Philleo: Bama may get upset in Athens

Inside sources are saying that Volunteer football coach Phillip Fulmer will be holding a press conference this evening to announce his resignation. Sources advise that he is taking a government position with FEMA, as he is the only person in America who can evacuate 100,000 people in fewer than three hours.

Of course, that's just a funny joke that's going around the e-mail circuit, but I think it reflects the typical sentiment of Tennessee fans following the 30-6 drubbing of the Vols by Florida last week.

On his show, Fulmer said "we" did a lot of things wrong, but I think it is mostly his recent lack of ability to coach fundamentals that has led to Tennessee's plummet from the rankings. Inside the five twice with no score? Give me a break!

I jumped up a couple of games on sports editor Danny Parker this week by going 9-1 (27-3, .900), while Parker was 7-3 (24-6, .800). Neither of us has yet to nail an exact score after 30 games.

Game of the week

I'll be glued to the television Saturday when No. 8 Alabama travels to face No. 3 Georgia in Athens (ESPN 6:45 p.m.).

The Crimson Tide demolished Arkansas last week, 49-14, while Georgia beat Arizona State 27-10. Both teams are 4-0 overall and 1-0 in SEC play.

Georgia is favored in the matchup, and is setting the stage for "blackout" conditions in Athens. Both teams have strong ground games and tough defenses, and they look nearly identical in the scoring column after four games.

Alabama has racked up 144 points against its opponents, while Georgia has scored 122. Alabama has 37 points against while Georgia has 55, 21 of which came in its season opener versus Georgia Southern. Since then, the Dawg defense has gotten stingier. Bama has not given up more than 14 points in a game, and that came from Arkansas.

Although it goes against my better judgment, I'm going to have to call an upset here. Even though Georgia is favored, Alabama has been playing with a lot of energy, and their time is due to beat Georgia at home.

Alabama gets the upset, 28-27, after blocking an extra-point attempt in the second overtime. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Well, it may not come out exactly like that, but it will most definitely be an interesting game that will rival last week's LSU-Auburn contest.

PHILLEO'S PICKS

No. 4 Florida 34, Ole Miss 13

No. 7 Texas 38, Arkansas 10

No. 15 Auburn 24, Tennessee 3

Kentucky 42, Western Kentucky 10

S. Carolina 37, UAB 7

No. 5 LSU 31, Miss State 10

No. 8 Alabama 28, No. 3 Georgia 27

Colorado 24, Florida State 17

Arkansas State 35, Memphis 27

Purdue 17, Notre Dame 13

PARKER'S PICKS

Florida 42, Ole Miss 17

Texas 49, Arkansas 6

Auburn 9, Tennessee 3

Kentucky 31, W. Kentucky 10

S. Carolina 34, UAB 7

LSU 24, Miss. State 6

Georgia 24, Alabama 22

Florida State 36, Colorado 31

Arkansas State 27, Memphis 20

Notre Dame 17, Purdue 14