Another weekly SEC coaches teleconference has wrapped up. Check below to see what each SEC head coach had to say.

Hugh Freeze, Mississippi

  • Freeze wishes the open week was a bit later in the season with the way his team is playing, but plans to use the week to get his team ready and to do some scouting and recruiting.
  • Plans to try to catch every SEC team in play this weekend.
  • “It’s scary,” Freeze says of the loaded SEC West, and he thinks that all seven teams in the division could be considered top-25 teams. Knows that not all teams are going to finish in the top 10 or 15 because of how they’ll beat each other up throughout the season.

Gus Malzahn, Auburn

  • Coaching ages you in dog years, Malzahn says, and he’s very impressed that Bill Snyder is still coaching for Kansas State at 74.
  • Malzahn says no matter where the game is, when two top-20 teams meet up you have to be well-prepared and that this game will be a big test for his team.
  • Malzahn weighs every factor before calling a timeout to ice a kicker, including taking into consideration the team’s backup kicker.

Mark Richt, Georgia

  • Richt thinks his team is still learning after South Carolina loss. “We’re certainly not as good as everyone thought we were (after Clemson) but we’re certainly not as bad as people think we are after South Carolina.”
  • Troy team will be playing desperate on Saturday, Richt says. He wants his Georgia team to have that same fire against Troy and in their next conference game.
  • Richt says coaches are the most critical of themselves in response to a question about Todd Gurley not getting the ball at the goal line against South Carolina. Coach says he doesn’t blame his team’s fans for questioning his coaching decisions. “If you took a poll of fans before we run a play…most would say ‘run that sucker, let’s go!'”

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State

  • Demeanor of team has changed at practice now that they’re heading into SEC conference play.
  • Now that Dak Prescott is the main guy at quarterback, Mullen can tailor more of his offense to him. Mullen says that Prescott is a winner above all else. Compares him to other big-time QBs he’s coached, from Alex Smith to Tim Tebow. Says that he’s the prototypical quarterback for him.
  • Praises LSU’s talent level, saying that they have a roster full of four- and five-star recruits.
  • Mullen says his offense has to execute extremely well due to LSU’s defensive athleticism and their playmakers.
  • He thinks his team can match up well with LSU, especially in the front seven, despite LSU’s massive size all over their offensive front. His team needs to play physically on every snap.

Mark Stoops, Kentucky

  • Team was prepared well for Florida game and went in with strong attitude, knew it was going to be a challenge in a hostile environment.
  • Stoops has solely worked on improving his own team so far this week, starting on Vanderbilt preparation today.
  • Very pleased with how the young guys played against Florida. Specifically named Darian Miller as someone whose effort he was proud of.
  • Team was hurt by the loss to Florida, very painful loss. Stoops says team will be fine and will bounce back quickly. He tells team they have 24 hours, maximum, to either cherish a win or hurt from defeat.
  • Stoops and staff will be getting out on the road and doing recruiting during bye week.
  • Calls Florida a very tough, dynamic team, also says that they are well coached. Defensively, they’re very explosive.
  • Wants to see improvement at linebacker, but is pleased with Josh Forrest. Wants the linebackers to be more physical. Was not pleased with the position group’s technique against Florida.

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

  • Sumlin thinks his team can learn a lot from the Rice game, it was the first time all season that things didn’t go according to the script offensively.
  • Is Sumlin surprised by his team’s performance? One word answer: “No.” Says team has ample talent all over and they have certain expectations for themselves. Still playing catchup trying to create talent and depth on the team.
  • Sumlin has no word on whether the field conditions at Kyle Field have improved yet, as the team doesn’t play there for three weeks.
  • On Kenny Hill: “He’s gotten better every week, he’s been accurate, we’re starting to give him more offense week-by-week. He’s been steady and reliable.” Thinks he’s handled the pressure and attention as well as anybody could.

Gary Pinkel, Missouri

  • Asked about Nick Saban, said he’s always been very intense and very competitive.
  • Markus Golden and Shane Ray have been huge for Missouri, having lost two seniors. Says that his young players have great visual aids watching Golden and Ray. Says no two players are alike, but he’s pleased with their effort and ability and that you don’t have to say a word to them.
  • Worried about containing Indiana’s talent, doesn’t think you can totally stop them.
  • Pinkel says team doesn’t talk about turnover streak, but that they do talk about the process on both sides of the ball, from carrying the ball to not tipping passes. Never looks at it as luck on defense, but instead the process of creating turnovers. Team works on the fundamentals of doing that at every position.

