look at my little girl, Alivia, chip away at a worksheet she was assigned for homework, I remain hopeful for the future. Just through my observations, I’ve decided that the up-and-coming generation has promise. They have hearts as big as Texas and minds that are sharpened steel. You have to get up early in the A&M to get one over on them. They are like little Tigers-in-training, fierce and strong, and yet to be tested in a world that will surely challenge their will to succeed. But let’s not forget the Elephant in the room. The Tide bringeth, and the Tide taketh away. They had better be quick learners on this beach called life. Navigating the world today will require lots of practice, because the water is rough and the waves will swallow you whole. Gosh, I was supposed to talk to you all about the SEC and here I go with one of my rants about what’s wrong with the world today. My wife says I’m starting to remind her of my father. It’s nice to know that college football gives us a break from the madness, right?

EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHER Cameron Flaisch CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Caleb Timmerman David Johnson AD SALES + CLIENT RELATIONS Chris Forino AD DESIGN Laura Allshouse Ellie Borromeo PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT 417 Broad Street Rome, Ga. 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com CREATOR Neal Howard

V3MAGAZINE.COM Oliver Robbins, Editorial Manager

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From Tennessee Stadium

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Heartbreak Hotel Cents& Sensibility with J. Bryant Steele

I should get the purple heart for loving you. -- David Allan Coe When it comes to salvaging a broken heart, we of course turn to music, especially country music, and I’ve long thought Coe nailed it best in those nine words. Of course, there’s a less bitter route. One could listen instead to the Ray Price standard “For the Good Times.” Those lyrics are noble; an attitude to aspire to when your lover is leavinvg you. But the lovers in that song spend one last night together. When you’re kicked to the curb over dinner, Coe’s “Purple Heart” strikes the right chord. As well as Linda Ronstadt’s classic “Long, Long Time.” “I’ve done everything I know to try and make you mine” and I think I’m gonna love you a long, long time.”

I wish I had a quarter for every quarter I’ve dropped in a jukebox. Of course, all you have to do now is go online. Solace, like salt on a wound, is readily available. But you still have to wake up the next day and act like nothing has changed. Speaking of jukeboxes, that’s how I got my first copy of “If I Could Only Fly” by Blaze Foley. Now there’s a heartbreaking song. Foley was shot to death (accounts still vary) before he could achieve radio playlists. But I had a bartender friend in Carrollton, and once when they were rotating out old 45s from the jukebox, he pocketed “If I Could Only Fly,” taped a copy and mailed it to me, saying, “You’ve got to hear this”. (Merle Haggard later did a nice cover of the song.) A song with your beer is not always about heartbreak. I recall more fondly the night in an Athens bar when a local band was doing a good rendition of “Desperado” by The Eagles. My date crooked her arm over mine, leaned into my ear and softly sang along to the last lines: “You’d better let somebody love you before it’s too … ooo…ooo…late I started dating her exclusively after that. It lasted three good years, but neither of us was ready to settle down. We still touch base every now and then. I dated a good-looking woman from West Rome a few years ago. I really liked her. I used Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” to get over her. The ending was awkward and unexpected, but I would still go out with her if she called me out of the blue. Another depressing song to cheer you up over any low point is Kris Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down.” Sometimes the words aren’t set to music. “Women are like street cars. Wait a few minutes, and another will come along.” That’s an old New Orleans saying.

A former colleague once teased that she was going to sell bumper stickers reading “Honk if you’ve (dated) Bryant”. The parenthetical word is a stand-in for what she really said, which can’t be reprinted in a family magazine. A woman who was my best friend in college once said she was going to be at my funeral to make sure my tombstone read, “A woman did it.” But that was long ago. YOU are just now. You always liked to say you’d find another lover, and I’m sure you will. But you won’t find another poet. But you don’t really care for romance, do you? Yet, I part with more Kristofferson: “Loving her was easier than anything I’ll ever do again.”

Biz Bits

Money magazine, in its August issue, asks “is college worth it?” and lists its 50 top colleges based on quality of education, affordability, and graduates’ typical earnings. Georgia Tech ranked No. 16. (Topping the list was Princeton University). If you’re curious, the full rankings are at money. com/bestcolleges. Close to home, a study by affordableschools. net found Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked 20th in a list of most affordable community colleges offering online degrees. Georgia’s jobless rate is at its lowest since the fall of 2007, according to June numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at 4.8 percent. That’s only slightly down from 4.9 percent in May, but month-to month comparisons can be misleading. If there’s a small uptick in next month’s numbers it doesn’t mean bad news. The big picture is the state’s employment numbers are looking good. As recently as June 2014, we stood 7.2 percent. Six years ago, the rate was 10.1 percent.

I hope Falcons’ star receiver Julio Jones does a better job of holding onto the football this fall than his jewelry this summer. Jones lost a diamond earring valued at $160,000 while jet skiing. So distraught was he that he hired a team of divers at a cost of $10,000 to search for the earring, which I’ll bet is in the belly of a grouper. I have a hard time feeling sorry for Jones. First of all, that’s chump change to him. More to the point, what part of his brain disengaged when he decided to wear expensive jewelry while jet skiing? The news that U.S Sen. John McCain has brain cancer stunned everyone along the political spectrum. A photo of a young McCain as a Navy fighter pilot went viral on the internet. His fate back then was to be shot down and held prisoner under inhumane conditions by the North Vietnamese. Agree with him or not, McCain is a person of courage and commitment. He was a friend of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who died of the same disease in 2009. McCain wept openly when Ted Kennedy was buried next to his brothers, John and Robert, at Arlington National Cemetery. The two men were of different political parties and ideologies, but they worked together on numerous important national issues. When they couldn’t see eye-to-eye, they disagreed respectfully. Contrast that to Washington today, with its lackluster political discourse and direction, tweets, and finger-pointing and name-calling. It was a different time. J. Bryant Steele has won awards for business reporting, feature writing and opinion columns, and is based in Rome. *The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine.

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Here Comes the Sun For the Love of the Game with Jim Alred

The slates are clean. The win column, as well as the loss column, bears no marks. The possibilities remain endless. Every team is in the playoff or national title hunt. The preseason brings boundless optimism. If your team won it all last year, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on cloud nine, basking in the glory complete with signs, t-shirts and other paraphernalia celebrating the accomplishment. If your team didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win it all or had a lessthan-stellar season, you can point to 2017 with the hope of better results.

