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12 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Spartans get a
shot at Domers
By Rob Dean
For the Daily
Given the Big Ten's experience with the Irish over the
past two weekends, it is safe to assume that the talk of
picking up Notre Dame as a regular member has finally
hit the fan. With a defense that scores as much as James
Bond and a special teams that would make Rudy proud,
the Golden Domers ride into East Lansing this weekend
fresh with NBC hype.
So what now? Michigan will storm back, Michigan
State will find Charles Rogers in the
end zone, and JoePa just might sneak
up on everybody. Nothing's sacred in A ND THE
a wide-open Big Ten, and super frosh BIG TEN
Maurice Clarett hasn't even been
mentioned yet. It's the last dance outside the conference
before the real season gets under way in two weeks.
In the immortal words of baseball great Yogi Berra:
"This is like d6ja vu all over again."
NOTRE DAME AT MICHIGAN STATE, 3:30 P.M. ABC: It
took them eight quarters to score an offensive touch-
down. They turned the ball ove; five times on their way
to upsetting a top-10 team on national television.
Before the season had even started, the Notre Dame
Athletic Department begrudgingly turned over one of
the country's most storied football programs to a coach
whose biggest success came at the helm of Stanford. Oh
yeah, and the guy's a Michigan State grad.
Against all odds, Tyrone Willingham is leading the
Irish back to national contention. But this weekend,
their luck runs out as they travel to a rabid East Lansing
town still stinging from an unexpected defeat at the
hands of California. Despite an embarrassing afternoon
by the Spartans, All-World receiver Charles Rogers still
had nine catches for 166 yards. Notre Dame has lost its
last five meetings with the Spartans, and with Rogers
poised to pass Randy Moss' mark for consecutive regu-
lar-season games with a touchdown catch (12), don't
look for a repeat of last Saturday.
Spartans 35, Notre Dames 24
OHIO STATE AT CINCINNATI, 3:30 P.M. ESPN: Maurice
Clarett seems to want to do everything fast. The true
freshman tailback for Ohio State graduated in just three
and a half years from Harding High School
(Youngstown, Ohio) to join the Buckeyes for spring
practices. It seems as if his early preparation has paid
off. Through three games, Clarett is averaging an
astounding 7.5 yards per rush and has many analysts
tabbing him as a Heisman contender.
With Florida playing Tennessee, Miami slated to take
on Florida State and Oklahoma set to travel to Dallas to
meet with Texas, these Buckeyes have many believing
that they could sneak into the national title game. The
meeting between the Bearcats (1-1) and the Buckeyes
(3-0) will be the first in Cincinnati since 1911 and is
being held at the Bengals's home, Paul Brown Stadium.
Certainly, Cincinnati won't be much of an obstacle for
Ohio State. But look for senior defensive end Antwan
Peek, one of the nation's top lineman, to give Ohio State
fits up front.
Ohio State 56, Cincinnati 13
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AP PHOTO
Ohio State freshman Maurice Clarett has impressed the
nation with his long runs and productivity.
LOUISIANA TECH AT PENN STATE, 12:10 P.M. ESPN
PLUS: Louisiana Tech (2-1) rolls into Penn State (3-0)
this Saturday fresh off a solid victory against Tulsa. The
Nittany Lions also had their share of slightly moderate
success this past weekend. The real question is what
will come in the meeting of two of the past decade's top
NBA draft picks. Penn State's own Grandmamma, Larry
Johnson, tagged 123 yards in 19 carries on the Corn-
huskers in route to a 40-7 drubbing; Joe Smith (recent
transfer from Maryland) had similar success against
Tulsa's front five, breaking loose for 177 yards on the
ground. The truth of the matter is that pass-happy Tech
will find difficulty airing it out against a speedy Penn
State defense that held Jammal Lord under 100 yards
passing.
Penn State 28, Louisiana Tech 13
NORTHWESTERN AT NAVY, 12:00 P.M.: Northwestern
barely got by Duke last Saturday. The Midshipmen have
lost 10 in a row at home. Is it possible for the NCAA to
credit both teams with the loss?
Navy 2, Northwestern 0
CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT INDIANA, 4:00 P.M.: It's Fresh-
man Family Weekend for the Hoosiers in Bloomington.
Last Saturday, Central Michigan was the only major
Michigan school to come out with a victory. That will
change.
Indiana 21, Central Michigan 7
UTAH STATE AT IOWA, 2:30 P.M.: Iowa running back
Fred Russel ran for 133 yards in one half against Iowa
State last week before leaving the game due to injury.
With or without him, the Hawkeyes should roll over the
Aggies.
Iowa 35, Utah State 0
SAN JOSE STATE AT ILLINOIS, 2:00 P.M.: San Jose State
beat Arkansas State 33-14. Illinois beat Arkansas State
59-7. You do the math.
Illinois 33, San Jose State 0
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