We reviewed the SEC’s biggest hits by defenders in 2012, and I’m not only a sucker for big hits but for huge offensive plays, too. And there weren’t too many bigger plays than these five:

5. Ace Sanders’ slippery punt return against Missouri

4. AJ McCarron to TJ Yeldon

3. Cordarrelle Patterson houses it against NC State

2. Johnny Manziel’s Heisman moment against Bama

1. Jarvis Landry’s one-handed catch

Zach Kerker from Channel 1450 added more details on the restrictions:

BREAKING; Rochester HC Derek Leonard: OSU blocking Wes Lunt transfer to SEC, PAC 12, BIG 12, S. Miss & E. Michigan

— Zach Kerker (@ZachKerker) May 17, 2013

Lunt was said to be considering five schools in Illinois, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Southern Miss, and now we know that three of the five have been restricted.

It’s still unclear why Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy barred Lunt from transferring into the SEC, as well as other destinations, and OSU spokesperson said the decision was strictly Gundy’s and Lunt’s business.

Coaches can and will restrict transfers to specific schools. Lunt can appeal if he wants to attend any of the restricted programs.

Really, Mike Gundy?

Photo Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Previous positions:

• Quarterback
• Running back
• Wide Receivers
• Sack Masters
• Tacklers
• Top Pick Artists
• The Kickers
• The Punters

Field position in the SEC is paramount for any coach and offense. Starting inside your own 20-yard line can wreak havoc on efficiency, because it’s just so tough to drive the length of the field on any SEC defense.

That’s why uber SEC-fast kick returners are necessary to get offenses in good starting positions. Ole Miss’ Jaylen Walton leads the SEC returners in kickoff return yardage with 643 yards and one touchdown. Texas A&M’s talented Trey Williams is next with 557 returns yards.

This is not a ranking, and it’s based on kick return yards:

1. Jaylen Walton, Ole Miss
2012 stats: 26 ret., 643 yards and one TD

2. Trey Williams, Texas A&M
2012 stats: 25 ret., 557 yards

3. Jameon Lewis, Mississippi State
2012 stats: 20 ret., 517 yards and one TD

4. DeMarcus Sweat, Kentucky
2012 stats: 25 ret., 512 yards

5. Andre Debose, Florida
2012 stats: 18 ret., 510 yards and one TD

All stats based on CFBStats.com

Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

I ranked the 10 best wide receivers heading into spring practice earlier in March, and SDS will re-rank the top 10 closer to August.

Several teams could develop strong receiving tandems throughout 2013. Georgia quickly comes to mind. With Tavarres King now graduated, Malcolm Mitchell steps into the spotlight as the offense’s game breaker, while Michael Bennett was leading the team in receptions before he was injured last year. Both are recovering from surgery and have several questions, but we know Aaron Murray will get them the football.

Another strong tandem that could develop is Missouri. Actually, Missouri has a trio that could put up big numbers, assuming the passing game gets a facelift. Marcus Lucas, L’Damian Washington and Dorial Green-Beckham return a combined 99 catches for 1,347 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Offenses that have at least one homerun hitting deep threat is a must-have to keep defenses from creepin’ up to the line of scrimmage, but these five teams have not only one big-time receiver but another strong compliment. Here are the SEC’s most dangerous receiving tandems:

1. Amari Cooper and Kenny Bell, Alabama

2012 combined stats: 76 catches for 1,431 yards and 14 touchdowns
The Skinny: The most explosive receiver in the conference is Amari Cooper. Cooper averaged 16.9 yards per reception, and when you add in Kenny Bell to accompany Cooper, it turns into a headache for any defense. Bell caught just 17 passes for 431 yards and three touchdowns before his season-ending injury, but he averaged a nasty 25.4 yards per catch. Alabama has a splendor of riches in the receiving corps, but the most explosive are Cooper and Bell, who combined to average 18.82 yards per catch. AJ McCarron is loving life.

2. Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd, Vanderbilt

2012 combined stats: 144 catches for 2,097 yards and 13 touchdowns
The Skinny: Jordan Matthews led the SEC with 94 receptions last season, and you can make a case for Matthews as the best receiver in the SEC. After all, he did rack up a crazy 1,323 yards last season. Add Chris Boyd into the picture, and first-year starter Austyn Carta-Samuels has immediate talent around him for the Dores’ offense to not even skip a beat in 2013. If you’re looking for the most dependable tandem, Matthews and Boyd are your duo, and they could certainly top this list come December. Watch out for Matthews to become one of the highest wide receiver picks in the country in 2014’s draft.

3. Donte Moncrief and Vince Sanders, Ole Miss

2012 combined stats: 105 catches for 1,483 yards and 14 touchdowns
The Skinny: Just because Donte Moncrief is No. 3 on any list doesn’t mean he isn’t No. 1. In fact, you can make a case for Cooper, Matthews or Moncrief as the top receiver in the SEC. Vince Sanders and Ja’Mes Logan provide another strong option, but Bo Wallace has to limit turnovers. If he does, watch out for Moncrief’s numbers to explode, along with those of his partners in crime. Moncrief and Sanders are two to watch for the Rebels.

4. Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, LSU

2012 combined stats: 99 catches for 1,286 yards and seven touchdowns
The Skinny: Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham could be the top receiving tandem in the SEC. But that’s just what they are right now: a potential No. 1. They aren’t as consistent as anyone in the LSU program would like for them to be. Landry is ready to explode in 2013, and Beckham was the most inconsistent in 2012. With an improved passing game, watch for Landry and Beckham to rise up draft charts. These two are ultra-talented, and with refined receiving skills and techniques, the Landry-Beckham duo could be the best in the SEC.

5. Mike Evans and Malcome Kennedy, Texas A&M

2012 combined stats: 108 catches for 1,390 yards and seven touchdowns
The Skinny: Mike Evans may not be a total game breaker, but The Human Radius will catch everything thrown in a 10’ range. Evans, next to Jordan Matthews, may have the SEC’s surest hands, and that must make Johnny Manziel so excited he can’t sleep at night. I look for Malcome Kennedy to take a major step forward this season, too, and Evans and Kennedy could move up this list…along with one of the 25 receivers the Aggies signed this past recruiting cycle.

Photo Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

A more candid, mellow and calm Nick Saban, who admitted he didn’t know much about Tim Davis’ comments or the setting, sounded genuinely upset and hurt over being called ‘the devil himself’ again by another coach, via AL.

“It really is a little terribly disappointing,” he said Thursday in response to comments made by Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis.

“I try to do right by the people that work for me,” he said. “It’s a tough, demanding job. And at the same time, if anybody had an issue or problem with me, I would want them to just tell me.

“Twice. On two occasions,” Saban said. “It’s just disappointing. If somebody has a problem with me, I’d appreciate it if they’d tell me. If I’m doing something to offend somebody, I’d certainly like to do whatever I have to do to fix it. It’s not our intention. It’s not what we try to do.
“We’re in a tough business. It’s very competitive. Sometimes you’ve got to demand that people do things that maybe they don’t want to do, but it’s not personal.”

Saban was cordial when responding to Davis’ personality attacks, when the Gator assistant said, “[Muschamp's] like [Saban], only he’s got a personality. He’ll smile at you. He’ll talk to you. You understand?”

“I know it’s not representative of Will Muschamp and the University of Florida and the way they do things,” he said. “I know that, because I’m close enough to Will to know that.”

I wrote yesterday that, up to a certain threshold, coaches should rally their fans and tell them what they want to hear. Evidently Davis crossed that threshold for Saban.

Saban probably took more offense to the comments because Davis was on his staff with the Miami Dolphins for two years and another year at Alabama.

Too bad Florida and Alabama don’t lock horns this year in the regular season.

