The Bandit Poll, Week 3

Another week, another Bandit Poll, preferred by 4 out of 5 dentist.  Before we start let me drop a little Haiku for the Oklahoma State fan who said I was an idiot for not ranking his team.  

Okie State Blew It

You Look Like A Big Clown

No Be A Clown.

1. Alabama - Alabama fans chill, don't be ridiculous about a shutout, unless you just want to look like Yankee fans.

2. Oregon - still quaking.

3. WVU - still mountianing?

4. USC - Matt Barkley is a boy dog.

5. LSU - because I got high.

SEC Billboard Wars Proliferation

Mississippi State and Ole Miss are locked in a duel to the death.  No it's not the annual Egg Bowl, that is anything but a duel.  It's a game of one-upmanship involving who can out do who with billboards.  MSU launched the first salvo, and now Ole Miss has followed suit.  Little did they know they were going to ignite a SEC billboard arms race.  Now all the SEC schools are involved, lets take a look at their efforts: (click to make images bigger)

Auburn is launching a campaign to stress the life of success a career at Auburn can lead too.

Is a Flagship University Emerging in Mississippi?

The U.S.S. Bulldog

The Mississippi schools have always had a hard time competing in the SEC. The State of Mississippi has a small population of around 2,967,297, and two major SEC Universities. Other States of similar size like Arkansas, with a population of 2,915,918, have only one major SEC school. Even some states that are considerably larger like Louisiana at 4,533,372 have only one major SEC school or "Flagship" university. Having one SEC school that is the dominate athletic school in the state is a great advantage. LSU is able to dominate the in state recruiting battle as it's only competition comes from the likes of Tulane of Conference USA, Louisiana Tech of the WAC, and Louisiana Monroe of the Sun Belt.  Even in a state as large as Florida with a population of 18,801,310 there is only one SEC school. Sure Florida State and Miami are big football schools as well, but they just can't compete with an SEC T.V. audience. So the Mississippi schools have always been at a disadvantage because they compete for instate money, attendance, fans, coverage, and recruits ...but, all that may be changing. 

Buy, Sell, or Hold SEC Football 2011

Alabama - BUY - The Tide are going to be tough to beat this year, they have an incredible defense coming back,  Trent Richardson is back at running back, and they have a solid line on both sides of the ball.  Right now, they look like the team to beat in the SEC.  Of course the success of the Tide is nothing new, Nick Saban has put together a monster of a football team and we wouldn't look for them to falter anytime soon.  Anything less than a BCS game or a national championship would be a failure for a team with this much talent and this kind of coaching.

Auburn - SELL - Auburn had an outstanding year last year, but that was last year.  Arrest, accusations, and players leaving for the pros have taken a toll on this team. The Auburn football team is a shell of what it was last year.  The weakest point on this team looks to be the lines on both sides of the ball.  It really doesn't matter that Auburn seems to be trying to bring in some new hired guns in the running back and quarterback positions.  Whoever is in the backfield on offense better have their chinstrap on tight, cause that line of freshman is going to have a hard time protecting them. On top of all this Auburn has a tough schedule this year, playing most of their major games away. With Alabama, MSU, LSU, and Arkansas all looking to be great this year Auburn could be looking at the quickest fall of any reigning BCS champion in history.