A look at today's news from around the Southeastern Conference.
SPIKES SUSPENDS HIMSELF: Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes told reporters Wednesday night that he had effectively suspended himself for the entire game Saturday against Vanderbilt for his attempt to gouge a Florida player's eyes.
"I really don't want to be a distraction to the team," Spikes said. "I want the guys to prepare without any negative things going on. I feel like if I would play, it would be a big thing. I'm just trying to stay out of the way and just motivate the guys. I'm pretty sure Stamper's my back and my teammates really support me on this decision."
Florida coach Urban Meyer said Spikes approached he and defensive coordinator Charlie Strong with the idea.
"We support Brandon fully," Meyer said.
REJUVENATED TIDE: Alabama coach Nick Saban says last Saturday's open date came just in the nick of time. The No. 3 Tide plays No. 9 LSU on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, two weeks after hanging on for a 12-10 win over Tennessee.
“We had a lot of guys beat up, a lot of guys missing practice, a lot of guys struggling to do what we need to do," Saban said.
QB OUT FOR THE YEAR: Vanderbilt quarterback Larry Smith has been lost for the season because of a torn left hamstring suffered in last Saturday's loss to Georgia Tech.
"The best prognosis I've heard is four to six weeks," Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said. "We've had guys who tweaked hamstrings that have not come back in four weeks, so this is pretty significant."
Smith, from Prattville, will be replaced by senior Mackenzie Adams when the Commodores play at Florida on Satruday. Adams has nine previous starts.
VOL FRESHMAN STILL IN GOOD STANDING: Despite persistent rumors, Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said highly touted freshman receiver Nu'Keese Richardson remains with the team as the Vols prepare for Saturday's game against Memphis.
Speculation was rampant after Richardson was not at Sunday's practice and Kiffin said he was dealing with "personal issues."
Apparently, those issues have been resolved enough for Kiffin to rejoin his teammates.
“There is no situation,” Kiffin said. “Nu’Keese was dealing with some issues Sunday, some personal issues. But Nu’Keese was in yesterday and everything is fine.”
AD SUPPORTS RICHT: Georgia athletic director Damon Evans called Georgia's season to date "very, very difficult," but threw his support behind head coach Mark Richt.
The Bulldogs lost 41-17 to Florida last Saturday and play Tennessee Tech at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.
"We are in a business that is very public," Evans said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "When things go wrong, there are different reactions that come from people. But our head coach is very good at what he does, and I have the utmost confidence Mark Richt will continue to lead us in the right direction."
