*Georgia Tech 24 - MISSISSIPPI STATE 23—Since resurgent MSU a mere
six inches away from LSU upset and a 3-1 start, ready to “take” with paybackminded
Bulldogs, eager to atone for embarrassing 38-7 debacle at GT in ‘08. With
playmaking 6-1, 245 sr. LB Chaney (he missed LY’s game) on patrol, MSU’s
stacked line keeps Engineers’ one-dimensional option attack from erupting.
(08-GA. TECH 38-Miss. St. 7...M.24-23 G.54/438 M.30/108 M.31/50/2/299 G.4/9/0/62 G.0 M.2)
(08-GEORGIA TECH -7' 38-7...SR: Georgia Tech 3-0)
Oklahoma 33 - MIAMI-FLORIDA 23—Check status of Heisman-winning
Oklahoma QB Bradford, who’s been out since opener with shoulder injury. Last
week’s beatdown at Virginia Tech a clear indication that reports of young
Miami’s return to national prominence were premature. So, even if Bradford still
unable to answer post, wouldn’t bet against talented RS frosh QB Landry Jones
(9 TDP in last two games) & Sooners’ stifling defense leading visitors to victory
over revenge-minded Hurricanes. (07-OKLAHOMA -10' 51-13...SR: EVEN 3-3)
Penn State 28 - ILLINOIS 16—Illinois has managed just 9 total points in
games against Missouri and Ohio State, and Penn State’s defense ranks 6th in
the nation is points allowed, so going won’t get easier this week. Venerable
Nittany Lion HC Paterno’s crew was knocked off its pedestal vs. Iowa last week,
but look for bounce-back despite fact that Penn State is on 1-7 spread run
dating to November of last year. Remember Paterno’s crew responded to ‘08
upset loss to Hawkeyes with a 34-7 decision over Indiana. Illini QB Juice
Williams has 12 ints. and just 6 TD passes in his last 9 games. TV—ABC
(08-PENN ST. 38-Ill. 24...P.24-19 P.44/241 I.42/189 I.13/24/1/183 P.14/20/0/181 P.1 I.1)
(08-PSU -15 38-24 07-ILL. +3 27-20 06-PSU -18 26-12...SR: Penn State 13-3)
Michigan 38 - MICHIGAN STATE 31—Prefer to lay a small number with
rejuvenated Michigan in revenge game against in-state rival. Wolverine
offense is 8th in rushing and is scoring 38 ppg, and motivated Michigan defense
capable of containing Spartan pass offense. MSU QBs Nichol and Cousins
combined for 396 YP at Wisconsin, but they threw 3 ints. as well, and Spartans
have yielded 100 points in last 3 games. Michigan should notch 4th straight win
at East Lansing.
(08-Mich. St. 35-MICH. 21...S.22-13 S.48/167 U.31/84 S.18/30/0/306 U.13/27/3/168 S.3 U.1)
(08-Msu -3' 35-21 07-Mich. -3' 28-24 06-MICH. -15' 31-13...SR: Michigan 67-29-5)
Western Michigan 31 - NORTHERN ILLINOIS 26—In this MAC clash
pitting two-similarly-styled squads, give slight edge to a WMU bunch that has
managed to eke out 3 straight series wins. Broncos do own the superior 1-2-3
punch in prolific QB Hiller, 1000-yd. rusher RB West, and WR Nunez (80
catches last 1+Ys), while NIU’s revamped 2ndary still searching for
cohesiveness (Idaho completed 18 of 23 for 270 yds. & 3 TDP). Huskies
money-burning 1-10 as home chalk since ‘06.
(08-W. MICH. 29-N. Ill. 26...N.23-19 W.32/198 N.44/142 N.18/33/1/297 W.21/30/0/186 W.2 N.1)
(08-WMU -6 29-26 07-Wmu -4 17-13 06-WMU +3 16-14...SR: Western Michigan 22-11)
Ohio 26 - BOWLING GREEN 23—With veteran QB T. Scott (30 of 52 for 319
yds. vs. highly-ranked Tennessee “D”) playing his best career ball, will buck BG
squad only 2-5 SU (and vs. spread) in unimposing Doyt Perry Stadium (holds
only 24,000) last 7, including upset losses vs. lowly Eastern Michigan & Miami-
Ohio. Falcons miss tackling machine SS Mahone (currently suspended), while
Bobcats’ solid, seasoned LB corps prepared to snuff out BG’s screens and
shovel passes.
