From Around the League

Today was the first weekly teleconference with every coach in the SEC. Most coaches are simply anxious to get on the field, while others have a tall task ahead of them. Here is a quick outline of what each had to say. Kentucky We've heard a lot from Joker while covering the team through the local media. We all know the national media doesn't cover UK football, so Joker gave them a taste of what's been going on. He believes that Bud Dupree and Avery Williamson are more than able to fill Trevathan and Guy's roles, and that even though Josh Clemons won't be evaluated again until next week the Running Back core is strong. Like the fans, Joker says that the team is, "entering the season with a bad taste in our mouths" after missing a bowl last year. Let's get rid of that taste with some fried Dirty Bird Sunday. Tennessee Poor Derek Dooley has had to deal with plenty of issues on the field, but they only get worse off of the field. Tyler Bray is busy throwing beer bottles at cars and Da'Rick Rodgers is doing God knows what; it's a mess. However Dooley seems like a good ole boy and he believes that the players aren't much different than 30 years ago, but the microscope is a lot bigger with things like social media and that environment makes it easier for them to mess up. I think he's full of it but what won't be full, are his pockets after he gets tanked this season for losing to the Cayts two years in a row. Vandy Vandy had the best year of their program since I started remembering that Vandy was always the worst football team to play. I knew this because my mom would always let me use her ticket to that game. However things have changed and now they are opening up the season on National TV vs. a Top-10 South Carolina team at home. Second year coach James Franklin knows that his players aren't used to playing in big-caliber games like this and it may have cost them in their bowl game last season. They are trying to use the same approach in preparation for every game to keep the players heads on straight. South Carolina While they did take it to Vandy last year, that game proved to be Vandy's turning  point in the season. Both teams are different and much more improved, and with the National spotlight on some one who has been there before, expect Spurrier to show the nation what Steve Spurrier does: win. [caption id="attachment_117361" align="alignnone" width="500"] Not only does he enjoy winning, but one of his hobbies is creeping on blondies in Daisy Dukes[/caption] Mizzou The SEC's new pledges are excited to finally get to their hazing, and I hope we haze the hell out of them, especially after those two videos. The community is buzzing and the Tigers have sold out of season tickets for the first time since Gary Pinkel became the Head Coach 11 years ago. The fans respect the SEC and morale is at an all-time high in the middle of nowhere Missoura. Alabama Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide aren't shying away from good competition this year as they start the season hosting #8 Michigan. Saban likes having a big-time home opener because it has gotten hisn players excited for it all year, rather than just being excited to play somebody other than themselves. Arkansas The team is picked high in the preseason, but I can assure you that they will be the team that you look at the end of the year and say, "what were we thinking?" They lost their fearless leader Bob Petrino after he shenaniganned one too many times. Now John L. Smith is in charge and I can't even pay attention when he's talking because he sounds like such a grandpa. I don't know how he is going to put a spark into a program that has gone through some hell, but this season will be a true test to see how much of their success the past couple of years was strictly because of Petrino. [caption id="attachment_117353" align="alignnone" width="300"] UGA's Mr. Do-it-All Malcolm Mitchell[/caption] Georgia Georgia has another freak athlete to add to their long list of badasses that includes Herschel Walker, Knowshon Moreno, and A.J. Green. Malcolm Mitchell was an offensive stud that did a little bit of everything at WR last year. This year he will not only be an offensive threat, but will primarily be focused on playing cornerback for the Dawg defense while returning kicks. The only limitations that the staff has on Mitchell:  he won't play that much offense if he gets tired. Auburn? I put the question mark in there because that's what their team is this year, a big question mark. They have a new offensive coordinator to go along with a new offense and new quarterback. Gene Chizik used the word "curious" to describe his emotions before the season starts. They won't have it easy either, starting off with Clemson at the Georgia Dome. LSU Hurricane Isaac is raising all kinds of hell down in the Gulf Coast, but Les Miles is expecting to open Saturday Night vs North Texas at Tiger Stadium. The players' safety is obviously the coaches' first concern, and they have been given opportunities to stay in the Stadium to avoid the hazard. I can't imagine having to get ready for football at a time like this, but at least it's only North Texas. Texas A&M The Aggies have to wait another week to start playing SEC football. Their trip to Louisiana Tech had to be postponed til October 13th because of the Hurricane. The team was upset that they won't get to see the field for another week, but it also gives them an extra couple of days to prepare for Florida: not the typical Big 12 team that they're used to. Miss State Dan Mullen and Co. open up with SWAC powerhouse Jackson State. the team returns a lot after a 9-2 2011 campaign. They are more experienced than Miss State, but don't expect pregame butterflies to keep the Bulldogs from winning their home opener. Florida Muschamp still hasn't decided who will be his quarterback, rather he's doing it ole-fashioned Spurrier style and letting both play to start off the game. He says that they both deserve it, and at half they will give the hot hand the ball. I always have thought this to be completely moronic, but if the glove fits wear it. Ole Miss Poor Ole Miss is quarterback-less as well, but will announce the starter tomorrow. They've got a bunny in Central Arkansas to start the season, but Coach Hugh Freeze seemed kind of frustrated because they still have only put in maybe 60% of his new offense. Maybe they can do a little something this year, but I sure wish that they were on our schedule.   This weekend is going to be nuts @RoushKSR