Mississippi State’s defense held the offense in check during the first scrimmage. Sophomore cornerback Anthony Johnson broke up four passes. State freshman running back Robert Elliott ran for 92 yards in Saturday’s scrimmage, but he fumbled twice. Safety Derek Pegues intercepted quarterback Michael Henig’s pass on the goal line and he fumbled a punt earlier in practice. Tailback Christian Ducre broke a 70-yard run that set up a touchdown pass from junior college quarterback Josh Riddell to tight end Eric Butler. Senior receiver Tony Burks is looking much better this season.

Ole Miss Coach Ed Orgeron said Seth Adams was pulling away with the starting quarterback job after a recent Saturday scrimmage. Then a few days later, he said the race was wide open. Freshman Lionel Breaux caught a touchdown and scored on a kickoff return Saturday. Breaux started the season as a cornerback but asked Orgeron for a chance to play receiver. Receiver Mico McSwain is no longer on the team due to academics.

LSU had a non-tackling scrimmage last Tuesday. Coach Les Miles singled out quarterback Matt Flynn, receiver Early Doucet and the entire defense. Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and offensive lineman Will Arnold, both coming off injuries, participated in the scrimmage. LSU scrimmaged in 104- degree heat during its first Saturday scrimmage. Flynn, who was 5- of- 9 for 97 yards and a touchdown, hit Doucet (three catches for 70 yards) for a 34-yard scoring play. Freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee also connected with receiver Trindon Holliday for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Lee was 4- of- 6 for 27 yards and Ryan Perrilloux was 1- of- 4 for 5 yards. Defensive lineman Kirston Pittman, who missed the past two seasons with injuries, led the defensive with three sacks. Freshman fullback/tailback Stevan Ridley led the team in rushing with 64 yards on nine carries. Kicker Colt David hit 4- of- 4 field goals, all more 37 yards. Patrick Fisher averaged 45 yards per punt. Redshirt freshman Mark Snyder, who hurt his left knee earlier in camp, said he is not out for the year. Tiger fans have purchased 68,230 season tickets, a record for the third straight year. Last year’s record was 67,700.

South Carolina scrimmaged for 65 plays last Wednesday night. Coach Steve Spurrier was not happy with the play of the offensive line, which bogged down the running game. Quarterback Blake Mitchell was 11- of- 15 for 111 yards. Chris Smelley was 4- of- 10 for 41 yards and Tommy Beecher was 8- of -10 for 79 yards. Stephen Garcia was 2- of- 6 for 20 yards. Still, Mitchell could have a very short leash. Smelley and Beecher will play a lot this season. Tight ends Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders continue to impress the coaches. Spurrier said afterwards, “If anyone watched us tonight, we would be lucky to finish fourth in the Eastern Division. I bet Kentucky and Vanderbilt looked better than our team tonight.”

South Carolina played in front of 6,000 fans during its first scrimmage. The quarterbacks rotated on every snap. Garcia was 5- of- 8 for 50 yards and a touchdown. Smelley was 6- of- 10 for 71 yards and a score and Tommy Beecher was 8- of- 11 for 100 yards and one score. Mitchell did not play. Receiver signee Matt Clements is making progress.

Gamecock tailback Bobby Wallace is out for several weeks with a broken bone in his shoulder that he sustained last Monday night. Tailback Taylor Rank is also out with a shoulder injury. Cory Boyd and Mike Davis continue to be the top tailbacks. Freshman Brian Maddox has moved up to the third team tailback with both Rank and Wallace out. Defense end Jordin Lindsey continues to miss time due to academics. Freshman receiver Jason Barnes could get some playing time also.

