It’s unprecedented that LSU and Ohio State are playing in the BCS national title game since both lost at home in November. LSU rebounded from overtime losses to Kentucky and most recently to Arkansas and Ohio State stayed around the top five even after being upset by Illinois. This game could have the makings of a defensive struggle since Ohio State is the top ranked unit in the nation allowing 225 yards per game and LSU is No. 3 yielding 283 ypg.

Tiger quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who came in for injured starter Matt Flynn, was the MVP of the SEC title game with 243 yards passing and one touchdown. LSU is, 3-1, in SEC title games. The Tigers have won four- of- six games decided by fewer than eight points.

LSU coach Les Miles turned down an opportunity to interview for the Michigan job and received an extension. Miles has signed his new contract. Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini was named at the new Nebraska coach and he will need to resurrect the Cornhusker defense. When he was at Nebraska in 2004, Pelini’s defense forced 47 turnovers. Possibilities for the LSU defensive coordinator are Jon Tenuta of Georgia Tech, Will Muschamp of Auburn, Nick Holt of USC, Dick Bumbas of TCU, Mike London of Virginia and Willie Martinez of Georgia. Peleni will coach the title game.

Tiger officials have begun a search for a new athletic director to replace Skip Bertman who is retiring next June. Two possible candidates are Georgia Tech AD Dan Radakovich and Florida Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs Greg McGarity.

GEORGIA: The Bulldogs will face Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Jan. 1. Hawaii has the No. 2 passing offense in the nation led by quarterback Colt Brennan averaging 450 yards per game. Georgia has the No. 24 pass defense nationally averaging 205 ypg. Hawaii has won 22- of- 23 games.

The Bulldogs have a legitimate argument to be in the national title game, but Oklahoma jumped Georgia in the coaches’ poll. The Sooners ended up third and Georgia fourth. A home loss to South Carolina and a road loss at Tennessee also hurt. The Bulldogs have won six straight games, and beaten eight bowl eligible teams including Auburn and Florida by double digits. Georgia held Kentucky to only 13 points. Coach Mark Richt revealed Sunday that he will allow the team to wear black jerseys.

TENNESSEE: The Vols will face Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl in Tampa on Jan. 1. Tennessee and Wisconsin have met only once back in 1981. Tennessee is 1-1 in two Outback Bowl games. Tennessee lost to Penn State last season in the same bowl. The Outback Bowl has invited two other SEC teams to play in consecutive years in this decade. Florida played in the bowl in 2003 and 2004 while South Carolina participated in 2001 and 2002. The bowl game will give Tennessee a chance to win 10 games in a season for the first time since 2004. Wisconsin has won nine- of- 12 bowl games and is on a two game win streak against SEC teams after beating Arkansas last year and Auburn in 2005. Tennessee and Wisconsin met last in the Garden State Bowl in 1981. The Vols won 28-21.

Linebacker Jarod Mayo led the Vols in tackles with 15 in the SEC title game. Freshman defensive back Eric Berry continued his fine play with seven tackles, a recovered fumble and an interception. Quarterback Erik Ainge struggled against LSU throwing two interceptions. Going into the bowl game, Ainge has more than 8,200 yards passing with 70 touchdowns and 35 interceptions. Starting linebacker Ryan Karl left the Tennessee game with a chipped elbow. His status for the bowl game is uncertain. Defensive end Xavier Mitchell could be in trouble for putting his hands on TV cameras trying to film Ainge as he was walking off the field after the game.

KENTUCKY: The Wildcats are back in the Music City Bowl in Nashville for the second straight year this time to face Coach Bobby Bowden’s Florida State team on Dec. 31. Kentucky beat Clemson, coached by Bowden’s son, Tommy, last season in the bowl game. The Wildcats have not won consecutive bowl games since 1950-1951. This is not the formidable FSU of the 1990’s. The Seminoles, who won seven games this season, are only, 22-16, in the past three years. This is the first time the schools have played since 1965. Jimmy Heggins, the Kentucky offensive line coach, was a part of the FSU staff for 14 years before leaving in 2004.

Coach Rich Brooks continues to ward off rumors that he is going to retire at the end of the season. Wildcat players voted quarterback Andre Woodson as the MVP of the team. He led the SEC in passing yards for the second straight season and threw 36 touchdowns. In the past two seasons, Woodson has thrown for 6,866 yards and 67 touchdowns with 17 interceptions. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard and defensive end Jeremy Jarmon tied for the most valuable defensive player award. Offensive coordinator Randy Sanders has been mentioned as a candidate for the vacant position at Western Carolina.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs will play Central Florida on Dec. 29 in the Memphis Liberty Bowl. This is State’s first appearance in the Liberty Bowl since they lost to Air Force in 1991. The Bulldogs last played in a bowl game in the 2000 Independence Bowl. UCF, the Conference USA champs, won 10 games this season and average 38 points per game. The Bulldog defense will have a big challenge trying to slow down UCF running back Kevin Smith, who leads the nation in rushing. State held Tulane’s Matt Forte, the No. 2 rusher behind Smith, to a season low 47 yards and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden to only 88 yards.

