Tennessee football should be grateful Georgia Tech left the SEC, predictions | Adams

Georgia Tech has a wonderful academic reputation. But even esteemed academicians have their stupid moments.

In 1964, Georgia Tech thought it would be a good idea to leave the SEC. In hindsight, that qualifies as one of the worst decisions in sports history.

If only in a small way, Tennessee football has benefited from Georgia Tech’s stupidity. Just check the won-loss columns.

The Vols will enter Bobby Stadium in Atlanta on Sept. 12 with a 25-17-2 record against Georgia Tech. But the series record since the Yellow Jackets bid adieu to the SEC stands at 16-4-1 in Tennessee’s favor.

Moreover, competing against Georgia has been difficult enough for the Vols. If Georgia Tech had remained in the conference, the Vols would have had to recruit against another SEC school with a talent-rich, in-state recruiting base.

Tennessee 31, Georgia Tech 17: Georgia Tech has prospered under fourth-year coach Brent Key. But you can only prosper so much as a mid-level ACC program in a state dominated by the Bulldogs.

Key might regret not moving on after winning nine games last season.

Missouri 38, Kansas 31: Just when I thought quarterback Jalon Daniels had a lifetime NIL deal at Kansas, I saw his name on the Tampa Bay Bucs’ preseason roster. That shocking development left me leaning heavily toward the Tigers and their new quarterback, Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey.

Texas A&M 31, Arizona State 16: The most stunning result of Week 1 in college football: Michigan beat Western Michigan on the last play of a 60-minute, one-second game in Ann Arbor.

The second most stunning result: Missouri State gained only 67 yards in a 50-0 loss to the Aggies. You should be able to gain more than that by running 60 quarterback sneaks.

Oklahoma 30, Michigan 23: The Wolverines will need more than an extra second against the Sooners defense, which held Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood to nine completions in 24 attempts last year in his freshman season. Take away his extra-second, Hail Mary against Western Michigan, and Underwood doesn’t look much better as a sophomore.

Georgia 57, Western Kentucky 16: Kirby Smart’s motivational skills will be challenged against the Hilltoppers, who gave up 323 yards rushing in a 49-14 loss to Nevada. The over/under on how many Hilltoppers it will take to tackle Nate Frazier has been set at three.

Alabama 34, Kentucky 20: I can’t believe SEC commissioner Greg Sankey signed off on this. An SEC game in Week 2?

Shouldn’t Alabama be playing Eastern Kentucky, and Kentucky taking on Alabama A&M?

Mississippi State 37, Minnesota 34: An underrated matchup between sophomore quarterbacks. Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor accounted for 413 yards and five touchdowns last week. Minnesota’s Drake Lindsey, who started last year as a freshman, completed 19 of 24 passes in the Gophers’ season opener.

Vanderbilt 38, Delaware 17: I saw enough of five-star freshman quarterback Jared Curtis in the Commodores’ season opener to wonder why coach Clark Lea is starting Blaze Berlowitz. Whoever is footing Curtis' NIL deal must be wondering the same thing.

Florida 58, Campbell 6: The Gators’ game against the Fighting Camels should have been scheduled for Wednesday, so we could have “hump day” headlines.

South Carolina 56, Towson 0: The Gamecocks posted their fifth most single-game yardage (645) in a 56-0 victory over Kent State. They could surpass that against Towson, whose 0-2 record includes a loss to Maine.

LSU 52, Louisiana Tech 17: Good luck to Lane Kiffin trying to top his opening act: a 51-10 victory over Clemson, preceded by a Tiger Walk that included celebrities Livvy Dunne, Brooks Nader and Theo Von.

My guess is Kiffin isn't finished with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. He might say something like: “Louisiana Tech is the best-coached team we’ve played so far.”

Ole Miss 62, Charlotte 15: The Rebels could play 10 on defense and still outscore the 49ers. In fact, they looked as though they were playing with only 10 defenders in the second half of a 41-38 victory over Louisville.

Auburn 41, USM 10: Don’t judge Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown too harshly for throwing three interceptions in their 17-16 victory over Baylor.

Baylor’s colors are green and gold. Last season, Brown quarterbacked USF, whose colors also are green and gold.

ADAMS: Remember when Tennessee football took out the trash vs Georgia Tech

Utah 32, Arkansas 20: College football fans will enjoy watching Utes dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier. Razorbacks fans won’t.

Texas 27, Ohio State 24: The Longhorns should hope this battle for a No. 1 ranking comes down to the best running quarterback.

Arch Manning had 399 yards rushing last season for Texas. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin had a net rushing total of -44.  

Record: 16-0, 9-7 (.563) against the spread.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football should be grateful Georgia Tech left the SEC, predictions | Adams