SEC roundup

By Chip Towers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

East Division

Florida (11-0, 8-0)

Next: 3:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Florida State

Coach Urban Meyer responded to Notre Dame rumors by saying he would remain with the Gators "as long as they'll have me." ... When asked about his outgoing senior class, which includes quarterback Tim Tebow, Meyer needed 30 seconds to compose himself. Considering the accomplishments of the class -- three All-Americans, three SEC East titles, two national championships, one Heisman Trophy, 46 wins -- Meyer's emotion is understandable. “I guess that’s a decent recruiting class,” he said proudly.

Kentucky (7-4, 3-4)

Next: 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Tennessee

Retirement talk arose again this week regarding Rich Brooks and the 68-year-old coach did not like it one bit. “You know what? I’m not going to answer anything about that any more,” he said at his weekly news conference. “I’m going to talk about Tennessee. OK? None of that junk. OK?" There's plenty else for the Wildcats to think about. After recording their third consecutive SEC road win at Georgia on Saturday, they can finish second in the East for the first time in school history.

South Carolina (6-5, 3-5)

Next: Noon Saturday vs. Clemson

Eric Norwood of Acworth will be playing his final home game for the Gamecocks. The two-time All-SEC linebacker and All-America candidate leaves as the school's all-time leader in sacks and is one of five finalists for the Butkus Award. ... Carolina is 3-2 after an open date under coach Steve Spurrier with the losses coming the past two years against Clemson. ... Defensive end Cliff Matthews, out since Oct. 31 with a dislocated shoulder, will play but will have surgery after the bowl game.

Tennessee (6-5, 3-4)

Next: 7 p.m. Saturday at Kentucky

Prosecutors dropped attempted aggravated robbery charges against starting safety Janzen Jackson and a woman accused as a getaway driver, but they'll press charges against Nu'Keese Richardson and Mike Edwards, who were recently booted from the team. Jackson's lawyer said his client's status on the football team remains to be determined by coach Lane Kiffin.

Vanderbilt (2-10, 0-8)

Next: Season over

Only five players started all 12 games for Vanderbilt -- linebacker Chris Marve, end Broderick Stewart, tackle Adam Smotherman and safety Casey Hayward on defense and center Bradley Vierling on offense -- as injuries ravaged the roster. ... The Commodores had a season-high for points scored in an SEC game in the 31-16 loss to the Vols.

West Division

Alabama (11-0, 7-0)

Next: 2:30 p.m. Friday at Auburn

Alabama is still ranked No. 2 in the BCS but it gained ground on No. 1 Florida. The Crimson Tide trails by .005 in the BCS formula ... After allowing Chattanooga only 84 yards of offense, Alabama now leads the nation in total defense at 225.18 yards per game. That moved the Tide past Florida (229.2) and Texas (238.73), which was ranked first last week.

Arkansas (7-4, 3-4)

Next: 7 p.m. Saturday at LSU

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett has completed 72.8 percent of his passes for 1,295 yards and 13 touchdowns with only three interceptions during the Hogs’ four-game winning streak. ... Paul Petrino, the Razorbacks' offensive coordinator, removed his name from list of candidates for the Western Kentucky head coaching job Monday. Stanford running backs coach Willie Taggart was named the Hilltoppers' coach later that day.

Auburn (7-4, 3-4)

Next: 2:30 p.m. Friday vs. Alabama

Twenty years ago, a No. 2-ranked and undefeated Alabama team rolled into The Plains to finish the season. It rolled out a 30-20 loser. First-year coach Gene Chizik showed his team an in-house video production on that game. "It was good just seeing the whole emotion and Coach [Pat] Dye giving a speech after the game," running back Ben Tate told the Birmingham News. "It was pretty exciting." ... The Tigers' 36-0 loss last season broke a six-year winning streak in the series. They were off last week after playing 11 consecutive games. They hope to get back linebacker Eltoro Freeman (ankle).

LSU (8-3, 4-3)

Next: 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Arkansas

Coach Les Miles is being roasted by fans and media alike for egregious clock mismanagement in the final seconds of the 25-23 loss to Ole Miss. The game ended with quarterback Jordan Jefferson spiking the ball as instructed inside the Rebels' 10. After much tap-dancing, Miles is finally fessed up. "That was my mistake," he said. "It's my fault." ... There is evidence of a decline under Miles. The Tigers are 7-8 in SEC play as they try to snap a two-game losing streak to the Hogs.

Mississippi State (4-7, 2-5)

Next: 12:21 p.m. Saturday vs. Ole Miss

After losing to Ole Miss 45-0 last year, the entry code for the Bulldogs' locker room at Scott Field was changed to "4500," according to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. ... With 176 yards against Arkansas Anthony Dixon moved into the SEC's career top 10 in rushing yards. He now has 3,861 yards, which is ninth on the list. ... Coach Dan Mullen has not said if sophomore Chris Relf, who started the second half Saturday, or senior Tyson Lee will start at quarterback.

Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3)

Next: 12:21 p.m. Saturday at Mississippi State

Coach Houston Nutt told reporters that several recruits did not show up at the LSU game Saturday because the Ku Klux Klan marched on campus. The Klan was protesting the school's decision to drop the song "From Dixie with Love" from the marching band's repertoire. Nutt said he believes it’s a ploy by rival schools to thwart the Rebels' recruiting. ... With 193 all-purpose yards against LSU, senior running back/wide receiver Dexter McCluster is averaging 243 yards on 28 touches in his past four SEC games.