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FLORIDA: The Birmingham News poll of the past 75 years in the SEC of the top all-sports programs has Florida No. 1. Georgia was second followed by LSU and Tennessee. Kentucky was fifth. Auburn and Alabama were sixth and seventh. Arkansas was eight and South Carolina ninth. Vanderbilt was tenth followed by Ole Miss and Mississippi State. The paper’s sports writers used a complex formula involving all 18 sports. Football, the biggest revenue producer, was weighted more heavily than any other sport. Men’s basketball was second. Teams were penalized for NCAA violations. Florida rated third on average in 17- of -18 sports.
The Gator program is currently ranked No. 7 in the latest edition of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of America U. S. Sports Academy Directors Cup All Sports Trophy. Florida has finished in the top 10 every year since 1983-84. The final standings will be released next week after the completion of the College World Series. Outfielder/receiver Riley Cooper is playing for the New Market Rebels in the Valley League.
Hawaii will receive $600,000 for the opening game and The Citadel $450,000 when it visits. Miami will earn $400,000 for its game with the Gators. Florida will receive a similar amount when it travels to Coral Gables in 2013. The Gators get a check for $500,000 for its road trip to Tallahassee.
BIGGEST RIVALRIES: The Birmingham News also rated the biggest rivalries in SEC history. Alabama vs. Auburn in football is No. 1. Georgia vs. Florida in football is No 2. Alabama vs. Tennessee in football is No. 3. (Former Tennessee basketball coach) Ray Mears vs. Kentucky basketball is No. 4. Georgia vs. Auburn football is No. 5. (Alabama gymnastics coach) Sarah Patterson vs. (Georgia gymnastics coach) Suzanne Yoculan is No. 6. LSU vs. Ole Miss in football is No. 7. Ron Polk, the former Miss State baseball coach vs. the NCAA is No. 8. (Former Georgia coach) Walley Butts and (former Alabama coach) Bear Bryant (both accused of fixing a football game) vs. the Atlanta Journal Constitution is No. 9. No. 10 is Tennessee’s Philip Fulmer vs. South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier. No. 11 is Ole Miss vs. Miss State football. No. 12 is Bear Bryant vs. Bobby Dodd, the former Georgia Tech coach. No. 13 is Dale Brown, the former LSU basketball coach vs. Kentucky basketball. No. 14 is Florida vs. Tennessee football. No. 15 is Arkansas vs. Kentucky basketball. LSU vs. Miss State baseball is No. 16. No. 17 is Steve Spurrier vs. the SEC. No. 18 is Alabama vs. NCAA enforcement. No. 19 is Philip Fulmer vs. Johnny Majors. No. 20 is (Mississippi State basketball coach) Babe McCarthy vs. Mississippi politicians.
ALABAMA: Coach Nick Saban signed 32 players in February. A total of 23 have enrolled in summer school. Kicker Corey Smith and receiver Chris Jackson, who enrolled in January, will count toward last year’s class. Saban said that the only incoming freshmen who are certain not to enroll this fall are Melvin Ray, who will opt to play minor league baseball, and Brandon Lewis, who did not qualify. Destin Hood, who was drafted in the second round of the Major League Baseball Draft, has yet to sign with the Washington Nationals. Saban also said linebacker Prince Hall is welcome to return to the team if he follows some stipulations, but he will likely miss the Clemson game. Senior cornerback Lionel Mitchell, who started seven of the first eight games last year, will not play this season due to medical reasons (back injury). Receiver Will Oakley sustained a broken foot during a workout. He will likely miss most of fall camp. The Discovery Channel is going to air a special dealing with the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of former Alabama booster Logan Young.
KENTUCKY: Coach Rich Brooks said he doesn’t expect much of a drop off this season after last year’s 8-5 record. Brooks has selected receiver Dickey Lyons, Jr. and defensive end Jeremy Jarmon for SEC Media Days. Lyons, especially, is a lively interview. Chandler Burden and Matt Smith, who were recruited as offensive linemen, have been moved to the defense. The Kentucky Athletics Association has a tradition of buying space in The USA TODAY newspaper to honor its former players. Look for the association to do the same for Boston Celtic player Rojon Rondo.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs NCAA probation period ended on Thursday, June 12. The school was hit with probation and sanctions after numerous violations from 1998-2002 under football coach Jackie Sherrill. Although the final NCAA report said the rules were violated by former assistants Glenn Davis and Jerry Fremin and boosters. Sherrill’s name was not cited in the final NCAA report. Signee Rashun Dixon, the younger brother of tailback Anthony Dixon, has decided to forego his college football career and agree to terms with the Oakland A’s. He was drafted in the 10th round by Oakland in the June 6 Major League Baseball Draft.
