THE SEC Thread

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ESPN’s first CFB Playoff promo of 2015 includes 14 SEC schools and 15 others | CollegeFootballTalk

The commercial opens with a crimson-colored tidal wave, representing Alabama, before moving to a close-up shot of a microphone and Meyer’s determined eyes. Meyer opens the commentary with a simple “They’re coming,” as the ad shoots to a dinner table lined with mascots on each side and Oregon’s duck standing up at the head of the table. As Meyer’s narration continues, multiple visuals are shown to represent schools from the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and Pac-12.

Sorry ACC fans, you got left out of this one unless you count the couple of shots of mascots standing guard (Clemson and Georgia Tech made that cut). And no, you don’t get to claim Notre Dame in this one.

In a release detailing the new ad campaign, ESPN outlined the different visual cues and which school they represent. Not counting the mascots, the College Football Playoff advertisement features seven SEC members. The Big Ten has three schools represented in the ad, the same number as the Pac-12. The Big 12 was included with a nod to TCU and Baylor, last season’s conference co-champions left out of the playoff at the end of the season.

Here is the full breakdown (minus mascots);

ACC: 0

Big Ten: 3 (Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan)

Big 12: 2 (TCU, Baylor)

Pac-12: 3 (Oregon, USC, UCLA)

SEC: 7 (Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi State)

If you include the mascots, the number of schools represented in the ad changes to this breakdown:

ACC: 2

Big Ten: 5

Big 12: 3

Mountain West Conference: 1

Pac-12: 3

SEC: 14

 

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Current enrollment numbers for every SEC school

The Princeton Review has updated university enrollment numbers from the 2014-2015 school year. Below is a list of the undergraduate enrollment numbers at each SEC school, from the massive to the small but mighty.

These numbers were pulled from each university’s Princeton Review profile.

UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT
Texas A&M 47,093
Florida 33,720
Alabama 30,752
Missouri 27,654
Georgia 26,882
LSU 25,572
South Carolina 24,180
Kentucky 22,223
Arkansas 21,836
Tennessee 21,664
Auburn 20,629
Ole Miss 18,101
Mississippi State 16,536
Vanderbilt 6,851

Largest Population: Texas A&M has the largest undergraduate population of all schools in the SEC, with 13,373 more students than the next largest school. That’s a lot of available people to fill a stadium.

Smallest Population: It shouldn’t be surprising that Vanderbilt has the least amount of undergraduates in the SEC. It has the lowest acceptance rate and is the only private university in the conference. The second-smallest school, Mississippi State, has almost 10,000 more undergrads than Vandy.

Best Public University: U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Florida at No. 14 on its list of best public universities in the nation, which makes it first among SEC schools. UF is tied with Penn State and the University of Washington. The next SEC school on the list is University of Georgia, at No. 20.

 

[Texas Jefe]

Local artist has an eye for Saban, Crimson Tide football

How in the world do you do this with colored pencils?

Spoiler

wood

real talent there

 

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FCS the next stop for LSU’s Jonah Austin | CollegeFootballTalk

The offensive lineman confirmed to theNew Orleans Times-Picayune that he has transferred to Nicholls State and began practicing with the team this past Monday. As the Colonels play at the FCS level, Austin (pictured, No. 71) will be eligible to play immediately in 2015.

Earlier this month, LSU confirmed that Austin had decided to transfer out of the Tigers football program.

 

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Hogs RB Jonathan Williams to miss ‘extended period of time’ | CollegeFootballTalk

In a rather significant development Sunday afternoon, Arkansas announced thatJonathan Williams sustained an injury to his left foot during Saturday’s scrimmage. As a result, the running back will miss what the school described as “an extended period of time during the 2015 season.”

The injury will require surgery, but Williams is expected to make a full recovery. How soon the senior can take the field for the first time in 2015 remains to be seen.

 

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Kentucky dismisses Ex-Buckeye Marcelys Jones | CollegeFootballTalk

So much for making the most of a fresh start at Kentucky. Marcelys Jones, the former Ohio State Buckeye offensive lineman who transferred to Kentucky earlier this summer, has been dismissed from the Kentucky football program by head coach Mark Stoops. Jones was dismissed for a violation of team rules.

