The Auburn football team got its final practice of the week in on Thursday with a 70-minute session behind the Athletic Complex.
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Arkansas basketball strength and conditioning supervisor Kelly Lambert is leaving the program to accept a similar position with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, a UA spokesperson confirmed Thursday.
Lambert has spent seven seasons in his current role and has been at Arkansas since beginning as a graduate assistant in 2001. He has worked with several individuals during [...]

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When you watch a game in real time, sometimes its hard to get a feel for what’s going on. If you are like me, you spend half your time drowning in bourbon and the other half the time pondering how LSU is somehow about to lose a game they are already up by 45 or something. I’m certain that following LSU is horrendous for my health.

Not sure if any of you watched last night, but the second part of Ken Burns “The Tenth Inning” documentary about baseball, specifically the last decade (it was the latest edition to his fabulous series about baseball) ran. Anyway, this long time Red Sox beat writer told the story of the 2003 ALCS when Aaron Boone hit the homerun in the 11th inning of Game 7 to send the Yankees to the World Series. He was watching the game with his sons, who were 11 and 6 (I’m telling this from memory so give me a break if the details aren’t perfect). He said after the homer he just hung his head thinking… “Again?” Before long his 11-year-old tugged on his shirt and said, “Dad I think you need to take care of Bobby” (I don’t remember the 5-year-old’s name). He looked down and saw his 5-year-old son bawling on the floor. At that moment he said, “Oh my… what have I done?”

Now, I’m not a father, and at this point in my life I hope to never have kids. They are great for others, but the moment really hit home with me. My wife is an adopted LSU fan. And I really realized that anyone I bring the joy of LSU football to… I also bring the misery of LSU football to. That’s basically a long winded way of saying that it doesn’t matter to me if we’re 13-0 or 0-12, I will not boo, and I will not stop being a fan.

But who am I kidding, you didn’t come here to read me waxing poetic about LSU fandom. This is meant to be a discussion about a handful of LSU’s plays from Saturday, so let’s take a look.

Overall, I think I’m getting a better feel for what Crowton is trying to accomplish each week (yes, believe it or not, I still believe he’s actually trying to accomplish something). I mentioned briefly last week, our use of the option play. Watching JJ try to run it has been horrendous in the past, but he actually ran it quite well this week. Regardless, this is more about intentions that outcomes. The reason for the options runs is to spread the defense out. Part of any spread offensive coordinators line of thinking is to stretch the field vertically and horizontally. That’s the basic idea. You want the defense to be forced to defend the entire field. Thus the reason the Percy Harvin jet sweep was such a integral part to Florida’s offense (and thus the reason they weren’t nearly as effective last season).

Now, I know everyone (including myself) hates when we run it. But it’s just best to remember that it is accomplishing something. Miles said as much. So even when you see that play go for 1 yard… remember it’s the intention, not the outcome. What I’m saying is that I see Gary trying to set up our later-game middle pounding by forcing the linebackers to space wider and safeties to shade a yard or two further outside by running it wide. He’s trying to maximize our bang for our buck there. Now, why we don’t do the reverse (get the LBs to clog to set up outside runs)… I’m not sure.

There was an impetus on play-action passing this game. On my first couple of watches I couldn’t help but believe the game was totally mismanaged. After the third watch I felt a little better. JJ is taking the brunt of the criticism, but there were probably 8-10 plays that were entirely not on him, many of them ended up being drive killers. Overall, our offense as a whole (other than Stevan Ridley) performed at a very low level. That must get better.

I-Form, Twins

We experimented a bit with Ridley at FB in this game (like his TD run), and I like the idea. This play is the type of creative, simple design that is easy for JJ to execute and can deliver a good play. Ridley motioned slightly left out of the traditional I. This causes the LBers to shift to the strong side of the formation. We ran a play action fake to Blue while booting JJ off of it. Ridley, rather than coming forward like a tradition dive play (which was how it was blocked) came back across the formation into the flats. JJ rolled with him for an easy dump off. The LBers were caught in the trash after shifting over and the WRs did a good job of blocking up the guys in the secondary. JJ got it to Ridley and let him do the work… ended up in an 18-yard gain. Good Gary.

