GEORGIA: Mark Richt has coached Georgia to 10- or- more wins for the fifth time in his seven seasons. Georgia also won 40 games in four seasons. Defensive end Marcus Howard had a BCS record four sacks, two forced fumbles and tipped a pass that was picked off. The Bulldog defense sacked Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan eight times and forced six turnovers (resulting in 21 points), another BCS record. Tailback Thomas Brown led the offense with 73 yards on 19 carries. Tailback Knowshown Moreno had two scores and quarterback Matthew Stafford was 14- of- 23 for 175 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Defensive back Asher Allen, who led the team with nine tackles, picked off two passes. Brandon Coutu’s 52- yard field goal was the longest in BCS history.

Georgia, who returns 17 (8 on offense and 9 on defense) of 22 starters, will certainly be a top five pick next season. Georgia loses only one starter on the defensive front seven. Redshirt freshman tailback Caleb King and incoming freshman A. J. Green could also be in the mix.

AUBURN: The Tigers beat Clemson in the Chick-Fil-A bowl on the strength of its new spread offense that was implemented after only 10 days of practice. Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin called all the plays. He also admitted that Auburn ran the spread the entire game. Auburn gained 423 yards on 90 plays. Freshman quarterback Kodi Burns, who led the Tigers with 69 yards rushing, and senior Brandon Cox, who made his 37th career start, virtually split reps. Cox completed a career high 25 completions on 39 attempts. Still, the star of the show was the Tiger defense limiting Clemson to only 12 first downs. Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper was only 14- of- 33 for 104 yards. The Auburn senior class finished with a school record 50 wins in five year and 42 in four. Junior defensive tackle Pat Sims is considering declaring early for the NFL. Tiger defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has interviewed for the same position at Texas.

ALABAMA: The Tide avoided consecutive losing seasons for the first time in 50 years after beating Colorado in the Independence Bowl. Defensive end Wallace Gilberry had five tackles for loss and a sack in the win. Linebacker Rolando McClain, who had five tackles and an interception, played with a broken thumb and a separated shoulder. Alabama allowed less than 100 yards rushing for the sixth straight game. Quarterback John Parker Wilson, voted the offensive MVP, was 19- of- 32 for 256 yards with three touchdowns and one pick.

Only 11 seniors were on the two-deep chart during the bowl. The offense loses three starters and defense loses five. Junior center Antoine Caldwell is considering leaving early for the NFL draft. Alabama and Clemson are still working out details for a 2008 season opener in the Georgia Dome. Ticket allocation is one of the details officials are trying to resolve. Ron Middleton, the special teams and tight end coach, has accepted a position on David Cutcliffe’s staff at Duke. He was on Cutcliffe’s staff at Ole Miss.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs beat Central Florida to win the Liberty Bowl meaning they won eight games including a bowl for the first time since 2000. Defensive back Derek Pegues was named the defensive MVP after intercepting two passes. The Bulldog defense limited UCF tailback, Kevin Smith, the nation’s leading rusher, to only 119 yards, 60 short of breaking the Barry Sanders’ single season record. UCF quarterback Kyle Israel was only 10- of- 24 passing with three interceptions. Tailback Anthony Dixon, who scored the games’ only touchdown, gained 96 total yards in the game giving him 1,066 on the season.

Bulldog athletic director Larry Templeton said he was not happy that Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino didn’t ask permission to talk with former defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. Some of the names mentioned to replace Johnson are Brick Haley, who was formerly on the Croom staff before he went to the Chicago Bears last year; Mike DuBose, the former and current Millsaps College coach at Alabama; John Hendrick, an assistant at South Carolina State; Louis Campbell, an Arkansas assistant and Charlie Harbison, currently on the State staff.

