AJC predictions:

• LSU in the BCS title game in New Orleans
• Georgia in the Sugar Bowl against Hawaii (beating Boise State and Washington)
• Florida vs. Illinois in Capital One
• Tennessee vs. Missouri in the Cotton Bowl
• Auburn vs. Wisconsin in the Outback
• Kentucky vs. BC in Peach Bowl
• Alabama vs. Wake Forest in Music City Bowl
• Arkansas vs. UCF in Liberty Bowl
• Miss State vs. Oklahoma State in Independence Bowl
• South Carolina in Armed Forces Bowl

• BCS title game: LSU vs. West Virginia
• Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. Hawaii
• Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Kansas
• Outback: Auburn or Tennessee vs. Wisconsin
• Cotton: Texas vs. Auburn or Tennessee
• Peach Bowl: Kentucky vs. Clemson or BC
• Liberty: Arkansas vs. Tulsa or UCF
• Music City: Wake Forest vs. Alabama or FSU vs. Miss State
• Independence: Miss State vs. Texas A & M or Alabama vs. Nebraska
• Emerald: Georgia Tech vs. Oregon State or Cal

ALABAMA AT AUBURN: The Tigers have dominated the series lately with five straight wins. Former Alabama Coach Mike Shula lost his job in part because he couldn’t beat Auburn. Bill Curry, another former Alabama coach, never found favor with Tide fans because he never won against the Tigers. A total of 16 of the last 19 meetings have been decided by 10 points or less.

Coach Nick Saban apologized to Alabama fans following the debacle to Louisiana Monroe. Alabama has lost eight straight games in November. They are, 3-13, in November since 2003, Shula’s first season. Five Alabama players including starting linemen Antoine Caldwell and Marlon Davis and running back Glenn Coffee, who were suspended for four games because they violated school textbook policy, have been reinstated for the Auburn game. Since the suspension of the players the Tide rushing game has averaged only 121 yards compared to 173 when they were playing. Since the summer, Alabama has had seven players (four were upperclassmen) suspended (the ones made public) and five arrested. Junior safety Rashad Johnson was quoted as saying the off-the-field incidents are not as bad as they used to be before Saban.

Defensive end Wallace Gilberry has 22 tackles for loss; the best in the SEC. Alabama had five turnovers in the loss to ULM. Quarterback John Parker Wilson was 21- of -31 for 246 yards with one touchdown and two picks. Wilson, who is, 12-12, as a starter, has thrown 15 touchdowns and 10 picks this season. He has spent extra time studying film this week. Tailback Terry Grant carried the ball 21 times for 96 yards. Receiver Keith Brown caught six passes for 97 yards. Jimmy Johns, the former starter, began the game at tailback. He ran four times for 34 yards, but coughed up a crucial fumble with 4:41 left in the game. Receiver D J Hall did not play in the first half due to a suspension, but he returned in the second half. Linebacker Darren Mustain, who led the team with 14 tackles, became emotional in the interview room and left before speaking. The Tide defense had 13 tackles for loss in the game. Defensive end Ezekiel Knight had four. Alabama has 16 sacks in the last six games. They had five sacks in the first five games. Alabama and Auburn have both allowed 22 sacks this season. Defensive back and kick returner Javier Arenas, who averages 15 yards per return, will likely miss the game with a high ankle sprain. Tailback Terry Grant (hip) and Roy Upchurch (shoulder) are expected to play.

Auburn’s offense has been struggling. The Tigers are No. 10 in the SEC in total yards and No. 9 in points scored (25). Tiger defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was on Saban’s LSU staff from 2001-04. Auburn is healthy expect for running back Tristan Davis (foot), linebacker Craig Stevens (ankle) and defensive tackle Zach Clayton (ankle).