Auburn’s 125- play first scrimmage showed the talent of freshman quarterback Kodi Burns, who had a long touchdown pass to freshman Quindarius Carr and several long runs. Coach Tommy Tuberville said no one could tackle Burns. Injuries are mounting up for the Tigers. Running back Tristan Davis is out 6-8 weeks with a broken toe. Defensive tackle Tez Doolittle’s season is over after he tore his Achilles tendon on Friday. Linebacker Steve Gandy had to quit earlier in fall camp due to too many concussions. Quarterbacks Neil Caudle and Steven Ensminger are out with injuries. Caudle has a slight shoulder separation which means he is out for four weeks. Ensminger has a sore shoulder. He returned to practice last Monday. Junior center Jason Bosley sustained a knee injury in Sunday night’s practice. He was back at practice Tuesday despite a sprained knee. Senior offensive guard Leon Hart also hurt an ankle during Saturday’s scrimmage. Defensive lineman Jamarcus Ricks returned to action after missing most of camp with a hamstring injury.

Alex Rose, a Tiger receiver from First Coast (Fla.) High, missed practice for personal reasons and Tuberville is not sure when he will return. Signee Nick Fairley is still awaiting word from the Clearinghouse. The receivers including Rod Smith and Robert Dunn and freshman Chris Slaughter stepped up after being called out last week.

Alabama had a 92-play first scrimmage. Tailback Terry Grant led all rushers with 110 yards and one score. Jimmy Johns had 39 yards with one score. Quarterback John Parker Wilson was 13- of- 22 for 231 yards and two scores with a pick. Backup quarterback Greg McElroy was 16- of- 26 for 201 yards and three scores. Six different receivers caught passes in the scrimmage. Coach Nick Saban said the offensive line has shown signs of being dominant. Defensive end Wallace Gilberry had three sacks and sophomore safety Chris Rogers had the only pick. Redshirt junior center Antoine Caldwell is believed to be the first Tide football player to graduate in three years. He has two full years of football eligibility left. Freshmen offensive linemen Patrick Crump and William Vlachos continue to work with the second team after impressing the coaching staff. Offensive lineman Andre Smith said he is down to 330 pounds. Mike Johnson, who has gained 20 pounds, has done well at the right tackle spot.

Tennessee first scrimmage featured the offense scoring on the first drive going 68 yards on 15 plays, but the defense settled down to the tune of 13 sacks and three picks. Tackle Dan Williams had four sacks and defensive end Andre Mathis led all tacklers with seven. Freshman tailback Lennon Creer (84 yards on 11 carries) had an impressive scrimmage. Quarterback Erik Ainge was 9- of- 17 for 70 yards and two picks. Jonathan Crompton was 11- of- 16 for 93 yards. Senior tight end David Holbert tore his ACL and will miss the 2007 season. Receiver Kenny O’Neal (two catches for 64 yards and one score) has tailed off after a nice start. He dropped a touchdown pass and got into a fight during the scrimmage.

Vol offensive lineman Chris Scott has been moved to right guard and Ramon Foster to right tackle. Linebacker Ryan Karl put on full pads for the first time Monday after hurting his back earlier in the summer. Junior college safety Nevin McKenzie has been working with the defense in certain packages. Contrary to rumors, Montario Hardesty said he is healthy and ready to play despite problems with a hamstring and some knee problems that he aggravated in rehab for an ACL injury. Lucas Taylor and Austin Rogers are locked into the receiver rotation. Freshman Denarious Moore has made the biggest jump and Kenny O’Neal is getting healthy. Freshman receiver Gerald Jones continues to battle hamstring injuries. Sophomore Rico McCoy is coming on at linebacker.

Kentucky defensive end Nii Adjei Oninku is out for the year after tearing ligaments in his right knee. The junior has appeared in 23 games during his career, starting 10.

Georgia coach Mark Richt defended his defense during a round of questions recently. He said the offense, which committed a team record 31 turnovers (23 was the previous high mark, didn’t do the defense any favors. Last year, the defense allowed 258 yards per game, the fewest in the Richt era. Redshirt freshman Kiante Tripp has been moved from defense to the offensive line to provide some immediate depth due to several injuries. Starting right tackle Chester Adams is out with a high ankle sprain. Starting right guard Scott Haverkamp also has an ankle sprain. Starting tight end Tripp Chandler has been sidelined with damaged rib cartilage, so senior Coleman Watson and freshmen NaDerris Ward and Bruce Figgins are getting a lot of work.

