UNDATED (AP) — This week in the Southeastern Conference, Florida faces Georgia in a highly anticipated matchup in Atlanta. Georgia has dominated the series recently, winning eight of the last ten games. Both teams had different outcomes in Week 7, with Georgia losing to Auburn and Florida defeating Texas. Georgia is favored by 11.5 points. Meanwhile, Ole Miss hosts Auburn. Ole Miss looks to bounce back after a loss to Texas, but they'll be without star running back Kewan Lacy. Auburn's dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown could challenge Ole Miss's defense. Ole Miss is a 13-point favorite in this matchup.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No. 17 Florida will start quarterback Aaron Philo against third-ranked Georgia in the Southeastern Conference rivalry known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." That's according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because coach Jon Sumrall had not made his choice public. Philo and backup Tramell Jones Jr. were upgraded to probable on Friday for the game in Atlanta. They split repetitions in practice much of the week, and Sumrall said the decision would come down to “health and availability.”
TOMARATA, New Zealand (AP) — Zack Swanwick is one round away from winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur to earn a spot in the Masters and British Open. Also at stake is a chance to give New Zealand in its first title in this event. He made three birdies over his last six holes for another 67. Swanwick has a two-shot lead over defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand and fellow Kiwi Cooper Moore. Swanwick is a junior at Florida. He has recovered from being 4 over through six holes at the start and he's made only three bogeys in windy conditions over the last 45 holes.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas quarterback Arch Manning rediscovered his edge and the smiles have returned for the Longhorns as the season passes the midway point and churns toward the College Football Playoff. The same cannot be said for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Quarterback Kamario Taylor was ruled out for the rest of the season with a toe injury that will require surgery. The No. 11 Longhorns and Bulldogs play Saturday night. The Longhorns are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive and the Bulldogs are trying to keep their season together.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Todd Golden never really planned to open the season in Tampa, the site of one of the most painful NCAA Tournament losses in program history. It just sort of worked out that way. Nonetheless, facing No. 14 Miami at Benchmark International Arena on Monday should provide the top-ranked Gators a chance to purge eight months of bitterness. Winning a second national title in three years would be the ultimate atonement for a stunning loss to ninth-seeded Iowa in March that wiped out any shot at winning back-to-back championships. For now, though, Florida will use a return to Tampa as motivation while essentially trying to pick up where it left off last season.
UNDATED (AP) — A Kentucky Court of Appeals judge has denied the NCAA's request for emergency relief, allowing 30 college athletes to remain eligible as the basketball season is about to begin. The athletes, including Missouri's Mark Mitchell and LSU's Skyy Clark, received a temporary injunction on October 16. This allows them to compete while the NCAA appeals a ruling related to the new five-for-five eligibility model. Kentucky judge Sara Walter Combs said in her ruling that the NCAA failed to prove imminent harm from the injunction. The ruling also affects football players who will continue to compete for their teams.
UNDATED (AP) — The eligibility chaos playing out in lawsuits and courthouses all over the country has reached the basketball season. The first Division I men's and women's basketball games start Sunday. Yet that comes as legal cases tied to eligiblity inch their way through the court system. Many cases are centered on the NCAA's adoption of an age-based model giving athletes a fifth year going forward. Others deal with athletes returning to college after signing with professional teams. The cases have created volatility with players still waiting to be cleared or facing hearings that could change their status abruptly during the season.
UNDATED (AP) — Duke coach Jon Scheyer’s frank message made an impression on John Blackwell when the former Wisconsin guard entered the transfer portal. Blackell said Scheyer didn't sugarcoat things and noted that “we're going to push you every single day.” Blackwell scored 1,505 points in three seasons at Wisconsin to rank 11th on the Badgers’ career scoring list. He averaged 19.1 points and 5.1 rebounds last season while helping Wisconsin go 24-11. Blackwell heads our list of men's college basketball transfers who should make a major impact this season.