Shotgun, Trips

We ran a good bit of Trips in this game, with the receivers stacked as I depicted above. The above play ended up going for a six-yard loss, but I liked the idea. The execution left something to be desired. It’s more or less a screen pass without the traditional screen style blocking. Shep remained in the backfield, imitating a guy picking up the blitzing linebacker. He chipped him and then rolled off, freeing himself up to catch a pass while the backer continued on to JJ. The angle makes it tough to see, but I think JJ gunned it a bit too hard. Shep was wide open obviously, so no reason for a hard throw… Jefferson needs to learn touch in these situation. But Shep didn’t aid the cause by bobbling the ball and then losing his balance… he ended up stumbling to a six-yard loss. If he could have had a chance to get the ball in space and with good balance, it may have allowed for him to do his thing in the open field… alas, it turned ugly.

Shotgun, Twins

This is one of those times I want to strangle Gary. I LOVE this play… in concept. But why did we run it when we did? As a refresher, we ran this play in the 4th quarter with roughly 9 minutes to go in the game, fresh off another incomplete pass. Why, with a six-point lead, did we think it would be a good time to try and iron out some kinks in the passing game? Milk the damn clock, Gary. Even the color commentator was saying it. Instead, we run three straight passes, waste about 15 seconds of clock and punt. This is following three consecutive run plays, which amounted in a first down. Mind blowing.

All that said, I like the play itself. We motioned Shep across the formation out of Trips and put him back and left of the offensive line, often where we’ll line up TEs. JJ play actions to Ridley who then settles into an open zone in the middle of the defense about five yards deep. Toliver runs a skinny post, and Randle runs a go. Shep runs a nice wheel route and ends up nicely fit between the underneath linebacker and the over the top corner in the zone. All JJ had to do was lay the ball in there (this is a throw he’s made a thousand times in practice). He short armed it. Shep tried to stop and come back to it, but the throw was pitiful. Incomplete. Bad Gary.

Shotgun, Two TE (Big Set)

These final two plays are from the Jarrett Lee series. I include them both not necessarily because they were great or poor plays, but more to highlight how poorly Jarrett played (from my eye, which may not mean much). I’m not trying to pick on the kid, but with everyone calling for him to get a shot, after I rewatched his series about six times, I think I’m beginning to see why he doesn’t get one.

This play was a super-simple zone/read option that JJ ran last weekend for a TD. On the play, the QB’s decision is based entirely off the backside end. If the end crashes hard, the QB keeps and takes it outside. If the end plays contain, the QB sticks the ball in the back’s guy and let’s him take it. On this play, the end crashed hard, but Lee gave it to Ridley anyway. It went for about two yards. Now, perhaps the staff instructed him to fully give, but Lee still did “carry out” the fake by running around to the giant hole vacated by the defender crashing. Lee isn’t much for running, but Peyton Manning could have gotten 7 yards on this play. It was a poor decision (again, if he wasn’t specifically told to just hand it off). Regardless, why are we even running a play like that with Lee? Not his strong suit…

Shotgun, Trips, 4 Wide

This was Lee’s 4th (and final) play, right after he previously completed what looked to be a first down, which was called back by holding. We ran this formation a good deal throughout the night, and it’s basically a modified pistol look. DLO ran a simple out route, Shep ran a slant and go, Randle ran a fly pattern and TT ran the drag on the backside. The play design is fine. You hope DLO is available based off the space vacated by Randle going deep. The linebackers in the middle should get sucked into the slant and go, leaving Toliver as a nice checkdown for a short gain.

Well, that’s basically what happened, with Toliver picking up five yards. Unfortunately, we needed 10. Even more unfortunately, Lee had at least three more seconds in the pocket, because the line absolutely did their job. He gave up on the developing routes, got anxious AND threw it behind TT. All in all, it was ugly. The color commentator mentioned that JJ did the same thing earlier in the night… and he’s right, he did. This is a major problem. For the most part, our line is providing outstanding protection. The QBs have to trust their pocket, stand in there and make strong throws. Neither of them did so, and it’s costing the offense dearly.

