My pick for SEC defensive player of the year

[Hubbs]

Blackmon is back which allows Auburn to be versitile on defense!!!

The path has been cleared for linebacker Tray Blackmon to resume his Auburn football career.

Blackmon, who will be a sophomore in the coming season, has been granted a waiver by the NCAA after not attending school in the spring semester. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said Wednesday that Blackmon will go into preseason practice as the starting middle linebacker.

Blackmon was suspended for the first six games of last season and for the Tigers' 17-14 victory over Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl. He dropped out of school for the spring semester to deal with personal issues and returned for summer school.

"He's good to go," Muschamp said. "He's had a really good summer."

Blackmon was one of the nation's top defensive prospects when he signed with Auburn out of LaGrange, Ga., in 2005. He sat out a redshirt year before missing the first half of last season. He returned in time to play a major role in Auburn's 27-17 victory over eventual national champion Florida.

In another football development ...

Defensive back Ryan Williams of B.C. Rain High School in Mobile has been cleared by the NCAA and needs only to be cleared by Auburn officials to join the team. It is expected that will happen within a matter of days.

Williams and lineman Nick Fairley of Williamson were at the center of a grade-changing controversy. Fairley will apparently not qualify and is expected to attend junior college.

[FSUNOLESGUY]

I really like Blackmon as well, but I think you have to look at another LB from SC in Jasper Brinkley. This kid is a flat out stud. DBs were all about the SEC last yr in Nelson and Landry, but this yr not so much. You can look at the DL in Glen Dorsey and my fav in Tyson Jackson. This kid at 6'5 295, will be a 1st rd pick next yr and should be the anchor of the defense w/ Dorsey. They may have the best DL and defense in the nation down there in Baton Rouge.

[Blue Hen]

I don't see how the Hokies are going to make a first down, let alone score, on Sept 8.

[Hubbs]

They will have to throw. LSU will play your style of game under Less Miles. If you want it physical it will be physical. Best way to beat them is in a 7-3 type game, especially when they have the talent edge. Miles is more conservative in big games than Fulmer is at Tennessee.

[Blue Hen]

Our projected good 'D' will be on the field , in that swampy heat, all night long. They'll tire. No way they hold LSU or any good team to 7.
I'm concerened about looking ahead for this game and not being ready for a dangerous ECU opener...but I worry about everything.

[HellYeahHokie]

The #1 defense in the country last year lost only 2 players. Neither were stars.

Why don't you wonder how LSU will ever score?

[FSUNOLESGUY]

This game should be a good one. Both defenses are amazing, I wouldn't worry to much abot ECU in the opener especially since Gameday is going to be there, VT better be pumped a bit for that. Key matchup in this game as always in most games is in the trenches. Both DL's are among the best, but it will come down to who can open some running lanes and give their QB enough time to throw downfield to their explosive WR's. This reminds a bit of LSU/AU last yr where Miles was conservative, but I think he will learn a bit from that game. LSU's WR should come up with a few big plays that should put them over the top, but VT is going to a national title contender (BCS for sure)this season.

[Blue Hen]

If we can't drive the ball and eat some clock, they'll score ............just like UGA in last game...and as usual, HYH, I'm concerened that our 'Apparel Resource Management' majors will be worried more about gyrating, dancing, shoving and trash talking in front of the cameras than playing good disciplined defense.....based on the undeniable patterns of recent years. And , of course, if that happens, you'll hear the same old thing from Frank..post game : "that's not us, that's not Virginia Tech football "

Hey, I hope I'm 1000% wrong and I'll be down there cheering the Hokies on (if they behave)

I think some big defensive and special teams plays will really impact this game...and penalties.

....but lets play and beat ECU first.

[Hubbs]

Miles will play down the game and roll the clock himself. It makes sense when you have as much talent as LSU does but like Hen said if LSU turns the ball over i.e. Florida in 2006 VT will be right there.