Jimmy’s blog: SEC East closing gap on West

Jimmy’s blog: SEC East closing gap on West

Posted on October 12, 2018

By Jimmy Hyams

The SEC West has dominated the East for the better part of a decade.

Last year, the East (Georgia) won the SEC Championship for the first time since 2008 (Florida). During the West’s eight-year run of SEC titles, five championship games were decided by at least 29 points and two others by at least 14 points.

Since 2009, the East has had 11 teams that had only one or zero SEC wins in a season; the West has had five.

And since 2009, every team in the West has been ranked in the top 5 of the AP poll at some point; the West has had four.

Heck, Tennessee has NOT defeated a team from the West since Ole Miss in 2010.

While the West has ruled the SEC roost, the East is catching up.

It might surprise you to know the East is 3-1 against the West with wins by Florida over Mississippi State and LSU, and Kentucky over Mississippi State.

The only East loss was by Kentucky in overtime against Texas A&M.

So the East is that close to being 4-0 against the West so far this season.

This weekend will tell a lot about how much ground the East has made up against the West as Tennessee plays at Auburn, Missouri at Alabama, Georgia at LSU and Texas A&M at South Carolina.

If the East goes 2-2 that would further illustrate how the gap has closed.

Let’s recap our SEC picks from last week:

The hits: We nailed some of the tougher games: South Carolina over Missouri, Texas A&M over Kentucky, Florida over LSU. … We said take the over on Alabama-Arkansas at 55; they combined for 96 points … We got Florida taking 3 against LSU and Kentucky getting 7 against A&M … We had the Tide winning by 38 and it won by 34

The misses: We picked Auburn over Mississippi State. Tigers’ offense continues to struggle … We had Ole Miss scoring 40 against Louisiana-Monroe, the Rebels scored 70 … we took Auburn giving 3 points against Mississippi State yet the Bulldogs won outright.

Last week: 6-1 (3-1 on SEC best bets)

Overall: (50-9)

My picks for this week:

Auburn 27-13 over Tennessee. In a game featuring two teams struggling on offense, Auburn does a better job in the run game and converts more third downs.

Florida 23-17 over Vanderbilt. Potential for big letdown for Gators after beating LSU. Noon ET kickoff means both teams could sleep walk through first half.

Georgia 24-20 over LSU. Bulldogs continue march toward SEC Championship game. Tigers have been very good this season but could still be a four-loss team.

Texas A&M 27-23 over South Carolina. Aggies defense didn’t allow a Kentucky snap past midfield until overtime. Gamecocks were lucky to beat Missouri, being outrushed by 180 yards.

Alabama 51-13 over Missouri. Tide continues to role and Tua Ton&%@0#loa doesn’t play a snap in fourth quarter once again. Tigers and QB Drew Lock don’t play well on the road.

Ole Miss 38-27 over Arkansas. Wow, have the Hogs declined. Rebels have an offense. Arkansas has been offensive.

SEC best bets:

Take LSU and 7 ½ at home against Georgia. Hard to give the Tigers more than a touchdown at home.

Take under 50 ½ on Georgia-LSU. This should be defensive struggle along the lines of LSU-Florida.

Take under 51 on Florida at Vanderbilt. Noon ET start will lead to little offensive execution in first half.

Take under 47 on Tennessee at Auburn. I don’t see UT’s offense scoring more than 13 points or Auburn scoring 30.

Take Alabama and give 28 against Missouri. I hope Nick Saban doesn’t get mad because I can’t think of anything negative to say about his team.

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Kip Moore to Release New Acoustic EP, “Room to Spare,” on Nov. 16 With Limited Tour

Kip Moore to Release New Acoustic EP, “Room to Spare,” on Nov. 16 With Limited Tour

Posted on October 12, 2018

Kip Moore will release a new EP, Room to Spare: The Acoustic Sessions, on Nov. 16.

The seven-song EP features six never-before-released songs, including five that were co-penned by Kip.

