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The SEC coaches have answered questions about the upcoming 2015 season for months.
The first teleconference of the season could have exposed the media’s fatigue in regards to preseason questions.
Not a lot of energy or inquisitiveness from us beat writers on this season-opening call. We’re still shaking off the rust, apparently.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) September 2, 2015
No worries, guys. Next teleconference will include actual games to talk about. And what a nice change of pace that will be, right? Here is how the media’s final crack at preseason questions went down:
Les Miles, LSU
On playing McNeese State:
“It’s a way for the state to come to Tiger Stadium and celebrate college football,” Les on playing st. schools. Why Skip Bertman started it. — Glenn Guilbeau (@LSUBeatTweet) September 2, 2015
On Deion Jones:
Miles says what everyone else has said over preseason: Deion Jones is fast, probably the fastest LB. #LSU
— Ross Dellenger (@DellengerAdv) September 2, 2015
On quarterback play impacting offense:
#LSU coach Les Miles: We want to be a balanced offense, run and pass. That will require QB to do the things we prepare him to do. — Jim Kleinpeter (@JimKleinpeter) September 2, 2015
Steve Spurrier, South Carolina
On quarterback situation:
Spurrier reiterates on the SEC coaches teleconference that Connor Mitch will get a chance to take over. Won’t be a true two QB system.
— David Cloninger (@DCTheState) September 2, 2015
Head ball coach philosophy:
Steve Spurrier on, well, football: “You just call your ball plays and see what happens.” — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) September 2, 2015
Jim McElwain, Florida
On quarterback situation:
McElwain says both QBs will some scripted plays on Saturday. Game flow will determine when they each play.
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 2, 2015
Injury updates:
Mac said S Keanu Neal (leg) and OT Martez Ivey (knee) are questionable for Saturday. — Edgar Thompson (@osgators) September 2, 2015
More on QB battle:
“It’s how the team moves and how the people around them are affected in a positive way as well.” — McEwain on QB evaluation.
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) September 2, 2015
Nick Saban, Alabama
On the quarterback situation:
Saban on QB: We’re going to make the best decision for our team. (He’s not giving anything away) — Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) September 2, 2015
On the involvement of TE O.J. Howard:
Saban on O.J. Howard: “O.J.’s one of our best players. We’re going to feature him in every way we can.”
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) September 2, 2015
Butch Jones, Tennessee
On his running back situation:
Butch says Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara continue to push each other and know they need each other for the team to have success. — Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) September 2, 2015
Deep thoughts from Coach Jones:
Butch Jones on SEC teleconference: “The first game is the game of unknowns.”
— Matt Slovin (@MattSlovin) September 2, 2015
Bret Bielema, Arkansas
A heartfelt wish from Arkansas’ third-year coach:
Bret Bielema: “I want to wish everyone in the SEC a tremendous amount of luck and good fortune.” d’awwwwwwww. — David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) September 2, 2015
On what to expect from Alex Collins following the Jonathan Williams injury:
Bielema on SEC call: I think you’re going to see the best Alex Collins we’ve ever seen
— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) September 2, 2015
Gary Pinkel, Missouri
On opening game against Southeast Missouri:
Pinkel favors playing vs FCS: “The payday they get in games like this tremendously helps their budget, which in terms help college football” — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) September 2, 2015
On being disrespected by preseason prognostications:
Pinkel: “If that’s what you’re focusing on, that you feel disrespected, you’re probably not going to play very well.”
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) September 2, 2015
Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss
On Chad Kelly:
Hugh Freeze: Chad Kelly got job on charting everything the QBs did, was best in 7 of 10 categories they thought important — Christopher Walsh (@WritingWalsh) September 2, 2015
On quarterback playing time:
Hugh Freeze said Chad Kelly is ahead of Buchanan and Kincade but the ultimate test of who will be the starter will come after game reps
— Edward Aschoff (@AschoffESPN) September 2, 2015
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
On how QB Kyle Allen helped recruit WR Christian Kirk:
Sumlin: “If a guy is truly committed to your school, he’ll help recruit for your class.” — Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) September 2, 2015
Mark Stoops, Kentucky
On what to expect from UL-Lafayette offense:
Stoops said UK is expecting to see both QBs for Louisiana Lafayette, have prepared for both.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) September 2, 2015
On return of Jordan Jones:
Stoops said it helps LB depth that promising freshman Jordan Jones (illness) was finally back yesterday and “looked good.” — Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) September 2, 2015
Talking “Boom” after minor knee surgery:
Stoops on Boom Williams: “He’s been 100 percent full go, looked good. He’s really had a solid training camp.”
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) September 2, 2015
Dan Mullen, Mississippi State
On Chris Jones:
Mullen said Chris Jones may have plateaued last season, said he’s played with a desperateness all offseason and his demeanor has changed. — Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) September 2, 2015
Mullen asked one question and that’s it. Not too surprising. As I’ve said, not a lot of Q’s surrounding MSU at this point.
— Michael Bonner (@MikeBBonner) September 2, 2015
Mark Richt, Georgia
On how to properly refer to Louisiana-Monroe:
Mark Richt: “Louisiana at Monroe. That’s how they’d like to be called. Louisiana at Monroe. So we respect that.” — Seth Emerson (@SethEmersonAJC) September 2, 2015
On development of Nick Chubb’s game:
Richt believes Nick Chubb is a better blocker, pass catcher from the backfield. Also hopes he won’t be given 37+ carries per game.
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) September 2, 2015
Gus Malzahn, Auburn
On balancing the offense in 2015:
Malzahn on more balanced offense this year: “They key to being good offensively is being able to do both when they give you 1 or the other” — Tom Green (@AUBlog) September 2, 2015
On playing biggest question for opener:
Malzahn on biggest question mark for the opening: “How the young guys going to respond?” Says they’re going to play 3 RBs together Saturday.
— Matthew Stevens (@matthewcstevens) September 2, 2015
On Duke Williams:
Malzahn says WR Duke Williams did “mix and match” w/ 1st team, along with the rest of the WRs. Leaves it unknown on starting vs. Louisville.
— Matthew Stevens (@matthewcstevens) September 2, 2015
Malzahn says there are no suspensions for Saturday’s game. “We expect everybody to play.”
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) September 2, 2015
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
