Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl – Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest Dec. 30 – 6:40 p.m. ET - ESPN
NOTES: Two schools have never met on the gridiron … State is 8-20-1 all-time against the ACC … MSU’s last meeting against ACC team was a 42-31 loss to Georgia Tech in Starkville on Oct. 3, 2009 … State last played an ACC team in a bowl game in the 1999 Peach Bowl in Atlanta, defeating Clemson, 17-7 … State is 8-6 all-time in bowl games, having won its last four … State is 19th in the nation in scoring defense (19.92 ppg) and 23rd in pass defense (194.92 ypg) … DB’s Nickoe Whitley (10th) and Johnthan Banks (T11th) lead the secondary … Deacons are 30th in the nation in turnover margin (+0.42) … Junior WR Chris Givens is a deep threat, with 74 catches for 1,276 yards and nine touchdowns this season and is 10th in the country in receiving yards per game … Wake Forest lost its regular-season ending game to Vanderbilt, 41-7.

Tigers topped Georgia 42-10.

Tyrann Mathieu turned in an MVP performance when the Tigers needed him most, running back a punt 62 yards for a touchdown, setting up another score with a fumble recovery and finally finishing off No. 12 Georgia with his best play yet, a whirling dervish of a return that led to the decisive TD of a 42-10 victory in the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday. LSU (13-0) advanced to a spot in the BCS title game in New Orleans, just 75 miles from its Baton Rouge campus. The Tigers opponent will be announced Sunday night, but SEC West rival and No. 2 Alabama—already beaten by the Tigers 9-6 in overtime a month ago—had the inside track even though it didn’t win its division. The Bulldogs tried to really shake things up, racing to a 10-0 lead that could’ve been even bigger if they hadn’t dropped a pair of potential touchdown passes in the first quarter. LSU looked downright awful on offense, going three-and-out on all seven of its possessions before halftime. Thanks to Mathieu, the deficit was only 10-7 when the teams went to the locker room. He took a punt at his own 38, found an opening and was gone—all the way to the end zone for his second punt return for a touchdown in as many weeks. Well, almost to the end zone. A replay showed Mathieu flipped the ball to an official just before he crossed the goal line, but no one on the field caught the blunder.

“Yeah, I kind of felt it,” Mathieu said. “I looked at the referee. I’ll have to remember not to do that next time.”

That was long forgotten by the time the fearless sophomore was done.

“I just tried to make one guy miss and then get to the end zone,” Mathieu said.

LSU took control with a 21-point third quarter, coming back from a double-digit deficit for the second week in a row and leaving little doubt that it’s the best team in country heading into bowl season. The only other unbeaten team, Houston, was blown out in the Conference USA championship game Saturday. All the other top teams have at least one loss.

Georgia Bulldogs vs LSU Tigers SEC Football Sportbook

The Georgia Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Georgia Dome in the SEC Championship Game.Oddsmakers currently have the Tigers listed as 13½-point favorites versus the Bulldogs, while the game's total is sitting at 46.Georgia was a 31-17 winner in their most recent outing on the road against Georgia Tech. They covered the 4.5–point spread as favorites, while the total score (48) made winners of UNDER bettors.LSU won its last outing, a 41-17 result against Arkansas on November 25. LSU covered in that game as a 11.5-point favorite, while the 58 combined points took the game OVER the total.Current streak:
Georgia has won 10 straight games.
LSU has won 12 straight games.
Team records:
Georgia: 10-2 SU, 8-4 ATS
LSU: 12-0 SU, 9-3 ATS

Da’Rick Rogers’s future with Vols still up in the air

While initial reports had Da’Rick Rogers dismissed from the football program entirely, it’s subsequently been confirmed by the Knoxville News Sentinel that the wide receiver is technically not a part of the team but is not officially suspended either. Wes Rucker of govols247.com writes that Rogers could work his way back onto the team, although it’s unclear what led to the issue in the first place. Head coach Derek Dooley confirmed to the News Sentinel that a meeting took place with Rogers today, but would not get into the reasons behind it. Thanks to Hunter’s injury three games into the 2011 season, Rogers ended up leading the Vols in receptions (67), receiving yards (1,040) and receiving touchdowns (nine). Rogers was a five-star member of Dooley’s first UT recruiting class in 2010, with Rivals.com rating the Georgia high school product as the No. 2 receiver in the country and the No. 1 player in his state. He had originally verbally committed to Georgia, but was a late flip to the Vols. The issues surrounding Rogers will have no impact on the field this year as the Vols, at 5-7, are ineligible for a bowl.

