Why is anybody upset about Ole Missus being in the preseason AP Top 25?

[War Machine Dawg]

I'm being serious as a heart attack when I say, top to bottom, this is the most talented team in my lifetime. More talented than 2008 and more than 03 (or any Eli team for that matter). I think 08 was more talented than the Eli years and you could argue 08 vs now but I think there is more overall roster talent right now. This is the most talented Ole Miss team in their history.

Put down the red-and-blue Kool-Aid. The '08, '03, '99, and '98 UM teams would all kick the '14 team's ass. Sure, they've got some really good 1st string guys. So does pretty much every other Big 5 school. But their depth is shit and 3/5 of their starting OL is still unsettled less than 2 weeks from kickoff. Not to mention they have a head case at QB with the arm strength of a limp noodle. There's a reason he's CBS. Anymore injuries, especially at DB or OL, and the BearSharks are in deep shit. I still say they're more likely to win 6 or less than 8 or more.

[BeastMan]

Not sure about that. Probably more talent overall than 03, but with a NFL top pick at QB, you can cover up a lot of weaknesses. Not sure I can roll with 08 though. Look at all these guys off that 08/09 run:

2009 - 1 - 23 - Michael Oher, OT Baltimore
2009 - 1 - 24 - Peria Jerry, DT Atlanta
2009 - 3 - 84 - Mike Wallace, WR Pittsburgh
2009 - 7 - 231 - Jamarca Sanford, S Minnesota
2010 - 2 - 36 - Dexter McCluster, RB-WR Kansas City
2010 - 3 - 73 - John Jerry, OG Miami
2010 - 5 - 136 - Kendrick Lewis, S Kansas City
2010 - 6 - 175 - Greg Hardy, DE Carolina

Add in Snead playing very well in 08, along with Hodge and few other capable WRs.......eh, they'll have to prove that they are better than O's boys. Ole Miss seems to be top heavy to me with not a whole lot of depth.

I looked all that up recently to compare contrast and as talented as 08 was, I think this year's roster has more. I'll give some very loose draft grades to bolster my opinion.

LaQuon Treadwell- lottery pick
Laremy Tunsil- lottery pick
Robert Nkemdiche- 1-3 rd
Tony Conner- 2-5 rd
Aaron Morris- 6-7 rd
Fahn Cooper- 3-5 rd
Cody Prewitt- 3-5 rd
Anthony Alford- 2-5 rd

Then I think all these guys will sign FA deals and get a shot in a camp: Bo Wallace, I'Tavius Mathers, Fadol Brown, Serderius Bryant, Senquez Gholsen, Trae Elston, and Quicny Adeboyejo.

Then there a few guys who I think have NFL potential that haven't played and I don't have any hard info on, most notably Daronte Bouldin. We're not even talking class '14 freshmen...

This is just my opinion and it is debatable but I think I'm on pretty solid ground in saying this is the most talented Ole Miss team ever.

[TrueMaroon]

Louisiana-Lafayette is going to beat UMiss. Book it.

[BeastMan]

Put down the red-and-blue Kool-Aid. The '08, '03, '99, and '98 UM teams would all kick the '14 team's ass. Sure, they've got some really good 1st string guys. So does pretty much every other Big 5 school. But their depth is shit and 3/5 of their starting OL is still unsettled less than 2 weeks from kickoff. Not to mention they have a head case at QB with the arm strength of a limp noodle. There's a reason he's CBS. Anymore injuries, especially at DB or OL, and the BearSharks are in deep shit. I still say they're more likely to win 6 or less than 8 or more.

Just for the record, saying this team is more talented does not equal that they would beat 03, 08, etc... Honestly, that 08 team was playing good enough down the stretch where they wouldn't have lost to anyone. But again, that's a different argument.

[ShotgunDawg]

I looked all that up recently to compare contrast and as talented as 08 was, I think this year's roster has more. I'll give some very loose draft grades to bolster my opinion.

LaQuon Treadwell- lottery pick
Laremy Tunsil- lottery pick
Robert Nkemdiche- 1-3 rd
Tony Conner- 2-5 rd
Aaron Morris- 6-7 rd
Fahn Cooper- 3-5 rd
Cody Prewitt- 3-5 rd
Anthony Alford- 2-5 rd

Then I think all these guys will sign FA deals and get a shot in a camp: Bo Wallace, I'Tavius Mathers, Fadol Brown, Serderius Bryant, Senquez Gholsen, Trae Elston, and Quicny Adeboyejo.

Then there a few guys who I think have NFL potential that haven't played and I don't have any hard info on, most notably Daronte Bouldin. We're not even talking class '14 freshmen...

This is just my opinion and it is debatable but I think I'm on pretty solid ground in saying this is the most talented Ole Miss team ever.

What in the world makes you believe that Anthony Alford or Fahn Cooper will be 2nd-5th round draft picks?

Also, they may have more individual talent on this team than Eli's years, but having Eli is a trump card that Bo Wallace comes nowhere on this planet close to overcoming. Sure, they may have one or two more high end talents on this team, but, due to the QB position, that doesn't mean they are anywhere close to being as good.

[BeastMan]

What in the world makes you believe that Anthony Alford or Fahn Cooper will be 2nd-5th round draft picks?

