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Let’s learn more about this exciting new network.

When will the SEC Network launch?

The Network will launch in August 2014.

What will the Network be called?

The Network will be called the “SEC Network.”  The formal name is the “SEC ESPN Network.”

How is this different than other conference or single-school networks?

This collaboration between the SEC and ESPN will bring together unparalleled content from one of the most competitive conferences in the country with the highest quality, most innovative production partner in the sports industry.

Will the Network look similar to ESPN channels?

The Network will have the highest quality production value and a look and feel consistent with ESPN’s other networks.

Where will the Network be located?

The production home will be in Charlotte, N.C.  This location will provide for efficient use of ESPN’s existing production facility in Charlotte and it will have support from all of ESPN’s resources in Bristol, Conn.

Why is Charlotte the Network’s home especially since there are no SEC teams in N.C.?

ESPN already have a state-of-the-art facility in Charlotte that is easily accessible from across the SEC footprint.

Will each campus (or the SEC Offices) have upgraded television facilities?
Each campus is being assessed for its capabilities and level of content integration from each of the school campuses.  We anticipate some level of connection and integration with each institution’s facilities so we can produce and deliver content in an efficient manner.

How many people will work for the SEC Network?

We anticipate more than 100 full-time staff for the Network across ESPN.

Will the SEC Network be 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

The SEC Network will have 24/7 programming; it’s a dedicated channel for all things SEC.

What kind of shows will I see on the SEC Network?
At the outset, the Network will offer SEC sports and sports-related studio programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  More than 1,000 live events will be available in the first full year across the television Network and its digital extensions.  This will include approximately 45 football games, more than 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball games and events from across all 21 SEC-sponsored sports.

How will the SEC Network enhance the SEC fan experience?
More than 1,000 live events will be available. The SEC Network will provide more than 450 live games each year.  An additional 550 games will be distributed digitally. The Network will bring football, basketball, baseball, and all SEC campus sports to SEC fans. These outlets will provide more in-depth content to fans across the country than ever before.  Fans will be able to access content on a range of devices.  Also, there will be programming dedicated to news and analysis surrounding the events.

How many football games will be aired on the Network?

The Network will televise approximately 45 football games per season.

How many basketball games? Baseball? Women’s sports? Olympic?

At least 450 events will be televised on the Network each year. Of the 450 events, there will be more than 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball games and 250 Olympic sports on the Network. More than 550 additional sporting events will be available on our digital platforms. The digital platform will include an outlet, similar to ESPN3, for the other 550 games and a live linear stream of the television network. This content will be available to Network subscribers across a range of devices.

Will each school have a block of time to program as they see fit?

This is a conference-wide network.  The goal is to provide equitable exposure for each of the SEC member institutions.  The Network will achieve this goal without each school having its own block of time to program.

Will the Network show breaking news or investigative pieces about the conference similar to ESPN?

The Network will cover and report on sports news and information in an objective manner, but the basic premise is the Network will represent the conference and its member institutions.  The Network has created a Content Board which has equal representation from the SEC and ESPN.  The Board will work collaboratively on the programming and presentation.  The Network, along with its digital extensions, will serve SEC sports fans and sports fans more broadly.

Will there be academic programming?

We have 16 months between now and the launch.  We will continue to build out the full scope of the Network which will include content beyond live events.  The Content Board will continue to build out the programming schedule for the Network and its digital extensions.

What access and programming is each school obligated to provide to the SEC Network?

Outside of the rights in the existing CBS and ESPN agreements, each school provides the rights and access to all other live events for the SEC Network.

Will the SEC Network air high school football games?

No.

Will the SEC Network be able to re-air games shown on other ESPN networks?  CBS?

Yes.

Will the conference staff be on air or have any regular shows?

No.

Will the SEC Network air bowl games?  SEC Conference Championships?

There are no current plans to air bowl games on the Network.  The Network will televise the SEC Championships for all sports other than football.

Will there be fewer games available to me now that there is a Network?

