The way I officially mark the beginning of football season is when SEC Media Days kick off in Birmingham. That's tomorrow. I know it isn't even August yet, but after this, it's only about a week to 10 days until teams report and things start happening even faster. We're only five weeks away until kickoff in Starkville! Let the countdown begin.
It's hard not to be excited with LSU having 12 players picked for the pre-season All-SEC teams, including a staggering five on the first team. You could also argue a Tiger received the biggest snub as Tyson Jackson earned only second-team honors (although Rafael Burton of Kentucky on the third team was pretty egregious as well).
You can be sure that there will be plenty of stupid questions by the media to Les Miles about his comments towards the mediocrity of the Pac 10. Which, lets be honest, is way overblown. But, if the lazy ass journalists want facts to back up the statement, I have some for them.
Yes, USC's non-conference schedule is tougher than LSU's. But overall, LSU has played 12 of 26 games against top 16 teams over the past two years, including nine against top 11 teams. By comparison, USC played five ranked teams in 2006 and six in 2005, for a total of 11 over the past two years (one less than LSU). Of those 11 opponents, seven were in the top 16 (five less than LSU) and five (four less than LSU) were in the top 11.
One can hope this would help shut up the Stewart Mandel's of the world on the subject (as an aside, I usually enjoy Mandel's writing), but it's doubtful.
Yes, college football is back in full swing this week.
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