Evil Genius just evil?

The 2006 College Football Season offically kicked off last night. With several games across the country. The majority of the games were small conference and non Division 1 games, but it was football none the less. The night was highlighted by the SEC opener between South Carolina and Mississippi State.

One of the mysteries that I've been unable to understand all offseason is the obsession with the media that says South Carolina will be much improved and some people (Lou Hotlz) actually predict them to contend if not win the SEC East. My question is how? Lets face it the Gamecocks were a decent team last year, but they could've lost every game they won if the ball had bounced the other way on a couple of plays. Not to take anything away from wins over Florida and Tennessee, but lets face it both of those, epsecially the Florida game, were a case of the other team wetting the bed and getting lost in all the hype about the Ol' Ball Coach. Carolina returns basically the same team on offense that they had last year. They are improved at RB according to the media, and they have a stud at WR in Rice, but I know another team up on North Avenue with a super stud receiver and its never netted them more than 7-5. The problem with a stud wide receiver is that he only touches the ball x number of times a game. If the QB can't get him the ball or if the D just cheats to his side and constantly doubles him up it can be virtually impossible to get the ball to your superstar, unlike a QB or RB who can touch the ball practically every play. Perhaps Spurrier was holding back and not really showing anything for Georgia to study on film, but I saw a very pedestrian offense that looked like they had a hard time moving the ball or protecting their quarterback. The only thing USC had to their advantage was they were playing MSU.

The Generic Bulldogs as I've always called them. Look like they will duke it out once again to stay out of the SEC cellar. Their defense looked like world beaters. I'd expect everyone to have trouble with the Bulldogs this season, of course whether they are as dominant on the road will probably be the difference between a lot of blow outs or a lot of close losses. On the otherside of the ball however they looked atrocious. They had no offense to speak of especially in the passing game. If the Bulldogs had been able to move the ball even a little, then they'd have won that game last night. The cubbard isn't bare and their freshmen running backs looked to be very good, but its tough to win in the SEC when you are as one dimensional as they were last night. I'd say they can expect 9+ men in the box from almost everyone they play.