Phil Steele's SEC outlook

[Budapesttiger 2]

Phil Steele has a video up about the SEC. Worth a look.

http://www.philsteele.com/miscpages/Videos.html

[CTsaysWDE 3]

Did he even say the word 'Auburn' during the entire discussion?

[Weegle777 78]

Did he even say the word 'Auburn' during the entire discussion?

I'd rather he not. That way when the media is in utter shock and wondering what the crap happened when that burnt and navy hurricane castrates that creepo tiger on Sept. 1 in the Georgia Dome, it will be much sweeter.

[tsande07 271]

Did he even say the word 'Auburn' during the entire discussion?

No.

[AU_Tiger_88 417]

It was pretty typical....tea baggers, LSU and Arky....I don't think they mentioned any other teams in the west...

[Iron_chin_chiz 0]

Did he even say the word 'Auburn' during the entire discussion?

I'd rather he not. That way when the media is in utter shock and wondering what the crap happened when that burnt and navy hurricane castrates that creepo tiger on Sept. 1 in the Georgia Dome, it will be much sweeter.

That llama or whatever creature that you posted the other day looks like it could be cousins with clemson's "creepo tiger"

[Rednilla 5,441]

Did he even say the word 'Auburn' during the entire discussion?

I'd rather he not. That way when the media is in utter shock and wondering what the crap happened when that burnt and navy hurricane castrates that creepo tiger on Sept. 1 in the Georgia Dome, it will be much sweeter.

That llama or whatever creature that you posted the other day looks like it could be cousins with clemson's "creepo tiger"

Was Weegs saving the drama for a change?

[AUwent 3,822]

Meh. Arky is grossly overrated. The past 2 years are as good as it's going to get for them.

[BPI 0]

Arkansas is not bad. Tyler Wilson is the best q.b. in the nation in my opinion. Granted, with Petrino gone, they will suffer some.

[AUFriction 1,179]

Arkansas is not bad. Tyler Wilson is the best q.b. in the nation in my opinion. Granted, with Petrino gone, they will suffer some.

I used to think that. However, I am starting to think that it may have been the receivers making him look good. They lost their top 3 receivers (that were all multiple year starters) this year. They haven't really ever had a run game (unimpressed by knile davis)or a defense. Wilson will have to carry the team without his three receivers... I think they will be okay, but I wouldn't really consider them a contender.

[WDEvan 0]

Did he even say the word 'Auburn' during the entire discussion?

No.

He actually did in the last section when talking about LSU not making it to the NCG this year, something about Auburn being a vastly improved team. But that was all.

[stealthyfan 124]

All these prognosticators use history way too much in their analysis and do too little current data searching. History demonstrates this year after year.

Then the prognosticators look at the regional/fan base of an institution and limply say they are too hopeful and unrealistic. Sure.

Only sites like this one where we focus on this institution and look at our competition wit a critical eye does the message get through.

Moral - Don't waste your time on the preseason publications. Hit them where it makes a difference.

EOS

[jcm81 2]

Arkansas is not bad. Tyler Wilson is the best q.b. in the nation in my opinion. Granted, with Petrino gone, they will suffer some.

I used to think that. However, I am starting to think that it may have been the receivers making him look good. They lost their top 3 receivers (that were all multiple year starters) this year. They haven't really ever had a run game (unimpressed by knile davis)or a defense. Wilson will have to carry the team without his three receivers... I think they will be okay, but I wouldn't really consider them a contender.

I have to disagree about Knile Davis and their running game.  He ran for over 1300 yards in 2010 before he was out last year.  He is fast, powerful, and explosive.  They lost 3 receivers, but Childs was their 5th or 6th receiver based on production last year.  They return their 3rd receiver that has better career stats than Emory Blake.  They also return a TE that had 41 receptions last year (Lutz has 44 career).  I know they throw the ball more, but they won't have to with Davis back.

[Rednilla 5,441]

Arkansas is not bad. Tyler Wilson is the best q.b. in the nation in my opinion. Granted, with Petrino gone, they will suffer some.

I used to think that. However, I am starting to think that it may have been the receivers making him look good. They lost their top 3 receivers (that were all multiple year starters) this year. They haven't really ever had a run game (unimpressed by knile davis)or a defense. Wilson will have to carry the team without his three receivers... I think they will be okay, but I wouldn't really consider them a contender.

