ATFS - Humpday edition and new style

Like SNL's Barry Gibb (Fallon), this video will not be a recap anymore but now will be a "no-nonsense show" and straight to the point, my point. enjoy: http://youtu.be/MyjNHna3yOQ

 

 

Will Manny D provide a Bite!

ATFS - The Inventor Edition

The Fletcher Show took a fun run today with some interesting topics.

First off, resident Tim Fletcher Show caller JR  called in the Show and gave a full breakdown of his new invention of the helmet camera. Not an auxillary peice but an actual helmet with built in camera which is drwaing rave reviews and already been purchased by Arena Football League. For more, be on the lookout for Fletcher's Shreveport Times Sunday Article

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ue3N4lVDwo&feature=youtu.be

JR's helmet will soon be Steeler approved...

ATFS - Tim Brando Edition

Great hump day today with live call in from Tim Brando and more. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMcbvn3kpQU

Brando breakin it down with Fletch today

ATFS - In Studio edition

http://youtu.be/17E24wm9h5M

Rare live studio edition of the After Tim Fletcher Show!! 

ATFS- After the Tim Fletcher Show- Saints!!

Today we broke down all things New Orleans Saints leading up to their match up Jan 11 vs. the seahawks. If you missed it, and shame on you if you did, here's a quick recap of what we wrapped about. Forgot to break Fletchers picked 27-24 seahawks and his adopted son Cupcake predicted at 28-24 seahawks win...

click link

http://youtu.be/V8lOD2gJUVA

Ed Hardy reporting

Saints win on last second TD 25-24, book it!

ATFS - New caller Thursday

After Tim Fletcher Show 1-9-2014 was highlighted by the "new caller Thursday", where only new callers were allowed to call in and join the Tim Fletcher Show Family. From Drywall to Mrs 100 percent, all of the new callers today were great and encouraged to call back. Fight your way in and pray Cupcake doesnt hang up on you. Be somebody, be a Tim Fletcher Show regular, just dooo it!

Former Louisvillie Cardinal and Shreveport Loyola native son Art Carmody called in from Florida to talk about Coach Petrino and his coming back to Louisville. Art said yes, he is a hard guy though main drive is simply to win. As Art said he & Coach P had a great relationship as Petrino took a chance on the former walk-on from Shreveport and i worked out great for both of them. Even though I was not in studio, I bet Fletch was sad as though he will never tell you. He misses Bobby. 

"Keep your eyes off my Jessica boy"

And our own Major Leaguer Todd Walker was in his Thursday 8-9 spot, breaking down the Hall of Fame inductees, inside scoop on Greg Maddox, Craig Biggio and Sammy Sosa, whom he all has memorabilia from. Todd was on fire today. STK had a funny Twitterverse about Bobby P and got the twitter rolling. Cake was just, well himself as usual.

Dont let his actions fool you, he knows exactly what hes doing.

SAINTS- SEAHAWKS PREVIEW COMING NEXT

Ed Hardy Out

Losing a Legend

GRRRRREATNESS, HAS LEFT COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

I know greatness when I see it, my wife (Saints-wife), my daughter (Saints-nuggett) and the New Orleans Saints Football Organization. However even though I have no affiliation with this person, Johnny Manziel is simply great, not only with his play on the field but he EPITOMIZES what college football is all about. The excitement, the revelry, the pageantry, and game day experience is what Johnny Football took to levels that were unheard of. Not since Michael Vick has there been an electric eight football player that I can remember, ON the field. Well Johnny football had many off the field transgressions, he still is a kid and he had fun doing it all the way. He acted like any other 19 or 20 year-old boy would have in College. He's really no different than you or me, he just didn't hide from how much fun he was really having.

