The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 16, 1998 - 13 Staff Picks - all picks made against the spread. SHARAT RAJU Game (HOME TEAM IN CAPS) Michigan (-15) vs. NORTHWESTERN COLORADO (-5) vs. Texas Techk FLORIDA (-20) vs. Auburn FLORIDA STATE (-28) vs. Clemson INDIANA vs. Iowa, no line KANSAS STATE (-21) vs. Oklahoma State LOUISIANA STATE (-10) vs. Kentucky NEBRASKA (-34.5) vs. Kansas OHIO STATE (-37.5) vs. Minnesota PENN STATE (-8.5) vs. Purdue UCLA (-10.5) vs. Oregon Wisconsin (-20) vs..ILLINOIS Best Bet Last Week (best bet) Overall (best bet) Northwestern Colorado Auburn Florida State Indiana Kansas State Kentucky Kansas Minnesota Penn State UCLA Wisconsin Wisconsin 7-5(1-0) 31-29-1 (3-2) JIM ROSE Michigan Colorado Florida Clemson Indiana Kansas State Louisiana State Nebraska Minnesota Purdue Oregon Wisconsin Wisconsin 6-6(0-1) 24-36-1 (0-5) MARK SNYDER Michigan Colorado Florida Florida State Indiana Oklahoma State Louisiana State Kansas. Minnesota Penn State UCLA Illinois UCLA 5-7 (1-0) 25-35-1 (3-2) Guest Selector ESPN's RICH EISEN Northwestern Colorado Florida Florida State Iowa Oklahoma State Kentucky Nebraska Minnesota Penn State UCLA Wisconsin Colorado 5-7 (0-1)* 30-30-1 (2-3)* E MATCHUPS CHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE VS. NORTHWESTERN RUSHING DEFENSE Northwestern's Barry Gardner could make things difficult for the Wolverines' talented running Edge: Even --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --e -- -------------------- NORTHWESTERN RUSHING OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN RUSHING DEFENSE Sam Sword and the rest of the Michigan defense will crsh Northwestern's puny running attack. Maybe the reason Darnell Autry quit the NFL was to try and beat Michigan once more. Edge: Michigan ------------------------------------------ NORTHWESTERN PASSING OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE Northwestern's DWayne Bates is good. Then again, he shouk be. t's seems as if he's been around Evanston for eih yeas. Edge: Northwestem MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE VS. NORTHWESTERN PASSING DEFENSE If Michigan dismantles the Wildcats as expected, Lloyd Carr won't be going to the air too much. He shou d. The Wolverines' receivers are some of the best in the conference. Edge: Michigan e-PE.--------- SPECIAL TEAMS We will have a guest selector each week for the staff picks. Most times it will be someone famous, but if you think you deserve to pick, e-mail us at dailyfootbal@umich.edu and tell us why. Friends and family of Daily staffers are not only not excluded, but are welcome to apply. Good luck. *Previous guest selectors have been: Profs. Ralph Williams and Sidney Fine, Former Michigan kicker Remy Hamilton, Radio broadcaster Jim Brandstatter and Michigan Daily columnist James Miller A note of explanation on Jim Rose's head: If you've noticed, Michigan Daily Sports Editor Jim Rose has had some difficulty in his 'Best Bet' pick. For this reason, Mr. Rose will be wearing a bag on his head until he picks that game correctly. If you have any suggestions on how he can get out of this funk, email the Daily football writers at daily.football@umich.edu. Jim thanks you. IIIZ T EA. Don't worry James Whitley, we still love you. All the same, having Tai Streets field punts will save many Porous defense should doom Wildcats By Mark Snyder Daily Sports Editor n The embarrassment of losing to orthwestern was immeasurable. In the fall of 1995, Northwestern came into the Big House and exacted revenge for years of punishment by the Wolverines. Hundreds of Michigan fans sat in their seats after the game, stunned at the near- impossible feat. Then, a year later, Michigan sought revenge in Evanston, only to fall prey to Srian Gowins' bionic leg. And so the tables turned - just that fast. Before those games, Northwestern was the lowest of the low and all the jokes were on them. The Wildcats held the mark for the longest Division I losing streak. Now, success in recent years has both teams spinning their wheels. And in the crapshoot that is a Big Ten game, this weekend will depend on the conditions. MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE VS. ORTHWESTERN RUSHING DEFENSE: Anthony Thomas is out with an ankle injury, and will only be used in emer- gency situations. So instead of the two- headed tailback, Michigan will use Clarence Williams as its primary ballcar- tier. Expect Lloyd Carr to wrinkle the game plan with freshmen Justin Fargas and Walter Cross spelling Williams. Northwestern's defense was shredded Gready once by a freshman - Illinois' Rocky Harvey - and with adverse }weather conditions likely, the game will turn on the ground. Barry Gardner, first-team All-Big Ten last year should hold his own. He tackled 20 Wolverines last year and could put a halt to Williams. Edge: Tie NORTHWESTERN RUSHING OFFENSE AGAINST MICHIGAN RUSHING DEFENSE: What's up with the Michigan line- backers? Just when everyone was ready to write them off, Sam Sword tosses the group on his back and shows how to play the game. When the game gets messy, Sword is at his best. Against Iowa, he was his usual dominant self, dragging down Hawkeyes and intimidating the ones he didn't. His tackle total this sea- son (52) is already ahead of last season's pace, when he led the team, even though he's missed action. The Wildcats top back - Damien Anderson - is the only runner with more than 30 yards per game