Live Updates: SEC Coaches’ Teleconference, Week 7

Follow along with Saturday Down South during the SEC coaches weekly teleconference.

GUS MALZAHN, AUBURN

• Malzahn said his team aims to improve each game, called win over LSU team’s most complete game of year but wants to see even more improvements this week against Mississippi State.
• On Josh Robinson: “He’s a very good player.” Said Dak Prescott and Robinson complement each other very well, which creates added challenge in stopping MSU.
• On MSU’s defense: “I think they’re one of the better defenses in the country … that’s a huge challenge. They’re big, they’re physical.”
• Malzahn says it is key for his team to get off to a fast start in order to build momentum during the game.
• The Tigers coach said the offense is beginning to gel after replacing departed players from last year’s team. Said team has gotten more consistent on offense as season has progressed.
• In comparing Prescott to Cam Newton: “Both of them are big and physical and can run.” Said Prescott is like another running back but can also throw the ball well. Said he’s one of the better quarterbacks in the country.
• Malzahn said he’s been pleased with veteran linebackers and the secondary so far this season.
• Malzahn said no changes on the scout team this week in practice to prepare for Prescott and the Mississippi State offense. Said preparation has been about the same as usual.

MARK RICHT, GEORGIA

• Richt said his team is getting healthier, noted Malcolm Mitchell and Justin Scott-Wesley will have opportunity to be more productive this week against Missouri because they can do more in practice.
• The head coach noted a noon game will allow his team to get home at a decent hour on Saturday, said the 6 pm or 9 pm games would’ve caused team to get home in middle of the night week before facing Arkansas.
• When asked about the SEC East, Richt said he can’t remember divisions having this much parity in years past. “It looks like anybody can beat anybody,” he said.
• Richt said he doesn’t know if current team will ever throw as well as previous Georgia teams, but said that’s because of how good his tailbacks are. Said he wants team to pass efficiently, but isn’t aiming for Hutson Mason to throw for 300 yards a game. Noted the offense is scoring points, which is what’s most important.
• On Mason: “I think he’s done a good job … I know he’s put probably more pressure in himself than he should.” Said he thinks Mason is feeling pressure of only getting one year to be the starter.
• When asked how he’d try to stop Todd Gurley as an opposing coach, Richt said “I think your best bet is to make him go sideways.” Noted can’t let Gurley run downhill, but if forced to run sideways it allows defenses to swarm to the ball.
• Richt on Mizzou’s Maty Mauk: “Very talented, got arm talent. He’s got a very strong arm. Absolutely can make any throw they’re asking him to throw.” Noted Mauk is also athletic and that athleticism must be respected. Said it’s hard to defend a quarterback who can escape a great pass rush the way Mauk has done this year. Noted Missouri has lost no fumbles this year, which is impressive considering how often Mauk runs around.
• In second trip to Columbia since Mizzou’s arrival in SEC, Richt says this game has a much different feel to it, says everyone is beginning to settle into business when visiting Mizzou.

DAN MULLEN, MISSISSIPPI STATE

• Mullen says his team is still fired up after win over Texas A&M, but said team also knows how much work is left in front of them. Called Auburn game a “huge challenge for our program.” Said this game could be the biggest game in the history of Mississippi football, matching up two top 3 teams.
• On managing success, Mullen said he’s not worried because “we really haven’t accomplished that much.” Said team is only 2-0 in SEC, called win over A&M “kind of cool” but said goal remains to win SEC West.
• Mullen said his mission has been to build a program, said he tells recruits “you may not come in a five-star but you’ll leave a five-star.” Credited his team’s leadership for maintaining work ethic this season.
• When asked about stopping Auburn wideouts Coates and Williams, Mullen said strength of pass game is play-action, which can leave corners on an island. Noted his corners will have to “step up.” Said both teams will be able to create one-on-one matchups, said his team must win those matchups.
• Mullen said guys bought in from his first day in Starkville in 2009, and everything has been built from that principle. Credited a number of veterans from the ’09 team now playing in the NFL, said those guys had great work ethic and noted correlation between work ethic and success at the next level. That work ethic in first year helped build foundation for the program.
• On Nick Marshall: “A guy who’s very, very confident in what he’s doing out there on the field.” Said Marshall’s confidence allows offense to understand how to approach a particular defense, noted even poor plays can set up big plays later in the game.
• When asked about significance of this weekend’s game, Mullen said he’s heard there’s a lot of excitement in town, but said he doesn’t spend enough time outside the facilities to know for himself. Said he heard from his wife the town is buzzing.
• Mullen said players can enjoy the attention and pats on the back when on campus, but when at the facilities players must focus on facing Auburn, earning another win to stay unbeaten.
• Mullen said last year’s game was a four quarter battle, expects the same this year but hopes his team can make the plays it didn’t in 24-20 loss to Auburn last year. Said he thought Auburn built confidence from win over MSU, said it took his team a few weeks to recover.
• On history of close games against Auburn, Mullen said he had no explanation but said the games have been great for the fans and the atmosphere, said it’s fun for coaches and players to take part in those kinds of games.

