ShareThisListening to the Southeastern Conference coaches' football teleconference this week, a couple of things jumped out.
One, Lane Kiffin is out recruiting during Tennessee's bye week and wants everyone to know.
He explained the background noise during his segment Wednesday by saying he was phoning in from a South Carolina high school.
Then Tennessee's peripatetic coach found an opportunity to mention that he also has been or will be in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas and Alabama this week.
Two, major props were being paid to Florida.
The twist, however, is that neither Urban Meyer nor Tim Tebow were the object.
Rather, hosannas were being sung for coordinator Charlie Strong and the Gators defense. And deservedly so, I might add.
Sure, Meyer and Tebow are taking care of their business. Florida ranks No. 2 in the nation in rushing and No. 3 in passing efficiency.
But that Gators defense will really bite you in the butt.
Florida ranks No. 1 in the nation in total defense (202.6 yards per game), scoring defense (6.4 points) and pass-efficiency defense.
The Gators are No. 2 in fewest first downs allowed and No. 5 in third-down defense, two more significant categories.
"I actually told Urban this summer that Charlie is a better coordinator last year than three years ago," said South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. "He said, 'You're right.' He's learned new tricks. You've got to really admire what they do now compared to what they did maybe three years ago."
Strong was brought to Florida by Ron Zook in 2003. When Meyer arrived in 2005, he said keeping Strong was a no-brainer.
"He's on top of his game right now as a coach," Meyer said. "I'm glad he's part of our staff. I fight to keep him every year."
The Gators have allowed only two touchdowns in five games. One was a run by Tennessee's Montario Hardesty. The other was a Kentucky pass.
This week the problem of penetrating Florida's end zone falls to Arkansas. Coach Bobby Petrino and quarterback Ryan Mallett already have been stonewalled by one lock-down defense.
The Razorbacks have scored at least 41 points in their other four games but were stymied 35-7 by Alabama. The prolific Mallett was 12-of-35 passing for 160 yards.
"Alabama's strength and speed kind of took us out of our game," Petrino said. "They took us away from our technique and fundamentals. (We were) rushing and hurrying everything.
"We don't have to do anything extraordinary to win this game. We just have to play Razorback football."
Good luck with that.
-- VIEW FROM THE TOP: Not that he would admit it, but much-maligned Tennessee QB Jonathan Crompton has no doubt enjoyed his reign as SEC offensive player of the week.
Crompton is tied with Mallett for most TD passes in the SEC with 13. Mallett, however, has played five games to Crompton's six.
"Quarterbacks," said Kiffin, "are about people making plays around him. For probably the first time since the opener, guys made some plays and difficult catches."
Crompton's pass-efficiency rating is 129.1, compared to 98.13 in 2008.
-- FEWER FUMBLES: I thought Tennessee's physical August practices would lead to fewer fumbles. So far, so good.
Of the Vols' four lost fumbles, two were center exchanges with Crompton and a third was safety Janzen Jackson fumbling after recovering a fumble.
As for offensive plays, Hardesty fumbled after a short pass reception in the opener against Western Kentucky. That's it.
-- KENTUCKY QB DERBY: With Mike Hartline sidelined by a knee injury, Kentucky has to consider plans B, C and D at quarterback.
Wouldn't the Wildcats love to have Chris Todd on their side instead of Auburn's this week.
Todd grew up in Elizabethtown, Ky., and was recruited by the Wildcats. He chose Texas Tech, however, then left for a junior college and eventually Auburn.
NO MORE ROAD KILL: In 19 SEC games, the road team is 10-9.
Best chance for a road win this week? Georgia at Vanderbilt.
Make that only chance for a road win this week. The other options are Arkansas at Florida, South Carolina at Alabama or Kentucky at Auburn.
(Contact Mike Strange at strangem(at)knoxnews.com)
(Mike Strange writes for The Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee.)
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