Seth Emerson
@sethemerson.bsky.social
Senior writer for The Athletic, covering college football with a focus on the SEC. Longtime Georgia beat writer, still based in Athens.
Is Auburn still a national championship caliber program, or doomed to the SEC's second tier?
The pros and cons, and why this hire is so important for the program's direction.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
The pros and cons, and why this hire is so important for the program's direction.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Is Auburn a national championship caliber program, or doomed to the SEC’s second tier?
Auburn has paid $51 million in buyouts to its last three coaches. Is it set up for success this time?
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Is Auburn still a national championship caliber program, or doomed to the SEC's second tier?
The pros and cons, and why this hire is so important for the program's direction.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
The pros and cons, and why this hire is so important for the program's direction.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Chris Hatcher gave Kirby Smart his first full time coaching job, at Valdosta State in 2002. Would imagine Smart returns the favor if Hatcher is interested.
Samford has fired head coach Chris Hatcher, the winningest coach in school history.
He reached three playoffs, including a top-10 finish in 2022, but he's 5-16 the last two years, including 1-9 this year. Led the program since 2015.
They also play Texas A&M in two weeks.
He reached three playoffs, including a top-10 finish in 2022, but he's 5-16 the last two years, including 1-9 this year. Led the program since 2015.
They also play Texas A&M in two weeks.
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Chris Hatcher gave Kirby Smart his first full time coaching job, at Valdosta State in 2002. Would imagine Smart returns the favor if Hatcher is interested.
Please, world, give us Diego Pavia in the College Football Playoff.
That and a not-unrealistic SEC chaos scenario for the playoff, in this week's vibes rankings:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
That and a not-unrealistic SEC chaos scenario for the playoff, in this week's vibes rankings:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
SEC vibes rankings: Seven teams in the Playoff, including Vanderbilt?
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Please, world, give us Diego Pavia in the College Football Playoff.
That and a not-unrealistic SEC chaos scenario for the playoff, in this week's vibes rankings:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
That and a not-unrealistic SEC chaos scenario for the playoff, in this week's vibes rankings:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
For all playoff talk, the SEC is also still holding its championship game. With three weeks to go, here's where it stands:
- Two teams control their destiny.
- If one or both slips up, we may get to that fourth tiebreaker.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
- Two teams control their destiny.
- If one or both slips up, we may get to that fourth tiebreaker.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
The SEC Championship Game race: Alabama and Texas A&M on a collision course?
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
For all playoff talk, the SEC is also still holding its championship game. With three weeks to go, here's where it stands:
- Two teams control their destiny.
- If one or both slips up, we may get to that fourth tiebreaker.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
- Two teams control their destiny.
- If one or both slips up, we may get to that fourth tiebreaker.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
The ACC right now is a lot of teams declining to have longer football seasons that would interfere with basketball season, and that seems good and right.
November 9, 2025 at 3:13 AM
The ACC right now is a lot of teams declining to have longer football seasons that would interfere with basketball season, and that seems good and right.
Reposted by Seth Emerson
If they close this out, this would be Mark Stoops fifth win against Florida as Kentucky's head coach, as many as the Wildcats had over the Gators from 1957-2017.
November 9, 2025 at 2:41 AM
If they close this out, this would be Mark Stoops fifth win against Florida as Kentucky's head coach, as many as the Wildcats had over the Gators from 1957-2017.
Vanderbilt is now 8-2. Next it gets Kentucky at home, after a bye. Then it finishes at Tennessee.
If the Dores finish 10-2 with their only losses at Alabama and Texas, they're getting in the CFP.
If the Dores finish 10-2 with their only losses at Alabama and Texas, they're getting in the CFP.
I don't know if it'll happen, but Vanderbilt and Diego Pavia in a first round CFP game would be INTRIGUING.
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Vanderbilt is now 8-2. Next it gets Kentucky at home, after a bye. Then it finishes at Tennessee.
If the Dores finish 10-2 with their only losses at Alabama and Texas, they're getting in the CFP.
If the Dores finish 10-2 with their only losses at Alabama and Texas, they're getting in the CFP.
Now that Hugh Freeze has been fired, Auburn has resorted to the simple strategy of throwing the ball to Cam Coleman and whaddayaknow.
