LSU (4-1, 7-1): Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was 16- of -22 for 208 yards and two scores in the win over Appalachian State. LSU has won six straight games. Tailback Justin Vincent led the Tigers in rushing with 89 yards on 16 carries. ESPN GameDay will be in Tuscaloosa. The last time Alabama and LSU were this highly ranked was 1972 when the Tide was No. 2 and LSU was No. 6. Tiger tailback Joseph Addai is expected to be fine after resting most of the past two games. Alabama is No. 1 nationally in scoring defense (8.2 ppg), No. 3 in total defense (244 ypg), No. 4 in pass yardage defense (150 ypg) and No. 7 in rush defense (93 ypg). LSU is No. 6 in scoring defense (14 ppg), No. 12 in total defense (295 ypg) and No. 16 in rush defense (107 ypg). The Tiger offensive line consists of four seniors-tackle Andrew Whitworth, guards Nate Livings, and Terrell McGill and center Rudy Niswanger. LSU is No. 100 nationally in turnover margin and Alabama is No. 21 in the same stat. Chris Jackson is averaging 40 yards per punt. Receiver Skyler Green is averaging 16 ypr, best in the SEC. LSU has won two straight and four –of- the last five in the series. The last time Alabama beat LSU in Tuscaloosa was 1999. Since 1996, the home team has won only three times.

FLORIDA (5-2, 7-2): The Gators are 2-2 in overtime games after beating Vanderbilt. Last Saturday’s game was the first double-overtime game. Florida’s first drive was 14 plays, 79 yards that resulted in a touchdown. Florida had three touchdown drives of more than 10 plays. They also had an eight- play and a nine- play drive. Linebacker Brandon Siler recovered two fumbles in the game. He leads the SEC with six recoveries. Eric Wilbur has a 50-yard punt in six games this season. Receiver Kenneth Tookes had four catches for 36 yards. He had only three catches the entire season. Tookes replaced Dallas Baker who had a punctured lung to go along with a sprained ankle. Florida did not commit a turnover and forced four. On the season, the Gators have 26 takeaways, while committing only nine. Florida scored 21 points off turnovers against Vandy. Commodore quarterback Jay Cutler was 28- of- 42 for 361 yards. He had four touchdowns and two interceptions. Tailback Markus Manson had 18 carries for 61 yards and six catches for 48 yards. Quarterback Chris Leak was 32- of- 41 for 257 yards and three scores. He ran for 67 yards and two scores. Cornerback Reggie Lewis, who was called for three holding penalties, picked off Cutler’s final pass. Tailback DeShawn Wynn has an injured shoulder that limited his play. Cornerback Vernell Brown is out four –to- six weeks with a fractured fibula in his lower leg that he sustained on a punt return. His injury leaves problems at cornerback. Coach Urban Meyer said he might consider using Avery Atkins or Reggie Nelson at that position. Injuries-Baker (ankle and ribs) is out, Wynn (shoulder), defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (lower back), strong safety Jarvis Herring (thigh contusion), linebacker Earl Everett (thigh contusion) and defensive end Ray McDonald (knee) should play.

SOUTH CAROLINA (4-3, 6-3): The Gamecocks have won four straight SEC games, tying a school record. Coach Steve Spurrier is only the third Gamecock coach in history to lead the school to a bowl in his first season. The Gamecock defense held Arkansas to only a field goal in six- of- seven possessions inside South Carolina territory. Arkansas gained 219 yards rushing (Darren McFadden had 187 yards on 32 carries). Receiver Sidney Rice scored for the eighth straight week. He has 12 touchdown catches this season. The pivotal sequence of the game came at the end of the third quarter. USC linebacker Orus Lambert intercepted Casey Dick at the Hog 42-yard line. On the next play, Blake Mitchell, who was 12- of- 25 for 142 yards, hit Kenny McKinley down the field for the winning points. Mitchell was sacked four times in the game. Later in the fourth quarter, the Gamecock defense held Hog tailback Darren McFadden on fourth -and -one from the 17-yard line. Freshman tailback Mike Davis rushed 16 times for 89 yards. USC has won the last three games by a total of 12 points. South Carolina had been behind in the last four games. In seven second-half possessions, Arkansas turned the ball over on downs four times, punted three times and had a pass intercepted. Scott Morgan, who snaps for extra points and field goals, has been suspended for drunk driving. USC has won four straight conference games for the first time since 1992. Mitchell has 15 touchdown passes this season with three games remaining. He could be only the third quarterback in USC history to have at least 20 touchdowns. The other two were Steve Taneyhill and Todd Ellis. The team that has scored first has won all nine USC football games this season. USC is 4-1 in games decided by 10 points- or- less. The Gamecocks have run 264 times and passed 271. Surprisingly, no television network picked up the Clemson game. Defensive end Josh Johnson is off the team after being suspended following his second arrest in a six-month span. In every USC game, the team that scores first has won.

