UAT, Hogs playing for third place already

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Tide, Hogs battle to be third best in the West

Friday, September 22, 2006

CHARLES HOLLIS

News staff writer

Alabama stands at 3-0 after its exhibition schedule, which is about what everyone expected. Arkansas is 2-1 after playing Southern California, Utah State and Vanderbilt, which is about what everyone expected.

Now we find out who's the third-best team in the SEC West behind Auburn and LSU.

The winner of Saturday's game in Fayetteville will have a lot to say about who wins the West, because both teams have Auburn and LSU remaining. The loser is probably going to end up losing four or five games.

Arkansas has been a crossroads game for Mike Shula. Two years ago in Fayetteville - after a 3-0 start - his team lost 27-10. The Crimson Tide finished 6-6.

Timing, however, is everything, and the 2-point underdog Tide may catch a Houston Nutt team going through an identity crisis.

Nutt, who is from the Pat Dye school of wearing down opponents with muscle, brought in Gus Malzahn from the high school ranks to serve as offensive coordinator. The idea was to add some finesse and to spice up the passing attack, which also meant a different approach to blocking, a new philosophy - and confusion at quarterback.

Malzahn, who would rather pass than run, sometimes forgets he has Darren McFadden and Peyton Hillis to Pat Dye the defense.

This week's games:

Alabama at Arkansas: Alabama's offense isn't going to wow you with points, but it can sure play keepaway. The Crimson Tide leads the SEC in time of possession, holding the ball an average of 34.23 minutes per game. Now it's matched against Arkansas' defense, which returns nine starters but isn't playing very wise. It's also very beat up. Reggie Herring, the Hogs' defensive coordinator, who gets impatient when offenses try to control the clock, is trying to juggle injuries and preseason expectations. This week he'll start 6-foot-3, 208-pound Matt Hewitt at outside linebacker. Hewitt's role through the first three games - backup safety. Alabama 24, Arkansas 20

We don't have to know much about the University of Buffalo (1-2) to know No.2 Auburn (3-0) is going to win by a lot. Maybe by as many as 41½ points, as the oddsmakers think. The Bulls went 1-10 last year and did not score a touchdown until the fourth game. For nearly a decade, it has been considered one of the worst teams in college football. If you think Buffalo will cover the line, please dial 911 and ask the operator to send for the paramedics. Auburn 55, Buffalo 3

Mississippi State at UAB: Mississippi State (0-3) may not play a more important game this year. A loss sets the table for a winless season. Even its Oct. 14 game against Jacksonville State wouldn't be a gimme. For the Blazers, a 10-point favorite, this is a chance to show off against an SEC team - to kick the Dogs when they're down. When UAB is a home favorite, however, that's a bad omen for the Blazers. UAB 16, Mississippi State 15

Eastern Illinois at Samford: Eastern Illinois (1-2), the defending Ohio Valley Conference champion, visits Samford (2-1) on Saturday night at 6. EIU is averaging a league-leading 426 yards per game. It has one of I-AA's top rushers in Vincent Webb and a dangerous passer in junior Mike Donato. Samford, which has improved its defense over the past two seasons, will need a lot of offense to keep up with Eastern. Eastern Illinois 28, Samford 21

Stillman vs. Miles: Sitting atop the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings are Miles and Albany State with 2-0 records. In the past two weeks, the Golden Bears have upset Tuskegee and Fort Valley State. Stillman (1-2) brings one of the league's worst teams for the Sunday night game at Legion Field. Miles should have no problem staying atop the league. Miles 27, Stillman 14

IN THE SEC

Kentucky at Florida: No.5 Florida has suspended one of its best defensive linemen, Marcus Thomas, for several games. Now, if quarterbacks Chris Leak and Tim Tebow couldn't play, that would be a different story. Florida 28, Kentucky 14

Colorado at Georgia: The Bulldogs, who have shut out South Carolina and UAB, just might make it three goose eggs in a row. Winless Colorado (0-3) has scored just two touchdowns and 23 points in its first three games, the fewest for the program since 1964. The Buffaloes rank 114th out of 119 Division I-A teams in scoring (7.67) and 115th in total offense (193.67). Georgia 26, Colorado 3

Tulane at LSU: LSU gained just 42 yards on the ground and 267 passing in a 7-3 loss at Auburn, which is very un-LSU. This is a good week to work on the running game and soothe its psyche after Auburn. LSU 36, Tulane 10 Wake Forest at Ole Miss: The Rebels dominated the stats, but five turnovers killed them in their 31-14 loss at Kentucky. If Ole Miss can get any help from its struggling defense, it just might beat 3-0 Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are minus three offensive starters, including star running back Micah Andrews and quarterback Benjamin Mauk. Ole Miss 16, Wake Forest 13

Florida Atlantic at South Carolina: South Carolina (2-1), with new starters at quarterback, tailback and along the offensive line, had a tough time holding off Wofford last week, winning 27-20 against the Division I-AA Terriers. The Gamecocks catch another break this week against 0-3 Florida Atlantic. South Carolina 36, Florida Atlantic 14

Marshall at Tennessee: The Vols were held to minus-11 yards rushing on 23 carries, the lowest since Phillip Fulmer took over the program in 1993, and their kicking game was awful in their 21-20 home loss to Florida. It's a good thing Marshall isn't what it used to be. Tennessee 24, Marshall 14

Tennessee State at Vanderbilt: After losing to Michigan, Alabama and Arkansas, Vandy could use a breather. On the surface, Division I-AA Tennessee State (2-1) fits the bill. But playing another school located a few miles away isn't much of a breather. Vanderbilt 25, Tennessee State 14

SURPRISE OF THE WEEK

Michigan State (3-0) at No. 12 Notre Dame (2-1): Yes, Notre Dame is overrated, including quarterback Brady Quinn. But while the three-point favored Irish has a championship caliber offense, its defense flunks the passing-game test. Quarterback Drew Stanton and the Spartans offense are starting to peak at just the right time. Michigan State 26, Notre Dame 24

IN OTHER GAMES

Nebraska 27, Troy 10

JSU 35, Tennessee-Martin 13

California 38, Arizona State 35

Clemson 21, North Carolina 17

Michigan 24, Wisconsin 20

Louisville 30, Kansas State 17

Ohio State 28, Penn State 14

Charles Hollis' college football picks appear each Friday. Write him at chollis@bhamnews.com

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