ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

While much will be made all week of Georgia's end zone celebration and its impact on last season's 42-30 win over Florida, the truth is that the Bulldogs did a lot right on the field in that game to win. They were 10-of-13 on third down, sacked Florida quarterback Tim Tebow six times, only had one turnover and got 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Knowshon Moreno and three touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford. Just a brief history lesson as we sift through the SEC mailbag this week:

John in Atlanta writes: Chris, as an Auburn grad, I think everybody needs to calm down about Coach Tuberville being fired. Twelve out of the 22 starters are sophomores (including a true sophomore QB with only 4 starts under his belt). Every great coach (Bear, Vince Dooley, Darrell Royal, John McKay, Bo and Woody) went through a period like this somewhere in between years 9-12 where they had a .500 record. Coach Tubs has produced players who are a true credit to the university and has won a lot of games over the past 10 years. He does need to get the offense fixed, and if we are 4-4 this time next year, then we can have the conversation. Right now is way too premature based upon what he has done.

Chris Low: John, I can tell you that head football coaches in the SEC would love it if fans, boosters and athletic directors had your patience. I, too, think it would be a travesty if Tuberville were forced out at Auburn for all the reasons you state. The thing he has to be sure of this season, though, is that he doesn't lose his football team. The West Virginia loss looked eerily like the Tigers gave it the old "No mas" in the second half. Even so, who is Auburn going to get that is markedly better than Tuberville and is going to be as consistent as he's been? The Nick Saban factor at Alabama has a lot of Auburn fans nervous, and I'm sure that's where much of this talk is originating. But Tuberville's biggest issue there on the Plains is that there are some folks with a considerable amount of power who simply don't want him there. If you don't believe so, go do some research on a certain plane trip back in 2003.

Mark in Woodstock, Ga., writes: So Bama beats Georgia, but if they lose one game, they can't recover. But Georgia and Florida can? How biased can you be? If Bama loses one game and goes to the (SEC) title game and beats either Florida or Georgia, how do they not deserve a shot just like Florida and Georgia? 12-1 is still 12-1 in the SEC last time I checked.

Chris Low: I know, doesn't seem fair, does it? And nobody ever said "deserve" was one of the components in the BCS standings. Alabama absolutely would deserve a shot at 12-1. I've been beating that drum all season, that any SEC team that's 12-1 and the SEC champion "deserves" to play in the BCS National Championship Game. But my point about Alabama was that the Crimson Tide would be hard-pressed to climb back high enough in the polls if they were to lose this late in the season. It's more a timing thing, not a "deserve" thing. That said, I'm not so sure that Alabama is going to lose.

Reagan in Charlotte, N.C., writes: Chris, I really like your writing, but I wanted to get your (re)consideration on Jarrett Lee. Making the statement that Jordan Jefferson "appears to be LSU's QB of the future" is non-sense. We know nothing about this guy other than he has a big arm; was a late bloomer and is a project. Let's look at the facts... Matt Stafford's freshman year... 135-256-1749-7 TDs-13 INTs, 108.99 QB Rating During this time he started 5-2 and actually lost 4 of 5 in the middle of the season, including KY and Vandy. Jarrett Lee's season... 98-169-1328-11 TDs-9 INTs , 134.8 QB Rating LSU's the same 5-2. So, Lee's already thrown more TDs and has an infinitely higher Passer Rating. Why was Stafford a budding star and Lee's job's on the line and he's a train wreck? What more does the media want out of a freshman QB in the SEC? The issues LSU faces are clearly more on the defensive side than the offensive side. Help me understand. Thanks!

Chris Low: All fair points, and I don't think the Tigers are giving up on Jarrett Lee by any stretch. But the more you hear LSU coach Les Miles talk, the more it's clear that he's not thrilled with some of the decisions Lee has been making. The best thing for LSU is that there will be some real competition in spring practice next year at the quarterback position and during the preseason. I know the LSU offensive coaches really like Jefferson and think he's closer to being what they're looking for at quarterback in terms of being that run-pass guy. We'll see how it all shakes out. And you're right. Jefferson still has to prove that he's the answer.

Will in Oxford, Miss., writes: What bowl looks realistic for the Rebels if they finish (7-5) or 8-4)?

Chris Low: For the Rebels to get to 8-4, they're going to have to win out. I think 7-5 is more realistic, but that still should get them a nice bowl, especially if the SEC gets two teams in BCS bowls -- which I think they will. Finishing strong is always a factor the bowls like. The other thing going for Ole Miss is that the fans are hungry to go to a bowl because the Rebels haven't been to the postseason since 2003. So at 7-5, I see a Chick-fil-A or Music City Bowl berth in the Rebels' future.