14A The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 21, 2000 Irish accent Big Ten openers By Michael Berger For the Daily Are you ready for some smash- mouth football? The Big Ten football season is upon us and it's up for grabs. Here is a preview of the first week's games: NORTHWESTERN WiscoNsIN (3-0): the Wildcats went to the Rose Bowl' a few years ago? Oh, you don't remember either. Well, they have (2-I) AT No. 6 Remember when Across the who rushed for 290 yards two weeks ago against Oregon, will be back. Wisconsin will pound the ball all, day long through the Wildcats' inexpe- rienced defense. Even though Wisconsin will be without all-American cornerback Jamar Fletcher, the Wildcats don't have a good enough passing game to hurt Wisconsin. The Badgers will win their 12th in a row convincingly. Wisconsin 35, Northwestern 10 PENN STATE (1-3) AT No. 12 OHio STATE (3-0): John Cooper is a lot hap- pier these days in Columbus. His team is looting like it has improved from a medioci; 6-6 record and the trustees are not calling for his head on a platter (yet). Penn State is off to one of its worst starts in Happy Valley history. The Nittany Lions have only rushed for a 100 yards in a game once this season. That just isn't going to get it done in the pound-it-out Big Ten and against the tough defense of Ohio State (28th in the nation in rushing defense). Also Penn State's quarterback Rashard Casey seems to be bothered THIS WEEKEND IN no chance of returning there anytime soon. Northwestern gave up more than 240 yards rushing and two touchdowns to Texas Christian's Reisman hopeful tailback LaDainian Tomlinson last Week. That spells trouble for the Wildcats with the Badgers coming next. Even though Wisconsin has been riddled with suspensions after the notorious "Peter Warrick, Part I" inci- dent, running back Michael Bennett, MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Presented by: WOMEN'S SOCCER *) Friday, Sept. 22 vs. Wisconsin 4pm I " Sunday, Sept. 24 vs. Minnesota 1:30pm All Home Games at Michigan Soccer Field SC KICK TO MAKEADEAIL.. MEN'S SOCCER o« Fans can sign up for Saturday, Sept. 23 vs. Penn State 3pm half-time contests and I by his off-the-field run-in witfl the law and it shows in his play. Maybe Joe Paterno should forget about his superstitions and stop wear- ing the flooding clam-digger pants. Even if he does, Penn State will still lose. Ohio State 27, Penn State 6 No. 18 NOTR.E DiE Tx No. MICHIGAN S-ArE (3-0): The Fighting Irish are coming off of a stunning last- play victory over Purdue. That was at home, though. They are 'currently rid- ing a seven-game road losing streak. Michigan State gets starting quarter- back Ryan Van Dyke back after sitting out last week with a bruised thumb. Standing behind Van Dyke on the line at tailback is T.J. Duckett. He may look like he has a few cheeseburge- and twinkies under his pads, but don let appearance fool you. These two teams are fairly equal at the skilled positions, but Michigan State gets the nod because of Duckett and the home field advantage. If Duckett rushes for more than 150 yards then the Spartans will be able to control the clock andtthe game. MISU_21. Notre Damel7 MNNESOFA (2-1)xr No.21 Pt RDLO (2-1): Heisman hopeful Drew Brees attempted only 22 passes last week in Purdue's loss. That hasn't happened since 1997. He is due for a big game. Brees has had great numbers against the Golden Gophers in the past. Minnesota has a young nucleus in quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq and tailback Thomas Tapeh, but the Gophers aren't ready to beat a top 25 team. Brees will come out firing a home because he rarely has sup-p performances consecutively. Minnesota will score on offense, but it will not come close to keeping up with the scoring barrage that Brees will put on. Purdue 42,. Minnesota 14 CIscNNxrI (2-1) AT INDIANA (0-2, 0-0): Has anyone seen Bobby Knight lately'? Maybe he could come in and wh* the defense into shape because Indiana's secondary is truly poor. Indiana's quarterback Antwaan Randle El is as exciting a player as any in the country, but he doesn't have a lot of talent around him. On the other side are the Bearcats, who gave Wisconsin a scare last week. The only way that the Hoosiers could possibly win is with help from the General. That probably won't happen Cincinnati 21. Indiana 16 gold bond cleaners QUALITY DRY CLEANING & SHIRT SERVICE 332 Maynard (Across from Nickels Arcade) 668-6335 r!