Football
Tony's Tip Sheet
By Tony GerdemanAnd now we reach the part of the schedule that makes me nervous.
Can Michigan really compete with Purdue?!?
(It sucks that jokes at Michigan’s expense using Purdue’s ineptitude are more ironic (and sad) than funny.)
But that doesn’t mean it’s not a legitimate concern. There is going to be a lot of shaking out in the Big Ten this weekend, and all over the country for that matter.
Even the ACC…though nobody cares.
This is the weekend we find out whether Ohio State is going to keep their Big Ten Championship streak alive. This is also the weekend we find out whether Terrelle Pryor is ready to take the next step. Just because you’re not polished doesn’t mean you can’t be a winner.
And it’s time for him to become that winner.
Or else Columbus may burn to the ground.
Of course that could probably happen anyway.
Thursday November 5
Teams: #23 Virginia Tech (5-3) at East Carolina (5-3)
Time (TV): 7:30 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: East CarolinaThis is the second straight year that Virginia Tech has been 5-3. And next year they’ll start out in the top ten again only to drop out soon after. You know it’s Autumn when the leaves are turning and Frank Beamer starts looking like a Bowden. East Carolina comes into this game having played well the last two weeks, but before that, they struggled for every win they got. I just don’t see them containing the Hokie offense like they did last year when they upset Virginia Tech 27-22, holding the Hokies to just 243 yards of total offense. In fact, Virginia Tech may have 243 yards on the ground alone in this one.
Teams: Eastern Michigan (0-8) at Northern Illinois (5-3)
Time (TV): 7:30 pm (ESPNU)
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Northern IllinoisEastern Michigan is currently winless under first-year head coach Ron English. English used to be the defensive coordinator at Michigan, but he was let go when Rich Rodriguez came along. Apparently Rich didn’t have enough confidence in English’s defensive game planning. And if that’s the case, just how bad did Rodriguez think his defenses would be with Ron English calling the plays? As it stands now, the Wolverine defense is on pace to win Miss Congeniality when the Big Ten postseason awards are announced. How much worse could Ron English have done?
Friday November 6
Teams: #7 Boise State (8-0) at Louisiana Tech (3-5)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: Louisiana TechThis used to be one of my favorite rivalries. And then Louisiana Tech really started sucking. I had even wanted to do a road trip to catch this game about ten years ago. Of course, that was back before I was married and was allowed to take road trips to Ruston, Louisiana on a whim. Now I‘m not even allowed to have whims. Maybe, for old times’ sake, this game will be close again--and it will be taunting me the entire time.
Saturday November 7
Teams: Northwestern (5-4) at #4 Iowa (9-0)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 4.5
Cheer For: IowaBy this point, I think we all expect Iowa to look shaky for about three quarters before Hulking up and coming out with a win. But this week, I think they play well from the start and blowout Northwestern by at least eight points. Some may think Iowa is going to get caught looking ahead to Ohio State next week, but I don’t think that’s the case. They know that no matter how much they suck during the course of a game, nobody in the conference is good enough to dust them and not leave room for a come back. Especially when they have the Big Ten refs in their corner. When the down markers have a “5” on them, you know you’re screwed.
Teams: UCF (5-3) at #2 Texas (8-0)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (FSN)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: TexasColt McCoy is back on top of the Heisman watch lists because people have heard of him before and even though he’s still not playing consistently great, they know he’s not playing as bad as Tim Tebow. He’s like Nickelback right now compared to Tebow’s Creed.
Teams: #21 Wisconsin (6-2) at Indiana (4-5)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (BTN)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: WisconsinIf the Hoosiers want any shot at a bowl game, they have to win this week. They finish at Penn State and then home to Purdue, so even six wins won’t guarantee them a spot, but it gives them a chance. After last week’s heartbreaker to Iowa, you have to wonder whether this team will pack it in, or play even harder for that elusive quality win. Indiana hasn’t had a win over a ranked opponent since they beat the 15th-ranked Hawkeyes in 2006. After seeing how the Badgers destroyed Purdue last week (37-0), I’m thinking the Hoosiers will have to wait until next year to get that scarce win over a ranked opponent. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that I am starting Wisconsin running back John Clay in this one and am fighting for my playoff life.
