Tennessee at Florida

GAME TIME:	8 p.m. ET Saturday, CBS
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- Tennessee 20, Florida 17 (OT)
SERIES:	Tennessee leads 16-12

For the Florida Gators, it's the much anticipated opportunity to play the national champion Vols. Tennessee is physically just as good, if not better, than last year. Tee Martin is now an experienced, polished quarterback. Tailback Jamal Lewis is back running as well as he did before the knee injury last year. The Vols' young receiving corps, led by Cedric Wilson, continues to improve. The offensive line is as strong as it was last year. And defensively, the Vols may be quicker than a year ago. So the Gators have their work cut out for them.

	Jamal Lewis ran for 82 yards against Florida last year.

It may look like an opportunity ripe for a Tennessee victory at The Swamp, but people said the same thing two years ago when Peyton Manning was a senior. And the Vols still lost. The Gators defense may appear to be susceptible, but new defensive coordinator Jon Hoke has incorporated a system that is similar to the one under Bob Stoops. The defense has been criticized after two games, but the Gators have been playing a very vanilla scheme against lesser teams, Western Michigan and Central Florida. Granted, the Gators are green, with 11 first-year starters, but they have been very conservative defensively, a big reason why they have allowed 53 points in two games.

For both teams, the key is simple: Whoever stops the run, wins the game. In the Tennessee-Florida series in the '90s, the team that has run the ball with more success is 9-0. For Florida, Earnest Graham will get an opportunity to show that he is for real. He gives the Gators a big, powerful back to go along with a spectacular passing game led by Doug Johnson. For Tennessee, of course, it's Lewis. So I will be keeping my eye who runs the ball the best and who avoids turnovers.   BACK TO TOP

Penn State at Miami (Fla.)

GAME TIME:	3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, CBS
LAST MEETING:	1992 -- Miami 17, Penn State 14
SERIES:	Penn State leads 6-5

Back in August, before the season even started, I was looking at schedules and teams. There were about five teams I thought were better than the rest, with Penn State being one of them. And the one game I thought would be the most difficult for the Nittany Lions was this one, at Miami on Sept. 18.

I figured Penn State, traveling to Florida's heat and humidity, could be caught sleeping against a Hurricane team looking to showcase its talents. But those thoughts came before the season. Now, Miami can blame Pittsburgh for Penn State's angry and determined demeanor. The Lions got their wake-up call last week, and I think they will arrive at the Orange Bowl focused and ready to play.

The battle to watch will be Penn State's offensive line, which had trouble against Pitt's pass rush, against a much quicker and more athletic Miami pass rush, led by defensive tackle Damione Lewis. We're going to find out if Miami quarterback Kenny Kelly is ready to step out into the national spotlight and prove that he is worthy of that hype. He has the ability to run and throw, and this weekend it will take a little bit of both.

The Hurricanes will be facing a great Lions defense that is tough against the run. The Lions will try to slow down James Jackson and force Kelly to beat them through the air. Penn State has shown to be a bit vulnerable against teams that can throw the ball. Pitt quarterback John Turman threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns. Look for Miami tight end Daniel Franks to be more involved in the 'Canes passing game because they may be able to get him the ball.   BACK TO TOP

Florida State at N.C. State

GAME TIME:	3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- N.C. State 24, Florida State 7
SERIES:	Florida State leads 14-5

Florida State has been able to win a couple of ugly games. The only thing that matters, however, is that the Seminoles are undefeated.

I think Florida State's offense is beginning to hit on all cylinders. Quarterback Chris Weinke, after a dismal six-interception performance against N.C. State last year, is eager to get revenge. The Seminoles are looking to get Laveranues Coles back, to go along with Peter Warrick, Anquan Boldin and a now-healthy Ron Dugans. The 'Noles are loaded at receiver. Trevor Minor and Nick Maddox are beginning to excel at tailback. At fullback, converted quarterback Dan Kendra, who had his first start last week, has added a new dimension to the offense. I think the 'Noles offense will do whatever it wants to do Saturday.

The challenge will be on defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews and the Florida State defense to get back to their dominating form. The Seminoles have looked a bit mortal in the first two games, giving up some numbers to Louisiana Tech and Georgia Tech. They need a return to playing relentless defense. Jamie Barnette, N.C. State's athletic quarterback, can run and throw. Jamal Reynolds, Roland Seymour and company on the Florida State defensive line need to start pressuiring the quarterback again. The way they become a dominating defense again is with the pass rush, because their secondary has shown to be susceptible to big plays, although they have two good cornerbacks who take chances and play solid man coverage.   BACK TO TOP

Michigan State at Notre Dame

GAME TIME:	1:30 p.m. ET Saturday, NBC
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- Michigan State 45, Notre Dame 23/font>
SERIES:	Notre Dame leads 41-20-1

This game will once again test the Irish character. Last week they played well enough to win the football game only to have time management concerns at the end of the first half and at the end of the ballgame cost them another victory. The Irish are 1-2 when they could easily be 2-1 or maybe even 3-0. Because of that, will Notre Dame come into this game ready to play and not have thrown in the towel on the season?

I love the Notre Dame offense with new offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers pushing the buttons. The Irish will look to establish the run with Tony Driver and Tony Fisher, and then mix in some play-action pass and improvisation from quarterback Jarious Jackson. They should have success moving the ball against the Spartan defense.

Notre Dame's challenge will be defending quarterback Bill Burke and the balanced Michigan State offense and showing up mentally ready to play. Not too many Irish teams over the years have lost three straight games, and this Notre Dame team doesn't want to make history.   BACK TO TOP