We were told that Jake Bowen, one of Bay County’s best defensive players, was supposed to sign a national let-ter of intent with South Alabama, which is forming a football team next season.

It turns out, that wasn’t true. We’re still not sure what Bowen signed this morning, but it wasn’t a NLI. Whether it was a miscommunication between USA coaches and his mother, or just a misunderstanding, Bowen will try to walk on to the Jaguars, who will play their first full season in 2010.

Bowen wasn’t included in my story on the Arnold signings because we don’t write about walk-ons in the print edition. Hence, why I’m talk-ing about it here on my blog.

Hope that clarifies some questions or concerns.

Gray chooses Troy
One noticeable name was absent from today’s ceremony at Arnold High School for National Signing Day. The Marlins quarterback, Johnny Gray, wasn’t among the three seniors inking their names to play at the next level.

That’s because Gray, who threw for 691 yards and six touchdowns last season, opted to be a preferred walk-on at Troy, a Sun Belt Conference school.

“It’s just close to home and I’ve wanted to play ball there, so I’m just going to go and walk on,” Gray said. “That’s the best of the best. You have to be good to get on the field. If you’re starting at a Division I program, then you know you’re one of the best in the country, period. That’s as big as it gets. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Troy recruited Gray briefly during his sophomore year. His lack of speed is no secret around Bay County, but Gray the opportunity to play at some Division II, Division III and NAIA schools. Instead, he’s trying to be one of 15 possible walk-ons out of a field of 60.

Gray said one Trojan assistant told him he should be selected.

“I’m probably going to get redshirted,” Gray said. “They told me to report in July and start working out and start practicing and all that stuff.”

If not, he may stay at Troy and get his degree or try to play else where.

“I haven’t even thought about that yet,” he said.

How the SEC stacks up
Check out where Rivals.com and Scout.com ranked the recruiting classes of all 12 SEC teams. The first number listed is Rivals.com and second is Scout.com.
Alabama 1 - 2
Arkansas 14 - 19
Auburn 18 - 15
Florida 10 - 21
Georgia 9 - 8
Kentucky 42 - 32
LSU 2 - 3
Mississippi 17 - 16
Mississippi State 22 - 18
South Carolina 12 - 12
Tennessee 23 - 22
Vanderbilt 73 - 74

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Here’s the docket for this week’s SEC games. My picks for Games of the Week are bolded.

All Times Central

Saturday, Sept. 20

Alabama at Arkansas, 11:30 a.m., Raycom - A matchup of two former NFL coaches.

LSU at Auburn, 6:45 p.m., ESPN - This game could have major implications in the SEC and the BCS down the road.

Florida at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m., CBS - Will the Gators roll over the Vols again?

Georgia at Arizona State, 7:13 p.m., ABC - Game of the week, but the air is taken out of it because the Sun Devils aren’t ranked. The Bulldogs never seem to leave the Southeast. Let’s see how they play on the real road.

Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. - A once bottomfeeder game will now be one of the weekend’s best.

Mississippi State at Georgia Tech, 11 a.m., Raycom - Just a good ole’ interconference battle.

Post from: What's the Fuss?

Here’s the docket for this week’s SEC games. My picks for Games of the Week are bolded.

All Times Central

Saturday, Sept. 13
UAB at Tennessee, 11:30 a.m., Raycom - The Volunteers are coming off an upset by UCLA, with a bye week to boot. They have something to prove. Watch out Blazers.

Georgia at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m., CBS - The Bulldogs’ first real test this season. The Gamecocks can’t find a rhythm at quarterback. Georgia is going to try to prove why it should still be No. 1.

Arkansas at Texas, 2:30 p.m., ABC - Postponed until Sept. 27. Thanks, Ike.

Auburn at Mississippi State, 6 p.m., ESPN2 - National title talk is going through Auburn and Mississippi State is already considered a fluke from after last season’s bowl appearance. This could be make or break for the Bulldogs, while the Tigers continue to run a new spread offense to near domination.

Middle Tennessee at Kentucky, 6 p.m. - The Blue Raiders are coming off an upset of Maryland, but the Wildcats’ defense — the only one in the SEC to not allow a TD this season — will quiet all suspects of a BCS crasher.

Samford at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. - The Rebels are mad after losing to Wake Forest Sat-urday in a game they should have won.

Rice at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. - The Commodores are riding high at 2-0 and an upset of then-No. 24 South Carolina. Let’s just hope they don’t play down to their opponent this week.

Western Kentucky at Alabama, 6:07 p.m., PPV - The Crimson Tide keep on rolling up the polls and will give the Hilltoppers a true welcome to the Bowl Subdivision.

North Texas at LSU, 7 p.m. - The Tigers haven’t played in two weeks and this week’s game nearly got postponed too because of Hurricane Ike. They’re hungry.

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The game will be both teams conference opener.

The Gators will be coming off a bye week. The Volunteers play University of Alabama at Birmingham this weekend.

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All Times Central

Thursday, Sept. 4
South Carolina at Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m., ESPN - The Gamecocks are back on Thursday night for the second straight week. Vandy is coming off a nice win over Miami (OH)

Saturday, Sept. 6
Tulane at Alabama, 6:07 p.m., PPV - Can the Crimson Tide keep up their winning ways a week after defeating a Top 10 team?

Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas (in Little Rock), 6 p.m. - The Razorbacks were scared last week by Western Illinois and ULM upset Alabama last year.

Southern Mississippi at Auburn, 11:30 a.m., Raycom - Auburn rolls out a new quarterback.

Miami (FL) at Florida, 7 p.m., ESPN - Florida hasn’t defeated Miami since 1985.

Central Michigan at Georgia, 2:30 p.m, FSNS - The Bulldogs won and dropped from the polls’ top spot.

Norfolk State at Kentucky, 5 p.m. - This has got to be a joke? Watch out for Kentucky’s defense.

Troy at LSU, 7 p.m. - Postponed until Nov. 15. Thanks, Gustav.

Ole Miss at Wake Forest, 2:30 p.m., ABC - Good early SEC-ACC matchup.

Southeastern Louisiana at Mississippi State, 6 p.m. - Perfect chance for the Bulldogs to win their first game of the season.

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