Arkansas tailback Felix Jones rushed for a season low three yards before he left the game with a deep thigh bruise. Nutt said he is probable for Saturday. If Jones can’t go then Michael Smith will play. Tailback Darren McFadden rushed for 117 yards on 22 carries. Quarterback Casey Dick was 12- of- 22 for 140 yards. Nathan Emert, who also struggled, replaced Dick. The Tennessee loss snapped the Hogs three- game win streak. Nutt is winless in Knoxville. Injured offensive lineman Jose Valdez should be back this week after getting hurt against South Carolina. Nutt has shaken up the offensive line, which had its worst game in the loss against Tennessee, in case he can’t go.

KENTUCKY AT GEORGIA: The Bulldogs had dominated the series for four straight years until last season when they won by four points. The Wildcats beat Vanderbilt for their seventh win of the season. Kentucky has won seven games for consecutive year for the first time since 1976-77. Quarterback Andre Woodson threw for 222 yards on 17- of- 28 passing. Kentucky struggled with penalties committing 13 for 123 yards. Tailback Rafael Little rushed for 70 yards before injuring his back. Receiver Kennan Burton has a sprained knee that has caused him problems. In order to toughen his team, Coach Rich Brooks had the No. 1 units facing each other this week in practice. He also said the win over Georgia last year was key in this year’s run. Kentucky has 21 Georgia players on its roster. Six of the Wildcats defensive starters are from Georgia.

Georgia, who has won four straight games, scored the final 28 points of the game against Auburn’s defense that led the SEC allowing only 14.5 points per game. Tailback Knowshon Moreno gained 101 yards on 22 carries and two scores. He has 1,104 yards on the season. He is the first Bulldog player to have four straight 100-yard games since Verron Haynes in 2001. The Bulldogs committed 10 penalties for 98 yards. Georgia has had 10 personal fouls or unsportsmanlike penalties since the beginning of the Florida game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 11- of- 19 for 237 yards with two scores and a pick. Stafford has thrown three 50 yard plus touchdowns in the last three games. Receiver Sean Bailey caught four passes for 96 yards and one score. Georgia converted 8- of- 13 third down conversions. After picking off four passes, the Bulldogs have eight interceptions on the year. Coach Mark Richt joked in the press conference Tuesday that he wanted a “Redout” meaning everyone would wear red instead of black as they did against Auburn.

Woodson is one of few drop back passers that the Bulldogs have faced this year. Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge was the last pure drop back passer they faced. Cornerback Bryan Evans is expected to get more playing time this week. The Bulldogs lead the league in red zone offense, but are in the middle of the pack in everything else. Safeties Kelin Johnson (knee) and Quintin Banks (knee) and receiver Tony Wilson (shoulder) are expected to play.

LSU AT OLE MISS: This is no easy series for the Tigers. LSU beat Ole Miss by three points in overtime last year. The Tigers won by 33 in 2005, but from 2002-2004 the Tigers won all three games by a combined seven points. The Tigers did what was expected in routing Louisiana Tech. Quarterback Matt Flynn was 14- of- 26 for 238 yards with three touchdowns and two picks. Tailback Jacob Hester gained 115 yards on 11 carries including an 87- yard touchdown run. LSU gained 595 yards on 70 snaps.

Due to losses by Alabama and Auburn, the Tigers clinched the Western Division title. LSU has never won the Western Division outright. They have shared six division titles. Colt David (11.1) is the nation’s third leading scorer behind only Kevin Smith (13.8) of UCF and Tim Tebow (11.4). Les Miles is, 31-5, the best start ever for a LSU coach. Miles is facing the Michigan rumors. He has a $1.25 million buyout to leave LSU for Michigan, not a clause in his contract that says he can leave Michigan for free.

Ole Miss is last in the SEC in scoring offense (20 ppg), turnover margin, rushing offense (117 ypg), rushing defense (208 ypg), total defense (441 ypg) and time of possession (27:06). On paper this looks like a rout, but the Rebels have had spirited efforts against Missouri, Florida, and Alabama. The CBS broadcast team should have plenty of filler material just in case. The stats are loaded in favor of LSU. In total defense, LSU is No. 1 and Ole Miss is No. 96. In scoring offense, Ole Miss is No. 103 and LSU is No. 11. In turnover margin, LSU is No. 5 and Ole Miss is No. 97. Defensive end Greg Hardy has returned to the lineup after being suspended. Hardy has eight sacks in eight games, second most in the SEC.

