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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Elizabeth Childers
WRITERS Jim Alred, Ian Griffin, Nina Lovel, Paul Moses
PHOTOGRAPHERS Andy Calvert, Ivan Felipe
AD DESIGN Elizabeth Childers
PUBLISHER
There are certain occurrences that mark the time of year for me. My family used to vacation at Amelia Island, and it never failed the college football previews would hit the shelves around that
CREATOR Neal Howard
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That’s understandable. After all, urology is that branch of medicine and physiology that deals with the function and disorders of the urinary system—of both males and females— and the treatment of diseases and conditions of the male reproductive organs. People tend to feel ambivalent about discussing such intimate issues with anyone, especially with strangers. That’s where the caring medical professionals at Harbin Clinic Urology Rome come in, helping patients feel comfortable and confident in the care they receive.
The newest invaluable addition to the Harbin Clinic’s urology team is Dr. Katherine Rogers, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team of doctors and medical staff. She began seeing patients on July 31st of this year.
For Dr. Rogers, the challenges of urological problems are not merely an academic consideration; they’re personal. From an early age, she understood the impact of such things. At six months old, she was diagnosed with a condition that required many surgeries and resulted in significant nerve damage to her lower extremities. She wore leg braces until age 15.
Then, during her first year of college at Mercer University, she needed a reconstructive bladder surgery, a procedure known as bladder augmentation. Little did she know, her own recovery and hardships would eventually be a window into the perspective of her future patients.
Through her ongoing medical experiences, she witnessed firsthand the importance of high-quality urological care and became determined to be a urologist herself. With ample motivation, she received her medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine and completed her residency at the Medical College of Georgia at August University in 2023. When studying urology in medical school, she was
also drawn to the specialty because it was a form of medicine where she could perform surgery and build relationships with patients. “I’m so glad I chose urology,” says Dr. Rogers. “Every week I’m reminded of why I do what I do. People come to us with cancer, or they cannot urinate, and then I have the opportunity to do a procedure that forever changes their quality of life. I get to come to work and make a difference every day.”
Dr. Rogers also explains that helping patients manage their health in a comprehensive way is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. “Many people don’t realize how urology impacts and is connected to their overall health,” she says. “For example, kidney stones, recurrent infections, erectile dysfunction, etc. are all connected to overall health conversations. Helping people understand this is part of our job too.”
When asked about her medical philosophy, Dr. Rogers shares that even before she was a physician, she was constantly reminding herself to put one foot in front of the other. “I’ve been where they are,” says Dr. Rogers, referring to her patients’ struggles and pain, “and I’m always encouraging patients that this pain will not last forever and to keep going. I remind them that this uncomfortable situation is temporary.”
Dr. Rogers’ life is a true silver-lining story as her early medical struggles led her to practice the same medicine that brought her hope and healing. But her medical history isn’t the only one she’s revisiting. One of the many reasons Dr. Rogers is excited to joining Harbin Clinic Urology is she is returning to her hometown of Rome, Georgia. She loves the small-town feel, and she and her husband look forward to spending lots of time outdoors camping, fishing, riding four-wheelers and playing with their dogs. Dr. Rogers says, “If it’s sunny, you’ll probably find us outside.”
For more information, please visit Harbinclinic.com.
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FOR MANY OF US, WE HAVE SEEN BIG CHANGES BEFORE. South Carolina and Arkansas entering the conference in the 90’s and then decades later, Missouri and Texas A&M, were tough to digest for many fans, but none of those four teams brought the clout that Texas and Oklahoma will carry with them as they arrive for the 2024 season.
Annual rivalries will die. Tennessee will no longer play Georgia and Florida every season, which just doesn’t feel right. That’s only one example of many annual rivalries that will go by the wayside, but as we have in the past, I’m sure we will adapt and adjust.
As for this season, the conference is stacked as usual, but once again it’s Alabama and Georgia that are favored to clash in Atlanta the first weekend in December. The only difference is Georgia, to me at least, is the clear favorite. I don’t see a loss on their regular season schedule, while the Tide have something to prove…and that’s always a scary proposition when Nick Saban is at the helm. That said, the Dawgs have supplanted the Tide until proven otherwise.
There are plenty of teams that could shake things up, however. Is Brian Kelly the real deal? Will the Jimbo Fischer and Bobby Patrino experiment work at A&M? Can Lane Kiffin get a defense? Can Tennessee make a run at the Dawgs?
