John Clay’s Sidelines

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Writing for the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum says that it was Lane Kiffin, not Nick Saban, who proved that Urban Meyer is mortal.
• Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Kiffin is again critical of Meyer.
• Jeff Schultz of the AJC writes that Meyer is also ranked No. 1 in excuses.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun reports that Florida is going back to basics.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC gives five reasons why Georgia should demote Willie Martinez.
• Gentry Estes writes in the Huntsville Times that Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett is a mighty challenge for Bama.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Meyer, Kiffin still throwing verbal jabs’

SEC links for Friday:

• Mashaun D. Simon of the AJC reports that ex-Centre president Michael Adams, now at Georgia, could be candidate for NCAA’s top spot.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that the real public outrage is the thrashing of Jonathon Crompton.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Florida’s defense is tough on job security.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun reports that Florida is ready to match wits with UT’s Monte Kiffin.
• Chris Harry of the Orlando Sentinel writes on the personal problem of former UF quarterback John Reaves.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Ex-Centre president could head NCAA’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that Florida hasn’t forgotten Lane Kiffin’s “Rocky Top” quote.
• George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel thinks there is some jealousy involved with Kiffin.
• Chris Low of ESPN writes that it’s time for Kiffin to face the consequences.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that UT receiver Gerald Jones denies rift with Jonathon Crompton.
• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean writes that Florida’s Tim Tebow redefines tough.
• AP reports that Jacksonville Jags’ owner says he’s considering drafting Tebow.
• David Jones of Florida Today reports that Deonte Thompson has Florida’s trust.
• Josh Bean of the Mobile Press-Register wonders if high school coaches are the new college coaching trend.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Kiffin to face the consequences?’

SEC links for Friday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that NCAA has ruled that star MSU basketball recruit Renardo Sidney is “non-certified.”
• Robbie Neiswanger of Morning News reports that Arkansas coach John Pelphrey promises appropriate action will be taken regarding players involvement in a fraternity party.
• Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean writes that ex-Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis has found a good fit at LSU.
• Scott Hotard of The Advocate writes about Vandy’s new no-huddle offense.
• Joe Person  of The State writes that South Carolina is preparing for multiple Georgia quarterbacks.
• But Tim Tucker of the AJC reports that Joe Cox will start at quarterback for the Bulldogs.
• Chris Low of ESPN writes that Georgia faces a must-win in week two.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: NCAA rules Renardo Sidney non-certified’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Seth Emerson of The State writes that ACC-SEC rivalry adds to South Carolina-N.C. State opener.
• Tony Barnhart of the AJC looks at how rowdy it might get for Georgia in Stillwater.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Memphis wants to rock Ole Miss’ world.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is good to go.
• ESPN’s Chris Low offers watch to watch in the SEC for Week 1.
• Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes that after the NCAA ruling, it’s “game on” for Alabama.
• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean writes that Vandy coach Bobby Johnson knows this opponent well.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Lane Kiffin was unhappy with Tennessee’s Wednesday practice.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Tennessee quarterback Jonathon Crompton is confident again.
• Randy Rosetta writes in The Advocate that LSU is working on a new offensive wrinkle.

SEC links for Friday:

• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean writes that college football fans deserve to see coaches’ votes.
• David Climer of the Tennessean blogs that Vandy baseball does it the right way.
• Climer columnizes that UT quarterback Jonathon Crompton deserves praise for handling death threats.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that UT coach Lane Kiffin will get more play on ESPN.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes on LSU baseball’s dynamic duo.
• Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger writes about Ole Miss’ amazin’ Mort at short.
• Nate Allen of the NW Arkansas Times writes that Arkansas baseball is hoping to repeat history at Florida State.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Fans deserve to see coaches’ poll votes’

SEC links for Saturday:

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that despite his two rings, Florida’s Urban Meyer could learn a thing or two from Auburn’s Gene Chizik.
• Tony Barnhart of the AJC writes on the Urban Meyer-Auburn issue.
• In the Gainesville Sun, Pat Dooley writes on Phil Mickelson’s round of golf with Tim Tebow.
• Also in the Birmingham News, Ray Melick writes that APR is the biggest game that coaches play.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate reports on LSU’s 10-1 trouncing of Florida in baseball.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Leger reports on Mississippi State baseball’s upset win over Ole Miss.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Should Urban Meyer apologize to Auburn?’

SEC links for Friday:

• Ron Morris of The State wonders if empty seats might be looming at Williams-Brice Stadium.
• In the Huntsville Times, Tommy Hicks reports that Ken Stabler will no longer work the Alabama radio booth.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC reports that the son of Georgia coach Mark Richt has picked a new school.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee quarterback Jonathon Crompton has found it a challenge to keep his edge.
• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News reports that Alabama running back Roy Upchurch is back.
• Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser writes that Mike Slade has shown well in the Auburn secondary.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Could empty seats be looming at USC?’

