Christopher Wuensch staff writer

Christopher Wuensch

Arizona vs. UCLA

Even though the Wildcats' play this season has the NCAA pondering the installation of the mercy rule, the Bruins could be a welcome visitor to Tucson. UCLA is riding high, while Arizona has a new attitude. All the cards are in place for the upset. It doesn't happen, however, as Rodney Leislie delivers the knockout blow for the third straight week.

UCLA 31

Arizona 14

Oklahoma vs. Texas

Scoring 50-plus points for the fourth straight week will be tough for the Sooners. It's too bad for the Oklahoma defense that that big blonde target Chris Simms won't be sitting back in the pocket asking to be popped. The celebration after dropping K-State last week will be short-lived, as the Sooners bring the Longhorns back to reality. Vince Young assumes Simms' role; Sooner defense prevails.

Oklahoma 28

Texas 21

Miami vs. Florida State

No. 2 versus no. 5. You can't ask for a better game ÷ unless you asked for Rutgers vs. UTEP. Jarett Payton's rush to fill his father's shoes will have to wait until next week against Temple. The game comes down to a field goal. Florida QB Chris Rix returns to the parking lot after the game to find his car has been towed.

Miami 24

Florida St. 21

Tennessee vs. Georgia

A classic southern match up: whiskey versus drawl. Tennessee is in a tough spot and needs a win over the Bulldogs to assert themselves in the SEC. A win over Georgia not only erases a bad loss to Auburn, but allows the Vols to go on cruise control for two weeks before taking a trip to Miami. Tennessee takes advantage of a marginal Georgia running game and "Vol-ts" into first place of the SEC East.

Tennessee 26

Georgia 20

Branden Lombardi staff writer

Branden Lombardi

Arizona vs. UCLA

UCLA enjoys ruining special UA weekends. This year, they look to ruin Family Weekend. While UCLA dismantled what was thought to be a good Washington team, the Wildcats looked decent against Wazzu ÷ decent enough to lose. For once, I will listen to my editor and not go against the ÎCats, despite the fact that we are 17 point Îdogs. Brett, this one's for you.

Wildcats 21

Bruins 20

Oklahoma vs. Texas

Stoops. Mike Stoops. He could be the next UA coach, and you can't argue with his success. The Sooner defense gets the press, but QB Jason White is as good as they come. With that said, IF I actually picked the Sooners to win, I would lose a friend at UT. Besides, if you've been to 6th street, you'd be a Texas fan too ÷ just no Red Snappers. As they say in Texas, "OU · O-who?

Hook 'em, 'Horns 27

Sooners 24

Miami vs. Florida State

Will this year's outcome rest on the shoulders of a 5-foot-7 towel boy ÷ er, kicker? Miami will be without its top running back and has been exposed as a beatable team. As long as Chris Rix is able to find a decent parking spot, FSU should be poised to upset the ÎCanes, although they're favored. Bobby Bowden won't need the Rolaids this year as Tallahassee celebrates a ÎNoles victory.

Free Shoes University 34

Miami 24

Tennessee vs. Georgia

Ah, football in the land of NASCAR. Led by QB David Greene, look for Georgia to air it out as well as pound Tennessee on the ground. The Volunteers, losers last week, will have redemption on their mind playing in Knoxville. One problem ÷ Vols coach Phil Fullmer pulled a "W" this week by using the word "outphysicaled" in a press conference. I hope the Vols have some solid "strategery" in place this weekend.

'Dawgs 28

Volunteers 17

Ross Hammonds staff writer

Ross Hammonds

Arizona vs. UCLA

There are two "for sures" about this game. One involves my birth-givers, and the other · I'll just say neither of his teams will be playing in January. However, I am willing to bet he is the last person out of Arizona Stadium , and yet somehow, the first person to Dirtbag's. I'll call him Dave S. ÷ or D. Stevenson. Meanwhile, Wildcats play tough, Heavner and Hardt show up, help keep it close.

UCLA 30, Arizona 25

Texas vs. Oklahoma

All games in the Big XII revolve around this game. They never finished the stadium? I know ÷ so the Dolphins can get airlifted out after ruining Thanksgiving. So Roy ÷ no, not the guy who was mauled by a tiger, but the ÎHorns receiver ÷ returned to beat OU. That's nice. Too bad he's gonna get shut-down again. Sooners are looking undefeated, but UT is every one-loss team's chance, with no Roy.

Texas 31

Oklahoma 29

Miami vs. Florida State

I'm still picturing that field goal going wide right last year. For every reason there is to like Brock Berlin, there's one against Winslow. It doesn't matter if Rix sets his alarm and has enough time to park in a compact spot ÷ he's going to have to hand off to win. The ÎCanes can get run on ÷ West Virginia showed that ÷ although Crouch couldn't. Bowden's got to do something tricky here.

Semi-holes 37, 'Canes 36

Tennessee vs. Georgia

More seats with less intelligence? Neyland. A hundred ten thousand creamsicles, melted into Clausen's brain, which David Pollack will help solidify for him. Greene will violate the Vols to Gibson and Gary, whose cleats will be covered in orange checkers. When we see Shockley, let's hope for only one turnover. Hunker down, Dawgs! Rocky Top is played with Fuller's violin this week.

UGA 43, Vols 6