After contributing on 13 team previews, plus a couple of other articles for both the high school and college football preview editions for this publication, I couldn’t help not tackling a subject all Southern football fans and fans of any sport come across. While positive vibes, good hopes and high expectations abound at this point of the season, all it takes is a mark or two in the loss column to see all the hope and happiness dry up and fade away. As our favorite teams pursue excellence and winning it all, fans often don’t dwell on the moment and enjoy what is happening. In 2008, Rome High reached the state semifinals, losing in a controversial ending to Marist. That same season, Pepperell came within two points of a region title and reached the Class AA State Quarterfinals. Both teams and fan bases enjoyed the season and the results. Although the squads graduated several players, hope abounded that the next year’s teams could reach the same goals or possibly surpass them. Pepperell wouldn’t win another playoff game until last season, when the Dragons reached the quarterfinals again. Rome wouldn’t win another playoff game until 2015. Rome did win the Class 5A State Title last season, but when asking Coach John Reid about it, his answer proved short and simple. “That was last year. The players enjoyed it. They had the banquet. They got their rings. But this is a new season.” That being said, fans can enjoy the Wolves’ magical 2016 run, which brought the first state title in any sport to the school. Rome sits among the favorites for the 2017 state title, but so do a handful of other teams eager to knock the Wolves off the throne. Coaches have to focus on the future and the next season. Fans can enjoy the moment a lot longer. Especially when a team does something as magical as what the Wolves accomplished. Following our teams during the season is like riding roller coaster. There are highs, lows, topsy-turvy seconds, upside-down moments and times where we feel sick. Ask Falcons fans about the Super Bowl, UGA fans about the 2012 SEC Championship game, Bama fans about Deshaun Watson, Braves fans about every World Series except 1995 and the response you elicit could get violent. We still love and pull for our teams. But our zeal and hope for the top spot sometimes gets the better of us. A close win doesn’t bring cheers but doom and gloom about how it might affect the remainder of the season or the next game. The reality remains only a handful of teams reach the top of the sport. An old t-shirt bore a

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slogan that read, “second place is the first loser.” That attitude means unless you win it all - you’re nothing. Over the last 25 years, only 13 of the possible 129 FBS teams have claimed a national football championship. Understatement alert -winning it all is tough. So, when my beloved Auburn Tigers won the title in 2010, for the first time since 1957, I was elated. When they lost the title in an epic contest against Florida State in 2013, I was devastated. The loss to the Seminoles stung for a lot of reasons, but I realized I couldn’t be too mad. My team won a conference championship and played for the national title. They finished second. According to the shirt, they were the first loser. According to me, they had a magical season that fell just short of perfection. Many moons ago an SEC team, I won’t name which one, lost two early-season games against top-10 ranked foes. The losses meant the team wouldn’t be able to win a national title. The team still won a lot of games, a conference championship and a bowl game. But home attendance for the rest of what was a great season by all indicators except one; fell by more than 30 percent. The fan base had morphed from loving greatness to expecting nothing short of perfection.

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Those types of fans will be disappointed more often than not. And when your team falls short of the state title, conference title or the national title, firing the coach and finding someone better might not be realistic. The list of active FBS coaches with national title rings stands at four. Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher, Dabo Swinney and Urban Meyer most likely aren’t going to come to your school. Les Miles is available, though. So as the new season begins, fans can revel in the possibilities. My advice is simple. Enjoy the games, celebrate the wins, mourn the losses but not so much that it spills over into everything else. The day after the Braves lost the World Series in 1991, the sun still came up. The loss did nothing to dim a magical season and memories of that amazing team run remain stronger today than they were 26 years ago. So, soak up all the moments and enjoy, because nothing lasts forever. While your team may be one of the ones on top right now, there are no guarantees how long it will last. In short – enjoy the moment. *The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine.

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HOUSE OF THE

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This sibling bond continues long after the whistle blows, even if these brothers may one day face each other on the line of scrimmage.

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IT ISN’T OFTEN that a group of four brothers rises amongst the ranks of the nation’s top high school football recruits together, all while leading their high school team to win its historic first ever football state championship title in 2016. On paper, this story would seem like a football enthusiast’s fantasy, but this is all a reality for Jaylen, Ja’Kolbi, Ja’Quon, and Jamious Griffin. Tyrone and LaBretha Griffin, Jr. (Jaylen and Jamious) and Misty White (Ja’Kolbi and Ja’Quon) are the proud parents of these young men who lean heavily on their family when making a decision that will have a huge impact on their lives. The brothers, otherwise known to fans and locals as “Dem Griffin Boys” or “DGB” for short, spent their time with the Rome High School Wolves striking fear in the hearts of unlucky opponents who faced them on the football field. With state championship rings as souvenirs for the history they made while all together at Rome, for the first time the brothers will be separated. Jaylen (linebacker) and Ja’Kolbi (safety) are headed away to play college ball while Ja’Quon (defensive tackle - class of 2018) and Jamious (running back - class of 2019) will be looking to make the most of their remaining time with the Wolves this coming season. With Jaylen already taking the field for Virginia Tech and Ja’Kolbi headed to Columbus State to suit up as a Cougar, Ja’Quon and Jamious are continuing the busy recruiting process that will take them to the next level. No single recruit could ever imagine what the brothers have gone through in weighing the

factors of what’s most important to them – playing alongside each other or choosing their own path. The bond that they share is evident from the viral video posted of the boys hugging Jaylen goodbye when dropping him off at Virginia Tech for summer workouts with the Hokies. In a house full of football prodigies, this situation begs the question, what exactly is the recruiting vibe like within the Griffin household? “We’re a talented family so we knew that eventually things were going to get going. This was all part of our plan. We really dreamed about this when we were young,” says Ja’Kolbi. “When the ball started rolling, we knew it was show time then. Staying positive and staying humble is one of the big things our parents have taught us. Stay the course.” And once a big offer rolls in for one of the boys, it is just as you would imagine – a family wide celebration described by the brothers as being similar to a birthday or being “the big man on campus” for that week. “It was kind of crazy for me because everyone [in the family] knows instantly about our offers, because we’re all in a group chat. There were little offers here and little offers there. Then all of a

sudden, a big one comes up and everybody in the group chat is like, ‘Yeah, yeah!’ We’d probably go out to eat for a really big one,” says Jaylen. After the celebration comes to a close, it is decision time for the Griffin brothers. Constantly visiting schools and chatting with coaches, there aren’t any days off for the brothers when it comes to evaluating the factors most important to them when making decisions for their future. “It’s kind of like looking for a new house or, better still, a new home. You try to look for those certain things that make you feel like you’re at home,” says Jamious. Ja’Quon added in the factor of getting himself to the next level after college when explaining his evaluation process. “Somewhere that fits me and will get me to the next level is what I look for in a college. I don’t want to stop just at college; I want to go to the NFL. That’s one of my biggest goals and something that I dream about daily,” says Ja’Quon. Jaylen explains what went into the decision for him to attend Virginia Tech. “First off, I looked at academics. I was looking for a place where I could feel at home, and then I’d evaluate who I’d be playing behind and if I’d

" No matter where their decisions take them, the bond that the Griffin brothers share will keep them connected v3 magazine

Jamious, Breana, LaBretha, Tyrone, Ja'Quon, Ja'Kolbi

have a chance to play. But, one of the main things for me was just to make sure it felt like home, like the right place to go. As we were leaving [Virginia Tech], my dad and I looked at each other and said that this is the place where I need to be,” says Jaylen. Faith continues to be a major part in Ja’Kolbi’s pursuit to succeed at the next level and was also a factor when evaluating his offers. “Basically, just praying every night was my process, just wanting to honor God’s plan and to let Him do whatever He wants. We try not to force anything that we aren’t ready for,” says Ja’Kolbi. The Griffin brothers have the support of active parents, and while the boys have the freedom to make their own choices, their parents offer guidance through the long process of evaluating each decision. “They really give us the option; they don’t force us into anything. One thing that they really bring to the table is how the roster looks and if we will have a chance to play at this place, or another place,” explains Ja’Kolbi. “I didn’t just look at the best team in the nation because they’re number one. I wanted to go somewhere that’s going to be best for me, a place that’s going to push me to be the best player I can be. That’s what I think we all really look for. 22

v3 magazine

Though the brothers have their own factors to consider when evaluating offers and making decisions, they don’t go through the process alone. Traveling to visit schools together and talking amongst each other about possibilities, they carry that bond with them wherever they go. “Most of the time when we go to places, we all go as brothers, and they show love and that’s what we really look for - the family vibe,” says Ja’Kolbi, “That’s really the deal breaker - if they show us that they want us there and they care about us, like the close-knit family environment we have at home.”

