ESPN College Football

We're putting spring behind us and looking toward the fall with our post-spring power rankings:

1. LSU: The Tigers had one of the best springs around. Things were quiet off the field, and the offense rallied behind quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Coach Les Miles was very impressed with Mettenberger's play and maturity, and expects LSU's offense to be more balanced with him under center. LSU can still use four or five running backs, as well. Defensively, the Tigers are stacked once again, especially up front with two potential first-rounders in ends Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo. Questions surround the inexperienced linebackers, but Kevin Minter had a tremendous spring in the middle. On paper, LSU is equipped with the talent to make another title run, and gets Alabama at home this year.

2. Alabama: While the defending national champs saw a lot of "new" faces on defense this spring, coach Nick Saban left happy with where his players were -- but not satisfied. There is still work to be done, especially in the secondary, where the Tide must replace three starters. Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are gone at linebacker, but the coaches were impressed with how Nico Johnson, C.J. Mosley and Adrian Hubbard played this spring. Some think Hubbard, a redshirt sophomore, could be Bama's top pass-rusher. Offensively, quarterback AJ McCarron is back, more mature and surrounded by a very veteran line. He has a group of younger receivers to throw to, but has at least four quality running backs. Alabama's road to repeating is tougher, with games at Arkansas and LSU.

3. South Carolina: A healthy Marcus Lattimore (knee) at RB makes South Carolina an even better contender for the SEC East crown. His status is uncertain, but the pieces around him are pretty impressive. Quarterback Connor Shaw had an impressive spring, and looks ready to be the passer coach Steve Spurrier wants him to be. The defense is once again stacked, especially up front with ends Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor. There are questions in the secondary, with two new, young starters in Victor Hampton (cornerback) and Brison Williams (safety), while senior Akeem Auguste returns after missing last season with a foot injury. Still, Spurrier is chirping about his SEC counterparts, so you know he thinks he's got a good team this year.

4. Georgia: The Bulldogs should be higher on this list, but when you take into account the suspensions of four defensive starters at the beginning of the season, they slide a little. Georgia returns nine defensive starters, including one of the nation's best linebackers in Jarvis Jones, and some firepower on offense, led by veteran quarterback Aaron Murray, who could get some early Heisman love. It also sounds like enigmatic running back Isaiah Crowell is slowly turning things around. Yet again, the Bulldogs have a favorable SEC schedule, with no games against Alabama, Arkansas or LSU, so their road to the SEC championship is easier than South Carolina's, but keep an eye on that inexperienced offensive line.

5. Arkansas: If not for Bobby Petrino's embarrassing dismissal, the Razorbacks might be ranked higher. Offensively, it doesn't get much better than what Arkansas has. Tyler Wilson returns as arguably the league's best quarterback, and he'll get to work with one of the most complete backs around, Knile Davis, who is returning from a devastating ankle injury. An older and more improved offensive line returns, and so does a talented receiving corps led by Cobi Hamilton. But there are questions. How effective will interim coach John L. Smith be, especially if something goes wrong? Will Marquel Wade's suspension leak into the fall after his spring arrest? And will the defense improve and be more aggressive under new coordinator Paul Haynes? The good news is that Alabama and LSU play in Fayetteville this fall.

6. Florida: The chemistry is much better in Gainesville. Florida returns 10 starters from a defense that ranked eighth nationally in 2011. Matt Elam looks like a budding star at safety, and Florida's linebacking group is solid. Buck/defensive end Ronald Powell could be out after tearing his ACL this spring, but coach Will Muschamp recently said Powell is off crutches. Stud defensive tackle Dominique Easley is also walking fine after tearing his ACL in last year's season finale. The Gators have their third offensive coordinator in three years, and unproven sophomore quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel are still battling. Florida has unproven running backs and receivers, but the offensive line toughened up tremendously.

7. Auburn: The Tigers welcomed two new coordinators, Scot Loeffler and Brian VanGorder, this spring, and by all accounts players were very receptive. Coach Gene Chizik is still dealing with a lot of youth, as close to 70 percent of his roster is made up of underclassmen. One of those underclassmen is quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who made strides as a passer this spring and seems to have the edge in the quarterback race with Clint Moseley, who missed some of the spring with a sore shoulder. The defensive line will be the team's strength, with end Dee Ford exploding this spring and Corey Lemonier returning. There is a lot of depth up front on defense, which will go a long way for the Tigers.

8. Missouri: Coach Gary Pinkel and his players have made it clear they aren't intimidated by the move to the SEC. These new Tigers return solid offensive firepower, but there has to be some concern about quarterback James Franklin, who missed most of the spring after having surgery on his throwing shoulder. Plus, Mizzou's backup QB could miss games this fall after his recent arrest, so the Tigers' offensive success will be riding on Franklin's health. The Tigers are replacing a few starters on both lines, but feel confident about both areas. Mizzou will face a Georgia team down a few defensive players in Week 2, but must travel to South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

9. Tennessee: A lot is different in Knoxville, as the Vols welcomed seven new assistant coaches. Coach Derek Dooley insists the changes were for the best, but there's still going to be some adjusting to do this fall. The good news is that Tennessee returns a lot on both sides of the ball, starting with quarterback Tyler Bray and receivers Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers. A healthy trio there makes Tennessee's passing game one of the best in the league. Questions remain on the offensive line and at running back, but improvements were made this spring. New defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri would like to run more 3-4 this fall, but players aren't totally comfortable, leaving some concerns.

10. Mississippi State: Quarterback Tyler Russell finally looks ready to take over as the guy in Starkville, and he'll have a veteran receiving corps to work with. However, that group still has a lot to prove, especially senior Chad Bumphis. The running game looks solid with LaDarius Perkins and Nick Griffin, and the offensive line got help from the junior college ranks. Defensively, there are a few holes to fill up front and in the secondary, but Johnthan Banks and Corey Broomfield are a solid cornerback tandem and linebacker is set with a few vets back, including stud Cameron Lawrence. Junior college defensive end Denico Autry has to perform early to help a line with a couple of holes.

11. Texas A&M: The Aggies have some holes to fill this year, but the offensive line will be a strength. Left tackle Luke Joeckel, a future first-rounder, leads a line that returns four starters. Star wide receiver Ryan Swope is back, and running back Christine Michael should be healthy (knee) this fall, but quarterback is an issue. Sophomore Jameill Showers has the edge right now, but like all of his competitors, he lacks experience. The defense will lean on linebackers Sean Porter, Steven Jenkins, Jonathan Stewart and converted end Damontre Moore, but the secondary has depth and experience issues, and the team will still be adjusting to a new staff led by coach Kevin Sumlin.

12. Vanderbilt: There is some solid offensive talent in Nashville, starting with running back Zac Stacy and receivers Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd, but coach James Franklin is still waiting for quarterback Jordan Rodgers to be more consistent. The offensive line is very thin and could barely get through spring. The defense must replace a handful of starters and leaders, but Franklin felt better about guys like linebacker Chase Garnham, defensive end Walker May and cornerback Trey Wilson. Vandy's schedule will be tough this fall, and if that offensive line doesn't hold up, getting back to a bowl will be tough.

13. Kentucky: Coach Joker Phillips was pleased with how spring practice ended, especially when it came to finding offensive playmakers, like receivers Demarco Robinson and Daryl Collins. Quarterback Maxwell Smith had a solid spring, but struggled during the spring game, meaning the battle with Morgan Newton and freshman Patrick Towles should go into the fall. The offensive line is still trying to get by after losing three starters, and the Wildcats must replace six starters at linebacker and in the secondary. Given the Wildcats' schedule, they will need to sweep their nonconference games to be in bowl shape.

