What We Learned, No. 2: Two Big QBs Give Teams Big Edge

   In a league with a dearth of quarterbacks (see No. 5), Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford stand out. Not because of their prodigious height, but their high football IQs.

   Tebow, who was so geeked up before the LSU game that he seemed to need a tranquilizer, helmed a masterful team effort by Florida in a 51-21 win. The Gators doused growing skepticism about their worth with a performance that returns them to the national title discussion.

  And when Percy Harvin's ankle heals, they might have to outlaw Florida's fleet receiver. Nobody will be able to cover him.

   How do you rate the Gators' chances to reach the BCS Championship game?

   Stafford, whose statistics rarely reflect his achievements, enjoyed his first 300-yard passing game in a worse-than-it-looks 26-14 win over Tennessee. The Bulldogs had red-zone problems' otherwise, they looked golden.

   Tebow or Stafford: Who's your favorite?

   Florida vs. Georgia is around the corner. Who do you like?

   

What We Learned, No. 3: Vandy And A Visor Are Hurting

   It was only a matter of time that Vanderbilt, leading the SEC East despite owning the worst combined offensive and defensive statistics in the league, would fall back to earth. Not surprising that it happened on the road, even at so-so Mississippi State. 

  Normalcy thus returns to the division, meaning the Florida-Georgia outcome likely will determine the champ. The Commodores are still a gaudy 5-1 but likely to sink out of the Top 25 before the season's end. Enjoy it while you can, Vandy.

   Do you think the Commodores were overrated at No. 13?

   South Carolina, meantime, is 5-2 but nowhere near a national ranking. Steve Spurrier beat his trademark visor mercilessly -- darn near strangling it -- while the Gamecocks committed four turnovers, missed four field goals and misfired on open passes that he and S.O.S. Jr., the offensive coordinator, called.

   After the game, Spurrier Sr. named Stephen Garcia the starting quarterback next week. Hey, kid, don't buy tickets for the whole family yet. Last week, the Ol' Ball Coach elevated Garcia, then changed his mind a few days later.

   Is Garcia the guy? Can he haul the Gamecocks into the Top 25?

   

What We Learned, No. 4: Hey, Phil, Make Room For Tommy

   It may be unfair to rip on Tommy Tuberville for Auburn's anemic offense (193 yards, one offensive touchdown) while playing a few days after he jettisoned coordinator Tony Franklin.

   I'm going to, anyway. Why not wait, T.T., until the bye next Saturday, which would allow you more time to tweak the sorry-so-far spread? The mid-week staff switcheroo was a disruption that might have titled the scales toward Arkansas.

   There isn't much room on any seat when the rotund Phil Fulmer occupies it, but he'll have to slide over so Tuberville can plop down on the coaching hot seat.

   Does he deserve to be there?

   As for Tennessee, the 24-12 score against Georgia hides the fact that the Volunteers were dominated. (One rushing yard? Oh, my.) As Larry Munson would say, the Bulldogs crushed them with a hobnail boot. Barring a turn-around this year, if The Big Orange Pumpkin is back next season, the only plausible explanation is his costly $6 million buyout.

   Would you contribute to it, Vols fans?  

What We Learned, No. 5: SEC Often Offensive With Ball

   Criticism from Big 12 backers that the SEC has too many popgun offenses is increasingly valid. Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Tennessee all lost primarily because of pathetic attacks. Even in victory, South Carolina's was sorry.

   The quarterbacks' revolving door dilemma is evidence of offensive ineptitude. More than half of the teams have a time-share situation or cannot settle on one guy.

   If you have been dazzled by Texas, Teas Tech, Oklahoma and Missouri, you can understand why the SEC's defense-trumps-all argument is shaky. Year in and year out, the jury of football gods would rule in your favor. This year? Guilty of offensive blahs.

   Have you watched much Big 12? What do you think a hypothetical 12-game matchup (1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, etc.) would show?  

Another Awesome Saturday In The SEC

While wondering if the league's spotty quarterback play will doom its hopes of sending a rep to the BCS Championship Game, here are my thoughts on this weekend's games, listed in chronological order.
--South Carolina at Kentucky. Doubt that the Gamecocks' 31-point explosion at Ole Miss means their offensive headaches are cured. Chris Smelley remains at QB against a stout Kentucky defense that could force Steve Spurrier to go to his bullpen yet again.
--Vanderbilt at Mississippi State: Sure, the 'Dores are unbeaten, but they've built their record on a shaky foundation. They rank last offensively in the league, 10th on defense. Fortunately, they confront a team with a walk-on QB, Tyson Lee, in his second start. Look for another narrow Vandy triumph.
--Tennessee at Georgia: The buzz in Athens all week was the Bulldogs' being the nation's most penalized team. Oh, the horror! The Vols should be so lucky. Their offense is dead in the water. Two players were suspended. They are grateful to get outa town, where the natives are restless, but would prefer another destination than Athens.
--Arkansas at Auburn: An off-the-radar game has drawn the spotlight with Auburn's firing of offensive coordinaor Tony Franklin. Not to be overlooked are the Tigers forcing to employ two freshmen in the secondary. If the Razorbacks are ever gonna win, this is the time.
--LSU at Florida: It's no fun playing Florida under the lights in the Swamp. But the Tigers' formidable defense gets the nod against Urban Meyer's spread offense, which has lost the element of surprise. Florida's title hopes could go up in smoke.

Let's Be Frank(lin): Did Tuberville Fib About Tony?

   There are two plausible scenarios about how the firing of Tony Franklin as Auburn's offensive coordinator Tony Franklin unfolded.

   (1.) Head coach Tommy Tuberville lied from Sunday till Tuesday when he lauded Franklin's work and said no staff changes were being considered.

   (2.) Something happened behind the scenes the past day or two that soured their relationship, either personal or philosophical.

   Here's what I think: Tuberville asked Franklin to alter his game-planning, perhaps to use less of his cherished spread offense. Or it could have been contrasting opinions on which quarterback, Chris Todd or Kodi Burns, to employ.

   Tuberville is now saying that the spread ain't dead at Auburn, which stands to reason because next year's recruiting class is tailored for that offense. So, it's peculiar that he dumped one of the foremost champions of the spread, Franklin being considered as knowledgeable as anyone about it.

   I can see Franklin unwilling to compromise. I can see Tuberville exercising his authority with a my-way-or-the-highway response.

   Given Auburn's No. 104 offensive ranking (out of 119 teams) in Division 1, a shakeup was foreseeable. Still, canning a coordinator in midseason is highly unusual. I eagerly await Franklin's take on this because we're not likely to hear the whole story from his former boss.