SEC Football

1. Auburn was “a lot better than a three-win team” last year, according to defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson.

2. Nick Saban is bringing out-of-states students to Alabama, which is helping generate millions of dollars.

3. LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is confident in his defense. “The thing we’ve got to do is build that depth.”

4. Joe Schad reports Tennessee is in the running for transfer QB Wes Lunt. UT should make a run at Lunt, writes Barrett Sallee.

5. From yesterday: Kansas coach Charlie Weis backed Bob Stoops’ recent criticism of the SEC.

6. Florida coach Will Muschamp is a popular man with fans following a successful season in 2012.

7. Georgia’s offensive line can be one of the greatest lines in school history, says lineman Chris Burnette.

8. Jacquese Kirk, who recently transferred from Vanderbilt, admitted to stabbing an ex-teammate in April.

SEC Basketball

9. Swingman DeVon Walker had a change of heart and will return to Florida for his sophomore season.

10. Star prospect Andrew Wiggins will announce his decision today at 12:15 ET. Kentucky is an underdog in the race.

11. Analysts from around the nation weighed in on Wiggins’ pending decision and his potential impact in college.

Extra

12. Auburn president Jay Gogue wrote a letter to fans following an evaluation of Auburn Athletics.

13. Southern Cal coach Lane Kiffin discussed the idea of one day coaching high school football.

14. Matt Hayes writes that Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher shouldn’t release Matthew Thomas without consequence.

Reports of Tim Brewster’s move from Mississippi State to Florida State seem to have been a bit premature.  Today there’s still some back-and-forth going on as FSU tries to hire the tight ends coach and MSU tries to keep him.

At this point we can be sure of just one thing — the ex-Minnesota head coach will be making a lot more money next season… either in Tallahassee or Starkville.  But while money will likely play a pretty big role in Brewster’s ultimate decision, Bulldog fans are taking to Twitter to try and convince him to stay in the Magnolia State.

There’s just one catch, of course.  Do you really think Brewster is hanging out on Twitter as two programs compete for his services?

Brewster has been at State for six months, coaching the schools receivers last year before being assigned tight ends two weeks ago.

Update: The Florida State Rivals Site ($) says the deal with Brewster was finalized today. He will coach tight ends for Jimbo Fisher.

New head football coach Butch Jones has suffered his first big loss at Tennessee.  Volquest.com — the Rivals site covering Tennessee — reports today that Vol running backs coach Jay Graham has verbally accepted an offer from Jimbo Fisher to join his Florida State staff in the same capacity.  Regarded as a strong recruiter, Graham left South Carolina to return to his alma mater under Derek Dooley in late-2011.

The site reports that Graham will receive “more money with more responsibility” in Tallahassee.

Jones and his first batch of Volunteers open spring practice in a little less than two weeks.  They’ll need to find a running backs coach between now and then.  According to the coach’s Twitter feed his search is already underway:

Looking at Wednesday’s signees — including junior college and prep school athletes — here’s a snapshot of the talent produced by the state of Florida in 2013 (as graded by Rivals.com):

5-stars = 5

4-stars = 47

3- stars = 168

Total 3+ stars = 220

Here’s where the state’s 10 highest-ranked players are headed:

Florida = 2

Florida State = 2

Alabama = 1

Clemson = 1

Notre Dame = 1

Ohio State = 1

Ole Miss = 1

Southern Cal = 1

Loyalty:  Only four of the state’s 10 best players will suit up for Sunshine State schools next season.  With so many in-state schools to pick from that number’s a bit low.  Six different schools made successful raids for the state’s best prospects.  Will Muschamp and Jimbo Fisher can’t be too pleased about that.

The headline is correct.

Defensive end Davin Bellamy from Chamblee (Ga.) High School told ESPN RecruitingNation he’s still committed to Florida State, but Georgia has taken the lead for his services following an official visit to Athens.

