ALABAMA: The Tide has its first scrimmage Monday afternoon. Quarterback Brodie Croyle was 13-of-20 for 266 yards and five scores. Croyle started 0-for-5. Tailback Ken Darby ran for 40 yards on six carries. Freshmen tailbacks Glen Coffee (53 yards on 10 carries) and Roy Upchurch (22 yards on five carries) had their moments. Receiver D J Hall caught three passes for 107 yards including a 68-yard touchdown. Reserve quarterback John Parker Wilson was 10-of-19 for 143 yards and no scores. Quarterback Marc Guillon was 5-of-8 for 20 yards. Tailback Theo Townsend led all rushers with 80 yards on six carries. Receiver Keith Brown has a concussion and was held out of play over the weekend. Quarterback signee Jimmy Barnes (mono) had few snaps in Monday’s scrimmage. Cornerback Eric Gray has a hamstring injury. Freshman kicker C J Rhody has left the team. Redshirt freshman Will Oakley is recovering from a left knee strain after beating cornerback Simeon Castille on a first down catch. The Tide offensive linemen have several minor injuries: redshirt freshman left guard Antoine Caldwell (ankle), left tackle Cody Davis (hamstring), and Taylor Britt (lower back bruise). Sophomore defensive tackle Justin Britt is having an impressive camp. Britt has been getting most of the snaps in place of Jeremy Clark. Starting defensive end Mark Anderson, who had surgery for a torn meniscus this summer, is back at practice and should be able to play in the opener. Redshirt offensive lineman B J Stabler had his knee scoped and is expected to be our 3-4 weeks. Freshman Marlon Davis is working in his place. Freshman quarterback Jimmy Johns is getting a look at returning kicks. He also asked for and received a switch to running back. (Bamaonline.com and Al.com)

FLORIDA: In Tuesday mornings scrimmage, the defense manhandled the offense. Part of the problem was the absence of center Mike Degory (time off) and left tackle Randy Hand (knee). Receivers Bubba Caldwell and Dallas Baker had productive weekend practices. Offensive lineman Randy Hand is out with a knee injury. Tavares Washington has temporarily replaced him. Safety Reggie Nelson has shown he will have an early impact. Skyler Thornton and DeShawn Wynn are battling at tailback. Junior Chris Hetland is ahead of kicker Matt Leach. The first two games will be pay-per-view television. Georgia Tech transfer, Pat Carter, has not shown up at practice the past few days. Meyer expects Dee Webb to replace Vernell Brown as the punt returner and Caldwell will continue to be the kickoff returner. Webb has been out with a viral infection and dehydration. Walk-on receiver John Curtis, a redshirt freshman, could be out for the season with a serious knee injury. Jon Demps and Ryan Stamper are ahead of the other freshmen linebackers. Freshman Eddie Haupt will not play this season because of a bulging disk in his back. (Gatorbait.net and Gainesville Sun)

ARKANSAS: Freshman running backs Michael Smith (hamstring) and Darren McFadden (sprained knee) are nursing injuries. Right tackle Zac Tubbs had a high ankle sprain in the first scrimmage. Sophomore quarterback Robert Johnson could be nudging ahead in the quarterback battle. Coach Houston Nutt praised the play of receivers Marcus Monk, Cedric Logan, Cedric Washington and Chris Baker. Mitch Mustain (6-3, 190), a quarterback from Springdale, Ark., has committed to the Razorbacks. Mustain, who had nearly 30 offers, is the second rated quarterback in the nation according to Rivals.com. Andrew Norman (6-2, 175), a receiver on the same team, also committed to Arkansas. Springdale tight end Ben Cleveland previously committed to Florida. (Hawgsports.com)

GEORGIA: In Saturday’s situational scrimmage, the first team offense was the highlight with tailback Thomas Brown running for an 80-yard score on the first play. Some of the highlights were cornerback Paul Brown making a touchdown saving pick, quarterback D J Shockley throwing a two-point conversion to tight end Leonard Pope and reserve quarterback Joe Tereshinki scoring on a short run. Receiver A J Bryant (separated shoulder) is expected to return for the South Carolina game. Tony Milton has made the most of his chance at fullback. He is battling redshirt freshman Brannan Southerland for the starting spot. Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez is emphasizing more interceptions for his unit. Last season, the defense had only five picks, the lowest since 1948. Freshman defensive back Bryan Evans has been promoted to second team kickoff returns ahead of tailback Danny Ware. Kregg Lumpkin, who missed all of 2004 with a torn ACL, is back at practice. Richt said Brown and Ware have been dominating. Brown had 100 yard receiving Wednesday. The receiving corps was so thin Wednesday that Tereshinski ran routes just to have enough bodies. Freshman linebacker Marcus Washington recovered a fumble and scored a touchdown in Wednesday’s scrimmage. The defense dominated the offense. (UGASports.com)

