The Tide’s first team offensive line is in better shape with left tackle Andre Smith, guard Justin Britt, center Antoine Caldwell, right guard Marlon Davis and right tackle Drew Davis making up the starting lineup. Smith said he has lost weight and is currently at 335.

Wesley Neighbors (6-1, 190), a safety from Huntsville, Ala., is the Tide’s seventh verbal commitment. He will be the fourth person in his family to play for Alabama.

Arkansas conducted a Saturday scrimmage that was dominated by the defense. The offense is still struggling to learn the new protection schemes. The defensive line had 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks in the scrimmage. Malcolm Sheppard, Fred Bledsoe, Ernest Mitchell and Antwain Robinson all played well. The quarterbacks struggled due to the defensive pressure. Casey Dick was 4- of- 7 for 16 yard and Nathan Emert was 9- of- 15 for 68 yards. The Hogs continue to work on the passing game. Quarterback Casey Dick rolled his ankle in practice, but it was not serious. The second scrimmage of the season is set for Saturday.

Georgia’s Marcus Howard is not a typical defensive end at a smallish 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, but he has impressed Coach Mark Richt with his performance this spring. Senior safety Kelin Johnson has embraced his leadership role. Cornerback Thomas Flowers, another senior, had a temporary setback after injuring his foot last Friday. Sean Bailey, Mikey Henderson and Mohamed Massaquoi are the top three leading receivers for the Bulldogs. The most impressive backups are Mike Moore and Kenneth Harris. The coaches would like to see the receivers make more plays by the end of spring.

True freshman Trinton Sturdivant has taken over the left tackle spot after injuries have slowed down Vince Vance and Josh Davis. Prince Miller, despite having his wrist in a cast, is battling Bryan Evans for the starting cornerback spot. The Georgia offense got the best of the defense in the second scrimmage on Monday afternoon. Several receivers including Henderson and Harris made big plays. Richt said the offensive line is improving daily.

In Wednesday practice, the Bulldog defense got the best of the offense after being embarrassed in Monday’s scrimmage. Darius Dewberry has been promoted over Dannell Ellerbe at linebacker. Akeem Dent and Brandon Miller are the other two starting linebackers for the G-Day game Saturday. The offensive line is back at full strength after the return of Vince Vance (strained PCL) and Ian Smith (migraine) from injuries. Richt is also pleased with the defensive line consisting of starters Marcus Howard and Roderick Battle at end and Kade Weston and Jeff Owens at tackle.

LSU has it third verbal commitment from Kellen Theirot (6-2, 225), an outside linebacker from Bellaire, Texas. UCLA had also offered him. Brandon Taylor (5-10, 190) and his brother Jhyryn Taylor (6-0, 185), both from Franklinton, La., committed to the Tigers. Their older brother Curtis is a safety on the team.

Mississippi State had its annual spring game last Saturday with the Maroon beating the White team, 21-0. Quarterbacks Matt Henig (7- of -14 for 113 yards) and Josh Riddell (1- of- 6 for 39 yards) both threw touchdown passes. The offensive line has more depth than any other time in the Sly Croom era. Junior defensive end Avery Hannibal had two sacks in the game. Croom said the defense has made progress this spring despite having to replace six starters. Ends Charles Burns and Cortez McCraney have been moved to tackle to shore up the inside of the line. Brandon Thornton, who switched from tailback to safety and Ty Evans, a reserve quarterback, plan on transferring.

Ole Miss had a scrimmage on Saturday. Running backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bruce Hall and Cordera Eason all had big plays. Defensively, Orgeron singled out linebacker Jonathan Cornell for his efforts. Orgeron added that all the quarterbacks made plays including Jevan Snead, the Texas transfer who is sitting out the 2007 season. He also said assistant Art Kehoe has done a great job with the offensive line consisting of starters Corey Actis, Mo Miller, John Jerry and Michael Oher. Next Saturday is the annual Grove Bowl.

Rebel quarterback Brent Schaeffer said he has not made enough plays to be considered the starting quarterback yet. He is trying to focus on making better decisions.

Orgeron named offensive linemen Reid Neely and Daverin Geralds, the surprises of the spring. He continues to praise defensive lineman Marcus Tillman.

Tennessee ended spring drills Saturday with the White team beating the Orange team, 16-13. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton (13- of- 26 for 113 yards) hit receiver Lucas Taylor on a 2-yard pass with 33 seconds left in the game for the winning score. Nick Stephens, who injured his shoulder in the game, was 14- of- 29 for 127 yards and two scores. Britton Colquitt hit 43 and 53- yard field goals in the game. Defensive back Tyler Wolf returned an interception back 73 yards for a touchdown. Tailback Arian Foster rushed eight times for 63 yards. Defensive lineman Demonte Bolden was taken off on a cart as a precaution after he was knocked out by Dan Williams’ knee in a pile. He has been released from the hospital and should be fine.

