Poll Update

Good stuff so far – this is where I’m thinking teams are stacking up.  Let me know where you have you have a problem.  and instead of just attacking someone or some team (which it perfectly ok to do both of those things) also list where you think the team should be

16) Oregon

18) Wisconsin

19) UNC

20) Georgia – they beat both Tech and Auburn last year and everyone will agree that they are going to be better this year

21) Auburn – Just Cause

22) Tech – I have been making phone calls speaking with people that have absoulty no affliation with Georgia or Tech and every one has said that Tech is not better than Ga or Auburn.  I’m sorry Reese.

23) Washington

24) UCONN

25) Penn State

again, if you have a problem – then make a suggestion (after you attack)

16 – 20

1)Bama; 2)Ohio st; 3)Boise St; 4)VT; 5)Texas; 6)Fla; 7) Iowa; 8)Nebraska; 9)TCU; 10)USC; 11)Arkansas; 12)Pitt; 13)LSU; 14)OU'; 15)Miami

Best of the Rest

Wisconsin – finished last year 10-3 and has 17 returning starters including a QB

FSU – All new Defensive coaches, New Head Coach – and this team wasn’t all that good last year.

Stanford – To me the only reason this team is being mentioned is their QB being one of the best in the Pac-10 and the fact that anybody could win the Pac

UNC – Probably about the time we should start considering the Tar Heels.

Georgia Tech – I’m thinking around the 17ish range

Washington – Who’s do you like more, Stanford or Washington?  which ever it is gets to be in the Top 20 and the other will probably slide out of the top 25

Penn St – Finished last year ranked #9 but lost, not just the QB, their leader.

Cinncy – When tony Pike went down Zach Collaros (i googled it) stepped in with a 75% accy with 10 TD’s and 2 picks.  he may not have the build as Pike but I dont think their will be a huge drop off, if any, in the QB position.  The Coaching worries me more than anything.

Oregon State, Utah, and UConn are in the talks.

I don’t think that Georgia or Auburn disserves to be in the Top 25 even though I think both will end up there.

11-15

1) Bama; 2) Ohio St; 3) Boise St; 4) VT; 5) Texas; 6) Fla; 7) Iowa; 8) Nebraska; 9) TCU; 10) USC

Teams up for the conversation…

Oklahoma – You almost have to put OU somewhere in the mix here.  I know they lost a ton but its not like they have scrubs that are going to fill in

FSU – I’m going to need some persuasion here.  Not just Jimbo’s first year as FSU’s head coach but its his first year EVER as a head coach.  Ya’ll are going to need to help me out here

UNC – (see comments below)

Pitt – John threw Pitt out there on his initial poll and I have not looked into them at all.  I will right now though.  and John if you could let us know why you droped ‘em on us also

Oregon – We are going to have to put the Ducks up on the list pretty soon.  11,12, and no higher than 13.

Stanford – With out the RB (gehard?  spelling) I’m not sure.  You guys tell me.  I was thinking around the 20 mark.

Wisonsin – Returning 17 starters including the QB from a 10-3 team last year.  I’m thinking they deserve to be in the top 15 with all of the returners off such a good team.

Georgia Tech – Reese, your vote does not count here.  Switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 is going to be a transition but with 2 head coaches the Jackets are going to be good

Miami – I love Miami this year.  They are my sleeper team this year.  Jacory Harris is got to stop throwing picks though

Arkansas – Jody dropped Arkansas in his Top 5 and I think we are in the area where they need to be now.

LSU – returning qb and what I expect to be a really good D

Let me know if any other team deserves to be in the talks for 11-15

6 through 10

I’m going to make this a little easier to follow for our loyal viewers.  which, by the way, amazes me every time a check stats and see just how many different computers are looking at this every day.   would love for some of yall to chime in. 

Teams that are being mentioned for 6-10

Iowa, Fla, OU, FSU, Nebraska, TCU, UNC, Oregon, Pitt, USC, and Stanford.

Iowa – is not in John’s top 10, Reese had them in his top 5 and now has them 6, I’m not real sold on them but wouldn’t have a problem with a 8ish ranking, Culpepper had them @5

Florida – John has @9, Reese has @7, Culpepper had them @10 so I think we all can agree about where Fla is

OU – Reese has them @8, John does not have them in his top 10, Culpepper didn’t have them in his top 10, and I dont like them much either.  So OU may be looking at a 11-15 and really only getting that because of reputation

FSU – John says no, Reese likes @9, Culpepper doesn’t really like, I don’t first year head coaches – so probably dropping FSU out of the Top 10

Nebraska – John has @ 8, Reese @9, I think Culpepper likes Nebraska in this same general area (correct me if im wrong), and I really like Nebraska.