Kip will also embark on a four-date acoustic tour with special guests Charlie Worsham and Jillian Jacqueline. The tour includes stops in Milwaukee, Wis. (11/29), Des Moines, Iowa (11/30), Emporia, Kan. (12/1), and Akron, Ohio (12/8). Tickets go on sale on Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. local time.

Room to Spare: The Acoustic Sessions Track List & Songwriters

  1. “Plead the Fifth” (Luke Dick, Josh Kear)
  2. “Tennessee Boy” (Kip Moore, Dan Couch)
  3. “Love You to the Moon” (Charlie Worsham, Natalie Hemby, Luke Dick)
  4. “It Ain’t California” (Kip Moore, Charlie Worsham, Jon Mabe)
  5. “Wish It Was Me” (Kip Moore, Adam Browder, Scott Stepakoff, Dan Couch)
  6. “Come Home With You” (Kip Moore, Troy Verges, Blair Daly)
  7. “Part of Growing Up” (Kip Moore, Josh Miller, Andrew DeRoberts)

photo by Jason Simanek

Jessie Ritter Bests More Than 800 Artists to Win 2018 “Nash Next” Competition

Jessie Ritter Bests More Than 800 Artists to Win 2018 “Nash Next” Competition

Posted on October 12, 2018

After a four-month-long competition that featured more than 800 artists from around the country, Jessie Ritter has been named the 2018 Nash Next champion.

(from left) Ty Bentli, Kelly Ford, Chuck Wicks, Jessie Ritter, Elaina Smith and Shawn Parr

Jessie, a Fort Walton Beach, Fla., native, bested nine other finalists during the Nash Next finale at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Oct. 11. As winner of the fourth annual competition, Jessie will receive a recording contract with Nash Next Records under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella and substantial radio exposure on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.

“I’m very excited and blessed for this opportunity,” said Jessie. “God has given me patience and strength throughout this entire process and I’m humbled to be crowned the Nash Next winner. This is where I’m meant to be, and I can’t wait for the adventure that lies ahead.”

Chuck Wicks Gets Farm-Fresh in Video for New Single, “Better Than Flowers” [Watch]

Chuck Wicks Gets Farm-Fresh in Video for New Single, “Better Than Flowers” [Watch]

Posted on October 12, 2018

Chuck Wicks is back on country radio for the first time in nearly two years with a new single, “Better Than Flowers.”

It’s been a long road back for the Ty, Kelly & Chuck morning show co-host, who was involved in a near-fatal car crash in February 2017 that left him with a broken neck. Since that time, Chuck has battled back to compete in an Ironman Triathlon. Now he’s working on a new album, the follow-up to his 2016 sophomore album, Turning Point.

“It’s been a while since I’ve put out new music, but I’ve been writing and recording a lot lately,” said Chuck. “When I went back in the studio to record, I decided once something was ready I’d go ahead and release it.”

“Better Than Flowers” was co-written by Chuck, Jeffrey East and Michael Lotten. The new video, which was filmed outside Nashville, features Chuck alongside friend and Olympic gold medal gymnast Nastia Luikin.

Watch Chuck’s new video below.

Jason Aldean Joins Charity Event for 2 First Responders Killed in the Line of Duty

Jason Aldean Joins Charity Event for 2 First Responders Killed in the Line of Duty

Posted on October 12, 2018

Jason Aldean will dust off his high school baseball glove to lend a helping hand to the Spring Hill Police Department as they take on the Spring Hill Fire Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol in charity softball games that will raise funds for the families of two fallen first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The Spring Hill Police Department and Fire Department and the TN Highway Patrol will hold the Battle of the Badges charity softball tournament on Oct. 20 at Evans Park for the families of police officer Sgt. Daniel Baker (Dickson County Sheriff’s Office) and fireman Jason Dickey (Lawrenceburg Fire Department).

Sgt. Baker was shot and killed in the line of duty on May 30 after responding to a suspicious vehicle call. He left behind a wife and daughter.

