Tiger defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Jacob Hester were selected as the team’s most valuable players (Charlie McClendon award) during the annual awards banquet last Sunday night. If LSU wins the national title, they would join only nine schools who have won more than two national crowns-Alabama, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, USC, Miami, Ohio State, Texas, Minnesota and Nebraska.

LSU has plenty of advantages with the game being in New Orleans, but Ohio State is not afraid of big crowds. Ohio State will have a 51- day layoff and LSU a 37- day layoff before the bowl game. The Buckeyes will try to establish tailback Chris Wells early. LSU could try to get reserve quarterback Ryan Perrilloux involved early because the Buckeyes struggle against mobile quarterbacks. LSU should be healed from injuries. Quarterback Matt Flynn’s shoulder is healthier. Tailback Keiland Williams, who hurt his knee in the SEC title game, should also play. Kick returner Trindon Holliday is fine and even offensive lineman Will Arnold should be able to play. Arnold has not been able to play since the Virginia Tech game on Sept. 8. Defensive end Tyson Jackson said he is leaning toward returning for his senior season. He admitted that he didn’t play as well as he should in ’07.

The Tigers are No. 18 in total offense averaging 463 ypg and Ohio State is No. 61 averaging 405 ypg.

Ohio State’s defensive line accounted for 22.5 sacks this season even after losing three starters and end Lawrence Wilson breaking his leg in the opener. Overall, the Buckeye defense had 48 sacks. Vernon Gholston, a former linebacker, has 13 sacks. Cameron Heyward, the son of former NFL great Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, also came on strong. Ohio State is No. 1 in total defense (225 ypg), No. 1 in pass defense and third in rush defense (77 ypg). Quarterback Todd Boeckman is trying to rebound from two poor performances in the final two games where he completed only 56% of his passes with four picks and no touchdowns. Backup quarterback Robbie Schoenhoft has been working at tight end. Third team quarterback Antonio Henton could be the backup. Ohio State has announced the suspension of reserve defensive back Eugene Clifford. Redshirt freshman Chimdi Chedwka will likely replace Washington.

ARKANSAS VS. MISSOURI IN THE COTTON BOWL:

Bobby Petrino’s Louisville teams averaged 41 points per game in four years at Louisville. Petrino’s brother, Paul, who was an assistant with the Falcons, has joined the Hogs staff as offensive coordinator. Interim coach/defensive coordinator Reggie Herring is leading the team through bowl practice. Receiver Marcus Monk will be the healthiest all year for the bowl game.

The Hogs are No. 3 in rushing offense averaging 296 ypg. Missouri is No. 46 averaging 164 ypg rushing. The Tigers are No. 7 in passing offense averaging 327 ypg. Arkansas is No. 112 averaging 160 ypg. Arkansas is No. 45 in total defense allowing 357 ypg. Missouri is No. 59 allowing 380 ypg. Missouri is No. 14 in turnover margin and Arkansas is No. 26.

Tyler Wilson (6-3, 185), a quarterback from Greenwood High in Arkansas, changed his verbal commitment from Tulsa to Arkansas Sunday. LSU, Alabama, Missouri and Oregon have offered him. The Houston Nutt staff didn’t offer him because he could be drafted high in next season’s Major League Baseball Draft.

FLORIDA VS. MICHIGAN IN THE OUTBACK BOWL:

Wolverine coach Lloyd Carr is going for his final win before retiring. After losing its first two games, Michigan finished, 8-2, allowing only 17 ppg. Michigan quarterback Chad Henne (1565 yards with 14 touchdowns and 7 picks), running back Mike Hart (1,232 yards), and offensive lineman Jake Long are all healthy. Receiver Mario Manningham caught 67 passes for 1,096 yards. Michigan is, 0-3, in its last three bowl games.

Rich Rodriguez, who was, 60-26, at West Virginia, has accepted the job at Michigan. He will not coach in the bowl game against Oklahoma. Terrell Pryor (6-6, 235), a Rivals 100 five-star quarterback from Jeannette, Pa., has added Michigan to his list of suitors. Ohio State, Florida and Penn State are on his list. Tennessee (after David Cutcliffe announced his going to Duke) and West Virginia are no longer under consideration.

Gator assistant Doc Holliday may have emerged as the leader for the West Virginia job. He is an excellent recruiter. Terry Bowden, FSU offensive line coach Rick Trickett, and Virginia Tech assistant Bud Foster, Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley and Central Michigan coach Butch Jones have interviewed for the job. Bowden is receiving a lot of support from the public.