All in all, I thought Lee looked rough in his one series. Now, it’s one series and Lee is a rhythm passer. Once he gets hot, he’s rolling. It’s impossible to judge a person off four plays. I’m sure Drew Brees has had a four-play stretch where he looked like Ryan Leaf. It happens. But this is also a reminder that there is a reason Jarrett Lee is Jordan Jefferson’s backup.

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Want to know one additional reason why beleaguered QB Stephen Garcia should start against Alabama?

Check out his passer efficiency rating. Garcia ranks 20th in the country in this important category, with numbers approaching those of some of the NCAA’s elite QBs. Granted, some of Garcia’ efficiency owes to how much mileage we’ve gotten out of the short passing game, but you can’t just forget about the role he’s playing there because that partially owes to the work that our blockers and other skill-position players are doing.

The fact is that this offense is playing quite well with Garcia at the helm, probably as well as we’ve seen a USC offense play since late in 2006. The only thing holding us back are Garcia’s turnovers; if we could eliminate those, we’d have one of the best offenses in the SEC. Of course, we’ve been hoping for a long time that Garcia would begin to figure out how to protect the ball, and the fact that he has yet to do so makes you wonder if he ever will. But some of the reports out of practice this week have suggested that he may be learning his lesson this time, just as he seems to have learned his lesson about forcing throws. There’s nothing like costing your team a huge road win for teaching a player to eliminate a bad habit. I’ll admit that I’m skeptical, but I’m holding out hope for the guy. If nothing else, he’s a fighter and I’d like to believe in him.

This isn’t only a defense of Garcia; it’s a reason for hope overall. If the offense keeps pace and Garcia eliminates turnovers to some degree and our defense improves, and I believe it will as Shaq Wilson gets healthier and Ellis Johnson works to find the right lineup, we could win a lot of games with Garcia. Don’t lose your faith yet.

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Many thanks to our friends at The Rubber Chickens for penning a guest post this week. They’re a welcomed addition to the Gamecock blog-o-sphere, and we here at Garnet and Black Attack are looking forward to collaborating with them more in the future. Byline: Buck

One quarter of the football season has slipped away from us already, which is putting me in a foul mood.  I was in such a good mood last week after a 3-0 start and pending nationally televised showdown with Auburn, I didn’t even file a Comeuppance Report (a.k.a Who I’m Pulling Against This Week). 

But after Saturday night (recap: Newton, Alshon, Newton, Newton, Garcia, Newton, fumble, fumble, Newton, Shaw?!?, interception, interception, Highland Park Scotch, Highland Park Scotch) the things that I have little tolerance for bubbled back to the surface and I feel compelled to share. 

So here are who, and what, I’m pulling against this week, including a couple of non-football related items: (after the jump)

Moral victories – Clemson takes Auburn to overtime and LOSES and somehow their fans celebrate as if they have “arrived”.  We fight Auburn to the wire and lose and our fan base goes all Hindenburg.  I say good for us.

Boise State – Boise State has parlayed two trick plays in a non-championship BCS bowl game into what appears to be a 10-year contract as an ESPN darling.  Yes, they occasionally beat a semi-high-profile team having a medium-profile year, but I’m begging for them to lose just so we don’t have to hear about the genius of Chris Peterson again this Saturday on GameDay. 

Zone defense – Man up and let’s see some press coverage EJ.  If we’re going to get gashed, let’s at least be close enough to put our hands on somebody. 

Auburn – Not just the football team, but the entirety of Auburn – the University, the town and the people.  Opposing SEC fans are not supposed to be treated like this.  Opposing SEC fans are supposed to be harassed, spit on and degraded in front of their children.  It’s a rite of passage.  “Welcome to Auburn” indeed.  They should be ashamed of themselves.      

Florida – A Florida loss to Alabama is the next piece of the puzzle to help set up a showdown between us and Florida for the SEC East crown.  Plus, if somebody is going to pull a monumental upset of Alabama, it needs to be us on Oct. 9.

