TENNESSEE: Casey Clausen is 17-3 in two years as a starter. ... Vols had major losses on the DL -- John Henderson, Albert Haynesworth, Will Overstreet. ... Favorable schedule begins with five games at Neyland Stadium, though homecoming is hardly a pushover -- defending national champ Miami Nov. 9.
GEORGIA: David Greene is unquestioned starter after throwing for 2,789 yards as a freshman. Even so, Cocach Mark Richt plans to give some snaps to redshirt freshman D.J. Shockley. ... Six defensive players taken in NFL draft, but LB Boss Bailey returns.
FLORIDA: Rex Grossman is a Heisman favorite after being runner-up last season with 3,896 yards and 34 TDs. ... Keep on eye on Ed Zaunbrecher, who'll be calling the offensive plays with a mandate to keep Florida's wide-open attack.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Lou Holtz has led Gamecocks to first back-to-back bowl victories in school history. ... Two questions this year: Can former minor league baseball player Corey Jenkins replace Phil Petty at QB? Can RBs Andrew Pinnock and Ryan Brewer make up for the dismissal of Derek Watson?
VANDERBILT: It's been 20 years since Commodores had a winning season. ... New coach Bobby Johnson has a chance to beat his former team when Furman visits Nashville on Sept. 7.
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KENTUCKY: Second-year coach Guy Morriss already on the hot seat after dismal debut season. ... QB Jared Lorenzen keeps things exciting -- and that's just his weight. Will he be able to keep it under 300 pounds this season?
WEST
LSU: The Tigers are going for their first back-to-back SEC titles since 1935-36. ... Look for more emphasis on the running game with new QB Matt Mauck. ... RB LaBrandon Toefield says he's fully recovered from knee surgery.
ALABAMA: The Crimson Tide is back on probation and ineligible for the SEC title this year and next. ... The league's top rushing team (226.4 yards per game) returns its four leading runners.
AUBURN: The Tigers closed last season with a three-game losing streak, blowing a chance to play for the SEC title. ... RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams has recovered from a broken shoulder.
MISSISSIPPI: QB Eli Manning (2,948 yards, 31 TDs) set or tied 17 school records. ... Fourteen starters return from a team that was passed over for a bowl despite seven wins.
ARKANSAS: Legal problems plagued the Razorbacks during the offseason. FS Ken Hamlin was suspended after pleading guilty to a second DWI offense, but is now back on the team. In a separate case, TB Cedric Cobbs was convicted of marijuana possession and DWI. ... Offense ranked last in league in passing and total yards.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: After four straight winning seasons, Bulldogs fell hard in 2001 ... An early five-game losing streak included embarrassing home loss to I-A newcomer Troy State ... The offense ranked 93rd nationally in yards and 108th in points.