Photo Credit: Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports

Despite May being a wretched month for college football fans, there were some fun headlines this week to discuss. Let’s make the rounds…

Athlete or Artist?

Three-star wide receiver Jay Harris, signed with Michigan State back in February. He has decided to take a different route in life rather than line up wide for the Spartans. Yes, Mr. Harris will pursue a rap career. His first single “DatBull 4 Life” is a masterpiece with the key lyric being “I’m DatBull for life, I’ll take your wife.” Stop it, Jay DatBull.

You can watch his rap video below (bad language warning):

Something tells me that Michigan State dodged a bullet with this one.

Five Star Escape

Florida State has their hands full with stud 2013 recruit Matthew Thomas who wants out of Tallahassee without playing a down. The five-star signee this February apparently wanted to sign with Lane Kiffin’s USC, but his “mom made me do it.” FSU athletic director Randy Spetman says that they do not plan to release Thomas from his commitment:

“You’d get into a situation where if you release him, then people would be doing that every year,” Spetman said. “We would be more than happy to release someone if there is a compelling reason.”

Hawaii’s Identity Crisis

The University of Hawaii has decided to affirm the name of Rainbow Warriors for their men’s athletic programs, including football. This is a change of course for the Hawaii athletic director who had recently ruled that the teams would simply be known as the Warriors.

“The decision on February 13 to change the nickname of the men’s teams to Warriors has generated a lot of discussion and we have received both positive and negative feedback,” Jay said. “We listened to the public discussion and we went back to the original two questions we asked ourselves – who are we and what is representative of the islands?

“We initially decided to adopt Warriors as the nickname of our men’s teams, since it was used by the majority of our men’s programs, including the one with the largest fan following (football),” Jay added. “This is a very subjective and emotional issue and the only clear consensus on this topic over the last 13 years has been that a decision needed to be made to unify our men’s teams under one nickname. That goal will still be accomplished as we retain the Rainbow and Warriors names, both of which are near and dear to the hearts of our fans, whom we represent.”

What a relief!

Kiffin dreams of coaching high school

Lane Kiffin was hired as the Oakland Raiders head coach at the age of 31. After Al Davis chased him out, Kiffin took the head coach job in Knoxville for a year before heading back out to California to coach the Trojans.

Many fans and critics wonder about whether Kiffin is and has been qualified for these head coaching positions so early in his career, and it appears that Kiffin may also wonder. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Kiffin talked about possibly going back to coach high school football:

“I did think the other day what it would be like to be a high school head coach or to be at a small school,” Kiffin said. “I thought about it the other day. The first time. I wonder if there’s something to that peace of mind. Maybe it’s something I can go back and do when I get older. I’m going to go coach high school.

“It’s just the game. It’s the game in its realest sense and it’s fun. Working with the kids and not all this other stuff. You go back and have fun.”

Just a reminder that Kiffin led the Trojans to an unranked status after being the pre-season #1 entering the 2012 season.

So, which SEC West defense will be the best in 2013?

There are way too many variables right now that we have to see play out during the season, but let’s take a look at the ceiling (and the floor) of each SEC West defense.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Last year’s defense: 1st in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Certainly the Tide are the favorites to be the top defense in the SEC West again. CJ Mosley will be the Tide’s heart and soul on defense, and, oh, they still have that coach named Nick Saban and his understudy Kirby Smart dialing up defensive plays and bringing in top talent to replenish the Tide’s smash mouth defense. Bama’s stacked depth chart gives Saban and Smart several options to plug five-stars into vacant positions.

Why they won’t be the division’s best: Ok, the Tide may never be the division’s worst defense, but there could be a letdown this year. Losing three defensive linemen, LB Nico Johnson, CB Dee Milliner and safety Robert Lester may leave too many vacancies for the Tide to have the top defense.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Last year’s defense: 12th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Bret Bielema’s biggest impact will come on defense, and he has four veteran defensive linemen returning, along with a young crop of talented linebackers and secondary players. SEC games are won and lost in the trenches, and Arkansas has one of the best – on paper – returning front four of anyone. Bielema and Chris Ash are the missing pieces to makes this defense finally click.