Now that Hugh Freeze has been fired, officials are letting Auburn blockers tackle defenders from behind on touchdown runs, another good reason for Auburn making the move IMO.
November 9, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Now that Hugh Freeze has been fired, Auburn has resorted to the simple strategy of throwing the ball to Cam Coleman and whaddayaknow.
I don't know if it'll happen, but Vanderbilt and Diego Pavia in a first round CFP game would be INTRIGUING.
November 9, 2025 at 12:09 AM
I don't know if it'll happen, but Vanderbilt and Diego Pavia in a first round CFP game would be INTRIGUING.
Now that Hugh Freeze has been fired, officials are letting Auburn blockers tackle defenders from behind on touchdown runs, another good reason for Auburn making the move IMO.
November 8, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Now that Hugh Freeze has been fired, officials are letting Auburn blockers tackle defenders from behind on touchdown runs, another good reason for Auburn making the move IMO.
As someone who's spent too much time writing about and talking to people about officiating the last year, my main takeaway on the catch is what a great call by the back judge.
November 8, 2025 at 8:31 PM
As someone who's spent too much time writing about and talking to people about officiating the last year, my main takeaway on the catch is what a great call by the back judge.
Indiana isn't going to miss the playoff if it loses this game. Penn State has already fired its coach.
And yet that atmosphere is still amped. Exhibit 2,371 that the playoff didn't run college football.
And yet that atmosphere is still amped. Exhibit 2,371 that the playoff didn't run college football.
November 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Indiana isn't going to miss the playoff if it loses this game. Penn State has already fired its coach.
And yet that atmosphere is still amped. Exhibit 2,371 that the playoff didn't run college football.
And yet that atmosphere is still amped. Exhibit 2,371 that the playoff didn't run college football.
Gus-ness is happening over in Indiana-Penn State.
Suspect many Georgia fans have already migrated over.
Suspect many Georgia fans have already migrated over.
November 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Gus-ness is happening over in Indiana-Penn State.
Suspect many Georgia fans have already migrated over.
Suspect many Georgia fans have already migrated over.
Not sure Texas has that much an advantage getting a bye this week. Georgia is rolling in a way that it badly needed for its confidence, and will be able to rest its starters most of the second half anyway.
November 8, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Not sure Texas has that much an advantage getting a bye this week. Georgia is rolling in a way that it badly needed for its confidence, and will be able to rest its starters most of the second half anyway.
The only criticism of Kirby Smart there is using this maneuver against Mississippi State, in a game you're leading and look like you should win comfortably.
Then again, it had to be a lot of fun.
Then again, it had to be a lot of fun.
Georgia sent the punt team out on fourth-and-3 ... then switched in the offense. Mississippi State called timeout.
After the TO, Georgia sent the punt team out again ... then switched in the offense again. Mississippi State jumped offsides.
A few plays later, Georgia touchdown.
After the TO, Georgia sent the punt team out again ... then switched in the offense again. Mississippi State jumped offsides.
A few plays later, Georgia touchdown.
November 8, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The only criticism of Kirby Smart there is using this maneuver against Mississippi State, in a game you're leading and look like you should win comfortably.
Then again, it had to be a lot of fun.
Then again, it had to be a lot of fun.
Georgia sent the punt team out on fourth-and-3 ... then switched in the offense. Mississippi State called timeout.
After the TO, Georgia sent the punt team out again ... then switched in the offense again. Mississippi State jumped offsides.
A few plays later, Georgia touchdown.
After the TO, Georgia sent the punt team out again ... then switched in the offense again. Mississippi State jumped offsides.
A few plays later, Georgia touchdown.
November 8, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Georgia sent the punt team out on fourth-and-3 ... then switched in the offense. Mississippi State called timeout.
After the TO, Georgia sent the punt team out again ... then switched in the offense again. Mississippi State jumped offsides.
A few plays later, Georgia touchdown.
After the TO, Georgia sent the punt team out again ... then switched in the offense again. Mississippi State jumped offsides.
A few plays later, Georgia touchdown.
Dvorcek just referred to it again. Stockton's athleticism is only "sneaky" if you just parachuted in for today's game and ignored every game he's played.
