Also from today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

SATURDAY

Mississippi at Vanderbilt

• When; where (TV): 12:30 p.m.; Nashville (WATL)

• 2002 records: Mississippi 7-6, 3-5 SEC; Vanderbilt 2-10, 0-8

• Skinny: The Commodores have given Ole Miss fits the past four years, losing three times by an average of seven points and winning in overtime in 1999. Rebels quarterback Eli Manning needs a big day to legitimize his Heisman Trophy campaign.

• Latest line: Mississippi by 13

South Florida vs. Alabama

• When; where (TV): 3 p.m.; Birmingham, Ala. (ESPN)

• 2002 records: Alabama 10-2; South Florida 9-2

• Skinny: This is the head coaching debut of Mike Shula, which is why ESPN's cameras will be at Legion Field. But beating Alabama would be a career accomplishment for coach Jim Leavitt and his Bulls, who should provide a good test for how much Shula and his staff have been able to implement in only 29 days of camp.

• Latest line: Alabama by 15 1/2

Fresno State at Tennessee

• When; where (TV): 3 p.m.; Knoxville (ESPN2)

• 2002 records: Tennessee 8-5; Fresno State 9-5

• Skinny: Don't be fooled by Tennessee's status as a three-TD favorite. The West Coast Bulldogs can play, and they're "insulted" by the oddsmakers. "I don't know what Tennessee has that we don't," Fresno linebacker Marc Bailey said. Of course, he can start with that 100,000-seat stadium.

• Latest line: Tennessee by 20 1/2

Southern Cal at Auburn

• When; where (TV): 6 p.m.; Auburn, Ala. (CBS)

• 2002 records: Auburn 9-4; USC 11-2

• Skinny: Auburn looks to validate its great expectations for this season. Losing 24-17 at USC in the opening game last year may have been the difference in Auburn having a great season and what turned out to be an ordinary one. Now Southern Cal has to visit the Plains, and they'll do so without Heisman Trophy quarterback Carson Palmer, who accounted for 302 passing yards last time.

• Latest line: Auburn by 3 1/2

San Jose State at Florida

• When; where: 6 p.m.;

Gainesville, Fla.

• 2002 records: Florida 8-5; San Jose State 6-7

• Skinny: Florida fans and SEC foes alike eagerly await the unveiling of the Gators' new quarterback. It will be either heralded freshman Chris Leak, sophomore Ingle Martin or, more likely, both.

• Latest line: Florida by

24 1/2

Louisiana-LaFayette at South Carolina

• When; where: 7 p.m.;

Columbia

• 2002 records: South Carolina 5-7; La.-LaFayette 3-9

• Skinny: The Gamecocks are worried about the weight of quarterback Dondrial Pinkins. After starting the last two games of last season at 245 pounds, the junior from of Camilla, Ga., ballooned to 265 in the offseason. Coach Lou Holtz wanted him to be down to 239 by today. At last check, he should be close.

• Latest line: South Carolina by 24

Louisiana-Monroe at LSU

• When; where: 8 p.m.; Baton Rouge (ESPN)

• 2002 records: LSU 10-3; La.-Monroe 3-9,

• Skinny: When it's all said and done, the Tigers could be the class of the SEC this season. But this game will do nothing to confirm or deny that.

• Latest line: LSU by 34 1/2

Oregon at Mississippi State

• When; where (TV): 9 p.m.; Starkville (ESPN2)

• 2002 records: Miss. State 3-9; Oregon 7-6

• Skinny: This home-and-home series seemed like a good idea when coach Jackie Sherrill scheduled it a few years ago. But that was before his seat began to warm, and another loss like the 36-13 defeat the Bulldogs endured from the Ducks last year will do nothing to cool things down. By the way, State's two starting guards are out with injuries.

• Latest line: Oregon by 3 1/2

SUNDAY

Louisville at Kentucky

• When; where (TV): 6:30 p.m.; Lexington (ESPN2)

• 2002 records: Kentucky 7-5; Louisville 7-6

• Skinny: With all the scholarship sanctions, Kentucky's season should be draped in doom and gloom. But with quarterback Jared Lorenzen and playmaker Derek Abney in the fold, there actually is a touch of optimism in the air.

• Latest line: Kentucky by

5 1/2