No. 25 South Carolina at No. 8 Georgia, 4:30 p.m. CBS, Sanford Stadium, Athens, TX
The Gamecocks (2-0) travel to Athens looking to take the third game in four years from the Bulldogs (2-0). Although Georgia may be without the services of star wide receiver Fred Gibson, beating the Bulldogs at home will not be an easy task.
Georgia defeated South Carolina last season 13-7 with the aid of a last-minute defensive score by David Pollock. The Bulldogs offense has failed to put the ball in the endzone in the last two meetings against USC.
This year should prove to end the streak due to a talented Georgia offensive core. The Gamecocks are coming off a convincing victory over No. 15 Virginia as they defeated the Cavaliers 31-7, vaulting USC into the top 25.
But don’t look for many points from either team. Georgia has been in the redzone 10 times this season and only managed to score four touchdowns. Both teams have solid defenses and will find point production a tough task.
Georgia’s superior experience and talent should shine through and wear down Lou Holtz’s team. The Gamecocks will hold on for a while before eventually falling to the Bulldogs.
Georgia 27, South Carolina 17
Arkansas at No. 6 Texas, 11 a.m. ABC, Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX
An historic college rivalry resumes Saturday as the Razorbacks (1-0) face the Longhorns (1-0) in Austin. Roy Williams alone may be too much for the Arkansas defense to handle.
Arkansas tromped Tulsa 45-13 last weekend, but despite the geographical closeness between the two schools, Tulsa is a far cry from Texas.
Expect Texas to continue their undefeated streak in Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium under coach Mack Brown. After this drubbing is through, we may begin to hear Roy Williams-for-Heisman calls grow.
Texas 35, Arkansas 7
Auburn at Vanderbilt, 11:30 a.m. JP Sports, Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, NC
Here is an exciting match-up in Nashville as the most overrated team of the new century faces the perennial Southeastern Conference whipping post. Vanderbilt (1-1) is much improved this year and is looking to give the shell-shocked Auburn Tigers (0-2) more than they can handle.
The last time Auburn failed to score a touchdown in two consecutive games was 1967. The Tigers’ offensive impotence is demonstrated easily through its rushing performance last week against Georgia Tech. They managed to only tally 40 yards in 38 rushing attempts.
Vanderbilt’s defense will take advantage of Auburn’s poor offensive line and take the mild upset. The Plainsmen/Tigers/War Eagles will continue their downward spiral, but may manage their first touchdown of the season.
Vanderbilt 21, Auburn 10
Kentucky at Alabama, 6:45 p.m. ESPN, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
Speaking of exciting games, there is no better one than the match-up between traditional SEC East cellar dweller Kentucky and irrelevant Alabama. The NCAA probation victim Crimson Tide gave Oklahoma a scare last week and will most likely smother Jared Lorenzen and the Wildcats.
Alabama 31, Kentucky 14
Mississippi State at Tulane, 7 p.m., Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Still regretting their departure from the SEC, Tulane hopes to gain some legitimacy by defeating the bewildered Bulldogs. Unfortunately for the Green Wave, the Bulldogs will put out a nailbiter and deliver a blow to Conference USA fans everywhere.
Mississippi State 17, Tulane 14
Louisiana Monroe at Mississippi, 6 p.m., Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS
As Tiger fans witnessed two weeks ago, ULM is no match for an SEC team. But the Rebels will experience more trouble than LSU faced. The Eli Manning-led offense will prevail in the end and give the Rebels a comfortable victory.
Ole Miss 31, ULM 17
Western Illinois at No. 11 LSU, 7 p.m., Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
The first-ranked I-AA Leathernecks hope to make a statement for all I-AA teams, but they are still a I-AA team and will face the same fate as fellow team McNeese State. LSU goes up early and gives backups a chance to see playing time.
LSU 63, Western Illinois 7
Florida A&M at No. 20 Florida, 7 p.m., Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla.
Another 1-AA team hoping to dethrone an SEC powerhouse. With his job on the line, Ron Zook will have the Gators prepped and ready to go. Florida rolls.
Florida 49, Florida A&M 14