First and 10: After an incredible QB run, the SEC is in major flux in 2023
1. I don’t want to get on a soapbox, but …
The best conference in college football, the great unknown at the most important position in college football.
Rarely, if ever, in the SEC’s 2-decade dominance of the sport has there been a season with so much instability at quarterback. Spring practice is less than 6 weeks away for some, and there are all of 4 unquestioned starters among the 14 teams.
Everyone else is transitioning to a new starter, or still developing those who played last season. At the top of the list of QB uncertainty: 2-time defending national champion Georgia and dethroned king Alabama.
“This day and age, if guys can leave whenever they want, you have to make sure you have enough guys at every position,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said last month.
Bodies won’t be the problem. Talented, experienced bodies — the lack thereof — is where this offseason begins.
So what better time for our annual pre-spring ranking of the SEC quarterback rooms: 4 tiers, 4 distinct levels of play and expected performance.
Competition will begin in spring practice and continue for many throughout the offseason and into fall camp. Jobs will not be won in spring practice because declaring a winner leaves the roster vulnerable to programs searching for starters.
Two key things to remember:
— The transfer portal opens again on May 1 for 15 days and is a final opportunity for players to announce their intention to play for another team in 2023. Players must be in the portal by May 15 to be eligible to play in the 2023 season (unless by extenuating circumstances appeal).
— Players have 1 free transfer. If a player has already used his 1 transfer, moving again to another school will cost him a year of eligibility and he won’t play until 2024 —- unless he moves as a graduate transfer, in which case he would be immediately eligible.
Level 1, Championship
Georgia
The room: Carson Beck (Redshirt Jr.), Brock Vandagriff (R-So.), Gunner Stockton (R-Fr.).
The skinny: Beck probably could’ve started 2 years ago, and the results more than likely would’ve been close to, if not the same, in Athens.
He has more physical and arm talent than Stetson Bennett, but does he have the moxie and intangibles that made Bennett so dangerous in big games? He’ll have better talent at wide receiver than Bennett had, and the offensive line will essentially be the same (even with changes).
This is his time, and why he stayed 3 seasons as a backup — when he could’ve transferred almost anywhere and played.
Vandagriff and Stockton will compete for the backup job, and the loser could transfer — especially if Stockton clearly wins the backup job.
LSU
The room: Jayden Daniels (R-Sr.), Garrett Nussmeier (R-So.), Rickie Collins (Fr.).
The skinny: It’s hard to argue against Daniels. He significantly improved as a thrower in the second half of the season, and he can stress a defense with his legs in the run game and with off-schedule scrambles.
You don’t walk away from a quarterback who accounted for 18 TDs (8 rush) and only 2 INT over the last 8 games and led the team to the SEC Championship Game. He’ll only get better in his 2nd season under OC/QBs coach Mike Denbrock.
Nussmeier is the better pure thrower and will press Daniels for the job. LSU coach Brian Kelly has a delicate situation: If he names Daniels the starter, Nussmeier could leave and start for any number of SEC teams.
That would leave LSU with Daniels and Collins, a true freshman 4-star signee.
Tennessee
The room: Joe Milton III (R-Sr.), Nico Iamaleava (Fr.)., Gaston Moore (R-Jr.).
The skinny: How does Vols coach Josh Heupel avoid playing Milton? Forget, for a moment, about Iamaleava and that ridiculous $8 million (allegedly) NIL deal.
Milton played Clemson’s top-10 defense in the Orange Bowl and completed 68 percent of his passes for 251 yards and 3 TDs without a turnover. It doesn’t matter what Milton did (or didn’t do) in the past at Tennessee and Michigan.
Focus on the now: He’s playing well, and the locker room absolutely loves him and is fueled by his leadership. He’s only going to get better under Heupel, who made Hendon Hooker a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Iamaleava — who has a ton of talent — will have to blow away the staff in spring practice, offseason work and fall camp to win the job.
2. The now, and the future
Level 2, Elite potential
Kentucky
The room: Devin Leary (R-Sr.), Kaiya Sheron (So.), Destin Wade (So.), Deuce Hogan (R-So.).
The skinny: Leary had a fantastic season at NC State in 2021 (program-record 35 TDs, 5 INTs), then got hurt midway through 2022 when a struggling offensive line couldn’t consistently protect. He’s UK’s starter in 2023, and with OC Liam Coen returning from his brief move to the NFL, could have a monster season with 2 elite WRs (Dane Key, and Barion Brown).
The only questions: Who wants to stay as a backup and who transfers?
Texas A&M
The room: Conner Weigman (So.), Max Johnson (Sr.), Marcell Reed (Fr.).
The skinny: Weigman was strong in 4 starts to finish the season, and was 2-2 in those games — wins over UMass and LSU, and losses (by 3 points each) to Ole Miss and Auburn.
There’s little doubt he is the starter moving forward, no matter what Johnson — the former starter before injury — does in spring practice. Weigman has elite potential.
