Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The SEC had plenty of action around the league including Florida’s win over Kentucky and the first woman to play for a Power Five program.
For the second-straight week, 12 of the Southeastern Conference’s 14 members were in action on Saturday, as the Arkansas Razorbacks and Tennessee Volunteers were the only two programs to not participate in the November 28 festivities.
As we at Gators Wire have done each week this fall, here is a recap of the happenings from college football’s premier conference.
Team rankings are courtesy of the Amway Coaches Poll Powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Gators men’s basketball forward Keyontae Johnson named to the Preseason All-SEC First Team and SEC Preseason Player of the Year honors.
Junior Florida forward Keyontae Johnson, who decided to forego potential selection in the NBA Draft to return to Gainesville for another season, is taking home some preseason accolades.
Johnson was named to the watch list for the Julius Erving Award last week, given annually to the nation’s top small forward, and he’s now been voted the Preseason SEC Player of the Year. He also was selected to the Preseason All-SEC First Team.
He led the Gators in scoring in 2019-20, averaging 14 points per game. He also led the team in steals with 38. He finished that season as a Coaches First Team and AP Second Team All-SEC selection.
Just the beginning, let’s work @Keyontae 😤 #GoGators
📲 https://t.co/F4PsfDeRhR pic.twitter.com/YTnfqpLJ94
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) November 12, 2020
In addition to Johnson’s honors, Florida was picked by the media to finish fourth in the conference this season behind No. 1 Tennessee, No. 2 Kentucky and No. 3 LSU.
Here are the full projected standings for the 2020-21 season.
| 1. Tennessee |
| 2. Kentucky |
| 3. LSU |
| 4. Florida |
| 5. Alabama |
| 6. Arkansas |
| 7. Auburn |
| 8. South Carolina |
| 9. Ole Miss |
| 10. Missouri |
| 11. Texas A&M |
| 12. Mississippi State |
| 13. Georgia |
| 14. Vanderbilt |
[lawrence-related id=27874,27783,27426,27388]
SEC Week 7 players of the week are out and Florida’s quarterback Kyle Trask and placekicker Evan McPherson both earned honors after the win.
[jwplayer hzi9CxsE]
The Florida Gators football team got more good news on Monday when the Southeastern Conference announced its players of the week for the league’s Week 7 of action. Among those named to the prestigious list were quarterback Kyle Trask and placekicker Evan McPherson, both of whom put together a clinic on superlative play Saturday.
Starting with the Gators’ gunslinger, Trask was easily the difference-maker against the Georgia Bulldogs, putting up a 34-for-43 passing performance that translated into 474 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. The redshirt senior found 10 different targets for his throws, utilizing his backfield and tight ends effectively as second options for his receivers.
Despite Georgia’s reputation on defense — with the caveat that the cohort was decimated by injuries — the ‘Dawgs just could not contain Trask on Saturday. Not that they should feel badly about that part, as nobody has contained him so far this season.
4 TDs, 474 yards & the @SEC offensive POW.
Congrats, @ktrask9 👏 #GoGators pic.twitter.com/pcpFXAMS4u
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) November 9, 2020
Here is SECSports.com‘s breakdown of his performance and accolades.
NEXT: Placekicker Evan McPherson
Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne test positive for COVID-19 after Florida and LSU had their game canceled.
The hits just keep coming for the SEC. First it was Florida, after their head coach Dan Mullen wanted 90,000 fans to pack The Swamp this weekend. Then a rash of positive cases has made them postpone their game against LSU this weekend.
Breaking: The SEC announced that Saturday's game between No. 10 Florida and LSU has been postponed after the Gators have seen a surge in positive COVID-19 tests this week. pic.twitter.com/lr3fzJTgmO
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 14, 2020
That wasn’t even the biggest news out of the day from the conference, as Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban and their athletic director Greg Byrne had both tested positive for COVID-19.
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne have tested positive for COVID-19, per UA. Saban directed @alaftbl practice from home today.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) October 14, 2020
Saban will not be on the sidelines for the huge game against Georgia this weekend. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will take over for Saban.
Alabama coach Nick Saban & AD Greg Byrne test positive for COVID. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee “preparations” for Georgia game, while Saban works from home
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 14, 2020
The hits just keep coming this college football season and don’t expect that to change.
Analysts Jordan Rodgers, Roman Harper and Tim Tebow all shared their picks for who will win each respective division title – UF and Alabama.
