The College View 2006 Week 8

In the last 55 years Indiana has only defeated Ohio State twice in Columbus, 1951 and 1987. I was in attendance for the 1987 game. I sat in B-deck as a dumbfounded 11 year old watching the Hoosiers wax the Buckeyes 31-10 in what would be Earl Bruce's last season as Ohio State's head coach. Saturday at noon will be Indiana's next opportunity to knock off 31.5 point favorite Ohio State in the Horseshoe. If you don't have ESPNU, you won't be able to watch the game in the comforts of your home.

The History
Ohio State has won the last twelve games against Indiana. This will be the 82nd game in this series. Ohio State is 64-12-5 versus Indiana. Since the 1951 loss, the Buckeyes are 44-2-2 against the Hoosiers.

The Players
With his punt return for a touchdown, Ted Ginn is again in the national spotlight. Last year Ginn returned a punt against Indiana only to have it called back due to an unnecessary block in the back penalty. Had that touchdown counted, Ginn would only be one behind the all-time NCAA record of eight. Brian Robiskie, coming off of a career game against Michigan State, is becoming Troy Smith's third target behind Gonzalez and Ginn. Quinn Pitcock is eighth in the country with 7 sacks, James Laurinaitis leads the Big Ten with four interceptions and Vernon Gholston has nine tackles for loss.

Indiana's quarterback, Kellen Lewis, threw for three touchdowns and 255 yards last week against Iowa. Lewis also ran for another touchdown and was named the Big Ten‘s Offensive Player of the Week. Receiver James Hardy was Lewis' go-to receiver catching all three touchdowns against Iowa. Sophomore Marcus Thigpen leads the nation in kick return yards and has returned three for touchdowns this year. Cornerback Tracy Porter has three interceptions,, senior defensive end Kenny Kendal has 2.5 sacks, and safety Will Myers leads the team with 46 tackles.

The Stats
Ohio State's defense leads the Big Ten in the following statistical categories: scoring defense (9 ppg), turnover margin (plus 1.43), sacks (24), tackles for loss (58) and interceptions (13). The Buckeyes' offense is scoring just under 34 points a game and is gaining 235 yards passing. However, the rushing game is ranked 9th in the Big Ten.

As proficient as Ohio State has been in the offensive and defensive categories, Indiana has been deficient. The Hoosiers rank last in the conference in rushing (109 ypg) and are tenth in total offense. Indiana's offensive line is allowing at least two sacks a game and Winslow ranks 9th in the league for passing efficiency.
As bad as the offense has been, the defense is even worse. Nationally the Hoosiers are 106th in pass efficiency defense, 102nd against the run, 97th in total defense and scoring defense and 94th in sacks.

The View
I’m happy that Terry Hoeppner was able to overcome his recent health issues and coach his team in the upset victory over Iowa last week. Kudos. Unfortunately for Hoeppner, the Buckeyes are an obstacle that his team will not be able to conquer. To pad the stats, Ohio State’s running game will gain over 180 yards and Troy Smith will again put up Heisman numbers and highlights. The only question remaining is how many points will Tressel allow his team to hang on Hoeppner’s Hoosiers?

Ohio State- 52, Indiana- 10


Iowa at No. 2 Michigan (minus 13 )
Kickoff: 3:30
TV: ABC

The History
Michigan (7-0) won 23-20 in overtime last year against Iowa (5-2). The Wolverines have won seven of the last ten games against the Hawkeyes.

The Players
Iowa’s offense is centered around quarterback Drew Tate, tight end Scott Chandler, halfback Damian Sims and freshman receiver Dominique Douglas. Linebacker Mike Klinkenborg is second in the Big Ten with 73 tackles and defensive lineman Mitch King has 6.5 sacks.

Mike Hart is averaging just under 130 yards rushing and Chad Henne is playing smart football for the Wolverines. Lamar Woodley, Rondell Biggs, David Harris and Prescott Burgess are the defensive leaders.

The Stats
Michigan still has the nation’s best rush defense allowing under 33 yards a game. The Wolverines lead the Big Ten with 24 sacks.

Iowa is second in the Big Ten in passing offense (244 ypg) and total offense (409 ypg).

The View
Last week Iowa got caught looking past Indiana and lost 31-28. I hope the extra week preparing for Michigan pays off for Iowa‘s offensive line. Drew Tate doesn’t like being chased and hit by defensive linemen. Michigan’s defense will make sure that Tate doesn’t have a good day on Saturday

Michigan-24, Iowa- 14


No. 5 Texas at No. 17 Nebraska (plus 6.5)
Kickoff: Noon
TV: ABC

The History
This is only the tenth time Texas (6-1) and Nebraska (6-1) have played each other. Texas leads the all-time series 6-3 and is 4-0 against the Cornhuskers in the regular season. The Longhorns have won three consecutive games against Nebraska.

The Players
The Cornhuskers have used the trio of Marlon Lucky, Brandon Jackson, and Cody Glenn to lead the Big 12 in total rushing. Quarterback Zac Taylor has amassed over 1,500 yards passing and 14 touchdowns. Terrence Nunn and Maurice Purify are Nebraska's top receivers.

Colt McCoy has thrown 18 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Together, running backs Jamaal Charles and Selvin Young have run for 816 yards and seven touchdowns. Wide Receiver Limas Sweed is averaging over 17 yards a reception. The defense is anchored by sack machines Tim Crowder (6.5), Brian Robison (3.5) and Brian Orakpo (3).

The Stats
Texas is second in the country in rushing defense (47 ypg) and turnover margin (plus 1.43). The Longhorns are best in the Big 12 in scoring defense and are averaging 3.5 sacks a game. Texas' offense has scored 299 points this season.

