Introduction Below, we give our season-to-date grades for each school. In addition to offensive and defensive grades, we compare each team’s performance to our November expectations, which heavily…
Introduction Every famous artist has his medium. Picasso was known for many things, but his true talent was as a painter. For a BBQ Pitmaster, his or her…
This month separated good teams from bad. Below, we give our season-to-date grades for each school. In addition to offensive and defensive grades, we compare each team’s performance…
by Chris Paschal Longtime Pittsburgh Steeler broadcaster Myron Cope explained it best when he said that “football is a passionate game.” It is. There is an intensity and…
Introduction Before entering October and more conference play, let’s take a look at how each team performed in September. Unlike the ACC, the SEC has exceeded expectations (for…
Introduction Before entering October and more conference play, let’s take a look at how each team performed in September. Unlike the ACC, the SEC has exceeded expectations (for…
All teams are not created equal. Vanderbilt does not have the same standards of success as Alabama (if they do, the Commodores are lying to themselves). With several…
by Max McDougald There is something different about Shane Beamer than previous head coaches at South Carolina. For starters, Beamer has zero head coaching experience. Although he has…
Sports debates can bring out the passion in a fanbase, especially college fans. Is the SEC or Big Ten better at football? Is Duke or UNC the better basketball program in the state of North Carolina? Fans will argue their points to death and stick by them through thick or thin. One debate that rages on across conferences is which schools are better at football versus basketball. Kentucky is a basketball school, while Alabama is a football school. However, I am not here to debate the SEC today. Rather, as an alumnus of a Southern Conference institution, I am ready to let all SoCon fanbases know exactly where their precious programs stand in both sports over the last two decades. Debate me if you want, but numbers don’t lie.
The ten schools in the Southern Conference were scored based on a rubric that took into account championships, postseason appearances and success, along with individual honors over the past 20 years. This includes titles and awards won as members of other conferences. Football accolades were scored with a positive score, while basketball accolades were scored negatively to create a net score. The higher the score, the more likely it is that it is a football school. Without further ado, here are the verdicts.
There are all kinds: marble, ice cream, birthday, wedding, cake by the ocean, the list goes on and everyone has their personal favorite. What you probably like most about cake is the final product – the icing, the richly baked bread on the inside, the cornucopia of sweet flavors.
But we all know there is a process to making cake. Butter, flour, baking powder, eggs, etc., you know the drill, are mixed together to create the delicious dessert that you would much rather eat than help make. When you see cake, you simply want to dive right in rather than think about what went in to making it.
Many people indulge in sports like a cake. Some enjoy sports because they are seemingly straightforward – athletes go out, play a game with an established goal, they win or lose (or tie), “it’s on to Cincinnati,” repeat.
For others, sports are used as an escape to past athletic achievements and participation; a distraction from trying times or obstacles going on in life; or maybe a disruption to the monotony of the work week. While we are all guilty of viewing sports through a simplistic lens or using them as a means of escape at one point or another, in doing so we ignore the underlying social, cultural, and political complexities of the games we are watching. To acknowledge these complexities is to leave the escape, to pay more attention to the ingredients and layers than to simply enjoying the cake.
Hometown: Grew up in North Augusta, SC. Now live in Lexington, SC
College Team: South Carolina Gamecocks
Occupation: Founder & Owner of BP Skinner Clothiers
1. Tell us about BP Skinner Clothiers.
We are a men’s clothing store located in the heart of Columbia’s historic vista. Opened in 2012, we specialize in custom clothing for gentlemen. We also have a great selection of casual clothing, shoes and accessories to choose from.
2. How long have you been a fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks?
I’ve been a gamecock fan since I was 11 years old. My first game that I went to that year was the 1984 game against Florida State. I haven’t missed a home game since.
3. Do you have a favorite game or sports memory?
My favorite football memory would be the 2010 win against Florida in the Swamp. My favorite basketball memory would be beating Florida at Madison Square Garden to go to the final 4. I guess I like beating the Gators.
4. Does Craig Melvin look good because of a Skinner suit or does the Skinner suit look good because it’s on Craig Melvin?
