Crimson, Orange Blood Flows The Third Saturday In October
Time Out
by Paul Jordon
The third Saturday in October has always (well, since 1928 anyway) meant a lot to Alabama and Tennessee.
That year, the Vols beat the Tide 15-13, a win legendary Tennessee coach Robert Neyland always credited with putting the Volunteer grid program on the map. The two schools have played every year since, except one year during World War II. The game has had national implications as well as league championship implications many times over the years.
The third Saturday looms large for several teams this season, almost across the board with what has to be termed “must wins” taking place at Alabama, LSU and Kentucky.
And no matter who wins this week, it will only make things more interesting as the season rolls along to its conclusion. Right now, in late October, both division races are wide open and possible scenarios with their accompanying story lines are mind boggling.
Bama, Auburn and LSU tied for the top in the SEC West, and the logjam will be settled where it should be - on the field - with all three having to play each other. That playoff for the Western title begins Saturday night when the Bayou Tigers (6-1 overall, 3-1 in league play) host Tommy Tuberville's Tigers (5-2, 3-1) in an 8 p.m. game on ESPN. Auburn is on a roll, having won four in a row, but its timing may not be the best. LSU is coming off its first loss and the loss of the No. 1 ranking. It's never good to play LSU at their place at night. Right after a loss, when they are good and mad, is an even worse time.
Bama (5-2, 3-1) welcomes Tennessee (4-2, 2-1) to Tuscaloosa in an 11:30 a.m. game (Lincoln Financial Sports) that is important to both teams. Tennessee, afer a slow start, has begun to play good football and needs a win to keep its momentum going as it heads into its home game against Steve Spurrier's East Division leading South Carolina Gamecocks next week. The Tide could move to 6-2 on the year and buy some confidence and momentum as it gets ready to host LSU in what could be a battle for the West crown in two weeks.
What to say about amazing, surprising Kentucky. For decades - since the Bear Bryant era at Kentucky - the only Gator-Wildcat games that have had any significant importance on a championship scale have been basketball games. Not true any more. When the Wildcats 6-1, 2-1) entertain the Gators (4-2, 2-2) this Saturday (2:30 p.m. on CBS), it will be a big one for both squads. Kentucky, coming off its upset of LSU, is wanting to prove itself a legitimate contender for the SEC East crown - if not more. For Florida, it may be even more important, in the “must win” category. The Gators have to win this one to have any chance to grab the division crown. Florida can still get back into the race since it has games left against Kentucky, Georgia and South Carolina.
The other SEC game is a big one for the two head coaches. It could be called the Losers Bowl, with Arkansas (3-3, 0-3) visiting Ole Miss (2-5, 0-4) - the only two teams winless in league play. After Saturday, their will be only one winless squad. Arkansas' Houston Nutt and Ole Miss' Ed Orgeron probably both need a win to stave off pink slips at the end of the year.
The other SEC game will be an interesting intersectional battle with Mississippi State (4-3) visiting No. 9 West Virginia. The Bulldogs are big underdogs … but this has been a season of upsets. So who knows?
For the experts who think the SEC is down this year or not on a par with the other BCS conferences, please note that three league teams are in the Top 10 nationally - No. 5 LSU, No. 6 South Carolina and No. 8 Kentucky - and the league has four more in the Top 25 - No. 14 Florida, No. 18 Auburn, No. 20 Tennessee and No. 21 Georgia.
WEEKEND TV LINEUP
The weekend TV lineup kicks off with Friday night's ESPN contest (7 p.m.) Louisville at Connecticut..
Saturday's TV lineup, other than pay-for-view
11 a.m.
Army at Georgia Tech (WB)
Furman at Chattanooga (CSS)
Penn State at Indiana (ESPN)
Iowa at Purdue (ESPN2)
11:30 p.m.
Tennessee at Alabama (Lincoln Financial Sports)
Oklahoma at Iowa State (FSN South)
Texas at Baylor (Versus)
Noon
Grambling State at Jackson State (ESPNU)
2:30 p.m.
North Texas at Troy (SportSouth)
Michigan State at Ohio State (ABC)
Florida at Kentucky (CBS)
Southern Cal at Notre Dame (NBC)
Tennessee Tech at Jacksonville State (CSS)
Miami at FSU (ESPN2)
3 p.m.
Buffalo at Syracuse (ESPNU)
4:30 p.m.
Kansas at Colorado (ESPN); at 6 p.m.
Florida Atlantic at La.-Lafayette (CSS)
South Carolina State at Hampton (ESPNU)
7 p.m.
Virginia at Maryland (ESPN2)
Michigan at Illinois (ABC)
8 p.m.
Auburn at LSU (ESPN)