Receiver Riley Cooper will probably not play in the bowl game. Offensive lineman Jim Tartt is over his bout with mono. There are no academic problems for the game. Defensive end Jermaine Cunningham should play in the bowl game after charges were dropped against him. Troy Starr, the director of football operations, plan on moving back to California in order to coach. Florida is No. 14 in total offense averaging 467 ypg and Michigan was No. 75 averaging 375 ypg. Michigan is No. 24 in total defense allowing 330 ypg. Florida is No. 32 allowing 342 ypg. Michigan is No. 26 in turnover margin while Florida is No. 47. Heisman winners are, 2-5, in their last seven bowl games. Tight end Cornelius Ingram said he might leave for the NFL draft if he projects in the first three rounds.

Zebrie Sanders (6-6, 273), a four-star offensive lineman from Northmont High in Clayton, Ohio, has said his decision comes down to either Florida or Georgia, but he is going to visit either FSU (Jan. 12 tentative visit) or UCLA before deciding. Florida, who has 15 verbal commitments, signed Carl Moore (6-4, 220), a five-star receiver from Sierra Community College, and Troy Epps (6-1, 280), a three-star defensive tackle from Coffeyville, Kansas, signed with Florida Wednesday. Epps still has to finish a math class and graduate. Florida has had trouble getting junior college players into school such as Lance Mitchell, out of San Francisco CC, who was never cleared and ended up at Oklahoma. Sam Robey (6-4, 253), a three-star offensive lineman from Louisville, Kentucky has committed to Florida. He is the son of former Kentucky basketball player Rick Robey.

ALABAMA VS. COLORADO IN THE INDEPENDENCE BOWL:

Colorado’s best offensive player is Hugh Charles, a running back who ran for 1,022 yards and eight touchdowns. He was not healthy until the fourth game of the season. Walk-on freshman receiver Scotty McKnight led the team with 43 catches and tight end Tyson DeVeree led the team with eight touchdown catches. Freshman Josh Smith led the team with a 20- yard average per catch. Quarterback Cody Hawkins led the team with 2,693 yards and 19 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11 Hawkins threw 15 picks. Hawkins struggled with a quarterback rating that was No. 10- of- 12 in the league. Colorado runs a balanced offense as evidenced by 433 passes and 432 runs. Inside linebacker Jordan Dizon had 160 tackles, which led the Big 12. Alabama offensive lineman Andre Smith is 58 pounds heavier than any Colorado defensive line. Colorado has two freshmen starting on the offensive line. Coach Dan Hawkins has done a nice job of turning around a program that slid under Gary Barnett his last couple of years.

Alabama running back Jimmy Johns has moved to linebacker during the bowl practice. Contrary to rumor, quarterback Greg McElroy said he is not transferring. Also, sophomore defensive back Justin Woodall said he is not giving up his football career to concentrate on baseball. Quarterback John Parker Wilson is No. 97 in pass efficiency. Wilson was rated the No. 11- of- 12 quarterbacks in the SEC. He threw one touchdown and five picks in the final three games. In the first nine games, the Tide averaged 31 points, nearly 400 yards while committing only 11 turnovers. In the final three games, they averaged 12 points, 310 yards and gave up seven turnovers. Alabama was No. 79 in total offense and Colorado was No. 78.

Chris Tolliver (6-1, 180), a four-star receiver from Rayville, La., visited LSU this weekend and he committed to the Tigers Wednesday. He said earlier in the week that the Tigers and Alabama are about even. Alonzo Lawrence (6-1, 187), a defensive back from George County, Ms., said his top four schools are Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Miami. He will visit Alabama on Jan. 11. Chris Jackson (6-0, 187), a three-star receiver from Henry County, Ga., has decommitted from Georgia Tech and verbally committed to Alabama.

AUBURN VS. CLEMSON IN THE PEACH BOWL:

It is unknown how much of new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin’s spread offense the Tigers will use in the bowl game. Coach Tommy Tuberville said his team would use some of both. Quarterback Kodi Burns is excited about the up tempo change in practice. Auburn is No 8 in total defense averaging 298 ypg while Clemson is No. 6 averaging 297 ypg. Auburn is No. 56 in rushing offense averaging 154 yards per game. Clemson is No. 50 averaging 158 ypg. Auburn is No. 101 in total offense averaging 327 ypg while Clemson is No. 47 averaging 412 ypg. Clemson is No. 19 in turnover margin while Auburn is No. 47. Tuberville is looking for his fifth bowl win in six years. Tailback Mario Fannin has spent time at receiver.

