The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 6, 2000 - 13 I STAFF PICKS WEEK 4 SELECTIONS ALL PICKS MADE AGAINST THE SPREAD. HOME TEAMS IN CAPS. PURDUE (-2) vs. Michigan NORTHWESTERN (-5) vs. Indiana Ohio State (-1.5) vs. WISCONSIN Michigan State (-9) vs. IOWA MINNESOTA (-6.5) vs. PennState Kansas State (-22.5) vs. KANSAS NOTRE DAME (-12) vs. Stanford FLORIDA (-15.5) vs. Louisiana State GEORGIA (-4.5) vs. Tennessee WASHINGTON (-9.5) vs. Oregon State Florida State (-6) vs. MIAMI (FLA.) CLEMSON (-21.5) vs. North Carolina State VIRGINIA TECH (-31) vs. Temple Nebraska (-15.5) vs. IOWA STATE TEXAS (-3.5) vs. Oklahoma Best bet Record last week (Best bets) Record to date (Best bets) David Den Herder Purdue Chris Duprey Purdue Mark Stephanie Francescutti Offen Indiana Northwestern Wisconsin Wisconsin Michigan State Michigan State Penn State Minnesota Kansas State Kansas State Stanford Stanford Florida Florida Tennessee Tennessee Washington Washington Miami Florida State North Carolina State North Carolina State Temple Virginia Tech Nebraska Iowa State Michigan Northwestern Ohio State Michigan State Penn State Kansas Stanford Florida Tennessee Washington Florida State North Carolina State Virginia Tech Nebraska Texas Michigan State 5-10 (0-1) 30-30 (2-2) Michigan Northwestern Wisconsin Michigan State Minnesota Kansas State Stanford Florida Tennessee Oregon State Florida State North Carolina State Virginia Tech Nebraska Oklahoma Michigan State 7-8 (0-1) 24-36 (1-3) PURDUE Continued from Page 11 Notre Dame touchdown and a failed fake punt that led to an Irish ield goal. Then this past weekend against an emotional Penn State team. Travis Dorsch botched two more punts that led to 14 points for the Nittany Lions. Special teams aside, the talk of Ann Arbor and West Il afavette about this weekend's game is, of course, the battle of the Drews. Michigan's Drew Henson w ill finally start against the other Drew of the Big Ten quarterback corps --- Drew Brees. Henson said after the Wisconsin game that he's not afraid to get into a shootout this weekend. But Brees' numbers may scare Michigan enough to try to avoid that type of "beat them at their own game" strategy. Brees has attempted a whopping 209 passes in five games, completing 60.3 percent of his throws for 1.040 yards, touchdowns and only 1wo interceptions. "ie possesses a lot of intangibles" Carr said. "They can run what is consid- ered a high-risk offense and it becomes low-risk. He can throw an interception every 100 times, and only get sacked five times (in the first five games). Brees also has the talent for quick drops and flirting out of the pocket like Henson. "H1's because of his mobility and because he's smart that you've got the best of all worlds." Carr said. "I'll be glad to see him gone, I promise you.'. Experience-wise, the Michigan defen- sive backfield has the advantage. Purdue's leading receiver right now is a true freshman in John Standeford. This weekend the Wolverines will also get Justin Fargas at safety, after he switched from running back. "We've got a lot more experience, but that doesn't mean the job will be any eas- ier." Carr said. "Standeford can run and those other guys can run. It's not going to be easy, but they won't be like they were a year ago where we had to play guys that didn't have any experience." One more factor in the game the weather could dampen the Boilermakers spirits. Last season under rainy conditions. Brees only completed 20 of 49 passes with one touchdown, including several drops. Brees also fumbled three times and threw an interception to linebacker Larry Foote in the 38-12 loss at the Big I ouse. But with the fall weather things are changing in West Lafayette. IThe Boilermakers are in the midst of Big Ten adolescence. In the middle o conference power and bargain bascment.i Purdue still hasn't fared well against top opponents. Since 1997, the Boilermakers are 6-1 1 versus top 25 foes. T'heir last win