Football
Tom's Tip Sheet
By Tom Orr with Tony GerdemanThe weekend you’ve been waiting all year for is finally upon us.
People will come from all over, wait in long lines, pay exorbitant prices… anything to say that they were there on the biggest day of the year.
Some will question the sanity of these fans. But those who are there know that they will experience something they’ll never forget.
And then they’ll go home and look forward to the next time… when they get to do it all over again.
But enough about the new Harry Potter movie… there’s a football game this weekend, too!
Last week—Tom: 3-2, Tony 3-2.
Overall—Tom: 36-30-1, Tony 33-33-1. The Quarter, 34-33Wednesday, November 16
Teams: Northern Illinois (5-4) at Toledo (7-2)
Time (TV): 7:30 pm (ESPN2)
Line: Toledo by 7.5
Interest: 2
Cheer For: ToledoTom’s Synopsis: Toledo would lock up a spot in the MAC championship game with a win in this one.
That’s right, a free trip to Detroit in December!
Just to illustrate how excited the city is for that one, a chain of gas stations up here is offering tickets for $5 if you fill up with eight gallons. I’m pretty sure the SEC and Big XII have the same deal for their championship games.
Tony's Rebuttal: Any time is a good time for a trip to Detroit for Detroit Junior.
I remember when I used to go fishing as a child. All that I would ever catch is bluegill, which is a small, pointless fish. I still remember the first fish larger than a bluegill that I ever caught. It was a bullhead, and it was ugly. Toledo is a lot like a bluegill, and Detroit is a lot like a bullhead.
I did catch a couple of bass this one time, but I had to throw them back because they were too little.
We also caught some sun-type fish at my buddy Johnny's neighbor's pond. We would go over there and fish and swim when his neighbors would leave. They hated it.
I think those are the only four types of fish that I have ever caught. Besides carp, but I feel guilty even mentioning that.
Saturday, November 19
Teams: #7 Virginia Tech (8-1) at Virginia (6-3)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN)
Line: Va Tech by 7
Interest: 3
Cheer For: VirginiaTom’s Synopsis: Virginia Tech is ranked ahead of the Buckeyes, so Virginia Tech must go down.
The Inuit people have a saying which I think it quite apropos in this situation; “When you need help from Al Groh, you need more help than that.”
Tony's Rebuttal: Do the Inuit also have over 400 words for "The Rich Man's Dave Wannstedt"?
Teams: Northwestern (6-4) at Illinois (2-8)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN-Plus/Gameplan)
Line: Northwestern by 14
Interest: 1
Cheer For: NorthwesternTom’s Synopsis: Is there something I’m missing here? Did Brett Basanez and Tyrell Sutton miss the plane back to Evanston after the OSU game? Hell, even if they did, isn’t this the same Illinois that just lost 37-3 to Purdue last week? The same Illinois that hasn’t stayed within two touchdowns of any team not named Rutgers or San Jose State?
Thought so.
Pick #1: Northwestern -14
Tony's Rebuttal: There is no doubt that Northwestern is going to come into this game angry. That, of course, means that Illinois better watch their "personal belongings".
There may be more grabbing and pulling in this one than a Tennessee Milk-A-Thon.
If Illinois were just a little bit better, I'd take the points.
Pick #1: Northwestern -14
Teams: Minnesota (7-3) at Iowa (6-4)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN2)
Line: Iowa by 4.5
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: IowaTom’s Synopsis: Another strange line. I know the Hawkeyes are generally a very tough out in Iowa City, but this has been far from a good team this year.
However, I don’t have any desire to put my money (or whatever the heck we’re putting behind our picks) where Glen Mason is, especially on the road.
This should, however, be the most entertaining game that’s played for a big metal pig all season long.
Tony's Rebuttal: Let me break it down very easily for you: Glen Mason vs Kirk Ferentz.
If you need more help than that, you must be ensconced in maize and blue right now
Teams: Harvard (6-3) at Yale (4-5)
Time (TV): 12:30 pm (No TV)
No Line
Interest: 1
Cheer For: HarvardTom’s Synopsis: I can hear you now, “why is this one on here? I don’t want to have to think about this one!” (Actually that’s just Tony. You, dear reader, are almost certainly excited to see this as it means that we’ll be discussing pretty much all of the insignificant rivalry games this week. That, in turn, means that you will be able to kill about three extra minutes at work, reading about those bonus games. And that in turn means that you will be three minutes close to the kickoff of OSU-Michigan than you otherwise would have. You’re welcome.)