(08-B. Green 28-OHIO 3...B.17-14 B.34/93 O.28/40 B.23/30/0/229 O.13/30/2/188 B.0 O.0)
(08-Bgu -3 28-3 07-Ohio +7 38-27 06-Bgu +6' 21-9...SR: Bowling Green 36-22-2)
NEVADA 40 - Unlv 30—Always-nasty Fremont Cannon battle taking on an
even murkier hue than usual after these Silver State rivals authored respective
“how not-to” manuals last week. And don’t expect a defensive show after teams
combined for 1001 yards of total offense LY in Las Vegas. But expect Nevada
to better expose UNLV stop unit’s deficiencies than vice versa if Rebs can’t do
a better job containing hungry QB Kaepernick and Wolf Pack Pistol that gashed
UNLV for 444 YR in last year’s war.
(08-Nev. 49-UNLV 27...N.27-18 N.58/444 U.23/54 U.18/38/1/327 N.11/16/0/176 N.1 U.1)
(08-Nev. +3' 49-27 07-NEV. -3' 27-20 06-Nev. -3' 31-3...SR: Nevada 19-15)
*Colorado State 33 - IDAHO 23—We don’t think wins over New Mexico State,
San Diego State, and No. Ill. are yet generating any BCS talk in Moscow. But
much-improved Idaho confirming reports from WAC sources who insisted that
commitment to establishing infantry diversion makes Vandals (4-0 vs. line!)
harder to overlook than usual. Still, might need DDs to get interested vs. wellschooled
CSU bunch on alert and eager to erase memory of uncharacteristic
mistakes that cost it last week at BYU. TV—ESPNU
(DNP...SR: Colorado State 3-2)
Iowa State 26 - Kansas State 19—ISU’s veteran, but limited offense owns a
little more consistency. It’s hard to be impressed with K-State’s 49-7 smashing
of Tennessee Tech (3-9 LY), but it did give Bill Snyder a chance to further
improve 227-pound juco RB Daniel Thomas (converted QB), boost jr. QB
Carson Coffman, stretch out smurf WR Brandon Banks (2 KO return TDs), and
stabilize Cats’ shaky kicking game. (at Kan. City, MO)
(08-KAN. ST. 38-Iowa St. 30...I.30-22 K.37/172 I.36/164 I.32/50/2/462 K.17/31/0/279 K.0 I.1)
(08-KSU -10 38-30 07-ISU +14' 31-20 06-KSU -4' 31-10...SR: Iowa State 49-39-4)
*ARIZONA STATE 27 - Oregon State 17—Apparent that new (but sr.) ASU
QB Sullivan not to be confused with that other signal-caller (Kurt Warner)
performing across the Valley these days. But with rebuilt OSU 2ndary (110th in
pass “D”) leaky enough to allow raw Arizona QB Foles to exploit it last week,
here’s a chance for Sullivan and the Sun Devil “O” to do some business.
Meanwhile, early raves about ASU “D” and MLB Burfict confirmed by Georgia
effort, and quick Devil stop unit capable of detouring the Rodgers boys.
(08-ORE. ST. 27-Ariz. St. 25...O.22-14 O.38/109 A.32/78 O.23/34/1/261 A.15/28/0/217 O.0 A.0)
(08-OSU -15 27-25 07-ASU -11' 44-32 06-OSU -2 44-10...SR: Arizona State 23-10-1)
*OREGON 34 - Washington State 10—While pondering which unis Oregon
might use this week (might it pull out the outfits worn in Norm Van Brocklin’s
days?) and wondering if Ducks can be as good as they looked vs. Cal, must
acknowledge Wazzu (6-2 vs. line last 8...really!) displaying enough
competence to sneak inside of many Mount Hood-sized pointspreads lately.
Poised, multi-talented frosh QB Tuel appears Cougs’ best alternative to move
chains and slow pace just enough to prevent total humiliation.
(08-Ore. 63-WASH. ST. 14...O.26-18 O.53/346 W.32/79 W.22/41/2/192 O.9/19/0/161 O.0 W.2)
(08-Ore. -21' 63-14 07-ORE. -19' 53-7 06-WSU +3' 34-23...SR: Oregon 41-38-7)
*BAYLOR 31 - Kent State 13—First road game for Kent since losing top RB
Eugene Jarvis (kidney) and breaking in true frosh QB Spencer Keith (from
Arkansas). And Baylor must adjust after losing sprinter QB Robert Griffin.
However, Bears can turn to sr. QB Blake Szymanski, a starter for 1½ seasons
who set a BU record with 22 TDP in 2007. HC Art Briles an excellent motivator.
(FIRST MEETING)
UCF 26 - Memphis 21—Defensive edge to Golden Knights (3-0 vs. spread),
who appear to be regaining some traction under veteran HC O’Leary. Although
same can’t be said for Tommy West’s slipping Tigers (0-3 against line), still not
comfortable laying substantial points with limited UCF offense. Soph QB Bass has
668 total yards in last two games since taking over at trigger of Memphis attack.