VANDERBILT AT TENNESSEE: The Vols avenged a 2005 loss last year by beating Vanderbilt by 29 points last season. Vol players say the loss to Vandy in 2005 has turned their program around. The thought is the program hit bottom after that loss. Since that loss, Tennessee is 10-5 in the SEC and 17-7 overall.

Tennessee is unbeaten at home (4-0) and has outscored its opponents, 93-3. Tailback Arian Foster gained 83 yards on 13 yards in the Arkansas win. Quarterback Erik Ainge completed 12- of- 25 for 128 yards and two scores. The Vol defense that was allowing 181 yards rushing per game, held Arkansas to only 127 yards on 36 carries. Hog tailback Darren McFadden gained only 25 yards at halftime. Linebacker Jared Mayo led the Vols with nine tackles. Fulmer made a statement in the opening drive by electing to go for a fourth-and -one. After making a first down, the Vols went on to score. Tight end Brad Cottam, a fifth year senior, saw his first action (15 plays) of the season after breaking his wrist in August.

In six SEC games, the Vols have 81 first downs in the first half and only 37 in the second half. Ainge doesn’t have a second half touchdown in SEC play. He is 24-9 as a starter and 7-7 in games where he has thrown more than 30 passes. In the last two games, the Vol defense has nine takeaways. Freshman defensive back Eric Berry has four picks after getting two last week. He has 207 return yards, third best in SEC history. The offensive line has allowed Ainge to be sacked only three times this season.

Vanderbilt kicker Bryant Hahnfeldt missed two field goals and an extra point in the Kentucky loss. Quarterback McKenzi Adams was 20- of- 31 for 193 yards and two scores. Vandy had the ball 12 more minutes and had more first downs and total yards than Kentucky. The Commodores ended the game on the Kentucky 15- yard line. Vandy is still one win away from being bowl eligible. The Commodores are second in the SEC in sacks with 27. Vandy had three sacks and eight tackles for loss on the loss to Kentucky. They have 15 sacks in their past four games.

LOUSIANA MONROE AT ALABAMA: ULM (4-6) beat Grambling State last week by two touchdowns. The Tide has not scored an offensive touchdown against Mississippi State in 12 quarters. Quarterback John Parker Wilson, who was 16- of- 34, threw for a season low 121 yards and two picks. Wilson is, 12-11, as a starter. He has 25 turnovers in 23 games. In two starts against Mississippi State, Wilson has completed less than 50% of his passes for 308 yards with no touchdowns and four picks. Alabama ran for 153 yards. Coach Nick Saban said Wilson would perform better if he would “read and trust and believe” his reads. Terry Grant led the team with 75 yards.

The Tide has had seven games decided by a touchdown or less this season. The offensive line continues to struggle without Antoine Caldwell and Marlon Davis, who have been suspended and B J Stabler, who is limited with knee problems. Mike Johnson moved from right tackle to right guard and Chris Capps has to play right tackle. The lone bright spot for Alabama was Leigh Tiffin, who was 4- for- 4 in field goals including kicks from 50 and 51 yards. Defensive back Rashad Johnson had one pick and dropped two others. He leads the SEC with six interceptions. Linebacker Darren Mustin had a team high seven tackles. Defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry made his eighth sack and had three tackles for loss. The defense had 8.5 tackles for loss. The Tide hasn’t won a game in November since the Mississippi State game in 2005. Since 2002, Alabama is 3-10 in November. Alabama is No. 15 in turnover margin having lost the ball 13 times. Saban said more information might be forthcoming on a settlement in the textbook investigation by the end of the week.

