The Back Alley Archives

Posted: **Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:00 pm**

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/The-long-decline-of-Steve-Spurrier-part-one?urn=ncaaf,185545

In two parts. Link to the second near the bottom of the first.

The window has slammed shut so emphatically that it almost seems hard to believe it ever existed in the first place. And whether it did or not, it's hard to find any reason it might open again soon -- beginning with talent relative to the rest of the SEC. Spurrier has probably upgraded Carolina's overall athleticism with roughly top-25 classes nationally four years in a row, including top-15 classes in 2009, according to Rivals. But that’s only been good for middle-of-the-pack returns in the SEC, where Spurrier’s classes have finished ranked sixth or worse four of his five years, behind some combination of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU and Auburn. USC remains a clear second-tier feeder in that regard.

Posted: **Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:28 pm**

second tier to clemson i'd say too.

Posted: **Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:53 pm**

USC will finish 2nd in the east this season.

Posted: **Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:59 pm**

^^No way.

UGA is down a little...but USC is not up. Joe Cox is much better than Smelley or anyone else on USC's roster. I'll take UGA's talent and pretty much every other position as well.

Posted: **Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:00 am**

I just wish to bring Todd's brash prediction BTTT. Getting interesting in that respect.

Posted: **Tue Oct 20, 2009 7:46 am**

Good find Toothy.

Posted: **Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:30 am**

Interesting article. There was some focus on the lack of talent at offensive line and running back, but I think he didn't address a big part of Spurrier's success at Florida: a talented receiving corps. There were a TON of targets for UF QBs to throw to. Hell, even Noah Brindise got the job done. I don't know what kind of receivers South Carolina has, but they can't possibly be as good as those at Florida during the Spurrier era.

Posted: **Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:21 am**

I just wish to bring Todd's brash prediction BTTT. Getting interesting in that respect.

Indeed. And I may turn out to be a fool.

Posted: **Tue Oct 20, 2009 1:49 pm**

I just wish to bring Todd's brash prediction BTTT. Getting interesting in that respect.

I was going to wait a couple more weeks.

The Back Alley Archives

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.

A significant read on the decline of Steve Spurrier.