Hockey vs. Ferris State Today, 7 p.m. Big Rapids S 'TS Football vs. Wisconsin Tomorrow, Noon (ESPN) Michigan Stadium 'M' seeks revenge against disappointing Badgers By CHAD A. SAFRAN Daily Football Writer While both Michigan and Wis- consin stare up at Penn State in the Big Ten standings, at least the Wol- verines' postseason possibilities are a bit better at this time. Michigan is on track for a Citrus Bowl bid while the Badgers are not even in conten- tion for one of the Big Ten's post- season tie-ins. Things won't get any Obetter for Wisconsin as it struggles to achieve a winning record. Michigan rushing offense vs. Wisconsin rushing defense: The Wolverines showed why they have arguably the deepest corps of runners in the country in their win over Illinois. The Wolverines will need Ed Davis, as well as fresh- men Chris Floyd and Chris Howard, to make up for tailback Tshimanga Biakabutuka's ab- sence (bruised knee). The Badgers' defense is allow- ing a mere 3.3 average yards per carry as linemen Jason Maniecki and Mike Thompson have made a combined 18 tackles for losses, re- sulting in a negative 51 yards. The Badgers have only faced one opponent with a running game as fine as Michigan's - Colorado -- and Rashaan Salaam scampered for four touchdowns in the Buffaloes' 55-17 victory. Advantage: Michigan passing offense vs. Wisconsin passing defense: Todd Collins remains one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the Big Ten, despite throwing for only one touchdown in conference play. While he possesses fine skills, he also has receiverAmani Toomer catch- ing passes. Toomer has snared 35 re- ceptions for 726 yards in seven games. When Toomer is covered, Collins can look to the ample supporting cast of receiver Mercury Hayes and sure- "*anded tight end Jay Riemersma. The Badgers' secondary has per- formed almost as poorly as Michigan's. Defensive back Jeff Messenger, who led the conference in interceptions a year ago, is listed as probable for tomorrow's game after missing last week's contest with a thigh bruise. The rest of the senior-laden secondary has been burned by the likes of Michigan State's Tony Banks and Purdue's Rick Trefzger. With 12 sacks in seven games, the Badgers have failed to come up with a consistent pass rush. Advantage: Wisconsin rushing offense vs. Michigan rushing defense: Brent Moss and Terrell Fletcher are the Badgers' offense, averaging over 255 yards per game combined on the ground. Moss missed Wisconsin's loss to Minne- sota, and the Badgers had one of their poorest rushing outputs of the season (121 yards). He also sat out the team's tie against Purdue. How- ever, he should be recovered from the sprained ankle and ready to play. The Badgers' front line, featuring the Big Ten's best center in Cory Raymer, can dominate games. While the quintet may not be the biggest in the conference, it is the most consistent and continues to improve. The Wolverines' rushing defense has seen an increase in intensity, especially over the past month. Line- backer Matt Dyson is relatively healthy and Steve Morrison has improved with every game. Michi- gan allowed 40 yards rushing last week, but the Illini do not have the running attack of the Badgers. Advantage: Wisconsin passing offense vs. Michigan passing defense. Badgerquarterback Darrell Bevell was named to the All-Big Ten first team in 1993. This year he will be hoping forjust a vote. Thejunior signal caller has connected on less than 60 percent of his passes in 1994. He has already thrown six interceptions and only eight touchdowns. Without injured wideout Lee DeRamus in the lineup, the Badgers' passing game lacks a deep threat. Michigan's passing defense re- mains the Wolverines' weakest link, but it looked better against Illinois as defensive coordinator Lloyd Carr used more man coverage than in previous games. Carr should stick with this to take advantage of A year later, matchup pits teams: heading in different directions By MICHAEL ROSENBERG Daily Football Writer Just 10 months ago, on the first day of the new year, Wisconsin beat UCLA to capture its first-ever Rose Bowl title. That same day, Michigan trounced North Carolina State in the Hall of Fame Bowl, a game that few watched or cared about. Everybody was talking about a change in the conference's balance of power. Michigan, they said, was the team on its way down. Wisconsin was the new king. Now last season seems like adream. The Badgers (2-2-1 Big Ten, 3-3-1 overall) appear destined to miss the bowl season; they still have to play Michigan, Ohio State and Illinois. Meanwhile, Michigan (3-1, 5-2) is back as one of the nation's elite teams. The Wolverines' two losses have been to top-ranked Penn State and No. 2 Colorado. They seem to be headed for another nine- or 10-win season. The two teams clash tomorrow at 12:10 p.m. at Michigan Stadium. While Michigan has clearly been the better team this season, coach Gary Moeller is not taking the Badgers lightly. "They have two great backs," Moeller said. "Our primary goal is to stop those two." Those backs -- Brent Moss and Terrell Fletcher -- each ran for over 1,000 yards a year ago. Moss was the Big Ten MVP in 1993, but has missed games this year because of a sprained ankle. He is expected to play tomorrow. Like Moeller, Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez is worried about his opponent's