John Clay’s Sidelines

(AP Photo/Wade Payne)

SEC links for Monday:

• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that maybe Mark Richt should follow Paul Johnson’s example.
• Roger Clarkson of the Athens Banner-Herald asks how low can these Dogs go?
• Don Klauser of the Birmingham News writes that it’s the intense internal competition that has made Alabama unbeatable.
• John Patton of the Gainesville Sun reports that Urban Meyer relied on advice before playing Tim Tebow.
• David Jones of Florida Today reports that Tebow confessed to being worried before the LSU game.
• Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel writes that Florida’s defense is nearing its goal of greatness.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Is Mark Richt on the hot seat at Georgia?’

SEC links for Friday:

• Gary Laney of The Advocate reports that a sprained ankle will keep LSU guard Bo Spencer on the bench against Ole Miss.
• Knoxville News-Sentinel columnist Mike Strange writes that front four coaches in East not sure which team has the edge.
• Edward Aschoff writes in the Gainesville Sun that SEC transfers are thriving.
• In the Tennessean, Maurice Patton writes on the Vandy women’s upset of No. 9 Florida.
• In the Clarion-Ledger, Mississippi State women hold off Ole Miss.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that both Ole Miss and Mississippi State have revised their football schedules.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, John Adams reports that Sports Illustrated goofed by reporting that Lane Kiffin had fired his secretary.
• Meanwhile, Adams writes that Kiffin told a booster club, “I like to have fun with some things.”
• In the Huntsville Times, Evan Woodbery reports that top Auburn football assistants are settling into their jobs.
• Birmingham News columnist Ray Melick writes on new Auburn coach Gene Chizik.
• Also in the News, Ian Rapoport reports that Chris Smelley’s baseball career has hit a snag.
• In the AJC, Chip Towers writes on some positive signs for Georgia football.

SEC links for Thursday:

• Seth Emerson of The State writes about South Carolina’s buzzer-beating win over Florida.
• Ron Morris, columnist for The State, writes that the Gamecocks are starting to show a new attitude.
• Kevin Brockway of The Gainesville Sun calls it the stunner in South Carolina.
• In the Baton Rouge Advocate, Gary Laney has the rundown on LSU’s rout of Mississippi State.
• In the Clarion-Ledger, Kyle Veazey reports on State being buried in the Bayou.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports on Ole Miss’ loss at Alabama.
• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News reports on the Tide win amidst the turmoil.
• Rapoport also reports that Ronald Steele says foot not reason he’s leaving Bama.
• Andrew Carroll of the Tuscaloosa News reports that ex-South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley is eligible to play baseball at Alabama.
• Dan Wolken of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal reports that Memphis awaits Tennessee after taking care of Rice.

SEC links for Saturday:

• In the Baton Rouge Advocate, Gary Laney writes that its a wide-open race as SEC play begins.
• In the Tennessean, Maurice Patton writes that Vandy is healthy, ready to go.
• Also in the Tennessean, Bryan Mullen writes that Tennessee is shifting its focus to SEC play.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith reports that UT’s Tyler Smith is doubtful for Georgia game because of a bone bruise on his knee.
• The State has five questions for South Carolina basketball coach Darrin Horn.
• In the NW Arkansas Times, Nate Allen previews Arkansas’ SEC opener against Mississippi State.
• In the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Wally Hall writes that Jimmy Dykes’ professionalism covers his love of the Hogs.
• In the Clarion-Ledger, David Brandt reports that Ole Miss guard David Huertas returns to Florida with a target on his back.
• In the Birmingham News, Ian Rapoport reports that Alabama running back Glen Coffee is passing up his senior season to turn pro.
• In the Montgomery Advertiser, Tim Gayle reports that defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is leaving Alabama for Clemson.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: SEC hoops wide open’

SEC links for Thanksgiving day:

• ESPN blogger Chris Low writes that Tennessee has set its sights on Lane Kiffin to replace Phil Fulmer. No formal offer has been made, but that appears to be just a formality. UT athletic director Mike Hamilton is adamant he hasn’t offered the job to anybody, but look for Kiffin to be named early next week.

• Dave Hooker in the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that sources say TCU coach Gary Patterson has been contacted. But that could be a smoke screen to throw the media off the Kiffin trail at least through Saturday’s UK-Tennessee game.

• Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports on Arkansas’ hoops win over South Alabama. “Junior guard Stefan Welsh capped a career scoring game by hitting a threepoint basket with 2. 9 seconds left that lifted Arkansas to a 79-77 victory over South Alabama on Wednesday at the Mitchell Center. Welsh finished with 24 points. His previous high was 16 points against Mississippi State last season.”

• AJC columnist Mark Bradley offers a field guide to Georgia-Georgia Tech. “Georgia fans giggle over Tech’s conference. Tech fans giggle over Georgia’s curriculum.”

• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean writes about Vandy running back Jeff Jennings, who has received a second chance to run the football. “The fifth-year senior tailback, who rebounded from a season-ending knee injury three years ago to start the Commodores’ season opener at Miami (Ohio), will likely get the nod Saturday at Wake Forest. Jared Hawkins, the team’s leading rusher with 580 yards, strained foot ligaments after rushing twice in the opening quarter of the Tennessee loss and will not play this weekend.”

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Kiffin could be named UT coach next week’

Scheduled for arrival Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium, South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley is coming off the most prolific showing, by passing yards, by a SEC quarterback this season.

Smelley threw for 327 yards in the Gamecocks’ 31-24 win at Ole Miss last Saturday.

It should be noted that two of the top three passing-yards performances by league quarterbacks in 2008 have come against the Ole Miss defense. So perhaps Smelley’s performance had more to do with the level of competition than the skill of the Gamecock passing game. Kentucky is currently second in the nation in pass efficiency defense.

Here are the top 10 passing performances, by yardage, by an SEC quarterback thus far this year: