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Ace Reporter: Basketball Replay And More Notes

jimmy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:15:43 +0000

In today’s column:

1. Expanding instant replay in college basketball
2. A much-needed rule change
3. Keeping an out-of-the-race team motivated
4. An SEC bias against Memphis

More instant replay for college basketball?

The ball bounced off the officials head as he ducked, causing him to miss seeing a player step out-of-bounds in the Tennessee-LSU game.

The ball appeared to be in the cylinder when a South Carolina player tipped in a game-winning shot against Alabama.

A Florida player took three steps as he drove for a layup against LSU.

Each of these plays could have been corrected with instant replay. But college basketball — like college football and the NFL — has a limited number of plays that are reviewable.

You can check the monitor for timing issues, 3-point shots, flagrant fouls and who committed the foul. But you can’t check to see if a player stepped out of bounds, goaltended or walked.

Is it time for college basketball to expand its instant replay? Is it time for the game to allow a limited number of coaches’ challenges, like they do in the NFL?

Yes, say some SEC coaches.

No, says the coordinator of SEC officials, although he’d be open to suggestions.

As more and more officiating mistakes are evident in arguably the toughest sport to call, more discussion has evolved about using instant replay in college hoops.

Be careful what you wish for, warns Gerald Boudreaux, SEC coordinator of officials.

“Off the cuff, itâs a dangerous area,” Boudreaux said. “I’m comfortable where we have it.”

Boudreaux is leery of adding more calls that can be reviewed.

“Once you open the flood gates, how much water comes through?” he said.

Boudreaux said there is some “justification” to reviewing more calls, but goaltending is not one of them.

“Thatâs part of the game,” Boudreaux said.

What about whether a player stepped out of bounds? Or which player touched the ball last before it went out of bounds?

“Sometimes those are difficult,” Boudreaux said. “If it can’t be determined, you go to alternate possession. It doesn’t happen often. My concern is that every time it goes out of bounds, are you subject to going to look at it (on instant replay)? When incorporating instant replay, where do you draw the line?”

Boudreaux said the onus should fall on officials, not monitors.

“If it falls in the area of judgment, you’ve got to make calls, and if the judgment is poor, then guys assigning (officials) need to do something about it. Adding to replay is not good for the game.”

Boudreaux admitted that if he were a player or coach and a bad call resulted in a loss, heâd be upset.

“Sure it’s tough,” he said. “But I take the opposite approach. To make critical calls at crucial times in a game, that’s where accountability comes in. If a guy misses crucial plays at crucial times, he’s going to have some difficulties.”

In other words, heâs subject to being fired.

Boudreaux said he would not be opposed to viewing a proposal with reviewable calls for instant replay. But he is concerned about opening Pandora’s box.

One reviewable call coaches appreciate is making sure the right guy is charged with a foul.

Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings said officials charged the wrong Commodore with a foul in the Georgia game earlier this week. They were able to correct it.

Stallings said he’s “sure” instant replay could be expanded. “You can’t just go review anything. You’d have to have some limitations and stipulations on exactly what that might govern.”

Florida coach Billy Donovan said he had a similar situation to Vanderbilt’s — the wrong Gator got charged with a foul but it was corrected. Donovan agreed limitations on replay are necessary, but he added:

“I do think at the end of a game, in a one possession game, if officials are unsure whoâs leg the ball went off, go to the monitor to get the call right. You should have tell-tale evidence as to who should have the ball.”

Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy would like to see replay expanded “as long as it doesnât interrupt the flow.” He said he thought college would have more stoppages of play because many courts have two 3-point lines “but that hasnât been the case.”

I would suggest giving coaches two challenges per half on calls relating to goal tending, out of bounds and traveling. If your challenge is upheld, you get one more per half, with a maximum of three.

A rule that needs changing

One rule I’d strongly suggest changing relates to the 10-second call. In men’s basketball, a team has 10 seconds to get the ball past midcourt. If nine seconds elapse, a team can call a timeout and get a fresh 10 seconds. If another nine seconds elapses, a team can call another timeout and get another fresh 10 seconds.

Two things I dislike about this rule.

One, it penalizes a team doing a good job of pressing.

Two, it allows a team trying to run time off the clock to take advantage of the rules by staying in the backcourt for — conceivably — 35 seconds. Yes, it might cost you some timeouts, but if your goal is to run clock and protect, say, a five-point lead in the final minute, then the timeouts are worth it.

“I think there needs to be an update on the men’s side of the rules,” Boudreaux said.

On the flip side, Boudreaux said, teams pay a penalty for using a timeout and some people “donât feel additional punishment is necessary” — like giving a team two seconds to cross midcourt if timeout is called in the backcourt after eight seconds.

SEC voting bias toward Memphis?

Memphis coach John Calipari said he simply laughs when he surveys the voting in the AP Top 25.

Memphis is ranked #4 in the most recent poll, and the only five votes the Tigers received out of the Top 5 came from SEC cities, such as Baton Rouge, Knoxville, Columbia and Athens.

Is that a sign of jealously toward Memphis ? Or punishment for being a big fish in a small Conference USA pond? And why is it that only SEC media voters donât give Memphis as much respect as the rest of the nation?

Playing in the weaker Conference USA hasn’t seemed to hurt Memphis in postseason play. The Tigers have been in the Elite Eight, Elite Eight and NCAA title game the past three seasons.

Two SEC coaches said they have no problem with Memphis moving up in the rankings despite a relatively easy conference slate.

“Memphis has had to move itself up by winning,” said Florida’s Donovan. “The perception is Memphis is far superior to anybody else in its league. Whether it’s true or untrue, they’ve still won a lot of games and they’re taking care of business and putting themselves in position to climb the polls.”

While Donovan said it’s not unfair for Memphis to be ranked #4, he said Memphis would have more defeats if it played in the SEC, ACC, Big East or Pac-10.

Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said Conference USA isn’t as tough as the SEC from top to bottom, but he applauds Memphis for taking everybodyâs best shot and surviving.

“Give them credit — they keep beating people,” said Stansbury, who also gave Memphis credit for some big non-conference wins.

How to motivate an out-of-contention team

When youâre team is out of contention for a conference title or NCAA tournament berth — save for winning your conference tournament — how do you keep them motivated?

“That’s a good question,” said Vandy’s Stallings.

Stallings is facing that dilemma now. His team is 16-11 overall, 5-8 in the SEC. Vandy’s only hope for a ticket to the Big Dance is to win the SEC Tournament.

Stallings said he thought he fired some “meaningful bullets” at his team, then it lost to lowly Georgia.

“At this time when a team is not in contention,” Stallings said, “it’s a challenge when you’re on the outside looking in or there’s not a chance at all. It’s a challenge to keep a team engaged.”

Kentucky streak in jeopardy

Kentucky is in danger of snapping a streak of 17 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. If the Wildcats don’t win two of their last three regular-season games (LSU, Georgia, Florida ) then Billy Gillispie will come under fire.

Kentucky is 19-9 and 8-5 in SEC play. Anything short of 10 SEC wins means the Wildcats better make some noise in the SEC Tournament.

After all, when’s the last time a team got an at’large NCAA berth with an RPI of 63? Tennessee (26), LSU (30), South Carolina (42) and Florida (43) have much better RPIs than Kentucky. So if the SEC only gets four teams, UK could be the odd team out.

Ace Reporter: Basketball Notes And Georgia Avoids Further Embarrassment

John — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:50:09 +0000

The 1972 Miami Dolphins celebrate when the last unbeaten NFL team loses.

I wonder what the 1953-54 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets basketball team does?

They are the last team to go winless in the SEC.

Perhaps those Yellow Jackets who remain had feint hope that this year’s version of the Georgia Bulldogs might erase that Georgia Tech team from the record books… might make people forget that it’s been more than 50 years since a men’s basketball team went winless in the SEC.

Georgia won’t replace Georgia Tech on that dubious list — thanks to the Florida Gators. Billy Donovan’s team was tied for the first place in the East Division before their expected rout of Georgia.

But Georgia turned in the most shocking upset in the SEC on Saturday. After losing by 31 at Tennessee and scoring just 48 points, Georgia upset Florida 88-86. That’s 40 more points against Florida than the Bulldogs scored against Tennessee.

A year ago at about this time, Florida coach Billy Donovan said he didn’t like last year’s team, in part because it wasn’t tough and didn’t play good defense. I wonder if he likes this team any better at the moment.

When you don’t play much defense, you’re susceptible to being upset — even by one of the worst teams I’ve seen in the SEC in two decades.

I was prepared to write this week that Georgia might be the first winless team in SEC play since that Georgia Tech team. I was prepared to talk about a Georgia team that wasn’t that void of talent, but was playing with no heart, no intensity and no desire.

Now let’s see if Georgia can avoid becoming the eighth SEC team since those woeful Yellow Jackets to win just one SEC game. Those seven squads: Alabama in 1968-69, LSU in 1966-67 and 1956-57, Ole Miss in 1964-65 and 1958-59, Tulane in 1963-64 and Georgia in 1955-56.

Besides Georgia Tech (and not counting the World War II years), only one other team has gone winless in SEC play. Sewanee did it five times in seven years in the 1930s before leaving the league.

Thus, the only two teams that didn’t win a game in SEC play havenât been in the SEC is more than 40 years.

Georgia has a couple of winnable games left on the schedule. And if they play the rest of the way like they did against Florida, maybe they can win two or three SEC games.

That didn’t seem likely — until their upset of Florida.

Now, you’ve got to wonder if Florida will nosedive the way it did a year ago when the Gators lost eight of 11 games at the end of the season to miss an invite to the NCAA Tournament.

Florida should win its next two games — hosting Alabama and Vanderbilt — but then Donovan’s team goes to LSU, hosts Tennessee, visits Mississippi State, then entertains Kentucky.

Considering its RPI and strength of schedule, the Gators better win at least three more games to get off the dreaded NCAA bubble.

Speaking of being on the bubble, Mississippi State’s loss to Auburn dropped the Bulldogs to 16-9 and three games back in the West. That’s an uncomfortable position for Rick Stansbury’s team.

Three-Point accuracy revisited

With less than a month left in the regular season, I thought it would be a good time to revisit three-point shooting in the SEC.

The line moved back a foot this past off-season. That seems to have had a greater impact on some teams, although you could argue losing key personnel was just as big of a factor.

Thus far, the top four three-point shooting teams in the SEC — South Carolina, LSU, Mississippi State and Florida — are all shooting better than a year ago. South Carolina has gone from 36.4 percent to 39 percent. LSU has gone from last at 32.2 percent to second at 38.4. Mississippi State has gone from 33.4 to 37.9. And Florida has gone from 36.3 to 36.7.

The other eight teams have shown a decline. The three most significant drops are at Vanderbilt (39.9 percent to 33.5 percent), Tennessee (35.7 percent to 31.6) and Alabama (36.3 to 30.9). Not surprisingly, each of those schools lost outstanding outside shooters.

Don’t be surprised if Vanderbilt, which has made a three in every game since the three-point shot was introduced, fails to hit a trey in a game this season. The Commodores are a poor outside shooting team, compared to recent years.

This year, four teams are shooting less than 33 percent from three-point range while only one shot less than 33 percent a year ago.

Regarding SEC games only, six SEC teams are shooting better in conference play, meaning six are not.

Mississippi State, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Auburn are shooting better in league play from beyond the arc.

LSU players have the most high-scoring games

After LSU’s Tasmin Mitchell scored 41 points Mississippi State, the research began.

LSU has had a player score at least 40 points in 77 games — the most in the SEC by far.

The SEC has had exactly 50 players score at least 50 points in a game. LSU’s Pete Maravich has 27 of those. LSU’s Chris Jackson has four Shaquille OâNeal has one.

That means LSU has 64 percent of the SECâs 50-point games.

Maravich, who had a career scoring average of 44.2 points, scored in the 50s in 33 percent of his games. He scored in the 60s four times.

Ace Reporter: The SEC’s Mid-Point Player Of The Year And More

jimmy — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:23:44 +0000

Halfway through the SEC season, is there any doubt who the favorite is for Player of the Year?

Tennessee’s Tyler Smith got the nod in preseason. And while he’s having a solid year, he’s not been spectacular.

Kentucky’s Patrick Patterson was considered the best big man in the league.

South Carolina’s Devan Downey was expected to be the most electrifying point guard.

Florida’s Nick Calathes was considered the most complete point guard.

Mississippi State’s Jarvis Varnado was the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

None of those has been the best player, however.

Here’s a hint: If you saw an opponent scurrying on the court, looking for this lethal weapon, he might be yelling: “Guard 54, Where Are You?”

The 54 refers to the amount of points Jodie Meeks scored on Tennessee in an improbable 18-point win at Thompson-Boling Arena last month.

Meeks, who averaged 8.8 points in an injury riddled 2007-08 season, hasn’t come close to duplicating that 54-point outburst, but he still leads the SEC in scoring at 25.1 points per game to rank among the nation’s top five.

And if you doubt his value, check out the final few minutes of Kentucky’s must-win home game against Florida. With Kentucky down by six with three minutes left, Meeks scored 10 points — including a remarkable trey with 4.7 seconds left — to lift his team to victory while Patterson was sidelined for the final nine minutes with an ankle injury.

Meeks is on pace to record the highest scoring average by an SEC player since 1991, when LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal scored at a 27.6 clip.

Who else would make the All-SEC team at the midway point?

The best player on the best team has been LSU’s Marcus Thornton. Thought to be a one-dimensional ball hog until this season, Thornton is averaging 20 points and playing solid defense.

Downey has sparked South Carolina to a first-place tie in the East Division with his 20-point scoring average and SEC-best 63 steals. He also averages 4.4 assists.

Calathes had 33 in a loss at Kentucky, and even though he missed clutch free throws at the end, he carried his team most of the game. He averages over 18 points, ranks first in the SEC in assists and shoots over 50 percent from the field.

Smith is the only SEC player who ranks in the top 20 in scoring, rebounds and assists.

Patterson is averaging over 18 points, leads the league in field-goal accuracy at 65 percent and is fourth in rebounding.

Honorable mention: Ole Miss guards David Huertas and Terrico White, Arkansas forward Michael Washington, LSU forward Tasmin Mitchell, Vanderbilt center AJ Ogilvy and Varnado.

Kentucky the king of 20-win seasons

I stumbled across a statistic this week that peaked my interest: Kentucky is on the verge of suffering double digit losses in a season for a record fourth year in a row.

Double digit losses are common in the SEC, just not at Kentucky.

I decided to research this in another direction: 20-win seasons are also common at Kentucky, but not so much at other SEC schools.

Here’s what I found: Kentucky has had a remarkable 53 20-win seasons, 52 since 1945.

No other team under the SEC umbrella has half that many 20-win seasons.

Alabama is next with 25, but just five in the last 13 years, when 20-win seasons are more commonplace and easier to achieve.

Tennessee has 21, all but one since 1965.

Vanderbilt has 16, all but one since 1965.

Arkansas has 28, but only 12 as an SEC team.

South Carolina has 14, seven as an SEC team.

LSU has 18, all but three since 1970. Florida and Mississippi State have 15 each. Georgia has 10. Ole Miss has nine. And Auburn has seven.

It’s hard to believe that Auburn, with as many star players as that program has produced, has so few 20-win seasons.

Regarding consecutive 20-win seasons, Kentucky leads the SEC with 17, a streak snapped last season.

Florida has the second-best 20-win streak at 10 (and counting) followed by Arkansas with nine on two different occasions. Alabama, LSU and Tennessee have had streaks of five, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt four, and Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss and South Carolina three each.

Georgia a “sleeping giant” in hoops

Chip Towers, who covers Georgia for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, said the chances of the Bulldogs hiring Bob Knight as coach are one percent.

Towers doesn’t see the merit in hiring a 68-year-old coach who won’t be around long. Instead, he expects Georgia to pursue a younger coach like UAB’s Mike Davis, Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel or VCU’s Anthony Grant.

Towers called the Georgia job a “sleeping giant” and said the reason the school hasn’t had more success or tradition is because it didn’t take hoops seriously. It will now, with a former basketball player, Damon Evans, as athletic director.

Considering Georgia’s recruiting base, Georgia might he the most underachieving basketball program in the SEC. In the past 10 years, the Bulldogs have had just one 20-win season, one NCAA Tournament win and one improbable SEC Tournament title.

Tubby Smith won 45 games in his two-year tenure, then left for Kentucky. Can’t blame him. But you wonder what Georgia would have achieved had Smith stayed.

Towers thinks Georgia made a huge mistake forcing out Hugh Durham in 1995. Durham, who took Florida State to the Final Four in 1972, took Georgia to the Final Four in 1983. He had four 20-win seasons and four more years of at least 18 wins. But in his last five seasons, he had just one winning record in SEC play, never won more than 18 games and mustered just one NCAA appearance.

Towers said Evans believes there’s no reason Georgia canât do in basketball what Tennessee has done under Bruce Pearl.

Ace Reporter: The SEC’s OverAchievers And UnderAchievers

jimmy — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:53:01 +0000

(Not to be confused with the Little Lebowski Urban Achievers.)

Even Darrin Horn is a bit surprised that South Carolina is off to such a solid start in SEC play.

The Gamecocks were picked to finish fifth in the East Division, but halfway through league play, Horn’s team is 6-3 and trailing only Florida in the East.

Horn admitted he wasn’t sure his team would be in this position, having inherited a team that lost 18 games last year and was 5-11 in SEC play.

“That’s a good question,” Horn said when asked if his team has achieved more than he anticipated.

Of course it has. South Carolina returned four starters, but the team seemed in disarray a year ago, losing by 33 points at Tennessee late in the year. But Horn’s uptempo style and fresh attitude have worked wonders.

“All the players have played above what they played in the past,” Horn said.

That’s a credit to Horn and his players. And it’s the reason the Gamecocks are talking NCAA, not NIT.

LSU coach Trent Johnson wasn’t sure about his team, either. The Tigers played a weak non-conference schedule — ranked 324 out of 344 teams — and opened SEC play with a loss at Alabama.

The Tigers haven’t lost since, ripping off seven consecutive wins to take over first-place in the regular-season race.

LSU starts three seniors, a fourth-year junior and a sophomore and has had the luxury of putting the same lineup on the court for 23 consecutive games.

Those are the feel-good stories in the SEC.

On the flip side, two SEC coaches have already been fired, nine teams have at least seven losses, only three teams are in the top 50 of the RPI (according to collegerpi.com) and just two teams are ranked among the top 80 in strength of schedule.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the SEC teams that have overachieved, underachieved and done about whatâs been expected, based on the media preseason poll.

The Overachievers

1. LSU — While I picked LSU to win the West, I didn’t expect the Tigers to be 19-4, to win at Tennessee and to lead the whole SEC at this point. Point guard Bo Spencer has been solid, Marcus Thornton has been more judicious with his shot selection and Brian Johnson has been an inside road block for opponents’ offenses with his 57 blocked shots. Tasmin Mitchell has come back with a vengeance from his season-ending injury.

2. South Carolina — Point guard Devon Downey has been outstanding, but Zam Fredrick, Mike Holmes and Dominique Archie have played well. Horn thinks Archie is one of the SEC’s most underrated players. “It doesn’t matter what his numbers are,” Horn said of Archie, “he impacts the game in a major way. He does so many things.”

3. Mississippi State — The Bulldogs, picked fourth in the West, went to a four-guard lineup in late December and the move has paid off brilliantly for Rick Stansbury. The Bulldogs are shooting an SEC-best 41 percent in SEC games and lead the league with 10.3 made treys per game. They made a school-record 16 threes last week against Arkansas. State’s quickness has been tough for opponents to combat and Jarvis Varnado has been an eraser inside with 112 blocks.

4. Ole Miss — The Rebels are 4-5 in SEC play despite losing three starting guards to injury. After an early 32-point home loss to LSU, coach Andy Kennedy’s team beat Kentucky in Oxford and Mississippi State in Starkville. Freshman point guard Terrico White has been one of the SEC’s pleasant surprises.

On Target

1. Florida — The Gators have a one-game lead in the loss column in the East. Florida’s 19 wins are tied for most in the SEC but the strength of schedule has been weak. The Gators have one of the league’s most efficient offenses, but a porous defense will spell trouble down the stretch. Nick Calathes is the best passer in the league.

2. Auburn — The Tigers were picked fifth in the West and that’s about where they’re headed. A win over Tennessee was big. Auburn starts three seniors and two juniors and should actually be better and more consistent. Jeff Lebo is on the hot seat.

3. Kentucky — After a 5-0 SEC start, the Wildcats had dreams of going unbeaten in league play. Then came a three-game losing streak as opponents figured out how to defend the lethal 1-2 punch of Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson. Kentucky continues to have problems at point guard.

4. Vanderbilt — The Commodores have 15 wins but they’re off the radar screen when it comes to NCAA tourney consideration. Vandy led the nation in field-goal defense through mid-January but the defense was exposed by Tennessee and Florida. Vandy has NIT written all over it.

5. Arkansas — The Hogs were overachievers after starting the season 12-1 and beating two top 10 teams at home. Then came SEC play and a 1-7 start. The Hogs have been a horrific 3-point shooting team in league play and inexperience has cost them some close games down the stretch. John Pelphrey’s team was picked last in the West.

The Underachievers

1. Tennessee — The Vols were a preseason Top 10 team and were expected to repeat as SEC regular-season champions. Instead, Bruce Pearl’s team has been inconsistent from 3-point range and on defense. And a press that was fearsome Pearl’s first three seasons is all but nonexistent. The Vols lost at home to Kentucky and LSU, hurting the team’s chances to wave another SEC banner.

2. Georgia — The Bulldogs weren’t supposed to be that good, but they weren’t supposed to be this bad. Dennis Felton hoped the team would ride the momentum of last season’s SEC Tournament title to contend for an NCAA Tournament berth. Didn’t happen. Felton got fired and the Dawgs are 0-8 in the SEC and riding the school’s longest losing streak since 1972-73.

3. Alabama — Shame on you, media, for picking the Crimson Tide to win the West. You must have felt Ronald Steele would return to his sophomore form. Not a chance. He bailed out on a sinking ship, Mark Gottfried got fired and the team is reeling with a 3-6 SEC mark, 13-10 overall.

SEC teams dance for position

The SEC has six teams in the running for NCAA Tournament bids — LSU, Florida, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky.

With the SEC ranked sixth among conferences in two different RPIs, it will interesting to see if the league gets four, five or six teams in the 65-team field.

While Tennessee (14-8) has the fewest wins of the six, it has the highest RPI (21) and the toughest strength of schedule (#2). Florida has a #30 RPI but is #100 in SOS. The Gamecocks are #43 in RPI and #82 in SOS. LSU is #52 in RPI and #117 in SOS. Kentucky is #74 in RPI and #91 in SOS. Mississippi State is #79 in RPI and #81 in SOS.

Ole Miss, which would have to reel off about five straight wins to join the conversation, is #63 in RPI and #18 in SOS. Vanderbilt, despite a 15-8 record, is just #93 in RPI, #104 in SOS. Arkansas is #98 in RPI, #101 in SOS. Auburn is #102 in RPI, #84 in SOS. Alabama is #137 in RPI, #87 in SOS. And Georgia is #214 in RPI, #98 in SOS.

Ace Reporter: Football OverAchievers… And UnderAchievers

jimmy — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:39:41 +0000

In 25 years of covering college recruiting, I’ve seen and heard some intriguing things.

I heard an attorney say he missed three days of work after his favorite team lost a commitment on signing day.

I’ve heard a prospect say he would pick the school that provided him with a private bathroom in his dorm room.

I’ve seen a high-profile player sign his letter of intent in a hot tub.

I’ve heard of a recruit thinking he was visiting Tennessee when he was actually visiting Tennessee-Chattanooga.

I heard a fan say he would rather finish #1 in recruiting and #10 in the final polls than #1 in the polls and #10 in recruiting.

I’ve heard of a prospect committing to four schools.

And I’ve heard people say winning is ALL about the players. I disagree.

It’s a lot about players, but it’s also about coaching.

The team with the best talent doesn’t always win (re: Arkansas over LSU, Ole Miss over Florida, Wyoming over Tennessee, Vanderbilt over South Carolina.)

This much I know: I’d rather sign 20 five-star players than 20 three-star players, but plenty of five-star players won’t be as good as many of the three-star players.

Want evidence? Check the research of Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News.

Of the 25 first-team 2008 Associated Press All-Americans, 48 percent received three or fewer stars out of a five-star system. And only 44 percent of the All-Americans were ranked as a top-10 high school player at his position.

With that in mind I decided to evaluate the top 25 recruiting classes over the past five years — again using Solomon’s research — relative to their on-field performance. Solomon rated the top 25 teams in recruiting based on Rivals.com ratings.

Here are those ratings:

1. USC
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Florida State
5. Oklahoma
6. (tie) LSU and Michigan
8. Miami
9. Ohio State
10. Texas
11. Alabama
12, Auburn
13. Tennessee
14. Notre Dame
15. Nebraska
16. (tie) Texas A&M and California
18. South Carolina
19. Penn State
20. Clemson
21. Oregon
22. UCLA
23. Ole Miss
24. Virginia Tech
25. Maryland.

Keep in mind, this does NOT include teams that didn’t make the top 25 in recruiting, like Utah, Boise State, and TCU.

Here are the six teams that did the most with the least.

1. Virginia Tech. The Hokies barely made the recruiting top 25, yet Frank Beamer’s team has won three ACC titles and at least 10 games each of the past five years. They’ve been to three BCS bowls.

2. Penn State. Despite a #19 ranking, the Nittany Lions of Joe Paterno have won two Big Ten titles and averaged 10 wins over the past four years. Paterno has also gone 3-1 in bowl games during that time.

3. Ohio State. Based on NFL talent and BCS results, you wouldn’t have the Buckeyes as overachievers. Based on recruiting rankings, you would. Ohio State comes in #9 in recruiting but Jim Tressel has won four Big Ten titles, played in four BCS games and two national championship games.

4. Texas. You can’t call Mack Brown’s Longhorns underachievers. Texas ranks #10 in recruiting, yet has won 56 games the past five years, one national title and three BCS games (two Rose Bowls and a Fiesta Bowl).

5. California. The Bears have averaged more than eight wins over the past five seasons, and won four bowls. That’s pretty good stuff, considering Cal was 1-10 as recently as 2001. Kudos to Jeff Tedford.

6. Oregon. The Ducks have averaged almost nine wins the past four seasons under Mike Bellotti and won back-to-back bowls. A win over USC in 2007 was a huge highlight.

Honorable mention: Auburn.

Here is a look at the six teams that have underachieved.

1. Miami. Of the top 10 teams in recruiting, Miami is the only one that hasn’t won a conference title. It’s one of two teams that hasn’t mustered a 10-win season. The Hurricanes have only 19 wins over the last three seasons.

2. Florida State. The Seminoles have won one ACC title since 2004, keeping Bobby Bowden ahead of Miami. But the Seminoles have won just 23 games over the past three years, and Bowden has fallen behind Paterno on the all-time wins list.

3. Michigan. The Wolverines went 11-2 in 2006 and won a share of the Big Ten, but that’s the lone 10-win season over the five-year span. A 3-9 record last year and a loss to Division 1-AA Appalachian State are the low water marks.

4. Georgia. With a #3 in recruiting, I was initially tempted to put Georgia at the top of this dubious list. But I couldn’t ignore that Mark Richt’s team has recorded four 10-win seasons and four top-10 rankings in the past five seasons.

5. Notre Dame. Charlie Weis looked like a great hire when he took the Irish to 19 wins and two BCS bowls in his first two seasons. Since then, Notre Dame has won only 10 games and Weis is on the hot seat.

6. Alabama. The Crimson Tide has had two 10-win seasons since 2004, but three seasons with no more than seven wins. Nick Saban’s 12-0 start to last season and one-sided victories over Clemson and Georgia have Alabama pointed in the right direction.

Dishonorable mention: Tennessee, Clemson, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and UCLA.

Ace Reporter: SEC More Unpredictable Than Ever

jimmy — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:15:06 +0000

Last week, I thought Kentucky was the best team in the SEC.

The Wildcats were 5-0 in league play, won at Tennessee by 18, had the best 1-2 punch in the league and led the nation in field-goal shooting.

Then Billy Gillispie’s team lost to two second-tier teams in the SEC — Ole Miss and South Carolina.

At least, I thought Ole Miss and South Carolina were second tier teams.

How do you figure Ole Miss? The Rebels lose three starting guards in a guard-centric game, fall at home to LSU by 32, then beat Kentucky and Mississippi State. It was just the Rebels third win in Starkville since 1984.

South Carolina, which lost by 17 at LSU and trailed Tennessee by 19 in Knoxville, beat Florida and won in Lexington for the second time in history.

Tennessee, a team that can’t shoot threes, nailed 12 from beyond the arc to rout Florida after losing four of five at home.

Now, it appears LSU — my preseason pick to win the West — might be the SECâs best team. One AP voter has the Tigers #22 in his poll. But LSU isn’t ranked in the overall poll.

Neither is any other SEC team, the first time thatâs happened in 20 years.

But who knows anything at this point?

I like LSU because it has a veteran lineup and a first-year coach pushing the right buttons. Trent Johnson has the Tigers playing solid defense with discipline. He’s also found a much-needed point guard in Bo Spencer.

Still, I’ve never seen the SEC so unpredictable. I’ve never seen it harder to project.

And the fun has just begun.

We’re one-third of the way through conference play and we’ve got four teams tied in the loss column atop the East Division and two solid teams in the West who are capable of making a run to the Big Dance.

Who says the SEC might only get three teams in the NCAA Tournament? It could be five or six.

Who says the best team in the SEC couldn’t beat the top eight teams in the Big East? (Oh, it was Dick Vitale who said that. Did he forget Tennessee has already beaten Marquette and Georgetown?).

The East race will be intriguing in that Florida and South Carolina have better point guards than Kentucky and Tennessee, but Kentucky and Tennessee have better front-court players. Florida canât defend, South Carolina has no inside punch, Kentucky canât hold onto the ball and Tennessee canât shoot from outside.

Should be some race.

The two best teams in the West have good young point guards — Spencer at LSU and Dee Bost at MSU. Will they hold up through the grind that is the SEC?

The league has at least eight teams ranked among the nation’s 50 youngest in terms of experience.

That bodes well for the future of the league. It also suggests more wild upsets for this season.

Here are my rankings of the best teams in the SEC:

1. LSU
2. Kentucky
3. Tennessee
4. Florida
5. South Carolina
6. Mississippi State
7. Ole Miss
8. Vanderbilt
9. Auburn
10. Alabama
11. Arkansas
12. Georgia

Keep reading for more on Bobby Knight and Georgia rumors… on Billy Donovan’s rationale for using more zone… and more.

Will Georgia make Knight-mare hire?

Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight has expressed an interest in the Georgia job.

He said he would be able to recruit and compete with anybody.

If Georgia were to hire Knight, it would make a big splash. The Bulldogs would win the press conference. They would get national attention. They would have the winningest coach in men’s college history.

But would Knight win at Georgia?

Not really. Knight would certainly win more than the ousted Dennis Felton. But he would have an uphill climb trying to push past Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee in the East Division standings.

Remember, Knight hasn’t won a conference title since 1993 and his six Texas Tech teams never finished higher than third in the Big 12. He’s over the hill.

Hiring Knight at Georgia would be like hiring Steve Spurrier at South Carolina. Spurrier has a better winning percentage than Lou Holtz did at USC, but he’s not the coach he used to be and he’ll never make a serious run at the East Division title.

Knight, like Spurrier, has seen his better days. And he won’t have any more success at Georgia than he did at Texas Tech.

Donovan goes zone to hide weakness

Florida has one of the worst defenses in the SEC.

After watching the Gators get exploited by Tennessee, it’s easy to see why. Coach Billy Donovanâs team isn’t very quick, isn’t very long and isn’t very intense.

Donovan said heâs playing more zone than he can recall.

“A lot of it has got to do with (lack of) quickness and foot speed,” Donovan said. “We’re not an overly big or strong team.”

