Tiger linebacker Tray Blackmon will return for the Florida game after being suspended for six games due to alcohol related charges. Blackmon will fight sophomore Merrill Johnson for the weakside linebacker spot. He gives the Tigers more speed. Auburn has created only six turnovers this season, No. 11 in the SEC. The Tiger defense has allowed 44 points and an average of 357 yard per game in the last two contests. Auburn is No. 8 in total offense and No. 6 in scoring. Tiger quarterback Brandon Cox has been sacked 18 times this season. Sophomore Jason Bosley will start again at center even though he was replaced in the second half by Jonathan Palmer. The Tiger offensive line is working overtime on Florida to protect Cox and get the running game going. Auburn is scoring 25 points per game, down from 32 last season. The Tigers are averaging 154 yards rushing, 40 off their mark from last year. Auburn’s starting offensive line, consisting of four seniors and a junior, have taken the blame for Saturday’s loss to Arkansas. Tailback Brad Lester has a groin injury. Tiger running back Kenny Irons averages 102 yards per game. Florida’s defense allows only two yards per carry. Auburn is 24-8-1 against the Gators in Auburn. Linebacker Will Herring could be used as a spy for Gator quarterback Tim Tebow. Auburn might use Tristan Davis more as a playmaker. Davis, a backup safety, leads the SEC with a 27- yard average in kick returns.

FLORIDA: The Gators, ranked No. 2 ranked team, held LSU to a total of three points in the second half. Tebow is 10- of- 14 for 152 yards and two scores on the season. Florida has given up 16 total points in the second half. Florida is 6-0 for the first time since 1996. The Gator defense forced LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell into three picks. Russell also fumbled the ball at the one-yard line. The Friday before the game, Russell’s car was stolen. Florida also blocked a punt. Cornerback Ryan Smith intercepted two passes, along with three tackles. He also dropped two passes. Gator defensive lineman Javier Estopinan is out for the year with a leg injury. The Gators are last in the nation in penalties. Quarterback Chris Leak failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season against LSU. Although he didn’t play, tailback DeShawn Wynn was cleared before the LSU game. Tailback Kestahn Moore fumbled and didn’t play much afterwards. Freshmen Percy Harvin and Jarred Fayson got several carries at the tailback position. Tight end Tate Casey and receiver Louis Murphy made their most significant contributions of the season. Receiver Andre Caldwell is more involved in the offense, but tight end Cornelius Ingram is not. The offensive line allowed only one sack. Phil Trautwein continues to play well and Ronnie Wilson was solid after coming back from injury. The offense ended up with less than 300 yards and turned the ball over twice. Florida was only 4- of- 12 on third downs.

Gator defensive tackle Marcus Thomas led the team with eight tackles. At linebacker, Brian Crum played well for the third straight game. Linebacker Brandon Siler had seven tackles and recovered a fumble. The secondary had three picks; five pass breakups, and one goal line saving tackle. Yet, the defense allowed 22 first downs, only had one sack and allowed LSU to convert 7- of- 13 third downs. Florida had 14 penalties in the game. The Gators are No. 3 nationally in interceptions with 11. Tailback DeShawn Wynn practiced this week and it looks like he can play. Harvin has practiced more then Wynn. Once Florida established its five- receiver rotation, LSU went with six defensive backs, which left only three defensive linemen to go against five offensive linemen.

OLE MISS AT ALABAMA: The Rebels beat Vanderbilt despite being outgained 405 yards to 177. Ole Miss had 30 yards passing, but their defense forced six turnovers. Tailback Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis ran 24 times for 101 yards. Defensive back Charles Clark returned an interception for 52 yards to seal the win. Junior college linebacker transfer Rory Johnson had 16 tackles, forced three fumbles and recovered two. Linebacker Patrick Willis leads the SEC in tackles with 10 per game. Green-Ellis is third in the SEC in rushing averaging 95 yards per game. Alabama’s defensive line has to find a way to block offensive tackle Michael Oher. Alabama has won 16- of- 19 games in the series. The Tide is 21-1 against Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa. Receiver Dexter McCluster, who was injured in the Vanderbilt game, is iffy for Saturday. He is the Rebel’s leading receiver.

