Droddy: I will say the Clemson Tigers have surprised me the most. We've seen Clemson field great athletes every year for more than a decade and do next to nothing with it. I know they lost to Georgia Tech last week, but for them to be 8-0 to that point was stunning. They are still in the driver's seat for an ACC championship crown - a test they have never been able to pass.
Momo: Most surprising team to me so far has been Oklahoma St. They have always been the leftout stepchild in Oklahoma but this years team has so far exceeded my expectations. If you look at the fact that they control their destiny not only in the Big 12 but in the BCS title game, that is way better than most people would have expected. Normally this time of year we hear a lot of "Boomer Sooner" chants but the Cowboys are making believers out of everyone. Honorable mention to Clemson and South Carolina and Vandy for being competitive.
2. Most disappointing team this season...
Droddy: Starting in the top 5, its hard not to say Florida State as the most disappointing team. That said, they were overrated to begin with and they lost their QB for the toughest stretch of their season. Plenty of teams would lose those games without an experienced signal caller. Honorable mentions to the Florida Gators in this category, they not only have lost they have been embarrassed more often than not and we have been told they have the best recruits for the last 5 seasons or so.
Momo: I have to agree with Florida St. as well but I will also throw in Missouri. The Tigers were a top 1 team and I thought that was a little high for a team with a first-year starter at quarterback. Not only has James Franklin had an up and down season as the new trigger man but the Tigers defense has been awful at forcing teams off the field. Everyone figured the defense would keep the offense in the game but that has not been the case. Honorable mention to Notre Dame and Florida. Maybe Muschamp should have stayed in Austin for another year.
3. Better game coach Les Miles or Nick Saban?
Droddy: Being a lifelong LSU fan, I am torn on this question. I have seen every game they have coached since joining the SEC - I've paid special attention to Alabama over the last 5 years for some reason. In fact, I have asked myself this same question more than once of the years. I can honestly say I believe Miles is a better "game coach" than Saban. Reason being is Miles just seems to have that extra feel for when to call his trick plays, to keep pounding the ball at an opponent or when to put the other QB in the game. There's nothing tangible to point to other than Saban saying the following after LSU beat Bama last year "we just weren't ready for what LSU was going to do today" - that speaks volumes. Again speaking from seeing their teams, you know what you're going to get with Saban on a week to week basis...Miles, you just can't pin him down to one play or even a style of play - this allows him to be more versatile in game situations. I will concede Saban is probably a better judge of talent and has the ability to put people in the right situations to succeed - examples from his LSU days were Josh Reed and Devery Henderson started LSU playing running back...both ended up being NFL receivers.
Momo: This is a tough one because I believe both coaches bring different styles to their teams when it comes to "in-game" coaching. I agree with Droddy on Miles in games touch. No one can question he certainly lets his guys play free and easy and I think that's a big factor on why they win. Saban on the other hand doesn't deviate from his gameplan too often and he has a certain swagger that his guys feed on. Its that belief in his attention to detail and planning and the trust it creates with his team that gives his guys an unrelenting edge when they play top notch opponents. His players trust that the scheme is right and the excution is going to follow. So when tough situations arise they do not panic and are able to shine and make big plays.
4. "Who You Got" I had a perfect week last week and we are now tied with record of 14-6. Here's our picks for this week:
South Carolina v. Arkansas
Droddy: SC wins - Arkansas has been begging to lose the last few weeks, I think SC can finally grant that wish. Has there ever been a top 10 matchup ignored like this one?
Momo: I don't even know that mot of the country knows these two teams are playing. What a fantastic weekend in the SEC. I'm going to take the Hogs at home. I think the loss of Lattimore will finally be felt.
Kansas St. v. Okla St.
Droddy: OK St wins - K St was exposed last week and the bleeding wont stop this week.
Momo: Oklahoma St. wins and wins big. This is probably one of the last weeks Kansas St. is in the top 25.
Oregon v. Washington
Droddy: Oregon wins - Washington has an offense, but not enough defense to hang in there.
Momo: A part of you always want to take Washington at home in a night game in Seattle but the Ducks have too much offense. The Huskies will make it tough though.
And the big one
LSU v. Alabama
Droddy: LSU wins - Sure you can take this with a grain of salt after my LSU confession above, but I have called for LSU to lose before...just not this one. In huge games everything imaginable is looked at stats wise - in most categories Bama has the better numbers. What is being lost in the stat comparison is the competition the stats were posted against. Here is a small example, LSU has played 3 teams (Oregon, Auburn, Mississippi St) with a better rushing offense than Bama's BEST opponent (Vanderbilt) - sort of puts the "best defense ever" talk into perspective. With common opponents (Tennessee and Florida) the stats and scores were very similar. I think for the most part the stats are very similar when you keep strength of schedule in the conversation. Once one moves past looking at stats for a definitive edge, you have to look differences in the teams. The most glaring is experience at the QB spot and punting. LSU's punter of the best in the nation while Bama's has been a weakness for the season - these teams rely on field position and LSU should own this piece of the game. Also, in enormous games you want the QB that has been there before - LSU has 2 and Bama has none. When the running game stalls and you need a QB to make a play, I'll go with the team with the QB(s) that has seen numerous SEC defenses over the years.
Momo: LSU wins this one and here's why. In watching Alabama play all season I have noticed that they have struggled to find a rhythm on the offensive side of the ball until the second half of games. Of course, you think its a big game and they will be up for this one but I think at this point of the season you are who you are and these guys are slow starters. All that slow starting will put them behind against LSU because the Tigers are led by upperclassmen on the offensive side of the ball. I believe the Tigers senior quarterbacks give them edge over the Tide. Also, like Droddy said LSU's special teams gives them another edge in field position. Don't be surprised if Miles calls some fake punts or field goals to catch Alabama off guard.
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