Football
Tom's Tip Sheet
By Tony Gerdeman

It’s week two already? Man, the season’s already flying by.

I wanted to make this Tip Sheet special by doing an ESPN Full Circle-type of thing, but camera shots of Bobby Bowden during the week are pretty dang boring.

Unless you like watching him open his mail and eat apples. Or watch him go through the drive-thru at Rally’s and ask if they still have two Big Bufords for $3.

“Uh…uh yeah, hey…hey, you all got them, uh…whatcha call’em, Big Boppers two for three dollars still?”

If you haven’t yet recovered from the excitement that was Florida State at Miami, then I feel sorry for you because the football’s ready to start right back up.

The first game of the year is this week—Penn State at Notre Dame.

Texas also hosts Ohio State…if you even care.

And Wannie’s on TV Friday night, which is great because Friday sitcoms are terrible.

Thursday, Sept. 7

Teams: Oregon State at Boise State
Time (TV): 7:30 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Oregon State

Last week, Boise State beat Sacramento State 45-0. Oregon State beat Eastern Washington 56-17. After those two games, you know both of these teams believe that they can play with anybody! I’m sure halfway through their neck-punch of Sacramento State, the Boise State fans were clamoring for their showdown with Oregon State. This is their Super Bowl. Their Thursday night Super Bowl, anyway. But I think it’s only about the fifth-most important game on their schedule. They don’t need to concern themselves with the BCS, just worry about the WAC. Look at what happened to Fresno State last season when they were focused on the BCS, rather than the WAC. After USC beat them in a heartbreaker, they lost their last three games of the season. Of course Boise State wants to beat a BCS team, but it’s not like Oregon State is a real BCS team. They’re like Maryland, but with a win over Notre Dame recently.

Friday, Sept. 8

Teams: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: Cincinnati

Few things can get your weekend off to a good start better than watching Wannie overcome befuddlement in time for his interview leaving the field heading into the half.

Sideline Reporter: Coach Wannstedt, why did you punt on second down?

Wannie: We did what?!? How many points did we get for it?

Sideline Reporter: Coach, you don’t actually get points for punting.

Wannie: Yeah, right. This is why women shouldn’t be allowed on the sidelines.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Teams: Central Michigan at Michigan
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN Plus/GP)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Michigan

There are a fair number of Michigan fans worried about their offense. The offense that they should worry about, however, is Central Michigan’s. They’ll run some plays that Steve Spurrier wouldn’t even run on Tennessee up by 30. Unfortunately, it’ll probably cost them more than help them. The Wolverine defense will be all over the field, and they’ll need to be. Michael Hart may get a bit of a rest as the Wolverines gear up for Notre Dame next week.

Teams: Illinois at Rutgers
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 2.5
Cheer For: Illinois

This is actually a semi-intriguing rematch from 2005. Last year’s game came as close to a classic as an Illinois game can. The Illini trailed 27-7 midway through the third quarter before scoring twenty unanswered, sending the game into overtime, where Illinois eventually won 33-30. It will be interesting to see where Illinois stands after this game. It will probably be somewhere about 17 points behind Rutgers.

Teams: Miami Ohio at Purdue
Time (TV): 1:00 pm (ESPN 360)
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: Purdue

Purdue led Indiana State 26-21 at halftime before eventually winning 60-35. That’s right, Indiana State scored 35 points. In case you weren’t aware, Indiana State had lost 17 consecutive games to that point. Apparently Purdue’s defensive woes from 2005 aren’t quite fixed. Sure, they got up big early, much like Ohio State, and then gave up points and yards. But c’mon, it’s Indiana State. Their last win came over 23 months ago. As far as Miami is concerned, All-MAC running back Brandon Murphy missed the season opener, but is back on the depth chart this week. Indiana State had a 100-yard rusher against Purdue, so there’s no reason Brandon Murphy can’t do the same. Redhawk quarterback Mike Kokal is also mobile. This one looks like another possible shootout, but you have to wonder how Miami could only score three points against Northwestern.

