Michigan (2-2) at Michigan State (4-0)
Saturday, October 1, Game Time 12:00 PM
Don't let Michigan's two losses fool you. The Wolverines are a victim of scheduling quality opponents early in their schedule. Northern Illinois (1-3) is a better opponent than most would like to believe. Notre Dame (3-1) was obviously underrated. Eastern Michigan (2-2) was the weakest team on Michigan's early schedule and it showed when Michigan won 55-0. The Badgers (4-0) are now a top 25 team after beating Michigan. The Woleverines may be out of the National Title race, but they are still in the Big Ten race. The Wolverines are averaging 174.3 rushing yards and 238.3 passing yards and 412.5 total yards a game. Michigan is scoring 29.5 points a game and is allowing 14.3 points a game. The Wolverines margin of victory is 15.3.
If the Spartans win this game then Michigan State will be in total control of their own destiny. In their overall records, the Spartans would be one of three possible undefeated teams in the Big Ten Conference. The loser of the Penn State/ Minnesota game would drop from the realm of the undefeated's. The Spartans are averaging 272.3 rushing yards a game and 322 passing yards a game and 594.3 total yards a game. The Spartans are scoring 49 points a game and are allowing 20.8 points a game with a margin of victory of 28.3 points.
Since this is considered an instate rivalry game and, by some, considered a greater rivalry for the Wolverines than the OSU/Mich game this game could feature a lot of action and frustration. These teams will be hitting each other with force while trying to prove to the other which team is the dominant power of the stae of Michigan. The Wolverines are in an unfamiliar role of having to win this game.
Prediction; Michigan 27; Michigan State 24
Virginia Tech (4-0) at West Virginia (4-0)
Saturday, October 1, Game Time 12:00 PM
Prediction; Virginia Tech ; West Virginia
Mississippi (1-2) at Tennessee (2-1)
Saturday, Octber 1, Game Time 12:30 PM
Prediction; Mississippi ; Tennessee
Colorado (2-1) at Oklahoma State (3-0)
Saturday, Octber 1, Game Time 2:05 PM
Prediction; Colorado; Oklahoma State
Syracuse (1-2) at Florida State (3-0)
Saturday, Octber 1, Game Time 3:30 PM
Prediction; Syracuse ; Florida State
Iowa State (3-0) at Nebraska (3-0)
Saturday, Octber 1, Game Time 3:30 PM
Prediction; Iowa State ; Nebraska
Minnesota (4-0) at Penn State (4-0)
Saturday, Octber 1, Game Time 3:30 PM
Prediction; Minnesota ; Penn State
USC (3-0) at Arizona State (3-1)
Saturday, Octber 1, Game Time 3:30 PM
Prediction; USC ; Arizona State
Florida (4-0) at Alabama (4-0)
Saturday, Octber 1, Game Time 3:30 PM
Prediction; Florida ; Alabama
Notre Dame (3-1) at Purdue (2-1)
Saturday, Octber 1, Game Time 7:45 PM
Prediction; Notre Dame ; Purdue
LAST WEEKS GAMES
Penn State (3-0) at Northwestern (2-1)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 12:00 PM
This season is the first season since 2002 that Penn State has been 3-0. The Nittany Lions haven't been 4-0 since 1999 when the Lions went 9-0 before losing their last three regular season games. The Lions lost to Northwestern, 14-7, in 2004. The Lions appear to be back on track since Michael Robinson (QB) has taken control of the Penn State offense by completing 34 of 55 passes for 584 yards and 6 touchdowns. Robinson added 3 rushing touchdowns and 114 rushing yards to his stats. The Lions have been playing near pefect football. They score when they need to and allow the defense to control the tempo and the Lions have been penalized only 13 times for 108 yards.
The Northwestern Wildcats got beaten soundly by Arizona State last week by a score of 52-21. The last time Northwestern began the season 2-0 was in 2001. Northwestern won the last two meetings against Penn State and lost five prior meetings. The Wildcats haven't had a winning season since 2000 when they finished 8-4. Brett Basenez (QB) has completed 72 passes of 106 attempts for 797 yards and four touchdowns and no touchdowns. Tyrell Sutton (RB) has ran 62 times for 416 times and he has scored six touchdowns.
On paper this game may look even. However, one team will go home having won the game. A battle of whits and a matter of which team may want this game more. Joe Paterno has his team believing they can win. The Wildcats would like nothing less than to spoil Penn States undefeated season.
