Yes size does matter...in the SEC

The big opening kickoff game between No. 5 Boise State and No. 19 Georgia will not turn on the fact that Boise is 61-5 in the last five years while Georgia had a losing season last season, nor will it be won or lost on quarterback style points or the slashing abilities of a this or that tailback.

The game will be won, as it usually is, by the big men up front, the inglorious linemen in their three-point stances, their barrel-sized girths forming the first line of attack.

Size matters in these things, and it is on that point where an upset could be in the making.

Boise is favored to win, and if you look at their experience in key positions, especially at quarterback, it's easy to see why. But Georgia has an advantage that doesn't show up on any highlight reel: The Bulldog offensive line is, on average, two inches taller and 47.4 pounds heavier than the Broncos' defenders.

Georgia offensive linemen average 6-foot-4 and 329.4 pounds. Contrast that with Boise's offensive front five, which weighs an average of 289.8 pounds. There is a high likelihood the Broncos tasked with blocking Georgia defensive tackles Kwame Geathers and John Jenkins will be giving up 70 pounds per man.

That is where games are turned. If Murray has all day to scan the field and make plays, he'll look like Tom Brady.

Kentucky hoping change is good

Kentucky's abounding optimism springs from a new attacking defense and a veteran offensive line that could help ease a new set of so-called skill players onto the college stage.

But earlier this week, UK Coach Joker Phillips offered a sober-minded perspective on the opening game.

"This is a good game for us trying to see how much we've improved," he said. "I really think that we've improved a lot. But the game will be a barometer to see how much we've improved."

WKU Coach Willie Taggart echoed the sentiment. Yes, he thinks the Hilltoppers are much improved. But he made no bold proclamations when asked whether Kentucky would notice a different Western team than the one UK pummeled 63-28 last season.

"I hope so," he said this week. "Our guys got bigger and stronger and faster, and now it's time to go on the football field and do something. The thing I want Kentucky to say after the game is that this team was totally different than what they played the year before."

One thing for sure: Kentucky will seem totally different on offense. The Cats will run about the same offense, Phillips said, but a new quarterback gives any team a new look.

"I think the guy that we have pulling the trigger can stretch the field," Phillips said of new quarterback Morgan Newton. "I'm really excited to watch him play. I mean, I'm not trying to say things too fast, but some days you don't recognize him from the bowl game. He's that type of guy that has that type of command of the huddle, command of the ball."

SEC Football Online...Free Sportbook Pick LSU vs Oregon

The Oregon Ducks were one of the most high-powered offensive teams in the nation a year ago and will be again led by junior quarterback Darron Thomas and Heisman finalist, junior running back LaMichael James.

Thomas finished second in PAC-12 in passing last season behind only Heisman finalist Andrew Luck with 2,881 yards, 30 TD passes and a stellar 61 percent completion rate.

James rushed for 1,731 yards and 21 scores while averaging almost six yards per carry.

LSU will quickly find out if senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson is the real deal after seeing the then-junior throw three TD passes in the Cotton Bowl win. Overall, Jefferson threw seven TD passes and 10 picks.

Oregon lost a 22-19 heartbreaker to Cam Newton and Auburn in the 2010 BCS title game while LSU pounded the snot out of Texas A&M 41-24 in the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium.

The Ducks are 5-1 ATS in their last half-dozen games in the month of September but went just 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games in 2010,

The LSU Tigers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight neutral site games but are just 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games in September.

We are going to back the more experienced Oregon Ducks to get off on the right foot after losing their heartbreaking BCS title game the last time out.

The Ducks clearly have the two best players on the field in LaMichael James and Darron Thomas and that should be enough to get the win and ATS cover as slight underdogs.

Week 1 SEC Football Online Free Pick: Oregon +1.5 Points

LSU's lawyers said it should have been nothing...about case

Jefferson’s new lawyer, Lewis Unglesby, claims the accusations against his client are a result of his stature in the LSU and college football world — based on “laziness” rather than actual facts.

“It should have been nothing,” Unglesby told the New Orleans Times Picayune. “If you’re going to charge people, you give a whole bunch of people misdemeanor summons and you figure it out later. That’s what they would have done if his name was Jordan Jones. This is all about his status.

“The whole thing is ridiculous. I can’t say it loud enough, hard enough, mean enough, straight enough. There are fistfights at college bars every week. Dozens. I know every lawyer in Baton Rouge and no one has ever represented anybody who got into a fight in a bar charged with second-degree battery.”

Unglesby also offered written testimonies that his clients weren’t involved in the fight:

“Unglesby provided The Associated Press on Wednesday with a signed, written statement from Shady’s employee Sean Berrigan, who said there was no fighting amid the crowd outside the bar until Lowery threw the first punch at another man who had asked him to leave the area.

“Berrigan also stated he never saw Jefferson hit or kick anyone. His statement matched what another employee, Jordan Neldare, told the AP in an interview last week. However, like Neldare, Berrigan also said he did not see the entirety of the fight.”

Georgia's QB Murray has the challenge this Saturday...David vs Goliath

Aaron Murray knows what kind of quarterback he wants to be at Georgia.

The kind who brings the same effort and enthusiasm to every workout, every practice, every game. The kind who always seems to make the right call. The kind who inspires confidence in his teammates and spurs them on to greater heights. Most of all, he wants to be a winner. You know, someone just like Boise State’s Kellen Moore.

“He’s consistent game in and game out,” Murray marveled Tuesday. “He does all the right things on and off the field, with the way he works and how responsible he is, the kind of leader he is. He’s a tremendous leader. Those are all the things I’m striving to be myself. He definitely has a couple of years on me, but I hope when I’m in his situation—going into my senior year—I’ll be in the same sort of spotlight that he is.”

Moore still has one more season to go with the Broncos, but all he’s doing now is piling on to an already brilliant career. By the time he’s done, he’ll likely be the winningest quarterback in major-college history and could hold a slew of other records, everything from completion percentage to touchdown passes.

Murray’s resume is still very much a work in progress, but he’s coming off a brilliant debut season with the Bulldogs, one that was largely overlooked because his team struggled to its first losing year since 1996. If Georgia is to reclaims its spot among the nation’s elite programs, Murray will have to lead the way. First up, Moore and the Broncos.

What an enticing matchup for the opening Saturday—the champ vs. the challenger.

“This will be good for Aaron,” said Georgia defensive back Sanders Commings, one of those who’ll be trying to stop Boise State’s star. “Kellen Moore has all the hype coming into this game. He’s the Heisman candidate. Aaron is a good quarterback, a good SEC quarterback, but people don’t think he’s Kellen Moore. This is a great opportunity for him to show he can be that guy.”

Nothing would show it better than a victory Saturday night at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Gamecocks QB knocked unconscious in moped wreck

South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier announced No. 3 quarterback Andrew Clifford was injured in a moped accident over the weekend. As a result of the accident that left him with stitches in an unidentified part of his body, Clifford will be out of action for the next two to three weeks.

Here’s one television station’s description of the incident:

Clifford was found unconscious after falling off of his moped. Spurrier said the redshirt freshman was not wearing a helmet and was carrying a pizza at the time of the accident.

It should be mentioned that Clifford was named to the 2010 SEC Academic Honor Roll. Well, there goes your hard earned money Ma and Pa... sending your boy to get an edumacation!

Ex-Gator Bushell lands at Louisville

Cornerback Adrian Bushell is now a member of the Cardinals football program. Bushell has already participated in two practices, but Strong said he won’t be available for the opener Thursday.

He is eligible to play this season, however, after spending last year at Coffeyville (KS) Community College.

Bushell began his collegiate career at Florida, but decided to transfer in May of 2010 after missing all of spring practice due to academic issues. As a four-star member of UF’s 2008 recruiting class, Bushell was rated as the No. 15 athlete in the country by Rivals.com.

