wtre £tig atg COLLEGE FOOTBALL Arkansas at MISSISSIPPI, inc. PRO HOCKEY Florida 4, BUFFALO 2 BOSTON 2, Washington 0 OTTAWA 4. Phoenix 1 PHILADELPHIA 6. Edmonton 2 St. Louis at CHICAGO, inc. Tampa Bay at LOS ANGELES, inc PRO BASKETBALL Seattle 109. TORONTO 92 Philadelphia at MILWAUKEE, inc. New York at PHOENIX, inc. Friday November 7, 1997 8 I Wether its o iciad or not, this game is or the Rose Bozd In the grand scheme of things, Jan, 1, 1993 wasn't that long ago. Bill Clinton was presi- dent then. It hasn't even been five years. But five years is a long time to wait for some people. Too long for others, an eternity for Michigan football fans. But that's how long its been since the Wolverines last played in a Rose Bowl. No play- er on Michigan's roster has ever been to Pasadena, and only a handful of the coaches have had the experience. Bo Schembechler's mantra was "Those who stay will be champions," and in Bo's 20 years, no Wolverine left Ann Arbor without playing in at least one Rose Bowl. Now, nearly five years after its last appearance, Michigan has a legitimate shot at another Rose Bowl berth. But the Wolverines' biggest and most formidable hurdle stands 24 hours ahead of them - tomorrow's matchup with No. 2 Penn State. It's no coincidence the Wolverines' last confer- ence championship was in 1992, the last year the Nittany Lions were not in the Big Ten. Since then, Michigan has waded knee-deep in four-loss seasons with Rose Bowl dreams erased before November. The Wolverines defeated Penn State 21-13 in 1993, but since then, the Lions have had Michigan's number. Tomorrow, two undefeated teams will square off in State College in a game that couldn't mean more. The winner is not only in the driver's seat in the Rose Bowl race, but has the accelerator to the floor. The loser is running on empty. While, statistically at least, neither team will be eliminated from Rose Bowl contention this weekend, there is no question that this game is for the right to represent the Big Ten conference in Pasadena. "Our biggest goal this season was to make it to the Rose Bowl, All-plan- et cornerback Charles Woodson said. "We're headed in that direction" They haven't been in a JOHN long time. But for some LEROI reason, this team is dif- Out of ferent. Last year, Bounds Michigan never would have come from two touchdowns behind to beat Iowa on its final drive of the fourth quarter. This team is special, and nobody quite knows why. There were no letdowns this year. There is no selfishness. There is a huge sense of urgency, and it seems that every Wolverine knows it. "We pretty much knew after the first game," said tailback Chris loward, who has played with bruised ribs the past two games. "We knew we had something special, that we could run the table. But it doesn't mean anything if we don't win this game." This game is for the Rose Bowl. The Wolverines would have to win their last three games to be guaranteed a bid. But if they win tomorrow, it is unlikely anybody could knock them off track. Lose and the situation is even harder to get out of. Penn State would have to lose twice in its final three games for Michigan to even have a prayer. "We all know what the game means and the. ramifications of winning and losing;' said senior linebacker Rob Swett, who hails from Chalfont, Pa., and was recruited by both Penn State and Michigan. "If we win, our chances of going to the Rose Bowl are pretty good. If we lose .. Well, it's unthinkable. And unlike previous seasons, Swett wouldn't even allow himself t4 say it. This is a big game around here, no matter what anybody else throughout the country thinks. This is for the Rose Bowl. Penn State knows it and Michigan knows it. A loss for Michigan wouldn't mean the end of its season, but it would be the end of its dream. .Jo/m Leroi can berevached via e-mail at jrleroi)umwch.edu. emino es battle Tar Heels for ACC lead' CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Mack Brown is well aware of the dan- gers of falling behind No. 3 Florida State - and the odds of No. 5 North Carolina rallying from a large deficit to claim a win in their 7:30 p.m. showdown televised nationally by VSPN. But, the North Carolina coach said he's run out of answers trying to moti- vate his slow-starting offense. "Based on everything I've seen this year, we better hang on early in the ball game," Brown said of the pivotal ACC matchup that also carries national title implications. "I plan on them being ahead. My halftime speeches haven't changed. I've had to pull them back out and use them again. I would like to have one where I could be telling our bunch to keep their focus. We haven't had that yet." North Carolina (8-0) has been blanked in the first 15 minutes in five games. A 10-0 lead over Texas Christian is the only advantage the Tar Heels have enjoyed after the first peri- od. The Tar Heels have scored 158 of their 236 points in the second half. Meanwhile, the Seminoles (8-0) bolted to first-quarter leads of 21-0 and 27-0 in their past two games and have scored 104 points in the first quarter of their eight games, includ- ing three touchdowns on the first five plays against Virginia three weeks ago. "It doesn't look good for the first quarter," Brown said. "They are scor- ing a bunch early. "I've told my players we're going to have a 60-minute half and we're not going to play the first half. I've told them maybe we should scrimmage out in the parking lot before we start and get whatever it is out of their sys- tem, and they are not paying me any attention." The Matchups: Nation's top defense faces biggest hurdle By Nicholas J. Cotsonika Daily Sports Editor So here we sit on the eve of Judgment Day, when the fate of No. 4 Michigan and No. 2 Penn State will be determined and the Rose Bowl front-runner will be anointed by vic- tory. But through all the hype, it's the same old story: Michigan's defense. The Wolverines have the nation's top-rated overall defense, scoring defense and pass efficiency defense, and they have the nation's fifth- ranked rushing defense. Of course, the