More Coaching Craziness

   Let's put it in perspective at Auburn. The school selected a coach (Gene Chizik of Iowa State) with a career record of 5-19. He replaces Tommy Tuberville -- 85-40 with the Tigers, including a perfect season just four years ago -- who (a.) was fired (2.) was forced out, or (3.) resigned.

   Chizik, a former Auburn coordinator, may be qualified, but this has to be a tough sell, especially to the Tuberville supporters, some of whom organized a march directed at the school president.

   What do you think of the hire?

   Tuberville owes it to the Auburn family to clarify the circumstances under which he departed. The university maintains he quit. He has stayed silent on the matter. Time to open up, Tub.

   Which of the three possibilities listed above do you buy regarding Tuberville?

   A rare moment of sanity regarding SEC coaches touched Tennessee when the school decided not to pay Phil Fulmer a salary as an assistant to the president. The earnings would have been pocket change to Fulmer, who will receive a $6 million buyout. Better late than never, somebody noted that the appearance of further fattening Phil's bank account looked awful.

   Do you agree with the decision?

   He will now serve voluntary duty.

 

'Tis The Season For Coaching Craziness

   It's the time of year when most SEC news is generated by the old guys wearing headphones on the sidelines.

   --Auburn's insistence that its head coach resigned -- and was not fired -- was denied by Tuberville. Not Tommy, but Olive -- his mother. 

   She claims to have it on good authority that her son was forced out. Tommy has not commented, a wise move given his intent to continue working for the university. Still, somebody needs to clear this up.

   Which account do you believe?

   This just in: Georgia assistant Rodney Garner interviewed Monday for the Auburn gig. 

   --It's par for the course that colleges will try to cherry-pick the coaching staff of a BCS finalist, which is happening at Florida. Mississippi State has shown interest in offensive coordinator Dan Mullen. Another Dan, assistant head coach McCarney, was linked to New Mexico, but it filled the position Monday with someone else.

   Shouldn't defensive coordinator Charlie Strong be generating interest? Not only does he have an impressive resume, but colleges inspired to do the right thing would get bonus points by hiring Strong and reversing the decline in black head coaches, now at three nationwide.

   Is Strong ready to serve as head coach?

   --Two former Gators coaches kept Florida from a No. 1 ranking in the USA Today coaches poll. Steve Spurrier and Ron Zook listed UF second behind Oklahoma. Had either reversed his vote, the Gators would have wound up on top.

   Spurrier's affection for Florida is well-established. Should he have helped out the ol' alma mater?

  --Phil Fulmer will answer the next two months to Tennessee's university president as a special assistant. His salary: $12,500 per month, plus benefits.

   His duties will include assisting the college planning for $48 million in budget cuts. Fulmer may be the right guy, but is anybody cringing at a guy getting paid $6 million not to coach by the school's athletics department advising them on saving money?

   Anyone bothered by this?   

Nuttin' But Net: Houston Scores At Ole Miss

  One year after getting chased away from Arkansas, Houston Nutt has already earned a contract extension at Ole Miss. His 8-4 rookie season with the Rebels persuaded the school to lock him up through 2012, the maximum allowed by state law.

   The SEC is an unusual conference in that coaches routinely go from one school to another, sometimes with stops in between. So when jobs open up, rumors swirl about who in the family is getting hired. With Auburn, several SEC coaches have been mentioned, Nutt included. (Also, Bobby Petrino and Steve Spurrier, both unlikely transfers.)

   Mike Leach appears to be staying at Texas Tech, so the Tigers' wish list is being whittled by outside forces.

   Who do you think gets the Auburn gig?

   Of course, Tommy Tuberville is being linked to Mississippi State. Whoever winds up there will bring new coordinators, with both of the Bulldogs' headed for Clemson.

   Should Missy State look at Tuberville? If not, who? 

Wearing Out Your Welcome: Another Veteran Coach Is Out

   Tommy Tuberville, ousted at Auburn, is the latest SEC coach victimized by the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately? trend.

   A year ago, the Tigers went 9-4, nothing to be ashamed of in this league. Tennessee won the East and played in the championship game.

   Both coaches are gone, the two most tenured in the SEC. Tuberville logged 10 seasons, seven fewer than the Volunteers' Philip Fulmer.

   Sylvester Croom of Mississippi State, with the sixth most seasons (five), also resigned with considerable coaxing. That's a 25 percent turnover before the season is even over.

