TENNESSEE: The Vols have won the last 19 meetings in the series against the Wildcats. Kentucky’s last win came in 1984. Vol Coach Phil Fulmer expressed condolences to the family of Gary Lundy, a columnist for the Knoxville News-Sentinel, who died of a heart attack Monday. Senior offensive lineman Jason Respert is back at practice after being hospitalized with a hand infection. He should be ready to play against UK. Quarterback Brent Schaeffer is expected back at practice Monday after recovering from a broken collarbone. Guard Cody Douglas is hoping to be back for the SEC Title game after sustaining a mid-foot sprain against Georgia Oct. 9. (Volquest.com and Tennessean.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: State is 2-2 since the return of Omarr Conner at quarterback. Bulldog quarterback Jerious Norwood is second in the SEC in rushing with 1,026 yards on 184 carries and seven touchdowns. Coach Sylvester Croom was reprimanded by the SEC office for publicly criticizing the officials after the loss to Arkansas. Croom said he would not make remarks like that again. (Bulldogblitz.com and Clarion Ledger)

OLE MISS: This is the 101st meeting between the teams in the Egg Bowl. Rumors are rampant that Coach David Cutcliffe or part of his staff could undergo a reshuffling after the game. The Rebels’ seven losses match the worst season since 1994 and a loss to State would mean the most losses since 1987. For the first time since 1997, the game will not be played on Thanksgiving. Ole Miss has won three of the last four meetings. The series is split 5-5 in the past 10 meetings. In the past three games, Ole Miss has allowed 360, 297 and 205 yards on the ground. The Rebel rush defense is No. 11 in the SEC allowing 196 ypg. Five starters including receiver Bill Flowers (ankle) did not practice due to injuries Tuesday. (RebelGrove.com and Clarion Ledger)

GEORGIA: The Bulldogs have won the past three meetings after Georgia Tech beat the Bulldogs in the previous three contests. There were eight personal fouls in this game last year. Defensive back DeMario Minter (6-foot-4) will be covering Tech freshman receiver Calvin Johnson. Georgia allowed an average of 402 ypg to Florida, Kentucky and Auburn. Georgia is No 16 nationally in total defense. Receiver Reggie Brown (concussion) and tailback Danny Ware (ankle) were back at practice. Fourteen seniors will be playing their last regular season game against Tech. Defensive end Will Thompson and cornerback Albert Hollis will be applying for a sixth year of eligibility due to injuries. (UGASports.com and Ledger Enquirer)

GEORGIA TECH: Johnson leads Tech with 41 catches for 732 yards and six touchdowns. Tech quarterback Reggie Ball has 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions this season. Travis Bell has kicked 13 straight field goals. (Rivals.com)

ALABAMA: Coach Mike Shula is 10-14 after two seasons and 5-11 in the SEC. Only three of Shula’s wins have come against teams with a winning record. This was the first time since 1969-70 that Alabama has had consecutive losing seasons in the SEC and the first time since 1958 that the Tide was not ranked at all during the season in the AP poll. (Mobile Register)

AUBURN: The Tigers could be penalized for playing The Citadel this season, but originally Auburn had scheduled Bowling Green (8-2 in the top 25), who opted out of their contract. (The Birmingham News)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Former Gamecock Coach Lou Holtz was 33-37 at USC, including 3-21 record against Clemson, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia. He was 19-29 against the SEC and 1-5 versus Clemson. Holtz said the program was on solid ground except he was disappointed with the lack of a national championship, a poor record in November and the lack of success against Clemson. New Gamecock coach Steve Spurrier will receive an annual salary of $1.25 million. Spurrier has confirmed that Rick Stockstill, Ron Cooper and Dave Reaves will be retained from the Holtz staff. (The State and GamecockCentral.com)

FLORIDA: University President Bernie Machen said he will not change his mind and keep Ron Zook despite a new round of support for the coach after the win over FSU. Reggie Nelson, a safety from Coffeyville Community College, told GatorBait.net that he was going to visit FSU, Florida and South Carolina. (Gainesville Sun and Gatorbait.net)

FLORIDA STATE: Linebacker coach Kevin Steele denied a rumor in the Tallahassee Democrat that he might get the job as defensive coordinator at South Carolina. Steele said he did have some interest in the job, but that he was staying at FSU. There is also speculation that offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden could be demoted to receivers coach and that offensive line Jimmy Heggins and quarterback coach Daryl Dickey could be fired at the end of the season. Defensive lineman Emmanuel Dumbar, the only member of last year’s signing class not to qualify, has told Warchant.com that he has achieved the necessary score on his SAT. FSU leads the nation in rush defense (69 ypg) and is seventh in total defense (270 ypg). (Warchant.com and Tallahassee Democrat)

WAKE FOREST: The Demon Deacons have returned four picks for scores. Wake is second in the ACC in red zone defense (67%). (Rivals.com)

MARYLAND: The Terps have won five straight games against the Deacons and nine of the last 11. Wake’s last win against Maryland was 1998. (Rivals.com)

MIAMI: Quarterback Brock Berlin leads the ACC and is No. 18 nationally in pass efficiency. He leads the ACC in average yards per completion (14.3). Miami has won its last 21 games when rushing for 200 yards or more rushing. (Rivals.com)

N C STATE AT EAST CAROLINA: The Wolfpack are allowing an NCAA-low 3.61 yards per game. State leads the nation in total defense allowing just 229 ypg. (Rivals.com)

VIRGINIA: The Cavs leads the ACC in total offense (436 ypg), rushing (246 ypg). Virginia Tech leads in scoring offense (34 ppg) and scoring defense (13 ppg). (Rivals.com)

VIRGINIA TECH: The Hokies had won four straight prior to the Cavs 14-point win last year. Tech quarterback Bryan Randall needs just 149 yards passing the break the school record for career passing. Hokie tailback Mike Imoh, who is averaging 105 ypg in ACC play, suffered a hamstring in the rout of Maryland last week. Imoh, who is questionable for the game, has rushed for 686 yards in seven games. Tech has won their last six straight games. (Rivals.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.