Florida, Alabama and Texas get set for familiar foes

None of the top three undefeated teams in the nation face opponents this week that are intimidating on paper, but Florida, Alabama and Texas each are involved in rivalry games in which season records often can be set aside.

On Thursday, No. 3 Texas will play at Texas A&M in a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition between the two programs. The Aggies are 6-5 and Coach Mike Sherman may soon be out of a job, but don't be surprised if they give Texas and quarterback Colt McCoy a run for their money.

On Friday, No. 2 Alabama plays at Auburn (7-4) in the Iron Bowl. The Crimson Tide might possess Heisman candidate Mark Ingram at tailback, but the Auburn offense has been highly potent at times this season and could challenge Alabama's stingy defense. Auburn is coming off of a loss at Georgia, but Tigers quarterback Chris Todd threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns in the effort.

Top-ranked Florida hosts Florida State on Saturday in what could be Seminoles Coach Bobby Bowden's last trip to the Swamp. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow should have no trouble picking apart Florida State's horrid defense, and Seminoles quarterback E.J. Manuel struggled (three interceptions) against a Maryland defense that is porous in its own right.

Should Florida and Alabama win, the Dec. 5 Southeastern Conference championship game may essentially serve as a play-in to the BCS national title game.

-- Steve Yanda