ARKANSAS: Fullback Brandon Kennedy broke his little finger and freshman defensive lineman Fred Bledsoe is scheduled for a MRI on his knee. In the secondary, junior college transfer Darius Vinnett has worked often with the first team at cornerback opposite Michael Coe. Vickiel Vaughn is the starting free safety and Lerinezo Robinson is the starting strong safety. Redshirt freshman quarterback Robert Johnson had an outstanding Friday practice. Arkansas has a productive scrimmage Saturday. Freshman fullback Peyton Hillis ran over several defenders on his way to a 13-yard touchdown run. Houston Nutt praised freshmen linebackers Zach Snider and Weston Dacus. Senior quarterback Matt Jones and Johnson played well. Nutt raved about the play of safety Desmond Williams, redshirt freshman cornerback Chris Houston, and freshman cornerbacks Michael Grant, Matterral Richardson and Shedrick Johnson. At receiver, Nutt singled out Marcus Monk, Marc Winston, Anthony Brown and Cedric Logan. In Wednesday’s scrimmage, Jones was on fire completing 9-of-10 passes for 219 yards. Senior receiver Steven Harris caught a pass on the opening play that resulted in an 80-yard score. Carlos Ousley, who has had a great camp, caught three passes for 52 yards. Monk made an acrobatic catch for 54 yards and a score. (HawgSports.com)

AUBURN: The ACL injury of cornerback David Irons has shaken up the secondary. It forced safety Kevin Hobbs to go back to cornerback. With Hobbs back at corner, Montae Pitts has to step up his play. Since the first week of camp, the secondary was hit hard. Besides the Irons injury, redshirt freshman Courtney Denson quit the team and Carlos Rogers twisted his knee. Rogers is back this week. Travis Williams, who played at outside linebacker last fall, is starting at middle linebacker. In Saturday’s scrimmage, redshirt freshman Carl Stewart and true freshman Brad Lester combined to rush for 113 yards on 23 carries. Quarterbacks Jason Campbell and Brandon Cox (a combined 18-of-25 for 278 yards) threw the ball well. Without Irons and Rogers, the cornerbacks struggled. The offense had seven scoring drives on the day. Sophomore John Vaughn made 7-of-7 field goal attempts. This is significant because the past two seasons, Tiger kickers made only 18-of-36 field goals. Junior receiver Devin Aromashodu continues to impress. (AuburnSpors.com)

FLORIDA: Tony Joiner, Kyle Jackson, Dee Webb and Cory Bailey all had plays in the secondary during last Thursday’s practice. Jackson, a freshman from Fletcher High in Neptune Beach, has impressed the coaches with his ability to make plays. Linebacker Earl Everett had another interception in Saturday night’s practice. Terrance Holmes, a defensive back, intercepted quarterback Gavin Dickey. He has taken over as a starter for junior Jarvis Herring, who is suspended for the first game against Middle Tennessee. Redshirt freshman Jarvis Moss (6-6, 225), received some reps at strongside linebacker this weekend. He is a little thin to play defensive end. Florida is down to six linebackers after Howard Linguard transferred and Taurean Charles was suspended, which is rumored to be permanent. Cornerback Jermaine Thomas has left the team for the second time in his career. Running back Skyler Thorton, who was involved in a fight with Marcus Thomas Saturday night, twisted a knee in a nine-on-seven drill. Webb missed time with a twisted ankle.

Zook said Webb, a sophomore, and Reynaldo Hill, a senior, have done well as starters. He also praised the play of freshman cornerback Dawayne Grace. Concerning special teams, Zook has taken the lead in overseeing the unit. Dickey has shown some potential as a punt returner. Eric Wilbur has regained his starting punting position over Nick Fleming. The No. 1 kick return team is sophomore Andre Caldwell and Webb. Vernell Brown is the probably No. 1 punt returner. Caldwell is working at the outside receiver position. (Gainesville Sun) Freshman running back Markus Manson has impressed the coaches, but it will hard for him to get much playing time behind Ciatrick Fason, DeShawn Wynn and Thornton. In Monday night’s scrimmage, Chris Leak was 7-of-11 for 71 yards. Fullback Billy Latsko has two touchdown catches. Freshman running back Marcus Manson has demonstrated plenty of speed. The NCAA has cleared Mike Mangold, a freshman defensive end. Receiver Reggie Lewis spent a couple of days in the hospital after feeling lightheaded earlier in the day. (GatorBait.net)

Florida is 36-0 against South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt over the past 12 years. Over the same period, Tennessee is 35-1, losing only to South Carolina in 1992. Georgia lost to the three of the teams (four times to South Carolina) six times during that period. (AJC.com)

