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FLORIDA AT FLORIDA STATE: The Gators have beaten FSU four straight years. Urban Meyer could become the first Florida coach to beat Florida State coach Bobby Bowden four straight times. However, Florida in five games when they have had to travel to Tallahassee before the SEC championship game is 1-3-1. Offensive linemen Mike and Maurkice Pouncey are dealing with their stepfather losing a leg in a railcar accident. Punter Chas Henry is the emergency third team quarterback in case Tim Tebow and John Brantley went down with injuries. Tebow is No. 5 in pass efficiency and has been picked off only twice this season. Freshman defensive tackle Matt Patchan is out for several weeks with a knee injury. Defensive tackle Lawrence Marsh, who has 21 tackles and three sacks, is doubtful with a knee injury. Both have MCL sprains. Terron Sanders and Torrey Davis, who played against The Citadel, can provide depth. Brandon Antwine and Jaye Howard will also see playing time. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap is tied for second in the league with seven sacks. The Gator offensive line has allowed only 14 sacks in 11 games.
The Gator defense is ranked in the top ten in total defense, scoring defense and turnover margin. The Gators have turned the ball over 10 times while taking it away 28 times. Florida has started 14 drives inside their opponents' 35-yard line after turnovers. They have scored touchdowns on 13 of those drives. FSU has 22 turnovers and forced 22 turnovers. Florida has allowed more than 21 points only once this season and is allowing 102 yards rushing per game.
Florida State is No. 7 nationally in total defense and has six sacks in three of the last five games. Defensive end Everette Brown is No. 2 in the nation in sacks. Brown will be matched up with starting left tackle Phil Trautwein. FSU's defense has 35 sacks. After not allowing any runs over 25 yards, the Noles have allowed gains of 40 or more during the last four games. FSU has run for 2,092 yards and passed for 2,090. They have run 412 times and thrown 318 times. The Noles are No. 117 in the nation in penalty yards. The offensive line with three true freshman and two sophomores has allowed 20 sacks.
FSU, who typically starts slow, has fallen behind by double-digits in the first half in five of the last six games. They started fast against Maryland. FSU has outscored its opponents in the first quarter only 62-57. Florida has outscored its opponents 146-7 in the first quarter. The only time they trailed was in the first quarter against Ole Miss. They leaped ahead of Tennessee and LSU by a score of 17-0 and did the same to South Carolina by a score of 21-0. Nole Tailback Ty Jones is back from an ankle injury. Kenny Ingram is practicing at both safety and linebacker this week. The passing game has been a problem for FSU. Christian Ponder is averaging only 158 yards passing. He is completing 56% of his passes with 12 touchdowns and 11 picks. The Noles are averaging 190 yards rushing per game, the highest since 1995.
LSU AT ARKANSAS (FRIDAY): There are many guesses to LSU's struggles such as struggling quarterbacks, inexperience at linebacker and the secondary and a different dynamic with co-defensive coordinators (Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto).
After the loss to Ole Miss, the Tigers have lost three straight SEC games for the first time since 1999. LSU has lost four games for the first time since 2002. The Tigers have lost three games at home this season after losing only three home games from 2003-07. LSU, who has to replace 20 seniors next season, are out of the top 25 for the first time after a school-record 94-week run.
The Tigers gained only 37 yards rushing and 215 total yards in the loss to Ole Miss. The Tigers committed two turnovers. Quarterback Jarrett Lee was 4 of 12 for 49 yards with one pick before injuring his right ankle. His replacement, freshman Jordan Jefferson was 10 of 20 for 129 yards with one touchdown and one pick. If Lee is unable to start against Arkansas, Jefferson will be the only healthy quarterback on the roster. In losses to Florida, Georgia and Ole Miss, the Tiger secondary allowed Tebow, Matthew Stafford, and Jevan Snead to complete 65% of their passes for 733 yards and six touchdowns. Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard had 17 tackles against Ole Miss. LSU could likely be headed to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
Miles description from MrSEC.com-Wild coach inherits great talent, makes crazy decisions, gets some breaks, somehow wins national title, then reality catches up.
Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino started Nathan Dick at quarterback in the loss to State. Dick completed 25 of 43 for 333 yards with three scores and one pick. He will start against LSU. Receiver Lucas Miller caught 10 passes for 201 yards, the second single best game for a Hog receiver. After leading 14-0, State outscored Arkansas 31-7. The defense struggled with tackling. Last year, the Hogs beat then No. 1 ranked LSU in triple overtime. The Hogs have lost four games this season by a total of 19 points. Running back Michael Smith will miss the game with a hamstring injury. The Hogs are No. 95 in scoring defense allowing 31 ppg.
