Syracuse at Virginia Tech

GAME TIME:	6 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- Syracuse 28, Virginia Tech 26
SERIES:	Syracuse leads 7-5

Syracuse is becoming more confident with each passing game. Watching the Orangemen against Pittsburgh, I was really impressed with their overall athletic ability. In a meeting, coach Paul Pasqualoni said he has the most athletic defensive front seven he's ever had at Syracuse, which shows how active they are.

The one thing the Orangemen have to guard against is the mental approach to the game. At times they look like a very good football team, and at others they look to be mediocre. Consistency has been something they have been fighting all year to achieve.

Their defense can be dominating, but offensively, the Orangemen are still evolving and trying to find out who they are without Donovan McNabb. Troy Nunes and Madei Williams are trying to pick up the slack at quarterback. Nunes is a better option player who is smaller but quicker. He can make good decisions and is poised when he throws the ball. Williams is big, fast and strong. He just doesn't seem to have the quickness some of the great option quarterbacks at Syracuse have had.

Both Nunes and Willams will play, but Virginia Tech has one of the most dominating defenses in college football. Defensive end Corey Moore is a stallion with great speed off the corner. John Engelberger complements Moore well on the other end. The Hokies' linebackers are collectively as good as any group in college football, and their secondary is very consistent. That's what makes the Hokies so tough. They have so many players who can beat you.

On the other side of the ball, redshirt freshman Michael Vick has been sensational since he's taken over at quarterback. He had a lot of hype coming into the season, and he's lived up to it -- maybe even surpassing expectations.

The outcome will depend on Syracuse's ability to play on the road in a hostile environment with their young quarterbacks. I think the Orangemen defense can keep them in the game. But can Syracuse move the ball offensively against one of the best defenses in the country? That will dictate whether or not the Orangemen can stay in the game.   BACK TO TOP

Michigan State at Purdue

GAME TIME:	3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ABC
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- Purdue 25, Michigan State 24
SERIES:	Michigan State leads 28-22-3

Purdue is reeling off two tough losses. The Boilermakers didn't show up ready to play against Michigan. Then a week ago against Ohio State, they easily could have won the game. They are still a confident team with a competitive leader in Drew Brees. They found a new running back, Montrell Lowe, who can complement J. Crabtree. It helps their offensive scheme having a quick back like Lowe who can break tackles. Teams focus so much on the pass that Purdue can run the ball.

Michigan State has become a dominating defense. The Spartans, No. 1 in the country defending the run, are playing with a ton of confidence and have a front seven that can stick you. At the same time, they are athletic enough in the secondary where they can take some chances in coverage and move people around to stop the run and pass.

Purdue's scheme will challenge Michigan State because the Boilermakers will come out in a four-receiver look quite a bit. It will be interesting to see what Michigan State coach Nick Saban decides to do. Does he use a nickel package or keep his regular defensive personnel in the game? One way or another, Joe Tiller's scheme has a way of attacking a big, physical defense.

This is a potential upset-alert game. Purdue can give Michigan State all it can handle. For the Spartans to win, they need to use a ball-control offense. With Bill Burke's passing efficiency, big-play receivers like Plaxico Burress and Gari Scott, and tight ends Ivory McCoy and Chris Baker, their balanced offense should be enough to win the game, but it will be a dogfight. Don't be surprised if Purdue pulls off the upset.   BACK TO TOP

Alabama at Mississippi

GAME TIME:	3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, CBS
LAST MEETING:	1998 -- Alabama 20, Mississippi 17 (OT)
SERIES:	Alabama leads 37-7-2

I talked to Shaun Alexander earlier in the week, and he said the off week for Alabama last week couldn't have come at a better time after beating the Florida Gators, ending Florida's 30-game win streak at The Swamp. The players could go home, see their families and get the game out of their system. Now, Alexander says, it's all business as usual, all about Ole Miss.

I think this is the ultimate sandwich game for the Crimson Tide. They beat Florida, they have Tennessee on the horizon, and in between is Ole Miss. Alabama will really have to focus this week on taking on David Cutcliffe's team. The Rebels have the ability offensively to keep it an interesting game because of Alabama's vulnerability to big passing plays. With quarterback Romaro Miller, running backs Joe Gunn and Deuce McAllister and receiver Cory Peterson, the Rebels have the offensive weapons to challenge 'Bama.

I don't think Ole Miss' defense can slow down a more diversified 'Bama attack. Quarterback Andrew Zow has been phenomenal. Charlie Stubbs has done a nice job of play-calling and using the receivers. This is a new 'Bama offense. In the past the philosophy was always to just run the ball. But Alexander has become more effective and more of a weapon because the Tide will use four receivers. They will spread it out and make you respect other aspects of their offense. That just opens things up for Alexander.

If 'Bama can win impressively and Alexander can have a big game, it will set him up for a potential one-game Heisman campaign against Tennessee.   BACK TO TOP