The Florida Gators took advantage of a costly South Carolina turnover and came away with the 24-14 win. Watch some of the key moments from the game here.

Did Coach Mullen Take the O with him to Miss St.

Seven games into the 2009 season and the sputtering offense is the hot topic. It seems to be the question that Coach Meyer is asked week in and week out now. Last week leading into the Mississippi State game he had this to say about the offense:

“I remember one time, someone said, ‘Coach Mullen is going to catch a lot of heat’ or something like that and I responded, ‘The only person he would get heat from is me’ and no he is fine.  We are just maneuvering through a difficult part of the schedule and trying to get some things worked out.  Anytime there is transition and changes in staff, I’m very pleased with the job Coach Addazio has done.  The wrist above the elbow was a problem.  Chris Rainey probably scores after the unbelievable move he put on the guy.  It wasn’t a freak fumble, it was a great play.  We’re going to be nuts about taking care of the football in practice this week.  We made a film for the guys to watch.  It wasn’t just the balls on the ground.  The catch Deonte Thompson made was holding the ball like this [extends arms and holds them out].  Old habits tend to show up.  That’s coaching.  That was the number one thing we will work on; and red zone production.  We didn’t get stopped, we fumbled the ball.  Over the past few years, we have been very good in those two areas and it did not look that way.  I think we’re leading the SEC in offense; total yards, pass efficiency, third down and all that stuff.  Turnovers in the red zone are critical.”

After the Mississippi State game Coach Meyer continued his message, “I know people are going to take shots,” Meyer said. “I think we’re pressing like crazy. I think the head coach wants to score so #@$% bad. We’re not used to this.”

The Gators problems on offense has even fueled hope for Georgia. UGA has three wins since 1990 in this match up, but them Dawgs could be one of the last major test before the SEC Championship game. The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party could still play a role in deciding the SEC East. Coach Meyer addressed the upcoming game at his Monday press conference:

“Georgia has great receivers, including one of the best in the nation.  He has the ability to go up and over us, like he did last year.  We have to find a way defend him and not be so concerned about him [that] they can run the ball.  Offensively, we will need to do a better job in some areas.  We were not good on third downs and red zone production.  We will spend time on those things early this week.”

Also on the mind of SEC Football fans has been the role of the refs in games this year. There is a good chance Coach Dan Mullen is going to get a letter from the SEC regarding his criticism of the refs. “I don’t even know why we have replay right now in the Southeastern Conference if they’re not going to utilize it,” Mullen said Sunday.

Does he have a point? You be the judge.

Coach Mullen is not the only SEC coach in trouble for his comments on the refs. Lane Kiffin once again gets on the bad side of Mike Slive. Slive said “further violations of SEC policies by Kiffin will subject the coach to additional penalties, including suspension.”

Tim Tebow was able to tie Herschel Walker’s SEC rushing TD record of 49 against Mississippi State. The first thing that many were to point out is Herschel Walker set the record in three years. Tebow tied the record in three and a half years, and oh by the way he is a Quarterback. Mark Bradley over at the AJC still says that Herschel Walker is the best ever (he makes some great points) , but in pointing out “Tebow has demonstrably more talent around him” there is no mention of the “demonstrably” better defense Tebow or any player in the SEC faces now verses the early 80’s.

With his sub-Tebow preferences since the UK game, Tim has now dropped behind  Mark Ingram in ESPN’s latest Heisman watch. Everyone has seen that Tim has held onto the ball longer than he should have when there is no one open, but it seems to me that Tebow’s throwing motion has gotten longer and at times slower than in years past. Two of his fumbles this year have come from defenders knocking the ball out when the ball is as the back of his throwing motion. (looking for photos)

Also a big thanks for the RTs, comments, and general discussion during the game goes to @Pattric, @HankatMarlows, @whitegatorz, @osgators, @LisaHorne, @ThatGuyBama, @deann16, @SirGQHollyWood, @ fuddmain, @DJBobbyV32, @kjhurst15, @AndyR24, @EricMcDonald, @thechodog, @edsbs, @Matti09, @ObiSun, @JrCoram, @Gatrbate, @SwamiG8R, @Sara6590, @guiltyofcraving, @theNFLguy, @GulfCoastGold, @gatormiami, @pixie1212, @1996Gator, @KyleHagler, @wealthdocintl, @rickydee1955, @donwb, @_karthik, @brianjsmith, @Umlat, @_CReX_, @CTiffany24, @dreamscometrue_, @Bgator13, @GOPMichael, @DALLASHALL. Sorry to anyone I missed.

