SEC Notebook

[USC_TheReal]

USC_RT, I always watch SC w/ a bit of enjoyment. I can't believe Spurrier has been there 10 years (entering 10th season). He was at UF for 12 years. Unreal that he's been there almost as long. It's a shame how he was (more or less) run out of UF. Wish he never left. Not sure if he would have won those 2 NC's that Urban won, but I'd rather have had him there than the slimy, lying, POS Meyer (although I'm not willing to give back those two trophies!).

Yep, hard to believe he's been at SoCar for so long. Still remember the first person to tell me the rumor of SOS to SoCar. I thought they were fucking high.

@cloverleaf I retract my earlier statement about Connor Mitch and Perry Orth being co-number twos on the QB chart. After Saturday's scrimmage, SOS has placed Orth firmly as the number two. As we all know, that can and likely will change 87 times before kickoff this fall.

 

[cloverleaf]

LSU

LSU quarterback Stephen Rivers (brother Philip, Chargers) said he is planning to transfer to Vanderbilt, although nothing is official yet. He will have two years of eligibility. Rivers was granted a release by Les Miles, but only to Vanderbilt among SEC schools. Rivers, a sophomore in 2013, informed LSU of his desire to transfer and is not participating spring practice. He was a backup in 2012 but slipped to No. 3 on the depth chart last year behind Zack Mettenberger and freshman Anthony Jennings. During his LSU career, he has two pass attempts without a completion. If he transfers to Vandy, he will elgible immediately because he will graduate in May. Rivers is from Athens, Alabama (N. Ala) where I saw him play both in junior high (Austin) and high school (Athens HS). I was shocked when LSU offered him a scholarship...neither Alabama or Auburn recruited him. My view is he would be better served to shop a lower tiered school like Troy, UAB, Middle Tennessee, etc.
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Georgia

Three starters are gone from an offensive line that allowed only 22 sacks last year. The key player in the line will be center David Andrews an All-SEC type player. Having Andrews back is huge for a team breaking in a new quarterback, but the Dawgs need to round out their starting five. Kolton Houston and John Theis are expected to win the starting jobs at tackles, while Mark Beard, Watts Dentzler and Brandon Kublanow look to be front runners for the guard spots. Finding the right mix is crucial with two good defenses to open the season against Clemson and South Carolina.
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SEC All-Time Bowl Appearances

1. Alabama 61 (leads nation)
2. Georgia 49
2. Tennessee 49
4. LSU 45
5. Florida 40
6. Arkansas 39

SEC All-Time Bowl Wins

1. Alabama 35 (leads nation)
2. Georgia 26
3. Tennessee 25
4. LSU 23
4. Ole Miss 23
6. Auburn 22
7. Florida 20
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Sidenote: Did you know that Alabama offered Old Dominion $1.3 million to schedule a game during the 2015 season and was turned down. :money8:
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[USC_TheReal]

Damn, didn't realize UGA was breaking in some new OLmen. I really enjoy watching Gurley and hope he can still do his thing.

 

[USC_TheReal]

FWIW, look for SoCar to run some 3-4 looks this season. As most of you know, SoCar has predominately run a 4-2-5 (since Ellis Johnson was at SoCar) with a Spur position (hybrid LB, more like a rover). However, the last few years, starting with Clowney's frosh year, SoCar started to run what they called a rabbits package on a lot of 3rd and long situations. In the rabbits package they put more speed on the DL to pin their ears back and get after the QB. When Clowney was a frosh this usually involved Devin Taylor staying at DE, putting Clowney on the other DE, and putting Sutton and Ingram at DT. Always loved watching this package on the field.

