John Clay's Sidelines

Bart Starr

SEC links for Sunday:

• George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel asks what has Tim Tebow done to deserve all this hate?
• Bryce Brown and Jeremiah Masoli show the system needs changing, writes Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun.
• Heisman winner Mark Ingram being pushed by Trent Richardson at Alabama, writes Michael Casagrande of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Some fall camp story lines for South Carolina, presented by Joseph Person of The State.
• Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald presents five questions for Georgia pre-season.
• Glenn Guilbeau of the Shreveport Times has five questions for LSU’s fall camp.
• Bart Starr returns to his old high school, reports Wesley Lyle of the Montgomery Advertiser.
• Houston Nutt has to roll the dice with Jeremiah Masoli, writes Mike Herndon of the Mobile Press-Register.
• Quarterback situation is the big issue for Ole Miss, reports David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Dan Mullen hopes big Egg Bowl win will carry over for Mississippi State, reports Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Why all the hate for Tim Tebow?’

SEC links for Sunday:

• Is Tennessee tough enough to make it to the men’s Final Four? Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel asks the question.
• Tennessee women suffer a surprising defeat, reports Dan Fleser of the News-Sentinel.
• David Climer of the Tennessean on Tennessee center Brian Williams’ second chance.
• Steven Pearl has proven invaluable, writes Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Orlando Sentinel report on Florida’s Urban Meyer apologizing to Sentinel reporter Jeremy Fowler.
• Mike Bianchi of the Sentinel wants to know where’s the apology from the Florida reporters?
• Mike Herndon of the Mobile Press-Register says Auburn has entered Tony Barbee’s world.
• Leave the NCAA Tournament alone, says Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC on Georgia’s first spring football scrimmage.
• Alabama’s Mark Ingram must deal with more attention, writes A. Stacy Long of the Montgomery Advertiser.

Greg Byrne

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Greg Byrne leaving AD post at Mississippi State for Arizona, reports Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Byrne left his mark in Starkville, writes Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal writes that State is disappointed with Byrne’s decision.

• Auburn will interview North Texas coach Johnny Jones, reports Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News.

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel thinks a Florida receiver should repent after dissing Tim Tebow.

• AP reports that father of Alabama’s Mark Ingram will serve more prison time.

• The State reports that ex-Carolina coach Dave Odom may be a candidate at Charlotte.

• Dan Fleser of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on Lady Vols’ drubbing of Dayton to reach Sweet 16.

• Georgia’s Lady Bulldogs reach the Sweet 16, reports Jack Magrudger of the Athens Banner-Herald.

• Duke women surge past LSU, reports Scott Hotard of The Advocate.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Byrne leaving Mississippi State for Arizona’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Pat Forde of espn.com on the SEC’s dominance in the BCS title games.
• Mark Schlabach of the espn.com on Alabama’s offensive line.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press on short-handed Tennessee basketball’s win.
• Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel reports that Tennessee had a lot to prove.
• Mike Strange of the News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee got an assist from its fans.
• In the Birmingham News, Kevin Scarbinsky writes that this is no time to stop believing.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register updates the status of Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Can the SEC make it four in a row?’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that a 7-footer will make debut with Mississippi State tonight.
• Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News reports on changes to SEC football schedules.
• Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes on Tennessee basketball’s win over Wyoming.
• Joe Person of The State reports that Steve Spurrier did not like losing his offensive line coach.
• Clay Travis is no fan of the New York Times’ George Vecsey when it comes to the Tennessee scandal.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: State 7-footer makes debut tonight’

SEC links for Sunday:

Pete Thamel of the New York Times reports on the Tennessee hostess scandal: “Also on Friday, Keith Easterwood, a veteran summer basketball coach, said that on a visit last year with his son, a football recruit, he had to ask a hostess to stop brushing her breasts against both him and his son. He recalled saying, ‘Young lady, if you don’t stop doing that, we’ve got a problem.’”

