The Tide leads the SEC in time of possession (34:24). The Tide defense has only three sacks on the season. Receiver Keith Brown leads the SEC with 6.3 catches per game. He is second in the league averaging 1.4 yards per game. Alabama rushing attack has gradually improved each game from 125, 134 to 219 yards. Arkansas has been a crossroads for Mike Shula. In 2003, the Tide lost to Arkansas in double-overtime and stayed below .500. In 2004, they lost to Arkansas the first game after losing Brodie Croyle and finished 6-6. Last year, they beat Arkansas and then won ten games. Since 1992, Alabama leads the Arkansas series, 8-6. The Tide has won four times in the state of Arkansas in that span. Alabama is first in the SEC in turnover margin and Arkansas is last.

ARKANSAS: Quarterback Mitch Mustain was 13- of- 20 for 224 yards and two scores in the win over Vanderbilt. He makes his third career start against the Tide. Mustain has already completed five passes of more than 40 yards compared to none in the first 10 games last season. Receiver Marcus Monk caught five passes for 124 yards and once score. Tailback Darren McFadden ran for 71 yards on 19 carries in the win over Vanderbilt. Arkansas gained 179 yards rushing against Vandy. The Hogs allowed 240 yards rushing to Vanderbilt. Matt Hewitt has moved from safety to linebacker. The loss of linebacker Freddie Fairchild sent the Hogs scrambling for replacements. Arkansas is No. 8 in the SEC in total defense allowing 361 yards per game. They are No. 5 in total offense averaging 379 yards per game. The Hog defense has yet to record a turnover this season.

KENTUCKY AT FLORIDA: Defensive tackle Myron Pryor intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and recovered another one in the win over Ole Miss. He also had two tackles. Kentucky is over .500 for the first time under Coach Rich Brooks. The Wildcats forced five Ole Miss turnovers. Quarterback Andre Woodson was 21- of- 34 for 290 yards and three scores in the win over Ole Miss. He was named the SEC Player of the Week. Woodson has two straight three touchdown games. Receiver Dicky Lyons, Jr. caught four passes for 83 yards and two scores in the Ole Miss win. Lyons has six touchdown catches and has also scored twice in all of Kentucky’s three games. Kentucky leads the SEC in kickoff returns (31 ypr) and punt returns (23 ypr). Running back Rafael Little has swelling in his knee. He is questionable for Saturday. Keenan Burton might have to return punts. Alfonso Smith and Tony Dixon are the main running backs.

FLORIDA: Defensive back Reggie Nelson had two picks in the win over Tennessee. Tailback DeShawn Wynn ran 22 times for 104 yards. It was the first time the Vols had allowed a 100-yard rusher since the 2004 SEC title game. He was the only SEC back to rush for over 100 yards last Saturday. Florida held Tennessee to negative yards rushing, less than 25 minutes possession time and 56 offensive plays. Six players on both offense and defense graded out as champions in the Tennessee game. Quarterback Chris Leak was 15- of -20 for 199 yards and three touchdowns. He is on pace to throw 40 touchdowns. The offensive line might have had its best effort under Urban Meyer. Meyer said linebacker Earl Everett played his best game with 11 tackles. Linebacker Brandon Siler had seven tackles including two for loss and the sack of Tennessee quarterback Ainge at the end of the game. The defensive line kept Ainge on his heels most of the night. Offensive lineman Carlton Medder, who replaced Ronnie Wilson after he broke his ankle, has graded out as a champion for three straight weeks. Despite a high ankle sprain, Meyer said Percy Harvin could play. Florida has beaten Kentucky 19 straight times. Brandon James won the kick return job against Tennessee.

COLORADO AT GEORGIA: The Bulldog defense has two straight shutouts (South Carolina and UAB) for the first time since 1980. The last time that they posted three straight shutouts was in 1971 (Vanderbilt, Kentucky and South Carolina). Matthew Stafford was 10- of- 17 for 107 yards. Georgia’s allowed 12 combined points, the lowest since 1937. Defensive back C. J. Byrd blocked a punt and returned for a score. Georgia has blocked 13 punts and scored 10 special teams touchdowns since Mark Richt starting coaching in 2001. Bulldog kicker Brandon Coutu kicked two field goals including one from 55-yards. He is 7 –of- 7 on the season. Defensive back Thomas Flowers is out for the rest of the year with ligament damage in his foot. Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi didn’t play due to hamstring problems. Receiver Mikey Henderson, who injured his hamstrings, is expected to play but not return kicks. Guard Fernando Velasco was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Georgia has had a lineman win the award three straight weeks. The Georgia/Ole Miss game on Sept. 30 has been selected by ESPN2 for a 9 pm kickoff. Sophomore linebacker Dannell Ellerbe returns from his suspension this week.

