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SEC teams have had 18 different starting quarterbacks this season. The SEC has seven of the top 21 teams in total defense.
OLE MISS AT ALABAMA: The Tide was off last week. Alabama has won the past three games against Ole Miss each by three points in the last minute. Ole Miss last beat Alabama in 2003 in Oxford. The Rebels last won in Tuscaloosa in 1988. Alabama has won 15- of- 17 against Ole Miss. Six of the last ten games have been decided by a touchdown. In the last ten games against a Houston Nutt coached team, the record is, 5-5. Ole Miss has a versatile quarterback, solid line of scrimmage, fast skill positions and a lot of misdirection.
The Rebels have spent the off week working on reducing turnovers. Ole Miss coaches are concerned about defensive end Greg Hardy’s lack of production. He played little during the fourth quarter in the loss to South Carolina. Nutt denied any rumors that Hardy has been kicked off the team or suspended. The Rebels are plus six (+6) in turnover margin and No. 11 in time of possession. Ole Miss is averaging 382 yards per game and 29 points per game, their highest number in those categories since 2003. Surprisingly, Nutt’s return to Arkansas next week will not be televised.
ARKANSAS AT KENTUCKY: Defensive lineman Ernest Mitchell might be returning from having his knee scoped. The Hogs are, 3-3, with LSU as the only ranked team left on the schedule. Coach Bobby Petrino is hoping to go, 5-0, against Kentucky in his career. Tailback Michael Smith ran for 176 yards and scored the go ahead touchdown on a 63- yard run in the fourth quarter in the win over Auburn. The Hog defense forced Tiger quarterback Kodi Burns into three straight incompletions from the five- yard line late in the game. Arkansas outgained Auburn 416 yards to 193. Free safety Matt Harris made a diving pick to seal the win with 29 seconds left. Quarterback Casey Dick was 17- of- 32 for 222 yards with two picks. Defensive end Adrian Davis had four tackles including three sacks, one forced fumble and an interception. Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said Kentucky fans don’t like him and his brother because “we used to beat them all the time (at Louisville)”. Wildcat offensive line coach Mike Summers is married to former Kentucky basketball coach Joe B. Hall’s daughter.
Kentucky has lost two straight games after winning the first four. Wildcat defensive back Trevard Lindley took an interception back 28 yards for a score in the first quarter in the loss to South Carolina. Quarterback Mike Hartline was 23- of- 43 for 152 yards with two picks. Randall Cobb will see more time at quarterback. He is also playing receiver. Receiver Dicky Lyons, Jr. is out for the year with a torn knee ligament. Tailback Derrick Locke had 108 yards rushing and receiving. Kentucky beat Arkansas last year. Before then, the last time the two teams played was the multiple overtime game in 2003 when Arkansas won, 71-63.
VANDERBILT AT GEORGIA: Since 1982, Vandy has had 14 opportunities to win a sixth game and become bowl eligible. They are, 0-14, in those games. Coach Bobby Johnson said Mackenzi Adams will start this week against Georgia. The Commodores have to rebound quickly after dropping a disappointing game to Mississippi State. Vandy gained 107 yards and seven first downs in the loss to Mississippi State. Quarterbacks Chris Nickson and Adams combined for 62 yards and two picks. Safety Reshard Langford led Vandy with 10 tackles. Despite leading the league in fewest average penalties per game, Vandy committed 10 against State. Vandy is No. 117 in the nation in offensive averaging 250 yards per game.
Georgia’s next three games are against ranked teams-No. 22 Vanderbilt, No. 13 LSU and No. 5 Florida. This is the first time since 1969 (Tennessee, Florida and Auburn) that Georgia has faced three consecutive ranked teams. Georgia has three interceptions compared to Vandy’s 11. Since beating Georgia Southern and Central Michigan, Georgia has scored only seven touchdowns in 16 trips to the red zone. Georgia committed 11 penalties in the Tennessee win. The Bulldogs have 63 on the season. They lead the nation in that category. The Bulldogs outrushed Tennessee, 148 yards- to- 1. The Bulldogs had the ball 42:48 to 17:12. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was 25- of- 36 for 310 yards (his first career 300 yard game) with one score and two picks. Tailback Knowshon Moreno gained 102 yards on 27 carries. Moreno has broken the century mark nine times. Receiver Mohamed Massaqoui caught five passes for 103 yards. Blair Walsh kicked four field goals. Junior left tackle Vince Vance left the game with a torn ACL. Three freshmen (center Ben Jones, Cordy Glenn and redshirt freshman Justin Anderson) and two sophomores (Clint Boling and Chris Davis) will start this weekend. Kiante Tripp is moving from tight end back to the offensive line. The offensive line helped the Bulldogs to have a 17-play, 10:55 drive against Tennessee. Fullback Shaun Chapas caught three passes for 64 yards including a 37- yard catch and run. Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (knee) is questionable to play this week. Receiver Kris Durham will likely not play with an ankle injury. Prince Miller, who has a shoulder injury, is likely to play.
