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SEC teams are averaging 25 points and 344 yards per game which is five points less and 40 yards fewer than last season.
SEC title game: If Alabama and Florida run the table, their combined records will be 23-1, the best ever for a conference championship game. The teams were 21-2-1 in 1994.
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT ALABAMA: Alabama and Florida clinched the SEC title game in the earliest in league history. This is Alabama's first divisional title since 1999. Florida has the No. 1 scoring defense in the league and Alabama is No. 2.
Tide Coach Nick Saban became the first coach in history to win at his previous home stadium upon his first return visit. Saban is 38-10 in his last three years as a college coach, counting this year .The Tide snapped a five-game losing streak to LSU with an overtime win in Baton Rouge. Alabama is 25-8-2 in Tiger Stadium. The Tide overcame three turnovers and a missed field goal in the first half to tie the game at intermission until they took the lead in the third quarter. LSU tied the game in the fourth quarter. The Tide could have won the game in regulation, but LSU's Ricky Jean-Francois blocked kicker Leigh Tiffin's 29-yard field goal. On LSU's first possession, safety Rashad Johnson picked off Tiger quarterback Jarrett Lee in the end zone. Alabama quickly drove to the LSU 1-yard line on a 24-yard pass from quarterback John Parker Wilson to receiver Julio Jones. Wilson scored on a 1-yard plunge to win the game. Alabama was turnover free in the second half.
Johnson had three picks in the game. He returned the second 54 yards for a touchdown. Johnson has 11 career picks at Alabama. Jones caught seven passes for 128 yards. Wilson was 15- of- 31 for 215 yards and one score. He ran for a couple of 1- yard touchdowns. Wilson was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct while pretending like he was on a cell phone after he scored a touchdown. He was not sacked in the game. Tailback Glen Coffee ran 26 times for 126 yards. He has 1,010 yards on the season. The Tide was only 4- of- 13 on third down. The Tide defense held LSU to only 5- of- 19 on third down. Alabama intercepted Lee four times. The Tide turned the ball over three times on two fumbles and one pick. Javier Arenas has three fumbles on kick returns in as many games. Leigh Tiffin missed two field goals including the line drive kick that was blocked. Tailback Roy Upchurch didn't play due to a muscle spasm in his neck. Upchurch and receiver Earl Alexander (separated shoulder) are questionable for Saturday. Linebacker Donta Hightower led the team with 11 tackles. Terrance Cody said he plans on returning next season. Alabama hasn't scored a touchdown on Mississippi State since 2004. Wilson has thrown two picks and no touchdowns in his last three games. He has thrown four picks in the last two games against State.
Mississippi State was off last week. State has beaten Alabama for the past two years. Alabama has not scored an offensive touchdown against State since 2004. The Bulldogs upset a Mike Shula coached Tide squad in 2006 and did the same in Saban's first season.
GEORGIA AT AUBURN: Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 17- of- 27 passes for a career high 376 yards with three scores and no interceptions in the win over Kentucky. He connected with receiver A. J. Green for an 11-yard scoring pass to win the game. Tailback Knowshon Moreno, who averages 111 ypg, gained 123 yards and scored three times. Moreno went over the 1,000 yard mark to join Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker as the only two Bulldog backs to gain 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. Senior receiver Mohamed Massaqoui, who fumbled twice in the fourth quarter, caught eight passes for 191 yards. Defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs tipped and intercepted a Randall Cobb pass at the Georgia 13- yard line with 46 seconds left to seal the game. The Bulldogs committed two turnovers. Coach Mark Richt is 29-4 in road games. He won game No. 80 against Kentucky. Junior defensive end Andrew Gully made his first start. Offensive lineman Justin Anderson was hurt in the Kentucky game and may not return before Georgia Tech.
The Bulldogs are not getting any pressure on the quarterback. The secondary is also struggling. Georgia has allowed 200 yards per game rushing in the past three games. Linebacker Rennie Curran led the team with 15 tackles. Georgia has allowed 150 points in its last three games.
