Around the SEC East: No father-son time for the Kiffins
by Jon McDonald
TENNESSEE
Coach Lane Kiffin enjoys having his father Monte as his defensive coordinator, but the two don’t get much father-son time during the season.
“It’s pretty much all work, except when my mom needs more tickets, then he’ll com talk to me,” Kiffin said.
The younger Kiffin also said that having his dad on staff has helped with recruiting both offensive and defensive players. Lane says that the recruits like Monte so much that even offensive players want to talk with him on visits.
Last week: Beat South Carolina 31-13
This week: Hosts Memphis, 7 p.m.
FLORIDA
As much as Urban Meyer loves his special teams, it also causes him some consternation during the week when trying to prepare for other teams in the SEC.
“This seems to be the year of the kick returner,” Meyer said.
After preparing for what Meyer called “a very good returner” in Georgia’s Brandon Boykin, the Gators turn their attention to Vanderbilt freshman Warren Norman, who has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns this season. It might be the year of the kick returner in the SEC, but it is definitely the year of the kick returner for the Commodores.
“If I had a vote for (SEC freshman of the year), (Norman) would get it right now,” said Meyer.
Last week: Beat Georgia 41-17
This week: Hosts Vanderbilt, 7:15 p.m., ESPN2
GEORGIA
After a lopsided loss to Florida which dropped the Dawgs to 4-4, questions surround coach Mark Richt and his program. Richt understands the questions, though, because of how passionate people are about the subject.
“College football is a great game because you have fans who care,” Richt said of the attention focused on his struggling team.
Richt also said that if a college football coach expects to not be questioned when things are going wrong, he’s “got his head in the sand.”
Last week: Lost to Florida 41-17
This week: Hosts Tennessee Tech, 1 p.m.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Coming off a tough Halloween loss to Tennessee, the road doesn’t get any easier for the Gamecocks.
In fact, coach Steve Spurrier has thought about scheduling an easier team later in the season to give his team a break. “I think there is some advantage to having an out of conference game late in the year, but that’s not where we’re at yet,” Spurrier said
Looking at South Carolina’s last three games, can you blame him? The Gamecocks play at Arkansas, host No. 1 Florida, then host surging Clemson.
Last week: Lost to Tennessee 31-13
This week: At Arkansas, 12:21 p.m.
VANDERBILT
While injuries have depleted the Commodores this season, coach Bobby Johnson thinks it will help his team out in the future.
The injuries have allowed younger players to see the field more than they normally would have.
“You just bite the bullet right now… and hopefully it’ll pay off next year,” said Johnson.
Those injuries include starting quarterback Larry Smith, who is out for the rest of the season with a torn hamstring.
Last week: Lost to Georgia Tech, 56-31
This week: At Florida, 7:15 p.m., ESPN2
KENTUCKY
Coach Rich Brooks sees a lot of differences in the Mississippi State of past years and the Bulldogs that beat the Wildcats last week.
Brooks credited the Bulldogs’ strong offensive line play and a great performance by running back Anthony Dixon for the win.
The Kentucky coach also said his team had to deal with injuries and an outbreak of the flu, which contributed to the Wildcats’ 31-24 loss.
Last week: Lost to Mississippi State, 31-13
This week: Hosts Eastern Kentucky, 1 p.m.
Greetings from Boise Idaho. In the news here today is a comment by the WAC commisioner stating that “10 elite football programs have turned down a chance to play BSU in 2011″ Florida has an opening in 2011. An all blue orange game would be fun, but I guess you guys are afraid.
by apache
Apache, you’re right we are afraid. Very afraid. We will just have to settle with playing UT, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, and in the BCS championship game. But that is because we are afraid of the smurfs from the blue turf.
by MNGator
i think we over look bsu cause the glare of our sec and national championship rings… I actually would love for florida to play bsu, and was excited at the thought of playing utah this year. maybe if bsu could join a big boy conference they would actually be considered for a national title shot, until then take your at large bids and be happy, by the way i love boise st. especially when they get knocked out, see bsu vs oregon and find out what runnin at the mouth does for ya
by Pit-bull-gator
Even Lane Kiffin’s dad doesn’t want to spend time with him…
by Chad
BSU still has to earn it. If they want to come here then that would be fine. It makes 0 sense for us to go out there. We play a real schedule already and are not going to lose the home game to go play a WAC team. It’s about money and respect. Our town counts on the money and we already have the respect. Come here and earn it if you want it.
by matt
Still think the NCAA should implement camo rules for football games. Watched a Boise State home game on national TV and got a headache trying to watch the blue clad players on an exactly the same color blue turf. Maybe the Gators should play some games in a Gator green uniforms that are exactly the same color as our field turf grass. Ha, find us if you can!
And father/son coaching rolls should be reversed by Tenn.
Monte should be the man for the Volunteers. Wait, as a Gatror fan leave it like it is!!
by Paul
I would LOVE for the Gators to do some home and home with west coast teams – then I could see them in person again. Thank goodness for the internet so I can listen to Mick Huber and Direct TV so I can catch every game. I notice that the WAC commish didn’t mention the conferences these 10 top teams came from….maybe he’s talking about WSU and UW from the Pac-10, Minnm Purdue, Illinois from Big-10, maybe a couple C-USA teams….he never said a SEC team turned them down.
by WestCoastGator