SECMD26: Day 1 has Drinkwitz dealing out thoughts on playoff expansion; new KY coach talking big
New Kentucky head coach Will Stein didn’t hold back when providing the reason why Kentucky can move up the SEC ladder - himself. (Courtesy Southeastern Conference)
Compiled by GRAHAM DUNN
Mizzou’s Drinkwitz on playoff expansion - leave the humans out of it
Last year during the SEC Kickoff, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz made the comment that he wouldn’t mind as many as 42 teams in the College Football Playoff.
This year, he went a step further.
"As nice as I can be about it, committees are a bad idea in deciding on who should get in sports arenas. Sports are meant to be played and decided on the field,” he explained.
“I think the elimination of conference championship games, while I understand it as an opportunity to help you win the national championship, doesn't make sense because it puts too much emphasis on a singular outcome.”
Under Drinkwitz, Missouri has yet to reach the playoffs while the best record has been a 10-win season that match them up with Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl following the 2023 season. Last year, Missouri entered the season with high expectations only to fall to 8-5 that included a 13-7 loss to Virginia in the Gator Bowl.
But will an expanded playoff make a difference for the Tigers?
“We can talk all we want about the process, the process, the process, but don't focus on the outcome, then everything we're doing in college football is about the outcome, one single champion. Again, that doesn't make sense to me,” Drinkwitz said.
Stein confident in leading Kentucky to newer heights
New head coach Will Stein handled a point-blank question regarding his confidence that he will have Kentucky among the elite one day.
“This is going to sound like really... I think because of me, to be honest. I think 'cause of me,” he said.
“I think I know what it takes. I have seen it at the highest levels. I know what it takes to recruit at this level. You just got to believe, man. You just got to put the ball down and play. There’s really nothing else to be said. Is it going to happen overnight? I don't know. I really don't. If I had a crystal ball, everybody in this room would be really, really rich now.”
Stein replaces Mark Stoops, the winningest coach in Kentucky history and, until last season, had led the Wildcats to eight straight bowl berths.
He was let go after a disappointing 5-7 finish.
Stein is excited for the challenge, and wants it, even if he is a former quarterback of rival Louisville.
“If you want to compete against the best, you come to the SEC. You just do. It's the closest thing to the NFL. It's proven. Almost every game comes down to thine last possession. Home-field advantage is real in this league.
“I love it.”
Heupel’s quarterback situation up in the air after Aguilar ruled ineligible
If Tennessee coach Josh Heupel had it his way, Joey Aguliar would be under center for a second season.
But the NCAA refused to grant the UCLA transfer another season, leaving Heupel and his staff looking for a new signal caller.
Nothing new here for Tennessee’s quarterback situation.
“Seven out of the last nine years we've had a different starting quarterback, and seven out of the last nine years top 10 in the country in scoring,” Heupel said. “We're going to have a guy that's going to be ready to compete at an elite championship level.”
Chances are a freshman may be on top of the depth chart. Redshirt freshman George McIntyre and true freshman Faison Brandon, who was a five-star prospect, are slated to take the reins to lead the offense.
"Whenever you start a young quarterback, it's important the other guys around him play at an extremely high level,” Heupel said. “We have a lot of guys that will put those guys in a good position to go do their jobs. It's important you tie everything, special teams and defensively, as well.”
Sankey announces site of 2027 SEC Media Days
Media Days is going back to Nashville in 2027, that announcement made by commissioner Greg Sankey on Monday,
The event, which is in Florida for the first time ever, returns to the Music City after being there in 2023. It will be the second time to be held at the Grand Hyatt July 12-15,