Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed this past Friday from LSU andagain we see the fragile nature of todays student athletes. The Honey Badgerwas the consummate playmaker and had a flare for the big play at the righttime. To push aside his loss as something that is of little importance would beinsulting to the many Heisman voters who had him 5th in last yearsrace. Mathieu was the best player on the best team in the country for theregular season. This is a major loss for Les Miles but certainly one he can overcome.The Tigers were a locker room divided at the end of last season and as 2012begins they must draw closer together and bond for a title run. What isunfortunate for fans is we like to watch the Isaiah Crowells and TyrannMathieus play every Saturday, but because of their own actions we wont getthe chance to, at least in the SEC.
This past weekend was scrimmage day for many teams as theysettle in to the fall camp. With three weeks until the opening of the seasonmany battles still have to be decided. I think that the key quarterback battlesneed to find leaders at this point in camp and here is why.1.Your team needs to find someone to rally behind.The quarterback position is a natural leadership position and even if you planon playing two guys the team needs to know who is taking snap one.2.Game planning and preparation will begin soonfor the opener and teams that have tough match-ups need to get first team repsfor the first guy on the field.3.It eliminates the daily questions and hasslewith the media. If guy A gets the start he deals with it now and Guy B is toldhe will get his shot is Guy A falters.4. Teamswill say the idea of having some secrecy will help versus an opponent but I dontsubscribe to that theory. I believe in installing confidence by naming astarter and eliminating doubt. The key to success is belief in your ability sopick a guy and go.SEC QB QuestionsAuburn-Kiehl Frazier or Clint MoselyFlorida-Jacoby Brissett or Jeff DriskelKentucky-Maxwell Smith or Morgan NewtonOle Miss-Barry Brunetti or Bo WallaceTexas A&M-Jameill Showers or Johnny ManzielOne quarterback that isnt competing for the starting job isJames Franklin at Missouri. He returns as the leading total offensive producerin the league. (Ok his numbers were against the Big 12). He is coming offinjury but the rising junior is ready to go in Gary Pinkels spread attack. Hecan do it on the ground and through the air and many in Columbia are expectingbig things from Franklin against his new competition. The Question remain-CanFranklin have the same success versus SEC defenses? The naysayers will say onlythe Texas Longhorns have a defense that would even finish in the top ten of theSEC last season. The optimist will say look at Tim Tebow and Cam Newton, both spreaddual threat quarterbacks who won Heismans in a defensive league. The truth isthe answer lies somewhere in the middle. The offensive line will be the key andtheir ability to influence opposing defensive lines. It wont be aboutblowing teams off the ball as it is about angles. I think the entire Missouriversus Georgia game will ride directly on this battle. I think Missouri willhave success early in the season, but as they move through the conferenceschedule teams will get more film and have a good plan for them. Georgia is ina tough position because frankly they have to go first and all the pressure ison them. Missouri 2011The Tigers went 0-4 versus ranked opponents but ran for 211yards per game. -Tellsme teams force Franklin to beat them with the pass. -Leaguewas soft on defense and was good with being in track meet games.James Franklin was a 50 passer in three of those losses andhad 4 interceptions. -Pinkelhas repeatedly said in camp that he must make good decisions. -In a17-5 win over Texas (Big 12 1 defense) he completed 69 of his passes.In three of the first four conference games Missouri willface three of the top five pass defenses from 2011 in the league. Georgia 5, South Carolina 2 and Alabama 1.