Willie Tee
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Common sense is lacking in most people.
Let's see, oh yea, Charlie Weis. Looser @ Notre Dame, Looser @ Florida, Last I heard, Looser @ Kansas..
At least Bob Stoops has a winning record as a head coach. I have respect for Bob Stoops and can appreciate what he said. The truth is, the traditional cellar-dwellers in the SEC aren't any better than the best teams in any other league.
Isn't that what he said?
Charlie couldn't hack it @ ND and was looking for a way outta Gainsville before getting canned when Kansas came calling. Bet the AD at UK would like to have that one back...
@ConnGator @WillieT I think it is difficult for leagues to put such a challenge together given that OOC scheduling has historically been left to the schools. Besides, would you really want to see your Gators face their regular SEC gauntlet with LSU from the West AND Bama from the west while also playing Texas or Oregon? OK, YEA, you'd love to SEE it but would coaches really want to do that? Realistically, I'd say if they don't think they need the added SOS, they'd rather opt out and play La Tech.
I am not sold on the 9-game conference schedule. While there are ups & downs with every team and within every conference, when you look at those programs that are currently at the top and competing for the BCS championship, THOSE teams are playing 8 league games & usually at least one quality non-conference game (at least attempting to with a marquee opponent). You think UGA wants to play 9 league games, plus Ga Tech, plus the SECCG just for a chance @ the BCSNCG (or playoffs)?
With all due respect to coach Saban (Roll Tide!), Bama's got Ole Miss & MSU on the slate every year. Please, I'm not dissing on the teams from Mississippi, but historically, they've been on the bottom half of the SEC. Adding a 9th means Bama would play, from the east UT plus potentially TWO of the other East powers, same as before expanding to 14 teams. In seasons where they potentially play two of the East weaker programs, Bama could still consider going out and scheduling a neutral site game against say Oklahoma or Nebraska or Michigan or Ohio State to bolster their strength of schedule. UK may not be UTC or North Texas (historically speaking) but with an eye toward the playoffs & national title implications, Coach Saban's support for a 9-game league schedule actually makes his job easier. 3 or 4 years out of 7, you have quality league games (from a SOS standpoint) which means only having to line up 3 or 4 quality OOC games during that stretch.
From the standpoint of the lower half of the SEC, not so much. While EVERY program wants to put a quality product on the field (better games => better fan support => better booster support => more revenue), no one seriously wants to watch their team get beaten and beaten up time and time again. Call 'em patsies if you want, but struggling programs need a little more scheduling flexibility.
Consider UK. Coach Stoops is going to work his hind end off to build a winning program that can compete for the SEC East and conference crowns. Right now, he needs to bag some wins. UK fans don't seriously expect the Wildcast to defeat USC, UF, or UGA in 2013. But in 2014? Maybe not a win but certainly they'd like to see them put a scare into one of the east powerhouses and by 2016, a "Signature win" will be needed if Stoops is to continue hauling in quality recruiting classes. Realistically, if Stoops can lay the foundation and start getting those wins, then UK can work on strengthening their OOC schedule. I'll bet UK fans would be down right full of themselves if in 2017 Stoops has the Wildcats in the SECCG. They wouldn't even need to be competitive in that game - just be IN IT! If playing three patsies makes that possible, then go for it.
All in all, I think that if the league remains at 8 games, those programs hoping to make the playoffs will find a way to strengthen their schedules with quality OOC opponents. Those that are more concerned with just making it to a bowl game, will schedule accordingly.
Great Idea. Consider as well the new SEC Network that is in the works. This would be great content. Other schools could work up similar games. Think Mizzou vs Bama or Kentucky vs LSU all in the Bluff city, maybe even on the same weekend.
After talking to several UT fans, it seems to me that they are satisfied with the way the offense has performed. While not outstanding, it is definitely capable of putting up points on just about anyone. So while folk around Knoxville may not be happy with Dooley, they seem to want to keep Jim Cheney. From a defensive standpoint, fans seem to like Sal Sunseri. They seem to understand the difficulty in transitioning to the 3-4 defense and so I'd say the jury is still out on coach Sal. What fans DO seem to realize is that if you change head coaches and bring in a completely new offense & defense, the turmoil could be more harmful to the program and result in even further degradation.
