SI PLAYOFF PREDICTION NOV. 3
SUGAR BOWL
1 FLORIDA STATE
The Seminoles leapfrog the Bulldogs after a road escape against a quality Louisville team. The rise of freshman tailback Dalvin Cook adds a new dimension to the offense, but with quarterback Jameis Winston hobbled by a right-ankle injury, FSU's line better shore up its pass blocking.
2 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Arkansas put a scare into one of the SEC's best, but the Bulldogs prevailed 17--10. Mississippi State will waste everyone's time by playing Tennessee-Martin at home on Saturday, then the Bulldogs will go to Tuscaloosa on Nov. 15 and try to prove themselves once and for all.
3 OREGON
The Ducks' banged-up offensive line looked better in a 45--16 rout of Stanford last Saturday, and quarterback Marcus Mariota performed like the nation's best player. But right tackle Matt Pierson injured the MCL in his left knee and could miss Saturday's game at No. 17 Utah.
4 TCU
If TCU can beat Kansas State on Saturday—the only team in the Big 12 without a conference loss—the Horned Frogs have an excellent chance of winning the league. TCU should knock off Kansas, Texas and Iowa State, but the tough, well-coached Wildcats could prove to be their downfall.
ROSE BOWL
Last week:Mississippi State, Florida State, Oregon, TCU
THEY SAID IT
"Oh, hell no, now I'm fat and poor."
Charles Barkley, recalling his reaction after gaining 20 pounds in an unsuccessful attempt to dissuade the thrift-minded Sixers from taking him in the 1984 draft.
PHOTO
ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES (COOK)
PHOTO
TONY GUTIERREZ/AP (TREVONE BOYKIN)
PHOTO
BRIAN BAHR/GETTY IMAGES (MARIOTA)
PHOTO
SIMON BRUTY/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (JOSH ROBINSON)
PHOTO
JESSE D. GARRABRANT/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (BARKLEY)