What's the Fuss?

I got a call this morning from my source close to the Auburn situation, with an update.

The information about East Carolina’s Skip Holtz was misinterpreted along the channels. Holtz isn’t close to a deal with Auburn. He is a candidate though.

Here’s what I know now: Holtz is expected to interview for the Auburn job with Athletic Director Jay Jacobs, just like Buffalo coach Turner Gill, Tulsa coach Todd Graham of Tulsa, Ball State’s Brady Hoke and most recently TCU coach Gary Patterson has.

Now, here’s where Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp comes into the picture. Muschamp is Auburn super-booster Bobby Lowder’s choice. And while it would be easy for Muschamp to relinquish his designated coach-in-waiting position at Texas because he’s not expected to sign a contract until January, it’s highly unlikely.

What’s happening at Auburn is simple. Jacobs is trying to do his job, which is to go through the interviewing process to find a new coach. And Lowder is doing his job as a super-booster, which is to work behind the scenes to find the guy he wants.

The saga continues.

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach has a standing offer to become the next coach at Auburn but is leaning toward staying in Lubbock, a source close to the situation told The News Herald.

Leach won’t have to interview for the position, which was offered to him last week. Auburn has not given him a timetable but said it will start interviewing other candidates soon.

Leach has researched the position and one point of contention for him is Auburn super-booster Bobby Lowder. Lowder’s disdain for former coach Tommy Tuberville was no secret as were Lowder’s attempts to unseat the former Tigers coach.

Another snag in the process has come from the administration. Some Auburn officials weren’t sold on the idea of Leach coming to the plains and slowed the hiring procedure.

Leach is expected to sign the five-year, $12.1 million extension offered by Texas Tech. The buyout on his contract is reported to be $500,000.

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is close to finalizing a deal that would make him the next coach at Auburn, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Tommy Tuberville’s resignation yesterday made way for Leach, who had the Red Raiders in contention for a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game and possibly the FedEx BCS National Championship Game until losing to Oklahoma on Nov. 22.

Leach reportedly withdrew his name from consideration for the University of Washington job on Thursday.

Known as an innovative offensive mind, Leach has ties to the SEC and the south. He spent time as offensive coordinator under Hal Mumme at Kentucky and Valdosta State, a Division II school in Georgia.

Texas Tech is expected to receive a Cotton Bowl bid.

Here’s the docket for this week’s SEC games.

All Times Central

Game to watch:
Alabama at LSU, 2:30 p.m., CBS - Although the Tigers aren’t in the hunt for the national title, Nick Saban’s return to Baton Rouge, La., may overshadow everything else about this game — including the Crimson Tide’s bid to keep their No. 1 ranking.

The rest:
Georgia at Kentucky, 11:30 p.m. CST, Raycom - The Bulldogs need to keep winning to not give up the East.

Arkansas at South Carolina, noon CST - Will Spurrier see a better game out of quarterback Stephen Garcia? Or will the Hogs keep getting better?

Wyoming at Tennessee, noon CST, PPV-Vol Network - The Vols need to win in the first game after Fulmer announced he’s leaving UT after this season.

Tennessee-Martin at Auburn, 1:30 p.m. - The Tigers need this win more than they think.

Florida at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m., ESPN2 - The Gators can use this game to prove why they’re national championship game worhty. While the Commodores can do what they did in 2006, the last time UF came to Nashville — almost win.

Here’s the docket for this week’s SEC games. My picks for Games of the Week are bolded.

All Times Central

Saturday, Sept. 13
UAB at Tennessee, 11:30 a.m., Raycom - The Volunteers are coming off an upset by UCLA, with a bye week to boot. They have something to prove. Watch out Blazers.

Georgia at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m., CBS - The Bulldogs’ first real test this season. The Gamecocks can’t find a rhythm at quarterback. Georgia is going to try to prove why it should still be No. 1.

Arkansas at Texas, 2:30 p.m., ABC - Postponed until Sept. 27. Thanks, Ike.

Auburn at Mississippi State, 6 p.m., ESPN2 - National title talk is going through Auburn and Mississippi State is already considered a fluke from after last season’s bowl appearance. This could be make or break for the Bulldogs, while the Tigers continue to run a new spread offense to near domination.

Middle Tennessee at Kentucky, 6 p.m. - The Blue Raiders are coming off an upset of Maryland, but the Wildcats’ defense — the only one in the SEC to not allow a TD this season — will quiet all suspects of a BCS crasher.

Samford at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. - The Rebels are mad after losing to Wake Forest Sat-urday in a game they should have won.

Rice at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. - The Commodores are riding high at 2-0 and an upset of then-No. 24 South Carolina. Let’s just hope they don’t play down to their opponent this week.

Western Kentucky at Alabama, 6:07 p.m., PPV - The Crimson Tide keep on rolling up the polls and will give the Hilltoppers a true welcome to the Bowl Subdivision.

North Texas at LSU, 7 p.m. - The Tigers haven’t played in two weeks and this week’s game nearly got postponed too because of Hurricane Ike. They’re hungry.