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Recapping the Week 11 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 — Saban’s Alabama team returns from a bye last week, and as expected the head coach was primarily asked about this week’s monumental showdown with LSU in Death Valley. In typical Saban fashion, he elected to answer in his favorite language: Coach speak.
#Alabama coach Nick Saban: We've had a good week . Players understand this is always a big game for us and its turned into a big rivalry
— JimKleinpeter (@JimKleinpeter) November 5, 2014
Saban did give a couple of meaningful answers Wednesday afternoon, especially on the injury front.
Nick Saban on Yeldon, Robinson: both guys are practicing. Both guys could play in the game, TJ for sure. Cam we're day to day. #LSU
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) November 5, 2014
(Yeldon is RB T.J. Yeldon and Robinson is LT Cam Robinson).
Saban also said the Big Ten is “as good a league as anywhere,” and in a separate answer went on to blame the media for the preseason hype surrounding Jacob Coker. Make of all that what you will.
Bret Bielema — The Razorbacks lost their 13th SEC game in a row since Bielema took over the program last year, but the head coach plans to stay the course in Fayetteville. He did share some frustrations with the rules regarding legal tackles and targeting, however, which is interesting considering his cries for greater player safety last offseason (perhaps just verbiage as part of a movement to slow down spread offenses).
Bielema: "We're getting to where we have to be math majors to make a tackle."
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) November 5, 2014
Gus Malzahn — Auburn found itself ranked in the Top 4 of the College Football Playoff Top 25 for a second straight week, indicating if the season ended today it would be a part of the four-team playoff this winter. Malzahn said he’s not letting his team get sucked into the hype and is insisting the Tigers focus on winning their next game, which this week is a showdown with Texas A&M.
Gus Malzahn on Auburn's national standing: "We understand it's too early to worry about rankings. If we win, it will take care of itself."
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) November 5, 2014
Malzahn was also asked about a video circulating around the Internet of him dancing to MC Hammer‘s U Can’t Touch This. Malzahn tried to explain the video.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/530060269217517569
Will Muschamp — Muschamp saved his job, for one week at least, with a huge win over Georgia last weekend in Jacksonville. The Gators now turn the page to last-place Vanderbilt, clinging to slim hopes of winning a dismal SEC East. Muschamp isn’t ready to begin looking ahead to division title scenarios just yet, insisting his team’s focus remains solely on Vanderbilt.
“If we don’t take care of our business, nothing else matters.” — Muschamp on any SEC East talk
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) November 5, 2014
Muschamp also had some news on the injury front that should impact Florida this week and beyond.
Muschamp says Trenton Brown and Keanu Neal are out. Gerald Willis is "doubtful at best."
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) November 5, 2014
Mark Richt — Richt was on the other side of the stunner in Jacksonville, and as expected he was asked about his team’s missed opportunities having entered the game ranked No. 11 in the inaugural CFP poll. Richt didn’t have much to say about the loss, but he did comment on the Bulldogs’ upcoming road date with Kentucky on the Wildcats’ Senior Day in Lexington.
Richt asked about how his team is handling the loss: It's our fourth game away from home. We just know we have our hands full. (vs. KY)
— Evie Van Pelt (@OleMissEvie) November 5, 2014
Mark Stoops — The Wildcats enter their Senior Day coming off a frustrating 20-10 loss at Missouri last weekend. Stoops commented on the loss to the Tigers, coming one day after signing a contract extension with a corresponding pay raise, and also commented on what he hopes for out of this weekend’s Senior Day festivities.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/530052969782599681
Stoops on final home game: "I hope our fans will still be out there. I"m sure they will." Says Cats fans have been loyal.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 5, 2014
Les Miles — LSU enjoyed a bye last week and upset then-undefeated Ole Miss two weeks ago in Death Valley not far removed from the death of Miles’ mother, Martha. Wednesday, Miles seemed in great spirits on the conference call, and shared his enthusiasm for this week’s clash with Alabama. He compared the Tide to some of his better teams in years past, which could help Miles prepare for Saturday’s critical SEC West showdown.
#LSU coach Les Miles: Bama similar to some of the great teams he's had in past. Dominant defense, balanced offense.
— JimKleinpeter (@JimKleinpeter) November 5, 2014
Like Alabama coach Nick Saban, Miles was also asked about the Big Ten, and like Saban he shared high praise for the struggling conference.
Les Miles: "The Big Ten is an elite league."
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) November 5, 2014
Keep in mind Miles is a Michigan grad who once played for and coached with Bo Schembechler.
Hugh Freeze — As Ole Miss prepares for a tune-up game against lowly Presbyterian this weekend, most of the questions sent Freeze’s way were about last week’s loss to Auburn. Freeze wasn’t shy in admitting the team’s struggle to move on in the wake of a fatal second loss in 2014.
