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SEC BIG SIX RECORDS: MrSEC.com had a list of the big six SEC teams against each other since 2000: Auburn, 21-12, LSU, 21-13, Florida, 19-14, Georgia, 16-15, Tennessee, 13-20 and Alabama. 7-23.
MOST SEC COACHES: In the past 25 years, LSU has had the most coaches with eight. Alabama is second with seven. Florida has had six, Auburn and Georgia has had four and Tennessee two.
SEC POLL TOP 25 COMBINED PROJECTIONS: Preseason magazines: Georgia #4, Florida #5, LSU #9, Auburn #11, Tennessee #22 and Alabama #25. Online combined projections: Georgia #2, Florida #5, LSU #7, Auburn #14, and Tennessee #17.
PROJECTED NFL STARTERS: NFL analyst Mike Detillier projects the number of starters by conference in the NFL. On offense: SEC (63), Big 10 (57), and ACC (56).
On defense: SEC (74), ACC (65), and Big 10 (48) and the overall breakdown was SEC (137), ACC (121), and Big 10 (105).
Projected starters by school: Tennessee (20), Georgia (19), Florida and LSU (16), Auburn (13), Alabama (12), Miss State (11), South Carolina (9), Arkansas (8), Ole Miss (7), Vanderbilt (5), and Kentucky (1).
Here are the starters by offensive position: QB—SEC (7) and Pac-10 (6), RB- SEC (7) and ACC (6); FB-Big Ten (5); WR-Big Ten (13) and ACC (11); Tight end-SEC (8) and ACC (7); tackle-Big Ten (14) and ACC (12); guard-SEC (15) and Big 10 (10).
Here are the starters by defensive position: DE-SEC (17) and Big Ten and ACC (10); DT-SEC and Big 12 (13), OLB-ACC (17) and Big Ten (11); ILB-SEC (10) and ACC (9); CB-SEC (14) and ACC (11); Safety-SEC and Big 12 (12).
SEC TEAM NOTES
GEORGIA: Fullback Brannan Southerland told the AJC last week that he is likely to miss only three games instead of five. Southerland had surgery on his foot recently. Even though Georgia has 19 starters returning there is still room for several reserves to play. Caleb King will back up Knowshon Moreno, but freshman Richard Samuel is also expected to play. True freshmen tailbacks Carlton Thomas and Dontavius Jackson could also be in the mix. At receiver, A. J. Green, who has drawn rave reviews in summer workouts, and Tavarres King are expected to contribute quickly. True freshman kicker Blair Walsh could beat out sophomore Andrew Jensen and redshirt freshman Brian Behr.
Bulldog defensive end signee Toby Jackson didn’t qualify and will possibly end up at Hargrave Military Academy. However, an UGASports report said Jackson is appealing to the NCAA to take the ACT one more time.
A concealed weapon charge against defensive end Jeremy Lomax has been dropped. After he was pulled over for speeding, police found a gun under the seat. Under Georgia law, he would not have been charged if the gun was in the glove compartment. Offensive lineman Clint Boling has been suspended for the first two games of the season after he was charged with a DUI in May. Boling missed most of the spring with mono. Offensive linemen Trinton Sturdivant and Justin Anderson were also recently arrested for simple battery.
Linebacker Marcus Washington, who had shoulder surgery earlier in the year, told the AJC that he might be able to return in October instead of missing the entire season. However according to UGASports.com, Georgia sports information personnel said they still expect Washington to be out the entire season. Receiver Tony Wilson broke a bone in his leg in March. He is hopeful to return for the fall. Defensive tackle Jeff Owens and receiver Mohamed Massaquoi are the Bulldog reps for SEC Media Days. Jacksonville Bolles School grad Shaun Chapas (6-2) has bulked up to 242 pounds after weighing 235 last year. Reserve linebacker Ben Boyd has been moved to fullback. Another former linebacker Justin Fields was moved to linebacker a few months ago.