Auburn has 18 commitments. Chris Todd (6-2, 220), a junior college quarterback from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, signed with Auburn on Wednesday. He signed with Texas Tech out of high school. Raven Gray, a five-star defensive end from Wesson, Ms., Copiah-Lincoln CC, signed with the Tigers Wednesday. He is the No. 3 overall junior college prospect according to Rivals.com. Charles Deas (6-5, 320), a lineman out of Milford Prep in New York, has also committed to the Tigers. Deas, who is from Ft. Lauderdale (Florida) Dillard High, originally signed with LSU. Marcus Jemison (6-2, 190), a three-star athlete from McAdory, Ala., committed to Auburn on Monday. Clemson and Arkansas had offered him.

Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden will be without his three starting linebackers. Junior Cortney Vincent was charged recently with a DUI and could be suspended for the bowl game. Bowden said Monday that Vincent would practice with the team right up until the bowl game. Outside linebacker Tremaine Billie and senior right tackle Chris Capote won’t play due to academics. Linebacker Nick Watkins is also out due to academic problems. If Watkins can’t play, then one of two juniors, Antonio Clay or Kavell Conner, would start. Scotty Cooper might make his second start in place of Billie. Redshirt freshman Chris Hairston will get his first career start in place of Capote. Junior defensive tackle Dorell Scott, who is sending in paperwork for a NFL evaluation, went down with an abdominal injury in Thursday’s practice. Spence, who is interviewing at Tennessee this week, turned down job offers last year from Alabama and Minnesota to stay at Clemson.

The Tigers are out front for Jamie Harper (6-0, 222), a four-star running back from Trinity Christian in Jacksonville. Harper’s father said his son really connected with Clemson running back C. J. Spiller on his visit. Harper visits Clemson Jan. 11, Florida Jan. 18 and Miami Jan. 25.

GEORGIA VS. HAWAII IN THE SUGAR BOWL:

Junior defensive tackle Jeff Owens has submitted his name to the NFL draft, but he simply wants to know where he is in the pecking order. Owens said he is determined to return. Georgia has benefited from quarterback Matthew Stafford learning to relax more this season. A strong running game has taken a lot of pressure off of Stafford. The key to the Georgia’s six- game winning streak is either tailback Knowshon Moreno or Thomas Brown have run for 100 yards in every game.

Linebacker Akeem Hebron is coming back to Georgia in the spring after a stay at Georgia Military College as suggested by Mark Richt. Legendary Bulldog announcer Larry Munson said he would call the Sugar Bowl. Walter Hill, a 6-foot-4, receiver on the scout team has turned heads in practice. Bulldog players believe a win in the Sugar Bowl propels them to a top- five ranking next preseason. Georgia only loses safety Kelin Johnson and defensive end Marcus Howard on defense and receivers Mikey Henderson and Sean Bailey, who will play in the bowl game after meniscus surgery, and linemen Fernando Velasco and Chester Adams on offense. Next year, Georgia plays Georgia Southern, Central Michigan, at Arizona State and Georgia Tech. Quarterback Blake Barnes is transferring to Delta State. FAMU has asked for permission to speak with receivers coach John Eason, who is a Rattler grad. Richt said all the players are eligible for the bowl game.

Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan has thrown 38 touchdowns and 14 picks this season. Davone Bess has caught 101 passes and Ryan Grice-Mullen has added 100. Jason Rivers has 82 catches and C J Hawthorne has 57. Georgia is No. 19 in total defense allowing 324 ypg and Hawaii is No. 33 allowing 348 ypg. Hawaii is No. 64 in turnover margin and Georgia is No. 32. Warrior players and fans plan on wearing all white to counter Georgia’s all black apparel. Hawaii leads the WAC in sacks and tackles for loss per game. The defense and special teams has accounted for nine touchdowns. Bulldog fans have brought 24,000 tickets.

MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. CENTRAL FLORIDA IN THE LIBERTY BOWL:

These two teams are very similar in style because they like to run the ball first. State running back Anthony Dixon has 980 yards rushing, but only 66 in his last two games. On special teams, Derek Pegues, who had the touchdown run against Ole Miss is the main threat on returns. Defensive end Titus Brown, who has missed several practices after having cartilage chips removed from his knee, has 37 tackles for loss and 18 sacks in his career. Redshirt freshman Robert Elliott, one of State’s most heralded signees last year, has looked very good in practice. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson had been linked to the defensive coordinator job at South Carolina and Georgia Tech, but it appears he and the rest of the staff will be given more money to remain with the team.

Mississippi State is No. 115 in total offense averaging 318 ypg while UCF averages 437 ypg, No. 36 nationally. UCF has won seven straight games and 10 overall on the season. During the win streak, the Knight defense has allowed only 21 ppg.

On special teams, UCF features Joe Burnett, who averages 11 yards per return and Curtis Francis, who averages 29 yards per return. Burnett also leads the league in interceptions with six. UCF running back Kevin Smith is 181 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders’ single season record. He has 2,448 yards on the season. Sha’reff Rashad has a career high 94 tackles and four picks. Senior quarterback Kyle Israel has completed 60% of his passes for 15 touchdowns and eight picks. Receiver Rocky Ross led the Knights in receptions with 48 catches for 631 yards.

TENNESSEE VS. WISCONSIN IN THE OUTBACK BOWL:

How will offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe taking the head coaching job at Duke affect the Vols on offense? He will coach in the bowl game. Juniors Jerod Mayo (127 tackles), Arian Foster (1,162 yards and 12 touchdowns), Anthony Parker (first team All SEC) and Britton Colquitt have submitted paperwork to the NFL. Receiver Lucas Taylor led the Vols with 73 catches for 1,000 yards and five touchdowns. Linebacker Rico McCoy (second on the team in tackles with 106) and defensive tackle Demonte’ Bolden (26 tackles) have been ruled ineligible for the bowl game due to academics. Former Vol tailback LaMarcus Coker is transferring to Hampton College in Virginia. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Vol coach Phil Fulmer is interviewing Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence for possibility to replace Cutcliffe. Other names mentioned are Kippy Brown of the Detroit Lions and Doug Marrone of the Saints, both with Tennessee ties. Offensive line coach Greg Akins is also a possibility. Receivers coach Trooper Taylor has accepted the co-coordinator job at Oklahoma State after Larry Fedora went to Southern Miss. Taylor and Mike Gundy, the OSU head coach, were on the same staff at Baylor. The Taylor situation has been more of a distraction that the Cutcliffe leaving. Taylor, who was also reported to have been offered the Baylor offensive coordinator job, will coach in the bowl game. Cutcliffe, who will make $1.5 million, could take tight ends coach Matt Luke and running backs coach Kurt Roper with him to Duke. Fulmer said he would be looking to fill staff positions while attending the American Football Coaches Association meeting from Jan. 6-9.

Since 1996, Fulmer had faced four Big Ten teams in bowl games. His record is, 3-1, with the only loss coming last year to Penn State in the Outback Bowl. Both teams are trying to win 10 games this season. Wisconsin, at one point ranked No. 7, finished fourth in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin tailback P. J. Hill will probably not be ready for the bowl game after sustaining a foot injury in the Indiana game. Freshman running back Zach Brown has run for 358 yards in his absence. Tight end Travis Beckum caught 73 passes for 950 yards. Quarterback Tyler Donovan, who has 16 touchdowns and 10 picks, has not made a lot of big plays. Wisconsin has the third best pass defense in the Big Ten. Starting cornerback Aaron Henry, a true freshman, has been on crutches with an unspecified injury.

KENTUCKY VS. FLORIDA STATE IN THE MUSIC CITY BOWL:

Kentucky’s Rich Brooks and FSU’s Bobby Bowden are a combined 145- years- old. The Wildcats have added Norfolk State to the 2008 schedule. Kentucky will have two off weeks next season.

The Wildcats are No. 19 in total offense (370 ypg) and FSU is No. 86 (459 ypg). FSU is No. 97 in rushing offense averaging 121 ypg. Kentucky is No. 53 averaging 156 ypg. Kentucky lost four- of- five games, while FSU has lost four- of- seven. FSU is No. 73 in pass defense even though defensive back Patrick Robinson has six picks. Nole quarterback Drew Weatherford has thrown eight touchdowns and only one pick.