Last season, Bulldog kicker Brandon Coutu kicked a 37 yard field goal to give the Bulldogs a win over Vanderbilt. The Commodores upset Georgia in 2006. This is the first time the two teams have met while ranked.
LSU AT SOUTH CAROLINA: Against Florida, the Tigers made several key mistakes on pass defense. Florida has a mobile quarterback who could negate the pass rush and accurately find receivers. The Gators had fast receivers and the coaching staff forced LSU to cover the entire field and probe for mismatches. Co-defensive coordinators Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory are drawing ire from fans. Coach Les Miles said he would continue to rotate backup quarterback Andrew Hatch in the game when his running ability would help the Tigers. Florida has the ball for nearly 12 minutes in the first quarter. Defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois could be limited due to a groin injury. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson will likely redshirt after hurting his shoulder in the Mississippi State game.
Coach Les Miles has a, 3-5, record when his team runs for under 100 yards. The Gators held the Tigers to only 80 yards rushing. A streak of 612 carries without a fumble by the tailbacks was broken in the second quarter when Charles Scott lost a handoff from quarterback Andrew Hatch. Scott was limited to 35 yards on 12 carries. Quarterback Jarrett Lee was 23- of- 38 for 209 yards with two scores and two picks. The Tigers had three turnovers. Florida’s 51 points was the most LSU has allowed since the Gators won 12 years ago, 56-13. Linebacker Darry Beckwith, who returned after missing several games with a knee injury, made only two tackles.
South Carolina guard Heath Batchelor has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules. He has missed time in the past four games. Terrance Campbell has started in his place for the past four games. Dion LeCorn, who started six games last year at receiver, has been moved to linebacker.
The Gamecocks scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and shut out Kentucky in last Saturday’s win. Coach Steve Spurrier switched quarterbacks from Chris Smelley, who was 9- of- 23 for 105 yards, to Stephen Garcia, who was 10- of- 14 for 169 yards. He threw a game winning seven yard touchdown pass to tight end Weslye Saunders in the fourth quarter. Garcia has already been named the starting quarterback for next week. The Gamecocks improved to, 2-14, under Steve Spurrier when trailing after three quarters. Safety Chris Culliver picked off two passes. In the fourth quarter, South Carolina outgained Kentucky 139 yards to 12. The Gamecock defense held Kentucky to 1- of- 16 on third down.
South Carolina receiver Kenny McKinley, who caught seven passes for 88 yards, became the all time leading Gamecock receiver (173 catches) during the Kentucky win. McKinley broke Sterling Sharpe’s career record of 169. Freshman receiver Jason Barnes caught four passes for 88 yards. Kicker Ryan Succop, who played with a pulled abdominal muscle, missed four of five field goals. Spencer Lanning might kick against LSU. South Carolina has beaten Kentucky nine straight times. Spurrier won SEC game No. 100. South Carolina converted eight- of- 17 third downs. They held Kentucky to 1- of- 16 on third down. South Carolina punted twice and Kentucky kicked eight times. The Gamecocks held Kentucky to 55 yards in the second half and 218 total yards. Defensive back Captain Munnerlyn returned a blocked field goal 81 yards for a touchdown and returned a kickoff 84 yards to set up another score. All four of South Carolina’s SEC games have been decided by a touchdown. South Carolina is No. 2 nationally in pass defense (132 ypg) and No. 3 in total defense (240 ypg). LSU has won the last three games in the South Carolina series.
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT TENNESSEE: Losses to Mississippi State have ended the careers of Ron Zook of Florida and Mike Shula of Alabama. Could Vol coach Phil Fulmer be next?
The Bulldogs gained 247 yards, had 16 first downs and committed no turnovers in the upset win over Vanderbilt. Tailback Anthony Dixon gained 107 yards on 27 carries. Quarterback Tyson Lee was 12- of- 22 for 81 yards and a score. He ran nine times for 29 yards. Linebacker Dominic Douglas led the Bulldogs with eight tackles. Karlin Brown and De’Mon Glanton made fourth quarter picks.
Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said he would prefer to let the season play out before making any decision on the current coaching staff. However, he didn’t rule out a mid-season move. He does admit that certain boosters are coming up with a short list. Hamilton said there is $7 million in reserve to cover unforeseen expenses. Coach Phil Fulmer has a $6 million buyout. Fulmer said he has no intention of firing offensive coordinator Dave Clawson in midseason. A loss to State would mean five straight SEC losses, the first time that has happened since 1977.
Tennessee is, 0-3, in the SEC for the first time since 2000. The Vols are off to their worst start, 2-4, since 1988. Tennessee has scored under 20 points for the fourth straight game. The Vols are No. 104 in total offense (299 ypg), No. 108 in scoring offense (17 ppg), No. 97 in third down conversions (32%). Tennessee’s defense is only 1- of- 14 in stopping opposing offenses in third and two or less.
Vol defensive tackle Walter Fisher is doubtful with a toe injury. The defensive tackle depth is lacking. Sophomore Victor Thomas is the next option. He has yet to make a tackle. Linebacker Ellix Wilson leads the SEC in tackles, averaging 10 per game. Punter Britton Colquitt averaged 48 yards per punt against Georgia.
Quarterback Nick Stephens was 13- of- 30 for 208 yards and two scores. Tailback Arian Foster carries the ball three times for only three yard. Tennessee had the ball 45 plays compared to 81 for Georgia. The Vols amassed 10 penalties for 97 yards. Four of the penalties were personal fouls. Receiver Gerald Jones led the Vols in receiving with four catches for 68 yards. Tennessee has scored only six touchdowns against Division I competition. Safety Eric Berry returned an interception 54 yards. Berry admitted after the game that the secondary wasn’t as focused as need be because of the death of the fathers of defensive backs coach Larry Slade and graduate assistant Rashan Haralson. Linebacker Ellix Wilson made 16 tackles. Defensive lineman Robert Ayers had nine tackles including three for loss and one pick. Tennessee has beaten Mississippi State three straight times.
AUBURN IS OFF: After the loss to Arkansas, Coach Tommy Tuberville is catching the most heat since 2003, when the Tigers finished the season a disappointing, 8-5. Auburn still has to play West Virginia, Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama. Tuberville said Burns would start at quarterback next week against West Virginia. Tailback Brad Lester re-injured his knee after being hit on consecutive plays. Freshman Eric Smith played most of the fourth quarter. The defense is also beginning to struggle. Linebacker Tray Blackmon is out for the year with a cracked bone in his wrist. In his absence, Josh Bynes has played nearly every snap.
Burns, who was 7- of- 18 for 119 yards and two picks, started the game against Arkansas. Chris Todd, who was 3- of- 10 for 18 yards, also saw action. Tuberville said after the game that third team quarterback Neil Caudle and freshman Barrett Trotter (no more redshirt) will get a look. Tailback Ben Tate, who left the game with a hamstring injury, had eight carries for 32 yards. Mario Fannin, who was moved from receiver to running back last week, had one carry for four yards. Auburn had only 53 yards at halftime, less than 110 at the end of the third quarter and finished with 193. They ran 33 times for 56 yards against the worst rushing defense in the SEC. In one of the few bright spots, tailback Tristan Davis scored on a 97- yard kickoff return. The Tigers are off until they travel for a Thursday night, Oct. 23, ESPN game at West Virginia.
FLORIDA: The Gators, off until Oct. 25 at Kentucky, are No. 5 in the polls after beating LSU. Florida is in charge of its destiny if it wins the next four SEC games. The offense put together its best performance of the season against a ranked opponent. Quarterback Tim Tebow threw for 210 yards and accounted for three touchdowns. Florida rushed for 265 yards. Freshman Jeff Demps gained 129 yards. Receiver Percy Harvin gained 112 yards receiving on six catches. Scott gained 35 yards on 12 carries. LSU rushed for only 80 yards. The Gator defense picked off two passes and recovered a fumble. Linebacker Brandon Spikes took a pick back 52 yards for a touchdown. Tailback Chris Rainey injured his shoulder, but he should be fine for the Kentucky game.
ACC NOTES
FLORIDA STATE AT N C STATE (THURSDAY): The Noles scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to beat N. C. State. The Noles ran 80 plays compared the State’s 47. State gained 147 yards rushing. FSU quarterback Christian Ponder was 23- of- 35 for 254 yards and a score. Preston Parker, Taiwan Easterling and Marcus Sims all caught five passes each.
