Time is running out on grandiose preseason predictions. The South Carolina Gamecocks made the most of it.

South Carolina defensive end Moe Thompson told The State newspaper that his magic number is 10. He wanted at least 10 victories and 10 sacks.

Thompson had five sacks last season. So did fellow defensive end George Gause.

"I expect them to be as good as anyone in the conference," South Carolina coach Lou Holtz told The State.

Quarterbacks Dondrial Pinkins' magic number is 70. He wants to complete 70 percent of his passes, which would make him the most improved passer in college football.

Last year, Pinkins completed an SEC-worst 50.3 percent of his passes.

Georgia Line Taking Shape: Moving preseason All-SEC tackle Max Jean-Giles to guard has apparently worked out for the Bulldogs, whose offensive line should be significantly improved over last season.

The preseason play of tackles Dennis Roland and Daniel Inman has made Jean-Giles' switch a good move. Roland, who is 6-foot-9, and Inman (6-7) give Georgia the tallest tackle tandem in the SEC.

The other starters are center Russ Tanner, who started nine games last season, and Nick Jones, who started five games as a true freshman on Georgia's inexperienced offensive line.

"That's a very good front five, and that's how I foresee us starting the year," Georgia coach Mark Richt told the Athens Banner-Herald. "And that may never change."

Florida Defense On The Rise: Florida's defensive front seven looks solid for at least the next two years. Five of the seven starters are sophomores.

Middle linebacker Channing Crowder, a preseason All-SEC pick, gets most of the publicity, but sophomore tackles Ray McDonald, a freshman All-American last season, and Marcus Thomas, who made the SEC All-Freshman team, also are considered big-time players.

Sophomore defensive end Joe Cohen, a former Parade All-American, should upgrade the Gators' pass rush. Cohen, who played fullback in the spring is up to 280 pounds.

Cornerbacks, Hear This: The Ole Miss receivers might have lost quarterback Eli Manning. But they haven't lost their confidence, according to wide receiver Mike Espy.

"As receivers, we're all a year stronger, wiser and faster," he told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. "Teams couldn't cover us all before, so how are they going to do it now?"

A Handful For Vandy: Holtz said he plans to play five running backs in the season opener against Vanderbilt. That might seem like a lot, but it's not so unusual against the Commodores.

Tennessee played five tailbacks in its 48-0 victory against the Commodores last November.

Extra Points: Auburn sophomore defensive end Stanley McClover has been almost impossible to block in preseason, coach Tommy Tubberville told the Birmingham News. Georgia freshman running back Thomas Brown, who missed two weeks of preseason practice with a pulled hamstring, was impressive in his only scrimmage last week and might not be redshirted after all. . Mississippi State defensive tackle Ronald Fields, who has dropped 30 pounds to 303, might be ready for a big senior season after under-achieving for much of his career. . Marvin Byrdsong, who has moved from outside to inside linebacker, also has been impressive this preseason. Curtis Pulley, a quarterback from Hopkinsville, Ky., has committed to Kentucky. ESPN.com ranks him as one of the top 100 prospects in the country. The preseason play of Vanderbilt backup linebackers Kevin Joyce, Jonathan Goff and Curtis Gatewood has coach Bobby Johnson feeling better about his defensive depth.