KENTUCKY
Pair has more to do
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky defensive ends Alvin "Bud" Dupree and Za'Darius Smith could have tried to cash in on impressive junior seasons and entered the NFL Draft.
Both ultimately decided they had to more work to do with a Wildcats defense that can certainly use their pass-rushing skills.
Smith and Dupree are back for their senior seasons, good news for Kentucky in many ways. The duo combined for 13 sacks -- ranking in the top 10 in that category in the SEC -- 16 tackles for loss and 120 stops last season.
Dupree and Smith enter Saturday's opener against Tennessee-Martin bigger, stronger and more familiar with Kentucky's 4-3 base scheme. They've also filled the leadership void left by the departure of all-SEC linebacker Avery Williamson, critical for a defense that's still young at many spots.
With the Wildcats seeking respectability after back-to-back 2-10 seasons, both wanted to be part of the uphill march.
"I pretty much had my mind made up to come back," said Dupree, a preseason all-SEC second team selection after leading Kentucky with seven sacks and standing second on the team with 61 tackles.
"I wanted to get my degree and didn't want to bail on the team. I had to finish some things and had some improvements to make. Plus, I want to go to a bowl game."
Graduating was also high on Smith's list of priorities that include building on his solid debut after transferring from East Mississippi Community College. Billed as one of the nation's top junior college defensive line prospects when he arrived, Smith followed up with 59 tackles and six sacks.
Smith's disruptive style even drew parallels to South Carolina counterpart Jadaveon Clowney, the No. 1 pick in last spring's draft. Surprised by the comparison, the 6-6, 263-pounder's focus has been establishing his own fearsome reputation.
"Last year was a learning experience for me, being my first in the SEC and getting everything down pat in the run game and the pass game," he said. "Now, it's more of translating and being better."
TENNESSEE
Unknowns to start
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Coach Butch Jones likes to compare guiding a young football team to raising children and watching them mature.
The Volunteers are about to take their first steps.
Tennessee plans to start three freshmen and one junior-college transfer in Sunday's season opener against Utah State. Ten more freshmen, two redshirt freshmen and three junior-college transfers are in second-team roles. Tennessee's entire offensive and defensive two-deep includes just six seniors, matching Temple for the fewest of any Football Bowl Subdivision program.
"We probably have more unknowns than anyone else in the country," Jones said.
The likely freshman starters are defensive end Derek Barnett, offensive guard Jashon Robertson and tight end Ethan Wolf. Never before has a Tennessee true freshman tight end or defensive lineman started a season opener.
FLORIDA
Eager for new season
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It might be hard to find a team more eager for the season to begin than Florida.
Coming off their worst year since 1979, the Gators are ready to start anew, end a seven-game losing streak and prove last year's 4-8 debacle was a fluke.
Florida opens Saturday against six-touchdown underdog Idaho, which has just four victories over the past three years.
"It's a good chance to start fresh and really showcase all we've done throughout the spring and summer," Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel said. "We've done some good things. We just have to carry them over to the games. ... There's a lot of excitement around our program right now."
ALABAMA
Backfield strong
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Whoever emerges as Alabama's starting quarterback has a built-in safety net in the backfield.
When in doubt, the second-ranked Crimson Tide's Jake Coker or Blake Sims can always hand off. Alabama features a strong group of tailbacks in T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake.
That trio once again gives Alabama an enviable backfield when the season opens Saturday against West Virginia at the Georgia Dome.
Tide Coach Nick Saban said all three "are guys we definitely want involved in the game that have playmaking ability."
Yeldon leads the way after becoming the only Tide player to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons.
Henry had his coming-out party in the Sugar Bowl and Drake has averaged 7.3 yards per carry the past two years.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Lewis versatile
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- It's easy to lose Mississippi State's Jameon Lewis on the football field. At 5-9 and 187 pounds, he can often slice through creases in the defense or slip behind the offensive line undetected.
And when that happens, the other team is usually in big trouble.
The versatile Lewis might be the most versatile player in the SEC. He's listed as a receiver, but pulled the rare trifecta last season of accounting for a passing, rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game.
Even more impressive: He did it twice.
Bulldogs Coach Dan Mullen said there are still plays that he can call to utilize Lewis' multiple skills.
Mississippi State opens its schedule at home against Southern Mississippi on Saturday at newly remodeled Davis Wade Stadium.
OHIO STATE
Miller surgery successful
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Braxton Miller came through surgery just fine.
The Ohio State quarterback will still miss the rest of the 2014 season after having successful surgery on Tuesday to repair the torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder.
"Braxton and I talked this morning before he went in," Buckeyes Coach Urban Meyer said on the Big Ten coaches teleconference Tuesday. "He had surgery. Everything is good."
Miller sent Meyer pictures of himself, his father and Dr. James Andrews, who performed the operation on Tuesday in Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Miller initially injured his shoulder in last season's Orange Bowl loss to Clemson, then had surgery in February and missed spring workouts. He returned to the team and reinjured the shoulder on Aug. 18 during preseason camp.
Miller is expected to be sidelined for roughly a year as he takes a medical redshirt. He has indicated he is on schedule to graduate from Ohio State in December and plans to return to the team to play for his final season.
J.T. Barrett will start in place of Miller for the Buckeyes against Navy in Baltimore on Saturday. The redshirt freshman has never taken a snap in a college game but Meyer likes how he has assumed a leadership role since Miller went down.
Sports on 08/27/2014