THE BIG STORY

Florida’s convincing 59-20 victory over SEC East rival Tennessee moved the Gators two spots up to No. 3 in the latest Associated Press poll. Now, they hit the road for the first time to play at Ole Miss on Saturday.

“This is a whole different thing,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said of UF’s road trip to Ole Miss this weekend. “One thing I appreciate about our schedule this year is you’ve got to get a routine. So much with athletes and teams is that routine.

“One of the first things I did when I became a head coach was visit (Kansas State coach) Bill Snyder. That’s all he talked about. He wants players to focus on assignments and responsibilities, not where’s my room, where’s the meeting room, what am I eating tonight.

“We have a very set routine that’s going to be all new for these young players. That’s a big concern. That’s a major concern.”

A look at the league:

ALABAMA

Alabama got through its 41-38 win over Arkansas with not too many injuries. Linebacker Darren Mustin didn’t play after halftime due to at least one painful stinger near his shoulder. He remained on the sideline to cheer his teammates and could be a cause of concern this week. Receiver DJ Hall sat for much of the second half to rest a sore quadriceps muscle, while safety Rashad Johnson and linebacker Keith Saunders returned to action after brief absences. Tailbacks Glen Coffee (shoulder) and Jimmy Johns (ankle) each played despite pre-existing injuries. . .On Alabama’s game-winning TD drive, quarterback John Parker Wilson completed completed 7-of-9 tosses. Four were to Matt Caddell, who leapt over Arkansas’ Jamar Lowe on third-and-goal to catch the game-winning 4-yard TD pass with eight seconds left on Saturday. “See the ball and go make the catch,” Caddell said. “That’s basically what it was.”

ARKANSAS

Arkansas coach Houston Nutt had difficult decision against Alabama on the Razorbacks’ second-to-last possession: third and 12 at their own 35, 2:31 left and ahead 38-34. Do you throw a pass and try get the first down, or run to keep the clock going. Nutt called a pass and Casey Dick threw incomplete for senior Robert Johnson. Alabama got the ball backl, drove and won the game 41-38. “It was a couple of things,” Nutt said. “They moved their defense into a Bear (covering the center and the two-guards). And we knew McFadden wasn’t back there. And we knew they were going to be pinching. So we thought we could get (Dick) out (of the pocket) and get a one-on-one. If we get the first down, ya’ll ain’t asking that question. We also told (Dick) to run it if it there was any question. But he was just trying to make a play.” Nutt also thought Arkansas’ defense would hold up one more time.

AUBURN

Auburn senior quarterback Brandon Cox is now in an official fight to keep his starting job. He was yanked after two interceptions in Saturday’s loss to Mississippi State and backup QB Kodi Burns did move the team. Auburn’s coaches were tight-lipped about the quarterback situation Sunday, although it seems likely that both Cox and Kodi Burns will play this weekend against New Mexico State (2-1). Cox threw two interceptions in his first two passing plays Saturday. He returned in the fourth quarter to lead the Tigers on a potential game-winning drive that stalled on the 9-yard line. In between, Burns offered a new wrinkle to Auburn’s offense, running draws and options and moving around the pocket with more speed than Cox. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble. Fans chanted Burns’ name and cheering his every move, while roundly booing Cox. “I was bothered (by the booing),” Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville Tuberville said. “I was hoping they were booing me. I don’t think they’d be booing Brandon. That’s the way we took it and that’s the way it should be. If you’re going to boo, boo the coaches because we get paid to do this. The players don’t. They work awfully hard to do what they do.”. . . Starting tackle King Dunlap (sprained elbow and wrist) and starting guard Mike Berry (undisclosed injury) both left Saturday’s game against Mississippi State, although Berry later returned. Reserve offensive lineman Leon Hart sustained a separated shoulder and will be out six to eight weeks. Andrew McCain replaced Dunlap on Saturday and Antwoin Daniels would be first in line if Berry can’t go. . .Tuberville said there was still no news to report on the status of running back Brad Lester, who is suspended indefinitely for undisclosed academic reasons.

