Will Stein was humble today on the SEC teleconference call when asked about his first year as HC for No.9 Kentucky(7-1), saying that he has a lot to still improve on. He also told me that he credits his roster for the success so far: “ I think our current success is really due to our players and how they've performed in critical moments of the season. We've obviously done a really good job of taking the ball away, protecting the football, and eliminating mistakes pre-snap and post-snap with penalties. And, you know, I think we have some really good football players that are going to play in the #NFL, and are going to be, you know, really highly thought of after this season's over with by the National Football League.” He also shared the most challenging part of his job right now is this SEC schedule: “It's daunting. There's great teams every single week, so you have to bring it every single day at the office. You have to, you know, plan like you're in a Super Bowl every single Saturday.”

Tennessee HC Josh Heupel spoke with media across the #SEC on Wednesday during the weekly SEC coaches teleconference. I asked him what has been the most difficult part of coaching this season. Heupel: "The hardest thing you encounter is the turnover on your roster, with the transfer portal and NIL, all of those things. I think that's the biggest thing that has changed in the sport. And I think in part because of that, you know, keeping your team together during the duration of the season, the focus of your team, week in, week out, and really as much as anything, day in, day out, to be your best by game day, is the biggest thing that, you know, you got to do a great job of.”

Coach Heupel on this bye week for Tennessee Football. The Vols return to play next Saturday for the 33rd straight sell-out at Neyland Stadium with No. 9 Kentucky (7-1).