Game Day October 13 2012

ROGELIO V. SOLIS | AP

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The Daily Journal’s weekly college football preview section | Saturday, October 13, 2012

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

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DAILY JOURNAL

At halfway mark in the SEC, Alabama’s way out front

e’re at the halfway mark today for most SEC teams, and it’s interesting to take a look at all 14 league teams through the prism of what we expected in August.

Some things were predictable, like Alabama being good and Kentucky being bad. But there have been plenty of surprises – and, in one case, a full-blown stunner. Yes, Arkansas.

ALABAMA (5-0, 2-0): Clearly the best team in the country, maybe 10 points better than the nextbest team. In recent weeks, I’ve begun to ponder a Bama-Notre Dame national championship game, but the only team capable of beating the Crimson Tide right now is the Crimson Tide.

ARKANSAS (2-4, 1-2): A top-5 team in the spring, a puzzle in August and a full-blown dump-

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Record: 5-0 (2-0 SEC) Today: Home against Tennessee (3-2, 0-2) TV: 8 p.m., ESPN The buzz: Here’s a fine chance for the Bulldogs to answer some nagging questions about their killer instinct – and to get bowl-eligible, too.

Coverage begins: Page 3

OLE MISS

Record: 3-3 (0-2 SEC) Today: Home against Auburn (1-4, 0-3) TV: 11:21 a.m., SECnet The buzz: The path to possible bowl eligibility starts with a win today against a vulnerable conference opponent.

Coverage begins: Page 4

SOUTHERN MISS

Record: 0-5 (0-1 C-USA) Today: At UCF (3-2, 1-0) TV: 7 p.m., CBSsn The buzz: There’s still time for a turnaround, but it needs to start now.

Read more: Page 9

ster fire in September. There’s still too much talent, though, for teams like Ole Miss (Oct. 27) and MSU (Nov. 17) to take the Razorbacks lightly.

JOHN L. AUBURN (1-4, PITTS 0-3): I wasn’t buying these Tigers in the preseason. Gene Chizik’s headcoaching record is now 36-33 – 22-33 without a quarterback named Cam Newton.

FLORIDA (5-0, 4-0): The Gators have three league victories in which they made successful halftime adjustments. Next weekend’s home game with highly ranked South Carolina should be an instant classic. |

ON TV TODAY

TODAY

10 a.m.

Louisville at Pittsburgh, ESPNU 11 a.m.

Texas vs. Oklahoma, ABC Iowa at Michigan State, ESPN N’western at Minnesota, ESPN2 UAB at Houston, FSSC Kansas State at Iowa State, FX Brown at Princeton, NBCsn 11:21 a.m.

Auburn at Ole Miss, SEC Network Noon SMU at Tulane, CSS 1:30 p.m.

North Carolina at Miami, ESPNU 2 p.m.

Utah at UCLA, Fox Maryland at Virginia, FSS 2:30 p.m.

Alabama at Missouri, CBS West Virginia at Texas Tech, ABC Illinois at Michigan ESPN Okla. State at Kansas, FCSC Stanford at Notre Dame, NBC Fresno at Boise State, NBCsn 3:30 p.m.

Memphis at East Carolina, CSS 4:30 p.m.

Boston Coll. at Fla. State, ESPN2

GEORGIA (5-1, 3-1): The Bulldogs have an extra week to reflect on that beatdown from South Carolina last weekend.

Georgia fans could wind up with their eighth 10-win team in the last 11 seasons and yet many will still be unhappy with their coach.

KENTUCKY (1-5, 0-3): Makes you appreciate what a good job Rich Brooks did in stitching together four straight winning seasons (2006-09) in Lexington. They’re need a coach transplant, stat.

LSU (5-1, 1-1): No need to worry about a BCS rematch this year.

Without better play on offense – wasn’t that an issue last year? – there might be two more SEC losses on the Tigers’ schedule.

MISSISSIPPI STATE (5-0, 2-0): The biggest Bulldogs fan I know has given up trying to defend that non-conference schedule. If |

5 p.m.

Florida at Vanderbilt, ESPNU 6 p.m.

Kentucky at Arkansas, FSS Southern Cal at Washington, Fox TCU at Baylor, FCSC 7 p.m.

South Carolina at LSU, ESPN FAU at Louisiana-Monroe, CSS 8 p.m.

Tennessee at Miss. State, ESPN2 8:15 p.m.

Texas A&M at La. Tech, ESPNU All times Central

GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

Sports editor: John L. Pitts Page design: Daily Journal staff Sports staff: Parrish Alford (Ole Miss beat writer), Brett Brown, Brad Locke (Mississippi State beat writer), Gene Phelps, Robbie Robertson, Brandon Speck.

On the cover: Mississippi State students wear body paint calling for fans to clang their cowbells during last month’s Auburn game.

(Rogelio V. Solis, AP)

MSU was a fighter, I’d say it was trying to outpoint opponents instead of trying to KO them.

Sweep the leg, Dan. MISSOURI (3-3, 0-3): No one could predict that the Tigers’ quarterback would be unable to stay healthy, but Mizzou’s run of seven-straight winning seasons is in some peril at this point.

Welcome to the SEC. OLE MISS (3-3, 0-2): The Rebels are playing hard for a new staff, and there’s more talent on the roster than some expected.

Today’s game with Auburn is crucial to ending that pesky SEC skid and keeping a hand in play come bowl time.

TENNESSEE (3-2, 0-2): My friends who are longtime Vols fans are way, way past disgusted at this point. A fast finish might save Derek Dooley’s job, which would be unfortunate in the

long run for a once-mighty program. He’s not The Man. TEXAS A&M (4-1, 2-1): I’m stunned by the Aggies’ first-year success. I spent all summer badmouthing this team and I was wrong. The biggest good-news story in the league this fall.

SOUTH CAROLINA (6-0, 4-0): For about two weeks, I’ve voted the Gamecocks the second-best team in the league in our little Journal poll. Saturday’s smacking of Georgia proved that.

VANDERBILT (2-3, 1-2): James Franklin is making progress as skipper of the Commodores, but I wonder if he’ll bail after the first winning season. After a slow start, another 6-6 regular season still isn’t out of reach.

John L. Pitts (john.pitts@journalinc.com) is sports editor of the Journal. He once fought the law – and the law won.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

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Bulldogs feel they have a lot to prove today DEPTH CHARTS: Page 6 KEYS TO THE GAME: Page 8

BY BRAD LOCKE DAILY JOURNAL

STARKVILLE – Despite being unbeaten and ranked, Mississippi State feels like it still has a lot to prove, which is exactly how Johnthan TENNESSEE AT Banks wants it.

MISSISSIPPI STATE The No. 19 Bulldogs (5-0, 2DESTE LEE | DAILY JOURNAL 0 SEC) have a chance to earn a little more respect today when they host Tennessee Johnthan Banks and the Bulldogs are (3-2, 0-2). This should be MSU’s toughest looking for their best start since 1999. test to date, and a loss would have the pundits muttering, “Same old Bulldogs.” underdogs. We love it, I love it.”

A win would go a long way in winning Well, State is actually a slight favorite over some cynics. today. But Tennessee aside, the real ob“If we lock these guys up and do what stacle here is a perception that fourthwe’re supposed to do, we’ll probably get a year coach Dan Mullen has been trying lot of respect,” said Banks, MSU’s senior to turn on its head. cornerback. “Our team, we love to be the The perception is that MSU can’t be a

contender, that it can’t win the games that really count. That perception is largely based in reality, but Mullen has gotten this program back on its feet and has a shot today to move it another big step forward.

ANOTHER BUILDING BLOCK

Melvin Smith, MSU’s cornerbacks coach and a man who’s been coaching in this state and region for 30 years, waxed philosophically about the magnitude of today’s contest.

“This game is about a program that was built starting with Johnthan Banks.

This is about Johnthan Banks and Dan Mullen and Nickoe Whitley and the guys coach Mullen brought in,” Smith said.

“It’s about more than just one or two guys running out there on the field. It’s about a team camaraderie. It’s about a concept, an attitude.”