Auburn quarterback Kodi Burns completed 12- of- 20 for 130 yards and ran 13 times for 158 yards and two scores as the Tigers broke a four game losing streak in the win over Tennessee-Martin. Wes Byrum kicked three- of- four field goals. Tailback Tristan Davis took a kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown. The 20 points in the first half was the most points scored by Auburn his season in the first two quarters. Tuberville took a chance and rested defensive linemen Sen'Derrick Marks, Antonio Coleman and Tez Doolittle in order to get them healthy for Georgia. The Bulldogs have beaten Auburn for the past two years. Georgia is 13-9-2 at Jordan- Hare. Auburn is No. 100 in total offense and No. 102 in scoring offense.
SOUTH CAROLINA AT FLORIDA: The Gamecocks have won four- of- five SEC games after losing the first two conference games. After starting the season, 1-2, the Gamecocks have won 6-of-7. South Carolina's defense is No. 3 in the nation allowing 256 ypg and No. 10 in scoring defense (15 ppg). Coach Steve Spurrier rotated both Chris Smelley, who was 9- of-19 for 149 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, and Stephen Garcia, who was 4- of- 11 for 71 yards and one pick, on nearly every play against Arkansas. Receiver Kenny McKinley caught seven passes for 130 yards. He has 2,062 yards which eclipses the career mark (2,497 yards) of Sterling Sharpe. Tailback Eric Baker led the Gamecocks in rushing with 59 yards on nine carries. Quarterback Tommy Beecher will graduate before next season, but he will not return to the team. Defensive end Jordin Lindsey intercepted a Casey Dick pass late in the third quarter and ran it back 40 yards to the Arkansas 15- yard line. South Carolina scored on the next play. The Gators have won the past two games in the series. Florida has beaten South Carolina 15-of-16 times since they joined the SEC in 1992. The Gators have won all 11 games in Gainesville.
Since the Ole Miss loss, Florida has won their last five games by an average of 37 points. The Gators are No. 7 in scoring nationally averaging 42 ppg. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was 12- of- 17 for 171 yards plus 88 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Florida has won five straight road games for the first time since the 1999-2000 seasons. In seven- of- nine games this season, Florida has not allowed a team to score in at least one half. This is the first time that a Heisman Trophy winner has coached against another Heisman Trophy winner. Receiver Percy Harvin had 92 total yards. Florida is averaging over 50 points in the last four wins. Since the Ole Miss loss, Florida has beaten Arkansas 38-7, LSU 51-21, Kentucky 63-5, Georgia 49-10, and Vandy 42-14. Carl Moore had four catches for 41 yards. Brandon Spikes and Ryan Stamper led the team with seven tackles. William Green played some linebacker in order to find a way to get him on the field. The 6-foot-6 defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who has an 88-inch wing span, blocked two punts against Vandy.
Florida leads the SEC in scoring offense (42 ppg) and scoring defense (11 ppg). South Carolina is No. 3 in scoring defense allowing 15 ppg. South Carolina is No. 1 in the SEC in total defense (256 ypg). Florida is the No. 1 rushing offense in the SEC averaging 198 ypg. South Carolina is last averaging 103 ypg. The Gamecocks are the No. 2 rushing defense allowing 101 ypg. Florida is the No. 1 punt return average (18 ypr). South Carolina is last averaging 5.5 ypc. Florida leads the SEC in field goals (9-9). South Carolina's Ryan Succop leads the SEC with 17- of- 26 field goals. South Carolina is No. 3 in the SEC in sacks with 24. Florida leads the league in third down percentage 46%. Florida is No. 1 in turnover margin (+14). South Carolina is No. 9 (-5). Florida is No. 1 in red zone offense (94%) and red zone defense (60%). Florida's Tebow is No. 1 in pass efficiency and Smelley is No. 3. Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes is No. 4 in tackles averaging 8.4 tpg. South Carolina's Emanuel Cook is No. 9 with 7.6 tpg. South Carolina's Eric Norwood leads the SEC with seven sacks.
VANDERBILT AT KENTUCKY: The Commodores were overwhelmed by Florida. They committed nine penalties for 80 yards. Quarterback Chris Nickson, who replaced the injured Mackenzi Adams (hip pointer), completed 7 -of- 14 for 67 yards with two scores.
The Wildcats might found a quarterback in Randall Cobb who completed 12- of- 20 for 105 yards and rushed for 82 yards and three touchdowns against Georgia. Kentucky ran for 225 yards on the No. 2 ranked rush defense in the SEC. Kentucky has beaten Vanderbilt the past four straight years.
