Fast Forward

? Alabama (9-2) vs. Florida (9-2)
The Crimson Tide used its 40-39 upset of the Gators on Oct. 2 as a springboard to this SEC title game: Alabama went on to win the SEC West with a 7-1 conference record. The key matchup this time, as it was in October, will be All-America left tackle Chris Samuels of 'Bama against defensive end Alex Brown of SEC East champion Florida. Behind Samuels, tailback Shaun Alexander ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns in the Swamp. The Gators' offense struggled late in the season and won't get well in Atlanta. Send the Tide to the Orange Bowl for the first time in 25 years.

?Army (3-7) vs. Navy (4-7)
Their records are similar. The teams are not. For most of the season the young Middies played just well enough to lose: They suffered six defeats by a touchdown or less. Navy lost at Notre Dame in the last minute and had a chance to tie in the final seconds at Hawaii. All that character-building will pay off in the centennial meeting with the struggling Cadets. Middies quarterback Brian Madden will be one of the top players to watch next season. Get a sneak preview on Saturday.

? Nebraska (10-1) vs. Texas (9-3)
The Big 12 North-champion Comhuskers are 43-7 since the formation of the conference in 1996, but they've gone 0-3 against the Longhorns, who won this year's Big 12 South crown. In Texas's 24-20 victory on Oct. 23, Longhorns quarterback Major Applewhite proved that the Cornhuskers' pass defense, ranked third in the country, could be had, throwing for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Colorado quarterback Mike Moschetti proved it again last week during Nebraska's fourth-quarter collapse in Boulder. There are probably reasons to think that the fourth time against Texas will be the charm for the Cornhuskers in this Big 12 championship game, but none come to mind. Texas will head to the Fiesta Bowl, Nebraska to the Cotton.