TCU – John @ 7, Reese says no, Brad likes them in the same 7ish area that John does, and I really like them also.

UNC – you guys tell me if you think different but I think their Defense puts them in the Top 15 but not top 10. 

Oregon – Culpepper makes a good point about the QB but Chip Kelley is pretty damn good at coaching QB’s up.  John has them as high as 6, I think Jody had them in his top 5, Reese didnt like them, and I think we almost have to have a Pac-10 school in the top 10 im just not sure if its USC or Oregon. 

Pitt – Obviously this is John’s sleeper team since he is the only person mentioning them and I do want to give them a little respect but not top 10 respect

USC / Stanford – Really I think we just need to pick 1 Pac-10 school and put them in and put the others somewhere outside the top 10

What do yall think about this

6) Fla

7) Iowa

8) Nebraska

9) TCU

10) Oregon

Poll update

Maybe this was a bad idea…  I just got Culpepper’s top 10 and I’m starting to think that maybe we will never be able to all agree on a Top 5 let alone top 25.  He agrees with 1 and 2 but then he goes - 3)Boise St; 4)VT; 5)Iowa; 6) TCU; 7) UNC; 8) Stanford; 9) Texas; 10) Florida 11) Arkansas

His thoughts on Florida are very interesting.  How much offense did Cooper, Tebow, and Hernadez account for?  HUGE!!

Reese wants Florida ahead of Virginia Tech but it looks like VT is going to jump ahead of them based on majority rules. 

1) Bama

2) Ohio St

3) Boise St

4) Virginia Tech

5) Texas

Tell me to go to hell but this is looking like what its going to be. 

Lets start working on 6 through 10

Poll

Alright, got alot of input on the last post and so I wanted to just start a new one and catch up.  After Jody, John, Reese, And myself (also Culpepper had some phone input) I have sorted through all of the comments and let me know if everyone can accept this..

#1 Bama

#2 Ohio State

#3 Texas

#4 Boise State

#5 Florida 

#6 Virginia Tech

this is about as fair as I could think with everyone’s input.  Tell me if you see other wise.  If not we can start on 7 through 10 talks with Iowa and Oregon leading the way. 

Sleeper's???

Who's your sleeper team to come up and bite some people in the ass?? Is it Iowa, Kansas St, Nebraska, Stanford, UCLA (running out of the pistol formation), FSU, Auburn, Arkansas, etc?

I think I'm going to go with two teams, Aubbie and FSU. Both teams are going to be stout on O. Auburn has some questions at D with Roof(if he's still there)? FSU should be better on D with a Stoops running the show. I think my Jackets are going to have a tough time with them in the ACCCG.

Pre-Season Polls

I hate pre-season polls.  Wait a minute, let me rephrase that.  I love pre-season polls… ok, can I love and hate them?  Because I think I do.  We have a unique relationship, pre-season polls and myself.  See, I hate the fact that pre-season polls can have a HUGE impact on who plays, or doesn’t play, for the National Championship (Auburn ‘04) but I absolutely love looking at them.  I will buy every pre-season magazine I see and read them from cover to cover.  I will make notes on them that I will never go back and read.  I just love looking at them. 

Well, since I am a journalist now and trying to get recognized by the associated press so I can have a “official” AP vote – I need a pre-season poll.  WE need a preseason poll.  And instead of just writing down 10 teams and tallying them up – lets debate it and agree on it.  Then we will have OUR first annual “SOUTHERN FRIED PRE-SEASON POLL”  and with its success we can continue it though the regular season.  Should be good.  With everything you need a Commissioner and since I did start this blog then I will be placing myself in that position – also I will be placing Reese as Associate Commissioner to make sure that I am handling the poll with as little bias as possible.  I want to try and take this poll pretty serious.  So understand that we will be arguing about where teams should be and your not going to get your way every time so don’t get your feelings hurt and stop making suggestions.  Also, the amount of people that agree with teams is huge.  So even if you are just a reader, a comment just saying “I agree with Brad here”  goes a long way. 

Thank you in advance for making the SOUTHERN FRIED POLL a huge success

Here are some teams that I would like to start with.  Lets agree on a Top 5 and then move forward from there.

