When the first two coaches of the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) annual Media Day took the stage in Nashville on Wednesday, it was clear this would be an unusually entertaining event.

Nick Saban, head coach at Alabama, started things off speaking about a “happy birthday and cake” initiative he plans to incorporate into his team’s practices. On the other side of the room, Arkansas’ Sam Pittman channeled his inner-Chris Rock, quipping that he remembered to buy beer and music for his players.

The afternoon brought a much tamer tempo, with Kentucky’s Mark Stoops and Florida’s Billy Napier speaking in measured tones about their preparation for the upcoming season. Although lacking memorable moments, their comments offered insight into the climate within their locker rooms and an understanding of the mindset they wish to instill in their players.

Now we eagerly await the conference’s remaining coaches to take the microphone and share their visions for the fall. The annual Southeastern Conference Media Days took place yesterday in Birmingham, Alabama, and with it came the unveiling of this year’s winners and losers. Here’s a look at who made the biggest headlines:

**Winners**

1. Alabama Crimson Tide – Coming off their third national championship in five years, the Crimson Tide were a clear winner at media days, as they opened up with high expectations for the upcoming season.

2. Georgia Bulldogs – After an impressive 11-2 record last season, the Bulldogs appear poised to make some noise in the SEC this year. With Jake Fromm returning under center, they could make a serious run for the title.

3. Florida Gators – With Coach Dan Mullen at the helm, the Gators have been a force in the SEC in recent years, and they didn’t disappoint at Media Days, as they looked well-prepared and ready to make a run.

**Losers**

1. Texas A&M Aggies – After a dismal season last year, the Aggies simply could not make an impression and were all but ignored at Media Days. Their lack of presence was especially noticeable when compared to the other contenders in the conference.

2. Missouri Tigers – Despite having several high-profile players on their roster, the Tigers had an absolute disaster of a season last year and have yet to recover. With no clear direction heading into the year, they will likely be an afterthought in the SEC for the foreseeable future.

3. Ole Miss Rebels – Reporters were expecting some promise from the Rebels, but their lackluster showing at Media Days quickly dashed those hopes. With the team in rebuild mode, it could be a long season for the Rebels. Saban’s motto this Wednesday morning was: ‘It’s never too soon to think about dessert.’ The Alabama head coach compared his quarterback situation to a three-course meal; starters, main courses and desserts. He likened the starters to the older, veteran players, the main courses being the younger recruits and the dessert being a reward for a job well done.

Saban has yet to decide on a starter for the upcoming season with encounters between senior Blake Barnett, redshirt freshman Jalen Hurts and true freshman Tyler Hurts this summer. Saban said that regardless of who starts, there are rewards to be earned through competition.

“If they can all three can really improve so that all three can contribute, that’s kind of like dessert, know what I’m saying? It’s like, ‘Wow, we really got something good here,'” he said.

Saban’s message Wednesday morning is that the three-quarterback battle is an opportunity to win rewards and enjoy the sweet taste of success. Grandma Saban always used to tell me that a cake needed to be watched in order to be made just right. “Let it go through and take it out of the oven too soon, it will turn to mush and it won’t be a really good cake,” she said. It didn’t take long for me to realize how similar this was to sports, and how important the concept of patience is. If you try to push a team too hard, they won’t have the time that they need to grow and succeed. It takes time for players to develop and for everyone to have a good attitude, compete well, and separate themselves. Grandma Saban’s advice helped shape my approach to coaching, and I follow it each day to ensure success for my team. Nick Saban has been a prominent figure in college football, leading the University of Alabama Crimson Tide to seven national championships since 2009. Despite being one of the most successful college football coaches of all time, Saban’s been notoriously bad at picking quarterbacks. Even when presented the best options in the future NFL stars, he simply can’t get it right.

But one decision Saban’s never had to agonize over is his favorite cake. To insiders, it’s no secret that Saban’s favorite is classic yellow cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.

It all started back in the 90s when Saban was a defensive assistant for the Michigan State Spartans. For his 31st birthday, the coaching staff surprised Saban with his favorite cake. From that moment on Saban never looked back, requesting his birthday cake every year.

That soon spread to other occasions, such as team-bonding events or pre-game pep talks. Saban would order a dozen or so classic yellow cakes for the entire staff.

The rest, as they say, is history. Saban’s favorite cake — classic yellow cake with chocolate buttercream frosting — remains a popular dessert among the Crimson Tide’s fan base. To further commemorate the occasion, some Alabama fans make sure to bring his favorite cake to big games and tailgates, making everyone feel like a winner. Saban loves to whip up a batch of carrot cake in the kitchen when he’s feeling creative. It’s a simple process: mix the ingredients, bake the batter, and enjoy.