Dooley has released a statement addressing the Rogers situation.

“Da’Rick Rogers has not been suspended and is still a part of our football team.”

Rucker notes in a tweet that, despite Dooley’s statement, “he’s definitely in trouble, though.”

Malzahn reportedly interviews for UNC job

The AuburnUndercover.com is reporting that Malzahn interviewed for Butch Davis‘ former job on Thursday. The Huntsville Times subsequently confirmed Malzahn’s interview. Everett Withers, who was named UNC’s interim head coach following Davis’ firing, is the only other candidate reported to have received an interview. At least part of the reason for Malzahn being connect to the Tar Heels is new UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham, who held the same job at Tulsa when Malzahn was the Golden Hurricanes’ offensive coordinator in 2006 and 2007. Malzahn’s not the only member of the Auburn coaching staff Gene Chizik has to be concerned about losing, either. The Birmingham News reported earlier today that running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Curtis Luper is one of the finalists for the UAB job, while the Times reports that wide receivers coach/towel-waving coordinator Trooper Taylor is in the mix at Tulane.

Urban eyeing Gator coaches for OSU staff

According to the Columbus Dispatch, and as reported by other media outlets, Meyer wants to add at least a pair of current Florida assistants — strength & conditioning coach Mickey Marotti and wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Aubrey Hill. It had previously been reported that Marotti has all but taken the job — which would likely include the title of director of football operations — but there’s also a report that Marotti, who has had a relationship with Meyer dating back to their time on Earle Bruce‘s OSU staff in the late 80s, has been hesitant to pull the trigger on a move from Gainesville to Columbus.

“It’s a big decision for him,” the source said. “He and Urban are pretty close, but he likes Gainesville.”

That said, OSU-centric websites such as Buckeye Sports Bulletin have reported Marotti is all but a done deal and is expected to join Meyer in Columbus.

Fans of the underdog have Georgia on Their Minds

When the No. 1-ranked, 12-0 LSU Tigers take on the No. 12-ranked, 10-2 Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Dec. 3 in the SEC Championship Game, you can be certain there will be a song running through the minds of a lot of people. That composition, written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell and made famous by legendary soul musician Ray Charles, is none other than his rendition of "Georgia On My Mind," and is a piece that spells out exactly what LSU's head coach Les Miles is certainly hoping is on his players' minds.

Miles has to hope his team isn't looking past the Bulldogs to the BCS title game they're almost certain to play in—regardless of the outcome of this contest—and are focused solely on the opponent that's in front of them this week: Georgia. That's because despite the fact the Tigers have a much better running game than the Bulldogs, as well as more playmakers and depth, their defense is only a little superior, in my view, despite being ranked No. 2 in the nation. If there's one way Georgia could come out on top of this matchup and stun the nation with an upset of LSU, it would be by having its defense—which is very, very good and ranked No. 5 in the nation—find a way to shut down the Tigers' offense. That is, of course, a very tall order, but can be done if all goes well. The Bulldogs would have to play some of the best run-stuffing defense they've played all year in order to contain the Tigers' impressive tandem of running backs, Michael Ford and Spencer Ware. That's not as far-fetched a proposition as many LSU fans probably would like to think, and Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones aims to prove that.

"Everybody praises LSU's defense, but I know we've got a pretty good defense," Jones said. "We're not cocky at all. We're just going to play. We do our job and get out on the field. We like having fun. We love playing football. We're aggressive. We play just as well as them."

