THE BIG STORY

Most in the college football business talk about taking one game at a time. They talk about their teams showing up to play every game, winning on both sides of the football and, above all, establishing a ground game.

Ron Morris, columnist for The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C., hasn’t found South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier to be that way.

“When I got into coaching, I just made up my mind I was not going to talk like all the other coaches talk,” Spurrier says. “I try not to use the word ‘great’ or ‘football.’ I didn’t want to sound like every other coach. If you want to be a little different than everybody else, you’ve got to talk a little different also.”

Spurrier does that, and how.

He loves to sprinkle his conversations with the media with baseball references. His teams at Duke, Florida and South Carolina rarely have passed the ball well in stadiums around the Southeast. That is because Spurrier always wants them to “pitch it around the ballpark.”

Two seasons ago, USC scored a late touchdown at Auburn in a 48-7 loss. Spurrier, of course, commented about Auburn “nearly pitched a shutout against us.” In 2006, USC pitched its first shutout in the season-opener against Mississippi State, then apparently faced a front-line pitcher the following week when Auburn returned the favor.

Spurrier says his affection for applying baseball terminology to football stems from a deep-rooted love for the former sport. He began playing Little League Baseball in Newport, Tenn., at age 7, or three years before the legal age for participation. It helped that his father was the coach.

One might surmise that Spurrier picked up a few of his quirky sayings from his father. But Graham Spurrier, Steve’s older brother, does not believe that is the case.

“I think they just came to him,” says Graham Spurrier, who is retired and living in the Spurriers’ hometown of Johnson City, Tenn. “I don’t think Dad ever said things like that, that I recall. Steve’s just brought it on by himself, things that he thought were appropriate to the situation. I think it’s just his way of describing things. He likes to be different in describing things sometimes.”

While another coach might describe a block by an offensive lineman as being ineffective, Spurrier almost always talks about how his linemen “whiffed.” Or, “Our linemen seem to whiff a lot on their blocks.”

Rarely does Spurrier refer to an opponent by its proper name. Vanderbilt is “Vandy,” Arkansas is “Arky,” and he even made a recent reference to Oklahoma State as “Okie State.” He almost always calls Florida “The Gators,” and has taken to calling Tennessee “The Mighty Vols.”

His pet phrase for teaching his team is to “coach ’em up.” So, part of preparing for Saturday’s USC game against Florida and trying to plug the dike in a three-game losing streak is for his staff to “coach ’em up.” Throughout his coaching career, the solution to just about any problem with his team is “we need to coach ’em up a little better.”

When USC failed to recover a couple fumbles against both North Carolina and Tennessee, a reporter asked Spurrier if there was a way to practice pouncing on loose balls. Without blinking, Spurrier opted for basketball lingo in replying, “We’ll roll the balls out and see if our guys can get their hands on them.”

As he enters a room full of media, whether in a postgame interview situation or at his weekly meeting at Williams-Brice Stadium, Spurrier usually scans the audience and jump starts the event by saying, “Alright media boys.” With the proliferation over the past few years of female members of the sports media, Spurrier has occasionally altered his introductory statement by saying, “Alright media boys … and girls.”

His quarterbacks often throw “pretty balls.” Sometimes, though, they have a tendency to “toss one out of the ballpark.” Occasionally, his team is “not all that super.”

Spurrier has earned a reputation for being one of the great offensive minds in the game. His offense was revolutionary to the Southeastern Conference in the 1990s at Florida. But to Spurrier, it is just a matter of “drawing up a few ball plays.”

A look at the league:

ALABAMA

The five Alabama football players suspended because of the school’s textbook investigation will not play Saturday at Mississippi State, coach Nick Saban said on his weekly radio show Thursday night. “I shouldn’t say when (they will return),” Saban said, “but it’s not going to be for this game, and it may not be for one more.” Antoine Caldwell, Glen Coffee, Marlon Davis, Marquis Johnson and Chris Rogers have missed the past two games due to a UA inquiry into possible violations regarding receipt of textbooks for scholarship athletes. Alabama plays Louisiana-Monroe next week, and Saban said the five have a “good chance” to be reinstated for the season-ending Iron Bowl at Auburn. “If we get the information in and things get done correctly, that may be about the end of it,” Saban said. UA’s investigation went back two or three years into textbook records for all scholarship athletes. The five football players have been the only ones publicly suspended, but possible improprieties likely extend to other sports. The school will compile violations and self-report them to the NCAA before the football players can be reinstated.