However, last year things started to change with a lot of the youth on defense, and particularly the speed and athleticism at LB. In 2013, SoCar started to show signs of a 3-4. Case in point: Missouri game. DC Lorenzo Ward said the idea was to utilize the speed and athleticism (and lack of size) they had at LB to get more playmakers on the field. Personally, I've never been a fan of the traditional straight up 3-4, a la Todd Grantham. But I could see SoCar having a lot of success with it given their personnel. It's been a long time since SoCar has had this much talent and speed at LB. granted, they are young, but most of them all either started or played significantly last year. Hell, frosh Skai Moore led the defense with tackles and INTs in 2013. While SoCar lost a lot of beef on the DL with Clowney, Quarles, and Sutton all leaving for the NFL, they should be able to combat that by going to a 3-4 in certain situations. Early in 2013, SoCar's LBs got gashed at the second level. See the UGA game last year. Gurley had a field day. I attributed that to youth and lack of leadership on defense. As the year went on, those young guys started to understand the defense more and started playing as a more cohesive group. This defense could be really good in 2014, despite the loss of Clowney, Quarles, and Sutton on the DL.

I have one question mark at DE. Right now it looks like the man taking over for Clowney is soph Darius English. English is long and rangy as a MF'er at 6'6", 235 lbs. He has great arm length and can keep things in front of him and has a great first step, but he's just too damn light. He got manhandled by big SEC OTs last year time and time again. He looked like a damn WR in the slot playing DE. If he can hit the edge on a speed rush, he usually gets to the QB. But if he ever has to crash inside or bull rush an OT, he gets driven all over the field. Supposedly he's up to 250 now. But I'd like to see him at 260-265 by fall. He is really my only question mark on the DL.

 

[cloverleaf]

Alabama

The Crimson Tide held their fifth spring workout Monday and their first since March 21 when the university went on spring break and head coach Nick Saban wasn't happy with the practice. Saban said the team has had a great offseason and a good first four practices but Monday's effort took a step back. He was especially critical of the defensive line where he said he was not pleased with how any of them were playing. One player who drew praise from the coach was running back Derrick Henry. Alabama has a deep pool of running backs led by last year's starter T.J. Yeldon, but Saban singled out sophomore Henry (6-3, 240) for having a great spring. "He's performing just like he left off from last season (100 yards rushing in Sugar Bowl) playing fast and physical." Henry, a 5-star recruit from Florida holds the all-time high school record for rushing yards.

One running back now in the doghouse is sophomore Altee Tenpenny who was charged with marijuana possession after an arrest in his Arkansas home town over spring break. North Little Rock police records show Tenpenny was arrested on March 24 after being pulled over on a traffic stop. The report says Tenpenny said he smoked a blunt with his older brother and admitted that 2.1 grams of marijuana in a clear plastic bag was his. He played in all 13 games as a freshman mainly on special teams. Saban said Tenpenny would be disciplined but gave no details.

The competition continues during spring drills as to who will be quarterback AJ McCarron's successor. The battle certainly won't be decided until Florida State transfer Jacob Coker arrives on campus this summer. During spring practice, five quarterbacks are working to earn the starting job. Senior Blake Sims (6-0, 205), sophomore Alex Morris (6-3, 230) and RS freshman Cooper Bateman (6-3, 215) have been leading the hunt. Sims, a fifth year senior has been the primary backup the past two seasons and certainly has an edge in experience compared to his counterparts. Morris has the physical tools and arm strength necessary to be an SEC-caliber passer. However, whether he has the leadership skills and intangible qualities that are required to succeed at Alabama remains to be seen. Bateman has a big arm and is a capable athlete, but he has to show he can handle the speed of the game while making good and quick decisions. Again, the true quarterback battle will not begin until transfer Coker arrives. He sure ain't being brought in to sit on the bench.

