Each week, Matt Hayes uses his sources around the country to bring you insider knowledge about what’s going on in the SEC ahead of this week’s games.
This is what he’s hearing from SEC coaches and NFL scouts in Week 8 …
Florida loss changed Guarantano for the better
No player changed more after Tennessee’s embarrassing loss to Florida than quarterback Jarrett Guarantano. One Vols assistant said Guarantano took the loss personally, and has changed the way he has practiced. Others on the team have noticed and followed. “That’s what you want out of your guy,” the assistant said. Since the Florida loss, Guarantano has completed 34-of-53 passes (64 percent) for 471 yards, 4 TDs and 0 INTs, 163.7 passer rating.
The difference between Guarantano now and the first month of the season: He’s not trying to make the perfect throw, he’s giving the Vols’ physical receivers the chance to win individual battles and 50-50 balls, and Tennessee is protecting better. It also helps that star WR Jauan Jennings is healthier than he has been all season. When he’s healthy, there aren’t many better receivers in the SEC. …
Scout: Chubb, Michel would have challenged O-line
I talked to an NFL scout about Georgia QB Jake Fromm’s regression, and he points to Georgia’s struggles in protection on the offensive line and a lack of leadership on the offense. “Last year, you’ve got guys like (Nick) Chubb and (Sony) Michel who wouldn’t allow what’s happening on the offensive line,” the scout said. “They’d get in those guys’ face and challenge them. I don’t think Georgia has that now.”
But, the scout stresses, don’t assume Fromm will continue to struggle. “You’re talking about an elite quarterback. That’s a big dog right there; that’s a guy who will work to fix what’s going on. Think about last year. He played really poorly against Auburn, and everyone talked about playing the other kid (Jacob Eason). Next thing you know, Fromm turned it up and played his best ball. He’ll do the same this time around. That Cocktail Party is going to be a war.” …
Coach on the rise: A&M DC Mike Elko
Multiple SEC coaches and one SEC administrator told me the next hot name in coaching searches is Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko. He had elite defenses at Wake Forest (he did; look it up), elevated the Notre Dame defense to the elite of the nation in one season, and has transformed the Texas A&M defense in his first season.
In seven games under Elko, the Aggies have drastically improved in scoring defense (30.7 ppg. to 20.6 ppg.), yards (408.5 ypg. to 323.3 ypg.) and third-down conversion (34.7 percent to 22.7 percent). “That’s basically the same team on the field from last year,” one SEC coach said. “That team tackled poorly, played with very little passion and was easy to push around in the second half. It’s a totally different group now.”
Said one SEC administrator: “I don’t know how you wouldn’t consider him if you’re looking for a coach. Look, it’s a multi-faceted job. But at the end of the day, it’s about winning and getting players to relate to you and grow under you. Clearly he has that covered.” …
Difference at Florida? Dan Mullen
Don’t think other league coaches aren’t seeing what’s going on at Florida, and how Dan Mullen has changed the look of a stale program. One SEC coach told me, “They’re not close, talent-wise, to where they were under Urban (Meyer) or even (Steve) Spurrier. But they’ve got players, and Dan is getting them to maximize their talent. Somehow they’re winning with very average play at the one position (quarterback) where you can’t be average. That’s a credit to Dan and that staff.” …
Would Auburn really fire Gus, pay $32M buyout? Yes
The very idea is laughable: Gus Malzahn is in trouble at Auburn after signing an extension at the end of last season that pushed his buyout to $32 million if he’s fired after the 2018 season.
“Would I be surprised? Hell no,” one former SEC coach said. “Look, Auburn is different than any other program in the conference because they’re staring at that monster in their own state day after day and wondering why they can’t do what Alabama is doing.”
It’s not like it hasn’t been done before. Auburn fired a coach (Tommy Tuberville) who won six straight over Alabama, lost to the Tide the following season – and got fired, despite winning 42 games in the previous four seasons. Most recently, Auburn fired Gene Chizik two years after he won a national championship. Said another current SEC assistant: “Look, we’ll all say Auburn will never get another coach to take that job if they fire a guy they just gave a $40-something million contract to. Then every one of us would take the dang job.” …
NFL scout not impressed with LSU’s run defense
Two NFL scouts told me LSU has a weakness that many don’t see: run defense. “They’re not as good up front as they used to be,” one AFC scout said. “Devin White erases a lot of mistakes that happen up front. That kid is a beast; he’s going to play a long time in our league.” Florida gashed LSU for more than 200 yards rushing two weeks ago, and Georgia gave up on the run once it fell behind by three scores – and TBs Elijah Holyfield and D’Andre Swift still combined to rush for 128 yards on just 19 carries (6.7 yards per carry). And here comes a physical Mississippi State run game that had 285 yards on LSU in last year’s 30-point win.
More concerning for the Tigers: MSU coach Joe Moorhead has finally embraced the reality that QB Nick Fitzgerald does more with his legs than his arm.
Matt Hayes is a national college football writer for Saturday Down South. You can hear him daily from 12-3 p.m. on 1010XL in Jacksonville. Follow on Twitter @MattHayesCFB
