You would think everyone outside the Big Orange Nation would be pulling for Vanderbilt today.

Vanderbilt beating UT is one of those man-bites-dog stories that gets everyone's attention. But it's not a story the SEC wants to read. Neither do Music City Bowl officials.

The SEC has eight bowl berths. But if UT loses to Vanderbilt or Kentucky, the league would have only six bowl-eligible teams. Not only would the conference lose money, its reputation would take a hit.

The Music City Bowl in Nashville also should be pulling for the Vols. In a best-case scenario, it could match up UT and Iowa from the Big Ten. UT fans would help fill the stadium, and Iowa fans, who travel so well, would fill the hotels.

UT 27, Vanderbilt 20: From the "You Can Prove Anything With Statistics Department": UT quarterback Rick Clausen has a higher pass-efficiency rating than Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler.

Although Cutler ranks eighth in the SEC in pass efficiency, he leads the conference in total offense, pass completions and touchdown passes. He has accomplished that without the benefit of playing against a Vanderbilt pass defense that can make almost anyone look like an All-SEC quarterback.

Auburn 20, Alabama 17: These old rivals are thinking alike this week: "Win the game and hope Ole Miss or Arkansas beats LSU."

But even it doesn't win the West, either Auburn or Alabama can call it a successful season. Auburn has stayed in contention for the conference championship despite losing four players in the first round of the NFL draft; the Tide has bounced back into the top 10 after losing 15 games in the last two seasons.

LSU 23, Ole Miss 10: Don't ask whether Ole Miss can beat LSU. Ask if LSU can beat LSU.

The Tigers have seen the enemy, and it's wearing purple and gold.

LSU is tied with UT for 95th in turnover margin. It ranks 105th in yards penalized per game and penalties per game.

Never mind its self-destructive tendencies. LSU has won eight of nine games, is ranked fourth in the country and only has to beat two losing teams to clinch the SEC West title.

But it makes enough mistakes to give Alabama and Auburn hope.

Georgia 41, Kentucky 17: The Wildcats used to bring out the worst in the Bulldogs. From 1988 through 1996, they beat them three times and came close two other times, losing by four and five points.

Georgia coach Mark Richt has changed that trend. The closest Kentucky has come to a Richt-coached team is 43-29 in his first season in 2001. Georgia has won the last three games by an average of 31 points.

Don't be misled by Kentucky's recent improvement (two victories in its last three games). The Wildcats still have a chance to make school history.

With two games remaining, Kentucky already has given up 40 points or more in four games. Kentucky's 1994 team is the only one in school history to give up 40 or more points in five games.

Clemson 30, South Carolina 23: Coach Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks already have surpassed preseason expectations. They have won five consecutive SEC games, qualified for a bowl, cracked the Top 25 and beaten East rivals UT and Florida.

Is one more beating of a rival too much to ask?

Answer: Yes.

As UT coach Phillip Fulmer might put it, "South Carolina is the best 6-4 team in the country." Two of its losses were in overtime to nationally ranked Miami and Boston College; its four losses have been by a total of 14 points.

Arkansas 23, Mississippi State 10: Bulldogs coach Sylvester Croom gave a vote of confidence to his offense last week. Not his players, his system.

He has no intention of changing his West Coast offense, as geographically misplaced -- not to mention, unproductive -- as it has been in Starkville. The Bulldogs have scored only 33 points in six SEC games this season.

The Razorbacks have been slightly rejuvenated by the play of Casey Dick, who began the season as the squad-team quarterback. The Bulldogs also have replaced their starting quarterback, going from Omarr Conner to redshirt freshman Michael Henig.

Top 25: Southern Cal 41, Fresno State 24; Penn State 45, Michigan State 20; Miami 30, Georgia Tech 14; Notre Dame 38, Syracuse 14; Virginia Tech 27, Virginia 13; Ohio State 27, Michigan 24; Oregon 34, Oregon State 30; Texas Tech 34, Oklahoma 30; Boston College 27, Maryland 24; UTEP 41, UAB 30.

Record: 167-51 (.752) overall, 112-103 (.525) against the spread.