Linebacker Juwan Simpson, who was arrested in May on drug and gun possession charges, led the team with nine tackles. Freshman linebacker Prince Hall had three tackles, one for loss and recovered a fumble. Alabama blitzed around 20 times. Leigh Tiffin, who substituted for starter Jamie Christensen, kicked three field goals. In Hawaii’s first 11 offensive plays, Tide defensive coordinator Joe Kines played 19 players. Alabama played nine defensive linemen. Tailback Jimmy Johns was the leading rusher with 58 yards on eight carries. One of the controversial plays in the game was the Hawaii punter botching the snap and Alabama’s Roy Upchurch recovering in the end zone that was ruled a safety instead of a touchdown. Receiver Will Oakley caught two passes on his 21st birthday. Alabama ran for 74 yards in the first quarter and 51 yards in the remaining three quarters. Center Antoine Caldwell, who was named the SEC offensive lineman of the week. Tailback Glen Coffee (knee) is close to returning. Safety Justin Woodall (ankle) hopes to at least be involved in the kicking game.

VANDERBILT: In the Michigan loss, the Commodores ran for only 26 yards on 42 attempts. They gained only 171 yards. Quarterback Chris Nickson, an Alabama native, was 11- of- 25 for 99 yards. He was sacked six times and fumbled twice. Tailback Cassen Jackson-Garrison led the Commodores in rushing last season. The teams have not met since 2002. Vanderbilt has not won in Tuscaloosa since 1984.

UTAH STATE AT ARKANSAS: The Hogs committed five turnovers in the loss to USC, all on the Arkansas side of the field. USC ran 80 plays on Arkansas. Freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain, who was 4-of-6 for 47 yards, has been named the starter after playing well at the end of the Southern Cal loss. Former starter Robert Johnson, who was 12- of- 25 for 110 yards and two scores, will move to receiver. Casey Dick, last year’s starter is No. 2. Receiver Damian Williams led the team with four catches for 51 yards. USC quarterback John David Booty was 24- of -35 for 261 yards and three scores. Sophomore tailback Felix Jones fumbled three times in the first half against USC.

UTAH STATE: The Aggies lost to Wyoming last week. Receiver Tony Pennyman is the leading active receiver in his three years. He is also one of the best return men. Kevin Robinson combines with Pennyman to be one of the top tandems in the conference. Starting quarterback Leon Jackson played in the first nine games last year before being out with an injury. He is a dual-threat quarterback who can pressure the Hog defense.

AUBURN AT MISSISSIPPI STATE: Tailback Kenny Irons ran for 183 yards on 20 carries and touchdown in the win over Washington State. Irons, named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week, caught three passes for 40 yards. Quarterback Brandon Cox was 11- of -19 for 191 yards. Senior linebacker Will Herring had three tackles, a pass breakup, an interception and he ran 42 yards from a direct snap in punt formation. Kicker John Vaughn kicked four -of-five field goals. The Tigers had four first time starters on the defensive line. Tuberville was pleased with the play of cornerbacks David Irons and Jonathan Wilhite. Four freshmen played--tailback Ben Tate, receiver Mario Fannin, linebacker Craig Stevens and defensive back Zac Etheridge. The Tiger defense sacked Cougar quarterback Alex Brink five times. Auburn ran 44 times and threw 19. Tuberville said the Tigers will be more balanced against State. Sophomore receiver Rod Smith caught two passes for 47 yards in first start last week.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Auburn has won five straight in the series and 18 of the past 24. State has been held to 18 or fewer points in each of the last seven games in the series. Auburn has held State to an average of 91 yards rushing in the last seven meetings.

Omarr Conner, last year’s quarterback, was moved from receiver to backup quarterback. Freshman Anthony Dixon gained 64 yards on 14 carries in the loss to USC. However, Dixon had surgery on his fractured hand and will miss Saturday’s game. Brandon Thornton will start in his place.

