SECN's Tom Hart recaps the first weekend of play in the SEC

Key notes from Tom Hart interview

• I have to be honest; I only saw a little bit of the A&M game on Saturday night. The special teams mistakes are what they are, and you can't let that happen during any game. Every meeting I've had with coaches this season, they're further along with their installation at this point than ever before because of the extended camp. It looks like A&M spent less time on special teams than what was needed. To me, it's also shocking to me that Texas A&M's defensive line didn't dominate the Vanderbilt offensive line. Athletically, it was astounding to me that the Commodores were able to hang with them.
   
• It was interesting seeing what the Aggies tried to do offensively. Obviously, they're going to try and utilize their tight end a lot, that is a significant advantage, and I think that's one of the Aggies' strengths. To me, though, especially watching other teams around the league, I think they need more game-breakers. Obviously, Kellen Mond needs to be better, but they need some more explosive plays from the offense to win in this league.
   
• I had a really good chance to learn this Air Raid from my time with the XFL this spring. Hal Mumme was at Dallas, and we got a chance to go in-depth with him on this offense, which was fascinating. I'm excited to watch it in the SEC. I think the biggest story on Saturday in Death Valley was Bo Pelini and his inability to make any adjustments against Mississippi State. They went with man coverage across the board the entire game, and Costello made them pay. I think LSU is better than what we saw Saturday, but we've got to see some more urgency from them on the defensive side of the ball.
   
• Everything you look at with SEC coaches, you have to look at it with both a close and wide-angle lens. If Will Muschamp continues to make decisions like he did this weekend, it's going to be hard to defend him. They needed to have so many things go their way after that late field goal to get that ball back. Tennessee's winning streak is now very impressive, especially after their second-half comeback in the Gator Bowl. 
   
• In the East, I said this summer I really liked Florida. They had a lot of good things coming into the season. On the flip side, Georgia had a lot fewer certainties; the Bulldogs were a hot mess on Saturday against Arkansas. Sadly for the Bulldogs, I don't think the problems in Athens are something that can get fixed overnight.