Haha. I just wish I looked as good as Craig.
5. What is your favorite part about Columbia, SC?
I love the fact that Columbia is a city with great restaurants and shops and a lot to do but still has the charm of a southern town. Columbia has a lot to offer. We need to do a better job talking about all the positives instead of complaining about how hot it is.
6. If you could replace any team in the SEC who would you replace and with what team? (i.e. replace Alabama with Clemson)
I’d probably say replace Missouri. I’d love to see a team like North Carolina, but I know that would never happen. I hate that the conferences have gotten away from their geographical area.
7. Do you have a favorite vacation destination?
We love going to Kiawah.
8. Breakdown your favorite meal for us.
This could be a long answer. I’m a steakhouse guy. Start off with a dozen oysters (have to be from the northeast,) most any kind of Ceviche, Bone in Ribeye, Lobster Mac n cheese.
9. What stadium would you most like to visit?
I’d love to be in Hardrock stadium on January 11, 2021 to watch the Gamecocks. Outside of that probably the typical answer Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame.
10. If you had to recite a movie by memory what movie are you choosing?
It’d be really close between Tombstone and A Few Good Men. I could probably recite A Few Good Men the best. I can recite all of Come Fly With Me about Michael Jordan (not sure if that’s considered a movie.)
When I was a kid, it was much easier to do summer reading if I enjoyed the book and it was hot out. Sometimes, especially in the South, the only thing you can do is read a book or watch TV (or old SEC football highlights — or is that just me?) because it is just too dang hot and humid. When the pool is as warm as a bath or the beach feels like the surface of the sun, nothing can really beat pouring yourself a glass of tea, sitting on a breezy porch (or inside in the A/C) and reading. But why not read and further your love of college football at the same time? This summer, try one of these books while you seek relief from the sun and humidity. You won’t regret that you did.
If you’re anything like us, you’ve had a tough time adjusting to a life without sports. You miss the pageantry, competitiveness, camaraderie that sport brings to our lives. We certainly do. No one knows when or if the NBA, MLB, NFL, or College Football will resume play. Even leagues that have posted revised schedules understand that the situation is fluid, and can change in response to the ongoing pandemic. That being said, we do know one thing for certain:
NASCAR is back, baby.
NASCAR is set to resume competition on May 17th at Darlington Raceway. Then they will hold a second Cup Series race at Darlington on the 20th. After those two races the Coca-Cola 600 will take place on May 24th at Charlotte Motor Speedway, followed by a second race in Charlotte on May 27th. In between these Cup Series dates, NASCAR will also be running races for its two lower divisions; the Xfinity and Trucks series. This means that there’s going to be a lot of racing on television over the next two weeks… and you’re most likely going to need a primer to fully appreciate it. That’s where we come in.
We’ve been NASCAR fans our entire lives due to a combination of upbringing and geography, but we really dove back into the sport about a year and a half ago. NASCAR has everything you could ever want in a sport; decades of tradition, huge personalities, and an incredibly competitive product. But like any sport, there’s a learning curve to be able to truly appreciate what you’re watching. So we’re gonna learn you up on all that NASCAR has to offer. From how races and the season are conducted, to what to say to sound like an expert, to which driver is best suited to each fandom. Strap in.
BOOGITY BOOGITY BOOGITY, LET’S GO RACIN’
The Layout
The NASCAR Cup Series Season consists of 36 non-exhibition races (there’s the Clash at Daytona and the All Star Race as well). The majority of races are held on oval tracks between 0.526 miles and 2.66 miles in length, as well as three road courses. There is a 26 race regular season followed by a 10 race playoff. The initial playoff field is made up of 16 drivers, with 4 drivers being eliminated every 3 races. At the year’s final race, the top four drivers vie for the championship, with the highest placing driver winning the overall championship.
Races are composed of lengths varying from 220 to 600 miles, depending on the track. They’re also divided into either three or four stages, with the last stage generally being longer in length than the preceding ones. These stage breaks are designed to create mid race excitement, as the top 10 drivers in a stage each receive bonus points towards the championship.