Dickey was killed in the line of duty of Feb. 12 after a burning home collapsed while he was battling a blaze inside. He left behind a pregnant wife, two daughters and a son.

The tournament begins at 3 p.m. on Oct. 20 at Evans Park in Spring Hill, Tenn., with a silent auction and fun activities for kids. Tickets cost $10. Free for kids under 12.

photo by Arroyo-O\’Connor/AFF-USA.com

Football Central: Tennessee at #21/21 Auburn

Football Central: Tennessee at #21/21 Auburn

Posted on October 12, 2018
Tennessee vs. Georgia / Credit: UT Athletics

AUBURN, Ala. – Fresh off a bye week, Tennessee hits the road this weekend for a rare trip Auburn to take on the 21st ranked Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Kickoff for Saturday’s contest is slated for noon ET on the SEC Network with Dave Neal (play-by-play) and D.J. Shockley (analyst) calling the action in the booth while Dawn Davenport will be reporting from the sidelines. Vol Network radio affiliates will have a live audio broadcast with Bob Kesling, Tim Priest and Brent Hubbs. Sirius (Channel 81) and XM satellite radio (Channel 81) will also carry the game.

The Big Orange will look to grab their first SEC victory this season during their trip to the Plains after dropping their first two conference games to Florida and Georgia. Tennessee should be well rested coming off its bye week while the Tigers are looking to bounce back from a 23-9 loss at Mississippi State last Saturday. Saturday’s game will be the first noon road game for the Vols since Sept. 27, 2014 at Georgia and the first 11 a.m. kickoff in the central time zone since Nov. 14, 2009 at Ole Miss.

Need to Know

Series History vs. Auburn
Saturday will be the 53rd meeting between the Volunteers and Tigers but just the 11th time the two programs have faced off in Auburn. The Tigers lead the all-time series with a 28-21-3 record, including a 7-2-1 mark at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Seven of the last 10 meetings in the series have been decided by 10 or fewer points.

Saturday will mark Tennessee’s first trip to Auburn since 2008 and the first matchup between the two programs since 2013. The Vols will be looking to snap a six-game skid against the Tigers. UT’s last win over Auburn came back in 1999 when the Vols posted a 24-0 shutout victory in Knoxville.

Coaching Connections
There are quite a few connections between the two coaching staffs this weekend. Tennessee has two assistants that played for the Tigers in defensive line coach Tracy Rocker (1985-88) and special teams coordinator/safeties coach Charles Kelly (1986-89), while Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is a 1979 UT graduate and a former assistant coach for the Vols.

Rocker was one of the greatest defensive players in Auburn history, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in addition to winning the Outland and Lombardi Trophies as a senior in 1988. The former All-American also spent time as the Tigers’ defensive line coach from 2009-10. Kelly played defensive back under former Tigers’ coach Pat Dye. His senior class put together a four-year record of 39-7-2 while participating in four bowl games.

UT co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer coached alongside Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey at Hoover High School in 2007, and both head coaches in this weekend’s contest – Jeremy Pruitt and Gus Malzahn – were prominent high school coaches before making the jump to the collegiate coaching ranks.

Bright Future for Young Tennessee Offense
Tennessee’s offense continues to show improvement despite being one of the youngest units in all of college football. The Vols are the only team in the FBS that has not had at least one senior record a start on the offensive side of the ball this season. They are also one of just 11 teams nationally that have not had a senior log a start along the offensive line. Graduate transfers Keller Chryst and Madre London as well as walk-on Malik Elion are the only three UT seniors to log snaps on offense this season.

Despite its youth, the Tennessee offense has recorded six plays of 50 or more yards this season, which has already surpassed last season’s total of four.

Chandler Does it All 
Vols’ sophomore running back Ty Chandler has showcased his wide variety of skills so far this season. The Nashville native leads Tennessee with 61.8 rushing yards per game and ranks fifth in the SEC in yards per carry (6.2).

