ARKANSAS has its spring game this Saturday. After the defense won most of the early practices, the offense stepped up in the first scrimmage gaining nearly 500 yards. New offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is trying to revamp the passing game. Running backs such as Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis continue to be big-play threats. Coach Houston Nutt wants young receivers such as sophomores Reggie Fish and John Aaron Rees to prevent defenses from keying on veteran Marcus Monk. Nutt has been high on defensive linemen Marcus Harrison who has been consistent throughout the spring.

GEORGIA coach Mark Richt did not name a starting quarterback after spring drills. Joe Tereshinski, the veteran of the group with 371 career passing yards, Joe Cox, Blake Barnes and Matthew Stafford all had their time with the starting unit. Barnes didn’t play in the spring game because he broke his finger in practice. The Red team beat the Black team, 14-10, in the annual G-Day game last Saturday. Georgia’s defense had six interceptions and six sacks. Cox, who was 12- of- 21 for 162 yards, had two interceptions returned for scores by freshman cornerback Asher Allen, who ran 100 yards, and sophomore cornerback Ramarcus Brown, who ran 80 yards. Tereshinski also threw two picks. Stafford found defensive back turned receiver Mikey Henderson open for a 64-yard scoring play early in the game. Reserve Jason Johnson led all running backs with 99 yards. Junior defensive end Charles Johnson had five tackles including two tackles for loss and two sacks.

After further review, Tereshinski could be the logical starter, mainly because of his experience, and Stafford might have earned a shot as the backup. Richt said he might be playing two quarterbacks in the first game. The spring game proved the offensive line needs some work after losing Russ Tanner, Max Jean-Gilles and Dennis Roland. Tight ends Martrez Milner and Tripp Chandler dropped too many passes in the spring game.

Linebacker is a thin spot for the Bulldogs with only four scholarship players available for spring, but four freshmen—Darius Dewberry, Akeem Dent, Darryl Gamble, and Akeem Hebron-- will provide depth for the fall. Thomas Brown has pulled away from Kregg Lumpkin and Danny Ware as the No. 1 tailback. Richt said Brown, who is up to 190 pounds, might have had the best spring of any player. Lumpkin appears to have secured the No. 2 slot. Still, Ware, the No. 3 back, is fully capable of being a starter. Another possible contributor, freshman Knowshon Moreno comes in this fall. Johnson may end up seeing time at fullback instead of tailback. Also at fullback, Brannan Southerland returns this fall from shoulder surgery and freshmen Shaun Chapas and Fred Munzenmaier come in also.

MISSISSIPPI STATE sophomore quarterback Mike Henig is progressing after taking his lumps last year. Former quarterback Omarr Conner has adapted well to the receiver position. He caught six passes for 110 yards in a recent scrimmage. Linebacker Jamar Chaney, the former Georgia recruit, had a productive spring. He led the team with eight tackles in one scrimmage and intercepted a pass in the spring game. The Maroons beat the Whites, 14-3, in the annual spring game. Freshman cornerback Anthony Johnson returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown. Henig, who was 5- of- 10 for 60 yards, led the Maroons 65 yards on nine plays for a score. He hit receiver Tyler Threadgill on a short pass for the first Maroon score.

OLE MISS coach Ed Orgeron said the offense has performed well under new coordinator Dan Werner and offensive line coach Art Kehoe. Defensive end Peria Jerry has been dominant at times. Tailback BenJarvus Green-Ellis, an Indiana transfer, has made an early impact. Former quarterback Robert Lane, who is now 240 pounds, is comfortable at tight end.

The Red team, consisting of the first team defense and the second team offense, beat the Blue team, 40-14, last Saturday in the annual Grove Bowl. The Red team defense held the Blue team offense (the starting unit) to only 178 total yards. Jerry led all defenders with six tackles including four for loss and two sacks. Defensive back Charles Clark, playing for the Red team, returned a fumble 55 yards for a score. Running back Hiram White, who played for the Red team, led all rushers with 90 yards and caught three passes for 56 yards

Linebacker Patrick Willis, who is up to 241 pounds, has been named the annual Chucky Mullins Courage Award winner. Mullins, who died in 1991, sustained a paralyzing spinal cord injury in a game against Vanderbilt in 1989. Ole Miss tailback Mico McSwain might be moving to receiver. The tight ends caught eight passes for nearly 100 yards in the spring game, easily the most action in years. Robert Lane, Lawrence Lilly, Robert Hough and JUCO Jason Hawkins provide depth at tight end. The Rebels need help on the offensive line and at receiver. Rebel signee Allen Walker, the No. 1 rated athlete in Mississippi, has had his ACT score red flagged because of a spike from going from 17- to- 24.

