The time off from the “hurricane” put me two weeks behind, soit’s double duty this week to catch up. Teams like LSU, FloridaState, Michigan and Iowa all have something to prove this weekafter semi- or even terrible performances from the past few weeks.As usual, upsets are abound, with the occasional blow-out ortwo.
Two weeks ago: 3-3 straight up, 3-3 vs. spread. Season: 11-4straight up, 7-8 vs. spread.
Mississippi State (+29) at No. 13 LSU, 11:30 a.m. JeffersonPilot Sports — If a team ever owned a team in the history ofcollege football, it’s LSU over Mississippi State. The Tigers havewon nine of the last 10, and the one loss was 17-16 on a phantomtouchdown by MSU in Starkville, (a game that my grandpa was nearlythrown out of). If the Tigers and Bulldogs were doing time togetherin Angola, State would be looking over its shoulder everyday in theshower. LSU still is struggling to find its niche on offense, butMSU’s defense is a tad less talented than Auburn’s. The Tigers havetoo much talent not to put this team away by the third quarter.
LSU 31, Mississippi State 10
No. 1 USC (-22) at Stanford, 6 p.m. — Could the Cardinal pullthe biggest upset of the year and send the Trojan-loving media intoa frenzy? Probably not, but Stanford is not to be overlooked.They’re averaging 40 points per game and 315 yards in the air. Thatcould mean success against a USC defense that hasn’t played a realpass-oriented team. Stanford quarterback Jason Beck will need amonster game, and the Cardinal must show at least of semblance of arunning game to keep it close.
USC 28, Stanford 27
Clemson (+17.5) at No. 11 Florida State, 2:30 p.m., ABC — TheBowden Bowl once again has the coaches in their respectiveconferences needing a win. Bobby Bowden is already in danger oflosing the ACC Championship to Miami after blowing a 10-point leadto the ‘Canes and can’t afford another conference loss. TommyBowden and Clemson were embarrassed by Texas A&M, and theboosters are starting to grumble like last year before the Tigersupset FSU and finished 2003 strong. Daddy won’t hold back on hisold boy this year.
Florida State 37, Clemson 13
No. 24 Iowa (+13) at No. 18 Michigan, 2:30 p.m., ABC — Twoweeks ago
this looked like the game of the year in the Big 10, but bothteams
have struggled since then. The Wolverines looked downrightterrible
in a loss to Notre Dame and a three-point win over San DiegoState,
while Iowa was crushed 44-7 by Arizona State.
Michigan 24, Iowa 17
Syracuse (+24) at No. 12 Virginia, 2:30 p.m. — The Cavaliersare just plugging along with three relatively easy games to startthe year, but the Orange will be more of a test. The ‘Cuse has aplaymaker in Walter Reyes, but they’ve yet to exploit his talentfully. The Cavs are perhaps the most balanced team in the ACC andthey’ll be equally successful running and passing on a weakSyracuse defense.
Virginia 30, Syracuse 14
Penn State (+3.5) at No. 20 Wisconsin, 4:45 p.m., ESPN –Wisconsin is following the Ohio State mold of winning — struggleagainst every team you play, including sub-par ones — and squeakout a win. The Badgers luck, unlike the Buckeyes, will run out thisweek.
Penn state 27, Wisconsin 20
N.C. State (-9) at Virginia Tech — Bryan Randall and the Hokieshave found their touch after a tough loss to top-ranked USC in weekone. N.C. State gave Ohio State a run for its money, but thenagain, who doesn’t give the Buckeyes a tough game these days? TheWolfpack committed 14 penalties and the team is not where it wantsto be. This game will be back and forth, but the Hokies make theplays down the stretch to pull it out.
Virginia Tech 27, N.C. State 21
Louisiana Tech (+23.5) at No. 8 Tennessee, 6:45 p.m. — Thefreshmen quarterback duo seems to work for the Volunteers, and itshould continue to do so against the Bulldogs. Tech running backRyan Moats was leading the nation in rushing before he was shutdown by Miami’s defense, which held Tech to only 183 total yards.Look for multiple players in orange and white jerseys to have acareer game.
Tennessee 45, La Tech 7
Kentucky (+19) at No. 16 Florida, 5 p.m. ESPN — Chris Leak hadhis coming out party against the Wildcats in Lexington, leading UFto a come-back win in 2003. The Gators are no doubt pissed aboutlosing to hated rival Tennessee last week on a zebra’s call, butrunning Kentucky on the field is medicine for any sufferingteam.
Florida 34, Kentucky 0
BYU (+21) at No. 21 Boise State, 9 p.m., today, ESPN — Boisealways seems to play better on that blue field. It’s a shame theydon’t have a better defense to complement their solid offense. Thestormin’ Mormons haven’t scored more than 10 points since barelybeating Notre Dame.
Boise 42, BYU