SEC Media Days: Issues, investigations, predictions and coaches on hot seats
On my way to Hoover. I wrote this for tomorrow’s print section, but you get to see it first! . . .
Georgia coach Mark Richt won't have to guess which question he'll be asked about most at SEC Football Media Days this week. (AJC photo)
WHAT YOU’LL HEAR AT SEC FOOTBALL MEDIA DAYS
College football fans rejoice! As of this week, you can officially pronounce the 2011 season underway. No, the actual games don’t kickoff for another six weeks. But the intriguing ritual of preseason propaganda and prognostication begins in earnest today in Hoover, Ala., as SEC Football Media Days gets underway at the Wynfrey Hotel. The SEC will tell us why it’s the greatest conference on earth and provide statistical data to prove it and coaches will tell us why things aren’t as bad – or as good – as they seem, depending on their teams’ particular perspective this season. In anticipation of this exciting annual exchange between teams and the media, here are five things you’re likely to hear about after the event commences Wednesday afternoon.
1. ISSUES AND INVESTIGATIONS: The newly-discovered coaching skill set of “roster management” – aka over-signing — was the dominant topic at the SEC Meetings in Destin in May and there will surely be some residual discussion this week. But the most prominent topic in Hoover will be, or at least should be, the tarnished image of college football amid multiple scandals. We know now, thanks to some excellent reporting by Pete Thamel of the New York Times, that the NCAA’s investigation of BCS champion Auburn continues. On Tuesday, LSU got hit with a year’s probation and recruiting restrictions from the NCAA infractions committee on Tuesday; Tennessee is up next with that group in August; South Carolina received a letter of inquiry this time last year and we’ve heard little since; and Georgia is in the midst of an internal inquiry. Add in the nationally-covered scandals at Ohio State, Southern Cal and Oregon and it’s a good bet this will generate some substantial dialogue this week.
2. MARK RICHT’S WARM BACKSIDE. The Georgia Bulldogs are one of the first teams up on Thursday and the topic du jour most assuredly will be, “Is Mark Richt on the hotseat and, if so, how hot is it?” That question has been bandied about to varying degrees by fans and media alike hundreds of times since Georgia got off to a 1-4 start last season and finished 6-7. For the record, the powers to be at UGA have shown nothing but support for the Bulldogs’ 11th-year coach — “He’s not in my hot seat; he’s still in my lap,” longtime executive board member Bob Bishop said in May. But it’s unlikely Richt will encounter such compassion from the grizzled SEC press, who are doggedly determined to identify those those best suited for their “Coaches on Hotseat” lists in tomorrow’s column. Richt won’t be alone in this distinction. Houston Nutt of Ole Miss will be right there with him.
3. ROCK-STAR COACHES: Speaking of Richt and his supposed warm backside, it’s always about the coaches at SEC Media Days. The SEC is the indisputable powerhouse conference of college football and it produces star players and NFL draft picks galore. But it’s never clearer than when the media assembles in the cavernous ballrooms of the Wynfrey Hotel that coaches are the ruling party of this kingdom. Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Bobby Petrino and Les Miles are ushered about like movies stars complete with trailing paparazzi, fawning fans and curious, clamoring reporters. We’ll also hear about the new additions to this exclusive fraternity, Florida’s Will Muschamp and Vanderbilt’s James Franklin. Well, at least one of those.
4. MIGHTY, MIGHTY GAMECOCKS. South Carolina is in the extremely rare position of being the prohibitive favorite to win the East (gonna be a close call between Alabama and LSU in the West). That’s a long-awaited and supremely-coveted place to be for Spurrier, who is in constant need of fuel for his thirsty ego. And the ever-thirsty media will be primed to lap up Spurrier’s quip bombs on hot topics such as over-signing, paying student-athletes out of his own pocket and how to suspend players without them actually having to miss games (see quarterback Stephen Garcia).
5. GREAT RUNNING BACKS: As usual, the league is loaded with elite running backs. Some of them you’ve heard a lot about, such as South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore, Auburn’s Michael Dyer and Alabama’s Trent Richardson; others not so much, such as Arkansas’ Knile Davis, the league’s leading returning rusher with 1,322 yards; Vick Ballard, the bulldozer from Mississippi State; and Tennessee’s Tauren Poole, the senior from Toccoa who quietly busted 1,000 yards a year ago. Georgia’s Washaun Ealey and Caleb King would have been brought up in this conversation but, of course, they’re gone. Something tells me Richard Samuel might get shut out on the all-conference ballot.
