You might be shocked to learn that I'm skeptical about Tennessee's new offensive venture. My skepticism stems, in part, from my confusion.

It also emanates from my seven-game history with an offense that probably couldn't score 30 points on Kent State (See Arkansas-South Carolina prediction for explanation).

When offensive coordinator Randy Sanders said he was resigning his play-calling duties Monday, head coach Phillip Fulmer said the play-calling would be handled by committee, which I assumed would be limited to offensive assistant coaches and not extended to the media, band members or any fan with the slightest idea how to advance the football into field-goal range.

The next day, Fulmer said he would handle the play-calling with assistance from Sanders, who would sit in the press box. So who's calling the plays? A committee? Fulmer? Fulmer and Sanders?

Answer: No one as good as Notre Dame's Charlie Weis.

Notre Dame 24, UT 13: The Vols are playing for the Independence Bowl. The Irish are playing for a BCS bowl.

The Vols almost beat USC last week. The Irish almost beat the real USC.

Arkansas 24, South Carolina 23: The real USC scored 70 points on the Razorbacks a couple of months ago, but they shouldn't let the initials upset them. USC Lite hasn't scored as many as 70 points on anybody since 1995 when it beat Kent State 77-14.

In a (pick one) bold, bizarre move, Arkansas coach Houston Nutt has decided to start freshman quarterback Casey Dick, who has spent most of the season running the scout team.

Could UT's Jim Bob Cooter be next?

Florida 34, Vanderbilt 20: Remember when the Commodores were on a four-game winning streak? They have a losing streak to match.

For those keeping score, Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson has had six losing streaks of four games or more in his three-and-a-half seasons as head coach.

For the record, the Commodores would have to lose the last three games of this season and the first nine of next season to tie their longest losing streak of 16 games (1961-62).

Alabama 27, Mississippi State 2: Jackie Sherrill is long-gone as the Bulldogs coach, but his offense lives on.

The Bulldogs averaged 13.7 points per game in Sherrill's last 13 SEC games as head coach. They have averaged 12.2 points in 13 SEC games under Sylvester Croom.

Auburn 27, Kentucky 7: Just when you thought the Wildcats might be one of the worst teams in SEC history, along comes Mississippi. A week after losing to Ole Miss by only six points, Kentucky defeated Mississippi State by six points.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they didn't schedule Mississippi College.

LSU 52, Appalachian State 7: But what if the Tigers are looking ahead to next Saturday's game against Alabama?

Then make it: LSU 45, Appalachian State 7.

Top 25: Southern Cal 52, Stanford 24; Texas 45, Baylor 10; Virginia Tech 20, Miami 10; UCLA 42, Arizona State 37; Florida State 27, N.C. State 17; Penn State 34, Wisconsin 30; Ohio State 45, Illinois 13; California 34, Oregon 27; Texas Tech 45, Texas A&M 27; North Carolina 27, Boston College 24; TCU 31, Colorado State 24; Fresno State 45, San Jose State 17; Colorado 38, Missouri 17.

Record: 150-40 (.789) overall and 88-90 (.495).