The Bulldog starting punting job between freshman Drew Butler and Brian Mimbs is even. Senior Brandon Coutu is not being considered a punter. Redshirt freshman safety Reshad Jones is out for awhile with a bone bruise in his knee. He is battling C J Byrd. Richt had praise for receivers Sean Bailey and Tony Wilson. Richt also said redshirt sophomore Mike Moore has impressed him. Remarcus Brown, a backup cornerback, has been suspended for the first two games due to an undisclosed violation of team policy. He started nine games last season.

The Bulldogs scrimmaged last Friday. Lineman Geno Atkins returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was 14- of- 17 for 218 yards with four touchdowns. He threw a 24-yard score to Tony Wilson, a 37 yard touchdown to Kenneth Harris and 43 yard touchdown to Sean Bailey. Richt has yet to name a starting tailback from the trio of Thomas Brown, Kregg Lumpkin and Knowshon Moreno.

Florida great linebacker Wilbur Marshall will be inducted in the Ring of Honor before the Auburn game on Sept. 29. Marshall was not happy that he was excluded from the first Ring of Honor last year. Only 15 players are left on the roster that former Coach Ron Zook signed. Freshman defensive tackle John Brown has yet to be approved by the Clearinghouse.

Gator Coach Urban Meyer is still concerned with the defensive front seven. He said sophomore defensive end Jermaine Cunningham has really come on. Meyer is pleased with redshirt junior defensive end Derrick Harvey and fifth year senior Clint McMillan. Brandon Spikes, Dustin Doe and A J Jones appear to be the leaders at linebacker. Meyer has also raved about freshman Jerimy Finch at weakside linebacker. Running back Chris Rainey spiced up media day by talking about beating Florida native and West Virginia transfer Noel Devine in a footrace in a Lakeland Wal-Mart parking lot and beating freshman receiver Deonte Thompson, but he said he wants no part of Percy Harvin. Thompson, offensive lineman Mike Pouncey, cornerback Joe Haden, Rainey, defensive end Carlos Dunlap, and linebackers Brandon Hicks and Steve Wilks have all had their stripes removed. Meyer said receiver Louis Murphy is one player who has changed the most for the better.

Georgia Tech freshman tailback Jonathan Dwyer rushed for 40 yards on nine carries in an earlier scrimmage. He had two carries of 19 yards or more. Senior running back Rashaun Grant caught two passes for 21 yards and carried three times for 9 yards. Grant will have a bigger role in offensive coordinator John Bond’s offense. True freshman quarterback Josh Nesbitt ran five times for 52 yards. Linebacker Philip Wheeler and defensive end Darrell Robertson had three sacks each. At the end of the scrimmage, quarterback Taylor Bennett, who was in a non-contact jersey, threw Robertson down to the ground, which set off a melee. Before the fight, Bennett was 13- of- 19 for 156 yards. Coach Chan Gailey wants Bennett to get rid of the ball sooner. Quarterback Byron Ingram is transferring.

Miami defensive tackles Teraz McCray and Josh Holmes are slowing coming back from injuries. Receiver Darnell Jenkins had a 99- yard touchdown reception in last Monday’s practice. Receiver coach Marques Mosley said Jenkins, Sam Shields and Lance Leggett are running first team. In Wednesday’s scrimmage there were only two scores--a field goal and Shields touchdown catch in double coverage thrown by quarterback Kirby Freeman. Defensive end Calais Campbell had three sacks. Freshman tailback Graig Cooper had a long kickoff return of about 60 yards. Tailback Javarris James had several 10 yard plus runs. Freshman running back Shawnbrey McNeal has impressed with his speed. Matt Bosher had emerged as the punter. Junior Derrick Morse is playing more at center.

