ALABAMA: Tailback Kenneth Darby is fifth in rushing in the SEC averaging 91 yards per game. Alabama has won the last three meetings and four of the past five. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was a former Alabama defensive coordinator. Other Bulldog coaches--Woody McCorvey, Amos Jones and Freddie Kitchens-- have Alabama ties. True freshman Aaron Johns is the backup to Darby. Because of Tim Castille’s season ending knee surgery, Le’Ron McClain is the fullback with Josh Smith backing him up. Alabama leads the SEC in rushing (226 ypg) and time of possession (33:59). The Tide leads the nation in total defense (221 ypg), passing defense (106 ypg) and pass efficiency defense. The Tide has held seven opponents to less than 200 yards passing. (RollTide.com, BOL.com and SECSports.com)

NOTRE DAME: The Irish are 5-3 this season with wins over Michigan, Michigan State, Washington, Stanford and Navy. They have lost to BYU, Purdue, and Boston College. Quarterback Brady Quinn is 132-of-246 for 1,890 yards. He could take advantage of the Vol pass defense ranked No. 10 in the SEC. Receiver Rhema McKnight is the leading receiver with 31 catches for 466 yards. Linebacker Mike Goolsby leads the team in tackles with 70 tackles. Defensive end Justin Tuck leads the Irish in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (4). After the Vols, Notre Dame plays Pitt and USC. (SECSports.com)

TENNESSEE: Free safety Jason Allen leads the SEC in tackles per game with 10. He has 83 total tackles this season. Tennessee beat Notre Dame in Knoxville in 1999. Injuries on the offense to linemen Michael Munoz, Cody Douglas, Jason Respert, Arron Sears and tailbacks Gerald Riggs and Cedric Houston have limited the Vol offense. Erik Ainge has gotten all the reps with the number one offense due to Brent Schaeffer’s broken collarbone. Notre Dame allows only 99 yards rushing. Neither Jarod Parrish nor Corey Campbell has nailed down the starting strong safety position. (Volquest.com and The Tennessean)

ARKANSAS: The Hogs lead the SEC in touchdown scoring percentage in the red zone (81%). Demetris Summers, who led the Gamecocks in rushing last week with 95 yards on 10 carries, did not play against Georgia. He should play this week Arkansas has to contain USC receiver Troy Williamson, who averages 22 yards per catch. USC leads the SEC with 21 turnovers gained. Arkansas has won five of the last six meetings. USC’s Lou Holtz coached at Arkansas from 197-83. Hog quarterback Matt Jones appears to have recovered from his groin injury. (HawgSports.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Last year, Arkansas won 28-6. USC is last in the SEC in the red zone (63%) converting only on 23 of 36 opportunities. Of the 13 missed opportunities, six were because of turnovers. Against Tennessee, USC scored only six points in the first four trips in the red zone. USC is 0-3 at home in SEC games and 3-0 in conference road games. Last week, USC quarterback Dondrial Pinkins threw for a career high 306 yards against Tennessee. Arkansas has the worst pass defense in the SEC. (The State and GamecockCentral.com)

GEORGIA: Bulldog quarterback David Greene leads the SEC in lowest interception ratio-1:46. The Bulldogs have the best record in the SEC since 2000 at 47-13. Georgia has won 13 of the past 14 meetings. Georgia has struggled to beat Kentucky the past few years. With safety Thomas Davis unable to start because of ankle and knee sprains,

Tra Battle will get his first start against Kentucky. (UGASports.com and SECSports.com)

KENTUCKY: The Wildcats have the SEC’s worst rush defense.

FLORIDA AT VANDERBILT: Gator quarterback Chris Leak leads the SEC in completions (160). Florida has won the past six meetings. Vandy has not beaten the Gators since 1988. The last time that Florida was out of contention before their final SEC game was 1989. Gator receiver O. J. Small leads the SEC with 44 catches. Kenny Parker, who is eligible for a sixth year, has not decided whether he will return next season. The Vanderbilt rush defense is No. 11 in the SEC. (Gainesville Sun and GatorBait.net)