Why they won’t be the division’s best: The secondary was unbearable to watch at times last season. What makes us think the secondary will get that much better under a new system in just one year? I’ll buy the front seven, but the secondary has too much of a chasm to fill. Not to mention, if the offense can’t move the ball, the defense will be on the field way too much anyway.

Auburn Tigers

Last year’s defense: 13th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Ellis Johnson is a brilliant defensive mind, and he’ll put guys in positions to succeed. The tackling will improve, and Justin Garrett will be the lifeblood of a much-improved defense all around. The strength starts up front with the defensive line, and this group gets more push and creates more chaos than last year’s letdown.

Why they won’t be the division’s best: Can Auburn’s defense really improve that much with virtually the same players? Regardless, the only impact player in 2012 on the line is gone in Corey Lemonier. The linebackers couldn’t tackle air at times, and the secondary was nowhere to be found. This group will make strides, but there’s a slim to none chance this defensive unit becomes tops in the SEC West.

LSU Tigers

Last year’s defense: 3rd in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: John Chavis can take a group of cheerleaders and put them in a Tigers’ uniform and produce a solid defense. Besides, LSU is slammed with top recruits on the depth charts, and they have two very solid defensive ends to replace Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo in Jermauria Rasco and Danielle Hunter. Anthony Johnson will prove to wreak havoc at tackle this fall.

Why they won’t be the division’s best: We can talk about replacing the defensive linemen all we want, but LSU’s best player in 2012 was MLB Kevin Minter. Minter was everywhere last season, and he’ll be the toughest Tiger to replace. Along with Minter, five other starters are gone, including safety Eric Reid. Sure, on paper, the depth is there, but it’s a whole different ball game when the lights come on. This defense needs game experience to gel as a unit.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Last year’s defense: 8th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: This is one of the more underrated defenses in the league. MSU has perhaps the best linebacker in the league in Benardrick McKinney, because he ate up ball carriers last year to the tune of 102 tackles. A young, inexperienced defensive line will prove they are one of the best in the SEC this season, headlined by Denico Autry, Chris Jones and Kaleb Eulls.

Why they won’t be the division’s best: While the front seven is going to be particularly stout, the Bulldogs have gaping holes in the secondary with the departures of Darius Slay, Johnthan Banks and Corey Broomfield. Quarterbacks could have a field day on the Dawgs’ revamped secondary, especially if the defensive line doesn’t get as much push as expected.

Ole Miss Rebels

Last year’s defense: 7th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Ole Miss may have the best defensive player in the SEC West this season in Denzel Nkemdiche. From a no-name, zero-star prospect to a freshman All-American, Nkemdiche gives his defense an attitude. Except for tackle Gilbert Pena, this defense returns everyone with a year’s worth of experience, not to mention they get back veteran DT Shackelford as the mouthpiece.

Why they won’t be the division’s best: For the Rebels to become a legit defense, the secondary has to make major strides from last season. The front seven will be very deep and talented, but the secondary could be the weak point, again. The Rebels finished 11th in pass defense in the SEC last year.

Texas A&M Aggies

Last year’s defense: 9th in SEC
Why they could be the division’s best: Finishing as the SEC West’s best defense while losing five starters in the front seven will be tough. With Floyd Raven’s move to safety, it helped solidified the Aggies’ secondary. Mark Snyder will put a very solid product on the field, and veterans Stephen Jenkins, Kirby Ennis and Julian Obioha will lead an improving defense throughout the season.

Why they won’t be the division’s best: Losing Damontre Moore, Spencer Nealy, Sean Porter and Jonathan Stewart are too many studs to replace. Losing Moore specifically, there’s no other Aggie defensive lineman who even comes close to his athleticism or ability right now. Maybe someone will emerge, but it’s hard to figure a way Texas A&M’s defense will be tops in the West, unless the defense pulls a Johnny Manziel and comes out of nowhere.

Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Previous positions:

• Quarterback
• Running back
• Wide Receivers
• Sack Masters
• Tacklers
• Top Pick Artists
• The Kickers

Punting is a crucial and often overlooked aspect of college football. But the SEC coaches get it – in order to win SEC games, teams have to be very efficient and win the special teams battle. No one knows this more than Florida’s Will Muschamp, as field position, special teams and defense helped propel Florida to 11 wins.

The Gators’ Kyle Christy finished 29th in the country with 66 total punts, and he averaged 45.8 yards per punt, good for 5th in the country. Christy was an All-SEC performer and one of Florida’s best players in 2012. Alabama’s Cody Mandell finished second in the SEC among returners, averaging 44.28 yards per punt on 50 total attempts.

This is not a ranking, and it’s based on field goal percentage:

1. Kyle Christy, Florida
2012 stats: 66 punts, 45.8 yards per kick

2. Cody Mandell, Alabama
2012 stats: 50 punts, 44.28 yards per kick

3. Landon Foster, Kentucky
2012 stats: 61 punts, 42.9 yards per punt

4. Collin Barber, Georgia
2012 stats: 60 punts, 41.47 yards per punt

5. Baker Swedenburg, Mississippi State
2012 stats: 57 punts, 41.05 yards per punt

6. Steven Clark, Auburn
2012 stats: 70 punts, 39.76 yards per punt

7. Tyler Hull, South Carolina
2012 stats: 56 punts, 39.48 yards per punt

All stats based on CFBStats.com

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Previous Schedule Rankings:

• NCAA ranks the 2013 SEC schedules
• #14 Alabama football schedule
• #13 Texas A&M football schedule
• #12 Missouri football schedule
• #11 Vanderbilt football schedule
• #10 South Carolina football schedule
• #9 Ole Miss football schedule

Georgia continues its quest for an SEC and national championship in 2013. Despite owning the NFL Draft over last several years in the SEC, the Bulldogs haven’t been able to capture an elusive championship, even with back-to-back years of playing in Atlanta for the conference crown.

Georgia enters 2013 as one of the favorites in the SEC, maybe the favorite outside of Alabama, to make a championship run, and with 10 returning starters on offense headlined by Aaron Murray and Todd Gurley, it’s easy to see why this team could win it all. In 2013, Georgia’s strength of schedule ranks No. 8 overall in the SEC.

2013 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule

• Aug. 31st – at Clemson
• Sept. 7 – South Carolina
• Sept. 21 – North Texas
• Sept. 28 – LSU
• Oct. 5 – at Tennessee
• Oct. 12 – Missouri
• Oct. 19 – at Vanderbilt
• Nov. 2 – Florida
• Nov. 9 – Appalachian State
• Nov. 16 – at Auburn
• Nov. 23 – Kentucky
• Nov. 30 – at Georgia Tech

By The Numbers

• 6 Home Games
• 5 Road Games
• 1 Neutral Site (Florida)
• 2 Cupcakes
• 4 Preseason top 25 projected opponents (Clemson, South Carolina, LSU and Florida)

Strength of Schedule Rank

• SEC East: 4th
• SEC: 8th

Notes

• Cross-divisional opponents: LSU and Auburn
• Opponents winning percentage in 2012: 86-65 (57%)
• Bye weeks: Before North Texas and Florida

Georgia’s strength of schedule commands the most attention on the front end. Three of the first four games come against ranked opponents in Clemson, South Carolina and LSU. The good thing for Georgia is that they host both South Carolina and LSU, but the first game against Clemson on the road will be a heart thumper for all SEC fans, not just UGA fans. Bragging rights against the SEC is on the forefront of the ACC crazies’ minds.

