SEC : Reports from the Past Week (8/18–8/25)

Here are key notes stemming from injuries, suspensions, etc. that got my attention over the past week (8/18 – 8/25) in the Southeastern Conference:

Alabama Crimson Tide

The beginning of the week went off with a bang for Alabama when it was announced that Sophomore CB Geno Smith had been arrested for DUI. Everyone knew a suspension would shortly follow this news as the Crimson Tide prepare to battle Virginia Tech in their opener on Aug. 31st. Well, just two days later, the news came out that Smith had been suspended for one game, which would be that season opener against the Hokies. It would probably seem like a major loss in most cases, but Virginia Tech has been limping through the preseason with injuries to key offensive areas (mostly running back), and the Crimson Tide are extremely deep at defensive back (Smith is seen as a backup). As much as I would love to say this suspension will have a huge impact on Alabama, it just simply won't.

Arkansas Razorbacks

At the opening of the week, the Razorbacks and new Head Coach Bret Bielema were thrown three serious injuries to key players, which won't help anything for Arkansas who must rebuild after an extremely disappointing season following the Petrino scandal last season.

On offense, Arkansas will lose Senior TE Austin Tate six weeks with a shoulder injury, and Senior WR Demetrius Wilson for the season with a torn ligament in his knee. These are two huge losses for the receiving corps after another WR, Mekale McKay, was released from his scholarship earlier this month. Both Wilson and Tate were expected to be in the starting lineup; however, the Razorbacks do have a deep receiving corps from a formerly pass-happy offense. TE will most likely be filled by incoming-Freshman Hunter Henry, a top recruit, who has impressed many in training camp. The one good thing out of the entire situation is that Wilson does still have his redshirt year under his belt which he will use because of this injury. McKay, Tate, and Wilson combined for 44 receptions, 545 yards, and 3 touchdowns, so look for these injuries to hamper the passing attack for the first few weeks of the season.

On defense, Arkansas announced that starting Sophomore MLB Otha Peters would be out six to eight weeks with a broken arm. Peters collected 32 tackles and 0.5 sacks last season, which was predicted to quickly elevate this season after he was projected to start the season in a defense already surrounded by question marks. The battle for his starting job will open up to Robert Atiga, Daunte Carr, and Austin Jones, but it wouldn't surprise me if they gave incoming-Junior Martrell Spaight some time at the position since many have tabbed Spaight as the best recruit coming in on defense.

Auburn Tigers

The Tigers could be without their top pass-rusher against Washington State in their season opener. Starting Senior DE Dee Ford could miss the game with a knee injury he acquired last Tuesday. Ford is sixth among returning players in tackles and also six sacks last season which led the team. In a game that could go either way, Auburn will greatly miss their top threat on the defensive line against Washington State who have incorporated a large passing attack under Head Coach Mike Leach.

Florida Gators

Florida is being hampered by injuries this August that have carried over into the opener vs. Toledo. RB Matt Jones and RG Jon Halapio, both starters, will miss the game with injuries. Jones has been battling a viral infection for all of fall camp and may miss even more time beyond this game. In a offense facing many doubts this season, Jones was going to be relied on to carry the load along with the passing attack of Jeff Driskel; however, Driskel must have a healthy O-Line to be successful which isn't looking very pretty right now. The sum of major injuries to the offense and a rough schedule could result in a downfall for the Gators this season.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Sophomore RB Mike Davis has won the starting job in Columbia, SC. Davis is second among returning players in rushing yards (275; 4th last year on team); he also piled up a 5.3 ypr and 2 TD. 

Tennessee Volunteers

Junior Justin Worley has been named the starting quarterback for Butch Jones' offense in the 2013 season, winning the job over redshirt Freshman Nathan Peterman, incoming-Freshman Joshua Dobbs, and incoming-Freshman Riley Ferguson. Worley was favored in this four-way battle headed into fall camp after being the backup for Tyler Bray last season (15 for 23, 134 yards and 2 INTs).

Texas A&M Aggies

Two major players will be suspended some game time during the season opener against Rice. In the offseason, Junior CB Deshazor Everett and Junior S Floyd Raven were charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of criminal mischief; both students plead guilty to all charges. This was expected to be followed by suspensions from Head Coach Kevin Sumlin, which occurred on August 24th. Everett will be suspended for the 1st half vs. Rice and Raven will be suspended for the full game. The suspensions are not a big worry for the Aggies as they are expected to trample the Rice Owls, but it will give some exposure to the backups in the DB corps. Senior CB Otis Jacobs and Senior S Clay Honeycutt will get some more playing time in the game while those suspensions are fulfilled.