First, don’t expect the SEC to go to nine games in 2013:

“The general feeling is we want to stay with eight.  But we have not sat down as a group of ADs to talk about 2012 and beyond.  We just had to get 2012 solved to move forward.  So who knows what 2013 through either a two-year or six-year rotation.  But that’s what we’re going to meet to (talk about) and dedicate a whole day to (during the SEC’s women’s basketball tournament).”

The fears of a nine-game slate are the same — you can’t schedule as many patsies:

“Nine games, and Georgia Tech, that makes 10 games.   If you ever wanted to schedule Clemson or Ohio State, like we have, then that only leaves one guarantee game.  That’s a pretty tough schedule.  Fans would love it.  But I don’t know if your coaches or players (would).  That’s strapping it up 11 of 12 weeks there.  You have to have some time where some players play who never get a chance to be on the field.”

The ACC has announced that it will go to a nine-game conference slate when Pittsburgh and Syracuse begin league play.  The Big Ten and Pac-12 will engage in a yearly conference-versus-conference agreement that will guarantee that both leagues’ teams will face at least nine BCS opponents per year.  In addition, the ADs at Iowa and Michigan have already stated that facing nine BCS teams per season won’t lead them to end their annual series with Iowa State and Notre Dame, respectively.

In other words, only the SEC is scared of guaranteeing nine to 10 games per year against BCS competition.

Clearly, the goal of most SEC athletic directors is to keep more teams bowl eligible via laughable non-conference schedules.  We find that to be embarrassing and we believe it will eventually bit the league right in the polls.  But then again, it’s you the fan who gets to pay 50+ bucks a seat to watch Jackson State come to town… just so you can then travel to Memphis to watch your 6-6 SEC squad play in the Liberty Bowl against a Conference USA team.  Fun, no?

Additionally, McGarity makes it clear that some of the league’s oldest, most-stories, most-important rivalries could still go away:

“I think if you ask Alabama and Tennessee, like us and Auburn, we’d like to retain the (permanent cross-divisional) games.  But does that work?  What do the other 10 schools think?  Those four schools like having those games but there’s no other East-West match-up that has that piece of history to it.  So I don’t (know) where that fits in.”

A history lesson for Mr. McGarity: Ole Miss and Vanderbilt have played 86 times.  That’s one of the 10 most played rivalries in SEC history.  If the SEC is about everyone being equal, then that rivalry means something, too.

Also, you can bet Missouri likes keeping its toes dipped in the deep recruiting waters of Texas thanks to its cross-divisional partnership with Texas A&M.

But in the end, Georgia’s AD is right about one thing:

“With 14 teams, not everybody will be happy.  Some will have a problem with everything.  But we’ll make decisions based on the best situation of the league.”

Well, there’s nothing better for the league than protecting the very thing that made it great — long-time, heated, tradition-rich rivalries.

The best way to do that is to go to a nine-game conference slate or somehow convince the NCAA to dump its requirements for conference championship games.

2.  Georgia put a whoopin’ on Arkansas to climb out of the SEC cellar.

3.  This writer believes John Calipari has his best shot at a national title with this year’s Kentucky team.

4.  South Carolina has now lost 10 basketball games in a row to Tennessee.

5.  The Vol football team will be a lot more multiple on defense next season.

6.  Meanwhile, assistant coach Darin Hinshaw wants more production from his receiving corps.

7.  After a sluggish first half, Vanderbilt dropped 49 on LSU in final stanza to win 76-61.  (Up next: VU hosts top-ranked Kentucky and the Dores have toppled the last four #1 teams to visit the West End.)

2. Here’s a breakdown of the initial group from Rivals.

3. Alabama is making a push for Georgia quarterback commit Brice Ramsey.

4. Sounds like a move by Urban Meyer, who called the upset talk in the Big Ten last week “nonsense.”

5. If you missed it last week, Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan said he doesn’t recruit prospects committed to other schools.

6. Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin believes the Aggies need to focus their recruiting on Texas and Louisiana.

2. The top-rated unsigned prospect for the 2012 class is getting closer to making a decision.

3. Here are some signing day grades for the 2012 class from CBSSports.com.

4. Alabama signee Dalvin Tomlinson had nothing to do with Darius Philon losing his scholarship at Bama, according to Tomlinson’s coach.

5. Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel takes an early look at the 2013 class in Florida.

6. Here’s a look into Kentucky’s efforts to sign its class for 2012.

7. Nkemdiche won’t be the only highly-touted prospect in the state of Georgia for 2013. The group will be large again.

8. South Carolina received a visit from offensive lineman Tyrone Crowder from Rockingham, N.C.

2. Derek Dooley on multi-year scholarships: “We forget this is a contract, a two-way street.”

3. And on the season-ending loss at Kentucky: “It eats me alive. I didn’t sleep for a week after that game.”

4. Urban Meyer is doing to the Big Ten what Lane Kiffin did to the SEC.

5.  ”(J)ust admit everyone’s guilty of poaching on some level…”

6. The Darius Philon story will not go away.

7. Neither will the Jarrett Lee BCS championship game saga.

8. Jordan Jefferson leads two scoring drives but the North beats the South in the Players All-Star Classic.

9. Avery Johnson will legally change his last name to Peterson when he arrives on the LSU campus.

10.  A signing day breakdown for the Ole Miss Rebels.

11. And one for Mississippi State.

12. How to work a living room – Kentucky Wildcats style.

13. Alabama 69 – Ole Miss 67 (2 OT).  Key plays by Trevor Releford prove to be  the difference. Ole Miss loses seven-point halftime lead.

14. LSU 71 – Arkansas 65.  Four scorers in double figures for the Tigers. Arkansas still winless on the road.

15. Mississippi State 91 – Auburn 88. Bulldogs connect on 12 3-point shots. Beat Auburn despite Dee Bost fouling out with 3.29 to go.

16. Florida 73 – Vanderbilt 65.  19 straight at  home for the Gators. Press and double teams doom the Commodores.

17. Kentucky 85 – South Carolina 62. 22 points, eight rebounds and eight blocked shots for Anthony Davis in a record-setting game for the freshman. Worst loss in Darrin Horn’s coaching career.

18. The Big Blue Nation Occupy Movement.

19, Tennessee 73 – Georgia 62. Lineup shuffle a winner for the Vols. Georgia coach Mark Fox ejected.

20. Mike Strange: “I pity the teams who have to prepare a scouting report on Tennessee.”

21. Is selfishness killing college basketball?

Extras

22. The NFL wants more Thursday night games.

23. Former Kentucky player Dermontti Dawson elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame.

24. IBM says Twitter prefers Eli.

25. The 21 strangest Super Bowl prop bets.

26. The Super Bow is over when this happens.

Corey Batey, WR

Tip McKenzie, WR

Andrew Jelks, OL

Caleb Azubike, DL

Paris Head, DB

Brian Kimbrow, RB

Tory Agee, DL

Darreon Herring, LB

Barrett Gouger, OL

Blake Fromang, OL

Patton Robinette, QB

Will Holden, OL

Brandon Banks, DB

Jake Sealand, LB

Kelvin Rainey, TE

Brock Stadnik, OT

Clayton Stadnik, C

Jerrell Adams, TE

TJ Holloman, LB

TJ Gurley, S

Jody Fuller, WR

Rico McWilliams, CB

Chaz Elder, CB

Kendric Salley, RB

Brendan Nosovitch, QB

Nick St. Germain, K

Darius English, DE

Joe Harris, OG

Mason Zandi, OT

The 6-6, 220-pound star has selected… Mizzou.

