TENNESSEE

After getting an up-close and personal view of Ole Miss running back/wide receiver Dexter McCluster, Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin thinks there is a future for the speedy Rebel in the NFL.

Kiffin says the key to McCluster’s game is the unique combination of being small and fast. Comparing him to Tennessee Titans running back Chris Brown, Kiffin says McCluster will probably run a 4.3 second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.

When asked where McCluster’s future was in the NFL, Kiffin emphatically said “tailback.”

Last week: Lost to Ole Miss, 42-17
This week: Hosts Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The Gamecocks just got finished preparing for one Heisman Trophy candidate (Tim Tebow), and will now use their open week to prepare for another in Clemson running back C.J. Spiller.

South Carolina’s defense only gave up 140 rushhing yards against Florida last week, but will have a harder time scheming for Spiller, who has 836 rushing yards on the season.

Spiller is also dangerous as a kick returner and receiver, leading the ACC in all-purpose yards with nearly 2,000.

Last week: Lost to Florida, 24-14
This week: Off

FLORIDA

Coach Urban Meyer has been praising his defense this week, and knows the ingredients that are involved in making it successful in the fourth quarter.

Recruiting plays a big part, as does the fact that the unit is finally healthy enough to play in the right rotations. But a major factor is the offseason strength and conditioning that is overseen by Mickey Marotti.

Meyer says Marotti is the best strength coach in the nation and that the fourth quarters of the SEC championship game and BCS title game are a major reason UF won the national title in 2008. Meyer also said he is seeing the exact same closing ability from his defense this season.

Last week: Beat South Carolina, 24-14
This week: Hosts Florida International, 12:30 p.m.

VANDERBILT

The Commodores haven’t had many bright spots during this season, but running back/kick returner Warren Norman sure is one of them.

Coach Bobby Johnson said that Norman’s desire to play immediately factored into his decision to play at Vanderbilt.

Norman has done more than earn playing time in his freshman season, he leads the Commodores in rushing with 710 yards and leads the SEC in all-purpose yards with 1,789. Norman has also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns this season.

Last week: Lost to Kentucky, 24-13
This week: At Tennessee, 7:30 p.m.

GEORGIA

Coach Mark Richt isn’t sure exactly what it means that the SEC could have 10 bowl eligible teams after having only eight last year.

“I don’t know if means we’re stronger, or deeper or what, quite frankly,” Richt said.

Richt did say that the non-conference schedules are helping teams get to six wins. He also stated that two teams (Alabama and Florida) having the chance to run the table in the regular season and LSU being 8-2 makes the conference look better.

Last week: Beat Auburn, 31-24
This week: Hosts Kentucky, 7:45 p.m., ESPN2

KENTUCKY

After a 308 yard rushing performance against Vanderbilt, coach Rich Brooks doesn’t see a repeat performance in the cards against Georgia.

“The combination of their defensive front gives you all kinds of problems,” Brooks said of Georgia’s defensive line.

Also, the Wildcats may be without quarterback Randal Cobb, who Brooks said could not finish practice on Wednesday because of a shoulder injury. Cobb accounted for 99 yards and two touchdowns on the ground against the Commodores last week.

Last week: Beat Vanderbilt, 24-13
This week: At Georgia, 7:45 pm., ESPN2