Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green has been suspended four games by the NCAA.

The suspension includes last weekend’s season opener, when Green was held out by Georgia.

Green sold his Independence Bowl jersey from last season for $1,000 to someone later found to be an agent, according to the NCAA.

Georgia will appeal the decision, but Green will be ineligible during that time. That will likely keep Green from playing against South Carolina on Saturday, regardless of the outcome of the appeal.

“I want to apologize to my coaches, teammates, and the Georgia fans for the mistake in judgment,” Green said in a statement released by the school. “I very much regret all that has taken place and the distraction that’s been caused. I’ve learned a valuable lesson and hope others can learn from my mistake. I can only focus my attention now on practicing and looking ahead to getting back with my teammates as quickly as possible.”

Georgia plays Arkansas at home on Sept. 18 and Mississippi State in Starkville on Sept. 25. Green would be eligible to play at Colorado on Oct. 2 if the four game suspension is upheld.

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1. Florida 34 – Miami of Ohio 12

“Bad News” Gators overcome sloppy start.

Two starters suspended.

George Diaz: Improv comedy at its worst.

2. Georgia 55 – La. Lafayette 7

Even without A.J. Green, Bulldogs dominate Ragin’ Cajuns.

Murray and new-look Bulldogs grow in blowout.

Defense responds to Grantham.

3. Kentucky 23 – Louisville 16

Joker gets his first win.

Cats got the win Joker needed.

Mike Hartline’s successful return.

4. Arkansas 44 – Tennessee Tech 3

Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks roll.

Good start for Razorbacks’ defense.

5. Alabama 48 – San Jose State 3

Top-ranked Tide does everything well in opener.

Julio Jones involved early and often.

Kevin Scarbinsky: One down – 13 to go.

6. Auburn 52 – Arkansas State 26

608 yards of offense for the Tigers.

Cam Newton makes it look easy.

Jon Solomon: Just another roller-coaster ride at Auburn.

7. Mississippi State 49 – Memphis 7

Whether it’s Chris Relf or Tyler Russell at QB, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen can’t go wrong.

Bulldogs hit on all cylinders in routing Memphis.

8. Tennessee 50 – Tennessee-Martin 0

Defense gets its wish – a shutout.

The Derek Dooley era begins.

9. Northwestern 23 – Vanderbilt 21

Mistakes prove costly for Commodores.

Controversy in opener – Vandy fans shower refs with liquids.

10. LSU 30 – North Carolina 24

Tigers hold off North Carolina rally.

LSU finds the Tar Heels backups tough.

1. Miami of Ohio at Florida

A new era begins in Gator football

Let’s see what Santa Urban has brought us this year.

2. Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia

New attractions abound today at Sanford Stadium.

Five keys to a Bulldogs victory.

Another arrest at Georgia. No more excuses.

3. Jacksonville State at Ole Miss

Ole Miss gets two pieces of good news before their season opener.

Jacksonville State is the favorite to win its conference.

4. Kentucky at Louisville

Two new coaches try to win their first game

The rivalry ingredients to make a spicy stew.

5. Tennessee Tech at Arkansas

Easy to laugh about Bobby Petrino’s first season at Arkansas but it was no joking matter.

Tennessee Tech gets a $450,000 payday for tonight’s game.

6. San Jose State at Alabama

Doesn’t matter who you are playing, you still get opening game jitters.

Any doubt who has all the advantages?

In 81 years, Bryant-Denny stadium has seen eight major renovations.

7. Arkansas State at Auburn

Cam Newton has become the face of Auburn football

The Auburn Tigers are aiming high in Gene Chizik’s second season

The Tigers are 14-0 all-time against Sun Belt opponents.

8. Memphis at Mississippi State

Junior QB Chris Relf leads the Bulldogs tonight.

The Bulldogs are tired of talking and ready to play.

9. Tennessee-Martin at Tennessee

How will new Vols coach Derek Dooley run the sideline at Neyland Stadium?

Tennessee’s defensive line is impressed with Tennessee’s offensive line.

10. Northwestern at Vanderbilt

Northwestern wins. Why can’t Vandy?

These two teams haven’t face each other since 1952.

11. LSU vs North Carolina

Les Miles: “There’s a little juice involved in opening the season in the Georgia Dome and on national television.”

LSU is 7-1 at the Georgia Dome

North Carolina will be without 13 players tonight.