So the real question is this. What exactly is the problem with Dooley? Is it lack of discipline? Is it organizational? Is he just in over his head?
Dave Hart is definitely in a pickle. Let's assume that the decision is that Dooley must go, But we'd prefer to keep Cheney & Sunseri. Most Head coaches would prefer to bring in their own guys as assistants. People they've worked with and trust. At least on one side of the ball anyway. So, I'll float a name - Kirby Smart, Defensive coordinator at Alabama.
Hart knows Smart. Smart knows Sal. Smart will only leave Bama for a HC position. Smart knows the SEC. Saban has a tremendous amount of confidence in Smart. The question mark on Smart is how would he be different than Dooley, another former Saban assistant?
IMHO Dave should talk with Kirby. If Kirby agrees to come to UT, fire Dooley, if Kirby says no, keep Dooley.
Interesting tidbit, The four teams with the highest seconds-per-play (MSU, USC, Ala, UF) are all undefeated & at the top of their respective divisions. Three of the four are ranked in the top 5 nationally. True, it will be interesting to see how this plays out over the remainder of the season.
@John at MrSEC @WillieT Thanks for the response John. I did take it the wrong way I guess. Truly the example has been terribly overused & overblown. BTW, love the site & visit often!
It's funny and a bit sad the way you guys in the press (and commenters on boards) keep reminding us of Nick Saban's statement while at the Dolphins. I've got a life so I won't bother researching just how many coaches have denied interest in another position only to accept that position moments (hours, days) later. I will say that it is silly and a waste of time to ask an active coach (you know, one that has a job as a coach) if he'd be interested in coaching at this or that school.
All-in-all, I'd say i agree with your article. True, you have received some rather silly questions. I actually commented yesterday on the announcement of the ND/ACC compact and stated there that this move would not lead to the SEC expanding.
I'm actually commenting because of the mention of the phrase "fair to midland". Are yunz from England or maybe Texas? ('cause those are the only places I'm aware of where folk can't say "fair to middling" or "fair to middlin'"
I guess now that the SEC stretches well into the Lone Star state, those of us from the Ol' South will have to get used to such nonsense...
Well, someone asked if the ACC would now go looking for #16. I think the answer is no, at least not until ND decides to marry their football team to the league. Football revenue drives the bus. Period. A 15-team ACC basketball schedule will have to be hashed out but my guess is there won't be a 16th team added till the BigEast totally collapses.
As for the SEC staying at 14, I'd say definitely for the time being. ND's decision isn't the disruptive force some would like to think it is. Besides, getting comfortable with a 14 team league has already created a number of growing pains for the league and I doubt anyone in Birmingham, or the respective university presidents, have any appetite for growing again so soon.
But as a disclaimer, anything could happen. Greed is driving the bus now and greed needs money like a crack-addict needs cocaine.
The leagues are clearly trying to change the rules. The Big12 ran it's own championship game for what, a dozen years or so & the SEC has managed to run a league championship game for two decades. My guess is that the SEC has a pretty good deal in Atlanta and that the leagues would rather run the game themselves and keep the money to themselves. What they have done is thrown the existing bowl comittees a bone and an option - come up with a creative plan that justifies your existence beyond ownership of a "Bowl" name (which has been diminished these last 20 odd years by adding or out right replacing it with your latest corporate sponsors' name).
Oh sure, we fans have a bit of nostalga for the Sugar Bowl & the Cotton Bowl, but trust me, we'll still buy tickets to the M&M Mars bowl being held in Topeka, KS if it's pitting two of the best teams in the nation against one another.
Aw you Guys! You almost, ALMOST, get it. It's just, right there, just outta reach for you even though you wrote it into your posting. #2 of your 3 points. Then you go on to provide #3 showing that you've gotten your panties in a wad.