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT OLE MISS (FRIDAY): This is the last Raycom game with ESPN taking over next season. The Rebels humiliated the Bulldogs 45-0. State has eight first downs, 37 total yards, (-51 yards rushing) and 12 punts. Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead was 14 of 19 for 213 yards with four touchdowns and one pick. The Rebels ran for 220 yards. They lead at the end of the first quarter 24-0. Rebel receiver Mike Wallace caught four passes for 105 yards.
Coach Sly Croom is 21-38 overall and 10-30 in the SEC after the loss to Ole Miss. He inherited a program that was on probation and one he admitted had little character. Last season, the Bulldogs won eight games and Croom was the SEC coach- of- the- year. He received an extension at the end of last year that pays him $1.7 million until 2011. Bulldog running back Anthony Dixon ran for a career high 179 yards and three scores in the win over Arkansas. Dixon scored on a 63- yard run. The Bulldogs snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Hogs. Quarterback Tyson Lee completed 23 of 40 for 219 yards and two scores. State, who was averaging 77 rushing yards per game, gained 226. The Bulldogs limited Hog running back Michael Smith, the SEC's No. 2 rusher, to only 60 yards. State recognized 24 seniors before the game. The Bulldogs and Rebels have split the last four games.
Ole Miss has won five straight games after the win over LSU. They have beaten Florida and LSU in the same season for the first time since 1948.The Rebels returned to the top 25 for the first time since January 2004. Ole Miss is 2-2 against top 25 ranked teams this season. The Rebels also beat LSU for the first time since 2001. Snead completed 16 of 25 for 274 yards. He has seven games with multiple touchdowns this season. Snead has five games of 200 yards or more passing. He has not thrown a pick in his last three games. Snead does have a sore throwing shoulder after he landed on it against LSU. Rebel receiver Mike Wallace caught five passes for 99 yards and two scores. The Rebels gained only 102 yards rushing. The Ole Miss defense, which held LSU to only 215 yards, had four sacks. Senior defensive tackle Peria Jerry had three tackles for loss and a sack. Defensive tackle Greg Hardy had a sack, which raised his team- high total to 5.5. Defensive back Kendrick Lewis made eight tackles, forced a fumble, intercepted a pass, broke up another and sacked the quarterback. He also caught a 33-yard pass on a fake punt that set up a score. The Rebels have successfully converted three fake kicks this season. The latest was a completed pass from fullback Jason Cook to Lewis on a fake punt. Starting cornerback Marshay Green has been wearing a boot in practice. Ole Miss played 10 defensive linemen against LSU, which is a testament to line coach Tracy Rocker.
AUBURN AT ALABAMA: Both teams were off last week. Alabama is No. 2 in the SEC in scoring defense allowing 12 points per game and Auburn is No. 3 giving up 16 ppg. Alabama is No. 3 in turnover margin (+6) and Auburn is No. 10 (-5). Tailback Roy Upchurch (neck) and receiver Earl Alexander (shoulder) are back at full strength.
Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville is 4-1 against top five teams while at Auburn. Tiger quarterback Kodi Burns is last in the SEC in passing yards averaging 104 per game. Burns has more than 400 net rushing yards. Alabama has faced primarily drop back quarterbacks, which makes Burns' running ability more of a problem. Middle linebacker Tray Blackmon is gone for the season after wrist surgery. He has been replaced by Josh Bynes, who has done well. Tight end Tommy Trott is also out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Gabe McKenzie has replaced him. The game features two of the best kick returners in the SEC with Alabama's Javier Arenas (14 yards per return) and Auburn's Robert Dunn (17 ypr). The Tigers have won the past six straight games in the series. Tiger defensive coordinator Paul Rhodes might have some interest in the Utah State job.
SOUTH CAROLINA AT CLEMSON: If the Gamecocks win they will have eight victories for only the eighth time in school history. Coach Steve Spurrier said quarterback Chris Smelley would get most of the snaps against Clemson. Spurrier dismissed any retirement talk last week pertaining to an Internet report. The Gamecocks have not played since the loss to Florida. South Carolina has struggled all year along the offensive line and with the running game. Defensive lineman Eric Norwood leads the team in sacks with nine. He is also four short of the school -record of 26 set by Andrew Provence. Kicker Ryan Succop is 19 of 27 in field goals this season. The Tigers have won seven of the last nine and 15 of 20 against the Gamecocks. South Carolina's last win over Clemson was 2006 when they scored 31 points and gained nearly 500 yards. A win over Clemson might put the Gamecocks in the Outback Bowl.
