SEC Network’s traveling pre-game show, SEC Nation, aired live today from Myers Quad in Athens, Ga. prior to the matchup between Tennessee and Georgia. Select quotes and notes from Paul Finebaum, Marcus Spears, Tim Tebow and Joe Tessitore below:
Images and Video from SEC Nation:
– Tim Tebow’s Freak of the Week
– Photos from SEC Nation previous shows
– Kaylee Hartung and the history of Georgia’s hedges
On University of Arkansas at Texas A&M
MARCUS SPEARS: I think Texas A&M is a real contender to win the SEC if this defense can at least stifle the Arkansas run game. That’s the element that’s missing for A&M. If they can come back and perform today…you’ve got to put them at the top of the West.
JOE TESSITORE: Back at SEC Media days they were picked 6th and 7th. Now is it the most talked about SEC game of the day.
TIM TEBOW: I think biggest key for this game is which secondary is going to be able to tackle… Who steps up and makes open field tackles.
MARCUS SPEARS: This game is going to come down to who is going to effectively do what they do best….Texas A&M throws the ball and they score quick. Arkansas runs the ball and they score just as quickly. I think turnovers and 3rd down stops are going to be the swing in this game, and I am looking forward to who can make the most stops in those critical moments.
TIM TEBOW: The reason Arkansas is competitive is because of their running game. But the reason this team could win game is because Brandon Allen is better than people think. He has a lot of talent with his arm and he also has a lot of talent with his legs.
On University of Tennessee at University of Georgia (#TENNvsUGA):
TIM TEBOW: (on headline of the day) I think it’s Hutson Mason. I think it is his passing game. I think he has talent, but you’ve got to make plays. Especially on 3rd down. When Tennessee crowds the box and tries to take away Gurley and this running offense, he has to make plays down the field.
PAUL FINEBAUM: If Georgia loses this game today, they are done in the SEC East.
MARCUS SPEARS: This Tennessee offensive line. That’s the big question. You know Pruitt is going to dial up some illustrious blitzes to try to get these guys confused. If they took the week to learn from what happened in Oklahoma, I think Tennessee can give Georgia a run for their money.
PAUL FINEBAUM: I think we are going to find out if Georgia is interested in this game. Last year, they weren’t and they should have lost in Neyland Stadium. We will find out in a few hours.
TIM TEBOW: (on importance of game for Tennessee) It’s huge. They have a chance to be relevantagain for the first time since 2009.
MARCUS SPEARS: Tennessee has an opportunity to go in the right direction. I don’t think they even have to win this game. If they compete and take Georgia to the end of this game, you know where this program is headed. We can all sense it – the recruiting efforts have picked up and they have gotten better as a football team.
PAUL FINEBAUM: Yes, I think Tennessee just needs to be competitive. Their real shot is next week, in Knoxville, again the Gators. They haven’t beaten them in nine years, and that’s when you have to start paying attention to Tennessee.
TIM TEBOW: (on Tennessee freshman) These kids are so young, and they are naive. If they go back to back loses, they might think they aren’t good enough….but if they can compete in this game and find a way to pull it out, then they can start to believe…This time is thinking we want to do anything we can to win. And it they aren’t thinking that way, then it’s not the Tennessee teams that I played against.
GUEST TOM LUGINBILL: How does Georgia get away from being a one trick pony? They realize they have Todd Gurley and Sony Michel…until they prove they have balance in the passing game, I think Tennessee is going to line up and take their chances on the perimeter.
TIM TEBOW: (on Hutson Mason) He is a very cerebral quarterback. He has been in this offense for five years. I think for him and for Mike Bobo, he has to be put in positions where he can succeed….for them to succeed in this game, they have to make plays on the outside for Hutson Mason.
PAUL FINEBAUM: It is going to be a long day for Tennessee unless they can hang around. I like what Hutson Mason has done, but in the critical moment in the South Carolina game, he couldn’t handle it and his coaches didn’t help by giving him a bad series of plays.
On Missouri vs. South Carolina (#MIZZvsSC):
TIM TEBOW: Shane Ray, he has give pressure. This secondary can’t play soft and give up quick easy passes that South Carolina likes to do. This Missouri defense has to put pressure on the quarterback and they have to make open field tackles.
MARCUS SPEARS: These (Missouri) guys have to play with an attitude and an edge. That’s what they didn’t have against Indiana.
PAUL FINEBAUM: Missouri has a pretty decent schedule….but Missouri wining tonight will really put South Carolina out of the way and a lot of games won’t matter as much if that happens.
TIM TEBOW: I see a lot of improvement in this South Carolina team, and I see a lot of big play potential.
