Tuesday, January 8, 2008

VSL Hotline: Scrambled EGG in BSC National Championship Game, Edition

Justice was served last night as an Ohio State University got beat-down by LSU just as we hoped and suspected they would. Given how crappy the meek 11 is as a football conference (apologies to Papa O'Shea), I would not at all be surprised if the Buckeyes make it to Miami for their annual SEC Beat-down in next year's BCS National Championship Game. My only question is, which SEC team will have the honor next year of spanking EGG and the Senator's football factoryin 2009. Personally, if it can't be the Commies, I'm hoping it's the Dawgs of Georgia. Not only because I think Stanimal deserves some happiness in his life, but also (and more importantly) because a Georgia bid means Bobby gets to take VSL on the road.

Moving now to basketball, the Men's team goes into SEC play ranked 13 by the AP and 12 by the Coaches. Tomorrow's game against South Carolina could be somewhat of a trap. The Cocks (and aren't they, though?) have played the Commies tough over the past few years. Don't be lulled by their 8-6 record, the Commies will need to bring their "A" game tomorrow if they are going to make it 16 straight. With that in mind, I will (or at least hope to) have a preview up tomorrow.

Some ink worth checking out: Mo Patton's SEC Preview in today's Tennessean picks Vanderbilt to finish 2nd in the East. As all of you who have read this site for some time now, I am very against the high road which is why I am very happy to say "I told you so," to everyone out there who said it wasn't a big deal that Vanderbilt has an idiotic policy to not allow mid-year tranfers. Let me be clear, I don't think Vanderbilt should encourage mid-year transfers, especially for mere students. But to have a documented policy that ensures a complete prohibition makes no sense. As good and as young as this year's team is, you can't tell me we wouldn't be better off with J.P. Prince either on our bench or (perhaps more importantly), not on UT's. There endth the rant.

Brett Hait's piece in today's Nashville City Paper confirms the "two-horse race" for the SEC between Vomit Orange and the Commies. Not surprisingly, Ole Miss is also getting some much deserved love, as they enter the season 13-0 and ranked 15 and 16 in the Coaches and AP respectively. Vanderbilt will get a shot at both UT and Ole Miss early, traveling to Knoxville on the 17th (ESPN) and heading to Oxford on the 30th (TV TBD).

Mo double-dips in today's Tennessean with an article about how the SEC is "down" this year. Like the Man We Love to Hait, Mo's article draws on the analysis of FSN and Raycom, and former Commodore, Barry Booker. Booker thinks the perception of the SEC as being relatively weaker than in year's past comes from the bottom of the conference rather than the top. Every year, at least one team surprises the rest of the conference with their play. While I have no idea who that team will be, I am confident the SEC will get at least 4 teams into the NCAA tournament, and could very well sneak in a 5th when it's all said and done.

Finally, congratulations are in order to both the Truf, Shan Foster, and Crocodile OG for sweeping this week's SEC awards. Shan was named Player of the Week, while the man from the land down under won Freshman of the Week.

Let's get the chatter up out there, 2008 is going to be a great year.

Bobby O'Shea, OUT

2PM Update: In my haste, and because I am leaving the internet cafe, I wanted to make sure you all saw these two articles. First, The Man We Love to Hait's VU Notes has Reshard Langford returning to the Commies for his senior year, with His Name Is still undecided. Underclassmen have until January 15th to declare. I would be very surprised if EB returns, but lord knows we'd love to have him back. Second, Rivals.com's Andrew Skwara has an article on Yahoo Sports about The Truf being one "Consistent Commodore." (Sounds like he's got Fred Thompson's campaign writing his titles).

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

So the administration should make special exceptions for athletes and not "mere students." I though that was the exact kind of thing that Vanderbilt can take pride in not doing. The administration is considering changing the rule, but as of now, it believes in a year long orientation program and a mid-year transfer obviously doesn't mesh with that program. It's stupid to play the "what if?" game because nothing can be done about the JP Prince situation.

And who knows- maybe he kills the chemistry of the team like Mario and Demarre did two years ago.

Stanimal said...

I do deserve some happiness in my life.

Anonymous said...

According to pop psychologists, only you, Stanimal, can be responsible for your happiness. (The strange thing is people believe them)

Anonymous said...

Stanimal, just think about Randy Hall. That's all you need....i promise.

And, as for Ohio St., I hope LSU fans "tiger baited" EGG out of the stadium. Sucka...

Anonymous said...

Why does stanimal need happiness? That is just garbage.

Anonymous said...

Mark Schlabach at ESPN.com has Georgia as a tentative preseason #1 for next college football season.

Georgia...The world has gone mad.

Stanimal said...

Stafford, Junior, Moreno, Sophomore, 4 returning offensive linemen, 17 of 22 returning starters, the number three recruiting class in the country with the number 2 wide receiver recruit in the country.

The world isn't so mad, but I'm smarter than to declare national championship before we even get to next year.

Anonymous said...

Come on stanimal, unless GA gets at least 20% better on D, you can throw all the offensive stuff you want at me, to no avail

Huge limb...my friends told me I was nuts when I told them Tuesday AM that Hill's crying episode was going to pull her out of the dive in New Hampshire...

..In the same vein, I have a feeling that Earl is coming back.

Stanimal said...

They were #16 in the nation in total defense with a young team.

I think they've got a very good shot to win it.

Anonymous said...

Not when Vandy beats them in Athens, after Nickson's trip to the Shaolin Temple turns him back into a 2,500/1,000 force.