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Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 1999

The Volunteers ended a five-year run of Gators dominance last season by stealing a 20-17 overtime win in Knoxville. Most of that Tennessee team is back, and Florida is rebuilding a defense that has been porous. Last year marked the first time in the 1990s that the winning team did not score at least 31 points. That won't happen again.

TSN PICK: Tennessee 33, Florida 29.

Penn State at Miami (Fla.). The teams haven't met since 1992, with the Hurricanes winning three of the past four games. This may be the best defense the Nittany Lions face this season. That's bad news, with the offense coming off a horrid showing (85 yards rushing) against Pittsburgh. That was a wakeup call for the Nittany Lions, who again will lean on their defense and kicker Travis Forney to win.

TSN PICK: Penn State 17, Miami 16.

Michigan State at Notre Dame. Michigan State has won the past two meetings, but it faces a desperate Irish team. Don't expect the Spartans to roll over. They may end up being one of the nation's biggest surprises, Bob Davie opened 1997 1-4; he's in peril of starting 1-3 this year. Even Gerry Faust avoided two such beginnings

TSN PICK: Notre Dame 21, Mich. State 18