It’s rivalry weekend in college football and while some games have greater
implications in terms of the national picture than others, all are still
important to the schools involved.
The Beer Barrel won’t be the only thing the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers
are playing for when they meet Kentucky on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. The
Vols can clinch a spot in the SEC Championship Game and move one step
closer to playing for the national championship with a win against the
‘Cats.
Meanwhile, several other intriguing matches highlight Saturday’s slate,
including an SEC Western Division showdown between Arkansas and Mississippi
State.
Here is a look at Saturday’s top games:
Kentucky (7-3) at No. 1 Tennessee (9-0), 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Tim Couch leads Kentucky’s “Air Raid” attack into Knoxville for a battle
with its southerly neighbors. Kentucky is going to a bowl game for the
first time since 1993, but they’d love to spoil the Vols’ chances for a
title in the process.
Defense was a sparse commodity in last year’s meeting, a 59-31 Tennessee
victory. The teams combined for over 1,300 yards of total offense in that
game.
The big question for Tennessee this time around is whether or not
linebacker Al Wilson will play. The senior co-captain is suffering from a
groin injury picked up last week against Arkansas. One suspects if he can
walk, he’ll be on the field.
If not, look for the Vols to insert an extra defensive back in his place to
muscle up against the Wildcats’ dangerous passing game.
The Vols will use a power running game, led by a veteran offensive line and
sophomore bulldozer Travis Henry, for the dual purpose of wearing down the
UK defense and keeping Couch and Co. on the sideline.
Also, the spotlight will be on Wildcats center Aaron Daniel. The sophomore
must replace senior Jason Watts, an All-SEC candidate who was injured in
Sunday’s tragic accident.
This is sure to be an emotionally charged affair.
Prediction: Tennessee 45, Kentucky 34
No. 11 Michigan (8-2) at No. 7 Ohio State (9-1), Noon ET, ABC
Ohio State pointed to this game, with arch-rival Michigan, as the one
which would prove whether it was a true national title contender.
Michigan has owned this series on recent years and has ruined several
seasons for John Cooper’s Buckeyes, who simply cannot win a big game.
This one would have been for all the marbles in the Big Ten, except that
Ohio State collapsed in the second half against a schizophrenic Michigan
State team and saw their title hopes go up in smoke yet again at the hands
of a Michigan school.
The Wolverines are one of the most improved teams in the country. After a
dreadful 0-2 start, Lloyd Carr has seen his squad crush Penn State and
Wisconsin in consecutive weeks. This after looking awful in a 15-10
squeaker over Minnesota.
What’s the difference? Quarterback Tom Brady is becoming more comfortable
in the pocket, the defense is stopping the run and the Michigan ground game
is gaining steam behind Anthony Thomas.
Ohio State needs this game in order to salvage a season which promised so
much. They won’t get it.
Prediction: Michigan 24, Ohio State 23
No. 4 Florida (9-1) at No. 5 Florida State (10-1), 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Steve Spurrier has never won at Doak Campbell Stadium. He is 0-3-1 in
Tallahassee since he took over the Florida job in 1990. In fact, the Gators
have not won there since 1986.
The winner of this huge match will hold onto its slim national championship
hopes.
The Seminoles were rocked by the injury to quarterback Chris Weinke, who
had been steadily improving since his six-interception performance in a
loss to North Carolina State.
Now, with Weinke out following neck surgery, Marcus Outzen and Jared Jones
will be charged with keeping the ‘Noles in the title hunt.
The Gator defense feasts on quarterbacks as it is, and Outzen and Jones
were shaky against Wake Forest last week.
The way they play will determine who wins this game.
Prediction: Florida 24, Florida State 17
Southern Cal (7-3) at No. 3 UCLA (9-0), 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
The Bruins have not stopped anyone’s offense this season. Therefore,
there is hope for the Trojans, who will start freshman Carson Palmer at
quarterback.
Is it just my thinking, or do the Trojans go through more quarterbacks in a
season than most teams do in six or seven?
Anyway, as bad as UCLA’s defense has been, and it has been very bad, its
offense has been nothing less than unstoppable.
Cade McNown doesn’t put up the most impressive of numbers, but he makes the
big play when he needs to.
The Bruins have won seven straight in this series and should make it eight,
but not without a fight.
Prediction: UCLA 41, USC 31
No. 2 Kansas State (10-0) at No. 19 Missouri (7-3), 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Missouri’s killer schedule continues when it hosts the Wildcats.
The Tigers have proved they can hang with anybody this season. With Corby
Jones, they have a quarterback with the athleticism — if not the arm — to
match K-State’s Michael Bishop.
Could the Wildcats possibly experience a lull following their emotional win
over Nebraska and before a Big 12 Championship Game meeting with Texas A&M?
Not likely.
Prediction: Kansas State 31, Missouri 25 (OT)
Auburn (3-7) at Alabama (6-4), 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
God help Tide coach Mike DuBose if Alabama loses to an anemic Auburn
team in the Iron Bowl.
Interim Tigers coach Bill Oliver says he’ll retire if he doesn’t get the
full-time job. Hey Bill, are you sure you really want to coach this
team?
Prediction: Alabama 28, Auburn 10