A new addition to the Mr.SEC team, please allow me to briefly set the stage… The fantastic work done by the guys running this site, bringing you news from every southern outpost, has become a daily stop for many of you. Whether it’s between (or during) meetings at work, a last check on the phone before calling it a day, or skirting a few responsibilities on the home front, this site has become HQ for all-things SEC Monday-Friday. My assignment is to lure you back here on Saturday for your SEC fix in Tyler’s Take. I’m going to “take on” a subject or two and highlight the marquee SEC games with a bit of commentary for you each weekend.  Enjoy it or hate it, here we go…

Well, ESPN, as a football fan, you almost made me wish it was February again. After months of anticipation our season opens with Lou Holtz and Mark May without his transition lenses!? Outside of picking my jaw up off the floor after an Alabama player sporting “Bama Bangs” delivered a dead-on impersonation of a Nick Saban tirade, I learned exactly ONE thing during the entire 30 minute kick-off special: My hearing wasn’t severely damaged in the off-season as I first thought; my ears just weren’t in shape for Lou Holtz. So, to start off the season with a bang, I salute you John Saunders for rescuing this “special.”

First Half Thoughts: Read the rest of this entry »

Both quarterbacks got into off-field trouble.  Both quarterbacks were dismissed from big-time programs.  And then new big-time programs came in to scoop them up.

LSU offers Mettenberger; How is this different than Masoli’s situation?

If the NCAA has a rulebook, its contents should be applied evenly.  Bad kid or good kid.  High profile kid or no-name kid.

NCAA’s take on Masoli looking more and more “unique”

There’s nothing more juvenile — or fate-tempting — than making fun of another school’s arrests.  It’ll bite ya in the rump every time.

Arrest Warrant Issued For UGA’s Ogletree

The Whitney Hotel?  What Whitney Hotel?  And what quarterback controversy?

It’s a long way to Atlanta, but for one night at least it appeared that South Carolina might just be battle ready after all.  Distractions or not.

Carolina announces arrival in opening night romp

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1. The football season waits no for one. While South Carolina awaits word from the NCAA, the team prepares to kickoff the 2010 season tonight.

2. What will the difference makers be when South Carolina meets Southern Miss tonight? Will the Gamecocks struggle against a team it has never faced?

3. Mike Bianchi asks: Who would win a football game between the Florida Gators and the UFL’s Florida Tuskers?

4. The defense will set the pace for the Gators this year. Expect the defensive line to play a bigger role.

5. Still no answer at Georgia on wide receiver A.J. Green’s status and coach Mark Richt doesn’t want to talk about it.

6. Just a few days away from football season and the big news out of Lexington – basketball coach John Calipari had a book signing last night.

7. The football Cats are focused on stopping Louisville’s spread offense.

8. Just how much time will Tennessee backup QB and true freshman Tyler Bray see on Saturday against U-T Martin?

9. There’s no crying in football. Just ask Vols defensive line coach Chuck Smith.

10. Wesley Johnson is an undersized redshirt freshman. He’s also Vanderbilt’s starting left offensive tackle – tasked with protecting the QB’s blind side.

11. The recovery begins for Mark Ingram. “He didn’t have a lot of swelling, which is a good sign,” said coach Nick Saban.

12. Alabama goes up against a San Jose St. team on Saturday night that’s short eight scholarships due to academic sanctions. They’ve never beaten an SEC team.

13. Auburn goes up against an Arkansas State team with five senior offensive linemen.

14. Now is the time for running back Michael Dyer and quarterback Cam Newton to show their stuff.

15. LSU offensive tackle Joseph Barksdale is becoming a leader for the Tigers while tight end DeAngelo Peterson will miss Saturday night’s game with a foot injury.

16. Ole Miss is better prepared to face Jacksonville State’s option this weekend thanks to Mississippi State.

17. Mississipi State coach Dan Mullen says a few freshmen will see action this weekend but none of them will start.

18. The Arkansas offensive line tries to find its groove.

19. Georgia is the winner of the “Fulmer Cup”

Click the headline for a bigger view.

Irony: Michael Irvin just said that when he looks at Miami’s green helmet he thinks “money.”

We’ll see if the NCAA follows up on recent allegations from a convicted conman who says The U has been breaking rules for a decade.

An interesting choice of words by Irvin — who is going way off script and stealing the show in the process.

