Even though he didn’t live tweet the event, we still have video footage and great photos.

Coach Miles putting on equipment before he heads to the top of the building to rappel down. twitter.com/LSUfball/statu…

— LSU Football (@LSUfball) May 30, 2013

Photo from inside the building of @lsucoachmiles. (via former @lsubaseball player @jlfaircloth) twitter.com/LSUPublication…

— LSUPublications (@LSUPublications) May 30, 2013

Les Miles will rappel down the side of the 24-story One American Place in the name of adoption this afternoon, rigged with the proper safety gear of course, via WWL.

“Coach Les Miles is tops of the list and he’ll be going off at one o’clock,” said spokesman Randy Hayden. “We’re trying to bring some attention to the fact Louisiana has almost 500 children in its foster care program right now,” Hayden said. “We’re trying to get them adopted.”

Hats off to the hat himself for creating publicity for a great cause to support the ‘Over the Edge for Adoption’ campaign.

Now, we can only hope that he live tweets the event via his cell phone and someone captures it all on video.

Photo Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Not based on the coaches’ vote alone, the SEC will stick with eight conference games through at least 2014 and likely 2015. That was the consensus entering this week, and it’s the reality exiting this week. Coaches were about evenly split in another vote cast to maintain or eliminate permanent cross-divisional opponents.

Alabama’s Nick Saban remains the only SEC coach bullish on nine conference games, and it’s only inevitable he’ll get his wish.

Will Muschamp, like some coaches, administrators and other suits, agree that nine games is inevitable, via AL.

“Personally, I think we’ll end up moving to nine games eventually,” Florida coach Will Muschamp said. “You create an SEC Network. At the end of the day, it’s going to be driven by the dollar and having those games are going to be important. Having enough quality games on television promoting for a nine-game SEC regular season in my opinion will eventually happen.”

Mike Slive has stated the 2014 schedule release for this week is doubtful, and he has pleaded the fifth every time asked if he prefers eight or nine conference games. Slive stressed to the coaches to schedule better non-conference games in the future.

Slive sees the pure domination by the SEC, and he wants to carefully and articulately preserve that success, not just jump to any rash decisions.

Steve Spurrier raises a valid question about non-conference opponents: Can the SEC find enough quality opponents to get at least 10 ‘good’ games per year, and why would another conference game be deemed more important than a top non-conference game?

“Anything can happen when television starts telling you what to do,” Spurrier said. “My thought is this: Would television people rather televise Texas-Texas A&M or Texas A&M-Kentucky? Why are the conference games supposed to be bigger? They’re not bigger than some rivalry games like that.”

Les Miles won’t get his wish to permanently eliminate cross-divisional opponents and have two rotating opponents yet, but that could happen when the SEC moves to nine games. Miles isn’t much on tradition, but keeping the Alabama-Tennessee and Auburn-Georgia rivalries alive screams tradition.

“The hard thing is tradition, and the hard thing is financial considerations,” Miles said. “But if you get back to how college football has changed, (Oklahoma) is not playing Nebraska. Nebraska is now in the Big Ten. Colorado is suddenly in the Pac-12. You’re looking at a recent addition to our conference, Texas A&M, and they don’t play Texas anymore.

“So tradition is giving way, hopefully, to a fairer and right way to pick a champion.”

The move to nine is only inevitable because of SEC Network programming inventory and strength of schedule. It’s still unclear how much strength of schedule will weigh on the committee’s minds, and we may not know that until 2014, when one full season plays out with the new selection committee.

By 2016, the Big 12, Big Ten and Pac 12 all will play nine conference games, and the SEC should then follow.

Photo Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The current eight-game conference schedule is expected to last through 2014 or 2015, with most expecting the conference to move to a future nine-game schedule. The current 6-1-1 model features six division games, one permanent cross-divisional opponent and one rotating cross-divisional opponent.

And the one coach who has been the most outspoken out of the 14 about the current model, particularly permanent cross-divisional rivalries, is LSU’s Les Miles.

Miles is tired of playing Florida every year, while he watches Alabama play Tennessee every year. And to be fair, he has a point. Alabama has won the last six against Tennessee and are currently 7-3 in the last 10 years, while LSU is tied 5-5 with Florida in their last 10. The Gators are 98-33 over the last decade, while Tennessee is 72-54. Tennessee isn’t the Tennessee of old, and Florida is vying for a national title picture nearly every single year.

