Are you ready for some football?
The answer is the fans are ready. The question should be are the Southeastern Conference teams ready to compete on a national level. In the Southeastern Conference, judging from last week, the three teams that are ready are Texas A&M, the Georgia Bulldogs and Auburn.
If the voting was today, Alabama would not be in the top four teams in America. Can they reach another level within the next several weeks? The answer to this question is yes.
The next question should be will they be able to reach the next level? They can if they can find a quarterback. Blake Sims, a five-year senior, is a good quarterback. The problem is you cannot win on a national level with a good quarterback; they must be exceptional. For the last two years, AJ McCarron, the quarterback for Alabama, was not great, but he had so many other weapons, both offensively and defensively, that made up for his deficiencies.
Nick Saban and his staff made a terrible mistake by putting so much confidence in Coker, the back-up quarterback for Winston for Florida State. They were under the impression that Coker was the best thing since sliced bread. It was evident how good they think Coker is with him only playing 10 minutes in the game between Alabama and West Virginia. I’m assuming he will play Saturday when Alabama plays Florida Atlantic. Alabama playing Florida Atlantic is like Alabama playing Miles College or Parker High School. Coker has been playing catch-up since transferring from Florida State this summer. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder is more of a prototypical passer compared to Sims who has been primarily a read-option quarterback.
We all know how the National Championship will work. Just in case we all don’t, there is a committee that, from week to week, looks at all aspects to the game. At the end of the season, they will determine, based on winnings, losses, who you beat, who beat you and the strength of schedule, teams in 1, 2, 3, and 4th places. No. 1 will play No. 4; No 2. will Play No. 3 and the winners of these games will play for the National Championship. It will be very difficult for two teams from the Southeastern Conference to play each other and compete for the National Championship.
Every week there will be a Heisman Watch. These are the first four ESPN Expert’s Poll for Sept. 2: Todd Gurley (Georgia), Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon), Jameis Winston (QB, Florida State), Kenny Hill (QB, Texas A&M)
At the present time, Auburn looks better than any other team in the Conference to play for the National Championship. Their strength of schedule works in their favor and all they have to do is win, win and win again.
The Southeastern Conference Network is going to have to make some serious adjustments. They have to start with a clearer television picture, and get better commentators. The ones they have now are terrible. Paul Finebaum looks better on radio then he does on television. It should be hard for him to debate any sports since he has never played any – not Little League Baseball, Pee Wee Football or shot marbles competitively. I’d have to say that Paul does great interviews on radio; he comes across terribly on television.
If I had to pick two teams today that I think will play in the Championship game they would be Auburn and Florida State.
By Jesse J. Lewis, Sr.
