Paschall's Picks: Former Georgia Bulldogs Collide

photo Georgia Bulldogs UGA logo

OTHER PICKSArkansas 23, Rutgers 22Texas A&M 58, SMU 15Mississippi State 39, Troy 14Missouri 41, Indiana 33Virginia Tech 26, Marshall 10Wake Forest 21, Army 19Pittsburgh 32, Duke 26Syracuse 37, Tulane 18Maryland 20, W. Virginia 17Virginia 45, VMI 7FSU 48, Bethune-Cookman 3Miami 63, Savannah State 6Florida Atlantic 26, MTSU 21Ohio St. 48, Florida A&M 13Louisville 45, FIU 10Stanford 24, Arizona St. 19UCLA 42, Nex Mexico St. 7

Saturday night's game between Auburn and LSU could be billed as the SEC's "Battle of the Tigers," though Missouri might feel left out.

It's not expected to be hailed as the "Battle of Dismissed Georgia Players."

In what will be an SEC first, the two starting quarterbacks at Tiger Stadium will have originated from a third league party. LSU starter Zach Mettenberger signed with Georgia in 2009 before leaving a year later, while Auburn starter Nick Marshall began his college career as a Georgia cornerback in 2011 before departing several months later.

"That is interesting, isn't it?" South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said Wednesday. "Guys transfer nowadays, and quarterbacks especially. Quarterbacks sign with a school, and sometimes they get into a little trouble, and other times maybe there's just a guy there who is going to be the starter.

"With most other positions, it's wait your turn and you'll get your chance to play."

Mettenberger was dismissed from Georgia in the spring of 2010 as a result of an incident at a south Georgia bar in which he pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. Marshall was dismissed in the winter of 2012 for reportedly stealing money from a teammate's dorm room.

Asked Wednesday what he thought of the uniqueness of LSU-Auburn, Georgia coach Mark Richt said, "I believe in stories of redemption."

Pasquali's Pix:

Clemson at N.C. State: Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd + ESPN = an evening of Heisman Trophy hype. Tigers 42, Wolfpack 23.

Vanderbilt at UMass: It wasn't that long ago when UMass was playing in the FCS ranks at Finley Stadium. Commodores 30, Minutemen 10.

North Carolina at Georgia Tech: In last year's meeting, Tech won 68-50 in the highest-scoring ACC game ever. Yellow Jackets 27, Tar Heels 24.

North Texas at Georgia: The Bulldogs share their nickname with Fresno State, Mississippi State and Louisiana Tech. The Mean Green share with no one. Bulldogs 44, Mean Green 17.

Tennessee at Florida: Nothing like a couple of fan bases tickled pink over their quarterback situation. Gators 33, Volunteers 10.

Michigan State at Notre Dame: The Michigan series may be over, but the Irish will still be playing Michigan State, Purdue and Southern Cal. Irish 26, Spartans 23.

Colorado State at Alabama: Conference supremacy at stake between SEC and Mountain West. Crimson Tide 41, Rams 7.

Auburn at LSU: When Gus Malzahn was Auburn's offensive coordinator and took trips to Baton Rouge in 2009 and '11, his Tigers managed just 193 and 248 yards. LSU 38, Auburn 16.

Last week:

Winners............................23

Yeldon throat slashes....2

Pasquali is 68-7 overall (90.7 percent) this season.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

Upcoming Events