2015 SEC Preview Welcome, SEC fans… Most of you have come to this page of this SEC 10. I’m on the Executive Leadership Team for the preview very, VERY skeptical. Some of you were Paul Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award, coerced into buying it. given in Houston, nine seasons running. “It’s not Phil Steele or anything.” some will say. 11. I constructed the Lombardi Award Watch Yeah, it’s different than that. There are things in List from scratch for three years. here that you’ll never find in any preview. 12. My full-time job is as a football analyst and Some of you did it as a favor to a friend or even sideline reporter for the . me (thanks by the way!). And, it’s going to take a Essentially, I do all the nerdy football stuff for while for most of you to warm up to me; that’s our in-house media group. I’m so fortunate to totally cool. So, I figured I’d introduce myself, so work with one of the best play-by-play men in to speak the league Marc Vandermeer (who was the 1. My name is John Harris. Hi. Voice of the Hurricanes for their last National Championship) and analyst (SEC 2. I’m a coach’s son, played , Network game analyst too) Andre Ware. Oh, coached HS ball and covered college football and I get to interview my former Brown since 1995. Yep, the year of the internet! University teammate Bill O’Brien every game. 3. I played HS football in Texas, just outside of Weird how the world works. Houston. 13. I also contribute to TexAgs.com as their 4. I played college ball at Brown University. football X’s & O’s, non-maroon colored That’s in the Ivy League. Yeah, I know, I glasses guy. Gabe, Billy & the guys are great. know…there’s a plethora of Ivy League jokes 14. This whole preview/website business is my just screaming at you right now. secondary business and a great way to keep 5. I’ve been a calculus teacher, a Physics teacher me from working on my golf game (I stink!). and a senior accountant for a big four firm 15. I did everything you see here. I wrote it. I (Ernst & Young). I’m not proud of this but designed it. I edited it. There is nothing in I’ve embraced the nerd factor, so to speak. this preview that you can attribute to anyone 6. I coached seven years of HS football in else. I only say that because if you have an Jacksonville, . I was the 2000 District issue, a problem or a disagreement, the onus 1 Coach of the Year after my school earned a is on me, no one else. Accountability, right? district co-championship and the first playoff As you can hopefully tell by now, I know a wee berth in school history. bit of football. I tried to give you as much as I 7. My first SEC game was January 1, 1993, one of know and as different a preview as you’ll find. the banner days for the conference, when I’ve watched hours of games but studied these Alabama defeated Miami 34-13 in the Sugar SEC teams for hundreds of hours this offseason. Bowl. I’d never seen anything like it. Ever. I’ve bought college football previews for years 8. Thanks to my great friends in Jacksonville, I and loved taking them to the beach on summer saw many great games of the Spurrier era - vacation. I didn’t print any copies for you to do 1994 Auburn, 1995 FSU, 1996 FSU in that, well, this year. I don’t know/have a Tallahassee, 1997 Tenn., 1999 Tenn., 1999 FSU. publisher or anything like that and I might lose I saw three or four Cocktail Parties, including some sales because it’s an e-magazine, but who Georgia’s upset over Florida in 1997. knows what can be done in the future? I’m a one 9. I wrote for College Football News for five man band and sort of like it that way (I think). I years, been a CFB analyst for radio/TV for honestly can’t thank you enough, please enjoy! nearly 18 years. Sincerely, JH