Teams: Illinois (2-6) at Minnesota (5-4)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (BTN)
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: MinnesotaWe’re cheering for Minnesota because it would be hilarious if the only wins Illinois got this year came against Illinois State and Michigan. (It probably wouldn’t be so funny for Illinois State and Head Coach Brock Spack, though. It might be something that could cost him his job. Imagine being an FCS coach and getting fired for being as bad as Michigan.) While on its face, this game looks like a pretty tough one to call, but Minnesota actually has some decent wins over Air Force, Northwestern and Michigan State. Illinois, on the other hand, has a win over a .500 FCS team and Michigan. I just don’t see Illinois getting the job done in this one because Minnesota’s defense is much, much better than Michigan’s. And I also don’t see Tim Brewster getting punked by Ron Zook the way Rich Rodriguez did. But if I didn’t know any better (and I don’t), given the two coaches involved, this one is screaming for the Illini to somehow pull off the upset.
Teams: Western Michigan (4-5) at Michigan State (4-5)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (BTN)
Interest: 2.5
Cheer For: Michigan StateMichigan State makes me sad, and I’m not even a Spartan fan. But I guess if I WAS a Spartan fan, I would probably be immune to such pain. Like how locals can drink Mexican water but gringos can’t. Years of exposure to such heart punching has built up such a high tolerance level amongst Spartan fans that only the deepest of family tragedies can bring about any real emotional release. But it’s not like they didn’t know it was going to be like this when they signed up. They all knew the deal. You know how in some contracts, the fine print is almost hidden because it’s the most important part? In Spartan fans’ contracts, there is no fine print because everybody already knows the most important part, and it‘s in size 72 font--your football life is going to suck! But some people just HAVE to be martyrs.
Teams: Purdue (3-6) at Michigan (5-4)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (BTN)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: MichiganIt’s a sad state of affairs when each successive devastating loss for the Wolverines gets easier and easier to deal with. And yet with a win, the previous weeks’ follies will be completely and foolishly forgotten. But a win for the Wolverines here isn’t a sure thing. Purdue is going to throw the ball around and they have running backs who are quick enough to abuse the terrible tackling Michigan defense. And who knows which Michigan offense is going to show up. Will it be the terrible offense that always shows up against Big Ten teams, or will it be some type of magical offense we have yet to see this year? I’m guessing it will be the former, since this offense doesn’t seem capable of anything new or magical. And yet maybe I’m too close to the situation, because I just can’t believe Michigan is going to lose this game. There’s too much on the line. But then there was plenty on the line last week, too. I guess I’ll take the Wolverines, I’m just not sure how they’re going to do it. Barwis, I suppose.
Teams: Virginia (3-5) at #17 Miami (FL) (6-2)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (Gameplan)
Interest: 1
Cheer For: VirginiaThe last time Virginia was in Miami, they closed the Orange Bowl down by beating the Hurricanes 48-0. That game was played in front of 62,106 people who had mistakenly ended up at the Orange Bowl. This Saturday, however, expect Landshark Stadium to be about half-full as the crowds have been dwindling as the season has gone on. You can’t blame the fans though--there’s just too much to do in Miami, what with all of the carjacking and smuggling that goes on.
Teams: Kansas (5-3) at Kansas State (5-4)
Time (TV): 12:30 pm (VS)
Interest: 2.5
Cheer For: Kansas StateIf Kansas State wins this one, they will be very close to locking down a spot in the Big XII Championship Game--and this comes one year after posting a 2-6 conference record in 2008. I’m going to go with the Wildcats in this one--who are about a field goal underdog. I like Kansas State’s chances to run the ball with Daniel Thomas, and I expect them to run him heavily. And if quarterback Grant Gregory gets the start this week, he has the mobility to keep plays alive. Also, if you’ll recall, he threw an 82-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. in the Big 33 game back in 2004, so that’s another reason to root for Kansas State. As an aside, did you ever notice that no state is more represented by a broom than Kansas. Take a look at your yellow-bristled broom and turn it upside down. That’s just about every landscape in the state. Even if you’ve never been, you know exactly what it looks like. It’s like going to a landfill and then suddenly knowing how to get around in Detroit.
