Coach Urban Meyer said he was concerned that the Tennessee defensive line outweighs the Gator offensive line by 30-40 pounds per man (333 pounds to312). Defensive back Vernell Brown leads the Gators in solo tackles after two games with 11. Florida has allowed no touchdowns in the first half this season. Tennessee has seen little of veer option in the Meyer offense. Can Meyer’s offense be successful against a team with superior athletes and speed at every position? Tennessee coaches have said the pass rush has to be disciplined against the Florida offense. Florida has not beaten Tennessee in Gainesville since 1999. It has been over 30 years since a team has won in Gainesville three straight times. Sophomore right guard Drew Miller has struggled in the first two games. This is a big recruiting weekend with players such as Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin and Jamar Hornsby visiting. The Gators have watched film of last year’s Notre Dame-Tennessee game where the Irish limited Tennessee to 58 yards rushing. Gator defensive line coach, Greg Mattison was the Irish defensive line coach last season. (Gatorbait.net)

TENNESSEE: In the Florida-Tennessee series, the team that has the most rushing yardage has won the game 13 of 15 times. Tennessee has outrushed the Gators 381 yards to 109 in the past two games in Gainesville. Redshirt freshman Jerod Mayo could replace instead of injured senior Jason Mitchell at the weakside linebacker position. Part of the reason for the Vols poor offensive performance against UAB was the play of the guards, especially redshirt freshman Ramon Foster. Lineman Cody Douglas also blamed himself for the offensive being average. Richie Gandy is back at center with Rob Smith going back to guard. Smith is Tennessee’s best guard. David Yancey is the No. 2 tailback behind Gerald Riggs. Tennessee’s secondary is suspect against the Gator passing attack, especially at safety. There is also a chance that freshman Demetrice Morley could start at safety ahead of Antwan Stewart. Tennessee officials announced a renewal of the series with North Carolina in 2011 and 2012. The two teams met annually from 1945-1961. (VolQuest.com and the Tennessean)

ALABAMA AT SOUTH CAROLINA: In Alabama’s comeback win over Southern Miss, quarterback Brodie Croyle threw for a career-high 330 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw a costly pick that was returned for a touchdown. Alabama scored the first 10 points, USM the next 21 and Alabama the final 20. Tailback Ken Darby rushed for 79 yards on 22 carries. Freshmen Glen Coffee (concussion) and Jimmy Johns (shoulder injury) left the game with injuries. They are able to play against USC. The offensive line struggled with Chris Capps’ inexperience and freshman Marlon Davis’ injury. Receivers D J Hall (130 yards) and Tyrone Prothro (134 yards) had great nights. Prothro’s catch at the end of the half will be the best all season. His 279 all-purpose yards was the sixth best mark in Tide history. Defensive end Mark Anderson had six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. Defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry’s shoe string tackle of USM tailback Larry Thomas saved a touchdown with the Tide down, 21-10. Alabama’s defense allows 21 yards per game rushing (No. 2 behind UTEP) and USC averages only 37 yards per game rushing (No. 111 nationally). The Alabama pass defense is No. 22 nationally, allowing 156 yards per game. USC averages 283 yards per game passing (No. 22 nationally). South Carolina has won the past two games in the series. In games decided by 8 points or less, the Tide is 0-9 under Shula. (Bamaonline and AOL.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks failed on an extra-point and a two-point conversion in the two-point loss to Georgia. Quarterback Blake Mitchell, who was 22-of-34 for 236 yards with two picks, hit Sidney Rice for a score with 6:52 left in the game to pull with a couple of points. Rice caught five passes for 62 yards. USC still struggled to run the ball with 43 yards on 23 carries. The Gamecock defense allowed Georgia to convert a 3rd-and-22 from the 8-yard line on a 27-yard pass from Bulldog quarterback D. J. Shockley to receiver Bryan McClendon. Georgia kept the ball for another seven plays. Running back Daccus Turman, who returned from suspension, caught seven passes for 30 yards, gained another 22 yards rushing and returned two kickoffs for 25 yards. Starting tight end Andy Boyd is out for 2-4 weeks. Kickers Josh Brown and Ryan Succop have struggled at times. (Gamecockcentral.com)