Johnson already used his free transfer (from LSU), but if he graduates prior to the start of the 2023 season, he could transfer again and play as a graduate transfer.
Arkansas
The room: KJ Jefferson (R-Sr.), Jacolby Criswell (R-Jr.), Kade Renfro (R-Fr.).
The skinny: New OC/QBs coach Dan Enos inherits a quarterback (Jefferson) who has a TD/INT ratio of 45/9 over the past 2 seasons and has rushed for 1,304 yards and 15 TDs over that span.
Jefferson has done it all for the Hogs but hasn’t yet been a consistent big-game player who makes critical throws in games that matter. It’s time to take the next step.
Criswell, a former 4-star recruit, transferred in from North Carolina, where he wasn’t going to play behind Drake Maye.
South Carolina
The room: Spencer Rattler (R-Sr.), Luke Doty (Sr.), Tanner Bailey (R-Fr.).
The skinny: As fun as it was to watch Rattler find himself in the last 3 games of the season, let’s not forget where it was before that remarkable run of success: 8 TDs, 9 INTs.
A week before the top-5 wins over Tennessee and Clemson, the South Carolina offense didn’t score a point and had 237 total yards in a 38-6 loss to Florida.
Rattler played the last 3 games of the season (including the Gator Bowl loss to Notre Dame) like the quarterback who led Oklahoma to the Big 12 title in 2020 — and had NFL scouts talking about No. 1 overall pick potential.
Doty is a serviceable backup.
Alabama
The room: Jalen Milroe (R-So.), Ty Simpson (R-Fr.), Eli Holstein (Fr.), Dylan Lonergan (Fr.).
The skinny: Much of what happens here will depend on the new OC/QBs coach who replaces Bill O’Brien, and where Nick Saban and the new OC want to take the offense.
Does it stay more pass-oriented, or is there a move back toward more of a run threat at the position? Milroe showed last season that he’s dangerous as a dual-threat, but can he be a consistent thrower?
He completed 58 percent of his passes in 2022, and when Alabama needed a big 3rd down throw during his 1 start against Texas A&M, it was hit and miss — which is typical for most young quarterbacks.
A former 5-star recruit, Simpson was impressive on the scout team in 2022, and by the end of the season with Bryce Young continuing to absorb punishment, was getting important practice snaps.
It’s different when you’re running the first team and trying to win a job. But Simpson is probably the favorite.
Don’t be shocked if the Tide adds a quarterback from the portal, and/or 1 of the current 4 on the roster transfers.
3. Too much uncertainty
Level 3, Game managers
Mississippi State
The room: Will Rogers (Sr.), Mike White (Jr.).
The skinny: The Bulldogs lost 3 quarterbacks to the portal but picked up a critical transfer in White — 1 of the few bright spots on the Vanderbilt offense the past 2 years.
But this is Rogers’ team, and the only question is how he transitions from Mike Leach’s Air Raid scheme to new OC/QB coach Kevin Barbay.
Rogers had a TD/INT ratio of 82/24 in Leach’s QB-friendly system, and Barbay’s isn’t that much different. If anything, the increased emphasis on the run game (think: North Carolina) will protect Rogers and give the offense the ability to convert 3rd-and-short without throwing the ball.
Ole Miss
The room: Jaxson Dart (Jr.), Spencer Sanders (R-Sr.), Walker Howard (R-Fr.).
The skinny: The most intriguing room in the SEC. Dart played well at times in 2022, but Ole Miss lost 5 of 6 to finish the season.
Don’t think Spencer Sanders left Oklahoma State and signed with Ole Miss — and not Florida or Auburn — to sit. Unless Dart (or Howard) responds with a big spring, Sanders will likely be the Ole Miss starter.
Dart and Howard are former top-100 recruits, and Howard signed with Ole Miss — and, again, not Florida or Auburn — because he was told the job was wide open. No matter who wins the job, the room likely is set with no further transfer movement this year.
4. This could get ugly
Level 4, Disaster avoidance
Missouri
The room: Brady Cook (R-Jr.), Sam Horn (R-Fr.), Jake Garcia (R-So.).
The skinny: Cook is serviceable, and at times, has played well enough to lead an upset (see: Arkansas). But is he the long-term answer?
A blue-chip recruit last year, Horn didn’t throw a pass until his only 2 throws late in a nonconference November rout of New Mexico State. Horn got good work in 15 bowl practices, and this year will get his first 15 spring practices.
Then there’s Miami transfer Jake Garcia, who played extensively last year while starter Tyler Van Dyke was hurt and ineffective. He had 5 TDs and 4 INTs, and completed 60 percent of his passes.
Any of the 3 could win the starting job.
Florida
The room: Graham Mertz (R-Sr.), Jack Miller (R-Jr.), Max Brown (R-Fr.).
The skinny: Of all the quarterbacks Gators coach Billy Napier could’ve landed from the portal, he signed as big an enigma as his previous quarterback (Anthony Richardson) — minus the arm talent and dynamic ability.