LSU: Co-defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto said the Tiger defensive scheme that was so successful under Bo Pelini, the new Nebraska head coach, will not change. Pelini’s defensive background comes from Monte Kiffin, Pete Carroll and the Stoops brothers. Former tight end J. D. Loot has transferred to Samford.
TENNESSEE: Included in Philip Fulmer’s new contract is an automatic one-year extension for any season that the Vols win at least eight games. The Vols have 11- of -18 signees already on campus and expect receiver Steven Fowlkes to report on Aug. 1.
Punter Britton Colquitt has entered a guilty plea to a first-offense DUI. The rising senior was facing charges of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident. He is suspended for the first five games of the season. Colquitt has had five alcohol-related incidents since coming to campus in 2003.
Former Vol quarterback Tee Martin will host the first Dual-Threat Super Dozen Quarterback Camp this weekend in Atlanta. He is the lead quarterback coach for the Elite 11 quarterback competition.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Steve Spurrier has his website (spurrierhbc.com) back up and running after a lull. The cost is around $50 after last year’s price of nearly $100. One of the features of the site is a video playbook of the previous week’s game that give fans an inside look of a break-down of the key plays. Spurrier recently said on his website that he is still counting on Tommy Beecher to be the starting quarterback is the team played today. Six signees—defensive end Chaz Sutton, offensive lineman Elliott Williams, defensive end Ronald Byrd, defensive back Darrell Simmons, defensive lineman Jarriel King, and receiver Tori Childers—have yet to qualify. Of the six, King might have the best chance to get in.
AUBURN: Sam Barrington (6-3, 220), an inside linebacker from Terry Parker High in Jacksonville, has 24 scholarship offers. One of his latest comes from Auburn. Arkansas, Clemson, Illinois, Maryland, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Purdue, South Carolina, South Florida and UCF have offered him. Barrington, who had 104 tackles his junior season, benches 320, has a 36- inch vertical and runs less than a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash. He will also attend Florida’s Friday Night Lights. Donald Ford (6-3, 205), a defensive end from Odenville, Ala., has committed to the Tigers. Clemson, FSU, Mississippi State and Troy have offered him. Ford is Auburn’s 19th verbal commitment.
Former coach Dye was amused to discover that a pair of his golf pants which included his car keys and wallet was found in a drought-stricken lake. Dye said he recognized the pants, but was not sure how they got in the lake. Running backs coach Eddie Gran said both Ben Tate and Brad Lester are considered starters similar to Carnell Williams/Ronnie Brown. Tristan Davis, who struggled with injuries last year, will return. Mario Fannin has been moved to a slot back in the spread formation. Freshmen Eric Smith, who is from Armwood (Fla.) Seffner, and Reggie Hunt, if he is certified by the Clearinghouse, will also be a part of the rotation.
Chris Low of ESPN wrote an interesting article on Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin dealing with the time that he was on the same Kentucky staff with Hal Mumme. Franklin was accused of supplying information about Mumme to the NCAA. Franklin wrote a book about his situation and added that his name was cleared in court.
Tiger defensive back signee Marcus Jemison is expected in Auburn this week after being certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Currently, 23- of- 29 signees have qualified. It is doubtful that offensive line signee Jermaine Johnson will qualify according to ESPN’s Auburn Undercover.
ALABAMA: Former Tide quarterback Andrew Zow, who is the football coach and AD at Union (Fla.) County, turns 30- years- old this year. He is the last Tide quarterback to beat Auburn. Signee Devonta Bolden appears to be headed to a junior college. Out of the 32 signees, there is a possibility that 28 will be enrolled. The limit is 27 since two signees enrolled in January, which counts toward last year’s class. Defensive line signee Kerry Murphy, who attended Hargrave Military Academy, last year, is still awaiting his status. Defensive end signee Brandon Lewis will be attending a junior college. Receiver signee Melvin Ray has already signed to play pro baseball. Destin Hood, a second round draft pick for the Washington Nationals, is likely to do the same. Hood has until Aug. 15 to agree to terms.