Defensive lineman J T Mapu is back in football condition after returning last season from a two-year Mormon mission. Tight ends Chris Brown and brothers Brad and Jeff Cottam are one of the strengths of the team. Tailback LaMarcus Coker could be ready for his best season yet. The receivers such as Quinton Hancock are talented, but there is a shortage of playmakers. The stats over the past few years show where the Vols have struggled to run the football. In 2006, Tennessee averaged 108 yards rushing per game, 2005—128 ypg, 2004—186 ypg, 2003—138 ypg, 2002—150 ypg, 2001—154 ypg and 200—162 ypg.

Vanderbilt had its spring game in front of 2,000 fans last Saturday morning. Starting quarterback Chris Nickson was 4- of- 6 for 51 yards. Quarterback Richard Kovalcheck, the Arizona transfer, was 7- of- 9 for 106 yards and three scores. Defensive end Quavian Lewis, a former linebacker, had four sacks. Former Tennessee coach Johnny Majors talked to the Commodore football team during a recent practice.

Kentucky starting free safety Marcus McClinton, who was arrested Thursday night for wanton endangerment for allegedly setting off homemade explosives, has had the charges reduced to second-degree misconduct. Junior college transfers Jess Beets and Josh Winchell will have a chance to play immediately on the line if healthy. Both are struggling with knee injuries. The Cats could be in an enviable position at tailback with a healthy Rafael Little, who is recovering from having his knee scoped and backups Tony Dixon and Alfonso Smith. Freshman linebacker Brandon Thurmond sustained a torn ACL in drills.

South Carolina had a scrimmage on Saturday that resulted in more quarterback frustrations for Coach Steve Spurrier. Three quarterbacks—Tommy Beecher (11- of- 20 for 140 and three picks), Blake Mitchell (11- of- 18 for 79 yards and one pick) and Chris Smelley (10- of- 17 for 88 yards and one pick)—were a combined 32- of- 55 for 307 yards with five picks and five sacks. Two of the interceptions occurred in the end zone. Tailback Cory Boyd led the tailbacks with 72 yards on 12 carries. Spurrier said tailback Taylor Rank had a very good scrimmage. Moe Brown led the receivers with five catches for 54 yards.

Gamecock offensive tackle James Meredith sustained a moderately sprained ankle in last Saturday’s scrimmage. He had feared the worst after hearing it pop on an extra-point play. The next scrimmage is scheduled for Friday. ESPNU is showing the spring game. Spurrier said defensive backs Stoney Woodson and Carlos Thomas are two players who have improved from last year. Spurrier’s quote on Florida winning the national championship in basketball, “We’ve kind of turned Ohio State into Runner-up U., haven’t we,” he said.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has looked good in 7- on- 7 drills, but only average in 11- on- 11 drills. The defensive line with guys like Brandon Antwine has done well this spring. Defensive lineman Derrick Harvey will miss the rest of spring after he has surgery on his sports hernia. End Lawrence Marsh had been very solid playing well against the run and pass. Tight end Cornelius Ingram started off hot then has settled down. The coaches are determined to take advantage of his size mismatch. Ingram also sprained an ankle, but should return shortly. Carlton Medder, who has lost a lot of body fat, appears to be holding down the right tackle spot. Linebacker Brandon Spikes had done better in pass coverage by knocking down several attempts. Dustin Doe, projected as a starting linebacker next season, was arrested for fighting in public for his involvement in a brawl in a Gainesville parking garage early Sunday morning. The leadership committee met with Doe. His punishment has been decided, but he will not be suspended.

Gator freshman cornerback Joe Haden intercepted quarterback Cam Newton’s pass that seemed to energize the defense in Wednesday’s scrimmage won by the defense. Meyer lavished praise on sophomore defensive end Jermaine Cunningham. After the scrimmage, Meyer praised the play of running back Kestahn Moore, center Drew Miller, sophomore linebacker Brandon Spikes, and redshirt sophomore safety Dorian Munroe. Chevon Walker has made a case for the backup tailback position. Bill Miller, the former Gator linebacker coach, is the new defensive coordinator at Western Michigan. Offensive lineman Ronnie Wilson was arrested Thursday accused of firing a semiautomatic rifle in the air in a dispute with another man that started in a nightclub.