One of the reasons for State’s success this season was freshman quarterback Wesley Carroll who threw four touchdowns and no picks in his first five starts. Carroll at one point in the season threw 135 passes without a pick. Coach Sly Croom, who makes less than $1 million per year, should be in line for a substantial raise next season. Croom has been named SEC Coach- of- the- Year by the Associated Press and league coaches.

ARKANSAS: Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, 45-39, has turned down a chance to replace former Razorback coach Houston Nutt, who went to Ole Miss. Grobe, who was mentioned in the Nebraska and Michigan vacancies, was to receive a five- year contract worth $2.2 million. The Hogs will play Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1 in Dallas. The game will showcase McFadden and Tiger quarterback Chase Daniel, two Heisman Trophy contenders. The big question in the game is how motivated will Missouri be after losing the Big 12 title game and a chance to play for the national championship?

Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring will serve as the interim head coach for the bowl game. He said that he was not a candidate for the head-coaching job even though the players are backing him for the job. The dead period in recruiting begins on Jan. 15. There are reports that Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English and Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn have interviewed. Offensive coordinator David Lee interviewed for the Southern Miss job, but withdrew his name Thursday night. New names of interest from various reports include Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly, Atlanta Falcon head coach Bobby Petrino and Tennessee Titan offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

AUBURN: The Tigers are headed to the Peach Bowl on Dec. 31 in Atlanta to play Clemson, led by quarterback Cullen Harper who threw for 2,887 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. Clemson also has running backs James Davis and C J Spiller who have combined for 1,648 and 11 touchdowns. Auburn leads the Clemson series, 31-11-2. The last time the two teams played was in 1997 when Auburn won, 21-7. Clemson is trying to win 10 games for the first time in 17 years. The two teams will play a home-and-home series during the regular season in 2010 and 2011. Clemson’s coach, Tommy Bowden, was a former Auburn offensive coordinator.

Coach Tommy Tuberville had been rumored as a candidate for the vacancy at Arkansas. Tuberville has accepted a two- year contract extension that would pay him $2.8 million next season and a raise of $200,000 per season over the next five years (the deal would average $3.3 million over six years). The sticking point was a $6 million buyout, which will be reduced to $4 million in two years. The nine- year Auburn coach also raised some eyebrows when he admitted that his top five teams in the USA Today coaches’ poll were in order: LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Hawaii and Georgia. Bulldog coach Mark Richt might have Tuberville’s ballot on the bulletin board for next year’s ammunition. Auburn’s Muschamp has been mentioned as a candidate for the opening at Southern Miss.

ALABAMA: The Tide is headed for the Independence Bowl in Shreveport on Dec. 30 for the second straight season. Oklahoma State beat the Tide on a late field goal in the bowl game last season. Alabama’s opponent will be Colorado. The teams have met three times with the most recent being in the Blockbuster Bowl in 1991. Both teams finished with 6-6 records. Colorado and Alabama both lost to Florida State this season. The Buffaloes biggest win this year was by three points over Oklahoma.

The Tide seniors finished with a, 27-21, record in four years. Since 2003, Alabama is, 4-14, after November 1. Stability in the offensive line is needed. Only left tackle Andre Smith started every game at his position. Senior Wallace Gilberry had a very productive season as he led the team in sacks with nine and was second in tackles with 72.

FLORIDA: The Gators have 13 commitments so far. It originally appeared that they could sign from 18-20 players, but that number has risen with possible career ending injuries to offensive linemen Eddie Haupt and Simon Codrington. Two underclassmen—defensive end Derrick Harvey and receiver Cornelius Ingram—may leave early for NFL. This means Florida could have fewer than 65 scholarship players after the bowl game. Florida now will sign 22-25 players. The website Stiffarmtrophy.com projects that Tim Tebow will win the Heisman Trophy. They claim to have projected the winner for the past five years. Jarrod Fayson said he has not made up his mind which school he is transferring and is still thinking about West Virginia and Illinois.

OLE MISS: Nutt, who signed a four- year, $7.4 million deal, is bringing most of his staff from Arkansas with him to Ole Miss including offensive line coach Mike Markuson, tight ends coach James Shibest, safeties coach Chris Vaughn, offensive coordinator David Lee and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker. Nutt and newly hired assistants Ron Dickerson, Jr. and Kim Dameron, both from the Louisiana Monroe staff last season, will be recruiting while the rest of his former Arkansas staff will join the team after the Razorbacks bowl game.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Independence Bowl chose Alabama over South Carolina. The Gamecocks, who played in bowls the past two seasons, were hoping to make history and earn their third straight bowl invitation. For the first time in 19 years, Steve Spurrier won’t be coaching in the postseason. This is the first time since 2004 that the Gamecocks won’t be in a bowl. That year both Clemson and South Carolina refused to go to bowl games because of their brawl on the field in the final game.

Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix has withdrawn his name for the Southern Miss vacant coaching job. Nix spent 10 years on the USM staff. Jeff Bower will coach the Golden Eagles in the bowl game. It’s easy to see where the Gamecocks must improve next season. South Carolina was last in the SEC in rushing defense (209 yards per game) and rushing offense (113 ypg). Spurrier said he expects receiver Kenny McKinley and linebacker Jasper Brinkley to return next season. He also said Stephen Garcia will be a more mobile quarterback than either Chris Smelley or Tommy Beecher.

