SEC buzz: Updates from around the conference

THE SCOOP

Tennessee has joined the alternate uniform craze.

Everybody from Fresno State to Nevada, from Nebraska to Houston, has introduced new or alternate looks for this season.

Even Notre Dame is rockin’ a redesigned shamrock look.

Tennessee released a teasing video Thursday morning that hinted of an alternate uni. Former quarterback and current radio talk-show host Erik Ainge helped confirm some the rumors swirling around Vol-ville with this tweet at 9:16 a.m.:

“The uniforms won’t be gray, they are Smokey and it’s an Official UT School Color. PMS 426.”

PMS 426 is said to be Ford Dark Charcoal, for the record.

— Andy Johnston, for the AJC

WHAT THE WATCH

  • The Gamecocks had two practices Thursday and, as usual, quarterback Connor Shaw's health remains a question mark. He said his back was sore during last weekend's scrimmage. "I just had a little back spasm. It wasn't anything major. I went for treatment and it was fine after that. It was nothing serious."
  • South Carolina offensive line coach Shawn Elliott is excited about redshirt freshman Mason Zandi. "Mason is doing a great job. He is doing a fabulous job. He's big, he's athletic, he can move, he understands the defenses. I really like him. He's so tall that he needs to gain a little more weight. He's about 295 right now. We've got to work on getting his hips low. Rushers tend to get up under him a little bit because of his height, but I'm pleased with him. I love his work ethic."

INJURY REPORT

South Carolina: Bruce Ellington (hamstring), Rory Anderson (hamstring), Chaz Sutton (foot), Cedrick Cooper (elbow), Kyle Morini (elbow), Gerald Turner (ankle), James King (foot), Mike Matulis (shoulder) and Cody Gibson (knee).

Missouri: E.J. Gaines (left knee) and Henry Josey (hamstring).

QUOTABLE

“Jonathan Williams, to me, is a guy that has got power. He reminds me a lot of the backs I had at Wisconsin. He has a little bit more juice in the open field than I thought, so I’m very, very excited. … It’s going to be fun to see Jonathan take that role and run with it.” — Arkansas coach Bret Bielema on Williams, the only returning running back with any significant playing time a season ago. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry when he did play.

“Texas A&M did a horrific job of monitoring Johnny Manziel.” — ESPN basketball analyst Seth Greenberg during a roundtable discussion this week about whether the school bears any responsibility for the situation that the Aggies’ Heisman Trophy winner finds himself in on the eve of the season for possibly signing autographs for payment.

“I can walk to the line, and Coach can give me four different plays. I know exactly which play he wants to call. In the past, we were just given one play, and if it was a bad look, you’d just have to run it. Now I can check the play and go to a different play.” — Mississippi State senior quarterback Tyler Russell told the Northeast Mississippi News.