From what I've seen this year in Bulldogs games I've watched, Jones isn't just whistlin' Dixie, either. Jones went on to throw down the gauntlet further though, by saying:

"A lot of people don't give us credit of how they play and how we play. I think we play two different styles. I think our defense is just as good as theirs, if not better."

He and his teammates will have the opportunity to prove that on Saturday, and if they are able to stuff the run against the Tigers, while also containing LSU QB Jordan Jefferson and WR Rueben Randle, they could just find themselves with the bragging rights in the SEC. That won't be easy, though, as the junior wideout Randle showed in having a career-high nine catches and 134 yards in the Tigers' 41-17 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday, Nov. 25 at home that wrapped up the SEC West division for LSU.

Beyond defense, the Bulldogs' offense would also have to perform well, and be clutch when it counts. Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray is leading the SEC in passing efficiency, and if he is able to handle the pressure he'll surely face from the Tigers defense and get the ball to the many weapons he has available, such as TE Orson Charles and wideouts Malcolm Mitchell and Tavarres King, we could just have a game for the ages.

by D. Barber

Bulldogs pass on wearing Nike Pro Combats

Georgia coach Mark Richt made a promise to his players before playing Boise State in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game Sept. 3. If they made it back to the Georgia Dome as SEC East champions, he told them, they could wear their Nike Pro Combat uniforms in the SEC Championship game. Thankfully, he said Wednesday, the Bulldogs did not hold him to his promise.

“A couple of them actually said, ‘don’t do it, Coach,” Richt said with a grin.

Georgia hasn’t performed well in recent years when it deviated from its traditional uniform of red helmets, red jerseys and silver pants. They lost to No. 5 Boise State 35-21 while wearing the all-red Pro Combat uniforms. They lost 41-17 wearing black helmets against Florida in 2009. They lost 41-30 wearing black jerseys against Alabama in 2008.

LSU is the home team in the SEC title game, but chose to wear its traditional home white jerseys. That allowed Georgia to don its home red. Richt did say one player asked about the possibility of wearing the black jerseys. But he quickly dismissed the notion.

“They think you can snap your finger and get a bunch of brand new jerseys,” Richt said. “That has to be planned out.”

by C. Towers

LSU to play Georgia on Saturday for SEC title

LSU now travels to Atlanta in hopes of extending the school's first undefeated season since 1958, when LSU coach Paul Dietzel led the Bayou Bengals to the team's first national championship. The No. 1 Tigers will take on No. 14 Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game at 4 p.m. Saturday. If the Tigers win, they will have earned a trip to the national championship to play what many analysts believe will be a rematch with Alabama. When asked if a team should be allowed to play in the national championship game without winning their conference, LSU coach Les Miles replied, "No comment."

"If we want to make it to the national championship, we first have to win the West and then the SEC," said LSU sophomore safety Eric Reid. "We got step one done, and now we're looking forward to step two."

The Tigers have won all 12 games this season by a combined score of 458-127, earning LSU a No. 1 ranking for a school-record ninth consecutive game. LSU and Georgia have played each other twice in the SEC Championship Game and have split the series, with then-No. 13 Georgia winning the most recent game in 2005, 34-14, against then-No. 3 LSU. The Tigers are in search of their 11th SEC title and fourth SEC Championship win since its inception in 1992. The last time the two teams faced off was in 2009, when LSU running back Charles Scott busted a late 33-yard run to put the Tigers up by seven points. That was LSU's first win in Athens since 1987. Then-sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson went 18-of-27 for 212 yards through the air.

Jefferson, who was suspended for four games earlier this season, has started the past three games after coming off the bench against No. 2 Alabama. He leads the SEC in active wins for a quarterback and has posted 907 total yards and eight touchdowns since his return.

by M.Gegenheimer

2011 Davey O'Brien Award Finalists: Robert Griffin III, Case Keenum and Andrew Luck

Baylor's Robert Griffin III, Houston's Case Keenum and Stanford's Andrew Luck have been named the three finalists for the 2011 Davey O'Brien Award, giving annually to college football's best quarterback. It's the second year in a row that Luck has been named a finalist.