Mertz had 7 TDs and 0 INTs in his first 2 starts at Wisconsin in 2020 and had 31 TDs and 26 INTs since. He has completed more than 60 percent of his passes once in 3 years as a starter.
Miller was thrown into a difficult situation against Oregon State (numerous opt-outs, limited prep time), and it showed. He could improve over 15 spring practices, or maybe Brown — a project recruit — makes a big leap.
The Gators will still likely try to land another quarterback from the portal after spring practice.
Auburn
The room: Robby Ashford (R-So.), Holden Geriner (R-Fr.), Hank Brown (Fr.).
The skinny: The good news is Ashford can stress defenses with his legs (710 yards rushing, 7 TDs). The bad news: He has deficiencies in the passing game (7 TDs, 7 INTs, 49.2 completion percentage).
Geriner is a former 4-star recruit, and Brown, a 2023 signee, wasn’t ranked nationally by the 247Sports composite. First-year coach Hugh Freeze is desperate for an impact quarterback from the portal, and the Tigers will get 1 more shot at it after spring practice.
Vanderbilt
The room: AJ Swann (So.), Ken Seals (R-Jr.), Drew Dickey (R-Fr.), Walter Taylor (R-Fr.).
The skinny: Swann played so well last year, he forced Wright, who started the season, to leave (Mississippi State). The key moving forward is Seals staying after spring practice.
He’ll compete with Swann, but if he doesn’t win the job, he’s a candidate for the transfer portal — especially with extended starting experience (2020-21) in the SEC.
5. The Weekly 5
Texas A&M’s 2023 national championship odds and 5 things it will take to reach the Playoff:
1. Harmony between the potentially volatile mix of 2 big, strong personalities: coach Jimbo Fisher and OC Bob Petrino.
2. A big Year 2 jump from QB Conner Weigman.
3. A replacement for all-purpose TB Devon Achane. Is former top-100 recruit LeVeon Moss ready?
4. Blue-chip DL recruits from 2021-22 must play at their potential.
5. Time for WR Moose Muhammad III to play like a No. 1 receiver. He’s too talented to not be among the best in college football.
6. Your tape is your resume
An NFL scout analyzes a draft-eligible SEC player. This week: Kentucky RB Chris Rodriguez.
“You’re going to have to do your due diligence on why he was suspended, and was it an isolated incident or were there more problems in his time there? Every team will have to make that choice when it comes to risk vs. value. On the field, he’s going top push a pile, and he’s a lot faster than you think and he’s got some wiggle. He has nice, soft hands in the pass game, and is a load to take down when he’s in space.
“I expect him to light it up at the Senior Bowl; he’s going to turn some heads. He doesn’t have that explosion, but he has great feet and feel when he sees that crease, he plants that foot and goes. And he’s bringing some power behind it.”
7. Powered Up
This week’s Power Poll, and 1 big thing: nonconference series I’d love to see.
1. Georgia: Florida State. Give FSU coach Mike Norvell 2 more years, and he might make this interesting.
2. Alabama: Clemson. We want it home and home. Desperately.
3. Tennessee: Virginia Tech. Play it on campus — not Bristol Motor Speedway.
4. LSU: Michigan. Forget about bowl games, it’s not the same as LSU strutting into Michigan Stadium.
5. Mississippi State: Washington State. The Leach series.
6. Ole Miss: USC. Lane Kiffin vs. Lincoln Riley. Kiffin vs. his old school, Riley vs. the conference he avoided by taking USC job.
7. South Carolina: Penn State. Imagine that loud Garnett shining through the White Out in Happy Valley.
8. Kentucky: West Virginia. Two hard-working, blue-collar programs. The perfect fit.
9. Arkansas: TCU. Former Southwest Conference rivals.
10. Florida: Ohio State. Florida in the Shoe, Buckeyes in The Swamp. Heaven.
11. Missouri: Illinois. I can’t wait 4 years. Play it now.
12. Auburn: Miami. Hugh Freeze craves a game in South Florida (see: recruiting).
13. Texas A&M: Oregon. The Aggies in the madhouse that is Autzen Stadium? Giddyup.
14. Vanderbilt: California. Yeah, there’s the academic connection. So what?
8. Ask and you shall receive
Matt: Stetson Bennett was arrested for public intoxication in Dallas. How will this affect his (NFL) draft stock? Is that something teams even care about? — Franklin Jackson, Mobile, Ala.
Franklin:
First and foremost, there’s a heightened awareness among NFL franchises in regards to a player, or potential players, running afoul of the law. There’s too much money on the line, and draft picks are too valuable, to not have an exact off-field record of any potential draft pick.
The problem for Bennett: He already has significant questions about his physical ability to play in the NFL, and adding more off-field questions doesn’t help. This charge, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, reveals decision-making. And frankly, reckless decision-making.
Bennett knows everyone is watching his every move. He knows any problem off the field will be magnified because of who he is and the steep climb he will have to make to play in the NFL. He can’t give franchises more reason to pass. I assure you, that’s the first thing he was told by his agent.
