SEC football talk, news and discussion.
Mike Slive is going to be back for the 2014-5 academic year, the SEC Commissioner told reporters. He said to the Birmingham News: “I’ve got too much going on…..I’ve got the (SEC) Network to work on. I’ve got football scheduling to solve. We’ve got the NCAA restructuring. We’ve got a lot of important issues to take care of. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” The report noted that Slive made $1.2m in 2012-3.
Read moreDish Network and ESPN owner Disney have finally come to a deal over DVRing, according to reports. And in a side agreement between the two sides, SEC fans will be able to watch the new SEC Network when it comes in August. The two sides had also come to an agreement which means that the Dish’s auto-hop function – which allows viewers not to have to view commercials – will be disabled for all ABC/ESPN programming. And while that may be annoying for some people DVRing SEC games or SEC Network shows, the good news is is that at least they’ll be watching them. John Skipper, President, ESPN & Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks said in a statement: “We worked with DISH to
Read moreBelow is Q&A done with Alabama Coach Nick Saban by Al.com‘s Brandon Marcello on the controversial ‘Saban Rule’, which would force offenses to wait before snapping the football, therefore slowing down the game. ***FIRST PUBLISHED ON AL.COM*** Q: What are your thoughts on the 10-second rule proposal? Saban: “I really don’t necessarily have an opinion on the 10-second rule. I think there are three issues that need to be researched relative to pace of play, the first being player safety. When you look at plays that are run, and a team averages 88 plays, and we average 65 at Alabama, that’s 20-something plays more a game over a 12-game season, that adds up to four more games a year that guys have
Read moreThe controversial ‘Saban Rule’ which would ensure that would delay offenses and effectively blindside the quick snap tactics is to be re-considered, USA Today has reported. The rule, which would ensure that offenses had to give defenses 10 seconds between snaps (apparently because of ‘safety reasons’, according to Alabama Coach Nick Saban), is apparently going to be reconsidered by the NCAA Rule Committee next week….even before it comes before a vote. The reason for the rule in the first place is worries that more players would be injured as offenses speed up and they are unable to take breaks. Saban and Bielema had lobbied for this since June, according to a piece by Saturday Down South at the time. “I
Read moreTwo Ole Miss starters have been given a medical hardship, the school has said. Defensive end CJ Johnson and guard Aaron Morris were both injured in September games. Morris – who started every game for the Rebels in 2012 – tore his ACL in the season opener against Vanderbilt…a game which Ole Miss in one of the most exciting finishes of the season (and that’s saying something!). And while we don’t know the specifics of CJ Johnson’s leg injury, we do know that Johnson was one of Ole Miss’ top pass rushers, which probably didn’t help his school’s cause when he left injured in the blow-out loss to Alabama in 2013.
Read moreSchool Practice Begins Spring Game Pro Day Alabama March 15 April 19 March 12 Arkansas March 16 April 26 March 5 Auburn March 18 April 19 March 4 Florida March 19 April 12 March 17 Georgia March 18 April 12 April 16 Kentucky March 28 April 26 March 14 LSU March 7 April 5 April 9 Ole Miss March 5 April 5 March 3 Mississippi State March 18 April 12 March 5 Missouri March 11 April 19 March 6 South Carolina March 4 April 12 April 2 Tennessee March 7 April 12 April 2 Texas A&M February 28 N/A March 5 Vanderbilt March 11 April 12 March 21
Read moreLSU has landed the No.1 fullback in the nation for its 2015 class, according to reports. Les Miles offered Lakeshore High School (Mandeville, La.) a scholarship to David Ducre after inviting him to the school’s Junior Day. Ducre, who can 100 yards in 11 seconds (quick), is 6ft high and 230 lbs (great to block) told Saturday Down South: “I’m stoked because I have the opportunity to play with and compete against some of the best players that the country has to offer…The competition will only make me better. They love my physicality, strength, speed and my hands.” If he keeps his commitment to LSU through National Signing Day next year, he’ll arrive in Death Valley to good company. The
Read moreLSU back-up QB Stephen Rivers is to transfer, The Advocate has reported. The paper reports that NFL QB Philip Rivers – Stephen’s brother – in an interview with ESPN.com, said that LSU was giving Rivers his release with no restrictions on where he can go, as he graduates in May. The Advocate’s Scott Rabalais tweeted: “QB Stephen Rivers tells a reporter at #LSU-Miss St basketball game he plans to transfer in May after he graduates. We’ll try to get a word.” Rivers is not thought to be favored for the LSU starter’s job now Zach Mettenberger has graduated, with sophomore Anthony Jennings and freshman Brandon Harris both thought to be favorites.
Read moreIf a rule comes into place in the 2014 season which would allow teams to substitute within the first 10 seconds of the 40-second play clock (therefore reducing the speed at which an offense can operate), we should call it The Saban Rule. Why? Looking ahead to seeing the days in which his man-mountain defenses would be completely exhausted by lighter, faster offenses (see the second half of the Auburn vs Alabama game for details), Coach Saban complained in September: “All you’re trying to do is get lined up [on defense],” he whined to ESPN.com in September, ESPN’s website reported today. “You can’t play specialty third-down stuff. You can’t hardly scheme anything. The most important thing is to get the
Read moreJadeveon Clowney leads the list of SEC defensive linesmen going to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, starting February 19th. Here’s the list of defensive players: Defensive linemen Ego Ferguson (LSU), Dominique Easley (Florida), Kony Ealy (Mizzou), Ed Stinson (Alabama) and Dee Ford are the five SEC names that jump out at you. Jadeveon Clowney (DE), South Carolina Kony Ealy (DE), Missouri Dominique Easley (DT), Florida Ego Ferguson (DT), LSU Dee Ford (DE), Auburn Anthony Johnson (DT), LSU DaQuan Jones (DT), Penn State Daniel McCullers (DT), Tennessee Jeoffrey Pagan (DE), Alabama Kelcy Quarles (DT), South Carolina Chris Smith (DE), Arkansas Ed Stinson (DE), Alabama Robert Thomas (DT), Arkansas Linebackers For the linebackers, CJ Mosley (Alabama) and Ronald Powell (Florida) both stand
Read more