8A - Friday, September 25, 2009 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Bower and Co. ready for Big Ten Wood and Blais ." ." thriving on and off the soccer pitch By ZAK PYZIK Blais is credited for starting. For the Daily "Finally, he's just in his sliding shorts and he's running the ball To their teammates, they're out," Klein said jokingly. referred to as Woody and Bricks. Wood brings a unique persona To the adversary, they're a threat- to the practice environment. He ening duo capable of being soccer's is typically known for listening to finest. techno music before each game Together, Michigan men's soc- to pump himself up, according to cer defenseman Alex Wood and freshman midfielder Hamoody goalie Chris "Bricks" Blais - who Saad. gets the nickname for his brick- "Woody, he doesn't start, but wall guise in the box - have bal- he comes off the bench with a lot anced a competitive atmosphere of motivation," Saad, Wood's road with a fun and lively environment. roommate, said. "Chris is the biggest motiva- Wood and Blais have discovered tor," junior forward Justin Meram a way to work as two role models said. "I look to him as a captain of cooperatively, something that will our squad. He lifts our spirits up come in handy as the Wolverines and gets us pumped and ready for (5-1) embark on a journey to Uni- every victory. I'm always really versity Park to take on a fierce comfortable playing when Chris is Penn State (4-3-1) squad. on the field." Traveling to State College will Blais has displayed tremendous be difficult - Michigan will have athleticism this season. Having to take a seven-hour bus ride this not allowed a second half-goal in weekend. But the Nittany Lions five games, his play in the net has are coming off a heartbreaking been a catalyst to the Wolverines' 1-1 tie they had two days ago. This success. means the Wolverines may have But even when the team is not the momentum heading into the under the lights, Blais develops game, since Penn State fans wit- unique ways to foster team unity. nessed such a disappointing loss. According to freshman mid- "On the field, Chris and I give fielder Alex Klein, Blais slowly each other our own space and we took off his clothes during team know that each will pull our own fitness tests at the beginning of the weight and come together for the season - it's now a tradition that win," Wood said. Michigan looks to and Missouri. "Those are all equitable of a Big start conference Ten-level team," Rosen said. "Some years you might go into Big Ten play play s rong nthe with one or two of those matches, but this year we have six or seven, Hoosier state and that'lle advantageous forus" The Wolverines have finished By MARK BURNS as high as fifth in the conference Daily Sports Writer during Bower's career, but more is expected of her and her teammates The look in her eyes and the tone who have underperformed after of her voice suggested that this starting out so strong in non-con- year might be different for Megan ference play. Bower and the No. 8 Michigan vol- "Our expectations are always leyball team. highregardless of the team," Bower "We talk about the Big Ten (title) said. "This year, we had a lot of vet- all the time," Bower said. "It's defi- erans coming back. ... There's defi- nitely a goal of ours to win and to nitely higher expectations this year just compete. Being a senior, I think and there's a harder work ethic - it means alittle bit more, just know- but that's expected day-in and day- ing it's your last one. ... But I think out - no excuses." we definitely have an expectation That harder work ethic paid of winningthe Big Ten this year." dividends on Aug. 28 when Michi- Over the last three seasons, the gan shocked the volleyball world Wolverines are 51-1 in non-confer- by knocking off the then-No. 3 ence play but just 30-30 against Big Nebraska in straight sets. The win Ten foes. highlighted how farthe Wolverines Granted, Michigan plays in one had come after last year's three-set of the toughest conferences in the debacle against the Cornhuskers in country - Penn State has won the Sweet 16. back-to-back national champion- But for now, Michigan has its ships - but the team must improve eyes set solely on Indiana - who its conference play to become an the Wolverines play tonight in the elite program. Hoosier state for its first confer- And that could possibly happen ence match - even if the thought this year, according to Michigan of a Big Ten title is lingering in the coach Mark Rosen. back of everyone's mind. He feels Michigan (12-1) is bet- "Expectations can become a ter prepared for Big Ten play than pretty big burden to carry some- in previous years. The Wolverines times," Rosen said. "We have to played a veryadifficult preseason focus on everym atchindividu- schedule, with matches against ally. We have 20 matches left, and then-No. 3 Nebraska, Oregon State, we just need to take them one at a Tennessee, Kansas State, Xavier time." 6 0 sAID ALSALAH/Daily Senior Megan Bower has gone .500 in conference play at Michigan. Bower and the Wolverines are focused on winning the program's first conference title since 1981. Around the Nation: Harris and Best highlight the field By ALEX PROSPERI and MARK BURNS Daily Sports Writers NO. 9 MIAMI AT NO.11 VIRGINIA TECH Less than three weeks ago, Jacory Harris was just the next Miami quarterback trying to bring a depleted program back to star- dom. Now, Harris is ranked fourth on ESPN's Heisman Watch, and a win in Blacksburg against a Virgin- ia Tech defense that gives up fewer than 20 points per game will move him even higher. The Hurricanes and Hokies will take the field as ranked opponents for the first time since 2005, and the game is significant for both sides. After dropping its opener to then-No. 5 Alabama, Virginia Tech has taken care of Marshall and No. 19 Nebraska. The Hokies face just one ranked team (No.22 North Car- olina) the rest of the way, so if they take care of business at home, a BCS bowl game is certainly in reach. Miami's schedule has the Hurri- canes playing No. 18 Florida State, No.14 Georgia Tech, No.11Virginia Tech and No. 10 Oklahoma in their first four games. But Harris and Co. took care of business in Tallahas- see and at home against the Yellow Jackets. If Miami - which is ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 2005 - beats the Hokies, you can bet college football analysts will be salivating over the Hurricanes - and Harris. NO.6 CALIFORNIA AT OREGON Behind the legs of running back Jahvid Best, the Golden Bears look bound for The Rose Bowl and maybe even for the BCS national championship game. Best rushed for 131 yards and a school-record five touchdowns on 7.8 yards per carry lastweek against Minnesota. He's behind just Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in ESPN's Heisman Watch, and with Oregon this week and Southern Cal next week, Best has a prime opportunity to solidify his place. Cal is putting up nearly 50 points a game while giving up less than 14. Oregon has been outscored through three games after starting the sea- son at No.16. This is the Ducks' last statement game for more than a month, and they certainly need it. As for Best, another dominating performance could push him past Tebow. ARKANSAS AT NO.3 ALABAMA If not for freshman quarterback Tate Forcier's promising future, Michigan fans would have been screaming at their TVs last Sat- urday. Alabama quarterback and former Michigan gunslinger Ryan Mallett threw for 408 yards and five touchdowns in a 52-41 loss against Georgia. Mallett and the nation's second- best offense might have trouble in Tuscaloosa, as Alabama has given up just 45 points in three games. On the other side of the ball, don't be surprised if Alabama hits the SO-point mark. The Crimson Tide average 42.3 points per game and Arkansas is allowing 31 this season. Mallett will either burst into the national spotlight as an elite col- lege quarterback, or the Alabama defense will give Mallett a good taste of the Bryant-Denny Stadium grass. WASHINGTO SOUl After losing a Washington zero wins in20 12th-ranked T bounce back in The Trojans back games si roll's first year with freshman Barkley returt shoulder keptI against Wash ready to take' against heavy ton State. Don't expe game to be clo )N STATE AT NO.12 THERN CAL _ a close 16-13 game to team that recorded 008 last Saturday, the rojans are looking to a big way. haven'tlostback-to- nce coach Pete Car- in Los Angeles, and n quarterback Matt ning after a bruised him on the sidelines ington, Carroll is out some frustration underdog Washing- ct this West Coast se after halftime. 0 0 6 Sophomore Jacory Harris and Miami travel to Virginia Tech in the weekend's highest-profile game. Harris is ranked fourth on ESPN's Heisman Watch. - i - F - STAFF PICKS The Daily football writers do their best to predict what happens in the 2009 football season. No. 23 Michigan (-20.5) vs. Indiana No.1 Florida (-21) at Kentucky No.2 Texas(-36)vs. UTEP No. 3Alabama (-17.5) vs. Arkansas No. 4 Mississippi (-4) vs. South Carolina No. 5 Penn State (-10) vs. Iowa No. 6 California (-5.5) vs. Oregon No. 7 LSU (-12) at Mississippi State No. 8 Boise St. (-16.5) at Bowling Green No. 9 Miami (-3) vs at No. 11 VA Tech No.12 Southern Cal (-45) vs. Wash St. No.13 Ohio State (-14) vs. Illinois No.14 Cincinnati (-17) vs. Fresno State No.15 TCU (-2.5) at Clemson No.16 Okla. St. (NS) vs. Grambling St. No.17 Houston (PK) vs. Texas Tech No.18 Florida St. (-14) vs. South Florida No.19 BYU (-17) vs. Colorado St. No. 20 Kansas (-14) vs. Southern Miss. No. 21 Georgia (-11.5) vs. Arizona State No. 22 UNC (+3) at Georgia Tech No. 24 Washington (+7) at Stanford No. 25 Nebraska (-28) vs. La-Lafayette Wisconsin (-3) vs. Michigan State Northwestern (-1.5) vs. Minnesota Purdue (+7) vs. Notre Dame Last Week Overall Michael Eisenstem Indiana Kentucky UTEP Arkansas Mississippi Iowa California LSU Boise State Virginia Tech Washington State Illinois Cincinnati Texas Christian Oklahoma State Texas Tech Florida State BYU Kansas Georgia North Carolina Stanford Nebraska Michigan State Northwestern Purdue 14-7-1 43-21-1 Ruth Lincoln Courtney Ratkowiak 0 Andy Reid ?A T- Michigan Kentucky Texas Arkansas Mississippi Iowa California Mississippi State Boise State Virginia Tech Southern Cal Illinois Cincinnati Texas Christian Oklahoma State Houston Florida State BYU Kansas Georgia Georgia Tech Stanford Nebraska Michigan State Northwestern Notre Dame 12-9-1 39-25-1 Michigan Florida UTEP Arkansas Mississippi Iowa Oregon LSU Boise State Miami Washington State Ohio State Cincinnati Clemson Oklahoma State Texas Tech Florida State BYU Kansas Georgia Georgia Tech Washington Louisiana-Lafayette Wisconsin Minnesota Notre Dame 12-9-1 39-25-1 Michigan Florida UTEP Arkansas Mississippi Penn State California LSU Boise State Miami Washington State Illinois Cincinnati Texas Christian Oklahoma State Houston Florida State BYU Kansas Georgia North Carolina Washington Nebraska Wisconsin Northwestern Notre Dame 12-9-1 33-31-1 With just one game between two ranked opponents, the week- end has potential to be uneventful. But with two Hesiman hopefuls on the verge of stardom, it should be an exciting weekend of college football. Guest Picker: Michigan Marching Band Drum Major David Hines Jr. Michigan Florida Texas Arkansas Mississippi Iowa California LSU Boise State Virginia Tech Southern Cal Illinois Fresno State Clemson Oklahoma State Texas Tech Florida State BYU Kansas Georgia Georgia Tech Washington Nebraska Michigan State Minnesota Notre Dame 11-10-1 37-27-1 a 6 To apply to be a guest picker, e-mail lincolnr@umich.edu. If you're chosen and can beat at least two of us, you'll stay on for another week. The longest tenured guest picker will get a prize at the end of the season.