SEC report

Miles not feeling any LSU love

LSU head coach Les Miles leaves a media availability with reporters following an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. No. 25 Mississippi won 38-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

LSU Coach Les Miles said Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference that he loves the place where he works, but he's not feeling much love in return these days.

Multiple media outlets, starting with The Advocate of Baton Rouge last week, have reported Miles has been coaching for his job since LSU's 31-14 loss to Arkansas at Tiger Stadium on Nov. 14, which came a week after a 30-16 loss at Alabama.

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Miles' job security took another serious hit last week when Ole Miss beat the Tigers 38-17 after the Rebels jumped out to a 24-0 lead.

It's the first time LSU has lost three consecutive games since 1999, when an eight-game losing streak resulted in Gerry DiNardo's firing as coach.

Miles' 110-32 record at LSU is much better than DiNardo's 33-23-1 mark, and the Tigers have won two SEC championships and a national title in his 11 seasons and have gone to 10 consecutive bowls while never winning fewer than eight games.

Since the middle of the 2013 season, however, LSU is 10-9 in SEC games, and the Tigers have lost five consecutive games to Alabama going back to a 21-0 defeat in the BCS Championship Game in 2011.

This season marks the first time in a four-year span that LSU hasn't won at least a share of the SEC West title since 1992-1995 when the conference expanded to 12 teams and split into divisions.

The downward trend after a 7-0 start this season has created the feeling among members of the media covering LSU that Miles' firing is all but a formality regardless of whether the Tigers beat Texas A&M on Saturday night.

Miles' $15 million buyout apparently isn't a deterrent to LSU boosters willing to pay whatever it takes to hire a new coach, with their top apparent choice being Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, a former Tigers offensive coordinator under Nick Saban.

After being asked about his job status the past two weeks, Miles took more questions Wednesday.

"I'm not going to look to defend or make a case," Miles said when asked why he should remain as the Tigers' coach. "That's really not what I'm going to do.

"I love the place. I'm going to work hard. I'm not going to get into what is my view.

"I'm fortunate to be the head coach here. I've always felt that way. I love the players I've recruited. They work hard.

"I'm fortunate to coach with a group of men that coach their players hard. I'm going to do my job. I'm going to look at this opponent, attack this opponent."

Miles was talking about Saturday's game against Texas A&M, not those calling for his job.

"It's hard for me to go talk about what I've done and all of those things," he said. "Honestly, that's not me.

"I'm working on the game plan, and I like that. That's preparation without distraction. It's how I've always done it."

Miles did manage to laugh when asked what advice his coach at Michigan, the late Bo Schembechler, would have regarding his situation.

"I think that Bo would have a very strong opinion, would have the enjoyment of giving it," Miles said. "I would listen and probably take it."

Rolling seven

Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen tied an SEC record with seven touchdown passes against Mississippi State on Saturday night.

Kentucky's Tim Couch did it twice. Allen and Tennessee's Erik Ainge are the only players to do it in an SEC game:

YR;PLAYER;TEAM;OPPONENT

1994;Terry Dean;Florida;New Mexico State

1997;Tim Couch;Kentucky;Indiana

1997;Doug Johnson;Florida;C. Michigan

1998;Tim Couch;Kentucky;Louisville

2007;Erik Ainge;Tennessee;Kentucky

2015;Brandon Allen;Arkansas;Miss. State

Malzahn excited

Auburn Coach Gus Malzahn is known as a man of many yards and few words, but the former Arkansas high school coach and Razorbacks offensive coordinator got pretty animated during his Tuesday news conference when asked about a formation involving one of his beloved trick plays.

The play in question features an offensive tackle split wide and was first used by Malzahn when he coached at Shiloh Christian High School in Springdale. The play is called "Fight Song" because if it works, it's a touchdown and the band gets to play.

"I mean, you guys are trying to give all of my secrets away, you know?" Malzahn told a room full of reporters, according to AL.com "What else we want to tell them? Reverses? Any reverses?

"Y'all want some reverses? OK, we'll run some reverses, all right? You want some trick plays? We'll run some trick plays. Want to know what they're called? Just ask me."

Malzahn's comments appeared mild compared to one of Alabama Coach Nick Saban's orchestrated rants to get his players' attention, but it illustrated the added pressure when Auburn is preparing to play the Crimson Tide.

"You worry about everything in a week like this," Malzahn said. "In our state, you know, both groups keep a close eye on each other. You worry about the confidentiality and everything.

"It's always high this week, that's the way it is every year. That's part of what makes this rivalry special, though. You know, you've got to be thinking ahead and you've got to protect what you're doing."

Hotty Toddy, War Eagle!

Ole Miss Coach Hugh Freeze's primary concern Saturday is beating Mississippi State, but the Rebels coach can't help but have some interest as well in the Alabama-Auburn game.

If Auburn upsets Alabama on Saturday afternoon, the Rebels will be playing for a share of the West title and a chance to play in the SEC Championship Game for the first time.

Because the Rebels won at 43-37 Alabama this season, if Auburn and Ole Miss win, the Rebels and Crimson Tide will be West co-champions at 6-2 and Ole Miss will play in Atlanta by virtue of the tiebreaker.

"I'm obviously pulling for Auburn, and that's nothing against Alabama at all," Freeze said. "I respect what they've done, but it would give us a chance to win the West."

