I usually use this space for some inspirational speech about this weekend’s action. Well, things have changed.
I want to give props to all the South Carolina fans after UT pulled out the win. After the game, my friends and I were congratulated over and over by Gamecock fans. They all wished us luck and hoped that we had a great stay in Columbia.
I’ll never understand why they congratulated us. We didn’t do anything. Anyway, the USC fans were great sports, even in the eye of defeat.
Hopefully the Memphis fans will do the same.
Tennessee at Memphis, 12 p.m. on Fox Sports Net
The Tigers stand at 4-4 and enter Saturday’s in-state rivalry with the nation’s No. 1 rushing defense in the nation. Not to mention that Memphis also boasts the No. 3 overall defense in the nation.
Wow!
The Vols can’t rely on their famous run up the middle and hope to be successful. The offense has to be opened up. After all, that’s why Casey Clausen was named QB, right?
Vols go walking in Memphis, right over the Tigers.
No. 2 Virginia Tech at No. 3 Miami (Fla.), 12 p.m. on CBS
The winner of this game will likely go to the national title game on Jan. 3.
The Hokies’ offense won’t start … I mean, Michael Vick won’t start Saturday in the Orange Bowl and that could present some major problems for Tech.
The Hokies will turn to running back Lee Suggs for firepower. However, don’t expect Vick to spend too much time on the sidelines, even if he’s only 50 percent.
Miami QB Ken Dorsey will be looking for receivers Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne in the end zone. And he probably will be connecting with them.
This is the story of the Hurricanes.
No. 10 Clemson at No. 4 Florida State, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
Saturday will be a chance for a father to show his son what big time college football is all about.
Tommy Bowden’s Tigers fell last weekend, ending their hopes of a national title chance. Don’t look for them to rebound as Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles are a step above anything Clemson has seen this year.
Clemson’s Willie Simmons will likely start over the injured Woodrow Dantzler. And if Dantzler doesn’t play, it will be a long night for the Tigers.
A Seminole win clinches a ninth straight ACC title.
Daddy wins Bowden Bowl II.
No. 12 Michigan at No. 21 Northwestern, 3:30 p.m. on ABC
If you like old-fashioned football, watch this game.
Northwestern is led by running back Damien Anderson and his powerful running. Anderson ranks third in the country with 166.88 yards per game.
On the other side, Michigan’s Anthony Thomas is sixth in the country with 140.13 yards on the ground.
So, as both these teams will pound the ball on the ground, look for the more versatile Wolverines to prevail in the end to keep their hopes of a Big Ten title alive.
Big Blue with a big win.
LSU at Alabama, 3:30 p.m. on CBS
If I were just looking at names and numbers, I normally would scream, Geaux Tigers! But this will not be a normal game.
See, Alabama has a little extra incentive to win this game.
First, they got embarrassed last week by Central Florida during Homecoming. Second, Tide head coach Mike DuBose was asked to resign at the end of this year.
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, Bama has nothing to lose. In fact, if they win out this year, they will go to the SEC title game.
Roll Tide!
Mississippi at Arkansas, 2 p.m.
Welcome to the battle of the injured teams.
The Razorbacks will have to turn to backup QB Zak Clark Saturday as Robby Hampton has a sprained shoulder. Arkansas has been plagued by injuries all season so this is nothing new to them.
Injuries have also taken a bite out of the Rebels. Running back Deuce McAllister may play a limited role Saturday due to his ankle injury. He was injured last week but managed to come in during overtime to score the game-winning touchdown.
Ole Miss edges the Razorbacks.