Jones left Ohio State in search of a better opportunity for some playing time, and Kentucky seemed to benefit from the addition of the former Army All-American. Jones seemed to relish the opportunity to make an impact with the Wildcats. For whatever reason — because a violation of team rules could mean just about anything — that will not come to fruition. Jones would have had to sit out the 2015 season regardless due to NCAA transfer rules, and should he wind up at another FBS program at this point this would still be the case.

No word on the exact violation of team rules was the ultimate demise for Jones’ time at Kentucky, and it may never be revealed. Whatever the case, we shall wait to see just what comes next for Jones.

 

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Ole Miss’ Huge Freeze, Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen call for Mississippi to change state flag | CollegeFootballTalk

An excerpt from the letter:

“It is simply not fair, or honorable, to ask black Mississippians to attend schools, compete in athletic events, work in the public sector, serve in the National Guard, and go about their normal lives with a state flag that glorifies a war fought to keep their ancestors enslaved,” the letter says. “It’s time for Mississippi to fly a flag for all its people.”

Freeze was outspoken in his hope the Mississippi state flag would remove its Confederate emblem during SEC media days last month, saying “I think it’s time that we move in a different direction.” Freeze’s comments came as South Carolina grappled with removing the Confederate flag from its state capitol building after Dylann Roof allegedly shot and killed nine members of a predominantly black church in Charleston, S.C.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier supported the removal of the Confederate flag long before it became a national topic of discussion, telling ESPN in 2007:

“If anybody were ever to ask me about that damn Confederate flag, I would say we need to get rid of it. I’ve been told not to talk about that. But if anyone were ever to ask me about it, I certainly wish we could get rid of it.”

 

[VFL1995]

West:
1. Auburn 12-1(8-1)
2. Alabama 10-2(6-2)
3. Ole Miss 9-3(5-3)
3. LSU 9-3(5-3)
3. Texas A&M 9-3(5-3)
6. Arkansas 8-4(4-4)
7. Mississippi State 6-6(2-6)
East:
1. Tennessee 10-3(6-3)
2. Georgia 9-3(5-3)
3. Missouri 8-4(4-4)
4. South Carolina 6-6(3-5)
5. Florida 5-7(2-6)
5. Kentucky 6-6(2-6)
7. Vanderbilt 2-10(0-8)

SEC Championship-
Auburn over Tennessee

 

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UGA WR Justin Scott-Wesley dealing with another knee injury | CollegeFootballTalk

If it weren’t for bad injury luck, Justin Scott-Wesley would have no luck at all.

The latest example? The senior wide receiver was forced to leave Georgia’s practice Monday after sustaining an injury to his right knee. The Athens Banner-Herald writes that Scott-Wesley suffered the injury “after slipping while running a route on a play he wasn’t touched.”

There are no details as to the exact nature or extent of the injury, particularly because head coach Mark Richt wasn’t made available to the media Monday.

“Certainly, coach will speak to injuries,” first-year offensive coordinatorBrian Schottenheimer said. “I don’t know. I was going through practice.”

Given Scott-Wesley’s injury history plus the fact that this was a non-contact injury, it’s certainly worrisome for the Bulldogs. Scott-Wesley tore the ACL in his right knee in October of 2013, then underwent surgery on the same joint to repair a torn meniscus in July of this year. DawgNation.com wrote that the receiver “returned in time for the start of preseason practice on Aug. 4, and in fact had been practicing without limitations.”

Limited to six games last season, Scott-Wesley caught three passes for 52 yards. Prior to his midseason injury in 2013, he had caught 16 passes for 31 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

 

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Arkansas, Florida potential landing spots for USC transfer Ricky Town | CollegeFootballTalk

Citing a source close to the situation,247Sports.com is reporting that the erstwhile Trojan could have a new college football home in less than a week. And, according to the recruiting service, Arkansas and Florida are considered contenders for the quarterback’s services.