As you know, I've always preferred the NFL over college. Not because of the teams I'll follow but because the playoff system and ranking in the preseason, which I believe is totally BUNK. When I try to stay (watching) college football, I always lose myself in November if my teams bow out, which leads up to another meaningless bowl season (for big enchilada). But Johnny changed my College Football perception these last several years as I did not care who he played against  whether it was Rice, Sam Houston State or even downtrodden Arkansas, I was glued to the television set just to see what he would do. I got to see Johnny football in person when they played Louisiana Tech in the epic Louisiana Tech come back game not only to see Johnny football work his magic and pull out of victory.  I saw close up on the sidelines at Kyle Field Johnny football take on LSU, while LSU won. Johnny football did EVERYTHING under the sun to win the ball game. He is a Baller. Jamison Winston was thought to be the next phenom in college football in 2013, however he is only as good as his complementary parts. Johnny has done so much with so less and still makes the players around him (on his team) look like all conference stars.

The SEC as well as most of the nation will be graduating and losing a lot of junior, senior and QB stars to the NFL next season, so DEFENSE will probably take center stage in 2014. Texas A&M will be hit the hardest as they will be irrelevant and no better than Ole Miss or Mississippi State for decades to come. Yes I went there, Johnny made that much of an impact. So to all you haters of the NFL out there, when you're tired of seeing the same ole same ole, jump on the NFL bandwagon as we got room for you. Johnny football will make the NFL take notice next year with his theatrics. Unlike RG3, Johnny has the football Gods on his side.  I pray he does not go to Oakland or Cleveland.  The Houston Texans must nut up and TAKE him with the number 1 pick. It is his hometown area and a short 4 Hour Dr to Houston for Ed Hardy to make and see the Legend continue.

Ed Hardy out!

ATFS- After Tim Fletcher Show Breakdown E3

Today was a great show, with LSU's newest star, Brandon Harris. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNhMJH2i1MY&feature=youtu.be

Ed Hardy Out.

ATFS

Tech Tuesday rapid fire Tim Fletcher Show breakdown:

-Fletch almost nailed final score, but got winning team right , go Noles

-3 stellar calls right out if the six o'clock shoot-SilverNBlack then ABC then Billy, all giving different breaks on the BCS finale.

-Fletch did his best to demarginalize Cakes air time but heavy caller traffic did the trick 

-Though he couldn't resist & Cakes desire to move away took hit with his very nervous live solo on air Monday replay at 7, very telling

-Tech BB coach breaking down the dogs at 8 with Smoothie King Tech Tuesday

-STK gets multiple interrupted by her pops during Twitterverse, even forgot she was doing it. STK knows how to rebound  daily (with cake) and nails it

-The Tim Brando called in via airport terminal in route to Notre Dame to break down the game & final death of the BCS.

-Skandar throws out mad trivia

-and lastly Ralph owns up and agreed to pay his bet after Auburn lost

Ed Hardy reporting 

PS- ATFS Video style back tomorrow, as writer had dinner gig tonite

ATFS- After Tim Fletcher Show, Video Style

Starting today I will be beginning a video wrap up of the Tim Fletcher Show the ATFS. Now remember, I'm not a face man nor a TV personality so just like my blogs name, the first ones out of the shoot will be a tad bit "raw". However,  just wanted to recap what we chewed on today on the Tim Fletcher Show in case you missed it. And yes, one correction, Florida State blew out opponents not Auburn, as I mistakenly said in Blog. Hey, you gotta appreciate Fletch and how he does it with ease on the tele. I'm a radio man.. Check it out here:

http://youtu.be/eo6bIbH6BnA

Ed Hardy reportitng

Alabama and Saban playing the media

Have no fear Bama fans, Nick Saban and Alabama know what they're doing all along. Just like how the NFL has masterfully dominated the news during the off-season Alabama is doing the same thing up to the college national championship game.

Case in point: Alabama's arch rival Auburn is in the title game, and that is a huge recruiting advantage during this month off. By toying with the media, keeping Nick Saban & Alabama's name front and center during this time, allows Coach Saban to actively recruit the top prospects. This keeps the attention on Alabama and not Auburn. He is not going anywhere.

Alabama, Coach Saban and his agent Jimmy Sexton are all on the same page and are just using this to keep the attention on the Crimson Tide. They are playing everyone but it will work out perfectly as he will re-sign and get paid and sign the top high school prospects as usual. 

Evil Genius

Ed Hardy reporting 

Santa----I meant Saban watch 2013

According to every fanatic LSU fan I've run into this past week swears that Sabin is going to Texas. Wishful thinking? Not sure but I wonder if the Baylor outcome has any merit to that rumor.