Just a mere week away from the start of the Southeastern Conference’s 2020 football schedule, the “SEC Nation” television crew gave its opinions on the upcoming season in a preseason preview show broadcast on Saturday morning.
Analysts Jordan Rodgers, Roman Harper and Tim Tebow all shared their picks for who will win each respective division title, with the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide both unanimously selected to face off in the SEC Championship Game.
The Gators and the Tide have a rich and storied history against each other in the SEC Championship Game having faced each other 12 times, with the Tide holding a firm 8-4 edge in the series; UF has an overall 7-5 record in the title game.
Who ya got in the SEC Championship game? 🏈@JRodgers11: 🐊 vs. 🐘@Harp41: 🐘 vs. 🐊@TimTebow: 🐊 vs. 🐘#SECNation pic.twitter.com/I1HaPkruz3
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 19, 2020
The championship rivalry dates back to the inaugural matchup back in 1992, which ‘Bama won thanks to the infamous interception of Shane Matthews by Antonio Langham. Florida would face the Tide in four of five of the first title games — with the Gators appearing in all five of the first SEC title games — taking the next three against Alabama while winning four in a row themselves with a victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks sandwiched in.
Florida went on to win just one more SEC Championship Game battle with ‘Bama in 2008 en route to their third and last national championship. The last two matchups between the Crimson Tide and the Gators in the Georgia Dome came in 2015 and 2016, with ‘Bama winning by a combined score of 83-31 — 29-15 and 54-16, respectively.
[lawrence-related id=23812,23786,23612,23582,23578]
[vertical-gallery id=23615]
The SEC announced its 2020 preseason coaches All-SEC Football Team, featuring 8 Gators among the three tiers of teams used in the rankings.
The Southeastern Conference announced its 2020 preseason coaches All-SEC Football Team, featuring eight Florida Gators among the three tiers of teams used in the rankings.
Florida features two players on the first team, with quarterback Kyle Trask and tight end Kyle Pitts getting the nod from fellow SEC coaches. However, the Gators failed to place a defensive player on the First Team.
The second team, however, has a trio of Gators defenders on it, with linebacker Ventrell Miller, along with defensive backs Kaiir Elam and Marco Wilson receiving support. Much like the dearth of defense on the first team, there is a noticeable absence of offensive players on the second.
Another triad of Gators athletes made the third team, this time with a bit more diversity. Kadarius Toney gets the nod for his all-purpose play, while defensive lineman Zachary Carter and place-kicker Evan McPherson round out the members of UF’s squad on the 2020 preseason coaches All-SEC Football Team.
The full poll results can be viewed below.
2020 Preseason Coaches All-SEC Football Team (* – ties)
First Team Preseason All-SEC
OFFENSE
TE
Kyle Pitts, Florida
OL
Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
Trey Smith, Tennessee
Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Landon Dickerson, Alabama
C
Drake Jackson, Kentucky
WR
DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
QB
Kyle Trask, Florida
RB
Najee Harris, Alabama
Kylin Hill, Mississippi State
AP
Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
DEFENSE
DL
Bobby Brown, Texas A&M
LaBryan Ray, Alabama
Big Kat Bryant, Auburn
Jordan Davis, Georgia
LB
Dylan Moses, Alabama
K.J. Britt, Auburn
Nick Bolton, Missouri
DB
Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Derek Stingley, LSU
Richard LeCounte, Georgia
Jacoby Stevens, LSU
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK
Brent Cimaglia, Tennessee
P
Max Duffy, Kentucky
RS
Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Second Team Preseason All-SEC
OFFENSE
TE
Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
OL
Sadarius Hutcherson, South Carolina
Deonte Brown, Alabama
Landon Young, Kentucky
Austin Deculus, LSU*
Brodarious Hamm, Auburn*
Wanya Morris, Tennessee*
Ed Ingram, LSU*
C
Trey Hill, Georgia
WR
George Pickens, Georgia
Terrace Marshall, LSU
QB
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M
RB
Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas
Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
AP
Derek Stingley, LSU
DEFENSE
DL
Kobie Whiteside, Missouri
Malik Herring, Georgia
Aaron Sterling, South Carolina
Dayo Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt
LB
Henry To’o To’o, Tennessee
Monty Rice, Georgia
Erroll Thompson, Mississippi State*
Nakobe Dean, Georgia*
Ventrell Miller, Florida*
DB
Kaiir Elam, Florida