Another player drawing praise from Saban is junior linebacker Dillon Lee (6-4, 248). Saban said he though Lee would be a really good player for the team this year. He likes his agressive mentality and how he sheds blocks and finds the ball. Lee has been working with both the inside and outside linebackers this spring. Coaches want to see what he does best, and prepare him for both positions just in case. There's an open inside position that All-American CJ Mosley vacated. Sophomore Ruben Foster is working with the first string there at the moment, but that's for from settled. Adrian Hubbard left one outside position. Denzell Devall and Xzavier Dickson split time at the outside spot last year. They are first team players this spring, but Lee could take one of those positions by the first game. Other than inside LB Trey Depriest, Lee has a chance to start at one of the other three LB spots.
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Sidenote: Alabama has a 16-4 against the spread mark against Tennessee (7-1), Arkansas (5-1) and Mississippi State (4-2) their past twenty games. w-thumbs!^

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[cloverleaf]

Florida

Perhaps no coordinator in the country will face more scrutiny than Florida offensive coordinator Kurt Roper. The former Duke coach will inherit an offense that was 113th (total offense) and 105th (passing) in the country last year. If the Gators don't improve, a coaching change will certainly be made. Roper describes his offense as a spread run game with a pro-style pass attack. He inherits a quarterback, Jeff Driskel, who is built to run the spread. Driskel is 6-4, 237 pounds and has good speed. If he is a threat to run, defenses have a lot more to worry about. Before he broke his leg against Tennessee last September and was sidelined for the remainder of the season, Driskel was not a threat to run because the Gators lacked depth behind him and coaches feared an injury. (He wound up getting hurt after throwing a pass.) That should change this year with early 5-star enrollee Will Grier on campus. Still, Roper will have to find playmakers for the offense to have a chance. The last Florida player to surpass 570 receiving yards in a season was 2009. Roper had a 1,000 yard receiver in four of his six seasons at Duke, and he will need to recreate that magic in Gainesville. The Gators haven't stretched defenses with their passing game, and defenses have solved that fairly easily absent a big play threat. Roper has to figure out how to get some receivers open and let them run with the ball. We shall see if Kurt Roper can improve an offense that has been lacking the past few years. Personally, I think it was a good hire by Muschamp.
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Sidenote: Did you know Florida is 26-6-2 against the spread verses Tennessee (6-3-1), Kentucky (7-0), Arkansas (8-1) and LSU (5-2-1) the last 34 games playing the schools.
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Alabama

Offensive guard Richie Petiton verbally committed to the football team yesterday afternoon while on a campus visit. Petiton is a 6-foot-4, 305 pounder from Washington, D.C. He is rated the No. 1 prospect in the District of Columbia and the No. 4 ranked player in the nation at his position. The four-star athlete sifted through more than 25 scholarship offers before he picked the Crimson Tide. He turned down Florida State, LSU, Florida and Tennssee among others for Alabama. Petiton is the ninth commitment for Alabama in the 2015 recruiting class and the third offensive lineman. Lester Cotton of Tuscaloosa and Dallas Warmack of Atlanta are the others. Good pick up for Bama.
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Sidenote: Did you know Alabama has more "undefeated, untied" seasons (17) than any other school in the nation. Oklahoma is second with twelve.
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[CoachCB]

CL, I agree Roper was a good hire. The reports coming out of camp have Driskel doing well picking up the offense (but still inconsistant) and a lot of "stretching the field". The WR's seem to have stepped up (Robinson, Fullwood, Thompson and Dunbar have looked really good). The Center position is having difficulties (after replacing a 3 year starter) w/ Garcia rolling a lot of shotgun snaps (need to get this fixed). The kicking game is a disaster...and the Defense seems to be fine - trying to develop some depth. Probably will be starting another true freshman at CB opposite of true sophmore (and 1st team All-SEC) Vernon Hargraves.

 

[cloverleaf]

Coach, know you are a Florida guy but I and my gang believe the Gators will be the "surprise" team in the SEC this season. Poor Gators, no offense...no coach...no whatever....horsecrap. Florida has players. You always have a chance with a solid defense in this league. The offense will improve and surprise the gaming world. Should be some good lines early with Muschamp's boys.

Also, Mississippi State will be a contender in the toughass West. Not saying they are going to win the division but they will have a say in who does. Lot of senior leadership with this team to go with some really good young talent. Might be Mullins best team and he needs to do something special after some good/average so..so years.