" As we were leaving [Virginia Tech], my dad and I looked at each other and said that this is the place where I need to be

For Ja’Kolbi, Ja’Quon, and Jamious, playing at the next level has always been a dream without a doubt, but before everything began falling into place for this family, Jaylen surprisingly didn’t always see a future for himself in football. “My freshman and sophomore year, I actually wanted to quit. I didn’t want to play football anymore. I felt like I was too small. I wanted to play basketball instead,” explains Jaylen, “and then my dad took me to see the Georgia Stars team. That was an eye opener for me. That’s when I started taking football seriously. Coming into my sophomore season, I wasn’t really starting because I wasn’t taking it seriously. But, something

clicked in my head. Everything has been going great since then.” With decisions to solidify and commitments to different places, some wonder if the brothers will play together once again. Even with commitments

elsewhere, they also consider the same. “I still want them to come [to Virginia Tech]. I’m hoping that’s what happens,” says Jaylen. “To keep them around here would be the greatest thing ever. I tell them all the time, ‘Think Hokies.’ The only one who messes with us about playing against us would be Jamious…he’s always joking around like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to go to Clemson and beat y’all.’” “I always kid with them and tell them I don’t want to go to the same school as them so that I can play against them,” says Jamious, “I’m going to choose the school that’s right for me.” “We know there’s a possibility that we could all play together and if things go the way that we want, that we’ll all end up in the same place. There’s still a possibility of that,” says Ja’Kolbi. “Jaylen is already at Virginia Tech and they have a history of having brothers play together there. So, if things go as planned, we can all end up in the same place.” While at Columbus State for the 2017 season to play both football and baseball, Ja’Kolbi has the option to transfer to another program after his first semester. That option is contingent upon

whether he receives an offer from Virginia Tech. “I wouldn’t mind playing in the ACC or the SEC, but just playing with my brother will be something that we’ve always wanted to do. It would be nice to get back to that high school feeling again, so that’s really why I would love to play with my brother again,” says Ja’Kolbi. Ja’Quon committed to LSU after receiving an offer from Head Coach Ed Orgeron himself during his visit to Baton Rouge. “I wasn’t imagining I’d get an offer from him [Orgeron] telling me personally. That was pretty cool. I didn’t ever think I was going to get an offer from them,” says Ja’Quon, “I couldn’t stop smiling. I was excited; I was happy.” Jamious, who still has two seasons left with the Wolves, currently has plans to commit to Clemson University if he receives an offer from them. “Clemson…if they offer me a scholarship, I’m going to commit,” says Jamious. “They [parents] just tell me, ‘Don’t worry about it right now,’ because I’m young. They encourage me to just to keep playing football and keep my grades up.” No matter where their decisions take them, the bond that the Griffin brothers share will keep them connected, and while this talented family has already proven what they can do in their hometown, it’s their time to write their own history wherever they go. “We’ve always dreamed of shocking the world,” says Ja’Kolbi, “We have a plan – wanting to get to the next level after the next level and getting a free education; that’s what it’s all about. And if God is willing, play together again and do some big things at the college level. We’re all for it.”

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ALABAMA AND EVERYONE ELSE?

TEXT || IAN GRIFFIN-EAST & INTRO

JIM ALRED-WEST

PHOTOGRAPHY || COURTESY OF THE SEC ATHLETIC DEPARTMENTS

ALABAMA AND EVERYONE ELSE?

2017

HELL HATH NO FURY like an angry Nick Saban. After a dominant romp through the conference formerly known as the best in the country, the Tide lost the national championship to a great Clemson team on the last play of the game. A heartbreaking loss that now has the ACC touting itself as the best football conference in the land, and rightfully so…but not by much. Saban referred to the loss as a failure, and made comments that it would be a shame not to learn from that failure. With a freshman quarterback that might not have wowed on the stat sheet, but showed the composure of an NFL veteran, and just about everybody else back from that “failure” of a team, the Tide are the clear-cut favorite to win the conference. If you follow the sport, that last statement is obvious, but the point I’m working towards is that while Bama should go on to win yet another conference title and compete for yet another national championship, the rest of the SEC is making up ground and here is why: In the East, five of the seven coaches have been at the helm for less than three seasons, with Butch Jones and Mark Stoops (the deans of the division) entering their 5th seasons respectively. Talent has to be coached, but you have to get it on campus in order to do so. These coaching staffs are starting to make waves in recruiting and that should translate into a better division. Every team, except for Florida and Tennessee, has their starting quarterbacks returning in 2017, as well. So, while I understand the East can only go up from where it’s been for years, those teams are bridging the gap with the West. Can its champion beat the Tide on that first weekend in December? Meh. Speaking of the best division, in the (formerly) best conference in football, there should be improvement from almost everybody other than Alabama. Ole Miss is the wild card, with everything that happened in the wake of Hugh Freeze “resigning”. The talent is in Oxford to win, but the weight of the NCAA’s decision looming over the program could be more than that talent can handle. Auburn might have a quarterback (which is always scary), A&M is stacked with talent, LSU is a quarterback away from contending, while Arkansas and Mississippi State are capable of winning just about any other division in college football. Still,the weight of being the best conference in football lies on the colossal shoulders of the Crimson Tide. The rest of the league is catching up, and a lightning-ina-bottle team could knock them from their throne in the SEC. However, I wouldn’t bet against them. Why? I’ll repeat myself. Because hell hath no fury like an angry Nick Saban.

SECEAST 2016 RECORD: 9-4(6-2 SEC) PROJECTION: 10-2 (7-1 SEC)

FLORIDA G AT O R S 2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

vs Michigan Wolverines (AT&T Stadium – Arlington TX)

9.09

Northern Colorado Bears

9.16

Tennessee

9.23

@ Kentucky

9.30

Vanderbilt

10.07

LSU

10.14

Texas A&M

10.21

BYE

10.28

vs Georgia (Jacksonville, FL)

11.04

@ Missouri

11.11

@ South Carolina

11.18

UAB Blazers

11.25

Florida State

DUKE DAWSON

MARTEZ IVEY

AFTER A 9-4 CAMPAIGN in 2016, Jim McElwain became the first coach in SEC history to take his team to the conference championship in his first two seasons. He managed to do that after losing his starting quarterbacks to suspension and injuries both years, and hopes that streak comes to end in 2017. Offensively, the Gators are in their best position to succeed in years. With a stable of young but unproven quarterbacks with talent and the much-publicized transfer of Malik Zaire, a position that has hindered the Gators since Tim Tebow left Gainesville might once again be a strength. The offensive line, wide receiver and running back positions all have experience, depth and explosiveness. Antonio Callaway and Jordan Scarlett ensure that whoever lines up at quarterback will have help. But, make no mistake that a consistent quarterback will be the key to getting Florida’s offense back to its high-scoring ways. Defensively, the Gators must replace eight starters from last year’s stingy unit. That sounds a lot worse than the situation really is. Injuries forced several young players into action last season and those players came up big, in big time games. With arguably the best secondary recruiting class in the country last year, look for a few freshmen to get playing time. This group should be tough to score on. Special teams will be rock solid with both Johnny Townsend and Eddy Pineiroon receiving the pre-season watch list award for punting and place kicking. Overall, the Gators have a great opportunity to make a run back to Atlanta and perhaps give the winner of the West a game this time. We will learn a lot about this team early, as they start their season against Michigan in Arlington, Texas.