That is a huge grab for Gary Pinkel and the Tigers.  Welcome to the SEC, Mizzou.

Kory Brown, DB

Daron Blaylock, DB

Zack Blaylock, DB

Thomas Chapman, DL

Patrick Graffree, DL

Josh Harris, DB

Dyshawn Mobley, RB

Zach Myers, OL

DeMarcus Sweat, WR

Fred Tiller, DB

Jon Toth, OL

Patrick Towles, QB

Jordan Watson,  OL

2. PA announcer: “Arkansas coach Mike Davis.”

3. Florida 69 – Mississippi State 57.  Gators make 11 3-point shots. Bulldogs commit 15 turnovers as Florida pulls away late.

4. The under-appreciated Billy Donovan. “There were empty seats scattered throughout the upper levels of the O’Connell Center on Saturday.”

5. Kentucky 74- LSU 50.  Season-high 27 points for Terrance Jones.

6. “If LSU had tackled in BCS game like they have in this one,” tweeted someone named @crtree, “they would have won.”

7. Scott Rabalais: “Things seem to eventually find their own level in the Southeastern Conference when it comes to its two most historically dominant football and basketball powers.”

8. C.M. Newton: ”We’re creating the passive spectator. I don’t know when enough is enough when you’re televising every game, which our coaches want.”

9. Vanderbilt 84 – Middle Tennessee State 77.  Game-high 26 points for John Jenkins.First round NCAA Tournament feel to the game.

10. Ole Miss 66 – South Carolina 62.  14 points and 11 rebounds for Murphy Holloway against his former teammates. Terrance Henry seals the win with 3-point bucket.

11. Tennessee 64 – Auburn 49. Vols have more rebounds than Tigers have points. Tennesee misses 38 shots- Auburn 39. “Stay ugly.”

2. Tennessee confirms the hiring of its new special teams/tight ends coach.

3. Georgia’s recruitment of two high-profile tailbacks means Isaiah Crowell will face competition in the fall.

4. Sporting News ranks the recruiting classes.

5. One of the top defensive line recruits in the country has already enrolled at Mississippi State.

6. Has former Florida Gator Janoris Jenkins really changed?  NFL teams are hoping to find out.

7. Mel Kiper thinks former Gator Chris Rainey has a shot at landing in the first round of the NFL draft.

8. Former Alabama center William Vlachos is the smallest offensive lineman at the Senior Bowl but he’s had an edge in practice this week.

9. Several former SEC stars will be on display this afternoon.

10. Jon Solomon: “Recruiting rankings matter. Until they don’t.”

11. Arkansas at Alabama.  One of these streaks ends today:  Arkansas is 0-5 away from Bud Walton Arena; Alabama has lost four in a row.

12. “Anthony Grant and Mike Anderson are near mirror images of one another when it comes to style of play, in particular on defense. ”

13. David Knox: “Odds favor the Crimson Tide.”

14. Middle Tennessee State at Vanderbilt.  Surprising Blue Raiders are 20-2 on the season.

15. Mississippi State at Florida.  Bulldogs know they have a battle against the nation’s top three-point shooting team. Even with his ankle healing, Patric Young may still come off the bench as the schedule for the Gators gets tougher.

16. Kentucky at LSU.  Tigers guard and 2011 Kentucky Mr. Basketball Anthony Hickey gets the chance to perform against his homestate team. “I know I’m going to be a little hyper.”

17. LSU is 3-14 all-time against No. 1 ranked teams.

18. Why is Kentucky basketball always on TV?  John Calipari: “We rate the highest in the country. … Everybody wants to see us.”

19. South Carolina at Ole Miss. Murphy Holloway gets to play against his former teammates. ”We became best friends,” says South Carolina’s Bruce Ellington.

20.  Auburn at Tennessee.  Volunteers need a win to avoid going to the bottom of the SEC. A lot has changed since these two teams have met. Tigers have lost seven straight in Knoxville.

Extras

21. Mark Bradley: “The Manning era in Indy isn’t just at an end — it’s at a bad end.” Peyton Manning and the Houston Texans?

22. Tebowmania.  How much of a role did ESPN play in spreading the craze?

23. Why Craig James is the most hated man in West Texas.

24. Joe Nocera: “(E)ven mighty Harvard won’t stand up to the N.C.A.A.”

“I have scratched LSU,” Liggins told 247Sports. “I was thinking about it real hard (Monday) night. I called LSU today and told them they were out.”

Liggins will now turn his attention to two in-state schools: Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

“I just want to stay in Mississippi and represent my state,” he said. “I love my state. I want to help bring a national championship to Mississippi.”

It would appear Liggins wants to help Ole Miss win that championship. He told 247Sports during his visit to LSU last weekend he was promoting Ole Miss to junior college wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.

“I was kind of in his ear about Ole Miss,” Liggins said. “The Ole Miss coaches asked me to keep an eye on him. I did.”

His goal is to get closer to his mother who is currently receiving treatment for brain cancer in Mobile, Alabama.  New Illinois coach Tim Beckman gave his blessing to Prosch, so it’s likely the NCAA will grant him a hardship waiver that would allow him to play immediately.

Prosch has two years of eligibility remaining.  Auburn did not use a “true” fullback under offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn’s watch.  The Tigers’ new coordinator — when he’s hired — will have a good one on hand should he choose to use him.

2. Derek Dooley’s relationship with new defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri dates back to LSU’s 2000 season. Hire fuels the conspiracy theorists.

3. Sunseri’s son Vinnie is staying put: ”The University of Alabama is the place for me and that is what my heart and my mind tells me.”

4. Add some more names to those who won’t be on Tennessee’s roster in 2012. Backup QB Nash Nance could be headed to the Ivy League.

5. Quarterback Hutson Mason will stay at Georgia and redshirt.

6. Georgia’s defense will return 10 starters from the Outback Bowl. Everything broke just right for the Bulldogs football team on Friday.

7. Coach Mark Richt addresses the “easy” 2012 schedule.

8. Hugh Freeze’s first Ole Miss staff is now complete.

9. Vanderbilt added two assistants on Friday. So did South Carolina.

10. South Carolina defensive tackle Byron Jerideau arrested Friday morning.

11. More than 50 SEC Seniors will participate in Post-Season All-Star games.

12. Six from Alabama have been invited to the Senior Bowl. Three from LSU have accepted bids to play in the game.

13. LSU backup QB Jarrett Lee suddenly has a busy schedule.

14. Arkansas football has hired a director of high school relations.

15. Jon Solomon: “College football may finally be closing in on a compromise fans should love.”

16. Jeff Schultz has his own plan: “After the New Year’s bowls, the panel selects the two best teams for the championship game.”