2009 SEC Football Week 2

Riley Angel takes a look at Week 2 in the SEC

Week Two begins the start of conference play for several SEC teams. The SEC had a good opening week, going 11-1, with the only loss being Georgia to No. 9 Oklahoma State. Here are the predictions for SEC teams in the season’s second week.

Troy at Florida

Troy came into this season as a projected favorite of the Sun Belt Conference. After a surprising loss to Bowling Green, however, the team comes into Gainesville trying to regain its footing.

The Gators are coming off a romp of lowly Charleston Southern and look to keep their momentum and No. 1 ranking. The Trojans will give it a valiant effort, but Florida will run away with this early, with Myer only resting his starters in the second half to get ready to chew up the Volunteers for their next game.

Final Score: Florida 56, Troy 13

UCLA at Tennessee

The good news for the Vols? They just put up 63 points. The not-quite-bad-but-not-really-good news? Those points came up against Western Kentucky.

Tennessee did look good in its rout of the Hilltoppers, but the Volunteers will face a much tougher test in the Pac-10 Bruins, who are coming in after a win over San Diego State. This game will be a good indicator of how the Volunteers do this year.

Final Score: Tennessee 31, UCLA 20

Mississippi State at Auburn

Both of these teams are looking to score more in this years rematch of the now-infamous 3-2 game when Auburn beat Mississippi State on the road last season.

Both teams have new coaching staffs, with each hoping to display new-found offensive prowess. Malzahn leads the offensive staff for Auburn under head coach Gene Chizik, while new head coach Dan Mullen leads the Bulldogs. They both had wins over less than stellar competition and hope to use this game as a launching point for a successful season.

That being said, the name of the game in the SEC is defense, and this game will be no different. While there will be more than five points, fans will be left wondering if their programs made the right hire with a defensive struggle.

Final Score: Auburn 17, Mississippi State 6

FIU at Alabama

Alabama showed why it deserved its No. 5 ranking last week with a hard-fought win over Virginia Tech in a game that the Tide dominated statistically, but were trailing heading into the fourth quarter. Alabama hosts FIU, who will be playing their first game of the season.

Final Score: Alabama 42, FIU 0

Vanderbilt at LSU

After giving up over 475 yards of offense last week to a team that was considered to be the worst in the FBS last season, LSU fans should be wary of an upset loss to the Commodores this week.

Vandy had an impressive offensive showing against Western Carolina and wants to prove that going to a bowl last season was no fluke. If LSU can’t fix its problems on defense, look for the Commodores to come out of Baton Rouge with possibly their most important win in school history.

Final Score: LSU 27, Vanderbilt 24

Upset Alert!: South Carolina at Georgia

Georgia comes into this game after a disappointing loss to Oklahoma State and will be hoping to have a relatively easy win with the Gamecocks rolling into town. South Carolina had a poor offensive showing in last week’s 7-3 win over the Wolfpack of NC State. Spurrier will have his boys ready to take on the Bulldogs with one of the top defenses in the SEC and will shock the opposition in Athens this weekend.

Final Score: South Carolina 17, Georgia 14

Mr. College Football Tony Barnhart goes along with every other publication and gives the Gators the SEC  East title.

The Gainesville Sun has #8 Carlos Dunlap as the 8th best player in the SEC. They point out he has a lot on the line for the 2009 season. Most mock drafts have him as a top 10 pick for the 2010 draft.

Heismanpundit.com has released their Heisman Watch list and has Tim Tebow 2nd behind Colt McCoy.

The Sentinel reports Billy Donovan’s star is not shining  as bright as it once did. With 2 National Championships I say Billy D will always be a super nova in Gainesville. His success has caused UK to go through three coaches in the last 4 years.