SOUTHERN STYLE FOOTBALL

Rivalry Week is upon us! Alabama - Auburn, Carolina - Clemson, Georgia - Georgia Tech, etc., etc., etc. College football in the South doesn't get any more exciting than this!

Lets take a look at the match -ups.

Florida State at Florida - The Seminoles have worlds of incentive: dash Florida's national championship hopes - snap their 5 game losing streak to the Gators - beat Florida for old coach Bobby Bowden (possibly the last time). The Noles have the talent to pull off the upset, too, but something is wrong in Tallahassee. I just don't see an upset here as Florida rolls into the SEC Championship game undefeated. Florida by 12.

Alabama at Auburn - There is not a greater, more intense rivalry in Dixie than this one. In the State of Alabama you declare your allegiance at birth! There have been a number of upsets in this series and most of them were accomplished by great defense and special teams play. Auburn's strength is offense, not defense or special teams. The Tide continues to roll. Bama by 13.

Georgia at Georgia Tech - Last year the Yellow Jackets ended a seven game losing streak to the Dawgs by scoring 26 unanswered points in the third quarter. Believe it or not this type of scoring by Tech could happen again because Georgia's defense was actually better last year than now! The Jackets have also had two weeks to prepare while Georgia had to play (and lose) to Kentucky last week. Tech is set to win its fifth game in a row and enter the ACC Championship game against Clemson on a hot streak. Georgia Tech by 10.

Ole Miss at Mississippi State - The Rebels finish the regular season on a high note by winning yet another Egg Bowl from their weaker, but ever dangerous, arch rivals. Ole Miss by 14.

Clemson at South Carolina - The Gamecocks have lost 10 of the last 12 to the Tigers and have not won at home since 1989! Clemson is hot, having won six in a row entering this game. The Tigers also have a date with Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game next week. An extra week of preparation may benefit USC which has lost three in a row. If the Tigers relax, Carolina is good enough to claim the victory. Coach Dabo should have his boys focused and ready. Clemson by 9.

Virginia Tech at Virginia - The Hokies have too many weapons for the hapless Wahoos. This will probably be UVA coach Al Groh's last game in Charlottesville. Virginia Tech by 15. N orth Carolina at N.C. State - The surging Tar Heels put injury riddled State out of its misery. North Carolina by 13.