THE BIG SPORTS WEEKEND

As expected, a double dose of football this weekend.

Saturday, September 16 - COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida at Tennessee -- This week begins the heart of the SEC schedule as that conference proves once again why it's perennial home to the best football in the country. The big afternoon game pits the LSU Tigers against the Auburn Tigers. The winner of this contest is likely to later play for the SEC championship and a BCS spot. But as a Gators fan, it's the evening game that I'll be watching most closely. Coach Phil Fulmer appears to have gotten the Vols back on track after a disappointing 2005 season that witnessed a rare losing record. QB Erik Ainge is playing like the star who first emerged as a freshman back in 2004. On the other hand, Coach Urban Meyer's Gators are on a roll after routs of Southern Mississippi and Central Florida. 4 year starter senior QB Chris Leak is a star with a ton of pro potential. And he's again got great weapons this year with freshman stud WR Percy Harvin, senior WR Dallas Baker, and junior tailback DeShawn Winn.

My pick: Florida. Neyland Stadium in Knoxville is never an easy place for the hated Gators to play. Expect 106,000 East Tennesseeans to be give them hell. But, in the end, the good guys have too much talent this year and Florida will be whistling Rocky Top all the way to a 10 point win.

Sunday, September 17 - PRO FOOTBALL: Washington at Dallas -- Much is expected in 2006 of both these teams that are led by Hall of Fame coaches. However, they each began the season with a tough loss in week 1 and now look to bounce back with a win in this bitter rivalry. Word is that Bill Parcells is ready to bench QB Drew Bledsoe if he struggles early. I think that would be a mistake. Bledsoe can still throw a good ball and deserves a few games to establish chemistry with new WR Terrell Owens. On the other hand, I think the Redskins are overrated following their playoff appearance in 2005. Washington won several close games last year by catching good breaks and playing spirited defense. Their shortcomings will be exposed in 2006 beginning with QB Mark Brunell. And if RB Clinton Portis doesn't play or only sees limited action, this game won't be close.

My pick: Dallas. Expect T.O. to shine in this primetime appearance on NBC's Sunday Night Football. Although for sheer entertainment value, I sure wouldn't mind seeing him instead get into a fist fight with the Tuna along the sidelines.

I like East Tennessee. It's where my wife is from. We got married there. Knoxville is a real Americana kind of place. And the nearby mountains are beautiful. On a lot of Saturdays, I actually root for the Vols. But I still prefer it down here in the Swamp!