KENTUCKY: The Wildcats won consecutive bowl games for the first time since 1950 and 1951 with the win over Florida State. Kentucky has 16 wins in the past two seasons, the most since the Wildcats won 19 under Fran Curci in 1976 and 1977. A record crowd of 68,661 attended the game. Quarterback Andre Woodson, who won his second Music City MVP award, was 32- of- 50 for 358 yards and four touchdowns. Woodson threw 40 touchdown passes this season and has 79 career passes, which broke a school record of 78 set by Jared Lorenzen. Tailback Rafael Little, who fumbled twice, had 212 all- purpose yards. Receiver Steve Johnson caught seven passes for 124 yards and two scores. Kentucky linebacker Micah Johnson had a potentially game sealing interception that he fumbled giving FSU the ball back with 29 seconds left.

TENNESSEE: The Vols had their first 10- win season since 2004 after beating Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl. Quarterback Erik Ainge, the bowl’s MVP, was 25- of- 43 for 365 yards and two scores. Receiver Josh Briscoe caught seven passes for 101 yards. The Vols won without leading receiver Lucas Taylor, linebacker Rico McCoy and defensive tackle Demonte’Bolden, who were academically ineligible. Junior Jared Mayo, who led the team with 13 tackles, was mum after the game on his intentions to leave early for the NFL draft. The Vols sacked Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan three times. Coach Phil Fulmer will be looking for four offensive assistants to replace Trooper Taylor who is going to Oklahoma State and Cutcliffe, Matt Luke and Kurt Roper who are going to Duke.

ARKANSAS: The Hogs were the league’s biggest disappointment in the bowl game after a miserable loss to Missouri. Arkansas’ defense allowed Missouri running back Tony Temple a bowl record 281 yards and four touchdowns. The Hogs also committed five turnovers. Quarterback Casey Dick was an ineffective 19- of- 32 for 197 yards and an interception. The game in a nutshell was typified by defensive lineman Adrian Davis intercepting a Chase Daniel pass then fumbling the ball back to Missouri after a short return. Arkansas wore all red jerseys for the first time in a tribute to outgoing athletic director Frank Broyles. Darren McFadden ran for 105 yards, the only offensive highlight.

The Hogs have to replace 10 seniors next season including receiver Marcus Monk and fullback Peyton Hillis. Center Jonathan Luigs said he will be back, but speculation is that McFadden and possibly Felix Jones will not return. Bobby Petrino has added his brother, Paul, former Northwestern coach Garrick McGee (quarterbacks coach) to the staff. Bobby Allen will remain on the staff in some capacity. Reggie Herring is likely joining the Texas A & M staff.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Steve Spurrier has hired former Georgia defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to replace Tyrone Nix who went to Ole Miss for the same position.

FLORIDA: One of the reasons that Florida lost to Michigan was allowing the Wolverines to convert 10- of- 15 on third down. Conversely, Florida was only 2- of- 11 on third down. Michigan quarterback Chad Henne converted seven of nine third down passes. The Florida defense allowed 524 yards, second most in Gator bowl history (629 Nebraska in 1996 Fiesta Bowl). Receiver Percy Harvin accounted for 242 of Florida’s 399 total yards.

Problems in covering receivers and rushing the passer were a constant throughout the season. In four losses, the Gators allowed their opponents to convert 40- of- 65 times on third down. This spring will be spent on developing cornerbacks. Florida has commitments from Orlando Boone’s Jeremy Brown and Pahokee’s Janoris Jenkins, but neither one is over six feet. The offense also struggled going four and out in two last minute attempts at game winning drives.

Troy Epps (6-1, 280), a three-star defensive tackle signee from Coffeyville, Kansas, has passed all his required academic tests, so he will enroll at Florida next week. Tight end Cornelius Ingram is considering going to the NFL. Defensive end Derrick Harvey has declared for the NFL. Florida is recruiting Darrell Scott (6-2, 215), a heralded running back out of California. Texas is also in the hunt. With Jamaal Charles leaving early for the NFL, the Longhorns might benefit.

OLE MISS: Derrick Nix, who was an assistant with the Atlanta Falcons, joins his brother Tyrone, who is the defensive coordinator, on the Rebel staff. Former defensive coordinator John Thompson could be a candidate the same vacancy at Memphis to replace Rick Kravitz.