EAST BOUND & UP

JACOB EASON

2016 RECORD: 8-5(4-4 SEC) PROJECTION: 10-2 (6-2 SEC)

GEORGIA BULLDOGS 2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

Appalachian State Mountaineers

9.09

@ Notre Dame

9.16

Samford Bulldogs

9.23

Mississippi State

9.30

@ Tennessee

10.07

@ Vanderbilt

10.14

Missouri

10.21

BYE

10.28

vs Florida (Jacksonville, FL)

11.04

South Carolina

11.11

@ Auburn

11.18

Kentucky

11.25

@ Georgia Tech

|| SEC EAST

2016 RECORD: 7-6 (4-4 SEC) PROJECTION: 8-4 (5-3 SEC)

JORDAN JONES

THE EXPECTATIONS IN ATHENS are high for Kirby Smart’s second year at the helm. With the return of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, along with Jacob Eason now having a full season as the starting quarterback under his belt, most can understand why. Even with those weapons last year, the Bulldogs struggled to run the ball consistently. That falls on the underperformance of the offensive line and a group of wide receivers who struggled to catch the ball, even when open. If those two groups make progress, the

Bulldogs could find their stride on offense. As for the defense, this was a group that looked great at times, but has been the problem for quite some time. They struggled in the secondary. Run-first teams that couldn’t stretch the field with a vertical passing attack didn’t give the Dawgs any problems, but the teams who could sling it around the yard exposed them. Smart is a defensive coach so expect that side of the ball to show improvement. With a stellar recruiting class coming in, some young guns could get the chance to contribute immediately. The East has been down for a while now and the Dawgs’ schedule sets up nicely. They can win the East, but to do so a win in Jacksonville against Florida, is a must.

KENTUCKY W I L D C AT S 2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

@ Southern Miss Golden Eagles

9.09

Eastern Kentucky Colonels

9.16

@ South Carolina

9.23

Florida

9.30

Eastern Michigan Eagles

10.07

Missouri

10.14

BYE

10.21

@ Mississippi State

10.28

Tennessee

11.04

Ole Miss

11.11

@ Vanderbilt

11.18

@ Georgia

11.25

Louisville Cardinals

THE MARK STOOPS project continues in Lexington and it seems to be headed in the right direction after the Cats finally got back to a bowl game last season. With 17 starters returning in 2017, you should think that arrow will continue pointing up this season. Even with Stanley “Boom” Williams’ early departure to the NFL, Kentucky is in good hands with JoJo Kemp and Benny Snell in the backfield alongside quarterback Stephen Johnson. Special teams will be an area to watch for Kentucky this year after giving up four touchdowns in the return game in a four-game span, but the kicking game is in good hands with Austin MacGinnis who set Kentucky’s single season record for field goals made last season with 21. The defense made improvements once Stoops took over the play calling, but still has work to do if they want to compete for more than just a bowl bid. However, they must start somewhere, and with a favorable schedule that draws both Mississippi schools out of the West, a bowl bid should be expected this season. At Kentucky, that’s saying something. LORENZO CARTER

SEC EAST || 2016 RECORD: 4-8 (2-6 SEC) PROJECTION: 4-8 (0-8 SEC)

MISSOURI TIGERS 2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

Missouri State Bears

9.09

South Carolina

9.16

Purdue Boilermakers

9.23

Auburn

9.30

BYE

10.07

@ Kentucky

10.14

@ Georgia

10.21

Idaho Vandals

10.28

@ UConn Huskies

11.04

Florida

11.11

Tennessee

11.18

@ Vanderbilt

11.25

@ Arkansas

SKAI MOORE

2016 RECORD: 6-7 (3-5 SEC) PROJECTION: 5-7 (2-6 SEC)

SOUTH CAROLINA CAMECOCKS 2017 SCHEDULE

DREW LOCK

AFTER BACK-TO-BACK Eastern Division titles in their first two seasons in the SEC, it’s been a hard fall for the Missouri Tigers the last two seasons. Barry Odom starts his second campaign with 17 returning starters and an experienced signal caller in Drew Lock, who threw for over 3,000 yards last season. His main target, J’Mon Moore, also returns and all five offensive linemen are back to give Lock time to find him. They will need help in the running game, but expect an improved offensive unit this season. Defensively, the tigers lost a lot on the defensive line, which has been the strength of the unit for years. Even with those starters, they struggled to stop the run last year, so for them to improve in the wins and losses department, they have to improve when it comes to stopping an opponent’s ground attack. The non-conference schedule should get Missouri to four wins, and while I think they can be a better team in 2017, than in 2016, I still think they will struggle to get a win in conference play. 32

v3 magazine

9.02

vs NC State Wolfpack (Bank of America Stdm, Charlotte, NC)

9.09

@ Missouri

9.16

Kentucky

9.23

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

9.30

@ Texas A&M

10.07

Arkansas

10.14

@ Tennessee

10.21

BYE

10.28

Vanderbilt

11.04

@ Georgia

11.11

Florida

11.18

Wofford Terriers

11.25

Clemson

WILL MUSCHAMP

SECOND YEAR COACH Will Muschamp is known for his defensive prowess. That mentality, along with a gutsy move to remove the redshirt from true-freshmen quarterback Jake Bentley at the midway point of last season, allowed the Gamecocks to reach six wins and go to a bowl game. With the state of South Carolina football in disarray after Steve Spurrier’s sudden retirement, it would only be fair to say Muschamp overachieved in year one. He enters his second season with a young but game-tested quarterback in Bentley, serviceable running backs and outstanding wide receivers. The offensive line returns four starters, but those four played a large part in giving up the 41 sacks allowed last season, so improvement up front is paramount for the offense to succeed. Defensively, last year’s unit played with the moxy Muschamp demands, but should allow less than the 23 points a game they gave up last season. One key loss for the Gamecocks is that of placekicker Elliott Fry, who is the programs all-time leading scorer. With Muschamp’s scheme relying heavily on special teams performing at a high level, that loss could cost Carolina a game or two down the stretch. Every team has their swing games and for the Cocks to get back to a bowl game they will need to win at least two of their four conference road games. That would require beating Texas A&M, Tennessee or Georgia in their backyard, a tall order and one I don’t think they will achieve.