SOUTH CAROLINA quarterback Cade Thompson was 10- of- 13 for 136 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Garnet over the Black, 35-7, in the annual spring game last Saturday. Redshirt freshman Freddie Brown led all receivers with four catches for 75 yards and two scores, including one from 56 yards. Running back Cory Boyd, who missed all of last season due to a non-academic suspension, capped a solid spring as the game’s leading rusher with 87 yards on five carries and caught two passes for 25 yards. Last year’s starting quarterback Blake Mitchell was 10- of- 27 for 133 yards and one score for the Black team. Still, coach Steve Spurrier said Mitchell comes out of spring practice as the starting quarterback, but Thompson is a viable option. The quarterback depth chart coming out of spring is Mitchell, Thompson, walk-on Brett Nichols and Tommy Beecher. Spurrier also said running back Taylor Rank will likely transfer to a Division I-AA school possibly Montana.

Gamecock athlete Syvelle Newton has requested a move to safety. Newton, who has played multiple offensive positions, believes the change enhances his chances of going to the NFL. Newton tore his Achilles tendon last year in the Vanderbilt game. Receiver Sidney Rice broke a finger while playing a pick-up basketball game. Regardless, he will be ready for fall drills.

Spurrier wants the defense to improve on its intensity, tackling and fundamentals. Eleven- of- 22 players on the post spring depth chart are freshmen and sophomores. Cornerback Fred Bennett is the only senior along with 10 juniors. Sophomore Marvin Sapp was named the most improved linebacker.

TENNESSEE’S offense showed some life in the annual spring game, as the White team beat the Orange team, 34-7. Quarterback Erik Ainge, who has benefited from offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe’s mentoring, was 14- of- 22 for 210 yards with two scoring passes to receiver Robert Meachem, who caught five passes for 135 yards. Meachem took one pass on a skinny post and outran the secondary for a 70 yard score. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jonathan Crompton was 15- of- 19 for 102 yards.

Coach Phil Fulmer said tackle Steven Jones was the most valuable player on offense and lineman Dan Williams and cornerback Jonathan Wade were the mvps on defense. Williams lost over 50 pounds in the offseason to remain on the defensive line. The Vol offense line was in flux all spring with only Arron Sears and David Ligon nailing down starting jobs. Tennessee’s secondary, which has been questionable for the past few years, has a chance to be strong next year with Wade, Demetrice Morley, Inky Johnson, Antwan Stewart and Jonathan Hefney, among others. Fulmer has decided against naming captains going into the offseason. He would prefer that the players would develop leadership on their on during the summer.

FLORIDA tight end Cornelius Ingram was the playmaker in Saturday’s scrimmage. He could cause real problems for linebackers to cover at 6-4, 235. He will push Tate Casey at the tight end spot. Ingram also threw a scoring pass to quarterback Chris Leak in the end zone. Leak and freshman Tim Tebow failed to complete a pass over 20 yards. Coach Urban Meyer blamed the lack of productivity on the lack of playmakers among the receivers. Tebow and safety Dorian Munroe yelled at each other after they collided on one play. Defensive tackle Steven Harris and linebacker Kalvin Baker have been suspended for undisclosed reasons. At running back, Kestahn Moore is out with a bad back, Markus Manson has a concussion, and Chevon Walker has a sprained ankle. DeShawn Wynn was the only scholarship running back until Manson joined him this week. De’Angelo McCray (6-5, 265), a defensive end from Andrew Jackson in Jacksonville, has committed to Florida. Former Florida offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher has landed at Purdue as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. He was an assistant with Ron Zook last season.

Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas is gone for the rest of spring after having hernia surgery. Ray McDonald, defensive lineman, is doing agility drills for the first time since he had double ACL surgery in December. Junior defensive tackle Clint McMillan has improved as much as anyone on the roster according to Meyer. Offensive guard Jim Tartt re-injured his shoulder and will probably miss the rest of spring. Meyer said Tartt, left guard Ronnie Wilson, right tackle Drew Miller, and center Steve Rissler have had good springs. Because of injuries, Meyer said he had only 46 healthy scholarship players. In the fall, 27 freshmen will join them. Meyer added that he was no longer worried about sophomore Avery Atkins and senior Reggie Lewis replacing Vernell Brown and Dee Webb.

