Upsets may transpire this
weekend
 Miami
received some disrespect in the polls this week, losing the top spot
to preseason No. 1 Florida, but the Hurricanes have a huge opportunity
to jump back into the No. 1 spot if they win at No. 14 Florida State
this Saturday.
That game, which narrowly edged the No. 10 Washington/No.
7 UCLA clash, is our top non-conference game. But don't look past the
Big Ten, which has several big games on its schedule.
For those of you scoring at home (or just reading
the paper), last week Doug Healey and Keith Thomas were both 4-2. Doug
and his Decision remain because ties go to the returning champion. Paul
and his Pick are back in action this week. Here's what we think.
No. 2 Miami (4-0) at No. 14 Florida State (3-1)
Last week Miami beat Troy State 38-7. The Seminoles
had a bye last week and last played on Sept. 29 when they defeated Wake
Forest 48-24.
Doug's Decision: Although the Seminoles
were upset 44-9 by North Carolina on Sept. 22, they're still one of
the toughest teams in the country. After all, Florida State has had
two weeks to prepare and has won 54 straight games at home in Doak Campbell
Stadium. But guess who the last team was that beat Florida State at
home? You're right, Miami, in 1991. The Hurricanes will snap this streak
too, when they beat the Seminoles 24-21.
Paul's Pick: Miami is good, but Florida's
better, and the 1991 Miami squad could beat 'em both. Florida State's
not as good as either team, but the 'Noles are at home. Granted, they
have no all-stars and Miami has several, led by Heisman Trophy candidate
Ken Dorsey at quarterback. However, home-field advantage and a collective
desire to return to the top 10 will push Florida State to a 24-19 win
(Hey, I have to pick some upsets).
No. 17 Purdue (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at No. 12 Michigan
(4-1, 2-0)
Last week Purdue defeated Iowa 23-14 at home. The
Wolverines shut out Penn State 20-0 on the road.
Doug's Decision: The Boilers are 4-0 for
the second time under coach Joe Tiller. And although Michigan is last
in the Big Ten in pass defense, which seems to benefit Purdue's pass-happy
offense, it won't matter. The Boilers haven't won at Michigan since
1966, and they won't this year. Purdue has started slowly in every game
this season, but it won't be able to recover this time. Look for Marquise
Walker to dominate Purdue's secondary as the Wolverines win at the Big
House, 27-17.
Paul's Pick: Interesting fact — under
seventh-year coach Lloyd Carr, the Wolverines are 23-1 at home when
scoring first. The only way Purdue will even have a chance to win this
game is if they're up by 10 after the first quarter. The Purdue defense
is better than the one that gave up Joe Tiller's worst defeat at Purdue
(a 38-12 loss) in 1999. But the offense is nowhere near as reliable
as Drew Brees' high-powered 1999 unit. Purdue will gain fewer than 60
yards on the ground and only slightly more through the air as Michigan
wins 37-12.
Illinois (4-1, 1-1) at Indiana (1-3, 1-1)
Last week Indiana beat Wisconsin 63-32 on the road.
Illinois defeated Minnesota 25-14 at home.
Doug's Decision: Somebody please smack me
in the face and wake me up because I still can't believe the Hoosiers
pulled off that fluke at Wisconsin. Big deal. Cam Cameron will still
lose his job after this season, making this week stop five on his farewell
tour. Don't worry. The Hoosiers will return to form and show why they're
the doormat in the Big Ten. Illinois wins 34-20.
Paul's Pick: Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner
will challenge Northwestern's Damien Anderson and Zak Kustok for Big
Ten offensive player of the year honors this year. He'll jump ahead
in the race after this weekend when he tears up Indiana for more than
500 yards and a few touchdowns. Had Illinois beaten Michigan Sept. 22,
the Fighting Illini would be ranked in the top 25. Maybe they will be
this week after they win 41-28.
Iowa (3-1, 1-1) at Michigan State (2-1, 0-1)
The Hawkeyes lost to Purdue last week, 23-14. Michigan
State had a bye last week. The Spartans lost to Northwestern 27-26 on
Sept. 29.
Doug's Decision: The Spartans won at Notre
Dame and should have beaten Northwestern. They've had two weeks to prepare
for the Hawkeyes, and they haven't played at home since Sept. 8. Look
for the Spartans to play inspired football in front of a hostile crowd.
Michigan State wins 24-14.
Paul's Pick: Iowa was 3-0 at home, but once
it got out of the corn of Iowa and into our Indiana stalks the team
wasn't so good, as illustrated by senior quarterback Kyle McCann's two
interceptions. The size of both these teams' lines should make for a
stalemate in the running game, but because Michigan State has twice
as many decent quarterbacks as Iowa, the Spartans prevail 19-10.
Minnesota (1-3, 0-2) at Northwestern (3-1, 1-1)
Last week the Gophers lost to Illinois 25-14 on
the road. Northwestern lost for the first time this season, 38-20 at
Ohio State.
Doug's Decision: I think the Minnesota
players still have the overtime loss to Purdue on their minds. And while
they're still in that funk, the Big Ten's No. 1 offense awaits them.
Look for Anderson to have a big day for the Wildcats, who are hungry
for a victory after their first loss of the season last week. Northwestern
wins at home, 34-20.
Paul's Pick: Forget the Golden Gophers'
lingering feelings of failure (although that Purdue comeback was unforgettable)
or their thoughts of revenge (remember that Hail Mary last year in The
Metrodome?). This game will come down to this — I could gain 100
yards against Minnesota's defense— it's that bad— and Northwestern's
offense is too good to trifle around and get outscored. 'Cats win 54-24.
Wisconsin (3-3, 1-1) at No. 21 Ohio State (3-1,
2-0)
Last week Wisconsin was blown out at home by Indiana,
63-32. Ohio State beat Northwestern 38-20.
Doug's Decision: I'm sure the Badgers are
still trying to figure out what happened against the Hoosiers last week.
How embarrassing is that? Ohio State, meanwhile, has won its last two
games and beat a potent Northwestern team at home last week. Look for
a dominating performance again this week. Buckeyes roll, 31-10.
Paul's Pick: First Wisconsin gets put on
five years' probation by the NCAA, losing some football scholarships
in the process, then they lose by 31 to the worst team in the conference.
That's sort of like staying up all night to finish a lengthy paper on
time and then having a teacher tell you he's moved the due date —
you want to cuss a lot and then hide when no one's looking. Anyway,
the Buckeyes looked good at home against Northwestern last week.
Ohio State cornerback Mike Doss is an NFL first-round draft pick, so
look for him and the defense to hold Wisconsin down in a 27-6 win.
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