#1 Alabama – I do not think that Alabama will repeat with the losses they had on Defense (2 1st rounder's and 2 2nd rounder's on from the Defensive side of the ball) and with the target on their back.  I do think that Saban is the best coach in college football, and they are the most talented team in the country, but their is a reason no one goes back to back.  But I don’t think anyone can argue that they are the pre-season #1

#2 Texas – Strong Safety went in the 1st round, also had 2 other Defensive players in the 2nd round and McCoy and Shipley being gone on Offense will have to hurt the long horns

#3 Ohio State – Averaged over 29 points per game last year and didn’t have an offensive player drafted.  Actually they didn’t even have a player drafted in the first 3 rounds.  Weak Big 10 equals Ohio State in top 5.

#4 Virginia Tech – Tech didn’t lose much from a team last year that only lost 3 games and they open this year up with a Boise State team that will probably have a single digit ranking next to their name.  Last years loss to Alabama to open the season will have a impact on this years team and Boise State will shit themselves when “Enter Sandman” starts and the place goes nuts.  After Tech wins this game then they will be up in the Top 5.

I can’t put Boise State in the Top 5, just cant do it.  Who goes next? Oregon with out a QB? Florida maybe?  TCU?  Surely not Iowa?  Nebraska maybe?  Wisconsin? 

Remember we got 6 – 10 as soon as we figure out the Top 5.  Then we go after 11-15.  Then wrap it up with 16 –25, which should really be fun. 

Los Suns??

I guess if I really cared then I would look into the Arizona law that was recently passed about immigration – and its obvious if you have ever read one of my posts that I am not ashamed to show my ignorance.. So here goes.  My understanding of this law is that law enforcement officials have the right to ask people that look like they may not be in the United States legally for an I.D. and/or Visa.  If the person can not provide valid information stating that they are here legally then the officer arrests them.  (if i am way off base here someone correct me please)  People against the law like the Phoenix Suns are being very vocal – changing their Uniforms in the playoffs to Los Suns…  Why?  Why on earth would you do this if your the Suns?  Are you worried that you are going to have to find someone else to cut your grass or spread your pine straw?  Racial Profiling is the biggest problem that people are having with this, not the grass cutting.  If the police drove by my house and pulled in to my drive way - said to me that their is a killer in this area and he is 6ft, 220ish, White, with dark hair and we would like to ask you a couple of questions.  I would be more than happy to help out how ever I could, profile me - then exclude me - then go on with your investigation.  I don’t see the problem.  (on a side note, I do like it when the people at the pre pay pumps profile me and go ahead and turn the pump on – guess most of the drive offs don’t come from tall good looking white guys) – So back to the Suns.  What are they going to gain by being vocal on this issue vs. What can they possibly lose?  Simple Risk vs. Reward equation.  Risks? Lose support from everyone in the state that is for the law which is obviously a large part if the bill passed.  Reward?….  I can not think of something they could gain here?  Maybe because I am for the law or at least what I know about it… 

Speaking of Mexicans. Last night we all went out to eat, of course at a Mexican place, and I realized that their were nothing but Americans celebrating a Mexican Holiday while Mexicans worked their asses off.  Our waiter was literally sweating profusely while tending to his tables.  I felt kind of bad.  But then a really Fat couple tried to sit down in the booth next to us…  TRIED!! but failed.  The guy went to sit down first and stopped right before his gut hit the table and then raised back up.  His lady friend then went for it and didn’t even make it as far as he did.  She then said, “lets just sit over here” and pointed at the table behind me.  Then she sat down and her chair slid into mine pushing me forward.  I was tickled and scared at the same time.  Then I heard her tell the waiter, “2 cheese dips and a Diet Coke please.”  I turned around and said, “Its a tight Squeeze, aint it?”  ok, I made that last part up -I didn’t say anything. 

Mayo 5th

Lacrosse Murder – this is just crazy.  this guy admits to “shaking her” and while shaking her head hit the wall several times..  she was found in a pool blood with a large bruise on her face…  this makes me sick and I don’t know if the guy has admitted guilt (and if he hasn’t then he is presumed innocent – remember the Duke case) but if he has admitted guilt then I hope that Virginia brings the pain on this Bastard. 

Braves – I don’t know what is going on here but the season is not very old and we were talking earlier about the team chemistry and how good we felt about this years possibilities but it appears that we have the Braves of old..  not 90’s old, more like the 80’s.  If you can’t beat the Nationals then we have major issues.