 

[cloverleaf]

Missouri

During the Tigers first scrimmage on Saturday, quarterback Maty Mauk completed 14 of 23 passes for 164 yards and 1 touchdown. He worked with the first team offense after being named the starter over Corbin Berkstresser. The 6-0, 200 pound sophomore started three games last season, completing 51 percent of his passes for 1,071 yards and 11 touchdowns. Missouri's will wrap up spring practice on April 19 with their annual Black and Goal game.
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LSU

Freshman quarterback Brandon Harris opened some eyes by out playing projected starter Anthony Jenning during LSU's spring game on Saturday. Harris completed 11 of 28 for 196 yards. He was also the games's leading rusher gaining 61 yards. Viewed by most as an underdog in the quarterback competition to replace departed senior Zack Mettenberger, Harris now has coach Les Miles optimistic about the competition for his team's starting quarterback this fall.
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Arkansas

Brandon Allen, last year's starting quarterback is still the top quarterback of the spring. The redshirt junior ran exclusively with the first team offense Saturday in the team's first scrimmage of the spring. Allen completed 16 of 19 passes for 247 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said Allen made great strides physically and mentally during the offseason and is ahead of younger brother Austin Allen and A.J. Derby at the position. Allen, a native of Fayetteville struggled in his first season as a starter last year. He threw 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading the SEC's worst pass offense during a 3-9 season. The Razorbacks have five quarterbacks going through spring drills, including Rafe Peavy, a heralded prep star last season in Missouri.
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Ole Miss

The Rebels wrapped up spring practice Saturday with a controlled scrimmage pitting the offense against the defense. Senior quarterback Bo Wallace completed 10 of 21 for 152 yards and 1 touchdown. Wallace is the unquestioned starting quarterback, but there is plenty of competition for the backup spot. Two redshirt freshman, Devante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan are the main candidates. Also, expect to see sophomore QB Jeremy Liggins all 6-3, 300 pounds of him lining up in the shotgun on short yardage plays come fall. Junior Tavius Mathers rushed for 121 yards and 1 touchdown on just four carries to lead all rushers. Ole Miss finished 8-5 last season and expectations are high for more success this year. The Rebs return 15 starters including 9 on defense.
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Sidenote: Did you know Ole Miss is just 3-10 against the spread verses Vanderbilt the last 13 games?
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[cloverleaf]

SEC Coaches Rankings

Athlon Sports has rated the SEC coaches from top to bottom. I'm not sure of the critera used to rank each coach so take that into consideration.

1. Nick Saban - Alabama (79-15) *170-57-1 Overall
2. Steve Spurrier - South Carolina (77-39) *219-79-2
3. Gus Malzahn - Auburn (12-2) *21-5
4. Mark Richt - Georgia (126-45) *Same
5. Les Miles - LSU (95-24) *123-45
6. Gary Pinkel - Missouri (102-63) 175-100-3
7. Kevin Sumlin - Texas A&M (20-6) *55-23
8. Hugh Freeze - Ole Miss (15-11) *45-18
9. Dan Mullen - Miss State (36-28) Same
10. Butch Jones - Tennessee (5-7) *55-34
11. Will Muschamp - Florida (22-16) * Same
12. Bret Bielema - Arkansas (3-9) *71-33
13. Mark Stoops - Kentucky (2-10) *Same
14. Derek Mason - Vanderbilt (First Season)

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2014 Coaches Salaries

1. Nick Saban ($7.3 million) Alabama
2. Kevin Sumlin ($5.0) Texas A&M
3. Les Miles ($4.5) LSU
4. Steve Spurrier ($4.0) South Carolina
4. Gus Malzahn ($4.0) Auburn
6. Mark Richt ($3.4) Georgia
7. Gary Pinkel ($3.25) Missouri
8. Hugh Freeze ($3.2) Ole Miss
8. Dan Mullen ($3.2) Mississippi St.
8. Butch Jones ($3.2) Tennessee
11. Will Muschamp ($3.0) Florida
11. Bret Bielema ($3.0) Arkansas
12. Mark Stoops ($2.25) Kentucky
12. Derek Mason ($2.2) Vanderbilt
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2014 Highest Paid Coaches In Other Conferences

