CFI: THE SEC REPORT

BY RALPH GARCIA
SEC INSIDER

LSU 28 Florida 24
The Heavyweight Bout

As this game began both teams were aware this was a “must win” situation. For Florida, it would be their second loss in the SEC in as many weeks and possibly the end of their hopes to repeat. For LSU it was a chance to show the college football world that they belonged at number one for the first time since 1959. It started as a good game and turned into a classic. Like old school fighters -- they went to the center of the field and threw haymakers. They both landed hooks and uppercuts without flinching…each team refusing to hit the canvass. The youth of the Gators would not show on this night. They hung in tight and matched the Tigers punch for punch. The offensive line did a great job of holding All American tackle Glenn Dorsey all night. The Gators had three separate 10-point leads but could not overcome a hellacious LSU fourth quarter rally. When the game reached the championship rounds it was LSU Head Coach Les Miles making all the right calls from his corner. He went for it on fourth down five times and made it. He challenged a kick return that netted him about nine yards but that paid off too. Each of his decisions dictated the next one. Then with less than a minute to go LSU landed the knockout blow when they took their first lead of the night. It was 28-24 and all LSU had to do was wait for the ref to count out the Gators. In the end it was LSU left standing and looking towards a possible date not only in Atlanta but in the BCS Championship game as well for two title matches.

South Carolina 38 Kentucky 23
Wildcats not so ready for primetime

It was Thursday night allowing Kentucky and South Carolina to play in front of the entire nation. Looks like the Wildcats were not prepared for it -- armed with the number eight ranking and a Heisman candidate the team could not get its first win against Gamecock coach Steve Spurrier. He came in 14-0 against them and made it 15-0 clearly out coaching Rich Brooks. Less than five minutes into the game defensive end Eric Norwood scooped up an Andre Woodson fumble and ran it in from two yards out to make it 7-0. He would later tie an NCAA record with his second fumble return for a touchdown. That one was good for 53 yards. The Gamecock defense was hitting hard and showing its speed from the start. They forced Woodson to make bad decisions and costly mistakes. He had a chance to atone for the fumble but threw an interception deep in South Carolina territory to stop a threat. Rafael Little (135 yards rushing) also played his heart out, but it wasn’t enough. On offense, South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley continues to improve with each game. This young team has bought into the belief of their coach that they are contenders now. The offense is clicking, as is the defense. Chemistry has made its way into the soul of this team and they are now sitting atop the SEC East. Remember before the start of the season…Coach Spurrier told them and anyone who would listen, that this team would compete for the SEC East. Well the ole ball coach was right -- back in familiar surroundings with a top 10 ranking and in the thick of things in the SEC. Can it be possible that this team will be playing in Atlanta for the SEC Championship? Looking good so far, but as we all know, there’s a lot of football left boys and girls.

Tennessee 35 Georgia 14
Vols come out fighting and get back in East race

At the team meetings during the week, it was said that the coaching staff was mad. They said the players were embarrassed by their lack of play. Up on the hill, the cries for Coach Phillip Fulmer’s head were louder than at anytime during his career at UT. The pistol was to their heads and it was time to respond -- the Volunteer faithful just wasn’t gonna take it anymore. Then Tennessee responded by absolutely dominating the Bulldogs. Backs Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty pounded any player that came near them.

"It was huge from a confidence standpoint and, as everybody knows, the SEC East is wide open," Foster said. "We'd had enough." The offensive and defensive line punished the Dawgs all day. Oh and the horrid special teams play -- all gone. They allowed a total of 66 yards in returns as they gave Georgia return men no room to move. Everything that was wrong was now right. Tennessee even used a trick play when LaMarcus Coker caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Lucas Taylor. They had over 400 total yards with 190 of it coming on the ground. They played with a chip on their shoulders and must now keep it there if they hope to run the table in the East. They control their own destiny now and are back in the hunt. Considering what this season was looking like last week, back in the hunt is not a bad place to be for UT.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media