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Friday, December 13, 2002
Weekend preview: September ends with a bang
By Mike Diegnan
BCSfootball.com
All the crying and whining won't work. Sure, Florida and Michigan might not be in the national championship picture if instant replay were available, but it's not going to happen. It doesn't matter if it could help, the NCAA will have a playoff before it has instant replay.
As for the action on the field, there has been so many upsets already, no one is vulnerable. However, the final day of September should identify who the leader in the Big Ten and Pac-10 will be. Here are the five games that should impact the Bowl Championship Series the most this weekend:
No. 14 Wisconsin at No. 9 Michigan (ABC, 12 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Not only are these the top two teams in the Big Ten, but the game features the best one-on-one matchup in the country: Michigan WR David Terrell and Wisconsin CB Jamar Fletcher. Fletcher is itching to play: Shoegate sidelined him three games; in his lone appearance, he had three picks. |
Michael Bennett: In two games against the Wolverines, Ron Dayne rushed for 53 and 88 yards. Dayne's 88 yards last year should have an asterisk -- he had zero in the second half. Bennett has rushed for 290 and 293 in his last two games, respectively. Even half of that should be enough for a victory. |
NCAA refs have been friendly to the Wolverines (missed calls vs. Illinois), while NCAA officials have been harsh on the Badgers (Shoegate). The tide turns in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Wisconsin 21-20. |
No. 6 Washington at No. 25 Oregon (ABC, 3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| This rivalry in the Pacific Northwest is not well-known outside of the Pac-10, but it takes on new proportions this Saturday. Oregon has a 17-game home winning streak and it will be a major challenge for Marques Tuiasosopo and the Huskies. |
Paul Arnold: Although Washington leads the Pac-10 in rushing, the Huskies need to develop a threat at running back. Tuiasosopo leads the team with 56 yards per game, while Arnold is second at 43 per. Until Arnold or someone else takes command at tailback, the Huskies will be vulnerable to an upset. |
Washington had last weekend off and watched Oregon crush UCLA in Eugene. In Seattle last year, Tui burned the Ducks for a 34-20 victory. He has made critical mistakes in every game, but the Huskies QB also knows how to win. Washington 27-24. |
No. 4 Virginia Tech at Boston College (3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
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What to expect: |
| Virginia Tech slipped into the National Championship Game last year and ranks fourth in the country already this season, and the Hokies could do it again. Boston College is one of only 2-3 teams in the Big East that could pull off the upset. |
Doug Goodwin: The true freshman from Freeport, N.Y. has moved into the starting lineup for the Eagles and the 6-foot-1, 279-pound tackle has earned it. He leads the team with four tackles-for-loss and has 13 tackles. He'll need his young legs to contain Michael Vick and Va. Tech RB Lee Suggs. |
Boston College has romped on the service academies, but the Eagles will be forced to land this weekend. Doubts about Virginia Tech's defense have been quelled and the only question about Michael Vick is what is he going to do next. Virginia Tech 38-14. |
No. 5 Kansas State at Colorado (ABC, 3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| Which schedule better readies a team for the Big XII? Kansas State's first four wins: Iowa (27-7), Louisiana Tech (54-10), Ball State (76-0) and North Texas (55-10). Colorado's first three losses: Colorado State (28-24), No. 11 USC (17-14) and No. 8 Washington (17-14). |
Jonathan Beasley: If he lived in the other Manhattan, his numbers (955 yards and 14 TDs of total offense) would be emblazoned on one of Times Square's billboards. |
Colorado's Gary Barnett is one of the best motivators in the country. The Buffaloes are hungry and desperate, but it won't be enough for Colorado to overcome its shortcomings in the passing game. K-State's receivers are too good for Colorado's corners. Kansas State 28-14. |
No. 3 Florida at Miss. State (3:30 p.m.)
| Why to watch: |
Who to watch: |
What to expect: |
| For all the parity in college football, Florida looks set to head into Tallahassee undefeated. But a trip to Starkville will not be easy for Steve Spurrier's Gators. It's the only SEC campus where he has never won (0-1). |
Fred Smoot: This week's tidbit from the Bulldogs' cornerback's web site (smootsmack.com): "I'm sure they'd love nothing more than to make me look bad. I know Steve Spurrier's that kind of coach, and I'm that kind of player. But I've got a good feeling for Saturday." He'll have his hands full against Florida's crop of receivers. |
In a battle of major contrasts (Florida's offense vs. Miss. State's D), the offense will prevail. Jesse Palmer is beginning to look like the quarterback Spurrier has sought since Danny Wuerffel left. Florida 28-20. |
All game times Eastern
Mike Diegnan is the editor of BCSfootball.com.
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Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti descibes the home field advantage his team has against the University of Washington.