Looks like we’re gonna need a bigger Seat 37F.

I’m not sure why Corch decided he had to go there – anybody think Saban would have wasted his time on this shit? – but go there he did.  Texting with old media buddies…

“I just received an email from a friend where there is an accusation of multiple failed drug tests covered up by the Univ. of Florida or the coaching staff,” Meyer wrote in a text to The Sun. “This is absolutely not true. Hernandez was held to the same drug testing policy as every other player.

“He was an athlete at Florida 4-to-7 years ago and there are some comments being made that are not correct. Our staff, myself and our families worked very hard to mentor and guide him. Prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim. Relating or blaming these serious charges to Univ. of Florida, myself or our staff is wrong and irresponsible.”

… and new.

Two things there.  First, nice weasel words about UF’s drug policy.  Unlike a certain institution which shall remain nameless, at Florida, a student-athlete doesn’t go down for his first drug offense.  Last time I check, “multiple” means more than one.  And since we do know that Hernandez was suspended at one point for failing a drug test, all we’re left with is parsing whatever “covered up” is supposed to mean there.

Second, about that mentoring… well, Corch is entering “when did you stop beating your wife?” territory with that “worked very hard” stuff.  Why was it necessary to do so?  And did he realize it wasn’t taking?

Of course, if you want more distance, the next step is the one Meyer’s family is taking – it’s nobody’s fault but Hernandez’.  Certainly, there’s a basic level where that’s the case. But let’s not lose sight of Urban the Pious. Corch, like almost every one of his peers, has no problem proclaiming his sacred duty to mentor the kids he looks to sign as he travels the recruiting trail.  And afterwards, for that matter.  So which is it?

Honestly, he’d have been smart to keep his mouth shut.  This is just more grist for the mill.

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You gotta run.

Between the rapid adoption of no-huddle spread attacks and some truly stellar quarterbacking talent, 2013 could be shaping up as an unprecedented season for the passing game in the SEC.  The running game, on the other hand…

The ascent of potentially elite arms arrives as the SEC’s stable of running backs has ebbed.

South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore and Alabama’s Eddie Lacy jumped to the NFL. Florida’s Mike Gillislee and Vanderbilt’s Zac Stacy graduated. At LSU, sophomore Jeremy Hill’s status is unclear after an arrest after an off-campus bar fight left him suspended indefinitely. Only Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon and Georgia’s Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall are ready-made ball-carriers rolling off the assembly line.

Now there’s a certain chicken-and-egg aspect to that – are running backs in decline because of less demand, given the vibrant passing attacks, or are SEC offenses relying on the pass more because of a decline in the quality of their running games?  And I don’t want to overdo it too much, because there are going to be places like Arkansas, Florida and LSU that will be strongly committed to the run this season even with new running backs.  Plus, there’s too much talent that flows into the conference every year for there not to be new stars to emerge.

But there’s still a certain hit-or-miss aspect to this that, barring injury, Alabama and Georgia are immune to.  How big a deal do you think that will be this season?

SOD it, Missouri.

An alternate history, via Paul Myerberg’s Tennessee preview:

Tennessee was a few first downs, a third-down conversion, a fourth-down stop, a two-point conversion and an errant pass away from reaching bowl eligibility last fall, the program’s third year under ex-coach Derek Dooley. These missteps – a few of many on the year – all came in the second half against Missouri, a game the Volunteers gave away on the second Saturday of November.

Let’s say UT wins that game, doing one or two of the above to move to 5-5 with two games to play. Perhaps the Vols still lose to Vanderbilt; the Vols still beat Kentucky to reach six wins. Now, let’s say UT wins its bowl game to finish with seven victories. Let’s say the university sees enough progression to give Dooley another year – and that’s a stretch, but stick with me.

Meet the one loss that might have changed the entire future of Tennessee football: Missouri 51, Tennessee 48.

Damn it, Tigers!  Your first year in and that’s your legacy?  Barbara’s never gonna forgive you.

By the way, this line from Myerberg is Envy and Jealousy-worthy:  “Vanderbilt texted with friends as it toyed with the Vols in a 41-18 win.”