Manti Te'o - The Michigan Pep Rally in Gifs

Someone tweeted a link from Darren Rovell into my timeline, and I couldn't resist giffing this Michigan Pep Rally he was talking about. Pay close attention to the guy standing on the right side, in front, beside Brian Kelly. In fact, all the expressions on the guys faces are pretty hysterical. Classic.

Keys to the Georgia State game

#1 Pass rush lanes

We have to be more disciplined with our pass rush lanes. This is especially important when facing the dual threat QB and will be another big key to a victory over Florida next week. If we do this, we will limit or eliminate runs by the quarterback and put more pressure on the passer.

#2 Running between the tackles

We simply have to do more of it. Sweeps are fine mixed in with a basic run game, but you cannot make them the bread and butter of your run game. We were pretty effective when we did it against NC State especially with Marlin Lane. I would like to see more of it first, then we can talk about how to improve upon it. Run blocking has to continue to get better and I think it will.

#3 Defensive communication

I think this was a first game deal more than anything and we seemed to communicate much better in the second half. Prentiss Waggner said the first busted play was just a missed hand signal between he and Byron Moore. They worked it out on the sidelines and fixed the problem. It's good that those issues show up early so that you can get them corrected and get them behind you. I expect fewer big plays against Ga State from the first team defense.

#4 Get Cordarrelle more involved

He looked like our best offensive weapon Friday night, and getting him the ball in creative ways will be huge down the stretch. I don't expect to show all our wrinkles vs. Ga State, but getting CP involved however we can is important. He needs to get more precise with his routes for sure. Then he'll be open more frequently.

#5 No drops from Hunter

Hunter has never been one to drop passes and I think the rust from being away from the game showed a little bit against NC State. He needs to settle down and concentrate on the ball more. Being at home against a team we should out-talent easily is just what the doctor ordered. This is a good tune-up for the Florida game for him because you do not want those missed opportunities against a good Florida defense. We will need every one we can get.

#6 Sacks

Sure we got to the quarterback 12 times and that's great, but we need sacks from our linebackers and defensive ends. The ends got good pressure Friday but never really got to the quarterback. It would be good to see this improve this week and I think it can. 

#7 Stay healthy

I doubt we see much of Herman Lathers this game I think the coaches will closely monitor his playing time if he sees the field at all. Curt Maggitt is another who is banged up and will have to be monitored. We need both of those guys as close to 100% as we can get them for next weekend. No real way to go about preventing another injury but if we can get through the game with no real injuries that would be awesome. 

Around the SEC links

• James Franklin says if you're tired we'll pull you off offense not special teams.
• Arkansas Head Coach files for bankruptcy.
• Gator line rushes to protect.
• Vanderbilt trying to find #2 back.
• Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin cops-out on punishment.
• Robert Nkemdiche not solid to Clemson? Says he's 3 and done.
• Gurley tries to stay on straight and narrow at UGA.
• Running back Alvin Kamara names top 2.
• Nick Saban rants.
• Shaw could be gametime decison.
• Gator coaches studying 3 times as much film as normal.
•  Vanderbilt won't pass up long ball.

CFB Rankings Week 1

Week 1 Ranking

1 Alabama 1-0

2 LSU 1-0

3 USC 1-0

4 Oregon 1-0

5 Oklahoma 1-0

6 Florida State 1-0

7 Arkansas 1-0

8 West Virginia 1-0

9 Clemson 1-0

10 Michigan State 1-0

11 Virginia Tech 0-0

12 Texas 1-0

13 Oklahoma State 1-0

14 Tennessee 1-0

15 Wisconsin 1-0

16 Nebraska 1-0

17 Miami 1-0

18 Ohio State 1-0

19 Georgia 1-0

20 TCU 0-0

21 Stanford 1-0

22 Kansas State 1-0

23 Georgia Tech 0-0

24 North Carolina 1-0

25 Louisville 0-0

For the record, I placed very little weight on past seasons in these rankings. They are primarily based on current play.