He starts by preheating the oven and greasing the baking pan. Next, he combines flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into a bowl. In another bowl, he whisks together oil, sugar, eggs, and shredded carrots. When everything is thoroughly mixed, he combines the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and pours the batter into the pan.

Finally, Saban slides the pan into the oven and sets the timer for 35 minutes. When the timer dings, he knows it’s time to remove the cake and let it cool before digging in.

There’s nothing quite like a slice of carrot cake with a dollop of cream cheese frosting. And whether he’s making it for a special occasion or just because, Saban can always count on this classic treat to brighten his day. At SEC Media Days, the focus is often on the strength and dominance of Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide. But there is one thing that could derail Saban’s seemingly unassailable team—himself.

The biggest threat to Saban’s success is his own myopia. Saban has had tremendous success with Alabama, but it doesn’t remove the fact that he’s become a larger-than-life figure within the college football landscape. It’s understandable that no one would want to challenge Saban’s authority, as he has to be the one leading the charge for Alabama’s success.

But at some point, it becomes detrimental to Saban’s own longevity. It’s clear that the Tide’s success lies in his vision and the decisions he makes, but his tendency to favor his own expertise over new ideas or accepting any form of change can become harmful.

We saw this with the departure of Lane Kiffin in 2017. Saban famously told Kiffin that he never wanted to see him again, and he didn’t take kindly to Kiffin bringing in new offensive concepts. Saban also fired defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt abruptly, despite Pruitt’s success with the team; this suggests an unwillingness to give someone else control, even when it makes sense to do so.

The biggest challenge for Saban and the Tide entering the season is to be able to adjust their defensive strategies and schemes in order to remain successful. While Saban’s track record speaks for itself, his unwillingness to make changes or consider new ideas can become a major issue for Alabama.

Even the greatest of dynasties have to evolve, and this is something that Saban must be willing to do if he wants to remain successful. SEC Media Days reminds us that this will be the biggest challenge facing Saban and the Tide this season. For any college football fan this season, witnessing the press conferences of University of Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman provided an entertaining and often endearing moment of joy. Despite having a difficult first year on the job while leading a Razorback team that struggled to a 3-7 overall record, the first-year head coach proved that even the hard times can be fun.

Pittman seemed to always find humor in his post game press conferences, despite the difficult questions. His answers often came laced with sarcasm and wit and brought laughter to the press room. He was able to weave stories of his childhood, growing up in rural northern Georgia, or stories of young players exhibiting success on the field and off the field, often leaving everyone in awe of his words.

He also wasn’t afraid to be honest, even if that meant his own embarrassment. During his post-game conference following the Razorbacks 45-24 loss to Florida, he issued an apology to the reporter who asked him if he regretted not having taken a time out earlier. His spontaneous apology was apologetic and drenched in humility.

It’s been a tough first year for Pittman and the Arkansas Razorbacks, but one thing that won’t be forgotten any time soon is the joy and fun that Sam Pittman brought to the podium every week. Whether it was a heartfelt story or a self deprecating joke, the people of Arkansas will never forget the most entertaining coach that spoke from the podium. John Pittman was recently interviewed by Clark Brooks, during which the singer/songwriter shared some of his recent music activity. He plugged his Spotify playlist, aptly-named “Hot Springs Yacht Club”, and mentioned that he had just crooned “Hot Blooded” with Foreigner during a live stage performance.

At first, when Clark Brooks had gone to introduce himself, Pittman thought he had misheard the music reporter’s name. He was expecting to meet Garth Brooks rather than Clark! In the end, the two had a great conversation and Pittman provided some insights into his latest music projects. Today, Bob gave an interesting news conference – not only did he provide updates on current projects, but he also included music! As Bob spoke, his band serenaded us with popular tunes, providing an interesting and unique backdrop to the whole event.

The music portion wasn’t long –we only heard three songs – but it was enough to help set the tone of the meeting and to encourage some productive conversations. It worked like a charm! Everyone was in good spirits throughout the conference, and it seems that Bob’s out-of-the-box thinking paid off.

This creative approach is worth trying out at any future meetings-it certainly made this one memorable for all!

#####That was just the music portion of his news conference. Pittman was faced with a question to commemorate his post-game interview from last year: does he enjoy Hamm’s Beer? His answer?