Griffin III almost single-handily carried the Baylor Bears into the national spotlight during his time in Waco, TX. His senior season has been his best, with 3,572 yards, 33 passing TDs, 550 rushing yards and five rushing TDs.

Keenum has put up some ungodly numbers in some games for the Houston Cougars. Overall, Keenum leads the undefeated Cougs with 4,269 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He also has 54 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Luck has thrown for 2,937 yards and 31 touchdowns for the Stanford Cardinal this season. Considered by many to be the sure-thing No. 1 draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Luck had led Stanford to a 10-1 record so far.

Cam Newton took home the O'Brien Trophy last season after leading the Auburn Tigers to the national championship game against Oregon. Newton threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns to seven interceptions on the season, adding 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. He beat out the likes of Luck and Kellen Moore for the honor.

The award was established in 1981 in honor of former Texas Christian University quarterback Davey O'Brien. In one of the best seasons ever by a college player, O'Brien took home the Heisman, Maxwell and Walter Camp awards in 1938, becoming the first player ever to do so.

Manning Award announces QB finalists

Given annually since the 2004 season, the Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning and is presented to the top quarterback in the country. The Manning is also the only major QB award that takes a player’s performance into account.

Last year’s winner was Auburn’s Cam Newton, and this year’s winner will be announced Jan. 18.

The 2011-12 winner will come from a 10-member pool of finalists, which were announced Wednesday evening. And, without further ado, here they are:

Matt Barkley, USC
Kirk Cousins, Michigan State
Robert Griffin III, Baylor
Landry Jones, Oklahoma
Case Keenum, Houston
Andrew Luck, Stanford
Kellen Moore, Boise State
Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State
Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

Luck, Moore and Weeden were finalists for the 2010-2011 award

Kentucky fined $50k for storming the field against Tennessee

The Southeastern Conference says it will fine Kentucky $50,000 after fans rushed the field following the Wildcats' 10-7 victory over Tennessee on Saturday.

The fine is part of the SEC's seven-year policy that limits access to "competition areas." The penalties include $5,000 to first offense and up to $50,000 for third and subsequent offenses.

The SEC says Kentucky has violated the policy four previous times after football games in 2006, 2007 and 2010.

Kentucky beat Tennessee for the first time in 26 years to cap a 5-7 season. Fans rushed onto the field at Commonwealth Stadium and carried off Kentucky wide receiver Matt Roark, who filled in at quarterback and led the Wildcats on both scoring drives.

Jarrett Lee, others may be ineligible for LSU’s postseason

Speculation has surfaced that quarterback Jarrett Lee and unnamed other football players may be declared academically ineligible for the postseason. In his own unique way, Les Miles addressed the rumors without actually addressing them. QB Jarrett Lee and other players may be ruled academically ineligible for postseason. That is a yearly issue at all schools, Les Miles said Monday. "This time of year everybody responds and comes back," he said. "It's time to pick it up. There's no difference with our football team. Academic issues are private in my mind."
LSU athletic director Joe Alleva has issued a statement regarding the speculation that surfaced earlier today.

“Despite media and message board speculation, no LSU student-athletes have been declared ineligible for post-season competition. The current semester is not complete and finals are still ahead, so it is grossly unfair to our student-athletes and it is both premature and irresponsible to speculate on the final grades and postseason eligibility of our student-athletes.”

Dan Mullen tops wish list for Penn State

A Penn State trustee and the coach of the four-time defending national champion women's volleyball team will be part of a six-person university committee that will lead the search for fired football coach Joe Paterno's replacement. The school said in a statement Monday that the committee headed by acting athletic director Dave Joyner would meet this week. Paterno lost his job after 46 seasons in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Penn State has begun arranging meetings in the search, and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen is at the forefront of the Nittany Lions' list of candidates, a source told ESPN's Joe Schad. The search committee includes trustee Ira Lubert, the head of private investment management firms; and longtime women's volleyball coach Russ Rose. Also on the committee are Linda Caldwell, the faculty athletics representative; emeritus communications professor John Nichols, chair of the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics; and associate athletic director Charmelle Green.