MARK STOOPS, KENTUCKY

• Stoops said win over South Carolina showed toughness and character of his team, but noted last week’s win won’t help UK this week. Said UL Monroe familiar with winning, must be taken seriously.
• On offensive improvement, specifically Patrick Towles, Stoops said his team “needed” Towles to do what he’s done this year. Noted Towles improved fundamentally as a redshirt last year, and said he was impressed with how Towles bounced back after sloppy performance a week earlier against Vanderbilt.
• On atmosphere against South Carolina: “It was a big win for us.” Said you never know how game will unfold, called the environment “fun” and said fans have been very supportive.
• Stoops on topping last year’s win total: “It verifies what you’re doing and the plan you have in place to build your program.”

KEVIN SUMLIN, TEXAS A&M

• Sumlin said it will be important for his team to play well in its first SEC home game of the year this weekend against Ole Miss, said Aggies are excited to get back to Kyle Field after last week’s game.
• Sumlin on Mississippi programs: “Both teams are well coached. Both programs have added real talent.” He said he’s not surprised by the success both Ole Miss and Mississippi State are experiencing. Credited leadership and coaching at both schools.
• On differences in defending against Rebels and Bulldogs’ offenses: “We will see Saturday.”
• Sumlin praised Bo Wallace’s veteran savvy, said this year he’s “really played like a true veteran.” Credited the senior for making plays to win last week’s game against Alabama. Sumlin praised Wallace’s leadership, noted the Ole Miss coaches have tremendous faith in him, and knows Wallace knows what he’s up against having faced A&M two previous times in his career.
• Sumlin on Myles Garrett: “Very talented young man. … I think that he is extremely explosive, very gifted naturally. We’re working on his technique.” Said he’s learning to deal with double teams from tight ends and backs, said this point in the season is tough for any freshman as opponents begin to adjust to a player’s abilities. Sumlin said Garrett would be first to say he’s got room for improvement.
• Sumlin said getting Shaan Washington back will help linebacker depth tremendously.
• In comparing A&M’s win over Alabama in 2012 to Ole Miss’ win last week, Sumlin said Alabama is the standard in the SEC, especially in the West. Noted wins over the Tide are big deal to school and fan base, not just team, and said it also helps in recruiting. Cited postgame celebration in Oxford as proof of what a win over Alabama means to a program and its fans.
• On Cedric Ogbuehi returning for senior season, Sumlin said left tackles are highest picks in NFL, have bright futures out of the draft, and that’s why he returned.

HUGH FREEZE, OLE MISS

• Freeze said playing Texas A&M Saturday will be a “tremendous challenge.” Understands how big game will be in the SEC West.
• When asked about a potential hangover after last week’s win, Freeze said his team has treated this week same as he would after crushing loss. Team had usual meetings on Sunday, put the last game behind them and moved on to next opponent. Said it’s worked after tough losses, hopes same holds true after a big win.
• Freeze said this year’s A&M team is more athletic on defense. Noted without Manziel the Rebels must approach defending quarterback differently, said Aggies are deeper at wideout and might be more athletic as a team, but won’t extend plays like Manziel used to.
• Freeze said atmosphere in Oxford was still chaotic day after win. Noted he did not change his routine following the win over Alabama, but noted he was on such an emotional high he hardly slept the night after the game.
• When asked about players from his first two years at Ole Miss who helped lay foundation for this year, Freeze mentioned former wideouts Ja-Mes Logan and Donte Moncrief, among others. Said those players helped change culture from previous losing seasons.
• Freeze on Myles Garrett: “He is a phenomenal talent. … He’s a guy who you better know where he is.”
• On similarities between Freeze and Sumlin since joining SEC: “We’re great friends.” Said both coaches looked out for one another in first year on new jobs. Said he and Sumlin formed friendship during past AFCA conventions, have stayed in touch since (Freeze was a high school coach at the time).

