Adams: Banged-up Vandy back in SEC snooze mode

I don't make a habit of calling out fans. But I'll make an exception in this case.

Vanderbilt has been treated dreadfully.

I concluded as much while watching the replay of the Florida-Vanderbilt game. The Swamp looked the same, but it didn't sound the same. It was orange, blue and quiet.

Is that any way to treat an opposing SEC team?

It's not just a Florida issue. The problem is conference-wide.

Never mind that Vanderbilt has been more competitive in recent years. Most SEC fans haven't adjusted. They're still more apt to greet the Commodores with yawns than boos.

Vanderbilt can stay home and get indifferent fans. The Commodores deserve better on the road.

Tennessee 34, Vanderbilt 10: The Commodores are playing their 12th consecutive game without an open date, which makes you wonder what their athletic director was thinking. Oh, that's right, Vanderbilt doesn't have an athletic director.

Next time, whatever secretary is in charge of scheduling might want to consider an open date sometime in October.

This just in: SEC football is hard stuff. Or, as Dan Hawkins might put it, "This ain't intramurals, brother."

UT can vouch for that. If it loses another linebacker, it will be holding student-body tryouts for the Kentucky game. But the Vols wouldn't want to trade places with the Commodores, whose starting lineup has been decimated by injuries.

Vanderbilt's run of injuries is epitomized by the loss of star senior cornerback Myron Lewis, who was questionable for last week's Kentucky game with an eye injury. Cleared to play, he suffered a knee injury, which will require surgery.

Ole McCluster 27, LSU 23: Coming off a rousing 42-17 victory over UT, the Dexter McClusters could return to the top 25 with a victory today.

A balanced offense has been the key to their recent surge. Opponents haven't been able to figure out whether the ball will be handed, pitched or thrown to McCluster,

In the last three SEC games, he has 787 yards in total offense - or about 54 percent of his team's output.

Georgia 24, Kentucky 20: The SEC has returned to its roots and become a strong running league. But you couldn't tell it by the Bulldogs.

Six SEC teams, including Kentucky (17th), rank in the top 25 nationally in rushing.

Georgia ranks 80th.

Wonder if the Bulldogs have checked to see whether one of Herschel Walker's personalities has any eligibility left?

Arkansas 34, Mississippi State 20: Razorbacks 6-foot-7 quarterback Ryan Mallett might be playing too well for their own good (And I think NFL scouts would back me up on that).

He ranks third nationally in passing efficiency with 23 touchdown passes, just four interceptions, and 2,882 yards.

Although he's only a sophomore, he's eligible to go pro after this season. He sat out last year after transferring from Michigan, where he played as a freshman.

Florida 45, Florida International 7: The No. 1-ranked Gators are in the running for back-to-back national championships, but quarterback Tim Tebow's bid for a second Heisman Trophy is losing steam. Maybe FIU's defense can do something about that.

The Golden Panthers rank 118th out of 120 FBS teams in total defense.

There could be more help on the way. Florida State, Florida's final regular-season opponent, ranks 109th in total defense.

Alabama 41, Chattanooga 7: With back-to-back games against Auburn and Florida coming up, Alabama running back Mark Ingram would be best served by taking the day off. But you can't take days off when you're in the running for the Heisman Trophy.

Top 25: Texas 41, Kansas 17; TCU 45, Wyoming 7; Ohio State 34, Michigan 24; Virginia Tech 37, N.C. State 20; Oregon 37, Arizona 31; Penn State 27, Michigan State 24; Stanford 34, Cal 27; Wisconsin 40, Northwestern 27; Iowa 31, Minnesota 24; Miami 38, Duke 17; Clemson 41, Virginia 13; BYU 27, Air Force 16; Oregon State 48, Washington State 10; Utah 34, San Diego State 17; Houston 48, Memphis 24; Rutgers 27, Syracuse 10.

Record: 186-50 (.788) overall, 113-97 (.538) against the spread.

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

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