Pittman was reminded of how he said he was going to celebrate last year’s win with a craft beer, but laughed and simply noted that he “enjoys all beer.” He added cheekily that Hamm’s is a great beer to cap off a successful win with, and that it brings a certain level of nostalgia. **Pittman Advises to Take it Up a Notch:**

Pittman knows his beer and he’s not one to shy away from sharing his advice—especially when it comes to enjoying a good brew. He’s noticed that some of his fellow patrons are opting for the more economical option of an old Hamm beer, but Pittman has a suggestion: “You seem like you got a good job, man. Step it up a little bit.”

He admits that an old Hamm is a tasty choice and keeps the wallet in check, but adds that there is a downside: “You burp a lot afterwards.” His advice is obvious, if you can afford it, it’s worth taking it up a notch and make the extra investment for a better beer.

It looks like Pittman’s been around the block a few times and is passing on his wisdom to a younger generation who may not be aware of the potential pitfalls of penny pinching when it comes to enjoying a nice beer. So next time you’re at the bar and you’re feeling the pinch in your pocket, Pittman’s advice may help you remember that it’s worth upgrading your choice of brew. As the dust settles on Tuesday’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) Media Days in Nashville, Tennessee, here’s a look at the winners and losers from Day Two:

**Winners**

Hugh Freeze – The former Ole Miss head coach got a loud ovation from the media gathered for his return to the SEC. Freeze was welcomed back warmly by new Rebels head coach Matt Luke, who told reporters he was “most thankful for Hugh Freeze’s support” and urged fans to embrace Freeze’s return. While Freeze still faces many questions about his off-the-field woes, his presence at SEC Media Days was a positive one.

Kirby Smart – The Georgia head coach may not have dominated headlines on Tuesday, but he made a big impact with his words. Smart articulated the importance of maintaining the “SEC brand” while also stressing the importance of the athletes’ well-being and educating them on their value beyond football. His words resonated with those gathered in Nashville, and the man who led the Bulldogs to a National Championship Game a year ago showed why he’s been a successful leader.

**Losers**

Vanderbilt – Perhaps no program has the same platform on which to share its story like Vandy, which is located just around the corner from the media days venue. Unfortunately for the Commodores, their time under the hot lights was largely forgettable as head coach Derek Mason struggled to explain the team’s recent shortcomings.

Missouri – It wasn’t a good look for the Tigers when coach Barry Odom, who has been on the job for three seasons, arrived 30 minutes late for his allotted media time. Odom’s tardiness serves as a reminder of Missouri’s lack of competitiveness in the SEC of late, a state of affairs not helped by the program’s off-the-field issues. Monday’s SEC Media Days saw plenty of the usual zaniness one expects from college football’s preeminent conference. There were winners and losers aplenty, whether it was coaches, players, or the media. Here’s a look at some of the biggest names that stood out at Monday’s festivities:

**WINNER: Brian Kelly’s accent**

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly stepped onto the podium with an Irishman’s brogue that evoked laughter from reporters across the room. While Kelly’s words remained as measured and positive as ever, his turn of phrase struck a chord with media members, as evidenced by the constant comments about his speech.

Kelly was in the media’s spotlight all day, and by the end of it, his accent had become one of the SEC’s biggest takeaways from Monday’s festivities.

**LOSER: Jimbo Fisher’s Swag**

Unfortunately for Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, his swag was found lacking on Monday. His wardrobe consisted of a plain white polo shirt and khakis that many felt were lackluster, especially when compared to the other big-name coaches at the event like Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Kentucky’s Mark Stoops.

Fisher was one of the few coaches who opted to not wear school colors or team colors, which didn’t sit well with some reporters. Fisher may not have been the most stylish coach in the room, but his words were still inspiring.

At the end of the day, Monday’s SEC Media Days was filled with plenty of colorful personalities, and the winner and loser titles could change by the end of the week. Still, Brian Kelly’s accent and Jimbo Fisher’s swag made the biggest impressions from Monday and are sure to be remembered in the weeks to come. If you watched the press conference for newly appointed Louisiana head football coach Billy Napier, you couldn’t help but feel a difference in tone from his predecessor Matt Rhule. Where Rhule was entertaining and full of excitement for the opportunity ahead, Napier was more reserved.

Napier’s opening statement was methodical and rather bland. His answers to coaches’ questions were composed and professional, with little to no humor or enthusiasm. While Napier certainly seemed intelligent and knowledgeable, he was not as animated or enthusiastic as Rhule.

While some may see Napier’s demeanor as a lack of enthusiasm, the truth is that Napier may just be more reserved. After all, he is taking over a program that has struggled for years and must display a level of confidence and assurance to inspire his team.