Miami held its second scrimmage last Friday night with a surprise. Quarterback Kirby Freeman was held out of the scrimmage while walk-on quarterback Matt Perrilli took his place. Kyle Wright was 9- of- 23 for 101 yards with two scores and an interception. Coach Randy Shannon said he wanted to have all the quarterbacks get a shot at playing in scrimmages. The defense dominated the scrimmage especially without receiver Lance Leggett, who is out with a leg injury. Tailback Kylan Robinson had runs of 18 and 22 yards. A total of 1,004 fans attended the scrimmage. Shannon also said he would not name a starter until the Tuesday before the opening game with Marshall. The annual spring game is this Saturday at 10 am.

The city of Miami has made two last ditch efforts to keep the Canes from leaving the Orange Bowl. Miami officials made a proposal last Friday that features scaling back renovations and would cost between $150 and $200 million. The city could cover close to $150 million in renovations without asking the school to contribute. The lease runs through 2009, but the school would likely make a decision much sooner to move.

Running back Graig Cooper is not practicing primarily due to a broken finger. He will probably not play in the spring game. Defensive tackle Josh Holmes leveled tailback Javarris James at practice Wednesday. Shannon was so angered at the offense that he stopped practice and made them run at one point. Sam Shields and Ryan Hill are getting more reps with the injuries to various receivers. Patrick Johnson (6-0, 180), a defensive back from Pompano Beach Ely, has committed to the Canes.

FSU’s youngsters such as Bud Thacker, Kendrick Stewart, Letroy Guion, and Justin Mincey are getting a shot on the defensive line with projected starters Paul Griffin (knee) and Emmanuel Dunbar (back) nursing injuries. Receiver Greg Carr, who is 6-foot-6, could be used on the kick blocking team. Freshman linebacker Marcus Ball said he is about 80% recovered from his knee injury. Defensive back Tony Carter was injured in Wednesday’s practice. He has a rib and kidney contusion. Kenny Ingram, a 6-foot-6 safety, is nearly through with all his academic hurdles to rejoin the team. Ingram is one hour short and is taking a class on-line. Former Nole receivers Lorne Sam and Fred Rouse are doing well in the UTEP offense. Tailbacks Jamaal Edwards and Marcus Sims are battling for the backup tailback job behind Antone Smith. Former Nole tight end Brandon Warren has requested an appeal to FSU’s decision not to release him.

Clemson junior quarterback Cullen Harper has put some distance between he and the other signal callers at the midpoint of practice. True freshman Willie Korn could lock up the backup spot by the end of spring. C J Spiller and James Davis are clearly the top two backs, but Paul Macko and Ray Ray McElrathbey are providing capable depth. Junior Aaron Kelly is the go-to receiver following the departure of Chansi Stuckey. Sophomore Jacoby Ford and true freshman Xavier Dye are also in the mix.

West Virginia has signed Noel Devine (5-8, 170), a running back from North Fort Myers, Fla. Devine was one of the most heralded running backs in this past year’s signing class.

SEC HOOP NOTES

Kentucky has hired former Texas A & M coach Billy Gillispie to replace Tubby Smith. Gillispie rebuilt teams at UTEP and A & M. Amazingly, former Kentucky football coach Hal Mumme was Gillispie’s athletic director at his first high school coaching job in Texas.

The announcement of Billy Donovan staying at Florida was important to recruiting. Donovan is recruiting Jai Lucas (5-10, 160), a point guard from Bellaire High in Houston, Texas. Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were his top four schools before Donovan’s announcement. Taurean Green leaving also opens the door for Lucas, who is the son of former NBA great John Lucas. The Gators are also battling Duke and Kentucky for Patrick Patterson (6-8, 220), the top unsigned power forward out of Huntingdon, West Virginia.

Arkansas coaching possibilities to replace Stan Heath: Jamie Dixon of Pitt, Andy Kennedy of Ole Miss, Sean Sutton of Oklahoma State, Greg Marshall of Winthrop, Anthony Grant of VCU, and Tony Bennett of Washington State. The Parker Executive Search firm is aiding in the search.

Alabama coach Mark Gottfried is trying to replace former assistant Tom Asbury, who retired this week. Tide point guard Ron Steele had both his knees scoped after cartilage tears were discovered by Dr. Jim Andrews.

Auburn plays West Virginia, coached by the recently hired Bob Huggins, and Alabama faces Georgetown in a Dec. 5 SEC/Big East matchup to be played in Birmingham. The next night, South Carolina plays Providence and LSU meets Villanova in Philadelphia. ESPN or ESPN2 will televise the games.

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.