All of those questions will be answered as the season unfolds. And it’s going to be a joy to watch as always.
EAST: IAN GRIFFIN | WEST: JIM ALRED2022 RESULTS: 6-7, 3-5 (SEC)
2023 PROJECTION: 6-6, 4-4 (SEC)
Overview:
Honeymoon phases are short-lived these days between coaches and fan bases in college football and despite Billy Napier’s clear message when he took over in Gainesville that it was going to take time to build the program, most fans didn’t listen or simply didn’t care. It didn’t help that he lost on some big-time recruits after being hailed as an elite recruiter, regardless, Napier is going to have to produce on the field if he wants to be around long enough to achieve his goals. Unfortunately, those results won’t come easy.
Last year, Napier had an unproven commodity at quarterback in Anthony Richardson, whose highs and lows hit heaven and hell on the field last year. Despite that, he was a top-five draft pick, and the Gators are left without much firepower under center. Graham Mertz looks to have secured the job over Jack Miller, but neither wowed in the spring game so expect them to lean heavily on the running game. Bad offenses don’t sit well with Gator fans and if they can’t dominate up front the talents of Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne will be wasted. Doing that while replacing four of five starters on the offensive line could prove difficult.
Only three starters return this season for the Gators on defense, and that might not be a bad thing. 2022’s unit had talent but couldn’t get off the field on third down. They also have a new coordinator with Austin Armstrong taking over for Patrick Toney. The 29-year-old Armstrong brings plenty of energy to the table and they brought in a lot of depth and experience through the transfer portal, so this unit could be much improved from last year’s.
The kicking game is settled with Trey Smack looking to assume the full-time place-kicking role, but Adam Mihalek is still on the roster after hitting 14-21 attempts last season so they have options. Jeremy Crawshaw returns at punter after averaging 47.9 yards per kick last season.
With the departure of Richardson, Billy Napier’s Gators have their work cut out for them this season. We should find out a lot about Napier as a coach, however. If he can manage seven or eight wins with this roster and schedule it will be an impressive effort. They open with a Thursday primetime game at Utah, so Gator fans will know what this team is made of after week one.
The roster in Athens is like the Top Chef pantry, the best ingredients to make a perfect dish are readily available. Kirby Smart has built this program to last, with so much talent waiting in the wings that it’s hard to see any other program knocking them off the top of Mount SEC. Throw in a ridiculously easy schedule and you might as well pencil the Dawgs in as one of the four playoff teams. Anything less would be a meltdown of epic proportions.
Gone is Stetson Bennet, the most decorated Bulldog quarterback in program history, that somehow the fans seemed to hate so much he has a permanent chip on his shoulder. They can now see just what Carson Beck or Brock Vandagriff can bring to the table. Whichever five-star they roll in will have three returning starters on the offensive line in front of them, all-world tight end Brock Bowers to sling the ball to, and a stable of good running backs to hand it to. To sum it up, Georgia will be just fine on this side of the ball.
As mentioned earlier, the Dawgs have studs ready to step up for departed stars like Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith. Those are big shoes to fill, but this unit returns veteran players in every position group. We learned last year that Kirby has the pieces to reload, not rebuild so expectations should be high on this side of the ball.
Brett Thorson returns to punt while Jered Zirkel looks to take over placekicking duties for Jack Podlensy. Ladd McConkey and Dominic Lovett are also both dangerous options in the return game.
It's hard to look at the schedule and see a loss. Maybe Bama bounces back and gives them a game in Atlanta, but the regular season looks like a cakewalk. Georgia will have their chance to play for a possible threepeat…a feat no team has accomplished in the modern era of college football.
Overview:
Mark Stoops became the winningest coach in Kentucky football history last season and has built a consistent winning program in Lexington. It isn’t always pretty, and after a few 10-win seasons, they took a step back last year at 7-6, but overall Stoops' blue-collar approach has made this basketball school pay attention to the gridiron.
Offense:
It’s not a stretch to think that this unit might be better than last year even though they must replace Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez. The Cats landed the highest-rated quarterback in the transfer portal when Devin Leary decided to head to Lexington from N.C.
2022 RESULTS: 7-6, 3-5 (SEC)
2023 PROJECTION: 6-6, 2-6 (SEC)
State. They also brought in running back Ray Davis, who put up over 1,000 yards playing for Vanderbilt last season. That along with the development of what was a young receiving group last year could allow points to come easier in 2023.
