1. D.J. Moore is finally getting some love

Moore may no longer be, as draft analyst Mike Detillier said, the most underrated player in college football if SEC coaches keep praising him like they did this week. Asked about players who contribute on offense or defense and special teams, Urban Meyer said, “The guy at Vanderbilt — I think he’s a great football player. I think he’ll play football for a long, long time.” Added Steve Spurrier: “He’s a tremendous ballplayer. He should make somebody’s All-America list. I’m sure he’s going to have an opportunity to play a lot of years in the NFL.”

2. Tennessee tries to keep pace with Ohio State

Michigan, Tennessee and Ohio State entered the year as the only FBS schools in the country never to have lost eight games. That number could dwindle to one Saturday. Michigan lost its eighth game last week against Northwestern, and Tennessee will attempt to avoid losing No. 8 at Vanderbilt on Saturday. The only programs never to lose nine: Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Miami and Troy (a newer school).

3. Saban is happy for Muschamp, but Rich Brooks ...

Nick Saban doesn’t always heap praise on his former coaches, but he certainly did when asked about Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Saban hired Muschamp at LSU. “I think it’s great for Will and his family. He’s probably one of the best assistant coaches I ever had the opportunity to work with,” Saban said. “We’re very, very pleased and happy for him.” Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, however, expressed surprise. “It’s not like their defense is lighting it up right now,” he said.

4. Mike Leach wants a 64-team playoff

Of course he does. And Meyer loves it. “Mike is one of my great friends, and he’s probably the only football coach with the cognitive ability to put one together. The Florida coach can’t do that,” Meyer said. “I love Mike Leach. Good for him.” Sadly, a 64-team playoff would still not include Tennessee. But raise the number to 128, and the Vols are at least a bubble team.

5. Tebow still needs to convince Spurrier

Or so it seems. Spurrier, like Tim Tebow, gets a Heisman vote as a former winner. Spurrier doesn’t reveal his vote but said, “Those quarterbacks in Texas, certainly Graham Harrell and Colt McCoy, those two guys and the Oklahoma quarterback, shoot, they’re putting up great numbers. Tebow has got so many other guys around him, he only throws about 15 balls a game. Of course, he can run for two or three touchdowns any time he wants to. I sort of feel like those Oklahoma and Texas quarterbacks might have an edge because they’re throwing so much more this year.”