Kentucky at Tennessee, 3 p.m. ET, CBS
Last meeting: 1997 -- Tennessee 59, Kentucky 31
Series: Tennessee leads 69-23-1

This is a very difficult time for the Kentucky family, trying to deal with the tragic accident that happened last weekend. The accident and the aftermath certainly put football in perspective, and perhaps the least important element of this week is Saturday's football game, where Kentucky's offense will challenge Tennessee. The Wildcats have faced tough defenses and their skill-position players have to feel confident with those past performances.

The thing to watch will be the coverage scheme that Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis decides to use. When teams play man coverage against Tim Couch, the Kentucky quarterback has a great deal of success. Couch is at his best against man coverage because teams have not been able to pressure him while in man coverage, and Couch has picked the defenses apart. The quickness of receivers like Craig Yeast gives Couch so many options. Expect Tennessee to play quite a bit of zone defense and keep everything in front of the defense. That plan has slowed down Kentucky's offense this season.

On the other side of the ball, Tennessee will continue to use a ball-control passing game with Tee Martin, and Travis Henry will get plenty of carries as the Volunteers eat up as much clock as possible. I don't think Kentucky can stop Tennessee's attack. The Volunteers will put up points, and the key will be whether the Wildcats can score with Tennessee. I expect Tennessee to outlast Kentucky.

USC at UCLA, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Last meeting: 1997 -- UCLA 31, USC 24
Series: USC leads 34-26-7

The Bruins have won seven straight games against the Trojans, and this might be UCLA's best team of the decade. On paper, things bode well for the Bruins, given the way they have played this year. But UCLA's defense has been the team's Achilles' heel all season long. Each week, the Bruins come up with a new scheme, trying to simplify the defense, and yet they struggle week after week after week.

This week, that Achilles' heel might catch up with the Bruins. Carson Palmer has been phenomenal in his last two games as a starter. He has completed 56 percent of his passes in the past two games, averaging 229 yards, and he hasn't thrown an interception since Sept. 12. He throws the intermediate routes very well, and he has good touch on the deep ball. His poise is great, and he has all the intangibles. He's a future star, and if he has a chance to win the game, I think his time to be a star is now.

The Trojans will be able to score points against UCLA because this USC team is loaded with talent at the skill positions. As good as Arizona and Oregon are on offense, the Trojans have just as many weapons at the disposal of Paul Hackett's great offensive mind. The key will be the health of R. Jay Soward. He turned an ankle against Stanford two weeks ago, and the Trojans had a bye last week. He has practiced this week, and the team has been very careful not to aggravate this injury. Keep an eye on Soward and Billy Miller at wide receiver.

And USC defensive coordinator Bill Young will come up with a game plan to defuse the Bruins running game. The Trojans will force Cade McNown, Danny Farmer and Brian Poli-Dixon to step up and win the game by airing it out. I've said it many times: UCLA has the most sophisticated passing attack in all of college football. Don't get me wrong, the Bruins are going to put points on the board, and expect another one of those high-scoring Pac-10 games.

The difference will be the play of the USC defense, led by Chris Claiborne and Daylon McCutcheon, which will create turnovers. I think UCLA's streak in this series will end at seven, and the BCS stalemate everyone is talking about will no longer be an issue after this week.

Florida at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Last meeting: 1997 -- Florida 32, Florida State 29
Series: Florida leads 26-14-2

This is one of the newest rivalries, but it's also turning into one of the most exciting, with as many great athletes on the field at one time as any game you will see this year. There are obvious concerns for Florida State with Chris Weinke out. Marcus Outzen is the starter, and he has game experience, but Wake Forest and North Carolina State presented nothing close to the challenge he will face Saturday against Bob Stoops' defense. Outzen may have ability, but his limited experience means he will see some things he has never seen before. How he responds to that pressure remains to be seen.

The Seminoles are going to have to win this game with defense and special teams, and on offense expect Florida State to give Travis Minor the ball to establish the running game. Jeff Chaney will also get some carries. The 'Noles need to gain yards on first and second down to set up third-and-short to give Outzen a chance. If Florida State is facing third-and-long, Outzen won't have much of a chance. Peter Warrick, Ron Dugans and Laveranues Coles are very talented, but Outzen isn't going to have much time to throw.

The Seminoles will try to keep Florida off balance so the Gators' defense is guessing. When Florida State is in obvious passing situations, that could prove scary for Outzen.

Doug Johnson is playing unbelievable since he became the full-time quarterback. A lot has to do with his confidence level as he makes the proper checks, making the right calls and doing everything coach Steve Spurrier wants him to do. He's also much more accurate, and the question is whether that will continue against the best defense he will face all year.

Breaking down the matchups, the Gators' advantage is apparent. The two defenses negate each other. Both offenses are very talented, and Florida State might have a slight edge when it comes to the running backs and wide receivers. But the most important position on the offense is quarterback, and the Gators have an apparent advantage at that position. And even though Florida is playing on the road, the experience of Johnson and his hot streak gives the Gators an advantage.