Mitchell: SEC Media Days - Day 1 Notes

The madness continues... The new kids on the block make a splash, the Head Ball Coach making waves, and a Tiger receiver upstaging everyone.

By Russ Mitchell
Follow me @russmitchellcfb


Day One This was perhaps the least insightful presentation by commish Mike Slive to kickoff an SEC Media Days in ten years. He said virtually nothing, although he did take the opportunity to quote Churchill, Shakespeare and Ali. Disappointing. When he has 1,200 reporters in a room at one time, we would hope he would take advantage of the opportunity to convey his more important points.

He skirted the issue of the new broadcasting deal (which he now calls Project SEC), but it was interesting that Slive mentioned the now called SEC Syndicated (third option) broadcast reach is up to 80M people. That’s nice growth for that game. Slive also mentioned that under his watch, the revenue for each member school has tripled. Been a good decade.

Mizzou WR T.J. Moe has a lot of confidence. Among his many quotes was this little diddy: “We (Big 12) put our best athletes on offense, they (SEC) put their best athletes on defense.” Hm… Appreciate his honesty. While I understand it’s an opinion, there’s a good chance this will get passed around the SEC a bit.

Some more Moe, just because they’re classic: “It’s not all 12 (SEC teams before A&M & Mizzou) who are dominating everybody; It’s one or two (teams). The rest are kind of…average.” C’mon that’s funny.

Mo Moe (which I’m thinking about changing my Twitter handle to): when repeatedly asked about the SEC and its "better" football... "They've (SEC) also got prettier girls, the air's fresher and the toilet paper's thicker."

Someone needs to remind Moe that “they” is “us”.

One last Moe, because the kid's very quotable: “Don't think we're 5 year old kids running around without a helmet. (Missouri's) ready to compete.”

Not a particularly good start for Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel who defended Joe Paterno for his “greatness”. Hm… Appreciate his honesty. However, it might be a bit early for that…if ever. Just saying.

A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin avoided all questions about the size of his starting defensive line, which averages 275 lbs, and how it will compensate in an SEC with an average offensive lineman ~6-4, 310 pounds.

Now heard it from two different, reliable sources - that UGA will play everyone but Commings in the Mizzou game. Getting ready to call it. Calls into UGA yet to be returned.

Still, it’s abundantly clear that Missouri will be VERY ready for the UGA visit. Everyone we spoke with from Missouri is extremely focused on September 8. Hm… Now if they could just get a defensive lineman on the roster north of 295 pounds…

In a very proud profession, there are few coaches that carry themselves with the swagger that Vandy coach James Franklin does. It’s infectious. Hm… Arkansas and Tennessee are circling…

Steve Spurrier is up to his usual tricks. When asked about Georgia’s schedule, the Head Ball Coach replied, “If I made the schedule, Georgia (would) be playing LSU and we'd be playing Ole Miss.” Hm… He just zinged two programs with one quote.

The Head Ball Coach is turning into the Old Ball Coach before our very eyes… Although he’s still the most interesting interview in the SEC. Next to Moe.

Vandy quarterback Jordan Rodgers was asked the most important thing he learned last year. His response? “Get down when I run.” Vandy…the smartest school in the SEC.

ESPN yesterday predicted the Gamecocks season at 11-1. Wow. I see 9-3...maybe even 8-4. Too many questions marks at every unit except DL, not to mention life without DC Ellis Johnson (now head coach of USM). Given the brutal stretch on the schedule between UGA and Arkansas, and that three of those teams will be pass heavy (against SC’s biggest weakness: DBs)… Can’t see 11 wins.

Mizzou coach Pinkel said that quarterback James Franklin’s shoulder is “good; ahead of schedule”, and that he expects him back at 100% for the start of the season.

Day Two today… Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, LSU and Mississippi State.

Follow Russ at SEC Media Days @russmitchellcfb