ALABAMA scored twice late to make the final score more respectable against Duke, but the Blue Devils had season high totals on offense against the Tide. Alabama allowed Duke, who was averaging 38 yards rushing per game, to run for 201 yards. The Blue Devils scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. They had scored only one touchdown coming into the game. Duke sacked quarterback John Parker Wilson twice and hurried him three times. The Blue Devils blitzed on 80% of the time. Wilson was 18- of- 30 for 220 yards with two touchdown passes and one pick. Cornerback Lionel Mitchell returned an interception 50 yards for a score. Receiver D J Hall caught seven passes for 124 yards. Tailback Kenneth Darby ran 18 times for 115 yards. The Tide had a 77-yard pass play from Wilson to Keith Brown called back due to a penalty and a 55-yard kickoff return from Rashad Johnson negated for the same reason. Defensive back Ramzee Robinson got his first pick of the season.

Tide backup quarterback Marc Gullion has left the team due to a lack of playing time. Jimmy Barnes is now the No. 2 quarterback. Six Alabama players have Mississippi ties such as Jeffrey Duke and Jimmy Johns. Alabama leads the nation in turnover margin. The Ole Miss defense is more similar to what Alabama runs. Hall and Brown are the second most productive duo of receivers in the nation next to Tennessee’s Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain. Tailback Roy Upchurch will not play due to a sprained ankle and tailback Jimmy Johns continues to work on a quarterback package.

VANDERBILT AT GEORGIA: The Bulldogs leaped out to a 24-7 lead before Tennessee outscored them 44-9. The Bulldogs are still struggling at quarterback. Joe Tereshinski was 12- of- 20 for 162 yards with two picks and a touchdown in the loss to Tennessee. He also fumbled the ball in the second half. Linebacker Jarvis Jackson had 11 tackles in his return to action from an injury. Coach Mark Richt is opening up the running back competition. Kregg Lumpkin and Thomas Brown saw action in the Tennessee game, but Danny Ware didn’t. Ware was the leading rusher last season after four games. Tereshinski will start again against Vanderbilt. He took 80% of the snaps in Monday’s practice. Gordon Ely-Kelso has had three punts blocked in the past two games.

One of the best battles of the day will be Vandy offensive tackle Brian Stamper, who has a hamstring, against Bulldog defensive ends Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson. Linebacker Tony Taylor has 33 tackles in the last three weeks. Georgia has beaten Vandy 11 straight times. Georgia quit running the football after Tennessee went ahead at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Up until then, Georgia had run 25 times for 148 yards. Receiver A. J. Bryant is the leading receiver this season. The offensive coaches want to get the ball more to Mikey Henderson who has become a playmaker.

VANDERBILT’S five turnovers against Ole Miss were four less than the team total for the previous five games. Quarterback Chris Nickson also sustained an ankle injury and a bruise thigh. Receiver Earl Bennett caught 10 passes for 179 yards. Vandy is second in the SEC in rushing offense averaging 158 yards per game. The Commodore defense has allowed Michigan and Arkansas to score more than 20 points.

KENTUCKY AT LSU: In the last two games, LSU has committed 10 turnovers against Florida. Unlike last year, this time the mistakes cost them the game. In both LSU losses this season—to Auburn and Florida—they outgained their opponents. LSU’s top three receivers, Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis and Early Doucet, combined for 19 catches, but failed to find the end zone. For the first time this season, defensive backs LaRon Landry and Jessie Daniels were the Tigers leading tacklers. LSU had only two defensive linemen with more than two tackles. Russell had three picks, coach Les Miles was quick to point out that freshman Brandon LeFell made a freshman mistake on one pick. Russell also fumbled at the one-yard line. LeFell and defensive back Daniel Francis are questionable for the Kentucky game.

There is no live TV for the Kentucky game. LSU changed its punting formation last year even though they finished No. 5 nationally. The Tigers are now last in punting (31 yards net) and had one blocked in Gainesville. LSU didn’t blitz Leak very often. Also there are questions as to why Early Doucet played quarterback instead of Ryan Perrilloux or Matt Flynn. There are still other questions about the offensive philosophies of Miles and Jimbo Fisher meshing. LSU is still struggling to run the ball. Jacob Hester had the most carries against Florida. Freshman Charles Scott didn’t play due to a concussion he sustained last Wednesday in practice. Freshman Keiland Williams also sprained his ankle. Both practiced this week. The coaches are trying to decide whether to redshirt Williams. Despite the loss, LSU is still in the top 10 in six defensive categories. They are first in the SEC in sacks with 20. Davis could be the new punt returner this week.