Teams: Navy (6-3) at #22 Notre Dame (6-2)
Time (TV): 2:30 pm (NBC)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: NavyNavy and Notre Dame have split their last two meetings and Charlie Weis didn’t get fired for it. There’s still time, I guess. I don’t see Notre Dame having much trouble in this one. Jimmy Clausen will throw the ball all over the place and look to get receiver Michael Floyd back involved after missing five games due to a broken collarbone. Navy’s made this one close over the last couple of years, but I just don’t think they have the firepower this time around.
Teams: #9 LSU (7-1) at #3 Alabama (8-0)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (CBS)
Interest: 4
Cheer For: AlabamaThe Crimson Tide took last week off to recover from the their dodged bullet against the Vols a couple of weeks ago. Their passing game has been missing for over a month now and there’s really no reason to expect it to return against LSU. But maybe with the week off, Nick Saban and his offensive staff have found something new (other than more lucrative jobs, of course). I really have no respect for LSU, even though their lone loss was a ten-point defeat at the hands of the Gators. Right now, though, I just don’t think Alabama can throw the ball well enough to get a big win; and because of that, LSU should stay in this for most of the game. I’m still expecting something like a 24-13 Alabama victory though.
Teams: #8 Oregon (7-1) at Stanford (5-3)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (FSN)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: StanfordWe’re cheering for Stanford because it would be funny to see the team that just drilled USC get beat. And there’s a very real chance of it happening this week. Of course, for this to happen, Stanford is going to have to play their best defensive game of the season and Oregon will have to employ most of the gameplan they used against Boise State earlier this year. If the Ducks win this, they will be 6-0 in conference play and with Arizona’s conference slide on the immediate horizon, they will be in total control of the Pac 10. Oregon has won seven in a row against Stanford and given the ultimate high the Ducks experienced last week, why don’t we go ahead and pick the upset in this one. If I’m wrong, I promise not to bring it up ever again.
Teams: Duke (5-3) at North Carolina (5-3)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ESPNU)
Interest: 1
Cheer For: DukeThe winner of this game is going to be three games over .500. In football! American football!! I’m actually going to be rooting for Duke because it would make the ACC look even worse than it already does. If it gets any worse for the ACC, fans may eventually stop showing up and games will soon be relegated to ESPNU!
Teams: #6 TCU (8-0) at San Diego State (4-4)
Time (TV): 4:00 pm (VS)
Interest: 1
Cheer For: TCUWe’ve come to the portion of TCU’s schedule where Boise State even starts complaining. But Boise State should shut their stupid blue faces.
Teams: Vanderbilt (2-7) at #1 Florida (8-0)
Time (TV): 7:15 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: VanderbiltI’m tired of people ripping on Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes for only getting a half-game suspension for gouging Georgia running back Washaun Ealey’s eyes. Please, even if there was any damage done, Tim Tebow would have just come in and done a corneaectomy like he does every Tuesday and Thursday down at the clinic. And, to be honest, Ealey’s corneas would have come out even better than they are now. The capacity of his rods and cones would be far beyond anything they are capable of now. But since there was no damage done, he’ll never know the joys of having night vision or bifocaled irises. If anything, Spikes should be suspended an entire game for forcing Ealey to keep his standard human vision when Tim Tebow could have provided so much more. Sad day to be an Ealey, in my opinion.
Teams: Florida State (4-4) at Clemson (5-3)
Time (TV): 7:45 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 2.5
Cheer For: ClemsonI don’t know what’s going to happen in this game, all I can tell you is that it’s going to be CRAZY! First one to 40 loses. And at halftime, Bobby Bowden is going to do his best to explain to you just how completely unaware he was that any of this was going to happen. “Well, I thought we had a real good game plan going in, you know? But once they returned that interception 109 yards for a touchdown and then we returned the kickoff back and then they had that long touchdown where we only had four men on the field and then we followed that up with the fake punt for a touchdown…and then that clown caught on fire…I tell ya, I didn’t know WHAT was gonna happen next.” Meanwhile, back in reality--or as close to reality as Florida State football gets, anyway--the Seminoles have won their last two games by an average score of 38-35. Clemson is scoring 42 points per game over their last three, but their defense has been up and down. They gave up three points to Wake Forest and 37 to Miami. Florida State’s total will look more like Miami’s, but it still won’t be enough.