I was going to break this one down by disproving Fermat’s Last Theorem or creating a sustainable cold fusion reaction, but then I realized that Prison Break was coming on soon, so here’s a haiku instead:
Don’t worry Bulldogs.
Your team might not win the game.
But they’re wicked smaht.
Tony's Rebutal: Why are we cheering for Harvard? Their two most famous alumni are John Adams and John Hancock. Boring.Whereas Yale has graduated the likes of Jodie Foster, Ed Norton and C. Montgomery Burns.
<scoff>And yet you cheer for Harvard.</scoff>
Teams: Kentucky (3-6) at #14 Georgia (7-2)
Time (TV): 12:30 pm (Jefferson Pilot/Gameplan)
Line: Georgia by 27
Interest: 2
Cheer For: KentuckyTom’s Synopsis: Georgia’s pretty much already out of the at-large BCS picture; if they want to get in, they need to win the SEC championship game. But one more loss couldn’t hurt, right?
The ‘Cats exploded for 48 points at Vanderbilt last weekend, ending the Commodores’ hopes for a bowl bid. They might not crack double-digits in this one.
Tony's Rebuttal: I think Kentucky could eek out 13, meaning Georgia would have to score 40 to cover. I don't see it, though.
If Georgia wins this one, they are in the SEC Championship Game. If they win that, the Buckeyes may be going to a Florida bowl, and not the Orange. LSU is going to win out and face Georgia in the Championship Game. If LSU loses that, they'll be 10-2 and just as eligible for a BCS bid as a 9-2 Buckeye team (assuming there were such a thing as a 9-2 Buckeye team.)
But there are bigger things to worry about than BCS bids this week.
Teams: Vanderbilt (4-6) at Tennessee (4-5)
Time (TV): 12:30 pm (Jefferson Pilot/Gameplan)
Line: Tennessee by 11
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: VanderbiltTom’s Synopsis: Vandy got off to a great start this year and got everyone worked up about how they were going to make a bowl game. Since then, they’ve lost six in a row, including home losses to Middle Tennessee State and Kentucky.
However, they’ve tended to play to their level of competition at times this fall, and anyone who watched them play at Florida knows that they can score points when they want to.
Given that, and the fact that Tennessee looked like a pile of crap last weekend against Memphis (trailing after three quarters and winning 20-16), I’m going to be a big sucker and take the points.
Pick #2: Vandy +11
Tony's Rebuttal: Here are Tennessee's points scored this season: 17 vs UAB; 7 at Florida; 30 at LSU (which was a gigantic fluke); 27 vs Mississippi; 14 vs Georgia; 3 at Alabama; 15 vs South Carolina; 21 at Notre Dame; and 20 vs Memphis.
Assuming Vanderbilt will score 13, how in the world does Tennessee expect to score 24?
However, it's getting to the point in the season where I have to start making picks based on what Tom has picked. So this would be a prime time to take Tennessee. It's just that they are so bad right now.
Relying on Tennessee's offense is about as smart as homemade skin grafts.
Somebody go get my scissors and steak knife.
Pick #2: Tennessee -11
Teams: Duke (1-9) at North Carolina (4-5)
Time (TV): 1:00 pm (No TV)
Line: UNC by 23.5
Interest: 1
Cheer For: DukeTom’s Synopsis: UNC actually lost to Duke the last time these teams met in Chapel Hill.
Technically, the Heels are still alive in the race for a bowl game. All they need to do is win this one and then go to Blacksburg and beat the Hokies.
One out of two ain’t bad.
Tony's Rebuttal: Duke's starting quarterback's name is Zack Asack.
If Duke were ever on television, I would get so sick of the announcers' stupid play on words.
Fortunately for all of America, Duke will never be on meaningful television.
Teams: Purdue (4-6) at Indiana (4-6)
Time (TV): 1:00 pm (No TV)
Line: Purdue by 13
Interest: 1
Cheer For: IndianaTom’s Synopsis: Speaking of basketball schools with crappy football programs…
For the last month or so I’ve been waiting for this game, knowing that the Boilermakers would be giving too many points. It’s in Bloomington, the Hoosiers are better than they have been, and the Boilermakers have significant problems.