ULM coach Charlie Weatherbie is in his sixth season. Running back Calvin Dawson averages 125 yards per game, the Sun Belt conference leader. Quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster is a good runner. The Warhawks nearly beat Kentucky last year.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT FLORIDA: Quarterback Tim Tebow was 22- of- 32 for 304 yards with two scores and one pick in the win over South Carolina. He ran 26 times for 120 yards and five touchdowns. The Owls are 5-4 after beating Arkansas State, 34-31, last week. Markus Manson has been moved to tailback. Chevon Walker is transferring. Receiver Bubba Caldwell needs eight catches to break Carlos Alvarez’s career record of 172. He had 11 catches against South Carolina. Freshman lineman Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) is expected to return to practice Wednesday. Receiver Percy Harvin is struggling with a sinus infection and a migraine.

FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger is 38-41. Rusty Smith is a good passer. The offensive line has allowed only 10 quarterback sacks. South Florida and Louisiana Lafayette both ran for over 300 yards on the Owls.

SOUTH CAROLINA IF OFF: The loss to the Gators last week was the first time a team had scored more than 50 points on a Steve Spurrier coached squad since the 1996 Fiesta Bowl. Spurrier has lost four games in a row for only the second time in his coaching career. The first time was when he was at Duke in 1987. South Carolina has allowed 1,187 yards and 99 points in consecutive weeks. Quarterback Blake Mitchell was 26- of- 41 for 316 yards with one touchdown and one pick. Defensive back Captain Munnerlyn left the Florida game in the first quarter with a persistent foot injury. The other starting cornerback Carlos Thomas is out with a shoulder injury. Munnerlyn joins defensive lineman Nathan Pepper and linebacker Jasper Brinkley as vital defensive players who are out for the season. South Carolina finished with a 3-5 SEC record for the second straight season. South Carolina is last in the SEC in rushing offense (116 ypg), rushing defense (208 ypg). They are No. 11 in turnover margin, eighth in total offense (372 ypg) and ninth in total defense (372 ypg).

AUBURN IS OFF: Senior quarterback Brandon Cox, who was 14- of- 30 for 133 yards with one touchdown, is glad to be through playing Georgia. Last year he threw four picks and did the same this season. Auburn gained only 216 yards against the Bulldogs, the lowest output of the season. Auburn is averaging 332 ypg, No. 10 in the SEC and No. 99 nationally. Auburn’s 25 ppg is No. 9 in the SEC and No. 74 nationally. The offense lacks a consistent running game, creates few big plays, and struggles with an unreliable passing attack and an offensive line that has allowed too many sacks. Georgia’s offense had six plays of 20 yards or more. The Tigers top ranked SEC defense allowed 417 yards and four scores in the final 20 minutes of the game. One of the few bright spots for the Tigers was the play of defensive lineman Antonio Coleman who had a team high eight tackles, four tackles for loss and his seventh sack of the season. The loss to Georgia (25 points) was the biggest margin for a Tommy Tuberville coached team since 2000 when he lost to Spurrier in Gainesville by 31. In Tuberville’s nine seasons, he has lost three times to Georgia, but bounced back to win the Iron Bowl. This will be the first off week before the Alabama game since 1992.

BOSTON COLLEGE AT CLEMSON: This is basically a one game playoff for the ACC title in Jacksonville. Last year, BC won in double overtime. BC linebackers Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Tyrone Pruitt could be available for Clemson. Their absence has hurt in the past two losses. Quarterback Matt Ryan has seven picks in the past 13 quarters. He has seven touchdowns and seven picks in his last three games. He threw for a career high 421 yards in the Maryland loss. Tight end Ryan Purvis had 10 catches for 102 yards and two scores. This is a nice matchup between the BC rush defense and Clemson’s Davis and Spiller.

Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper was 27- of- 35 for 266 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Wake Forest. He has 26 touchdowns and four picks on the season. He has 12 touchdowns and one pick in his last four games. The defense accounted for five sacks, which was surprising since they went into the game with just 15, an ACC low. They also had 10 tackles for loss. Wake gained only 287 total yards and ran for only 83. Junior defensive tackle Dorell Scott had seven tackles despite being matched up on Wake’s Steve Justice one of the better centers. Tailback C J Spiller returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Spiller has returned kicks for touchdowns in his last two games. Mark Bucholz hit three long field goals. The offense gained 411 total yards. Receiver Aaron Kelly had 10 catches for 93 yards. He has eight touchdown catches in his last five games. Clemson is No. 5 in total defense, No. 3 in pass defense and No. 8 in pass efficiency defense. They last time they were ranked that high was 16 years ago when they won the ACC.