A win today would give MSU its best start since 1999, when it began 8-0 – the

best start in school history. The players seem to understand the significance of what they’ve done so far and how it fits into the larger MSU narrative.

They know the level of competition is about to go up, and that people will be watching closely to see if the Bulldogs are for real.

“Everyone’s ready to show them that we’re a force to be reckoned with,” center Dillon Day said.

Banks certainly understands what’s at stake. He signed in 2009 out of East Webster High School, and so he’s been with Mullen this whole way. He grew up just a few miles from MSU and never really considered going anywhere else.

Sure, he wants respect, but Banks isn’t bothered by a lack of it.

“I want to be the underdog,” he said, “and that way at the end we can say we proved everybody wrong.” brad.locke@journalinc.com

MISSISSIPPI STATE

TONIGHT’S GAME AT A GLANCE

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Where: Davis Wade Stadium (55,082), Starkville.

Kickoff: 8 p.m. Television: ESPN2.

Radio: MSU Network; XM 197; Sirius 128.

Records: MSU 5-0 (2-0 SEC), Tennessee 3-2 (0-2) Rankings: MSU No. 19 AP, No. 18 USA Today.

Series: Tennessee leads 28-15-1 Last meeting: Tennessee won 34-3 on Oct. 18, 2008, in Knoxville.

UT led 6-3 at halftime and scored 28 points in the second half.

Coaches – Tennessee: Derek Dooley, 31-36 overall (sixth year), 14-16 at UT (third year); MSU: Dan Mullen, 26-17 (fourth year).

Statistical leaders – Tennessee: QB Tyler Bray 118-193-6, 1,582 yards, 14 TDs; RB Rajion Neal 103-460, 4 TDs; WR Justin Hunter 33-456, 4 TDs; LB A.J. Johnson 42 tackles, 2.0 TFLs; FS Byron Moore 36 tackles, 4 INTs. MSU: QB Tyler Russell 82-145-1, 1,091 yards, 10 TDs; RB LaDarius Perkins 82-499, 6 TDs; WR Chad Bumphis 21-375, 6 TDs; LB Benardrick McKinney 36 tackles, 2.5 TFLs; DE Denico Autry 14 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks.

Trends: MSU’s seven-game winning streak is tied for fifth-longest in the country. … Bray has thrown five of his six INTs in SEC games. … MSU’s last two opponents, South Alabama and Kentucky, were both 5 of 15 on third downs. … Mullen is 7-3 against SEC Eastern Division teams.

Notes: MSU had a season-low two penalties for 9 yards last week. … Tennessee has 2,533 total yards, the most through five games in school history. … MSU ranks 12th nationally in pass efficiency defense, while UT ranks 35th in pass efficiency offense. … MSU and Tennessee are tied for the league lead in sacks allowed at three apiece.

Summing it up: “There are a lot of reasons why it’s a big game. It just validates what you’re about.” – MSU cornerbacks coach Melvin Smith.

Prediction: MSU, 31-28.

Brad Locke

S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17 N24

www.hailstate.com Jackson State W, 56-9 Auburn W, 28-10 at Troy W, 30-24 South Alabama W, 30-10 Open date at Kentucky W, 27-14 Tennessee, 8 p.m.

Middle Tennessee, 6 p.m. at Alabama Texas A&M at LSU Arkansas at Ole Miss

A31 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17 N24

www.utsports.com N.C. State (ATL) W, 35-21 Georgia St. W, 51-13 Florida L, 37-20 Akron W, 47-26 at Georgia L, 51-44 Open date at Mississippi St., 8 p.m.

Alabama at South Carolina Troy Missouri at Vanderbilt Kentucky

TENNESSEE

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

DAILY JOURNAL

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

DAILY JOURNAL

Wallace will try to put difficult week behind him DEPTH CHARTS: Page 7 KEYS TO THE GAME: Page 8

of that,” Freeze said.

On the field, Wallace has been trying to improve his ball-protection.

After a fast start in the first two games – five touchdown passes and one interception – Wallace has thrown seven interceptions and three touchdowns over the last four games.

The Rebels (3-3, 0-2 SEC) in the meantime have developed a rushing personality on offense.

an SEC quarterback last week.

He believes he’s close to turning the corner.

BY PARRISH ALFORD “The game has definitely slowed down.

DAILY JOURNAL I burned a few of them (on Saturday) that a few weeks ago I probably wouldn’t have OXFORD – While Bo Wallace has strugburned,” Wallace said. “I have to continue gled to distance himself from turnovers in to progress, make the plays when they’re his first six starts as the Ole Miss quarterthere, and if they’re not, throw the ball back, life was put in peraway.”

AUBURN spective earlier this Today, Wallace faces an Auburn (1-4, 0-3 AT OLE MISS week.

SEC) that is 11th in the league in pass effiHis sister, Baylee WalCOSTLY TURNOVERS ciency defense, but ranks 48th nationally lace, sustained a broken neck in a car Wallace had two more interceptions in in scoring at 23.6 points a game allowed. wreck late Monday. Early prognosis for relast week’s dramatic come-from-ahead Wallace hopes better decisions will help covery is good, Ole Miss coach Hugh 30-27 loss to Texas A&M. him play a turnover-free game. Freeze has AP Freeze said.

The first was a fluke, when the ball already said that if bad decisions lead to Bo Wallace gets another start at quarter- slipped out of his hands. The second was a early mistakes he won’t hesitate to turn to Bo Wallace was at the Rebels’ practice back for Ole Miss, but needs to deliver.

Tuesday afternoon, trying to focus on poor decision – his only one of the game, backup QB Barry Brunetti. family and the Auburn Tigers at the same Freeze said – resulting in a turnover that “I thought I did a really good with it the time while Baylee Wallace was in surgery.

“Life’s tough. You lose grandmoms and sealed the Rebels’ fate. Wallace and Donte other night. That was the one bad deciFreeze described Wallace as “distant” at granddads, they get bad news from the Moncrief had just connected on a 32-yard sion I made, but it was at the most inopthe beginning of the practice. doctor, and we’ve had several of those pass play to get into field goal range. portune time,” Wallace said.

Freeze addressed Wallace’s situation things here in the last several weeks. We Wallace’s 305 passing yards against the with the team before the Tuesday practice. had a good time together, and Bo was part Aggies were a career-high and the most by parrish.alford@journalinc.com

OLE MISS

TODAY’S GAME AT A GLANCE

Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580), Oxford www.olemisssports.com Kickoff: 11:21 a.m. Television: SEC Network (WCBI, WLMT) S1 Central Arkansas W, 49-27 Radio: Ole Miss Network; Sirius 137, XM 199 S8 UTEP W, 28-10 Records: Ole Miss 3-3 (0-2 SEC), Auburn 1-4 (0-2).

S15 Texas L, 66-31 Series: Auburn leads 27-9. Last year: Auburn, 41-23.

S22 at Tulane W, 39-0 Coaches – Auburn: Gene Chizik 36-33 overall (sixth year), 31-14 at S29 at Alabama L, 33-14 Auburn (fourth year). Ole Miss: Hugh Freeze 33-10 overall (fourth O6 Texas A&M L, year), 3-3 at Ole Miss.

O13 Auburn, 11:21 a.m.

Statistical leaders – Auburn: RB Tre Mason, 59-307-1; QB Kiehl O20 Open date Frazier 56-103 passing, 664 yards, 2 TD, 8 INT; WR Emory Blake O27 at Arkansas 22-340-2; LB Daren Bates 54 tackles, 4 TFL. Ole Miss: RB Jeff N3 at Georgia Scott 71-425-5; QB Bo Wallace 90-146 passing, 1,145 yards, 8 N10 Vanderbilt TD, 8 INT; WR Donte Moncrief 27-453-5; LB Denzel Nkemdiche N17 at LSU 38 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2 sacks.

N24 Mississippi State Trends: Ole Miss has lost three straight in the series, last winning against Auburn 17-7 in Oxford in 2008.

