THE SCOOP
Coach Will Muschamp either knows something the rest of us don’t or is whistling past the graveyard that is Florida football.
He said he “absolutely” can envision the Gators in the SEC Championship game next year. And he “absolutely” believes he’ll be Florida’s coach next season.
“I don’t think it’s sitting there hitting a reset button,” he said. “I don’t believe we’re that far off. … I think there’s some key components for our football team that aren’t playing for us right now. And we’re very thin in some areas. And it is what it is.
“I’m not making excuses, that’s just the facts, and it’s real. And again, I think we’ve got a good staff and I think that we’ve got a really good football team going into — they’re fighting their butt off this Saturday, first of all, and heading into spring. And I’m excited about that. I’m excited about this Saturday and our guys getting out and competing again.”
Quarterback Tyler Murphy (shoulder) has not been cleared by team medical personnel and is questionable for Saturday’s game.
IRON DERBY
There’s a decidedly Braves bent to the Iron Bowl Grudge Match 2013 Celebrity Home Run Derby on Friday at Plainsman Park in Auburn.
Eight current and former major-leaguers will make up the teams. “Team Hudson,” which will be led by former Auburn and new San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Hudson, will feature himself, Auburn assistant coach Greg Norton, the Toronto Blue Jays’ Colby Rasmus, and Oakland A’s third baseman and former Tiger Josh Donaldson.
Led by Alabama fan and Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, “Team Kimbrel” will feature Kimbrel, former Tiger and seven-year major-leaguer Gabe Gross, former big-leaguer Wes Helms and Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer.
Pride is on the line as the losing team’s captain will be required to wear the opposing team’s gear following the derby to the Hudson Family Foundation’s Iron Bowl Bash at Auburn Arena.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. and batting practice is set for 5-5:45 p.m. The Home Run Derby will begin at 6 p.m. A minimum $2 donation is required, with all proceeds going to the Hudson Family Foundation.
MIRACLES
Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked to compare LSU’s “Bluegrass Miracle” with Auburn’s “Prayer at Jordan-Hare” to defeat Georgia.
In 2002, Saban’s LSU Tigers needed a 75-yard touchdown to escape Kentucky. Two week ago, Auburn needed a late touchdown from wide receiver Ricardo Louis to overcome Georgia.
“When we played at Kentucky, we didn’t play a very good game,” Saban said. “I think Auburn played a very good game against Georgia. And they made a play at the end of the game that won the game for them. … I don’t think they were lucky to win. … They really probably deserved to win the game, based on how they played in the game, and they got rewarded for it.”
BY THE NUMBERS
6-5 Saban's record as a head coach against Auburn, 4-2 at Alabama and 2-3 at LSU.