KENTUCKY has its first scrimmage last Saturday. The defense dominated. Both quarterbacks-- Curtis Pulley and Andre’ Woodson-- struggled to find any success in winter-like conditions. Without any passing game, the defense controlled the running game allowing Rafael Little and Alfonso Smith very limited yardage. In 16 possessions, the first and second team offenses failed to get closer than the 18-yard line. Defensive players like Myron Pryor, Dominic Lewis, Mike Schwindel, Trevard Lindley and Austin Moss have excited the coaches with their play.

CLEMSON’S spring game was attended by 17,500 fans as the White team beat the Orange team, 24-14. Defensive back Sergio Gilliam intercepted three passes and defensive back C J Gaddis returned another touchdown for a score. The teams were divided evenly for the first time in almost a decade. Both defenses dominated as the teams combined to gain less than 380 yards. White team receiver Tyler Grisham caught nine passes for 106 yards including a 94- yard touchdown. Receiver Rendick Taylor caught four passes for 174 yards; the most ever in a Tiger spring game. Starting quarterback Will Proctor was only 4- of- 9 for 73 yards and three interceptions. Senior cornerback Duane Coleman has adapted well after switching from running back. Clemson returns 15- of- 22 starters next season.

FSU’s defense beat the offense, 23-12, in Saturday’s spring game. Freshman defensive back Myron Rolle returned an interception 64 yards for a score to help the defense. Rolle made three tackles and nearly picked off another pass. Senior linebacker Buster Davis led the tea m with five tackles. Redshirt freshman Everette Brown had a sack and two tackles for loss. The tailbacks—Antone Smith, Russell Ball, Jamaal Edwards and Pat Davis-- ran for 43 yards on 24 carries. Ball went out with a knee injury. No word yet on his status after a MRI on Thursday night. Safety Roger Williams picked off Drew Weatherford’s (9- of -12 for 75 yards) first interception of the spring.

Smith was honored as the most dominant offensive player of the spring. He had runs of 30 plus yards in four of the first five scrimmages. Junior linebacker Lawrence Timmons won the same award for the defense. Jacksonville receiver Rod Owens said he is ahead of schedule on his rehab after knee surgery and plans on playing this fall. Former receiver Fred Rouse is expected to transfer to either UTEP or LSU. On the offensive line, Mario Henderson has locked down the left tackle spot, David Overmeyer moved to guard by the end of spring and could be a utility player and Shannon Boatman should hold down the right tackle spot. The left guard should be Jacky Claude. Center is between John Frady and Dumaka Atkins.

MIAMI: Receiver Lance Leggett was the star of Saturday’s scrimmage with three touchdown catches all thrown by Kyle Wright. Offensive lineman/fullback John Rochford and receiver Darnell Jenkins both have sprained ankles. The longest run was a 20-yard scramble by backup quarterback Kirby Freeman. Darryl Sharpton played with the first team linebackers. Coach Larry Coker said he was pleased with the play of offensive linemen Reggie Youngblood, Andrew Bain and Anthony Wollschlager. Receiver Ryan Moore has returned to practice after dealing with an upper leg-pull. The Canes have an afternoon scrimmage Friday with several former alumni expected to attend. Saturday morning is the spring game at 10 am.

NORTH CAROLINA: Joe Dailey was 8- of- 15 for 65 yards and Cam Sexton was 2- of- 3 for 13 yards. Neither threw a touchdown or pick. Barrington Edwards led all rushers with 58 yards on 11 carries. Jesse Holley led the receivers with three catches for 42 yards.

GEORGIA TECH: Tailback Jamaal Edwards (5-8, 191) was the star of Sunday’s scrimmage as he ran for 94 yards on carries. Edwards is battling for time with Tashard Choice and Rashaun Grant. The defense picked off six passes including four thrown by Taylor Bennett, a reserve quarterback. Darryl Richard is back on the defensive line after missing all of last season after knee surgery. It is important to have Richard back after the defense returns only five starters from the No. 13 ranked defense in the nation. Mansfield Wrotto, a three-year starter on the defensive line, has moved to offense. The line is expected to be the strongest part of the defense with Adamm Oliver, Joe Anoai as returning starters and backups Darrell Robertson, Michael Johnson, Vance Walker, Elris Anyaibe and David Brown projecting as starters.

VIRGINIA: Five Cavalier athletes—including sophomore tackle Zak Stair and junior tackle Eddie Pinigis--face charges from a break-in and fight at an off-campus frat house last month.

AARON TAYLOR will not return next season as a college football analyst for ABC. He was with the network for the past two years.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FLA., HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON ESPN 1460 ON MONDAY AND THURSDAY AFTERNOONS ON THE RUMBLE WITH MIKE DEMPSEY AND TOM MCMANUS.