Nittany Lions have the Big Ten's best total offense, but the Wolverines have already bottled up Iowa, which still has the league's top scoring offense. "Michigan has the finest defense in college football," Iowa coach Hayden Fry said Tuesday. "1 just don't see anybody moving the ball with any consistency against" the Wolverines. That could add up to a Michigan victory, though it will be awfully close, most coaches agree. Northwestern's Gary Barnett has lost to both teams this season, and sees the game simply. "I really think it does come down to whether Penn State can move the ball on Michigan's defense," Barnett said Tuesday. "It's going to be a phys- ical game." MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE RUSHING DEFENSE: The Wolverines are averaging 193.6 yards rushing per game, fourth-best in the league, while the Lions are allowing an average of 133.7, fifth-best. Things should be about even, but they're not. Linebacker Brandon Short is expected to return to the lineup from an ankle injury for Penn State, leav- ing the banged-up Wolverines in trouble. Chris Howard (ribs), Chris Floyd (shoulder) and Clarence Williams (hamstring) all have had recent health problems. Though all are expected to play, the Wolverines are handicapped. To have any success, Michigan's often-penalized offensive line must be disciplined and the running backs must be tough. And linebacker Jim Nelson, who leads Penn State with 60 tackles, must be blocked. He had a season-high I1 tackles in a big victo- ry over Ohio State, as the Lions held the Buckeyes to 106 yards rushing. EDGE: PENN STATE RUSHING OFFENSP N. MICHIGAN RUSHING DEFENSE: one of the most complex blocking schemes in all of college football, the Lions' offensive line neutralized the best linebacker in the land, Ohio State's Andy Katzenmoyer, earlier this season. Curtis Ellis ran for more than 200 yards and carried his team to victory. But the Wolverines boast a much deeper defense than the Buckt S, and they are fifth-best in the n. fn against the run, allowing just 78.4 yards per game. Michigan defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann said Saturday that Penn State will pose a stiff challenge but that he also was confident that challenge could be met. Ellis will have an especially diffi- cult time exploding for- a -lot of yardage, because fullback A ,n Harris, who helped out against o State, is sidelined with a knee injury. EDGE: The Tale of Two Cities, Ann Arbor Population: 109,592 Stadium name: Michigan Stadium Stadium Capacity: 102,501 Favorite Projectile: Marshmallows Famous alumnus: James Earl Jones State College Population: 38,923 Stadium name: Beaver Stadium Stadium Capacity: 93,967 Favorite Projectile: Snowballs Famous alumnus: Mary Ellen Clark No. 2 Penn State 4-0 Big Ten 7-O overall PENN STAMTE PASSING OFFENSF S. MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE: Wis could be the most intriguing matchup of the game. Quarterback. Mike McQueary lilt wide receiver Joe Jurevicius for more than a few big plays earlier this year, and though their big-play production has dropped off as defenses have become smarter, they remain the Lions' most potent threat. Woodson will no doubt guard Jurevicius, who said Wednesday that he's looking forward to the one-one test against the best coverage cOrner in the college game. The weather likely will be rainy, and on a soggy field, the receiver has the advantage because he knows where he is going. Problem is, Woodson reacts too well, and he's got Marcus Ray -sup- porting him. Penn State throws for 223.9 yards per game, but Michigan doesn't have the best secondary in-the land for nothing. - EDGE: No. 4 Michigan 5-0 Big Ten 8-0 overall UMOM ESPN GameDay will pull double duty with two marquee games From staff reports The world of sports journalism is no stranger to hyperbole, and tomorrow's television coverage of college football is no exception. ESPN College GameDay has tagged tomorrow "Judgment Day" in college football. But, despite the lack of biblical implications, tomorrow's games have huge implications on college football. While No. 4 Michigan squares off against No. 2 Penn State in State College, No. 3 Florida State faces No. 5 - North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C.. Big games, yes. "Judgment Day" - a stretch. Nevertheless, the importance of the two games has forced ESPN to split up its GameDay coverage. Analysts Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will be in Chapel Hill, while Mike Adamle, Beano Cook and Steve Cyphers will broadcast from State College. This will be Michigan's third game in front of a GameDay audience, fol- lowing appearances against Colorado and Michigan State. ESPN's presence has boded well for the Wolverines, who are 2-0 in games that GameDay has attended, Coverage 'begins at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, with Cyphers reporting on the matchup between Michigan's defense and Penn State running back Curtis Enis. Mobil. MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE PASSING DEFENSE: Two- way man Charles Woodson played more on offense last week against Minnesota than ever before in his Michigan career. Considering he had seemed held back beforehand, maybe Michigan coach Lloyd Carr has been saving him for this weekend. If so, look out. Michigan has a mediocre passing attack, and Penn State has a mediocre pass defense. But, with a little help from their defense, the Wolverines haven't had a problem putting up enouh noints to win. A laroe chunk SPECIAL TEAMS: So the Wolverines blocked a punt last week. Big- deal. They've also given up 60-yard . t returns for touchdowns recently, hfive had their own punts blocked-and have missed field goals. If it does rain, and the Wolverines can't convert on field goals because of slippery turf, it could mean the game this time.ru. The Lions' Travis Forney is 6-of-8 on field goals, but he hasn't missed an attempt from inside 40 yards. EDGE: So far, Michigan is having a magical season that no one outside i Y Il 1 -.I - / ,.T -0.a .,/ - a aI, .