Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Here's your unofficial guide to SEC football viewing this weekend. Consider it your own little playbook with scouting reports on everything from players, coaches, schemes, stadiums, pregame activities, hot spots around campus, even a few take-it-the-bank predictions:

Julio Jones scoring in his first college game: Sure, there will be some butterflies, even for a guy as hyped as Jones has been. But his teammates already have the utmost faith in him, and he absolutely is the real deal. Not only will he score against Clemson, but he'll have an Escalade (only a rental, mind you) waiting on him to take him back to the airport afterward.

Tight end power: Has there ever been this many good tight ends in the SEC? It seems like every team has somebody that's going to be a difficult matchup for the defense. Just to name a few, there are D.J. Williams and Andrew Davie at Arkansas, Aaron Hernandez at Florida, Brandon Warren at Tennessee, Jared Cook at South Carolina, Richard Dickson at LSU and Tripp Chandler at Georgia.

Rolando McClain vs. 'Thunder & Lightning': He's only a sophomore, but Rolando McClain probably feels like the old man of an Alabama linebacker corps that might play three true freshmen on Saturday. Those guys will have their work cut out against the Clemson running back tandem of James Davis (Thunder) and C.J. Spiller (Lightning).

Everybody but Percy: We know Florida's Percy Harvin won't score Saturday against Hawaii. He'll be sitting this one out to give his surgically repaired right heel more time to recover. The question is: Who won't score for the Gators? Here's betting they hit 50 with Tim Tebow, Emmanuel Moody, Louis Murphy, Chris Rainey, Deonte Thompson and Brandon James all finding the end zone.

Time for a little Enrique: Junior Cordera Eason will start at tailback, but most of the buzz around the Ole Miss campus has centered around freshman Enrique Davis. Yes, he's got a cool name, but he's also got a sweet game. I saw him live in a scrimmage earlier this preseason, and he's got some serious get up and go.

Underrated: Some of the guys who might not be flying under the radar as much after this opening weekend and the next few weeks: Alabama receiver Mike McCoy, Arkansas running back Michael Smith, Georgia safety Reshad Jones, Kentucky defensive tackle Myron Pryor, Tennessee receiver Gerald Jones, LSU tailback Richard Murphy and Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap.

Defense at Kentucky? OK, I know even some Kentucky fans are probably rolling their eyes, but this will be the best and most talented defense the Wildcats have had under Rich Brooks. They return 17 of the top 22 players from their Music City Bowl two-deep a year ago. This team will have to lean on its defense, too, starting Sunday at Louisville.

On further review: As Florida coach Urban Meyer glances over at Harvin standing on the sideline Saturday and undoubtedly wondering when he's going to get his franchise receiver back, I can't help but go back to Meyer's quote when Harvin had the surgery back in April. "It's a very minor surgery, probably an eight-week recovery," Meyer said. Somebody was off somewhere.

Vols want respect: The "no respect" theme is picking up steam in Tennessee, and granted, the Vols have been an afterthought in the East race talk. That's despite playing for the SEC championship a year ago. The reality is that Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer likes this position. He's done his best work when less has been expected of the Vols.

Fannin the flames: Is it just me, or is Mario Fannin one of those guys that always seems to be on the cusp of breaking out and becoming an elite player in this league? I think this is his year in Auburn's new spread offense. And if not, he's always got one of the coolest fan Web sites going ... Team Fannin.

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

The SEC is 2-0 thanks to wins Thursday night by South Carolina and Vanderbilt. Here's some of what's happening around the league:

* Chris Nickson wasn't named the starter until two days before the game, but the Vanderbilt senior quarterback didn't seem to mind. Nickson racked up a career-high 166 rushing yards in leading the Commodores to a road rout of Miami (Ohio).

* If you hadn't already noticed, Vanderbilt's D.J. Moore can play. He was everywhere for the Commodores in their season-opening win.

* South Carolina explodes past North Carolina State in the fourth quarter to win going away. And guess what? The Gamecocks already have themselves a quarterback controversy.

* Not a bad debut for South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, who got the game ball after the Gamecocks pitched their first shutout since 2006.

