Coach Les Miles, a former Wolverine player and assistant, could be going to Michigan. Wolverine officials have asked permission to talk with him. In his contract there is a stipulation that Miles must pay LSU $1.25 million if he goes to Michigan. Wolverine athletic director Bill Martin said the school would have to pay the next head coach around $3 million, which is twice the amount that former coach Lloyd Carr received. Michigan is also renovating their stadium and building an indoor practice facility. LSU system president John Lombardi said he wants Miles to stay at LSU.

Whether he goes to his alma mater Michigan or not, Miles has left his mark on LSU football. He has lost only six games at LSU including three in overtime. The loss to Arkansas was the first to an unranked team since the Florida defeat four years ago. The 98 points was the most ever scored in a LSU football game. LSU ran 95 plays, 18 more than Arkansas.

Tailback Jacob Hester ran for a career high 126 yards. Quarterback Matt Flynn was 22- of- 47 for 209 yards and three scores. Safety Craig Steltz had 16 tackles. Linebacker Ali Highsmith had a game and career- high 19 tackles in the loss to Arkansas. It was the most tackles for a Tiger player in a single game since Charles Smith had 21 against Houston in 1999. Different reports have linked defensive coordinator Bo Pelini to the head coaching vacancy at Nebraska after Bill Callahan was fired last Saturday. If the Tigers win the SEC title game then they will go to the Sugar Bowl. A loss would mean the Outback, Cotton or Capital One.

Flynn is questionable for the game with an injured shoulder. Backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who has little big game experience, and Andrew Hatch are taking more snaps in practice. Running back Trindon Holliday, who didn’t play against Arkansas, will be ready for Saturday. Ricky Jean-Francois, who will either play end or tackle, will play after serving a suspension that has lasted the entire season. He was also suspended for last year’s bowl game. Defensive tackle Glen Dorsey and Steltz have been banged up.

LSU has lost two fumbles the entire season. The Tigers allowed 466 yards to Ole Miss then six days later yielded 513 to Arkansas. In the last two games, LSU has allowed 586 yards rushing. Tennessee is on the verge of having a 1,000- yard rusher and receiver (Lucas Taylor is on the verge of 1,000 yards) for the first time since 2001. LSU is, 3-2, against Tennessee since 2000. Two of the games have gone into overtime.

TENNESSEE is in the SEC title game for the fifth time in 11 years after beating Kentucky in four overtimes. Defensive end Antonio Reynolds stopped Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson on a two- point conversion in the fourth overtime. The Vols have beaten Kentucky 23 straight times. Kentucky scored 17 unanswered points to tie the game. Arian Foster rushed for 216 total yards. He had 118 yards rushing and another 98 receiving. Coach Phil Fulmer is, 7-1, in overtime games. Dan Williams, one of the shortest defensive linemen at 6-foot-3, blocked a 34-yard field goal to force a fourth overtime. Receivers Gerald Jones, a freshman, and Quintin Hancock, a sophomore, had touchdown catches in the game. Quarterback Erik Ainge was 28- of- 45 for 397 yards with seven touchdowns and three picks. The seven touchdowns was a Vol record in a single game. Several players have five touchdowns in a game.

After losing badly to Florida and Alabama, the Vols have won five straight and eight- of- nine games. They beat South Carolina and Vandy by a combined four points.

Tennessee was last in the league in sacks coming into the Kentucky game, but they sacked Wildcat quarterback Andre Woodson six times. Taylor caught six passes for 103 yards and one score. Foster needs 223 all purpose yards to surpass the all time single season total yardage mark of 1,721 set by Reggie Cobb. He became the 13th Vol to rush for at least 1,000 yards (1,107) in a season. The defense was on the field a record 110 plays in the Kentucky game. They were on the field a combined 132 plays against Arkansas and Vanderbilt. Backup tailback Montario Hardesty might be unable to play Saturday due to an injured ankle. If so, freshman Lennon Creer will replace him. Tennessee has scored 51 touchdowns this season, the most since they scored 54 in 1998. The Vols are 10-0 all time in Dec. 1 games.

