Penn State (2-1) has not won in Columbus since joining the Big Ten in 1993. Saturday, at 3:30 on ABC, the team will get its bi-annual chance. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series against the Buckeyes 11-10.
Joe Paterno has a 7-10 record against Ohio State and is 1-7 all-time in Columbus. His only win in the Horseshoe was in 1978.
The positives for Ohio State's defense is that they are allowing less than nine points a game. The Buckeyes are also averaging four sacks and ten tackles for loss per game. Quinn Pitcock leads the team with four solo sacks. The negatives are that the Buckeyes are allowing over 106 yards a game rushing and 187 yards passing. Allowing that many yards will eventually turn into points scored for an opponent.
Troy Smith, with Antonio Pittman (113 rushing yards a game), Ted Ginn, and Anthony Gonzalez; continues to pick defenses apart. Smith is ranked third nationally for passing efficiency. His score of 177.40 is only 0.12 behind Florida's Chris Leak for first.
Penn State has relied on senior running back Tony Hunt this season. The rushing game is gaining more than half of the team's yards as junior quarterback, Anthony Morelli, has struggled with running an effective offense. Against Youngstown State Morelli was 11 of 27 passing with zero touchdowns.
The Nittany Lions have plenty of offensive power with wide receivers Jordan Norwood, Deon Butler, and Derrick Williams. With Morelli completing 52% of his pass attempts, they have had to rely on Hunt and some trick plays. Last week Penn State used a reverse with freshman defensive back A.J. Wallace for a 76 yard touchdown. Wallace has three carries for 135 yards and one touchdown this season.
Linebacker Dan Connor has been a monster for Penn State on defense. Connor has 3 sacks along with 30 tackles after three games. Ed Johnson is an anchor on the defensive line and linebacker Paul Posluszny is back for his senior season.
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If Tressel continues to beat point spreads with last minute 50 yard field goals, he’s going to have to trade his sweater vest in for a V-necked leisure suit and gold chains. Instead of Jim Tressel he will be referred to as Jimmy “The Spread” Tressel.
Paterno and the Nittany Lions will now be 0-7 in Columbus since joining the Big Ten. I’m hoping Tressel is wearing his gold chains again this week, covers the 16.5 point spread, and answers to the name Jimmy during the post-game interview.
Ohio State- 31, Penn State- 13
Ohio at Missouri (minus 21)
Kickoff: 2:00
TV: WSFJ?
OU (2-1) lost to Rutgers 24-7 last week. The Scarlet Knights' defense held the Bobcats to 126 passing yards and only three yards rushing. That's a measly 0.1 yards a rushing attempt. Things aren't looking better for the offense. Saturday they play against Missouri's second ranked defense. Will they reach double digits in rushing yards this week?
Ohio's defense is anchored by linebackers Matt Muncy and Tyler Russ. The Bobcats are ranked 17th against the pass. Unfortunately Missouri has a balanced offense that could give the Bobcats trouble. When OU does force Missouri to punt, watch for the Bobcats' Chris Garrett. Garrett is averaging 26.8 yards a punt return. That average is fourth best in the country.
Missouri (3-0) is having its best start since they started the 2003 season with four straight wins. Before 2003 the last time they started 4-0 was 1981 when the Tigers won five straight. Since 1961, Missouri has only started the season with four straight victories three times.
Missouri's offense is going to challenge OU with the three headed monster of tailback Tony Temple, quarterback Chase Daniel, and wide receiver William Franklin. Temple is averaging 119 yards rushing per game and Daniels has been good for 282 total yards per game.
Defensive end Brian Smith looks to give Austen Everson fits all day. Smith is leading the nation with six sacks. Senior linebacker Marcus Bacon will also play a role in trying to disrupt the Bobcats' offense. Bacon is averaging 10 tackles per contest.
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Hopefully OU can make it back to Athens without any injuries or losing too much confidence from the last two games. Remember, the Bobcats are still 1-0 in the MAC after the stunning defeat of Northern Illinois.
Missouri- 27, Ohio- 10
Wisconsin at No. 6 Michigan (minus 14)
Kickoff: Noon
TV: ESPN
Michigan (3-0) and Wisconsin (3-0) are the under card to Penn State/Ohio State. Wisconsin's 23-20 victory last season snapped Michigan's six game winning streak in the series.
Wisconsin's 14-0 win against San Diego State last week isn't as impressive as Michigan's 47-21 drubbing of Notre Dame. However, the Badgers' offense should be a good test for Michigan's No. 1 ranked rush defense.
The Badgers' freshman half back P.J. Hill has rushed for 415 yards in his first three games. Hill should gain more than the 21 yards the Wolverines are allowing this year. When John Stocco does pass his favorite target is Paul Hubbard.
At the risk of heresy, Michigan's offense is similar to Ohio State's. The Wolverines have two solid receivers in Steve Breaston and Mario Manningham. Michael Hart is a quiet, yet solid, tailback who does more than he gets credit for. Hart is averaging 4.8 yards a carry and has four touchdowns.
The biggest difference between the two teams is the quarterback position. Will last week's win over Notre Dame jump start Henne's season and confidence?