Prediction; Penn State 26; Northwestern 20
Iowa (2-1) at Ohio State (2-1)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 12:00 PM
The Hawkeyes had a nine game win streak before losing to Iowa State two weeks ago. During that win streak Iowa beat Ohio St 33-7. The Hawkeyes began a new win streak last week with a 45-21 win over Northern Iowa. Drew Tate has passed for 403 yards and has completed 74.4% of his passes. Since Tate got injured and missed much of the Iowa State game, Jason Manson got some playing time. Manson has passed for 227 yards on the season. The Iowa rushing game has produced 645 yards and 8 touchdowns.
The Ohio State Buckeyes only scored 290 points a year ago. However, the Buckeye defense allowed only 219 points. The Buckeye defense is allowing only 15 points a game so far in 2005. The question about the Buckeyes is how long can they rely on their defense and special teams to win games? We keep hearing about all these "weapons" that Ohio State has on offense and I am wondering where they are. Troy Smith, the fabled Buckeye starting QB, has completed 19 of 37 passes for 227 yards and a single touchdown and one interception. Smith has ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns. His counterpart, Justin Zwick, has passed for 268 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Zwick has a completion percentage of 72.9%. Antonio Pittman has rushed for 233 yards and has not seen the endzone. The highlight of most Buckeye games has been Santonio Holmes and Tedd Ginn Jr returning punts and kickoffs. Although Ginn and Holmes has set Ohio State up time and again with great field position Josh Huston has kicked ten field goals and made nine of those. The lone miss was a 50 yard attempt against Texas. Huston is second in the NCAA in kicker scoring behind Paul Martinez of Oregon.
This game might be difficult for Ohio State fans if the Buckeyes don't start scoring touchdowns instead of field goals when the Buckeyes are in the red zone. The Buckeye defense and special teams should provide ample opportunity for Ohio State. However, Iowa has a solid defense and will be stingy with allowing Ohio State to score touchdowns. This game could be one of those good ol' fashioned defensive grudge matches.
Prediction; Ohio State 16; Iowa 13
Boston College (2-1) at Clemson (2-1)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 12:00 PM
Boston College lost it's dream of having an undefeated season when the Eagles lost to Florida State last week. The Eagles found out that the ACC will be tougher than the Big East. Can BC rebound? Boston College hasn't had a losing season since 1998 when the Eagles finished the season with a record of 4-7. Through three games Quinton Porter has passed for 589 yards and has a completion percentage of 72.1%. Porter has thrown five touchdown passes and has been intercepted twice. LV Whitworth has run for 238 yards and two touchdowns. The Boston College defense has allowed more than 300 points to be scored on them six times in the last ten seasons. So far this season the Eagleas have allowed only 38 points to be scored on them.
The Clemson Tigers are an overtime loss to Miami (FL) from being undefeated. Many thought the Canes would whip on Clemson. Here at College Football Fans we thought Clemson might have a chance, and they did, although Clemson lost. The Tigers have been involved in three consecutive games where the margin of victory has been six points or less. The Tiger were victorious twice winning those two games by a combined five points. Charlie Whitehurst appears to have improved over last season and he has completed 63 of 96 passes (65.6%) for 651 yards and four touchdowns. Whitehurst has been intercepted only once. James Davis has rushed for 195 yards and Reggie Merriweather has rushed for 105 yards. Clemson has rushed for three touchdowns.
This game could be very exciting to watch because both teams are coming off losses that both teams feel they could have, or should have, won. Which teams burst? Which team can recover and reagain composure and propell themselves to a great season? Maybe neither team. Maybe both. I believe that Clemson didn't lose as much confidence as Boston College might have.
Prediction; Clemson 24; Boston College 21
Purdue (2-0) at Minnesota (3-0)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 12:00 PM
Brandon Kirsch (QB) has passed for 392 yards on 29 completions of his 50 pass attempts. Kirsch has passed for two touchdowns and thrown one interception. If you want to beat Purdue you need to find a way to stop the Boilermakers running game. As a team the Boilermakers have rushed 95 times for 480 yards and eight touchdowns. That's an average of 4.7 yards per carry as a team. Jerod Void (RB) has rushed for 208 yards and four touchdowns. Purdue doesn't settle for field goals. Ben Jones (K) has kicked only one field goal this season, so far. Jones is a perfect 11 of 11 on his extra point kicks.
The Golden Gophers of Minnesota are growing accustomed to scoring points. In three games the Gophers are yet to score less than 41 points. Their game totals are 41, 56, and 46 points. That's an average of 47 points a game. The teams the Gophers have played haven't exactly had top level defenses. The Gophers have played Tulsa, Colorado State, and Florida Atlantic. The Gophers should get a much better test vs Purdue.