Still, I believe Saban has a real shot at going back to the NFL with the Houston Texas admist Gary Kubiak's recent dismissal. They have one of the best defensive ends and wide receivers in the entire game plus the number one pick (potentially). I know it's a longshot but if he ever wanted to try the NFL again this is a tasty opening.

EH out!

The Saints recipe for success is not a tall order

Boom Slam!

The Saints offense last week against Seattle was completely uncharacteristic and flat out abysmal. The running game was shut down which is not a shocker as it has been hit or miss all season.  Jimmy Graham played like he had eyes in the back of his head and Lance Moore along with the other Saints receivers have completely vanished. So what's the answer when we play another tough defense like Seattle's, even when they are not in the Superdome? Answer: Jitterbug!

The Jitterbug I'm talking about is Darren Sproles of the Saints (coined by the Saints wife herself). While short in stature, the Jitterburg can do so many things, not just be a pass receiver out of the backfield. He will be Drew Brees security blanket now vacated by Lance Moore. As evident since his return from injury, Moore has been nonexistent and cannot shed receivers when Brees really needs him, especially when he has to scramble. The short pass is a major component of the Saints offense, it is like a run plan. All Saints fan know from watching Ingram, anything more than 2.1 yards a rush is a major improvement in this department. That's why Jitterbug (Sproles) needs to be a focal point of this offense again. Better late than never with Carolina coming up. 

Here are the benefits of inserting Jitterbug into the Saints lineup as a full-time starter, immediately:

• he knows the office like the back of his hand as he has been with Brees for years. You can rely on him when Drew calls late audibles.

• as Tim Fletcher says, the most dangerous play the Saints have is when he gets man-to-man with a linebacker and Brees floats a pass to him in open space, easy money

• against an aggressive defense like the Panthers, Jitterbug is a true asset not for the usual screen play the Sains love, but for the sprint draw, which due to his small stature, he can really do some damage when the rush goes quickly past him

• he also recognizes the defense and picks up blocks extremely well for his size

• he can be an even more effective runner if the Saints run him early and often, as the linebackers will have to account for him in the middle which will free up the big plays on the edge

• is skill-set is different from the three other running backs the Saints have on the roster, which is flat out hard to prepare for.

Jitterbug missed some time due to injury but I really think Coach Payton has him in the long-term plans especially for the upcoming Panther match-ups and for final stretch run. Just look in the history book of the Saints (under Payton), when Reggie Bush got more snaps than usual, it presented Bush as more of a threat than just a situational runner/receiver, and he had some big time plays! Coach Payton fed him the ball when it really counted (playoffs-crucial games). The season is on the line this Sunday versus the Panthers so it's time to let it all hang out and I'm telling you, Jitterbug needs the spotlight. The Saints are not a balanced team and I'm sick and tired of them trying to be one, they are a pass first, pass second, and maybe run here & there ball club. So does that make them a finess team? Yeah, but why is that's so freaking bad as look with the 49ers did back in their heyday with Montana? Last time I checked they were a finesse team as well but look at their results, it was Super. 

So getting back to my point, the Saints need to be totally aggressive offensively all the time, which they are so good at. So instead of the 3 yards and a cloud of dust with Pierre and Ingram on obvious run situations, get it to JITTERBUG. By utilizing him more, the defenses have to respect this little guy with and then Colston, Moore and of others will reemerge, as you can't cover everybody.

Ed Hardy out!

Damage control



just run the damn ball baby!!!

After the 21 point loss to Alabama last weekend, LSU needs to do more than just regroup, in order to salvage this season of 2013. Damage control. Specifically what I mean by this as the psyche & character of this team has been severely challenged by this loss to this once equal foe (Bama). Face it, the gap has widened. Once upon a time, LSU was the only real test to derail Alabama's ascension to the top year in and year out. Last Saturday, that notion has been put to rest. Instead of the LSU fans and boosters rallying for a new coach, they are now searching for an identity.

