THE SCOOP
LSU coach Les Miles this week tried to put to rest the idea of the SEC as a top-heavy league by remembering an obstacle on the Tigers’ path to the national championship for 2007, the Kansas City Star reports.
“We lost to Kentucky on the road that year,” Miles said. “Just letting you know, you better be ready to play every week.”
The Wildcats were very good that season under Rich Brooks, finishing 8-5. That triumph over then-top ranked LSU was the highlight of their season.
Miles’ point was that last week’s upsets in the SEC shouldn’t fool anybody into thinking the league is down and that only top-ranked and unbeaten Alabama is national-title worthy.
“The conference is strong, no doubt about it,” said South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who takes his program to Missouri for the first time Saturday.
If Missouri’s and Alabama’s successes continue, the SEC Championship game could be a blockbuster between undefeated teams, and the Iron Bowl clash between the Crimson Tide and Auburn looks more appealing now that the Tigers are rejuvenated under Gus Malzahn.
SABAN RUMOR
Inside Texas and ESPN radio both report that Nick Saban’s wife was shopping for a house in Austin, Texas, two weeks ago, bringing inevitable online reports that tie Nick to the possible opening at the University of Texas — presuming that the Longhorns do replace the embattled Mack Brown when the season is over.
But there’s more to story. Terry Saban was in Austin with her daughter-in-law who is a licensed real estate agent and who also bought property a year ago in Baton Rouge, La., and Nick didn’t end up back at LSU either.
But the rumors persist.
It leaves Buzz to ask this question: Can a coach leave a school that puts his likeness in 9 feet of bronze outside Bryant-Denny Stadium like Saban’s is in Tuscaloosa?
BY THE NUMBERS
68 Points allowed by Alabama, 42 of them to Texas A&M in Week 2. The Tide has surrendered one touchdown in the past five games. And Tennessee, Saturday's opponent, hasn't scored more than 17 in a game against Alabama since Nick Saban moved to Tuscaloosa.
32-2 AJ McCarron's record at Alabama as a starting quarterback, tied for second in school history with Jeff Rutledge. Jay Barker's mark of 35-2-1 is the best in Crimson Tide history.
INJURY UPDATE
Freshman Patton Robinette will start at quarterback in place of the injured Austyn Carta-Samuels (left leg) when Vanderbilt visits No. 14 Texas A&M.
HE SAID IT
“These injuries are costing us some of our best special-teams players. … We lost a safety at the beginning of the year to off-the-field issues. We’ve lost a corner for about half the season. Now we’ve got him back. We lost another safety who was our dime linebacker. Now we’ve lost him for the rest of the season. It’s hard to build consistency and high productivity when you have all that happen.” — Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson
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