Two Daves Pick The SEC
2009 Bowl Edition
December 27, 2009
Editor’s note: This was written before Urban Meyer’s change of heart and decision to remain the head coach of the Florida Gators.
Welcome to Two Daves Pick the SEC! The Hiroshima of SEC football occurred yesterday as Urban Meyer announced his resignation as Florida’s head coach. Shockwaves are still being felt around all of college football with many programs fearing that phone call from Jeremy Foley. I’d like to applaud Meyer for taking the appropriate steps to take care of himself and his family. Sure, they have plenty of cash, but if daddy dies from a heart attack, no amount of cash will replace daddy. Family first, without exception, and Urban has learned that. Many programs are now concerned that UF and it Brinks truck will come take their coach, let the games begin!
Doug says:
Well, it pains me to say that the 2009 season is pretty much over. Since we last spoke, we saw Alabama barely escape Auburn in the Iron Bowl, and Mississippi State smack around Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl. Impressively, there are ten SEC teams in bowl games this year, and honestly, Mississippi State was a whisker away from making that number eleven.
Of course, the big news is Urban Meyer and his sudden resignation at Florida. This news is rocking the college football world, and it could significantly change the coaching landscape in the conference. It will be interesting, that’s for sure.
Our boy Bubb Rubb is back in the house!
Bubb says:
Bubb Rubb back at ya. Where did my Soul Bruthas go? My Commodores, fresh off a bowl win, finished in the cellar and one of only two teams that didn’t go to a bowl! Damn, that’s wack! My soul bruthas were down, my Raiders are down, my UAB Blazers were down. Bubb may just have to give up football. Nah, you crackas know I can’t do that. Let’s pick some games.
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, Nashville, TN
Kentucky-Clemson
Dave says:
This game features two big-time playmakers in UK’s Randall Cobb and Clempson’s CJ Spiller. Both of these guys have the ability to get large chunks of real estate on one play. Throw in that Clemson has suspended four players from the game for the infamous violation of team rules, and that has the potential to make this really interesting. The bottom line will come down to the running game; Kentucky cannot stop one and Clemson has a solid one. Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon set a school rushing record 252 yards at Kentucky and Spiller has Dixon-like talent. The Wildcats will rely heavily on Cobb and the rest of the cats to put points on the board to have a chance in this game. I think the inability to stop the run game will lead to UK’s demise. UK will put up a good fight in a close one. Rich Brooks will be the next coach at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Clempson 31
UK 27
Doug says:
This one should be interesting. Historically, ACC teams come in and lay eggs in the Music City, it seems. Heck, Vandy (!) won this bowl last year. But, I think this is a bad matchup for the SEC representative this year. I don’t think Kentucky has the offense to get it done. I hope I’m wrong, but we’ll see.
Clempson 28
Mildcats 20
Bubb says:
I told y’all before, Kentucky gonna be my new favorite SEC team, just as soon as they get old crusty-azz Rich Brooks outta there and bring in my boy Joker. The only problem is that Coach Brooks keep taking Kentucky to bowl games, so he ain’t going nowhere for a while. Clemson’s got my by CJ Spiller, and I hope the Raiders pick him up some day. By the 4th quarter, Kentucky’s gonna be tired from chasing him all over the field.
CJ Shoulda Won The Hiesman 34
Waitin On Joker 21
AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, Shreveport, LA
Texas A&M-Georgia
Dave says:
Both of these teams have had an up and down season. A&M was chugging right along when Arkansas steamrolled them. Georgia has been much like Cybil this year. Defensive inconsistencies cost UGA’s DC Willie Martinez his job, along with other defensive coaches. All of this just in time for playing a red-hot A&M offense. The Aggies are in the top 25 in the offensive categories that count, yet they too have major defensive woes. The team that can control the line of scrimmage will win this game. If Georgia keeps up its recent pace of running for 250+ per game, they win. If the A&M offense gets going in full speed, they probably win in a cakewalk. Georgia beat Arkansas, who skulldrug A&M – that logic usually fails miserably. Flip a coin on this one. Mark Richt will be the next coach at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
UGA 34
TAMU 31
Doug says:
The Aggies have given up points in bulk this year, but they did play a whale of a game against Texas to end their regular season. My litmus test on Georgia this year has centered around QB Joe Cox and the time of day the game is played. In day games, he’s generally struggled, and so has his team, but in night games, he’s a different player. So, due to the late afternoon kickoff, expect Georgia to get off to a slow start while the sun is out, but pour it on late after the sun sets.
