TideSports.com - Dumb questions from Day 3

July 19, 2012

Tommy Deas

HOOVER | Gather some 1,100 writers, broadcasters and bloggers for an SEC Media Days free-for-all and you're going to get some stupid questions. Here are some of Thursday's.

1. Some questions are off topic. Some are long-winded. Some are way off topic and even more long-winded. Alabama coach Nick Saban got one of those.

The question: You mentioned in your opening statement about commitment, doing things right, people working together, also looking out for the student-athlete. A big topic locally here in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville, dating back to last November, was the (board of trustees') idea not to allow UAB to have an on-campus football stadium, and UAH downplaying the hockey program. What are your thoughts about that? Last year you said when you were at LSU there were hardly any disparity between satellite campuses. Do you have any assessment on that?

The answer: No, I don't. I haven't really thought about it.

2. A coach has to work with what he's got. Hugh Freeze, the Ole Miss coach, is learning that after taking over a program that has won a combined six games over the last two seasons.

The question: How do you view the city of Oxford as a recruiting tool?

The answer: Well, have you ever been there? I'm sure you have. I could start and go for days. I'm glad you asked me. ... I also saw Newsweek ranked Oxford as the No. 1 college town in America. Sports Illustrated said we're the No. 1 tailgate in the nation.

3. It's natural that someone would want to ask about last year's postgame incident where Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham had to be restrained to avoid a physical confrontation on the field following Georgia's 33-28 victory in Nashville.Georgia receiver Tavarres King was asked if the incident might spark something larger.

The question: With the way things ended with the Vanderbilt game last year, is Georgia and Vanderbilt developing into a new rivalry in the SEC East?

The answer: I don't think so. It's unfortunate. Things just got out of hand.

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