ARKANSAS

The Razorbacks focused on all aspects of the kicking game from kickoffs, to punts, to field goals and PATs. The Hogs also put in a lot of work on the two-minute drill at the end of Thursday’s practice. “Boy we had a good day today,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. “We were very focused, and we came out with a great sense of urgency. We covered everything: special teams, offense, defense and two-minute situations. We had a good day.” Arkansas is looking for its fifth-straight win overall and its second straight against the Volunteers after a 31-14 triumph last season in Fayetteville. Tennessee enters the game with a 7-3 overall record and a 4-2 mark in SEC play. The status of free safety Kevin Woods is still up in the air after injuring his shoulder last Saturday against South Carolina. The senior is listed as questionable for the Tennessee game, but he will be making the trip to Knoxville. Rashaad Johnson had a good week filling in for the injured Woods, and will be ready to make his first career start if Woods can’t go. Both senior wide receiver Marcus Monk and Robert Johnson will start Saturday’s showdown with the Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Lincoln Financial Sports will broadcast the game, which is slated to kickoff at 11:30 a.m. CT.

AUBURN

Coach Tommy Tuberville was besieged by callers on his weekly radio show Thursday night imploring him not leave Auburn for another job. While Tuberville thanked the fans, he offered no comments on his future at Auburn. Late in the show, an 11-year-old girl finally got to the point. Are you going to leave us?” she asked. After a pause, Tuberville joked, “Were you put up to that?” The girl replied that she thought he was a great coach. “Thanks. I do love it here, and it’s a great place,” Tuberville said. Tuberville did not talk about the rumors linking him to other jobs, nor did he discuss a possible contract extension at Auburn. On Tuesday, Tuberville said he would sit down with athletic director Jay Jacobs and president Jay Gogue after the season is over. Tuberville is in the third year of a seven-year contract signed after the 2004 season. He will make $2.6 million this year and $2.8 million in 2008. Tuberville is believed to be a possible candidate at Texas A&M and perhaps elsewhere, but his contract contains a $6 million buyout clause that could be exercised if he left Auburn. . .Tuberville said Thursday that running back Tristan Davis would make the trip to Georgia, but he didn’t promise Davis would play. After emerging as one of Auburn’s top backs in August, Davis suffered a broken toe that sidelined him for the first four weeks. He broke a bone in his foot almost as soon as he returned Sept. 29 at Florida. Davis’ return would add depth to Auburn’s backfield and also give the Tigers an explosive option on kick returns. Tuberville said earlier this week that Davis would be more likely to return in two weeks against Alabama.

FLORIDA

Florida’s most dynamic player could be slowed this weekend against South Carolina because of an illness. Sophomore receiver Percy Harvin missed all of Thursday’s practice and half of Wednesday’s because of sinus infection, UF coach Urban Meyer said after Thursday’s practice. “Percy’s under the weather,” he said. “He’ll be fine tomorrow. (He) started getting sick as a dog yesterday.” Harvin’s illness comes after having arguably the best game of his young career. Harvin gained 223 yards of total offense (110 receiving, 113 rushing) off 20 touches and had two touchdowns against Vanderbilt. On Tuesday, junior receiver Louis Murphy did not practice because he also came down with something. When asked if the illness was going around the staff and players, Meyer said the team doctors thought it was, but that it was nothing serious.

GEORGIA

Georgia coach Mark Richt this week has danced around the question of whether his team will wear black jerseys for Saturday’s blackout against Auburn. That, of course, has done nothing but add fuel to rumors leading up to the game that the Bulldogs will do just that. Georgia’s seniors have asked fans to wear black to Sanford Stadium for the SEC game between the No. 10 Bulldogs and the No. 18 Tigers. Richt, wearing black, was asked directly Thursday what color jerseys his team will wear Saturday. “You’re going to have to refer to any answer I’ve given to this point,” Richt said. “That’s my comment. I’m tired of the question, but I like everybody.” Richt twice before this week was asked if his team will wear black jerseys. “You can’t snap your fingers and do it,” Richt said Wednesday. A day earlier, Richt said it was hard to order jerseys in a week’s time. Georgia hasn’t worn black jerseys in the modern era, but did wear black pants instead of the traditional silver britches in its Outback Bowl victory against Wisconsin at the end of the 1997 season. . .Georgia will not only get tailback Thomas Brown back on Saturday, but defensive tackle Kade Weston now looks like he’ll play on Saturday. Brown has missed the past three games with a broken collarbone. Weston injured an ankle against Troy and missed much practice time this week. “They’re both going to play,” Richt said. “In our staff meeting this morning, we were hoping and expecting them to play and hopefully play well and play as many reps as they can stand.”

