TENNESSEE: In the last three games, Tennessee has given up 906 yards, eight touchdowns on 69-of-100 passing. Tennessee was penalized 12 times for 95 yards in the SEC title game. Auburn was flagged only four times for 20 yards. Penalties wiped out nearly 150 yards of Vol offense in the third quarter. Auburn ran 85 plays without a holding call. The starting strong safety spot has been a revolving door for the Vols. Corey Campbell was the fourth Vol to start at the position. Tailback Gerald Riggs had 11 carries for 182 yards. For the first time since the Florida loss in 2000, Tennessee rushed for over 200 yards and lost. The Vols ran for 204 yards in the second half alone. Quarterback Rick Clausen was 8-of-20 for 69 yards and one touchdown. The Vol receivers had only three catches in the game. Senior offensive tackle Michael Munoz underwent rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder ending his Vol career. The Vols play Texas A & M in the Cotton Bowl. Since 1998, Tennessee is 1-6 in bowl games. The Aggies have three losses to Oklahoma, Utah and Texas. They beat Clemson, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Texas Tech. (Volquest.com and The Tennessean)

FLORIDA: Gator coach Urban Meyer said his decision to change schools never came down to Notre Dame vs. Florida. He said the process was 95% along before Notre Dame called. Former Gator coach Ron Zook has been named the new coach at Illinois replacing Ron Turner. He is the school’s 22nd head coach. Zook has been in the Big Ten before. He was defensive backs coach at Ohio State from 1988-90. Josh Portis (6-4, 200), a quarterback from Woodland Hills, Calif., is considering the Gators after he committed to Utah. He is the cousin of former Alabama guard Marico Portis and a relative of former Miami running back Clinton Portis. Meyer has called the Gator verbal commitments including Avery Atkins (5-11, 180), a cornerback from Daytona Beach Mainland. Atkins told Meyer that he was still committed. After former Gator offensive assistant Larry Fedora was not offered a coordinator position, he decided to go to Illinois with Zook. Reports out of South Bend are adding Notre Dame assistant Greg Mattison as a possibility to Myer’s staff. UF recruiting coordinator and running back Mike Locksley has decided to stay in Gainesville. Despite visiting Nebraska last weekend, Derrick McPhearson (6-0, 195), a receiver from Fork Union (Va.) Fork Union Military, said he is still committed to Florida. He is going to visit Virginia Tech, LSU, Maryland and Florida. (Gainesville Sun and Gatorbait.net)

OLE MISS: The search for a new football coach continues at Ole Miss. Rebel officials are willing to pay between $1.2 –$1.7 million, mostly from private donations. Former coach David Cutcliffe made $1.2 million. Ole Miss has spent $47 million over the past four years on improvements: $30 million to enclose the south end zone and $17 million for an indoor practice facility with coaches’ offices and a weight room. Sources close to the situation said the short list by Rebel chancellor Robert Khayat and athletic director Pete Boone had Louisville coach Bobby Petrino (the Cardinals have scored 55 points or more in five straight games), Southern California assistant coach Ed Orgeron and Zook. All the coaches besides Orgeron said they were not interested. Navy coach Paul Johnson, who was mentioned in an Internet rumor, said he was not interested in the job through a press release. The Black Coaches Association has been working closely with Ole Miss. The BCA list of prospective coaches includes Ty Willingham, Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon and ex-Florida Charlie Strong. Ole Miss officials flew to interview Shannon Wednesday afternoon. (RebelGrove.com and Clarion-Ledger)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Former Ole Miss assistant coach John Latina is the new Gamecock offensive line coach. After being told that they would not be participating in a bowl game, several USC players took $18,000 worth of video equipment and framed action photographs. The equipment has been recovered and the players involved have been punished according to USC sports information. Jonathan Garner (6-4, 205), a quarterback from Daytona Beach, Fla., is considering USC after committing to Florida. The Mainland High product is the No. 18-rated quarterback according to Rivals.com. He will take official visits to Michigan, Florida, South Carolina and Ole Miss. Bobby Wallace (5-8, 180), a running back from Conway, S. C., has verbally committed to the Gamecocks. The AP selected free safety Ko Simpson, who led the SEC with six picks, as the Freshman of the Year. Junior receiver Troy Williamson, who had 43 catches for 835 yards and seven touchdowns, was selected to the first team All-SEC squad. (Gamecockcentral.com, The State and Tennessean.com)

GEORGIA: Defensive end David Pollack and linebacker Thomas Davis were named to the 2004 American Football Coaches Association All-American Team. Pollack, who led the SEC in sacks with 9.5 sacks, also won the Lombardi Award. He is the first Bulldog to win the Lombardi Award. Pollack and former Bulldog great Herschel Walker are Georgia’s only three-time First Team All-Americans. (UGASports.com)

LSU: The Tigers play Iowa in the Capital One Bowl. This is the first time the two teams have met. The payout per team of $5,187 million is the most of any non-BCS bowl. Under Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes have shared two of the last three Big Ten titles. Iowa averaged only 74 yards per game rushing because of numerous injuries to the tailbacks. Ryan Perrilloux (6-2, 210), a quarterback from East St. John’s in Louisiana, is going to officially visit LSU. Perrilloux (6-2, 210), who has committed to Texas, has attended four Tiger home games this season. Bryan Evans (6-0, 180), an athlete from Ed White High in Jacksonville, Florida said he had a good visit to LSU last weekend. Coach Nick Saban visited in Evans home Wednesday night. Evans still plans on visiting Tennessee, Georgia and FSU. Meyer is trying to talk Evans into visiting UF. (Tigerbait.com and advocate.com)