The Bulldogs started off two previous seasons (2009 and 2011) with two big non-conference games against Boise State and Oklahoma State. Neither of those two games was at Sanford Stadium, and both resulted in early season losses.

While Clemson could prove to be the toughest test of the year, the South Carolina-Georgia rivalry will be one of the best. I don’t understand why this game doesn’t get more attention. It’s always a punishing thriller, and Steve Spurrier has a personal vendetta against the Bulldogs.

Georgia does escape Alabama and Texas A&M, arguably the two favorites in the SEC, certainly in the West, but they do face a rebuilding LSU team instead. LSU holds an all-time series lead 16-12-1, and the last meeting in the 2011 SEC Championship resulted in a Bulldogs’ 42-10 loss.

Georgia should expect to face a much better Auburn team than last year’s underwhelming showing, and I’m anxious for the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry to kick back into high gear.

The Bulldogs had the SEC’s easiest schedule in 2012, and they took advantage of it by winning 12 games and beating the second-ranked Gators in Jacksonville.

Will Georgia find what they’re looking for in 2013?

Be on the lookout for the rest of this series as we break down every schedule in the SEC for the 2013 season.

Photo Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

What’s the big deal anyway?

If you’ve been living in a cave in the Deep South over the last few days, Florida OL coach Tim Davis, who has previously worked under Nick Saban for three years, jokingly called Saban ‘the devil himself’ during a Florida fan event.

“I’ve always wanted to work with (Florida coach) Will (Muschamp),” Davis said. “Will’s got a plan. Will coached under the devil himself for seven years. I only did three. He did seven. And his DNA is not any different than Nick.”

The apparently height-challenged Antichrist has been accused of being ‘the devil himself’, ‘Nicky Satan’ and the ‘Prince of Darkness’ all over the span of the last few months. It all stems from a play on words with Saban, and I’d venture to say championships have something to do with it, too. That’s it.

Then, ESPN’s Mark May called Davis a ‘classless backstabbing coward’ yesterday on the Mothership.

“I don’t know Tim Davis, but my opinion, he’s a classless backstabbing coward,” May said on ESPN. “You’re talking about a guy in Nick Saban that gave you an opportunity to coach. He gave you an opportunity to move up the coaching ranks, so you could support your family, put food on the table, clothes on their backs. Not for one year. He gave you the opportunity for three years on his staff.

“If you have a problem with Nick Saban, pick up the phone, put your big-boy pants on and man up and say ‘Coach, I got a problem with you and here’s why.’ You don’t go out in front of some group of friendly fans out there and say that about Nick Saban, a guy that gave you an opportunity to be a coach.”

Mark May apparently didn’t get the same tongue-in-cheek tone from Davis as 90 percent of the country did. What a radical and outlandish approach by Davis, trying to energize and stir up fans at rallying event. Saban probably takes it as a compliment. After all, if no one is gunning for you or talking about you, you’re irrelevant. And Saban certainly isn’t irrelevant.

A few days ago, Will Muschamp vowed to end Georgia’s two-game winning streak, and UGA OC Mike Bobo assured fans the Bulldogs would be ready for South Carolina.

Many boosters and fans don’t want to hear about the Xs and Os of college football. Hell, many can’t tell you the difference between a center and a guard. Especially at fan rallies and events, they just want to hear about how they’re going to be able to brag at the water cooler on Monday mornings come fall, not how you have the best pulling guard in the conference.

Simple tongue-in-cheek statements meant to rally crowds shouldn’t be taken so seriously.

What Davis, Muschamp, Bobo and Franklin said was meant to rally and rile up home crowds – nothing more, nothing less. It’s funny and entertaining and gives us something to talk about in May, when college football is essentially dead to the world.

As long as coaches don’t pose any death threats or attack the SEC, we’re all good. Intra-conference shots are allowed and welcomed.

After all, isn’t it a coach’s job to rally fan bases?

Photo Credit: Daniel Shirey/CFA-pr via USA TODAY Sports