Only 96,197 fans attended Saturday’s game against Louisiana- Lafayette, the lowest since Neyland stadium was expanded in 1995. The Vols gained a season-high 273 yards rushing even without starting tailback LaMarcus Coker, who was dismissed from the team last week. Freshman tailback Lennon Creer gained 109 yards on seven carries. Tailback Arian Foster gained 100 yards on 20 carries. Senior defensive end Antonio Reynolds took an interception back 70 yards for a score. The Tennessee defense has forced six turnovers in the last two games. Junior college defensive back transfer DeAngelo Willingham forced a turnover for the second straight week. Willingham has 11 tackles and forced three turnovers in the past two games. Tennessee allowed 232 yards rushing to Louisiana-Lafayette. The Vols allow 168 ypg rushing. Tennessee’s defense has allowed six 100-yard rushers this season. In the last four games, the Vols have allowed 687 yards rushing. In the first seven games, the Vol defense forced just nine turnovers, but in the last two games, they have allowed six. In the first half of the last three home games, Tennessee has outscored its opponents, 73-0.

Arkansas, who has won three straight games, is bowl eligible after beating South Carolina. Hog tailback Darren McFadden tied an SEC single game record by rushing for 321 yards on 35 carries. He tied the previous record set by Vandy’s Frank Mordica against Air Force in 1978. He sealed the win with an 80-yard run. McFadden also threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to receiver Robert Johnson. McFadden has 792 yards in three games against South Carolina. Tailback Felix Jones gained 167 yards on 13 carries in the South Carolina win. Quarterback Casey Dick was 8- of- 10 for 85 yards and two scores.

Even though the Hog defense allowed South Carolina 486 yards, the unit made two critical stops in the fourth quarter. The first was a goal line stand at the two- yard line and the second was holding the Gamecocks to a three- and- out on the South Carolina 35- yard line with less than seven minutes left. The Hogs lead the SEC in takeaways with 22. Starting free safety Kevin Woods separated his shoulder in the win over South Carolina. Receiver Marcus Monk has a touchdown in each of his last two games.

FLORIDA AT SOUTH CAROLINA: The presence of Steve Spurrier has made this a rivalry again. The Gators won last year on defensive end Jarvis Moss’ blocked kick. The Gamecocks won at Columbia in 2005.

South Carolina has lost three straight games after being overwhelmed by Arkansas. The Gamecocks, ranked No. 6 in the BCS poll earlier, are in danger of finishing 6-6 if they can’t beat Florida and Clemson. Spurrier has lost three straight games only four times in his career. He also had a three game losing streak last season. Spurrier has not lost four straight games since 1987 in his first year at Duke. South Carolina started just five seniors in the Arkansas game. Four were on offense, including three in the backfield (Blake Mitchell, fullback Lanard Stafford and tailback Cory Boyd. Seven of the starters on defense were freshmen or sophomores.

South Carolina’s defense melted down by allowing the Hogs to gain 650 total yards and 541 yards rushing, both school records. Quarterback Blake Mitchell was 27- of- 51 for 364 yards with two scores. Tailback Cory Boyd ran for 94 yards on 17 carries. Freshman receiver Dion Lecorn caught eight passes for 109 yards. Defensive backs Emanuel Cook (sprained ankle), who leads the team with 76 tackles, and Captain Munnerlyn (foot sprain) are questionable. South Carolina has attempted 50 passes in its last two games. Spurrier said teams that throw 50 passes rarely win. Peach Bowl reps will be at the game. The offensive line, especially the tackles, struggled last week.

The Gators easily dispatched of Vanderbilt last week remaining in the SEC Eastern Division race with quarterback Tim Tebow scoring five touchdowns and receiver Percy Harvin becoming the first Gator player in history to amass over 100 yards in rushing and receiving in the same game. Tailback Kestahn Moore ran for 85 yards in the win.