I have to disagree about Knile Davis and their running game.  He ran for over 1300 yards in 2010 before he was out last year.  He is fast, powerful, and explosive.  They lost 3 receivers, but Childs was their 5th or 6th receiver based on production last year.  They return their 3rd receiver that has better career stats than Emory Blake.  They also return a TE that had 41 receptions last year (Lutz has 44 career).  I know they throw the ball more, but they won't have to with Davis back.

Yeah, Davis was definitely legit before his injury, but time will tell if he bounces back completely or not. He was certainly aided by a passing game that was far more the focus of defenses, but that doesn't take away his level of production.

I do, however, have questions about exactly how much Tyler Wilson is the best QB in the country, or even the conference. Based on his play to this point, sure, he's the best in the SEC, but I wonder how much it will affect him to not have Petrino coaching and calling the plays for him.

They did lose their top three receivers, but in talking to an Arkansas fan, he doesn't think that's going to be an issue because of exactly what you mentioned. Again, we will see.

The problem, however, is the same as it has been for years now: defense. The Hogs have to show me they can perform defensively when/if their offense starts sputtering before I'll be willing to put them in the elite class of the SEC.

[jcm81 2]

Davis says he is back to full strength, but we will see.  I think he has a chance to be one of the top backs in the SEC if he is close to full strength.  Wilson is a great QB (not best in nation) that has been helped by great receivers.  I think they will drop off in production next year due to losing Petrino, but Davis can help balance the offense back out to minimize the loss of their top 2 receivers + Childs (he was a BEAST in 2010).  They still have playmakers to catch the ball.

The D is a totally different story, and that's why I think they will end up 3rd or 4th in the West.

[AUcivE09 582]

Let me know when PS writes "Phil Steele's SEC Lookback"

[Rednilla 5,441]

I think he has a chance to be one of the top backs in the SEC if he is close to full strength.

There's no "chance" about it. If he's close to or at full strength, he's one of the best in the SEC. The only question is whether he will, indeed, be at or close to full strength.

[BirdofPrey76 0]

Arkansas is not bad. Tyler Wilson is the best q.b. in the nation in my opinion. Granted, with Petrino gone, they will suffer some.

Our defense is gonna make Wilson suffer. Boy, are they gonna make him suffer!

[NCTiger 0]

You obviously have to have a good balance of talent, experience and good coaching to win the SECC and beyond, but the bottom line is Petrino made this team WORTHY of being in the preseason NC discussion. Had he stayed at Auburn two more years we might have had a shot at the NC in 2003 (thanks Nall !) and 2004 and those players wearing NC rings instead of USC. I don't think ARK can overcome Petrino's loss and make the SECC, but i don't see them losing the swag Petrino gave them unless the play calling turns into high school like our did with Nall. They will be a solid, tough competitor.

War Eagle !

[dpwspringer 0]

Davis says he is back to full strength, but we will see.  I think he has a chance to be one of the top backs in the SEC if he is close to full strength.  Wilson is a great QB (not best in nation) that has been helped by great receivers.  I think they will drop off in production next year due to losing Petrino, but Davis can help balance the offense back out to minimize the loss of their top 2 receivers + Childs (he was a BEAST in 2010).  They still have playmakers to catch the ball.

The D is a totally different story, and that's why I think they will end up 3rd or 4th in the West.

I have a hunch John L. Smith will cost them a couple of games and they will lose a few on their own.

[doc4aday 1,887]

This is going to be one fun season for the ages when the O&B makes fools out of those so called sports gurus!

[keesler 5,957]

You obviously have to have a good balance of talent, experience and good coaching to win the SECC and beyond, but the bottom line is Petrino made this team WORTHY of being in the preseason NC discussion. Had he stayed at Auburn two more years we might have had a shot at the NC in 2003 (thanks Nall !) and 2004 and those players wearing NC rings instead of USC. I don't think ARK can overcome Petrino's loss and make the SECC, but i don't see them losing the swag Petrino gave them unless the play calling turns into high school like our did with Nall. They will be a solid, tough competitor.

War Eagle !

They will make every game they play competitive - they've got experience and depth, and better coaching on the defensive side of the ball than they had before.  They do not have as much talent as AU/LSU/UAT/UGA - but that didn't prevent them from beating some pretty good teams the last couple of years.  The loss of Petrino will most definately have some impact on play calling but I wouldn't overlook them.

[TheBlueVue 177]

Arkansas is not bad. Tyler Wilson is the best q.b. in the nation in my opinion. Granted, with Petrino gone, they will suffer some.