Before the season started, I was very skeptical of Cam Cameron & the new direction LSU was taking in towards their team scheme and direction. I even wrote an article on it, stating what is really wrong with 3 yards in a cloud of dust- no offense, when you play great defense and are in the national title hopes year in and year out, why change? I predicted that this new philosophy will implode and Les would take the reins and play small ball yet I was wrong on one of those accounts. I also predicted Cam would jettison for greener pastures next season, but that remains to be seen. 

LSU fans got what they wanted, that is a high scoring offense with potential. But with that came its own set of departures from the past. The defense was in a serious overall mode with all the exiting stars to the NFL. Granted, the offense did its job early on bailing out the defense, outscoring the opponents and letting the defense cut its teeth in the process. But when their biggest for came up, the offense could not overpower Bama as Bama did not scrap their philosophy during the off-season. Ball control, running game and keeping their defense off the field would really have benefited LSU last weekend. Who knows if LSU's last years offense could have bailed out this year's defense, probably not. Still, this new offensive system did not pan out.

So yes I believe LSU is in an identity crisis now. Even a victory versus Texas A&M would help, it won't erase the reality that LSU is not the top tier team in the SEC with Alabama anymore. So as 2013 ends and with 2014 fast approaching, how will this Tiger squad respond? Do the Tigers stick with this new high-powered offensive philosophy or do they scale it back to keep the defense honest as it appears this same defense will be lining up next season as well? The same results can occur or will they?  Is it more of a personnel problem on LSU defense or is it the entire team identity change to being more high-powered rather than pound and ground which LUS has been so successful with?

No one can blame Miles on this one. Perhaps expectations this 2013 season were way too high as the defense simply could not reload like years past. Either way this off-season should be one of the most pivotal one in many years in Baton Rouge. Do they stay the course or did they go back to what has worked? Only time will tell.  

Ed Hardy reporting

Tim Fletcher show fabulous five pics for November 8 weekend 2013

Ed Hardy's weekend pics

Tennessee 27 Auburn 25, the Vols in upset special (auburn -7 1/2)

Ole Miss 38 Arkansas 17, The rebels are rested and will pull away in the second-half (Ole Miss -17)

Louisiana Tech 27 Southern Miss 17, winless Golden Eagles make it a game but fell apart in the second half (Louisiana Tech -16 1/2)

Alabama 27 LSU 23, the Tigers and The Tide will go back-and-forth but after half Bama will get a comfortable lead only to see LSU run out of time in the fourth quarter (Bama -12 1/2)

New Orleans 34 Dallas 30, this will be a back-and-forth contest but the Saints have the edge as they are at home yet don't cover (New Orleans -6 1/2)

Tim Fletcher's rapid fire weekend pics

Auburn 38 Tennessee 30 (auburn -7 1/2)

Ole Miss 62 Arkansas 10 (Ole Miss -17)

Louisiana Tech 38 Southern Miss 17(Louisiana Tech -16 1/2)

LSU 30 Alabama 28 (Bama -12 1/2)

New Orleans 40 Dallas 33 (New Orleans -6 1/2)

Last but not least Cupcakes sole pic

LSU  34 Alabama 28....

ED Hardy's (almost) mid season Saints Grades 2013.

The Saints difference maker: Kenny Vaccaro

ED Hardy's (almost) mid season Saints Grades 2013.

The Saints bye week is here and even though they're not yet at mid season yet, I feel like it's best to analyze the Saints ball-club as it stands now in 2013.Before I get into the nitty-gritty via the position group analysis, I want to say I am extremely surprised at The Saints overall record of 5-1. If you put me on the spot at the beginning of the season, at best I would say 3-3 after 6 games. The defense has performed better than we ever could've imagined, yet the offense has under performed (to Saints standards). Still, look at The Saints record,  baffling. Daddy is indeed back (Coach Payton) and his presence alone has stole wins versus Atlanta and at Tampa. This team has moxie, something it lacked severely last season. Granted, DC Rob Ryan deserves a ton of credit, but lady luck has played a major factor in all of this early season success. The opposition dropping passes, ball bouncing the right way, or perhaps it's just good schematics. Doesn't matter, we all relish where the Saints are this point.

Now it's going to my Saints mid season grades per position groups.