Florida has scored touchdowns on 46- of- 101 offensive drives this season, a 45% rate, higher than the 2001 mark of 40%. The offensive line has allowed just one sack for the second consecutive week. Coach Urban Meyer said sophomore linebacker Brandon Spikes had a tremendous game. He said at one point except for junior defensive end Derrick Harvey, the rest of the defense was freshman and sophomores. Freshman quarterback Cam Newton, who has battled a high ankle sprain, got some snaps. Meyer was evasive about safety Jamar Hornsby and running back Chevon Walker remaining on the roster. Running back Brandon James has been a big asset to the team. Receiver Louis Murphy has progressed well this season. Meyer said he is pleased with what he has seen from Mike Pouncey moving to defensive line. Freshman safety Major Wright will have three exposed fingers. Sophomore cornerback Markihe Anderson is still not 100%.

AUBURN AT GEORGIA: The Bulldogs dismantled the Tigers in Auburn last year by 22 points. Georgia had over 200 yards rushing and passing. Auburn won by one in 2005 in Athens. The Tigers won in Auburn in 2004 by 18. Georgia won in Athens by 19 in 2003. The Bulldogs won at Auburn by three in 2002.

The Tiger defense was stung for 304 total yards, but forced four turnovers in the win over Tennessee Tech. Quarterback Brandon Cox was 9- of- 11 for 167 yards with a touchdown. Cox has thrown 89 straight passes without an interception. (one pick in his last seven games) Backup quarterback Blake Field was 6- of- 11 for 92 yards and a touchdown. Auburn’s 17 seniors were honored before the game, the third largest group in the Tuberville era. Auburn has won 9- of- 11 against top 10 teams. Coach Tommy Tuberville, who was the Aggie defensive coordinator in 1994, dismissed rumors about him being a candidate for the eventual opening at Texas A & M. Linebacker Craig Stevens will likely not play against Georgia. Auburn has 24 players from the state of Georgia on its roster. The Tigers have struggled on special teams, especially in return coverage, but kicker Wes Byrum returns this week. Tailback Brad Lester didn’t play against Tennessee Tech due to a groin injury, but he will play Saturday.

Georgia tailback Thomas Brown might be able to play after recovering from a broken clavicle. He has been out for six weeks. Defensive tackle Kade Weston, who injured his ankle in Saturday’s game, will also play. Auburn is 18-9 in Athens and Georgia is 13-9-2 in Auburn. The Tigers have won 10- of- 12 games in Athens. Coach Mark Richt has suggested fans wear black on Saturday. Starting safety Kelin Johnson (knee) is questionable.

Troy was certainly no pushover for Georgia. The Trojans gained nearly 500 yards of offense. Trojan quarterback Omar Haugabook was 29- of- 45 for 310 yards with two picks and two touchdowns. Troy had two receivers to go over 100 yards. Gary Banks caught eight passes for 102 yards and Jerrel Jernigan caught 11 passes for 102 yards and two scores. Bulldog tailback Knowshon Moreno carried the ball 26 times for 196 yards and three scores. He had an 80- yard scoring run that was the longest since Robert Edwards had an equal run against Kentucky in 1997. Moreno, who has 541 yards in his last three games, has over 1,000 yards (1,003 yards) as a freshman. The only other Bulldog freshman to break the 1,000 mark was Herschel Walker. Moreno faces a real challenge in Auburn’s run defense that held McFadden to only 43 yards. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was 17- of- 29 for 217 yards with two scores and a pick. His slight knee injury from Saturday will not affect him.

KENTUCKY AT VANDERBILT: Vandy won at Kentucky last year by 12 points and Kentucky beat Vandy by five in 2005. The Wildcats are trying to overcome a disappointing loss to Mississippi State. Several injured players such as receiver Kennan Burton (ankle), and tailback Rafael Little (thigh) should play. Linebacker Micah Johnson, defensive tackle Corey Peters (knee), tailback Tony Dixon (ankle) and cornerback Paul Warford (collarbone) are questionable.