KENTUCKY made a gritty effort against South Carolina, but mistakes on offense cost them several chances to score. The Wildcats did execute a fake punt on fourth and short that went for 17 yards. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard has 30 tackles in his last three games. Running back Rafael Little is out for a month after having his knee scoped. Center Matt McCutchan may return after missing the last three games with a high ankle sprain. Quarterback Andre Woodson has 15 touchdowns passes, tied for third in the nation. LSU has won five of seven against UK.

JACKSONVILLE STATE AT MISSISSIPPI STATE: Quarterback Michael Henig replaced Omarr Conner at quarterback after he left with a groin injury. Redshirt freshman Ty Evans who played against West Virginia will be the No. 2 quarterback. The Bulldogs had 306 yards and 25 first downs, both season highs in the West Virginia loss. Receiver Tony Burks caught four passes for 118 yards. Linebacker Quinton Culberson had 12 tackles. Jacksonville State coach by Jack Crowe is 3-2. Clay Green is the fourth leading rusher in JSU history. Quarterback Matt Hardin has thrown for 647 yards and three scores this season. Jacksonville State has one of the best I-AA defenses.

SOUTHEST MISSOURI STATE AT ARKANSAS: The Razorbacks ran for 279 yards to Auburn’s 60 in last week’s win. Tailback Darren McFadden ran 28 times for 145 yards including a 63-yard touchdown run and Felix Jones ran 13 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. Freshman safety Matt Hewitt had nine tackles. This was the biggest win over a ranked opponent since the Hogs beat No. 1 Texas in 1981. The Hog defense sacked Cox five times and held Irons to 75 yards rushing. Arkansas ran 36 of its last 38 plays. Receiver Marcus Monk has 15 catches for 327 yards in five games, the best in his career. Arkansas is last in the nation in turnover margin. The Redhawks, a I-AA team, allowed 190 yards rushing to Eastern Illinois. SE Missouri State is coached by Tony Samuels. Their quarterback is Kevin Ballatore, who led the nation in completion percentage in 2004.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks head to an off week with a 4-2 record. The Kentucky victory was the fourth straight road win for the Gamecocks. Despite the two losses in the conference, USC could play spoiler. Their homecoming game against Arkansas is huge for both teams. Tailback Cory Boyd ran 25 times for 113 yards. USC is fourth in the league in sacks despite the two players who led them in the category last season-Stanley Dougherty and Dakota Walker- not playing much. Dougherty might move to the offensive line in short yardage situations. Receiver Sidney Rice has caught a total of five passes in two games. Freshman defensive end Eric Norwood is tied for third in the SEC with 4.5 sacks in six games. Coach Steve Spurrier has apologized to secondary coach Ron Cooper for grilling him at the press conference after the game.

TENNESSEE is off: The Vols, ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll, are the only team besides Florida in 1995 to score more than 50 points on Georgia in Athens. Quarterback Erik Ainge was 25- of- 38 for 267 yards and two scores. The Vols do not play for two weeks until the Alabama game. Tennessee scored 27 points in the fourth quarter against Georgia. The Vol defense picked off three Georgia passes. Tennessee’s offensive line prevented Georgia defensive linemen Johnson and Moses from sacking Ainge, who has improved greatly in blitz situations. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe gave Ainge a lot of three step drops to nullify the rush. Ainge is No. 6 nationally in passing efficiency. Tennessee got its six win in the last eight trips to Athens. He already has a career high in passing yards (1,657) and completions (118). The Vols lead the SEC in scoring (35 ppg) and total offense (421 ypg). In the four SEC games last season against Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina, they scored a total of 39 points. Tennessee’s defense forced four turnovers in the second half. Coach Phil Fulmer was not at all happy with the kick coverage that allowed Georgia to return a punt and kickoff for a touchdown. Fulmer lavished praised on offensive lineman Arron Sears. Tennessee safety Antonio Wardlow is on the cover of SI this week recovering a fumble. The picture goes with the story of the SEC being the toughest conference. Meachem is No. 1 nationally averaging 112 yards per game.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT MIAMI: Quarterback Kyle Wright was 13- of- 21 for 143 yards in the win over North Carolina. Tight end Greg Olsen caught eight catches for 95 yards. Miami intercepted UNC quarterback Cam Sexton twice. The Canes turned the mistakes into 10 points. Miami senior associate athletic director Pete Garcia is leaving the program to be the new athletic director at Florida International. The Canes are allowing only 63 yards per game rushing, No. 8 in the nation. FIU lost a seven overtime game to North Texas last week.

