Georgia's Green injured

ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia coach Mark Richt said A.J. Green suffered a pulmonary contusion Saturday and will not play in this week's game against Tennessee Tech.

Green, a sophomore receiver from Summerville lead the Southeastern Conference with 732 yards receiving on 44 catches.

Richt also announced that Joe Cox will continue as starting quarterback for the Bulldogs.

Richt released a statement Monday saying staff members unanimously decided that Cox gives the team its best chance to win. Still, he said sophomore Logan Gray will get some playing time at quarterback this week.

Florida

Top-ranked Florida will be without star linebacker Brandon Spikes for the first half of Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.

Coach Urban Meyer suspended Spikes on Monday, two days after the defensive captain apparently attempted to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in a 41-17 victory.

Meyer's wife mentioned Spikes' actions to him Sunday night, then defensive coordinator Charlie Strong did the same Monday morning. Meyer's said his first reaction was to move on. Then he saw a replay of the incident, which shows Spikes shoving his glove-covered right hand into Ealey's facemask and moving it back and forth.

Meyer then spoke to Spikes and determined he was retaliating after getting his helmet ripped off and eye poked earlier in the game. Meyer also talked to Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive, but Florida officials said it was Meyer's decision to suspend Spikes.

Florida State

Christian Ponder says his bruised ribs aren't bothering him and that he plans to resume throwing at practice.

Ponder, who ranks third nationally in total offense per game, suffered the latest rib injury early in Saturday's 45-42 win over North Carolina State, but played despite the pain.

The Seminoles play at Clemson on Saturday.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt has lost starting quarterback Larry Smith for the final three games with a partially torn left hamstring, and that means Mackenzi Adams will make his first start this season Saturday night against top-ranked Florida.

Coach Bobby Johnson said that an MRI revealed some tearing in Smith's hamstring.

Auburn

Strong safety Zac Etheridge has been released from the hospital two days after suffering a neck injury against Mississippi.

Oregon

Coach Chip Kelly says there's nothing to report about the possible reinstatement of suspended running back LeGarrette Blount, who was suspended for punching Boise State defensive end Byron Hout in the aftermath of Oregon's season-opening loss to the Broncos.

He was suspended for the season by Kelly the next day, but allowed to continue practicing with the team.

Kelly later announced that Blount could be reinstated if he met certain conditions.

There was speculation Blount could return this week because Kelly had previously targeted Saturday's game against Stanford as his first possible appearance.

Tennessee-Ole Miss

Tennessee's Nov. 14 visit to Mississippi has been set for a noon EST kickoff. The game will be televised by CBS.

The Vols (4-4, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) lead the series against the Rebels 43-18-1, and have won the last 12 games. Tennessee is 3-0 all-time in Oxford.

Cincinnati

Tony Pike will practice with fourth-ranked Cincinnati this week, his status still uncertain because of an injury to his non-passing arm.

Coach Brian Kelly said Monday that the senior quarterback will participate in more practice drills. Then Kelly will decide whether he has a chance to play on Saturday night against Connecticut (4-4).

Pike broke his left forearm last season, had a plate and six screws inserted, and returned after missing two games. With a cast on the arm, he led Cincinnati to its first Big East title.