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Every coach in the country should be pulling against Tennessee for the last month of the season. They all have something to lose if the Vols keep winning.

One of the great cliches in sports is at stake: "Defense wins championships."

You couldn't tell it by UT. Never mind if it has one of the worst defenses in the country. It's still very much in the running for the SEC East championship.

If the Vols win it, the cliche will never have the same impact.

In UT's last three games, six opposing players, including three quarterbacks, have had career days. Last Saturday, three South Carolina players had career days. And the Vols won anyway.

Tennessee 49, Louisiana-Lafayette 17: As bad as UT's defense has been, it won't even be the worst defense in Neyland Stadium tonight. The Vols rank 85th nationally in defense; the Ragin' Cajuns rank 115th.

Saban's Old Team 31, Saban's New Team 17: With two weeks to prepare, Alabama coach Nick Saban should have plenty of new schemes for LSU, which he coached to the national championship in 2003. But Saban is a better recruiter than schemer.

No one should appreciate that more than LSU coach Les Miles, whose team is still in contention for a national championship, thanks mainly to a talent-laden senior class recruited by Saban.

Arkansas 27, South Carolina 23: Although you couldn't tell it by last week's performance against UT, the Gamecocks have struggled against the run this season. The Hogs' third-ranked rushing attack should capitalize on that.

More bad statistical news for the Gamecocks: Arkansas leads the nation in pass defense efficiency and ranks ninth in fewest passing yards allowed per game.

Florida 27, Vanderbilt 17: Every year, the Commodores rank last in the SEC in recruiting. Yet somehow, coach Bobby Johnson has put together one of the best defenses in the conference.

Granted, Vanderbilt's 13th national ranking in total defense has been helped by a non-conference schedule comprised of Richmond, Eastern Michigan and Miami of Ohio. But Auburn is the only team in the SEC to score more than 24 points on the Commodores.

Georgia 30, Troy 20: The Bulldogs are on a roll with quarterbacks, and I'm not referring to Georgia's Matthew Stafford.

Last week, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was hampered by a bruised shoulder against the Bulldogs. Troy star quarterback Omar Haugabook probably won't play because of a hamstring injury.

Auburn 42, Tennessee Tech 7: When, not if, Texas A&M fires coach Dennis Franchione, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville might be the Aggies' first choice. He won't come cheap.

Tuberville's contract runs through 2011 and pays him $2.6 million a year with incentives. The contract has a $6 million buyout for both sides.

Ole Miss 31, Northwestern State 7: Don't rule out the possibility of UT overtaking the Rebels as the worst defense in the SEC.

Ole Miss, which is giving up 16 more yards per game, has conference games remaining against LSU and Mississippi State. The Vols still have to play Arkansas and Kentucky, which rank first and second, respectively, in the conference in total offense.

Top 25: Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 17; Boston College 23, Florida State 20; Oregon 37, Arizona State 27; Oklahoma 45, Texas A&M 20; Kansas 30, Nebraska 10; Missouri 30, Colorado 27; Michigan 30, Michigan State 23; Rutgers 24, Connecticut 20; Oklahoma State 37, Texas 34; South Florida 27, Cincinnati 24; Southern Cal 30, Oregon State 17; Boise State 37, San Jose State 17; Wake Forest 30, Virginia 24; Clemson 38, Duke 10.

Record: 142-44 (.762) overall, 83-80 (.509) against the spread.

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

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.