14. Ole Miss: The arrival of coach Hugh Freeze brought a lot of positive change to Ole Miss, especially off the field, but there are still a lot of concerns. There are depth issues at just about every position, especially running back and defensive tackle. Even one of the most experienced groups, the offensive line, has struggled mightily with picking up Freeze's spread offense and is the team's biggest weakness. Academic issues are also worrying Ole Miss' staff, and top running back Jeff Scott and cornerback/receiver Nickolas Brassell are in that group. Quarterback is still up for grabs, but progress was made on defense, especially in the secondary.

With two new teams added to the mix, let’s take a look at what we learned in the SEC this spring:

1. Quarterback Central: The SEC gets a bad rap for not piling up Xbox-like passing yards, and granted, it wasn’t a great year for quarterbacks in the league last season. But did you know that an SEC quarterback has been taken in the first round of the NFL draft eight of the last 10 years? And that includes four quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall. The 2012 season has a chance to be one of the best in recent memory for SEC quarterbacks, especially if Missouri’s James Franklin returns to form after undergoing surgery in the spring to repair a torn labrum. Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson and Georgia’s Aaron Murray are the two most established quarterbacks. Wilson likely would have gone in the first round had he come out this year. Murray has thrown 59 touchdown passes in his first two seasons, and he also has one of the more talented backups in the league in sophomore Hutson Mason, who shared Offensive MVP honors with Murray in the spring. Some early mock drafts have Tennessee’s Tyler Bray going in the first round, and Bray has one of the strongest arms in the league. Alabama’s AJ McCarron demonstrated in the BCS National Championship Game what he’s capable of and is poised to have a big junior season. South Carolina’s Connor Shaw is one of the more improved quarterbacks in the league, and the new guy on the block to watch is LSU’s Zach Mettenberger.

2. Lining up at LSU: How many defenses out there could lose a pair of first-rounders and come back the next season and potentially be even better? LSU’s defense certainly had that look to it this spring despite the loss of cornerback Morris Claiborne and defensive tackle Michael Brockers, both of whom declared early for the NFL draft and were taken in the first round. It starts up front for the Tigers, who have the best pair of bookend defensive ends in the country in Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo. Both are potential top 10 picks in the 2013 NFL draft. In the middle of that LSU defensive line is tackle Bennie Logan, who also has a chance to be a first-rounder. And from a pure talent standpoint, sophomore tackle Anthony “Freak” Johnson is exactly what his nickname suggests. Kevin Minter was one of the Tigers’ most improved players this spring at middle linebacker, and in the secondary, Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid and Tharold Simon are all future pros. It’s obviously a defense that’s oozing with talent, but it’s also a defense that still has a chip on its shoulder with the way last season ended.

3. Fighting back: A long list of marquee players in this league missed the spring with injuries and still have to prove they’re all the way back in the fall. Franklin’s surgically repaired shoulder will be a huge key for Missouri in its first season in the SEC, and a lot of eyes will be on the two best running backs in the league. South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore missed the second half of last season after tearing knee ligaments, while Arkansas’ Knile Davis missed the entire season after fracturing his ankle in the preseason. At Ole Miss, they’re keeping their fingers crossed that linebacker D.T. Shackelford can return after he underwent a second knee surgery in March. He missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in the spring. Texas A&M running back Christine Michael is also coming back from an ACL tear. Tennessee receiver Justin Hunter went down in the third game last season with a torn ACL, and Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley is trying to work his way back from a torn ACL suffered in the regular-season finale against Florida State last season.

4. Hogs hanging tough: Sure, the whole Bobby Petrino scandal was embarrassing to the entire state of Arkansas. But the players and coaches on the team didn’t lose focus this spring, and the leadership really came to the forefront. Quarterback Tyler Wilson, running back Knile Davis and linebacker Tenarius Wright picked the team up and made sure that nobody was feeling sorry for themselves, and in the process, reminded everyone that all of their goals were still intact. Credit also goes to the Arkansas coaching staff for handing a very difficult matter about as well as it could be handled. There are more tests to come, but now that John L. Smith is in place as the interim head coach, the program has a clear leader for these next eight months. Nothing is more valuable than strong player leadership, though, and the Hogs proved during that turbulent month of April that they’re made of the right stuff.

5. Getting physical: It was obvious that Florida coach Will Muschamp never felt good about his team’s ability to line up and be physical last season in his first year on the job. There were times that the Gators were downright soft on their way to going 0-6 against FBS teams that finished the season with a winning record. So this spring, just about everything they did was directed at being a more physical football team, a football team committed to running the ball and a football team determined to finish games. Muschamp has repeated several times since the end of spring practice that the Gators are a better team right now than at any point last season, and a lot of that goes back to this team adopting the kind of blue-collar, hit-you-in-the-mouth approach that has defined Muschamp’s coaching career. Clearly, he’s excited about where the program is headed, and he’s equally excited that he’ll be better equipped to play the way he wants to during the 2012 season.

Revving up the running game is a priority this spring for Tennessee, so it was encouraging for the Vols to have some success running the ball Friday in their first full scrimmage of the spring.

Junior Rajion Neal rushed for 100 yards on 15 carries and had several explosive plays. It's one of the reasons the Vols moved Neal back to running back from receiver, his ability to pick up yards in chunks.

"I felt like we really showed a lot of improvement running the ball, and that's been our emphasis," Tennessee coach Derek Dooley said. "The line was coming off (the ball), runners were running good and we generated a lot of run yards."

Last season, the Vols averaged just 90.1 rushing yards per game and were the only team in the SEC that averaged fewer than 100 yards per game.

Dooley said he was also pleased with the way quarterback Tyler Bray managed the offense in the closed scrimmage. Bray finished 13-of-32 for 142 yards with an interception and a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mychal Rivera.

The defense, according to Dooley, was playing very aggressive, especially in the secondary. Sophomore cornerback Brian Randolph had an interception and also blocked an extra point.

"There weren't a lot of mental breakdowns, which allowed them to play fast," Dooley said. "We have got to do a better job of stopping the run, but we're playing a lot more aggressively, playing more physical and denying the ball in the back end a little bit better. As long as you're playing with that kind of aggressiveness and toughness, all the other stuff will come."

A complete report on the Vols' scrimmage can be found here on their official web site.

Tyler Bray’s laid-back California persona can get the best of him sometimes.

Sure, it helps in the internal stress department and makes life a little lighter, but on the football field it’s been a detriment to his development and his team at times.

For as gifted a passer Bray is, he admits that his laziness caused he and Tennessee’s offense to take steps back, especially last season.

“Sometimes, I get a little lazy and tend to relax with my footwork and that’s where my bad throws tend to come in,” said the rising junior quarterback, who has thrown for 3,832 yards, 35 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 16 career games at Tennessee.

That laziness might have cost the Vols a chance at the postseason last fall, as Bray struggled through Tennessee’s 10-7 loss to Kentucky to end the season. Bray completed just 15 of his 38 passes and threw a touchdown to two interceptions in Tennessee’s first loss to the Wildcats in 26 meetings. The loss also terminated the Vols’ bowl hopes.

“I know a lot of Tennessee fans weren’t happy with how we finished out the season,” Bray said. “They hadn’t lost to Kentucky in 20-something years, so to be the team that breaks that streak isn’t very good.”