17. Bama will celebrate its national championship one week from today.

18. What’s the future of the two bowl games in Orlando?

19. Lowest GPA among all Kentucky athletic teams?  Football.

20. Kentucky at Tennessee. Coming off a Thursday night game means the Vols have little time for rest or preparation for their rivals.

21. Jerry Tipton on Cuonzo Martin: “Martin is the anti-Pearl. Pearl is the promoter, the Orange sports coat, the bare-chested attendee at a Lady Vols game. Martin does not even crack a smile on the official photo on the UT basketball Web site.”

22. Gary Parrish on Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: “He needs to snap out of it Saturday to ensure the No. 2 Wildcats don’t get caught at Tennessee.”

23. Halfway through the schedule, Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis could break the school record today for single season blocked shots.

24. Auburn at Ole Miss today as the Tigers attempt to win their first conference game.

25. Alabama at Mississippi State. Is the Bulldogs Dee Bost back on course?

26. Ole Miss at Auburn.  The Rebels were exposed without Murphy Holloway. Does his return mean a surge in wins?

27. Georgia at Vanderbilt.  Can the struggling Bulldogs get it right on the road? Georgia should expect plenty of 3-point shots from the Commodores this afternoon.

28. LSU at Arkansas.  Can the Tigers handle the Razorbacks full-court press?

29.  St. John’s guard Nurideen Lindsey is transferring to Arkansas.

30. Florida at South Carolina.  The Gators haven’t won a game road game (0-4) this season. South Carolina’s Bruce Ellington will get his first start of the year.

Extras

31. The marketing impact of Tim Tebow wearing your product.  “When Tim wore our beanie the other day for an interview, we saw a 500 percent increase in our web traffic immediately. Literally immediately.”

32. NCAA considers cutting football scholarships from 85 to 80.

Gurley is Georgia’s 17th commitment for the class of 2012. He chose Georgia over Alabama, Auburn and Florida.

The 47-year-old Pease — who was also up for the coordinator slot at Alabama — has also been an OC at Baylor and Kentucky.  His stint at UK under Guy Morriss in 2001 and 2002 coincided with the quarterback tenure of future Giants and Colts backup Jared Lorenzen.

And Lorenzen tweeted a number of warnings about Pease over the weekend:

“Seriously Brent Pease at Florida?  He’s freaking crazy and was brutal at UK when I was there.  Won’t be able to handle it and will be run out!

The good thing about Pease at UF is now we can shut them down.  #nohalftimeadjs

@vaughtviews @ajr0031 just can’t believe it.  They will see him crack early an often.  Sooo mny stories about that person.”

That’s one man’s opinion, of course.  And Lorenzen may still harbor some ill will toward a coaching staff that up and left the Cats for Baylor unexpectedly.

But even if Pease was a poor coach at UK, it’s quite possible that after a decade’s worth of time, Pease isn’t the same coach now that Lorenzen knew then.

Still, Gator fans have to wonder whether the Pillsbury Throwboy’s onto something… or just bitter for some reason.  (That still might be the best sports nickname I’ve ever heard.)

Dyer was the MVP of the BCS Championship Game last season and he is the first Auburn back to break the 1,000-yard rushing barrier in each of his first two seasons.  (First, as in Bo Jackson didn’t even do that.)

The Arkansas native rushed for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2011.  His 103.5 yards-per-game average was second only to Trent Richardson in the SEC.  That figure was good for 11th place on the SEC’s total offense list.

It’s likely just a matter of hours before Dyer touches down at Arkansas State.

2. Florida vs. Ohio State in the Gator Bowl.  Gators say Urban Meyer represents the past.  Time to move on.

3. Gator Bowl players to watch in a game where writers and analysts agree – Florida has more to gain from a win.

4. The Gator Bowl wants to keep the SEC-Big Ten rivalry.

5. Is New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer a candidate at Florida?

6. Georgia vs. Michigan State in the Outback Bowl.” The three times Georgia had a chance to make a statement, it made the wrong one.”

7. An important day for Bulldogs running back Isaiah Crowell.  ”This will be the final chance on the field for Crowell.”

8. Mark Bradley: “All things considered, you’d rather be Georgia than Florida or Tennessee or even South Carolina today.”

9. South Carolina vs. Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl.  Gamecocks wide receivers expect man-to-man coverage.

10. This time it’s different?  Gamecocks taking bowl game seriously.

11.  South Carolina’s success brings back memories of 1984.

12. Mississippi State wide receiver Chad Bumphis arrested for disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.  He says he was “attacked with bottles.”

13. Win the ground game – win the national title.   ”Only twice in the 13-year BCS era has a team won the national title game and lost the rushing stat.”

14.  A turning point in the first Alabama-LSU matchup?  When Alabama’s Marquis Maze turned his ankle.

15. Nick Saban on LSU punter Brad Wing: ”I think that he, you could argue, (is) maybe the best punter in the country.”

16. Nine fifth-year seniors on the LSU team watched the 2008 national championship game from the sidelines in street clothes.

17. Arkansas arrives in Dallas for Friday’s Cotton Bowl.

18 Razorbacks junior running back Knile Davis is thinking about the NFL while defensive end Jake Bequette says he’ll play in the Senior Bowl.

19. Dennis Dodd on the changing landscape of college sports: “Everything you watch and hear is about to be new in the second decade of the 21st century.”

20. The Omaha World-Herald on the changing landscape of college football: During a 10-season span from 1985-94, the SEC produced one team — one! — that finished top-3 in the AP poll. The past five years, it has produced eight; all other conferences combined have seven. And that’s before LSU and Alabama finish top-3 this year.

21. John Clay on Kentucky-Louisville: “When was it conceivable that Rick Pitino could lose six of eight games to his most important rival?”

22. The Tennessee basketball team looks to stretch its winning streak to four game tonight against Chattanooga.

23. LSU faces a mirror-image team in Virginia tonight – a team on a long winning-streak that plays strong defense.

24. Auburn faces Bethune-Cookman tonight.

25. Vanderbilt is at home against Miami-Ohio.

SEC/NFL extras

26. Tim Tebow’s disappearing act. But the Broncos win even when they lose.

27. Former LSU and current Green Bay backup QB  Matt Flynn throw six touchdown passes.

2. Quarterback provides a spark off the bench.

3. Gene Chizik: “Our special teams play was outstanding.”

4. 109 yards for Ontario McCalleb - named offensive MVP. Gus Malzahn goes out on a high note.

5. Kevin Scarbinsky on Mike Dyer: “His status is deep in the doghouse.”

6. Jeff Schultz: “It’s hard to say exactly what the Tigers projected with their performance Saturday for next season in the SEC. But at the very least, they showed they’re not coming apart.”

7. Cincinnati 31 – Vanderbilt 24. Commodores relinquish fourth-quarter lead on 90-yard kickoff return.

8. Quarterback Jordan Rogers benched in second half.

9. Vandy defense struggles against the run – Bearcats rush for 221 yards.

10. Is Mike Groh Alabama’s next offensive coordinator?

11. Notes from Nick Saban’s final 2011 press conference.

12. Practice resumes on Tuesday for the Crimson Tide.

13. Scott Rabalais: “The sun hasn’t set on Alabama’s empire. It now simply has to share the spotlight.”

14. Huge expectations and a possible top 5 preseason ranking for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2012 as optimism builds.

15. Wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett will not return to Tennessee under any circumstances, says a family member.

16. Top 10 stories of the year for Tennessee football.

17. Firings, resignations and an NCAA investigation – 2011 couldn’t end fast enough for the Tennessee athletic department.

18. With an injury to right guard Terrance Campbell, South Carolina has to shuffle its offensive line to get ready for Nebraska.

19. A back injury means Florida tackle Matt Patchan won’t play Monday night against Ohio State.

20. Mike Bianchi on the Gator Bowl: “It should be called the Urban Meyer Traitor Bowl.”

21. Kentucky 69 – Louisville 62.  Career-high points and rebounds for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

22. Pat Forde: “Calipari’s best player.”

23. Two teams combined for 52 fouls, 70 free throws and 35 turnovers.

24. Wildcats dominate the boards – 57-31 rebounding edge.

25. Florida 90 – Yale 70.  Four Gators in double figures.

26. Mississippi State 66 – Utah State 64.  Bulldogs have to rally from nine-point deficit.

27. South Carolina 72 – South Carolina Upstate 66.  Third straight win for the Gamecocks.

28. Top 10 stories of the year for Tennessee basketball.

2. Dan Mullen enjoyed the win but not the four State turnovers.

3. Chris Relf ends his Bulldogs’ career with a victory.

4. Season-high six sacks for the MSU defense.

5. Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt in the Liberty Bowl today.  Both teams are motivated.

6. Vandy players and Memphis natives DeAndre Jones and Chris Marve already have their college degrees.

7. Marve had never heard of coach James Franklin the first time they met.

8. Auburn vs. Virginia tonight in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

9. Virginia will face defensive coordinator Gene Chizik tonight.

10. Auburn pass rusher Corey Lemonier is a marked man.

11. Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones will return for his senior season.

12. The Tide’s Courtney Upshaw and William Vlachos want to play in the Senior Bowl.

13. Jon Solomon: “We’re spoiled in Alabama. The sooner we accept that, the sooner we can better appreciate what has happened here for the past three years.”

14. LSU begins work on an Alabama game plan.

15. Les Miles: “We do what we do.  We’re not changing.”

16. What’s at stake for the LSU coach?  Only an extra $933,000.

17. Both Boise State and Oklahoma’s offensive coordinators mentioned in connection with the job at Florida.

18. Looks like Marshall secondary coach Mike Cassity is headed back to Kentucky.

19. Reasons to be optimistic in Gator Country. Here’s one - a top 10 defense.

20. The read-option offense one of the keys to success at South Carolina this year.

21. Gamecocks want to avoid the pain of a season-ending bowl loss.

22. Starting right guard Terrance Campbell probably won’t play Monday.

23. Senior center Ben Jones will be missed at Georgia next year. So will tackle Justin Anderson.

24. Nose tackle John Jenkins is coming back.

25. Who will start at tailback for the Bulldogs on Monday?  Still anyone’s guess.

26. The Tennessee/DeAnthony Arnett decision and a view from Michigan: “Dooley’s next moves will reveal where his heart is …  or if he even has one.”

27. Arkansas 77 – Texas Southern 49.  Razorbacks defense forces 25 turnovers.

28. Auburn 78 – Georgia Southern 75.  Tony Barbee: “We didn’t deserve to win this game.”

29. Dayton 62 – Ole Miss 50.  Playing without injured Murphy Holloway, Rebels drop third straight.

30. Georgia 58 – Delaware State 51. Mark Fox: “I’m not happy with the way we played.”

31. Louisville at Kentucky.  Expect a tough, physical game.

32. And never count out Rick Pitino.

33. Which coach needs the victory more?

34. Gary Parrish: “Rupp Arena will be bananas from early morning till the final buzzer.”

35. Utah State at Mississippi State.  Final non-conference game for the Bulldogs before playing Arkansas on January 7th.

36. Yale at Florida.  Gators look to bounce back after a tough loss at Rutgers.

37. Renaldo Woolridge has given the Tennessee program a spark.

Extra

38. Most-watched college football game of 2011? The Auburn-Oregon BCS National Championship game.

39. BCS changes Kirk Herbstreit would like to see.

40. All the bowl matchups, results and breakdown by conference.

And, yes, we will have plenty of opinions regarding the SEC’s new schedule after it’s released.  Until then…

1.  Despite internet rumors and reports, Will Muschamp isn’t ready to hire a new offensive coordinator or a new strength coach yet.

2.  Jeff Demps and Deonte Thompson missed bowl practice for the Gators yesterday (though Demps is expected back today).

3.  This writer says the way Urban Meyer left Florida cements Steve Spurrier as the Gators’ greatest coach ever.

4.  Georgia eeked by Winthrop 92-86 in overtime last night.

5.  Isaiah Crowell sat out of bowl practice yesterday because he was “feeling under the weather.”

6.  UGA tight end Aron White — a Columbia, Missouri native — says Mizzou will have to get used to SEC line play.

7.  Kentucky freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist says he’s “just a winner” and “that’s it.”

8.  John Calipari wants his team focused on the Lamar Cardinals — who UK plays tonight — and not the Louisville Cardinals who’ll visit Lexington this weekend.

9.  Call off the search, Lorenzo Ward has been promoted to replace Ellis Johnson at South Carolina.

10.  Ward is hopeful CC Whitlock and Jadeveon Clowney will be eligible to play in the Gamecocks’ bowl game.

11.  Cuonzo Martin says Tennessee’s 5-6 basketball team has yet to hit its stride.

12.  The UT football program will likely save money by not going bowling this season.

13.  Vandy’s James Franklin doesn’t want Jordan Rodgers to feel like he has to live up to his brother’s success with Green Bay.

14.  The younger Rodgers has had a more difficult road than his brother.

15.  Alabama will return to bowl practice this afternoon after a four-day break.

16.  Tide players believe playing in the BCS title game two years ago gives them an advantage over LSU.

17.  Gene Chizik will serve as an ESPN analyst for this year’s Bama-LSU championship game.

18.  Auburn players say they’ll be better on defense in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

19.  The Tigers’ quarterbacks aren’t sure what their rotation will be in Atlanta.

20.  Arkansas linebacker Alonzo Highsmith is looking forward to a big 2012.

21.  Looks like the Cowboys Stadium matchup between the Hogs and Texas A&M is done forever.

22.  The Razorbacks will be looking to stay perfect at home when Charlotte visits tonight.

23.  LSU is back at it after their players’ holiday break.

24.  Quarterback Jordan Jefferson remains at ease.

25.  O-lineman Josh Dworaczyk is unlikely to play in the BCS title game.

26.  Ole Miss’ new coaching staff is playing catch-up on the recruiting trail.

27.  Murphy Holloway — the Rebels’ leading rebounder — is listed as day to day with a high ankle sprain.

28.  MSU defenders Fletcher Cox and Johnthan Banks (correct spelling) are weighing their NFL options.

29.  The Bulldog basketball team will face a tough test from #6 Baylor tonight in Dallas.

For those who missed it, you failed to catch an impressive performance from Tiger quarterback James Franklin.  He was 15 of 23 in the passing game for 132 yards and a touchdown and he also led Mizzou in rushing with 142 yards and two TDs on 18 carries.  When the SEC finally announces next year’s schedule and you find the Tigers on your favorite team’s schedule, know that Franklin is the guy that your defensive coordinator will be focused on next fall.

