The Wiz of Odds

Kiffin, Fearful of Penalty, Didn't Run Another Play

How distrustful are Southeastern Conference coaches of league officials? At the moment, it's off the chart.

Tennessee's Lane Kiffin acknowledged that he decided against running another play before his team set up for a field goal that would have beaten Alabama because he was fearful officials would have found another way to penalize his team.

Tennessee was one of the nation's least-penalized teams entering Saturday's game, but was flagged eight times for 68 yards. Alabama, which had been flagged 10 times for 113 yards the previous Saturday against South Carolina, was penalized only once for 10 yards.

"You run another play and you throw an interception or they throw another flag on us — I wasn't going to let the refs lose the game for us there and some magical flag appear," Kiffin said.

Florida Benefits From Yet Another Blown Call

Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen is livid about a blown call in Saturday night's game against Florida, the second week in a row the Gators have benefited from errors by a Southeastern Conference officiating crew.

Florida linebacker Dustin Doe was ruled to have scored on a 23-yard interception return with 8:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, but replays showed that Doe was stripped of the ball before crossing the goal line by Mississippi State receiver Brandon McRae.

Doe's touchdown was upheld after being reviewed, giving Florida its second touchdown in 33 seconds and a 29-13 lead. The Gators won, 29-19.

"I don't know why we even have replay right now in the Southeastern Conference if they are not going to utilize it," Mullen said. "That's twice that they've blown calls on the replay with our games resulting in big plays and I think that's inexcusable for that official. I mean, I hope he is severely punished, if [he] ever works another SEC game again, because I think it is completely unacceptable."

LSU's Last Stand

Dan Mullen of Mississippi State is recipient of our coaching blunder of the week award. With his Bulldogs inches from a go-ahead touchdown and conversion, he decided to get fancy by calling a pass play. It didn't work and the Tigers held on for a 30-26 victory.

Mullen Is the Man at Mississippi State

Dan Mullen, 36, who has been Urban Meyer's right-hand man for the past eight seasons, is the new coach at Mississippi State, Kyle Veazey of the Clarion Ledger reports.

The Florida offensive coordinator arrived in Starkville Wednesday afternoon and a news conference is schedule for Thursday morning, where Mullen will be introduced.

"I’m so excited to be here, it’s an unbelievable opportunity," he said. "I think we have an opportunity to have an unbelievable program. We’re going to get on the road recruiting right away, get those players in here from the state. We’re going to try to control this state in recruiting as best we can right now and get it cranked up and put a great team on the field next year."

Mullen is scheduled to attend Wednesday night's basketball game between Charlotte and Mississippi State, where he will be introduced to Bulldog fans at halftime.

Mullen has spent the past eight years as an assistant to Meyer at three different stops — Bowling Green, Utah and Florida. He replaces Sylvester Croom, who stepped down on Nov. 29 after an embarrassing 45-0 loss to rival Mississippi.

Auburn 3, Mississippi State 2

Yes, you had to be drinking for this one. Southeastern Conference defense, baby! Auburn's three points were more than enough to bury Mississippi State, which somehow managed 116 total yards. Our man Greg was on the scene, taking in all the madness that Starkville could provide. First, let's check the tailgates and the food.



It appears to pass the test, but what about the fans? Attendance was announced at 52,911, although far less will ever acknowledge being at this forgettable game.









OK, you get the idea. But an SEC game could not be played without Southern beauties.





As for the game, here's Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field under the lights.