Andy Staples of SI.com has incriminating evidence on the Vols: “After Byrnes High finished its 60-7 route of Gaffney on Sept. 25 in Duncan, S.C., people poured out of the stands to celebrate the victory. On the field, Rebels star defensive ends Corey Miller and Brandon Willis mugged for the cameras with a pair of young women who seemed overdressed for a high school football game played in the rain. The women’s names were Lacey Earps and Dahra Johnson, and both are members of Orange Pride, a student group that provides hosts for football recruits at the University of Tennessee.”

Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News on Mark Ingram winning the Heisman: “The biggest myth in Alabama football history used to be Forrest Gump. And then Mark Ingram ran from Atlanta to Atlanta and didn’t stop until he reached New York. The sophomore steadily and single-handedly shattered a bigger myth.You know the one. It says Alabama doesn’t care about the Heisman Trophy.”

Edward Ashcoff of the Gainesville Sun reports that Charlie Strong’s exit is hurting Florida’s recruiting: “Losing Charlie Strong as a defensive coordinator certainly puts Florida in a bind, but it also changes a few of Florida’s recruiting tactics. Strong was known for his ability to develop linebackers throughout his career, but he was also instrumental in recruiting each of them. With him gone – and no predecessor named – Florida could feel a bit of a sting in recruiting on the defensive side of the ball.”

Continue reading ‘SEC links: More hostess allegations at Tennessee’

SEC links for Friday:

(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes that not even Tim Tebow can make it cool to do the right thing: ” Last Sunday night, preparing to do ‘The Zone’ on ABC 33/40 with Mike Raita and guest co-host Charles Barkley, Raita asked the question, ‘Has Tim Tebow made it cool to do the right thing?’ Barkley quickly answered, ‘No. First of all, there’s a lot of guys doing the right thing. But it’s a lot easier to follow the bad guy.’”

Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that there is a playoff feel at the Georgia Dome: “Florida is fabulous. Alabama is fabulous. They’ll meet Saturday at the Georgia Dome, and the country will be riveted, and what a shame we can’t have games like this every year. Or, that we choose not to. That’s a better way to put it. We could have games like this every year if college football had a real playoff.”

Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun says title game is tough to pick: “I have said all along this is a coin-flip game, two teams that are very similar even if they go about doing things in different ways. The loss of Carlos Dunlap has to hurt Florida, but the Gators will not lose this game because of his absence. If they lose, it will be because Alabama is better this year.”

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Alabama-Florida headed for the big game’

SEC links for Monday:

• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that Nick Saban has waited all year for a shot at Florida.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun gives seven storylines for Tide-Gators.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register reports that Bama’s Mark Ingram intends to play against the Gators.
• ESPN’s Chris Low is already looking at a possible Florida-Alabama rematch.
• Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post writes that Tim Tebow is entering the final leg of his legacy.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Alabama has had all year to think about Florida’

SEC links for Friday:

• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun previews today’s Florida-Michigan State hoops matchup.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that Tennessee has protected Jonathon Crompton well.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that there’s a grim big picture at Georgia.
• Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald reports on Georgia’s challenge facing Georgia Tech offense.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News thinks Alabama’s Mark Ingram may be on the verge of Hesiman history.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Gene Chizik is back in the Iron Bowl.
• Ron Morris of The State writes that a change is needed in South Carolina’s rivalry.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith writes it’s not personal, it’s business for Bruce Pearl.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes on Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon.
• David Jones of Florida Today writes that seniors add legacy for Urban Meyer.

Monte Kiffin

SEC links for Happy Turkey Day:

• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Austin Ward reports that Tennessee wants to tame Kentucky’s wildcat.
• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes on Lane and Monte Kiffin.
• Wes Rucker of the Times Free Press reports on the Tennessee kicker try-out.
• Writing for the Advocate, Adam Zagoria reports on LSU’s lopsided loss to Connecticut in the NIT.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Auburn’s Ben Tate is making memories, while Bama’s Mark Ingram is making history.
• Also in the News, Ray Melick writes that Tate shouldn’t apologize for thinking he’s the best.
• Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser reports that Auburn is eager to face Alabama defense.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that Georgia fans tell Tech fans to shut up and deal.
• ESPN’s Chris Low breaks down the SEC quarterbacks.

• Continue reading ‘SEC links: Tennessee wants to stop UK’s wildcat’