In 2004, Clemson started 1-4 before winning 5- of-6 games. In 2005, the Tigers lost three straight before winning 6- of- 7 games. Last year, Clemson lost 4 of their last 5 games. This season, Clemson won four straight then lost two games and now has won four straight by an average of 48-13.

NORTH CAROLINA AT GEORGIA TECH: Defensive backs Charles Brown (90) and Kendric Burney (76) returned long interceptions for touchdowns in the loss to NC State. Linebacker Durrell Mapp had an ACC high 23 tackles. Receiver Brandon Tate needs 28 yards in kickoff returns in order to be the ACC career leader. Quarterback T J Yates has thrown for 2,297 yards, the fourth best as a freshman in ACC history. UNC is looking for its first win outside the state of North Carolina in five years.

Tech running back Tashard Choice ran for 170 yards on 24 carries in the win over Duke. He has 1,034 yards on the season. The Jackets are bowl eligible for the 11th straight season and sixth straight under Chan Gailey. Tech has beaten UNC eight of nine.

MIAMI AT VIRGINIA TECH: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was 10- of- 15 for 204 yards and ran for 92 more in the win over FSU. Receiver Justin Harper caught five passes for 167 yards. Seven players on the team have two or more non-offensive touchdowns. The Hokies are No. 3 in scoring defense, No. 8 in total defense and 11th in rush defense. Receiver Eddie Royal needs 43 yards in punt returns to be the ACC leader. Linebacker Vince Hall has been cleared to play. He has been out since the Clemson game. Tech has forced 22 turnovers in the past seven games.

Miami needs one more win to become bowl eligible. Cane recruit Matt Patchan, an offensive lineman from Seffner Armwood, said after his official visit Saturday night that there were too many Miami players who didn’t care about the loss and he added that half the guys in Miami uniforms shouldn’t be there. They physically don’t cut it. Marcus Fortson, a defensive tackle from Miami Northwestern who is a Miami commitment, and Brandon Harris, who is a safety from Miami Booker T. Washington, agreed with Patchan’s comments agreed. Freshman defensive back Doug Wiggins, who has a torn hamstring, is away from the team and considering transferring. He had a physical confrontation with safety Anthony Reddick earlier in the season.

The Canes were down, 35-0, by the 5:00 mark of the second quarter. There were three dropped passes, two picks and a blocked punt in the first 15 minutes. Quarterback Kyle Wright was 9- of- 21 for only 94 yards. Wright and Kirby Freeman have 10 completions and six picks in the last two games. Tailback Javarris James ran for 53 yards on 15 carries. The leading receiver was tight end Chris Zellener who had two catches for 35 yards. Miami’s defense allowed 418 yards. Miami had not been shut out at home since 1974. Tailback Graig Cooper has 664 yards, No. 5 in the ACC. Cooper has a cast on his right knee. Running back Shawnbrey McNeal has a cast on his leg. Miami has won four of the past seven in the series.

MARYLAND AT FLORIDA STATE: Last year Maryland won by three at home. Quarterback Drew Weatherford was put out of the game with a concussion in the first half. He should play Saturday. Christian Ponder came in for Weatherford and completed 8- of- 18 passes for 105 yards with a touchdown and two picks. After Tech went ahead, 28-21, Ponder fumbled which led to a field goal. Then he threw a pick to Hokie defensive end Chris Ellis who took it back for a touchdown. Linebacker Dekoda Watson took an intercepted pass back for a touchdown. Receiver De’Cody Fagg caught four passes for 63 yards. The defense allowed 14 plays of 10 yards or more. Tech gained 395 total yards. Defensive back Tony Carter left the game with a head injury and didn’t return. He will play Saturday. FSU is No. 14 in rush defense and No. 24 in scoring defense. Linebacker Geno Hayes is No. 7 nationally in tackles for loss. With a lack of depth at tailback, backup quarterback D’Vontrey Richardson might see some action there. Tailback Antone Smith is likely to return after a shoulder bruise. Quarterback Xavier Lee’s suspension is over, but his playing is yet to be determined. Offensive tackle Daron Rose is recovering from a sprained knee. He will play Saturday. Backup linebacker Toddrick Verdell is out after breaking his foot in the Maryland game. Linebacker Marcus Ball is available after a one-game suspension.