Conference realignment – This could get very interesting after its all said and done but it could also end up with the Big 10 just adding 1 more team and then its over.     SI has a article that I just started reading this morning but hadn’t finished and they have a scenario that ends up with 3 power conferences.  Pac-10 Big –10 and SEC all having 16 teams.  This could be very dangerous for anyone that is not in these power conferences – which I really don’t have a problem with.  This could end up being pretty cool though.  Have 3 Conf. Championships and 1 non-power conference and you have a 4 team play off.  I would be ok with this but I would still fear this 4 team playoff expanding later into 8 then 16 then 24. 

What are your thoughts on Conference realignment.  Who would you like to see added to conferences?

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Mr. Mark Ferrara

Guy who went to GC&SU and played flag football with us. Guy is hillarious

Few pics of him hanging out with Pam and Carmen

Tuesday

Just got back from our first ultra sound.  Well, not exactly our first one – our first one on this one.  Good news is that their is only one in there and we should find out if he has a pecker or not in 2 months.  We will be having C section since the other two were done that way and Doc wants to schedule it about a week before the due date which is Dec. 8th.  Looks like I may be watching the Dawgs win the SEC championship from a hospital… 

Guy runs on to the field in Phillie and gets tasered…  uhhh believe that will work.  8 years ago I was the guy that would run on to the field.  never did, but I was “that guy” – if I knew that I would be tasered instead of just tackeled then I would choose not to do it.  So good call on the Taser.  (im not sure i am spelling taser right) – check out how it drops him.  very nice. 

several Phillies had there gloves over their face covering up the laughter.

Chad 8-5 stepped it up last night on Dancing with the Stars – he is still probably around 3 or 4th place behind the gay looking guy with slick black hair and the girl from the pussy cat dolls.  She has to be the favorite to win this thing.  I am proud of Pam Anderson for giving her best, she sure is a Trooper.

Any predictions on the Sex of the Baby and Any name suggestions?? 

Monday Monday

I have been slacking on the post recently and I do apologize for it.  I don’t have much to say today either but wanted to give my opinion on a couple of things that are going on..

Tiger missed the cut – and he didn’t just miss it.  He wasn’t close to making the cut.  After 36 holes he was 18 shots off the leader.  Can we take anything from this?  I think when we see any athletes' performance drop this much we have to look in to it at least a little bit but If I had to bet if he wins another major with in the next 2 years – I will go with yes.   Why?  Not sure, other than the fact that he is Tiger.  McEIlroy finished the day with 6 straight 3’s to win the tournament in what appeared (i didn’t watch) to be a great final day of golf. 

Weather – sucks.

Oil Spill – This thing is getting very nasty.  I really hope that BP gets the problem fixed and the damages to the coast and wildlife are not as bad as some are saying they could be…  I got a bad feeling about it though.   Question: Do you have the right to bitch about these oil companies when you do absolutely nothing to do your part in trying to reduce the consumption of fuel?  I mean, I can’t really talk bad about BP then go get in my Suburban can I?

So its Monday, bad weather, oil pumping in the Gulf at a ridiculous rate, Nashville is flooding, and I am having a hard time trying to find something positive to write about…  Everytime I look outside this is the song I hear in my head….

If that song is still playing STOP IT!!!  Wake up people, It aint that bad.  We got…  uhhh…  uhhhh… 

We got the special Olympics

Just wanted to say bada bing bada bang.

Beautiful

 

some things are just to good to be true.  and finding this picture is one of those things.  This makes my heart melt… 

$258 million lottery winner

This Guy won the powerball ($258 mil). He was the only winner.

Draft

I really enjoyed watching the draft last night.  I am forming a nice little man crush on John Gruden.  Watching him and Young and Tom Jackson kind of go at it to fill all the time up was fun. 

Oklahoma??  3 out of the top 4 picks was amazing.  And they lost 4 (i think) games last year.  I understand that one of those 3 didn’t play last year but I had no clue they had that kind of talent.  Going back through some of the previous years to try and find a team that had that strong of a showing, not in the first round, in the top 5 picks I found that Auburn in 05 had 2 top 5 picks and a another at 9.  And in 2000 Penn State had the First and Second overall picks.  But 3 out of the Top 4 is pretty damn strong. 