Game keys: LSU’s line must protect the injured Flynn. Tennessee has been able to put more pressure in the last few games. Flynn can take advantage of an inexperienced Tennessee secondary. Foster needs to be productive throughout the game.

GEORGIA: After the win over Georgia Tech, the Bulldogs could end up in the Rose, Orange or Fiesta bowls. Georgia’s plans of going to the Sugar Bowl were derailed after the Arkansas upset of LSU. The winner of the SEC title game will likely go to the Sugar Bowl. However, the Bulldogs will likely receive an at large BCS berth.

Georgia had 218 yards rushing and 214 passing in the Tech game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was 14- of- 29 for 214 yards and one score in the win over Georgia Tech. Stafford also ran for a 31- yard touchdown. Seventeen different receivers have caught passes for Georgia this season. Stafford threw the ball to seven different receivers against Georgia Tech. Senior tailback Thomas Brown ran for 139 yards on 17 carries in the Tech game. Tailback Knowshon Moreno was held to 45 yards on 17 carries. The Bulldogs limited Georgia Tech to three points in the second half and sacked Tech quarterbacks five times. Georgia has 34 sacks on the year and 22 in their last five games. The Bulldogs have beaten rival Tech seven straight times.

ALABAMA has lost its last four games and finished the season at 6-6. The Tide could still get into a lower tier bowl game. Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson was 12- of- 26 for 113 yards and one pick in the loss to Auburn. Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin missed a 44- yard field goal and usually dependable receiver D J Hall bobbled a pass that was picked off by Auburn defensive back Jerraud Powers in the end zone during the second quarter. Tiffin did redeem himself with a 49- yard field goal to pull Alabama within a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. In the second half, the Tide hurt itself with a running into the punter penalty on Chris Rogers, a mishandled punt by Matt Caddell that ended up on the one- yard line and a 34- yard punt by P J Fitzgerald that was returned 31 yards by Robert Dunn. Senior linebacker Keith Saunders was also called for a personal foul on a late shove of Tiger quarterback Brandon Cox. Freshman linebacker Rolando McClain had 15 tackles and cornerback Simeon Castille collected nine tackles. The Tide has not scored a second half touchdown since the LSU game.

There were no big plays on offense. The longest run was nine yards and the longest pass plays were 19- yard passes to receiver Keith Brown and tight end Nick Walker. Alabama’s return game was virtually non-existent after injuries to Javier Arenas and Jonathan Lowe. Offensive lineman Antoine Caldwell returned, but he was at his fourth different position. The Alabama seniors are, 28-21, in four years and, 32-30, over five years if they redshirted.

The Tide awaits its bowl fate. Many scenarios are possible. The rule states that the Liberty Bowl or Music City Bowl can choose a 6-6 team over a 7-5 team provided there is a SEC bowl spot left for a 7-5 team. Music City bowl reps said Monday that they would prefer to have a seven- win team. Tide offensive coordinator Major Applewhite’s name has been mentioned as possibilities for jobs at Southern Miss, Houston and SMU.

AUBURN has won seven- of-nine games. Coach Tommy Tuberville met with athletic officials Monday and Tuesday. They didn’t meet Wednesday to discuss the future. He is rumored to be the choice to replace Houston Nutt at Arkansas. Tuberville was duck hunting in Arkansas Thursday and is expected to be back Friday. Then he’s scheduled to be in New York Sunday through Tuesday for the College Football Hall of Fame Awards dinner. One of the hang-ups in the negotiations is Tuberville wants more control over football related issues. He also wants more money for his staff and an indoor practice facility. There is a report that Arkansas officials would be interested in offering Tuberville a 10-year deal worth $3.5 million per year. He made $2.6 million last year. Per his contract, Tuberville, 79-33, is scheduled to make $2.8 -$3.1 million over the four remaining years. He also has a $6 million buyout. Tuberville’s new proposal is supposed to come Saturday and he would have until Dec. 31 to agree to it.

