ATLANTA — Name that coach. Who spoke these words this month?
"I think that we all understand the specific situation we were in and how directly changes and adjustments can be made so this football team is successful."
The truth is, a half-dozen or more coaches in the SEC could be overcommunicating this way at the mid-point. They're all in contention and no one is assured of anything, except a possible loss the next Saturday, if things aren't just right. It's that kind of year.
Five of the conference's 12 teams hold forth in the AP Top 25, which is one less than at the start but any of the three in the Top 10 — Alabama, Florida and Georgia — remain in the national title hunt. If they would just stop beating each other.
For the record, the SEC could produce national champions three consecutive seasons, following Florida (2005) and LSU (2006), for the first time since 1978-80 (Alabama twice and Georgia).
And also for the record, the quote above belongs to LSU's Les Miles.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reviews the first half of the season, and offers predictions for the second half:
PREVIEW
BEST GAME TO COME
Georgia-Florida. Another loss eliminates the loser from the conference championship. It's been nine years since both teams hit Jacksonville in the Top 10.
BIGGEST SURPRISE TO COME
The Vols won't pull it together and will post a second losing record in four years. But Phillip Fulmer stays. He made the SEC title game last year and five years remain on his contract.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT TO COME
For the second straight season, Vanderbilt's Chris Nickson has lost his quarterback job at Vanderbilt to Mackenzi Adams due to a bad shoulder.
SECOND-HALF MVP
The Gators had their hiccup against Ole Miss. If Tim Tebow's apology for that game resulted in his LSU performance, the rest of the SEC has a big problem.
BEST COACHING DECISION TO COME
Tommy Tuberville's decision to stick with quarterback Kodi Burns gives Auburn its best chance to win post-Franklin. Their last best chance.
SECOND-HALF STAR
The Bulldogs' second half is filled with stout run defenses, which places the onus on Matthew Stafford, who already leads the SEC in passing yards.
HOW WILL THEY DO?
ALABAMA: If the Tide can handle the trip to LSU Nov. 8, a national championship is within grasp.
ARKANSAS: The Hogs have walked the gantlet. A 4-2 finish — and a 7-5 record — isn't out of the question.
AUBURN: The Tigers have just one "gimme" the rest of the way. Is the Bama game Nov. 29 Tuberville's must-win?
FLORIDA: Could Florida play any better than it did in the 51-point spree on LSU? Could anyone player better?
KENTUCKY: Sophomore Derrick Locke has a chance to lead the Wildcats in rushing, receiving and return yards.
LSU: What does one loss mean in Baton Rouge? Nothing. The Tigers won it all in '07 with two L's.
OLE MISS: After four straight losing seasons, the Rebels can have a winning year, even with Bama, LSU yet to play.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs won't score a lot, but strong situational defense gives them a chance most Saturdays.
SOUTH CAROLINA:
Aside from LSU and Florida games, USC should be favored from here on in. That means 8-4?
TENNESSEE: To date, the Vols have beaten UAB and Northern Illinois. Makes that trip to Vandy interesting.
VANDERBILT: All they want in Nashville is win No. 6 and a bowl. The chips fall right and they might get eight instead.
Predicted order of finish:
Eastern Division
Florida
Georgia
South Carolina
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
Tennessee
Western Division
Alabama
LSU
Ole Miss
Arkansas
Auburn
Mississippi State
REVIEW
BEST GAME SO FAR
A 22-point underdog, Ole Miss beat Florida at Florida, 31-30, on Shay Hodge's stunning 86-yard touchdown pass with 5:26 left. The Rebels had lost 14 consecutive SEC road games. Said Tim Tebow, "I extremely sorry."
BIGGEST SURPRISE SO FAR
Who knows how this will end but 22nd-ranked Vanderbilt has already beaten two ranked teams — Auburn and South Carolina — for the first time since 1955. One more win to bowl eligibility.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT SO FAR
A top-10 team in September, Auburn could be excused for its last-minute loss to LSU. But back-to-back losses to Vandy and Arkansas have the program reeling. Will an interim offensive coordinator really help?
FIRST-HALF MVP
A whole host. Alabama running back Glen Coffee averages 118 yards a game for the nation's No. 2. Team. Where would Florida be without Percy Harvin? Georgia's Matthew Stafford leads the SEC in total offense.
BEST COACHING DECISION SO FAR
Steve Spurrier was changing quarterbacks like he changes socks while waiting for Stephen Garcia to catch up with this system. But he has now and, suddenly, South Carolina has won four straight.
BREAKOUT STAR
At 5-foot-8 and 176 pounds, Florida's Jeffrey Demps hardly seems the type to rescue a running attack. But with world class speed, the freshman is a potential TD every time he gets the ball, averaging 13.3 yards a carry.
How'd they do?
Alabama
Originally picked third in the West, the Tide has proved to have a superior offensive line and the toughest run defense in the league.
Arkansas
They didn't expect much and they're getting it. The Hogs have already been outscored by 100. Michael Smith is the SEC's top rusher.
Auburn
What's wrong? Well, what's right? Take away a two-point win over Tennessee and this is a disaster. This team was a divisional threat?
Florida
The loss to Ole Miss was an illusion. If the 30-point rout of LSU is any indication, the Gators are more than ready for another national title run.
Kentucky
The Wildcats played both Alabama and South Carolina close in their two losses. UK's improved defense is for real. Bama managed just 17 points.
LSU
The 51-21 Florida loss was the Bengals' worse in 74 games, but what really hurt is Bama usurping the top slot in the West.
Ole Miss
They'll take .500 in Oxford, where the win over Florida disguises the fact that the Rebels can't play defense. Houston Nutt for mayor.
Mississippi State
The glow has faded from last year's 8-5 finish. The Bulldogs are 113th nationally with just 16.3 points a game. A healthy Anthony Dixon will help.
South Carolina
The Gamecocks have yet to beat a ranked team but a four-game win streak signifies progress, even if two of them came against Wofford and UAB.
Tennessee
Dial 911. It is one thing to have last won the SEC nine years ago. It's another thing to finish last. Vols are 0-3 versus the Top 25.
Vanderbilt
Fairytales can come true. Ranked for the first time since 1984, season tickets have been sold out. But they have to play perfectly.
Thomas Stinson writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: tstinson AT ajc.com