In UT’s last game at No. 2 Georgia, Chandler caught a touchdown pass and led the team with four catches for 53 yards while also leading the team in rushing yards. His 81-yard touchdown run in the Vols’ win over UTEP earlier this year is the longest rush in the conference this season.

Taylor Looking to Build Off Big Day
Redshirt junior Darrell Taylor will look to build off his breakout performance at No. 2 Georgia two weeks ago. The outside linebacker set career highs by recording three sacks and two forced fumbles against the Bulldogs. His three sacks were the most by a Tennessee player since former All-American Derek Barnett had three at South Carolina on Oct. 29, 2016.

About Auburn
The Tigers enter Saturday’s contest ranked No. 21 in both the AP Poll and the Amway Coaches’ Poll and will be looking to rebound from a 23-9 road loss at Mississippi State last week in which they were held out of the end zone.

Auburn relies heavily on its stingy defense that features one of the best defensive fronts in all of college football. Coached by former UT assistant Kevin Steele, the Tigers’ defense currently ranks in the top 20 in the country in scoring defense (6th), passing efficiency defense (9th), third-down conversion percentage (10th), interceptions (12th), tackles for loss (15th), turnovers forced (15th) and total defense (20th). The defense is spearheaded by the linebacker duo of Deshaun Davis and Darrell Williams. Davis paces the team in tackles (53) and tackles for loss (7.5) while Williams has posted 39 tackles and five tackles for loss himself. The Tigers’ defensive line is also dangerous with the duo of Marlon Davidson and Derrick Brown leading the way. The two have combined for 51 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits this season.

AU has struggled offensively in recent weeks but has the potential to be explosive in the running and passing game. Junior quarterback Jarrett Stidham leads the offense with 1,177 yards passing and five touchdowns. He’ll spread the ball around as his five touchdown passes have gone to five different receivers. The Tigers also have numerous weapons when it comes to running the ball as four different players have scored multiple touchdowns on the ground, led by redshirt freshman running back JaTarvious Whitlow, who leads the team with 414 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

-UT Athletics

 

VFL Scotty Hopson Signs with Oklahoma City Thunder

VFL Scotty Hopson Signs with Oklahoma City Thunder

Posted on October 12, 2018
Scotty Hopson / Credit: UT Athletics

The NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder announced Wednesday that it has signed VFL Scotty Hopson (2008-11).

Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

A 2011 first-team All-SEC guard who scored 1,305 points during his three seasons with the Volunteers, Hopson has previous NBA game experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2013-14 campaign and the Dallas Mavericks last season.

Prior to signing with the Mavericks, the 28-year-old Hopson starred for Turkish club Galatasaray, averaging 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.6 minutes per game last year.

A native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Hopson came to Tennessee as a McDonald’s All-American and five-star prospect (ranked fifth overall by Rivals in the class of 2008). He helped guide the Vols to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2010.

He appeared in 103 collegiate games, with 98 starts, and averaged 12.7 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting .354 from 3-point range with 151 makes from beyond the arc.

Hopson, who turned pro after his junior season, spent part of this past summer in Knoxville working toward his degree requirements as part of Tennessee’s Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC) program.

Hopson’s signing gives Tennessee five alums who are currently under contract with NBA teams. He joins Tobias Harris of the Los Angeles Clippers, Jordan McRae of the Washington Wizards and Josh Richardson and Jarnell Stokes of the Miami Heat.

-UT Athletics

 

Governor Haslam Proclaims Oct. 19 “Big Orange Friday” Across the State

Governor Haslam Proclaims Oct. 19 “Big Orange Friday” Across the State

Posted on October 12, 2018
Gov. Bill Haslam / Credit: UT Athletics

Inspired by Knoxville-area Vol fans this fall, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam recently signed an official proclamation designating Friday, Oct. 19, as “Big Orange Friday” throughout the entire Volunteer State.

Big Orange Friday is an initiative created to engage the community, residents and fans with Tennessee Athletics and the university by wearing orange on Friday every week.

