You’re not in the Big Ten anymore, son.

I guess Bret Bielema thinks this is a clever argument, but…

“The reason the SEC is talked about all the time is one team, because of their dominance. But I didn’t come here to play Alabama. I came here to beat Alabama.

“You can take Saban’s record when he was at Michigan State and when he was a coach in the Big Ten and put it against mine, and he can’t compare.”

The SEC finished with four teams in the top ten last season.  I can’t wait for somebody to start comparing Bielema’s and Saban’s SEC records after this season plays out.

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Friday morning buffet

The tidbits, the tidbits!

• So how’s that whole Dream Team thing working out?
• Malik Ramik Wilson progresses at inside linebacker.
• Of all the lists I’ve seen, this is certainly one of them.
• Mike Gundy almost left Oklahoma State for Tennessee because of non-conference scheduling.
• Tony Barnhart wants you to know something:  “The SEC West is the toughest division in the toughest college football conference in America. This is not debatable.”  They don’t call him Mr. Conventional Wisdom for nothing, folks.
• Florida State’s DeMarcus Walker claims Alabama jammed him up with the NCAA.  Is there anything to that?  John Infante says the Tide had the means, but there’s no way to know about the motive.
• Todd Gurley was banged up at the end of last season… not that you could have known from his production on the field.
• Jeez, this is a creepy story.

Your daily dose of Dawg porn

Artie Lynch peddles the good stuff about Tray Matthews, who really does seem to be the early sensation of spring practice:

“He hits everything even when we’re not supposed to be hitting,” tight end Arthur Lynch said. “He’s just a physical kid, and he doesn’t talk much. He loves to compete. He kind of reminds me of Shawn Williams, but even more explosive. And Shawn was a pretty heavy hitter.

“For (Tray), his ability as an 18-year-old to make plays against SEC veterans is pretty impressive.”

You know what I like, brother.

And remember – just because it’s porn doesn’t mean it can’t also be accurate.  Shawn Williams’ comparison of Todd Gurley to Trent Richardson may have had us rolling our eyes early, but by the end of the year it sure looked like Williams knew what he was talking about.

Grantham’s throwing Matthews out there, so he must see something he likes, too.  Does a true freshman safety really have a chance to start against Clemson?  I’m skeptical, given Grantham’s track record.  So Matthews’ progress bears watching.