LOUISIANA-MONROE AT GEORGIA: In the win over USC, Shockley was 8- of- 17 for 112 yards with two picks. The Dawgs picked up 238 yards on 49 rushes. Tailback Thomas Brown had 144 yards on 20 carries. Defensively, the Dawgs intercepted two passes and held USC to one offensive touchdown. Georgia held South Carolina to only 43 yards rushing. Punter Gordon-Ely-Kelso averaged 45 yards per punt. Defensive lineman Charles Johnson had two sacks against South Carolina. Georgia has six interceptions already in 2005 compared to five the entire 2004 season.

Since UCF pulled out of Georgia’s 2006 opener, Bulldog officials have yet to find an opponent. Brown may miss the game because of a slightly separated shoulder. His absence means more playing time for No. 3 tailback Kregg Lumpkin. Linebacker Jarvis Jackson is out after surgery on his thumb that he injured in the South Carolina game. Jackson should be back for the Tennessee game on Oct. 8. Danny Verdun Wheeler will be moved to the weakside linebacker position to take Jackson’s place. The Sept. 24 game at Mississippi State has been selected by ESPN2 for a 9:00 eastern kickoff. ULM, coached by Charlie Weatherbie, has been shut out for the past six quarters and allowed 65 points. ULM lost to Wyoming 38-0 last week. They return eight defensive starters. Quarterback Steven Jyles was the Sun Belt Conference total offensive champion last year. (UGASports.com)

LSU: The Tigers rallied with 1:13 left in the game as quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was 19-of-26 for 232 yards threw a 39-yard scoring pass to Early Doucet on 4th-and-10 for the winning score against Arizona State. Sun Devil quarterback Sam Keller threw for 461 yards on 35-of-56 passing. Keller was not sacked once. Arizona State gained 560 total yards. Defensive lineman Claude Wroten blocked a 47-yard field goal and cornerback Mario Stevenson grabbed it and went 55-yards for a score to pull LSU within three points. On the next series, defensive back Craig Steltz picked up a muffed punt and returned it 26 yards for a three- point lead. Tiger senior receiver Dwayne Bowe did not play because of an unknown injury and receiver Craig Davis missed half the game due to injuries. The LSU-North Texas game has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29, in Tiger Stadium. The original Sept. 3 game was postponed because of Hurricane Katrina damage. (Tigerbait.com and the advocate.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. TULANE IN SHREVEPORT: The Bulldogs have played two games compared to none for Tulane. Tailback Jerious Norwood bruised his left shoulder against Auburn. State had eight penalties including seven in the first half. The Green Wave will play their games in Shreveport and live on the Louisiana Tech campus. This is the first game back for Tulane quarterback Lester Ricard after missing the second half of last year with an injury. (Bulldogblitz.com)

OLE MISS AT VANDERBILT: The Commodores are 2-0 after stunning Arkansas when quarterback Jay Cutler hit receiver Marlon White on a 6-yard scoring pass with only 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Cutler leads the SEC with 321 yards of offense per game. Vandy is 2-0 for the first time in 17 years. The Commodores have won two consecutive road games for the first time since 1999. The Vandy defense forced three turnovers. Vandy is trying to win its first two SEC games for the first time since 1957. The Commodores allow 225 yards rushing per game.