KENTUCKY

Junior cornerback Ahmad Grigsby is out indefinitely after a blood clot was found in his subclavicle artery, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said Thursday. Grigsby complained of chest pains Thursday and was taken to UK Hospital for tests. Brooks said he is currently taking blood thinners to alleviate the clot. “I’m just glad that they found it and that he’s getting the proper treatment and care,” Brooks said. Grigsby, a reserve corner, has played in three games with seven tackles and a pass deflection. . .Senior wide receiver Keenan Burton has been named a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the top pass receiver in college football. Burton is one of 12 finalists for the award, which will be announced on the ESPN College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6. Burton has caught 44 passes for 544 yards and six touchdowns despite battling a sprained ankle for most of the season and missing a game because of a strained knee. Senior tight end Jacob Tamme has been named a finalist for the Danny Wuerffel Trophy, as announced by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The award, nicknamed the “Humanitarian Heisman” by a Florida sportswriter, is given to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

LSU

Matt Flynn may be the 80th-ranked quarterback in the nation out of 120 in passing efficiency and seventh in the Southeastern Conference out of 12, but the fourth quarter has been his of late. Flynn completed 8 of 14 passes with no interceptions for 122 yards and a 32-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet on fourth-and-4 that tied Alabama 34-34 with 2:49 to play Saturday in a 41-34 LSU victory. On the game-tying drive, Flynn completed 6 of 9 passes for 84 yards. Against Auburn on Oct. 20, Flynn completed 8 of 10 passes with no interceptions in the fourth quarter for 92 yards and touchdown passes of 5 yards to Jacob Hester with 12:55 to play and 22 yards to Demetrius Byrd with one second left for a 30-24 victory. On LSU’s game-winning drive, Flynn completed 2 of 3 passes for 23 yards and rushed three times for 19 yards. Against Florida on Oct. 6, Flynn completed 3 of 5 passes with no interceptions for 19 yards with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Byrd with 10:15 to play. On the game-winning drive, Flynn completed 1 of 2 passes for 14 yards and rushed once for 15 yards as the Tigers scored with 1:09 to go on a Jacob Hester 2-yard run for a 28-24 win.”It’s just an attitude that has been bred here since I was a freshman,” Flynn said. “People here expect to win in the fourth quarter. The players believe it. The coaches believe it. We’re going to win in the fourth quarter. You can do things like that when you believe you can. It’s just part of being in this program. When it comes down to when we have to make a play, this offense is unbelievable.” LSU coach Les Miles has eight come-from-behind wins in the fourth quarter — the first five under quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2005 and 2006 and the last three under Flynn this season. “If the opponent has 12 opportunities to beat you, and we make the 13th opportunity, that’s key,” Miles said. “Matt Flynn has that. He finds ways to win. He showed leadership, poise.”

OLE MISS

Ole Miss senior defensive end Viciente DeLoach was pleased to have a little time away from the football field this week since the Rebels don’t have another game until Nov. 17 against No. 2-ranked LSU. But instead of goofing around, playing video games or hanging out with friends, DeLoach is having an arguably harder week without football. In the final year of his mechanical engineering major, DeLoach isn’t getting to coast in the classroom. Now that he’s got a short break, he’s making up for lost time. “For me personally, it’s the most busy week of the semester,” DeLoach told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. “I have six projects due and I can just focus on them without worrying about going to practice or losing the weekend.” DeLoach, who has seen his role on the defensive line increase because of Greg Hardy’s suspension, has eight tackles and three quarterback hurries this season. Ole Miss does not practice again until Monday, while the coaching staff is out recruiting.

