Three different teams spoke on the third day of 2014 Southeastern Conference Media Days Wednesday, but team previews were not the only talks going on at the Hyatt Regency in Hoover, Ala.
The conference featured three different speakers talking about the future of the conference in terms of officiating, television and the postseason. The 2014 season will be transitional for the SEC, with the arrival of the SEC Network and the College Football Playoff system.
Shaw explains rule changes
SEC officials coordinator Steve Shaw was the first to speak Wednesday, going into the new rule changes and procedures the SEC will have this season. Shaw said he had an individual conversation with each of his officials and has made sure all of them would be ready for opening kickoff.
Shaw said officials have embraced technology more, and went over a large rule change in instant replay and the targeting rule. This season, if a targeting call is overturned the 15-yard penalty is no longer enforced, as opposed to last season.
Shaw said the four points of emphasis for officials this season will be targeting calls, pace of play, unsportsmanlike conduct and sideline management and control. He expressed confidence in his officials and all the work they’ve put in during the offseason.
“We ask our guys to officiate to a standard, and we have a strong standard by position in the SEC,” Shaw said. “We expect them to meet or exceed that standard. We evaluate it hard.”
Connolly previews SEC Network
ESPN Vice President Justin Connolly spoke to the media about the arrival of the SEC Network. The Network will premiere August 14, and so far has agreed to deals with Dish, AT&T U-Verse and Cox Communications to show the network.
The Network will air more than 45 exclusive football games in the first year as well as 65 volleyball and soccer games. They will also air “SEC Now,” their own version of the ESPN program “Sportscenter,” and “The Paul Finebaum Show” every weekday.
Connolly said he was proud of the staff they had assembled to broadcast shows and games for the network. The staff includes Finebaum, Brent Musburger, former LSU defensive end Marcus Spears and former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.
“It starts with recruiting a team of all‑stars, and we have certainly done that,” Connolly said. “Stephanie Druley, a 23‑year veteran of ESPN, leads our production effort. Stephanie has built a team that is the television production equivalent of the 1980 Georgia Bulldogs.”
Hancock lays out plans for College Football Playoff
Executive Director of the new College Football Playoff Bill Hancock was the final speaker of the morning session as he laid out to the media how the playoff system would work in each season. The semifinals will be played on January 1 in Pasadena, Calif. and New Orleans and the Championship will be played January 15 in Dallas, Texas.
Two bowl games will represent the semifinals each season, and the selection of those bowl games will rotate each season. The location of the National Championship Game will also rotate each season, similar to how the BCS National Championship did.
Hancock said he is excited for the new system and delighted at the sport has finally achieved what so many fans have hoped for.
“So College Football Playoff 101. We enter a new era,” Hancock said. “We’re very excited about the opportunity. It’s remarkable to say those words, College Football Playoff, feels mighty good to all of us.”