CENTRAL FLORIDA AT FLORIDA: After the win over Southern Miss, Coach Urban Meyer said tailback DeShawn Wynn’s MRI on his shoulder was negative. Wynn, who has a stinger, averaged 6.4 yards per carry in the first half. He will play Saturday. Tailback Kestahn Moore finished with 51 yards on 12 carries. Freshman Percy Harvin led the team in rushing with 58 yards on four carries. He also caught three passes for 33 yards. Tailback Markus Manson is nursing a deep thigh bruise. Meyer said freshman tailback Chevon Walker would redshirt.

Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas and defensive end Steven Harris, who both missed the opener, will play this week. Brandon Siler and Earl Everett did well at linebacker. Their backups Dustin Doe and Brandon Spikes saw action. Southern Miss had only 147 yards passing. Florida gained 391 yards to 295 for Southern Miss. Defensive back Ryan Smith was solid. Quarterback Chris Leak was 21- of- 30 for 248 yards. Seventeen of his passes went to the receivers and nine went to Dallas Baker for 123 yards. Receiver Kenneth Tookes was a non-factor. The second team offensive line consisting of Marcus Gilbert, Maurice Hurt, Jason Watkins and Eddie Haupt saw action. Nine freshmen—Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Jarred Fayson, Jaques Rickerson, Dustin Doe, Markihe Anderson, Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Spikes and Marcus Gilbert-- saw action against USM. Tailback Brandon James is back after having his knee scoped.

CENTRAL FLORIDA: UCF won its first season opener in eight years last week over Villanova. Quarterback Steven Moffet, the starter for the past two seasons, threw for 199 yards and three scores. Receiver Mike Walker, who is coming off season-ending knee surgery, is one of the best receivers in the conference. Running back Kevin Smith is one of the top tailbacks in C-USA. He was the C-USA freshman of the year last season. Defensive back Joe Burnette is a very good cover corner and good punt returner. UCF is 1-11 against SEC foes. In 1999, UCF lost to Florida 58-27. UCF is 0-15 against Top 25 opponents. UCF has 65 players from the state and UF has 87.

GEORGIA AT SOUTH CAROLINA: Despite gaining 274 yards and only 10 first downs against Miss State, Coach Steve Spurrier, who is 11-2 against Georgia, said he was planning no changes on offense. Spurrier said the offensive line struggled all night against the Bulldogs. Tackle Gurminder Thind and guard Web Brown had problems. Center Chris White was hurt. Because of a lack of depth, the five starters will stay together. Linebacker Jasper Brinkley (11 tackles) and Marvin Sapp (seven tackles) led the team in tackles. Ryan Succop, who kicked three field goals, averaged 48 yards per punt and ran for a first down on a punt, was named the SEC Special Teams player of the week. Quarterback Blake Mitchell was 12- of- 22 for 91 yards. Tailback Cory Boyd gained 93 yards on 12 carries. The Gamecock will have to find a way to slow down defensive ends Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson. Matt Raysor, a defensive lineman, has been moved to offensive line due to a lack of depth.

GEORGIA: In the win over Western Kentucky, three Bulldog quarterbacks played—Joe Tereshinski (7- of- 19 for 90 yards), Joe Cox (2- of- 3 in two series) and Matthew Stafford (3- of -5 on three series). Receiver Mikey Henderson, who ran back two punts for 133 yards and a touchdown, has a sore hamstring. Freshman Asher Allen could take his place. Danny Ware led the tailbacks with 68 yards on six carries. He also caught a pass for 22 yards. The defense played well with four sacks. The Bulldogs, who were third in the SEC last year with 162 yards per game, ran for only 136 yards last week. Georgia has won the last four games in the series, but three- of- the four have been decided by six points or less. Last year, a missed extra point, field goal, an illegal motion play on a touchdown play and a failed two-point conversion cost South Carolina dearly. The Bulldog defense held WKU to just 67 yards rushing and 126 passing. WKU punted 10 times. Georgia had four sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Offensive linemen Ian Smith and Daniel Inman will not play this week. Starting flanker Kenneth Harris and starting split end Mohamed Massaquoi have been demoted to second team and junior A J Bryant and senior Mario Raley have been promoted.

