Bowden: Zook has no reason to hang around

"They wanted to make sure nothing changed their minds," said former Auburn coach Terry Bowden, who is a college football analyst.

By firing Zook now, he cannot save his job even if he beats rivals Georgia and Florida State.

Bowden, however, said it was a mistake to allow Zook to remain on the sidelines.

"They shouldn't have given him a choice," Bowden said.

"Once you fired him, you pretty much told the players and assistant coaches you've given up on the season."

Saban's Secret: The LSU starting quarterback will be a secret until game-time against Vanderbilt tonight, coach Nick Saban said.

Saban told senior Marcus Randall before last week's 24-20 victory against Troy State that he would stick with him throughout the game, even if he made mistakes. Randall threw three interceptions but also threw the winning touchdown pass with 2:18 remaining. Randall completed a career-high 24 passes for a career-high 327 yards in 37 passes.

Saban said he did not give Randall any assurances beyond that game.

Randall has been splitting time with redshirt freshman JaMarcus Russell throughout the season. Last Saturday was the first time this season that LSU played only one quarterback.

In other college football news:

• A Tulane-Louisville game that was postponed Sept. 18 because of the threat of Hurricane Ivan has been reset for Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m. in the Louisiana Superdome.

• Baylor quarterback Dane King will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right hand last Saturday. Shawn Bell will start today against Texas A&M.

• Missouri coach Gary Pinkel has suspended No. 1 tailback Damian Nash indefinitely, presumably for comments made about the Tigers' play calling during last week's 20-17 loss to Oklahoma State. Nash told The Kansas City Star: "I wish I could call the offense. I didn't understand a lot of the plays." Missouri visits Nebraska on Saturday.