1.  Bowl attendance is down across the country.

2.  A number of ex-players — including former Alabama footballer Tyrone Prothro — are trying to get their hands on SEC contracts as part of their lawsuit against the NCAA, Collegiate Licensing Company and EA Sports.

3.  Tony Barbee said Auburn’s schedule was about to get “really real.”  How’s this for real: AU lost to Florida State 82-56 last night after trailing 50-16 — yes, 50-16 — at the half. 

4.  Special teams will play an important role in Arkansas’ Cotton Bowl date with Kansas State.

5.  The two quarterbacks in tomorrow’s game have earned respect with their toughness.

6.  It’s been smooth sailing for Mississippi State basketball so far (aside from that early Akron hiccup).

7.  Andy Kennedy has challenged Ole Miss’ upperclassmen to be more productive.

Yesterday, when asked to comment on the cease-and-desist letter he received from Alabama, Tuscaloosa clothier Tom Albetar told reporters, “I can’t talk to you.”  Pressed further, he let loose a “no comment.”

Izzy Gould of al.com notes that at Albetar’s menswear store a sticker has been placed on the front door stating: “Bama Memorabilia; DISPLAY ONLY; NOT FOR SALE.”

According to a source, Gould reports that the school did not file a report with the SEC or NCAA upon initial investigation late last year and still has not done so.  Meaning the school believes it is in the clear.

That won’t stop the questions from coming.  Kevin Scarbinsky of al.com writes that “this story seems a long way from a conclusion.”

“Why did so many Alabama players, from Tyrone Prothro to Terrence Cody, sign so much stuff, from jerseys to helmets to gloves to photos, for Albetar,” asks the columnist.

Tide fans dismiss the situation and ask for proof.  Funny, when Auburn dismissed accusation after accusation regarding Cam Newton, many Bama fans weren’t worried about waiting for proof. 

We’ll open ourselves up to ugliness from both fanbases later today when we tell you why the Iron Bowl rivalry is flat-out bad for the SEC.

Until then, we await the next shoe — or suit — to drop in the UA/AU War.

On Saturday, Bobby Petrino had his starters in the game up 35-14 over Vanderbilt in the fourth quarter.  Unfortunately, his team’s leading receiver — Greg Childs — suffered a patella tendon injury as the Razorbacks attempted to stretch their lead.

The good news: Arkansas scored and went up 42-14 and eventually won 49-14.

The bad news: Childs is out for the season.

One of those stories far outweighs the other.

Petrino was defensive when asked about Childs.  “That was the second play of the fourth quarter.  Every starter on both sides were in the game.

Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean they should have been.

In 2005, Alabama receiver Tyrone Prothro suffered an horrific, season-ending injury while still playing in the fourth quarter of a Tide game against Florida.  Bama was leading 31-3 when Prothro broke both is tibia and fibula.  Mike Shula’s decision to leave Prothro (and his other starters) in the game damaged the young coach’s reputation.

We’ll see how much heat Petrino takes for a similar call.  (And before someone sends me an email, being up 21 points on Vandy is equivalent to being up 75 on Florida.  Vandy was not coming back on Saturday night.)

Now the Razorbacks will head into this weekend’s game at #19 South Carolina looking for other receivers to step up. 

“We’ll definitely miss him,” Petrino said.  “You’re not going to replace his productivity, competitiveness, toughness with just one person.  We feel we do have good depth and different guys we can get the ball.”

Childs led Arkansas in just about every receiving category.  His injury is severe enough that he will likely be unable to go through contact drills in the spring.