w --w w - -11 1 m MMM 1w . ......... w lwwr WF 2B - Football Saturday - Saturday, October 7, 2006 2006 Depth Chart KR S. Breaston 2006 Michigan Schedule J. S.: L. FS R. Mundy B. Englemon SS J. Adams W. Barringer CB WILL MIKE SAM L. Hall P. Burgess D. Harris S. Crable C. Stewart C. Graham J. Thompson B. Logan DE T DE R. Biggs T. Taylor A. Branch L. Woodley T. Jamison W. Johnson M. Walton J. Van Alstyne TE LT LG C RG RI Sears Vanderbilt (Sept. 2), W 27-7: "Bend, don't break" can't be PR used to describe the defense after this impressive performance. Michigan allowed just 171 yards of total offense and sacked the Breaston quarterback six times. Somewhere Jim Herrmann is crying. Hall Central Michigan (Sept. 9),W 41-17: Thunder and lightning didn't stop the Wolverines from trouncing the Chippewas at the Big House. Mike Hart ran all over Central's D for three touchdowns, and CB LaMarr Woodley picked up two sacks for the second straight week. M. Trent Notre Dame (Sept. 16), W 47-21: The Fighting Irish came J. Sears into this one with the national media singing their praises, but it was Michigan who emerged victorious. The Wolverines dominated every facet of the game, but Mario Manningham's three scores stole the show. Wisconsin (Sept. 231 W 27-13: Mictigan took its time in this one, toying wilh tbe Badgers and giving tbem tope. Then Chad Henne, Mario Manningham and tbe Michigan defense put te pedal to tbe metal and buried Wisconsin, picking up T revenge after last season's heartbreaking loss at Camp Randall. Minnesota (Sept. 301 W 28-14: tn 2005, te Golden Gopters stormed Mictigan Stadium's turf and planted their flag after beating te Wolverines. This year, Michigan took back WR the Little Brown Jug with a bit more class, marching slowly S. Breaston toward the Minnesota sideline and celebrating as a team. G. Mathews Michigan State (Oct. 7): The last two years of this rivalry have been incredible, but it's hard to know what to expect from the Spartans this season. Ron English will make sure that this year's Wolverines defense will punish Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton and keep the Spartans down in the standings - where they belong. M. Massey J. Long B. Thompson M. Ortmann WR M. Manningham A. Arrington A. Kraus M. Bihl A. Mitchell R. Riley J. Ciulla D. Moosman J. Schifano C. Zirbel QH C. Henne J. Forcier Saturday, October 7, 2006 - Football Saturday - 7B STAFF PICKS Predictions against the Spread for Oct. 7 Popular history professor and Golden Apple winner Matt Las- siter joins the Daily football writers in trying to beat the Scott Matt Kevin Stephanie Matt spread. Bell Singer Wright Wright Lassiter Michigan State (+15.5) at No. 6 Michigan Michigan State Michigan State Michigan State Michigan Michigan B ssling Green l5) at No. S OhioState Bowling Oreen Bowling een Bowling Gt n Bowling Steen Bowling Seen Arkansas (v15.5) attNo. 2 Auburn Auburn Arkansas Arkansas' Arkansan Auburn Washington (+21) atNo. 3 Southern Cal Southern Cal Southern Cal Southern Cal Southern Cal Washington N. 4 West Virginia 1-251 at Mississippi State WesthVirginia Mississippi State Mississippi State West Virginia Mississippi State N. 9 Louisiana State -21 atNo. 5 Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Louisiana State No. 14 Oklahoma (+4.5)lvs.o. u.Texas Oklahoma Texas Oklahoma; Texas Texas No. 8 Louisville (-33.5) at Middle TennesseeState Louisville Louisville Louisville Louisville Middle Tennessee State No. 13Tennessee (-2.5) atNo. 0 iGeorgia Tennessee Georgia Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee No. 11 Oregon (+5) at No. 16 California Oregon California California Oregon Oregon Stanford (+31.5) atNo. 12 Notre Dame Stanford Stanford Stanford Stanford Stanford No. 15 Clemson (117) at Wake Forest Clemson Clemson Clemson Clemson Wake Forest No. 17 Florida State(10:5) attNorth CarolinaState Flordia State Florida State Florida State Flordia State Florida State Maryland (+14) at No. 18 Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Purdue (+11) at No. 19Iowa Purdue Iowa Purdue Iowa Iowa Louisiana Tech (+36) at No. 20 Boise State Louisiana Tech Louisiana Tech Louisiana Tech Louisiana Tech Louisiana Tech No. 22 Nebraska (-7) at lowa State Nebraska Iowa State Nebraska Nebraska Nebraska No. 23 Missouri (+4) at Texas Tech Texas Tech Missouri Texas Tech Missouri Texas Tech Northwestern (+21) at Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin Northwestem Northwestern Northwestern Penn State (-2.5) at Minnesota Penn State Penn State Penn State Penn State Minnesota Indiana (+7.5) at Illinois Illinois Illinois Illinois Illinois Indiana Best Bet Clemson Penn State California Clemson Louisiana State .B 0. Oluigbo W. Paul K G. Rivas i Z. Mesko R. Ryan RB M. Hart K. Grady Penn State (Oct. 14): Maybe Joe Paterno should place the number "one" all over the team's locker room. Not to remind the players they're No. 1, but to remind them they were just one second away from victory and a possible undefeated regular season. Happy Valley will be Happier Valley with this 8 p.m. kickoff time. Iowa (Oct. 21): Thanks to Iowa's recent success, the Big Ten is now the Big Three and Little Eight. This year should be no FOOTBALL different. Michigan has won the last two meetings, so Iowa will feel it's due for a win. Will