   Is any other coach in trouble?

   Tuberville was doomed by his worthwhile attempt to keep up with the football Joneses and adopt the spread offense. He misjudged having the talent onboard to make the conversion, at least to the degree that deposed offensive coordinator Tony Franklin desired. Tuberville's forcing Franklin to walk the plank at midseason paid no immediate dividends.

   Should Tuberville have been granted another year to fix his mess?

   Are SEC schools too hasty in demanding resignations?

Will Iron Deficiency End Tuberville's Reign?

   Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville did not hear the good ol' vote of confidence from Tigers brass after the 36-0 drubbing from Alabama in the Iron Bowl. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it leaves his fate murky.

   Tuberville made no bones Saturday about his desire to remain on the Plains. The season was a disaster and, given that he was nearly run off a few years ago, it's clear the Auburn administration is not wedded to him.

   But, unlike at Tennessee and Mississippi State, which ran off Phil Fulmer and Sylvester Croom, Auburn has not been in a steady decline. This season was an aberration, so the guess here is that Tommy will be back in the same saddle.

   Do you think Tuberville will return?

   Does he deserve to?

   

Rain May Make Saturday Predictions All Wet

   Predicted rain across the Southeast on the final Saturday of the regular season could impact games to different degrees.

   --For No. 1, Alabama, its power running game should not be thrown off against Auburn. The Tigers' only winning scenario is a 17-14 type of game, but they would have trouble hitting that total under sunny skies. Weather edge to Alabama.

   Worried, Crimson Tide fans?

   --For Tennessee, showers could put a damper on Philip Fulmer Appreciation Day and help Kentucky, which can get off the bowl fence with a victory.

   Now, for the three intrastate rival games:

   --Georgia Tech, which hardly ever passes, could benefit the most. The Yellow Jackets, who employ a post-modern wishbone offense, would welcome a slippery field against Georgia, which throws the 'skin extremely well.

   --Multi-faceted Florida is unlikely to be affected by any inclement weather, short of a blizzard. That won't happen in Tallahassee against Florida State.

  --With South Carolina, who knows? Steve Spurrier will X-and-O to the death to beat Clemson, but the Tigers have greater incentive assuming they want to remove the interim tag from coach Dabo Swinney.

    Which of the three SEC teams is most likely to stumble against their stately neighbors?

   Then there is the SEC-ACC brain bowl, Vanderbilt vs. Wake Forest. These are smart people, right? So they'll figure out how to cope with rainy conditions.

   One more thing: Can Florida climb higher than No. 2 with a butt-whipping of the Seminoles?

    

    

He's No Saint Nick

   Alabama coach Nick Saban supposedly uttered a four-letter word that rhymes with spit and snit last week at fans' suggestion that the Crimson Tide might be looking past Mississippi State to the Auburn and Florida games.

   The $4 million man apologized, to a degree, but got his point across. The Tide pounded Mississippi State to maintain their No. 1 rating.

  Does Bama deserve it?

   Saban's lads can pour more sodium in Auburn's wounds by officially denying the Tigers a bowl bid in what could be their seventh loss. Not that Tommy Tuberville would wish to extend this dreadful season.

   Can Auburn gather the troops to ruin Alabama's season and salvage something for itself?

    

   Regarding the competition for the biggest bust this season, the leader in the schlub-house is . . . . Tennessee. In fact, this bust now rivals Pamela Anderson's.

    Phil Fulmer and staff evidently checked out Monday when the coach's forced resignation was announced. The Vols were favored over Wyoming by nearly four touchdowns; in a normal year, it would have been 40-plus. But all of the players who hailed Fulmer last week did nothing but validate the decision made by UT brass.

   The silver lining: Relatively few Orange backers saw it. The building was two-thirds full -- for homecoming.

   Auburn gave Tennessee a run for the biggest-bust money at its own homecoming. The Tigers found themselves in a third-quarter tie before drawing away. The grumbling faithful reminded themselves that, hey, their team had not won since September.

   Tommy Tuberville, nearly sacked by the school a few years back, has to wonder if he will be joining Fulmer in the unemployment line.

   Which team gets your Biggest Bust award (presented by Pamela Sue)?

   This news flash, courtesy of the Knoxville Sun: Butch Davis of North Carolina is No. 1 on the Vols' wish list.

