week, psychology should favor the Vols and should produce the upset.

After a week of getting blasted by the Vols fans, it is quite possible the Vol players will come together and show the fans that they are good players and they can defeat a top team in a tough environment.

When fans and media question players’ hearts, abilities and desire, that is often the catalyst for an impressive showing. The Vol players will have the “its us against the world” mentality. Playing on the road will add to that unity.

Expect the Vols to play their best game of the season. All athletes are proud and their pride has been hurt by their fans, the media and the loss to also-ran South Carolina, a team they had beaten 12 consecutive years.

The Vols have more talent than Notre Dame, but are not quite as well coached. The talent advantage and desire to prove everyone wrong will be more than enough to down the Irish, 21-17.

SOUTH CAROLINA at ARKANSAS

Both of these teams have progressed a great deal since the season began due in part to the quality of competition they have faced.

This is a game that definitely pits each teams’ strength against the other’s weakness.

The Hogs have a great (capable of dominating) ground game, which will be pitted against a Gamecock run defense that has been porous most of the season. It is possible Coach Nutt is starting a freshman QB because he is a better runner than the other Qbs.

Carolina’s strength on offense is its passing game and it should have success against the Hog pass defense.

Can the Hog ground game score more points than the Gamecock passing attack? The answer to that question likely determine the outcome.

There is a key variables in this game. Carolina has two of Nutt’s former defensive coordinators on its staff. They should know Nutt like a book and that knowledge should help the Carolina defense in its efforts to slow down hot-shot freshman TB Darren McFadden and his cohorts.

Arkansas played more competitively against Alabama and Auburn that Carolina did and played just as competitively against Georgia as Carolina did. Arkansas allowed Vanderbilt to overcome a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to win, while Carolina thwarted Vanderbilt’s comeback attempt.

The key variable may be Spurrier’s offensive genius. This game figures to be close, so I’ll go with Spurrier to make the offensive call that wins the game for Carolina 17-14.

VANDERBILT at FLORIDA

It’s been many seasons ago that “Florida” and “offensive problems” were used in the same sentence.

Gator fans thought new head coach Urban Meyer was going to have the Gator offense lighting up the scoreboard with great regularity this season. His offense has been a real “dud” this season. Fortunately for him, Zook left him some very good defensive players.

The Commodores are a scrappy bunch, but it is unlikely they can score enough points against the Gator defense to pull off an upset. The poor Commodore ground game will be their downfall. The Gator defense will be able stymie the Vandy ground game and get pressure on QB Cutler.

Offensively, the Gators should score at least in the twenties because the Commodore defense is still a poor defense. Gators win 28-17.

ALABAMA at MSU

This one is easy. Bama is a good team, MSU is a bad team. Tide rolls 35-6.

AUBURN at KENTUCKY

This one is just as easy. Tigers are heads and tails above the Cats. Tigers win 38-3

APPALACHIAN STATE at LSU

Can you spell “cupcake.” Tigers roar 52-3.