AUBURN Notes: The Rebels are 2-9 against Auburn in Oxford. … Auburn has www.auburntigers.com scored just two offensive touchdowns in three SEC games. … It’s S1 Clemson L, 26-19 homecoming at Ole Miss. The Rebels are 67-15-2 in their homeS8 at Miss. State L, 28-10 coming games. … Auburn is the Ole Miss homecoming opponent S15 La.-Monroe, OT W, 28-10 for the first time. … Ole Miss is 3-0 when it scores first, 0-3 S22 LSU L, 12-10 when it doesn’t. … The Rebels are fourth in the SEC and rank in S29 Open date the top 20 nationally in both sacks (2.8 per game) and tackles for O6 Arkansas L, 24-7 loss (7.7 per game). … Ole Miss has scored on 17 of 19 trips inO13 at Ole Miss, 11:21 a.m. side the 20. … Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief leads the team and O20 at Vanderbilt, 11:21 a.m. ranks fifth in the SEC with 75.5 yards a game.

O27 Texas A&M Summing it up: “There are some people that are really hurting. ...

N3 New Mexico State as they start to learn and develop, and they understand how N10 Georgia much it takes to win, to get SEC wins in the fourth quarter, it’s just N17 Alabama A&M part of the growing process, and that’s where we are right now.”

N24 at Alabama – Matt Luke, Ole Miss OL coach Prediction: Ole Miss, 25-14.

Parrish Alford

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EASTERN South Carolina Florida Georgia Vanderbilt Tennessee Missouri Kentucky WESTERN Alabama Mississippi State Texas A&M LSU Arkansas Ole Miss Auburn

SEC 4-0 4-0 3-1 1-2 0-2 0-3 0-3 SEC 2-0 2-0 2-1 1-1 1-2 0-2 0-3

SEC STANDINGS

PF 121 109 147 35 64 45 31 PF 85 55 105 18 34 41 27

PA 47 43 102 80 88 91 103 PA 14 24 57 24 117 63 64

All 6-0 5-0 5-1 2-3 3-2 3-3 1-5 All 5-0 5-0 4-1 5-1 2-4 3-3 1-4

PF 218 136 248 106 197 152 123 PF 201 171 223 201 140 188 77

PA 63 57 145 103 148 137 181 PA 35 67 74 77 210 166 118

2011 Home 5-1 4-0 4-1 3-0 4-2 4-0 3-2 1-1 3-2 2-1 3-3 2-2 2-4 1-3 2011 Home 5-0 3-0 2-3 3-0 3-2 2-1 6-0 4-0 5-1 1-3 2-4 2-2 4-2 1-2

Div. 4-0 2-0 3-1 1-2 0-2 0-3 0-2 Div. 2-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 1-2 0-2 0-3

T25 1-0 2-0 0-1 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-4 T25 2-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-2 0-2

Str. W10 W6 L1 W1 L1 L1 L4 Str. W9 W7 W4 L1 W1 L2 L2

T25 = Games against teams in Top 25 (AP, USA Today, Harris) at time of matchup

TODAY’S GAMES

LAST WEEK

NO. 1 ALABAMA AT MISSOURI

THE BUZZ: After taking a week off, Alabama seeks another dominating effort against a school struggling for traction in its first season in the SEC. Missouri is 0-3 in the conference and its streak of seven consecutive bowl trips is in jeopardy.

KEY FACT: Alabama coach Nick Saban (1973) and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel (1975) are former Kent State teammates and Pinkel succeeded Saban as head coach at Toledo in 1991. This is their first head-to-head meeting.

NO. 3 SOUTH CAROLINA AT NO. 9 LSU

THE BUZZ: South Carolina can maintain at least a share of the SEC Eastern Division lead while enhancing national championship credentials that have grown with each victory. If LSU loses, it could drop out of the Top 10 and would need help to repeat as SEC West champions. A victory, however, would keep the Tigers in the national title discussion.

KEY FACT: South Carolina is riding a school-record 10-game winning streak, the longest streak among teams in major college football, one ahead of Alabama.

NO. 4 FLORIDA AT VANDERBILT

THE BUZZ: Florida wraps up its last road game outside the Sunshine State and can turn its attention to consecutive Eastern Division showdowns with No. 3 South Carolina on Oct. 20 at the Swamp followed by Georgia in Jacksonville. Vanderbilt has not beaten a ranked opponent since 2008.

KEY FACT: Florida is the only FBS team that has not allowed a point in the fourth quarter and is outscoring opponents 41-0 in the final 15 minutes.

NEXT WEEK

Saturday, Oct. 20 Auburn at Vanderbilt, 11:21 a.m.

Georgia at Kentucky, 6 p.m.

Middle Tennessee at Mississippi State, 6 p.m.

Alabama at Tennessee, TBA South Carolina at Florida, TBA LSU at Texas A&M, TBA Off: Georgia

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SEC games at a glance

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(All game times converted to Central) Matchup Kickoff TV Sirius/XM Series Sagarin says Auburn at Ole Miss 11:21 a.m. SEC Network 137/199 AUB, 27-9 Ole Miss by 6 Alabama at Missouri 2:30 p.m. CBS 138/198 MO, 2-1 Alabama by 23 Florida at Vanderbilt 5 p.m. ESPNU 137/199 FLA, 34-9-2 Florida by 17 Kentucky at Arkansas 6 p.m. FSN 134/200 KY, 4-2 Arkansas by 9 South Carolina at LSU 7 p.m ESPN 91/ 91 LSU, 16-2-1 S.C. by 2 Tennessee at Mississippi State 8 p.m. ESPN2 128/197 TN, 28-15-1 MSU by 7 Texas A&M vs. La. Tech (5-0) 8:15 p.m. ESPNU 139/201 A&M, 9-0 A&M by 13 (at Shreveport) Note: The Sagarin ratings appear online at USAToday.com Off today: Georgia

Saturday, Oct. 6 Arkansas 24, Auburn 7 Florida 14, LSU 6 South Carolina 35, Georgia 7 Texas A&M 30, Ole Miss 27 Vanderbilt 19, Missouri 15 Mississippi State 27, Kentucky 14 Off: Alabama, Tennessee

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

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INSIDER

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JOURNAL RANKINGS

Parrish Alford, Brad Locke and John Pitts rank the SEC after Week 6: Ranking (1sts) Last week 1. Alabama (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2. South Carolina (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3. Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 4. LSU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5. Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6. Mississippi State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7. Texas A&M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8. Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9. Ole Miss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 10. Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 11. Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 12. Vanderbilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 13. Auburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 14. Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

NO. 22 TEXAS A&M NO. 23 LOUISIANA TECH

THE BUZZ: Louisiana Tech is off to a 5-0 start that has the team ranked for the first time since 1999, will seek its first win against a ranked foe since 2005. A&M will try to extend its winning streak to five games heading next week’s LSU game.

KEY FACT: This game, in Shreveport, was originally scheduled for Aug. 30, but was postponed because of Hurricane Isaac.

KENTUCKY AT ARKANSAS

THE BUZZ: The Razorbacks finally came to life last week by beating Auburn. And since a pasting by Florida, the Wildcats have looked more competitive against South Carolina and Mississippi State.

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

Depth Chart: Bulldogs Based on the best pregame information available; subject to change.

OFFENSE

QB 17 15 RB 27 28 FB 23 35 LT 75 59 LG 61 66 C 63 55 RG 67 or 70 RT 77 78 TE 32 18 WR 19 16 WR 1 4 WR 8 3

Tyler Russell Dak Prescott LaDarius Perkins Derrick Milton Sylvester Hemphill Adrian Marcus Blaine Clausell Archie Muniz Gabe Jackson Ben Beckwith Dillon Day Dylan Holley Tobias Smith Justin Malone Charles Siddoway Damien Robinson Marcus Green Brandon Hill Arceto Clark Joe Morrow Chad Bumphis Jameon Lewis Chris Smith Brandon Heavens

BRAD LOCKE’S COMMENTS (6-4, 220, Jr.) Career highs last week in completions (23), (6-2, 230, R-Fr.) attempts (39) and passing yards (269) (5-10, 190, Jr.) Averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

(6-0, 205, R-Fr.) (5-11, 235, Sr.) (5-10, 225, Jr.) Scored first career TD last week on 10-yard reception.