Bret Bielema, Arkansas

  • Excited to get team back at home, pleased with how they went on the road and beat a confident Texas Tech team.
  • Says focus is solely on beating Illinois, talks about getting better every day in practice.
  • Bielema gives great praise to Denver Kirkland, says teammates respect him and that his stamina and durability are greatly improved.
  • Likes that Dan Skipper gets under people’s skin as a good player. Says his tackle doesn’t talk with his mouth, but with how he plays.
  • Didn’t make decision on Randy Ramsey not traveling until late last week, but he’s back to practicing.
  • Bielema says that it’s in Jojo Robinson’s best interest to take a redshirt this year.

Butch Jones, Tennessee

  • The bye week, or “work week,” is coming at a good time for the team after playing three tough opponents.
  • Jones feels that not being able to stop third downs was a big problem against Oklahoma, also feels the team didn’t have any momentum-changing plays.
  • Wants his young team to focus on each week and not look ahead to big conference matchups.
  • Jones says team expected to win at Oklahoma and expects success this year. Is able to go through the game more thoroughly thanks to bye week.

Nick Saban, Alabama

  • Florida is vastly improved and has great balance on offense while playing great defense.
  • Saban, who once had Will Muschamp on his staff, credits his coaching mentors with getting him to where he is today, also says he’s learned a lot from coaches who have worked under him.
  • Will Muschamp was “dealt a tough hand” at Florida, but Saban doesn’t bring personal things onto the field.
  • On icing kickers: “Why not do it? Why let a guy kick in rhythm?”
  • Offensive line-wise, Alabama is still a work in progress, Saban says. Saban says team has the right combination of guys on the defensive line. Saban likes what he’s seen out of freshman Cam Robinson.
  • Trey DePriest has helped clear up communication issues that Alabama had against West Virginia.
  • Saban goes on for some time about using the NFL’s issues as teaching moments for his team.
  • “I’m comfortable with the guys we have,” Saban says of the QB situation, likes the dynamic between Sims and Jacob Coker.

Derek Mason, Vanderbilt

  • Vanderbilt team is a little banged up after the win against UMass. Mason thinks that South Carolina is getting back on track on both sides of the ball.
  • Mason tries to make sure his players get healthy without giving away too much to his opponent (re: Patton Robinette). Considered playing Robinette the entire UMass game, but you never know how a guy will handle coming off injury.
  • Says team is confident in being able to tighten the defense and bring pressure, plans to add things throughout season as players settle down.

Will Muschamp, Florida

  • D.J. Humphries and C.J. Wharton will both be out against Alabama.
  • Says there was a miscommunication on play call on no-call delay of game against Kentucky, but officials said they got the snap off. It’s a coachable moment from a communication standpoint.
  • Certain guys have “it.” Vernon Hargreaves can “overcome coaching,” Muschamp praises his instincts and natural ability. He has poise with his back to the ball, which a lot of players don’t. The best thing about him is his work ethic.
  • Muschamp is impressed with Alabama QB Blake Sims’ ability to extend plays and his accurate arm.
  • Alabama has talent all over and they’re very balanced, Muschamp says. Praises talent all over the offense, mentioning receiver corps and running backs by name.
  • Muschamp compares Amari Cooper and Demarcus Robinson, sees similarities in their physical skillsets.
  • Muschamp told story of when John Brantley got hurt at Alabama a few years ago and he went to sent Jeff Driskel into the game. Told Driskel to get his helmet, Driskel said, “What?”

Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

  • Compliments Vanderbilt’s defense, said the offense came alive last week and that Carolina will have their hands full dealing with the Commodores. He expects a tight ballgame.
  • Everyone wants one quarterback, Spurrier says on Vandy’s QB situation, but if you have multiple guys you need to give them all a chance. It depends on how the coach feels about his players. Knows he has his guy, though. “If Dylan throws 5 straight interceptions, he’s going to stay in the game.”
  • Spurrier wants to see improvement from his team week to week, thinks his team could have lost all three games so far. Team isn’t talking about championships, and he doesn’t know what kind of team he has yet.
  • Mike Davis is fine and has practiced all week. Spurrier hopes they’ll both get a bunch of carries each week. Says you need two running backs and he has two very good power backs.
  • Spurrier is “sweating his visor out” in Columbia. Looking forward to cooler weather in Nashville.

Les Miles, LSU

  • Miles calls Mississippi the most talented team LSU has faced so far, acknowledges the challenge of facing Dak Prescott.
  • Tiger Stadium will be live and electric for LSU’s SEC opener, according to Miles.
  • OT La’el Collins, DE Danielle Hunter and LB D.J. Welter are some of the veteran guys who keeps the young Tigers practicing hard.
  • Miles says redshirt freshman K.J. Malone is a guy who could earn snaps on the offensive line. “We won’t hesitate to play him in games,” the coach said.