Tuesday Question

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...

Will Auburn Go Bowling in 2008?
Speaking statistically, the State of Alabama is leading the SEC in big whopping surprises by a long-shot. Perhaps the two most shocking stories of 2008 are the rise of Alabama (though 8-0, Tiders, is still a long way from 12-0) and the fall of Auburn (because 4-4 ain't that far from 6-6). The loveliest village on the Plains has turned ugly...
again.

A match-up with the Rebels on Saturday seems crucial to Auburn's bowl hopes. Five wins is almost a given with UT-Martin left on the schedule, but if Tubb's Tigers cannot tally a triumph on Saturday, the math looks dreary for the Plainsmen (Alabama and Georgia are unfriendly accountants).

Yeah, probably not, Tom.

So, this could certainly turn into a debate about who is the likely victor on Saturday (Ole Miss sits as the six-point favorite as of today), or it could be a consideration about whether a 6-6 SEC team gets left out. Whichever, the comparison of season-ending grudge matches - Egg and Iron - certainly tend to indicate a merrier Christmas in the Grove than down at Toomer's Corner.

Tuesday Question

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...

Who stars for Arkansas on Saturday - Michael Smith or Casey Dick?

The emerging respectability of Arkansas has ridden, largely, on the back of their tiny tailback (sound familiar) Michael Smith. In looking positively putrid through about Week Four or Five, though, Casey Dick was acting like a Pac-10 quarterback. The UM secondary has waxed and waned between serviceable and awful, while the Rebels' run defense has looked, at different times, awesome, potentially awesome, and awesome ... against Samford. One of them will be big for Arkansas; hopefully not both. Which will it be?

Also - today we've got a two-for-one special - while Arkansas Hate Week will certainly be fun for those of us that play internetz, does it really extend beyond that? I mean, in the Clarion-Ledger today, Coach Nutt said, "You can't help but think what it's going to be like when you're on the opposite side of the field. ... You can't help but have feelings for players you recruited." I doubt seriously that the aforementioned playmakers, Dick, who Coach Nutt eventually chose over pretty-boy Mitch Mustain, and Smith, who likely felt a bond with Nutt as the successor to his Cedric Cobbs-Fred Talley-Felix Jones-Darren McFadden ground dynasty, have any hard feelings for their former coach, who got run right out of town.

For Houston Nutt and the key players for the Razorbacks, won't this be more of a happy reunion than a grudge match?

Tuesday Question

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...

Why has John Parker Wilson failed to totally screw up a game so far?

Say what you will about Sarah Jessica Parker Wilson (I say that he cares more about his 'Bama bangs and that cute boy in Chemistry class than he does about SEC football), but to this point, the hero of the 2007 UL-Monroe game has yet to totally blow it. He has managed games and gotten the ball to playmakers, letting Glen Coffee provide the perk in Alabama's offense. This is not to say, JP has been Craig Krenzel. He has 853 passing yards on the season, and only 9 fewer completions that his counter-part for this weekend, Jevan Snead. The really surprising statistic, though, is that Wilson has only thrown 2 interceptions. And, I hate to break it to the Rebs, but he actually has a better completion percentage (59.8) than Snead (55.2).

In fact, Jevan's current statistics are pretty similar to Wilson's 2007 campaign, thus far. In 2007, JP completed 55.2% of his passes (OMG, it's the exact same! LOL!), and averaged 218 yards passing (compared with Jevan's 212, so far).

So, what gives? What can the Rebels do to force some mistakes by the senior?

Tuesday Question: Coming In Under the Wire Edition

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is

...

Which SEC team will be seriously questioned after Week 7?

While 2007 may have been the wild one for the rest of college football (and it was no doubt pretty note-worthy down here in God's Country), at the mid-point, the SEC season thus far has proven to be full of peaks and valleys for various teams. In Week 1, Alabama went from SEC Western Division Dark Horse to National Title Contender. In Week 2, we learned that either South Carolina really blew or Vanderbilt was doing something wholly unexpected (see: Week 6 for clarification). Week 4 tested Bengal Tiger mettle for the first time, while Week 5 humbled national powers, raised briefly the fleeting hopes of the underdog, and left the rest of us waiting in line at the RTRestroom wanting to take a Saban. Finally, in Week 6 the Rebels learned that the air ain't so nice up here on our high horse, the Gamecocks learned that the Sith have yet to perish from the universe, the Plainsmen learned what it feels like to the Johnson (and we hear it's even worse than a good Crooming), and the Commodores learned how good it feels to beat Tuberville.

