SH - Remember the last time MSU faced Ohio State when it was ranked No. 1? It was in 1998, when the Spartans were huge underdogs against a Buckeyes team led by a Heisman hopeful quarterback. Sound familiar? Well, that's where the comparisons end. The 1998 MSU team was down 15 points before coming back to win. That kind of adversity is exactly what this year's team struggles with.

Ohio State 38, MSU 14

EC - For Drew Stanton and the rest of the MSU seniors, this is the last chance for a "signature" win. The Spartans will come out with an inspired performance and replicate the 1998 team's upset of the No. 1 team in the nation. By the way, I may or may not be on crack.

MSU 44, Ohio State 41 (OT)

TK - You'd think a chance to slay the nation's No. 1 team would be the perfect spark for a lethargic team. But if the Spartans couldn't get up for last week's U-M game — arguably the biggest yearly event in the state outside of the National Cherry Festival — why should I believe they will for this one?

Ohio State 70, MSU 2

MI - I'm going to have to go with Michigan State in this ball game only because it's time that they turned this thing around. There's too much talent on this ballclub. I think that Drew Stanton leads his team to a big victory this week.

MSU 17, Ohio State 10

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No. 2 Florida at No. 11 Auburn

7:45 p.m. Saturday, Jordan-Hare Stadium, ESPN

SH - Personally, I can't get enough of the Chris Leak/Tim Tebow quarterback situation at Florida. Two weeks ago against Alabama, Chris Leak moved the Gators 93 yards to Alabama's 2-yard line, only to get pulled so Tebow could rush it in for the touchdown. After the score, the camera focused on Leak, who couldn't have looked any more disinterested. I can't pick against team chemistry like that.

Florida 21, Auburn 20

EC - I think the quarterback platoon is a bad, bad idea. Everything looks sunny right now, but just wait until the Gators lose a game and the fans are calling for Leak to get the hook. Of course, if they keep winning, ignore everything I just said. Florida has proven it can win on the road. I think they'll keep it going.

Florida 31, Auburn 24

TK - Rule No. 437 of prognosticating: Never pick an Ivy League school in a leap year when the barometer is falling. Wait, that's not the one that applies here. Oh yeah, it's Rule No. 228: Always take a home team coming off an embarrassing upset loss. And, of course, Rule No. 76: No excuses. Prog like a champion.

Auburn 17, Florida 14

MI - The Florida Gators, simply because they have the better mascot. I love the Gator.

Florida 24, Auburn 21

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No. 4 Michigan at Penn State

8 p.m. Saturday, Beaver Stadium, ABC

SH -This is Michigan's third legitimate road game of the season. Since the team won the first two, it's only natural to assume Lloyd Carr will find a way to lose this one. But this year's U-M team seems a little more focused and, more importantly, better on defense than in years past. The Wolverines will miss Mario Manningham as their deep threat, but they still have enough to survive a scare from the Nittany Lions.

U-M 24, Penn State 21

EC -After notching big road wins, Ohio State and Florida have proven they're the top two teams in the nation. The Wolverines can make it a three-horse race if they beat Penn State in Happy Valley. But Penn State has the linebackers to keep Mike Hart in check, and the secondary can breathe a little easier knowing Mario Manningham is out of the action. The Nittany Lions will squeak by and avenge a last-second loss from 2005.

Penn State 20, U-M 16

TK -Penn State has played two big opponents — Notre Dame and Ohio State — and has been outscored by a 3-to-1 margin. That doesn't bode well against U-M, which looks to be in stride right now. It's looking more and more like U-M will be undefeated heading into its season-ending showdown with Ohio State — much to the delight of countless community college graduates statewide.

U-M 28, Penn State 14

MI - I'm going to have to go with Michigan. I think their defense is too dominating. They're the class of the Big Ten, unfortunately, as much as it pains me to say that. But they've proven it over and over that they've got a chance to do some special things this year.

U-M 34, Penn State 14