Tennessee Volunteers must overcome offensive demons to have chance at Georgia

Most Tennessee Volunteer fans already know this, but the start to this season is much like the start of the 1994 season. Back in '94, we began with a narrow road loss at UCLA. We sputtered to a 1-3 start mostly because of uncertainty at quarterback, which has been the case this year. In '94, we narrowly defeated Washington State 10-9 in game number five to improve to 2-3. Of course, we edged Northern Illinois last week by the nearly identical score of 13-9 to improve to 2-3.

For the sake of Vols' fans, we better hope this year winds up like '94. After that slow start, Tennessee rallied to finish 8-4 and beat Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl. Of course, that team was led by a rapidly maturing freshman quarterback named Peyton Manning.

Unfortunately for this year's team, there isn't a quarterback of Manning's caliber. However, Nick Stephens did well in his first start last week. He appeared comfortable and more decisive in his decision making than Jonathan Crompton did in the first four games. Then again, that was against Northern Illinois. This week the Vols travel to Georgia.

Though most of the focus is on our quarterback play, our running attack must improve. Tennessee managed only 69 yards rushing last week, and Stephens must get more help than that. The defense has been fabulous, and must keep it up. Tennessee must force at least three turnovers to have a chance to win. And it would be nice if we could go one game without a blocked punt or a fumble inside our 10-yard line.

Tennessee is catching Georgia at a bad time. The Bulldogs got whipped two weeks ago by Alabama and have had all this time to think about it. Plus, the three-touchdown whipping Tennessee gave them last year is fresh in their minds.

Look for this game to be close for three quarters, but the Bulldogs will pull away in the fourth.

The pick: Georgia 27 Tennessee 13

Other picks: Florida over LSU, Kentucky over South Carolina, Vanderbilt over Mississippi State, Auburn over Arkansas

Last week: 4-1 (.800), Overall: 38-10 (.791)

SEC already showing why it is the nation's best football conference

If week one of the college football season revealed anything, it is that the SEC remains the best conference in the country.

While teams like Florida, Georgia, and Auburn abused creampuffs, other teams made impressive statements. Alabama buried Clemson, Kentucky embarrassed Louisville, and South Carolina shut out North Carolina State. Of course, Tennessee put a blotch on the conference's resume by losing to UCLA, but even the best conferences don't beat every non-conference opponent.

I know the rest of the country gets tired of hearing it, but the SEC rules. Until a conference comes along that can wrestle the crown away from it, the rest of the country should treat the conference with awed silence.

However, I believe a special nod should go to the Big 12. I like some of what I'm seeing from that conference. In addition to Oklahoma, I believe Missouri can be a special team if they can play some defense.

Week Two SEC picks: Florida over Miami (FL), Wake Forest over Ole Miss, South Carolina over Vanderbilt, Kentucky over Norfolk State, LSU over Troy, Auburn over Southern Mississippi, Alabama over Tulane, Mississippi State over Southeastern Louisiana, Arkansas over Louisiana-Monroe, Georgia over Central Michigan

Last week: 8-4 (.667)

Top of SEC's Eastern Division will be a jumble this year

Too many, Georgia is the clear-cut team to beat in the SEC East this year, but I don't think so. I think the Bulldogs have the potential to win it, but we all know the SEC is a conference of parity.

I don't see any team winning the SEC East outright this year. The divisional winner will have at least two conference losses, which means all of us will have to brush up on the conference's tiebreaker rules when it comes to determining which team will play in the SEC title game.

Frankly, I think this will be a season of surprises. Here is how I think it will shake out.

1. Florida Gators – While most of the talk surrounds quarterback Tim Tebow, the Gators will take a step forward this year because of its improved defense. The defense was inexperienced last year and was flat-out awful at times. It won't be great this year, but it will be good enough because the Gators should score a ton of points. Expecting Tebow to match his output of last year would be unfair, but he is the main reason the Gators will continue to score a lot of points.

2. Tennessee Volunteers – Even though the Volunteers return 16 starters from last year's divisional winning team, there isn't much talk about them repeating as champion. If the Vols develop depth on their defensive line and new quarterback Jonathan Crompton continues to progress, Tennessee will be right in the mix. A lot of people appear to be down on Coach Phillip Fulmer these days, but his career record is 147-45 (that's 102 games above .500 folks). I think some in the Vol Nation need to appreciate what they have.

