Herbstreit's Opinion

[Townhallsavoy]

It's a great year IF we make a bowl game.   

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Plenty of eyebrows -- mine included -- got raised last summer when ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit picked Auburn to win the mighty SEC West. Turns out Herbstreit knew what he was talking about.

So listen up for his thoughts on the SEC in 2011.

"My Auburn fans out there who thought I was the toast of the town aren't going to like me this year," Herbstreit said. "I think this team is really going to struggle. I think if they get to a bowl game, it would be a great year."
Meanwhile, Herbstreit believes Alabama's grown-up defense will return to its 2009 form and help the Crimson Tide win the SEC. But he has questions for Alabama, too.

"Really look to see whether Dont'a Hightower, not just is he healthy, but does he become the dominant force, that alpha like Ro (Rolando McClain) was?" Herbstreit said. "He kind of policed that (2009) team. Whether Dont'a can be that kind of guy is something that I'm anxious to see."

Because Alabama asks its quarterback not to lose games, Herbstreit isn't as caught up in who wins the job as the public may be. But he isn't a fan of platooning two, as Nick Saban suggests he will do with AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims early in the season.

Herbstreit believes Alabama needs to know who its quarterback is by the Penn State road trip on Sept. 10.
"Can you platoon guys on the road in that atmosphere? Sure, it can be done," Herbstreit said. "But it's something I think can create some anxiety for an offense. I think eventually someone would have to emerge. You'd think McCarron because he's been around a couple years and knows the offense. But everybody loves Sims' talent."

Herbstreit also wonders what wide receiver will stretch defenses. That's a necessity in Alabama's offense so defenses pay for loading up against the run.

"To me, (Darius) Hanks and (Marquis) Maze -- especially Hanks -- are more catch-the-ball-in-space and intermediate guys," Herbstreit said. "Who's going to be that guy who strikes fear in the defense? Is Duron Carter going to be able to be on the field? He's not a speed guy. I'm sure somebody will emerge."

Herbstreit is much less confident about Auburn. "If Gene Chizik gets to a decent bowl game, I'll be more impressed of the coaching job this year than last year when he was 14-0."

Herbstreit picked Auburn last year in large part because of an easy road schedule until the finale at Alabama. This season, Auburn travels to Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU and Georgia, plus home games against Florida and Alabama.

Auburn's defense has "lost a lot of their mojo and intangibles," Herbstreit said. And while Auburn's offense maintains skill players, it's "really going to be a work in progress" with so many linemen and Cam Newton gone, he said.

"Unlike with Alabama, in Auburn's offense, the quarterback has to win games," Herbstreit said. "As we look at this team on paper, who's going to be the difference maker? I just don't see it. Are they going to put (Onterio) McCalebb in there to take direct snaps?"

Herbstreit gives South Carolina the edge to win the SEC East. Georgia's Aaron Murray is the league's best quarterback, Herbstreit said, but the Bulldogs face enormous pressure in a huge year for Mark Richt.

After hearing Steve Spurrier unsolicitedly mention Connor Shaw's name many times at SEC Media Days, Herbstreit believes troubled Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia is not set in stone as the starter.

"You've got to remember who you're dealing with with Steve Spurrier," Herbstreit said. "He will not hesitate to go to Connor Shaw, even if Stephen Garcia doesn't do anything wrong off the field."

Arkansas must be watched in the West with its "loaded" set of skill players, Herbstreit said.

"If Tyler Wilson steps up like we think he will, I think they're going to be better with Wilson than (Ryan) Mallett," Herbstreit said. "I think Arkansas is this year's version of Auburn."

Laugh at Herbstreit at your own peril.

Jon Solomon's column appears in The Birmingham News. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/jonsol. Write him at jsolomon@bhamnews.com.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/08/kirk_herbstreit_rising_tide_an.html

[AUChizad]

It's a great year IF we make a bowl game.   

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/08/kirk_herbstreit_rising_tide_an.html

He must know about the impending hammer.

[Godfather]

I'm not sold at all on bammer.  My pick is that the Hogs win the wild wild west and that it comes down to their final game with LSWho.

[GH2001]

I'm not sold at all on bammer.  My pick is that the Hogs win the wild wild west and that it comes down to their final game with LSWho.

Just purely on paper, I'd go with LSU.

Dark horse is Arky.

[AUJarhead]

I'm not sold at all on bammer.  My pick is that the Hogs win the wild wild west and that it comes down to their final game with LSWho.

I've been thinking the same thing, actually.

The biggest question I want Petrino to answer is do they run or pass when they go for 2 against Alabama, with the Hogs up 65-0.

