A-one-and-a-two...

NAMES
Florida State has Kez McCorvey (Ward's go-to wideout), 'OMar Ellison (who is also a wideout and who really spells his name like that) and Pooh Bear Williams (a fullback). The Irish can chew on those names all afternoon. Notre Dame, one point.

THE MIAMI FACTOR

As big as this game is, it is only the second-biggest game to the Seminoles. Beating Miami was everything. Beating Miami was the door Florida State hadn't gotten through in seven of the last eight seasons. "If we don't win this one," says Florida State's pocket Rocket, tailback Warrick Dunn, "the Miami game doesn't mean a thing."

No way the Seminoles let that happen. Florida State, two points.

NITPICKS

If you really want to look behind the refrigerator for stuff, you'll find that Florida State is ranked dead last in the nation in kickoff returns. Of course, nobody ever kicks off against Florida State, so the guys don't get much practice. The Seminoles' All-America kick returner, Tamarick Vanover, has returned one kick all year. Their punting isn't so hot, either, but then again, Florida State doesn't punt much. Then again, the Seminoles haven't been behind in the second half all year, so if they get down, maybe they'll panic.

And maybe Janet Reno will do a swim-suit calendar. Zippo points.

Voil�. All that adds up to Florida State 25, Notre Dame 19, and no civilized being can argue with our analysis. It's brilliant in its simplicity and devastating in its logic. I'm telling you, Beano Cooke is dying over this.

See you at the banquet?