* A secondary NCAA violation will keep Alabama freshman receiver Brandon Gibson on the bench for the first two games, Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register reports.

* Georgia's defense is not only talented, but plenty deep, too. The Bulldogs will look to play a lot of players on defense this season.

* Bobby Petrino is ready to establish new traditions at Arkansas.

* Tennessee gets set to launch a new offensive era under Dave Clawson.

* LSU opener still on for now while officials closely watch Hurricane Gustav's path.

* Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom is keeping any tweaks to the Bulldogs' offense under wraps. Meanwhile, left tackle Derek Sherrod didn't practice again Thursday and is listed as questionable for Saturday's opener. 

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva is meeting Thursday with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal as state officials continue to watch very closely the path of Hurricane Gustav. At this point, the LSU-Appalachian State game is on as scheduled Saturday (ESPN, 5 p.m. ET). But that could change depending on the track of the storm.

Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett Louisiana Newspapers has an informative update on what plans are being made and how the game could possibly be affected. Much of that depends on where and when the storm hits.

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

It's finally gameday in the SEC. South Carolina hosts North Carolina State, and Vanderbilt travels to Miami (Ohio). Both are Thursday night games. Here's a look around the conference:

• South Carolina's Kenny McKinley is poised to break most of the Gamecocks' receiving records this season. He's also their most proven weapon, and some would say, their only proven weapon.
• Tailback Mike Davis' benching was tied to his breaking into a locked refrigerator in South Carolina's weight room, Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier reports. Davis will not start in Thursday night's game against N.C. State.
• Vanderbilt redshirt freshman middle linebacker Chris Marve is ready to introduce himself to college football on Thursday night when the Commodores open the season at Miami (Ohio). His Vanderbilt teammates are equally excited about his making that introduction.
• With all the talk about freshman Julio Jones, Alabama junior receiver Mike McCoy has quietly had a stellar preseason camp. He heads into the season as one of the go-to guys for John Parker Wilson.
• LSU coach Les Miles isn't dropping any hints whether it will be Andrew Hatch or Jarrett Lee at quarterback Saturday for the Tigers. Here's betting that Hatch is the one who takes the first snap, and don't be surprised if the Tigers play all three quarterbacks in the game.
• The freshmen tailbacks have been the rage at Ole Miss ever since they signed, but veteran Cordera Eason will get the start for the Rebels in the opener.
• Mississippi State plans to play two quarterbacks in the opener at Louisiana Tech. A bigger question, though, may be whether or not left tackle Derek Sherrod will be able to play. He's been out this week with a foot infection.
• Georgia reserve defensive tackle Kade Weston will miss the opener with a knee injury.
• Who says the Gators have struggled in the running game under Urban Meyer? He says people need to do their homework. It also sounds like Emmanuel Moody, the Southern Cal transfer, is starting to come around at tailback.

ESPN.com's Heather Dinich, Chris Low and Brian Bennett touch on a number of topics heading into Thursday's action.

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

The best thing about the preseason is that everybody's unbeaten, even those of us who dare to pick college football games. Here's my stab at Week 1 in the SEC:

THURSDAY

South Carolina 31, N.C. State 17: Quarterback Tommy Beecher makes his first career start for the Gamecocks, and Steve Spurrier Jr. makes his play-calling debut in Columbia. I'm still going to have to see that to believe it. What I do believe is that South Carolina will shred N.C. State's defense, which was next to last in the ACC a year ago.

Vanderbilt 21, Miami (Ohio) 17: Vanderbilt defensive end Broderick Stewart says the Commodores will have the fastest defense in the SEC, hands-down. The fastest defense in the SEC ought to be good enough to win at Miami (Ohio), right?

SATURDAY

Clemson 31, Alabama 21: The expectations are pretty lofty at Clemson this season. That hasn't always been a good mix for the Tigers. This game will be tight for a while, but Alabama's inexperience and lack of depth on defense will get the Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter.

Ole Miss 34, Memphis 20: The Rebels are going to have to make due without their best two defensive linemen these first few weeks. But Hotty Toddy, Gosh almighty, the Rebels have themselves a quarterback in Jevan Snead, and you better not blink when freshman tailback Enrique Davis gets the ball. He can scoot.

