Five things to watch this weekend: Arkansas vs. Texas A&M
The Razorbacks get the first shot to impress Lone Star prospects against Texas A&M when they face the Aggies in Texas Stadium on Saturday. For Arkansas, it's a chance to get a head start on exposure in Texas before A&M joins the SEC next year. The game will be held in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas."When they came with the idea about playing A&M in Dallas, we were really excited about it because we felt like the more exposure we get in the state of Texas and the more our players can come home and play in Dallas' stadium every year, the better opportunity we have to get young men to come to our school," Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. "This just increases our exposure in the entire state."Petrino said many of his assistant coaches will be in Texas and the Dallas area recruiting on Friday evening before the game. Enjoy the head start Razorbacks; the rest of the SEC isn't far behind.Rockin' Rocky Top?
Saturday gives Tennessee a chance to look good again after a disastrous loss against Florida when the Volunteers lost their top receiver in Justin Hunter to an ACL injury. For prospects intent on playing for a program that can compete for championships, the Vols looked anything but in the 33-23 loss to the Gators.Lowly Buffalo comes to town and the Vols' offense should be explosive once again, even without Hunter. Playing with sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray should be a draw for an offensive skill-position player.However, the most interesting aspect of the game may be in the stands. With visitors in Knoxville, how many fans will show up for a 12:30 kickoff against Buffalo? Neyland Stadium was known for being filled to the brim every week. Now, not so much. Adding to attendance concerns in Knoxville is the fact that its fall break for Tennessee's students. Tennessee tried to offset that by offering $10 tickets to any student under 18-years-old. The backdrop of a packed Neyland Stadium has sold many a prospect. Will it be there on Saturday?NCAA woes
Raphael Kirby will visit South Carolina this weekend. The Gamecocks have plenty to offer the four-star linebacker from Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson, but the main consideration may be the NCAA. Kirby committed to Miami in May but things have certainly been shaken up in Coral Gables since, with serious allegations of NCAA violations at bay. South Carolina is an option, but the Gamecocks aren't completely in the clear of the NCAA. They were hit with a notice of allegations earlier this month. The Gamecocks' problems don't seem nearly as serious as Miami's but it's up to South Carolina coaches to convince Kirby of that. If so, the Gamecocks could land a late steal for the 2012 class. And there's nothing wrong with a possible pipeline into talent-rich Stephenson High School.Another night in Atlanta