Punter Eric Wilbur only averaged 39 yards per punt, but he kicked four inside the Georgia 20-yard line. He also ran for a first down on the fake punt. Tight end Tate Casey revived his career with three catches for 21 yards including a touchdown. Casey is practically the only tight end. Safety Kyle Jackson did not play against Georgia. Reggie Nelson did and made an impact with an interception.

Receiver Dallas Baker sprained his ankle. He has missed several days of practice, but he might play. Receiver Chad Jackson’s time has been limited due to tight hamstrings and the fact that Baker is playing better. Jackson has no scoring touchdowns in five games and is averaging only 7.5 ypc. Coach Urban Meyer was pleased with how Wynn and Markus Manson (nine carries for 49 yards) complimented each other. Florida has only four fumbles this season. The Gators are No. 5 nationally in total defense (273 ypg) and No. 7 in scoring defense (15 ppg). Florida and South Carolina are tied for the SEC lead in sacks with 23. Defensive end Jarvis Moss is tied for the lead in sacks with four. Nease High (Fla.) quarterback Tim Tebow has narrowed his choices down to five: Alabama, LSU, Florida, Michigan and Southern Cal. (GatorBait.net)

VANDERBILT: Quarterback Jay Cutler leads the SEC in total offense, passing yards and pass completions. Vandy averages 130 ypg rushing, but the Gators are No. 4 against the rush allowing 106 ypg. During the four game losing streak, Vanderbilt has rushed for over 100 yards only twice. Vandy has only turned the ball over nine times this season. The Commodores have only 10 takeaways compared to Florida’s 22.

GEORGIA: The Bulldogs got off to a slow start when tight end Martrez Milner dropped quarterback Joe Tereshinski’s first pass against Florida. He ended up 8- of- 21 for 100 yards. Receivers dropped three passes .The Bulldogs gained 113 yards and scored their only touchdown in the third quarter. The rushing game gained 33 yards in the first quarter, 38 in the second, and 82 in the third. Tailback Danny Ware gained 77 yards, 68 in the second half. Thomas Brown added 66. The defensive line failed to get much pressure on Leak, who was sacked once. Georgia’s run defense has allowed runners in consecutive games (Darren McFadden of Arkansas and Wynn) to gain over 100 yards. The Bulldogs also struggled on special teams with Brandon Coutu missing two field goals. The Georgia-Auburn game has been selected for a 7:45 pm kickoff on ESPN. Quarterback D J Shockley is back at practice with a knee brace. Since Defensive linemen Gerald Anderson and Kedric Golston have been hurt, teams have taken advantage by running up the middle. Vandy gained 150 yards rushing, Arkansas 216 and Florida 194. (UGASports.com)

ALABAMA: Tailback Ken Darby ran 15 times for 147 yards in the win over Utah State. Darby has 746 yards on 149 carries (105 ypg, No. 1 in SEC). Quarterback Brodie Croyle was 22- of- 31 for 279 yards and three scores. Croyle is 15-9 as a starting quarterback. He has an 11-game win streak. Croyle has thrown 185 passes without a pick, the third longest steak in the nation. Receiver D J Hall caught 11 passes for 157 yards and one score. He has caught 21 passes for 395 yards. The Tide has beaten their last two conference foes Ole Miss and Tennessee by a combined 19-13. Alabama’s red zone defense (10 of 19 scoring trips or 52%) is the best in the SEC). Alabama leads the SEC in scoring defense (9.2 ypg), pass defense (159 ypg) and total defense (262 ypg). The Tide is last in the SEC in punt returns averaging only two yards per return. Fullback Tim Castille practiced for the first time Thursday and could be able to play after recovering from a sprained ankle. (Bamaonline.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs have lost five straight games including the last two games to Houston and Kentucky. State has allowed 27 sacks, the most in the SEC. The Bulldogs are No. 114 in scoring (13 ppg), No. 101 passing (158 ypg) and No. 107 in total offense (292 ypg). Tailback Jerious Norwood ran for a school-record 257 yards in the loss to Houston and 121 yards against Kentucky. Quarterback Mike Henig will start for the first time at quarterback replacing Omarr Conner. Henig, an Alabama native, was 16- of- 31 against Kentucky. State starts only four seniors and more than 20 plus first year players. Defensive lineman Willie Evans leads the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss. He faces Tide right tackle Kyle Tatum. Alabama has won four straight in the series. Receiver Keith Brown is expected to start despite a bruised quad. This is the 25th anniversary of State’s 1980 upset win. (Bulldogblitz.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks beat Tennessee for the first time in 12 years in Knoxville. Coach Steve Spurrier has won with three different teams (Duke, Florida and USC) in Knoxville. Quarterback Blake Mitchell, who has 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, threw two scoring passes to receiver Sidney Rice and Josh Brown kicked a 49-yard field goal for the winning points. Rice out-jumped three different Vol defenders for the winning score. He has caught 11 touchdowns this season, a school record. Mitchell was 8- of- 9 for 90 yards in the in the fourth quarter. Receiver Kenny McKinley had five catches for 54 yards in the second half.

