Coaches say teams improve the most from the first to the second week of the season. Could that apply to prognosticators, too?

If so, I'm headed for a huge second Saturday.

My first week was even worse than the record (16-6 overall and 9-13 against the spread) indicated. For example, take my prediction of a 52-13 victory for UT against UAB. Actual score: UT 17, UAB 10.

One fan couldn't wait to congratulate me for correctly predicting the winner. The phone message, delivered at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, was dripping with sarcasm: "My number is 52."

I didn't listen to the rest of the message. I was too busy readying myself for the second week of predictions and the improvement sure to come.

LSU 23, Arizona State 20: You have to wonder if LSU is ready to play a football game. Its season opener was postponed and its practices disrupted by Hurricane Katrina.

And it lost the home-field advantage this week when the game was moved from Tiger Stadium to Tempe, Ariz.

But it still has a robust defense and one of the SEC's best offensive lines. It also has a history of being good or lucky against Pac-10 teams.

LSU, which is 10-3 against Pac-10 teams, looked like the best team in the country in dismantling Arizona 59-13 in 2003. Last year, it looked like the luckiest team in the country in beating Oregon State in overtime.

LSU's luckiest game against a Pac-10 might have been the one it didn't play. It won the 2003 national championship by beating Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. That BCS matchup left out USC, which won the national championship in the AP poll.

Of course, you also could argue that USC was lucky not to have played LSU.

Georgia 24, South Carolina 13: The first reality check for coach Steve Spurrier since he returned to the SEC. In case he forgot, he's not at Florida anymore.

No one should be happier about that than the Bulldogs, who beat the Gators once in 12 years when Spurrier was calling the shots and taking his shots.

Former Georgia coach Ray Goff might enjoy this game more than Georgia coach Mark Richt. Goff was 0-5 against Spurrier and lost three games by more than 30 points.

Auburn 27, Mississippi State 10: Family and friends of Mississippi State quarterback Omarr Conner are advised: Watch with caution.

One of Mississippi State's biggest weaknesses is offensive tackle. One of Auburn's greatest strengths is defensive end.

You can guess where that leaves Conner.

Arkansas 27, Vanderbilt 15: Houston Nutt is the unluckiest coach in the SEC. He has been coaching in the league since 1998 and hasn't played Vanderbilt.

After today, Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson will be the unluckiest coach in the SEC. He has been coaching in the league since 2002 and hasn't played Vanderbilt yet.

Alabama 20, Southern Mississippi 7: This is one game Alabama coach Mike Shula can't afford to lose.

In 1954, Harold Drew lost to USM. That was his last season as Alabama's head coach.

In 1982, Bear Bryant lost to USM. He retired at the end of the season and died the following year.

In 2000, Mike DuBose lost to USM. He was fired at the end of the season.

Florida 45, Louisiana Tech 13: The Gators' passing game looked in mid-season form against Wyoming, but their running attack lagged far behind. The return of suspended tailback DeShawn Wynn should help.

Louisiana Tech should help even more. In their last five games against the SEC, the Bulldogs have given up an average of 45.8 points.

Kentucky 34, Idaho State 10: The Wildcats looked almost respectable in a seven-point loss to Louisville, which makes you wonder about the Cardinals.

Top 25: Ohio State 27, Texas 24; Michigan 37, Notre Dame 27; Virginia Tech 31, Duke 7; Iowa 24, Iowa State 13; Florida State 37, The Citadel 7; Purdue 27, Akron 7; California 34, Washington 24; Georgia Tech 24, North Carolina 22; Oklahoma 34, Tulsa 7; Boston College 27, Army 7; Texas Tech 45, Florida International 17; TCU 30, SMU 10; Fresno State 41, Weber State 13; Clemson 27, Maryland 24.

Record: 16-6 overall, 9-13 against the spread.

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