John Clay's Sidelines

(AP photo)

SEC links for Thursday:

• Tennessee players tweet they want black jerseys for Halloween
• Auburn would like to finish grueling October with 3-2 record
• Auburn offense missing injured wide receiver Emory Blake
• Georgia’s Malcolm Mitchell now doubtful for Florida game
• Ranking the best in the Georgia-Florida football rivalry
• Georgia’s Cornelius Washington trying to put DUI arrest behind him
• Only something shocking would prevent Florida’s John Brantley from starting
• Gators simplifying their defensive playbook with Georgia up next
• South Carolina’s Bruce Ellington battling a slight hamstring injury
• Arkansas’ wide receivers are looking for more
• Vanderbilt coach doesn’t want any part of bowl discussion
• Ole Miss has a bad case of the second-half blues
• Alabama and LSU pacing themselves before showdown Nov. 5
• Pat Summitt welcomes yet another colleague at Tennessee
• Only time will tell if Renardo Sidney has changed for the better
• NCAA poised to make sweeping changes

Comparing Saturday night’s quarterbacks:

Florida’s John Brantley – Miscast in Urban Meyer’s spread offense, the dropback-friendly Brantley has embraced new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. And there’s a lot there to embrace. Brantley threw of 229 yards in opening win over Florida Atlantic, but had two passes picked off, compared to just one touchdown. But that’s the only pick the senior has thrown.

He was an efficient 12-of-19 against UAB, then threw for 213 yards and two scores in thet win over Tennessee. Brantley likes to throw to his backs. Chris Rainey leads the team in receptions with 11.

Kentucky’s Morgan Newton – The junior is in his first year as the starter, though he started eight games for an injured Mike Hartline as a true freshman in 2009. Newton was off to a bumpy start, throwing three interceptions in just 18 pass attempts in the opening night win over Western Kentucky. He completed just nine of 18 throws in the victory over Central Michigan.

Newton’s numbers improved significantly last week in loss to Louisville. He passed for 255 yards and two touchdowns, without an interception. He has to do a better job of avoiding sacks. Newton has been sacked 12 times in three games.

Related links:

• Newton a bright spot on a dark night for Kentucky
• Newton proves he can run a little, too
• In his junior year, quarterback Newton is unquestionably the man

SEC links for Sunday:

• Fans are seeing red, but players like Georgia’s new football uniforms
• Spurrier says South Carolina is a “bunch of overrated dudes right now”
• Joe Medley: Not disrespect, just logic that has Auburn at No. 23 in AP poll
• Dissecting the AP college football poll
• Angry Les Miles promises more discipline at LSU
• Is karma catching up to LSU?
• No compliance director can save a school from a rouge booster
• Will Muschamp backs Florida assistant coach mentioned in Miami scandal story
• Ole Miss decides to let quarterback battle continue
• Vanderbilt quarterback spot crowded with transfer
• At Alabama, Nick Saban likes his quarterbacks
• Petrino confident in team leadership at Arkansas

Continue reading ‘SEC: Fans seeing red over Georgia’s new uniforms’

(AP photo)

SEC links for Monday:

• Auburn falls behind 22-3 and loses 85-65 at Mississippi State, reports Evan Woodbery of the Mobile Press-Register.
• Ravern Johnson breaks out of scoring slump with 21 points for State, reports Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Renardo Sidney adds 15 points for the Bulldogs, reports David Brandt of the AP.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun ranks LSU as No. 1 in college football for 2011.
• LSU’s search for an offensive coordinator heats up, reports Glenn Guilbeau of the Shreveport Times.
• Tennessee knows that Georgia’s Trey Thompkins is a challenge, reports Patrick Brown of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Vols are preparing for “hostile” Georgia.

• Injury and mother’s death are weighing on Vandy’s Andre Walker, writes Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.

Continue reading ‘SEC: State whips lowly Auburn; LSU No. 1 for 2011?’

(AP photo/Wade Payne)

SEC links for Thursday:

• Mike Griffith: Tennessee mashes Memphis 104-84 to get back on winning track.
• Mike Strange: Vols prove to be fully functional in win over cross-state Tigers.
• Mark Wiedmer: Did Vols solve all their problems in one night?
• Jason Smith: It was a rocky flop for Josh Pastner and Memphis.
• Randy Riggs: Mississippi State loses defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to Texas.
• Glenn Guilbeau: Les Miles distances himself from Michigan opening.
• Kyle Veazey: More turmoil for Mississippi State basketball as Beckham leaves.
• AP: Ole Miss tunes up for SEC play with 75-57 rout at SMU.
• AP: Cameron Newton says father will be at BCS title game.
• Josh Moon: Auburn trying to join 1957 team in history books.
• Chris Low: Auburn is casting the shadow this football season.
• Tommy Deas: Alabama assistant Sal Sunseri interviews for open Pitt job.
• Jeff Lockridge: Walk-ons filling the gap for Vanderbilt basketball.
• Rachel George: John Brantley’s family says quarterback hasn’t made decision.
• Mr. SEC: Want to win an SEC football game? Then take care of the football.