SEC links for Sunday:

• J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today reports on Vandy’s loss to Maryland in NCAA Women’s Tournament, leaving no more league teams left in the men’s or women’s tournament.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate reports on LSU’s baseball win over Ole Miss.
• State columnist Ron Morris lists the 10 most influential figures in USC athletic history.
• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News writes that Alabama football coach Nick Saban is impressed with new Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant.
• News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky wonders if Grant is a better choice than Missouri’s Mike Anderson.
• The News’ Charles Goldberg reports on Auburn’s eighth NCAA swimming title.
• Tennessean columnist Joe Biddle writes that Vandy pulls a smart play on baseball field.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun reports that Florida football is looking for playmakers.
• Drew Edwards of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that UT quarterback Jonathon Crompton says he’s having more fun this spring.
• News-Sentinel columnist John Adams writes that Tennessee must spring ahead to forget bad memories.
• In the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Tom Murphy writes that quarterback Ryan Mallett was impressive in Razorbacks scrimmage.
• Michael Carvell of the AJC reports that Joe Montana and his son Nick, a top prep quarterback, visited Georgia.

SEC links for Monday:

• Mike Bianchi writes in the Orlando Sentinel that Urban Meyer embarrassed Steve Spurrier in a way once thought unimaginable. “Seeing Spurrier coming back to The Swamp and getting clobbered was like watching an aging Sinatra returning to the Sands and forgetting the words to ‘My Way.’”

• Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley writes that this Florida roll is the greatest we’ve ever seen. “You talk all week about how tough a game it’s going to be and — BAM! — you look up and it’s 21-0. You worry about the guy in the visor and staying focused and — BAM! — nobody’s going to catch him and it’s 35-3. You spend the week with a sick feeling in your stomach because you’ve been watching this amazing South Carolina defense and — BAM! — you’ve won the game by half-a-hundred.”

• In the Gainesville Sun, Robbie Andreu writes that Florida is trying to keep perspective during its streak of smashing foes. “Meyer has given much of the credit for his team’s focus and intensity during this remarkable streak to the work the Gators have put in every week on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially Tuesday, the hardest and most physically demanding practice of the week.”

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Alabama’s dream season is about to meet its worst nightmare. “At the end of the day, at the end of the regular season, at the end of every Alabama person’s worst nightmare, there’s Auburn. There’s Auburn, going the distance on the first snap and going crazy, stacking bodies and sacks on the Alabama quarterback, raising one finger after another and sending the blood pressure of Alabama players, coaches and supporters to the moon.”

• Also in the Birmingham News, Ray Melick writes that it was too bad either Georgia or Auburn had to win their game. “Then there are games such as Auburn-Georgia, a game so full of mistakes that the winning coach, the Bulldogs’ Mark Richt, said afterward: ‘Neither team played good enough to win.’”

• Jeff Schultz of the AJC writes that Georgia lacks coaching, discipline. “They don’t play smart. They sputter too often on offense. They miss tackles on defense. They commit so many infractions it’s a wonder no official has suffered a torn rotator cuff from throwing so many penalty flags.”

• Maurice Patton writes in The Tennessean that getting that sixth win, over UK, probably locks up a bowl invite for Vanderbilt. “That means there’s a good chance there won’t be enough qualified SEC teams to fill all of the bowl tie-ins. In that environment, their 5-0 start and underdog story line makes Vanderbilt an attractive option for bowl officials, said Perry Winstead, chief financial officer for the Liberty Bowl, to be played Jan. 2 in Memphis.”

• Drew Edwards reports in the Knoxville News-Sentinel that Jonathon Crompton will start at quarterback for Tennessee against Vandy. “Crompton has played in each of UT’s last two games and engineered UT’s lone scoring drive in a 13-7 loss to Wyoming on Nov. 8. Against the Cowboys, Crompton was 11-of-27 for 91 yards and a touchdown.”

• Randy Rosetta writes in The Advocate that LSU could use its comeback win over Troy as a springboard. “Now what remains to be seen and what could become a huge factor in the final two chapters of LSU’s 2008 season is how do the Tigers respond from their biggest rally in the modern era?”

• The State reports that Penn State spoiled the debut of new USC women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley. “In the first half, the Gamecocks suffered from poor shooting, hitting 5-of-28 from the field. ‘Coming into the season, I knew we would struggle to score,’ Staley said.

• And in the Herald-Leader, Chip Cosby writes that UK needs the bye week to heal some bruises. “Brooks said that the Wildcats will be without two defensive regulars for the Tennessee game. Starting free safety Marcus McClinton is out with a severe laceration on his quadriceps, while backup defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin will miss the game with a high ankle sprain.”