Drew Tate be the second mobile quarterback SATURDAY in three weeks that the defense effectively stops? Only time will tell. Northwestern (Oct. 28): Northwestern loves tobe Big Ten e weeks into the 2006 sea- giant killers, and she Wolverines are no strangers to losing tt, tak has lreadystarte an "eusy" game against the Wildcats. This will be the bonat n, taLk has already started Big Ten game played at the Big House this season, and you bout a potential matchup - can expect the outgoing seniors will want to go out on top. Five sot at Michigan tailback Mike Hart has rushed for 672 yards this season. between undefeateds Michigan and Ohio State. Michigan has already won two tougher-than- anticipated Big Ten games. Now, the countdown to the final matchup begins. But before analysts and fans circle Nov. t8lon their calen- dars as a No. 1-No. 2 faceoff, Michigan still must take care of its business, especially with in-state rival Michigan State coming to Ann Arbor. Already, the Wolverines have avenged three losses from last season, but now they have to keep the momentum going. Otherwise, the Paul Bunyan Trophy may have a new home come Sunday. This week,we shine the spot- light on Michigan's defensive end Rondell Biggs. After alate start in football and a tough road at Michigan, Biggs has finally had his chance to makehis presence felt. And he's ready for Michigan State. Scott Bell+ Matt Singer Kevin Wright - Stephanie Wright Ball State (Nov. 4): Although Ball State is David Letterman's alma mater, there won't be anything funny about this game. Michiganshould continue its dominance of the Mid-American Conference in this late-season nonconference game. Indiana (Nov. 11): Coach Terry Hoeppner claims the new team motto is "If you can run, you can play," emphasizing team speed. What he really means is that if you can functionally run, you can play because this team is awful. At least basketball season will have begun. Ohio State (Nov. 18): The Horseshoe will be rockingas this S game will most likely have Big Ten championship implications und possible national title implications. If Lloyd Carrcan win this one on the road, he may consider dropping the extra "L" in his name. FOOTBALL SATURDAY PRODUCTION CREW Scott Bell Matt Singer Kevin Wright Stephanie Wright Football Writers Donn M. Fresard Editor in Chief Jack Heman Managing Sports Editor Jeffey Bimer Managing Editor Alex Dziadosz Mike Hulsebus Managing Photo Editors Mike Hulsebus Cover File Photo Trevor campbell Cover Photos Alexis Floyd Business Manager RoberttChin Display Sales Manager Ben Schrotenboer Assoc. Display Sales Manager David Dai Special Proect Manager Specialthanks to: John Lowe, llinois'sflag-plantingtendenies, LsaGertile, Bridget O'Donnell, John L Smith, Amber CoMn B O W N has to make a clutch kick, the nerves might show for the first-year player. Continued from page 3B Edge: Push Michigan was that team earlier in the season when it traveled to Notre Dame and woke up the world. Now, Michigan State comes limping into the Big House. The Spartans have lost their last two (a nail-biter to Notre Dame and an embarrassing loss to Illinois). Expect the Spartans to put up more of a fight, but that won't be enough to deter this Michigan team. The Wolverines are a determined and confident bunch. After the embar- rassment of a five-loss season, Michi- gan has been determined to prove man-child Matt Trannon running across the middle. Edge: Michigan State Special teams Just two weeks ago, it seemed Michigan kicker Garret Rivas had left his inconsistencies in years past. He had missed just one field goal, which was blocked by Vanderbilt. But against Minnesota, Rivas missed a chip shot, and if the score had been closer, it might have cost the Wolver- ines the game. If Rivas can return to his form earlier this season, the Michigan special teams will have the edge. Punter Zoltan Mesko has been booming his punts more and more since he started taking the majority of the punts from Ross Ryan, gun- ner Darnell Hood continues to wreck opposing return men, and senior Steve Breaston always remains a fac- tor in breaking a return for a touch- down or giving the Wolverine offense a short field. For Michigan State, freshman kicker Brett Swenson has started strong. He's converted 7-for- 8 attempts with a long of 43. But if a Spartan win is on the line and he Intangibles There's nothing more dangerous than a team flying under the radar. that Wolverine football is much better than that. Look for Michigan to take it to its in-state counterpart, but not as easily as you might have imagined. Edge: Michigan Michigan 31, Michigan State 17 GIRL! aWl A BULL. G9mAS Gel it. Ride it, win it. Get a Chance to Win an All-Expense-Paid Weekend in Vegas with $1,000 spending money at the 2006 Pure Vanilla Tailgate Tour pV is the leading provider of anonymous online payments through its ubiquitous stored value card and payment solution specifically designed for secure purchases. Purchase a pV card, register to win a trip to vegas*, ride our mechanical bull, enjoy meeting our girls and more at our tailgate bus. Michigan vs. Michigan State, October 7th All DayvEvent Startingat 8an inIll the Pure Vanilla Bus in the Pioneer Parking Lot Ca GIRLS CONFESSIONALBOOTH MECIANICAL BULL AND MORE! * No purchase necessary.