Donovan said he tried playing man-to-man defense earlier this season but the Gators weren’t as “effective as we wanted to be â¦ we couldn’t do it.”

Donovan said he believes in taking advantage of strengths and hiding weaknesses. But if your team isn’t very good in man or zone defense, that’s hard to hide.

And if you don’t play good defense, you won’t win the SEC.

Free Throws

* In South Carolina’s upset of Kentucky, the Gamecocks offset the Wildcats’ 52.1 percent shooting by attempting 28 more field goals.

* Kentucky has committed at least 20 turnovers in nine games compared to five all of last season.

* When Tennessee’s Scotty Hopson or Cameron Tatum score in double figures, the Vols are 10-3. When neither does, UT is 3-4.

* Donovan says Tennessee is a top five team when it shoots well and that Hopson is an NBA talent. “He’s as gifted as any player in the league, regardless of class,” Donovan said.

* Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings said the SEC is at “an all-time young” while some conferences are at an all-time high. “People seem to be making a big deal about it and taking shots at us,” Stallings said. “Thatâs OK because we’ll be back.”

* Ole Miss freshman point guard Terrico White, who replaced the injured Chris Warren at the point, is one of the best young talents in the SEC.

Ace Reporter: Alabama Job Better Than Georgia’s… And More

jimmy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:20:04 +0000

Alabama coach Mark Gottfried was fired four-and-a-half years after taking the Crimson Tide to its one and only Elite Eight appearance.

Georgia coach Dennis Felton was fired 20 games after he led Georgia to the SEC Tournament championship.

I can’t recall two SEC basketball coaches getting the axe in January.

Did somebody forget this is a football conference?

The expectations of fans and administrators — and the money coaches make — has shortened the patience level even for basketball coaches.

One thing that really hurt Gottfried were the injuries to star point guard Ronald Steele, who hasnât done much the past two-and-a-half years, then abruptly quit early this month in apparent conflict with Gottfried.

Should Steele be allowed to return to the team now that Gottfried’s gone?

Absolutely not. Unless Gottfried badgered Steele — and there’s evidence that he did — then Steele must lie in the bed he made. Maybe Steele was trying to make things easier for his younger brother (a true freshman on the team).

No matter. Allowing Steele to return sends the wrong message — that a player can dictate whether a coach is kept or fired. That might happen in the NBA. It should never happen in college.

Regarding Felton, whom I liked as a coach at Western Kentucky, his misfortune apparently was being too uncompromising. He lost for various reasons players like Mike Mercer, Billy Humphrey and Channing Toney, and signed a terrific high school player, Louis Williams, who went pro. Felton was unable to overcome those defections and the NCAA probation riddled program he inherited.

Felton will resurface as a coach at a smaller school. And heâll have success. But you wonder if he’ll have to go Tom Coughlin and lighten up to succeed at a high level.

So, which is the better job: Georgia or Alabama?

Georgia has more prospects in the surrounding area but little tradition.

Alabama has much more tradition — and no shortage of talent.

Georgia is 5-8 in eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Alabama is 18-18 in 18 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Georgia has one SEC Championship. Alabama has seven.
Georgia has one SEC Tournament title. Alabama has six.

Georgia has 1,245 all-time wins and a win percentage of .520.
Alabama has 1,476 all-time wins and a win percentage of .624.

So the best job: Alabama.

Donovan disagrees with prospect definition

Count Florida coach Billy Donovan among the coaches who disagrees with an NCAA proposal to declare a seventh grader a prospective prospect.

Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie seemed to stir the pot in that direction by offering eighth graders a scholarship. Donovan thinks itâs unwise to go after such young kids.

“We’re in a bad cycle of recruiting because kids are making decisions earlier and earlier about where to go to school, and the transfer rate is at an all-time high,ââ Donovan said. “We’re not getting a chance to know the kid and the kid isnât getting a chance to know you.ââ

Donovan said college coaches are able to work camps with seventh and eighth graders, thus the process starts sooner than it should.

Mitch Barnhart, athletic director at Kentucky, defended Gillispie’s practice of offering to eighth and ninth graders because Gillispie has targeted good kids from two parent homes.

Donovan said it can be “very flatteringââ for a seventh or eighth grader to get an offer from a major college, but it’s “not the best thing for kids that young.ââ

LSU’s all-time best 5 is the best in SEC

During the LSU at Tennessee game, I sat on press row behind Collis Temple Sr, the first black player to don an LSU uniform. He played in the early 1970s.

Temple has had three sons play for LSU, with one having been recruited to Navy by former Tennessee coach Don DeVoe.

I asked Temple if he would play in Saturday’s alumni game as part of the 100th anniversary of LSU basketball. He laughed and said no. He’s in his mid-50s, not the age to be running up and down the court.

But the gala is expected to attract more than 150 former LSU players and LSU’s all-century team will be announced. I’m going to guess Pete Maravich, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Jackson and Bob Pettit will make the team. The other might be Rudy Macklin.

While LSU’s basketball tradition pales to that of Kentucky, nobody in the SEC could put a better all-time starting five on the court than LSU. Nobody. Not Kentucky, not Tennessee, not Florida or Auburn or Alabama.

Kent Lowe, LSU’s basketball sports information director, told me O’Neal was upset that he has a game with the Suns on Saturday and canât make the alumni game.

Can you imagine O’Neal posting up against Stanley Roberts or trying to dunk over John Williams?

One reason for the great turnout of ex-Tigers is the departure of former LSU coach John Brady, who, according to Baton Rouge media, never embraced Dale Brown or his players. That’s a 25-year gap.

New coach Trent Johnson has taken a different approach. He’s reached out to Brown and his former players. He’s made them feel welcome.

That PR move should pay dividends when Johnson hits a bumpy road during his tenure with the Tigers. Brady never built up much good will. And that’s one reason he was fired less than two years after taking LSU to the Final Four.

Benefits to starting same lineup

LSU has had the same starting lineup for all 20 games. Several SEC teams have had more than six different lineups.

Is there an advantage to having the same starters for all — or most — of a season?

Donovan doesnât think so.

I do.

Donovan says too many variables are at play. You could change the lineup for a certain matchup, or because a guy isn’t play well, or another guy is playing well, or due to an injury.

That’s my point. If you don’t change your lineup, that probably means youâre starters are playing well. It probably means you donât have to adjust for matchups, that you’re not having injuries, and, more importantly, that you’re winning.

Of course, it could mean you have such a weak bench, you don’t have an option.

Still, give me a team that starts the same lineup over 30 games over a team that uses six to eight different lineups. My bet is the team thatâs juggling the starters is the team that is looking for missing pieces or suffering injuries.

Tennessee student turnout dwindling

For the first time in Bruce Pearl’s four seasons at Tennessee, the Vols are struggling. They have lost four of five at home after a record 37-game home win streak. They have dropped out of the Top 25 after being a preseason top 10 pick. They are fourth in the East Division after being selected to repeat as SEC champions.

And Pearl has gone through more lineups than Baskin Robbins has flavors.

Pearl clearly raised the bar for basketball at Tennessee by going 3-1 against the two-time national champion Florida Gators, by finishing ahead of Kentucky each of his first three seasons, by garnering a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and be achieving a #1 ranking for the first time in Tennessee history.

Before the LSU game on Wednesday, Tennessee was ranked second in the nation in attendance to Kentucky — UT’s best mark ever.

But the attendance figures are destined to decline. Why? Student apathy.

Pearl proclaimed the LSU game a must-win in an effort to win the SEC regular season title. The Vols needed to defend their home court.

How did students respond? Only 761 showed up out of an allotment of about 3,000. The lower bowl accommodates 1,500 students, leaving a prime area half empty.

Pearl has purchased 3,000 tickets to give to students hoping to boost Saturday night’s attendance for the Florida game.

This year, for the first time, Tennessee varied the student allotment depending on the game, using previous year projections. Those tickets taken from the normal student allotment went on sale to the general public.

It’s interesting that the contest against Gonzaga — the first game back after the Christmas break — attracted 4,501 students while the game against rival Kentucky drew only 2,709 students — 100 more than attended the UT-Chattanooga game.

More than 3,200 showed up for Memphis, but only 1,073 saw South Carolina.

Of the 12 home games, the LSU game ranked 10th in student attendance and was the third game which had fewer than 800 students.

Is that an indication students have given up on this UT team? Perhaps.

Is it an indication UT will alter its ticket allotment to students? Yes.

“Weâll keep trying to tweak it,ââ said John Currie, associate athletic director.

Ace Reporter: Rating The SEC’s Football Coaches

jimmy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:05:21 +0000

In the last two months, football coaches have hopped from one SEC school to another faster than a rabbit in a mine field.

In fact, I can’t ever remember this many moves within the SEC in a single season.

Tennessee hired assistants from South Carolina, Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State, and also got a strength coach from South Carolina while almost landing Georgia’s ace recruiter.

Mississippi State hired as its head coach the offensive coordinator at Florida, who brought with him an assistant from Florida.

Auburn hired Tracy Rocker from Ole Miss, which then hired Rocker’s cousin (from Auburn) to replace him.

Alabama lost a top recruiter to Tennessee, then raided Auburn’s staff for a former Tiger player who is an outstanding recruiter.

For the second year in a row, South Carolina hired a defensive coordinator from Arkansas. The Gamecocks also hired a former star running back from Tennessee.

LSU hired a 20-year assistant from Tennessee and a secondary coach from South Carolina.

Raise your hand if you didn’t hire a coach from South Carolina?

Steve Spurrier lost four assistants and a strength coach from his 2008 staff.

These changes don’t include SEC teams bringing back into the league Trooper Taylor and Carl Torbush.

With National Signing Day just over a week away, you’d think the SEC coach jumping has stopped. These days, you never know.

Now that the staffs appear to be complete, let’s rank the SEC football coaches.

1. Florida coach Urban Meyer. It’s hard to argue with what heâs done. Not only did he win at Bowling Green and Utah, he’s won two national championships in the last three years at Florida.

He will be favored by many to win a third in four years, matching what Nebraska did in the 1990s.

Meyer has proven the spread option works in the SEC. And he’s on his way to supplanting Steve Spurrier as the greatest coach in Gator history. He’s a better recruiter than Spurrier and maybe a better big-game coach.

2. Alabama coach Nick Saban. Saban proved he’s a terrific recruiter at LSU and Alabama. He proved he can maximize his talent this past season at Alabama. He won a national championship at LSU and left another title for Les Miles. And, like Meyer, Saban has proven he can win at more than one program.

Two knocks on Saban: He’s a bear (and I don’t mean Bryant) to coach for and he’s never had back-to-back 10-win seasons.

3. Georgia coach Mark Richt. Georgia has been in the top 10 six of the last seven years – more than any other SEC program. And while Richt has averaged more than 10 wins in his eight years in Athens , his recent teams have had a tendency to flop in some big games.

It will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs respond to losing early to the NFL draft quarterback Matt Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno.

4. LSU coach Les Miles. Yes he makes some head-scratching decisions, and yes he won with mostly Saban’s talent his first three years. But I’ve got to give him some credit for winning a national championship, winning 34 games his first three seasons and routing each of his four bowl opponents.

Last season, LSU limped home to an 8-5 record. Miles made a mistake by naming co-defensive coordinators, but he fixed that problem by hiring John Chavis from Tennessee . And LSU didn’t have a quarterback. Ask Tennessee and Auburn what that’s like. This season will go a long way in defining Miles as LSU’s coach.

5. Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt. He did a terrific job last season with Ed Orgeron’s talent… winning at Florida, winning at LSU and capturing the Cotton Bowl over a one-loss top-10 team from the Big 12. After a 3-4 start, the Rebels won six in a row.

But can Nutt sustain that success? Can he recruit enough good players? His recruiting at Arkansas was inconsistent. So were his records. He did win at least eight games in six of his 10 years at Arkansas. If he can do that at Ole Miss, he’ll be the program’s best coach since John Vaught.

6. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. Once compared to Bear Bryant, Spurrier’s stock has plummeted like Wall Street. In four years at Columbia, he’s 28-22 with a losing record in SEC play. He’s lost two in a row to Vanderbilt. In 12 seasons at Florida, he lost 27 games.

What’s more, the biggest problem at South Carolina has been offense, not defense. And it appeared as though several players quit on him last year.

7. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino. I almost put Petrino ahead of Spurrier, but Petrino’s track record isn’t long enough. He had great success at Louisville against Big East competition. Can he do it in the SEC? Time will tell. Hog fans should be encouraged that he beat Auburn, Tulsa and LSU.

8. Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson. I wonder what Johnson could do if he had the talent of the upper tier teams in the SEC. Heck, I wonder what he would do if he had the talent of South Carolina and Ole Miss. He’s beaten Spurrier two years in a row and knocked off the Rebels last season. He also won the school’s first bowl game in 53 years. He’s a solid coach at a behind-the-eight-ball program.

9. Kentucky coach Rich Brooks. Brooks has done something no other Kentucky coach has done — won three bowl games in three seasons. You’ve got to go back to the Bear Bryant days (1949-51) to find the last time Kentucky played in three consecutive bowls. Brooks took over a terrible program on probation and has turned it into a competitive SEC team with decent athletes.

10. Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin. You can question Kiffin’s resume, but he has put together a strong staff of recruiters (although Ed Orgeronhas already been cited for a secondary recruiting violation). Kiffin’s charge will be to fix an offense that was one of the nation’s worst in 2008. If Lane can get production out of his quarterback, Tennessee should win at least eight games this season. While you’ve got to praise the hire of defensive guru Monte Kiffin, don’t expect the defense to be as good this season due to a new system and personnel losses.

11. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen. If you believe that you should scratch where it itches, then Mullen was the right choice for a program that has been deficient on offense since Sly Croom arrived five years ago. Mullen doesn’t have the offensive talent yet to make much noise, but he is a good play caller who should attract a good quarterback.

12. Auburn coach Gene Chizik. His record at Iowa State is hard to overlook, but he was considered a tremendous defensive coordinator — just as Will Muschamp is today — who helped Auburn to an undefeated season and Texas to a national championship. Chizik hired a solid staff. But he doesn’t have enough tools on offense to threaten just yet.

Ace Reporter: Not Enough Good Freshmen Or Seniors In The SEC

John — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:16:48 +0000

In the latest RPI, the Southeastern Conference in men’s basketball is seventh – as in, you stink in hoops.

Who would have thought that after Florida won back-to-back national championships that the league would sink this low?

Pat Forde of ESPN.com said he thinks the SEC is down because it doesn’t have many real good seniors or freshmen.

After researching that premise, we agree.

The SEC is not only void of quality seniors, it doesn’t have many seniors at all. Only 11 starters are seniors out of a possible 60.

Six schools — Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt — either don’t have a scholarship senior or don’t have a senior that’s playing.

Two of the worst teams in the SEC – Alabama and Auburn – combine to start five seniors. What does that say? I’m not sure.

You might suggest it indicates that if you’re still around for your senior year, you’re not a good player.

But that’s not always true.

Look at the seniors that graced the SEC last season. Vanderbilt’s Shan Foster averaged 20.3 points per game. Kentucky’s Joe Crawford (17.9) and Mississippi State’s Charles Rhodes (17.4) averaged over 17. Chris Lofton of Tennessee, Ramel Bradley of Kentucky, Quan Prowell of Auburn and Sonny Weems of Arkansas each averaged at least 15.

Dwayne Curtis of Ole Miss, Mykal Riley of Alabama, JaJuan Smith of Tennessee and Sundiata Gaines of Georgia each averaged at least 14.4 points, while Auburn’s Frank Tolbert averaged 13.4.

Halfway through this season, the seniors haven’t been as productive.

LSU’s Marcus Thornton is the top scorer (17.9 points) among seniors. Zam Fredrick of South Carolina averages 16.2. No other senior is over 14 points. Alonzo Gee of Alabama, Terrence Woodbury of Georgia, Ronald Steele of Alabama, Kovortney Barber of Auburn each average between 12.6 points and 14.5 points.

Other top seniors this season: Walter Hodge of Florida, Garrett Temple and Chris Johnson of LSU, Quantez Robertson of Auburn.

As you can see, the top 10 seniors this season don’t compare to the top 10 seniors of last year.

You could say the same for the elite freshmen.

How about this for an All-Freshman team: Patrick Patterson of Kentucky, AJ Ogilvy of Vanderbilt, Nick Calathes of Florida, Anthony Randolph of LSU and Chris Warren of Ole Miss. Each averaged more than 15 points.

Ogilvy was at 17 with 6.7 rebounds. Calathes led the SEC with 6.1 assists. Patterson grabbed 7.7 rebounds. Randolph averaged 8.5 rebounds and became a first-round NBA draft pick. Warren dished out 4.5 assists per game.

This year’s crop doesn’t compare. Arkansas’ Courtney Fortson is the only one averaging 15 points per game: he’s at 15.0 points with 6.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds.

Georgia’s Trey Thompkins is having a solid year at 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds. Jeffrey Taylor of Vanderbilt is averaging 12.3 points, Rotnei Clarks of Arkansas 11.5, JaMychal Green of Alabama 8.6 points and 7.0 rebounds, and Scotty Hopson of Tennessee 8.6 points.

Point guard Dee Bost of Mississippi State is averaging 4.6 assists and has helped his team to a 3-0 start in the SEC.

Point guard Terrico White of Ole Miss has averaged 20 points in the last two games replacing the injured Warren.

With a drop in talent, we’ve seen a drop in performance.

Maybe the SEC will cycle back up next season. But this season, the league might have to make do with as few as three or four teams in the NCAA Tournament.

You can blame seniority – and a shortage of precocious freshmen.

Johnson was overcoaching Mitchell

After LSU junior forward Tasmin Mitchell exploded last week for 30- and 17-point outings, first-year coach Trent Johnson blamed himself for Mitchell not being more productive earlier.

“At times, I sort of hurt him or hindered him,” Johnson said.

What did Johnson mean? Simply that he was overcoaching Mitchell, who missed all but a few games last season due to a knee injury.

“Tas was always looking over (to the bench), wanting to know what the call was,” Johnson said.

Finally, Johnson just figured: “If you throw it in to him, he’ll just score.”

That’s been the case in recent games.

“He gets as much out of his game for a guy that’s not explosive as anyone I’ve seen,” Johnson said. “He scores in a multitude of ways.”

Calathes helped by Greek National Team experience

Florida coach Billy Donovan was asked if he thought guard Nick Calathes benefited from playing last summer with the Greek National Team.

The answer, basically, was yes. But the explanation was a bit surprising.

You figured Donovan would say international experience helped Calathes grow as a player. Not so. It’s what Calathes didn’t have that helped the most, Donovan said.

Donovan wanted Calathes to be in Gainesville the second semester of summer school to work with his teammates and become a leader.

But Calathes spent that time in Greece.

“Going through that experience, I hope he’s thankful and appreciative of what he has,” Donovan said. “He didn’t have rapport with any (Greek) players. He didn’t know the coaches. It was a different style, a different system, a different role.”

Donovan pointed out that Calathes was in a foreign country where he had a language barrier, even when it came to finding a place to eat.

“I hope he came back and appreciates playing in his home state and enjoys playing with his teammates and playing a lot,” Donovan said.

Stallings surprised by Vandy defense

Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings was caught off guard to find his team ranked #1 in the nation in field goal defense last week.

“It’s been quite a surprise, to be honest with you, with our youth,” Stallings said. “Our players bought into what we asked them to do from a defensive standpoint. They’re an extremely coachable group.”

Stallings said the Commodores are more athletic and longer than in previous years. But he added: “We’re still maybe not as athletic as some people we compete against.”

Ace Reporter: UT Needs More In-Your-Face Defense

jimmy — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:05:01 +0000

In the aftermath of a disappointing 18-point home loss to Kentucky, Tennessee assistant Jason Shay tried to make light of a tough situation.

“I think if Jodie Meeks doesn’t play,” Shay said, “we’d have won the game 72-36.”

Alas, Meeks did play, and the brilliant junior guard set a Kentucky school and Thompson-Boling arena record with 54 points.

Tennessee couldn’t stop him.

And the Vols haven’t been able to stop several high powered backcourt players this season. An opponent has scored a career-high six times against Tennessee this season – five of them guards. And six different guards have scored at least 26 points.

That underscores the biggest problem for these underachieving Vols – lack of defense.

Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl says the problem is fixable.

But is it? Tennessee tried six different defenders on Meeks. None had success, although I think Bobby Maze held Meeks without a basket for 45 seconds.

“Maze did a good job (on Meeks),” Shay said. “We told him, `You have no other responsibility than to put your nose on his numbers.”’

That only worked for a short period of time.

If you keep getting burned by perimeter players, that tells me you don’t have the personnel to stop them – or your players aren’t trying. And I don’t think it’s a lack of effort.

How do you fix that? Can you get a fifth year of eligibility for JaJuan Smith?

Maze seemed to play solid defense earlier this season and Josh Tabb is supposed to be a defensive stopper. Neither has played good defense over the past few weeks.

“If we shore up our defense,” Shay said, “we can turn it around.”

In Tennessee’s five losses, each opponent has shot over 50 percent from the field.

“You can’t give up 50 percent shooting this day and age, not with the 3-point line,” said Pat Forde of ESPN.com. “I know they want to play at a certain tempt, but you can’t sacrifice defense along the way.”

It was evident that Kentucky was playing with more energy than the Vols.

“Kentucky has a lot of pride,” Shay said. “I’m sure they’re tired of hearing about Tennessee and Bruce Pearl. They were hungrier than we were.”

You wonder if this Tennessee team isn’t as hungry as it needs to be. You wonder if some of the talented newcomers play with a chip on their shoulder the way Dane Bradshaw, JaJuan Smith and Chris Lofton did.

I asked Pat Forde if Pearl is better off coaching a less talented team that is motivated or a more talented team that isn’t quite so hungry.

“That’s a good question,” Forde said. “I think he (Pearl) thrives a little bit off the underdog role and gets players who thrive off that. But I think every coach in the history of sport will tell you, `Give me more talent and I’ll take my chances.’

“If you want to play for it all, you want talented players. Maybe you can make them hungry or they’re already hungry on their own. But talent is the bottom line. You’ve got to have players who are really, really good. So I wouldn’t tell him to change his ways in recruiting.”

Perimeter defense isn’t the only concern. Three-point shooting has been horrible. The Vols are making 27 percent from long range over the last 10 games.

Shay said UT is down two made threes per game, or six points per game. Shay said UT’s guards shoot well from 3-point range in practice but it isn’t always carrying over to games.

“We need guys to have confidence making the threes,” Shay said. “When the game is on the line, they’ve gotta step up and make it.”

Shay said Kentucky packed in it and left open the outside shot against certain Vols, in essence, playing zone out a man to man.

One thing that seemed to bother Shay was that when Gonzaga snapped Tennessee’s 37-game home winning streak last week, “one guy tried to step up” – Wayne Chism, who had 19 rebounds.

“Hess was battling as best he could to preserve the win streak,” Shay said.

That’s a compliment to Chism. But what does it say about his teammates?

Ace Reporter: Meeks Better Now Than In High School

jimmy — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:57:06 +0000

Georgia coach Dennis Felton coveted Jodie Meeks as a prospect.

Meeks is from Norcross, Georgia, but he picked Kentucky over UGA.

“We wanted him very, very, very badly,” Felton said. “I always had tremendous respect for his fierce competitiveness and toughness and fight.”

Felton then had this observation.

“If he had a hole in his game, it was shooting from the perimeter,” Felton said. “He did start to turn the corner (as a shooter) in high school. But he didn’t exhibit the ability to shoot outside like now.”

Meeks is the SEC’s top scorer and 3-point shooter. And he made 10 of 15 treys against Tennessee.

Ace Reporter: Is Varnado The Best Shot-Blocker Ever?

jimmy — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:54:02 +0000

Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings has seen enough of Mississippi State jumping-jack Jarvis Varnado to pay him a high compliment.

“He’s probably the most prolific shot blocker in college basketball history,” Stallings said.

My first reaction: Stallings is crazy.

After doing some research, maybe Stallings isn’t so far off.

The SEC has been keeping shot blocking stats since 1984. No SEC player blocked more shots in a season than Varnado’s 157 last year. LSU’s Shaquille OoNeal blocked 157 in four fewer games in 1992. O’Neal also blocked 140 as a sophomore and 115 as a freshman.

Varnado (6-9, 203) has blocked a nation’s best 90 shots. That’s more than eight SEC teams. That’s double the #2 shot blocker in the SEC, Kentucky’s Perry Stevenson at 39.

And Varnado is on pace to shatter his mark from a year ago. he averaged 4.6 blocks per game last year. This year, he’s averaging 5.4.

He might indeed go down as the SEC’s top shot blocker ever.

Vanderbilt will see him up close tomorrow night in Starkville.

Ace Reporter: ESPN’s Forde Talks SEC Basketball

John — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:04:21 +0000

In today’s column:

ESPN’s Pat Forde changes his SEC favorite,

More on Jodie Meeks’ 54,

UK fans are paranoid,

ESPN hates everybody,

and Florida has replace Marreese Speight’s numbers, but not his presence.

Like the rest of us, sportswriter Pat Forde of ESPN.com is entitled to change his mind.

After one look at Kentucky versus Tennessee, he has.

Before this season, Forde picked Tennessee to win the SEC.

“I thought Tennessee was definitely the best team in the league,” Forde said.

But after Kentucky’s 90-72 win at Thompson-Boling Arena, Forde is going in a different direction.

“You lose by 18 in Knoxville,” Forde said, “I am going to change my mind. I’d say Kentucky looks as good as anybody.

“Right now, Tennessee has not lived up to what I thought it would be and Kentucky has probably exceeded what I thought it would be after that horrible start against VMI. I’d say Kentucky is the team to beat.”

Meeks is The Man

Kentucky is the team to beat because of the emergence of junior guard Jodie Meeks, who has come out of nowhere to lead the SEC in scoring at 25.2 points per game.

As a freshman, Meeks averaged 8.7 points and shot 42 percent from the field. As a sophomore, he suffered with a misdiagnosed sports hernia and played just 11 games, averaging 8.8 points and shooting 31 percent from the field.

The coaching staff questioned his injury, his toughness and his commitment.

No more.

Meeks showed up injury free and in shape this season, and he’s shaped Kentucky into the favorite to win the SEC.

His 54-point outburst at Tennessee on Tuesday night broke a Kentucky scoring record and an arena record. He hit 15 of 22 shots, 10 of 15 treys and all 14 free throws as the Vols threw six different defenders on him.

It’s the greatest individual performance I’ve seen in the 21-year history of Thompson-Boling Arena.

What did Forde think?

“It’s No. 1 from what I’ve seen in person,” Forde said. “It was just remarkable in terms of a single game. To go out and be so totally dominant, so locked in, so zoned in, and on fire, and there was nothing they could do to stop you.

“It wasn’t a great defensive effort, but it wasn’t an atrocious effort. He was just simply on a different level than any other college basketball player I’ve ever seen.”

Forde said he knew Meeks was a great shooter, and he felt Meeks and power forward Patrick Patterson would make for a strong 1-2 punch with Patterson being the “lead dog.”

But from Meeks’ debut with 39 points, he’s been on a remarkable role.

“I never expected this out of him,” Forde said. “It’s been something to watch.”

C.M. Newton, the former Alabama and Vanderbilt coach, watched Meeks’ incredible shooting display from press row. Newton once saw first hand another pretty fair shooting effort – that night in 1970 when Pete Maravich set an SEC record by scoring 69 against Newton’s Crimson Tide.

If college basketball had had a 3-point line back then, “Maravich might have had 100,” Newton said.

Newton said Meeks’ effort was the most impressive performance he’d ever seen. Newton was struck by Meeks’ stamina, playing 39 minutes and working so hard to get open as the Vols’ focused on his every move, particularly in the second half.

The SEC is flat down

Forde has been struck by how poor the SEC is this season.

In the most recent RPI, the SEC doesn’t have a team in the top 30 while 12 other conferences are represented.

“That’s unbelievable to me,” Forde said.

Forde said he can’t remember the SEC being this down.

“There have been a few other lean years,” Forde said, “but right now, to have nobody who is really a contender at all, that’s really surprising to me. You’re not looking at anybody who is a top five seed at this point. If these teams keep beating each other up, nobody is going to rise to that high. It is a disappointing year.”

In this year of transition for the SEC, Forde said he might have pinpointed a reason why the league is struggling.

“There’s no great seniors and no great freshmen in the league right now,” Forde said. “I think you’ve got to have a little bit of both.”

Forde thinks three SEC coaches are on the hot seat: Dennis Felton at Georgia, Mark Gottfried at Alabama and Jeff Lebo at Auburn.

Passion and Paranoia

Forde said Kentucky fans have “great passion and great paranoia” about their basketball team.

For example, Forde said there is a Kentucky website that lists the schools’ won-loss record with every official that has ever called a Wildcats’ game.

ESPN hates everybody

Forde has worked with ESPN for five years and he’s learned one thing from the American public: ESPN hates everybody.

Forde said he wasn’t aware of that “fact” until he started working for ESPN and began receiving emails nation wide.

“We hate Oklahoma,” he said, facetiously. “We hate Texas, Southern Cal and Ohio State – not just Tennessee.”

Forde said he’s bombarded with emails every time he fires off a criticism.

Tyus replaces Speights’ numbers, not his presence

On the surface, you might think Florida doesn’t really miss center Marreese Speights, who was taken in the first round of the NBA draft after playing just two seasons for the Gators.

After all, 6-foot-8 Alex Tyus is putting up Speights type numbers.

Last season, Speights averaged 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, shot 62.4 percent from the field and blocked 49 shots.

This season, Tyus is averaging 12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and shooting 65.2 percent from the field.

But the way they’ve gone about it has been different, Florida coach Billy Donovan said.

“In college (Speights) was more of a center for us,” Donovan said. “He was more of a back-to-the-basket player who could make mid-range jumpers.

“Alex is different. He’s a wing kid, an active kid on the glass, a very good runner. He’s probably playing out of position. He’s not a true center.

“Their numbers mirror each other but they’ve gone about it in different ways.”

Bottom line: The Gators miss Speights’ inside presence and the combination of Speights and Tyus would make the Gators a much more formidable team.

Ace Reporter: New 3-Point Line Good For Some, Bad For Others

jimmy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:06:59 +0000

Before this season, SEC basketball coaches were split in their opinion on the impact moving the 3-point line back one foot would have on the game.

The results thus far: Another split decision.

South Carolina, LSU and Mississippi State are shooting a whole lot better from 3-point range.

Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Alabama are shooting a whole lot worse.

Overall, five SEC teams have hit the three better this season than last.

Why have some teams shot better? Why have some shot worse?

That depends on who you talk to.

Vanderbilt had the best 3-point shooting team in the SEC last year (.399). It ranks eighth thus far this season (.342).

“It’s hard to tell (the impact) from us because my team is not a good shooting team,” Vandy coach Kevin Stallings said.

The main reason Vandy’s accuracy has declined is the departure of Shan Foster, by far the best 3-point shooter in the SEC a year ago at 46.9 percent. Guard Alex Gordon was third in the league at 40.1 percent.

With Foster and Gordon gone, Vandy is attempting four fewer 3-point attempts per game (from 22.3 to 18.1) and hitting fewer.

You can point to personnel at Tennessee as well. The Vols lost two 3-point marksmen in Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith and the team accuracy has gone from 35.7 percent to 30.8 percent and slipping. Since a decent start, the Vols have hit about 27 percent from beyond the arc over the last nine games.

And instead of experienced seniors taking the 3-pointers, Tennessee has seen first-year players take the majority of long-range shots. Cameron Tatum has fired up 76, Renaldo Woolridge 59 and Scotty Hopson 41. Only Hopson (41.5 percent) has hit better than 33 percent. UT has three regulars hitting less than 27 percent; J.P. Prince has made 1 of 14.

Alabama lost its best outside shooter, Mykal Riley, and is last in the SEC at 29.6 percent from long-range.

While losing good shooters has affected Vandy, Tennessee and Alabama, LSU has the same cast of characters, but has found a way to be more effective from the perimeter. Perhaps that’s a result of better shot selection.

