MI Europe's thirdbiggest insurer with15

Tony Pike and his speedy widereceivers are undoubtedly fun to watch, but Florida's defense is in a whole other stratosphere than anybody Cincinnati has played all year.It could also have an added story line depending on what happens in the whole Notre Dame coaching situation. Cincinnati will either have a chip on its shoulder or be invigorated based on coach Brian Kelly's decision.Regardless, I think Florida is just too talented on both sides of the ball and will assert its dominance against aporous Cincinnati defense.Prediction: Florida 38, Cincinnati 17 2 The Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. OregonYou know, they say that a team takes on the personality of its coach, and that seems to be the case with both of these teams. The coaches couldn't be any more different: Jim Tressel, the ultimate conservative, against a tough as nails,aggressive Chip Kelly.One of the most explosive offenses of the country against one of the stoutest defenses.

A team that is probably in more need of a bowl win than anyone else in the country against a team that wants to prove its can be a legitimate contender not only in its conference but in the nation year after year.Can Ohio State move the ball Can the Ducks stop anyone Can Terrelle Pryoror Tressel, for that matterwin the big oneThis game has so many questions and so few answers that it's a must watch.I think in the end, the Buckeyes will use their size and strength to run the ball, and the OSU defense will bend, but not break.Prediction: Ohio State 31, Oregon 23 1 The Championship: Alabama vs TexasOf course the championship has to be No 1. It has two undefeated teams from solid conferences and high-profile players and coaches.I agree after the Florida bashing and the Nebraska escape that all logic points to Alabama.But I think that Texas will find a way in the end. It's not always about how pretty it is, but about getting the job done. Texas didn't have anything going for them against Nebraska, but along with a little luck, they found a way to win.All the focus leading up to the game will be on Alabama and the SEC dominance, but it's time the SEC be knocked off itspedestal.Prediction: Texas 28, Alabama 24. Jan 7 (Reuters) - UniCredit SpA (CRDI.MI) and Mediobanca SpA(MDBI.MI) denied merger plans this week after a newspaper reportsaid shareholders were weighing a possible combination of thetwo Italian banks.

The bank announced plans in October to boost capital by6.6 billion euros ($8.99 billion), including a 3 billion eurorights issue launched on Monday. CEO Profumo has come under pressure since he made aU-turn to carry out the capital increase The share price hasfallen 65 percent in the last year. The figure was 5.7 percent before the capital hike,and the average for Italian banks is about 6 percent. The bank carried out a flurry of last-minute deals lastweek in its bid to reach its Core Tier 1 target. Libya said in October it had taken a 4.23 percent stakein the cash-hungry bank. The Central Bank of Libya holds 4.61percent, making it UniCredit's number-two shareholder. The main shareholder is the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmiodi Verona Vicenza Belluno e Ancona at 5.01 percent MEDIOBANCA Italy's fifth-biggest bank by market value.

Has been atthe centre of Italian finance since it was founded to helpItalian business after World War Two and has been adviser tosome of Italy's biggest corporate deals. Mediobanca is the main shareholder in AssicurazioniGenerali SpA (GASI.MI), Europe's third-biggest insurer, with15.63 percent. PROS OF A MERGER Could help UniCredit avoid another rights issue andprovide it with about 2 billion euros in extra capital,Cheuvreux analysts said. Mediobanca in its fiscal first quarter posted a Core Tier1 ratio of more than 10 percent and said it had 11 billion eurosin liquidity. The deal could raise UniCredit's Core Tier 1 ratio to 6.9percent, Cheuvreux said. Mediobanca could gain access to UniCredit's retailfunding and to UniCredit's retail network, reducing the cost offunding for the combined company Could strengthen UniCredit's investment bank unit CONS UniCredit has no capital to spare for a merger. Unlikely to solve UniCredit's problem of exposure toEuropean asset-backed securities.