CLEMSON: In the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, tailback James Davis went over the 1,000 yard mark for the second straight season. He is only one of three Clemson players to have achieved the mark along with Raymond Priester and Woody Dantzler. Linebacker Cortney Vincent played despite an earlier DUI charge. Clemson failed to win its 10th game. The Tigers last won 10 games in 1990. Tailbacks James Davis and C J Spiller combined for 184 combined yards. Clemson ran 72 plays compared to 90 for Auburn. The Tigers return 18- of- 22 starters next year. Clemson averaged 40 points per game in nine wins and only 15 ppg in four losses. The bowl loss to Auburn typified the season: the offense bogged down against good competition; special teams play struggled and the defense, impressive in the stats, failed to make vital stops.

GEORGIA TECH: The Yellow Jackets lost soundly to Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl under the direction of interim coach and defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta. Fresno State gained 571 total yards on Tech’s defense. Tech has lost three straight bowl games. Paul Johnson has his staff in place. Johnson will be the offensive coordinator and he will have two offensive line coaches—Todd Spencer and Mike Sewak, formerly of Georgia Southern.

MIAMI: Patrick Johnson (6-1, 195), a five-star cornerback from Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely, has decided not to honor his verbal commitment to Miami. Johnson said his finalists are LSU, Florida and Florida State. Johnson is the USA Today National Defensive Player of the Year. Mark Stoops of Arizona has been mentioned as a possibility to replace Tim Walton as defensive coordinator. Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong’s name continues to come up also. Defensive end Calais Campbell is leaving early for the NFL draft.

FLORIDA STATE: In the Music City Bowl loss, FSU continued to make senseless mistakes. Defensive back Kenny Ingram was flagged for leaping and landing on a teammate. Linebacker Geno Hayes was called for a personal foul penalty. Receiver Greg Carr was called for offensive pass interference that wiped out a touchdown. Quarterback Drew Weatherford was 22-of-48 for 276 yards. He did throw a pick after 270 attempts without one. Weatherford accounted for 324 of FSU’s 480 yards. Kentucky had two 80-yard drives in the third quarter that might have been the keys series’ in the game.

Coach Bobby Bowden finished the season one game (373) ahead of Penn State’s Joe Paterno. Defensively FSU was without cornerback Patrick Robinson, linebacker Dekoda Watson, and defensive linemen Neefy Moffet and Budd Thacker as starters on defense. Offensive linemen Jacky Claude and Daron Rose were the offensive starters not allowed to play.

D’Vontrey Richardson mentioned that might welcome a move to free safety instead of quarterback. Nigel Bradham (6-2, 225), a five-star linebacker commitment from Wakulla, Fla., will enroll on Monday. FSU has lost 12 games in two seasons, one less than they lost the entire decade of the 1990s. Hayes is a strong candidate to leave early for the NFL draft. Running back Russell Ball is transferring to Prairie View A & M.

VIRGINIA: Guard Braden Albert has declared his intentions to go the NFL.

MARYLAND: Linebacker Erin Henderson has declared his intentions to go to the NFL. He received a third round grade from the league.

OKLAHOMA: In its last three BCS bowl games, Oklahoma has given up 48, 43 and 55 points.

SEC HOOPS

OLE MISS: The Rebels are the best team in the league opening with 12 straight wins, a school record. Ole Miss has four players averaging at least 10 points per game. Dwayne Curtis leads the team with a 15 point per game average.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Starting guard Brandis Raley-Ross will miss at least two weeks after spraining his knee. Ross, who is averaging 10 points per game, leads the nation in three point shots making 30 of 46 attempts.

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Senior forwards Charles Rhodes, who is averaging 15 points, has been wearing a protective boot on his right foot. Rhodes missed the win over Missouri. The Bulldogs lost late leads at home to Clemson and Miami.

VANDERBILT: Freshman A J Ogilvy leads all league freshmen with 19.2 points per game.

LSU: The Tigers have been a disappointment this season due to injuries to Tasmin Mitchell and Quintin Thornton, academic issues for Dameon Mason and disappointing seasons by Terry Martin and Garrett Temple.

AUBURN: Leading scorer Korvotney Barber will have surgery on his broken hand which will put him out of action for five to six weeks.

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.