Tiger quarterback Brandon Cox was 12- of- 22 for 117 yards and one pick in the win over Alabama. Tailback Brad Lester ran 22 times for 98 yards. Ben Tate had 11 carries for 77 yards and one score. Neither team did well on third down. Alabama was 3- of- 15 and Auburn was 3- of- 13. Before the game, Auburn honored 17 seniors who had a combined 203 starts. Tuberville is 7-2 against Alabama and 5-4 against Georgia, the Tiger’s normal season ending games.

Tiger offensive coordinator Al Borges has been linked with vacancies at Duke and Colorado State. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has been named a finalist for the Broyles award. Tuberville said Thursday night that he expects the Tigers to go to the Peach Bowl.

ARKANSAS: Nutt decided to resign after meeting with Razorback officials. Hog officials offered him a raise ($2.4 million) and an extension, but Nutt said he wanted to unite a fractured fan base with his resignation. He made $1.2 million per year. He contract runs through 2012. Nutt, who was 75-48 since 1998, won or shared three SEC West titles and qualified his team for eight bowl games. Nutt’s 2004-05 teams were 5-6 and 4-7 before winning the divisional title last year. Nutt will receive around $3 million in compensation.

Incoming AD Jeff Long, who has Oklahoma ties, will be in charge of picking Nutt’s successor. He will not use a search firm. Long said Wednesday night that he is getting closer and has talked to a lot of coaches. He did say that “any reports about an SEC West coach are extremely premature and actually aren’t premature, they’re fantasy.” He also said there are NFL coaches with college experience that he will look at also. Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring will coach the bowl game. Ole Miss, Baylor and Georgia Tech are showing an interest in pursuing Nutt.

North Carolina Coach Butch Davis has agreed to a one- year extension. Davis is rumored to be one of the main candidates for the job. Other possibilities mentioned are: Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville, TCU’s Gary Patterson, Texas Tech’s Mike Leach, Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, Boise State coach Chris Petersen, Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables and LSU’s Pelini. Kiffin, the current coach of the Oakland Raiders and former Southern Cal offensive coordinator and Tuberville appeared to be the frontrunners Wednesday night.

Darren McFadden ran for 206 yards on 32 carries and scored three times in the LSU game. He also completed three- of- six passes for 34 yards and one score. One of the pivotal plays in the win over LSU was a key fourth- and- 10 in overtime when quarterback Casey Dick hit a wide-open Peyton Hillis for a 13- yard gain. Hillis, who scored two touchdowns rushing and receiving, had 89 yards rushing and 69 yards receiving. He also scored on a 65 yard run. Tailback Felix Jones ran for 85 yards. Arkansas averaged 7.3 yards per rush on 385 yards.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs win over rival Ole Miss gives them seven wins and possibly a slot in the Liberty or Independence Bowls. State’s 17- point fourth quarter was their highest total in one quarter this season. Linebackers Gabe O’Neal and Jamar Chaney and defensive end Titus Brown had eight tackles each in the game. Kicker Adam Carlson’s 48-yard field goal to win the game was his career long. Tailback Anthony Dixon had seven catches for 101 yards. State has won five- of-six games on the Lincoln Financial network. Cornerback Anthony Johnson broke his ankle on the first series of the game. Quarterback Wesley Carroll, who struggled in the first three quarters, completed nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Defensive back Derek Pegues had a 75- yard punt return for a touchdown to tie the game.

OLE MISS: Coach Ed Orgeron is out at Ole Miss after posting a 10-25 record in three years. Orgeron signed a two- year extension in January of this year. A consulting firm headed by Chuck Neinas was helping athletic director Pete Boone. Nutt, the former Arkansas coach, has been hired to replace Oregon. Nutt might be bringing the majority of his staff with him.