LSU Head Coach on the remainder of the Season:
LES MILES: Offense and Defensive lines certainly need to play better. We have to get general quality of play and execution up. If we do that we will be fine.
LES MILES: (on LSU’s freshman squad) We are a talented group. These guys are growing up quickly and I think they recognize what their contribution has to be.
On LSU:
TIM TEBOW: I have some concerns about this LSU team. I really feel like this LSU team has to execute better offensively and they can’t rely on the big play. This team has the 3rd most three and outs in the SEC. With all that talent, you can’t go three and out 23 percent of the time.
MARCUS SPEARS: You need to be physical up front to play in the SEC. That’s where you win games. Games are determined in the trenches.
PAUL FINEBAUM: LSU is in trouble. They have Auburn next weekend. Not a good recipe to recover and if they look bad in that game, then it’s Florida, and then Alabama, and it’s endless for LSU.
PAUL FINEBAUM: (on if LSU can finish in top 4 in the SEC West) No. It may be temporary, but it’s going the wrong way this year.
On University of Florida:
PAUL FINEBAUM: Slow down Florida fans. You lost to maybe the best team in the country last week at Alabama. The season is not over, but next week, in Knoxville, is critical.
TIM TEBOW: They’ve got to get that win next week verses Tennessee and that will really settle things down. I think Will Muschamp is a very good coach. I think this team has a lot of talent, and I think they are close. You look at what they are not doing well defensively, and that’s communication.
TIM TEBOW: What really has to change is a few of the offensive plays. Jeff Driskel is 2 of 23 on balls farther than 15 yards. To win these big games, you have to hit big plays…this kid has all the talent in the world. He has a great arm and can run. He has to make better decisions with pressure in his face. I think he can, but the question when will he do it?
MARCUS SPEARS: Florida is struggling right now. We saw miscommunications against Kentucky. We saw miscommunications against Alabama. These teams are too good that they are going to have to face during the rest of the year to give them anything for free.
On Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky (#VANDYvsUK):
TIM TEBOW: I have been impressed with Vanderbilt. I think they have gotten better every single week. Wade Freebeck has a lot of arm talent. He needs to improve in his game management.
MARCUS SPEARS: Coach Stoops really has an opportunity to make Kentucky a viable contender in the SEC.
GUEST TOM LUGINBILL: This game could be a game that is the difference in Kentucky competing for bowl eligibility or dropping down and being under the mark.
TIM TEBOW: The two things about Kentucky that I have been impressed with is their scheme and their speed….Their speed. We haven’t seen speed like that since 2007 at Kentucky.
PAUL FINEBAUM: Kentucky is moving forward. Vanderbilt, as much as you think they are looking better, they are still going 0-8 in the SEC.
Heisman Watch
On Most Valuable Player in SEC
TIM TEBOW: I think it is Dak Prescott. 15 total touchdowns this year…the offense is putting up over 500 yards each game. He is averaging over 335 yards of offence himself every game. He is making plays and he is being a leader, and that is why I think he is the most valuable player to his team so far this year.
MARCUS SPEARS: When we talk about most valuable player, I think about Todd Gurley because every game plan and every scheme is geared towards him….He adds another dimension to this Georgia team and they wouldn’t be where they are without Todd Gurley.
PAUL FINEBAUM: We knew about Dak Prescott, we knew about Todd Gurley, and everyone knew about Amari Cooper. We weren’t sure about Kenny Hill, and he to me is the most valuable.
On best player in County
TIM TEBOW: I think it is Amari Cooper. I haven’t seen any DB that can cover this kid all year. He has 655 receiving yards. That is more than SMU’s total offense. No one can stop him.
MARCUS SPEARS: Amari Cooper. The tape does not lie. He can get lost in any defense that he plays against.
On Amari Cooper winning the Heisman
TIM TEBOW: There is no question this kid can win the Heisman. He is going to be on national TV almost every week and if they can contend for an SEC championship and make it to the college football playoff, he definitely has a shot at winning the Heisman.
MARCUS SPEARS: He figures out a way to make plays against anybody that he plays against and he is dynamic.
PAUL FINEBAUM: I give a lot of credit to Lane Kiffin for helping Blake Sims get prepared to find a way to get the ball to Amari Cooper.
On Auburn vs. La Tech (#LATECHvsAUB)
TIM TEBOW: Auburn is getting better. They haven’t played a great game yet. They are improving every single week and I think they will show it.
MARCUS SPEARS: I think because of the way they struggled with Kansas State running the football, they are going to try to get in the end zone as much as possible.