Nebraska's offense has exploded this season. Callahan's team leads the Big 12 in rushing and total offense. The Cornhuskers are averaging 240 yards passing and 37 points a game.

The View
Last year Nebraska shocked the college football world with a stunning victory over Michigan in the Alamo Bowl. The Cornhuskers could do it again by defeating Texas at home. Don’t get too excited my corn loving friends, the Longhorns’ defense won’t allow that to happen.

Texas- 24, Nebraska- 17


No. 13 Georgia Tech at No. 12 Clemson (minus 7)
Kickoff: 7:45
TV: ESPN

The History
Saturday will be the 14th time Clemson (6-1) has hosted Georgia Tech (5-1). Starting in 1898, Clemson had to play 43 away games against Georgia Tech before finally getting to play the Yellow Jackets at home in 1974. Georgia Tech has played 55 of the previous 70 games against Clemson in Atlanta and has a 45-23-2 lead this series.

The Players
Reggie Ball is Georgia Tech's quarterback. Calvin Johnson, the ACC's leading receiver in yards and receptions, is Ball's main weapon. Tailback Tashard Choice has 502 yards and six touchdowns. The Yellow Jackets' defense is lead by linebackers Philip Wheeler and KaMichael Hall.

Clemson's running back James Davis is a scoring machine. Davis has 14 touchdowns along with 745 yards rushing this season. Quarterback Will Proctor has been very accurate and likes to throw to Chansi Stuckey. Defensive end Gaines Adams leads the ACC with 6.5 sacks and linebacker Nick Watkins is averaging six tackles a game.

The Stats
Clemson leads the country averaging just under 44 points a game. The Tigers are best in the ACC in the following categories: rushing offense, total offense, sacks allowed, total defense, tackles for loss, and sacks.

Georgia Tech is second to Clemson in rushing offense, total offense, and sacks allowed. Tech's pass defense has been suspect allowing 204 yards per contest.

The View
Five points or less have decided nine out of the last ten games between Clemson and Georgia Tech. Six straight games were won by exactly three points. History does seem to repeat itself.

Georgia Tech- 38, Clemson- 35


No. 6 Louisville at Syracuse (plus 17)

The History
1985 was the first game between Louisville (6-0) and Syracuse (3-4). Host Syracuse won that game 48-0 and leads the series 3-2. Louisville has won the last two contests including last year's 41-17 trouncing.


The Players
Senior quarterback Perry Patterson had a rough week

The Stats
Syracuse is ranked 111th in rush defense and 109th in total defense. They are allowing opponents to score 24 points a game. The offensive line has allowed 23 sacks and the team is ranked 107th in total offense.

Louisville is ranked second in total offense and is averaging over 40 points a game. The defense has recorded 21 sacks.

The View
Perry Patterson wasn’t punished for giving the fans in Morgantown an “obscene gesture” during the Orange’s 41-17 loss last week. Maybe the punishment is that he’ll be playing against Louisville and their sack hungry defense. Syracuse is always dangerous at home, but this Orange team has already been crushed.

Louisville- 44, Syracuse- 14


Fresno State at LSU (minus 32)
Kickoff: 9:00
TV: ESPN2

The History
LSU (5-2) and Fresno State (1-5) have never played each other.

The Stats
LSU leads the country in total defense. LSU is best in the SEC in scoring defense, pass defense, and sacks. The Tigers are scoring over 35 points and 417 yards of offense each game.

Fresno State’s defense ranks 109th in the country and has to try and stop the 12th best scoring team in the nation.

The View
Two weeks ago Utah State defeated the Bulldogs 13-12. Last week Hawaii annihilated Fresno 68-37. Pat Hill lives by the motto “Anyone, anywhere“. I think the this year it should be “This year we’ll lose to anyone, anywhere.”

LSU- 42, Fresno State- 10

Buffalo at Ohio (minus 17)
Kickoff: 2:00


The History
Ohio is 5-2 against Buffalo in MAC play and 6-2 all-time. The first MAC game was won by the Bobcats (45-6) in 1999. Ohio (4-3) won the last two games against Buffalo (1-5) by a combined score of 68-20.

The Players
Buffalo’s running back James Starks is averaging 4.6 yards a carry. Quarterback Drew Willy likes to hook up with receivers Terrance Breaux and Chad Upshaw. Wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt is a dangerous kick return man.

On the legs of Kalvin McRae and Matt Lasher Ohio held on to defeat Illinois last week. Lasher kicked the game winning field goal with five seconds remaining and McRae had another 100 yard plus performance. Can linebackers Tyler Russ and Matt Muncy get the defense inspired for Buffalo?

The Stats
Ohio’s pass defense (ranked 32nd) and punt returns (6th) continue to be the strength of the team. The rushing offense is ranked 94th and the Bobcats are ranked 112th in total offense. Ohio is scoring 19 points a game and allowing its opponents to score just under 20.

Buffalo’s defense is even worse. The Bulls are giving up 254 yards rushing (118th), 432 yards total (115th), and 35 points (113th) a game. The only team not to score at least 30 points against Buffalo was Temple (0-7).

The View
Buffalo has lost two heartbreaking games this season. The first heartbreaker was a triple overtime defeat to Bowling Green in week two. The second loss came last week at the hands of previously winless Miami, 38-31. After the BG loss, Buffalo was trounced by Northern Illinois. Expect Ohio to bounce the Bulls this week.


Ohio- 30, Buffalo 10


The View's Record
Last Week: 2-2, 1-3 against the spread
Season: 21-11, 17-15 against the spread
(Matt Gutridge is a freelance writer for the Eagle-Gazette. Contact him by e-mail at TheCollegeView@hotmail.com.)