Head coach Gary Pinkel said after the game that he gave his sophomore quarterback a hug and a “congratulations.”  “Then I went back and asked, ‘What happens when you get really good?’ … He kind of gave me a look, but that’s a huge compliment.”

Franklin earned the MVP award in the game and the respect of UNC interim coach Everett Withers (who’s now headed to Ohio State to join Urban Meyer’s staff).  “(Franklin) is just such a dynamic guy running and throwing that you have to respect both.  I always count the quarterback as an extra running back in the spread and that’s exactly what he was.”

Traditionally, Pinkel has been a pass-first guy, so the better Franklin gets in the passing game, the more dangerous his coach’s offense will become.

Here endeth the advanced scouting report.  Welcome to the SEC, Mizzou.

2. Alabama – LSU II is two weeks from tonight. LSU will go 37 days between games – 44 days for Alabama.

3. “There will be a lot more purple and gold and a lot less crimson in the stands than there was the last time.”

4. Meet Alabama first-year offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.  ”(W)ithout question, he has head coach written all over him.”

5. Auburn is a three-point favorite as game-week practice gets underway.

6. Mississippi State arrives in Nashville today with bowl week practice starting this afternoon.

7. After two years under center, just how good is Florida quarterback John Brantley?

8. Gator offensive lineman Matt Patchan carries on a family tradition – his dad was a lineman at the University of Miami.

9. Doesn’t sound like Ohio State fans have much enthusiasm for traveling to Florida and playing the Gators.

10. Top priority for the Georgia Bulldogs?  Fixing the special teams.

11. Does Derek Dooley need to start selling Tennessee football to the fan base?

12. Both Dooley and former Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton make this writer’s list of Christmas returns.

13. Tennessee has received input from Arkansas on merging separate male and female athletic programs.

14. The future of the Arkansas – Texas A&M neutral site game at Cowboys Stadium could be in jeopardy.

15. Coach James Franklin and intense workouts have Vanderbilt in a bowl game for only the fifth time in school history.

16. Vandy linebacker Chris Marve will finish his college career in front of a hometown crowd.

17. Nebraska alumni have spread their wings in Gamecocks country.

18. UTEP 83 – Auburn 76.  Coach Tony Barbee loses to his former team.

19. Ole Miss looks to rebound at Dayton this week after a disappointing double-digit loss to Middle Tennessee State.

20. John Calipari spent a lot of time this past week checking out high school recruits.

2. This Christmas won’t be the same for LSU running back Alfred Blue.  The family’s familiar gathering place – his grandmother’s house – burned to the ground in September.

3. Alabama center William Vlachos is a finalist for the Rimington Award and one tough dude.

4. Nick Saban celebrates Christmas, an anniversary and two kids’ birthdays - all in the month of December.

5. Georgia kicker Blair Walsh is just six points away from setting the SEC career points record.

6. The Bulldogs’ Bruce Figgins counts his blessings this Christmas  - he’s graduated from college and his mom is recovering from breast cancer.

7. Expect Vanderbilt’s slot receivers to have an impact against Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl.

8. Can former Arkansas State defensive coaches – including a Kiffin - bring the same magic to Ole Miss?

9. Almost $1.5 million in coaching bonuses (all sports)  at Florida this year.

10. Florida’s Sharif Floyd is headed back to defensive tackle.

11. Five seniors who could have a big impact on Tennessee’s 2012 football season.

12. Two top signees in Auburn’s class of 2011 spent the season watching and waiting  - as redshirts.

13. SEC consensus All-Americans: two on offense, seven on defense and one on special teams.

14. Two Vanderbilt basketball players will celebrate Christmas with their coach  - just the way Kevin Stallings wants it.

15. Assuming the rankings hold, this will the first time since the 1993-1994 season that Kentucky and Louisville will meet on the basketball court both ranked in the Top 10.

16. A revamped Rupp Arena would have a different look – both inside and out.

17. Despite shooting just 40% from the floor,  Tennessee’s Trae Golden still leads the team in scoring.

18. Auburn goes for a third-place finish in the Diamondhead Classic tonight.

19. Jon Solomon: “We’ve reached American sports’ Catholic Church moment.”

SEC/NFL Extras

20. Cam Newton breaks Peyton Manning’s rookie passing record.

21. Get ready for a Tebow-Orton showdown.

22. The Detroit Lions are playoff bound and Matthew Stafford is a big reason why.

23. Sorting out the playoff picture.

2. Injured when Alabama beat Texas for a national championship, defensive lineman Damion Square knows this time around is his chance to shine.

3. LSU kicker Drew Alleman and Alabama punter Cody Mandell were high school teammates.

4. It will cost about a million dollars to get both the LSU and Alabama marching bands to New Orleans.

5. The tab for Florida’s Gator Bowl expenses will come to right around $1.5 million.

6. Auburn’s Devaunte Siglar “looks like a different guy” after moving to defensive end.

7. Arkansas wide receiver Greg Childs doesn’t think a diminished senior season will dim his NFL prospects.

8. Cincinnati’s dual-threat quarterbacks present a challenge for the Vanderbilt defense.

9. Mark Richt: “I think it would be interesting to rotate some of the BCS (bowl) games…”

10. Georgia 64 – Furman 50.  Game-high 17 points for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - eighth time he’s lead the team in scoring this year.

11. Long Beach State 64 – Auburn 43.  Tigers drop to 8-2 following a semifinal loss at the Diamondhead Classic in Honolulu.

12. Tennessee 66 – ETSU 63.  Late run gives the Vols their first back-to-back victories since opening the season 2-0.

13. The Vols will add a prized recruit to their roster in January.

14. Mike Strange: “UT wasn’t supposed to win this recruiting battle in Martin’s first year.”

Extras

15. Penn State would love to get Boise State coach Chris Peterson.

16. Penn State fans send hate mail to Bobby Bowden.

17. Sign of the times – college players take to Twitter to announce their departures for the NFL.

18. A Christmas Eve Saturday full of NFL games.

“The world lost a very special person today,” former Aggie coach Mike Sherman said.  “My heart aches for his mom, dad and sister, all of whom were so dear to him.  His teammates, coaches and fellow students will remember him as someone who would do anything for anybody.  I will always remember his as offering me a smile whenever we talked and would always answer my questions with a simple, ‘yes, coach’ or ‘no, coach.’  He was one of the most respectful and high character players I have ever coached.  It was an honor and privilege to have known him, and to have coached him.  Although his life on this earth was way too short, his impact on the people he me will be everlasting.  I will never forget him.”

Before the accident, Villavisencio had participated with his A&M teammates in presenting gifts that were purchased by the team for youngsters and families at a nearby mission.

From all of us at MrSEC.com, our thoughts and prayers go out to the young man’s family and to the Texas A&M football program.