Four-star signee decides to transfer from Vols

Head coach Derek Dooley announced Monday that true freshman Pat Martin has decided to transfer from the Volunteers. Dooley noted that the decision to move on to an undetermined school was a mutual decision. “I don’t have a lot of details on Pat right now,” Dooley said according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. “He’s going to transfer. I don’t know where, but we are certainly going to support him and try to help him go somewhere that might be a better fit.” The fact that Martin was already buried on the depth chart — the News Sentinel notes he worked with the scout team during a mock game last week — likely played at least a minor role in his decision.

Martin was a four-star member of UT’s 2011 recruiting class, and rated by Rivals.com as the No. 22 safety in the country this past recruiting cycle.

Ex-Vols...Janzen Jackson apologizes for mistakes...lands new gig

According to Andrew Gribble of the Knoxville Sentinel, the cornerback has enrolled at McNeese State and will play for the Div. 1-AA school in 2011. In a statement released by his new school, Jackson expressed thanks for the second chance from his new school chance while also apologizing to his former school for unnamed mistakes he’s made.

“I would like to thank McNeese for giving me the opportunity to come back home and continue my education and football career,” Jackson said. “I would also like to apologize to my family, friends and the University of Tennessee for the mistakes I have made.

“I realize how fortunate I am to get a second chance and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

UGA's Richt on Branden Smith injury

Starting cornerback Branden Smith suffered a foot injury during practice Thursday and did not practice with the team Saturday. At least publicly, though, head coach Mark Richt doesn’t appear to be overly concerned about the issue.

“We don’t think it’s serious,” Richt said according to the Athens Banner-Herald. “Nothing that requires surgery. I guess the old ‘day-by-day’ is the best way to describe it.”

If the injury prognosis should happen to change to week-to-week, it wouldn’t just be the secondary affected as Smith is also the Bulldogs top punt returner.

In addition to the semi-uncertainty surrounding Smith’s injury, Richt also confirmed yesterday that the leading returning tackler from a year ago has lost his starting job. Sanders Commings and Shawn Williams are Richt’s starters at safety, the coach said, meaning Bacarri Rambo, second on the team in tackles in 2010, has been officially bumped down a notch on the depth chart.

Georgia holds a 'Secret' Practice on Neutral Field in Atlanta

Friday, August 27th, Mark Richt secretly drove the Georgia Bulldogs to Atlanta to get in a practice at the Georgia Dome in preparation for its upcoming match-up against Boise State.

The Georgia Dome is the "neutral" site set for the Chick-Fil-A Kick-off Game on September 3rd. Mark Richt was trying to keep his trip to Atlanta a secret, but Georgia's athletic director did not see the point.

“Mark just asked me if they could do it and I said yes, of course,” Greg McGarity told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The Falcons are in there Thursday and Georgia State plays there Friday, so I think it was the only day we could get in there.”

There is no word yet on how the Boise State coaching staff feel about their opponent being able to practice in the stadium, but fans of both teams agree the site is hardly neutral for Boise State. The trip from Boise is nearly 2,200 miles, while the Bulldogs are only a mere 78 miles away.

Boise state was only allotted 7,500 tickets in the stadium that seats 71,000, and those were gone in 14 minutes. Georgia also sold out, but will have a significantly larger amount of fans at the game.

Both teams will have the opportunity to practice at the site, during the Atlanta Falcons' time off in the days leading up to the game, but it seems to be a matter of principle to keep the site neutral.

"If Georgia gets more of an opportunity to see how the ball reacts in the dome on kicks and passes they are getting an advantage. I thought it was supposed to be neutral," one Boise State student claimed.

Others seem to be indifferent, claiming head coach Chris Petersen will have his Broncos ready for their season opener no matter what the opponent does.

Les Miles’ contract extension officially approved

LSU’s Board of Supervisors on Friday officially and unanimously approved the new contract, which will now run through the 2017 season. Miles’ old deal would’ve kept the head coach with the Tigers through the 2014 season.

Additionally, Miles would be owed in the neighborhood of $18.7 million in the first year of the revamped contract if he’s fired without cause. Under the terms of his old contract, that number would’ve been $11.2 million.

As was the case when the handshake agreement was first announced, Miles will not receive a raise and will still make the $3.75 million annually his old contract called for. Miles will, however, have “enhanced opportunities” for additional compensation based on championships and postseason accomplishments.

SEC Greatest Games Weekend

The BIGGEST season of College Football in the history of Fox Sports South and SportSouth! To celebrate over 70 games and countless hours of college football programming, they’re kicking the season off right this weekend full of the best SEC football games every played. Check out the following, see if your game is there. The SEC Rocks!


• Saturday, 8/27 at 5pm ET/4pm CT – 1992 SEC Championship – Florida vs. Alabama
o First ever SEC Championship Game – Legion Field in Birmingham
o Late in game, Antonio Langham’s pick 6 off of Shane Matthews wins title
o Bama goes on to win the National Championship
o Alabama 28, Florida 21

• Saturday, 8/27 at 7:30pm ET/6:30pm CT – 1997 SEC Championship – Tennessee vs. Auburn
o Peyton Manning’s final SEC game
o UT trailed 20-10 at half and 29-23 late in the game
o Manning throws four TD’s on the day, including 70 yarder in fourth to put Vols up for good
o Tennessee 30, Auburn 29

• Saturday, 8/27 at 10pm ET/9pm CT – 2008 SEC Championship – Florida vs. Alabama
o #1 vs #2 – “The National Championship”
o Back and forth first half, UF led 17-10 at half
o Bama controlled third quarter, led 20-17 after 3 qtrs
o UF controlled fourth quarter, not allowing Bama another point
o UF goes on to win BCS championship
o Florida 31, Alabama 20


• Sunday, 8/28 at 5pm ET/4pm CT – 2001 Georgia @ Tennessee
o Trailing 20-17 with 1:21 left in the game, UT takes possession and drives 78 yards to take the lead, scoring on a screen pass that goes for 66 yards
o UGA takes the ensuing kickoff, drives 59 yards in 37 seconds, and scores the winning TD with only :05 left
o Georgia 26, Tennessee 24

• Sunday, 8/28 at 7:30pm ET/6:30pm CT – 2007 Florida @ LSU
o Behind Tim Tebow, UF held leads of 17-7 at the half and 24-14 after 3 qtrs
o LSU scores two TDs in the final quarter to win; the final game winning drive:
• 8:00, 15 plays, 60 yards
• LSU goes 5 for 5 on fourth down conversions
• Winning TD with a minute left
o LSU goes on to win the BCS championship
o LSU 28, Florida 24

• Sunday, 8/28 at 10pm ET/9pm CT – 2010 Auburn @ Alabama
o Bama held leads of 21-0 after 1 qtr, 24-0 in the 2nd, and 24-7 at the half
o Auburn dominates the third, trailing only 27-21 after 3 qtrs
o Auburn scores go ahead TD with 10 minutes left, Bama cannot answer
o Auburn goes on to win the BCS championship
o Auburn 28, Alabama 27


• Monday, 8/29 at 7pm ET/6pm CT – 1996 Georgia @ Auburn
o 100th meeting in the South’s oldest rivalry
o First ever SEC overtime game
o Auburn led 28-7 at the half and 28-14 after 3 qtrs
o UGA ties game on final play of regulation
• Drive covered 82 yards, nine plays in 67 seconds
• Scoring play was a 30 yard pass, Mike Bobo to Corey Allen
o Teams exchange TDs in OT, UGA stops Auburn in 4th OT
o Georgia 56, Auburn 49

• Monday, 8/29 at 9:30pm ET/8:30pm CT – 1982 Auburn vs. Alabama
o Coach Bear Bryant’s final Iron Bowl
o Auburn drives length of the field for winning TD, Bo Jackson over the top from the one yard line
o Auburn 23, Alabama 22

NCAA blasts Danny Sheridan for lack of info about Cam Newton

The NCAA released a statement on its website Friday strongly stating that Danny Sheridan provided no new information on the Cam Newton investigation when the organization met with the Mobile native this week.

The statement read, in its entirety: "Danny Sheridan continues to make vague, unsubstantiated claims without backing them up with proof. Contrary to his claims of having an inside source with details on the Auburn investigation, the NCAA has not provided information to Sheridan or anyone else.