“We have a new leader in the house,” Bellamy said. “I definitely think with this scheme and (defensive coordinator Todd) Grantham, the years he has been here, that position has led the SEC in sacks. So the proof is in the pudding. He coached (Dallas Cowboys linebacker) Demarcus Ware, so I feel like with my skill set, he can take it here and I can be like Jarvis Jones and a top-10 pick.”

So where does that leave Florida State, which has held a commitment from Bellamy since August? He’s expecting an in-home visit from FSU coach Jimbo Fisher this week.

“I am still a Florida State commitment and Jimbo Fisher is coming Wednesday to try and talk me into staying with the program,” Bellamy told ESPN. “We will see how it goes.”

Bellamy visited Tennessee on Jan. 18 and came away impressed with the Vols. But Florida State’s chief competition appears to be Georgia with 10 days to go until signing day.

Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter is turning pro
Tennessee offensive tackle Ja’Waun James says he will return for his senior year
Alabama defensive backs coach Jeremy Pruitt headed to Florida State to become defensive coordinator
Former Tennessee defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri reportedly joining Jimbo Fisher’s staff at Florida State
Missouri co-offensive line coach Josh Henson is the Tigers new offensive coordinator
LSU linebacker Kevin Minter named team MVP
$85 million expansion at LSU’s Tiger Stadium will bring capacity to just under 100,000
Ole Miss has sold nearly 21,000 tickets for the BBVA Compass Bowl
Follow the SEC every single day at MrSEC.com and twitter.com/mrsec

Sources tell MrSEC.com that Jimbo Fisher, Mike Gundy, Charlie Strong and Larry Fedora are in the mix for Tennessee’s coaching job
Sources tell MrSEC.com that Gary Patterson, Jimbo Fisher, Bobby Petrino and Gus Malzahn are in the mix for Auburn’s coaching job
Alabama assistant coach Kirby Smart reportedly interviewed for Auburn job Tuesday
Sources tell MrSEC.com that Gary Patterson and Mike Gundy are in the mix for Arkansas’ coaching job
When he was asked if he could definitively say he will be at Louisville next year, coach Charlie Strong said Tuesday, “I will say that at the right time”
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein are the finalists for the Heisman Trophy
Johnny Manziel unanimously named SEC Offensive Player of the Year
Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones named SEC Defensive Player of the Year
Vanderbilt coach James Franklin is standing by his ballot in the final coaches’ poll in which he ranked unbeaten Notre Dame fourth behind three Southeastern Conference teams
Follow the SEC every single day at MrSEC.com and at twitter.com/mrsec

Sources tell MrSEC.com that Jimbo Fisher, Mike Gundy, Charlie Strong and Larry Fedora are in the mix for Tennessee’s coaching job
Sources tell MrSEC.com that Gary Patterson, Jimbo Fisher, Bobby Petrino and Gus Malzahn are in the mix for Auburn’s coaching job
Sources tell MrSEC.com that Gary Patterson and Mike Gundy are in the mix for Arkansas’ coaching job
An Arkansas fan website is reporting that Boise State’s Chris Petersen is expected to be named Arkansas’ coach on Tuesday
Vanderbilt is giving an extension and a $3 million salary to coach James Franklin to keep him in Nashville “long-term”
New Kentucky coach Mark Stoops will make $11 million over five years and receive bonuses for SEC wins
Alabama will face Notre Dame in the BCS Championship Game
Florida will face Louisville in the Sugar Bowl
Georgia will face Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl
Texas A&M will face Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl
South Carolina will face Michigan in the Outback Bowl
LSU will face Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl
Mississippi State will face Northwestern in the Gator Bowl
Vanderbilt will face North Carolina State in the Music City Bowl
Ole Miss will face Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl
Follow the SEC every single day at MrSEC.com and at twitter.com/mrsec

Coaching News & Rumors

1. Names linked to Auburn search: Gus Malzahn, Jimbo Fisher, Gary Patterson, Kirby Smart, Chris Peterson.  Introduction of new coach could come early in the week. All of those names except Patterson were on the winning side Saturday.

