A&M, MIZZOU RISING TO CHALLENGE IN SEC

birmingham, ala. It looks like bigger does mean better in the competitive Southeastern Conference — not just in terms of television ratings, but on the field too.

Just last weekend, Texas A&M and its Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, JohnnyManziel, pulled out a 41-38 thriller at Mississippi, while unbeatenMissouri did what No. 6 LSU could not: upend Georgia in Athens. Halfway through the 2013 season, the Aggies and the newest Tigers to join the SEC have only one loss between them: Texas A&M’s 49-42 shootout loss to No. 1ranked and two-time defending national champion Alabama.

“It made our league better,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said of the SEC adding A&Mand Mizzou.

Trial set for ex-Vandy duo.

Attorneys set a trial date for two former Vanderbilt players charged with raping an unconscious fellow student. Brandon Vandenburg of Indio, Calif., and Cory Batey of Nashville, Tenn., are to stand trial next Aug. 11.

Two other ex-players, Brandon Banks of Brandywine, Md., and Tip McKenzie ofWoodville, Miss., also are charged with rape in the June 23 incident. Their cases were separated from the other two players.

They have been dismissed from the team, suspended from school and are out of jail on bond.

Oklahoma wide receiver TreyMetoyer was charged with two counts of indecent exposure and has left the Big 12 team.

Footnote.