 

   

Rating Non-League Schedules: And The Toughest Goes To ...

   With blather about BCS rankings soon to reach a crescendo, much of the debate deals with teams' schedules outside of their league. The degree of difficulty can be a make-or-break for school vying for big bowls.

   Though the season is far from over, many SEC schools have concluded their non-league agenda. So, let's rate each member's outside-the-family games, from easiest to hardest.

   12.) Kentucky: Louisville (good), Middle Tennessee (OK), Western Kentucky (just out of Division 1, formerly known as 1-AA), AA), Norfolk State (Division I). Too many creampuffs.

   11.) LSU: Troy (decent), Tulane (not), North Texas (maybe the weakest on the top level), Appalachian State (Div. 1, but a good one). Not a single stiff test in the bunch.

  10.) Alabama: Clemson (overrated at start of season), Tulane and Western Kentucky (see above), Arkansas State (weak). Sure miss the Bama-Southern Cal classics.

   9.) Ole Miss: Wake Forest (underachiever), Memphis (OK), Louisiana-Monroe (weak), Samford (Div. 1). The Deacons turned out not to be Demons.

   8.) Mississippi State: Georgia Tech (very good), Middle Tennessee (see above), Lousiana Tech (weak), Southeast Louisiana (Div. 1). Big drop-off after the Yellow Jackets.

   7.) Tennessee: UCLA (relative softie in BCS), Northern Illinois (OK), UAB and Wyoming (both pushovers). If not for these, Phil Fulmer might be gone already.

   6.) South Carolina: Clemson (disappointing), North Carolina State (ACC punching bag), UAB (weak), Wofford (Div. 1). Credit to Gamecocks for its par of ACC foes.

   5.) Auburn: West Virginia (very good), Southern Miss (weak), Louisiana-Monroe (weak), Tennessee-Martin (Div. 1). Big drop-off after the Mountaineers.

  4.) Georgia: Georgia Tech (very good), Arizona State (disappointing), Central Michigan (decent), Georgia Southern (Div. 1). When season kicked off, Bulldogs might have been No. 1.

   3.) Vanderbilt: Duke (ascending), Wake Forest (see above), Miami Ohio (weak), Rice (weaker). Credit to Commodores for two ACC schools, though one (Duke) unexpectedly tough.

   2.) Florida: Florida State and Miami (getting better), Hawaii (rebuilding), The Citadel (Div. 1). Two in-state rivalries always puts the Gators near the front.

   1.) Arkansas: Texas (doesn't get harder than this), unbeaten Tulsa (surprise!), Louisiana-Monroe (see above), Western Illinois (Div. 1). Splitting your non-league games is not good.

   Thoughts on the list? Have we overrated anyone? Underrated?

   Overall, it seems as if the SEC has gone soft. Hard to blame schools, given that the league schedule is such a gauntlet. Still, challenging non-conference matchups are few and far between.

   Agree? Or should SEC teams go the easy route?

 

   

Coaching Carousel Swinging By Nashville?

   Bobby Johnson has a substantial head start as SEC Coach of the Year. He is a South Carolina native and a Clemson alum who once coached there. It's only natural that his name would bubble up in speculation about the Tigers replacing Tommy Bowden.

   Vanderbilt is the po' boy of big-time southern football, with resources limited by the Ivy League-ish school and the nature of eclectic Nashville. Johnson might be the sort of coach who welcomes the low-pressure atmosphere, where a bid to any bowl is cause for celebration. 

  Still, if Clemson knocks, wouldn't he have to open the door for a listen?

   At Auburn, Tommy Tuberville is battening down the hatches to keep incoming recruits from backing out. If possible, he should name an offensive coordinator (beyond an interim tag) to signal the high schoolers on whether he intends to stick with the spread offense. Words to that effect don't mean much; only action will.

   Should Auburn be concerned about holding onto its recruiting class?

   And aren't you looking forward to the next gathering of the Bowden boys? Former Auburn coach Terry wrote that brother Tommy deserved to be fired at Clemson. Hey, Bobby, you better sit them at the opposite ends of the table. 

   

Kwazy Kwarterbacks Situation

   When Vanderbilt sends out MacKenzi Adams against Georgia, half of the SEC teams will have changed quarterbacks already this season by coach's decision. Chris Nickson is ailing, but this switch was driven more by performance.