Teams: New Hampshire at Northwestern
Time (TV): 2:00 pm
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Northwestern

If you’ll remember last week’s Tip Sheet, my Fantasy Focus Game of the Week was Kentucky at Louisville and my starting running back (and number one pick) Michael Bush broke his leg. This week I’m making New Hampshire at Northwestern my Fantasy Focus Game of the Week because my opponent is starting Tyrell Sutton.

Teams: Buffalo at Bowling Green
Time (TV): 3:00 pm
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Bowling Green

For everybody angry and upset about the new clock rules, I wonder if they’d feel the same way if they had to sit through Buffalo’s 9-3 overtime win last week against Temple.

Teams: Ohio at Northern Illinois
Time (TV): 3:05
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Northern Illinois

If I’ve got my Columbus to Athens exchange rate correct, Garrett Wolfe will run for 300 yards this week.

Teams: Clemson at Boston College
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC/GP)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Boston College

This is one of the games that people didn’t even think about when the ACC expanded. All the talk was about BC against Duke and UNC in basketball and Virginia Tech and Miami against Florida State and company in football. However, Clemson at Boston College could actually have a pretty significant impact this season. If Clemson gets by Boston College, they go to Tallahassee next week perhaps ranked in the Top 15. Of course, Florida State will somehow pummel them by 30 points. However, if Boston College pulls it out this week, look for Clemson to disregard logic and common sense and beat Florida State in Tallahassee. That’s just how things work with Tommy Bowden.

Teams: Iowa at Syracuse
Time (TV): 3:30 (ABC/GP)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Iowa

Syracuse put up 10 points on Wake Forest last week. I think the Big East kicked out the wrong Temple.

Teams: Penn State at Notre Dame
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (NBC)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Penn State

Last week, Penn State ran for 76 yards against Akron. Obviously Notre Dame doesn’t have a defense the caliber of Akron’s, but I still think Penn State will struggle some on the ground. And before we just assume that Notre Dame will move the ball all over the field, Akron only had 225 total yards against the Nits. Anthony Morelli is a much more capable quarterback than Georgia Tech’s Reggie Ball, so the Irish will definitely be tested. Likewise, Penn State’s secondary will also be busy. Since both teams will be able to throw the ball, it will probably come down to who runs it better. Actually, I think Penn State will run it better but still lose. How’s that for irony? (PS: If Penn State wins this, their fans will become even more insufferable than usual. And I can completely understand if you can’t in good conscience root for that.)

Teams: Western Illinois at Wisconsin
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ESPNU)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Wisconsin

Ah, more great televised competition from ESPNDirectionalSchoolU. Of note, however, is that Wisconsin still has running backs. Redshirt freshman P.J. Hill and his 242 pounds rushed for 130 yards against Bowling Green last week. Look for him to continue to carry the load and be spelled a bit by true freshman Lance Smith, who rushed for 41 yards against the Falcons. As far as why we’re cheering for Wisconsin, do you really want to waste your time hoping for a Western Illinois victory? I’d rather dare a hobo to cut me.

Teams: Eastern Michigan at Michigan State
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ESPN Plus/GP)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Michigan State

Michigan State had to have a fourth quarter turnover from Idaho last week to hold on. The Spartan offense only put up 400 yards, which was a surprise. Eastern Michigan can move the ball, but Michigan State’s defense looks to be a little improved over last year. The Spartans should be able to do whatever they want on offense, though they should’ve been able to last week as well. Also look to see if John L. Smith is wearing his sweet orange-green boots.

Teams: Arizona at LSU
Time (TV): 6:30 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Arizona

If this game was in Arizona, perhaps the Wildcats would have a chance. They somehow pulled out a 16-13 victory at home against BYU despite looking sub-mediocre. That level of play isn’t going to work in Baton Rouge. Arizona is a very gritty team and LSU will definitely have to work for their three touchdown win.

Teams: Indiana at Ball State
Time (TV): 6:30 pm (All MACcess)
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Indiana

I have no idea what “All MACcess” is, but if you’ve got it, I guarantee you don’t know it. You should call your cable company and ask them if they offer “All MACcess”. I bet they’ll say, “Yes sir, we offer all of the Cinemaxes.”