Vanderbilt’s top 20- ranked defense was shelled by Florida for nearly 500 yards. The Gator defense held Vanderbilt to only 254 yards of offense including 93 rushing. Vanderbilt lost three turnovers during the game. Quarterback McKenzi Adams was 16- of -32 for 159 yards and two picks.

LOUISIANA TECH AT LSU: The last time these two teams played was 2003 when LSU won by 39 points. Quarterback Matt Flynn completed 24- of- 44 for 353 yards with three touchdowns and three picks in the Alabama game. LSU nearly cost itself the game with 14 penalties for 130 yards. The Tiger defense limited the Tide to only 20 yards rushing on 33 attempts. Wilson completed less than 40% of his passes and was sacked seven times. Demetrius Byrd, a junior college transfer, caught six passes for 149 yards and one score. For the first time since 1989, LSU has been involved in four straight games decided by fewer than eight points. Miles record at LSU in one- possession games is

11-3. The Tigers are the most penalized team in the league with 83. Florida is second with 69.

Louisiana Tech (4-5, 3-3 in the WAC) beat Idaho last Saturday by 12 points. Derek Dooley, the son of former Georgia Coach Vince Dooley, is the coach of the Bulldogs.

ALABAMA AT MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs beat the Tide last year by eight in Tuscaloosa. The Tide won the previous four years by at least two touchdowns. Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson was 14- of- 40 for 234 yards with three touchdowns and one pick in the LSU loss. Wilson is 12-10 as a starter. Punter P J Fitzergerald continues to struggle. He averaged a paltry 33 yards per punt. Receiver Keith Brown, who has been a non-factor this season, caught two touchdown passes. Tide freshman defensive back Kareem Jackson made six tackles, blocked a field goal, took an interception back 51 yards and broke up a pass in the LSU game. Defensive back Javier Arenas put the Tide ahead with his 61-yard punt return for a touchdown with 7:33 left in the game. Arenas is tied with Harry Gilmer (1944-46) for three touchdowns on punt returns. David Palmer has the record with five. He has six returns this season on either punts or kickoffs for more than 45 yards. Alabama’s last win in the month of November came in Starkville in 2005. The Tide has six sophomores and three freshmen on defense. Defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry has seven sacks in his last four games.

Mississippi State was off last week after upsetting Kentucky. State is No. 3 in red zone offense scoring 91% of the time and No. 2 in red zone defense allowing their opponents to score 73% of the time. Tailback Anthony Dixon averages 92 yards per game. Defensive end Titus Brown has seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss. The Bulldogs are No. 10 in scoring offense averaging 22 points per game. State is last in the SEC in passing offense averaging 147 ypg. The Bulldogs are No. 9 in rushing averaging 149 ypg. State is last in total offense averaging 297 ypg (the only SEC team averaging less than 300 yards per game). They are No. 8 in scoring defense allowing 25 ppg. State is No.7 in total defense allowing 341 ypg. Linebacker Jamon Hughes has 29 tackles in the past three games. The game is the first sellout in Starkville since 2001. Quarterback Wesley Carroll has thrown 137 passes without a pick. He is two away from the freshman record set by Mike Gundy. Dixon has 11 touchdowns in his last six games, but he has fumbled four times and lost two in the past two games. Mississippi State is 5-0 when running for more than 165 yards. They are 0-5 when running for less. Alabama has allowed only Arkansas to run for that much.

OLE MISS: The Rebels are off this week after a seven point win over Northwestern State. Tailback BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 120 yards and three scores. Receiver Mike Wallace had a 77- yard touchdown return on a kickoff. Quarterback Seth Adams was 7- of- 15 for 113 yards and one pick. Northwestern State had 499 total yards compared to the Rebels 387. Less than 24,000 fans were at the game. The Ole Miss administration gave Coach Ed Orgeron a vote of confidence earlier in the week.

