GAME NOTES: The fifth-ranked LSU Tigers and the 14th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers will do battle this weekend for the SEC championship. This game will take place at the Georgia Dome, and a berth in the Sugar Bowl is on the line. Tennessee is the Eastern Division champion, a title the team secured with a 52-50 victory over Kentucky in a four-overtime marathon. The Vols, who are 9-3 overall and 6-2 in league play, actually tied with Georgia for division supremacy, but a 35-14 romp over the Bulldogs on October 6th served as the tie- breaker. Tennessee has now won five straight games and returns to the SEC title contest for the first time since 2004. LSU is 10-2 overall, and the team finished 6-2 in conference to win the SEC Western Division outright for the first time in program history. The Tigers have now won at least 10 games in three straight seasons, and their only two losses this year have both come in triple overtime. LSU owned the top spot in the AP poll heading into last weekend's clash with Arkansas, but the 50-48 setback seemingly cost Les Miles' club a shot at the national title. The Tigers are making their fourth all-time SEC Championship Game appearance, and the club has twice captured the title. The Vols own a 20-6-3 series lead over LSU, but the Tigers have won two of the last three meetings. Last season, LSU beat Tennessee by a 28-24 final in a tremendously competitive contest.

Tennessee scored 14 points in the first quarter against Kentucky, then another 10 points in the second quarter. The production continued to gradually increase over the next two quarters, as the Vols managed just seven points in the third frame before being blanked in the fourth. Fortunately, Erik Ainge remained poised at the quarterback position and led his squad to a memorable victory. Ainge threw a record seven touchdown passes and finished with 397 yards through the air. Arian Foster, who rushed for 118 yards, also caught nine passes for 98 yards and one touchdown. As for Lucas Taylor, he made six grabs for 103 yards and a score. Tennessee is scoring 35.0 ppg while gaining 403.9 total ypg, and the team can move the ball both on the ground and through the air. Foster has 208 carries for 1,107 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he has scored twice as a receiver as well. Ainge has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,908 yards and 27 touchdowns against only eight interceptions. As for Taylor, he has recorded 71 catches for 975 yards and five scores.

After a tremendous start against the explosive Kentucky offense last weekend, the Vols had a hard time slowing down the Wildcats late in that contest. It's hard to give the defense much credit for the victory, as Tennessee allowed 31 points in regulation and another 19 in the extra session. Kentucky racked up 37 first downs and 564 total yards, and most of the damage was done through the air. Opponents are posting only 28.7 ppg against Tennessee, which is allowing 402.9 total ypg to the opposition. The Vols have yielded 37 total touchdowns, 23 of which have been passing scores. There is room for improvement against both the run and the pass, but with the exception of last weekend's clash, Tennessee has played strong defense during the current winning streak. Jerod Mayo leads the Vols with 112 total tackles, and Eric Berry has recorded four interceptions.

LSU is averaging 40.2 ppg and 446.8 total ypg this season, as the team can move the ball effectively both on the ground and through the air. The Tigers have scored 58 offensive touchdowns in 12 games, including 34 scores on the ground. The most productive back has been Jacob Hester, as he has rushed for 897 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 5.0 ypc. Keiland Williams checks in with 424 yards and six scores, while Charles Scott has tallied five rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Matt Flynn, who has run for four touchdowns, has completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 2,233 yards and 17 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Brandon LaFell has made 45 catches for 576 yards and three scores for LSU, which has a few solid receivers in the mix. The Tigers did not commit a single turnover against Arkansas last weekend and finished with 413 total yards. Flynn passed for 209 yards and three touchdowns, while Hester posted 126 rushing yards and two scores.

Early on this season, the LSU defense was spectacular, limiting the first three opponents to a total of seven points, including a pair of shutouts. Unfortunately, as the season has carried on, the Tigers have been exposed at times. They have allowed 24 or more points in six of the last seven games, and the lone exception during that span was a non-conference game against a weak Louisiana Tech club. Overall, LSU is surrendering 20.1 ppg and 278.9 total ypg. Craig Steltz leads the Tigers with 89 total tackles, and he has registered six interceptions to go along with three forced fumbles. Glenn Dorsey has made 61 stops from his defensive tackle position, and he has posted 11.5 TFLs, including six sacks. LSU surrendered 50 points and 513 total yards in the loss to Arkansas last weekend. The Tigers, who were once considered the top run- stopping squad in the nation, permitted 385 rushing yards to the Razorbacks.

Go with LSU in this contest, as the Tigers have yet to be beaten in regulation this season. The Vols will keep it close, however, as they enter with a wealth of confidence.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: LSU 30, Tennessee 23