Teams: Minnesota at California
Time (TV): 7:00 pm (TBS)
Interest: 4.5
Cheer For: Minnesota

I’m looking forward to seeing what the 260-pound Alex Daniels can do at running back against Cal. This one looks like a shootout. You know Cal will still be angry about getting whipped in Knoxville, but them being Berkeley boys, you have to wonder if they can even do anything about it. One thing we do know going into this game is that Minnesota is going to punch Cal in the mouth. We’ll find out Saturday night if they can take a punch. I’m not so sure they can.

Teams: Air Force at Tennessee
Time (TV): 7:00 pm (ESPN Plus/GP)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Tennessee

For some reason, people were caught off guard by Tennessee’s win last week over California It’s almost like the entire nation just did a double-take. “Tennessee? They’re back?” It sure looks that way. So if “they’re back”, why root for them, you ask? Because we all want the Vols to be 7-0 when they visit Steve Spurrier and South Carolina. Heck, I bet even Spurrier’s rooting for Tennessee. If he’s rooting for them, how can you not?

Teams: Georgia at South Carolina
Time (TV): 7:45 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 4
Cheer For: South Carolina

Georgia is looking very, very bad on offense. Despite their 48 points, they only had 16 first downs and 295 total yards. South Carolina’s defense looked pretty good against Mississippi State. Of course that’s like saying your volcano keeps lava hot. I think this one’s going to be ugly. Spurrier owes the Bulldogs from last season’s 17-15 heartbreaker in Athens. I think he’ll get his revenge.

Teams: Texas Tech at UTEP
Time (TV): 9:00 pm (CSTV)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Texas Tech

This is UTEP’s largest hurdle from going undefeated and stealing somebody’s BCS bid. Last week I said TCU was going to steal Cal’s bid, and that look’s quite possible right now. If Mike Price and the Miners want any shot at the BCS bullion, they have to win Saturday night. In their way, however, is the typical Red Raider offensive onslaught. The latest plug and play quarterback for Texas Tech is sophomore Graham Harrell. Last week, Harrell threw for 342 yards and five touchdowns in a 35-3 win over SMU. Don’t be surprised if Texas Tech struggles offensively, and not just because I’m starting Harrell this week in my fantasy league. They just sometimes don’t necessarily win as convincingly as they should, especially given Mike Leach’s relentless attitude. Still, I don’t see UTEP pulling this one out. Quarterback Jordan Palmer is too mistake-prone to actually win a big game like this.

Teams: Oregon at Fresno State
Time (TV): 10:00 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 2.5
Cheer For: Oregon

The sooner Fresno State gets a loss, the easier the BCS schools will sleep. They should sleep just fine after this game. Fresno State was fortunate to hold on at home against Nevada last week. This week, they get to go up against (perhaps) the best offense in the Pac 10. Last week, the Ducks put up 534 yards of total offense against Stanford. They can run and they can throw, and when things break down, Dennis Dixon can make things happen with his feet. If Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart is 100% from a slight ankle sprain last week, look for him to rush for 150 yards and a couple of scores.

Teams: Ohio State at Texas
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ABC)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Ohio State

We don’t really need to talk too much about this one. You know it all by now anyway. It’s clear that the quarterbacks are the story, and the quarterback that makes the most mistakes will lose. That looks like advantage Ohio State, but you also have to consider what the defenses will do to force those mistakes, who’s doing the forcing, and how the quarterbacks respond. Troy Smith’s comfort level has never been higher, as evidenced by his lengthy stays in the pocket against Northern Illinois. Smith only ran the ball once against Northern Illinois, but if you think that’s going to hold form Saturday night, then you probably innocently fall asleep in cars with guns in your lap. Colt McCoy is also a very capable runner, and should have multiple carries. In fact, if Ohio State can pass protect, don’t be surprised if McCoy outrushes Troy. Hopefully, however, the sack numbers will bring McCoy’s rushing stats way down.

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