A good recruiting update

We don't do much recruiting news here on the Expats, because once you start it can quickly become all that you do. But here's a good primer on the top kids and the schools that may land them.

The Mobile Press-Register has been doing its top 120 for years, and it's always a fun read.

Some observations.

1. As always, the paper says the Southeast ends at Carowinds Boulevard. No N.C. kids are included, not even Keith Marshall out of the Triangle, whom many believe is the best back in the country this year.

2. More than half of this year's crop come from Florida and Georgia.

3. The scholarship offers are going out earlier and earlier, and look how often the same schools show up under dozens and dozens of prospects.

Coaches who employ the saturation bombing technique in recruiting say the kids offered always know where they stand. But that's a little self-serving, and we wonder if it's true.

After all, on two occasions last year Derek Dooley and his staff couldn't count to 11.

Auburn coaches on the other hand, showed they can go from zero to 28 in a flash.

MG

All Tennessee, all morning long

We're all about customer service here at the Expats. In a comment on yesterday's post, one of our many Anonymouses (Anonymi?) pointed out that we lack a resident zealot when it comes to the Vols. All too true, so in the true spirit of short-term, no-guilt rectification, we bring you the following bullet points.

* Tennessee's search for a new AD goes on, as 1) LSU pays what it takes to keep Joe Alleva (story from The Tennessean here) and 2) Rep. Heath Shuler says he's running for re-election (story from USA Today here).

* The latest on UT's case before the NCAA (story from The Chattanooga Times Free Press here.)

* Click here for a season preview -- spoiler alert, 7-5 -- from the Sporting News. (We welcome relatively level-headed prognostications; send us your links.)

* And a final note: Even if this season doesn't pan out, you can always fall back on wedded bliss: "UT Psychologists Find Thinner Wives Could Be Key To Happy Marriage." Story here.

-- RTR

We interrupt this free-agent hysteria ...

... to bring you a couple of midweek news and notes. (We'll let the fantasy dust settle a little bit more before worrying about whether to take a late-round flier on The Big Tebowski.)

* South Carolina's QB coach suspended after he pees and gets caught. Story here.

* Florida speed-burner Jeff Demps will stick with football. Story here.

* The Big 12's commish says he doesn't think most Texas A&M fans want to make the move to the SEC. Story here.

* Speaking of the Big 12, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Mac Engel looks somewhat longingly at SEC dominance. Story here.

* Georgia's Mark Richt talks about starting the year with Boise State. Story here.

* Net assets of LSU's Tiger Athletic Foundation: a tidy $265 million. Story here.

* NCAA panel considers a "Cecil Newton" rule. Story here.

* The latest on the Alabama and T-Town Menswear connection. Story here and here.

-- RTR

Former Butler star Frost, now at Auburn, faces surgery

Former Butler High star Kris Frost, who figured to be in the playing rotation at Auburn this season, says he will have surgery Tuesday after injuring his shoulder during a summer workout, according to The Birmingham News.

Rivals.com rated Frost the nation's No. 2 outside linebacker in the 2011 signing class. -- Staff

• Full story from AL.com

And while we're on the subject of coaches . . .

For a little Eastern balance, behold Will Muschamp.

Satan, thy name is Saban

In a thoroughly enjoyable, cheap-shot column, Mark Bradley explores the mythic Nick Saban.

There are some funny lines from the AJC columnist. But check out the subsequent comments as Georgia and Alabama fans go jowl to tusk for several hundred posts.

Aw, SEC football. Near enough now to smell, and drool over.

mg

Media Days Predicted Order of Finish

SEC Champion- Alabama (98), LSU (29), Arkansas (18), South Carolina (14), Georgia (4), Florida (2), Ole Miss (2)

First place votes in parenthesis:

Eastern Division
1. South Carolina (114)
2. Georgia (38)
3. Florida (12)
4. Tennessee (2)
5. Kentucky (1)
6. Vanderbilt

Western Division
1. Alabama (111)
2. LSU (30)
3. Arkansas (23)
4. Mississippi State (1)
5. Auburn
5. Ole Miss (2)


--lo