On November 16, 2013, the Auburn Tigers hosted the Georgia Bulldogs for what turned out to be one of the most thrilling installments in the history of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. After a furious comeback by the Bulldogs, Auburn faced a fourth down on their own side of the field, trailing with just a few seconds left. The play that followed will be remembered and discussed for decades to come in bars, BBQ restaurants, churches, and family reunions throughout the states of Alabama and Georgia. That night, the nation was enthralled by “The Prayer in Jordan-Hare.” An improbable, tipped-up-in-the-air, Hail Mary that propelled Auburn one step closer to what wound up being an SEC Championship season. Legends and heroes were born that night on the plains of eastern Alabama.
In the state of South Carolina, three historic colleges play Division I Football. All three were founded before the Civil War. All three have student bodies of less than 4,000 students. Two are private. One is a military college. Each college has a football program that competes at a high level. Each is a member of the same athletic conference. I couldn’t find another Southern state like it. Why should you care? Because Furman University, Wofford College, and The Citadel provide a history that is unmatched not only in the Palmetto State, but throughout the South.
There are certain moments in time that you recall vividly, like it happened yesterday, and that you will remember for the rest of your life. The reasons you remember them vary – you experienced a sense of defeat, the feeling of victory washed over you like never before, what you witnessed was of flabbergasting delight – and the older you get, these memories never seem to fade.
I really hate that my first time in Knoxville for a college football Saturday found me actively rooting against the home team. It’s hard to enjoy the pageantry of a Volunteer Gameday when you’re about to have an aneurism watching the Gamecocks give up two special teams touchdowns.
And even then, I was blown away by this past Saturday on the banks of the Tennessee River. The day started with me, my brother, Brendan, and our buddies, John Lamm and Max McDougald, heading to Calhoun’s on the River. (Well the day really started when Brendan had enough of my snoring in the hotel room and demanded I leave the room, but I digress.) For those of you who haven’t been to Calhoun’s, you owe it to yourself. Great pregame atmosphere, affordable drinks, and some potato skins that were next level. But what was really awesome was the outdoor deck that overlooked the river and the boats coming in to dock with the rest of the Vol Navy.
I never met Clisby Clarke. He passed away when I was a freshman in college. In fact, it wasn’t until I was a senior at Wofford that I even heard of the legendary Georgian. And like most great stories, our meeting starts with me being a horrible student.
I was sitting in the library, not studying, but instead watching old SEC football highlights on YouTube. Among the suggested videos on the right side of my computer screen was something called “Bulldog Bite” by Clisby Clarke. I don’t even think I meant to click on it, but somehow it started playing, and before you knew it, I was grinning and tapping my feet along to the song.
“Who the hell is this guy?” I remember thinking. After listening to the song a few more times, followed by a quick Google search, I knew this was my kind of guy. Clisby instantly became my friend. You read that right. Clisby, a man I never met, is my friend. And I believe a lot of people would second my feelings. Described by many who were close to him as having a “larger-than-life personality,” Clisby is an important character in Southern history. One of his colleagues referred to him at a dinner party as “The Godfather of the South.”
Below, we give our season-to-date grades for each school. In addition to offensive and defensive grades, we compare each team’s performance to our November expectations, which heavily influences their overall grades. Let us know what you think of our November Report Cards on social media!
Alabama
Offense: C | Defense: A | Meeting Expectations: B | Overall: B
Brendan Paschal: The recurring theme for Alabama this year has been its inability to put away games. The Crimson Tide have won three of their four November matchups by a touchdown or less, despite playing inferior opponents all month. One of the biggest issues has been in the run game, which was exposed against LSU – the Tide finished with six rushing yards on 26 attempts, for an average of 0.2 yard per carry (in case you’re wondering, 0.2 yards is the equivalent of 7.2 inches). Things didn’t get much better against Auburn, where the Tide averaged 1.9 per carry for a total of 71 yards on 37 attempts. It has been years, decades even, since Alabama has struggled to move the ball on the ground. That said, winners find a way to win. The Tide easily could have lost to LSU and should have lost to Auburn, but instead, Alabama is 11-1 and heading to Atlanta. Defensive star and outside linebacker Will Anderson currently leads the nation in sacks (14.5), and his name has been thrown out there for a Heisman invitation.