|| SEC EAST Seven starters return for a group that should exceed expectations and show improvement from last season. The schedule is not an ally for Tennessee’s championship aspirations, as they draw both Alabama and LSU from the West and must travel to Gainesville to play the Gators in game three. The Vols are a team to watch in the always wide-open East, but Butch Jones simply hasn’t shown he has what it takes to get his team over the hump. Unless he overachieves this season, the hot seat awaits. JARRETT GUARANTANO AND QUINTEN DORMADY

2016 RECORD: 9-4 (4-4 SEC) PROJECTION: 6-6 (3-5 SEC)

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS 2017 SCHEDULE

2016 RECORD: 6-7(3-5 SEC) PROJECTION: 4-8 (1-7 SEC)

VA N D E R B I LT COMMODORES 2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

@ Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

9.09

Alabama A&M Bulldogs Kansas State Wildcats

9.02

GA Tech (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, ATL GA)

9.16 9.23

Alabama

9.09

Indiana State Sycamores

9.30

@ Florida

9.16

@ Florida

10.07

Georgia

9.23

UMass Minutemen

10.14

@ Ole Miss

9.30

Georgia Bulldogs

10.21

BYE

10.07

BYE

10.28

@ South Carolina

10.14

South Carolina

11.04

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

10.21

@ Alabama

11.11

Kentucky

10.28

@ Kentucky

11.18

Missouri

11.04

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

11.25

@ Tennessee

11.11

@ Missouri

11.18

LSU

11.25

Vanderbilt

THE “CHAMPIONS OF L IFE” WILL defend their “title” and try to compete for a real one in 2017, after a disappointing finish to their 2016 season. So much of the offense was predicated around Josh Dobbs’ ability to improvise; it would be easy to surmise the Vols attack looking very different this year. The quarterback battle will spill into the fall between junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano, with most believing Dormady will edge the promising underclassmen for the job. Jalen Hurd transferred, all-purpose back Alvin Kamara graduated and leading receiver Josh Malone left early for the NFL, leaving the skill-positions with a huge question mark for the Vols. The good news is that the offensive line is a great shape with four starters returning, and that continuity up front should give the skill players a chance to develop. Defensively, injuries last season should pay dividends in 2017.

AFTER AN AMAZING RUN under Kevin Franklin, the Commodores have gone back to the their feisty, but losing ways under third year coach Derek Mason. It’s never a good idea to take Vandy lightly, just ask Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs. With 16 returning starters, including the stud running back tandem of Ralph Webb (VU’s all-time leading rusher) and Khari Blasingame. The receivers are serviceable and the line should be as good as the 16 unit with three starters returning. On the other side of the ball, the loss of defensive end Zach Cunningham will undoubtedly hurt. But the drop off won’t be severe. This will be Mason’s most experienced and talented team at Vanderbilt, but that still won’t be enough to go bowling and they should remain on the bottom of the Eastern Division.

BUTCH JONES

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SECWEST 2016 RECORD: 7-6 (3-5 SEC) PROJECTION: 8-4 (4-4 SEC)

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS 2017 SCHEDULE

THE WILD WILD WEST

2016 RECORD: 14-1 (8-0 SEC) PROJECTION: 11-1 (7-1 SEC)

ALABAMA CRIMSONTIDE 2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

Florida State (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, ATL, GA)

9.09

Fresno State Bulldogs

9.16

Colorado State Rams

9.23

@ Vanderbilt

9.30

Ole Miss

10.07

@ Texas A&M

10.14

Arkansas

10.21

Tennessee

10.28

BYE

11.04

LSU

11.11

@ Mississippi State

11.18

Mercer Bears

11.25

@ Auburn

NICK SABAN

DAMIEN HARRIS

MOST PROGRAMS would rejoice over backto-back 14-win seasons, which included a national championship along with a 17-game conference-winning streak. But most programs aren’t Alabama and most programs don’t have a coach like Nick Saban at the helm. The last-second loss to Clemson to end last season still stings Saban and the players. But as always the head coach, who has five national titles to his credit, makes sure to use every win or loss to get better. Alabama also graduated a ton of talent from the team, including seven players off of the defense who were selected in the first four rounds of the NFL draft. However, Alabama does return Jalen Hurts, the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year, at quarterback, wideout Calvin Ridley, Bo Scarbrough at tailback and several top notch defensive backs and linemen. Even with the returning players, Saban points out that this is the youngest squad Bama has fielded since 2012. Fans will remember that bunch lost only once and trounced Notre Dame in the BCS Championship Game. Hurts represents the first time Alabama has had returning starting quarterback since 2013. Alabama does have questions about offensive continuity after Lane Kiffin and then his replacement Steve Sarkisian both left for different jobs. Brian Daboll took over after serving as tight ends coach for the New England Patriots. Even with the heavy losses the media remains strong on the Crimson Tide, projecting them to win the SEC title again and be in the running for another national title.

9.02

vs Florida A&M Rattlers (War Memorial Stdm, Little Rock, AR)

9.09

TCU Horned Frogs

9.16

BYE

9.23

vs Texas A&M Aggies (AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX)

9.30

New Mexico State Aggies

10.07

@ South Carolina

10.14

@ Alabama

10.21

Auburn

10.28

@ Ole Miss

11.04

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

11.11

@ LSU

11.18

Mississippi State

11.25

Missouri

BRET BIELEMA enters year five at Arkansas in 2017 still looking for the big breakout season. The Hogs have won at least seven games the last three years but have yet to reach the double-digit wins the school experience during Bobby Petrino’s final two seasons.Arkansas returns four offensive linemen and a talented single caller in Austin Allen, who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2016. But the career-ending neck injury to 1,300-yard

|| SEC WEST rusher Rawliegh Williams serves as a huge blow to the Hogs. Paul Rhodes steps in as the new defensive coordinator for Arakanese after the Razorbacks allowed opponents to score more than 30 points a game. Rhodes, the former Iowa State coach, has talent to work with and has installed a 3-4 defensive scheme to take advantage of personnel. If Rhodes can get the defense to stiffen up, it will be a big benefit. The offense will continue to eat off time of possession, so getting quick stops on defense and holding strong on third downs will be key areas of concern for Rhodes and Hog defenders. An early-season game at Texas A&M could be an indicator of how Arkansas will fare in 2017. A win there would set up two big SEC road contests in October against South Carolina and Alabama. Seven of Arkansas’ 2017 opponents finished with losing records in 2016, meaning the possibility of winning nine or maybe even 10 games looms, if the Razorbacks can continue to dominate on the offensive line and make rapid improvement on defense.

