It's Thursday so maybe not midweek, but at some point I have to stick with a title.
Neal and I went back and forth all last week about what was more important against Texas A&M: the score or the recruits on campus.
Clearly both were substantial, and four more points would have made it a perfect night, but the recruiting side of the equation was a blowout victory. Prospects don't focus on the score of one game. It just doesn't work that way. The recruits want excitement, atmosphere, pretty girls and an entertaining game with upbeat players and coaches. Visits hardly ever go poorly, but empty stadiums and dud environments can be a negative. Ole Miss succeeded with those areas on Saturday. The nearly 61,000 fans were engaged and loud throughout the game and cheered appropriately in pregame as notable prospects were seen on the field.
I had a couple people tell me it was the most complete environment since 2003 LSU. Maybe Texas had a better pregame buzz last year or some other games were more electric in critical moments, but start to finish Saturday was top notch SEC football. That's a big deal, and as this program continues to move forward and upward, it's the kind of tangible assistance that can be critical for regional and national recruits.
No public commitments came out of Saturday, but Ole Miss impressed four-star tight end Tyler Luatua, stabilized things with C.J. Hampton for now, made progress with Jamal Adams and made things real with Bo Scarbrough. Not bad for a 48-hour period.
Quick thoughts on five of the recruits in attendance:
Jamal Adams - The Joker Phillips angle can't be discounted, but this one seems to have momentum for the Rebels. Adams to Ole Miss wouldn't shock me.
CJ Hampton - There will be drama. Alabama wants him bad, but things are better for Ole Miss today than this time last week.
DJ Pettway - He's visiting Tennessee this weekend, and he's staying out of the media whenever possible. Pettway doesn't want to talk publicly, instead choosing to focus on football and school and try to distance himself from the legal situation that seems to be straightening itself out. Pettway has filed for youthful-offender status. Youthful offender status means young people, usually younger than 21, can in most cases keep their convictions secret. The status also limits sentencing and probation lengths. Ole Miss loves its position, and there's a real chance here.
Bo Scarbrough - Scarbrough wants to be a feature back, and Ole Miss certainly can provide that opportunity. Alabama won't let the commit go easily, but he's the kind of athlete Hugh Freeze has to salivate over. Sources told Andrew Bone that Scarbrough said he could see himself at Ole Miss, and the Rebels are now a factor for him. I don't expect anything today or tomorrow, but it's a step in the right direction for Ole Miss.
Javon Patterson - It's never too early to get a lead for the next class coming up. Ole Miss has that lead for the Petal offensive lineman. Patterson and Malik Dear wouldn't be a bad way to start 2015.
Also, it was a good night to strengthen ties with current commitments. Rod Taylor had a big time with his teammates. Attention must still be paid to those in the boat.
Props to Buddy Stephens and East Mississippi
The man can coach, and he has another national title contender in Scooba, Miss. Stephens has benefitted from stellar players, having quarterbacks Randall Mackey and Bo Wallace under center in recent years, but Stephens configures the offense to fit the skill set of his quarterbacks, and Wallace won a national title his lone year with the Lions.
So far this season, EMCC has outscored opponents a combined 451-13, a string of dominance I'm not sure I've seen before. Games against Northwest and ICC remain, but here's the Lions' path of destruction thus far.
49-6 vs. Pearl River
59-0 vs. East Central
69-0 vs. Southwest
70-0 vs. Miss. Delta
90-7!!! vs. Coahoma
55-0 vs. Holmes
59-0 vs. Northeast
I have no idea if a team from another state is better, but no one has a more dominant season going. Good luck to EMCC the rest of the way.
SEC Power Poll
1. Alabama- Until they lose
2. LSU - The Tigers will kick themselves for that UGA loss at the end of the year
3. Texas A&M - Lots of Aggies' prayers answered when Manziel came back in the game
4 . South Carolina - Exposed Arkansas last Saturday
5. Florida - Not a bad effort in the loss at LSU
6. Missouri - No idea where to put the Tigers because of Franklin's injury
7. Auburn - There's talent, but I'm not completely sold
8. Georgia - Just too many injuries right now
9. Ole Miss - The stretch from hell almost over
10. Tennessee - We'll know more after the Carolina game
11. Mississippi State - Gross. Bowling Green color scheme gross. It's a win though.
12. Arkansas - 30. Passing. Yards.
13. Kentucky - Mark Stoops is a good coach. The hill is just too tall right now
14. Vanderbilt - James Franklin may have waited a year too long
If I had a vote…
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Clemson
4. FSU
5. LSU
6. Ohio State
7. Texas A&M
8. UCLA
9. South Carolina
10. Baylor
The College Football Playoff committee was formerly announced.