KENTUCKY: Tailback Tony Dixon broke his ankle in a Saturday scrimmage. Dixon rushed for 224 yards last year. He will redshirt this season. (CatsPause.com)

LSU: Tailback Alley Broussard sustained a knee injury in Saturday’s scrimmage that will put him out for the season. Justin Vincent, Joseph Addai and Shyrone Carey will have to step up. Broussard ran for 250 yard against Ole Miss. Receiver Amp Hill has left the team after not showing up at practice on consecutive days. Hill was third on the depth chart at one receiver position behind Dwayne Bowe and Early Doucet. (TigerBait.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA: In Tuesday’s scrimmage, Blake Mitchell completed 12-of-18 passes for 146 yards and one score. Antonio Heffner and Cade Thompson’s number paled in comparison. Receiver Kris Clark who caught two passes for 38 yards drew praise from Coach Steve Spurrier for being the star receiver thus far. Close to13, 000 fans watched Saturday’s scrimmage. The offense scored four times against the defense. Quarterback Blake Mitchell was 12-of-17 for 114 yards. Freshman tailback Bobby Wallace was the leading rusher with eight carries for 23 yards. Syvelle Newton led the receivers with four catches for 86 yards. Spurrier said the offensive line was slow and did a poor job opening holes for the runners. Freshmen tailbacks Mike Davis and Wallace are the top two backs. Reserve freshman tailback Taylor Rank has been hindered by a concussion. Rising junior Jimmy Clausen, the brother of Casey and Rick, made an unofficial visit to practice Sunday night. Clausen could be the top quarterback recruit in 2007. Clausen also visited Tennessee on Monday. Spurrier was so distraught with the offensive line Monday night that he stopped the passing attack and only ran the football. Receiver Noah Whiteside is nearly recovered from his severe ankle injury. Guard Freddy Saint-Preux is working with the starting offensive line after nearly being declared ineligible. (Gamecockcentral.com and The State)

TENNESSEE: Center David Ligon went down early in Saturday’s scrimmage with a high ankle sprain. Richie Gandy, who is battling him, is struggling with knee problems. Guards Rob Smith and Cody Douglas are working at center on an emergency basis. Quarterback Rick Clausen was 10-of-13 for 159 yards and Erik Ainge was 11-of-17 for 129 yards, both throwing against the two and third team defenses. Freshman receiver Lucas Taylor had a 69-yard scoring reception. The defense shut down the rushing attack. Receiver Bret Smith had six catches for 111 yards and two scores. Josh Briscoe had six catches for 99 yards. Freshman Demetrice Morley led the team with five tackles in the scrimmage. Fulmer said Morley and Antonio Wardlow will get a chance to play on the second team. Jonathan Wade has surpassed Roshaun Fellows for the second starting cornerback position. (VolQuest.com)

OLE MISS: In Wednesday’s scrimmage, quarterback Micheal Spurlock was 10-of-11 for 102 yards. Brandon Jacobs (17 carries for 71 yards) and Jamal Pittman (15 carries for 60 yards) were the leading rushers. The Rebels had a situational scrimmage Saturday. The defense controlled the offense. Spurlock and Robert Lane took snaps with the first team. Lane and Ethan Flatt have closed the gap on Spurlock although Spurlock has been at the helm of the first team for most of the week. Sophomore Garry Pack had moved ahead of sophomore Dontae Reed at strongside linebacker. Linebacker Patrick Willis intercepted a pass in three straight days of practice. Redshirt freshman defensive back Terrell Jackson made two big hits in Saturday’s scrimmage. Junior kicker Will Moseley is kicking field goals and punting. He was the leading kicker, by far, in Saturday’s scrimmage. Redshirt freshman Mico McSwain has switched from safety to tailback with some success. Freshman linebacker Dustin Forston is the fourth freshman to leave the team before the first game. Eight members of the February signing class either have been dismissed for disciplinary reasons, quit or failed to meet academic requirements. Coach Ed Orgeron said some of the reason for the departures includes players not adapting well to college or failed recruiting gambles. (Clarion-Ledger and RebelGrove.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: The quarterbacks were 9-of-33 for 110 yards in the first scrimmage. Starting quarterback Omarr Conner missed on all of his eight pass attempts. In all, the offense ran 75 plays for 175 yards. Running back Jerious Norwood is rehabbing a minor knee sprain. Sophomore Jonathan Lowe and redshirt freshman Demarcus Johnson are competing for the backup role. The offensive line has been decimated with injuries. The latest is junior James Redmond, who was vying for the starting tackle slot. (Bulldogblitz.com and Clarion-Ledger)

