Florida coach Urban Meyer is dealing with his first jolt of adversity in six seasons of guiding the Gators, which is why this may be the most important open date of his career.
Does he stick with junior quarterback John Brantley, who has looked uncomfortable running the offense? Does he turn to freshman Trey Burton? Or does he retire with his two national titles and recommend Mississippi State's Dan Mullen as his successor.
That last bit is a stretch for now, but as Meyer said Wednesday, "Obviously we've got to get this thing turned around."
The Gators are 4-3 for the first time since 2004, when Ron Zook was canned, and the same program that averaged 44.9 points in SEC games two years ago has been held under 10 twice this season, a first since 1988. In Florida's last three games, all losses, one third of drives ended in punts, one third in turnovers and one third in scores or missed field goals.
"We used to be 50-plus percent scoring, No. 1 in the country," Meyer said. "We're down to 19 percent scoring on drives. That's all being evaluated. That's all on paper. That's all up on our board, and now we're addressing how to fix all those issues."
Tailback Jeff Demps should be back at full strength next week against Georgia. Chris Rainey is eligible to play following a lengthy suspension, but Meyer hasn't decided if he will.
Pasquali's Pix:
Ole Miss at Arkansas: It must be a pretty stout SEC West when this is a battle for fifth place. Razorbacks 45, Rebels 28.
UTC at Furman: The Mocs are the only Division I team in the state with a winning record, and they're assured of owning that distinction next week, too. Mocs 27, Paladins 24.
LSU at Auburn: There once was this unbelievable quarterback in the SEC named Tim Tebow who could really run and throw. Newtons 26, Miles 23.
Georgia Tech at Clemson: A rematch of last season's ACC championship is likely an elimination game this time around. Tigers 20, Yellow Jackets 16.
South Carolina at Vanderbilt: The latest from the soft-spoken Steve Spurrier: "We have a problem at South Carolina football called passing defense." Gamecocks 23, Commodores 16.
Alabama at Tennessee: The Vols are as well-rested as Bama fans, who had plenty of chances to sleep through last week's win over Ole Miss. Crimson Tide 27, Vols 13.
UAB at Mississippi State: Who had the Bullies attaining bowl eligibility this early? Bulldogs 39, Blazers 20.
Georgia at Kentucky: And who had Aaron Murray and Mike Hartline vying to be the best quarterback in the SEC East? Bulldogs 34, Wildcats 29.
Last week:
Winners.......................19
Helmet to helmets.........6
Pasquali is 142-33 overall (81.1 percent) this season.
OTHER PICKS
Oregon 38, UCLA 23
Virginia Tech 45, Duke 14
Boston Coll. 28, Maryland 21
Virginia 33, E. Michigan 16
Miami 24, North Carolina 20
MTSU 31, La.-Monroe 24
Notre Dame 27, Navy 17
Oklahoma 30, Missouri 21
TCU 31, Air Force 16
Mich. St. 31, N'western 22
Utah 35, Colorado State 7
Iowa 19, Wisconsin 10
Ohio State 38, Purdue 9
Stanford 49, Wash. St. 18
Nebraska 36, Okla. St. 26
Arizona 42, Washington 23
W. Virginia 23, Syracuse 20