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Brunson: Weekly Top 25 Previews
UHND.com  - Joe Brunson
11/30/2001

Last Week’s Games          Overall

5-7 (41.7%)  ATS             115-81 (58.7%) ATS

6-6 (50.0%) Straight-up      161-35 (82.1%) Straight-up

Miami has outscored opponents 124-7 in their last two games and look to seal up a berth in the Rose Bowl with a win in Blacksburg. While the offense has been rolling, the defense has been stifling. Miami has held eight of ten opponents to seven points or less, including three shutouts. Virginia Tech’s defense has also played very well all year, but have yet to face a ranked opponent. Playing the number one team in the nation is not the ideal way to start. The Hokies rank 2^nd nationally against the run, however it collapsed in their two losses. James Mungro got off for 102 yards in the loss to Syracuse and Pittsburgh’s balanced attack netted 391 total yards including 147 on the ground. The big question for the Hokies is whether they will be able to get their ground game going with Kevin Jones and Keith Burnell. Miami’s rush defense held their last two foes to less than 2.8 yds/rush. Although the Hokies have accepted a bid to the Gator Bowl, they will definitely come out strong with a feisty crowd to back them. However, grant Noel will have to play out of his head to get over on the Hurricane secondary. Look for V-Tech to play it close in the first half, but Miami should take it home after intermission. Canes by 17.

The winner will go to the SEC championship and possibly a chance at the Rose Bowl. Going into the swamp is a tough task for the first time as Casey Clausen is about to find out, but a much tougher task for Tennessee as a team. They have not beaten Florida in the swamp since 1971, suffering seven straight losses in Gainesville. However, Earnest Graham is out for this game. While it may not seem like much considering a very talented Robert Gillespie is the replacement and Rex Grossman is still taking the snaps, consider the Auburn game. Without Graham, Florida was held to –36 yards rushing. Graham is an intricate cog in the Florida attack and without him, Grossman is not the same as he tossed four picks in their loss. The emrgemnce of Donte Stallworth (injury) at WR has taken the pressure off Clausen and given the Vols another solid target other than Kelley Washington. In the past three games, he has snagged 19 balls for 439 yards with 7 touchdowns. Florida will have their hands full, but they have the better defense and a huge advantage in the swamp. Look for a close finish with Florida prevailing by 7.

In a stunning development, these two teams find themselves in a chance for a BCS bid. Nebraska and Oklahoma were penciled in as the matchup, but upsets to both schools have given rise to another rematch. The last time these schools met was on October 20^th when the Longhorns forced four turnovers and Chris Simms threw three touchdowns in a 41-7 route. Since then, Colorado has won four straight, averaging 40.5 points/victory. The game will pose the Big 12’s 2^nd best offense (Colorado) against the league’s best defense (Texas). The big question will be if Simms can show up in a big-time game. In his three biggest games (’00 Oregon, ’00 Oklahoma, & ’01 Oklahoma), he has thrown nine interceptions with only 168 yds/passing per game in three losses. Although he puts up big numbers against pushovers, he has yet to shine in when the spotlight is turned on. This week he will have something he hasn’t had before in the running abilities of Cedric Benson. Benson is only 26 yards away from reaching 1,000 yards and is gaining almost 5 yds/carry. If Benson gets going, it could set up one-on-one coverage with Roy Williams and the Buff secondary. On the other side of the ball, Colorado boasts their own running game, in the form of a three-headed monster. Bobby Purify, Chris Brown, and Cortlen Johnson have gained 2,172 yards with 22 scores. Anyone of these players could start on most teams in division 1-A. Bobby Pesavento will get the nod at QB this week, but Craig Ochs should be healthy enough to play of the need arises. One wonders how much is left in the tanks of Colorado after their huge game against the Huskers. This game should be closer than their earlier meeting, but Texas plays a highly diversified offense. While Colorado is talented, they will meet a Texas team with newfound excitement and energy. Texas by 6.

#12 Stanford –19.5 (9-2) At San Jose State 5:00pm ET

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