Meyer mighty against three biggest rivals

One of the biggest problems facing Tennessee this weekend is that Florida football coach Urban Meyer still considers the Vols an extremely important rival.

And we all know how Meyer treats rivals.

The Gators are 11-1 against Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State since Meyer was hired to replace Ron Zook following the 2004 season. The Bulldogs have been the only team to break through, winning 42-30 in 2007 after their memorable end-zone celebration in the first quarter, but the payback was brutal last season as Florida rolled 49-10.

Tennessee has been outscored 126-53 the past four years against Florida and was upset last weekend by UCLA, but Meyer doesn’t believe any of that has lessened Saturday’s importance.

“There is such an emphasis here, really created by us, that this is all about the SEC and winning that East,” Meyer said. “If you win the East, you get to Atlanta. Look at the ’90s. There was a time when the winner of this game would go to Atlanta.

“Obviously Georgia has had a say since, but I think the timing of the game and the history of the game has made this rivalry very significant.”

Saturday’s game is quite significant from a historical standpoint, as the series is deadlocked at 19-19. After the 1992 meeting, a resounding 31-14 Vols win in Knoxville, Tennessee led the rivalry 15-7.

Pasquali’s Pix:

Georgia Tech at Miami: So far, so good in Miami’s opening gauntlet of Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma. Hurricanes 27, Yellow Jackets 24.

North Texas at Alabama: Methinks that stat about Nick Saban never having consecutive 10-win seasons will expire here in a couple of months. Crimson Tide 48 Mean Green 7.

UTC at Presbyterian: The Mocs may be ineligible for the Championship Subdivision playoffs, but they’re about to be runners-up in the Furman Invitational. Mocs 23, Blue Hose 20.

Tennessee at Florida: According to the NCAA research department, nobody has ever gotten outcoached by Rick Neuheisel and then outcoached Meyer the following week. Gators 42, Vols 9.

Mississippi State at Vanderbilt: The Commodores not only need to bounce back but could use a week without a serious injury. Commodores 27, Bullies 23.

Florida State at BYU: The Cougars did not allow a play of 20 yards against Oklahoma and face a Seminoles team that trailed Jacksonville State 9-7 with less than a minute to play. Cougars 23, Seminoles 13.

Georgia at Arkansas: Defeating a respected foe like Georgia could go a long way for a program like Arkansas. Look how long it worked for Oklahoma State. Razorbacks 20, Bulldogs 17.

West Virginia at Auburn: Gene Chizik’s Tigers are the early surprise of the SEC, but West Virginia, which outscored Auburn 27-0 in the second half of last year’s matchup, will be the best barometer yet. Tigers 30, Mountaineers 24.

Last week:

Winners..............................21

Crompton turnovers...........4

Pasquali is 39-11 overall (78.0 percent) this season.

OTHER PICKS

Kentucky 33, Louisville 16

LSU 30, UL-Lafayette 21

So. Carolina 24, Fla. Atlantic 15

Ole Miss 51, SE Louisiana 7

Clemson 21, Boston College 16

Kansas 48, Duke 21

Maryland 29, MTSU 24

No. Carolina 24, East Carolina 13

N.C. State 52, Gardner-Webb 7

Southern Miss 19, Virginia 14

Virginia Tech 24, Nebraska 17

Wake Forest 20, Elon 9

Texas 45, Texas Tech 20

Southern Cal 34, Washington 21

Penn State 38, Temple 6

Notre Dame 31, Michigan St. 22

Ohio State 37, Toledo 14