Image from Alabama Athletics
Arkansas
Offense: A | Defense: B | Meeting Expectations: A | Overall: A
Max McDougald: The month of October was a step back for Arkansas, but November was the opposite for the Razorbacks. In November, they had wins over Mississippi State, LSU, and Missouri. And the lone loss was an absolute battle with Alabama. The defense in particular showed improvement this month – Barry Odom’s group held both Mississippi State and Missouri under 20 points. And the offensive side of the ball showed improvement as well, with Arkansas scoring 30 or more points in three of its four games. And while the offense didn’t put up video game-like numbers like earlier in the season, it was gritty and did just enough to beat both Mississippi State and LSU by three points each. After losing three consecutive games in October, the Razorbacks reversed the narrative to close out the regular season going 3-1 in November and finishing in the top 25.
Image from Arkansas Athletics
Auburn
Offense: C | Defense: C | Meeting Expectations: F | Overall: D
John Lamm: What an odd month for Auburn. Coming into the month, I had predicted they would go 3-1 and would not be shocked if they beat Alabama. Amazingly, they went 0-4, but the Iron Bowl was the best game they played. With that said, what killed Auburn this month was blown leads. After being beaten handily by Texas A&M in early November, they led each subsequent opponent by double digits at some point during the game. A big disappointment for the Tigers this month was that running back Tank Bigsby only had one big game, which was against South Carolina; he was held to under 70 yards in each of their other three games. The inability to run the ball, along with the injury to quarterback Bo Nix in the Mississippi State game, was a big reason this team lost four in a row. But you have to wonder how different things would feel for the Tigers right now if they had just been able to hold on late in the Iron Bowl for the win. There would have been a lot of momentum going into bowl season and into next year, but instead they now are just hoping to win a bowl to end their losing streak and finish above .500.
Image from Auburn Athletics
Florida
Offense: D | Defense: D | Meeting Expectations: D | Overall: D
Chris Paschal: Despite Florida’s end-of-season victory over rival Florida State, the month of November was nothing short of a disaster. That disaster culminated in the firing of a one-time Gator savior, head coach Dan Mullen. Mullen’s routinely bizarre and brash behavior had run its course in Gainesville. I truly believe that if Mullen did the little things correct (e.g., singing the alma mater following games, not acting like a lunatic on the sidelines, not celebrating a narrow victory over Samford), he would have survived this season. Alas, he did not, and while I believe Mullen could have weathered the 2021 storm, the product on the field was disastrous either way. Quarterback Emory Jones threw more interceptions (four) than touchdowns (three) in the Gators’ three November contests against Power Five opponents. The Gators lost to a reeling South Carolina team 40-17. The Gators lost in overtime to an overmatched Missouri team. The Gators barely beat a pedestrian FCS program (Samford) in a 70-52 shootout. The month of November was ugly for the Gators, and after what was a promising September, Florida will finish the season with two straight grades of D overall, the only program to achieve that mark.
Image from Samford Athletics
Georgia
Offense: A | Defense: A | Meeting Expectations: A | Overall: A
John: Georgia had yet another perfect month of football, finishing the regular season 12-0. The defense was only tested once in November, against Tennessee. Even then, while the Bulldogs gave up over 300 yards passing to the Vols, they were able to force two turnovers and limit Tennessee to 17 points (the second-fewest points the Vols scored all year) in yet another blowout win. In the entire month, the Bulldogs only gave up a combined 30 points in four games. What really impressed me in November, though, was the play of quarterback Stetson Bennett. He threw for nine touchdowns and only one interception this month, and he is now playing the most consistent football of his college career. And while freshman tight end Brock Bowers has played extremely well all season, the final two games of the season were definitely his best. He had a total of 198 receiving yards with four touchdowns in November and is proving to be quite possibly the best tight end in the country.