Yet, according to police reports, he found himself stepping in it, anyway, publicly intoxicated and knocking on doors at 6 a.m. It’s not a good look — and it forces teams to question the idea of using 1 of 53 valuable roster spots on a quarterback (the most important position on the field) who makes poor decisions when he knows the spotlight is on him.
9. Numbers
3. Top priority for the new Alabama defensive coordinator: Make Dallas Turner disruptive off the edge again. By the end of 2021, Turner looked (and played) like Alabama’s next elite pass rusher.
After getting 8.5 sacks in 2021 as a freshman, Turner had sacks in 3 of 13 games in 2022: Texas A&M (2), LSU (1.5), and Mississippi State (.5). LSU freshman Harold Perkins became the SEC’s top young force off the edge in 2022, with 7.5 sacks, 14 QBH, 4 FF and 1 INT.
10. Quote to note
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel: “Our players are the people who deserve all of the credit for our resurgence. Over the last 2 years, they believed in us and poured their energy into every single day.”
The skinny: Beck probably could’ve started 2 years ago, and the results more than likely would’ve been close to, if not the same, in Athens.
Kind of underhanded towards Bennett. Like what he did could have been done by any QB on the UGA roster. It ain’t that easy. Stetson likely won a couple of games (see Ohio St) where Beck and the others would not have.
It’s a Matt Hayes article. He said last month Carson Beck was going to transfer to the Gators.
“Kind of underhanded towards Bennett. ”
If Carson Beck could do what Stetson Bennett could do, Carson Beck would have been the starter.
That is not true. Was Smart gonna bench the guy who was the leader of his team?
“Was Smart gonna bench the guy who was the leader of his team?’
No…and that was my exact point. Reread my comment.
If Beck could have done the same things that Bennett did, then Beck would have been the starter over Bennett and Bennett would have never had the opportunity.
My point is there’s more to a QB during the game than just physical attributes. When scouting the priority is physical traits, cause those can’t be taught. However during a game intangible traits show themselves and that’s what gives players lacking in physical ability(like Bennett) a chance in high level sports
Carson Beck is a more physically talented QB, but Stetson Bennetts non physical traits led to him becoming the leader of UGA
Police are bootlickers who protect the bourgeoisie from the proletariat. The 1% pit you against your brother and laugh.
also bennett is a COKE HEAD AND I DONT MEAN THE DRINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CORCH SOLD HIM BABY POWDER, HE PRETENDS TO BE COOL. big YIKES!!!!!!
And here we are!!!!!
O RONNY BOY!!! OH HOW I MISSED YOU!!! my CATAMARAN doesnt get WIFI when i’m going between ISLANDS!!!! CORCH SAID HE WOULD CHECK ON YOU BUT I THINK HES TOO BUSY BANGING YOUR DEAD DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“BUT I THINK HES TOO BUSY BANGING YOUR DEAD DAD!”
My dad isn’t dead, willyboob.
Try harder with the insults please.
LOL YOUR DADDY AND I WERE LAUGHING ABOUT YOU BEFORE HE BEGGED FOR BALLS TO BOUNCE ON HIS BEANBAGS. CORCH gave him the BUSINESSSSS!!!! i just watched bc i only like BBC like you do
Dear Willyboob,
Please try harder with the insults. Bragging about tea bagging another man for your own pleasure is only making me feel sad for you.
Get help.
please read you memphis moron. CORCH gave him the business I JUST watched. You are disgusting and will NOT pass through the doors of heaven-according to je$u$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
LISTEN TO LBJ AND STOP BEING A TOOL FOR THE ELITE!!!! you are watching shadows and don’t even know it!!!!
“please read you memphis moron. ”
Memphis moron? The hell are you talking about?
Willybob: “The 1% pit you against your brother and laugh.”
Also Willybob: “my CATAMARAN doesnt get WIFI when i’m going between ISLANDS!!!!”
….wut?
hey idiot-
CATAMARAN IS NOT A YACHT!!!!! I MAY BE WAY RICHER THAN ALL OF YOU PLEEBS, BUT I AIN’T IN THE BILLY CLUB WHICH MAKES ME OUT OF THE 1%. I GIVE 5 DIGITS WORTH OF MONEY TO DIFFERENT CHARITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR-NOT MY CHURCH WHO USES THE MONEY TO R@PE CHILDREN. HOW MUCH DO YOU??????????????????????????????????
“hey idiot-
CATAMARAN IS NOT A YACHT!!!!”
Irony alert^^^^^^^^
“CORCH gave him the business I JUST watched. You are disgusting and will NOT pass through the doors of heaven-according to je$u$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.“
Irony – the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
You are neither humorous nor smart. Try harder whatever you are.
5 whole digits to charity? Big Money Willy Bob!!! Lmao
For the no knowledge boaters, yes a catamaran can be a yacht. There are actually “catamaran yachts” up and down the coastlines, many of them. Unwritten rule of being a yacht is a recreational vessel over 33 feet, whether it’s a monohull or 2 hulls.