GEORGIA: Bulldog legend Johnny Rauch died recently leaving behind many accomplishments. Rauch quarterback the Bulldogs to four straight bowl games. He threw for 4,044 yards in four year which was an NCAA record. In 1948, he was an All-American and the SEC Player of the Year. Rauch was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He was an assistant coach at Florida (1952-53) and Georgia (1955-58).
Bulldog defensive end coach Jon Fabris has plenty of depth. Roderick Battle, Jarius Wynn, Jeremy Lomax, Demarcus Dobbs, Neland Ball, Justin Houston and Michael Lemon are among the players who can rotate during the game. Incoming freshmen Jeremy Longo and Cornelius Washington could also see some playing time. Dane Guthrie, who was expected to be the starting tight end for Arizona State in the game against the Bulldogs on Sept. 20, has left the team over academic issues. Guthrie, who began his career at Florida, had 13 tackles and two sacks as a defensive end last year. Bulldog signee Xavier Avery, the 50th overall selection in the Major League Baseball Draft, has signed to play with the Baltimore Orioles minor league organization.
In the latest Bulldog depth chart, freshman Richard Samuel is listed No 3 behind Knowshon Moreno and Caleb King. Freshman receiver Tavarres King is listed ahead of senior Demiko Goodman and redshirt freshman Walter Hill. Coach Mark Richt said Moreno and King won’t be the same backfield very often because one of them has to block. Richt also said the offensive line could have four sophomores and one freshman (Ben Jones).
OLE MISS: The SEC has relaxed initial eligibility requirements for non-qualifiers out of high school and given more power to Commissioner Mike Slive in those cases. The SEC’s initial rules have been stricter than the NCAA’s for several years generally requiring non-qualifiers to graduate from a two-year junior college before being eligible for SEC competition. The change makes it slightly easier for non-qualifiers to attend school for the first year and receive no financial aid while focusing on academics. If they do well in the classroom, then they would be able to play in their second year if they have satisfied NCAA requirements. The new requirements might help defensive lineman Jerrell Powe, who has tried to years to become eligible. Powe weighed 380 last winter, but is reported to have lost down to 340 pounds. (Clarion-Ledger).
Rebel two-star quarterback signee Chris Wilkes, who is from Dr. Phillips in Orlando, has signed with the San Diego Padres after being drafted in the 22nd round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Wilkes leaving means sophomore Jevan Snead, redshirt junior Billy Tapp and true freshman Nathan Stanley are the main quarterback depth.
AUBURN: The Tigers picked up several commitments last week. Andre Harris (6-4, 327), a three-star offensive guard from Hampton, Ga., chose Auburn over offers from Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, NC State, Rutgers and Tennessee. Travante Stallworth (5-10, 180), an athlete from Leesville, La., committed to Auburn over an offer from Tulsa. LaDarius Perkins (5-9, 180), an athlete from Greenville, Ms., committed to Auburn over offers from Southern Miss, Arkansas St., Louisiana-Tech and Louisiana-Monroe. LaVoyd James (5-10, 175), a receiver from Williamson High in Mobile, committed to the Tigers on Monday over offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
TENNESSEE: Coach Phil Fulmer will receive a new seven-year deal that will average from $2.5-3 million per season. The final year of the deal will pay Fulmer around $3.5 million per year. Fulmer, who is 14-12 in his last 26 league games, is 26 wins behind Vol legendary coach General Robert Neyland. Athletic director Mike Hamilton said Fulmer is their coach for the present and the future. Bryce Petty (6-3, 211), a three-star quarterback from Midlothian, Texas, has committed to the Vols.
LSU: This is one of the best years in LSU athletic history. The football team won the national title, the women’s basketball team reached the Final Four, the gymnastics team earned a Super Six position, and the men’s baseball team is in the College World Series
The Tigers are No. 14 nationally in the Director’s Cup.
ARKANSAS: The Razorback game in Little Rock against Louisiana-Monroe will actually count as a home game for ULM because it will boost average attendance in the eyes of the NCAA. ULM will receive $500,000 for playing the game.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Quarterback Stephen Garcia is on track to rejoin the football team on Aug. 15. Garcia, who was arrested three times during his first 15 months of being on campus, has been working full-time near his Tampa home, cut his ponytail and been compliant with drug and alcohol counseling. There has been speculation that Garcia could rejoin the team before the Aug. 15 date, but athletic director Eric Hyman said this week that nothing had changed.