OLE MISS: The Rebels were off last week after beating Memphis Labor Day. The kicking game has been inconsistent. The Ole Miss coaching staff wants to improve on the running game that gained only 55 yards in the opener. Junior running back Alan Abrams and freshman offensive lineman Michael Oher helped the rushing attack. Oher, a freshman, is set to start Saturday. He is the first freshman to start since Terrence Metcalf in 1997. The Rebels are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2002. The average margin of victory between the two teams in the last six meetings has been 5 points, with two games going to overtime. Robert Ramirez (6-3, 275), an offensive lineman from Houston North Shore in Texas, is commitment No. 15. (RebelGrove.com)

ARKANSAS AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: In the loss to Vandy, Hog quarteback Robert Johnson was 17- of- 28 for 186 yards and two scores. Tailback De’Arrius Howard ran for 125 yards on 19 carries. Southern Cal was off last week. Their only game has been a rout of Hawaii. Arkansas is a 30-point underdog to USC. The No 1 offense went against the No. 1 defense in practice this week instead of the scout team. Arkansas has a tough task dealing with Trojan receiver Dwayne Jarrett and tailback Reggie Bush. Arkansas is a taking a “nothing to lose” sentiment toward the game. Freshman linebacker Freddie Fairchild will start at linebacker in place of injured senior Pierre Brown (stretched ligament). Right guard Zac Tubbs, who is recovering from a high ankle-sprain, received some snaps for the first time in over a month. Former Miami and Cleveland Brown coach Butch Davis has re-located to northwest Arkansas, which has fueled many rumors. USC travels to Oregon next week. (Hawgsports.com)

BALL STATE AT AUBURN: Tiger quarterback Brandon Cox threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the shutout of Mississippi State. Auburn gained 118 yards on 41 carries (2.9 ypc). In two games, the Tigers are averaging 84 yards per game. The Tiger defense limited State to only 207 total yards and 10 first downs. Six Tigers were credited with sacks. Auburn cut down its penalties from 11- to- 1. Freshman defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks and sophomore noseguard Tez Doolittle played against Mississippi State. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Pat Sims has left the team. Freshman Andrew McCain moved from tight end to defensive tackle and played well against the Bulldogs. Senior nose tackle T J Jackson had four tackles, two solos and a quarterback hurry. Running back Tre Smith (strained knee), offensive lineman Marcus McNeil (knee) and defensive end Stanley McClover (ankle). Ball State has lost to Iowa and Bowling Green. They have given up 96 points in the process. Ball State has allowed 628 passing yards in two games. (Auburnsports.com)

KENTUCKY AT INDIANA: Wildcat running back Rafael Little returned a kickoff 99 yards for the winning points against Idaho State. He also ran for 104 yards. Idaho State took the lead by a point with 5:06 remaining in the game before Little’s return. Receiver Keenan Burton, who had a 93-yard kickoff return and 192 total yards, broke his foot in the game. Safety Marcus McClinton is out with a dislocated kneecap and torn ligament, receiver Tommy Cook is out for month with a dislocated kneecap and defensive end B. Jay Parsons is out with a sprained ankle. Indiana is 2-0 with wins over Central Michigan and Nicholls State. Kentucky has won the last three games in the series. The Hoosiers are No. 115 in run defense. Indiana is allowing 294 yards per game rushing. (CatsPause.com)

FLORIDA STATE AT BOSTON COLLEGE: The Seminoles rallied from a 10-3 deficit to beat The Citadel 62-10. Quarterback Drew Weatherford, who completed 26- of -37 for 342 yards, is the starting quarterback against Boston College. Still, Weatherford lost two fumbles and threw a pick against The Citadel. Quarterback Xavier Lee, who was 5- of- 8 for 143 yards, threw an interception. Lee leads the ACC in pass efficiency. Receiver Chris Davis caught 9 passes for 125 yards. De’Cody Fagg caught 7 passes for 113 yards and Greg Carr caught three passes for 104 yards. The Noles ran the ball for 144 yards on 32 carries. Tailback Lorenzo Booker led the team in rushing with 53 yards on four rushes. The defense held The Citadel to less than 100 yards and five first downs. Punter Chris Hall averaged 50 yards per punt. Receiver Patrick Harrington blocked a punt in the game. Wolfson product Rod Owens, a freshman receiver, caught a touchdown pass and added a 23-yard catch. Freshman receiver Fred Rouse nearly returned more than one punt for a score. He also had a 54-yard catch. Rouse will see more time in punt returns. Freshman linebacker Derek Nicholson made a team-high 13 tackles.