Quarterbacks – Drew Brees has not been the Drew Brees of 2012, however that is a good thing as he does not have to carry the entire team load as years past. While flawless at times this early-season, he has also been very ineffective in crucial times as well. One of the coach Payton's hardest tasks I assume is to calm Drew's "do it all mentality". This is so as the defense in 2013 is finally is playing like a defense. That being said, he still a top-five quarterback in the league. Any grade less than an A would ruin my reputation as an analyst and fan.
Grade- A-

Running backs- clearly a position of weakness on the Saints 2013 ball club. As far as finesse goes, this position group has that skill set as they can catch passes out of the backfield like no other. But that resembles just another glorified wide receiver a.k.a. Lance Moorish type. The Saints need runners period. Mark Ingram is a bust and is not the answer. Sproles is too small to be an effective every down back & Pierre Thomas does not get the touches he deserves. Only Khiry Robinson has lately earned Payton's trust as the short yardage move the chains on the ground back. But these yards on the ground are few and far between, and without an effective rushing attack, the Saints offense will become too predictable.
Grade C-

All receivers – again once a position of massive strength has now become a sneaky liability. Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston are killing it however their backups are severe question marks. Kenny Stills is hot and cold, Toon is nonexistent and Meacham needs to retire immediately. The injury to Lance Moore has hurt this squad more than anyone could expected as he is Drew Brees is Linus blanket. Still, when big plays need to happen, this position group has for the most part stood up.
Grade B

Offensive line-after really thinking about the offense, much of the blame probably goes to the right side of this line. RG Evans has been hurt and playing hurt which is really affected  his play. Strief also has played hurt and he is not the future answer at right tackle. LG Ben Grubbs and LT Charles Brown have been quietly good on the left and beginning of the season "weaker left side". Face it, Saints fans have been spoiled for the last six years of stellar offensive line play. This year, the offensive line has shown its deficiencies but still, overall it is a decent group which will get healthier.
Grade C

Defensive line- after a rash of early-season injuries, Hicks, Jenkins, and Jordan have been nothing but spectacular. One of the reason the Saints defense has had so much success is because these front 3 are getting pressure on the quarterback with no blitzing help. Truly amazing with undrafted rookies Foster and Walker subbing in too.
Grade A+

Linebackers – this truly is the hardest position great to analyze. The Saints have typically only ran a two linebacker set for most of the season. That being said, Curtis Lofton has been a flat out tackling and covering machine. Who would have thought he had coverage skills? Hawthorne has manned the other LB position and has played effective against the run and pass as well. Their smarts have allowed the Saints secondary to carry another man upfront. Not going to lie here, I'm shocked at this position group success. But it is only because of the defensive back help.
Grade B

Secondary – S Kenny Vaccaro, Kenny Vaccaro, Kenny Vaccaro, Kenny Vaccaro and Kenny and MF Kenny Vaccaro. He has single-handedly changed the entire culture of this defense in one season. He covers receivers, he covers running backs, he makes textbook tackles, he breaks up passes, the kid does it all. Attitude. And the fact that corners Greer and Lewis have had on and off games, the safeties have really bailed the Sanints cornerbacks out.  Vaccaro and Malcom Jenkins are like long-lost brothers. Both are cover corners, but both are better safeties great range and versatility. Roman Harper has been hurt but the Saints don't even need him anymore, and that is great in its own right. The backups have played well also.
Grade A-

Special teams – P Morestead is being Morestead, which is great. PK Hartley has been killing it with clutch kicks. Coverage and return units have also fared well, not a flashy position group but I tell you what, they have done very well this year.
Grade B+

Coaching- Sean Payton back at the helm. The team/franchise has its identity back and their unpredictability has caused nightmares for the opposition. The Saints will win more than they will lose, thank goodness daddy is back!
Grade A

Overall Mid season Saints GPA: 3.27

Ed Hardy out!!!

THE TIM FLETCHER SHOW PICK EM 2013

            Ed Hardy                  Tim Fletcher   

VS .  

