ESPN SEC Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Here we are approaching the midway point of the season, and there are still four or five teams right in the middle of the SEC championship hunt. It's difficult to separate anybody, although the Florida-LSU game at the Swamp this weekend should provide a few answers. The winner of that game has won the last two BCS national championships. In anticipation of that showdown, let's empty out the SEC mailbag:

Jeff writes: Why is it that so many other college football teams have used the spread with so much success and Auburn can't score more than 21 points? Please help me understand, and do you think Tony Franklin will be fired and Auburn will go back to the I-formation?

Chris Low: The first thing to know about the spread offense is that you better have a quarterback who's capable of running it. Right now, Chris Todd and Kodi Burns are struggling to do that. Todd's throwing shoulder has never completely recovered after he hurt it in junior college, and Burns hasn't demonstrated any confidence in the passing game. Look at all the spread teams out there that are rolling up big numbers (and remember there are different versions of the spread), and those teams all have marquee quarterbacks -- Tim Tebow at Florida, Pat White at West Virginia and Graham Harrell at Texas Tech to mention a few. As for Franklin, I don't think Tuberville will can him after just one season. Rather, I think they'll try to go back to more of the power running game the rest of this season and then re-visit Franklin's version of the spread in the spring. It's an offense you definitely have to recruit for.

Matt from Starkville, Miss., writes: I read your comments about Sly Croom that included the statement, "He's done such a good job of rebuilding ..." I have to ask you to defend that statement. MSU is a poorly coached team by a man in over his head. His in-game decisions are atrocious, and his team offense (his specialty) has been ranked 100 or worse every season. If not for five Auburn turnovers, a horrific John Parker Wilson pass, Ed Orgeron going for a fourth-and-1 at midfield, Croom's best season would have been four wins. He inherited a two- to three-win team on probation and has taken them to a horrible three- to four-win team. I just don't see how you can justify him remaining the coach in Starkville. Please explain how he "rebuilt" the program.

Chris Low: To truly appreciate what Croom did with the program last year, you first have to understand how bad a shape it was in when he was hired. They weren't flocking to Starkville to take that job. I agree that he has to take a long look at the offense and find a way to get more production, whether that's changing systems or coaches. But he's brought an attitude, a discipline and a stand-up way of doing things there that will serve that program well for a long time to come. My suggestion would be to at least allow this season to play out before you propose running off the reigning SEC Coach of the Year. Croom is enough of a realist to make whatever changes are necessary to keep that program competitive. Give him time to finish the job.

Mel from D.C. writes: Hey Chris: I know that Eric Berry took some snaps at QB and was promised a shot at playing offense during his recruitment. What are the chances that the coaches play with that notion now? I mean, with the offense as anemic as it is, wouldn't this be a good time to try an alternative? I, personally, would love to see the best athlete on the team have the ball in his hands as much as possible.

Chris Low: I had a bet with a buddy of mine in the Tennessee media on how many snaps Berry would get at quarterback this season. The over/under was five, and I took the over. That bet's not looking too good right now. I realize how valuable Berry is to the defense, but I'm with you, Mel. The guy is so dynamic with the ball in his hands that I'd have to get him a few touches per game. I would have gone into the season with those plans and not just wait until the offense stinks so badly that you're looking for anything to generate points. Phillip Fulmer did promise Berry during recruiting that he'd get to play offense and he reiterated during the preseason that he was going to make good on that promise. We're still waiting ... and so is Berry.

Willis from Mobile, Ala., writes: Is it possible that Vanderbilt can actually contend for the SEC Championship? They are making a believer out of me after the way they shut down Auburn in the second, third and fourth quarters and won that game with their backup quarterback.

Chris Low: As well as Vanderbilt has played, I still think it would be miraculous for the Commodores to contend for the SEC title or even the Eastern Division title. But as soon as I say that, I look down the schedule and realize that if Vanderbilt can win at Mississippi State this weekend, the Commodores will go to Athens, Ga., the following week with a chance to take a commanding lead in the East with a win. And before anybody starts chuckling about what an idiot I am for even suggesting that Vandy could knock off Georgia, the last time I checked the Commodores won during their last trip to Sanford Stadium in 2006. And then last season, Vanderbilt had Georgia beat again until fumbling late, and the Bulldogs escaped with a last-second field goal. So stranger things have happened.

Steven from Auburn, Ala., writes: LSU is stacked this year, and under the freshman quarterback [Jarrett] Lee, has a great passing game and Charles Scott is averaging 7.5 yards a carry and more than 100 yards every game rushing. Why aren't they talked about very much in the national championship picture?

Chris Low: Good point. The Tigers are the defending national champions. You'd think they would get a little more respect. If they can win this weekend at the Swamp over Florida, then I think you'll see more people start to pay attention. This next stretch will be telling for LSU with games against Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Lee will need to continue to play well and not turn the ball over. But when you're as talented as the Tigers are on both the offensive and defensive lines, you're going to be right there in every game you play.