The Crier

The Lowdown

The Crier’s own Tim Shields offers his insights into this week of college football.

Tim Shields · Sport · Sep 27, 2007

I know it’s a little late to start doing a football picks column, but since we are I thought I would introduce myself. My name is Tim Shields, I am a third year Political Science major. I have been watching and going to Michigan football games my entire life (my parents even say I learned to do math by adding football scores). That being said, I am no official football expert, but I will do my best to share information and my opinion on football this season. Good luck to my fellow picker Andy. You are going to need it.

Three Games to Watch This Week:

1) West Virginia at South Florida Friday 8:00 p.m. ESPN 2 Heisman candidates Pat White and Steve Slaton lead number five West Virginia and their potent rushing attack against the somewhat surprising, 18th ranked South Florida Bulls. Last year South Florida ended West Virginia’s National Championship hopes with a win in Morgantown by shutting down their running game. The Bull’s quarterback, Matt Grothe, is very talented and looking for another upset. Watch for freshman WVU running back Noel Devine to have an impact when in the game — he can fly. While I see South Florida keeping it close to the end, I think West Virginia will pull off the win. Prediction: WVU 31 USF 27

2) Michigan State at Wisconsin Saturday 3:30 ABC Michigan State is flying high under new coach Mark Dantonio. They are 4-0 and have not begun their mid-season slide as seen in years past…yet. Word out of East Lansing is that Dantonio is a great coach and motivator and will not let that happen to this year’s team. As for their actual team, I am not sure what to expect when matched up against a talented squad. The offense has looked impressive in wins against Notre Dame and UAB but struggled in close games against Pitt and Bowling Green. Running backs Jevon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick are a nice 1,2 punch and Kellen Davis is an excellent tight end. All three of these guys put up good efforts last week, but anyone can score against Notre Dame. Number 9 Wisconsin returned a boatload of players this year including Big Ten Freshman of the Year running back P.J. Hill and spectacular tight end Travis Beckum. They are still breaking in their new quarterback Tyler Donavon and will look to run on MSU. In the end, I think it will come down to the kicking game and Wisconsin has a decided advantage with Taylor Melhhaff taking kicks. Prediction Wisconsin 16 MSU 13

3) California at Oregon 3:30 ABC After shellacking Michigan 39 to 7 at the Big House, everyone knows Oregon can score at will. Starting quarterback Dennis Dixon and junior running back Jonathan Stewart are two of the best at their respective positions in the country and should not have a problem putting up points against a struggling Cal defense. Normally that would spell a clear blow out, but Cal is a scoring machine as well. Senior running back Justin Forsett is second in the Pac-10 in rushing to Stewart and Cal also has All-American and Heisman hopeful wide receiver Desean Jackson. Jackson has already returned one punt for a touchdown and is looking to break out receiving the ball. Expect the raucous home crowd in Autzen Stadium to be the difference in this wild shootout. Prediction Oregon 45 Cal 38

Upset of the Week:

Georgia Tech over #13 Clemson Georgia Tech has lost two in a row after being ranked as high as high as 15th. Georgia Tech’s running back Tashard Choice is one of the best in the country but has been side-lined due to injury in their two losses. If he comes back, expect Clemson’s defense to have trouble containing him. On the other hand, Georgia Tech’s defense should be well suited to stop Clemson’s two backs, James Davis and C.J. Spiller. Playing at home, I expect the Yellowjackets to upset Clemson. Prediction Ga. Tech 20 Clemson 14

Top 5:

1) USC: Number one until someone beats them in my mind. They may have the best defense in the country or the only defense in the Pac-10. Senior quarterback John David Booty has not even been called on to win a game through the air yet.

2) LSU: The Tigers have already proven themselves, beating South Carolina and destroying Virginia Tech. Their defense may be better than USC’s.

3) Oklahoma: No one they’ve played has been even close yet. Senior running back Allen Patrick has taken over admirably for Adrian Peterson and Sam Bradford is a Heisman candidate as long as they keep winning.

4) Ohio State: Still a great defense and their offense is getting better every week. Not a lot of upcoming tests and could be undefeated heading into the last week of the season at Michigan.

5) Oregon: Although losing senior wide receiver Brian Paysinger for the season hurts, Oregon still has the most dangerous offense in the country, in my opinion. They dominated Michigan at home and should beat Cal this weekend to vault them higher in the polls.