GEORGIA: In the final scrimmage before Saturday’s G-Day game, the Bulldogs defense dominated the offense. The only score was a 50-yard run by tailback Thomas Brown. Part of the reason for the offense struggling is the inability of the young receivers getting deep and the safeties cheating up to stop the run. Free safety Greg Blue has had an excellent spring. Redshirt freshman linebacker Josh Johnson has been mentioned after nearly every practice for his ability to plug the holes and make instinctive tackles. Although reserve quarterback Joe Tereshinski has missed practice time due to a leg injury, Coach Mark Richt said his second team job is not in jeopardy. Quarterback Blake Barnes has benefited from his absence. According to a report in the Charleston (W.V.) Daily Mail, Brian VanGorder, the former Bulldog defense coordinator, had some interest in the Marshall head coaching job. VanGorder denied the report. Ben Harden, an offensive lineman from Perry High, is the third offensive lineman to commit this week. Justin “Bean” Anderson and Brandon Wood committed earlier in the week. Senior tailback Tony Milton, who missed most of the 2003 season due to a severe leg injury and played in only three games last year, is in his best shape in several years. (UGASports.com and Ledger-Enquirer)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: For the second straight year, the Egg Bowl will not be televised on Thanksgiving night, nor will it be on ESPN. The network has already picked up West Virginia-Pitt instead. After eleven practices, starting quarterback Omarr Conner has received his jersey number. In Saturday’s scrimmage, he was 15-of-18 for 147 yards. Protecting Conner has been the problem. On 90 snaps, the defense had 14 sacks. Linebacker Gabe O’Neal, Quinton Culberson and Titus Brown have secure jobs. Coach Sly Croom is still very concerned about the offensive tackle positions. Ken Ashley (5-9, 210), a tailback from Venice, Calif., has committed to the Bulldogs. He was first team all-city in Los Angeles and first-team all-state. Ashley has a 38-inch vertical leap. (BulldogBlitz.com and Clarion-Ledger)

LSU: The offense is progressing well mainly because the line returns intact. Receiver Skyler Green is still struggling with a sprained ankle that caused him trouble last year and the early part of this year. There is a limited amount of information coming out about practice because most have been closed. (Tigerbait.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA: In Wednesday’s scrimmage, Blake Mitchell maintained his position as the top quarterback. Antonio Heffner was 4 of 14 for 42 yards. Receiver Syvelle Newton caught four passes for 88 yards. In Tuesday’s practice, quarterback Mitchell performed well with little or no pass rush. In Saturday’s scrimmage in front of 3,000 fans, the defense dominated the offense with 13 sacks and four turnovers (including three fumbled snaps). The quarterbacks combined for 13-of-30 passing for 157 yards. Heffner was 5-of-12 for 72 yards. Mitchell was 4 of 6 for 55 yards. Quarterback Michael Rathe has the strongest and most accurate arm of all the quarterbacks. He also knows the offense best according to coach Steve Spurrier. Rathe is the only quarterback to make an audible in two weeks according to Spurrier. Albert Ashcraft led the running backs with 125 yards on 13 carries. Spurrier was also high on receiver Sidney Rice, who also plays basketball. Defensive end Seth Edwards had three sacks. (Gamecockcentral.com and The State)

OLE MISS: The annual Grove Bowl is this Saturday. After the running backs fumbled too much during the Saturday scrimmage, a lot of Monday’s work was devoted to taking care of the ball. The Rebels are trying to replace guards Doug Buckles and Marcus Johnson and center Chris Spencer. Tackles Bobby Harris and Tre Stallings, return but the rest of the line needs reworking. David Traxle has been impressive at right tackle. Tailback Jamal Pittman continues to use his size and strength to break tackles in the secondary. (RebelGrove.com and Clarion-Ledger)

TENNESSEE: The defense again dominated last Saturday’s scrimmage even without six starters. Linebacker Omar Gaither was all over the field and junior Daniel Brooks lined up at defensive end for the first time. Tennessee’s offense has yet to score in the scrimmages. Since January, 16 Vols have had surgery. The latest surgery is defensive back Roshaun Fellows who is scheduled to have a meniscus procedure on his knee. As many as 26 players have missed practice time due to injuries. Tailback Gerald Riggs, Jr. is back in the doghouse after missing practice time to clear up some academic issues.

