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The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - December 10, 2001- 3B
Fresno's David Carr one of
many looking to derail Big Ten
RAPHAEL
GOODSTEIN
By Kyle O'Neill
Daily Sports Writer
In this holiday season, the temperature begins
to drop, families come closer together, loved
ones exchange gifts and ESPN stuffs enough
football down the nation's throat to make even
Mel Kiper Jr. choke. With 20 games before
Michigan's Citrus Bowl matchup and the four
BCS bowls, one might wonder what to make of
the 40 teams being throwi at them from Dec. 18
to Jan. 1. So here is a breakdown of the Big Ten
teams traveling around the nation during the
winter break.
ALAMO BOWL: TEXAS TECH (7-4) vS. IOWA (6-5):
King fora day: In just its second year of exis-
tence, Red Raiders' coach Mike Leach's pass-
happy offense, led by Kris Kingsbury, was
enough to upset two Top 25 teams and to tie
Nebraska going into halftime. Iowa, which beat
up on several poor teams this season, did not
defeat any'conference opponent with a winning
record and lost its final game to Iowa State
nearly missing the bowl season all together.
Game-breaker: Texas Tech has intercepted
18 passes this season and has the 35th-
best pass defense in the nation. This
doesn't bode well for the Hawkeyes' ,.
offense, which is based around a bal-
ance between quarterback Kyle
McCann and running back Ladell
Betts. In the Hawkeyes' five losses,
either McCann has been held under 250-yards
throwing or Betts has had a sub-100-yard
game on the ground. When one part of the
offense falters, the other can't compen-
sate. The Red Raiders will keep
McCann from having a big day and
come away victorious.
Prediction; Texas Tech 30, Iowa
21.
SUN BOWL: PURDUE (6-5) vs.
WASHINGTON STATE (9-2): JEFF SMO
Late season losers: DANNY MOLOSHOK
Washington State was four
games away from an unexpected berth
in the Rose Bowl. But with two losses late in
the year, it fell to fourth place in the Pac-10 and
moved out east to play its Bowl game in Texas.
Before a midseason collapse with a 1-4 finish to
its season, Purdue looked to be fine without last
year's hero, Drew Brees. Now, as controversy
builds at the position, the Boilermakers are
unsure of what to expect offensively.
Game-breaker: The Cougars' pass offense and
the Boilermakers pass defense will be the top
matchup of the game. Washington State's 300
passing yards per game ranks 10th in the nation,
while Purdue boasts the Big Ten's third best
defense, allowing just 190 yards per game
through the air. With the Boilermakers unsure
between Brandon Hance and Kyle Orton at quar-
terback, it is doubtful that Purdue's offense will
be able to produce anything offensively - espe-
cially with an attack that averages just 20 points
and 300 total yards a game.
Prediction: Washington State 17, Purdue 3.
SILICON VALLEY CLASSIC BowL: FRESNO STATE
(11-2) vs. MICHIGAN STATE (6-5):
One-game seasons are all
that ' left: After dismantling Mis-
souri, Michigan State finally
qualified for a bowl game after a
month of constant losing. Fresno
State, once touted as a BCS contender,
enters nationally-ranked but out of the
media's spotlight.
Game-breaker: Though this will prob-
ably not be a shootout, as each team has
solid defenses, there is not a better
offensive matchup this bowl season:
The Spartans' quarterback Jeff Smoker
(168 quarterback rating) vs. David Carr
(42 Touchdown passes), Fresno's wide
receivers Rodney Wright and Bernard
Berrian (combined 2,600 yards) vs.
Michigan State's duo of Charles Rogers
and Herb Haygood (combined 16 Touch-
downs). Then there are two 1,000 yard
rushers in Paris Gains of Fresno State and
ER T.J. Duckett. Heck, they're even playing in
daly Spartan Stadium of Michigan State and in
California. It doesn't get any closer than
that.
Prediction: Someone will win 28-27.
Who knows which team.
