Posted: Wednesday November 26, 2003 12:15PM; Updated: Wednesday November 26, 2003 12:16PM 
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Each Friday, SI.com's Stewart Mandel weighs in
with his forecast of
the weekend's biggest games. |
| Nov. 28-29 |
 
Sat., 3:30 p.m. EST | CBS |
No. 9 Florida State (9-2) at No. 11 Florida (8-3)
Let's see. In one corner, we have Chris Rix. He throws a lot of interceptions. In the other corner, we have Keiwan Ratliff. He intercepts a lot of passes. Not only that, Rix will be without his top receiver, Craphonso Thorpe. Yikes.
Florida 23, Florida State 13 |
 
Sat., 8 p.m. EST | ABC |
No. 10 Miami (9-2) at No. 20 Pittsburgh (8-3)
If anyone can put a lid on Larry Fitzgerald, it's Miami, owner of the nation's best pass defense this side of Oklahoma. More good news for the 'Canes: Pittsburgh's defense is just bad enough that even they may be able to move the ball.
Miami 20, Pittsburgh 14 |
 
Fri., 2:30 p.m. EST | CBS |
Arkansas (8-3) at No. 3 LSU (10-1)
This game has had some crazy finishes, including Arkansas' 30-yard touchdown with 9 seconds left last season. The Tigers are the better team, a national title contender, but it's a requirement that the ballgame go down to the wire.
LSU 24, Arkansas 23 |
 
Sat., 1 p.m. EST | ABC |
No. 5 Georgia (9-2) at Georgia Tech (6-5)
I feel compelled to offer three different scores: One if it's the Georgia Tech that stomped Auburn and N.C. State, one if it's the version that barely beat Vandy and one if it's the group that lost 41-17 to Duke. Not that it would change the outcome.
Georgia 27, Georgia Tech 14 |
 
Sat., 1 p.m. EST | ABC |
No. 22 Virginia Tech (8-3) at Virginia (6-5)
In an effort to right his team's ship, Frank Beamer decided this week he's abandoning his two-quarterback rotation and sticking with Bryan Randall. Not that it will particularly matter when they're running Kevin Jones about 42 straight times.
Virginia Tech 28, Virginia 23 |
 
Fri., Noon EST | ABC |
No. 25 Nebraska (8-3) at Colorado (5-6)
The Huskers return to the site of their lowest moment, the game two years ago that began their descent into the realm of the ordinary. Don't expect a repeat of that 62-36 debacle, but it says something that they'll have to sweat a 5-6 team.
Nebraska 27, Colorado 21 |
 
Sat., Noon EST | ESPN |
Toledo (8-3) at Bowling Green (9-2)
We're already assured of the first MAC title game without Marshall in the event's seven-year history. Will Bowling Green join Miami in the All-New Blood Bowl? The Rockets are no pushovers, but yes, it's finally the Falcons' year.
Bowling Green 32, Toledo 21 |
 
Sat., 7:45 p.m. EST | ESPN |
This week's upset special:
Alabama (4-8) at Hawaii (7-4)
OK, so it's only considered an upset in Vegas, but hey, there aren't a lot of other choices out there. The Warriors played the Tide tough last year when Alabama was a much better team, but Timmy Chang needs to stop throwing picks.
Hawaii 34, Alabama 28 |
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Last Week: 7-1. Overall: 72-32.
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