John Clay's Sidelines

Paul Finebaum

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Paul Finebaum is the leader in “Most Hated Man in SEC” poll [Birmingham News]
• Is the SEC the nation’s dirtiest conference? [Gainesville Sun]
• Vegas oddsmakers like Oklahoma over Alabama and LSU for BCS title [Mr. SEC]
• Twitter and Facebook lead to minor infractions for Mississippi State [Clarion-Ledger]
• LSU’s Trent Johnson denied bid for contract extension [Shreveport Times]
• New Tennessee baseball coach facing academic scrutiny [Knoxville News-Sentinel]
• Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin in line for new contract [Tennessean]
• Former Georgia lineman confirms dispute with new strength coach [AJC]
• Caleb King says he will enter NFL supplemental draft [Athens Banner-Herald]
• Bryce Sherman confirms departure from South Carolina football team [Charleston Post and Courier]
• Ex-Alabama stars reunited as All-Star battery-mates [Montgomery Advertister]
• Is Jordan Jefferson poised for a big season at LSU? [Scott Hotard]
• Arkansas athletics has seen a major increase in fund-raising [Whole Hog Sports]
• Florida athletics is one of few programs that could pay its athletes [ESPN]

(AP photo)

SEC links for Saturday:

• A lack of satisfactory progress means Georgia running back Caleb King has been ruled academically ineligible for this fall, reports Chip Towers of the AJC.
• Loss of King is no big deal, argues Jeff Schultz of the AJC.
• Isaiah Crowell will be the man in the Georgia backfield, but Bulldogs still needed Caleb King, writes Seth Emerson of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
• Peter Finney of the Times-Picayune writes that the Oregon-LSU game can’t get here fast enough.
• Ohio State’s SEC drought continues, thanks to self-imposed “vacated” penalty, says Chris Low of espn.com.
• Former Ohio State wide receiver Duron Carter signs a grant-in-aid with Alabama, but won’t enroll until August, reports Don Kausler of the Birmingham News.
• Andrew Gribble of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that if you want to be the athletic director at Tennessee, experience counts.
• Will Perdue’s selection into the Vanderbilt Hall of Fame is a slam dunk, writes Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.
• Quiet leader Brandon Bolden is ready to take a charge for Ole Miss football, writes Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Rebels need better secondary play to be successful next season, writes Parrish Alford of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal.
• Florida insists that Neiron Ball’s status is uncertain for next season, reports Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.

(AP photo/Wade Payne)

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Tennessee loses its third straight, this time to Kevin O’Neill and Southern Cal, reports Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Tennessee left looking for answers, writes Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Vols see their skid extended, writes Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Renardo Sidney suspended by Mississippi State, reports Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Three-point barrage helps Alabama beat Lipscomb 71-51, reports Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Frankie Sullivan leads Auburn past USC-Upstate 68-54, reports Evan Woodbery of the Mobile Press-Register.
• Vanderbilt heats up to beat Middle Tennessee, writes Tom Kraeger for the Tennessean.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Tennessee basketball is free falling’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Bruce Pearl aware he’s the “elephant in the room,” reports Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Urban Meyer defends bringing Chris Rainey back to Florida, reports Chris Low of espn.com.
• In a Q & A with Mike Herndon of the Huntsville Times, SEC commissioner Mike Slive says the NCAA needs a national strategy on dealing with agents.
• College football games taking too long, argues Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger.
• High drama in the SEC West, writes John Zenor of the AP.
• LSU has gone from the ridiculed to the recognized, writes Scott Rabalais of The Advocate.
• Despite broken hand, Alabama’s Julio Jones could still play against Ole Miss, reports Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Close wins building confidence at Auburn, writes Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser.
• Vanderbilt basketball will have two scoring threats, reports Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.
• At Florida, Steve Addazio says he tunes out the boos, reports Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.
• Caleb King suspension causes tailback problems at Georgia, reports Tim Tucker of the AJC.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Billy Donovan talks about Florida basketball’s high expectations for this season, reports Andy Marks of the Gainesville Sun.
• Les Miles and Stephen Garcia will meet in SEC title game, says Clay Travis of AOL FanHouse.
• Arkansas worried about its offensive misfires, reports Robbie Neiswanger of the Arkansas News.
• Caleb King’s status unclear at Georgia after arrest, reports Tim Tucker of the AJC.
• Mullen and Meyer yield to conflicting self interests, reports Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel thinks SEC could still be in the mix for national title.
• Julio Jones undergoes surgery on broken hand, reports A. Stacy Long of the Montgomery Advertiser.
• Alabama trying to figure out what happened to its running game, writes Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Vanderbilt offense has been slow to start, reports Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.
• Two-quarterback system working at LSU, writes Randy Rosetta of The Advocate.

