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Recapping the Week 10 SEC Coaches’ Media Teleconference through tweets
By Ethan Levine
Published:
Here’s a collection of noteworthy comments from Wednesday’s SEC Coaches’ Media Teleconference:
NICK SABAN (Alabama) — One day after the College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its first ever Top 25 poll, a number of SEC head coaches were asked about their teams’ standing in the inaugural rankings. Saban was one of those coaches, and although he tried to downplay Alabama’s No. 6 ranking he hinted that he’s in tune with the rankings.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/527486462418513921
BRET BIELEMA (Arkansas) — Bielema alerted the media his team is the first in college football history to play five straight conference games against top 10 teams (No. 6 Auburn, No. 6 Texas A&M, No. 7 Alabama, No. 10 Georgia, No. 1 Mississippi State this weekend). He was also asked about last night’s CFP Poll, even though his team is 4-4 on the year and 0-4 in the SEC.
Bielema on the CFP: "I can't waste my time worrying about something that we're not involved in."
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) October 29, 2014
You can say that again, Coach. Just worry about winning an SEC game first.
GUS MALZAHN (Auburn) — Malzahn hopped on the teleconference just days away from a potential elimination game against Ole Miss, yet it seems the media was more concerned with Auburn’s most recent game, a loss on the road against No. 1 Mississippi State.
Gus Malzahn had more questions on the teleconference about Mississippi State than he did Ole Miss.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) October 29, 2014
And once Malzahn was finally asked about this week’s opponent, the question was about his off-the-field relationship with Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze than about the game that will take place on the field. (Malzahn and Freeze were both high school coaches as recently as 2005.)
Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said he talked to Auburn's Gus Malzahn on Sunday night. "One of the best and a good friend…"
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) October 29, 2014
WILL MUSCHAMP (Florida) — Muschamp was asked about his wavering job security in Gainesville following last week’s bye, but the Gators’ head coach seems confident in his team’s outlook the rest of the year.
"I don't think for a second that our guys don't have confidence in what we're doing.'' — Muschamp
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) October 29, 2014
Muschamp also reiterated freshman Treon Harris will be the team’s quarterback Saturday against Georgia.
MARK RICHT (Georgia) — Richt was asked a number of questions about star tailback Todd Gurley after it was announced Wednesday morning that Gurley will serve the rest of a four-game suspension before returning to the field on Nov. 15. Here are a few comments Richt made on the Gurley situation:
Richt: "Right now, we're not really worried about [the appeal]. Our team has done a really good job of keeping their focus."
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) October 29, 2014
Richt not commenting directly on Gurley ruling: "My reaction is quite frankly that we can only control certain things."
— Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) October 29, 2014
Richt also said he expects Gurley to finish the season with his teammates before likely leaving for the NFL.
Richt says there's no doubt that Gurley will finish his UGA career with honor and play after suspension instead of ending UGA career
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) October 29, 2014
MARK STOOPS (Kentucky) — Stoops’ Wildcats nearly upset No. 1 Mississippi State last weekend in Lexington, and he admitted he was impressed with the way his team responded against the Bulldogs one week after losing by 38 on the road to LSU.
Stoops on what he's learned about his team since LSU trip: "We're a resilient football team."
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) October 29, 2014
The head coach also had some kind words regarding the Missouri offense, which ranks 13th out of 14 SEC teams in total offense.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/527502265620647937
LES MILES (LSU) — Miles was asked about his team’s upset of then-No. 3 Ole Miss last weekend just hours removed from his mother’s death, and the head coach gave all the credit to his team.
Coach Miles: This football team responded extremely well. That certainly added to my ability to deal with personal circumstance.
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 29, 2014
Miles was also asked about finally arriving at his team’s first bye after opening the season with nine straight games, but the coach didn’t have much to say on the matter.
Miles says the open date, coming after 9 straight weekends, is occurring at a good time. "It's exactly what we needed."
— Evie Van Pelt (@OleMissEvie) October 29, 2014
HUGH FREEZE (Mississippi) — Hugh Freeze was asked about earning a spot in the Top 4 of the CFP’s inaugural poll, indicating the Rebels would be a playoff team if the season ended today.
