There is one huge Southeastern Conference football game today. There is one game that was huge in 2001. And then there's the rest of schedule.
In fact, except for the die-hards, today is a fine Saturday to take the kids to the park early before the Alabama-Florida power struggle and the LSU-Tennessee affair, which is a rematch of the 2001 SEC title game.
Here are quick breakdowns of today's games involving SEC teams:
Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn
Noon at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.
TV: ESPNU
Breakdown: Quick, name the last team to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa? You got it, the Louisiana-Monroe Fightin' Monroes (OK, I made that up). Still, this is a team that has a tradition of scaring bigger foes, and Auburn has a tradition of struggling in these noon (11 a.m. Central) kickoffs. Auburn will win, but it's not going to be as big as some might think.
Line: Auburn minus 35
Pick: Auburn, 42-14
VANDY at UCONN
Noon at Rentschler Field in Storrs, Conn.
Radio: 1310 AM
Breakdown: Vandy enters on a winning streak and has not lost in two weeks. Yes, you read that right. It's been two years since Vandy has won back-to-back games. And the Commodores own the all-time series with UConn (OK, it's 1-0, but still). Something tells me they are going to have a big head today.
Line: UConn minus 7 1/2
Pick: UConn, 27-16
ALCORN STATE at MISSISSIPPI STATE
Noon at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Miss.
TV: Fox Sports South
Breakdown: Chris Relf was outstanding in the Bulldogs' win over Georgia last week, and Mississippi State (2-2) has a real chance to string together a few wins starting today.
Line: None
Pick: MSU, 49-10
KENTUCKY at OLE MISS
12:21 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.
TV: SEC Network (WDSI)
Breakdown: Ole Miss finally broke free offensively last week behind Brandon Bolden's 228 rushing yards. The line on this game has moved from even to the Rebels minus-3, which screams something. I'm not sure what, but at least it looks a little bit funny. Not ha-ha funny, but funny nonetheless.
Line: Ole Miss minus 3
Pick: Ole Miss, 28-17
TENNESSEE at LSU
3:30 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
TV/Radio: CBS (WDEF)/106.5 FM
Breakdown: That seems like a whole bunch of points, right? Something that always has been accepted as solid - please note there are zero absolutes in gambling; otherwise it wouldn't be, you know, gambling - that if a line looks too big, it's generally not enough. Think about that one for a while.
Line: LSU minus 16 1/2
Pick: LSU, 34-9
GEORGIA at COLORADO
7 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo.
TV/Radio: Fox Sports South/107.9 FM
Breakdown: Welcome back, A.J. Green, it's been too long. This one has the feel like it could get away from the home team. Some built-up Georgia angst, the Bulldogs' best player returning to the lineup and being away from home and the frustration of Bulldogs Nation.
Line: Georgia minus 4 1/2
Pick: Georgia, 33-17
FLORIDA at ALABAMA
8 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TV/Radio: CBS (WDEF)/99.3 and 97.3 FM
Breakdown: This one could be great, and look for the Gators to pull out all the stops early - think trick plays, maybe even an onside kick. In the end, though, Alabama is good - really good - and this is Florida quarterback John Brantley's fifth career and first road start.
Line: Alabama minus 8
Pick: Alabama, 31-21