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Friday, December 13, 2002
Weekend preview: Titles on the line
By Mike Diegnan
BCSfootball.com
There's a big game in West Lafayette this weekend, with the Big Ten championship at stake.
The SEC East title is on the line in Jacksonville. Have fun at the Cocktail Party.
OK, so nobody cares about those two games. But both will have as much impact on the bowl picture this weekend as Nebraska-Oklahoma. Nonetheless, with the launch of the BCS rankings this week and the return of the storied rivalry, the game in Norman is the most exciting of this weekend's slate of important games.
Here's a peek at what to watch in Saturday's games and how they will affect the remainder of the season.
No. 1 Nebraska at No. 3 Oklahoma (BCS 1-2, ABC, Noon)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| If you need to have that question answered, you have either been hit one too many times by Mike Tyson or you have been so engrossed in the Presidential debates (yeah, right) that you don't know what's going on. |
Josh Heupel: The southpaw has been lethal in the Sooners' victories over Texas and Kansas State. Yet, the K-State defense laid a licking on him. The OU offensive line will have to protect its star better if the Sooners can pull off an incredible triple whammy. |
On paper, this has the makings of a game like '71 and '87. Who knows what will happen? The other small guarantee is that both teams will likely be on opposite sides of the field in Kansas City on Dec. 2. The Huskers will be looking for revenge. Oklahoma 35-31. |
No. 7 Florida vs. No. 12 Georgia (3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| The world's largest outdoor cocktail party invades Jacksonville. Both Georgia and Florida feel they are in the BCS hunt, and need a win to better their chances at reaching the SEC Championship Game. |
Quincy Carter: How's the shoulder? If Carter struggles, will Cory Phillips be called in to lead the Bulldogs against a Gator defense that is second in the nation with 24 turnovers forced? |
Georgia coach Jim Donnan finally ended his hex against Tennessee this season, but the 'Dawgs are just 1-9 in their last 10 against Florida. Look for the freshmen (Grossman and Gaffney) to continue the domination. Florida 31-20. |
No. 13 Ohio St. at No. 16 Purdue (ABC, 3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Could the Big Ten win its third Heisman Trophy in four years and fourth in six? Drew Brees has catapulted himself back into the race and Purdue into a run at Pasadena. Ohio State is reeling after its loss to Minnesota, but the Buckeyes are still looking for a trip west. |
Steve Bellisari: In the wake of the loss to the Golden Gophers, the Buckeyes chose to re-open their offense last week against Iowa. The result -- Bellisari threw for 315 yards and 3 TD passes. If he comes close to matching Brees in the air, Purdue's sails will be pulled from under them. |
The Boilermakers have learned from their early mistakes and are playing as well as anyone outside of Big Red country. Purdue 28-17. |
No. 8 Kansas State at Texas A&M (ABC, 3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| While the eyes of the nation are on Norman, another important Big XII game is being played in College Station. Kansas State needs to win in order to stay in position for a chase at a BCS bowl. |
Mark Farris: A&M's 25-year-old QB has been getting more confident as the season has progressed. It's in the Aggies' best interest not to show him how many times the Wildcats' D nailed Josh Heupel. |
K-State can't afford to be thinking about Nebraska this weekend. The Aggies have rebounded from their loss at Colorado. Kansas State 30-17. |
No. 6 Florida St. at No. 22 N.C. State (ESPN, 7 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Florida State has lost only twice since joining the ACC, and the Seminoles return to Raleigh Saturday, the site of their last loss conference loss, two years ago. Koren Robinson is putting up Torry Holt-like numbers. Can he match Holt's success? |
Chris Weinke: The guy threw for 496 yards against Miami on a bum ankle. Weinke is back practicing and will play Saturday, but the 'Noles can ill afford for him to fall lame this week with Clemson's Keith Adams and Chad Carson drooling for a piece of him next week. |
N.C. State head coach Chuck Amato spent two decades with Bobby Bowden. What tricks will he have up his sleeve for his former boss? Not enough to derail the 'Noles. Florida State 28-24. |
Pitt at No. 2 Virginia Tech (3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Some guy named Michael is playing. |
Michael Vick: It's the final tune-up before Miami. Will Vick finally have his breakout game of 2000? After Syracuse racked up eight sacks against him -- and the Hokies abandoned the passing game -- Vick faces a defense that leads the Big East in sacks. |
Vick has lived and died by the big-play. He is exciting to watch and has six TDs of more than 50 yards. But he can't afford to improvise on every down, especially in the week leading up to the "pseudo" Big East Championship Game. Va. Tech 38-17. |
Georgia Tech at No. 4 Clemson (ABC, 3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Just like Va. Tech, Clemson faces a league game prior to what is essentially its conference championship. The Tigers have to make sure there is no letdown before Bowden Bowl II. |
Woody Dantzler: Just like Quincy Carter, Dantzler has to bounce back from an injury. Willie Simmons showed off the future of the Tigers last week, but will Clemson fans want him in if Dantzler struggles in the week prior to Florida State? Tech can rush the passer (30 sacks) and Dantzler will have to return to the form that made him one of the nation's biggest surprises. |
No letdown here. Clemson has been in a slump, but expect Tommy Bowden to have his Tigers back on target before traveling to Tallahassee. Clemson 37-14. |
All game times Eastern
Mike Diegnan is the editor of BCSfootball.com.
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