Adams: Offense looks good compared to 1901

When a winning program loses, the losses are magnified, and the flaws are exaggerated. So it's no wonder some Tennessee fans think this UT offense is the worst ever to fumble a football.

That's ridiculous, of course.

The Vols actually are averaging more points per game than tonight's opponent, Mississippi State. Moreover, they are averaging more yards than 15 Division I-A teams.

This isn't even the worst offense of the Phillip Fulmer era. The 2005 team scored 98 points in its first six games. This team has scored 104.

In fact, the farther back you go, the better this offense looks.

UT's 1988 team had 102 points through six games. Its 1978 team had 92.

The 1958 team didn't score but 77 points all season, and its coach didn't get fired.

Tennessee 13, Mississippi State 6: If you aren't impressed with this UT offense, you need to talk to some 1901 fans (surely, any self-respecting medium can facilitate that). The 1901 team didn't score more than 12 points in a single game.

Georgia 31, Vanderbilt 17: Georgia left offensive tackle Clint Boling will be easy to spot on the sideline today. He will be the big guy sitting next to the team orthopedist and nervously patting his knees.

Trinton Sturdivant started at the position last season. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason.

Vince Vance replaced Sturdivant. He suffered a season-ending knee injury last week against Tennessee.

The Bulldogs will have to overcome other attrition as well. Four players with starting experience are out for the season with injuries.

Their injury outbreak has extended to recruits. Their No. 1 signee, quarterback Aaron Murray, suffered a broken leg Thursday

South Carolina 24, LSU 23: Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier probably hates being tricked almost as much as he hates losing. LSU tricked and beat the Gamecocks last season.

LSU's perfectly executed fake kick, featuring a no-look pitch, was the highlight of the day on ESPN last October. But the trick might be on LSU today.

Spurrier knows how to capitalize on a vulnerable secondary, and LSU's secondary looked plenty vulnerable last week against Florida.

Auburn and Mississippi State, whose passing attacks have struggled for most of the season, also had surprising success against the Tigers.

So will the Gamecocks.

Alabama 31, Ole Miss 23: The Rebels were good enough to upset Florida in The Swamp. They're also good enough to upset the Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium if the wrong John Parker Wilson shows up at quarterback.

Wilson completed less than 50 percent of his passes against Tulane, Arkansas and Kentucky. He was almost flawless against Clemson and Georgia.

Something in between should do in the Rebels, who rank next to last in the SEC in total defense.

Arkansas 27 Kentucky 24: One of the biggest surprises of the SEC season was the performance of Arkansas' offensive line against Auburn's heralded defensive front. Its blocking helped Michael Smith take over the rushing lead in the SEC.

If Arkansas can run the ball on Auburn, it can run the ball on Kentucky.

Top 25: Texas 34, Missouri 31; Southern California 45, Washington State 0; Penn State 34, Michigan 17; Oklahoma 45, Kansas 28; Texas Tech 48, Texas A&M 20; Oklahoma State 51, Baylor 27; Ohio State 31, Michigan State 24; Virginia Tech 27, Boston College 23; South Florida 34, Syracuse 13; Wake Forest 27, Maryland 23; North Carolina 24, Virginia 17; Pittsburgh 30, Navy 28; Cal 27, Arizona 24.

Record: Overall 118-26 (.813), 62-59 (.512), 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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