4 - The Mibhigan Daily - Footbal y - November 7, 1998 November 7, 1998 - Footbal Saturday - The Michigan Daily - 9 a a a * a Faced with must-win situation, Wolverines will upset Lions By Mark Snyder Daily Sports Editor For a football game in the always predictable Big Ten, tomorrow's Michigan-Penn State affair is any- thing but easily read. Visiting Penn State is favored by three points. And now for the matchups. Drum roll, please ... (WHAT'S LEFT OF THE) MICHIGAN RUSH OFFENSE: VS. PENN STATE RUSH DEFENSE: This isn't too difficult. Michigan lost 23 yards on the ground last week - for the entire game. So instead of running on speedy turf, like in the Metrodome, Michigan will run on slow grass. Yeah, that should help. There's a reason Penn State's called Linebacker U. Between Butkus Award semifinalists Brandon Short and LeVar Arrington, the Penn State defensive line is stifling. EDGE: PENN STATE MICHIGAN PASS OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE: With three defensive backs stand- ing 5-foot-9 or shorter and the third towering at 5-11, Tai Streets' eyes are widening. His current advantage - that he's better than anyone else he faces - is only secondary to the height advantage at 6-foot-4 inches. a The only thing working against Michigan is that Penn State's strong safety is called the "hero." Yeah, that's not pressure. Regardless, the one thing Tom Brady can do really well is connect with Streets. If that's shut down, Michigan will be shut out. EDGE: MICHIGAN PENN STATE RUSH OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN RUSH DEFENSE: Last season, Curtis Enis was the workhorse for the Penn State offense. He carried the ball early and often until Michigan stuffed him for the first three quarters last year. But Enis is no longer around and Cordell Mitchell is carrying the load. He's improving, but definitely no Enis. Sam Sword is well on his way to another tackle title for the Wolverine defense and the return of Ian Gold has been a pleasant surprise. EDGE: MICHIGAN PENN STATE PASS OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN PASS DEFENSE: Last week, Penn State wide receiv- er Chafie Fields caught only three passes against Illinois. But as Michigan has seen on the game film, they were bombs, totaling 115 yards. With such big play potential, fields is a major threat, but Michigan's sec- ondary is finally fortified with Marcus Ray's return. EDGE: EVEN SPECIAL TEAMS: Fumbling a punt into the end zone for a Minneosota touchdown last week was the worst thing Jason Vinson could have done at that moment. But he rebounded in out- standing fashion, nailing important kicks late in the game to set up Michigan's game-winning safety. Vinson is normally solid on awkward snaps and should return to form. See MATCHUPS, Page 5 THE MATCHUPS MICHIGAN PASSING OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE PASSING DEFENSE Tai Streets is 6-foot-4 inches. Penn State's tallest starting defensive back is 5-11. What does that mean? A lot of alley-oop passes to Streets from Tom Brady. Edge: Michigan ----------------------------------------------------_ MICHIGAN RUSHING OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE RUSHING DEFENSE With the Michigan rushing game sputtering in recent N weeks -- it lost 23 yards last week - Linebacker U should have a field day. Edge: Penn Statef PENN STATE PASSING OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE The Penn State passing combination of quarterback Kevin Thompson and wide- out Chafie Fields have been lethal lately. But Michigan returns safety Marcus Ray from a six-game suspension. Edge: Even PENN STATE RUSHING OFFENSE VS. MICHIGAN PASSING DEFENSE If Curtis Enis would have stayed in Happy Valley, this would be a pretty good matchup. However, Cordell Mitchell doesn't have the skill to match up with an aggressive, rugged Michigan defense. Edge: Michigan SPECIAL TEAMS Jason Vinson made up for his end zone fumble with timely punts last weekend. Jay Feely has settled the placekicking} situation. Penn State's kickers are pretty similar to Michigan's in skill and execution. Edge: Even Michigan is undefeated in the Big Ten. Penn State is the ninth-ranked team in the country. The Nittany Lions are also favored at Michigan Stadium, something that is quite rare. Edge: Penn StateL PREDICTION: MICHIGAN 18, PENN STATE 13 No. a 2 3 4 5 6 a so 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 as as 31 32 33 34 36 37 40 41 42 43 45 1998 PENN STATE ROSTER Piayer BranchBruc e Fields, Chafie Graham, Ron Fox, Derek Scioli, Brad Boyd, James Jones, corey