Hugh Freeze on Auburn loss: "It's getting better each day … but it certainly had a lingering effect longer than most losses."
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) November 5, 2014
On a lighter note, Freeze was also asked about Malzahn’s dancing, to which the Ole Miss head coach replied with a little smack talk.
Hugh Freeze asked about Malzahn break dancing video. First thought? "No way is that real … I think I can take him in a dance contest"
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) November 5, 2014
Dance-off, anyone?
Dan Mullen — Mullen’s Bulldogs remain No. 1 in the CFP poll for a second straight week, and quarterback Dak Prescott remains the frontrunner in most Heisman polls. Mullen admitted he’s not surprised by Prescott’s monster season.
Dan Mullen says he isn't surprised Prescott is a Heisman frontrunner because of his talent and the type of offense he's in. NUMBERS!
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) November 5, 2014
Remember, Mullen was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Florida when Tim Tebow won the 2007 Heisman Trophy and the 2008 national championship. Tebow and Prescott have drawn comparisons all season due to their ties with Mullen and their similar playing styles, and neither a Heisman nor a title is out of the question for MSU this season.
Gary Pinkel — Missouri moved back into first place in the SEC East following last week’s win over Kentucky paired with Georgia’s loss to Florida, and now the Tigers enjoy their final bye of the season before beginning a stretch of three straight games to try and clinch a second straight division title. The Tigers return to action Nov. 15 against Texas A&M, and will have to play the first half without star defensive back Braylon Webb, who was ejected from last week’s game for targeting.
Pinkel on Webb's targeting penalty, said crown of helmet grazed receivers's face mask. Called it "a touchy subject"
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 5, 2014
If you read between the lines, it seems Pinkel is none to pleased with the SEC’s ruling on the hit in question.
Steve Spurrier — Spurrier’s Gamecocks blew their third double-digit fourth quarter lead this season in last week’s loss to Tennessee, then followed the loss with a 54 second press conference in which he didn’t take questions from the media. He has since been criticized heavily for the loss and his post game actions, but he countered the criticism with a little help from an iconic pop star.
Steve Spurrier puts a smile on my face when he again quotes T-Swift. "We're trying to shake off last week's performance."
— Michael Bonner (@michaelbbonner) November 5, 2014
Spurrier was also asked once again about his future at South Carolina following the difficult loss.
Steve Spurrier reiterates that he plans to be back at South Carolina in 2015
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) November 5, 2014
Lastly, he was asked about former South Carolina tailback Marcus Lattimore’s retirement from the NFL, and the Head Ball Coach extended a hand to Lattimore if he does indeed walk away from the league.
Spurrier mentioned Lattimore could help out in the athletic department at South Carolina if he wanted. Devastating news about his retirement
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) November 5, 2014
Butch Jones — Jones and Tennessee were on the other side of South Carolina’s epic collapse in Columbia Saturday night, and Jones put the win into context on Wednesday’s teleconference.
Butch Jones calls the victory at South Carolina the "first airplane win in 4 years" for Tennessee. Says it's hard to imagine that for #Vols.
— Danny Parker (@TheDannyParker) November 5, 2014
By “airplane win,” Jones means a road game requiring air travel.
He also clarified the status of some injured Volunteers heading into this week’s open date.
#Vols @UTCoachJones says senior RB Marlin Lane is back, practicing. Marquez North is back, practicing. Both were hurt in S. Carolina.
— Danny Parker (@TheDannyParker) November 5, 2014
Kevin Sumlin — Texas A&M’s head coach was asked about freshman quarterback Kyle Allen, who struggled in A&M’s narrow 21-16 home win over Louisiana-Monroe last week. He admitted he’s still figuring out the best way to work Allen into the offense midseason, which could make Saturday’s showdown with Auburn that much more difficult.
A&M HC Kevin Sumlin on playing young QB: "There's a balance between what you ultimately want to do and what the young man can handle."
— AUBlog (@AUBlog) November 5, 2014
I think that's part of the growing process-Sumlin on Allen being upfront and honest with what he's comfortable with.
— SEC Breakdown (@SECBreakdown) November 5, 2014
Derek Mason — The Commodores closed their non-conference slate with a 3-1 record after last week’s win over Old Dominion, but they are still searching for their first SEC win of the season. This week’s game against Florida seemed like as good an opportunity as any, until Florida went on to beat Georgia, of course.
Vandy coach Derek Mason: “This Florida football team is as dangerous a football team as anybody in the country.”
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) November 5, 2014
Mason was also asked about freshman tailback Ralph Webb, who ran for 166 yards last week and has rushed for 755 in nine games this season. Not to be outdone by Spurrier’s Taylor Swift lyrics, Mason chose to quote popular rapper Drake in his response.
Derek Mason: "Ralph [Webb] started from the bottom."
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) November 5, 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.