GEORGIA: Senior defensive end David Pollack (strained patella tendon) and junior offensive tackle Max Jean-Gilles (ankle) went to the hospital for checkups on Saturday. Defensive tackle Gerald Anderson was also limited by a shoulder injury. All three are doing better, but they will be limited in practice. The Dogs are ranked No. 3 in the AP poll. This is the best preseason rank since they were No. 6 in 1967. Guard Josh Brock got good news that his injured shoulder is just torn scar tissue. Running backs Michael Cooper has a bruised Achilles tendon and freshman Thomas Brown has a pulled hamstring. Troubled defensive lineman Darrius Swain has improved his attitude. (UGASports.com) There is some speculation in the Alabama media that former Bulldog athletic director Vince Dooley might be contacted for the Auburn AD position. (AJC.com)

KENTUCKY: Tailback Arliss Beach is out for a few days with a strained shoulder and junior linebacker Dustin Williams has a pulled hamstring. Draak Davis will work with the No. 1 offense until Beach returns. During passing drills this week, Shane Boyd was 12-for-17 on Thursday and 10-for-14 last Friday. True freshmen cornerbacks Tony Dixon had a pick on Friday. Receiver Lonnell Dewalt (6-6, 220), a freshman, has been impressive. (Kentucky Sports Report).

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Jeremy Jones (6-5, 285), a defensive lineman/tight end, who originally signed with LSU, has left the Tigers and joined the Bulldogs. LSU did not include him in its 25 signees. True freshman running back Brandon Thornton and Jones have joined the team after being cleared by the NCAA. Omarr Conner (6-0, 203), a sophomore, is the favorite to take the starting quarterback job in the opener. He is recovering from a groin injury. Starting cornerback Quinton Culberson has agreed to work some at safety. Senior defensive back Eric Fuller has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. Redshirt freshman Devrick Hampton has been moved from the defensive line to the offensive line. Bulldog fans have bought over 34,000 compared to last year’s total of 33,776. (BulldogBlitz.com)

OLE MISS: The veteran offensive line with Chris Spencer, Doug Buckles, Tre Stallings and Bobby Harris have dominated the defensive line allowing tailbacks Vashon Pearson and Alan Abrams to run nearly untouched. (Clarion-Ledger) Linebacker Garry Pack, receiver Mico McSain and defensive end Chris Bowers have been three of the most impressive freshmen. In the first scrimmage, quarterback Michael Spurlock was 7-of-22 for 73 yards. The receivers dropped six passes thrown by Spurlock and eight passes total. McSwain led all receivers with three catches for 94 yards. Ethan Flatt (11-of-18 for 159) and Robert Lane (3-of-10) are battling for the backup spot. (RebelGrove.com)

LSU: Coach Nick Saban said as many as six or seven steady backups need to be replaced on defense. He said two junior college transfers-- tackle Claude Wroten and cornerback Mario Stevenson-- could contribute soon. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp added linebacker E. J. Kuale and Kenny Hollis to Saban’s list as possible contributors. The Tigers are No. 4 in the preseason AP poll, the highest in 45 years. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said cornerback Corey Webster has done well as a receiver. Fisher said JaMarcus Russell is helped by his size and vision. He favorably compared Matt Flynn to Matt Mauck. Fisher described senior quarterback Marcus Randall, who took most of the snaps in the first scrimmage, as someone with experience who can make plays. Fisher said receiver Sklyer Green is getting beyond trying to catch the ball in a 10-yard radius down the field by running better routes. Ciron Black (6-5, 315), an offensive lineman from Lee High in Tyler, Texas has committed to the Tigers. Oklahoma State, Baylor, Houston and Texas Tech are also recruiting him. (TigerBait.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA: The coaches were looking for a fullback after the transfer of Brandon Schweitzer to Gardner-Webb and problems of incoming freshman Antonio Lamar becoming eligible. Daccus Turman will start at fullback in the opener. Lou Holtz was drove to Orlando to be with his wife Beth after Hurricane Charley damaged their home. The Gamecocks had a closed scrimmage Sunday. USC coaches said afterwards that quarterback Dondrial Pinkins had a great day throwing one score and running for another. Gonzie Gray is leading the tailback depth chart. Behind him in order are Cory Boyd, Andrea Gause and Demetris Summers. Defensive tackle Greg Jones is back in school and will redshirt this year. Also defensive tackle Eric Stroman is out for the season with a torn elbow ligament. (GamecockCentral.com)

TENNESSEE: Tailback Gerald Riggs is finally showing some consistency that he did not in his first two years. Jason Allen could be moved to safety, if Jon Hefney (freshman), Rosaun Fellows and Jonathan Wade continue to impress. Defensive tackle Greg Jones is back on the practice field after getting his academics in order, but he will still redshirt this year. Defensive dominated the Saturday scrimmage by forcing five turnovers and allowing only one big play-a bomb from quarterback Brent Schaeffer to receiver Robert Meachem. Defensive tackles Tony McDaniel and Jesse Mahelona played well. Tailbacks Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis fumbled and Schaeffer threw two picks. Most of the scrimmage was devoted to the freshman quarterbacks. In Wednesday’s scrimmage, all four quarterbacks took snaps. Schaeffer ran for 54 yards (a team high) and threw for 30 yards on 5-for-9 passing. Rick Clausen was 7-for-9 for 79 yards. Erik Ainge was 8-for-15 for 123 yards. C. J. Leak was 7-for-15 for 45 yards. Leak made no mistakes, threw high percentage passes and managed the offense well. However, in somewhat of a surprise, Coach Phil Fulmer has named Ainge and Schaeffer as co-starters. Leak could try another position such as safety. (VolQuest.com)