Clemson, who has won three of four ACC games, is trying to become bowl eligible. They have to beat South Carolina in order to go to a bowl because they have two Division I-AA teams on the schedule. Tiger quarterback Cullen Harper completed 18 of 28 for 121 yards. Clemson gained 190 total yards, the first time they won a game with less than 200 yards since 1994.The Tigers intercepted three passes. Two starters, safety Chris Clemons and defensive end Ricky Sapp left the game with knee injuries. Tailback James Davis is 203 yards away from being the school's career rushing leader and receiver Aaron Kelly needs 99 yards to also break the school career mark.
The Tigers are No. 11 in total defense and allow just 19 points per game. Clemson has not allowed more than one touchdown pass in a game since week two. The defense has intercepted six passes in the last three games. Safety Michael Hamlin leads the team in solo tackles and interceptions. Offense is another story. The Tigers averaged just 19 points per game against Division I schools.
Swinney, who is 3-2 as an interim coach, is a candidate to fill the vacant position after Tommy Bowden was fired earlier in the season. Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and Kiffin have interviewed for the job.
GEORGIA TECH AT GEORGIA: The Yellow Jackets have won eight games in Coach Paul Johnson's first season. Tech rushed for 472 yards in last Thursday's nights win over Miami. Jonathan Dwyer gained 128 yards. Georgia is going to have trouble blocking the Tech defensive front with ends Michael Johnson and Derrick Morgan and tackles Vance Walker and Darryl Richard. The Yellow Jackets are in the top 20 in total defense, scoring defense and sacks. Tech has not beaten Georgia since 2000. For only the second time in Coach Mark Richt's tenure, both teams have at least eight wins. Georgia Tech needs Virginia to beat Virginia Tech Saturday to win the division. Tech's offense has gained 1,100 yards in the last three games against FSU, North Carolina and Miami.
An interesting blog in the AJC said that if Erk Russell would have been hired as the Georgia coach after Vince Dooley retired that he would have hired Paul Johnson, who was the offensive coordinator at Hawaii, for the same position. Johnson might have become the Georgia head coach.
The Bulldogs have been crippled with injuries this season. Last year, Georgia lost only two players to season ending injuries. This year, the Bulldogs have lost 18 players due to injury. The last time Georgia played a triple- option team was Georgia Southern in 2004. GSU rushed for more than 400 yards. The Bulldogs have had two weeks to prepare for the Tech offense. Several Bulldog players such as tailback Knowshon Moreno, quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive back Asher Allen and defensive tackle Geno Atkins are dealing with questions about declaring early for the NFL draft. A total of 27 seniors will be honored at the game. The current senior class is 39-11 with one SEC title and two divisional titles. Right tackle Justin Anderson is recovering faster than expected from a foot injury and might be able to play. Larry Munson will be honored during the game. Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe said he is close to %100 for the first time since September.
Georgia, who was off last week, is going to have to be tough and physical at the line of scrimmage, have linebackers who can run and have safeties and corners physical enough to hold the edges. Georgia has to play assignment football on every play. Georgia also has to be deep enough on the scout team to give the defense a true picture of what they will see on game day. Georgia is No. 15 against the run. They want to force quarterback Josh Nesbitt to pass. Bulldog linebacker Rennie Curran, who leads the team with 98 tackles, will need to have a big game.
KENTUCKY AT TENNESSEE: The Wildcats, who are bowl eligible, were off last week after losing at home to Vanderbilt. Quarterback Randall Cobb gained 72 yards rushing and 144 yards passing in the game. The Wildcats have not beaten Tennessee since 1984.
Tennessee has offered Lane Kiffin and he has accepted according to sources. Coming with Kiffin could be Ed Orgeron and his father, Monte Kiffin, who is 68-years-old and makes $2 million. Kiffin was the offensive coordinator at Southern Cal, and an assistant at Fresno State. The Memphis-Commercial Appeal also reported more than a year ago that at least five SEC schools turned in Orgeron for recruiting violations. Tennessee has also interviewed TCU coach Gary Patterson. Brian Kelly ($2 million buyout), Mike Leach, Troy Calhoun and Mike Riley have also been mentioned.
The Vols avoided a school- record eighth loss of season by beating Vanderbilt. For the seventh time in 11 games, the Vols offense scored only one touchdown. Coach Phil Fulmer has lost only once to Vandy in 16 years. Redshirt freshman B. J. Coleman, who was 4 of 8 for 21 yards, took over for Jonathan Crompton at quarterback. Berry had four touches on offense for 11 yards. Tennessee scored in double-digits for the first time since Oct. 18. The Vols gained 222 yards rushing and 21 yards passing. Tennessee committed three turnovers. Safety Eric Berry picked off a Nixon pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. Berry also had a sack and two tackles-for-loss. He has seven picks this season that he has returned for 256 yards, breaking the old record of 244 set by Florida's Joe Brodsky in 1956. Berry has 12 picks in his career.