FLORIDA

The news was not all good for the Gators coming off Saturday’s 59-20 win over Tennessee. True freshman linebacker Jerimy Finch sustained a serious leg injury when he was tackled after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter and underwent knee surgery Sunday. Meyer said Finch had ligament damage in his knee and a broken bone in his lower leg and he will be out for a year. Meyer said wide receiver Andre Caldwell will miss his second consecutive game after spraining his knee in the Troy game. Meyer said there’s a chance Caldwell will be back for the Sept. 29 Auburn game. The coach said cornerback Markihe Anderson (knee) is day-to-day. Meyer said he would have an update today on UF’s other injured player - offensive guard Maurkice Pouncey (ankle).

GEORGIA

Georgia will get some ailing players back for Saturday’s game at Alabama. Senior Chester Adams will return as starting right offensive tackle. Tailback Kregg Lumpkin, who has missed the past two games, should be able to play on special teams wearing a cast on his broken right thumb. “If we’re willing to let him stick it in the healthy hand and go, I think we’d have the OK to do that, too,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “I’m just not sure if that’s what we’ll do yet or not, but I’m pretty sure Lump will be able to help us win.”

KENTUCKY

Kentucky’s miracle finish stuck in a 40-34 win over Louisville on Saturday. Even after center Eric Scott was whistled for a costly 15-yard personal foul that pushed the Cats back to their own 43-yard line with 35 seconds left, quarterback Andre Woodson hit Steve Johnson on a 57-yard scoring pass with 28 seconds left to give the Cats the win. It was Kentucky’s first win over a top-10 team since beating No. 4 Penn State in 1977 and ended a four-game losing streak to the Cards. The Cats bounced back after blowing a 13-point first quarter lead. They bounced back after allowing a Trent Guy 100-yard kickoff return. They bounced back after allowing Louisville to take a one-point lead on Anthony Allen’s 2-yard run with 1:45 remaining. “This team just kept coming back,” UK Coach Rich Brooks said. “No matter what went wrong, they found a way to make it right. I’m so proud of this team and particularly our seniors, who have been through so much with this program. To come back and win a game of this magnitude and significance … it’s just a huge, huge win for them, and hopefully it will solidify the faith that the fans have had with this team.”

LSU

Senior starting quarterback Matt Flynn is expected back for Saturday’s game against South Carolina after dressing out but not playing against Middle Tennessee because of an ankle injury suffered last week.
“Yeah, he’s going to be a lot better this week than he was last,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “Yet we want to make sure that it’s right. I think we’ll know more today, Tuesday and Wednesday.” Asked if the ankle injury may linger for Flynn, Miles said, “I don’t know. We’ve given some thought to it, and we certainly have a plan. We’d like to think we could make a difference in that process.” In Flynn’s absence, backup Ryan Perrilloux completed 20 of 25 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 37 yards on eight carries in his first collegiate start as the Tigers destroyed Middle Tennessee, 44-0. The plan , though is not to start Perrilloux against South Carolina, which like LSU is 3-0 on the season.”Our starting quarterback’s Matt Flynn,” Miles said. “That’s not an issue. Does he (Perrilloux) deserve to play? Yeah, I’d like to tell you that we plan on playing two quarterbacks most of the season.”
First start in three years

OLE MISS

Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron wanted a better effort from his special teams Saturday. He didn’t get it in the Rebels’ 31-17 loss at Vanderbilt Stadium. Ole Miss’ special teams struggles were evident on the opening kickoff when Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore returned for 33 yards. The Commodores used the big return to kick off a 10-play, 55-yard scoring drive that gave them a 7-0 lead. Moore turned in another big return on the next kickoff, weaving 29 yards to give Vandy the ball at its own 43. The Commodores didn’t score, but it set the tone for the night. In addition, Ole Miss place-kicker Joshua Shene struggled for the third straight game. The sophomore made a 34-yard field goal in the first quarter, but later missed from 30. Shene has missed three kicks (two field goals and an extra point) in three games. He missed only three field goals all last season.

