ESPN GameDay decided to go to USC at Arizona State instead of Florida at Alabama. Alabama receivers have struggled with physical, man coverage against Arkansas and expect to see the same Saturday. The Tide is 19-14 in Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2000. Alabama has never beaten a top five team in Bryant-Denny going 0-5. Castille and Gator receiver Chad Jackson know each other well from their days in Birmingham. Cornerback Anthony Madison has been bothered by an ankle injury but he is expected to play. (BOL.com and Al.com)

FLORIDA: Quarterback Chris Leak, who was 25- of -32 for 319 yards and four scores, led the offense on seven straight scoring possessions in the win over Kentucky. Leak leads the SEC completing 70% of his throws. Leak has thrown 114 straight passes without an interception. Redshirt freshman Jim Tartt played at left guard. Offensive lineman Tavares Washington is expected back this week. Jackson caught 9 passes for 105 yards. Receiver Jemalle Cornelius caught 8 passes for 138 yards. Quarterback Josh Portis led the team in rushing with 59 yards on eight carries. This is the second time in four games he has led the team in rushing. Meyer singled out center Mike Degory, Leak, Cornelius, linebacker Earl Everett (2 picks), defensive backs Vernell Brown and Dee Webb and defensive lineman Marcus Thomas for their play. Degory was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week. In the first half, Florida outgained Kentucky 437 yards to 69. Nick Fleming replaced Eric Wilbur on kickoffs. Freshman receivers Nyan Boateng and Louis Murphy saw their first action. Florida has allowed 14 sacks this season, last in the league. The Gators will see similar athleticism at linebacker and defensive back as they did against Tennessee. Alabama is expected to run a lot of 3-3-5, similar to Tennessee. Alabama’s defense is ranked No. 7 in the nation allowing 232 yards per game and Florida is rated No. 5 yielding 223 yards per game. (Gatorbait.net and Gainesville Sun)

OLE MISS AT TENNESSEE: In the loss to Wyoming, the Rebels stopped running too soon, forced passes and turned the ball over four times with three picks and one fumble. Redshirt freshman Mico McSwain leads the Rebels in rushing with 19 carries for 225 yards. He had touchdown runs of more than 50 yards (60-yard touchdown run against Wyoming) in consecutive games. Quarterback Micheal Spurlock played in the second half after Robert Lane was ineffective. The Rebels had 10 first downs and 22 minutes of possession time. Defensive end Corvelli Haynes has two sacks in two games. Receiver Mike Espy had 67 yards on two catches. Wyoming quarterback Corey Bramlett threw for 220 yards and two scores on 17- of -33 passing. More than 10 Rebel freshmen saw action against Wyoming. Ole Miss needs to improve on allowing 168 yards per game on the ground. Coach Ed Orgeron has reshuffled the offensive line this week. Darryl Harris who started at center was moved to guard. Reserve lineman Tony Bonds takes over at center. Strong safety Jamarca Sanford (knee) and receiver Mario Hill (hamstring) are questionable. Linebacker Patrick Willis is out indefinitely. Orgeron is hoping some of the 15 seniors start showing more leadership. The offense has generated more turnovers (7) than touchdowns (5). The defense has allowed 372 yards and five rushing touchdowns in the last two games. (RebelGrove.com and Clarion-Ledger)

TENNESSEE: Vol quarterback Rick Clausen admitted that he considered leaving the team after Erick Ainge was selected as the starting quarterback. Clausen was the SEC Offensive Player- of- the- Week for completing 21- of- 32 for 197 yards and a touchdown. He was 18- for- 28 in the second half for 180 yards. The Vols gained 230 yards and 30 points after halftime. Coach Phil Fulmer and several players said Clausen brings calm to the team that is much needed. Jonathan Wade will get a chance to start at cornerback taking over for Roshaun Fellows after he missed tackles. Offensive lineman Aaron Sears played 85 snaps in the game and played every position except center. Defensive linemen Jesse Mahelona and Justin Harrell were nearly unblockable against LSU. Tennessee held LSU to only 56 yard in the second half and 256 for the game. They also had eight tackles for loss and three takeaways. Fulmer gave a game ball to strength and conditioning coach Johnny Long. Tennessee has not had to give any IV’s this season. LSU had to give four players IV’s in the game. Vol coaches are hoping to get center Richie Gandy (knee) back. Defensive tackle Turk McBride is doubtful with an ankle injury. The Tennessee-LSU game was the highest watched game in ESPN2’s history with a 3.1 rating. Tennessee has won 11 straight in the series. (Volquest.com and Tennessean.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA AT AUBURN: Quarterback Blake Mitchell suffered a high ankle sprain in the win over Troy. Mitchell was sacked four times. He was 11- of -14 for 177 yards and two scores. His sprain is not on his plant foot, which is his right one. Antonio Heffner, who was 6- of -9 for 91 yards, is replacing him. Heffner also ran seven times for 45 yards. Receiver Sidney Rice leads the team with 15 catches (for 235 yards) in three games. Freshman tailback Mike Davis had 78 yards on 19 carries. The Gamecocks ran for over 100 yards for the first time during Coach Steve Spurrier’s reign. The defense allowed Troy to run for 137 yards on 40 carries. USC’s defense forced five turnovers and scored 28 points. Freshman defensive end Dakota Walker got his first sack. Tim Frisby, a 40-year-old walk-on receiver, caught a 9-yard pass. USC’s pass protection was poor against Troy. This is the first time the two teams have played since 1997. (Gamecockcentral.com)