(6-7, 305, So.) Had huge block on the Marcus TD at Kentucky.

(6-5, 290, So.) (6-4, 320, Jr.) Has graded out “champion” in each of first five games.

(6-3, 300, So.) (6-4, 285, So.) Has graded out “champion” in each of first five games.

(6-3, 295, Jr.) (6-3, 305, Sr.) Saw playing time last week after missing two games.

(6-7, 315, R-Fr.) (6-7, 300, Jr.) Has started all five games here.

(6-7, 315, So.) (6-1, 240, Sr.) TEs have made just one catch over last three games.

(6-2, 235, So.) (5-10, 180, Sr.) Had best game of season at UK: 5 catches, 62 yards.

(6-4, 205, R-Fr.) (5-11, 200, Sr.) Averaging a team-leading 17.9 yards per catch.

(5-9, 185, So.) (6-2, 205, Sr.) Has lost two fumbles this season.

(5-10, 175, Sr.)

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DAILY JOURNAL

SEC RANKINGS

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MISSISSIPPI STATE

6th

Scoring offense (34.2 ppg)

5th

Scoring defense (13.4 ppg)

7th

Total offense (404.6 ypg)

5th

Total defense (335.6 ypg)

TENNESSEE

4th

Scoring offense (39.4 ppg)

TENNESSEE OFFENSE QB 8 Tyler Bray Jr. 14 Justin Worley So. RB 20 Rajion Neal Jr. 19 Devrin Young So. FB 39 Ben Bartholomew Sr. 38 Justin King Fr. TE 81 Mychael Rivera Sr. 85 Brendan Downs So. LT 74 Antonio Richardson So. 67 Alan Posey R-Fr. LG 71 Dallas Thomas Sr. 68 Marcus Jackson So. C 64 James Stone Jr. 57 Mack Crowder R-Fr. RG 72 Zach Fulton Jr. 78 Alex Bullard Jr. RT 70 Ja’Wuan James Jr. 77 Kyler Kerbyson R-Fr. WR 11 Justin Hunter Jr. 6 Vincent Dallas So. WR 84 Cordarrelle Patterson Jr. 83 Zach Rogers Sr.

2nd Total offense (506.6 ypg)

12th 13th Scoring defense (29.6 ppg)

DEFENSE DE 94 Darrington Sentimore Jr. 80 Corey Miller Jr. NG 98 Daniel McCullers Jr. 97 Daniel Hood Jr. DE 44 Maurice Couch Jr. 58 Marlon Walls Jr. LB 55 Jacques Smith Jr. 54 Jordan Williams So. LB 56 Curt Maggitt So. 86 Willie Bohannon Sr. LB 45 A.J. Johnson So. 46 Channing Fugate Jr. LB 34 Herman Lathers Sr. 41 Dontavis Sapp Jr. CB 27 Justin Coleman So. 10 Marsalis Teague Sr. FS 3 Byron Moore Jr. 22 Rod Wilks Sr. SS 17 Brent Brewer Jr. or 33 LaDarrell McNeil Fr. CB 23 Prentiss Waggner Sr. 24 Eric Gordon Jr. SPECIAL TEAMS K 42 Derrick Brodus Jr. or 1 Michael Palardy Jr. P 43 Matt Darr So. or 1 Michael Palardy Jr. KR 19 Devrin Young So. 84 Cordarrelle Patterson Jr. PR 19 Devrin Young So. 11 Justin Hunter Jr

Total defense (425.8 ypg)

DEFENSE DE 92 93 DT 97 60 DT 98 74 DE 90 96 LB 51 12 LB 50 52 LB 10 22 CB 13 24 SS 25 30 FS 5 38 CB 9 37

Kaleb Eulls P.J. Jones Josh Boyd Devin Jones Curtis Virges

(6-4, 280, So.) (6-3, 280, So.) (6-3, 300, Sr.) (6-1, 260, Sr.) (6-3, 305, So.) Dewayne Cherrington (6-3, 325, Sr.) Denico Autry (6-5, 255, Jr.) Shane McCardell (6-5, 260, Jr.) Deontae Skinner (6-2, 245, Jr.) Chris Hughes (6-1, 225, Jr.) Benardrick McKinney (6-5, 235, R-Fr.) Ferlando Bohanna (6-0, 225, So.) Cam Lawrence (6-3, 230, Sr.) Matthew Wells (6-2, 215, So.) Johnthan Banks (6-2, 185, Sr.) Jamerson Love (5-10, 175, So.) Corey Broomfield (5-10, 180, Sr.) Jay Hughes (5-11, 190, So.) Nickoe Whitley (6-1, 205, Jr.) Dee Arrington (6-1, 215, So.) Darius Slay (6-1, 190, Sr.) Taveze Calhoun (6-1, 180, R-Fr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK 40 53 P 39 KR 27 4 PR 13 1

Devon Bell (6-2, 185, Fr.) Brian Egan (5-11, 210, Jr.) Baker Swedenburg (6-0, 185, Jr.) LaDarius Perkins (5-10, 190, Jr.) Jameon Lewis (5-9, 185, So.) Johnthan Banks (6-2, 285, Sr.) Chad Bumphis (5-11, 200, Sr.)

Tupelo native saw first action last week, drew start.

Recorded first sack of season at Kentucky.

Has six tackles, 1.0 TFL Has 3.5 TFLs over last three games.

Has team-high three pass break-ups.

Has taken team lead in tackles with 36 (21 solo).

Has 33 tackles and a sack.

Tied for team lead with five passes defended.

Has 20 tackles, 2.5 TFLs. Third on team with 29 stops.

Last INT was Sept. 15 at Troy; has four on season.

Engine Specification

Has made six consecutive field goals.

Of 21 punts, 8 downed inside the 20-yard line.

Leads team with 650 all-purpose yards.

Cylinder displacement - 55.5 cc Power output - 3.5 hp Maximum power speed - 9000 rpm

Averaging 9.1 yards on eight returns.

MSU on area radio: Aberdeen, WWZQ-AM (1240), Amory, WAMY-AM (1580), Corinth, WKCU-AM (1350), Tupelo, WXWX-FM (96.3), West Point, WKBB-FM (100.9).

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6F

AUBURN OFFENSE QB 10 Kiehl Frazier So. 15 Clint Moseley Jr. RB 23 Onterio McCalebb Sr. 21 Tre Mason So. FB 35 Jay Prosch Jr. 48 Blake Burgess Jr. WR 80 Emory Blake Sr. 18 Sammie Coates R-Fr. WR 85 Travante Stallworth Sr. 89 Jaylon Denson So. WR 1 Trovon Reed So. 8 Anthony Morgan Sr. TE 43 Philip Lutzenkirchen Sr. 11 Brandon Fulse So. LT 73 Greg Robinson R-Fr. 72 Shon Coleman R-Fr. LG 71 John Sullen Sr. 63 Alex Kozan Fr. C 50 Reese Dismukes So. 65 Tune Fariyike So. RG 62 Chad Slade So. 75 Christian Westerman R-Fr. RT 51 Patrick Miller Fr. 56 Avery Young Fr.

DEFENSE E 95 Dee Ford Jr. 13 Craig Sanders Jr. T 98 Angelo Blackson So. 92 Kenneth Carter Jr. T 54 Jeffrey Whitaker Jr. 90 Gabe Wright So. E 55 Corey Lemonier Jr. 10 LaDarius Owens So. SLB 35 Jonathan Evans Sr. 26 Justin Garrett So. MLB 5 Jake Holland Jr. 56 Ashton Richardson Sr. WLB 25 Daren Bates Sr. 17 Kris Frost R-Fr. CB 6 Jonathan Mincy So. 16 Joshua Halsey Fr. FS 12 Demetruce McNeal Jr. 31 Trent Fisher So. SS 9 Jermaine Whitehead So. 24 Ryan Smith Jr. CB 22 Chris Davis Jr. 22 T’Sharvan Bell Sr. SPECIAL TEAMS K 36 Cody Parkey Jr. 39 Alex Kviklys R-Fr. P 30 Steven Clark Jr. 37 J.D. Strawbridge Fr. H 19 Ryan White Jr. LS 59 Jake Lembke Jr. KR 23 Onterio McCalebb Sr. 21 Tre Mason So. PR 1 Trovon Reed So. 80 Emory Blake Sr.