Defense:
Stoops is a defensive coach and the stats have showcased that, with the Cats ranking in the top 25 for total defense five out of the last six years. The only unproven position is cornerback, where two new starters will line up in 2023. A solid pass rush could help the learning curve at corner and the Cats are stout up the middle with Deone Walker, Trevin Wallace, and D’Eryk Jackson, but need J.J. Weaver to reach his potential on the outside to ramp up the pressure.
Special Teams:
This unit was disastrous last season; so much so that Stoops hired a new special teams coordinator. Jay Boulware will try to set things right with a few unproven kickers and returners.
Final Thoughts:
Kentucky should start 4-0, but from there, things get tougher. 8 or 9 wins is certainly possible and I could see the Cats overachieving, but there are too many unknowns for me to guarantee more than six wins.
Defense:
The Tigers overachieved on defense last season and they return a lot of talent from last year's unit. Led by the like of defensive tackle Darius Robinson and linebackers Ty’Ron Hopper and Chad Baily, the front seven should be formidable. The secondary is stacked as well, so points won’t come easy against the Tigers.
Special Teams:
Harrison Mevis looks more like a lineman than a kicker, and he certainly has a big leg, but he did miss a few clutch short kicks last season, so he will look to improve on his consistency. Aussie, Riley Williams will take over the punting duties.
Final Thoughts:
It’s all about the offense and the fact that Eli Drinkwitz brought in a new coordinator when he got the job in Columbia based on his offensive prowess, says a lot. If the Tigers can shore things up on the offensive line and improve in the vertical passing game, they could finish in the top tier of the SEC East.
Overview:
Missouri meddled around in 2023 and only finished above Vanderbilt in the SEC East. To improve upon that they must find some answers on offense. If they can meet the defense in the middle, they have a shot to finish in the top three of the East.
Offense:
Outside of All-SEC left tackle, Javon Foster, the offensive line is a huge question mark for the Tigers, and coming off a season where they struggled to stretch the field in the passing game, that could be a major problem. Brady Cook returns at quarterback, and he proved to be a better playmaker with his legs than his arm, but to be fair, he didn’t have much help at receiver. New Offensive Coordinator Kirby Moore will take over the play calling to try and turn things around and if Cook doesn’t impress, Miami transfer Jake Garcia would love a chance to take his job.
2022 RESULTS: 8-5, 4-4 (SEC)
2023 PROJECTION: 8-4, 5-3
Defense:
Overview:
Shane Beamer has fans believing in the Gamecocks. After overachieving in year one with a roster full of holes, the cocks continued to build momentum in 2022. They bounced back from some pretty low lows to finish the season with a shocking blowout victory over Tennessee and finally ended their losing streak to their bitter rival Clemson after a one-point victory in Death Valley. Whether or not they can build on that finish will depend on some new faces on defense and a familiar one in Spencer Rattler on offense.
Offense:
As Rattler goes, so does the offense. He has been a Jekyll and Hyde signal caller his entire career, but if he can maintain the good Spencer persona, that will spell success for this unit. He has weapons at receiver, but unproven talent at running back. The offensive line is experienced so this is Rattler's ship to sail or sink.
South Carolina was awful against the run last season and this unit must replace seven starters from that last season. That could be a good thing, as they can’t get much worse against the run, but if the Gamecocks don’t want to win in shootout fashion every week they will need players like linebacker Mohamed Kaba and edge Jordon Strachan to step up. The secondary has a few youngsters that will need to step up immediately as well after losing two starters to the NFL. There will be a lot of new faces on this side of the ball, but Beamer seems to have the right formula to get the most out of whoever he has out on the field.
Special Teams:
Beamer ball has passed from father to son, as the Gamecocks fake, block, and return with the best of them. Those game-changing moments are a focus for this squad and they return one of the best punters in the country and a placekicker who is a perfect 11-11 for his career in Mitch Jeter.
There is no doubt Beamer has done an excellent job pulling South Carolina out of the doldrums and that win over Clemson provides a ton of job security. The schedule is pretty tough, especially early, but if Spencer Rattler can be steady, the cocks can make some noise in the East.
