Mullen still a factor in East-West superiority
The Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference is 8-5 in head-to-head matchups against the Western Division with only Friday’s Missouri-Arkansas game remaining this regular season, leaving the East assured of producing the superior record for the first time since 2008. Call it the Dan Mullen effect.
“It seems like whatever side of the league I’ve been on, that side has won,” Mullen said Wednesday.
The firstyear Florida head coach has never been on the losing side of this equation since entering the SEC for the first time in 2005 as the offensive coordinator of the Gators. Mullen spent the past nine seasons as Mississippi State’s head coach, and the West dominated the East in head-to-head showdowns every year except for a 7-7 split in 2012, which marked the debut seasons for Missouri and Texas A&M in an expanded 14-team league.
Mullen ignited his successful run in Starkville during his second season in 2010, when the Bulldogs pulled upsets of East beasts Florida and Georgia on their way to a 9-4 season that culminated with a 52-14 thrashing of Michigan in the Gator Bowl. This year’s Florida team is 8-3 heading into Saturday’s contest against state rival Florida State, with the Gators having exceeded expectations largely due to surprising wins over Mississippi State and LSU.
“You’re looking at two top20 teams that we had to play from the West, and getting wins over both of them has really helped the program,” Mullen said. “It didn’t hurt to have the familiarity of the West when coming over to the East for me as far as how to match up against them and what they’re like.
“Obviously we’ll always have familiarity with LSU, which is our permanent crossover, and the other teams you don’t play very often, so it can become similar to a nonconference game sometimes, but that certainly helped.”
Also adding to the East’s surge this season was
Tennessee’s 30-24 upset of Auburn, which was the first win for the Vols over a West opponent since 2010. The East clinched its winning record with Vanderbilt’s 36-29 overtime triumph over Ole Miss last Saturday night in Nashville.
“I just think there has been an investment in the facilities and an investment in the programs,” Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said. “We’ve got good coaches who are pushing their programs forward. Kentucky made a commitment to Mark Stoops, and that’s important. Georgia has recommitted itself to Kirby Smart’s vision, and you’re seeing an uptick, and it’s the same thing at Missouri.
“You’re seeing an investment on this side that they care about football and resourcing their student-athletes and their coaches the right way.”
This year’s edge by the East comes after a four-year stretch in which the West rolled to a 42-14 advantage.
Pasquali’s Pix
Mississippi State at Ole Miss: Look for the road team to hoist a fourth consecutive Egg Bowl trophy tonight. Bulldogs 33, Rebels 16.
Arkansas at Missouri: That two Razorbacks defensive backs were suspended after trying to exchange numbers last week with members of Mississippi State’s dance team is further proof this has not been a very fun autumn in Fayetteville. Tigers 41, Razorbacks 10.
Michigan at Ohio State: We’ve seen enough images this season of Urban Meyer doubled over on the sideline, and that’s with a 10-1 team. Wolverines 24, Buckeyes 17.
Georgia Tech at Georgia: The Bulldogs have won more SEC championships and Rose Bowls within the past five years than they have home games against the Yellow Jackets. Bulldogs 34, Yellow Jackets 24.
Florida at Florida State: Florida’s 31-year winning streak over Kentucky ended in Mullen’s first season with the Gators. Will Florida State’s 36-year bowl streak end in Willie Taggart’s debut year in Tallahassee? Gators 23, Seminoles 20.
Auburn at Alabama: Jarrett Stidham has more Iron Bowl victories than Tua Tagovailoa for a few more hours. Crimson Tide 31, Tigers 10.
Tennessee at Vanderbilt: This whole state championship with a bowl bid on the line is a tradition the Volunteers would like to have end sooner than later. Volunteers 27, Commodores 25.
South Carolina at Clemson: Former Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier prefers to say he won five straight over Dabo Swinney because “Clemson wasn’t as big a name with Tommy Bowden.” Tigers 42, Gamecocks 13.
Last week:
Winners …………………… 24 Heavy coats removed…..1
Pasquali is 238-62 overall (79.3 percent) this season.