AUBURN: The Tigers have a verbal commitment from Montez Billings (6-2, 175), a receiver from Pelham, Ala. He has numerous offers from Alabama, LSU, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia. Tiger officials have begun formal interviews for the vacant athletic director position. Birmingham financial adviser Mike Kolen, who played in the last 1960s, and Greg McGarity, Florida’s associate athletic director for internal affairs have interviewed. Auburn could bring in as many as 10 candidates. Defensive coordinator Gene Chizik is not pleased with the cornerback position opposite Carlos Rogers. He said Montae Pitts and Kevin Hobbs are in the doghouse. Redshirt freshmen Zach Gilbert and Patrick Lee will have a chance to play against Georgia. (AuburnSports.com and Mobile Register)

OLE MISS: The Rebels practiced in their brand new indoor practice facility this week. Starting defensive end Jayme Mitchell is out indefinitely with a fractured left foot that he sustained in the Auburn loss. (RebelGrove.com)

CLEMSON: The Tigers have not played in the Orange Bowl since the 1981 national championship game. Clemson (4-4) is still playing for a bowl game. Clemson’s Justin Miller leads the ACC in kick returns (33 ypr) and Miami’s Devin Hester is second (31 ypr). Clemson receiver Airese Currie leads the ACC with 47 catches, but only two scores. Clemson has won three straight games after starting 1-4. (TigerIllustrated.com)

MIAMI: Demetri Stewart (6-4, 208), a linebacker from Oakland Park (Fla.) has committed to the Canes. He chose Miami over Auburn and Oklahoma. Over the past four games, Miami quarterback Brock Berlin has thrown 13 touchdowns and only two picks. Berlin leads the ACC in passing yards per game (226) and is the only quarterback averaging 200 yards passing this season. In the past three games, Miami has allowed an average of 33 points, 497 yards per game (273 yards passing and 224 yards rushing). The Canes are No. 42 in total defense and No. 66 in rushing defense. The Canes started the season allowing 26 points in the first four games. Clemson is No. 79 or worse in rushing, passing, total offense and passing efficiency. Miami leads the ACC in turnover margin. (Canesport.com)

DUKE AT FLORIDA STATE: FSU receiver Cro Thorpe, who leads the team with 31 catches, has been suspended for Saturday’s game due to missing too many classes. Dominic Robinson starts in his place. Chris Rix, who is 26-11 as a starter, has replaced Wyatt Sexton at quarterback. Sexton learned of his demotion on the ESPN ticker. Guard Bobby Meeks will miss the game because of a sprained right ankle. James Coleman replaces B. J. Dean at fullback. Linebacker Buster Davis is questionable with an elbow sprain. If Davis can’t play then junior Sam McGrew will spell him. Freshman Gary Cismesia replaces Xavier Beitia, who has missed seven of his last 13 attempts, at kicker. With 14.5 tackles for loss, defensive lineman Travis Johnson is on pace to have 22, which would tie him with Darnell Dockett. FSU has allowed only 132 yards rushing in the second half in the first eight games (16.5 ypg). FSU is second nationally in rush defense (66 ypg). (Warchant.com)

GEORGIA TECH: Tech: Last year, Tech beat N. C. State 29-21. Strong safety Chris Reis is second in the ACC in sacks with seven. Freshman receiver Calvin Johnson could have a big day against a N. C. State secondary that has been vulnerable when opposing quarterbacks have had time to throw. Tech has scored only 12 touchdowns in 24 red zone trips. (Rivals.com)

N. C. STATE: Quarterback Jay Davis needs to play better than he did last week in the loss to Clemson when he threw five picks. Both State and Tech have good defenses and mistake prone offenses. State is No. 116 in turnover margin. Tech is (-9) in turnover margin. Tech has won the last three meetings and eight of nine. (Rivals.com)

MARYLAND: The Terps have won two of the past three meetings against the Wolfpack. For the third straight week and the fourth time in five games, Maryland has held the opposition under 100-yards rushing. Quarterback Joel Statham has thrown for eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. (Rivals.com)

VIRGINIA: The Cavs are ranked in the top 11 nationally in four offensive categories including rushing, scoring and pass efficiency. Quarterback Marques Hagans has been hampered by a hip injury that he sustained in the Duke game two weeks ago. Maryland and Virginia players and coaches are not fond of each other after past encounters. (Rivals.com)

VIRGINIA TECH: The last time Tech and UNC played was the 1998 Gator Bowl when UNC won 42-3. Freshman linebacker Xavier Adibi returned last week after missing six games with a biceps injury. He had eight tackles, two sacks, and forced a fumble.

NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels are 3-0 when rushing for more than 200 yards in a game in 2004.

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