0 0. S& S S S S s S S Se 2B - Football Saturday - October 24, 2008 2008 Michigan Schedule Utah, L 23-25: Michigan was expected to haye growing pains. And after a failed comeback attempt, the Wolverines were on the wrong end of an opening game for the second year in a row. Miami (Ohio), W 16-6: At least this gawe isn't against Oregon. Michigan should be able to win against the average Mid-Awerican Conterence teaw or the Wolverines might really be in trouble. at Notre Dame, L 17-35: With six turnovers, it looked like this could be one of the sloppiest games the Wolverines would play. It was - for a week. Wisconsin, W 27-25: The first half was terrible. The second half was inspiring. And though Threet continued to improve, the Wolverines had no rhythm until their backs were against the wall. Illinois, L 45-20: It was an historic day for all the wrong reasons. Michigan allowed the most points at home since 1991, and it was the Wolverines' worst Big Ten loss since 1968. Toledo, L 13-10: Well, there goes that perfect streak against Mid-American Conference teams. No one saw that coming, even with a Michigan team like this. at Penn State, L 46-17: Things were going great for Michigan early. Then everything collapsed. The Wolverines were outscored 32-0 in the second half and lost for the first time in ten games. Michigan State: It takes some guts to guarantee a win in your next game just moments after losing by 29 points. But that's what junior Brandon Graham did. Can Michigan make it happen? at Purdue: Senior quarterback Curtis Painter may give Michigan's secondary trouble, but that's about all the Wolverines need to worry about. at Minnesota: Watch out - Minnesota is already bowl-eligible. If it's any help to upset Michigan fans, the Golden Gophers had just one win last season. October 24, 2008 - Football Saturday - 7B Harrison knows key to Spartan offense The Michigan Daily football writers give 12 bold predictions for tomorrow's game. Some of these are safe, some are daring - and some are just outlandish. The Wolverines have traditionally had higher-ranked recruiting classes than the Spartans. But over the past 10/25 few years, Michigan is looking more out-of-state. Read more about what that means for high school athletes in Michigan who have grown up loving the Wolverines. !i111!IIIIIIIIIIIII!lillillII!IIIm 1111i n ltillltllllilifillillill1111i!111!11111!II111iilillllll111IIIIIIIIIIIIIII!II1!I1!i!!i111i111i1!!II!III!I1!!1II~ ili!1!!!i!!I!II!-I!!I. l!1!!. III.. - - 1 / According to the stats, who has the edge? Read here to see the breakdown of Michigan and Michigan State's offense, defense, special teams and intangibles. Breakout performances from freshmen and injuries have impact- ed this week's depth chart. Learn more about who will likely start against the Spartans and who won't even make the list. By COURTNEY RATKOWIAK Daily Sports Editor Michigan State running back Javon Ringer has averaged 147.4 rushing yards per game this season, second-best inthe nation. He has scored 14 of his team's 24 touchdowns. He can lay flat on his back and jump to a standing position without using his hands, "I mean, the guy's a freak," Michigan Spartan quarter- State at back Brian Hoyer said at Big Ten Me- Michigan dia Day in July. Matchup: "I saw him squat Michigan State 520 pounds five 6-2, 3-1; Michi- times." gan 2-5,1-1 But when he When: Swatur- playedforCham- day 3:30 P.M. inade-Julienne TV/Radio: High School in ABC Dayton, Ohio, the seemingly invincibleRinger was sidelined as a senior after knee surgery - and his replacement at running back for the team's first-round state playoff game was current Michi- gan safety Brandon Harrison. Harrison and Ringer were the running backs in their high school's two-hack system. In that playoff win, Harrison was the team's star on his 18th birthday with 219 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Now, with Ringer getting the glory as one of the nation's best backs, Harrison is all too happy to talk about his former teammate and best friend. "I'm proud of him, man," Har- rison said. "I mean, everybody is. We kind of knew this was going to happen eventuully." Harrison said two of Ringer's strongest assets in high school were