Please vote down Craig James.  The former college football star at SMU — if you’re looking for character flaws, look up his ties to the Pony Express — left his job as an ESPN analyst yesterday in order to run for a US Senate seat in Texas.

Yeah, ’cause if there’s anyone ready to “fix” Washington, it’s a guy who’s become one of the most unpopular college football analysts on television.  His take down of Texas Tech’s Mike Leach — reportedly because the coach was a meanie to his son, Adam — still might cost ESPN millions in a lawsuit brought by Leach.

James says he was protecting his son.  Most people in and around Lubbock will tell you they believe Leach, not James.

Asked about his political qualifications, here’s what James told the AP:

“Washington is busted up, and I understand how the economy works because I have been concerned about continuing to provide jobs in this economy, not 10 years ago, not 15, not 20 years ago.  I live in this economy, I get it.  We need someone from what I call Real Street, this is what separates me.”

Huh?

Good to know James doesn’t fit the ramble-at-the-mouth dumb jock stereotype.  Also, if living in the economy is a qualification for becoming a Senator, then I, too, would like to toss my hat in the ring.  Those folks get a darn fine retirement plan and great health benefits.

Forget politics, people.  I could care less about his party affiliation (he’s running as a Republican, by the way).  As a nation, we send plenty of dimwits from both parties to DC every couple of years.  It happens.  But here’s hoping Texans don’t send this one.

2. Defensive end Jonathan Bullard has decided to hold off on his college announcement.

3. Here’s a look at the recruiting efforts at Ole Miss under new head coach Hugh Freeze.

4. There’s more “Dream Team” talk in Athens again as Georgia’s 2012 class gains momentum.

5. Bryan Fischer of CBSSports.com has a list of 2012 prospects who are on the way up and down.

6. Several schools remain in the mix for 2013 quarterback prospect Eddie Printz.

7. New UCLA coach Jim More Jr. has returned to Atlanta to steal a recruit for his first class in Los Angeles.

2. Mississippi State 80 – Detroit 75.  Bulldogs win their 10th straight game.

3. Florida 84 – Texas A&M 64.  Billy Donovan: “I thought the first half was the best we’ve played all year.” Kenny Boynton dominates with 22 points.

4. Arkansas  62 – Southeast Louisiana  55. Mike Anderson: “A raggedy ride is better than a smooth walk.”

5. Southern Miss 86 – Ole Miss 82.  Southern Miss scores 53 points in the second half.

6. Indiana State 61 – Vanderbilt 55. Commodores drop a third non-conference game at home for the first time since the 1977-1978 season.

7. Kentucky 87 – UT Chattanooga 82.  UTC coach John Shulman on the Wildcats 18-2  run to start the game.  ”I looked at [assistant] Ricky Cabrera and said, ‘I don’t know what to do,’” Shulman said. “He looked back and said, ‘We’re playing against five NBA players. It’s OK.’”

8. Terrance Jones dislocates a finger.

9. Auburn 84 – North Florida 71.  Tigers off to their best start since the 2003-2004 season.

10. Kansas State 71 – Alabama 58.  K-State goes on a 19-6 run in second half.  Tide have lost three of last four games.

11. Georgia 63 – USC 59.  Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scores 21 for the Bulldogs.

12. Former Florida quarterback Kerwin Bell interviews at his alma mater.

13. Auburn coordinator search continues.  Mark Stoops reportedly staying at Florida State.

14. Is the Auburn program “barely recognizable”?

15.  Kiehl Frazier prepares to adjust to a post-Malzahn career at Auburn.

16. SEC Freshman of the Year Isaiah Crowell is currently reduced to second-string status.

17. Alabama is fired up for a second opportunity to face LSU.  ”This is what the world wants to see,” said strong safety Brandon Taylor.

18. Should SEC officials work the Alabama-LSU game?

19. Georgia backup quarterback Hutson Mason may transfer. Why the Bulldogs 2012 schedule could be easier than this year’s version.

20. Five South Carolina juniors submit paperwork for the NFL.

21. Mississippi State has started game planning for Wake Forest. All-SEC lineman Gabe Jackson is a key cog.

22. Attendance eroding but still high at Tennessee for both football and basketball.

23. Bobby Petrino wants the Arkansas-Texas A&M game to remain in Dallas every year.

Here are your Friday headlines…

1.  Auburn will try to get its passing game cranked up in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

2.  The Tigers have sold about 15,000 of their 16,000 tickets to the game.

3.  Arkansas’ Joe Adams is an All-American.

4.  The hoops Hogs start a seven-game homestand tomorrow.

5.  LSU has started its title game preps for Alabama.

6.  The roundball Tigers shot just 31% last night… but they still managed to beat UC-Irvine.

7.  MSU cornerback Darius Slay is now playing a big role for the Bulldogs.

8.  Ole Miss is already keeping an eye on the RPI.

9.  Transfer Jelan Kendrick seems to be getting off on the wrong foot in Oxford.

10.  Florida is having struggles at the free throw line.

11.  Georgia’s Outback Bowl tickets are all sold out.

12.  The UGA hoops team will travel to Italy next summer.

13.  Chattanooga’s coach expects to run into a ticked Kentucky team after the Cats’ loss to Indiana.

14.  Are folks being too tough on UK’s Terrence Jones?

15.  South Carolina’s top defensive coach, Ellis Johnson, interviewed for the Southern Miss head coaching spot yesterday.

16.  An announcement from USM could come soon.

17.  Meanwhile, the Cocks are getting ready for their bowl date with Nebraska.

18.  New Tennessee AD Dave Hart wants to see “progress” from Derek Dooley’s program next year.

19.  The Vol hoops team is on its first four-game losing streak since 2004-05.

Read that again.  Arkansas State.

Now mull this one over: Malzahn will reportedly make about $850,000 a year at ASU… as opposed to the $1.3 million he makes each year at Auburn.

Four things may be at play here:

1.  Malzahn — a Fort Smith native — wants to get back to his Arkansas roots.

2.  Malzahn truly believes ASU gives him the best chance to win and further his career.

3.  Malzahn realizes that his stock has fallen since Cam Newton departed and he’d better get while the getting is good.

4.  Malzahn just wanted the heck out of Auburn for some reason.

Whatever his reasons for leaving, Malzahn is now the second coordinator Gene Chizik must replace on his staff.  Defensive coordinator Ted Roof saw the writing on the wall and left for Central Florida last week.

This latest move seems to be a fitting end to a year that left so many fans on The Plains disappointed.  Their Tigers went 7-5, were blown out in the Iron Bowl, and now go into the Chick-fil-A Bowl without their best player (Mike Dyer), their defensive coordinator, and possibly their offensive coordinator (if Malzahn jumps to ASU ASAP as expected).

Of course, we tried to warn folks back in August that AU would struggle with so many young, inexperienced players taking over so many key positions.  Remember when Tiger fans were so angry over “disrespect” from preseason pollsters who only had Auburn ranked around #15?

In our view, 2011 shouldn’t have been disappointing, it should have been expected.

At any rate, here’s what’s being said about Malzahn’s move:

Gus Malzahn leaving Auburn

Malzahn leaves Auburn

Auburn’s Malzahn moving on

McElwain pulled his name out of the running at Fresno State over the weekend.  Now the Tide offensive coordinator is headed west anyway, to take over a program that has finished 3-9 in three consecutive seasons.