Miles made his intentions known during the SEC’s post-spring teleconference, where he suggested abolishing permanent cross-divisional rivalries and selecting two cross-divisional opponents via computer.

“It’s interesting to see how you would compare our schedule with others,” Miles said on the SEC coaches’ post-spring teleconference. “I wonder if there should be no permanent partners. I wonder if we couldn’t choose cross-division opponents through a random computer draw.”

And just last week, he was on with Tim Brando discussing how certain teams have ‘unintended and unearned advantages’ with the current model, via AL.

“I think there is some unintended, unearned advantages by scheduling. I mean unintended, the conference put it in there and they tried to deal with the traditions of the conference and tried to make things work. I think the unintended has to do with that. No question there are some advantages by scheduling. You can deny historically, traditionally that those two teams are pretty strong. And those two teams can make a difference in what is the Western Division championship. And they can make a difference year after year if the scheduling is not some way made equal.”

The main reason for the SEC even installing the current 6-1-1 schedule format is to protect the Alabama-Tennessee and Georgia-Auburn rivalries, and there will be much discussion about both preserving and eliminating those this week.

Eliminating permanent cross-divisional rivalries are unrealistic, especially when next year’s SEC Network will be unveiled. Programming will be paramount.

Miles will be a man on a mission this week, and we’ll see what transpires – if anything – because of it.

Photo Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

1. Future SEC football scheduling

The future of SEC scheduling as it pertains to football will be the hot topic button of the week. The league is expected to finalize the 2014 football schedule soon, which will be the first year of the new College Football Playoff. The ’14 schedule will still likely be exactly what it is right now – the 6-1-1 model, meaning six division games, one permanent cross-divisional opponent and one rotating cross-divisional opponent.

However, the biggest topic within future scheduling is when – or if – the SEC will move away from an eight-game to a nine-game conference schedule. There shouldn’t be a vote this week, but it will be discussed at length, and every coach has an opinion on it. Most coaches and administrators – except Nick Saban – are against a nine-game schedule for multiple reasons.

Another topic you’ll hear within the future scheduling is strength of schedule. It’s still unknown how big of factor SOS will be with the coming playoff, but it will be a factor. It could help force the SEC’s hand to move to a nine-game SEC schedule.

2. Les Miles and fairness

The big talk surrounding scheduling talk is fairness. LSU’s Les Miles doesn’t want to play Florida every year as the Tigers’ permanent cross-divisional opponent, and he doesn’t think it’s fair that Alabama plays a weaker Tennessee every year.

Expect Les Miles to be the center of attention when talking about cross-divisional games. He seems like a man on a mission heading into Destin.

3. SEC Network planning and nuggets

The SEC Network launches in 2014, and there’s much to be planned and accomplished before that happens. ESPN’s Justin Connolly, who’s head of the SEC Network, will be in Destin. Yes, viewers care about how the network’s footprint expands into other states, but the bigger issue is the entertainment quality within the network itself. The SEC and ESPN have already hired Paul Finebaum, and if that’s any indication of the type of programming, it will be tilted toward being entertainment based. We’ll probably get some more nuggets regarding the network itself this week.

4. Slive and retirement

Mike Slive has one year left on his contract as the most important and powerful man in college football. At 72, the SEC Network is Slive’s crowning achievement. Could Slive end his run as commish next year?

5. ‘Paying players’

Mike Slive is in favor of a $2,000 stipend to cover a player’s full cost of attendance, while Steve Spurrier wants to give a little money to players out of coaches’ pockets and has for years. I’m sure on more than one occasion the coaches and suits will speak of ‘paying players’ this week.

This really isn’t a pertinent issue, but it’s a hot topic about which everyone has an opinion.

Slive added this nugget about the NCAA and stipends earlier this spring:

“When there are certain things that many of us would like to come into play, it’s our hope that those things can all occur in the current system. Obviously, if things like that [player stipends] don’t get accomplished, then it may be appropriate to talk about some alternative or division or something like that. But that’s not our desire. That’s not our goal and that’s not something we’re trying to get to.”

Slive may elaborate on rattling the NCAA’s cage.

6. Bowls in 2014 and beyond

With the coming playoff, the Cotton Bowl and Chick-fil-A Bowl will no longer have automatic SEC tie-ins, because both will be part of the playoff rotation host sites. The Capital One, Outback, Gator and Music City Bowls should remain as is.