Big 12...Charlie Strong ($5.0 million) Texas
Big 10...Urban Meyer ($4.8) Ohio State
ACC...Jimbo Fisher ($4.0) Florida
Ind....Brian Kelly ($4.0) Notre Dame
Pac 12...Chris Peterson $3.4) Washington
AAC...George O'Leary ($2.0) Central Florida
MWC...Bronco Mendenhall ($2.0) BYU
CUSA...Ruffin McNeil ($1.25) East Carolina
SunBelt...Mark Hudspeth ($825,000) Louisiana Lafayette

:money8:
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[cloverleaf]

Missouri

Remember Missouri wide receiver Dorian Green-Beckham, the nation's number one recruit a couple years back. Well, seems Beckham has been suspended indefinitely for the third time by coach Gary Pinkel. This comes three months after the 6-5, 225 pound standout receiver was arrested along with two men after police in his hometown of Springfield found a pound of marijuana in his car. Beckham was also charged in October 2012 with marijuana possession in Columbia and later pleaded guilty to second-degree trespassing. He and two teammates were smoking pot in a campus parking lot near Memorial Stadium. Number three suspension comes when Beckham broke into three girls apartment and assaulted one of the women, plus trashing some of her property. Guess my question would be...when is enough? Beckham has had numerous chances to clean himself up. Instead, he continues to hurt his team, the University and more importantly himself. Pinkel needs to boot Green-Beckham off the team. If he were a walk-on he'd never had been given changes two and three. There would certainly be no discussion about him possibly receiving a fourth chance. This guys a Class A thug...boot his ass.

azzkick(&^

On a more positive side, Missouri's offense received a big lift this week when it received commitments from quarterback Drew Lock from Lee's Summit (Mo) High School and running back Natereace Strong from East St. Louis (Ill) High School. Lock, who's ranked the nation's No. 5 pro-style QB by Rivals, chose Missouri over Ohio State, Michigan State, Texas, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Kentucky. Missouri's recruiting on the offensive side is off to a strong start in the 2015 class.
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2014 SEC Non-Conference Schedules

EAST
Georgia: Clemson, Troy, Charleston Southern, Georgia Tech
Florida: Idaho, Eastern Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Florida State
Missouri: South Dakota State, Toledo, Central Florida, Indiana
S. Carolina: East Carolina, Furman, South Alabama, Clemson
Tennessee: Utah State, Arkansas State, Oklahoma, Chattanooga
Kentucky: UT Martin, Ohio, ULM, Louisville
Vanderbilt: Temple, UMass, Charleston Southern, Old Dominion

WEST
Alabama: West Virginia, FAU, Southern Miss, Western Carolina
Auburn: San Jose State, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, Samford
LSU: Wisconsin, Sam Houston State, ULM, New Mexico State
Arkansas: Nichols State, Texas Tech, Northern Illinois, UAB
Texas A&M: Lamar, Rice, SMU, ULM
Ole Miss: Boise State, Louisiana, Memphis, Presbyterian
Miss State: Southern Miss, UAB, South Alabama, UT Martin
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Blast From The Past - 1998

A year after Peyton Manning's college career ended, Tennessee was not considered a serious national title contender. But when quarterback Tee Martin and the Vols knocked off Florida in overtime (20-17), the frenzy at Neyland Stadium was just the start of something big. The Vols got a gift of a victory at Arkansas and they used a fourth quarter rally to get past Mississipp State in the SEC title game...and finally outlasted Florida State 23-16 in the Fiesta Bowl to win the rings.
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[cloverleaf]

