welcome to The Sports Bank 77 in 77. We’re previewing one team a day everyday as the college football season approaches. And we’re doing it in rapid fire sequence. Today, the LSU Tigers
#4 LSU Tigers: College Football 77 in 77
#8 South Carolina Gamecocks: College Football 77 in 77
welcome to The Sports Bank 77 in 77. We’re previewing one team a day everyday as the college football season approaches. And we’re doing it in rapid fire sequence. Today, the South Carolina Gamecocks
Go here for the basketball version of this column #97 South Carolina Gamecocks
#9 Florida Gators: College Football 77 in 77
Welcome to The Sports Bank 77 in 77. We’re previewing one team a day everyday as the college football season approaches. And we’re doing it in rapid fire sequence. Today, the Florida Gators
Follow paulmbanks#10 Arkansas Razorbacks: College Football 77 in 77
Welcome to The Sports Bank 77 in 77. We’re previewing one team a day everyday as the college football season approaches. And we’re doing it in rapid fire sequence. Today, the Arkansas Razorbacks
Follow paulmbanks#26 Auburn Tigers: College Football 77 in 77
What did we just learn from Joe Paterno? Erecting a statue for someone while they’re still alive and their legacy is not yet fully formed is risky business. And sometimes backfires. There’s already a Cam Newton statue at Auburn. Again, something scandalous could arise, especially given Newton’s past history.
The Bo Jackson statue I’m cool with; his career is long over.
As for the Auburn Tigers this college football season, a step forward? 2011 was rebuilding from the title year of 2010, so now better things are expected. Even though they’re breaking in a new coordinator on each side of the ball
Go here for the Auburn Tigers men’s basketball season preview
Follow paulmbanks#29 Missouri Tigers: College Football 77 in 77
“Interesting move Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for them,” the words of Jason Bateman’s character in “Dodgeball” and my thoughts on Mizzou jumping ship for the SEC.
I understand why they did, but a team that hasn’t had a conference championship since 1969 (when it was the Big 8 conference) won’t be getting another one for a long time probably. But they’ll still be a good team, and fun to watch, with dual threat QB James Franklin, who truly embodies the adjective more than any other signal caller in the nation.
Follow paulmbanks#55 Vanderbilt Commodores: College Football 77 in 77
Last year’s weakest link of Vanderbilt football was the passing game, as they ranked 97th in the nation in that department. That stat is a bit misleading though, as the air attack, and the offense itself took a major turn for the better when Jordan Rodgers replaced Larry Smith in mid-season.
Rodgers is of course, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers signal caller and NFL and Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers. So that’s what the Vanderbilt Commodores are known for now. Under Smith they averaged 20.4 ppg and 244.4 yards. With Rodgers, those numbers went up to 31.6 and 413.
Follow paulmbanks#58 Ole Miss Rebels: College Football 77 in 77
The Ole Miss Rebels haven’t won the SEC since 1963. 1963! And they haven’t been to a bowl since 2009. Yet I think they’ll be better this season for some reason. Or at least serviceable. Somewhat competitive.
One thing’s for sure- they’ll end that 15 game losing streak to SEC opponents.
Follow paulmbanks#11 Arkansas Razorbacks: College Football 77 in 77
The Arkansas Razorbacks suffered a big blow when they lost running back Knile Davis to a season-ending ankle injury, but it didn’t seem to affect them too much in the polls.
Arkansas is ranked #15 in the AP preseason poll, which was released two weeks before season opening Saturday. It was released more than a week after Davis went down and two weeks after Arkansas grabbed #14 in the USA Today preseason poll. Despite the season ending injury to their biggest ground weapon, the ranking is Arkansas’ highest since 1990.
The Razorbacks are also ranked in the AP’s preseason poll in consecutive season for the first time since 1989-90.
Follow paulmbanks#14 Georgia Bulldogs: College Football 77 in 77
Why am I so high on a team that had a losing season last fall and lost their best players on both sides of the ball? Well, the Georgia Bulldogs have a lot more going for them in 2011 than they did last year. A.J. Green and Justin Houston are indeed gone, but they have a blue chip recruiting class coming in, stud transfers becoming eligible, and another year in the system at key positions.
Also, the Bulldogs off-season conditioning program will bring more speed to the personnel better suited for their attacking style on defense.
For the Georgia basketball season preview go here
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