LSU: The Tiger defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown this season and only seven rushing scores in the past 17 games. LSU has won the last four meetings and 11 of the past 12 against the Bulldogs. The Tigers have won six straight at home in the Mississippi State series. Tailback Shyrone Carey is back from his four-game suspension for attempting to sell his Sugar Bowl tickets last season. Tiger starting center Ben Wilkerson is questionable for Saturday’s game with knee problems. Receiver Skyler Green and cornerbacks Travis Daniels and Corey Webster are expected to return from injuries. Tailback Justin Vincent is hoping for better production after gaining only 34 yards against Auburn. Last year, the Tigers were second in the SEC in rushing, but this year they are eighth. The Tiger defense held Auburn tailbacks Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown to 142 yards on 27 carries combined. Free safety LaRon Landry made 11 tackles against Auburn. (TigerBait.com, advocate.com and SECSports.com)

OLE MISS AT WYOMING: Rebel leading receiver Bill Flowers, who caught 10 passes for 75 yards against Vandy, is out for the game after lacerating a kidney against the Commodores. Tailback Vashon Pearson leads the Rebels with 213 yards rushing on 43 carries. Ole Miss has won four of its last five road games dating back to last season. Coach David Cutcliffe said Ethan Flatt continues to start at quarterback because of his improved game management. Flatt completed 3-of-3 for 26 yards to set up a Jonathan Nichols game winning field goal. The offensive line is struggling because of various injuries. Rebel defensive tackle Chris Herring (calf strain) is among several players on the front line who are questionable due to injuries. Backup quarterback Robert Lane is getting more snaps with the No. 2 offense. Micheal Spurlock, the former starting quarterback, has no plans to move to another position. Wyoming quarterback Corey Bramlet, is the younger brother of Casey, the previous starter and school’s career passing leader. Receiver Dustin Pleasant leads the Cowboys with 15 catches for 190 yards and two scores. Wyoming is scheduled to play Florida, Tennessee and LSU over the next five seasons. (RebelGrove.com and SECSports.com)

THE CITADEL AT AUBURN: The Citadel, who lost its only game to Appalachian State, allowed 482 yards passing in that game. Auburn is 19-5 in September games under Coach Tommy Tuberville. Quarterback Jason Campbell, who was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week, is recovering from an injured big toe that he sustained in the win over LSU. Patrick Trahan (6-2, 209), a linebacker/safety from New Orleans (La.) St. Augustine has committed to the Tigers. Ole Miss, Colorado, West Virginia, Florida, Nebraska and Indiana offered him. The Tigers are back in the top ten at No. 9. Part of the reason Auburn is ranked No. 1 in the SEC in scoring defense is due to the play of linebackers Travis Williams, Antarrious Williams and Kevin Sears. Both Williams lead the Tigers in tackles. (AuburnSports.com, Al.com, SECSports.com)

ALABAMA: Quarterback Matt Guillon, who is replacing Brodie Croyle, was 5-of-7 for 71 yards and a score in the win over Western Carolina last week. In practice this week, he has received 85% of the reps and Spencer Pennington has gotten the rest. Freshman receiver Keith Brown said he is nearly healthy after missing the Western Carolina game with severe patellar tendonitis in his right knee. Senior tailback Ray Hudson, who left the Western Carolina game with a concussion, is expected to play. Freshman cornerback Simeon Castille is okay after slightly hurting his knee in a collision with a teammate. Hudson and Kenneth Darby are both averaging slightly over seven yards per rush. The Tide leads the SEC in rushing averaging 241 yards per game. (BamaOnline.com and Al.com)