Dawgs 38
Texags 24
Bubb says:
My girl L’il Sis still like Georgia, even though David Greene ain’t around no more. Coach Richt had him a rough season, but I think he gonna get it fixed. He prolly won’t have any hair left by then, though. They should beat A&M, but then again, they lost a few games they shoulda won this year.
Hairy Dawgs 31
12th Man 28
Chick-Fil-A Bowl, Atlanta, GA
Virginia Tech-Tennessee
Dave says:
Both of these teams put up stellar fights against Alabama, who is playing for the BCS title. Frank Beamer has had a tremendous career at Virginia Tech, while Lane Kiffin sometimes coaches, sometimes talks way too much and is apparently a pimp with the “Orange Pride” gals helping him recruit. To have the NCAA up in your business in the first year as a head coach is usually a bad omen. Jonathon Crompton started the season looking terrible, but he has progressed a great deal through the season. Eric Berry picked up his Thorpe award and is probably playing his last game as a Volunteer. On offense, these teams are matched up well, both putting up almost 400 yards and 30 points per game. Coaching is what will make the difference in this game. Monte Kiffin is one of the best defensive minds in all of football. That said, Frank Beamer has a stellar resume himself and he knows how to win.
Lane Kiffin will be the next coach at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Vajanyuh Tekk 27
Tennessee 21
Doug says:
My gut just tells me that Virginia Tech is the better team here. Every time I’ve picked against the Vols this year, it’s come back to haunt me, but I just don’t see Crompton and company winning this one.
What’s a Hokie? 24
Rocky Top 20
Bubb says:
Y’all know I like me some Lane Kiffin. Once a Raider, always a Raider, baby. He been talkin’ smack all year, about Florida, about Alabama, about whoever. But his team been backing it up, too. I like me some Coach Orgeron, too. Yeah, he crazy, but he crazy like a super-recruitin fox. These damn Vols gonna be tough to handle real soon.
Coach Kiffin 21
VT 14
Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL
Northwestern-Auburn
Dave says:
Gene Chizik’s first year on the plains turned out to be a good one with Auburn finishing 7-5, and within a hair of beating Alabama to end the season. Northwestern has won five of its last six games, impressive in itself. Auburn will use a healthy dose of Ben Tate and Ontario McCalebb to wear down Northwestern, and there will be enough Chris Todd throwing the ball to keep the defense honest. Auburn should win this one. Gene Chizik will be the next coach at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Auburn 31
Northwestern 24
Doug says:
How happy are Auburn fans to be back in a major bowl game? I didn’t hear much about Northwestern this year, so I don’t know what to expect from them here. But, I do know this: when it’s Big Ten vs. SEC, you can generally count on the SEC to get it done.
War Tigers 28
Wildcats 14
Bubb says:
Auburn in tha Outback Bowl? Damn, that’s wack! Not only do they get a big bowl, but they also get them a team that they should whip. I mean, Northwestern had them a good year and all, but 3 losses in tha Big Ten? And they expect to come down south and beat Auburn?
Chizik and Malzahn 31
Whatever 10
Capital One Bowl, Orlando, FL
Penn State-LSU
Dave says:
The old man versus the hat. If this game comes down to coaching, LSU is in trouble. There are some good matchups to be seen in this game, particularly Penn State’s passing game against LSU’s secondary. LSU’s biggest problem is injuries, particularly at tailback. The only back healthy is Trindon Holliday, and he cannot carry the ball 20+ times a game. Hey Les, here’s a hint, Chad Jones, can probably run the ball well too. The on thing LSU has going for it is the fact that they have mercilessly beaten the crap out of their opponent in the post season under Miles, winning by an average of 28.5 points per game. I don’t see that happening here, they don’t have a run game to balance out the passing game, and that is a problem. Les Miles will be the next coach at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Penn State 24
LSU 21
Doug says:
As I said earlier, Big Ten vs. SEC is generally bad news for the boys up north. This one should be no exception. The only thing that concerns me is that Les Miles is a Big Ten guy, and his teams have underachieved the last couple of years. LSU has the better team on paper, so I’m going that way, but don’t be surprised to see JoePa’s boys pull the upset.