@jharrisfootball http://footballtakeover.com 2015 SEC Preview Alabama

Poll a hundred different SEC many that saw THAT coming The 2015 Season and Alabama football fans. How after the loss to Ole Miss. Sure, many of them will tell you that the loss to Ohio State was a gut Head Coach Alabama’s 2014 season was a punch and a half, but that Head Coach: (9th Year) disappointment? A good Buckeye offense hit on all Record at Alabama: 86-17, 3 SEC percentage of them will for a cylinders in the Sugar Bowl. championships, 3 Nat’l Championships few different reasons, I’d Overall: 177-59-1 imagine. But, the truth of the Entering 2015, the Tide must matter is that it was from a replace the previous year’s Coaching Staff disaster. Consequently, those starting QB again. Defensive Coord/LB: (9th) thinking it was have taken a few had a solid season as a one-year starter but heading into 2014 Offensive coord/QB: Lane Kifn (2nd) too many sips of the Raised Expectation Ale that Nick camp, he was no lock to be The RB/AHC.: (9th) Saban has crafted over his eight Man. This year, seemingly, is no ST Coord/TE.: (8th) seasons as head coach in different; it just won’t be Sims WR: (3rd) Tuscaloosa. under center. was thought to be the front runner OLB: (1st) Think about it, the team lost a in 2014 after transferring from OL: (3rd) three year, two-time national Florida State, but Sims took the D Line: Bo Davis (4th, 6th in total) championship winning QB. In job and never looked back. Will Secondary/AHC: (1st) his stead, it started a 2015 be Coker’s season? Can he that some thought top what Sims did in his one The 2014 Season should’ve been a running back. season? Most importantly, who The defense lost an all-time will the starting QB throw the 12-2 overall, 7-1 SEC great at ILB, its leader for the football to this season? Amari

v. West Virginia W 33-23 past two seasons. Yet, heading Cooper is gone and so is nearly into the first day of 2015, the the entire WR corps. Derrick FAU W 41-0 Tide were on the verge of Henry is back, though, and So. Miss W 52-12 playing for another national is healthy. That championship. There weren’t pair will get PLENTY of work. Florida W 42-21 @ Ole Miss L 23-17 …by the numbers @ Arkansas W 14-13

Texas A&M W 59-0 Gone are , and @ Tennessee W 34-20 Departing WR/TE % DeAndrew White - the Tide’s Returning WR/TE % @LSU W 20-13 three top receivers. Include T.J. Yeldon, Brian Vogler & Mississippi State W 25-20 90 and it’s clear Western Car. W 48-14 67.5 the Tide desperately need some young receivers to take a Auburn W 55-44 45 huge leap forward. WR isn’t a v. M i s s o u r i (SEC) W 42-13 22.5 spot that I worry about losing, Ohio State (Playoff) L 42-35 0 but when EVERYONE Catch % Yards % TD % departs…then I sweat a bit.

@jharrisfootball http://footballtakeover.com 2015 SEC Preview - ARKANSAS’s OFFENSE Projected Offensive Lineup Pos. # Player Year Ht. Wt. Comments Returning starter…has thrown 34 career TD passes…sixth in QB 10 Brandon Allen Sr. 6’2” 210 lb. school history…not asked to be the star of the offense but as the season wore on, he was more asset than caretaker Stud No. 1…one half of the only 1,000 yard duo in the nation RB 32 Jonathan Williams Sr. 6' 224 lb. in 2014…little surprised that he didn’t declare for the 2015 NFL Draft…glad he’s back though Stud No. 2…the other half of the only 1,000 yard duo in the 3 Alex Collins Jr. 5’11” 224 lb. nation in 2014…only true highly rated recruit in Bret Bielema’s first recruiting class and he’s lived up to it big time Stud No. 3…not as well known but ESPN CFB analyst Andre 24 Kody Walker Sr. 6’2" 250 lb. Ware made sure I didn’t forget to mention Walker when talking about the Hogs’ running game…point taken, Dre. Get the rock in his hands…has the benefit of not facing nickel WR 4 Keon Hatcher Sr. 6’2” 210 lb. and dime coverage the majority of the time…caught a pass and converted a first down in 17 consecutive games. Played in all 13 games…do-it-all triple threat who can run, 1 Jared Cornelius So. 5’11" 195 lb. catch and return punts…best game was v. UGA - 4 rec., 38 yds. Started career at Nevada…transferred to JUCO before heading 81 Cody Hollister Jr. 6’4" 207 lb. to Fayetteville…started seven games for the Hogs in 2014. 2nd team All-SEC…will be a John Mackey Watch lister at a TE 84 Hunter Henry Jr. 6’5" 250 lb. minimum…one of the best tight ends in the nation…can be in- line blocker and joker/move tight end if necessary Vital “back-up” to Henry…played in all 13 games…involved 83 Jeremy Sprinkle Jr. 6’6” 243 lb. heavily on special teams…when Arkansas wants to go 12 personnel and balance up fronts, he’ll play a huge role. Started all 13 games in 2014 at RG….could be transitioning LT 55 Denver Kirkland Jr. 6’5" 343 lb. over to tackle with the graduation of Brey Cook…may move to LT and allow Dan Skipper to move to natural RT spot. Best 350 lb. QB in the country (okay, he’s now 322 but I LG 73 Sebastian Tretola Sr. 6’5" 322 lb. digress)…one of the nation’s best road graders as well…didn’t allow a sack in 2014 and was only penalized once Started all 13 games at center last season…only penalized twice C 65 Mitch Smothers Sr. 6’3" 315 lb. during the season…17 career starts…Rimington Award Watch lister Saw playing time in 2014 as a true freshman…named to RG 72 Frank Ragnow So. 6’5" 311 lb. Freshman All-SEC team…played more than 200 snaps in 2014…should find the lone starting spot on the OL in 2015 Led the offensive line with a grade of 80% in 2014…opened holes for the dynamic duo of Williams and Collins…started all RT 70 Dan Skipper Jr. 6’9" 307 lb. 13 games at left tackle…could move over to RT as Denver Kirkland moves to left tackle…Honorable mention All-SEC Offense…by the numbers Category Amount Nat’l Rank (125) SEC Rank (14) QB Att Cmp Yds % TD INT Run TD Brandon Allen 339 190 2285 56.0% 20 5 0 2 Rushing 218.0 ypg 24th 5th RB Att Yds YPA TD Rec Yds YPC TD Passing 188.0 ypg 100th 11th Jonathan Williams 211 1190 5.6 12 11 65 5.9 2 Total Off. 406.0 ypg 60th 8th Alex Collins 204 1100 5.4 12 11 63 5.7 - WR Att Yds YPA TD Rec Yds YPC TD Scoring Off. 31.9 ppg 42nd 7th Keon Hatcher 5 112 22.4 1 43 558 13.0 6 3rd down 47.1% 15th 4th Hunter Henry - - - - 37 513 13.9 2 TO Lost 17 26th (tied) 4th (tied) Jared Cornelius 5 23 4.6 - 18 212 11.8 2 Cody Hollister - - - - 13 137 10.5 1 RZ score % 78.6% 89th (tied) 12th Drew Morgan - - - - 10 181 18.1 1