ARIZONA AT LSU: Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was 13- of- 17 for 253 yards for three scores in the win over ULL. Dwayne Bowe had four catches for 88 yards and Craig Davis caught four passes for 82 yards. Tailback Alley Broussard had eight carries for 46 yards. He is recovering well. Freshmen Charles Scott and Keiland Williams had 52 yards on seven carries. LSU receivers didn’t drop a pass. The Tiger defense has a streak of 10 straight quarters without allowing a touchdown dating back to the SEC Title game. LSU’s defense held ULL last week to 176 total yards. Tiger defensive back Jonathan Zenon had two picks. Coach Les Miles is very familiar with Mike Stoops from their days in the Big 12. LSU is on an eight game win streak against Pac-10 teams. Redshirt freshman Antonio Robinson has left the team.

ARIZONA: In last week’s win over BYU, the Wildcats gained only 253 total yards. Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama was 19- of- 39 for 189 yards. He emerged in the seventh game last season. Chris Henry was the leading rusher with 54 yards. Six different receivers had catches including Syndric Steptoe and Anthony Johnson with six each. Defensive end Marcus Smith is back after receiving a medical hardship last year.

OLE MISS AT MISSOURI: In the win over Memphis, Ole Miss ran for 211 yards with BenJarvus Green-Ellis accounting for 127 yards and two scores. Brent Schaeffer was 7- of -16 for 97 yards passing and 48 yards rushing. Freshman Dexter McCluster gained 268 all-purpose yards (60 yards rushing, 87 yards receiving). He was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. The defense allowed 25 points and under 400 yards of offense in the Memphis win. Punter Rob Park averaged 47 yards per punt. The Rebels had no offensive penalties or turnovers.

MISSOURI: In the opening win over Murray State, quarterback Chase Daniel was 23- of- 32 for 320 yards and five touchdowns in his first start. Defensive end Brian Smith has the Missouri record for career quarterback sacks. Free safety David Overstreet led the team in tackles last year with 100. Receiver Brad Ekwerekwu is a two-year starter with deceptive speed and good hands. The teams have not met since 1979. Missouri has a big advantage up front with a veteran offensive line.

AIR FORCE AT TENNESSEE: Vol linebackers—Ryan Karl (nine), Jerod Mayo and Marvin Mitchell (tied with seven) led the team in tackles in the Cal win. Mayo, who is in a walking boot, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after he had seven tackles and three sacks. Tennessee took advantage of Cal freshman cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson playing in his first game after senior Tim Mixon was out for the season with a torn ACL. Quarterback Erik Ainge had a career day with 11- of -17 passing for 291 yards with four touchdowns and one pick. Receiver Robert Meachem caught five passes for 182 yards and two scores. Tennessee had 216 yards rushing and 298 yards passing. The Vols had four scoring plays of over 40 yards. Cal didn’t have a tackle- for- loss in the game. Ainge didn’t get hit and the receivers didn’t drop a pass. Marshawn Lynch ran for only 74 yards. Tennessee allowed only 10 yards in the first quarter. Cal quarterback Nate Longshore was 10- of- 20 for 80 yards with a pick. Tennessee had seven pass break-ups, two picks, nine quarterback hurries and three sacks. Signees Gerald Williams and Cody Pope are heading to prep school.

AIR FORCE: This is the Falcons opener. Quarterback Shaun Carey is a dangerous quarterback. He is on the “Davey O’Brien Award” watch list. Defensive lineman Gilberto Perez started the first nine games last season. Defensive back Chris Sutton started all 11 games at cornerback. The teams have not met since the 1970 Sugar Bowl.

TEXAS STATE AT KENTUCKY: TSU beat Tarleton State last week. The two teams have never played. Coach Rich Brooks could see as many as eight new starters in the lineup with half of those coming on the offensive line. Freshman linebacker Micah Johnson will replace Braxton Kelly after he made seven tackles in his first game. After catching two touchdowns, Dicky Lyons will replace DeMoreo Ford. Texas State gave Texas A & M all it could handle last year.