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SEC RANKINGS

8th

Total defense (379.8 ypg)

14th 14th Total offense (302.4 ypg)

9th 12th

Scoring defense (23.6 ppg)

Total defense (409.8 ypg)

BROWNING BERETTA

OFFENSE WR 12 8 LT 70 61 LG 72 68 C 56 61 RG 76 74 RT 71 77 TE 83 17 WR 10 85 WR 28 16 QB 14 11 RB 3 1 E

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Donte Moncrief (6-2, 217, So.) Terrell Grant (6-2, 210, Jr.) Emmanuel McCray (6-5, 319, Jr.) Derrick Wilson (6-3, 305, Jr.) Aaron Morris (6-5, 325, So.) Justin Bell (6-3, 337, R-Fr.) Evan Swindall (6-2, 300, Jr.) Ben Still (6-4, 295, Fr.) A.J. Hawkins (6-3, 315, Sr.) Jared Duke (6-7, 335, Jr.) Pierce Burton (6-7, 290, Jr.) Patrick Junen (6-6, 320, Jr.) Ferbia Allen (6-4, 250, Sr.) Jamal Mosley (6-4, 260, Sr.) Vince Sanders (6-1, 190, So.) Ja-Mes Logan (6-2, 190, Jr.) Korvic Neat (5-8, 160, Jr.) Collins Moore (6-1, 187, So.) Bo Wallace (6-5, 210, So.) Barry Brunetti (6-0, 215, So.) Jeff Scott (5-7, 175 Jr.) Randall Mackey (5-11, 195, Sr.)

DEFENSE

LB

REMINGTON

ROCKY LACROSSE NIKE NEW BALANCE RUSSELL UNDER ARMOR MOSSY OAK

4th

Total offense (439.0 ypg)

AUBURN

Scoring offense (15.4 ppg)

7F

Based on the best pregame information available; subject to change.

11th 10th Scoring defense (27.7 ppg)

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Depth Chart: Rebels

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OLE MISS

Scoring offense (31.3 ppg)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

CB

10 38 93 95 94 99 55 33 52 15 4 20 1 13 6 23 7 5 25 8 3 21

C.J. Johnson (6-1, 231, So.) Jason Jones (6-3, 255, Sr.) Uriah Grant (6-1, 298, Sr.) Bryon Bennett (6-2, 294, So.) Issac Gross (6-3, 270, Fr.) Gilbert Pena (6-2, 326, Sr.) Cameron Whigham (6-2, 255, Jr.) E.J. Epperson (6-3, 253, Sr.) Mike Marry (6-2, 248, Jr.) Joel Kight (5-9, 222, Sr.) Denzel Nkemdiche (5-10, 197, R-Fr.) Aaron Garbutt (6-2, 200, Sr.) Dehendret Collins (5-11, 175, Jr.) Brishen Mathews (5-11, 202, Jr.) Wesley Pendleton (5-11, 180, Sr.) Anthony Standifer (6-0, 182, Fr.) Trae Elston (6-0, 190, Fr.) Frank Crawford (6-1, 180, Jr.) Cody Prewitt (6-3, 210, So.) Chief Brown (6-0, 195, R-Fr.) Charles Sawyer (5-11, 175, Jr.) Senquez Golson (5-9, 188, So.)

SPECIAL TEAMS PK 81 P 82 KO 81 HO 94 LS 59 KOR 6 21 PR 22 28

Bryson Rose Jim Broadway Bryson Rose Chris Conley Will Denny Jaylen Walton Senquez Golson Philander Moore Korvic Neat

(5-11, 202, Sr.) (6-0, 183, Sr.) (5-11, 202, Sr.) (5-8, 190, Jr.) (5-10, 240, So.) (5-8, 167, Fr.) (5-8, 182, So.) (5-9, 188, Jr.) (5-8, 160, Jr.)

PARRISH ALFORD’S COMMENTS 4-yard TD catch vs. A&M was first since Texas game.

Best quote on the team.

Helped Rebels rush for 159 yards against A&M. Helped Rebels to 464 yards of offense vs. A&M. SEC’s co-offensive lineman of week in Week 2.

Credited with forced fumble after INT at Alabama.

Tops all Ole Miss players in games (43), starts (28).

Career-high 81 receiving yards last week.

Expected back from injury, missed 3 previous games.

Trying to get through turnover problems.

Rushed for 108 yards, TD vs. Texas A&M.

Five tackles, one QB pressure vs. A&M. 10 tackles, 2 TFLs on the season.

Big sack almost resulted in safety vs. A&M. Has shown improvement in recent weeks.

Five tackles, 3 solos last week.

Leads team in tackles (38), TFLs (8).

Three tackles, TFL, INT vs. A&M. 18 games, 16 starts in career.

He’s started the last two games.

Two forced fumbles, one recovery, one INT vs. A&M. Six tackles, 1.5 TFLs last week.

2 of 3 field goals last week, 5 of 10 on season.

Four punts last week, 45.8 average, three inside 20.

Improved leg strength this season.

Gets the ball down quick and clean.

Quick and accurate.

Averaging 26.1 yards on nine returns.

Long punt return is 10 yards.

Ole Miss on area radio: Amory, WAFM-FM (95.7); Corinth, WXRZ-FM (94.3); Holly Springs, WKRA-FM (92.7); Oxford, WQLJ-FM (93.7); Oxford/Water Valley, WTNM-FM (105.5) Tupelo, WWMR-FM (102.9).

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

DAILY JOURNAL

Scouting report: Tennessee at Mississippi State KEYS FOR VICTORY

1. MIND THE RUN GAME. It goes without saying that you have to defend Tennessee’s passing game, but the running game can’t be ignored.

The Volunteers average 177.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks ninth in the SEC and just a shade behind MSU. The ground attack is led by junior Rajion Neal, who’s sixth in the SEC with 92 yards per game (460 total). He averages 4.5 yards per carry and has scored four touchdowns.

State is allowing 126.0 rushing yards per game, seventh in the league.

2. HIT THE BIG PLAY. MSU hasn’t been the most explosive offense this season, with its 24 plays of 20 or more yards ranking 65th in the country. There have been flashes of big-play potential, though, and quarterback Tyler Russell certainly has a big enough arm to burn opposing defensive backs.

Tennessee has been vulnerable to the big play.

In five games, it’s allowed 15 plays of 30-plus yards, eight of 40-plus and six of 50-plus.

Considering how prolific UT’s offense has been, the ability to strike quickly is a good way for MSU to keep momentum on its side.

3. CLOSE IT OUT. MSU has not been good at

putting teams away early, and perhaps Tennessee has too good an offense to drop the hammer on until late. But what’s important is that State not let up once it gets a lead, which it has done numerous times this season.

The offense has had stagnant stretches, and the defense has at times lost its aggressive edge when trying to protect a lead.

Tennessee is too good to let hang around.

WHAT TO WATCH

WHEN TENNESSEE HAS THE BALL The offense begins with quarterback Tyler Bray, who has plenty of weapons at his disposal, including receivers Justin Hunter (456 yards, four TDs) and Cordarrelle Patterson (290 yards, two TDs). Both are big, pro-quality receivers who will provide MSU’s vaunted secondary with its toughest test to date.

One man to keep a close eye on is tight end Mychal Rivera, who’s third on the team with 14 catches for 244 yards and two scores. He has a long catch of 62 yards.

As mentioned, UT can run the ball a little to give itself some balance. And the offensive line has done a good job of protecting Bray, who’s been sacked only three times.

WHEN MSU HAS THE BALL MSU has found a good balance this season, as demonstrated against Kentucky last week, when it had 39 passing plays and 39 rushing plays.