GARY PINKEL, MISSOURI

• Pinkel says team is still trying to get healthy, felt team accomplished what it wanted to during last week’s bye week.
• On preparing to face Todd Gurley: Credits Gurley’s size, speed, noted Georgia offensive line has played very well this year and noted facing Nick Chubb will also be a challenge. Said his team must play physically up front.
• Pinkel noted his team cannot fall asleep on play-action passes and screens in trying to focus on stopping the Georgia run game.
• On last weekend’s games: “This league has the most high-end teams in numbers than any league I’ve been in.” Noted he has coached in Big 12, PAC 12, MAC during career.
• Pinkel on his team’s tackling: “We’ll evaluate our tackling after this Saturday,” hinting at challenge in facing physical Georgia run game. Said team still works on fundamentals in the middle of the season.
• When asked if loss to Indiana benefited the team, Pinkel said his team now understands you must bring your best each and every week.
• Said Georgia run game tries to keep offense on the field for as long as possible, wears opposing defenses down. Noted Tigers must defend well on third downs to get off the field, Mizzou offense must play ball control as well.
• When asked if this game is a must-win, Pinkel shrugged off the notion. Said focusing on must-win mentality keeps teams from focusing on what’s necessary to win the game at hand.
• When asked about this year’s SEC East, Pinkel said he’s not focusing on big picture, just approaching the season one game at a time.

BRET BIELEMA, ARKANSAS

• Bielema said his team took advantage of bye week to develop younger players, rest injuries, recruit and move past tough loss to Texas A&M.
• The Razorbacks’ coach said he can’t control how Alabama responds after a loss, but said his Arkansas team is excited for the opportunity.
• Bielema said no one prepared harder than Brandon Allen for last year’s game against Alabama, said he’s extremely excited to see what Allen can do this time around. Noted past experiences will only make him stronger for Saturday’s game.
• Bielema said team is focused on starting and finishing games well. Noted his team must take advantage of the positive energy created at home in front of a sellout crowd.
• When asked about Blake Sims, Bielema noticed the players like him and team has rallied around him. Said it’s exciting to see a kid who paid his dues finally get a chance to succeed on the field.
• Bielema said forcing turnovers is a “staple of his program.”
• On matchup against Alabama defensive line: everything starts from the foundation up front. Said anyone can be big, but said his linemen have played the game with efficiency and have executed well all year.
• On biggest challenges in facing Alabama: first and foremost, not being intimidated by the opponent. Called team physically gifted, well coached. Said the SEC losing streak is another challenge, team must do something to tip building momentum over the edge to reach a new level.

BUTCH JONES, TENNESSEE

• Jones on Marlin Lane: “He has really, really done a great job with the younger players, and they’ve really gravitated to him as well.”
• The Vols’ coach said team has responded to adversity following recent losses. Said every week is a new season, said things are “business as usual” around the facilities this week. Jones has been pleased with process so far this week.
• Jones on Todd Kelly Jr.: “He’s played exceptionally well, and he’s a great building block.” Said he’s an instinctive playmaker, always around the football, does things the right way (on field, in classroom, etc). Jones is proud of Kelly thus far.
• When asked about Todd Kelly Sr., Jones said Kelly Jr. has earned everything he’s accomplished on his own merit, not been given it due to his name or family legacy at UT.
• Jones on team’s morale: “Every loss is difficult, especially if you invest in victory.” Said losing used to feel like business as usual, now losses hurt because the belief is team can and will win each week.
• When asked about future schedule, Jones said team has “tunnel vision.” Said all of team’s focus is on Chattanooga. “We’re not good enough to just show up and beat anyone.”
• Jones on Todd Gurley: “Very impressive player.” Credited his ability as a receiver and blocker, said Gurley is deserving of all the attention he’s receiving.
• Jones on injuries at defensive tackle: “(Young guys) will have to step up.”
• On offensive struggles last week, Jones said it was a mix of self-inflicted wounds as well as great play by the Florida defense.
• Jones on profane chants by students: Met with members of the student government, credited fan base for its excitement, but wanted to educate fan base on standards and expectations of how to be a great fan base. Said he’s indebted to the loyal fans, just wants to educate students on what’s appropriate and what’s not.

