The Tennessee Volunteers are entering the home stretch of their schedule,
beginning with Saturday’s game at SEC Eastern Division rival, South
Carolina.
The ‘Cocks, at 1-7, are in a bit of disarray. Coach Brad Scott’s job is in
jeopardy, and things don’t get any better with the No. 3 Vols coming to
Columbia.
Elsewhere, the Florida Gators look to avenge last year’s loss to Georgia,
and Nebraska is out for retribution against the Texas Longhorns, who upset
the Huskers in the 1996 Big 12 Championship game.
Here is a brief look at this weekend’s top games:
No. 3 Tennessee (6-0) at South Carolina (1-7), 12:30 p.m. ET, JP
The Vols control their own destiny in the SEC and can tighten their grip
on the Eastern Division by beating the ‘Cocks.
Hapless South Carolina lost to even more hapless Vanderbilt last week,
hardly the best way to prepare for a Tennessee team that has won five
straight in this series.
Scott will run an alternating quarterback system, shuttling Anthony Wright
and Phil Petty in and out. That means the hits will be spread out evenly
between the two, who will serve as target practice for the Vols’ defensive
front.
With Travis Stephens and Travis Henry at running back, the Vols will try to
break down South Carolina’s eight-man front. They will also utilize a
quickly-improving Tee Martin to loosen up that defense through the
air.
South Carolina has lost to Marshall, Vandy and nearly fell to Ball State.
They are simply no match for the powerful Vols.
Prediction: Tennessee 38, South Carolina 13
No. 11 Georgia (6-1) at No. 6 Florida (6-1), 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bulldogs demolished Florida last season, turning the “World’s
Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” into a giant Gator roast.
It should be a different story this season. The Gators’ powerful defense
has eclipsed Steve Spurrier’s once-mighty offense. Led by Jevon Kearse, Bob
Stoops’ unit should contain freshman QB Quincy Carter and the Georgia
passing game.
Jim Donnan’s Bulldogs looked anemic on offense against Tennessee in a 22-3
loss. The defense looked suspect against Kentucky last week in a game the
Wildcats could have won if coach Hal Mumme’s son had any hands.
With Doug Johnson settling in for the Gators at quarterback, Florida should
clip the Dawgs and retain second place in the SEC East. But not without a
tantrum or two from Spurrier.
Prediction: Florida 31, Georgia 20
Texas (5-2) at No. 7 Nebraska (7-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Frank Solich’s Huskers have been unNebraska-like in their ability to
stop the run this season, or, rather, their lack of ability.
After near losses to both Oklahoma State and Missouri, and a devastating
loss to Texas A&M, Nebraska faces a must-win situation against their Big 12
foes.
However, Texas, under first-year coach Mack Brown, has not fared well
against quality opponents this season. The Longhorns were hammered by UCLA
and Kansas State. In most years, another pummeling would be coming their
way, but the Cornhuskers are uncharacteristically shaky this season.
Ricky Williams could lock up the Heisman Trophy with a stellar performance,
but he can’t do it by himself. He’ll get his fair share of yards, but
Nebraska should have enough to pull this one out, even though their
quarterback’s name is (ha, ha) Monte Christo.
His parents must have really hated him.
Prediction: Nebraska 24, Texas 17
No. 12 Oregon (6-1) at No. 13 Arizona (7-1), 6:30 p.m. ET
Oregon’s Akili Smith is one of the nation’s most underrated
quarterbacks.
After a subpar performance against Southern Cal last week, look for Smith
and the Ducks to score their share of points against Arizona’s leaky
defense.
However, with the QB duo of Keith Smith and Ortege Jenkins, the Wildcats
should light up the scoreboard too.
Oregon may not yet be over its heartbreaking loss to UCLA, but they had
better get things together in a hurry, because Arizona has been awfully
tough against Pac-10 opponents at home in the ’90s.
Prediction: Oregon 42, Arizona 34
Duke (4-4) at Vanderbilt (1-6), 2 p.m. ET
Somebody, quick, break up the Commodores.
Vanderbilt is on a season-long one-game winning streak heading into this
titanic matchup with the Dukies.
Woody Widenhofer’s team better come down from the high of beating the
pathetic South Carolina Gamecocks, because Duke isn’t that bad.
It’s a tough call, but Duke should win this in a very ugly game. All-time
records for punts, turnovers and overall futility could be set in Nashville
Saturday.
Prediction: Duke 13, Vanderbilt 7 (six OTs)