AUBURN (5-1, 7-2): Tailbacks Kenny Irons (103 yards), Tristan Davis (162 yards) and Tre Smith (99 yards) combined for 388 yards rushing in the win over Kentucky. Quarterback Brandon Cox was 13 –of- 21 for 201 yards. Kentucky went to a hurry-up attack in the second half and Quarterback Andre Woodson completed 26- of- 43 for 335 yards for the game. Receiver Keenan Burton caught seven passes for 100 yards. Tiger coach Tommy Tuberville is 4-2 against Georgia and Alabama. Irons is averaging 102 ypg and has a SEC-best 10 touchdowns. Tailback Brad Lester is back from a groin injury, but tailback Carl Stewart may miss the rest of the season with a sprained knee. The Tigers allowed 450 total yards in the win over Kentucky including 355 through the air. Cox has only thrown two picks since the Georgia Tech game. He has thrown 105 straight passes without a pick. Auburn is No. 9 defensively allowing 289 ypg. Georgia allows 288 ypg. Before the Kentucky game, Auburn had allowed opponents less than 200 yards passing in eight straight games. Linebacker Kevin Sears has been suspended after he was charged with DUI earlier this weekend. Linebacker Antarrious Williams will replace him. Auburn has won nine- of- the last 11 games in Athens.

GEORGIA (5-1, 7-1): The Dawgs were off last week. Auburn has played four straight games. The home team has won only three times in the last 10 meetings, including the last two. Defensive tackle Kedric Golston will play with a brace on his left elbow. Linebacker Brandon Miller, who sat out the Florida game with a high ankle sprain, will play. Safety Greg Blue (hamstring) is limited. Georgia’s defense is as healthy as they have been all season. In Mark Richt’s career, Georgia is 8-1 after a bye week. Georgia is No 2 in the SEC in total offense (403 ypg) and Auburn is No. 1 (435 ypg). The Bulldogs have allowed only 12 sacks, the least in the SEC. The Bulldogs have a plus- nine turnover margin. Defensive end Quinton Moses leads the team and the SEC with eight sacks.

MEMPHIS AT TENNESSEE (2-4, 3-5): Notre Dame scored on three Brady Quinn touchdown throws, a punt return and an interception return to beat the Vols. Tennessee has lost four straight games for the first time since 1988. Tailback Arian Foster ran 25 times for 125 yards. Quarterback Erik Ainge was 13- of- 32 for 187 yards and two picks. He was sacked three times, threw two picks and was called for intentional grounding twice. Notre Dame had 295 yards passing but Tennessee held them to only 77 yards rushing. Tennessee had three turnovers and nine penalties. Vol special teams led directly to 17 points for Notre Dame. The Vol receivers have vastly underachieved this season. Music City Bowl officials said they are interested in Tennessee. South Carolina is also a possibility. Ainge will keep his starting job this week. Memphis tailback DeAngelo Williams averages 184 ypg, tops in the nation. Tennessee has not allowed a running back to go over 100 yards this season. The Tigers are quarterback by former receiver Maurice Avery.

KENTUCKY (1-4, 2-6) AT VANDERBILT (2-4, 4-5): Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart announced Tuesday that Coach Rich Brooks would have at least one more season. Vandy receiver Earl Bennett was flagged in the Florida game for excessive celebration. Back judge Rick Loumiet flagged him for the imaginary six-shooters. The officials said any choreographed act is a penalty.

ARKANSAS (0-5, 2-6); The Hogs drove to the Arkansas 27, 34, 30, 28 and 18-yard line in the second half, but never scored. McFadden gained 187 yards on 32 carries. He is averaging 108 ypg. Dick was 12 –of- 24 for 137 yards, one score and one pick.

OLE MISS (1-4, 3-5): Quarterback Ethan Flatt starts for the Rebels after an off week. The Rebels are averaging 12 ppg in SEC play.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Quarterback Mike Henig was 9- of- 28 for 78 yards with three picks. He was sacked twice. State held Alabama without a touchdown. It was the first time since the Memphis game in 2000 that the Bulldogs held an opponent out of the end zone. Defensive lineman Willie Evans had two sacks, giving him 11.5 for the year.