Seniors Jason Allen, Parys Haralson, Rick Clausen, Jesse Mahelona and Cody Douglas and junior Rob Smith have been voted as captains by their teammates. (VolQuest.com)

ARKANSAS: Tailback Peyton Hillis, who is usually a fullback, was the offensive star in Thursday’s first scrimmage. He carried three times for 41 yards. Hillis had 240 yards on 63 carries and six scores last season. He also caught 12 passes for 97 yards. Hillis and Kyle Dickerson have been the only two healthy backs this spring. Lineman Matt Gilbow went down with a knee injury Tuesday. He is one of many linemen to suffer injuries this spring. Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring had come up with the idea of putting players in pink jerseys if they have more than six loafs in a practice. However, it was stopped after the move generated some bad publicity. The Hogs defense held the offense to 192 total yards in Saturday’s scrimmage. Coach Houston Nutt has been pleased with the receivers all spring. He has been particularly been impressed with sophomore wideout Marcus Monk and junior receiver Cedric Washington. Zach Snider and Desmond Sims have been moved from linebacker to defensive end with good results. (Hawgsports.com)

FLORIDA STATE: In Wednesday’s mini-scrimmage, quarterback Xavier Lee completed 4-of- 5 passes for 48 yards and Drew Weatherford was 4-of- 8 for 45 yards. Tailback Lamar Lewis ran for 36 yards on three carries, but later hurt his shoulder. Walk-on receiver Chase Walker has had two straight multiple catch scrimmages. As usual, defensive end Kamerion Wimbey and noseguard Clifton Dickson constantly pressured the quarterback. FSU has struggled at center with Dumaka Atkins (shoulder), David Castillo (finger) and John Frady (finger) all out at various times. Greg Carr, who is 6-foot-6, has been impressive. Receiver De’Cody Fagg went out with an ankle injury.

The defense has pitched two straight shutouts after last Saturday’s scrimmage. Eight sacks were recorded by the defense. Quarterback Wyatt Sexton was 7-of-13 for 104 yards. Weatherford was 7-of-8 for 64 yards. Lewis gained 89 yards on 18 carries. Receiver Chris Davis has five catches for 90 yards. Buster Davis, a linebacker, led the defense with seven tackles. Linebacker Ernie Sims has a fractured fibula in his right ankle. He will have surgery this week. Senior Willie Reid has had a disappointing spring due to an ankle injury. (Warchant.com)

CLEMSON: In Saturday’s scrimmage, receivers La’Donte Harris, a sophomore, and Andrew Diomande, a redshirt freshman, stepped up. Junior defensive end Gaines Adams has played well throughout the spring. (TigerIllustrated.com)

MIAMI-Defensive end Javon Nanton had his shoulder scoped and offensive guard Derrick Morse had surgery on his broken finger this week. The Saturday is the annual spring game. In last Saturday’s scrimmage, the defense kept the quarterbacks on the run. Two of the big plays from the scrimmage were a 70-yard pass by receiver Ryan Moore and a 50-yard run by tailback Derron Thomas. Part of the reason for the offense’s ineptitude is the loss of Eric Winston, Greg Olsen and Tony Tella on the offensive line. The receivers have also been unable to get open down the field on a consistent basis. Both quarterbacks can run, but they struggle in throwing the ball away. Kyle Wright is slightly ahead of Kirby Freeman going into this weekend. The offensive line has been the most disappointing unit. The center position has been a revolving door with freshman Tyrone Byrd getting a lot of reps. Linebacker Willie Williams is back on the field despite a bruised shoulder. Linebacker Leon Williams has made great strides as a playmaker. Tight end Buck Ortega has a wrap around his ankle. Receiver Lance Leggett has a fracture in the top of his foot. He will be out for three to four weeks in a cast. (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.