 

Tim Fletcher college picks:

Oklahoma 49 Texas 20

Texas A&M 45 Ole Miss 35

Georgia 41 Missouri 35

Baylor 56 Kansas State 40

Washington 44 Oregon 41

Alabama 34 Kentucky 23

Arkansas 31 South Carolina 28

LSU 31 Florida 23

 

Ed Hardy college picks

Oklahoma 28 Texas 14

Texas A&M 38 Ole Miss 33

Georgia 34 Missouri 17

Baylor 40 Kansas State 21

Oregon 43 Washington 20

Alabama 48 Kentucky 9

LSU 31 Florida 27

South Carolina 28 Arkansas 20

 

Tim Fletcher pro picks

Chiefs 30 Raiders 23

Buccaneers 13 Eagles 10

Ravens 31 Packers 28

Browns 20 Lions 16

panthers 34 Minnesota 10

Rams 24 Texans 21

Jets 17 Steelers 14

Bills 21 Bengals 20

Seahawks 27 Titans 17

Broncos 38 jaguars 10

Niners 34 Cardinals 20

Colts 38 Chargers 35

Cowboys 40 Redskins 23

Saints 37 patriots 34

 

Ed Hardy's pro picks

Chiefs 20 Raiders 6

Buccaneers 20 Eagles 19

Packers 28 ravens 24

Lions 21 Brown's 17

Panthers 20 Vikings 18

Texans 31 rams 17

Steelers 17 jets 14

Bengals 24 bills 17

Seahawks 31 Titans 7

Broncos 38 jaguars 9

49ers 28 cardinals 6

Colts 28 Chargers 24

Calibers 33 Redskins 30

Patriots 27 Saints 25

 

Please note this is for against the spread only from the lines in Fridays paper , stay tuned for separation Monday

 

Covering High School Football- Going down Memory Lane

I had the great fortune to play football for 10 years of my life and have been watching football for about 30 years of life religiously. I would never trade playing the sport no matter what even if it meant I would be guaranteed to be great and successful at anything else, as football has provided me so much in terms of life lessons. So I think I've seen it all until last Friday when I had the opportunity to be the color analyst for the Bossier Bearcats versus Northwood Falcons game at Bossier Memorial Stadium. Amidst a driving rainstorm, myself, play-by-play guy the Kissing Bandit(pictured above) and our stats boy Cupcake, manned the fort up in the palatial Bossier press-box. And from all my football experience, I was truly humbled. Putting your thoughts together in such a short instant really takes repetition and experience, which I had neither. However once the game rolled on I too became part of the experience. The Saints radio broadcast of Jim Henderson and Hokie Gajun are my favorite, not only because I'm a Saints fan but they are entertaining, informative and very real. Speaking of the color analyst part, Hokie really knows how to put a personal spin on everything. And just when you think he's a Cajun hillbilly, try doing it yourself, as you have to know the game to be able to quickly analyze what's going on immediately after the play. Hat's off to those guys.

 As for my experience, it brought back a flood of memories regarding Friday nights. Even though the crowd was extremely sparse due to the downpour, the players were just as giddy as if they were playing in front of a crowd of 50,000. Northwood High school is a senior laden team with a ton of experience depth and size. Bossier High school is rebuilding with a slew of underclassmen, having several notable players going both ways. Northwood had their way with Bossier early and often, racking up 40+ points in the first half alone. What struck me was how Bossier was going to handle it. Memories of my 1991 Loyola team instantly flooded my head. That year, I was a senior and our ballclub was undefeated & ranked for the first time in a decade. Haynesville rolled into town and we knew they were superior, however we thought we were pretty good too. After two quarters, we realized we had a long way to go as they were drubbing us 35 to nothing! Two of our players had to get carted off on stretchers. So were we going to come back in the second half with our tail between our legs or come out swinging? A last second touchdown by Haynesville in the second-quarter really pissed me and a bunch of my senior buddies off. They were up big time but yet relished in proving a point they could whoop up on some city Loyola City Slickers.
Fast forward to the second half. Led by first time starting quarterback Billy Thomas, we held the mighty Tors to seven points in the second half and we actually scored a touchdown. Looking back at the box score, one would consider this a blowout, but to our guys we knew we played our butts off in the second half and refused to quit. Many years later, I was working out at the YMCA and ran into a Haynesville O-lineman from that squad. He said we fought harder than any team they played that year, as in 1991 was one of many championship seasons the Tors had. It made me feel so good as they kicked everybody's ass, yet years later I still felt like we accomplish something.