CLEMSON: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst was 14- of- 21 for 140 yards and two scores in Saturday’s scrimmage. He did not throw an interception. Backup quarterback Will Proctor threw two more scores. Receiver Chansi Stuckey caught five passes for 52 yards and two scores. Receiver Kelvin Grant caught four passes for 78 yards. Reserve quarterback Will Proctor was 7 of 13 for 156 yards and two scores. Although the offense has improved over its performance last season (No. 110 nationally), the defense is struggling with seven players at new positions. Redshirt sophomore Chris McDuffie moved from defensive tackle to offensive tackle. Receiver Kelvin Grant, who is out with a separated shoulder, is hoping to return for the opener against Texas A & M. Grant, the second leading returning receiver, is battling Aaron Kelly for the “X”position in the three-receiver formations. (TigerIllustrated.com and The State)

GEORGIA TECH: Redshirt juniors Michael Matthews and George Cooper are battling to be the top two tight ends. Freshman Colin Peek has moved up to the third position. Left guard Matt Rhodes will miss a week of practice with an undisclosed injury. Byron Ingram (6-5, 178), a quarterback from Stone Mountain (Ga.), has committed to the Yellow Jackets. Mounting injuries have impeded the progress of the offensive line. Starting guards Matt Rhodes and Nate McManus are not due back until next week. (JacketsOnline.com)

MIAMI: The Canes had a 60-play Saturday scrimmage. Reserve quarterback Kirby Freeman threw a 49-yard pass to receiver Lance Leggett and a 62-yard scoring pass to wide out Akieem Jolla. Defensive back Kelly Jennings returned a touchdown for a score. Defensive lineman Bryan Pata had two sacks. Quarterback Kyle Wright was 5 –of-10 for 60 yards and a pick. Freeman was 2-of-7 for 111 yards. Tailback Tyrone Moss led the team in rushing with four carries for 25 yards. Defensive backs Bruce Johnson, Randy Phillips and Kenny Phillips played well in the scrimmage. Offensive guard Derrick Morse injured his shoulder in Friday’s workouts. Coach Larry Coker and the school have agreed to a new five-year deal that puts him among the highest paid coaches in the ACC. He will be close to $2 million per year if incentives are met. FSU’s Bobby Bowden and Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer also make around the same money. Cornerback Devin Hester is out for several days with turf toe. With Hester out, freshman cornerbacks Randy Phillips and Bruce Johnson will see more reps. Coker compared tailback Derron Thomas’ speed to Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee. (Canesport.com)

FLORIDA STATE: In Wednesday’s first scrimmage, both Drew Weatherford (12-of-20 for 90 yards) and Xavier Lee (2-of-17 for –1) were limited to 89 yards passing on 37 attempts. The defense recorded 10 tackles-for-loss. Tailbacks Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker averaged 4.7 yards per run. Offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden praised the play of receiver Greg Carr and freshman running back Antone Smith (speed and toughness inside the tackles) over the weekend. Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said his unit is not very mentally tough after the first day in pads. Freshman defensive tackle Emmanuel Dunbar (back) and receiver Fred Rouse (ankle/foot) were nicked up after Saturday’s practice. Rouse returned to practice on Monday. Freshman linebacker Geno Hayes sent tight end Matt Root backwards on one hit. Freshman Neefy Moffett has been moved from linebacker to defensive end to bolster the numbers there. Redshirt freshman Tony Carter is the first team cornerback on the field side. Sophomore Roger Williams is the No. 1 free safety ahead of Pat Watkins. He had a hit on receiver Kenny O’Neal that caused the speedy wide out to need assistance getting off the field. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley has been allowed to return to practice after he cleared up some academic issues. He will not be officially cleared until grades are posted Wednesday. Bunkley is the only returning starter on the defensive line. FSU will probably be underdogs at home for just the fourth time in 18 years in the opener against Miami. Miami is an early three-point favorite. The last time the Noles were underdogs at home was against Miami in 2001. The Canes won 49-27. Former Nole quarterback Chris Rix, who recently married, will be working with Fox Sports Radio as a college football analyst and he will cover high school games on television this season for a Fox affiliate in Southern California. (Warchant.com and Tallahassee Democrat)

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