"As a matter of due diligence, the NCAA spoke with Sheridan this week to determine if he had any facts pertaining to the investigation. Sheridan, however, did not provide any information to the enforcement staff and certainly did not provide a name. Instead, he unsuccessfully attempted to gather information for his own use."

Sheridan had previously said that he had an NCAA source who had told him of a "bag man" who helped recruit the future Heisman Trophy winner to Auburn.

After having made his claims on Paul Finebaum's radio show, Sheridan was contacted by the NCAA through his attorney, Vince Kilborn.

"I let them know that if they wished to talk to me, I will talk to them on or off the record about subjects of mutual interest," Sheridan said

LSU's Jefferson, and Johns released

Quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Josh Jones were released from the East Baton Rouge Parish prison earlier today after warrants for their arrests on a second-degree battery charge were issued Friday morning. Accompanied their attorney, the players were booked into the prison at around noon local time and released a short time later after posting $5,000 bonds.

Additionally, the police chief of the Baton Rouge Police Department conducted a press conference just a short time ago. And by “conducted a press conference” we mean “read from a prepared statement and took no questions from the assembled media afterwards”.

“It’s a sad day for the citizens of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University, LSU alumni and for fans who follow LSU football,” White said in the opening of the statement. Perhaps the only pertinent information revealed that wasn’t known prior to the “press conference” is the fact that the information his BRPD detectives have on the case will be forwarded to the district attorney in “several days.”

D.A. Hillar Moore III told the Baton Rouge Advocate that he will likely send the case before a grand jury instead of his office charging the players themselves, a process that could take weeks and further extend the indefinite suspensions of the two players. A local attorney explained to the Advocate that the DA would take that tack “in a high-profile case… to remove any appearance of bias from the D.A.”

The attorney for Jefferson and Johns, Nathan Fisher, blasted the decision to charge his clients.

“They’ve ruined the kids’ careers,” Fisher said. “We’ll see what we can do to, you can’t rectify it, but to help the situation.”

Arkansas goes with Wilson as starting quarterback

Arkansas' coach Bobby Petrino said Tyler Wilson will start at quarterback in the Razorbacks’ opener against Missouri State.

The junior takes over the position following Ryan Mallett’s departure to the NFL’s New England Patriots. Wilson was thought to be the starter entering fall practice, but Petrino insisted that he earn the position while competing against sophomore Brandon Mitchell.

Wilson takes over a Razorbacks’ team that finished 10-3 last season, earning its first BCS bowl game in the Sugar Bowl. Arkansas is ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll and was picked to finish third in the Southeastern Conference’s West Division.

“I think it started when we came back from the bowl game,” Petrino said. “You could see Tyler say, `This is my time, and I’m going to do everything I possibly can do to win the job as the starting quarterback.”’

Petrino said Mitchell will see action against Missouri State but he hasn’t decided when—possibly during the second quarter.

LSU WR Shepard suspended

LSU receiver Russell Shepard has suspended for the season opener against Oregon on Sept. 3 and is expected to miss a number of games while the university seeks his reinstatement.

LSU, which announced the suspension on Thursday, said Shepard violated university and NCAA codes by discussing an NCAA inquiry with a teammate who was scheduled to be interviewed about the same matter.

The inquiry involves the NCAA’s probe of LSU’s relationship with scouting service owner and purported street agent Willie Lyles, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because LSU has not announced what the inquiry entailed.

The NCAA has been looking into Lyles’ dealings with a number of college programs, including Oregon.

LSU has acknowledged doing business with Lyles’ Complete Scouting Services, but has said it only purchased videos and notes on junior college and high school prospects, which is permitted by the NCAA.

LSU said it paid $6,000 for the materials last December, and has cooperated with the NCAA probe.

Shepard will be allowed to continue practicing with the team while awaiting re-instatement, but it was not clear how many games he would be forced to miss.

Witness ID’s Jefferson as kicker

Witnesses to the brawl told WAFB-TV that Jefferson had kicked one of the victims in the head, although BRPD were unable to confirm that claim. However, a police report from the BRPD released earlier today has reinforced those eye witness accounts.

According to the report, a woman by the name of Victoria Long, 19, said she “knows for certain” that she witnessed Jefferson kicking a man in the face during the brawl. That man has been identified by witnesses as Andrew Lowery.

Lowery and Long have given similar accounts to the incident, which involved multiple LSU players allegedly pulling a victim out of a black pickup truck. Lowery and Long claim that Lowery tried to intervene and was beaten and kicked in the face for doing so.

Police have interviewed the four LSU players in question — Jefferson, offensive tackle Chris Davenport, linebacker Josh Johns and wide receiver Jarvis Landry — although no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed.

Mackey suspended for Ole Miss’ opener

Hours after reports first surfaced that Randall Mackey had been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, Mackey has been suspended by head coach Houston Nutt for the Rebels’ opener. Nutt revealed his decision Tuesday evening.

In addition to Mackey’s suspension, Nutt also announced that Barry Brunetti will be his starter at QB for the first game against BYU. Zach Stoudt will be the No. 2 QB for the Cougars game, with Nutt saying that the presumptive No. 3 QB would play in certain situations.

Stoudt, Brunetti and Mackey had been involved in a three-way battle for the starting job since spring, although it’s believed the competition had actually come down to the latter two players.

Vols' dismisses DB Janzen Jackson

Derek Dooley dismissed safety Janzen Jackson from the team on Wednesday as the junior’s personal issues had apparently become too much of a distraction.

Jackson withdrew from school in February to address personal issues but enrolled again in July and was reinstated to the Vols earlier this month as fall camp began. Dooley said after Tuesday’s practice that Jackson would remain with the team on a day-to-day basis.

Dooley did not specify what actions ultimately led to the Lake Charles, La., native’s dismissal on Wednesday.

“Our program has devoted a tremendous amount of energy, resources, support, and care in an effort to help Janzen manage his personal challenges,” Dooley said. “I will always be there to help him as a person, but there comes a time when a player’s actions preclude him from the privilege of playing for the University of Tennessee football team.

“Although I’m disappointed with this outcome, we will never compromise the long-term organizational values and goals we maintain here at Tennessee,” he said.

NCAA accepts Vols’ self-imposed sanctions

From the NCAA’s report specifically addressing the football portion of the issues in the UT athletic department:

In the sport of football, it was alleged that major violations occurred in the conduct of the program, including recruiting activities undertaken by student interns. The committee concluded that the evidence was insufficient to support findings of major violations. However, the committee was troubled by the number and nature of the secondary infractions by the football coaching staff during its one-year tenure at the institution. From January 2009 through October 2009 the staff committed 12 violations, all connected to recruiting. Some of the violations received nationwide publicity and brought the football program into public controversy. This is not a record of which to be proud. Nevertheless, because the violations individually were secondary and most were isolated, the committee, in the end, determined not to make a finding of a major violation.

“I’m very grateful to the NCAA, the Committee on Infractions and its chairman, Dennis Thomas, for a very fair and thorough process,” Kiffin said in a statement. “I’m also very grateful that we were able to accurately and fairly present the facts in our case and that no action was taken against us. I’m pleased that the NCAA based its decision on the facts and not on perception. I’m also very grateful that the Tennessee football program was cleared of any wrongdoing.

“As I have said before, we always have been committed to following NCAA rules and bylaws both at Tennessee and now at USC, and we always will be. Now that this has reached its conclusion, I am looking forward to continuing to prepare our team for the upcoming season.”

Is a Uniform change in the future for the Georgia Bulldogs

Over the years, Georgia has done minor changes when it comes to the jersey, but they haven’t done a full-fledge uniform change since former head coach Vince Dooley took over in 1964.

When Dooley took over, he changed the “G” logo to make it look like the Green Bay Packers. He then changed the “silver britches” to white pants, but switched back to silver right before the 1980 national championship season.

During the 80’s, Georgia would wear the red pants but that was short lived. Then they would tweak their jersey and go back to wearing silver or black pants. But in the main uniform would feature the red helmet, the white or red jersey and the silver pants.

It wasn’t until 2007 when the uniform change for Georgia became a big deal. Before the Auburn game, Bulldog fans were encouraged to wear black, but they didn’t know why.