Baltimore Raven offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel (66-30 with Washington and Colorado), Auburn’s Muschamp, Texas Tech coach Rick Leach, Navy coach Paul Johnson and former Texas A & M coach Dennis Franchione were mentioned as possibilities.

The loss to Mississippi State means Ole Miss is winless in the SEC for the first time since 1982. Orgeron admitted that he made a mistake by having his team to go for a fourth- and- one at midfield with just over 10 minutes to play. Tailback BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who had 117 yards, was tackled for a three- yard loss and Mississippi State regained momentum. In the first three quarters, Ole Miss held State to four first downs, 144 total yards on 39 plays. After the botched call, State gained 121 yards on 19 plays.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks fought valiantly, but allowed Clemson to drive for a Mark Buchholz 35- yard winning field goal as time expired. The Gamecocks overcame a 10- point deficit to go ahead by one with nine minutes remaining. Coach Steve Spurrier has lost five straight games, the longest streak of his career. South Carolina is hoping to receive a bowl invitation.

The Gamecocks committed three turnovers including two picks in the game. Quarterback Blake Mitchell was 18- of- 31 for 284 yards with three touchdowns and two picks. Receiver Kenny McKinley, who said he would return for his senior season, caught eight passes for 125 yards and two scores. McKinley has 77 catches this season breaking the old mark of 74 set by Sterling Sharpe in 1986. South Carolina also had two punts blocked in the game. The Gamecocks struggled against the run all season. Clemson rushed for 216 yards. The Gamecock defense had two sacks and eight tackles for loss. South Carolina honored 21 seniors before the game. Only six of those are starters. Either Alabama or South Carolina could be slated for the Independence Bowl since both teams have only six wins. Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix has been mentioned as a possibility for the Southern Miss vacancy. Former coach Jeff Bower received $500,000 per year, one of the lowest salaries in C-USA.

KENTUCKY: Wildcat officials have denied retirement rumors pertaining to coach Rich Brooks. Offensive coordinator Randy Sanders has been linked to some other job openings including Western Carolina.

Despite losing four- of-five games, Kentucky still finished with seven wins. The Wildcats have won 15 games over the last two seasons for the first time since 1983-84 under Jerry Claiborne. Chalk up those wins to the help of seniors such as tailback Rafael Little, linebacker Wesley Woodyard, tight end Jacob Tamme, receiver Keenan Burton and quarterback Andre Woodson. Kentucky has a chance to win consecutive bowl games for the first time since 1951-52. Little had 77 yards rushing and caught 11 passes for 105 yards in the loss to Tennessee. Woodson, who was sacked six times in the game, was 39- of- 62 for 430 yards with six touchdowns and two picks. Tamme caught nine passes for 104 yards. Kentucky set a new average attendance record (68,823 per game) this season.

VANDERBILT: Once again, Vandy finished one game shy of being bowl eligible. Coach Bobby Johnson has the Commodores averaging five wins over the last three seasons. The loss to Wake Forest was the fourth straight defeat for Vandy. Two the last four losses were by a combined eight points to Kentucky and Tennessee.

Commodore quarterback McKenzi Adams was held to 9 –of- 20 passing for 64 yards in the loss to Wake Forest. He was intercepted twice and lost two fumbles. Third string quarterback Richard Kovalcheck threw for 269 yards and two scores. Wake forced five Vandy turnovers including two picks by Wake Forest defensive back Alphonso Smith, who has eight interceptions on the season. Vandy receiver Earl Bennett caught six passes which gave him 75 on the season for the third straight year, a conference record. He meets with Johnson this week to begin to decide his possibly going to the NFL.