TEMPLE AT CLEMSON (THURSDAY): Tiger tailback C J Spiller ran for a 72- yard touchdown to put the Tigers ahead in the win over Wake Forest. Spiller gained 104 yards and tailback James Davis added 95 yards. Defensive end Gaines Adams returned a fumble for a touchdown on a botched field goal that would have put Wake up by 17 points. Quarterback Will Proctor was 20- of- 30 for 214 yards and a score. Clemson overcame Proctor’s fumble and three picks by scoring 24 points in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Tremaine Billie has had the pin removed from his surgerically repaired ankle. He said that he would either return against Georgia Tech or redshirt.

The Tigers demolished Temple, 63-9 Thursday night. Davis ran for 138 yards on nine carries and scored three times. Clemson, who has scored 50 points four different times this season, gained 559 yards. The Temple game was originally scheduled to be played at Lincoln Financial Field, but was moved to a neutral field in Charlotte. In return, the Owls don’t owe Clemson a return visit in ‘07. As a result of the open date, Temple was able to schedule Penn State next season. Davis, who averages 101 ypg, could be the first Tiger to lead the ACC in rushing since Raymond Priester in 1995. Receiver Chansi Stuckey is out for another week at least with a broken foot.

GEORGIA TECH IS OFF: Tashard Choice rushed for a career-high 138 yards and two scores. Calvin Johnson had 10 catches for 133 yards and a score.

VIRGINIA TECH AT BOSTON COLLEGE (THURSDAY); Steve Aponavicius was a fan in the stands two weeks ago, but he kicked two field goals and two extra points for Thursday night in the win over Virginia Tech after starting kicker Ryan Ohliger was suspended indefinitely. BC quarterback Matt Ryan was 16- of- 29 for 174 yards and two scores.

VIRGINIA TECH: The Hokies are 12-2 on Thursday night games after losing to BC. Virginia Tech gained only 21 yards in the second half. Quarterback Sean Glennon was 23- of- 34 with two picks. Tech was held without a touchdown for the first time since the 1998 Gator Bowl. Receiver Josh Hyman, the second leading receiver on the team, has been suspended indefinitely for a DUI arrest.

WAKE AT N C STATE: A win would put the Wolfpack at the top of the Atlantic Division standings. Defensive lineman Tank Tyler has been dominating. He came out of the FSU game with back spasms. If State is overconfident, Wake could take advantage of them.

WAKE quarterback Riley Skinner has completed 68% of his passes for 788 yards. He has one pick in 95 attempts. He leads the ACC in passing efficiency. Wake still has BC, FSU and Virginia Tech on the schedule. The Demon Deacons stayed with Clemson for three quarters.

SOUTH FLORIDA AT NORTH CAROLINA: A Tar Heel loss might mean the eventual end of John Bunting as coach. USF has not allowed more than 22 points in any games. Quarterback Matt Grothe has developed well averaging 275 yards per game. USF cornerback Trae Williams is fourth in the nation in picks.

FLORIDA STATE AT DUKE: The Blue Devils are last in nine of the major team stats in the ACC. Defensive end D. J. Norris is still out with a shoulder injury. Senior left tackle Mario Henderson said freshmen Daron Rose and Matt Hardrick have made progress in practice. Freshman cornerback Patrick Robinson is hoping to get back on the field quickly after allowing the game-winning touchdown catch against N C State.

MARYLAND AT VIRGINIA: The Cavs are no higher than No. 97 nationally in scoring offense, rushing offense, passing offense and total offense. Maryland running back Lance Ball should be able to run against the Virginia defense. Maryland should be able to get to Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell.

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.