Miss. State 23, Louisiana Tech 17: This one has trap game written all over it for the Bulldogs, who may be without starting left offensive tackle Derek Sherrod. Star safety Derek Pegues is already out due to a one-game suspension. Ultimately, quarterback Wesley Carroll will make enough plays for the Bulldogs to gut it out on the road.

Florida 48, Hawaii 13: With so many players out for Florida, the Gators will get a chance to showcase some of those new faces we've been hearing about: Chris Rainey, Jeffrey Demps, Deonte Thompson and Emmanuel Moody.

Auburn 34, Louisiana-Monroe 10: Finally, the Auburn players get to fight somebody other than themselves. Well, at least in the football sense. I just get the feel that this is Auburn's year. If the spread offense is a good fit and one of the quarterbacks comes through, look out.

LSU 24, Appalachian State 10: We've heard the "We have great respect for Appalachian State" mantra coming out of the LSU camp all week. The truth is that the Tigers think they will win this game easily if they play their game. I still think it might be close for a while.

Georgia 42, Georgia Southern 17: At least the Bulldogs will get one breather in a schedule that looks more ominous every time I glance at it. The most underrated part of this team is its defense. You want fast and menacing? Watch the Bulldogs on defense this season.

Arkansas 35, Western Illinois: 13: The Bobby Petrino era begins in the Ozarks. He's happy to be back in college football and likes his chances at Arkansas. He'll need at least one more recruiting class, though, before Arkansas is a factor in the West. The Hogs will still score plenty of points this season.

SUNDAY

Louisville 24, Kentucky 20: The one thing Rich Brooks hasn't been able to do at Kentucky is consistently beat Louisville. In fact, the Wildcats won last season for the first time since Brooks arrived in Lexington. There are just too many unanswered questions on offense for the Wildcats for me to pick them on the road in this first game.

MONDAY

Tennessee 30, UCLA 17: Tennessee didn't fare very well when it had to go all the way across the country to open the season a year ago. But this is a UCLA team that's been rocked with injuries. In short, if the Vols truly are a contender in the East this season, this is a game they should win going away.

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

As expected, Florida coach Urban Meyer told reporters after practice Wednesday that he doesn't expect Percy Harvin to play in the opener against Hawaii. Meyer also said that middle linebacker Brandon Spikes would miss Saturday's game.

The big question now: How many more games will these guys miss?

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Ole Miss heads into its opener against Memphis on Saturday as healthy as it's been ... with two big caveats.

Their two best defensive linemen are out. End Greg Hardy (foot) and tackle Peria Jerry (knee) are expected to miss the Rebels' first three games, although Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt hopes to get both back in time for the SEC opener against Vanderbilt on Sept. 20.

Sophomore Kentrell Lockett has stepped in for Hardy, and sophomore Lawon Scott has taken Jerry's place. Nutt has been especially pleased with the way junior Marcus Tillman has taken on a leadership role during this time.

Sophomore tackle Ted Laurent (knee) had also been iffy, but Nutt said Wednesday that he should be available for the Memphis game. Laurent is one of the Rebels' most promising young defensive linemen.

Defensive line and receiver were the two areas where the Rebels had the most depth when Nutt took over for Ed Orgeron. What worries Nutt most about this season are the low numbers everywhere else.

"You had about 58 guys on scholarship when we got here," Nutt said. "We just don't have the depth."

The Rebels are up to 75 scholarship players, according to Nutt, but he winces every time he thinks about the lack of depth at certain spots.

"You pinch yourself when you look over and see Dexter McCluster running around, but then you look on the other side, especially the corner position, and you're very thin," said Nutt, who may play as many as four or five running backs this season.

Junior Cordera Eason will get the start.

Nutt also hinted that putting much stock in where some of Orgeron's classes were rated over the last few years is deceiving.

"Some guys go by those five-star (recruits)," Orgeron said. "A lot of those guys didn't make it here. We're a little bit behind the count as far as numbers."

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

	AP Photo/John Raoux
	The Gators may be without Percy Harvin's services for a while.

