What Lies Ahead

Not to sound like an old sports cliche, but I will do it, you can throw out the records of both teams when the #1 University of Florida Gators and the un-ranked Georgia Bulldogs tangle this Saturday in Jacksonville, FL in one of the biggest, if not the biggest, rivalry in the SEC.

The Bulldogs come into the game at 4-3 and a win on Saturday could bolster the "Dawgs" for strong finish and help salvage what has been a disappointing season so far. The Gators will be out to prove why they are ranked as number one in the land. After what some have called lackluster performances against some inferior opponents the Florida squad will be playing with a small chip on their shoulders.

A big win and a strong statistical day for Tim Tebow could vault the Gator quarterback into a Heisman race in which there is no clear cut leader emerging. Tebow has said that the Heisman is not his biggest concern, but rather winning the national championship for the Gator Nation is his goal for the season. A good day could accomplish both feats though.

Offensive coordinator and line coach, Steve Addazio, is leaning toward starting two freshmen lineman on Saturday, Sam Robey and Xavier Nixon, both could get the start after the Gators allowed nine sacks in their last two SEC games.

The Gators will also be welcoming back Brandon Spikes and three other starters to the line-up . Spikes sat out the Mississippi State game. He was dressed but saw no playing time in Starksville because of a hamstring injury.

It was also just announced today that Tim Tebow is one of 16 finalists for the Campbell Trophy that is awarded to the top senior-athlete in football every season.

The PAC-10 picture will come a little more into focus after this weekend as #5 USC travels up the coast to take on the #10 Oregon Ducks. The Ducks have done a masterful job of putting behind them the opening night loss at Boise State and the after game pyrotechnics. Coach Chip Kelly has his team focused on the job at hand. USC head coach Pete Carroll has done the same with the Trojans. After getting upset by Washington the Trojans have been chewing through opponents with reckless abandon and setting up this game with the Ducks in a showdown that will more than likely decide the PAC-10 champion.

The #3 Texas Longhorns have another big test this weekend as they take on the #14 Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Cowboys will be without former Heisman candidate Dez Bryant who has been suspended by the NCAA for lying about contact with former NFL player Deion Sanders. The Longhorns will be playing for a chance to move up to the #1 or #2 spot in the rankings with a big win over a ranked opponent. Colt McCoy, just like Tim Tebow, will vault himself into the lead of Heisman talk with a big game in the national media's eyes.

Another SEC game that needs some attention is #22 South Carolina traveling to Knoxville to take on Tennessee. All has been quiet this week on the Lane Kiffin front but Kiffin ran his mouth earlier this year with comments about Gamecock head ball coach Steve Spurrier. We all know if given the chance Spurrier will run it up to prove a point to the SEC rookie Volunteer head coach.

Other games to keep your eyes on #25 Ole Miss visits Auburn. Which Ole Miss team will show up and for that matter which Auburn team will come out of the tunnel. #19 Miami is back in action, traveling to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest, after losing in overtime to Clemson.
After a big win of BYU last week #6 TCU hosts UNLV in what could be a trap game for the Horned Frogs.

FSU celebrates homecoming this Saturday by welcoming NC State into Doak Campbell Stadium. This will be a battle of two very good quarterbacks in Seminole Christian Ponder and the Wolfpack's Russell Wilson. It should be a high scoring affair and be highly entertaining if you like touchdowns and big plays.

Upsets of the week, and I have two, Syracuse shocks #8 Cincinnati and hopeless and hapless Indiana pulls off the major upset of #4 Iowa.