Image from Georgia Athletics
Kentucky
Offense: A | Defense: A | Meeting Expectations: B | Overall: A
Max: After splitting their four games in October, the Wildcats rebounded to go 3-1 in November. The offense led the way, with Kentucky averaging just under 47 points per game for the month and finishing the regular season with a 52-21 beatdown of in-state rival (and three-point favorite) Louisville. On the other side of the ball, the only game in the month of November where the Wildcat defense failed to show up was in the sole loss of the month against Tennessee, when Kentucky gave up 45 points to the high-tempo Tennessee offense in a 45-42 shootout. For the year, the Wildcats finished 9-3, in second place in the SEC East, and ranked in the top 25. Expectations were high for this team going into the season but to see it actually manifested is special. Most people took an “I will have to see it to believe it” approach because of the history of Kentucky, but on the back of Mark Stoops, the Wildcats proved everyone wrong. What he has done with Kentucky football shows just how good a coach he is. With the coaching carousel spinning all around the country, Stoops solidified his position and agreed to a contract extension through 2027, making the Wildcats a formidable threat for years to come.
Image from Kentucky Athletics
LSU
Offense: C | Defense: A | Meeting Expectations: B | Overall: B
Brendan: After receiving a “withdraw-fail” grade in October, the Tigers certainly turned things around in November. The defense allowed an average of 18.5 points per game this month and kept LSU in games against Alabama and Arkansas. In fact, if a few plays had gone their way, the Tigers could have gone undefeated in the final month of the regular season. But the offense was once again the kryptonite. Replacing sophomore quarterback Max Johnson with true freshman Garrett Nussmeier was a failed experiment, but it proved the offensive issues had more to do with lack of production up front than with quarterback play. Overall, the Tigers played their hearts out for each other and will send head coach Ed Orgeron off with a fond memory of what LSU football was, not what it currently is.
Image from LSU Athletics
Mississippi State
Offense: B | Defense: C | Meeting Expectations: A | Overall: B
Chris: Like every other month of the season, November was an unpredictable and wild month for the Bulldogs, who finished the month 2-2. The highlight was the play of quarterback Will Rogers, who threw 16 touchdowns and only one interception during the month. Rogers had a strong sophomore campaign overall, throwing for just shy of 4,500 yards passing, but the month of November saw historic levels of production by the Brandon, Mississippi native. The game of the year was his performance in a come-from-behind victory over Auburn, when he threw six touchdowns and completed 44 of his 55 pass attempts. Rogers might have been the best offensive performer in the month of November in the SEC. On the other side of the ball, the talented Bulldog defense did not play to its ability in November. Low points included the final Arkansas offensive drive, when the Hogs ran the ball down the field and punched it in against little-to-no resistance by the Bulldog defensive line. Mississippi State finished the season with Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral abusing the Bulldog defense through the air, completing 77% of his passes while rushing the ball 12 times for 45 yards, including a back-breaking touchdown late in the second half). On the whole, though, the Bulldogs stole a road victory over Auburn and finished the season 7-5. While it wasn’t pretty at times, the Bulldogs met expectations not only in November, but on the season as a whole.
Image from Mississippi State Athletics
Missouri
Offense: B | Defense: B | Meeting Expectations: A | Overall: B
John: I will have to admit that I thought Missouri was going to go 0-4 in the month of November, but the Tigers instead found a way to gut out two wins and become bowl-eligible. As a whole, the Tiger offense went backward in November, with one notable exception – the play of running back Tyler Badie. Badie has been as good as any running back in the SEC this season and finished the month of November with 615 rushing yards. Outside of his play, the offense struggled. Quarterback Connor Bazelak regressed from September to October and then regressed even more in November, struggling with turnovers and accuracy while battling injuries. On a bright note, the Tiger defense had by far its best month of the season, holding every opponent under 170 rushing yards during the month and holding both Florida and South Carolina under 100 rushing yards in Mizzou’s two wins.
