http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-sp.colfb5games21oct21,0,3008089.story
The Bowl Championship Series picture is beginning to develop and while several teams are making their case for a trip to Pasadena and the BCS title game, others are just trying to cling to hope. Florida State will try to get back on track against North Carolina. Dick Dastardly has nothing on Lane Kiffin and Nick Saban, but two of the most hated coaches in college football meet in Tuscaloosa. Notre Dame looks to avoid a second-half collapse, and, if you can believe it, the best game Saturday could take place in Provo, Utah.
Florida State (2-4) at North Carolina (4-2)
Thursday, 8 p.m., ESPN
The buzz: The Seminoles are having their worst season since 1976 and, barring some sort of miracle, will miss the postseason for the first time since 1981. The only saving grace for Florida State fans is that they are 14-1-1 all-time against the Tar Heels.
Tennessee (3-3) at Alabama (7-0)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS
The buzz: Nick Saban should send Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin a thank-you basket. Since taking over the Vols program, Kiffin has become Public Enemy No. 1 in the SEC, taking that title from Saban. Now the two meet as Tennessee travels to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. A solid defense and a power running game – paced by SEC leading rusher Mark Ingram (905 yards, eight TDs) – have the Tide back on top of the national rankings. It hasn’t been easy for the Vols, who face a team ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll for the second time this season. (They lost to then-No. 1 Florida on Sept. 19.)
Baltimore Sun
10/21/09
