A year ago this week, one SEC school was introducing a new football coach. Two others were getting started searching for one.
Fast forward, past signing day, media day and opening day:
Come Saturday, Florida and Alabama will reprise their 2008 SEC championship game appearance in the Georgia Dome. Nothing changed at the top.
So how did everybody else do down below?
Ten of 12 teams are awaiting bowl assignments. I saw Tennessee projected in three different bowls Sunday and the rest of the picture is just as scrambled.
To see why, take a look at the SEC standings.
Only three teams - Florida, Alabama and LSU - finished with a winning SEC record. That has happened only once, 1993, since the league schedule expanded to eight games.
Three teams are 4-4. Five are 3-5. You might call that parity. You might call it mediocrity.
Or, it might just be the gap between Alabama and Florida and everyone else. If two teams are 8-0, somebody's got to be losing games.
Seven teams improved by at least one SEC win over 2008. Alabama stayed perfectly even at a perfect 8-0. Four teams lost ground.
I was surprised to find the team that improved the most, a two-game swing from 3-5 to 5-3, was none other than LSU. Would anyone out there vote LSU as the most improved team?
As for the three new coaches, all recorded modest improvement.
Tennessee went from 5-7 to 7-5 under Lane Kiffin's direction. In SEC play, the Vols were 4-4, a game better than in 2008. Neither of the other new guys managed a fourth SEC win.
Gene Chizik took Auburn from 5-7 to 7-5. In SEC play, the Tigers also were a game better, 3-5, after going 2-6 in 2008.
More common ground, both Kiffin and Chizik came very close to ruining Alabama's perfect season.
But on Oct. 3, Auburn was decidedly better than Tennessee, more so than the 26-22 score would indicate.
Mississippi State improved one game, from 4-8 to 5-7, under Dan Mullen and also was one game better in the SEC standings.
However, nobody finished with a bigger win than Mullen's Bulldogs. Spanking Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl is worth a couple of wins inside the state borders.
Kiffin, Chizik and Mullen all were hired with the mission to upgrade hard-to-watch offenses. All three get a thumbs-up.
In 2008, Auburn beat Mississippi State 3-2. They won again this year, but the score was 49-24.
Last year Tennessee scored a combined 20 points in losses to SEC East rivals Georgia and South Carolina. This year the Vols scored 76 while beating both.
Auburn improved its scoring average by 16 points a game. Tennessee jumped 13.3 points a game to 30.6. Mississippi State enjoyed a 10.4-point bump.
In total offense, Auburn and UT were within a first down of each other for the most improvement.
Auburn gained 129 yards more per game than in 2008. The Vols' offense jumped by 126 yards a game from that awful season under offensive coordinator Dave Clawson.
Mississippi State improved 97 yards a game.
For what it's worth, all three programs took minor statistical steps backward on defense.
UT fans can live with that. The defining defensive impression of 2009 doesn't involve Dexter McCluster. It's keeping the Florida and Alabama games competitive.
For Mullen and the Bulldogs, the bar is as high as its going to go for 2009. Kiffin and Chizik still have a shot to reach for more.
That's something neither Tennessee nor Auburn could say this time a year ago.
Mike Strange may be reached at strangem@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6276.
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Comments » 29
HollySpringsVOL writes:
Lane Kiffin - SEC Coach of the Year!
teampenny#658108 writes:
Solid year. Better on offense-not as good on defense. With better than four weeks to get ready for a bowl I will be surprised if we do not win. I believe Gators and Tide will be the favorites next season too.
RollTideJoe writes:
Tennessee made significant improvements in '09. I believe you can beat Wisconsin or an ACC opponent in a bowl. Certainly Auburn improved also as did MSU and Kentucky. Ole Miss had a strange year at times looking very good and then looking surprisingly poor. All in all, SC and LSU were about the same. Georgia had to be the disappointment team this year, although they lost some key players to graduation and the NFL last year.
Hunter writes:
Most projections have us in the Outback, but Chris Low (ESPN SEC coverage) has a swap in place in which the Outback would take Ole Miss and send us to the Cotton. A story worth following......
im4davols writes:
Not interested in giving you my thoughts on the UF vs UA game. This is a UT website. I have read some of your other "comments" and you seem to have negative comments regarding UT. So I will not waste my time or yours on giving you my thoughts on other teams while on our website. Sorry!
CoverOrange writes:
Because you are being congenial this morning I will give some thoughts in hopes of encouraging more congeniality in the future.
Agree that Chizik deserves COY, he had much lower expectations than Kiffin at the start of the year. Disagree that Saban or Meyer deserve it. Both teams are lesser than last year. Expectations.
Since we played both UA and UF one and two months ago, respectively, not sure that everything is still the same. UT was definitely a different team between Sept and Oct (and Nov, not to mention).