MISS. STATE

Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom said he went with freshman Wesley Carroll as quarterback on State’s game-winning TD drive on Saturday at Auburn for one reason. The Jackson Clarion ledger reported that Croom, on his headset from offensive coordinator Woody McCorvey, agreed with McCorvey’s choice of Carroll.”He just simply said, ‘I’m gonna get Wes in the game,’ ” Croom said. “I said, ‘You sure?’ And he just simply said, ‘Yes, I want to get him in the game.’ “I said, ‘OK.’ “Carroll, the true freshman from Parkland, Fla., guided MSU on a 10-play, 44-yard drive that resulted in the game-winning score in the 19-14 victory.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Carolina defensive end Nathan Pepper intercepted a pass by S.C. State’s Cleveland McCoy, rumbled 19 yards into the end zone on Saturday, then crumbled to the turf. Pepper, the Gamecocks’ starting right end, had to be helped from the field after sustaining a left knee injury. He did not return in the first half. The injury put a damper on an important moment for the Gamecocks. USC had not scored a defensive touchdown in nearly two years. Its most recent had come Oct. 8, 2005, when safety Ko Simpson returned a fumble for a touchdown in a 44-16 win against Kentucky. Pepper’s touchdown return came as S.C. State led 3-0 in the first quarter. The junior from Greenville rushed toward McCoy, who threw in the direction of tailback Will Ford in the flat. Pepper grabbed the ball and ran untouched into the end zone. . .The Gamecocks committed five turnovers in the first half, and their quarterbacks rotated amid several mistakes.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis was clearly shaken by the fact his defense allowed 554 yards (8.5 yards per snap) in Saturday’s 59-20 loss at Florida. “We misplayed some deep balls,” Chavis said. “We need to be better at making plays. We didn’t rush the passer as well as we needed, didn’t get the quarterback down enough. We’re a growing team. We’re not polished by any imagination. I’m not happy. We need to respond better, not the way a good team should. It’s a pride check for us all. I can tell you I don’t feel very good right now. We’re all in this together. Florida ran for 255 yards, most of them around the end, with Tebow keepers and Percy Harvin end arounds. “They just killed us with speed sweep and option, basically their perimeter game,” Fulmer said. “I think we miscalculated the speed of Harvin, which we shouldn’t have.” Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said his defense will be looking for leadership this week. “We’re not all that we need to be at every position on defense, but we’re talented enough to win the rest of our football games,” Fulmer said.. . .Left tackle Eric Young is expected to miss a few days with an ankle injury, while freshman receiver Gerald Jones (hamstring) likely won’t be available until the Vols’ begin preparations for Georgia. Reserve defensive end Andre Mathis (shoulder) is doubtful for this week’s game vs. Arkansas State, and Fulmer said tailback Montario Hardesty (ankle), strongside linebacker Ryan Karl (ankle) and Wes Brown (shoulder) all “should be better.”

VANDERBILT

Vandy had just two sacks in its first two games, but had seven sacks in Saturday’s win over Ole Miss. Five different players — Jonathan Goff, Brandon Bryant, Theo Horrocks, Steven Stone and Curtis Gatewood — were each credited with a sack, with Gabe Hall and Broderick Stewart given a half-sack. The Commodores received a team sack when Schaeffer stepped out of bounds for an 8-yard loss on the final Ole Miss possession. . .Linebacker Jonathan Goff, who finished with 12 total tackles from his middle linebacker position — including 10 solo stops — gave Vanderbilt a double-digit tackler for the third straight week. Cornerback D.J. Moore had 11 tackles in the Richmond win and 13 against Alabama.