USC allowed Tennessee to convert only 6- of- 17 third down attempts. Tennessee was averaging 322 ypg. USC held them to 271 ypg. USC has won three straight games (Kentucky, Vandy and Tennessee) despite not leading at halftime. Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix was the principal play caller for the defense instead of co-coordinator John Thompson. Most of Mitchell’s drop backs were three to five step drops instead of seven. Linebacker Dustin Lindsey led the defense with nine tackles. Backup quarterback Antonio Heffner will shift to receiver this week. Injuries to Syvelle Newton, Carlos Thomas and Noah Whiteside have depleted the depth at receiver. Thomas is out for the game, but Whiteside and running back Daccus Turman are expected to play. This is the first meeting between Houston Nutt and Steve Spurrier. USC allows 168 ypg rushing (No. 86 nationally). Terrell Davis, a redshirt senior will start at outside linebacker, replacing Mike West. (Gamecockcentral.com)

ARKANSAS: Freshman quarterback Casey Dick will start against South Carolina replacing Robert Johnson, who has five touchdowns and six picks. Dick starts in the same backfield with freshman Darren McFadden. The Hogs lead the SEC in rushing yards with 256 ypg, but only 133 ypg rushing. Running back Peyton Hollis leads the team with 25 catches. South Carolina is expected to throw a lot of blitzes toward Dick. The Hogs are No. 10 in turnover margin and No. 11 in total defense. Arkansas is 7-11 since the start of the 2004 season. (Hawgsports.com)

AUBURN: Quarterback Brandon Cox was 17- of- 27 for 205 yards with one scoring pass in the win over Ole Miss. Tailback Kenny Irons ran 32 times for 101 yards. Irons has averaged 30 carries in the past three games. He needs to be durable this week with reserves Brad Lester and Carl Stewart shelved with injuries. Cox is third in the SEC averaging 227 ypg. Irons is No. 2 in the SEC averaging 102 ypg rushing. Auburn has beaten Kentucky 14 straight times. The Tigers allowed four sacks and averaged just 2.7 ypc in the win over Ole Miss. (Auburnsports.com)

KENTUCKY: Freshman linebacker Braxton Kelly tore his ACL in the win over Miss State. The Wildcats will have had 21 surgeries this season. Tailback Rafael Little is averaging 158 ypg in all-purpose yards.

TENNESSEE AT NOTRE DAME: Randy Sanders has resigned as offensive coordinator, but will remain as quarterback coach. He will remain with the staff until the end of the season. There are plenty of rumors that David Cutcliffe, the former Vol assistant, could take the job. There are also rumors that receivers coach Pat Washington and offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens could also be gone after the season.