There will be an emphasis on adding linebackers and defensive backs in the upcoming recruiting class. South Carolina placed six players on the on the Sporting News All-Freshman team, more than any other SEC school.

VANDERBILT: The Commodores’ 14 wins in three seasons are their best mark since the 1992-94 teams. Coach Bobby Johnson is, 20-50, in six years at Vandy.

MIAMI: Coach Randy Shannon told Canesport.com that he has made enough progress with his team in order put the names on the back of his jersey. Yet, he said there are not enough playmakers on the team. Tight end DajLeon Farr and defensive back Doug Wiggins are transferring. Quarterback Kirby Freeman has been told that redshirt freshman Robert Marve or freshman Jacory Harris will be the starter next season. Receivers coach Marquis Mosely said redshirt freshman Jermaine McKenzie could be the best of the returning receivers. Receiver Sam Shields is in trouble for missing classes. Dedrick Epps is the leading candidate at tight end, but Richard Gordon is the most talented tight end. Miami Northwestern star Marcus Forston could join Antonio Dixon as the starting defensive tackle. Linebacker verbal commitments Marcus Robinson, Jordan Futch and Sean Spence could push Spencer Adkins and Darryl Sharpton, who have disappointed. Defensive back Kenny Phillips is leaving early for the NFL.

VIRGINIA TECH VS. KANSAS IN THE ORANGE BOWL: Tech is No. 99 in total offense averaging 332 yards per game. Kansas is No. 6 in total offense averaging 491 ypg. Both schools are in the top 10 in rush defense. Tech is No. 5 in total defense averaging 293 ypg and Kansas is No. 14 averaging 318 ypg. Kansas has 21 sacks and Tech has 43. The Hokies will play Nebraska in Lincoln next season on Sept. 27, 2008. The game was pushed back a week.

CLEMSON: After overtures from Arkansas with life long friend Jeff Long, the Razorback AD, Tommy Bowden is staying at Clemson. He will now make over $ 1.7 million per year or maybe $2.1 with incentives after making $1.2 million this past season. Bowden, 69-41, wanted “market value” for his contract and multi-year contracts for his staff. Only Bobby Bowden ($2.5), Butch Davis and Frank Beamer (both $2.0) make more per year.

BOSTON COLLEGE VS MICHIGAN STATE IN THE FLORIDA CITRUS BOWL IN ORLANDO: BC will be making a school record ninth consecutive bowl game appearance. The Eagles have won seven straight bowl games, the longest active streak in the nation. BC has won 10 games for two straight seasons, the first time in its history. For three straight years, BC has beaten Clemson and had a better record at the end of the season, but every year they went to a lesser bowl.

FLORIDA STATE: President T K Wetherell said a press conference has been called Monday to present a plan for the future of the coaching staff. Wetherell said he is not going to lose offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, who has been given a raise from $425,000 to $625,000. Fisher will be given more duties in the offseason such as being involved with fundraising and the annual spring booster club tour. He would also be given $2.5 million if he were not named the head coach when Bowden steps down. There would be an equal penalty if another school hires Fisher before Bowden retires. The process was speeded up when Arkansas made some overtures to Fisher about their coaching opening.

FSU’s pass defense, No. 73 nationally, allowed Tim Tebow to throw for 262 yards on 19 completions and Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor threw for 204 yards on 10 completions. FSU allowed 20 passing touchdowns this season. Only Duke with 21 allowed more. Sophomore receiver Damon McDaniel, who has fathered a new baby boy, has asked to be released from his scholarship so he could move closer to his home in Virginia.

Coaching carousel:

Michigan-Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz is the favorite of school president Mary Sue Coleman. N. C. State Tom O’Brien and Missouri’s Gary Pinkel have also been mentioned. Rutger’s Greg Schiano said he is not a candidate. Ball State coach Brady Hoke is a possibility.

Arkansas—South Florida’s Jim Leavitt, North Carolina’s Butch Davis, Tulsa’s Malzahn, East Carolina’s Skip Holtz, Tulsa’s Todd Graham, Atlanta’s Bobby Petrino and TCU’s Gary Patterson have all been mentioned.

Georgia Tech-Navy coach Paul Johnson has been hired. Florida’s Charlie Strong has interviewed, Baltimore offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel, Tennessee’s David Cutcliffe and Georgia Southern’s Chris Hatcher have been suggested as possibilities. Auburn’s Muschamp was mentioned early, but the AD wants a coach with previous coaching experience.

UCLA-Neuheisel, Texas Tech’s Mike Leach, Boise State’s Chris Petersen

Duke-BC OC Steve Logan, Tennessee’s David Cutcliffe is a candidate. Grambling’s Rod Broadway has talked to Duke officials.

Southern Miss-Oklahoma State OC Larry Fedora is the front runner. Auburn’s Muschamp have been mentioned. Pearl River CC head coach Tim Hatten has interviewed. Milsaps coach Mike DuBose has also been mentioned.

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.