Also, they may have more individual talent on this team than Eli's years, but having Eli is a trump card that Bo Wallace comes nowhere on this planet close to overcoming. Sure, they may have one or two more high end talents on this team, but, due to the QB position, that doesn't mean they are anywhere close to being as good.

I have my reasons on Cooper and Alford is one of the best athletes this state has ever seen. At safety, he has lottery pick upside. If he sticks with football he has draft pick written all over him.

I'm not sure why people are struggling with this concept. Me saying this is the most talented team in OM history is not the same thing as saying this is the best OM team in history. It remains to be seen what the results of this talent will be.

[ShotgunDawg]

I have my reasons on Cooper and Alford is one of the best athletes this state has ever seen. At safety, he has lottery pick upside. If he sticks with football he has draft pick written all over him.

Would love to hear your reasons for Cooper.

Not sure I agree with Alford. That's a major major stretch. It's basically how fans get all excited about recruits, only to realize they aren't very good when they actually have to play. Alford has never done anything that would insinuate that he has top 5 round potential at safety.

[BeastMan]

Would love to hear your reasons for Cooper.

Not sure I agree with Alford. That's a major major stretch. It's basically how fans get all excited about recruits, only to realize they aren't very good when they actually have to play. Alford has never done anything that would insinuate that he has top 5 round potential at safety.

You'll see the reasons on Cooper the first time you see him in pads in the Ga dome. Alford just needs time in the defensive backfield to understand schemes. I posted the other day that Alford might be the best corner on their roster right now (and he doesn't even play corner). I can assure you, I don't dream these things up.

[ShotgunDawg]

You'll see the reasons on Cooper the first time you see him in pads in the Ga dome. Alford just needs time in the defensive backfield to understand schemes. I posted the other day that Alford might be the best corner on their roster right now (and he doesn't even play corner). I can assure you, I don't dream these things up.

Ok, not disagreeing with you. Just wanted to hear the reasons.

Is Cooper actually good or does he just have talent? If he is that talented, how come he started his career at Bowling Green and why wasn't he recruited by the best teams in America out of JC?

[BeastMan]

Ok, not disagreeing with you. Just wanted to hear the reasons.

Is Cooper actually good or does he just have talent? If he is that talented, how come he started his career at Bowling Green and why wasn't he recruited by the best teams in America out of JC?

IMO OL is the hardest position to project. Dude went to BG, started as a true freshman, and balled out. He probably realized "what the hell am I doing here". I'd call signing with an SEC team out of Jc as a great upgrade so I think he made the right decision. He was offered by OM, Oklahoma, Arizona State, and Illinois out of Jc (4-star on 247).

[ShotgunDawg]

IMO OL is the hardest position to project. Dude went to BG, started as a true freshman, and balled out. He probably realized "what the hell am I doing here". I'd call signing with an SEC team out of Jc as a great upgrade so I think he made the right decision. He was offered by OM, Oklahoma, Arizona State, and Illinois out of Jc (4-star on 247).

Yeah, not a bad list out of JUCO, but certainly not an all-world list either. Sounds about like Danley to be honest with you.

[thunderclap]

So Alford is their best corner but doesn't play corner and Liggins is their best OL but doesn't play OL. Got it.

[maroonmania]

IMO OL is the hardest position to project. Dude went to BG, started as a true freshman, and balled out. He probably realized "what the hell am I doing here". I'd call signing with an SEC team out of Jc as a great upgrade so I think he made the right decision. He was offered by OM, Oklahoma, Arizona State, and Illinois out of Jc (4-star on 247).

You certainly could end up being right but you are doing a LOT of projection on a couple of guys who you have NEVER seen play D1 football in a major conference. A HS guy like Alford, who played QB primarily in HS, is difficult to project how he will be as a DB in the SEC. I don't remember much about him as a safety prospect when he signed with USM. And I can remember when we signed Denico Autry out of JUCO and thought he was going to dominate in the SEC but it just didn't happen. Cooper may end up being all-world but its a big jump from JUCO OL to starting in the SEC.

[BeastMan]

So Alford is their best corner but doesn't play corner and Liggins is their best OL but doesn't play OL. Got it.

The moral of that story is that he could be their best CB, SS, FS, or LB. Dude is just one hell of an athlete.

[cheewgumm]

I disagree bo Wallace gets a FA chance in NFL. He can run, but his throwing is terrible. He's not gonna sniff it.

[ShotgunDawg]

The moral of that story is that he could be their best CB, SS, FS, or LB. Dude is just one hell of an athlete.

Not saying your wrong, because Alford is a good athlete, but I think it's a major stretch to say he has 2nd-5th round potential right now when we don't even know if he can tackle or has ball skills. Jermaine Whitehead is a good athlete as well.

Fahn Cooper may be the 2nd coming of Johnathan Ogden, but, at this moment, he hasn't done anything that would insinuate that he has high NFL potential.

I also agree that Bo Wallace likely never gets the opportunity to play NFL football. Just doesn't possess the arm action or arm strength to make him interesting.

Not saying your wrong Beast, but there are some major stretches in talent evaluation here. They may come true, but, if I were betting my own money on it, I would bet they don't.

[BeastMan]

That's fine. I completely agree they need to show it if they're gonna be future draft picks. Just know I'm not dreaming this up.

[Coach34]

I talked to one of my bosses this weekend who is from the Hattiesburg area- and he and others are convinced Alford may be the best athlete to ever come out if that area. And he is not an OM guy

Take it for what it's worth