Eric Stokes, Georgia
Demani Richardson, Texas A&M
Tyree Gillespie, Missouri*
Marco Wilson, Florida*
Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina*
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK
Cade York, LSU
P
Jake Camarda, Georgia
RS
Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss
Third Team Preseason All-SEC
OFFENSE
TE
Arik Gilbert, LSU
OL
Carson Green, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Evan Neal, Alabama
Dan Moore, Texas A&M
C
Landon Dickerson, Alabama
WR
Seth Williams, Auburn
Elijah Moore, Ole Miss
QB
Bo Nix, Auburn
RB
Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss
Larry Rountree, Missouri
AP
Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss*
Kadarius Toney, Florida*
Christian Tutt, Auburn*
DEFENSE
DL
Zachary Carter, Florida
Josh Paschal, Kentucky
Kobe Jones, Mississippi State
Glen Logan, LSU
LB
Boogie Watson, Kentucky
Dimitri Moore, Vanderbilt
Nolan Smith, Georgia*
Ernest Jones, South Carolina*
Andre Mintze, Vanderbilt*
DB
Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Bryce Thompson, Tennessee
Yusuf Corker, Kentucky
Christian Tutt, Auburn*
Josh Jobe, Alabama*
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK
Evan McPherson, Florida
P
Mac Brown, Ole Miss
RS
Christian Tutt, Auburn
[lawrence-related id=23582,23578,23520,23518,23515]
[vertical-gallery id=20711]
[vertical-gallery id=20730]
The latest AP college football poll was released for Week 2 with UF sitting at the edge of the top-5 with the 5th spot in the rankings.
The latest Associated Press college football poll was released for Week 2 on Sunday, with the Florida Gators sitting on the inner edge of the top-5 with the fifth spot in the rankings. Meanwhile, the Southeastern Conference continues its dominance at the top of the list.
Florida moved up three spots thanks in large part to the omission of Big Ten teams the Ohio State Buckeyes and Penn State Nittany Lions, who sat ahead of UF in the initial poll released on Aug. 24 at No. 2 and No 7, respectively. The Gators also managed to leapfrog the LSU Tigers largely due to transfers, dismissed players and opt-outs in Baton Rouge, which leaves them with 15 players from the 2019 roster who will not take the field this fall.
The Clemson Tigers continue their dominance at the top of the poll, with the Alabama Crimson Tide shifting up a spot to the No. 2 position just behind them. The Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs also both inched up a notch thanks to the Ohio State’s absence, with Florida finishing off the top-5.
Overall, the SEC placed six of its schools in Week 2’s top-10, as LSU takes the No. 6 spot while the Auburn Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies both move into the top of the list at No. 8 and No. 10, respectively. The Tennessee Volunteers come in at No. 18 and the Kentucky Wildcats at No. 23, giving the conference eight teams in the top-25.
[lawrence-related id=23290,23250,23047,23042,22882,22880]
[vertical-gallery id=20711]
[vertical-gallery id=20730]
The experts at CBS Sports took a look at the Southeastern Conference and gave its opinions on who’s hot, who’s not and who will win it all.
[jwplayer nZfE78tb]
The Southeastern Conference is a veritable college football powerhouse even during normal times, but in this coronavirus-ravaged season with Power Five conferences Big Ten and Pac-12 sitting on the sidelines, the league is indubitably the biggest kid on the block this fall.
The experts at CBS Sports took a look at the SEC and gave its opinions on the overrated and the underrated, while also offering bold predictions and voting on which school will win its respective division in 2020. While the scales ultimately tipped in favor of the Georgia Bulldogs, who won out the vote for the East Division, they were also named among the most overrated teams.
The good news for the Gators is that they received three of the seven total first-place votes for the SEC East Division crown, edged out by heated rival Georgia who received the other four ballots. Florida received four second-place votes to Georgia’s three, making it clear that these are the two schools to watch as the balance of power has evened out between the two programs after several years of Bulldogs dominance.
Also a positive mark for Florida, contributor Barrett Sallee’s bold prediction is that, “Kyle Trask will lead the SEC in passing en route to the SEC East title and a berth in the SEC Championship Game.” This prediction may not be so bold with Georgia’s expected starting quarterback, Wake Forest transfer Jaime Newman, opting out of the 2020 season to focus on his NFL draft stock, leaving Trask as the best gunslinger in the East Division this year — if not all of the SEC.
