Big East
Miami, Fla.
Head coach Larry Coker still hasn?t announced a starting QB for Saturday?s home finale against Rutgers, but did state that an announcement would probably be coming tonight or early Friday morning. Juniors Brock Berlin and Derrick Crudup have been rotating with the first-team offense in practice this week.
Pittsburgh
Senior starting RB Brandon Miree, who has missed the last seven games due to a stress fracture in his leg, will get the start in Saturday?s contest at Temple. Earlier in the week, head coach Walt Harris wasn?t sure if Miree was mentally prepared to return to action, but, after watching him practice hard for the past two days, Harris concluded that Miree was fit to play.
Big XII
Kansas
Head coach Mark Mangino announced that senior QB Bill Whittemore would ?definitely be the starter? when the Jayhawks host its home finale against Iowa State. According to Mangino, Whittemore, who has missed the past three games with a collarbone injury, threw the ball well in practice this week and showed no signs of any injury. Mangino added that Whittemore?s fresh legs would add another dimension to the Jayhawks? offense game plan.
Missouri
The Columbia Daily Tribune reported that sophomore starting safety Jason Simpson has been suspended for this weekend?s game at Kansas State. Apparently, Simpson, who is the fourth-leading tackler started nine of ten games this season, was involved in an argument with an assistant coach during the Tigers? contest against Texas A&M last Saturday. Redshirt freshman David Overstreet would most likely fill the starter?s role in Simpson?s absence.
Pac-10
USC
Offensive coordinator Norm Chow stated on Wednesday that he has been contacted by Arizona Athletic Director Jim Livengood, and will meet with him following this weekend?s game to discuss the vacant head coaching job in Tucson. Chow stated that nothing has been offered, and that Arizona is still in the process of deciding on a replacement.
Washington State
Senior starting QB Matt Kegel, who has an injured right shoulder, returned to practice yesterday and stated that the shoulder felt much better than it did during last week?s preparations, but admitted that it may be today (after a day?s workout) before being able to judge the soreness. Kegel, however, insists that he will be on the field for Saturday?s contest at Washington.
SEC
Georgia
Head coach Mark Richt stated that junior starting safety Sean Jones is probable to play in this weekend?s home contest against Kentucky. Jones, who missed last week?s Auburn game against Auburn due to a pinched nerve in his neck/shoulder, stated after yesterday?s practice that this is the healthiest he?s been in the past two months. Jones has been bothered with the neck injury since the Sept. 13 game against South Carolina. ? Sophomore starting OG Bartley Miller, who has been hampered by a sore left shoulder, will miss his second straight game on Saturday, but Richt remains hopeful that Miller could return sometime in the next few weeks.
Ole Miss
Senior starting RB Ronald McClendon, who has been withheld from participating in the Rebels? last two games, will also miss the final two games of the regular season, but there?s still hope that he could return for the postseason. McClendon has been held out as a precautionary measure from a possible rules violation involving the purchase of a sports utility vehicle, which may have been aided by an Ole Miss booster. The school and the NCAA have so far remained mum regarding the issue.
Tennessee
True freshman right tackle Aaron Sears, who started last week?s game in place of injured senior Sean Young, was still in a walking boot yesterday and it appears that the right ankle he injured during last weekend?s contest will keep him out of action for this week?s game, as well. Young (ankle) returned to practice with the second team this week and is expected to play in Saturday?s game against Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, Cody Douglas has worked with the first team at the right tackle spot.
-- Florida Atlantic University Athletic Director Craig Angelos stated that the school would declare its intention to move to Division I-A late next year. The Owls are only three years removed from the start of football program, as a whole, but have posted an 8-2 record this season and are on the verge of the Division I-AA playoffs. The school has until June 30, of next year, to announce the move, and plans to spend the 2004 and 2005 seasons as a conditional DI-A member before gaining full membership in 2006. FAU is currently shooting for a spot in the Sun Belt Conference.
-- Louisville and Miami, Fla reached a two-game home-and-home deal. The Cardinals will travel to Coral Gables next year for an Oct. 9 showdown, whereas the Canes will return the favor and visit Louisville sometime in 2006.
