SEC Notebook For 09-23-2006 - College Football News And Picks

SEC Notebook For 09-23-2006
By Tom Hanson
Posted: 4:00 am PDT 2006-09-23

After last week's battle with LSU, the No. 2 Auburn Tigers are feeling the pain.

Three starters -- quarterback Brandon Cox, running back Kenny Irons and cornerback Jonathan White -- are nursing injuries. Luckily for the Tigers, they face Buffalo; Auburn is a 41-point favorite at WagerWeb.com.

White (hamstring) will miss the game. Irons (ankle) is questionable. And Cox (ankle and knee sprain) is a go.

Cox practiced on Thursday. Head coach Tommy Tuberville said Cox took all of the snaps with the first team and will start.

Irons, who has 322 yards rushing this season, will not start. He practiced on Thursday and expects to dress, but Brad Lester will get his second straight start. Lester has fewer yards (77) than Irons but has been more effective getting into the end zone.

Lester has four TDs, three on the ground and one on a reception.

As for White's replacement, junior Patrick Lee and redshirt freshman Jerraud Powers will split the duty.

HELP WANTED: After rushing for only 28 yards against Auburn last week, LSU could be turning to a true freshman to answer its rushing woes.

LSU head coach Les Miles said Charles Scott will get more chances this week against Tulane (LSU is -36 at WagerWeb.com). Scott has nine carries this season, totaling 86 yards for a 9.6-yard carry. LSU doesn't have a running back who has eclipsed 100 yards for the season.

GATOR SHUFFLE: The Florida Gators are scrambling to replace starting defensive tackle Marcus Thomas. The senior has been suspended for five games for a second failed drug test. Thomas tested positive for using marijuana.

Head coach Urban Meyer has tabbed Derrick Harvey as the starter with Steven Harris backing him up. Ray McDonald will move to the inside tackle position when Harris is playing end.

In injury news, freshman sensation Percy Harvin will be a game-time decision with a high ankle sprain.

RICHT STAYING PUT: As the Bulldogs prepare for Colorado (UGa is -27 at WagerWeb.com), Georgia head coach Mark Richt's name had been part of the rumors to possibly replace Larry Coker at Miami if he were to get fired.

Richt addressed the rumors by saying, "There is no (escape) clause, and even if I had a buyout, I am not leaving unless Georgia throws me out of town."

GAMECOCK BACKFIELD FLUX: South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier said starting running back Cory Boyd (ankle) will most likely not play Saturday against Florida Atlantic (Gamecocks are -29.5 at WagerWeb.com). Boyd hasn't practiced all week. Spurrier announced that Mike Davis, Taylor Rank and Bobby Wallace will share the carries.

Spurrier said quarterbacks Blake Mitchell and Syvelle Newton will split time, with Newton getting the start.

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