LSU has gone from making 32.2 percent to 38.8 percent. The number of attempts has been reduced from 20.1 to 15.5.

Rather than Marcus Thornton and Terry Martin jacking up threes, the Tigers have been more judicious when pulling the trigger.

It’s worth noting that the SEC’s top three 3-point shooting teams are attempting, collectively, 10.8 fewer long-range shots per game. USC has gone from 21.6 to 16.2. LSU has gone from 20.1 to 15.5 and Mississippi State has gone from 20.7 to 19.9.

Kentucky is one of the few teams attempting more threes than a year ago. That’s surprising considering the Wildcats lost Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford from last year’s team. Each fired up more than 150 treys and no returner tried more than 50.

Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks has made up for Bradley and Crawford. Meeks is on pace to attempt well over 250 treys. Last year’s attempts leader, Tennessee’s Chris Lofton, had 307 tries from down town.

Florida coach Billy Donovan noted that 3-point attempts are about the same as a year ago while the accuracy is down.

A longer three “will not deter teams from taking it, but it forces defenses to cover more area in the half court,” Donovan said. “It’s more difficult to pack it back in. … It’s helped with the spacing for good 3-point shooting teams.”

South Carolina coach Darrin Horn said adding a foot hasn’t been a major change to the game but it “separates the guys who can make the shot from the guys that might can make the shot, if you know what I mean.”

Georgia coach Dennis Felton said the arc change “hasn’t changed anything strategically. It doesn’t make any difference to the shooters. Maybe the fringe shooters don’t take as many 3-pointers.”

Tennessee has been among the SEC leaders in 3-point attempts since Bruce Pearl arrived four seasons ago. But even the Vols are taking two fewer threes a game.

Pearl said the longer three was a “double whammy” for Tennessee. The Vols lost their two best 3-point shooters and the shot became more difficult to make.

As for a change of strategy, Pearl said UT used to use more ball screens to get perimeter shooters open. Not anymore.

He also said UT’s inability to hit the outside shoot has alloweD opponents to double down on big men Tyler Smith and Wayne Chism.

Yet, when Tatum was struggling at Georgia, missing his first nine shots, Pearl didn’t want Tatum to become gun shy. Tatum hit a game-tYing 3-pointer late in the contest to help the Vols overcome a 10-point second-half deficit.

Has moving the 3-point line helped field goal defense?

Not really. Thus far, four SEC teams are playing better defense, five not as good and three are about the same.

Alabama seems to have benefited the most. The Crimson Tide leads the SEC in 3-point defense at .279, compared to .355 a year ago. Georgia is also holding foes to less than 30 percent from beyond the arc (.296).

LSU and South Carolina have better 3-point defense numbers.

Kentucky, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Florida are worse. UT has regressed the most, from .312 a year ago to .352.

Here’s a look at how SEC teams are shooting the three compared to last season.

TEAM	2007-08	2008-09
S. CAROLINA	.364	.392
LSU	.322	.388
MISS. STATE	.334	.374
ARKANSAS	.341	.358
FLORIDA	.363	.357
GEORGIA	.330	.355
OLE MISS	.367	.353
VANDERBILT	.399	.342
KENTUCKY	.369	.337
AUBURN	.340	.319
TENNESSEE	.357	.308
ALABAMA	.363	.296

FREE THROW

Only one SEC team is ranked in this week’s AP poll, Tennessee at #24.

The last time the SEC didn’t have a ranked team was March 1989.

No SEC team is ranked in the coaches’ poll, the first time that’s happened since the inception of the poll in 1991.

Ace Reporter: The BCS Has Helped The SEC

jimmy — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:45:21 +0000

In today’s column:

How the SEC has benefited from the BCS…

How SEC title game losers have fared in bowls (surprisingly well)…

LSU’s weak basketball schedule tied to academics…

Freshman basketball players making a difference…

And Phillip Fulmer gets a new job.

Some SEC teams wouldn’t have been #1 without the BCS

The year after Urban Meyer was hired at Florida, a media friend told me Meyer would win multiple national championships at Florida.

I thought he was nuts.

Turns out, he was right.

Last night Meyer captured his second national championship in three years, handing Oklahoma a fifth consecutive BCS loss.

Remember when former Auburn coach Pat Dye said the SEC wouldn’t win another national title if it expanded and went to divisional play?

Well, the SEC has won three in a row and seven since Dye’s dire prediction in 1992.

Florida might win another one in 2009, if quarterback Tim Tebow returns for his senior season. Even if Tebow goes, the Gators might win another in the next few years. That’s how good Meyer is at coaching and recruiting.

But if Florida doesn’t win the Sears Trophy in 2009, maybe it will be Alabama. Maybe it will be some other SEC school.

Hey, if you’re good enough to win the SEC, you’re good enough to win the national championship. Hasn’t recent history told us that?

While the BCS has its flaws – I still prefer a seeded four-team Plus One
playoff – it has been good to the SEC.

The SEC is 5-0 in BCS national championship games.

Under the old system, I wonder how many national titles the SEC would have.

Would LSU have gotten a piece of the pie in 2003, or would USC have been the unanimous pick?

Would Florida have won in 2006? Or would Ohio State been voted #1 with a Rose Bowl win?

Would two-loss LSU have captured the top spot in 2007? Or would Ohio State have been crowned again with a Rose Bowl win?

Would Florida have hoisted the Sears Trophy on Thursday night? Or would a win by Oklahoma over another team in another bowl have given the top spot to the Boomer Sooners?

The BCS might not be perfect, but it’s been perfect for the SEC.

SEC title game loser has fared fairly well

It’s natural to question whether Alabama was motivated to play in the Sugar Bowl.

After all, the Crimson Tide had just lost the SEC Championship game to
Florida had just lost its first game of the season, had just lost the #1 ranking and was facing a non-BCS upstart in Utah.

Maybe Utah was simply better.

Or maybe Alabama was suffering from an SEC title defeat hangover. You would think it would be tough for an SEC Championship game loser to recover and play well in a bowl game.

But you’d be wrong.

The SEC title game loser has actually done better in bowl games than I
thought.

The conference championship game loser is 10-7 in bowls, having won the first three, then splitting the next 14.

The SEC team best at recovery? Tennessee. The Vols are 3-0 after losing in the Georgia Dome.

Alabama (3-1) has the next best record, the only loss being to Utah.

LSU and Georgia are 1-0. Florida and Auburn are 1-1. Mississippi State is 0-1. Arkansas is 0-3.

LSU basketball: Weak schedule traced to academics

LSU’s basketball team enters SEC play with an RPI of 120 and a strength of schedule of .333.

New coach Trent Johnson said he inherited some of the pre-conference schedule. The rest, he designed.

Why?

“Reason #1 was academics,” said Johnson, who came from Stanford.

“The majority of guys couldn’t afford to be away from campus.” Johnson said as many as eight players could have been affected.

“It was probably a good decision,” Johnson said of playing 12 of the first 13 games at home.

That’s a sad commentary of the academic state of affairs left behind by John Brady, who was fired, then hired at Arkansas State.

One SEC coach told me the worst academic semester athletes have is the one in which their coach is fired.

By Johnson playing such a weak schedule, it might have helped his players remain eligible, but it wasn’t a good way to prepare for the SEC season.

Felton impressed by freshman

Georgia coach Dennis Felton said before the season he felt he had a special freshman in Trey Thompkins.

Felton was right.

Thompkins leads Georgia in scoring (14.4 points) and rebounds (6.6) entering SEC play. And he’s done it despite being inactive for about fourth months and missing the first four games of the season due to an injury.

“He’s doing fantastic,” Felton said of his 6-9 forward, whose practice time and conditioning was limited. “I’m proud of him and extremely impressed by what he’s accomplished. … He’s a critical guy from the standpoint of production. It really speaks to the talent of the player. He’s going to be a tremendous player.”

Felton said he’s confident winning the SEC Tournament will have a carry-over affect on how his team plays this season.

Fortson a key find for Arkansas

Thompkins isn’t the only freshman who’s made a huge impact.

Arkansas’ Courtney Fortson leads Arkansas in assists and is second in scoring in helping the Hogs upset two top 10 teams at home.

While Fortson wouldn’t have made many preseason SEC all-freshman lists, Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said the 5-11 point guard from Montgomery, Alabama, was highly recruited.

“A lot of people knew about him,” Pelphrey said.

When Pelphrey was at South Alabama, he started recruiting Fortson, then a sophomore. Fortson’s adjustment to the SEC has surprised Pelphrey.

“I don’t know if he’s the best ballhandler,” Pelphrey said. “He’s not the tallest guy. He’s maybe not the best 3-point shooter.

“But I do know these two things: You’ll have a hard time finding
someone tougher, and he has a bad habit of winning. I really value what
he does and who he is.”

Pelphrey said Fortson’s consistency has been a pleasant surprise. It has helped Arkansas overcome the loss of four starters — including underclassman Patrick Beverly — and three other lettermen.

Free throws

* Alabama coach Mark Gottfried admits his team might not be great at shooting the three, “but that’s not the only way to play.”

* Because Tennessee’s press is forcing fewer turnovers, Bruce Pearl said
the Vols must put more value on each possession and improve the shot
selection.

* Pelphrey said he knows his team overachieved in non-SEC play but said his team wouldn’t be overconfident because it has too much respect for the coaches and players in the SEC.

* Former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer has taken another job, but it’s not in coaching. Fulmer was hired recently as a partner with The Northshore Group, an investment firm in Knoxville.

Ace Reporter: Tennessee’s Salary Pool, Spurrier and Meyer

John — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:44:07 +0000

Some news, notes and scuttlebutt on the Tennessee salary situation everyone is talking about, on the end of Steve Spurrier’s honeymoon at South Carolina, and on Urban Meyer’s views on undefeated teams.

Tennessee’s salary pool won’t reach $6 million

By the time Lane Kiffin completes his football staff, Tennessee will be the nation’s pace setter for assistant coaches’ salaries.

But the total amount paid to the football staff – including the head coach – will rank between third and fifth in the SEC, according to Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton, who I spoke with this week.

Hamilton said the pool for assistant coaches will not reach $4 million, but he would not put a definitive number of it. He also said the total for the entire staff would not reach $6 million, but he didn’t put a figure on that, either.

According to the Vol AD, one SEC school last year paid $7.15 for the entire football staff. While he didn’t identify the school, it is believed to be Alabama.

Hamilton said two other SEC schools paid about $5.7 million and $5.8 million. Those schools are believed to be Florida and LSU. Both will pay more this season.

Because Lane Kiffin still has three assistant coaching positions to fill, Hamilton is unsure what the exact pool of money for all football coaches will be. But it projects to be just shy of $5.7 million.

“The pool will be between third and fifth in the SEC,” Hamilton said.

However, if Lane Kiffin gets into another bidding war – like he did for Orgeron and Georgia assistants Rodney Garner – that could push the amount higher.

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will be paid about $1.5 million a year, which includes an annual retention bonus. Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron will make $650,000. The combined salaries of Monte Kiffin and Orgeron will exceed the amount paid to UT nine assistants last year.

Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will be in the same range as last year’s offensive coordinator Dave Clawson — $340,000.

That’s almost $2.5 million for three assistants.

If Tennessee stays below the $4 million total for the assistants – as Hamilton said it will – then the average salary for the other six Vol assistants will be less than $250,000. Lane Kiffin has hired four assistants directly from the NFL. He is believed to be considering two other current NFL assistants.

Also, he is expected to announce that he will keep Stan Drayton on the staff, probably as running backs coach. Drayton would be the only hold over from the Phillip Fulmer regime. He served just one season under Fulmer.

Lateral penalty waived for UT assistants

Former Tennessee assistants Greg Adkins and Latrell Scott will not have to pay a penalty for making a lateral move in leaving the Vols’ staff, Hamilton said.

Adkins took a job at Syracuse and Scott at Virginia.

In recent years, Tennessee gave assistants two-year contracts and coordinators three-year deals. Hamilton said that, in return, assistants had to pay back to the athletic department six months’ salary if they made a lateral move. The clause was added at the urging of Fulmer, Hamilton said.

Hamilton said he felt it was unfair to enforce the provision considering Lane Kiffin hadn’t decided whether to retain those coaches.

“I waived the lateral move separation penalty for Adkins and Scott,” Hamilton said. “You’ve got to be humane about it. It’s just the right thing to do in the situation we’re in.”

If tight ends coach Jason Michael were to make a lateral move, Hamilton said he wouldn’t be forced to pay UT six months of his salary, either.

Honeymoon over for Spurrier

Joe Person, the outstanding reporter who covers South Carolina for The State in Columbia, said the honeymoon is over for Steve Spurrier.

Spurrier is six games over .500 after four seasons in Columbia, and he’s no closer to winning an East Division title than he was his first season. All that promise when Spurrier was hired has flittered away in frustration over an offense that seams to get worse by the season.

“If South Carolina goes 6-6, you’re probably talking about a new coach,” Person said. “The honeymoon period is definitely over. Fans don’t have much to hang their hat on.”

In his first three seasons at South Carolina, Spurrier had wins over Tennessee, Florida and Georgia – his three main rivals in the East Division. But Vanderbilt has beaten South Carolina two in a row and the Gamecocks were awful down the stretch, getting blown out by Florida, Clemson and Iowa in the Outback Bowl.

Some wondered if a number of players quit on Spurrier.

Moreover, South Carolina fans were outnumbered about 3-1 by Iowa fans in Tampa. The Gamecocks only sold about 10,000 tickets to the game.

South Carolina’s reputation for “undying fan support took a hit,” Person said.

Meyer changes mind on undefeated comment

When Florida hired Urban Meyer away from Utah, Meyer said he didn’t think the Utes could go undefeated in the SEC because of the weekly grind and lack of depth at the Mountain West school.

He did say, however, that if Utah was the only undefeated team in the country, it should be ranked #1.

Times have changed.

Four years later, Utah is the nation’s only undefeated team. But the Utes have no chance to win the national title. That will go to the winner of Thursday’s Florida-Oklahoma game in Miami. Florida and Oklahoma each have one defeat.

How does Meyer feel about unbeaten Utah now?

According to Frank Frangie, who covers the Gators and does a daily sports talk show in Jacksonville, Meyer has made it clear that he’s changed his mind.

Ace Reporter: RPI Unkind To The SEC

John — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:35:45 +0000

It’s too early to project how many SEC teams will make the NCAA Tournament field in men’s basketball.

After all, a year ago at this time, you would have said Kentucky had little chance. The Wildcats lost at home to Gardner-Webb and San Diego, but then went 12-4 in a watered down league to earn a postseason berth.

But based on early returns, the SEC hasn’t been very impressive on the court. Tennessee is the only team ranked in the Top 50 of the RPI, and the Vols are #25.

Florida is #58, followed by 67 Kentucky, 82 Vanderbilt, 87 Ole Miss and 88 Auburn. Ole Miss is sure to fall out of the Top 100 after losing point guard Chris Warren and two other perimeter starters.

That’s just six SEC teams in the Top 100.

That means six others are not in the Top 100, with Alabama at 220 despite a 7-3 record. LSU is 10-1 but only 120 in the RPI because of a weak schedule.

The SEC is ranked #7 among conferences, trailing the Big Ten, the Big East, the Pac-10, the ACC, the Big 12 and the Atlantic 10 (in no particular order).

The SEC is only 3-18 against teams in the Top 50 of the RPI. The wins: Tennessee over Georgetown, Auburn over George Washington and Kentucky over West Virginia.

While Tennessee has a win over ranked Marquette and Auburn has a nice victory against Virginia, Marquette and Virginia are not in the Top 50 of the RPI.

With the majority of non-conference play over in a week, it’s going to be hard for some SEC teams – and the conference as a whole – to climb out of this treacherous hole.

Only 4 Teams Have Clearly Improved

This marks the second consecutive season that the SEC is down.

In 2007, Florida won the national championship, Tennessee and Vanderbilt reached the Sweet 16 and eight teams won at least 20 games.

Last season, Florida didn’t make the NCAA field, only Tennessee reached the Sweet 16, and six teams won 20 games. Only Tennessee and Mississippi State were clearly better. Vanderbilt won four more games but had the same SEC record and lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament by 20 points to Siena. Arkansas won two more games. Every other team was about the same or worse.

Entering SEC play, it appears Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina and LSU will be improved over last season. Auburn and Alabama might be better. The others will be about the same or worse.


By The Numbers

Mississippi State leads the nation in blocked shots per game (10-2) and Bulldog Jarvis Varnado is first at 6.0 blocks per game. Kentucky is second in blocks (8.3) and LSU is fourth.

South Carolina is second in the country in steals per game (11.8) with Devon Downey #3 at 3.4 steals. Florida is eighth in steals (10.5).

Kentucky ’s Jodie Meeks is the nation’s #6 scorer (24.1) and the Wildcats’ Patrick Patterson is fourth in field goal percentage (.685).

LSU is fifth in field goal defense (34.9) while Vanderbilt is 10th (36.0), Mississippi State 12th (36.2), Kentucky 16th (36.7) and Alabama 10th (37.0). Alabama is 12th in 3-point defense (26.9).

LSU is first in rebound margin (13.3) with Arkansas third (12.4).

Tennessee is eighth in scoring (84.1).

Florida and Tennessee are tied for 10th in assists (18.3).

Arkansas’ Michael Washington is 10th in rebounds per game (11.1).

Nick Calathes of Florida is fifth in assists (7.1).


Free Throws

Alabama has held seven opponents to less than 40 percent shooting.

Arkansas has started 8-1 three consecutive seasons; the Hogs were 9-1 entering the Oklahoma game December 30th.

Florida’s Alex Tyus has had a seven-game stretch in which he averaged 16.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and shot 65 percent from the field. He averaged 4.3 points and 2.6 rebounds as a freshman.

Jodie Meeks’ 46 points were the most by a Kentucky player since Dan Issel’s 47 in 1970. Meeks has the top three scoring games in the SEC this season.

Ole Miss has just nine healthy scholarship players, four of them guards.

Mississippi State sophomore guard Ravern Johnson has made more 3-pointers (27) than he attempted all of last season.

South Carolina (9-1) combined for just 28 wins the last two seasons.

Tennessee has started nine different players and had six different starting lineups.

Vanderbilt is 23-2 when junior guard Jermaine Beal scores in double figures.

Ace Reporter: Bowls Can Help SEC With Respect, But Matchups Don’t Look Good

jimmy — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:35:32 +0000

At about midseason, I realized the SEC was down in football.

My first hint was poor quarterback play. Eight teams started at least two quarterbacks, and three started three. Only three offenses in the league ranked among the top 45 in the nation and six rank among the bottom 25.

My second hint was the league’s non-conference record. The SEC was 6-9 against other BCS teams and suffered losses to Louisiana Tech and Wyoming.

My third hint was the coaching fires. Auburn, Tennessee and Mississippi State were so bad, they got rid of Tommy Tuberville, Phillip Fulmer and Sly Croom. Those three teams won 27 games in 2007. They won 14 this past season.

Moreover, only three teams were appreciably better this season than last: Alabama, Florida and Ole Miss.

LSU went from 12-2 and a national championship to 7-5. Tennessee went from 10 wins to five. Auburn went from nine wins to five. Mississippi State went from eight wins to four.

Seven teams have at least two fewer wins going into the bowl season.

When more than half the teams in your conference are worse than the year before, your league is down.

Based on records and rankings and quarterback play, I think the Big 12 and ACC were better than the SEC this season.

But the SEC, year in and year out the best football conference in the nation, can gain a measure of respect based on bowl performances. It’s got two matches against Big 12, Big Ten and ACC teams.

And with the right results, the SEC could win a third consecutive national title and finish 1-2 in the final polls for the second year in a row. Last year’s 1-2 finish was a first. The SEC had teams finish 2-3-5 in 1959, 1-4-5 in 1961, 2-3 in 1995 and 1-3 in 2006.

The SEC has won three consecutive AP national titles once (1978-80) and gone back-to-back three other times (1957-58, 1964-65, 2006-07). And from 2003 to present, the SEC has won three national crowns with a shot at a fourth, and had a 13-0 team that wasn’t given a chance to play for the crystal football.

Many times, the bowl result isn’t about matchups. It’s about which teams cares the most. Which team is excited about playing. Which team has something to prove.

Almost 10 years ago, Kansas State was left out of a BCS bowl and pouted all the way to a bowl defeat. In 2003, Tennessee felt it should have made a BCS bowl and played uninspired against Clemson in a Peach Bowl loss.

That’s what makes predicting bowls a tricky business.

Here’s my forecast on how the SEC will fare in bowl games.


Music City: Boston College (9-4) v. Vanderbilt (6-6)

Boston College played for the ACC title. The Eagles have been the winningest program in the ACC over the past five years. Vanderbilt had a strong 5-0 start, but limped to the finish line, losing six of seven, with defeats to two four-win teams — Mississippi State and Duke. The Commodores have the SEC’s worst offense and fourth-worst defense.

Boston College 27-13.


Chick Fil A Bowl: Georgia Tech (9-3) v. LSU (7-5)

In two games against those overrated SEC defenses, Georgia Tech averaged 41.5 points and over 420 rushing yards. The Yellow Jackets scored 21 or fewer points in five ACC games. LSU appeared to pack it in after an overtime loss to Alabama, allowing 31 points to Troy, Ole Miss and Arkansas. Plus, the Tigers will start a true freshman quarterback. LSU has more talent, Tech more desire.

Georgia Tech 38-28.


Outback Bowl: Iowa (8-4) v. South Carolina (7-5)

The Hawkeyes’ Shonn Greene won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back. Iowa won five of its last six, including a huge upset over Penn State. All four losses were by five or fewer points. The Gamecocks allowed 87 points in their last two games and their top tackler, safety Emmanuel Cook, is academically ineligible. Steve Spurrier questioned the desire of some players down the stretch.

Iowa 24-20.


Capital One Bowl: Michigan State (9-3) v. Georgia (9-3)

The Spartans’ Javon Ringer was a Doak Walker finalist. But MSU lost to Ohio State and Penn State by a combined 94-25. This might be the last game for Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno. Georgia went from preseason No. 1 to out of the top 15. The Bulldogs want to make up for a disappointing regular season.

Georgia 34-20.


Cotton Bowl: Texas Tech (11-1) v. Ole Miss (8-4)

Will the 7th-ranked Red Raiders and be down about not going to a BCS bowl? Or will Mike Leach and Graham Harrell be determined to ring up 40 against an SEC team? The Rebels are on a roll, having won five straight. Ole Miss had the SEC’s worst pass defense until playing Mississippi State. The last time the Red Raiders played an SEC team in a bowl, Alabama shut down Leach’s attack (13-10).

Texas Tech 34-30.


Liberty Bowl: East Carolina (9-4) v. Kentucky (6-6)

The Pirates were resilient in winning Conference USA over high-powered Tulsa. Coach Skip Holtz’s team opened the season with impressive wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia before losing three straight, only to regroup. Kentucky went from the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense to the 40s. Losing athletic Randall Cobb will hurt an already inept offense.

East Carolina 24-17.


Sugar Bowl: Utah (12-0) v. Alabama (12-1)

Four years removed from Urban Meyer, the Utes racked up a terrific season, led by quarterback Brian Johnson. Utah beat two 10-win teams (TCU and BYU), a team that beat Southern Cal (Oregon State), an eight-win team (Air Force) and a team that’s already won a bowl game (Colorado State). Alabama won’t let losing the SEC title game deter from a marvelous season. The Tide should be able to power through Utah’s defense.

Alabama 27-17.


BCS Championship Game: Oklahoma (12-1) v. Florida (12-1)

Oklahoma has a fantastic team. It has scored at least 60 points in five straight games. It scored at least 50 in four others. It beat two 10-win teams in non-conference (Cincinnati and TCU). Its defense is much better than the numbers suggest because many of the points allowed have come with the game no longer in doubt. Florida led the SEC in scoring with 44 points per game. Oklahoma has faced better passing attacks, but not a team with Florida’s overall offensive speed.

The Gators went from worst to first in the SEC in pass-defense efficiency. Oklahoma is without its best running back. Florida’s Percy Harvin could play but might not be 100 percent. You won’t find a better matchup of quarterbacks. Both offenses are explosive, both defenses solid. Florida gets the nod on special teams.

Florida 35-31.

Ace Reporter: Should Mullen Coach The Gators In Title Game?

jimmy — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:53:15 +0000

Should an assistant coach who has taken a head coaching job with another school stay with his former team through the bowl game?

Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen has decided to coach the Gators in the national championship game against Oklahoma on January 8th, rather than take the controls at Mississippi State in mid-December.

LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini coached the Tigers in the national championship game last year against Ohio State, rather than jump right away to Nebraska.

But Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe left the Vols before the national title game to coach Ole Miss in December 1998.

What’s the best route to take?

Each situation is different.

Cutcliffe was hired by Ole Miss in early December. The Rebels were headed to a bowl game after Tommy Tuberville exited for Auburn. So, Cutcliffe left Knoxville to coach the Rebels for two weeks in December to prepare for a bowl game. That gave him a jump on preparing for his first season in Oxford.

In the case of Mullen, Mississippi State is not going to a bowl.

In the case of Pellini last season, Nebraska was not bowl bound.

So the advantage of Mullen and Pellini taking over immediately at their new schools was minimized.

You can still assemble a staff and do some recruiting while helping your former team prepare for a major bowl. Remember, much of the bowl season is a dead period in recruiting.

But if you’re a fan of Mississippi State, are you upset that your newly hired coach is coaching another team until January? Do you feel he’s getting behind on recruiting? Are you bothered that he’s wearing two hats instead of your favorite team’s hat?

Or, does the possibility of your new coach winning a national championship (in the case of Mullen, a second national title) further enhance his credentials?

If your new coach is on the national stage for a few weeks, if he’s winning another championship, maybe it’s worth the wait. Maybe it helps recruiting in the long run. And maybe it helps your current players buy in just a little bit more.

Tennessee’s Hits Sacrifice Fly With New Hire


ESPN analyst Jim Donnan isn’t fond of successful coaches being fired.

Maybe that’s because of the way he got axed at Georgia. Donnan won 35 games and all four bowls in his final four seasons with the Bulldogs, only to be fired.

Donnan said he has a great deal of respect for former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, and Donnan said UT athletic director Mike Hamilton better not hit a single, double, triple or home run with Fulmer’s replacement. He better hit a grand slam, Donnan told a quarterback club last month.

Asked if UT hit a grand slam by hiring Lane Kiffin, Donnan said: “It was a sacrifice fly.”

Bringing Monte Kiffin as the defensive coordinator ups the swing to a double, Donnan said.

Donnan, like many others, does not believe Tennessee or Auburn made an upgrade in coaching.

Time will tell. But nowadays, coaches don’t get as much time as they used to. Two decades ago, a coach got five years to build his program. That went to four. Then to three with the ousters of Ron Zook and Ty Willingham and Ed Orgeron, among others.

Then Army, of all places, fired a coach after TWO seasons.


New Coach, Scheme Can Help A Quarterback

It will be hard for Monte Kiffin to match the defensive production at Tennessee of former coordinator John Chavis, just as it will be hard for Chizik to make the defensive numbers at Auburn under Tuberville.

Both programs need an offensive spark, not a defensive overhaul.

Before last season, Auburn and Tennessee hired offensive coordinators from smaller schools to revamp offenses that had been in place for years. The experiment in both cases was a miserable failure.

Much of the blame was placed on poor quarterback play. But that doesn’t mean the quarterbacks at Auburn and Tennessee can’t be productive with a different coach and a different system.

For example, Auburn’s Al Borges help turn Jason Campbell into a first-round draft pick in 2004.

David Cutcliffe tutored Erik Ainge into two solid seasons at Tennessee. Ainge was drafted by the Jets and made the team.

Shane Mathews was buried on the depth chart at Florida before Steve Spurrier tutored him into being the two-time SEC Player of the Year.

Charlie Weiss turned Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn into a first-round pick.

Norm Chow turned USC’s Carson Palmer into a Heisman Trophy winner.

Can Chizik get production out of Kodi Burns or Chris Todd?

Can Lane Kiffin mold Jonathan Crompton, Nick Stephens or B.J. Coleman into a successful player?

That will be the key to immediate turnarounds at both Auburn and Tennessee.

Ace Reporter: Better Coaches In Football Or Basketball?

jimmy — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:27:37 +0000

Few would argue that the SEC is traditionally better in football than basketball.

Even fewer would argue that the SEC traditionally has better football coaches than basketball coaches.

Going into this past football season, five SEC football coaches have won a national championship.

One SEC basketball coach had won a national championship.

And the pay scale is tilted heavily in favor of football.

The average annual pay for the top seven SEC football coaches entering this season was more than $3 million.

Nick Saban, Les Miles, Urban Meyer all make over $3.5 million. Mark
Richt and Bobby Petrino each make over $2.8 million. Phillip Fulmer
averaged $3 million but his successor, Lane Kiffin, comes in making $2
million the first year. Tommy Tuberville made $2.8 million last year.

The average annual pay for the top seven SEC basketball coaches is less
than $2 million. Only Billy Donovan, Billy Gillispie and Bruce Pearl
make over $2 million. In fact, Donovan is the only hoops coach who
ranks among the top eight of football salaries.

We’re going to compare the football and basketball coaches at each SEC
school. For the purpose of this exercise, we’ll take the football coach
from this past season and last season’s basketball coach.

Here’s a look:

Alabama: Saban just won
national coach of the year honors after guiding Alabama to a 12-0
record before losing the SEC Championship. He won two SEC titles and a
national championship at LSU. He is one of the top five coaches in
college football.

Gottfried has had two winning SEC records in 10 years. He has won just
12 SEC games in the past two years combined. He has one SEC title and
he’s on the hot seat.

Advantage: Football.

Auburn: Tommy Tuberville won or
shared the West Division four times in five years, captured one SEC
title and turned in a 13-0 season. Against the other elite SEC teams,
he had the best record of any SEC coach over the past eight years.

Jeff Lebo has had three 4-12 SEC records in four years. He hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament and he’s clearly on the hot seat.

Advantage: Football

Arkansas: Bobby Petrino went
5-7 in his first year with the Hogs, inheriting a weak team from
Houston Nutt. But Petrino did finish strong, beating LSU, and he won 41
games in four years at Louisville.

John Pelphrey was 23-12 in his first year at Arkansas and won an NCAA
tourney game with a talented roster. He made the NCAA field once in
five years at South Alabama.

Advantage: Football.

Florida: Meyer has won two SEC
titles and a national championship. He was successful at Bowling Green
and Utah before going to Florida. He could win his second national
crown in three years.

Donovan has won two national championships. He has won 20 games 10
years in a row and had a streak of nine consecutive NCAA Tournament
appearances snapped last season.

Advantage: Push.

Georgia: Mark Richt has won two
SEC Championships, was No. 2 in the nation in 2007 and had a streak of
four straight seasons in the top 10. No current SEC coach has achieved
that.

Dennis Felton’s job was on jeopardy until the Bulldogs (4-12 in SEC
play) won the SEC Tournament and made the NCAA field for the first
time. But Felton remains in trouble if his team doesn’t do well this
season.

Advantage: Football.

Kentucky: Rich Brooks guided
the Wildcats to three straight bowls for the first time since 1949-51
when a coach named Bear Bryant patrolled the sidelines in Lexington.
Brooks also had back-to-back eight-win seasons.

Gillispie had great success at UTEP and Texas A&M, orchestrating
remarkable turnarounds. In his first year, Kentucky, after losing at
home to Gardner Webb and San Diego, went 12-4 in the SEC.

Advantage: Basketball.

LSU: Les Miles won 34 games, a
national title and an SEC Championship in his first three seasons. The
Tigers slumped to 7-5 this past season.

John Brady took the Tigers to the 2006 Final Four but he got fired two
seasons later after his team had back-to-back SEC records of 5-11 and
6-10.

Advantage: Football.

Ole Miss: Houston Nutt did a
terrific job in his first season at Ole Miss, guiding the Rebels to an
8-4 record, the Cotton Bowl and the lone victory this season over
top-ranked Florida. Ole Miss won six of its last seven games.