offense. "They have some of the best weap- ons, offensively and defensively, in the country," Alvarez said. "(They have) three great running backs and deep threats." Actually, one of those three tailbacks will watch tomorrow's game from the sidelines. Tshimahga Biakabutuka is out with a bruised knee, leaving Tyrone Wheatley and Ed Davis with most of the carries. For the second straight year, Wis- consin plays Michigan a week after being upset by lowly Minnesota. "All Minnesota did was what they did last year - get Wisconsin mad before they play us," Moeller said. But while the Badgers' 1993 loss to the Golden Gophers was the lone stumble during a 10-1-1 season, Wis- consin has been no stranger to defeat this year. A combination of graduation, in- juries and bad luck has plagued the Badgers, who were ranked as high as 10th in the nation earlier this season. The loss of offensive lineman Joe Panos, nose tackle Lamark Shackleford and linebacker Yusef Burgess left Alvarez with less depth to work with. At various times this season, wide receiver Lee DeRamus, quarterback Darrell Bevell, safety Jeff Messenger and Moss have all missed games. DeRamus is out for the year. Wisconsin can take solace in the fact that last year Michigan suffered through a 4-4 start -- and an 8-4 season. Now the Wolverines are once again among the best teams in the country. EVAN PETRIE/DaiN Michigan tailback Ed Davis carries the ball against Wisconsin last season. The junior will likely see increased playing time tomorrow as he fills in for the injured Tshimanga Biakabutuka, backing up starter Tyrone Wheatley. cornerback Ty Law's skills. Advantage: Special Teams: Michigan kicker Remy Hamilton leads the Big Ten in scor- ing with 67 points and has surpassed all expectations anyone had for the Wolverines' kicking game coming into 1994. However, punter Kraig Baker has been inconsistent with an average of 35.5 yards per boot. Wisconsin's field goal kickers have been awful. Rick Schnetzky has hit on 29-of-31 extra points but only 1-of-3 field goals while team- mate John Hall has hit only 4-of-7 field goal attempts. Punter Sam Veit has excelled with an average of 41.9 yards per punt. Advantage: A MAYOR WHO BRINGS U-M STUDENTS TOGETHER 'Harriers off to Iowa for BY EUGENE BOWEN Daily Sports Writer The regimens have been followed, the meets have been run and many athletes' performances have improved. Now, the time has come to determine whether all the hard work will pay off. The Michigan men's cross country *eam left for Iowa today for the Big Ten Cross Country Championships. Michigan coach Ron Warhurst chose nine Wolverines to compete, in- cluding captain Ian Forsyth and All- Americans ScottMacDonaldand Kevin Sullivan. Wisconsin is ranked first in the Big Ten polls, followed by Penn State and Michigan. "We won last year, but it'satougher conference this year," Forsyth said. Teammate MacDonald agreed. "Wisconsin is a lot better this year," he said. "We're going to have to run harder this year than we did last year in order to beat them and win the meet." Sullivan feels that regardless of the competition, Michigan has the strength to win the Big Tens. "It's going to be tough," he said. *'Everyone's just going to have to keep their head together and realize that we're going to be running against some tough teams." Sullivan, who wontheBig Ten Cross Country Championships last year, will bethe man to beat. ButWarhurstdoesn't think that this fact will affect Sullivan's performance. "Kevin can handle pressure," he said. MacDonald took fourth place at last year's Big Tens and he's devised a plan to improve his placement at this year's meet. "This year I'm not going to let the first pack get away from me like I did last year," he said. Forsyth, who finished 31st last year, says he hopes to make the top four or five at this meet. Warhurst says he will be more con- Big Tens cerned with some of his less-experi- enced runners than he will be with his top competitors. "I can't worry about my top three guys; they know what they have to do," he said referring to Forsyth, MacDonald and Sullivan. "I'm wor- ried about who will be my number four, five and six men." Everyone who participates in the Big Tens is thinking of ways to better their chances of winning. That is the dream of the Wolverine team. "I want to win," MacDonald said. "So does Ian, so does Kevin, so does the rest of the team." PRINTING HIGH QUAITY73 IWPRICES James and Cynthia D'Amour are one of the 65 couples married by Mayor Ingrid Sheldon since she was elected 18 months ago. 17 of the couples were U-M students Paid for by the Ingrid Sheldon for Mayor Committee. Doug F. Ziesemer, Treasurer, 122 S. Main, Ann Arbor 48104 1002 PONTIAC TR. IN mr .. --- 7 . I ll Sunday Brunch at Ashley's 38.Si t 99-99 U Featuring 4 varieties of frittatas, french toast with homemade bread, breakfast burritos, and our own Pub Breakfast. Served from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. every Sunday afternoon. Our lunch menu selections are also available, featuring homemade soups, generous sandwiches served on homemade bread and delicious salads. For dinner Sunday night, try our All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Beef Ribs. Tender beef back ribs, smothered in a tangy BBQ sauce, served with french fries and cole slaw. It's a wonderful way to cap off your week. :? : P ::.::.:.