Adams: Sanford history is not enough for Vols

ATHENS, Ga. — If Tennessee hopes to right a season that has gone all wrong, it has come to the right place. Georgia’s Sanford Stadium invariably has brought out the best in coach Phillip Fulmer’s teams.

It’s where he won his first big game as an interim head coach.

It’s where first-year starting quarterback Tee Martin found his passing touch en route to UT’s unbeaten season in 1998.

It’s where the Vols bounced back from a 24-point loss to Auburn to stun the third-ranked Bulldogs behind true-freshman quarterback Erik Ainge in 2004.

It’s where the Vols rallied in the second half for a runaway 51-33 victory in 2006.

And it’s where this team could …

Georgia 20, Tennessee 10: … continue its downward spiral.

The UT teams that played so exceptionally against the Bulldogs had at least flashed potential pre-Georgia. This team has provided few hints of better things to come.

LSU 27, Florida 20: The Gators might have the home-field advantage, but the Tigers have had two weeks to get ready. And offensive coordinator Gary Crowton will make the most of it.

If Tim Tebow has time to throw, he could exploit a vulnerable LSU secondary. That’s a Ricky Jean-Francois-size “if.”

LSU’s defensive front should overwhelm Florida’s offensive line. And its offensive line also will get the better of Florida’s defensive front.

Mississippi State 23, Vanderbilt 20: The Commodores might be the feel-good story of college football, but a program as historically bad as this one can stand only so much success.

By upsetting South Carolina, Ole Miss and Auburn, Vanderbilt is assured of not finishing last in the SEC East. That’s more winning than it can handle.

South Carolina 24, Kentucky 17: Look whose passing attack is finally coming around. South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley ranks fifth in the SEC in passing yardage per game, and nine different Gamecocks have caught passes in each of the last two games.

That doesn’t bode well for the Wildcats, who are 0-15 against coach Steve Spurrier.

Auburn 27, Arkansas 13: UT first-year offensive coordinator Dave Clawson could have made a worse career move. He could have signed on with Auburn to implement the spread offense.

Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who was fired Wednesday, was the fall guy for an offense sadly lacking in both quarterbacks and receivers.

When one quarterback (Chris Todd) is throwing as though his shoulder is still injured and the other quarterback (Kodi Burns) is throwing even worse, what could possibly make Auburn’s offense successful?

Answer: Arkansas’ defense.

Top 25: Oklahoma 37, Texas 27; Missouri 52, Oklahoma State 37; Penn State 30, Wisconsin 23; Texas Tech 45, Nebraska 27; Brigham Young 37, New Mexico 20; Southern Cal 34, Arizona State 13; Ohio State 30, Purdue 20; Utah 34, Wyoming 14; Kansas 38, Colorado 31; Boise State 34, Southern Mississippi 23; North Carolina 27, Notre Dame 24; Michigan State 27, Northwestern 23; Ball State 34, Western Kentucky 13.

Record: 104-22 (.826) overall, 49-55 (.471) against the spread.

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

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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