This weekend is filled with some of the most exciting college football match-ups of the season. Since the Wolverines are on the road this Saturday, there is no better time to turn on the tube and be entertained.
Here are some of the best games this Saturday, with predictions. They are all guaranteed to be 100 percent accurate, so call your bookie (not that we endorse gambling).
No. 20 N.C. State (3-0) vs. No. 1 Florida State (2-0)
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Tell Florida State's Chris Weinke to stop, drop and roll, because recently he has been on fire. The quarterback put 41 points on the board against both Louisiana Tech and Georgia Tech. On the other side of the ball, the Florida State defensive line is a gold mine of talent. Defensive ends Jamal Reynolds and Roland Seymour will make Wolfpack quarterback Jamie Barnette's teeth chatter.
N.C. State's running game will help keep them alive. Senior Rahshon Spikes and sophomore Ray Robinson will carry the load, but it is unlikely that they can penetrate the Seminole defense.
Revenge is sweet.
Florida State 31, N.C. State 21
No. 2 Tennessee (1-0) vs. No. 4 Florida (2-0)
In this SEC classic, the second-ranked Volunteers square off against the Gators in Gainesville. The matchup not only has importance in the national rankings, but the game also could put the loser out of contention for the SEC title.
Florida's explosive offense will collide against Tennessee's stubborn defense. Florida quarterback Doug Johnson has three powerful offensive weapons and spreads the ball around the field. Receivers Travis Taylor, Darrell Jackson and Reche Caldwell each have over 100 receiving yards in two games. The Gators have tallied 113 points over their first two games.
Tennessee's defense is unforgiving, so the Gators shouldn't expect to put up the numbers they did against Division I weaklings Western Michigan and Central Florida. Tennessee recorded a school-record 13 sacks last week against Wyoming. Key defenders are linemen Shaun Ellis and Darwin Walker, and defensive back Mikki Allen, who all recorded multiple sacks last week.
Throw those clippers away, because this game is going to be a nail biter. Last year the Vols won in overtime, and this time around things shouldn't be too different. Though Florida has won its last 16 home conference games, the Gators should pray Hurricane Floyd turns around and heads back south.
Tennessee 27, Florida 19
No. 3 Penn State (3-0) vs. No. 8 Miami (Florida) (2-0)
The Nittany Lions eked by unranked Pittsburgh last week, 20-17, with help from a blocked field goal. Penn State coach Joe Paterno will have his squad ready this week as these two top ten teams fight for positions in the polls.
Though Penn State won last week, they know the country will be watching to see whether last week's game was an abberation, or if they really aren't as good as everyone thinks they are.
Junior defensive superstar LaVar Arrington, the best outside linebacker in the country and likely the best defender overall, will try to help the Lions defend their pride.
The Hurricanes have been most impressive, squashing Ohio State, and annihilating Florida A&M. Sophomore quarterback Kenny Kelly has been near-perfect, passing to two of the best wide receivers in the nation - Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne.
Which personality will show up for the schizophrenic Lions? Penn State should win this game, but they can't repeat last weeks errors. Paterno should have his team revved up. Bet on the Big Ten to triumph over the Big East.
Penn State 35, Miami 14
Michigan State (2-0) vs. No. 24 Notre Dame (1-2)
In South Bend, look for the 1-2 Fighting Irish to have better luck against the Spartans. Notre Dame has proved itself a worthy team despite two losses. They were in position to beat both Michigan and Purdue, but lost both by a total of just nine points.
Though the Spartans are undefeated, they just don't have the talent to match the Irish. Senior quarterback Bill Burke defines mediocrity, and the only redeeming quality wide receiver Plaxico Burress has is a really cool name.
The Michigan State defense is solid, but not solid enough to stop Notre Dame.
Notre Dame quarterback Jarious Jackson is one of the most mobile play callers in the country. The option should work for Notre Dame this week, so look for Jackson to break through for some long runs.
I bet me Lucky Charms Notre Dame slaughters the Spartans at home.
Notre Dame 40, Michigan State 20
Central Michigan (1-1) vs. No. 14 Purdue (2-0)
No ifs, ands or buts, the Chippewas don't stand a chance in West Lafeyette.
The best thing going for Central Michigan is their running back corps of Eric Flowers and Vince Webber. Flowers had more than 1,300 rushing yards last year, but the Mid American Conference can't run with the big dogs of the Big Ten.