So, which bowls will the SEC get instead of the Cotton and Chick-fil-A, and how many bowls will the SEC even want to include in 2014? That will be a big discussion point this week.

Photo Credit: Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports

And it’s hard to argue against their reasoning.

Hill exploded onto the scene last season, rushing for a team-high 755 yards on 142 carries for 12 touchdowns, with a smashmouth, between-the-tackles game LSU missed for nearly half the season. And he did all this damage virtually in the last seven games, registering four 100-yard games.

But all that upside could be in jeopardy now.

Over the weekend, Hill was arrested for simple battery at a bar fight, and Les Miles suspended Hill indefinitely, saying he’ll wait until the legal side plays out before making any additional comments. Hill was already on active supervised probation for two years after pleading guilty in January 2012 after his arrest for engaging in a sexual act with a 14-year-old girl while in high school. A condition of the probation was to refrain from all criminal conduct.

However, new jarring details emerged that could justify a dismissal from LSU, certainly if proven guilty.

According to multiple reports, a cell phone video shows Hill punching the victim from behind on the left ear and celebrating with a high-five after a second unidentified man knocked the victim out with another punch. The video reportedly shows the victim being punched by the two suspects after getting up off the ground and walking away. The victim remembers waking up on the ground after police arrived on the scene.

Again, this is all according to the Baton Rouge Police report. I have no problem with innocent until proven guilty, and it looks like Miles and LSU will wait before making any decisions until the legal side becomes clearer and more details emerge.

I spoke to one source who thinks Les Miles will keep Hill on the team if the incident is ruled a misdemeanor, but he noted that Miles’ temperament is much different than in the past. Tyrann Mathieu and Jordan Jefferson may have used up all his good graces. If Hill does remain with the team, he’d certainly be in the doghouse.

Several compare Hill’s incident with Jordan Jefferson’s bar fight. But Jefferson’s victim walked away under his own power, while Hill’s alleged victim did not. Jefferson was also sent back to prison in his similar situation.

Who knows what will happen with the simple battery charge, but if his probation was not violated, it would come at a surprise.

Many LSU fans could justify letting Hill go right now, and if he is found guilty, a third chance may be too much for LSU and Miles to take.

Photo Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Offense

Passing Game: Les Miles thinks LSU’s new passing game under Cam Cameron is much improved. There was talk throughout spring about Zach Mettenberger’s development in scrimmages, practice and the spring game. Can Cameron make the light switch flip on for Mett when the lights actually come on for game time? We’ll know August 31st right out of the gates against TCU. Cameron aims to get Mettenberger more comfortable earlier in games, with shorter throws to running backs and tight ends.

Questions at RB: Now that Jeremy Hill has been suspended indefinitely, it brings several questions for LSU’s backfield. Will Alfred Blue be ready for week one? Kenny Hilliard is now the No. 1 back on the roster, followed by Blue and Terrance Magee, who has yet to make any kind of contribution on offense. Losing Hill, who is every bit as talented as Todd Gurley and TJ Yeldon, puts that much more pressure on the passing offense. Hilliard, Blue and Magee are good, but they’re not Hill good. The ground game, until/if Hill returns, will take a hit in production and may not have that spark everyone hopes for. I still think LSU is capable of winning a championship without Hill.

One-two WR corps: LSU has the potential to have the best one-two tandem at wide receiver. The production and big-play potential of Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham is through the roof, but at this point, it remains just that – potential. Landry and Beckham have to become more reliable, especially now that the top back on the roster is suspended.

Defense

Mingo/Montgomery’s replacement: Les Miles keeps talking about how good Jermauria Rasco can be. Even though he was injured this spring, Miles continued to laud Rasco when he was healthy. Rasco played in all 13 games last season, but he made just 10 tackles and two tackles for loss. He’s not as athletic as Barkevious Mingo or Sam Montgomery, but he could have more production than either did in 2012.

Miles happy with front seven: LSU lost Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Bennie Logan, and back up defensive end Lavar Edwards on the line, as well as All-SEC MLB Kevin Minter. Not only has Miles been impressed with DE Rasco, but fellow bookend Danielle Hunter is also expected to make a strong impact this fall. Hunter has all the ability that anyone would feel comfortable with at defensive end. After only playing one game last season, linebacker DJ Welter is penciled in as Minter’s replacement. Welter playing in the middle allows Lamin Barrow to stick to outside linebacker, where he was very effective last season.

