Spurrier getting more involved

Steve Spurrier says he'll be back in the middle of South Carolina's playcalling and back on the Gamecocks' sidelines next season.

Spurrier said Tuesday that he'll increase his playcalling role down the stretch and won't let the potential of another frustrating finish - the Gamecocks (6-4, 3-4 SEC) have lost two in a row with No. 1 Florida and No. 23 Clemson left - lead him to leave the Gamecocks after the season.

"Obviously, the president and the AD and all that decides on who coaches," Spurrier said. "But hopefully we've got some guys that are really going to help us on the way. We have a good coaching staff here and so forth.

"Again, I hope and plan to go three or four more years," said Spurrier, 64. "We'll see what happens."

Spurrier had mostly ceded weekly planning duties to son, Steve Jr., the past two years, but has maintained veto power if he didn't like the call. At least twice this season, Spurrier said the Gamecocks were too conservative on offense at times, including after last week's 33-16 loss at Arkansas.

"I call most of the plays and I may be the principle playcaller now with suggestions from the other coaches," Spurrier said. "That's about how we've been doing it."

Spurrier also wants to get himself inside offensive huddles near the sidelines during stoppages and changeovers. He had let first-year quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus do most of the talking to reduce the chatter and voices directed at sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia.

"That's over," Spurrier said. "I do plan to get back in the huddle with all the guys every time they come to the sideline," he said.

Spurrier has gone 34-26 and 18-21 in the SEC since replacing Lou Holtz after the 2004 season.

Luster Off SEC's Oldest Rivalry: The Deep South's oldest rivalry looks a little tarnished.

When Georgia hosts Auburn between the hedges Saturday night, the teams will be meeting for the 113th time in a rivalry that began in 1892.

On the other hand, it will be the first time since 1991 the teams have met with neither ranked in The Associated Press poll. The Bulldogs (5-4, 3-3) are trying to become bowl eligible - which used to be a given in these parts - while Auburn (7-3, 3-3) is trying to build on a modest two-game winning streak.

But much of the usual buzz surrounding the game is missing. The SEC division races have already been settled, removing a potential prize that's been there so many times before.

"Maybe from the outside it seems like that," Georgia fullback Shaun Chapas acknowledged. "I can see how people would say that, but personally I don't feel that way."

Auburn's Stallworth Out: Auburn coach Gene Chizik said receiver Travante Stallworth (knee) will not play Saturday against Georgia.

He left the status open for tailback Onterio McCalebb and linebacker Adam Herring. McCalebb has missed the past two games because of a sore ankle while a nagging heel/ankle injury sidelined Herring against Furman.

Injuries Take Toll On Walters: Mississippi State backup linebacker Bo Walters will miss the remainder of the season because of injuries to his knees. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen didn't elaborate, but said Walters won't be playing any more this year.

Mallett On Pace: Ryan Mallett is right on schedule.

The Arkansas quarterback has been exactly what the Razorbacks expected after sitting out last season as a transfer.

With his strong arm and seemingly limitless confidence, Mallett has helped the Hogs become the SEC's highest-scoring team - and this week he'll have a chance to set the school's single-season passing record against Troy on Saturday.

"When the coach calls a play, he always says, 'This is going to hit,'" tight end D.J. Williams said. "We practice so hard on game-like situations that when tough situations come up in games, he's ready."

Mallett has 2,477 yards passing, 152 short of Clint Stoerner's record.