VANDERBILT AT WAKE FOREST: Nickson, last week's star, was replaced by backup quarterback Mackenzi Adams, who was 18 of 38 for 192 yards and one pick in the loss to Tennessee. Vandy gained only 25 yards rushing. The Commodores committed three turnovers. Vandy converted only 4 of 17 on third down. The Commodores have lost five of its last six games. Vandy is No. 117 in total offense and been held to 14 points or fewer in six of seven games. Kicker Sam Swank is back from injury. Wake Forest beat Vanderbilt in 2006.
Wake Forest lost its fifth game of the season last week to Boston College. The Demon Deacons have lost four of six games. Wake needs this game to ensure a third straight bowl invitation. Quarterback Riley Skinner completed 14 of 28 passes for 126 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Wake ran for only 65 yards. They also committed seven penalties for 66 yards. Wake has allowed more sacks than all but one ACC team.
VIRGINIA AT VIRGINIA TECH: If Tech wins, they will be in the ACC title game as the Coastal Division winner. If they don't win, then Georgia Tech goes to the title game to face either B.C. or FSU. Tech has thrown only five touchdown passes all season. Tailback Darren Evans will face Virginia linebackers Clint Sintim, and Jon Copper. Tech defensive backs Macho Harris and Stephan Virgil have 15 picks combined. Tech has the No. 8 defense and the No. 109 ranked offense.
Virginia has lost three straight games. They have not won in Blacksburg since 1998. The Cavs are No. 115 nationally in scoring averaging only 16 ppg. Quarterback Marc Verica has thrown 15 picks this season.
MARYLAND AT BOSTON COLLEGE: Maryland has averaged only 11 points in the last three games. Quarterback Chris Turner and tailbacks Da'Rel Scott and Davin Meggett need to have big games.
B.C. needs a win to be in the ACC title game. If they lose then FSU goes to Tampa. Since losing to Clemson on Nov. 1, the Eagles have won three straight games. Quarterback Chris Crane broken his collarbone last week and Dominque Davis has to replace him. Tailbacks Montel Harris and Josh Haden need to carry the load. BC has a top five defense and leads the nation with 23 interceptions. Linebacker Mark Herzlich has 92 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and five picks.
NORTH CAROLINA AT DUKE: The Tar Heels struggled in November losing to Maryland and N. C. State. Coach Butch Davis is looking for win No. 8. UNC is No. 99 in total offense and is struggling at quarterback. Running back Shaun Draughn could have a big day against Duke.
Duke ran out of steam the second half of the season. They have lost six of seven games. Duke has the No. 102 rushing attack in the nation. The Blue Devils will be in trouble if quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and top runner Clifford Harris are out.
MIAMI AT N. C. STATE: The Canes are No. 20 in total defense despite the Georgia Tech debacle. Coach Randy Shannon said his defense has to take away the running backs and tight ends, the leading receivers. He also said receiver Travis Benjamin has a tender ankle. Linebacker Romeo Davis may not play due to injury. The Miami secondary has only one interception and only three overall.
N. C. State has won three straight and is within a win of being bowl eligible. They went 4-0 against teams from North Carolina. The Wolfpack are running the ball much better with Andre Brown and Jamelle Eugene. Linebacker Nate Irving and end Willie Young will give the Miami quarterbacks some problems. Quarterback Russell Wilson leads the ACC in passing and has thrown 14 touchdowns and no picks in the last eight games.
Coaching Stuff-
- Notre Dame-Weis buyout is much smaller than some believe according to the Chicago Tribune. If Weis has a base salary of $650,000 then his buyout (x years left on contract) would be around $4.5 million. His total package is close to $2-2.5 million. He is in more danger of being fired than some believe. He has built no relationships at the school.
- Clemson-Bobby Johnson, Swinney, Kiffin, Bud Foster, Brent Venables and Mike Locksley
- Washington-Les Miles, Dennis Franchione, Kyle Whittingham from Utah, Missouri OC Dave Christensen
- New Mexico-Al Borges, Dan Mullen, DeWayne Walker,
- Miss State-Borges as OC
- Arizona-will probably keep Mike Stoops
- Auburn-Watson Brown as OC
- LSU-John Chavis or Ed Oregon at DC
- Miami-Patrick Nix gone; Gus Malzahn or Dana Holgorsen Houston
- Wyoming-Ted Gilmore (Nebraska receiver coach Ted Gilmore), Franchione,
- UCF-George O'Leary in trouble?
- Syracuse-Turner Gill, Skip Holtz, O'Leary, Steve Addazio, Doug Marrone (Saints OC)
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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