Alabama fans react at the end of a 34-24 win over Virginia Tech in their NCAA college football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

SEC links for Tuesday:

• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Georgia and South Carolina are seeking offensive sparks.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC reports that Georgia back Caleb King is expected to play Saturday against South Carolina.
• Joe Person of The State writes on Carolina defensive end Devin Taylor.
• Chris Low of ESPN reports that Arkansas’ London Crawford has a broken collarbone.
• Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News writes that Alabama’s new wrinkle is here to stay.
• Tim Gayle of the Montgomery Advertiser writes that Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy overcame early struggles.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun says that Florida has gone Banzai.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Georgia and Carolina looking for sparks’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald writes that answers should come quickly for Georgia.
• David Hale of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer writes that Georgia back Caleb King isn’t quite ready.
• Ron Morris of The State writes that Steve Spurrier’s mystique was born at North Carolina State.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Alabama’s 2008 recruiting class is growing up fast.
• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean writes that Vanderbilt selected its calm quarterback.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Answers should come quickly for Georgia’

SEC links for Friday:

• Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News reports that ex-Elizabethtown (KY) star Chris Todd has been named starting quarterback at Auburn.
• The Montgomery Advertiser has more about Todd winning starting job at Auburn.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC reports on the injury to Georgia tailback Caleb King.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes on Tennessee center Josh McNeil.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that McNeil has come around to Lane Kiffin’s competitive concept.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Auburn names E-town’s Chris Todd as QB’

SEC links for Friday:

• Tim Tucker of the AJC examines whether Georgia running back Caleb King can revive his career.
• Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald writes that the Bulldogs are looking for playmakers.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that UT defensive star Eric Berry has picked up the cover-two like a pro.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Ed Orgeron is a dominant presence in the Tennessee program.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate reports on LSU’s first day of practice.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Georgia is looking for playmakers’

Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, who took an elbow to the face in win over Rice last week.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that the Razorbacks are stepping up in class tonight to face No. 4 Oklahoma.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Wayne Chism plays a terrific game before being carried off on a stretcher in Tennessee’s win over Louisiana-Lafayette.
• Also in the News-Sentinel, John Adams writes that J.P. Prince’s return was a slam dunk.
• In the NW Arkansas Times, Nate Allen reports that Arkansas’ backup guard Jason Henry is out after knee surgery.
• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News reports that Alabama’s star offensive lineman Andre Smith has been suspended from Sugar Bowl for improper contact with an agent.
• Gentry Estes of the Huntsville Times writes on the Tide’s giant loss.
• In the Tuscaloosa News, Tommy Deas writes that even without Smith, Utah is not taking Bama lightly.
• Randy Rosetta of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes that from all appearances John Chavis will be LSU’s next defensive coordinator.
• Ron Morris of The State writes that having fun is supposed to be part of the bowl experience.
• Also in The State, Seth Emerson writes on a former Darrin Horn recruit who brings a twist to the South Carolina-Clemson hoops rivalry.
• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean writes that the Music City Bowl is leading Vandy’s D.J. Moore to a crossroads.
• Thomas Stinson of the AJC writes on the mystery that is Georgia running back Caleb King.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes on Chandler Parson’s bumpy ride.
• In the Montgomery Advertiser, Jay G. Tate reports that new Auburn offensive boss Gus Malzahn promises a different spread offense.