Philleo: Gamecocks to slam 'Dores in Nashville

UT will use the extra week to prepare for the UAB Blazers, who they meet on Sept. 13 in Knoxville.

The Blazers are also 0-1 after their first week, getting lit up by Tulsa, 45-22. The Vols need to completely embarrass "Little Alabama" next week to make up for their giveaway in Pasadena.

With the Vols off, some of the best SEC action for the Big Orange faithful comes tonight when South Carolina invades Nashville to take on Vanderbilt.

Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks made NC State look like a pack of yard hens last weekend with a 34-0 shellacking. Vandy also scored 34 points in its opener -- against Miami (Ohio), allowing 13 points.

If Spurrier goes with Tommy Beecher as the starting QB, the Cocks might struggle to put points on the board against Vandy at home. Most of USC's points last week came in the fourth quarter after redshirt sophomore Chris Smelley came off the bench to lead three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.

Vandy's senior QB Chris Nickson is a double threat that may present more offensive punch against the Gamecocks than the pointless Wolfpack brought to the table Sunday. Nickson ran for 166 yards and two touchdowns against the RedHawks, and passed for another one.

But even so, the young Vandy team will have a battle on its hands, and Spurrier is a tough coach to beat. South Carolina wins it, 31-20.

Another interesting matchup this week is Miami (Fla.) at Florida.

Both teams broke the half-century mark last week. The Hurricanes blasted Charleston Southern 52-7, while the Gators chomped Hawaii, 56-10.

Neither of the losers in those matchups were much of an opponent, however, so much remains to be seen.

The game has a rich history of powerhouse matchups, but those days are over. Miami has had troubles in the past few years, and the 'Canes are not quite back yet.

Fifth-ranked Florida, on the other hand, is operating under Urban Meyer, probably the best coach in the SEC since Spurrier was at Florida. The Gators also are loaded with offensive playmakers behind QB Tim Tebow.

Florida's unknown quantity is its defense, particularly its inexperienced secondary. I say excellent coaching and an explosive offense make up for a shaky secondary. The Gators put it to the 'Canes, 37-17.

Perhaps the closest SEC game this week will be Ole Miss at Wake Forest. Both teams are 1-0 after their respective season openers.

No. 23 Wake beat Baylor 41-13, while Ole Miss defeated non-SEC rival Memphis, 41-24.

Houston Nutt, of Razorback fame, began his era at Ole Miss with the win, and he may be just the ingredient Rebel fans have been searching for since Eli Manning graduated.

Nutt won't be enough, though. The Demon Deacons have a tough quarterback in Riley Skinner, who threw for three TDs against Baylor, and a stingy defense as well. Wake wins it, 27-24.

The rest of this week's games:

Auburn 34, Southern Miss 13

Georgia 31, Central Michigan 7

Kentucky 42, Norfolk State 3

Miss. State 14, SE Louisiana 13

Alabama 31, Tulane 17

Arkansas 24, Louisiana-Monroe 17

Here are sports editor Danny Parker's picks:

Vanderbilt 27, South Carolina 24

Florida 34, Miami (Fla.) 9

Ole Miss 17, Wake Forest 16

Auburn 41, Southern Miss 10

Georgia 40, Central Michigan 21

Kentucky 34, Norfolk State 0

Miss. State 27, SE Louisiana 17

Alabama 42, Tulane 6

Arkansas 28, Louisiana-Monroe 7

Home team listed in BOLD.