Alabama

Blake Sims remains in control of Alabama's quarterback competition. The 6-0, 205 pound senior put together another strong performance Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium during the second spring scrimmage. He completed 24 of 39 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Cooper Bateman emerged as a solid No. 2 quarterback. He's getting the bulk of the work behind Sims. Bateman, from Utah, completed 16 of 31 for 160 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Alec Morris (Texas) completed 4 of 7 for 90 yards and a touchdown. The running game was sluggish. Altee Tenpenny led with 15 carries for 39 yards. Tyren Jones rushed 10 times for 34 yards and Kenyan Drake had four carries for 19 yards. Starter T.J. Yeldon and backup Derrick Henry were not among the leaders reported but did participate. Receiver Amari Cooper had another big day with nine catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Chris Black had six catches for 89 yards. Both Cooper and Black have great speed and really good hands. They will give D-backs fits this season. On defense, linebacker Trey DePriest was the leader with six tackles and a forced fumble. Defensive lineman Jarran Reed had five tackles and a pass breakup. The defensive highlight was a 35-yard fumble return for a touchdown by cornerback Cyrus Jones. No injuries were reported but a number of players are starting to get dinked up. Alabama will practice Tuesday and Thursday, and the A-Day game will conclude spring drills Saturday at 1 p.m.
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Auburn

The Tigers did not scrimmage at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, their 12th practice of the spring, but did work on 11 on 11 and 7 on 7 drills. The emphasis of the scrimmage was a lot of third down work plus some red zone situations. Next Saturday's A-Day game will be exactly like last year's, with the team split into two squads, likely the first and second teams with some players flipping sides for more reps. Auburn will hold its regular Tuesday and Thursday practices this week before concluding spring with A-Day. The coaches feel its really important to grade the scrimmage, to come back and try to get positive corrections. With five weeks to spread out the practices this year, rather than four last year, Malzahn has spaced out his practices for getting the best possible results.
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Sidenote: Did you know Auburn was 12-2 against the spread during the 2013 season. The Tigers were 5-0 ATS on the road.
:money:
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[MackDonald]

SEC Coaches Rankings

Athlon Sports has rated the SEC coaches from top to bottom. I'm not sure of the critera used to rank each coach so take that into consideration.

1. Nick Saban - Alabama (79-15) *170-57-1 Overall
2. Steve Spurrier - South Carolina (77-39) *219-79-2
3. Gus Malzahn - Auburn (12-2) *21-5
4. Mark Richt - Georgia (126-45) *Same
5. Les Miles - LSU (95-24) *123-45
6. Gary Pinkel - Missouri (102-63) 175-100-3
7. Kevin Sumlin - Texas A&M (20-6) *55-23
8. Hugh Freeze - Ole Miss (15-11) *45-18
9. Dan Mullen - Miss State (36-28) Same
10. Butch Jones - Tennessee (5-7) *55-34
11. Will Muschamp - Florida (22-16) * Same
12. Bret Bielema - Arkansas (3-9) *71-33
13. Mark Stoops - Kentucky (2-10) *Same
14. Derek Mason - Vanderbilt (First Season)

:madmad- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2014 Coaches Salaries

1. Nick Saban ($7.3 million) Alabama
2. Kevin Sumlin ($5.0) Texas A&M
3. Les Miles ($4.5) LSU
4. Steve Spurrier ($4.0) South Carolina
4. Gus Malzahn ($4.0) Auburn
6. Mark Richt ($3.4) Georgia
7. Gary Pinkel ($3.25) Missouri
8. Hugh Freeze ($3.2) Ole Miss
8. Dan Mullen ($3.2) Mississippi St.
8. Butch Jones ($3.2) Tennessee
11. Will Muschamp ($3.0) Florida
11. Bret Bielema ($3.0) Arkansas
12. Mark Stoops ($2.25) Kentucky
12. Derek Mason ($2.2) Vanderbilt
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2014 Highest Paid Coaches In Other Conferences

Big 12...Charlie Strong ($5.0 million) Texas
Big 10...Urban Meyer ($4.8) Ohio State
ACC...Jimbo Fisher ($4.0) Florida
Ind....Brian Kelly ($4.0) Notre Dame
Pac 12...Chris Peterson $3.4) Washington
AAC...George O'Leary ($2.0) Central Florida
MWC...Bronco Mendenhall ($2.0) BYU
CUSA...Ruffin McNeil ($1.25) East Carolina
SunBelt...Mark Hudspeth ($825,000) Louisiana Lafayette

