These stories are generating headlines across the SEC on Thursday morning:
- Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said QB Tyler Russell was in "practice" mode in a recent scrimmage. Russell said the offense is searching for consistency. "You're going to have some drops and stall," he told the Clarion Ledger. "It's about doing the things well consistently." But MSU defensive players say the offense is making a lot of big plays in practice.
- Alabama has a 6-1, 242-pound sledgehammer in fullback Jalston Fowler, who's also been lining up at H-back. Fowler, a junior, has averaged 7.1 yards per carry in his career, but his main role is to open holes for Eddie Lacy, T.J. Yeldon and Dee Hart.
- Jeff Sentell of the Birmingham News believes Auburn should rescind its scholarship offer to Dee Liner, the bluechip but troubled defensive lineman who walked out of his high school football practice last week. Liner is suspended indefinitely.
- Georgia true freshman Todd Gurley again led the Bulldogs in rushing in Wednesday's scrimmage, but sophomore Ken Malcome is the likely starter against Buffalo. Gurley has run for 199 yards and four TDs on 19 carries in three scrimmages. Malcome has run for 117 yards and one score on 16 carries.
- Tennessee has made a number of improvements to Neyland Stadium in time for the Sept. 8 home opener against Georgia State. Flat-screen TVs have replaced boxed sets on the lower level, and the concession stands willl have a 100 percent guarantee.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