Tiger quarterback Brandon Cox has 25 wins as a starter in 34 starts. In 21 games, he hasn’t thrown a pick, but in eight games he has two or more picks. Four times this season, he has thrown multiple picks and three were losses. In two games against Alabama, Cox is 20- of- 35 for 255 yards with three touchdowns and no picks.

ARKANSAS AT LSU (FRIDAY): LSU beat Arkansas last season by five points. The Hogs last beat the Tigers in 2002 by one point. LSU has won four of the past five games. Coach Houston Nutt is 3-6 against LSU. Several sources are reporting that Nutt will not be retained at the end of the season. There are several reports that Baylor is interested in pursuing Nutt.

The Hogs beat Mississippi State last week. Arkansas and Mississippi State, the two worst passing teams in the SEC, combined for 644 yards and nine touchdowns through the air. Hog quarterback Casey Dick was 14- of- 17 for 199 yards and four touchdowns. Amazingly, Arkansas won the game without scoring a rushing touchdown. Tailback Darren McFadden, who could have played his final home game, ran for 87 yards, caught four passes for 50 yards and threw a scoring pass of 24 yards. Arkansas scored 24 unanswered points in the second quarter. Nutt is 22-2, in games at Little Rock. Senior receiver Robert Johnson, a former quarterback, caught three passes for 71 yards and two scores. Defensive end Antwain Robinson returned an interception 30 yards for a score to seal the win. The Hogs forced five turnovers and committed none. Cornerback Jerrell Norton, who took a helmet to the knee, left the game early with a lower leg bruise and was on crutches. He has practiced this week. Arkansas has won nine straight over Mississippi State. Tailback Felix Jones, who was in for one snap against Mississippi State, is hoping to play after recovering from a deep thigh bruise. Jones has also practiced this week. Starting left tackle Jose Valdez should be ready to play. Last year, McFadden ran for 215 yards and a score against LSU.

LSU Coach Les Miles has been dogged with questions about going to Michigan, his alma mater and where he was a former assistant coach. Tiger receiver Trindon Holliday had a 98- yard kickoff return for a score in the win over Ole Miss. The Tiger defense allowed Ole Miss to gain 466 yards including 201 on the ground, but the Tigers held Ole Miss to only three points in three red zone possessions. LSU caused four Rebel turnovers. Quarterback Matt Flynn was 17- of- 25 for 168 yards.

The Tigers have set a school record of 10- or- more wins for the third straight season. LSU’s senior class has a school record 54 wins and 32 SEC wins and the most seasons (four) with at least 10 wins. They also have 19 wins over top 25 teams and nine wins over top ten teams.

FLORIDA STATE AT FLORIDA: The Gators are going for their fourth straight win in the series. Florida won by seven last year in Tallahassee. Quarterback Tim Tebow has accounted for 46 touchdowns (20 rushing and 26 passing) this season. Receiver Andre Caldwell caught 13 passes for 164 yards and became Florida’s career leading receiver. Tailback Markus Manson, who has seen little action this season, scored on a blocked punt. Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith was 18- of- 33 for 290 yards and one score. Receiver Cortez Gent caught six passes for 118 yards. Florida’s defense allowed 311 yards, but only 73 in the second half.

Gator cornerback Joe Haden sustained a sprained ankle against FAU. If Haden can’t play, then redshirt freshman Jacques Rickerson or freshman Moses Jenkins are the two possibilities. Linebacker Brandon Spikes has tendonitis in his knee. Defensive tackle Lawrence Marsh was on crutches after the game with a foot injury. Receiver Percy Harvin is expected back for FSU. Except for Riley Cooper with a broken finger, the rest of the receiving corps is healthy. Return man Brandon James might come back after being suspended for FAU. Freshman defensive tackle Torrey Davis didn’t play because of a poor week of practice. Florida is the only school in the nation to allow only five punt returns. They have given up only 22 yards on those punt returns.

