Auburn notebook: Nothing new on injured Freeman

AUBURN — Auburn coach Gene Chizik remained sympathetic toward reporters, but still offered no help when discussing the status of linebacker Eltoro Freeman after Monday’s 90-minute, full-pads practice.

“It’s day-by-day,” Chizik said. “He’s mainly taking mental reps out there. That’s where we’re at. I’m sure that will come right down to game time.”
Freeman is nursing a sore right ankle and suffered a concussion against Georgia.

Savage thinking about it: Cornerback Aairon Savage initially thought about quitting football altogether, but has recently had a change of heart, cornerbacks coach Phillip Lolley said.

Savage would likely qualify for a sixth year of eligibility if he applied to the NCAA for a medical hardship waiver. Savage tore his ACL during the preseason in 2008 and tore his Achilles before camp broke in August.

“He’s itching to play again and the whole thing is he’s out there every practice watching,” Lolley said. “He’s a great kid and a great leader. We’ll just see where it goes.”

Lolley said he would sit down with Savage and Chizik after the season to discuss his future. Players are not able to apply for medical hardships until the previous season is completed.

Onterio ready to go: Running backs coach Curtis Luper said freshman Onterio McCalebb rolled his nagging right ankle early against Georgia, but should be in good shape Friday.

“We need that speed,” Luper said. “He’s a big-time change of pace guy for us. He can make some things that are wrong, right.”

Bowl situation: Auburn didn’t play a game Saturday, but, somehow, its bowl future got even cloudier.

Kentucky’s improbable victory over Georgia proved that nothing is a given in these final few weeks of the season and set up a scenario where nearly every SEC-affiliated bowl would be back as possibilities for Auburn.

If Georgia upsets No. 7 Georgia Tech, South Carolina upends Clemson on Saturday and the rest of the favorites hold strong, six SEC teams, including Auburn, will finish the season with seven wins.