AUBURN: The Tigers beat Western Kentucky with Blake Field (13- of- 20 for 200 yards and three scores) making his first start after starting quarterback Brandon Cox was held out with stomach flu. Defensive end Stanley McClover and noseguard Josh Thompson are back from injuries. McClover only played one play last Saturday. Receiver Courtney Taylor should also be back after injuring an ankle against Ball State. Redshirt freshman tight end Charles Mullen has given up football. Tailback Brad Lester rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries, ran a screen pass for a 38-yard score and returned a kickoff 45 yards which set up another score. Defensive end Marquies Gunn had two quarterback hurries, two knock-downs, two tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack. Starting Tiger tailback Kenny Irons is a South Carolina transfer. Auburn senior linebacker Travis Williams is from Columbia, S.C. Auburn’s defense has not allowed a point in the first half of last three games. They are No. 10 nationally in scoring defense allowing 10 ppg. The Tigers have 12 sacks in the first four games this season including Gunn with four. Kareem Crowell (6-4, 290), a lineman from Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby, has committed to Auburn. He is the nation’s No. 22 tackle according to Rivals.com. (AuburnSports.com and AOL.com)

MIDDLE TENNESSEE AT VANDERBILT: The Commodores are 4-0 for the first time since 1984. The last winning season for the ‘Dores was 1982. Quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 263 yards on 28 of 40 passing. Cassen Jackson-Garrison rushed for 119 yards on 11 carries, including a 61-yard touchdown. Freshman receiver Earl Bennett had 11 catches for 124 yards. Vandy lost to Middle Tennessee in 2001-02. MTSU is No. 116 in scoring offense averaging around a touchdown per game.

LSU AT MISSISSIPPI STATE: Les Miles is the first Tiger coach since Jerry Stovall to lose his first home game. The Tigers lost their home opener for the first time in 12 seasons. LSU has allowed at least 30 points in its last three games. The last time this happened was 2002. Because of injuries, the Tigers played only five offensive linemen. LSU ran for 84 yards in the first half and less than 50 in the second. LSU had 28 snaps in the second half and gained two yards per play in overtime. LSU has beaten the Bulldogs 12 of the last 13 times they have played. The Tigers are playing two games in six days for the first time since 1973. (Tigerbait.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs held Georgia to only 94 yard rushing by putting more men in the box. However, the Bulldog quarterback D J Shockley threw for over 300 yards. The Bulldog rush defense is allowing only 96 yards per game. Last year, they allowed 190 yards rushing. Tight end Eric Butler has 10 catches and three scores in four games. Defensive end Willie Evans leads the SEC with five sacks and eight tackles-for-loss. (Bulldogblitz.com)

GEORGIA IS OFF: After beating Mississippi State, Georgia is 16-2 under Coach Mark Richt on the road. Georgia gained 406 total yards, but failed to score in the red zone in the second half on four consecutive trips. Shockley threw for a career high 312 yards on 20- of- 33 passing. Georgia is No. 4 in the conference allowing just 260 yards per game. The Bulldogs held State to 254 total yards and just 49 yards rushing. Georgia gained only 94 yards rushing after averaging over 230 per game. Tight end Leonard Pope caught three passes for 55 yards. Freshman receiver Mohamed Massaquoi had four catches for 42 yards. After four games, Georgia is allowing less than 10 points per game. Defensive tackles Kedric Golston (ankle) and Gerald Anderson (concussion) have several days off until the Tennessee game. Freshman Jeff Owens stepped up after Anderson left the game. He had a sack. Georgia is 4-0 for the third time in four seasons. (UGASports.com)

KENTUCKY: Quarterback Andre’ Woodson was only 11- of- 27 for 124 yards in the loss to Florida. He was intercepted after threw a school record 153 passes without a pick. He took a blow to his rib cage early in the game and was not able to throw without pain. Tailback Rafael Little led the team in rushing with 77 yards on 19 carries. (CatsPause.com)

SYRACUSE AT FLORIDA STATE: Center David Castillo will return to action after surgery No. 7. FSU is No. 13 in total defense, while Syracuse is No. 104 in offense. Syracuse has beaten Buffalo and lost to West Virginia and Virginia. Syracuse is No. 6 nationally in pass defense, allowing just 128 yards per game. They have picked off six passes. The Orangemen lead the nation in turnover margin. They only have two turnovers. Senior defensive end Ryan LaCassee has four sacks in three games. The FSU coaches are hoping to get 6-10 plays from Willie Reid. FSU has not allowed a score in the second half this season. Defensive end Anthony Kelly is taking a medical redshirt due to a groin injury that has not healed. Kicker Graham Gano will also likely be redshirted. Chris Hall has punted 17 times and the opposition has 12 yards on returns. (Warchant.com)