Pettigreo, Titcus Jue, Bhaoh Arrington, Lavar Casey, Rashard crenshaw.S am M"enryDasid Forney, Travis Ward, George Thompson. Kevin Kroeii, Chad Adams, Askari King, Anthony lezzi, Sam Nastasi, Joe Gummo, Joe Watson. Kenny Eberly, Chris Lee, Shawn Hiars, Aaran Joyner, Matt Macklin, David Dawkins, Joe Primanti. Ryan McFre, Marcus OHara, Kvin Morrison, Mac Mitchell, Cordell Biomgrer, Travis Kennis, Greg Easy,Somar Cerimele, Mike Kurpeikis, Justin Gattin, Aaron Pidgeor, vat Seese, Ryan Slosser, Mick Short. Brandon Sandusky, Jon Pos. Hi. Wt. Erig. WR 5-11a Fr WR 6-1 197 Jr. LB 6-2 257 Fr. Hero 5-11 200 Jr. DE &3 263 Sr. Hero 60 208 So. wR 5-10 168 Jr. we 6-a 204 Je. Ca 6&1 189 no. OLB 6-3 226 So. QB 61 205 So. we 62 204 So. S 64 205 Jr. K 5-9 161 Jr. DB 5-11 183 So. QB &5 215 Jr. QB &1 197 So. Hero 6-0 184 Jr. CB 5-8 173 Jr. FB 6-0 242 So. WR 5-11 190 Sr. CB 5-8 563 Sr. TB 6-0 198 Jr. TB 5-11 216 Sr. S 5-7 175 Sr. FS 5-11 231 Jr. S 60 1921S. CB 5-9 197 Jr. CB 5-8 180 So. K 5-11 205 So. FB 5-10253 So. We 6-0 109 Jr. OLB 6-1 236 Jr. TB 6-0 199 Jr. 5 6-0 192 Fr. P 6-3 198 So. TB 6-1 243 Fr. FB 5-0 237 So. DE 6-4 241 So. OLB 6-5 226 Jr. P 5-10 202 Jr. DB 5-9 170 So, FB 6-0 224 Fr. ILB 6-3 246 Jr. Hero 5-9 175 So. 46 47 45 45 49 5 51 52 53 54 54 55 56 57 58 60 61 62 vs 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 74 75 76 78 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 Manney, RussrT Mivinney, Jon Bose, Joe Smitr Stee Ceaory., 0thn Tincher, Gabe Coie, Eric Danils, Maurice iater, Ryck Gint, Nate Sessions, Leon Ransom. Greg Stryker, GeoRh BeniKmani Sturdion, Eric Fagan, eyan Wright. Mac Spano, Francis Stankgsoi 8ich Bright, ance McKenzie, Kareem Bisson, Jason Wedderburn, Fiovd Parme, Brandon Hartings, Joe bierdorf, Mike Grant, Basim Argiriadi, Tim Carso, Jordan Michnll, Josh Ames, Craig Blick. John Stewart, Andrea Buzin, Mike Oron, Condo Morgan. Marc Watkins. Garrett Gimore, John Brian, Courtnev Brozeski, Orion Wallace, Jason Stewar. Tony Oslad, dJef Boiinsky, nick Benfacci, Gain Kielmeyer, Marc Fieischhauer, lavid Jones, Bcb Stee.eOBrndon Glen, Chris TB DE LB FB Fe G G SLB DL LB DT G OL DT LB G/T G C C T T 0 SE SE DT SE ST DT GL KS IT SE TE s-i0 194 So, 6-2 239 Fr. s-si 203 Jr. s-1 228 So. 6.1 248 So. 6-2 294 Jr. 6.5 302 Jr. 6-0 222 Jr. 6-1 250 Fr. 6-2 208 So 6-6 252 Jr 6.2 291 So. 6-1 290 Fr. 6-4 302 Jr. 6.2 225 So. 6-7 287 Sr. 6-3 269 Sr. 6-1 288 So. 6-3 286 Jr. 6-7 304 Jr. 67 313 So, 6-7 293 Fr. 6-5 335 So. 51 1802 So. 6-4 259 Fr. 6-1 249 Jr. 6-3 31 Jr. 6-0 272 Sr. 6-4 309 So. 6-4 282 So. s-io son so. 6-6 314 Jr. 6-1 s90 So. 6-3 264 So. 6.4 268 So. 6-3 173 So. 6-3 233 So. 6-4 259 Fr, 6.5 261 Jr. 6.6 222So. 6-4 272 Sa. 6-5 256 So. 6-2 180 Fr. 651 292 So. s-si 215 Fr. 6-A 243 So. 6-3 274 Jr. 6-5 260 Fr. 5-ii 252 5o. 6-3 234 So. o.....-.. . :M "- -.. ca Ohm Catch the AATA Foot -s e* Relax, it's only your future we're ta kin ab Out. Voted "Best Test Prep in Ann Arbor" by The Michigan Daily "Best of Ann Arbor 1998" readership poll 1-800-KAP-TEST www.kaplan.com *Test names are registered trademarks of their respective owners. - 9 .* 0~3' At this point, Tai Streets Is the pri- mary offensive option for the Wolverines. In factr last week he was the only option, setting a Michigan road record with 192 receiving yards. LOUIS BROWN/saify The 1998 Penn State schedule Date Team Site Oct. 17 Purdue Happy Valley Sept. 5 So. Miss. Happy Valley Oct. 31 Illinois Happy Valley Sept. 12 Bowling Green Happy Valley Nov. 7 Michigan Ann Arbor Sept. 19 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Nov. 14 Northwestern Happy Valley Oct. 3 Ohio State Columbus Nov. 21 Wisconsin Madison Oct. 10 Minnesota Minneapolis Nov. 28 Michigan State Happy Valley WANNA SCORE?) catch Michigan Sports daily e ay www .michiigandaily com SURETHING. Avoid traffic congestion and parking chaos. Ride the comfortable, climate-controlled AATA shuttle bus. * . e@@@60000 It's easy, convenient, and fun. Park your car at one of the Ann Arbor locations. Then hop on the AATA Football Ride. You'll be delivered, warm and dry, to Michigan Stadium. After the game, the Football Ride takes you back to your car. Just $1.50 ONE WAY. The Football Ride runs approximately every 20 minutes beginning two hours before game time. Shuttles run for approximately 6o minutes after the game is over. TIPOFF '98. COMING THURSDAY. The Football Ride serves Ann Arbor hotels and motels, U-M parking structures, the Michigan Union, and downtown Ann Arbor. For complete AATA route and schedule information, call 996-0400. http://theride.org/ TheRide Ann Arbor Transportation Authority