The 49-year-old McElwain is a Montana native.  He interviewed for the head coaching job at Colorado last offseason.

On the positive side for Bama, it’s believed McElwain will continue to coach the Tide offense through its BCS Championship Game rematch with LSU next month.  The coach already has one BCS title ring from Alabama’s 2009 championship.  He has coached in Tuscaloosa since 2008.

Now the question becomes: Will Nick Saban bring in an offensive coordinator in or will he promote someone currently on his staff?

1. For the first time in three years, the Heisman Trophy will reside outside the state of Alabama.

2. Alabama’s Trent Richardson finishes third in the Heisman balloting.  ”If not for LSU, Richardson would’ve been the best player on the best team in the country.”

3. LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu finishes fifth. Sophomore faced long odds – only three of them have won the award in 75 years.

4. Twelfth time the SEC has had two of the top five.

5. The voting totals.

6. Heisman winner Robert Griffin III on the comparisons to Tim Tebow: ”One kid asked me to Tebow with him a couple of weeks ago,” Griffin said.

7. Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain pulls out of consideration for the Fresno State job.

8. What does new Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze talk about in his pre-game chats? “He’ll tell a lot of Old Testament stories out of the Bible.”

9. Mississippi State quarterback Dylan Favre is transferring.

10. Mark Richt: “I’ve said many times Georgia is the place I want to be as long as Georgia will have me.”

11. Georgia AD Greg McGarity on the SEC 2012 football schedule:  ”Well, we meet in Birmingham (this) week.” On going to a 9-game conference schedule:  ”That has not even been discussed, and I don’t think it will even be brought back up.”

12. New assistants at Florida won’t be hired until after the bowl game.

13. Kentucky seniors stand behind Joker Phillips.

14. Ten SEC players on the Football Writers All-American team.

15. 3,500 attend memorial service for Larry Munson.

16. Austin Peay 74 – Tennessee 70. The Governors rally late to beat the Vols in Knoxville – hit last seven shots. Tennessee turns the ball over 18 times.

17. Mike Strange: “I imagine coach Cuonzo Martin’s honeymoon is over among a fair portion of Tennessee fans.”

18. Oklahoma 78 – Arkansas 63.  Razorbacks miss first 14 of 15 shots. Mike Anderson: “We kind of get rattled pretty easy.”

19. Ole Miss 80 – Mississippi Valley State 56.  Freshman LaDarius White makes his debut – scores 16.

20. Mississippi State 106 – Troy 68. Bulldogs tie a school record for 3-pointers. Make 16-of-31 on the night.

21. LSU 64 – Boise 45.  Once again, the Tigers win by holding an opponent to less than 60 points.

22. Indiana 73 – Kentucky 72. 3-point buzzer beater for the Hoosiers sends the Wildcats home with their first loss of the season.

23. Career lows in shots, points and rebounds for Terrance Jones.  ”He absolutely gave us a zero today,” said John Calipari.

24. With Detroit coming to town, Alabama’s JaMychel Green gets to see a Team USA teammate. Tide look to break two-game losing streak.

Extra

25. Kevin Sumlin and Texas A&M make it official.

26. Refs cut short Xavier-Cincinnati basketball game after bench-clearing brawl.

2. Mizzou’s Pinkel Talks 8-Game SEC Schedule And A&M (But A 9-Game Schedule Will Come)

3. Gunner Kiel Highlights Impressive Visitor List For Vanderbilt

4. SEC Wins 6th National Crown In A Row (Already); Bowl Schedule Set Including Rematch In Title Game

5. UT’s Wilcox The Frontrunner For Arizona State?

2. Four of the five finalists, including Trent Richardson, arrived in the Big Apple on Friday.

3. Richardson projected to finish third.

4. New York is also getting a taste of honey.

5. No matter how he finishes tonight, Tyrann Mathieu has already beaten the odds.

6. Paul Haynes is the new defensive coordinator at Arkansas.

7. Paul Petrino will make $425,000 as the Razorbacks offensive coordinator.

8. Arkansas punt return/receiver Joe Adams a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award.

9. Charlie Weis on becoming the head coach of the 2-10 Kansas Jayhawks: “It was too good of an opportunity.”

10. No current Florida assistants will join him.

11. Weis to his new players: ”(E) njoy your Christmas holidays — because when you get back in the middle of January it’s not going to be very pleasant.”

12. Bill Ritter: “There’s nothing like compounding one mistake by making another.”

13. Will Mike Shula replace Weis at Florida?

14. Alabam’s Jim McElwain or Oakland Raider’s assistant Kelly Skipper will be the next head coach at Fresno State.

15. Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari: ” I’d be surprised if I’m here longer than 10 years.”

16. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Kentucky guard and Indianapolis native Marquis Teague as the Wildcats face the Hoosiers.

17. Florida 90 – Rider 69.  Patric Young with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

18. Mississippi State faces a Troy team that leads the nation in 3-pointers.

19. Andy Kennedy on his 7-1 Ole Miss Rebels: “We’ve really struggled.”

20. Tennessee forward Jeronne Maymon looks to regain his Maui magic.

21. LSU basketball coach Trent Johnson will face his alma mater tonight.

21. Freshman BJ Young is becoming a leader of a young Arkansas team that goes up against Oklahoma today.

22. Roundup of the projected best and the blowouts from this weekend’s college basketball.

23.  Mark Stoops the next defensive coordinator at Auburn?

Extras

24. Memphis police will investigate sexual assault allegations against AAU CEO Boddy Dodd.

25. Is today the day for Kevin Sumlin and Texas A&M? Update.

26. Jim Mora expected to be named the next head coach at UCLA.

27. Wall Street Journal –  Tim Tebow: God’s’ Quarterback.

* Mark Richt of Georgia to Texas A&M.  That rumor first floated earlier this week.  It went nuts yesterday with Brent Zwerneman of The Houston Chronicle and The San Antonio Express-News tweeted:

“Finally got confirmation the Mark Richt talk is legitimate.  Should A&M hire him, Bama DC Kirby Smart likely would head home to Georgia.”

He later wrote that a source told him Richt was “in the mix” for the Aggie job.

Then it hit the messageboards.  Then Paul Finebaum reportedly pushed the story as well.

But there doesn’t appear to be a whole lot to it.  We spoke with someone inside the UGA administration this morning and were told that Georgia officials fully expect Richt to be “back in Athens next football season.”

The coach was in Tampa for most of the day yesterday at an Outback Bowl function.  And who was spending most of the day with Richt?  His boss, AD Greg McGarity.  McGarity texted a number of UGA beatwriters yesterday — including Seth Emerson of The Macon Telegraph and The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer — to say “No truth whatsoever” to the Richt/A&M talk.

Emerson writes that “a source” he spoke to earlier in the week “questioned whether Richt would want to ‘uproot his family’ and start over now.”

More than likely, what you’re seeing is some old fashioned negotiating.  UGA and Richt are working on an extension following the school’s 10-win, SEC East championship season.  You can bet Richt and his agent would like one of those no-way-in-Hell buyouts that so many other coaches have.  He does not want to wind up right back on the hot seat the next time he loses four games in a season or slips against Florida.