"The mix of search committee members is intentional," Joyner said Monday night in a separate statement. "We're looking for a broad perspective and representation of the entire university."

OSU announces Meyer hiring; Fickell to stay on staff

Ohio State issued a press release officially naming Urban Meyer as its next head coach. Meyer, whose first coaching job was as a grad assistant with the Buckeyes, becomes the 24th head coach in the history of Ohio State football.

“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to return to Ohio State,” said Meyer in a statement. “This University and the State of Ohio have enormous meaning to me. My duty is to ensure that Ohio State’s football program reflects and enhances the academic mission of the institution. I am part of it, I believe in it, and I will live it.”

Contrary to rumors of a seven-year, $35-$40 million contract, OSU released details of a six-year deal that will pay Meyer $4.4 million annually in guaranteed compensation. Additionally, Meyer will be eligible to receive annual supplemental bonuses based on the on-field and classroom performance of his team. The bonuses breakdown as follows, and are on a per-year basis:

• Academic Performance Rate (APR) of 990-999 — $100,000
• APR of 1000 or above — $150,000
• Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 70-79.99% — $100,000
• GSR of 80% or above — $150,000
• Big Ten Leaders Division champ — $50,000
• Winner of Big Ten title game — $100,000, plus one year added to his contract
• BcS bowl appearance — $150,000
• BcS title game appearance — $250,000

“In Urban Meyer we have found an exemplary person and remarkable coach to lead the University’s football program into the future,” said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. “As an alumnus, he understands and believes in the core academic mission of the University. As an Ohioan, he shares our common values and sense of purpose.”

In addition to the contract details, OSU also announced that Luke Fickell will coach the Buckeyes in their bowl game and will remain on Meyer’s staff.

“I want to express my enormous gratitude to Luke Fickell,” said Gene Smith. “During the past several months, he has demonstrated true leadership and devotion to the University and his players. He will continue to be a great asset to our program.”

Two more Gator defenders transfer

Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun confirmed today that defensive end Lynden Trail and safety Joshua Shaw are both transferring from the program.

“I have enjoyed my time at Florida but I feel like I need to be closer to my family right now,” Shaw said in a statement. “This is not a football decision, this is a family decision. I need to be with my family.”

“I have decided that I would like to pursue opportunities elsewhere,” Trail said. “I want to thank the fans and Gator Nation for their support. I’ll always be a Gator at heart.”

It’s not known yet to where each player is transferring. Trail did not play this season, but Shaw saw action in 10 games. Both are redshirt freshmen.

Gamecocks Alson Jeffery undergoes surgery on broken hand

USC announced Monday afternoon that the wide receiver underwent surgery today to repair a broken bone in his hand. Jeffery returned to the win over the Tigers after suffering the break and was on the receiving end of a post-injury touchdown pass. The school’s release states that Jeffery will begin rehab next week and will be re-evaluated in the next couple of weeks. The Gamecocks won’t know when and where they will be bowling until Dec. 4, but the game should be contested deep enough into bowl season to allow the junior to return, provided there are no setbacks of course. He’s officially listed by the school as “probable” for the bowl game. Jeffery, who will likely leave a year of eligibility on the table and make himself available for the April NFL draft, leads the Gamecocks in receptions (45) receiving yards (614) and receiving touchdowns (7).

Vandy's James Franklin in line for an extension, raise

Vandy Vice Chancellor of Athletics David Williams confirmed to the Nashville Tennessean Sunday that talks are already underway that would both extend Franklin’s current deal for an unnamed number of years as well as give the first-year coach an undetermined bump in pay. It’s also believed Franklin will be seeking improved football facilities as well as raises for his assistants in the revamped deal. “I think we both want to get this done,” Williams told the paper. “We’re working as hard as we can to get something done as a quick as we can to solidify what is an already great situation. “My message to the Vandy fans is we will do everything we can to keep our coach. My message to those who have to play against Vandy is beware, because we will do everything we can to keep our coach. And I would say to the Vandy fans, do everything you can to help us at all times.”