SEC Review from AJC

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http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/printedi...notes0927a.html

SEC Wednesday

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 09/27/06

EAST

FLORIDA Gators (4-0, 2-0)

Two things the Gators aren't talking much about this week: the boos and the gauntlet. Boos cascaded from the stadium Saturday when quarterback Chris Leak re-entered the Kentucky win to replace freshman Tim Tebow. Leak's father, Curtis, said fans need to "stop all this stuff and be the 12th man." The gauntlet is the four-game stretch that will define the season: Alabama, LSU, at Auburn and Georgia in Jacksonville. "We're just worried about Alabama, a team that beat the mess out of us a year ago," coach Urban Meyer said.

> Next: Saturday vs. Alabama, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)

KENTUCKY Wildcats (2-2, 1-1)

Ineffectiveness and injuries have forced the 'Cats into shuffling the offensive line. Jason Leger, a converted defensive tackle, will start at offensive tackle Saturday. Also a probable starter: Trai Williams, a converted right guard who stepped in for injured center Matt McCutchan at Florida. McCutchan (ankle) might play Saturday but probably won't start. The injury bug doesn't end on the line. Tailback Rafael Little missed the Florida game with a bruised knee, and backup Tony Dixon suffered a bruised shin against the Gators.

> Next: Saturday vs. Central Michigan, 6 p.m.

SOUTH CAROLINA Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1)

Tailback Cory Boyd said the high ankle sprain that made him miss the Florida Atlantic win won't keep him out of Thursday's game with Auburn. But coach Steve Spurrier said it's not Boyd's decision to make. "He's going to try to practice," Spurrier said. "We'll keep him out if he's not 100 percent. You can tell him that, OK? Mike Davis and Taylor Rank can play if Cory's not ready. But if Cory is 100 percent, he'll be out there playing for us." . . . Through four games, South Carolina has played 10 of the 18 freshmen on scholarship. Five have started.

> Next: Thursday vs. Auburn, 7:45 p.m. (ESPN)

TENNESSEE Volunteers (3-1, 1-1)

Sophomore tailback LaMarcus Coker will start against Memphis after his eight-carry, 146-yard effort against Marshall. Montario Hardesty, who started the previous two games, is No. 2. Arian Foster, who started the opener before sustaining an ankle injury, is back at practice. ... Redshirt freshman Josh McNeill will replace junior Michael Frogg at center. . . . Cornerback Marsalous Johnson is eligible to play after serving a four-game suspension for allegedly waving a toy gun at an off-duty police officer last summer.

> Next: Saturday at Memphis, noon (ESPN)

VANDERBILT Commodores (1-3, 0-2)

Junior defensive end Curtis Gatewood, in his first season as a starter, produced his best game Saturday against Tennessee State with nine tackles and 1 1/2 sacks. The former linebacker leads the Commodores with 2 1/2 sacks and is second in tackles with 21. ...Through four games, Vandy's defense is allowing an average of 3.7 yards per rush. Not since 1999, when the Commodores allowed a 3.5 average, has VU finished the season under 4.0. Saturday, Vandy held TSU star back Javarris Williams to 28 yards. He was averaging 118.3.

> Next: Saturday vs. Temple, 7 p.m.

WEST

ALABAMA Crimson Tide (3-1, 1-1)

Alabama is tied for second nationally with eight interceptions after picking off three Mitch Mustain passes Saturday against Arkansas. Simeon Castille, whose father, Jeremiah, is second all time at Alabama with 16 picks, leads the Tide with three. ... Overtime has not been kind to 'Bama. The Tide have lost four straight OT games, dating to 1999. The last win came 40-39 at Florida. Alabama returns to Florida on Saturday for the first time since. ... The Tide lead the nation in time of possession, holding the ball for 35-plus minutes a game.

> Next: Saturday at Florida, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)

ARKANSAS Razorbacks (3-1, 2-0)

Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, a three-year starter, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to repair partially torn cartilage. Coaches hope he'll be ready to play against Auburn on Oct. 7. In Harrison's place, sophomore Ernest Mitchell made his first start against Alabama. "He did some things he hadn't done before, like getting in the backfield and making the back go the other way," coach Houston Nutt said. ... Randy Kelly's fumble return for a touchdown against Alabama was Arkansas' first forced turnover this season.

> Next: Oct. 7 at Auburn, noon (CBS)

AUBURN Tigers (4-0, 2-0)

Cornerback Jonathan Wilhite (hamstring) isn't sure he'll be ready for Thursday's game at South Carolina. "I want to say it's possible," Wilhite said. "God knows, I want to play." . . . Suspended linebacker Tray Blackmon (LaGrange) won't play. He has missed all four games after an alcohol-related arrest during the summer. ... Coach Tommy Tuberville said the Tigers need to throw more —- Brandon Cox has passed 75 times in four games —- but that change isn't universally adored. "I hope not. I'd rather run the ball," guard Tim Duckworth said.

> Next: Thursday at South Carolina, 7:45 p.m. (ESPN)

LSU Tigers (3-1, 0-1)

Coach Les Miles denied that tailback Alley Broussard is in his doghouse, despite the fact Broussard got no carries in the 49-7 win over Tulane and was LSU's top rusher going in. Broussard is 6 feet, 250 pounds; LSU's coaches want him in the 230-235 range. "He is overweight, but that's not the reason," Miles said. "He's not in the doghouse. We just expect that if he's ready we'll see it and he'll play." Charles Scott led LSU with 101 yards vs. Tulane. . . . Backup free safety Curtis Taylor (hamstring) is expected to play Saturday.

> Next: Saturday vs. Mississippi State, 12:30 p.m. (WATL)

MISSISSIPPI Rebels (1-3, 0-1)

Coach Ed Orgeron cited several reasons for new quarterback Brent Schaeffer's recent ineffect-iveness: "We think it's a combination of route running, protection, poor decisions by the quarterback. So we're just going to keep continuing on with Brent and hopefully we can get better at all three phases." Through four games, Schaeffer has completed just 46.5 percent of his passes. He has thrown for 504 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions, while being sacked 11 times.

> Next: Saturday vs. Georgia, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

MISSISSIPPI STATE Bulldogs (1-3, 0-2)

If there's been one area the injury bug has taken its toll, it's tailback. Anthony Dixon (ankle, hand), Brandon Thornton (ankle) and Arnil Stallworth (ankle) have all been limited in practice but are probable to play Saturday at LSU. ... Prior to last week's come-from-behind victory at UAB, the Bulldogs had lost 31 consecutive games when trailing after three quarters. ... MSU hasn't fared well against ranked opponents in recent years, having lost 17 of its past 18 to ranked foes, including six in a row.

> Next: Saturday at LSU, 12:30 p.m. (WATL)