SEC Media Days: Live Stream, Commentary and Analysis from Day 2

Day 2 of SEC Media Days is upon us, and the SEC has loaded the docket with six teams today. Mississippi State is scheduled to be the first up, with Auburn, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida and LSU joining in on the action as well. 

Day 2 will consist of the most teams ever witnessed in a single day at SEC Media Days. Considering the circus that it already is, adding two teams to the docket adds to the chaos. 

As the day progresses, this will be a live account of all things SEC Media Days. Stay tuned for updates as the day moves on. 

Update: 4:25 p.m. CT

ESPNU is at its picks again. They are reviewing the LSU schedule. The ESPNU crew picks LSU to go undefeated in a way, but both "experts" split two games, South Carolina and Alabama. If LSU can win those games, they will win the Western Division and head to another national title game.

It will be interesting to see how the Tigers make it through the schedule and handle a tough road game to South Carolina.

Update: 4:21 p.m. CT

Les Miles was asked why he would bring sophomore Odell Beckham Jr. to SEC Media Days and he stated that he believes he carries the leadership quality that the Tigers are looking for in the locker-room. 

Update: 4:11 p.m. CT

Les Miles has openly endorsed the playoffs system, but does answer a question regarding the selection committee with the best answer possible. Will there be conference ties? 

He said that no matter if they do, the selection committee should want the best for college football and will go about the selection the right way. 

I agree to an extent, but in the end conference pushers would look for agenda before the proper selection. 

Finding the right mix on the selection committee is the most crucial part of the new system. 

Update: 4:02 p.m. CT

Les Miles finishes up the day for Media Days at the podium Wednesday. Miles is not his usual overly boisterous self which leads to disappoint.

Miles was asked about the Tyrann Mathieu trash talk on Twitter and said that football games aren't won or lost on Twitter and appeared a bit perturbed by the situation.

 Miles mentions that even though the schedule sets up nicely for the Tigers, taking the first games seriously makes for a successful end to the year. There is no easy week. 

When asked about Zach Mettenberger, Miles said that Mettenberger has been a hard worker and dependable player since his arrival at LSU. Miles said he loves to throw the football and that Mettenberger makes that more of an option for the Tigers this fall. 

Miles also mentions that the "quarterback carry" will be all but gone this season.

Update: 3:57 p.m. CT

Emory Blake has taken to the hot seat for the Auburn Tigers. Blake says that the Tigers know what to expect now in the "big games" and says to expect more from the Tigers this season. 

Blake also mentioned that the quarterback race is still wide open, but that Kiehl Frazier has been impressive with his arm strength and "we will find out this fall" who gets the starting job. 

Blake mentioned that he is happy with the Scot Loeffler offense and that he expects the offense to look improved over last season.

Update: 3:35 p.m. CT 

The ESPNU staff is chatting up Les Miles. Miles is 75-18 in his career, and they think Miles is underrated. I don't know a single team that would choose to face a Les Miles led team. They are always hard-hitting and sound defensively. The issues come where the Tigers try and find offensive production. 

Update: 3:16 p.m. CT

LSU safety Eric Reid has taken to the SEC hot seat. Reid is excited for the coming season and expects the Tigers to have a great season defensively. 

Reid says that he loves the fact that the SEC is full of quarterbacks that like to throw the ball deep. It gives him the chance "to get better at my craft." Indeed it does, but look for most teams to avoid the deep ball against this LSU defense. Jump balls are not an option against these Tigers. 

Update: 3:05 p.m. CT

ESPNU has moved to its Auburn schedule predictor mode. The ESPNU guys gave the Tigers offense a positive outlook saying that the Tigers offense, stating that they would expect the offense to average more than 28 ppg this fall. 

ESPNU picks the Tigers to finish 6-6 with losses to Georgia, Mississippi State, Arkansas, LSU, Clemson and Alabama.

Update: 2:51 p.m. CT

Gene Chizik is answering questions from the podium about the playoffs system. He goes all the way into a speech describing how the playoffs could still land two repeat teams from the same conference, but then states how hard people worked to put together a solid playoffs system.

So he sold me on it not being a perfect fit, then sold the fact that it may be right for the time. Count me confused as to whether Chizik thinks it is a good fit or not. Episodes of "as the coaches speak turns" continues. 

Update: 2:39 p.m. CT

Gene Chizik is taking questions and responded to question about Corey Lemonier and his run defense. Chizik said that Lemonier does have to improve on his game as a run-stopping defensive end and the coaches and Lemonier know that. 

Despite being one of the league's premier pass rushers, Lemonier has to improve the run game this fall. 

Update: 2:30 p.m. CT

Les Miles is in the hot seat at SEC Media Days. Miles leads with playoffs talk, stating that finding the best two teams is the goal, no matter the system. 

He hasn't endorsed the bowl system or playoffs, but he has stated that either way the best two teams need to play no matter the system.

