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Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:17 pm to SummerOfGeorge
I just have a hard time believing a line that's replacing both tackles is the best in the league going into the season.
Though, I also think LSU's Dline is going to be top 1/3 of the league, so...
Though, I also think LSU's Dline is going to be top 1/3 of the league, so...
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:18 pm to SummerOfGeorge
Arkansas's defensive line is going to be more like the 2014 version than the 2015 one. I wouldn't be surprised if it was better than the OL... actually now that I think about it the defensive line will probably be better.
This post was edited on 4/1/16 at 1:22 pm
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:20 pm to SummerOfGeorge
are you basing these rankings on actual results or potential? Just Curious
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:20 pm to TTsTowel
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Hopefully the significant downgrade at defensive coordinator doesn't negatively affect the defense.
Steele is definitely a downgrade from 'Champ solely because Champ is very good at coaching and calling a defense. I see Steele as a lot like like Roof and some of those other guys. Solid coach, meh coordinator, won't destroy your defense but probably won't take it to another level either. Know what I mean?
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:21 pm to GameCocky88
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are you basing these rankings on actual results or potential? Just Curious
Just general expectation based on factors we know as of today.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:22 pm to RB10
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I just have a hard time believing a line that's replacing both tackles is the best in the league going into the season
Yea, maybe Alabama should be #1, I dunno. It seems there are 4-5 groups on the OL in the league that should be pretty good but each have a separate question mark.
I struggled with the DL to be honest. Opposite of OL. Tons of teams have tons of talent. Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, A&M, Florida, Missouri, LSU and Arkansas all have a bunch of players. Georgia will have guys again.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:23 pm to SummerOfGeorge
Pro football focus would be good for this.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:23 pm to Porcine Human
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actually now that I think about it the defensive line will probably be better.
That could be so, but it's all relative to other lines on each side in the league.
The SEC is stacked at DL across the league. There are a lot more question marks at OL, and Bilema has proven he tends to produce solid OLs, so when in doubt he gets the nod compared to many.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:24 pm to Gary Busey
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Pro football focus would be good for this
Yep - they don't publish all their stats for College like they do the NFL though. Only give it to you in bits and pieces.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:24 pm to SummerOfGeorge
Yeah I think it's safe to assume that the defensive line play is going to be dominant in the conference.
ETA: I'm not sure about their depth, but I think you're underrating aTm based solely on their starters.
They should have a very good front 4.
ETA: I'm not sure about their depth, but I think you're underrating aTm based solely on their starters.
They should have a very good front 4.
This post was edited on 4/1/16 at 1:28 pm
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:24 pm to Gary Busey
They do college now, correct?
I don't have an account but I follow them on Twitter. They post good free material every now and then. Solid source for player rankings, IMO. The best.
I don't have an account but I follow them on Twitter. They post good free material every now and then. Solid source for player rankings, IMO. The best.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:29 pm to TTsTowel
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They do college now, correct? I don't have an account but I follow them on Twitter. They post good free material every now and then. Solid source for player rankings, IMO. The best.
Yep - but they don't give access to the database like they do in the NFL. In the NFL you can look at everyone by position and team and the like. Only have the articles for College.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 1:30 pm to RB10
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I think you're underrating aTm based solely on their starters. They should have a very good front 4.
Agree - but I don't think it is better than Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss. They still never figured out how to stop the run last season. Maybe they have figured that out, if so, then they are probably a top 4-5 unit.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 2:47 pm to SummerOfGeorge
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South Carolina was 8th in the SEC in Yards per Rush at 4.39. They lost 3 of their starters from that group. South Carolina was 14th in the SEC in Yards per Rush allowed (5.13).
So you lost 60% of your starters from a mediocre OL unit and you were dead last in the SEC in rush defense last year. The other contenders for last, Kentucky and Vanderbilt, return 4 starters each (Vandy returns 3 and a previous starter who tore his ACL). I think probably Missouri should be 14 and South Carolina 13, though.
Where would you have South Carolina ranked in each category?
Yeah ... because we all know that that's exactly how you do it - you base everything on the previous season's numbers. Works every time ... amirite?
Then again, historically, using that methodolgy almost never works ... or, correct me if I'm wrong but last season Auburn was picked to win the entire SEC and the year before that SCAR was picked to win the East.
