Who ya got? Week 8

Hard to imagine that after this week, we'll be down to the final third of the season. Seems like only last week when Les Miles and LSU were lucking past an inferior opponent . . . wait, it was last week.

Forget the past. This is about the day after tomorrow, when Miles' charges will be decided underdogs for the first time this year. The undefeated Tigers' mojo will be sorely challenged by Heisman run-away Cam Newton and his equally undefeated band of merry Tiger/Plainsmen. War Eagle.

Saturday also brings us the latest episode of The Real Bulldogs of Georgia Respectability Tour. Based on the woofing by Dawg Nation that followed their team's gallant stands against Vandy and the worst Tennessee team of my lifetime, a win this week over Kentucky will certainly have the Leg Humpers making hotel reservations for the BCS Championship game.

Beat up Alabama goes into Knoxville where rested Tennessee has dug the trench lines for a last stand. And there's good news at last in Gainesville: Florida doesn't play.

Here we go.

LSU vs. Auburn: A simple question for Auburn critics: If Cam Newton is a one-man show, why can't anybody defend him? If it truly is 11 on 1 every week, how does Newton run and throw with such ease that, in the words of Bear Bryant, "it looks like he got to practice an hour early."

Odds are, the big man will be hit by LSU like he hasn't been hit all year. Patrick Patterson will take AU receiver Darvin Adams out of the game, so in theory Gus Malzahn's offense will be somewhat limited.

Which brings this one-word response: So?

LSU's offense still looks like a schizophrenic who goes on and off his medication. Auburn's defenders will give up enough yards to backfill the Louisiana Purchase. But they'll make a few key stops, then get out of the way of the Newton Express. Two undefeated Tigers become one. Auburn, 35-27

Alabama at Tennessee: This one has a bad feel to it -- like "300" of "The Alamo" or one of those other historic melodramas with welling music, drawn-out death scenes and inspiration galore. Barf. Tennessee is awful. But, with the exception of their putrid effort at Georgia, the Vols play hard for at least a half. This week they're rested (Surprise! another Tide opponent with two weeks to prepare) and they're facing Alabama, which every Tennessean over 35 hates more than ring worm. Alabama, on the other hand, has played tepidly on the road at Arkansas and South Carolina, particularly on defense. This also will be its eighth straight game, the offense has bogged down and Julio Jones still can't get through an airport metal detector. That said, Nick Saban would have us believe his team is climbing out of the crater left by the South Carolina loss. Show us. Tide, 24-14.

Georgia at Kentucky We won't have a repeat of the pinball wizardry displayed by Auburn and Arkansas last week, but bring extra batteries for the calculator just in case. The Georgia team got run over by a truck early in the year, leaving Mark Richt's team in more bandages than the English Patient. Each week in rehab, they add a little more weight. Can Georgia lift its way past Kentucky? By the cold, wet nose of its improving defense. Woof, 31-28

South Carolina at Vandy The Gamecocks' loss last week at Kentucky, as beautifully staged and as utterly predictable as Italian opera, turns what should be a walk-over into an veritable aria about loss and second chances. If the Dores somehow win, they take the lead in the SEC East. Sorry, but I have to sit down for a minute. That notion is definitely out of my range. USC, 24-16

Ole Miss at Arkansas: Remember Tiger Paws, the tire with the cartoon ad that had claws protruding under the bumpers to keep the car on the road? Unfortunately for Arkansas, a set of real Tiger mits shredded the Hogs' season last week and raised new questions on whether coach Bobby Petrino will ever care enough about defense to be competitive in the SEC. Ole Miss, on the other hand, passed its share of licks at Alabama, even though Jeremiah Masoli and the Reb offense were hit far more than it hit back. The key here is the absence of Hog QB Ryan Mallett and the level of shell shock experienced by the Arkansas defense. Cam Newon still haunts the dreams of Fayetteville. Black Rebel Bears, 31-28.

UAB vs. Mississippi State: The team no one wants to play demonstrates why. Bullies, 35-10.