Saturday Down South Podcast

Adam Kramer of Bleacher Report joins Matt Hayes to preview the upcoming CFP Semifinal games. Who is the most dangerous team in the playoff? Who will win the rubber match between Alabama and Clemson? Is Georgia's Jake Fromm a liability? Also..what's the likelyhood of an all-SEC national championship game? All that and much more.

Host Michael Bratton is joined by possibly the biggest name in recruiting, Barton Simmons of 247Sports to talk about the ins and outs of the modern recruiting cycle. The conversation (start: 2:34) focuses less on the specificities of the current class and more on the process. 2017 has seen the whole recruiting landscape undergo the most significant change ever; how will it affect not only recruiting, but all of college football going forward?

Grab your pom-poms and say YESSSSIR as this episode recaps the first day and a half of the nation's first Early Signing Period. The dust has settled, and it appears there's a new king of SEC recruiting: The Georgia Bulldogs. Host Michael Wayne Bratton dishes on his busy day covering recruiting for SDS and then brings in Mike Farrell of Rivals to recap the big picture. Farrell, dubbed "The Godfather of Recruiting," has seen a lot in his 19 years on the beat – how does this year's craziness compare?

Amid the Christmas rush, JC and Connor dish on the news around the SEC, including the busy recruiting cycle which has been amped up by the early signing period. From Wednesday to Friday, a three-day window opens up for recruits to sign their letters of intent. No longer do they have to wait until National Signing Day in February. When it's all said and done, will this solve some problems or simply create new ones? Additionally, JC and Connor take a look at the potential Jacob Eason-Jake Fromm-Justin Fields QB triangle for Georgia.

Who's ready for some Crootin'? Host Michael Wayne Bratton (@SECMike on Twitter) talks about the ins and outs of the new early signing period from an insider's perspective. He is joined by his friend and fellow recruiting expert Mitch White, who is well-versed in the Southeast in general, as well as the recruiting hotbed of Memphis that he calls home. What is the early signing period, and who does it benefit? These guys have all the answers.

Corey Long, SDS's recruiting expert, joins the pod to talk about the whirlwind that will be SEC recruiting during the first early signing period in college football history.We're now less than a week away, so it's about time to prepare for what's coming. How much of an effect does Long think it had on the coaching carousel spinning as wildly as it did? Which coach was the most recruiting-specific hire? Additionally, Long tells a pretty wild story about the eventual signing of one-time Arkansas tailback Alex Collins. His mother and father weren't exactly on the same page.

Jimmy Hyams of WNML in Knoxville joins the pod to talk about the ins and outs of the Tennessee coaching search, and what's next for the Vols. Was Jeremy Pruitt the right hire(9:05)? Where did Philip Fulmer's beef start with John Currie, and was this whole process sabotaged from the start(3:35)? This and much more, including whether or not future draftees should skip their bowl games (21:10).

Anthony Dasher, the managing editor of UGASports.com on the Rivals network, joins the pod to talk about the Playoff-bound Georgia Bulldogs. Even if Dasher picked Georgia to win the East this season, by how much did the Bulldogs actually exceed his expectations? The Jake Fromm story has been fun to watch unfold, but what does this mean for the future of Jacob Eason? Additionally, Dasher gets into UGA's matchup with Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl. Do the Dawgs have what it takes defensively to slow down Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield?

Connor joins JC in studio to discuss Shea Patterson leaving Ole Miss to go to Michigan, and other news around the SEC. It's hard to blame Patterson for saying goodbye to the Rebels and hello to the Wolverines, but how great can he be playing for Jim Harbaugh? All of a sudden Jordan Ta'amu is the full-time starter in Oxford. Is he ready for the role? Additionally, JC and Connor take a look into the crystal ball and try to locate some Heisman Trophy candidates from the SEC for 2018.

Aaron Suttles of the Tuscaloosa News joins the pod to talk about the Playoff-bound Alabama Crimson Tide. While the Crimson Tide were ultimately included in the College Football Playoff, how confident were the players and coaches that they'd make it ahead of Ohio State? Suttles shares the perspective that he had. It might surprise you. Additionally, Suttles comments on the trials and tribulations of covering Nick Saban professionally. What kind of relationship do the two of them have these days?

Danny Kanell of FSU and ESPN fame joins the pod to settle his perceived beef with the SEC and talk about all things college football. Far from afraid to voice his displeasure with the College Football Playoff, Kanell weighs in on Alabama getting the benefit of the doubt over Ohio State. Even if they didn't deserve it, does he at least think the Crimson Tide are one of the best four teams in America? Additionally, Kanell opens up about his surprising divorce from ESPN earlier this year. What's his relationship like with former radio partner Ryen Russillo these days?

College football insider Brett McMurphy joins to break down the wild coaching carousel season and the College Football Playoff. As possibly the most connected man in college football, McMurphy shares his unique perspective. What's next for Tennessee, and who's really calling the shots in Knoxville? How did Florida land Dan Mullen, and what's going on up the road in Tallahassee? McMurphy has the answers. Also, Matt goes coast to coast with news around the SEC.

JC and Connor discuss the wild results of championship weekend in college football and how the SEC Championship shaped the Alabama vs. Ohio State coversation. It was a complete flip of the script from what we saw the first time when the Bulldogs played the Tigers. Now Georgia is battling Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff, while Auburn has to find motivation for UCF in the Peach Bowl. Additionally, JC and Connor break down some of the selections for the various All-SEC teams and grade the performance of the voters.

Former Georgia All-American and current SEC Network analyst Matt Stinchcomb joins the pod to talk aboout the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, Stinchcomb broke down the previous Auburn-Georgia matchup, whether the Dawgs can contain Auburn's pass-rushers and what Kerryon Johnson's presence means on Saturday. He also gives his prediction for the conference title game. Ahead of the SEC Championship this weekend, Stinchcomb joined forces with the All Hands in Event in Atlanta, where he volunteered to help to build a community garden at the local Boys and Girls Club. Local Allstate agents and fans, as well as SEC Network’s Tim Tebow and legendary Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell all pitched in.  Fans are encouraged to follow #AllHandsIn on Twitter for more information on how to get involved with the Allstate All Hands In program.

Bobby Hebert, a Saints and Falcons QB known as "The Cajun Cannon," joins the pod to talk about his longtime friend Ed Orgeron and the temperate on the bayou after the Tigers' up and down season. Now a sports talk radio host in the Crescent City, Hebert spends a lot of his time talking LSU and has a relationship with coach Ed Orgeron going back 40 years. How should the Tigers feel about their 9-3 performance during the regular season? Additionally, Hebert shares his opinion on what the Bayou Bengals need to do in order to be more competitive with