Florida State at Clemson

GAME TIME:	7 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- Florida State 48, Clemson 0
SERIES:	Florida State leads 10-2

Since taking over for the injured Brandon Streeter at quarterback, Woodrow Dantzler appears to be pretty poised in understanding what first-year Clemson coach Tommy Bowden wants to do. Dantzler had a school-record 435 yards of total offense last week against Maryland. For those who haven't seen Clemson's offense this year, it's similar to Tulane (under Tommy Bowden) of a year ago, as well as BYU and Kentucky. It's a wide-open approach, with receivers going in every different direction, and the quarterback getting rid of the ball quickly from the shotgun formation.

Dantzler may get some opportunities to succeed if he can complete some balls because Florida State's defense is predicated on getting a pass rush. With Clemson having an athletic quarterback and a scheme designed to throw the ball quickly, it will be tough for Florida State to pressure Dantzler. You might want to look for Florida State's defensive backs to get up close to the line of scrimmage and jam the Clemson's receivers, throwing them off rhythm with the quarterback.

Talking to Tommy Bowden three weeks ago about this game, it surprised me how competitive he is, even though he will be playing against his dad, Bobby Bowden. He loves his dad to death and obviously respects him, but he said his Tigers would go down fighting. It will be an emotional game for both Bowdens. It has great buildup with the father-son relationship, but when the first ball is kicked off, the game will become a war. It's an opportunity for Tommy to show his dad how much he has learned from him. After the game, I'm sure everything will be great, but during the game it will be guerrilla warfare.

Now that Peter Warrick has been reinstated for the game, look out because he will be hungry after missing two games. He will make every effort to not only lead the Seminoles to victory, but to also re-enter the Heisman race. The Clemson defensive backs will be tested against the Seminole receivers, the best group in the country. Look for Warrick to have a big game and for Florida State to run the ball more effectively with Travis Minor.   BACK TO TOP

Tennessee at Alabama

GAME TIME:	3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, CBS
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- Tennessee 35, Alabama 18
SERIES:	Alabama leads 42-32-7

This is my favorite game of the weekend. I've spoken to some people in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and they say this is the toughest ticket to get since the 1930 Tennessee game, the last time Tennessee played in Tuscaloosa. It's an absolute frenzy there. Tennessee-Alabama is a great SEC rivalry.

Now that Alabama has turned it around, beating three ranked teams in a row -- Florida, Arkansas and Mississippi -- the Tide is playing at its best. Alabama's offense is changed. Charlie Stubbs is calling the plays, and he's done a phenomenal job of using a balanced attack. The Tide is throwing the ball more to receiver Freddie Milons, who has three straight 100-yard receiving games, something no Alabama receiver has ever done. Their passing attack is opening up the running lanes for their Heisman candidate Shaun Alexander, who I think is the best back in college football.

The storyline of this game will be Alabama's new balanced offense against a relentless Tennessee defense. The only way you have a chance against the Vols defense is by mixing up the play-calling. The Vols are so athletic and dominating in the front seven, and the secondary can cover and is as athletic as any in the country. One-dimensional teams, ones that just run or just pass, don't have a chance. So 'Bama will need a big day from quarterback Andrew Zow and the offensive line, and hopefully for their sake, the receivers and Alexander will get it going.

For Tennessee, it's about playing great defense, getting Alabama into third-and-long situations and getting the ball back to Tee Martin and the Vols offense, which is slowly coming around. I still think until they find another proven receiver outside of Cedrick Wilson, the Vols are predictable offensively. Last year they had their tailbacks, plus fullback Shawn Bryson and receivers Peerless Price, Jeremaine Copeland and Wilson. This year they have Wilson and Jamal Lewis. Nobody else has stepped up consistently to give them a go-to receiver. Until the Vols find another consistent receiver to complement Wilson, they will have a tough time moving the ball and running the ball, which is what they are all about. Eric Parker has come on lately, but they have a long way to go to get the offense clicking.

One advantage for Tennessee against Alabama is that the Vols are accustomed to playing in big games, in front of large crowds and under intense pressure. That includes the Georgia game, the SEC championship game and the national championship game from a year ago, and at Florida this year. The Vols are used to a hostile environment, and that will benefit them playing in Tuscaloosa.   BACK TO TOP

Penn State at Purdue

GAME TIME:	2:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- Penn State 31, Purdue 13
SERIES:	Penn State leads 7-1-1

Purdue last week got its offense going with Drew Brees, who threw for 509 yards and five touchdowns. Michigan State's problem was that it couldn't get pressure on Brees.

Penn State will have a similar defensive scheme as Michigan a few weeks ago, where the Wolverines disguised their coverages to confuse the pass-oriented Boilermakers. Every pass Purdue throws, the route could be adjusted based on coverage. Penn State's goal will be to confuse the Purdue receivers into thinking it's a certain coverage and getting them to run a route when Brees thinks they will run a different route. Then, the Lions will turn loose defensive ends Courtney Brown (nine sacks) and Justin Kurpeikis (six sacks) and linebacker LaVar Arrington to get pressure on Brees.

This will be a great game because the Boilermakers are a different team when they play in West Lafayette. If I were a Penn State fan, this game would concern me as much as -- if not more than -- the game with Michigan on Nov. 13.   BACK TO TOP

Nebraska at Texas

GAME TIME:	3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- Texas 20, Nebraska 16
SERIES:	Tied 3-3

Nebraska was my preseason pick to go to the Sugar Bowl. I know everybody is excited about Virginia Tech and Penn State and other teams. But I have not backed off my Nebraska pick one bit. Their defense, ranked third in the country, has dominated this year. Their first-string defense has only allowed one scoring drive of over 50 yards this season.

Texas, however, will feature the most dynamic offense the Cornhuskers have faced. Major Applewhite can throw the ball to a variety of receivers, led by Kwame Cavil (50 receptions, 669 yards, four touchdowns), and the Longhorns can run the ball with Hodges Mitchell and Victor Ike.

The Cornhuskers offense is back to being balanced. They can run the option with quarterback Eric Crouch, hand the ball to the fullback, and pitch to the I-back. They dominate the line of scrimmage with their offensive line. All that does is open their play-action pass. They have receivers Matt Davison and Bobby Newcombe on the outside, preventing teams from stacking the line.

Texas' defense has been great at stopping the run, allowing only 93 yards a game, so it will be interesting to see if Nebraska's offensive line can move the big bodies on Texas' front four and get the running game going to set up the play-action pass. Look for Dan Alexander to move to the fullback position to get Alexander and Correll Buckhalter in the backfield at the same time a little more this week.   BACK TO TOP

Upset special
Oklahoma State over Kansas State -- K-State's offense has been a Jekyll-and-Hyde unit this year. Jonathan Beasley has been running the show, taking over for Michael Bishop. This week the Wildcats face a very good Oklahoma State defense, ranked fourth in the country. The Cowboys must play solid run defense and force Beasley to throw. Because the game is in Stillwater, Okla., I think the Cowboys will catch a few breaks and get the momentum in their favor with the crowd. If you like low-scoring pitchers' duels in baseball, then Kansas State-Oklahoma State will be for you. This will be the college football equivalent of Greg Maddux vs. Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. This game will come down to momentum, field position and turnovers. And because the game is in Stillwater, I'm going with Oklahoma State in an upset.