Familiar Foe Despite having three losses, Florida is right in the thick of the crowded SEC East race. In order to stay there, the Gators will have to beat a team coached by a very familiar face. The No. 17 Gators (6-3, 4-3) travel to South Carolina on Saturday to face former Florida coach Steve Spurrier and his Gamecocks (6-4, 3-4), which have lost three straight after climbing as high as No. 6 in the AP poll.
Author: Anthony Rome
Can UT Slow Down Tech? Texas has had to mount furious fourth-quarter rallies to narrowly win each of its last two games. The Longhorns know they cannot afford to fall into too deep a hole against Texas Tech’s high-powered offense led by quarterback Graham Harrell and wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
Can Va Tech Beat Bobby? Florida State finished off what Virginia Tech couldn’t, giving Hokies fans more reason to wonder if their team can finally beat coach Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles. A week after Florida State knocked off the No. 2 team in the nation and two weeks after No. 11 Virginia Tech blew a chance to do so, these teams square off for the first time in the regular season as ACC opponents on Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.
No Looking Ahead Ohio State knows quite well what awaits it in the near future, but understands it must remain focused on the present. Though their biggest rival and a likely showdown for a conference championship looms a week from now, the top-ranked Buckeyes won’t look past their meeting with bowl-eligible Illinois on Saturday in a Big Ten matchup at Ohio Stadium.
Comeback Kids Michigan quarterback Chad Henne has helped his team bounce back from a horrible start and stay in the thick of the hunt for the Big Ten title. Henne and the No. 13 Wolverines (8-2, 6-0) look to continue their pursuit of the conference crown when they visit Wisconsin (7-3, 3-3) on Saturday.
Seeking Nine Wins Quarterback Chase Daniel has led Missouri to its highest ranking in 28 years, but the team is still looking up in the Big 12 standings. The seventh-ranked Tigers look to reach the nine-win mark for the first time in 38 years when they meet struggling Texas A&M and embattled coach Dennis Franchione on Saturday in their final home game of the season.
Top 20 SEC Showdown Behind a three-game winning streak, Georgia has moved another step closer to playing in the SEC title game. Auburn, meanwhile, still hopes to represent the West Division in the conference championship. The 10th-ranked Bulldogs and No. 18 Tigers both seek to build on their recent strong play when the teams renew their rivalry and meet for the 111th time on Saturday.
SEC Battle in Knoxville Following a blowout victory over a lesser nonconference opponent, Tennessee is set to close the regular season against three SEC opponents with a spot in the conference championship game at stake. The 22nd-ranked Volunteers begin their final push for the SEC East crown on Saturday as they try to slow down Arkansas and Heisman Trophy hopeful Darren McFadden at Neyland Stadium.
Thinking Upset Alabama look to rebound from a devastating loss by avenging one from last season. The Crimson Tide hope to hold on to their status as a Top 25 team Saturday when they visit SEC rival Mississippi State.
BCS Bowl Hopes Still Alive With its national title hopes all but gone, Arizona State is now trying to keep its BCS bowl hopes from slipping away. The ninth-ranked Sun Devils look to bounce back from their first loss of the year when they visit banged-up UCLA on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.