Florida at Georgia
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Place: Jacksonville, Fla.
Line: Georgia by 1 1/2
TV: ESPN
Records: Florida (5-3, 3-2 SEC), Georgia (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
What’s at stake: In one of the most storied rivalries in college football, Florida has won 11 of the last 12 Cocktail Party meetings. But that was under Steve Spurrier. And Georgia leads the all-time series 44-33-2.
Overview: A win for No. 5 Georgia clinches the SEC East, and gives it a shot at its first SEC title in 20 years. But the Gators aren’t buying into the Bulldogs’ success. Florida players past and present have given the Bulldogs plenty of bulletin board material.
A 5-3 record hasn’t humbled the Gators. Offensive lineman Shannon Snell said the Bulldogs would lose twice before the end of the year. And former Gators star Jabar Gaffney was less subtle.
“Georgia knows then can’t win when they face Florida,” he told The Miami Herald.
The Bulldogs pounded Kentucky 52-24 last Saturday, and they did so without three key offensive players. Georgia’s leading rusher, Musa Smith, will return to start against Florida. Fred Gibson, the team’s second-leading receiver, and tackle Jon Stinchcomb, a Lombardi candidate, are day-to-day. Georgia has four 5-3 teams left on its regular season schedule. Florida probably has the best shot to remove the Bulldogs from the ranks of unbeatens before the postseason.
Colorado at Oklahoma
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Norman, Okla.
Line: Oklahoma by 12
TV: None
Records: Colorado (6-2, 4-0 Big 12) Oklahoma (7-0, 3-0 Big 12)
What’s at stake: This is a likely preview of the Big 12 championship game. Colorado is 8-0-1 in the last nine meeting with Oklahoma. The Buffaloes made their first appearance in the BCS standings this week, where Oklahoma is No. 1.
Overview: The No. 2 Sooners defense faces the task of shutting down the nation’s leading rusher, Chris Brown. The Buffaloes top back has gone for at least 100 yards in each of his last five games. He has 1303 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season. Brown’s success has sparked a five-game winning streak for No. 13 Colorado. During the streak the Buffaloes have scored 30 or more points in every game. But the Sooners are second in the nation in total defense, allowing 252.3 yards per game. Oklahoma limits teams to just 99 yards rushing and 13.1 points per game.
Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Blacksburg, Va.
Line: Virginia Tech by 12 1/2
TV: None
Records: Pittsburgh (6-2, 3-0 Big East), Virginia Tech (8-0, 3-0 Big East)
What’s at stake: This is Virginia Tech’s toughest test to remain unbeaten until its regular-season finale with Miami. Pittsburgh won last year’s matchup 38-7.
Overview: Last year the Panthers’ blowout victory sent Virginia Tech into a funk that led to four losses in its last six games. This year, Pittsburgh is a couple of close games away from an undefeated year. The Panthers only two losses are by two points to Texas A&M, and eight points to No. 4 Notre Dame.
The Hokies are coming off a weak performance last Saturday. Virginia Tech beat Temple (3-5) by just 10 points.
Pittsburgh quarterback Rod Rutherford leads the Big East in total offense with 259.9 yards per game. His two favorite targets have been wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Lamar Slade, who have combined for 73 catches, 1,058 yards and eight touchdowns this year.