Coach Nick Saban addressed the loss of linebacker Jimmy Johns by saying he didn’t play a significant role last year and wasn’t expected to do so this season. Saban also said that he has brought in reps from the Pacific Institute to deal with character building issues. Redshirt freshman receiver Tarence Farmer has left the team. He has gone back to his home in Houston. This leaves the Tide with 62 scholarships. With 25 incoming freshmen, Alabama must be at 60 in order to accommodate the 85 scholarship limit. Alabama radio analyst Ken Stabler has taken a leave of absence from the radio broadcast crew for the 2008 season. Tom Roberts, who has been involved with the broadcast crew for years, will take over his duties.
OLE MISS: Signee Andre Sterling is going to Hargrave Military Academy even though he has the grades to get into college. Sterling said he needs to have a year to get bigger and stronger.
ACC NOTES
FLORIDA STATE: According to Warcant.com, the freshmen class has a new slogan “IT STARTS HERE!” Offensive lineman Evan Bellamy will miss the entire season due to a blood clot in his leg. The redshirt sophomore was listed as a starter at left guard on the spring depth chart. He was one of only five players with experience on the line. If he is out for the season, then FSU has only 10 offensive linemen on scholarship. Only sophomores Ryan McMahon and Rodney Hudson have started a game. Freshmen David Spurlock and Rhonne Sanderson might also have to play early.
Nole receiver Richard Goodman, who is still recovering from a broken ankle and hamstring issues, would be in line for a medical redshirt this season. Goodman started six games last year. Cornerback Michael Ray Garvin is done with the Olympic Trials and back to concentrating on football. With Patrick Robinson unavailable in the first three games, Robinson will be counted on to play. He will also be used as a kicker returner.
CLEMSON: Defensive back DeAndre McDaniel is allowed to be involved in team activities while facing criminal charges of high and aggravated assault. A school board decided last week that he was still a student in good standing. Coach Tommy Bowden said his future has yet to be decided. Former receiver Jeff Ogren has transferred to Samford.
MIAMI: Dolphin Stadium officials are trying to accommodate both the Canes and Dolphins. For instance, the Canes will still come out of the tunnel in smoke, but the “U” logo will be at midfield after Miami fans were outraged that it would not be. A compromise involving athletic director Kirby Hocutt and stadium officials has been worked out. The end zones will have striping of both team colors. The Dolphins logo and or the word “Dolphins” may or may not be in the end zones. The 400-level façade will be covered in a wrap that features Cane All-Americans, the 58-game home winning streak and the national titles. Only twice in October will the Canes and Dolphins play at home on the same weekend.
Hocutt said a deal is being worked out for the Canes to play USF from 2009-2013 in a home- and- home series. He also said playing Florida every six years or so (2008 and 2013) will continue. Hocutt added that when Notre Dame hires a new AD that he would be interested in discussing plans about playing in one of its annual neutral site NBC prime time games.
Coach Randy Shannon has visited former Miami coach Jimmy Johnson in the Keys over the summer. Shannon played for Johnson at UM.
GEORGIA STATE: Coach Bill Curry has hired John Thompson as his defensive coordinator. He has also hired former Alabama tight end George Pugh as an assistant. John Bond, who was on the Georgia Tech staff last year, was hired as offensive coordinator.
PENN STATE: Coach Joe Paterno is telling recruits that his successor is coming from the coaching staff. It is likely Tom Bradley, the defensive coordinator, since offensive coordinator Galen Hall will be 68- years old next month.
NEW COWBOY STADIUM: Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are close to moving their annual game to the new $1.1 billion stadium according to Matt Hayes of The Sporting News. Arkansas and Texas A & M recently signed a 10-year deal to move its series to the stadium. Jerry Jones also wants to get a BCS game at his stadium.
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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