Clearly, Saban DOES appreciate the media and the platform they provide for him to speak to his players. Clearly, he is appreciative of the opportunities the media provides for him to appear nationally to recruits and to present the Alabama program to those recruits in a manner that perhaps other institutions do not enjoy quite as often.
Is it that you guys in the media actually don't like being used (abused) by Saban in his relentless drive to recruit & teach the best players and constantly improve the program he leads? Perhaps that explains why you had to add your #3 "thing (that) stand(s) out"
In any event, I do love MrSEC and what you guys do (most of the time). All I can say is you have a job to do and I know Saban doesn't make it easy for you or on you. Thank you, for what you do.
UT has a much better/deeper roster than in the last three years. I think everyone has finally bought into the program and what Dooley is trying to do/build. Certainly, looking/contacting PSU players is a smart thing to do though. Picking up a top-notch player in any position that might be a little short on depth (hey, not even a team like LSU or Bama is deep enough at every position!) would be a smart move for any program. Key is that it is someone who will be a team player and buy into the Dooley way of doing business.
Of course, the Vols have that coaching "hot seat" issue that could make PSU players with options look elsewhere. I mean, after going through what they've been through, why go to a program with some serious question marks surrounding it's coaching situation?
Sounds like the PAC found the deal to bee a bit too much so I would imagine the B1G might just look for another partner. The BigEast could certainly use the exposure but partnering with a sinking ship doesn't sound like something the B1G would do.
Here's an idea - why not cut a deal with the SEC so that both leagues can have 9 BCS level opponents each year. (Oh, I really can't see Delany giving Slive a call to test the waters on that idea but for a second there, I was intrigued by the idea of Florida playing at Iowa in November..,)
Guess the B1G will just go to a 9-game league schedule...
Well, I personally take comfort in the tradition of Excellence at the University of Alabama that assures me that I will always be able to recognize the team running out onto the field at Bryant-Denny (or any venue the Crimson Tide visits).
When you count 14 National Championships, have arguably one of the best coaching staffs in college football, a reputation for preparing players for the next level, and some of the best barbque in the nation (props to Dreamland!), you really don't need some flashy unis to lure recruits.
John, this write up is a prime example of one of the reasons I enjoy dropping by MrSEC regularly. Thanks for all that you do.
Non-sense is much more common on planet earth than common sense. And you can quote me on that.
@Dynamite fan Mizzou adds another solid team to the mix in basketball. While those of us from the SEC feel that our league is "top tier" in hoops, people outside the league still think we're just a football league that happens to play basketball. The league has generally been Kentucky, then a big gap, then everyone else. Yes Florida has been strong under Donnovan, but look at the last couple of years and they've fallen back into the pack.
Mizzou & A&M add strength to the league in football and basketball, (and baseball, and other sports).
What's that supposed to mean? are YOU calling ME a "troll"? If so, you need to go find someone with a triple digit IQ to share the definition of "troll" with you. @Hellbent @WillieT
Just don't "unveil" those black unis on the Saturday Bama comes to visit. Such gimickery tends to backfire when you take on the Tide.
Yep, I'd have to agree - Slive botched this opportunity big-time. On a positive(?) note, expansion this summer, or next, could throw things back into the furnace for a do-over.
IF...
The oligarchs of the FBS decide upon a playoff format that does not include the 4 best teams in the country (I know, best as determined by whom?), will that cause some institutions to start looking harder at greener pastures? Let's face it, if you've got a 1 loss or better SEC champ, a 1 loss or better Big12, a 1 loss or better PAC12, and a 1 loss or better Notre Dame, would an unbeaten FSU get the fourth spot in the playoff?
Mizzou adds credible roundball chops to the league. The SEC can now claim to be a top-tier basketball league, right along with the BigEast, Big10, & ACC. Especially considering some of the "quality" basketball schools the BigEast recently added.
The SEC can now boast solid academics, again thanks to Mizzou. Maybe adding NC State isn't so far-fetched any more. Ditto Va Tech. Obviously contingent upon an FSU departure for the Big12 (or even the SEC).
So, while the SEC clearly botched a golden opportunity here in 2012, who's to say they can't right the ship in 2013 or 2014.