After the team finished their warm-ups and went back into the locker room, they changed from their red jersey to black and when they ran out on the field, Sanford Stadium went ballistic and that led to a big win against the Tigers.

The next time Georgia did a blackout it was against Alabama the following year and the Tide hammered the Dawgs and they have not worn the jerseys since.

In 2009, Mark Richt wanted to do something different for the Florida game and had the players wear black helmets with white jerseys and black pants. That did not go well for the Bulldogs because they got hammered by the Gators and that uniform has not been worn since the defeat.

So with the new uniforms set to be worn for the opening game of the season, it should be interesting how the fans will react. One thing for sure is the fact, no matter what the jerseys or the color of the helmets and pants are...the Georgia Bulldogs are the Dawgs!

Vols will run through mock game Wednesday night

Tennessee will take its act to Neyland Stadium one last time before a long weekend of rest, rehabilitation and meetings.

The Vols will run through a mock game Wednesday night. A largely logistics-oriented event that won't mimic the team's three previous scrimmages, the game will be the under the lights and is set to begin at 8 p.m.

The mock game is only open to credentialed media members.

UT then will not go through a full-throttle practice until Monday, when it begins game-week preparations for the season opener against Montana.

Ole Miss TE charged with public drinking...Oh Gosh

According to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Ole Miss tight end Jamal Mosley was arrested very early Saturday morning and charged with being drunk in public. The school is aware of the incident but have yet to comment publicly on the situation.

The Clarion-Ledger notes that Mosley has been sharing first-team reps with Ferbia Allen.

Mosley began his collegiate career at Oklahoma State, where he appeared in 11 games as a true freshman before leaving the program shortly before the start of the 2009 season for personal reasons. He ultimately landed at Northwest (Miss.) Community College. He chose Ole Miss over offers from, among others, Mississippi State and Arkansas. Mosley is the second Rebel to be arrested in the past three days; Monday night, Randall Mackey, a candidate for the starting job at quarterback, was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge.

'Les Miles Show' Debuts Aug. 24

The Les Miles Show presented by Capital One Bank will have its 2011 debut on Wednesday at 7 p.m. from TJ Ribs on Acadian Thruway.

The one-hour weekly radio show devoted to LSU football is held each week throughout the season at TJ Ribs. For the second-straight year, TJ Ribs will serve also serve as the home for all of LSU's coaches shows.

To take part in the show, send questions to the LSU Football Facebook page, message @LSUfball on Twitter, or call (800) 315-8255.

"We are excited to be back at TJ Ribs for the second-straight year," Ward Wyatt, the general manager of LSU Sports Properties said. "TJ Ribs went out of their way to make the first year of hosting our coaches shows a tremendous success and we think this year will be even better.

"TJ Ribs is a Baton Rouge institution and we are thrilled with our continued partnership with Kevin Kimble and his staff."

The Les Miles Show presented by Capital One Bank can be heard across the state of Louisiana on the LSU Sports Radio Network. The show can be heard in the Baton Rouge area on Eagle 98.1 FM as well as on the Internet in the Geaux Zone on www.LSUsports.net/live.

Arrests in LSU bar fight could come this week

Speaking to Randy Rosetta of TigerSportDigest.com, Doug Stone of the BRPD indicated that the investigation is progressing to the point that arrests may be made this week, although he also cautioned that the probe could bleed into next week as well. “At the conclusion of the investigation, which could be this week,” Stone told the website when asked when warrants would be issued. “[It] could be a week from now or could be in two weeks. It may come to that.” It was reported over the weekend that the BRPD wants to interview four LSU players, quarterback Jordan Jefferson, offensive tackle Chris Davenport, linebacker Josh Johns and wide receiver Jarvis Landry — in connection to a bar brawl late last week that ended with four male victims — including one who was reportedly kicked in the head by Jefferson — briefly hospitalized. The four players were originally scheduled to meet with police detectives Monday, but that was rescheduled for Tuesday. A subsequent development indicates that the Tuesday meeting may not take place either. According to Stone, it doesn’t really matter whether the players come in and speak to the detectives to give their side of the story. “If the players never come in and talk to us, we will continue our investigation without talking to them,” the spokesman said. “If the evidence support the allegations, warrants will be issued for their arrests and we’ll arrest them whether they come to speak to us or not.”

Stone, who said that charges have already been filed, added that the alleged victims want charges to be pursued against the individuals responsible, and that “[w]e would not be conducting this investigation if somebody didn’t want us to.”

Defense attorney hired for LSU players involved in bar fight

Four LSU football players hired a defense attorney and put off a meeting with police about a bar fight that started when a patron honked at a crowd blocking his exit from a parking lot, Baton Rouge police said Sunday.

Quarterback Jordan Jefferson, offensive lineman Chris Davenport, defensive lineman Josh Johns and receiver Jarvis Landry had been asked to give their side of the story at police headquarters Monday, but attorney Nathan Fisher arranged a postponement, Sgt. Donald Stone confirmed in an email.

Stone did not say if a new date was scheduled.

Earlier, he said that the fight began when a driver honked his horn at a crowd blocking his way out of the bar’s parking lot. The driver was one of four people injured in the fight outside Shady’s Bar, according to a news release from Stone.

The football players “weren’t asked to turn themselves in,” Stone said in a telephone interview. “They were asked to come in so they can be interviewed and tell their side of the story.” The investigation will continue after that, and police may interview other players, he said.

Stone said police interviewed four people who were treated and released— three for minor injuries and a fourth for a more serious injury that could bring a felony charge of second-degree battery. Some witnesses also have talked to police, he said.

On Saturday, coach Les Miles apologized for the fight, which he said occurred after the entire team checked in at Thursday’s 10:30 p.m. curfew. He said that a “relatively large group” was involved and that he won’t punish specific players until details are collected and revealed.

“We’ve started disciplining our team because this was a team violation,” Miles said. “This was not just a guy. This was the team. “

LSU's Jefferson kicked victim in the head

According to a series of new developments from Randy Rosetta of TigerSportsDigest, Baton Rouge PD spokesman Sgt. Don Stone confirmed a report that one of the four LSU players identified as suspects — the four being Jefferson, offensive tackle Chris Davenport, linebacker Josh Johns and wide receiver Jarvis Landry — kicked one of the victims in the head. Initial police reports said that four victims, none of whom were players, were sent to the hospital following the fight. Multiple witnesses to the incident told WAFB-TV on Friday that it was Jefferson who was the one doing the alleged “soccer kick”, although that has yet be confirmed by BRPD, which wished to interview the four LSU athletes tomorrow

Gamecocks' Mangus pays fine to settle charge

South Carolina quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus has paid a $470 fine to settle a public nuisance charge that got him suspended from the team for a week and cost him more than $14,000 in salary.

Court records show Mangus paid the fine last week, just 13 days after Greenville police arrested him after an officer caught him urinating on the street outside a bar.

Mangus was suspended after his arrest July 26, but coach Steve Spurrier let him return to the team when practice started Aug. 3. Mangus did lose a month's pay and will be on probation the rest of his career with the Gamecocks.

Mangus has not spoken to reporters since his arrest.

Thanks to Go Gamecocks

LSU’s Miles says players’ behavior ‘unacceptable’

LSU's coach Les Miles says players have “been involved in behavior that’s unacceptable to me” after starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson and several unidentified teammates were implicated in a fight at a local bar early Friday morning. Miles addressed the media about the incident for the first time Saturday. A group of 22 players who make up the fourth-ranked Tigers’ Unity Council accompanied Miles for a terse 6 1/2 -minute session that included an apology from senior offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk. “I can tell you that the last couple of days have been miserable for us, that we’ve been involved in behavior that’s unacceptable to me, certainly unacceptable to our team—guys that broke team rules and violated curfew,” Miles said. “I can tell you and assure you that this will not happen again. I can tell you that there’s a remorseful team here. “I personally want to apologize for the actions of my team.” Miles said a “relatively large group” was involved in the incident, mentioning senior lineman T-Bob Hebert and Jefferson by name. Miles said all team members were accounted for at a 10:30 p.m. curfew check Thursday night. No charges have been filed, nor have there been any arrests. The Baton Rouge Police Department’s investigation was ongoing Saturday. Police spokesman Sgt. Don Stone said four people were taken to local hospitals after the fight, none of them football players. Stone also said the four people taken for medical attention indicated they intended to press charges. Athletic director Joe Alleva released statement saying “we will not tolerate student-athletes whose irresponsible actions tarnish the good name of a great university.”