FLORIDA: In the post regular season press conference, coach Urban Meyer said he was looking to recruit around 18 players depending on any transfers and tight end Cornelius Ingram and defensive end Derrick Harvey going pro early and whether Simon Codrington and Eddie Haupt can recover from injuries. The team was 56% on third down conversions, best in the nation. Florida could end up in the Orange, Capital One, Outback or Peach Bowls. Jarred Fayson and Trent Pupello are transferring to other schools. Fayson said he would not transfer to an in-state school. Quarterback Bryan Waggener, running back Bo Williams are the latest players who have talked to coaches about transferring. Both had early season leg injuries that limited their progress. Meyer announced a few weeks ago that tailback Chevon Walker was transferring. Denver Post columnist Wood Paige has lobbied for defensive coordinator Charlie Strong to be hired by Colorado State. Offensive guard Maurkice Pouncey and cornerback Joe Haden have been named to the Sporting News All Freshman team.

GEORGIA TECH: After losing six straight to Georgia, Chan Gailey is out. Gailey was the second coach to win seven or more games in six seasons at Tech. The Yellow Jackets are going to their 11th straight bowl game. Gailey is 44-32 overall and 28-20 in the ACC. His teams have never won an ACC title or finished in the top 25.

UConn’s Randy Edsell reportedly will interview for the job this week. Other possibilities to replace him are former Auburn coach Terry Bowden, LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, East Carolina coach Skip Holtz (who may not be interested because Tech AD Dan Radakovich, formerly from LSU, was on the South Carolina AD staff and Holtz thought he had been promised the Gamecock job to replace his father), FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher (who denied a rumor the he visited the school), Navy coach Paul Johnson, former Minnesota coach Glen Mason, Florida’s Strong, Chris Hatcher at Valdosta State, Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta, who is the interim.

CLEMSON: Coach Tommy Bowden has a 7-2 record against South Carolina. Clemson has won nine- of-10 in Columbia. The Peach Bowl chooses between the title game loser, Clemson and Virginia. The Peach Bowl or the Gator Bowl appears to be the likely destinations. Bowden will meet with Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips sometime before the bowl game. There is a matter of $2.5 million involved if Bowden leaves or is fired before Dec. 2008. After 2008, his buyout clause shrinks to $500,000. However, Phillips said Monday that Bowden would be offered an extension. He had three years left on his contract. Quarterback Cullen Harper will have his shoulder scoped, but he will be ready for the bowl game.

DUKE: Possible replacements for Ted Roof are South Carolina assistant Steve Spurrier, Jr. and Chris Hatcher of Georgia Southern, Mike Shula of the Jacksonville Jaguars,

FLORIDA STATE: Ryan McMahon, a freshman center, has been named to the Rivals.com Freshman All-American team. He graded 70% of better in 11 games and has not been flagged for a penalty. It looks like FSU could be headed to the Music City Bowl to play either Kentucky or Mississippi State. Fisher denied a rumor that he visited Georgia Tech on Wednesday. School president T. K. Wetherell said he has not ruled out naming a coach-in-waiting until Bobby Bowden completes his career at FSU. Weatherell said Bowden’s contract won’t be renewed with the same time frame (five years) that he had before. His current deal expires in January.

MIAMI: The Canes are not going to a bowl for the first time since 1997. To their credit, the Canes came back to tie BC in the third quarter. Freshman defensive back Doug Wiggins is transferring to another school. He is visiting Central Michigan and Indiana. Wiggins had been suspended from the team for unspecified reasons. Defensive end Calais Campbell and defensive back Kenny Phillips could be gone to the NFL next season.

BOSTON COLLEGE VS. VIRGINA TECH IN ACC TITLE GAME: The Eagles receiver Rich Gunnell has played well during the second half of the season. He grabbed a 49- yard catch and run that set up the go ahead score in the third quarter. Receiver Clarence Megwa is also coming on after catching a touchdown against Miami. Linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Tyronne Pruitt played a lot despite their injuries. Quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 369 yards and three scores in the win over Miami. BC is first in the league in total offense, pass offense and rush defense. Tech leads the ACC in total defense allowing 285 ypg.