Freeze and Malzahn share the bond of starting their careers as high school coaches and later coaching at Arkansas State, but Freeze said he hasn't offered specific advice about how to beat Alabama.

"Gus and I are friends, but ever since we've both been in the SEC West, we've kind of had a pact where we won't get into too much of the Xs and Os," Freeze said. "I don't know that would be good in the long run for us to start doing that.

"I've texted him, 'Good luck. You've got to win first down, man, and take care of that ball.' "

Chavis back at LSU

Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis, who held the same position at LSU the previous six seasons, will make his return to Tiger Stadium on Saturday night.

It's a game that's been highly anticipated since Chavis -- nicknamed "Chief" -- moved from one SEC rival to another.

"We're going to look forward to this competition, I promise you," LSU Coach Les Miles said.

LSU players are happy about the matchup.

"It's going to be exciting to get to see my boy 'Chief' again," Tigers senior linebacker Deion Jones told The Times-Picayune of New Orleans. "I'll see him before and after the game most.

"It's going to be fun. Coach Chavis is a great coach. He taught me a lot."

LSU fans may be upset that Chavis left, but the Tigers aren't holding a grudge.

"There's no ill feelings toward him," LSU senior linebacker Lamar Louis told The Times-Picayune. "He was a great coach here. He saw something in me as a player that got me on the field, got me playing early in my career."

Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin said playing LSU will be special for Chavis.

"I know it'll be emotional," Sumlin said. "He's walked into that stadium many times. I know it's important to him. It's important to all of us."

Horton North Texas candidate

Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton, a former Arkansas player and assistant, has applied for the head coaching job at North Texas, according to the Denton (Texas) Record-Chronicle.

"I don't know anything about Tim and other jobs," Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee told reporters this week according to AL.com. "I really don't. He and I haven't talked about that, so that's kind of the first I've heard of it.

"I know Tim's like me -- we're as deep as we can be in getting ready for this week. That being said, Tim does a great job here. He'd be an excellent coach as a head coach. "

Smart move to Carolina?

FoxSports.com's Bruce Feldman reported Wednesday that Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has emerged as the leading candidate for the South Carolina head coaching job.

Smart, 39, has been the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator since 2008. This season Alabama ranks third nationally in scoring defense (14.5 points per game) and total defense (268.0 yards per game).

Houston Coach Tom Herman has told South Carolina officials he plans to remain with the Cougars, according to several media reports.

Mullen's used to it

With numerous coaching jobs at major programs already vacant and more likely to open, it's logical to wonder if this is the year Dan Mullen leaves Mississippi State after seven seasons.

"I don't like commenting on other jobs just because it's a waste of time," Mullen told reporters this week according to the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger. "I love the one that I have. Not much else on it besides that."

Mullen, who has led Mississippi State to a 54-34 record, is being paid $4 million this season as part of a four-year deal.

"This happens every year," Mullen said of job speculation. "I'll tell you, as always, you're either getting fired or you're getting hired. I'll always take getting hired. It means we're winning and doing well."

PLAYER TO WATCH

Derrick Henry

Alabama tailback

Monster games on CBS against Texas A&M and LSU have helped put Henry in position to possibly win the Heisman Trophy.

Henry rushed 32 times for 236 yards at Texas A&M in the Crimson Tide’s 41-23 victory, and 38 times for 210 yards when they beat LSU 30-16.

The junior, who has 249 carries for 1,526 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, has another showcase game on CBS Saturday when Alabama plays Auburn.

If Henry has another game in which he rushes for 200-plus yards, it may clinch the Heisman Trophy for him.

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 18 Ole Miss at No. 21 Mississippi State

6:15 p.m. Saturday (ESPN)

With all due respect to the Iron Bowl, the best game involving SEC teams this weekend is the Egg Bowl.

A lot is at stake for both teams, which appear to be evenly matched. Oddsmakers agree, making the game a pick ’em.

Ole Miss (8-3, 5-2 SEC) could win the SEC West if it beats the Bulldogs and Auburn beats Alabama. The Ole Miss-Mississippi State winner might get a Sugar Bowl invitation depending on what Florida does against Florida State and in the SEC Championship Game.

It figures to be a high-scoring game and may turn into a quarterback duel similar to Arkansas’ 53-52 overtime victory at Ole Miss and the 51-50 victory at Arkansas by Mississippi State (8-3, 4-3).

Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott has completed 260 of 393 yards for 3,159 yards and 23 touchdowns rushed 127 times for 478 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly has completed 256 of 395 passes for 3,504 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed 86 times for 353 yards and 9 touchdowns.

BY THE NUMBERS

11-2 SEC West teams’ record vs. SEC East teams this season.

2004 The last time time Texas A&M had a shutout prior to beating Vanderbilt 25-0 last Saturday. The Aggies hadn’t blanked an opponent since a 31-0 victory at Wyoming on Sept. 11, 2004.

10 Bowl eligible SEC teams. The number could grow to 12 if Missouri beats Arkansas and Kentucky beats Louisville.

OVERHEARD

“I don’t think they’re nothing special, honestly, but we still can’t overlook them. We’ve still got to prepare for them like we’re playing the best guys in our conference.”

— Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones on Auburn’s receivers.

“I’d spend a day of prayer.”

— Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema asked the best way to prepare for Alabama.

Sports on 11/26/2015