But then, one IU receiver got hurt and another got suspended. Their best linebacker got hurt, and Purdue found themselves a quarterback.
Oh well, maybe next year.
Tony's Rebuttal: For the past six years or so, this has been the battle for the best team in the state. Now, not so much. Heck, it's not even a battle, and I'm pretty sure the state has disavowed all knowledge of this match up.
I even put in a call to Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to see if he had any words about this game. Here's the transcript of our conversation:
[Phone rings]
Governor: 'Yello.
Me: Governor? My name is Tony. I'm calling to get some words from you for Tom's Tip Sheet.
Governor: Sure, sure. We sure are going to get those Orangemen this year.
Me: Sorry, sir. I'm not calling to talk about Notre Dame. I'm calling about Purdue at Indiana.
Governor: And did you see the way ol' Charlie Weis dispatched of Navy? That was tremendous. It was tremendous for the state. It's been so long since the great state of Indiana has had a team to hang their hats on.
Me: Sir, Purdue has been a pretty decent program over the last eight or nine years, no?
Governor: And the way they took USC right to the brink, man that was sweet!
Me: Okay, so you like Notre Dame. I get it. Have you ever met Charlie Weis?
Governor: Are you kidding?! I wish! I don't know what I would even say to him. I would probably just clam up and then have to go bury my head under my pillow. I would just totally die!
Me: What did you think about Ty Willingham?
Governor: What was that you were saying about Purdue?
Teams: Temple (0-10) at Navy (5-4)
Time (TV): 1:30 pm (CSTV)
Line: Navy by 27.5
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: NavyTom’s Synopsis: The Mids should be bowl-eligible after this one. It’s also a chance to tune up before the big finale against Army.
After this one ends, the only people happier than Navy fans will be (soon-to-be former) Temple coach Bobby Wallace, who is likely going to burn everything maroon in his closet within 24 hours of the final gun.
Leaving the Temple head coaching job is like getting out of prison after being wrongly convicted and serving a long sentence. You’re happy to be out, but you know the experience has scarred you for life.
This game is just one last drop of the soap.
Tony's Rebuttal: Ewwwwwwwww.
Teams: Syracuse (1-8) at #6 Notre Dame (7-2)
Time (TV): 2:30 pm (NBC)
Line: Notre Dame by 34.5
Interest: 1
Cheer For: SyracuseTom’s Synopsis: Syracuse got shut out at home by South Florida last week. They lost at home to Cincinnati earlier this year. They still haven’t beaten a team that has won a game all season long.
If Notre Dame doesn’t cover the spread comfortably this weekend, they should drop in the polls.
Pick #3: Notre Dame -34.5
Tony’s Rebuttal: Ah, but Tom, South Florida and Cincinnati have better defenses than Notre Dame. The Irish gave up 21 points to Tennessee for crying out loud.
21 points to Tennessee is about the same as 10 points to Syracuse. So, you're telling me that Notre Dame is going to score 45 points against Syracuse?
What the heck, give me Syracuse. Notre Dame is going to be looking ahead to their trip to mighty Stanford.
Of course, now that I think about it, Charlie Weis has to make his guys look as impressive as possible for BCS purposes. If he can put 55 up on Syracuse, he's going to do it.
But, I've already put my Syracuse slippers on.
Pick #3: Syracuse +34.5
Teams: Utah (5-5) at BYU (6-4)
Time (TV): 3:00 pm (Gameplan)
Line: BYU by 11.5
Interest: 1
Cheer For: UtahTom’s Synopsis: The battle for the Beehive Boot should make for compelling drama in the fine city of Provo. Provo, Spain? No, Utah.
It's wedged in between Wyoming and Nevada. You've seen pictures.
Tony's Rebuttal: There's a Provo, Spain? Is it pronounced "Leema" as well?
Teams: Idaho (2-7) at Boise State (7-3)
Time (TV): 3:00 pm (No TV)
Line: BSU by 31
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Boise StateTom’s Synopsis: The only team whose nickname directly refers to a misdemeanor (unless you count the Fighting Irish as a form of assault) squares off against their in-state rivals with the funny carpet.
