Thursday, September 30. 1999 - The Michigan Dail - 13A Showdown between Buckeyes and Badgers highlights national slate By Brm GaMn For the Daily With the non-conference schedule behind them, most coaches have an estab- lished quarterback going into the regular season. But that's not always the case. Traditional powerhouses (see *higan, Ohio State, Florida) have ques- ti.ns at the most important position, throwing conventional wisdom out the window and putting the ball up for grabs. Expect quarterbacks to be on the hot seat this weekend, as defenses force inexperi- enced signal-callers to make quick deci- sions under pressure. The following is a guide to this week- end in college football. All of these pre- dictions were made without the aid of a essee tutor. ISCONSIN AT NO. 12 OHIO STATE (ABC 3:30) The Badgers take another trip to the state of Ohio, the scene of their loss to Cincinnati two weeks ago, the same team that gave Ohio State all they could handle last week. 'Wisconsin's so-called "Great Dayne" is looking to get back on track following another subpar afternoon against higan, one that may have cost him a s at the Heisman trophy. Dayne will be countered by the Buckeyes' Butkus award candidate Na'il Diggs, as Ohio State stack§ the line to stop the run. After a solid showing last week, the Badgers will use sophomore quarterback Brooks Bollinger more this week. Bollinger will be forced to throw early and often if Dayne is unable to crack the defense. On the other side of the ball, Ohio will look to settle its quarterback controversy with Steve Bellisari will be pressured by a Wisconsin defensive line that gave Michigan fits last week but has plenty of deep threats to throw to, includ- ing ken-Yon Rambo, who caught two Touchdown passes against Cincinnati. What looked to be one of the first big showdowns of the Big Ten season has lost its luster as Wisconsin has fallen out of the Td 25 and Ohio State has struggled with n iocre in-state opponents. OHIO STATE 27, WISCONSIN 17 IOWA AT NO. 14 MICHIGAN STATE Michigan State may be looking ahead to its annual grudge match with Michigan next week. But that won't matter, as Iowa isn't good enough to take advantage of the Spartans' daydreaming. Michigan State continues to improve, as senior quarterback Bill Burke has f d a big play receiver in Gari Scott. EWScott and tight end Chris Baker will have to pick up the slack for all-Big Ten split end Plaxico Burress, who has been nursing a sprained thumb. The Spartans had -been playing run- ning back by committee until last week, when Lloyd Clemons rushed for 141 yards and claimed the starting role. Iowa has yet to pass for a touchdown this year and will face considerable pres- sure from Spartan defensive end Robaire Smith, who caused two fumbles last week against Illinois. Spartans' defensive back Amp Campbell, thought to be doubtful will play Saturday, icing the Hawkeyes already cold passing attack and forcing them to rely on tailback Ladell Betts to move the chains. The historically self-destructive Spartans should remain undefeated for the Wolverines' trip to East Lansing next week and could take advantage of a big first half by resting their starters and developing capable backups. MICHIGAN STATE 38, IOWA 6 MINNESOFA AT NORTHWESTERN These Big Ten also-rans are not as bad as you think. Thanks to some weak com- petition, the Gophers, who haven't been to a bowl game since 1986, are unbeaten thus far. The Wildcats also led No. 11 Purdue well into the second half last week. The Minnesota defense has given up just 14 points in three games (second in the country), albeit against subpar teams. The Gophers should give a Northwestern offense averaging less than 12 points per game fits. Northwestern's defense has been stingy as well, stifling Purdue's Drew Brees for most of Saturday's game. While Minnesota has posted big numbers thus far, quarterback Billy Cockerham has struggled and will be challenged by the Wildcat secondary. Expect the Wildcats to key on the run, hoping for Cockerham to make mistakes. MINNESOTA 14, NORTHWESTERN 13 ILLINOIS AT INDIANA These two teams will make traditional Big Ten coaches cringe, as off-tackle rushing and possession passing give way to the option and the long ball. Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El may be the most exciting player in the Big Ten but has struggled behind a weak offensive line so far this season. Against the Illini, Randle El will have a chance to both run and shoot and will most certain- ly entertain. Across the field, Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner has thrown only one inter- ception to ten touchdowns and threw the ball 54 times against Michigan State last week. The Illini game plan has been less by design and more by necessity, as opposing defenses have had little trouble stopping the run. Randle El will get back on track and onto SportsCenter with his performance against a porous Illini defense. INDIANA 34, ILuINOls 30 DUKE AT No. 1 FLORIDA ST. This ACC matchup features two schools that have dominated the 1990s. The Blue Devils' dominance has been in basketball, while the Seminoles' dynasty is on the gridiron. Florida State sports the nation's most explosive offense, with quarterback Chris Weinke throwing to big play threats Peter Warrick and Laveranues Coles. Warrick, considered by many to be the front-runner for the Heisman trophy, returned a punt for a touchdown last week against North Carolina and will give the Blue Devils fits on special teams. With Duke's defense spread out to stop the pass, holes should open for run- ning back Travis Minor, tied with Warrick for the team lead in touchdowns. If Florida State has a weakness, it could be its defense, which has given up 336 yards per game. But like the offense, the Seminoles' defense produces big plays, forcing nine turnovers already this season. Defensive lineman Corey Simon leads the team with six tackles for a loss. Duke's offense has used three quarter- backs already this year, each of which will need a strong game from the offensive line to give them time to think. The Seminoles can look ahead to their showdown with Miami next week. FLORIDA STATE 60, DUKE 3 No. 21 Alabama at No. 3 Florida (CBS 3:30) Surf's up for the Crimson Tide fol- lowing last week's victory over Arkansas. But the reward is a trip to the Swamp, where Florida has lost only twice in the '90s. Florida's offense has excelled