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187 comments Add your comment
powerhouse?
July 20th, 2011
10:59 am
Dog coaches are not a problem…can’t say about some dog fans.
CMS
July 20th, 2011
11:00 am
UGA Insider you seem to be knowlegable in the comings and goings of UGA athletics. You present the problem, but what about a solution. What do you think it will take to get UGA athletics back on a competitive advantage in the SEC and national stage? Particularly football.
Mobile Dawg
July 20th, 2011
11:05 am
Beast, I wouldn’t want to be there, high pressure comes with the territory. I’m looking forward to the season because I can definitely see improvements coming to Athens, one way or the other. I hope Muschamp succeeds at UF, I just hope we can become competitive, and relevant again. I don’t think anyone on our schedule will take us lightly, or overlook us, same with you guys.
DawginLex
July 20th, 2011
11:06 am
Insider,
How are we going to go from 75 scholarship football players to 60 in 6 weeks?
Bubonic plague?
Locusts?
Boils?
Cancer?
Is this the same rhetoric as “Chris Peterson is meeting with Greg McGarity the weekend of the Boise State game” ?
I’m not buying it.
schmeckdawg
July 20th, 2011
11:07 am
UGA Insider: Obviously 1980 for football and either 1990 or 1991 for Baseball. However, were close a couple of years ago in Baseball losing in the finals and in 2007 in Football. And yes I know what they say about close only counting in horseshoes and hand grenades.
UGA Insider
July 20th, 2011
11:08 am
CMS. Mike Adams retiring is the best start.
CMS
July 20th, 2011
11:13 am
You really went to the top of the food chain. Too bad that won’t happen anytime soon.
UGA Insider
July 20th, 2011
11:14 am
DawginLex,
Where do I get 60 from? I currently have appx 70. Thomas is suspended and JJ is as well and 2 or 3 Dream Team members aren’t qualified and it looks bleak. Do you know we lose about 10-15% due to injury once the hitting starts in August? Do you know we have a few that leave the program for whatever reason? I’m not saying it’s gonna happen but my point is why are we even discussing it? Why are these numbers low? Other than UF, why isn’t anyone else having this problem? That’s my point.
UGA Insider
July 20th, 2011
11:16 am
Within the next 5 years. The guy is getting up there but he loves the power and money.
FLA DAWG
July 20th, 2011
11:22 am
Vegas odds says The Dawgs beat Boise State by 6 or 7 but it may be closer.
Considering our O Line is composed of some leftovers from last season’s abysmal line and some new, inexperienced kids I’m not confident.
Our D should be improved over last season but that’s not saying much either.
Murray is a very good talent but will have only one experienced back to handoff to in Samuel and he’s been out of the backfield for a while now. But whomever carries / passes the ball we still come back to an O Line that reminds me of Swiss Cheese.
Everyone says the first two games will set the tone for the season. I say the first game will tell us all we need to know. If The Dawgs beat Boise State they have a good shot at beating SC and so on. But if they lose to BS then Spurrier will light up the board with points against our Dawgs.
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
11:39 am
Mobile Dawg,
Despite all the comments, no one will take UGA lightly. That could prove to be a huge mistake. Even though the record was terrible last year, no one blew them out. They were competetive in every game unlike my Gators against Bama, SC and FSU. I’ve said several times I expect both UGA and UF to end up about 8-4. Either team could surprise and end up as a 10-2 team, but by that same token either could end up 6-6 if they don’t improve. Lots of questions to be answered.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
July 20th, 2011
11:46 am
[...] Vols.9. Here’s a list of five topics up for discussion in Hoover this week.10. Here are five more things you’ll likely hear about at Media Days.11. And here are five players you’re sure to hear about.12. Finally, who [...]
Alabama Dog
July 20th, 2011
11:52 am
To say Richt is in “the hot seat” is an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!!!! The underachievement of Georgia football teams the last 2-3 years is obvious. Especially considering the recruiting classes the last few years. It’s my opinion, anything LESS than an SEC East title will be the end of the Richt era at Georgia. It’s also my opinion, the ONLY reason he’s held on to his job this long is: there just wasn’t a better choice out there.