The Purdue run game against the Gopher scoring juggernaut. This game should be exciting, explosive, and action-packed. It should be a complete package of anything you'd want in a football game. In the end, I believe, the Purdue run might prevail because Minnesota hasn't faced a team that can control the ball like Purdue can.
Prediction; Purdue 31; Minnesota 24
Georgia Tech (3-0) at Virginia Tech (3-0)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 2:30 PM
The Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech are averaging 26 points a game and are allowing 16 a game. The Yellow Jackets have beaten the likes of Auburn, North Carolina, and UConn. Although the Yellow Jackets don't produce a lot of points they are a solid team on both sides of the ball. Reggie Ball (QB) has completed 49.4% of his passes for 494 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. P.J. Daniels (RB) has rushed for 328 yards and is averaging 4.8 yards per carry. As a team, the Yellow Jackets have passed for 669 yards and rushed for 426 yards. The Yellow Jackets look to be able to compete with just about any team.
In the one game the Hokies have seen any kind of competition this season, they beat NC State 20-16. The Hokies had it easy in their two games after the NC State game by beating Duke and Ohio U with an identical score of 45-0. The Hokies should be fine tuned, in form, and ready to play the Yellow Jackets. Marcus Vick has been finding his own playing style and trying to define himself so people will stop comparing him to his brother Michael who now plays for the Atlanta Falcons. Marcus has completed 60.7% of his passes for 480 yards and six touchdowns and one interception. Marcus has rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown. As a team the Hokies have run for 522 yards. Mike Imoh and Cedric Humes have shared the duties at the running back position. Imoh has carried the ball 39 times for 168 yards and a touchdown while Humes has carried the ball 34 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns. With so many offensive weapons, Virginia Tech is predicted by some to play in the National Championship Game or to at least make a run for it.
I gaurantee you that Tech will win this game. Ok, bad joke. Anyway, don't count Georgia Tech out of this game yet. The Yellow Jackets could surprise us and make a game out of this. If the Yellow Jackets can keep this game close then they will have a chance. I don't expect the Hokies to take control of this game 'til late in the game.
Prediction; Virginia Tech 38; Georgia Tech 20
Notre Dame (2-1) at Washington (1-2)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 3:30 PM
The Fighting Irish had a bit of a let down last week by losing to Michigan State by a score of 44-41. The Irish never quit and scored 21 straight points in little over a quarter to tie Michigan State at 38 and send the game to overtime. The Irish settled for a field goal in their half of the overtime period before MSU scored a touchdown to seal the win for the Spartans. Brady Quinn passed for 487 yards and five touchdowns and Darius Walker rushed 26 times for 116 yards. The Irish defense allowed 488 yards to the Spartans.
The Washington Huskies should be better than their 1-2 record indicates. They have loads of talent. They just can't seem to get all the components together. Head Coach Ty Willingham decided to start Isaiah Stanback instead of Casey Paus. Casey Paus was the more experienced qurterback coming into the season. Stanback, in his starting role, has passed the ball 82 times and completed 50 of those passes for 688 yards and four touchdowns and two interceptions. Louis Rankin has rushed the ball 55 times for 265 yards and a touchdown. This is not how I pictured the Huskies would be this season. I really have to question some of Willinghams decisions like starting Stanback over Paus and not utilizing more of a duel running back backfield.
This is a tale of two teams heading in two different directions. You have the over-achieving Fighting Irish who are now ranked in the top 25 and the ailing Washington Huskies who just can't seem to get things going. If you look at the rosters and team experience these two teams should play to nearly a draw. However, Notre Dame appears to be playing at a much higher level than does Washington.
Prediction; Notre Dame 34; Washington 17
Arkansas (1-2) at Alabama (3-0)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 3:30 PM
The Razorbacks should be embarrassed since they opened the season against Missouri State and then lost to Vanderbilt (28-24) and then was crushed by USC 70-17. Arkansas has searched a little by adding into their arsenal a halfback pass and a wideout pass. The book of tricks hasn't been productive for Arkansas. Robert Johnson has passed for 383 yards and four touchdowns and three interceptions. The Razorbacks have a pair of running backs that have more than 200 yards rushing. De'Arrius Howard has 263 rushing yards and a touchdown and Felix Jones has rushed for 202 yards and a touchdown. Peyton Hills has added another 193 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
The Alabama Crimson Tide are enjoying their second consecutive season of being 3-0. However, last season the Tide finished the season 6-6. So, don't get too excited yet. Bama has beaten Middle Tennessee State (26-7), Southern Mississippi (30-21), and South Carolina (37-14). Now Alabama is looking for win number four. Brodie Croyle has passed for 655 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. Kenneth Darby has rushed for 314 yards and a touchdown.