(08-Ucf 28-MEMPHIS 21...M.16-10 M.37/122 U.40/73 M.15/37/1/183 U.8/19/0/121 U.1 M.1)
(08-Ucf +5' 28-21 07-UCF -7 56-20 06-Ucf -2' 26-24...SR: UCF 4-1)
STANFORD 27 - Ucla 17—Lack of style points hasn’t hurt 3-0 UCLA just yet.
But not sure how long Rick Neuheisel can squeeze results out of a 108th-ranked
“O” that’s settling for too many FGs (PK Forbath has 9 of ‘em already) and likely
has to endure another week with LY’s mistake-prone starting QB Craft while
starter Prince’s broken jaw mends. Much prefer Stanford weapons (RB Gerhart
200 YR last week vs. UW; WR Owusu 3 KR TDs!), and note Jim Harbaugh owns
8-game cover streak on Farm! TV—ABC
(08-UCLA 23-Stan. 20...U.24-16 S.44/250 U.37/86 U.23/41/1/285 S.5/13/1/51 U.1 S.2)
(08-UCLA +2 23-20 07-Ucla -16' 45-17 06-UCLA -23' 31-0...SR: UCLA 45-31-3)
TEXAS TECH 51 - New Mexico 6—All the changes at UNM (new HC
Locksley; switch to spread offense; 4-3 defense after years of 3-3-5; only three
def. starters back) have led to 0-4 start (SU and vs. spread), including
depressing home loss to lowly rival N.M. State. Lobos own only four offensive
TDs in four games. Bad time to face TT aerial circus, back home after losses
at Texas & Houston, and bolstered by blasting runs of jr. Baron Batch (114 YR
at UH). (DNP...SR: Texas Tech 33-6-2)
*Ohio State 31 - INDIANA 20—Spunky Indiana has covered 3 straight, as QB
Ben Chappell hooking up regularly with big sophs Doss (6-3; 2nd in Big Ten with
26 catches) and Belcher (6-5; 19 recs.). OSU pass defense is very good, but
if Chappell can throw for 270 yds. in Ann Arbor, he can keep Hoosiers within
three TDs against Buckeye crew that hasn’t quite hit its stride offensively. OSU
off back-to-back shutouts, and has covered 7 of last 8 dating back to November
of last year, but Tressel’s patched-up OL will have trouble against talented
Indiana DEs. (06-OHIO ST. -31 44-3...SR: Ohio State 65-12-5)
*Tulsa 52 - RICE 27—Stodgy Vandy offense managed just 157 total yards
and a single FG in home loss to Miss. State one week prior to going on road and
rolling over helpless Rice defense for 36 points & nearly 500 yards. That
doesn’t bode well for Owls against potent Tulsa squad that has led nation in
total offense each of last two seasons.
(08-TULSA 63-Rice 28...T.31-30 T.53/386 R.35/103 R.25/46/1/350 T.14/26/1/191 T.0 R.3)
(08-TULSA -16' 63-28 07-Tulsa -13 48-43 06-Rice +14 41-38 (OT)...SR: Rice 7-6-1)
*Texas A&M 37 - Arkansas 34—Mike Sherman’s rollicking A&M attack has
rolled up 606, 573 & 544 yards in its first three games. All those contests were
at home against easily-overwhelmed opposition, but QB Jerrod Johnson
leading the nation in TDs accounted for with 9 TDP & 4 TDR, and every signee
Sherman turns to seems to produce. Razorbacks have faced tough SEC
opposition and will be well-supported in their first game at “Jerry’s World,” but
their defense just as suspect as Aggies’. (at Arlington, TX)
(DNP...SR: Arkansas 38-24-3)
*Auburn 30 - TENNESSEE 23—See no reason to jump off the Auburn
express despite failure to cover humongous spread in comfy 54-30 victory vs.
Ball State. Explosive Tiger attack has scored more in first 4 weeks (181) than
any team in school history, thanks to sizzling QB Todd (11 TDP, 1 int.), who is
waaaaayy more dependable than UT’s still-shaky triggerman Crompton (8
ints.). Ball-hawking Tiger 2ndary (league-best 8 ints.) adds to its total vs.
identity-seeking Vol offense tutored by outspoken but unproven 1st-year HC
Lane Kiffin. TV—ESPN
(08-AUBURN 14-Tenn. 12...A.15-9 T.33/124 A.38/97 A.18/29/1/129 T.8/24/0/67 A.0 T.1)
(08-AUBURN -6' 14-12...SR: Auburn 25-21-3)
*CALIFORNIA 20 - Southern Cal 17—Who would have thought this
anticipated showdown might be more important for eventual Holiday or Sun
Bowl considerations than the BCS? But since we’re not convinced that Cal is
a gridiron version of Mike Tyson’s early KO victims, as it looked last week at
Oregon, expect fanatical bounce-back effort in Berkeley. No evidence that
sluggish SC “O” (mere 19 ppg last 3, and only one TD last 3 Qs vs. lowly Wazzu
last week) about to erupt with true frosh QB Barkley still in learning phase and
new Trojan offensive braintrust struggling for answers. Would rather trust Jeff
Tedford getting QB Riley & RB Best back in groove after Oregon debacle. Note
“unders” last 5 in series. TV—ABC
(08-S. CAL 17-Cal. 3...S.22-13 S.36/173 C.26/27 S.18/30/0/238 C.15/31/1/138 S.1 C.0)
(08-USC -21' 17-3 07-Usc -4' 24-17 06-USC -5' 23-9...SR: Southern Cal 61-30-5)
*TCU 38 - Smu 17—Even after draining escape at Clemson that keeps it in
middle of “BCS Buster” mix, can’t imagine high-flying TCU being flat vs.
