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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bowl Picture Should Begin To Clear

Richard Rosenblatt Associated Press

With six games matching Top 25 teams on Saturday, the confusing bowl situation is likely to start making sense.

First, the easy stuff. A win over Indiana gives No. 2 Ohio State (9-0) a Rose Bowl date against No. 4 Arizona State (10-0).

The win also would give the Buckeyes the luxury of playing Michigan on Nov. 23 without a trip to Pasadena on the line. Under coach John Cooper, the Buckeyes are 1-6-1 against the Wolverines.

There’s plenty at stake for both teams in Charlottesville, Ann Arbor, Boulder, Miami and Syracuse, where losses could mean as much as a $7 million drop in bowl revenues.

Here’s the lineup: co-No. 6 North Carolina at No. 24 Virginia, No. 11 Penn State at No. 16 Michigan, No. 9 Kansas State at co-No. 6 Colorado, No. 21 Virginia Tech at No. 18 Miami and No. 22 Army at No. 19 Syracuse. Also, No. 25 Southern Mississippi is at No. 3 Florida State.

Nine of the 12 - the Cavaliers, Cadets and Golden Eagles being the exceptions - are still positioning for places in one of the three top bowl alliance games.

Chris Keldorf (1,445 yards and 16 TD passes in his last five games) and the nation’s second best defense have helped the Tar Heels become one of the season’s surprise teams. The Cavaliers (6-3) were upset last week by Clemson, as Tiki Barber was held under 100 yards and without a TD for the first time this season.

Penn State (8-2) and Michigan (7-2) meet for just the third time in Big Ten play, with the Lions winning 27-17 in ‘95. The winner remains in contention for a Fiesta or Orange Bowl berth.

South Carolina (plus 37) at No. 1 Florida: In winning last five over Gamecocks, Gators averaged 39.8 points. … FLORIDA 55-14.

No. 2 Ohio State (minus 35) at Indiana: Buckeyes set to clinch first Rose Bowl berth since 1984 season. … OHIO STATE 52-7.

No. 25 Southern Mississippi (plus 28) at No. 3 Florida State: Thad Busby returns at quarterback as Seminoles prepare for Florida. … FLORIDA STATE 45-21.

No. 5 Nebraska (minus 40-1/2) at Iowa State: Cyclones last team to beat Huskers in a conference game - four years ago! . … NEBRASKA 59-14.

No. 9 Kansas State (plus 4-1/2) at No. 6 Colorado: Under coach Bill Snyder, K-State is 0-6-1 vs. Buffs. … COLORADO 31-21.

No. 6 North Carolina (minus 3) at No. 24 Virginia: Cavs annual late-season swoon in full swing. …NORTH CAROLINA 24-20.

No. 8 Alabama (minus 12-1/2) at Mississippi State: How safe is Bulldogs’ coach Jackie Sherrill’s job? . … ALABAMA 30-16.

No. 10 Brigham Young (minus 30) at Hawaii: Cougars on target for 13-win regular season. … BRIGHAM YOUNG 45-21.

No. 11 Penn State (plus 1-1/2) at No. 16 Michigan: Extra week to prepare helps Nittany Lions; Wolverines down after loss to Purdue. … PENN STATE 28-24.

Arkansas (plus 24-1/2) at No. 12 Tennessee: Peyton Manning and Vols rebound, but too late to save season. … TENNESSEE 41-10.

Purdue (plus 10) at No. 13 Northwestern: Can Boilermakers make it two biggies in a row? . … NORTHWESTERN 31-10.

Pittsburgh (plus 37) at No. 14 Notre Dame: Irish run away from Panthers and remain alive for Orange or Fiesta bid. … NOTRE DAME 52-10.

San Jose State (plus 37) at No. 15 Washington: Huskies’ second-place finish in Pac-10 should be good for Cotton Bowl. … WASHINGTON 44-10.

No. 17 LSU (no line) at Mississippi: Both teams coming off losses, but Rebels more prepared. … MISSISSIPPI 24-21.

No. 21 Virginia Tech (plus 7) at No. 18 Miami: Both QBs the Hokies’ Jim Druckenmiller and Canes’ Ryan Clement coming off big games. … MIAMI 24-21.

No. 22 Army (plus 18-1/2) at No. 19 Syracuse: Donovan McNabb to haunt Cadets. … SYRACUSE 31-21.

Georgia (plus 10) at No. 20 Auburn: Tigers need win to keep pace in SEC West; Bulldogs need win to avoid losing season. … AUBURN 33-18.

No. 23 Wyoming (minus 1-1/2) at Colorado State: This one’s for the Bronze Boot. … COLORADO STATE 52-46.

Last week: 15-6 (straight); 7-14 (spread). Season: 162-34 (straight); 91-96-5 (spread).