SEC Notebook For 10-07-2006 - College Football News And Picks

SEC Notebook For 10-07-2006
By Calvin Watkins
Posted: 3:00 am PDT 2006-10-07

As we enter another weekend of SEC football, the conference has turned into the police blotter from hell.

Georgia safety Antonio Sims has decided to leave the team, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Sims was already on suspension after he picked up 18 parking tickets and improperly used a Georgia parking permit. Last November, Sims was charged with a DUI. He re-enrolled this semester and was practicing, though he couldn't play in games.

Mississippi State defensive back Adron Chambers was suspended after being charged with attempted sexual battery, according to school officials.

Chambers, a sophomore, was arrested Wednesday night by school police.

There is some good news, suspended Florida defensive tackle Marcus Thomas was reinstated. He's expected to participate in Saturday's game against LSU.

Thomas, with three sacks, was suspended last month for his second violation of the school's substance-abuse policy. Thomas appealed the suspension.

"Marcus still has some work ahead of him," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "But he has been granted the opportunity to play in the LSU game, beyond that, he will have a set of responsibilities and obligations for which he will be held accountable."

Thomas has missed three weeks of practice.

The sad part of Thomas' return is that there are plenty of stories, not just in the SEC, but across the country of players who fail drug tests or get arrested for a variety of reasons.

The big question is: In bringing players back, do you really help them?

Florida is 5-0, 3-0 in SEC and facing the 4-1 LSU Tigers, who are 1-1 in the conference. Florida is -1 at WagerWeb.com.

"I think he's a very good football player," Meyer said of Thomas. "He's a good chemistry guy on the team. He's invested a lot into this program."

One of the things Meyer didn't say was how the school was helping Thomas solve his off-field problems.

Top Running Backs Face Off
Darren McFadden of Arkansas and Auburn's Kenny Irons are the two best running backs in the conference.

The two meet on Saturday. Auburn is a 15-point favorite at WagerWeb.com.

"I feel like it's an extra motivation," said McFadden, a sophomore. "I know with me and him, we probably feel like whoever does better in that game, that's who the better back is."

Irons is probably the better back. He has rushed for 439-yards on 93 carries with three touchdowns.

McFadden on 73 carries has rushed for 409 yards with three scores.

"When you put one of the better running backs in the country in the backfield, you have a chance," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said.

Vanderbilt: Vandy started the season 0-3 but has rebounded to beat Tennessee State, 38-9, and Temple, 43-14. Yes, it's I-AA Tennessee State and lowly I-A Temple, but a win streak is a win streak, especially as Vandy is a 1 ? favorite at WagerWeb.com in its game against Mississippi.

"Well, there is a little bit of a confidence boost, just by winning," Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said. "We expected to win those games, and I'm very proud of those guys just for getting it done."

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