Ron, H+H series I’d love to see is Auburn vs Oregon. These 2 have played 2 nail-biter games. One was when the Tigers won the BCS and the other in Dallas when Nix threw a late TD pass for the Auburn victory.
With Nix coming back an Auburn/Oregon game this season would be fantastic. Especially if Oregon transfer Ashford was starting at QB for the Tigers.
AU and Oregon had their time.
Ron, are you too scared to let Auburn play a game against Oregon again?
“Ron, are you too scared to let Auburn play a game against Oregon again?”
Didn’t realize I had the power to make AU’s schedule.
Plain and simple. Beck was now where close to where Bennett was two years ago. Makes me think Hayes is guessing, and wasn’t really paying attention at that point in UGA’s QB decision.
I’m not downing Beck – Bennett had much more experience and Beck has improved by a lot…
A&M v Oregon??? Meh. I’ve been wanting to see a Penn State home and home.
A+M canceled an H+H with Oregon. Ducks fans would much rather play an H+H with Auburn.
Don’t want Petrino near the coeds in Eugene.
“The bad news: He has deficiencies in the passing game (7 TDs, 7 INTs, 49.2 completion percentage).”
For the 10000000000000th time – Robby Ashford was playing with a hurt shoulder for most of the season, running for his life due to the fact that AU did not have an o-line.
They should make the most educated fan for each fan base be able to edit the article… and the comments too SDS.
Well, we do exactly that in the comment section which is a lot more fun to read than the articles.
99% of us come for the comments and to see how many mistakes they can pack into one article. The other 1% goes on about a former president or something.
“The other 1% goes on about a former president or something.”
LOL, that would be .000001% of the comments. One Willyboob. Guy’s a hoot.
He wrapped Corch into his antics. I’m not convinced it isn’t Corch though… personalities match up LOL.
I find it hilarious that he brings up Corch so many times. Corch hasn’t ever responded so you may be right
I disagree on Ole Miss on two points. One, I think that is one of the best QB rooms in the country on paper. Two, I think Dart will be the starter. He might not be by year’s end, however.
Best QB room in the country? LOL.
The rooms at USC(w), UW, Oregon, Utah, possibly Oregon State, AZ, UCLA, and perhaps ASU are darn good or have the potential to be good.
The conference has the returning Heisman winner returning and a guy who threw for more yards, Penix at UW, coming back
Yes, because I clearly wrote that Ole Miss will have the best qb room in the country….
So you are probably wrong twice, about the same odds as 4th and 8 from your own 30 Kiffin. Dart didn’t show any signs he can be elite, Sanders is seasoned, but will not light up SEC defenses (see TCU vs UGA). Sanders is starting from the get go, watch and see.
“First-year coach Hugh Freeze is desperate ”
Hugh Freeze turned a 3rd string QB transfer into an NFL draft pick. I’m not sure where this “journalism” major gets the word “desperate” from.
Back to the future? Single wing for Ashford?
The SEC is not in flux. The QBs will be just fine, 2 or 3 will emerge as elite, nationally recognized names
“The SEC is not in flux.”
The SEC will be very exciting to watch next year. I like the unknown.
Ron, the only ‘flux’ I see is whether Bama or LSU wins the SEC W? I have money line $ down on LSU.
Think it’s UGA again in the SEC E.
If OK, TX makes the jump next year which is a real possibility this could be the last SEC season with divisions, no?
“I have money line $ down on LSU.”
Good luck with that.
I have Texas A&M as the one to be ahead of LSU this coming season.
Additional non-conference series:
Ark – OKSt
TN – NC
KY – IN this used to be a big basketball series
Mizzou – Nebraska old B12 rivals
Vandy – Northwestern or Duke
those 3 qb’s staying at ga, especially the two older guys, is a strong testament to wanting to get developed by Monken or just loving the place or both. Either way in this day and age thats an embarrassment of riches. Its pretty clearly becks team now, barring something really unusual happening or an injury. I suspect Vandagriff is gone in May. Stockton may stick around for 2 more seasons like beck did but it still seems like asking a lot.
There is no way nico unseats Joe before the season starts but if Joe struggles a lot during games then it is certainly possible. Best scenario is for nico to get some mop up duty, gain some weight, learn the system and be ready to be the man in 24.
I would guess simpson takes over at bama at some point during the season if not for game 1. Maybe Milroe improves dramatically but right now thats my guess.
Cant see Daniels being unseated right now. Nuss may be willing to wait a year to get his turn as the man.
ky seems to be in a nice spot with cohen returning and the new qb from nc st. The O line could still be a problem and if the starter gets hurt the backups arent very good.
ATM will be an interesting follow. Jumbo will allow petrino to do his thing…at least as long as the wheels dont fall off. Start losing though and the banging of heads will start. I think ATM will be much improved this year (how could they not be). Wouldnt surprise me to see them in the thick of the race in the west nor to win it. they get miami and bama at home but have to go to lsu and UT. how they do in those 4 will likely dictate their finish.
