It's a busy morning in the SEC:
- Mississippi State will get its backup quarterback, redshirt freshman Dak Prescott, into Saturday's opener against Jackson State. Coach Dan Mullen said Prescott might not get a whole series, adding "it might be situational for a couple plays here or there." Junior Tyler Russell is the unquestioned starter.
- Tennessee QB Tyler Bray is exuding confidence heading into his junior season. The 6-foot-6, 215-pounder, who has won eight of 12 starts in two seasons, said his top personal goal is to make it through the entire season. "We have a team, an offense, that's been together for three years now," he told the News Sentinel. "We're going to be good."
- Florida RB Mack Brown has beaten out Matt Jones and Chris Johnson for the No. 2 spot behind Mike Gillislee. Coach Will Muschamp told the Gainesville Sun that Florida's new downhill running scheme "helps [Brown's] running style." In addition, Darrin Kitchens won a starting LB spot over Neiron Ball.
- Michael Ford, LSU's leading returning rusher, and LB Tahj Jones are dealing with academic eligibility issues and might not be available for Saturday's opener against North Texas, or beyond. Coach Les Miles said an appeal is under way regarding their status. Ford, who ran for 756 yards and seven TDs last season, is listed third on the depth chart behind co-starters Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue.
- Auburn's new starting center, Tunde Fariyike, quickly grasped the playbook and should be able to change calls at the line of scrimmage. He rarely has problems with the mental side of the game. The sophomore, who is starting for the suspended Reese Dismukes, is a biomedical sciences major who plans to become a doctor.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
