The Crier

The Rundown

I didn’t do so well last week, but exciting football games made up for it.

Andy Griesbaum · Sport · Nov 03, 2007

I’d have to say my favorite moment was the entire Georgia team storming the endzone after they scored first on the Florida Gators. Well known for his laid back manner, Georgia coach Mark Richt had called out his team before the game for playing without passion. He told them that if the players didn’t get a penalty for excessive celebration after their first touchdown, they’d be running sprints at 5 o’clock the next morning. He thought he was just talking to his offense, and when the entire team ran onto the field, even Richt was surprised. So was Florida coach Urban Meyer, but not in a good way. “Well first thing it is illegal,” said Meyer. “You have to match the intensity. We were being called out.” They certainly were. After years of consistently losing to the Gators, the Bulldogs left it all on the field and came away with the 42-30 victory.

With the game against Ohio State looming in the near future for the Wolverines, I think we can learn something from the Bulldogs. Senior leaders Mike Hart, Chad Henne, and Jake Long have never won against the Buckeyes in their career, and Hart has said over and over that it’s one thing he wants to accomplish before he graduates. So far this year, Hart has served as the same kind of emotional spark that the Bulldogs used for their victory over Florida. He plays the game like it ought to be played, stimulating the rest of the team with his own intensity. He’ll need to keep it up too, because I don’t see Lloyd Carr pulling a Mark Richt anytime soon. Everyone gets hyped up for the Ohio St game regardless, but Hart needs to show the team how to play the game with the same kind of heart he uses if we’re going to win.

Three Games to Watch:
Wisconsin at (1) Ohio St
The Badgers have plummeted out of the rankings after being ranked as high as fifth in the nation before their loss to Illinois. Some people are saying they’re “surging” right now, but annihilating Northern Illinois and Indiana is hardly impressive. The Badgers have won their past two games against the Buckeyes, but they haven’t played each other since 2004. Both teams have changed quite a bit since then, and the Badgers have quite a task ahead of them if they want a victory in Columbus. Their only real offensive threat, running back PJ Hill, is suffering from a lower leg bruise that should slow him down. Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Donovan never really had a prayer to begin with. He doesn’t have the personal talent or the receiving talent to launch a successful attack against the best passing defense in the nation. On the other side of the ball, Buckeyes quarterback Todd Boeckman is coming off his best game of the year, after throwing for 253 yards and 3 touchdowns. Basically, Wisconsin is screwed.
Prediction: Ohio St over Wisconsin 42-10

(3) LSU at (17) Alabama
The big story in this battle for supremacy in the SEC West is between the coaches. Alabama’s Nick Saban is facing his ex-team for the first time since returning to college football. Saban recruited 17 of LSU’s current starters. The LSU faithful are out for his blood, but the success of their new coach, Les Miles, might be taking away the sting of Saban’s treachery. As much hype as the coaches are attracting, this game is going to be decided by the players on the field. Alabama is looking for its first win against LSU since 2002. Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson has been on fire of late, throwing for 628 yards in his last two games. LSU’s star defensive tackle, Glenn Dorsey, will be looking for Parker in the backfield. Dorsey left the game against Auburn two weeks ago after a block took him out below the knees. Something tells me the big man is going to be hungry on Saturday. I think Alabama is going to make it a close game, but the Tigers are going to come away with the victory in the end.
Prediction: LSU over Alabama 35-31

(6) Arizona St at (4) Oregon
Unless something absolutely crazy happens, which it probably will, one of these teams is going to be the Pac-10 champion depending on this game. The Sun Devils are currently first in the Pac-10 and fourth in the BCS standings while Oregon is ranked ahead of them in the national polls. In a conference known for offense, these teams have the best. Oregon’s two pronged attack, led by Dennis Dixon through the air and Jonathan Stewart on the ground, has left opposing defenses speechless throughout the season. USC managed to slow them down somewhat last week, but Arizona St doesn’t have the same kind of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Stewart had 142 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns against the Sun Devils last year, and he’s only gotten better since then. Dennis Dixon has been the one who has really improved his game though. His big flaw last year was a lot of interceptions, but this year he has those under control, only 3 so far with 16 touchdowns. Rudy Carpenter, the Sun Devil quarterback, has also put up some impressive numbers, but he sprained his throwing thumb last week and it’s still bothering him. This game is going to be a display of offensive fire power and the Ducks are going to come out with their Howitzers blasting.
Prediction: Oregon over Arizona St 47-28

Upset of the Week:
Florida St. over (2) Boston College
Florida St has been utterly unimpressive this entire season, which means they are due for a big win. It’s supposed to rain in Boston on Saturday night, and BC certainly showed problems handling the rain last week against Virginia Tech. They needed two touchdowns in the last 2 minutes in order to win. I don’t think their luck can hold out again. Florida St is going to get some lucky breaks early on, defensive touchdowns and whatnot, and BC won’t be able to rally in time. Florida St over Boston College 17-10

My Top 5 (1) Ohio St - They’re going to roll over Wisconsin this week the same way they rolled over Penn St last week. Yeah they play a weak schedule, but they’ve whooped up on that weak schedule. Hopefully we’ll beat them and I won’t have to keep saying they’re the best team in the nation.

(2) Oregon - A college level defense cannot successfully stop Dennis Dixon combined with Jonathan Stewart. That’s what I say. As John Madden says, “The team that scores the most points is going to win the game.” I think the Ducks say that every time they leave the locker room.

(3) LSU - LSU’s offense is almost as impressive as Oregon’s in my opinion. They succeed with their raw power. Running back Jacob Hester crams it down opposing defenses throats every time he touches the ball, and quarterback Matt Flynn has proven that he can throw the big passes to win the important games.

(4) Boston College - Heisman hopeful Matt Flynn has this team gunning for a national title. I predicted a tough game for them against Florida St, but their record still shows they’re one of the best teams in the nation. Their rushing defense has been stalwart, ranking second in the nation in yards allowed.

(5) Arizona St - They’re undefeated too, but don’t get the same respect as Boston College. They haven’t played a tough schedule, but BC hasn’t either. Their biggest test was against then number 18 California. We’ll see how they do against the Ducks this week.