2022 RESULTS: 11-2, 6-2 (SEC)
PROJECTION: 10-2, 6-2
Overview:
Josh Heupel brought his up-tempo offense to Knoxville and up until they ran into a nasty Georgia defense, they looked unstoppable. They stumbled again against South Carolina in a shocking blowout loss in which they also lost star quarterback Hendon Hooker for the rest of the season. Joe Milton stepped in and they bounced back by beating Vanderbilt 56-0 and took down Clemson 31-14 in the Orange Bowl to finish the season. The SEC is a war of attrition, but the Vols seem well-suited to be in the conversation.
Offense:
Hooker is off to the NFL, but the up-and-down Milton showed out in the Orange Bowl win and has weapons like Bru McCoy at receiver and two proven running backs in Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small. They must replace two starters on the offensive line but did well in the transfer portal to get some experienced big fellas to accompany the three returning starters. With Heupel’s system and the talent at the skill positions, points will come in bunches, but the line will be one interesting story to watch early in the season.
The best term for last year’s Vols defense was opportunistic. They created those opportunities, forcing 22 turnovers and sacking the quarterback 27 times, and will look to continue that trend in 2023. The offense scores quickly, leaving this defense on the field a lot and Heupel is still trying to build the depth needed to overcome that on this side of the ball. They have plenty of talent, Omari Thomas is a beast at defensive tackle and leading tackler, Aaron Beasly returns to lead the linebackers. Some youngsters will
need to step up in the secondary and they have recruited well on both sides of the ball, but it isn’t a stretch to say that high-scoring affairs are in store again for Tennessee.
Special Teams:
The Vols replace both kickers, so that will be an area of concern, but they did bring in Indiana transfer, Charles Campbell who is 39-51 for his career and has a big leg. There is no lack of game-breaking speed in the return game, but just who will handle those duties is still up in the air.
Final Thoughts:
Heupel was looked upon as a guy that the Vols had to settle for when he was hired. After years of turmoil concerning the leadership of this program, they may have settled for the perfect guy. He is recruiting well, his offense is electric and for the first time in a long time, The Vols are serious contenders. Two games will decide how successful they will be in 2023, Georgia and Alabama. They should be favored to win the rest.
2022 RESULTS: 5-7, 2-6 (SEC)
2023 PROJECTION: 4-8, 1-7 (SEC)
Offense:
A.J. Swann was pretty solid in his freshman season, throwing for 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions. His favorite target and second-team All-SEC receiver, Will Sheppard returns along with several other playmaking pass-catchers. There are question marks at running back, but the Dores return four starters on the offensive line, so the offense should be in capable hands.
Defense:
Vanderbilt simply didn’t have enough speed to match up with the elite offenses in the SEC and good passing teams absolutely torched the Commodores' secondary. The team speed is improved, but still light years behind the best of the conference. That will be problematic, but the front seven should be better and
can hopefully put pressure on opposing quarterbacks to help mitigate the issues in the secondary.
The Dores are solid in the kicking department, with healthy competition at placekicker between the experienced Will Faris and incoming blue-chipper, Brock Taylor. Matt Hayball returns to handle the punting duties after averaging 45.5 yards per kick in 2022.
Five wins was an achievement last season. The nonconference schedule might set them up to reach that number again, but the defense will have to improve to get there as they will need to spring an upset or two in conference play.
Overview:
Clark Lea overachieved last year and if you listen to the guy speak, he truly believes he can build the Commodores into a program that can compete in the SEC. That remains to be seen, but the 5-7 campaign that included back-to-back wins over Kentucky and Florida gives the Nashville faithful reason to be hopeful.
Overview:
Alabama failed to win the SEC West and also failed to reach the college football playoff in 2023. Whenever this happens, pundits around the country begin wondering if Nick Saban’s time is coming to a close at the Capstone. So far in his career, Saban has typically put together a stellar team the next year.
Before we write off the Tide, remember the squad lost only two games last season. A three-point loss at Tennessee and a one-point overtime loss at LSU. Both venues are amongst the toughest to play in the entire nation.
On offense, Alabama says goodbye to quarterback Bryce Young and currently has three signal callers battling it out to take over the offensive reins. Tyler Buchner, Jalen Milroe, and Ty Simpson will battle for the starting job probably up until a week or two before the first game.
New offensive coordinator Tommy Reese has a lot of talent to work with but a good bit of it is young and lacks experience. Jason McClellan is the leading
rusher returning, but Bama always has a slew of players capable of stepping in and starting.