Gunner Stockton getting hit with “sneaky athletic.” The soft bigotry of low expectations man
November 8, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Dvorcek just referred to it again. Stockton's athleticism is only "sneaky" if you just parachuted in for today's game and ignored every game he's played.
Georgia has the run game this year to shorten games when it has the lead. It just hasn't had solid leads in every game except Kentucky - and now at Mississippi State, 17-7 late in the second quarter.
Of course the porous pass defense means the lead will have to be much safer than that.
Of course the porous pass defense means the lead will have to be much safer than that.
November 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Georgia has the run game this year to shorten games when it has the lead. It just hasn't had solid leads in every game except Kentucky - and now at Mississippi State, 17-7 late in the second quarter.
Of course the porous pass defense means the lead will have to be much safer than that.
Of course the porous pass defense means the lead will have to be much safer than that.
Georgia's offense has been good but without a ton of explosive plays. But through three drives at Mississippi State:
- 36-yard catch by London Humphreys to set up a FG
- 31-yard run by Nate Frazier
- 24-yard catch by Elyiss Williams to set up the TD
- 36-yard catch by London Humphreys to set up a FG
- 31-yard run by Nate Frazier
- 24-yard catch by Elyiss Williams to set up the TD
November 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Georgia's offense has been good but without a ton of explosive plays. But through three drives at Mississippi State:
- 36-yard catch by London Humphreys to set up a FG
- 31-yard run by Nate Frazier
- 24-yard catch by Elyiss Williams to set up the TD
- 36-yard catch by London Humphreys to set up a FG
- 31-yard run by Nate Frazier
- 24-yard catch by Elyiss Williams to set up the TD
Georgia's defense gives up a touchdown on the opening drive for the fifth time in its seven SEC games.
And the other two times - Kentucky and Florida - it then gave up a touchdown on the second drive.
And the other two times - Kentucky and Florida - it then gave up a touchdown on the second drive.
November 8, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Georgia's defense gives up a touchdown on the opening drive for the fifth time in its seven SEC games.
And the other two times - Kentucky and Florida - it then gave up a touchdown on the second drive.
And the other two times - Kentucky and Florida - it then gave up a touchdown on the second drive.
Wisconsin has announced that Luke Fickell, who looks like Cirian Hinds, will return for another season.
November 6, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Wisconsin has announced that Luke Fickell, who looks like Cirian Hinds, will return for another season.
The SEC is in great shape for four, perhaps five, playoff bids, as last night's ranking unveil showed.
Do you credit the offseason whining and schedule strength metric?
Not yet. Right now it's more about the SEC just playing better.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Do you credit the offseason whining and schedule strength metric?
Not yet. Right now it's more about the SEC just playing better.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
CFP rankings aren’t proof SEC lobbying worked — winning games was
The SEC pushed hard for its schedule strength metrics, but six of its teams made the CFP by winning key games and avoiding bad losses.
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The SEC is in great shape for four, perhaps five, playoff bids, as last night's ranking unveil showed.
Do you credit the offseason whining and schedule strength metric?
Not yet. Right now it's more about the SEC just playing better.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Do you credit the offseason whining and schedule strength metric?
Not yet. Right now it's more about the SEC just playing better.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
CFP chair Mack Rhoads began his media teleconference by decreeing that preseason polls don't matter, other polls don't matter, conference affiliation doesn't matter, and he may have said something after that but I was busy retrieving my eyes from the top of my head.
November 5, 2025 at 1:52 AM
CFP chair Mack Rhoads began his media teleconference by decreeing that preseason polls don't matter, other polls don't matter, conference affiliation doesn't matter, and he may have said something after that but I was busy retrieving my eyes from the top of my head.
SEC teams in the first CFP rankings:
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Ole Miss
11. Texas
12 Oklahoma
16. Vanderbilt
22. Missouri
25. Tennessee
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Ole Miss
11. Texas
12 Oklahoma
16. Vanderbilt
22. Missouri
25. Tennessee
November 5, 2025 at 1:23 AM
SEC teams in the first CFP rankings:
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Ole Miss
11. Texas
12 Oklahoma
16. Vanderbilt
22. Missouri
25. Tennessee
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Ole Miss
11. Texas
12 Oklahoma
16. Vanderbilt
22. Missouri
25. Tennessee