Coach Phil Fulmer has won two SEC titles in 13 seasons, his latest was seven years ago. Tennessee has not been in a BCS game in six seasons. They have not finished in the top ten of the final AP poll in four years. Fulmer is 3-8 against Spurrier, 1-4 against Mark Richt and 1-3 against Tommy Tuberville.

Tailback Arian Foster gained 150 yards on 25 carries against South Carolina. Foster fumbled as he was trying to stretch the ball into the end zone that would have given Tennessee a 19-7 lead. Foster, who averages 4.7 ypg, is questionable for the game with a knee injury. He did practice Wednesday and Thursday. Junior guard Rob Smith is also questionable with a shoulder injury. He did practice as the week went on, but center Richie Gandy is doubtful. David Ligon will replace him.

Tennessee ran for 172 yards against USC. Kentucky ran for 200 yard against USC. The loss to USC was only the fifth time in 115 games under Fulmer that Tennessee lost a game when it led after three quarters. Tennessee’s passing game left much to be desired with both Erik Ainge and Rick Clausen combining for barely 100 yards. Ainge is completing only 41% of his passes. Clausen said Tuesday that he was angry with the resignation. He blamed himself and the team. Tennessee had four chances in South Carolina territory but came up with no points. During the three game losing streak, Tennessee had had seven trips in the red zone and scored two touchdowns, one field goal, three fumbles and a pick. True freshman Demetrice Morley saw a lot of action in the dime package. He also had a pass breakup. Tennessee is No. 108 in scoring offense. (Volquest.com)

NOTRE DAME: Quarterback Brady Quinn is No. 2 on the Irish career- passing list trailing Ron Powlus. Quinn has blossomed under Charlie Weis, completing 66% of his passes compared to 54% last season. Notre Dame is averaging 340 yards passing per game. Tailback Darius Walker started the season with four consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Phil Fulmer is 2-1 against Notre Dame. The Irish are Tennessee’s fifth top-10 opponent. Notre Dame is No 114 in pass defense allowing more than 300 yards per game in the air.

APPALACHIAN STATE AT LSU: Quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn combined for 24- of- 38 passing for 383 yards and four scores in the win over North Texas. Russell has a touchdown in six straight games and at least one completion of 35 yards in each game. State quarterback Richie Williams is the school’s career passing leader. Defensive end Jason Hunter has eight sacks. (Tigerbait.com)

OLE MISS IS OFF: The Rebels have a quarterback controversy. Michael Spurlock has started every game except the Wyoming game when he had a broken finger. Last week against Auburn, Ethan Flatt replaced Spurlock (10- of -18 for 105 yards) and completed 11- of- 17 for 84 yards. The Rebels are No. 113 in scoring offense averaging 13 ppg. They are ranked No. 104 in total offense averaging 301 ypg. (RebelGrove.com)

DUKE AT CLEMSON: For the third straight year, Clemson goes into November with bowl eligibility hanging in the balance. In the loss to Georgia Tech, Clemson limited Tech to only 10 points and just over 300 yards total offense. Clemson converted only three- of -11 third down opportunities. The Tigers held Tech receiver Calvin Johnson to only four catches. Clemson fumbled three times and had one pick. Charlie Whitehurst was 19- of- 29 for 179 yards. He is struggling with a shoulder injury. Duke tailback Ronnie Drummer is averaging 8.3 ypc and has 11 plays of 20 yards or more. Duke beat Clemson last year on a last second field goal. (Tigerillustrated.com)

N C STATE: The Wolfpack beat Southern Miss last week after trailing late in the game. Freshman tailback Andre Brown rushed for 248 yards and sophomore quarterback Marcus Stone won his first career start. N C State is No. 113 in turnover margin. The two teams have split the last four meetings. Defensive end Mario Williams has seven sacks in his last two games. Offensive lineman Derek Morris was one of the reasons the running game clicked against Southern Miss.