I used to think that. However, I am starting to think that it may have been the receivers making him look good. They lost their top 3 receivers (that were all multiple year starters) this year. They haven't really ever had a run game (unimpressed by knile davis)or a defense. Wilson will have to carry the team without his three receivers... I think they will be okay, but I wouldn't really consider them a contender.

I have to disagree about Knile Davis and their running game.  He ran for over 1300 yards in 2010 before he was out last year.  He is fast, powerful, and explosive.  They lost 3 receivers, but Childs was their 5th or 6th receiver based on production last year.  They return their 3rd receiver that has better career stats than Emory Blake.  They also return a TE that had 41 receptions last year (Lutz has 44 career).  I know they throw the ball more, but they won't have to with Davis back.

Yeah, Davis was definitely legit before his injury, but time will tell if he bounces back completely or not. He was certainly aided by a passing game that was far more the focus of defenses, but that doesn't take away his level of production.

I do, however, have questions about exactly how much Tyler Wilson is the best QB in the country, or even the conference. Based on his play to this point, sure, he's the best in the SEC, but I wonder how much it will affect him to not have Petrino coaching and calling the plays for him.

They did lose their top three receivers, but in talking to an Arkansas fan, he doesn't think that's going to be an issue because of exactly what you mentioned. Again, we will see.

The problem, however, is the same as it has been for years now: defense. The Hogs have to show me they can perform defensively when/if their offense starts sputtering before I'll be willing to put them in the elite class of the SEC.

Im not completely sold that Tyler Wilson is any better than Aaron Murray. Both are very good but Murray just seems better to me.

[Rednilla 5,441]

Arkansas is not bad. Tyler Wilson is the best q.b. in the nation in my opinion. Granted, with Petrino gone, they will suffer some.

I used to think that. However, I am starting to think that it may have been the receivers making him look good. They lost their top 3 receivers (that were all multiple year starters) this year. They haven't really ever had a run game (unimpressed by knile davis)or a defense. Wilson will have to carry the team without his three receivers... I think they will be okay, but I wouldn't really consider them a contender.

I have to disagree about Knile Davis and their running game.  He ran for over 1300 yards in 2010 before he was out last year.  He is fast, powerful, and explosive.  They lost 3 receivers, but Childs was their 5th or 6th receiver based on production last year.  They return their 3rd receiver that has better career stats than Emory Blake.  They also return a TE that had 41 receptions last year (Lutz has 44 career).  I know they throw the ball more, but they won't have to with Davis back.

Yeah, Davis was definitely legit before his injury, but time will tell if he bounces back completely or not. He was certainly aided by a passing game that was far more the focus of defenses, but that doesn't take away his level of production.

I do, however, have questions about exactly how much Tyler Wilson is the best QB in the country, or even the conference. Based on his play to this point, sure, he's the best in the SEC, but I wonder how much it will affect him to not have Petrino coaching and calling the plays for him.

They did lose their top three receivers, but in talking to an Arkansas fan, he doesn't think that's going to be an issue because of exactly what you mentioned. Again, we will see.

The problem, however, is the same as it has been for years now: defense. The Hogs have to show me they can perform defensively when/if their offense starts sputtering before I'll be willing to put them in the elite class of the SEC.

Im not completely sold that Tyler Wilson is any better than Aaron Murray. Both are very good but Murray just seems better to me.

Of the returning starters, I think you have to throw Tyler Bray in there as well. At the end of the year, I think Kiehl Frazier will be, at the very least, amongst those we are talking about being the best in the SEC, if not the absolute best.

[lca4081345162963 0]

Arkansas has proven nothing in the past few years, other than they're a better overall team than they were under Houston Nutt. Granted, we've been the recipient of some beatdowns in the past few years but that's been more of an indication of the strength or weakness of Auburn rather than of how good Arky is.

Arkansas has an early SEC game that determines alot over the course of their season - the September matchup with Alabama. Not since 2006 has Arkansas beaten the Tide though they did come close in 2010. That game seems alot like the Auburn/Miss State matchup. If State wins, it can propel them to a great season (supposedly). Problem is, they've never won it under Mullen. MSU can't get over the Auburn hump to better themselves and Arkansas can't get over the Bama hump to have a truly awesome season. Unless they beat even a depleted but still strong Alabama team on September 15th, I'm not gonna jump on their bandwagon again. And I'm also going to expect an Auburn win on October 6th since we have an off-week preceding that matchup.

Ryan