ARKANSAS: After only one year at N. C. State as defensive coordinator, Reggie Herring moved to Fayetteville for the same position. Last season, N. C. State led the nation in total defense allowing only 221 ypg after allowing 421 yards the previous season. Herring replaces Dave Wommack, who was fired last week after serving as defensive coordinator for three seasons. Senior defensive end Jeb Huckeba and senior quarterback Matt Jones were selected to the first and second team All-SEC Conference Coaches team. (Hawgsports.com)

KENTUCKY: Wildcat assistant Joker Phillips has been promoted to offensive coordinator replacing Ron Hudson, who resigned last week. Shortly after the promotion, receiver/defensive back Earl Bennett (6-0, 192) of Birmingham West End and running back/defensive back Alfonso Smith (6-0, 190) of Louisville Waggener, committed to the Wildcats. Inside linebackers coach Ron McBride has resigned in order to become the head coach at Weber State. (Kentucky Sports Report)

ALABAMA: The Tide has been selected to attend its 52nd bowl game in Nashville at the Music City Bowl. Alabama fans have already purchased their allotment of 10,000 tickets.

Alabama faces a Minnesota team that features two backs-Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber III that have run for more than 1,000 yards in the past two seasons. Offensive tackle Wesley Britt, kicker Brian Bostick, guard Evan Mathis and linebacker Cornelius Wortham were first team All-SEC selections by AP. Britt has been named the winner of the Jacobs Award, given annually as the SEC’s top blocker. The team resumes practice Dec. 17 after dead week and finals. Glen Coffee (6-0, 195), a running back from Fort Walton Beach, has committed to Alabama. LSU, Auburn, UCF and Louisville are recruiting him. (BOL.com and Al.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Senior punter Jared Cook (43 ypp) and senior nose tackle Ronald Fields (57 tackles and 7.5 TFL) were named to the first team All-SEC squad by the AP. Charles Burns (6-2, 250), a defensive end from Hattiesburg (Miss.), is the 12th verbal commitment for State. (Bulldogblitz.com)

COACHING CHANGES: So far this year there has been 16 coaching changes (firings or retirements). Three years ago there were 24 and in 1973 there was an amazing 36 changes. (Ben Maller.com)

FLORIDA STATE: Justin Mincey (6-5, 250), a defensive end from Charlton County in Georgia, has committed to FSU. Mincey is the No. 4 rated strong-side defensive end according to Rivals.com. Also committing to the Noles is Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey) cornerback/tailback Michael Ray Garvin (5-8, 180), who chose the Noles over Georgia. Coffeyville, Kansas JUCO All-American safety Reggie Nelson (6-0, 189), who originally committed to Florida, visits this weekend. Roy Upchurch (6-0, 186), a running back from Tallahassee Godby High, has pared his two schools down to Alabama and FSU. Upchurch ran for 2,543 yards and 27 touchdowns this past season. Quarterback Wyatt Sexton has the highest GPA on the team at 3.76. (Warchant.com)

MIAMI: Virginia Tech beat the Canes 16-10 despite Miami making five sacks, creating two turnovers, and blocking a punt and an extra point. Miami lost three of its last five games by a total of 15 points. The Canes offense gained only 190 net yards. Coach Larry Coker said the Canes struggled to block defensive end Darryl Tapp after tight end Kevin Everett was hurt. Quarterback Brock Berlin was 16-of-31 for 139 yards. Tailback Frank Gore led the team in rushing with 46 yards on 13 carries. Miami had eight penalties for 75 yards. The defense held Tech to 297 yards. (Canesport.com)

CLEMSON: Tiger coach Tommy Bowden has fired his third assistant coach in rover/whips coach Thielen Smith. Former offensive coordinator Mike O’Cain and former defensive coordinator John Lovett both said they were shocked over their firings. The Clemson offense averaged 21 ppg, 295 total yards (No. 109 nationally), 107 yards rushing per game (a school-low and No. 100 nationally) and 188 yards passing. All those numbers were career lows under Bowden. Conversely, after allowing 31 ppg in the first five games, the Clemson defense improved during the final six games and allowed only 12 ppg. Antwon Murchison (6-5, 250), a defensive end from Southern Pines, N. C., has committed to the Tigers. He is the 22nd verbal commitment for Clemson. (The State and TigerIllustrated.com)

N. C. STATE: The Wolfpack entertained 12 prospects last weekend. Wolfpack coaches are hoping to receive visits from 15 more this weekend. Toney Baker (5-10, 218), a blue chip running back from Ragsdale, N. C., is one of the Wolfpack’s most coveted players. Baker is the No. 15 overall prospect according to Rivals.com.

VIRGINIA TECH: Sergio Render (6-3, 302), a lineman from Newnan, Georgia, who originally committed to FSU, has changed his mind and committed to the Hokies. Render, Tech’s 15th commitment, wants to play on defense. In the win over Miami, tailback Cedric Humes rushed for 110 yards on 27 carries. Quarterback Bryan Randall was 11-of-18 for 148 yards and rushed for 63 yards. (Rivals.com)

GEORGIA TECH: Receiver Calvin Johnson has been selected as the ACC Freshman of the Year. He was the only freshman named to the All-ACC first team. Johnson had 46 catches for 776 yards and six touchdowns. (Ledger Enquirer)

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