_ _ _The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 15, 2000 - 13 STAFF PICKS WEEK 2 SEECTIONS ALu PiCKS MADE AGAINST THE SPREAD. HOME TEAMS IN CAPS. Michigan (-4.5) vs UCLA VIRGINIA TECH (-34) vs Rutgers ILLINOIS (-15) vs California Iowa State (-2.5) vs IOWA OHIO STATE (-23) VS Miami (OH) Minnesota (-8.5) VS BAYLOR Purdue (-5) VS NOTRE DAME KENTUCKY (-4) VS Indiana TCU (-12.5) VS Northwestern Washington (-3.5) vs COLORADO Florida (-3) vs TENNESSEE Penn State (-5.5) vs PITTSBURGH Michigan State (-10) vs MISSOURI SOUTH CAROLINA (-14) vs Eastern Michigan Texas (-12.5) vs STANFORD Best bet Record to date (Best Bets) David Den Herder Michigan Virginia Tech Illinois Iowa State Ohio State Baylor Purdue Indiana TCU Washington Tennessee Penn State Michigan State Eastern Michigan Texas Michigan State 6-9 (1-0) Chris Duprey UCLA Rutgers California Iowa State Ohio State Minnesota Purdue Kentucky Northwestern Washington Tennessee Penn State Michigan State. Eastern Michigan Stanford Purdue 8-7 (0-1) Mark Francescutti Michigan Virginia Tech Illinois Iowa State Miami Minnesota Purdue Kentucky TCU Washington Tennessee Penn State Missouri South Carolina Stanford Washington 8-7 (1-0) Stephanie Offen il Michigan Rutgers California Iowa State Ohio State Minnesota Purdue Kentucky Northwestern Washington Tennessee Penn State Michigan State South Carolina Stanford Washington 4-11 (1-0) L MATCHUPS Continued from Page 12 UCLA passing vs. Michigan passing defense: Don't get too excited for this one. Two teams - two backup quarterbacks. And while Michigan's backup is surprising the nation with his play the last two weekends, UCLA's back- up was taken out last weekend in the second half because of his poor per- formance, while the third-stringer led them to victory. Both quarter- backs faced weak opponents - one came out on top. Even with that poor first half per- formance, sophomore Ryan McCann will start for the Bruins. Coach Bob Toledo has said that he will not hes- itate to replace him with Scott McEwan - just as he did last week - if McCann has a repeat perfor- mance. Michigan's secondary hasn't faced a real test yet, which could get UCLA off to a nice start. But the Wolverines have an experienced sec- ondary that will show their true col- ors quickly. With James Whitley leading the way and an impressive DeWayne Patmon, Julius Curry and Charles Drake at the safety positions, UCLA's receiving core doesn't stand a chance. Advantage: Michigan UCLA rushing vs. Michigan rushing defense: Running back DeShaun Foster has been the heart and sole of the Bruins this season. He has racked up 140 yards last weekend and an average of over 160 yards the past two weeks, and all five of the teams rushing touchdowns. Against Michigan will be no dif- ferent. Michigan's inexperienced line - dwindled by the injury of Jake Frysinger - will not be able to contain Foster. Even though Rice ran the ball for three straight hours on the Wolverines, they still have yet to see anything like Foster. This will be the first real test for the line, and unfortunately they can't ace it on their first try. Advantage: UCLA Special Teams: This was sur- rounded by a huge question mark last season for the Wolverines. It seemed as though everyone on the squad got an opportunity to show their skills returning the ball. But now the questions are answered: The Wolverines tested the waters early but seem to have settled on Ronald Bellamy as their punt return- er. Averaging 14 yards a return, expect to see Bellamy once again this weekend in Los Angeles. Walter Cross is the go-to guy on the kick returns and Carr seems con- fident that he will be there in the long run. Hayden Epstein started last season with an injury but says he is healthi- er than ever this season. But his kicking hasn't necessarily shown that. He admitted to kicking the ball too low to make up for long dis- tances, but instead has led to some missed field goals. Hie also admitted his punting has been low not allow- ing his teammates to get downfield quick enough. The Bruins also seem inconsistent. Their field goal kicker, Chris Griffith, is .500 so far - and so is Epstein. Their kick returner, Ricky Manning, is quick - and so is Bellamy. This one could go either way. Advantage: even The Wolverines may not be tested as of yet, but that doesn't mean they aren't ready. Michigan will be up for the test. Remember, its a trip to the Rose Bowl. Michigan 27, UCLA 20 Fe arless Wolenes ' open Big Ten slate 4 j By Sam Duwe Daily Sports Writer This weekend brings a Big Ten rock oning to the field as the Michiga women's soccer team takes on Purdu and Indiana. It's a good thing that the Wolverine aren't afraid of anything. In fact, if coach Debbie Belkin Rademacher has her way, the next fex days of Big Ten openers will produce couple of strong wins, propelling he team into the conference schedule tha will determine the fate of Michigan. "At the beginning of the year, we se our goal to win the Big Te Championship," Rademacher said "That goal hasn't changed." But both the opponents have thei reasons to be confident. In the I games played between them, pnly on was a loss: Purdue's loss to third ranked Nebraska. So why is the coach so confident'? Last Sunday could be a factor Michigan trounced Missouri 7-0 destroying any hopes of a Tigers' vic tory in the first half with five goals. Although Michigan won onlv one o its four non-conference cgaies Rademacher takes pride in the fact tha the early season schedule was hard. "Our losses haven't deterred us," she said. "Each of our three defeats were by a team that was ranked in the top 20 - in the nation. If anything, playing these n tough teams has prepared us for Big e Tens." On Friday, Michigan will travel to West Lafayette, and on Sunday, to Bloomington. i- The Wolverines will look toward w their leaders, Kacy Beitel and Abby a Crumpton, for experience and point er production. They will look toward their at net, and fill it with either Carissa Stewart or Suzie Grech, who have been et splitting the duties. Finally, they will rn look to their confidence, pride and atti- I. tude, the keys to last Sunday's win. Last year in their first meeting, r Michigan beat Purdue 4-1. The I Wolverines also lead the all-time series e with Indiana 5-2, the last encounter - being a 3-0 Michigan victory. Next weekend, Big Ten action con- tinues as Michigan comes home and r. faces Wisconsin on September 22 and Minnesota on the 24th. - For the team, the first three losses of the season don't matter much. f "You have to remember, it's not how you start the season," Rademacher t said. "But rather, it's how you finish it." SAM HOLLENSHEAD/ Daily The Michigan women's soccer team has fought some serious non-conference bat- ties thus far. But, the real fun is just beginning: Big Ten play starts today. 4 4- BEAR STEARNS -" I You can join built a cornpany on an Or one built on worth of them , Please stop by our presentation to learn about undergraduate opportunities in Investment Banking at Bear Stearns.