TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- A restaurant manager seated me at a table and asked, "Where are you from?"

"Tennessee," I said.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Just kidding, right?

And just a reminder that for all the recognition Alabama is suddenly getting nationally, Alabama-Tennessee is still a regional feud. Or, as Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle put it, "I don't want to say 'hatred,' but that's basically what both teams have for each other."

The hatred runs deeper in Alabama, which has lost nine of the last 10 games in the series and blames UT coach Phillip Fulmer for everything from its NCAA probation to its place in the tornado corridor.

Never mind that Alabama made a recent appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated and is ranked fifth nationally. Or that secretary of state Condoleezza Rice will attend today's game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

This game isn't about national status. It's about payback.

Alabama 17, UT 16: Don't let the Tide's unbeaten record fool you. The Vols still have more good players.

But the Tide has more incentive.

LSU 24, Auburn 23 --Like so many games in the SEC this season, the winner likely will be the one with the least self-destructive offense.

In Auburn's only loss, first-year quarterback Brandon Cox threw four interceptions in the season opener against Georgia Tech. In LSU's only loss, quarterback JaMarcus Russell threw a crucial, fourth-quarter interception against Tennessee.

At least, Cox has improved. Russell is as turnover-prone as ever.

Frightening statistic for LSU: Auburn's secondary has intercepted 17 passes in its last five victories against LSU.

But LSU showed last week against Florida that its fast-improving defense can overcome its offensive mishaps. And as well as Auburn has played the last five games, it has yet to beat a Division I-A team with a winning record.

Georgia 30, Arkansas 13: Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt has a good reputation for pulling off at least one upset a year. He's running out of opportunities this season.

Don't expect the Bulldogs to accommodate him. They might not be the league's most talented team, but they've been the most balanced and consistent through the first half of the season.

They should be able to run and pass effectively against the Razorbacks' shaky defense.

South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 20: When coach Steve Spurrier was hired, the big question among Gamecocks faithful: Can he compete with Florida, Tennessee and Georgia?

Now, the more relevant question: Can he stay ahead of Vanderbilt?

The Gamecocks can't run the ball, and they can't stop the run. But if they can take advantage of Vanderbilt's inviting pass defense, they can avoid an embarrassing upset.

Ole Miss 27, Kentucky 13: The Rebels are improving under first-year coach Ed Orgeron. The Wildcats aren't improving under last-year coach Rich Brooks.

The biggest difference in the two is defense. Led by linebacker Patrick Willis, the Rebels have climbed to 32nd nationally in total defense.

Kentucky has achieved rare balance on defense. It's last in the SEC in defense against scoring, last in total defense, last in rushing defense, last in pass defense, last in sacks, last in pass efficiency defense, and last in turnovers gained.

Houston 27, Mississippi State 24: Remember the days when you could assume a lower-echelon SEC team would beat any team from a lower-echelon conference? That assumption no longer applies.

The Bulldogs barely beat Tulane. They won't be as fortunate against the Cougars.

Top 25: Southern Cal 45, Washington 10; Texas 45, Texas Tech 24; UCLA 38, Oregon State 34; Notre Dame 31, Brigham Young 20; Florida State 45, Duke 7; Penn State 37, Illinois 13; Ohio State 34, Indiana 17; Wisconsin 37, Purdue 30; TCU 30, Air Force 24; Michigan State 41, Northwestern 27; Virginia 27, North Carolina 24; Fresno State 45, Idaho 10; California 34, Washington State 31.

Record: 108-35 (.756) overall, 70-72 (.493) against the spread.