The committee members: Tyrone Willingham, former head coach of three FBS institutions
I don't mind the committee. It's fine. It's better than the BCS. I do, however, have two gripes. Why wouldn't you publish the individual ballots? Make it like the AP top 25. Let's see who picked stupid teams and who the outliers are in the selection. It only makes sense.
The committee will release collective top 25s. Why is there a need for 25 teams? The job is to pick four teams. Have each person pick four each time they meet and then release the individual four teams along with the collective votes. Executive director Bill Hancock said the process would be as transparent as possible. That's not happening with the current structure.
The Ole Miss fall ball world series is Saturday at 12 p.m.
If you're around campus and want to check it out, the team will scrimmage for a couple hours at Swayze Field. I mentioned this on a podcast recently, but spring football and fall baseball have a lot in common. Fall baseball is marred by players still recovering from summer ball and a certain monotony. Anyone who has some major read on the team after fall ball is lying or is making things up.
It's obviously a critical year for the program, and it won't be easy replacing Bobby Wahl and Mike Mayers in the rotation, though Mike Bianco has consistently put together solid frontline pitching, so I give some benefit of doubt on that. His weakest rotation was likely 2011, and Matt Crouse was underrated, so past history gives hope. A lot of the season relies on Chris Ellis putting everything together. I had a scout tell me his repertoire is first-round pick worthy and the greatest obstacle in the spring will be keeping it together mentally. Ellis was plagued by injury last year and couldn't ever find a rhythm when he returned. His "stuff" is the best on the staff, so he'll need to be able to fill the Friday role. He's currently shut down because of the workload during past months, but it's nothing to do with injury.
Jacob Waguespack is close to being back from bone spurs. I expect a good year out of him. Will Allen is out for the fall as he injured a ligament in this thumb, and Matt Denny broke a toe. There are some moving parts that could impress and elevate Ole Miss in the spring, but the concern is a lack of proven resumes.
The 2011 recruiting class was ranked No. 3 nationally by Collegiate Baseball and No. 5 by Baseball America. It was billed as having a little of everything, and that group, to this point, just hasn't met expectations through their sophomore seasons. A couple have done as well or better than expected, but there hasn't been the charge that was anticipated. The group had nine drafted players make it to campus and going into their third year together, it's the group that may very well decide what the season holds.
The players in that signing class who remain with the program: Hawtin Buchanan, Chris Ellis, Sikes Orvis, Auston Bousfield, Josh Laxer, Will Jamison, Austin Knight, John Gatlin, Aaron Greenwood and Sam Smith.
I want to publicly give thanks.
As you know, I'm organizing the Park Stevens Memorial Scholarship golf tournament that will be played next Friday, and the Ole Miss Quarterback Club allowed me to visit the course last Friday to see how its golf tournament was set up and operated.
It was the day after Neal spoke at the QB Club meeting, and apparently he was a standup comedian with Aggie jokes built around other topics. The Club members, and Brad Logan most notably, helped me sort through some questions about tournament management and let me spread the word of the Park Stevens Tournament to those in attendance. It was much appreciated and a valuable resource. I said it last week, but I continue to be amazed by the generosity of the Ole Miss family in regards to this event and lending helping hands.
Also, I must say thanks to former Ole Miss player Ben Craddock, who has helped me make sure overhead doesn't harm the proceeds for the scholarship fund. Ben has been a life saver, and when you're in town be sure to send patronage his way at Oxford Exxon on Highway 6. I can't recommend that enough.
Here's a collection of assorted links from the past few days.
You've probably seen it, but bedlam has occurred after this from the KC Star: Teens' sexual encounter ignites firestorm against family
How the average American male body stacks up against other countries. It's not pretty.
Esquire compiled a slideshow of some of the "sexiest 27-year-olds of recent memory"
A new book includes a part about Alex Rodriguez and him spending $30,000 a month for an apartment but being unable to keep building staffers quiet isn't the most interesting part.
With Breaking Bad gone and Mad Men ending, where does AMC go from here?
The Internet is picking Johnny Manziel's Halloween costume.
