Less stress on Fulmer this time? Probably, but only slightly

Posted 3:48PM on Wednesday 18th September 2002 ( 22 years ago )

ATLANTA - Phillip Fulmer doesn't have Steve Spurrier to worry about anymore, which should make Saturday's Southeastern Conference showdown between No. 4 Tennessee and No. 10 Florida less stressful for the Vols' coach - but only slightly. Fulmer's team managed to win only three of 10 games when Spurrier was directing the Gators, but the Vols won in Gainesville last year for the first time since 1971. "The preparation hasn't changed," Fulmer said of his first clash with the Gators since Ron Zook took over as coach after Spurrier suddenly resigned and took a job in the NFL as the head man of the Washington Redskins. "It's always been a huge game," Fulmer said. The Gators enter with a 2-1 record, having easily defeated Alabama-Birmingham 51-3 before losing its first showdown badly, 41-16 to defending national champion Miami. Last week, the Gators struggled to a 34-6 victory over outmanned Ohio University. Tennessee got a week off after opening the season with victories over Wyoming and Middle Tennessee. "You can say what you want, or think what you want, but they're the No. 10 team coming in here with one loss to the defending national champions, and they're very good," Fulmer said. The winner will become the team to beat in the SEC East. Tennessee and Florida are the only teams that have represented the division in the conference championship game. "We've played three games, we've got nine to go," Zook said. "It takes time to get through some growing pains, some learning pains. We weren't as good Saturday as we're going to be at the end of the year. But we feel we're a football team that's making a lot of progress." The progress of Zook's team will hit a speed bump in Neyland Stadium, where the Vols are favored by 3 1/2. Tennessee 28-17. Elsewhere around the Southeastern Conference this week, with Arkansas and No. 24 LSU idle: Auburn (minus 2) at Mississippi State, Thursday night: The Tigers snapped their four-game losing streak against the Bulldogs last year. This game will start a streak of its own. Auburn 21-17. Southern Mississippi (plus 7) at Alabama: It will be interesting to see how Crimson Tide players react after the NCAA upheld sanctions earlier this week that will keep 'Bama out of bowls for two years. Southern has a history of giving the Tide fits, even though Alabama has a commanding 30-6-2 series lead. Alabama 24-21. Middle Tennessee (plus 6 1/2) at Kentucky: The Wildcats are on a roll, but this one won't be easy. Kentucky 21-17. Temple (plus 14 1/2) at South Carolina: The Owls caught some eyes last week when they stayed with top-ranked Miami for a while before losing 44-21. Carolina hasn't caught anyone's eye yet in three straight lackluster performances. Maybe Lou Holtz gets the Gamecocks on the right foot this week. South Carolina 21-13. Northwestern Louisiana (no line) at No. 8 Georgia: The Bulldogs are unbeaten and unappreciated after struggling to victories over Clemson and South Carolina. That situation won't change after the Demons leave town with their first loss in four games. Georgia 35-7. Vanderbilt (plus 21) at Mississippi: It's about time Eli Manning got things going his way early in a game. Ole Miss 24-7. Last week's totals: 9-0 straight, 4-4 vs. spread. For year: 27-3 straight, 13-12-1 vs. spread.

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