Why? The site writes that “Town is looking for a pro-style offense to play in when considering his next destination.” Obviously, both of those SEC programs run something akin to an NFL offense.

In addition to other Pac-12 programs, Town has been barred from transferring to future opponents Alabama, Arkansas State, Idaho, UNLV, Notre Dame, Utah State, Western Michigan, Texas and BYU.

 

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Injury could cost LSU’s Jalen Mills multiple games | CollegeFootballTalk

A school spokesperson has confirmed that star safetyJalen Mills was indeed injured during Wednesday’s practice. While no specifics have been given by the school, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the defensive back sustained a fractured fibula.

As a result of the injury, Mills is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. The short end of that timeline would have him missing the 2015 opener against McNeese State and the SEC opener the following weekend at Mississippi State; the long end could see the senior miss the following two weeks against Auburn and at Syracuse as well.

Missing two key SEC contests certainly wouldn’t help the Tigers’ conference title hopes.

Mills has started all 39 games in which he’s played during his time in Baton Rouge. He’s also one of the leaders of a Tigers defense that is in the process of making the transition to a new coordinator.

 

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Florida suspends three Gators for season opener | CollegeFootballTalk

When the Jim McElwain era in Gainesville gets underway in just over two weeks, it will do so with a few players serving a suspension. On Friday Florida announced three players will be suspended for the 2015 season opener; defensive end Alex McCalister, safety Marcus Maye and wide receiver Latroy Pittman.

The reason, or reasons, for the suspensions is not known beyond the typical and rather routine “violation of team rules.” All three players will be a dent in the depth at their respective positions, but Florida should be able to manage through one game without much problem. Florida’s season opener is at home against New Mexico State, and they are no Georgia Southern.

This is not the first time Pittman has been suspended at Florida either. This will be the second straight season opener Pitman will miss due to suspension after being one of a number of Gators suspended before the start of last season under former head coach Will Muschamp.

 

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http://t.co/BOO5ScCsXdScCsXd

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas has landed quarterback Ricky Town, who left Southern California after just one week of fall practices.

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema announced the move Friday.

USC coach Steve Sarkisian announced Town's departure Sunday night. Town was a touted recruit from Ventura County who graduated from high school early to participate in spring practice with the Trojans. He was a centerpiece in their most recent recruiting class, widely considered the nation's best.

But Town faced stiff competition for playing time at USC. Senior Cody Kessler is heading into his third year as a starter, while sophomore backup Max Browne and fellow freshman Sam Darnold also are elite prospects.

Town will be eligible to play in 2016 for the Razorbacks.

Town verbally committed to Alabama two years ago, but changed his mind.

 

[ElTexan]

 

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Ex-Gamecock CB Wesley Green transfers to Hoosiers

Indiana announced in a press release Monday afternoon that Green has transferred into the university and is now a member of the Hoosiers football program. It was announced earlier this month that it was “mutually decided” that Green and South Carolina had decided to part ways for unspecified reasons.

Green will be forced to sit out the 2015 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules. Beginning in 2013, the defensive back will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

 

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SEC schools to honor Slive

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Southeastern Conference will help raise awareness of prostate cancer prevention and honor former commissioner Mike Slive, who battled the disease during his athletics administration career, with Prostate Cancer Awareness Games on each of the 14 league campuses during the month of September.

The 14 Athletics Directors of the SEC voted unanimously in May at the SEC Spring Meetings to recognize Slive by dedicating a game on each campus to prostate cancer awareness during which the home team will wear a commemorative helmet sticker in addition to other awareness activities determined by each school.

 

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Connor Mitch named South Carolina's starting QB

Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrierannounced the news Tuesday, saying Mitch, a redshirt sophomore, will be under center when USC opens up against North Carolina on Sept. 3 in Charlotte.

Mitch came out on top of a lengthy four-man quarterback battle with junior Perry Orth, redshirt freshman Michael Scarnecchia and true freshman Lorenzo Nunez. The 6-foot-3, 211-pound Mitch played briefly in two games last season, completing 2-of-6 passes for 19 yards.

 

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Alabama, LSU pace SEC coaches preseason All-SEC team

 

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