BOSTON COLLEGE AT MARYLAND: BC is still in the lead in the Atlantic Division. Linebackers JoLonn Dunbar and Tyronne Pruitt both have sprained ankles. Quarterback Matt Ryan had a career high 445 total yards of offense in the FSU loss. BC leads the nation in rush defense allowing 58 ypg. Receiver Brandon Robinson had a career high 163 yards against FSU. BC has the No. 7 ranked passing offense and Maryland has the No. 26 ranked passing defense. The Eagles have won the last three meetings between the teams.

Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson had 11 tackles in the loss to North Carolina. Henderson, who averages 12 tackles per game, has 44 tackles in his last three games. Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball have combined for 138 ypg rushing. Quarterback Jordan Steffy, who hasn’t played since Sept. 29 due to a concussion, is practicing this week. Chris Turner has one win in the last four tries. Offensive tackles Scott Burley and Bruce Campbell (both ankle injuries) may not play. Maryland has only scored 48 points in the past three games.

WAKE FOREST AT CLEMSON: The Tigers control their destiny as they play BC next week at home. Clemson had 350 yards of offense and held Duke to only 10 points. Quarterback Cullen Harper was 17- of- 26 for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He has 22 touchdowns and only four picks. Harper, who has nine touchdowns and only one pick in the last three games, leads the ACC in passing efficiency. Tailback James Davis rushed for 118 yards. Receiver Aaron Kelly leads the ACC with nine touchdown catches. He has six touchdowns in his last three games. Clemson is No. 5 in total defense nationally and No. 3 in pass defense. The Tigers won last year at Wake. Clemson has won 10 of the last 13 in the series.

Wake leads the ACC with nine non-offensive touchdowns. Linebacker Aaron Curry had interception returns of 77 and 84 yards. Kicker Sam Swank missed the potential game winning field goal at the end of the Virginia game. Kevin Marion has returned his last five kickoffs an average of 66 yards. Receiver Kenneth Moore leads the ACC and is 11th nationally in receptions.

GEORGIA TECH AT DUKE: The Yellow Jackets need one more win to be bowl eligible. They have been to a bowl for 10 straight seasons including five straight under Coach Chan Gailey. Quarterback Taylor Bennett has thrown only two touchdowns the entire year. Freshman Josh Nesbitt could get a long look if Bennett continues to struggle. Tailback Tashard Choice is back after having his knee scoped.

FLORIDA STATE AT VIRGINIA TECH: The Noles racked up 452 yards in the win over BC. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said learning all the playbook early helped Drew Weatherford, who threw for 354 yards on 29- of- 45 passing in the game. He has thrown 156 passes without a pick. Linebacker Geno Hayes sealed the game with a late pick six. Receiver De’Cody Fagg had his second straight 100-yard game. Cornerback Patrick Robinson tied a school record with a pick in his fifth straight game. The offensive line allowed only one sack. Only offensive lineman Daron Rose (knee) will miss the Virginia Tech game. Bowden is 15-0 (3-0 at West Virginia) lifetime against Virginia Tech. This is only the third time that Frank Beamer had the higher ranked team. FSU has not beaten ranked teams on the road in consecutive weeks in 15 years. The Noles have won the last 12 straight in the series. Bowden’s next win will be No. 300 at FSU. The game features two of the top rush defenses (FSU is No. 8 and Tech is No. 10). Tech is No. 11 in total defense. The last time the two teams played was in the ACC title game in 2005. FSU defensive tackle Bud Thacker has all kinds of family ties to Virginia Tech. He considered signing with them. Linebacker Marcus Ball has been suspended. Linebacker Rodney Gallon is also questionable after hurting his ankle Wednesday.

Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Georgia Tech. The Tech defense forced five picks and a fumble against the Yellow Jackets. VT is 14-1 in road games since joining the league in 2004. Tech is No. 4 nationally in scoring defense. Linebacker Vince Hall (wrist) is probably out and receiver Eddie Royal (calf) and center Ryan Shuman (ankle) are doubtful. Tech is No. 90 in rushing and No. 112 in pass protection. Still not sure who will quarterback between Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor. Still, the Tech passing defense has allowed only seven touchdowns via the air this year. FSU has to block Hokie defensive end Chris Ellis.