Even now I can almost remember the taste of Butterfingers.

Whose season will be either catapulted to further glory or seemingly extinguished this weekend? Will it be the undefeated dreams of the Bayou Bengals or hard-working Tim Tebow? Can the Georgia Bulldogs restore faith or will Phil die (of congestive heart failure) another day?

What say you?

The Triumphant Return of Tuesday Question

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is

...

Which Gamecock quarterback will see the most snaps Saturday against the Rebels? Smelley, Beecher, or Garcia?

Smelley got the start against UAB, but when the official press release went up on the Gamecock official website, the first line read, "Stephen Garcia was 13-for-20 for 131 yards and ran for 86 more in the first significant action of his career, giving South Carolina's offense enough of a kick to beat UAB 26-13 on Saturday night."

Of course, then again, Garcia threw a pick in the 3rd quarter and didn't see the field again.

If I'm Spurrier, I start Garcia. While his passing statistics were nothing to gloat over (See: Snead, Jevan), he ran for 86 yards. Designed quarterback runs have been successful against the Rebels this season. Furthermore, Spurrier saw why this blog has fawned over the Rebel Front Four and must be worried that Beecher or Smelley will be sitting ducks on Saturday.

Tuesday Question

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...

You can have one but only one. Would you have the president of your choice in 2008 or an SEC Championship in 2008?

As Ole Miss fans are well aware, four years is not absolutely unbearable. Sure, someone might get fired at the end of the term, but Vaught-Hemingway Stadium was not and the country will likely not be destroyed after four years in the wilderness.

So, Rebels, the debate starts here. What's more important? Country or football? My rationale (and, please, if you meet John McCain, just leave this out): I might not ever get tickets to the White House, but I can dang sure get tickets to the Sugar Bowl.

Tuesday Question

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...

Can we/How do we/What if we don't put pressure on Riley Skinner?

Wake Forest has a good quarterback. His name is Riley Skinner, which, unfortunately, does not sound like the the Norse god of street cred, but does sound sufficiently like somebody who might be Avril Lavigne's sk8trboifriend.

Meanwhile, Ted Laurent and Jerrell Powe averaged half a tackle between the two of them, Peria Jerry will be all of about 21 days removed from surgery and probably have all the mobility Wilford Brimley on a Rascal even if he's back on the field, and Greg Hardy is still getting blazed and playing Xbox rehabilitating.

Skinner is more of a pocket presence than either Will Hudgens or Sir Arkelon Lord Hall the Planet-eater were. Perhaps, Kentrell Locket's speed will be more of an asset this weekend. We might not sack the quarterback, but we have to force Skinner to make some mistakes.

Discuss.

Tuesday Question

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...

Is Memphis a Rival?

Although it's fairly pathetic for this to be the case during the very first week of football, jobs and school have a lot of us Cuppers weighed down a good bit. Therefore, to keep it lively around here, we'd like to open up this Tuesday with a question which, if we're lucky, may lead to a brief discussion or even a debate. Today's question is: "Is Memphis truly a rival of ours?"

Many say it isn't. They cite a real lack of competitiveness between the teams, conference disparities, and a lack in tradition (when compared to LSU and State).

Many say it is. They cite EA Sports, proximity, and good ol' fashioned hatred.

What say you?

Tuesday Question

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...

Who wants to help me go to the Wake Forest game?


It'd be cheerio-sunshine-awesome were I powerful enough to convince you that my motives are totally pure and all I want is to provide all our readers with top-notch on-site reporting. But this is not a Disney movie, and I am not your magic cricket. I am a man who wants to watch football and promises to provide you with the kind of Ole Miss football coverage you will only find at The Cup - the kind that has obscenities. Otherwise, you can enjoy the football equivalent of the hunger strike - Associated Press, Rick Cleveland, and The Daily Mississippian - that menacingly awaits you on Sunday, September 7.

Don't start throwing money at your computer screen just yet (it doesn't work that way, Grandpa). I'm not asking for hand-outs. I'm asking for somebody that knows somebody that knows somebody that's up for the road trip (y'know, old chap, gas prices and all), a tip about your second cousin that lives fifteen minutes Winston-Salem, and/or any other helpful information.

I've got Carolina on my mind, baby!