TROY AT FSU: Quarterback Drew Weatherford threw for 42 yards in the first half, but ended up with 175 yards on 16- of- 32 passing for the game. One of his big throws was a 28-yarder to De’Cody Fagg (three catches for 60 yards) on third-and-ten at the FSU 33-yard line. He later hooked up with tailback Lorenzo Booker (three catches for 47 yards) for a 34- yard gain. On the game winning drive, Weatherford was 4- of- 6 for 45 yards. Linebacker Buster Davis had 12 tackles. Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said the problems in the first half came on two silly penalties and missing an interception. Linebacker Geno Hayes played a solid game. Miami tight end Greg Olsen had only two catches.

TROY: The Trojans beat I-AA Alabama State last weekend. Troy gained 429 total yards to the Hornets’ 134. Junior quarterback Omar Haugabook, who was 20- of- 32 for 171 yards with four touchdowns and a pick, made his debut. The teams last met in 1951.

FAMU AT MIAMI: The FSU game drew a 6.9 rating, the second highest ever for ESPN. The 1994 FSU/Miami game had a 7.7 rating. On Miami’s next to last drive, freshman receiver Sam Shields dropped a sure first down play. Miami’s final drive ended when Michael Ray Garvin intercepted Cane quarterback Kyle Wright. Tailback Charlie Jones ran 29 yards on 13 carries, but the Canes gained only one yard on 25 carries. FSU gained two yards. Receiver Darnell Jenkins led the receivers with four catches for 54 yards. Kyle Wright was 18- of- 27 for 130 yards and four sacks. The Canes had only two completions of 19 yards or more. The teams combined for 17 first downs and 282 total yards and 8- of- 31 on third down. Miami failed to score in the final two quarters and gained only 17 yards. Left tackle Reggie Youngblood left the stadium with his ankle wrapped in ice. Coker said tailback Tyrone Moss could be available for Saturday’s game. This was the fourth straight loss where Miami didn’t score in the second half. Coker said freshman right tackle Jason Fox will continue to start.

CLEMSON AT BOSTON COLLEGE: Defensive tackle B. J. Raji could be suspended for the first half of the Clemson game due to his personal foul and ejection in the win over Central Michigan. Quarterback Matt Ryan, who was 32- of- 48 for 323 yards last week, will play despite an injured ankle. Tailbacks L V Whitworth and Andre Callender did a good job of pass blocking. Receiver Tony Gonzalez is a big time threat and Ryan Purvis stepped up also. The BC defensive line needs to play better. CMU averaged nearly five yards per carry last week. The BC line needs to find a way to block Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams. Boston College’s run defense that held CMU All-Conference running back Ontario Sneed in check will be a test for Clemson’s tailbacks. Ryan throws the ball to multiple receivers. He will try to take advantage of cornerback Duane Coleman and Haydrian Lewis.

CLEMSON: Linebacker Anthony Waters is out for the season after tearing his ACL in the Florida Atlantic game. Waters was Clemson’s returning tackler and a preseason All-American. Just a few weeks earlier, the Tigers lost linebacker Tremaine Billie for several weeks with a broken ankle. Redshirt freshman Kavall Conner replaced Waters in Saturday’s win over FAU. Connor and Jeremy Campbell will see more playing time. Sophomore Antonio Clay might move to Walter’s position. Coach Tommy Bowden said 20 freshmen played in the game and six sophomores started on defense. Starting guard Roman Fry had a sprained knee and starting guard Nathan Bennett had a sprained ankle. Quarterback Will Proctor was 13- of- 20 for 166 yards with three touchdown passes in just his second start. Tailback James Davis had 14 carries for 94 yards. C J Spiller had six carries for 18 yards. Receiver Chansi Stuckey had five catches for 66 yards. Clemson had 370 yards and 199 on the ground against FAU last week. This is Proctor’s first road start.

