Beaird’s ACC/SEC Notes

Brent Beaird

November 08, 2013 at 3:28 pm.

Logan Thomas has had his share of ups and downs this season. (Ed Wolfstein-USA TODAY Sports)

Home-field advantage means nothing in the Alabama/LSU series. Per ESPN.com, since 1970, the road team is 29-13-1.  LSU during that period is 12-9 on the road and Alabama is 17-4-1 in Baton Rouge.  LSU has won six of the last eight games in Tuscaloosa.

Expect a tough, close typical game between these two similar teams.  LSU and Alabama has two of the best rosters and coaching staffs in the nation. Alabama can move the ball on LSU’s defense and the Tigers can take advantage of the Tide secondary with Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry.

SABAN NOT GOING TO TEXAS: The coach Nick Saban to Texas talk is no more than agent Jimmy Sexton getting his client’s name in the news for a bump in pay. Saban has total control in Alabama. He would not be guaranteed the same in Austin with new athletic director Steve Patterson.  It’s surprising that the Associated Press would make a story out of comments that were made in January.  Saban’s next move is to television after he leaves Alabama.

TO PLAY OF NOT TO PLAY:  What does a coach do when his superstar is still recovering from injury, but is capable of playing. There are two examples of this scenario this week in the SEC. Should Georgia running back Todd Gurley play against Appalachian State?  Coach Mark Richt said this week that Gurley should be good to go. The question is with Georgia having remaining games against Auburn and Kentucky why take a chance on Gurley being hurt again in a meaningless game when there is still a chance to earn a berth in the SEC title game?  Gurley gained nearly 200 yards of total offense last week against Florida. The smart move would be to rest him for the Auburn game.

Coach Gary Pinkel has a similar situation with quarterback James Franklin as the Tigers play Kentucky this week. Franklin, who separated his shoulder in the Georgia win, is scheduled to return, but with Maty Mauk playing well is it worth the risk of playing Franklin when the SEC division title is nearly within reach for the Tigers?  Missouri is off next week before their final games at Ole Miss and at home against Texas A&M.

MAUK SECOND BEST BACKUP:  Mauk is 2-1 in three starts since Franklin went down. In his three starts, Mauk has thrown for 707 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Mauk is arguably the best backup quarterback in the league next to South Carolina’s Dylan Thompson.

THOMAS STRUGGLING:  Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas continues to make frequent mistakes after committing eight turnovers in the teams past two games in losses to Duke and Boston College. As usual in these situations, fans are calling for junior backup Mark Leal to replace Thomas, a three-year starter. Hokie coach Frank Beamer said he will not replace Thomas who has thrown 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions through nine games. For the season, Thomas is responsible for 14 of the Hokies’ 15 turnovers (12 interceptions, two fumbles).

SEASON OF ACC INJURIES:  Like the SEC, injuries have shelved some of the best players in the ACC over the past few weeks. Maryland wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Miami running back Duke Johnson, North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner, Wake Forest receiver Michael Campanaro are all gone for the season due to injuries.

NOLES ON THIRD DOWN:  Per Warchant.com, Florida State no longer has to rely on the pass to convert on third down. In 2012, the Seminoles rushed 21 times and passed 19 times on third and 3 or shorter. The offense converted just 48 percent of the time when running. In 2013, in 20 attempts on third and 3 or shorter this season, FSU has run 14 times and passed just six times. The Seminoles have converted 65 percent of the time on third and short this season. Kudos to the offensive line and a trio of solid running backs.

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