Coonasses 21
Yankees 20
Bubb says:
Hmm, my coonass friends think this be a cakewalk. I think LSU got the talent to make it a cakewalk, but the thing is, they gots the talent to make every game they play a cakewalk. Somethin’ ain’t quite right with my boy Coach Miles.
Coonasses 24
Joe Paterno’s Old Ass 17
Allstate Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, LA
Cincinnati-Florida
Dave says:
This game just got really interesting. Florida is now losing Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow after this game, and already lost DC Charlie Strong. Of course, Cincinnati has lost Brian Kelly. I’ll say this right now, it doesn’t matter. Florida’s players will play at about 130% to ensure their coach goes out on a winning note. When you have the level of talent that Florida does, that means trouble for the opponent. Tebow, Cooper, Hernandez, Demps, Rainey, and that is just on offense. Dunlap, Spikes, Haden – these guys will bring their A game as well. Not a good time to be a Bearcat. Urban Meyer will be the next coach at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Florida 42
Cincy 24
Doug says:
Let’s see…Urban Meyer is coaching his last game here, and Cincinnati is coachless, with their head guy already gone to Notre Dame. Yeah, this is not going to be pretty.
Gators 35
Gator Bait 17
Bubb says:
I like Cincinnati. They look like a buncha gangstas on tha football field. But their coach is gone, and you never know how that’s gonna go. They got a good QB, but Li’l Sis say he’s got him some real skinny legs and Florida’s defensive line prolly gonna kill that poor white boy. I think she’s right.
Gators 28
Gangstas 21
Papajohns.com Bowl, Birmingham, AL
South Carolina-Connecticut
Dave says:
The visor takes his AKC to Birmingham to face the Huskies of Uconn. These two teams have had their ups and downs this year, with Uconn having the biggest downer in the stabbing death of CB Jasper Howard. Uconn has a solid offense that puts up some great numbers. The Spurrier Fun N’ Gun is really more of just a gun now, there’s not much fun in the offense, with them shooting themselves in the foot at times, thus the gun. One thing I would not like if I were Uconn is that USC’s DC Ellis Johnson has had a month to prepare for my offense. Johnson is a mastermind and he will have his defense ready. Eric Norwood might eat two or three players for fun before heading to the NFL. USC is good enough to win this game, and I think they will. Spurrier will take the reins back over at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
AKC 24
Uconn 20
Doug says:
The ol’ ball coach has gotta be thrilled about returning to Legion field. I don’t think he’s been there since the good old days…when the SEC championship game was played in thirty degrees and sleet. Uconn is in for a culture shock, and then a reality check. I don’t think they belong on the field with an SEC team, even if that SEC team is Carolina.
Cackolackey 31
Uconn 10
Bubb says:
My cousin Cornelius lives in Birmingham and he be tryin’ to get me to come visit him and go to this game, but I don’t want to. I’m from the Oak Town, where we roll hard, but even I don’t want to walk through the hood in Birmingham. Those playas don’t play over there. I don’t think Uconn knows what they gettin’ themselves into. Carolina already be in tha dirty south, so they gonna feel at home.
Dirty South 28
Up North 17
AT&T Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX
Oklahoma State-Mississippi
Dave says:
Last year, Ole Miss went to Dallas and handed Texas Tech its ass. That, of course, led to the preseason hype this year with Ole Miss debuting in the top 10. Then reality set in and the Rebels finished in third place in the SEC West. Oklahoma State, well, I’M A MAN! Mississippi State laid the gameplan out to beat Ole Miss, run the ball effectively and limit Dexter McCluster as much as possible. Both of these teams and their fans will enjoy Jerry’s World more than the game itself. Of course, you would expect that with a billion dollar stadium. I think Snead will have a decent game and McCluster will go off like a bomb. Houston Nutt will be the next coach at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Ole Miss 31
Oklahoma State 21
Doug says:
The Rebels got pounded in the Egg Bowl, and it cost them a bigger bowl. But still, the Cotton isn’t a bad consolation prize. They’re gonna get their butts kicked if they aren’t ready to play, though. Oklahoma State’s coach is a man; he’s forty. I’m going to pick the Rebs, but I won’t be surprised if they lose, either.
