Talking points: 54, and recruiting, and stuff

Tennessee

• The number of the day is 54. The Vols gave up 54 points to Memphis on Saturday and lost. Still, there's some optimism to take away from that stat. Tennessee gave up 54 points in the second half against Temple, 52 in the second half at Kansas, 51 in the second half against South Carolina, 48 points in the second half against Gonzaga, and 54 points to one Jodie Meeks. Giving up only 54 the entire game to Memphis is defensive improvement. Now if we could only find that perimeter shooting.
• Big recruiting weekend for the Vols. Three-star DE Jarrett Brown? Likes the Vols a lot. Damien Thigpen? Still committed and even more impressed. Je'Ron Stokes? Formerly committed, now just confused. OT JerQuari Schofield? Decided on Tennessee. Four-star tailback Kendrick Hardy? Still committed to Southern Miss, but re-thinking things after his trip to Knoxville. CB Mike Edwards? Committed to Tennessee. WR Alshon Jeffery? Still committed to Southern Cal, but "liked everything about" Tennessee and said "We'll see on signing day." LB D.T. Shackelford? "Still committed to Tennessee," but will make his final decision over the next several days. OL Aubrey Phillips? Commitment to the Vols "90%."
  
• Robert Ayers was named the top defensive player at the Senior Bowl Saturday, improving his stock from a probable second-day pick to perhaps the second-round of day one.
• Some are callling the Lady Vols' 82-68 loss to Auburn a "smackdown." I didn't see it. Was it? The score says maybe.
  
• Gate 21 remembers N.C. State Women's Basketball Coach, Kay Yow.
  

Around the SEC

• Arkansas is paying John L. Smith $210,000 to coach special teams.
• Archie Manning thinks Tim Tebow is one of the best "football players" he's ever seen and says that although he'll need to adapt to the NFL game, he will be able to do it.
• Most overrated team in 2008? Not the Vols! Most overrated rivalry? Florida-Tennessee. Sigh.
• College football's most prestigious programs: Alabama's the highest-ranked SEC team at No. 6, and Tennessee's No. 12.
  
• Smart Football on Urban Meyer's Crazy, Shovel Triple-Option.

Around the nation

• A dozen House members voted "no" or "present" on the resolution commending Florida's national football championship. Distinguished gentlemen/women from Utah and Texas, surely.