South Carolina: The Week That Was <\/strong><\/p>\n The Gamecocks played poorly against a 2-5 Vanderbilt club on home turf, but fought long enough to scratch out a shaky 14-10 win. Carolina\u2019s defense allowed only three points (Vandy\u2019s one touchdown was a kickoff return), but coach Steve Spurrier\u2019s offense was stuck in molasses for almost all of the night. Down 10-7 early in the fourth quarter and starting a drive on their own 1, the Gamecocks had no assurance that they\u2019d be able to avoid an embarrassing home loss, but in short order, they caught just enough lightning to stave off the upset-minded Commodores. Quarterback Stephen Garcia completed two passes for 66 yards to move Carolina to the Vandy 33. A few plays later, on 3rd and 20 from the 43, Garcia hit his trusted new target, freshman receiver Alshon Jeffery, for a touchdown that allowed the Gamecocks to move to 6-2 on the season.<\/p>\n Tennessee: The Week That Was <\/strong><\/p>\n The Volunteers and coach Lane Kiffin scored another moral victory against an elite SEC foe, but they couldn\u2019t post a new number in the official \u201cwin\u201d column, falling to Alabama by a 12-10 score in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tennessee\u2019s defense, under coordinator Monte Kiffin, is singlehandedly keeping the Vols in games this year. A unit led by super safety Eric Berry thoroughly smothered the Crimson Tide, keeping the No. 2 team in the nation out of the end zone and forcing four field goals \u2013 two of them long ones (49 and 50 yards) \u2013 from Alabama placekicker Leigh Tiffin. The Week That Is: <\/strong><\/p>\n Despite their 3-4 record, the Vols are indeed gaining in confidence and consistency under the two Kiffins \u2013 Lane the son and Monte the father are coaxing all-out efforts from an imperfect but highly motivated team. The squad that was brutally bad in September has become competitive in October. Jonathan Crompton isn\u2019t leaking turnovers the way he had been earlier in the year, and the Vols aren\u2019t giving away free points anymore. This is definitely a team that\u2019s going in the right direction.<\/p>\n South Carolina has also revealed its vulnerabilities. A close-shave win over Vanderbilt indicated that this second-tier program has not found the swagger needed to roll through an SEC schedule. Great SEC teams should crush Vanderbilt, but the Gamecocks almost lost to them at home.![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/football\/sportsbook_NCAAGOTW1_250x250_mybanner1.gif\")
<\/a>Thanks to a late fumble recovery, a touchdown, and a subsequent recovery of an onside kick, Tennessee gained a chance to steal a win on the road, but Volunteer kicker Daniel Lincoln saw his 45-yard field goal get blocked on the game\u2019s final play by Alabama\u2019s Terrence \u201cMount\u201d Cody.<\/p>\n
\nWith all this being said, it\u2019s hard to understand why the Vols are favored by more than five points. Tennessee\u2019s offense is improving not because of increased scoring punch, but because of decreased turnovers. South Carolina owns a very good defense in its own right, and Stephen Garcia is a better quarterback than Crompton. Maybe Tennessee ekes out a win, but the Vols definitely won\u2019t cover the spread.<\/p>\n