Greg McElroy – It’s a ridiculous stat that he’s not lost a game he has started at QB since 8^th grade.  I hate ridiculous stats.  Plus, he’s applied to be a Rhodes Scholar.  Me?  I can hang a spoon on my nose.

Kentucky and Vanderbilt – Kentucky has played well, Florida notwithstanding, in a supposed rebuilding year.  Vandy took a pretty good Northwestern team to the final gun and beat Ole Miss on the road.  Why, oh, why can’t these teams just roll over and die?  If we’re considerably more talented than both, then why do they scare the heck out of me season after season?

Root Beer – I was at dinner recently with someone who is not an adolescent who ordered this.  Seriously disgusting.  Root beer is what I imagine medicine used to taste like before they invented artificial berry flavoring. 

Home Box Office – Aside from the occasional hilarious Kenny Powers one-liner, the original programming on HBO has devolved to gratuitous everything.  “What, low on script?  How about we throw in a disembowelment and a threesome with two hot chicks and an undead wolf?”  And forgive me if I don’t want to watch “All About Steve” or “Transformers:  Revenge of the Fallen” every six hours for three months.   

Have a great bye week folks, you deserve it.  And rest assured, I’m pulling FOR you (unless you’re Greg McElroy).     

After suffering its first loss of the season, the Kentucky football team will continue its tough Southeastern Conference schedule, traveling to Oxford, Miss., to take on the Ole Miss Rebels.
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The Alabama football team practiced for 90 minutes in shells (shorts, shoulder pads and helmets) Thursday afternoon at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. It was the Crimson Tide’s final practice before Saturday’s top 10 showdown with Florida.
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Trash talking is bound to happen when two top teams face each other, but this Florida fan has taken it to a whole new level.

A profanity-laden YouTube video posted by a Florida fan has caught the attention of the Tuscaloosa police.

For nearly four minutes, the unidentified fan insults the Tide football team and Alabama residents while seemingly trying to instigate a fight.

“This is going to be the worst loss in Alabama history, and it’s going to send your program into a (expletive) tailspin,” he says. “And you’re going to lose all your games for the rest of the season.”

In the video, he announces where he will be tailgating. According to TideSports.com, Tuscaloosa police have printed his photo and will be looking for him at the game.

It also references an injury to Alabama WR Tyrone Prothro, who broke his leg in the Tide’s 31-3 win over Florida at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2005.

“And that’s nothing compared to what we’re going to do to Mark Ingram’s knee,” the man threatens.

Mark Ingram, the Tide’s Heisman winning running back, missed the first two games of the year after having knee surgery.

Already, the video has nearly 170,000 views and almost 2,000 comments on YouTube. You can watch it here, but it comes with a fair warning that it contains many four-letter F words as well as video of Prothro’s gruesome injury.

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An unhappy camper, Joker Phillips talks to media after this morning’s practice.

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Red Cup Rebellion, SBNation’s outstanding Ole Miss blog, graciously asked us to do a Q&A with them about the game on Saturday.You can read my responses here at your leisure.

Last night, RCR also asked me to participate in their weekly podcast, which I gladly did.  A fun time was had by all, and you can listen to that here.  I am about 20 minutes or so into the program.  A sneak peak — bourbon was a major factor.

Now, here is RCR answering my queries:

Describe the Ole Miss offense this year.  How do you feel about it?  Which offensive player should Kentucky be the most concerned about?

Well, the offense has slowly become what we all wanted it to be schematically when we learned that Jeremiah Masoli had been cleared. At the beginning of the season, we tried running the same conventional offense we ran all of last year with Jevan Snead and Dexter McCluster. It didn’t work, because our offensive line was awful… and we didn’t have Dexter McCluster.

Since then, we’ve seen a lot of four-wide sets that spread he field out and open up the read-option looks with which Masoli thrives. Against Fresno, we unleashed an unstoppable (to a WAC defense) nifty triple-option out of the pistol. In this particular look, Brandon Bolden lines up directly behind Masoli. Jeff Scott lines up in the slot and goes in motion. Masoli looks at the end on the side to which the run is oriented then decides whether to keep it or hand it to Bolden. If he keeps it, he’s running an option with Scott. If he hands it to Bolden, the back is nearly guaranteed a hole, since that’s what dictates that he got the ball.

