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Amari Cooper and Landon Collins were voted unanimous All-Americans.

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Plenty 'o' football...

Pre-Christmas Bowl Predictions-sds

Who’s ready for bowl season?

Christopher Smith will provide the smart, insight-heavy predictions while I’ll pick winners the best way I know how during bowl season — with major emphasis on coaching matchups and whether participating teams have anything to play for coming in.
After all, bowl games are all about ‘want to’ and less about talent.
Before we dive into the SEC’s slate of games, let’s look at 10 matchups leading up to Christmas Day, an early holiday appetizer for the main course beginning the week after the 25th.
New Orleans Bowl — Nevada vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (-1): Saturday, 11 a.m., EST

Christopher: Mark Hudspeth is one of the hottest up-and-coming coaches in the country. The Ragin’ Cajuns are on track to finish 9-4 with a New Orleans Bowl win for the fourth consecutive season. Senior QB Terrance Broadway, a Baton Rouge, La., native, is an athletic dual threat with nearly 8,000 career passing yards, and this is a coronation of his career. But Nevada has just the player to break up that perfect symmetry: Cody Fajardo, the best quarterback you’ve never heard of. Fajardo is one of two players ever to pass for more than 9,000 yards and rush for more than 3,000. The other? Another Nevada quarterback — Colin Kaepernick. Nevada 42, Louisiana-Lafayette 37.
Brad: Nevada snapped a two-game skid last time out with a 22-point victory over UNLV while Louisiana-Lafayette won for the seventh time in eight games. It’s not the sexiest offense, but the Ragin’ Cajuns have shown balance this season with nearly as many passing yards as production on the ground. Running backs Elijah McGuire and Alonzo Harris have combined for 26 touchdowns and nearly 2,000 yards this season and are sure to get a steady dose against the Wolfpack. Louisiana-Lafayette is the better team, by a point or two. ULL 28, Nevada 27
New Mexico Bowl — UTEP vs. Utah State (-10): Saturday, 2:20 p.m.
Christopher: You may remember the Aggies for a 38-7 loss in Knoxville on the final Sunday of August. Tennessee exposed a hapless offensive line that eventually cost talented QB Chuckie Keeton his season due to injury. Since then, though, Utah State beat then-No. 18 BYU on the road and nearly knocked off a good Jim McElwain-coached Colorado State in Fort Collins. The Aggies also enter this game angry after a very good defense gave up 50 points to Boise State. Meanwhile, UTEP is just happy to be here after finishing 2-10 a season ago. Aaron Jones, only a sophomore, is one of the best running backs in the country, but he won’t be enough. Utah State 27, UTEP 14.
Brad: UTEP quarterback Jameill Showers is an ex-SEC player after backing up Ryan Tannehill at Texas A&M as a freshman in 2010. Four years later, he has managed 12 touchdown passes in a rush-directed offense for the 7-5 Miners. This game’s outcome could fall on his shoulder if Utah State stacks the box and forces Showers to work from the pocket. The opening line of 10 points seems a bit high. I’ll take UTEP with the points. Utah State 20, UTEP 17
Las Vegas Bowl — Colorado State vs. Utah (-3.5): Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Christopher: The Rams have a steady offensive trio: QB Garrett Grayson, Biletnikoff Award finalist WR Rashard Higgins and Alabama transfer RB Dee Hart. But how will CSU perform without Jim McElwain, who since has departed for Gainesville to coach the Florida Gators? The Utes are tested, having beaten UCLA, USC and Stanford and played to overtime against Arizona State on the road. Coach Kyle Wittingham is 7-1 in bowls, and the team hasn’t made the postseason in three years. Plus this group has the defense and special teams to handle with a pesky CSU. Utah 28, Colorado State 24.
Brad: I had the pleasure of interviewing Colorado State wideout Rashard Higgins in Orlando last week and came away impressed with his humble attitude as one of college football’s star offensive players. A colleague joked to Higgins to enjoy his final season (junior) in college next fall, but Colorado State’s SID wasn’t thrilled with the comment. Here’s a chance for him to shine against the Power 5 Utes. I think he’ll take advantage. Colorado State 34, Utah 28
Potato Bowl — Air Force (-1) vs. Western Michigan: Saturday, 5:45 p.m.
Christopher: The Broncos opened as favorites in this one, but the Falcons, 5-1 in the last six games, now are chalk in Vegas. Air Force forced Boise State into seven turnovers in a September win, beat Army and Navy and also chopped down Colorado State in the final game of the regular season. ** coach Troy Calhoun also called a four-team College Football Playoff “un-American” last week. Like a lot of the teams in the Mountain West, Air Force is centered around three offensive standouts. But Western Michigan has the best player on the field in Jarvion Franklin. The freshman running back was in my Doak Walker Award Top 10 rankings all season and enters the bowl with 25 total touchdowns and nearly 1,700 yards of offense. Coach P.J. Fleck took this team from 1-11 last season to a true MAC contender in 2015, and this would make a nice transition win. Western Michigan 27, Air Force 24
Brad: Heads or tails? This one is a coin toss. Let’s go with the Falcons. Air Force 23, Western Michigan 20.
Camellia Bowl — South Alabama (-3) vs. Bowling Green: Saturday, 9:15 p.m.
Christopher: South Alabama’s 6-foot-5 athletic Canadian quarterback, Brandon Bridge, will get a look from the NFL after the season. It’s also USA’s first bowl appearance, as coach Joey Jones’ team got snubbed last year despite bowl eligibility. Despite back-to-back MAC division titles, this year’s Bowling Green isn’t as good as the team that shocked Northern Illinois in last year’s conference championship and then nearly beat Pitt in a bowl before head coach Dave Clawson took off for Wake Forest. The Falcons have a steady receiver in freshman Roger Lewis, but don’t have the defense to control the Jaguars. South Alabama 42, Bowling Green 34
Brad: Believe it or not, I watched two South Alabama football games from start to finish this season thanks to SEC coverage (vs. Mississippi St.; at South Carolina) and came away impressed with the Jaguars’ offense. Missed opportunities in both contests led to convincing losses, but one takeaway was that South Alabama had playmakers. That matters in matchups against teams with comparable talent and the Jaguars have the edge. South Alabama 27, Bowling Green 21