Bama's lack of offense when we played was surprising and their defense showed it could be had at times. The Gators were not as overpowering with as many weapons as last year but methodical and relentless. The SECCG may come down to who's defense scores or sets up scores for the offense. IMHO
VolFanFtl writes:
As to your question, this Vol fan that lives in Ft. Lauderdale, wants Alabama to win the game.
Second, is your life so sad that you have nothing better to do than post on a UT web-site? Is that what you Florida education gave you?
Is your family proud of you that you spend your free time on a UT web-site daily? Have you fulfilled all of their dreams for their child?
Really, you are a very sad pitiful person. Try doing something with your life.
Living in Florida, I have several very good, classy gator fans as friends. The difference between them and you is that they have a life. Get some help.
VolFanFtl writes:
It has nothing to do with the fact that you can sign up to this web-site for free, it has to do that your life is so sad that you have nothing better to do than spend time on this web-site.
You are another UF fan that must really make their families proud. Step back from the keyboard and try to get a life.
huntined#565710 writes:
D.C. Just got home from Deer hunting and while I was hunting deer the Vols killed a Wildcat..
As far as the SECC game FLA wins that game by 10-14.. Bama could not score a T.D against our defense so I don't look for them to score a lot against FLA. I live in FLA and have friends as well as family that are big FLA fans. And yes they do give me a rough time being a VOL but that Is o.k. for now. I just want the winner of the game to win it all as it is the SEC...
VolFanFtl writes:
Again, I just want to say, thanks for confirming the fact that you have no life. You spend your free time cruising other web-sites, how sad. If you don't see how pitiful that is, you need help (btw, I would say the same thing to a VOL fan that trolled other sites.)
Regarding Fort Lauderdale, it is an unbelievable place and I am lucky. I was also smart enough to leave the state to get my education at the University of Tennessee.
jakethevolguy writes:
IMO Brooks should be COY because he did more with less. Urby and Nicky's team only met expectations while Brooks' surpassed all expectations up in Ky (except for last weekend)
Earlier in the year I would have picked Bama over Fla in the championship game but, now I'm leaning toward Fla. I think the Gators are playing better ball now than they were a month ago and Bama should have lost to the Vols and to Auburn.
Lastly, I don't care a thing about going to Dallas. Tampa Bay all the way. GBO!!!!!!!!!!
Fryinpansvols writes:
I agree totally! Turning a 5-7 record and a season that we were not even competitive to a 7-5 record with 4 loses coming by a combined a total of 20 points. That includes #1 Florida by 10 pts and #2 Alabama 2 pts. Of course our only blowout loss was at the hands of Ole Miss.
Fryinpansvols writes:
I don't know about Florida winning the SEC East next season losing Tebow. I know we will be replacing several players but I like our chance to compete for the East next season.
Fryinpansvols writes:
Because UT finished 2nd in the SEC East and at 4-4 .500 in SEC play. And traditionally, SEC COY goes to a coach not expected to lead their team to a better Preseason Record. UT was projected by most magazines and analysts as 4th or 5th in the East. Alabama and Florida were Preseason pickes to win their respected divisions. Lane Kiffin will be your SEC COY.
OrangePride writes:
In my view, Kiffin or Brooks should get COY. Why? Kiffin took over a program in total disarray with no serviceable QB, horrible depth at almost any position but running back, and very negative prospects for success. He turned this program around by game 4 and, at the end of the year, playing high quality football. Same can be said of Brooks......lots of injuries on a team with limited talent, but Kentucky played great football......came within a whisker of closing the season 8-4 with a signature win against the VOLS. Alabama did what was expected and had talent everywhere you looked. Florida?......I would say, given a complete returning defense, experienced O line, Tebow, and all their other weapons, I think, having two games they could well have lost, they "underperformed." No brass ring for Meyer. Auburn performed GREAT during the first half of the season, but really did not match that in the second half. Good performance against Alabama, though. We will see.....lots of good candidates.....but I am on the "ANYBODY BUT MEYER" train right now! GO VOLS1
murrayvol writes:
As long as Nutt is coaching at Ole Miss they will have "strange" games and years.
Any thoughts on Atlanta?
kman29 writes:
never understood this logic when it came to coach of the year. The award is supposed to be for the best coach of the year, no different than when they award the heisman for best player of that season or the individual awards for the best player at their positions. They dont award Joe Smith of Idaho the heisman simply because he over acheived as opposed to a Tebow or McCoy because they played as expected. But for some reason when it comes to coach of the year it ends up being based on that, when in the end we all know guys like Rich Brooks do not even come close to the same level as a Meyer or Saban, the two coaches who should win it every year within the SEC.
kman29 writes:
so Lane Kiffin taking a 5-7 team to a 7-5 team deserves coach of the year? Yet when Fulmer took a 5-6 team in 2005 and the next season went 9-3 (2nd in the east and outback bowl bid) you all wanted his head.