The availability of Percy Harvin during the first part of the season gets cloudier by the day for Florida.

Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel reported Wednesday that Harvin will sit out the first two or three games until his surgically repaired heel is 100 percent. Fowler talked with Harvin's former track coach in high school who said Harvin's mother was especially concerned about her son doing further damage to his heel if he tried to come back too soon.

Harvin had the surgery in April and has missed just about the entire preseason, although he practiced some on Tuesday.

After opening against Hawaii, the Gators face Miami at home on Sept. 6 and then take a week off before opening the SEC season at Tennessee on Sept. 20

Florida coach Urban Meyer sounds more frustrated every time he's asked about Harvin, who hasn't talked with the media this preseason.

"Is there concern? Yes. With the people that know what they're talking about? No," said Meyer when asked about the results of the surgery over teleconference Wednesday. "Is there concern with me? Yes, I guess I'm concerned about everything. I was hoping we'd be rocking and rolling and going right now. It's close. He practiced (Tuesday). I just have to make a decision. Players play here when they're ready to go. If he's ready to go, I'll play him."

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

It's close enough now that you can smell it. Four of the next five days will provide us with some real, live SEC football, beginning Thursday night when Vanderbilt travels to Miami (Ohio) and South Carolina hosts North Carolina State. This SEC smorgasbord extends through Monday night when Tennessee heads to the West Coast to take on UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Rubbing my hands and licking my chops, here are the top 25 things I can't wait to see this season in the SEC:

1. Larry Munson's call to arms: Munson's legendary voice sends the Georgia fans into a frenzy at Sanford Stadium just before the team hits the field with his "Glory, Glory to old Georgia" montage. Munson is truly an SEC treasure, and it's great to see him back for another season of calling Georgia's home games.

2. Pregame warm-ups for the Florida-Georgia game: Think there might be some jawing going on? The anticipation for this one is off the charts. Can't Nov. 1 go ahead and get here?

3. The first touchdown in the Florida-Georgia game: A wild end zone celebration a year ago after scoring the first touchdown turned the Bulldogs' entire season around. What can we expect this time?

4. Saturday night in Tiger Stadium: There's nothing like hearing the LSU marching band crank out those first few notes of "Tiger Rag." They don't call it Death Valley for nothing.

5. Julio Jones' first catch: When's the last time there's been this much anticipation about a freshman in the SEC? This kid is a treat to watch ... and a nightmare to defend. And he's all yours, Alabama fans.

6. (Insert any SEC team you wish) blasting Ohio State again in the BCS national championship game: Wonder if the Buckeyes would simply abstain this time if they come up against another SEC team in the postseason?

7. The Grove on a fall Saturday afternoon: It's among the best pregame settings in all of college football. The only thing that beats the tailgating on Ole Miss' campus is the stunning scenery.

8. Who's calling the plays at South Carolina: How long will it take for Steve Spurrier to take the play-calling duties back from Steve Jr.? Then again, is he really the Head Ball Coach if he's not calling plays? Isn't that sort of like Spiderman without the costume?

9. Tennessee's Eric Berry and Florida's Percy Harvin matched one-on-one on the perimeter: Talk about a couple of explosive athletes who live to compete.

10. Houston Nutt strolling the visitor's sideline at Reynolds Razorback Stadium: Here's betting he doesn't leave any sideline passes for the Springdale contingent.

11. Auburn in the spread offense: Seems like a bit of a gamble when you consider how successful the Tigers have been as a power football team under Tommy Tuberville.

12. Nick Saban back in Baton Rouge as the Alabama coach: Wonder if he stops by Mike the Tiger's cage for a chat?

13. Saban and Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning greeting each other prior to Saturday night's game: Maybe they will both pull up to the Georgia Dome in Escalades.

14. The new-look Tennessee Claw-fense: For the first time in 25 years, somebody outside of the Tennessee "family" will be calling plays for the Vols. Dave Clawson moves into that role after coming over from his job as the head coach at Richmond.

15. Bobby Petrino's impact on the SEC: Under Houston Nutt, Arkansas mashed it down everybody's throats. Now it's Petrino's turn to do his thing -- which is keeping defenses on their heels.

