SEC Media Days: Every team but Alabama football, ‘playing for second’

How much does Alabama football dominate the SEC? Again on Tuesday at Media Days, the coaches and players of other SEC schools talked about the Crimson Tide.

When will the gap close between Alabama football and the rest of the SEC? Directly or indirectly that is the core theme of SEC Media Days. Per Bama Online, Marcus Spears, who played for Nick Saban at LSU, said Tuesday the gap is closing but,

"“Everyone’s not playing for second until he retires, but everyone’s playing for second this year,”"

On Monday LSU coach Ed Orgeron stated there is not a big gap between Alabama football and the Bengal Tigers. Tuesday, Georgia head coach and former Tide assistant, Kirby Smart had a more nuanced and more detailed response.

Reported by Bama Online, Smart said the gap is driven by recruiting and player development.

"“A lot of people say it’s one or the other, do you recruit great players or do you develop great players? And when you do both, that’s when you’ve got something special. And I think every team in this conference is trying to play catchup … I think each one is getting closer. We’d like to see that gap closed through recruiting, but you can only do that through hard work and grinding.”"

Smart certainly understands how to work the Nick Saban process. Kirby worked for Saban for two years at LSU and the Miami Dolphins before spending nine years in Tuscaloosa.

The passionate and optimistic Derek Mason was also asked about Alabama football. Mason was quick to acknowledge respect for Nick Saban but no fear of the Alabama football program.

"“I sat in meetings with him and, believe me, I like his demeanor, I like the way he handles himself, I like the way he coaches his football team. So, I respect him. But I don’t fear anybody and our team does not, as well.”"

Florida coach Jim McElwain, similar to Ed Orgeron did not much care for discussing the Alabama ‘gap.’ It was not that Coach Mac diminished the existence of the gap, but he had little interest in elaborating.

"“And I don’t know the gap itself. You know, I do understand this. They’re right now at the top, and, you know, it’s up to the rest of us to go get them.”"

Dan Mullin did not have to directly face a question about the Alabama football gap. He did mention Alabama as he discussed how tough it is to win in the SEC West.

In fairness to the seven coaches from the first two sessions of SEC Media Days, talking about the dominance of another team should bother them. It should make them bristle a little. Mason has not had to hear that type question for long but Mullin certainly has for eight years.

The Alabama football win streaks against LSU and Tennessee should make Orgeron and Jones close to fighting mad. So too, McElwain who has to cope with the reality being the SEC East Champion, only to be trounced by Alabama is not good enough.

We cannot predict how the rest of SEC Media Days will transpire. Some Aggie fans might relish a fiery rather than a calm response from Kevin Sumlin to any Alabama question.

Though the circumstances are quite different, Sumlin and Gus Malzahn would be well served to copy Pat Dye from many years ago. In Dye’s first Auburn press conference, he was asked how long it would take to beat Alabama. His answer was “60 minutes.”

It ended up taking Dye 120 minutes, but he immediately rejuvenated the Auburn faithful with his bold confidence. We think Coach O was trying to do that on Monday, but he just wasn’t up to the task.

Next: 30 Great Tide Players who were 3-Star Recruits

On Wednesday in Birmingham, Nick Saban holds court at SEC Media Days. Alabama football will be joined by Kentucky, Missouri and Texas A&M.