GEORGIA

Many critics have blasted Florida’s offense this year, but Georgia coach Mark Richt is not one of them.

Richt said Florida, which has the longest winning streak in the nation with 17 straight victories, probably doesn’t feel the need to stretch out defenses by taking a lot of shots downfield because of how effective the Gators’ running game has been.

In response to a question about Richt using photos of Urban Meyer calling two late timeouts during Florida’s 2008 blowout win as motivation for his players, the Georgia coach didn’t seem to want to talk about the Bulldogs needing any extra motivation to beat the Gators.

“I think Georgia-Florida is all you need,” Richt said.

Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m., CBS, at Jacksonville

FLORIDA

Coach Urban Meyer thinks the quality of SEC defenses has something to do with the Gators’ struggles on offense this season.

Florida remains 7-0 after surviving a few close calls, and Meyer’s defense is a big part of that unblemished record. The Gators have arguably the best defense in a conference full of solid defensive units. Florida is only allowing 10.1 points per game (1st in SEC) and is only giving up 229.6 total yards per game (also 1st in the conference).

Meyer said he thinks senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes will be 100 percent for Saturday’s game in Jacksonville against rival Georgia, and he anticipates tailback Jeff Demps (neck) to be back at full speed.

Last week: Beat Mississippi St. 29-19
This week: vs. Georgia, 3:30 p.m., CBS, at Jacksonville

TENNESSEE

Volunteers coach Lane Kiffin is pleased with quarterback Jonathan Crompton’s improvement over the past 2 1/2 games.

After completing just four passes in the first half against Auburn, Crompton rebounded to finish the game with 20 completions for 259 yards and two scores in a loss. The following week he had his best week as a Volunteers quarterback throwing for a career-high 310 yards with four touchdowns in a 45-19 win over Georgia.

In last weekend’s tough 12-10 loss against Alabama, Crompton threw for 265 yards against the Tide’s tough defense. What was more impressive was how he handled himself at the end of the game when he threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Jones to bring the Volunteers to a two-point margin with about a minute left. After getting the ball back on an onside kick, Crompton drove the Vols into field goal range to give Tennessee a shot.

Kiffin will need Crompton to be at the top of his game against a stingy South Carolina defense on Saturday. The Gamecocks trail only Florida in the SEC in passing yards surrendered with an average of 141.2 yards per game.

Last week: Lost to Alabama 12-10
This week: vs. South Carolina, 7:45 p.m., ESPN

SOUTH CAROLINA

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier knows his team is up against a talented defense at Neyland Stadium on Saturday night.

Spurrier has a lot of respect for Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and the Volunteers top defensive player Eric Berry, who had an interception against South Carolina last year. His offense will try to keep an eye on the Tennessee playmaker to prevent a repeat of last year when Berry intercepted a pass from the Gamecocks and returned it 45 yards.

“It took about two minutes to run him down on that interception last year,” Spurrier said.

Last week: Beat Vanderbilt 14-10
This week: at Tennessee, 7:45 p.m., ESPN

VANDERBILT

Commodores coach Bobby Johnson is trying to get his team coached up on stopping No. 11 Georgia Tech’s vaunted single-wing offense. The Yellow Jackets trail only Nevada in total rushing yards per game this season with an average of 291.6 yards.

Vanderbilt ranks near the bottom of the NCAA (85th) in rushing defense, allowing an average of 164.1 yards per game. The plan for the Commodores is to try keep things simple so their defensive players have a chance to execute. Johnson said another Yellow Jackets’ strength is their ability to adjust quickly to different defensive looks.

“There’s no defense that we can line up in that they haven’t seen,” Johnson said.

Last week: Lost to South Carolina 14-10
This week: vs. Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m.

KENTUCKY

With Wildcats leading tackler Micah Johnson’s knee injury, it is unclear if he will play in a critical game against Mississippi State on Saturday.

Kentucky could definitely use him to help stop Bulldogs running back Anthony Dixon, who is third in the league with an average of 107 rushing yards per game.

Wildcats coach Rich Brooks said Johnson has not practiced yet this week, and will not be 100 percent if he does play against Mississippi State. Brooks also said this is a very important game for both teams, who could use a win to bolster their bowl eligibility.

Brooks is impressed by the Bulldogs defense, and said the job they did against Florida last week “got our attention.”

Last week: Beat La.-Monroe 36-13
This week: vs. Mississippi St., 7 p.m.