Teams: #12 USC (6-2) at Arizona State (4-4)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ABC)
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: Arizona StateGosh, you almost have to feel bad for USC. Nobody likes seeing Pete Carroll blown out the way they were last week at Oregon. When you see a guy who has done it the right way for so long, you hate to see anything bad happen to them. All you can do is root for them to get back on the right track. And then hopefully Matt Barkley’s dad can land a stud wide receiver recruit and then some shady agent can buy a house for some amazing running back and his family. Let’s get these Trojans back on their feet! Maybe we can do something like “Adopt-A-Trojan”. For just $1,200 dollars per day, you can help feed, clothe, grill and bling a Trojan. Won’t you please give?
Teams: Connecticut (4-4) at #5 Cincinnati (8-0)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ABC)
Interest: 4
Cheer For: CincinnatiThe Bearcats have finally made it to the Big Time--regional coverage in primetime on ABC! Quarterback Tony Pike is set to return to practice this week, but given back-up Zach Collaros’ stellar play for the Bearcats in his place (his 218.44 passer rating is 47 points higher than the nation’s leader, Kellen Moore) don’t expect them to rush Pike back before he’s more than ready. Connecticut may be a .500 team, but those four losses have come by a combined 13 points. They have a solid running attack fueled by the two-headed combo of Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman--both of whom have 150-yard rushing games on the season. The Bearcat run defense is going to be tested in this one, but as will always be the case under Brian Kelly, the offense will be able to cover most any defensive weakness. Expect a crowd well-beyond the 35,000-seat capacity of Nippert Stadium on Saturday night. Heck, they might even get around 37,000 for this one! Somebody contact the folks at Guinness!
Teams: #24 Oklahoma (5-3) at Nebraska (5-3)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ABC)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: NebraskaThis used to be a terrific series, then the Big XII came and pretty much wrecked it. Of course, John Blake and Bill Callahan didn’t help much, but we can’t just go around blaming coaches. If we did that, people might actually hold Rich Rodriguez responsible for the current state of Michigan football--and nobody here wants that to happen. This is a great chance for Bo Pellini to take a chunk out of the Big XII South and his team doesn’t even have to play their best game to get it done. The Husker defense has been pretty good this year and they should be able to get after quarterback Landry Jones. But Jones has played well the last two weeks and he’s going to put Nebraska to the test. He’ll basically have the entire game on his shoulders because Oklahoma’s running game tends to disappear against good teams, and Nebraska is almost a good team. However, while the Husker defense has been stellar, the offense definitely has not. I don’t see them scoring enough to win if the Sooners don’t help them out with numerous turnovers.
Teams: #16 Ohio State (7-2) at #11 Penn State (8-1)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC/ESPN2)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Ohio StateI’m expecting two fairly similar plans of offensive “attack” in this one, and they’re both going to center on not screwing up. Both quarterbacks will be under fire and they are both prone to mistakes. It would be easy to say that whoever wins the turnover battle will win the game, but this being a road game for the Buckeyes, I’m thinking they’ll need a +2 turnover ratio. They could probably get away with a +1 provided they have no turnovers of their own. The Buckeyes will need to limit the breakaway runs by Nittany running back Evan Royster. Make him earn every yard. And keep ripping at the ball. Offensively for the Buckeyes, they can attack this secondary, but I wonder if they will. If the first read isn’t there for Terrelle Pryor, he’s probably going to run pretty quickly--and that’s been very effective over the last couple of weeks. There’s no telling how much time the Buckeye offensive line is going to give Pryor to throw, so he can’t be back there watching the paint dry. Be quick, but be safe. And if you have to decide between the two, be safe. Please.
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