THE SCOOP
The debate about the spread offense in the SEC is never ending. Today: Bret Bielema weighs in.
“The greatest thing that can help us in our recruiting department is the more failure the Philadelphia Eagles have,” Bielema said, noting the struggles of the up-tempo offense run by former Oregon coach Chip Kelly during his first season in the NFL. He also said the Arkansas old-school offense is what “the NFL is running.”
“Every kid that plays offense and defense and special teams’ football in college wants to play in the NFL,” Bielema said. “He wants to play in a system that’s going to benefit his ability to play at the next level. I really believe that over the course of time, the pro-style offense is going to win out for that exact reason.”
NEW RULES
The NCAA adopted five new rules for football, dealing with recruiting and coaches’ access to players during the summer. The rules:
- Allow football players to participate in eight hours per week of required weight training and conditioning. Up to two of the eight hours can consist of film review.
- Prohibit school staff members from attending all-star games or activities associated with those games.
- Establish an extended dead period when no in-person recruiting can take place in December and January. For 2013-14, Dec. 16 through Jan. 15 is now a dead period.
- Establish a 14-day dead period in late June and early July for FBS schools.
- Allow schools to pay for meals for up to four family members who accompany a recruit on an official visit.
INJURY REPORT
Another Thursday, another Connor Shaw injury update. He’s either the toughest player in the nation, the most fragile or both. Shaw returned to practice Wednesday after missing two days because of illness and is penciled in as the starter against Mississippi State.
“He didn’t take all the reps (Wednesday), but he took more than I probably thought he was going to today, so yeah, he’ll be ready to go,” quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus said.
Gamecocks coaches sent copies of the team’s game plan to Shaw’s home Tuesday for him to review, coach Steve Spurrier said. “Hopefully, he’s got an idea of what we’re doing,” Spurrier said. “He’s played an awful lot, so he doesn’t have to practice too much.”
HE SAID IT
“The thing about the freshmen that I think people have a hard time understanding — I don’t even think the freshmen understand — none of these guys have (an understanding of) what it takes from an intensity standpoint, a mental-focus standpoint, week in and week out to prepare for a game and be able to go out and execute in a game. I call it casual. They’re so casual about how they go about things because they don’t know any better. It’s not because they want to be or intend to be, but they’ve just never done it any other way.” — Alabama coach Nick Saban
BY THE NUMBERS
46 The line for Texas A&M vs. Texas-El Paso. The Aggies have scored more than 40 points for 11 consecutive games.
