FanHouse JevanSnead

Jevan Snead believes better days are ahead.

The junior quarterback doesn't need to read a newspaper or watch television to know what's being said about Ole Miss' disappointing performance last Thursday against South Carolina. Snead looked skittish in the pocket and didn't throw the ball with much confidence in a 16-10 defeat that proved the Rebels' No. 4 ranking nationally wasn't merited.

"It's one of those things where you have to take what you can from it," Snead said Monday.

"You watch the film and see what you did wrong and see what you can correct and then move on. It's tough not to be down, especially the couple of days right after the game. I feel like everyone is responding really well and everyone is doing what they need to do -- which is to continue to work as hard as they possibly can to not let that happen again."

Here's the top lesson from Saturday: If you're a major program, never schedule a game you can lose as your season opener. Period. This should be a rule. Why? Because we fans sit around for nine months waiting for the college football season to return, and then, in one sixty minute game, the entire season is ruined. It's just not worth it. You roll out of bed the next morning and effectively the wildest dreams of the offseason, that your team could run the table and contend for a national championship, is over.

Ask Georgia fans what they feel like this morning. Ask Tennessee fans what the last two years prior to this season felt like losing the first game of the season in California. Losing the opening game counts as two losses, it makes you feel like complete crap. And don't even get me started with how good you feel if you win an opening game. You're a liar. You don't feel good, you just feel relieved. Nothing has changed about your season if you win a big opening game. You just get to dream for one week more. On to the ClayNation Starting 11.

With Alabama up comfortably 24-3 at halftime, the game between the Crimson Tide and Ole Miss looked to be a forgone conclusion. But Jevan Snead and the Rebels had other ideas.

Snead and the Mississippi offense took the opening drive 52 yards for a touchdown to start the second half, and the Rebel defense took over from there, limiting the 'Bama offense to one trip across midfield the entire second half, sprinkling in an interception and a fumble recovery along the way.

Meanwhile, Snead and the Rebel offense were able to draw within four points, 24-20, thanks to another touchdown and a field goal in the fourth quarter. With four minutes left in the fourth, Ole Miss forced another punt and gave the offense one last chance to win the game. But after Snead moved the offense to midfield, the drive stalled on an incomplete pass on fourth down and Alabama was able to run the clock out. What looked like a laugher turned into a tight game for Alabama.

As hierarchical as I-A college football is (indeed, much more so than any other American sport), nowhere is the caste system writ larger than in the SEC, where the good stay good, the bad stay bad, and Phil Fulmer stays comically overweight. Were EPL-style relegation ever to be implemented, you may rest assured that no more than two SEC programs would ever be in danger, and we're lucky enough to meet them both again today (plus a few new friends!).

After the jump, the four teams without a prayer of going .500 in the SEC in 2008...

Where there's smoke, there's generally fire. Or in the case, internet rumors appear to have some basis in fact. G.J. Kinne, a backup quarterback at Texas has indeed decided to transfer.

"I chose the best school at what was the end of a very successful, but difficult high school career," Kinne said. "I have definitely become a better quarterback with the help of one of the most knowledgeable offensive coaches in college football, Greg Davis. However, the quarterback position is unique in terms of playing time, and I have to find a program that best fits my skills.

"Quarterbacks transfer in college football. That's life for this position.I've made great memories, great friends and have been blessed with experiences most can only watch. So the answer is, 'No, I have no regrets.'

"I'm looking forward to what the future holds for me. I wish nothing but great things for The University of Texas. I appreciate all that Coach Brown and The University have done for me."

Kinne's decision to leave, could point to the continued development of John Chiles as the next great Texas quarterback. In addition, the Longhorns' continued success in recruiting top-flight quarterbacks out of the high school ranks has made transfers like this more likely to occur. Jevan Snead, another backup, left the program in 2006.

This is not the first transfer for Kinne in his career. In 2006, as a high schooler, Kinne left Canton High School after his dad, the head coach, was shot by an angry parent.