came in-a 37-34 nail-; biter over then-No. 6 Kansas Stateailn 1998. Texas Florida 7-8 (0-1) 23-37 (2-2) Texas Wisconsin 4-11 (0-1) 27-33 (0-4) *Can Brees m MATCHUPS Continued from Page 11 spread offense has produced the most prolific passing attack in the Big Ten. The best ever, if you ask Carr. So the question is, how can Michigan hope to contain? It's no secret that the Blue defensive secondary has been under *crutiny. Julius Curry did have two inter- ceptions last week and that may mean things are looking up. But if Michigan brings the blitz, Brees will scramble, and successfully. The X-factor here is Justin Fargas, who will see time at free safety. lie isan'impact player in his own right. But so are people like Sutherland - and inthis game, more effective as well. Advantage: Purdue ike the dz erence at home? SPEC.cA - Nis: Carr called INtANGBLES: Ross-Ade Stadium has Wisconsin punter Kevin Stemke the best been described by local beat writers as he'd ever seen. Touch. Michigan's best "the closest thing to the Twilight Zone' field position all day was its own 29. in the Big Ten." Furthermore, Purdue has There will be no such problems this an impressive 8-2 record after a loss week for the Wolverines. under Tiller. Another "I' in West Travis Dorsch has a powerful punting Lafayette means bye-bye Rose Bowl. leg, but also has the bobbles. He's Unless it rains, give the enigmatic edge already had one punt blocked and sever- to the Boilers. al more botched. Advantage: Purdue Michigan has had its problems punt- ing as well, but managed to keep things under control last week. Sutherland is a dangerous returner, This game has been more than a year but Ron Bellamy does well to balance in the making. Drew Brees is the most him out. Expect to see Fargas on special talented player in the Big Ten, and the teams again, and Del Verne will proba- Wolverines' days of playing catchup will blv handle mid-range field goals. finally catch up to them. Advantage: Even Final Score: Purdue 34, Michigan 31 (()i)> RECYCLE THE DAILY. s s 4 s i U U r t 1 Presented by: MiMchigan vs. Indiana Fri., Octsher 6 1 pm. at Keen Arena Don't miss your f tchance to win great prizes...t-shirts, watches and more! Maine trip ho-hum for harriers By James Mercier Daily Sports Writer You have to love Ron Warhurst. ost coaches, when asked about the ~mportance of their upcoming com- petition, will issue a standard politi- cally correct reply, along the lines of. "Really. they're all important. We take it one day at a time." But that is not the Warhurst way. The Michigan men's cross country coach, after being asked if his team was pointing to the weekend's trip to Orono, Maine, bluntly replied, "No." No? "Well, we do expect to win, Warhurst said of his No. 19 team. "And we want to prepare well for the Wolverine Interregional (on Oct. s5). "But if' someone asked me before the season about which meets we were pointing to, this wouldn't be one of them." The coach was not alone in this regard. Junior Mark Pilja, who has set the pace for the team this season, wasn't cho'mping at the bit, either. "I look forward to every competi- tion," Pilja said. "But this one does- n t really stand out from the others.' It's tough to fault the Wolverines for appearing unexcited. The team has made the trek to Orono each year since 1995. and has won the Invitational four of the last five seasons. No other ranked teams will com- pete this year. 16%9 w ha \j e U-M vs. Penn State Sat., October 1 1 p. at Keen Arena AXR dROSE CR2c 2,TlOM S " Ann Arbor's only Body Piercer with expert consultation and after-care checkups - Ornamental piercing only (no genital or mouth piercing) " Piercings available with gold jewelry, diamonds & gems " Audio tape of complete instructions included For information on all Michigan Athletics, visit MGoBlue.com L New Address: 4410 Jackson Rd. Ann Arbor, New Phone #: (734) 669-9010 E-Mail: farahrose@mindspring.com MI ZJ b. w"mm" -1 U 1 -= l _ " . ,