Florida’s senior class is, 37-12, overall and, 21-11, in SEC. The senior class includes tight end Tate Casey, kicker Joey Iijas, tight end Eric Rutledge, defensive back Kyle Jackson, defensive tackle Clint McMillian, offensive linemen Carlton Medder and Drew Miller, defensive back Tony Joiner and receiver Bubba Caldwell. This is a young team with 51 players either freshmen or sophomores. A total of 33 players are true freshmen or redshirts and 22 players made their first start this season. Florida played 14 true freshmen. Fourteen freshmen played in state title game.

UF is only school in the nation to have rushed for a touchdown and passes for a touchdown in every game. Florida is averaging 190 yards per game, the highest since 1989 (244 ypg). The offensive line has not allowed a sack in 7- of- 11 games.

Quarterback Tim Tebow set an NCAA record with 20 rushing touchdowns and 26 passing touchdowns. Tebow is the first player in NCAA history to have 20 or more rushing and passing touchdowns in the same season. He has 46 total touchdowns, which is the highest single season total in SEC history passing former Gator quarterback Danny Wuerfell who had 41 in 1996. The 46 touchdowns is more than eight SEC teams. His 20 rushing touchdowns breaks the old record of 19 held by LaBrandon Toefield of LSU, Shaun Alexander of Alabama and Garrison Hearst of Georgia. Bulldog Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker has the career record of 49 touchdowns. Tebow has 28 rushing touchdowns in his career. In 71 previous Heisman winners, only 13 have come from teams with three or more losses and only three of those were quarterbacks. In the past 21 years, the SEC has five national titles, five No. 1 draft picks and only one Heisman winner.

Coach Urban Meyer is 69-15 in seven years. Nine coaches had 70 wins in seven years-- Walter Camp, Bob Pruett, Bob Stoops, Pete Carroll, Barry Switzer and Mark Richt.

In the FSU vs. Florida series, team with most rushing yards is 16-2-1 since 1990. Florida has held FSU to 50 yards or less in last two meetings. Florida has allowed only five punt returns for 22 yards, national leaders in both categories.

Gator players for the future--

Receiver Deonte Thompson: The coaches are cautious with him. They think he will be a big- time player, but does he stay around?

Tailback Emmanuel Moody has been impressive in practice. Tailback Mon Williams, who is coming off knee injury, could be the answer next year. Chevon Walker is leaving the team.

Quarterback John Brantley is a very polished passer. He is much better than they anticipated. Brantley was a better passer than Tebow in workouts. Brantley runs a 4.5 in the 40.

Defensive tackle John Brown is also very impressive. He should be ready to go next year after starting taking a few classes. Mike Pouncey will probably go back to offense and he and his brother, Maurkice, could be the starting guards next year because Florida will have four or five defensive tackles.

Keys for Florida--Make FSU quarterback Drew Weatherford throw the ball 30-40 times so defensive ends Derrick Harvey (who might leave early for the NFL) and Jermaine Cunningham can tee off on him. In order to win, FSU must score in the 30’s, which something they haven’t done since the week 2 against UAB.

Coaching rumors—Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong maybe a possibility for Georgia Tech, but UConn’s Randy Edsel and FSU’s Jimbo Fisher could also be in the mix. Strong would be interested in Louisville if Steve Kragthorpe (who said he will stay) wants out. Strong could be open for North Carolina if it comes open, but Butch Davis has been offered an extension.

• Texas A & M-South Florida’s Jim Lovett, Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville, ESPN’s Bob Davie
• LSU-Steve Spurrier, and Tuberville.
• Arkansas—Tuberville might be very interested in Arkansas
• Nebraska- LSU’s Bo Pelini
• Terry Bowden-SMU or Duke
• UCLA-Mike Leach
• Baylor-Houston’s Art Briles
• Michigan-LSU Les Miles regardless of rift between Miles and current coach Lloyd Carr
• USC-Pete Carroll might leave for NFL in the next few years if probation comes
• Auburn-If Tuberville stays then offensive coordinator Al Borges goes and he gets a spread option guy.