Gary Ferman of Canesport.com said the biggest problem area on the team was at defensive tackle where McCray and Holmes are undersized defensive tackles. Defensive lineman Antonio Dixon could be a dominating player, but is still on the second team. Overall, Ferman said there isn’t a single tackle the coaches could count on when needing a big play. He also added that the secondary with starting safeties Kenny Phillips and Lovon Ponder could be the strength of the team. Ferman also said quarterback Kyle Wright has benefited from new offensive coordinator Patrick Nix, especially in throwing the deep ball. Wright still can’t distance himself from Freeman who performs better in scrimmages, but still makes big mistakes. School president Donna Shalala met with the team Thursday morning before practice. Afterwards, she said a final decision on whether to leave or stay at the Orange Bowl could come after the board of trustees meeting on Aug. 21.

Florida State quarterback Xavier Lee admitted at media day that he was close to leaving before offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher was hired. Offensive lineman Shannon Boatman said that his loss of weight (334 down to 312 pounds) has helped his diabetes. Letroy Guion is in the best shape of his life. The defensive lineman has improved his bench press from 280 to 365 pounds. Tight end Jonathan Hannah has been cleared to practice, but he will not be able to put on full pads until last Thursday. Receiver Preston Parker is playing with a cast on his hand. Former center John Frady has been moved to tight end. He has lost down to 250 pounds. Converted defensive lineman Ryan McMahon is now the starting center replacing Frady, who started 13 games last year at center. Sophomore Daron Rose is starting at first team left tackle. Quarterback D’Vontrey Richardson said he is giving up baseball to concentrate on football since he lost so much time in the spring.

Nole Coach Bobby Bowden hinted that one quarterback is pulling ahead of the other. The guess is that it’s Weatherford, who has been very accurate over the past few days. Still, he has been plagued by interceptions. Bowden also said after Wednesday’s practice that receiver Damon McDaniel and safety Anthony Leon have improved the most since last season. McDaniel has also had chances to run with the ball. Freshman offensive lineman Anthony Grosso has left the team, but could return in the future. Safety Darius McClure sustained a knee or leg injury at the end of practice and had to be carted off the field.

FSU freshman linebacker Aaron Gresham had six tackles in Thursday’s scrimmage. Fullback Joe Surratt has a fractured right fibula and he will have surgery Monday. Linebacker Marcus Sims has an elbow hyperextension. Running back Russell Ball has a separated shoulder. In Thursday night’s scrimmage, Weatherford was 16- of- 20 for 205 yards and one score against the No. 2 defense. Lee, who was 9- of- 16 for 143 yards and one score, had the No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense. Receiver De’Cody Fagg is solidifying a starting spot. McDaniel caught five passes for 73 yards.

Clemson receiver Rendrick Taylor, who has been injury prone, is struggling now with a pulled hamstring. He has broken his arm, wrist and finger during the past few months. Freshman fullback/tight end Chad Diehl has rejoined the team after his father was released from the hospital following a stroke. After Monday’s practice, Coach Tommy Bowden announced that Thomas Austin has been moved to first team right guard and Brandon Pilgrim to first team left guard replacing fifth year senior Chris McDuffie. Freshman quarterback Willie Korn (6- of- 13 for 91 yards) had three touchdown passes and a pick in Saturday’s scrimmage. Freshman defensive end Miguel Chavis led the team with eight tackles. Freshman defensive back DeAndre McDaniel has had several picks this camp including one in the scrimmage. Running back Ray Ray McElrathbey is out for the season with a torn ACL. He played in every game last year as a defensive back. McElrathbey was better known for adopting his younger brother. Sadat Chambers is being developed as the third back behind James Davis and C J Spiller.

North Carolina Coach Butch Davis chose redshirt freshman T. J. Yates over sophomore Cam Sexton as the starting quarterback.

Virginia Tech tailback Brandon Ore has regained the starting tailback position in two weeks after he was demoted to third string for being out of shape.

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.