Boise State is a little down this year (they lost to Fresno State last week, their first WAC loss in years), but still own the nation’s second-longest home winning streak.
They shouldn’t have any trouble extending it here, and will probably get a chance to play their bowl game at home in about a month in whatever the heck they’re calling the Humanitarian Bowl these days.
Tony's Rebuttal: I think it's only assault if you're sober enough to file charges.
As far as the game is concerned, Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky has completely regressed from where he was last year. He is totally smearing the legacies of Bart Hendricks and Ryan Dinwiddie right now.
They were never even in the Fresno State game last weekend, and I don't think it would've been much better if the game was in Boise. (Funny fact: I started to look up what city Boise State was located in.) (It's in Boise, fwiw.)
Teams: Washington State (3-7) at Washington (2-8)
Time (TV): 3:15 pm (Fox Sports Net)
Line: WSU by 3
Interest: 1
Cheer For: WashingtonTom’s Synopsis: Washington has covered the Apple Cup game five years in a row, and pulled off outright upsets in three of those seasons. They’re also coming in off an impressive road win over Arizona.
On the other side of the field, the Cougars have had an amazing ability to play close with pretty much everyone this year without winning almost any of the games. They lost by a field goal against Stanford, UCLA, Oregon and Arizona State. They lost by four at Cal.
This should at least be a competitive game. Not pretty, not worth watching, but competitive.
Tony's Rebuttal: Interesting start time for this game. They must be trying to get a jump on the third quarter break from the Ohio State - Michigan game. FOX assumes that people will switch over and be so enthralled, that they'll forget to switch back.
If you ask me (and you did), Fox Sports shouldn't show any football games until 10:00 PM. Nobody cares about 3:30 Pac 10 games, but put this one on at 10:30, and you'll get the fiends to tune in until their midnight Hot Pockets are ready and they go to bed.
Teams: #8 Alabama (9-1) at #11 Auburn (8-2)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (CBS)
Line: Auburn by 7
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: AuburnTom’s Synopsis: You should be hoping that everyone ends up with a couple losses to give OSU a better shot for an at-large BCS berth.
This is a bitter rivalry game; think of it as a southern version of OSU-Michigan. The only differences are that everyone talks funny, one team or the other is usually bad and the other one’s usually on some sort of probation.
As a rivalry game, it’s usually very close. Given that, and the fact that Alabama’s defense is pretty damn good, I’m going to take the points here.
I’m going to hate myself once I watch highlights of the Tide putting up 37 yards of total offense in the first three quarters, but I’m going to take them anyway.
Final score: Auburn 13, Alabama 7 (with an interception returned for a touchdown)
Pick #4: Alabama +7
Tony's Rebutal: Are you trying to lose your lead this week?
A week and a half ago, Tide fans were talking about being left out of the Rose Bowl. After Saturday, they'll be making reservations for a hotel in a city less than a day's drive away.
How quickly the almost-was has fallen.
Auburn will win this one by 10.
Final Score: Auburn 17 - Alabama 9
(Yes, I know that that's only 8 points. I'm just testing the SEC fans.)
Pick #4: Auburn -7
Teams: #5 Penn State (9-1) at Michigan State (5-5)
Time (TV): 4:00 pm (ESPN)
Line: PSU by 7
Interest: 5
Cheer For: DependsTom’s Synopsis: No, we’re not talking about what’s under Joe Pa’s flood pants. Your rooting interests in this one will hinge entirely on what happens before it kicks off.
If the Buckeyes beat Michigan, you’ll be shaking your green-and-white pompoms extra hard, trying to get OSU an outright conference title.
If the unthinkable happens and the forces of evil triumph over the forces of good, you’ll be rooting like crazy for the Pretty Kitties. Otherwise, Michigan will get to go to the BCS.
I’ve said it for weeks… this game is a real trap for Penn State. No one is talking about it, but MSU is due to just go off. It makes absolutely no sense on paper, but when the Spartans are involved, nothing ever does.
Tony's Rebuttal: The O-Zone is relatively famous for having pre-game speeches attributed to coaches who have never given them. That being said, here's John L. Smith's pregame speech:
Gentlemen, I've never worn glasses, but if I did, they would be half-full. When I was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, I had a guide who only knew four words of English and I only knew four words of Kilimanjargon, so I never really got to teaching him how to play Euchre, but boys, when you're teaching a sherpa, sometimes it's the lessons that he teaches you that learn you what you need to know. You know?