I need to go to the Lane Kiffin brainwashing school to figure out what mind power technique he uses to keep you all believing a coach going 7-5 and needing OT to beat Kentucky to get there is the coach of the year. He did an ok job, but in the end, the overall record is right about what everyone said it would probably be, 6-6 - 7-5. Not exactly coach of the year material there.
kman29 writes:
You really need to take a look at what Tennessee is losing. While schools like Florida and Alabama will lose some key players after this season, both are so deep that unlike Tennessee who loses a lot, they will not have to depend on starting a true freshman at QB along with other positions with inexperienced freshman and sophomores or having to replace an entire offensive line with guys who have never started a game. Next year despite losing guys like Tebow, Florida will be the favorite to win the east and Alabama will be the favorite in the west. Only difference is next year I think Alabama will be the better team by a couple notches over Florida and probably the popular pick to win the national title in 2010.
im4davols writes:
Was just simply stating my thoughts about the request on the SECCG. Dont get so upset. I would rather spend my time talking about UT and not other non-related subjects. That is my opinion, not everyone else. They can comment if they want.
Pompey writes:
You are the jerk and liar and full of fear at what Kiffin portends for the future....I don't give a damn about Florida or Alabama and you can add 'dthenc' to that list as well.
im4davols writes:
Touchy are we! I am sorry I dont share your enthusiasm for UF or UA. I enjoy talking about UT sports and would rather not waste my time talking about other schools that I do not support. I am sorry if I upset you. Whatever! GBO win the outback or cotton bowl
jakethevolguy writes:
The Heisman is supposed the be given to the "Best" football player in America. (Although we know that isn't necessarily the case. i.e. Charles Woodson) However, the COY award is not given to the "Best" coach in America but to the coach that coached his (or her) team to heights not expected of said team. Thus, Rich Brooks definately falls into that category while Nick and Urban do not as their teams were expected to and should have won their respective divisions no matter who was coaching them because of the tallent on said teams. Now, do you understand that? GBO!!! Beat Whoever!!
cloudodust writes:
I welcome informative dialouge from opposing views and opposing schools. As long as it's real footballspeak and not mindless blather, it's helpful to read honest opinions from around the SEC and the nation. Remember to keep your friends close and your ememies closer. That being said, Tennessee made strides. I had them going 4-4 in the SEC this year and was mocked in some circles as being non-supportive. Nothing could be further from the truth. I just try to call it as I see it, not as I wish it would be. And for Crompton, it was easy to see his receivers shared in his early season problems yet too many hopped on the 'Sit JC Bandwagon'. Those are crow-eating Volunteer fans today.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
I wouldn't say that Auburn manhandled UT here in Knoxville because they only won by four or five points..I wouldn't call that manhandling...They beat us..yes...but not manhandle..
Halls3 writes:
Personally I think the SEC has had an outstanding year. Even though the Top 2 teams have been well above the rest the parity below them minus Vandy is outstanding & makes the future of the SEC look bright. I mean Miss. St. was a play or 2 away from having 7 wins & would have made 11 bowl eligible teams, all of which would be 7-5 or better. Hopefully the SEC will clean house in the bowls, win both the Sugar & NCG & prove dominance again. Oh & I know as much as UT fans would love to see their Vols go to the Outback or Cotton I think a Music City Bowl matchup with Bobby Bowden in his last game would be neat. Plus, can you imagine the home field advantage of that game for UT.
Incinigator writes:
I concur that nothing has changed in the SEC penthouse. However, the security procedures need to be changed because a whiny, loudmouth, inmature brat has moved his circus into the tiny one bedroom on the second floor. SECURITY !
navarrebeachvol writes:
you simply need to go to school. get a job. maybe raise a family. become a productive member of society and perhaps get a life beyond a UT message board... goes for the other Gator clowns here..you know who you are. p.s. Bama picks off Timmy in the 4th for the close win. I will be behind the Gator bench in the first row. They will be hearing it from me.
hueypilot writes:
So that is your agenda Post? You're a big Phil guy and so the new guy is zip? Well I've got news for you, Phil is not coming back. Lane Kiffin is the new coach of the team supported by Vol Fans. I liked Phil too and was a big supporter but it was time for him to go. The team laid down on him in 08 in games vs. Wyoming, Georgia, Alabama and Florida and Northern somebody who we barely squeaked by.
He had a last best chance to save his job with a refitted offensive staff and his answer was the worst offensive football team I have seen in 50 years of watching the Vols.
So we move on. I wish Phil nothing but the best, but as for me and most of the folks on this thread, we are Tennessee fans and if and when a Lane Kiffin coached Tennessee team faces a team coached by Phil Fulmer, most of the fans here will be rooting for Lane.
Maybe you should start a website called GoPhillipFulmer.com and post there with the rest of your buddies who want to live in the past.
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