16. Ric Flair on the sideline at Williams-Brice Stadium: The Nature Boy and the Head Ball Coach are buds.

17. Anthony Dixon's shake: The bruising Mississippi State running back claims to have his "shake back" after trimming down from 250-something to 230-something. It's still fun to watch him plant defenders.

18. Tim Tebow running over a safety, even a linebacker, at the goal line: Even a year later, after 23 rushing touchdowns, it never gets old.

19. Georgia's Tasmanian Devil: Sophomore linebacker Rennie Curran is listed at 5-foot-11, but he's probably closer to 5-9. It doesn't matter, because he's one the surest tacklers in the league. If he gets his hands on you, you're toast.

20. Vanderbilt's D.J. Moore scoring three different ways: He's a true triple threat as a receiver, cornerback and kickoff returner. When's the last time somebody in the SEC scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in the same season?

21. Ole Miss defensive tackle Jerrell Powe and Tennessee linebacker Gerald Williams finally playing in an SEC game: Powe is eligible and will play this weekend. Williams is still waiting on a ruling from the SEC.

22. Kentucky going to a bowl game for the third straight year: It hasn't happened at Kentucky since 1949-51 when Bear Bryant was coaching in Lexington. It would also be a fitting way for Rich Brooks to go out, if he so chooses, and hand it over to Joker Phillips.

23. Subpoena-gate Part XXVII: With Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer scheduled to give a deposition in Alabama on Sept. 25, two days before the Vols play at Auburn, maybe the lawyers on both sides can suit up and play a preliminary game.

24. John Parker Wilson making history: The Alabama senior quarterback has already surpassed such legends as Joe Namath and Ken Stabler in the Alabama record books, but he's on track to become the Crimson Tide's career leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns and total offense.

25. George Smith going out in style: Nobody epitomizes what college sports are all about any more than Smith, Vanderbilt's sixth-year senior receiver. His latest setback is a foot injury, but the football gods owe him.

Are you ready for some college football, SportsNation? We're building to the start of the 2008 season and we've got just the thing to get you in the mood -- starting Wednesday, we'll be chatting with 25 people leading up to the first night of the season.

ESPN will be airing 25 hours of college football, which includes extensive programming on all of ESPN's various outlets.

During the same 25-hour block, we'll be chatting right here, grabbing 25 people to break down the new season. We'll talk about anything you want, while providing analysis and commentary from across the country.

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Demetrius Byrd doesn't really remember where he was. He just remembers hearing that Appalachian State was about to beat Michigan and pull off one of the biggest upsets in college football history.

	Doug Benc/Getty Images
	Demetrius Byrd doesn't see Appalachian State repeating last season's success in the season opener.

"I went to find a TV so I could watch the end of it," Byrd said.

LSU had played on Thursday night to open the 2007 season, so the players were free that Saturday.

"I didn't know anything about Appalachian State, couldn't have even told you where they were located or what state they were in," Byrd said. "I was going around saying, 'Who the heck are these guys?'

"But I know now."

All of college football does, and Byrd said the Tigers have no interest in making this Saturday's game in Tiger Stadium any more historic than it already is.

It's the first-ever meeting between football's defending national champions. LSU won the Bowl Championship Series title last season, and Appalachian State brought the Football Championship Subdivision title (formerly Division I-AA) back to the North Carolina mountains for the third straight year.

Byrd still couldn't pinpoint Boone, N.C., on a map, and he couldn't tell you much about the snow skiing or the hiking in that area.

What he can tell you is that there's about as much chance that Appalachian State will catch LSU napping for this game as there is Mike the Tiger calling some of the plays from his cage.

No disrespect to the Mountaineers, but Byrd said this game is all about LSU.

"We know they're a good team, and we know they beat Michigan last year in a big stadium," Byrd said. "But we're not Michigan. We're LSU, and we're going to play LSU football. When we play LSU football, it doesn't really matter who we play or where we play."

LSU coach Les Miles, although he has great respect for Appalachian State, would tend to agree.