Reportedly as many as a 25 players (16 scholarship players including 11 on the first or second team depth chart) including several defensive linemen could miss the bowl game because of improper help from a tutor. Players could miss as many as 3.6 games due to the fall out. FSU’s first two games next year are against Western Carolina and University of Tennessee- Chattanooga. Tailback Preston Parker, quarterback Drew Weatherford, receiver Greg Carr, running back Antone Smith and linebacker Derek Nicholson and Geno Hayes are not involved. Backup free safety Kenny Ingram has been moved to linebacker, which leads to speculation that Dekoda Watson could miss the bowl game. Freshman left tackle Evan Bellamy worked in place of Daron Rose leading to similar speculation.

Quarterback D’Vontrey Richardson said he is still staying regardless of Internet rumors. Parker was named the team’s offensive MVP and Hayes, the defensive MVP during the annual awards banquet Saturday night.

In offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher’s new contract, part of his duties is to raise funds for a new indoor practice facility. There is also language in the contract that says if Fisher is not elevated to the head coaches’ job within three years that he will be given $2.5 million. Also, if he goes to another school during that time then he will forfeit the money.

Keith Wells (6-5, 211), a three-star defensive end from Gainesville, Ga., really enjoyed his Auburn visit despite being a FSU commitment. Wells said he would visit FSU (Jan. 11) and Tennessee (Jan. 18) and Clemson (Jan. 25) before making his final decision. LaGarrette Blount (6-2, 235), a running back from East Mississippi CC, signed with Oregon after committing to FSU two weeks ago.

GEORGIA TECH VS. FRESNO STATE IN THE HUMANITARIAN BOWL:

Defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta is likely to be let go after the bowl game. He has been rumored to be moving to LSU, if Miles stays with the Tigers. Southern Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack has been hired to replace him. Wommack has been with USM for seven years. Tech is No. 11 in total defense and No. 12 in rushing defense. The Tech defense leads the nation with four sacks per game.

BOSTON COLLEGE VS. MICHIGAN STATE IN THE CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL:

Eagle freshman running back Jeff Smith’s career is over due to repeated concussions. The team’s overall health for the bowl has improved considerably.

NOTES:

MIAMI:
Tim Walton will not return next season as defensive coordinator. Miami was No. 30 in total yards and No. 53 in points allowed. Walton was a very good secondary coach, but struggled as a coordinator. Possibilities to replace him are former Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron, Georgia Tech’s Tenuta and Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English. Cane recruit Jacory Harris, a quarterback from state champion Miami Northwestern, sustained an ACL and MCL strain in the state title game. Arthur Brown (6-1, 210), a five-star Rivals 100 linebacker from Wichita, Kansas committed to Miami Monday. LSU, Florida, Southern Cal and North Carolina are recruiting him. Travis Benjamin (6-0, 170), a four-star receiver from Belle Glades Glade, has committed to Miami. Rutgers, Auburn and Miami have offered him. Benjamin said his decision came down to Miami or South Florida.

SOUTH CAROLINA:
Coach Steve Spurrier has hired Brian Van Gorder to replace Tyrone Nix, who went to Ole Miss. This is Van Gorder’s fifth job (Georgia, Jacksonville, Georgia Southern, Atlanta, South Carolina) in over three years. There were reports that he had offered the job to Mississippi State defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. Other names mentioned were former Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron and Alabama’s Kevin Steele. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster turned down an offer from Spurrier. Foster said no to Spurrier in 1999 when he was with Florida. South Carolina could receive a Georgia Tech transfer. Spurrier has hired former Maryland special teams coach Ray Rychleski for the same position. During his tenure, Maryland had no punts blocked, but blocked 22 kicks and returned eight kicks for touchdowns.

OLE MISS backup quarterback Michael Herrick has been given his release to transfer to another school. Jevan Snead will be the quarterback next season. Herrick was the backup this previous season to Brent Schaeffer and Seth Adams.

Georgia Tech freshman receiver D. J. Donley is considering a transfer after Paul Johnson was hired. He has not asked for his release. Gamecock leading receiver Kenny McKinley is having surgery on his toe to repair arthritis.

Carlton Lewis (6-3, 190), a three-star defensive back from St. Augustine, Fla., is deciding between South Carolina and Clemson. He will visit both schools in January. Clemson wants him to be a defensive back and South Carolina a receiver.

RETURNING STARTERS:
Oklahoma returns 17 including quarterback Sam Bradford; Florida returns 17; Ohio State returns 19 and USC has 13 coming back. Ohio State and USC play next season.

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.