LaDarius Perkins has clearly established himself as the No. 1 tailback, and he’s carried the ball 20-plus times in two of his last three games.

Tennessee has given up 186.2 rushing yards per game, including nine running plays of 20 yards or more and six of 40-plus yards.

UT hasn’t been great against the pass, either, and Russell has a chance to build off his previous outing, which saw him record a career-high 269 passing yards.

CRUCIAL MATCHUP

TENNESSEE RECEIVERS VS. MSU CORNERBACKS This is the matchup that’s gotten the most buzz this week, with All-American corner Johnthan Banks and his partner in crime, Darius Slay, taking on Hunter and Patterson.

Other players will factor into this matchup, because both units are deep. But this will be a real test to see how Banks and Slay stack up, and you can bet that NFL scouts will be watching closely.

Brad Locke

AP

Justin Hunter, left, and Cordarrelle Patterson have combined for six TDs this fall.

Scouting report: Auburn at Ole Miss KEYS FOR VICTORY

AP

Onterio McCalebb brings an explosive element to an Auburn offense that’s struggled.

1.GET IT DONE ON THE GROUND. Auburn has been successful on defense when the field shortens, but overall the Tigers have struggled to stop the run.

And run is what the Rebels have done best – fourth in the SEC in rushing offense this week.

Jeff Scott was able to post 105 yards against Texas A&M. He and the Ole Miss offense should be able to rip off nice gains, but they need to find the creases, finish with touchdowns and not leave themselves in positions of struggling to get across the goal line in short-yardage situations.

2. BE EMOTIONAL. In other words, don’t be flat. As Hugh Freeze is prone to say, don’t let one game beat you twice, and last week’s 30-27 come-from-ahead defeat against Texas A&M – with the Rebels so tantalizingly close to breaking the SEC losing streak – has that potential.

The Rebels need to be focused, fast and on top of their game emotionally.

3. WIN THIRD DOWNS. While it struggled in this category last year, the Auburn defense has improved to a 34.6 success rate for opponents which ranks ‘round the middle of the SEC. That improvement is one factor in that helps Auburn rank No. 53 in scoring defense while it ranks No. 75 in total defense.

Ole Miss leads the SEC in converting third

downs – 50.6 percent – but is next-to-last in Auburn has struggled to stop the run. It looks stopping opponents on third down, 45.1 percent. like a matchup that favors the Rebels if they play their game.

WHAT TO WATCH Look for Ole Miss to work Jeff Scott as WHEN AUBURN HAS THE BALL they’ve continued more each week. Scott had Exactly who will take the snaps remains to be 108 yards against Texas A&M, his second 100seen, but the guess is it will be Kiehl Frazier, the yard game of the season. athletic sophomore, who has struggled in the The run will set up the pass, and the Rebels passing game with two touchdowns – Auburn’s will try to get the ball to Donte Moncrief in oneonly two offensive touchdowns in three SEC on-one situations. That’s become harder as the games – and eight interceptions. season has gone on, and Moncrief has drawn Auburn coach Gene Chizik has said he wants double coverage. to be more committed to the run game, which could mean a heavy dose of sophomore Tre CRUCIAL MATCHUP Mason, who’s built a bit like the Rebels’ Jeff OLE MISS QB BO WALLACE Scott.

VS. AUBURN SECONDARY Senior Onterio McCalebb is a home-run threat The Tigers are 11th in the SEC in pass deif he gets to the second level of the defense. fense efficiency and have intercepted just one Look for an increased role for fullback Jay pass this season.

Prosch today.

Wallace has struggled with turnovers, fumbles in some games, but more recently intercepWHEN OLE MISS HAS THE BALL tions. He’s 11th among SEC starters in pass Ole Miss has evolved into a rushing team. efficiency with eight TDs and eight interceptions.

That wasn’t the case early. There was more balMost of his interceptions are linked to his deance when Bo Wallace was playing against Cen- cision-making process. tral Arkansas and UTEP, but the strength of the He prepared this week and will play today Rebels’ offense has become running off tackle, under additional stress as his sister was sewith Wallace making good decisions on the read verely injured in a car wreck on Monday. option, or getting to the edge in the run game.

Parrish Alford

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8F

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

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9F

Golden Eagles hope to turn season around in Orlando

BY BEN WELCH

SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

The last time Southern Miss started a season 0-5, the quarterback was current athletic director Jeff Hammond and that 1976 Golden Eagles would open the season with SO. MISS nine losses.

The 2012 Golden AT UCF Eagles will be looking for their first win today as they travel to Orlando to face Central Florida (3-2, 1-0).

Despite the poor start, the Eagles (0-5, 0-1) still have a lot to play for this season. Six wins in their last seven games would make the team bowl eligible for an 11th straight season.

The remaining games are all against conference opponents, which also leaves the door open for a return to the league’s

championship game.

That door could be quickly shut by the Knights, however.

Central Florida is arguably the best team in Conference USA. A win today puts Southern Miss in the driver’s seat for the East crown after facing their toughest conference test.

“I have a great respect for Southern Miss and how they play the game,” UCF coach George O’Leary said this week.

“We’ve always had a great rivalry and respect for each other from that standpoint. I anticipate a whale of a ball game.”

All pregame indications are that freshman Anthony Alford will be the starting quarterback for Southern Miss today.

On Monday, Eagles coach Ellis Johnson said there was still a lack of separation between the quarterbacks. Game 1 starter

TONIGHT’S GAME AT A GLANCE

Where: Bright House Networks Stadium (45,000), Orlando Kickoff: 7 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network Records: So. Miss 0-5 (0-1 Conference USA); Central Florida, 3-2 (1-0).

Last week: Southern Miss lost 40-14 to Boise State.

Series: Southern Miss leads, 6-1.

Last year: Southern Miss won 30-29 Notable: Southern Miss has turned the ball over 11 times, with eight fumbles, and is minus-7 in TO margin.

Prediction: Central Florida, 27-13 John L. Pitts Chris Campbell did not dress last weekend and is still out with a neck injury. Ricky Lloyd was not effective against Boise State and Alford returned from a knee injury to replace him.

Last year’s backup QB, Arsenio

Favor, is back from injury and was dressed last weekend.

But it appears Alford will make the second start of his career. He will need to find a way to score points if Southern Miss has any chance of winning – the Eagles have yet to score over 20 points in a game this year.

Johnson said he remains upbeat about the possibilities.

“It’s a carrot hanging out there to know you can still have a winning season. You can still get to a bowl game. You can still possibly win the division, but we’re going to have to play a lot better than we’ve been playing,” said Johnson.

“There are still a lot of good football teams to play and the AP math is against us right now.”

Anthony Alford may get another start today at quarterback for a Ben Welch is a writer for the Student Southern Miss team that’s strugPrintz, the Southern Miss student paper. gling in all phases of the game.

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

DAILY JOURNAL

State colleges: At a glance ALCORN STATE

League: SWAC (NCAA FCS) Record: 2-4 (2-2 SWAC) Last week: Beat Southern 20-17 Today: At Alabama A&M (6-0, 5-0) The buzz: The Braves are 2-0 in games seen this season on national TV. ... A&M quarterback Deaunte Mason has been named SWAC offensive player of the week for four weeks in a row.

BELHAVEN

League: Mid-South (NAIA) Record: 2-4 (1-1 MSC) Last week: Lost 13-10 to Kentucky Christian S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 N3 N10 N17

ALCORN STATE (2-4) Grambling W, 22-21 at James Madison L, 42-3 Ark.-Pine Bluff* L, 24-6 at Arkansas State L, 56-0 Alabama State* (HC) L, 54-14 Southern* W, 20-17 at Alabama A&M* 1 p.m. at Prairie View A&M* 1 p.m. at MVSU* 1 p.m.

Texas Southern* 2 p.m.

Jackson State* 1 p.m. *–SWAC game

S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10

Today: Home vs. Bluefield (0-7, 0-2) The buzz: It’s homecoming for the Blazers, who’re 1-2 at home this fall.