The Network will provide more than 1,000 live events per year for SEC fans and sports fans across the country.  These games will also be available online on a range of devices to allow for widespread access that is not currently available.

Will the Network include new personalities or use existing ESPN personalities for the games and studio shows?

A mix of both existing ESPN personnel and new on-air staff will be present on the Network.

The post Learn about the SEC Network appeared first on Nation of Blue.

(Photo by Rich Arden / ESPN Images)

The Southeastern Conference and ESPN have signed a 20-year agreement through 2034 to create and operate a multiplatform network, which will launch in August 2014, it was announced today by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive and ESPN President John Skipper. The new network and its accompanying digital platform will air SEC content 24/7 including more than 1,000 events in its first year.

The network will televise approximately 45 SEC football games, more than 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball games, 75 baseball games, and events from across the SEC’s 21 sports annually. Programming will also include studio shows, original content such as SEC Storied, spring football games, signing day and pro days coverage. Hundreds of additional live events from various sports will be offered exclusively on the digital platform. The network and its digital extensions will connect with each SEC institution and create opportunities for each school to produce and develop content.

“The SEC Network will provide an unparalleled fan experience of top quality SEC content presented across the television network and its accompanying digital platforms,” stated Slive. “We will increase exposure of SEC athletics programs at all 14 member institutions, as we showcase the incredible student-athletes in our league. The agreement for a network streamlines and completes an overall media rights package that will continue the SEC’s leadership for the foreseeable future.”

Each weekend throughout the season, the new network will air multiple top-tier matchups from the strongest conference in college football. Since 2006, the SEC has claimed seven consecutive football national championships. In 2011-12, SEC teams won eight national championships: football (Alabama), men’s basketball (Kentucky), gymnastics (Alabama), men’s indoor track and field (Florida), women’s tennis (Florida), women’s golf (Alabama), men’s outdoor track and field (Florida), and softball (Alabama). Since 1990, the SEC has won 149 national team championships for an average of more than six per year.

Skipper said, “The SEC is unmatched in its success on the field and its popularity with fans nationwide. The new network’s top-quality SEC matchups across a range of sports will serve all sports enthusiasts including the most passionate, die-hard SEC fans. Also, it will serve the needs of our multichannel distributors and advertisers by providing extremely attractive programming options across all platforms.”

As part of the agreement, ESPN will now oversee the SEC’s official Corporate Sponsor Program. In addition, ESPN and the SEC also agreed to extend their existing media rights agreement through 2034. ESPN has televised the SEC since 1982. ESPN’s existing networks present more than 1,600 hours of SEC action each year. The new network will focus exclusively on the SEC and add another outlet to deliver sports fans more SEC content than ever.

AT&T U-verse® has been secured as the network’s first national distributor. AT&T U-verse is the fastest growing TV provider in the U.S. and their subscribers will have access to an unprecedented amount of SEC content across all platforms. Subscribers receiving the live linear network via a multichannel subscription will also have access to the network on PCs, tablets, smartphones and select gaming devices like Xbox. Additional games and coverage will be available through an authenticated digital offering. Fans looking to learn more about how to get the SEC Network can visit GetSECNetwork.com for more information.

“We are pleased to be involved with the SEC and ESPN at the very beginning of this great alliance,” said Jeff Weber, President of Content and Advertising Sales, AT&T. “As the fastest growing and most advanced pay TV service, we want to bring our customers the highest value and most compelling product that we possibly can. Access to the SEC Network, across multiple platforms, will only increase the demand for U-verse.”

ESPN’s Justin Connolly, formerly senior vice president, ESPN affiliate sales and marketing, will oversee the network’s day-to-day operations. The network will originate from ESPN’s Charlotte, N.C., offices with additional staff located at the company’s Bristol, Conn., headquarters. Staff announcements and additional details will be made in the coming months.

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Source

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Click bracket to enlarge.

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Kentucky is still at #3 in the updated ESPN SEC Power Rankings behind Florida and Missouri.

