Dogs' Green set to return

Good news for the Georgia Bulldogs: receiver A.J. Green will be back on the field for Saturday's game against Auburn.

The sophomore receiver sat out last week's 38-0 rout of Tennessee Tech to recover from a bruised lung doled out by No. 1 Florida. It was the first game at any level of football that he's missed because of injury.

"A.J. Green has been able to practice at full speed," coach Mark Richt said.

The Bulldogs (5-4, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) also are counting on the return of defensive end Justin Houston , who didn't play last week because of a hyper-extended elbow.

CLEMSON: Running back C.J. Spiller says his toe hurts all the time, but it's not going to stop him from playing.

The turf toe has bothered Spiller almost the whole season. The senior says the only thing that can heal it is rest, and that's not happening with the No. 24 Tigers closing in on a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

So for now, Spiller gets up every day before sunrise, and dunks the toe in a bucket of ice water, then gets it stretched out. He'll repeat the treatment at least once more.

Spiller says it is the worst injury he has ever had.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Steve Spurrier said there's a chance injured defensive end Cliff Matthews could return to face No. 1 Florida on Saturday.

Matthews suffered a shoulder injury in a 31-13 loss at Tennessee and did not play in a loss to Arkansas last Saturday.

Spurrier had thought Matthews, a 6-foot-4, 249-pound junior, would not be ready until the Gamecocks' season finale against Clemson on Nov. 28.

Matthews had started the first nine games this season. He's fifth on the team with 39 tackles.

- Linebacker Eric Norwood is among eight semifinalists selected for the Lott Trophy, awarded to the nation's best defensive player.

Four finalists will be named Nov. 24. The trophy will be awarded Dec. 13.

LOUISIANA STATE: The loss of starting tailback Charles Scott for the remainder of the regular season likely will mean more opportunities for sophomore Steven Ridley.

After tearing right knee ligaments during spring football last March, Ridley did not play in the first seven games this season.

Coaches finally were ready to give him a chance during a 42-0 victory over Tulane and he had 73 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

KENTUCKY: Quarterback Mike Hartline practiced Wednesday and could be ready to return to the field when the Wildcats play at Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Hartline has been out for a month after injuring his knee in a loss to South Carolina on Oct. 10.

Coach Rich Brooks said he'd only play Hartline if "he can get out of his own way."