Sully Talking Stuff

Greg Reid & Florida State: Reid has transfered to Valdosta State, a Division II school in Georgia and has begun practicing with the team. Division II (not to be confused with the FCS… Football Championship Subdivision… The division right below FBS… Football Bowl Subdivision) schools can offer up to 36 scholarships (FBS 85 & FCS 63) so there is a significant difference in quantity of players, let alone the quality of the athletes. Reid, one of the nations best punt returners, needed only 313 yards to surpass Deion Sanders record of 1429 yards on punt returns. He was dismissed from the team last month for “team rule violations” …. he was also suspended last year for one game for, again, “team rule violations” Let’s hope Reid gets it right this time….

Larry Scott…Coaches Poll a Fallacy: Scott, Commissioner of the PAC 12, believes the poll places coaches in a classic conflict of interest position (team’s & conference loyalties and other things being relatively equal…friends in the coaching ranks getting the nod) . Further, coaches are focused on their own team and do not have the time needed to properly evaluate 50 or so other teams to determine a top 25! keep in mind, in 2014 this whole thing will change and the Coaches Poll … at least its effect on the National Championship Game….. is going away. Kiffin, who voted his team #1, when asked about another coach voting his team first in the Coaches Poll, said .. I would not vote us first! He now says he was speaking from that Coach’s perspective. Ok Lane…. yet, I must say….I like my explanation (previous blog) better! Both explanations aside.. Scott’s right! And let’s play a couple of games before we put someone #1 or 25 or not ranked! Remember, unlike other preseason polls… this one counts… it is where you start… so it you are ranked 25th or not at all…it’s along way up!

SC and the Injury Bug: We all know SC is good… real good! That said, the Trojans started the season with only 75 scholarship athletes available … well the injury bug has made that 70! Another player has been lost for the season, and worse, another defensive lineman. Devante Wilson, a true freshman, tore his ACL in his left knee on Wednesday. A week ago, the Trojans lost Devon Kennard to a pectoral muscle tear, both D-linemen (defensive ends) and as stated, both lost for the season… maybe (Kennard, a senior, has a chance to return in late November). The D-line is the biggest question mark for SC and they really cannot afford any more injuries there and have a chance to get off the field against a rugged SEC running attack… if they have enough left to get to the National Championship Game! And yes… I am saying… no question…. an SEC team will be waiting for Barkley, Woods, Lee & that offense… if the D can get them there?

The Lattimore Express: Marcus Lattimore is college football’s best runner… according to Sully’s CFP Staff ( Ok that’s what Mike thinks… Hannah & Polly stare off into the abyss during the discussion and I think Mike is right)! All that aside, Lattimore looked really good in a brief scrimmage on Wednesday Night! He showed speed, power and quickness in running for two first downs on 5 carries; breaking several tackles …. and/while leaving a whole bunch of other Gamecocks tackling air. This kid is really good …let’s hope he stays healthy!