Purdue has Heismann hopeful Drew Brees under center, and Brees is sure to pick apart the Chippewa defense. Wide receivers Randall Lane and Chris Daniels should snag at least 7 balls a piece this game.
Don't look for an upset because the only one who will be upset is you.
Purdue 38, Central Michigan 6
Northwestern (1-1) vs. Duke (0-1)
Both teams wish their offense could score points equivalent to their school's average ACT. score. Duke and Northwestern both suffered disappointing defeats the first game of the season. Last year, the Blue Devils demolished the Wildcats 44-10, and may thrash Northwestern again come Saturday.
Duke quarterback Scottie Romine completed 19-40 passes last week for 231 yards, but suffered a separated shoulder in the fourth quarter against East Carolina. It is questionable whether Romine, or back-up Bobby Campbell will play. Duke's receiving duo Scottie Montgomery and Richmond Flowers combined for 12 catches for 198 yards last week.
The Wildcats are low on talent. Quarterback Gavin Hoffman hasn't been a mecca of accuracy, but did show promise during last week's win.
The only bowl either of these teams will participate in come January is the Quiz Bowl.
Duke 27 Northwestern 10
Kentucky (1-1) vs. Indiana (1-1)
Kentucky still grieves over the loss of quarterback Tim Couch to the Cleveland Browns, but sophomore Dusty Bonner has put 28 points on the board in a loss to Louisville and 45 in a win against Connecticut. Kentucky has a strong defense, anchored by linebacker Jeff Snedegar and Marlon McCree.
Antwan Randle El is the Hoosier's dangerous quarterback and also a varsity basketball player. So he's a two sport player. That don't impress me much. Randle El has the speed, and he has the touch. Don't get me wrong, yeah, I think he's all right. But that won't keep Indiana alive in this long, cold football fight.
Look for the Wildcats to win in a high scoring, but close affair.
Kentucky 35, Indiana 31
No. 9 Wisconsin (2-0) vs. Cincinnati (1-1)
The Badgers have schedueld another cupcake for this week, (big surprise). So, the Badghers should easily pulverize the Bearcats. Though Cincy had high hopes at the beginning of the season, a loss to Troy State quickly renounced any chances of a great year. Wisconsin, powered by running back Ron Dayne, should be able to run right through the Cincinnati defense. With Dayne as a major point of focus for Cincy, the Badgers will be able to effectively play-action pass and open up their air attack.
Cincinnati quarterback Deotney Kenner heads the Bearcats, but the junior is interception prone, with a vile 6-13 touchdown-interception ratio last year. Cincy's defensive line was ranked 109th out of 112 teams last year.
This one will be ugly.
Wisconsin 60, Cincinnati 21
Southern Mississippi (2-0) vs. No. 4 Nebraska (2-0)
The fourth-ranked Cornhuskers should breeze by the Golden Eagles this game. Though defense wins games, Southern Miss should take the opposite approach. While Nebraska's defense has only allowed seven points in two games, its defense is weaker than its offense. Southern Miss has scored 98 points in their first two games and their only prayer of winning is a scintillating offensive attack.
Nebraska's running back DeAngelo Evans recently quit the team, so it is unlikely he will contribute for the Huskers. Eric Crouch has been solid in Nebraska's wins over Iowa and California. Nebraska's secondary features two great defenders, the unrelated Mike and Ralph Brown.
Junior college transfer Cabel Davis, Southern Mississippi's signal caller, has more firepower than the Michigan militia. Running back Derrick Nix averaged over five yards per carry last year and rushed for 1300 yards as a freshman.
Southern Miss will play respectably and surprise the Cornhuskers. But that doesn't necessarily equal a victory.
Nebraska 37, Southern Mississippi 25
Tulsa (1-1) vs. No. 7 Texas A&M (1-0)
While the seventh-ranked Aggies play the Golden Hurricanes at home, they should play the game at the Comedy Showcase, because it's going to be a laugher.
This past week, Tulsa got violated by Oklahoma State in a 46-9 loss. Tulsa's defensive line is paper thin, with Chris Odom as the only familiar face from a year ago. The most important player for Tulsa will be punter Casey Lipscomb. He will be on duty often.
Texas A&M quarterback Randy McCown will be able to take it easy this game, as most of the load will be carried by fullback Ja'Mar Toombs and running back Dante Hall.
This game will not be exciting.
Texas A&M 35, Tulsa 6
09-16-99
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