Miami Beach Bowl — Memphis (-1) vs. BYU: Monday, 2 p.m.
Christopher: Is there any more ironic bowl pairing than BYU (and its fans) and Miami? On the field, the Cougars once held New Year’s Six aspirations after walloping Texas and starting 4-0. But QB Taysom Hill broke his left leg and BYU lost four consecutive games. Memphis, meanwhile, played UCLA within a touchdown, kept close to then-unbeaten Ole Miss into the fourth quarter and came within four points of an unbeaten season in a respectable American Athletic Conference. The Tigers run the ball and may have the best non-power conference defense in the country. But will the rumor mill surrounding head coach Justin Fuente and defensive coordinator Barry Odom (hello, Mizzou?) be a distraction? I say no. Memphis 28, BYU 17
Brad: BYU’s second trip to Florida this season will end much like the first (overtime loss at UCF on Oct. 9) than to Memphis’ edge on the defensive side of the football. The game will be played at the football-converted Marlins Park, so be on the lookout for odd angles and sightlines during the television broadcast. In what should be a watchable game until the final minutes, take the Tigers. Memphis 30, BYU 27.
Boca Raton Bowl — Marshall (-10) vs. Northern Illinois: Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Christopher: The Thundering Herd took down Maryland in a bowl last year, then came within a 67-66 overtime loss of an unbeaten season. But the C-USA champions faced a irrefutably weak schedule. Coach Doc Holliday, QB Rakeem Cato and RB Devon Johnson, scoring better than 45 points per game, need this game to validate their seasons and in some ways their careers. For NIU, no Jordan Lynch, no problem. WR Da’Ron Brown’s production has skyrocketed with sophomore Drew Hare, who — get this — is an athletic quarterback who can run the ball. Still, the Huskies got their revenge in the MAC championship. This one goes to the team that needs it more. Marshall 49, Northern Illinois 35
Brad: College football’s Cinderella story this season, the Thundering Herd missed out on the New Year’s Six to an upset loss the day after Thanksgiving. Marshall has two of the nation’s best players you’ve never heard of — Rakeem Cato and Devon Johnson — with a fast-paced offense that’s fun to watch. In need of something to do Tuesday evening and like touchdowns? This game’s for you. And beware: Marshall’s defense is downright awful at times despite the Thundering Herd’s 12 wins. Marshall 45, Northern Illinois 28
Poinsettia Bowl — San Diego State (-3) vs. Navy: Tuesday, 9:30 p.m.
Christopher: If you love rushing, this is the marquee early game for you. Navy QB Keenan Reynolds has 62 career rushing touchdowns, and he’s only a 5-foot-11, 195-pound junior. SDSU RB Donnel Pumphrey (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) has accumulated more than 1,900 yards of offense and 19 touchdowns. It’s a de facto home game for the Aztecs, who went 6-0 at Qualcomm Stadium, including a win against Air Force. Will that help or hurt them? Navy played Ohio State and Notre Dame pretty tough, and I think the Midshipmen want this one more. Navy 24, San Diego State 21
Brad: Gap integrity and stopping Navy’s triple option is a nightmare, but San Diego State does have the luxury of an extra week of practice to prepare. It’s important to note as well that the Midshipmen don’t have a weapon near as talented as the Aztecs’ Donnel Pumphrey and are 1-5 against bowl teams this season. Pumphrey has rushed for 1,755 yards and 19 scores this fall, a tough matchup for Navy. San Diego State forces a couple punts and wins. San Diego State 35, Navy 21
Bahamas Bowl — Central Michigan vs. Western Kentucky (-3): Wednesday, Noon
Christopher: Talk about a break. One minute you’re clawing to bowl eligibility as a college kid in the MAC or C-USA. The next minute you’re spending Christmas Eve in the Bahamas. Michigan transfer Thomas Rawls may even be thankful it didn’t work out with the Wolverines. He had three or fewer carries in six games this season for the Chippewas, but also carried 80 times for 499 yards in a two-game stretch in the middle of the year. Central Michigan also features a steady veteran defense, and they’ll need it — the Hilltoppers average 44 points per game, including 67 in an overtime win at Marshall. QB Brandon Doughty has 44 passing touchdowns this season. Western Kentucky 35, Central Michigan 28.
Brad: By now, you all have seen Central Michigan’s excitement over its bowl announcement in Bahamas. Most of these kids have been around snow and freezing temperatures their entire lives, so pardon the Chippewas if the first quarter is a bit off-centered. Western Kentucky’s using this ‘vacation’ as a business trip and the Hilltoppers will prove it. Western Kentucky 35, Central Michigan 20.
Hawaii Bowl — Fresno State vs. Rice (-2): Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Christopher: Standout WR Jordan Taylor — 6-foot-5, 210 pounds — wasn’t himself until the fifth game of the season due to injury, and didn’t play against Texas A&M on Sept. 13. But it’s all systems go now for the best wideout in C-USA. Junior defensive end Brian Nordstrom is undersized at 230 pounds, but he managed 18.5 tackles for loss. Rice suddenly is a viable program in Texas, as coach David Bailiff has guided the Owls to three consecutive bowls. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are the only FBS team with a sub-.500 record making a bowl appearance as Fresno State won a weak Mountain Division before falling to Boise State in the MWC championship. Granted, five of the Bulldogs’ losses are to USC, Utah, Nebraska and Boise State (twice). Fresno State’s offense and defense are pretty bland. This is the hardest early bowl game to pick for me. Rice 35, Fresno State 34.
Brad: My personal favorite bowl game every year comes on Christmas Eve night (on the East Coast) for the simple fact that it’s the only game I know that I’ll be watching surrounded by family during the ever-expanding postseason slate. During late nights at the office, I caught glimpses of Fresno State this season, enough to know the Bulldogs aren’t deserving of a bowl bid with seven losses and a quarterback who turns it over quite often. In a wacky game, Rice finds a way. Rice 41, Fresno State 31.