AUSTIN ALLEN

2016 RECORD: 8-5 (5-3 SEC) PROJECTION: 9-3 (6-2 SEC)

AUBURN TIGERS 2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

Georgia Southern

9.09

@ Clemson

9.16

Mercer Bears

9.23

@ Missouri

9.30

Mississippi State

10.07

Ole Miss

10.14

@ LSU

10.21

@ Arkansas

10.28

BYE

11.04

@ Texas A&M

11.11

Georgia

11.18

ULM Warhawks

11.25

Alabama

A NEW OFFENSIVE coordinator, possibly a new starting quarterback and a lot of returners from a 2016 team, which had moments of greatness, has some Auburn fans whispering about a special season. On offense, the two big questions are how will new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey get Auburn’s passing game back on track and who will be the quarterback? Incumbent Sean White has had moments, but gets inured far too often. Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham looked stellar in the spring game and seems to have the pedigree, but he hasn’t taken a snap in a live game since 2015 and has never played in the pressure cooker, also known as the SEC. Offensively, Auburn returns solid running backs and a fleet of young but fast receivers, as well as an experienced offensive line. The weapons seem to be in place if Lindsey can get the production the team needs from quarterback. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele turned Auburn’s defense around last season, and the Tigers

return seven starters off a unit that ranked as one of the best Auburn had fielded in a decade. The Tigers will most likely shine on special teams again, as fifth-year senior DanielCarlson returns. The all-world kicker has amazing range and provides the Tigers with a reliable weapon for field goals. Auburn’s schedule isn’t easy. The Tigers play at defending national champion Clemson on Sept. 9. While that game will be daunting, three other contests stand out. The Oct. 14 game at LSU looms large, because Auburn hasn’t won in Baton Rouge since 1999. The November games against rivals Georgia and Alabama are always big, but even more so this season as the Tigers have a three-game losing skid against both teams. This is the fourth-straight year Auburn fans have heard this same song and dance. If things go south, fifth-year coach Gus Malzahn could find himself on a very hot seat. 2016 RECORD: 8-4 (5-3 SEC) PROJECTION: 9-3 (6-2 SEC)

LSU TIGERS 2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

vs BYU (NRG Stadium, Houston TX)

9.09

Chattanooga Mocs

9.16

@ Mississippi State

9.23

Syracuse Orange

9.30

Troy Trojans

10.07

@ Florida

10.14

Auburn

10.21

@ Ole Miss

10.28

BYE

11.04

@ Alabama

11.11

Arkansas

11.18

@ Tennessee

11.25

Texas A&M

NAMING ED ORGERON as head coach after he took over for Les Miles midway through the 2016 season is a move many pundits wonder about. Orgeron has proven to be a solid recruiter and looked strong as interim coach at Southern Cal, but he inherits an LSU program that has underperformed in recent years. The Tigers have a strong returner in Derrius Guice, who many think has the tools and the ability to be just as good as Leonard Fournette. Three returning offensive lineman will help pave the way for the rushing attack,

SEC WEST ||

MARQUIS HAYNES

which ranked among the top 25 in the nation in 2016. But the loss of a boatload of receivers along with quarterback play could prove to be the true test for the Tigers’ offense in 2017. New offensive coordinator Matt Canada worked wonders at Pitt and will need senior quarterback Danny Etling to continue to be productive. LSU recruits as well as any team in the nation and should have plenty of athletes at receiver, but they do lack experience. The defense, which ranked in the top 20 last season, lost its top six tacklers from the 2016 team. There is still plenty of talent on that side of the ball and the defensive front looks particularly strong. If Arden Key, Jr. can return to the field and be the dominant pass rusher he has the capability of being, it will help the young secondary.The schedule lines up well if the Tigers can escape the season opener in Houston against BYU. Win there and LSU’s next big tests come on the road at Florida on Oct. 7 and at home against Auburn on Oct. 14. The BCS Championship game loss to Alabama in 2012 still stings in Baton Rouge, and fans had grown tired of Les Miles. Orgeron filled in well in 2016, but can he replicate the same success with a younger defense and minus Fournette in 2017? Time will tell, but if Orgeron manages to get the Tigers to 10 wins and/or beat Alabama, fans won’t be missing the Mad Hatter at all.

ED ORGERON

v3 magazine

2016 RECORD: 5-7 (2-6 SEC) PROJECTION: 4-8 (2-6 SEC)

OLE MISS REBELS

ground last season. The Rebels’ defense fell on hard times in 2016, falling to 120th in the nation against the run and 111th overall. New defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff is tasked with fixing the issues. The return of pass rushing defensive end Marquis Haynes will help the defensive line and there is experience at linebacker and defensive back albeit without many big name stars. The schedule starts easy before Ole Miss takes a trip to Berkeley to face Cal. The Rebels get a rest week before travelling to Alabama and Auburn on back-to-back weekends. If Ole Miss can swing a win against either Alabama school, they could factor into who wins the SEC West. A loss to both means Ole Miss is reduced to even less than a spoiler role. History suggests the chaos and possible looming NCAA sanctions can prove to be too much.

2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

South Alabama Jaguars

9.09

UT Martin Skyhawks

9.16

@ California Golden Bears

9.23

BYE

9.30

@ Alabama

10.07

@ Auburn

10.14

Vanderbilt

10.21

LSU

10.28

Arkansas

11.04

@ Kentucky

11.11

UL Lafayette Rajun Cajuns

11.18

Texas A&M

11.25

@ Mississippi State

PERHAPS OLE MISS should replace the school mascot with a giant question mark. Hugh Freeze’s resignation as head coach in late July leaves even more questions for the Rebels, and Ole Miss still has to deal with NCAA inquiries into 21 possible rule violations by the football team. The Rebels have already banned themselves from the postseason in 2017, so the regular season is as good as it gets for the squad. Before Freeze’s resignation, he occupied perhaps the hottest seat in the SEC, but Matt Luke inherits the seat as interim head coach at press time. Offensively, the Rebels added new coordinator Phil Longo, who is known to crank up the tempo. Quarterback Shea Patterson showed lots of promise late in the 2016 season and has a stable of fleet-footed wide receivers and four returning starters on the offensive line to protect him. The running back situation is murky, as the Rebels had problems gaining yardage on the

NICK FITZGERALD

2016 RECORD: 6-7 (3-5 SEC) PROJECTION: 6-6 (2-6 SEC)

MISSISSIPPI S TAT E BULLDOGS 2017 SCHEDULE 9.02

Charleston Southern

9.09

@ Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

9.16

LSU

9.23

@ Georgia

9.30

@ Auburn

10.07

OFF

10.14

BYU Cougars

10.21

Kentucky

10.28

@ Texas A&M

11.04

UMass Minutemen

11.11

Alabama

11.18

@ Arkansas

11.25

Ole Miss

|| SEC WEST MISSISSIPPI STATE coach Dan Mullen enters his 9th season in Starkville having made an impression and left a strong mark, but still lacking a league title or an appearance in the SEC Championship game. After suffering only his second losing season at the school in 2016, he will look to build off a strong, mobile quarterback and hope to see his defense improve enough to keep the Bulldogs in contention for the SEC West. Mississippi State’s offense looks scary on paper with eight returning starters, including quarterback Nick Fitzgerald who many people are comparing to former single caller Dak Prescott. While the offense has returners, it lacks a big name star to help Fitzgerald. Donald Gray is strong at receiver but more targets will need to emerge to fully utilize Fitzgerald’s talents. The Bulldogs’ defense finished 110th in the nation in 2016 and got torched by practically every quarterback they faced. Enter new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and his 3-4 scheme. State returns several strong starters on the line and experience at linebacker. The secondary has got to improve in 2017 especially as several SEC teams have more experienced quarterbacks than last season. The verdict on whether Mississippi State can compete for an SEC title should be delivered before September ends, as the Bulldogs play LSU, Georgia and Auburn the last three Saturdays in September. Mullen has achieved a good bit of success at a school that hasn’t had tons of great history over the last 40 years. This year’s squad is intriguing, because they are flying under the radar and could sneak into the upper part of the SEC West with a few key wins.

