THE SCOOP
Over the past eight months, Alabama has suspended 10 players for various reasons, some of them public knowledge and some not.
Coach Nick Saban doesn’t care if you think there’s a discipline problem. He sees a bigger picture.
“We’re not going to be willing to worry about anybody’s perception of what’s happening if we have to take steps to get guys to do the right things the right way at the right time,” Saban said. “If players are committed and doing the right things, we won’t have those issues to be dealing with. …
“The way things are right now — and I see it happening every day — is the me-first mentality is something that’s very difficult to have when you’re in such a great team sport like football.”
INJURY UPDATE
Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said linebacker Cassanova McKinzy, third on the team with 23 tackles, sustained a stinger or a “pretty serious neck sprain” Saturday against Ole Miss and that the medical staff wanted to evaluate him again after 48 hours. He said McKinzy participated in the Tigers’ light, non-contact practice Sunday night but his neck was “real sore.” The team was off Monday.
McKinzy appeared to collide with Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace and remained down on the field for several minutes after the play. He was placed on a flat board and taken to the hospital, but returned to the sideline wearing a neck brace and street clothes.
QUOTABLE
“I knew we needed another stop, so I had to pin my ears back and go after the quarterback.” — Auburn defensive end Carl Lawson (Milton High) on his second sack late in the game that sealed the victory against Ole Miss. The two sacks were the first of his career.
“My view when I saw (Pig Howard) dive, I thought he scored. I didn’t know he even dropped the ball until everybody was over there saying he dropped it. I just thought he was out of bounds before he dove but after I saw it on the screen, I was overjoyed. Something in my heart just knew we were going to win this game when it got that close.” — Georgia defense end Jordan Jenkins (Harris County High) on Saturday overtime fumble by Tennessee that resulted in a touchback.
“I think you kind of have to move past it. … You’ve got to kind of put your head down and let it go and try not to dwell on the past. Take a peek back there and remind yourself of things you don’t want to do.” — Tennessee senior running back Rajion Neal (Sandy Creek High) on the narrow UT losses during his career.
BY THE NUMBERS
12 -- Consecutive SEC opponents Florida has held to 20 or fewer points.
56 -- Distance of UGA kicker Marshall Morgan’s first-quarter field goal at Tennessee. He not only tied Blair Walsh for longest in Georgia history but the kick was the longest ever in Neyland Stadium and the longest in the SEC this season.