ARKANSAS: The Hogs are the only SEC team not to allow points in the fourth quarter this season. In the 12 meetings since SEC expansion, the series with Alabama is tied at 6-6. Coach Houston Nutt is 3-3 against the Tide. Eight of the 14 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less. In games at Fayetteville, the series is tied 2-2. In last year’s game, the Hogs overcame a 21-point third quarter deficit to win the game in double overtime. Arkansas leads the SEC in passing. Hog quarterback Matt Jones needs 182 yards to pass Mississippi State’s John Bond (2,280 yards) as the leading rushing quarterback in SEC history. He leads the SEC in total offense averaging 300 yards per game (238 passing and 61 rushing) Jones has yet to be sacked this season. Safeties Lerinezo Robinson (leading the team in tackles with 22) and Chris Houston are both recovering from ankle injuries. (Hawgsports.com and SECSports.com)

KENTUCKY: Wildcat receiver Keenan Burton is out for the rest of the season with a broken wrist. He was the second leading receiver last year. In the win over Indiana, Kentucky had two 100-yard rushers (quarterback Shane Boyd and tailback Tony Dixon) for the first time in two years. Coach Rich Brooks credited the improvement of the offensive line for the point production. Linebacker Chad Anderson, who leads the team in tackles, has been demoted to second string because he missed numerous assignments last week. Boyd became the first Wildcat player to ever run for 100 yards and pass for 200 yards in the win over Indiana. Kentucky is allowing 218 yards per game rushing. (Kentucky Sports Report and SECSports.com)

FLORIDA: The Gators have a 17 game win streak against Kentucky. The defense has only two sacks after two games. Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said part of the problem against Tennessee occurred when several players over-pursued and did not stay in their gaps. The Kentucky game is the start of four consecutive home games. The last time Florida had that many home games in a row was 1994 when they moved the Georgia game to Gainesville because Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville was being renovated. (GatorBait.net and Gainesville Sun)

TROY AT SOUTH CAROLINA: Troy has already beaten Marshall and Missouri. Trojan defensive end Demarcus Ware leads Troy with eight tackles-for-loss and four sacks. Troy quarterback Aaron Leak is 30-of-65 for 455 yards with two scores and four picks. Running back DeWhitt Betterson has 256 yards and two scores this season. Troy linebacker Bernard Davis leads the Trojans with 29 tackles including three for loss and one sack. USC receiver Troy Williamson, who leads the SEC in receiving yards with 440, has 13 catches for an average of 33 yards per reception. Expect quarterback Dondrial Pinkins, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, and Syvelle Newton, who threw for over 300 yards in the USF win last week, to play Saturday. Against South Florida, USC ran for 174 yard without Demetrius Summers, who is not expected to play this Saturday either. USC and Alabama are tied for first in the SEC in turnover margin at + 5 after three games. (The State and GamecockCentral.com)

LOUISIANA TECH AT TENNESSEE: Tech tailback Ryan Moats, who was first team All-WAC last year, gained 81 yards on 14 carries in the loss to Miami last week. Tennessee linebacker Kevin Burnett was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after he made 16 tackles in the win over Florida. Vol linebacker Kevin Simon is out for the year with a torn ACL. Jon Poe and Jason Mitchell will see time at linebacker. Coach Phil Fulmer said there is still competition at the cornerback spot. Fulmer implied that Jonathan Wade does not have his position nailed down. Fulmer was more pleased with play of right cornerback Jonathan Hefney. Freshman quarterback Erik Ainge, who is third in the SEC in pass efficiency, has completed 26-of-41 passes for 310 yards with five scores and one pick. However, Fulmer said Wednesday that it is not a big deal who starts Saturday. Ten different players have scored Tennessee’s 10 touchdowns in two games, all of them coming on drives of 80 yards or more. Tennessee is second in the SEC in total offense averaging 458 yards per game. Dustin Colquitt leads the SEC with an average of 48 yards per punt. (Volquest.com, AJC.com and SECsports.com)

GEORGIA IS OFF THIS WEEK: The kicking game appears to be solid with Andy Bailey, who had made 6-of-8 field goals. Brandon Coutu had consistently put the ball in the end zone on kickoffs. Redshirt freshman Zeb McKinzey and true freshman Chester Adams have emerged on the offensive line. The unit has allowed only two sacks this season. (UGASports.com)