2016 RECORD: 8-5 (4-4 SEC) PROJECTION: 8-4 (5-3 SEC)

TEXAS A&M

TEXAS A&M KNOWS how to start a season. Over the past few years they have reeled off five straight wins to get the season started. However, the squad has limped to the finish line with only three more wins the past two years. Those hot starts, and less than stellar finishes have left Aggies fans shaking their heads and many people putting head coach Kevin Sumlin’s name firmly on the proverbial hot seat. The Aggies return a lot of talent on offense, including two great running backs in Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford along with arguable one of the best receivers in football in Christina Kirk, Jr. Three different players could figure at quarterback this season whether its veteran Jake Hubenak, or possibly Nick Starkel or incoming super recruit Kellen Mond. The big questions for the Aggies, other than how to make sure they don’t stumble toward the middle of the season, come on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive coordinator John Chavis needs to find a way to stop other teams after Texas A&M allowed more than 442 yards a game to opponents in 2016. Losing Myles Davis and Daeshon Hall to the NFL will hurt the pass rush as well, so Chavis needs to not only bolster the unit but also find a way to still get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The season opening game at UCLA could prove problematic, but if the Aggies can win in California they could be 5-0 to start the season again when Alabama comes to visit in early October. Late season games at Florida and LSU could swing the season for the Aggies and possibly determine if Sumlin remains on the sidelines in 2018. Texas A&M fans have fond memories of Johnny Manziel and Sumlin’s magical fist year when the squad finished 11-2 and defeated Alabama. Those memories are now distant, and it will take a big improvement on defense to get the Aggies to double-digit wins in 2017.

2017 SCHEDULE 9.03

vs UCLA (Rose Bowl) Pasadena CA

9.09

Nicholls State

9.16

Louisiana-Lafayette

9.23

vs Arkansas (Southwest Classic) AT&T Stadium, Arlington

9.30

South Carolina

10.07

Alabama

10.14

@ Florida

10.28

Mississippi State

11.04

Auburn

11.11

New Mexico

11.18

@ Ole Miss

11.25

@ LSU

PROJECTED FINAL STANDINGS IN THE EAST IAN'S

JIM'S

MISSOURI

PROJECTED FINAL STANDINGS IN THE WEST IAN'S

JIM'S

LSU

TXA&M

LSU

TXA&M

MISS STATE

OLE MISS

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP IAN'S PREDICTION

AL VS. FL

WINNER: ALABAMA The gators lost a lot of defensive talent to the NFL, but should still be elite on that side of the ball. The offense should be much improved, giving them hope to avoid a 3rd straight loss to the Tide in Atlanta. Rebellions are built on hope.

JIM'S PREDICTION

AL VS. GA

WINNER: ALABAMA

TRAYVEON WILLIAMS

Georgia’s defense will give the Bulldogs offense and offensive line time to gel and win key games down the stretch. However, Alabama will once again be too much and claim another SEC title.

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Rome Memorial Park Cemetery 2446 Cedartown Hwy Rome, GA 30161 (706) 290-0990 v3 magazine

The Whole Nine Yards This elegant abode combines functionality with style, wrapped in a package that is picture perfect. text ABBIE SMITH

ucked between the trees in The Fairways at Berry Forest sits a stunning brick and stone home. After walking up the sidewalk of 105 Snead Ave., a grand set of wooden double doors opens and welcomes you into the gorgeous, bright and open home of the Rogers family. Upon entering the 3,900-square-foot home, the eye is first drawn to a huge masonry fireplace in the living area, leading up to wooden beams that accent the high, vaulted ceilings. Apart from the rich, hardwood flooring, this feature is the darkest in the house. The walls and finishes, ranging from creamy neutrals to calming pale greens, contrast beautifully, allowing the light from large picture windows to fill the living, dining and kitchen space. To the right of the entry is the formal dining area. Though it is open to the rest of the room, arches, wainscoting and a chandelier designate the table for large, joyful meals during holidays or special occasions. Past that is a luminous white kitchen featuring

photos KELLY MOORE

a huge island that allows plenty of counter and storage space. A solid walnut butcher block and polished nickel hardware accent the white cabinets and quartzite counters and backsplash. Between the island and a breakfast nook overlooking the backyard is a built-in piece that is part china cabinet, part coffee bar and part wet bar. It also provides lots of storage. Updated, stainless steel appliances complete the package. The entire house reflects the calm, open feel, including the four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. On the lower floor, the master bedroom is large enough to incorporate a sitting area and a walk-in closet. Next, a marble-laden master bath gleams while on the other side of the house, a pale blue nursery, the favorite room of owner Bonnie Rogers, evokes images of sweet dreams and lullabies. The nursery is the Jack to the Jill of one other bedroom and bath. Up the stairs, passing yet another bathroom, is a media room that, with the addition of a deer head or two, promises to be the perfect man cave.

44 | HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE

Behind that is a large guest room perfect for the in-laws, a ping-pong table or both. A small study, once unfinished storage space, now functions as a quiet place to work as well as a place to store valuable items in a safe hidden behind barn doors. Finally, the backyard, Jason Roger’s pride and joy, features a deck outfitted with not one, but three fans. The yard itself contains a patio with an outdoor kitchen, and a line of trees and provides plenty of privacy. When we come across a house as charming as this one, it’s no surprise when we learn that the story behind it is as sweet as any fairytale. The picture-perfect home was built and designed with lots of love by homeowners Bonnie and Jason, but with this couple, the “love” takes on a whole new meaning. As they were planning their wedding in Tennessee, they were also creating their dream home 200 miles away. “We had looked at many houses in Rome with our realtor until we ended up coming across a sign in a yard for a local builder” Bonnie says. “So, we called him and he says, ‘Hey, come look at this house I’m building, see if you like it’ and we did.” What followed for the Rogers was a 6-month-long process of adjusting floorplans, picking countertops and attempting to stay sane. “It was a lot,” Bonnie says. “Still, I loved every part of designing this house.” Bonnie and Jason didn’t work alone.

Though the construction was in good hands with their builder, the floorplan didn’t suit the couple, so they brought in an interior designer. “Our interior designer took a jumbled-up puzzle and put all the pieces together into a livable, functional space,” Bonnie says. “We adjusted the floorplan a lot; we probably added a thousand square-feet total just bumping out a wall and stuff like that. She designed our bathroom, she also helped me with cabinetry choices and a lot of the finishes in the house.” The upstairs media room was once a small bedroom that Bonnie and Jason were able to double the space of to allow for a technology and movie hub.