This post was edited on 10/17 7:20 AM by Chase Parham
Neal and I went back and forth all last week about what was more important against Texas A&M: the score or the recruits on campus.
Clearly both were substantial, and four more points would have made it a perfect night, but the recruiting side of the equation was a blowout victory. Prospects don't focus on the score of one game. It just doesn't work that way. The recruits want excitement, atmosphere, pretty girls and an entertaining game with upbeat players and coaches. Visits hardly ever go poorly, but empty stadiums and dud environments can be a negative. Ole Miss succeeded with those areas on Saturday. The nearly 61,000 fans were engaged and loud throughout the game and cheered appropriately in pregame as notable prospects were seen on the field.
I had a couple people tell me it was the most complete environment since 2003 LSU. Maybe Texas had a better pregame buzz last year or some other games were more electric in critical moments, but start to finish Saturday was top notch SEC football. That's a big deal, and as this program continues to move forward and upward, it's the kind of tangible assistance that can be critical for regional and national recruits.
No public commitments came out of Saturday, but Ole Miss impressed four-star tight end Tyler Luatua, stabilized things with C.J. Hampton for now, made progress with Jamal Adams and made things real with Bo Scarbrough. Not bad for a 48-hour period.
Quick thoughts on five of the recruits in attendance:
Jamal Adams - The Joker Phillips angle can't be discounted, but this one seems to have momentum for the Rebels. Adams to Ole Miss wouldn't shock me.
CJ Hampton - There will be drama. Alabama wants him bad, but things are better for Ole Miss today than this time last week.
DJ Pettway - He's visiting Tennessee this weekend, and he's staying out of the media whenever possible. Pettway doesn't want to talk publicly, instead choosing to focus on football and school and try to distance himself from the legal situation that seems to be straightening itself out. Pettway has filed for youthful-offender status. Youthful offender status means young people, usually younger than 21, can in most cases keep their convictions secret. The status also limits sentencing and probation lengths. Ole Miss loves its position, and there's a real chance here.
Bo Scarbrough - Scarbrough wants to be a feature back, and Ole Miss certainly can provide that opportunity. Alabama won't let the commit go easily, but he's the kind of athlete Hugh Freeze has to salivate over. Sources told Andrew Bone that Scarbrough said he could see himself at Ole Miss, and the Rebels are now a factor for him. I don't expect anything today or tomorrow, but it's a step in the right direction for Ole Miss.
Javon Patterson - It's never too early to get a lead for the next class coming up. Ole Miss has that lead for the Petal offensive lineman. Patterson and Malik Dear wouldn't be a bad way to start 2015.
Also, it was a good night to strengthen ties with current commitments. Rod Taylor had a big time with his teammates. Attention must still be paid to those in the boat.
Props to Buddy Stephens and East Mississippi
The man can coach, and he has another national title contender in Scooba, Miss. Stephens has benefitted from stellar players, having quarterbacks Randall Mackey and Bo Wallace under center in recent years, but Stephens configures the offense to fit the skill set of his quarterbacks, and Wallace won a national title his lone year with the Lions.
So far this season, EMCC has outscored opponents a combined 451-13, a string of dominance I'm not sure I've seen before. Games against Northwest and ICC remain, but here's the Lions' path of destruction thus far.
49-6 vs. Pearl River
59-0 vs. East Central
69-0 vs. Southwest
70-0 vs. Miss. Delta
90-7!!! vs. Coahoma
55-0 vs. Holmes
59-0 vs. Northeast
I have no idea if a team from another state is better, but no one has a more dominant season going. Good luck to EMCC the rest of the way.
SEC Power Poll
1. Alabama- Until they lose
2. LSU - The Tigers will kick themselves for that UGA loss at the end of the year
3. Texas A&M - Lots of Aggies' prayers answered when Manziel came back in the game
4 . South Carolina - Exposed Arkansas last Saturday
5. Florida - Not a bad effort in the loss at LSU
6. Missouri - No idea where to put the Tigers because of Franklin's injury
7. Auburn - There's talent, but I'm not completely sold
8. Georgia - Just too many injuries right now
9. Ole Miss - The stretch from hell almost over
10. Tennessee - We'll know more after the Carolina game
11. Mississippi State - Gross. Bowling Green color scheme gross. It's a win though.
12. Arkansas - 30. Passing. Yards.
13. Kentucky - Mark Stoops is a good coach. The hill is just too tall right now
14. Vanderbilt - James Franklin may have waited a year too long
If I had a vote…
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Clemson
4. FSU
5. LSU
6. Ohio State
7. Texas A&M
8. UCLA
9. South Carolina
10. Baylor
The College Football Playoff committee was formerly announced.
