Woe is Georgia, South Carolina

   Florida was the sole league winner in the three SEC vs. ACC instate rivalry games.

   Georgia, ranked No. 1 nationally to start the season, did not even wind up No. 1 in its state. Georgia Tech beat the Dawgs 45-42 on Saturday with only one complete pass.

   Its option offense befuddled the Bulldogs, who had two weeks to prepare but looked as if they'd spent two minutes learning the intricacies. Because Georgia's defense seemed helpless during all three losses this season, coach Mark Richt must think long and hard about replacing defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.

   Should Martinez be fired?

   How would you sum up Georgia's 9-3 season?

   South Carolina, with Hall of Fame coach Steve Spurrier, couldn't outfox Clemson interim Dabo Swinney, whose chances of full-time status was uncertain . . . until the Tigers' 31-14 trouncing Saturday.

   The Gamecocks' offensive master went through 12 games, five of them setbacks, without developing a quarterback. The loss in the finale gives Clemson a leg up on statewide recruiting battles.

   Has Spurrier lost his touch?

    

Kwazy Kwarterbacks Situation

   When Vanderbilt sends out MacKenzi Adams against Georgia, half of the SEC teams will have changed quarterbacks already this season by coach's decision. Chris Nickson is ailing, but this switch was driven more by performance.

   At South Carolina, Stephen Garcia is Steve Spurrier's QB for a day -- two weeks after the demoted Chris Smelley was named league Offensive Player of the Week.

   At Auburn, not only did Kodi Burns bump aside Chris Todd on the first unit, but the redshirt has been removed from true freshman Barrett Trotter, who was projected to sit until next season.

   It would be fitting if Kentucky's Randall Cobb, who has split time between quarterback and wide receiver because of shakiness behind center with the Wildcats, could figure out how to throw a pass to himself.

   What gives with SEC QBs this season?

   Which do you prefer at Vandy, South Carolina, Auburn and Kentucky?

    

What We Learned, No. 5: QB Dilemmas Solved? Maybe

   Chris Smelley and and the Gamecocks lacerated Ole Miss for 405 yards and 31 points even though Rebels defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix was on South Carolina's staff last year. What should have been an inside edge became an outright clinic by USC and, perhaps finally, a halt to Steve Spurrier's season-long quarterback merry-go-round. Spurrier made the proper call in switching from Stephen Garcia to Smelley in midweek.

   Are you Gamecocks all on board with Smelley?

   Too early to tell at Tennessee, given that the Volunteers begged only 13 points off Northern Illinois in a narrow win. First-time starter Nick Stephens was steady in place of Jon Crompton, but he must crank it up against Georgia this week. 

   Do you think Stephens is the guy for the Vols?

   The Bulldogs enjoyed a week off, allowing running back Knowshon Moreno and others to heal. which makes it doubly tough for Tennessee, its season teetering on the brink.

   What's your take on the UT-GA tilt?

   

Make Up Your Mind, Steve

   Steve Spurrier is notorious for changing quarterbacks from one week to the next. Now he's gone beyond that, apparently pulling a switcheroo in mid-week.

   After listing Stephen Garcia as the starter Saturday at Ole Miss, the South Carolina coach has reverted to Chris Smelley. Garcia, the people's choice, evidently did not dazzle in practices. Good thing the Gamecocks boast the nation's No. 1 defense.

   Oxford figures to be rockin', what with the Rebs back home after stunning Florida. Ole Miss, a few snaps away from being 5-0 instead of 3-2, is aiming for third place in the SEC West.

   

    

Job Openings Galore!!!

   If I give you one guess which SEC coach declared every starting position on offense up for grabs, you should have the right answer pronto.

   Only Steve Spurrier, who has never cracked the coaching handbook that is the Bible of most peers, would have the nads to put every starter on notice four games into the season. But these are desperate times for the punchless Gamecocks.

   Spurrier watchers: Do you think he means it? Or is he just trying to rattle the cage?

   Actually, two spots opened up by themselves with the suspension of a running back and a guard as punishment for missing too many classes. The way this group has been playing, I wonder if the class is Football 101. 

Hate 'em or hate 'em: Woe is Steve and Bobby

   One is a NASCAR-type bad guy in college circles. The other's name is dirt in the NFL.

   Many SEC observers are likely taking glee in the tough times of Steve Spurrier and Bobby Petrino, who face lo-o-o-o-ng seasons without a reversal of fortunes.

   Spurrier has dropped seven of eight games at South Carolina. The culprit this year is offense, where his influence is greatest, given that the accomplished strategist calls three-fourths of the plays. For the most part, he turns over the defense to his coordinator.

   "Blocking and throwing and catching has been our biggest problem," says Spurrier, whose wisecracks and occasional jabs at others suggests he enjoys wearing the black hat. "We haven't had a consistent running attack or a consistent passing attack. How's that?"

   Not good, especially since he views the roster as his most talented yet at the school.

   Worse, the Gamecocks have shelved receiver Kenny McKinley, their main threat, for at least another week with an injury. As consolation, the next opponent is Wofford.

   Then there is Arkansas, which could face four straight Top 10 teams for the first time in NCAA history in a single season. The Razorbacks confront No. 9 Alabama this week, followed by a makeup with No. 7 Texas, then No. 4 Florida and No. 10 Auburn.

   Under new coach Bobby Petrino, who fled the scorned Atlanta Falcons in the middle of last season and probably shut the door on future head jobs in the NFL, the Razorbacks had hoped to rev up for the scary run with blowout wins. But they eked past Western Illinois and Lousiana-Monroe by a combined five points.

   "Change is hard on everybody, and particularly seniors," said Petrino, explaining the slow start. "They've got to work on buying in."

   Outside of their own communities, few tears are being shed for Spurrier and Petrino. Perhaps the pair should look forward to Nov. 8, when one is sure to win. It's Arkansas vs. S.C. in Columbia.

   What are your feelings toward the two coaches? Love to see 'em suffer?

   

No Dawg-Pounding in Columbia

Steve Spurrier stomped. Grimaced. Kicked imaginary objects. Squeezed his cap. And that was just in one series.
The ol' ball coach can't stomach letting an upset get away, and South Carolina had Georgia reeling. First down at the Bulldogs' 2, late in the day, he called a toss sweep that ended with a fumble to the other guys. A subsequent drive to the UGA 27 came up pointless, too. Final score: 14-7.
Spurrier must feel he's on a treadmill -- running fast, going nowhere. The Gamecocks have a close-but-no-cig habit against superior foes.
Honestly, do you feel a tad bit sorry for Spurrier? Or, given that he called about two-third of the plays, no pity?
Light a stogie for Mark Richt, a phenomenal 26-4 in away games since enlisting with Georgia. It was his staff's brilliant quarterback keeper call for Matthew Stafford to set up the Dogs' sole TD that spelled the difference.