SEC links for Thursday:

• Cramps put a damper on Renardo Sidney’s debut at Mississippi State, reports Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Arkansas hands Mississippi Valley State another loss, reports Robbie Neiswanger of the Arkansas News.
• South Florida knocks off Auburn 61-49 at the Sun Dome, reports Adam Adkins of the Tampa Tribune.
• Alabama whips SE Louisiana 59-38, reports Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Maryland supporters wonder what James Franklin is thinking with regards to Vandy job, writes Jeff Barker of the Baltimore Sun.
• Georgia tight end chosen as lone student commencement speaker, reports Tim Tucker of the AJC.
• Derek Dooley tweaks Luke Stocker’s bowl prep plan, writes Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Auburn OC Gus Malzahn waiting for right time, right place to be a head coach, reports John Zenor of the AP.
• LSU looks to rebound from its loss to Coastal Carolina, reports Scott Rabalais of The Advocate.
• Lady Vols to undergo some lineup changes after loss, reports Dan Fleser of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Cramps hamper Sidney’s debut at Miss St’

Tennessee

SEC links for Thursday:

• Scotty Hopson scores 18 to send Tennessee to NIT final, reports Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• LSU basketball whips Centenary 78-36, reports Scott Rabalais of The Advocate.
• John Pelphrey must overcome attedance apathy at Arkansas, says John Pennington of Mr. SEC.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC takes his annual look at Georgia and Georgia Tech fans.
• Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal gives thanks for a plate of SEC treats.
• Auburn is undefeated, and the underdog, writes Evan Woodbery of the Mobile Press-Register.
• Mississippi State leader has a vocal critic in his wife, writes Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Gus Malzahn’s main focus is perfecting the Auburn offense, reports Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser.
• Florida quarterback visits his namesake baby in hospital, reports Rachel George of the Orlando Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Vols play big in Big Apple; Pelphrey problems’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• EDSBS has an LSUfreek video of Nick Saban applying a beatdown to Urban Meyer.
• Mr. SEC talks to the SEC’s coordinator of officials, who says officials acted in “textbook” fashion at end of Tennessee-LSU game.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that SEC football coaches are tarnished by the Les Miles touch.
• Mark Ingram’s game last year against South Carolina propelled him toward the Heisman, writes Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Rested, but is South Carolina ready? asks Michael Casagrande of the Anniston Star.
• Dr. Saturday has the new Ole Miss mascot designs.
• It has been a rough go for Georgia, writes John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC: League praises officials in Tennessee-LSU game’

Auburn

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News thinks Florida would be much better with Cameron Newton.
• Florida’s Fun N’ Gun more run, run, run, reports Izzy Gould of the Birmingham News.
• Despite defenses knowing what’s coming, Bama’s wildcat has been very effective, writes Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Florida’s Trey Burton is a triple threat, writes Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald.
• David Jones of Florida Today reports that John Brantley faces a huge test in the Alabama defense.
• Mississippi State’s Dee Bost is still waiting on an answer from the NCAA, reports Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal.
• Georgia’s A.J. Green explains his jersey sale, reports Tim Tucker of the AJC.
• With Tennessee up next, LSU’s John Chavis has no time for nostalgia, writes Scott Rabalais of The Advocate.
• Matt Simms is surviving the SEC school of hard knocks, writes David Climer of the Tennessean.
• Gus Malzahn’s Auburn offense is more than just finesse, writes David Morrison of the Opelika News.

SEC links for Thursday:

• Man who bought A.J. Green’s jersey is facing felony drug charges, reports Mark Schlabach of espn.com.
• South Carolina cuts ties with tight end Weslye Saunders, reports Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier.
• Tennessee seems to have forgotten about tight end Luke Stocker, reports Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Mike Hamilton is taking a risk in Bruce Pearl, writes Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Freshman Mike Dyer could emerge as Auburn’s lead running back, writes Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser.
• Young SEC running backs are upping the hype, writes John Zenor of the Associated Press.
• Florida no longer a lock to win the SEC East, but challengers are uncertain, writes Doug Segrest of the Birmingham News.
• Arkansas is not dwelling on its road woes, writes Robbie Neiswanger of the Arkansas News.
• No Wild Rebel so far for Ole Miss, writes Parrish Alford of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal.
• Florida quarterback John Brantley is gaining confidence, writes Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.