Campbellodeon

 Understand this: LSU officials said in the wee hours of Tuesday morning that the Tigers had never, in the 112-year history of the program, blown a 21-point lead at home.

 Ainge had just been spun like a rag doll in his own end zone and served up a discus-throw pop fly of an interception that was returned three yards for the score. The Vols were officially unhinged.

That was perhaps the worst play I have ever seen an quarterback make, and I have watched a lot of college and professional football.  I honestly don’t see how Erik Ainge sees the field again as a Volunteer: 1) he won’t see anymore meaningful playing time this year, unless Clausen gets hurt; 2) Jonathan Crompton, one of the highest rated quarterback prospects in the nation last year is redshirting and will compete for the job in the spring; 3) Jimmy Clausen will probably end up going to Tennessee as well.  He can’t say he wasn’t given every opportunity.

 ”I may have underestimated him a lot, obviously. … He was mad as heck and he should’ve been. … I admire him and I love him. He probably doesn’t love me a whole lot right now. … That’s OK. I’m a big boy.”

Thanks Coach Fulmer, you big fat pumpkin, we almost forgot that everything was about you until you reminded us.  I guess his ass has to be that big to accommodate all that ego.  Try not to throw your back out jumping on the Clausen bandwagon, a bandwagon you have tried repeatedly to sabotage.

 So do the crestfallen Tigers, who squandered both a 21-point lead and one of the most pronounced home-field advantages you’ll ever see.

In no way am I trivializing the devastation caused by the hurricanes in the southern Louisiana area, but it doesn’t get much better than an LSU loss (unless Auburn beats them, that’s better).  LSU has some of the most classless fans in the country and personally I find it hilarious to watch them fall flat on their face on national television.  Tennessee served this game up on a silver platter several times, but LSU and the almighty Jamarcus Russell (who will probably be playing tight end next year once Ryan Perrilloux gets his shot) did everything possible to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The loss by LSU gives Auburn and Alabama a significant advantage in the battle for the SEC West crown. 

• The first big showdown will be LSU vs. Florida in Baton Rouge.  It’s obvious that LSU is beatable and considering that Florida has already beaten Tennessee, Florida has to be favored in this game.  Two SEC losses for LSU will end their chance to go to Atlanta.
• The next big showdown will be Auburn vs. LSU in Baton Rouge.  A two-loss LSU team at home will be very dangerous, but the blueprint will be set for beating LSU and Auburn will hopefully be coming off two straight SEC victories.  A victory here by Auburn puts them in the driver’s seat for the SEC West crown.
• Alabama will have had to play Florida and Tennessee (both home games) before meeting LSU (also at home) on November 12th.  I don’t see the crimson turd beating either Florida or Tennessee and LSU will be absolutely desperate at this point.  Also, don’t overlook Bama’s trip to Starkville on November 5th.  State is better this year and Sylvester Croom wants to beat Alabama more than anyone.  If you take into account Bama’s letdown against the razorpiggies last week, I believe State could sneak up on them.
• I would say there is a 50-50 chance that the Auburn/Alabama game will decide the West.  If Auburn wins out, they will have most likely clinched the week before considering Alabama’s schedule.

In the SEC East, it’s a two horse race: Florida and Georgia (and yes, I know that Vandy is undefeated).

So, my overall predictions for the SEC:

• Alabama: losses to Florida, Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn; 7-4 and a decent bowl but Shula gets fired anyway (there are too many good coaches available for the powers-that-be to put up with Shula any longer)
• Arkansas: losses to Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina, and LSU (which will be a slaughter); 4-7 and Nutt gets fired
• Auburn: lose at Georgia; 9-2 SEC West champions, probably lose in Atlanta to Georgia and go to Capital One bowl
• Florida: losses to Georgia and Florida State; 9-2, good bowl but Florida fans very disappointed.  Both of the losses are due to Urban Meyer getting outcoached by Richt and Bowden.
• Georgia: I honestly don’t see them losing; 11-0 SEC East champions, win the SEC championship over Auburn and play for National title where they lose to USC (although if FSU finishes 11-0 they will play before an SEC school)
• Kentucky: beat Ole Miss, lose the rest; 2-9 and the misery that has been the Rich Brooks tenure is mercifully ended; perhaps Al Borges to Kentucky (?) - I sure hope not.
• LSU: losses to Florida and Auburn; 7-3 and Les Miles learns the true meaning of hot seat, a few assistants probably get fired and Jamarcus Russell never takes another snap at QB
• Ole Miss: losses to Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU, and State; 3-8 and Ole Miss regrets getting rid of David Cutcliffe more than ever.  Also, be on the lookout for recruiting violations for the Rebels.
• State: losses to LSU, Florida, and Alabama; 6-5 and a bowl and everybody loves Sylvester
• South Carolina: losses to Auburn, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Florida; 4-7 and people are slightly pissed but still don’t miss Lou Holtz.  Also, I expect Spurrier to completely outcoach Tommy Bowden at the end of the year.  I fully expect them to compete in the East in 2006, probably be Florida and South Carolina with Tennessee and Georgia falling off slightly.
• Tennessee: losses to Georgia and Notre Dame; 8-3 and the big orange pumpkin somehow manages to keep his job.
• Vanderbilt: losses to LSU, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee; 7-4 and Bobby Johnson becomes Emperor of Vanderbilt.  Jay Cutler never has to pay for anything in Nashville again.

Yes, I am a huge Auburn fan but I think that everyone is talking Alabama and LSU and ignoring Auburn.  That is good for Auburn.  Auburn is just as talented as LSU (who is more talented than Alabama) and has a better coaching staff than both LSU and Alabama.  I don’t expect to hear anything about them until after the LSU game, if they win then I expect the SEC championship talk will really heat up.  However, I fully expect the media to fall all over themselves to praise Shula despite their record.  Prepare yourself, if Bama upsets Florida, Tennessee, or LSU it will be absolutely nauseating.  Much worse than all this “wake up the echoes” crap with ND.