NICK SABAN, ALABAMA

• Saban said he wants to see how his team responds to a loss, calls Arkansas the most physical running team Alabama has played this year and said the game will be a “real challenge playing on the road.”
• On Arkansas’ Brandon Allen: Saban thinks he’s playing very well, fits role of what quarterback needs to do in Bret Bielema’s offense.
• Saban said he thinks Arkansas is the most improved team Alabama has played this year. Said team plays with great intangibles, great discipline, said that’s key to building a program and a sign of a well-coached team.
• On A.J. McCarron’s comments about offense lacking leadership: “I don’t really think it’s true.” Said team has several guys who have played a lot of football, cited misconception that quarterback is only player who can lead on offense. Also said Blake Sims is very well-liked by teammates. Took on the blame for lackluster play last week, said it’s not a lack of leadership in the locker room.
• On committing 19 penalties in the last two games: “I think it’s a lack of discipline. Really, let’s say it like it is.” Said penalties have been undisciplined fouls like false starts, added team is putting added emphasis on limiting penalties in practice this week.
• Saban said limiting turnovers on offense, creating more on defense will also be emphasized this week.
• On the Ole Miss defense: “They’ve got great quickness. They’re very good in the front seven … They’re very physical in the secondary.” Said Rebels have a great scheme, don’t make a lot of mistakes.
• The Tide’s head coach say injuries create opportunities for more players to step up and play well in a game. Said he’s confident in his team’s depth.
• Saban on Altee Tenpenny stepping up in Kenyan Drake’s place following ankle injury: “He certainly will get more opportunities. He’ll move up to the third back now.”

DEREK MASON, VANDERBILT

• Mason on the VU quarterback situation: “still the same as it was a week ago.” Said his teams needs to run the ball more, must do a better job of finishing off drives.
• The Vandy coached credited Charleston Southern’s triple-option, said Commodores’ defense must stop run early and try to make Charleston Southern play behind the sticks.
• Mason said guys like Darrius Sims have played some scout team quarterback in practice to help prepare for an option offense.
• Mason said his team has put some emphasis on getting off to better starts, said his team needs to create its own emotion and momentum, not have coaches create that tone for the players.
• Mason on Gurley last weekend: “Todd Gurley is a tremendous back.” Credited UGA for how it uses Gurley, called him “deceptively fast” and “strong at the point of attack.” Said he was impressed with Gurley’s play.

WILL MUSCHAMP, FLORIDA

• Muschamp on Treon Harris allegations: Statement on Monday speaks for itself, nothing new to add on the ongoing story. Said team remains focused on preparing for game against LSU on Saturday.
• Muschamp on the fight: Called it a misunderstanding that was blown out of proportion, wishes both players handled the situation a little differently but not worried about any distractions created from the fight. Neither player will be disciplined.
• The Gators’ coach said the LSU defense is very athletic, explains it’s a “typical LSU defense.” Called the defense opportunistic.
• When asked about Jeff Driskel’s new backup, Muschamp said he’s still evaluating all of his quarterbacks.
• Muschamp on Driskel: Player and coach met Monday, called Driskel mentally strong, said he expects Driskel to play well.
• Muschamp said Will Grier will dress and be available this weekend.

STEVE SPURRIER, SOUTH CAROLINA

• Spurrier said he thinks his team is very healthy for this time of year, and added his team has not done a good job of finishing games after blowing two straight fourth quarter leads.
• Spurrier on Mississippi schools’ success: “I don’t know if anyone could have foreseen that.” Compared the success of Ole Miss and Mississippi State to success of South Carolina and Clemson in the state of South Carolina in recent years.
• When asked about struggles on defense, Spurrier said “it’s a team effort.” Said offense could have scored points in the fourth quarter last week to cement a win, both sides of the ball responsible for the loss. Also said his team’s lack of a pass rush has been a problem, but said the team’s run defense has been the biggest concern. Noted his team will practice tackling this week.
• The Head Ball Coach was asked about Saturday’s game between Missouri and Georgia, and said Missouri is one of the best tackling teams his team has played.
• Spurrier said he will finish out the week of practice, give his team the weekend off for the bye week, then hopes the players will return with a new fire to improve in the second half of the season.
• The Gamecocks’ coach noted his team has won as many close games as its lost, said they could just as easily be 0-6 if ball didn’t bounce the right way.

LES MILES, LSU

• As LSU prepares to face Florida in the Swamp on Saturday, Miles called Florida a “quality opponent.” Said he likes how his team has responded after last week’s loss.
• When asked to compare Dak Prescott and Nick Marshall from the Tigers’ last two games, Miles said both of them are “excellent quarterbacks.” He called Prescott more physical, credited Marshall’s speed.
• On team’s health, Miles said he thinks LSU will have everyone who played in the last game, no new injury concerns.
• Miles said he likes how Florida plays defense and how it swarms to the ball. He’s also concerned about UF run game.
• Miles said he’s playing both of his quarterbacks — Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris — plenty this week in practice, and won’t decide on a quarterback until later in the week.
• The head coach acknowledged the challenges of playing on the road in the Swamp, but added there’s comfort in already knowing it’ll be a tough atmosphere.

Ethan Levine

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.