VIRGINIA TECH: In the win over Virginia, Tech quarterback Sean Glennon threw for 260 yards and Tyrod Taylor rushed for two scores. Tailback Branden Ore had a season high 147 yards rushing and receiver Eddie Royal caught six passes for 147 yards. The last time these two teams played Taylor was hurt. He is healthy and made a real difference against Virginia. Tech is also looking out for revenge after being beaten, 14-10, earlier in the season.

Keys: In the first meeting, the Tech defensive line dominated the BC offensive line and put quarterback Matt Ryan on the run all night. This is a different Tech team from a month ago with Taylor, Ore and linebacker Vince Hall healthy. Tech has allowed only 12 ppg since being beaten by LSU in Sept. Ore needs to have a big game. BC has allowed a rusher to go past 100 yards only once (Lance Ball of Maryland).

BC’s line has protected Ryan most of the season. The defense has picked off 20 passes and is second nationally in rush defense. BC has to block DE Chris Ellis and the Tech pass rush that is ranked No. 4 nationally.

SOUTHERN MISS: USM AD Richard Giannini is in charge of hiring a new coach to replace Jeff Bower, who served as coach for 17 years. Bower, who was 119-82-1, will coach the team in the bowl game. Replacements mentioned are Tyrone Nix of South Carolina, Ellis Johnson of Miss State, Larry Fedora of Oklahoma State, Hatcher of Georgia Southern, Alabama’s Applewhite and Steve Campbell of Gulf Coast CC. There are now rumors that Southern Miss is interested in FSU’s Fisher.

TULSA AT UCF (C-USA TITLE GAME): The Knights are in the C-USA title game for the second time in three years. Tailback Kevin Smith had 215 yards in the win over UTEP. He has 2,165 yards, the fourth highest in NCAA history. UCF Coach George O’Leary denies any truth to the rumors of him going to Syracuse. He was a former assistant at the ‘Cuse years ago. UCF beat Tulsa earlier in the season.

NEBRASKA: The Cornhuskers are looking at Pelini and former Minnesota coach Glen Mason, who took the Gophers to seven bowls in eight years before being fired in 2006. Mason also had the Georgia job for about a week in 1995 before changing his mind on Christmas Day. Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly has denied that the school has asked for permission to talk to him.

TEXAS A & M: Mike Sherman, a former assistant with the Houston Texans, is the new head coach replacing Dennis Franchione. The Aggies have not won a conference title since 1998.

OKLAHOMA VS MISSOURI IN SAN ANTONIO IN BIG 12 TITLE GAME: OU beat Missouri earlier in the season for its only loss. Oklahoma has won 18 -of-20 games in the series. In the first game, Tiger quarterback Chase Daniel threw for 361 yards, but four turnovers cost them dearly. Missouri running back Tony Temple also didn’t play in the game, but he is healthy for Saturday night. Missouri is No. 5 nationally in total offense and sixth in scoring. Missouri is the only team in the nation that has scored 30- or- more points in every game. They have scored 40- or- more eight times.

Oklahoma was, 7-0, at home this season and, 3-2, on the road. OU quarterback Sam Bradford could throw for 300 yards because Missouri’s pass defense is No. 103 in the nation. The OU secondary is vulnerable to a good passing attack. OU is No. 18 in total defense allowing 324 ypg and Missouri is No. 60 allowing 380 ypg.

PITT AT WEST VIRGINIA: The Mountaineers defense has forced 23 turnovers in the past seven games. Tailback Steve Slaton has 55 touchdowns in his career.

Pitt tailback LeSean McCoy needs 80 yards to tie the Big East single season freshman rushing record set by Rutgers Terrell Willis in 1993. Quarterback Pat Bostick leads the offense. The Panthers have lost seven of their last nine games. Pitt’s defense is allowing only 132 ypg rushing and is No. 7 nationally in pass defense.

ARMY VS NAVY IN BALTIMORE: Navy has seven wins this season while Army has three. Navy has won five straight, which equals the longest streak in the series.

UCLA VS USC: A Trojan win gives them revenge for last season and a spot in the Rose Bowl.

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.