Bray said he took the loss extremely hard. He had a sick feeling leaving that game. While he still wasn’t 100 percent healthy after a broken thumb kept him out five weeks, Bray put the loss on himself and vowed to change the way he leads and plays.

That created more detailed meetings with offensive coordinator Jim Chaney before spring practice. The two talked about standing taller and more confident in the pocket by ditching Bray’s lackadaisical tendencies of throwing off of his back foot, slowly dropping back, dipping his elbow and botching his footwork.

It’s a concept that seems so simple, especially for someone playing at such a high level of football, but Bray admits it was an awkward adjustment at first. He was so used to relying on his arm strength and accuracy that he felt technique was a little overrated. He had won so much with pure talent, so why change?

But every time his mind shifted to those silly thoughts, he remembered the Kentucky game and the pain he and those around Tennessee’s program felt. It motivated him to concentrate whenever he stepped back to throw during the offseason. From 7-on-7s to ordinary passing sessions, Bray made conscious efforts to focus on the little things.

Almost immediately, Bray felt the difference. There was more power and accuracy in this throws. He was more fluid and therefore felt more dangerous with the ball in his hands.

“There are times when you have to try to step into it and let it all loose,” Bray said.

And he’s doing that more with his good new habits.

But it wasn’t just mechanics Bray wanted to work on. Bray wants to be a real leader for Tennessee. Last year, Bray admits he coasted and just accepted his role as the leader because he was the quarterback. It was easy to call him a leader, but he never really thought he was. There was no leading with his words and when he was hurt there was no leading by his actions.

That’s a rotten combination and Bray could tell when he returned late in the season that it affected how his teammates viewed him. When he told players to do something, there was hesitation and sometimes resistance. Now, equipped with a louder, more confident voice, Bray said he’s earning more respect in and out of the huddle.

“This year, they’ll do just about anything,” Bray said.

Now, Bray, who said he still feels some popping in his thumb at times but insists that he’s completely healthy, is ready to take Tennessee’s offense further. He’s yet to complete a full season in Knoxville and hopes this is the year it happens.

He feels confident in the way his teammates are coming along and he’s encouraged by the receiving threats he’ll once again have at his disposal, especially Justin Hunter, who Bray expects to be fully healthy this fall following last year’s knee injury.

But in the end, it all comes back to Bray. He’s the linchpin -- whether he’s on or off -- so he’s making sure his laziness doesn’t return.

“I’m the quarterback,” he said, “so our offense isn’t going to move unless I’m moving.”

It’s sort of like the old "chicken and the egg" debate.

Was the quarterback play in the SEC as spotty as the numbers reflected last season, or were the defenses in this league simply that good?

The answers vary wildly depending on who you ask.

But within the realm of the SEC, it’s not much of a debate at all.

“This past season, there weren’t a lot of proven guys [at quarterback],” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “But when you play great defensive football teams, it’s harder for anybody on offense to look better. The quarterback’s the guy who’s getting harassed by the defensive linemen and all those edge rushers. He’s the guy trying to throw it in a tighter window because cornerbacks are covering a little bit tighter.

“The best quarterbacks in the world don’t look quite as sporty when they’re dealing with some defenses like we do.”

It wasn’t a complete disaster at the quarterback position last season in the SEC. Georgia’s Aaron Murray threw a school-record 35 touchdown passes, and Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson passed for 3,638 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions and played well enough in his first season as a starter that he seriously contemplated turning pro.

Still, it was a league known for its defense -- something that’s not going to change any time soon --and a league also known for its pedestrian quarterback play.

The latter may be changing some in 2012, especially when you consider the caliber of quarterbacks returning in the SEC, not to mention a couple of talented newcomers.

Murray and Wilson are the top two, but Alabama’s AJ McCarron proved emphatically in the BCS National Championship Game that he’s ready to become an elite quarterback. He’s the most physically gifted quarterback the Crimson Tide have had under Nick Saban and was as good as anybody in the league last season in terms of taking care of the ball.

Tennessee’s Tyler Bray was on his way to a huge season a year ago before he broke his thumb against Georgia. He had 14 touchdown passes and only two interceptions in the first four games, and the way South Carolina’s Connor Shaw ended the season gives Gamecocks fans some hope that they’re finally going to see some real consistency at the position.

Shaw’s never going to wow anybody as a pocket passer. But in South Carolina’s new zone read package, he’s a perfect fit with his ability to run and make plays on the move.

The newcomer everybody is waiting to see is LSU’s Zach Mettenberger, a 6-foot-4 pocket passer who has a big-time arm and just may be the missing piece for the Tigers.

And if you’re looking for the best multi-purpose quarterback next season in the SEC, look no further than Missouri’s James Franklin. The rising junior passed for 2,865 yards and 21 touchdowns last season in the Big 12 and rushed for 981 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 6-2, 225-pound Franklin finished the season with 217 rushing attempts.

Even at Vanderbilt, the Commodores have a guy under center returning who immediately added some pop to that offense once he became a starter last season. Jordan Rodgers, in his first season of action after undergoing shoulder surgery, started the last seven games in 2011, and the Commodores averaged 31 points in those contests.

So while nobody is predicting that SEC quarterbacks will all of a sudden start putting up Xbox-like numbers next season similar to what you see in other conferences across college football, it does have a chance to be one of the most talented crops of quarterbacks the league has put on the field in some time.

“I think it’s just the nature of the beast. This conference is known for defense, so a lot of times the quarterbacks’ ratings aren’t going to be way up there because you’re going against the best defenses in the country,” said McCarron, who earned offensive MVP honors in the BCS National Championship Game by going 23-of-34 for 234 yards and no interceptions.

“Not degrading the other conferences, but if you look at their [quarterback] stats, their defenses just aren’t as good as ours are in this league. They’re going to put up more numbers and probably get a little more notoriety. But with our defenses, the offenses and quarterbacks in the SEC are going to be overlooked and underestimated.”

When Wilson was growing up in Arkansas, it was at a time when Steve Spurrier and his Fun ‘n’ Gun offense were wreaking havoc in the SEC. Wilson has also been around an Arkansas offense the past two seasons that has produced 62 touchdown passes.

So forgive him if he’s not ready to concede things to the defenses in this league.

Plus, he’s like anybody else and looks around at the returning quarterback talent and thinks the playing field may be leveling some in the SEC.

“I think we have a much more offensive conference than maybe some people realize,” said Wilson, who set an Arkansas school record last season with his 510-yard performance in a 42-38 comeback win over Texas A&M. “I think this is going to be a much better year for all of the quarterbacks coming up, so maybe we’ll give the defenses a little test."

Mettenberger, who started his career at Georgia, has great respect for SEC defenses, but said that should never be an excuse for why quarterbacks aren’t getting it done in this league.

“Guys in the NFL go against great defenses every Sunday and make it look easy at times,” Mettenberger said. “It’s all about preparing and getting down the mental aspect of what a defense is trying to do to you, and in any situation, what you’re going to do with the ball.

“That’s where you gain an edge. It’s not always about how hard or how far you can throw it, and the more you’re around this league, the more you realize it.”

Even in the fiercely competitive SEC, it’s good to spread a little love.

OK, maybe just once a year. And that one day is today … Valentine’s Day.

So just as we did a year ago, we’re going to set aside all the bitter rivalries, feuds and finger-pointing for a day and hand out some very deserving Valentine’s Day cards.

Sit back and enjoy.

