SEC teams didn't just downsize their football schedules in 2004. They downgraded them.

After two years of 12-game regular-season schedules, college football will return to the traditional 11-game schedule this season. Most SEC teams dropped the heavyweights and kept the lightweights.

Last year, you could look forward to early-season, non-conference games like Florida-Miami, Alabama-Oklahoma, South Carolina-Virginia, Georgia-Clemson, Arkansas-Texas, and Auburn-USC. All that's left is Arkansas-Texas.

Alabama's non-conference schedule will be significantly easier. Last year's non-conference opponents - South Florida, Oklahoma, Northern Illinois and Hawaii (2003) - had a combined record of 38-13. This year's non-conference opponents are Division I-AA Western Carolina, Utah State (3-9 last year) and the University of Southern Mississippi (9-4).

Auburn also should benefit from an easier schedule. Last year, the Tigers lost to national champion USC and Georgia Tech. This season, they have dropped both, kept Louisiana-Monroe (1-11) and added Louisiana Tech and Division I-AA The Citadel.

Mississippi State has dropped Oregon (8-5), Houston (7-6) and Memphis (9-4) and added Division I-AA Maine and UAB (5-7). Tulane (5-7) is the only holdover. Ole Miss dropped Texas Tech (8-5) and picked up Wyoming (4-8).

UT has dropped Fresno State (9-5), Marshall (8-4), Duke (4-8) and Miami (11-2) in favor of UNLV (6-6), Louisiana Tech (5-7) and Notre Dame (5-7).

Kentucky and LSU probably are the only SEC teams who won't have easier non-conference schedules. The Wildcats played Louisville, Indiana, Ohio and Division I-AA Murray State last season. Their only change was to drop Murray State.

Last year, national champion LSU played Arizona, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech and Division I-AA Western Illinois. Its three Division I-A opponents were a combined 8-28. This season, the Tigers will play Oregon State (8-5), Troy State (6-6) and Arkansas State (5-7).

Impact freshman: Peyton Hillis, rated as the No. 1 fullback in the country by at least one recruiting service, was the offensive star of Arkansas' scrimmage Saturday. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound freshman dragged defenders on a 39-yard run and also gained 22 yards on a screen pass.

Boyd leads Gamecocks: Cory Boyd had a 65-yard touchdown run and gained 94 yards on seven carries in South Carolina's scrimmage. Running back Demetris Summers, who got off to a slow start this preseason, rushed for 67 yards on 12 carries.

Syvelle Newton continued to press starter Dondrial Pinkins for the starting quarterback job. Pinkins was 9-of-14 passing in the scrimmage, but Newton accounted for two of the three touchdowns with a 1-yard run and a 39-yard pass.

Stewart sparks Auburn: Maryville's Carl Stewart had another impressive scrimmage while Auburn rested star running backs Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. Stewart gained 35 yards on six carries and scored a touchdown. In two scrimmages, he has 106 yards rushing on 18 carries.

Bulldogs pick kicker: Georgia coach Mark Richt named Andy Bailey of Athens, Tenn., as his No. 1 kicker Saturday. Bailey gained the upper hand over Brandon Coutu last week.

Extra points: Florida quarterback Chris Leak completed nine of 12 passes for 151 yards and the Gators' first team scored on its first four possessions against reserves in Saturday's scrimmage. Vernell Brown, a 5-8, 155-pound Florida cornerback, has moved into the starting lineup ahead of Dee Webb. Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle threw for four touchdowns, giving him nine touchdown passes in two scrimmages. Freshman wide receiver D.J. Hall caught five passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Ole Miss quarterback Micheal Spurlock bounced back from a sub-par first scrimmage to complete eight of 15 passes and rush for 64 yards Saturday. Omarr Conner, another first-year starting quarterback, completed 18 of 30 passes but the defense dominated Mississippi State's scrimmage. Arkansas placekickers Chris Balseiro and David Carlton combined to miss five of eight field-goal attempts.

John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.