Now is a good time for Georgia to end its two-decade championship drought — the Bulldogs won't be getting kicked around by Steve Spurrier anymore.

        After a dozen years of funning and gunning, not to mention six Southeastern Conference titles, Spurrier abruptly bailed out at Florida to coach in the NFL.

        “We're going to really miss Steve Spurrier in the SEC,” Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said.

        Actually, Spurrier WON'T be missed at Georgia, which used to beat up on the Gators with regularity until the “Evil Genius” came along in 1990.

        Since then, the Bulldogs are 1-11 against their rival, all the while extending the longest run without a championship in school history. Georgia's most recent title of any kind came in 1982, when Herschel Walker was taking handoffs in the 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust era.

        “It wasn't just Spurrier, of course. They have some great players,” Georgia quarterback David Greene said. “But it didn't hurt my feelings when he left.”

        Spurrier left a lot of hurt feelings in Florida, where his name was virtually synonymous with the program he built into a national powerhouse. The Gators' fans still are getting used to the idea that their “Head Ballcoach” is now with the Washington Redskins.

        Enter Ron Zook, whose hiring didn't inspire a lot of giddiness in Swamp Land. Right away, someone launched a Web site to chronicle the recruits who got away and the supposed bad times to come.

        Zook, a former Florida assistant who was demoted by Spurrier in the mid-1990s, is hoping to outwork his predecessor's legacy. Already, there are stories of his thousand-mile road trips, his beliefs that eating and sleeping are overrated.

        “It obviously comes down to wins or losses,” Zook said. “It makes no difference what people say now.”

        Those outside of Florida aren't expecting much slippage. The Gators start the season No. 6 in the AP poll, one spot behind defending SEC East champion Tennessee and two spots ahead of Georgia.

        “Nobody on this team is really thinking about coach Spurrier anymore,” said Rex Grossman, Florida's sensational quarterback.

        Georgia has 15 returning starters but must get through a treacherous schedule — Tennessee, Florida, road trips to South Carolina, Alabama and Auburn — to reach the Dec. 7 SEC championship game in Atlanta.

        History isn't on the Bulldogs' side, either.

        “It's not like we've been the favorite and done it two or three years in a row,” coach Mark Richt said. “We've got to do something special around here.”

        LSU did something special a year ago with its first SEC title since 1988. The No. 14 Tigers upset Tennessee in the championship game, denying the Volunteers a chance to play in the Rose Bowl.

        Tennessee is still smarting from that loss.

        “We have something to prove this year,” quarterback Casey Clausen said. “Our motto is 'unfinished business.”'

        Despite the loss of receiver Donte Stallworth, tailback Travis Stephens and the entire defensive front, Tennessee has plenty of talent to make another title run.

        The Eastern Division has three Top 10 teams, plus No. 22 South Carolina. Out West, LSU is a solid favorite to make it back to Atlanta, even though quarterback Rohan Davey and receiver Josh Reed went to the pros.

        LSU won't have to worry about Alabama, which is ineligible for the title because of NCAA probation.

        The Crimson Tide's troubles are indicative of a larger problem in the SEC. Kentucky also is on probation, while three other schools — Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU — are under investigation for possible violations.

        “We have to say, 'We're just not going to continue to have these problems.' And that is a big priority for us,” new commissioner Mike Slive said.

        Team capsules, in predicted order of finish: EAST

TENNESSEE: Clausen is 17-3 in two years as a starter. ... Vols had major losses on the DL — John Henderson, Albert Haynesworth, Will Overstreet. ... Favorable schedule begins with five games at Neyland Stadium, though homecoming is hardly a pushover — defending national champion Miami on Nov. 9.

        GEORGIA: Greene is unquestioned starter after throwing for 2,789 yards as a freshman. Even so, Richt plans to give some snaps to redshirt freshman D.J. Shockley. ... Six defensive players taken in NFL draft, but LB Boss Bailey returns.

        FLORIDA: Grossman is a Heisman favorite after being runner-up last season with 3,896 yards and 34 TDs. ... Keep on eye on Ed Zaunbrecher, who'll be calling the offensive plays with a mandate to keep Florida's wide-open attack.

        SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Lou Holtz has led Gamecocks to first back-to-back bowl victories in school history. ... Two questions this year: Can former minor league baseball player Corey Jenkins replace Phil Petty at QB? Can RBs Andrew Pinnock and Ryan Brewer make up for the dismissal of Derek Watson?

        VANDERBILT: It's been 20 years since Commodores had a winning season. ... New coach Bobby Johnson has a chance to beat his former team when Furman visits Nashville on Sept. 7.

        KENTUCKY: Second-year coach Guy Morriss already on the hot seat after dismal debut season. ... QB Jared Lorenzen keeps things exciting — and that's just his weight. Will he be able to keep it under 300 pounds this season?

        WEST

        LSU: The Tigers are going for their first back-to-back SEC titles since 1935-36. ... Look for more emphasis on the running game with new QB Matt Mauck. ... RB LaBrandon Toefield says he's fully recovered from knee surgery.

        ALABAMA: The Crimson Tide is back on probation and ineligible for the SEC title this year and next. ... The league's top rushing team (226.4 yards per game) returns its four leading runners.

        AUBURN: The Tigers closed last season with a three-game losing streak, blowing a chance to play for the SEC title. ... RB Carnell “Cadillac” Williams has recovered from a broken shoulder.

        MISSISSIPPI: QB Eli Manning (2,948 yards, 31 TDs) set or tied 17 school records. ... Fourteen starters return from a team that was passed over for a bowl despite seven wins.

        ARKANSAS: Legal problems plagued the Razorbacks during the offseason. FS Ken Hamlin was suspended after pleading guilty to a second DWI offense, but is now back on the team. In a separate case, TB Cedric Cobbs was convicted of marijuana possession and DWI. ... Offense ranked last in league in passing and total yards.

        MISSISSIPPI STATE: After four straight winning seasons, Bulldogs fell hard in 2001 ... An early five-game losing streak included embarrassing home loss to I-A newcomer Troy State ... The offense ranked 93rd nationally in yards and 108th in points.