It's turn-back-the-calendar day at Neyland Stadium this afternoon. Turn it all the way back to the '50s.

I don't mean the 1950s, just the 50s.

Hanging half a hundred on the Kentucky Wildcats became a Tennessee tradition in the mid-1990s. From 1996 through 2000, the Vols scored more than 50 points on the Wildcats in five consecutive games.

Surprisingly, former Kentucky coach Bill Curry only had a hand in one of those 50-plus productions, most of which were brought to you by Hal Mumme, who placed defense somewhere between cheerleaders and the band on his priority list.

In case you're wondering, Mumme hasn't lost his defensive touch. His New Mexico State team has lost seven consecutive games, four in which it gave up 40 or more points.

The Aggies rank 100th nationally in total defense. At Kentucky, that would be called "improvement."

Although Kentucky is giving up more yards per game than any other Division I-A team in the country, it hasn't allowed more than 50 points since its season opener against Louisville. Does that mean its defense is improving?

No, that means it's due.

Tennessee 52, Kentucky 17: The Vols scored 39 points on Vanderbilt, and it has a better defense than Kentucky.

Florida 24, Florida State 10: Here's how far the Seminoles have tumbled: Not even a two-touchdown Florida victory is apt to impress the pollsters or help the Gators in the computers rankings.

What's a two-touchdown victory in Tallahassee after Wake Forest won there by 30?

Florida's defense is bunged up but that doesn't mean it can't shut down the Seminoles. Its offense, which hasn't scored in the 30s in an SEC game this season, is another matter.

South Carolina 27, Clemson 24: The Gamecocks' regular season is ending just in the nick of time for coach Steve Spurrier. He's running out of people to criticize.

During a series of agonizingly close losses, Spurrier has called out his secondary coach, SEC officials, his players, and South Carolina fans.

Apparently, Spurrier has forgotten why he found the South Carolina job so appealing. Low expectations, remember?

South Carolina fans are happy to come close against the best teams and go to a bowl — any bowl.

Georgia 20, Georgia Tech 17: An otherwise disastrous Bulldogs season, took an unexpected upward turn when the Bulldogs routed Auburn two weeks ago. Freshman quarterback Matthew Stafford looked like a future star, the receivers actually caught what he was throwing for a change, and the defense suddenly became competent.

A victory could assure the Bulldogs of a bowl trip all the way to Atlanta for the second consecutive year.

Ole Miss 16, Mississippi State 13: College football's bowl season kicks off with the Egg Bowl, officially known as "The Battle for the Golden Egg." Unlike most bowls, this one invites the same two teams every year, regardless of their records.

The teams are strikingly similar. Ole Miss has a 3-4-8 record, three wins, four almost wins (losses by fewer than seven points) and eight losses. Mississippi State is 3-3-8.

Moreover, both teams are on a roll. The Rebels have won or almost won three consecutive games. The Bulldogs have won or almost won four of their last five games.

Top 25: Southern Cal 27, Notre Dame 24; West Virginia 45, South Florida 20; Louisville 38, Pitt 24; Nevada 38, Boise State 37; Oklahoma 34, Oklahoma State 23; Wake Forest 24, Maryland 20; Rutgers 34, Syracuse 24; Virginia Tech 30, Virginia 10; BYU 37, Utah 23; Hawaii 41, Purdue 27.

Record: 216-36 (.857) overall, 115-117 (.496) against the spread.