and his total of 60 is hardly noteworthy. Sword may be tackling two players at a time against this inept backfield. Edge: Michigan NORTHWESTERN PASSING OFFENSE AGAINST MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE: The "D'Wayne/DeWayne" Refrain: There once was two men named the same, A duo who lined up without shame. One caught balls with abandon, While the other was landin', In a spot where no one imagined. The men are alike more than they know, As both their games are all about show. Last year they sat, only able to chat, Each with a leg in a cast, resting pat. But now they're back, and prepared to attack, A wideout and defensive back. Patmon's day, was made when Ray, said for this hotel, please pay. Marcus was sittin' and DeWayne was whittlin' About the ball he picked off that first day. But on the horizon, Ray is now sizin', His spot as eyes of the 'D'. For now, though, it's Patmon, who acts as the rat man, Calling the audibles he can see. But the D'Wayne to check, has records 'round his neck, And is in search of some more to come. Who knows who'll win? Here's guessin' it's him, Who leaves the DB on a whim. Though covering is a must, Bates never shows rust, So it'll be Patmon left in the dust. Edge: Northwestern MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE VS. NORTHWESTERN PASSING DEFENSE: All season long, Michigan's receivers have been tested. And all season long, they've responded. One week, it's Marcus Knight, and another it's Tai Streets, but when it comes to big catches, Tom Brady's eyes will focus on Jerame Tuman. Having three such versatile targets makes the Michigan passing offense effective and - dare we say it - reli- able, midway through this season. But if it starts to rain, Brady's deep threats - Streets and Knight - will be taken away. That makes Tuman's short slants neces- sary and will probably involve fighting off a few double teams. But as he showed in the closing min- utes against Iowa, Tuman has a knack for the big moment and making a superior catch. And in the pelting rain, a good hands man may make all the difference. Edge: Michigan SPECIAL TEAMS: Michigan's kicking game is starting to solidify. Jay Feely is gaining accuracy on extra points and field goals. And punter Jason Vinson can handle a snap in any direction. So rain or shine, a heroic effort is necessary for a victory. But these guys are capable of producing it. On returns, Marcus Knight will take James Whitley's spot handling-- instead of mishandling - punts. And Tai Streets should back him up. But if that doesn't solve Michigan's problems and special teams' mistakes continue to haunt the Wolverines, that could spell trouble. This season's special teams are a 'choose your own adventure.' Edge: With stick-um: Michigan Without: Northwestern INTANGIBLES: The week off should benefit Michigan. They had time to rest their injuies refine their skills and control their bodies for the stretch run to come. They prepared for this game by prac- ticing under the lights on Sunday and have all day to prepare for the 7 p.m. con- test. Smart money says waiting an extra seven hours will only make them hungri- er. Edge: Michigan PREDICTION: The Yankees will probably score more Saturday night than Michigan. But the Wolverines will score enough to win. Michigan 22, Northwestern 6 a pacemaker. INTANGIBLES It looks as if Northwestern is back to being only the boss of thick chemistry textbooks and high ACT scores. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Edge: Michigan PREDICTION: MICHIGAN 22, NORTHWESTERN 6 Graphics by Alex Hogg . D iVSION: OF ', PETERBILT MOTORS COMPANY a Division of PACCAR invite you to lean more about this major designer, marketer. and rmanufacturer of high quality custom trucks. Peterhilt is a part of a worldwide company which consistently sets the highest standards for tech- nial innovation product quality, customer service and shareholder ret urn in heavy-duty trucking. Peterbilt specializes in providing high quality vehicles with cu stioi e ngineering to meet the customer's needs. The design innovations and new technology utilized for these vehicles places them in a class by themselves and has en tgnd ered strong customer loyalty. Please join us for a corporate presentation on Wednesday, October 21, 1998 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. to explore the opportunities Pet erbilt caan provide. You cn also obtain information about Peterbilt from the Web at www.peterbilt.com °ja a-1as REC SPORTS The University of Michigan Department of Recreational Sports INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM WHAT'S HAPPENING p low_ I MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS I INTRAMURALS Intramur Flag Football OfficiaLs Needed!! At Hydro Raufoss Automotive, Aamthe future is here now. We are part of the Light Metals Business area of Norsk Hydro, a $14 billion NYSE company. In order to keep up with our growth and the demanding needs of Wtomorrow's automotive marketplace, we need dedicated fresh individuals to take the next step with us. .. into the future low NoaS= PW Vour 1Engl n ftnnuoOusema We are looking for graduates who possess that special combination of academic success, initiative and imagination. People who are self-motivated, driven, yet able to work within a team. * No Experie Necessary * Officialsar Paid for All Games Work nce @" T- e INTRAMURALS ed Get a Free =Shirt Flexible Hlours I Training Clinics Begin j