07/27 at 07:04 PM

As far as Les Miles is concerned, the more rivalry, the better.

Miles, LSU’s head coach, has spent the offseason firing up LSU fans by taking on rivals across the country. In one meeting alone, Miles took shots at the Pac 10 Conference, the Big 12 Conference and Southern California.

But some of the biggest jabs have been reserved for Alabama.

That’s music to the ears of many LSU fans, who aren’t fond of new Bama coach Nick Saban, Miles’ predecessor at LSU. At a National Signing Day rally, Miles used a obscenity to describe Alabama, though he later apologized.

He repeated that apology on Friday at Southeastern Conference Media Days.

“At the end of a recruiting season where there was a lot of hearsay and innuendo, some heated exchanges, I can tell you I had emotion,” Miles said. “I regret any choice of words that I made. I am not in any way derogatory toward Alabama. I look forward to competing against them and their coach.”

Saban also appeared anxious to lower the temperature on the rivalry.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people of the state of Louisiana, toward LSU,” Saban said Thursday. “What was accomplished when we were at LSU is special to the Sabans. It’s certainly special to me and all the people involved in it.”

LSU and Alabama won’t play until Nov. 3, giving fans on both sides something to look forward to. But Miles, at least, thinks LSU fans have much more to focus on between now and then.

“They’ll figure it out when we open the season,” Miles said. “They’ll all wait. They have to understand that it’s just one game, and it’s an important game certainly, but it’s just one. … Look forward to that when we get there.”

There’s no denying that criticizing Saban has made Miles more popular with LSU fans. But he says he wasn’t trying to stir up controversy to improve his image.

“I haven’t really given much thought to that, to be honest with you,” Miles said. “My image is not something I really have focused on much lately.”

Fulmer not feeling pressure

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer won a national title in 1998. But after 10 losses the last two seasons, Tennessee fans are having a hard time remembering the good old days.

But Fulmer isn’t overly concerned. The UT administration supports him: He received a two-year contract extension this offseason. And though the Vols lost several stars — including first-round NFL draft choices Justin Harrell and Robert Meachem — they return 13 starters and plenty of talent.

Besides, after 15 seasons at Tennessee and a 137-41 record, Fulmer knows what’s important.

“I don’t have my head stuck in the sand,” Fulmer said. “We need to compete for the championship of this league.”

Georgia’s Richt enjoying lighter duties

Mark Richt has been calling plays every football season since 1989.

He needed a break.

So the Georgia head coach ceded play-calling duties to new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Richt, who is entering his seventh season in Athens, says he’ll focus on the big picture while Bobo handles in-game play calls.

The move leaves South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier as the only SEC coach who calls his own plays. It’s a change for Richt, who was an offensive coordinator at East Carolina and Florida State before becoming UGA’s coach.

“It’s definitely a new role for me,” Richt said. “I’m excited about it. At first I was leery of that decision. But now that I’ve made it, I’m really excited. It’s a little bit of a revival for me.”

Orgeron: QB Schaeffer has “inconsistent lifestyle”

A year ago, Brent Schaeffer was the answer for Ole Miss football.

Now, the one-time star quarterback is the Rebels’ backup, behind Seth Adams. And head coach Ed Orgeron doesn’t seem happy with his biggest recruit.

Friday, Orgeron said Schaeffer was “a very inconsistent player. He has an inconsistent lifestyle that leads to that.”

Asked for more detail, Orgeron said Schaeffer needs to work on his leadership.

“Just, you know, attending class, meetings, being the leader,” Orgeron said. “Nothing that is any law-breaking activity or anything — he’s been on his best behavior.

“I just think, being the quarterback, you have to have some leadership qualities.“

Media Days sets attendance record

SEC Media Days has always been a big event. “Circus” is the most popular word for the three-day happening, which features all 12 SEC coaches and two players from each school.

The atmosphere was even more circus-like than usual this year. A record 830 people received credentials to Media Days, including print, TV and radio reporters along with sponsors and bowl representatives.

Last year’s Media Days saw 685 credentials issued.