despite injury, ranked second nationally with 43.5 points per game. But against Tennessee, the Gators only posted 23 points. The Gators have relied on a strong running attack, with three backs averaging over six yards per carry. That experience at run- ning back may be crucial on Saturday with starter Earnest Graham questionable with a thigh bruise. Alabama's defense appears up to the challenge of shutting down the Gators. The Tide has surrendered only 18.7 points/game this season. True freshman defenseive end Kenny King leads the way for Alabama's aggressive front seven, which leads the SEC in sacks. Alabama's offense is led by tailback Shaun Alexander, who is sixth in the nation in rushing with 153.5 yards per game. Sophomore quarterback Andrew Zow will handle the snaps for the Tide, which committed six turnovers last week. They'll have to be much more careful with the ball against Florida, which has caused eight turnovers of its own this year. Alexander, who needs less than 700 yards to become Alabama's all-time rush- ing leader, has his work cut out for him against a defense that has allowed less than 60 rushing yards a game. If he can keep Florida's offense off the field, the Tide has a chance. Otherwise, the Gators will simply outscore them. FLORIDA 27, ALABAMA 10 No. 8 VIRGINIA TECH AT NO. 24 VIRGINIA Michigan and Florida aren't the only states anticipating backyard brawls between ranked in-state opponents. The unbeaten Hokies will try to defend their lone first-place vote in the AP poll on the road against the rival Cavaliers. The Hokies lead the nation in total defense (165 yards allowed per game) but will have their hands full with Virginia running back Thomas Jones. Jones is fifth in the country with 155 rushing yards/game, so expect Virginia Tech to stack the line of scrimmage. If so, quar- terback Dan Ellis will have to beat the Hokies through the air with a defensive line that tallied 26.5 sacks last year in his face. On offense the Hokies are vulnerable, starting redshirt freshman Michael Vick at quarterback. Vick threw three intercep- tions last week but will be face a Cavalier defense that hasn't proven they can stop the pass. Virginia has been tough against the run (109 yards per game) and will force the freshman to beat them with his arm. With both teams looking to stop the run, this game has the potential to be a shootout. The outcome will be decided by turnovers, as in-state rivalries often are. With the home-field advantage against an inexperienced quarterback, Virginia will pull off the upset. VIRGINIA 34, VIRGINIA TECH 28 No. 13 KANSAS STATE AT No. 15 TEXAS This Big 12 showdown pits the running game of the post-Michael-Bishop Wildcats against the passing game of the life-after-Ricky-Williams Longhorns. A year ago Texas had one offensive gameplan -give the ball to Williams and block whenever possible.This year Texas has discovered the forward pass with quarterback Major Applewhite. Applewhite has thrown for nearly 1500 AP PHO After losing Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, Texas has found Its passing game behind quarterback Major Applewhite. yards in five games, with only one inter- ception for his nine touchdowns. Even more comforting tor Texas fans is that the Longlho,,ms have developed another 100-yard back, iodges Mitchell, who is also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. While Kansas State's defense hasn't been as dominant as they were a year ago, the Wildcats still rank 1 1th in the country, giving up 245 yards per game. The Wildcats' offense has given the defense considerable help, grinding out rushing yards and keeping opposing offenses off the field. Without Bishop throwing the ball, running back Frank Murphy is averaging 8 yards per carry, allowing first-year starter Jonathan Beasley freedom to learn at quarterback. Texas' defense has caused an NCAA- leading 14 turnovers this year, and may prey on the inexperience of Beasley. TExAS 24, KANSAS STIArE 20 No. 19 EAST CAROLINA Ar ARmy After weeks away from home due to Hurricane Floyd, the Pirates stunned then No. 9 Miami (ironically nicknamed the Hurricanes) at North Carolina State, which volunteered the use of their stadi- um to the homeless Pirates. The gracious guests rejoiced by tearing down North Carolina State's goalposts, a gesture frowned upon by Miss Manners but celebrated by the rest of the nation. East Carolina now finds itself ranked nationally and undefeated with its tough- est opponents behind them. The Pirates are led by quarterback David Garrard and running back Jaime Wilson, whose two second-half touchdowns kept the come- back alive. They will be countered by an Army offense ranked first nationally in rushing,- prompting the obligatory slogan, "These Colors DO Run". The Pirates are riding high and looking' to start 5-0 for the first time in a quarter century. If they can slow Army's running attack, they will achieve that mark and be on the way to much more. EAST CAROLINA 24, ARMY 7 LSU AT No. 11 GEORGIA The Bulldogs are playing for offensive line coach Pat Watson, who died ofa heart attack earlier this week. While their minds have undoubtedly been unfocused on football this past week, the Bulldogs are committed to playing for their coach's memory at home on Saturday. Sophomore quarterback Quincy Carter leads the Georgia offense, both through the air and on the ground. He has con- nected with wide receiver Terrence Edwards for four touchdowns already and is averaging over six yards per carry run- ning the ball. Tiger quarterback Josh Booty is grow- ing into the LSU offense, aided by their week off to get familiar with his receivers. Running backs Rondell Mealey and Domanick Davis power the Tiger ground game, which is averaging over 180 yards/game. Georgia has everything to play for this weekend, and will be doing it in front of their home fans in Athens. With emotions running high, the Bulldogs need to main- tain composure and prevent turnovers to win one for Coach Watson. Georgia 28, Louisiana State27 still Iookin~ Authentic American FootwearTM stmtl looking perfec do CO a2 TM S/ rom the mountains of Montana, a complete line of men's footwear, all handcrafted in the U.S.A. using America's Original Leathers: Bison, Elk and Longhorn. H.S. Trask shoes use the finest available materials, providing "Old Shoe Comfort... Right From The Start." 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