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 Big rivalries can produce big upsets
Posted: Friday October 08, 1999 10:19 AM
Any time two old rivals get together, there's a good chance there's going to be an upset. And with four great rivalry games this weekend you can bet at least one higher-ranked team is going down. Lets start in the Big Ten, where both Michigan and Michigan State are 5-0. Michigan has won the last three games between these teams, but this year will be different. The Spartans are simply playing outstanding ball right now. Quarterback Bill Burke has avoided making too many mistakes and has a stable of great receivers. And surprising Lloyd Clemons is averaging nearly 6.5 yards per carry on the ground. But the reason I like State in an upset is their much-improved defense, which ranks 12th in the nation. Miami-Florida State is always a war. Or, as Miami offensive coordinator Larry Coker told me, "Florida State will be aggressive. They want to get in a fight, so you might as well join them." This game will come down to Miami's ability to block the quick, athletic front seven of FSU so that Miami quarterback Kenny Kelly can go deep at least 10 times. As good as the Seminoles' defense is, the Canes believe wide receivers Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne can beat man-to-man coverage. But I think the Seminoles' pass rush will be overwhelming. I like FSU. How about Tennessee and Georgia. Bulldogs defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey knows his defense has been inconsistent, and he told me in games like this, you have the tendency to put undue pressure on yourself. Georgia feels that the key against Tennessee will be to have fun -- flying around and setting the tempo before the Vols get settled. But in the end, I think Georgia's lack of a running game will mean a Tennessee win. Oklahoma and Texas renew their bitter rivalry in Dallas. The Longhorns' strong passing game has surprised even the Texas coaches. I talked with Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis, who said that with Ricky Williams around last year, they simply didn't know how good Major Appelwhite was. Despite a limited running attack, White has completed 64 percent of his passes and has 11 TDs with only four interceptions. However, Oklahoma's wide-open passing attack continues to move the ball well. Expect a high scoring game, with the Sooners coming out on top. Trev Alberts is a college football analyst for CNN/SI and appears on CNN's College Football Preview, Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. ET.
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