Record: 2-4 (2-2 SWAC) Last week: Lost 34-24 to ArkansasPine Bluff Today: At Alabama State (4-2, 4-1) DELTA STATE The buzz: It’s the Tigers’ first game League: Gulf South (NCAA Division II) of the season against a SWAC East opRecord: 2-3 (0-1 GSC) ponent. ... Senior safety Richard Last week: Beat Tarleton St. 38-35 Hughes, the team’s fifth-leading tackler, Today: Home vs. league rival West will likely miss the rest of the season Georgia (2-3, 0-2) with an ankle injury.

The buzz: West Georgia snapped DSU’s eight-game winning streak in the MILLSAPS series with a 38-35 win last season.

League: Southern Ath. (NCAA D-III) Record: 4-1 (1-0 SAA) JACKSON STATE Last week: Lost 45-24 to Huntingdon League: SWAC (NCAA FCS) Today: Home vs. Sewanee (2-4, 0-1)

BELHAVEN (2-4) at Cumberlands (Ky.) L, 21-10 Louisiana College L, 24-13 at Cumberland (Tenn.)* L, 36-30 Campbellsville* W, 70-28 at Virginia-Wise W, 52-14 Kentucky Christian L, 13-10 Bluefield* (HC) 1:30 at Lindsey Wilson* 1:30 at Faulkner* 1:30 Pikeville 1:30 Bethel* 5 p.m. *-Mid-South Conference game

S1 S8 S22 S27 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10

DELTA STATE (2-3) Fort Valley State L, 31-23 at Elizabeth City State W, 26-7 North Alabama* L, 20-12 Abilene Christian L, 34-28 at Tarleton State W, 35-35 West Georgia* 6 p.m. at Valdosta State* 2 p.m.

West Alabama* (HC) 4 p.m. at Univ. of Indianapolis 5 p.m. at Shorter* 12:30 *-Gulf South Conference game

S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 N3 N10 N17

JACKSON STATE (2-4) at Mississippi State L, 56-9 Tenn. State L, 38-12 at Texas Southern* W, 45-35 Southern* L, 28-21 Prairie View A&M* W, 34-13 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff* L, 34-24 at Alabama State* 1 p.m.

MVSU* (HC) 3 p.m. at Grambling State* 4 p.m.

Alabama A&M* TBA at Alcorn State* 1 p.m. *–SWAC game

The buzz: QB Garrett Pinciotti was the SAA Offensive Player of the Week for his effort (28 of 55, 338 yards, two TDs passing, one rushing) in the loss.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

League: SWAC (NCAA FCS) Record: 1-4 (1-2 SWAC) Last week: Lost 35-0 to Alabama A&M MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE Today: Home vs. Grambling State (0League: American Southwest Con5, 0-4) ference (NCAA D-III) The buzz: Grambling leads this seRecord: 1-4 (0-2 ASC) ries 47-4-2, with a 13-game winning Last week: Lost 75-42 to Sul Ross streak. ... Though the Tigers are surprisToday: At Howard Payne (0-5, 0-2) ingly winless this season, “They’re the The buzz: The loss was the highest- defending champions until someone scoring game in Choctaws history. ... else is crowned, so we have respect for They’ve given up 147 points in their last them,” Valley coach Karl Morgan said. three games to rank sixth in the SC in scoring defense (38.8 ppg).

From school reports

MILLSAPS (4-1) A30 Mississippi College W, 23-17 S8 at LaGrange W, 54-7 S15 at Point W, 54-28 S29 at Centre* W, 33-16 O6 Huntingdon L, 45-24 O13 Sewanee* 1 p.m.

O20 at Rhodes* 1 p.m.

O27 at Trinity (Texas) 1:30 N3 Austin 1 p.m.

N10 Birmingham Southern* 1 p.m. *-Southern Athletic Association game

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE (1-4) A30 at Millsaps L, 23-17 S8 Webber International W, 31-24 S15 at West Alabama L, 41-3 S29 at Hardin-Simmons* L, 31-0 O6 Sul Ross State* L, 75-42 O13 at Howard Payne* 2 p.m.

O20 at Texas Lutheran* 1 p.m.

O27 East Texas Baptist* 3 p.m.

N3 Louisiana College* 1 p.m.

N10 at Mary Hardin-Baylor* 1 p.m. *-American S’west Conference game

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE (1-4) S1 Concordia College L, 20-19 S8 at Alabama State* L, 29-7 S15 at Southern* W, 6-0 S22 at Northwestern State L, 45-14 O6 Alabama A&M* (HC) 2 p.m.

O13 Grambling State* 2 p.m.

O20 at Jackson State* 3 p.m.

O27 at Ark.-Pine Bluff* TBA N3 Alcorn State* 1 p.m.

N10 Prairie View A&M* 1 p.m.

N17 at Texas Southern* TBA *–SWAC game

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10F

Alabama set to grab pole position in BCS

BY RALPH D. RUSSO ASSOCIATED PRESS

The first BCS standings of the season come out Sunday. Is this important? Well, sort of.

Since the BCS was implemented in 1998, only twice has neither of the teams ranked first or second in the initial standings reached the national title game.

TOP 25 Seven out of 13 PREVIEW teams that started No. 1 in the standings played for the national championship. Six times the second-place team in the first standings played for the BCS title.

Four times a team has started third and finished in the top two, and four times a team has started fourth and played in the big game.

Six teams have come from fifth place or farther back to reach the championship game. LSU started the farthest back in 2003 at No. 12.

Conclusion: Just like in auto racing, it helps to start in the front row, but expect some passing and maybe a wreck or two.

The coaches’ poll and the Harris poll are the driving forces behind the BCS standings. A compilation of six computer rankings also count for a third of a BCS rating, but essentially the computers break ties when two teams are very close in the polls.

Alabama, the overwhelming No. 1 in the polls, is just about a lock to be first when the standings are released Sunday, barring a major upset of the Crimson Tide at Missouri today.

The Tigers are still looking for their first SEC victory, coming off a loss to Vanderbilt, and they will be without injured starting quarter-

back James Franklin (knee). So good luck beating ’Bama.

Oregon is off this week and stands a good chance to be right behind Alabama in the BCS standings, just as it is in the polls. The Ducks are a solid No. 2 in both.

The computer ratings going into this weekend treat Notre Dame a bit better than the pollsters.

The Fighting Irish are ranked seventh in the polls, but first in two of the five computer ratings that have already been released.

And with the Irish facing another strong opponent today, at home against Stanford, don’t be surprised to see Notre Dame ahead in the BCS standings of some teams that it trails in the polls if it beats the Cardinal.

The most important thing to remember is this: Don’t get too worked up right now.

Wait about a month or so, and then get worked up.

RUSSO’S PICKS

No. 1 Alabama 38, Missouri 13 No. 3 South Carolina 17, No. 9 LSU 13 No. 4 Florida 17, Vanderbilt 9 Texas Tech 38, No. 5 West Virginia 35 No. 6 Kansas State 28, Iowa State 24 No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No. 17 Stanford 13 No. 8 Ohio State 40, Indiana 17 BYU 12, No. 10 Oregon State 10 No. 11 Southern Cal 28, Washington 17 No. 12 Florida State 45, Boston College 14 No. 13 Oklahoma 28, No. 15 Texas 27 No. 18 Louisville 28, Pittsburgh 24 Tennessee 35, No. 19 Miss. State 31 No. 20 Rutgers 21, Syracuse 13 No. 21 Cincinnati 58, Fordham 10 No. 22 Texas A&M 52, No. 23 La. Tech 24 No. 24 Boise State 31, Fresno State 21 No. 25 Michigan 39, Illinois 14 Last week: 15-5 Season: 101-20

There’s more college football coverage at our website, including a link to our new college football page: collegefootball.ap.org/djournal

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

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TODAY’S NATIONAL SCHEDULE EAST

Louisville (5-0) at Pittsburgh (2-3), 10 a.m.

Kent St. (4-1) at Army (1-4), 11 a.m.

Duquesne (4-1) at CCSU (0-5), 11 a.m.

Butler (4-2) at Marist (2-3), 11 a.m.