The big question really is who will take over at quarterback and how will the new coordinator’s offense look.
On defense, Kevin Steele has come back to Alabama to be the defensive coordinator and must replace several key losses, including Will Anderson. Kool-Aid McKinstry is one of the best defensive backs in the nation, but the Tide has a lot of holes to fill in the defensive backfield, at linebacker, and on the defensive line.
Steele’s defenses tend to be quite good, but Alabama has been a revolving door for assistant coaches the past few years and that lack of continuity could lead to problems, especially with lots of younger, inexperienced players.
Alabama’s schedule is a bit friendlier this season with the Tide drawing most of its toughest opponents at home in the friendly confines of
Bryant-Denny Stadium. Texas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and LSU all play Bama in Tuscaloosa this season. Bama does have to travel to Texas A&M, Kentucky, and Auburn.
It seems like every time Alabama doesn’t make the college football playoff, the next year the Tide comes back with a vengeance. With a home-friendly schedule in tow, if the Crimson Tide’s new coordinators can get going and the personnel steps up to perform, Saban and the Tide should roll into Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game again this year.
The Brian Harsin experiment ended badly at Auburn last season, but hope abounds on the Plains in 2023 as Hugh Freeze has taken over as head coach. Perhaps Freeze’s best move was keeping Cadillac Williams on staff after the former Auburn running back managed to fire up fans and the team late last season to grab a couple of wins.
Offensively, the Tigers remain a work in progress with only three starters returning. The question of who ends up as the starting quarterback got more interesting after the Tigers grabbed former Michigan State starter Payton Thorne in the post-spring football transfer portal.
Run-first starter Robby Ashford could use another year of seasoning. Auburn lost most of its offensive line and Freeze and company went hard in the portal bringing in numerous offensive linemen, hoping to solidify a position that has underperformed at Auburn since the final days of Gus Malzahn.
Wide receivers are a huge question mark as a few have signed from the portal and a few from last year left via the portal. Jarquez Hunter should take over as the lead tailback with Tank Bigsby having left for the NFL. However, Hunter has had off-the-field issues that could keep him from playing at all.
Defensively, Auburn has several starters returning but has depth issues at both defensive line and linebacker. The Tigers must also find a way to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks if they hope to get back above the .500 mark.
The schedule doesn’t give Freeze any favors with an SEC opening slate of Texas A&M on the road, two-time defending national champion Georgia at Auburn, and a road game to LSU, where the Tigers have only won twice since 1995.
The Tigers will most likely need one win in those three games to have a shot at bowl eligibility. Auburn does get Alabama at home to end the season.
Auburn remains an enigma in the SEC West. Their facilities are great. They have a solid NIL consortium and budget, but they’ve had to get rid of two coaches in three years and now take a huge gamble on Freeze, who has both NCAA issues and character issues.
If Freeze can develop quarterbacks and rebuild Auburn’s roster, the Tigers could once again become a force in the conference. If not, it might be a long time before Auburn is relevant in football again.
2022 RESULTS: 10-4, 6-2 (SEC) 2023 PROJECTION: 10-2, 7-1 (SEC)
Offense:
On offense, Daniels leads the way, and he gets super lucky as all five offensive line starters from 2022 return as does tight end Mason Taylor and go-to wide receiver Malik Nabers, who had over 1,000 yards reeling last season. Tailback was a concern in 2022 as rushing production wasn’t great other than the 885 yards Daniels gained. Josh Williams, who rushed for 532 yards although he missed three games, and Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs will probably get the majority of the carries in 2023.
Defense:
Overview:
Brian Kelly’s debut season in Baton Rouge went quite well for the Bayou Bengals, as LSU beat Alabama, won the SEC West Crown, and gave eventual national champion Georgia all it could handle in the SEC Championship game.
On the flip side, LSU struggled in a few games, losing to FSU and Tennessee as well as Texas A&M and barely surviving a scare against under .500 Auburn early in the season. So while the end result looked good, there were still a few worrying signs for LSU.
Defensively, LSU looks stacked at both defensive line and linebacker, but the Tigers had to go to the transfer portal to help replenish its secondary. Harold Perkins Jr. had a phenomenal freshman campaign at linebacker in 2022. Smith returns after a knee injury cost him the 2022 season to go alongside Mekhi Wingo at line. Wingo earned some All-America nods last year at defensive tackle.