his good vision and balance. Thattalenthas helped Ringergain 1,179 yards so far this season for the Spartans. With 263 carries, Ringer has one fewer than all of Michigan State's opponents com- bined this season. In other words, Ringer is the Michigan State offense - and the Wolverines know that all too well. Last year, even while splitting time with running back Jehuu Caul- crick, Ringer rushed for 128 yards in Michigan's 28-24 win. His only real struggle this season was in last week's 45-7 loss to Ohio State, when he was held to a season-low 69 rushingyards on16 carries. "They've played really, really well, Wolverines will win Saturday. Add last game notwithstanding, Michi- that to former Michigan running gan coach Rich Rodriguez said. "I back Mike Hart's now-infamous think they got a "little brother" comment couple plays that last year, and the Spar- kind of skewed it "I don't think tans have lots of motiva- there a little bit tion. in the Ohio State w e are ever "I don't think we are game. Whatever going to ever lose to their best effort is, gon gState," Graham said after I'm sure we'll get Michigan's 46-17 loss to that Saturday." to State." Penn State. "I'm feeling The Spartans' like we're not gonna to best effort will lose to State because likely be fueled by that's just - we're not Michigan junior defensive end Bran- going to lose to State. We are going don Graham's guarantee that the to work hard. We're gonna win" UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN School of Social Work FEDELE F. AND IRIS M. FAURI MEMORIAL LECTURE "The Impact of the Aging of America on Children's Health" Gary L. Freed, MD, MPH U-M professor of pediatrics, professor of health management and policy Though Dantonio answered Hart's comment after the Spartans' loss last year by poking fun at the running back's height, he responded differently to Graham's comments Tuesday. "Pretty soft bulletin board mate- rial to me, soft," Dantonio said. "And you know, when I say that, it's not deliberate and antagonistic - that's fine. I don't see that really as big ma- terial." Both teams will be looking to end streaks Saturday. Michigan (2-5 overall, 1-2 Big Ten), currently on a three-game losing skid, will need to win Saturday or it will have to win out for a chance to extend its 33-year bowl streak. Michigan State (6-2,3-1) has lost six straight against the Wol- verines, but is coming to Michigan Stadium already bowl-eligible. "You can't really compare Michi- gan to any other game because they are a whole different category of their own" Ringer said. 11/15 Northwestern: It's always good to have a game against a doormat before facing Ohio State, right? But at 6-1, the Wildcats don't exactly look like a warmup anymore. /22 at Ohio State: Michigan has lost four straight against the Buckeyes, and Ohio 1 22 State will be shooting for a prime BCS bowl bid. This could be ugly. Mon., Oct. 27, 3 p.m. RSVP 734-763-6886 1080 S. University Ann Arbor ITgot A's, ... Thanks to ra FFSI (248) 943-1465 617 E. University, Ste 238 FAR FROM STANDARD www.FarFromStandard.com Ann Arbor, MI Meet the BEST tutoring team on campus Don't believe us? WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT We have analyzed U of M specific courses and have figured out the best way to teach the material. Most popular courses: Calculus, Physics, Biology, Econ, Spanish (we guarantee fluency), General and Organic Chemistry. Call for a complete class list DO WE COST TOO MUCH? Check out our rates on our website. -Anastas, class of 2011 FFS is not in the practice of turning call or visit our office if away students because of inability to you would like a free pay. We have a very simple financial pen, Frisbee, ping pong aid application that can reduce your ball, shirt, or morel rate. We even provide free tutoring for You can enter in a raffle qualifying students. to win a FREE iTOUCH Call for more information about prices (no strings attached) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY'S FOOTBALL NEWSLETTER. MICHIGANDAILY. COM/EMAI L If you don't like your first session, then you owe us absolutely nothing! So why wait? Call us now - You have nothing to lose! We look forward to proving that we are the best!