LAST WEEK: Straight Up: 13-4 Spread: 9-7
OVERALL: Straight Up: 26-9 Spread: 16-17
Week two saw a little better outing though not many people expected the Lane Train to derail against the Bruins at home. A full on train wreck is expected in Gainsville this weekend. The offensive explosion in Athens was also hard to believe between Georgia and SOuth Carolina. To put the 41-37 Bulldog win into context, South Carolina had not scored 37 points against Georgia in the previous four games combined. It took Georgia the previous three games to hit 41. With that here's a look at Week 3....
TENNESSEE (+29.5) at FLORIDA
So it the question is really not whether Tennessee loses this one but by how much, right? Kiffin riled up the Gators in the offseason with his friendly banter, his mouth writing the check than Urban Meyer and company will be gladly cashing in the Swamp. This game is a crossroad game for the Kiffin era, however. After last weeks loss to UCLA, Kiffin had to address some issues of finger pointing among the Vols. The real test will be if the new coach can hold this team together enough to compete. So far, the early returns suggest Kiffin's message has been received and the Vols will come together as a team heading into the swamp. Leaving it as a team might be Kiffin's biggest challenge to date. Tennessee won't win this game, but turnovers and quarterback play will determine how badly they lose it. Four turnovers against UCLA's defense doesn't bode well for Crompton and Company this weekend, but at least the final, even after Meyer calls his last time out to punch it in one last time will be...close??
FLORIDA 49 TENNESSEE 17
CHATTANOOGA AT PRESBYTERIAN
Mocs coach Russ Huesman is not one for moral victories, but last week's 38-20 loss to Furman had to leave the Blue and Gold faithful feeling good on a number of levels. Chattanooga handed the Paladins 21 points on turnovers that were more boneheaded than forced and offensively proved they can move the ball, at least through the air, against one of the SoCon's elite. B.J. Coleman and Blue COpper have emerged as perhaps the biggest air show in the conference, currently second behind Elon in passing offense, with Cooper not only the leading receiver in the SoCon, but second nationally in receptions in the FCS. The Mocs still have questions to answer on special teams and defense, but those answers could come this weekend against the Blue Hose who are 0-2, and battered by the SoCon to the tune of 45-21 in week one against Furman, and 41-7 last week against Elon.
CHATTANOOGA 34 PRESBYTERIAN 21
OTHER GAMES:
GEORGIA (-1) 24 ARKANSAS 20
VANDERBILT (-9) 23 MISSISSIPPI ST. 16
AUBURN (-7) 27 WEST VIRGINIA 21
KENTUCKY (-13.5) 30 LOUISVILLE 14
ALABAMA (-38) 48 NORTH TEXAS 7
SOUTH CAROLINA (-21) 31 FLORIDA ATLANTIC 14
LSU (-27) 38 LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 7
UTAH (+4.5) 26 OREGON 21
VIRGINIA TECH (-5) 21 NEBRASKA 10
NOTRE DAME (-10) 31 MICHIGAN ST. 30
FLORDIA ST. (+7.5) 37 BYU 34
TEXAS (-17.5) 41 TEXAS TECH 24
CINCINNATI (-1) 24 OREGON ST. 17
NFL:
TENNESSEE (-6.5) 23 HOUSTON 13
ATLANTA (-6.5) 21 CAROLINA 17
NEW ENGLAND (-3.5) 27 N.Y. JETS 14
DALLAS (-2.5) 24 N.Y. GIANTS 21
NEW ORLEANS (PK) 31 PHILADELPHIA 24
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