The schedule isn’t easy for LSU, as the Tigers open in Orlando against Florida State. They also get SEC West foes Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Alabama on the road.
If the offense can get a running game going and the reworked secondary can limit passing attacks, the Tigers could find themselves in the thick of the SEC West and College Football Playoff race.
Overview:
It’s hard to believe, but Lane Kiffen has quietly turned Ole Miss into one of the SEC’s top programs. In fact, Ole Miss is third in total wins in the SEC over the last three years behind only Georgia and Alabama.
On top of that, Kiffen has turned the Rebels’ offense into one of the best in the nation. Two big questions surround Kiffen and the Rebels heading into 2023.
Can the defense begin to keep pace with the offense, and can Kiffen continue to turn out top-notch teams without being able to grab the top-ranked recruiting hauls of the two previously mentioned SEC programs?
Offense:
As with most things about Ole Miss, it all starts with the offense, and the Rebels have plenty of talent returning in 2023 at quarterback, running back, and offensive line.
Jaxson Dart led the Rebels as the head signal caller in 2022. Ole Miss also has two other transfer quarterbacks in its stable in Spencer Sanders, a former All-Big 12 quarterback from Oklahoma State, and Walker Howard from LSU in case Dart stumbles or is injured.
Dynamic back Quinshon Judkins returns after amassing more than 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns last year and will share time in the backfield with SMU transfer Ulysses Bentley.
The receiving corps took some big losses from last year but two key transfers, Chris Marshall from
and Tre Harris from Louisiana Tech should help while returning tight end Michael Trigg had a great season last year.
While the Rebels’ offense averaged more than 500 yards a game in 2022, the defense allowed opponents to gain lots of yards and score lots of points.Pete Goulding takes over as defensive coordinator and has some returning talent as well as some transfers to help out.
N.C. State transfer Joshua Harris teaming with J.J Pegues at defensive line should be the anchor of that unit for Ole Miss. At linebacker, Khari Coleman has been great and Louisville transfer Monty Montgomery should provide more depth. The defensive backfield didn’t get lit up last year but also failed to force turnovers. The Rebels have a couple of transfers coming in hoping to cure those woes
The Rebels get three seemingly easy non-conference games before they travel to face Alabama on Sept. 23 to open SEC play. They then play host to LSU and Arkansas on back-to-back weeks. They will also travel to play defending national champion Georgia in Athens in early November.
If the Rebels’ transfers can pan out and the defense can begin limiting the opponent's yards and points, Ole Miss could be a serious contender for the SEC West title.
Overview:
Mississippi State might be the most intriguing team to watch in the SEC West in 2023, as it has a major transition after posting a 9-4 season under former coach Mike Leach in 2022. Leach passed away unexpectedly last year. Zach Arnett now takes over the coaching reins, and Kevin Barbay takes over as offensive coordinator.
Offense:
Offensively, starting quarterback Will Rodgers returns and he had some great moments in 2022. He does lose several key playmakers around him and Barbay is going to be using a tight end in 2023, something Leach’s Air Raid offense didn’t use in 2022.
Rufus Harvey and Lideatrack Griffin both return at wideout and both had 40 or more catches last season. Four starters return on the offensive line, but there are questions about who will be playing where.
Perhaps the biggest question is what will the Bulldogs’ offense look like in 2023. Leach’s patented Air Raid offense had some great games and a few notso-great moments last year, but the squad seemed to get things going later in the year.
Defense:
On defense, Matt Brock takes over as defensive coordinator and has some work cut out for him, as the Bulldogs only return four starters on that side of the ball.
Luckily for State, those four include linemen Nathan Pickering and Jalen Crumedy, as well as linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson, who all had solid seasons in 2022. That means State’s defensive line and linebacking corps should be fairly solid but almost all of the production from the defensive backfield is gone.
State did bring in several transfers and they have some players they can elevate, but the Bulldogs will need to mature fast as the season progresses. They also need to avoid injuries on defense, especially to the previously four mentioned returnees. Injuries to them would be critical and cost the Bulldogs even more experience lost.
The Bulldogs have a daunting schedule, but so does every other team in the SEC West. They have a key non-conferee game against Arizona on Sept. 9 before playing host to LSU the next week. They also travel to South Carolina on Sept. 23 and Alabama on Sept. 30, giving the Bulldogs some early-season conference tests.