3. Georgia Bulldogs – I know, I know. All the hype this year says Georgia should be a national championship contender, so how can I have them picked third in their own division? Just look at the schedule. The Bulldogs play six teams that have head coaches who have won national championships. The Bulldogs have the talent, but sometimes the schedule is just too tough. Prove me wrong, Georgia.

4. South Carolina Gamecocks – What is the state of the South Carolina program? Are they as good as they were when they started last season 6-1? Or, are they as bad as they were when they lost their last five games? Actually, they are somewhere in between. This year's team will be like many Carolina teams over the last five years. The Gamecocks will win seven games and go to a minor bowl. There is something bland about South Carolina football. I never thought I would say that about a Steve Spurrier coached team.

5. Kentucky Wildcats – Quarterback Andre Woodson carried Kentucky to eight wins last year, but he is gone, leaving a huge void on the team. Until a playmaker of his caliber steps forward, Kentucky will struggle. The Wildcats have a solid defense and a weak non-conference schedule, which means they will go bowling. However, 7-5 may be the best they can hope for.

6. Vanderbilt Commodores – Vandy lost a ton of talent from last year. Coach Bobby Johnson has done an excellent job improving the Commodores overall talent level, but this is clearly a transition year. Johnson is a good coach. Let’s hope Vanderbilt's administration continues to show patience with him.

I'm still not buying the hype regarding Georgia winning the 2008 college football title

Since I have already been writing some opinions regarding the SEC and teams outside the conference, I thought I would revisit what I wrote about Georgia back in March.

My feelings now are as strong as they were back then.

Almost since the end of the 2007 college football season, a lot of experts have been touting the Georgia Bulldogs as a national championship contender in 2008. The Bulldogs completed last season with a flourish and stomped Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl.

Several of the college football preview magazines have them ranked number one, and the ones that don't have them ranked near the top.

I concede the Bulldogs will enter the 2008 season with a lot of momentum, and they also have the luxury of having most of their starters back from last year. However, they will not win the national championship.

Why? Because their schedule is too tough.

Here it is:

August 30 -- Georgia Southern
September 6 -- Central Michigan
September 13 -- at South Carolina
September 20 -- at Arizona State
September 27 -- Alabama
October 11 -- Tennessee
October 18 -- Vanderbilt
October 25 -- at LSU
November 1 -- Florida (at Jacksonville, Fla.)
November 8 -- at Kentucky
November 15 -- at Auburn
November 29 -- Georgia Tech

That is a brutal schedule, and it is not set up for a national championship run. There are at least two losses on that schedule. I know LSU won the title last year with two losses, but that was the exception rather than the rule. It won't happen again soon.

Six of the Bulldogs games are against teams that have head coaches who have won national championships (South Carolina, Arizona State, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, and Florida). The Bulldogs picked the wrong year to have LSU come onto their schedule. In consecutive weeks they play at LSU then must play Florida.

Sorry, Georgia fans. Your team may be great this year but you will be lucky to win the SEC championship much less the national title.

Quote of the day

"You can be the most artistically perfect performer in the world, but an audience is like a broad -- if you're indifferent, endsville." -- Frank Sinatra, 1963.

On another note, welcome to all the Georgia Bulldog fans who visited this site today.

Don't buy the hype regarding Georgia winning the 2008 college football national championship

Almost since the end of the 2007 college football season, a lot of experts have been touting the Georgia Bulldogs as a national championship contender in 2008. The Bulldogs completed last season with a flourish and stomped Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl.

I concede the Bulldogs will enter the 2008 season with a lot of momentum, and they also have the luxury of having most of their starters back from last year. However, they will not win the national championship.

Why? Because their schedule is too tough.

Here it is:

August 30 -- Georgia Southern
September 6 -- Central Michigan
September 13 -- at South Carolina
September 20 -- at Arizona State
September 27 -- Alabama
October 11 -- Tennessee
October 18 -- Vanderbilt
October 25 -- at LSU
November 1 -- Florida (at Jacksonville, Fla.)
November 8 -- at Kentucky
November 15 -- at Auburn
November 29 -- Georgia Tech

That is a brutal schedule, and it is not set up for a national championship run. There are at least two losses on that schedule. I know LSU won the title last year with two losses, but that was the exception rather than the rule. It won't happen again soon.

Six of the Bulldogs games are against teams that have head coaches who have won national championships (South Carolina, Arizona State, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, and Florida). The Bulldogs picked the wrong year to have LSU come onto their schedule. In consecutive weeks they play at LSU then must play Florida.

Sorry, Georgia fans. Your team may be great next year but you will be lucky to win the SEC championship much less the national title.