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Morris: CCR takes the stage for SEC football
Posted on 10.20.09
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WE TAKE A break from the college football season to bring you the seventh annual musical look at the SEC.
Creedence Clearwater Revival gets the call this year.
"Tearing Up the Country," Alabama. What more could Alabama have done so far this season? The Crimson Tide have bowled over six consecutive opponents and climbed to the No. 1 national ranking, according to The Associated Press.
Alabama looks as if it could cruise into the SEC championship game, but you have to wonder if junior quarterback Greg McElroy is capable of guiding the Tide to the national crown.
"Up Around the Bend," Arkansas. The Razorbacks are 1-3 in the SEC West, but what they face up around the bend makes me believe Arkansas could be the second-best team in the division behind Alabama.
Do not be surprised if Arkansas wins three of its final four league games, beginning with a victory at Mississippi on Saturday.
"Bad Moon Rising," Auburn. Not much was expected in the preseason of Auburn and first-year coach Gene Chizik except perhaps a last-place finish in the SEC West. Then Auburn won its first five games - the same number Chizik won in two seasons as coach at Iowa State.
Suddenly, there is a bad moon rising in the SEC West, and it is Auburn. The Tigers have begun to show cracks, but they should rebound to win seven or eight games and play in a decent bowl.
"Walk on the Water," Florida. Tim Tebow plays for Florida. Enough said.
"Gloomy," Georgia. It is a sad and gloomy state of affairs under coach Mark Richt. His win totals since he arrived in Athens: eight, 13, 11, 10, 10, nine, 11 and 10.
A 4-3 start this season that included a 26-point loss at Tennessee has Georgia faithful wondering if Richt might be better off coaching elsewhere. Rule of thumb in the SEC: no subpar seasons allowed.
"Keep on Chooglin'," Kentucky. Not exactly sure what "Chooglin' " is all about, but it sounds like what Kentucky continues to do under veteran coach Rich Brooks.
Just when you think Kentucky's season is finished with a close loss at South Carolina, it rebounds to upset Auburn. Now there is every reason to believe Kentucky could win every remaining game on its schedule. It will not, of course, but a seven-win season will keep Brooks and the Wildcats "Chooglin' " along.
"Run Through the Jungle," LSU. The talk about the Tigers always centers on their incredible speed. They will need all of it to survive their remaining run through the SEC jungle.
Home games against Auburn and Arkansas and road tests at Alabama and Mississippi do not bode well for LSU.
"Feelin' Blue," Mississippi. Overrated and overhyped Mississippi climbed as high as No. 4 in the rankings. Truth be known, at the time Mississippi was not the fourth-best team in the SEC.
Now Mississippi has fallen out of the rankings and might not be the fourth-best team in the SEC West. Fans have ample reason for feeling blue.
"Long as I Can See the Light," Mississippi State. Not much was expected of the Bulldogs under first-year coach Dan Mullen. They have defeated Jackson State, Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee.
Mullen's club would pull off a major upset if it wins another game. As long as Mullen can see the light, his future at Mississippi State will be secure.
"Someday Never Comes," South Carolina. The someday never seems to come for USC and its loyal fans. With a couple of more breaks like it got in the season's first half, USC could fashion an eight-win season.
If so, someday might finally arrive.
"Fortunate Son," Tennessee. Lane Kiffin might be singing that he "ain't no fortunate son," but the facts say otherwise. He is fortunate to have his father, Monte Kiffin, running Tennessee's defense. He is fortunate to have an SEC head-coaching job at the tender age of 34.
More than anything, Kiffin is fortunate no SEC team has run up the score on his club - so far , at least - because he has a big mouth.
"What Are You Gonna Do," Vanderbilt. Bobby Johnson took Vanderbilt to a bowl game a season ago. His clubs annually are among the best-coached in the country. But, really, what are you gonna do at Vanderbilt?
Vandy is 2-4. A four- or five-win season would go a long way toward Vanderbilt again building to a bowl-game appearance in the next four-year cycle.
Listen to Morris Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. on ESPN Radio 93.1 FM.
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