I always love watching this rivalry game because it represents two of college football's classic powerhouse programs. Both are coming off some not so subtle rocky stretches of time, whether it be Notre Dame's combined 10-13 over the past two seasons or Michigan's 3-9 season in 2008. Despite all of this, both have put their best foot forward to start this season and look to be on the right track to getting back to respectability. Notre Dame has the better QB in Jimmy Clausen, and probably the better overall team. They could eventually be good enough to qualify for a BCS bowl. Michigan won't be BCS good this season, but I have to tell you that they want this game more than the Golden Domers. This is Michigan's statement game and they won't settle for anything less than a victory. The underdog generally plays extremely well in this game, so I am giving the edge to Michigan and their much improved, tenacious defense. Hail to the above-average victors...
Notre Dame- 24
Michigan- 26
Clemson (1-0) @ #13/15 Georgia Tech (1-0) -
This is an interesting matchup because I believe that Clemson has the type of athletic guys in the front seven that can help slow down Georgia Tech's triple option offense. Despite this, Clemson just doesn't have the confidence on the other side of the ball outside of outstanding RB C.J. Spiller, and will probably fall a few scores short of knocking off the Yellow Jackets.
Clemson- 23
G Tech- 33
UCLA (1-0) @ Tennessee (1-0) -
Sigh. This is what this week comes down to: matchups like this. If it wasn't for Notre Dame @ Michigan and USC @ Ohio State, this would be a terrible week for college football. Regardless, there are a few storylines here. Tennessee lost in comeback fashion to UCLA last season in L.A. which propelled them to a less than spectacular five win season that saw long time coach Phil Fulmer see his way out of Knoxville. UCLA didn't exactly feed off the momentum that was the big win over Tennessee last season, however both programs feel a sense of rejuvenation under new leadership and prospects on their roster. Tennessee, which faces Florida in the Swamp next week, needs to avoid looking ahead to their hated rivals and take care of business at home against a confident, Rick Neuheisel-coached team that will have no fear against the Volunteers. The reason Tennessee wins is not just because of the talent differential, but because Lane Kiffin will have more at his disposal to throw at UCLA than the opposition does. It won't be pretty, but it will most certainly be a Tennessee victory that keeps the fan base feeling good about themselves. Next on the Vol's plate: a date against the top ranked Florida Gators. This isn't the most intriguing matchup but don't forget that Lane Kiffin has guaranteed a victory over the Gators..... what an idiot.
UCLA- 13
Tenn- 28
Big Ten Rundown-
Last week didn't bode too well for the conference, with Iowa struggling to best Northern Iowa, Minnesota barely escaping the lowly Syracuse Orange, and Illinois blowing a HUGE opportunity against a "depleted" Missouri team by getting destroyed in St. Louis. I see the conference having one of its biggest weeks in two years this upcoming Saturday.
#3/3 USC @ #7/8 Ohio State- preview tomorrow
#5/7 Penn State over Syracuse
Northwestern over Eastern Michigan
Western Michigan over Indiana
Michigan State over Central Michigan
Wisconsin over Fresno State
Iowa over Iowa State
Minnesota over Air Force
Illinois over Illinois State
Oregon over Purdue
Michigan over Notre Dame
predicted conference record: 8-2 (USC/OSU victor TBA)
No comments:
Post a Comment