UNDATED (AP) — LSU coach Brian Kelly says he understands why new SEC scheduling will be unpopular with those who'd like to see the Tigers play Alabama and Florida every year — as they have for more than half a century. But Kelly and many other coaches in the conference say the goals of competitive balance and getting all teams to play each other at least once every two years is a sensible trade-off. While most of the best-known and oldest rivalries will remain annual fixtures, several will not. Those include Georgia and Tennessee, who've met every year since 1992. Each team will have three “annual opponents” for at least the next four years, when the conference schedule increases to nine games.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Ty Simpson and No. 17 Alabama are feeling more confident after recent wins against Louisiana-Monroe and Wisconsin. However, they face a tough challenge against fifth-ranked Georgia on Saturday. Alabama's only road game this season ended in a loss to Florida State. Coach Kalen DeBoer emphasizes the need to overcome adversity on the road. Alabama has struggled away from home, with a 2-5 record since last season. Georgia boasts a strong home-field advantage with a 33-game winning streak at Sanford Stadium.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn receiver Horatio Fields is sidelined indefinitely with a broken foot. Fields ranks third on the team with 12 receptions for 106 yards a touchdown this season. Coach Hugh Freeze says the 6-foot-2 senior was injured in practice Tuesday. Fields transferred to Auburn this year after four years at Wake Forest. Freeze calls it a "difficult loss.” Freeze adds that sophomore Perry Thompson will get a chance to fill Fields’ spot when the Tigers play at No. 9 Texas A&M on Saturday.
UNDATED (AP) — Football Bowl Subdivision teams are averaging 3.82 punts per game through Week 4 of the season. That figure on track to be the lowest since the NCAA began keeping the statistic in 1937. Punt attempts have decreased eight straight seasons, and the 2024 average of 4.06 was one full punt per game less than in 2015. The sport’s growing reliance on analytics has encouraged coaches to be aggressive on fourth down. Also, field goals from long distances are on the rise.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida quarterback DJ Lagway wore a walking boot earlier this week, but coach Billy Napier says his foot injury was “no issue at all.” Napier adds that Lagway is “100%” despite getting stepped on during a 26-7 loss at Miami last Saturday. Rumors swirled about Lagway’s injury, with some even suggesting he was considering opting out of the season while the Gators (1-3) try to regroup amid a three-game losing streak. Napier calls the speculation “comical” and a “total myth.” Lagway has completed 67.5% of his passes for 690 yards, with five touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
UNDATED (AP) — Four Top 25 matchups headline the Week 5 college football schedule. The only matchup of top-10 teams happens Saturday night when No. 3 Oregon visits No. 6 Penn State for a Big Ten showdown between teams yet to be tested. No. 17 Alabama travels to No. 5 Georgia and No. 4 LSU goes to No. 13 Mississippi. The Crimson Tide have won nine of the last 10 meetings with Georgia and the Tigers and Rebels have split their last four. The other Top 25 game has No. Southern California going to No. 23 Illinois.
UNDATED (AP) — The Southeastern Conference announced league matchups for the next four years and designated three annual opponents for each of its 16 teams. The nine-game slates retain several traditional rivalries and renew some old ones. And there are no more lengthy waits to play everyone. The new format begins next year and runs through 2029, with the SEC having the option to tweak it every four years to maintain competitive balance. Each team will play three opponents annually and rotate through the remaining 12. The setup ensures that rotating teams square off every other year and every team plays at every SEC venue at least once over a four-year span.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama linebacker Jah-Marien Latham is being evaluated at a hospital after a neck injury during practice. Coach Kalen DeBoer says Latham was hurt Tuesday and taken to a hospital in Birmingham. He has full feeling and motion. DeBoer stated that Latham is undergoing a thorough medical assessment to determine recovery steps. Latham played in the season opener but has missed the past two games.