CLEMSON AT WAKE FOREST: Against Boston College, the Tigers struggled on third down and did not execute well offensively. Tiger coaches have been criticized for conservative play. Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who was 19- of- 28 for 149 yards, went over 8,000 yards in the game for his career. He is the 12th player in ACC history to do so. Clemson had 10 yards of offense in the first quarter. BC had 84 offensive plays compared to Clemson’s 57. Clemson was 0-for-10 on third down and BC was 9-of-13. Boston College played without quarterback Quinton Porter. In Clemson’s last 15 games, 10 have been decided by a play within the final minute of overtime including four times this season. Clemson was 0- of- 11 on third downs last week against BC. This was the first time Clemson had not converted a third down situation since 1978. The Tigers are not throwing the ball downfield. Clemson allowed three sacks last week. The Tigers have 13 fewer turnovers than last season after four games. Wake Forest tailbacks Micah Andrews (120 ypg) and Chris Barclay (118 ypg) lead the league. Former Wake starting QB Cory Randolph may be move back from receiver after quarterback Ben Mauk has struggled. Wake is No. 111 in passing, No. 91 in scoring and No. 96 in turnover margin. (TigerIllustrated.com)

SOUTH FLORIDA AT MIAMI: The Canes jumped out to a 13-0 lead and won 23-3 against Colorado. The Buffaloes scored their only points on a 58-yard field goal. Miami quarterback Kyle Wright was 20- of- 39 for 264 yards with a scoring pass and no picks. He was not sacked. Tailback Tyrone Moss had 14 rushes for 44 yards. Running back Quad Hill led the team in rushing with 55 yards. Receiver Sinorice Moss caught five passes for 111 yards including a 53-yard scoring play. Miami gained 394 yards. Colorado gained 331 yards. Strong safety Brandon Meriweather had 12 tackles. He is averaging nearly 10 tackles per game. Freshman defensive back Kenny Phillips and linebacker Leon Williams had seven tackles each. Kicker Jon Peattie missed two field goals. Coker said a new holder has made a difference. In 25 plays in the red zone, the offense made 25 yards. Miami had five penalties for 75 yards. Cornerback Randy Phillips suffered a knee sprain in last week’s game. Coker is very concerned about the USF defense and running back Andre Hall. Miami wants to improve on its sacks with only two in three games. Coker also wants to see improved play from middle linebackers Romeo Davis and Williams. Defensive back Marcus Maxey has a sprained ankle, but is expected to play. The Canes will have to stop receiver Amarri Jackson, who ran for two scores and threw for another. (Canesport.com)

VIRGINIA TECH AT WEST VIRGINA: The Hokies has allowed only 7 points in their last three games. They have outscored four teams 161-23. Quarterback Marcus Vick threw for a career high 223 yards and a touchdown. He leads the ACC in quarterback rating. Still, the Hokies are No. 79 in total offense and No. 85 in passing. Special teams and defense accounted for another 21 points. Virginia Tech at one time scored 17 points in 44 seconds. Linebacker Xavier Adibi returned an interception for a score. Georgia Tech was held to 217 yards. Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball was 11- of- 27 for 143 yards and two picks and one score. Yellow Jacket receiver Calvin Johnson caught 5 passes for 123 yards. Two years ago, Tech was again No. 3 nationally and went to WV only to be beaten. The loss started a string of five losses in a seven-game stretch. This is a battle of the No 3 and No. 4 rated defenses. West Virginia has beaten Syracuse, Wofford, Maryland and East Carolina. (HokieHaven.com)

VIRGINIA AT MARYLAND: Maryland LB D’Qwell Jackson No. 2 nationally in tackles per game (14.5). Cavs are 8-15 on road under Coach Al Groh. Virginia has struggled against elite tight ends and Maryland has one of the best in Vernon Davis. Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks could return from a knee injury.

BALL STATE AT BOSTON COLLEGE: The Eagles have held three of its last four opponents to under 100 yards rushing and are No. 2 nationally in rush defense (54 ypg).

UTAH AT NORTH CAROLINA: Tar Heel running back Barrington Edwards ran 25 times for 129 yards in win over N C State. UNC QB Matt Baker leads the ACC in total offense (246 ypg) and is second in passing yards (246). UNC has committed 29 penalties for 252 yards in three games. The Utes beat the Tar Heels, 46-16, last season.

N C STATE: Since the loss of quarterback Philip Rivers, the Wolfpack are 6-8 overall and 3-7 in the ACC. The Wolfpack have lost to UNC twice and six straight conference games. Chuck Amato is 20-22 in the ACC.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FL.
HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM AND SAMSPORTSLINE.COM.
HE CAN BE HEARD AT 6:20 P.M. ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS ON 930 THE FOX IN JACKSONVILLE, FLA.