[djsimp]

I'm thinking the Hogs also. I do think that the Hat will screw his chances along the way and bama will be cut short by a loss to the Hogs. As for Auburn, all this negative pub = more motivation.

[jmar]

I'm thinking the Hogs also. I do think that the Hat will screw his chances along the way and bama will be cut short by a loss to the Hogs. As for Auburn, all this negative pub = more motivation.

I like Arky. They will score a bunch and they will play well enough on defense.

I'm not too sure how LSU does after Oregon hangs a loss on them. I'm not saying Oregon has a better team I just think Auburn made them seem human while the entire football world thought they were unbeatable. Have to remember also that Kelly only had a reasonably close call against Cal and Auburn had made gutty calls and sweated close games several times during the season. Their safety sits out but this is still an extremely good team. I don't know if they are a match up front against LSU's o-line or even if Jefferson can complete enough passes but I do know that Oregon will score quickly.

[Kaos]

Oregon won't score on LSU.  Top end is 21 points.  Doubt they get that.

LSU won't have to throw a pass.   They'll be able to line up and patiently mash that Duck ass into the ground. 

By the fourth quarter the Bengals will be ripping off yardage on the ground at will.  Biting off ten and 15 yard chunks. 

[jmar]

Oregon won't score on LSU.  Top end is 21 points.  Doubt they get that.

LSU won't have to throw a pass.   They'll be able to line up and patiently mash that Duck ass into the ground. 

By the fourth quarter the Bengals will be ripping off yardage on the ground at will.  Biting off ten and 15 yard chunks.

Oregon scores some points each time LSU fails to score. Advantage Oregon. Any team looking to play ball control is in trouble against the Ducks.

[Kaos]

Oregon scores some points each time LSU fails to score. Advantage Oregon. Any team looking to play ball control is in trouble against the Ducks.

Not if they control it. 

LSU will stomp them into a green and gold mudhole.  Will win by 10 or less, but will beat Oregon completely the fuck down.  They're going to wear Oregon's duck ass out with sheer physicality. 

[Townhallsavoy]

Not if they control it. 

LSU will stomp them into a green and gold mudhole.  Will win by 10 or less, but will beat Oregon completely the fuck down.  They're going to wear Oregon's duck ass out with sheer physicality.

Agreed. 

I know the BCS championship was a very close game, but I felt that most of the game was dominated by Auburn.  We just didn't put the points on the board.  The line of scrimmage was dominated from start to finish.

[The Prowler]

Wait, screw what Kirk thinks...what does Larry Burton think.  He's the real journalist, that has all incite.

[AUTiger1]

Personally, and I could be wrong and more than likely will be, but I think LSU wins it all this year.  I think Kragthorpe gets some production out of the O and it will much improved.  I haven't been keeping up with LSU or any other team for that matter, but are we sure that Jefferson is going to be the starter?  What about this Mattenberger kid?  I was thinking he was supposed to be pretty good. 

[JR4AU]

Agreed. 

I know the BCS championship was a very close game, but I felt that most of the game was dominated by Auburn.  We just didn't put the points on the board.  The line of scrimmage was dominated from start to finish.

Agree with you and Kaos.  LSU mashes the ducks. 

[Tiger Wench]

Personally, and I could be wrong and more than likely will be, but I think LSU wins it all this year.  I think Kragthorpe gets some production out of the O and it will much improved.  I haven't been keeping up with LSU or any other team for that matter, but are we sure that Jefferson is going to be the starter?  What about this Mattenberger kid?  I was thinking he was supposed to be pretty good.

Jefferson is the starter.

And I think LSU wins the West easily.  I also believe they will skull fuck Oregon, which I will be there in person to see.  Am still ambivalent on the choice of attire - would love to wear AU stuff, but I always thought it was cheesy to wear the gear of a team not playing the game I am watching. I know AU gear is always the epitome of class and distinction, but that is just a personal prohibition.  I will, however, be wearing Auburn jewelry, like my national championship bracelet...   

To be honest, I am hoping some enterprising t-shirt artist will make me an LSU Duck Hunt shirt... plus maybe 50 more I can sell to my new best friends at the LSU tailgate we are going to...

Tshirts + Drunk Coonasses = PROFIT!!!

[Godfather]

To be honest, I am hoping some enterprising t-shirt artist will make me an LSU Duck Hunt shirt... plus maybe 50 more I can sell to my new best friends at the LSU tailgate we are going to...

Tshirts + Drunk Coonasses = PROFIT!!!

alright alright