John Clay’s Sidelines

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel thinks Brandon Spikes is a YouTube victim.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Les Miles has passed Nick Saban at LSU.
• Jeff Schultz of the AJC thinks the Georgia football program is on autopilot.
• Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free Press wonders if Georgia is in desperation mode.
• Auburn’s Zac Etheridge talks about the injury he suffered in Auburn’s 33-20 win over Ole Miss.

Auburn safety Zac Etheridge

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Is Brandon Spikes a YouTube victim?’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Chris Low of espn.com reports that the NCAA calls Alabama a “serial repeat violator.”
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that the NCAA remembers Alabama’s past sins.
• Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News reports on the release of Alabama’s rebuttal to the NCAA.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Lane Kiffin’s quarterback loyalty is a worthy selling point.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Tennessee seems to be back on a successful path.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate reports that Les Miles is still looking for answers at LSU.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC hands Georgia a mid-season report card.
• David Ching of the Athens Banner-Herald writes that Georgia needs to change the culture.
• Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that the Mark Richt era is much like the Phil Fulmer era.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: NCAA calls Alabama a “serial” violator’

SEC links for Saturday:

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes that Steve Spurrier has gone from Gator to traitor.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Spurrier’s Tebow omission brings questions about coaches’ top 252 poll.
• Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger writes that Spurrier’s snafu reveals a flawed system.
• Pat Forde of espn.com writes that Spurrier can now be an agent of change.
• Ron Morris of The State writes that the Tebow snub is meaningless.
• But Jeff Schultz of the AJC is just not buying it.
• Jemele Hill of espn.com writes that Tim Tebow practices what he preaches.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun reports that these were not fun days for Spurrier.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Spurrier’s snub produces a poll debate’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Tennessee media is reporting on Bruce Pearl’s engagement. Report: “Telling fans he wants to remain at Tennessee, Pearl introduced his fiancee Brandy Miller during a stop in her hometown of Sevierville by saying, “If you think I’m leaving that for Memphis, you’re crazy.”
• Drew Edwards of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Pearl and Lane Kiffin are on a working road trip. Edwards: Kiffin and Pearl, who teased each other during appearances along the way Monday, have gotten to know one another during the last three weeks on the road speaking to various alumni groups around the state and the southeast. “It’s like being with a rock star. Some interesting stories I can’t tell on TV,” Kiffin said of traveling with Pearl. “Being around our people, that’s been unbelievable.”
• Paul Finebaum writes in the Mobile Press-Register that Auburn is on the prowl for attention. Finebaum: “And the most peculiar thing was seeing Nick Saban desperately searching for a way to explain a recruiting trick that he didn’t think of first. Before an alumni function in Birmingham Thursday night, the first question from the media was about Tiger Prowl. Two days earlier in Memphis, Saban was asked the same question. Both times, Saban looked and sounded as if he had just been waterboarded.”
• In The Advocate, Kyle Whitfield writes on LSU coach Les Miles and the Twitter craze. Whitfield: Les Miles congratulated top-three NFL draft pick Tyson Jackson, wished former LSU wide receiver Demetrius Byrd a speedy recovery after his car accident and bragged about the Tigers’ performance in the annual spring football game. The LSU football coach did all that not at a news conference or radio interview, but during a five-day span using his new Twitter account.”

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Bruce Pearl’s rules of engagement’

SEC links for Friday:

• At Fox Sports, college basketball writer Jeff Goodman says Florida basketball is close to finishing its rebuilding project.

• In the Tennessean, Mike Organ reports that the Music City Bowl may not be the poor draw some feared.

• The Knoxville News-Sentinel is reporting that ex-Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson will be named head coach at Bowling Green.

• Birmingham News columnist Ray Melick thinks Auburn may be flirting with disaster in its coaching search.

• Meanwhile, Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser reports that Auburn officials were in Texas talking to TCU coach Gary Patterson on Thursday.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Florida hoops project almost done’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• A discerning reader sent along this link to an Orlando Sentinel blog that contends SEC football in 2008 stinks like an Alabama pig farm. You’ll love the accompanying art.

• In the Huntsville Times, Gentry Estes writes that Alabama’s defense carries a long to-do list into Saturday’s SEC title game with Florida. It’s what makes this tilt so interesting: Bama’s rock’em-sock ‘em defense against Florida’s speed-oriented offense.

• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun points out the size difference between Alabama’s Terrence Cody and Florida’s Jeff Demps. There’s even a chart.

• In the AJC, via AP, comes the report on Georgia’s 67-63 loss to Western Kentucky in men’s hoops. Has been quite a week for the Hilltoppers. First the win over Louisville on Sunday. Now a beating of the Bulldogs.

• Can’t get enough Lane Kiffin news? Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean writes that the new Tennessee coach’s record doesn’t quite tell it all.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: SEC stinks like an Alabama pig farm’

SEC links for Thursday:

Joe Schiefelbein reports in The Advocate that LSU coach Les Miles denies ever calling Nick Saban “the devil.”

Clarion-Ledger columnist Rick Cleveland writes about Mississippi State fans who want Sylvester Croom gone.

Tennessean columnist Joe Biddle writes that UNC coach Butch Davis is the best fit for Tennessee.

Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes about Jai Lucas decision to transfer from Florida.

Ian Rapoport writes in the Birmingham News that Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson’s goal is to beat LSU and Auburn.

Mike Herndon writes in the Mobile Press-Register about Vanderbilt wide receiver George Smith, who after surviving a life-threatening illness, has reached out to a Mobile family.

In The State, Joseph Person writes about South Carolina’s Marvin Sapp, who is making the most of his senior season.

Bob Holt writes in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that John Pelphrey is putting a lot on his Arkansas guards.

Knoxville News-Sentinel John Adams writes that her love of practice and her young team keep Pat Summitt spry.

Robbie Andreu writes in the Gainesville Sun that the Florida secondary has made a nice recovery.

Mark Bradley writes in the AJC that Georgia Tech’s 7-2 season has been better than Georgia’s 7-2 season.

SEC links for Monday:

Nick Saban

Tony Barnhart writes in the AJC that we could be headed for the best SEC Championship Game ever.

Alson in the AJC, Tim Tucker writes that Mark Richt is “sick” about Georgia’s loss to Florida.

Robbie Andreu writes in the Gainesville Sun that Florida is just focused on reaching Atlanta.

In the Huntsville Times, Gentry Estes writes that now Alabama is No. 1, the Tide can turn attention to Nick Saban’s return to Baton Rouge.

Randy Rosetta writes in The Advocate that LSU is in the spoiler role.

Doing double duty, Rosetta also writes that it won’t be a normal week for Saban or Les Miles.

Cecil Hurt writes in the Tuscaloosa News that Alabama is shaking the November blues.

Kevin Scarbinsky writes in the Birmingham News that Tommy Tuberville suggests the end of his tenure could be near.

In his blog, Clarion-Leger columnist Rick Cleveland weighs in on Tuberville.

Joe Person reports for The State that South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier thinks injured quarterback Stephen Garcia will be ok.

In the midst of Tennessee’s turmoil, Phil Fulmer is trying to stay strong, writes the Tennessean’s Bryan Mullen.

John Adams writes in the Knoxville News-Sentinel that Tennessee fans are happy to offer suggestions for a new Vols coach.

Brandon Marcello writes in the NW Arkansas Times that newcomer Montrello McDonald is making a good first impression with the Razorbacks.