Dear …

Alabama coach Nick Saban,

Your football program is without peer right now, and I mean anywhere in college football. A lot of people were shocked when they heard that Alabama was paying you $32 million over eight years – a financial package that has since been sweetened. I’d say it’s been money well spent when you look at the Crimson Tide’s trophy case over the last few years. Everybody wonders what your secret is. Here’s one: Great football players who are also high-character kids in the mold of Trent Richardson, Barrett Jones, William Vlachos, Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw.

Former Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt,

Hated to see you go out like that. But regardless of what anybody says, average coaches don’t make it 14 years in this league at two different places. The same goes for your defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix. Both of you are better coaches than the last two seasons would suggest. There’s an entire body of work out there that says so.

South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore,

Can’t wait to see you back on the field, and here’s hoping you’re as good as new. Your sense of team, combined with your incredible work ethic and awesome athletic ability, make you the kind of player coaches and fans dream about.

Arkansas running back Knile Davis,

Probably should have sent you and Marcus the same card. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed that you’re healthy again. Your unbreakable will to keep coming back from so many injuries is an inspiration to all of us, and we're eager to see the version of you run the ball again that we saw in 2010 when you led all SEC running backs in rushing.

LSU coach Les Miles,

I’m not one of those who writes off what you and your team did for the first 13 games this past season simply because of that one forgettable night in New Orleans. It was a remarkable run against a killer schedule. But do everybody on the Bayou a favor and trash that offensive game plan from the BCS national championship game.

Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray,

Your arm strength and ability to make all of the throws is unquestioned. You’re equally fearless in the pocket. But now it’s time to become a true quarterback and raise the level of play of all the guys around you. The great quarterbacks take it upon themselves to lead their entire team, and they do so as much off the field as they do on the field.

Arkansas receiver/punt returner Joe Adams,

Do you really have eyes in the back of your head? We’re still dying to know how you broke all of those tackles (somewhere around eight) on that 60-yard punt return for a touchdown against Tennessee? It’s as good a punt return as I’ve ever seen.

Vanderbilt defensive end Tim Fugger,

There are a lot of underrated players in this league, but you were right there at or near the top this season. You were invaluable to that Vanderbilt defense with your 13.5 tackles for loss, including eight sacks, and three forced fumbles. It wasn’t just your numbers that set you apart, but the way you played the game with precision, passion and grit on every snap.

Kentucky linebacker Danny Trevathan,

We’re not supposed to have favorites in our business. But how can you not pull for a guy like Trevathan? Kentucky coach Joker Phillips used to joke that he found Trevathan up under a rock down in Florida during the recruiting process. Well, Trevathan turned out to be a rock, racking up nearly 300 total tackles during his last two seasons and playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played no matter what the scoreboard said. We'll miss you, Danny.

Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham,

The entire Bulldog Nation thanks you for bringing a mental toughness to that defense (and to the program) that was lacking at times in past seasons. Your defense was the backbone in Georgia’s turnaround and 10-game winning streak this season, and even though your fire might have burned a little too brightly a couple of times, it’s exactly what the Bulldogs needed.

Former Auburn running back Michael Dyer,

Not even the great Bo Jackson rushed for 1,000 yards each of his first two seasons on the Plains. It was a joy to watch you play. Just wished it didn’t end on such a sour note.

Former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain,

Congrats on the new gig at Colorado State. You were destined to be a head coach, and I’ll make sure everybody remembers that they did play a little offense at Alabama this past season, too. In fact, your Tide offense was the only one in the SEC to average more than 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing per game. That’s saying something when you consider the level of defense played in the SEC.

Florida coach Will Muschamp,

You made some tough decisions in Year 1, notably sending star cornerback Janoris Jenkins packing following his second drug arrest. You’ve also got your coaching staff more to your liking, and your players understand unequivocally now what you expect from them. The 2012 version of the Gators will more closely reflect you as a football coach, and I’d be surprised if the results weren’t markedly better.

Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen,

I really like the way you’ve helped yourself with junior college talent. I also like the way your 2012 schedule looks through the middle of October. With five home games and two very winnable road dates, a 6-1 or even 7-0 start is very possible. I’m not trying to jinx you, Dan, but maybe Year No. 4 in Starkville is going to be that magical season everyone was predicting this past year. The bottom line is that you’ve led the Bulldogs to back-to-back winning seasons, and the last time that happened was 10 years ago.

Now that you've seen Chris' top 10, here's mine. Let's see where we were the same and where we differed:

1. LSU's Tyrann Mathieu against Arkansas: Mathieu replaced the injured Eric Reid and played safety for the first time in his career. All he did was record eight tackles, force two fumbles, and recovered a fumble. With LSU down 14-7 in the second quarter, he ignited a dominating run when he returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown in LSU’s 41-17 win over Arkansas. A loss to the Hogs might have cost LSU a chance at the national title game.

2. Georgia’s Brandon Boykin in the Outback Bowl: Boykin sure went out in style, scoring three different ways in the loss to Michigan State. On Michigan State's first offensive play, he recorded a safety when he tackled Keshawn Martin in the end zone on a pass play. He later scored on 92-yard punt return, which is the longest play in Outback Bowl history, and scored on a 13-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter to give Georgia a 27-20 lead. He also had seven tackles, including two for loss.

3. LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu in the SEC championship game: He saved LSU yet again with his special-teams work. His 62-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter got LSU on the board after trailing 10-0. On Georgia’s first drive of the second half, Mathieu recovered a fumble at the Bulldogs’ 27 to set up the Tigers’ second touchdown. He set up LSU's third score with a scintillating return that left just about every Georgia player's head spinning.

4. Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson against Texas A&M: Wilson not only helped orchestrate a tremendous second-half comeback against the Aggies, but he passed for a school-record 510 passing yards, had three touchdowns and no interceptions on 30-of-51 passing.

5. Alabama’s Trent Richardson against Ole Miss: Richardson couldn't be stopped in Oxford, as he rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns in Alabama's 52-7 drubbing of the Rebels. Richardson grabbed his signature play as well when he put on a show at the end of his 76-yard touchdown run by literally shaking Ole Miss' Senquez Golsen to the ground with his cut seen round the college football world.

6. Georgia’s Jarvis Jones against Florida: Jones had four sacks in the Bulldogs’ 24-20 win over Florida and forced a fumble at the Gators' 18-yard line in the third quarter that led to the game-tying touchdown. His fourth sack came in the fourth and basically sealed the Bulldogs' win.

7. Arkansas’ Jarius Wright against Texas A&M: Wilson couldn't have done his thing without Wright, who caught 13 passes, which tied a school record, for a school-record 281 yards and a touchdown. Wright surpassed the old record of 204 yards by halftime. He also recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown that tied the game at 35 in the fourth quarter.

8. Florida’s Chris Rainey against Florida Atlantic: Rainey kicked off the Will Muschamp era by scoring touchdowns three different ways in the season opener. He scored rushing, receiving and on a blocked punt. Rainey also registered 146 yards of total offense.

9. South Carolina’s Antonio Allen against East Carolina: Allen started the year off pretty well when he had 16 tackles, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and broke up two passes in a season-opening 56-37 win over East Carolina. He also returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown.

10. LSU’s Brad Wing against Alabama Part I: In a game in which kicking mattered, four of his six punts were downed inside Alabama's 20-yard line. One punt was downed at the 5 and another at the 4. His 73-yarder in the fourth quarter saved LSU's defense from having to work with a short field and helped propel the game into overtime.