Last year before the BC game, the Tigers had just finished a triple overtime game against Miami. Against BC, Clemson gained only 251 yards and 13 points. They were 0-11 on third down conversations.

SAMFORD AT GEORGIA TECH: Brady Quinn and Darius Walker each ran for scores in Notre Dame’s win. Notre Dame fell behind 10-0 before rallying. Tech gained 259 total yards. Quinn was 23- of- 38 for 246 yards. Tech receiver Calvin Johnson caught seven passes for 111 yards and one score. He only caught two passes for 16 yards in the second half.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE AT MARYLAND: Terp senior corner Josh Wilson blocked a punt that set up Maryland’s first score in the win over William & Mary. Maryland allowed quarterback Mike Potts to complete 9- of- 10 passes for 99 yards. W & M gained 134 yards on the Maryland defense in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Sam Hollenbach was 9- of- 15 for 153 yards with no scores and no picks in the game. Tailbacks Keon Lattimore, Lance Ball and Josh Allen gained 213 yards.

VIRGINA TECH AT NORTH CAROLINA: Sophomore Brooks Foster caught 11 passes for 120 yards in the loss to Rutgers. Tailback Ronnie McGill had 14 carries for 94 yards. Safeties Kareen Taylor and D J Walker combined for 12 tackles. Quarterback Joe Dailey was 24- of- 36 for 234 yards in his first start. Rutgers tailback Ray Rice had 201 yards. Rutgers had 22 first downs. They were 8- of- 13 on first down. Defensive end Hilee Taylor had six tackles and a sack in the loss to Rutgers.

VIRGINIA TECH: Freshman Richard Graham could have to play after an injury to Brandon Frye (sprained elbow) in the offensive line. Sean Glennon, who was 15- of- 18 for 222 yards, made his first start last week in the win over Division I-AA Northeastern. Tailbacks George Bell and Branden Ore could have big days against UNC.

WYOMING AT VIRGINA: In the loss to Pitt, the Cavs had only 211 total yards including 52 yards rushing. Pitt returned two passes for scores. The defense allowed two touchdown passes of more than 70 yards. Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko was 17- of- 22 for 283 yards and three scores.

OHIO STATE AT TEXAS: This is the first regular season matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams since 1996 when FSU and Florida played. Last year, Texas quarterback Vince Young threw to Limas Sweed with 2:37 left to pull out a win. A difference this time is Ohio State has the most experience quarterback in Troy Smith, who was 18- of- 25 for 297 yards in the first quarter against North Illinois. He threw two scoring passes to receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. Tailback Antonio Pittman rushed for 111 yards last week and had 1,331 yards last year. Ohio State is the first No. 1 team to come to Austin since SMU in 1950.

Texas starting cornerback Tarrell Brown will not be available for the game after he and backup linebacker Tyrell Gatewood were suspended. Without Brown, junior Brandon Foster or sophomore Ryan Palmer will probably cover Ginn. Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy was 12- of- 19 for 178 yards and three scores in his first game. McCoy ran four times for 38 yards in the game. Sweed had five catches for 111 yards and two scores in the opener. Sophomore Jamaal Charles (14 carries for 77 yards) and senior Selvin Young will share many of the carries.

PENN STATE AT NOTRE DAME: The series record is 8-8-1. The last time they played was in 1992 when Notre Dame won 17-16 in South Bend. Notre Dame’s defense allowed only 142 yards to Georgia Tech in the final three quarters last week. Tailback Darius Walker ran for 99 yards on 22 carries. Against Akron, Penn State allowed 225 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers and five sacks. The Irish need to neutralize Penn State linebacker corp of Paul Posluszny, Dan Connor and Tim Shaw. New Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli was 16- of- 32 for 206 yards and three scores last week. Only left tackle Levi Brown returns on the offensive line. Tony Hunt, who gained 1,047 yards, last year, had only 36 yards last week.

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.