Andy Kennedy was named SEC Coach of the Year his rookie season in
Oxford, but the Rebels didn’t make the NCAA Tournament and he is two
games under .500 in his first two seasons at Ole Miss.

Advantage: Football

Mississippi State: Sly Croom
was the 2007 SEC Coach of the Year when his Bulldogs won eight games,
but his team dropped to four wins and he resigned under fire. Croom was
20 games under .500 in five seasons.

Rick Stansbury is one of the SEC’s most underrated coaches. Folks, it’s
not easy to recruit to Starkville. Stansbury has been to five NCAA
tournaments in the past seven years and he’s won or shared the West
Division four times in 10 seasons as head coach.

Advantage: Basketball

South Carolina

Steve Spurrier is 28-21 and four games below .500 in SEC play in four
years at South Carolina. But his body of work is impressive, especially
at Florida and at Duke. He’s not the coach he used to be, but his teams
are still capable of pulling big upsets.

Dave Odom failed to have a winning SEC record in seven seasons at the
Gamecocks coach. He won two NIT titles but got into the NCAA field only
once.

Advantage: Football

Tennessee: Phillip Fulmer won
two SEC titles and a national championship, but he went 10 years
without either, and after a second losing season in four years, he was
forced out. He was 100 games over .500, no small accomplishment in the
SEC.

Bruce Pearl has done a terrific job in three seasons. He won the SEC
regular-season outright for the first time in 41 years, he won the 2006
East Division over eventual national champion Florida, and he’s
finished ahead of Kentucky three straight seasons. Pearl still has a
job. Fulmer doesn’t.

Advantage: Basketball

Vanderbilt: Bobby Johnson is
recognized as one of the SEC’s better coaches. You wonder how many
people could win as many games at Vanderbilt as he has. Yet, in seven
years, Johnson has yet to go .500 in SEC play, and if Vandy doesn’t win
its bowl game, it will finish with a losing record for the 26th
consecutive year.

Kevin Stallings went to one NCAA Tournament in his first seven seasons
in Nashville, but the Commodores have done better of late, making the
Sweet 16 in 2004 and 2007.

Advantage: Basketball

If you’re keeping score, that’s 7-4-1 in favor of football — and a couple of those nods in basketball are debatable.

ACE REPORTER: FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL NOTES; TRIPLE-DOUBLES AN SEC RARITY

John — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:55:07 +0000

Triple doubles in the SEC are about as rare as perfect games in Major League Baseball.

You just don’t see many of them.

The SEC has 10 on record. We say “on record” because some stats, like assists and blocked shots, weren’t kept by the NCAA or some schools until around 1970.

Still, to have only 10 on the books in the past 38 years seems like a remarkably low number. But a triple-double — double figures in any combination of scoring, rebounding, assists, blocked shots or steals — is a unique accomplishment.

Tennessee’s Tyler Smith did it last week with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. It was the first triple-double in school history. Not Bernard King nor Ernie Grunfeld nor Allan Houston nor Dale Ellis was able to accomplish the feat.

Two other active SEC players have recorded triple doubles.

Florida’s Nick Calathes did it against Creighton in March of last season: 11 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists.

Mississippi State’s pogo-stick jumper Jarvis Varnado also did it earlier this year — on January 15th — against Kentucky. Varnado had 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks.

The Bulldogs have had three players reach the milestone. Lawrence Roberts had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in 2004 against Nicholls State. Jamont Gordon had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in 2007 against Vanderbilt.

Florida’s Corey Brewer turned the trick in 2005 with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists against Jacksonville.

Only two SEC players have recorded two triple-doubles: Alabama’s Roy Rogers and LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal.

Rogers did his thing one week apart. He had 15 points, 15 rebounds and 12 blocks against Georgia in 1996 and seven days later, he had 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks against LSU.

LSU’s sports information department said O’Neal had four, but they didn’t have the numbers.

One of the most unlikely players to score a triple-double was Chuck Eidson of South Carolina. Remember him? South Carolina State might. Eidson had 25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists in 2002.

Chris Mills got Kentucky’s only triple-double in 2008 against Austin Peay: 19 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists.

Alvin Robertson got a triple-double before Arkansas joined the SEC. Against Texas in 1984, Robertson garnered 23 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists.

Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt have yet to have a player record a triple-double.

Considering assists, steals and blocks weren’t exactly well kept stats before 1970, you’ve got to think more than just 10 SEC players have managed the feat. Surely Cotton Nash or Dan Issel at Kentucky, Bailey Howell at Mississippi State, Neal Walk at Florida, Tom Boerwinkle at Tennessee or Bob Pettit or Pete Maravich at LSU turned the trick.

There just aren’t any official records to support that.


Melick Believes Tuberville Fired

Usually what momma says goes. And Momma Tuberville says her son Tommy was fired at Auburn. He didn’t resign, she claims.

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said he asked Tuberville three times to stay aboard, but Tuberville said no.

Ray Melick, columnist for the Birmingham News, believes Tuberville was fired.

Melick said Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs “isn’t always accessible to the media and when he is, he’s not always forthright.”


Alabama Fans Hot After Tickets

Few coaches have ever milked as much out of their talent as Nick Saban did at Alabama. He took a team with good — not great — talent and went 12-0 before losing a terrific game against Florida in the SEC Championship.

Even though Alabama had one of the nation’s youngest teams with just nine scholarship seniors, don’t expect a repeat. The Tide will lose three offensive linemen — provided junior tackle Andre Smith turns pro — and senior quarterback John Parker Wilson, who made enough key plays at key moments to help the Crimson Tide to a #1 ranking through the end of November.

Alabama’s turnaround from a 7-6 record last year has fans ecstatic. Melick told me that Alabama’s ticket manager believes the Tide could have sold 100,000 tickets to the SEC Championship Game.

Alabama should easily sell out the Sugar Bowl allotment of 15,900. Fans might request another 20,000.

Alabama hasn’t played in the New Orleans bowl since defeating Miami for the 1992 national championship. The Tide played in five Sugar Bowls in seven years (1974-80).

SEC Basketball Notes

* Arkansas freshman point guard Courtney Fortson has been one of the league’s biggest surprises. Fortson leads the Hogs with 14.7 points and 5.7 assists and is shooting 51 percent from the field.

* The first time Mississippi State trailed at home this season, the basket was scored by an Alabama State player named (I’m not making this up) Chief Kickingstallionsims.

* Georgia scored less than 65 points in six of its first eight games, yet a win over Virginia Tech boosted the Bulldogs’ record to 6-3.

* Auburn lost to Dayton when the Flyers set an NCAA record for 3-point ineptitude, going 0-for-24. Dayton missed 35 consecutive treys bridging three games.

* The SEC’s leading scorer so far is Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks (22.9). Meeks has the two highest scoring games in the league at 39 and 37 points.

* Ole Miss is the only team with two 20-point scorers — Florida transfer David Huertas (21.4) and Chris Warren (20.4).

* Florida was 104-0 under Billy Donovan when holding an opponent to less than 60 points… until a 57-55 loss to Florida State.

* Which SEC team has the longest current winning streak? LSU, which is off to a 6-0 start against a weak schedule. By the way, LSU has won 69 straight games against other Louisiana schools, dating back 20 years.

* Alabama’s Ronald Steele, who missed last season due to knee surgeries, is playing OK. He’s averaging 13.7 points and shooting 88.6 percent from the foul line.

* Vanderbilt went undefeated at home last year but the Commodores are 2-2 at Memorial Gym thus far, losing to an Illinois-Chicago team that hit 12 of 16 from 3-point range.

* Mississippi State’s Jarvis Varnado, who led the nation in blocked shots last year, is averaging 6.6 blocks this season. He has 53 blocks, 34 more than any other SEC player.

* The SEC has some rather embarrassing losses thus far: VMI over Kentucky, Mercer over Auburn and Alabama, Illinois-Chicago over Vanderbilt, Missouri State over Arkansas, Northern Iowa over Auburn, Loyola Chicago over Georgia, and College of Charleston over South Carolina.

ACE REPORTER: AWARDS AND HONORS FROM MrSEC.COM

jimmy — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:31:10 +0000

Florida coach Urban Meyer did an outstanding job with his football team.

He turned the worst pass defense in the SEC into the league’s best. He tweaked the offense to limit Tim Tebow’s carries and hits. He found a way to lead the SEC in rushing by 30 yards per game thanks to speedy ball carriers.

And he made special teams a weapon.

Florida has blocked eight kicks this season and has 45 in Meyer’s tenure as head coach. The Gators have an outstanding return game. They’ve scored seven non-offensive touchdowns this season.

All of that contributed to Florida leading the SEC in scoring (45 points per game) and winning the SEC Championship despite losing eight players to season-ending knee injuries, including valuable tight end Cornelius Ingram, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in August.

Meyer has done a terrific job this season, but he’s not my SEC Coach of the Year.

Houston Nutt took an Ole Miss team that was 0-8 in SEC play last season and went 5-3 to finish second in the West Division.

The Rebels averaged 45 points in their last three games, upset LSU in Baton Rouge and routed rival Mississippi State 45-0.

Nutt turned players with a defeatist attitude into a Cotton Bowl team that won five in a row and didn’t lose a game by more than seven points. Furthermore, Ole Miss beat the last two national championship teams on their home fields (Florida and LSU).

But Nutt is not my SEC Coach of the Year.

Nick Saban inherited an Alabama team that went 7-6 in his first season and didn’t have a player drafted in the NFL.

Saban had more talent when he took over at LSU in 2000 than he did at Alabama. And this Crimson Tide team is one of the youngest in the nation with just nine seniors.

Yet, the Tide rolled through the regular season at 12-0 and ranked #1. It outscored opponents in the first quarter 120-10 before the SEC title game, an indication the team was ready to play. It was underdog to Clemson and Georgia yet won those games convincingly.

Alabama doesn’t have as much talent as Florida or Georgia or LSU.

But the players bought into what Saban was selling, and Saban has restored Bama’s program to national prominence.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said before this season he wasn’t sure if another SEC team could go through the league undefeated like his Tigers did in 2004. Alabama came close, thanks to a brilliant coaching job by Saban.

Saban is my SEC Coach of the Year.


Who is the SEC Offensive Player of the Year?

Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno led the league in rushing and touchdowns (16). He is a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. He’s a whirling dervish with a great spin move, wonderful vision and great balance.

Georgia’s Matt Stafford led the SEC in passing yards per game and total offense. He is projected to be a top five NFL draft pick if he bypasses his senior season.

But my pick is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner: Tim Tebow.

Tebow’s numbers are down from a year ago, when he led Florida in rushing and accounted for a stunning 55 touchdowns. This season, he has accounted for 40 scores, led the league in passing efficiency, helped his team top the SEC in scoring and total offense and carried the Percy Harvin-less Gators on his shoulders to the SEC title.

The SEC Defensive Player of the Year?

Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody made a tremendous difference in his team’s defense. He is the best run stopper in the nation. He commands double-team blocks. He’s the main reason Alabama leads the league in run defense and is third in the nation.

Vanderbilt’s D.J. Moore is one of the nation’s most underrated players. He is tied for third in the nation with six interceptions and is fourth in the SEC in passes defended. He also caught two touchdown passes and ranks 12th in the nation in punt returns.

South Carolina outside linebacker Eric Norwood leads the SEC in sacks and Ole Miss defensive tackle Peria Jerry is second in tackles for loss.

But my Defensive Player of the Year is Tennessee sophomore safety Eric Berry. He leads the nation with seven interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He holds the SEC record for interception return yards in a season and career. He is 14 yards shy of the national record for career interception return yards. He’s also a vicious hitter. Just ask Moreno.

The Freshman of the Year is a tough call.

Kentucky’s Randall Cobb started the second half of the season at quarterback and helped spark an anemic offense. He accounted for more than 1,000 yards with his passing, running and punt returns.

But the two most deserving candidates are wide receivers: A.J. Green at Georgia and Julio Jones at Alabama.

Green led the SEC with 80.6 receiving yards per game on 51 catches. He scored seven touchdowns.

Jones, who had five catches for more than 100 yards in the SEC Championship game, was fourth in receiving yards per game (62.5) and sixth in receptions per game (3.91) before the Florida game. He has four touchdown catches.

But Jones was more valuable to Alabama than Green was to Georgia because the Bulldogs have other good receivers. Bama doesn’t. Jones’ presence and production helped open up Alabama’s run game and make defenses respect the pass.

My vote: Julio Jones.


Most Surprising Teams: Alabama followed by Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.

Most Disappointing Teams: Tennessee and Auburn followed by LSU.

Most Underrated Coaching Job: Bobby Petrino at Arkansas.

Most Underrated Player: Glen Coffee at Alabama followed by running back-receiver Dexter McCluster at Ole Miss and cornerback Trevard Lindley of Kentucky.

Most Overrated Player: Defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois at LSU.

Best Former Walk-on: Safety Rashad Johnson of Alabama.

Best Offensive Line: Alabama

Worst Offensive Line: South Carolina

Best Backfield: Florida

Worst Backfield: Vanderbilt

Best Defensive Line: Alabama

Worst Defensive Line: Arkansas

Best Linebackers: Florida

Worst Linebackers: Arkansas

Best Secondary: Florida and South Carolina

Worst Secondary: LSU and Ole Miss

Best special teams: Florida

Worst special teams: Kentucky

Best play call: Ole Miss fake punt vs. LSU

Worst play call: South Carolina lateral on kickoff vs. Florida

Best hire: Houston Nutt at Ole Miss followed by defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson at South Carolina

Worst hire: tie between offensive coordinators Dave Clawson at Tennessee and Tony Franklin at Auburn

Best game: SEC Championship game between Florida and Alabama.

ACE REPORTER: HOW TO FIRE A COACH 101

jimmy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:57:08 +0000

When is the best time to fire a football coach?

What is the best way to fire a football coach?

The answers to those questions aren’t simple.

You could argue that you should wait until the last game of the season to evaluate.

You could argue that if you know your decision, pull the trigger to get a jump-start on the coaching search and recruiting.

Tennessee fired Phillip Fulmer with three games and four weeks left in the season. It fired Johnny Majors with three games left in the 1992 season.

Florida fired Ron Zook with three games left.

Mississippi State forced out Sly Croom after the season.

Auburn waited until after the season to meet with Tommy Tuberville, who then resigned.

LSU fired Gerry DiNardo with one game left.

Terry Bowden wasn’t assured he would return at Auburn , so he resigned in October.

Alabama fired Mike Shula after the season.

“I don’t think there’s a magic formula on when to fire a coach,” said former Tennessee athletic director Doug Dickey. “It’s a case by case situation.”

Given a mulligan, Tennessee’s administration would not have fired Majors with three games left. It would have waited until after the season.

“There is an awkwardness to having a coach who is not your coach the last two, three, four games,” said someone involved in the Majors’ decision.

Fulmer called his last month on the job “a four-week funeral.”

For a month, Tennessee players were left hanging, emotionally drained. Assistant coaches were left hanging as well.

Yet, you could argue that if the athletic director knows he’s going to make a change, do it now. Don’t wait. Begin the hiring process and try to salvage the recruiting class.

In Tennessee’s case, the decision could have waited. If you lose to Wyoming, it’s an easier sell to fire Fulmer. If you wait until the week before the Kentucky game, you still have the same two reasons to make a change: Your coach wasn’t competitive enough against his main rivals and apathy had set in with the fan base.

Or you could do what Tennessee did 32 years ago. It told Bill Battle he had to win X-amount of games. He didn’t. He got fired and knew it was coming. No debate or anguish waiting on the verdict.

I’ve been told Lane Kiffin – not Butch Davis – was Hamilton ’s #1 target. The unemployed former Oakland Raiders coach interviewed at Washington, Syracuse and Clemson. Maybe UT was scared of losing Kiffin to one of those three. It shouldn’t have been.

Clemson was waiting to see if Dabo Swinney could earn the job – which he did. And don’t you think Kiffin would have waited on Tennessee rather than jumping on the Washington or Syracuse job?

If you had waited another week to hire Kiffin would it have mattered?

Let’s examine what’s happened in the week Kiffin has been Tennessee ’s coach. None of the five prospects who de-committed to Tennessee have re-committed. And none of the uncommitted players UT has been pursuing have committed to Tennessee.

Moreover, the only blue-chip quarterback you had coming in, Tajh Boyd, was told he doesn’t fit Kiffin’s system, so Boyd de-committed.

You can applaud Kiffin for being honest or question why he doesn’t tweak his scheme to suit a talented, athletic quarterback.

The point is, have you really gained that much by hiring Kiffin a week sooner?

Tuberville left days after being routed in the Iron Bowl. Five players immediately de-committed.

The good news for Auburn is, it had over 20 commitments (just like Tennessee ).

The bad news: If the Tigers don’t hire a coach soon, it might lose more than just those five.

But that remains to be seen.

For comparison’s sake, let’s see what happens to UT’s class and Auburn’s class on National Signing Day, provided Auburn gets a coach by December 15th.

That might be a good barometer for judging the effects of firing a coach with a month left in the season – versus pulling the trigger at the end of the year — and the timing of hiring a new coach.

Based on the recent trends in recruiting, you can make a case that now – from a recruiting standpoint — firing a coach the last week of the season makes more sense than firing him with several games remaining.

Some 10 years ago, most SEC schools didn’t have more than five commitments entering December. It was more important then to get a coach on the road recruiting to get pledges. The rationale: It’s easier to keep a commitment than to get one.

While the debate rages about when to fire a coach, two things are crystal clear to me: You don’t have the new coach fire the former coach’s assistants and you don’t keep the former coach around.

On a Sunday afternoon after Tennessee ’s last game, Kiffin called in each of Fulmer’s assistants. In less than two minutes, he told 20-year assistant John Chavis he was gone. Kiffin did the same to long-time assistants Steve Caldwell, Dan Brooks and Larry Slade. Kiffin told four of the five offensive assistants they would be retained for the immediate future.

Why should Kiffin’s first act be to fire assistants?

Couldn’t the athletic director tell each assistant he won’t be retained, unless the new coach calls you into his office within 24 hours? What’s the point of having veteran coaches summoned in on a Sunday afternoon to inform them they’re basically being fired again? That’s not the proper way to handle the situation.

On the second point, I don’t think it’s wise to keep the fired coach around in a fund-raising role or as an ambassador to the university or athletic department.

Let’s assume Fulmer and Tuberville remain at their schools. When they go out in public to represent their schools, a number of boosters, alumni and fans will tell them how great they are and how they were unjustly treated and how the administration should be ashamed of itself. Old wounds will be re-opened.

Not only that, you’ve got a new coach wondering if the former coach is looking over his shoulder – if not literally, at least figuratively.

Former Auburn coach Pat Dye wasn’t afraid to criticize Terry Bowden, even though Bowden started his Auburn tenure 20-0. When the Tigers slumped under Bowden, Dye was among the first to second guess Bowden.

If Fulmer and Tuberville remain at their schools, they should take a low profile approach. But it’s hard to raise funds if you’re stuck in an office.

When a marriage goes bad, you don’t live under the same roof.

You divorce.

ACE REPORTER: SEC NOTES, NEWS, BLURBS AND BITS

jimmy — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:47:08 +0000

LSU’s defensive coach situation could get interesting

Former Georgia coach Jim Donnan reported on an Atlanta radio station earlier this week that John Chavis has reached an agreement to be LSU’s defensive coordinator.

Not so, said Chavis, former defensive coordinator at Tennessee.

Chavis told me Tuesday he had not talked to LSU.

Would Chavis be interested in going to LSU?

“I don’t want to comment on a job unless there is an opening,” Chavis said.

LSU coach Les Miles has yet to announce what he will do about his co-defensive coordinators, a situation that clearly failed. LSU ranked 11th in the SEC in scoring defense and 12th in pass defense.

Chavis would be a great hire for LSU. He did one of his best jobs at Tennessee this past season, helping the Vols rank in the top five in the nation in total yards allowed and in the top 12 in pass defense and run defense. Not bad for a unit that got no help from an anemic offense that ranked last in the nation with the most three-and-outs.

Chavis said he doesn’t want to coach anywhere that doesn’t provide a chance to compete for a championship. So you’d think Chavis would certainly be intrigued to coordinate a defense at talent-rich LSU.

Chavis has had numerous calls from other colleges. He’s had feelers from the NFL. He’s turned down at least four offers in the past 10 years to be an NFL assistant.

Provided Miles makes a defensive change, and Chavis doesn’t go to LSU, former Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron might be a candidate. Orgeron is defensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints.

While Orgeron has a reputation as a good defensive line coach and for being a greater recruiter – Nick Saban was concerned about Orgeron recruiting Louisiana when Saban was at LSU – there might be some lingering ill will between Miles and Orgeron when Orgeron was recruiting at Ole Miss.

Orgeron’s name has been mentioned as a possible assistant at Tennessee under new coach Lane Kiffin, who worked with Orgeron at Southern Cal.

Archie Manning, Mr. Rebel himself, spoke glowingly of Orgeron, even though Orgeron failed as a head coach at Ole Miss.

“If I were a head coach, he’s someone I would consider hiring,” Manning said.


Dooley may really not be interested

Derek Dooley’s name has been mentioned as a candidate for the Mississippi State job, vacated by Sly Croom.

Dooley, head coach at Louisiana Tech and son of former Georgia Hall of Fame coach Vince Dooley, has indicated he’s not interested. He’s told sources that he feels you have to recruit the junior college ranks to be successful at State and that’s not the route he wants to take to build a program.

Interestingly, Dooley’s Tech team upset Mississippi State in the season opener, setting the tone for a poor season that led to Croom’s ouster.



Big 12 should adopt SEC system

The Big 12 needs to alter its tie-breaker system to determine who plays in the conference championship game.

In case of a three-way tie in which each of the teams is 1-1 against the others, the Big 12 advances the highest ranked BCS team to its league title game. In this case, Oklahoma, which lost head-to-head to Texas, gets the nod over Texas and Texas Tech.

The Big 12 would be better served to adopt the SEC format. The SEC takes the top three teams, eliminates the lowest ranked team in the BCS standings, then takes the winner of the head-to-head match provided those two teams are within five spots of each other in the BCS standings.

That seems a fairer way to declare a winner your division than using polls and computer ratings to decide to who plays for a conference championship. Shouldn’t head to head results count for something?

After all, Texas beat the two teams — Oklahoma and Missouri — scheduled to play for the Big 12 title.

SEC has poor record vs BCS teams

I have felt most of this season that the SEC was down. I believe the quarterback play in the league might be the worst I’ve ever seen. I believe the majority of the offenses border on being inept. I believe the defensive numbers are buoyed by playing against weak offenses.

Here’s another reason I think the SEC is down: The league went 6-9 against other BCS teams.

The wins: Florida over Miami and FSU, Alabama over Clemson, Kentucky over Louisville, Georgia over Arizona State, and South Carolina over NC State.

The losses: Tennessee to UCLA, Georgia to Georgia Tech, Mississippi State to Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt to Wake Forest and Duke, Ole Miss to Wake Forest, Arkansas to Texas, South Carolina to Clemson, and Auburn to West Virginia.

In six of those nine loses, the SEC team allowed at least 30 points, three times surrendering at least 38.

Moreover, the SEC lost twice to non-BCS teams: Mississippi State to Louisiana Tech and Tennessee to Wyoming.

Also, the SEC won’t be able to fill two of its tie-in slots – the Independence Bowl in Shreveport and the Papajohn.com bowl in Birmingham . The SEC should get two teams — Alabama and Florida — in a BCS bowl and only six other teams are bowl eligible.



Extra Points

* Vanderbilt can’t catch a break. The Commodores are bowl eligible for the first time since 1982, but the program might incur a 26th consecutive losing season if coach Bobby Johnson’s team loses its bowl game.

* Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said he would consider being a TV commentator to analyze games, but not if it meant second-guessing or criticizing coaches. Fulmer said he would like to coach again, but only at a program that has a chance to win and has passionate fans.

* Defending national champion LSU had poor actual attendance, averaging more than 20,000 empty seats for home games against Appalachian State, North Texas, Mississippi State , Georgia , Tulane, Troy and Ole Miss, according to a media member. He said fewer than 30,000 fans were around in the fourth quarter against Ole Miss and Troy

* Two reasons for success at Florida and Alabama: Florida leads the nation in turnover margin at plus-21 and Alabama is second in the SEC at plus-9, while Florida leads the SEC in rushing and Alabama is second. Don’t turn the ball over and run it well and you’ll win a lot of games.

* South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier benched tight end Jared Cook for loafing during the Clemson game and wondered if some of his juniors were thinking more of the NFL draft than playing against the Tigers. You’ve got to applaud Spurrier for sitting a player for lack of effort. More coaches should do it.

ACE REPORTER: PLAYING THE “WHAT IF” GAME

John — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:32:02 +0000

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.

ACE REPORTER: WHICH SEC JUNIORS WILL HEAD TO THE NFL?

jimmy — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:25:52 +0000

Quarterback Tim Tebow has won a Heisman Trophy, run up gaudy numbers, set an NCAA record for touchdowns and elevated Florida to a top five team this season.

The left-hander is 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, ranked second in the nation in passing efficiency last year, and became the first player in NCAA Division 1-A history to run for 20 touchdowns and pass for 20 touchdowns in the same season.

He is a marketing dream.

But he doesn’t project to be a first-round pick and probably won’t turn pro after this season, according to NFL draft analyst Mike DeTillier.

“I wouldn’t want to be his first NFL coach because he is not fundamentally sound as a quarterback,” DeTillier said.

DeTillier thinks Tebow will get a second or third round grade from the NFL advisory board.

Tebow needs to become a more skilled passer, according to DeTillier.

To a certain extent, Todd McShay of ESPN agrees. McShay recently listed his first-round projections (including juniors) and didn’t have Tebow in the first round.

While Tebow needs to work on his passing, Georgia junior quarterback Matthew Stafford is already there. DeTiller says Stafford will be a top six pick along with Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, if Bradford decides to enter the draft.

McShay projects Stafford as the #3 overall pick.

Stafford is one of seven SEC juniors that McShay says will be drafted in the first round, if they come out. The total of SEC underclassmen to declare for the draft could range from 12 to 18.

McShay’s mock draft has Alabama junior offensive lineman Andre Smith as the #1 overall pick with Stafford third, senior offensive tackle Michael Oher of Ole Miss at #6, Auburn junior defensive lineman SenDerrick Marks at #11, Alabama junior nose tackle Terrence Cody at #17, Florida junior linebacker Brandon Spikes at #18, Georgia sophomore running back Knowshon Moreno at #20, and Florida junior receiver Percy Harvin #28.

DeTillier pointed out that previous #1 overall quarterback picks from the SEC – Peyton and Eli Manning and JaMarcus Russell – were at least 6-foot-4. Stafford is listed as 6-3 but DeTillier thinks he’s 6-2.

“It’s not a huge thing, but it will be brought up in discussion,” he said. “Stafford is very accurate, a pocket passer, has good mobility, and he’s got a thick hide.”

DeTillier said Moreno will be among the top 15 players taken, and that Moreno is similar to Auburn’s Cadillac Williams, who was a top five pick.

DeTillier compared Harvin to Cal’s DeSean Jackson – a small, quick, explosive player – and Spikes to another Spikes – former Auburn star Takeo Spikes.

As for Alabama’s Smith, he is a “clear-cut” No. 1 guy, a left tackle who can play 12 years in the NFL.

“He’s the best junior or senior out there,” Detillier said. “He’s a dominant left tackle, better than (former Alabama star) Chris Samuels. There’s a reason Alabama runs 65 percent of the time off left tackle.”

DeTillier is high on Vanderbilt junior cornerback-receiver-returner DJ Moore, a two-way player who had two touchdown catches and two interceptions against Kentucky.

“He’s the most underrated football player in America,” DeTillier said. “He is to them on defense what Jay Cutler was to them on offense. He’s got great cover skills.”

Kentucky senior defensive end Jeremy Jarmon needs a big workout to move up from being a middle-round pass rusher.

“I like his pass rushing skills and the NFL has become a pressure league,” DeTillier said.

Kentucky junior cornerback Trevard Lindley projects to go in the second round.

“He’s a really good cover guy with athletic skills,” DeTillier said. “He could decide to come out early because the field is not great.”

DeTillier thinks LSU has two late first to early second round picks in junior left tackle Ciron Black and senior defensive end Tyson Jackson.

Junior defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois has been “in the witness protection program most of the year.” DeTillier thought before the season Francois would be a high first-round pick and be more dominant than former LSU defensive tackle Glen Dorsey. That hasn’t been the case.

DeTillier sees Oher going among the top 10 picks. He also likes Ole Miss senior defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who projects as a late first rounder.

“A stud guy,” he said. “Short, squatty, great pressure up the middle, good motor.”

DeTillier said junior defensive end Greg Hardy has been too inconsistent due to a stress fracture in his foot.

“He’s a high maintenance guy,” DeTillier said. “You’ve got to be on him to get something out of him. But he’s the best natural pass rusher in the SEC. When he’s hot, he’s as good as they come. He could dominant, but you don’t see the fire in his belly. On athletic ability, he’s a first rounder. On attitude, he’s a third or fourth rounder.”

DeTillier likes two Auburn players: Marks and junior defensive end Antonio Coleman. Marks is a “disruptive” force and a good – but not great – inside pass rusher. He projects to go in the first round.”

Coleman is a good pass rusher but a bit “light in the pants,” and might get an early second-round grade.

Mississippi State senior safety Derek Pegues will be “a second rounder,” DeTillier said.

Pegues is a playmaker in the return game but smallish for a safety. He compares to the Colts’ Bob Sanders, but he doesn’t hit as hard, though his coverage skills are better.

South Carolina senior Kenny McKinley runs great routes and has good hands, but isn’t fast enough to be a high pick. He could be a good three receiver who likely will go in the middle rounds, DeTillier said.

DeTillier said Gamecocks junior Jared Cook is the best tight end in college football. He has good hands and blocks decently.

“He gets a first-round grade from me because he’s a special player,” DeTillier said.

Carolina junior linebacker Eric Norwood will get about a third-round grade and middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley would be a late-round pick because he’s a two-down player who doesn’t play the pass well, DeTillier said.

Carolina safety Emmanuel Cook would get a “fairly early grade” from DeTillier. “He’s a really good player. Plays good run support. Plays the pass well. He’s a playmaker back there.”

DeTillier said safeties like Cook are becoming more important in the NFL because they’re asked to play run support and cover one-on-one based on some spread offenses.

Tennessee senior running back Arian Foster made a mistake by not turning pro a year ago, when he had a second to third round grade. Foster rushed for almost 1,200 yards last season. He has 511 entering the Kentucky game.

“He’s not a middle-round pick,” DeTillier said. “He hasn’t upgraded his draft stock. You’ll get good value if he plays like he did as a junior.”

Tennessee junior defensive tackle Dan Williams will be a second or third round evaluation. Williams could be a defensive end in a 3-4, DeTillier said.

“If you’re not a first-round grade, it’s worthwhile to come back (to college),” DeTillier said.

DeTillier thinks the Vols’ Robert Ayers will be drafted as will offensive linemen Ramon Foster and Anthony Parker, with Foster going ahead of Parker.

He also thinks junior outside linebacker Rico McCoy might have a shot as a strong safety and he thinks Lucas Taylor could make a team because of his hands.

ACE REPORTER: UT LOOKS TO AVOID SLUMP, AS BITTERNESS GROWS

jimmy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:43:31 +0000

As Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton pursues a new football coach, the bitterness of Phillip Fulmer’s ouster continues to linger in several camps.

Fulmer said it’s been like a three-week funeral around the football team and he still contended after the Vanderbilt game that he could have turned the program around.

Defensive coordinator John Chavis has been emotional in his disagreement with the decision.

A big-money contributor wore a “fire Hamilton ” hat to the Wyoming game.

Another booster said Hamilton better make the right hire or his job would be in jeopardy.