Kentucky cornerback leaves program

Kentucky’s secondary took another hit Thursday when Coach Joker Phillips announced the departure of cornerback Jerrell Priester.

The 5-foot-9 sophomore from Ulmer, S.C., opted to leave the program.

“We wish him well,” Phillips said after practice. “It’s one of those things that’s kind of common at this time of the year, that kids leave. We’ll wish him well and keep this thing going.”

Priester, who was rated the No. 17 prospect out of South Carolina and the nation’s No. 59 all-purpose athlete, according to Rivals.com, played in nine games last season.

Police check claims LSU’s Jefferson was in fight

Police are investigating allegations that LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and unidentified teammates were involved in a fight outside a Baton Rouge bar early Friday morning. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Donald Stone said witnesses claimed Jefferson and other players were involved in a fight in the parking lot outside Shady’s bar around 2 a.m., but investigators hadn’t substantiated that allegation or spoken to Jefferson.

“We are not naming Jefferson as a suspect at this time,” Stone said. “We’re in the early stages of our investigation.” LSU coach Les Miles said some players were present during the incident, but he didn’t identify them. “We don’t know to what extent our players were involved,” he said in a statement. “We are trying to gather as much information as possible to get a better understanding of what exactly took place last night.” Stone said four people suffered minor injuries in the fight and took themselves to local hospitals, but Jefferson wasn’t one of them.

Nobody was immediately arrested or charged in the case.

Kentucky cornerback leaves program

Kentucky’s secondary took another hit Thursday when Coach Joker Phillips announced the departure of cornerback Jerrell Priester. The 5-foot-9 sophomore from Ulmer, S.C., opted to leave the program. “We wish him well,” Phillips said after practice. “It’s one of those things that’s kind of common at this time of the year, that kids leave. We’ll wish him well and keep this thing going.” Priester, who was rated the No. 17 prospect out of South Carolina and the nation’s No. 59 all-purpose athlete, according to Rivals.com, played in nine games last season. He got several snaps as a backup at cornerback, getting four stops and two tackles for a loss against Charleston Southern. He also played on special teams, where he returned two kickoffs for an average of 27.5 yards. Last week, Phillips announced the departures of senior free safety Josh Gibbs for undisclosed “personal reasons” and sophomore linebacker Qua Huzzie, who ended up transferring to Murray State.

Trotter named Auburn’s starting QB

In a statement, head coach Gene Chizik announced that junior Barrett Trotter has won the three-way battle for the starting quarterback job and will be under center when the defending BcS champions open the season Sept. 3 against Utah State. Trotter bested both sophomore Clint Moseley and freshman Kiehl Frazier in the race to fill — or attempt to fill — Newton’s massive shoes.

The school released a statement on the naming of Trotter as his starter.

“Barrett has worked extremely hard to earn the starting quarterback job at Auburn University,” Chizik said. “I’m very proud of him for the leadership and hard work he has shown not only during camp, but also during his three years at Auburn. Barrett has a great opportunity to represent and lead this football team moving forward. Barrett understands the huge responsibility that comes with being the starting quarterback at Auburn and we are confident in his ability to lead this team.

“These decisions are extremely tough when dealing with such competitive young men who have a strong desire to excel. Clint Moseley and Kiehl Frazier worked very hard and it’s been a great competition that will make our young team better. Clint and Kiehl both have a lot of ability and will continue to improve. We look forward to watching their progress as the years go on.”

It’s long been believed that Trotter, based on his experience, had held the slightest of advantages over his younger competitors.

SEC ADs mum on expansion

Tennessee’s interim athletics director said Wednesday that she is referring all questions about possible expansion of Southeastern Conference to the league’s commissioner.

During the SEC’s annual meeting of athletic directors, Tennessee’s Joan Cronan said don’t expect any expansion news from the meeting.

“I think all you’re going to get from any of us is `no comment,’ Cronan said. She added that the ADs “are deferring all questions about expansion to the (SEC) commissioner.”

Several other SEC athletic directors declined any comment. The meetings conclude on Thursday.

Reports continue to swirl this week about Texas A&M possibly becoming the SEC’s 13th member. Florida president and SEC president and chancellors committee chairman Bernie Machen said recently that though they are satisfied with their current alignment, future conditions may make it advantageous to expand.

Texas A&M plans to take a while before making a decision on its conference affiliation.

School President R. Bowen Loftin has said there is no timetable for any decision and any realignment by Texas A&M will take place after a “lengthy” process.

“What we do, if anything, will be in the best interest of Texas A&M and the state of Texas,” Loftin said earlier this week. “We’re also very concerned about the members of the Big 12. We don’t want the Big 12 to go away. We have no intention of doing anything that might precipitate that.”

UGA DB likely side-lined for the year

Dawgs247.com writes today that senior safety Jakar Hamilton has two stress fractures in his right ankle and is likely done for the season. Hamilton has been out for a good portion of UGA’s preseason camp with what has been originally reported as a hamstring injury. It’s believed Hamilton has been dealing with the injury since the offseason.

Hamilton does have a redshirt opportunity to use, if he misses the majority of the season. He started five games for the Bulldogs as a junior in 2010, recording 27 tackles and an interception.

Vols Derek Dooley has practice schedule meticulously planned

The UT coach is the first to admit that he's a meticulous planner. And even though all the details appear to be smoothed out heading into its debut Thursday, Dooley said Tuesday that there will always be components of the switch that will cause him to lose sleep.

"I'm really more nervous about what we haven't thought of," Dooley said. "This will be a little different. But I feel pretty good about the schedule."

All weekday practices from Thursday until the end of the season will be held in the morning.

Dooley said both changes are designed to help the players and his coaches, who will now start fresh with their focus squarely on the upcoming game Monday morning.

"I think it cleans up the game for the players on Sunday, so you don't have to wake up Monday and still revisit Saturday," Dooley said. "And then, I think it's going to help the players manage their weeks better. They're going to get in bed earlier. They're going to eat better. And they won't be oversleeping for class because they have practice, so I just feel like it will be a better routine for everybody.

"Time will tell."

SEC meeting was ‘speed bump’ for Rick Perry’s comments

According to a pair of tweets from Tony Barnhart (@MrCFB) of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Machen said “SEC Presidents put a ‘speed bump‘ in a fast moving process with Texas A&M.

“Dr. Machen said last Sunday’s presidents meeting was necessary because of Texas Governor Rick Perry‘s public comments on the SEC.”

As a refresher, Perry told media members last week “I’ll be real honest with you. I just read about it the same time as y’all did. … As far as I know, conversations are being had. That’s frankly all I know. I just refer you to the university and the decision makers over there.”

Perry’s comments didn’t mean a lot on the surface; there was nothing that indicated the talks were between A&M and the SEC, although one could certainly bridge that gap in their own mind. It feels more and more like the SEC needed to clear the air, that they needed to show it was A&M who was interested in courting the SEC, not the other way around.

Georgia Bulldogs and Ron Paul Have This in Common

What do the Georgia Bulldogs football team and Ron Paul, a republican primary presidential candidate in 2012, have in common?

They both want to win, and they are both shunned by the media.

Bodog currently has the Bulldogs' odds to win the National Championship at 50-to-1. Ron Paul's betting odds at winning the next presidency currently sit at 45-to-1.

The schedule for UGA is much more favorable this time around, and Ron Paul's competition is also much weaker than it was last time around.

The Bulldogs have dropped everything and made winning a priority in 2011. Likewise, Ron Paul has dropped his seat in Congress to give everything he has to his run in 2012.

