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Friday, December 13, 2002
Weekend preview: Sooners battle the odds
By Mike Diegnan
BCSfootball.com
Will Oklahoma's record remained unblemished? Only three times in history has a season gone by without an unbeaten/untied team, and the top-ranked Sooners have four regular season games left to hold onto that perfect mark. Their first test comes Saturday from Texas A&M, where the yell squad is trying to set a decibel record on the first drive of the game. If that works, how loud can College Station get?
Elsewhere, the SEC and Big XII should move closer to determining their conference championship games, and Purdue and Oregon can move one game closer to clinching Rose Bowl berths.
Here's a preview of what to expect in the five games that will have the most impact on the Bowl Championship Series this Saturday.
No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 24 Texas A&M (ABC. 1 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Two years ago, a Big XII team was well on its way towards playing in the National Championship Game. A game with Texas A&M ended that. Kansas State hasn't been the same since. The Aggies go for another major upset this weekend, and have the home-field advantage. |
Mark Farris: Texas A&M's 25-year-old quarterback faces a number of challenges. First, he has match Oklahoma point-for-point, and second, he must keep Oklahoma's offense off the field as much as possible. He tries to beat an Oklahoma defense that was merciless against Texas, Kansas State, and Nebraska -- a trio of offenses respected more than the Aggies'. |
It's hard to doubt the Sooners anymore. After watching last week's rout of Baylor, it may be time to start printing the tickets for the Orange Bowl: OU vs. FSU. First, Josh Heupel must get by one of the nation's most improved teams. Oklahoma ekes by, 28-21. |
No. 25 South Carolina at No. 4 Florida (3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Everyone was sympathetic when Lou Holtz returned to coaching last year and suffered through a number of personal problems and an 0-11 season. This year, everyone wishes the 5-foot wizard could retire again. If he pulls off the upset of Florida, his Gamecocks will head to the SEC Championship Game. |
Phil Petty: South Carolina's hopes of winning the SEC East lie in the arms of its junior quarterback. In the Gamecocks' two losses, Petty completed just 47 percent of his passes with three interceptions and seven sacks. Florida ranks first in the nation in turnover margin (+2 per game). South Carolina can't afford to give away possessions to the Gators. |
Florida is the SEC's high-scoring team, while South Carolina boasts its top scoring defense. In the Swamp, it boils down to who can stop Jabar Gaffney. The Gamecocks can't find the answer this year as the Gators stay in the national championship race. Florida, 24-14. |
No. 5 Nebraska at No. 11 Kansas State (7 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Revenge is on Nebraska's mind. But shouldn't it be K-State that wants to avenge its rival? Nonetheless, the Big XII North will be settled when the Huskers visit Manhattan. The winner also gets another crack at Oklahoma. |
Keyuo Craver and Erwin Swiney: Nebraska's starting cornerbacks are going to have their hands full against K-State's receivers Quincy Morgan and Aaron Lockett. The key game to compare these two teams is Oklahoma. The Sooners exploited Nebraska for 300 yards passing, while the Wildcats receiving duo combined for eight receptions for 148 yards on OU. |
Call Bob Stoops: The Huskers are coming, the Huskers are coming. It's going to be a cold December day when Nebraska gets its rematch with Oklahoma in Arrowhead for the Big XII Championship Game. K-State doesn't have the firepower to knock off Nebraska. Nebraska, 31-20. |
No. 13 Georgia at No. 23 Auburn (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| The deep South's oldest rivalry has major bowl implications this weekend. The only bigger mess than the SEC West championship race is the presidential one. Auburn is one of four teams that can win it. Of course, for those that live down south, which is more important -- Bush or Gore or Auburn or Mississippi State? |
Cory Phillips: Georgia's former walk-on quarterback surprised everyone with his heroic performance against Kentucky (400 yards, 4 TDs). But the Wildcats can't match up with these Tigers. Auburn enters the game having forced six turnovers in the past two games. |
The home-field advantage may not be to Auburn's liking -- the home team has not won since 1991 -- but Jordan-Hare Stadium will be lit up in prime-time as Rudi Johnson and Ben Leard repeat last year's Auburn victory. Auburn, 33-24. |
Boston College at No. 12 Notre Dame (3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| It's a holy weekend whenever these two play each other. This is the most significant game in the rivalry since 1993 when BC upset then-No. 1 Notre Dame in South Bend. The Irish need the win to stay in contention for a spot in the Fiesta or Sugar Bowl. |
Brian St. Pierre: At Boston College, there is only one important game, and the Eagles' hopes are in the arm and legs of their backup quarterback who has still played in every game. With Tim Hasselbeck out with a knee injury, St. Pierre will test a defense that has been susceptible to the big play (Michigan State), but has also stymied Nebraska and Purdue. |
Notre Dame is on the verge of getting into a BCS bowl, but Irish fans are still fairly quiet, waiting for an inevitable loss to a lower-ranked team. Boston College always seems to come into South Bend at the wrong time. But the ND defense has been stellar most of the year. Another win gives Bob Davie more job security. Notre Dame, 35-17. |
All game times Eastern
Mike Diegnan is the editor of BCSfootball.com.
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