MISS. STATE

In the 22 years since he left Mississippi State as head football coach, Emory Bellard has coached a high school and played golf more times that he can count. He has not returned to Starkville - not for hard feelings, just for lack of a reason That changes this weekend. Bellard will visit MSU’s campus as the honorary captain for the Bulldogs when they play No. 21 Alabama Saturday at Scott Field. He and his wife, Susan, will leave their home in Georgetown, Texas, today for the trip. “I will be coming back to pull for the Dogs,” Bellard told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Bellard’s invitation came at the request of MSU coach Sylvester Croom. Though more nationally known as the inventor of the Wishbone offense, Bellard’s fame in Mississippi State circles begins with him being the Bulldogs’ coach when they beat No. 1 Alabama 6-3 in Jackson in 1980. Bellard will turn 80 next month. He plays golf most every day. “I just checked in the paper this morning, they said the average age of a man’s life is 79,” Bellard said Wednesday. “So I’ve already reached that and I’ll surpass it by a year.”. . .Junior free safety Derek Pegues missed practice for the second straight day with back spasms, but Croom said Thursday that he expects him to play against Alabama.

SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said Thursday he wants his players to remember the 541 rushing yards they surrendered last week in a 48-36 loss at Arkansas. Then someone informed Nix that after a video review, it was determined the Razorbacks actually rushed for 542 yards. “Damn, we wrote down the wrong number,” Nix said. “They’re still running.” As they prepare to face No. 17 Florida, Nix said he hopes the Gamecocks will learn from last week’s debacle. Arkansas’ rushing and total-yardage totals (651) were the most allowed by a USC defense in school history. “I hope it sticks somewhere on the inside. Hopefully, they never have to experience something like that again,” Nix said. “The way you keep that from happening is you go out there and do the little things right and all 11 guys (are) on the same page. “You hope it hurts enough that you never want to see that happen again.”. . .Sophomore defensive backs Emanuel Cook (left ankle sprain) and Captain Munnerlyn (left foot sprain) practiced Thursday and are probable for Saturday’s game. . .Spurrier shrugged off comments by ESPN analyst Bob Davie, who, while calling the USC-Arkansas game, suggested that defenses have caught up with Spurrier’s offense.“That’s what they said in 1999, too, when we struggled (at Florida). Any time you struggle, that’s going to be said. That’s OK with me,” Spurrier said. “I think he came back and said, ‘These guys all of a sudden got it going,’ … when we started moving the ball.” . .Representatives from the Chick-fil-A Bowl will scout Saturday’s game, although the Gamecocks appear to be a longshot for the Atlanta bowl. In his team selection blog, Chick-fil-A official Leeman Bennett listed Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Kentucky as the leading SEC candidates for the Dec. 31 game at the Georgia Dome.

TENNESSEE

Arkansas and its man-to-man defense on receivers has got the attention of Austin Rogers. “They’re showing us no respect,” says Rogers, a Tennessee wide receiver who has 35 catches for 428 yards and a touchdown. “They’re saying, I can guard you one-on-one. If you can’t get by us, we’ve got more guys for the run game.” The Razorbacks were effective using tight man-to-man coverage against the Vols last year. That, combined with plenty of pressure on UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton, made life difficult for the Vols’ passing game. Tennessee had 174 passing yards against Arkansas last year on 16 of 34 passing. With that in mind, UT has spent plenty of time on the practice field working against press coverage for Saturday’s game at Neyland Stadium. “We’ve put some routes in that are good for man-to-man coverage,” Rogers said. “We know they’re going to try and challenge us. They got away with some man-to-man coverage last year. We didn’t capitalize on some opportunities where we did beat them. We have to go out there and do it this week.” Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe knows that won’t be easily, especially against a Reggie Herring-coached defense. “He’s been a top-notch defensive coordinator for a long time,” Cutcliffe said. “They play a ton of man coverage, a ton of press coverage. They bring pressure a lot. They’re not a big believer in zone blitz. They’re a believer in pressure man defense.”

VANDERBILT

Vanderbilt running back Cassen Jackson-Garrison is closing in on the school’s top 10 all-time rushing list. With a team-leading 417 yards heading into Saturday’s matchup against visiting No. 22 Kentucky, the Knoxville native needs just 80 yards in Vanderbilt’s final three regular-season games to match Phil King’s career total of 1,717. “I don’t really pay attention to the stats,” said Jackson-Garrison, who has the only Commodore 100-yard game this season (119, vs. Ole Miss) but was held to 8 in last weekend’s loss to Florida. “As long as I stay productive and help the team, that’s all that matters. Maybe after the season it’ll soak in. But right now, I’m just working on our goals of getting bowl eligible and winning this game.”