SEC football predictions: Can Tennessee Vols scam Florida Gators in The Swamp?

A Tennessee-Florida game has never created so much uncertainty.

You didn't know until Tuesday afternoon where the Vols and Gators would be playing this Saturday. And following the announcement that the game would be played as scheduled in The Swamp, you still didn't know who would be playing for the Gators.

Hurricane Irma has moved on through, but Florida's "debit-card scam" hasn't been resolved. Ten players were suspended, including star wide receiver Antonio Callaway and lead running back Jordan Scarlett.

► More:UT vs. Florida: 5 things to watch

If they're still suspended Saturday, the only receiver on the field named Antonio Callaway will be playing for the Vols. Marquez Callaway's middle name is Antonio.

He and Florida's Callaway aren't related, but both have shown the ability to turn a game around, as Marquez did in UT's season opener against Georgia Tech, and as the Gators' wide receiver did two years ago with a game-winning touchdown play against Tennessee.

Tennessee 27, Florida 24: I'm making the pick under protest.  How can you pick a game when you don't know who's playing in it?

South Carolina 30, Kentucky 20: When I put South Carolina at No. 22 on my Associated Press Top 25 ballot, an inner voice screamed, “What’s wrong with you?”

► More:UT warns Vols fans traveling to Florida

I ignored the voice and concentrated on what’s right with the Gamecocks, who have two good wins, against N.C. State and at Missouri.

LSU 23, Mississippi State 20: The Bulldogs' Nick Fitzgerald is one of the best running quarterbacks in the country. But he will have to use his arm more against a defense that has allowed only 10 points and 63 yards rushing in two games.

Kansas State 30, Vanderbilt 27: A matchup of underrated quarterbacks, Kansas State's Jesse Ertz and Vanderbilt’s Kyle Shurmur.

Shurmur has better stats. But Ertz has more help.

Ole Miss 38, Cal 34: Former Rebels coach Hugh Freeze must have spent a huge chunk of his “recruiting budget” on wide receivers. Ole Miss probably has the best receiving corps in the SEC, headed up by A.J. Brown, who has 16 catches for 389 yards and four touchdowns.

Another receiver worth mentioning in this matchup: Former Vol Vic Wharton, who has 10 catches for 202 yards in his junior season at Cal. 

Texas A&M 48, Louisiana 20: The Aggies are advised to shelf their fledgling passing game and put on their running shoes. And that’s not because the coaching staff is about to be run out of town.

The Ragin’ Cajuns have given up 767 yards rushing in two games.

Alabama 42, Colorado State 6: Tide coach Nick Saban characterized Fresno State’s offense as “nickel and dime” stuff. But the Bulldogs shouldn’t be offended after scoring 10 points.

Chump change might be all anyone gets on Alabama's defense.

Missouri 41, Purdue 37: This qualifies as an attractive non-conference matchup for the Tigers, who have an affinity for FCS opponents. But it would have been more attractive in 1969 when Missouri finished 9-2 and Purdue 8-2.

Auburn 45, Mercer 0: From merciless Clemson to Mercer, Tigers quarterback Jarrett Stidham should be the happiest guy on campus. That’s assuming he can still walk after being sacked 11 times by Clemson.

Georgia 38, Samford 10: Samford playing at Sanford Stadium could pose more problems for sportswriters than Georgia. But despite a 2-0 start and a fourth-quarter rally to win at Notre Dame, Georgia isn’t problem-free.

After passing for only 288 yards in two games, Georgia should practice throwing at Samford — uh, Sanford — Stadium 

Record: 21-4 (.840) overall, 10-7 (.588) against the spread.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com.  Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.