FSU is trying to move its game against Colorado to Jacksonville. Former Nole tight end Brandon Warren won his appeal to the NCAA and he has been released from his national letter of intent. FSU has won once at Florida since 1999.

GEORGIA AT GEORGIA TECH: Georgia beat Tech last year by three points. The Bulldogs have won the last five in the series. Georgia has also won its last five games. The Bulldogs have a chance, with a lot of help, to get into the BCS title game.

The Bulldogs outscored Kentucky, 17-3, in the second half. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was 12- of- 22 for 99 yards with two picks. Stafford has improved from 13 picks and nine touchdowns last year to 17 touchdowns and nine picks this year. Moreno, who lost two fumbles, carried 23 times for 134 yards. The Bulldogs overcame four turnovers. Georgia’s defense, which held Kentucky to only one offensive touchdown, sacked quarterback Andre Woodson five times. The Bulldogs held Kentucky to 29 yards rushing on 29 carries. Defensive back Asher Allen ran the opening kick back 82 yards. Linebacker Rennie Curran, who is a freshman, led the Bulldogs with 13 tackles. He is among the top tacklers on the team with 53. Tech is No. 7 in total defense and Georgia is No. 22.

Georgia Tech’s Travis Bell kicked a 27- yard field goal with 15 seconds left to beat North Carolina. Tech overcame four fumbles. Tailback Tashard Choice, one of the nation’s best rushers, had 133 yards on 42 carries. Tech has seven wins on the season.

Chan Gailey, whose job could be on the line, is 0-5 against Georgia. An AJC report pointed out that if Chan Gailey loses to Georgia, he would have six seasons without producing a top 25- team. None of his teams ever won an ACC title. He never had a team that won more than nine games. Conversely, Gailey has never had a losing season. Gailey is, 28-20, in the ACC. Only FSU has won more conference games during his tenure. He has four years left on his contract that pays him $1 million per year. He has won despite the dismissal of 10 players in 2003 and NCAA sanctions that cut six scholarships from the 2006-07 teams. Tech is 1-3 with teams with winning records.

TENNESSEE AT KENTUCKY: The Vols have won four straight and seven- of- eight games. Still, they are 1-3 on the road. Tennessee has struggled beating Kentucky in recent years. The Vols won by five last year holding Kentucky inside the Vol 10- yard line in the last few minutes. Tennessee also edged Kentucky by only six points in 2004. Still, the Vols have beaten Kentucky 22 straight times. After Navy beat Notre Dame for the first time in 43 years, it’s the longest streak in the nation. A win would give the Vols their first Eastern Division title since 2004.

Tennessee scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to beat Vandy. Kicker Daniel Lincoln won the game on a 33-yard field goal. The comeback was the second largest in school history (the Vols rallied from 17 points behind to beat LSU in 2005). Vol quarterback Erik Ainge was 29- of- 43 for 244 yards and three touchdowns in the Vandy win. He led three scoring drives in the final 18 minutes of 72 yards, 82 yards and 17 yards. Ainge, who has 20 touchdowns and five picks on the season, was 15- of- 19 during that span. Tailback Arian Foster ran 19 times for 106 yards. Receiver Lucas Taylor caught 10 passes for 103 yards and one score. Linebacker Jared Mayo had 15 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Freshman defensive back Dennis Rogan had a 45- yard punt return to set up the winning field goal. He had 146 yards on six returns. Rogan also made a touchdown saving tackle on D J Moore’s kickoff return late in the fourth quarter. He had a 78- yard kick return against Arkansas. In the last two games, he has 256 return yards.

Kentucky could take advantage of a Tennessee secondary that has two true freshmen and junior college transfer starting and another freshman at the third cornerback position. The Vols are second to last in pass defense allowing 227 yards per game. Tennessee only has 15 sacks and 55 tackles for loss this season.

