Auburn Tigers

Kentucky coach Stoops gets Florida question -- again

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:51 p.m. ET

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) — Kentucky ended its 31-game losing streak against Florida last year. Now, coach Mark Stoops was asked a tongue-in-cheek question about whether the Wildcats were ready to start a winning streak against the Gators.

The coach drew some laughs Thursday at Southeastern Conference media days after he groaned and said, "Oh, come on now."

Stoops said with a grin, "I'm just going to avoid that question."

Kentucky won 10 games last year for the first time in 41 years but must replace several stars from that team, including running back Benny Snell and linebacker Josh Allen. The Wildcats are part of the increasingly competitive Eastern Division. Georgia and Florida are expected to finish near the top but just about everyone in the division has high expectations.

Stoops said: "It's no surprise that the East is improving. But we all know so is the West. So you're just trying to constantly do your part. I can't be affected (with) what's going on with the rest of the league, you know. We've really got to focus on Kentucky."

FIERCE BATTLE

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn expects a "fierce battle" for the starting quarterback job.

Redshirt freshman Joey Gatewood and five-star recruit Bo Nix are set to resume the competition when preseason camp begins in the next couple of weeks. Both are threats to run the ball, and Malzahn has had his biggest success at Auburn with dual-threat quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Nick Marshall.

"That's really a game changer," said Malzahn, who took over play-calling duties again starting with the Music City Bowl against Purdue. He got off to a good start with a 63-14 victory.

The Tigers are replacing two-year starter Jarrett Stidham, who left early to enter the NFL draft. They sputtered at times last season before the bowl game and went 8-5.

Whoever wins the job will make his first start against Oregon in Arlington, Texas.

Gatewood's only action came in the bowl game when he attempted only one pass but gained 28 yards on three runs. Nix was rated the nation's top dual-threat quarterback prospect by the 247Sports composite rankings of the major recruiting sites.

Last year's backup, Malik Willis, has transferred to Liberty.

As for the competition, Malzahn said he doesn't want to rush into picking a starter.

"Usually what happens is the whole team knows," he said. "I hope that is early, but I'm not going to try to push it. I'm just going to let it happen."

MASON'S HIGH HOPES

Derek Mason is seeking his first winning season with Vanderbilt, and sounds optimistic that it's a strong possibility.

Flush with an offseason contract extension, Mason has flirted with a winning record a couple of times in his first five seasons.

"I believe right now this is the best football team that I've had," Mason said Thursday.

Mason has led Vanderbilt to a pair of 6-7 records and two bowl bids over the past three seasons, along with three consecutive wins over in-state rival Tennessee.

"I want you to know this is a different-looking Vanderbilt football team with maturity, depth, athleticism, leadership," he said. "It's all in place for us."

Mason also feels good about his quarterback position. Graduate transfer Riley Neal, who started 32 games at Ball State, and Deuce Wallace are vying for the starting job. Mason also announced the addition of four more grad transfers in June.

The Commodores open the season against defending SEC East champion Georgia.