1. Florida: If the No. 5 Gators score a convincing win at No. 8 Arizona on Saturday, they could enter next week as a top-three team. They’ve been as dominant as any squad in the country. But the Wildcats will be the toughest team that they’ve faced to date. Arizona is deep enough inside to limit Patric Young’s production, a rare trait for the teams the Gators have played thus far.

2. Missouri: Frank Haith’s squad has one blemish, an 84-61 loss against Louisville on Nov. 23. But the Tigers have yet to play another nationally ranked squad (224th nonconference strength of schedule per ESPN.com’s InsideRPI). That will change Dec. 22 when they face undefeated Illinois.

3. Kentucky: Its most recent wins over Samford and Portland may have helped it recover from the back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and Baylor that cost the team its spot in the Associated Press’ Top 25. But they’re just appetizers for the Dec. 29 matchup against rival Louisville, the nation’s most efficient defense. Kentucky’s point-guard problems will be scrutinized in the buildup to that game.

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Auburn held out the longest (between UK, UT, and AR), but the result is the same. The Tigers released Gene Chizik today. Athletic director Jay Jocobs sent out this announcement to fans.

Dear Auburn Family,

First and foremost, I want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have reached out to me in recent days and weeks to express your concerns about our football program. You are the best fans in the country, and I appreciate your passion and love for Auburn University.

We have talked a lot in recent years about building the foundation it takes to consistently compete at a high level in the nation’s toughest conference. Despite substantial investment in personnel and facilities made possible by your support, the football program did not live up to our expectations. The results of the 2012 football season are simply unacceptable at Auburn.

After suffering some tough losses in a transition year in 2011, we had hoped our team would show improvement this season. Unfortunately, it has not. The competition in our league is fierce and is currently at an all-time high, and we cannot risk falling further behind by waiting another year and hoping for improvement.

That is why after careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of our football program, I have recommended that Coach Gene Chizik not be retained. President Gogue has accepted my recommendation. Earlier this morning, I informed Coach Chizik that he will not return as head coach.

My primary consideration in making this recommendation was doing what is in the best interests of our current student-athletes and the future of our football program. That has always been my top priority, and it always will be.

While I am disappointed that Coach Chizik’s career here has come to an end we will long cherish the memories of our first National Championship in 53 years. Gene and his staff will always be a part of the Auburn Family, and we wish them and their families the best.

This season demonstrated that we need a different direction to get where we want to go. We will move as quickly as possible in our search for a new Head Coach, guided by the benchmarks President Gogue and I expect. Those benchmarks are a track record as a proven winner, a commitment to playing within the rules and student-athlete academic success.

I am pleased to announce that we have put together an outstanding search committee to find our next head coach. The committee consists of several great Auburn leaders who share our commitment to competing at the highest level and who understand what it takes to succeed at Auburn. I am honored that Mac Crawford, Bo Jackson and Pat Sullivan have agreed to join our efforts to find the best coach possible for our student-athletes, the students of Auburn University and the Auburn Family. I’m proud to be part of this distinguished group.

A press conference will be held later today to formally announce this change. In the days ahead, you can expect rumors to swirl and inaccurate reports to surface about who is under consideration to be our next Head Coach. That is the nature of coaching searches at this level. I will not respond to rumors or speculative reports during the search process, but I do look forward to announcing our new Head Coach once the search is complete.

I regret that the Auburn Family, and especially our season ticket holders and Tigers Unlimited donors, have had to endure a frustrating and difficult season. You expect and deserve better.

It is time to heal and turn the page to the next chapter of Auburn football. It is time to pull together and forge ahead to the brighter future that awaits us.

We have endured tough times before, and we have always emerged stronger. I have no doubt that will be our course once again.

God Bless and War Eagle!

Jay

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Derek Dooley was fired this morning as head football coach at Tennessee.

Derek Dooley will not return as head coach of the #Vols; Jim Chaney to coach finale vs. Kentucky on Saturday – bit.ly/T9TPY5

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 18, 2012

I was hoping Dooley would coach against Kentucky next week, but no matter, I still think Kentucky has a great shot of extending the streak to 2.