Mississippi State has had a roller coaster couple of years and this year could fit right in that mode. If Arnett can keep the momentum going and Barbay can get the offense rolling, the Bulldogs could remain a very dangerous team in the SEC West.
2022 RESULTS: 5-7, 2-6 (SEC)
2023 PROJECTION: 7-5, 5-3 (SEC)
Considering head coach Jimbo Fisher is one of the highest paid in the nation there is a bit of pressure on him this season. In the offseason, he gave up offensive play-calling duties and brought in embattled coach Bobby Petrino to coach the offense.
Offense:
Offensively, there is lots of potential with Conner Weigman at quarterback, along with two of the SEC's top receivers in Evan Stewart and Ainias Smith. Tailback is a bit of a question mark, but there is a stable of young backs who might be able to produce numbers. The offensive line must also get better and stay healthy.
The key to it all is Petrino. At times in his career, he has proven to be an offensive mastermind capable of scheming offenses to brilliant wins. If Petrino can do that with the Aggies good things can happen.
Defense:
Arguments can be made that Texas A&M was one of the biggest disappointments in 2022. The Aggies came into the 2022 season with a top-10 ranking and aspirations of possibly reaching the college football playoff. Instead, the offense and defense struggled and the Aggies stumbled to a 5-7 overall record.
Defensively, the Aggies ranked 123rd in rush defense in 2022 and had serious problems at defensive line. Both McKinnley Jackson and defensive end Fadil Diggs are key players who missed at least four games each last year. If they can stay healthy and some of the top-notch recruits A&M has been landing can step up, it will help.
The Aggie's pass defense was solid last year and returns some key components, but it also must replace a couple of key losses.
A&M has landed some highly-rated recruiting classes in the past three years. For the Aggies to get back on track, some of that talent needs to start producing at the levels that were expected when they signed to play at College Station.
Texas A&M has some crucial early contests that could prove how well they do in 2023 with a game at Miami on Sept. 9. A four-game stretch in late September and early October could be brutal or glorious for the Aggies, with the team playing host to Auburn, playing Arkansas in Arlington, Texas then playing host to Alabama before hitting the road to play at Tennessee.
If A&M wants to get back into the national spotlight it had entering last season, it needs to win most of those games. If the Aggies stumble and bumble and the offense doesn’t get better, the heat on Fisher will get extremely high.
2022 RESULTS: 7-6, 3-5 (SEC)
2023 PROJECTION: 6-6, 2-6 (SEC)
Overview:
It seemed Arkansas was poised to break out in 2022 but the wheels came off early, and the Razorback never really recovered. This year’s version is intriguing because the Hogs have to replace a long list of starters on both sides of the ball, but bring back two highlevel offensive weapons in quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim Sanders.
Offense:
While the offense does have two key players back it lost a whole lot of talent, especially on the offensive lines as well as the offensive coordinator. Dan Enos takes over play-calling duties, and his offenses at Maryland were pretty good.
Jefferson had a solid season in 2022 but got banged up a bit but still had impressive stats and is a tough, tough quarterback to bring down. Sanders rushed for more than1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns and has backfield stable mates to help spell him if he needs it this season.
The offensive line should be good although there were some losses. Like most teams, Arkansas managed to grab a couple of solid transfers from the portal. The receiving crops however are almost all new with limited experience returning, meaning that the receivers will need to mature and learn quickly to help out Jefferson.
The defense remains a work in progress and experience is going to be limited in 2023. A lot of underclassmen are stepping into starting roles, especially at linebacker. The Hogs are also bringing
in a slew of transfers for the defensive line, but they must improve their pass rush.
The secondary was one of the worst in the conference last season allowing more than 300 yards a game to opponents. The secondary must improve and the defensive line must get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, because Arkansas won’t win many games if they continue to allow opposing offense to pass at will.
The schedule features a tough five-game stretch in late September and October with the Hogs traveling to LSU, playing Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas, traveling to Ole Miss, and then traveling to Alabama before coming home to play Mississippi State. That five-game stretch will make or break Arkansas’ season.
If the offense can find playmakers at receiver and the offensive line can provide Jefferson with time, Arkansas will be able to score. If the defense can improve and cut down on points per game and not allow points to pass as much, Arkansas could be able to win eight or nine games.
Quietude and timeless charm await the new owners of this elegant beauty on a bluff in Cloudland, Georgia.
