Florida takes on Tennessee in the Swamp
By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN
Florida fully expects to get its revenge on defending national champion Tennessee as the Volunteers come into the Swamp this weekend.
Last year, Tennessee defeated Florida in Tennessee 20-17 in overtime on its way to an undefeated season. However, the Gators committed five turnovers in that game.
It will be a battle between a team with a 14-game winning streak (Tennessee) and one with a 29-game home winning streak (Florida).
One of those records will fall this weekend, and the trash talk coming from both sides indicates the importance of this game.
Neither team has faced a challenging opponent yet this season. The Volunteers defeated Wyoming 42-17 in their season opener, while the Gators have defeated Western Michigan and Central Florida by about 30 points each.
Tennessee returns 14 starters from its 1998 title-winning team, including quarterback Tee Martin and tailback Jamal Lewis. Lewis is returning from knee surgery. He scored three touchdowns in Tennessee's opener, but also had two fumbles, leaving reason to worry.
The Volunteers also have a formidable defense, totaling a record 13 sacks against Wyoming.
Florida has not showed all its potential in the season's first two games, allowing Central Florida to get 379 passing yards and Western Michigan to pass for 405 yards.
However, coach Steve Spurrier says that part of that is because the Gators were not giving everything they had, instead holding back certain plays and players.
The Gators have a number of new starters on defense, but return a talented offensive crew which rushed for 289 yards in the opener.
With motivation acting as a strong revenge factor for Tennessee, it will have to overcome the fact that it has not won at Florida since 1971.
No. 3 Penn State at No. 8 Miami
In the third time this decade that Penn State and Miami have faced each other
as top-ten opponents, it should be another exciting match-up. Both top-ten face-offs earlier in the '90s were won by Miami with margins of a touchdown or less.
Penn State was widely regarded as one of the top teams in college football at season's start, but nearly ended all hopes of a national championship last week, barely holding off unranked Pittsburgh for a 20-17 win after handily beating its first two opponents.
Miami, meanwhile, dominated its first two games, beating Ohio State 23-12 and Florida A & M 57-3.
The play of Penn State quarterback Kevin Thompson had its ups and downs last season, but he showed composure
against Pittsburgh Saturday by leading the Nittany Lions 77 yards downfield for the final score of the game.
Under head coach Joe Paterno, Penn State has achieved considerable success. This year, its defense is particularly solid, including linebackers LaVar Arrington, Brandon Smith and Mac Morrison.
Miami's offense, usually known for its speed, features quarterback Ken Kelly and running back James Jackson. However, the Hurricanes will miss Najeh Davenport, who injured his knee against Ohio State.
The Hurricanes have fought with their namesake this week, struggling to get in practice time despite the impact of Hurricane Floyd in the area.
No. 20 North Carolina State at No. 1 Florida State
Florida State has perhaps the deepest squad in the nation lined up to reverse last year's outcome, a 24-7 loss to North Carolina State.
The Seminoles, beneath coach Bobby Bowden, easily won its season opener vs. Louisiana Tech 41-7, but had to put up a strong fight to beat Georgia Tech last week 41-35. Florida State gave up 501 offensive yards to Georgia Tech, the most by any Atlantic Coast Conference team against FSU in 57 games.
The Seminoles' defense is only ranked 81st in the nation right now, after being No. 1 last season.
However, on offense, Florida State has a large number of players which can contribute, including an experienced quarterback Chris Weinke, all-American wide receiver Peter Warrick, and several players returning to action for the first time this season — tailback Davy Ford and wide receiver Marvin Minnis.
N.C. State intercepted six passes against the Seminoles, thanks to an exceptional game by its secondary.
It has a quick defense which has not allowed an opponent to score a touchdown since the first half of its season-opening win over Texas.
On the other hand, the Wolfpack will be missing graduated senior Torry Holt, who was an all-American wide receiver last season. They also must go into the Seminoles' home stadium to win.
The Wolfpack is 3-0 this season, with wins over Texas, South Carolina and William & Mary.
All Sports Stories for Friday, September 17, 1999