FLORIDA STATE: The Noles had two key defensive stops in the fourth quarter against Maryland. Coach Bobby Bowden said the game was in his top five in terms of excitement. Receiver Willie Reid gained 227 all-purpose yards in the win over Maryland. Quarterback Drew Weatherford was 27- of- 37 for 264 yards with two picks. The Terps scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter. In the second half, FSU allowed only 42 yards passing. Linebacker Ernie Sims had an interception to set up FSU’s final touchdown.

Right guard John Frady (shoulder injury) was replaced by redshirt freshman Cornelius Lewis in the first half. Maryland quarterback Joel Statham threw for 177 yards and two scores. Tailback Lance Ball had 120 yards on 21 carries. Senior cornerback Gerard Ross was held out of practice with a knee injury and might not play against N C State. Cornerback Trevor Ford has missed several games with a pinched nerve and Tony Carter dislocated his shoulder this past Saturday. Carter will play Saturday. FSU is very young at cornerback with Carter and Ford as redshirt freshman, Michael Ray Garvin is a true freshman and J R Bryant is a true sophomore. Tailback Leon Washington has an ankle injury that will keep him out of Saturday’s game. Receiver De’Cody Fagg is back after a separated shoulder. FSU leads the ACC with 67 plays of 20 or more yards. Receiver Greg Carr leads the ACC with a 21- yard average per catch. (Warchant.com)

MIAMI: The Canes overcame a 16-7 deficit in order to beat UNC. Kyle Wright threw three interceptions on 11- of- 16 passing for 111 yards. Wright’s pass efficiency numbers are No. 4 in the ACC. He has 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The leading receiver was Darnell Jenkins with three catches for 38 yards. Miami has lost its last seven of 10 games to Virginia Tech. Tailback Tyrone Moss ran 24 times for 195 yards. Moss is averaging 5.2 ypc. Tight end Greg Olsen leads the Canes in catches. Receiver Sinorice Moss is averaging 20 ypc, the best on the team. The Cane defense allowed only 188 total yards, only 18 total yards in the second half. Defensive lineman Javon Nanton leads the team with 5.5 sacks. Kareem Brown has a team-high, 9.5 tackles for loss. (Canesport.com)

VIRGINIA TECH: Tech allows only nine ppg. They have yielded only eight touchdowns, average nearly 400 ypg and have won 16-straight regular season games. Tech allows 231 ypg and Miami gives up only 221 ypg. Miami has the No. 59 ranked passing offense going against the No. 2 ranked pass defense. Tech’s rushing defense, ranked No. 6 nationally, will have to stop Moss. Last week, the Hokies gained 212 yards against Boston College, the No. 4 ranked rush defense. Tailbacks Cedric Humes and Mike Imoh will find the going difficult. Quarterback Marcus Vick will give the Canes defense trouble. Miami has not played against a lot of mobile quarterbacks. Keys for Tech include shut down Moss, pressure Wright with the front four, control the clock and score touchdowns in the red zone. (HokieHaven.com)

WAKE FOREST AT GEORGIA TECH: This is an important game for Tech bowl hopes. Tech is only one of eight schools that have been to bowl in the last eight years (FSU, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Purdue, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech). They still have to play at Virginia (Tech has not won in Charlottesville since 1990 and have lost the last two straight against the Cavs), at Miami and home against Georgia. Wake has beaten Duke and N C State the past two weeks and could have beaten Boston College. Wake leads the ACC in rushing averaging 215 ypg. Wake safety Josh Gattis is tied for the ACC lead with five picks. Tech defensive end Eric Henderson had two sacks and forced two fumbles against Clemson. Two of the league’s best backs, Chris Barclay of Wake and P J Daniels, face off in this game.

BOSTON COLLEGE AT NORTH CAROLINA: This is a rematch of last year’s Continental Tire Bowl where BC won. UNC cornerback Jacoby Watkins is out with a broken leg, so BC receiver Will Blackmon will look to take advantage. Blackmon has 13 plays of 20 yards or more.

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.