SEC BUZZ
THE SCOOP
South Carolina chose former Stephenson High running back Mike Davis to start for the Gamecocks on Aug. 29 in their opener against North Carolina. Davis rushed for 275 yards on 52 carries as a freshman last season.
Assistant coach Everette Sands announced the decision after Tuesday’s practice.
“We’ll see all three (Mike Davis, Brandon Wilds and Shon Carson), but right now Mike is a little bit ahead. He’s going to be the starter,” Sands said. “But those guys know they’re going to play. We have to have all three of them to be as successful as we can be. (Mike) made a few more plays in the scrimmages. All of them are getting better in the pass protection. They can all get it done, he just made a few more plays.”
WHAT TO WATCH
- Kentucky is switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense and needs to gain strength quickly: The Wildcats start a four-game stretch on Sept. 14 against No. 9 Louisville, No. 10 Florida, No. 6 South Carolina and No. 1 Alabama.
- Alabama cornerback Geno Smith of St. Pius has returned to practice after a weekend drunken driving arrest. Tuesday was the team's first practice since his arrest.
INJURY REPORT
- Auburn defensive end Dee Ford (knee), the Tigers' leading sacker a season ago with six, will miss the opener against Washington State. Carl Lawson, a freshman from Milton High, may get more time than expected. Also, cornerback Jonathan Jones (ankle) will miss the opener after surgery Monday following an off-field incident. Jones is from Carrollton High.
- Florida tailback Matt Jones (virus) will miss the opener against Toledo. Gators coach Will Muschamp said Jones underwent blood tests Monday to gauge his level of recovery from a viral infection that has sidelined him for the team's 20 preseason practices. Jones lost 10 pounds from his 226-pound playing weight, but has regained seven. It means that Mack Brown of M.L. King High has a shot to produce. Brown has 167 career yards on 40 carries in three seasons. While he may not play much, reserve running back Mark Herndon was the happiest Gator on Tuesday. He always wanted to be a Florida Gator, but took a chance when he walked on last summer instead of accepting a scholarship out of state. On Tuesday, he was awarded a full scholarship, which brought him to tears. He wasn't the only one: position coach Brian White was teary-eyed as Herndon hugged him. The value of a scholarship is $20,220. Last season Herndon was not on scholarship and at times had Ramen noodles or Pop-Tarts for dinner following school, practice and team meetings.
- Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek said he's not counting on having linebacker Curt Maggitt (knee) or defensive end Jacques Smith (thumb) for the opener against Austin Peay on Aug. 31. Maggitt tore the ACL in his right knee in November, and Smith sustained a right thumb fracture two weeks ago. "(Maggitt) is getting more and more reps, but (is) nowhere near being full speed," Jancek said. He also said he expects freshman Cam Sutton of Jonesboro High to open the season as a first-team cornerback.
QUOTABLE
“I live my life like it’s fourth-and-inches every day. It can be taken from me at any second.” — Marlin Lane, who has returned from a suspension and will combine with Rajon Neal of Sandy Creek High to form a 1-2 punch at running back for Tennessee.