   At South Carolina, Stephen Garcia is Steve Spurrier's QB for a day -- two weeks after the demoted Chris Smelley was named league Offensive Player of the Week.

   At Auburn, not only did Kodi Burns bump aside Chris Todd on the first unit, but the redshirt has been removed from true freshman Barrett Trotter, who was projected to sit until next season.

   It would be fitting if Kentucky's Randall Cobb, who has split time between quarterback and wide receiver because of shakiness behind center with the Wildcats, could figure out how to throw a pass to himself.

   What gives with SEC QBs this season?

   Which do you prefer at Vandy, South Carolina, Auburn and Kentucky?

    

Bowden History Repeats Itself (Sort Of)

   Tommy Bowden's resignation-under-fire at Clemson reminded me that it was 10 years ago when brother Terry was sacked by Auburn. Bridging these events was Tommy Tuberville deflecting the heat on him by dismissing offensive coordinator Tony Franklin last week.

   Tommy's situation is remindful of what may keep Phil Fulmer safe at Tennessee. Clemson will pay its Bowden $3,5 million to walk out the door, a frightening sum in a so-called amateur sport. The Vols, it has been reported, would have to cough up $6 million to ease out Fulmer.

   Are you outraged by these sums?

   And why don't the athletic directors catch any guff for poor decisions?

   The ADs at Clemson and Tennessee extended their coach's contracts after last season. Suddenly, in Clemson's case, a guy forgot how to coach in such a short span?

   An extension like this is almost an incentive for Tommy to take off. Why put up with the pressure and the criticism from fans when you can pocket a fortune and not work?

   In this area, college football needs a Mr. Fix-It.

What We Learned, No. 4: Hey, Phil, Make Room For Tommy

   It may be unfair to rip on Tommy Tuberville for Auburn's anemic offense (193 yards, one offensive touchdown) while playing a few days after he jettisoned coordinator Tony Franklin.

   I'm going to, anyway. Why not wait, T.T., until the bye next Saturday, which would allow you more time to tweak the sorry-so-far spread? The mid-week staff switcheroo was a disruption that might have titled the scales toward Arkansas.

   There isn't much room on any seat when the rotund Phil Fulmer occupies it, but he'll have to slide over so Tuberville can plop down on the coaching hot seat.

   Does he deserve to be there?

   As for Tennessee, the 24-12 score against Georgia hides the fact that the Volunteers were dominated. (One rushing yard? Oh, my.) As Larry Munson would say, the Bulldogs crushed them with a hobnail boot. Barring a turn-around this year, if The Big Orange Pumpkin is back next season, the only plausible explanation is his costly $6 million buyout.

   Would you contribute to it, Vols fans?  

Let's Be Frank(lin): Did Tuberville Fib About Tony?

   There are two plausible scenarios about how the firing of Tony Franklin as Auburn's offensive coordinator Tony Franklin unfolded.

   (1.) Head coach Tommy Tuberville lied from Sunday till Tuesday when he lauded Franklin's work and said no staff changes were being considered.

   (2.) Something happened behind the scenes the past day or two that soured their relationship, either personal or philosophical.

   Here's what I think: Tuberville asked Franklin to alter his game-planning, perhaps to use less of his cherished spread offense. Or it could have been contrasting opinions on which quarterback, Chris Todd or Kodi Burns, to employ.

   Tuberville is now saying that the spread ain't dead at Auburn, which stands to reason because next year's recruiting class is tailored for that offense. So, it's peculiar that he dumped one of the foremost champions of the spread, Franklin being considered as knowledgeable as anyone about it.

   I can see Franklin unwilling to compromise. I can see Tuberville exercising his authority with a my-way-or-the-highway response.

   Given Auburn's No. 104 offensive ranking (out of 119 teams) in Division 1, a shakeup was foreseeable. Still, canning a coordinator in midseason is highly unusual. I eagerly await Franklin's take on this because we're not likely to hear the whole story from his former boss.

      

Auburn players: Whassup With The Offense?

The second-guessing in Auburn land of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin has extended to some of the players.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Ben Tate said after Franklin all but abandoned the tailback's effective carries early against Vanderbilt and resorted to his cherished spread offense.
"We got our confidence going and, all of a sudden, go completely away from it," center Ryan Pugh said.
There is no questioning the validity of the spread, and Franklin is a pioneer of sorts. With two league losses, Auburn could justify focusing entirely on the spread for the rest of the season in preparation for '09.
Still, the Tigers blew a chance to remain in the SEC West chase by not sticking with the standard running attack it employed to go ahead of Vandy 13-0 before falling 14-13.
If you were in Franklin's shoes, what would you do?