1. At Alabama, as you might imagine, the talk is all about the injured Mark Ingram.

2. Kevin Scarbinsky says when it comes to fans reaction, there’s a difference between positive and delusional.

3. Ruling Jeremiah Masoli ineligible was the right move, according to Clay Travis.  Wrong move says Tony Barnhart

4. Who does the best imitation of Les Miles?

5. LSU Fans are still waiting to see who will start at running back on Saturday night – Richard Murphy or Stevan Ridley.

6. Uncertainty at Arkansas over the starting running back position as well.

7. Twelve rookies on 2-deep.  Auburn releases its depth chart.

8. Auburn’s Daren Bates goes from free safety to starting outside linebacker.

9. Mississippi State linebacker K.J. Wright is trying to fill some big shoes this season.

10. Who will be the playmakers at Florida this season?

11. Florida’s starting line against Miami of Ohio on Saturday will feature four seniors and one junior.

12. New Georgia AD Greg McGarity expects every Georgia team to be “in the hunt” for titles.

13. Setting the expectations for a freshman QB.  Aaron Murray, don’t be a hero. But QB will be the big question for the Dawgs this year.

14. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is hinting that QB Stephen Garcia will get the start on Thursday night.

15. Kentucky’s Luke McDermott has gone from walk-on to starting defensive tackle.

16. The Cats will face new Louisville coach Charlie Strong and his spread offense on Saturday with QB Adam Froman at the helm.

17. Tennessee wide receiver Gerald Jones is healthy and ready to go.

18. Vols head coach Derek Dooley says he expects some surprises from the UT-Martin Skyhawks on Saturday.

19. Vanderbilt player Jamie Graham has played offense, defense and even some basketball for the Commodores.  Now he’s just a cornerback.

20. Vandy expects a crowd of about 35,000 for Saturday against Northwestern.

21. What are the best college programs this century?

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said Tuesday that suspended senior tight end Weslye Saunders would not play in the Gamecocks’ opener Thursday night against Southern Miss.

“He’s not on the team. He won’t play Thursday,” Spurrier said.

(ESPN)

(Travis Haney/twitter)

GAINESVILLE — The Gators’ skill players might lack experience heading into the season opener against Miami (Ohio), but UF’s starting offensive line does not. Collectively, the starting offensive line Saturday will feature 23 seasons of experience in Florida’s system.

Many of you have asked which SEC programs turn profits and which ones don’t.  “Do schools make money only in football?”  “Which SEC schools spend the most on athletics… and make the most?”

Here are the answers.

SEC Schools Make A Lot Of Cash Off Football And Basketball

test email blast

Either Zach Lee was the most up-and-down player in LSU history or Glenn Guilbeau of The Shreveport Times has revealed the duplicitous nature of Les Miles.

I’ll go with the latter.

When It Comes To Lee, Miles Speaks With Forked Tongue

You know who’s flying under the radar right now?  The Georgia Bulldogs.

Richt Thinks He Has A “Pretty Good Team.”

I’ve received a couple dozen emails today from fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks and most of them have included some mention of a side of the Renee Gork story that’s yet to make the national press:

She was tweeting from practice!

Dum-dum-dum…

Arkansas Fans, Twitter, And Mark Fuhrman

On Monday morning, some veterans on the Alabama team put together a players-only meeting at which several of them voiced their displeasure over the squad’s less than optimal energy in practice.

There’s a reason the NCAA hasn’t seen a repeat champion in football in more than a decade.  It’s not easy to have the same physical and mental prowess two years in a row.

Intensity Better At Bama, Still Worth Watching

When news broke yesterday that Tennessee was planning to buy out a two-game football contract with North Carolina, we immediately predicted that UT athletic director Mike Hamilton would be skewered.

Today he might as well change his name to “Shish KaMike.”

UT”s Hamilton Taking A Beating…As Expected

Yes, he won a national title just three seasons ago.  Yes, he makes millions and has a buyout believed to be somewhere north of the gross national product of The Netherlands.

But Les Miles is on the hot seat in Baton Rouge.  Make no mistake about that.

As Michigan, WV Fight The NCAA, LSU Fans Watch

Is Heisman Trophy candidate and Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett really everything he’s being cracked up to be?

A quick check of last year’s numbers suggests that Mallett still has some room for growth.

Mallett Will Need To Step It Up In The SEC

Tennessee’s football program is — traditionally speaking — one of the top 10 winningest programs in the country.  It’s basketball program?  Well, it’s not been quite so successful.

For that reason, Vol fans could be in for a unique experience in the 2010s.