COLORADO: The Buffaloes are winless on the season. They are averaging only 7.6 points per game. They are averaging 193 yards per game, No. 115 nationally. Coach Dan Hawkins has not endured a shutout in 119 games that he has coached. Colorado has scored only 23 points the entire season. The Buffaloes have lost seven straight games. Colorado’s defense, especially against the run, has been very solid. Kicker Mason Crosby has unlimited range. He is one of the best kickers in the nation.

TULANE AT LSU: The Tigers gained less than 50 yards rushing against Auburn. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was 20- of- 35 for 269 yards. Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey had eight tackles including three behind the line. He had 1.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry. LSU out-gained Auburn 309 yards to 182 and committed no turnovers. LSU gained 164 yards in the fourth quarter. The Tigers held Auburn to only 72 yards rushing and 110 yards passing. Auburn’s leading receiver Courtney Taylor was held to three catches for 22 yards. In the most controversial play of the game, Russell threw a pass to Early Doucet around the 5-yard line. Auburn defensive back Eric Brock deflected the ball just after Tiger Zach Gilbert interfered with Doucet. The officials ruled no pass interference and the SEC agreed with the call. The last time LSU didn’t score a touchdown in a game was 2002.

The Tigers are struggling to run the ball. None of their top backs—Alley Broussard, Justin Vincent or Jacob Hester are averaging more than 3.7 yards per attempt. LSU has lost its SEC opener five times in the past seven years. LSU has never advanced to the title game when they didn’t beat Auburn and Alabama. The Tiger defense is allowing 170 yards per game, No. 1 nationally. LSU is No. 1 in pass efficiency defense, No. 2 in pass defense and No. 3 in scoring. In three games, LSU has allowed one touchdown and two field goals. Several interesting speculations have come out from the Auburn loss. One is the coaches were too conservative. They should have played the freshman tailbacks Keiland Williams and Charles Scott more. Another theory is Miles is hampering Jimbo Fisher’s play calling by keeping it conservative. Miles, a former offensive coordinator, wants to establish the run. LSU has allowed only 13 points in its first three games, the fewest since 1964.

TULANE: The Green Wave allows 179 yards rushing per game, which should allow LSU to revitalize its running game. Tulane quarterback Lester Ricard transferred from LSU. This is Tulane’s 14th straight road game because the turf at the Superdome is not ready. Tulane has lost to LSU 14 straight times. Tulane’s defense is ranked No. 118 nationally.

BUFFALO AT AUBURN: The Tigers held LSU to only 42 yards on 23 attempts. On the final drive of the game, Auburn was using redshirt freshmen cornerbacks Jerruad Powers and Walter McFadden because No. 3 cornerback Jonathan Wilhite had a hamstring injury and No. 3 cornerback Patrick Lee didn’t play because he was sick. Tiger linebacker Kevin Sears has been reinstated to the team. Linebacker Tray Blackmon is still suspended. Tight end Cole Bennett will have a pin put in his right ankle. He could miss the rest of the season. Quarterback Brandon Cox ended the game with a sprained knee and ankle. Auburn has won 19 of its past 20 SEC games. Brandon Cox and Kenny Irons might sit out most of Saturday’s game.

BUFFALO: Coached by Turner Gill, Buffalo beat Temple to begin the season. Since then they have dropped two straight on the road including a loss to Northern Illinois last week. Buffalo also challenged Bowling Green in three overtimes before losing. Bowling Green gained 356 yards rushing and Northern Illinois gained 344 yards rushing.

OLE MISS HOSTS WAKE FOREST: The Rebels had six fumbles (four lost), an interception and 12 penalties in the loss to Kentucky. Ole Miss started only four seniors in the Kentucky game. Linebackers Garry Pack and Patrick Willis had 14 and 13 tackles. The defense allowed Wildcat quarterback Andre Woodson to throw for 229 of his 290 yards in the first half. Rebel quarterback Brent Schaeffer, who was 13- of- 26 for 190 yards, is completing 46% of his passes and has four picks and three touchdowns. The Rebel defense has forced only three turnovers in three games. The offense has committed eight turnovers in two games. Ole Miss is No. 110 nationally in passing.