The Wildcats were 5-0 and ranked No. 8 in the nation before losing four- of- six and are no longer in the top 25. Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson completed 24- of- 42 for 270 yards with one touchdown and one pick in the loss to Georgia. The Wildcats, who had their lowest point total of the season (13), gained only 29 yards rushing. Tailback Rafael Little should be recovered from a bad back for Tennessee. Kentucky has rushed for 100 yards only once in the past four games. Receiver Robert Johnson caught eight passes for 82 yards and tight end Jacob Tamme caught six passes for 86 yards. Kentucky couldn’t take advantage of two picks and two fumbles. They scored only three points off the turnovers. Georgia converted 9- of- 15 on third down, while Kentucky could only muster 5- of -16.

OLE MISS AT MISSISSIPPI STATE (FRIDAY): The Rebels beat State last year by three points. State won in 2005. Ole Miss has won four of the past five games. Against LSU, the Rebels scored only once on three tries in the red zone. Ole Miss running back BenJarvus Green- Ellis, who surpassed the 1,000- yard mark, fumbled at the LSU 1- yard line. He became the second Rebel player to run for 1,000 yards twice in his career. Receiver Marshay Green had a 44- yard punt return for a score. Quarterback Brent Schaeffer was 13- of- 28 for 208 yards with a touchdown and two picks. He also ran for 94 yards and a score. Schaeffer will start against State. Ole Miss could go winless in the league for the first time since 1982. Rebel officials put 20 players on probation for stealing radios and pillows (twice) from hotels. The players have made restitution and will play in the game.

Mississippi State quarterback Wesley Carroll was 29- of- 51 for 421 yards (the third highest total in school history) with four touchdowns and four picks in the Arkansas loss. Receiver Jamayel Smith caught 10 passes for 208 yards for two scores. State is still winless in the state of Arkansas. The Bulldogs need another win to assure itself of a bowl game. State is No. 5 in the conference in total defense and pass defense. A sign on the Holiday Inn in Starkville says “Secured Clocks and Pillows”.

CLEMSON AT SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks won by three points last year at Clemson after losing the previous four games. South Carolina had the week off after losing to Florida. Gamecock Coach Steve Spurrier is trying to prevent his fifth straight loss. The Gamecocks are struggling on defense and the offensive line. South Carolina is last in the league in rush defense and No. 102 nationally. Spurrier, 21-15, at South Carolina, said Tuesday that the team had a sorry attitude. He is, 20-6, during his career after a bye week.

Clemson lost a heartbreaking game to Boston College last week that kept them out of the ACC title game. This is the third straight year that they ended up one win shy of the ACC title game. Clemson is 4-1 against South Carolina following a loss. The Tigers were held to only 47 rushing yards. Quarterback Cullen Harper was 26- of- 40 for 226 yards. BC quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 315 yards on the Tiger defense. Tailbacks C J Spiller and James Davis received only 23 touches in the loss. Clemson is No. 6 in total defense while South Carolina is No. 53.

WAKE FOREST AT VANDERBILT: The Commodores won by four points at Wake Forest in 2005. Vanderbilt is hoping to pick up its sixth win of the season. Quarterback McKenzi Adams was 15- of- 27 for 146 yards with three touchdowns in the loss to Tennessee. Tailback Cassen Jackson- Garrison had 18 rushes for 82 yards. Leading, 24-9, in the third quarter, Vandy roughed the punter. Vanderbilt has lost three straight SEC games where they led, but lost by seven points or less. Bryant Hahnfeldt has missed three of his last four field goals including the potential game winner against Tennessee. Junior receiver Earl Bennett is recovering from a lower back injury. Vandy has gone the distance with Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky before losing to all three by a combined 11 points. The Commodores have the SEC’s worst passing offense and Wake has picked off 16 passes.