:money8:
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With the "leader of the pack" i.e. (Obama) cranking up to his usual political mantra of pay-inequality among the sexes, these salaries (and perks) will come under close-scrutiny when the women begin their usual (periodic) "pissing & moaning" tirades about the disparity of salaries in the college coaching ranks. With the radical-liberals (Marxist/Communists/Fascists/National Socialists...under disguise) now in charge, this will become a political issue. The fact that football is the only positive cash-flow sport (along with a few college B.B. programs) which allows other college competition to be sustained will not make any difference. Throw in a "dash" of unionism and you have the ingredients for a perfect-storm.

 

[CoachCB]

CL, good stuff.

Saw some big figures for Penn State & Ohio State attendance at their spring games over the weekend. UF had 35K. FSU 36K.

Here comes the long, long off-season....

 

[rolltide]

Dan Mullen #9? he'd be 15th for me....


pretty wild story here:

Former LSU linebacker Tahj Jones is in intensive care after a Friday night shooting, and another former LSU player has been arrested and charged with the crime.

Brandon Winey, who played at LSU more than a decade ago and was picked in the sixth round of the NFL Draft back in 2001, was the former player arrested. He is charged with attempted second degree murder by the Sulphur (La.) Police. As of 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, Jones was still in serious condition at the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria (La.). He was shot in the abdomen.​

 

[rolltide]

i'll believe it when i see it...

[h=1]Simply Put: Kiffin’s Offense Is a Hit at Alabama[/h]Posted on Saturday, April 12th, 2014 at 9:57 am.Written by Patrick Obley

THERE IS A ton of optimism floating out of Tuscaloosa these days concerning the celebrity marriage of Alabama head coach Nick Saban with his new offensive coordinator, Lane Kiffin.
When pragmatic Saban announced the hiring of the volatile former USC head coach early in this offseason, skeptics wondered if Kiffin could handle a role outside the limelight in a major program (Saban generally mutes his assistants).
More than that, how would Kiffin’s universally known splashy offense play within the confines of Saban’s conservative philosophies?
If this week’s scrimmage is any indication, both sides have made suitable compromises.
The offense on display at Bryant-Denny Stadium this week was hailed by its players for its simplicity. Junior wide receiver Amari Cooper was the most outspoken following the scrimmage which, according to the Alabama media relations crew, amounted to 10 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
“Some coaches and quarterbacks overanalyze things at times,” Cooper said at the media availability following the scrimmage. “Sometimes it can be pitch and catch, let the playmakers make plays.”
Cooper described what made Kiffin’s offense so easy for him to grasp:
“Coach Kiffin calls plays based on matchups and what he sees,” he said. “It’s a simple offense. If he sees they are in man-to-man coverage and I have a hitch route, it converts if he’s close to me, we are going to throw a little fade route and make something out of it.”
Now a big reason why Kiffin is going the easy listening route instead of his typical heavy metal approach has to do with Alabama’s unsettled quarterback situation. For now, senior Blake Sims is taking the first-team snaps. Indications are the team will be nowhere close to naming a starter for some time and, even then, that starter might be sharing duties.
The 2014 Alabama offense is a far cry from the most talented crew Kiffin has coached – that honor goes to the 2005 USC machine that he oversaw as an offensive coordinator – but the Tide has a strong group of receivers and a running attack spearheaded by T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry.
Two critical challenges for Kiffin, beyond settling on a quarterback, will be firming up the offensive line and growing the 6-6, 240-pound O.J. Howard into the type of tight end threat he had on his best USC teams.
While the offense is simple for now, expect that to change as the season approaches and don’t be surprised if Alabama adds new wrinkles each week. That’s part-and-parcel with Kiffin’s approach.
But for now, consider Kiffin a winner in the battle to win hearts and minds in the ‘Bama locker room. Despite the controversies that have surrounded him, Kiffin always has been considered a player-friendly coach.
Asked at the NFL combine about his former coach, USC defensive lineman George Uko said he expected Kiffin to excel as a coordinator, sans the pressures of being the top man.
“I definitely think he was better in just his cylinder. Just let him work on the offense where he can really just work instead of handling discipline and worrying about the defense,” Uko said. “He had too much to worry about, too much on his plate. … That’s what really caused him to fail versus him as just an offensive coordinator. He’s an offensive guru. The things he sees on the field, some other coaches don’t.”