2. Auburn’s search committee – the four names at Auburn that matter most.

3. Names linked to Arkansas search:  Gary Patterson,  Mike Gundy, Art Briles,  Chris Petersen,  Kirby Smart, Bo Pelini. One week ago today, A.D. Jeff Long said Arkansas would have its new coach in 10-14 days.

4. Names linked to Tennesssee search: Mike Gundy, Charlie Strong, Jimbo Fisher, Al Golden. Search moves to New York City.

5. New Kentucky coach Mark Stoops left the field last night for the final time as Florida State’s defensive coordinator.  “Thank you, coach!”

6. Stoops lands in Lexington today. Deciding on a starting quarterback will be at the top of the agenda.

7. Pat Dooley: “I was a little puzzled by the hiring of Mark Stoops at Kentucky.”

8. North Carolina State has its new coach.  Northern Illinois coach Dave Doeren accepted the position Saturday.

Bowl Projections

9. High level Georgia source: Bulldogs headed to Cotton Bowl or Capital One Bowl.

10. Late word Saturday was that Capital One wanted Texas A&M.  Cotton Bowl to decide between Georgia and LSU. Are Tigers the favorite?

11. This Louisiana writer agrees- Cotton for LSU. This Louisiana writer didn’t get the memo – he says Chik-Fil-A for the Tigers.

12. SI’s Stewart Mandel’s complete bowl projections has Vanderbilt slotted for the Chik-Fil-A Bowl. Jerry Palm has the Commodores in the Gator Bowl.

13. Why Mississippi State could be headed to Music City Bowl.

14. Alabama fans know where they are headed: “I respect the heck out of Notre Dame.”

15. Jeremy Fowler: “These two are meant for each other, and even SEC elitists should acknowledge it.”

SEC/College News

16. The Internet troublemaker known as the ampersand - and why it has Texas A&M officials worried about the Heisman vote.

17. Ole Miss receiver Donte Moncrief and the Internet sensation known as “Feed Moncrief.”

18. One writer’s players of the year and other informal postseason honors for the Florida Gators.

19. Some stadium renovations at Missouri may be completed a year earlier than planned.

20. One man’s AP Top 25 ballot.  Here’s another one.

21. Man falls 4o-feet at ACC Championship game. Transported to hospital with “life-threatening injuries.” 

 SEC Basketball

22. Baylor 64 – Kentucky 55. Baylor snaps UK’s 55-game home winning streak. John Calipari now 54-1 at Rupp.

23. Cincinnati 58 – Alabama 56.  Tide lose game on a buzzer-beater.

24.  Missouri 72 – Applachian State 56. Laurence Bowers matches his career-high with 23 points as Tigers move to 6-1.  An insufficient punishment for coach Frank Haith?

25. Ole Miss 80 – Rutgers 67.  Murphy Holloway and Reggie Buckner post double-doubles as Rebels move to 6-0.

26. Providence 73- Mississippi State 63. State now 0-5 in games away from Humphrey Coliseum.

27. Villanova 62 – Vanderbilt 52. Commodores now 2-4, worst start since the 1988-89 season.

28. Texas A&M 70 – Houston 59. Aggies go to 6-1 behind 26 points from Elston Turner.

29. South Carolina plays Clemson today.  Fifth-year senior LaShay Page is a steady influence for the Gamecocks.

30. LSU is hitting its free-throws when it matters most.

SEC Championship Game
Alabama 32 – Georgia 28
Alabama will play Notre Dame January 7th in the BCS Championship game
Saturday SEC Basketball Finals
Providence 73 – Mississippi State 63
Baylor 64 – Kentucky 55
Ole Miss 80 – Rutgers 67
Missouri 72 – Appalachian State 56
Cincinnati 58 – Alabama 56
Villanova 62 – Vanderbilt 52
Texas A&M 70 – Houston 59
Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, Louisville coach Charlie Strong and Oklahama State coach Mike Gundy expected to be targets for open Tennessee job
Follow all the SEC’s coaching news and more at MrSEC.com and twitter.com/mrsec