Confederates 24
T. Boone’s Boys 21
Bubb says:
Coach Nutt’s boys be limpin’ into their bowl game after tha asswhippin’ they got in tha Egg Bowl. Coach Nutt flirted with tha Kansas job, too. I think he be a good coach, but he just goofy. My boy Dexter McCluster should have a big game, but if he don’t, look out. I’m bettin’ that he does.
Old South 31
Cowboys 17
Autozone Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN
Arkansas-East Carolina
Dave says:
WOOOOOOO PIG, SOOOIE! Bobby Petrino’s Hogs ended the season on fire, putting up a tremendous amount of offense with Ryan Mallett throwing the ball very well. East Carolina is no slacker, they put up good numbers as well. Bobby Petrino will be Florida’s next head coach. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Arkansas 37
East Carolina 30
Doug says:
Arkansas looks like a C-USA team this year: high-powered offense, suspect defense. Don’t sleep on those East Carolina Pirates, though. Arkansas will have the home crowd advantage, and that may be just enough to pull them through.
Hogs 28
Pirates 24
Bubb says:
L’il Sis wuz watchin’ tha Today Show last week and somebody wuz holding up a sign that said Pig Sooie on it in tha crowd. The guy on tha show was like, “whatever that means”. Exactly, man. Bubb just don’t get it. But 50,000 folks will be screaming it in Memphro.
Pig Sooie 31
C-USA 17
Citi BCS National Championship Game, Pasadena, CA
Texas-Alabama
Dave says:
This game is what you expect with nine million dollars of coaching. Mack Brown just signed a cool $5 million a year deal and Nick Saban is set up at $4 million a year. Texas got lucky and squeaked past Nebraska in the Big 12 title game, while Alabama skulldrug Florida. The problem with picking this game is that most of the time, the number one ranked team with a Heisman winner usually chokes in the MNC game. Take 1992 for example, #2 Alabama beat the crap out of #1 Miami with Heisman winner Gino Torretta.
Alabama has a lot of weapons in Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Julio Jones, Marquis Maze and Greg McElroy. Their play against Florida speaks volumes about their ability. The Tide has a smothering defense that can make multiple big plays in a game. Leigh Tiffin is a golden kicker and completes the Alabama dominance in all three phases of the game. Texas had quite an arsenal as well; Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley have been lovers for four years now, and they hook up all the time. Wow, that didn’t sound good. James Kirkendall is also in the mix with McCoy and Shipley. This won’t end well, I better stop here. What is really interesting here is that Will Muschamp, Texas’ defensive coordinator and coach in waiting was an assistant at LSU under Nick Saban. Muschamp knows what Saban likes to do, and that gives Texas an advantage. The question is, does Texas have the firepower to counter what Alabama’s offense is going to do? I cannot say for certain that they do or do not. Alabama does not have Nakamadong Suh on its defensive line, but they do have Mount Cody. He’s not the sackmaster that Suh is, but he is still very effective. I think this one will be close at the half and Alabama will pull away in the second half, much like they did to start the season against Virginia Tech. Oh yeah, Saban’s contract has no penalties for him leaving, so he’s going to be the next coach at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true. Should Texas win this game, Will Muschamp will be the next coach at Florida. You just read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Alabama 30
Texas 17
Doug says:
The talking heads will dissect this one to death leading up to the game. Nick Saban vs. Mack Brown. Colt McCoy vs. Mark Ingram. Blah, blah blah. Here’s all you need to know: Alabama has the defense to shut down Texas. Period. The national championship will remain in the SEC where it belongs. I sure hate to see it in Alabama, though. Their fans are insufferable enough as it is.
Roll Tide 27
Hooked Horns 17
Bubb says:
This one be for all tha marbles. Alabama’s defense is nasty. I mean, like old Raiders nasty. I don’t think Mark Ingram deserved tha heisman, but he’s a good back and will prolly run wild on Texas. Alabama’s defense is gonna be on Colt McCoy all day, though, and that’ll be tha difference. I wish Coach Saban would come coach my Raiders. So does everyone else in tha SEC
Alerbamma 31
Steers 10