WAKE FOREST: The Demons Deacons are unbeaten after three games for the first time since 1987. Wake is plus two in turnover ratio and Ole Miss is minus six. Micah Andrews, the leading Wake rusher, is doubtful for Saturday’s game with a knee injury. De’Angelo Bryant will replace him. Left tackle Arby Jones also injured his knee in the UConn game. The rushing defense has held opponents to 93 yards per game. Wake is averaging only 134 yards per game. Ole Miss is averaging 173 yards per game. Safeties Patrick Ghee and Josh Gattis will be vital to stopping the run.

MISSISSIPPI STATE AT UAB: The Bulldogs scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and nearly beat Tulane. Receiver Omarr Conner, the former quarterback, replaced Tray Rutland to lead the comeback. He was 15- of- 25 for 241 yards and one pick. Connor also ran for 77 yards on 13 carries. Receiver Tony Burks caught four passes for 127 yards. State’s pass defense allowed nearly 300 yards to Tulane. Linebacker Quinton Culberson had 12 tackles. Quarterback Michael Henig, who is recovering from a broken collarbone, is two weeks away from full-speed drills. Derek Pegues returned kicks and punts for 173 yards against Tulane, one of the few bright spots in the game. The LSU game on Sept. 30 has been set for a 12:30 pm kickoff on Lincoln Financial. State has already allowed 10 sacks. The Bulldogs must block end Larry McSwain and Jermaine McElveen.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT SOUTH CAROLINA: Wofford had the ball with a chance to tie the game at the USC 10-yard line with 29 seconds to go before USC created a turnover. The Terriers rushed for 290 yards. Wofford had 72 plays compared to South Carolina’s 51. Quarterback Syvelle Newton was 12- of- 19 for 198 yards and ran the ball 10 times for 62 yards in the win over Wofford. Receiver Sidney Rice caught seven passes for 151 yards. Spurrier said Sunday that Newton would remain at quarterback. He also said this week that quarterback Chris Smelley might redshirt because of a bruised heel. Tailback Cory Boyd sustained a high ankle sprain against Wofford and might not play.

FAU: The Owls are dead last, No. 119 in the nation in scoring defense allowing 49 points per game. They are No. 111 in total offense averaging 226 yards per game. They have been outscored 147-14 this season. The offensive line has allowed 12 sacks so far.

MARSHALL AT TENNESSEE: The Vols have two non-conference games and an off-week before returning the conference play. Ainge was 17- of- 32 for 183 yards and two picks in the loss to Florida. The Vols had negative yards (-11) rushing the lowest total in Coach Phil Fulmer’s career. Fulmer said his offensive line was physically whipped against Florida. In Tennessee’s last two games in the fourth quarter, Air Force and Florida combined punted only once (the Falcon’s first possession of the fourth quarter). Tennessee is averaging 94 yards per game rushing, No. 10 in the SEC. Tennessee is No. 87 nationally in rush defense. In three games, Jayson Swain and Robert Meachem have 31 catches and six scores combined.

MARSHALL: The Thundering Herd is allowing 172 yards rushing per game. In last week’s loss to Kansas State, Marshall gained only eight first downs and 142 total yards. Marshall has lost eight of nine road games. Junior running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who has an injured ankle but will play, has 44 rushes for 277 yards. Marshall is allowing 232 yards per game and has picked off only one pass.

RICE AT FLORIDA STATE: Quarterback Drew Weatherford was 11- of- 19 for 102 yards in the loss to Clemson. FSU had only one offensive touchdown. The Noles ran for 102 yards on 38 carries (2.7 ypc). Weatherford was constantly pressured every time he threw. FSU ran for 60 yard in the second half. Receiver Greg Carr was benched in the first half for an unknown violation then returned to action in the fourth quarter. Carr has caught only four passes for 38 yards. Florida State has not led at half since the Duke game in October of last year, a string of nine straight games. FSU has fumbled 13 times this season and lost five. They lost eight all of last season. Cornerback Tony Carter blocked an extra point and returned it 80 yards for a two-point conversion. He also returned a blocked field goal 69 yards for a touchdown.

The Noles have lost 12 of its last 36 games. FSU has no offensive touchdowns in the first half and no touchdowns from its top backs. The Nole offense is No. 105 nationally. Coach Bobby Bowden said Monday that part of the problem is Weatherford, who has had 16 starts, is trying too hard not to make a mistake. He is completing 60% of his passes and has only two picks. Offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden said another part of the problems were dropped passes by Chris Davis, Greg Carr and De’Cody Fagg. Reserve quarterback Xavier Lee has shared his frustration over lack of playing time with the media as well. Freshman defensive end Kevin McNeil has been cleared and has begun practice. For now, Chris Davis, who is averaging less than four yards per return, will keep his punt return job. FSU’s defense allowed at least five plays of 20 yards or longer in the loss to Clemson. Mickey Andrews said Alex Boston did well at his new position of defensive tackle and will remain there. Myron Rolle will make his first start because Anthony Houllis has a knee injury.