Seminole redshirt freshman defensive back Tony Carter has allowed a total of three passing yards in two games. Defensive lineman Andre Fluellen is expected to start against BC after injuring his left bicep in practice last week. Starting center David Castillo is out after having foot surgery. He has had seven surgeries. Sophomore John Frady will get the start. Defensive back Jamie Robinson and defensive tackle Kendrick Stewart are expected to redshirt. Stewart is a surprise considering the lack of depth on the defensive line. Defensive end Everett Brown is also redshirting. FSU is second in the nation in sacks with 11, trailing only Nebraska with 16. (Warchant.com)

BOSTON COLLEGE: The Eagles beat Army 44-7. Quarterback Quinton Porter was 15- of- 20 for 206 yards and two scores. He completes a high percentage of passes (42 of 55 for 76%) and doesn’t throw interceptions (0 on the season). BC has outscored its opponents 40-7 in the first half this season. The Eagle defense held Army to barely 50% passing and only 157 yards. BC and FSU have allowed only 10 points in two games. B C’s Alumni Stadium seats only 44,500 fans. Even some of the BC players said at ACC Media Days that their fans were not very loud. BC returns all five starters (6-6, 316 avg.) on the offensive line from last season. (EagleAction.com)

MIAMI AT CLEMSON: The Tigers scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarters to beat Maryland. Freshman tailback James Davis gained 82 yards on 26 carries. He is averaging 91 yards per game rushing. Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst was 18- of- 22 for 178 yards. It was the eighth time in 13 games that the Tigers have been involved in a game decided by a touchdown or less and Clemson has won six of those games. Clemson has committed no turnovers this season. They are plus-four in turnover ratio. The inexperienced defensive line has held its own in the first two games. Clemson has won seven of its last eight games and are 12-1 in its last 13 home games. Former tailback Duane Coleman is making the transition to cornerback. (TigerIllustrated.com and The State)

MIAMI: Cane tailback Tyrone Moss may not play due to a lower leg bruise. Backups Charlie Jones and Derron Thomas have split reps in practice. The loss of safety Anthony Reddick in the secondary has caused some shifting. Freshman defensive back Kenny Phillips has seen more playing time. Miami is 20-5 in its last 25 games against AP-ranked opponents. Miami has not lost consecutive games since 1978 under Lou Saban. Last year, Clemson won in overtime. (Canesport.com)

WEST VIRGINIA AT MARYLAND: Receiver Vernon Davis gained 140 yards on six catches in the loss to Clemson. The Terp rushing attack gained only 56 yards. Running back Mario Merrills, who had nearly 150 yards in the opening win against Maryland, was held to only 21 yards on 15 carries. Quarterback Sam Hollenbach was 18- of- 28 for 288 yards. In two games, Hollenbach has completed 64% of his passes for 505 yards and three scores. Maryland has 72 sophomores and freshmen. Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson leads the ACC and is second nationally in tackles per game with 17. Maryland has won three straight at home and four of five at Byrd Stadium. (TerpTimes.com)

UCONN AT GEORGIA TECH: The Yellow Jackets beat UNC 27-21. Quarterback Reggie Ball was 24- of- 47 for 320 yards and two scores. He also ran for a 9-yard score. Wide out Darius Bilbo caught 8 passes for 131 yards. Receiver Calvin Johnson caught 6 for 114 yards. Tech is tied with UAB with seven interceptions. The Jackets are second in the nation in turnover margin. Tailback P. J. Daniels has run for over 100 yards in three straight games. Last year, Tech won 30-10 in Atlanta. (Jacketsonline.com)

WISCONSIN AT NORTH CAROLINA: Quarterback Matt Baker ran for one score and threw for two others in the loss to Georgia Tech. Baker was 18- of- 39 for 280 yards and three picks.

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