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Dan Mullen discusses shifting power dynamic between SEC divisions this season
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Though the SEC East has been the league’s weaker division over the last few seasons, it has shifted the balance of power in 2018.
The East currently holds an 8-5 record against the West this season, and it could improve to 9-5 with red-hot Missouri hosting struggling Arkansas this weekend. Florida has done its share of heavy lifting for the East, topping its two cross-division opponents in No. 7 LSU and No. 18 Mississippi State.
During Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, Gators coach Dan Mullen discussed the East’s winning record against the West and how that has specifically helped his program. He touched on a few other subjects as No. 11 Florida (8-3) prepares for its road game against rival Florida State (5-6) at noon ET on Saturday.
Below are Mullen’s responses from the teleconference.
On saying before the season that things are trending to the SEC East:
- It seems like the side of the league I’m on has won the championship the majority of the years. I was hired before the Bulldogs won it last year. That’s why I said it.
With the success versus LSU and Miss State, how big was that for the Florida program?
- It has helped us this year. We had to play two top-20 teams, and getting those wins has helped. The familiarity didn’t hurt us. We knew how to match up with them. LSU is our annual rival now, but sometimes you aren’t familiar with the other teams, and that helped us.
On Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons’ suspension and his development:
- When he came on campus, we had been recruiting him for a long time. We knew his background, knew all about him. We investigated the situation, more than a headline or a hit, or the blog or whatever. When you really investigate everything, his background and who he is, we wanted to stand by this guy and bring him into the program. We investigated everything and felt good about giving him that opportunity. His career and his impact on the community, I think people look back and can say we made the right decision.
Did people want him to fail, do you think?
- We spent a lot of time with him when he arrived, letting him know that I put myself out there and that let him know that he will be looked at differently than anyone. No matter what, he was going to be scrutinized. … We made sure he was very aware of the situation.
On LSU DC Dave Aranda:
- I don’t know him personally, but I’ve gone against him twice. He’s an excellent coach, has an excellent system. He does a good job of mixing things up, both in coverages, fronts, balance. His guys play hard. The effort they give him and Coach O, the players take the personality of their coaches, the players believe in them.
On the biggest area of improvement for Florida:
- Probably the effort of which we play. Our mental and physical toughness.
On the seniors not winning over FSU yet, will you use that as motivation this week?
- Not really. Our focus — last year has nothing to do with this year. How we prepare and execute will decide this game.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
