The sporting world is full of what ifs.
           
What if LSU had hired Steve Spurrier instead of Mike Archer in 1987?
           
What if Peyton Manning had signed with Ole Miss instead of Tennessee?
           
What if Gene Stallings hadn’t abruptly left Alabama before the 1997 season?
           
What if Clint Stoerner hadn’t fumbled against Tennessee in 1998?
           
Maybe you don’t wonder about those things, but I do.
           
I wonder how the course of history would have changed if events were slightly altered, events that aren’t far fetched.
           
I wonder what would have happened at Alabama if the Crimson Tide had hired Rich Rodriguez, instead of Nick Saban. After being offered the Bama job in December 2006, Rodriguez left West Virginia the next year and gave Michigan its losingest season ever. Saban has Alabama 11-0 and #1 in the nation. Rodriguez might have a winning record this season, but I can’t imagine him doing what Saban has done.
           
I wonder what would have happened at Auburn if Tommy Tuberville hadn’t fired offensive coordinator Al Borges. Tuberville was enamored with the spread, so he hired Tony Franklin from Troy. But Auburn doesn’t have the personnel to run the spread. Franklin was fired at mid-season and the Tigers have seen their SEC record decline for the fourth straight year. With Borges, Auburn might have beaten LSU, Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Georgia. Instead, Tuberville is on the hot seat.
           
I wonder what would have happened if an Arkansas fan hadn’t requested Houston Nutt’s cell phone records through a Freedom of Information Act. Would Nutt have stayed at Arkansas? Would running back Felix Jones have turned pro? Would the Hogs be, arguably, the worst team in the SEC? Or would Nutt have found a way to make Arkansas bowl eligible during a down year in the SEC?
           
I wonder what would have happened if Tim Tebow had gone to Alabama – his second choice — instead of Florida. Without Tebow, Florida doesn’t win the 2006 national title because he made key runs for first downs in several wins. One more loss that season and the Gators wouldn’t have played for all the marbles. And without Tebow, Urban Meyer’s spread option wouldn’t be nearly as effective and the Gators wouldn’t be playing in a second SEC championship game in three years.
           
I wonder what would have happened if Auburn hadn’t snubbed David Greene on his visit and Greene not signed with Georgia. Greene was the first quarterback for Mark Richt. He went on to become the NCAA all-time leader for wins and Georgia’s all-time leader for career total offense, passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions and touchdown passes. Greene helped Georgia win one SEC title, play for another and finish in the top 10 three consecutive years.
           
I wonder what would have happened at Kentucky if Randall Cobb had gone to Tennessee. Cobb committed to Kentucky in June. Tennessee then offered the product of Alcoa – 15 minutes from Neyland Stadium – a scholarship in December. Cobb was a spark at quarterback for the Wildcats. He was a receiver.  He also returned punts. He’s one of the top three freshmen in the SEC.
           
I wonder what would have happened if Ole Miss had given Ed Oregeron another year. Orgeron won 10 games in three seasons. How many would he have won this year? Probably four or five, considering his SEC record was 3-21. He wouldn’t have won at Florida or at LSU, and he might not have beaten Auburn. Landing Houston Nutt was a big coup for the Rebels.
           
I wonder what would have happened if Derek Pegues had signed with Tennessee instead of Mississippi State. Pegues grew up a Tennessee fan and said he would play for the Vols if offered. He was offered but instead became the first blue-chip signee for Sylvester Croom. Pegues helped the Bulldogs to an eight-win season in 2007 with his interception and punt returns.  Pegues holds the SEC record for most kickoff return yards and is second in total return yards with about 3,300.
           
I wonder what would have happened if LSU hadn’t dismissed quarterback Ryan Perrilloux. Poor quarterback play proved costly against Georgia (two interception returns for touchdowns) and Alabama (four interceptions). Give LSU two, may be three more wins under Perrilloux and this season has a different complexion.
           
I wonder what would have happened if Stephen Garcia hadn’t been suspended from spring practice at South Carolina. Steve Spurrier has started three quarterbacks this season. The musical chairs has led to inconsistent play at the most important position on the field. Spurrier says Garcia is still learning to play quarterback. If Garcia had been ready in August, the Gamecocks might have beaten Vanderbilt, Georgia and LSU.
           
I wonder what would have happened if David Cutcliffe had not left Tennessee as offensive coordinator. Tennessee’s worst offense since 1964 cost Phillip Fulmer his job. UT was 5-6 in 2005. Fulmer hired Cutcliffe to turn things around and the Vols won 19 games the next two seasons with a revitalized Erik Ainge. When Cutcliffe left for Duke, UT’s offense went dormant. I’m convinced Cutcliffe would have gotten more out of quarterback Jonathan Crompton or started B.J. Coleman. And UT would have beaten UCLA, Auburn and Wyoming and maybe Georgia – and Fulmer would still be Tennessee’s coach.
           
I wonder what would have happened if Vanderbilt hadn’t lost receiver Earl Bennett a year early to the NFL. The Commodores managed to start 5-0 and become bowl eligible for the first time in 1982 despite having the worst offense and the worst passing game in the SEC. Bennett would not only have helped the pass game, but opened up the run as well. Bennett might have been worth wins over Mississippi State and Duke.
 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 at 11:32 am and is filed under Homepage, The Ace Reporter . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.