@jharrisfootball http://footballtakeover.com 2015 SEC Preview - X’s and O’s X’s & O’s

I went into my analysis of the Arkansas offense the new OC for Pat Narduzzi’s Panthers. Former with the thought that there was little variety in Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos decided play design, personnel groupings and formation to leave behind the Chippewas’ top job for the usage. But, after charting its loss to Texas A&M Hogs’ OC role. As such, he’ll direct this offense in and win over Texas in the AdvoCare V100 Texas 2015. There won’t be much change in the overall Bowl, I realized that the offense had a bit more emphasis of this offense - hand it to one of three diversity to it than at first glance. There are some stud running backs and let QB Brandon Allen that criticized the offense but considering how far make high percentage throws. Here are the results that unit had come since 2012, it was a huge step of those two games in 2014 to show you that forward. But, Jim Chaney moved on to Pitt to be there’s, at least, a little diversity in the offense.

Y X

Z H - TE

RB

D/D Motion Play Result 1/10 - Gun 1 - X Hitch +10 1/10 - Gun 1 - X hitch & go Inc. 2/10 - Gun 3 - X Hitch/H corner (smash) Inc. 3/10 - Gun 3 - Y Dig +16 1/10 - Gun 3 - Y Dig Inc. 3/10 - Gun 3 - H crosser Inc. 3/14 (Bandit) Gun 3 - All go DPI 3/8 - Gun 3 - All go, Z comeback Inc. 3/4 (Bandit) Gun 3 - X In/H Go (X is TE #84) +17 3/19 (Bandit) Draw +6 3/12 (Bandit) Gun 1 - X Hitch +9 3/3 - Gun 3 - Smash (Scramble throwaway) Inc. 1/10 (Bandit) Draw +6 2/4 - Gun 1 - All slants Inc. 2/8 H to trips Smoke screen to Z +4 3/10 - Gun 1 - All slants +20 3/4 (Bandit) Gun 3 - All in +11 1/Goal (Bandit) Play action - All go Inc. 2/Goal (Bandit) Inside Gap +5 3/Goal (Bandit) Gun 3 - H Stick/Z crosser +5, TD 3/5 (Bandit) Sprint left - Y Flat/Z clear +3 2/7 (Bandit wing) Play action - All go SACK