Update: 2:28 p.m. CT

Gene Chizik has made it to the podium at SEC Media Days. He opens with a thank you to all those that supported the University and his team during the tough times that followed the Auburn shooting earlier this spring. 

Chizik says that beating Virginia was a big win for the Tigers. One that could be a big boost to this coming season.

Update: 1:51 p.m. CT

ESPNU has Tyler Wilson and Knile Davis together on the live coverage feed. Both Wilson and Davis said that they are very comfortable with John L. Smith and that not much has changed if at all. 

Wilson repeats the point that Cobi Hamilton could be better than the three NFL Draftees that played for Arkansas last season. 

Davis said he thinks that Arkansas is just a few plays away from being a national title contender. Losses to LSU and Alabama last season say "a few plays away" is a joke. 

Not saying Arkansas isn't going to be good, but that's a bit of a stretch. Davis has gone on to say that he is the best running back in the country. Love the passion and goals, but coming off of the injury he is that will be tough. 

Update: 1:41 p.m. CT

Defensive end Collins Ukwu gets the most intriguing interviewee of the day award for SEC Media Days. Not only has Ukwu graduated early, but he has a secret love for cooking. How that landed in the intro and pulled three questions i'll never know. 

Outside of his love of the culinary arts, he feels that Kentucky will be a much improved team with a lot to prove this coming season. 

Louisville to start is a tough game, but Ukwu states it is a must win. If they can get past Louisville it could lead to a spark for the Wildcats. Lose and the season could be off to a start that ESPNU predicted a little earlier. 

Update: 1:29 p.m. CT

Tyler Wilson is in the hot seat at SEC Media Days and is very positive about the Hogs offense heading into this fall. He said that structurally it is "exactly the same."

When asked about the wide receiver position, he mentions Cobi Hamilton as a name to watch. Wilson stated that Hamilton has the chance to be better than the three NFL Draftees from the position for Arkansas this past April. That is a bold statement.

Wilson is also high on JUCO transfer Demetrius Wilson, saying "he is an excellent route runner" and he expects an impact this fall. 

When speaking of key losses last season, Wilson said it all falls on preparation. 

Wilson carries himself very well, and it is easy to see why he is able to guide the Arkansas offense so smoothly. 

Update: 1:17 p.m. CT

Mike Slive is on ESPNU speaking about the playoffs. He mentioned that the 2004 Auburn season was the beginning for the conference to look into a playoff system.

Slive said having the four team playoff gives the SEC two shots at the national title. That is based on the assumption the SEC can land two top four teams.  

Update: 12:50 p.m. CT

The ESPNU crew is back to making picks for the season and they have moved to Kentucky. The Wildcats have a tough start against Louisville, but not having LSU, Alabama or Auburn on the schedule should help their chances this season. 

Unfortunately, the guys at ESPNU don't look favorably on the Wildcats for the 2012 season.

The ESPNU crew put Kentucky at 3-9 with no SEC wins. Joker Phillips and Co. can't have that bad of a year. 

If they do, is Phillips secure at Kentucky or have expectations changed after the five straight bowl appearances? This will be a point to watch this fall. 

Update: 12:41 p.m. CT

Kentucky's Joker Phillips told the media that he and Kentucky basketball head coach John Calipari help each other recruit. 

Phillips stated that Calipari and he have a great relationship and do anything they can to help grow each others programs. 

Having a guy like Calipari able and willing to speak to recruits is a definite positive, but is it helping grow the football program? I say yes, you would think that it has to. 

Update: 12:27 p.m. CT

Knile Davis has taken the podium for Arkansas. Davis said he is now back to full speed and that he is excited for this season's offense. He said that schematically, the Razorbacks will look very similar to year's past. Paul Petrino is still the offensive coordinator. 

Davis said the main thing to breed success is for the team to stay together. 

It will be interesting to see the reaction of the Hogs this season to the changes. 

Update: 11:51 a.m. CT

Kentucky center Matt Smith has reached the podium and said that the No.1 goal for this year's team is to make it back to a bowl game. 

Smith said that the running backs at Kentucky are one of the hardest working groups on the team. Smith said they are all competing tough, and expects the competition to make the team better. He also said that he has faith in all five options the Wildcats have. 

Smith said that he is very confident in the way that the Wildcats are preparing this off-season and that they will get key wins this fall.  

Update: 11:43 a.m. CT

The ESPNU staff is at it again making their picks. They have made the shift to Arkansas. Arkansas has questions with the coaching change, but the Hogs were expected to be one of the best teams in the country entering 2012. 

The crew feels as if nothing has changed picking Arkansas to finish 9-3 with the three losses coming to Alabama, LSU and South Carolina. 

If John L. Smith can get the Hogs to a nine-win regular season does he stay in Fayetteville? It would be hard to argue against a contract extension with that finish. 