 Now the second half did not turn out so pleasant for Bossier that evening, but my memories were in full force of my game 22 years ago. While I was covering my first game from the booth I was still living in those player shoes thinking about how it felt when I was on the other end of the stick. All I know is football is a great sport, and it teaches you more about life than any individual sport could. It's not just about winning or losing. It is really about how you persevere during those times whether theyre great or whether you're getting your tail kicked in. The end result is if you work your butt off it will make you a better person in the long run. No class, money or luck will really teach you those lessons. It WILL be taught on the football field. Damn I love this game. Ed Hardy OUT!!!

College Pick Em 2013 EH vs TF!

Ed Hardy Tackles First College Predictions

SEC Early Barometer

College football is here and so are the hopes and dreams of 124 Division I teams, athletes, coaches and of course the fans. Year after year teams outside of the SEC have been looking for a way to discredit the SEC dominance. Some call the SEC top-heavy though the proof is in the pudding, 7 titles in a row. But a new season brings new home and aspirations starting week 1. Can the rest of the country can make a dent in the SEC with some victories this upcoming weekend? This would help the outsiders not only for bragging rights, but for National Title contention. Alabama's chances could suffer in the long run in the power rankings if they happen to slip up (lose) at some point later in the year(not early at Texas A&M). With pansy scheduling like for Ohio State & Louisville, 1 loss could be detrimental to Alabama or whoever is the SEC top dog, if power ratings come into play.

So it's time to preview some of the SEC Barometer matchups against other conference foes this upcoming weekend.

1.Alabama versus Virginia Tech – this is not the Mike Vick led Virginia Tech squad, this is the worn out Hokies of 2013. Starting a freshman quarterback versus Saban's defense is just plain scary. Even if they had a savvy vet, the Hokie's are small bunch and are going to get pushed around all game long, hit the cancel button on the DVR if your recording this one.

Bama 51 Virginia Tech 9

2. Washington State versus Auburn. The old pirate himself Mike Leach versus Springdale five's Gus Malzahn, they both love to put up points. The big difference here is that Auburn has some athletes on both sides of the ball whereas the Cougars are very limited. Auburn is starving for a fresh start and Leach will try to throw everything at them, however,  in the end, speed kills and Washington State will take it on the chin.

Auburn 38 Washington State 17.

I forgot to mention the playing at the Plains.

3. South Carolina versus North Carolina. The Tar Heels rolling to Columbia with really nothing to prove as everyone is favoring the Gamecocks. Even South Carolina may be eyeing their next week's big matchup versus Georgia. North Carolina should make it a game early and play keep away as much as possible. However the common theme of the Gamecock’s season will be if they can get a decent lead on any opponent of this year, all they will have to do is turn their defense loose for the W. That's what I see will happen here as well, starting in the second half to the poor Tar Heels.

Gamecocks 28 Tar Heels 10

4. Mississippi State versus Oklahoma State. Last but not least, I believe this is the most interesting SEC barometer game over the weekend. Will versus will. The Cowboys want to put up big numbers while the Bulldogs want the ball and control the entire game. I really believe the Bulldogs will throw some new wrinkles towards Oklahoma State's defense. Dan Mullen is a better coach than Gundy. Turnovers will be the deciding factor in this ball game,  meaning Mississippi State better get at least 2 or 3 fumbles/interceptions if they have any prayer of winning this contest. Call me crazy, but I  believe Mississippi State will…………………..nah……………lose, But keep it really interesting.

Cowboys 28 Mississippi State 20.

Well, wish I could Guilbeau you but my predictions went pretty much how the majority sees it. However, if I’m wrong, and if South Carolina or Auburn were to lose (as we know Alabama's not), then the power rankings for SEC teams will take a big hit, especially if an undefeated SEC team were to lose to either SC or Aub. late in the year,  mark my words. But to hell with parody, long live the SEC and its dominance!!!

EH Out.