AnM leader says Aggies are looking at their options...for SEC

On Monday, the A&M System Board of Regents voted to give Loftin carte blanche to pursue conference alignment. That could mean bolting for the SEC, if offered an official invitation. Or remaining status quo, if the school views the Big 12 as a stable, financially beneficial option for them.

Monday's vote, Loftin said, was about giving the Aggies options.

"We've made no decision about terminating our relationship with the Big 12," said Loftin, who answered media questions for the first time since the news of A&M's flirtation with the SEC broke last week.

"This is all about what is best for Texas A&M, along with visibility for us and our athletes and financial resources. That's what it's all about. I think anybody in my shoes would have exactly the same kinds of concerns.

"It's not so much what's wrong with the Big 12; it's what's right for Texas A&M and where we want to go in time," he said.

However, John Sharp, who was named the lone finalist Monday to be the A&M system's chancellor, provided a hint as to what is on the minds of the Aggies in power.

"Yes, I'm for going to the SEC," Sharp said. "I think it's a win-win situation."

Another high-ranking Big 12 school administrator believed the Aggies leaving for the SEC was a given, not if but when.

"They will leave," the Big 12 administrator told the American-Statesman on Monday night. "We'll try to add one or three teams." The administrator added that the Big 12 will try to persuade Notre Dame and Brigham Young to consider joining the league if A&M departs .

Loftin stressed there was no timetable for making a call on a conference affiliation, deeming it an every "100-year" type of decision. Loftin said he called Slive on July 21 after a board of regents meeting.

LSU's talk is cheap and done for this season...IT's on

It gets serious quick, with the opener against Oregon in Arlington, Texas, in what might be the most anticipated non-conference game of the season. Game 2 is a yawner against FCS member Northwestern State (La.), but then comes a Thursday night game at Mississippi State (yes, the cowbells already are ringing) followed by a trip to West Virginia. Oregon, Mississippi State and WVU combined to win 30 games last season. After that, it calms down a bit, but there still are road games against Tennessee, Alabama and Ole Miss and home contests against Florida, Auburn and Arkansas. The Nov. 5 showdown with the Tide likely determines the SEC West title - and it could be a de facto elimination game in the national title hunt. The remaining 25,000 dollar question is...can QB Jordan Jefferson get the job done? He was adequate as a sophomore in 2009, then regressed badly last season, throwing 10 picks and just seven touchdowns. He has good mobility and can hurt opponents with his legs, but he simply has to become a better passer if LSU is to realize its vast potential. New quarterback coach Steve Kragthorpe will help - but how much?

Vols Curt Maggitt turning heads

"I will tell you this," Thompson said Sunday at UT's media day at Neyland Stadium. "Everybody knew this kid was a special talent, but in 25 years of coaching, this kid is an elite freshman."

In two scrimmages, Maggitt has worked primarily with the first-team defense and hasn't wavered from the pressure. Following a three-tackle debut Tuesday, Maggitt was all over the field Saturday, but spent most of his time in the offense's backfield, as 4.5 of his six tackles went for a loss.

Maggitt saved his best for the last play of the scrimmage, peeling around the end to net his second sack of the day.

"He does have a skill set that is pretty incredible," linebackers coach Peter Sirmon said. "He's got length, he's got some fast-twitch, really good change of direction. The big thing with him having success right now is he's very into football, the game makes sense to him, he's getting aligned right, he's done a good job of not making the same mistake.

"His learning curve has been a lot more rapid than I anticipated."

Maggitt was a four-star outside linebacker at Dwyer High in West Palm Beach, Fla., but was listed as a defensive end when UT announced his signing in February. Because the Vols are low on depth at both of those positions, Maggitt has been asked to pull double duty.

Georgia linebacker day-to-day

The Bulldogs already were having to deal with the day-to-day groin injury of freshman running back Isaiah Crowell. Now, another true freshman will be sidelined to injury, only his comes from an off-the-field incident.

From an official statement from Georgia, linebacker Ray Drew suffered a shoulder sprain in an accident on his scooter Sunday. If there’s any silver lining in this story, Drew was coming home from church.

Big 12 statement on teleconference meeting...on SEC

The consensus, at least according to Texas AD DeLoss Dodds, was that the other nine members of the Big 12 wanted A&M to remain a part of the Big 12 “family”. According to a Big 12 statement released earlier this evening, we know that the other members are committed to the future of the Big 12.

For now, anyway. Missouri has denied any contact with the SEC over a possible invitation, but that doesn’t mean the Tigers wouldn’t reach out to the SEC down the road.

Here’s the statement:

The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors conducted a teleconference meeting today to discuss the future of the Conference given recent developments regarding Texas A&M University.

The Board strongly conveyed to Texas A&M its unanimous desire that it remain a Big 12 member, and acknowledged its value to the Conference. The Board noted that Texas A&M expressed concerns about institutional networks and that the athletics directors worked together and took actions, which the Board has approved, to adequately address those concerns.

The other nine members reaffirmed their long term, unconditional and unequivocal commitments made to each other and the Conference last summer. Although the Board hopes Texas A&M remains in the Conference, the Board is prepared to aggressively move forward to explore expansion opportunities. In doing so, the Board recognizes the strength of the Big 12 Conference national brand and the opportunity to capitalize on it.

SEC to Discuss Admission of Texas A n M

Eleven of the 12 Southeastern Conference presidents will meet Sunday at a secret location to discuss the admission of Texas A&M to the league, according to a high-ranking SEC official with first-hand knowledge of the talks.

The official said there was a 30 to 40 percent chance that the presidents could vote against Texas A&M’s membership. (The president who will not be there in person will be on speakerphone.) He also said there was the issue of which university would become the 14th team, something many in college sports will monitor.

“We realize if we do this, we have to have the 14th,” the SEC official said. “No name has been thrown out. This thing is much slower out of the chute than the media and blogs have made it.”

The official said that three weeks ago, Texas A&M’s president, R. Bowen Loftin, called the SEC commissioner, Mike Slive, and said the Aggies regretted not joining the league last summer. Two weeks ago, Slive and the SEC counsel met with Texas A&M officials. The SEC requested that Texas A&M figure out the legal viability of leaving the Big 12 contract it signed last year.

“We’re very sensitive about being part of breaking a contract,” the official said. “What we asked them to do was to go settle their issues and not have us be on the table as the agent of causing them to leave.”

The SEC official said he wondered if the presidents would vote for A&M only if they were assured that a team from one of their states — Florida State, Clemson or Georgia Tech, for example — would not be added. “I’m going to try and say, don’t bring it up now,” the SEC official said. “That shouldn’t be a condition or part of the negotiation for this next issue. But it could.”

by Pete Thamel

Arkansas' Knile Davis undergoes surgery

Arkansas confirmed earlier Friday that Knile Davis had suffered an injury to his left ankle that is expected to sideline him for the entire year, although the release made no mention of whether surgery would be required to repair the damage. Following practice, head coach Bobby Petrino acknowledged the All-SEC running back underwent surgery Thursday night on what was reportedly a compound fracture of the ankle. Davis had suffered the injury on the seventh play of a scrimmage the same day he underwent the surgical procedure.

“I feel bad for Knile,” Petrino said. “He’s a young man who worked as hard as you can possibly work this summer, provided unbelievable leadership for our team, was doing a great job in camp and working extremely hard. It’s one of those things in football where it’s hard to live with a young man who has invested so much suffers an injury like that.

“He’s very down. He did have a smile on his face this morning at 7 a.m., and it’s amazing how quick he’s able to come out of surgery and how anesthesia doesn’t seem to bother him. Obviously, he’s very disappointed.”

As noted by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, this was the third time in less than three years he’s endured a broken ankle, although the first two were to his right leg.

Now, with Davis all but sidelined for all of 2011, the focus shifts to just who will replace the senior’s production.

Razorback...Knile Davis expected to miss 2011 season

In a press release, the university announced that running back Knile Davis is expected to miss the entire 2011 season due to a left ankle injury suffered during a scrimmage Thursday. The specific nature of the injury was not revealed, and there was no mention in the release of whether surgery would be required.