disliked Metroplex rival...especially since HC Patterson will remind Frogs how
SMU spoiled Frogs’ after-Oklahoma upset celebration back in ‘05. June Jones’
evolving Mustang Red Gun now competent enough with gunslinging soph QB
Bo Levi Mitchell to probably prevent complete embarrassment in Fort Worth.
(08-Tcu 48-SMU 7...T.23-10 T.47/271 S.12/M8 T.19/29/0/227 S.20/39/2/218 T.0 S.1)
(08-Tcu -24 48-7 07-TCU -23 21-7...SR: TCU 42-38-7)
*SAN DIEGO STATE 20 - New Mexico State 11—We’re wondering if we
should ask President Obama for some Federal relief after watching NMSU
rekindle memories of the leather-helmet days with its Neanderthal attack. But
Aggies at least playing representative defense for new HC DeWayne Walker,
and their win at New Mexico suggests NMSU can at least compete with the
lower-echelon of MWC...of which SDSU certainly qualifies. Can’t trust lowwattage
Aztecs (117th in rush “O”) to build margin. (DNP...SR: San Diego State 6-1-1)
*Houston 47 - UTEP 24—With spread rising sharply thanks to Houston’s
back-to-back victories over Big XII foes and the terrible beating UTEP took at
mighty Texas, can the heavily-favored Cougs handle their business in a week
when the “talking heads” are sure to be touting Houston as newest BCS
buster? Still prefer to lay inflated price with pinpoint UH QB Keenum (69%,
1155 YP in first 3 games) rather than trust troubled Miners.
(08-HOU. 42-Utep 37...H.32-25 H.32/220 U.33/102 H.41/51/0/480 U.27/45/0/362 H.1 U.0)
(08-HOU. -17' 42-37 07-Hou. -6 34-31 06-HOU. -6' 34-17...SR: EVEN 3-3)
ADDED GAMES
IOWA 31 - Arkansas State 13—Can’t blame Iowa for having a bit of a
hangover after upsetting Penn State for second year in a row. With
homecoming game against Michigan up next, it’s difficult to lay a big number
with Hawkeye crew that isn’t quite where HC Ferentz would like it to be in terms
of OL performance (88th in sacks allowed) or QB efficiency (Stanzi ranks
94th)..but they are 4-0!
(FIRST MEETING)
Wyoming 29 - FLORIDA ATLANTIC 23—Key developments for both
offenses, with 222-pound soph RB Alfred Morris (286 YR) helping QB Rusty
Smith balance the FAU offense, while new Wyo coach Dave Christensen
sparking his spread offense with 6-2 true frosh QB Austyn Carta-Samuels (3
TDP in first start!) and true frosh RB Alvester Alexander 169 YR the last two
games. Unusual travel for Cowboys (who did win at Tenn. LY).
(FIRST MEETING)
LA.-MONROE 31 - Florida Intl. 22—Since Sun Belt trends seem to endure
longer than those in other leagues, don’t mind following recent series pattern
that’s seen ULM win and cover last 3 vs. FIU. Charlie Weatherbie now
confident that jr. QB Revell (already battle-hardened by visits to Texas &
Arizona State) a worthy successor to versatile Warhawk predecessor
Lancaster, and 118th-ranked Golden Panther “D” continues to spring leaks.
(08-La.-Mon. 31-Fiu 27...L.19-17 L.41/173 F.32/124 F.18/31/0/239 L.14/25/2/156 L.0 F.1)
(08-Ulm +7 31-27 07-ULM -13' 28-14 06-Ulm P 35-0...SR: La.-Monroe 4-1)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
*TROY vs. Middle Tennessee State—Visit our website at
www.goldsheet.com for our analysis of this game. CABLE TV—ESPN2
(08-Troy 31-MTSU 17...M.20-16 T.36/164 M.50/84 M.20/34/1/200 T.17/28/1/136 T.3 M.1)
(08-Troy -6 31-17 07-TROY -12' 45-7 06-Troy +8 21-20...SR: Middle Tennessee St. 12-