Not On Hot Seat, But Hot Under The Collar

   When accomplished college coaches Steve Spurrier and Bobby Petrino returned to the amateur ranks after bombing in the NFL, they were embraced as prodigal sons, back where they belong.

   Maybe so, but the boss men at South Carolina and Arkansas belong in a decompression chamber today as their seasons got shakier on Saturday.

   The Gamecocks won, but only by 23-13 over Wofford, the tiniest Division 1-A school that puts on the pads. Afterward, Spurrier pondered trying what would be his third starting quarterback, Stephen Garcia, next week. "In a rut," is how the ol' ball coach described his offense, even though it rang up 30 first downs.

   What's up with the offensiveguru? Has he lost his touch?

   Arkansas allowed three plays for over 60 yards apiece and threw interceptions left, center and right in the hammering by Alabama. Two narrow wins over creampuffs plus one loss to a tough-as-cheap-steak team adds up to a wretched start.

   Are the football gods getting back at Petrino for skipping out on the Falcons in midseason last year?