What We Learned, No. 3: Auburn's Spread Mighty Thin

   Auburn threw a surprise at Vanderbilt, operating in a standard offense during the first quarter. The Tigers scored twice and were stopped at the goal line on their other possession.

   So what does coordinator Tony Franklin do? He reverts to his beloved spread attack. Auburn fails to score the rest of the way.

   Yes, surely the Commodores made adjustments. And surely Franklin figured that, with a comfy lead, he could work on the offense dear to his heart.

   But the results speak loud and clear. Auburn's power running attack was groovin' early. The Tigers should have stayed with it, or at least mixed it in with the spread.

   What should Auburn have done? Stick with what brung 'em a lead? Or commit to improving the spread?

    

Stop The Presses: Vandy In Mega SEC Game

   No, the ESPN GameDay crew did not break down in Nashville on the way to one of its usual SEC destinations. It's the site of Auburn vs. Vanderbilt, the first SEC game there between top 25 foes since 1984.

   The Commodores, ranked 19th, have so impressed Tigers defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks that he said of their running backs' speed, "You don't see too many white guys like that."

   Vandy has been virtually all-run, so coach Bobby Johnson must diversify against Auburn's vaunted defense. Interesting to see if the locals pack the stadium and prevent the Tigers' traveling army of fans from invading.

     

Big, Bad 12: Challenge To The SEC

   From the Great Midwest comes the claim that its Big 12 Conference is superior to the SEC and all others.

   The heartland makes a good case. It boasts four teams among the premier seven in the AP poll, including No. 1 Texas. Like the SEC, half of its dozen teams cracked the top 25. Average Big 12 ranking: ninth. Average SEC ranking: 10th.

   There's no dispute the Big Ten has some bad-ass offenses. Among the nation leaders in passer ratings, its quarterbacks hold down Nos. 2 through 5. Its teams are second, third and fifth in scoring, first in rushing and top two in passing.

   In the leagues' lone head-to-head meeting all regular season: Texas 52, Arkansas 10.

   SEC teams are showing less offensive flash than normal, with Florida, Auburn and South Carolina stuck in second or third gear. The league's reign as defensive dominatrix continues unabated, but when the Big 12 steps to the podium and debates its worth as No. 1 in the nation, it's difficult for the SEC or anyone else to counter convincingly.  

Mixed Signals-Calling

   Coaches at Auburn and Tennessee, whose teams slopped their way to a 14-12 game Saturday that was won (or not lost) by the Tigers, have examined their queasy quarterback situations.

   Tommy Tuberville has decided to stick with Chris Todd, keeping Kodi Burns in reserve. Phil Fulmer, by contrast, has put Jon Crompton on notice that he could step aside for Nick Stephens.

   Why the different approaches? Easy. Auburn is 3-1, still in the SEC West hunt. Tennessee is 1-3 and on the ropes. 

   Also, if Stephens gets the nod, he'll break in against a soft touch, Northern Illinois. Then it's back to the SEC grind.

   You make the call, Tigers and Vols fans: Todd or Burns? Crompton or Stephens?

   

   

4th Weekend Lesson: Tigers', Vols' "O" Grade A Zero

   Yeah, yeah, the Auburn and Tennessee defenses kicked tail Saturday. But the Tigers can dismiss any SEC West title hopes if their offense doesn't perk up.

  Turns out, the 3-2 win over Mississippi State was no aberration. Auburn was so helpless in moving out of the shadows of its goal line Saturday that offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who came to town on a white horse, took to calling quarterback keepers and sweeps -- stuff normally not found in the spread offense playbook.

   What can Auburn do on offense, besides pray that running back Brad Lester heals?

   As for the Volunteers, where have you gone, David Cutcliffe? Oh, there you are, reviving Duke as the new head coach. UT sure misses your offensive coordinating. Your replacement, Dave Clawson, has a clueless quarterback, Jon Crompton, and an uncertain strategy. 

   Game stat of the SEC season: All seven of the Vols' second-half possession began outside their 35-yard-line, and four of those launched in Auburn territory. One lousy score resulted.

   Is it time to replace Crompton? Change the offensive approach? Beg Cutcliffe to reconsider?