Im curious to see if rattler and SC found their game or just hit a temporary hot streak. Either way glad we get them at home this year.
Looks like most everyone else is going to struggle this season… Flo could surprise some but I think they are still a couple years of good recruiting away.
Police are bootlickers who protect the bourgeoisie from the proletariat. The 1% pit you against your brother and laugh.
It’s nice to see that Willyboob discovered the dictionary.
How did the poor people make out in London before the ‘Peelers’ were formed?
How about the plebians in Rome? A city that never had a police department?
For the most part, police protect the innocent from law-breakers.
Saddens me that a person who identifies with Libertarian South Carolina posts this WOKE dribble.
She just found the USC logo. She’s not affiliated with USC in any way.
I disagree. I think if anyone transfers in May, it’s Beck.
He’s either going to have an amazing season and lead his team to the playoffs, or he’s going to be underwhelming and likely get pushed for his spot.
I just don’t see him being a bulldog next year.
But he is there right now. Is it that he might be a bullfrog next year?
I’ve wanted to see Tenn/Virginia Tech forever. This should be their out of conference rival. Geographically too close not to be.
Yep, that would be an easy win for Tennessee. Not worth it. Find a better rival that has a chance to beat Tennessee. How about Clemson?
Or play FSU.
Georgia and Clemson have a deeper rivalry than Clemson and Tennessee and actually play each other somewhat regularly. Clemson ain’t gonna schedule them both
Carson Beck (Redshirt Jr.), Brock Vandagriff (R-So.), Gunner Stockton (R-Fr.). And then possibly add Dylan Raiola.
He’s talking about 2023. Not 2024.
Puglisi and Raiola come next year.
Bennett must not care about his NFL chances or he would be a responsible role model.
Will Todd Monken turn down any NFL job to stay in Athens?
Harold Perkins will be the best defensive player in the SEC, and potentially the country.
The SEC QB class for 2023 is still in good hands with guys like Daniels, Jefferson, Milton, and Rogers. The rest have catching up to do. Rattler may take another big step.
Bama is still the standard, but LSU is the team to beat in the West.
Would be nice to see another UGA-LSU SEC CG in December.
Sad situation for Bennett in Austin. I am very surprised he is not playing in the Senior Bowl.
He is too scared to play and that will increase his chance to flop. So, he said no thanks.
Throwing to a bunch of receivers he’s never thrown to? Bennett will have his day at UGA where the coaches and scouts can watch.
UGA vs FSU in ’27/’28.
If you don’t start (or even include) your “Texas A&M’s five things it will take…” with improved Oline and improved LB play you look a bit ignorant.
is TJ Finley in the portal? whatever happened to him?
Seems he dropped off the radar.
Not yet. He graduates in May and is expected to transfer then.
Why do you care?
“Level 4, Disaster avoidance,” indeed. Matt Hayes will rue the day he included the Mighty Gators in that ugly QB situation. For in September, there will arise out of the dark depths of The Swamp a mighty and pitiless warrior, Graham the Mertziless, who will decimate the college football landscape!
Stupefied by three years of boredom in the northern nether regions of Cheeseland, the Mertziless Metzinator will arise and reveal his fearsome awesomeness on a Thursday night national telecast at the end of August, in the unlikeliest of venues, Salt Lake City, Utah. All will witness his fury and destruction in wonder and fear. Even the might Dawg king, Kirby the Smart of Athens, will squirm in his seat, knowing the Mertziless and his hoard will be coming for him in October!
Try decafe. (:
Try to take it up a notch. LOL
Yes! :)
Lol
Graham “You Can’t Stop Me, You Can Only Hope to Contain Me” Mertz will take Florida, the South, and the Nation as a whole by storm.
By the times he’s done, Argentina won’t even care about soccer anymore. It’ll be an American Football-centric World.
Soccer, “the beautiful game,” will be laid to waste, as Graham the Mertziless’ campaign of football terror sweeps the world!
So sayeth the Oracle of MrTruth. So it shall be!
In the B1G what team did Mertz hurt? He’s all of a sudden going to be a star in the SEC? How about NO!
dixie don’t be a duck of limited knowledge and poor understanding.
The Oracle of Mertz has revealed the truth that The Mertzinator was bored and uninspired by the poor competition he faced while in the northern nether regions of Cheeseland. Once he teleported to Mertzville he transformed to Mertzatron and is ready to unleash devastation to SEC football.
Heed the warning and prepare for yer time is short, lock up yer women and children, as well as small animals, for His fury will soon reign down on ye
Football, the final frontier
These are the tales of the Man named Mertz
The Mertzinator
Mertzatron
Mertzilla
Graham The Mertziless
His continuing mission:
To set new records
To seek and destroy new foes and old opponents
To boldly go where no football player has gone before………
All harken to The Oracle of Truth and heed its dire warnings, before Graham the Mertznificent is enraged by the ignorant indifference of college football fandom and, as The Oracle forecasted, transforms into Graham the Mertziless Mertzinator who will char whole cities with the heat of his laser guided passes, or crush them with the force of his powerful legs and feet.
