INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Looking Ahead
by Ivan Maisel
Posted: Wed December 3, 1997
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP: AUBURN (9-2) VS.TENNESSEE (10-1)
Florida fans might point to the fact that the Volunteers needed
help to win the SEC East, but Tennessee is laughing all the way
to Atlanta. A berth in a potential national championship game
and a Heisman for Peyton Manning are in the offing. Auburn, with
its sickly running game, won't play the spoiler.
BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP: NEBRASKA (11-0) VS. TEXAS A&M (9-2)
Nothing the Cornhuskers can do against the Aggies will move them
from No. 2 back to No. 1, and it's equally hard to imagine
unbeaten Nebraska losing a second straight conference
championship game. Despite the elevation of Branndon Stewart to
full-time quarterback, A&M's passing attack isn't good enough to
take advantage of the weakest part of the Nebraska defense: the
young secondary.
WAC CHAMPIONSHIP: COLORADO STATE (9-2) VS. NEW MEXICO (9-2)
The Rams have won seven straight, by an average of 32.3 points.
Credit goes to a defense that has produced 34 turnovers and to
quarterback Moses Moreno, second in the nation in passing
efficiency. Lobos junior quarterback Graham Leigh has 24
touchdown passes in 249 attempts. That ratio will drop on
Saturday, as will New Mexico.
ARMY (4-6) VS. NAVY (6-4)
The Cadets have won the last five in this unrivaled rivalry, by
a total of 10 points. Those losses hurt the Middies, but a
defeat this year would be worse. For the first time in years
Navy is clearly the better team, fielding seniors where it
counts most. By winning in Giants Stadium, this class will avoid
being the third straight group of seniors never to have beaten
Army.
MAC CHAMPIONSHIP: TOLEDO (9-2) AT MARSHALL (9-2)
There's more to Marshall than All-America wideout Randy Moss.
The Herd's defense allowed only six touchdowns through the air
this season. It should shut down Toledo's Chris Wallace, who has
thrown 25 TDs, and earn Marshall the MAC's berth in the Motor
City Bowl.
Issue date: December 8, 1997
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