The committee members: Tyrone Willingham, former head coach of three FBS institutions
I don't mind the committee. It's fine. It's better than the BCS. I do, however, have two gripes. Why wouldn't you publish the individual ballots? Make it like the AP top 25. Let's see who picked stupid teams and who the outliers are in the selection. It only makes sense.
The committee will release collective top 25s. Why is there a need for 25 teams? The job is to pick four teams. Have each person pick four each time they meet and then release the individual four teams along with the collective votes. Executive director Bill Hancock said the process would be as transparent as possible. That's not happening with the current structure.
The Ole Miss fall ball world series is Saturday at 12 p.m.
If you're around campus and want to check it out, the team will scrimmage for a couple hours at Swayze Field. I mentioned this on a podcast recently, but spring football and fall baseball have a lot in common. Fall baseball is marred by players still recovering from summer ball and a certain monotony. Anyone who has some major read on the team after fall ball is lying or is making things up.
It's obviously a critical year for the program, and it won't be easy replacing Bobby Wahl and Mike Mayers in the rotation, though Mike Bianco has consistently put together solid frontline pitching, so I give some benefit of doubt on that. His weakest rotation was likely 2011, and Matt Crouse was underrated, so past history gives hope. A lot of the season relies on Chris Ellis putting everything together. I had a scout tell me his repertoire is first-round pick worthy and the greatest obstacle in the spring will be keeping it together mentally. Ellis was plagued by injury last year and couldn't ever find a rhythm when he returned. His "stuff" is the best on the staff, so he'll need to be able to fill the Friday role. He's currently shut down because of the workload during past months, but it's nothing to do with injury.
Jacob Waguespack is close to being back from bone spurs. I expect a good year out of him. Will Allen is out for the fall as he injured a ligament in this thumb, and Matt Denny broke a toe. There are some moving parts that could impress and elevate Ole Miss in the spring, but the concern is a lack of proven resumes.
The 2011 recruiting class was ranked No. 3 nationally by Collegiate Baseball and No. 5 by Baseball America. It was billed as having a little of everything, and that group, to this point, just hasn't met expectations through their sophomore seasons. A couple have done as well or better than expected, but there hasn't been the charge that was anticipated. The group had nine drafted players make it to campus and going into their third year together, it's the group that may very well decide what the season holds.
The players in that signing class who remain with the program: Hawtin Buchanan, Chris Ellis, Sikes Orvis, Auston Bousfield, Josh Laxer, Will Jamison, Austin Knight, John Gatlin, Aaron Greenwood and Sam Smith.
I want to publicly give thanks.
As you know, I'm organizing the Park Stevens Memorial Scholarship golf tournament that will be played next Friday, and the Ole Miss Quarterback Club allowed me to visit the course last Friday to see how its golf tournament was set up and operated.
It was the day after Neal spoke at the QB Club meeting, and apparently he was a standup comedian with Aggie jokes built around other topics. The Club members, and Brad Logan most notably, helped me sort through some questions about tournament management and let me spread the word of the Park Stevens Tournament to those in attendance. It was much appreciated and a valuable resource. I said it last week, but I continue to be amazed by the generosity of the Ole Miss family in regards to this event and lending helping hands.
Also, I must say thanks to former Ole Miss player Ben Craddock, who has helped me make sure overhead doesn't harm the proceeds for the scholarship fund. Ben has been a life saver, and when you're in town be sure to send patronage his way at Oxford Exxon on Highway 6. I can't recommend that enough.
Here's a collection of assorted links from the past few days.
You've probably seen it, but bedlam has occurred after this from the KC Star: Teens' sexual encounter ignites firestorm against family
How the average American male body stacks up against other countries. It's not pretty.
Esquire compiled a slideshow of some of the "sexiest 27-year-olds of recent memory"
A new book includes a part about Alex Rodriguez and him spending $30,000 a month for an apartment but being unable to keep building staffers quiet isn't the most interesting part.
With Breaking Bad gone and Mad Men ending, where does AMC go from here?
The Internet is picking Johnny Manziel's Halloween costume.
This post was edited on 10/17 7:20 AM by Chase Parham
