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Friday, October 26, 2001

By Bob Smizik, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

There's no team in the country better in the big game than No. 2 Oklahoma (7-0), and the Sooners get a chance to prove it again tomorrow when they play at No. 3 Nebraska (8-0). Oklahoma has won its past eight games against top 10 teams, with five of them coming by 10 points or more.

One of them was last season, when the Sooners spotted the Cornhuskers a 14-0 lead and won, 31-14 -- shutting out the powerful Nebraska offense for the final 51 minutes.

Oklahoma has beaten North Carolina, Kansas State (before it collapsed) and Texas. Nebraska's best win was either Notre Dame or Texas Tech. Oklahoma, 24-21.

In other games:

Pitt (1-5) at Temple (2-4): It seemed virtually impossible that the Panthers wouldn't win at least six games this season. Now, here they are possibly playing for last place in the Big East Conference. If Coach Walt Harris decides to start Rod Rutherford at quarterback, and he should, it could be a little rocky for the Panthers but they still should have too much for the Owls. Pitt, 24-16.

Ohio State (4-2) at Penn State (1-4): Winning on the road against Northwestern was critically important for the Lions and should help them immeasurably down the road. But they've had trouble with the Buckeyes even in the good times. No record for JoePa -- this week. Ohio State, 24-13.

Notre Dame (3-3) at Boston College (5-2): William Green, who pounded Pitt for 182 yards, needs 29 more to become the first Eagles back to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The Irish are 2-0 against Big East softies but won't find the Eagles so accommodating. Boston College, 31-20.

Syracuse (6-2) at Virginia Tech (6-0): This much we know: The Hokies won't be looking ahead. Pitt is their next opponent. Syracuse has lost four in a row in Blacksburg by a combined score of 169-32, including 62-0 two years ago. It might have be different at the Carrier Dome. Virginia Tech, 28-20.

Maryland (7-0) at Florida State (4-2): The Seminoles are 37-0 at Doak Campbell Stadium against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents, and in their past four home games with the Terrapins, have won by an average of 43 points. In their two losses, the Seminoles have committed 11 turnovers. Florida State, 35-24.

Florida (5-1) vs. Georgia (5-1): The Bulldogs are 1-10 against Florida since Steve Spurrier became coach. The Gators have the No. 1 offense in the nation, the Bulldogs are No. 9. But the Bulldogs have allowed an average of 473 yards in their past three games against Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Florida quarterback Rex Grossman has a staggering passing rating of 185.3. Florida, 31-21.

Oregon (6-1) at Washington State (7-0): In losing to Stanford, Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington, the Ducks' best offensive player, was 9 for 23 in the second half with two crucial interceptions. The Cougars, who average 44 points a game, beat Stanford. Oregon, 37-34.

Northwestern (4-2) at Purdue (4-1): What has happened to Northwestern tailback Damien Anderson? After having four 200-yard games in the conference last season, he hasn't broken 100 yards in four league games. Purdue is 10th in the league in rushing but it doesn't matter. The Wildcats gave up 213 yards to Penn State, which was last in the nation. Purdue, 34-28.

UCLA (6-0) at Stanford (4-1): The Bruins begin a stretch of three games against teams that are a combined 17-2. If they win them all, they're almost certain to make the national championship game and DeShaun Foster is the likely Heisman Trophy winner. The Cardinal will have a tough time getting ready for such a big game after its upset of Oregon last week. Cardinal special teams gave up kick return touchdowns of 69 and 96 yards to the Ducks. UCLA, 24-14.

Michigan State (3-2) at Wisconsin (4-4): The Spartans allowed Minnesota to run for 322 yards last week. What are they going to do against Anthony Davis, who leads the Big Ten in rushing? Wisconsin, 31-27.

South Carolina (6-1) at Tennessee (4-1): The Gamecocks are 0-10 at Neyland Stadium. Since joining the SEC in 1992, they're 0-4 at Knoxville and have been outscored, 163-38. The Vols are seventh in the nation in rushing defense and limited the Gamecocks to only 24 yards in 27 attempts last season. The Vols' Travis Stephens is third in the nation in rushing with a 150-yard average. Tennessee, 27-17.

Last week: 3-8, .272; season: 46-23, .667.