CLEMSON: The Tigers are 1-2 after losing to Texas A & M last week. They committed four turnovers and allowed 324 yards rushing. Clemson has a minus seven-turnover margin through three games. The Tigers are ranked No. 99 in the nation in rush defense allowing an average of 230 yards per game. Coach Tommy Bowden said there would be some reshuffling in the offensive line. Roman Fry will start at right guard over Nathan Bennett. Clemson is last in the ACC in rushing averaging 109 yards per game. Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst has been sacked seven times and thrown seven picks. (TigerIllustrated.com)

FLORIDA STATE: Nole center David Castillo is expected to return to the starting lineup this week. He missed the Miami game due to a pectoral injury. The offensive line improved last week with the return of Bobby Meeks. A 489-yard offensive output against UAB helped the Noles go from No. 117 to 84 in total offense. Because quarterback Wyatt Sexton needs as much work as possible, it appears the freshmen quarterbacks-Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee-- will be redshirted. Starting quarterback Chris Rix is 10th in the ACC in pass efficiency with a rating of 86.2. The defense had fewer than 10 missed tackles against UAB. FSU is third in the nation against the run allowing only 42 yards per game and ninth in the NCAA in total defense (254 yards per game). (Warchant.com and Tallahassee Democrat)

MARYLAND AT DUKE: Struggling Maryland sophomore quarterback Joel Statham has thrown four interceptions and fumbled five times in three games. Injured running back Josh Allen should be healthy for Saturday. Senior running back Sammy Maldonado is fifth in rushing in the conference averaging 86 yards per game. (Rivals.com)

LOUISVILLE AT NORTH CAROLINA: UNC punter David Wooldridge has been suspended for the game. Running back Ronnie McGill is doubtful because of a sprained ankle. UNC tailback Jacque Lewis is averaging 103 yards per game. Louisville junior receiver Broderick Clark has nine catches for 162 yards and a score. Stefan LeFors and Brian Brohm have split time at quarterback. The Cardinals average more than 500 yards per game and allow less than 300. Louisville has played Kentucky and Army, while UNC has played Georgia Tech and Virginia. (Rivals.com)

N. C. STATE AT VIRGINIA TECH: Wolfpack tight end T. J. Williams set a school record for tight ends with 444 receiving yards last year. After two games, Williams has one catch for 13 yards. Reserve quarterback Marcus Stone could take over for Jay Davis if he struggles. Davis was 12-of-24 for 99 yards in the loss to Ohio State last week. The Hokies are hoping running back Mike Imoh will be a weapon after being suspended for the first three games. These two games have not played since 1992. Tech has allowed only one rushing score. (Rivals.com)

SYRACUSE AT VIRGINIA: Reserve quarterback Anthony Martinez has left the team. He was fourth on the depth chart and had not played this season. Senior Cavalier defensive lineman Chris Canty has 23 tackles, including six for loss. Virginia averages more than 300 yards per game rushing. Syracuse running back Walter Reyes is averaging just 3.9 yards per game in three games. Orangemen quarterbacks Perry Patterson and Joe Fields have struggled. (Rivals.com and Richmond Times Dispatch)

BOSTON COLLEGE AT WAKE FOREST: B. C. has three starters on the offensive line 6-foot-7 or taller. Paul Peterson, the B. C. quarterback, is reminding fans of Doug Flutie with his small size and his production (527 yards and six scores in three games). Demon Deacon running back Micah Andrews ran for 125 yards and three scores in Wake’s win over North Carolina A & T last week. Wake averages 277 yards rushing and B. C. allows only 78 yards per game. B.C. is 3-0 and allowed only 25 points. (Rivals.com)

MIAMI: The Canes beat Houston Thursday night 38-13. Running back Tyrone Moss ran for 148 yards and two scores. Linebacker Tavares Gooden recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown and defensive lineman Baraka Atkins picked up a fumble and ran 58-yards for another score. Quarterback Brock Berlin, who was 13-of-23 for 99 yards, struggled with his decision making in the pocket. He was sacked seven times. The defense allowed its first offensive touchdown of the season. (Canesport.com)

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