Hugh Freeze: "I tell our kids here we’re focused solely on one ranking and that’s the one issued Dec. 7."
— Hugh Kellenberger (@KellenbergerGLF) October 29, 2014
Freeze did go on to say it's "certainly an honor" to be in the top 4, and is a boost to the fanbase.
— Hugh Kellenberger (@KellenbergerGLF) October 29, 2014
Freeze was also asked about turning the page from the heartbreaking loss to a potential elimination game against Auburn this weekend.
Hugh Freeze now on SEC teleconference. "Very tough task to prepare for this week. … They're one of the more explosive teams you'll play."
— WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) October 29, 2014
DAN MULLEN (Mississippi State) — Mullen’s Bulldogs recorded their first ever win as the No. 1 team in the nation last weekend against Kentucky, and apparently being top dog (pun intended) has become old news in Starkville.
Mullen believes his team is used to its No. 1 ranking by now.
— Logan Lowery (@loganlowery) October 29, 2014
And once again, Mullen was asked about the potential he leaves MSU after the season for greener pastures.
Mullen on job rumors: "I just kinda laugh it off. I don't pay much attention to that stuff."
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) October 29, 2014
GARY PINKEL (Missouri) — The Mizzou head man was asked about the late John Kadlec, a former Missouri assistant coach and radio broadcaster affectionately known as “Mr. Mizzou” who passed away Wednesday morning. Pinkel had some poignant comments on Kadlec’s passing and his impact on the university:
Spoke to Gary Pinkel, who had a chance to see John Kadlec yesterday: "That was important for me. It was an honor to be part of his life."
— Tom Ackerman (@Ackerman1120) October 29, 2014
Gary Pinkel statement on John Kadlec: "Coach was such an amazing man, he was an absolute treasure for anyone who knew him."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 29, 2014
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/527493076806533120
STEVE SPURRIER (South Carolina) — Spurrier dropped one of the bigger bombshells on the teleconference, although it had more to do with fashion than with his team’s showdown with Tennessee on Saturday.
Steve Spurrier has confirmed — USC will wear black jerseys this week against Tennessee.
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) October 29, 2014
The Head Ball Coach also commented on the ongoing autographs saga spreading across college football, explaining one loophole he thinks players use to get compensated for their signatures.
Spurrier: "It appears that some guys are signing and then saying 'give me the money when my days are over.'"
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) October 29, 2014
BUTCH JONES (Tennessee) — Jones is a Michigan native, so naturally it was only a matter of time until he was linked to the imminent opening with the Wolverines.
Michigan native and current Tenn coach Butch Jones swatted aside speculation that he could be a candidate to be the Wolverines' next coach.
— Around the SEC (@AroundTheSEC) October 29, 2014
KEVIN SUMLIN (Texas A&M) — Texas A&M announced this week that it would reopen its quarterback competition between incumbent Kenny Hill and backup Kyle Allen, one week removed from its first bye of the year and just days away from a non-conference bout with Louisiana-Monroe. Sumlin stressed that the quarterback battle has been “overblown” this week.
Kevin Sumlin said all positions are up for grabs and that QB competition was overblown. Maybe but Allen has to be given every chance this wk
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) October 29, 2014
He was also asked about his team’s retro uniforms for Saturday’s game, featuring helmets styled after the leather helmets of 1930’s.
Sumlin says the team's uniform in the next game will honor the 1939 National Championship team.
— Evie Van Pelt (@OleMissEvie) October 29, 2014
DEREK MASON (Vanderbilt) — Vanderbilt is returning to action following last week’s loss to Missouri, and quarterback Patton Robinette is expected to be activated for the game for the first time since his concussion suffered against South Carolina on Sept. 20.
Mason said freshman Johnny McCrary will remain the team’s starting quarterback, but he hinted that Robinette might play as well in the Commodores’ final non-conference game against Old Dominion on Saturday.
Vanderbilt QB Johnny McCrary will be the "lead dog" against Old Dominion, but coach Derek Mason also hopes Patton Robinette will play.
— Around the SEC (@AroundTheSEC) October 29, 2014
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.