FLORIDA STATE: Sophomore cornerback Antonio Cromartie said he is going to play against Miami and actually took part in Saturday night’s practice after being on crutches most of the week. He recently suffered a hip pointer. Coach Bobby Bowden has called attention to freshman tailbacks Lamar Lewis and Jamaal Edwards. Freshman cornerback Tony Carter has his left arm in a sling and his shoulder was heavily wrapped. Willie Reid is in a competitive battle with Chauncey Stovall for the starting split end spot. Track standout Derrick Baker, an ACC champion in Men’s Indoor Track 4 X 400m relay, is coming on at receiver. In the first scrimmage on Monday, the offense dominated the defense with quarterback Chris Rix (19 of 27 for 230 yards) playing within himself and distributing the ball to several different receivers. Tailback Lorenzo Booker had four catches for 77-yards and his teammate Leon Washington caught three passes for 21 yards. Freshman cornerback J. R. Bryant broke up three passes in the scrimmage. Quarterbacks Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford, both freshmen, struggled. In Wednesday’s scrimmage, Xavier Beitia kicked three field goals. Rix was 5-of-9 for 32 yards. He had no turnovers. Linebacker Ernie Sims had one of the best performances of any defensive player. Offensive linemen Bobby Meeks (ankle) and Ron Lunford (ankle) were banged up in the scrimmage and should return to action soon. (Warchant.com)

CLEMSON: Coach Tommy Bowden is disputing a report from Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News Sentinel that Clemson had a scout present at Tennessee’s practices during the week of last year Peach Bowl. Bowden also singled out redshirt freshman defensive tackle Chris McDuffie for his play. The head coach said he has been the second-best defensive tackle behind Eric Coleman. Senior defensive end Vontrell Jamison (broken arm) and redshirt freshman safety Roy Walker (knee) had successful surgeries last week. In Saturday’s scrimmage, the defense ruled with 18 tackles-for-loss with junior defensive end Charles Bennett (6-4, 252) making four or them. Bennett also had two sacks and eight tackles. Bowden said Bennett has been the most consistent player on defense behind linebacker Leroy Hill. Tailback Yusef Kelly (88 yards on 12 carries) had a 50-yard run and quarterback Charlie Whitehurst hit receiver Kelvin Grant with a 36-yard completion, but overall the quarterbacks struggled. C. J. Gaddis could see time this year at receiver, running back or cornerback. (TigerIlustrated.com)

NORTH CAROLINA: Junior offensive tackle Drew Hunter, who played in a career best 10 snaps against FSU last year, and sophomore offensive guard Mickey Rice, who was redshirted last year, have been medically disqualified due to injuries. They both will remain on scholarship. Senior defensive tackle Chase Page is out for the season after he suffered a torn flexor tendon on his pinkie finger in his left hand. He is eligible for a medical redshirt. (CarolinaBlue.com)

MIAMI: Receiver Roscoe Parrish is out for about a week with swelling in his knee. Brock Berlin is clearly the starter at quarterback. Quarterback Derrick Crudup looks to be the first guy off the bench, but Kyle Wright will play. The offensive line has improved since the spring, but the defensive line has nearly been unblockable. Tailback Frank Gore ripped off a 60-yard run in Saturday night’s practice. Freshmen offensive linemen Chris Rutledge and Tyrone Byrd are very athletic. Byrd has a 35-inch vertical leap, a record for Miami offensive linemen. Tight end Brandon Sebald has been moved to right tackle. The move helps the offensive line, considering Tony Tella and Rashad Butler are out with injuries. Coach Larry Coker has repeatedly praised the play of linebacker Roger McIntosh. Coker said freshman receiver Lance Leggett will get playing time this year. (Canesport.com)

GEORGIA TECH: In Saturday’s scrimmage, senior receiver Levon Thomas caught three passes for 94 yards and two scores. KaMichael Hall and Joe Gaston each intercepted passes in the scrimmage. Tech has two of the better defensive ends in the ACC with Eric Henderson and Travis Parker. (AJC.com)

N. C. STATE: Junior Jay Davis and redshirt freshman Marcus Stone are battling for the starting quarterback job. Junior Marcus Hudson has returned to the secondary after redshirting last year to focus on academics. He is switching from cornerback to free safety. (TheWolfpacker.com)

THE ACC TITLE GAME: Jacksonville, Florida has been awarded the league championship game for two years beginning in 2005. There is an option of two more years after the 2006 game. Charlotte was believed to be Jacksonville’s biggest competition. The game will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2005. (Florida Times-Union)

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FL.
HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM AND SAMSPORTSLINE.COM.