- See more at: http://proplayerinsiders.com/simply-put-kiffins-offense-hit-alabama/#sthash.DR1Sb61m.dpuf

 

[USC_TheReal]

i'll believe it when i see it...

Simply Put: Kiffin’s Offense Is a Hit at Alabama

@rolltide, I'm glad you posted this. What's the general consensus among the tide faithful about this hire? I thought it was a GD joke when I first heard about it. Kiffin is such a piece of shit. But I guess if anyone can rein him in, Saban can. I'm just not sold on Kiffin's ability as a coordinator (or a HC for that matter). Again, I'm not one to question someone with a pedigree like Saban's. It still blows my mind.

 

[rolltide]

we're probably split 30/70 ... 30% say he's a top 5 recruiter and can put out an epic offense with the right talent and full complement of scholarships while 70% of us want no UcheaT reject that was a complete disaster at a school that almost really doesn't even need to recruit (USCw).

Fact is that saban has made great moves at OC all career...so i'll give it a shot but i don't have to like it. To me kiffin is a cocky dick that hasn't done a damn thing to earn that ego. my hope is the experience out west humbled him a bit and taking a massive pay cut and a demotion to OC is a good indication that it did.

anytime you have a program as successful as Saban's Bama your coaches are in high demand so he has a lot of experience replacing these guys without losing a step. He took in Cristobal (a guy that possibly turned down both Pitt and Penn state HC gigs, among others, just a few years ago) at the depths of his L5 years and is obviously doing the same with kiffy....

gotta give him 2 years though as most folks will look at the 2014 bama team as a rebuilding year

 

[cloverleaf]

I agree with RT, the vast majority of Alabama faithful did not want Kiffin anywhere near the Bama football program. He's a proven sleez bucket. Former Oakland Raider owner Al Davis called Kiffin the biggest lier he had ever met during his time as head coach of the Raiders.
As stated above, being one and done at hated Tennessee didn't warm him to the die-hard Bama supporters.

The players seem to like his laid back style (contrasted to Saban and DC Kirby Smart) so we shall see. Personally, I can't stomach the PRICK.

)^&&

 

[cloverleaf]

2014 Schedules

WEST

Alabama: West Virginia (Atlanta), Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss, Florida, Open Date, @Ole Miss, @Arkansas, Texas A&M, @Tennessee, Open Date, @LSU, Mississippi State, Western Carolina, Auburn

Auburn: Arkansas, San Jose State, Open Date, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, LSU, @Mississippi State, Open Date, South Carolina, @Ole Miss, Texas A&M, @Georgia, Samford, @Alabama

Arkansas: @Auburn, Nichols State, @Texas Tech, Northern Illinois, Texas A&M, Open Date, Alabama, Georgia, UAB, @Mississippi State, Open Date, LSU, Ole Miss, @Missouri

LSU: Wisconsin (Houston), Sam Houston State, Louisiana Monroe, New Mexico State, @Auburn, @Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Open Date, Alabama, @Arkansas, Open Date, Texas A&M

Ole Miss: Boise State (Atlanta), @Vanderbilt, Louisiana, Open Date, Memphis, Alabama, @Texas A&M, Tennessee, @LSU, Auburn, Presbyterian, Open Date, @Arkansas, Mississippi State

Mississippi State: Southern Mississippi, UAB, @South Alabama, @LSU, Open Date, @Kentucky, Arkansas, UT Martin, @Alabama, Vanderbilt, @Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Auburn

EAST next..............................................................................................................................................................................