CBS analyst Gary Danielson talks about the team no one is talking about, Alabama’s quarterback situation and why USC isn’t built to last with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: Anything surprise you about the first two weeks?
A: I’ve done 25 of these interviews and nobody brings up Auburn, and they are really good. For an SEC champion, they have really been able to fly under the radar. I think Gus Malzahn is as much of a genius on offense as (Albama coach Nick) Saban is on defense. It’s really interesting to see them float below the radar like this.
Q: Can two teams from the SEC or any conference make it into the playoffs?
A: As bad as last weekend was for the Big 10, it was good for the SEC. But I felt that considering the makeup of the committee it would be an anomaly for a conference to get two teams in the playoffs. It would have to be totally obvious, rather than a decision to put two teams in from the same conference.
Q: Do you think Alabama will stick with Blake Sims at quarterback or switch to Jacob Coker?
A: When Nick is comfortable with one quarterback he doesn’t like to flip them. He has also sold his recruiting to a lot of four-, five-star recruits that the best players will play through competition, whether that’s through practice or the games. Nick is in a spot where a guy like Blake Sims, who he brought in and has been with the program five years, against a guy that just came over, he has to be fair and honest to his team. They watch practice every day and they see how the guys are competing. I liked Sims in practice last year. I actually think he is an underrated thrower because of the style of offense they run.
Q: What makes Kevin Sumlin’s attack so explosive at Texas A&M?
A: Their system works and their willingness to throw a lot of balls, which is going to produce yards. But you have to add into the fold that Kevin Sumlin is an absolutely dynamic recruiting personality, the rich Texas recruiting area and the fact that Texas is down a bit and Texas A&M moved into the SEC. It just looks like Kevin built a powerhouse there.
Q: After upsetting Stanford, can USC be a sleeper team in the Pac 12?
A: The foundation of good recruiting is there, but they are still short on numbers. I know Steve (Sarkisian) is still building the foundation of his program, and wants to play up-tempo. I don’t quite understand why since he has low numbers on defense; you’d think you’d want to shorten the game and not be exposed to 85 plays and quick turnovers. I think the up-tempo will work against inferior teams, but it’s highly risky to use against teams with equal talent considering you don’t have the numbers on defense.