He bought me an Oldsmobile back in '59. I never did thank him for that. I'm sorry, I'm talking about my dad now, not the sherpa. Anyway, when my daddy handed over the keys he said something to me that I've long forgotten but I remember thinking at the time that I should tell my kid the same thing when I buy him a car.
I never got a chance though, as I had totally forgotten that my dad had even said anything to me until a few minutes ago when Dr. Melphus asked me if how my sinuses were.
So, today you have a chance to make history. A chance to go out as winners. A chance to make all 147 die-hard Spartan fans proud of you. As proud of you as your parents were when you were accepted into this great college.
When you are out on that field, you're not just playing for yourself, you're playing for the entire University of Michigan State.
So when you see that first ball in the air, I want you to go out there and make something happen. And remember everybody, it's a one personal-foul limit out there. Once you use your one, you can't use anymore.
Let's go ahead and go get them then, and hope the coaches don't blow it!
Teams: Oregon State (5-5) at #10 Oregon (9-1)
Time (TV): 6:45 pm (Fox Sports Net)
Line: Oregon by 13.5
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Oregon StateTom’s Synopsis: I don’t think any BCS bowl in its right mind would pick the Ducks over the Buckeyes as an at-large selection, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have a “2” in their loss column.
The Beavers have covered the spread in 13 of the last 17 Civil Wars, but they haven’t won in Eugene since 1993.
Tony's Rebuttal: A one loss Pac 10 team is about equal to a three loss SEC or Big Ten team. Oregon has no shot to be chosen over anybody eligible, no matter how much Mack Brown whines and cries on their behalf.
Teams: Cal (6-4) at Stanford (5-4)
Time (TV): 7:00 pm (ABC-Regional/Gameplan)
Line: Cal by 3.5
Interest: 2
Cheer For: StanfordTom’s Synopsis: Your rooting interest is based partly on former OSU assistant Walt Harris and partly on my desire to reference their loss to UC-Davis during the bowl edition of the Tip Sheet.
The Cardinal has been improving steadily throughout the season. The same can not be said for the Golden Bears.
I actually typed in the Stanford pick, but ended up deciding against it.
Tony's Synopsis: Stanford has Cal and Notre Dame left on their schedule. Let's go out on a limb and make them 7-4.
Teams: Clemson (6-4) at South Carolina (7-3)
Time (TV): 7:00 pm (Gameplan)
Line: Clemson by 1.5
Interest: 1
Cheer For: South CarolinaTom’s Synopsis: It’s almost impossible to figure this one out. Both teams are coming in off emotional upset wins. Either one (or both) could come in flying high and ready to kill. Either one (or both) could come in flat and get buried.
Or they could just re-enact Wrestlemania VII on the 50 yard line before the kickoff like they did last year. Really, anything’s possible.
If we had to choose, I’d be hard-pressed to pick against Spurrier at home.
Tony's Rebuttal: The winner of this game depends upon one thing: Is Tommy Bowden's job on the line?
If it is, then Clemson will win. If it's not, they'll lose by 14.
I think he kept his job by winning the Bowden Bowl, which means Steve Spurrier will have won all three games that meant the most to Spurrier.
Teams: Georgia Tech (6-3) at #3 Miami, FL (8-1)
Time (TV): 7:45 pm (ESPN)
Line: Miami by 17.5
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Georgia TechTom’s Synopsis: The Ramblin’ Wreck could hand the Buckeyes a whole lot of help over the next two weeks if they can knock off Miami and Georgia.
Of course, it seems like the Jackets are always in a position like this and never, ever come through.
They’re going to lose their last two, finish the regular season 6-5 and end up playing in the Tangerine Bowl again.
Tony's Synopsis: Georgia Tech is like that expansion team that almost was good but never took off. Wait, that's the Blue Jackets. My bad.
Georgia Tech has never come through for anybody, so I wouldn't expect them to start now. If you sent them out for groceries and underlined "toilet paper" twice, they'd still forget it. Idiots.
Teams: #4 LSU (8-1) at Mississippi (3-6)
Time (TV): 7:45 pm (ESPN2)
Line: LSU by 16.5
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: MississippiTom’s Synopsis: Am I the only one who looked at the rankings in recent weeks and went, “wait… LSU still only has one loss? They’re in the top 5?”