Cagers closing the 32-
point gap on Blue Devils
Duke is the standard that that
Michigan basketball program
measures itself against. A win
over Duke means the program is where
it needs to be. An embarrassing loss to
Duke, means someone gets fired.
That's the nature of rivalries in sports,
and Michigan-Duke is no different. At
least not from the Michigan perspec-
tive.
With that in mind, this year's team
promised not to get embarrassed by
Duke again. Not on
highly-touted point guard Daniel Hor-
ton will likely handle the rock for most
of the game, and that alone will make a
huge difference.
But maybe even more vital than
point guard play is the attitude of the
team. Last year's team knew it was
going to lose before the game even
started. This year's team didn't look as
intimidated by the Duke mystique -
at least not after the first five minutes.
This was especially true for freshman
guard Dommanic
JONATHON TRIEST/Daily
Ohio State freshman Jonathon Wells leads the Buckeyes
against the Gamecocks in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1st .
OUTBACK BOWL: OHIO STATE (7-4) VS. SOUTH
CAROLINA (8-3):
Vengeance is a dish best served at Outback
Steakhouse: Jim Tressel was able to get revenge
earlier this year against Michigan. He now has a
chance to defeat the other team, South Carolina,
responsible for the firing of his predecessor,
John Cooper. Last season, the Gamecocks
defeated the Buckeyes 24-7, and sent Cooper
packing as the Ohio State Athletic Department
couldn't stand his losing records in bowl games
and against Michigan.
Game-breaker: Given what was seen in the
Michigan game, Ohio State will use its passing
game sparingly, while relying on the legs of
freshman running back Jonathon Wells to carry
it like he did against the Wolverines. South Car-
olina will need to depend on its defense, which
allows just one rushing touchdown and 140
rushing yards a game. Should Wells begin to
dominate, it will be up to the Gamecocks' quar-
terback Phil Petty to abandon his short yardage
offense (6 yards per attempt) and begin to take
more chances with a deep ball. It can be expect-
ed that Tressel will go 2-0 in his first year in the
two contests that cost Cooper his job.
its home court at
least.
HAS THE BASKETBALL PROGRAM
EVOLVED JUST SIX POINTS IN THE
Ingerson. The Oak-
land, Calif. native's
K
K/d
So imagine the LAST YEAR?
surprise when five
minutes into this year's game, Duke
was up 34-8 and Michigan - which
was 1-for-14 from the field at this
point - looked, shall we say, a little
intimidated.
Has the basketball program evolved
just six points in the last year?
Former coach Steve Fisher used to
say "At Michigan you don't have moral
victories."That's not exactly true.
Maybe there shouldn't be moral victo-
ries at Michigan, but there were at
times last year. In fact, after last year's
debacle in Cameron, I asked Associate
Athletic Director Warde Manuel if he
was embarrassed by what had just tran-
spired on the floor.
He looked at me with a "what-a-
ridiculous-question expression" and
talked about the difficulties playing a
team like Duke in a place like
Cameron can present.
That was one of many burning bush-
es last year when it was painfully obvi-
ous that this program needed an
overhaul.
Sure Tommy Amaker is now the
coach, but this rebuilding project needs
more than Tommy Amaker. It needs
Jason Williams, Chris Duhon, Mike
Dunleavy, Carlos Boozer and maybe
even Dahntay Jones.
There was once a time when Michi-
gan could matchup toe-to-toe with the
Blue Devils. Nobody thought that was
the case this year at any position, espe-
cially the point guard position, where
Williams scorched Avery Queen for 35
points Saturday. Sure Williams would
be an All Star if he was in the NBA,
but Michigan should never be out-
matched at a position by that much.
Don't fret Maize Ragers, things will
be better. Come this time next year,
play was reminiscent
of another west coast
shooting guard - Jamal Crawford.
Expect the team's attitude to continue
to get better
Two years ago against Duke, Craw-
ford was fearless, scoring 27 points,
and then taking the blame for the loss
after the game. Losing by 43 points, as
last year's Wolverines did, was never a
thought in his mind. Rather, the fresh-
man nearly single-handedly beat Duke,
repeatedly dribbling the ball up the
court, and throwing in fade-away jump
shots from all over the court.
