October 28, 2004
SEC Week 9 Preview
It's been quite a week off-the-field in the SEC. After losing in the waning moments of an SEC contenst again, the Florida Gators made a dramatic move, firing head-coach Ron Zook after three years on the program. Now, the rumors are swirling as to who will take over as the Gators' head coach next year.
The hype surrounding who the Gators head-coach might be next year has almost overshadowed the annual meeting of the Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs for the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville.
That game and the Vols' meeting with the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday will go a long way toward determining who will represent the SEC East in the title game in December.
Here's a look at those and other games in the SEC this week:
Tennessee at South Carolina (12:30 p.m. EST, Jefferson Pilot regional game, ESPN GamePlan)
The last time the Gamecocks beat the Vols was back in 1992 on Halloween weekend. Lou Holtz's team has had a week off to prepare for "the best team we've ever faced" and he has repeatedly called the Vols "very, very good in all aspects of the game.' Expect Columbia to be rocking Saturday as the Vols come in for an SEC East showdown. The Vols offense, which played well in the first few weeks, has been anemic that past few Saturdays, making Tennessee rely in its defense and special teams to win close ball games.
South Carolina's defense has allowed only three passing touchdowns all season.
Tennessee controls its own destiny in the SEC East race. But then again, they also had it in 1992 and South Carolina played spoiler then. Will the Gamecocks play spoiler again this year?
Kentucky at Mississippi State (2:30 p.m EST)
After being held in check for much of the season, Mississippi State's offense hung 38 on the Gators last weekend in Starkville, leading to the firing of Ron Zook. These two teams have played every year since 1990 and Kentucky has won the last two contests.
Florida vs Georgia (3:30 p.m. EST, CBS)
Just in case you forgot, Florida does play a football game this week and Ron Zook will be coaching. The real question is--how will Florida respond given the turbulent week off-field? Will they "win one for the Zooker" or will they "throw in the visor"?
Overlooked in all of this is the Georgia Bulldogs who can keep in the hunt for an SEC Eastern Divsion title with a win in this game.
Historically, the Bulldogs have not done well in this game. Despite having the SEC's best winning perecentage since 2000, the Bulldogs have lost 13 of the last 14 contests and the last six staight against the Gators. But if there were ever a year for the Bulldogs, this could be it.
Auburn at Ole Miss (7:45 p.m EST, ESPN)
Two weeks ago, Ole Miss came close to upsetting Tennessee in Oxford. Now they play host to the leader in the West with Auburn coming to town. But the Tigers have the one-two punch at running back of Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown to counteract Ole Miss's three quarterback system. The last five games have been decided by eight points.
Vanderbilt at LSU (8 p.m. EST, ESPN Gameplan)
Two teams that began the seasons with high hopes--LSU of defending its national title and Vandy of making it to a bowl game--meet in what has been, for both, a disappointing season. Vandy snapped an SEC losing streak earlier this year against Mississippi State while LSU has looked vulnerable at home early in the year. However, LSU shines under the lights in Baton Rouge and Vandy could just be the boost their season needs.
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Comments & Trackbacks
Brad says:
posted on October 28, 2004 01:17 PM — linkThe Auburn one-two punch at running back is Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown. I'm sure you know this, and this was just an oversite. But, you are correct that Carlos Rogers will be part of the defense counteracting the three QB system of Ole Miss.
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on October 28, 2004 03:02 PM — linkD'oh! My bad...correction will be made!
jimmy says:
posted on October 28, 2004 06:21 PM — linkjeff bower will be next coach at florida jeremy foley has already said.
James A. Mills says:
posted on October 28, 2004 06:29 PM — linkUSC will beat Tennessee this week!
USC 17
Tennessee 14
www. sectalk .com
Kilo Mike Alpha says:
posted on October 28, 2004 07:18 PM — linkTommy Tuberville will spank that gator ass if you idiots ever make it beyond Gville.
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on October 28, 2004 10:40 PM — link(sarcasm)
Now this is the kind of scintallating debate that makes the Internet the powerful tool that it is.
(/sarcasm)On a serious note--I think that Auburn would spank UF right now. Heck, I think they're gonna put a whippin' on Georgia in a few weeks. That said, I firmly believe Florida will find a way to get it done over UGA and that the Vols will not allow a repeat of 92 in Columbia.
gator man says:
posted on October 29, 2004 12:34 AM — linksteve spurrier is to old to coach he should be in a nursing home.
NCVol says:
posted on October 29, 2004 12:52 PM — linkThe cock fans (how anyone can allow themselves to be called "cocks") believe they have a chance this weekend. However, the Vols won't overlook another team from SC after the Peach bowl debaucle. Lou will try to keep his team from becoming tomorrow's special at KFC, but the Vols have TONS to place for, while the "future fryers" can be spoilers at best. Watch for the Smokeys to come down to Columbia for a three piece meal deal of fried chicken. Leonard's Loser: USC.
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on October 30, 2004 10:52 AM — linkHere's the biggest difference in the UT/USC game.
Tennessee KNOWS they can win
USC HOPES they can win.
