Ex-Dog is directingstingy Tide defense

Published Oct. 8, 2010 10:06 a.m. ET

foxsports

Reviewing and previewing college football:

Kirby Smart. Alabama's defensive coordinator is riding high after his defense dominated Florida. The 35-year-old former Georgia defensive back, whose team is allowing nine points a game this year, will likely be on the Bulldogs' short list if there's a regime change in the near future in Athens, Ga.

Texas. The Longhorns lost one game the past two regular seasons. Now, Texas is reeling after consecutive losses, and it travels next week to No. 7 Nebraska.

Despite missing four games because of suspension, Georgia's A.J. Green quickly proved he's the top wide receiver in the land with that leaping one-handed touchdown grab.

According to a multitude of Web sites, Green is expected to be a top draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft if the junior decides to leave school early. If he makes the jump, Green will see a lot of his jerseys sold by this time next year.

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1. South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference): Gamecocks have had a week-and-a-half to think about Alabama's Mark Ingram rushing for 246 yards against them last year.

2. Georgia Tech (3-2, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference): Former Jefferson County star B.J. Bostic averaging 12.2 yards per rush.

3. Clemson (2-2, 0-1): Hard to win games when you commit six turnovers.

4. Georgia (1-4, 0-3 SEC): Kudos to former Westside standout Sanders Commings, who has had a pretty good season (especially on special teams) and is now starting at cornerback.

Tennessee at Georgia, noon(CBS-Ch. 12)

Clemson at North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. (ABC-Ch. 6)

Virginia at Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

Alabama at South Carolina, 3:30 p.m. (CBS-Ch. 12)

Wofford at Georgia Southern, 6 p.m. (No TV)

Clemson: Tigers need to win to stay in Atlantic Division race.

Georgia: Can someone explain how the Bulldogs are a 12-point favorite over the Volunteers, a team to which they've lost three of the past four times?

Georgia Tech: Yellow Jackets should have an advantage going up against defensive coordinator Al Groh's former team.

South Carolina: Coming off a bye week and playing the Crimson Tide at home is the ideal situation for the Gamecocks' first win over a No. 1-ranked team.

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645

or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com