VIRGINIA AT MIAMI: This is Miami’s last game in the Orange Bowl. Miami needs one more win to be bowl eligible. Quarterback Kyle Wright, who has a sprained ankle and knee, will start. Kirby Freeman completed only 1-of -14 passes with three picks against N C State. He did hit Darrell Jenkins on an 84-yard touchdown pass. Jenkins leads the ACC with a 23-yard average. Wolfpack quarterback Daniel Evans touchdown run was the first time this season that the Canes had allowed a touchdown in the first half at home. Randy Shannon is still trying to decide whether or not to replace Daren Daly. Freshman quarterback Robert Marve was late for curfew last week and was caught busting rear view mirror by the police. Receiver Sam Shields played in only two plays due to his being disciplined for poor practice habits. Miami once won 58 straight games in the Orange Bowl, but could end the era with three losses. The kicking game is a mess. Either Matt Bosher or Daren Daly could be kicking. Daly missed two kicks in last week’s game. Linebacker Colin McCarthy has 22 tackles in the past two games.

Virginia set an NCAA record for most wins by two or fewer points in a season (five). Defensive end Chris Long is No. 5 in sacks with 12 and No. 10 in tackles for loss. Miami has to block Long and the other end Jeffrey Fitzergerald. Virginia won last year at home. Miami is No. 23 in total defense and Virginia is No. 25. Mikell Simpson has come on strong scoring touchdowns in the last two wins over Maryland and Wake. He is even more important to the run game now that Cedric Peerman is out possibly for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

NORTH CAROLINA AT N C STATE: State is rapidly improving with three straight wins. They won the turnover battle against Virginia and Miami despite being ranked No. 117. Kicker Steven Hauschka has made 14- of- 15 field goals including four against Miami. Receiver Darrell Blackman had 194 all- purpose yards against the Canes. He is No. 3 in the ACC in all-purpose yards. Defensive end Willie Young had three tackles for loss against Miami and is ranked No. 5 in the ACC in that category. UNC has won the last three games and the last 11 of 14.

The Tar Heel defense has allowed 284 yards per game over the last three games against South Carolina, Wake Forest and Maryland. UNC has allowed 21 points or less in three of its last five games, but they are only 2-3 during that time. UNC is No. 28 in total defense. The defensive line with ends Hilee Taylor and E J Wilson and defensive tackles Kentwan Balmer and Cam Thomas and backup Marvin Austin have played well. Connor Barth has made 14- of- 15 field goals this season. Receiver Hakeem Nicks has a total of 17 receptions against Wake Forest and Maryland. T J Yates has 2056 yards in nine games, already the fifth best by a freshman quarterback.

IN OTHER GAMES:

ILLINOIS AT OHIO STATE: Illinois tailback Reshard Mendenhall needs 17 yards to break the school record after gaining 1,314 yards this season. He has six 100-yard games this season. The Buckeyes allow only 65 yards per game rushing. Only Washington quarterback Jake Locker has run for over 100 yards. Illinois has 34 sacks this season, 10th nationally.

Ohio State running back Chris Wells has run for 523 yard in four games. The Buckeye defense has allowed only seven touchdowns this season. Ohio State has scored on its opening drive in the last six straight games.

KANSAS AT OKLAHOMA STATE: Oklahoma State tailback Dontrell Savage has run for more than 100 yards in six straight games. OSU averages 246 ypg rushing. They have run for more than 200 yards in eight straight games. Kansas rush defense allows only 77 yards rushing per game. Each of the Jayhawk’s last five opponents has rushed for less than 80 yards. Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing threw for a school record six touchdowns in the Nebraska win last week. OSU has allowed nearly 700 yards passing in the last two games. Cowboy quarterback Zac Robinson threw for a school record 430 yards passing in the loss to Texas last week. Kansas receiver Dezmon Briscos has caught 11 passes in the last two games.

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.