Here are five more that just missed the cut:

• South Carolina's Melvin Ingram ran for a 68-yard touchdown on a fake punt against Georgia and scored a second touchdown on a 5-yard fumble return. He sealed the Gamecocks' 45-42 win when he recovered an onsides kick.
• Tennessee's Tyler Bray passed for a career-high 405 passing yards, had four touchdown passes and no interceptions in a 45-23 win over Cincinnati. He also had a rushing touchdown and completed 34 of 41 passes.
• Vanderbilt’s Zac Stacy rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-7 road victory over Wake Forest that sent the Commodores bowling. Stacy also became the school’s single-season record holder for rushing yards after his performance.
• Kentucky’s Danny Trevathan registered 17 tackles, including 12 solo and three for loss in a 19-10 loss to Georgia. He also forced two fumbles.
• Arkansas' Joe Adams had one of the best special-teams performance of the season in Week 1 against Missouri State when he had two punt returns for touchdowns of 69 and 61 yards in the 51-7 win. He had a school-record 174 yards on six punt returns.

We’re already looking ahead some to the 2012 season in the SEC, but we haven’t completely forgotten about 2011.

We’re finishing up our postseason position rankings and taking another look at the top 25 players in the league based on what they did during the 2011 season.

Today, we’ll rank the top 10 individual performances from this past season. I’ll go first (That’s what happens when you dominate the picks contest), and Edward will follow.

We’ll also have a poll for the fans later today, so you guys will get your chance to weigh in as well and tell us how right or wrong we were.

Please don’t hold back, although you never do.

Here goes:

1. LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu vs. Arkansas: Moving over to safety for the injured Eric Reid, the Honey Badger put on a show for all shows. The only thing he didn’t do was clean up Tiger Stadium afterward in the 41-17 win over the No. 3-ranked Hogs. Mathieu had eight tackles, forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble and returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown. His punt return tied the game at 14-14, and the Hogs were toast from there.

2. LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu in the SEC championship game: Yep, it’s the Honey Badger again. The Tigers were dead in the water in the first half against Georgia, but Mathieu returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to get LSU on the board. Mathieu followed that up by recovering a fumble at the Bulldogs’ 27 to set up the Tigers’ second touchdown. He then returned another punt 47 yards, this one even more spectacular than the first, to set up LSU’s third touchdown, and a close game suddenly became a 42-10 rout.

3. Georgia’s Jarvis Jones vs. Florida: It was a case of Jones simply not allowing his team to lose. He racked up four sacks in the 24-20 win over the Gators and forced a fumble at the Florida 18-yard line in the third quarter that led to the game-tying touchdown. His fourth and final sack came on fourth down late in the game and all but finished the Gators, lifting Georgia to just its fourth win over Florida in the last 22 meetings.

4. Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson vs. Texas A&M: With the Hogs trailing 35-17 at the half, Wilson brought them back with a school-record 510 yards passing in a 42-38 victory over the Aggies. Wilson finished 30-of-51 with three touchdown passes and no interceptions. He also had the 2-point conversion run that tied the game at 35-35.

5. Georgia’s Brandon Boykin in the Outback Bowl: The Bulldogs fell to Michigan State 33-30 in three overtimes, but don’t blame Boykin. The senior cornerback scored three different ways. He recorded a safety to open the game, also had a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown and scored on a 13-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter to give the Bulldogs a 27-20 lead. He finished with seven tackles, including two for loss.

6. Arkansas’ Jarius Wright vs. Texas A&M: Don’t forget about Wright in the Hogs’ dramatic comeback win over the Aggies. He tied a school record with 13 catches and set a school record with 281 receiving yards. The old record was 204 yards, and Wright surpassed that by halftime. He also caught a 68-yard touchdown pass and pounced on a loose ball in the end zone in the fourth quarter that wound up being the tying touchdown.

7. LSU’s Brad Wing vs. Alabama: Without Wing’s heroics, LSU doesn’t win that first game against Alabama. It’s just that simple. He kept the Crimson Tide bottled up all night. He punted six times and four were downed inside the Alabama 20-yard line. One was downed at the 5 and another at the 4. His 73-yard punt in the fourth quarter completely changed the game and helped get the Tigers to overtime, where they prevailed 9-6.

8. Alabama’s Trent Richardson vs. Ole Miss: There were so many great performances by Richardson that it’s difficult to pick out just one. But he rolled up 183 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the 52-7 rout of Ole Miss, and they’ll be showing the highlights of his dazzling 76-yard touchdown run for a long time to come. He averaged 10.8 yards per carry that night and finished with 213 all-purpose yards.

9. Tennessee’s Tyler Bray vs. Cincinnati: It’s about as perfect a game as a quarterback could have. Bray lit up the Bearcats in the second week of the season for a career-high 405 passing yards, four touchdown passes and no interceptions. He also had a rushing touchdown and completed 34 of 41 passes in the 45-23 victory. In the second half, Bray completed all but one of his 14 passing attempts, and his 83 percent completion rate set a school record.

10. South Carolina’s Antonio Allen vs. East Carolina: It’s one of the great performances of the season that nobody really remembers because it came in the opener. Allen, the Gamecocks’ “Spur” linebacker/safety, totaled 16 tackles, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and broke up two passes in the come-from-behind 56-37 win over East Carolina.

Here are five more that just missed the cut:

• South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram running for a 68-yard touchdown on a fake punt, scoring a second touchdown on a 5-yard fumble return and recovering an onside kick to preserve a 45-42 win over Georgia.
• Florida’s Chris Rainey rushing for 108 yards and also totaling 104 receiving yards in a 33-23 win over Tennessee. Rainey accounted for 233 all-purpose yards and had an 83-yard touchdown catch to put the Gators ahead 30-7 in the third quarter. He also blocked a punt in the second quarter, leading to a Florida field goal.
• South Carolina’s Connor Shaw passing for 210 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown in a 34-13 victory over Clemson. Shaw finished 14 of 20 passing without an interception.
• Vanderbilt’s Zac Stacy rushing for 184 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-7 road victory over Wake Forest that made the Commodores bowl eligible. Stacy had touchdown runs of 40 and 20 yards on his way to becoming the school’s single-season record-holder for rushing yards.
• Kentucky’s Danny Trevathan totaling 17 tackles, including 12 solo stops, for the second week in a row. He had three tackles for loss and also forced two fumbles in the Wildcats’ 19-10 loss to Georgia.

Now that national signing day is out of the way, we're going to take another look at our SEC power rankings.

You won't see any change really, but we have more confidence in some teams now than we did before:

1. Alabama: The Crimson Tide hauled in the nation's No. 1 recruiting class last week and not only did Nick Saban sign a handful of top-rated players, but he met all of Alabama's major needs with the 2012 class. There are a few freshmen who could make early impacts in Tuscaloosa, including athlete Eddie Williams (Panama City, Fla./Arnold), and wide receivers Chris Black (Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast) and Amari Cooper (Miami/Miami Northwestern).

2. LSU: The Tigers' class wasn't as highly rated as some recent ones, but Les Miles and his coaches brought in a solid group and there are a few defense players who might see some playing time early. Three starting linebackers need to be replaced and a few freshmen will get their chances. While LSU lost Torshiro Davis (Shreveport, La./Woodlawn) flipped to Texas, the Tigers brought in ESPNU 150 linebackers Kwon Alexander (Oxford, Ala.) and Ronnie Feist (Edgard, La./West Saint John).

3. Georgia: The Bulldogs needed to get bigger up front and add a couple of playmaking linebackers. Georgia did just that with the handful of athletic defensive linemen signed and grabbed top outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes), who should thrive in Todd Grantham's 3-4. Georgia's offense could be even better this fall with Keith Marshall (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook) helping Isaiah Crowell, and the wide receiver depth returning.