Hamilton was scheduled to interview Texas Tech coach Mike Leach Sunday in Dallas, according to a source. North Carolina’s Butch Davis and Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly are also considered strong candidates for the job.

The sooner Hamilton makes a hire, the better chance UT has of salvaging a recruiting class that was once ranked among the top five in the nation.

Since Fulmer’s firing, four recruits have de-committed – offensive lineman Antonio Foster, running back Jarvis Giles, safety D.J. Swearinger and fullback Dominique Allen. Running back David Oku de-committed today.

At least three others are scheduled to visit other schools and likely will de-commit if left hanging much longer.

And UT is in on eight players who are hoping to enroll at mid-term, including blue-chip quarterback Tajh Boyd, receiver JeRon Stokes, and linebacker Jerrod Askew.

If you don’t have a coach in place by December 15th, you might lose the majority of those mid-term prospects.

Such are the obstacles when you make a coaching job – deserved or not.

You can argue with the timing, but you can also make valid points that a change was necessary. Consider Fulmer’s 1-9 record against top 10 teams at home in the 2000s, his record against the elite programs and coaches in the SEC, his losing record in his last 33 SEC games, a 10-year drought since winning his last SEC title, a 65 percent winning percentage in the 2000s versus an 84 percent winning percentage in the 1990s.

Could Fulmer have turned it around?

He thinks so.

So does a former Tennessee great, offensive lineman Tim Irwin, who starred for the Vols some 30 years ago and made the Minnesota Vikings all-time 40-year team.

Irwin called the decision to fire Fulmer “unsound” and is concerned about the direction of the program without Fulmer.

“This is a giant step backwards,” Irwin said. “We’ll go back to the stone age with the program. … I’m embarrassed by the way my university handled it.”

Irwin said a new coach will start from “ground zero” whereas Fulmer, with a change at offensive coordinator, has a better chance to rebuild by retaining the defensive staff and holding on to a top-notch recruiting class than a newcomer.

Another former player, who asked not to be identified, said Tennessee will venture into a 10-year abyss because of the Fulmer firing.

Hamilton, obviously, is willing – or felt compelled – to take that risk. He saw a program that wasn’t as competitive as desired with its rivals. He saw dwindling attendance. And he saw the majority of a fan base that had lost faith in its coach.

But, will Hamilton make the right hire?

He knows what happened at Nebraska, where a former colleague, Steve Pederson, fired Frank Solich after a 9-win season, hired Bill Callahan from the NFL, then got fired before Callahan got the heave-ho.

You can point to a number of football powers that have endured slumps, some for more than a decade.

* LSU had eight losing seasons in an 11-year period, including six in a row. Mike Archer, Curley Hallman and Gerry DiNardo couldn’t win at one of the best college jobs in the country. Nick Saban was hired in 2000 and put LSU back on the relevant map.

* Alabama had five none-winning seasons under three coaches from 1997-2006. Each coach, somehow, recorded a 10-win season.

* Oklahoma had five consecutive non-winning seasons from 1994-98 and won seven games combined in 1996-97. Gary Gibbs and John Blake failed before Bob Stoops got it turned around in a big way.

* Southern Cal had four non-winning seasons between 1996-2001. And the Trojans were 3-8 in 1991. Pete Carroll has turned the Trojans into a top five program.

* Notre Dame has had four losing seasons since 1999 and dropped in a .500 record in 2004. The jury is still out on Charlie Weiss.

Will Tennessee’s program meander in mediocrity for many years or will the next coach be an immediate success, like Jim Tressel at Ohio State?

It’s a roll of the dice, a calculated risk.

We’ll find out if Hamilton hits a home run like he did in hiring Bruce Pearl or whiffs like Alabama did with Mike Shula.

Extra Points

*Who would have thought Ole Miss and LSU would both be 7-4 with the Rebels having the inside shot at the Cotton Bowl over the defending national champions? Quarterback play is a big reason. Ole Miss’ Jevan Snead was outstanding against LSU, firing two touchdown passes, while LSU’s passers were 14 of 32.

*Tennessee’s anemic offense has had a touchdown drive on 18 of 132 possessions and added five field goals when the offense had to generate at least one first down. Compared to a recent Florida surge – 34 touchdowns on 54 possessions – that makes UT’s offense look even worse. Also, UT has completed 49 percent of its passes for seven touchdowns. The last time UT failed to hit half of its passes in a season was 1979. The last time UT failed to reach double digits in TD passes was 1989.

*Vanderbilt has the worst offense of any bowl eligible team. The QB play was horrible against Tennessee , and the run game mustered 25 yards on 28 carries. Vandy had minus-2 yards of total offense before the last drive of the first half. Vandy is averaging only 262 total yards per game and is last in the SEC in passing.

*Wouldn’t a national championship game between Florida and Oklahoma be spectacular? Oklahoma scored 65 points against the No. 2 team in the nation. The Sooners have scored more points in the first quarter than more than 20 Division 1-A teams have all season. Florida rolled up 705 yards on 1-AA The Citadel, 512 in the first half. Florida and Oklahoma look to be playing better than anyone else in the country.

ACE REPORTER: ANOTHER REASON TO DISLIKE SABAN

John — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:44:47 +0000

Alabama’s Nick Saban has been called a dictator and a devil.

Both are accurate. He has total control over his program and he’s a devil of a coach – and that’s a compliment.

Those are two reasons his team is 10-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation.

LSU coach Les Miles allegedly called Saban the devil, although Miles denies saying that. Miles surely has been frustrated by so many people saying he’s won with Saban’s talent. He’ll be even more frustrated when Saban starts stealing recruits out of the Bayou State.

Saban is not all that popular as a coach. Maybe it’s his ability to recruit. Maybe it’s his $4 million salary. Maybe it’s his fast lane to success. He’s raising the bar for his colleagues, which can’t help his popularity.

When Florida coach Steve Spurrier was asked why, in four years, he hasn’t had nearly the success Saban is having in his second year at Alabama, Spurrier smirked: “Poor coaching, I guess.”

Saban has upped the time line for rebuilding a program. He inherited a team with mediocre talent and has them challenging for the national championship in Year Two.

He’s having what Georgia coach Mark Richt would call one of those “magical” second seasons.

Richt had one, leading Georgia to a 13-1 record and an SEC championship in his second season.

Meyer won the national title in his second season at Florida and went undefeated in his second year at Utah.

Gene Stallings went 11-1 in his second year at Alabama. Dennis Franchione won 10 games in his second year at the Capstone.

Ken Hatfield won 10 games in his second year at Arkansas.

Terry Bowden won his first 20 games at Auburn and Tommy Tuberville and Pat Dye won nine in their second season on the Plains.

Spurrier won 10 games and the SEC title his second year at Florida.

At LSU, Saban won the SEC in his second season and Les Miles won 11 games and the Sugar Bowl in his second season.

Lou Holtz went from 0-11 to 8-4 at South Carolina.

There is something special about second seasons for SEC coaches.

But nobody has done a more special job than Saban. Miles inherited more talent at LSU. And Meyer inherited much more talent at Florida.

As one Alabama fan told me: “I knew he was good, but I had no idea he was this good.”

Just one more reason for Saban’s coaching colleagues to dislike him.


LSU’s Season Not A Surprise

It should come as no surprise that LSU has struggled to a 7-3 record and was unable to repeat as West Division champions.

That’s the norm, rather than the exception, for defending national champions.

Not since Nebraska in 1994-95 have we seen a team repeat as #1. And in the SEC, five of the last six national championships lost at least three games the next season.

Alabama won the national championship in 1992 but went 9-3-1 the next season and was forced to forfeit every win but one due to playing an ineligible player.

Florida went 10-2 and finished second in the East after winning the title in 1996.

Tennessee went 9-3 and failed to win the East after taking the 1998 crown.

LSU won it all in 2003, then went 9-3 the next season.

Florida was the national champ in 2006, then went 9-4 with a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback.

It’s worth noting that Florida in 1997 and Tennessee in 1999 finished in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll. The other three were ranked in the top 20 and this year’s LSU team won’t crack the top 10.

Meyer has a good idea why last year’s Gators lost three SEC games and fell to Michigan in the Capital One Bowl.

“We had some entitlement issues with guys who had no impact on the national championship,” Meyer said. “We had a lot of confusion about work ethic and accountability.”

A lack of both proved harmful to Florida ’s efforts to repeat.

“I’m glad that issued has been cleared up,” Meyer said.

In essence, Florida wasn’t as hungry in 2007 as it was in 2006. That’s natural. A coach might not like it, but that’s human nature.

It’s hard to tell how much better LSU would be with deposed quarterback Ryan Perrilloux. He might have been the difference against a Georgia or an Alabama.

Then again, LSU might not have been as hungry.

Still, LSU could win more games this season than Saban did after his 2003 title.

That would at least give Les Miles one feather in his cap against Saban.

Georgia Defense Hard To Defend

A team many picked to finish #1 is #10 in the SEC in scoring defense. Georgia has allowed 23.8 points per game, with Alabama (41 points), LSU (38), Kentucky (38) and Florida (49) jacking up those numbers.

Georgia finished SEC play 6-2 but outscored opponents 215-214. The 214 points is the most allowed in SEC play although Kentucky, LSU and Arkansas could surpass that total. Kentucky (210) has one SEC game left, LSU (192) two and Arkansas (187) two.

Sometimes scoring defense can be misleading. For example, LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee has thrown seven interceptions that have been returned for touchdowns. Special teams scores can also skew actual numbers.

Perhaps a better barometer of defense is total yards allowed. Georgia ranks sixth in the SEC and 24th in the nation. No SEC team has allowed more touchdowns and the average yards per play against the Bulldogs is 5.0 — tied for eighth in the SEC.

By any standard, Georgia’s defense has been disappointing. But the Dawgs still have a chance to match last season’s 11-2 record. Last year’s team finished No. 2 in the nation. This year’s team won’t crack the top six.


Extra Points

Kentucky went from #1 in the nation in scoring defense to #36 in four weeks. The banged up Wildcats surrendered 63 to Florida, 42 to Georgia and 31 to Vanderbilt

South Carolina went from #1 in the SEC in total defense to #4 after giving up 520 yards to Florida.

LSU’s 37 points in the last 16.5 minutes against Troy was more than the Tigers had scored in six games.

While new clock rules have cut the average number of plays in an SEC game to about 135, LSU (80 snaps) and Troy (89) combined for 169 in a game that lasted 3 hours, 48 minutes and was not televised. The teams combined for 113 pass attempts and 58 incompletions.

Auburn (107), Tennessee (115) and Mississippi State (116) rank among the 12 lowest scoring teams in the nation. Six SEC teams rank 72 or lower. Only Florida is among the top 25.

South Carolina, Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt rank no higher than 96 in the nation in total offense. No SEC team ranks among the top 20.

Six SEC teams average more than 150 rushing yards per game and all are bowl eligible. Kentucky (eighth) and South Carolina (12th) are the two exceptions.

Four SEC teams rank in the top 10 in total defense and 11 rank among the top 41.

Only two SEC teams rank among the top 55 in pass offense. Seven SEC teams average less than 180 passing yards per game and rank no higher than 94th.

SEC teams have returned nine punts for touchdowns and five kickoffs for touchdowns.

ACE REPORTER: VANDY BOWLS, FLORIDA ROLLS AND MORE

John — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:05:38 +0000

Crucial Penalty Doesn’t Cost Vandy

During the middle of the fourth quarter, Vanderbilt was nursing a 14-point lead at Kentucky when quarterback Chris Nickson ripped through the secondary for more than 30 yards.

It would be an historic run. It would put Vandy in field goal range for a game-clinching score. It would mark the first time since 1982 the Commodores would be bowl eligible. It would snap a streak of 17 consecutive losses in bowl-eligible games.

Alas, Vandy was called for holding on Nickson’s brilliant run, wiping out the first down, the field position, the probable score and leaving in doubt the outcome.

Wasn’t that just typical Vanderbilt – snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and causing Bobby Johnson to anguish once again about being so close, but no cigar.

Kentucky quickly scored to cut the margin to seven points, then got the ball back and was driving inside the Vandy 30 when cornerback DJ Moore made a terrific interception on a fourth-down slant play with two minutes left.

Vanderbilt’s Johnson got a Gatorade shower.

Vanderbilt’s program got a gorilla off its back.

There is still a chance Vanderbilt won’t get a bowl bid. The SEC has nine bowl tie-ins. Eight SEC teams are now bowl eligible. Auburn has to beat Alabama to become bowl eligible and Arkansas must beat Mississippi State and LSU to become bowl eligible. If either fails, Vandy is in. And if Florida and Alabama get BCS bowl berths, Vandy is in.

Vanderbilt wouldn’t have beaten Kentucky if Johnson hadn’t thrown caution to the wind and played Moore all over the field. The senior had never caught a pass at Vanderbilt, yet caught two for touchdowns in the first quarter. He also intercepted two passes and returned punts.

Moore’s yeoman effort is one reason Vandy will be practicing during the Christmas holidays for the first time in 26 years.

Vandy (4-3) is also a win over Tennessee away from tying the school record for most SEC wins in a season, set in 1935.


Gators Ring Up 50 Points On Former Coach

CBS analyst Gary Danielson said during the Florida-South Carolina game that Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier wouldn’t respect Urban Meyer if Meyer had a chance to hang 50 on USC but didn’t.

Spurrier certainly did it as Florida’s coach. He liked to run it up and rub it in.

Spurrier got a taste of his medicine at The Swamp, as Meyer put 56 on the #1 defense in the SEC. Of course, not all 56 came against USC’s defense. The Gators returned an interception for a touchdown, recovered a lateral on a kickoff at the USC one-foot line, and got 10 more points off special teams play or USC turnovers.

Florida made a case for being the nation’s best team, even though the Gators have one loss. Since falling to Ole Miss, Florida has averaged over 50 points against the next six opponents — three of them ranked. In a 19-quarter stretch, the offense had scored a touchdown on 34 of 54 possessions (discounting two at the end of the half). That’s remarkable efficiency.

And Florida’s much improved defense has forced more punts (33) than points allowed (26) in the first half. The Gators have outscored opponents 227-26 in the first two quarters and they’ve scored eight non-offensive touchdowns.

No wonder Spurrier thinks these Gators are better than the 2006 version, which needed to block a late field goal to hang on against the Gamecocks.

By the way, Spurrier has a winning record against every SEC team except his alma mater. He’s 1-3 against the Gators.

Tebow In Running For Heisman

Winning the Heisman Trophy has become a numbers game.

You’ve got to be on the #1 team, or be the #1 rusher or the #1 passer or the first guy to have 20 touchdown passes and 20 touchdown rushes in the same season – like Florida ’s Tim Tebow last year.

Tebow accounted for 55 touchdowns last season. He won’t account for that many this year. He might not get to 40. But he’s just as good a quarterback this season as last, if not better.

Because he’s such a running threat, he makes Florida run game go. And he’s become a better pocket passer, having completed right at 70 percent of his throws over the last six games.

Tebow will be on my Heisman ballot again this year, but I’m not sure I’ll put him first again.

While Tebow has had a terrific season, Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell has been off the charts. He has completed 71.7 percent of his passes for 4,077 yards and 36 touchdowns with just five interceptions for his second-ranked team (9-0). Harrell has been at his best against three ranked teams the Red Raiders defeated – Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma State.

How Harrell plays against Oklahoma this Saturday could define whether he wins the Heisman.

Some would argue that Harrell faces softer defenses in the Big 12 than Tebow faces in the SEC.

There may be some truth to that, but folks, SEC defenses aren’t all that good this year. Their national defensive numbers are a product of poor SEC offenses and poor non-conference opponents. And look at how West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Tulsa, Texas and Troy sliced up some SEC defenses.

By the way, it was interesting to hear CBS report that Tebow spent time with Spurrier at the Heisman Trophy ceremonies and the Dave O’Brien banquet and said he could never play for Spurrier. No explanation was given.



Extra Points

Florida’s Percy Harvin has scored a touchdown in 12 consecutive games, one shy of the active streak of 13 held by Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree.

LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee has throw seven interceptions this season that have been returned for a touchdown. If that’s not a national record, it’s got to be close.

Kentucky true freshman quarterback Randall Cobb did about all he could against Vanderbilt, passing for 144 yards, rushing for 71 and returning punts. He’s one of the top three freshmen in the SEC this season.

Spurrier said Kenny McKinley is one of the best receivers he’s ever coached, putting him up there with Reidel Anthony, Jacquez Green, Ike Hilliard, Chris Doering and Clarkston Hines. McKinley is USC’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and consecutive games with a catch.

How about this one: Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky are bowl eligible but Tennessee and Auburn are not.

My MrSEC.com Power Poll Ballot

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. LSU
5. South Carolina
6. Ole Miss
7. Vanderbilt
8. Kentucky
9. Auburn
10. Arkansas
11. Tennessee
12. Miss State

ACE REPORTER: FOUR TOUGH QUESTIONS (AND ANSWERS)

jimmy — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:35:54 +0000

Who’s The Better Coach: Spurrier Or Meyer?

When Florida hosts South Carolina this Saturday, the Gators will be positioning for a shot at a national championship. The Gamecocks will be positioning for a shot at a better bowl game.

That’s the difference in the two programs.

Florida one won four consecutive SEC Championships in the 1990s.

South Carolina has won four bowl games since 1892.

When you analyze these teams today, you might ask: Who has the better coach? Is it Urban Meyer? Or Steve Spurrier?

No doubt, Meyer has several built-in advantages, not the least of which he has one of the elite coaching jobs in the country. The Meyer resume: 17-6 at Bowling Green, 12-0 and a BCS bowl win at Utah, a national championship at Florida.

The Spurrier resume: six SEC Championships but none since 2000, an ACC title at Duke, a school-record 28 wins in his first four years at South Carolina .

What Meyer did at Utah matches what Spurrier did at Duke. Meyer has not sustained success at a school the way Spurrier did at Florida, but Meyer might be on his way at Florida.

I judge a coach based more on what he did in recent years, not the past 20. For example, Bobby Bowden isn’t as good a coach now as he was 10 years ago. Neither is Joe Paterno. And neither is Spurrier.

Some say this is one of Spurrier’s best coaching jobs. I disagree. South Carolina has won seven games because of its defense, not Spurrier’s offense. It was Spurrier who messed up the offense by starting Tommy Beecher, then Chris Smelley, then Stephen Garcia.

Meyer has adjusted well to the rigors of the SEC. He has tweaked his offense. He has conquered his rivals. He has motivated his players. He can beat you with an explosive offense or skilled special teams. And he’s in position to challenge for a second national title in three years.

Because of the difference in programs, I’d say winning eight games at South Carolina rivals winning the SEC at Florida. But winning the SEC is still tougher.

Meyer is in position to do that now. And now, he’s the better coach.

Is Saban Worth $4 Million Per Year?

Has Alabama coach Nick Saban been worth his $4 million average salary over eight years?

It’s hard to justify salaries. Is Alex Rodriguez worth $25 million to the New York Yankees? Is Tom Brady worth $18 million to the New England Patriots? Is Kobe Bryant worthy of a $116 million contract?

If those players bring in that much revenue to their team, the answer is yes. But how do you determine that revenue boost?

At Alabama, it’s simpler. You look at ticket revenues, donations, souvenir and concession sales. You might also look at national publicity, a #1 ranking and possible BCS bowl revenue.

Maybe even bragging rights. How do you put a price tag on bragging rights? How do you measure the worth of beating Clemson and Georgia and LSU? And maybe Auburn for the first time in seven years?

Without knowing exactly what the additional revenues are at Alabama since Saban took over, my answer to the Saban question is a resounding “yes.”

To take a team with mediocre talent in his first season and be 10-0 and #1 in his second season is a remarkable coaching job – probably the best in the nation. Certainly the best in the SEC.

If Saban wins a national title at a second SEC school that he has had to rebuild, it would be hard to argue that there’s a better coach in the country than Nick Saban.

Was The Loss To Alabama The Beginning Of The End For Miles?

In his first two years at LSU, Les Miles won a national championship, an SEC title and 34 games – not to mention three bowl games in decisive fashion.

He deserves credit for what he achieved, even if he did so with Saban’s talent.

This season, Miles has most of his recruits. He also has three losses. He’s played three teams currently ranked in the top 20 and didn’t beat any of them. Florida and Georgia outplayed the Tigers, but Miles let one get away against Alabama.

Was the Alabama defeat the beginning of the end for Miles?

First off, until 2000, LSU had just 10-win seasons in history. LSU has a strong tradition, but it doesn’t match Alabama’s.

Secondly, it’s unreasonable to expect Miles or any LSU coach – Saban included – to average over 11 wins a year. Saban averaged 10 in his last four years at LSU

Miles has recruited well at LSU. He fell victim this season to being caught without a quarterback after the dismissal of Ryan Perrilloux.

LSU will probably go 9-3 prior to playing in a bowl. If LSU wins the bowl, it would mark Miles’ fourth straight season with 10 wins. Miles happens to be the only LSU coach in history to win 10 in back-to-back seasons.

Miles’ second three seasons won’t be nearly as successful as his first three. He’ll go from 34 wins to about 28. In the process, he will be criticized for going on fourth down, for throwing a pass with one second left on the clock, for wearing his hat too high on his head.

That’s what happens when you win too many games too soon – with someone else’s talent.

Miles can have several more 10-win seasons at LSU, but he better not lose three or four in a row to Saban or the seat in Baton Rouge will be hotter than Tabasco sauce.

Will Vanderbilt Become Bowl Eligible?

The pressure is building at Vanderbilt.

After a 5-0 start, the Commodores would surely make it to a bowl game for the first time since 1982. Wouldn’t they?

Not so fast, my friend.

A close loss at Mississippi State and a stunning loss to Duke have created doubts. Now 5-4, Vandy has just three more chances to become bowl eligible: at Kentucky, Tennessee and at Wake Forest .

In the past 12 years, Vanderbilt has not won two games in a season in the month of November.

Why?

“Probably the people we play,” was the short answer from coach Bobby Johnson.

Vanderbilt and Kentucky are about even in talent. The x-factor for the Wildcats is true freshman quarterback Randall Cobb, who had 187 total yards against Georgia and scored three touchdowns in a 42-38 loss.

Johnson is impressed by Cobb, who has played receiver, punt returner and quarterback for the Wildcats.

“It looks like he’s played quarterback the last three years,” Johnson said. “He looks real comfortable.”

Cobb has shown an ability to pass, scramble and run the option. He might be the main man in the way of Vanderbilt becoming bowl eligible.

Extra Points

Spurrier said his defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson gets a bonus if the Gamecocks finish in the top six in the SEC in total defense. The Gamecocks are ranked No. 1 going into the Florida game.

The Disappointment Bowl this weekend matches Georgia (8-2) against Auburn (5-5).

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville might have to beat Georgia or Alabama to save his job, although a $6 million buyout to be paid over 366 days might be a tough pill for the Tigers to swallow.

Meyer said he does extensive background checks on recruits before signing them and he’s rejected some for misbehaving: “I’m not saying I’m getting too old for that but I’m not going to put up with it anymore.”

ACE REPORTER: STATS POINT TO A GREAT SEC TITLE GAME

jimmy — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:05:33 +0000

Never before has the SEC Championship game matchup been settled so soon.

Alabama’s win over LSU clinched the West and Florida’s win over Vanderbilt clinched the East.

If each team wins out as expected, we might have the nation’s top two ranked teams squaring off in the Georgia Dome. Top-ranked Alabama (10-0) has Mississippi State and Auburn remaining and would likely remain #1 if unbeaten. Third-ranked Florida (8-1) has South Carolina, The Citadel and Florida State left.

The combined records of Bama and Florida could be 23-1 – the best ever for the SEC title game. Next best is 21-2-1 in 1994: 11-1 Alabama and 10-1-1 Florida.

Florida is the hottest team in the country, averaging over 50 points in their last four wins.

Alabama is the best coached team in the country, winning decisively on the road against Georgia and Tennessee and beating an inspired LSU team in rowdy Tiger Stadium.

While Florida quarterback Tim Tebow hasn’t matched his Heisman Trophy numbers of 2007, he’s still worthy of an invite to New York. He accounted for five touchdowns in an easy win over Vanderbilt. Tebow’s not running as much, but he’s still mighty effective when he does.

Nick Saban has taken an Alabama team that went 6-6 in the regular-season the past two years and done a masterful coaching job. The Tide uses a strong run game, a strong run defense, and solid play from quarterback John Parker Wilson. This is Alabama’s first #1 ranking since Bear Bryant was the coach.

Alabama is so focused, a Tide assistant didn’t realize his team had clinched the West until told by a reporter.

Interestingly, the teams rank 1-2 in the SEC in scoring offense, scoring defense, rushing offense and third-down conversions. They rank 1 and 3 in rush defense.

Florida has the better quarterback.

Alabama has the better power run game.

Florida has more offensive speed.

Alabama has a better run defense.

Florida has better special teams.

Alabama has a better third-down defense.

It should be one of the best SEC championship games ever.

The rankings tell you so.

LSU A Quarterback Away From Clicking

No wonder Les Miles doesn’t like Nick Saban. No wonder LSU’s coach doesn’t like to speak his predecessor’s name.

For years, Miles has had to listen to people say he won with Saban’s talent, he won an SEC title and the national championship because of the players Saban recruited.

Although Miles is 10 months removed from hoisting the national championship trophy, the whispers are starting again.

Where does LSU go without Saban’s players? With a third loss this season, are the Tigers going back to an 8-4 team? Can they find a quarterback?

Quarterback Jarrett Lee’s four interceptions were pivotal in an overtime loss to Alabama, once again showcasing the importance of the position.

Give LSU a Tebow, and the Tigers might be undefeated. Give the Tigers a Matt Stafford or a John Parker Wilson, and they’re a top 10 team. Give them Ryan Perrilloux and they might be an 11-1 team. Give them Lee and they might finish out of the top 20.

Tennessee Suffers An Embarrassing Loss

Was Tennessee’s decision to fire Phillip Fulmer validated by the loss to
Wyoming on Saturday, or did it contribute to the defeat?

Probably both.

I felt Tennessee players would destroy Wyoming in a show of support for Fulmer… or play uninspired because of the emotional blow of losing
their coach. I still thought a lackluster effort would result in a win
over one of the 20 worst teams in the nation.

No offense to the Cowboys – and Wyoming has no offense – but the Cowboys are the worst team to beat Tennessee in the 24 years I’ve covered the Vols. Army was bad in 1986 and Duke wasn’t very good in 1988.

Two others that rival the Wyoming defeat: North Texas State in 1975 and Rutgers in 1979 – but I didn’t see those games. And there were the 1958 losses to Florida State, a relative newcomer to the football ranks, and to UT-Chattanooga.

Will Overstreet, a former star player at Tennessee (and a voter in our MrSEC.com Power Poll), blasted the team’s lack of effort. He said they quit and didn’t come to play.

Others were more sympathetic, citing the team being emotional drained
and distracted by the firing of their “father figure.”

Fulmer took the podium in the media room after two of his players – Wes Brown and Jonathan Crompton – were emotional in their comments. Brown broke down. Crompton tired to pick up the pieces, but he, too, was teary eyed.

Crompton said the players wanted to send their coach out on a
three-game winning streak. That won’t happen, not with the loss to Wyoming.

Fulmer said the players don’t owe him anything. Fulmer also said he
should apologize to the fans.

There weren’t a lot of fans to apologize to. Actual attendance was about
75,000. Many said they would go to homecoming as a show of support for Fulmer. Maybe some did. Most did not.

And that’s a big reason athletic director Mike Hamilton pulled the plug on the Fulmer Era.

ACE REPORTER: THE TENNESSEE COACHING SEARCH

jimmy — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:33:14 +0000

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton is about to find out what Joe Dean, Vince Dooley, Jeremy Foley and Mal Moore discovered in previous years: It’s tough to hire the right football coach at an elite program.

At LSU, Dean hired Curley Hallman and Gerry DiNardo before landing Nick Saban. Hallman had five straight losing seasons. DiNardo had two – the last two during a five-year run.

At Georgia, Dooley hired Ray Goff and Jim Donnan before settling on Mark Richt. In seven years, Goff had two teams that won more than six games. Donnan did much better, winning 35 games in his last four years, including all four bowl games. Yet, he was fired, in part, because he couldn’t beat Tennessee or Florida.

At Florida, Foley hired Ron Zook, who had three straight five-loss seasons, not including a knockout blowout delivered by a fraternity house. Urban Meyer came along to clean up the mess.

At Alabama, Moore brought in Mike DuBose, Dennis Franchione and Mike Shula. DuBose had two losing seasons. Franchione bolted after Year Two for Texas A&M. Shula had one winning season in four years. Saban was hired to resurrect a second SEC program.

If Hamilton could hire Saban, Tennessee wouldn’t have to worry about continuing a downward slide. But Hamilton can’t hire Saban. He can’t hire Meyer. And he won’t get a Jon Gruden or a Pete Carroll.

There aren’t many sure-fire hires in college football.

And I don’t see a young Saban or a young Meyer among the available candidates.

Whichever direction Hamilton goes, he better not make a mistake.

The outpouring of support after Phillip Fulmer’s forced resignation has been stunning. Members of the athletic department have contacted several former players to gauge their reaction. The response: What the hell have you done?

Some have said they won’t support the athletic department again until the athletic director is gone.

More than one former player is withdrawing his financial support. Others have said they will scrutinize Hamilton more carefully than ever.

The UT compliance office has fielded several calls from players or parents of players inquiring about transferring. One came from former Vol offensive lineman David Douglas, whose son, tight end Aaron Douglas, was the state of Tennessee ’s top-rated prospect in 2008.

Former Vol All-American kicker Fuad Reveiz teed off on Hamilton.

“There are a lot of things I’m infuriated about,” Reveiz said.

He cited the way the ouster was handled.

“It disgusts me that it was done with three games left,” Reveiz said. “I heard the athletic director say it was done with three games left so we could feel good about him (Fulmer). That’s a bunch of crap. To let the guy hang in the wind for three games is disgusting. … It’s nuts.”

Reveiz feels a special bond to Fulmer, who was an assistant at UT when Reveiz was the kicker. Reveiz also has two sons who walked on at Tennessee, one of whom has since been given a scholarship.

“You don’t judge a coach on two out of 17 years,” said Reveiz, referring to 2005 and this season. “Last year was the best coaching job he’s ever done and he lost to the eventual national champion by two plays in the SEC Championship game. If we’d had any offense (this year) we’d have won three more games.”

And at 6-3 – rather than 3-6 – Hamilton would not have forced out Fulmer.

Reveiz said if you hire someone with Fulmer’s credentials, you’d have to pay him $3.5 million. Fulmer’s average salary over his seven-year deal is $3 million.

Will Hamilton pay more than $3 million for the next coach? Perhaps, depending on who the new guy is.

One of the prime candidates is North Carolina coach Butch Davis. He has said he’s not interested. But what do you expect him to say while he’s coaching the Tar Heels: “Sure, I’d love the Tennessee job. Beats the heck out of being in Chapel Hill.”

Davis made $1.7 million his first year. He is making $2.5 million this year and it escalates to over $3 million with incentives over the five-year duration.

Would Davis leave North Carolina if Tennessee is willing to pay more than $3 million? Maybe.

Another hot name is Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. Leach makes $1.75 million and has a $500,000 buyout. He’s quirky and unorthodox but he has a great offensive mind and he’s obviously done something right to get the Red Raiders to #2 in the latest BCS poll. But based on Leach’s personality, he’s a longshot for the job.

Minnesota coach Tim Brewster has a connection to UT associate athletic director John Currie. Brewster won one game his first year at Minnesota but he’s 7-2 this season. He coached under Mack Brown at North Carolina and at Texas. He’s considered a great recruiter.

Lane Kiffin, former coach of the Oakland Raiders, is another name. I don’t see this happening. What has Kiffin proven? That he’ll stand up to a crazy man like Al Davis? Kiffin showed his smarts as an assistant at Southern Cal, but at 33, is he ready to take over a program like Tennessee?

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly and Tulsa coach Todd Graham were endorsed by former Ohio State coach John Cooper.

Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, Mike Dantonio of Michigan State, Randy Edsall of Connecticut, Chris Peterson of Boise State, Bronco Mendenhall of BYU and Kyle Whittingham of Utah are other head coaches who might be of interest.

If Tennessee goes the coordinator route, watch for Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

Tennessee hopes to have a coach in place in early December.

The Vols have lost one commitment since the Fulmer ouster and two uncommitted players have ruled out Tennessee.

It’s been a tough season for Tennessee football.

It’ll get tougher if Hamilton doesn’t make the right call.

ACE REPORTER: FULMER WASN’T WILLING TO GO; PLAYERS REVOLT

jimmy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:08:01 +0000

The forced resignation of Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer sent shock waves throughout the college football world.

“I hate it,” said former Ohio State coach John Cooper, who was forced out in a similar manner to Fulmer. “It’s going to happen if you stay in it long enough. It happened to me. It happened to ( Michigan coach) Lloyd Carr. He did a great job. He’s a Hall of Fame coach. And they’ll appreciate him down the road. (Coaching at Tennessee ) is not as easy as everyone thinks.”

Fulmer made it clear during his jam-packed press conference that he wanted to stay. In 16-plus seasons, he had won 150 games, one national championship and two SEC titles. And he was confident he could turn around a team that is 3-6.

Athletic director Mike Hamilton, who, in the past four years, has fired a men’s basketball and a baseball coach, didn’t agree.

While Hamilton didn’t go into details about his reasoning, it’s clear he was unhappy about Fulmer’s fall from grace. In recent years, Fulmer has had a poor record against rival schools Florida, Georgia and Alabama, and since 2000, he’s 1-9 at home against top 10 teams with an average margin of defeat of 17 points.

Plus, Tennessee has averaged about 85,000 in three of its five home games at 102,000-seat Neyland Stadium. Alabama had more than 25,000 fans in the stands and outnumbered the UT unfaithful in the final stages of the fourth quarter.

Fulmer’s approval rating is at an all-time low. In a poll run by a local newspaper, 78 percent of fans said they would not re-elect Fulmer as head coach.

While reluctant to leave, Fulmer said it was time to unite a divided fan base.

The show of support from Fulmer’s players and friends was overwhelming as he received at least three standing ovations. Perhaps Hamilton was a bit overwhelmed as well.

More than 60 players jammed into a small media area for a 5pm press conference. They occupied about 40 seats reserved for the media. When some of the players were asked to move to make way for the media, many said not just “no,” but “hell, no.”

After an emotional Fulmer read a prepared statement, Hamilton read one as well. While Hamilton spoke, Fulmer never looked at his boss. After Fulmer took a few questions, he departed the podium, stage right – to another standing ovation.

When Fulmer left, so did the majority of players, not waiting around to hear what Hamilton had to say.

One player, senior receiver, Josh Briscoe, did wait, and asked Hamilton a pointed question about why the decision was about economics.

Offensive lineman Ramon Foster said the ouster was not a stand-up move by Tennessee.

Fulmer addressed his team at 4pm and told them of his resignation. Many already knew because in a Sunday night meeting, Hamilton told Fulmer of his decision and the news broke Monday morning.

When Hamilton addressed the players, I’m told, many rebelled, yelling, cursing and throwing chairs. It was an ugly scene.

The anger spilled over to the press conference an hour later.

Before the press conference, offensive lineman Vlad Richard was seen crying as he hugged a teammate. More tears were shed as Fulmer’s voiced cracked during his comments. About 10 minutes into his resignation, Fulmer’s wife, Vicky, went to the podium to put her hand on Fulmer’s shoulder.

Asked afterwards if she wanted to make a comment, Vicky said: `No, I stand by my man.”

Hamilton was asked why make the announcement now rather than wait until the last week of the season. He said he wanted the last three games to be a farewell to Fulmer and the Kentucky game Nov. 29 to be Phillip Fulmer Appreciation Day.

I don’t buy it. You could have sent Fulmer off with his day if you’d have announced the ouster Nov. 25.

I believe Hamilton felt compelled to pull the trigger with three games left to get a jump-start on his coaching search. I think he feels he’s competing with Clemson for a coach, and maybe Washington.

Here’s an interesting stat someone threw at me: The average hiring date of a college coach fired with more than three games left in a season is Dec. 12. The average hiring date of a coach fired the last week of the season is Dec. 16.

Would waiting another two or three weeks have really made that much difference?

It could when it comes to recruiting. I asked a college coach known as a terrific recruiter if it’s harder to keep commitments when you fire a coach on, say, Nov. 3, as opposed to Nov. 25.

Answer: Absolutely.

It’s easier to hold commitments when the window is three weeks instead of six. Look what’s happening at Clemson. The Tigers have had three recruits commit elsewhere while several others are making official visits to other schools.

And those other schools are voiding what had been a strong Clemson class by picking away at commitments.

Tennessee’s recruiting class ranks in the top five nationally after the recent commitment of star quarterback Tajh Boyd of Hampton, Va. How many commitments Tennessee retains depends on when the hire is made and who the hire is.

Fulmer said he was appreciative that he was offered a chance to remain at UT in the athletic department in some capacity. I doubt he’ll take it. Fulmer came across as a coach who believes he’s still got more good years. He turned 58 on Sept. 1. His age makes him less marketable. But his record would make him an attractive candidate.

It’ll be interesting to see if Fulmer follows in the footsteps of his close friend, David Cutcliffe. After Cutcliffe was fired at Ole Miss following the 2004 season, Ole Miss legend Archie Manning advised Cutcliffe to sit out a year, survey the landscape and determine if he wanted to enter the coaching arena again.

Cutcliffe sat out one year, took a second tour of duty as Tennessee ’s offensive coordinator, then was hired as Duke’s head coach in December 2007.

Cutcliffe was 50 when he was fired at Ole Miss. Fulmer is eight years older. That age difference might affect whether Fulmer jumps back into coaching in 2009 or sits out a year.

Fulmer’s close friend and former coaching colleague, Doug Mathews, thinks Fulmer will coach again.

Someone else told me Fulmer will coach again to stick it to Hamilton, to prove to Hamilton he made a major mistake by forcing him to resign.

Now Hamilton embarks on the search of his life.

After Hamilton fired basketball coach Buzz Peterson in the spring of 2005, he hit a home run by hiring Bruce Pearl.

He better hit another home run in his pursuit of a football coach or he might wind up like Steve Pederson at Nebraska . Pederson fired coach Frank Solich after a 9-3 season, hired Bill Callahan, and, when Callahan couldn’t revive the Nebraska program, Pederson was fired before Callahan.

Someone offered me a bet recently. He said Fulmer’s replacement won’t win 40 games in his first five seasons. That’s an average of only eight per season.

I’m not willing to make that bet.

Apparently, Hamilton is.

ACE REPORTER: FACE IT, IT’S A DOWN, DOWN YEAR IN THE SEC

jimmy — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:56:10 +0000

The SEC has won the last two national championships in football. It is usually the best conference in the nation. It recently reached an agreement with CBS and ESPN to pay the league $3 billion over the next 15 years, mainly for the right to carry football games.

Yes, typically, the SEC is king when it comes to football.

But folks, this isn’t a typical year.

In fact, since divisional play was introduced in 1992, this is the worst the league has been.

The SEC has three top 10 caliber teams in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. It has a top 20 team in LSU.

South Carolina, with a strong finish, could land a top 25 ranking.

Beyond that, the teams are average to bad.

I never saw this coming, not with the caliber of coaches and athletes that take the field each Saturday in the most football passionate part of the country.

Despite those elite coaches, the SEC just doesn’t have many elite teams.

Why? Quarterback play.

Tim Tebow, Matt Stafford and John Parker Wilson are the three best quarterbacks in the SEC.

Name another top-tier quarterback?

Let’s take a look at what happened this past weekend in SEC play. In the Tennessee-South Carolina game, neither quarterback completed 50 percent of his passes. UT’s Nick Stephens got benched after throwing an interception, returned, and finished 10 of 24 for 134 yards with four sacks. The Gamecocks’ Stephen Garcia was 9 of 19 for 139 yards.

Those are among the highlights.

Kentucky ’s starting quarterback was 7 of 13 passing for 56 yards in a win over Mississippi State .

LSU’s starting quarterback completed 8 of 20 passes against mighty Tulane.

Auburn’s quarterback was 27 of 43 against Ole Miss, but threw three critical interceptions.

Ole Miss’ quarterback completed 50 percent of his passes (15 of 30 for 140 yards).

Alabama’s quarterback passed for only 152 yards on 28 attempts against Arkansas State .

Even Stafford threw three interceptions in a one-sided loss at Florida .

Vanderbilt’s quarterbacks were spared by an open date. MacKenzi Adams and Chris Nickson have combined to complete 50.9 percent of their passes this season for a whopping 110.4 yards per games.

That’s what most quarterbacks in the Big 12 get in one quarter.

Entering Saturday’s games, only two SEC quarterbacks ranked among the nation’s top 40 in passing efficiency. Six of the top 12 SEC passers ranked 82nd or lower in the nation.

I admit, I’m a quarterback guy. I think it’s extremely difficult to win at a high level in college football without a productive quarterback.

For example, do you think LSU would have lost by 14 to Georgia at home (remember the Bulldogs returned two interceptions for touchdowns) and at Florida by 30 if Matt Flynn had been the Bengals’ quarterback?

Do you think Auburn would be 4-5 with Jason Campbell at quarterback? Or Tennessee 3-6 with Erik Ainge at quarterback?

As I watched South Carolina and Tennessee flounder during a boring SEC game Saturday night, I had another TV set turned to Texas and Texas Tech. The Texas teams were more athletic, better coached and much more proficient in the passing game. They played fast. The Vols and Gamecocks played like they were running in quick sand.

The debate that the SEC is better than the Big 12 borders on absurd. It’s not even close. When I went team-by-team from best to worst, I’ve got the SEC winning maybe four of the 12 games – if you count pushes. That’s it.

I think Florida could beat Texas Tech, but I’d take Texas over Alabama and Oklahoma over Georgia. I’d take Oklahoma State over LSU, Missouri over South Carolina and Kansas over Kentucky. Nebraska and Ole Miss would be a push. If Vanderbilt can’t beat Duke, would it beat Kansas State ?

Auburn and Texas A&M might be a 3-2 game. Colorado – Arkansas, Tennessee-Iowa State are toss ups. I’d take Baylor over Mississippi State because the Bears have a gifted young quarterback.

I can hear the defenders of the SEC: SEC defenses make SEC offenses look bad. No, poor execution and quarterback play make SEC offenses look bad.

As for SEC defenses, West Virginia scored 34 points on Auburn, Georgia Tech got 38 on Mississippi State and Texas got 52 on Arkansas. UCLA got 27 on Tennessee but was shutout by BYU and got just 10 on Arizona.

From another perspective, how would you rank SEC teams compared to the other 119 Division 1-A programs? Answer: Not very high.


Here’s my list, using a range for those outside the top 25.

1. Alabama. The Crimson Tide has a good chance to be undefeated entering the SEC championship game against Florida.

4. Florida. I’m impressed with Oklahoma at this spot, but the Gators have more quality wins.

12. Georgia. I don’t want to punish the Dawgs too much for losing to two of the top five teams in the nation.

15. LSU has lost to two quality teams. The Alabama game will determine if the Tigers belong this high.

26-30. South Carolina. Because of defense, the Gamecocks are a border line top 25 team and could go 8-4.

30-35. Ole Miss. The Rebels handed Florida its only loss, a big feather in Houston Nutt’s cap.

35-40. Kentucky. Their win over Louisville looks better now. So does 3-point loss at Alabama.

40-45. Vanderbilt. The 5-0 start was a mirage. Commodores will be 7-5 at best.

50-60. Auburn. Decent defense but horrific offense. Not one good win.

50-60. Arkansas. Win over No. 18 Tulsa is impressive, better than anything Tennessee has done.

60-70. Tennessee. Program is much closer to Northern Illinois than Florida, Alabama or Georgia .

70-80. Mississippi State. Another horrific SEC offense. Lost to Louisiana Tech and blown out by Georgia Tech.

My MrSEC.com Power Poll ballot:

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. LSU
5. South Carolina
6. Ole Miss
7. Kentucky
8. Vanderbilt
9. Auburn
10. Arkansas
11. Tennessee
12. Mississippi State

ACE REPORTER: RUMORS SWIRLING ABOUT FULMER’S STATUS

jimmy — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:57:26 +0000

Rumors have swirled around Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer’s job situation like leaves whistling through a hurricane.

Problem is: Most of the rumors aren’t true.

No, Fulmer’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, wasn’t in Knoxville to discuss a negotiated buyout Monday.

No, Fulmer didn’t agree to a settlement in the wee hours of Tuesday night.

No, Fulmer hasn’t said he’s agreeable to stepping down, but wants to be named director of football operations.

I ran that by a prominent booster who told me I was nuts for asking. Fulmer might stay, he said, but there’s no way he would be director of football operations.

Truth is, I believe, these talks aren’t nearly as far along as people think.

While I don’t believe Fulmer is returning, I don’t think Fulmer or his agent have been told that.

If South Carolina beats Tennessee, especially if the Gamecocks win handily, then there is a chance talks between Hamilton and Fulmer could occur next week.

But I’m told by a prominent booster nothing will be announced regarding Fulmer’s future until much later, either the week before or the week after the season finale against Kentucky.

Two boosters have told me Fulmer will not return. A third said Fulmer had to beat Alabama to survive, but didn’t want to discuss the matter after the Alabama loss.

Someone close to Fulmer told me Tuesday night that Fulmer would survive, that he would make changes to his offense – don’t know if that means staff or system – and was looking forward to a much improved team in 2009, thanks in part to a top 10 recruiting class that includes a top-notch quarterback that has privately committed.

The person close to Fulmer said Fulmer still has the passion to coach and believes he should – and will – be given the opportunity to turn the program around.

He is the only person I’ve talked to who is convinced Fulmer is coming back.

One other thing: I talked to four prominent boosters and someone close to Hamilton who told me Tennessee won’t – and has never – approached boosters about footing the bill to buy out a coach.

If ever it would have occurred, it would have been when UT fired men’s basketball coach Buzz Peterson three years ago and had to pay him $1.4 million. The UT athletic department had to borrow from the university – with interest – to pay off Peterson.

If UT didn’t ask boosters to foot the bill then, why would anyone think it happened previously, when buyouts weren’t nearly as significant?

If Fulmer is fired, UT would owe him $1.5 million a year over the next four years. If negotiations occur, it might be to pay Fulmer out over 8 to 10 years. Or it might be whether Fulmer is due the raises in the contract, a difference of about $500,000 over the life of the seven-year deal.

A group of boosters wouldn’t be summoned to pony up the money.

But don’t be surprised if a group of boosters is consulted on Fulmer’s future.

One thing that hurts Fulmer’s cause: The 25,000 or so Alabama fans who found their way into Neyland Stadium. By the fourth quarter, Alabama had more fans in the stands than did Tennessee.

I’ve covered Tennessee since 1985, and I’ve never seen close to the number of opposing fans in Neyland Stadium that I saw last Saturday.

The Crimson Tide took over Neyland Stadium much the same way UT used to take over Dudley Field when the Vols were whipping Vanderbilt.

It was a scene that turned the stomachs of even the staunchest Fulmer supporters.

ACE REPORTER: THRIVING AND STRUGGLING IN THE SEC

jimmy — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:17:57 +0000

South Carolina’s Defense Thriving

Statistics often can be misleading.

For example, Kentucky led the SEC in scoring defense until Florida got 63.

Tennessee was averaging 221 rushing yards after two games before SEC play. The average in SEC games: 79.2 with two games of 36 or fewer yards.

Vanderbilt was ranked No. 13 in the country before losing consecutive games to Mississippi State, Georgia and Duke.

LSU was No. 5 in the nation before losing by 30 to Florida and by 14 to Georgia.

But here’s one stat that might not be misleading: South Carolina leads the SEC in total defense and ranks fourth in the nation, allowing 256.1 total yards per game.

When you look at the game-by-game numbers, you realize it’s no fluke. You realize the numbers were not bolstered by bad competition. You realize this is a defense that has an outstanding secondary and can stop the run reasonably well.

South Carolina held North Carolina State to 138 total yards, Vanderbilt to 225, Georgia (the SEC’s No. 1 offense at 431 yards) to 252 and Kentucky to 218. Only Ole Miss (361 yards) and LSU (363) have gained more than 285 yards.

And South Carolina, which allowed over 540 rushing yards to Arkansas last year and ranked last in the SEC in run defense, has held three teams to less than 100 rushing yards and two others to less than 120.

No wonder Head Ball Coach Steve Spurrier called Ellis Johnson the best defensive coordinator in the nation.

No wonder South Carolina gave Johnson an extension at midseason.

Johnson inherited 10 starters from the SEC’s ninth best defense. Thus far, the Gamecocks are giving up 122 fewer yards per game. The run defense has gone from 209.3 to 115.8. It has gone from allowing 4.8 yards per carry to 3.3.

The pass defense led the SEC in 2007 with 168.8 yards per game. This year, USC is giving up 140.4 yards per game. The Gamecocks have surrendered an SEC-best three touchdown passes this season, one of the best figures in the nation.

Spurrier said plenty of high school prospects want to play defense for the Gamecocks. Now, he’s trying to find some that want to play offense for the Gamecocks.

Why, Spurrier has even taken to moving some promising wide receivers to the secondary, presumably as punishment. Dion Lecorn, the fourth-leading receiver last year, was moved to defensive back. So was freshman wideout C.C. Whitlock.

Has Spurrier gone Gene Stallings?

The secondary is led by cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and strong safety Emmanuel Cook. Cook is like Tennessee ’s Eric Berry: When you see a big tackle made in the backfield for the Gamecocks, it’s usually Cook.

Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley and outside linebacker Eric Norwood are two of the best in the SEC.

Given that Tennessee ’s offense is averaging 221.2 total yards in SEC games, you’d think the Vols would have trouble surpassing the 200-mark against SC.

South Carolina is one win from being bowl eligible. It’s a Tennessee win away from perhaps an eight-win season.

If the Gamecocks do get to eight wins, it won’t be because of Spurrier’s offense.

It will be because of Johnson’s defense.

That’s an odd twist for a Spurrier coached team.

LSU Defense Struggling

Which team has replaced South Carolina at No. 9 in defense?

Try LSU. The Tigers were supposed to have one of the nation’s top defenses after finishing first in the SEC and third in the nation a year ago. Instead, Les Miles’ defense is giving up 316.4 yards per game – about 30 more per game than a year ago.

While the Tigers’ run defense isn’t bad – 110.6 yards per game – the pass defense is allowing 205.9 yards per game compared to 182.7 a year ago. LSU’s secondary has struggled and the Tigers have an SEC-low four interceptions.

Alabama is second in defense after ranking sixth a year ago.

Florida is third after ranking seventh.

Tennessee is fourth after ranking 11th.

Vanderbilt, which was 16th in the nation and fourth in the SEC a year ago, is 37th in the nation and 10th in the SEC.

Kentucky is giving up 95 fewer yards per game but has improved from 10th in the SEC to eighth.

Florida Will Match Georgia Celebration

When the talent level is close to even, I believe you win college games with emotion. I believe revenge can be a motivational factor. I believe Georgia ’s celebrated celebration after its first score against Florida last year propelled the Bulldogs to a victory over the Gators.

I believe that same celebration is why Florida will beat Georgia this Saturday.

Yes, Matt Stafford and the Dawgs were impressive in beating LSU in Baton Rouge. But the Tigers had almost 500 total yards and played Georgia even except for two interception returns for touchdowns.

Florida’s offense is clicking, having scored 51 and 63 points in the last two games against SEC opponents.

It will score at least 38 against Georgia. And celebrate at the end of the game the way Georgia celebrated at the start of the game last season.

A Homecoming For 2 Coaches

It’s a homecoming of sorts in two SEC games this weekend.

Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville returns to Oxford, where he coached the Rebels for four years before bolting to Auburn.

Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn returns to Arkansas, where he was offensive coordinator for one year under Houston Nutt before leaving after the 2006 season. Malzahn has guided the Golden Hurricanes to one of the highest scoring offenses in the nation.

This is the second celebrated return of a former coach to Arkansas in back-to-back weeks.

Nutt got the better of the Hogs when Ole Miss prevailed 23-21.

Malzahn will do the same, and his team will score more than 23 points.

ACE REPORTER: WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT…

jimmy — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:10:53 +0000

Nine weeks into this season, who would have thought Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden would have eight more combined wins that Phillip Fulmer and Tommy Tuberville?

Who would have thought defensive-minded LSU would get torched for more than 50 points by both Florida and Georgia?

Who would have thought Vanderbilt would beat South Carolina, Ole Miss and Auburn and lose at home to Duke?

Who would have thought the only undefeated team in SEC play – and overall – would be Alabama?

Who would have thought LSU would be two games behind in the West Division race and Auburn three games out?

Who would have thought signees Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Terence Cody and Don’ta Hightower would have such a profound impact on Alabama’s team?

Who would have thought Fulmer would be in danger of being fired after signing a 7-seven year deal with an average annual salary of $3 million?

Who would have thought Tuberville would be on the hot seat after winning 42 games the previous four seasons?

Who would have thought a 5-foot-7 running back from Arkansas would be leading the league in rushing?

Who would have thought Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson would have fewer interceptions than any SEC season-long starter except Tim Tebow?

Who would have thought Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick would be second in the SEC in passing yards per game?

Who would have thought Tennessee would be outscored 85-29 by rivals Florida, Georgia and Alabama ?

Who would have thought Florida’s only loss would be at home to Ole Miss?

Who would have thought Alabama would gain fewer than 100 yards rushing and passing against Tulane, yet be ranked No. 2 in the country?

Who would have thought the SEC would have just four ranked teams and be inferior to the offensive-minded Big 12?

Who would have thought six different teams would have started at least two quarterbacks?

Who would have thought Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt would have as many wins as Auburn?

Who would have thought Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino would have as many wins as Tennessee?

Who would have thought Georgia would trail Alabama 31-0 at home at halftime, but score 52 on LSU?

Who would have thought a true freshman (A.J. Green of Georgia) would lead the SEC in receiving yards per game?

Who would have thought that the leading tackler in the SEC would be a 5-foot-10 linebacker from Tennessee (Ellix Wilson) who replaced a first-round NFL draft choice (Jarod Mayo)?

Who would have thought that Vanderbilt’s Jared Hawkins (441 yards) would have more rushing yards than Tennessee’s Arian Foster (402 yards)? Hawkins had 267 last year, Foster 1,193.

Who would have thought Alabama ’s Glen Coffee (838 yards) would have almost 750 more yards than Terry Grant, who rushed for 891 last year?

Who would have thought Auburn would give up 445 total yards to West Virginia and Mississippi State would give up 438 rushing yards to Georgia Tech?

Who would have thought a ranked SEC team would lose to UCLA, then UCLA lose the next week 59-0 to Brigham Young?

Who would have thought Arkansas would beat Auburn by more points than it beat Louisiana-Monroe?

Who would have thought SEC home teams would have won just 16 of 29 games?

Who would have thought Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee would have losing records in SEC home games?

Who would have thought Florida would score 63 on the SEC’s top-ranked scoring defense?

Who would have thought we’d see a 3-2 game?

Fulmer’s Days Might Be Numbered

Fulmer might have coached his last game against Alabama.

For that matter, he might have coached his last game against Florida and Georgia.

Alabama’s convincing 29-9 victory over the Vols in Neyland Stadium ran Fulmer’s record in the 2000s to 1-9 against top 10 teams in Knoxville with an average margin of defeat of 17 points.

Tennessee is also 15-16 in its last 31 SEC games.

UT not only lost to an Alabama team that is tied for the fewest scholarships seniors (nine) in the nation, but it appeared more than 20,000 in 102,000-seat Neyland Stadium were Alabama fans.

Late in the fourth quarter, Neyland Stadium had more Tide fans than UT fans. It was a similar situation earlier this year in a 30-6 home loss to Florida.

Just as disturbing to the Vol Nation is Fulmer’s 6-18 record against coaches at the other five elite SEC programs: 0-4 against Urban Meyer, 1-4 against Nick Saban, 1-3 against Tuberville, 1-2 against LSU’s Les Miles and 3-5 against Georgia ’s Mark Richt.


Don’t Say No To Bowl Bid

Mark Womack, executive commissioner of the SEC, said the league would frown upon a bowl eligible SEC turning down a slot in a bowl game. In fact, he said any bowl eligible team would be strongly encouraged to accept a bowl bid to one of the league’s nine tie-ins.

Why? Because all teams share in bowl revenue, which is about $2 million per year, Womack said.

If you don’t want to participate in a bowl game, then maybe you shouldn’t accept the bowl revenues.

The question was asked of Womack considering Auburn and Tennessee might be on the way to 6-6 seasons and possibly in search of new head coaches. Neither UT nor Auburn would be excited about playing in the Dec. 28 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., or the Dec. 29 Papajohn’s.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.

Seven SEC teams have at least five wins. Two others have at least four.

One of these years, the bowls might not have enough eligible teams. Womack said 71 teams were bowl eligible last year for 68 bowl berths.

What if there aren’t enough bowl eligible teams to fill the 68 spots?

Womack wasn’t sure, but he hopes it won’t come to that.

And he’s hoping the SEC has nine bowl-eligible teams.

MrSEC’S WEEK NINE PREVIEW FROM THE ACE REPORTER

jimmy — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:00:11 +0000

Here’s our Week Nine preview which, due to some scheduling problems, will have to be delivered in column form rather than the usual webcast form.

Our apologies… and you can check in next week for a return to the webcast format:

WHICH TEAM FACES THE TOUGHEST CHALLENGE THIS WEEK?

That’s Kentucky at Florida. Kentucky is wounded. The Wildcats don’t have their best wide receiver, their most productive running back and their best defensive tackle.

Plus, Kentucky catches Florida coming off an open date and a 30-point win over LSU.

With the Gators’ offense clicking and Kentucky struggling on offense, this has the makings of a one-sided affair. Plus, Florida’s defense is much improved. In 2007, five Florida opponents scored at least 30 points and the Gators were last in the SEC in pass defense (258.5 yards per game) and eighth in scoring defense (25.5).

This season, Florida has held 4 of 6 opponents to 10 or fewer points and ranks sixth in pass defense (178 yards per game) and second in scoring defense (13.0). Florida has Georgia the next week so Kentucky better hope the Gators looking ahead.

WHICH TEAM OR COACH MOST NEEDS A WIN TO SATISFY THE FANBASE?

Here we go again. Phillip Fulmer at Tennessee. Two prominent UT boosters told me Fulmer had to beat Georgia or Alabama to save his job.

UT lost to Georgia, Alabama is next. Fulmer has usually done well against Alabama with a 10-4-1 record – 11-4 counting a forfeit. He’s not lost to the Tide in back to back years.

But he’s 1-3 against Nick Saban and Saban’s Tide routed the Vols 41-17 last year with John Parker Wilson passing for a career high 363 yards. UT’s freshman-laden secondary played soft coverage a year ago. It should play much tighter coverage in the secondary which will make it tougher on Parker.

One other coach doesn’t NEED a win but he would certainly endear himself to his fan base with a victory and that’s Bobby Petrino at Arkansas, facing Ole Miss and former Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt.

WHICH TEAM IS MOST RIPE TO BE UPSET IN WEEK NINE?

Alabama going against Tennessee. This is Nick Saban’s first 7-0 team. There’s a bit of pressure that comes when you’ve extended yourself outside of your comfort zone.

Nobody figured Alabama would be No. 2 in nation at this juncture. The Crimson is without its best defensive player in run stopping nose tackle Terence Cody.

Alabama has been prone to second half lapses. The Tide gets out of the gate fast, having outscored 95-3 in first quarter. So Tennessee must keep it close early.

The Vols are coming off a confidence-building win versus Mississippi State. Tennessee also remembers the blowout loss at Alabama last year, so revenge is a factor.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer needs a win to perhaps save his job and he’s had some big wins with his back to the wall. Tennessee is #3 in the SEC in run defense and could contain the Tide run game, forcing John Parker Wilson to win with his arm.

I think this will be anybody’s game in 4th quarter.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN SEEING THIS WEEKEND?

Several things come to mind:

Vanderbilt getting a sixth win to become bowl eligible as Vandy hosts Duke…

Can Tennessee run ball and stop the run v. Alabama…

The outcome of Houston Nutt’s return to Arkansas as the Ole Miss coach…

But the marquee battle this week is Georgia at LSU. The last three meetings have been blowouts. That shouldn’t be the case Saturday.

The loser faces uphill battle in its respective division. The loser is also out of the national championship picture for all intents and purposes.

LSU has the better team. Georgia has the better QB. Can Matt Stafford get it done in a hostile environment? Can LSU’s run game get it done against the SEC’s best run defense? Should be an intriguing match-up.

ACE REPORTER: IT’S TOUGHER TO RUN IN THE SEC

John — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:53:23 +0000

Veterans of SEC warfare will tell you there are two staples to winning in this league: Defense and running the football.

Defense is revered in the SEC.

Running the ball is becoming a lost art or a lost emphasis — at least, among many teams.

Alabama leads the SEC in rushing this season. One coach after another will tell you how impressed they are with the Crimson Tide’s offensive line and running backs. They’ll tell you Nick Saban’s team is pounding the ball and dominating the line of scrimmage.

Alabama is averaging 209.3 rushing yards per game.

That’s penny-anny compared to the rushing numbers in the 1970s. Alabama averaged more than 300 rushing yards per game from 1971-79 behind Bear Bryant’s wishbone. If you didn’t average 280 during that time, you couldn’t win the rushing title. If you couldn’t average 200, you couldn’t run well.

How times have changed.

From 1969 to 1994, every team that won the SEC rushing title averaged over 200 yards. Since 1995, four teams have finished first at less than 200 yards per game.

This season, half the teams in the SEC are averaging fewer than 140 rushing yards per game. Six are averaging less than 4.0 yards per rush. South Carolina is at 2.9. The Gamecocks have five rushing touchdowns in eight games. Auburn has six in seven games.

What in Bo Jackson is going on?

Coaches will tell you that it’s harder than ever to run the football with consistent success. Teams are putting seven or eight men in the box, cheating a strong safety toward the line of scrimmage, employing run blitzes and sticking 365-pound behemoths on the nose of the center.

As good as Alabama has been this year, it ran for just 103 yards against Ole Miss.

Former Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said running in the SEC was becoming about as difficult as running in the NFL, where a good day is 125 yards.

“Third-and-1 is a passing down in the NFL,” Cutcliffe said.

It’s not a passing down in the SEC, but it’s close. Third-and-2 has become a passing down for a lot of college teams. It’s become difficult to move the pile.

Tennessee is a good example. From 1989-1994 the Vols averaged more than 200 rushing yards per game each season. Since then, UT has averaged over 200 rushing yards just once – in 1998, when Tennessee won the national championship.

Two years ago, Tennessee averaged 108.8 rushing yards per game.

This is a team coached by a former offensive lineman, by a coach who likes to pound the rock as much as he does Rocky Top.

Some coaches will tell you that you can run the ball if you have the right mindset.

Under Houston Nutt, Arkansas led the SEC in rushing five of the past six years. It didn’t hurt to have Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, but even without them, the Hogs were averaging over 200 rushing yards per game.

Of course, Arkansas fans tired of Nutt, in part because his teams were seldom good in the passing game.

Striking a balance is the key. LSU in 2007 and Florida in 2006 each averaged over 200 rushing and passing yards per game.

It’s no coincidence that the top four rushing teams in the SEC this season – Alabama , Florida , LSU and Georgia – are the top four ranked teams in the Top 25 from the league. It’s worth noting that those are the top four teams in the SEC in passing efficiency.

It’s also worth noting that the six lowest ranked rushing teams in the SEC – Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi State and South Carolina – each has a losing record in SEC play.

Defense might win championships but the ability to run can sure win a lot of games.


Top 3 Defenders In The SEC

Who are the three best defensive players in the SEC?