Saturday, Ingerson showed similar
flashes of brilliance, hitting back-to-
back 3-pointers early in the Wolver-
ines' attempt at a comeback,
consistently creating his own shots,
and repeatedly feeding Chris Young in
the post - all skills last year's Wolver-
ines missed.
If Ingerson improves the way most
freshmen do, he might be Michigan's
best player when next year's Duke
game rolls around. His growth, in large
part, will depend on Bernard Robin-
son, and more importantly, LaVell
Blanchard postponing their dreams of
playing in the NBA and staying at
Michigan. These two draw attention
from opposing defenses and create
opportunities for Ingerson.
This year's team will not make the
NCAA Tournament; it'll be lucky to
make the NIT. But building blocks are
in place for Amaker to do what
Krzyzewski did when he first went to
Duke - take a storied program that
was at a low point, and place it back on
top.
Raphael Goodstein can be reached at
raphaelg@umich.edu.
Prediction:
Ohio State 26, South Carolina 21.
2001-02 bowl schedule
Bowl
New Orleans Bowl
GMAC Bowl
Tangerine Bowl
Las Vegas Bowl
Seattle Bowl
Independence Bowl
galleryfurniture.com Bowl
Music City Bowl
Holiday Bowl
Motor City Bowl
Alamo Bowl
Insight.com Bowl
Humanitarian Bowl
Sun Bowl
Silicon Valley Classic
Liberty Bowl
Peach Bowl
Cotton Bowl
Outback Bowl
Gator Bowl
Citrus Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Sugar Bowl
Orange Bowl
Rose Bowl.
Matchup
North Texas (5-6) vs. Colorado State (6-5)
East Carolina (6-5) vs. Marshall (10-2)
North Carolina State (7-4) vs. Pittsburgh (6-5)
Utah (7-4) vs. Southern Cal (6-5)
Stanford (9-2) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5)
Iowa State (7-4) vs. Alabama (6-5)
Texas A&M (7-4)vs. Texas Christian (6-5)
Boston College (7-4) vs. Georgia (8-3)
Texas (10-2) vs. Washington (8-3)
Toledo (9-2) vs. Cincinnati (7-4)
Texas Tech (7-4) vs. lowa (6-5)
Kansas State (6-5) vs. Syracuse (9-3)
Louisiana Tech (7-4) vs. Clemson (6-5)
Purdue (6-5) vs. Washington State (9-2)
Fresno State (11-2) vs. Michigan State (6-5)
Louisville (10-2) vs. Brigham Young (12-1)
North Carolina (7-5) vs. Auburn (7-4)
Arkansas (7-4) vs. Oklahoma (10-2)
Ohio State (7-4) vs. South Carolina (8-3)
Florida State (7-4) vs. Virginia Tech (8-3)
Michigan (8-3) vs. Tennessee (10-2)
Colorado (10-2) vs. Oregon (10-1)
Illinois (10-1) vs. Louisiana State (9-3)
Maryland (10-1) vs. Florida (9-2)
Miami (11-0) vs. Nebraska (11-1)
Date
Dec. 18
Dec. 19
Dec. 20
Dec. 25
Dec. 27
Dec. 27
Dec. 28
Dec. 28
Dec. 28
Dec. 29
Dec. 29
Dec. 29
Dec. 31
Dec. 31
Dec. 31
Dec. 31
Dec. 31
Jan. 1
Jan. 1
Jan. 1
Jan. 1
Jan. 1
Jan. 1
Jan. 2
Jan. 3
Time Network
8 p.m. ESPN2
8 p.m. ESPN2
7:30 p.m. ESPN
3:30 p.m. ABC
4 p.m. ESPN
7:30 p.m. ESPN
1:30 p.m. ESPN
5 p.m. ESPN
8:30 p.m. ESPN
Noon ESPN
3:30 p.m. ESPN
5:30 p.m. ESPN2
12:30 p.m. ESPN
2 p.m. CBS
3 p.m. Fox SPORTS
4 p.m. ESPN
7:30 p.m. ESPNq
11 a.m. FOX
11 a.m. ESPN
12:30 p.m. NBC
1 p.m. ABC
4:30 p.m. ABC
8:30 p.m. ABC
8 p.m. 'ABC
8 p.m. ABC
Who's No. 2?
