Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Chris Marler
The weekly SEC coaches teleconference took place Wednesday morning, with all 16 coaches previewing their upcoming matchups and sharing updates on their teams. Here are the key takeaways.
Shane Beamer, South Carolina
On Oklahoma QB John Mateer
“To be back out there in that setting that close to surgery. He’s a really good football player. He’s competing his butt off and that’s what jumps off the tape to me.”
On South Carolina playing five straight top 15 teams
“That’s life in the SEC. I saw something on social media this week that three of the top five teams don’t play another ranked team the rest of the season. That’s mind boggling to me.”
On LaNorris Sellers struggling behind the offensive line
“He’s done a nice job. Certainly he’s been under pressure this season, and that’s not all on the offensive line. He’s gotta be able to get rid of the ball, but I think he continues to get better each week.”
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
On Missouri’s third down issues against Alabama
“Yeah whatever we did last week, we didn’t do well. Gotta go back to the drawing board and make sure our quarterback knows what he’s supposed to do.”
On the difficulties of getting the most out of highly ranked transfer classes
“When you’re constantly bringing in transfers, sometimes your timing with receivers and quarterbacks and everything isn’t as in tune as you’re supposed to be.”
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
On the health of WR Derek Meadows and RB Jam Miller
“I expect Derek will be out. I think Jam (Miller) will be questionable.”
Jeff Lebby, Mississippi State
On what he wants to see from his offense
“I would like to see us play really clean on first and second down, so that we have opportunities on third down. That, to me, is the story. The pre-snap penalties are a choice.”
Hugh Freeze, Auburn
On just figuring out ways to win games
“We could be sitting here 5-1 or 4-2 for sure, or something like that. UGA, for example, how efficient we were for the first half. The same plays against the same defense and we’re not executing. It’s baffling. It’s almost like we’re hoping we can hold on and win instead of saying let’s go win it. I’ve never experienced this many close losses as we’ve experienced here. We’ve gotten some very difficult breaks.”
On the youth on defense
We had 23 missed assignments on defense in the game (against Georgia). But, 11 of them came in that 17 play drive.”
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt
On Vanderbilt winning
“We don’t allow that to define our value.”
On LSU’s defense
“They’re among the best in the country. They’re very talented. They challenge you with the way they pressure, they’re sticky at the corner positions, the safeties hunt the ball better than any two I’ve seen on film.”
On how to attack LSU’s defense
“We have to be patient. This is not going to be a game won on one or two plays. We can’t be afraid to take an off schedule snap because there will be plays when we are in 2nd and 12 or off schedule.”
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
On the new wave of players redshirting and opting out the rest of the season
“I’m an advocate for the five (years of eligibility) in five (years). It’s putting agents, families, and players in difficult situations to make business decisions in the middle of the season. I’m not here to complain about it. It’s just the reality of where we are.”
More SEC News
