As Tennessee and Arkansas renew their rivalry this afternoon, most UT fans have the same two questions: Can the Vols hold Arkansas running back Darren McFadden under 300 yards, and why hasn’t Clint Stoerner moved to Knoxville?

Notice I didn’t bother to identify Stoerner on first reference. That’s because he is one of the most famous players in the history of UT football.

So what if he didn’t play for UT. That’s a mere technicality.

If the former Arkansas quarterback moved here, businessmen would be standing in line to offer him jobs, and UT would name a street after him. Car dealers would pay him to drive their vehicles, clothiers would pay him to wear their clothes, and restaurant owners would pay him to hang out.

He would get a blog on govolsxtra.com and two appearances a week on The Sports Page, the News Sentinel’s wildly popular radio show.

He would be treated with the same reverence as Peyton Manning. Never mind who was the better pro. Stoerner, not Manning, helped UT win a national title.

Sure, it would be more appropriate to honor Stoerner next year on the 10th anniversary of UT’s national championship season. However, the Vols and Razorbacks don’t play next year, so a ninth-anniversary salute will have to do.

For the two people who are unaware of Stoerner’s heroics: His fumble in the final minutes set up the Vols’ game-winning touchdown on the way to an unbeaten season in 1998.

It wasn’t just any fumble. It occurred when Stoerner used the ball to brace his fall.

Two people just said: “To brace his fall?”

I realize it makes no sense. I’ve never seen another player — pro, college or high school — do that.

But once was enough for UT.

Tennessee 31, Arkansas 30: In a topsy-turvy SEC season, beware of teams coming off their best game (i.e., Arkansas over South Carolina last week).

The Vols might not slow McFadden’s run for the Heisman Trophy, but they will make enough big plays on offense to offset what their defense gives up.

Auburn 24, Georgia 20: The Bulldogs are playing with more passion in the second half of the season, and the emergence of redshirt freshman Reshad Jones at safety has boosted the defense. Moreover, Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno is the hottest running back in the SEC who doesn’t play for Arkansas.

But the Bulldogs haven’t faced a defense as formidable as Auburn’s. And coach Tommy Tuberville’s Tigers thrive on the road against nationally ranked teams.

South Carolina 30, Florida 27: Although the Gamecocks have lost three consecutive games, don’t discount the Steve Spurrier factor against his alma mater.

His first South Carolina team upset Florida in Columbia. And if a South Carolina offensive lineman hadn’t raised his caboose two inches before a center snap, the Gamecocks would have beaten the Gators last year in The Swamp.

Sabama 27, Mississippi State 24: It’s a perfect spot for an upset. The Tide is coming off a last-minute loss to LSU; the Bulldogs are coming off an open date.

All that’s missing is Mike Shula on the Alabama sideline.

Kentucky 34, Vanderbilt 27: While the Commodores were being hammered by Florida last week, the Wildcats were taking the weekend off.

You know how important open dates have been in the SEC. Following open dates: UT routed Georgia, Florida beat Kentucky, and Georgia upset Florida.

LSU 45, Louisiana Tech 7: It’s not just about winning for LSU, which is second in the BCS standings. When you’re angling for BCS points, you can’t let up against anyone.

Top 25: Ohio State 34, Illinois 24; Oregon 34, Arizona 30; Oklahoma 52, Baylor 13; Kansas 45, Oklahoma State 37; Missouri 41, Texas A&M 17; Boston College 30, Maryland 17; Arizona State 42, UCLA 30; Virginia Tech 24, Florida State 17; Southern Cal 30, Cal 27; Michigan 41, Wisconsin 30; Hawaii 45, Fresno State 34; Texas 38, Texas Tech 31; Cincinnati 27, Connecticut 24; Boise State 52, Utah State 17; Clemson 31, Wake Forest 27; Virginia 30, Miami 27.

Record: 158-49 (.763) overall and 92-87 (.514) against the spread.

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

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.