Wake Forest beat N C State last week by 20 points last week snapping the Wolfpack’s four game win streak. Quarterback Riley Skinner was 20- of- 29 for 208 yards and two scores. Receiver Kenneth Moore caught eight passes for 83 yards and ran for 28 more. Defensive back Alphonso Smith had two picks. He has six on the season. Wake has scored eight defensive touchdowns this season. Wake is No. 97 in total offense while Vandy is No. 105. Defensively, Wake is ranked No. 37 and Vandy is No. 25.

MIAMI AT BOSTON COLLEGE: The Canes could miss a bowl for the first time since 1997. Miami won last year, 17-14. Miami has won 15 straight games over BC. The Canes are No. 100 in total offense and BC is No. 25. BC is No. 1 in rushing defense allowing only 64 ypg. Miami is No. 101 in turnover margin and BC is No. 30. The Canes are No. 108 in total offense. Miami has lost three straight by a combined 111-30.

MARYLAND AT N C STATE: These are two 5-6 teams looking to become bowl eligible. Maryland won last year, 26-20. NC State has won two of the past three in the series. The Wolfpack is No. 116 in turnover margin. Maryland linebackers Erin Henderson (116 tackles) and Dave Philistin (110) have been dominant this season.

VIRGINIA TECH AT VIRGINA: Last season, Tech shutout Virginia, 17-0. Tech has won three straight and 10- of- 14 in the series. Virginia’s Chris Long is No. 5 in sacks and No. 11 in tackles for loss. These are two of the top ten scoring defenses in the nation. Tech is No. 103 in total offense and Virginia is No. 99. The Hokies have the No. 5 ranked total defense (289 ypg) and Virginia is No. 18 (313 ypg). Linebacker Vince Hall returned from a broken wrist last week with 13 tackles.

Virginia has really struggled on offense this year. They averaged less than 20 points during a month long stretch of games. The Cavalier defense averages two sacks per game and holds opponents to 17 ppg. Tech struggles to protect the passer, which will make for opportunities for Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald. Virginia’s Chris Gould and Tech’s Jud Dunlevy have combined for 32- of- 39 field goals.

This is the first time in ACC history that seven schools have won seven regular season games.

ACC Bowl possibilities:

• Virginia Tech in Orange (if they win ACC title game)
• Boston College in Peach Bowl
• Clemson in Gator (if beat South Carolina) vs. a Big 12 team such as Texas Tech
• Virginia in Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando (if loses to VT)
• Wake Forest in Meineke Car Care Bowl
• FSU in Music City Bowl or the Champs Bowl
• Georgia Tech in Emerald Bowl
• N C State or Maryland winner in Humanitarian

Mizzouri has beaten Illinois, Texas Tech and Texas A & M. Quarterback Chase Daniel, a Heisman candidate, has many playmakers at his disposal. Daniel has 30 touchdowns and nine picks this season. He has seven touchdowns and no picks in his last two games. Last year against Kansas he threw for 356 yards and four scores. Missouri’s secondary has recovered after the loss of Pig Brown, who torn an Achilles tendon.

Kansas is capable of throwing for 250 yards on the Missouri defense. Both teams really struggle in punting. Quarterback Todd Reesing has 13 touchdowns and no picks in his last three games. He has six straight games without an interception.

UCONN AT WEST VIRGINIA: UConn is No. 1 in the Big East and West Virginia is No. 2. West Virginia has won 25- of- 28 at home. In his last three games, Mountaineer Pat White has thrown for 465 yards and one score and run for 458 and scored four touchdowns. West Virginia leads the conference with 39 ppg and UConn leads in defense allowing 14 ppg and consistently wins the turnover battle. UConn quarterback Tyler Lorenzen has 12 touchdowns and five picks. He also has 300 yards rushing.

UTEP AT UCF: The Golden Knights are playing for the chance to go to the C-USA title game. A win would make them division champs. Tailback Kevin Smith is 55 yards shy of 2,000.

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.