Florida State has won eight straight bowl games; Nebraska has lost six in a row.
Florida State has won six of its last 10 games against Top 10 teams; Nebraska is 1-9 vs. the Top 10 in the last five years.Florida State has beaten Nebraska three straight times; Nebraska has lost its last five games against teams from Florida. So it's no surprise that top-ranked Florida State (11-1) is favored by 17 points over No. 2 Nebraska (11-0) in Saturday's Orange Bowl. It's the largest point spread in a 1-2 game in at least two decades.
But can the Cornhuskers control Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward and Florida State's fast-break offense, which averaged 43.2 points and 548 yards this season? Nebraska led the Big Eight in every defensive category. However, the Huskers haven't faced an offense as fast, talented or deep as Florida State.
Florida State's main challenge will be stopping Nebraska's powerful running attack, which averages almost 300 yards per game. Notre Dame used a rugged ground game to beat the smaller Seminoles 31-24, but otherwise the FSU defense has been hard to dent.
The underdog has won the last 10 meetings between No. 1 and No. 2 in The Associated Press poll. The streak will end New Year's night in Miami. . . . FLORIDA ST. 38-14.
If Florida State wins, West Virginia (11-0) could gain a share of the national championship by beating Florida (10-2) in the Sugar Bowl.
West Virginia is a 61/2-point underdog to the No. 8 Gators, whose only losses were to Florida State and No. 5 Auburn (11-0). But the Mountaineers are on a mission. . . . WEST VIRGINIA 31-28.
Other New Year's bowls:
Cotton - No. 4 Notre Dame (minus 7) vs. No. 7 Texas A&M: Rerun of last year's game . . . NOTRE DAME 34-17.
Rose - No. 14 UCLA (minus 61/2) vs. No. 9 Wisconsin: Badgers get first Rose Bowl victory . . . WISCONSIN 24-21.
Citrus - No. 6 Tennessee (minus 91/2) vs. No. 13 Penn St.: Volunteers are 13-1-1 under Phillip Fulmer . . . TENNESSEE 28-21.
Fiesta - No. 10 Miami (minus 6) vs. No. 16 Arizona: Hurricanes win defensive struggle . . . MIAMI 14-13.
Carquest - No. 15 Boston College (minus 6) vs. Virginia: Cavaliers lost three of last four games . . . BOSTON COLLEGE 31-24.
Hall of Fame - No. 23 Michigan (minus 14) vs. North Carolina St.: Wolverines outscored last three opponents 111-17 . . . MICHIGAN 31-14.
Last week: 2-0 (straight); 2-0 (spread).
Season: 178-45 (straight); 103-93 (spread).