JUCO Signing Day: SEC schools run away with top JUCO prospects-sds

The JUCO Signing Day is nearing its end and while JUCO prospects can still sign with schools, many have done so throughout today.

As evidenced by recent years, JUCO prospects are becoming increasingly important to the success of SEC schools. Players like Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, Terrance Cody and others have all been crucial parts to national championship runs.
Will we see the same kind of impact from the 2015 crop of JUCO prospects? Time will tell, but if history is of any indication, there’s likely a couple of stars in this group.


Here are the biggest story lines from today’s events.

• The rich get richer — The SEC West dominated the conference this season and that trend has continued in regard to JUCO prospects. Auburn, Ole Miss and Mississippi State hauled in a combined six JUCO recruits in the top ten, including the No. 1 overall JUCO prospect running back Jovan Robinson, who signed with Auburn.
• Watch out for Alvin Kamara — The former four-star Alabama running back is back in the SEC after some time in JUCO. He signed with the Tennessee Vols and figures to be competing for a starting role right away. Regardless of whether he starts or not, Kamara should see a lot of carries along with Jalen Hurd.
• Alabama, Florida and Kentucky shut out — Despite the vast success for SEC schools today, Alabama, Florida and Kentucky didn’t sign any JUCO prospects. The Crimson Tide have the No. 1 overall class, so Alabama certainly doesn’t need any JUCO players to help its class, but the same cannot be said for Florida. The Gators have just eight commits so far for 2015 and they missed out on OT Brandon Pertile, who stayed with Oklahoma State.
• SEC should get influx of RB talent — The nation’s top two JUCO prospects — running backs Jovan Robinson and Alvin Kamara — are both headed to SEC schools. Robinson and Kamara are both players that can make an immediate impact on their respective teams in 2015. In addition to those two, Chase Abbington and Chris Carson are two RBs expected to sign with SEC schools as well. Abbington is committed to Missouri while Carson has committed to Georgia. Both haven’t signed yet, but they will only add more talent to arguably the conference’s deepest position.