Maryland beat BC on a stunning performance by quarterback Chris Turner who was 21- of- 27 for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Coach Ralph Friedgen opened up the offense and it paid off with four catches for over 40 yards. Maryland gained a season high 472 yards. The Terps ran for 135 yards against a BC defense that was allowing 58 ypg rushing. Running back Lance Ball had 109 yards on 25 carries. Linebacker Erin Henderson leads the nation in tackles with 12 per game. The Maryland defense sacked Matt Ryan four times and held the BC rushing attack to only 62 yards. Maryland is one game away from being bowl eligible. FSU needs to win the game with six victories to make sure they are bowl eligible.

VIRGINIA IS OFF: Quarterback Jamell Sewell had a career high 316 yards in total offense in the win over Miami. He is No. 5 in the league in total offense averaging 200 ypg. Defensive end Chris Long is one of the four finalists for the Lombardi award. UVA is No. 13 nationally in scoring defense and No. 20 in rushing defense.

N C STATE AT WAKE FOREST: Wake’s loss to Clemson was the worst since losing to Miami, 52-7, in the Orange Bowl in 2004. The Demon Deacons had only 83 yards rushing. Receiver Kenneth Moore leads the ACC with 70 catches.

N C State has won four straight. They beat North Carolina for the first time in four years. Tailback Jamelle Eugene had 159 yards in the game. The Wolfpack are No. 117 in turnover margin.

DUKE AT NOTRE DAME: This is the first time both schools have played since 1966. Both teams are trying for their second win of the season. Notre Dame is No. 118 in scoring offense and No. 119 in total offense. They are No. 95 in scoring defense. The Irish are No. 53 in total defense.

OTHER GAMES

OREGON AT ARIZONA: The Wildcats have won two straight years, but the Ducks have won seven- of- nine in the series. Four ranked teams have lost at Arizona the past three years: Arizona State and UCLA, and Cal. Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon left the game early after re-injuring his knee.

WEST VIRGINIA AT CINCINNATI: This game is for first place in the Big East depending on what UConn does against Syracuse. UC has wins over UConn and South Florida. The Bearcats have won four straight over ranked teams. UC is No. 13 nationally versus the run with an outstanding defensive line with tackles Terrill Byrd and ends Anthony Hoke and Angelo Craig. Quarterback Ben Mauck has thrown at least three touchdowns in five of his last six games.

West Virginia has recovered from its South Florida loss to win three straight. The Mountaineer running game with quarterback Pat White, and running backs Steve Slaton, Noel Devine and Jock Sanders is too much. West Virginia leads the league in total defense, run defense and sacks.

OHIO STATE AT MICHIGAN: The winner is the Big Ten conference champ. Wolverine Coach Lloyd Carr is 1-5 against Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won three straight and a fourth would be the first four game streak since 1960-64. Buckeye defensive end Vernon Golston, who has 10 sacks, faces Michigan tackles Jake Long who has not allowed a sack this season. However, the Buckeye defensive line will get past the Michigan offensive line that has struggled as of late to sack Chad Henne. Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins against Michigan receivers Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington is a nice matchup. The Buckeye offensive line and the Michigan defensive lines were disappointing last week. Michigan tailback Mike Hart (ankle) may not be totally healthy and neither is Ohio State’s Chris Wells. Michigan’s defense has allowed 100 yards to an opposing back in the past three games. They have allowed 211 yards per game rushing in the past two games. Henne (shoulder) needs six completions to get to third place in career stats in the Big Ten. Henne has averaged 273 yards in three games against the Buckeyes. If Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman has two more touchdown passes Saturday he will have 25 and be only the 11th player to do so in a season. Boeckman is not a mobile quarterback and Michigan has struggled this year with mobile quarterbacks.

Big Ten Note: 10 of the league’s 11 teams will finish at least .500. The last time that even eight finished .500 was 1999.

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.