Alabama lost to Arkansas in 2004 by a score of 27-10. it don't look like that will be the case in 2005's matchup between these two teams. The Tide is rolling and shouldn't have too much difficulty.
Prediction; Alabama 32; Arkansas 17
Michigan (2-1) at Wisconsin (3-0)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 6:00 PM
The Wolverines two wins came against MAC teams and the loss was against Notre Dame. The Wolverines could still be the best team in the Big Ten and could prove whether they're a contender or a pretender against Wisconsin. Chad Henne has 94 pass attempts and has completed 52 of them for 597 yards and six touchdowns and one interception. The Wolverines have also scored six rushing toudowns on 133 rushing attempts for a team total of 554 yards. Kevin Grady has emerged as the team leader in rushing attempts (35) and rushing yards (151). Max Martin and Mike Hart have both rushed for more than a hundred yards each. Each week Michigan seems to have a different player who takes the spotlight.
The Badgers have lost their last 6 meetings vs Michigan and haven't beat Michigan since 1994 by a score of 31-19. Last season the Badgers won their first nine games before they collapsed and lost their last three finishing the season with a 9-3 record. The Wisconsin defense allowed 42 points to Bowling Green in their first game and have allowed only five since. John Stocco has passed for 434 yards and four touchdowns and an interception. Brian Calhoun has carried the ball 92 times for 471 yards and eight touchdowns. The Badgers have scored a team total of 13 rushing touchdowns and 817 yards.
Expect this game to be physical. Players will be pounding and pounding on each other. Stamina could determine the winner.
Prediction; Michigan 24; Wisconsin 20
USC (2-0) at Oregon (3-0)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 7:00 PM
The USC Trojans are averaging 66.5 points a game and are allowing 17 points a game. Oregon will be USC's toughest test yet. Matt Leinert is well on his way to becoming only the second player ever to win a second Heisman Trphy. Leinert has passed for 713 yards and his completion percentage is 75.0%. He has passed for seven touchdowns and an interception. Reggie Bush would like nothing more than to win a Heisman Trophy himself. Bush has carried the ball 20 times for 211 yards. That calculates out to 10.6 yards per carrie. Bush has scored three touchdowns.
If Oregon wants to beat USC the Ducks will have to either win in a shootout or figure out how to stop the USC offense. The Ducks have allowed 72 points in three games. Oregon has scored 122 points in those same three games. Kellen Clemens has passed for 955 yards and eight touchdowns and has yet to pass an interception. Terrence Whitehead has carried the ball 46 times for 163 yards and a touchdown.
USC just may be too good to be beat, but, Oregon will try to dispell the Trojan luck. Oregon may have the offense but they lack something on defense that may prevent Oregon from winning this game.
Prediction; USC 49; Oregon 28
Tennessee (1-1) at LSU (1-0)
Saturday, September 24, Game Time 7:45 PM
The Volunteers are having difficulty putting points on the scoreboard. The Volunteers have scored only 24 points in two games. Rick Clausen was the quarteback against South Carolina and has passed for 217 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Erik Ainge got the nod against Florida and passed for 204 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions on the season. Gerald Riggs Jr has rushed for 196 yards and no touchdowns. The Volunteers have yet to score any rushing touchdowns. The Volunteer defense has allowed only 26 points in two games. They will be tested when they play LSU this Saturday.
The LSU Tigers have had one game post-poned and another game moved from home to away thanks to Hurricane Katrina. The game that was supposed to have been played in Louisiana was the game against Arizona State. Somehow, the Tigers stayed focused and won that game 35-31. Last week LSU did not play. Admidst the cleanup of Hurricane Katrina and the remote possiblity of Hurricane Rita heading that way, LSU will host the Volunteers this week. JaMarcus Russell (QB), Joseph Addai (RB), Early Doucet and the rest of the team will be ready. (WR)
A team (LSU) that has been dealing with off the field tragedies will host a team that has been under productive. The funny thing is is that team that you might think would be distracted should win this game and may not have many difficulties in the process. LSU had high expectations to begin the season and the Volunteers may have been thought they would be better than they appear to be. Unless Tennessee has found some answers it will be a long season.
Prediction; LSU 34; Tennessee 14
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