Vanderbilt's 2004 outlook as stated in the media guide: "Enthusiasm is building around the Vanderbilt campus as Commodore coach Bobby Johnson prepares to welcome a bevy of returning starters and letter winners to preseason camp this season."

Although the enthusiasm has ebbed somewhat since the start of the season, fans shouldn't overlook the Commodores' improvement.

Last year, they were 2-10 with a winning percentage of .167. After today's loss to Tennessee, they will finish the season 2-9 with a winning percentage of .182.

If they continue to improve at that rate, they should have a winning season as early as 2024.

You can measure Vanderbilt's improvement by more than percentage points. Last year, the Commodores won one SEC game, by 11 points. This season, they have won one SEC game, by 18 points.

If they continue to improve at that rate, they should score a touchdown on UT early in the next decade.

Tennessee 27, Vanderbilt 0: If UT coach Phillip Fulmer were a less compassionate coach, he would say, "You can't spell 'Commodores' without three zeroes."

Vanderbilt hasn't scored on the Vols since 2000. The scores of the last three games are 38-0, 24-0 and 48-0.

Auburn 20, Alabama 9: The stakes are always high in one of college football greatest rivalries.

The Tide is playing for a state championship. The Tigers are shooting for a national title.

Today's game will match up the league's most-improved coaches. At this time last year, Auburn officials were trying to give coach Tommy Tuberville's job to Louisville's Bob Petrino, and Alabama coach Mike Shula was on pace to surpass J. B. "Ears" Whitworth as the worst coach in Alabama history.

Now, Tuberville is the leading candidate for SEC coach of the year, and Shula — with 13 losses in his first two seasons — is assured of finishing the season with only the second-worst record for a second-year Alabama coach..

"Ears" lost 17 games in his first two years at Alabama. Mike DuBose lost 13 games in his first two seasons at Alabama.

Clemson 23, South Carolina 20: How's this for a plan?

Steve Spurrier takes the head-coaching job at South Carolina and hires his son, Steve Jr., as his offensive coordinator. After coaching for four or five more years, Steve Sr. retires and turns the program over to his son.

Sounds like a great idea — right, Skip?

Unfortunately for the Gamecocks, they need more than a new coach. They need a new month.

In the last 14 years, they have lost 31 of 38 games in November.

Florida State 27, Florida 24: Despite the loss, outgoing Florida coach Ron Zook will finish his third season with another winning record and bowl bid. But winning records and bowl bids aren't enough when you're following a legend like Spurrier.

Ironically, Zook was more successful than Spurrier in some ways.

Even if the Gators lose to Florida State and in a bowl, Zook will end his career with only 16 losses. Spurrier lost 27 games.

Also, Zook never lost to Alabama while Spurrier lost twice in the same season.

But Zook bashers don't want to hear that. They will point out that it took Spurrier 12 years to lose 27 games.

They also will point out that Zook never coached against Alabama.

LSU 27, Ole Miss 13: The SEC West title was on the line when LSU and Ole Miss played last November. A year later, the game isn't worthy of a network telecast.

Unfortunately for the Rebels, last week's game against Arkansas was on television. Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones scored on a 72-yard run and dunked the ball over the goal-post crossbar in a 35-3 victory that eliminated Ole Miss from bowl contention and reminded everyone that basketball season is near.

In case you're wondering, Ole Miss won't be any good in basketball, either. But don't take my word for it.

"I wish we had another month to get ready but we don't," Ole Miss coach Rod Barnes told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger last week.

A couple of days later, the Rebels lost to Air Force 60-36.

Arkansas 30, Mississippi State 23: Based on past experiences, the Bulldogs could use another month to get ready for Jones, who has averaged 10 yards per carry in three games against them.

Maybe the Bulldogs needs to sic holder and team tough guy Joe Judge on Jones before the game. Judge, who is suspended for the game, pushed Alabama defensive tackle Jeremy Clarke over a bench during the Alabama-Mississippi State game.

Top 25: Oklahoma 52, Baylor 10; California 41, Stanford 13; Utah 42, Brigham Young 17; Louisville 42, Houston 13; Wisconsin 23, Iowa 20; Miami 27, Wake Forest 14; Boise State 45, Louisiana Tech 24; Virginia 31, Georgia Tech 23; Boston College 34, Temple 24; UTEP 44, SMU 17.

Record: 182-38 overall (.827) and 125-95 (.563) against the spread.

John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.