Ole Miss
Offense: A | Defense: A | Meeting Expectations: A | Overall: A
Brendan: Ole Miss wrapped up the regular season with four double-digit wins as it went undefeated in November. But unlike past months, it wasn’t the offense that brought the Rebels to ten wins in the West. Rather it was a defense that made plays when it mattered. For example, the Rebels’ defense made two interceptions (one for a game-sealing touchdown) in the second half against Texas A&M and held Liberty scoreless in the first, second, and fourth quarters. To cap it off, the Ole Miss defense prevented Mississippi State from scoring a touchdown in the first three quarters of the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving night. Not too shabby for a defense that was the laughingstock of college football last year. And on the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Matt Corral turned in one impressive performance after another, as he has done all season. Corral might not win the Heisman, but his toughness and playmaking ability (both in the air and on the ground) has launched his draft stock into the stratosphere while solidifying his legacy in Oxford.
Image from Ole Miss Athletics
South Carolina
Offense: C | Defense: B | Meeting Expectations: A | Overall: B
Max: The month of November saw inconsistent play on both sides of the ball by the Gamecocks. Despite those inconsistencies, the Gamecocks were able to go 2-2 for the month and secure bowl eligibility. The two wins for the Gamecocks came against SEC foes Florida and Auburn, while the losses came in poor performances against Missouri and Clemson. Third-string quarterback Jason Brown was thrust into action after an injury to Zeb Noland, performing well against Florida and Auburn but playing poorly in the other two contests. South Carolina’s offensive performance was especially anemic in the last game against Clemson, when the Gamecocks failed to score, capping a regular season in which South Carolina finished 116th out of 130 teams in total offense. (Frankly, the only reason the Gamecocks aren’t getting lower than a C is due to the injuries and lack of talent on that side of the ball.) On defense, the Gamecocks were up and down (are you detecting a pattern here?), defending against the pass effectively but failing to slow down the run against every November opponent except Florida. In the end, though, the Gamecocks were opportunistic and seemed to force turnovers at the right time. They led the SEC in turnovers, which helped this Gamecock team scratch and claw its way to bowl eligibility.
Image from South Carolina Athletics
Tennessee
Offense: A | Defense: C | Meeting Expectations: A | Overall: A
Chris: Tennessee was the feel-good story of the SEC this season, and November was no exception. The Vols beat a Kentucky team that finished second in the SEC East in epic fashion, scoring 45 points in under 15 minutes of gameplay. Take a second and appreciate that statistic. Tennessee also battled hard against Georgia the following weekend, in a game where Neyland felt like it did 20 years ago, according to what I heard from people who attended the game. Tennessee wrapped up November with shellackings of South Alabama and Vanderbilt. The defense, while pedestrian as the season came to a close, punched well above its weight throughout the month of November, especially considering the Vols’ competition early in the month, and the injuries they suffered later in the month. We’ll dissect Tennessee’s performance in more detail in the final report card, but the month of November was representative of the entire season: successful and ahead of schedule.
Image from Tennessee Athletics
Texas A&M
Offense: D | Defense: C | Meeting Expectations: C | Overall: C
Chris: November looked like it would be a tough month for the Aggies, and lo and behold, it was. Texas A&M started the month with a classic, old-fashioned SEC victory over Auburn, in which the Aggie defense played exceptionally. But that would be the last SEC contest where the Aggie defense would be able to carry A&M to victory. The following week in Oxford, A&M played one of its worst halves of football since joining the SEC in 2012 in a 29-19 loss to Ole Miss. In the first half, the Aggies scored zero points, gave up a safety, gained a mere 91 yards of offense, and allowed over 400 yards on defense. Then there was the regular season finale against LSU and Coach O. Against a lame-duck coach, A&M found a way to lose to the Tigers in Baton Rouge on a las- second touchdown pass. While A&M teams of years past would have accepted (not liked, but accepted) losses to Ole Miss and LSU, this A&M team was poised to finish the season looking like the team everyone expected in the preseason. Instead, the Aggies limped to the finish line and failed to meet expectations not only for the month of November, but the season as a whole. Despite the lackluster conclusion to the season, Jimbo Fisher continues to stockpile talent in A&M through strong recruiting efforts. Eventually, though, recruiting needs to translate into winning.