No matter how you look at it, Napier must face higher expectations from fans and players alike. He needs to not only prove himself on the field, but also walk a fine line of being organised and composed and displaying enough enthusiasm to keep his team motivated.

It’s easy to see why some may find Napier’s style of coaching to be dull in comparison to Rhule’s. However, it’s too soon to tell what the future holds for the Louisiana program under Napier’s leadership. The Florida Gators continue to show promise as they head into the 2020 season under head coach Dan Mullen’s leadership. After a 6-7 finish last year, optimism abounds as the oddsmakers at DraftKings have set Florida’s win total at 5.5.

The Gators are stocked with a talented roster, loaded with depth at key positions. Senior quarterback Kyle Trask is the leader of the offense and a potential Heisman contender. Trask is joined by a group of talented wide receivers, which should help open up the offense.

The defense should also be improved from a year ago. The Gators return nine starters from last year’s group and have added a talented group of freshmen.

The talent and depth will need to produce in order for Florida to meet the oddsmakers’ expectations. The SEC East is a very competitive division, with rivals in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky all expected to be nasty foes. Having a tough schedule shows the confidence the Gators have in their squad.

The energy radiating from the Gators as they head into year two with coach Mullen is tangible. If the team can play up to its potential, it could easily exceed the oddsmakers’ 5.5 win projection and make some noise in the SEC East. The University of Tennessee’s football team has been a center of attention this week in spite of the season not even beginning. Although other teams are focused on how their teams will perform in the upcoming season, the Volunteers are having to answer questions regarding a scandal currently engulfing the program, headed by coach Jeremy Pruitt.

The Tennessee program is coming under intense scrutiny not only as investigations into the alleged violations of NCAA regulations continue, but as fans, reporters, and players alike feel the repercussions of the scandal. Pruitt, already under pressure to succeed in a highly competitive SEC this year, has to grapple with supporting his program even as it is buffeted by the allegations.

The pressure is mounting both in Knoxville and from around the conference, as the clouds of scandal loom. Concerns over the Volunteers’ ability to take the field this season remain, leading to speculation whether the legendary Tennessee program will rise from the ashes of the current crisis to once again showcase its big-time football prowess. Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is certain: Tennessee football will never be the same. Stoops Shrugs Off Questions of Tennessee’s Cheating

Bob Stoops, former head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, faced the press today, but refused to comment on the new information about cheating that has come to light in 2021. Knox News revealed that the Vols spent close to $3,000 to secure the services of five-star recruit Walter Nolen, and an ex-player was seen spending $200 on marijuana and cigars in conjunction with the deal.

Despite the sweltering questions from journalists, Stoops merely shrugged and said it had “nothing to do with me and my time there”. He expressed sympathy for current coach, Jeremy Pruitt, before leaving the podium.

The scandal is not new, as people were already suspicious of Tennessee’s recruiting tactics prior to the recent solicitation for Nolen. Former players have come forward to tell their stories, but Stoops was unyielding. He is now the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma, so this is likely the last time he will make a public statement on the matter. As the football season wraps up for Josh Heupel and his team, the need to focus on the 2023 season draws closer. With media outlets and fans alike honing in on the present season, it’s easy to forget that next year will be here before we know it. Coach Heupel and his program realize the importance of turning the conversation to the future and how that can impact the program’s success.

The conversations around the 2023 season will not only motivate the team to work harder, but it will also help establish goals for the program. What could potentially be the team’s strengths and weaknesses? What adjustments need to be made? These questions are crucial to the process of building and forming a successful program.

In preparing for the 2023 season the coaches need to evaluate their current roster and what assistance they need to obtain. Most importantly, they must focus on the dynamic of their team, both on and off the field. They need to find out if their team is capable of withstanding the pressure of the upcoming season and coming out on top.

As for the fans, they need to realize the importance of the 2023 season and the impact that it will ultimately have on the program. Supporting the team this off-season will go a long way and will make the transition to the next season that much smoother and successful. Thursday’s conversations should be centered around the 2023 season and how the team will use the off-season to help them achieve success.

Coach Heupel and his team know that a successful season in 2023 is possible, but it won’t come without hard work and dedication. Thursday will be an opportunity to have conversations that will help the team realize their goals and help them work towards a successful outcome. Stefan Krajisnik is the go-to source for Mississippi State news. He covers the Bulldogs for the Clarion Ledger, providing readers in-depth coverage and analysis of the team’s on-and-off-field activities. You can get in touch with Stefan at skrajisnik@gannett.com or connect with him on Twitter @skrajisnik3. Don’t miss out on any updates surrounding your favorite football team—follow Stefan’s work and get the scoop first.