LSU RB Jeremy Hill has been indefinitely suspended from team for his involvement in off-campus incident over the weekend.

— Michael Bonnette (@LSUBonnette) April 29, 2013

LSU SID Michael Bonnette said Les Miles would let the incident play out through the legal system before making any additional comments.

Hill was arrested after his involvement in a bar fight over the weekend, and he was charged with simple battery.

Hill was already serving a two-year supervised probation sentence after pleading guilty to engaging in a sexual act in high school with a 14 year-old student.

Photo Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

According to a BRPD probable cause document, #LSU RB Jeremy Hill struck the male victim so many times the man lost consciousness.

— Matthew Harris (@MHarrisAdvocate) April 27, 2013

Also according to The Advocate, the affidavit says an officer was shown the video via mobile phone, “which clearly shows the defendant (Hill) striking the victim”.

Hill left before officers arrived, but he was later booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish prison and released on $500 bond around 11 AM.

Les Miles has yet to issue a statement because he’s been at the NFL Draft in New York, and LSU is still gathering information about the arrest and wants to speak with Hill first.

This isn’t the first time Hill has been in legal trouble. He’s already serving a two-year supervised probation sentence after pleading guilty to engaging in a sexual act with a 14-year-old in high school. Hill and another high school student plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

It could mean trouble for Hill if he is found guilty, because Hill’s probation conditions provide that he “refrain from all criminal conduct”.

Hill was one of LSU’s brightest starts last year on offense. He became the workhorse down the stretch Les Miles and the offense could rely on, rushing for a team-high 142 times for 755 yards and 12 touchdowns. Specifically talking returners, Hill is in the same category as both TJ Yeldon and Todd Gurley.

Depending on the outcome of Hill’s arrest, LSU has returners Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue, who is returning from a knee injury. Also, Terrence Magee had a strong spring. So, LSU has options in the backfield, but Jeremy Hill is the budding star of all four.

Photo Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-US PRESSWIRE

Currently the SEC has a 6-1-1 conference schedule, which means teams play the other six teams in their division, one permanent cross-divisional opponent and one cross-divisional opponent on a rotating basis.

Yesterday, nearly every coach was asked about the idea of moving to a nine-game conference slate, and Steve Spurrier, Les Miles and Nick Saban shared their opinions on the subject.

Steve Spurrier

“Tennessee’s got Alabama, who’s been the best team the last three or four years, and that’s not fair for Tennessee to have to play those guys every year. But I don’t know. Heck, that’s just sort of the way it is. The coaches … we don’t make the rules. We just try to coach our teams the best we can.

“Nobody said it’s supposed to be fair anyway. Have you ever heard any commissioner or anybody say it’s supposed to be fair? They’d make the recruiting rules more fair. Right now, it seems like the same team gets all the top players every year in recruiting. We just need to go play whoever they tell us to play and do the best we can, and things will work out hopefully.”

Spurrier basically said if the SEC wants to be ‘fair’, it would go away from permanent cross-divisional opponents.

Les Miles

“I wonder about the view of how the champion is decided in the finest collegiate football conference in America. It’s interesting to see how you would compare our schedule with others. I wonder if there should be no permanent partners. I wonder if a computer might pick a fairer schedule by random draw.”

Miles suggested using computers as a way to randomly select more ‘fair’ cross-divisional foes. He certainly must not like playing Florida every year.

Nick Saban

“One basic theory I have is that every player should have the opportunity in his four-year career to play every SEC school, and if we don’t at least have a two-team rotation that doesn’t really happen. One permanent opponent and one rotating means you’re going to play some of the other teams every six or seven years.”

Saban has voiced this same opinion before, and keeping an eight-game schedule would mean eliminating the Tennessee rivalry. But if the league moves to a nine-game slate, the Tennessee-Bama rivalry game could stay intact.

And through all the talk and smoke, the voice of reason, Mike Slive, has been pretty mum on all ideas. He’s probably waiting on the broadcast revenue figures before he decides anything about moving from an eight to a nine-game schedule.

This will be the biggest topic on the agenda at the SEC Spring meetings.

Photo Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports