• Julio Jones, receiver from Foley, Ala.—team to beat-Alabama with dark horse-FSU
• T J Bryant, cornerback from Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln—team to beat –FSU with dark horse-LSU
• Tyler Love, offensive lineman from Mountain (Ala.) Brook—team to beat-Alabama with dark horse- Florida
• Marcus Fortson, defensive tackle from Miami (Fla.) Northwestern—team to beat-Miami with dark horse- Notre Dame. His girlfriend goes to FSU
• Burton Scott, athlete from Pritchard (Ala.) Vigor—team to beat-Florida with dark horse-Alabama
• Matt Patchan, an offensive lineman from Armwood (Fla.) Seffner-team to beat-Miami with dark horse-LSU
• Aldarius Johnson, a receiver from Miami (Fla.) Northwestern-team to beat-Miami with dark horse-Florida
• DeAndre Brown, a receiver from Ocean Springs, Ms.—team to beat-LSU with dark horse-Auburn
• Mark Barron, an athlete Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul’s-team to beat-Alabama with dark horse-Auburn
• Robert Quinn, a defensive end from North Charleston, S.C.-team to beat-Alabama with dark horse-Auburn
• Willie Green, a defensive end from Hoover (Ala.) Spain Park-team to beat Alabama and dark horse-Florida
• Dontavius Jackson, a running back from Franklin, Ga.—team to beat Georgia with dark horse-Clemson
• Brice Butler, a receiver from Norcross, Ga.—team to beat Florida State with dark horse-Southern Cal
• Marcus Robinson, a linebacker from Homestead, Fla.—team to beat-Miami with dark horse-Southern Cal
• Chris Tolliver, a receiver from Rayville, La.-team to beat-LSU with dark horse-Ole Miss
• Antoine McClain, an offensive lineman from Anniston, Ala.—team to beat-Auburn with dark horse-Alabama
• Etienee Sabino, a linebacker from Miami (Fla.) Krop-team to beat-Notre Dame with dark horse-Notre Dame
• Greg Shaw, an offensive lineman from Miami (Fla.) Pace-team to beat Georgia with dark horse-Louisville; he is the brother of former Miami signee Willie Williams, now at Louisville
• Charles Mitchell, a cornerback from Clarksdale, Ms.-team to beat Ole Miss with darkhorse-Mississippi State
• Barrett Jones, an offensive lineman from Memphis, Tenn. Evangelical Christian-team to beat Alabama with dark horse-Florida
• Brandon Thompson, a defensive tackle from Thomasville, Ga.-team to beat-Clemson with a dark horse-FSU
• Brandon Harris, a cornerback from Miami (Fla.) Booker T Washington-team to beat Miami with a dark horse-Ohio State
• Jerrell Harris, a linebacker from Gasden, Ala-team to beat Auburn with dark horse-Alabama
• Keith Wells, a defensive end from Gainesville, Ga.-team to beat Florida with a dark horse-FSU.

David Archer, the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback and radio color analyst for the last three seasons, was named as an analyst for Lincoln Financial’s SEC Game of the Week. He replaces Dave Rowe.

SEC coaches records against their conference peers from Volquest.com: Urban Meyer 12-3, Les Miles 11-4, Mark Richt 26-12, Steve Spurrier 22-11, Tommy Tuberville 27-18, Nick Saban 11-9, Phil Fulmer 24-23, Houston Nutt 17-20, Rich Brooks 7-18, Bobby Johnson 6-22, Ed Oregon 3-11 and Sly Croom 2-17.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier had his mid-summer presser Tuesday. Spurrier said his team is not far off. He is more pleased with the increased participation in voluntary workouts. Spurrier said linebacker Dustin Lindsey, who had knee surgery after tearing a ligament in the spring game, is ahead of schedule. He could even return for the start of the season. Spurrier also said defensive back signee Antonio Allen and running back Eric Baker, an Jacksonville Ed White graduate, both failed to qualify and will enroll in either a prep school or junior college. Arkee Smith, a defensive back from First Coast, is waiting on a transcript snafu involving an advanced placement course that was left off his record by mistake. Michael Bowman, a receiver signee from North Carolina, is transferring to East Carolina. Linebacker signee Melvin Ingram has made it through the admissions process and been accepted by the school, but he is yet to be approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Quarterback Blake Mitchell is currently No. 7 on the South Carolina career yards passing list with 4,245. Mitchell is only 1,437 yards away from passing Anthony Wright, who is No. 3 on the list with 5,681 yards. Todd Ellis leads with 9,953 yards and Steve Taneyhill is second with 8,782 yards.

LSU signee Chad Jones still has not signed with the Houston Astros after being drafted in the 13th round of the MLB draft. Jones has told LSU football and baseball coaches that he is excited about playing both sports at the school. DeAngelo Peterson (6-3, 195), a receiver from Desire St. (La.) Academy, committed to LSU. Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss are recruiting him.

Alabama offensive line signee William Vlachos, who is from Mountain Brook, will not greyshirt this season. Instead he has received word that he needs to be on hand for fall drills. Vlachos is already enrolled in summer school. Alabama’s opener against Western Carolina has yet to be picked up by television. One possibility is the Lincoln Financial network televising the game at 12:30 p.m. Other possibilities for that time slot are Troy at Arkansas, Louisiana-Lafayette at South Carolina, Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky, Western Kentucky at Florida and Richmond at Vanderbilt. One reason that the LF may not show the Alabama game is the network is showing the Alabama at Vanderbilt game the following week.

One of Nick Saban’s biggest chores is teach his team to win close games. Of the 23 games that Mike Shula’s team lost in four years, 15 were by eight points or less. Alabama had 53 trips inside their opponent’s red zone last season, scoring only 20 touchdowns. Receiver D J Hall has a shot at some Tide career and single season marks: Freddie Milons had 65 catches in 1999. Hall had 62 last season. Milons also holds the mark for career catches with 152. Hall has 127. Tide great Ozzie Newsome has 2,070 career receiving yards and Hall has 1,918. Dennis Homan has 18 career touchdown catches. Hall has 11.

Saban told a Rotary Club on Wednesday that he would like to play teams such as Notre Dame, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Georgia Tech and Penn State. Alabama does have future games scheduled with Georgia Tech and Oklahoma. Tide freshman signee Jamar Taylor is possibly transferring to South Florida due to personal issues. Saban admitted that the school is trying to help him out. If Taylor transfers to USF, he team with former Alabama signee Mike Ford.

Arkansas has a verbal commitment from De’Anthony Curtis (5-10, 209), a running back from Camden, Arkansas. Curtis has offers from Clemson, Ole Miss, Miss State, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Texas Tech and Tulsa. Thomas Shuler (6-0, 230), a running back from Dr. Phillips in Orlando, is commitment No. 10. FSU, Auburn, West Virginia, LSU, Ohio State and Louisville are also recruiting him.

Georgia has made Tyler Love’s list of five schools. Love (6-7, 295), a five-star Rivals100 offensive lineman from Mountain Brook, Ala., is down to Georgia, Alabama, Florida, FSU and Oklahoma. Vance Cuff, a cornerback signee, is still in academic limbo after the NCAA Clearinghouse flagged one of his courses.

Ole Miss is awaiting word on five signees—strongside defensive end Chris Strong, defensive lineman Ted Laurent, receivers A J Jackson and Roderick Davis and athlete Johnny Brown.

Tennessee strongside linebacker Ryan Karl hurt his back lifting weights and is sidelined for several weeks. If he is not fully recovered by the Cal game then Ellix Wilson or Adam Myers-White will take his place. Tennessee is trying to get their offensive lineman to lose some weight. In the last five drafts, only two offensive linemen—Scott Wells in 2004 and Arron Sears in 2007-- have been drafted. In 2005, the Vol line averaged 328 pounds. The projected starting offensive lineman this year will average 304 pounds. Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer gave his assistant coaches contract extensions and raises this week. However, Fulmer received an extension, but no raise.

The 12th annual Manning Passing Academy began Thursday. All the Manning brothers-Peyton, Eli and Cooper—meet with their father, Archie for four days of instructing up to 1,200 skill position athletes.

Florida’s 2005 signing class of 18 is down to only eight. Only two of those players—running back Kestahn Moore and receiver Louis Murphy-- are projected as starters. The rest of the players are Simon Codrington (backup OL), Eddie Haupt (reserve OL), Dorian Munroe (No. 2 strong safety), David Nelson (backup WR who will play), Jonathan Phillips (battling for placekicking job), Ryan Stamper (possible starter at OLB), Avery Atkins (died last week) and no longer on the team are linebacker Kalvin Baker, receiver Nyan Boateng (left after title game), tight end Brian Ellis (failed to qualify), defensive end Darryl Gresham (left the team earlier this year), safety Reggie Nelson (Jaguars), quarterback Josh Portis (Maryland transfer), linebacker Eric Sledge (quit before last season) and offensive lineman Ronnie Wilson (suspended for 2007).

Deion Walker (6-4, 186), a Rivals100 receiver from Christchurch, Va., visited Florida Tuesday. He is also visiting FSU, LSU and South Carolina this week. He has already visited Alabama, Clemson, Maryland, Penn State, Tennessee and N C State. He also wants to see Virginia and Virginia Tech. He is a two- time triple jump state champion. Alachua County prosecutors have dropped felony charges of purchasing marijuana against Brandon James and Brandon Powell. Former Gator player Dock Pollard is playing the role of Willie Randolph in the ESPN miniseries “The Bronx is Burning” about the 1977 New York Yankees season.

Florida assistant coaches received a pay raise from the school. Co-defensive coordinators Charlie Strong and Greg Mattison received a $75,000 pay bump that put them at nearly $300,000 per year. Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen was raised from $150,000 to $200,000. Secondary coach Chuck Heater also received a $50,000 raise which means he earns $195,000. Chaz Sutton (6-4, 236), a defensive end from Savannah, Ga. and his teammate Franklin Green (5-11, 201), a running back, say they are on the verge of committing to Florida. Green has offers from Cal, Indiana, Rutgers and South Carolina while Sutton has interest from Cal, Indiana, Louisville, Rutgers, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

Auburn will begin its 2008-09 series against West Virginia on the road in Morgantown on Sept. 6, 2008. West Virginia comes to Auburn on Sept. 5, 2009. The Moutaineers will play at Auburn to the open the season the following season. The two teams have never met. On the field for this year, the most pressing questions are on the offensive line and the kicking game. Coach Tommy Tuberville said this week he would like to redshirt quarterback Kodi Burns instead of wasting him for little playing time.

Tiger Lineman signee Jermaine Johnson will begin his career at Hargrave Military Academy. Tiger signee Ryan Williams, who is from Mobile B C Rain, said he the NCAA Clearinghouse has approved him and expects to report to Auburn in a few days. Possible changes in Williams’ grades were questioned recently by a Mobile school board investigation. Eltoro Freeman, a linebacker signee out of Alexander City, Ala., has also been approved by the Clearinghouse. Tim Lamb, a defensive tackle signee from Tallahassee Lincoln, will report to Hargrave Military Academy in August. Three other signees—receiver Chris Slaughter, running back Enrique Davis and offensive lineman Nick Fairley—are still waiting word from the NCAA.

Kentucky’s game against Louisville has been selected by ESPN Classic for a 7:30 pm kickoff. There was much consternation in the state since ESPN has televised the game for years.

Vanderbilt chancellor Gordon Gee is leaving his post to return to Ohio State as school president. Gee was one of the most vocal opponents to a playoff at the May SEC meetings in Destin. He was also known for dismantling the athletic director’s job at Vandy. In 2006-07, Vandy was ranked No. 33 out of nearly 300 schools in the Director’s Cup.

There are still three SEC schools on probation: Georgia men’s basketball (ends April 17, 2008), South Carolina football (ends June 6, 2008) and Mississippi State football (June 11, 2008). Commissioner Mike Slive said his goal was to have all conference schools off probation in five years when he took over in 2003.