Richmond (4-2) at New Hampshire (4-2), 11 a.m.

Brown (3-1) at Princeton (2-2), 11 a.m.

Syracuse (2-3) at Rutgers (5-0), 11 a.m.

Lafayette (3-2) at Yale (1-3), 11 a.m.

Monmouth, N.J. (3-2) at Cornell (2-2), 11:30 a.m.

St. Francis, Pa. (3-3) at Albany, N.Y. (5-1), noon Robert Morris (1-4) at Bryant (0-6), noon Holy Cross (1-4) at Colgate (2-3), noon Lehigh (6-0) at Georgetown (3-3), noon Columbia (1-3) at Penn (1-3), noon Georgia St. (0-6) at Rhode Island (0-5), noon Temple (2-2) at UConn (3-3), noon Sacred Heart (1-4) at Dartmouth (3-1), 12:30 p.m.

Bucknell (1-4) at Harvard (4-0), 2:30 p.m.

Maine (2-3) at Towson (2-3), 6 p.m.

SOUTH

Auburn (1-4) at Ole Miss (3-3), 11:21 a.m.

Duke (5-1) at Virginia Tech (3-3), 11:30 a.m.

Jacksonville (5-1) at Davidson (0-5), noon Norfolk St. (2-4) at Hampton (0-4), noon N.C. Central (3-2) at Morgan St. (3-2), noon SMU (2-3) at Tulane (0-5), noon VMI (2-3) at Charleston Southern (1-4), 12:30 p.m.

S.C. State (2-4) at Delaware St. (2-3), 12:30 p.m.

Chattanooga (2-3) at Furman (2-4), 12:30 p.m.

Howard (4-1) at N.C. A&T (2-3), 12:30 p.m.

Alcorn St. (2-4) at Alabama A&M (6-0), 1 p.m.

Jackson St. (2-4) at Alabama St. (4-2), 1 p.m.

Liberty (1-4) at Presbyterian (2-4), 1 p.m.

Western Carolina (1-5) at The Citadel (3-3), 1 p.m.

North Carolina (4-2) at Miami (4-2), 1:30 p.m.

Austin Peay (0-6) at Eastern Kentucky (4-2), 2 p.m.

Grambling St. (0-5) at MVSU (1-4), 2 p.m.

Appalachian St. (4-2) at Samford (4-1), 2 p.m.

Maryland (3-2) at Virginia (2-4), 2 p.m.

Stony Brook (5-1) at Coastal Carolina (2-3), 2:30 p.m.

William & Mary (2-4) at James Madison (4-1), 2:30 p.m.

Villanova (4-2) at Old Dominion (5-0), 2:30 p.m.

UT-Martin (4-2) at Murray St. (3-3), 3 p.m.

Northwestern St. (3-3) at SE Louisiana (2-4), 3 p.m.

Memphis (1-4) at East Carolina (3-3), 3:30 p.m.

Boston College (1-4) at Florida St. (5-1), 4:30 p.m.

Middle Tennessee (3-2) at FIU (1-5), 5 p.m.

Savannah St. (0-5) at Florida A&M (2-4), 5 p.m.

Mid-Am Nazarene (4-1) at Gardner-Webb (0-5), 5 p.m.

Wofford (5-0) at Georgia Southern (4-1), 5 p.m.

Florida (5-0) at Vanderbilt (2-3), 5 p.m.

Texas Southern (1-5) at Southern U. (2-3), 5:30 p.m.

Sam Houston St. (3-2) at Nicholls St. (1-3), 6 p.m.

South Carolina (6-0) at LSU (5-1), 7 p.m.

FAU (1-4) at Louisiana-Monroe (3-2), 7 p.m.

Cent. Arkansas (4-2) at McNeese St. (4-1), 7 p.m.

Southern Miss (0-5) at UCF (3-2), 7 p.m.

Tennessee (3-2) at Mississippi St. (5-0), 8 p.m.

Texas A&M (4-1) vs. La. Tech (5-0) at Shreve., 8:15 p.m.

MIDWEST

Kansas St. (5-0) at Iowa St. (4-1), 11 a.m.

Iowa (3-2) at Michigan St. (4-2), 11 a.m.

Northwestern (5-1) at Minnesota (4-1), 11 a.m.

The surprise teams of the Big Ten, a combined 9-16 last season, are each coming off league losses last week.

Wisconsin (4-2) at Purdue (3-2), 11 a.m.

Morehead St. (1-4) at Dayton (2-4), noon Toledo (5-1) at Eastern Michigan (0-5), noon Youngstown St. (4-1) at Illinois St. (5-1), 1 p.m.

South Dakota (1-4) at Missouri St. (0-6), 1 p.m.

Akron (1-5) at Ohio (6-0), 1 p.m.

Drake (4-2) at Valparaiso (0-5), 1 p.m.

Jacksonville St. (3-2) at Eastern Illinois (3-3), 1:30 p.m.

Western Michigan (3-3) at Ball St. (3-3), 2 p.m.

Northern Iowa (1-4) at Southern Illinois (3-3), 2 p.m.

Miami, Ohio (3-3) at Bowling Green (3-3), 2:30 p.m.

Oklahoma St. (2-2) at Kansas (1-4), 2:30 p.m.

Illinois (2-4) at Michigan (3-2), 2:30 p.m.

Alabama (5-0) at Missouri (3-3), 2:30 p.m.

Buffalo (1-4) at Northern Illinois (5-1), 2:30 p.m.

Stanford (4-1) at Notre Dame (5-0), 2:30 p.m.

Northern Arizona (4-1) at North Dakota (3-3), 3:05 p.m.

Indiana St. (4-2) at N. Dakota St. (5-0), 3:07 p.m.

Fordham (4-2) at Cincinnati (4-0), 6 p.m.

Western Illinois (3-2) at S. Dakota St. (4-1), 6 p.m.

Tennessee St. (6-0) at SE Missouri (2-3), 6 p.m.

Ohio St. (6-0) at Indiana (2-3), 7 p.m.

SOUTHWEST

UAB (1-4) at Houston (2-3), 11 a.m.

Texas (4-1) vs. Oklahoma (3-1) at Dallas, 11 a.m.

UTSA (5-0) at Rice (1-5), 2:30 p.m.

West Virginia (5-0) at Texas Tech (4-1), 2:30 p.m.

Kentucky (1-5) at Arkansas (2-4), 6 p.m.

South Alabama (1-4) at Arkansas St. (3-3), 6 p.m.

TCU (4-1) at Baylor (3-1), 6 p.m.

Idaho (1-5) at Texas St. (2-3), 6 p.m.

McMurry (3-2) at Lamar (2-4), 7 p.m.

FAR WEST

Utah (2-3) at UCLA (4-2), 2 p.m.

Nevada (5-1) at UNLV (1-5), 2 p.m.

Oregon St. (4-0) at BYU (4-2), 2:30 p.m.

Fresno St. (4-2) at Boise St. (4-1), 2:30 p.m.

Southern Utah (2-4) at Montana (3-3), 2:30 p.m.

Eastern Washington (4-1) at Montana St. (6-0), 2:35 p.m.

Utah St. (4-2) at San Jose St. (4-1), 3 p.m.

Campbell (1-4) at San Diego (2-3), 4 p.m.

UC Davis (2-4) at Idaho St. (1-4), 5:05 p.m.

Colorado St. (1-5) at San Diego St. (3-3), 5:30 p.m.

Southern Cal (4-1) at Washington (3-2), 6 p.m.

Air Force (2-3) at Wyoming (1-4), 6 p.m.

Northern Colorado (1-4) at Cal Poly (5-0), 8:05 p.m.

Weber St. (0-6) at Sacramento St. (4-2), 8:05 p.m.

California (2-4) at Washington St. (2-4), 9:30 p.m.

New Mexico (3-3) at Hawaii (1-4), 11 p.m.

Times converted to Central

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

DAILY JOURNAL

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012

GAMEDAY: WEEK 7

“WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL.” 4340 Mall Drive , Tupelo • 662-840-0006

DAILY JOURNAL

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