I’m not sure exactly how it happened, but there they are, theoretically with a chance to play for the national championship with a little help from a particularly fortuitous (and unlikely) string of events on conference championship Saturday.
Are they really supposed to be the fourth-best team in the country?
Would any Buckeye fan be overly worried if OSU was matched up with the Bayou Bengals in the Sugar Bowl this year?
Tony's Synopsis: I would not be worried. Ohio State 24 - LSU 7.
Also, no, you're not the only one who stopped paying attention to LSU after the Tennessee loss. Am I the only one that stopped paying attention to Auburn when Cadillac and Ronnie Brown left?
Teams: #16 Fresno State (8-1) at #1 Southern Cal (10-0)
Time (TV): 10:15 pm (Fox Sports Net)
Line: USC by 23.5
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Fresno StateTom’s Synopsis: This will be the trendy “don’t be surprised if it’s close” pick this week from people who want to show you how much they know about college football.
It theoretically could be close—Fresno State went to Eugene and only lost to Oregon by a field goal, so they’re a decent team. They also throttled Boise State, which is no small feat, either.
Here’s the problem: USC will hear people talking about how this could be close, they’ll get ticked off and turn this into a runaway.
The Bulldogs should score about 20, but they’ll give up 40.
Tony's Synopsis: USC is tired of hearing about Texas. They'll put up over 40 and Matt Leinart will still be throwing deep down the sideline to Dwayne Jarrett in the fourth quarter.
Also, Pete Carroll has to get Reggie Bush's Heisman campaign back on track, so expect a touchdown pass from Reggie this week. After all, it only takes one highlight per week to get invited to New York.
Teams: #9 Ohio State (8-2) at #17 Michigan (7-3)
Time (TV): 1:00 pm (ABC-National)
Line: OSU by 3
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Ohio StateTom’s Synopsis: Michigan hasn’t been a home underdog since 1998, and has only welcomed a favored team into Ann Arbor three times since the Big Ten expanded in 1993.
The last time was against Penn State in 1998 (the Wolverines won that game). Before that, they were an underdog at Michigan Stadium against the Buckeyes in 1995 (we all know how that turned out) and they were a one-point ‘dog against Penn State in 1994 (they lost).
It sounds stupid, but I would feel a lot better if Michigan was favored by a point or two.
This is a series where the team with more to lose tends to lose more often than it wins (see: Michigan in 2004, OSU in 2003, Michigan in 2001, OSU in 1996, OSU in 1995, OSU in 1993). This year, the Buckeyes have more to lose.
Also, the Wolverines already have plenty of motivation for this one—the humiliation last year, the underdog status this year—and finally have some semblance of a healthy team for the first time this season. They’re also playing at home, a place which has not been particularly kind to folks in scarlet and gray.
The Buckeyes probably still have a better team on paper, but that doesn’t tend to matter all that much in these games. The old adage about “throwing the records out” applies more here than almost any other matchup in college football, and indeed in all of sports.
If the Bucks can stop the run, don’t get killed by turnovers and don’t give up any big plays on special teams, they should win.
(Here’s the part where I wuss out and tell you I’ll pick a final score later in the week.)
Tony's Rebuttal: I'm glad you wussed out first.
Everything on paper points to an Ohio State win. The talent, the skill, the defense, the class, the non-horrible uniforms, etc.
However, Michigan does have a few things on their side: the crowd's blue shirts; the home field advantage; the incredible arrogance, and their superior knowledge of kinesiology.
Jim Tressel has never beaten Michigan without a 100 yard rusher. Lloyd Carr has never beaten Jim Tressel without a 100 yard rusher.
Now do you understand what the winning team is going to have to do to win?
The running game will provide a cushion for the better team. If it’s good enough, it will be able to sustain a momentum shift on a turnover or special teams play.
I don’t expect Michigan to have a 100 yard rusher on Saturday.
I do expect Chad Henne’s aim to get a little bit better. Let’s face it, this season he’s been as accurate as Michael Robinson if Robinson were quarterbacking from a moving Tilt-A-Whirl.
The key may be making plays on those errant Henne throws.
And running the ball.
If Antonio Pittman carries it 25 times, the Buckeyes will win.
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