UT releases depth chart for NC State

No big surprises if you've been following practice. In Da'Rick's absence, Cordarrelle Patterson is listed as a starter along with Justin Hunter. Rajion Neal is listed as the starter at running back, Devrin Young is second. James Stone is the starting center. Byron Moore and Brent Brewer are co-starters at strong safety.

http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082312aae.html

Monday Links: Odds and Ends

• Gamecocks' thin secondary suffers a blow
• Special uniforms not necessary
• Five players in the SEC East with the most to prove
• Georgia beats out Stanford and Memphis for three star
• Georgia OL decommits from UF
• Vols give Greg King TE trial
• Titans pick Jake Locker as the starting QB
• Three Vanderbilt freshmen will play right away
• More trouble for Auburn commit Dee Liner
• Rivals has eight new 5 star players
• Defensive lineman Joe Fennell’s top three: Florida, South Carolina and Nebraska.
• Kevin Sumlin wasn’t happy with the energy level at Texas A&M’s weekend scrimmage
• Special teams “phenom” Solomon Patton is emerging as a pass catcher at Florida. 
• The Gamecocks will go with a receiver-by-committee approach in 2012.
• Missouri must "earn it's spurs" in the SEC East 
• LWS take on Davante Bourque

Around the SEC: Monday links

• OU decommit RB Greg Bryant says he'll play in the SEC
• Billboard from Austin, TX: This is SEC country
• Todd Kelly Jr. is busy on and off the field
• Vanderbilt flips Florida cornerback but did UF pull his offer?
• Jovon Robinson's transcript raises more questions than answers
• Who are the SEC's most irreplaceable players according to David Climer?
• Vanderbilt's projected starting linebacker Triston Strong leaves team
• Dismissed LSU player Tyrann Mathieu failed multiple drug tests for synthetic marijuana
• Florida has lost two commitments
• A look at LSU post-Mathieu
• Why 2012 could be the Year of the Quarterbacks in the SEC
• Tennessee should be higher in this ranking of the offensive lines
• Florida expects their secondary to be a strength
• Vols make an impression from a distance in first scrimmage
• Missouri forfeits an exhibition game vs. Dutch team
• The inferno of expectations: see the seventh circle
• Highlights of Jalen Reeves-Maybin, the newest Vol commit

Vols First Preseason Scrimmage

The Vols held their first scrimmage of fall camp today at Science Hill High School in Johnson City. Dooley said he was pleased with the toughness and effort the players were playing with and said it was good to see. However he was disappointed with much of the administration of the game including some sloppy penalties and substitution issues.

"The offense did a really good job running the football today. And that was good to see. Made lot of big plays running the football."

Vols running backs accounted for 295 yards on the ground. 134 of those belonged to tail back Rajion Neal who had a 68 yard touchdown run. That's good news for a team that finished dead-last in the sec in rushing last year and Dooley, while tempered, was clearly pleased. Several players also noted freshman Que Watson's good game as he had 6 carries for 60 yards.

According to the stat sheet Da'Rick Rogers had 6 grabs for 105 yards including a touchdown while Justin Hunter caught 7 for 47 yards. Cordarrelle Patterson was still limited due to a shoulder injury but Dooley praised him for his toughness. He caught one ball -- a 26 yard gainer.

"I felt like the defense did a pretty good job preventing the big plays on the pass game. Although we threw the ball pretty decently, we didn't generate the yards per attempt that we're tying to get."

Dooley made a point to praise Junior College transfer Daniel McCullers saying he is really making progress, "I think he can help us inside."

The scrimmage also ended on a positive note with Tyler Bray driving down the field in a two minute drill into field goal territory where kicker Michael Palardy capped off a 4-4 day with a 48 yard field goal to win the game.

Dooley called it one of the best scrimmages he's been a part of since he's been here then added, "From a competitive standpoint."

Freshman running back Davante Bourque continues to be absent from the team and it is not clear at this point whether a return is likely.

You can view the scrimmage stats in their entirety here.

College Football is Finally Here

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Yes, loyal readers, I awoke to the same smell you did. I sat straight up in my bed (still wearing last evening's attire. Whoa what a night) and the air had a familiar aroma. Then I remembered....It's friggin' college football time!

Tonight, the No. 2 LSU Tigers travel to Starkville to face the unranked Mississippi State Bulldogs.

It's likely to not be a very close game, but it is the first SEC match-up of the year. We will finally see what these LSU fans have been clamoring about regarding Matt Flynn and be able to judge for ourselves whether or not he is the "real deal". Granted this aint Florida, but it is an SEC team and anything can happen.

It is time for tailgating, vulgar displays of beer drinking, beautiful southern college girls, and last but not least, royal ass whippings handed to your most hated rival. (one can hope, right?)

So pick up that 12 pack of your favorite choice beverage, call in a pizza on your way home from work. And tune in to ESPN tonight at 8:00 Eastern Time to see some SEC action.

Thank god it's finally football time.


Sab's prediction:

This one won't be as close as the final score will dictate. Expect MSU to come strong out of the gate, but succumb eventually to the superior talent of the Tigers.

Final Score: 34 -10