0 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 a We're looking for great minds like yours to join us in the diverse and challenging world of energy. Shell opportunities offer you responsibility, innovation, and the chance to make a difference. With outstanding national and international career prospects and professional variety, Shell can help you set your sights - and thoughts - on success. Sign up for an interview with Shell at your campus career center right away. 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 A 0 Shell Companies in the U.S. are equal opportunity employers. The collective expression "Shell" is used to refer to the Shell Companies in the U.S., which are separate and distinct entities. 0 a m r