Lane Kiffin Reprimanded by SEC

University of Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin, along with Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen, was reprimanded Monday by SEC officials for criticizing referees. Dan Mullen had a legitimate gripe. Florida linebacker Dustin Doe intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to extend Florida's lead to 29-13. Replays clearly showed that Doe was stripped of the ball at about the 2 yard line, while prematurely celebrating (and no, there is not a pill for that). While the outcome of the game likely would not have changed, it certainly would have made things much more interesting. Kiffin, on the other hand, seems to be using his gripe as an excuse to cover up for poor coaching. With Tennessee trailing by 2 and 38 seconds remaining, Kiffin elected to run the clock down and attempt a 46 yard field goal rather than run a 3rd down play. His kicker had already missed from 48 yards and had a 44 yard attempt blocked earlier in the game. Kiffin claimed he did not want to run another play for fear of an interception or the ref's "losing a game for us there and some magical flag appear." Here's an idea. Hand the ball to your best offensive player, Montario Hardesty, and let him try to grind out a few more yards to help out your obviously struggling kicker. Kiffin also complained about no flag being thrown for Terrence Cody removing his helmet after blocking the field goal. Even if the referee had thrown a flag, Tennessee would not have had another chance at the field goal. The penalty would have been enforced on the next play, which would have been an Alabama offensive play. Had Kiffin done a better job of coaching his players, it may have made a difference. Because the blocked field goal did not cross the line of scrimmage, Tennessee could have recovered the ball and tried to run with it. Had they recovered it, the non-call would have made a difference because Tennessee would have had possession of the ball. Perhaps, Lane should stop worrying so much about everyone else and worry about coaching his team.

Quick Hits From Today's Action

• Not sure why Lane Kiffin would not run another play with 38 seconds left on the clock before attempting the field goal. Tennessee had already missed from 47 yards and had a 43 yard attempt easily blocked. A 44 yard attempt was anything but a sure thing. He may be thinking about that decision for a while.
  
• Florida again had a critical call go their way. It certainly looked as though Dustin Doe had the ball knocked out of his hands had about the 2 yard line. Hard to say if the outcome would have changed, but the momentum certainly would have changed sides.
• USC's offense, particularly Alan Bradford, seemed to really find its stride. They look to be the top offense as far as balance is concerned. Matt Barkley threw a couple of aggressive passes that were intercepted, but he certainly looks to be the real deal. Tough test ahead of them next week at Oregon.
• Does another close Notre Dame win over a mediocre team mean we have to listen to Charlie Weiss complain about not being in the top 25 again?
  
• With apologies to Texas, Cincinnati and Iowa, I would have to put Alabama, Florida and USC at the top of the list. Not sure I would argue with whatever order you want to put them in.