I love the new offense, and if I ran an offense, it’s quite similar to what I would run.

As for the player with whom you should be most concerned, it all starts with Jeremiah Masoli. Bolden ran for over 200 yards last week, but a lot of that was because Fresno tried as hard as they could to maintain Masoli.

Ole Miss is currently #100 nationally in scoring defense.  I don’t care what conference you play in, that’s no good.  Can you tell me what Ole Miss has been doing wrong, and what they need to do to correct it?

Here’s what we’re doing wrong. We’re being not good in the secondary.

I know that’s simplistic, but let me explain a bit further. Ed Orgeron was at Ole Miss for three seasons. During those three seasons, he signed one (1) cornerback who made it to campus. Yes. It’s that bad. What this resulted in was a few players being forced to move to corner from other positions and players who would normally be given a few years to develop having to play a major role early.

Currently, our top four corners are senior Jeremy McGee (who will miss this game), junior Marcus Temple, redshirt freshman Charles Sawyer, and true freshman Tony Grimes. It’s a pretty dire situation.

At safety, we came into the year starting two seniors with a junior backup to both. That’s not a terrible situation. Of course, since then, both seniors have dealt with injury, and that juco junior has had to play immediately. He has gotten much better in just a short amount of time, but there’s still a problem. Of interest to you, our best safety, Johnny Brown, will also miss this game. Thanks sports gods.

Honestly, the only way to correct it is to get these young guys some experience, and we’re definitely doing that.

I hear Oxford is the archetype of a southern college town.  What makes it that way?  For the Wildcat fans heading that way to see the game, recommend a few things to see and places to go that are convenient and won’t take too much time.

Oxford is quaint but not too quaint. It’s safe and full of liquor. I guess that’s what makes it a great college town.

There are several things you should check out. If you’re content with hanging around on campus, the Grove is obviously the place you want to go. It’s a beautiful place filled with beautiful people and great food. If you approach a tent with humility and represent yourself as a Kentucky fan, you will be greeted with chicken and bourbon. Just try to stay away from people who look totally trashed. They’ll probably scream obscenities at you.

After the game, you can hang out in the Grove a little bit more, but I suggest that you go visit the Oxford Square quickly. If you wait too long, it will get too crowded to do much of anything. The square is the hub of Oxford and features incredible food and a bevy of bars. There are places to shop as well, but if you’re anything like us, you can’t afford any of it.

As for restaurants, take your pick. If it’s not good in Oxford, it doesn’t survive. If you can, check out Ajax, City Grocery, or Downtown Grill, but I can’t fathom that you’ll be able to get a seat at any of those places. People have been on the wait list for months.

Ole Miss is dead last in the SEC in turnover margin, and Kentucky is third.  Ole Miss has failed to make an interception in four games.  How much of a worry are turnovers for the Rebels, and why have they had such a hard time getting picks?

Again, our secondary is awful.

It’s a big concern for us, because we’re probably going to turn the ball over some this year as we adjust to this totally new system of offense. It could easily mean the difference in this game. Sorry that I don’t have a longer answer for you. I think I covered it in the “why is the defense bad” segment.

What’s your prediction for the game?  What’s the final score?  What factors make it work out that way?

I’ll refrain from an actual score, but I think Kentucky pulls this one out by 7-10 points. We just have way too much uncertainty on defense and aren’t showing the killer instinct that helped us so much last year. I think we’ll have trouble containing Chris Matthews and Randall Cobb. I would guess that Derrick Locke won’t break 100 for the first time this season, but he easily could if he rips off one long run.

Our offense should move it on the ground without too much trouble, but I’m just not sure that will be enough to matter. Also, we’re still checking on our offensive line to find the right combination. This one worked well against Fresno, but SEC defenses are a different animal. We could even struggle on the ground. If that happens, we’re absolutely screwed.