UT Better On The Court Than On The Field In ’10′s?

Every so often, the site of the annual Georgia-Florida football game becomes a hot topic.

Enter new AD Greg McGarity.  McGarity is a Georgia alum, but he’s spent the last two decades on the other side of the fence.  So has his view of Jacksonville changed now that’s he’s moved from Gainesville to Athens?

New UGA AD Likes Jacksonville For Dawgs-Gators

The latest on living arrangements of three Gamecock football players residing at an off-campus hotel.

Report: NCAA Looking At Saunders, Not Carolina

If you believe what college football coaches have said about sports agents lately, they rank somewhere between salmonella and the crusted-up bug juice on car windshields.

Florida coach Urban Meyer explained this week he chose to close Florida’s first few practices to the public and the media because he was concerned about the “scumbags” who had access to his players. And prior to Meyer’s strong rebuke, Alabama coach Nick Saban compared agents to “pimps” at SEC media days.

My, my, the air is thick with hypocrisy and grandstanding.

(more)

When Tennessee defensive end Chris Walker was asked last week about Lane Kiffin’s abrupt departure, he shook his head and said:

“I think everybody around here is ready to move on and forget about Coach Kiffin.”

Ah, if only it were that easy.

(more)

STARKVILLE — In a recruiting world seemingly dominated by misplaced priorities, consider the fulcrum on which Emmanuel Gatling’s college decision rested: “I was just looking to where I could walk on and someone who had a good engineering program,” he said.

(more)

Jeremiah Masoli, who helped Oregon to the 2009 Pac-10 title before being suspended in March and ultimately booted from the program in June, will play his final college season at Ole Miss.

If Jeremiah Masoli becomes the latest graduate student to enroll at Ole Miss this week as expected, some Rebels fans will breathe a heavy sigh of relief.

Ole Miss did it again, they’ll say: The Rebels went out and found a quarterback.

(more)

These are the sins of Tim Tebow: He is nice to strangers. He’s never been arrested. His body is not a canvas of unsightly tattoos. He sometimes uses the word “freak” as a euphemism for the F-bomb because he doesn’t curse. He is one of the greatest football players in college football history.

How anyone can stand him is anybody’s guess.

(more)

There’s a long list of must-haves for college football players.

Size. Agility. Speed. Smarts. Tenacity. Strength.

But one necessary attribute is often overlooked

You can print out the names, titles and departments of the staff for the NCAA national office. All 13 mind-numbing pages.

(more)

1. Georgia Appears To Commit Secondary Violation

2. Petrino Scores Well In Media Session

3. What We’ve Learned This Summer

4. LSU Not Picked To Win…But Miles’ Nose Gets Picked

5. Is The SEC A Two-Team League?  Meyer Says So

It was an impressive Media Days debut for Derek Dooley today.  Of the three guys who were first-timers at the event, two of three looked comfortable — Dooley and Robbie Caldwell.

Those who know Dooley say that he has a short-temper.  He has also shown since arriving in Knoxville that he can sometimes take a “lawyerly” tone with the media.  In one early presser, Dooley was downright adversarial with a reporter.  That was not the Dooley who folks saw today in Hoover.  In fact, Dooley showed the charm that many Vol fans have warmed to these past few months.  (Of course, those same fans liked Lane Kiffin last year.)  Dooley has a bit of the folksiness that George W. Bush displayed on the campaign trail.  He gestures quite a bit, smiles a lot, has a Southern accent, and gives off a vibe that he’d be a pretty good guy to have a beer with.

In terms of speaking skill, Dooley is very good.  He’s a lawyer, so he knows how to work a room.  Unlike many SEC coaches, he doesn’t have a monotone delivery.  He’s also intelligent.  The differences between Dooley and Kiffin are night and day in every area from vocabulary to demeanor.  He was engaging throughout his session.  The media had to be wrapped up at the end of the session.  In other words, Gene Chizik he is not.

Dooley answered just about every question that was thrown at him and was only evasive when media members repeatedly tried to lure him into taking a cheap shot at his predecessor.  Wisely he never did.  Dooley also defended sports agents — comparing them to coaches on the recruiting trail — which is a stance that has been little heard at these Media Days.

Personality — 4
Speaking Skill — 5
Honesty — 4

Total Score — 13 out of 15.

Pretty impressive for a first-timer… and miles ahead of Tennessee’s last two head coaches behind a podium.