Tennessee Titans better be on letdown alert against Green Bay

Monday night's win by the Tennessee Titans over divisional rival Indianapolis lived up to the hype. The crowd was rowdy, and the Titans dominated the second half. Life is good when having a four-game divisional lead before reaching the mid-season point.

However, the Titans better be on alert for a possible letdown against Green Bay on Sunday. Though it was great to see the Titans on Monday Night Football, the downside is they will have a short work week to get ready for the Packers. Green Bay, on the other hand, had last week off and that has given them two weeks to prepare for this game. Coincidentally, Green Bay's last game was a throttling of Indianapolis.

Though the Titans are playing brilliantly, emotion is a funny thing. They used a lot of it on Monday. Will they have any left on Sunday? Or will they come out flat and lose?

These are reasonable concerns. If the Titans still have some emotion in the tank, then expect another win. If not, the situation becomes dicey.

The pick: Tennessee 24 Green Bay 23

Other picks: Indianapolis over New England, New York Giants over Dallas, Minnesota over Houston, Cleveland over Baltimore, Chicago over Detroit, St. Louis over Arizona

Last week: 4-2 (.667), Overall: 28-18 (.609)

Staggering Vols visit South Carolina still in search of itself

Last Saturday was the first Tennessee game I attended in person this year, and the trip confirmed two things: the Vols offense is as bad as advertised and Alabama is really good.

Heading into the season's ninth game, Tennessee's offense simply stinks. No improvement is being shown against elite teams. No running game, costly penalties at the worst time and general inefficiency rule the day.

This week, the Volunteers visit South Carolina, and the Gamecocks have one of the best defenses in the Southeastern Conference. Plus, Carolina has Steve Spurrier who has been Phillip Fulmer's personal tormentor for years (though Fulmer has done better against Spurrier since he went to Carolina.)

Week after week, I have been waiting for improvement from Tennessee's offense. However, at this point, I've decided to stop holding my breath. To use a popular cliché: they are what they are.

Tennessee is no longer an elite team, and teams are licking their chops at being able to even the score against them. Last week, it was Alabama. This week, it will be South Carolina.

A whole new era of Tennessee football has begun.

The pick: South Carolina 21 Tennessee 13

Other picks: Florida over Georgia, Mississippi State over Kentucky, LSU over Tulane, Ole Miss over Auburn, Alabama over Arkansas State, Tulsa over Arkansas

Last week: 5-2 (.714), Overall: 50-15 (.769)

Five CDs you should own (if you don't already)

1. Sweetheart of the Rodeo by the Byrds – If you're into Gram Parsons, you probably already have this one. If you're looking for a Parsons' sampler, start here.
2. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector – Before becoming a dangerous eccentric, Spector was a great producer. Christmas songs by Darlene Love, the Ronettes, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and the Crystals are all here.
3. Photographs and Memories: The Best of Jim Croce – Some dismiss Croce as lightweight, but he was a good storyteller. This selection contains all his best ('Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,' 'You Don't Mess Around with Jim,' and the excellent 'Workin' at the Car Wash Blues').
4. Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys – Unbelievably, I didn't like it the first time I listened to it, but it has really soaked in over the years. I understand where Brian Wilson is coming from.
5. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones LTD. by the Monkees – I know I'll take a credibility hit here, but it is a first-rate pop record. Bubble gum is tasty, too, you know.