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Barry Alvarez was 3-7 against Michigan. Wisconsin has never had a head coach in his first year defeat the Wolverines. Will Wisconsin's new head coach, Bret Bielema, be the first? My magic eight ball shows “looks doubtful”.
Michigan- 32, Wisconsin- 24
No. 12 Notre Dame at Michigan State (plus 4)
Kickoff: 8:00
TV: ABC
According to the numbers, Michigan State is the team with the high powered offense. The Spartans are ranked third in total offense and have a balanced attack with quarterback Drew Stanton and tailback Javon Ringer.
The Fighting Irish's highly touted offense ranks 68th nationally for total offense. The rushing offense is only producing 84 yards a game and is ranked 102nd. Geoff Price is the highest ranked Notre Dame player. Who is Geoff Price? He's the punter and he is averaging just under 50 yards a punt.
Michigan State has won seven out the last nine in this series including last year's overtime game. However, the visiting team has won four consecutive contests.
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Hurt feelings because of a missing megaphone. Players upset over a flag. Are these football players or cheerleaders? Insert snide Notre Dame and state of Michigan remark here.
It is rumored that Charlie Weis said something to the effect that as long as he was the head coach, Michigan State would never again defeat Notre Dame. Will Weis resign before the game is over if Notre Dame is losing?
Michigan State- 34, Notre Dame- 30
Two Reasons to have College GamePlan
Iowa State at #7 Texas (minus 24)
Kickoff: 3:30
TV: GamePlan
Texas puts a Texas size whoopin’ on their first guest since the Buckeyes trashed their house two weeks ago.
Texas- 48, Iowa State- 10
No. 3 USC at Arizona (plus 21)
Kickoff: 8:00
TV: GamePlan
Even if Arizona knows Booty’s signal for one-on-one coverage USC is still going to “hang loose” Saturday night.
USC- 38, Arizona- 16
Other Games on TV
Louisville at Kansas State (plus 14)
Kickoff: Noon
TV: Fox Sports Network
Kansas State took care of Marshall last week, this week Louisville takes care of them.
Louisville- 38, K-State- 20
Minnesota at Purdue (plus 2.5)
Kickoff: Noon
TV: ESPN2
Purdue has dropped farther and faster than Notre Dame has from its No. 2 ranking.
Minnesota- 35, Purdue- 17
Iowa at Illinois (plus 21)
Kickoff: Noon
TV: WBNS
Purdue’s still not as bad as the Illini. Whether it be Northwestern of yester year or Illinois of today, the state of Illinois must always have the worst team in the Big Ten.
Iowa- 42, Illinois- 14
Tulsa at Navy (minus 5)
Kickoff: 1:30
TV: CSTV
Battle of the Dangerfields. Two scrappy teams playing for national respect.
Navy- 27, Tulsa- 21
No. 22 Arizona State at No. 21 California (minus 7.5)
Kickoff: 3:30
TV: Fox Sports Network
Biggest game on the west coast this week. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter and his 292 yards a game showcases two offensive minded teams. If nobody on the east coast watches, does Arizona State still get the victory?
ASU- 49, California- 45
Alabama at Arkansas (minus 2)
Kickoff: 3:30
TV: CBS
Mustain makes his third start and is looking for his third win. Alabama is going to make him keep looking for win number three next week.
Alabama- 24, Arkansas- 21
#4 West Virginia at East Carolina (plus 21)
Kickoff: 4:30
TV: ESPN2
Head east young man, head east. The Mountaineers travel east and take no prisoners. Slaton and White are fun to watch.
West Virginia- 45, East Carolina- 28
UTEP at New Mexico (plus 9.5)
Kickoff: 5:00
TV: CSTV
Carson Palmer’s little brother, Jordan, takes his golden arm to New Mexico mining for his second win.
UTEP- 33, New Mexico- 27
UCLA at Washington (plus 4)
Kickoff: 7:00
TV: TBS
My wife pointed out that a bruin is larger and more powerful than a husky. Bruins beat up Huskies.
UCLA- 30, Washington- 21
South Florida at Kansas (minus 5)
Kickoff: 7:00
TV: Fox Sports Network
Quarterback Matt Grothe looks to lead South Florida to a 4-0 start.
South Florida- 17, Kansas- 14
Kentucky at #5 Florida (minus 23)
Kickoff: 7:45
TV: ESPN
Overheard from Kentucky fan “Look ma, dem Gators look hungry.” “Dem” Gators win again.
Florida- Hungry, Kentucky- Fried Chicken
#20 Boston College at N.C. State (plus 7)
Kickoff: 8:00
TV: ESPN2
Boston College forces Chuck Amato to consider early retirement.
BC- 24, N.C. State- 21
Division I-AA Upset Specials
One of the teams below will make it four consecutive weeks a I-AA has knocked off one of the big boys
Indiana State at Northern Illinois
North Carolina A&T at Louisiana-Lafayette
Cal Poly at San Jose State
North Dakota State at Ball State
Tennessee State at Vanderbilt
McNeese State at Toledo
Citadel at Pitt
The View’s Record
Last Week: 3-1 overall, 2-2 against the spread.
Season: 9-5 overall, 9-5 against the spread.
(Matt Gutridge is a freelance writer for the Eagle-Gazette. Contact him by e-mail at TheCollegeView@hotmail.com.)
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