Colorado: Without a doubt, Colorado
has been the hottest team in the
nation with its final two wins of the
season against Nebraska and Texas
to win the Big 12 title game. In a play-
off system, the Buffalos would be the
most dangerous team as they have
won five straight.
Nebraska: At 11-1, Nebraska boasts
one of the best records this season.
Their strength of schedule is No. 14 in
the nation and is well-deserving of
recognition. The lack of a conference
title, though, should have kept them
out of the Rose Bowl.
Oregon: The Ducks are 11-1 and are
No. 2 in both polls, but their computer
rankings are well below their BCS-
rivals, causing their fourth-place finish.
I
REC
INTRAMURALS
The University of Michigan
Department of Recreational Sports
INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM
WHAT'S
HAPPENING
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BCS
Continued from Page 11
of split national champions with the
winner claiming the No. 1 ranking in
the final AP poll.
AP voters will turn in their ballots
right after the Rose Bowl, and all teams
are eligible for the title.
"I think controversy comes into play
when the final BCS standing differs
from the AP poll and the Coaches' poll,
said BCS chairman John Swofford.
"With the kind of year we had, you're
going to have three, four or five teams
feeling they're as good as anybody in
the country and should have a chance to
play for the national championship."
Problems arise in the BCS when just
one team finishes withea perfecthrecord.
Oklahoma was the only unbeaten team
last year, and the BCS computer picked
a one-loss Florida State team to play the
Sooners over a one-loss Miami even
though the Hurricanes beat the Semi-
noles during the season.
Frogged Over
Thanks to a Texas Christian victory
over Southern Mississippi on Friday,
the Huskers are going to the Rose
Bowl by the slimmest of margins.
Need explaining? Texas Christian was
Nebraska's first opponent, therefore
the Horned Frogs factored into
Nebraska's schedule strength. Texas
Christian winning helped the Huskers'
schedule and gave them the final
points needed to beat Colorado.
Rank Team Points Losses
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ICE HOCKEY
ENTRIES TAKEN:
Tuesday 1/8 ONLY
11:00 AM to 5:30 PM, IMSB
ENTRY FEE:
$410 per team
MANAGER'S MEETING:
MANDATORY
Tues 1/8,6:00 PM, IMSB
BASKETBALL
ENTRIES DUE:
Tues 1/8 ONLY
11:00 AM to 5:30 PM
ENTRY FEE:
$78 per team
MANAGER'S MEETING
MANDATORY
Weds 1/9, 6 & 9 PM, IMSB
PLAY BEGINS:
Thurs 1/10
IMSB & Sports Coliseum
ph 5( .)4s
'sbetto av.ailbility
(tiet per vlla only)
PLAY BEGINS:
Weds 1/9
Yost Ice Arena
Y"
i1
INNER TUBE
WATER POLO
ENTRIES TAKEN:
Tues 1/8 ONLY
11:00 AM to 5:30 PM, IMSB
ENTRY FEE:
,,ar+$60 per team
N~ 10
-° MANAGER'S MEETING:
MANDATORY
Weds 1/9, 8:00 PM, IMSB
PLAY BEGINS:
Thursday 1/10, IMSB Pool
TEAM
RACQUETBALL
ENTRIES TAKEN:
Tues 1/8 ONLY
11:00 AM to 5:30 PM, MSB
ENTRY FEE:
$50 per team
MANAGER'S MEETING:
MANDATORY
Weds 1/9, 7:15 PM, IMSB
PLAY BEGINS:
Thurs 1/10,IMSB Courts
I
Thanks!
to all the Students, Faculty and Staff who participated in the 2001 Fall Term
Intramural Sports Program. The IM staff looks forward to seeing you during the 2002 Winter Term.
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