LOUSIANA MONROE AT OLE MISS: The Rebels, who are one win away from being bowl eligible, were off last week. Louisiana-Monroe (3-7) lost last week to by three points to Middle Tennessee State. Ole Miss leads the SEC in tackles for loss with 75. Houston Nutt's twin daughters could be in a reality show featuring the "Girls of Ole Miss".
TENNESSEE IS OFF: The Vols lost to Wyoming, the No. 119 scoring offense in the nation, in the one of the most embarrassing defeats in the Tennessee history. Tennessee has scored in single digits for three straight games for the first time since 1964. Tennessee will miss a bowl game for the first time since 2005. For only the second time in history, the Vols have seven losses in a season. They have never lost eight games in a season. Neyland Stadium was only two-thirds full. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton was 11- of- 27 for 91 yards with one touchdown. Running back Lennon Creer led the team in rushing with 82 yards. The Vols had 101 yards rushing. Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty didn't play due to injuries.
Vol officials have contacted North Carolina Butch Davis' agent Jimmy Sexton. Davis wants more money and a start date for new construction on Keenan Stadium. Tennessee will also likely interview Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and Cincinnati's Brian Kelly. Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal humorously picked: Bye 13, Tennessee 7.
TROY AT LSU: The Tigers are hoping to avoid consecutive losses for the first time in five years. LSU has lost three- of- five games. Lee, who was 13- of- 34 for 181 yards, continues to struggle with interceptions. He threw four picks against Alabama. Lee has thrown six interceptions this season that have been returned for touchdowns. He has thrown 14 picks and 13 touchdowns this year. Lee has eight interceptions in his last three games. Freshman Jordan Jefferson is scheduled to get more playing time. The Tigers ran for 201 yards. Tailback Charles Scott ran 24 times for 92 yards and two scores. Keiland Williams added 88 yards. LSU has lost three straight games in overtime including last year's games against Kentucky and Arkansas. For the first time in seven years, the Tigers have lost two home games in one season. The crowd of 93,039 was the biggest in LSU history.
Troy has won four- of- five games. They are one-half game behind Sun Belt leader Louisiana-Lafayette. Quarterback Levi Brown was 30- of- 46 for 298 yards with two scores and a pick in last week's win over Western Kentucky. Troy is 1-14 against ranked opponents since 2001.
ARKANSAS IS OFF: SEC leading rusher Michael Smith, who had 25 yards on seven carries, left the South Carolina game with an injured shoulder. Quarterback Casey Dick, who was 16- of- 26 for 217 yards, had three picks and two touchdowns. He has 187 completions, a school record. Dick and his brother, Nathan Dick, were sacked a combined six times. The Hogs committed three turnovers.
ACC NOTES
VIRGINIA TECH AT MIAMI: The Canes hung on for a big two point win Thursday night in front of 46,838 fans. Defensive end Allen Bailey sacked Tyrod Taylor on fourth down late in the game. Matt Bosher kicked three field goals and Javarris James scored on a short run. Quarterback Robert Marve was 7- of- 16 for 121 yards. He also ran for 65 yards. Jacory Harris was 1- of- 2 for three yards during his action in the second quarter. Marve played the entire second half. The Cane defense allowed 250 total yards and 77 yards rushing.
DUKE AT CLEMSON: The Blue Devils lost to N.C. State last week even though Thaddeus Lewis threw for 317 yards. Duke is two wins away from being bowl eligible. The Blue Devils are averaging 221 yards passing. Offensive lineman Chris Hairston sustained a concussion in the FSU game, but he should be fine.
Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips met with Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables Tuesday night. Will Muschamp, Bud Foster are other high profile assistants that are on the radar. Phillips meets against Friday with Foster. He met with Lane Kiffin last Friday. Brady Hoke from Ball State has also emerged as a candidate. Vandy coach Bobby Johnson is also a candidate. The Tigers offensive line allowed six sacks against FSU.