VIRGINIA TECH AT BOSTON COLLEGE: Hokie running back Darren Evans has scored eight touchdowns this season. Linebacker Brett Warren is second on the team in tackles. He has done a nice job trying to replace Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi. Defensive tackle John Graves has blocked a kick in three games this season. Cornerback Stephan Virgil has solidified the secondary. He has made a big play in nearly every game. Macho Harris has done an outstanding job as a shutdown corner, kicker return and offensive player. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is completing 61% of his passes and remains a big threat as a runner.
In the win over N. C. State, B.C. threw for over 400 yards and five touchdowns. The Eagles must be aware of Tech’s special teams. They executed a fake punt well, but gave up yards on kickoff returns. The receivers played well against N. C. State. Quarterback Dominique Davis could get some snaps. One week the team runs for 200 yards and the next week, B.C. throws for 400 yards. Boston College is passing 46% of the time and running 54% of the time. Receiver Brandon Robinson and tight end Ryan Purvis should be recovered after injuries.
GEORGIA TECH AT CLEMSON: Assistant head coach Dabo Swinney has taken over as the interim coach for Tommy Bowden. Athletic director Terry Don Phillips said he and Bowden reached a mutual agreement for him to step down. At the halfway point of the season, quarterback Cullen Harper has thrown six picks and only four touchdowns. He has struggled with a shoulder injury. Willy Korn starts against Tech. Clemson is No. 65 in rushing offense with James Davis (5.5 ypc) and C J Spiller (6.5 ypc). The offensive line has had numerous injuries with Barry Humphries has played only 19 snaps, Chris Hairston missed three games, and guards Cory Lambert and David Smith might miss the Tech game. At receiver Aaron Kelly has been doubled all year and has yet to score. Tyler Grisham, who caught 60 passes last year, has yet to score. Clemson is No. 73 in total offense.
MIAMI AT DUKE: The offense is struggling with tailback Javarris James out with an injury for the first half of the season. He is expected back this week. Both quarterbacks—Robert Marve and Jacory Harris—were shaky against UCF. Marve, who has seven picks in the last three games, was 8- of- 19 for 74 yards with one touchdown and three picks. Harris, who played most of the fourth quarter, was four- of- six for 14 yards. Miami is still looking for a go-to receiver. The Canes spent a lot of time trying to get the ball to freshman Travis Benjamin. Tailback Graig Cooper ran 23 times for 90 yards. The Cane defense allowed only 78 yards and had four sacks.
Frustrations are building among fans pertaining to offensive coordinator Patrick Nix. Two years ago, Miami beat Duke by five points and last year by 10 points. Chris Barney and Reggie Youngblood, who was thought to be out for the rest of the entire season, are expected back. Defensive back Randy Phillips is expected back in three weeks, but he might redshirt.
Duke was off last week. They lost to Georgia Tech in the preview week, 27-0. Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis was 15- of- 28 for 97 yards. Duke was held to 132 yards.
WAKE FOREST AT MARYLAND: After scoring 71 points in its first two contests against Baylor and Ole Miss, Wake has averaged 13 points per game in its last three games. Wake averages 232 passing yards and only 99 rushing yards. The defense has been superb limiting opponents to 15 points and 274 yards. Wake is the only unbeaten team in the Atlantic division.
Maryland was off last week after being shutout by Virginia, 31-0. The Terps allowed 427 yards and converted only 4- of- 13 on third down. Tailback Da’Rel Scott leads the ACC with 96 yards rushing per game. Virginia held him to only 36 yards rushing. Maryland has won four straight games against ranked opponents-the last two were Cal and Clemson. Wake has won the last two in the series before losing the previous seven games.
NORTH CAROLINA AT VIRGINIA: Tar Heel receiver Brandon Tate, who led the ACC with 163 all-purpose yards, is lost for the season with a torn ACL and MCL that he sustained in the win over Notre Dame. The Tar Heel defense has forced a league leading 18 turnovers. UNC is off to its best start since, 8-0, since 1997.
Virginia is coming off its second straight win. Last week, the Cavs beat East Carolina. Marc Verica was 25- of- 32 for 216 yards with one touchdown and two picks. Tailback Cedric Peerman ran for 173 yards. Virginia has won 15- of- 20 games against North Carolina. The Tar Heels have not beaten Virginia on the road since 1981.
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 brentbeaird@comcast.net
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