Yesterday I said that maybe character would have some impact on picks and I think it did.  I specfically mentioned Dez Bryant and he ended up not being the first overall WR takin.  And how about Tebow going before Jimmy C??  I just wander if KC will pick him up tonight with Fat Charlie their now.  I still think that somebody is going to be getting a real good qb in Colt McCoy latter in this draft. 

I think the Coons got a pretty strong LB in Weatherspoon and hopefully he will make a hellova a pass rusher coming off the outside.  Seems to be real strong but also quick enough to maybe drop back. 

Repeating what everyone was saying last night and this morning – “No one showed more loyaly to their QB than the 49ers” - Mike Singletary is turning into one of my favorite draft coaches.  The success of the 49ers will determine if my philosophy is correct.  If you have a QB then draft beef.  He drafted a Tackle and a Guard with his 2 first round choices with plenty of sexy picks still out there.  I’m pulling for Singletary and the 49ers to turn it around quick. 

Talladega

Talladega is this weekend and I will be leaving tomorrow afternoon for the weekend’s festivities.

About the race.  Talladega, like Daytona, is a track that you are all but certain to see a really big crash.  Just hope that your driver isn’t involved when it happens – and speaking of “your driver” I am in the process of looking for a new one.  Kasey Kahne was mine but now he will be switching to a Ford in 2012 since he signed with Hendrixs and my driver will be in a Ford.  I will get into that shortly.  About this race, Gordon and Junior , by far, are the best on this track.  Out of the drivers this year, their are 21 wins amongst 11 drivers and Jr and Gordon own 11 of those victories.  Keselowski is kind of my sleeper pick.  He has been getting better as the year goes on and sometimes at Talladega running around 10th could be good if “the big one” happens late and in the front.  He could sneak up and get himself a 2nd Dega win but Jr. and Gordon are defiantly the chalk. 

I had an opportunity to get Pit passes into Mark Martins pitt, which would have been really cool this year – since no body seems to know what is going to happen with MM in the 2012 season after Hendrixs just signed Kahne.  It would have been nice to be down and maybe get a feel for how people in that crew are feeling.  It also would have been cool as hell just to be in the pit.  BUT someone (Jeff Leard) didn’t get my info to the people in time so that will not happen.  (side note.  if jeff could have pulled this off then he would have moved up on my list of favorite leards.  his effort still moved him up but right now he is tied with Will for second.  Ben is safely at #1 since I have dropped his name 136,475 times since he played at Auburn.  Also he got me on the field for the Iron Bowl.  Dan better step his shit up) 

We will have a RV and we will be staying in the East Park.  It should be a really good time and I will try my best to take good notes so I can remember to be able to tell an accurate story of what happened. 

Big BEN

Suspended for 6 games the day before the NFL has its first prime time draft.  I think Goodell is making a statement – and I also think that this will start to make a difference in draft picks.  It will be interesting to see where people Dez Bryant go.  I am hoping that character starts to make a difference in where people get drafted.  I understand that it will not make a huge difference but when it comes down to a team that is deciding between 2 players and 1 has had some issues then the good one gets picked up.  I think this has a chance when people like Ben get suspended for 6 games with out even getting charged.   lets hope..

Rumor has it that Pittsburgh has opened up Trade talks and want a top 10 pick for him.  If you remember (if you dont you can find my earlier post) I said that I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Pittsburgh tries to trade him.

(for the other side of my mouth) I think he would be a huge pick up for a team.  Take a team like Cleveland that you know are 2 or 3 years out and be able to have a 2 time super bowl QB – that would be huge for them.  So who ever picks him up (which will prolly be no one) will not have a question at QB.  

Braves!!

After McLouth’s walk off Homer last night their was no body at Home plate to celebrate…  Just the ump.  Nobody in the dug out either…  Turns out every one was up in the tunnel waiting to celebrate.  Guys, this kind of stuff makes me think the Braves have a legit chance this year.  It just feels that this team likes each other.  It seems like Bobby is going to enjoy his last year and everybody on the team is going to make sure he does. 

Heyward is just sick.  I cant describe him.  I can’t remember the last time a rookie could do what he is doing.  Not just in RBI’s and HR’s but when he is doing this.  It’s like 2 outs is nothing.  No problem, just give him a bat and count the runs that come in. 

Disappointed..in the fans.  I think only about 18k people showed up last night and when we are playing the Phillies then we need a better turn out than that.  I understand that it was a Tuesday night – but it was a nice spring evening and less than 20k showed up when the Div. leader is in town.