NORTH CAROLINA AT MARYLAND: This is UNC's biggest game in College Park since 1983. The Heels could be the best team in the league. UNC, who has won five- of- six, is off to its best start since 1997. They cashed in on two Georgia Tech turnovers. The Tar Heels are averaging 327 ypg and 30 ppg. UNC ran for 218 yards against Georgia Tech's defense. Maryland is No. 11 in the ACC in rush defense allowing 152 ypg. UNC is averaging 132 yards rushing per game. Carolina has won five- of- six games including the last two. Going into Thursday night, the Heels are tied with Miami and Virginia Tech and have a tie-breaker over Miami, but Virginia Tech has the tie breaker over UNC. Tailback Shaun Draughan is averaging close to 100 yards per game. Ryan Houston, who is 245 pounds, has scored seven touchdowns. The UNC secondary has 18 picks this season. UNC is No. 4 nationally in turnover margin.
Maryland ran the ball for (minus 12 yards) in the loss at Virginia Tech and couldn't stop the run allowing Darren Evans 253 yards. The Terps have 31 seniors, but didn't play like it. Maryland is 5-0 at home and 3-0 against ranked teams.
WAKE FOREST AT N C STATE: The Demon Deacons were inspired by wearing their gold jerseys during their win over Virginia. The defense intercepted Virginia's Marc Verica four times. They remain in serious contention for the Atlantic division title.
BOSTON COLLEGE AT FLORIDA STATE (8 pm ABC): The B.C. defense played a great game against Notre Dame. The secondary might have played its best game of the season. Quarterback Chris Crane had another subpar day, but his rushing ability helped the team with 22-yard run in the first quarter and an 11-yard run in the third. Tailback Montel Harris led the team in rushing with 120 yards on 23 carries. Paul Anderson intercepted Jimmy Clausen twice including one pick that he returned 76 yards for a score. Notre Dame has dropped B.C. from its schedule after 2010. B.C. has qualified for a bowl for the 10th straight year. Linebacker Mark Herzlich led B.C. with 10 tackles and three pass breakups. Clausen was 26- of- 46 for 226 yards and four picks. B.C. has 18 interceptions on the year. They have won seven games against ranked opponents including a win earlier against Virginia Tech. FSU has won four- of- six in the series.
FSU has suspended five receivers-Corey Surrency, Bert Reed, Taiwan Easterling, Cameron Wade and Richard Goodman-for the B. C. Game due to their participation in a fight earlier in the week on campus. The Noles are tied with Wake Forest for first place in the division. FSU is averaging 205 yards rushing per game. Florida State fell behind by at least 10 points for the fourth straight time and rallied in three. The Noles gained 266 yards rushing against Clemson. Six different players averaged seven yards- or- more. The defensive ends had 10 tackles, six sacks, an interception for a touchdown and several quarterback hurries. Defensive lineman Everette Brown had five tackles and three sacks. Brown has nine sacks on the season. Myron Rolle is expected to interview for a Rhodes scholarship during the day and fly to Maryland for the game. Sophomore receiver Louis Givens from Jacksonville has 11 tackles on special teams. He also had a reverse for 27 yards against Clemson. Freshman Jermaine Thomas, who led the Noles with 94 yards on 11 carries, continues to make an impact. FSU is No. 5 in total defense, No. 7 in sacks and No. 8 in tackles for loss. Maurice Harris (ankle) is one of the few injuries.
VIRGINIA IS OFF
GEORGIA TECH IS OFF: Tech committed three turnovers in the game's final 16 minutes. The Yellow Jackets gained 423 yards.
Coaching possibilities:
- Kansas State-Bill Synder, Gary Patterson of TCU, Todd Graham of Tulsa, Turner Gill of Buffalo, Butch Jones of Central Michigan, Brady Hoke of Ball State, Bill Cubit of Western Michigan; Dennis Franchione
- Tennessee- Butch Davis of North Carolina, Mike Leach of Texas Tech, Brian Kelly of Cincinnati
- Clemson-Bud Foster of Virginia Tech, Brent Venables of Oklahoma, Will Muschamp of Texas , Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders, Tommy Tuberville of Auburn, Jim Grobe of Wake Forest and Bobby Johnson of Vanderbilt.
- Washington-Muschamp, Gary Pinkel of Missouri, Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Chris Petersen of Boise State, Dave Christensen, the Missouri offensive coordinator, DeWayneWalker, the UCLA defensive coordinator.
- Syracuse-Steve Addazio of Florida, Mike Locksley of Illinois, Chip Kelly, the offensive coordinator or Oregon.
- Toledo-Mark Stoops, the defensive coordinator of Arizona; Luke Fickell, the defensive coordinator of Ohio State
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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