Hey guys. The fourth and final day of SEC Media Days has come and gone. You know the drill. Let’s see what happened.
South Carolina
- Coach Will Muschamp first up to the podium. Muschamp begins by expressing his excitement for the season.
- He tells Pat Dooley (a Florida writer) “You remind me of that Josh Turner song, ‘You Look Like I Need a Drink.'” 8/10. I’d give full credit, but it’s Justin Moore, not Josh Turner. Know your music, Muschamp!
- He gives a full rundown of this year’s squad, particularly emphasizing on the offense.
- He’s more comfortable in his 2nd year at SC than he was in his 2nd year at Florida. What else is the correct answer here?
- Skai Moore has been participating in contact drills since spring and hasn’t lost a step.
- Jake Bentley improved better during the season than any QB Muschamp has worked with.
- The entire offense lagged last year. “There were multiple issues.”
- On how his time at Florida helped him in SC: “The more snaps you get, the more the game slows down for you.”
- Bentley is learning faster this off season in how to recognize different defensive schemes.
- He lost a lot of sleep in deciding to start a true freshman in his first year as head coach in SC.
- Muschamp ends with talking about needing 4 solid pass rushers instead of 1 superstar.
Auburn
- Coach Gus Malzahn to the podium. He begins with talk of last season’s struggle and how the Tigers rebounded to win 6 in a row.
- He’s returning more starters this year than in the past 12 years at Auburn.
- “This team is as hungry as the 2013 team.”
- No QB has won the starting job yet. The competition is ongoing, and there’s finally depth at the QB position for Auburn.
- Same Alabama question. “we have them at home. That’s a positive.” That’s about it.
- Kam Pettway is the starter at RB, but there’s plenty of space for Kerryon Johnson.
- Jarrett Stidham is a complete athlete, that can escape and throw the ball.
- The linebacker group has experience and depth this season.
- Look out for Marlon Davidson to step up as an impact player on the D-line.
- On swapping divisions: “The West is the best division in all of college football. I like it here.” Smartest thing he’s said all day. Leave. It.
- Kevin Steele has the defense playing their best football.
- There’s a lot of depth at receiver this year, so they won’t have to rely on the run as much.
- He’s learned to let go and let others call the plays, he wants to beat Clemson (who doesn’t?), and he talked about Hugh Freeze being his friend. End of session.
Ole Miss
- Coach Hugh Freeze to the podium……here we go. For those of you unaware, former Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt filed a lawsuit against Freeze and the university. It was very detailed, and a REALLY bad look for Freeze, who is still dealing with NCAA violation accusations. This lawsuit was filed less than 24 hours before Freeze hit the podium.
- He begins by talking. And I mean TALKING. Freeze is straight filibustering his media day appearance.
- He talks about adversity. A little on the nose there, Hugh. And then goes on for 15 minutes about the program. I’m not even kidding about this. Like, 15 solid minutes of talking. I guess the media can’t ask tough questions if there’s no time for questions. Bold strategy Hugh.
- He finally finishes up. (I seriously can’t recap everything he said. He even talked about a competition at the long snapper position. That’s just looking for stuff to say.) The first question is about Houston Nutt and the lawsuit: “I’d love to share my opinion, but I can’t talk about a legal case.”
- Do you think you’ll keep your job? “Yes. Very confident. The University has unwavering support.” Until you lose this case, and NCAA allegations against you, and you finish at the end of the West. Then?
- Someone asks about the return game. Seriously. D.D. Bowie is who he’s excited for.
- More questions about corruption in the program, his legacy, and his team’s motivation for the season while facing a bowl ban. You can pretty much guess the answers to those questions.
- Shea Patterson could have a high ceiling and needs to prep in the film room.
- He ends by saying he has to take responsibility for the program and how it handles this situation.
Well that’s all folks. Just like that, media days are over. The good news is, we are less than 50 days until football season. I live for this.
Thanks for reading along, and I’ll see you soon. Poppa Bear loves you.
Catch up on all of the ridiculous of SEC Media Days here:
Poppa Bear is the lead SEC contributor for the SoBros Network, and serves as our resident expert on the human anatomy, fixin’ stuff, and tomatoes. Follow on Twitter:@SoBroPoppaBear
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