Philleo: Great game to follow Neyland tearjerker

The last two weeks of picking games were relatively easy, but this week will begin to separate the men from the boys.

I gained the lead on sports editor Danny Parker last week with my top upset pick of South Florida over Kansas. He pulled for the Jayhawks and missed it. We both missed the Notre Dame win over Michigan, but nailed the rest of them.

My season record is 18-2 (.900), while Parker's is 17-3 (.850), but it's early and he's got some skills, so I won't be surprised if I lose my early lead this week.

Florida at Tennessee

Let's start with the tearjerker. No. 4 Florida (2-0) heads into Neyland Stadium to face the unranked Vols (1-1). Game time is 2:30 Saturday on CBS.

The Vols fixed some problems last week, according to head coach Phillip Fulmer, but that was a 35-3 rout against UAB (0-3), who had previously lost to Tulsa, 45-22, and Florida Atlantic, 49-34. So while our defense looked great, our offense couldn't put up as many points as the Golden Hurricane or the Owls. How often do you hear those two mascot names? Exactly my point.

And remember, Tennessee (when it was ranked No. 18) lost its opener to UCLA 27-24 in OT. The Bruins got spanked last week by now No. 18 BYU, 59-0.

Ouch! We lost to them??!?? That begs the question, are the Mormons that good, or is UCLA that bad?

One thing's for sure: The Big Orange just isn't that big this year, and Florida is. Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer make the difference: More talent and better coaching.

My heart says "Go Vols," but my Picks Panel Persona says "Gators win it, 17-13."

I just want all you Vol fans to know that by picking against Tennessee, I have actually improved their chances of winning. I call it Shleprock's Law (remember Bad Luck Shleprock from The Flintstones?). If I called the upset, they'd be sure to lose. Go Vols.

Tigers win!

This one looks to be the game of the week. No. 6 LSU (2-0) visits No. 10 Auburn (3-0). Wow. Hope it's not a dud like that highly touted USC-Ohio State rout last week. The Tiger-Tiger kickoff is at 6:45 Saturday on ESPN.

LSU's last win at Auburn was way back in 1998, and this SEC matchup has a history of close games. Can you feel the tension beginning to build?

LSU has scored 41 points in both of its games this year, defeating Appy State (41-13) and North Texas (41-3).

LSU QB Andrew Hatch, a junior, is a bit of a double threat with one rushing and one passing touchdown each this year. He's rushed for 61 yards in 10 carries and completed 17 of 31 passes for 202 yards.

Their big offensive threat is junior RB Charles Scott, the fourth leading rusher in the SEC, with 262 yards and four touchdowns. He's averaging more than 11 yards per carry.

Auburn has beaten La.-Monroe (34-0), and Southern Miss (27-13). Last week they squeaked by Miss State with a baseball score of 3-2.

They have the No. 2 RB in the SEC with junior Ben Tate, who has 278 yards, but that's on 48 carries, so his average is 5.8 yards per carry.

Auburn QB Chris Todd is ranked fifth in the SEC. He's 44 of 75 with 472 yards, one TD and one INT.

These teams look pretty equal on paper, but I was not impressed with Auburn's inability to punch it into the end zone against the Bulldogs last week. Mississippi State is not that good. LSU wins it, 24-17.

PHILLEO'S PICKS

(Home team in bold)

Florida 17, Tennessee 13

LSU 24, Auburn 17

Georgia Tech 17, Miss State 14

Alabama 35, Arkansas 17

Vanderbilt 27, Ole Miss 24

South Carolina 35, Wofford 10

Georgia 24, Arizona State 13

Wake Forest 27, FSU 17

Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 24

Arkansas State 35, MTSU 24

PARKER'S PICKS

Florida 20, Tennessee 10

LSU 28, Auburn 23

Georgia Tech 13, Miss. State 9

Alabama 27, Arkansas 6

Ole Miss 28, Vanderbilt 24

South Carolina 34, Wofford 7

Georgia 38, Arizona State 21

Wake Forest 28, FSU 14

Notre Dame 17, Michigan State 16

MTSU 22, Arkansas State 14