Florida’s rivalry against Tennessee traditionally is the SEC’s biggest early season game.

This year, it has competition Saturday when Georgia travels to LSU.

Even though it’s only September, those two games could play a big role in determining which teams will be in Atlanta for the SEC championship Dec. 6.

“We tell our recruits and the guys that are here, ‘Games like this are why you come to the University of Florida,'” Gators coach Ron Zook said. “The excitement, the energy, the pageantry. This place will be rocking.”

Either the Gators or Volunteers represented the SEC East in the first 10 years of the conference title game. Georgia broke through last season and hopes to do so again.

The Bulldogs, who beat South Carolina in their conference opener last week, have a tough road test this week against LSU. This will be only the 10th meeting between the teams in the past 50 years.

“I know everybody is here to make this out to be the biggest game of the year. I don’t want to disappoint you in how I approach this, but it’s not really a defining game for the SEC,” LSU coach Nick Saban said. “How would it be if we won this game and lost to Mississippi State? Every game is an important game.”

While some are predicting the possibility of an LSU-Georgia rematch in December, Florida and Tennessee have other thoughts after down years in 2002.

“They lost a few games last year and so did we,” Florida cornerback Keiwan Ratliff said. “I think everyone wants to see who is going to get back in the swing of things. Whoever wins this game is really setting themselves up in the SEC East and in the long run, a trip to Atlanta.”

The road team has won the last three meetings in the series, including Tennessee’s 34-32 win in The Swamp in 2001 that knocked the Gators out of the national-title race. It was the Volunteers’ first win at Florida since 1971.

“I didn’t realize the frustration that all the fans and everybody had gone through with all the losses and tough games down there,” Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen said. “After the game, I came back here realizing, ‘Hey these people really wanted this thing.’ We wanted it too.”

The game, which was played in December that year after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks postponed the original date, still is fresh for Florida.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment since then,” Gators offensive lineman Max Starks said. “Nothing can replace a loss at your home field, especially at the end of the season when your team is supposed to be at its best.”

The picks:

UCLA (plus 18 1/2) at No. 1 Oklahoma

Nation’s worst-rated offense will have trouble against Oklahoma’s D … OKLAHOMA 24-7.

No. 2 Miami (minus 12 1/2) at Boston College

Eagles always play Hurricanes close at home … MIAMI 24-21.

No. 3 Michigan (minus 7 1/2) at No. 22 Oregon

Wolverines have lost last two trips to West Coast … MICHIGAN 27-21.

Bowling Green (plus 14 1/2) at No. 5 Ohio State

Falcons QB Josh Harris is one of nation’s hidden stars … OHIO STATE 24-23.

Marshall (plus 17 1/2) at No. 6 Kansas State

Both teams could be missing starting QBs … KANSAS STATE 38-14.

No. 7 Georgia (plus 1) at No. 11 LSU

Tigers lost last two meetings by one point … LSU 27-20.

Texas A&M (plus 15) at No. 8 Virginia Tech (Thursday)

Coach Fran gets first tough test with Aggies … VIRGINIA TECH 31-14.

No. 9 Pittsburgh (minus 10) at Toledo

Panthers are 21-0 against Mid-American Conference teams … PITTSBURGH 34-17.

Colorado (plus 19) at No. 10 Florida State

Banged-up Buffs get tough test on the road … FLORIDA STATE 24-10.

No. 12 Tennessee (plus 3) at No. 17 Florida

Gators out to avenge 2001 loss to Vols in The Swamp … FLORIDA 31-17.

No. 13 Texas (minus 30) at Rice

Longhorns have won 35 of last 36 meetings … TEXAS 42-10.

North Texas (plus 21 1/2) at No. 14 Arkansas

Razorbacks try to avoid letdown after big win at Texas … ARKANSAS 31-17.

No. 16 Arizona State (plus 9) at No. 18 Iowa

Hawkeyes look to pressure QB Andrew Walter … IOWA 31-17.

Idaho (plus 26 1/2) at No. 19 Washington

Huskies coach Keith Gilbertson goes up against his former team … WASHINGTON 42-10.

Vanderbilt (plus 12) at No. 20 TCU

Horned Frogs won’t miss injured QB Tye Gunn this week … TCU 24-14.

Northern Illinois (plus 14) at No. 21 Alabama

Crimson Tide ranked for first time under Mike Shula … ALABAMA 27-21.

Middle Tennessee (plus 20 1/2) at No. 23 Missouri

Tigers looking for first 4-0 start since ’81 … MISSOURI 37-14.

New Mexico (plus 16 1/2) at No. 24 Washington State

Lobos haven’t beaten a ranked opponent on the road in 28 years … WASHINGTON STATE 27-13.

Arizona (plus 25) at No. 25 Purdue

Wildcats outscored by 84 points last two weeks … PURDUE 41-14.

Last week: 14-4 (straight); 7-8 (vs. points).

Season: 47-13 (straight); 24-29 (vs. points).