Imagr from Texas A&M Athletics
Vanderbilt
Offense: C | Defense: C | Meeting Expectations: B | Overall: C
Max: It would be completely unfair of me to tank Vanderbilt’s report card grades after the Commodores went 0-3 in the month of November. The expectations for this month were low, as Vanderbilt had three difficult opponents – Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. Despite the losses, this team showed fight. The Commodore offense didn’t light it up this month, but scoring 55 points against three quality opponents was more than most people would expect. , As for the Commodore defense, these three November opponents presented the toughest task Vanderbilt faced all year. The defense fought hard in all three contests, but a lack of talent and depth ultimately led to the Commodore defense getting worn down. Although the outcomes of the games were pretty much preordained, you have to give the Commodores credit for the energy and fight they played with, which is the reason they received a “B” in meeting expectations. They could have easily folded, but this team battled and they showed fight which is a testament to the culture that Clark Lea is building in Nashville.
Image from Vanderbilt Athletics
Clemson
Offense: B | Defense: A | Meeting Expectations: B | Overall: B
Brendan: Last month, I said Clemson was the worst 5-3 team in college football. They certainly changed the narrative in November. Sure, the defense continued to carry a below-average offense, but this month that offense showed considerable improvement. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei played his best game of the year against Louisville, which is shocking considering the Tigers played one of the worst defenses in college football the following week. In fact, Uiagalelei managed to finish with a quarterback rating of 22.5 against Connecticut. However, the run game (led by freshman Will Shipley and sophomore Kobe Pace) carried the offense throughout November. The Tigers turned around what could’ve easily been an 8-4 or even 7-5 season into a respectable 9-3. Although it is definitely not where fans and coaches wanted to be going into the season, this is something to be proud of in November.
Image Clemson Athletics
North Carolina
Offense: B | Defense: D| Meeting Expectations: D| Overall: D
John: North Carolina had a very simple philosophy in November – come into each game unprepared to play, get behind by double digits, and then play catch up to try to win. It worked against Wake Forest, forced Pittsburgh into overtime before an eventual loss, and should have led to a win against NC State until a complete last-minute collapse by the secondary and the special teams. That said, I thought that quarterback Sam Howell had a very good month, all things considered. He put his body on the line every game and was a true leader of this team. I also thought both running backs, Ty Chandler and British Brooks, looked great running the football. North Carolina probably should have gone 4-0 this month, but they beat themselves too many times (as they have all season), and it cost them two games. Much like the whole season, this month feels like a blown opportunity for the Tar Heels in Sam Howell’s last season. They just never came into games prepared to play football, and that starts with coaching, which will have to improve if the Tar Heels are ever to reach their potential.
by Chief Etheridge Everybody likes cake. There are all kinds: marble, ice cream, birthday, wedding, cake by the ocean, the list goes on and everyone has their personal…
Name: Brent Skinner Hometown: Grew up in North Augusta, SC. Now live in Lexington, SC College Team: South Carolina Gamecocks Occupation: Founder & Owner of BP Skinner Clothiers…
by Andrew Koontz & John Covington Lamm If you’re anything like us, you’ve had a tough time adjusting to a life without sports. You miss the pageantry, competitiveness,…
by Christopher Paschal On November 16, 2013, the Auburn Tigers hosted the Georgia Bulldogs for what turned out to be one of the most thrilling installments in the…
by Christopher Paschal In the state of South Carolina, three historic colleges play Division I Football. All three were founded before the Civil War. All three have student…
by Chief Etheridge & Paschal Brothers You remember where you were. There are certain moments in time that you recall vividly, like it happened yesterday, and that you…
by Chris Paschal I really hate that my first time in Knoxville for a college football Saturday found me actively rooting against the home team. It’s hard to…
Introduction Below, we give our season-to-date grades for each school. In addition to offensive and defensive grades, we compare each team’s performance to our November expectations, which heavily…
Introduction Every famous artist has his medium. Picasso was known for many things, but his true talent was as a painter. For a BBQ Pitmaster, his or her…
This month separated good teams from bad. Below, we give our season-to-date grades for each school. In addition to offensive and defensive grades, we compare each team’s performance…
Front Porch Football