"It's all about what we're going to do and the disposition of the opponent is one thing, but it's our disposition that we worry about. It's our approach," Miles said. "Frankly, if we're ready to come out and play and do the things we come to do, we'll determine how that game goes irrespective of how our opponent comes to play. It's more important how we come to play."

Byrd, who led LSU with seven touchdown catches last season, has heard how vulnerable the Tigers supposedly are at quarterback. And it's true they'll have a first-year starter whether it's Andrew Hatch, Jarrett Lee or Jordan Jefferson.

"I know people have been looking at that, but it's not a problem for us or our main receivers," Byrd said. "We're getting geared up to play with all three if we have to. When I was in junior college, I went through four in one season. We've all got our timing down, and we've got enough good players around those guys that they don't have to feel like they need to be heroes every game."

Byrd's hesitant to compare this team to the national championship team, because every team is different in terms of chemistry, leadership and work ethic.

That said, he'd be disappointed if the Tigers didn't repeat.

"I'd say we're equal to what we were last year, plus one," said Byrd, who made his share of big plays a year ago for the Tigers in a season filled with big plays. "I can't wait to get it on and go to battle with my team. We've strengthened our minds and our bodies, and we're ready to play LSU football."

And for the record, just what exactly constitutes LSU football?

"To finish every game. Don't leave nothing undone. Go out with a purpose every time you step on the field. Play smart football and get down with it," Byrd said.

"We're ready to open up some you know what."

Wonder if Michigan felt the same way this time last year.

Sit back and enjoy. It ought to be one of the more intriguing games of college football's opening weekend.

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

One of the SEC's quarterback battles was cleared up, as Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said that senior Chris Nickson would be his starter in the Commodores' opener on Thursday against Miami (Ohio). Meanwhile, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said he would go right up until game time on Saturday before announcing his starter between Kodi Burns and Chris Todd. Here's what else is going on around the league:

* Columnist Ron Morris of The State newspaper in Columbia thinks "next year" has finally arrived for South Carolina and that the Gamecocks will turn the disappointment of last season's collapse into a nine-win season in 2008, including a bowl victory.

* The status of Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes remains iffy as Florida gets closer to its Saturday opener against Hawaii.

* Caleb King is listed No. 2 behind Knowshon Moreno on Georgia's depth chart at tailback, but coach Mark Richt said both King and Richard Samuel would play.

* Success hasn't changed LSU's Les Miles. He's still the same guy he was before the Tigers won the national title a year ago, writes Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett Louisiana Newspapers.

* The latest depth chart at Arkansas features 20 freshmen at the first- and second-team positions, and 15 of those are true freshmen. Will anybody in the conference play more freshmen than the Hogs this season?

* Raven Gray, the junior-college defensive lineman that Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville had raved about, will not play this season. Gray will instead redshirt after his surgically repaired knee was slow to come around.

* Kentucky's Rich Brooks is warming up to the Louisville rivalry. He'll probably warm up to it even more if the Wildcats can beat the Cardinals for a second straight year. Last year's Kentucky win snapped a four-game losing streak in the series.

* Jerrell Powe's long wait is over. Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said Powe may see some action in the opener against Memphis.

A few days away from the opener, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville talks about the upcoming season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson made it official after practice Tuesday night and said that senior Chris Nickson would be the Commodores' starting quarterback in Thursday's opener against Miami (Ohio).

Nickson and junior Mackenzi Adams had battled for the job all preseason, and Johnson allowed the competition to continue right up until the eve of the Commodores' first game because he liked the way the two guys were pushing each other.

Johnson said there was no "magic moment" during the preseason that prompted him to go with Nickson and added that he was equally confident in Adams if Nickson doesn't get the job done.

With Vanderbilt replacing its entire offensive line, Nickson's ability to escape and make plays when everything else breaks down is one of the big reasons he got the nod. Nickson started 18 straight games from the start of the 2006 season to the middle of last season, but was sidetracked by injuries. Adams started the final six games a year ago, with his first career start coming in the 17-6 win at South Carolina.

Nickson admitted earlier this preseason that he lost some of his confidence after taking such a beating a year ago physically, but said he feels like a different person now.

"I'm back to being the kind of player I know I'm capable of being, and that comes when you're healthy," Nickson said.