In midst of recruiting crisis, Spurrier retracts ‘2 or 3 more seasons’ remark-sds

Spurrier says you should always be on the 4-5 year plan. Realizes there were concerns on tenure and thanks recruits that stayed."

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The 69-year-old head coach’s recent admission that he planned on staying ‘2 or 3 more seasons’ at South Carolina cast doubt in the minds of many prep prospects on how they perceive the SEC East program as a potential landing spot on national signing day.
“Give me two or three more (years),” Spurrier told The State earlier this month. “I used to say four or five, now I’m down to two or three. I mean, I could get in a car wreck, but I’m definitely planning on being back.”
Four-star cornerback Mark Fields said he didn’t appreciate the uncertainty following his decommitment on Tuesday, a sentiment echoed over the weekend by another former commit, offensive lineman Jozie Milton.
Fields’ surprise decommitment was the sixth such announcement in the 2015 class, prompting Spurrier’s retraction.


At the urging of South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner, Spurrier will ponder a one-year extension this week and expressed his belief that players don’t sign with the Gamecocks because of him.
Spurrier also said several of South Carolina’s decommits could change their mind prior to National Signing Day.

Todd McShay’s initial 2015 mock draft includes 10 SEC first-rounders-sds

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and SEC football players getting drafted in the first round.

ESPN’s Todd McShay released his first 2015 mock draft on Wednesday, and 10 of the 32 players he projects are SEC players, including five of the top 11.
It’s still fairly early in the evaluation process for NFL teams, which aren’t even close to producing their own big boards yet. But time’s running out for players to put good performances on video, and performing in shorts and T-shirts and in interviews can only do so much for a player’s NFL prospects.
Here’s how the SEC’s first-round players currently project, according to McShay.
5. Missouri DE Shane Ray (Washington Redskins)
6. Alabama WR Amari Cooper (New York Jets)
7. Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr. (Atlanta Falcons)
9. Alabama S Landon Collins (Chicago Bears)
11. Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi (Minnesota Vikings)
27. LSU OT La’El Collins (Indianapolis Colts)
28. Mississippi State LB Benardrick McKinney (Green Bay Packers)
29. Georgia RB Todd Gurley (Seattle Seahawks)
30. Kentucky DE Bud Dupree (Arizona Cardinals)
31. South Carolina G A.J. Cann (New England Patriots)
McShay also had Arkansas DE Trey Flowers in his “top five prospects still available.”

Hidden recruiting gems: SEC West-sds

The cupboard will be stocked at every program in the SEC West heading into next season and here’s a few players who are diamonds in the rough in this recruiting cycle:

Hidden gems: SEC West

ALABAMA: Christian Bell, DE, Hoover, Ala. (Three-star) — This lanky weakside defensive end was a star player for one of the top high school programs in the state of Alabama and committed to the Crimson Tide’s Mario Cristobal on April 23. Bell’s still growing at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds and Alabama’s coaching staff saw plenty of upside in this kid off the edge.

ARKANSAS: Rawleigh Williams III, RB, Dallas, Texas (Three-star) — Watching the Razorbacks run the football over the last two seasons under Bret Bielema, you get the feeling any player inserted behind that monstrous offensive line is going to have success in that downhill, hard-nosed scheme. We’ll soon see Williams work his magic in Fayetteville with a skill-set defined by elusiveness and speed.
AUBURN: Tyler Carr, OL, Gadsden, Ala. (Four-star) — Projected as a guard on the Plains, Carr already looks like a veteran offensive lineman and he’s only 18 years old. Wanted by several SEC programs including Alabama and Florida, his size — 6-foot-5, 315 pounds — is impressive. Carr played defensive tackle this season and dominated for Southside in Gadsden.
LSU: Isaiah Washington, DE, New Orleans (Three-star) — The only defensive end thus far in this year’s class, Washington will benefit from a redshirt season along a defensive front four with extreme depth for the Tigers. Defensive coordinator John Chavis and his staff hand-picked this weakside pass rusher and he’ll develop quickly under their tutelage.
MISSISSIPPI: Willie Hibbler, ATH, Sardis, Miss. (Three-star) — The Rebels can put this guy at any position on the field and his impact will be noticed. At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, his size and strength best translates to a spot on the outside edge defensively or at tight end.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Darryl Williams, OL, Bessemer, Ala. (Three-star) — Mississippi State swiped Williams out of Alabama as the next essential piece up front for Dan Mullen’s run-based attack. Williams has the upside to become an excellent lead blocker. Auburn remains in hot pursuit of Williams.
TEXAS A&M: Larry Pryor, S, Sulphur Springs, Texas (Four-star) — Labeling this multi-position playmaker ‘under-the-radar’ is a stretch, but Pryor’s a kid who will make an instant impact defensively if he quickly learns the yet to-be-named new coordinator’s scheme. He played four sports at the prep level and moonlights as a star receiver.