COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT: Tide nose guard Cody to miss at least 2 games

Alabama nose guard Terrence Cody probably will miss at least two games.

Coach Nick Saban said Monday that Cody sustained a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the No. 2 (BCS) Crimson Tide’s win over Mississippi.

Saban said Cody’s injury is similar to one that sidelined offensive tackle Andre Smith for a game earlier this season. Cody is expected to miss this week’s game at Tennessee and next week’s game with Arkansas State.

The 365-pounder could be back in time for a game at No. 11 LSU.

Josh Chapman has been rotating in the middle with Cody. Saban said defensive end Lorenzo Washington could move back to his old position. Nick Gentry also got into the game some against Ole Miss.

Around the nation

> KENTUCKY: The Wildcats lost running back Derrick Locke for the season when an MRI showed torn knee ligaments, a week after the Wildcats lost receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. to a similar injury. Defensive tackle Myron Pryor and linebacker Micah Johnson are hobbled by high ankle sprains. That just makes Saturday’s already daunting challenge against Heisman winner Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators in the Swamp even more difficult. The remaining schedule isn’t kind to Kentucky (5-2, 2-1 SEC), with matchups against Mississippi State, Georgia, Vanderbilt and Tennessee still to go.

> AUBURN: Coach Tommy Tuberville took aim at some rumors that have circulated about his health and his job situation recently. He said Monday that contrary to talk, he has not had a stroke and received a clean bill of health on a physical three months ago. Tuberville also denied speculation that he is tired of coaching, said he hasn’t negotiated a contract settlement and that he is as fired up as ever. Tuberville addressed the rumors in his opening comments during Monday’s news conference. He said they have prompted calls and e-mails.

> N.C. A&T: Lee Fobbs Jr. was fired as the football coach. Fobbs had a 2-28 record in two-plus seasons. Running backs coach George Ragsdale has been chosen interim coach for the rest of the season.

> WISCONSIN: Dustin Sherer will start at quarterback for the Badgers against Illinois on Saturday. After that, there are no guarantees. Coach Bret Bielema put Sherer atop the depth chart for the first time this season, with former starter Allan Evridge listed as co-backup along with Scott Tolzien. Sherer was 17-of-34 for 161 yards against Iowa.

> TV: South Carolina’s game against Tennessee next month will be broadcast on ESPN2. The SEC announced the start times for several matchups that will be shown on regional and national TV networks. The Gamecocks are scheduled to play Tennessee on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.

AROUND THE SOUTH

THURSDAY

> Auburn at West Virginia, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

SATURDAY

> Boston College at North Carolina, noon (WUPA)

> Wake Forest at Miami, noon (ESPNU)

> Kentucky at Florida, 12:30 p.m. (WATL)

> Georgia Southern at Western Carolina, 1 p.m.

> Duke at Vanderbilt, 3 p.m.

> Georgia at LSU, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)

> Virginia at Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

> Virginia Tech at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

> N.C. State at Maryland, 3:30 p.m.

> Middle Tennessee at Miss. State, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)

> Mississippi at Arkansas, 7 p.m.

> Alabama at Tennessee, 7:45 p.m. (ESPN)

AROUND THE NATION

SATURDAY

> Texas Tech at Kansas, noon (ESPN)

> Oklahoma State at Texas, 3:30 p.m.

> Michigan State at Michigan, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

> Colorado at Missouri, 6:30 p.m. (FSN)

> Penn State at Ohio State, 8 p.m. (ABC)

> USC at Arizona, 10:15 p.m. (FSN)