Bulldogs flee bottom feeders

The Bulldogs weren't just losing. They were losing in spectacular fashion.

There was a 9-7 loss to Division I-AA Maine, a 31-13 loss to Vanderbilt, and a 51-0 loss to LSU.

Three weeks later, a five-game losing streak has become a two-game winning streak. But you couldn't tell it by coach Sylvester Croom's comments following a 22-7 victory over Kentucky on Saturday.

"We did everything we could do to lose the football game," he told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. "Ridiculous stuff. Miscommunication. Dropped passes.

"Our receivers played very well last week but they didn't show up (against Kentucky). We've got to have more consistency."

Imagine that. Mississippi State can beat Kentucky without its "A" game.

Mississippi State lost starting center Chris McNeil to a head injury in the first quarter but still rushed for 340 yards against the SEC's worst run defense.

Woeful Wildcats: Stopping the run is only one of many problems for Kentucky, which ranks last in the conference in 10 statistical categories.

After gaining only 251 yards against the Bulldogs, Kentucky is expected to rank last among 117 Division I-A teams in total offense. Its special teams aren't much to brag about, either.

"Our punting is a disaster," coach Rich Brooks told the Lexington Herald-Leader after Anthony Thornton punted seven times for a 32.9-yard net average. "I stressed to our guys all last week that we had to win the field-position battle and we did not do that."

Based on its statistics, Kentucky isn't winning any battles.

Non-contact?: Open dates are supposed to give teams time to heal. But don't tell that to Arkansas defensive end Jeff Huckeba.

After a 12-tackle, three-sack game against Georgia, Huckeba was feeling just fine. Three days later, he broke his hand in a "non-contact" drill at practice. Huckeba extended his right arm and jammed his hand into a running back's shoulder pad.

During another open date week last month, Arkansas lost starting offensive Zac Tubbs and backup defensive end Derek Moore to season-ending injuries. Each suffered a fractured ankle.

"These open-date weeks are something," Arkansas coach Houston Nutt told the Northwest Arkansas Times. "We should just send everybody home the Monday of each open date."

Quarterback Matt Jones is one player who should benefit from the open date. After taking last week off, he's expected to return to practice this week.

Passing Decline: In the 1990s, then Florida coach Steve Spurrier helped transform the SEC into a more pass-friendly league. Three years later, it's less pass-friendly without him.

In 2001, Spurrier's last year at Florida, Gators quarterback Rex Grossman led the conference with 3,896 yards and an average of 354.3 yards per game. Three years later, Florida quarterback Chris Leak leads the SEC in passing with an average of 261.8 yards per game.

In 2001, LSU's Josh Reed led the SEC with 94 pass receptions. At the current pace, Florida's O. J. Small will lead the conference with 62 receptions.

Run Support: Freshman running back Aaron Johns should play a bigger role in Alabama's offense following the loss of running back Tim Castille, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Tennessee.

Castille started at fullback but also backed up Kenneth Darby at tailback. Johns, who got more work in practice during the Tide's off week, has carried 32 times for 136 yards. Johns doesn't have the power of Darby or injured running back Ray Hudson, but he's quick and shifty.