Leaking word of contact between A&M and his client would be one way for Richt’s agent to try and create a bit more leverage for himself in negotiations.

At the same time, Houston’s Kevin Sumlin has appeared to be the frontrunner at Texas A&M since Mike Sherman was fired.  But speak to someone on that campus and you’ll find that the fanbase isn’t exactly thrilled with replacing Mike Sherman with another offense-first guy, one who happened to get drilled on national TV by Southern Miss last week.

All of a sudden — amidst a bit of a Sumlin backlash — A&M sources have started leaking word that Richt and Boise State’s Chris Peterson are serious candidates.  From a PR standpoint, Aggie brass might be trying to send the message to their fans that they’re going after the best of the best.  Better to do your due diligence and come back with Sumlin than to just go grab him.

Bottom line?  Richt might land at Texas A&M.  Anything’s possible.  But we don’t believe it’s going to happen and our source at UGA says the situation is a lot more smoke than fire.

* Down at Florida, Shortly after Charlie Weis was named the new head coach at Kansas — the formal introduction comes today — Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com wrote that “Florida coach Will Muschamp was not aware that Weis had even interviewed.”

But that’s certainly not the message Muschamp himself sent at a Gator Bowl event last evening.  He claimed that Weis told him of his interest in the KU job and that he is behind Weis “1000 percent.”  From what’s being posted on Twitter, Gator players were a lot more stunned than Muschamp.

Florida must now find a new offensive coordinator.  Muschamp says he’ll still go after someone to run a pro-style system.  In the interim, running backs coach Brian White will call the plays against Ohio State in the Gators’ bowl game.  White is an Urban Meyer holdover, by the way.

Muschamp said White would be a candidate for the full-time job (yeah, right) and that former Gator quarterback Kerwin Bell — now the head coach at Jacksonville University — would also be considered.  The early rumored favorite appears to be former Auburn and current Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges.  Muschamp served on the same AU staff with Borges, so he’s certainly familiar with him.

* Speaking of Auburn, the hot name connected to the Tigers’ defensive coordinator job appears to be that of Mark Stoops.  AU messageboards lit up with plane-tracking info yesterday, but Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher says no one has called him or FSU AD Randy Spetman to ask for permission to speak with his defensive coordinator.

Stoops oversaw a Top 10 defense in Tallahassee this past season.

* New Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze has announced the hiring of four coaches for his staff, but none are surprises.  All four men coached with Freeze at Arkansas State and were expected to join him in Oxford:  Tom Allen (linebackers), Maurice Harris (tight ends, recruiting coordinator), Chris Kiffin (defensive line coach), and Dave Wommack (defensive coordinator and safeties).

* Tennessee defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox remains a candidate at Arizona State according to various internet reports.  ASUDevils.com — the Rivals site for the Sun Devils — goes so far as to say: “It is expected that if offered, Wilcox would accept and possibly be in a salary range of $1.5 million to perhaps a maximum of $2 million annually.”

Speaking to a source inside the UT athletic department, it seems the Wilcox-to-ASU story is more rumor than fact at the moment.  The source said “a more realistic scenario” would have special teams coach Eric Russell heading to Washington State to rejoin Mike Leach.  As we reported earlier this week, Russell worked for Leach at Texas Tech and his name has been mentioned a number of times in connection with WSU.

* Robbie Neiswanger of ArkansasNews.com lists three names that have been connected to the vacant Arkansas defensive coordinator position: Tyrone Nix (former D-coordinator at Ole Miss), ex-Miami head coach Randy Shannon (who Neiswanger says “does not appear to be a candidate now”), and the much-rumored Paul Haynes of Ohio State.  Speaking to people in the Natural State, we have heard Haynes’ names — as well as Joe Whitt Jr.’s name — from the moment of Willy Robinson’s “resignation.”

Bobby Petrino is also search for a new special teams coordinator.

* Texas A&M interviewed Southern Miss’ Larry Fedora twice, but North Carolina appears to have (finally) sealed the deal with the C-USA champion coach.  Fedora is a College Station native — and he was the top choice for many Aggie fans — but it looks like that ship has now sailed.

All told, just about every name but Knute Rockne’s has been attached to the job, but that’s a product of some serious spin.  A&M officials are leaking big-time names to give their job a boost and several agents are floating their clients’ names to build their cred.  Mark Richt, Kyle Whittingham, Dabo Swinney, Art Briles, Charlie Strong and Dan Mullen (of course), have all been tied to the job via reports and/or rumors.

In reality, it looks like the Aggies are headed toward Houston’s Kevin Sumlin, though Air Force’s Troy Calhoun reportedly interviewed well.

Also…

* Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has interviewed for the A&M job.  But it’s not believed he’s near the top of the Aggies’ list.  In fact, his counterpart at Alabama may leave Tuscaloosa before Smart.

Offensive coordinator Jim McElwain is one of the finalists for the job and internet reports claim he is already working on terms with the Tigers.  If he does land the Memphis job, we’d like to wish him and his head coaching career well… because neither will be heard from again.  If Miami of Ohio is the “cradle of coaches,” then Memphis is the graveyard.

Another Alabama coach has also been connected to a new job via the rumor mill…

* Arkansas is looking for a new defensive coordinator following the dismissal of Willy Robinson yesterday and Tide assistant head coach and linebackers coach Sal Sunseri is a candidate.

Former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops, Joe Whitt Jr., and Mike Gillhamer have also been connected to the job via online reports and scuttlebutt that we’ve picked up from speaking to folks close to the UA program.

* One name that rarely pops up in connection to head coaching jobs is that of LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis.  But he remains one of the game’s top assistants as evidenced by his winning the 2011 Broyles Award yesterday, an honor that goes to the season’s top assistant coach.

Chavis beat out former Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee and Alabama linebackers coach Sal Sunseri among others.

* Yesterday, South Carolina lost running backs coach Jay Graham to Tennessee.  Today, Ellis Johnson — the Cocks’ assistant head coach, assistant coach of defense, and linebackers coach — is reportedly a leading candidate for the head coaching job at Southern Miss.  Carolina’s de facto defensive coordinator has ties to Mississippi, but he has deeper ties to Columbia and the Palmetto State.  From speaking to connections at USC, we would be surprised if Johnson departed.

* Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has said that he wants to be a head coach at some point.  Last year he turned down overtures from Vanderbilt and Maryland.  Initially he was expected to be a serious contender for the North Carolina job, but it appears that was not to be.

His name is currently being mentioned with regards to the open job at Kansas, but would a man who passed on Vandy and Maryland jump to a comparable, bottom-of-the-league job in the Big 12?  We expect Malzahn to be back at Auburn next year.

* At Mississippi State, fans are once again having to deal with rumors of their head coach exiting.  Mullen — as noted above — had his name tied to the vacancy at Texas A&M earlier this week.  His name continues to pop up in connection with the Penn State opening as well, though the coach denied last week that there was anything to those initial reports.

At the very least, Mullen’s agent likes to float his client’s name whenever a top job becomes available.