4. South Carolina: Talk about underrated. South Carolina didn't make much noise at all on national signing day, but the Gamecocks brought in a very balanced class and have a few players who should contribute early to a team that will yet again compete for the SEC East title. Two freshmen to keep an eye on in 2012 are wide receiver Shaq Roland (Lexington, S.C.) and safety Chaz Elder (College Park, Ga./Benjamin E. Banneker).

5. Arkansas: It seemed like the Razorbacks were headed for a very strong finish to their 2012 recruiting class, but watched as top receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest) and four-star offensive tackle Jordan Diamond (Chicago/Simeon) committed elsewhere. However, Arkansas is still waiting on top athlete Davonte Neal (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) and signed some pretty talented wide receivers to add to that high-flying offense. Defensive depth was a need and Arkansas added six defensive linemen and snatched Tennessee linebacker commit Otha Peters (Covington, La./Covington) late.

6. Auburn: Before Auburn could complete its recruiting class, it had to find someone to run its offense. The Tigers lured Scot Loeffler away from Temple, getting a coach who knows a thing about teaching quarterbacks. Clint Moseley and Kiehl Frazier should be ecstatic. The loss of Michael Dyer hurts, but Auburn has a stable of running backs to work with and signed one of the best offensive line classes around. Also, athlete Ricardo Louis (Miami Beach, Fla/Miami Beach Senior) could be a real playmaker at wide receiver.

7. Florida: Will Muschamp wanted his team to get tougher and he took a step in the right direction by hitting the line of scrimmage hard in his first full recruiting class. He also got a big back in Matt Jones (Seffner, Fla./Armwood) and having D.J. Humphries (Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek) in early should really help the offensive line. Florida is also waiting for a potential receiving threat in Stefon Diggs (Olney, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel). Muschamp feels better about this team's attitude and expects a more resilient squad in 2012.

8. Missouri: These Tigers could come in and frustrate some of its new SEC East family with the depth it returns. No one is quite sure if top running back Henry Josey will return in 2012 after a major knee injury, but the Tigers added a very complete back in Morgan Steward (Kansas City, Mo./Staley), who could compete for playing time early. But Missouri took home the biggest national signing day prize when Green-Beckham picked Missouri. Mizzou lacked a big-play receiving threat until now.

9. Tennessee: There is a lot of talent returning in Knoxville and the Vols added some quality depth with its 2012 recruiting class. Tennessee took a hit when top inside linebacker Dalton Santos (Van, Texas) flipped to Texas and needed to add a big-time running back to help that offense, but grabbing junior college wide receiver Cordarrelle Paterson (Rock Hill, S.C./Hutchinson Community College) was big. He'll add to an already solid receiving tandem and could provide more leadership. Tyler Bray should have a fun offseason.

10. Texas A&M: The Aggies lose a lot heading into their first season as a part of the SEC Western Division, but helped the future by signing a top-25 class. Running back Trey Williams (Houston/Andy Dekaney) could provide an early spark for the offense with Cyrus Gray leaving. The receivers got some needed help with the signing of No. 3 receiver Thomas Johnson of Dallas, and outside linebacker Jordan Richmond (Denton, Texas/Billy Ryan) should see early playing time as well.

11. Vanderbilt: James Franklin's first full class at Vanderbilt was a total success. He showed that he won't just compete on the field with the SEC big boys but he'll recruit with them too. He beat out a few bigger schools for ESPNU 150 athlete Brian Kimbrow (Memphis, Tenn./East) and the Commodores added a lot of bigger bodies up front and at linebacker. Vandy's veterans shouldn't have an issue mingling with this solid recruiting class.

12. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs will head into the spring looking to jump start their offense. There is a lot of depth and three senior starters returning at wide receiver, but some oomph needs to return to this offense. It's officially Tyler Russell's time at QB and LaDarius Perkins and Nick Griffin could be a powerful one-two running back punch. Where Mississippi State really struck gold in recruiting was up front, where the Bulldogs added three top defensive linemen, including No. 13 tackle Quay Evans (Morton, Miss.).

13. Kentucky: The Wildcats need playmakers on offense and having running back Josh Clemons come back at full health this year, will go a long way. But Kentucky desperately needed to add more with its 2012 recruiting class. The Wildcats are hoping dual-threat quarterback Patrick Towles (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands) can help in that department. Kentucky won't get anywhere without developing the talent already on campus and that's most important at this point.

14. Ole Miss: Hugh Freeze had some defensive success in his first recruiting class as the Rebels' head coach. There is a good foundation with ESPNU 150 defensive tackle Issac Gross of Batesville, Miss., and ESPNU 150 defensive end Channing Ward of Aberdeen, Miss., and the secondary got a boost when safety Trae Elston (Oxford, Ala.) picked Ole Miss over LSU. Now, Freeze turns his attention to players a part of a two-win 2011 season. Generating discipline and finding leaders are key for a program glued to the bottom of the SEC.

Tennessee added a premier player to its offense when junior college wide receiver Cordarrell Patterson (Hutchinson, Kan./Community College) picked the Vols early Wednesday morning.

The Rock Hill, S.C., native could arguably be the top JUCO skill player in the 2012 class and was pursued by a handful of SEC teams, including Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss.

The addition of Patterson gives Tennessee yet another big weapon for quarterback Tyler Bray to use in what should be a high-flying passing game if everyone remains healthy.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Patterson said Tennessee was where he felt the most comfortable and that Tennessee's staff started early with him and never stopped pursuing him.

"The first phone call came from Tennessee last year on signing day," Patterson said. "They never gave up. With some other teams, I would talk to the coaches once a week or something like that. Tennessee was different. They would call me almost every day, and they kept rolling with me. They kept sticking by me."

Tennessee could add another solid threat at wide receiver later today as the Vols are still in contention to sign No. 51 wide receiver Quinshad Davis (Gaffney, S.C.). As a junior, Davis caught 95 passes for 1,486 yards and 16 touchdowns. He took his final visit to Tennessee over the weekend.

Tennessee wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett is looking to transfer in order to be closer to his ailing father in Saginaw, Mich.

In an email to members of the media, Arnett discussed his father's health issues and the financial issues his family is having.

"I want to play football but I NEED to be here for my Dad and with my family," Arnett said in the email.

Arnett also said in the email that he is seeking a release to all schools in the state of Michigan. He said Tennessee will release him to a Mid-American Conference school in Michigan, but won't grant him an unconditional release to Michigan or Michigan State. If he wants to attend either school, Arnett said he'd have to pay his own way.

Arnett said in the email that he wasn't sure if his family would be able to pay to play at one of the Big Ten teams. He added in the email that he thought Tennessee coach Derek Dooley was hindering him by "not allowing me to compete at a bcs level!"

A Tennessee spokesman told ESPN's Joe Schad that Arnett isn't being denied the opportunity to be released to play at the FBS level, but that the school has a policy of not releasing players to schools Tennessee plays or recruits against.

Neither Michigan nor Michigan State are on Tennessee's current or future schedule, but there is no doubt that Tennessee crosses paths with both on the recruiting trail.

Since Arnett's release paperwork hasn't been processed yet, there could still be time for a change of heart on both sides. The tough deal for Arnett is that this is the school's policy and it's probably something players are told before they arrive on campus. It's unclear if Arnett knew about the policy, but if he was, he has to realize that options could be limited.

Whether Tennessee's policy is right or wrong is up for debate, but those are the rules that are set there. Still, extreme circumstances can sometimes create exceptions to those rules.

