Looking Ahead

? OHIO STATE (10-1) AT MICHIGAN (10-0)
Poetic justice demands that the Buckeyes win, because the Wolverines have upset Ohio State's national-championship hopes each of the last two years. But there is little poetry in football and less justice. While the Buckeyes' defense has improved greatly during the year, Michigan's still has no peer north of Tallahassee. This is Charles Woodson's final opportunity to make his Heisman case. Expect him to make the most of it.

? FLORIDA STATE (10-0) AT FLORIDA (8-2)
There's no great upset history in this rivalry—the better team wins. The Seminoles' season has gone just as coach Bobby Bowden had hoped: The offensive line and running game have matured, the defense has been dominant, and no key players have gotten hurt. Florida State's reward awaits it in the Swamp.

? WASHINGTON STATE (9-1) AT WASHINGTON (7-3)
The Cougars have momentum, and the Rose Bowl as an incentive. The banged-up Huskies have fallen from national-championship contender to Sun Bowl contender in two weeks. There's no reason Washington should win—except that Washington State knocked it out of the Rose Bowl twice in the 1980s.

?EAST CAROLINA (5-5) AT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (5-5)
When the Wolfpack wanted money for a new basketball arena in 1995, the state legislature agreed—provided that North Carolina State play the Pirates in football. Nothing hurt embattled Wolfpack coach Mike O'Cain's standing with the alumni more than a 50-29 loss to East Carolina last season. His job is at stake against the Pirates, who have won four straight. Sentiment dictates that the Wolfpack win. College football needs good guys like O'Cain.

? TENNESSEE (8-1) AT KENTUCKY (5-5)
Football historians may someday recall this game as the first showdown between 0 Peyton Manning and Tim Couch. The Wildcats quarterback will wish they didn't 8 recall it at all.