Be afraid! Be very afraid!
Finally the Mertz love I was looking for
I think FSU is much farther than 2 years away from competing with the likes of UGa. FSU has been claiming to be “back” since 1996. Except for the one Jameis Winston championship year, they have been wrong every time. I do not see that changing any time soon.
FSU looked much better in 2022 than they have in several years. They’ll only get better in 2023. Problem is, so will LSU.
I think the Noles have a very good chance of winning their division, possibly the ACC with a 11-2 record, including a loss to LSU and ACC CG win.
FSU no longer plays in a “division”.
“Looking better” is easy to do in a conference with one legitimate team. Competing with UGa is a horse, or rather, Dawg, of a different color.
You mean to tell us that powerhouses like Duke, BC and UVA don’t scare you?
Is it any wonder that Notre Dame loosely allied themselves with THAT particular P5 conference, when the B1G would’ve welcomed them with open arms.
GeauxTigers8, LSU isn’t going to beat Texas A&M and that team will be ahead of LSU in the standing in the SEC West division. Sorry to burst your bubble.
History says ATM may beat 1 good team next year and will finish with less than 9 wins. LSU will not be that team. ATM will not be at or near the top of the division.
He should probably amend that to “2 years away if *everything* goes right”.
UGA is so much head and shoulders above the rest of college football right now that to compete in two years FSU would have to not whiff on any recruits or transfers, and avoid any injuries or off-the-field issues just to compete with UGA.
Norvell is turning the program around, but they aren’t there yet.
I think FSU gets jocked in the return game vs LSU this season.
FSU will beat LSU this coming season. Don’t question FSU ability to beat LSU once again.
They very very lucky to block two field goals and win the TO battle and the result was a 1point win. LSU will mop the floor with the Noles next season
I think LSU wins this year.
Ole Miss/USC play in 25/26, so you’re going to get it.
Matt Hayes dealing in more vile libel?
He wouldn’t be Matt Hayes if he didn’t.
It doesn’t look like I’m the only who caught your bs about Beck could’ve done what Bennett did the last two seasons.
You ‘turds are honestly worse than Gumps. You just can’t deal with the fact that Bennett is your daddy.
Wuerffel, Grossman and Tebow were YOUR daddies at one time, but just like Bennett, they’re gone. At least, they didn’t miss their gigs so much they felt the need to drown their sorrows in booze.
Oh, ‘turd, don’t worry. Your daddy may be gone, but your Pappy, King Kirby, he’s still here.
You can go back and watch YouTube clips of your glorious outlier past (don’t go too far back though or you’ll just find 90 years of mediocrity before 1990), while here in the present, King Kirby OWNS YOUR A–ES!!!
Time will tell.
Wonder what your half brother Willybob thinks about this?
Not sure if that counts as libel so much as speculation, but I agree with you. Bennett was by far the leader of that team, which can be just as important (if not more) than physical attributes.
Imagine being so out there that you think someone stating an opinion on a football player constitutes libel. ESPN and the talking heads would have been out of business years ago if it weren’t for opinions.
LSU and Clemson meet at Clemson in 2025 and at LSU in 2026. Would love to see an LSU-Michigan home and home as well as a series with Ohio State.
In 2024, LSU gets UCLA in Baton Rouge and USC in Vegas.
Imagine a TCU fan seeing Stetson knockin’ on their door at 6am. Ha! Hasn’t he terrorized them enough????
UGA- Surprised to hear that UGA’s WR talent will be better next year, after AD Mitchell left and Rara found his legal trouble. Could be what he meant was the WR room is better than UGA had during the regular season when AD Mitchell was injured. Then, there’s always the portal. I’m sure UGA can still find a good receiver there.
LSU – Kelly already publicly announced that Daniels would be the starter, right? He could always change his mind, but he was pretty definitive in his statement earlier.
QBs I’m excited to watch reshape their teams:
1. Conner Weigman
2. Spencer Rattler
3. Carson Beck
You’re right about Kelly naming Daniels the QB1. This is the second time Hayes has ignored that fact. Hayes likes to ignore things. I think that makes him ignorant.
What? No mention of Graham the Mertzinator in your list of “transformative” 2023 QBs?
You will rue the day you ignored his Mertznificence oh mere mortal TAMU fan!
Any discussion of nonconference games needed always has to have;
Trojans vs Cocks
USC vs USC
Your condoms can’t hold our Gamecocks
I think the Trojans can cover
I love the thought of a UK-WVU series, in both football and mens’ basketball.
I’d also love to play UVA, Indiana, and/or Cincinnati (Xavier also in basketball).
Not one thing on Stetson Bennett’s drinking and driving arrest in Texas on SDS. Get an email from the SEC asking you not to make it a big deal?
