Hey guys!
You know the drill: Day 4 of SEC Media Days. Let’s go.
Gus Malzahn, Auburn
Day four is kicked off by Gus Malzahn, who opens by discussing the success of last year’s team. They won the SEC West and were one win away from the CFP. Auburn is returning a large number of players and all but one member of the coaching staff.
Malzahn feels like Auburn’s defensive strength will center around a solid front seven. On offense, having Jarrett Stidham back will be the main key.
The success of the offense will depend on how well the inexperienced offensive line comes together.
Auburn could have the toughest schedule of anyone in the country. They open with Washington (and that game is going to kick ass.)
They will end the season by playing Georgia and Alabama on the road. Ouch.
Back up QB Malik Willis has had a solid spring, getting reps with the first team. He’ll be ready if needed.
Defensive tackle Dontavius Russell is a four year starter that should have a solid season. And here I thought JT Barrett was the only person to be in college for 12 years.
Malzahn and Chad Morris are really good friends. There, that’s a thing you know now.
Like everyone else, Coach Malzahn is a fan of the new red shirt rule.
Having a year of experience under his belt will help Stidham progress as a better quarterback. He’s mentally and physically tough.
About the bowl game against UCF: “We laid an egg that day.” You’re not kidding here, coach. YOU HAD ONE JOB. All of this UCF garbage is on you pal.
Auburn is using the bowl game as motivation for the coming season.
Stidham will have a little more freedom on the field to make calls and checks at the line of scrimmage.
If the season started today, Kam Martin would be the starting running back. Austin Troxwell has also had a really strong spring. Malzahn expects another 1,000 yard rusher this season.
Will Hastings tore his ACL in the spring, and they’re hoping to have him back before the end of the season.
Malzhan says that the Auburn home field advantage is the real deal. They were undefeated at home last season.
He doesn’t have an opinion on UCF claiming a National Championship. (Damn you Gus.)
Derek Mason, Vanderbilt
Coach Derek Mason started out with a VERY long speech, but a blazing speech nonetheless. He was very proud of how the team started and finished last year, but was disappointed with the middle of the season.
He anticipates the staff changes will have a major impact on the team and propel them forward.
His team has confidence and is ready to go. Derek Mason has me fired up and ready to run through a brick wall.
Mason believes Kyle Shurmur is one of the most improved and dynamic QBs in the conference. He likes Shurmur being underrated.
The offensive line is back and experienced, which will keep Kyle Shurmur upright and moving.
The depth of the offense is the best it’s ever been. Jared Pinkney and Sam Dobbs should be major targets.
Mason is excited to have Jason Tarver as DC, and he meshes well with the culture Mason is building.
The depth of the defensive front is finally at a solid point where players can rotate easily. Outside LB Charles Wright should have a stellar season and elevate the defense around him.
“Every day is about the grind.” Derek Mason for President.
There were only two guys that Mason would relinquish the DC job to: Lance Anderson of Stanford or Jason Tarver.
Mason considers himself the CEO of Vanderbilt football. He mentions the billboard outside of the Kyle Shurmur as his “CEO decision.” He also dressed better than most other CEOs.
“Right now, some of these guys have grown from young pups to working their way to big dog status. So let’s go.” I’m going to go work out right now.
Mason isn’t worried about the idea of playing in South Bend. He plays in the SEC every week. And he’s only worried about MTSU right now. (I hope Vanderbilt slaps Notre Dame. They won’t. But I can dream.)
Derek Mason hasn’t forgotten how the Alabama game felt, and won’t let his players forget either.
All of the programs in the SEC are rising, with great coaches and great players.
Will Muschamp, South Carolina
We round out SEC Media Days with Will Muschamp, who is coming off of a year where he exceeded expectations and built a solid platform at South Carolina. They’ll be finishing a $50 million football operations facility in December. Must. Be. Niiiice.
Deebo Samuel is healthy and ready for the season to start. He could be the most explosive player in the SEC.
Jake Bentley has had a great spring, and has been excellent at controlling the tempo of the offense.
There are six solid offensive lineman, but there’s a major gap in experience after those six.
Muschamp has plenty of depth at WR, TE, and RB. There has been a lot of competition for playing time in those areas.
The defensive line will have a very experienced first string, but will rely on younger guys to rotate in and out.
There’s a major lack of depth at the safety position.
Deebo Samuel will be the punt returner, but don’t plan on seeing him fair catch many.
The conference opener against Georgia will be a huge game, and everyone will be amped up for it. (Myself included.)
Jake Bentley played extremely well for a young player, and has really focused on improving his pass game and taking care of the football. He and Deebo Samuel will be one helluva team.
The SEC East has gotten very competitive, and there are a lot of solid quarterbacks returning.
Muschamp feels he’s a much better coach now than he was at Florida. He’s learned to not try to control everything in the program, and just focus on what you can control. Coach Muschamp, author of Chicken Soup for the Coach’s Soul.
The Gamecocks need to improve on the front four pass rush, and be more opportunistic in the secondary. Muschamp wants to be able to get to the QB with a four man rush.
He’s asked about Larry Fedora’s remarks about the game of football being under attack. (He also said he doesn’t believe football causes CTE.) Muschamp disagrees with pretty much everything Fedora said while outlining the policies and procedures at South Carolina to ensure player safety. (Author’s note: Larry Fedora, you are an enormous dumb ass. I’m impressed you’re able to tie your own shoes in the morning.)
The victory over Michigan in the Outback Bowl has really carried over into spring and given the team a lot of momentum to feed from.
That’s it folks! Media Days 2018 has officially come to an end. Thanks for following along. Be sure to check out all of our college football content that will be dropping soon. We’re going to do our best to make sure everyone is ready for opening weekend. A little over 40 days left; I’ll see you soon. Poppa Bear loves you.
Poppa Bear is the Lead SEC Analyst 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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