“I am extremely disappointed for Knile,” UA head coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement. “He is a captain who was incredibly focused on the upcoming year. His leadership throughout the offseason was significant in the development of this team. Our athletic trainers and medical staff are the best in the country, and Knile’s mental toughness will be an asset to him during the recovery process. I am fully confident in the mindset of our running back group and their ability to perform.”

Davis suffered the injury on the seventh play of yesterday’s scrimmage when his leg was rolled up on in a pile at the end of a running play.

Georgia RB Crowell out

Freshman running back Isaiah Crowell was held out of practice Friday with a strained groin. Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said the injury is not considered serious. Richt added that he didn’t know when Crowell would return to practice.

Georgia opens the season against Boise State in Atlanta on Sept. 3.Crowell was the marquee high school senior to sign a scholarship among Georgia’s well-publicized group of freshman recruits. The former Parade All-American ran for over 3,600 yards and scored 58 touchdowns in his last three years at Carver High in Columbus, Ga.

Four-star Gator signee out

Speaking to the media Wednesday morning, head coach Will Muschamp revealed that tight end A.C. Leonard, suffered a torn meniscus in one of his knees and has already undergone surgery to repair the damage. The current time frame for a return is 6-8 weeks, meaning a redshirt season could be in the offing for Leonard.

Muschamp added that the cartilage issue was a non-contact injury.

Leonard was a four-star member of UF’s 2011 recruiting class and was rated as the No. 5 TE in the country according to Rivals.com.

Yet another charmed year for Les Miles and LSU...we shall see

In a perfect world, third-year starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson would be heading into his senior season with few worries. But his erratic passing last season put him in a quiet quarterback battle with senior Jarrett Lee and sophomore Zach Mettenberger.

The position is still Jefferson's to lose despite calls for Mettenberger to get his shot. Jefferson completed just 56 percent of his passes for 1,411 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but his 450 rushing yards and seven scores help. Mettenberger, a Georgia transfer who is currently third on the depth chart, might be the best of the three contenders, but the coaches aren't ready to turn the reins over to him quite yet because he doesn't have the same grasp of the offense as the two seniors.

Mettenberger's only playing experience since high school came last season at Butler Community College in Kansas where he threw 32 touchdowns to just four interceptions and led Butler to the national championship game. Granted, that was in junior college and not in the SEC, but if the Tigers start to struggle offensively — LSU threw just 10 touchdown passes last season — look for an outcry for Mettenberger to see the field.
by Graham Watson

LSU's Russell Shepard talks compliance issue

Les Miles predicted that Shepard would be able to play against the Ducks and insisted the “issue”, which is rooted in what is currently being classified as a “living situation“, wasn’t really much of an issue at all.

“No, he won’t have to sit out. He’ll come to practice. We wouldn’t expect there to be any issues there,” Miles said in July.

Of course, the NCAA might see it differently.

But at least part of Miles’ inner Nostradamus has proven to be accurate as Shepard has been practicing with the Tigers. In a story from the Baton Rouge Advocate, Shepard says he has already spoken to numerous individuals regarding the compliance issue and the situation is now out of his hands.

“I had (the LSU compliance office) come to me, and they realized there was a problem,” Shepard said. “It’s something that just popped up out of nowhere and the next thing you know there’s all this type of mayhem.

“They talked to me and got all the information that they wanted to get out of me.”

Now, Shepard just has to play the waiting game. The receiver couldn’t comment if he had spoken to the NCAA, but he did say he expected a resolution on the matter prior to the start of the season.

“I don’t think it would ever get that serious, but the NCAA has a job and their job is to protect athletes as well as the universities and they’re going to do the best possible thing for the NCAA and college football,” Shepard said.

LSU’s offensive line loses one to transfer

Thanks to BayouBengalInsider, redshirt freshman Cameron Fordham has decided to move on from the program to an unknown destination. Below is his statement:

“I want to begin by thanking Coach Miles and his staff for affording me the opportunity to be a part of the LSU football program.

“I’ve grown tremendously because of the time and experience that I’ve had at LSU and for that, I’m grateful. I will sorely miss my teammates and all those that make it work behind the scenes for the program.

“I also want to extend to the fans and the people of Louisiana my personal appreciation for all of the support they provided to me from day one.

“This was a personal decision that I made that best fits my current and future career.”

Fordham was a three-star athlete from Georgia who signed with the Tigers in 2010.

Vandy has 6 new desktop wallpapers available

With preseason football camp underway, VUCommodores.com has created six desktop wallpapers available for fans to download for free. You can select your wallpaper of choice by clicking here.

Notre Dame transfer cleared to play by Florida

According to the Miami Herald, however, Wenger has been cleared by Florida medical staff and will be eligible to play immediately with his sixth year of eligibility granted from the NCAA. Wenger was reportedly given the all clear back in June.

Wenger is competing for the starting center job for the Gators, and is reunited with former Irish head coach/offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and offensive line coach Frank Verducci.

Vols Janzen Jackson getting a look as a nickel back

After Saturday's practice, Tennessee's first in pads, coach Derek Dooley said it was the "gambler" in his junior safety. It's what has helped Jackson to emerge as one of the SEC's top defensive playmakers, but it's not always the best thing.

"A guy who gambles when he's way in the back, if he misses it's like putting all your (roulette) money on Black 22," Dooley said. "It's over."

That's why Jackson, along with a handful of others from UT's deep pool of defensive backs, is picking up plenty of repetitions at nickel back.

"We're really experimenting with a lot of guys," Dooley said. "Just trying to find the right combination of who's your best five and where you're going to put them on the field."

Also picking up work at the nickel are freshman Justin Coleman and redshirt sophomore Eric Gordon, both of whom typically play corner-back. Jackson, though, presents the most interesting case. If he's playing at nickel, UT loses its "save-our-ship guy" in the back end, but that might be easier to replace now that the Vols boast a secondary loaded with young talent.

Vandy's....Paint the town gold Saturday

Help the Commodores paint Nashville gold. In addition to attending Vanderbilt's open practice on Saturday, fans are also invited to help the team paint the town gold by distributing posters and schedule cards throughout Middle Tennessee.

The open practice is free to attend and will begin at 9 a.m. with gates opening at 8:30 a.m. Also beginning at 9 a.m. and running through 1 p.m., Vanderbilt athletics is encouraging Commodore fans to stop by the McGugin Center (2601 Jess Neely Drive) and pick up football posters and schedule cards to distribute throughout the city.

A drive-thru distribution tent will be setup in front of McGugin Center and the first 500 participants will receive a free t-shirt. The goal is to distribute 2,000 posters and 10,000 schedule cards across Middle Tennessee.

Georgia coaches praise Isaiah Crowell

Georgia’s biggest offseason addition on each side of the ball was Isaiah Crowell at tailback and John Jenkins at nose tackle. After four preseason practices, the Bulldog assistant coaches are giving one praise, and the other a push. Crowell earned high marks from his position coach and coordinator on Sunday. The freshman tailback from Carver High is still running second team, but that basically ensures playing time. Running backs coach Bryan McClendon said he wants to rotate in at least two tailbacks against Boise State on Sept. 3, and it sounds as if Crowell will be one of them if he picks up the offense.“Not only in this league, but in the NFL or whatever, you’ve got guys that if you can’t trust them out there you’re not going to put them out there. … That hasn’t been an issue with Isaiah so far,” McClendon said. “I mean, that’s just a matter of how quick you can fix it, and how quick they can fix it,” McClendon said. “I think it’s good, now is it SEC caliber right now, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Jenkins still has some work to do to impress his position coach. Kwame Geathers is currently first team at nose tackle, according to defensive line coach Rodney Garner; In fact, Garner answered “yeah” when asked if there was a gap between them right now. It has been assumed that Jenkins, a 350-pound junior college transfer, was signed to start at that nose spot.

“Well, you know what happens when you assume,” Garner said with a wide smile. “I can’t say it in the media.”

