Southern Fried Football
with CLAUDE CLEATS

"Expect the unexpected" is an old cliché which aptly describes the college football season not only in the South, but the entire nation. Forty point underdog Stanford tops Southern Cal 24-23 and now LSU is unquestionably Number One after barely beating Florida. The "experts" called it "Gut Check Saturday." They were right only because every Saturday this season has been a "Gut Check Saturday."

Well, let's see whose "guts" will get checked this weekend.

Alabama at Ole Miss - The Tide is a little tentative, but the Rebels are pretty weak. A few Bama turnovers, however, and this could be another upset. Alabama by 10.

Auburn at Arkansas - War Eagle head coach Tommy Tuberville seems to have Auburn back on track. Razorback head man Houston Nutt has not been as fortunate. Auburn by 9.

Virginia Tech at Duke - The Hokies are coming off a big win at Clemson and have their sites set on the ACC title game. Duke is better, but Tech has too much speed and quickness. Virginia Tech by 17.

Florida State at Wake Forest - Tonight's ESPN telecast should be quite a battle. The Seminoles have not lost since Labor Day night at Clemson. New QB Xavier Lee has greatly increased the productivity of FSU's offense and LB Geno Hayes will lead a stiflingdefense, if he hasn't gotten into another bar fight this week. Wake Forest is tough, especially at home, but the Noles are on a mission. FSU by 8.

Georgia at Vandy - The Dawgs were humbled again by Tennessee last week. This young team had better not take the Commodores lightly or they will suffer loss number three in the SEC. Georgia by 14.

Georgia Tech at Miami - Both of these teams were upset last week. Neither is playing well right now. Claude goes with the home team. Miami by 4.

LSU at Kentucky - The Bayou Bengals may suffer a letdown following the big win over Florida. Kentucky's André Woodson is anxious to prove that he is a legitimate Heisman contender after his erratic play in last Thursday's loss to South Carolina. An upset could be brewing, but I think LSU will wake up in time. LSU by 7.

South Carolina at North Carolina - The renewal of this ancient rivalry could really be something! Under new head coach Butch Davis the Tar Heels have gotten better each week. UNC's upset of Miami was no fluke. South Carolina took the measure of then No. 8 Kentucky last Thursday and Coach Spurrier will have a hard time getting the Gamecocks to take the Heels seriously. Upset pick - UNC by 2.

Central Florida at South Florida - The State of Florida's "Big Three" may have become the "Big Five." South Florida survives a scare in this intense rivalry. South Florida by 10.

Post Script: Yes, Notre Dame finally won a game last week.

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