What I can, and will, tell you about the Gamecocks in the trenches this coming season is ...
1 - New DLine Coach (Deke Adams was horrible)
2 - Newly signed talent, plus more experienced returnees, plus more focused and energized off season program in the weight room, plus red-shirts coming up on both sides of the line ... talented, highly recruited redshirts chomping at the bit.
3 - New offensive philosophy designed around doing what college OLinemen do best ... rather than trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
SCAR has better talent on both sides of the trench, and depth, than at least four of the programs you have listed above ... maybe more. But hey, I'll split the difference with you and say .... somewhere between 10th and 12th for now, even though I believe we'll finish higher by season's end.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 3:06 pm to scrooster
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Yeah ... because we all know that that's exactly how you do it - you base everything on the previous season's numbers. Works every time ... amirite?
I mean, I'm not sure how else you'd do it.
quote:
Then again, historically, using that methodolgy almost never works ... or, correct me if I'm wrong but last season Auburn was picked to win the entire SEC and the year before that SCAR was picked to win the East.
Picking who will win leagues is a little more complex and difficult than identifying the best position groups, but sure.
quote:
Newly signed talent
The lines (along with QB) are the hardest places for true freshmen to contribute.
quote:
SCAR has better talent on both sides of the trench, and depth, than at least four of the programs you have listed above ... maybe more. But hey, I'll split the difference with you and say .... somewhere between 10th and 12th for now, even though I believe we'll finish higher by season's end.
That all sounds fine, but comparing them to other teams in the league I have a hard time moving them above anywhere around 12 on either side of the ball. Maybe offense up to 10 or 11, but no way on defense. Arkansas is 9th, Georgia is 10th, State is 11th. Maybe you could argue with Kentucky or Vanderbilt, but Vanderbilt has proven they can play solid up front defense. Kentucky, sure, flip a coin. Who exactly (other than Kentucky) would you put South Carolina's D-line in front of?
Offensive Line, maybe 10th? I wouldn't put them any higher than that. And they have just as many question marks as State or Vanderbilt (and Kentucky returns 4 of their linemen).
Posted on 4/1/16 at 3:24 pm to SummerOfGeorge
quote:We'll be solid on the starting DL with Trent Thompson, John Atkins & Jonathan Ledbetter but backups are a huge question mark...
Georgia will have guys again.
On OL we could prolly be ranked lower, couple/three returning starters but a lotta question marks here also. Hopefully Pittman can get the best outta them, Rob Sale was a disaster...
Smart has stressed all spring that we'll be pretty good talent wise 1 thru 11 on both sides but we have a big drop off & not as much talent when 12-22 come in the game. Lotta Fr. & So. kids have to step up & learn to play SEC ball as 2nd teamers quickly....
Posted on 4/1/16 at 3:33 pm to SummerOfGeorge
I'll help rooster out with some justifications.
On OL, you're right that we lost 3 starters. however we are replacing them with a transfer from Wake who had to sit out last season and was a freshman all american and 2 sophomores who were 4*s out of HS and in the top 15 of their position in the class.
On DL, I agree that the scheme as a whole will help with the run. That coupled with actual fundamentals like tackling which apparently was only taught to Skai Moore last season. The real issue that we have on DL is depth. Our 2 DTs and main DE are solid but the guys subbing in will not be on the same level.
On OL, you're right that we lost 3 starters. however we are replacing them with a transfer from Wake who had to sit out last season and was a freshman all american and 2 sophomores who were 4*s out of HS and in the top 15 of their position in the class.
On DL, I agree that the scheme as a whole will help with the run. That coupled with actual fundamentals like tackling which apparently was only taught to Skai Moore last season. The real issue that we have on DL is depth. Our 2 DTs and main DE are solid but the guys subbing in will not be on the same level.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 3:34 pm to GameCocky88
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On OL, you're right that we lost 3 starters. however we are replacing them with a transfer from Wake who had to sit out last season and was a freshman all american
That should help
quote:
2 sophomores who were 4*s out of HS and in the top 15 of their position in the class.
They could be very good, but every roster in the SEC outside of Kentucky, Vandy and maybe State has guys like this.
Posted on 4/1/16 at 3:36 pm to SummerOfGeorge
Oh i'm not saying we should be higher than 12th in either category until proof shows up on the field. Merely providing information as to why dead last may be equally unlikely.
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