I-DOG
July 20th, 2011
11:54 am
Sports Boy:
UGA “NEVER” wins the East? IS that what you really wrote? UGA has won the East 3 times in the last 10 years.
That is like someone saying “I never beat my wife” Well… “if you are going to count the three times I beat my wife in the last ten years, then I suppose you could say that I do.”
You could accurately say that UGA has not won the East as often as Florida or that TN won the East a lot more often in the 90’s, those are accurate statements, but UGA Never wins the East is about as inaccurate as it gets.
Dawghater
July 20th, 2011
11:56 am
It’s July and UGA is #1 again. UGA – the best football program in the SEC – March thru August every year. Even UGA fans can’t start bragging in Jan and Feb. There wounds are healed by March after recruiting is done. Then come the season of arrests and disappointments.
DawginLex
July 20th, 2011
12:02 pm
Dawghater just shutup
no one is saying UGA is going to win the national title or the SEC and is a longshot to win the East behind Sc.
We know you hate us.
We get it.
Just shutup
Joemac
July 20th, 2011
12:40 pm
I have to agree with Dawghater. Every year, not long after another top class of high schoolers that will underachieve signs, I start hearing from obnoxious UGA fans telling me that this is their year; that last year’s cry of wait till next year is here, and that they will be SEC champs and BCS champs. Happens every year, and every year they get shot down by the Gators or S. Carolina or Missy St., or Auburn, etc. This happens EVERY YEAR. Bulldog fans need to shutup and open their eyes and at least TRY TO BE SOMEWHAT REALISTIC. Last season, I told anyone that would listen that they would lose to S. Carolina, Missy St.,Colorado, and when everyone thought the mighty Gators would fall, I said no way. I was also the only person in my company bowl picks to correctly pick UCF. Realistically, you can expect 6-7 wins this season, and another weak sister bowl game. The SEC East championship is not even a blip on the radar.
Tide Rising
July 20th, 2011
12:56 pm
Beast of the East,
I gotta agree with you on Spurrier. One of the best things about media days is seeing what Spurrier is going to say, who he’s going to needle. Last year it was him calling out the boy blunder Kiffin in the elevator. I’m sure the ole ball coach won’t disappoint.
As for the season I think a lot of people in the west are leaving out Arkansas. They are every bit as legit a contender as LSU or Bama in the west. And Miss St will be interesting to. They were really peaking at the end of the season and last year this was a program whose only losses were to the other 4 teams in the west AU, Bama, LSU, and Ark and I believe at least 2 or 3 of those games were tight. This year I think they win 1 or 2 against those 4. Its not crazy to think we could have a 3 or possibly even a 4 way tie in the west. A 4 way tie is stretching it but its not outside the realm of possibilites. There is that much strength and balance among the top 4 in the west this year. AU will be interesting to watch after losing 31 players from last year- rebuilding year for AU. We’ll find out just how good a coach Chizik and Malzahn really are with the cupboard depleted.
In the east UGA has the most beneficial schedule but I still have to call it a tossup between Carolina and UF. Murray was good as a freshman 24 tds and 6 picks but how much better can he really get as a sophomore with no AJ Green and no running game? Banking everything on a freshman is a scary proposition. Crowell could end up being all that. Or he could just as likely end up being a bust like Ealey, King, etc.In any event even if he does end up being really good he was oft injured in high school and behind him who else is there really for UGA?
I pick Carolina because they won it last year and return a lot of good players and UF a close 2nd simply because of sheer talent. Its a transition year for the gators and god knows they will be strong in 2012 but this could end up being a 10 win team if Muschamp hits the ground running. Be interesting to see how good of a coaching job he does in his inaugural season. Lord knows the man learned under some of the very best- Mack Brown, Saban, I think Tubbs.
Pirate
July 20th, 2011
1:07 pm
QUOTE: “”"Coach Chizik is not a rock star and that is just fine with us.
All he does for us is win.”"”"
LOL. Chizik is Cinderella. All of the credit of Auburn’s success last season goes to Cam Newton and Gus Malzahn. Cam is gone and with him, so is any semblance of championship capability (at least this year). It is my opinion that if Malzahn leaves, Auburn slips into consistent mediocrity. Of course, that’s just an opinion. If one had told me this time last year that Auburn would be the defending National Champion, I would have suggested to that person to seek psychiatric (sp?) help. So who knows? I personally, am not sold on Chizik at this time.