ACC FOOTBALL NOTES
FLORIDA STATE: For the first time in his career, offensive line coach Rick Trickett said he is working with seven freshmen and four sophomores. Trickett said when he sees his players wearing sagging pants he makes them do 50 up-downs on the spot. He also wants to move Rodney Hudson from tackle to guard. Redshirt freshman defensive back Dionte Allen is still recovering from a torn ligament in his foot. He is also hoping to add weight to his 168 pound frame. The Baltimore Ravens have moved former FSU quarterback Xavier Lee to tight end.
In 40-yard dash testing on Thursday, Patrick Robinson ran a 4.25 edging out Tony Carter’s 4.31 and Bert Reed’s 4.32. Carter has bulked up from 145 pounds to 175 during his time at FSU. Players ran on field turf and were partially timed electronically. The best time ever for a FSU player was a disputed hand-held stopwatch time of 4.19 by Laveranues Coles in 1998. (Warchant.com)
CLEMSON: Quarterback Cullen Harper is one of 26 senior quarterbacks named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award. He established 21 Clemson records last season. Harper also led the ACC in pass efficiency, the first Tiger quarterback to do so since Mike Eppley in 1983. Virginia Tech’s Sean Glennon and Harper are the only two ACC quarterbacks on the list.
GEORGIA TECH: Louisville transfer Anthony Allen, who graduated from Tampa-Jesuit (Fla.) High, has landed at Tech. He will have two more years of eligibility remaining after sitting out this season.
MIAMI: Lawrence Henderson (6-5, 220), a defensive end from Raines High in Jacksonville, Fla., committed to Miami after last week’s camp, but his mother told Cane coaches that the family had to discuss the academic situation. Henderson was the camp’s MVP at defensive end. West Virginia, East Carolina and Indiana have shown interest.
Linebacker Zach Kane, a freshman, was arrested over the weekend for breaking a bottle over the head of another teenager (aggravated assault) at a party. Kane said he had left the party before the incident happened. Several signees are still waiting to qualify: Miami Northwestern offensive linemen Benjamin Jones and Brandon Washington; Fort Myers safety C. J. Odom, Crawfordville safety C. J. Holton and Memphis linebacker Antonio Harper.
Stephen Plein (6-6, 240), a tight end from Fort (Fla.) Myers, has committed to Miami. Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Clemson and UCF have shown interest. (Canesport.com)
NATIONAL NOTES
PAC-10 EXPANSION: Matt Hayes of the Sporting News wrote that Pac-10 expansion might be more of a reality after Commissioner Tom Hansen retires. Hayes also said two possible candidates to replace him are WAC Commissioner Karl Benson and Big 12 Commissioner Kevin Weiberg. Any expansion might include top TV markets in Salt Lake City which includes BYU and Utah.
NOTRE DAME: Fighting Irish officials have extended their deal with NBC through the 2015 season despite last year’s lowest ratings since the network started broadcasting their games in 1991. The current contract runs through 2010 and is worth $9 million per year. Notre Dame has finished the season ranked No. 10 or higher only three times in the 17 years its home games have been televised by NBC. The Irish averaged a 1.9 share during last season. Notre Dame will play unspecified teams in the Citrus Bowl in 2011 and 2014.
SEC HOOPS
TENNESSEE: Coach Bruce Pearl is also getting a new contract. He is looking at a new six-year deal that will average around $2 million per year. Senior forward Ryan Childress is facing surgery after dislocating his kneecap in a pickup basketball game. He will need 12 weeks of recovery time. Last year, Childress averaged only three points and three rebounds per game, but he is expected to have a larger role after the departure of Duke Crews. Emmanuel Negedu (6-8, 225), a four-star power forward from Wolfeboro, N.H., has signed with Tennessee after being granted his release from Arizona. Rivals.com rated him as the No. 40 player overall in the Class of 2009. The Vols have scheduled home games in 2008 with Gonzaga, Memphis and a road game at Kansas.
SOUTH CAROLINA: New coach Darrin Horn is down to 11 scholarship players after recruit Darius Morrow was released from his letter of intent, sophomore Chad Gray was dismissed from the team and freshman Trevor DeLoach left after being told that he was no longer a part of the team.
ALABAMA: Richard Hendrix, who was the leading returning scorer and rebounder from last year, stayed in the NBA draft. Hendrix averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. Ron Steele, who was redshirted last season due to a lingering knee problem, took his name out of the draft.
OLE MISS: Coach Andy Kennedy has inked a home- and- home series with West Virginia. The Mountaineers come to Oxford this season. Ole Miss will also play Cincinnati in the SEC-Big East Shootout later this year.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Guard Jamont Gordon decided to remain in the NBA draft.
KENTUCKY: Former guard Derrick Jasper said he will transfer to UNLV. Knee surgery limited Jasper to play in only 20 games last 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.
E-MAIL BRENT AT bcbeaird@bellsouth.net
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