When some people use the word “breathtaking” to describe a vista, they may be suspected of engaging in hyperbole. Yes, it can be a cliché when describing real estate. However, the view from 172 Brow Drive, Cloudland, Georgia, cannot be expressed by any lesser term. It truly does take one’s breath away. Looking out from the back of the house, the viewer is rewarded with the sweeping scene of the green forests and fields of the Shinbone Valley stretching to the horizon.
For many years, this beautiful home was enjoyed by the family of an internationally famous lawyer. Here, they built memories and developed deep-rooted traditions. Famed Northwest Georgia attorney Bobby Lee Cook was the home’s long-time owner, and he called this place his “Fortress of Solitude.” Cook’s grandson Sutton Connelly (also an attorney) says, “I inherited this house, and it’s always meant a lot to me.” But now it’s time for a change
text PAUL MOSES | photo KEITH BEAUCHAMP & JORDAN POOLEfor the Connellys, so with the help of Hardy Realty, another family can purchase the property and begin to forge their own special memories at this Cloudland overlook.
The house at 172 Brow Drive was built in 1949 (coincidently, that’s the same year Bobby Lee Cook was admitted to the bar), and it boasts many of the architectural earmarks of a European estate, like a place where a country gentleman might live. It brings to mind an Italian villa gleaming white in the sunshine—a convergence of Old-World charm and Southern hospitality.
With 4,746 square feet of living space on two floors, this home has ample room for a growing family. The flooring is variously hardwood, carpet, and tile, and it features tall ceilings throughout. There are four bedrooms and three full bathrooms; each bathroom is beautifully appointed. A long, elegant dining room—with large windows on two walls—can easily accommodate twelve-plus diners. The kitchen is a combination of style and efficiency, with a dash of whimsy: Robin’s egg blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a black-and-white tile floor. It’s the kind of kitchen one might expect to see in a children’s picture book. Separate from the kitchen, there’s an additional cooking area, complete with ovens, a sink, a huge brick fireplace, and additional dining space. This place is perfect for throwing any size of party.
The master bedroom is huge, a full suite size. It has lots of elbow room and, of course, the requisite large windows on two walls to frame spectacular views. (It’s clear the original architect designed everything with the view in mind; there are large windows everywhere. And there’s not a bad view from any of them.)
There’s a spacious, sunny sitting room, flanked on three sides by floor-to-ceiling windows and featuring a soaring wood beam ceiling. A first-time visitor to the Brow Drive home will find a few pleasant surprises waiting for them. Case in point: one room looks like an oldfashioned gentleman’s lounge, with a vintage pool table and rows of tall bookshelves. Apparently, this is a house designed for readers. Also, upstairs
there is an expansive room that serves as a bedroom, sitting room, and library. (Yes, more bookshelves. Lots of them.) Another unusual feature of this home is an underground wine cellar, complete with a cooling system that keeps wine at an optimum temperature for storage and aging to perfection. For those who like to pop a cork, this could be a dream come true.
This property—just over two acres—offers a sense of retreat to its residents and visitors. It’s a quiet place, and it feels like it’s isolated—in a good way—but it is actually within easy driving distance of the Georgia cities of Rome and Cartersville, as well as Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The feeling of seclusion also comes from the fact that the house is practically wrapped in forest, giving the property an air of wilderness. The landscaping is full and well-planned, without looking fussy and overly formal. It looks old, even a little wild, more English than French. If the inside of the home is well suited for dinner parties, the outside is perfect for garden parties. This includes several lawn areas, mature landscaping, a gazebo, benches, a shady grapevine arbor, a greenhouse, a large rock fireplace, and a flagstone patio for outdoor dining. There’s even a flagpole, which is a nice touch. The grounds seem to invite running, laughing children, picnics in the grass, and galloping dogs.
Also, a detached three-car garage is part of a guest house, which gives visitors a place to enjoy the tranquility of the secluded property without feeling like they’re intruding on their hosts’ privacy.
For some fortunate family, 172 Brow Drive will be an oasis in a chaotic world. Like the world-famous Bobby Lee Cook, this can be their own Fortress of Solitude.
For more information on this property, contact Hardy Realty agents Becky Woodard (becky@hardyrealty.com, 706-506-0777) or Keith Beauchamp (keith@hardyrealty.com, 706-767-5778).
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