ACC NOTES

Florida State athletic director Dave Hart’s contract will not be renewed after it expires in 2009. President T K Wetherell took over when Hart had six years left on his 10- year contract. The athletic department had an independent review in the spring of 2003. Out of that review, Hart was criticized that he had fostered a “culture of isolation” from the rest of the school. Despite the problems, both have worked together during the past four years on such projects as ACC expansion and the changes in the football coaching staff. Recently, the differences have been over members of Hart’s staff that Wetherell want out. Under Hart’s watch, the Olympic sports have done well, but the football, basketball and baseball have struggled to have postseason success. Hart and Wetherell have different, contrasting styles. The Tallahassee Democrat reported that Wetherell would not reward Hart with a new contract six months ago. He has repeated this in a memo that will soon become public through the public record law. The two men met Wednesday, but the process could continue for several weeks. Wetherell said the meeting was routine and nothing more.

FSU is hoping to have a neutral- site game in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl if renovations are completed in time to the stadium. Citrus Sports executives are also having talks with Florida. Taiwan Easterling, a freshman signee, is deciding whether or not to play receiver or defensive back. Easterling was also a sixth round pick by the Florida Marlins in this year’s Major League Baseball draft. Offensive lineman Jacky Claude has decreased from 303- to- 287 pounds. His strength and conditioning have increased considerably. Center John Frady had surgery on his ankle to clean up some problems.

Miami has a commitment from Lerentee McCray (6-2, 200), a linebacker from Dunnellon, who committed to Miami over Florida. However, he still wants to visit Southern Cal, Auburn, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Cane players are active in 7 on 7 drills. Receiver Darnell Jenkins is in the best shape of his life according to the players. Freshman receiver Jermaine McKenzie is making the biggest impact of the younger wide outs. Quarterback Robert Marve has been impressive with his strong arm and accurate passes. Marcus Robinson (6-2, 210), a Rivals100 linebacker from Homestead, Fla., has not committed to Miami contrary to rumors. LSU, FSU, Florida, Southern Cal, and Michigan are on his radar. Cane running back signee Graig Cooper has lined up in the slot during 7-on-7 drills.

Hurricane position battles: quarterback between Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman, who is more mobile, accurate and makes fewer mistakes; linebacker with Glenn Cook (11 starts last year), Tavares Gooden (four), Darryl Sharpton and Colin McCarthy (who had a good spring); offensive line with Jason Fox and Reggie Youngblood set at tackle, Andrew Bain at one guard, A J Trump or guard Derrick Morse at center. Freshmen Orlando Franklin and Chris Rutledge could play some at guard or tackle; cornerback between Randy Phillips and Chavez Grant opposite Glenn Sharpe; tight end/H-back among Chris Zellner (solid blocker), DajLeon Farr, Dedrick Epps and Richard Gordon.

Former Cane player Michael Irvin is donating $100,000 to his former high school St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale.

Georgia Tech quarterback signee Steven Threet, one of two players to enroll early, has left the program. Threet cited his reason for leaving due to the departure of Patrick Nix, who is now the offensive coordinator at Miami. He has already moved back to his hometown in Michigan where he is going to transfer to Michigan. Junior Taylor Bennett is the starter. Auburn transfer Calvin Booker and freshman Josh Nesbitt will compete for the backup job.

Clemson has three players—linebacker Kavell Conner and running backs Ray Ray McElrathbey and Ronald Watson-- who have had arthroscopic knee surgery in the past week. Freshman Drew Taylor broke his ankle at home in Alabama last week. Conner and McElrathby should be ready for fall drills that begin on Aug. 4.

Oklahoma was penalized by the NCAA Committee on Infractions including the loss of two scholarships for 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years due to three football players—quarterback Rhett Bomar, guard J D Quinn and walk-on receiver Jermaine Hardison-- being paid roughly $17,000 for work they didn’t perform at a Norman car dealership. OU will be limited to 83 total scholarships those two years. Also, eight wins will be forfeited from the 2005 season when OU finished 8-4. Miami AD Paul Dee, the chairman of the infractions committee, said OU was cited for “failure to monitor” instead of lack of institutional control. OU President David Boren said the school would appeal the erasing of wins and the failure to monitor. After discovering the violations, OU imposed its own penalties including the dismissal of Bomar and Quinn. OU disassociated itself from Big Red Sports former general manager Brad McRae.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR MYCLAYSUN IN ORANGE PARK, FLA. HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON SPORTS RADIO 1010 XL.