SEC football talk, news and discussion.
Texas A&M defensive linesman Polo Manukainiu was killed in a car crash on Monday night, according to FanSided. The player, who redshirted in the 2012 season, was reportedly driving back from Utah to Texas when the accident happened. He was a 3-star defensive linesman, and played for Trinity High School in Euless, Texas. He was recruited by Oklahoma, Arkansas, and UCLA amongst others.
Read moreThe Florida State attorney’s office has decided not to charge Florida’s Antonio Morrison after the talented linebacker was arrested for barking at a police dog on Saturday night, according to Gator Nation. Yes, we’re serious. To misquote Snoop Doggy Dogg – barking at a police dog was the case that they gave him. “To be fair, law enforcement officers are not lawyers or fully aware of what the courts require. Nonetheless, and fair or not, their decisions must meet those standards,” said state attorney William Cervone said, adding that he dropped the charges after seeing the police video. “The charge of interfering with a police animal requires malice, and none exists. lt also requires that the animal be engaged in
Read moreToday was the banner day for the SEC Media Days, with three of the biggest coaches in the conference – and college football taking the podium. Sorry, James Franklin of Vanderbilt, we’re talking about Alabama’s Nick Saban, Georgia’s Mark Richt, and the ever-quotable Les Miles of LSU (if he needs further introduction). In an effort to kick things off with a bang, we’ll start with Les Miles. And no, he didn’t bring any grass with him. LES MILES (LSU) On Jeremy Hill, who’s been suspended indefinitely after getting into a fight in a car park, which he pled guilty for: “Jeremy Hill has a legal entanglement. At this point in time he remains indefinitely suspended. I have a track record with really disciplining
Read moreWell, it was over early – unlike a lot of Johnny Manziel’s evenings this off-season. The Heisman-winning quarterback buzzed into the SEC Media Days, faced the media, and buzzed out. We would go in-depth about his riveting and enchanting interviews, but instead, we’ll pick out the best bits from everybody on the podium in Hoover, AL. JOHNNY MANZIEL On getting booted out of the Manning Camp: “I simply overslept. There’s nothing more to talk, and the rumors about the other things weren’t really true….Hearing Eli and Peyton afterward and the key thing was they wanted me to come back next year, that was great because I had such a great time working with the kids I had and doing some things we do at A&M.
Read moreThe second day of SEC Media Days is going to be a firecracker – and that’s because Johnny Manziel’s in the house. The Texas A&M quarterback – together with coach Kevin Sumlin and other players, will be visiting Hoover, Al. (as will cohorts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn and Mississippi State), and here’s what we expect everybody to say: Johnny Manziel: To make some excuse about being dehydrated, ill, and tired as a reason for leaving the Manning camp early. He’ll also say that he made his apologies to all the Mannings, and offered to wash Peyton’s shoes for him. He’ll also say that he’s excited about the 2013 season, but not say anything too lively. Kevin Sumlin (Texas A&M):
Read moreAs usual, the SEC Media Days opened with a bang with Commissioner Mike Slive, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, Florida’s Will Muschamp, Missouri’s Gary Pinkel and Ole Miss’ Hugh Freeze all on the podium to face a rabid media…….and ESPN’s College Football Live, which will be spending every waking hour in Hoover, Al. for the next three days. THE BEST THINGS THAT HAPPENED 1) Muschamp on Ohio State reporting Florida for NCAA violations: “Thanks to our Ohio friends. They certainly know a lot about NCAA violations.” We like this because a) He didn’t refer to Ohio by their proper name: Ohio State. And b) He referred to ‘Tatttoogate’, without referring to it. Made us laugh, anyway. 2) Twitter during Muschamp‘s
Read moreWe’ve gone crazy on our Twitter feed about the fact that ESPN has decided in its infinite wisdom to make the South Carolina vs Georgia grudge-match at 4.30pm kick-off time – a time despised by most tailgaters and college football fans who don’t tie themselves to a TV during the whole of a Saturday. We can only think that it’s because ESPN’s prime-time game on Week 1 is Georgia’s trip to Clemson, which will be an 8pm kick-off. Oh, and CBS is making Alabama vs Texas A&M in the searing heat a 3.30pm kick-off, unsurprisingly. And College Station will be loud enough for that one. Anyway, here’s the full schedule. DATE GAME
Read moreVanderbilt has released the names of the four Commodores players booted off the team in an investigation of a sexual assault. They are: Freshmen Tip McKenzie, Corey Batey and Brandon Banks. The fourth was transfer from junior college – tight end Brandon Vandenburg. All four players would have contributed to the team, says Vanderbilt blog ‘Anchor of Gold‘ – although Vandenburg – rated one of the country’s best juco tight ends – was the only potential starter. The alleged incident happened in a dorm room earlier this year, and is currently being investigated by the Sex Crimes Unit. Vanderbilt coach James Franklin – who is bound to get questions asked about this when he takes the podium during the SEC
Read moreIf you get a college football scholarship, you’re lucky. Well, for Kentucky running back Josh Clemons, it’s a curse. The Courier-Journal has reported that Clemons – a sophomore – will miss the whole of the 2013 season after he ruptured his achilles tendon during workouts on Friday. “We are extremely disappointed for Josh because he has worked so hard and come so far,” UK coach Mark Stoops said in a statement. “He ran well during the spring and was eager to contribute this season. We are hopeful for a full recovery and look forward to his return to the field.” He had a solid start to his UK career, putting up 279 yards and 2 TDs before injury cut his
Read moreIt’s Day 1 of the SEC Media Days in Hoover, Alabama, and with Florida, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Missouri talking, it should be a bright start – especially with Steve Spurrier doing some mouthing. So we expect these coaches to be talking about these things: From Steve Spurrier (South Carolina): He’ll point out that South Carolina beat Georgia last year, but didn’t go to the SEC Championship Game. He’ll blame the tough 2012 schedule – but he’s not going to mention the 2013 one, where the Gamecocks don’t play Alabama, LSU or Texas A&M (we can only dream of Jadeveon Clowney vs Johnny Manziel). He’ll also point out that players need to get paid to play college football (his usual rant),
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