@jharrisfootball http://footballtakeover.com 2015 SEC Preview - LSU’s TOP 2016 NFL DRAFT ELIGIBLE PROSPECTS Tre’Davious White

CB, No. 16 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report Junior, 5’11” 191 lb. The future…long, lean and aggressive…the type of player the NFL lusts after at his position…can run with any receiver in the game…returns punts Honors as well…flips his hips on change of direction well…don’t expect a ton from • Freshman All-America him supporting the run…not interested in getting physical with blockers of Third Team (2013) • SEC All-Freshman team any sort on the perimeter…that’s not what he was put on this planet to (2013) do…lock down receivers all day long…had one of his best games v. Alabama and Amari Cooper…when matched up on Cooper, White was stellar… Bio Cooper had a below average game v. LSU, in large part due to White’s • Ranked as No. 2 CB coverage…most, if not all, receptions came with White on the other side prospect nationally • Primarily a QB in HS of the field. • All-State basketball star

Career UT AT TT TFL Sacks QBH FF PBU INT

2014 23 10 33 3.0 1.0 1 - 6 2

2013 39 16 55 2.5 3.0 - 1 7 2

2014 Game Log UT AT TT TFL Sacks QBH FF PBU INT

v. Wisconsin 2 1 3 - - - - 1 -

Sam Houston State 1 1 2 - - 1 - 1 -

ULM 3 1 4 1.0 - - - - -

Mississippi State 1 1 2 - - - - 1 -

New Mexico State 1 1 2 1.0 - - - - 1

@ Auburn 1 0 1 ------

@ Florida 1 0 1 - - - - - 1

Kentucky 2 1 3 ------

Ole Miss 2 1 3 1.0 1.0 - - 1 -

Alabama 3 1 4 ------

@ Arkansas 4 1 5 - - - - 1 -

@ Texas A&M 1 1 2 ------

Notre Dame (Bowl) 1 0 1 - - - - 1 -

@jharrisfootball http://footballtakeover.com 2015 SEC Preview - X’s & O's X’s & O’s - The Chief is Here **NOTE: I wrote this for TexAgs.com in January 2015 Former Tennessee/LSU defensive coordinator John point, when playing Texas A&M two years ago, Chavis will be wearing maroon and white in 2015. Johnny (does he need a last name?) carved up the As Gabe Bock of TexAgs said during our radio LSU defense early in the game. LSU started the discussion, y’all can find Chavis’ background pretty game playing almost exclusive base, even front easily on your own. Tennessee. LSU. with cover one (man free) behind it. But, Johnny and Kliff Kingsbury found some soft spots and it There. That’s done. looked like the Aggies offense would dominate the What does he mean for the Aggies defense in 2015 day. Then late in the first quarter, Chavis threw his and beyond from an X’s and O’s perspective? Well, first zone blitz at the Aggies. He showed six at the that’s where I can help. line of scrimmage, rushed only four and then called for his nickel safety to rush the edge on the The first thing to understand is that Chief isn’t an right side as well. exotic play caller. He will live in an even front, over alignment much of the time. He hasn’t played a ton of 4-3 under front although I thought I saw it against Arkansas at certain times in 2013 and 2014 when he had Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson. He’ll replace his WLB with a defensive back depending on scheme or situation. He’ll run the gamut with coverages - “Tampa” two, quarters and cover one. He’ll run some pattern match with his quarters or he’ll just run straight up cover one and even cover zero.

He’ll blitz a bit in certain situations, but he’s not His two linebackers did a great job of showing and taking a ton of risk with his blitz scheme. He’s not then dropping. That deke opened the B gap bringing five and six and playing zero coverage between LG Jarvis Harrison and LT , (man, no help) in the middle of the field all that such that DE Sam Montgomery was able to often. When he does blitz, he’ll play zone behind exploit that opening. it to mitigate the opportunity to hit some big plays in man coverage.

In playing myriad of coverages, he’ll play two safeties high, a split safety look - quarters, quarters/halves or tampa two. He’ll also show a safety in the middle of the field, a single safety high - cover one or cover three.

It’s not exotic when he does blitz; the beauty and the effectiveness, though, is in the timing. Case in

@jharrisfootball http://footballtakeover.com