🏈 30 SEC Questions for 2009 -

[TerryP]

I've got issues with some of these observations and then there are others I think are spot on.

30 questions

For instance, coming in at #25

25. What assistant coach has the most potential as a head coach?

A. Gus Malzahn offensive coordinator at Auburn- Malzahn has only coached in college football for 3 seasons, but in those 3 seasons he's made a huge impact. In 2006 Malzahn debuted in the SEC at Arkansas. The season prior the Hogs only scored 283 points, but in 06 under Gus they scored 404 points. Malzahn also coached a Heisman runner up in Darren McFadden and was named Rivals.com offensive coordinator of the year. As OC at Tulsa the Golden Hurricane led the NCAA in total offense in 2007 and in 2008. In his first season Tulsa became the first NCAA team ever to have a 5,000 passed, 1,000 rusher, and three 1,000 WRs. Malzahn is also the one who has made the "Wildcat" formation popular in most the NCAA and now the NFL. Possibly the best QB-WR connection on the West Coast in 2009(Mustain-Williams) played under Malzahn at Springdale HS in Springdale, AR.

This 2006 season he refers to at Arkansas is the same season Arkansas was averaging around 20 point per game, won against a Shula coached team by one point and then had his offensive coordinator title (as well as play calling duties) pulled by Houston Nutt.

Why were they pulled? Because he wasn't using the two best weapons in their offensive arsenal, McFadden and Jones.

2007 and 2008? There was no, as in NONE, difference in the offensive production under Head Coach Todd Graham when he pulled Malzahn in to join his staff.

Lest anyone forget, this is the same head coach that had Major Applewhite under him and everyone was boasting about the numbers he put up on offense.

It's Todd Graham's offense. Has been, will remain to be.

On the other hand....I do agree with this next bit. But, he does pose an interesting question at the end.

17. Who made the better coaching hire Auburn, MSU, or Tennessee?

A. Mississippi State- After several years of putting fans to sleep with his offense, Sly Croom is no longer at MSU. When AD Greg Byrne started the search for a coach he stated he wanted an offensive mind, with Dan Mullen he landed that. Mullen brings a new interest to MSU football and a system that should fit the athletes in Mississippi well. Mullen has coached a NFL first pick, a heisman winner, and has 2 NC rings. The question becomes will Mullen be the next Richt or the next Brad Scott?

 

[planomateo]

not trying to derail this post...I just happened to look at the other articles on this site and noticed the below in the Top 30 questions in the ACC.

i'm not sure I agree with this one...especially when he has the VaTech and Bama game listed as best OOC game for SEC. I'm confused.

21. What's the Best OOC Game for the ACC in 09?

A. Nebraska at Virginia Tech- The ACC actually has several that are interesting in 09, but this will be the best one. Nebraska will try and paint Lane Stadium Red, but those rabid Hokies won't allow it. Last season VT beat Nebraska 35-30. This should be a battle of 2 teams that will win their respective divisions.

 

[uktidefan]

I'm not sure I agree with AJ Green being the best NFL prospect in the SEC either; a lot can change in 2 years!!

10. Who is the best NFL Prospect in the SEC?

A. A.J. Green- At 6'4 210 Green is a man among boys once the ball is snapped. As a Freshman Green had 56 catches for 963 yards and 8 TDs. In the fourth game of his college career Green was named SEC Player of the Week after having 8 receptions for 159 yards and a TD at Arizona State. While not elgible for the NFL draft for another 2 years, this kid is well on the way to be the top WR taken in the 2011 draft.

 

[Swamptick]

I'm not sure I agree with AJ Green being the best NFL prospect in the SEC either; a lot can change in 2 years!!

10. Who is the best NFL Prospect in the SEC?

A. A.J. Green- At 6'4 210 Green is a man among boys once the ball is snapped. As a Freshman Green had 56 catches for 963 yards and 8 TDs. In the fourth game of his college career Green was named SEC Player of the Week after having 8 receptions for 159 yards and a TD at Arizona State. While not elgible for the NFL draft for another 2 years, this kid is well on the way to be the top WR taken in the 2011 draft.

What were Julio's stats?

How much better would they have been with a Matthew Stafford hurling the ball to him?

 

[TerryP]

I'm not sure I agree with AJ Green being the best NFL prospect in the SEC either; a lot can change in 2 years!!

10. Who is the best NFL Prospect in the SEC?

A. A.J. Green- At 6'4 210 Green is a man among boys once the ball is snapped. As a Freshman Green had 56 catches for 963 yards and 8 TDs. In the fourth game of his college career Green was named SEC Player of the Week after having 8 receptions for 159 yards and a TD at Arizona State. While not elgible for the NFL draft for another 2 years, this kid is well on the way to be the top WR taken in the 2011 draft.

Don't get me wrong, I think A.J. Green is a hell of a player.

HOWEVER, let's get some of this straight here.

"In the fourth game of his college career Green was named SEC Freshman Player of the week..." (Charleston Scott, SEC Player of the week on offense.")

Versus...

"In the third game of his college career Jones was named SEC Freshman Player of the week...

Now, it should be noted Green's performance that week was the first time a Georgia receiver had more than 100 yards receiving in a game in 3 or 4 years.

Other than the TD's, Green with 8 and Julio with 4, their other numbers are practically identical. Julio had two more receptions, Green had 39 more yards.

Crap shoot for the author...probably came down to the flip of a coin.

I will say this, bias aside, I didn't see Green drag as many tacklers down the field throughout the season as I did Julio.

 

[psychojoe]

4. Who will be the most improved player in 2009?

A. Kodi Burns- In the last 2 seasons Burns has been under 3 different offensive coordinators. The 3rd time is going to be a charm. Gus Malzahn was able to take a 1st year starter at Tulsa last year and make him into one of the nation's top QBs in a few months. Burns is very talented, he can run and he can pass. Last season Burns was 94-179 for 1050 yards 2 TDs and 7 INTs, he ran for 412 yards. Those stats are certain to improve with more stability at OC, especially without the Tony Franklin Soap Opera.

.

I suppose that Kodi has only one way to go after last season's performance, His first year in a new system with a new OC is supposed to make him a factor? He may not even be the qb.