Losing Arnett would be a blow to Tennessee's passing game. His 24 receptions this season tied for the second-most by a freshman in school history and he was fifth on the team with 242 receiving yards and had two touchdowns.

Arnett would have been another rising receiving weapon for quarterback Tyler Bray to arm himself with next season, especially with high-flyer Justin Hunter expected to be back from his knee injury.

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on the many things for which I’m grateful.

I’m grateful for having such a wonderful and understanding family even though I’m on the road a bunch this time of year. Eternal thanks to my wife, Julie, and sons Josh, Adam and Sean.

I’m grateful that my parents instilled in me at an early age that nothing of value comes without hard work and that getting to where you want to go is never easy and rarely comes without sacrifice.

I’m especially grateful that my mother is close to being ready to go back home after spending the last three months in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.

I’m grateful to have worked for and with so many true professionals in my 25 years in the sports media business.

I’m grateful to have a job that allows me to see the best college football in the land and get to know some of the best coaches, best players and best people in the business.

I’m grateful for The Kid and everything he’s added to the SEC blog and how much he’s helped me.

I’m equally grateful that The Kid had enough confidence in himself to give me a good run in the picks contest, and in the process, re-fueled my competitive fires.

But it’s all tied up now, and just like a rookie quarterback going into the teeth of the schedule late in the season, I can see it in The Kid’s eyes. He’s starting to doubt himself, and that’s never a good thing with the bowl games just around the corner.

For the season, we’re both 76-12 (.864). I was 8-0 last week, and The Kid was 7-1. He missed Tennessee’s 27-21 overtime win against Vanderbilt.

Over the past two weeks, I’m a perfect 15-0. Magic Johnson used to call this “winning time.”

Then again, maybe there simply haven't been a lot of tough games to pick, although that’s about to change.

Here’s a look at our picks for the final week of the regular season:

VANDERBILT at WAKE FOREST

Edward Aschoff: That snake-bitten feeling is back at Vanderbilt after an overtime loss to Tennessee. The Commodores could have become bowl eligible last week and will have to try again. This team could be emotionally drained at this point and hasn't been good on the road. Wake is bowl eligible and will make an even stronger case with a win Saturday. ... Wake Forest 23, Vanderbilt 17

Chris Low: It’s come down to one game for the Commodores if they’re going to be bowl eligible this season. First-year coach James Franklin has done a nice job of changing attitudes and changing the culture. The hardest part is changing the results. The Commodores have historically not played well in this game at the end of season, but Franklin and the Commodores will buck history and play their way into a bowl game. … Vanderbilt 27, Wake Forest 24

TENNESSEE at KENTUCKY

Edward Aschoff: Now that Tyler Bray is back, the Vols have a working offense. He brings so much more to this team and even though he was rusty last week, having him proved to be the difference against Vanderbilt. Tennessee needs this win to make it to a bowl. With Kentucky limping along, the Vols' will extend their winning streak over the Wildcats to 27 straight games. ... Tennessee 34, Kentucky 17

Chris Low: Tennessee coach Derek Dooley told his team in the locker room following the win over Vanderbilt last week that the Vols always kick the (bleep) out of Vandy. That wasn’t completely true, because Vanderbilt won in Knoxville in 2005. But Kentucky hasn’t beaten Tennessee since 1984, a drought that will reach 27 straight games Saturday. … Tennessee 23, Kentucky 17

OLE MISS at MISSISSIPPI STATE

Edward Aschoff: This is officially Houston Nutt's final game as Ole Miss' head coach. He hasn't beaten Dan Mullen in two chances and the Rebels are hobbling into the Egg Bowl this year. Neither team has been great, but the Bulldogs would become bowl eligible with a win. For all the problems Mississippi State has had, they don't compare to Ole Miss'. ... Mississippi State 27, Ole Miss 13

Chris Low: It’s been 70 years since Ole Miss lost three in a row to Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. Dan Mullen has helped to spice up this rivalry by beating the Rebels on the field and then jabbing at them off the field with his “school up north” banter. Surely, the Rebels will have enough pride to fight harder than they have the past three weeks, but the Bulldogs will make enough plays on defense to keep the Egg Bowl trophy in Starkville. … Mississippi State 27, Ole Miss 14

GEORGIA at GEORGIA TECH

Edward Aschoff: The Bulldogs were sloppy in their East-clinching win over Kentucky, but things will be different Saturday. This is a heated rivalry and Georgia will be looking to generate some more momentum heading into the SEC championship game. Georgia Tech's triple-option offense will frustrate the Dawgs at times, but they'll find a way to contain it late. ... Georgia 28, Georgia Tech 21

Chris Low: Georgia Tech’s option offense is always a load to stop, especially when you only see it once a year. But this has been a different Georgia defense this season. The Bulldogs get better every week on that side of the ball. They’ll find a way to run their winning streak to 10 straight games and will return to Atlanta the next week on a roll. … Georgia 31, Georgia Tech 20

FLORIDA STATE at FLORIDA

Edward Aschoff: The feeling in Gainesville is that a win over Florida State will cure what has been a rough first year for Will Muschamp. While the Seminoles have been a major disappointment, their defense ranks seventh nationally. Offense hasn't been one of Florida's strengths and they'll need some against the Noles. For that, Florida State will keep the Gators in check Saturday. ... Florida State 21, Florida 13

Chris Low: The Gators could use a big win at home to end the season to help them forget about everything that's gone wrong this season. Winning over arch-rival Florida State would be especially sweet. But the Seminoles are the real deal on defense, and scoring points hasn't exactly been the Gators' strong suit this season, at least against FBS foes. ... Florida State 23, Florida 14

CLEMSON at SOUTH CAROLINA

Edward Aschoff: Just a few weeks ago, Clemson was one of the hottest teams in the country. Oh, how things change. Now, the Tigers are officially out of the national championship picture after a devastating loss to NC State. South Carolina has a defense equipped with the athletes to contain the Tigers. South Carolina's offense won't be pretty, but that hasn't mattered much. ... South Carolina 20, Clemson 17

Chris Low: South Carolina has fought valiantly to get to this point, overcoming the injury to Marcus Lattimore and obvious limitations on offense. But the Gamecocks are banged up going into this game, and Clemson is still smarting after losing badly last week at NC State. The Tigers will find a way to turn this game into a shootout, which hasn’t been the Gamecocks’ forte this season. … Clemson 31, South Carolina 27

ALABAMA at AUBURN

Edward Aschoff: Throughout the spring and the summer, Alabama's players were glued to TV sets continuously showing Auburn's triumphant comeback win over the Tide from last year. You can bet that game will be running through these players' brains all week leading up to this one. The Iron Bowl carries a lot of different meanings this year, and things will no doubt get emotional on the Plains, but Alabama is a win away from potentially locking up a spot in the national championship. Things will be different this time. ... Alabama 31, Auburn 14

Chris Low: The last time Alabama paid a visit to the Plains and was chasing a berth in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game, Auburn rose up and played one its best games of the season. The Crimson Tide, after falling behind early, had to drive the length of the field in the final minutes to escape with a win in 2009. The Tigers will be ready again this season, but the Crimson Tide are simply too good on defense. … Alabama 31, Auburn 13

ARKANSAS at LSU

Edward Aschoff: There has been a lot of talk about how Arkansas might have the offense that can finally frustrate LSU. That high-flying passing game might have what it takes to stop these red-hot Tigers. But LSU is thinking about championships and a loss to Arkansas could ruin that. This team has overcome so much this season that now isn't the time for a letdown. It'll be close, but LSU will make it to Atlanta unbeaten. ... LSU 27, Arkansas 23

Chris Low: Arkansas doesn’t feel like it’s received the respect it deserves this season, and the Hogs may have a point. Here’s their chance to do something about that. They’ve matched up well in recent years with LSU, but this isn’t just any LSU team. The Tigers are fast, deep and nasty on defense, and when they’re playing at home, they’re even nastier. The Hogs will make this a close game. But in the end, they won’t be able to protect quarterback Tyler Wilson well enough to win. … LSU 31, Arkansas 24

Tennessee picked up its first SEC win of the season Saturday, although the Vols' 27-21 victory over Vanderbilt was not without controversy.