FLORIDA STATE (5-2, 7-2): The Noles clinched a spot in the ACC title game despite the loss to N C State. The Wolfpack have beaten FSU four times since 1992 and three times in the past five years. Wolfpack tailback Andre Brown, who gained 179 yards, ran 65 yards for a score on the second play from scrimmage. Nole quarterback Drew Weatherford, who was 19- of- 38 for 181 yards and three picks, said the Wolfpack had the best defensive line he has seen this season. Reserve quarterback Xavier Lee was 1- of- 7 for three yards. Three of his passes were nearly intercepted. FSU struggled to run the ball with only 43 yards on 23 attempts. Defensive back Anthony Houllis and linebacker Marcello Church blocked punts in consecutive possessions, but the offense could not score. The Nole defense held the Wolfpack to 32 total yards in the fourth quarter. Receiver Willie Reid (concussion) and defensive lineman Kamerion Wimberly (knee injury) were hurt in the game. Wimberly, who will miss at least two weeks, said he was chopped blocked. Coach Bobby Bowden turned 76 on Tuesday. Offensive lineman John Frady is out of the year with a shoulder injury. With Frady out, freshman Cornelius Lewis will hold down the guard spot. Tailback Leon Washington is out for the second straight game with a sprained ankle. Receiver Greg Carr has a hip-pointer, but he will play. Cornerback Gerard Ross is doubtful with a knee injury. Receiver De’Cody Fagg and Reid are expected back. FSU is allowing only 111 yards per game rushing due to injuries and offensive line problems. In the last four games, Weatherford has thrown five touchdowns and nine interceptions.

CLEMSON (3-4, 5-4): Backup quarterback Will Proctor replaced Charlie Whitehurst in the win over Duke. Proctor threw for two scores and ran for another. Tailback Reggie Merriweather ran for three scores. Clemson’s pass defense is allowing 216 ypg, but allowed too many yards to Duke, which has not thrown the ball well. The Tigers are No. 10 in the ACC in rush defense. Clemson has two losses in overtime, a four-point loss to Wake Forest and a one-point loss to Georgia Tech. Freshman tailback James Davis is due back after fracturing his wrist.

MIAMI (4-1, 7-1): Tailback Charlie Jones gained 97 yards on 24 carries in the win over Virginia Tech. Defensive back Kelly Jennings has two picks. Miami held an opponent to under 200 yards (167 total yards) for the fifth straight game. The defense had six sacks, two picks and forced Tech quarterback Marcus Vick, who was 8-of-22 for 91 yards, to fumble four times. Tech had 77 yards rushing on 34 carries. Vick had 90 yards passing. Miami turned four lost fumbles and two interceptions into 17 points. Defensive lineman Kareem Brown scored the team’s first defensive touchdown of the season. Quarterback Kyle Wright was 13- of- 22 for 146 yards and one score and one pick. Darnell Jenkins was the leading receiver with 33 yards on three catches. Tailback Tyrone Moss will miss the rest of the season with a torn knee ligament. Cornerback Devin Hester is struggling with a hamstring injury. One of the Miami scoring drives took 8:18. Defensive lineman Teraz McCray saw his first action after recovering from an ACL.

WAKE FOREST (3-4, 4-6): This is the Wake’s last game of the season so they are looking at this as their bowl game. Quarterback Cory Randolph will be wearing a knee brace to protect a sprained MCL.

N C STATE (2-4, 4-4): Despite Marcus Stone playing well at quarterback and Andre Brown’s emergence at tailback, the Wolfpack has failed to score more than 24 points against D-I teams.

BOSTON COLLEGE (3-3, 6-3): The BC offensive line has underachieved this season. BC offensive coaches are reluctant to throw the ball down the field and run outside the tackles.

MARYLAND (2-3, 4-4): Sam Hollenbach is back as the starting quarterback for the Terps.

NORTH CAROLINA (3-2, 4-4): Connor Barth kicked three field goals and receiver Wallace Wright ran 90 yards on the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the win over Boston College. Receiver Jesse Holley had eight catches for 125 yards. The Tar Heels are playing with some confidence. The Tar Heels are only averaging 13 points per game in the last four games.

GEORGIA TECH (4-2, 6-2): The Yellow Jackets win over Wake Forest clinched its eighth straight bowl. Tailback P J Daniels rushed for 109 yards. Travis Bell, who had missed six of seven field goals, hit three in the game. Tech held Wake to 100 yards rushing. Wake tailback Chris Barclay gained only 24 yards on 15 carries. Tech has allowed only more than 17 points twice this season. The Yellow Jackets are surrendering 102 yards per game rushing.

VIRGINIA (2-3, 5-3): The Cavs have won all their home games and allowed only 12 points per game. Virginia is converting 42% of its third downs primarily because Quarterback Marques Hagans is so mobile. Tech quarterback Reggie Ball has struggled on third downs. Starting safety Tony Franklin and nose tackle Kwakou Robinson have been suspended for the Tech game.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FL.
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