Stetson wasn’t arrested for DUI. He got a misdemeanor for the most b.s. charge in America, “public intoxication.”
Something every single person here has been at some point in their lives.
Odds are, the cops saw it was Bennett, and instead of doing what most cops do in that situation (have you call yourself an Uber) they were like, “We’re gonna get him!”
Go take a dirt nap.
But wasn’t he knocking on people’s doors harrasing people?
It was reported someone was knocking on doors. Not that Bennett was. In the report, the cops just found him in the area not doing much of anything.
“Harassing” was also not in the report. Do you understand the legal definition of what has to happen before something can be described as harassing? I’m guessing no.
“Stetson Bennett arrested for public intoxication in Dallas, per report”
Big Headline yesterday in SDS. Does that get your rocks off?
“Not one thing on Stetson Bennett’s drinking and driving arrest”
No, because Bennett was not arrested for drunk driving.
I like Milton mainly because of his attitude. After his 4th down run out of bounds with no time left against Ole Miss in 2021 I saw shades of Guarantano. Now…I think he gets it and has a chance to show it.
If we can just get The Big Guy to put his shoulder into running the ball a few times early in a game and stay healty…then he could be really special thus giving Nico the opportunity to develop physically and mentally.
He always had the ability. You don’t get to play for Michigan or Tennessee without that. He just needed time to ripen and mature. He’ll be a good QB next year. Looked good against Clemson, for sure.
If he can control that cannon, he’ll keep defenses stretched all season.
I started paying attention to CFB in the early ‘70s. Since then I’ve seen UGA play (and beat) every P5 team on the top 25 all-time winning percentage list except three: Southern Cal, Washington and Miami. Thought we’d get USC in the Peach but Riley Rileyed. Last time the Dawgs played USC and Miami was in the ‘60s. Never played the Huskies. I want to see those three before I shuffle off this mortal coil.
“Thought we’d get USC in the Peach but Riley Rileyed”.
Nice phrasing MD. It sounds like the new “Clemson Clemsoning”.
Considering Riley’s new employer, I guess we’ll be able to combine those terms going forward.
Is it just me, or is the SEC/ACC game that should be revived is UGa vs Clem’s Son? I know I am old, but that was a BIG game back in the day.
That would be a nice revival. I would like to see the Richt Bown, UGA vs Miamai.
*Bowl
They play each other several times over the next 10 years and have played frequently. They don’t play every year but it is a pretty healthy rivalry
Why even watch the games when we have sports experts telling all of us what will happen before the season and spring practice even begin.
That is why I love internet sites that allow people to post comments.
I know I may be alone on this one, but I will again say. I think Beck is the only one who will leave this team.
I just don’t see how he stays. The ONLY way he stays, and I just don’t think happens, is if he plays just well enough to not be benched. I just see him either getting benched or getting first round hype, nothing in between.
He will either be off to the NFL (esp if he leads a 3 peat) or transfer after losing his job to the more athletic Vandagriff (which is not to say he’s better) .
Yeah, you obviously aren’t paying attention. Anyone who saw BVG take any snaps in Spring or in the one game he got into this year knows he’s the most likely odd man out.
To say he’s inaccurate is being charitable. To say his accuracy problems are “Anthony Richardson-like” is closer to the truth.
You’re likely a star-f–ker who has no clue.
Corch you could have disagreed without the ad hominem.
There’s a reason no one takes you seriously even when you do make a good point.
Exactly.
Yeah I gotta go with corch on this one. Not all his cr a p. But vandagriff has not impressed me. Very inaccurate. One read only.
He’s going to the Gators. It’s a done deal
I prefaced with I might be alone on this for a reason. I very well may be wrong on Brock, but as much as all love to think we’re the Georgia coaches. We’re not.
Missouri has already proven that Cook won’t lose games where they are clear favorites. So there is a fair chance he improves some and wins a couple games they shouldn’t. Quickly followed by they would be a winning program if he could just win one game where they are the underdog.
Until you can write Horn should play before Cook because 1., 2., 3., you’re just blowing smoke out of your posterior. A good journalist would find out what Horn’s strengths and weaknesses have looked like so far. Like his rocket arm!
A good journalist would also know that Missouri has an inexperienced D coordinator that, while good, still needs to improve a lot.
If Missouri does not show Drinks improvement getting back on track in 2023. The dialogue about Missouri will be more staff oriented in 2024
Drinks’OC’s offense 2023 ????
Garcia will run away with the job in fall camp. Horn is really talented but his future is baseball where he’ll make insanely more money. Cook will stick around thru the summer and either transfer or be a solid backup. Garcia will take CFB by storm and I’m paranoid AH about the Dawgs playing Mizzou next season.
Beck probably could’ve started 2 years ago, and the results more than likely would’ve been close to, if not the same, in Athens.
A blind man could have started at Florida and the results more than likely would’ve been close to, if not the same, in Gainesville.
Of all the quarterbacks in the portal he picks the one guy nobody else had any interest in.
And that folks is why Billy will be 3 and out.