With Tennessee entering the coaching search, I wonder how much it will effect the Kentucky coaching search.

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Jarrell Martin committed to LSU today.

LSU grabbed #13 recruit in the class of 2013 today in Jarrell Martin as the SEC, not just Kentucky, continued to get richer in recruiting.

The SEC has already gotten commitments from 13 of the top 50 recruits in 2013, and are currently in the mix for 8 more top palyers in the class.

You think John Calipari might have raised the bar a little?

1. Andrew Wiggins (UK)
2. Jabari Parker (Florida)
3. ANDREW HARRISON (UK)
4. AARON HARRISON (UK)
5. Julius Randle (UK, Florida)
6. Aaron Gordon (UK)
7. KASEY HILL (FLORIDA)
9. CHRIS WALKER (FLORIDA)
10. JAMES YOUNG (UK)
13. JARELL MARTIN (LSU)
14. BOBBY PORTIS (ARKANSAS)
18. Keith Frazier (Florida, Texas A&M, LSU)
21. ROBERT HUBBS (TENNESSEE)
23. SINDARIUS THORNWELL (SOUTH CAROLINA)
32. JOHNATHAN WILLIAMS (MISSOURI)
33. Jajuan Johnson (Alabama)
35. JORDAN MICKEY (LSU)
37. DERRICK GRIFFIN (TEXAS A&M)
38. Brandon Austin (Florida)
39. MARCUS LEE (UK)
49. Austin Nichols (Vanderbilt, Tennessee)

The post Kentucky isn’t the Only School Recruiting Well in the SEC appeared first on Nation of Blue.

After scrimmaging for over an hour, John Calipari spoke about potential lineup changes in his latest video on “Cal Tube” over at CoachCal.com.  If you watched the blue and white game, it was obvious how different the line ups looked once Harrow and Stein were moved to opposite teams.  Yes we have a lot of talent on this years team, but that talent if vary different from one player to the next.

Interesting comments about today’s scrimmage…..

• Archie Vs. Ryan at the point – Both played well and very effective, but very different.
• Archie and Julius is a very “dynamic
• We will have a “Catch Up” team with Alex at the four spot.

Click here to watch the video…

The post John Calipari Experiments With Lineup In Today’s Scrimmage appeared first on Nation of Blue.

South Carolina running back, Marcus Lattimore, suffered a gruesome injury to the knee yesterday.  You may remember Lattimore as the running back who UK couldn’t seem to tackle during the second half.  He’s also the running back that was out of the game (hurt) when UK beat USC a couple of years ago.

Lattimore was considered by many to be the best running back in the SEC.  It’s a shame to see his season end with this type of injury.  We hope he’s well enough to recover and take a shot at the NFL.

Please be advised that the injury in this video is not for the squeamish.

In my opinion, these types of tackles should be illegal in both college and the NFL.  There’s nothing skillful about throwing your body into the legs of the offensive player.  If the offensive player’s legs are not free to be knocked out from under him, it’s an injury waiting to happen.  And most likely it’s one that will end someone’s career.

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Here is Coach John Calipari and UK Hoops coach Matthew Mitchell at SEC Media Day.

The post John Calipari and Matthew Mitchell at SEC Media Day appeared first on Nation of Blue.

The SEC Media’s thoughts on who will win the conference and that players that will make a difference for their teams this year were released today.

Kentucky is picked to win the conference, with Nerlens Noel selected as a 1st team All SEC performer.

Alex Poythress is voted to the 2nd team.

First Team All-SEC
BJ Young – Arkansas, G, 6-3, 180, So., St. Louis, Mo.
Kenny Boynton – Florida, G, 6-2, 190, Sr., Pompano Beach, Fla.
Nerlens Noel – Kentucky, F, 6-10, 228, Fr., Everett, Mass.
Phil Pressey – Missouri, G, 5-11, 175, Jr., Dallas, Texas
Jarnell Stokes – Tennessee, F, 6-8, 270, So., Memphis, Tenn.