Every Friday, fans who wear Tennessee orange will receive discounts at Knoxville-area stores, restaurants and service providers. Fans can visit BigOrangeFriday.com for an updated list of participating sponsors, discounts and activities surrounding Big Orange Friday (also seen in the graphic below; Knoxville-area locations only).

Haslam’s State of Tennessee Proclamation encourages citizens from Shelby County to Johnson County to show state pride and don their orange the day before the Volunteers football team faces historic rival Alabama on “the third Saturday in October,” Oct. 20. Kickoff for that clash is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. A limited number of tickets remain available at AllVols.com.

Big Orange Friday Sponsors / Credit: UT Athletics

The wording on the proclamation is as follows:

State of Tennessee Proclamation by the Governor

WHEREAS, formally the third Saturday in October the Tennessee Volunteers play the Alabama Crimson Tide every year, and

WHEREAS, as long as teams have represented the University of Tennessee on the field, they have carried on the name and tradition of the original Tennessee Volunteers, and

WHEREAS, Tennesseans can proudly show state pride by wearing Tennessee Orange on the third Friday in October before the annual Tennessee vs. Alabama game, and

WHEREAS, the University requests that the “Volunteer State” should turn Orange to show the pride and support of the state in the on-field football battle against its neighboring state;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bill Haslam, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim October 19, 2018 as

BIG ORANGE FRIDAY

in Tennessee and encourage all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the official seal of the State of Tennessee to be affixed at Nashville on this twentieth day of September, 2018.

Official State Proclamation (PDF)

Bill Haslam
Governor

Tre Hargett
Secretary of State

-UT Athletics

 

Turner Sports Hires Candace Parker as NBA and NCAA Commentator

Turner Sports Hires Candace Parker as NBA and NCAA Commentator

Posted on October 11, 2018
Candace Parker / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Turner Sports has announced that it has reached an agreement with Lady Vol hoops legend and UT graduate Candace Parker on a position that includes full-time contributions as an analyst and commentator for the NBA on TNT and NBA TV throughout the 2018-19 season.

Parker, a 10-year WNBA veteran and two-time league MVP, is coming off an All-Star campaign in 2018 where she led the Los Angeles Sparks to the postseason. She will join the Players Only studio team for telecasts airing on both TNT and NBA TV. Players Only provides viewers an entertaining narrative and unique insights into the game directly from the athlete’s perspective. NBA TV will air Players Only telecasts on Monday nights. running Oct. 22 through late-January. TNT will then air the remaining Players Only telecasts Tuesday nights from the series’ Jan. 29 debut through mid-April.

Parker also will provide analysis for NBA TV’s GameTime – the network’s flagship studio show – with regular appearances on Sunday nights during the 2018-19 season beginning with her debut on Oct. 21. She also will contribute to a variety of special projects for both the NBA on TNT and NBA TV.

Additionally, Parker will provide commentary for Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

“I cannot wait to resume broadcasting with Turner Sports and to be a part of what I consider the best basketball coverage out there,” said Parker. “I love broadcasting because it allows me to share my passion for basketball with viewers, and I look forward to sharing my analysis and commentary in a variety of formats.”

“Candace is one of the most influential basketball stars of her generation, and we’re thrilled to provide a wide variety of opportunities for her to share her passion for the game and insights directly with fans,” said Tara August, Vice President of Talent Relations & Special Projects, Turner Sports. “She’s a trailblazer in every sense of the word, and we can’t wait to further showcase her talents as a commentator across our collective basketball portfolio.”

Parker was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008, following a stellar career at Tennessee, where she led the Lady Vols to consecutive NCAA Championships in 2007 and 2008. During the 2008-09 WNBA season, she became the first player to earn WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.

In 2016, Parker led the L.A. Sparks to a WNBA Championship, in which she was named WNBA Finals MVP. She was named WNBA All-Star Game MVP in 2013, along with being elected to six All-WNBA teams and three All-Star teams. Parker also led Team USA Women’s Basketball to back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Games.

-UT Athletics

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