Defensive line coach Dan McCarney hopes to rotate 10 to 12 players at the tackle and end positions, including freshmen Dominique Easley, Ronald Powell and Sharrif Floyd, in the opener. In all, 17 freshmen could see action for the Gators, including LB Neiron Ball (Jackson). ... All 11 offensive starters return for Miami, but the RedHawks were 1-11 in 2009. ... Florida has won 20 consecutive season openers.

Kentucky

Next game: at Louisville, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC

With Kentucky's Joker Phillips and Louisville’s Charlie Strong, this marks the first time two black coaches at BCS schools willface each other in a season opener. ... Expect UK’s Randall Cobb to play QB, RB, WR, return punts and kickoffs and hold for extra point and field goal attempts. ... Louisville’s Chris Philpott (St. Pius), who was 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts last year, has won the kicking job.

South Carolina

Next game: vs. Southern Mississippi, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN

Coach Steve Spurrier said this week that freshmen QB Connor Shaw (Flowery Branch) and RB Marcus Lattimore likely will play but won’t start the opener. QB Stephen Garcia, who is 8-8 as a starter, and RB Brian Maddox will start. ... The Gamecocks returned 93 percent of their rushing yards, 99 percent of their passing yards and 83 percent of their receiving yards. ... This is the first meeting between South Carolina and Southern Miss.

Tennessee

Next game: vs. Tennessee-Martin, 6 p.m. Saturday

Starting QB Matt Simms, who played at Louisville before transferring to El Camino (Calif.) Community College, is the son of former NFL QB Phil Simms and brother of former Texas QB Chris Simms. ... Freshman WR Justin Hunter is eligible after being investigated by the NCAA Clearinghouse. An online class he took in high school was in question. ... Tennessee and Tennessee-Martin have never played.

Vanderbilt

Next game: vs. Northwestern, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, CSS

S Sean Richardson (toe) and TB Warren Norman (knee) have returned to practice, but coach Robbie Caldwell isn’t sure if Norman (Chamblee) will be able to play in the opener. ... Northwestern has eight offensive starters returning from a unit that had 621 yards in a 38-35 Outback Bowl loss to Auburn. ... Vanderbilt lost eight straight games to end 2009.

WESTERN DIVISION

Alabama

Next game: vs. San Jose State, 7 p.m. Saturday

Julio Jones is listed as the No. 1 punt returner on the depth chart, but said he’ll likely split time with fellow WRs Darius Hanks (Norcross) and Marquis Maze. ... The Tide will have three new starters in the secondary, including DeQuan Menzie (Carver-Columbus), who came back from tearing his Achilles tendon in the spring but has had hamstring issues in the preseason. ... Alabama hasn’t lost a regular-season game since a 17-10 setback to Auburn on Nov. 24, 2007.

Arkansas

Next game: vs. Tennessee Tech, 7 p.m. Saturday

Expect RBs Broderick Green, Knile Davis, Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo Jr. all to see playing time in the opener. Coaches are mum on who will start, saying it could depend on the formation. ... Coach Bobby Petrino has never lost a opening game as a college coach, going 6-0, including four wins over Kentucky, when he was at Louisville. ... Arkansas has thrown for 300 or more yards in nine of 25 games under Petrino.

Auburn

Next game: vs. Arkansas State, 7 p.m. Saturday, FSN

Zac Etheridge (neck) and Aairon Savage (Achilles) have come back from serious injuries and are listed at No. 1 on the depth chart at the safety positions. Savage (Westover) missed the past two years. ... Expect TBs Mario Fannin (Lovejoy), Onterio McCalebb and freshman Michael Dyer to play in the opener. ... Auburn K Wes Byrum led the SEC in field goal percentage (93.8) in 2009, going 15-for-16.

LSU

Next game: vs. North Carolina (Georgia Dome), 8 p.m. Saturday, ABC

Eight freshmen and a junior college transfer have played their way onto the Tigers’ two-deep depth chart, including five on defense. Including redshirts, there are 21 freshmen on the two-deep. ... LSU has won 29 consecutive non-conference regular-season games and is 19-0 under coach Les Miles in non-conference regular-season games. ... This will be LB Kelvin Sheppard’s sixth game in the Georgia Dome. He played there three times at Stephenson High and twice with LSU.

Mississippi

Next game: vs. Jacksonville State, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, CSS

With the NCAA having declared Jeremiah Masoli ineligible, expect sophomore Nathan Stanley, who attempted 23 passes last year, to start at QB. Junior Randall Mackey will be the backup. ... Key senior DE Kentrell Lockett has missed practice with a rhythmic heart condition. ... Ole Miss is coming off consecutive nine-win seasons for the first time since 1961-62.

Mississippi State

Next game: vs. Memphis, 7 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU

It appears Chris Relf will start at QB, but he missed Saturday’s Fan Day and Monday’s practice to clear up what coach Dan Mullen called a “personal family deal.” Expect redshirt freshman QB Tyler Russell to also play. ... OL Derek Sherrod, J.C. Brignone, Quentin Saulsberry and Addison Lawrence have a combined 84 career starts. ... Mississippi State leads the series with Memphis 31-11 and has won 10 straight, dating to 1994.

Andy Johnston for the AJC