Second Team All-SEC
Marshawn Powell – Arkansas, F, 6-7, 240, Jr., Newport News, Va.
Patric Young – Florida, C, 6-9, 249, Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Georgia, G, 6-5, 205, So., Greenville, Ga.
Alex Poythress – Kentucky, F, 6-7, 239, Fr., Clarksville, Tenn.
Michael Dixon, Jr. – Missouri, G, 6-1 , 190, Sr., Kansas City, Mo.
Jeronne Maymon – Tennessee, F, 6-7, 260, Sr., Madison, Wis.

SEC Player of the Year: Phil Pressey, Missouri

Preseason Media Poll
Kentucky (17) 328
Florida (5) 310
Missouri (1) 286
Tennessee (1) 269
Arkansas 226
Alabama 222
Ole Miss 186
Georgia 149
Texas A&M 122
Vanderbilt 120
LSU 116
Auburn 95
South Carolina 54
Mississippi State 37

First-Place Votes in Parentheses

Source

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Georgia’s head coach Mark Richt answered questions about his team and the upcoming game with the Wildcats in Commonwealth Stadium.

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Arkansas and Kentucky look to be in race when it comes to available coaches. Facilities, fanbase, tradition will definitely play a factor why a coach would want to come to either of these schools (and of course salary..that’s an obvious one). However, if dislike for the current coach factors into the decision, it seems Arkansas fans definitely have the upper hand.

The post UK vs. Arkansas In “Fire Your Coach” Facebook Fan Pages appeared first on Nation of Blue.

Egg Bowl Uniforms have the gold trim…

And here is the entire 2000 Independence Bowl.. Definitely a blizzard!

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A couple of quick notes about Kentucky Football:

• Morgan Newton or Jalen Whitlow is listed as backup quarterback for this week’s South Carolina game on the depth chart.
• Tristian Johnson listed as starter at defensive tackle. Mister Cobble listed 3rd due to his joint infection.
• Cody Quinn is listed as starter at cornback. Cartier Rice has a thigh bruise.

Here is the SEC tv schedule for the next two weeks:

The post Kentucky Football Notes and SEC TV Schedule appeared first on Nation of Blue.

After their loss to Louisiana-Monroe yesterday, the Arkansas Razorbacks dropped completely out of the AP Top 25.

John L. Smith’s teams was ranked #8.

Here are the updated rankings.

AP Top 25
RK TEAM RECORD PTS PVS
1 Alabama (48) 1-0 1486 1
2 USC (8) 1-0 1414 2
3 LSU (4) 1-0 1404 3
4 Oregon 1-0 1299 4
5 Oklahoma 1-0 1160 5
5 Florida State 1-0 1160 6
7 Georgia 1-0 1155 7
8 South Carolina 1-0 1025 9
9 West Virginia 1-0 1017 9
10 Michigan State 1-0 995 11
11 Clemson 1-0 868 12
12 Ohio State 1-0 772 14
13 Virginia Tech 1-0 734 15
14 Texas 1-0 716 17
15 Kansas State 1-0 714 21
16 TCU 0-0 542 20
17 Michigan 0-1 429 19
18 Florida 1-0 427 24
19 Louisville 1-0 316 23
20 Notre Dame 1-0 310 22
21 Stanford 1-0 260 25
22 UCLA 1-0 250 NR
23 Tennessee 1-0 177 NR
24 Arizona 1-0 149 NR
25 Brigham Young 1-0 110 NR

Dropped from rankings: Arkansas 8, Wisconsin 13, Nebraska 16, Oklahoma State 18

Others receiving votes: Boise State 106, Arkansas 79, Nebraska 79, OREGONST 77, Mississippi State 70, Baylor 54, Wisconsin 44, ULMONROE 23, Ohio 17, Georgia Tech 15, Oklahoma State 13, South Florida 12, ARIZONAST 10, IOWAST 5, NORTHWSTRN 5, UTAHST 1, North Carolina 1

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