RICE: The Owls have the 15th worst defense in the nation. Rice has lost 19- of- 20 games. The Owls have struggled going to a spread formation. Rice is No. 114 in total offense.

NORTH CAROLINA AT CLEMSON: The Tigers have beaten the Noles three- of -the past four meetings. They broke a seven game losing streak in Tallahassee. Quarterback Will Proctor was 16- of- 30 for 194 yards. Tailback James Davis gained 87 yards on 19 carries. The major emphasis of work this week is the kicking game after having field goals and extra points blocked against BC and FSU. Clemson has had trouble with games like this in the past. Clemson’s next four opponents are UNC, Louisiana Tech, Wake Forest and Temple.

NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels allowed 521 yards to Furman including 310 yards rushing. UNC tied the school record for the most points allowed in a win. UNC is No. 100 in rush defense. Quarterback Cam Sexton was 14- of- 20 for 265 yards and two scores. Clemson has won four of the past five in the series. Tailbacks Barrington Edwards and Ronnie McGill can give Clemson some problems.

MIAMI IS OFF THIS WEEK: Louisville dominated Miami by holding them to only seven points. Cardinal quarterback Brian Brohm, who threw for 181 yards, went out in the third quarter with a dislocated thumb but Hunter Caldwell threw for 113 yards and a score. Miami fell to 1-2 for the first time since 1997. Kyle Wright threw for 287 yards on 20- of- 34 passing but suffered four sacks. Miami had 64 yards rushing. They fumbled three times and lost two. Athletic director Paul Dee said Coach Larry Coker will not be evaluated until the end of the season. Miami is 1-2 for the first time since 1997. Miami has been outscored 17-9 in the fourth quarter and tied 21-21 in the third. Coker has a $3 million buyout on his contract. There is also rumor that Dee could be forced into retirement or moved to another department. Coker’s contract runs through 2009 after it was extended for two years last year. Miami had a very intense practice on Tuesday. Junior James Bryant has moved from linebacker to H-back. Receiver Darnell Jenkins will miss two weeks with a hamstring injury. Coker said offensive lineman Reggie Youngblood should be ready for Houston.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT MARYLAND: The Terps committed five turnovers in the loss to West Virginia. FIU (0-3) found a running back last week in A’mod Ned who gained 169 yards against Bowling Green. Maryland tailbacks Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball have combined for 411 yards on the season.

CINNCINNATI AT VIRGINIA TECH: The Hokies have allowed 10 points all year and shutout two of three teams. Quarterback Sean Glennon is developing.

BOSTON COLLEGE AT N C STATE: Matt Ryan was 29- of- 48 for 356 yards with two picks in the win over BYU. He threw a touchdown to Tony Gonzalez on the first play of the second overtime and Jamie Silva intercepted a deflected a pass to seal the win. BC allowed 436 yards of passing from John Beck, the third highest total in BC history. The Eagles allowed 90 plays and 547 yards. BC could be 5-0 when Virginia Tech comes in on Oct. 12. Despite first half struggles and a lack of a pass rush, the Eagles have not lost. Coach Tom O’Brien is now the winningest coach in BC history. BC is trying to start 4-0 for the first time since 1999. BC beat N C State last year by 20 points and sacked the quarterback eight times. The BC running game is No. 90 nationally.

N C STATE: Redshirt sophomore quarterback Daniel Evans will replace Marcus Stone for this week’s game. Evans was 8 –of- 11 for 97 yards in the fourth quarter of the Southern Miss loss. Southern Miss didn’t punt and gained 261 yards rushing on the N C State defense. The Wolfpack are averaging 269 yards per game and 19 points per game. State is trying to avoid its first 1-3 start since 1996.

NOTRE DAME AT MICHIGAN STATE: The Irish had only four yards rushing and three picks and two fumbles. Michigan’s Hart ran for 124 yards on 31 carries. Michigan quarterback Chad Henne was 13- of- 22 for 220 yards and one pick. The 47 points allowed by Notre Dame were the most given up at home in 46 years. Notre Dame’s offense is ranked No. 68, averaging 342 yards per game. The Irish are No. 102 in the nation, averaging 84 yards per game. Michigan State has beaten Notre Dame seven of its last nine games. The Irish have won the last two games in East Lansing. Last year, Michigan State won in overtime and planted their flag at midfield. State is third in the nation in total offense506 yards per game and seventh in scoring average 39 points per game. Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton has thrown for 677 yards.

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.