“We also installed a custom sound system for the cable and all the home entertainment stuff,” Jason says. “All of our TVs are mounted and all the wires are hidden.” “We have a Nest and, with an app, we can control the thermostat,” Bonnie adds. “It’s kind of like a smart house.” If anything, the home is a smart-looking house. When it came to the décor, Bonnie had a clear idea of what she wanted for their home. “As far as the more personal preferences like the paint colors, light fixtures, knobs, fireplace, I picked that out. The counter top selection and the backsplash I picked out, too… Pinterest was definitely helpful with that stuff,”

HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE | 45

Bonnie laughs. What came of her and Jason’s design choices was a charming amalgam of contemporary, rustic and French provincial styles that speaks to HGTV’s Joanna Gaines. After building the house of their dreams and living in it a little less than two years, a great job opportunity for Jason came along and he, Bonnie and their son are moving to Chattanooga. Out of all the charms of 105 Snead, Bonnie knew exactly what she would miss the most. “The kitchen and living area has been just where we live. Having the TV and the fireplace, it feels open and cozy…we’ve loved it. We’re very sad to leave, but I know whoever moves in here will really love this home.” For additional information about the property or to schedule a showing, please contact Hardy Realty at 706-291-4321.

“I COULDN’T COMPLETE MY WORKOUT.”

For my heart, I choose Redmond. Danny

Open Heart Surgery

At 52, Danny was a world champion power lifter and could not imagine he had heart disease. But when he experienced symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, and nausea, his daughter suspected he was having a heart attack. He was taken by ambulance to Redmond’s ER where the heart team determined he had blockage in six arteries and needed immediate open heart surgery. Three years later, Danny is back to the sport he loves, telling his friends about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Danny is thankful for Redmond, the only hospital in Northwest Georgia performing life-saving open heart surgery.

Learn more about heart symptoms or tell us your story at

MyRedmondStory.com 46

501 Redmond Rd NW, Rome, GA 30165 • (706) 291-0291 v3 magazine

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PH: 706-233-9960 595 Riverside Hours: SunParkway -Thu: 11:00am-9:00pm 595 Riverside Parkway Rome, Fri - Sat:Parkway 11:00am-10:00pm 595 GA Riverside Rome, GA30161 30161 Rome, GA 30161 Fuddruckers catering can help PH: 706-233-9960

PH: 706-233-9960 you feed just about any size group, Hours: Sun -Thu: PH: 706-233-9960 Hours: Sun -Thu:11:00am-9:00pm 11:00am-9:00pm FriFri - Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm anytime, anywhere. Our menu will Hours: Sun -Thu: 11:00am-9:00pm - Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm Frithe - Sat: please most11:00am-10:00pm discerning tastes Fuddruckers catering cancan helphelp Fuddruckers catering andjust meet the high standards you you feed any group, Fuddruckers can help you feed justabout aboutcatering anysize size group,

We about know how tosize make anytime, anywhere. Our will yourequire. feed just any group, anytime, anywhere. Ourmenu menu will your event discerning spectaculartastes with the please the anytime, anywhere. Our tastes menu will please themost most discerning WORLD’S GREATEST CATERING. and meet the standards you tastes thehigh most discerning andplease meet the high standards you require. We know how to make and meet the high standards require. We know how to make you your event spectacular with to themake require. We know how your event spectacular with the WORLD’S GREATEST CATERING. your event spectacular with the WORLD’S GREATEST CATERING.

WORLD’S GREATEST CATERING.

urlee urleess s urlee Fish House & Oyster Bar Bar FishFish House & Oyster Bar House &GAOyster Rome, Est. 2012

Rome, GA Est. GA 2012Est. 2012 Rome,

227 Broad Street 227 Broad Street 227 Broad Street 227 Broad Street Rome, Georgia 30161 Rome, Georgia 30161 Rome, GA 30161 Rome, Georgia 30161

PH:(706) (706) 204-8173 204-8173 PH: PH: 706-204-8173 PH: (706) 204-8173 www.curlees.com www.curlees.com www.curlees.com www.curlees.com

Hours:Mon-Thurs: Mon-Thurs: 11:00am-9:00pm 11:00am-9:00pm Hours: Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:00am-9:00pm Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:00am-9:00pm Fri-Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm Fri-Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm Fri-Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm Fri-Sat: Curlee’s offers casual11:00am-10:00pm dining, Curlee’s offers casual dining, Curlee’s offers casual dining, fresh fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, Curlee’s offers casual dining, fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks,on chicken and more! It is located fresh hand-cut seafood, steaks, hand-cut steaks, seafood, chicken and chicken and more! Itcenter is located on Broad Street in the of the city,on chicken and more! It is Street located more! Ithas is located Broad Broad theoncenter of the city, and itStreet a in family-friendly atmoBroad Street in the center of the city, and it has a family-friendly insphere! the center of the city, and atmoit has a and it has a family-friendly atmosphere! Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins family-friendly atmo-sphere! sphere! Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Kids, Take Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Out, Catering Waiter Service Welcome, Goodand For Kids, Take Welcome, Good For Kids, Take Welcome, Good For Kids, Take Out, Catering andWaiter Waiter Service Out, Catering and Service Out, Catering and Waiter Service

3401 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, GA 30165

PH: 706-291-1881 Hours: Sun -Thu: 11:00am-10:00pm 3401 Martha Hwy Call or Text YourBerry Order to: Fri - 30165 Sat: 11:00am-11:00pm 3401GA Martha Berry Hwy Rome, PH: 706-237-8320. Dine in, Take out, or delivery... Rome, GA 30165

PH: 706-291-1881 Lunches: Wed/Thurs/Fri in Downtown Rome Authentic Italian is what we do! We PH: 706-291-1881 Hours: Sun -Thu: 11:00am-10:00pm Food Truck Friday: 11am-2:00pm have enjoyed great success by @ 2nd Hours: 11:00am-10:00pm Fri Sun - Sat:-Thu: 11:00am-11:00pm providing our guests a casual, Ave.with & 2nd Street Friout, - Sat: 11:00am-11:00pm Dine in, Take orand delivery... friendly atmosphere excellent Friday Nights @ River Dog Outpost Dine in, Take is out, or delivery... Authentic Italian what we do! We service. In addition to Broad the healthy Saturday Late Nights on Street Authentic Italian is what we do! We have enjoyed great portions of our food,success you will by see our Delivery through Roman Food Delivery have enjoyed great success by providing our guests with a casual, entrees range from homemade Checkproviding out our full weekly schedule & our guests with a casual, sandwiches, pizzas and to friendly atmosphere and calzones excellent rotating menu at: eatspeakcheesey.com pastas, chicken, veal and seafood friendly atmosphere and excellent service. In addition to the healthy dishContact us about booking, catering, and es. www.romamiagrill.com service. In addition thesee healthy portions of our food, youtowill our private events at : hillery@speakcheesey.com portions offrom our food, you will see our entrees range homemade MULTIPLE GOOD EATS to entreesTRUCKS. range homemade sandwiches, pizzasfrom and calzones

sandwiches, pizzas and calzones to pastas, chicken, veal and seafood dishpastas, chicken, veal and seafood dishes. www.romamiagrill.com es. www.romamiagrill.com

Make it a meal worth remembering. Where to eat in Northwest Georgia.

Make it a meal worth remembering. Where to eat in Northwest Georgia. Make it a meal worth remembering. Where to eat in Northwest Georgia. v3 magazine 47 Make it a meal worth remembering. Where to eat in Northwest Georgia.

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