Update: 11:41 a.m. CT

Larry Warford from Kentucky is now at the podium. He said that no game is easy in the SEC, and that if you don't show up prepared you "will get smashed."

Warford said that he liked playing in the SEC because it makes the team better as a whole. Warford said that Louisville is now on the minds of the Kentucky players, not last season. 

Warford is an offensive guard with the Wildcats. 

Update: 11:31 a.m. CT

Johnthan Banks is up from Mississippi State. Banks was asked about the Bulldogs not being a favorite to win the SEC and his response was "I love being the underdog." He also said that he thinks the Bulldogs defense can be one of the best in the country this season. 

Banks went on to say that Quay Evans could be an incoming freshman that could make a difference, and that Tyler Russell and the line play will be the keys to success this fall. 

Update: 11:29 a.m. CT

Joker Phillips' time is done. Most notable comments from his microphone time were that there is no leader at quarterback and he couldn't remember his star linebackers name from last season. 

Oops. 

Update: 11:21 a.m. CT

Joker Phillips was asked about a decision at quarterback and said no movement has been made. 

There are a number of guys that are in the open competition, with Morgan Newton and Maxwell Smith appear to be in the strongest position to get the starting nod. Newton missed the spring with an injury, giving Smith a leg up in the competition according to Phillips. 

Phillips is excited about new staff addition Pat Washington as he has recruited with the best in his tenure. 

Update: 11:16 a.m. CT

Joker Phillips is up from Kentucky talking about missing the sixth straight bowl for the Wildcats last season. Phillips said it was disappointing, but there is an upside.  

He said that winning the last game of the season was a good way to finish. No way Joker. Now we know where the first name came from. 

Update: 11:02 a.m. CT

New Arkansas head coach John L. Smith was asked if he wanted to coach Arkansas more than one year. 

His response: "Do I look stupid." Classic. 

John L. Smith may be taking a back seat to Spurrier on wins, but he is battling for the best Media Days personality. 

Update: 10:54 a.m. CT

The ESPNU crew has predicted 4 wins for Mississippi State in conference this fall. They have the Bulldogs at 8-4 on the season, with some surprising wins mixed in. Will Mullen finally make a relevant season happen in Starkville?

Predicted SEC wins are Auburn, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Ole Miss. 

Update: 10:31 am CT

Will Muschamp has taken to the hotseat, stating that he is much more comfortable in his second year at Florida. The quarterback position was a major concern when he arrived, and it remains a question mark.

When asked about the LSU rivalry possibly going away, Muschamp mentions that the 6-1-1 format isn't the best in his opinion as it would push away rivalries. Muschamp says he has faith that Mike Slive will make the best decision for the league when it comes to league play. 

Muschamp was asked about Spurrier getting 200 wins in conference and his response was "I am 193 away." Get there Boom.

Update: 10:16 am CT

Florida DE Lerentee McCray cosigned on Mike Gillisee's comments earlier in the day that he is setting the goal for 1,500 yards this season. 

McCray said that if he wants it enough, he is good enough to make it happen. 

Florida has lacked a running game in the past few season's coupled with really bad quarterback play. That has led to offensive stagnation. If Gillisee hits 1,500 yards, Florida will contend for the East. 

Update: 10:02 am CT

So Dan Mullen has taken back to the "school up north" reference to Ole Miss. Rebels fans can't be happy about that. I doubt Mullen cares, he has slammed Ole Miss in his tenure at the podium and on the field.

Will Hugh Freeze bring change? Rebels fans hope so. The Mullen ribs won't ever stop.

Update: 9:51 am CT

ILB Jon Bostic has done a great job at the podium. Bostic said that he expects the Florida defense to be settled more this season.

The Gators were explosive and dangerous last year and stand to be better on defense. They could be one of the best in the country before the 2012 season finishes. 

Bostic also mentioned that a strength could be the offensive line, as they have worked hard to improve on last year's performance.

The biggest piece to Florida success will be the offensive line. 

Update: 9:36 am CT

Mark Schlabach of ESPN makes an interesting point about Florida's approach to Twitter and players. Muschamp says tweet away, while Jimbo Fisher says no go at Florida State.

"

Jimbo Fisher bans #FSU players off Twitter; Muschamp will let #Gators tweet away. "Freedom of speech is one of the great things we have."

— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) July 18, 2012"

What is the best way to combat bad conduct on Twitter? Teach your team how to maintain tact on a public forum. Muschamp has it right, banning does nothing but create a bigger issue in my opinion.

Update: 9:21 am CT

Dan Mullen is confident in his teams future. Some on Twitter don't appear to feel the same way. Chandler Rowen @thechanninator dropped a good one by saying:

"

"If we win the SEC West, there's a chance we're playing for the national title." - Dan Mullen." & if I had gills, I could breathe underwater

— Chandler Rowlen (@THECHANNINATOR) July 18, 2012"

Sure its a stretch, but we can't hate Mullen for high expectations. Or can we?