Eric Gordon returned a Jordan Rodgers interception 90 yards for a touchdown on the first possession of overtime. Initially, the officials on the field ruled that Gordon's knee was down, which would have ended Vanderbilt's possession and given the ball to Tennessee on the Commodores' 25.

The play was reviewed, though, and several different replays clearly showed that neither of his knees touched the ground, only his hand.

However, a whistle could also clearly be heard, even though head referee Marc Curles said in announcing that the play was being reviewed that it had not been blown dead on the field.

Again, though, if you go back and watch it, it certainly looks like an official is running up to mark the play dead, and there's no mistaking the whistle.

Vanderbilt coach James Franklin was incensed. He ripped off his headset and went storming across the field.

Both teams were guilty of critical errors.

Rodgers was intercepted three times. The Commodores missed two field goals, and a long pass play to the Tennessee 1-yard line was called back because of a clip way behind the play on Vanderbilt offensive lineman Josh Jelesky.

Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray, returning to action after missing the last five games with a broken thumb, was intercepted twice by Archibald Barnes. He returned his second pick 100 yards for a touchdown. That's after returning his first pick 28 yards to the Vols' 6-yard line, setting up the Commodores' first touchdown.

Both teams need to win next week to become bowl eligible. Tennessee travels to Kentucky, while Vanderbilt goes to Wake Forest.

For the first time all season, Tennessee leads at halftime over an SEC team.

The Vols, looking for their first SEC win, took a 14-7 lead over Vanderbilt into halftime.

Tyler Bray was back at quarterback for Tennessee, and it's obvious he's not all the way back after missing the last five games with a broken thumb. But he's still given the Vols' offense a much-needed lift. He's been able to hook up with Da'Rick Rogers, whose 17-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter gave Tennessee a 14-7 lead.

Vanderbilt has turned the ball over twice in the first half, and the Commodores have also missed a pair of field goals. James Franklin's club had the ball for more than 20 minutes in the first half, but only managed a touchdown. That one score was set up by Archibald Barnes' 28-yard interception return to the Tennessee 6-yard line.

Derek Dooley is 10-0 at Tennessee when the Vols have led at the half.

However, the Vols have been abysmal in the second half this season. They haven't scored a point in the second half in their last five games, and in their last six games, have been outscored by a 101-6 margin.

There was a poll in the Knoxville News-Sentinel on Thursday asking Tennessee fans what would be worse than losing to Vanderbilt.

The most popular answer … losing to Kentucky.

It’s been that kind of season on Rocky Top, a rocky ride that’s sure to get a lot rockier if first-year Vanderbilt coach James Franklin takes his Commodores into Neyland Stadium on Saturday and beats the Vols for only the third time in the past 35 years.

Dooley, in his second season of trying to make Tennessee football relevant again, doesn’t need a fellow attorney to explain to him how much losing to the Commodores would hurt.

The Vols would be out of a bowl game, out of the extra practice time they would get for the postseason, and Dooley would be out that much more support.

Even with the 0-6 start in the SEC, most reasonable Tennessee fans understand the importance of giving Dooley four years to get the Vols’ program headed back in the right direction, especially when you take into account the injuries to quarterback Tyler Bray and receiver Justin Hunter this season.

But losing to Vanderbilt changes the game, and fairly or unfairly, ratchets up the pressure to win big in Season No. 3.

Dooley has done his best not to overhype how badly the Vols need to win this game, but there have been a few telling moments.

He was being quizzed earlier in the week by reporters on how much Bray would be affected by his broken thumb.

“It’s going to take some time. It’s like everything around here. We want immediate fixes,” Dooley said. “His thumb is not fixed. You don’t just put magic serum on it, and he can go throw like he did five weeks ago. It will come.”

In a lot of ways, he might as well have been talking about the Vols’ entire program.

Winning over Vanderbilt at home isn’t going to send out flares to the rest of the college football world that the Vols are all of a sudden back.

But it sure beats a loss, which would only create more doubt about whether or not Dooley is the right man for the job.

The schedule has been brutal. The Vols have had to face Alabama, Arkansas, LSU and South Carolina -- all top 12 teams -- within five weeks of each other.

Of course, as brutal as that stretch has been, the only thing that’s been worse has been the Vols’ lack of a pulse in the second half. They haven’t scored a single point after halftime in their last five games and have been outscored by an 87-0 margin in the second half of those five contests.

So, yes, any way you want to slice it, this is a big one for Dooley and Co.

“They’re all big and they’re all important,” Dooley said. “We haven’t won an SEC game, so it would be nice to get one. But I don’t think any SEC game is any bigger than the others. They’re all big.

“This is a big one. Certainly, it’s big because it’s in-state, and it’s big because we need to get a win.”

And make no mistake. It’s equally big for the Commodores, who have improved from last year to this year as much as any team in the country.

But they’re still looking for that marquee win in Franklin’s first season. They’ve beaten Ole Miss, Kentucky, Elon, Connecticut and Army and are one win away from becoming bowl eligible.

Beating Tennessee and doing it in Knoxville would be a statement game for the Commodores, especially when you consider how competitive they’ve been in close losses to Georgia, Arkansas and Florida.

The impressive thing about this team under Franklin hasn’t been its list of conquests, even though it’s important to remember that the Commodores have already won more games than they did in the previous two seasons combined.

The impressive thing has been the way the Commodores have competed, and more specifically, the way they’ve improved.

Franklin has brought an edge, a confidence and something resembling an air of arrogance to a program that has been stepped on and beaten on for decades in this league.

Obviously, making a bowl game would be a huge coup for the Commodores. After all, they’ve gone to all of four in school history.

But as Franklin has reminded us several times, the days of old at Vanderbilt are gone and never … ever, ever, ever … coming back.

Franklin’s response this week to a question about being one win away from bowl eligibility ought to tell you all you need to know about his mindset and the mindset of this program right now.

“I’m not really sure what you’re talking about,” said Franklin, asked about getting the one more win necessary to qualify for a bowl game. “If we win this week, we’ll have one more win than we have right now. That’s kind of our focus. … I’m not even sure what you’re talking about. It’s not a point of emphasis at all.”

The reporter asking Franklin the question on the SEC’s weekly teleconference explained that the SEC has a certain number of bowl tie-ins and that if you get to six wins, you get to play in a bowl game.

He might as well have been telling Franklin that he would get a free bowl of soup with the Commodores’ next victory.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that we don’t talk about those things,” Franklin said. “We talk about one game at a time. At the end of the year, if they’re telling us we’re going somewhere, we’ll go. We don’t even discuss those things. We’ve never talked about it once since I’ve been on this campus.

“The only thing we talk about is being the best Vanderbilt we can, day in and day out, maximizing each day on the practice field, playing great football for six seconds at a time, preparing Sunday through Friday the best you possibly can … and the Saturdays will take care of itself.”