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
1:08 pm
Tide,
I agree with most of your analysis, but I’m not totally sold on MSU. They won’t “surprise” anyone this year like they did last year. Not many folks realized how tough they were until after they played them. I also agree about Arky. They could very well win the west and leave Bama and LSU wondering what happened. The East is SC’s to lose.
Dawglover
July 20th, 2011
1:16 pm
Richt has just about run his course at UGA. We need an Erk here. We need a guy who isn’t going to let the players rule and run a tight ship. The facts are what they are. We’ve had top ten recruiting classes for the last ten years and what have we done with it? NOTHING!!! When is it our turn for a championship? When are we going to stop playing to the level of the UCF’s and GTU’s of the world? UGA is a top ten job in the country and we, as a fanbase, need to get our mind’s right. We should be on par with Florida, Alabama, the Vols, etc. If Richt can’t get us to that level, maybe it’s time for him to go.
Ben
July 20th, 2011
1:23 pm
The old ball coach doesnt have what it takes anymore, so that leaves UGA to take the East. I like the thought of LSU making it to Atlanta to meet the Dogs. Its a breath of fresh air
Alabama Dog
July 20th, 2011
1:23 pm
Tide Rising: you make some pretty good points. However, Murray didn’t have A. J. Green for the first 4 games of the season, and still had good numbers for a RF starting his first season. That said, it’s completely within the realm of possibilty Georgia could win the East. Quite frankly, I see no dominant team. As far as starting a freshman at a key position, such as running back, that has become fairly routine these days. Here’s the thing: you had better play them while you can. At most they will only stay until they’ve been there 3 years anyway, if they’re any good.
St. Richt
July 20th, 2011
1:57 pm
DawginLex, your fans may not be expecting to win the SEC or the NC, but they’re always out here coming up with scenarios as to how it might happen. EVERY YEAR. Groundhog day. You should really wake up and see it for what it is, delusional.
St. Richt
July 20th, 2011
2:00 pm
Ben also seems to contradict your point. Yep, another Dawg fan expecting to win the east and beat LSU in the dome. Delusions of grandeur.
Druid City
July 20th, 2011
3:27 pm
UGAInsider,
When you figure in that Richt begins each season on average with six to nine players suspended, UGA’s available scholarship players will likely be lower than your estimate.
Since Dennis Felton left, no other coach in the NCAA is stupid enough to handicap his program like this every year, just to give the false impression he is in control.
It also gives him a renewable excuse for his team’s poor performance.
I hope Richt stays there forever.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 20th, 2011
3:28 pm
Mike P,
Just don’t leave your toilet paper on Athen’s streets.
Ga > fla
July 20th, 2011
4:00 pm
florida’s run is over–their team has all kinds of gaps and problems and Richt will own muschamp for years. Look for a good beatdown in jacksonville this year–Richt will be running up the score to show muschamp who’s boss.
Bored Dawg
July 20th, 2011
6:58 pm
UGA Insider: How do you know for sure that Jarvis Jones will be suspended? Who cares about Thomas? He’s 5′7″ and weighs 160 lbs.
Palmetto State Dawg
July 20th, 2011
7:03 pm
Tide Roll: your dumb argument about all these OL recruits that UGA “missed on” makes no sense. we cannot get everyone in the state of GA…..that’s a fact. You don’t think there are guys on GA’s team that Bama or other schools wanted? You don’t SC wanted AJ Green? Well, I guess they let him “get away”. UGA doesn’t get many kids or recruit many for that matter in the state of Alabama because they have their hands full trying to fend off all the vultures like Saban from stealing GA kids. Like I said, UGA can’t get em all.
AltamahaDawg
July 20th, 2011
11:06 pm
Tell you fellows what: if some of us can put up being called blind, stupid, for simply stating facts, or correcting over simplification and gross overexagerations…… Or being called losers for trying to find reasons to look for an improvement, in general just trying to stay positive about a team and a sport we love……. Or being called the real root of all the problems for being realistic enough to know how coaching employment works in the real world……….you can just deal with being called Richt haters for your constant bashing of the man. Tough break.
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ROLL TIDE ALL THE WAY
July 21st, 2011
2:50 pm
ROLL TIDE WILL WIN THE WEST AND THE REST SHOUT YO SUCK HOLE UP!
ROLL TIDE ALL THE WAY
July 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
**SHUT!
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