[lawrence-related id=21961,21958,21956,21775,21732]
[vertical-gallery id=20711]
[vertical-gallery id=20730]
On Thursday, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin joined the Pat McAfee Show to talk turkey about the upcoming football season.
Only three weeks separate us from the opening Saturday of the Southeastern Conference’s 2020 football season despite the continued persistence of the novel coronavirus pandemic. While questions still swirl in a maelstrom of speculation regarding whether or not the season will kick off on time — much less play through its completion — some doubt still hovers over like a thick, southern fog.
On Thursday, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin joined the Pat McAfee Show to talk turkey about the upcoming football season. When asked about his confidence in the league’s ability to get the season underway on time, he offered the following.
“This isn’t 100 percent. You know, we’ve still got a ways to go to get through this because there are some teams right now in the SEC — you know, I heard from two coaches today, that there’s no way they could play that game this week.
The two coaches Kiffin references remain unclear, but given the SEC’s insistence on moving forward with its 10-game, conference-only schedule, it is unlikely that two of 14 total member schools struggling to get on track will be a significant trammel to the upcoming football schedule. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen how all of this will pan out.
[lawrence-related id=21775,21772,21758,21747,21732]
[vertical-gallery id=20711]
[vertical-gallery id=20730]
At his press conference on Tuesday, Dan Mullen floated several ideas regarding the 2020 football season in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
At his press conference on Tuesday, Gators coach Dan Mullen took the opportunity to float several ideas regarding the 2020 football season in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic and all the adjustments that have been made to the prospective season as a result.
Florida is at full strength now in the second week of fall camp after receivers Kadarius Toney, Trevon Grimes and Jacob Copeland, in addition to defensive end Zach Carter (who were all holding out of practice and were reportedly considering opt-outs) have reported to practice and all stated that they plan to play this season.
However, for part of the first week of camp, Mullen was unsure if he’d have his entire first line of receivers for the season. With those guys’ absence, Penn State transfer Justin Shorter allegedly stepped up and performed well in practice. Shorter, a former five-star recruit, has yet to be granted eligibility for the 2020 season by the NCAA.
While talking about Shorter’s progress, Mullen took the opportunity to mention the uncertainty regarding approval of transfer waivers and the NCAA’s decision to grant a blanket eligibility extension to all athletes this fall.
Here’s an excerpt from The Athletic’s report.
“(Shorter) was there kinda leading the way,” Mullen said. “It was a great adjustment for him being an older, veteran guy and getting in there while those guys were gone and showing what he can do.”
Mullen doesn’t hide his frustration over the mercurial nature surrounding NCAA transfer waivers. Like so many who have navigated the process — only to be astonished over the circumstances of certain denials and approvals — he just seeks consistency. The kind of blanket consistency the NCAA displayed recently in granting an additional year of eligibility to the current batch of fall sports athletes.
“It was the right move, a great idea for the NCAA to do that. It certainly helps makes decisions for the guys about what they were gonna do a lot easier,” he said. “(The NCAA) answered a question that they could answer. It’s great to create certainty in the world of uncertainties.”
Mullen, who mentioned that the idea of a commissioner for the Power Five leagues was “worth investigating,” had several other ideas and issues he wanted to see the SEC address.
One of these was roster expansion. Road teams are allowed to travel 70 players, while home teams are allowed 80 players on the sideline. However, positive tests could force players to quarantine during a game week, and having expanded roster numbers would give schools and coaches more flexibility to navigate these issues.
Mullen also suggested that the SEC make a decision on regulating crowd noise. He said he was concerned about the ability to pump crowd noise being abused.
Mullen suggests the league set parameters on how much home schools can amplify the atmosphere with stadium crowds on pace to be only 25 percent capacity.
“We’re gonna pump in crowd noise or we’re not gonna pump in crowd noise. Really simple deal,” he said. “That’s an easy decision that could be made today.
“If you’re gonna create whatever atmosphere — (decide) what level, what volume that is. The league has the big rule against any artificial noise-makers and no outside noise being pumped in. So if we’re gonna stick with that, let’s come out and say 100 percent we’re sticking with that.”
It remains unclear if the SEC will be able to kick off its season on Sept. 26, but Mullen’s suggestions may help ease some of the pressures currently facing the league as it attempts to decide.
[lawrence-related id=21092,21061,21041,21013,21012]
[vertical-gallery id=20711]
[vertical-gallery id=20730]
