By Joshua I. Borkin
Daily Sports Writer
A game-by-game look at this week's non-Michigan Big Ten action:
Iowa (1-0) at Iowa State (0-1):
Iowa State coach Dan McCarney said he hasn't found a position on either offense or defense in which Iowa State has an advantage over Iowa. A statement like that might deflate confidence.
That is assuming that Iowa State had any confidence left. It has not beaten Iowa since 1982, and at last word, the Iowa students had already started to celebrate.
Darren Davis, the Iowa State running back and Heisman long shot, was shut down last week by Texas Christian. All-American defensive lineman Jared DeVries should hurt the Iowa State running game this week, unless he fails to make it through the Iowa heat.
To combat DeVries' dehydration, they plan to use an IV treatment at halftime.
Iowa lacks the offensive firepower that Tavian Banks and Tim Dwight supplied last year, but don't expect that to affect the shellacking that Iowa State should receive this weekend.
Iowa 45, Iowa State 7
Toledo (1-0) at Ohio State (1-0):
The No. 1 team in the country playing Toledo! Last weekend, Toledo barely made it by Temple, 24-12, while Ohio State dismantled a fairly talented West Virginia squad, 34-17.
But there is a reason for such a lopsided matchup. Ohio State is in the second of a six-year run in which it will play at least one Ohio school per season. For Toledo, this is the game.
Toledo can attest to two victories over Purdue in the '90s, but Ohio State is good. Rhodes Scholar and Aids Awareness buff Andy Katzenmoyer will take a break from studying to hurt some Toledo Rockets. While the Big Kat will be regulating up front, Antoine Winfield and the boys will be shutting down the Toledo passing game.
On offense, David "I got beat up by Charles Woodson" Boston will snag a few TDs, while Michael Wiley will run silly over the undersized Toledo D-line. The game should be over by halftime.
Ohio State 66, Toledo 3
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| AP PHOTO Andy Katzenmoyer and his Buckeye teammates are looking to retain bragging rights in the state of Ohio with a victory over Toledo on Saturday. |
All of Happy Valley and the surrounding Pennsylvania area will be in full attendance this weekend to witness JoePa's 300th win. And what a tough game it will be.
Last weekend, Missouri mangled the Falcons, 37-0. Bowling Green managed only 56 yards on offense, while giving up 544 on defense. Bowling Green will probably have more trouble running the ball against the Penn State defense. It let up a mere nine yards against Southern Miss last week.
This game will be quite exciting for the first eight minutes. Paterno will become only the sixth coach to amass 300 wins, and Bowling Green will go home 0-2.
Penn State 47, Bowling Green 7
Ohio (0-1) at Wisconsin (1-0):
Ron Dayne has had his fair share of success, but his large body has spent more time on the bench these past two seasons than in the end zone.
Dayne missed last week's game with a severely sprained ankle and is questionable this week.
Wisconsin barely defeated a mediocre San Diego State team, 26-14. Ohio made careless errors in the fourth quarter, losing to Carolina State, 34-31.
The Badger O-line is anchored by pre-season All-American tackle Aaron Gibson. Gib is 6-7, 368 pounds. His waist measures 56 inches and his thighs are a massive 38 inches. If Da Phat Back is able to run the ball, the route will be right behind the mammoth backside of Gibson. Wisconsin should be able to run to victory.
Wisconsin 35, Ohio 10
Duke (1-0) at Northwestern (1-0):
Duke: Stick to basketball. While Northwestern is not as strong as it once was, it will have little trouble with the Blue Devils.
After three lousy seasons, Duke finally won a game against division I-AA Western Carolina. Duke won 24-10, and showed signs of improving upon last year's season.
Duke has been a formidable opponent for Northwestern, which barely beat Duke, 24-20, last season. Wildcats coach Gary Barnett was content with his 41-7 victory over UNLV last weekend, but feels Duke is a much better team than the Runnin' Rebels.
Northwestern 28, Duke 10
Rice (1-0) at Purdue (0-1):
The air-and-land show will be underway this weekend in West Lafayette. While Purdue's philosophy is to throw the ball and then throw it more, Rice likes to run it every which way out of the triple-option wishbone offense.
Of all the Big Ten matchups this weekend, this one should provide the most excitement. Last year, Rice visited Northwestern to defeat them 40-34. This weekend's matchup could be very similar - a lot of offense, little defense.
Purdue graduated its key offensive weapons, but still rides the wave of last year's inspiring season. Rice is trying to make the Big Ten trip an annual victory.
Rice led the country in rushing last year but moving the ball against the Boilermaker D-line will be a struggle. Expect a whole lot of run-and-gun from Rice, and a whole lot of chucking from Purdue. Put together, you might have an entertaining game.
Rice 34, Purdue 27
Western Michigan (1-0) at Indiana (0-0):
The only Michigan Division I team to win last weekend was Western Michigan. But WMU is on a roll going into Bloomington this weekend, carrying a two-season seven-game winning streak into Indiana.
Indiana is mostly young and inexperienced. Indiana coach Cam Cameron has faith in his players, but they will need more than faith to win. The Hoosiers are the perennial doormat of the Big Ten.
Cameron preaches a good game, but the Hoosier defense will have to hit harder than Bobby Knight if they expect to win this ball game.
Western Michigan 21, Indiana 14
Middle Tenn. State (1-0) at Illinois (0-1):
If you were planing on getting that much-needed root canal, this game would be the time.
Illinois has lost 18 in a row, and is bringing in a Division IAA team to try to end the streak.
Most of the Illini consists of junior college players and freshman who couldn't get a scholarship anywhere else. As for Middle Tennessee State, they have football players who wear helmets. This preview will be the interactive portion of thearticle. Guess the score yourself.
Notre Dame (1-0) at Michigan State (0-2):
This matchup is actually intriguing. Notre Dame visits East Lansing after pulling off itsbiggest victory in a long time. It put the hurt on Michigan last weekend, while Michigan State resembled a fourth-grade football team.
Michigan State can turn around their season and set its sights on a successful year. It's funny how everyone forgets coach bashings, bowl failures and losing seasons with a couple big wins. But isn't that why we watch college football?
This matchup has always been a classic. Jarious Jackson and Autry Denson will try and run the option successfully. As for State's offensive capabilities, they only have one - Sedrick Irvin. Irvin opened the season with an impressive 120 yards rushing, but gained only 66 yards in last week's lopsided loss to Oregon.
Notre Dame 27, Michigan State. 21
Minnesota (1-0) at Houston (0-1):
Sometimes you gotta wonder if football can get any more exciting than this matchup. Houston has been lacking a dominant offense since David Klingler left seven years ago. On the other hand, the Golden Gophers barely beat Arkansas State.
Both of these powerhouses have decent defenses, limiting their opposition to five yards rushing last weekend. In last year's contest they combined for 88 points. The defenses are rumored to have fallen asleep on the field. You gotta wonder who will actually attend this ball game.
Minnesota 24, Houston 10
09-10-98
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