You can start with this week’s SEC Defensive Player of the Week – Eric Berry.

In 21 career games, Tennessee ’s brilliant sophomore safety has 10 interceptions and has returned them for an SEC record 397 yards. Folks, that’s 39.7 yards per run back. He’s 104 interception return yards off the NCAA record.

Berry is not only a terrific ballhawk with running skills, he’s a vicious tackler. For a man who weighs 195, he packs a punch. He’s the best and most talented Tennessee defensive back since Dale Carter in 1990-91.

Another outstanding defensive player is Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes. Spikes is third in the SEC with 9.2 tackles per game. He returned an interception for a touchdown against LSU. He chases down ballcarriers from behind. And he’s the main reason Florida ’s defense is considerably better than a year ago.

In 2007, five Florida opponents scored at least 30 points and the Gators were last in the SEC in pass defense (258.5 yards per game), eighth in scoring defense (25.5) and seventh in total defense (361.8).

This season, Florida is sixth in pass defense (178 yards per game), second in scoring defense (13.0), fifth in total defense (274.3) and has held four of six opponents to 10 or fewer points.

Another top defender is Alabama’s 365-pound nose tackle Terrence Cody. Matt Hayes of The Sporting News called Cody the Tide’s most valuable player.

Cody has helped Alabama rank fourth in the nation against the run (66.1 yards). The Tide is giving up 2.7 yards per rush and has permitted just one rushing touchdown.

With Cody in the first half, Alabama outscored Ole Miss 24-3. Without him in the second half, the Rebels outscored the Tide 17-0.


Meyer Disputes Runner-Passer Theory

Florida coach Urban Meyer scoffed at the notion that quarterbacks who are adept at running the ball don’t have good mechanics as passers.

“I hear that from the college to pros and high school to college,” Meyer said.

His opinion: It’s a bunch of bunk.

“A college quarterback who is nifty on his feet, to say he’s not fundamentally sound (as a passer) I couldn’t disagree with that more,” Meyer said. “For one second, I don’t buy that.”

Meyer thinks his former quarterback at Utah , Alex Smith, and Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans are quarterbacks who can make plays with their feet and pass the ball.

To say quarterbacks are not mechanically developed as passers because they have quick feet is “nonsense,” Meyer said.

ACE REPORTER: THE SEC HAS THRIVED IN THE BCS ERA, BUT A PLUS-ONE IS STILL NEEDED

jimmy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:01:14 +0000

The Initial Bowl Championship Series standings were released Sunday.

That’s about as thrilling as watching Mississippi State’s offense.

I think back to what Alabama coach Nick Saban said a few days ago: Can you name the top two teams at this point a year ago?

Probably not.

Texas is #1. That’s not a good omen for the Longhorns. Only Florida State in 1999 was ranked #1 in the first BCS standings and won the national championship.

At this point, however, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is whether you’re one or two after the first weekend in December. That determines whether or not you play for the national championship.

The BCS is better than what we had before. It’s only natural to match the top two teams at the end of the season to define the national champion. Of course, determining the top two teams has been a bit controversial.

Remember in 2003, when Oklahoma was routed in the Big 12 Conference championship game by Kansas State, yet somehow stayed ahead of USC to play for the national title against LSU?

Remember in 2004 when undefeated Auburn was snubbed despite winning the nation’s toughest conference, only to see Oklahoma, once again, slide into the title game?

Remember in 2000 when Miami beat Florida State head to head, yet the Seminoles advanced to play Oklahoma and score a whopping two points in the Orange Bowl?

Remember in 2001 when Nebraska was ranked #4 on both voting polls, yet advanced based on the computer polls, only to get steam rolled by Miami?

We’ve had 10 BCS national title games. I’ve disagreed with the pairing in four.

On the other hand, the BCS did give us undefeated Florida State against Virginia Tech in the 1999 season. It gave us undefeated Miami and Ohio State in the 2002 season. It gave us Texas and Southern Cal in the 2005 season.

Those matchups wouldn’t have been possible if not for the BCS.

But for all its good, there remains a fundamental flaw: How to decide who gets the ultimate invitation.

That’s why a Plus One format is necessary. Seed the top four teams and let them play in major bowls on Jan. 1, then the winners advance to the national title game the next week.

I know: The Pac-10 and Big Ten won’t agree.

Fine, play it without them for four years, then see them come begging to be a part of the party.

Saban said he thinks the BCS is important, but he’s “always been an advocate of the Plus One.”

He correctly points out the Plus One would not compromise the integrity of the bowl games and it’s better to let four teams fight it out for No. 1, rather that take, at times, the wrong two teams for the pinnacle game.

The fifth team might argue it deserved a spot, but in 10 years, not once have I felt the fifth place team deserved to play in the BCS title game. Besides, in basketball, the 66th and 67th teams cry like newborns when they aren’t invited to the Big Dance.

Let ‘em whimper.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has often said he felt he got jobbed in 2004. But he didn’t sound as upset when discussing it recently. Maybe that’s because his current team is 4-3 and struggling.

“We’ve got a good system,” Tuberville said. “It’s not a great one. Never has been, when you don’t have an opportunity for the best teams to play for the championship. … It makes for controversy. People get interested in it.”

Except for Auburn, the BCS has served the SEC well. The league has won four BCS titles: Tennessee in 1998, LSU in 2003, Florida in 2006 and LSU in 2007. And in BCS games, the SEC has just one loss.

Although two games were decided by seven points, the SEC team has been decidedly better in each of those national championship games.

Two years before the BCS, another SEC team benefited. Florida suffered a late loss to Florida State in 1996. Under the current BCS rules, Florida State and Arizona State would have played for the national title.

Instead, Arizona State had a tie-in with the Rose Bowl, lost to Ohio State , and Florida won a rematch against Florida State in the Sugar Bowl to capture the program’s first crystal ball.

Spurrier has long been a proponent of a college playoff.

“Originally my thought was to have a playoff system because every sport in the world has a playoff except college football,” Spurrier said.

“The BCS is a way

ACE REPORTER: THE MIGHTY MITES TAKE OVER

John — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:12:22 +0000

Dynamite comes in small packages. So do some of the most dynamic players in the SEC.

In a game filled with giants, the little man – defined as 5-foot-9 or shorter — is making his mark.

A diminutive player leads the SEC in rushing and all-purpose yards.

A diminutive player leads the SEC in kickoff returns and is third in punt returns.

A diminutive player is fourth in the SEC in punt returns.

A diminutive player leads the nation in yards per rush (minimum 10 attempts).

A diminutive player has helped provide a spark in the Wild Rebel package.

The impact has been absolutely amazing.

“I think there’s a bit of a revolution going on out there,” said LSU coach Les Miles, who uses 5-5, 159-pound speedster Trindon Holliday as a kick and punt returner and wide receiver.

“The strong, fast player has a place to play. I think it’s good for college football.”

Holliday ranks eighth in the SEC in kickoff returns after placing third last year with a 26.2 average.

Urban Meyer thinks it’s good for the Gators. Meyer said before last season he wanted to field the fastest team in American. Toward that end, he has signed three burners who stand 5-9 or less: Brandon James (5-7, 186), Jeff Demps (5-8, 176) and Chris Rainey (5-9, 185).

Those guys aren’t just track speedsters. They’re football players.

“Size doesn’t really matter,” Meyer said. “We believe in space, speed and big plays. Four years ago we had no chance for a big return. We didn’t have the personnel to do it. We do now.”

No kidding.

James has been electric. He returned a punt for a touchdown two years in a row against Tennessee to seize the early momentum. He’s had one other TD return this year. He’s had at least two touchdown returns nullified in his career.

James is first in the SEC in kick returns (29.2) after ranking second last year (28.0). He is third in the SEC in punt returns (20.9) after leading the league a year ago (18.1). He is averaging 131.7 all-purpose yards per game, second in the SEC. A junior, James has 1,575 kick return yards and 951 punt return yards.

And any coach will tell you, few things flip momentum like a special teams score.

In Demps , Florida has a sprint champion who can dazzle a defense when he gets out on the edge in open space. Ask LSU, which has a solid defense, but not one fast enough to keep up with Demps. Demps had 10 carries for 129 yards against the Tigers. This season, he is averaging a nation’s best 13.3 yards on 23 carries. He has three of Florida ’s longest four runs: 62, 48 and 36 yards.

Rainey is in the same category. He’s been time in a 4.26. He challenged Demps to a race when Demps arrived on campus and beat him. Rainey can transfer that speed onto the football field. He’s averaging 6.8 yards on 42 runs.

Rainey and Demps each rushed for more than 100 yards against Arkansas , the first time in Florida history two freshmen have gained more than 100 yards in the same game. A Florida duo hadn’t done it in 11 years.

“We had a two-hour staff meeting,” Meyer said Wednesday, “and I said, I’d like to see somebody put a plan together without Demps, Rainey and (Percy) Harvin. It probably wouldn’t be dynamic.”

Harvin is the Goliath of the bunch – at 5-11, 195.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said he’s glad to have cornerback Javier Arenas (5-9, 198), who has terrorized SEC special teams opponents with his returns for the past two-plus seasons. Arenas is fourth in the SEC in punt returns (16.8) and had an 87-yard runback against Georgia . He was second in the SEC in punt returns a year ago, burning LSU on a 69-yard runback.

In his two-year tenure with the Miami Dolphins, Saban had a small receiver who put up big numbers – Wesley Welker.

Saban has turned down players because of lack of size. But he’s taken some small guys, too.

“You always take into consideration the guy’s size, character and attitude,” Saban said. “You look at height, weight and speed.”

Saban said it’s tough to judge whether a small player has the intangibles and ability to overcome his size.

“I like to look at three factors, so no one factor can kill a player,” Saban said. “There really aren’t any perfect players so even people that look the part don’t play the part. If you’re small in stature and have great speed and instincts, you can overcome deficiencies.”

That’s been the case with Arkansas running back Michael Smith (5-7, 180). Smith not only had the enviable task of replacing stars like Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, he had to overcome his small stature. He’s done it well enough to lead the SEC in rushing (119.8) and all-purpose yards (166.4) despite missing the season opener due to an injury.

Smith had 133 yards against a stout Florida defense, then ripped through Auburn for a career-high 176 yards on 35 carries and was nominated for national player of the week as the Hogs upset the Tigers.

Smith also has 20 catches for 217 yards.

“He’s been real impressive,” said Arkansas first-year coach Bobby Petrino. “First and foremost is how hard he works week in and week out. He’s a guy that’s given a lot of energy to other players even without saying a word. His leadership by example has been great. He’s a great runner with good vision and instincts and cuts very well.”

Smith showed some of that ability last year when he averaged 6.6 yards per carry in a backup role with limited carries.

The past two seasons, Houston Nutt had success with the Wild Hog package at Arkansas , using McFadden as the trigger man.

At Ole Miss, Nutt has Dexter McCluster (5-8, 165). Nutt said he saw McCluster’s ability to catch and throw during spring ball. He asked McCluster if he’d played quarterback before. When the answer was yes, Nutt had found his man.

“Any time you’ve played quarterback, you’ve got ball-handling skills and the decision-making instincts you need,” Nutt said. “We put him in there pretty quick in the spring and it happened fast. it was very natural for him.”

McCluster ripped off a 40-yard run against Florida in the Rebels upset at The Swamp. He’s gained 213 yards on 33 runs – mostly from the shotgun formation — and also caught 25 passes for 411 yards. He has yet to complete a pass in three attempts.

“There’s a place for the small, fast man, absolutely,” Nut said.

Nutt recalls his days as an assistant at Oklahoma State when the Cowboys were one of the few programs to offer a scholarship to a 5-8 dynamo named Barry Sanders. All Sanders did was set an NCAA rushing record and win the 1988 Heisman Trophy.

“Sometimes you can’t measure a young man’s heart,” Nutt said. “I believe in the small guy as long as he has heart and is tough. You’ve got to have that to play in this league. I have one in Dexter McCluster.”

Apparently several other SEC teams have one, too.

ACE REPORTER: RESHUFFLING THE PRE-SEASON PICKS

John — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:47:07 +0000

We’re halfway through the season and the SEC – to no one’s surprise – has had its share of surprises.

Did anyone really think Vanderbilt would start 5-0?

Did you see Alabama dominating Clemson and Georgia en route to a No. 2 ranking?

How about Auburn firing its hot-shot offensive coordinator after six games?

Or Tennessee floundering to an 0-3 SEC start behind a new offensive coordinator?

Or South Carolina changing quarterbacks like Liz Taylor changes husbands?

Or Ole Miss beating Florida in The Swamp one week after losing at home to Vanderbilt?

And many SEC offenses have been mediocre to maddening. Six teams have used two quarterbacks. One has used three. We’ve had a 3-2 game and a 13-9 game. And 11 teams have scored two or fewer offensive touchdowns in an SEC game. Several offenses in the SEC have become downright offensive.

On the good side, Alabama and Vanderbilt have been the biggest surprises.

On the bad side, Tennessee and Auburn have been the biggest surprises.

No doubt, the first half of the SEC season has been wild and wacky.

That said, we’re going to project how each team will finish, and compare that to our preseason projection made in July.

Two months ago, we said Florida, Ole Miss and South Carolina would be the three most improved teams in the league. Alabama and Vanderbilt will have something to say about that, but it appears Florida, Ole Miss and South Carolina could make at least a two-game improvement.

Here’s our projection of how teams will finish record wise, compared to our preseason picks.



Alabama: Year Two in Tuscaloosa has been magical. Nick Saban’s young team gets fired up for big games and does just enough to win the others. I said preseason Alabama wasn’t ready to win the West. Wrong! The Crimson Tide will do no worse than tie for the West title. A loss at LSU could cost the Tide a chance to play for the SEC Championship. We said before the season Alabama needed a big year from quarterback John Parker Wilson and a big-play receiver to emerge. That’s happened.

Pick now: 11-1. Preseason: 8 or 9 wins.


Auburn: If Tommy Tuberville holds up seven fingers at the end of the Alabama game, it will represent the number of offensive coordinators he’s had at Auburn – not consecutive wins over the Crimson Tide. Auburn is in disarray like never before in Tuberville’s 10-year tenure. Losing at home to Arkansas days after firing spread-offense guru Tony Franklin has set the tone for a terrible finish. It baffles me that Auburn ’s offensive strengths are running backs and offensive linemen, yet the Tigers were relying on their two weaknesses in the spread: quarterback and receiver.

Pick now: 7-5. Preseason: 10-3.


Arkansas: Bobby Petrino got a nice win over the coach he almost unseated in 2003. That will be the highlight of the Hogs’ season. While Arkansas was impressive in outgaining Auburn 416-193 in total yards, Petrino’s team still has several huge holes. As expected, Casey Dick has been productive. But Arkansas will only get one more win.

Pick now: 4-8. Preseason: 5-7.


Florida: The Gators’ offense finally arrived in style Saturday against LSU. Who would have thought the talented Tigers would have half-a-hundred scored on them? If the Gators’ offense keeps playing like it did against LSU, Florida won’t lose another game. Alas, it can’t play at that level the rest of the season. But I do think Florida wins out during the regular season.

Pick now: 12-1 and SEC title. Preseason: 12-2 and SEC title. (We’ll wait on the bowl matchup).


Georgia: The Bulldogs have a solid team, but injuries along the offensive line and some on defense will cause some angst among the Georgia nation. Have you noticed Knowshon Moreno’s yards per carry have been cut in half in SEC games v. non-SEC games? Georgia is a border-line top 10 team that will lose to LSU and Florida . The schedule is just too daunting.

Pick now: 10-3. Preseason: 10-3.


Kentucky: Preseason, we said: UK could start 4-0 then reality kicks in. That’s been the case. Kentucky is 0-2 in the SEC mainly because of an anemic offense. The defense might be UK ’s best since 1977. It ranked No. 1 in the nation against scoring entering last Saturday. It will get a bowl bid, but not have a winning record in SEC play.

Pick now: 6-6. Preseason: 6-6.


LSU: No SEC coach won more in his first 44 games than LSU’s Les Miles. But the 30-point loss at Florida raises eyebrows about this team’s defense and quarterback play. I still think LSU could be a top five team. It gets Georgia , Alabama and Ole Miss at home. Will it win all three? Probably not.

Pick now: 10-3. Preseason: 10-3.


Ole Miss: The Rebels were good enough to win at Florida but bad enough to lose at home to Vanderbilt. OK, losing to Vanderbilt isn’t shameful, but that’s a game the Rebels will regret as the season goes along. We thought the Rebels would start the season 3-1. The loss to Vandy provided a 2-2 start. I see a strong finish if quarterback Jevan Snead plays well.

Pick now: 7-5. Preseason: 5-7 or 6-6.


Mississippi State : We thought Mississippi State would take a step back from its 8-win season, mainly because you can’t keep winning games via special teams or defensive touchdowns. As expected, the defense is stout and the offense, well, it ranks 10th in the SEC and has rotated quarterbacks and doesn’t have much of a line. I see only two more wins for the Bulldogs.

Pick now 4-8. Preseason: 6-6.


South Carolina: Steve Spurrier has started three different quarterbacks. Two – Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia – have provided a spark at times. But the inconsistent play behind center has to be frustrating the Head Ball Coach. The defense ranks among the nation’s top 10 in yards and passing. As usual, the schedule is tough the rest of the way, but not as difficult as anticipated, given the struggles at Tennessee and Clemson.

Pick now: 8-4. Preseason: 8-4.


Tennessee: For some reason, I thought Tennessee might be as good as last year but the record wouldn’t reflect it. Well, the Vols aren’t as good and the record will reflect it. The run game has gone the way of Joe DiMaggio. The overall offense might be the school’s worst since 1964. The defense is pretty good, but doesn’t make key stops. Coach Phillip Fulmer has to stand during press conferences because his seat is so hot.

Pick now: 5-7. Preseason: 8-5 or 9-4.


Vanderbilt: Before the season, I wrote: I like Bobby Johnson as a coach, but I don’t see how the Commodores can lose the SEC’s all-time leading receiver and all five offensive line starters and improve. Well, the Commodores have improved. They started 5-0 against a mediocre schedule then loss to a less-than-mediocre Mississippi State team. Vandy is last in the SEC in offense – it gained 107 yards against Mississippi State – and 11th in total defense. That will catch up with Vandy, although Johnson will guide the school to its first bowl since 1982 and fourth in history.

Pick now: 7-5. Preseason: 4-8.

SEC ranking:

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. LSU
4. Georgia
5. Vanderbilt
6. South Carolina
7. Ole Miss
8. Auburn
9. Kentucky
10. Tennessee
11. Mississippi State
12. Arkansas

ACE REPORTER: SEC NEWS, NOTES, AND WHAT’S WRONG WITH FLORIDA’S OFFENSE

jimmy — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:24:49 +0000

The Trouble With Florida’s Offense

Even though Florida leads the SEC in scoring, the Gators’ offense has not been nearly as explosive as it was a year ago.

Last season, coach Urban Meyer’s team averaged 42.5 points and 457.2 yards.

Thus far this season, the Gators are averaging 36 points and 390.2 yards. And at least five touchdowns have come from defense or special teams.

Meyer finally admitted the offense isn’t clicking as he would like.

There are three reasons:

1) Defenses are doing a better job defending Tim Tebow, who accounted
for almost 4,200 yards and 55 touchdowns last season.

2) Florida hasn’t asked Tebow to do as much. He’s carried 28 fewer times through five games compared to a year ago.

3) The Gators miss tight end Cornelius Ingram.

Asked if Florida is being more protective of Tebow this year, Meyer said: “I think that’s observant and there’s a lot of truth to that.”

Meyer said Florida has been “conscious” of limiting the hits taken by Tebow, who carried 210 times last year, got hit several more times while passing and suffered a bruised shoulder that affected his play in a loss to Georgia.

And Florida misses Ingram more than I anticipated. I knew Ingram was a talent, but outside of Percy Harvin, who spends much of his time at running back, and Louis Murphy, the Gator wideouts aren’t special.

If Carl Moore and Riley Cooper were better, maybe losing Ingram wouldn’t be such a blow.

Saban Plugs Holes With Newcomers

Like an NFL team during a draft, Alabama coach Nick Saban identified his needs and then recruited accordingly. And that’s made all the difference in the world in the 5-0 Crimson Tide.

Need a running back? Sign Mark Ingram, who’s been a big boost to the run game and perhaps pushed Glen Coffee to higher heights.

Need a receiver? How about Julio Jones, a difference maker in the passing game that has helped quarterback John Parker Wilson.

Need help on the defensive line? Get Terrence Cody, a 365-pound nose tackle who has turned the Tide into a run-stuffing machine.

Need another linebacker? Land Don’ta Hightower, who starts along side Rolando McClain to form a solid linebacking crew.

Like a successful NFL general manager, Saban has drafted well. He has managed to fill holes from last year’s team with impact newcomers who have had amazing success early.

Jones has lived up to the recruiting hype.

“He’s a unique combination of size, length, strength and speed,” said Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, who recruited Jones out of Foley, Ala.
“He causes you mismatch problems. Any time you get him one-on-one, he’s a hard guy to contain.”

Spurrier Impressed By Big 12 Offenses

Clock rules aren’t hurting SEC offenses as much as poor quarterback play.

SEC coaches blame the new clock rules for limiting the number of plays, thus limiting the scoring. But the reason scoring is down in the SEC is poor passing attacks, not fewer plays.

Who says? South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier.

“I don’t know if our quarterbacks, receivers and protection game are as
good as the Big 12 because Big 12 quarterbacks are tearing it up,” said
Spurrier, sounding as if he wouldn’t mind coaching one of those Big 12 teams.

Ten Big 12 teams are averaging over 30 points per game. Six are averaging over 40. Three are in the 50s. Four SEC teams are averaging over 30 points. None averages more than 36.

The Big 12 has eight quarterbacks ranked among the top 20 in the nation in passing efficiency. The SEC has none.

Spurrier believes the SEC has better defenses, but he doesn’t think the clock rules are affecting the good passing teams.

“You watch those Big 12 teams, they’re all firing it up and down the field,” Spurrier said.

Smart Teams Playing Well

Vanderbilt is 5-0. Northwestern is 5-0. Wake Forest is 3-1. Duke is 3-2.

What are these academically strong, football poor schools doing with such glowing records at the start of the season?

Are they running the same offense? Have they copied each other’s blue print? Is there a common thread?

“I have no idea, to tell you the truth,” Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said. “Sounds like a coincidence to me.”

One thing Johnson has done is get his players to believe they can compete with the elite in the SEC.

“If you’re not positive, they’ll never be confident,” Johnson said. “It’s important for the head coach to have confidence in the players. But you can’t fool them. If you’re overmatched, as we were in the early years here, you try to overcome some odds. When we feel like we can play with people, you want guys to play with confidence.”

Vanderbilt will have to play with confidence to get win No. 6. That’s been an elusive number in Nashville since 1982. Vandy has seven chances to get it done, starting Saturday at Mississippi State .

“Our guys are smart,” Johnson said. “You can’t hide it from them. They know the situation. They know the deal. But I don’t think they’re obsessed with six wins.”

Oher Better Than Nutt Thought

Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt knows a good offensive lineman when he sees one. And he’s got one in Michael Oher.

“If you wanted a left tackle, and he walked in the door, that’s what you’d want – 6-5, 318,” Nutt said.

Nutt said Oher is a hard worker who has good feet and has become more physical. And Oher is better than Nutt anticipated.

“He’s always been a good pass protector,” Nutt said. “I think the run part of it is where he’s improved the most.”

Oher is projected in several mock NFL drafts to be a first-round pick.

“That’s not a surprise to me,” Nutt said. “He thought about coming out early (last year). We convinced him to stay. I think that will be to his benefit. I told him when the team wins and his teammates are successful, it will only help you.”

ACE REPORTER: THE BIG 12 PASSES THE SEC

jimmy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:46:28 +0000

Before this season, the question wasn’t: Which is the best football conference?

The question was: Which is the second-best football conference?

It was a given the SEC was No. 1. It had five teams ranked in the preseason top 10 polls. It had the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. It had the most players in the NFL. It had the best coaches. It had the last two national championship teams.

Who could argue?

No one. Until now.

One month into the season, the SEC isn’t the nation’s best football conference.

The Big 12 is.

Before Mike Slive yanks my SEC credentials, let me explain.

I partly believe in the old saying that offense sells tickets and defense wins championships. But I believe you’ve got to have both nowadays to win a championship. I’m not sure that Alabama team of 1992 could win a national title today, given how prolific offenses are.

You think LSU could have beaten Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl if Matt Flynn had gone 4 for 19?

You think Florida could have beaten Ohio State for the 2006 title if Chris Leak had passed for 34 yards?

Not many teams can play at a top 10 level without a stout defense. But not many can play at a top 10 level without a productive offense, either.

And that’s one reason the Big 12 has been more impressive to me thus far than the SEC. Big 12 teams get touchdowns almost as often as SEC teams get first downs.

Four Big 12 teams are ranked in the top seven: Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas and Texas Tech. Each averages over 40 points.

The SEC has two of the top nine: Alabama and LSU. Neither averages 40 points.

I think the SEC has better defense. But it’s hard to gauge just how good the defenses are because some SEC offenses are pitiful. The main reason the offenses aren’t very good is the quarterback play isn’t very good.

A comparison of the top teams is revealing.

Oklahoma has Sam Bradford. Alabama has inconsistent John Parker Wilson.

Missouri has Chase Daniel. LSU has inexperienced Jarrett Lee.

Texas has Colt McCoy. Georgia has overrated Matt Stafford.

Texas Tech has Graham Harrell. Florida has Tim Tebow. OK, Tebow is special, but he’s not having as good a year as Harrell, although Harrell has lit it up against some lightweights.

Oklahoma State has Zac Robinson, who has helped his team average over 50 points per game. Vanderbilt has Mackenzi Adams and Chris Nickson, who have guided the Commodores’ offense to the 12th best in the SEC and about 112th in the nation.

Kansas has Todd Reesing. Ole Miss has Jevan Snead, who transferred from Texas because he couldn’t beat out McCoy. Snead, by the way, might be one of the top three quarterbacks in the SEC.

If Reesing were in the SEC, he’d be the third best quarterback. He might be the sixth best quarterback in the Big 12. Last season, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,486 yards and 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Josh Freeman at Kansas State completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 3,353 yards and 18 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and he’s not among the upper echelon quarterbacks in the Big 12.

Colorado ’s Cody Hawkins is better than half the starters in the SEC.

The Big 12 has eight quality quarterbacks with the jury still out on two others.

The SEC has two with the jury still out on a few others.

The SEC has eight of the nation’s top 22 ranked defenses. That is a bit misleading considering some of the patsy non-conference opponents.

The SEC has no offense in the top 25 and only three in the top 50. Six offenses are ranked lower than 75 with two in the 100s. You can’t just point to SEC defenses shutting down SEC offenses because only 15 conference games have been played.

The SEC has subpar quarterback play at Kentucky, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Auburn and South Carolina. That’s half the league. And the jury is still out on LSU’s Lee and Casey Dick of Arkansas.

Moreover, not one SEC quarterback is ranked in the top 25 in the nation in passing efficiency. Tebow was second in the nation in passing efficiency last year.

While the SEC has four teams that could finish in the top 10, those might be the only ones in the top 25. Do you really think Vanderbilt will remain in the top 25? Does Auburn look like a top 25 team?

Is there another SEC team that you think will finish in the top 25?

In the Big 12, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Texas Tech, Kansas, Oklahoma State all have a good chance to finish in the top 25, and Colorado, Kansas State and Nebraska could win at least seven games.

How many SEC teams would you bet on winning at least seven: Alabama, LSU, Florida and Georgia. That’s it. Auburn and Vanderbilt probably will, but it’s not a slam dunk. Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee could, but it’s unlikely that more than one of that trio will.

Tennessee, once a power, hasn’t done the SEC any favors by falling off the map. The Vols lost to one of the 40 worst teams in the nation in UCLA, and barely beat a mid-level program in a mid-level conference, Northern Illinois , which was 2-10 last year and might also be one of the 40 worst teams in the country.

Tennessee is the Nebraska of the Big 12, only worse this season.

Bottom line: The SEC is good, but it’s got too many bad offensive teams to lay claim to the best conference in the country.


Who’s Hot and Who’s Not

Who’s hot: Vanderbilt. The last time the Commodores started 5-0, Adolph Hitler was alive. You’ve got to wonder how much longer Vandy can keep winning with and offense and defense that ranks last or next to last in the SEC.

Who’s not: The offense at Auburn and Tennessee . Each has an offensive coordinator from a smaller program. Thus far, it hasn’t worked out.

Who’s hot: Alabama’s running game. The Crimson Tide is outrushing opponents by an average of about 175 per game.

Who’s not: Teams that play the week after facing Tennessee. UCLA lost 59-0 to BYU, Florida lost at home to Ole Miss and Auburn lost at Vanderbilt.

My Power Poll

1. Alabama

2. LSU

3. Florida

4. Georgia

5. Vanderbilt

6. Auburn

7. Ole Miss

8. Kentucky

9. South Carolina

10. Tennessee

11. Mississippi State

12. Arkansas

ACE REPORTER: VANDY AND ROAD TEAMS… WINNING IN THE SEC

jimmy — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:38:40 +0000

There were always two things you could count on in the SEC: Home teams winning and Vanderbilt losing.

What’s the league coming to?

SEC home teams are 3-8 thus far in league play. And we’re not talking
about bad teams losing to ranked teams at home.

We’re talking No. 4 Florida losing to a team that had lost nine
consecutive SEC games. We’re talking No. 3 Georgia falling behind 31-0 to a team that’s gone 6-6 in the regular season the last two years.

We’re talking Auburn losing at home to LSU for the first time in a
decade. We’re talking Vanderbilt going on the road to beat a team that
was good enough to win at The Swamp one week later. And we’re talking Tennessee getting blown out by rival Florida 30-6, running the Vols’ home record against top 10 teams to 1-8 in Neyland Stadium this decade.

Is there no sanity in the SEC?

I’m not sure I buy what some coaches are selling – that it’s easier to
win on the road because there are fewer distractions.

What about playing in a hostile environment? What about crowd noise?
What about staying in a strange motel? What about travel follies or
fatigue? What about having a roster full of freshmen and sophomore
dealing with rabid fans?

Whatever happened to the good old days when the home field was worth a touchdown, not a setback?

Last year, SEC road teams were 26-29 in conference games.

Why the flip-flop this year?

“That’s a great question,” said Florida coach Urban Meyer. “I don’t
know.”

When it was suggested home teams might get complacent, Meyer agreed.

“I think there is something there,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s
the correct word, but an edge. Maybe you take something for granted.”

Meyer said his Gators were “out of their minds” when they flew Sept.
20 to Knoxville to play the Vols. That same intensity was absent when
Ole Miss came to Gainesville last Saturday.

“I think it depends on what kind of team you have,” Meyer said.

Nick Saban has the kind of Alabama team that has dominated three teams on the road: Clemson (at Atlanta), at Arkansas and at Georgia. The combined score: 124-54. Two of those victims were ranked in the top 10 at the time of the avalanche.

“On the road,” Saban said, “you try to get your team to focus on the
game and not get caught up in all the external factors of what goes on.
… When you play at home, you can’t have a relaxed mindset.”

In other words, when you play at home, you can’t take victory for granted.

Saban said parity helps explain some of the home-field defeats.

Georgia coach Mark Richt offered a couple of explanations. He said the
SEC has a lot of well-coached teams and “anybody can beat anybody.”

Another reason (or excuse): “You have more distractions at home than
away. We’ve got to find a way to close the gap on those kind of things.”

Richt said Georgia had a lot of recruits in town and that coaches spend
some time with recruits instead of all their time with players. He also
said former players come to visit at home games and high school coaches come to games with family members, needing tickets.

“I’ve got to do a better job as a head coach to make sure we maintain
our focus,” said Richt, who’s got one of the best road records of any
SEC coach since 2001. “We’ve got to make our home games more like away games.”