UK's Glenn Faulkner pulling cram sessions

Even though school is not in session for another 17 days, freshman Glenn Faulkner is getting in his fair share of cram sessions. Perhaps Kentucky's most highly touted freshman, Faulkner spent the summer getting over a few eligibility hurdles instead of being able to study co-defensive coordinator Rick Minter's complex defensive scheme. So the safety from East Saint Louis, Ill., has had less time to immerse himself in the system. But he doesn't expect it to slow him down."It's kind of been difficult, but my teammates and coaching staff have really been helping me catch up," Faulkner said at UK's Media Day on Friday morning. Faulkner said he considers himself a student of the game and hopes that will help him get acclimated faster. "I'm a thinker," he said. "I'm a thinker on the field." Coach Joker Phillips agreed with Faulkner's self evaluation. "We think he's a smart kid," Phillips said. "He's been in the film room a couple days that he's been here trying to learn. Same thing when he came here for the spring game. He's a guy that really loves to play the game, so we're excited about him."

South Carolina lineman sent to hospital for heat-related illness

According to the Charlotte Observer and other media outlets, freshman offensive tackle Brandon Shell was hospitalized yesterday for a heat-related illness. Team medical staff tended to Shell on the practice field before he was transported to the local hospital. The team was practicing in helmets and pads.

The good news, though, is that Shell appears to be okay as he returned to team meetings later that afternoon.

Charges against Vols linebacker dropped

Tennessee linebacker Austin Johnson has already been cleared by Vols coach Derek Dooley to practice with the team following a July 24th arrest for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. It now appears the charges against Johnson are being dropped as well.

According to GoVolsXtra.com, Johnson has only been required to pay undisclosed court costs; his “punishment” is being handled internally.

“If we could go back three days and just erase everything that the media outlets wrote, it’d be great news but we can’t do that,” Dooley said.

“I should have never put myself in that situation,” Johnson added. “I should have never been out that late. I’m extremely embarrassed. I embarrassed my team, I embarrassed the fans, I embarrassed my family and I embarrassed my coaches. I’ve learned from my mistakes.

“I plan to move forward and become a better person from this.”

Crimson Tide defensive tackle transferring

Alabama defensive tackle Darrington Sentimore is transferring to a junior college.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College defensive coordinator Steve Davis said Thursday that Sentimore is set to report early next week.

Sentimore is the seventh Crimson Tide player to leave the program since last season. He was indefinitely suspended for unspecified violation of team rules in June.

LSU Tigers report minus recruits Mickey Johnson, Alonzo Lewis

The LSU football team reported for fall practice on Wednesday minus a few expected players. St. Paul's defensive tackle Mickey Johnson was one of two incoming recruits who did not arrive on the first day, which is largely comprised of meetings, physicals and other administrative functions. Johnson is going through the NCAA Clearinghouse process to confirm his academic eligibility and has not been cleared, LSU Coach Les Miles told the media Wednesday. "We expect that he will clear," Miles said. "It's just a time issue. That being said, he might join us in August just before school starts. The other missing recruit is wide receiver Alonzo Lewis of St. James. Miles said Lewis "would not be with us and may go the junior college route. We will still very much follow him." The only other no show was junior guard Josh Williford, who had two deaths in his family in a 48-hour span. Williford, who is from Dothan, Ala., is expected to join the team later in the month.

One player who will be in camp is junior wide receiver Russell Shepard, whose is involved with an off-campus housing issue. Miles has said in the past he didn't expect it to be a problem and the matter is still being handled internally.

Georgia wide receiver cited by police but avoids arrest

Israel Troupe, a senior wide receiver from Tifton, failed to appear in Athens-Clarke County Municipal Court on Tuesday on a charge of urinating in public. However, court officials told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Troupe showed up and paid his fine on Wednesday and his case is now closed.

Troupe was fined $210 and paid a $50 late fee, a court clerk said. Records show he was issued a citation for public urination by Athens-Clarke County Police on April 9, 2011. He was not arrested at that time, however, so no incident report was filed. The Bulldogs would have been in the midst of spring practice.

At this point is still not known whether Troupe, a backup split end, will miss any playing time as a result. UGA spokesperson Claude Felton said head coach Mark Richt “is aware of the situation” but could not say what, if any, disciplinary measures have been applied.

Currently running back Carlton Thomas is the only player known to be missing the Sept. 3 season opener against Boise State. for disciplinary reasons. Thomas was suspended one game for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Tide transfer Duron Carter not eligible to practice

Tide head coach Nick Saban said that Carter will remain academically ineligible until the school receives additional information on his grades, presumably from the junior college he attended after leaving Ohio State last year.

“Duron Carter, we do not have all of his information for all of his grades,” Saban said according to the Birmingham News. “Until we get that information, even though he’s here he is not eligible to be at practice or be at camp. When we get that information if it’s all what it’s supposed to be then he’ll be able to practice.”

Academic issues, however, aren’t exactly new to Carter. The receiver was ruled ineligible for OSU’s appearance in the 2010 Rose Bowl, and those same issues prompted him to transfer to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College in June of last year.

LSU's Kragthorpe steps down

There was a major announcement from coach Les Miles following the morning workout. Steve Kragthorpe had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and gave up his responsibility of offensive coordinator.
Kragthorpe, who informed Miles' about his situation three weeks ago, will remain LSU's quarterbacks coach. Miles wanted to reduce the work load on Kragthorpe.
Miles promoted offensive line coach Greg Studrawa to the coordinator's position. Studrawa, who was the offensive coordinator from 2003-06 at Bowling Green, will remain as the offensive line coach.
"Unfortunately, this is not what we wanted," said Miles at a press conference Thursday afternoon. "This well could have been a curve ball. But, it was not. We have done as best we could have done. We have quickly adjusted responsibilities. We are hoping for uninterrupted leadership."

Georgia submits report about Jones to SEC

The eligibility status of outside linebacker Jarvis Jones is now in the hands of the SEC and eventually probably the NCAA.

Georgia has submitted its report to the SEC after doing its own investigation into Jones’ case. The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has reported that police records show Tony Adams, who is Jones’ former AAU basketball coach, purchased plane tickets and perhaps a laptop for the player. That could be ruled an improper benefit, unless it is found that Jones had a long-standing, pre-existing relationship with Adams.

“The only thing I know is that we have submitted whatever we have found to the SEC offices, and we’re just kind of waiting,” head coach Mark Richt said. “That’s all I’m really allowed to say.”

The school declined to release the information it sent the SEC.

First pre-season ranking of MSU

Mississippi State will open the season ranked 20th in the USA Today coaches poll, as it was announced this morning.

This is the first preseason ranking for MSU in 10 years.

Six teams on MSU’s schedule are ranked in the poll: Alabama (2), LSU (4), South Carolina (12), Arkansas (14) and Auburn (19), Georgia (22). Eight teams from the SEC are in the poll. Oklahoma was No. 1.

The Bulldogs were ranked 17th in the final coaches poll of the 2010 season, which concluded with a 9-4 record after a 52-14 blow-out of Michigan in the Gator Bowl.

South Carolina's Jeffery sits out first practice

A couple of thousand fans decked out in garnet and black lined the Bluff Road practice field across from Williams-Brice Stadium on a hot, muggy Wednesday night to watch South Carolina open preseason camp for the 2011 football season with a spirited two-hour workout. The Gamecocks have high expectations after winning the SEC East and reaching the conference title game a year ago for the first time. They were the pick among the media and coaches to repeat as SEC East champions, a favorite spot they are not accustomed to having with Florida, Georgia and Tennessee in the same division. "It was a pretty nice practice," said South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who is entering his seventh year with the Gamecocks. "All of the coaches were really noticing the difference in our team speed. It was noticeable that our guys are faster than they've been before." South Carolina went 9-5 last year and lost its final two games, a humbling 56-17 setback to eventual national champion Auburn in the SEC title game and a 26-17 loss to Florida State in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Although, the Gamecocks have nearly all of their starters back on both sides of the ball, plus the nation's top recruit in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery missed the opening practice after being involved in a car accident on Tuesday. Spurrier said he is expected back in a couple of days. Quarterback Stephen Garcia was recently reinstated to the team after his fifth suspension and has started 28 straight games.

Spurrier said the fifth-year senior has done everything the university and coaches asked of him and has had a complete lifestyle change.