Even Vanderbilt, for heaven’s sakes, is winning on the road. It’s
interesting that four of the biggest wins in the Bobby Johnson Era have
come on the road: at Tennessee (2005), at Georgia (2006), at No. 6
ranked South Carolina (2007) and at Ole Miss two weeks ago.

Why was Ole Miss a big win? Because the Commodores had started 3-0 and many doubted the team’s ability to beat a decent SEC team away from home. And, despite Ole Miss 0-8 SEC mark of a year ago, the Rebels do have some talent. If you doubt that, ask Florida.

Vanderbilt has so shocked the college world, ESPN’s Game Day crew will be in Nashville when the ‘Dores host Auburn on Saturday night. Vandy has joined Duke (3-1), Northwestern (5-0) and Wake Forest (3-1) as academic institutions that are doing quite well on the football field this fall.

Meyer said he’s coached at several schools with high academic standards, including Florida and Notre Dame. He said he understands the
restrictions and he also praises what Vandy’s staff has done.

“I have so much respect for Bobby Johnson’s teams,” Meyer said. “I
think they have a little better personnel that people give them credit
for.”

You’ll get an Amen from Richt. His Dawgs lost to Vandy two years ago and almost lost last year. Yet, Richt said, most SEC fans don’t want to
believe the Commodores have a good program.

“Your fans don’t want to hear you lost to Vanderbilt,” Richt said.

“And they don’t want to hear Vanderbilt is a heckuva football team, but
they are. They do have athletes. They do have speed. They have what it
takes to win.”

Richt said Georgia fans would point to Vandy beating South Carolina and say: “Well, if Vanderbilt beat them, you should kill them! And you
should kill Ole Miss because Vanderbilt beat them.”

Richt called Vanderbilt’s improvement in recent years “unbelievable”
and a “great tribute” to Johnson.

“He has a plan, he’s stayed the course, he’s been persistent, they’ve
believed, they’ve worked and they didn’t waiver from what they know it
takes to be successful,” Richt said. “They’ve gradually gotten better
and better and stronger and faster and they’re receiving the fruits of
their labor.

“I’m quite happy for him. He’s one of the finest men in coaching and he
deserves to have success there.”

Johnson said his recruiting pool is smaller than most schools because of
academic stipulations. But he also said there are some benefits. He said
Vandy gets sharp young men who stay in the program, learn the system and become fifth-year seniors. He also said Vandy has a great product to sell.

“We have a top 20 rated University whose football program plays in the
SEC,” Johnson said. “Once we demonstrated we could compete in the SEC and win some big games, I think the message got better. You can have it all. You can get a degree and compete in the SEC. It’s a smaller
(recruiting) pool but a lot of guys believe that and want to be a part
of it.”

Johnson’s biggest win was over Tennessee in 2005. While Johnson was
disappointed that team (which started the season 4-0) didn’t snap the
school’s bowl-less streak that dates back to 1982, beating the Mighty
Vols proved he had his program going in the right direction. It made an
impact with recruits.

Johnson said he’s been reminded about 50 times that Vandy started 4-0 in 2005 and didn’t make a bowl game. The difference this time, Johnson
said, is two of the four wins this season are over SEC teams.

“That gives it a little bit more validity,” Johnson said.

So does ESPN’s Game Day coming to campus.

“There’s no doubt there’s a buzz,” Johnson said. “I went over to the
Commons and met with some freshmen and everyone knew Game Day was coming, and theses were Vanderbilt freshmen – book-worm kind of guys.”

Johnson said they were preparing to have signs ready.

Vanderbilt winning and SEC home teams losing.

It’s a sign of the times in the SEC.

ACE REPORTER: SABAN IS GREAT AND OTHER SEC NOTES

jimmy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:20:47 +0000

Last month, I said Alabama coach Nick Saban was not yet a great coach.

He had only two 10-win seasons in 12 years as a college coach. He won two SEC titles and a national championship at LSU, but he didn’t stay around long enough to reap the benefits of what he was building.

I said Saban had to achieve more to earn the label of “great.”

I’ve seen enough.

Saban is a great coach.

What he’s done in 18 games at Alabama has convinced me. In his second year, Saban, who inherited moderate talent with not a single player taken in the 2008 NFL, has destroyed ACC favorite Clemson and SEC favorite Georgia.

In each case, Alabama was so dominant in the first half, the games were basically over after 30 minutes. The Crimson Tide’s win over Georgia is more impressive, considering Georgia is a better team, the game was in Athens (not a neutral site) and Clemson has a history of choking in big games under Tommy Bowden.

Mark Richt had a team many thought would contend for the national championship. The Dawgs were motivated by Alabama’s strength and conditioning coach saying Georgia was wearing black because it was going to a “(blanking) funeral.”

Then, Alabama smacked Georgia in the mouth, led 31-0 at halftime and snuffed out any hope of a Dawg comeback with a touchdown drive in the fourth quarter after Richt’s team cut the margin to 31-17 on a punt return.

Alabama is not winning with great players, although Saban does have great young talent. It is winning because it is extremely well coached. It is winning because players have bought into Saban’s system.

The Tide limited Georgia to 50 rushing yards, 34 on nine carries by star Knowshon Moreno. It got a 13-for-16 passing day from maligned quarterback John Parker Wilson. And it not only made an SEC statement, it made a national statement.

While Oklahoma is ranked No. 1 in the two voting polls, you could make a strong case for Alabama. The Tide has accomplished more than the Sooners, routing two top 10 teams.

I realize Alabama wasn’t emotionally ready to play Tulane and struggled to win. But I also know that in big games, Saban usually gets his teams to play at a peak level.

Alabama could well struggle to beat Kentucky and Ole Miss and Tennessee, but I expect the Tide to be 9-0 when it tackles LSU – where Saban gained his coaching reputation – on Nov. 8 at Tiger Stadium.

I don’t know if Alabama will beat LSU or win the West or play for the SEC Championship.

But he’s made Alabama relevant more quickly than I anticipated.

And he could very well do at Alabama what he was on the verge of doing at LSU – build a dynasty.

Who’s Hot, Who’s Not In The SEC

Who’s Hot: Alabama, now 5-0 and No. 2 in the nation

Who’s Not: Tennessee, now 1-3 and 0-2 in the SEC

Who’s Hot: Ole Miss against Florida

Who’s Not: Arkansas against Texas

Who’s Hot: LSU running back Charlie Scott

Who’s Not: Quarterbacks at Auburn and Tennessee

Who’s Hot: Kentucky’s defense

Who’s Not: South Carolina’s offense

UT Offense Struggling

Tennessee’s offense went from bad to worse when the Vols lost 14-12 at Auburn.

Against Florida, Tennessee put together some nice drives before suffering from self-inflicted wounds twice inside the Gators’ 5.

At Auburn, the Vols offense was awful. Tennessee’s average field position in the second half was the Auburn 48, but the Vols managed just one touchdown. They were 4 of 16 on third-down conversions. They averaged 4.1 snaps and 13.6 yards per possession. They averaged 3.9 yards on first down, 3.2 yards on second down and 2.8 yards on third down. You should average at least 5 yards in one of those categories.

No wonder Phillip Fulmer is losing his hair.

Tennessee’s quarterback play has bordered on inept. That’s why Fulmer on Sunday announced he was opening the competition between Jonathan Crompton, who was 8 of 23 against Auburn, and Nick Stephens.

Former Tennessee star and Minnesota Vikings lineman Tim Irwin has called for Crompton to be benched and he was critical of Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson, giving the first-year play caller an F in three games (UCLA, Florida and Auburn) and a D in the other (Alabama-Birmingham).

It’ll be interesting to see how UT’s polarized fan base responds to Saturday’s game against Northern Illinois. There might be 30,000 empty seats at Neyland Stadium. And with UT struggling, you’ve got to wonder if 70,000 will attend games against Mississippi State, Wyoming and Kentucky.

Extra Points:

Let’s see, Ole Miss can’t beat Vanderbilt on the road but beats fourth-ranked Florida in The Swamp, Tennessee whips UAB by 32 but South Carolina struggles to beat the Blazers by 13, and Mississippi State scores just two points against Auburn but gets 24 against LSU.

Two SEC teams have lost their first two conference games but played in the SEC Championship game: LSU in 2001 and Arkansas in 2002.

Tennessee has played for the SEC title three times this decade, but each season has been followed by disappointment. Fulmer had his first five-loss season in 2002, his first six-loss season in 2005 and might be headed for another six-loss season this year.

Ole Miss is 3-1 against Florida this decade.

Auburn has played three SEC games but Kentucky hasn’t played one.

Auburn has won 13 in a row against Vanderbilt but leads the series by just 20-19-1.

Since 2000, Florida and Ole Miss have played the closest games of any SEC teams, with the average scoring margin 3.25 points in four games.
The closest by score of annual opponents is South Carolina-Tennessee at 5.75 points in eight meetings.

SEC road teams are 8-3 in SEC games. Last year, road teams were 23-26.

Four SEC teams have scored on their first possession. Alabama has done it three times.

Since 2003, Vanderbilt and Alabama have the most losses (16) by seven or fewer points while South Carolina and Ole Miss have lost 15.

SEC teams are 31-4 when scoring first.

The average length of an SEC game is 3:11, 12 minutes less that last year.


Hyams’ Power Poll:

1) Alabama

2) LSU

3) Florida

4) Georgia

5) Auburn

6) Vanderbilt

7) Ole Miss

8) Kentucky

9) Tennessee

10) South Carolina

11) Miss. State

12) Arkansas

ACE REPORTER: CBS’ DANIELSON SAYS BCS HAS HELPED SEC; OTHER NOTES

jimmy — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:41:45 +0000

When CBS hired Gary Danielson three years ago to be its lead color analyst for SEC games, the former Big Ten quarterback said he sensed something about the conference.

“The SEC had a chip on its shoulder about not getting respect,” Danielson said.

Maybe, he said, it was the fact that undefeated Auburn didn’t have a chance to play for the 2004 national championship while USC and Oklahoma battled it out.

The SEC can’t play the no-respect card anymore, Danielson said.

No kidding. The SEC has won the last two national championships, with two-loss LSU getting a spot in the title game last year.

Last Saturday, the three major TV games featured five SEC teams. Florida-Tennessee was on CBS, LSU-Auburn was the prime-time game on ESPN and ABC’s prime-time telecast was Georgia at Arizona State .

Moreover, last week, the SEC had five teams in the top 10 for the first time ever. And, one of the perennial SEC cellar-dwellers, Vanderbilt, is ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 1984.

Why all the buzz about the SEC?

Why, the BCS, of course.

Danielson said the BCS was the “best news ever” for the SEC.

“I know you hate the BCS,” Danielson told the Knoxville Quarterback Club in a speech earlier this week, “but it has made the SEC because it’s now recognized for how good it is.”

Before the BCS was formed in 1998, Danielson said nobody in the Pac-10 or Big Ten watched the SEC. But the way Florida and LSU blasted Ohio State in the last two national championship games “everyone noticed.”

Not to mention the SEC is 11-3 in BCS games, 9-1 in the 2000s. By comparison, the ACC is 1-9 in BCS bowl games.

“One thing about the American public,” Danielson said, “they recognize excellence.”

Danielson said he often hears that the SEC wins non-conference games because of its speed.

“That isn’t it,” Danielson said. “That’s only a part of it.”

Danielson said the strength of the SEC toughens teams for bowl games.

“That’s why you’re good in the national championship,” he said.

He said Florida and LSU didn’t flinch when it fell behind Ohio State early because it had been through the wars of the SEC and knew how to handle adversity.

Danielson pointed to the SEC’s great history, facilities, recruiting and coaching.

“If you don’t win here, you don’t survive,” he said. “There is demand for perfection in this league.”

While praising the coaches, Danielson isn’t above second-guessing them.

“Everyone makes mistakes – players and coaches,” Danielson said.

“Good, smart coaches have bad games. A brilliant coach can make a bonehead decision.

“I tell coaches (before a broadcast) I’m not hanging it on the players all the time.”

One thing you won’t hear from Danielson is that a team has gained momentum. Danielson doesn’t believe in the concept of momentum.

He points to several examples. When Tigers Woods made the miraculous birdie chip-in at No. 16 from behind the green at the Masters a few years ago, Woods bogeyed the next two holes to get into a playoff with Chris DiMarco.

After Vince Young threw an interception and Southern Cal took the lead in the 2005 national championship game, Young and Texas played flawless thereafter and won.

And Danielson was on the Cleveland team that took a late lead in the wind and snow at Cleveland only to see Denver’s John Elway lead “the drive” of 98 yards to make it to the Super Bowl.

“I’ve never believed in momentum,” Danielson said. “I think it’s fool’s gold.”


On other topics, Danielson said:


* There is give and take with the clock rules – pushed by television — to shorten the length of games.

He said he understands the frustration of teams and fans over fewer plays per game – the UT-Florida game had only 113 snaps compared to the average of about 140 – but he said TV doesn’t want 3:30 to 4-hour games.

He said CBS forked over a lot of money to carry SEC games, including several doubleheaders. If a game starts at 12:30, CBS wants to start the second game as close to 3:35 as possible. Danielson said UT’s four overtime game with Kentucky caused CBS to join the second game in progress with two minutes left in the first half.

And, he said, if CBS is paying that kind of money, CBS shouldn’t be put in that kind of predicament. He suggested halftime be cut to about 15 minutes rather than 20. The NFL halftime is 12 minutes.

CBS and ESPN are paying the SEC about $3 billion over the next 15 years to carry not only football games but basketball and other sports. To put the package in perspective, Danielson said Vanderbilt will get more TV revenue from football than Notre Dame.

By the way, the UT-Florida game, despite only 113 plays, took 3 hours, 11 minutes. The South Carolina-Wofford game, which was not televised, took 2:34.


* Eight-five scholarships have leveled the playing field. Danielson said teams used to stock up on talent and take maybe five or six quarterbacks. Now, they can only take one or two in a given class. That means more teams have good quarterbacks and good players.

* Cable TV has influenced the popularity of college football. With so many games on TV, fans are exposed to teams nationwide.

* ESPN didn’t want the SEC to have its own network, that’s why it paid $2.25 billion over 15 years to carry so many SEC events. The Big Ten Network influenced ESPN to make concessions so the SEC would not start its own network.


Extra Points

* Tennessee has beaten Auburn just once at Auburn since 1980, going 1-5-1 on the Plains. The Vols’ win was in 1998.

* Auburn is 28-7 in its last 35 SEC games. Tennessee is 14-13 in its last 27 SEC games.

* The last time Georgia and Alabama were both in the top 10 when they met was in 1976. Georgia won 21-0.

* Vanderbilt is 4-0 for the fourth time since World War II. The Commodores haven’t been 5-0 since 1943.

* Vanderbilt is last in the SEC in total offense and total defense, but tied for first in turnover margin with Florida.

* Ole Miss has 11 turnovers in four games. The Rebels’ Saturday opponent, Florida, has none in three games.

* Ole Miss has lost a school record nine consecutive SEC games.

* Charles Scott is the first LSU back to have three straight 100-yard games since Joseph Addai in 2005.

* Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford hasn’t thrown an interception in 102 attempts. Florida’s Tim Tebow hasn’t thrown an interception in his last 145 attempts – a school record.

* Despite a 1-3 start that has some fans upset, Mississippi State coach Sly Croom said if he quit coaching today, the Bulldogs would be better off than when he inherited the program.

ACE REPORTER: FULMER HAS LOST HIS TOUCH AND OTHER SEC NOTES

jimmy — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:13:05 +0000

If you’re a Tennessee fan, the numbers are numbing.

In the Vols’ last 27 SEC games, they are 14-13.

In their nine games against Top 10 opponents at Neyland Stadium in the
2000s, they are 1-8. The average margin of defeat: 16.6 points. Four losses are by more than 20 points.

After Tennessee stunk it up in a 30-6 home loss to fourth-ranked Florida, Vols coach Phillip Fulmer declared: “That loss is on me.”

For that matter, so was the UCLA loss.

And the loss last year to Alabama.

There have been others, to be sure.

Fulmer was a great coach in the 1990s. His record says so. He won 72
games in seven full seasons (83 percent), two SEC championships and one national championship.

Fulmer has been no better than a good coach in the 2000s. His record
says so. He’s won 68.5 percent of his games, had five four-loss seasons
(compared to one in the 1990s), and not won an SEC title.

In 2005, Tennessee was 5-6.

A prominent Tennessee booster told me Fulmer could not survive another six-loss season. The booster told me Fulmer couldn’t go 10 years without winning an SEC title, although the booster amended that recently to 12 years, given Fulmer’s recent seven-year contract that averages out to $2.99 million.

I’m convinced Fulmer will not retain his job if Tennessee goes 6-6.

At 7-5, he’s dangerously close to the unemployment line.

Why am I convinced UT would buyout Fulmer for $1.35 million over the next four years if he goes 6-6?

Two words: Apathy and attendance.

Tennessee ’s turnstile attendance for the season-opener against Alabama-Birmingham was about 80,000. It’s the smallest UT home opener in the 24 years I’ve covered the Vols.

And, for the first time, I saw empty seats at a UT-Florida game in
Neyland Stadium. At kickoff, several hundred empty seats were seen at
the top level of the student section with more empty seats in the upper level of the North end zone.

At the start of the second half, Neyland Stadium had several thousand
empty seats as disgusted fans left the scene of an impending train
wreck. Florida led 20-0 and UT’s clock management and execution were
laughable, if you weren’t paying thousands of dollars for the right to
buy expensive tickets. Maddening, if you were.

Midway through the fourth quarter, there might have been more Florida fans – over 10,000 – than UT fans.

If Tennessee loses at Auburn – and the Tigers have lost just once at home to Tennessee since 1985 – what kind of crowd do you expect at Neyland Stadium when Northern Illinois comes to town Oct. 4?

What kind of crowd do you expect at home for Mississippi State Oct. 18?

Nothing puts a coach’s job in jeopardy like more losses and less fans.

Can Tennessee afford the price tag of buying out Fulmer? It won’t be easy. The difficulty is lessoned by spreading the payments out over 48 months. And if Fulmer goes 6-6, maybe he would be agreeable to negotiating a different deal.

Of course, it was just one year ago that Tennessee started 1-2 and rallied to win the East Division, play for the SEC title and win a bowl game.

But I don’t give UT as much chance to bounce back this season. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton has played the majority of snaps in five UT games and won one – over a pitiful UAB team.

Dave Clawson, UT’s new offensive coordinator, has yet to prove he can win at this level.

With Auburn, Georgia, Alabama as three of your next five games, the road is indeed rocky.

Fulmer has survived a rock road before.

He’ll be challenged like never before to do it again.


Tuberville: Take Smaller, Athletic Linemen

Tommy Tuberville has an interesting take on recruiting.

While some schools will sign a 6-foot-5, 350-pounder and put him on a diet, Auburn ’s coach goes in the other direction. He’d rather take a 6-5, 240-pounder, and put weight on him.

“With most linemen, you have to project,” Tuberville said. “That’s hard to do. We take a guy that’s 240, 250 and put about 30, 40 pounds on him. Can they handle the weight?

“It all starts with athletic ability. I don’t like recruiting a guy that’s 6-5, 335 and has to lose weight to make him a better athlete. Our philosophy is bring, in good athletes and try to put weight on them and keep the same athletic ability and quickness and speed to become better players.”

That philosophy has served Auburn well.

Miles Beats Another Top 10 Foe

I must admit I’ve been a long doubter of LSU coach Les Miles.

But he’s won me over.

Sure he won a national championship with many players he inherited from Nick Saban. He won 34 games in three years with some gutsy – some might say lucky — gambles.

The win at Auburn on Saturday night, however, was strong. LSU won with its backup quarterback in a hostile environment against a team that had won six in a row over a top 10 opponent at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

LSU had to come from behind with 90 seconds left and got the job done, showing poise and execution benefiting a championship team.

Miles is now 8-3 against top 10 opponents. You’ve got to be more than just lucky to achieve that kind of success.


Extra Points

* For the second year in a row Mississippi State got embarrassed against a non-league foe on the road. State lost last year 38-13 to West Virginia and fell this year Georgia Tech 38-7 as the Yellow Jackets ran for 438 yards – its most since 1978.

* Don’t look for Vanderbilt to blow this 4-0 start like it did when Jay Cutler was a senior in 2005. That season, the Commodores lost to MTSU in the fifth game and never recovered, going 5-6. Vandy has winnable games left against Mississippi State, Duke, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Two wins will get Vandy into a bowl for the first time since 1982.

* Auburn ’s anemic offense showed signs of life against LSU as Chris Todd passed for 250 yards.

* Just wondering: Is Arkansas the worst SEC team since Woody Widenhofer’s Vanderbilt squad went 2-9 in 2001? Or maybe it was the Vandy team that was 2-9 under Rod Dowhower in 1996? Each of those vandy team’s went 0-8.

* If South Carolina ’s offense can’t score more than 23 points against Wofford, is there any reason to think the Gamecocks will score more than 23 in any SEC game?

My votes in this week’s MrSEC Power Poll – Presented by FootballSpeakers.com:

1) Florida

2) Georgia

3) LSU

4) Alabama

5) Auburn

6) Vanderbilt

7) Ole Miss

8) Kentucky

9) Tennessee

10) South Carolina

11) Mississippi State

12) Arkansas

ACE REPORTER: SEC NOTES; BROOKS WRONG TO SQUAWK ABOUT SIGN STEALING

jimmy — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:21:01 +0000

First, let me say, I like Rich Brooks. I like talking to him. I like interviewing him.

And I think, after a rough start, he’s done an outstanding job turning around the Kentucky program.

But there is something about him I don’t understand. He accused Middle Tennessee State of stealing Kentucky’s offensive signals. He said Tennessee stole Kentucky’s offensive signals the year before.

“They (MTSU) were either getting it from the field or the press box,” Brooks said. “They might have gotten some help from Tennessee. Tennessee had them last year.”

If Tennessee did steal signals, the Vols didn’t put the inside information to good use. Kentucky pushed UT into overtime before losing 52-50.

My problem with Brooks’ comments is: What’s the big deal? So what if Tennessee or MTSU stole signals? So what if any college team steals signals?

I asked Brooks if he thought stealing signals was unethical or part of the game.

“I think that’s part of the game,” Brooks said. “Most coaches have someone trying to look at opposing signal callers from the box or sideline or both. That happens. That’s why sometimes you have to have more than one person signal.”

And that’s why, last year against Tennessee, Kentucky tried to use towels to block the vision of UT spies trying to steal signals.

Brooks said he thought it was wrong to video tape in an effort to steal signals.

True. There’s now a rule against that.

But we’re not talking video tape here.

We’re talking about trying to get an advantage. We’re talking trying to steal the catcher’s signals. We’re talking trying to figure out what the basketball coach means when he flashes two fingers at the point guard.

That’s part of the game.

Why would Brooks suggest Tennessee might help MTSU with Kentucky’s signals? Only because an MTSU assistant — Jimmy Ray Stephens — used to be on UT’s staff, Brooks said.

If that happened, would it bother Brooks?

“No, that doesn’t bother me,” Brooks said.

Then why bring it up?

What’s the point?

That’s like the wife once again reminding the husband to put the seat down, but saying it doesn’t bother her. Or like the man telling his wife she parked the car crooked in the garage, but saying it doesn’t bother him.

Why bring it up?

If I were Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, I’d be miffed at a coach suggesting I might have helped a non-SEC opponent beat an SEC opponent. Fulmer said he wasn’t. He also said, to his knowledge, no one on his coaching staff shared information about stealing signals from Kentucky .

Brooks is right about one thing: Stealing signals – legally – is a part of the game.

Sly Croom of Mississippi State was a long-time NFL assistant before going to Starkville four years ago. Without question, he said, stealing signals is more prevalent in the NFL than in college. But it exists in both places.

Croom said it’s not unethical, if you abide by the rules.

Then, Croom added: “I know this: If I knew what the other team was doing, I wouldn’t sit there and ignore it. But if there is a rule, you don’t violate the rule.”

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson agreed that it’s part of the game.

“That’s why we go through so much trouble to have dummy signals and protect our signals and have them as complicated as possible,” Johnson said. “Sometimes we have two signals for every play.”

Johnson said stealing signals isn’t any different that noticing the right guard lines up a yard deeper off the line when he pulls or a receiver lines up close to the ball when he runs an out pattern or wider from the ball when he runs a slant.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said he’s fine with a team trying to pick up an opponent’s signals, as long as people play by the rules.

“In baseball,” he said, “you try to find out if the team is trying to bunt.”

Or steal a base. Or take a pitch.

Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said he’s had teams steal his signals, but he’s admitted to stealing some, too.

“That’s not a big emphasis,” Nutt said. “You better worry about what’s going on on the field. You better worry about preparing your team. We don’t spend a lot of time trying to study some guy’s signals.”

Even if you did, there’s nothing wrong with it.

That’s why Brooks accusing MTSU and Tennessee of stealing signals didn’t make sense.

As Brooks himself said, it’s a part of the game.

So why bring it up?

Spurrier Calling 75% Of Plays

The ol’ ballcoach hasn’t exactly turned over the play calling duties, after all.

South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier said he’s called about 75 percent of the plays. Son Steve Jr. has called the others.

I’m not sure I’d have admitted that. The Gamecocks are last in the SEC in rushing, 11th in scoring and 10th in total offense.

“I wish play-calling was the biggest problem here, but it hasn’t been,” Spurrier said. “We haven’t run it or caught it well.”

Tuberville Says LSU-Auburn Game Underrated

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said LSU-Auburn is one of the nation’s most underrated rivalries.

The last four games have been decided by a combined 14 points and one of these schools has represented the West Division in the SEC Championship game six of the last eight years.

“It’s been one of the best college football games in the last 10 years,” Tuberville said. “There’s not been a better football game year in and year out than LSU-Auburn. If you like defense, watch this game. If you like athletic ability, watch this game. If you like excitement, watch this game.”

If you like scoring, don’t. The last two games at Auburn have been decided by 7-3 and 10-9.

Tuberville said there’s usually a lot at stake when the two Tigers meet. Last year, LSU’s last-second touchdown pass helped the Bengal Tigers win the West Division and eventually the national championship.

SEC Balance Tough On Coaches

Coaching in the rugged SEC can take its toll.

Five SEC teams are ranked in the top 10 for the first time ever, and two others could jump into the top 25 with wins this weekend.

“I’ve been coaching in the league four years and I feel like I’m 88 years old,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said. “But it also gets your blood pumping.”

Spurrier said the SEC is so balanced, “if you win nine or 10 games out of 12, you’ve had an exceptional year.”

Meyer said he felt his 2004 undefeated Utah team could beat anybody in the country on a given Saturday.

“But to survive in a conference like the SEC, no chance,” Meyer said. “We didn’t have the depth.”

ACE REPORTER: WEEK TWO OBSERVATIONS FROM AROUND THE SEC

jimmy — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:06:01 +0000

Only two weeks into the season, the worst program in the SEC is 2-0, an elite team hasn’t won a game yet, four teams have quarterback concerns, and self-proclaimed mastermind Steve Spurrier can’t beat Vanderbilt.

I can’t wait for Week Three.

You won’t find all the answers in a couple of weeks, but here are a few observations.

FLORIDA’S DEFENSE

1) Florida’s defense, a weakness a year ago, appears good enough to help the Gators win the SEC championship and perhaps a national championship.

The SEC’s worst pass defense a year ago returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Hawaii blanketed Miami ’s receivers in a 26-3 victory.

Granted, the Hurricanes don’t have a Charlie Ward or Bernie Kosar at quarterback, but they managed just 140 total yards against Florida, 69 in the air by quarterback Robert Mavre.

Florida defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham could be the best pass-rushing tandem in the SEC. Defensive backs Major Wright and Joe Haden are much improved. Linebacker Brandon Spikes is an NFL talent.

While you could argue Florida ’s secondary hasn’t really been tested, not many teams on the Gators’ schedule have prolific passing attacks. Georgia could have a strong aerial attack, but who else is scary through the air? Tennessee? Ole Miss? Arkansas ?


UP AND DOWN ALABAMA

2) Alabama might be headed toward another roller coaster season.

Anticipating a letdown, I predicted Alabama ’s score against Tulane would be closer than its score against Clemson. But I didn’t see the Crimson Tide’s offense struggling like it did against a weak Green Wave defense.

Alabama had 172 yards – 38 in the first half. Think about that: 38 in the first half?

The Tide scored one offensive touchdown. A punt return and blocked punt accounted for the other scores.

Quarterback John Parker Wilson was sacked four times and passed for 73 yards. A team that used a power running game against Clemson had 99 yards on 26 attempts against Tulane. So much for the saying you make the most improvement from Game One to Game Two.

Good thing the Tide wasn’t playing Louisiana Monroe.


AWFUL ARKANSAS

3) The Atlanta Falcons have a better chance of making the NFL playoffs than Arkansas has of earning a bowl bid.

Bobby Petrino’s old team was impressive in beating the Detroit Lions.

His new team was unimpressive in squeaking past Louisiana-Monroe after trailing 24-6 in the second half. It only proved that the close call against Division 1-AA Western Illinois the week before was no fluke.

Don’t be surprised if the Hogs lose their next 10 games. Crazy, you say? There’s not a sure-fire win in the bunch. Of course, that doesn’t mean the Hogs can’t beat Kentucky or Tulsa or Mississippi State.

But if Casey Dick has to bail you out against the two worst teams on your schedule, what makes you think you can win more than four games?


SNEAD READY TO LEAD

4) Jevan Snead is the best quarterback Ole Miss has had since Eli Manning.

OK, that’s not saying much. But Snead is solid. He was 21 of 30 for 253 yards and guided the Rebels to clutch fourth-quarter drives in a near upset of the highest-ranked team in the ACC, Wake Forest.

Snead’s poise, scrambling and accuracy give Ole Miss a chance to score a few upsets this season.

Wake Forest is one of the top five teams Ole Miss will play this season, making me believe the Rebels will be bowl eligible.

It’s also evident Ole Miss is a much better coached team than it was the past three seasons.


COBB AT QUARTERBACK?

5) Good news at Kentucky : Randall Cobb is a dynamic player.

Bad news at Kentucky : He might be the Wildcats’ best quarterback.

Kentucky needs Cobb to be a productive receiver, not the starting quarterback.

It’s alarming that Mike Hartline struggled against 1-AA Norfolk State and that Cobb had to ignite the offense with three scoring drives in the first half.

When Hartline re-entered the game, he got booed by Kentucky fans. That’s unfortunate. Hartline was just 9 of 15 for 60 yards. He’s still finding his way. He’s not Andre Woodson and UK fans shouldn’t expect him to be.

But if Hartline can’t pick apart Norfolk State, what is he going to do against Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee ?

As athletic as Cobb is, you can’t expect a true freshman to be ready to beat the better teams in the SEC. But he might be Kentucky’s answer against MTSU, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.


VANDY BETTER THAN EXPECTED

6) Vanderbilt is better than I thought.

I didn’t give Vandy enough credit for beating Miami, Ohio. I was convinced South Carolina’s defense would stifle the Commodores’ run game and extract revenge from the 17-6 loss a year ago.

I was wrong. While Carolina held Vandy quarterback Chris Nickson to 17 yards on 16 carries, some guy named Jared Hawkins had a career-high 84 yards and Vandy ran out the clock with two first downs starting from its own 5-yard line.

I thought Vandy would have an anemic offense after losing the SEC’s all-time leading receiver and all five offensive line starters. I was wrong.

I did think Bobby Johnson was the best coach Vandy has had in over 20 years.

So maybe I got something right about the Commodores.

Vandy has two winnable games coming up – against Rice and Ole Miss. A 4-0 start is possible.

The rest of the season, Vandy has very winnable games Mississippi State, Duke and Kentucky, and you can’t count the Dores out against Tennessee and Wake Forest.


MY POWER POLL

1) Florida
2) Georgia
3) Alabama
4) LSU
5) Auburn
6) Tennessee
7) Vanderbilt
8) Ole Miss
9) Kentucky
10) South Carolina
11) Mississippi State
12) Arkansas